kate spade (New York) has announced plans to step up its presence domestically, internationally and online in 2004.
The fashion designer, which currently has a retail presence in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Greenwich, Conn., Manhasset, N.Y., Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, N.C., and Aoyama, Japan, is planning four more new locations this fall, in Boca Raton, Fla.; Las Vegas; Palo Alto, Calif.; and King of Prussia, Pa.
Ranging in size from 2000 to 3000 square feet, the stores will carry the complete collections of kate spade handbags, stationery, shoes, eyewear, beauty and, with the exception of Charlotte, the newly launched home collection of tabletop, bedding and bath, as well as a variety of exclusive items such as raincoats, pajamas, scarves and gloves designed by the company, and vintage jewelry.
The company said it will also expand or reconfigure some of its existing stores to make room for the home collection. In addition, kate spade will open at least seven new stores domestically in 2005.
“Opening new stores and developing our online presence is a natural move for us — and creatively it allows us the opportunity to showcase the kate spade world to the entire U.S.,” said ceo and creative director Andy Spade. “When we started this company 11 years ago, our ultimate goal was to become a big ‘small’ company. Our new locations are more boutiques than stores, in that they reflect the atmosphere of our first shop by offering unique and one-of-a- kind sculptures, art objects and vintage books in addition to our own products.”
Most of the new kate spade stores are a continuation of an eight-year design dialogue between kate spade and Rogers Marvel Architects (New York). Each boutique is designed specifically for its environment and will have its own unique personality.
kate spade is also in the process of redesigning two of its existing stores, its U.S. flagship at 454 Broome St. in New York and the Chicago store on East Oak Street. Toronto architect firm Yabu Pushelberg is redesigning the flagship, which will be finished this fall. It will nearly triple in size to more than 2600 square feet of selling space. The Chicago store is being reconfigured to include home and will be finished this summer.