Chicago welcomes Balenciaga's first standalone store

Luxury fashion house Balenciaga inaugurated its first standalone store in Chicago, Illinois, on Tuesday. Located at 15 East Oak Street, the two-level, 641-square meter store showcases Balenciaga’s signature Raw Architecture concept.

Raw architecture concept

The design philosophy of Raw Architecture is characterized by intentionally untreated surfaces and evocative details such as rough edges, free-standing partitions, and a mix of materials. This approach respects and exposes existing structural elements, minimizing the use of new materials and highlighting the building's history.

Unique interior design

Key design elements of the store include:

• Floors and Walls: Vast brushed concrete floors resembling sidewalk tiles and walls made of concrete or cement board panels create a unique indoor/outdoor ambiance.
• Lighting: A large-scale luminous ceiling illuminates key areas like the shoe section, staircase, and fitting rooms, complemented by suspended ceiling mesh, industrial lighting systems, and other technical fixtures.
• Furniture and Fixtures: The interior design evokes a warehouse or studio atmosphere with hot rolled metal tables, angel hair-finish metal shelving, and hanging pipe racks. Seating is upholstered in recycled leather, and underlit shelving, panes of smoked glass, an inlaid carpet, and high-definition screens add warmth and modernity.

Expansion and previous openings

The opening of the Chicago store follows the recent debut of a three-floor flagship store in the newly rebuilt Toraya Ginza Building in Ginza, Tokyo, inaugurated last month.