Ludivine, the womenswear boutique identified for its curated assortment of girls’s designer clothes, has opened a brand new 2,500-square-foot flagship at 28 East 73rd Avenue in New York.
Initially based on West 4th Avenue in Greenwich Village by French native Ludivine Gregoire, the retailer is acknowledged as the primary retailer in New York to introduce manufacturers like Golden Goose, Gabriela Hearst, Khaite and Auralee.
Madison Dowd, the proprietor of Ludivine, purchased the shop from Gregoire in 2018 when Dowd was 22 years previous and recent out of Fordham College. On the time, the shop was located on 83rd Avenue and Lexington Avenue. A enterprise main, Dowd initially took out small enterprise loans and labored with Gregiore, who mentored her for a number of seasons and took her to Paris on shopping for journeys, earlier than parting methods. Dowd later moved the shop to 66th Avenue and Madison Avenue for 4 years earlier than relocating to its present location.
Inside the brand new Ludivine retailer at Madison and 73rd Avenue.
Courtesy of Ludivine
Discussing the rationale for the most recent transfer, Dowd mentioned, “Principally I used to be impressed by the change in Madison Avenue’s retail scene proper now and we felt we needed to be extra a part of the neighborhood within the 70s, though solely seven blocks away from our previous location. We felt this half was the candy spot,” Dowd mentioned.
She mentioned her buyer is “the rich Higher East girls, however she is cool and understands style.”
“Our manufacturers are luxurious however they’re beneath the radar,” she mentioned. She appreciates that they’re one thing to be found and never offered in every single place. Among the many manufacturers they do nicely with are Gabriela Hearst, Etro, R13 denim and Elder Statesman.
Prepared-to-wear at Ludivine.
Prepared-to-wear at Ludivine.
She mentioned this new location is a superb alternative to seize a brand new buyer. She mentioned there are shops akin to Toteme, Khaite and FoundRae which might be attracting a youthful buyer to the avenue. “It’s an thrilling time to domesticate this buyer on the Higher East Facet, and it will likely be nice to entertain and have trunk exhibits and artwork occasions,” she mentioned.
The shop, which was designed by Emily Ord of Studio Order, is positioned on two flooring in a city home proper off 73rd Avenue.
“The shop was initially a hair salon that we renovated, and it took fairly a little bit of time. I used to be impressed by the second flooring which has these lovely French home windows so it felt like a Parisian lounge in the midst of the Higher East Facet,” she mentioned. “I used to be enthusiastic about having this extra house so we are able to host individuals and invite individuals in and domesticate the brand new uptown buyer on this retailer.”
The primary flooring comprises their greatest favourite ready-to-wear items, and a few footwear, and upstairs there’s denim, extra ready-to-wear, the becoming rooms and the couch. “It’s extra intimate upstairs, and extra showroom fashion internet hosting,” she mentioned. There are becoming rooms on each flooring.
The shop is open seven days every week.
Requested if she’s involved about shipments coming in for the autumn, she mentioned, “I’ve heard from a number of manufacturers that they’re altering their value buildings a bit to account for the tariffs, however nothing is delayed,” she mentioned.
The shop formally opens to the general public on Thursday.
This fall, Ludivine will introduce Freya, the retailer’s first label designed in-house and knowledgeable by almost a decade of working with a discerning clientele. The items are crafted in couture stage lace, beading and tweed materials and designed in simple shapes like a easy slip, a hoodie and boxy jacket. Retail costs for the autumn assortment vary from $1,500 to $6,500.
