It’s been a banner year for designer Christian Siriano who celebrated a decade in the fashion business last February with a mega-watt show featuring 72 looks, dressed 17 women for the red carpet at the Oscars this season, and now, at a time when plenty of fashion businesses are shuttering, has opened a jaw-droppingly beautiful retail store in a midtown Manhattan townhouse.
The boutique, dubbed The Curated NYC plays to Siriano’s reputation as “the new king of old-school glamour.” In fact, the 1918 property, vacant for 10-years, once served as the office of Hollywood legend Cary Grant. Siriano, who designed the space, has slathered the elaborate woodwork and moldings with white paint, added some hefty hits of pink (a grand staircase is carpeted in a serene cherry-blossom pink hue and will likely become major Instagram bait) and imbued blasts of color via the artwork of his two favorite contemporary artists, Ewa Budka and Rebecca Russo (they’re for sale).
Siriano’s entire collection is artfully displayed in the mod-meets-midcentury oasis. Known as a champion of racial and body diversity, his collection is not limited to traditional model-sized silhouettes. (He famously outfitted actress Leslie Jone’s for her “Ghostbusters” movie reboot when other designers refused.) “We want customers from all over the world --no matter age, size, or where they come from -- to feel comfortable shopping within a new, beautiful, curated store that showcases some of the best designers in the world,” he said. While his label is the focus other luxe designers sold here include Universal Standard, David Hart Menswear, Betto Garcia, Stephanie Kantis, and Irene Lummertz. Select pieces from travel and lifestyle brand Objectifs and books published by Rizzoli are also in the mix. Furnishings (many pieces upholstered in pink) include vintage pieces from the 1960’s and 1970’s along with pieces from Todd Merrill and Kelly Wearstler.
The eight-floor building also houses Siriano’s atelier and offices. And the clever designer knows that shoppers need sustenance, hence the Joye & Rose coffee shop at the back patio that will feature pastries, dessert and bread from the Balthazar Bakery. Coming later this summer, actress Alicia Silverstone, a close friend, will open a vegan café on the rooftop. Overall, the designer is ecstatic about and appreciative of his new digs. He said, “It’s a tough business, and the store is one of my dreams come true. I feel lucky.” 5 W. 54th St.; 646-476-4152; thecuratednyc.com.
