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While Balenciaga's first West Coast boutique was about offering organic-meets-sci-fi "experience", its relocated flagship's new look under Demna Gvasalia is dedicated to urban-luxe minimalism. Now that you've seen the European fashion house's Rodeo Drive flagship sans merch, here's a peek inside with fully-dressed shelves.
After invading LA under the direction of Nicolas Ghesquière back in 2008, the luxury label reopened Saturday in Beverly Hills. At just 1,883 square feet, it's just a fraction of the size (and minus all of the natural greenery) of Balenciaga's first outpost — and that's precisely the point, according to creative director Demna Gvasalia.
The designer (and leader of French fashion collective Vetements) tells Vogue that in addition to finding inspiration from the luxury label's Paris maison, the space is "very much down to earth in terms of the experience [...] You have everything you need, without it being too much." So what's "too much"? Mannequins, landscaping, and decor — you won't find any of it at Balenciaga 2.0.
Design elements include concrete walls, aluminum fixtures, and marble displays. As far as merch, everything's sectioned into three rooms, with the front space housing the brand's leather bags and jewelry; the middle featuring menswear and eyewear; and the back dedicated to womenswear.
Scroll through the gallery above for a peek inside the women's and men's departments; you'll just have to experience Balenciaga's glorious bag chambre in action by seeing it with your own eyes Monday through Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday from 12 to 6pm.