Two high-end retailers are slated to open new shops on Madison Avenue, according to window signage and online filings. Thanks to ‘Upper West Sider’ for the tips.
Signage for high-end fashion retailer Rubin & Chapelle is now in the window of 962 Madison Avenue, between 75th and 76th Streets. Rubin & Chapelle’s products are made in NYC, and their stores can be found in the Meatpacking District and in Malibu, California. Browsing their website, some of the products that may jump out at you include a $135 face mask, an $85 baseball cap, and a selection of women’s tops for about $1,000. Sonja Rubin and Kip Chapelle co-founded the brand in 1997. www.rubinchapelle.com.
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Online permits indicate that Isabel Marant will be opening a two-floor shop at 677 Madison Avenue, between 61st and 62nd Streets (formerly occupied by Berluti). Currently located at 23 East 67th Street, the French retailer named after its founder carries men’s and women’s apparel and accessories at its stores across the globe. Items include a pair of $600 “wedge” sneakers which the New York Times described as a “high-top with an exaggerated, puffy tongue” in its June 2021 feature, entitled “The Original Ugly Sneaker is Back.” www.isabelmarant.com/us.
Despite some newcomers, a recent report by The Real Deal states that Madison Avenue’s main shopping corridor – from 57th to 72nd Streets – is currently “only seeing 71 percent of its 2019 foot traffic,” and a 39% availability rate makes it the most vacant stretch in Manhattan.
Additional newcomers to Madison Ave include Manolo Blahnik, which opened its Manhattan flagship between 63rd and 64th Street earlier this year. Signage is also up for jewelry store Alexis Bittar at 1001 Madison Avenue, between 77th and 78th Streets.
