Delvaux opens new boutique at South Coast Plaza
Delvaux is opening its second flagship in the United States, this time at South Coast Plaza. The maison’s newest location offers a bridge between the brand’s storied past, present and future, with museum-worthy furnishings and architectural features that marry French and American design.
The 1,200-square-foot store, which follows Delvaux’s New York City flagship on Fifth Avenue opened in 2019, draws customers past the breeze-block facade into a salon with a bar, curved velvet couches and chairs, and art pieces that double as tables, cabinets and consoles.
Founded in 1829, Delvaux bills itself as the oldest luxury leather-goods house in the world, and one of the first luxury-goods firms to introduce seasonality into its collections in the 1930s. It has been an official supplier to the Belgian royal court since 1883, and boasts an archive of more than 3,000 styles, all patented. The bags are made in Belgium and France.
The Delvaux bags displayed in the South Coast Plaza store include bestsellers Le Brillant, Le Tempête, and Le Pin. “I call them the founding fathers,” Loubier said. “At Delvaux there is no logo, but when you put a bag on the table, even if you don’t know the name of the company, you will always remember.”
As the first to register a patent for the handbag, in 1908 with Le Princesse, Delvaux’s retail strategy hinges on its pioneering history and long-lasting quality. Prices range from $400 for small leather goods to $18,000 or more for bags with special handwork. “We are not a fashion company,” according to CEO Jean-Marc Loubier.
Delvaux, boutique, South Coast Plaza, visual merchandising, retail design, shop design