Nicholas Kirkwood opens new New York shoes digs

Nicholas Kirkwood’s new 1,500 square feet of shoes and a garden to boot

Two days before the opening of his New York store—his first on U.S. soil—Nicholas Kirkwood is talking by phone from the space, which, from the sound of it, is still very much a construction site. The 1,500-square-foot store, with its white, gray, and beige palette and minimal decor, will have, he says, “a charming feeling. It’s all very easy on the eye. It’s hopefully a relaxing kind of shopping experience.” Behind him, a very loud horn blares. “A boat?” he wonders with a laugh. (The Hudson River is a block away.)

Germany-born shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood --guardian.co.uk photo

If he isn’t able to relax just yet, it’s easy to believe relief is coming soon. Kirkwood is arguably the most exciting new footwear designer of the last few years, and his New York location is poised to be a major new outpost for his brand. The store is designed to emphasize space: “I like the idea of doing something else that you can kind of walk around and explore it,” he says. “It kind of has a gallery-esque feeling, without being quite as cold as a gallery.” (The reference is apt; the new, downtown site of the Whitney Museum will be just across the street when it opens. “That’s going to be absolutely fantastic,” he says.)

Britain’s top designers were honored December 7, 2010 in London for the annual British Fashion Awards, including footwear designer Nicholas Kirkwood (center) who was named Accessory Designer of the Year. The designer, who is known for his architecturally-inspired shoes, got his start working with Kate Middleton’s favorite hat maker Philip Treacy. Kirkwood’s eponymous line garnered attention last Spring of 2009 when shoe-fanatic Sarah Jessica Parker wore his suede platform shoes (shown far left) three times in one week! His other celebrity fans include Claudia Schiffer (center, right) and Jessica Alba, shown above in a pair of Nicholas Kirkwood sandals. –instyle.com photo

The store will sell the full Kirkwood collection, as well as a selection of collaborations with other designers, including Peter Pilotto, Erdem, and Paco Rabanne, at the opening; other collaborations, like the shoes he makes for Prabal Gurung, will eventually arrive. Just outside, and visible through the back windows, is a garden. “The luxury of having a garden in New York is quite special,” he says. For the opening, Cecilia Dean and Anne Christensen will host a private tea party; customer events will likely follow.

A Nicholas Kirkwood for Peter Pilotto shoe -- Photo courtesy of nicholaskirkwood.com

Nicholas Kirkwood for Erdem: The ballet inspiration at Erdem was apparent not only in the clothing, but in the shoes—crafted in partnership with Nicholas Kirkwood. With floral ties winding up the ankle on one sandal, and delicate lace playing peek-a-boo on another, the softness, grace and beauty of the dance can now be had by mere mortals.—stylebistro.com photo

Another Nicholas Kirkwood for Erdem shoes—Photo courtesy of nicholaskirkwood.com

The store debuts with an opening party on Friday night, once every tile and display is in place. Is Kirkwood swinging a hammer himself, a reporter wonders? “I might do,” Kirkwood deadpans, “if they don’t hurry up.”

Nicholas Kirkwood opens today, May 4, at 807 Washington St., in Manhattan, New York City, USA.–style.com + photos, additional photo courtesy of vogue.co.uk

Manish Arora, designer for Paco Rabanne, asked Nicholas Kirkwood to design the shoes for his Spring 2012 collection. Arora wanted crystal encrusted shoes developed around the theme “light”. The results are sandals and ankle boots in metallic, light reflecting colors, and each shoe has an element that is distinctively Kirkwood, from the architectural platform to the futuristic style. -- obsessedwithshoes.com photos

“The shoes are insane,” gushed Prabal Gurung of the new Nicholas Kirkwood shoes that were going to be featured in Gurung’s show for his Spring 2012 runway show. A perfect accent to the RTW collection, indeed. --vogue.com photo