H&M, Koons & The Whitney Celebrate Largest H&M Store in the World
By: sofia | Photographer: Courtesy of H&M
July 16, 2014
Last night, H&M (Hennes & Mauritz), one of the world’s largest retailers known for offering high fashion apparel, celebrated its collaboration with iconic artist, Jeff Koons at the opening of its new flagship store on Fifth Avenue.
Fashion and art fans alike visited the new store on Fifth Avenue at 48th Street to be the first to shop the new collection and the coveted Balloon Dog (Yellow) handbag. Team Grungy Gentleman enjoyed food, drinks and a special performance by British sensation, Birdy alongside Jeff Koons, Olivia Wilde and Ashley Benson.
"I'm very happy to be working with H&M. It's really exciting to be celebrating the opening of their flagship store and I'm very proud the bag,” said Jeff Koons.
“ART IS SOMETHING THAT IS ACCESSIBLE, WE INTERACT WITH IT ALL THE TIME AND H&M MAKES FASHION THE SAME WAY."
Attendees had the opportunity to purchase the limited-edition leather handbag featuring the Balloon Dog (Yellow), one of Koons’ most iconic works for $49.95. The Balloon Dog leather handbag will also be carried in select markets across the US including Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas, as well as online at hm.com beginning July 17th, 2014. A select number of pieces will also be sold at the Whitney Museum of American Art during the Retrospective as well as on Whitney.org.
Guests also had the chance to preview the location’s exciting 57,000 square feet interior. The new flagship store will be the first in the country to offer a full concierge service, creating a very unique shopping experience. It will also be the first store in New York to carry the full H&M Home collection. In addition, customers who bring garments to be recycled in H&M’s Garment Collecting program before the store’s opening tomorrow will be entered to win gift cards valued between $50 and $100.
The store will open to the public at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 17th with a grand opening celebration. Enjoy the new store and be sure to visit the stunning Jeff Koons Retrospective at The Whitney Museum of American Art.