New Space, New Lines for New Mart's M2
The in crowd was out at the recent opening of the new M2 showroom at the New Mart in the Los Angeles Fashion District, where owners Michael Cesena and Dean Merli have relocated to a larger and cleaner space.
M2’s new showroom is a 2,300-squarefoot space complete with three offices and clean white walls on the building’s seventh floor. Its previous showroom was a 1,400- square-foot space on the less contemporary fifth floor.
M2, which already featured DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, the D&G collection and Papi sportswear, has broadened its offerings for the new showroom with the addition of lines by Kenneth Cole and Kenneth Cole Reaction.
Cesena is handling DKNY men’s, Dolce & Gabbana and D&G while Merli is overseeing DKNY juniors, women’s and activewear. Hector Gurrola is repping the Kenneth Cole lines.
The showroom celebrated its opening with a party highlighted by martinis in neon colors and sushi and hors d’oeuvres from Le Chine Wok and desserts by Yvan Valentin.
Merli, a former merchandiser for GQ magazine and Saks, and Cesena, a former BCBG Max Azria executive, have seen growth each season since establishing a partnership about three years ago.
“We’re excited about this concept of having product for men and women,” said Merli. “We’re trying to make this a one-stop shopping destination and see lots of opportunities ahead.” —Robert McAllister
