ACNE ON BROADWAY: Swedish brand Acne celebrated the opening of its new 5,000-square-foot Acne Studios store in downtown LA with a Dec. 18 party that drew celebrities and plenty of fashion insiders.
ACNE STUDIOS
Swedish Boutique Acne Studios Debuts on Broadway
The ultra-cool Swedish brand Acne Studios celebrated its grand opening of its flagship store in downtown Los Angeles’ old theater district. Acne (an acronym for Ambition to Create Novel Expression) was founded by Jonny Johansson in 1996 in Stockholm. Since then, the fashionably forward men’s and women’s clothing and accessories brand has grown into a $120 million company with 35 stores around the globe.
The new store is tucked away on the corner of a burgeoning neighborhood at the corner of Broadway and Ninth Street. The 50,000-square-foot store is located on the first floor of the 13-story art deco landmark Eastern Columbia Building. Designed by Claud Beelman in 1930, the turquoise and gold building is now home to Acne’s largest retail store and its second U.S. location.
“It wasn’t our original intention to open in this part of Los Angeles, but we fell in love with the Eastern Columbia Building as well as the opportunity to do something beyond a flagship store,” said Mikael Schiller, Acne Studios’ chairman. “We feel that there is something vibrant and interesting going on in downtown LA, and we are excited to become a part of this transformation.”
The Acne store interior is accented by perforated stainless-steel partitions that make for a sort of secret passageway, compartmentalizing the ready-to-wear men’s and women’s collections into departments. The flooring is speckled with black and pink terrazzo cement and cerulean carpet details, while an installation sculpture serves as a centerpiece. The “Giant Triple Mushroom” created by Belgian artist Carsten Holler, symbolizes the natural progression and growth of the brand. Adjoined to the boutique is il Caffè, a Stockholm coffee shop that happens to be a favorite of Johansson’s.
In addition to the brand’s signature denim, the expansive space is stocked with gold and silver crinkled men’s suits, clean-lined rich blue and purple tops, geometric-printed dresses, sublimation-printed leather biker jackets, and Acne’s much-coveted footwear and scarves. An exclusive scarf, which was designed to commemorate the Eastern Columbia Building, features brushed pinks and sblues and is priced at $290. The Acne Paper was on display for sale, as well.
The Dec. 17 opening-night party drew a large crowd of fashion insiders and celebrities, including actresses Mena Suvari, Kiernan Shipka and Christina Hendricks. Swedish singer Lykke Li and the sisters of Los Angeles band Haim were spotted, and Nasty Gal’s Sophia Amoruso and Decade’s co-owner Cameron Silver turned out, as well. A sea of styled-to-the-toe Acne fans mingled and scoped out the new space and the new collection. After the opening, a private dinner was held nearby at the soon-to-open Ace Hotel, where guests were treated to performances by Baby Alpaca and Boychild.
