Eckhaus Latta's New York Store: A Blend of Fashion and Community
Experience the World of Eckhaus Latta: A New Chapter on Ludlow Street
The Grand Opening: A Dash to Perfection
With less than 24 hours until the grand opening, Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta are meticulously putting the final touches on their new store at 27 Ludlow Street. Despite a few minor imperfections, the atmosphere is charged with excitement, even prompting a playful suggestion from Eckhaus about a 'sexy, warehouse sale' vibe for the unfinished dressing rooms. Their impromptu decision to display some of their fall collection highlights the duo's spontaneous and genuine approach, especially with Vogue's impending visit.
Crafting a Unique Retail Vision
Zoe Latta articulated their vision, stating that a physical store represents an opportunity to construct an immersive 'world' rather than just a conventional retail space. This philosophy underpins the bewitching charm of Eckhaus Latta, a brand that consistently delivers real-world cool, starkly contrasting the polished facade of larger, more impersonal fashion houses. Even after 15 years in business, marked by high-profile collaborations with Mango and J.Crew and critically acclaimed runway shows, the brand retains its original rebellious spirit.
The Evolution of Physical Retail
The new Ludlow Street location is not Eckhaus Latta's first foray into physical retail. They established their initial store in Los Angeles in 2016, followed by a New York outpost in a bustling Chinatown mall in 2018. However, as the brand matured and the surrounding area transformed into a vintage marketplace, housing even second-hand Eckhaus Latta items, the designers recognized the need for a fresh start. This new, larger space symbolizes their continued growth and adaptation to changing retail landscapes.
A Centralized Creative Hub
Latta, with her keen eye for real estate, discovered the Ludlow Street property earlier this year. After an initial visit in February during their fall 2026 show, they finalized the deal in August, leading to an intense six-week preparation period. The expanded premises more than doubles their previous retail footprint and unifies various operations—retail, design studio, personal archive storage, and a photo studio—into a single, cohesive 'epicenter.' This consolidation streamlines their operations, moving from seven separate leases to one integrated space.
Collaboration and Community in Design
Transforming the storefront, which was not originally a commercial property, required extensive renovation, including plumbing and electrical work, alongside aesthetic enhancements. The duo leveraged their extensive network of creative friends, bringing in their fit model, Camilla Deterre, as project manager, and Latta's childhood friend, Emma Price, as the architect for the interiors. Sophie Stone contributed unique rope-and-cardboard art pieces that serve as rugs, alongside floral arrangements. This collaborative approach, involving talented friends, is a cornerstone of their design process, fostering lively debates and a collective 'Goldilocks' pursuit of the perfect medium.
A Space Designed for Flexibility and Evolution
The new 940-square-foot retail area features ceiling-suspended rails and a prominent cash register, with fitting rooms and additional display racks towards the rear. An adjacent 700-square-foot studio, complete with a skylight, houses their creative operations. Distinctive brand elements are evident in the paint choices, with pale yellow walls and creamy gray floors from Farrow & Ball. Furnishings, sourced by friend David Lê, include custom pieces like an ottoman topped with brushed shearling from Latta's hometown. The designers view the space not as a finished product but as an ever-evolving project, embracing fluidity and adaptation.
Embracing Authenticity and Feedback
The store's facade, with its silver-painted cinder blocks, craggy stones, and weathered AC units, embodies a gritty, authentic aesthetic that the designers chose to preserve, reflecting the neighborhood's character. They view this as a temporary element, to be updated when the timing feels right. Mike Eckhaus anticipates being able to hear customer feedback directly from the dressing rooms, much like Latta experiences in Los Angeles. This direct engagement provides invaluable insights, fostering a continuous dialogue with their clientele. The overwhelmingly positive reception to their recent New York Fashion Week collection further reinforces their sense of support and readiness for future endeavors. The duo is keen to grow their direct-to-consumer business and is openly seeking investment, underscoring their ambition to take significant new steps in the fashion industry.
