(Tom Sibley studio@tomsibley.com)
Barneys, one of NYC’s most venerable and iconic stores, will celebrate its 90th anniversary this fall. It hasn’t survived by clinging stodgily to its past. Through recent extensive renovations and updates, the store has made a guy’s shopping experience even better.
“The DNA of Barneys has always been about new,” says Tom Kalenderian, executive vice president and general merchandise manager of menswear. “It’s about reflecting the way people live right now, which is why Barneys has always been the perfect store to move along with the times.”
Nearly two years in the making, the revamped ground floor now offers a seamless and expansive shopping experience. Breaking down several of the walls — literally — that separated menswear from the rest of the store has resulted in a more open, Zen environment. While still offering a mix of both classic and modern pieces, the store has ramped up the presentation of men’s leather goods, eyewear and jewelry (including a selection of vintage Rolex watches that must be seen to be believed), as well as nearly doubling the area of the men’s apothecary section.
Given the savvy merchandising of more unisex items — particularly luxury bags — it’s almost hard to tell where the menswear stops and womenswear begins, a fact that seems to speak of the changing ways in which people now shop. “It’s easy, more comfortable, less rigid,” says Kalenderian.
Yesterday, Barneys unveiled the newly reimagined sixth floor, which focuses on upper-echelon menswear. Showcasing artisan tailoring, made-to-measure clothing and luxury brands, the redesigned space promises to offer devoted Barneys customers an experience unlike any they have ever seen.
The new spaces within Barneys also highlight one of the store’s most successful and sought after ventures, the Barneys XO Exclusively Ours collection — a selection of merchandise created specifically for the store. Featuring everything from exquisite leather shoes from Harris to up-and-coming indie designers to more established names like Paul Smith and Rag & Bone, the highly successful line includes thousands of items that are exclusive to the retailer.
For Kalenderian and the rest of his team, balancing premium product against the perfect shopping environment continues to be key. “Most designers try to put things up on a pedestal, whereas at Barneys, the entire store is a pedestal,” he says, “The entire space becomes this beautiful neutral zone where you can discover new things simply by walking through it.”