Nordstrom enters haute couture space

Seattle —Nordstrom Inc. is entering the haute couture space with the introduction of SPACE, a new shop curated by Olivia Kim, director of creative projects. SPACE will offer products from emerging and advanced designers.

The shop concept has its own boutique-like environment inside the Nordstrom Collectors department alongside other designer collections at the retailer's Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago flagship stores and online. It will also open invthe Vancouver Nordstrom flagship on Friday, Sept. 18. SPACE features a cross-category offering of seasonal collections of apparel, shoes, handbags and accessories collections from designers including Simone Rocha, Marques'Almeida, Jacquemus, Isa Arfen, Anthony Vaccarello, Shrimps, Tricot Comme des Garçons, Noir Kei Ninomiya, Creatures of the Wind, Vetements, Faustine Steinmetz, Mociun, Sophie Bille Brahe, and more.

Following the Nordstrom Creative Project team's first initiative of Pop-In@Nordstrom, which launched in October 2013 under the direction of Kim, the store design was built with artistic elements and pops of color such as pink mannequins, mixed materials and art objects to accent the area. Kim worked with the Nordstrom design team to create a framework that feels open and airy, then decorated each SPACE with work from artists, furniture makers and artisans.

The shop features pieces like Ettore Sottsass's Ultrafragola wavy neon mirrors and woven rubber benches and chairs by Max Lamb. SPACE also includes a colorful vintage bench by Verner Panton, petrified stone risers by Matt White, Korean enamel-topped tables from Kwangho Lee, and other one-of-a-kind pieces from Kim's favorite artists sourced from Johnson Trading Gallery in New York City.

Additionally, the SPACE online boutique offers editorialized styling, compelling content and storytelling around its brands in a unique site and mobile experience.