Balenciaga opens first freestanding store in Canada

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Nov 27, 2019

Balenciaga is the latest luxury retailer to enter Canada with the opening of its first freestanding store in the country at Toronto’s Yorkdale Shopping Centre. 

 
The 3,326-square-foot space officially opened on November 19, introducing an open-air store with an industrial feel that stays true to the brand's newest aesthetic being rolled out worldwide. 
 
The Balenciaga Yorkdale Shopping Centre store houses a full range of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collections, shoes, and accessories, displayed over aluminium shelving as part of a new racks and shelving system. 

Throughout the store, location-specific elements can be found, including seating inspired by public transportation, while collections consist of a store-specific selection.
 
The Yorkdale store is also taking part in a worldwide project that places unique art pieces in freestanding Balenciaga stores with a sculpture created by artist Tobias Spichtig. 
 
Balenciaga is one of many luxury retailers opening debut flagship locations in Canada via Yorkdale. Earlier this year, Valentino opened its first Canadian store in Yorkdale, joining fellow luxury brands like Bottega Veneta and Van Cleef & Arpels who previously did the same. 
 
The Kering-owned French luxury brand has also opened leased concessions in Canada’s Holt Renfrew stores, as it expands its direct-to-consumer strategy. 
 
To date, it has opened its ‘World Of’ leased concession at Holt Renfrew in both Vancouver and Toronto, as well as a concession in Montreal at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy.