SHANGHAI — Between century-old trees in the garden and elegant Art Deco architectural features, Lemaire’s new Shanghai flagship feels more like a well-maintained mansion than a brand-new retail outpost.
Tucked down a residential lane on Wukang Road, a leafy avenue turned tourist hot spot, the three-story Spanish-style building constructed in 1933 and redesigned by the French brand with architectural firm F.O.G. exudes old world charm and a lived-in quality.
There’s a stretching cat ceramic figurine on the patio and full-length windows give a glimpse of a ballet barre, a grand piano and a mix of Western and Chinese furniture.
A ballet barre, a mix of Western and Chinese furniture exemplify the Lemaire ethos.
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Meandering through the 4,000-square-foot unit, guests encounter objects ranging from an ancient ink stone and an armrest used for traditional Chinese medicine consultations to an Enzo Mari chair and a crimson sculpture by Memphis Group cofounder Nathalie Du Pasquier on a windowsill.
Inside the Lemaire store.
The ground floor is home to accessories — and an airy, fully functional kitchen where guests are invited to linger for tea. Traversing it leads to a separate salon, with its own access to the gardens and pedestrian alley, which can be privatized and will also serve as an exhibition space.
The Lemaire kitchen.
A polished black wood central staircase leads up to the upper levels. The first is dedicated to the Lemaire women’s collections, with thick chocolate wool carpeting and large windows giving an expansive view on the garden. A large-scale photograph by Lemaire co-artistic director Sarah-Linh Tran takes pride of place in the space, which also includes a leather covered daybed that telegraphs a modern boudoir vibe.
A blown-up iPhone shot by Lemaire co-artistic director Sarah-Linh Tran.
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Up on the top floor is menswear, where light furnishings and textiles offset the black-toned ceiling with exposed beams. As a backdrop to smart slacks and lush knits are a Jean Nouvel table and a divan with a custom version of a traditional bamboo sleeping mat. Bisecting the space are mirrored panels and cashmere curtains that can be positioned to create a changing area, while doors tucked in a corner reveal a small tiled bathroom.
Both cofounders, Tran and Christophe Lemaire, created a soundtrack for the store, as did DJ Eric Lau’s Huanlü project, which is based in Xiamen.
Jiazazhi, a platform for photography and art books, offered a selection scattered throughout the residence.
The French brand spent two years scouting its Shanghai home, which currently neighbors a Louis Vuitton pop-up. Visitors can secure a slot to visit the Lemaire store on the brand’s WeChat Mini Program.
Lemaire’s largest-yet flagship also telegraphs its ambitions both in China, where it already has a store in Chengdu, and in Asia.
The Chengdu store, which is tucked in a quiet corner at Chengdu Taikoo Li, was opened in 2024 and is said to have reached 7 million renminbi, or $1 million, in average monthly sales last year, according to local media reports. A store in Beijing is on the cards in Sanlitun.
The brand is also taking over distribution in Japan, one of its main markets. A Tokyo flagship opened in 2024.
