As Kate Spade continues its global expansion efforts as it morphs from a namesake handbag collection to a comprehensive umbrella lifestyle brand, a trip to its New York flagship on Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side might not hold the ‘must-see’ status on shoppers’ to-do list of years gone by if there’s now an outpost in your home town. That said, the four-floor retail experience at its flagship store is worth the visit just to witness the retail concept’s pop-art take on flirty femininity, seen through framed vintage records, neon signs and boudoir detailing, that combine to create a lived-in townhouse vibe. With a dedicated ready-to-wear floor, bridal suite, a shoe mezzanine and a main floor filled with the complete current Kate Spade collection, you’ll find it hard not to resist being seduced by the saccharine overdose, and will likely go home with, at the very least, one of the brand’s popular iPhone covers. A rarity in New York, the store caters for shopped-out significant others via an oversized pink satin vintage sofa, where he can mind your afternoon bounty while you consult with a personal shopper. For those searching for a less overwhelming Kate Spade sensory overload, head to the 20th Street location on 5th Avenue, which allows you to avoid the crowds and the trip uptown. Tip: If time permits, head to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets’ Kate Spade location, where you’ll often find some of the brand’s top-selling novelty bags heavily discounted among excess stock of the more traditional vanilla variety.
