Photo: bourse.lesechos.fr — *Photo: bourse.lesechos.fr*

French luxury brand Longchamp will open its first free-standing Canadian location this spring at Toronto's Yorkdale Shopping Centre. We spoke with the company's New York City-based President and CEO about the brand's Canadian success, as well as plans for more free-standing Longchamp stores.

American President and CEO Stephanie Disegni tells us that Longchamp's Canadian sales are strong and in order to present the brand's entire collection (including ready-to-wear and footwear), it will open free-standing flagships to provide the 'full Longchamp experience'. The Yorkdale store will measure just over 1,600 square feet, replacing Kate Spade which moved to a larger space. The reason Longchamp chose Yorkdale was because the opportunity arose, not to mention Yorkdale has built a strong mix of luxury tenants including the likes of Tiffany & Co., Jimmy Choo, Bulgari, Moncler, Ferragamo, Cartier and others. Longchamp's Yorkdale location is ideally located across from Holt Renfrew's mall-front concessions for Chanel, Prada and Gucci, and is up the hall from the mall's busy Tesla and Apple stores.

*Yorkdale lease plan, published with permission.*

Click the above image for a full interactive mall floorplan. — **Click** the above image for a full interactive mall floorplan.

Ms. Disegni says that Longchamp will evaluate the success of its Yorkdale boutique before announcing future Canadian locations. She says that several Canadian cities are on the brand's radar and that Longchamp generally seeks space in the 1,500 square foot range, though stores can range from as small as 1,000 square feet to as large as 2,500 square feet. Longchamp will evaluate a variety of potential real estate opportunities, including upscale shopping centres and streetfronts.

Photo: retailnet.eu — *Photo: retailnet.eu*

Longchamp boutique, featuring ready-to-wear and footwear. Photo: www.sunshinekelly.com — *Longchamp boutique, featuring ready-to-wear and footwear. Photo: www.sunshinekelly.com*

Longchamp accessories are currently carried in several upscale Canadian retailers including, Andrews in Toronto, Blu's in Edmonton, Edward Chapman in Vancouver, and in several Holt Renfrew locations. Ms. Disegni says that strong sales at these and other wholesalers prompted Longchamp to launch free-standing stores with a wider product assortment.

Supermodel Coco Rocha in Longhamp ready-to-wear & footwear. Photo: Longchamp. — *Supermodel Coco Rocha in Longhamp ready-to-wear & footwear. Photo: Longchamp.*

VIDEO: Longchamp Fall 2014 Campaign, with Alexa Chung and Le Pliage Héritage.

Photo: cosmone.com — *Photo: cosmone.com*

Longchamp currently operates 14 free-standing American locations and two outlets. Stores are located in metropolitan New York City (5 locations), Miami (2 locations), and in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Boston, Los Angeles (Costa Mesa), Philadelphia (King of Prussia), and Washington DC. Outlets are at Woodbury Common and Fashion Outlets of Chicago. The brand also retails in selected Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Von Maur locations, as well as various other upscale stores.