Michael Kors Opens Massive 3-Level Flagship in Downtown Montreal [Photos]

Exterior of the 3-Level Michael Kors flagship at 1133 Ste-Catherine St. W. in Montreal. photo: michael kors

By Maxime Frechette

Well-known New York City-based fashion brand Michael Kors has opened its largest flagship store in Canada, by far, in the heart of the action in downtown Montreal. It is unlike anything seen in Canada to date for the brand, which now occupies a three-level retail space at 1133 Ste-Catherine Street West. It is also the first Michael Kors location in the world to feature an organic juice bar.

The impressive 9,000 square-foot store features all product categories for the Michael Kors brand, including a vast assortment of accessories, jewellery, footwear, and fashions for men and women. Included are pieces from the Michael Kors Collection one might find on the fashion runway.

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PHOTOS: MICHAEL KORS

At the heart of the store is a bright accessory area featuring a sleek white interior with aluminum touches. Ceilings are nearly 20 feet high which create a sense of drama. A dedicated shoe salon showcases Michael Kors footwear styles for both men and women. Marking a trend seen in other leading retailers, an area to personalize products is found in the new Montreal flagship. That includes hot stamping on leather goods.  

A mezzanine level is dedicated to ready-to-wear fashions in two sections. That includes men’s and women’s area featuring the more affordably priced MICHAEL Michael Kors line, as well as the brand’s menswear. Spacious dressing rooms on the mezzanine level create an elevated experience.

A custom tote bag was created especially for the opening of the Montreal store.

photo: michael kors

photo: michael kors

photo: maxime frechette

On the third floor of the new store is the private ‘Studio 1133’ level which features a completely different atmosphere than the rest of the store. When one enters the space, they are transported into a New York City loft-like vibe that can be used to host private events. Included are styling services, an area dedicated to private shopping and VIP clients, as well as an assortment of luxury pieces from the pricey Michael Kors Collection and runway collection for women. The Montreal flagship is the second in Canada to feature the brand’s runway collection, which is also available at Michael Kors’ Yorkdale flagship that was overhauled in December of 2018 and was featured in Retail Insider. Until recently the Yorkdale Michael Kors store was the largest in Canada, spanning 5,720 square feet on one level.

photo: maxime frechette

Third floor ‘Studio 1133’. Photo: michael kors

Third floor ‘Studio 1133’. Photo: michael kors

On the main floor of the Montreal flagship is a first for Michael Kors anywhere in the world — a juice bar by Rejuice that offers coffee as well as vegan organic juice options. Rejuice has its own entrance doorway facing onto Stanley Street which allows it to have its own hours of operation independent of the main store. The Michael Kors Rejuice shop-in-store is the second location for the juice brand, which also has a storefront in the affluent Westmount area.

Brokerage Oberfeld Snowcap represents Michael Kors in Canada.

Juice bar at the new Michael Kors. photo: maxime frechette

Photo: Maxime Frechette

One of the reasons Montreal was chosen for such a flagship is because Michael Kors’ Canadian headquarters is also located in the city. Designer Michael Kors himself will visit Montreal in 2020 to make a personal appearance in the Ste-Catherine Street flagship. Michael Kors has had a retail presence in Canada for the past 15 years and operates a network of stores as well as wholesale accounts in major retailers.

Photo: maxime Frechette

Photo: maxime Frechette

photo: michael kors

Until recently, Michael Kors’ Montreal storefront was a concession located inside the Ogilvy department store at 1307 Ste-Catherine Street West. The Kors shop closed last year to make way for a renovation and expansion of the new Holt Renfrew Ogilvy flagship that will be completed next spring.

Third floor ‘Studio 1133’ Photo: maxime Frechette

Third floor ‘Studio 1133’. Photo: michael kors

Holt Renfrew Ogilvy and Michael Kors are both part of the revival of Ste-Catherine Street in Montreal, which is seeing major investments that will include a new public realm as well as new retailers. Upscale brands such as Mackage and COS have opened to the west of Michael Kors on the street. To the east of Michael Kors, Ivanhoé Cambridge is investing more than $1-billion into its properties in Montreal’s downtown core. That includes the soon-to-be-completed Montreal Eaton Centre, which this month saw the opening of Canada’s first Time Out Market food hall. Sports retail behemoth Decathlon also recently opened at Montreal Eaton Centre, while beauty retailer Sephora also recently unveiled a renovated space facing Ste-Catherine Street. In the fall of 2020, Japanese retailer Uniqlo will open its largest store in Canada at Montreal Eaton Centre, occupying two levels.

Photo: Maxime Frechette

Photo: Maxime Frechette

Montreal-based Maxime Frechette is an expert in luxury and other retail, and is also an influencer who works with brands through his platforms including Montreal-Weekly.

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