Go West, Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs opened its first freestanding store outside of Manhattan this month – but not in Los Angeles, as might be expected. Marc Jacobs instead chose San Francisco for “its quiet sensibility” that is more consistent with Jacobs'subdued, yet edgy collection of clothes and accessories. Jacobs himself stated that San Francisco has “more heart and soul” than the City of Angels (which he labeled as more “flash and trash”). “My label is subtle,” he says, “not garish.”

Designed by New York based architects Stephan Jaklitsch in collaboration with the San Francisco-based Brand & Allen, the store's format is similar to Jacobs'three-year-old SoHo flagship in Manhattan – but “a bit more graceful,” in Jacobs'words. He says he favors an orderly look that is not cold, nor gallery-like.

High ceilings give the 3000-square-foot store a lofty, spacious feeling. The store provides 1800 square feet of selling space. The floors are ebony-stained wood and all the furniture (including khaki-colored leather couches) is designed by Christian Liaigre.