Alexander McQueen wins Prix Versailles award

Alexander McQueen’s Paris flagship Rue Saint-Honoré store has won the Prix Versailles for its architectural design by a jury of international architects and cultural experts.

The 5,300 square foot boutique, which opened last September, marking the brands first Parisian flagship, won the overall prize for shops and stores in the annual competition that recognises shops and commercial spaces for their exterior architecture, interior design and services.

The flagship, designed by Alexander McQueen’s creative director Sarah Burton in partnership with UK-based David Collins Studio, spans over two floors and houses the brand’s full range of both men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, eveningwear, and accessories.

While last year's inaugural competition judged only boutiques in France, this year's awards were opened up internationally, with stores in India and Brazil winning accolades in the shops and stores category.

Jewellery brand Ganjam’s boutique in Bangalore, India, won the store interior prize, while the award for store exterior went to furniture store TOG — Philippe Starck in São Paulo, Brazil designed by Triptyque.

The 2016 edition also included prizes for hotels and restaurants for the first time, and next year will see the addition of a fourth category for shopping centres.

Image: Prix Versailles website