Louboutin opens first handbag concession in Harvey Nichols

Christian Louboutin has opened its first concession stand set to solely offer the brands handbags and leather goods in the luxury department store chain, Harvey Nichols, in London. The concession stand is located on the main level of the Knightsbridge store and was designed

in collaboration with Will Russell from architecture firm Pentagram. The in-store boutique is set in a 108 square-foot space and features a new store concept for the brand.

Luxurious

concession stand dedicated to the brands leather accessories

Created to reflect a "luxurious and feminine" atmosphere, the concession stand features a silver travertine tiled floor paired with polished brass and reeded maple fittings designed to showcases the exclusive brand's handbags and small leather goods. The stands shelves are lined with white leather and have been painted deep red underneath which is a subtle reference to Louboutin's famous red soles.

Alexis Mourot, group chief operating officer and general manager of Christian Louboutin, believes that the new concession stand demonstrates the ongoing development of the brands handbag and small leather goods business. He adds that although the division only counts for a "relatively small" percentage of the business, "about 5 percent", there is a lot of potential to grow, so it is important to invest in the sector.

The company hopes that the handbag and small leather good sector will eventually account for 15 percent of Christian Louboutin's business, as sales from 2013 doubled compared to 2012. Christian Louboutin is also set to open a pop-up store near its Rue Jean-Jacques Rosseau store in Paris later this month, reported the WWD. The brand is also exploring options to take its new concept to other markets such as the US and Asia.

The choice of where to open the brand's first leather good and handbag concession stand stemmed from the history of a long partnership between the luxury brand and department store as Harvey Nichols was the first store in the UK to offer Christian Louboutin when in launched back in 1995 and opened the brands first shoe concession stand in 2007.

Featured in the newly open concession stand are the labels best-selling bags, such as the Pigalle, a slender rectangular clutch, Sweet Charity, a leather shoulder bag featuring golden chain straps and the Panettone, a series of wallets and handbags decorated with studs and spikes. Prices range from 495 pounds for a patent Pigalle Clutch to 1,575 for a small Panettone bag.

Photos: Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge, Louboutin concession stand