Kate Spade @ South Coast Plaza

Paulina Nguyen

 Walking into the new Kate Spade store at South Coast Plaza you get the sense that this store is styled after Kate’s older, more sophisticated sister. The interior embodies everything that I usually expect from Kate Spade– a quirky, fun, kitschy sense of humor, while also feeling like an upscale New York socialite would shop here.

Every piece of shelving glimmers with gold and glass; it’s almost blinding in the best way. The space within the store has a magical quality to it. While I was walking along I kept thinking that I would hit the end of the store but it kept going. It seemed never ending! The sheer size of the store wasn’t the only intriguing thing. Although it’s broken up into multiple rooms, I never felt like I was walking into a different store. Everything was cohesive and still felt like Kate Spade but also managed to be a variation on the theme. The bones of the space are achromatic with their high polished off white tiles, dark wood floors and glass fixtures, which truly allow the stars of the shop to shine– the colorful merchandise.

I have a confession to make; I was one of those kids that always kept their Crayola crayons obsessively color-coded. Naturally I gravitated towards the rainbow of books where the wallets and watch display is housed. I’m in love. Here the designer used unity by proximity and massing by gathering books to create a focal point. The seating areas next to the fitting rooms are themed to make you feel like you’re sitting in a cabana. I have to say; I’m very impressed by what Kate Spade has done with their new store. They definitely did their job well because I didn’t leave the store empty handed.