A Parisian brand finds calm in China’s most fashion-forward city
In a move that surprised industry watchers, Paris-based fashion label LEMAIRE has opened its first store in mainland China not in the cosmopolitan powerhouses of Shanghai or Beijing, but in Chengdu, a city fast emerging as a serious player in the global fashion conversation. The boutique, now open in Chengdu’s prestigious Taikoo Li shopping district, is more than just a store it’s a sensory experience rooted in tranquility, local craft, and quiet refinement.
Nestled in a 140-square-meter space at Shop 1342, Taikoo Li Chengdu, the new boutique reflects LEMAIRE’s commitment to subtlety and context. Designed by the internationally based FOG Architecture studio, which operates out of Chongqing, Shanghai, and London, the space is a masterclass in restraint. The storefront itself pulls back from the bustle of Jinjiang District’s retail traffic, creating a serene entry marked by a recessed façade and a curated garden of potted plants. This natural threshold doesn’t just soften the entry it sets the tone for what’s inside: a quiet, immersive retreat for the senses.
Photo: Lemaire
Every design decision inside the store draws inspiration from Sichuan’s rich visual language. From bamboo flooring to airy curtains made of the versatile plant, the material palette is both regionally grounded and globally elegant. The façade’s stone panels are textured to echo the surface of bamboo, offering a tactile connection to the surrounding culture. A deeper cultural dialogue runs through the space via textiles like the Charwa felt quilt a nod to the Yi people of southern Liangshan and the meticulous artistry of traditional Cizhu bamboo weaving, developed in collaboration with local craftspeople.
But the store’s serenity is underpinned by architectural rigor. The skirting board design pays homage to Du Fu’s Thatched Cottage, a historic Chengdu landmark, by layering wood over brick in a technique that seamlessly merges form and function. Door frames conceal vertical boards, and intentional gaps at the thresholds subtly suggest transitions. Even the lintel above the entry transforms into a discreetly extended wooden bar for hanging garments proof that in LEMAIRE’s world, every detail serves both aesthetic and purpose.
The Chengdu boutique offers LEMAIRE’s full range of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes, and bags. While the decision to launch in Chengdu might have seemed unconventional, it aligns with the brand’s thoughtful, slow-fashion ethos and with the city’s reputation as China’s quiet capital of style. In this new flagship, LEMAIRE invites its Chinese clientele to slow down, look closer, and appreciate the beauty of precision and peace.
Photo: Lemaire
LEMAIRE Chengdu Taikoo Li
8 Zhong Shamao Lu, Shop 1342 (Jinjiang District)
610021 Chengdu, China
Phone: +86 28 6742 5818
Hours:
Mon–Thu: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fri–Sun: 10:00 AM – 10:30 PM
