Skims, the groundbreaking shapewear brand, recently launched two new flagship stores in New York City and Los Angeles. This milestone highlights a growing trend where successful e-commerce brands are establishing brick-and-mortar locations to create immersive retail experiences that connect the digital and physical shopping environments.
To realize this innovative vision, Skims collaborated with Schimenti Construction for both flagship locations. This partnership underscores Schimenti’s leadership in executing high-end retail projects for clients that prioritize excellence in construction, customer experience, and brand visibility. Effective construction management goes beyond traditional building expertise; it also involves building trust. When clients return to us for multiple projects, it shows they recognize our understanding of their vision, respect for their budgets, and our ability to consistently deliver quality work. Today’s successful relationships are founded on four key elements: a cohesive team with strong problem-solving skills, technological proficiency, effective project delivery, and an outstanding safety record.
“The retail landscape is changing, as digital-first brands see the importance of physical locations in building stronger connections with their customers,” explains Oliver Holland, Vice President of Construction at Schimenti.
“Our ability to bring unique brand visions to life makes us the perfect partner for Skims’ flagship stores on both coasts.”
– Oliver Holland, Vice President of Construction
SKIMS 5TH AVENUE | Midtown Manhattan, NY
INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SKIMS
The store’s aesthetic captures Skims’ minimalist brand identity while incorporating custom elements that elevate the shopping experience. The centerpiece of the new store is a 15-foot sculpture by Vanessa Beecroft, an artist who has been integral in shaping the Skims’ look and feel of the brand. Schimenti’s craftsmen executed sophisticated finishing details throughout the space, including custom-built fitting rooms with wraparound mirrors and light-box ceilings for the most flattering try-on experience. The entire store is bathed in a neutral color palette that complements the brand’s signature tones. The neutral colors are seen in various materials, from Corian display fixtures to neutral-colored Ultrasuede on the walls.
As an e-commerce brand, the new Skims store design seamlessly integrates digital touchpoints throughout the shopping experience, reflecting Skims’ online origins while creating an elevated in-person shopping experience. “Projects like this represent the future of retail construction,” notes Holland. “Our experience in premiere retail and destination flagship stores allowed us to create a space that serves modern shoppers’ physical and digital needs.”
SKIMS SUNSET BOULEVARD | West Hollywood, CA
INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SKIMS / EXTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LAWRENCE ANDERSON STUDIO
The reenvisioned space marks the brand’s second flagship, located on famed Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. It builds on the success of the Schimenti-built New York City debut on Fifth Avenue. The new location brings the brand’s signature aesthetic home to co-founder Kim Kardashian’s native city and is the first standalone store in California. It continues Skims’ strategy of pairing immersive retail with its powerhouse e-commerce presence, attracting its share of celebrities, influencers, and tourists who frequent the shops, restaurants, and luxury hotels along the Sunset Strip with abundant culture and nightlife.
Glass fiber-reinforced gypsum (GFRG) was used extensively across the walls, ceilings, hallways, and fitting rooms to emphasize continuous curvature. The material’s flexibility allowed for exacting curvature throughout, resulting in a thoroughly sculpted environment where 90-degree angles are nearly nonexistent within the shop.
The Skims flagship store on Sunset Boulevard reflects a perfect alignment of values and expertise between both teams. Schimenti’s proven ability to deliver luxe retail spaces in prime locations and a comprehensive understanding of the Southern California market positioned the team well for this significant project. The completed store captures the essence of the Skims brand while satisfying shoppers’ high expectations on the Sunset Strip.
Both stores, designed by Rafael de Cárdenas, feature a minimalist design, incorporating high-gloss finishes and monochromatic colors alongside various materials and textures. Partnering with a construction firm like Schimenti with a solid understanding of the construction process is essential for brands like Skims as they transition their online identity into a physical retail space.
The successful completion of both flagship stores represents more than just construction projects; they symbolize the evolution of the retail industry. As more digital-first brands transition into physical retail spaces, the demand for construction partners who understand both traditional craftsmanship and modern technical requirements is increasing. Schimenti’s success with these projects further solidifies its position as a leader in this changing retail landscape.
Bringing e-commerce brands into physical stores is an important aspect of retail construction. These spaces must not only present a modern brand identity but also ensure functional efficiency. Successfully managing the diverse concepts in this area highlights the importance of adaptable relationship management for effective project delivery.