Jérôme Dreyfuss Seizes Great Recession With First U.S. Boutique

The French handbag designer Jérôme Dreyfuss made a name for himself when he was barely in his 20s with an oeuvre that included corsets made of Scotch tape (they now hang in the Musée de la Mode); he’s  now known for his luxe yet utilitarian totes and a slightly tempered vision. His sparse Paris store is scattered with bags at once slouchy and compartmental, modern but not trendy.

The designer’s first U.S. boutique will open in January in the Gunther Building, at 475 Broome Street, surrounded by names like Catherine Malandrino, Custo Barcelona, Kate Spade and Jonathan Adler. The asking rent for the 2,486-square-foot space, according to Lansco’s Diane Mandel, was $105 a square foot. “Rents in Soho have come down significantly,” she noted. “Retailers, many from overseas who are looking to build a presence in the United States, realize that this is a great time to open a store in a prime location.”