Start spreading the news... Silhouette International has arrived in New York City with the opening of Silhouette Gallery, a dedicated showroom and meeting space located in a landmark high-rise in the heart of the city. The Gallery will host exclusive previews of new collections and concepts, key account appointments, personal eyewear fittings and special events, functioning as a key U.S. outpost and meeting place for the Austria-based company and its portfolio of brands including Silhouette, adidas Sport Eyewear and its newest house brand neubau eyewear. In addition to multiple meeting areas, the Gallery includes a new Silhouette brand Shop-in-Shop, a consultation area for frame fittings, and a library/lounge where guests can browse vintage company journals and learn about the legacy and evolution of Silhouette, founded in 1964.
Designed by architect Steve Clem of tvsdesign, the custom space embodies the company’s signature aesthetic, immersing visitors into the refined, inspired and impeccably styled world of Silhouette. Feature walls of the Gallery highlight specialty products including limited editions, signature collections and designer collaborations including Felder Felder, Wes Gordon and Todd Snyder, alongside sunglasses. “The inspiration for the fluid-shaped space was the family of Silhouette eyewear products,” says Clem. “The objective was to create a transformative space that could equally support a personal presentation, a larger group, a small theater display setting or other entertainment.” Inspired and evoked by the ambiance and energy of the company’s studio and headquarters in Linz, where all its products are designed and handcrafted, the Gallery also honors its landmark New York location through the preservation of the building’s key structures including the original steel beams.
“We are thrilled to open our new Gallery, bringing the emotion and experience of the Austria headquarters here to New York,” says Jan Cory, U.S. president of Silhouette. “We look forward to welcoming our friends into our House of Silhouette to get to know the collections and enjoy this beautiful space.” The Gallery is currently open by appointment to trade, press and influencers.
Finished with modern furnishing and decorative elements intended to complement the eyewear product selections and Silhouette’s meticulous attention to detail, the space evokes a sleek, industrial and inviting atmosphere. 20/20 was among the first guests to experience the new Gallery firsthand when Silhouette recently hosted its inaugural open house at the new space. The fresh smell of paint and woodwork still wafted through the space contrasting against a backdrop of nighttime NYC made for a sensory-heightening appreciation for Silhouette’s heritage of eyewear craftsmanship. We also loved seeing copies of 20/20 on the sleek tables located throughout the Gallery, and we’re not shy about saying that we hope our mag along with our team will be regulars at this lovely space.
—Christine Yeh
