Porsche Design opened its first American concept store after relocating its Costa Mesa retail space in California’s famed South Coast Plaza. The Plaza was home to the world’s first Porsche Design store when it opened nearly three decades ago in 1988.
The 1,600 square feet store sits in the popular Carousel Court, located in the heart of the Plaza. A collaboration with Porsche Cars North America, the concept features a Porsche car, varying seasonally and serving as a centerpiece on the sales floor. Porsche Design products, merchandised around the vehicle throughout the space, will include items from collections in categories such as timepieces, sound and electronics, luggage and leather goods, eyewear, men’s apparel, men’s sportswear, writing tools, fragrances, smoking and home accessories.
“Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche founded Porsche Design back in 1972, with the design of a racing-inspired chronograph,” says Jan Becker, CEO of the Porsche Design Group. “Now, nearly thirty years after opening the first US store, shifting gears and taking our retail concept to the next level together with Porsche Cars North America is a logical progression for us. Our revamped customer journey embraces the Porsche DNA and provides an experience, which utilizes the synergies between both worlds.”
The South Coast Plaza store will employ a 16 feet x 9 feet custom large-scale, high-definition video wall to bring the world of Porsche to life. Featured content will include the latest information about Porsche Motorsports, new car models, the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles, and other Porsche news.
“We are very excited to bring this new retail concept to the States,” says Jan Becker. “South Coast Plaza is home for us, so it was common-sense for Porsche Design to implement the first pilot in the US here in Orange County.”
“Porsche Design has had a successful retail boutique at South Coast Plaza with a loyal client following for almost three decades. We’re delighted to welcome their new retail concept, which integrates luxury men’s accessories with Porsche’s legendary automobiles,” says Debra Gunn Downing, spokesperson for South Coast Plaza.
South Coast Plaza is the nation’s highest grossing planned retail center, with sales nearing $2 billion annually, and has been home to one of Porsche Design’s top performing stores for approximately thirty continuous years.
VIP attendees of the event, wearing Porsche Design products, included actor Jesse Metcalfe, LA Galaxy soccer player Sebastian Lletget, film director and racer Jeff Zwart, Porsche builder and enthusiast Rod Emory, and race-car driver Hurley Haywood.
