Are you in the market for a first-edition copy of Tom Wolfe’s debut novel, Look Homeward, Angel: A Story of the Buried Life?
Or maybe you’re looking for a fully operational 1929 Manikin vending machine (bubblegum balls not included)? Or perhaps a pair of “fancy intense yellow-and-white diamond” Bulgari earrings?
Well now you can find all of these baubles and bibelots in one place, thanks to Sotheby’s newly opened in-house store, the Emporium.
Gucci Westman, the first guest curator for the Emporium. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Located at Sotheby’s flagship on York Avenue in New York, the enclave is a one-stop shop for rare objects, jewels, and other luxury trinkets for the elevated shopper who wants to buy without the hassle of bidding.
Josh Pullan, the head of Sotheby’s global luxury division, cited the “success of online auctions and the response to our ‘Buy Now’ e-commerce platform” over the last year as proof the concept has lasting power.
There was an increased demand for luxury objects over the course of 2020, as many turned to online shopping for lavish goods in lieu of taking swanky vacations or eating expensive meals out.
The Emporium, Sotheby’s new retail shop. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
The brick-and-mortar retail showcase is an extension of the auction house’s Buy Now online marketplace, which offers everything from rare Nike sneakers to diamonds, Hermès handbags, luxury watches, and other objets d’art.
The shop will have a rotating cast of guest “curators” to arrange collections for display, beginning with Gucci Westman, proprietor of Westman Atelier, a skincare brand touted by Jennifer Aniston and wellness guru Gwyneth Paltrow.
The Emporium, Sotheby’s new retail shop. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Westman’s “show” is available to shop in store or online from May 10 through June 10, and Sotheby’s is making a donation to the Right Livelihood Foundation at Westman’s request.
“I am beyond thrilled to collaborate with Sotheby’s,” Westman said in a statement. “The credibility, the curation, and the craftsmanship that come with the Sotheby’s stamp—knowing something has been vetted by such an exceptional eye—is special.”
The Emporium, Sotheby’s new retail shop. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Some of Westman’s favorite pieces include a contemporary necklace by David Webb, a René Lalique vase, and a gestural landscape painting by Justin McCarthy.
Other brands are in the pipeline to present specially crafted capsules in the space, beginning with a series of new decorative objects by Loewe Weaves.
The Emporium, Sotheby’s new retail shop. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.