Galeries Lafayette invites select labels to fête its 130th anniversary

In 1894, novelty store ‘Aux Galeries Lafayette’ opened its doors for the first time at 1 rue Lafayette in Paris, the brainchild of cousins Théophile Bader and Alphonse Kahn. One hundred and thirty years later, it is time to party. Galeries Lafayette is celebrating its 130th anniversary this autumn, notably by dropping an extensive collection of unique products developed by some of its “friends” among labels and designers. For example, a hoodie by Louis Gabriel Nouchi, lighters by Ami Paris, a t-shirt by Rouje, socks by Agnès b., a mug by Marine Serre, a hat by Patou, and a tote bag by Balzac Paris. The items are priced between €5 and €95.

The anniversary essentials and trinkets created by brands and designers are all labelled ‘Go for Good’, and are on sale between September 6 and October 27 in all Galeries Lafayette branches. A pop-up store has been deployed in the group’s Haussmann flagship in Paris.

An anniversary logo with colourful geometric shapes has been designed for the occasion, and features on a capsule collection that includes among others a hat, a beauty bag and a diary.

For the party celebrations, a dining table has been suspended under the Haussmann store’s dome, where guests will enjoy an immersive sound and visual experience during afternoon tea and dinner. The experience will be free of charge for guests drawn among those who have booked online.

Galeries Lafayette will take part again in the European Heritage Days initiative on September 21, opening for an evening visit with the screening of various films, to trace it history and promote it to the public. The group has also launched Minuit aux Galeries, a podcast series revealing the department store’s behind-the-scenes secrets, with guests like Pierre Hermé and Nathalie Rykiel.