Oscar de la Renta launches new London flagship

The first UK store for the New York City-based fashion giant opened this past week in London.

In the fashion world, it's well known that Oscar de la Renta doesn't like to do things by half, and he's proven it this week by opening a giant 3,000 square ft (280 square meter) space in London's stylish Soho district. The new Mount Street boutique is his first in the UK and will function as a flagship for his designs.

Located near other luxury spots Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin and Balenciaga, the shop was designed by New York-based firm Meyer Davis Studio, Inc. and the light, contemporary interiors feature coral stone from de la Renta's native Dominican Republic and bright white anigré wood.

This new London store is the first Oscar de la Renta space to have separate areas for bridal, home and children's lines. This is de la Renta's 14th global store and his third in Europe (the brand has locations in Madrid and Athens).

The 80-year-old designer recently hit the headlines again for welcoming his old friend John Galliano back into the fashion fold. The former Dior creative director was fired in 2011 after his drunken anti-Semitic tirade was caught on tape, but he has since undergone successful treatment and has joined de la Renta for a stint helping out in his New York City atelier.