Saint James Opens Manhattan Pop-Up, Making Its Stateside Retail Debut

Forbes

25-05-2025

The Saint James for Printemps pop-up
Photo by Charles Roussel courtesy of Saint James
Whether it was Coco Chanel co-opting the striped "mariner" pullover named for the French fisherman who sported them or Jean Seberg's penchant for wearing them in the 1960 film, these classic tops are synonymous with French style. According to Printemps CEO Jean-Marc Bellaiche, the newly opened New York outpost of the famous Parisian department store is on a mission to bring hard-to-find French brands to the US to be featured in its revolving main floor pop-up space. After debuting with Jacquemus and Coperni X Disney, the latest Gallic brand to debut is Saint James, which opened its first US retail space just in time for New York's famous fleet week.
Luc Lesénécal, Thierry Prévost, Benjamin Auzimour
Photo by Charles Roussel courtesy of Saint James
To kick off the event, Luc Lesénécal, CEO of Saint James, Benjamin Auzimour, Managing Director of Saint James North America, and Thierry Prévost, CEO of Printemps America, hosted an intimate cocktail for press and VIPs for a sneak peek at the offerings. "I'm thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Saint James pop-up shop at Printemps New York," said Auzimour in a release. "Both Saint James and Printemps share an authentic connection to French culture, making this pop-up a natural fit. With our shared French heritage, Printemps is the perfect location to showcase our summer collection and introduce Saint James' timeless apparel to a new audience in New York City."
The Saint James pop-up at Printemps NY
Photo by Charles Roussel courtesy of Saint James
The store channels Parisian apartment chic inside the Art Deco landmark at One Wall Street. As guests enter through a sculptural glass entrance on Broadway, which flows into the vibrant Playroom — a striking space anchored by multicolored marble, they are immediately welcomed to the exclusive Saint James pop-up.
The installation captures Saint James' coastal French heritage with a fresh, timeless feel. Clean lines, crisp nautical details, and deep navy carpeting set the tone. A bold white stripe traces the ceiling's curve, morphing into an undulating shelf that mirrors the building's architecture. The navy, white, and subtle red palette nods to the seaside and seamlessly blends into Printemps' signature French elegance. It perfectly recollects the brand's origins, dating to 1899 in Normandy, boasting places like Deauville that captured Chanel's heart. The designer was famously inspired by the wool knit jersey tunic tops worn by the fishermen there. The immersive space is meant to evoke a breezy, coastal retreat in the midst of the Financial District.
The American customers can peruse Saint James' iconic wardrobe essentials for the whole family with selections men, women, kids, even dogs plus unisex styles. Signature Breton stripes and nautical classics sit alongside the Summer 2025 collection featuring sun-washed hues, timeless silhouettes, and the brand's traditional Mer blue — an homage to the South of France. An exclusive offering includes a collaboration with Korean artist Maria (Taehyoung) Jeon who embroidered delicate florals onto the Minquiers Moderne long-sleeve Breton tees adding an artistic edge to the classic style.
The Saint James pop-up at Printemps New York (One Wall Street, NYC) is open to the public for a limited one-month run, offering an introduction to the renowned Normandy craftsmanship with no passport required.