COLETTE’S GREATEST HITS

1997

Proof that the fashion industry does not survive on champagne and cigarettes alone: The Water Bar at Colette, a café in the basement that opened in Colette’s inaugural year, stocked over 100 types of the chicest mineral waters.

2009

When Barbie turned 50, the store threw her a huge bash, during which she received bespoke looks by Jeremy Scott and Roksanda Ilincic.

2014

Colette shoppers were the first outside of Apple HQ to see the Apple Watch IRL, but they had to keep their hands (and wrists) off. The timepieces were locked up behind glass.

2014

Drake fans were on their worst behaviour when the rapper stopped by to hype his OVO/Colette collab. They nearly rioted, and the store had to close.

2015

Would you like fries with that? “Yes” was the unequivocal answer from the fashion crowd when Colette launched a limited-edition T-shirt line with McDonald’s.

2017

The shop organized a roster of incredible collabs in its 20th year, including one with Balenciaga. Demna Gvasalia et al. took over the store for six weeks, hosting art installations and events like free manis by Mei Kawajiri and customizable clothing stations.

2017

Colette teamed up with IKEA (before Byredo, Hay and Virgil Abloh did it) and was the first to create tote bags with the Swedish brand.