Marisa Miller Pictures

Situated on Manhattan's toniest retail block, East 57th Street, where other top French brands reside as well, including Chanel, Dior, YSL and Louis Vuitton ("It's the block to be!" said Lacroix as he made his way through the store to greet his guests) the store is cozy by flagship standards.

"We are just starting to build a real business here," he continued. "I prefer to do everything with good timing, with a good location."

With a mirrored "brick" wall extending two stories up, mod red furniture and curving fixtures, the store is decorated in a way befitting the designer's signature baroque style - exuberant color sense, loud, graphic prints and all-out femininity, the epitome of '80s glamour.