History of Galeries Lafayette

Started at the end of the 19th century, the history of Galeries Lafayette is unusual. Located on the famous boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement, they have become, more than a hundred years after the opening of the first store, one of the symbols of the French capital.

A visionary department store project

In 1893, Théophile Bader and Alphonse Kahn, two cousins freshly arrived from Alsace, embarked on opening a small 70 m² store located at the corner of La Fayette Street and Chaussée d'Antin Street. Formerly called "Aux Galeries Lafayette," the name of the galleries simply comes from the address of the first store located at number 1 of the street of the same name. The double "t" in the logo cleverly conceals the design of a simplified Eiffel Tower, referencing the store's Parisian origins. The location of Galeries Lafayette is ideal: it benefits from the proximity of the Opéra Garnier as well as the Grands Boulevards that extend from it, attracting strollers and potential customers.

Three years later, the cousins purchased the entire building located at number 1 La Fayette Street. The expansion did not take long, as in 1903, they took possession of numbers 38, 40, and 42 on Haussmann Boulevard, and 15 on Chaussée d'Antin Street. During the first ten years, the family business sought to expand as much as possible and to gain ground in these Haussmannian buildings, whose architecture is particularly conducive to this type of commerce.

Birth of a Luxury Bazaar

It was in 1912 that what was just a small family business truly became a large-scale store. That year, what is nicknamed the "flagship" (located on Boulevard Haussmann) of Galeries Lafayette took on the quite exceptional architectural appearance that we know today. The dream of a "luxury bazaar" of the cousins finally really took shape with this immense space richly decorated. The style of the ramp of the main staircase is directly inspired by that of the Paris Opera. Overlooking the store at a height of 43 meters, the immense dome of the main hall became the emblem of Galeries Lafayette. Its neo-Byzantine stained glass windows allow rays of sunlight to flood the grand hall with warm light.

But the cousins' wild ambition did not stop at the rich ornaments of the store: in addition to the existing 96 departments, living spaces were added, such as a smoking room, a tea room, and a beautiful reading room. The icing on the cake is a terrace at the top of Galeries that offers visitors a superb panoramic view of Paris. Thus, the small Haussmannian store transformed into a sprawling space of commerce and leisure and became a must-visit place for all the wealthy foreigners passing through Paris.

The democratization of fashion

The primary vocation of Galeries Lafayette has always been the alliance of fashion and novelty. In order to be as visible as possible and to thumb his nose at all his competitors, Théophile Bader decided that the most sought-after haute couture pieces of the moment he put on display would become accessible to all budgets. To achieve this, he acquired production units to create his own clothing brand. He then had fashion-forward couture pieces made to sell at much more affordable prices than his chic competitors.

Thanks to this technique, he kills two birds with one stone: he democratizes access to fashion and makes his store the must-visit address not only for the bourgeois women of Paris but also for the seamstress workers. All of Paris flocked to Galeries, and the success was colossal. The store retains its loyal clientele thanks to the constant diversification of its offerings. In addition to the classic sections dedicated to women's clothing, sections for "men's clothing," "home decor," "toys," and "tableware" are added. And for maximum customer loyalty, annual appointments are established with the clientele, such as the famous "3J", created in 1958, allowing customers to acquire current and high-quality items at exceptionally low prices for three days.

The Spirit and Values of Lafayette

In 1969, a new store aimed at young customers and affiliated with Galeries Lafayette opened its doors across from rue Mogador. "The 20-Year Club" showcases a variety of product styles, such as clothing, music, and drugstore items. Men's fashion would later take over the shelves, to which Lafayette Gourmet would be added. In 1984, the main hall was completely reorganized to open luxury boutiques.

The year 2001 marked a significant step in advertising communication around the Galeries. The brand gained prestige and launched a massive first advertising campaign now known to all Parisians and tourists, featuring "The Adventures of Laëtitia Casta in the Land of Galeries Lafayette." This innovative, modern, and quirky series of photos perfectly embodies the values and "spirit" of the store; it was a resounding success and marked the beginning of a long collaboration between the model and the Galeries.

The department store subsequently hosted prestigious events showcasing major creators or artists of our time. To strengthen its connection with fashion as well as with creation of all kinds, the store opened the Gallery of Galleries, a space located on the first floor and freely accessible to all, highlighting the intrinsic links that exist between fashion, art, and design.

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