Lululemon's lab hits New York stores

Lululemon's newest retail and design concept Lab has finally hit New York with a new store that opened this week. The new 2,893-square-foot store is located in NoHo, and will carry the brand's most fashionable offerings. Offerings will include high-waisted trousers, wide-leg trousers, criss-cross backed crop tops, and waterproof anoraks.

The Lab is Lululemon's attempt to court customers who are increasingly wearing athletic wear outside of the gym. Even luxury and high end contemporary designers are taking notice to this trend. Nike just released images of their continued collaboration with Ricardo Tisci, and Tory Burch just opened her Tory Sport store in Flatiron several weeks ago.

Lab's mission is to push the envelope of design regarding techniques and fabrication in the world of sportswear. As part of pushing the envelope, no two Lab stores will carry the same product. Each Lab is intended to be inspired by the city it is in. For example, the Lab store in Vancouver carries completely different product from the New York store. The New York store really shows how much New Yorkers love their neutrals as touches of ivory, grey, navy, and nude are found throughout the collection.

Lululemon Lab store comes to NYC

Lab even has different shopping bags from the regular Lululemon stores. Instead of the usual red totes with white logos, customers receive a solid matte black bag with a tonal logo and quote.

For those hoping to get their hands on Lab through Lululemon's e-commerce channel, sorry to inform you that the collection will only be available in stores. All the merchandise will be exclusive to the New York location. Price points for the collection range from 60 dollars to 450 dollars, with 50 to 100 pieces produced for reach item. Given the amount of technical work that had to go into constructing these garments such as bonding and quilting, the price points are higher than they are for traditional Lululemon merchandise.

Marcus LeBlanch, Lululemon designer of, told WWD that "We’re able to focus beyond just athleticism and be able to provide garments for your entire life. [It’s a] full wardrobe. You aren’t wearing it to the gym and that’s part of what is unique about the lab."

If Lululemon is attempting to find their place in every category of your wardrobe, they are succeeding.

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