Ringo Studio Reimagines Steve Madden’s Retail Identity in Times Square Flagship.
The NYC-based design studio’s first major brand refresh brings a bold, sculptural vision to the iconic New York fashion label.
Ringo Studio introduces a collaboration with Steve Madden, redefining the retail experience for a brand that has long been an icon of New York City’s fashion landscape. Wrapping the corner in Times Square, the Steve Madden international flagship store stands at the intersection of energy and culture, drawing visitors from around the globe. The newly reimagined concept store exudes a clubhouse-like ambiance, where cozy charm meets urban sophistication to reflect the brand’s dynamic spirit. This bold new chapter invites visitors to immerse themselves in a space that embodies the brand’s essence while reimagining its future.
“This project marks an exciting milestone for Ringo Studio as our first major collaboration with an iconic fashion brand. Steve Madden is synonymous with New York City’s energy and creativity, and we were challenged to reimagine the brand’s retail identity while honoring its rich history. Through our refined creative process, which prioritizes immersive storytelling, we crafted a sculptural environment that enhances the shopping experience, celebrates the bold spirit of the brand, and creates a space where people can gather, pause, and enjoy the pulse of the city.”
– Madelynn Ringo, Founder and Creative Director of Ringo Studio
A sweeping colonnade clad in warm oak anchors the space, its urban scale punctuated by peek-through openings, merchandising displays, and cozy seating nooks. This architectural gesture establishes intimate shopping zones and guides visitors along a meandering path of discovery across the store. Designed to feel inviting and personal, the palette and layout evoke the cozy warmth and communal spirit of a clubhouse, with thoughtfully crafted vignettes to inspire both exploration and gathering. In the front corner, a cozy circular lounge invites customers to kick back and socialize on a custom chartreuse banquette surrounded by lush champagne-colored drapery. The brand’s brushed aluminum logo is boldly stamped into the concrete floors—a playful nod to Steve Madden’s signature mix of edge and sophistication.
Large display tables, defined by intersecting geometries and contrasting materials, punctuate every corner of the store, juxtaposing the warm wood tones with heavy black marble and travertine. Toward the back, an intimate lounge features a vibrant, double-sided seating plinth resting heavily atop a “rug” of glossy white penny tiles with rough, imperfect edges, as if excavated from the surrounding concrete—evoking the feeling of uncovering layers of history.
Linear lighting bars suspended from the 18-foot ceilings cut across the curving walls, introducing a layered visual texture that plays with expectations. These lights provide diffused ambiance and directional focus, spotlighting the store’s frequently refreshed merchandise. Ringo Studio’s signature use of bold color adds a playful vibrancy to the space, resonating with the brand’s youthful and energetic customers. Ten-foot-wide display niches along the store’s perimeter are coated in a cheeky baby blue, creating a bold backdrop for iconic shoe silhouettes displayed on adjustable chrome shelves. Crisp lemony accents intermingle with high-gloss buttery yellow, infusing the space with a playful whimsy reminiscent of the energy captured in the brand’s iconic “big head” ads from the early 2000s.
Ringo Studio has crafted an environment that feels both nostalgic and fresh, offering a reimagined perspective on Steve Madden’s retail identity while honoring its bold and playful legacy. True to Steve Madden’s legacy of staying in step with the pulse of the city, this flagship location reflects the brand’s unmatched ability to translate the latest trends into accessible, statement-making styles. Curated seating areas invite visitors to relax, socialize, and immerse themselves in the space, fostering a sense of community and connection that stems from a shared love of fashion. Ringo Studio’s reimagined interior for Steve Madden’s Times Square flagship embodies a bold vision for the brand’s retail future, marking an exciting new chapter in its storied journey.
Project Collaborators:
Architect of Record: Laurence G. Jones Architects
Custom Millwork: Chateau Brooklyn
General Contractor: PBS Contractors
Lighting Designer: Pierce Lighting Studio