Discover the Theatrical Elegance of Cubitts West Village: A Unique Eyewear Store Experience

This compact eyewear store in New York's West Village is designed by Tutto Bene and features distinct "on stage" and "backstage" areas, embodying a "love letter to theatrical glamour".

The second location for the UK-based brand Cubitts is nestled on Bleecker Street, known for its architectural charm and unique boutiques.

Tutto Bene, responsible for several Cubitts interiors, took inspiration from the neighborhood's history, including the building's past as the home of playwright Lorraine Hansberry.

"It's a love letter to theatrical glamour, holding a mirror to the dualities of 'on stage' and 'backstage', public and private lives," says the design team. The store's front serves as a stage for spectacles, showcasing the theatrical masks we all wear.

The interior features eyewear displayed on wooden shelves set into beige felt walls, illuminated by hidden cove lights. The wooden floorboards are stained black, emulating a stage, while movable display plinths crafted from brushed aluminum add a prop-like quality.

A velvet-upholstered sofa invites shoppers to relax and observe the performance of trying on eyewear. Behind a curved wall lies the "backstage" consultation area, adorned in contrasting dark brown for bespoke fittings, complete with a vanity mirror reminiscent of a theater dressing room.

In celebration of the West Village opening, Cubitts released three new eyewear frames inspired by local landmarks, including the former speakeasy Chumley's and the Whitney Museum of American Art. Founded in 2013 in King's Cross, London, Cubitts now boasts 19 stores across North America and Europe.

Tutto Bene, led by Felizia Berchtold and Oskar Kohnen, operates studios in London and Milan, and has previously designed Cubitts interiors inspired by artists' lofts and early 20th-century industrial designs.

Photography by Alice Gao