A Shanghai unit recently opened, with stores in Beijing and Shenzhen in the works.

PARIS — Steps from the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Italian hatmaker Borsalino has opened the doors to its second stand-alone store in Paris. The jewel box of a shop, at just 160 square feet, is tucked away at 24 rue Marbeuf but is indicative of the 169-year-old brand’s bigger retail ambitions.

The company is expanding its network of directly operated stores, building its presence in China and preparing to explore the U.S. market, plus expanding into new categories while keeping hats top of mind for its offering.

In Paris, the new store adds to Borsalino’s portfolio, which includes an historic Left Bank address and two department store corners.

Expansion in China, as well as the U.S., is on the way as the company seeks to boost its direct-to-consumer business.

In Paris, the opening follows a yearlong search for the right location, where the brand worked to translate its heritage into a contemporary retail concept. Designed with architect Nicola Quadri, the space combines modern fixtures with vintage items, including a stunner of a table by architect Ignazio Gardella. The piece was a lucky find, as the legendary Italian industrial designer had worked on the brand’s first showroom in the 1950s.

Inside, a checked pattern was inspired by the uniforms historically worn by hat-making workers, here reinterpreted for the walls and carpet, while traditional hat-making forms and tools bring an understanding of craftsmanship into the store.

The Paris opening is part of Borsalino’s selective approach to growing physical retail rather than an aggressive store-count expansion.

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