Ale Iaccarino is a special mix of pure free spirit, combined with the brain of a trained architect and designer who was the valedictorian of the design school at UVA. Luckily, she is our lead designer at Bandit, and has created everything from the giclee print we’re giving away this weekend, to the e-mail that Tim begged her to put together at 1am because we forgot we had one on the calendar. While that e-mail was very important, her design of our new flagship is for sure… slightly more important.
Let’s chat with Ale about her most important design job yet…
Alright Ale, let’s start high-level. What did you hope to accomplish with the design of our Manhattan Flagship?
The Manhattan Flagship is more than just a store. It’s a living room… or running room, if you will. It’s a space to gather, connect, be inspired, really, it’s a place to pause, amidst the bustling energy of the West Village.
How do you hope people will feel when they enter and leave the store?
Our store is more than just a store. It’s a living room… or running room, if you will. It’s a space to gather, connect, be inspired, really, it’s a place to pause, amidst the bustling energy of the West Village.
When designing any space, I love to reference analogous places that do just that- places that are designed for conversation, connection, reflection, and togetherness. Our flagship is meant to be a place like a barber shop or an old school salon if it had a baby with an art gallery. (lol). As people experience the space, I want them to find unexpected moments of joy and beauty - whether it's curated book stack or a cool marble detailing that catches their eye against the warmth of the wood envelope. Have you every walked through a museum or gallery and seen someone stopped in their tracks? That’s what I want people to feel and experience throughout our special west village store. Moments of awe and pause.
We’re lucky enough to be collaborating with Rhythm Zero, a cafe that embodies the connection and conversation that happens over a cappuccino with an old friend. We were intentional about creating lounge moments, like sitting in your living room, where you can relax, catch up, and be in the space. It’s more than just a store - and we want the entire community to feel that.
Wait, let’s back up… what are your credentials for designing a retail store?
Hmm credentials….. I don't love going over my resume but let’s have at it.
To be honest, my credentials started long before I was born. My great grandfather Raffaele Iaccarino was a skilled builder, and with my grandfather built an impressive architectural millworking company, that ultimately my dad led and grew.
From an early age, I meandered large factories filled with saw dust and sat on high stools with the architects and draftsmen sketching beside them. When I wasn’t doodling on extra draft paper, I was playing with the copy machine and sketching over it. This is really when my passion for spatial and graphic design began.
I studied design and architecture at the University of Virginia - right after college I moved to Rwanda and Uganda for 4 years working for one of the best architecture firms, Mass Design Group, doing incredible work across the world and sharing the power of beautiful designed hospitals, schools, housing etc. with all communities.
At Bandit, I’ve designed over 6 temporary stores. Its been….wild. But such a blessing to be able to practice curating spaces on a quick timeline which all ultimately served as prototypes for our spatial brand identity.
Where did you draw inspiration for the aesthetic of the space? How would you describe the aesthetic that what you ultimately created?
The aesthetic was an amalgamation of many minds: from Ardith’s deep expertise in material and color tension, to Nick’s passion for audio and listening rooms, to Emily’s emphasis on customer experience and seamless retail operations.
The store truly embodies the design principles we bring across product, photography, and our experiences. The space is full of warmth. Immediately upon walking in your senses are surrounded by the deep honey wood, the gentle dispersed lighting, and the textures of worn leather and mid century teak smattering the space. It makes you want to stay, sink in - back to the idea of taking a moment of pause.
Bandit loves tension as a design principle - you see it across our product in how we play with color and shape. That felt very important to hone in on. The warmth is contrasted by hits of chrome and cool tones in all the details, the marble pedestal, the opening store gilcee print, the plants and objet.
We referenced everything from Japanese cafes and stores (shout out Nick and Tim for fitting a Tokyo inspiration trip in during our design process) to beautifully designed homes.
If you had to pick one detail or aspect of the store as your favorite, what would you choose and why?
Oof that’s a tough one. If I had to pick one, it would be the transition point between the Rhythm Zero and Bandit “sides”- a big travertine community table. I feel like it really resembles what both brands are trying to do - bring beautiful design into our neighborhoods, our communities, and create a space, really a lifestyle, for people to enjoy, connect, and celebrate over art, running, and something delicious.
Talk to us about how you went about sourcing the furniture, fixtures, and… objet’s, if you will.
I’ve spent a lot of time on eBay and liveauctioneers in the past three months. Honestly its exhilarating waiting online with a bunch of strangers fighting to the death for a mid century table or Venetian lamp.
We also love to save some magic for the final weeks, so Ardith and I went hunting in industry city for a good good deal. It’s our favorite thing to do together - flowers and objets - the last minute finds feel celebratory and these final touches really bring the space together.
How did you… get this done in the insanely short period of time that you got it completed in?
It was an all hands on deck affair. Big gratitude goes out to:
Darcy Budworth, who not only drew every technical drawing, but was a mentor and compass for me throughout the process.
Tom, our General Contractor, who on the first day shook my hand and said 6 weeks? No problem. He navigated many early mornings and late night panic texts so I owe him big time.
And last but not least, my dad and TJ Hale, our mill working crew. Who would have thought we’d have a chance to build something together? Papa would be proud.
How did you first approach and get inspired for this store design? Were there any specific designers, places, or trends that influenced your approach?
The most recent Parisian Design Fair - I MEAN LOOK AT THOSE CHAIRS.
Ben Willet and his beautiful approach to unique curves against angular lines in furniture and spaces
Maya Lin who designs “on the boundaries” and truly embodies juxtaposition in all her work, creating a tension of materials and a fusion of opposites.
Noguchi who embodied pause and meditation in all of this art.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the design process?
Time. Time was definitely the biggest challenge.
Ok, the store is (almost) open…. What project do you have up next that you’re most excited for?
Almost almost almost…
To be honest, I am SO excited to dive into product artwork. Our product team is working rigorously on our 2025 collections and I cannot wait to shift my mind to a different area of design. Spring and summer 2025 collections here I come. And selfishly, Ardith and I are working side by side, magic happens :)
