Italian designer handbag label Piero Guidi will open its first US store on September 8 – in the chic fashion precinct of Soho, New York City.

The Soho store will be the company’s fourth standalone store outside of Italy, following openings in China, Japan and Hong Kong.

The 1800 sqft space was designed by Thomas McKay, who has created interiors for clients as diverse as Hugo Boss, Crunch Gyms, and USM Modular Furniture. McKay’s design is strongly influenced by Urbino, Italy, the birthplace of the brand, especially the city’s heritage of quality and craftsmanship.

His design references Urbino’s Studiolo workshop in the city’s Palazzo Ducale, through the use of classic proportions that are at once cleanly modern and also reflective of Urbino’s rich Renaissance history.

Piero Guidi’s emblem of two embracing angels will figure prominently in the store’s flooring.

While the luxury handbags are sold at over 500 multi-brand stores throughout Italy and Europe, this US flagship marks Piero Guidi’s first freestanding location in North America.

Piero Guidi, founder and president, created his company in the early 1970s and has earned a strong following in Italy with the collection’s whimsical prints and high quality accessories and leather goods. Piero Guidi is especially known for its Magic Circus range, which features colorful designs and motifs depicting various circus scenes, and its Lineabold collection, a range of canvas handbags with a metal plaque that can be engraved with the owner’s name.

Piero Guidi says he is inspired by “the simple joy one finds in beautiful things and each piece is created to bring about feelings of fantasy and happiness”.

Company spokesman Giacomo Guidi said New York was chosen for the debut because it is “such an important crossroads of culture, business, and design”.

“We are thrilled to bring our creative vision to this dynamic and inspiring place.”

Piero Guido is at 430 West Broadway, Soho. Visit the brand online.