La Malle Offers High-End Fashion in New Canaan

A new high-end clothing store specializing in unique European styles opened its doors in New Canaan last month.

Located at 5 East Avenue, La Malle is the brainchild of Marc and Alexandrine Castellana, who moved back to the states from France in December.

Marc said the couple sought to bring “very high-end quality” European clothes to the area.

“The whole goal was to bring something different, something unique,” he recently told Patch. “For the most part, the brands we are carrying are not in the U.S. yet. We are opening the market for them.”

Marc said he’s sold mountain bikes in the past, but his wife is no stranger to the apparel scene.

“My wife was a store manager for 15 years in a very high-end clothing business,” he said. “She has the experience.”

Marc said women’s jackets are available from $600 to $1,700, men’s shoes go for about $350 and men’s jackets for about $900. La Malle also has sweaters, dresses, bags, jewelry, belts, pants and shirts, among other things, available.

The store opened on Dec. 22.

“Since we opened so late, we brought a smaller collection, a smaller variety of clothes, because it’s going to be a short winter” selling season, Marc said. “Then in the spring and summer, we’ll have everything you can imagine.”

Marc said the customer base is building up, slowly but surely.

“We don’t even have a sign up,” he said. “We are not on Elm Street, we are just a bit off, but not too far. People are starting to know we’re here.”

Marc said on the weekends, he has a booth at the new SoNo Marketplace.

“I am there all weekend long,” he said. “A lot of people are coming there and taking information.”

The Castellanas used to live in New Canaan six years ago and are currently renting in Bedford Hills, N.Y. while they look for a new place in town.