This much anticipated 'pop-up' store in New York where boutiques routinely practise this temporary retail 'element of surprise' method is special because the participant is the much respected and originator of unique retail concepts, the colette store in Paris. Gap have commissioned colette to create a one-month long installation in their rotating concept store across from their flagship store on Fifth Avenue, which has housed previous collaborations with Mulberry, Pierre Hardy and the young designers of the CFDA initiative. This store-swapping action seems natural as colette have in the past sold these special Gap collaborations in their own store. Sarah, creative director of colette says: "It’s a wonderful experience to collaborate with Gap for a temporary shop in uptown New York City, a cult environment for retail. We’ll do our best to delight visitors.”

This signifies the first American presence of colette and judging from the interiors, they have done their best to echo the essence of the original colette store in Paris which has also recently had a revamp. The pop-up store will sell a series of items have been specially created for this store collaboration as well as bringing in colette's own limited products. For example, a Hello Kitty watch, Oakley sunglasses, La Labo fragrance Vanilla 44 and Asics Tiger trainers. It is the colette x gap products however which are likely to draw in the collector crowds today at 10am EST. colette have asked their selection of designers/artists to transform some iconic Gap items. The trench gets doodled by French artist André. Denim jackets get the paint treatment from Olympia le Tan. Adam Kimmel's ties, Repetto's iconic ballet shoes and Alexis Mabille's bow clutch all get doused in plenty of Gap-signature heather grey jersey.

Dazed Digital got into the store yesterday after the colette team had finished it up before it opens today at 10am EST. Click on the Image Gallery for a full peek into the store.

colette x Gap Pop-Up store open from September 6th until 5th October 2008 and some of the products will also be simultaneously available at the colette store in Paris.