Famed Italian architect Massimiliano Locatelli is taking over Madison Avenue’s Barneys on Wednesday, marking the start of an ongoing collaboration between the retail giant and the architect who’s designed commercial properties for the likes of Valentino, Michael Kors, Zara and Missoni.

Meanwhile, the Columbia University PhD is busy developing the new Las Vegas location of Wolfgang Puck restaurant Spago. “Under my art direction, half of Barney’s 7^th floor will be dedicated to my work and shall feature elements of furniture, design and tableware from my Untitled Homeware line designed exclusively for Barneys,” the architect tells me from behind his desk, while carrying a pocket-sized dog named Nove in his arms.