Cutting-edge design is not something that leaps to mind when discussing Chinese retailers; they’re better known for manufacturing trailblazing ideas cooked up elsewhere (see: iPhone). But one Chinese company is looking to change that perception.

Igoo, a lighting company, opened its U.S. flagship store in the Beverly Center at the beginning of this month. The company’s sole product is a pricey, curvaceous “smartlamp,” which is preprogrammed with lighting and audio settings that can be customized to accommodate a variety of moods, from sleeping to dining to romance (the company website uses a less euphemistic word).

Controlled through a Bluetooth-enabled handset, the dimmable smartlamp contains 64 LED lights and is designed to illuminate a 600-square-foot room.

The lamp’s designers researched ancient artifacts and visited museums to create the contoured shape, designed after an ancient Chinese instrument.

“They wanted to come up with a shape that is very simple but elegant,” said Alan Jahanshahi, manager of the L.A. store.

It appears to have found resonance here. The store, which opened Dec. 1, had sold all of the 26 lamps it had on hand by the next day. There is now a 30-day waiting list for the $799, hand-painted lights.

“We haven’t done any advertising whatsoever, we just opened the doors and it’s been great,” said Jahanshahi.

“People walk past the store and they’re a little confused, it’s like seeing a car for the first time – they are wowed and think it’s amazing,” he said.

– Emily Hertlein