BEIRUT: Luxury is on the Rise

According to Rony Zeidan, founder and chief creative officer of communications agency RO New York…

On a recent trip to Beirut, I got to witness the formation of the latest Lebanese government, and watch the country move forward with it’s main concerns revolving around whether or not they could get Wireless internet for their new Apple laptops, and what couture show they will be attending in Paris this week. In a way, it is refreshing to see that the overall mentality is much more lifestyle focused than war focused.

In recent years, a lot of luxury brands have opened shop in glitzy downtown Beirut, as an alternative Middle Eastern hub to infamous Dubai. Newcomers include: Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Dior, Hermes, Bottega Veneta, Tom Ford, Carolina Herrera, Bvlgari, Girard-Perregaux, Piaget, The Four Seasons Hotel, Le Gray Hotel… to name a few.

SRI LANKA, the Future Hong Kong of the Indian Subcontinent

According to Magda Vandenbussche-Knop, freelance International real estate consultant…

I recently returned from a trip to Sri Lanka and was absolutely taken by the country, the people and its opportunities. Although there are no major brands on the market yet, it’s a question of time before they will settle. The government is planning on making Sri Lanka a major luxury destination. In June 2009, Bloomberg predicted that Sri Lanka would become the Hong Kong of the Indian subcontinent and I must say that the country is on track. Last year the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) was up by 100% and tourist arrivals in 2010 increased with 47%, compared to 2009.

Sri Lanka is known as “the island of gems”. I must admit that I couldn’t resist the beautiful blue sapphires. The magnificent blue stone in the engagement ring of Kate Middleton, now Princess Catherine, has it’s origin in the Ratnapura area.

TOKYO, Mature and Resilient in a Time of Crisis

According to Timothy Schepis, founder & director of Japanese media source Tokyo Fashion Daily…

Japan entered 2011 with high optimism as even though consumers were less conspicuous and aspirational in their shopping, they began spending again. Tokyo luxury retailers were coming off of strong December same-store-sales and new lifestyle brands like Reed Krakoff and Michael Kors entered the Japan luxury market and set up flagship shops in Tokyo, while Japan Fashion Week was increasing in popularity and was becoming a must-attend event for foreign buyers and press.

SYDNEY, A Surprisingly Sophisticated Market

According to Melinda O’Rourke, founder & director of Sydney-based luxury consultancy and recruitment specialist MO Luxury.…

I write this from Sydney where much excitement is afoot with the imminent opening of a brand spanking new Burberry flagship store, the biggest in the country to-date at 800sqm and one to rival many in the Asia Pacific region. To follow later in the year the always pioneering Louis Vuitton is scheduled to open an enormous and unique multi level retail store next to the iconic Apple store.

DOHA, Qatar's Riposte to Dubai

According to Esther Kieselhof, fashion & beauty editor for the Qatar-based luxury lifestyle magazine Isola…

While Doha, Qatar is located a mere 235 miles from the well known luxury shopping destination Dubai, its aspirations lay elsewhere, as the quieter, arguably more liveable luxury destination in the region. There are several multi-billion dollar luxury developments helping put this wealthy city in the global luxury spotlight.

SEOUL, No Longer Asia’s Wild Card

According to In Hae Yeo, contributing writer for the Korean edition of Harper’s Bazaar…

I’m often asked when and if Korea’s buying power will ever be in the league of Japan’s or China’s. While I’m not really in a position to forecast something as all-encompassing as that, what I can say is that momentum in Seoul is still very high. If expansion of luxury retail on the ground is anything to go by, Korea is definitely still a high priority for the industry. And you only need to look around to see that the market is fast segmenting and diversifying too.