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The Latest Boutiques, Hublot, Pomellato & Fabergé

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December 14, 2011

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Luxury brands launch their last retail offerings in 2011, from Singapore to Sydney, London to Los Angeles, we wrap up a mammoth year for luxury boutiques The entrance to Louis…

Over the last decade, collaborations between luxury brands and contemporary artists have gone beyond mere artistic partnerships towards a new kind of luxury branding.

PARIS – Art and fashion have always developed side by side, for fashion, like art, often gives visual expression to the cultural zeitgeist. During the 1920s, Salvador Dalí created dresses for Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiapparelli. In the 1930s, Ferragamo’s shoes commissioned designs for advertisements from Futurist painter Lucio Venna, while Gianni Versace commissioned works from artists such as Alighiero Boetti and Roy Lichtenstein for the launch of his collections. Yves Saint Laurent’s vast art collection, recently auctioned at Christie’s in Paris, testified to his great love of art and revealed the influence of a variety of artists on his own designs.

In the 1980s, relationships between luxury brands and artists were advanced when Alain Dominique Perrin created the Fondation Cartier. In the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain, a book marking the foundation’s 20th anniversary, Perrin says he makes “a connection between all the different sorts of arts, and luxury goods are a kind of art. Luxury goods are handicrafts of art, applied art.”

The Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemparain building in Paris

Luxury brands launch their last retail offerings in 2011, from Singapore to Sydney, London to Los Angeles, we wrap up a mammoth year for luxury boutiques

The entrance to Louis Vuitton’s 14th Maison, located in Sydney, Australia

Australia stepped into the spotlight in December, following the opening of a Louis Vuitton Maison and new Gucci flagship store within days of each other. Whilst the stores themselves are nothing short of what can be found on the streets of New York, London and Milan, it was one particular revelation by Philiip Corne, CEO of Louis Vuitton Oceania that gave particular significance to the Australian market.

During a press conference held to celebrate the new multi-level Maison, Mr Corne revealed that Australia had recently crept into the Top 10 markets for Louis Vuitton worldwide, making it a particularly worthy candidate to receive new bespoke services for women’s handbags and men’s footwear – only the second Maison in the world to offer such services, after Milan. Similarly, Mr Porter – menswear partner to Net-a-Porter – revealed that Australia currently sits as its third largest market.

Prada, Diane Von Furstenberg, Christian Louboutin, Miu Miu, Zegna, Bottega Veneta, Mulberry and Salvatore Ferragamo are just some of the big names that seem to agree – all have opened stores in the past twelve months, many within Westfield’s ambitious redevelopment in the city centre. Burberry – a brand fast becoming a yardstick for retail in emerging cities – opened an 820sqm space back in April, housing all its collections across all categories, complete with video walls and touch-screen technology showcasing the latest Burberry content.

Whilst the Southern Hemisphere rose to prominence this year at the hands of China and India, maybe Australia could be a market to watch in 2012?

Louis Vuitton, Sydney

Marking its 13th Maison location in the world, adding to a network of over 450 stores, Louis Vuitton launched its newest Sydney boutique, to coincide with Louis Vuitton’s 25th anniversary in Australia. The largest of its kind in the Oceania region – spanning 1200sqm, across three distinct floors – the landmark store carries leather goods, watches and jewellery, ready-to-wear and footwear for both women and men.

The boutique will be the second in the world to offer made-to-order shoes for men, whereby clients can choose from a variety of lasts, leathers and hardware, to be made specially in Italy. Louis Vuitton will also offer a Haute Maroquinerie service, which allows women to dictate the design of their handbags, by choosing from a selection of iconic shapes, leathers, colours and finishes.

Website & Source: louisvuitton.com

Fabergé, London

It first store in Britain since 1915, Fabergé has opened just off Bond Street, showcasing its signature imperial eggs and fine jewellery, including a yellow diamond ring with a price tag of £1.78 million. The opening follows the re-launch of Fabergé as a jeweller in 2007, under then new owners Pallinghurst , a South African investment company. The London store is the second stand-alone location, following the opening of a Geneva boutique in 2009.

Website & Source: faberge.com

Jaeger-LeCoultre, Mexico

Jaeger-LeCoultre has unveiled its largest location in Latin America -a space of 120sqm – housing its iconic Reverso collection alongside 101 range, haute jewellery pieces, Atmos clocks and limited edition pieces, created exclusively for regional boutiques. Boutique design is in keeping with the global store design concept, drawing heavily from the Art Deco period, incorporating dark and ochre shades of wood, hickory and steel panels with minimalist details.

Website & Source: jaeger-lecoultre.com

Kelly Wearstler, Los Angeles

In keeping with Kelly Wearstler’s evolution from interior designer to doyenne of all things design, Ms. Wearstler has launched her first retail store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. The 260sqm space has been extensively renovated – to the tune of $1 million according to WWD – featuring steel grey exteriors with gold awnings perforated with circles, as well as a feature doorknob adorned with onyx, rock crystal and pyrite. The store will carry sculptures, homewares, ready to wear and accessories, both vintage and new.

Website: kellywearstler.com
Source: WWD

Solange Azagury-Partridge, Hong Kong

Inaugurating her second Asian location – following Singapore – jewellery designer Solange Azagury-Partridge has unveiled her first boutique in Hong Kong. The store is located within the IFC Mall in Hong Kong’s Central district, carrying a selective range of signature pieces. Speaking at the time of launch, Ms. Azagury-Partridge revealed plans for a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, including the launch of Chinese language e-Commerce functionality.

Website: solangeazagurypartridge.com
Source: Jing Daily

Michael Kors, Singapore

Opening on emerging luxury destination, Scotts Square, Michael Kors has opened his first standalone boutique in Singapore, along the famed Orchard Road shopping belt. The sleek, glass-encased 150sqm store will house watches, jewellery, bags, clutches and wallets, from both the Collection and MICHAEL labels. Modern Lucite chandeliers and lavish zebra rugs complete Mr. Kors’ signature glamorous look.

Website: michaelkors.com
Source: Luxury Insider

Harry Winston, Dubai

Celebrating its first Dubai location, Harry Winston along with Ahmed Seddiqi and Sons, has opened at the Boulevard of the Emirates Towers Hotel. The 174sqm salon will feature Harry Winston’s iconic jewellery and timepiece collections, and represents the company’s largest location within the Middle East.

Website: harrywinston.com
Source: AME Info

Stella McCartney, Rome

Stella McCartney has opened a new store on high-fashion promenade Via Borgognona, Rome, spanning 100sqm, housing women’s ready-to-wear, shoes, bags, sunglasses, lingerie and the new Kids collection. The boutique has been adorned with geometric golden sculptures and floors lined with oak parquet in a herringbone pattern designed by Raw Edges for Established & Sons.

Website: stellamccartney.com
Source: WWD

Pomellato, London

Pomellato opened a flagship store dedicated to its Dodo collection – gold and coloured gemstone charms inspired by the animal kingdom – on London’s Sloane Square. Housed in the former Bamford & Son space, the number 31 property has been re-imagined by Italian architect Paola Navone, to channel “The Flintstones” era in the best possible way. Display cases are filled with small, handmade felt animals and tufts of grass.

Website: pomellato.com
Source: WWD

Lotus, Beijing

Lotus has announced the opening of its first China showroom, featuring six models that have previously only been available in China through other dealers. The 600-meter-square space will house the Elise R, Elise SC, Evora, Evora IPS, Exige S 240 and the Exige S 260 models and is located in Beijing’s fashionable Chaoyang district. The brand has expressed intentions to open a further ten stores in China alone in 2012.

Website: lotuscars.com
Source: Luxuo

Gucci, Sydney

Gucci has unveiled its new flagship store in Sydney, spanning 700sqm over two floors, boasting a new design concept by creative director Frida Giannini. The ground floor is dedicated to menswear, including the introduction of made-to-order suiting, alongside men’s accessories, luggage and small leather goods. The second floor houses women’s ready-to-wear, handbags, accessories, jewellery, silks and fragrances. For the first time in Sydney, the children’s collection will also be available on the second floor.

Website: gucci.com
Source: The MO Down

Carl F Bucherer, Tokyo

Swiss horlogerie brand, Carl F. Bucherer, has opened a new boutique in Tokyo’s prestigious Ginza district. The multi-level space houses a 95sqm showroom and a first floor near-200sqm VIP salon, adjacent to the office premises of Bucherer Japan Ltd. Natural materials have been used throughout, including dark red Dibétou wood and cool, untreated quartzite, set against elegant white furnishings.

Website: bucherer.com
Source: World Tempus

Hervé Léger, Rome

In partnership with the Sermoneta Luxury Group, BCBG Max Azria has chosen Rome for the next Hervé Léger boutique, an 85sqm space on Via del Babuino. This marks the eleventh Hervé Léger store in the world, but only the third in Europe, after London and Paris. The store will house the full range of Léger’s iconic bandage ready-to-wear collection.

Website: herveleger.com
Source: Vogue Italia

Richard Mille, Harrods London

Richard Mille has launched its first UK boutique, in the prestigious new Fine Watch Room at Harrods. The 18sqm space will house the complete range of Richard Mille timepieces, including tourbillons, limited editions and new releases such as the RM 032 divers watch and the RM 038 Bubba Watson tourbillon. In keeping with its global design concept, the boutique features a three dimensional, extra-clear glass Richard Mille watch sculpture.

Website: richardmille.com
Website: harrods.com
Source: Elite Traveler

Etro, Beijing, London

Etro has launched its biggest Chinese flagship within Beijing’s China World Mall, operated by Hong Kong multi-brand retailer Joyce. The 350 square meter location carries Etro’s full men’s and women’s apparel, accessories and leathergoods lines, outfitted with bold purple carpeting, dark wood panelling and black and copper accents.

Across in London, Etro also unveiled a new London flagship store, this time housed in a handsome former art gallery on Bond Street. The two floor space spans 600sqm, with the top floor reserved exclusively for exhibitions and special events.

Website: etro.com
Source: Jing Daily

Michel Perry, London

Paris-based footwear designer, Michel Perry, has opened his first store in London, on Mayfair’s newest luxury destination, Mount Street. The 30sqm space is housed in a former pharmacy, boasting original stained-glass windows and rows of wooden compartments on the walls. Perry is also said to be scouting for potential retail locations in Geneva and New York, as well as looking for retail partners in the Asian region.

Website: michelperry.com
Source: WWD

For our complete 2011 series of The Latest Boutiques, please see our past editions as follows:

Sophie Doran

Creative Strategist, Digital

Sophie Doran is currently Senior Creative Strategist, Digital at Karla Otto. Prior to this role, she was the Paris-based editor-in-chief of Luxury Society. Prior to joining Luxury Society, Sophie completed her MBA in Melbourne, Australia, with a focus on luxury brand dynamics and leadership, whilst simultaneously working in management roles for several luxury retailers.