The Latest Boutiques: Patek Philippe, Corneliani & Louis Vuitton
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
Louis Vuitton opens in Gstaad and Cancun, as Bernard Arnault announces a new strategy to limit store openings, to avoid becoming “too commonplace”
Louis Vuitton Gstaad
Louis Vuitton opens in Gstaad and Cancun, as Bernard Arnault announces a new strategy to limit store openings, to avoid becoming too commonplace
LVMH recently announced results for 2012, where group revenue reached €28.1 billion, an increase of 19% compared to 2011. But where increases seemed noticeably slower in comparison to previous years, was the Fashion & Leather Goods category that reported organic revenue growth of just 7%.
LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault remained unfazed, explaining to Bloomberg: “Of course it would be easier for Louis Vuitton to boost its revenue, all it would take would be to launch 10 new products with the monogram product, but down the road it’s not a good strategy.”
“The group’s strategy now is to limit store openings,” he commented to Reuters. “We want to focus on leather products with high value added.” Mr. Arnault also confirmed the brand will not open boutiques in second and third-tier cities in China to “avoid becoming too commonplace.”
10 Corso Como, Shanghai
Carla Sozzani’s 10 Corso Como has partnered with Trendy International Group to open a 2500-square-metre store on Nanjing West Road, Shanghai in fall 2013.
“With its first store in Shanghai, 10 Corso Como will bring Chinese consumers skilfully edited choices to inspire and provoke curiosity. A consistent flow of new designers, artists and writers will be brought to the public’s attention, offering fresh ideas on a sophisticated lifestyle,” explained the retailer.
Website: 10corsocomo.com
Source: Red Luxury
Acne, Aoyama
Acne has opened its first Japanese retail location in Aoyama, in the former home of 10 Corso Como, designed by architect Andreas Fornell. Menswear occupies the basement; womenswear and accessories, the ground floor and the salon like second level. Design elements include blue granite from Italy, stone from Brazil, rugs custom-cut to resemble fabric swatches and metal-mesh partitions.
Website: acnestudios.com
Source: Style.com
Audi, Beijing
Audi has debuted its interactive digital showroom in Asia, with the opening of it’s 2,100-square meter space in Beijing’s Oriental Plaza. Its latest outlet can display 14 vehicles and features six floor-to-ceiling projection walls that can call up as many as 100 million vehicle combinations through touch-screen tables.
Breitling, Hong Kong
Breiting’s aviation-inspired timepieces are now available in the brand’s first Hong Kong boutique. Located on Hennessy road, the 6-story boutique plays host to open retail areas, a museum wall, a swanky VIP lounge and an after-sales service counter.
Website: breitling.com
Source: Luxury Insider
Brioni, Tashkent
Brioni has debuted in Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, with a 290-square-metre multi-level menswear store. The recently acquired PPR brand is one of the first international luxury brands to open mono-brand stores in Uzbekistan, joining Max Mara, Paul & Shark and Hugo Boss.
Website: brioni.com
Source: CPP Luxury
Bulgari, Singapore
Bulgari has re-opened its Takashimaya, Singapore flagship, after an extensive renovation. The idea behind the new look for the 246-square-metre store, as explained to Luxury Insider, was to emphasize the brand’s values, identity and the strong craftsmanship that defines the product range itself.
Website: bulgari.com
Source: Luxury Insider
Corneliani, Shanghai
Italian menswear brand Corneliani has opened a prestigious new flagship store in Shanghai’s Citic Square, bringing the brand’s presence in the China to 40 units. Designed by architects Daniela Podda and Paolo Ponti, the three-level boutique will features the entire Corneliani range, including its made-to-measure tailoring service.
Website: corneliani.com
Source: Luxuo
De Beers Diamonds, Nanjing
De Beers Diamond Jewellers has opened its first Nanjing store in the Deji Plaza, marking the brand’s fifth store in China. The 80-square-metre space features De Beers’ unique store design concept of glass and light, where clients are invited to discover the natural beauty and timeless mystique of diamonds.
Website: debeers.com
Source: Diamond News
F.P.Journe, Bal Harbour
F.P.Journe has chosen Miami to open its latest boutique in the upscale Bal Harbour Shops Mall. Designed by François-Paul Journe in keeping with the global design concept with the concept of the existing boutiques, it brings the prestige of high horology to American collectors in the vibrant and dynamic city of Miami.
Website: fpjourne.com
Source: FHH
Gucci, Rio de Janeiro
Gucci has opened in Rio de Janeiro, with a 325-square-metre store in the Village Mall. The store features handbags, small leather goods, jewellery and luggage for men and women, as well as children’s wear.
“This is our fifth store in Brazil and the first in Rio de Janeiro, underscoring our belief in the long-term potential for this market,” explained CEO Patrizio di Marco. “In fact, from the beginning of this year we have established a fully dedicated team and structure in São Paulo to support the growth of our business in Brazil and the rest of Latin America.” New York boutique pictured
Louis Vuitton, Cancun, Gstaad
Louis Vuitton has opened a “winter resort” store in Gstaad, Switzerland. The boutique is housed within a 1913 Swiss ski chalet, featuring a lounge and a fireplace, . The boutique’s range contains collections of leather goods, travel accessories, shoes and ready-to-wear for men and women.
The brand has also opened its largest store in largest in Latin America, at La Isla’s Fashion Harbour in Cancun, marking its second store in the city.
Mercedes-Benz, New Delhi
Mercedes-Benz India has inaugurated India’s largest luxury car showroom in South Delhi. The flagship store by T&T; Motors spans over 5,500-square-metres, featuring an exclusive plush customer lounge and Café-Mercedes, alongside the full range of Mercedes-Benz performance and luxury cars.
Website: mercedes-benz.com
Source: Motoroids
Miu Miu, Vienna
Prada Group has opened its first Miu Miu flagship in Austria, in the capital city of Vienna on Tuchlauben Strasse. The 450-square-metre space was conceived by Italian architect Roberto Baciocchi, and will house ready to wear, accessories, shoes, bags and eyewear over two levels.
Website: miumiu.com
Source: CPP Luxury
Nancy Gonzalez, Hong Kong
Nancy Gonzalez has debuted her luxury accessories in Hong Kong with the opening of her first store in the IFC Mall. Designed by Rawlins Design under the creative direction of Santiago Barberi Gonzalez, the boutique takes inspiration from the Art Déco epoch, featuring works by Eileen Gray and Jean Dunand.
Website & Source: nancygonzalez.com
Oscar de la Renta, London
Oscar de la Renta has opened its first London store on Mayfair’s Mount Street, home to Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin and Balenciaga. With interiors designed by New York-based firm Meyer Davis Studio, the 300-square-metre space spans three floors, accessories, beauty, home décor and children’s wear, in addition to its ready-to-wear and bridal lines.
Website: oscardelarenta.com
Source: Vogue UK
Patek Philippe, Muscat
Al Qurum Jewellery, the official Oman dealer of Patek Philippe, has opened the first exclusive boutique at the Opera Galleria, Royal Opera House Muscat. A blend of classic and modern elements, the boutique brings together precious materials such as marble, alabaster, rosewood and maple. Zurich boutique pictured
Richard Mille, Singapore
Richard Mille inaugurated its new boutique at the Grand Hyatt Singapore, unveiling the first new showroom concept by the Swiss manufacture, with future flagships all over the world to be modelled after its light-suffused, welcoming atmosphere.
Website: richardmille.com
Source: Luxury Insider
Roberto Cavalli, New Delhi
Roberto Cavalli has launched its first Indian store and accompanying Cavalli Cafe in New Delhi, in partnership with Infinite Luxury Brands. In line with the designer’s “global fashion store” concept as seen in London, Paris, Tokyo and New York, the 400 square-foot Roberto Cavalli flagship store is located within the DLF Emporio Mall.
Website: robertocavalli.com
Source: Hollywood Reporter":["http://luxurysociety.com/news/31422]
Salvatore Ferragamo, Nanjing, Shenyang, Wuhan
Salvatore Ferragamo has unveiled three new Chinese retail locations in some of the country’s most prestigious shopping centres. The brand will also launch a “travel retail” plan that includes four points of sale in the country’s Chengdu, Xian, Guangzhou and Haiko airports.
Since landing in China in 1994, the Florence-born brand has opened 63 stores in 35 cities and 16 points of sale in various Chinese airports.
Website: ferragamo.com
Source: FashionMag
Tiffany & Co, Prague
After four years of searching Prague for the ideal retail location, Tiffany & Co has launched on at Pařížská street in the Republic’s capital. Behind the classic stone facade the 240-square-metre space has been decorated with wheat-leaf, dragonfly and magnolia images, an homage to the American landscape and to Louis Comfort Tiffany, the founder’s son, an artist who used the motifs in his own work.
Website: tiffany.com
Source: The Prague Post
Tom Ford, Paris
Tom Ford’s second Paris location has opened on rue Saint-Honoré, housing the designer’s women’s and menswear, as well make-up, fragrances and sunglasses. The store was designed by architect Simon Ibgui, who was also responsible for the design of the Tom Ford’s first Paris store.
Website: tomford.com
Source: FashionMag
For more in the series of The Latest Boutiques, please see our most recent editions as follows:
– The Latest Boutiques: Hublot, Audi & Chanel
– The Latest Boutiques: Chloé, Brioni & Shang Xia
– The Latest Boutiques: Berluti, Dior & Saint Laurent Paris
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.