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.

Website: audi.com
Source: Bloomberg

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 Franois-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 So Paulo to support the growth of our business in Brazil and the rest of Latin America.” New York boutique pictured

Website: gucci.com
Source: WWD

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.

Source: Luxuo, JustLuxe

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 Caf-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 Dco 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 dcor 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

Website: patek.com
Source: AME Info

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 Pařžsk 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-Honor, 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: Chlo, Brioni & Shang Xia
- The Latest Boutiques: Berluti, Dior & Saint Laurent Paris

An excerpt from Diane von Furstenberg’s Glossi

Montblanc teams up with Harrods to launch an in-store augmented reality experience, as Herms partners with Harper’s Bazaar to retail a limited collection online.

In the past month the digital luxury landscape has been dominated by the moves of the media and retailers. As the New York times announced restructuring measures to the tune of thirty senior journalists, Net-a-Porter announced its intention to launch a full-blown fashion glossy.

As Rupert Murdoch confirmed he will shutter The Daily – the iPad-only magazine he launched two years ago – social-shopping company ThisNext unveiled Glossi, a platform which allows users and brands to create their very own digital magazines.

But perhaps nothing was more surprising, than to hear that Herms will be retailing a selection of footwear on the eCommerce venture of fashion magazine Harper’s Bazaar. Digital may have muddied the waters, but never have the lines between brand, retailer and publisher been so blurred.

Boucheron, Website

Jeweller Boucheron has relaunched its website in the colours of the new visual identity of the maison. Visitors can browse the portal in English, French, Japanese and Simplified Chinese, or take a virtual 360-degree tour through the Boucheron flagship store at Paris’s Place Vendme. For the first time, Boucheron is sharing the history of its founders and products, whilst boosting social connectivity with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube integration.

Website & Source: boucheron.com

Cartier, e-Commerce

Cartier has relaunched its e-Commerce offering in the United States, with an enhanced e-boutique and 360-degree product display and videos. Alongside the online boutique, the site offers information regarding after sales service, product maintenance and store locations, as well as dedicated sections to heritage, CSR projects, events, savoir-faire and social media.

Website: cartier.com
Source: Luxury Digital

Ferrari, App

Ferrari has launched an App for brand fanatics, offering users the opportunity to discover its rich history, simulate driving, wake up to the sound of a V12, take Ferrari-themed photos with RedCam or personalise devices with wallpapers. Built for the iPhone and iPad, the app comprises of photo galleries, videos and factsheets about current and classic models as well as selected Sports Prototype and Formula 1 cars.

Download: Ferrari Mania
Source: Luxury Daily

Georg Jensen Holition Gesture Experience from Holition AR on Vimeo.

Georg Jensen, Augmented Reality

Holition has created a unique application for the special launch of George Jensen’s ‘Fusion Ring Builder’ website. The website was activated to run in store using gesture to drive product selection, simply by selecting product with a hand gesture. The user can play and see the separate components of the Fusion ring come together from all angles using the iPad, or use one of Georg Jensen’s personalised iPads at Harrods, Selfridges London and Selfridges Manchester.

Website: georgjensen.com
Developer: Holition
Source: Retail Jeweller

Harper’s Bazaar, Herms, eCommerce

Herms is set to debut some of its products on ShopBazaar.com, the eCommerce site powered by fashion glossy Harper’s Bazaar. In the first e-commerce channel outside of its own website, the French luxury house will retail six shoe styles. “We thought it would be great to expand the introduction of Herms footwear to Bazaar’s audience,” explained Herms CEO USA Robert Chavez.

Website: ShopBazaar.com
Source: Fashion United

Luxure, iPad

Luxure has launched its inaugural iPad Edition, in a bid to showcase its existing magazine content in the most spectacular, insightful and explorative of climates. The iPad Edition of Luxure will provide insight into an array of photography complemented by the new retina display, alongside rich additional content via audio, video and animation.

Download & Source: Luxure

Montblanc, Virtual Pop-Up

Harrods London and Montblanc UK collaborated to produce a virtual pop-up store, featuring an extensive selection of artworks from the Montblanc Cutting Edge Art Collection, permanently exhibited in Hamburg. By pointing a smartphone or tablet at the image displayed in one of the Montblanc Harrods windows, users could not only view the artworks, but purchase four exclusive Montblanc products through Harrods.

Website & Source: montblanc.com

Prada, iPad

In celebration of its Fall Winter 2012 menswear show in Paris, Prada collaborated with fashion illustrator Richard Haines, to produce a limited edition book featuring 150 artworks based on the collection. In the final chapter of the project the Italian brand has launched an iPad application, allowing users to take an interactive tour of a virtual palazzo designed by James Lima, to discover both the artworks and collection.

Download: Il Palazzo
Source: Prada

Shanghai Tang, App

In time for the holiday season, Shanghai Tang has launched apps on Facebook and Sina Weibo, allowing fans to create Christmas wish lists according to their Chinese zodiac sign and share it with their friends. The wish list is focused on Shanghai Tang’s Christmas collection of homeware, displayed in an animated kaleidoscope, and users can then personalise the products they want to include prior to sharing the final wish list with their friends.

Apps: Facebook, Sina Weibo

Whitewall, Website

Whitewall is pleased to announce the launch of the new beta version of Whitewallmag.com, which will continue to cover contemporary art, luxury lifestyle, fashion, and design, and how these industries intersect. Debuting on the eve of Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB) 2012, the site will focus exclusively on pre- and day-to-day coverage of the fair.

Source: whitewallmag.com

For more in the series of The Latest Digital, please see our most recent editions as follows:

- The Latest Digital: Balmain, Yoox & Mandarin Oriental
- The Latest Digital: Versace, Balenciaga & Ritz-Carlton
- The Latest Digital: BMW, Maserati & Salvatore Ferragamo