Mirror, Mirror

On the spot LuxuryActivist - 25 February 2013

If you're looking for infinity, you'll find it harnessed on the third floor in Dover Street Market. Hedi Slimane's Saint Laurent collection – menswear, womenswear and accessories – is reflected to the hilt in a cabinet of dress-up geometry.

Appropriating techniques and materials from French Art Deco with Bauhaus influence, repetitive vitrines are constructed in poli mirror, brass and extra clear mirror, playing the House code of silver and gold in unison. It's the ultimate frame for Slimane's youth quake tailoring, leather jackets, suspended Paris heels and blue jeans, an item Monsieur Yves Saint Laurent had great regard for, quoting, "They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – all I hope for in my clothes". This installation remains equally as potent empty of the ritualistic wardrobe.

It's not the first time Slimane has exhibited at Rei Kawakubo's original concept store, however, as the creative showcased his F System furniture project back in 2007, a series of artisan crafted loveseats and tables transposed – and disrupted – from historical silhouettes in stainless steel and ebony.

Mayfair's the hotspot where the impetus of other eras meets the future, it seems. All those mirrors make sure the romance bounces the right way.

Harping on

On the spot LuxuryActivist - 14 February 2013

Under theVienna Convention on Diplomatic RelationsArticle 9, ahoststate may at any time and without having to explain its decision declare any member of a diplomatic staffpersona non grata.It's a mystery whyArte Povera -the political art movement from Italy which was myguestofhonour during Paris Mens' shows - was sent to the United States, yet, progressively putrescent by nature, the lettucestructure that's cropped upatCreatures of Comfortwill soon lose its diplomaticimmunity and bedeclarednongratalike any inedible lettuce in microwaved hamburgers. Consequently, in the States, organics will be replaced with mechanics:

Costello TagliapietraandDouglas HannantsetHenry Moorein motion."Undoubtedly the source of my stringed figures was the Science Museum. Whilst a student at the Royal College of Art, I became involved in machine art, which in those days had its place in modern art. Although I was interested in the work of Lger, and the Futurists, who exploited mechanical forms, I was never directly influenced by machinery as such. Its interest for me lies in its capacity for movement, which after all, is its function." tellsHenry Moore in the bookHenry Spencer Moore, New York 1968, p.105 .

AtLacoste, movement continues skywards withPanamarenko's Aeromodeller. A close-up of its nacelle can be seen atEdun,whileTimo Weilandshowcases its would-beIBMflight log."My projects are not exactly ideas, nor dreams.It isn't a question of making a plane but of exactly producing something that is an ideal. It's enjoyable, even if I never actually fly it. For me, its success lies in the realization of the dream, and it's strangely tied to failure",tellsPanamarenko.Indeed,Aeromodeller never managed to make it to the skies, but Roman Ondakhassuccessfully landed atDonna Karanwith his'After Return from the Orbit'. And as for that Arte Povera lettuce...Along with aBand of Outsiders,it's currentlybeing driven back to JFK International airportonNam June Paik's Electronic Super Highway.

The Latest Boutiques: Patek Philippe, Corneliani & Louis Vuitton

On the spot LuxuryActivist - 5 February 2013

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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.”

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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]

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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

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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

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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

Iris Van Herpen Couture SS13

On the spot LuxuryActivist - 24 January 2013

Iris Van Herpen is the first digital couturier, embracing technology and playing with the tension of adding the mechanical, the technological to the ever-so romantic art of high fashion.

In a huge circular salon at the Paris Intercontinental, a stone's throw from the Opra Garnier, the Dutch designer was inspired by her childhood dream to create and control lightning. We were treated to a performance of exactly that by a moving statue on a podium, setting the ambience for the pulsating beat of the show.

Van Herpen, interviewed in the February issue of Dazed, deals with science and biology to create her powerful world. She's the first couturier to employ 3D printing in a collection, with the latest multi-material technology contracting a skirt and cape that's both hard and soft in a single build, drawing on the multidimensionalism that human petit mains offer.

With such fantastic aspiration, Van Herpen is aware of the need to give her work a more tangible context. The clue to that was in the seating and exit music, by Grimes, who is also the face of the designer's new ready-to-wear campaign. In Clare Boucher she's found a pop muse to carry it off.

Read an exclsuive interview with Iris from the February issue

The Latest Boutiques: Chloé, Brioni & Shang Xia

On the spot LuxuryActivist - 22 January 2013

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Dior’s latest Milan boutique

Sao Paulo and Kazakstan become the newest luxury retail hotspots with the opening of luxury malls Cidade Jardim and Esentai, alongside Louis Vuitton, Rolls Royce & Valentino

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Alexander McQueen, London

Alexander McQueen has opened its first stand-alone men’s wear store on Savile Row in London. The 200sqm space was designed David Collins in collaboration with creative director Sarah Burton and will offer a high-end ready-to-wear collection, as well the new in-house bespoke service. A glass-encased exhibition space will feature regularly changing artworks curated by the London gallerist Sadie Coles.

Website: alexandermcqueen.com
Source: WWD

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Berluti, Osaka

LVMH’s Berluti has inaugurated a mono-brand flagship store in Osaka at Umeka Hankyu’s shopping centre. The store will house shoes and leather goods as well the clothing collection of the brand launched earlier this year, designed by Alessandro Sartori.

Website: berluti.com
Source: CPP Luxury

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Brioni, Beijing, Dubai, Suzhou

Brioni has opened two stores in China, within the China World Mall in Beijing and Matro Shopping Mall in Suzhou, bringing the total number of mono-brand stores in the Republic to 14. The Suzhou store is the largest in China at 200sqm. Brioni has also opened in Dubai’s in Mall of the Emirate, as part of the brand’s focus on monobrand retail expansion, following its acquisition by PPR.

Website: brioni.com
Source: Gulf Business, CPP Luxury

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Cartier, Lucerne, Milan

Cartier has launched an enlarged flagship store in Lucerne, Switzerland, within the heritage Schweizerhof Hotel. The 206sqm store will house Haute Horologerie watch collections, jewellery and accessories, designed by Bruno Moinard.

Cartier has also reimagined its four-floor Milan Boutique on Via Montenapoleone in collaboration with the designer.

Website: cartier.com
Source: FHH, CPP Luxury

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Cerruti, Hong Kong

Cerruti 1881 has unveiled its new store concept with its most recent opening in Hong Kong, at Harbour City Mall. The move follows its 2011 acquisition by Trinity, a subsidiary of Li Fung Group, Cerruti’s long-time strategic licensing partner in China.

Website: cerruti.com
Source: CPP Luxury

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Chlo, Paris

Paris’s Rue Saint-Honor has become home to the capital’s second Chlo boutique, realised by creative director Clare Waight Keller and architect Joseph Dirand. The flagship boutique will house the full ready to wear collection alongside the brands accessories, leather goods and fragrances.

Website: chloe.com
Source: Fashion Windows

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Chopard, Milan

Chopard has unveiled a newly expanded 300sqm boutique in Milan, on Via della Spiga, in keeping with the new global design concept for the brand’s stores. Walls clad in ark oak and wooden parquet floors, with a crystal staircase created by American architect Thierry W. Despont, frame four display windows.

Website: chopard.com
Source: Luxos

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Christian Louboutin, Rome

Designed by architect Eric Clough, Christian Louboutin has opened in Piazza San Lorenzo, Lucina, Rome. Taking design cues from ancient Rome, dimmed lights and travertine surround the woman’s area, with accessories and fur skins complimenting the signature red carpets.

Website: christianlouboutin.com
Source: CPP Luxury

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Dior, Los Angeles, Milan

Dior has reinvigorated its 460sqm space on Rodeo Drive, which it has occupied since 1990, in collaboration with Peter Marino. The new design houses five individual salons, one featuring a film of Dior in various settings, a bench of interlocking ginko leaves made out of aluminium by French artist Claude Lalanne and a rotating chandelier by Lee Bul.

The brand has also worked with Marino to double the size of its Milan flagship, which now showcases all Dior’s ready-to-wear, accessories, Joaillerie and Horlogerie collections, in the theme of a French hotel particulier.

Source: WWD (Los Angeles), WWD (Milan)

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Fratelli Rossetti, Hong Kong, Shanghai

Fratelli Rossetti has opened two stores in China, in Hong Kong’s IFC Mall and in Shanghai at Plaza 66. In celebration of the openings, the brand has transported its Historical Museum’s shoe collection to China, from the company’s headquarters in Parabiago, Italy.

Website: fratellirossetti.com
Source: WWD

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Hublot, Xiamen

Hublot has opened its largest store in China, with 200sqm in Xiamen’s top luxury shopping area, China Town. A faade of black stone, leather furnishings, counters of glass and metal fixtures are integrated with high tech details, in keeping with the brand’s “Art of Fusion” concept. It marks the brand’s 55th boutique worldwide, seven of which are now in China.

Website & Source: hublot.com

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Hugo Boss, Manhasset

Hugo Boss has debuted its new store concept in the United States, at the Americana Manhasset in Manhasset, N.Y. The 315sqm space features dark brown colour themes with contrasting beige matte fabric back walls, where interior elements include bronze brushed and high-gloss surfaces, stone flooring and leather accents. The store predominantly features ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes for men.

Website: hugoboss.com
Source: WWD

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Isabel Marant, Paris

Isabel Marant has opened in Paris’s 16th arrondissement on Avenue Victor Hugo, in a historical mansion spanning 230sqm over three levels. Designed by Cige architects, the concept uses vegetation both indoors and outdoors, against minimalist white-wood-black decor, to house both the signature and contemporary collections.

Website: isabelmarant.tm.fr
Source: FashionMag

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IWC, Hong Kong

IWC Schaffhausen has opened a new boutique in the Mall at Pacific Place in Hong Kong. The design concept of the new, 52-square-metre boutique unites the distinct architecture and styling of the six product families, where clients can experience the stories around the products through artefacts, pictures, books and media.

Website & Source: iwc.com

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Jaeger LeCoultre, Paris

Jaeger-LeCoultre recently unveiled its revamped and expanded store on Paris’s Place Vendome. The 500sqm store is the brand’s largest worldwide, spread over three stories, encompassing several selling spaces, exhibition areas, a VIP room, mini museum and an after-sales service centre with an on-site master watchmaker.

Website: jaeger-lecoultre.com
Source: WWD

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Level Shoe District, Dubai

Interior Architects Shed was commissioned by Chalhoub Group in Dubai to create an entire district for the world’s leading luxury shoe brands over 8,900sqm. Level shoe district features individual boutiques and four multi-brand pavilions, with male and female VIP areas, an atrium art installation by United Visual Artists and a traditional, high-end cobbler.

Website: levelshoedistrict.com
Design & Source: SHED

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Louis Vuitton, Kazakstan, So Paulo

Louis Vuitton has opened its 455th store in Kazakhstan, with a 750sqm space designed by Peter Marino, showcasing ready-to-wear, leather accessories and shoes for men and women. The VIP area has been designed to resemble a yurt.

The brand has also unveiled its first global store in Latin America, with a near-1000sqm space within Sao Paulo’s Cidade Jardim mall. The design was inspired by Peter Marino’s Vuitton Maison on New Bond Street in London, with Italian sand-coloured marble, beige carpets, vintage Vuitton advertisements and Brazilian furniture.

Website: louisvuitton.com
Source: WWD (Kazakstan), WWD

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MB+F, Beijing

Swiss watch manufacturer MB&F has opened its first boutique in Beijing through a collaboration with local retail partners Ray Union and Europe Watch Co. The store is located in the state-of-the-art ParkLife Beijing Yintai Centre and will house an exclusive, limited edition Horological Machine created especially for this first boutique.

Website: mbandf.com
Source: Luxuo

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Moncler, Budapest, Turin

Moncler has opened in Budapest, Hungary, with a 150sqm space on Andrassy Ut, the leading luxury shopping street in Budapest. It has also opened its first mono-brand store in the Northern Italian city of Turin, with a 90sqm boutique that will offer complete range of Moncler collections, men’s, women’s and accessories, Moncler S and Moncler Grenoble.

Website: moncler.com
Source: CPP Luxury

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Mulberry, Singapore

Mulberry has opened its first Asian flagship store in Singapore, at Mandarin Gallery on Orchard Road, where limestone-tiled floors, curved timber follies, brass accents and handcrafted furniture showcase the brands dedication to craftsmanship. The store will house the full collection of men’s and women’s core and seasonal accessories, as well as women’s shoes and ready-to-wear.

Website & Source: mulberry.com

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Piaget, Hong Kong

Piaget has opened a flagship boutique in Hong Kong, with over 460 square metres on the ground and mezzanine floor of the Mandarin Oriental. Realised by Christin Querlioz from Atelier Sasha in Paris, the boutique is based on the concept of expressing the brand’s unique blend of Haute Horlogerie and Haute Joaillerie skills by presenting a journey through the Piaget world.

Website: piaget.com
Source: Luxos

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Prada, Tokyo

Prada Group has opened both a Prada store and a Miu Miu store in Tokyo’s Daimaru Mall, designed by Roberto Baciocchi. It marks the 21st location for Prada in Tokyo, housing men and women’s accessories, shoes, bags and the luggage collections over 120sqm.

Website: prada.com
Source: CPP Luxury

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Rolls Royce, So Paulo

Rolls Royce has opened its first showroom in Latin America, in So Paulo, Brazil. The new 500sqm space uses glass and space to provide optimum natural light, furnished with bespoke-designed furniture and cabinets, with leather, wood, surface finishes and carpet samples from the home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood in the UK.

Website: rolls-roycemotorcars.com
Source: Car News

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Salvatore Ferragamo, Abu Dhabi, Brisbane

Salvatore Ferragamo has opened its newest flagship in luxury mall, the Avenue at Etihad Towers, in Abu Dhabi. The 180sqm space with house the brand’s full range of ready-to-wear, leather goods and accessories, as well as an exhibition of shoes from the Ferragamo Museum in Florence.

The Italian luxury house has also inaugurated its 12th mono-brand store in Australia, in the city of Brisbane in the Queen’s Plaza Mall. The 160sqm store features Ferragamo’s full range of products for both men and women.

Website: ferragamo.com
Source: Luxos, CPP Luxury

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Sergio Rossi, Tokyo

PPR’s Sergio Rossi has refurbished its Tokyo store at Takashimaya Times Square. The 85sqm boutique has been updated in keeping with the brand’s current retail concept, featuring a black-and-white herringbone-pattern Italian marble floor and brass accents.

Website: sergiorossi.com
Source: WWD

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Shang Xia, Beijing

Shang Xia, the Chinese brand established by French fashion house Herms International, has completed its first expansion with the opening of a second boutique in Beijing, in he China World Mall. The 135sqm space was designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, featuring stone and stylised aluminium brickwork inspired by the Great Wall, along with natural wood and bricks of pu’er tea.

Website: shang-xia.com
Source: WWD

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Valentino, Sao Paulo

Valentino joins Louis Vuitton and Rolls Royce this month, opening its first flagship store in South America, also in Sao Paulo. The 190sqm store – designed by David Chipperfield – is housed within the Citade Jardim luxury mall and features both women’s and men’s apparel and accessories, including bags and shoes.

Website: valentino.com
Source: Luxuo

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Vertu, New Delhi

Luxury mobile phone maker Vertu has opened its first boutique store in India, with plans to expand to other cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. It marks the first company owned distribution point in India, which was previously available though 20 points of sale through luxury products distributors. (Prague boutique pictured)

Website: vertu.com
Source: TheTopTier

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

- The Latest Boutiques: Berluti, Dior & Saint Laurent Paris
- The Latest Boutiques: Hublot, Breguet & Assouline
- The Latest Boutiques: Rolls Royce, Piaget & Louis Vuitton

Fashion Roundup: Beyonce on the Internet, Jessica Biel Shops for a Wedding Dress, and Charlize Theron on the Cover of Vogue UK!

On the spot LuxuryActivist - 15 January 2013

Fashion Roundup: Beyonce on the Internet, Jessica Biel Shops for a Wedding Dress, and Charlize Theron on the Cover of Vogue UK!

Beyonce hits the internet hard this week after launching a personal website complete with her own Tumblr account and Twitter page. Her first Tweet: "Hey World, It's B! I'm so excited to invite you to my new beyonce.com - we've been working hard, and it's finally ready for you XO." (MTV)

GQ Magazine has assembled their 2012 Lust List, featuring the faces and bodies of the sexiest models in the world, including FashionTV’s “Model of the Week” Liu Wen, Candice Swanepoel, and more. (GQ)

Jessica Biel shops for a wedding dress in Paris as she gets ready for her big summer wedding to fianc Justin Timberlake. She was spotted after spending a total of seven hours in the high-end showrooms of designers Giambattista Valli and Elie Saab. (NY Daily News)

Charlize Theron, who was recently nominated for several awards for her part in the indie film Young Adult, will be on the cover of British Vogue’s May issue, looking stunning as always clad in a Gucci dress. (Vogue)

It has been confirmed that Marc Jacobs is dating gay porn star Harry Louis, who put the rumors to rest himself by tweeting “it’s my baby’s birthday, luv U Marc.”. The two have been seeing each other for some time now, but have until recently declined the reports. Photos of the couple together in Rio surfaced on several social sites following the report. Happy birthday Marc! (Fashionista)

Closing our list of fashion highlights for this week, SSENSE has launched the world’s first shoppable music video, introducing a new and innovative way to shop in the future. All you have to do is click on the different pieces of clothing you see in the video. Take a look!

Fashion Flashback: A Decade of White Fashion

On the spot LuxuryActivist - 12 January 2013

White is the most basic color. It’s clean, elegant, fresh, and sophisticated all at the same time. As part of FashionTV’s 15th anniversary, we are happy to share with you some of the most memorable white moments on the catwalk.

White Apocalypse 2000

At the beginning of 21st century, many thought the end of the world was just around the corner, designers included. So, for their 2000 collections, many went for apocalyptic white designs. The strict cuts, shapely figures, and simple lines were all symbolic of a return to the core of nature. Simplicity in white was the message on nearly all catwalks.

Tendance Absolute White 2000

Sexy and Sweet White 2003

White is an extremely versatile hue, it can be ultra sexy or simply sweet. In 2003, designers decided to give the color many different interpretations. While many designers used white to represent sexiness (a’la Marilyn Monroe), many others used the color with more virginal themes.

The result of the diverse representations:a mixture of dresses, suits, beachwear, skirts, pants, and a world of accessories all in white. After watching this clip, you may ask yourselves, “why do we need any other color?”

Tendance – Total White 2003

White Fever 2009

Whether it was in Milan, New York, or Paris, 2009 was the year of white. Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Lagerfeld, and Dsquared2 were just a few of the many top brands that chose white as the center-point of their collections.

Runways across the globe during Fashion Week were filled with an array of looks all in white, bringing a fresh and vivid spirit to the catwalks.

White 2009

Although blues, reds, greens, purples, and pinks can add a lot to runways, designers throughout the past decade seem to agree: there is something magical to a completely white ensemble.

Fashiontv had the pleasure of being at the front row during these sensational shows, and will continue to bring you the best of fashion in the future.

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Alternative Fashion Week: It’s All About Fashion

On the spot LuxuryActivist - 8 January 2013

They may not be as popular as Marc Jacobs, Jean-Paul Gaultier or Vivienne Westwood yet, but many would say they are not less talented. Alternative Arts present East London's Alternative Fashion Week! Alternative Fashion Week features new designers, fresh models and innovative designs during a six-day fashion celebration.

Each season, Paris, Milan, New York and London are host to a major international fashion week, presenting the latest by top designers such as Dior, Givenchy, Versace and many others. For a new designer, showing at one of these major fashion weeks can be a long and frustrating road. As for the public, it is nearly impossible to get a front row seat at the major shows, many of which are reserved for celebrities, first class journalists, models and other designers.

Once a year, East London hosts an extravagant fashion event that abandons the strict hierarchy that governs the major fashion weeks, and gives new fashion designers a chance to rise.

Alternative Fashion Week strives to guarantee availability for everyone. Designers don't have to pay to present their collection, admission is free for the runway shows and even the models are volunteers who take a free six-week crash course in modeling before they walk the runway. The refreshing fashion week is a six-day event sponsored by Alternative Arts. According to their website, the fashion week is a great opportunity for new fashion designers to glow.

14 different designers present on each day of the fashion week. Those talented designers are chosen from hundreds of applications.

Eco Friendly Fashion

This year, the Alternative Fashion Week's program includes designers from UK, Italy, Spain, Norway as well as from Sri-Lanka and Uruguay. New brands like Majo Rey, Stella & Dot, Didou Boutique and Eliza Joan are just some of the fashion designers presenting.

At Alternative Fashion Week, both designers and producers put emphasis on environmental awareness. Recycled textiles and eco friendly industrial aspects are at the heart of many new collections.

New Designers, New Models, Lots of Shopping

Apart from the chance to possibly discover the next Galliano, new fresh face beautiful models can get their start at Alternative Fashion Week.

Unlike Paris or New York Fashion Week, designer items can be purchased once the show is over. London-style fashion, cutting-edge accessories, and shopping make Alternative Fashion Week an experience that’s worth having.

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