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Category: Fashion

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Fashion news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Further ‘exceptional’ growth for Furla Group

    Further ‘exceptional’ growth for Furla Group

    Italian luxury company Furla Group has had another year of what it describes as “exceptional growth” in turnover and profit.

    Sales soared 31.7 per cent in Japan, its strongest market in Asia, and the company is now setting its focus on boosting sales in China and Australia in the year ahead.

    The fashion house turned over €422 million last year (US$446.7 million), up 24.5 per cent year-on-year at constant exchange rates. Pre-tax earnings rose 48 per cent and worldwide like-for-like sales were up 9 per cent.

    Furla says the key factors behind its outstanding performance across all markets and distribution channels were a growing appreciation by international consumers for the brand and its collections, the company’s significant investments in marketing, and its constantly expanding distribution network.

    Furla has a direct presence in 100 countries. Its monobrand stores total 444, compared to 415 in 2015, and these are split evenly between directly owned boutiques and franchises. The company also has wide distribution in multibrand and department stores in 1200 international locations.

    During the year, Furla opened stores on Nathan Road in Hong Kong, Nanjing Road in Shanghai and other upscale addresses in Australia, China and South Korea.

    During the year the company’s travel retail sector also grew significantly, to a total of 262 stores in 63 countries, with a 40 per cent increase in turnover.

    “We are particularly proud of the 2016 results,” says Furla Group GM Alberto Camerlengo. “The investments of the shareholders, our constant efforts in research and product innovation, all the way to distribution, have allowed us to be a leader in the top international markets.”

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  • Omega Malaysia opens fourth boutique

    Omega Malaysia opens fourth boutique

    Omega Malaysia has opened its fourth boutique, at Suria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur.

    As well as a ribbon-cutting ceremony, there was a traditional lion-dance performance. Guests included actors Jojo Goh, Nazim Othman, Siti Saleha and Tasha Shilla, singer Sheila Majid and beauty queen Serene Lim.

    Omega president/CEO Raynald Aeschlimann told guests that the brand had established a strong presence in Malaysia over the past 11 years.

    He said the level-one store would showcase the Swiss luxury watch maker’s full range of products.

    Omega’s first boutique in Malaysia opened its first boutique in Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, in 2006, followed by stores in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Gurney Plaza, Penang.

    Like Omega’s other boutiques, the new store has a design inspired by the natural elements of air, water and sunlight, depicted using cream and champagne colours in the interior design, along with reconstituted zebrawood furniture and chiselled glass surfaces.

    Apart from watch collections, the store also offers fine jewellery, leather goods and sunglasses.
    Founded in 1848, Omega is a brand within the Swatch Group.

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  • Adidas sales soar on reformation plan

    Adidas sales soar on reformation plan

    Adidas sales have soared 18 per cent last year as the German sportswear brand plays catch-up with America’s Nike.

    For the first time in its history, Adidas’ net income topped euro 1 billion.

    In Greater China, sales soared 28 per cent year-on-year.

    “These results are proof positive that our strategy ‘Creating the New’ is paying off,” said Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted. “2016 was an exceptional year for Adidas. We have improved the desirability of our brands and products around the globe. Building on our 2016 performance, our momentum continues and we will again achieve strong top- and bottom-line improvements in 2017.”

    Total sales reached euro 19.3 billion with operating margins up 1.3 percentage points to 7.7 per cent. Net income soared 41 per cent to euro 1.019 billion, allowing the company to promises shareholders a two euro per share dividend.

    The company is projecting another sales increase during 2017 ranging from 11 to 13 per cent, another increase in operating margin to between 8.3 and 8.5 per cent and net income up between 18 and 20 per cent to euro 1.225 billion.

    Even the troubled Reebok brand gained ground in 2016, currency-neutral sales up 6 per cent year-on-the-year, reflecting double-digit sales increases in its Classics range as well as mid-single-digit growth in the training and running categories.

    The Adidas group achieved double-digit revenue growth in nearly all market segments. In Western Europe, sales increased by 20 per cent, in North America by 24 per cent, in Russia by 3 per cent, in Latin America by 16 per cent and in Japan by 16 per cent. Revenues in Middle East and Africa also grew 16 per cent on a currency-neutral basis, reflecting double-digit growth in almost all of the region’s countries.

  • New face of Louis Vuitton Hong Kong Landmark

    New face of Louis Vuitton Hong Kong Landmark

    Following a transformation, the Louis Vuitton Hong Kong Landmark has a new look.

    At one of the busiest junctions in Hong Kong, the flagship maison in Central has a new glass facade designed by Japanese architect Jun Aoki, who also designed the exterior of the brand’s store in Ginza, Tokyo.

    There is a new interior by New York architect/interior designer Peter Marino, who has designed Louis Vuitton stores in London and Los Angeles. It includes an intimate space across two floors where customers can sit on plush sofas and lounge chairs while browsing through the latest collections of ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories, fragrance, jewellery, watches and shoes. There is also a private space by invitation only for a personalised shopping experience.

    There was a red-carpet opening in The Landmark atrium for the redesigned store, attended by special guests including Hong Kong actress/model Janice Man (Wing-San Man).

    As well as the complete revamp of the Landmark maison, Louis Vuitton is also rebuilding its flagship store in Canton Road, which opened in 2008.

    “The leader in the market believes in Hong Kong,” says LV CEO/chairman Michael Burke, who says the company needs to keep investing in Hong Kong as a “unique, iconic destination in the world that will remain important for Chinese shopping”.

    “There was a moment two years ago in Hong Kong when the day trippers were excessive,” he says. “We had what we call ‘froth’ in the market. If we have a drop in froth, there’s no problem.”

    He says the key is looking long-term, with short-term swings, temporary rises and falls, not really affecting strategy.

    “We’re coming back now to a more healthy situation. The norm is going to be the steady, uphill growth of the upper middle class in China.”

    LVMH chairman/CEO Bernard Arnault also believes Hong Kong’s downturn is just a “cyclical problem”.

    “Hong Kong will remain one of the high points in Asia and one of the drivers of our growth,” he says.

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  • Retail woes a boost for Hong Kong indie fashion

    Retail woes a boost for Hong Kong indie fashion

    High-end international brands have long held court alongside local Hong Kong indie fashion designers – who are now enjoying greater visibility in the city’s vibrant retail market.

    The city’s deep-rooted love of luxury has seen names like Gucci and Hermes open multiple stores in the city – stores that have co-existed with a stable of local apparel brands, such as Giordano, Baleno, Bossini and Esprit.

    By 2014, consumers’ tastes had diversified and fast-fashion overseas brands began descending on Hong Kong. The arrival of names like Topshop, American Eagle, H&M, Zara and Mango added yet more to the mix in Asia’s favourite shopping destination. Now that shop rents are finally becoming more affordable, independent fashion retailers are increasingly making their presence felt.

    Structural change

    In a report by commercial real estate firm CBRE, Joe Lin, executive director, retail services at CBRE Hong Kong, said that the city is undergoing a period of structural change.

    “Over the previous decade, high-street shop landlords have reaped the benefits of strong demand from luxury retailers and massive rental growth.”

    Lin noted that in the past 12 months, luxury retailers have adjusted their leasing strategies to save costs. “Landlords have become more realistic on rental negotiations, enabling more mid-range brands to tap into prime locations at relatively affordable rental levels.”

    The trend has opened the door for mid-market brands to expand, and for the rise of independent labels.

    “More independent stores are coming back to the market, streets, malls, and even some up-and-coming revitalised buildings in the traditional industrial districts, such as Lai Chi Kok and Kwun Tong,” said Lin. “They modernise the decoration and with the decent F&B outlets that draw good foot-traffic to these areas, independent retailers also benefit from this new trend.”

    Refined taste

    British fashion designer Elizabeth Lau established The Refinery in 2014 after moving to Hong Kong with her husband. Lau said she saw an opportunity to “curate for individuals” in Hong Kong by introducing unique fashion, accessories and lifestyle brands from around the world.

    Her first store, at the creative and design hub PMQ in Central, found a steady following, and in January 2016, The Refinery opened a second retail outlet in Tai Koo.

    Fashion edit

    Partners in fashion Genevieve Chew and Jacqueline Chak, an accountant and architect respectively, launched Edit in Central in 2012 as a concept store stocking emerging brands. They later created their own in-house label, which is described as “one part eclectic femininity and the other relaxed ease.” Their collections are worn by fashion personalities such as Yasmin Sewell, Margaret Zhang and Amanda Strang. The partners have also designed uniforms for Hong Kong’s new boutique Tribute Hotel in Kowloon.

    Fé Valvekens is another career-change entrepreneur who found her fashion foothold in Hong Kong. German-born Valvekens is a qualified engineer who founded fashion label A Day with Fé, blending daywear with yoga wear. Her PMQ store in Central also holds yoga and fashion styling workshops

    Quality indie labels

    Building on her established career in fashion, US expat Jamie Dredge co-founded Polkadot Boutique on Hollywood Road, Central, in 2011. After moving to Hong Kong two years earlier, Dredge spotted a gap between high-end luxury designers and mass-market clothing in Hong Kong.

    Her idea was to offer quality, well-designed womenswear and accessories from indie labels in the US, as well as supporting upcoming local designers.

    “We still have our local-based designers, but are also working with hot new labels out of Los Angeles and New York,” she said. Examples include Yumi Kim and Blank NYC Denim from New York, Veronica M from Los Angeles, and Hong Kong’s What the Frock?!.

    Being an independent retailer in Hong Kong has its challenges, said Dredge. Rents remain high, especially for smaller operators who don’t have the negotiating leverage of a famous brand. The demise of free print lifestyle magazine HK Magazine, which folded last year after 25 years, closed one door for independents to build a profile – and paid advertising is expensive.

    “We now have to work harder on our social media channels – and be more creative in our promotions,” Dredge said.

    On the other hand, word-of-mouth networking is an advantage in a city as close knit as Hong Kong.

    Pop-ups and collaborations

    One of Polkadot’s strategies is to host events where customers can meet the designers for a social night out, which might involve hair and makeup as well as fashion. One of the “biggest perks of Hong Kong” is the willingness of businesses to collaborate with each other, Dredge said.

    “Hong Kong is great for doing pop-up events and collaborations, which get the customers involved,” she said.

    It also illustrates how a physical boutique can still be successful, despite the challenges of online shopping.

    “People still like to feel the clothes, to try them on, to talk to the designer,” she said.

    “A lot of our garments are unique, and many of them exclusive. Our customers aren’t walking around seeing other people dressed the same, and that’s why they come to us.”

    -HKTDC

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  • H&M joins Better Than Cash Alliance

    H&M joins Better Than Cash Alliance

    Sweden’s H&M has become the first global fashion brand to join the United Nations’ Better Than Cash Alliance.

    The retailer says it will encourage its suppliers to pay their workers through mobile money or other digital forms to improve the livelihoods of its workforce, enhance transparency and cut factory costs.

    The Better Than Cash Alliance is a partnership of governments, companies and international organisations aiming to accelerate the transition from cash to digital payments.

    “Digital payments are an efficient and scalable way to improve the lives of the employees of our suppliers,” says H&M social sustainability manager Gustav Loven. “They offer a faster, safer and more transparent way for people to receive their salary, increase financial inclusion and support women’s economic independence.

    “Also, for our suppliers, paying wages digitally can generate savings, increase security and provide more accurate data on wages.”

    Of the 1.6 million people employed along H&M’s supply chain, 65 per cent are women, many with limited access to the financial services they need to create a better life for themselves and their families. Many factory workers worldwide are paid entirely in cash, which entails cumbersome, expensive and dangerous processes for both factories and workers.

    Encouraging suppliers to pay wages through digital channels, such as bank accounts, cards or mobile money, will build on H&M’s sustainability commitment to work with its business partners to promote good working conditions, fair living wages and sustainable economic growth.

    “H&M’s leadership will help inspire other companies in the industry, and beyond, to make the shift to digital payments,” says Better Than Cash Alliance MD Dr Ruth Goodwin-Groen.

    Expanding digital payments to the world’s cotton supply chain could potentially reach 250 million people, including smallholder farmers who have limited access to digital payment systems and financial services in general.

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  • Mamonde launches Singapore site on Lazada

    Mamonde launches Singapore site on Lazada

    Korean beauty products brand Mamonde has launched an e-commerce site on Lazada to introduce its skincare and makeup products into Singapore.

    Mamonde’s USP is using flower extracts in its products. Camellia, hibiscus, honeysuckle, lotus and magnolia blooms are hand-picked and frozen or heat dried, with the active ingredients then being extracted.

    Mamonde Lazada SG

    There are plans to also open a physical store in Singapore eventually, says Amorepacific, which also owns the brands Etude House, Innisfree, Laneige and Sulwhasoo.

    “Launching digitally first in Singapore was a deliberate move that allows us to observe consumer purchasing habits before scaling up operations in the market,” says Amorepacific Asean regional head Robin Na.

    “While the beauty industry in Singapore is mature, we believe that consumers there are still hungry for new brands.”

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  • Nike develops performance hijab

    Nike develops performance hijab

    Nike has developed a performance hijab for Muslim women athletes.

    The head covering, called the Nike Pro Hijab, has a single-layer pull-on design made from lightweight polyester in dark, neutral colors. Tiny holes in the fabric make it breathable while remaining opaque.

    Nike says it began work on the hijab after Muslim athletes complained about wearing a traditional head scarf during competition. The design process took 13 months, and the final product will be ready to roll out in the company’s spring 2018 collection.

    Meanwhile, a prototype is already being worn by Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari, who says few hijabs work for her when performing. “But once I put on the Nike hijab and took it for a spin on the ice, I was blown away by the fit and the light weight.”

    News of the new product comes just weeks after Nike released a commercial in the Middle East featuring five female professionals from different parts of the Arab world pursuing their athletic dreams while a voice asks, “What will they say about you?” – a rhetorical question many young Arab women face if they step out of cultural and traditional norms. The video went viral with million of views on social media, prompting a debate over its message.

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  • L’Oréal named 2017 World’s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute

    L’Oréal named 2017 World’s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute

    L’Oréal, the world’s leading beauty company, has been recognized as 2017 World’s Most Ethical Company by the Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices.

    L’Oréal has been recognized for the 8th time and is one of only 2 in the Health and Beauty industry, underscoring their commitment to leading ethical business standards and practices. 

    “Culture is the foundation of a high performing, innovative and sustainable company” said Jean-Paul Agon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of L’Oréal. “I am proud that ethics is the key pillar of our culture and leadership, requiring our teams throughout the world to always include ethics in the decisions they make”.

    “Receiving this recognition from Ethisphere for the 8th time is a source of pride for everyone at L’Oréal. Ethics is the new decision-making framework and we are convinced that a strong culture of integrity is an essential component for long-term success” said Emmanuel Lulin, Senior Vice-President and Chief Ethics Officer.

    Twenty-seventeen is the eleventh year that Ethisphere has honored those companies who recognize their role in society to influence and drive positive change, consider the impact of their actions on their employees, investors, customers and other key stakeholders and use their values and culture as an underpinning to the decisions they make every day. 

    “Over the last eleven years we have seen the shift in societal expectations, constant redefinition of laws and regulations and the geo-political climate. We have also seen how companies honored as the World’s Most Ethical respond to these challenges. They invest in their local communities around the world, embrace strategies of diversity and inclusion, and focus on long term-ism as a sustainable business advantage,” explained Ethisphere’s Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Erblich. “Congratulations to everyone at L’Oréal for being recognized as a World’s Most Ethical Company.” 

    Methodology & scoring

    The World’s Most Ethical Company assessment is based upon the Ethisphere Institute’s Ethics Quotient® (EQ) framework which offers a quantitative way to assess a company’s performance in an objective, consistent and standardized way. The information collected provides a comprehensive sampling of definitive criteria of core competencies, rather than all aspects of corporate governance, risk, sustainability, compliance and ethics.

     Scores are generated in five key categories: ethics and compliance program (35%), corporate citizenship and responsibility (20%), culture of ethics (20%), governance (15%) and leadership, innovation and reputation (10%) and provided to all companies who participate in the process.

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    Honorees

    The full list of the 2017 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found at: https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.ethisphere.com/honorees/.

    Best practices and insights from the 2017 honorees will be released in a series of infographics and research throughout the year. Organizations interested in how they compare to the World’s Most Ethical Companies are invited to participate in the Ethics Quotient.

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  • Footwear, leather promotion conference scheduled this week

    Footwear, leather promotion conference scheduled this week

    A footwear and leather export promotion conference will be held in HCM City next week. In 2016, the sector earned an export revenue of US$16.2 billion, representing an year-on-year increase of 8.8 per cent.

    The information was released on Friday by the Viet Nam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso), which said this would be an opportunity for the Vietnamese footwear sector in general and Lefaso in particular to promote images and improve prestige and positions in the Asian region and the world.

    The conference will also give an opportunity for local businesses to meet and share experiences with local partners, approach foreign importers and investors and seek co-operation agreements.

    Some 300 firms manufacturing footwear and materials for the industry inside and outside Viet Nam are expected to participate in the conference, which will focus on issues such as footwear planning and related policies, investment environment, impact of free trade deal on the sector, labour relationship management in the labour-intensive sector, and supply chain optimisation to boost competition and sustainable development.

    They will also discuss the state of the industry in Viet Nam in the context of integration, market demand and technical requirements for the industry to benefit from free trade deals.

    Viet Nam’s leather and footwear industry expects to reach a total export value of US$18 billion this year, up 10 per cent from last year, the association said.

    In 2016, the sector earned an export revenue of $16.2 billion, representing an year-on-year increase of 8.8 per cent.

    Of which, $13 billion came from footwear and the remaining was from handbags and leather items, marking respective annual rises of 8.2 per cent and 11.1 per cent.

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  • Mujosh eyewear to open in Vietnam

    Mujosh eyewear to open in Vietnam

    Hong Kong-headquartered Mujosh eyewear is about to open its first store in Vietnam.

    The edgy brand, which made its international debut in Malaysia just last year, will open a store inside Saigon Center in Ho Chi Minh City. The mall houses the Takashimaya department store along with the first Japanese-headquartered Owndays shop in Vietnam.

    The store is undergoing fitout with a billboard promising an opening in “mid-March”.

    Established in 2010, Mujosh describes itself as “an innovative fashion eyewear brand” which combines unique elements and styles into frame designs.

    “Appreciating creative ideas, valuing the value of handicraft, cherishing the original touch of materials, Mujosh is deeply loved by fashion icons and wearers.”

    The brand also has stores in Singapore (on Haji Lane), Thailand and Australia. It plans to open 1000 stores globally within five years.

    Owned by Photosynthesis Group Co, Mujosh is the company’s first brand to go international since it started its international business expansion at the beginning of 2015.

    Edmonton marks Canadian debut

    Meanwhile, Mujosh opened its first store in Canada, a flagship in West Edmonton Mall, the largest shopping centre in North America. The mall hosts about 32 million visitors per year; between 90,000 and 200,000 daily.

    Among early customers was one who said she had become familiar with the brand while travelling in Shanghai and Singapore.

  • Memebox Hong Kong opens flagship

    Memebox Hong Kong opens flagship

    Memebox Hong Kong has opened its first stand-alone flagship store in the city – in Causeway Bay.

    The brightly coloured store is located at 20 Pak Sha Road, amid the street’s growing collection of sports apparel pop-ups and eclectic cafes.

    Memebox Hong Kong, Harbour Town - Tsim Sha Tsui

    Headquartered in San Francisco, with global hubs in the US, China, and Korea, Memebox claims to be the fastest-growing beauty brand in the world with over 500 employees across six countries.

    The company’s newest store stands out externally thanks to a bold red colour scheme and the distinctive laboratory-style treatment area inside.

    Memebox Hong Kong, Harbour Town - Tsim Sha Tsui 2

    Memebox Hong Kong already has three counters in the city – at Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui (Facesss), LAB Concept at Admiralty (Facesss) and Tuen Mun Town Plaza (Kiosk 10).

    The company’s philosophy is melding beauty with technology. It has collaborated with YouTube celebrities and beauty specialists to create its products and pursues a digital-first approach to marketing.

    “We’re changing the face of the beauty industry, one smile at a time,” the company proclaims on its website. “We’re dedicated to bringing the best beauty products available to a global, connected audience, since everyone deserves happy skin.”

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  • Nike plus-sized workout range launched in US

    Nike plus-sized workout range launched in US

    A new Nike plus-sized range will expand the US sportswear brand’s reach – and appease those who criticise it for focusing on the purely athletic.

    The new workout wear range includes sizes from XL to 3XL.

    “Nike recognises that women are stronger, bolder and more outspoken than ever,” the sportswear giant said in a statement.

    “The days where we have to add ‘female’ before ‘athlete’ are over. She is an athlete, period. And having helped fuel this cultural shift, we celebrate these athletes’ diversity, from ethnicity to body shape.”

    Like Nike’s core range, the plus-size collection will use the same technology in design and fabric and includes sports bras, running tights, high-tech hoodies.

    Helen Boucher, VP of women’s training apparel, says when the company created its range it did not just make existing products larger.

    “That doesn’t work because as we know, everyone’s weight distribution is different.”

    The pressure will now be on rivals like Lululemon, Puma and Adidas to follow suit…

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  • Eyewear brand MUJOSH opens first Canadian store at West Edmonton Mall

    Eyewear brand MUJOSH opens first Canadian store at West Edmonton Mall

    Hong Kong-based upscale eyewear brand MUJOSH has added its first Canadian store to its portfolio of over 700 boutiques across Asia and the South Pacific. The store’s opening is in line with a recent trend of international and local expansion of eyewear brands into Canada.
    MUJOSH opened in West Edmonton Mall at the end of February and the company is planning further expansion in Canada and the Philippines, into 2017. The brand hopes to open 1,000 new outlets.
    “This successful debut in Canada marks a milestone for MUJOSH on its way to expand globally,” the company said in a press statement.
    The eyewear fashion brand was founded in 2010 and has stores in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia, in addition to Canada. West Edmonton Mall averages 90,000 to 200,000 shoppers daily and 32 million consumers annually.
    The deal to acquire the West Edmonton retail space was negotiated by Ben Lebrecque of Quebec-based Oakmont Real Estate Services.  Over the past year, Canadian retail saw several new eyewear brands enter the market or expand across the country. In the fall of 2016, New York eyewear Warby Parker opened its second Toronto store. Australian brand Bailey Nelson recently opened at Metropolis at Metrotown in Burnaby and the Bentall Centre and Gastown in downtown Vancouver. Montreal-based BonLook will continue to expand across Canada with 20 new stores.
    Two American eyewear retailers will soon announce the opening of their first Canadian freestanding stores, according to Retail Insider.
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  • Maria Grazia Chiuri collection for Dior pop-up

    Maria Grazia Chiuri collection for Dior pop-up

    Singapore is among seven international cities where Dior is launching pop-up stores to unveil its spring/summer ready-to-wear collection, the first designed by its new creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri.

    Dior pop up4

    Dior pop up3

    Dior pop up2

    Dior pop up

    The pop-ups revisit the Dior heritage in a contemporary spirit with a message, says the French luxury group.
    Los Angeles and Paris are first with the stores, with the roll-out continuing in Japan, Dubai, Seoul, Beijing and Shanghai.

    Singapore’s Dior pop-up opens at Ion Orchard on Thursday and will be open until March 22.