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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.

  • Coach Tmall flagship abandoned

    Coach Tmall flagship abandoned

    The official Coach Tmall flagship shop has been abandoned.

    Luxury bag brand Coach Inc says it will replace its shop on Alibaba Group Holding’s business-to-consumer sales site by selling directly through its own website and on its WeChat account, the social-media app run by Alibaba rival Tencent Holdings. Coach has offered coupons and launched a media campaign on WeChat.

    A Coach spokeswoman says the company wants to consolidate resources and will continue to look for innovative ways to leverage digital and social platforms.

    Alibaba says Coach products are still available on TMall from other merchants.

    Selling shoes, purses and accessories, Coach was one of the first US luxury brands to launch an official store on the TMall. It started with a temporary pop-up store from December 2011 to January 2012, opening a full store in 2015.

    Early this month, nearly a dozen trade groups wrote to Alibaba complaining that it was not doing enough to combat counterfeits. And the loss of Coach comes as Alibaba faces added scrutiny from a US trade agency as to whether it should be added to a list of marketplaces that are known for selling counterfeits.
    Alibaba’s Taobao consumer-to-consumer marketplace was on the list years ago, but was removed in 2012.

    Meanwhile, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE’s Guerlain has just opened a flagship store on TMall, and MakeUp Forever and Sephora, two other brands under the LVMH umbrella, also have TMall stores. Also, the cosmetics unit of Salvatore Ferragamo will launch its store later this month.

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  • Miniso Laos opens first store at Vientiane

    Miniso Laos opens first store at Vientiane

    Chinese fashion and novelty retailer Miniso has opened its first store in Laos as it continues its rapid Asian expansion.

    The Miniso Laos store is located on the 1st floor of KL’lar Huk K’kee Mall in Vientiane, the nation’s capital.

    The flagship store in Laos gained much attention from the local government, five major banks in Laos installed ATMs at the store.

    First day turnover exceeded RMB 50,000 (US$7500).

    “For a developing country with a population of 6 million people, this was a miraculous sales record,” a Miniso spokesman said in a statement.

    Miniso Laos

    Phouphet Khamphounvong, Laotian Minister of Finance, and his wife, Miyake Jyunya, (pictured) global co-founder of Miniso, Ye Guofu, global co-founder of Miniso, Laotian representatives of business cooperation, officiated at the opening.

    Queues formed to be first to try the Japanese-styled store which sells own-brand fast fashion accessories, electronics, homewares and beauty products.

    Since its establishment in 2013, Miniso has opened more than 1400 stores across the globe. In 2015, its annual sales exceeded RMB 5 billion ($750 million), which it claims makes it the fastest-growing brand in offline retailing.

    This year, Miniso plans to open another 1800 stores globally, and to double its annual turnover.

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  • Global Design Leaders Explore At World Design Capital Taipei 2016 in October

    Global Design Leaders Explore At World Design Capital Taipei 2016 in October

    Sixteen organizers of leading design weeks around the world will attend the International Design Week Forum, one of four Signature Events taking place in Taiwan in October as part of the World Design Capital (WDC) Taipei 2016. The bilingual two-day forum, organized in conjunction with Taiwan Designers’ Web, will explore how design weeks can best promote the design industry and establish a global network for mutual support and exchange of resources. 

    The 16 participants come from the Design Junction (United Kingdom), Dutch Design Week (Netherlands), Ventura Lambrate (Italy), Helsinki Design Week (Finland), D’days (France), Design Days Mexico and Mexico Design Week (Mexico), Tokyo Design Week (Japan), Beijing Design Week (China), Business of Design Week (Hong Kong), SingaPlural (Singapore), Chiang Mai Design Week (Thailand), Sydney Design Festival (Australia), Design Days Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and Holon Design Week (Israel). Also in attendance will be Ben Chiu and Timothy Liao, the CEO and Executive Director of Taiwan Designers’ Web and Taiwan Designers’ Week.

    “We anticipate that this forum will represent a significant step forward for the design world,” says Ben Chiu, Executive Director of Taiwan Designers’ Web. “While design weeks have great potential to cultivate and promote local design talents, as the participants are well aware, there are also many obstacles to overcome. We hope that this exchange of ideas and experience will help us to find solutions to our common challenges in a global context.” 

    “The International Design Week Forum will be an opportunity to build a solid foundation for future global collaboration and sharing of resources,” says Pei-ni Beatrice Hsieh, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs of the Taipei City Government. “Audience members will also gain a deep insight into the international design industry as it stands today and see how it can develop in the future.” 

    The second day of the forum, which will be open to the public, will be held at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum on Tuesday, October 18, from 1.00-5.00PM. The forum will be divided into three segments: World Design Capital, Global Design Perspectives, and Asian Design Powers. The topics for discussion include how design weeks can incubate and support local design talent, how to overcome the challenges faced by design weeks, and the impact that design weeks can have in city branding. To sign up for the forum, visit: https://www.designersweek.tw/activity/2016/forum/index_en.htm. 

    Other major events in October include the International Design House Exhibition, which will be held at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park fromThursday, October 13 until Sunday, October 30;  the International Design Policy Conference on the weekend of October 15 and 16 at the Taipei International Convention Center; and the Network of Cities Meeting, an invitation-only event on Wednesday, October 12 and Thursday, October 13.

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  • Anya Hindmarch Singapore to open standalone store

    Anya Hindmarch Singapore to open standalone store

    UK bag and accessories designer Anya Hindmarch is opening her first standalone store in Singapore this month.

    Hindmarch is known for her colourful bags with their symbols, smiley faces, googly eyes and pixelated Space Invaders aliens. Her 2014 fall/winter collection included clutch bags resembling Kellogg’s Frosties and Coco Pops cereal boxes, and customers can have their bags personalised with alphabet or symbol “stickers” made of embossed goat leather.

    The new Anya Hindmarsh Singapore store, opening on September 24, will take up 538 sqft (50 sqm) at Takashimaya Department Store on Orchard Road.

    For the launch of her latest spring/summer collection at London Fashion Week, gymnasts and mirrors were arranged on set to give guests the illusion they were looking into a kaleidoscope. At the show for her autumn/winter 2013 collection, the stage was set with 50,000 dominoes, toppling along a winding track. Her domino-themed clutches and bags then rose from hidden trapdoors.

    “I think bags can really make a difference to how a woman feels and the ‘role’ she plays,” says Hindmarch, who has five children. “They also have to work. Functionality is very important.”
    As an example, her Italian-made tote bags are roomy and have multiple pockets with zippers. She also designs backpacks and crossbody bags that leave the wearer hands-free.

    The bespoke service will not be offered at the new Singapore store yet, and the brand’s first men’s collection, launched in London in July, will not be available in Singapore either.

    Since launching in 1987, the brand has expanded to include ready-to-wear items. It has 56 stores in nine countries, with 23 standalone boutiques in Asia, and counts British model Kate Moss among its fans.

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  • Calvin Klein Hong Kong opens first accessories store

    Calvin Klein Hong Kong opens first accessories store

    Calvin Klein, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of PVH Corp, has opened the first Calvin Klein accessories store in Hong Kong, at IFC Mall.

    Located on level one of the mall, the store offers both men’s and women’s Calvin Klein Platinum accessories and leather goods. Its interior features simple geometric forms as a framework for product display, contrasted with oiled wood, rose-toned metal, honed stone and concrete.

    CK Hong Kong accessories store-Matthew Ng

    Product lines under various Calvin Klein brands include women’s dresses and suits, men’s clothing, sportswear, golf apparel, jeanswear, underwear, fragrances, eyewear, hosiery, socks, footwear, swimwear, jewellery, watches, outerwear, handbags, small leather goods and home furnishings (including furniture).

    CK Hong Kong accessories store-Matthew Ng 4

     

    For more than 130 years, PVH Corp. has been growing US brands and businesses, becoming one of the largest apparel companies in the world. It has more than 30,000 associates in 40-plus countries, with more than US$8 billion in revenues last year. As well as Calvin Klein, PVH owns such brands as Arrow, Speedo, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen and Warner’s.

    CK Hong Kong accessories store-Matthew Ng 3

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  • Changi Airport places third in the world for shopper spend

    Changi Airport places third in the world for shopper spend

    It is not uncommon to see avid traveller Cara Lee lugging numerous shopping bags up the aeroplane – not on her way back from her travels, but at Changi Airport on her way out.

    The 26-year-old account manager at a media intelligence company spends about $180 on skincare and cosmetics at Changi Airport every time she flies out – two to three times a year. “I like that there is a wide array of retail options and the spacious aisles of the transit area. It makes shopping at Changi Airport enjoyable,” says Ms Lee, who last shopped at the airport three weeks ago, while waiting for her flight to the Maldives. Then, she shelled out $132 on cosmetics and skincare products from brands such as Benefit and Clinique.

    Singapore shoppers like her contributed about 20 per cent to the $2.2 billion Changi Airport made in total retail sales last year – placing it third in the world for highest traveller spend, according to a study by Swedish duty-free and travel retail consultancy Generation Research.

    The $2.2-billion figure is up 8 per cent from last year, with wines and spirits the most popular items, followed by cosmetics and perfume. South Korea’s Incheon International Airport ranked first and Dubai’s International Airport was second.

    The results come as no surprise to the Changi Airport Group, which has been expanding its retail space and launching new concepts to entice travellers.

    The Shilla Beauty Loft at Terminal 3’s transit area, which opened last October, for instance, was the result of close collaboration between the airport group and the store’s operators The Shilla Duty Free Singapore.

    After about two years in the works, the idea to open the South Korean brand’s first luxury spa concept in the world came to fruition. Customised for weary travellers, the two- storey outlet sells products from brands such as Dior, Chanel, SK-II and La Prairie on its lower level, and offers spa services on its upper floor.

    Services – such as 15-minute facials and neck massages – are tailored for travellers on a tight schedule.

    Spanish brand Zara’s first duplex store in an airport opened in Changi Airport in August last year. Exclusive items such as Hugo Boss’ alarm-safe leather belts are available at the airport. There are also exclusive global product launches, such as one for SK-II’s Radical New Age Power cream and essence in July last year, which saw home-grown actress Rebecca Lim speak about her travel must-haves.

    The secret is also to offer a mix of high-end and mass-market brands such as Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo, says Ms Teo Chew Hoon, senior vice-president of airside concessions at the airport group. She calls this “a holistic strategy”.

    Retail space at Terminal 1, she says, expanded by 15 per cent to 20,000 sq m after an upgrade that was completed in 2012.

    But she points out that quantity is just one part of the equation. “Passengers who are well-travelled are generally more sophisticated in their expectations. Beyond attractive product offerings, we augment our retail proposition with innovative concepts and unique experiences.”

    Encouraging more spending, the airport’s e-commerce site iShop Changi.com was introduced in 2013, allowing travellers to shop from home two weeks before their flight. The items bought online are picked up before boarding their departure flight here or on arrival at the airport.

    The transit areas are also more like shopping boulevards than waiting rooms, giving shoppers a wide view of the myriad stores.

    Terminals 2 and 3 boast lush greenery and unique roof structures to let natural light in.

    It looks like spending at Changi Airport is set to head north. Terminal 4, which will open next year with a total retail space of about 17,000 sq m, will have more than 80 retail and dining outlets occupied by tenants such as American fashion label Michael Kors and home-grown shoe and accessories brand Charles & Keith. It will also have a walk-through duty-free store, two-storey-high ceilings and heritage-themed shopping zones, such as shops with facades of Peranakan shophouses.

    Meanwhile, the upcoming Jewel Changi Airport, opening in 2019, will dedicate 70 per cent of its 300 shops to retail, with the remainder for food and beverage outlets.

    Ms Wendy Low, executive director and head of retail at Knight Frank Singapore, attributes the high traveller spend at the airport to the “constantly updated retail layout as well as trade and merchandise offerings”, and the “thoughtful creation of amenities and relaxation spaces across the various terminals”. She adds: “This speaks of a customer- centric approach that is increasingly important in appeal for travellers.”

    Retaining that excitement through exclusive launches and products is especially important to keep up with the fast-evolving beauty industry, says Ms Sulian Tan-Wijaya, executive director of retail and lifestyle at Savills Singapore, as “the Internet- savvy consumers of today can be as fickle as they are discerning”.

    Other experts such as Ms Sarah Lim, a senior retail lecturer at Singapore Polytechnic, says the layout of shops and signage play a “very important role”.

    “At Changi Airport, they put the food outlets and seating areas in the centre for travellers to have a coffee and take a break from shopping, and signage are placed there to encourage shoppers to check out the shops on either sides of the terminals,” she says. “This encourages shoppers to keep spending.”

    Tenants have also helped to make shoppers feel at home.

    At the Montblanc outlet in Terminal 3’s transit area, staff wear flag pins to denote the languages they speak – Mandarin, English or Bahasa Indonesia.

    And considering that 30 per cent of Changi Airport’s shoppers are from China, brands such as Lacoste ensure that their staff can speak Mandarin.

    At Lacoste’s airport outlet, where customers from China account for 25 to 30 per cent of sales, non- Mandarin-speaking staff are sent for basic Mandarin classes.

    While the brand declines to share sales figures, its brand manager says the Terminal 2 store is its best- performing one out of the nine outlets in Singapore. Sales there, he adds, are 12 per cent more than its second best-performing store at Wisma Atria in Orchard.

    At The Shilla Duty Free Singapore store, duty rosters are scheduled to ensure that there is a mix of Mandarin-, English- and Korean-speaking staff on the shop floor at all times.

    But what really makes travellers part with their money is that they do not have to pay tax. Some items, such as cosmetics, can be up to 40 per cent cheaper than identical ones sold in town.

    Ms Nurul Ain Azman, who shops at the airport at least once a month, likes shopping there because she can save money. She sometimes waits till she travels before buying items such as cosmetics from high-end labels.

    The 28-year-old, who works in a bank and last shopped at the airport last month and bought skincare items from The Body Shop, says: “I save at least 7 per cent and even more in transit – make-up products there are cheaper by at least $5 a product. I once bought a lipstick for $30 and found it was selling for about $40 outside.”

    Shoppers who shop in the public areas can save on the 7 per cent goods and services tax at participating stores if they have the Changi Rewards Card, which they can register for free of charge.

    Ms Nurul also cites the airport’s ample carpark space and proximity to the MRT station as plus points. “It is so convenient. Every time I need to restock on products, Changi Airport is the first place that comes to mind.”

    What to buy at Changi Airport

    The Shilla Duty Free Singapore

    What it carries: This Korean beauty department store stocks more than 140 international beauty and make-up brands such as Jurlique, Urban Decay, Shu Uemura and Philosophy. Prices are up to 40 per cent lower compared with the exact same items in town.

    Brands exclusive to Shilla in Singapore are Korean beauty brand su:m37o- known for its face-cleansing stick Miracle Rose – and Aupres, a cosmetics and skincare line by Shiseido for the Chinese market.

    The store also has a beauty loft on the second floor, housing Dior Beauty House, Luxury Skincare Bar by La Prairie, SK-II Pitera Lounge and a Chanel beauty salon. Here, travellers can treat themselves to facials, massages, free flash makeovers and one-on-one skin consultations. At Dior, they can get a perfume expert to help them find their signature scent.

    The Chanel beauty salon and La Prairie services are by invitation only. For Luxury Skincare Bar by La Prairie services, invitations are extended to customers who buy the brand’s products at Shilla stores. Travellers are advised to book in advance for the SK-II lounge (call 6241-0756 or 9352-3687).

    Best buys: Travel-exclusive Tokyo Doll make-up palette with eight eyeshadows, two blushers and two brushes (above, left), $93, from Shu Uemura; and SPF50+ essence UV sunscreen aqua booster (90ml bottle, above, far right), $43.20, from Anessa. Prices are without tax and are accurate at the time of printing, but are subject to change.

    Where: Terminal 3 Department Transit Central store, open: 6 to 1am daily, tel: 9155-7695

    Hugo Boss

    What it carries: The brand’s traveller leather belts, which can be bought only here, are reversible with a different colour on each side, such as black and brown or dark orange and dark brown.

    The belt’s metal buckle is designed so that it will not set off the alarm during security checks. The belts are priced between $382.24 and $419.63.

    The brand’s Boss, Boss sportswear and Boss Green lines, including shoes and accessories for men, are available here as well. Prices range from $90 for a T-shirt to about $1,400 for a leather jacket.

    Best buys: Yellow Signature S zip clutch (above, left), $765.42; and black leather Nokam jacket (above, right), $1,400.93

    Where: 026-058 Terminal 2, open: 6 to 1am daily, tel: 6214-0495

    Zara

    What it carries: This store, the first duplex the Spanish brand has opened in an airport, offers apparel and accessories for men and women.

    The brand’s latest Autumn/Winter 2016 collection is available – the women’s range is on the first floor while the men’s range is upstairs.

    Prices range from $9.90 for a 10ml bottle of perfume to $339 for a men’s full leather jacket.

    Best buys: Brown chelsea boots for men (above, left), $148; and metallic pink jacket for women (above, right), $148

    Where: B2-02-10A Terminal 3, open: 6 to 1am daily, tel: 6241-7120

    The Fashion Gallery

    What it carries: This multi-label store offers items from more than 30 luxury brands including Moschino, Alexander McQueen and Bottega Veneta, as well as a selection from mid-range shoe brand Melissa. Shoppers are encouraged to accessorise, with display areas laden with handbags, sunglasses, shoes and jewellery.

    Prices range from $45.79 for a gold-plated necklace by Estella Bartlett to $64,200 for a diamond and white-gold necklace from Bulgari.

    Best buys: Canvas slip-on with eye pattern (above, left), $240.87, from Kenzo; and small leather biker jacket handbag (above, right), $2,336, from Moschino

    Where: Terminals 1 and 2, open: 6 to 1am daily, tel: 6593-4618

    Saint Laurent

    What it carries: The brand’s full travel range, available only at the airport store, with items such as passport holders, pouches and cardholders. Prices for the travel range start at $260 for a canvas cardholder and go up to $2,450 for a canvas duffle bag.

    The store also carries the French brand’s best-selling accessories and handbags, most of which are in neutral colours such as black or beige. Prices range from $281 for a leather cardholder to about $3,972 for the classic Sac De Jour handbag in embossed-croc calf leather.

    Best buys: Small Sac De Jour handbag in black calf leather (above, left), $3,729; and Downtown Cabas handbag in dark grey (above, right), $2,916

    Where: 026-074 Terminal 2, open: 6 to 1am daily, tel: 6214-9647

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  • Baroque Japan opens two shops in NYC

    Baroque Japan opens two shops in NYC

    Baroque Japan, which has a retail portfolio of young women’s fashion apparel and accessories, has arrived in New York City.

    It has opening an Enfold fashion brand shop in the West Village and a Moussy outlet in SoHo.

    Enfold New York

    Launched in 2012, Enfold has a strong presence in Europe. Its West Village store stands at 850 sqft (78.9 sqm) and its neighbours include the Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors brands.

    Moussy NY

    Covering 1776 sqft, the Moussy SoHo store focusses on its denim made in Japan. Shoppers buying the brand’s jeans will receive an original, limited-edition paulownia wooden storage box. A Baroque brand since 2000, Moussy has 43 stores in Japan and 81 in China and Hong Kong.

    Founded in 2000, the company has 356 stores in Japan, 165 stores in China and Hong Kong, and 15 brands. It launched Baroque USA Limited in April with an eye to establishing itself in the American market.

  • Agatha Paris opens first stand-alone travel retail outlet

    Agatha Paris opens first stand-alone travel retail outlet

    French fashion jeweller Agatha Paris has opened its first stand-alone travel retail store, at Haikou Meilan International Airport on China’s Hainan Island.

    Opened in partnership with Hainan Duty Free, the 20 sqm store has a contract until September 2019.
    Agatha Paris will present its latest collections, including several travel-retail exclusive sets, at the upcoming TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes. The brand showcased a range of stainless-steel jewellery at this year’s TFWA Asia Pacific exhibition in Singapore.

    The brand’s collections are divided into five themes: Iconic, Timeless, Modern Chic, Classy and Sparkle. This year’s collections include African Art Deco, Grand Palais, Opera and Olympia.

    Global head of travel retail Karan Tuli says the brand launched into travel retail three years ago, initially with a sole focus on inflight sales to gain exposure. It has since expanded its network, with 330 points of sale in 25 countries, and listings with 30 airlines. Its 14 ground shop locations in Asia include China, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Thailand.

    “Business in Australia, Cambodia, Singapore and Vietnam is on the radar for the coming months,” says Tuli.

    “Southeast Asia and China are seeing fast expansion, and the potential for the brand to grow its travel-retail footprint is more positive than ever. Costume jewellery is a tough category, but recent spending trends have supported a positive outlook for us.”

    King Power Group founder Antares Cheng acquired the Agatha Paris brand in 2006.

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  • Bulgari Malaysia rolls out new concept in KL

    Bulgari Malaysia rolls out new concept in KL

    Italian jewellery brand Bulgari has opened a store at The Gardens Mall in Kuala Lumpur, and renovated its outlet at KLCC.

    Its new store adapts the brand’s fresh architectural concept by architect Peter Marino, launched in London early this year and being rolled out in key locations internationally. It showcases the brand’s origins within its 95 sqm, echoing a street in Rome.

    Elements of this design are also evident in the renovated and relocated boutique at KLCC. The 143 sqm store draws reinterprets the marble and stone theme typical of Roman buildings.

    Both stores are adorned with Imperial Saffron shantung silk, while the walls are decorated with vintage photo endorsements by celebrities.

    At the new store, a mesh grid surrounds a VIP area.

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  • Dorothy Perkins Vietnam launches third store

    Dorothy Perkins Vietnam launches third store

    The UK fashion brand Dorothy Perkin has opened its third store in Vietnam after just one year in the country.

    The new Dorothy Perkins Vietnam store is located on level 11 of the Saigon Center, Ho Chi Minh City’s newest downtown shopping mall.

    At the opening, Dorothy Perkins presented its latest Fall Winter 2016 collection featuring velvet as the main material. The collection brings a romantic spirit and dynamic sporty trend to the store.

    Customers shopping at the store on the first week received gifts and giveaways from the brand.

    Dorothy Perkins VN

    Debuting in 1919 in the UK, Dorothy Perkins has 600 stores in the UK and more than 120 outlets worldwide.

    Before the brand’s first outlet at District 7 Vivo City opening last year, Vietnamese customers could only buy its items from online store dorothyperkins.com and the eCommerce site Zalora.vn.

    Dorothy Perkins Vietnam 1

    After just one year, it has been among the most popular international brands recognised by Vietnamese office women in the 25 to 35 age group.

    Dorothy Perkins comes to Vietnam via distributor Maison, which opened the first Dsquared2 store at Saigon Center last month.

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  • Uniqlo: The Shopping Experience of the Future Awaits All Runners!

    Uniqlo: The Shopping Experience of the Future Awaits All Runners!

    Was there a stampede when the new Uniqlo Global Flagship Store opened its doors at Orchard Central on its first day of business? That depends upon your definition of the world.

    The store, the latest and greatest in the brand’s 25-store empire, has captured the imagination and attention of Singapore shoppers who were ready to have their shopping experience enhanced after hearing and reading about the store’s impending debut.

    Is this a new, improved and enhanced experience for shoppers who love the brand? Probably. And that includes those have yet to indulge their shopping fantasies at any of the other Uniqlo locations.

    Fact is, Mr. Taku Morikawa, UNIQLO Southeast Asia CEO, has pinned some serious hopes on this mega-store becoming a significant influence on the Singapore shopping scene. He sees the re-imagined retail environment as a role model for future locations in markets like India and Vietnam.

    Why launch a re-imagined Uniqlo facility in Singapore? What do you think? We’re the epicentre of commercial growth in southeast Asia and a pivotal test market for savvy consumers who know a unique shopping experience when they see it. But we’re selfish!

    As runners, we want to know what’s in it for us if we divert our dollars and loyalty to the retail new kid on the block, so we’ve come up with compelling reasons why you may want to head for Orchard Central the next time you require a different kind of shopping experience.

    Uniqlo: The Shopping Experience of the Future Awaits!

    L-R: Mr. Desmond Tan, Mrs. Helen Khoo, Mr. Cheng Wai Keung, Mr. Tadashi Yanai, Mr. Taku Morikawa, Ms. Rie Aramoto, Ms. Rebecca Lim.

    Uniqlo is a sensory playground

    Sunglasses not required, but expect to be hyper-stimulated when shopping for trendy fashions amid the store’s 286 digital displays that can’t be ignored, even if you tried.

    As a matter of fact, you can tell your running buddies that you were witness to the largest number of digital screens in the worldwide Uniqlo family of stores, so even if you’re fatigued, the bold graphics and attention-getting data will keep you alert and interested as you browse and buy.

    One word of warning: if you’re tempted to strike up a conversation with any of the 350 iconic rotating mannequins you encounter on the premises, think twice! They’re part of the magic.

    Uniqlo: The Shopping Experience of the Future Awaits!

    The Uniqlo experience is unique

    Unlike most upscale retail emporiums, Uniqlo has no intention of being labeled as ordinary. Runners can choose from brands, labels and looks they can find elsewhere.

    Sure, you’ll find familiar labels but they’ll be keeping company with fresh, innovative designs and collections produced “with design-conscious shoppers in mind,” says Ms. Mavis Seow, Chief Operating Officer, Retail Business Group, Far East Organization.

    This is the place to see and be seen; as much a social hub as a fashion epicentre. You can even get in some exercise within the 29,000-foot “mammoth store” that even offers a some vertical action if you decide to cover every inch of all three floors filled with merchandise.

    By the way, you won’t be able to escape checking your form as you shop; this super-store is loaded with floor-to-ceiling mirrors.

    Uniqlo: The Shopping Experience of the Future Awaits!

    A store for all ages and stages of life

    Because Uniqlo’s parent company, Fast Retailing, has set a high bar for the type of merchandise that fills this Uniqlo location, you’re going to run into some of the latest trends on the international apparel market.

    The Singapore flagship store has something for everyone, so if you do the family shopping and you’re responsible for everything from school clothing for the kids to gifts for running buddies, this could become your new retail home or just the place you go for plenty of shopping therapy.

    Speciality products just for children feature original art, and you can even experience some hometown pride when strolling the second-floor children’s boutique where the work of Singapore’s whimsical and popular illustrator, Michael Ng, is on display.

    Uniqlo: The Shopping Experience of the Future Awaits!

    Find everything you need and want

    Given Uniqlo’s promise to make sure shoppers are never bored by choices they are offered when perusing three floors of merchandise, you may be surprised to learn that there’s a special emphasis on exclusivity.

    For example, French designer Ines de la Fressange’s collection could get a fashion-forward runner’s pulse rate up and Uniqlo’s proprietary LifeWear brand is a runner’s dream. Garments are fashioned of innovative fabrics that are light, breathable and practical.

    Uniqlo: The Shopping Experience of the Future Awaits!

    Find AIRism inner and outerwear on shelves that include t-shirts and tank-tops that repel bacterial and odor. Even Uniqlo jeans are runner-friendly because the denim is 20-percent lighter than regular-grade denim, so sliding on a pair for a post-marathon party consumes less time than it takes to say, “Who’s going to Uniqlo with me to check out this one-of-a-kind shopping experience?”

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  • Korea’s Whoo to make debut in Cannes

    Korea’s Whoo to make debut in Cannes

    Korean cosmetics brand Whoo is set to make its debut at TFWA Cannes as parent company LG Household & Health Care Co., Ltd. aims to introduce the Asian oriental medicinal cosmetic brand to the world and “take a leap to a global brand”.

    LG Household & Health Care Co., will introduce Whoo to the travel-retail market as it seeks opportunities to expand beyond Asia.

    As it celebrates its 13th anniversary this year, Whoo, which took its brand name ‘后’(whoo) from the image of fiddle, has already experienced rapid growth in Asia. The brand’s products are based on remedies and formulas popular among emperors and empresses of the historical Korean courts.

    The brand has been present in the top ranks of sales among large duty-free shops in Korea, according to the company, and set a remarkable record reaching $20m of monthly sales in just one store  – Lotte Duty Free Shop Sogong. The company stated this trend continues across the duty-free market with retailers in China, Hongkong and Thailand reporting sales have doubled for the brand compared to the previous year.

    The brand’s best seller is the Whoo Bichup Self-Generating (Jasaeng) Essence, which is an oriental medicinal essence that helps to repair skin balance that has been damaged through aging with  three formulas originated from oriental medicinal remedies Gongjinbidan, Gyeongokbidan, Cheongsimbidan, adding to the Chojahabidan formula.

    The Whoo brand was the first Korean cosmetic brand that participated in The 20th French Louvre Museum Wedding Fair held in Louvre Museum, France in October 2014 where it received a good reception with its court stories of emperors and empresses, and sophisticated design exhibiting Korean beauty.

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  • Asia’s Newest Fashion Event CENTRESTAGE Draws to Successful Conclusion in Hong Kong

    Asia’s Newest Fashion Event CENTRESTAGE Draws to Successful Conclusion in Hong Kong

    CENTRESTAGE, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s (HKTDC) new fashion brand promotion and launch platform, ended Saturday (10 September) on a high note. The four-day (7-10 September) international fashion event welcomed some 200 fashion brands from 20 countries and regions showcasing their latest fashion collections. The trade show attracted close to 8,300 buyers from 71 countries and regions, with nearly 40 per cent of buyers coming from Asia other than Hong Kong.

    centrestage-2

    “CENTRESTAGE is an ideal promotion and launch platform for international, especially Asian, fashion brands and designer labels,” said HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau. “We are pleased that the debut event has captured the attention of the Asian fashion industry, successfully attracting fashion brands and buyers keen on expanding their Asian business to come and promote, source and launch new collections and explore cooperation opportunities. And it provides a platform for local new designers to showcase creative designs to media and buyers in the region. CENTRESTAGE is an effective event for driving regional fashion exchange and development while solidifying Hong Kong’s position as a fashion capital.”

    Nearly 60% cautiously optimistic about overall sales; nearly half engaged in e-tailing business

    To better understand the industry players’ views on the outlook for the fashion industry and product trends, the HKTDC commissioned an independent market research agency to conduct on-site surveys during CENTRESTAGE, interviewing some 270 exhibitors and buyers. The survey found that most respondents are cautiously optimistic about overall sales in 2017. Nearly 60 per cent of respondents expect overall sales in the coming year to remain steady, while 27 per cent expect overall sales to increase.

    Thirty-three per cent of respondents anticipate production costs or sourcing prices to rise, but 65 per cent of respondents said they would not increase the FOB price or retail price, indicating that the industry is generally reluctant to transfer the increased costs to customers or consumers.

    In terms of markets, the respondents expect Hong Kong, Japan and Korea to have the best growth prospects among traditional markets in the coming two years, while 60 per cent of respondents consider the Chinese mainland to be most promising among emerging markets.

    The survey also sought to understand the product trends of the fashion industry. 60 per cent of respondents consider women’s wear to have the best growth potential, followed by men’s wear and kids’ wear. Nearly half of respondents have engaged in e-tailing business, selling mainly women’s wear (69%), casual wear (41%) and fashion jewellery (12%).

    A number of trend seminars were held during the event. Michael Leow, Asia/Pacific Sales & Marketing Head for Fashion Snoops, said “Nowstalgia” will be a key trend in the coming year. The trend blends nostalgic and contemporary elements while incorporating the convenience of modern technology. During another seminar, Erica Ng, WGSN’s Senior Editor, Retail Intelligence, Asia Pacific, said the millennial lifestyle is transforming traditional retail. Retailers will need to find synergies between mobile apps, online shopping, physical retail and social media to effectively capture market share among this generation.

    Fashion promotion and launch platform

    The survey also found that nearly 90 per cent of fashion buyers consider Hong Kong trade shows a major channel to contact new suppliers. At the same time, 92 per cent of exhibitors use Hong Kong trade shows to find new buyers. These findings indicate that CENTRESTAGE, being a regional fashion promotion and launch platform, is an important channel to promote industry cooperation and generating business opportunities.

    French women’s fashion brand Edward Achour Paris was exhibiting in Hong Kong for the first time. Edward Achour, the brand’s designer, said, “CENTRESTAGE offers a great opportunity for our brand to open new markets, and the results have been encouraging. We have met many buyers from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Indonesia and other countries. Four Chinese mainland buyers even placed orders on-site.”

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    Hong Kong’s anagram, a brand that specialises in upmarket women’s fashion collections, had come to CENTRESTAGE to develop the international market. Its Brand Director, Winnie So, said, “International buyers have shown keen interest in our brand. We have established connections with wholesalers from Malaysia, Singapore and the US and a distributor from Vietnam. A buyer from New York has already confirmed orders and expects more orders after the show. CENTRESTAGE’s opening to the public on the last day was also an opportunity to promote our brand to the consumers.”

    ILOVECHOC is a street fashion brand from the Chinese mainland targeting mainly young customers. The brand has a sales network of more than 300 retail stores across the mainland. Gu Yu, the brand’s Vice President, said they were participating in CENTRESTAGE to expand their sales presence in the international market. “The show has drummed up extensive interest and we have met many buyers from Southeast Asia. A number of buyers from Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia even wanted to explore cooperation. Hong Kong is a major fashion hub in Asia and CENTRESTAGE can bring together industry players from around the world. This platform can certainly facilitate our business expansion.”

    Finding new brands

    La Rinascente, a long-established high-end department store group in Italy, saw CENTRESTAGE as an ideal opportunity to explore business opportunities in Asia for the first time. “CENTRESTAGE is a platform to find new brands and understand the fashion industry in Asian markets,” said Andrea Bonecoo, Buying Manager, la Rinascente SpA. “The business matching service introduced Hong Kong’s I.T Group to me. We held useful talks to exchange ideas and establish initial contact. We will communicate further to study future business cooperation. This show is the start of our effort to get to know more about Asia.”

    Indonesian fashion boutique, Lucy House, joined CENTRESTAGE to source more new brands for its customers, according to Lucy Kurniawan who operates the company. “CENTRESTAGE offers a good platform to meet designers and this visit has generated good business opportunities,” she said. “I am now negotiating with a Hong Kong designer for the evening wear collection. An initial order would involve about 100 pieces in different styles. CENTRESTAGE has brought together some appealing designer brands. I will definitely visit the show again next year.”

    Fida Alkaud, a buyer from Harvey Nichols Riyadh, Saudi Arabia came to CENTRESTAGE to look for contemporary evening wear. She said, “I am so happy to have found new brands which suit the tastes of our customers. These brands include Marquess & Homa, Guy Laroche Furs, Shelina and Camelia. I really appreciate HKTDC’s business matching service because it saves me a lot of time finding the right brands. The fashion shows are also very fascinating and I have found b.yu Designs at fashion show.”

    Meili Inc. is one of the mainland’s largest fashion e-tailing brands. Margaret Yao, Business Cooperation Director, said she visited CENTRESTAGE to find new brands and explore cooperation opportunities. “The business matching meetings arranged by the organiser generated positive results. I found a Hong Kong designer and a US brand offering some suitable products to sell on our website. I have also identified four fashion brands from Thailand and will be in further discussions with them.”

    Lotte is Korea’s biggest department store operator running 40 stores across the country. Hyeon Ji Sun, Lotte’s buyer, said, “I am visiting CENTRESTAGE to find new brands, especially sportswear and lifestyle wear brands. People in Korea love sports and outdoor activities, so demand for related fashion items is very strong. So far, I’ve identified two brands from Hong Kong. CENTRESTAGE is an interesting show where I can see a variation of trendy designs from many countries. I will come again to find more new brands.”

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  • Marie France Van Damme Announces the Opening of it’s Second Hong Kong Boutique

    Marie France Van Damme Announces the Opening of it’s Second Hong Kong Boutique

    Marie France Van Damme, the Hong Kong-based company known for its globally influenced line of luxury resort, swim, and ready-to-wear, announced today the opening of a seventh boutique in December 2016. Located in Hong Kong’s Elements shopping mall in Kowloon, the new store will mark Marie France Van Damme’s second retail location in Hong Kong, where the designer has lived for more than 30 years. The company opened its very first store in Hong Kong’s acclaimed International Finance Centre (IFC) mall in September 2013.

    Situated on the second floor (Shop 2109) of the Elements shopping mall, within the International Commerce Centre (ICC), on 1 Austin Road West in Kowloon, the 700-square foot boutique will open alongside such brands as Gucci, Chanel and Prada and include Marie France Van Damme’s extensive luxury resort line. The ICC is Hong Kong’s tallest building and also houses The Ritz-Carlton and W Hong Kong. Incorporating Marie France Van Damme’s signature aesthetic, which blends subtle Asian influences and elegant simplicity, the boutique will feature teak wood, bronze panels, and embossed crocodile leathers with textiles and finishes that can be found in the designer’s home as well as her flagships in Hong Kong and London.

    The ICC’s waterfront location on Victoria Harbour, across from the IFC, suits its important role in the city in many ways. Feng shui teaches that mountains govern people, water governs wealth. The special placement of these skyscrapers is said to channel positive energy for health and prosperity. The shopping mall’s design, and its name, Elements, refer to the feng shui elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. With a direct train linking Elements to Guangzhou, the new boutique will offer a unique luxury shopping experience in one of Hong Kong’s latest attractions on the Kowloon side of the city.

    As Marie France continues to expand her presence worldwide focusing on cities that not only inspire the designer, but also appeal to her sophisticated, jet-set clientele, Marie France Van Damme will celebrate the boutique opening with several special events in Winter 2016 and introduce a new in-store campaign photographed in Hong Kong by Herbert Ypma. The campaign will feature the new Resort 2017 collection, a return to the glamorous roots of resort wear with its muted palette of silver and nude, hand embroidery and opulent fabrics; from French lace to metallic-toned Italian weaves and featherweight Chinese Silks.

    The company currently has 100 retail locations in some of the world’s most desirable places. Marie France Van Damme opened its first store in the fall of 2013 at the acclaimed International Finance Centre (IFC) in Hong Kong, a second in the summer of 2014 in Bangkok’s esteemed Mandarin Oriental, third and first European boutique in 2014 in London’s Brompton Cross neighborhood, and fourth boutique in the summer of 2015 in Phuket, Thailand. In November 2015, Marie France Van Damme introduced a fifth branded boutique in Singapore’s Takashimaya Shopping Centre and sixth retail location in Phuket in July 2016 

    Made in Hong Kong & South China

    Marie France Van Damme is proud of the production capabilities it has built for itself in the past 30 years. With couture and tailoring facilities in-house and embroidery produced across the border in China, every production piece is fitted and quality verified by Marie-France to ensure that the Marie France Van Damme label fulfills the highest standards in the industry.

    About Elements Shopping Mall/Hong Kong

    Offering over one million square feet of pure shopping experiences, the Elements shopping mall is located in Hong Kong’s tallest building the International Commerce Centre (ICC) on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. A lavish world offering of shopping, dining, art and entertainment, Elements shopping mall is located next to Hong Kong’s most famous attraction Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck and takes a new approach to Hong Kong’s shopping environment and is themed after the five Chinese elements. The five elements are Metal (Luxury brands and world-class dining), Fire (Entertainment), Water (International cuisine), Earth (Fashion) and Wood (Health, Beauty and Lifestyle) whereas each zone is individually designed. Elements boasts a range of sought after brands, dining options, an ice rink and a 1,600 capacity cinema –  currently larger than any movie theatre in Hong Kong.

    About Marie France Van Damme

    Marie France Van Damme is a Canadian-born, Hong-Kong based fashion designer, celebrated hostess and author, whose luxury lifestyle resort wear brand is inspired by her travels and personal style. Marie France Van Damme introduced her eponymous label in the summer of 2011.  The Marie France Van Damme line is defined by an edited collection of elegant and seasonless staples with every piece designed to transition seamlessly from city to resort. The brand is loved by celebrities such as Beyoncé, Jourdan Dunn, Heidi Klum, Cameron Diaz, Olivia Palermo, Christina Hendricks, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

    Marie France Van Damme is available at her other retail locations in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Phuket and London, Bergdorf Goodman, Harrods, Selfridges, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Intermix and exclusive resorts such as Amanresorts and the One & Only.  She is also the author of the coffee table book RSVP: Simple Sophistication, Effortless Entertaining (Thames & Hudson) featuring her effortless style and entertaining tips with photographs by Herbert Ypma of the Hip Hotels series.

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  • Zara Vietnam flagship opens in HCMC

    Zara Vietnam flagship opens in HCMC

    Covering 2400 sqm over two levels, the first Zara Vietnam flagship store has opened at Vincom Centerin Ho Chi Minh City.

    Zara Vincom Vietnam

    Customers have views of the main street, Dong Khoi, from its windows, while on the racks are collections including women’s and men’s styles as well as Zara Kids, Zara Basic, TRF and the latest fall/winter styles.

    Zara Vincom Vietnam. 1

    Following the opening of the store, the Zara Vietnam website went live.

    Customers say they are impressed with the prices, noting they are cheaper than in Singapore and Thailand. When the Spanish fast-fashion line announced its plan to expand to Vietnam, there were concerns its prices would be higher than overseas, as had been the case with other international brands such as Topshop.

    Owned by Inditex, the Vietnam store adds to Zara’s 50 outlets throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

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