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Tag: gangnam

  • Hermès Unveils Stunning Expanded Flagship Store in Seoul: A New Era for Luxury Retail!

    Hermès Unveils Stunning Expanded Flagship Store in Seoul: A New Era for Luxury Retail!

    In a grand unveiling that is sure to turn heads, Hermès has launched its newly relocated and expanded store within the Galleria department store at Apgujeong Rodeo in Gangnam, South Korea. This West Hall location shines as a beacon for luxury, showcasing all sixteen of the brand’s crafts in a lively and contemporary setting.

    The store’s façade is a stunning display itself, featuring anodized metal stripes that draw inspiration from South Korea’s traditional Dancheong decorative art. A fusion of ancient motifs and sleek modernity sets the tone for what lies inside.

    Once inside, guests are greeted by a vibrant environment where the layout is as striking as the products. A central silk section serves as the heart of the store, flanked by meticulously organized sections dedicated to men’s and women’s fashion, leather goods, jewelry, watches, and home and equestrian collections — all enriched by a palette of cheerful pastels that invites exploration.

    The architectural vision comes courtesy of the Parisian design agency RDAI, seamlessly blending heritage with modern aesthetics. Notably, the store includes locally crafted elements like elegant silk walls and pleated paper lighting designed by Jungmo Kwon, adding a distinct Korean touch to the luxurious experience.

    Art enthusiasts will find themselves delighted as well, with a selection of artworks from Hermès collections and contemporary artisans such as Mamadou Cissé and Jan Bajtlik adorning the space. The artistic narrative extends to the store’s window displays as well, where the 2025 theme “Drawn to Craft,” curated by Korean artist Miju Lee, invites passersby to reflect on creation and memory through the lens of everyday moments.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the significance of the store’s design elements?
    The store’s façade features anodized metal stripes inspired by South Korean Dancheong, showcasing a blend of traditional artistry with modern design, which resonates with local culture while enhancing the luxury experience.

    Who was involved in the store’s design?
    The store was designed by the Parisian agency RDAI, incorporating unique local elements crafted by Jungmo Kwon, which enrich the Hermès aesthetic with a distinctly Korean flair.

    What is the theme of the 2025 window displays?
    The theme “Drawn to Craft,” spearheaded by Korean artist Miju Lee, creatively explores the concepts of creation and memory, encouraging viewers to find significance in everyday moments.

  • Central Premium Mall Vietnam plans to open next year

    Central Premium Mall Vietnam plans to open next year

    Ho Chi Minh City is getting a new shopping centre, Central Premium Mall, in District 8, next year. Set to open in the third quarter of next year, the six-storey mall spans 40,000sqm, and is expected to welcome more than 3 million visitors annually.

    The first and second levels will host 200 kiosks from fashion retailers, a supermarket and luxury cafes.

    The third level is for dining, with more than 30 restaurants, including China’s Melie Dimsum, America’s HolyCow, Korean BBQ Gangnam, together with sushi and buffet restaurants.

     

    The fourth and fifth floors are for entertainment with a children’s playground Kid World, spas, Mexican-style Ritacita Bar, Beer Club Vuvuzela, Bar Redbull and Bar Rocco, among others.

    A cinema will occupy the whole 4000sqm sixth floor.

    Project owner Quoc Cuong Gia Lai says the shopping centre will be managed by a reputable international company, whose identity has yet to be revealed.

    The mall has cost VND1 trillion (US$43 million) to build.

    Central Premium Mall occupies the lower levels of the Central Premium apartment complex currently under construction. A roof-topping ceremony was held recently and apartments are expected to be handed over to residents by the third quarter of next year. It will be managed by Savills Vietnam.

  • Adidas Originals to open renewal flagship store in Gangnam, Seoul

    Adidas Originals to open renewal flagship store in Gangnam, Seoul

    The Adidas Originals Seoul flagship store, which closed last Monday, will open on July 28 again. Adidas Korea renewed its flagship store and reopened to commemorate the third anniversary of the opening of this year.

    “Adidas Originals” will provide consumers with the store as a space to express their individuality and creativity, not just a place to sell products.

    The store, which opened in 2014, attracted attention as the third flagship store of Adidas Originals in the world. While expressing the aspiration to become Seoul’s leading street fashion and cultural center, it was loved by sneakers mania with various collaborations and limited edition items of “Adidas Originals” as well as parties and events.

    “Adidas Origins” has organized a variety of events on the theme of ‘CREATIVE CANVAS’ that fans of the brand can participate and enjoy before re-opening.

    On Saturday, July 29, the first weekend of reopening, the ‘Do The Over’ party, which has been taking part in celebrated cities all over the world starting in LA in 2005, is held in the back yard of the flagship store .

    The famous DJs will show DJing performances in ‘Do The Over’. Anyone who is a fan of “Adidas Originals” can apply through the event page.

    As part of the NMD ‘NEVER FINISHED’ campaign from September 29th to August 9th, various inspirational pictures of the city taken by customers will be displayed in the store.

    On August 5th, it will hold ‘ADIDAS MAKER LAB’ event where you can create your own sneakers miniature of your desired design and color.

    On August 12, “Adidas” sneaker collector “Quat” of Berlin, Germany will visit the flagship store. He will display 200 pairs of “Adidas” vintage sneakers in his collection and have a time to meet domestic consumers, talking about street culture.

  • Apple confirms plan to open its first ever retail store in Samsung’s home city of Seoul

    Apple confirms plan to open its first ever retail store in Samsung’s home city of Seoul

    Apple published a total of 15 retail job listings to its corporate website today seeking candidates for the Apple Store Leader Program, business managers, Genius Bar staff and marketing, among other positions.

    As expected, the job postings seek employees for an outlet in South Korea’s capital of Seoul. The city also happens to be the hometown of Apple ally and competitor, Samsung.

    “We’re excited about opening our first Apple Store in Korea, one of the world’s economic centers and a leader in telecommunication and technology, with a vibrant K-culture,” Apple said in a statement on Friday, local time. “We’re now hiring the team that will offer our customers in Seoul the service, education and entertainment that is loved by Apple customers around the world.”

    Apple has not officially stated where it plans to build its first Korean flagship, but it is claimed construction is already underway in a southern district of Seoul. That report, also filed on Friday, suggests work at the site will be completed in November. Previous rumors suggested Apple was looking at sites in Gangnam and the busy Garosu-gil shopping street.

    For Apple, a brick-and-mortar outlet in Seoul represents more than an opportunity to grow international sales. A retail presence in Samsung’s backyard could go a long way in winning mindshare in the South Korean market, which is currently served by third-party resellers and Apple’s online store.

  • Tesla rents second space in Korea to go Gangnam-style

    Tesla rents second space in Korea to go Gangnam-style

    Tesla Motors is preparing to open a second showroom in Korea in Gangnam, southern Seoul. Its first will open in the Starfield Hanam shopping mall in Gyeonggi in less than two months.

    A lease on three floors of a five-story building in Cheongdam-dong, 131-11, known as Yeongdongdaero 730 under the new address system, was signed by Tesla Motors Korea on Sept. 1. Tesla will rent the building’s basement, first and second floors through Aug. 31, 2021. The rent is 500 million won ($439,059) for the entire period, the document shows.

    The landlord is Bora Trading, a Seoul-based importer of Italian food products including the De Cecco pasta brand.

    Tesla made it official Sept. 2 that it would open its first Korea showroom in Starfield Hanam, a shopping mall that was opened Sept. 9 by retail giant Shinsegae, by December. The announcement came 10 months after the American electric vehicle pioneer opened an office in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul.

    Second showroom for Korea in a building in Cheongdam-dong, 131-11, 

    Tesla confirmed its rental in Gangnam.

    “We have just registered a building on Yeongdong Boulevard,” said Atsuko Doi, Tesla’s head of communications for Asia Pacific, in an email. She added the company hasn’t “planned in detail how we use it.”

    Regarding rumors among auto enthusiasts in Korea that Tesla may choose not to open the showroom in the 212-square-meter (2,281-square-foot) space in Starfield Hanam, she described them as “incorrect.”

    When visited on Monday by the Korea JoongAng Daily, the space Tesla has rented from Bora Trading was already under remodeling. Previously an Italian restaurant, the old interior was torn down completely. One of the workers on the scene said they are working on an automobile showroom without elaborating further. The process is expected to be finished in a month, which would indicate it could open in November at the earliest.

    There is speculation Tesla will open two showrooms simultaneously. The one in Gangnam will be more symbolic of Tesla’s attempt to be considered a luxury brand.

    Cheongdam-dong is Seoul’s swankiest area full of luxury-brand stores including Dior, Cartier and Hermes. Showrooms for Lamborghini, Ferrari and Bentley are less than 1 kilometer from Tesla’s space. Korea’s top automaker, Hyundai Motor, is scheduled to complete by 2021 a 105-story new headquarters just 1.6 kilometers farther down Yeongdong Boulevard.

    The building in Gangnam has been optimized to serve as a car showroom. It was established in 2004 by KUZ Plus, which was the official importer of Ferrari and Maserati until 2006. The floors are framed by huge glass windows to display vehicles.

    In Asia, the California-based company led by business magnate Elon Musk opened its first showroom in October 2010 in Tokyo’s trendy Aoyama district. Now there are three in Japan. Tesla runs 21 stores in China, three in Hong Kong and one in Taiwan, which opened in July.

     

  • Oriental Brewery pop-up opens at Gangnam

    Oriental Brewery pop-up opens at Gangnam

    South Korea’s Oriental Brewery (OB) has opened a pop-up store named MixxTail House at Sinsa-dong’s Garosu-gil in Gangnam.

    The Oriental Brewery pop-up offers a variety of cultural events and activities that visitors can enjoy while drinking OB’s MixxTail, the company’s fermented cocktail brand. The three-storey building includes a DIY Cocktail Bar, 3D Photo Zone, and an outdoor Cocktail Garden.

    Mixxtail 2

    The company will also host music performances of various genres, cooking sessions, and lectures focusing on home-party decoration and culture.

    The MixxTail House will be open daily from 11.30am to 10pm, until July 29.

    Mixxtail

     

  • Shinsegae unveils revamped Gangnam department store

    Shinsegae unveils revamped Gangnam department store

    The revamped Shinsegae department store in Gangnam will officially open on Friday.

    The store’s concept is heavily inspired by the high-end department store chains Le Bon Marche in France and Saks Fifth Avenue in the U.S.

    The Shinsegae Group, which is Korea’s second-largest retailer, has added six new floors to the annex building of its store in the affluent area of southern Seoul. This makes the 86,500 square-meter store the largest department store in Seoul. It also now houses 1,000 brands, up from about 600 brands previously.

    “The Gangnam store is important in every way. We are striving to suggest shopping as a lifestyle rather than to seek for simply sales growth,” said Jang Jae-young, CEO of Shinsegae Department Store, at the press briefing to mark the opening.

    The company has seen sales come to a standstill over the past few years, mainly due to the global economic slowdown as well as competition from other retail channels such as e-commerce.

    The revamped store is designed to attract people who prefer a luxurious in-store shopping experience and Shinsegae expects it to be a game changer. Its Gangnam branch is expected to generate 1.7 trillion won ($1.2 billion) in its first year and 2 trillion won by 2019.

    Brands within the store are categorized into four major themes – shoes, contemporary, kids and living. Products Items are divided based on themes rather than by brand names. Hence luxury brands, such as Christian Louboutin, and domestic brands, such as Soda, mingle in the same zone.

    For those preparing for marriage, the store has dedicated a whole floor to wedding gifts and lifestyle goods. There, you can find anything from luxury goods, such as jewelry and watches worth hundreds of millions of won, to silver three-story tea trays or zen-style flower arrangements.

    “According to our research, people from countries exceeding gross domestic production per capita of $30,000 value the experience of shopping, its process and services they receive. We think the Korean market is ready for this,” said Ryu Sin-yul, vice president of the Gangnam store.

    Shinsegae plans to open five more stores this year — Busan Centum City Mall in March, an urban duty free store in May, two stores in Gimhae of South Gyeongsang Province and Daegu in June and December respectively as well as Hanam Union Square shopping mall in September.

    “We are not trying to compete with (other retail powerhouses such as) Hyundai or Lotte. We will create a new generation of shoppers who have never been to department stores before,” Ryu said.