Tag: Gentle Monster

  • ZWC Partners Fuels Global Expansion of Korean Lifestyle Group Iicombined and Flagship Brand Gentle Monster

    ZWC Partners Fuels Global Expansion of Korean Lifestyle Group Iicombined and Flagship Brand Gentle Monster

    Asian private equity firm, ZWC Partners, has recently made an investment in the South Korea-based company, Iicombined, the force behind the renowned eyewear brand, Gentle Monster. This move is part of the firm’s plan to expedite its global expansion across the fashion, beauty, and experiential retail sectors.

    Investment to Bolster International Growth

    Established in 2011 and based in Seoul, Iicombined has evolved from being a single eyewear brand to a multi-brand lifestyle conglomerate. Its diverse portfolio includes the fragrance and beauty brand Tamburins, the experiential cafe concept Nudake, the headwear label Atiissu, and the tableware brand Nuflaat. These are in addition to its flagship business, Gentle Monster.

    The investment is intended to facilitate the group’s ongoing global growth, especially across Asia, encompassing regions such as China and Southeast Asia. Moreover, it aims to further the expansion into European and North American markets.

    ZWC Partners has expressed strong confidence in Iicombined’s capability to expand globally whilst preserving its design-first identity. According to Michael Yao, a partner at ZWC Partners, the firm believes that Iicombined is favorably positioned for rapid expansion, primarily in thriving consumer sectors like eyewear and fragrances, across China and Southeast Asia. This perspective aligns well with ZWC Partners’ long-standing emphasis on consumer and technology sectors.

    Driving Forward a Global Fashion Powerhouse

    Yao further stated that with the support of their offices and resources in Europe, Japan, and other key Asian markets, they are excited to aid Iicombined’s expansion across the Asia-Pacific region and further afield. Their assistance will include providing prime retail locations and brand elevation support as the group continues its journey towards becoming a global fashion powerhouse.

    The deal enhances ZWC Partners’ consumer portfolio, which already encompasses investments in global sports group Amer Sports, which owns brands such as Arc’teryx and Salomon, and the Italian luxury linen brand Frette. It also includes logistics, technology, and cross-border commerce companies such as J&T Express, GoTo, and Vevor. The financial specifics of the deal have not been disclosed.

    Questions & Answers

    **What is Iicombined’s flagship business?**

    Iicombined’s flagship business is the eyewear brand Gentle Monster.

    **How is ZWC Partners assisting Iicombined’s expansion?**

    ZWC Partners is aiding Iicombined’s expansion by providing prime retail locations, brand elevation support, and leveraging their offices and resources in key markets.

    **What are some other brands in ZWC Partners’ consumer portfolio?**

    ZWC Partners’ consumer portfolio includes global sports group Amer Sports, Italian luxury linen brand Frette, and logistics and technology companies like J&T Express, GoTo, and Vevor.

  • Gentle Monster, Backed by Google and LVMH, Fights Copycat Designs with Legal Firepower: Blue Elephant under Scrutiny

    Gentle Monster, Backed by Google and LVMH, Fights Copycat Designs with Legal Firepower: Blue Elephant under Scrutiny

    Gentle Monster, an eyewear brand under the ownership of Iicombined, has initiated legal proceedings against a fellow Korean eyewear company, Blue Elephant. The controversy revolves around accusations that Blue Elephant has been replicating Gentle Monster’s product designs and conceptual designs used in physical retail spaces.

    Alleged Copying of Product Designs

    Iicombined has confirmed that Gentle Monster, a brand that has garnered financial support from investment firms connected to Google and LVMH, does not maintain any business or production affiliations with other eyewear corporations. During an internal probe, it was discovered that Blue Elephant had a minimum of 30 eyewear items bearing a significant likeness to those of Gentle Monster.

    It has been noted that Blue Elephant’s products, similar in design, are retailed at a fraction of the price of those produced by Gentle Monster.

    Legal Responses and Actions

    In response to the alleged infringements, a design invalidation trial was lodged with the Korean Intellectual Property Trial and Appeal Board in March 2025. The board’s decision on the matter is still awaited.

    Iicombined is taking a two-pronged legal approach in its pursuit of justice. In December 2024, a criminal complaint was registered against Blue Elephant with investigative authorities. This was followed by a lawsuit in October 2025, in which Iicombined sought an injunction and damages under the Unfair Competition Prevention Act.

    Questions & Answers

    What are the allegations against Blue Elephant?
    Blue Elephant is accused of replicating Gentle Monster’s product designs and physical retail space concepts.

    What legal actions has Iicombined undertaken?
    Iicombined has initiated both civil and criminal legal proceedings against Blue Elephant, including filing a design invalidation trial and a criminal complaint. In addition, they have sought an injunction and damages under the Unfair Competition Prevention Act.

    What was the outcome of the internal investigation conducted by Iicombined?
    The internal investigation by Iicombined revealed that Blue Elephant had at least 30 eyewear items that bore a significant resemblance to Gentle Monster’s designs.

  • Haus Nowhere Makes Thailand Debut: Tamburins and Gentle Monster Unveil Largest Flagships in Bangkok

    Haus Nowhere Makes Thailand Debut: Tamburins and Gentle Monster Unveil Largest Flagships in Bangkok

    The South Korean lifestyle conglomerate, Iicombined, continues to broaden its retail footprint with the launch of its multi-brand platform, Haus Nowhere, in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Situated on IconSiam’s M floor, the venue hosts two significant brand flagships: the premiere Tamburins outlet in Southeast Asia and the most extensive Gentle Monster store in Thailand.

    Haus Nowhere’s inauguration in Bangkok forms part of Iicombined’s vision for ‘Future Retail’ across leading international cities. Bangkok, now home to the fifth Haus Nowhere location, follows in the footsteps of Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Dosan.

    Introducing Tamburins and Gentle Monster

    Tamburins, a Seoul-based fragrance and beauty brand established in 2017, makes its maiden voyage into Southeast Asia. The brand brings a comprehensive product range and exclusive in-store items to its Bangkok store. Shoppers will find a Blue Hinoki edition of Tamburins’ signature Egg Perfume and a 2ml fragrance accompanied by a unique Puppy Case.

    Gentle Monster, a prominent eyewear brand, unveils its third and largest store in Bangkok. Prior to this, the brand had established outlets at EmQuartier and Siam Paragon, solidifying Thailand as one of its most robust Southeast Asian markets.

    Signature Design and Unique Installations

    The flagship outlet showcases the brand’s characteristic combination of product and installation design. This positions Bangkok as an influential market for the label, attracting both local consumers and tourists from across the region.

    An added attraction at the venue is the ‘Sunshine Giant Dog’ installation, making its debut outside of Seoul for the first time.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the concept behind Haus Nowhere?
    Haus Nowhere is a multi-brand concept by South Korean lifestyle group Iicombined. It aims to introduce various brands into global markets under a single platform.

    What are the exclusive items available at the new Tamburins store in Bangkok?
    The Tamburins store in Bangkok will offer exclusive items such as a Blue Hinoki edition of its Egg Perfume and a 2ml fragrance featuring a Puppy Case.

    How does the new Gentle Monster store in Bangkok compare to its other outlets?
    The new Gentle Monster store in Bangkok is the brand’s third and largest outlet in the country, marking Thailand as a significant market for the eyewear brand.

  • Iicombined Unveils Fourth Haus Nowhere In Seoul; A New Era Of Experiential Retail

    Iicombined Unveils Fourth Haus Nowhere In Seoul; A New Era Of Experiential Retail

    Iicombined, the parent company of Gentle Monster, continues to expand its unique, experiential retail approach with the opening of its fourth Haus Nowhere location in Seoul. This recent addition to their portfolio further solidifies the company’s commitment to blending retail and immersive experiences.

    Experiential Retail in Seoul

    The new Haus Nowhere flagship in Seoul spreads over four floors, providing a unique and conceptual retail environment. The location houses various brands, such as Tamburins, Nudake, Atiissu, and the freshly launched tableware brand, Nuflaat.

    In addition to these brands, the new location also serves as the headquarters for Iicombined. The launch of this new Haus Nowhere in Seoul coincides with the unveiling of Gentle Monster’s 2025 Bold Collection. This new collection is highlighted through pop-ups in Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo, with each display featuring sculptural installations that echo the architectural aesthetic of Haus Nowhere.

    New Concepts and Installations

    The Seoul location introduces new concepts that contribute to the immersive retail experience. Nudake’s Tea House offers aromatic teas complemented with desserts, and Tamburins unveils its latest fragrance, Sunshine, showcased with an AI-powered photo booth. Atiissu reveals the Tracker Collection that combines fashionable headwear with knitwear, while Nuflaat debuts its inaugural line of fashion-inspired tableware under the theme “Dress Your Table.”

    Another highlight of the space is the ‘More is More’ installation by Max Siedentopf. This display features a realistic animatronic figure surrounded by black plastic bags with a single gold bag, an exhibit also planned to appear at Haus Nowhere locations in Dosan, Shanghai, and Shenzhen.

    A New Approach to Retail

    Iicombined views Haus Nowhere not just as a retail space, but as a platform for its experimental approach to the industry. Rather than focusing mainly on traditional sales, the company emphasizes the importance of emotion, narrative and spatial design in creating a unique and immersive shopping experience.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the 2025 Bold Collection by Gentle Monster?
    The 2025 Bold Collection is a new line from Gentle Monster unveiled at the Seoul Haus Nowhere location. This collection is featured in pop-ups across Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo through unique sculptural installations.

    What is the concept behind ‘More is More’ installation?
    The ‘More is More’ installation, created by Max Siedentopf, features a lifelike animatronic figure surrounded by an array of black plastic bags with a lone gold bag. This installation is set to appear at other Haus Nowhere locations.

    What is the approach of Iicombined towards retail?
    Iicombined seeks to revolutionize the retail industry by focusing on immersive experiences. It aims to emphasize emotion, narrative, and spatial design over traditional sales models, creating a unique shopping experience for consumers.

  • South Korean Eyewear Innovator, Gentle Monster, To Launch Flagship Store In Canada

    South Korean Eyewear Innovator, Gentle Monster, To Launch Flagship Store In Canada

    South Korean eyewear brand, Gentle Monster, is poised to make its debut in Canada with a flagship store set to open later this year at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto. The store, which will span over 5,300 square feet, is located in the luxury wing of the mall, keeping company with other high-end brands such as Louis Vuitton, Thom Browne, and Acne Studios. The brand, known for its bold, trendsetting eyewear and unconventional store designs, is expected to bring a unique shopping experience to the Canadian retail landscape.

    A Unique Retail Experience

    Founded in Seoul in 2011 by Hankook Kim, Gentle Monster treats each of its stores as a standalone creative installation. Every location showcases a distinctive theme, emphasizing the brand’s commitment to providing not just a shopping venue, but a complete immersive experience for its customers. The upcoming Canadian flagship is anticipated to follow this creative trend, offering an art gallery-style environment that marries fashion, design, and immersive experiences.

    Product Offering

    Gentle Monster’s eyewear is typically priced between US$200 to $500. The brand launches over 20 new styles annually, maintaining a catalogue of more than 50 silhouettes. This steady stream of new products, along with the brand’s distinctive designs, helps to ensure Gentle Monster stays at the forefront of the fashion industry.

    Global Presence

    Gentle Monster currently runs 78 flagship stores across 13 countries, and its products can be found in over 200 partner retail locations worldwide. The brand’s expansion into Canada demonstrates its continuing ambition to increase its global reach.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Gentle Monster known for?

    Gentle Monster is recognized for its innovative, fashion-forward eyewear and unique store designs. Each store is treated as a unique creative installation, offering an immersive shopping experience for its customers.

    Where is Gentle Monster’s Canadian flagship store located?

    Gentle Monster’s Canadian flagship store will be located at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto.

    What is the price range for Gentle Monster’s eyewear?

    Gentle Monster’s eyewear is typically priced between US$200 and $500. The brand launches over 20 new styles annually, maintaining a catalogue of more than 50 silhouettes.

  • Google Teams Up with Gentle Monster to Unveil Innovative AI-Powered Smart Glasses

    Google Teams Up with Gentle Monster to Unveil Innovative AI-Powered Smart Glasses

    As Asia’s retail landscape continues to evolve, brands are increasingly turning to innovative strategies to capture consumer attention and drive sales. The latest trend highlights international pop-up stores, merging the excitement of limited-time offerings with immersive brand experiences. These transient spaces have been gaining traction across major Asian cities, allowing retailers to experiment with their concepts while maintaining a sense of urgency and exclusivity that consumers find irresistible.

    Pop-Ups Redefining Retail

    The rise of pop-up stores has given retailers a fresh avenue to interact with their target audiences in vibrant and engaging environments. For instance, in bustling urban centers like Tokyo and Shanghai, brands are setting up shop, often accompanied by high-profile collaborations with local artists, chefs, or influencers. This approach not only enhances the customer experience but also generates buzz on social media, drawing in crowds eager to connect with the brands they love.

    Mastering the Art of Engagement

    What makes a successful pop-up? According to experts, it’s all about creating memorable moments. From interactive installations to exclusive product launches, retailers are increasingly focusing on engaging consumers beyond mere transactions. Take, for example, a cosmetics brand that offers personalized consultations alongside complimentary experiences like high-tech skin assessments. These enticing interactions transform passive shoppers into enthusiastic brand advocates, reinforcing the idea that retail is about more than just buying goods—it’s about building relationships.

    The Asian Market’s Unique Pulse

    Asia’s diverse cultural landscape affords a unique opportunity for brands to tailor their pop-up strategies to local preferences. In South Korea, for instance, where trends can shift at the speed of light, brands are quick to adapt, often launching limited-edition items that speak directly to consumer desires. Meanwhile, in Southeast Asia, where street culture thrives, pop-ups are often set against the lively backdrop of local festivals or markets, integrating seamlessly into the community fabric. It’s a bit like a retail tango—where rhythm and location are key to keeping consumers coming back for more.

    A New Era of Sustainability

    Sustainability is another pivotal aspect shaping pop-up strategies in Asia. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, retailers have begun to craft pop-ups that emphasize eco-friendly practices. This includes using reclaimed materials for storefront construction or offering zero-waste products, which not only attract eco-aware shoppers but also reflect a brand’s commitment to social responsibility. In a market where customers increasingly demand transparency, this approach helps forge deeper connections, positioning brands as allies in the sustainability journey.

    Looking Ahead

    As we look to the future, the pop-up phenomenon is set to continually reshape Asia’s retail environment. What started as a temporary solution has morphed into a dynamic strategy essential for brands aiming to stay current and relevant. In a world where consumer loyalty is fragile and attention spans are short, retailers that embrace the thrill of temporary experiences are likely to secure a special place in the hearts—and shopping lists—of savvy Asian consumers.

    Questions & Answers

    What are the key benefits of pop-up shops for retailers?
    Pop-up shops allow retailers to engage consumers in new and exciting ways, create urgency with limited-time experiences, and experiment with different concepts without the long-term commitment of a permanent store.

    How do pop-ups differ across various Asian markets?
    Pop-ups are tailored to reflect local culture and preferences; for example, in South Korea, they often feature limited-edition items due to rapidly changing trends, while in Southeast Asia, they may integrate with local festivities, enhancing community engagement.

    What role does sustainability play in the pop-up trend?
    With a growing emphasis on environmental consciousness, many retailers are using pop-ups to showcase eco-friendly practices, from incorporating sustainable materials in their setups to offering zero-waste products, appealing to a more eco-aware consumer base.

  • Gentle Monster unveils its third Haus Nowhere flagship

    Gentle Monster unveils its third Haus Nowhere flagship

    South Korean fashion and lifestyle company Gentle Monster has opened its third Haus Nowhere store – in Shenzhen, China.

    The retail space spans 6914sqm across three floors and features kiosks from its eyewear brand Gentle Monster and perfume line Tamburins, along with other curated shops and brands.

    Inspired by the theme of “Insect Kingdom”, a fictional tale of the 10,000-year relationship between colossal humans, beasts, and insectoids, the store aims to evoke “unique emotions” as visitors are invited to step into the narrative and become part of the story.

    The Gentle Monster section is designed with an abstractly shaped concrete mantis head, with insect-inspired objects that give off an otherworldly atmosphere.

    Meanwhile, Tamburins’ section features silkworm installations and kinetic art pieces.

    “Haus Nowhere Shenzhen is more than just a shopping destination,” said the company. “It is a vast universe with its own narrative.”

    The Haus Nowhere Shenzhen marks the third chapter of the project, following the successful launches in Seoul and Shanghai.

  • Gentle Monster opens its first Australian store

    Gentle Monster opens its first Australian store

    South Korean luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster has entered the Australian domestic market with its first store opened inside David Jones’ Elizabeth Street, Sydney site.

    Gentle Monster David Jones features the brand’s signature kinetic art installation ‘Giant Head’, allowing visitors to “experience mysterious emotions through its indecipherable facial expressions which seem to penetrate the essence of the viewer”. Overseeing all Gentle Monster’s operations in Australia, Bluebell Group plans to open a flagship store next July.

    “This first opening in Sydney’s domestic market is a significant milestone for both the brand and Bluebell,” said Nelly Ngadiman, MD of Bluebell Southeast Asia & Australia. “It is a recognition of a close, successful partnership.

    “The brand’s uniqueness and disruptive nature in the fashion eyewear category enhances our teams’ commitment to retail excellence even further.”

    The launch is in partnership with retail brand operator Bluebell Group, following last year’s opening of Gentle Monster’s first travel retail airside space in the Southern Hemisphere at Sydney airport.

    Gentle Monster has recently expanded in Asia Pacific to further capitalize on the region’s growing luxury market. The eyewear brand opened its first store in the Philippines last month at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, after entering Thailand with the first store opened in Bangkok’s EmQuartier earlier this year. The first Gentle Monster store in Malaysia is set to open at Kuala Lumpur’s luxury premise The Exchange TRX.

  • Gentle Monster’s cafe brand expands in South Korea

    Gentle Monster’s cafe brand expands in South Korea

    Luxury companies are becoming serious about the restaurant business here as a way to maintain their posh image and continue to attract attention from young, trend-savvy consumers, according to industry officials, Tuesday.

    Italian high-end luxury fashion house Gucci has opened Gucci Osteria restaurant in Itaewon, Seoul, where it serves dishes cooked by a Michelin three-star chef. A burger costs 27,000 won ($18.91) and a course menu ranges from 120,000 won to 170,000 won there. Despite its high prices, reservations for the restaurant were sold out four minutes after it opened.

    French luxury firm Louis Vuitton also opened a pop-up restaurant called Pierre Sang at Louis Vuitton for just one month in May and it was fully booked as soon as reservations opened up. Global K-pop band BTS member J-Hope’s visit to the restaurant also played a key role in making it into one of the hottest places in Seoul.

    With this momentum, in September, Louis Vuitton opened a second pop-up restaurant in the posh district of Cheongdam-dong, Seoul. Despite most of its prices being in the 300,000-won range, it was fully booked as soon as it opened and people are now selling their reserved times to make a profit.

    Swiss luxury watchmaker Breitling introduced a restaurant and a coffee shop together with its brand shop, which opened early this year. The company expressed its luxury brand image in its food and beverages and has grabbed the attention of watch fans.

    Korean popular eyewear brand Gentle Monster did not fall behind the trend, opening dessert cafe Nudake at its flagship store in Apgujeong, Seoul, where it has attracted dessert lovers from across the country.

    The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed luxury brands to promote its fashion items in digital space, which turned out to be successful among not only among those in their 20s and 30s, but also those in their 60s and 70s.

    Amid this major paradigm shift, luxury brands have begun investing to offer experiences of their brands in various ways. However, companies have also learned that there is a limit for customers to experience fully their brand identities and products online.

    Thus, top-tier firms have begun opening restaurants and coffee shops. It costs less for customers to experience the luxury brands through food and desserts, compared to purchasing a handbag or clothing at a boutique. Such visits to restaurants are temporary but customers can experience the brand with their five senses without spending tens of millions of won.

    In short, opening a restaurant and coffee shop can lower the entry barrier for customers to experience luxury brands. This strategy has been proven with young customers of Korea’s MZ generation, millennials and Generation Z, who are emerging as a main consumer group of luxury goods.

    Luxury brands are strengthening their food and beverage (F&B) business because they want to expand their brand experience into the lifestyle sector. Companies can show their brand value and identity through a new gourmet field.

    “Luxury brands running restaurants and coffee shops focus more on the brand experience than its profitability. Food and beverages leave a strong impression for consumers and they naturally lead to creating bonds with the brand. In another words, this is good marketing strategy to build customers’ loyalty to luxury brands,” a luxury firm official said.

    Unlike restaurants in five-star hotels, luxury brand stores offer various consumer experiences through architecture, interior design and the cutlery items used at their restaurants.

    “As an extension of going to fashion shows, experiencing luxury brand restaurant cuisine provides opportunities for customers to experience the lifestyles of the upper class by eating the same food in the same spaces with them,” the official said.

  • Gentle Monster to launch in Thailand

    Gentle Monster to launch in Thailand

    Set to open this August 25, the first flagship store in Thailand will occupy a 340 sqm space in Emquartier, marking another milestone for the luxury brand’s success. Drawing inspiration from its signature futuristic and avant-garde aesthetics, the store promises to echo the brand’s experimental approach to design.

    Gentle Monster’s fans can eagerly anticipate an array of exclusive offerings, including the Bold Collection with its galactic motifs and the collaborative collections with the French luxury house, Maison Margiela.

    To commemorate its store launch in Bangkok, the brand is set to release a ‘Bangkok Limited Edition’ collection this coming September.

    Originating from Seoul in 2011, Gentle Monster, founded by Hankook Kim, has consistently captivated audiences with its unconventional beauty and boundary-pushing designs.

  • Gentle Monster invests $15 million in Chinese AR startup

    Gentle Monster invests $15 million in Chinese AR startup

    Augmented reality headsets have been around for years, but none of the market players has really expanded beyond the techy demographic and broken into the mainstream. An AR startup hopes to change that by partnering with an eyewear fashion brand.

    Nreal, the well-funded Chinese AR headset maker that’s been making aggressive global expansion, said Thursday that it has raised $15 million from Korean sunglasses brand Gentle Monster’s parent company, IICOMBINED.

    The investment, which came just five months after its $60 million Series C extension, boosts its total raised to $240 million since its inception in 2017.

    The fresh capital will enable Nreal to accelerate its global expansion and double down on the company’s consumer business in the U.S., the company said.

    Neither Nreal nor Gentle Monster said much about how they might work together, but it’s almost certain that the single-investor capital infusion marks a step toward a strategic partnership. It won’t be surprising that Nreal’s glasses — aimed to be fashionable and lightweight from the outset — would hit the shelves of Gentle Master’s global retail stores someday.

    Indeed, Nreal’s co-founder Peng Jin said the firm’s goal for the next twelve months is to “scale and reach more audiences and aggressively grow adoption for AR technology starting with our latest AR glasses, Nreal Air.”

    Nreal has already carved out a global distribution network, much of it through its enterprise partners like Qualcomm and LG, in countries including the U.S., U.K., Japan, South Korea, Spain and Germany. It only debuted in China, where it’s based, in August.

    Nreal’s demand is currently the highest in the U.S., Japan and Korea, though the company expects China to grow soon to be one of its top markets.

    Earlier this week, Nreal unveiled an array of its products, including AR glasses such as Nreal Air and Nreal X (Chinese version) and an AR adapter for Apple devices in its home market.

    “Fashion and design will be important aspects in the future development of AR glasses as we continue to expand the sector’s consumer base,” said Jin. “As such, having Gentle Monster as our investor will open up interesting opportunities not just for Nreal, but also for the wider AR industry as a whole.”

    Gentle Monster, which entered China in 2016 and partnered with Huawei in 2019 to make smart glasses, opened its seventeenth store in Beijing in early August for further expansion in China.

    “This investment is exciting for the combination and exploration of the boundary of fashion and tech,” said co-founder of Gentle Monster and CEO of IICOMBINED Hankook Kim. “We will leverage both parties’ strength and make joint efforts to create more possibilities.”

  • Gentle Monster opens new China flagships in Beijing, Qingdao

    Gentle Monster opens new China flagships in Beijing, Qingdao

    GENTLE MONSTER announced the largest flagship store in the world will open on August 4th in Beijing Taikoo Li Sanlitun. “DATAIZED FUTURE” serves as the visual narrative theme for the flagship store. As mankind inhibits a fragmented and dislocated near future, visitors are allowed to express free movement, jumping across time and space. As the store relocates from the Taikoo Li Sanlitun North District to the South District, taking up a landmark location in the commercial area, the latest GENTLE MONSTER retail creation marks the brand’s 360-degree upgrade into the world’s largest mono-brand eyewear store in the world.

    The upgraded GENTLE MONSTER Beijing Taikoo Li Sanlitun flagship store presents multi-scale installations, images, and videos that occupy the space from the façade to the third floor. Together, they set in motion a series of static replacements and dynamic contrasts, creating subtle harmony through contrasting colors and materials. The GENTLE MONSTER Beijing Taikoo Li Sanlitun flagship store provides twice the number of styles and products as other stores. The flagship store will offer free repair services for the first time in the Northern China market. Special collaborations or product will also be launched here before any other stores. The third floor is home to only optical products, where shoppers can find professional optometrists in the exclusive optometry area.

    In 2016, GENTLE MONSTER opened its first-ever store in the China market in Beijing Taikoo Li Sanlitun North District. Its “Future Retail” proposition redefined the brick-and-mortar retail experience and has continued to reimage the future of retail. The brand quickly launched 17 flagship stores in 14 cities across China. In collaboration with high-end Beijing luxury department store SKP, GENTLE MONSTER curated the SKP-S department store, last year, it also brought the HAUS SHANGHAI concept to the storied Huaihai Road. As the brand’s launchpad in the China market, GENTLE MONSTER’s move to the South District, occupying the most prominent entrance space of Taikoo Li Sanlitun, gave the brand a chance to push further the expressive nature of retail art, enabling the store to become a new landmark for Taikoo Li Sanlitun.

    Occupying three stories and boosting more than 1,330 square meters, GENTLE MONSTER’s latest project marks the brand’s most prominent move in the China market. GENTLE MONSTER dove deeper into its unique DNA, disrupting conventional retail methodologies that prioritize efficiency and function. With “Future Retail,” GENTLE MONSTER offered a powerful retail experience by simultaneously presenting contrasting emotions, amplifying the brand’s singular worldview. For the first time in GENTLE MONSTER retail history, interior design extends to the exterior façade of the glass building, breaking free of physical boundaries.

    The opening of GENTLE MONSTER Beijing Taikoo Li Sanlitun flagship store marks the brand’s revolutionary move to unleash creative energy like never before. Expansive artistic vision and fresh retail experiences celebrate the brand’s continued pursuit to inspire and ignite the new generation of shoppers.

  • Gentle Monster opens Haus Shanghai

    Gentle Monster opens Haus Shanghai

    Luxury eyewear label Gentle Monster has unveiled the design of its first Haus concept store outside South Korea in Shanghai, the world’s largest Gentle Monster store.

    The launch of the Shanghai store follows the opening of Haus Dosan in Seoul earlier this year, opening chapter two of the Haus project. Featuring a ‘Future Retail’ theme, the four-story Haus Shanghai houses fragrance brand Tamburins’ first physical store in China and dessert brand Nudake.

    “Haus Shanghai provides more than a commercial experience,” Gentle Monster said in a statement. “By inciting emotional provocation in visitors, Haus aims to deliver an unprecedented cultural experience.”

    Gentle Monster combines retail experiences, pop-ups, and art exhibitions inside the 3270sqm retail space. Haus Shanghai’s first floor houses the Nudake store, where visitors can find a variety of artistic desserts. Gentle Monster’s signature six-legged walking robot, The Probe, is located at the centre of the floor alongside kinetic horses, “capturing Nudake’s spirit of experimentation and fantasy”. Visitors can also find various forms of collaged media art and aesthetic furniture here.

    The second floor, Gentle Monster’s largest retail space, is designed under the theme ‘Circulation’ with pliant art pieces cutting through the centre, forcing an unexpected flow of traffic inside the space.

    Meanwhile, the third floor presents a large exhibition space designed for media art exhibitions and collaboration pop-ups. At the heart of the space, a robotic face called ‘The Giant’ is located alongside sculptures and installations, depicting the theme ‘The Giant Who Arrived at the Bird Village’.

    China’s first Tamburins flagship store is situated on Haus Shanghai’s top floor, “expressing elegance and individuality through the delicate balance of spatial elements”. The space is highlighted by a wall art installation ‘Twig’ covered in tree branches, illustrating “the intersection of luxury and rawness through the combination of contrasting materials”.

  • Gentle Monster opens another flagship store

    Gentle Monster opens another flagship store

    South Korean luxury eyewear brand Gentle Monster has unveiled its latest themed store in Starfield Hanam, Seoul.

    Dubbed ‘Self Similarity’, the theme reinterprets the mathematical concept through visual and spatial elements. The Starfield Hanam storehouses various artwork, images, and installations representing “the infinite possibility of ‘expansion’” through repeating geometric structures, such as fractals, Mandelbrot sets, and Julia sets.

    The newly opened flagship features The Probe, the brand’s six-legged walking robot which can also be seen in the Haus Dosan outlet.

    “The kinetic installations located at the facade, repeatedly expanding and contracting, and artwork that expresses infinite proliferation show Gentle Monster’s unique and artistic perspective on the concept of self-similarity,” the company described.

    Meanwhile, Gentle Monster chose Starfield Hanam to land Nudake’s second store in South Korea, offering a range of artistic desserts.

  • Gentle Monster’s newest store Haus Dosan took a year to create

    Gentle Monster’s newest store Haus Dosan took a year to create

    Gentle Monster has launched Haus Dosan, a new retail concept featuring its dessert brand Nudake and cosmetic label Tamburins.

    Located at Dosan Park, the store spans five stories, housing Nudake’s first flagship store in South Korea. Named ‘Haus 0 10 10 10 1’, the number ‘01’ is derived from quantum mechanics, representing “the future-forward direction”, whereas ‘Haus’ is a metaphorical description of the future retail.

    Haus Dosan is the eyewear brand’s first project of many more to come under the theme of ‘Unopened:Future”.

    The first floor houses a gigantic structure in the centre, a collaborative artwork with Frederik Heyman, which creates “a bizarre scene that no one has seen before and represents Gentle Monster’s bold and daring philosophy”. Inspired by the installation, an exclusive soundtrack created by Venezuelan artist Arca will be played throughout the first to the third floor of the store.

    The second floor of the building, dedicated to Gentle Monster’s optical eyewear, is designed under the concept of minimalism and moderation, featuring a media installation by Jonas Lindstroem showing video artwork ‘Truth or Dare’.

    Haus Dosan’s third floor, which displays sunglasses range, houses The Probe, a six-legged walking robot made by Gentle Monster’s own robot lab after a year of research.

    The upper-floor is home to Tamburins’ second flagship store, showing art pieces by artists such as Chulan Kwak, Mercedes Vicente and Casper Kang. Meanwhile, Nudake’s first flagship store is located on the B1 floor, offering an array of artistic desserts.

    Starting with Haus Dosan, Gentle Monster aims to launch a larger scale ‘Haus Shanghai’ this May.