Following a transformation, the Louis Vuitton Hong Kong Landmark has a new look.
At one of the busiest junctions in Hong Kong, the flagship maison in Central has a new glass facade designed by Japanese architect Jun Aoki, who also designed the exterior of the brand’s store in Ginza, Tokyo.
There is a new interior by New York architect/interior designer Peter Marino, who has designed Louis Vuitton stores in London and Los Angeles. It includes an intimate space across two floors where customers can sit on plush sofas and lounge chairs while browsing through the latest collections of ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories, fragrance, jewellery, watches and shoes. There is also a private space by invitation only for a personalised shopping experience.
There was a red-carpet opening in The Landmark atrium for the redesigned store, attended by special guests including Hong Kong actress/model Janice Man (Wing-San Man).
As well as the complete revamp of the Landmark maison, Louis Vuitton is also rebuilding its flagship store in Canton Road, which opened in 2008.
“The leader in the market believes in Hong Kong,” says LV CEO/chairman Michael Burke, who says the company needs to keep investing in Hong Kong as a “unique, iconic destination in the world that will remain important for Chinese shopping”.
“There was a moment two years ago in Hong Kong when the day trippers were excessive,” he says. “We had what we call ‘froth’ in the market. If we have a drop in froth, there’s no problem.”
He says the key is looking long-term, with short-term swings, temporary rises and falls, not really affecting strategy.
“We’re coming back now to a more healthy situation. The norm is going to be the steady, uphill growth of the upper middle class in China.”
LVMH chairman/CEO Bernard Arnault also believes Hong Kong’s downturn is just a “cyclical problem”.
“Hong Kong will remain one of the high points in Asia and one of the drivers of our growth,” he says.
