Page 15 - #184 September 2023

NEWS INBRIEF

BULGARI OPENS CONCEPT UNIT
MANOLO BLAHNIK OPENS NEW The Italian luxury jeweller Bulgari has opened a
concept store in Japan’s Tokyo, inside Omotesando.
CONCEPT BOUTIQUE The company has designed the new Tokyo store to
riff on tis native capital of Rome. Inside, the well-
Last month, luxury shoemaker Manolo lit store is composed of marbles and “magnificent
Blahnik unveiled a new shopping destination architecture”, according to a press release from
within Japanese luxury department store LVMH Group-owned jellewer.
Hankyu Umeda. Within the shop-in-shop,
fashion enthusiasts will find a carefully MARIMEKKO INCREASES GROWTH
curated selection of Manolo Blahnik’s Finnish fashion brand Marimekko has announced
beloved classics. plans to expand its business in Asia, opening in two
Having established a presence in the new markets, Vietnam and Malaysia, as part of a new
department store since 2016, the new space partnership with Jaspal Group. In Vietnam, they will
signifies an exciting milestone for the brand, open in Lotte Mall Westlake and in Takashimaya
as it brings together the men’s and women’s mall. In Malaysia they will open in the KLCC mall
collections side by side for the first time in and The Exchange TRX Mall.
Hankyu.
Nestled within Umeda Fashion, the
expansive 70sq m space features a GENTLE MONSTER MAKES DEBUT
contemporary redesign that serves as a South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster has
backdrop for Manolo Blahnik creations, made its Thailand physical retail debut, opting for the
offering clients what is very much an nation’s capital Bangkok to open its first standalone
elevated boutique experience. store. Partnering with local distributor PP Group
LO & BEHOLD GROUP TO TURN FORMER Thailand, the new Bangkok flagship opened on 25
August inside EmQuartier, a large shopping mall
SCHOOL INTO MIXED-USE SITE located inside the city.

The company, a leading hospitality group in interesting architecture and creative PARIS BAGUETTE SET TO EXPAND
Singapore, has announced plans to revitalise businesses can come together to create The company has announced the signing of a
the former Nan Chiau High School site, vibrant neighbourhoods we’ve come to love, master franchise agreement between Berjaya Food
located on 46 Kim Yam Road within where you can spend a day meandering (International), Middle Trade Inc. and Paris Baguette
Singapore’s River Valley neighbourhood, in around, discovering something meaningful. Singapore to launch the South Korean bakery in the
a joint venture with construction industry We’ve had our eye on the former Nan Chiau Philippiines market, with the first store set to open at
player Sunray Group Holdings. High School for years. The site, with its the end of 2023. The deal will spread Paris Baguette’s
The Lo & Behold Group is behind beautiful architectural bones not only offers local presence in key Filipino cities nationwide.
hospitality concepts such as Odette, a three the opportunity to celebrate the amazing
Michelin-starred fine-dining establishment entrepreneurs here, but to tell a compelling
and the Warehouse Hotel, an intimate Singapore story of creative progress.” ALICE PIZZA LAUNCHES IN ASIA
boutique hotel. The new revitalisation Having served as a headquarters for Recognised as one of the Top Pizzerias in Italy 2023
project, a lifestyle development “housing volunteer soldiers during the Japanese by esteemed rating platform Gambero Rosso, Alice
some of Singapore’s most exceptional occupation, 46 Kim Yam Road is steeped Pizza is set to introduce its rectangular, pan-baked
creative businesses” is scheduled to launch in history. Spanning 20,156sq m, the delicacies to Hong Kong. Opening this month on
in the second quarter of 2024, is among its development will be designed to showcase Queen’s Road East in Wan Chai, Alice Pizza stays
most ambitious ventures yet. businesses in various sectors, including food true to Rome’s culinary heritage of thin, light and
Teng Wen Wee, Founder and Managing and beverage, retail, wellness, entertainment, crispy pizza served ‘al taglio; (by the cut).
Partner of Lo & Behold Group said: education, arts and culture, as well as an 86-
“It’s amazing how, all around the world, key serviced apartment concept.

SEPTEMBER 2023 RETAIL & LEISURE INTERNATIONAL 15