AT HOME WITH
Hermès at last unveils its revamped stand-alone boutique at Liat Towers, as a fitting way to mark the store’s 30th anniversary. JACQUIE ANG takes a tour
AFTER A RENOVATION that took 15 months to complete, Hermès has reopened the doors to its Liat Towers boutique with a bang…literally; fireworks and all.
Although a previous makeover took place in 2004, which saw it emerge with a distinct facade that quickly became an Orchard Road icon, this time, under the artistic direction of Denis Montel of RDAI (the Paris-based agency entrusted to design Hermès’s stores worldwide), the boutique is far bigger and brighter — as if sending a message of hope in a challenging retail scene.
And there is no better symbol of this than the new firework-maker on horseback proudly poised atop the building. Holding a pair of silk scarves fluttering in the wind, it is a replica of the figure on the roof of the Maison’s first store at 24 Faubourg Saint-honoré in Paris, that was created in 1987 to mark the brand’s 150th anniversary. It is no coincidence that the Liat Towers store, marks its 30th anniversary this year.
From the outside, the transformation sees a 4-m extension of the store’s footprint towards Angullia Park road. The previous facade of metallic slats, has also given way to a chalkwhite Alucobond and glass shell. Seamlessly integrated into the original granite facade of the building, this structural change also shifts the boutique’s main entrance from Orchard to Anguillia Park road. (However, a side door still remains.)
The clean open-work design of the new facade, encourages natural light to filter into the boutique, while a large display window at the corner of the ground level doubles up as both a glimpse into the world of Hermès and a streetside showcase for guest artists from around the world. The first to have this honour is Korean-american artist Jinnie Seo. Her lively installation Anatomy of a Gallop (a nod to Hermès’ theme for 2016: Nature at Full Gallop) features Hermès exuberant scarves in middance.
Inside, the Maison has taken on an additional floor, bringing the revamped space
to a generous 670 sq-m — ample for displaying the full scope of its 16 métiers’ diverse specialties and to host contemporary art exhibitions at its top-most floor, something it has done in this store since 2006.
LEVEL one
If you enter the store through the main door on Anguillia Park, you’ll be greeted with an Hermès ex libris insignia in stainless steel in-laid into the trani biancone stone floor. Otherwise, if you step in from the side entrace, you’ll find yourself in the welcoming embrace of the Maison’s elegant watch and jewellery salon.
A dreamy mélange of 13 scents from the Hermessence collection takes centre stage in the fragrance department. It is a creation of JeanClaude Ellena, the acclaimed master perfumer who has been crafting scents exclusively for the Maison since 2004. Over at the other end, the Hermès men’s universe holds court, including ready-to-wear, hats, belts, bags, shoes and soie beau (a range of silk accessories that includes an impressive selection of ties in every colour).
Throughout this floor, the walls are rendered in Venetian plaster that whisper a soft, chalky hue, while the flooring is in the signature Hermès Faubourg mosaic of off-white and yellow tesseraer, punctuated with havana and bronze glass cabochons, alongside curcuma-yellow woollen rugs. In the gent’s corner, the cherry wood cabinetry with open-ended glass cubes and seats upholstered in specially woven horsehair are extra awesome.
LEVEL two
A transparent glass lift takes you up to the rest of the floors, but we suggest taking the stairs — you’ll get to admire the magnificent open-tread staircase in warm, naturally oiled African teak.
The second floor houses the women’s universe, spanning leather goods, a complete readyto-wear range, soie belle (the women’s silk range) and costume jewellery. Promoting the art of writing, this floor is also home to the brand’s writing instruments, stationery and silk-covered notebooks.
Over at the shoe lounge, take a break from shopping and peer over
the edge of the cantilevered floor that is set back from the facade for a view of the interchanging perspectives of the boutique’s various levels.
LEVEL three
One of the highlights of the overhaul is the transformation of the third floor into a space dedicated to the Hermès home universe. For the first time in Singapore, it is shown in its entirety, from furniture, textiles, porcelain and crystal, to sports and leisure creations that encompass beach and picnic goods. Every item one needs to conjure major home envy is here.
As Hermès considers the horse as its very first client, the equestrian department, offering a variety of saddles and riding gear, rounds up the presentation of Hermès métiers.
Before leaving, make yourself at home in the VIP suite with walls in ecru velvet, sofas for resting and a changing area that is concealed behind sliding curtains.
LEVEL four
Christened Aloft at Hermès, level four replaces the contempoary art space formerly known as Third Floor — Hermès. Stretching over 111 sqm, it is one of five art spaces around the world operated by the Fondation d’entreprise Hermès, and reaffirms the Maison’s commitment to firing the imagination with comtemporary art.
The inaugural exhibition kicks off with an in-situ installation, How to Disappear into a Rainbow, by Singaporean artist Dawn Ng. Lose yourself in a labyrinth of daybreak hues and mirror panels, from now till August 14, 2016.