A TALE OF THREE CITIES

There is now more reason to shop till you drop in these swanky boutique wonderlands

DIOR IN SINGAPORE

The maison’s popular two-storey boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands has been reopened after an eight-month renovation, featuring sleek and bright interiors, a flowing floorplan, and multiple decorative elements that highlight Dior’s haute couture DNA, such as pleated and cannage patterns along its shop windows. Look out for the fine jewellery section nestled in an exclusive duplex area, a permanent collection of gorgeous abstract artworks by local artist Guo-Liang Tan, along with elegant salons for women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, and personalisation services for house icons such as the Dior Book Tote and Saddle bags.

MOSCHINO IN MILAN

The Italian fashion house’s new flagship store on Milan’s prime shopping street, Via della Spiga, is located within the historical 18th-century Palazzo Pertusati that has been remodelled and renamed Spiga 26 creative hub. The two-storey boutique carries the womenswear, menswear, kids’ and accessories lines – all showcased in a new interior concept conceived by architect Andrea Tognon. The space balances pure graphic lines and curves, while Moschino’s baroque flair is highlighted by bold decorative elements. Think a grand helicoidal staircase connecting floors lined with colourful marble in different chequered designs. Creative director Jeremy Scott also pays tribute to the brand’s heritage by reinterpreting tables first designed by founder Franco Moschino into stunning displays for accessories.

VAN CLEEF & ARPELS IN SEOUL

The French maison makes the dynamic Cheongdam-dong its new home in Korea – with a five-level boutique in an avant-garde building designed by the Jouin Manku Agency. This prestigious location joins Paris, New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong in the inner circle of iconic Van Cleef & Arpels addresses.

Resembling giant reeds woven in a lozenge pattern, which is a hallmark of Van Cleef & Arpels, the openwork facade blends traditional Korean craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology in its construction materials of a light and resistant metallic alloy and green ceramic.

A luscious garden, which is a nod to the seven mountains encircling the city, begins on the first floor and extends to the rest of the levels as a living backdrop. Designed in collaboration with world-renowned

Korean landscape architect Seo Ahn, it changes with the seasons and complements deliberately understated furnishings. A staircase leads to a private, intimate triple-height mezzanine space, which offers a calm and contemplative ambience.

On the second floor is the retail area, whose walls and ceiling call attention to another iconic example of Korean craftsmanship: hanji, the exacting art of hand-crafted paper unique for its refined texture effects. A second private salon here comes complete with a library showcasing a collection of richly illustrated books.

The next floor is dedicated to the house’s heritage and will host a variety of exhibitions and activities, while the final two storeys comprise two exclusive settings: a private salon and a terrace – both surrounded by lush nature and offering panoramic views of the city.

Transcending the notion of a boutique, said designers Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku, was their creative vision: “We imagined a place where two distinct worlds would mix and mingle: an elegant interface between Korean culture and that of the Parisian high jewellery maison.”