Ireland Bound
Dior is setting up shop at Dublin’s landmark department store Brown Thomas, with plans for an in- store women’s accessories boutique to open in the fall.
The new space will be located on the ground floor of the store’s Dublin flagship and will offer handbags including the Lady Dior, Dior Caro and Dior Book Tote; small leather goods; and other designs by Maria Grazia Chiuri, creative director of women’s haute couture, ready-to-wear and accessories collections.
A selection of jewelry by Dior Joaillerie artistic director Victoire de Castellane, as well as timepieces, will also be on display.
“This is an incredibly exciting partnership for Brown Thomas,” said the store’s managing director Donald McDonald.
“Dior is one of the most prestigious luxury brands in the world, and this opening signals confidence not only in Brown Thomas, but also in Dublin and Ireland as an exceptional shopping destination.”
Brown Thomas is part of Selfridges Group, and has four stores in Ireland, as well as e- commerce.
As reported earlier this week, de Castellane is launching a new line of abstract, 1970s-flavored watches and jewelry called
Gem Dior, featuring patches of various gemstones, and marking the first time the
Dior designer has created a watches and jewelry collection together.
“It’s a style that I would describe as abstractorganic,” de Castellane said. The prominent design is de Castellane’s second watch model for the label — and her first abstract style. The D de
Dior line, by contrast, features round dials and supple, mesh bracelets.
The new Gem Dior line includes seven watch models with irregular, octagonal faces and clasp- less bracelets, as well as 11 pieces of jewelry — rings, bracelets and earrings that draw inspiration from the geometry of stones.
The brand has also been busy on the retail front. Last month it opened a fourth boutique in Mexico City.
— SAMANTHA CONTI