In Adora, New York, Florence, New Delhi, Barcelona and, of course, Manila come together harmoniously
THERE IS AN AIR OF MYSTERY THAT surrounds the boutique department store Adora, almost enigmatic, from its stone walls to the black-clad staff seemingly inconspicuous, to the merchandise where the mystery lies in the price tag.

Upon entering, you will smell the mélange of scents wafting out from the Home section and a certain wave of excitement hits you, taking you back in time as a child in your favorite toy store. As you sift through the racks and find a beautifully made frock or get your hands on their pistachio and black-colored box delicately adorned with a ribbon, you can?t help but utter the words ?I adore,? from which the name of the store is coined, J?adore.

Boasting of a wide and more importantly, a wise selection of accessible to prestige labels, no doubt the store?s movers love to buy and to sell merchandise that relates to the customers they cater to. It is, after all, in the mix, as a retail savvy man, such as Adora founder Eman Pineda would say.

Prestige label

The boutique department store carries prestige labels such as clothes from Narciso Rodriguez, Etro, Missoni, Givenchy, Jil Sander and D&G, and accessories from Marni, Lanvin and H. Stern. As well as accessible brands, called ?bridge,? which include Jaspal, Harlan+Holden and Tyler.

Among others, unique semiprecious bibs designed by Bea Valdes and a house brand of fashion and home accessories called Artisan can also be found within its walls.

The men?s department is not to be overlooked as well, as its selection is also meticulously edited and well curated. There are Florentino button-down shirts and suits for those who want to be spiffed up and for the laid-back but sleek set, Dr. Denims and again, Tyler are just one step-into-the-store away.

?Each brand, each item, each department has a compelling reason on why it?s in Adora,? says Pineda.

?You might be wondering why there?s just one makeup brand [Becca] in our makeup department. And we?ll say, for us it?s the most important? It?s the only brand in the world that has 30 foundation colors for women.?

Shoe brands

Of their shoe department, which carries Stella Luna, Schutz and Pretty Ballerina, Pineda says, ?Those relate to each other. Schutz, which is earthly, has a different look from Stella Luna?s very sexy appeal. Then we have Pretty Ballerina for flats. Before anything is brought in, we?re always analyzing if it fits in Adora for our customers in mind.?

The store is also the first to introduce the premium luggage line Rimowa, which jet setters swear by for its design and functionality.

?Those who do travel can?t live without a Rimowa. It?s the lightest in the world and it?s so easy to use.?

As a lot of consumers have fallen into the trap of fast-fashion, of putting quantity over quality, Adora educates consumers by reminding them that while best is relative, ?value is universal.? It is the one-stop shop to satisfy one?s yearning for something of quality while getting his or her money?s worth as the store puts a premium on value-for-money.

It is for the ?intelligent shopper? who has the panache to mix, say a designer ?it? bag with a locally made dress or simply pull off a look that is elegant and timeless without settling for inferior quality.

?The things that we offer are pieces that can last long, and that can be styled in your own way.?

Adora?s tag line, ?a world of everyday wonders,? is manifested in every department, whether home, beauty, travel or fashion. Every nook and cranny emanates an Old World appeal akin to the cities from which Adora?s merchandise comes from. Under one roof, the heart of cities, like New York, Florence, New Delhi, Barcelona and of course, Manila come together harmoniously or simply put in Adora?s page-turner coffee-table book, for ?the art of gathering? to experience ordinary events again and again with a new sense of reality.?