FOR THE FIRST time since Louis Vuitton opened in Manila 22 years ago, the French luxury house’s women’s ready-to-wear collection is being made available to local customers until Dec. 20.

 

Rhea de Vera-Aguirre, general manager of Louis Vuitton Guam, Saipan and the Philippines, said there have been many inquiries for the apparel collection here, but the size of the boutique in Greenbelt 4, Makati, has prevented them from bringing in the merchandise.

 

In fact, she added, the women’s RTW collection is allotted for Guam; she brought it in to test the market’s response. Guam is a popular destination for Japanese tourists.

 

At the press preview this week, walk-in customers snapped up the shift dresses displayed on the racks, from women’s artistic director Nicolas Ghesquiere’s Cruise 2016 collection for the brand. There are also separates from the runway collection.

 

When Louis Vuitton opens in another location, it would carry the men’s RTW, said De Vera-Aguirre. She declined to disclose the target date for the second boutique’s opening. Talk, however, is that the next store will be at Solaire Resorts & Casinos.

 

The Cruise 2016 handbags, shoes and jewelry are now also available, including the mini or nano versions of much-loved classics, like the Alma and Noë, and the new Palm Springs backpack, the latter easily the crowd favorite at the preview.