Luxury retailer Stores Specialist Inc. found 11.11.11 to be an auspicious day to mark the relaunch of Gucci’s newly renovated outpost in Greenbelt 4, Makati City.
With a heavy downpour looming outside—rain considered a sign of good luck—SSI’s executive vice president Anton Huang welcomed guests to a cocktail reception at the reopened boutique. On his side were Gucci principals from Singapore led by Mimi Tang. She and her team—William Yoon, Terry Ong and Sebastian Tan—flew in from the Lion City especially for the event.
The Greenbelt boutique follows the “Frida 1” style, the concept created by Gucci creative director Frida Giannini in 2008 as template for all the brand’s shops worldwide. It was the first major store renovation since the shop opened in 2003.
Frida 1 underscores Art Deco elegance in the form of smoked glass and mirrors, dark rosewood and marble. The polished gold accents add richness to the interiors.
The shop opens to an accessories showcase for the brand’s 1921 collection; Gucci was founded in 1921. To the right are the classic Gucci favorites, like the Lovely purses. Further back is the men’s collection.
On the left far end are racks of the women’s FW 2011-12 ready to wear, with select pieces from the Cruise 2012 collection. A wall adjacent to it is devoted to eyewear.
Just as it started to drizzle, guests like actress Heart Evangelista, and “It” girls Solenn Heussaff and Isabelle Daza were led on a candlelit path from Gucci toward nearby Sala, decked out for the evening to resemble the interiors of the boutique. Mirrored panels covered one entire wall, beneath which was an ersatz stage.
Live acoustics musicians provided entertainment, while the guests enjoyed the five-course meal prepared by Sala chef-owner Colin Mackay.
Gucci is one of the strongest brands under SSI’s luxury portfolio. Apart from an outlet in Rustan’s Makati, a new store is also in the offing.
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