Louis Vuitton’s renovated Kowloon boutique holds a lot more than just handbags
Louis Vuitton Focus
Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton Hong Kong
In Kowloon’s luxury centre, Louis Vuitton’s shimmering copper-fronted store takes pride of place. Its distinctive design sets it apart from other shopfronts on the bustling Canton Road, fresh-faced from its recent renovation. First opened in 1994, the store was given a breath of new life from American architect Peter Marino, who led the three-floor redesign of the store with a new façade and an interior makeover. Aiming not merely to reimagine the store’s aesthetic, but also the shopping experience within, the Canton Road boutique holds many exclusive luxuries, from historical artefacts to limited edition items. We check out what sets this store apart.
Debunk the Trunk
Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton Hong Kong
With an entire floor dedicated to the Art of Travel, the Canton Road store celebrates the spirit of adventure like no other. Famed for hardsided luggage and patented tumbler locks, the Louis Vuitton trunk has an iconic status in history, and the Canton Road personalisation and hotstamping service means you can be a unique part of it. To further showcase the brand's history, four antique trunks are exhibited throughout the store: a canvas cabin trunk from 1901, a 1922 leather mail trunk, a cowhide suitcase from 1925, and a 1923 Moroccan leather case. The latter is adorned with hotel labels from around the world, which Gaston Louis Vuitton revealed in a 1920s lecture was an international code so hotel porters around the globe could determine the worth of the guest.
Exclusive Items
Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton Hong Kong
The Canton Road store is home to some unique and special edition Louis Vuitton items. Celebrating traditional Chinese tea culture, the Necessaire à Thé trunk is a six-person tea set encased in a classic monogrammed canvas Louis Vuitton travel pouch. Other limited-edition Canton Road exclusive items include a reimagined version of the iconic 2013 Capucines handbag featuring the Hong Kong skyline in shimmering hand-painted pearl embroidery, the Capitol Derby black alligator leather shoes, and some special items from the Spring-Summer 2017 ready-to-wear collection, such as the Chapman Brothers animal-print silk shirt and a sequin-embroidered black wool dress.
Design Dreams
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As pioneers in functional but luxurious design, it was important for Louis Vuitton to explore that in their latest store opening. Collaborating with international designers and exploring different styles, customers can view the Objets Nomade collection, including the lounge chair by Marcel Wanders, a cocoon swinging chair by Campana Brothers and a folding stool from Atelier Oi. The store also showcases many contemporary works of art which explore different ideas of travel: from the mixed media sculpture by Mark Hagen to Todd Eberle’s ‘photographic bouquets’, a series which weaves through the women’s floor.
Private Shopping Experience
Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton Hong Kong
The Canton Road store hosts a private room on its second floor for VICs. For customers lucky enough to have the private shopping experience, the room hosts the digital colour print Enjoy the Silence by Richard Moss, a documentary photographer dabbling in conceptual arts. For this exclusive experience, contact the store for more details.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Image courtesy of Louis Vuitton Hong Kong
Giving someone the perfect present is an art form – one that Louis Vuitton have encapsulated in their new “Gifting” collection, which incorporates the brand's savior-faire attitude into irresistibly fanciful treasures. Beautiful, desirable, and utterly unique, you’ll never be stumped over what to get the friend who has everything as this range is being revealed at 5 Canton Road in January.
Louis Vuitton Maison, Shop G005-006, Ground Floor and Level 1; Shop 261-271, Level 2
5 Canton Road, Ocean Centre, Harbour City, Kowloon