by Yanni Tan
1. LV The Place Bangkok
Travellers heading for the Thai capital should not miss an afternoon at Louis Vuitton’s new destination concept at Gaysorn Amarin, right in the heart of the popular Pathum Wan district. Featuring an immersive exhibition, cafe, retail store, and a restaurant helmed by celebrity Indian chef Gaggan Anand, this double-storey experiential space establishes a new blueprint for more such projects to come.
On the ground floor is Visionary Journeys, a new exhibition that explores the maison’s heritage through a scenography created by renowned architectural firm OMA, featuring thematic rooms that showcase the maison’s trunks, founding family, iconic bags and artistic collaborations. After taking a break at the botanical-inspired Le Cafe or the store retailing boutique-exclusive outfits and sneakers, spend the evening at the stylish 10-table fine-dining restaurant where a seasonal LV-branded menu is set to delight.
2. AP House Milano
The 20th location of Audemars Piguet’s hybrid home-meets-club concept has opened on the prestigious Via Bagutta. Spanning five storeys, this experiential retail space boasts a modern design that fuses Milanese heritage and architecture with the brand’s aesthetic codes.
It is also situated in the former Garage Traversi, designed by the architect Giuseppe De Min. The garage was entirely renovated in recent years to restore its original aesthetic and sense of place that is so dear to the locals.
Beyond the requisite lounge, this AP House features a watch exhibition complemented by art and design pieces in a futuristic display setting, a servicing floor helmed by watchmakers, and an immersive virtual reality experience named The Clockwork Forest.
Visitors could also dabble at a music station, take a few shots of the stunning interior spiral staircase, and head up to a scenic rooftop with 360-degree views of the skyline to spot famous landmarks, such as the Sforzesco Castle, the green dome of the church San Carlo al Corso, and the highest spire of the Duomo.
3. Tiffany Wonder Tokyo
With a storied legacy dating back to its founding in 1837, Tiffany & Co. boasts such a wealth of jewellery designs and artefacts that there is always something new for one to discover. Its Tiffany Wonder 10-room brand exhibition at the Tokyo Node gallery, which runs until June 23, is an educational journey through nearly 300 masterworks, including never-before-seen objects.
Expect to discover more of the maison’s beginnings in Fifth Avenue and archival objects such as the original Blue Book mail-order catalogue and an early Blue Box. Feast your eyes on Jean Schlumberger’s first Bird on a Rock brooch circa 1965, a rare George Paulding Farnham for Tiffany & Co. orchid brooch, pop culture relics, and artist-led designs inspired by Japanese arts.
And don’t miss the brand’s cornerstone: the 128.54-carat Tiffany Diamond, set in a transformable new creation.
4. Phillips Perpetual Hong Kong
Located on the fifth floor of The Pedder Arcade, a modern retail concept in the city’s Central district, this auction house-run watch boutique is open all year to cater to the connoisseur who’s always on the look-out to buy and sell precious timepieces — in comfort and privacy.
For this launch, a new selection of valuable models from established and independent brands is available for private sale. Some collectable pieces are a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime reference 6300G-010 in white gold with two blue opaline dials, a Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon with a rainbow gemstone setting, and a Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Tourbillon in honey gold, one of an extremely limited edition of 150 pieces launched in 2010.