MCM x RAWROW capsule is ready for take-off

German luxury brand MCM has unveiled a new collaboration with Seoul-based brand RAWROW, featuring two durable and technologically innovative suitcases.

MCM x RAWROW limited-edition luggage

Finished in Mars Gold, an exclusive colourway inspired by MCM’s signature Cognac Visetos, the luggage continues MCM’s futuristic From Munich to Mars campaign.

This limited-edition capsule merges MCM codes with RAWROW’s utilitarian edge.

Available in cabin and check-in sizes, the two aluminium trolleys feature RAWROW’s signature TT Handle, designed to hold other bags. The 360° wheels aim to provide a “silent, smooth, stealthy” roll.

The larger model goes even further with a scale integrated into the handles to check your luggage weight. Both sizes conceal thoughtful touches like a hidden passport pocket, TSA-approved lock and Visetos-covered handle.

Sustainably built using recycled materials, the collection seeks to redefine travel essentials through a futuristic lens. The monochromatic design, black detailing and MCM monogram lining bring understated boldness to every itinerary, MCM said.

Monkey Shoulder keeps on trucking in Mumbai

Monkey Shoulder, the disruptive whisky brand from William Grant & Sons, has debuted its Monkey Mixer Truck at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.

Launched in the departures area on 26 May 2025 for a three-month period, the showstopping pop-up was developed in collaboration with Ospree Duty Free.

Monkey Shoulder's Monkey Mixer Truck at Mumbai Airport

The truck, with its barrel evoking a giant cocktail shaker on wheels, doubles as a DJ platform, complete with a dynamic onboard sound system. Alongside the striking truck installation, Monkey Shoulder brand ambassadors invite visitors to discover why Monkey Shoulder is the perfect spirit for mixing.

Bringing together technology and mixology, an interactive digital cocktail recipe selector helps travellers to explore new drinks to try at home. Meanwhile, a 3D brand video plays on a giant curved screen. As a memorable takeaway, shoppers who purchase two bottles receive a set of six Monkey Shoulder vinyl coasters.

To celebrate the launch, Ospree Duty Free and Monkey Shoulder partnered to create a one-of-a-kind takeover event, featuring a live DJ spinning a Monkey Shoulder playlist to bring festive vibes to the terminal, while shoppers were gifted with branded caps and coasters. Those who purchased a twin pack were treated to a ride to their gate in branded Monkey Shoulder golf carts.

“This is the first time we’re bringing the Monkey Shoulder Mixer Truck to an airport, and it perfectly showcases our commitment to delivering outstanding experiences that drive footfall and shopper engagement,” enthused Rufus Parkinson, Regional Managing Director – Global Travel Retail at William Grant & Sons.

“This milestone was made possible through our trusted collaboration with Ospree Duty Free, and we’re thrilled to bring this unique activation to Mumbai.”

An Ospree Duty Free spokesperson said: “This collaboration with Monkey Shoulder is truly one-of-a-kind, and we’re proud to bring something so fresh and engaging. The DJ set-up, the larger-than-life truck and the whole vibe creates a fun, experiential moment for travellers. At Ospree Duty Free, we’re always looking to create new ways for travellers to pause, engage and take back a unique memory, and this one checks all the boxes."

Rémy Martin partners with Anish Kapoor on decanter mirroring infinite possibilities

Rémy Martin has unveiled a collaboration with internationally renowned contemporary artist Anish Kapoor: a limited-edition Rémy Martin XO Cognac decanter and an exclusive artwork.

Both were showcased at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, at an event in May attended by Kapoor and Rémy Martin CEO Jean-Philippe Hecquet.

Rémy Martin XO x Anish Kapoor Limited Edition

The new decanter and artwork represent a distinctive visionary and sensorial exploration of colour, form and space, reflecting Kapoor's signature style.

The proposition of an artistic collaboration around the Rémy Martin XO decanter immediately struck a personal chord with Kapoor. “There was a sense from the beginning of this project with Rémy Martin that it refers to my history. My father used to drink it when I was a boy in India, and I carried that with me.”

“Rémy Martin XO perfectly embodies the heritage and savoir-faire of the maison,” noted Hecquet. “It is the ultimate expression of our terroir, offering an exceptionally smooth, full-bodied blend of eaux-de-vie from Grande and Petite Champagne that gradually releases a wealth of harmonious aromas. Its opulent radiance paired with the timeless design of its magnificent decanter has inspired Anish Kapoor, whose creation now becomes a part of our brand’s enduring legacy.”

The travel retail roll-out is being supported by a series of high-profile, immersive activations that invite travellers to embark on a sensory journey into the universe of Rémy Martin XO, reimagined through the creativity of one of the world’s greatest living sculptors.

The activations began in May at West Kowloon High Speed Rail Link station, in partnership with Avolta, and in Hong Kong International Airport, in collaboration with China Duty Free Group. Further activations follow this summer, in London Heathrow, Abu Dhabi Zayed International and Paris Charles de Gaulle, among other locations.

The activation site at West Kowloon High Speed Rail Link station

Reflecting Kapoor’s artwork – and the new decanter design – the activations feature a three-step Mirroring Infinite Possibilities theme. Through digital gamification, the Reflecting Memories activity invites shoppers to draw on memories associated with Rémy Martin, resulting in a cocktail recipe that is tailored to their recollections.

The Interlocking Lights and Colours glorifier encourages travellers to observe the different shades of Rémy Martin XO eaux-de-vie as it interacts with light from different angles. The third step, Mirroring Infinite Possibilities, provides a concave mirror experience inspired by Kapoor’s iconic concave mirror installation. The journey concludes with tastings and food pairings.

Kapoor has reimagined the Rémy Martin XO decanter as a minimalist curve with a concave centre in glowing amber tones. Featuring a new copper bottle neck and stopper, this collectible limited-edition decanter “unlocks an alternative Rémy Martin universe, like a magnetic portal to another world”, Rémy Martin said.

Kapoor's artwork for Rémy Martin sits within his body of painted mirror works. The concave surface of the vast mirror immerses viewers in its “dense yet ethereal” tones inspired by all the shades of Rémy Martin XO eaux-de-vie.

Kapoor said: “I began to think about a work that would sit alongside the Rémy Martin bottle. It has this radiant presence, it shows through. The colour is the most direct way of getting into it. I wanted to translate these reflections.”

As you move around the work, the colours change and endless rays of reflections come to light: “I had to search for this colour,” the artist explained, “because it’s a liquid and as the light changes, it changes – and the concave mirror captures its reflective qualities."

Sung-Joo Kim honoured with Knight award in Italy

Mrs Sung-Joo Kim, Chairperson of MCM Group, has been awarded the prestigious Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy at the residence of H.E. Ambassador Emilia Gatto, the Italian Ambassador to Korea.

Sung-Joo Kim is awarded the Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy

The honour recognises Mrs Kim’s outstanding contributions to strengthening cultural and economic ties between Italy and Korea, particularly through her leadership in the global fashion industry.

The ceremony, held on 5 June, was attended by distinguished guests, including diplomats, colleagues and members of her family.​

Sung-Joo Kim speaks at the World Department Store Summit VIP Dinner in Seoul

In other news, Sung-Joo Kim joined the World Department Store Summit (WDSS) VIP Dinner held at the historic Samcheonggak cultural centre in Seoul on 10 June.

The evening brought together top global retail leaders, influential executives and industry pioneers from around the world.

As Chairperson of MCM Group, Mrs Kim engaged in meaningful conversations with key partners and thought leaders shaping the future of global retail.

The event, set against the serene backdrop of Korean traditional architecture, highlighted the spirit of collaboration and innovation at the heart of WDSS 2025.

Bowmore and Aston Martin unveil 'spun gold' whisky

Bowmore Scotch whisky and Aston Martin have introduced the second, and final, release in their groundbreaking ARC Series.

The striking Bowmore ARC-54 creation unites a rare 54yo whisky from Bowmore distillery with a distinctive hand-blown decanter inspired by the cutting-edge design of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar.

Distilled in November 1968, this rare whisky is the culmination of 54 years of maturation, latterly spent in a second-fill European oak sherry butt and third-fill American oak hogshead. Inspired by the Golden Ratio, the 61.8% European oak aged spirit and 38.2% American oak aged spirit are finally unified for 15 months. The liquid looks like "spun gold", according to the tasting notes.

Bowmore ARC-54

Each hand-blown decanter takes inspiration from the F1-inspired aerodynamic exterior of the Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar, including the full-length Venturi tunnels that contribute to around 1,100 kilograms of downforce, and the natural fluid forms of the terroir of Islay in Scotland.

Inspired by the design direction and principles of an Aston Martin, Bowmore ARC-54 is sculpted with precision, creating a striking sense of flow in its lines and styling. The shape is defined by these fluid aerodynamics and showcases the shared philosophy through the diffuser-inspired glass sculpture to enhance the flowing reflections of the whisky.

As befits its ultra-exclusive positioning, only 130 decanters of Bowmore ARC-54 (44.3%abv) are available globally. Underlining the importance of the channel to the Suntory Global Spirits portfolio, an allocation of 20 has been set aside for selected key travel retail partners, starting with Dubai Duty Free in May.

The past year has marked a milestone for Bowmore in global travel retail, underpinned by the reveal of a new brand world and visual identity. This transformational style was introduced through the Bowmore Appellations Collection travel retail exclusive whisky range, which made its debut in October 2024.

A pinnacle of craftsmanship

“Bowmore ARC-54 represents a pinnacle of craftsmanship, and we are thrilled to present this extraordinary release to discerning travellers in select locations through our valued travel retail partners,” said Nandini Valio, Suntory Global Spirits Senior Marketing Director for Global Travel Retail.

“It is absolutely fitting that Bowmore ARC-54 will be highlighted in the travel retail channel, which is a vital global stage for showcasing Bowmore’s prestige portfolio. The Bowmore Appellations Collection was the first chapter in a new story of elevation and premiumisation for the brand. The unveiling of ARC-54 builds on that momentum and further extends our legacy within the world of rare and remarkable whiskies.”

Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin, enthused: “Bowmore ARC-54 continues the cutting-edge, technology-based collaboration between two exceptional brands that are steeped in heritage and tradition. It embodies the innovative thinking that we apply to Valkyrie and Valhalla, our mid-engined sports cars. A truly creative collaboration."

The Balvenie celebrates Golden moments

The newest addition to The Balvenie’s celebrated Cask Finishes Range, The Balvenie 12-Year-Old Golden Cask whisky, is taking centre stage in a series of high-profile activations for 2025 in key locations.

The campaign launched in Seoul Incheon, Hong Kong, Taipei Taoyuan, London Heathrow, Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Capital, Istanbul, Mumbai, Delhi and Dubai airports, and will be rolled out in Singapore Changi, London Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Los Angeles airports.

The Balvenie 12-Year-Old Golden Cask activation at Singapore Changi Airport

Created to highlight the brand’s expertise, each location-tailored experience invites adult travellers to embark on an immersive sensory journey that explores The Balvenie distillery’s signature approach to crafted whisky making with a curated selection of The Balvenie’s portfolio, led by the Cask Finishes range.

A focal point of the campaign was a pop-up designed in collaboration with Lotte Duty Free, live at Singapore Changi Airport earlier this year, located in the prime T3 Departure transit area. The circular design harnessed The Balvenie’s signature honey-toned accents and iconic arches, subtly nodding to the brand heritage. Inside the pop-up, dedicated displays featured the available expressions, with a prominent wall bay position for The Balvenie 12-Year-Old Golden Cask (43%abv).

Other key elements of the experience included an immersive Cask Finishes Flavour Discovery and Tasting area, where visitors could explore how cask finishing influences whisky flavour. Through an interactive deconstruction, this sensorial section demonstrated how different casks shape the whisky’s character. The tasting area, guided by an expert brand ambassador, was enhanced by a chocolate pairing to create a new depth of flavours and textures.

The Door to Distillery touchpoint was a digital installation acting as a virtual gateway to Scotland. This immersive display transported visitors to the distillery, offering an intimate look at the brand’s makers, bringing to life the dedication, artistry and time-honoured techniques that define The Balvenie.

To complete the shopping experience, a central Art of Gifting podium allowed passengers to customise their purchases with personalised Changi-exclusive key chains and luggage tags.

“We are excited to partner with our long-term customers on this new series of activations, presenting The Balvenie’s Cask Finishes range and the newest 12yo addition to travellers globally in an interactive and personalised way,” said Gwilym Cooke, Head of Marketing Global Travel Retail at William Grant & Sons.

MCM "Makes It Miami" in SNIPES collaboration

MCM has partnered with German streetwear retailer SNIPES to create a collection inspired by the lively US city of Miami.

The MCM x SNIPES capsule collection encapsulates Miami's “dynamic energy, stemming from the magical, transformative energy of the water surrounding the city”, MCM said.

“The collection celebrates creativity, self-expression and community, bringing together two powerhouse brands with a shared passion for innovation,” it added.

DJ Khaled with the MCM x SNIPES leather backpack

Designed to "Make It Miami", this collection reinterprets MCM's heritage with the street-savvy edge of SNIPES. From vibrant colours and bold textures to glittery studs and modern fits, the pieces are described as “fresh, fun and infused with the hip-hop luxury that pervades the city's DNA”.

American DJ and record producer DJ Khaled, SNIPES' Chief Creative Officer, said: “As SNIPES' Chief Creative Officer, I'm focused on bringing iconic collabs to the people – and this one with MCM really shows up and shows out.”

Featuring apparel, leather goods and accessories, the collection includes shirts, shorts, hoodies and various bags following a neon colour palette of black, white, flamingo pink and turquoise. The most notable piece is a sleek bag made from elegant white leather in upcycled Visetos.

The collection was celebrated at a launch party in Miami on 9 May.