MCM opens art gallery in culture hotspot Seoul

In its latest cultural move, MCM has announced a new exhibition space for contemporary art in Korea. The German luxury brand has partnered with Berlin-based art gallery Koenig Galerie to open a new art space in the Korean capital in April 2021. It is the German gallery’s debut in Korea. 

MCM and Koenig Galerie have co-operated for several years, most recently with Koenig Tokio, a gallery space that was located in MCM’s flagship store in Tokyo until the end of 2020. The collaboration continues with Koenig Seoul, opening a new chapter this spring in the MCM Haus flagship store in Seoul’s trendy Gangnam neighbourhood. 

Koenig Seoul will occupy the building’s fifth floor as well as a spacious rooftop terrace that will be transformed into a sculpture garden. (Several years ago, MJ Rabbit was lucky enough to enjoy a concert by K-pop star Rain on this very terrace, which boasts expansive views of the vibrant city.)

Soo Choi, a Seoul-based gallerist with 15 years of experience in the international art market, will serve as managing director. 

Instagram collage: Katharina Grosse, Erwin Wurm, Anselm Reyle, Claudia Comte, Monica Bonvicini, Mona Ardeleanu, Conny Maier, Friedrich Kunath, Alicja Kwade

Koenig has been involved in Korea's art scene for years as a participant of the Art Busan and KIAF art fairs. The new space will provide Koenig with a platform to further strengthen its engagement with the region’s cultural institutions, collectors and public audiences. 

Gallery owners Lena and Johann Koenig said: “Our partnership with MCM is a fundamental step to help us build the perfect bridge between Germany and Korea. Koenig and MCM are both rooted in their German origin, but we committed ourselves to actively establish our brands out in the world. Korea has a strong position in the art market, so we are excited to be presenting our programme to the Korean audience.” 

Dirk Schoenberger, Global Creative Officer at MCM, voiced his delight at the opening. “I am very happy that with the opening of the Koenig Galerie in our Seoul flagship store, we continue a successful collaboration between MCM and Johann and Lena Koenig. Beyond my strong personal interest in art, this confirms MCM as a collaborative brand that seeks to partner with other artistic voices and starting conversations between art and fashion. MCM Haus in Seoul will be increasingly a cultural, collaborative space."

Koenig Seoul will open with a group exhibition featuring exciting and emotion-driven works by Katharina Grosse, Norbert Bisky, Friedrich Kunath, Alicja Kwade, Anselm Reyle, Helen Marten and Sarah Morris. Subsequently, Koenig Seoul will present exhibitions with internationally established artists such as Jorinde Voigt, Jeppe Hein, Camille Henrot and Claudia Comte as well as up-and-coming talents such as Trey Abdella and Conny Maier. Koenig Seoul’s inaugural exhibition runs from April 3 to May 2, 2021 at MCM Haus, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea.

Koenig Galerie is based in Berlin where it resides in spacious brutalist St Agnes church built in the 1960s. Founded in 2002, the gallery represents more than 40 emerging and established artists. The contemporary artworks focus on interdisciplinary and concept-oriented art by a younger generation and many female artists. Artists from the gallery’s roster regularly show their work in renowned institutions worldwide and participate at prestigious group exhibitions, such as the Documenta or the Venice Biennale. 

Koenig Seoul is the third branch of Koenig Galerie, following the opening of Koenig London in the UK capital’s Marylebone district in 2017. For details, see www.koeniggalerie.com.

MCM is expanding apace and is now distributed online and in 650 stores worldwide, including Munich, Berlin, Zurich, London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo and the Middle East. See www.mcmworldwide.com.

Lanson and Terlato Wine Group ink US deal

Champagne Lanson, one of Champagne’s oldest and most respected houses, and Terlato Wine Group, a luxury wine importer in the US market, have announced an exclusive sales and marketing agreement, effective April 1, 2021. 

Commenting on the agreement, Champagne Lanson President François Van Aal said: “Champagne Lanson and Terlato Wines are two family-owned companies sharing common values about wine quality and constant search for excellence. We are extremely pleased to sign this partnership with Terlato Wines, a well-established and renowned luxury wine importer in the US market. This long-term partnership reflects Champagne Lanson’s ambitions in the biggest Champagne market worldwide and represents a key milestone in the new brand vision.” 

Lanson Head of Travel Retail Edouard de Boissieu said the additional brand awareness Terlato would create for Champagne Lanson across the US domestic market was “sure to have a very positive knock-on effect for us in developing our duty free business in the region. It is very good news for us indeed." 

In US travel retail/duty free, Champagne Lanson is distributed via the Dufry network and onboard American Airlines.

Terlato Wine Group markets and produces wines, artisanal spirits, non-alcoholic beverages and water. Terlato Wines International is a leading fine wine importer and vintner that represents a diverse selection of global beverage brands and is a leading fine wine marketer in the US.

Commenting on the new partnership, CEO Bill Terlato said: “My father and grandfather instilled in us that we should work with integrity and focus on quality, that will always endure. We are particular about the brands and families we choose to align ourselves with. The philosophy of Champagne Lanson is deeply rooted in putting quality at the forefront and by developing sincere and lasting relationships. Both of our companies share similar values and beliefs and we are looking forward to a very long and successful partnership together.”

Founded in 1760, Champagne Lanson relies on four pillars: a meticulous attention to selecting the crus; a traditional vinification method with predominantly non-malolactic fermentation; a rich collection of reserve wines, dating back to 1998; and extended maturation in its cellars. 

Lanson is the first Champagne house to have created a collective to support its partner growers with the transition to sustainable viticulture. Lanson’s renowned Green Label is farmed exclusively according to the principles of organic and biodynamic agriculture. Today, winemaker Hervé Dantan carefully crafts elegant wines characterised by freshness and vitality.

Nature inspires Guadalajara Airport redesign

Mexican airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico (GAP) is aiming to create the best airport in Mexico at its home base in Guadalajara and plans to invest $504m before 2026 in Guadalajara Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla International Airport.

The plan includes an additional runway and new terminal building as well as a radical $302m redesign of the commercial space in the existing building.

London-based retail architecture and design practice The Design Solution has been appointed to deliver the redesign, working alongside the project’s commercial consultants, Pragma Consulting. The new space is due to open on a phased basis over the next two years and will open fully in 2023.

The objective of the visionary redesign (above) is to inject vibrancy. Passengers are drawn towards the airside heart of the terminal, a revitalised area overlooking the apron, surrounded by a dynamic mix of retail, bars, restaurants and pop-up sites.

Graeme Johns, Director of The Design Solution, said: “Mexico is so rich in history, culture, craft and unique landscapes, so finding a special feature to tie the designs together was not difficult. Guadalajara is the heart of tequila and we were inspired by the shape of the harvested agave plant used in the production of this iconic spirit, which is also one of the fastest-growing categories in travel retail. Its unique form is evident throughout the decoration of the terminal, such as the decorative lighting grilles featured in the main walkways and in the food and beverage area.”

He added: “These new designs will create a world class facility and passenger experience fitting for GAP’s ambitions to transform Guadalajara International Airport and to maximise its commercial potential.”

Raul Revuelta, Chief Executive Officer of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, said: “In the core airside commercial area, we currently have 5,700sq m and that will increase to 7,250sq m. The pandemic inevitably means the implementation of our ambitious plans will likely take longer than originally hoped, but we look forward to a phased approach to achieving this vision.”

A signature feature of the terminal will be a flat roof canopy with an external garden terrace, surrounding an agave-inspired architectural shade pod, offering casual seating, planting and a distinctive eating and drinking destination. The ambience of this garden has also inspired the character of the indoor food and beverage zone and is further reflected in the outside feel that is brought inside to the gate seating areas. Trees will complement the minimalistic concrete benches with low-level under-lighting, combining to create a light, contemporary and natural landscape look and feel. The exterior aesthetic is enhanced with the application of resin-bound aggregate floor finishes and warm natural materials.

A large rotunda space after the walk-through duty-free store will enable passengers to pause and orientate themselves. A large aura formation of pendant lights, made from Peltra, a Mexican porcelain enamel, designed by local contemporary design agency Bandido Studio in Puebla, is suspended within the space, creating a striking statement with a strong sense of place.

Beside agave cultivation, tequila and mezcal production, Guadalajara is home to Mexico’s thriving software industry, known as Mexico’s Silicon Valley. The airport is the country’s third-largest airport, handling almost 15m passengers in 2019. The new development will boost annual capacity to 30m passengers. Pre-pandemic passenger growth was double-digit.

Introducing Porsche Design’s essential SS21 collection

Precision meets technological innovation in Porsche Design’s SS21 eyewear collection, as the German brand aims to optimise the function, reduce the shape to the essential and overcome the familiar in order to develop the best new solution.

The new Iconic P’8924 model, pictured below, is limited to 911 copies - harking back to the Porsche 911 supercar - and was “created for immortality, designed from a single layout of the line”, the brand said. The idea was to create a design that looked like a continuous line drawn by hand. The straight line on the outside made of titanium contrasts with the distinctive, round lens shape of the frame, which creates one unit and lends the frame its futuristic design. The individual elements of the spectacles undergo a complex process.

Heritage meets modernity

Inspired by the Iconic P‘8478, Porsche Design picks up on a style element that is deeply rooted in the brand history: Hooks. The brand transforms the distinctive lens fittings into the modern age and revives this design element with two new models - P’8919 and P’8920 - in an edgy and technoid look. Through the interaction of various levels, a futuristic design is created, which seeks to guarantee lightness and flexibility thanks to the thinly manufactured stainless steel and ear pieces made from high-performance plastic RXP.

Dynamic design

Inspired by the elegant silhouette of the Porsche 911, three new models P‘8923, P‘8386 and P‘8387 convey a dynamic look and complement the Liquid Titanium range, which also includes the P‘8688. Three-dimensional, perfectly shaped sides create an interplay of light and shade, which characterises the flowing character of this range. The use of pure titanium and precise machining aim to lend the models a pleasant lightness.

The fusion of opposite elements seeks to create something unique. The Fusion concept combines contrasts in shape, material and surface: plastic RXP meets stainless steel, shiny meets matt surfaces, and slim sides meet a striking front. Fusion combines classic shapes, which are highlighted by workmanship and comfort thanks to the lightness of the material. The new models P‘8380 and P‘8698 have a technoid and futuristic look.

Rodenstock looks forward to a bright future

Munich-based eyewear group Rodenstock aims to stay true to its roots of quality, design and detail with its cutting-edge Spring/Summer 2021 collection, which seeks to set trends and takes inspiration from the 1970s for the visual campaign.

With the Signature line for men and women, Rodenstock is keen to set standards in terms of precision and aesthetics. The high-quality, lightweight titanium frames combine refreshing minimalism with first-class functionality, according to the company. Elements made from the high-performance plastic RXP bring colourful highlights into play and complement the modern look of the Panto spectacles, as well as the frame in the modern, square look.

Rodenstock celebrates a revival of its classics and reinterprets favourites with modern features. Apart from elegant embellishments at the sides and high-quality finishes, modern shapes create a distinctive look. The Starlet butterfly sunglasses pay tribute to the Hollywood glamour of the 1950s. They have a two-tone look with a spectacular frame made of high-performance plastic RXP and stainless steel. 

In memory of the style icon Audrey Hepburn, Fine Lady focuses on transparent, Italian acetate with a refined colour gradient in pastel shades.

For everyone who is young at heart, the Young Line offers two trendy, casual styles in the new collection. For fashionistas, Rodenstock presents a frame made of high-quality acetate with the Love Acetate line, which is available in two trendy spring colours. For men, there are two frames made of stainless steel and aluminium in the Heavy Metal line, which have a minimalist design.

Petra Eckhardt-Koestler, Rodenstock Director Global Retail Eyewear, says: “This is exciting news and comes at the perfect time as our brands begin to recover from the difficulties of this year. Despite the challenges, we remain positive about the future and the power of the sunglasses sector in the travel retail market. As shoppers begin to return, they are going to be looking for exciting and luxury product and we have a number of stylish and innovative releases planned to inspire travellers in 2021. First among these will be our phenomenal new collection for the first quarter of 2021.

“Sunglasses shopping is at the heart of the travel experience and we are ready to be at the heart of the recovery.”

Springing into action with MCM

German luxury brand MCM has unveiled its Spring/Summer 21 collection centred on the enticing theme Techno Jungle.  

The new collection continues the brand’s virtual journey, from lush Arcadian landscapes to far-reaching tundras. “Natural elements merge with the virtual to forge a utopia where fantasy and reality coexist,” says MCM. (Can MJ Rabbit come too?)

MCM’s letters, styled in a tech font, overlay the classic Visetos monogram. The graphic elements combine the hues of sky, land and sea. 

“Tech flowers bloom with a new spirit of spring, and through this digital conversion, we're reminded of nature's irreplaceable beauty,” MCM enthuses. 

Dirk Schönberger, MCM's Global Creative Officer, explains: “We wanted to create a collection which celebrates our heritage as well as the stories we share from one generation to the next.”

Credits for the SS21 collection are as follows: CGI lead artist: Manuel Carvalho; Lead photographer: Mathilde Agius; BTS photographer: Julien Tell; BTS videographer: Stini Röhrs; Stylist: Marc Goehring; Talent: Aria Lilith, Désiré Mia, Yuuki Tang, Aselia Toktorova, Deborah Doeson; Music: Hye Jin Park.

With my best wishes for 2021

Without hope, we lose everything. 

Remember the words of Martin Luther King: 

If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream. 

Be positive.