MCM and Harper Collective launch upcycled luggage

MCM has teamed up with Harper Collective, founded by actor, musician and activist Jaden Smith and entrepreneur Sebastian Manes, to launch a luggage set with enhanced sustainability.

The upcycled sea-plastic collection, which debuted at Milan Fashion Week in February, is inspired by Harper Collective's Ghost collection, named after the abandoned fishing nets used in its materials. 

MCM x Harper Collective luggage

Harper Collective’s hard-shell rolling travel cases are crafted from a blend of 70% recycled ocean plastic, such as fishing nets, and post-consumer plastic, and are produced at an Italian workshop near Milan.

MCM has integrated its own upcycled components into the collection, while Harper Collective has introduced new elements, resulting in lightweight and distinctive luggage pieces. The collection comprises three silhouettes: Cabin, Cabin Expandable (a new development), and a large check-in case.

Notably, the luggage range features MCM’s iconic Cognac Visetos wrapping lightweight aluminium handles and interiors lined with MCM’s signature recycled quilted nylon. Upcycled MCM webbing straps from three different decades complete the interior, and luggage tags are crafted from upcycled Maxi Visetos material.

Each piece is unique due to the upcycled nature of the source material, reflecting Harper Collective's vision of embracing the beauty of imperfection. For both cabin bag models, every item contains 480g of sea plastic and 640g of landfill plastic, while for the 4mm shell of the larger checked bag, that rises to 790g of sea plastic and 1.5kg of landfill plastic.

MCM Chairperson Sung-Joo Kim said: “The MCM brand was founded during a time of innovation, exploration and discovery across culture, travel and technology in Munich, in 1976. This inspired our Smart Luxury philosophy where sustainability is our ultimate goal. As a leading luxury fashion house, it is our responsibility to do things better for our planet and society.”

Every piece includes a blockchain-linked NFC chip provided by Temera, a Beontag company, enabling customers to verify the authenticity and sustainability of their purchases. This Digital Product Passport, facilitated by the Aura Blockchain Consortium’s platform, aims to ensure transparency and trust in the luxury industry.

MCM Digital Product Passport

The collection launches with a CGI (computer-generated imagery) campaign, conceived by Jaden Smith and featuring artwork by Japanese graffiti artist Inagaki.

It is available at MCM flagship stores, the Harper Collective website, and the Harper Collective shop at Selfridges London.

MCM opens new store at Incheon Airport

German luxury brand MCM has opened a new stand-alone boutique at Seoul Incheon Airport. The store is located in Terminal 1 and operated by Hyundai Department Store Duty Free.

MCM's new store at Seoul Incheon Airport

In other travel retail news, China Duty Free Group (CDFG) has won an open tender to operate an MCM boutique at Singapore Changi Airport, according to The Moodie Davitt Report.

Hillary Rodham Clinton to headline TFWA conference

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be the star speaker at this year’s TFWA conference, which will take place in Cannes on 30 September.

Secretary Clinton has spent over five decades in public service as an advocate, attorney, First Lady, US Senator, US Secretary of State and presidential candidate. She will explore the ever-evolving global political landscape and the trends that are impacting the geopolitical environment in which the travel retail industry operates.

Stephen Sackur, broadcaster, journalist and presenter of BBC World’s HARD Talk, will return as the moderator of the conference.

To provide insight into the future of business and travel, NASA astronaut Anousheh Ansari will also address delegates. As the first female private space explorer and CEO of XPrize Foundation, Ansari will unveil strategies for companies to embrace a mindset of exploration and bold innovation, essential for thriving in a constantly changing arena.

And to explore emerging trends and changes in consumption behaviour, delegates will hear from Sam Rad, an anthropologist, futurist, best-selling author and CEO of meta-media studio Radical Next.

TFWA President Erik Juul-Mortensen said: “TFWA has always been dedicated to providing a conference programme that features exceptional speakers that bring the most relevant and valuable perspectives to our delegates. This year’s line-up will truly reflect that commitment, and it is an honour to welcome such a distinguished individual to the stage, in this, our 40th anniversary year.”

Those wishing to attend TFWA World Exhibition (29 September-3 October 2024) can register here: https://www.tfwa.com/tfwa-world-exhibition-conference/book-your-place-100004721

MCM electrifies summer with Honey Dijon

MCM has teamed up with DJ Honey Dijon to release the Honey Dijon Capsule Collection, described as “an electrifying fusion of music and fashion”.

“The capsule was inspired by and co-created with the DJ and fashion favourite whose dynamic beats and style are just the kind of Maverick flavour we love,” said the German luxury brand. “The collection of remixed classic bags and apparel is perfect for the truly global scene maker and game changer.”

MCM x Honey Dijon

MCM added: “Born in Chicago and living between New York and Berlin, Honey Dijon is a global maverick with bold creative energy and vision. She makes moves while making the whole world dance.”

Honey Dijon said of the Summer 2024 collection: “I wanted to create a dissertation on travel and style: the merging of utility, beauty and craftsmanship. Creating a collection infused with legacy pieces, I wanted to resurrect the chic era of travel, seamlessly blending timeless elegance with modern sophistication.”

MCM x Honey Dijon

From bold, vibrant patterns to sleek, cutting-edge designs, each piece in this collection reflects the energy and creativity from which MCM was born and defines Honey Dijon’s music, as well as her fashion sensibility, MCM enthused.

The campaign stars Honey Dijon and was shot by Davit Giorgadze, with stylist Christian Stemmler, hair by Dushan Petrovich and makeup by Mata Marielle.

Prince Albert: first driver of Tesla Cybertruck in Europe

HSH Prince Albert of Monaco unveiled the new Tesla Cybertruck in front of a large crowd in the Place du Casino on 4 June, before becoming the first person to drive Elon Musk’s futuristic electric truck in Europe.

Prince Albert drives the Tesla Cybertruck (Photo © Palais Princier de Monaco/Frederic Nebinger) 

The Cybertruck is making its European car show debut at Top Marques Monaco, where the pick-up will be on display until Thursday evening, 6 June, when it embarks on a tour of Europe.

Tesla France Director Mathieu Lenglin and Top Marques Director Emeric Garcia welcomed the Prince. After a brief tour of the Monaco registration-plated Cybertruck, Prince Albert drove it to the Grimaldi Forum, where the Top Marques show will take place from 5 to 9 June.

MCM kicks off Euro 2024 capsule campaign

German luxury brand MCM has launched an exclusive capsule collection starring footballer Jonathan Tah, as Germany prepares to host the 2024 European Football Championship.

The MCM Euro 2024 Capsule Collection pays tribute to Munich's vibrant energy and MCM's luxury fashion heritage, featuring six pieces that blend luxury with sporting fervour. It includes a Lauretos football uniform-inspired look, and a football-inspired backpack and weekender.

Jonathan Tah stars in MCM's Euro 2024 Capsule Collection campaign

In addition, the collection features six limited-edition bespoke Stark backpacks representing Germany, France, Switzerland, Portugal, Korea and Brazil – the home nations of some of the world's most renowned players. The special-edition backpacks are available only in Europe, while 200 limited-edition MCM footballs make this capsule “beyond unique globally”, according to the brand.

MCM's six limited-edition bespoke Stark backpacks

The accompanying campaign stars German national player Jonathan Tah, a defender for Bundesliga champion Bayer Leverkusen, who “embodies the brand's maverick spirit”.

To engage with fans, MCM will host activations both online and in-store, offering exclusive brand experiences. Prizes will include match tickets to the championship and limited signed merchandise by Tah.

In separate news, MCM has introduced the limited-edition black BE@RBRICK 100% and 400% figurine set featuring the iconic MCM monogram.

William Grant & Sons introduces wild whiskies

Family-owned distiller William Grant & Sons has introduced Wildmoor, a range of high-aged, blended Scotch whiskies.

Described as a tribute to Scotland’s wild elements, Wildmoor “guides us through ancient moorlands, rugged coastlines, dense forests, unspoiled mountain ranges and imposing lochs”, the company said. The collection comprises “big elemental whiskies with flavours unbound by regionality”.

Wildmoor Tropical Coast 30 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky

The range made its travel retail debut in April 2024, with an exclusive presence at Singapore Changi Airport, supported by a high-profile activation space, in partnership with Lotte Duty Free. London Heathrow (with operator Avolta) and a selection of key Asia Pacific airport locations in Thailand (King Power), China (Lagardère and CDFG) and South Korea (Shilla/Shinsegae) follow from May.

The story begins 60 years ago when the William Grant & Sons family began to acquire and curate a vast reserve of rare, high-aged malt and grain whiskies from Scotland’s most remote and famous distilleries. Sourced from every corner of Scotland, these whiskies were selected for their character. This is now considered one of the finest ancient reserves of rare whiskies in the world.

“Just as the features of a wild landscape evolve and deepen with each passing year, the stocks in this reserve have been patiently matured over decades,” the company said. Crafted under world-renowned Master Blender Brian Kinsman, Wildmoor is dubbed “a flavour map of Scotland in a glass”. It delves into new and uncharted flavour territories that go beyond a single house or distillery style.

Three expressions are available in travel retail: Wildmoor Waking Forest – 23 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (travel retail exclusive) in which virgin oak meets sherry oak to enhance the smooth vanilla flavours; Wildmoor Tropical Coast – 30 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky (travel retail exclusive), inspired by the northwestern coastline of Scotland in summer, finished in Caribbean rum cask for a smooth, fruity and sweet whisky with rum spice; and Wildmoor Black Mountain – 40 Year Old Blended Scotch Whisky, the peak of the range, drawing inspiration from the dark mountains of northern Scotland. The latter is “an intense blend of rare grain and Highland malts enhanced by the addition of Ghosted Distillery stock. This is a deep, rich and elegant liquid finished in a Pedro Ximenez cask.”

William Grant & Sons Regional Director Asia Pacific Global Travel Retail Alexander Carroll noted: “Wildmoor invites passengers to ‘Discover a wilderness in every drop’ and explore a new and exciting whisky universe that is sure to appeal to a wide range of consumers.”

The bottle design seeks to encapsulate the Scottish landscape, capturing the rugged, elemental textures and forms.

To achieve the perfect serve, Kinsman advises burnishing the garnish just before serving. Lavender and thyme are recommended to enhance the 23yo, while the 30yo is elevated by wood chips and the 40yo is complemented by sugared orange.