MCM wows Tokyo with nine-storey flagship

German luxury brand MCM is celebrating its newest, largest and most spectacular flagship store yet in Tokyo, Japan. This interactive space, called GINZA HAUS I in honour of its five-star location in the city's high-end Ginza shopping district, spans nine floors - complete with a VIP lounge, cafe and performance space.

“1976 BERLIN pioneered the journey, and GINZA HAUS I continues its efforts to establish creative hubs around the world,” said MCM’s Chief Visionary Officer Sung-Joo Kim, who was present at this historic milestone in the company's 43-year history, along with other VIPs and fashionistas.

The pictures below are worth a thousand words:

MCM's iconic backpacks inside the new GINZA HAUS I flagship

The VIP lounge

At the hi-tech launch event with CGI influencer Noonoouri

Fluoro fashion at MCM

MCM GINZA HAUS I in Tokyo

Inside MCM's huge Tokyo flagship

At the opening party

Bacardi tops reputable company chart in 2019

Family-owned Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held spirits company, has been named among the most reputable companies in the world, as part of the annual Global RepTrak 100 list compiled by the Reputation Institute (RI) and published in Forbes. 

Ranked at 87, Bacardi climbed two spots and has made the annual global list seven consecutive times. 

Based on more than 230,000 individual ratings collected in the first quarter of 2019, the annual survey is the largest corporate reputation study of its kind, and provides comparative rankings, demographic trends, and unique insights into the dynamics behind reputational impact. 

The global study shows what drives trust including ethical behaviour, fairness, product value and transparency while identifying behaviours including intent to purchase a company’s products, willingness to invest in, or even work for, the company.

“Consumers are at the heart of everything we do at Bacardi as we are all about bringing people together, in real life, to celebrate moments that matter. It is rewarding to know that once again, consumers recognise us for being a good corporate citizen,” said Mahesh Madhavan, CEO, Bacardi Limited.

“I raise my glass to our talented teams across the world, as they are the driving force behind the positive impact on the communities in which we operate.”

Campari spritzes the Americas with Aperol

Campari's travel retail team has big ambitions for the Americas region with its fashionable aperitif brand Aperol.

“Aperol is a key strategic focus for the Americas and we are growing distribution fast, right across South America and the US, with several marketing activations in key airports, as well as border stores and on cruise ships," said Diego Lord, Regional Director Americas, Campari Global Travel Retail. 

“We are building on the continued global growth and appetite for Aperol. This iconic Italian brand also resonates with several consumer trends, especially the desire for great tasting lower alcohol drinks, as well as the aperitif moment and weekend brunch to share and enjoy with friends.” 

A recent Aperol bar installation at Atlanta Airport

Speaking about the potential for the brand in the cruise sector, he continued: “In the cruise market, for example, Aperol works at the pool, in the bar, for welcoming cocktails and in the destination Italian restaurants that are a feature of most cruise ships. Aperol therefore creates opportunities for our retail customers to increase sales by recruiting new younger consumers, both men and women, looking for drinks to suit a wide range of occasions.”

Whisky is also a key focus for the company in the Americas, as Charles Roullet, Marketing Director Global Travel Retail, explained: “We are partnering with retailers to expand distribution for Glen Grant Single Malt Scotch Whisky to keep pace with growing consumer demand and bring new news to the category. As more people discover its delicate and elegant nature and the overall accessibility of the multi-award-winning Glen Grant 10yo – voted Best Single Malt for the last six consecutive years in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible Awards – they are motivated to come back and explore the rest of the prestigious range,” he said. 

MCM brings Angelino flair to Rodeo Drive

German luxury brand MCM has opened its first global flagship store in Los Angeles. The new 4,427sq ft store is located on Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills.

The two-storey polished brass façade, designed by Kenneth Park, derives from the signature studs and gems on MCM merchandise, aiming to bring flair to Rodeo Drive while still using the brand's heritage in a luxurious Angelino style. This design element is highlighted by the brass facets on the upper portion of the storefront, mirroring the classic design of the MCM logo plate. Flanking the façade on either side are large LED displays with dynamic ever-changing imagery.

MCM's flagship store in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles

"MCM Beverly Hills global flagship location brings the brand's luxury German heritage, innovative design, thoughtful architecture and cutting-edge technology to one of the most iconic shopping destinations in the world, Rodeo Drive," said Patrick Valeo, President, MCM, the Americas. "We are so excited to be on Rodeo Drive as we continue our aggressive US expansion. This is our fifth location in California alone."

DJ booth and bar in VIP event space

Inside, the brand has integrated technology with an interactive photobooth by Hypno. Bringing a new meaning to "Instagrammable moment", the brand has incorporated an oversized custom MCM Visetos bear into the photobooth frame, giving customers the option of uploading their photo to their own Instagram account at that moment. 

In addition, a glass mosaic handcrafted in Italy that mimicks the brand’s logo is featured on the wall by the main staircase. In keeping with the brand's dedication to music, and its role in hip-hop culture, a DJ booth and bar are located on the second floor, creating a vintage feel to a secluded VIP event space. 

The Rodeo Drive store will carry exclusive products, including an MCM Visetos Vespa, Visetos ping pong rackets and branded balls, a Visetos chess set, and MCM/Rodeo Drive belt bags, backpacks, T-shirts, polos and sweatshirts.

This is MCM's 17th store in the US. The German brand operates more than 650 stores worldwide with locations in over 40 countries.

The Glenlivet marks Dubai Duty Free milestone

French liquor group Pernod Ricard has introduced an “incredibly rare” The Glenlivet Dubai Duty Free 35th Anniversary edition whisky, to mark the leading travel retailer’s 35th birthday. Only 35 bottles have been made. 

This rich and characterful single malt Scotch, retailing at $10,000 per bottle, is exclusive to travellers visiting Dubai Duty Free stores.

The Glenlivet Dubai Duty Free 35th Anniversary edition whisky

This rare and luxurious bottling was matured in a hand-selected cask for over 35 years, carefully chosen for its rich character. The resulting liquid boasts complex layers of flavour, aroma, colour and texture, supported by The Glenlivet’s signature distillery character.

The unhurried maturation has produced a beautifully balanced whisky, teasing ripe sweet peach, pear and strawberry jam notes on the nose before gracing the palate with notes of luscious tropical sweet kiwi, honey dew melon and a hint of cinnamon with ginger biscuits. A long, sweet lingering finish with a touch of spice leaves a lasting taste experience, the company said.

Just 35 bottles of The Glenlivet Dubai Duty Free 35th Anniversary edition whisky are available to purchase now, exclusively from Dubai Duty Free.

MCM celebrates first experience store in Berlin

MCM has opened its first experiential store in Berlin, Germany’s capital of cool, which unites the forces of contemporary art, culture and fashion.

Opened in February, the 1976 BERLIN store name refers to the year of the brand’s creation and aims to present a conceptual retail experience for creative engagement. The German luxury brand seeks to provide a space to elevate and celebrate the diversity of modern Berlin.

MCM’s Global Creative Officer Dirk Schoenberger collaborated with David Mallon, c/o Souvenir Service, to create MCM’s first 1976 store in Berlin’s Mitte district. Located on Torstrasse, in a former garage, the store references an art gallery space while keeping hints of the former working environment. Think shattered car windscreens, laid on their side.

MCM's Global Creative Officer Dirk Schoenberger with DJ Dixon and David Mallon

“I want this store to be very different from a regular retail store,” the super-talented Schoenberger tells MJ Rabbit. “I want the space to change all the time. We’ve started with MCM’s Cognac Visetos heritage collection, and over the next few weeks, we’ll change it to black, then colours, then nylon.“

Through the use of raw materials and a minimalistic, industrial store design, the focus is on product luxury and details. Large stones on plinths are paired with stainless steel product displays. Mirrors conjure an industrial look, while coloured carpet details and lush greenery bring touches of natural texture. Playful hints of signal red, mustard yellow and tech orange enliven the space with custom furniture and a bespoke light installation by Bocci, the iconic lighting brand.

Iconic Bocci lighting illuminates MCM's 1976 BERLIN store

“We wanted to design a space which invites creatives into the world of MCM. 1976 BERLIN goes along with my idea to evolve the brand with its strong heritage. Customers today are looking for deeper authenticity in the brands they seek, and I believe this culture approach to a retail concept will convey the energy and attitude of MCM to the next generation of consumers,” says Schoenberger.

The product selection presents a range from MCM’s heritage line, classics and latest releases to special product designs from former and current collaborations. It includes larger leather goods such as backpacks, accessories, ready-to-wear as well as shoes.

Further experiential spaces are planned for MCM’s key cities, including in Tokyo’s Ginza district, which will open in Spring of this year.

The opening night of 1976 BERLIN was musically engineered by the Berlin-based label Innvervisions under art direction by Ana Ofak. After a sound installation by Dixon & Âme, the visual artist Nina Kurtela performed her award-winning piece, 365 routines. Centred on the body on the move, Kurtela’s work mirrors the speed and mobility of today’s nomadic generation. Chloe Caillet played her signature DJ set, inviting the guests to remain “mobile and curious”.

Martell’s artful Chinese New Year strategy

Martell is inviting travellers to celebrate Chinese New Year 2019 by taking part in an exclusive travel retail virtual reality experience designed to let imaginations run free. Marking the launch of Martell Cordon Bleu Limited Edition, the Be The Artist campaign allows those taking part to create personalised art and messages on digital greetings cards.

Martell's travel retail virtual reality experience

The bottle and box design for Martell Cordon Bleu Limited Edition was specially created in collaboration with French artist Mathilde de l'Ecotais, whose design aims to reflect the spirit of Martell. Bringing the gift-giving experience to life, exciting virtual reality activations across various airports allow consumers to draw inspiration from the limited-edition bottle to design their own personalised digital gift cards and share these with loved ones for the gifting season.

Those passing through Sydney, Hong Kong, Taipei, Beijing, Shanghai and Paris can access the full virtual reality showcase. Transported to the artist’s unique studio in France, the immersive experience sees participants use a digital paintbrush and palette to create personalised patterns and messages around the life-size limited-edition bottle. 

Taking inspiration from the artist’s own cyanotype bottle design, the VR touch controllers present participants with a variety of colours to express themselves with. While the player is immersed in virtual reality, their experience is also broadcast to other passing travellers via large screens. Upon completion, each work of art is automatically be emailed to their creators. Alternatively, the digital greeting card can be published on social media channels or shared with friends and family to celebrate Chinese New Year.

Those purchasing the limited-edition bottle in domestic markets can also get involved by scanning the on-pack QR code. This transports them to the Be The Artist app, allowing them to create their own masterpieces.

The Martell Cordon Bleu Limited Edition virtual reality and digital experiences will run until the end of February. Martell Cordon Bleu Limited Edition (1 litre) is available in global travel retail, Asia, US and the Pacific now. In parity with Martell Cordon Bleu standard, the retail price is $229.