Aloha, Maui Jim

As 2013 draws to a close, Mike Dalton, chief operating officer of Maui Jim, one of my favourite brands, reflects on a “robust” year for sales growth at the Hawaii-based supplier of high-end, polarised sunglasses.

MJ Rabbit: How has the Maui Jim brand performed over the past year?

Mike Dalton: Once again Maui Jim has enjoyed robust global growth in all markets. The brand continues to expand both domestically, internationally and in our travel retail channel [led by Giles Marks - Ed].

MJ Rabbit: How has the brand been performing in China? Are you producing exclusive products for this nationality? How are you marketing the brand there?

Mike Dalton: Of course, the Chinese market is of utmost importance. In 2010, we opened our Hong Kong subsidiary to better grow and serve the needs of this unique geography. In addition, we will be opening a second customer service centre in Shanghai later in 2014. Recognising the need for sunwear to fit the characteristics of the Asian consumer, Maui Jim continues to address this with “Universal Fit” styles for all tastes.

Maui Jim's Rainbow Falls model for Winter 2013

MJ Rabbit: What opportunities do you see for the Maui Jim brand in general?

Mike Dalton: Simply put – unlimited.  We are the fastest-growing polarised sunglasses brand in the fastest-growing segment in the sunglasses industry – this puts us in a very formidable position to capitalise on future growth and greater market share.

MJ Rabbit: What challenges does the brand face?

Mike Dalton: Increased competition, especially for the polarised market. Other performance brands are aggressively focusing on polarised. We have invested millions of dollars for 2014 with a new, completely unique marketing campaign to highlight Maui Jim as “Functional Elegant” sunwear.

MJ Rabbit: What have been your personal highlights over the past year?

Mike Dalton: Over 20 years with Maui Jim, and the enormous growth of the organisation, I’m extremely proud that we continue to recognise our essential assets: customer service, great product and, of course, unlimited “Aloha”.

Maui Jim's Canoes style for Winter 2013

Visit www.mauijim.com

MJ Rabbit loves... Luxury London menswear

There’s a buzz around “proper” menswear in London – and even the famous Scotch whisky brand Chivas Regal has caught onto the trend.

Chivas has collaborated with Savile Row tailor Patrick Grant of Norton & Sons on a collectible, limited-edition bottle of Scotch whisky. The “Made for Gentlemen” gift box contains a bottle of Chivas 12yo and showcases four silhouettes featuring a different style accessory associated with modern gentlemen: a tie, a cufflink, a watch and a pocket square.

“The collaboration with Chivas Regal was a natural alliance of artistry and shared vision,” says Patrick Grant. “The tailor’s obsession with mastering complexity in achieving perfect balance in form and finish are values also held dear by the Master Blender of Chivas Regal, Colin Scott. Ultimately, we both strive to give our customers stand-out experiences and luxury goods of lasting value.”

The launch is supported by a new Made for Gentlemen app, which allows fans to create a personalised Facebook cover image, composed of modern and luxurious men’s accessories. An introductory video for the limited edition, featuring Patrick Grant explaining the craftsmanship behind bespoke tailoring and its synergies with Chivas Regal, can also be seen at www.chivas.com/gents.

Chivas "Made for Gentlemen" gift box

Norton & Sons dates back to 1821 – but now there’s a new name in the luxury men’s accessories sector. This newly established brand to watch is called FOGG London, and it’s available only online at www.fogglondon.com.

Tiago Henriques, a 26-year-old entrepreneur from Lisbon, now based in London, co-founded FOGG London with his wife Rita. Seeing a gap in the market for handcrafted men’s accessories, they decided to name the brand after Phileas Fogg, the late Victorian gentleman hero of Jules Verne’s novel “Around The World in Eighty Days”.

“I wanted to start a company making things I like,” Tiago tells me. “I’ve always been known for wearing braces, so men’s accessories seemed a very natural area to move into. I’m also interested in the process of who and how things are made; this is very important. I don’t sell just another tie – I know the history and how the products are made. I want to let the user fall in love with the products we offer and appreciate them as much as we do. A lot of hard work goes into making them.”

FOGG London’s signature braces are made from pinstripe suit material (super 110 weight fabric) with leather trims. A variety of other fabrics and styles are available. The ties are made in Germany at a third-generation family manufacturer, continues Tiago, and are meticulously machine-made from silk or knitted wool. Bow ties are also made in Germany. “We shouldn’t just wear bow ties on a special occasion but as a normal tie,” he says.

The gloriously patterned socks are made in Italy at a family-owned factory from either an 80% cotton/20% nylon blend or cashmere. “The cashmere socks come up to the knee and give you a great feeling throughout the day,” says Tiago.

As an online-only brand, FOGG London harnesses the full force of the internet to communicate its brand story: Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr and Pinterest. A selection of videos showcases the detailed, time-honoured processes used to craft the products.

The arresting lifestyle visuals highlight the products in everyday situations: a businessman is pictured with his son poring over a children’s colouring book, while a tie is juxtaposed with a children’s toy.

Take a look at some FOGG London pictures here:

FOGG London braces

  

FOGG London braces in the atelier

FOGG London bow tie

FOGG London socks - complete with a fox!

Visit www.fogglondon.com

MCM’s artistic triumph in Seoul

Fresh from celebrating the launch of its Autumn/Winter 2013 collection at Art Basel Miami Beach, German heritage brand MCM opened a new cultural concept store combining art and fashion this month in the Gangnam district of Seoul.

The 854 sq ft, three-storey shop, called M:AZIT, is located on the trendy street of Garosugil - Asia’s answer to New York’s SoHo district - where retail rents jumped more than 40% in 2012 thanks to the high demand for space.

M:AZIT is short for two words – M for MCM and Azit meaning an informal artistic salon. The gallery-like space offers luxury accessories, including collections exclusive to M:AZIT, and a display of Korean and international art.

On the first floor shoppers can buy MCM products and fashion; on the second floor the brand heritage is displayed and international art is curated; and on the third floor is an interior-designed space for relaxing. An outside terrace on the first floor features a special photo zone for sharing pictures. The visual merchandising is outstanding (see pictures below).

To celebrate the store opening on December 12, a number of Lucky Bag promotional activities centred on the number 12. Products ranging from $570 to $1,900 were sold at random for $114 (120,000 Korean Won), attracting thousands of eager shoppers. On the opening day, 120 bags were sold from 12pm. From December 13 to December 24 12 bags will be sold in this way.

On the opening day, an auction took place where products signed by K-Pop stars and celebrities were sold. All the auction proceeds went to the charity organisation ‘Compassion’ which helps children in need.

MCM's new M:AZIT store in the Gangnam district of Seoul

Glorifiers and tables are used to display products

Korean and international art lines the walls

The second floor showcases fashion and art

Snowboarder mannequins show off MCM's Beyond Snowdome winter collection

 

Toys in MCM's signature Visetos material add a humorous element

MJ Rabbit loves... Art Basel Miami Beach

Three of my favourite brands have been making waves at this year’s edition of Art Basel Miami Beach – MCM, Davidoff and Porsche Design.

MCM

German luxury brand MCM co-hosted a party at Soho Beach House with Harper's Bazaar to celebrate its Autumn/Winter 2013 Beyond Snowdome accessories collection, created in collaboration with the graphic artist duo Craig & Karl.

VIPs who attended the event included the actress Scout Willis, LA vintage store owner Cameron Silver and socialite/TV personality Tinsley Mortimer.

Cameron Silver, owner of LA vintage store Decades

Scout Willis, actress and daughter of Bruce Willis

DAVIDOFF

As Associate Partner of Art Basel for a second consecutive year, Davidoff operated a VIP hospitality lounge in the Collectors Lounge, complete with a walk-in humidor and a master cigar roller from the Dominican Republic, who demonstrated the art of blending and the art of rolling a Davidoff cigar.

During this year’s event, Oettinger Davidoff AG President & CEO Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard – an avid art collector himself - announced the first Davidoff Limited Art Edition artist, Quisqueya Henríquez, who will create a series of artwork for the inaugural Davidoff Limited Art Edition. These limited-edition cigar boxes will be filled with cigars specially crafted for the limited edition. The Davidoff Limited Art Edition will be unveiled during Art Basel in Hong Kong in May 2014.

In a second announcement, Dominican artist Pascal Meccariello will be the third artist to take part in the Davidoff Art Residency, in Beijing, China, in collaboration with the Red Gate Gallery Residency, from May 1 to June 30, 2014. The Davidoff Art Residency seeks to help emerging and mid-career Dominican and Caribbean artists develop their skills, make connections within global artistic networks, earn exposure for their work, and share their expertise with others.

In addition, the Davidoff Art Initiative is continuing preparations for an international Art Residency programme in La Romana, Dominican Republic, in collaboration with the Altos de Chavón School of Design, the country’s leading institution for art and design education. The Initiative is planning to build new studios for the visiting artists at the school, in preparation for the launch of the residencies, in winter 2015.

In a further announcement, Davidoff has awarded support to two Davidoff Art Grants recipients: ARC Magazine of Saint Vincent & Grenadines and Centro de la Imagen of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

“With the Davidoff Art Grants, we have an opportunity to offer specialised support to cultural institutions in the Dominican Republic, tailored to the needs of each organisation,” said Hoejsgaard. “Davidoff has a role in ensuring the sustainability of these organisations and by extension, the cultural community of the Dominican Republic. This is the core aim of the Davidoff Art Initiative.”

Pascal Meccariello, Hans-Kristian Hoejsgaard and Quisqueya Henriquez

PORSCHE DESIGN

German luxury brand Porsche Design unveiled its art collaboration with Berlin-based pop artist Thierry Noir at Temple House in Miami Beach. The luxury brand created a distinctive installation called “The Heart of Freedom”, revealing a limited-edition collection of Noir’s 200 hand-painted Porsche Design TwinBags.

Thierry Noir took the brand’s signature TwinBag and incorporated his own signature hand-painted heart faces on this collection of 200 handbags. The event was attended by the art and fashion world’s elite.

In honour of Thierry Noir’s life and work, Porsche Design showcased two original pieces from the Berlin Wall, which had been shipped from Berlin for the event. They were exclusively re-painted in Miami by Thierry Noir before the event.

Thierry Noir started to paint the Berlin wall in 1984. As the years went by, his wall paintings were recognised among the international arts community. His works survived the longest of any artist after the wall fell in 1989.

Porsche Design’s Thierry Noir TwinBag will be available to purchase in Porsche Design stores worldwide from January 2014.

Porsche Design's art installation for the Thierry Noir TwinBag

MJ Rabbit loves... Tumi x Jonathan Adler travel bags

“Flamboyant” and “colourful” are the words Tumi’s team use to describe the US travel accessories company’s collaboration with American designer Jonathan Adler, who has long been a favourite of mine.

I adore the Tumi trolley emblazoned with the words “Are we there yet?” and the travel bag that screams “This is mine”. The Blue Chevron Pool range pictured below celebrates Adler's love of colour. 

Enjoy:

Tumi x Jonathan Adler collection

The secret of Tumi's Asia Pacific success

In this interview, I find out more about Tumi’s new creative direction and the US travel accessories company’s expansion strategy across the Asia Pacific region.

Following the appointment of a new creative director, the high-end shoe designer George Esquivel, Tumi is pursuing a more lifestyle-driven path.

Famous across the world for its core Alpha range of ballistic nylon travel bags, the new Santa Monica collection incorporates wonderful design twists, such as light- and dark-coloured leather combined in an innovative way, and crafted leather finishes on the handles. Items in this premium collection retail at between $395 and $800.

Tumi's Santa Monica collection, designed by George Esquivel

Like many other premium brands, sales growth is coming from the Asia Pacific region. Tom Nelson, Tumi’s Hong Kong-based managing director Asia Pacific, tells me: “[Asia] is a growth story for us – it’s quite a success story. We started in the region 15 years ago with Japanese department stores, then moved into Hong Kong and Australia. Over the years we’ve established partnerships with the local domestic market.”

Tumi products have shown a particular appeal to Japanese men and women, continues Nelson, as they seek the best tools for everyday use or for travel. “It’s all about performance. Business cases sell well to our Japanese customer. We noticed that after the 2011 tsunami, when there were power cuts and the government introduced its ‘supercool biz’ policy of taking off your jacket in the office, there was a big transition to casual day bags. There was a real shift in their consumption pattern.” Tumi saw an uptick in sales of its more urban, casual Alpha Bravo collection, according to Nelson.

In South Korea, the backpack is one of Tumi’s most successful products, he notes.

Nelson tells me the brand’s core product resonates with the Chinese consumer and observes that there is a higher concentration of sales of all-leather items in the Chinese market. Speaking about how Chinese consumer tastes have changed over the years, he describes this nationality as having tilted towards being “showy” in the past but “they have evolved quickly and love to be educated about brands”. Tumi’s core Alpha collection, as well as the Voyageur and Ticon ranges, are performing well among this customer group.

To attract Chinese customers, Tumi uses social media tools in its marketing, such as Weibo and WeChat, notes Nelson.

Airport store expansion

Tumi pursues a dual strategy in terms of its domestic and travel retail business - with Nelson describing it as a “symbiotic relationship” - and sees the duty-free channel as an opportunity for brand awareness.

To understand the travel retail business better, Tumi has carried out research in airports in Japan, Hong Kong and is about to embark on a study of the Chinese travel retail market, in a bid to understand the relative awareness of the brand.

Tumi has a number of freestanding travel retail shops in the Asia Pacific region, including a new store in the domestic terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which began trading in October. Recent shop openings have included a new boutique in Terminal 1 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the largest airport in the country. This store opening follows the debut of a Tumi boutique in the international terminal at Taichung Ching Chuan Kang Airport in western Taiwan, which is said to be “thriving”.

Tumi has also made further inroads in China this year with new shops in the domestic terminals at Guiyang Airport, a new boutique at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Domestic terminal and a refurbished store at Shanghai Pudong Terminal 2.

In Thailand’s domestic market, a new shop began trading in downtown Bangkok in October.

Santa Monica duffel, tote and hobo bags

 “Global Citizens” ad campaign

Tumi has also stepped up its lifestyle advertising. For 2013 Tumi has created the “Global Citizens” ad campaign featuring a trio of well-travelled citizens - water conservationist and explorer Alexandra Cousteau; singer, songwriter Amanda Sudano-Ramirez; and CEO of Pirelli Tire North America Paolo Ferrari. 

Photographed in the international hub of Los Angeles, the three global citizens speak of their passion for travel and carry their favourite Tumi pieces in the ads. As they head out of Los Angeles Airport on their next assignment, no doubt these three jet-setters will visit Tumi’s just-opened store at Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Said Nelson: “The campaign will resonate with Tumi's diverse, global audience - speaking to global citizens through the use of real individuals and their stories - and will establish a long-term brand platform that provides the foundation for Tumi to grow into a global, premium lifestyle brand."