MCM introduces Bionic backpacks

German luxury brand MCM has unveiled a collection of hi-tech backpacks and bags inspired by space. The Bionic Series has a futuristic aesthetic, seeking to fuse heritage-inspired craftsmanship traditions with avant-garde designs. The Autumn/Winter 2015 series takes a visual cue from the light surface panels assembled over a spaceship’s exterior and the blueprints developed for a spacecraft’s interior. Featuring a linear pattern, the industrial design reinvents MCM’s signature M motif.

MCM's Bionic backpacks for Autumn/Winter 2015

Custom-made tech materials

Celebrating the collection, men’s style magazine L’Officiel Hommes has created a sequence of four illustrations depicting the essence of the design. The mechanistic illustrations present each item in motion within a thrilling action-packed animated sequence.

The bag collection features angular veneers and innovative materials, and is constructed with VOC-protected (Volatile Organic Compounds) and toxic-free elements. Crafted with breathable, custom-made tech materials, the collection features interior padding and a glossy, water-resistant exterior for "high-resistance and high-fashion", the brand said. The machine-like design is available in black, gold and silver colour options.

More pictures of the MCM Bionic Series below:

Diageo opens whisky embassy at Changi

Diageo and DFS Group have launched a Johnnie Walker House retail showcase in the leading travel retailer’s new Wines & Spirits flagship store at Singapore Changi airport. This is the seventh addition to the liquor firm's expanding international network of whisky embassies and the first in southeast Asia, following the success of the flagships in Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul and Chengdu, as well as travel retail theatres in Taipei and Mumbai airports.

Johnnie Walker House at Singapore Changi airport

Strategic location 

“With global airport sales growing by more than 12% every year since 2009, and the strategic location of Singapore Changi airport as a travel hub, Johnnie Walker House Singapore is set to be a game-changer for the luxury spirits segment,” said Doug Bagley, managing director of Diageo Global Travel and Middle East. “We combine our revolutionary hospitality concept with our successful travel retail model, providing an enticing experience to modern luxury consumers during the golden hour before they board.”

The design of the Singapore outlet in Terminal 3 is inspired by the combination of two elements. The first draws from the rich, progressive travel heritage of epic ocean voyages that took Johnnie Walker from the four corners of Scotland to the four corners of the world, making it the world’s first global brands. The second is the custom in luxury retail of using trunk shows to provide tailored, exclusive experiences to valued clients.

Brooke Supernaw, DFS Group’s senior vice president, Global Merchandising – Spirits, Wine, and Tobacco, said: “Our long partnership with Diageo has been instrumental in creating the ultimate destination for the best in wines, spirits and tobacco at Changi airport. It is our shared vision to bring personalised and unique shopping experiences to the traveller.”

Johnnie Walker House Singapore's whisky constellation wall

Tactile in-store environment

When travellers step into the Johnnie Walker House in Singapore, they are transported into a retail theatre of a large-scale luxury steamer trunk. The tactile environment of leather, copper, marble, bronze, wood and steel finishing help bring to life the history, provenance and pioneering spirit of Johnnie Walker.

In addition, a multi-sensory retail setting, complete with a signature scent ambience emitting the six flavour characteristics of Blue Label, instantly transport travellers to the Scottish Highlands. Also on offer are exclusive “theatrical mentoring” sessions, which are immersions in the brand and products, led by brand ambassadors; a tasting bar where people can enjoy whiskies from the brand’s Super Deluxe portfolio; and a whisky constellation wall dedicated to the art of blending.

To mark the opening, a limited-edition Blue Label will be exclusively available at Changi airport. The ivory-coloured bottle features the landscape of Scotland and the skyline of Singapore in the brand’s hallmark willow design. The collectible was illustrated by Dawn Ng and pictorially depicts the historic journey of Johnnie Walker from Scotland to Singapore – from the time John Walker & Sons was established in 1820, in Kilmarnock, to 1885, when Johnnie Walker whiskies had made their way to Singapore.

For the first time in southeast Asia and Singapore, Johnnie Walker House Exclusive Collections will be available at retail. They include: John Walker & Sons Master Blenders Collection, Johnnie Walker Epic Dates Collection, Johnnie Walker House Five Gods Of Wealth Series Limited Edition, and Johnnie Walker House Zodiac Collection.

Visit www.johnniewalkerhouse.com

Lanson Black Label lights up Paris airport

Lanson has launched its redesigned Black Label Champagne in partnership with French travel retailer Aelia at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Founded in 1760, this brut non-vintage Champagne brand has a black colour theme, seen as a symbol of elegance.

Lanson Black Label Champagne

In-store videos convey message

The fresh look comes after Lanson appointed a new winemaker in 2015. Hervé Dantan also enjoys new facilities that allow separate plots in the vineyard to be vinified, giving him access to different blends. In addition, a new wooden cask winery contains reserve wines matured over many years. Aelia’s stores at Charles de Gaulle are showing a movie that highlights these new facilities.

Export director Olivier De La Giraudière said: “Lanson Black Label is our most successful and original Champagne, but we are always looking for ways to highlight to travellers just how special the label is. The use of our in-store Reveal Videos to introduce the House of Lanson’s new wine-maker and its new facilities should help us to convey this message.”

Travellers at Paris Charles de Gaulle’s flagship store in S4 (Terminal 2E) can take a photo in the specially designed Black Label photo shooting box, while sampling the new Lanson offering. A hermetic stopper is offered as a gwp, along with a 15% discount on Black Label 75cl, Rosé Label 75cl, Twin-Pack Black Label 2x75cl and Twin-Pack Black/Rosé Label 2x75cl.

Star of Bombay shines in sampling scheme

Star of Bombay, the new super-premium gin from Bombay Sapphire, the world’s number one premium gin, has been the subject of a large-scale sampling experience created by brand owner Bacardi in partnership with German travel retailer Gebr Heinemann. The month-long programme took place in May at Sydney, Frankfurt and Copenhagen airports and involved more than 20,000 customer samples.

Gebr Heinemann's Star of Bombay super-premium gin showcase at Frankfurt airport 

One of the hottest categories in travel retail

Secondary activations in an additional 12 stores across selected European airports, including Berlin, Oslo and Hamburg, were also scheduled. A key element of the in-store experience was the sampling of the Star of Bombay signature serve, Star & Tonic, using Fever Tree Indian Tonic Water to provide an alternative to an evening cocktail.

Star of Bombay (47.5%abv) elevates the balance of Bombay Sapphire with two additional botanicals: Sicilian bergamot and Ecuadorian ambrette seeds. It is the first addition to the Bombay Sapphire portfolio to be produced at the newly restored Laverstoke Mill, the brand’s new distillery and visitor centre in the UK.

Aude Rocourt, regional director Europe at Bacardi Global Travel Retail, said: “We are excited to launch Star of Bombay as a world exclusive in global travel retail with Gebr Heinemann. The launch utilises the category-leading strength of Bombay Sapphire to deliver a vibrant injection of exciting new news and creating an exceptional level of premiumisation for what is one of the hottest and fastest-growing categories in travel retail.”

Star of Bombay has a fresh bottle design, aimed at enhancing the brand’s features, including the concentric facets that convey the complexity of the spirit.

Bric's and Tumi continue global growth

Italian leather goods maker Bric’s inaugurated a new shop at Milan Malpensa airport on May 1 - the same day as the Milano Expo 2015 opened. The dual store for the Bric’s and Tumi luggage brands is managed by Bric’s. Located at the entrance of the non-Schengen area, it is strategically positioned to attract the attention of passengers travelling to Asia, East Europe and the Middle East.

The new Bric's and Tumi store at Milan Malpensa airport

A winning formula

"We decided to create a side-by-side store for Bric's and Tumi in order to repeat a winning formula of major multi-brand stores, both in travel retail and local market,” explained Bric's president Roberto Briccola. “Bric’s and Tumi’s collections are complementary; the synergy between the two brands generates a lot of interest in consumers.”

The official opening took place in the presence of Roberto Maroni, president of Lombardy; Roberto Briccola, president of Bric’s; Attilio Briccola, CEO of Bric’s; Beatrice Briccola, retail manager of Bric’s; Vincent Michel, commercial director of Tumi EMEA; and Geoffrey Gysin, senior vice-president/managing director of Tumi EMEA.

Visit www.brics.it

Sung-Joo Kim awarded OBE

In recognition of her contribution to strengthening the relationship between the UK and the Republic of Korea, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has chosen to formally recognise Sung-Joo Kim by making her an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Sung-Joo Kim is the first female Korean to receive the OBE. The award was presented at a ceremony at the British Ambassador's residence in Seoul on June 10.

Sung-Joo Kim OBE with British Ambassador Charles Hay

Enhancing the reputation for British creativity

Sung-Joo Kim has for many years worked tirelessly to further links in culture, education, and international relations, and also between Evangelical communities, in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea. She has been an energetic and generous supporter of many British institutions and organisations including Asia House, Pan Asian Women's Association (PAWA), Wales Evangelical School of Theology (WEST), Victoria & Albert Museum, London College of Fashion, London College of Art and the British Red Cross. 

She is a substantial investor in the UK through the fashion brand MCM, and she has also successfully grown the Marks & Spencer brand in Korea and enhanced the reputation for British creativity.

Guests at the OBE ceremony in Seoul

Good causes

British Ambassador Charles Hay said: “I am delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has chosen to recognise Chairperson Sung-Joo Kim’s contributions to UK-Korea relations. As well as being one of Korea’s leading business women, Sung-Joo Kim has also been an important global advocate of the need for business to do more for good causes. Throughout a busy professional career, including most recently her appointment as President of the Korean Red Cross, Sung-Joo Kim has remained one of the UK’s staunchest supporters in Korea. The Honorary award of Officer of the Order of the British Empire is richly deserved.”

The Order of the British Empire recognises valuable service to the UK, and has been rewarded to Vivienne Westwood and David Beckham. 

Whiskey and candy take centre stage at Dublin airport

Irish whiskey, the top-selling product category at Dublin airport, takes pride of place in Terminal 1’s new shopping area. UK retail design practice The Design Solution, working closely with travel retailer Aer Rianta International (ARI), created the concept for the new Irish Whiskey Collection outlet in the The Loop store, which is operated by ARI, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dublin Airport Authority.

The Design Solution sought to develop an easy-to-shop store which stocks 371 whiskies from 15 countries. This includes 121 Irish whiskeys, 191 Scotch whiskies, 32 American and 31 world whiskies from countries such as Finland (Teerenpeli), India (Amrut), Taiwan (Kavalan), Australia (Hellyers Road), Holland, Sweden and New Zealand (Doublewood). Six stand-alone glorifiers houses limited-edition high-end whiskeys from €3,000 to €6,000.

The Irish Whiskey Collection at Dublin airport Terminal 1

Curved copper sculpture

The store features five branded units. The highlight is the unusual quirky bath-tub display for Hendrick’s Gin which ties in with its brand heritage.

Suspended above the centre of the store’s circular tasting bar is an eye-catching, curved copper sculpture created by Irish artist Shane Holland, who took his inspiration from the copper pot stills used in the Irish whiskey industry, which had informed the original Design Solution conceptual design for Terminal 2 back in 2010.

Reflecting the growing importance of wine to travel retail, The Loop also boasts a new concept called The Wine Goose Chase. This shop features a selection of over 70 wines from France, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and the US, all of which have an Irish provenance. Only stocking wines with an Irish heritage, the new wine selection is ideal for travellers looking for a present for friends and family abroad.

Amber tones evoke whiskey hue

The Design Solution Creative Director Kevin Patience commented: “This was a fantastic project to work as we were able to create an epicentre, bringing the feeling of a bar to the heart of the buzz in this popular store. With a stunning emperado marble surface, the bar is also a functional piece of furniture which makes the most of the space – always a scarce commodity in airport stores. We took the original design we had created in Terminal 2 in 2010 which features extensive copper and contemporised that heritage in a luxury solution that makes it easy for shoppers to explore and navigate the category.”

The materials seek to evoke the contemporary masculinity of a gentleman’s club, with polished copper framing the wallbays, back-painted black glass at high level, and amber back-illuminated acrylic which brings a glowing amber tone through all the store furniture to play on the tones from the whiskey. The exposed ceilings are painted in black to create an intimate atmosphere.

Candy Cloud store at Dublin airport Terminal 1

Floating on a Candy Cloud

In other news from Terminal 1 at Dublin airport, The Design Solution has also created a colourful and exciting new concept for ARI in the children’s confectionery category.

The new Candy Cloud store targets adults and children alike, and focuses on capturing the gifting and self-treating segments. The retail offer features more than 180 lines, including a wide range of quirkily flavoured popcorns, top-selling brands such as M&M’s, Skittles, Haribo and Nestlé, as well as a range of branded toys and stationery.

The Design Solution’s Kevin Patience said: “This is a stunning confectionery store featuring clouds and planes so that, wherever you look – even right up to the fun of the ceiling clouds – there’s a sense of play and a childhood fantasy theme. We wanted to create a sense of the whole store being made out of sweets.”

Mid-floor cloud-shaped gondolas feature candycane legs and lollypop signage, the ceiling installation evokes clouds of meringues, and the floor design features a stylised version of swirling candyfloss.  The central area is brought to life with a replica hot air balloon basket. Bespoke scents and a parabolic sound system aim to bring to life the retail experience for customers. In addition, a children-only zone incorporates an enchanted forest filled with giant lollipops and marshmallows.