MCM walks on the wild side for Lunar New Year

German luxury brand MCM has unveiled bags and accessories made from a new snake-print fabric to celebrate the Year of the Snake.

MCM Year of the Snake collection

Available in Old Gold and Blush Pink colourways, the realistic snake-print fabric has a natural-looking lustre and is sustainably crafted in Italy.

MCM Year of the Snake T-shirts

In addition, a Year of the Snake monogram printed leather patch appears on a clothing collection made from soft Japanese bouclé, including a cropped hoodie in pink, a bouclé zip hoodie in oatmeal and a pair of bouclé T-shirts, available in both pink and oatmeal colours.

Women in Travel Retail+ unveils 2025 charity

Women in Travel Retail+, the forum for women in the travel retail industry, has announced that its elected charity for 2025 is Toutes a l école, nominated by Priscilla Haibe de Walque.

Toutes a l école is a charity committed to providing a high standard of education to 1,700 underprivileged girls in Cambodia so that they can become free, educated women and play a useful role in their country. In Cambodia, scarred by the Khmer Rouge genocide, poverty dominates the rice fields and girls are often the first to be deprived of an education, instead toiling in the fields.

Toutes a l'ecole educates 1,700 underprivileged girls in Cambodia

During 2025, WiTR+ aims to raise €15,000 to renovate the dormitories of the 400 post-baccalaureate girls, to provide them with a healthy living space and good conditions to support their studies. With a 100% pass rate, many have gone on to pursue studies in medicine, engineering, law, agronomy and more.

The dormitories are essential as some live far away and cannot afford accommodation in Phnom Penh. They are currently damp and covered in mould. Funds raised will cover the cost of replastering, the application of anti-fungal paint and the installation of dehumidifiers in all the rooms.

Priscilla Haibe de Walque said: “I am so proud and thrilled that WiTR+ has voted for Toutes a l école. I had the opportunity to visit the school in Phnom Penh several years ago, and was incredibly moved by the impact it has on these children’s lives. Inspired by this, I have been sponsoring a young girl through the association for the past five years, and it has been a rewarding experience to see how this support has made a difference. I truly believe in the mission of Toutes a l école and the vital work they are doing.”

“Clean rooms to sleep and study are something that we take for granted. I am absolutely delighted that WiTR+ is going to make such a fundamental difference to this cohort of girls, and to future students,” said WiTR+ Chair Sarah Branquinho. “Let’s all work together to make sure we hit the target and enable this transformation."

For details on the charity, visit www.toutes-a-l-ecole.org/fr/

Penfolds toasts 180 years of Champagne in Hainan

Australian winemaker Penfolds has brought its celebrated Champagne series to North Asia travel retail with an engaging pop-up at CNSC Duty Free Shopping Mall in the city of Sanya, located on Hainan Island, China.

As a highlight of Savouring Sanya 2024 Wine and Spirits Week, the activation invites visitors to explore “Champagne Through a Penfolds Lens” – a celebration of Penfolds’ 180-year tradition of winemaking excellence, reimagined through its innovative Champagne collection.

"Champagne Through a Penfolds Lens" at CNSC Duty free Shopping Mall in Hainan

Open from 6 December 2024, the pop-up was inaugurated by Penfolds Brand Ambassador Wang Yang at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by an exclusive VIP yacht tasting and luxury dinner.

Located in the heart of the mall, the pop-up offers a vibrant and immersive environment for visitors. A tasting space introduces shoppers to Penfolds’ latest release, while portfolio displays showcase the breadth of Penfolds Champagne offerings and educate visitors on the craftsmanship behind each bottle.

Surrounding digital screens amplify the storytelling, drawing visitors into Penfolds’ fusion of Australian innovation and French winemaking traditions.

At the centre of the activation is Penfolds non-vintage Champagne Cuvée Brut, crafted in collaboration with Champagne Thiénot. Made under the guidance of Penfolds Chief Winemaker Peter Gago, this blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier and 20% Chardonnay delivers vibrant citrus notes, botanical aromas and subtle hints of raspberry, nougat and sherbet, embodying Penfolds' house style.

This marks the fifth release in Penfolds' partnership with Champagne Thiénot, following earlier launches of single-vineyard Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Blanc de Noirs and Non-Vintage Rosé Champagne.

Michael Jackson, Global Director - Global Travel at Penfolds, said: “For 180 years, Penfolds has been synonymous with innovation and excellence, and our Champagne is a testament to that legacy. France, where Max Schubert’s vision for Grange began, continues to inspire us as we explore new frontiers in winemaking.

“Bringing this milestone to Hainan is both a celebration of our heritage and a step forward in redefining luxury wine experiences in global travel. This achievement would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our partners at China Tourism Group and the Hainan Tourism Bureau.”

Lin Mingkuan, Executive Deputy General Manager at China National Service Corporation (CNSC), added: “Champagne Through a Penfolds Lens adds a fresh dimension to our Savouring Sanya 2024 Wine and Spirits Week celebrations. Penfolds’ blend of classic and modern winemaking offers travellers an exceptional experience that combines tasting, interaction and cultural exchange. The new Champagne collection showcases Penfolds' craftsmanship while introducing a fresh and innovative perspective on the Champagne region. As one of the most important travel retail operating entities in Hainan, we are proud to host this milestone activation and look forward to Penfolds’ continued success in the region.”

MCM dives into its latest drop

MCM has introduced its Spring/Summer 2025 collection, Under The Sea, diving straight into the depths with styles inspired by the beauty of the marine world.

MCM Spring/Summer 25 Ella Boston Bag in Cubic Coral Visetos

The collection explores the colours and energy of the underwater world in timeless silhouettes, new materials and fresh shapes featuring classic patterns and new graphic prints.

From canvas weekenders and leather bags to cotton T-shirts for a relaxed summer look, the oceanic inspiration shines through in the ocean blues of the Night Diving print and the vibrant palm tree Beach Club motif, as well as the playful sea creature charms.

MCM Spring/Summer 25 Stark Backpack in Cubic Coral Visetos

Leather accessories are available in soft colours, while new leather belts and sneakers come in the German brand’s signature Lauretos and Visetos prints.

“The collection’s innovative, lightweight ready-to-wear is designed to be worn year-round, helping to reduce unnecessary consumption and promote sustainable shopping choices – and making it perfect for travelling as a Maverick digital nomad,” said MCM.

Bowmore celebrates first travel retail boutique

Suntory has opened the first boutique for its single malt whisky brand Bowmore in the travel retail channel, in partnership with global operator Avolta.

The 100sq m space is located in the main T5 Departures area at Heathrow Airport Terminal 5. The pop-up will be present until the end of January 2025.

The boutique showcases the new, exclusive Bowmore Appellations Collection, which made its European travel retail debut in October at Heathrow Airport, in partnership with Avolta. These four whiskies mark an innovative collaboration with some of the world’s finest wine-producing regions. From the vineyards and wineries of Burgundy and Bordeaux to the exclusive port houses of the Douro Valley, these single malts combine influences from Bowmore’s Islay home with the charm of renowned European terroirs.

Bowmore's first travel retail store at London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5

The retail space also spotlights a selection of rare, vintage and limited-edition expressions. They include Bowmore 30 Year Old, Bowmore Timeless 33 Year Old, Bowmore Vaults 1971, and the Bowmore Frank Quitely 23 Year Old, 24 Year Old and 34 Year Old.

The boutique design reflects the new Bowmore visual world, incorporating the fluidity and dominant use of the colour black showcased on the new whisky packaging. Key features include distinctive transparent panel detailing and oak textured merchandising units.

A selection of interactive elements allow travellers to connect with the Bowmore brand on a deeper level. Visitors are invited to taste the new Bowmore Appellations 14 Year Old and 16 Year Old whiskies. They can also learn about and sample Bowmore's permanent collection, and explore the rare and vintage expressions.

“The opening of our first-ever Bowmore boutique in global travel retail, at Heathrow’s Terminal 5, marks another significant milestone for the brand, as we strive to captivate the travelling consumer by offering multi-dimensional and immersive experiences to stimulate the senses,” noted Suntory Global Spirits Managing Director Global Travel Retail, Ashish Gandham. “It also underscores our commitment to travel retail, which remains a key brand-building channel for our portfolio.

“This new retail concept has been created to offer travel retail shoppers a deeper, richer experience, and aligns with our vision of positioning Bowmore as the world's most desirable single malt whisky. We are thrilled to partner with Avolta to open this landmark boutique, and further elevate our global travel retail offering through innovative and experiential best-in-class brand building.”

David de Miguel, Global Head of Liquor at Avolta, commented: “We are constantly seeking new and exclusive products to offer to our customers, whilst making the retail experience as immersive and engaging as possible. We are delighted to have been able to work in close partnership with the team at Bowmore, to help launch this first Bowmore boutique in travel retail. The multi-sensory experience it delivers, alongside the exceptional range of whiskies, will definitely delight and surprise travellers.”

Fraser Brown, Retail Director at Heathrow, noted: “We’re thrilled to welcome the first-ever Bowmore boutique to Terminal 5, offering our passengers a unique and immersive experience from one of the world’s leading whisky brands. Heathrow has recently been voted the Best Airport for Shopping, and this Trinity partnership between Heathrow, Avolta and Suntory Global Spirits highlights Heathrow’s commitment to providing exciting travel retail experiences that engage and inspire our global travellers."