MCM pays homage to hip hop

In partnership with Tribeca Studios, MCM has premiered a new fashion documentary called The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion.

The luxury lifestyle brand premiered the documentary at Tribeca Film Festival on May 2. The film traces the origins of fearless, full-colour hip hop style and explores the women and men who have transformed fashion through hip hop.

From the Bronx to the runways of Paris, the film charts the journey of renowned fashion architect and new Global Creative Partner at MCM, Misa Hylton, as one of the first stylists to meld streetwear with haute couture. It delves into Hylton’s most recognised fashion looks with her muses including Lil' Kim, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott.

Misa Hylton in a still from The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion documentary (Photo: Dove Clark)

The documentary reveals the global cultural impact influenced by the fashion world with iconic fashion trends and styles from female designers and stylists working behind the scenes.

"MCM is honoured to partner with Tribeca Studios and the talented Co-directors of this documentary Lisa Cortés and Farah X. We are proud to bring to light this story that has never been told about the incredible women who have had such a significant influence on the cultural landscape," said Patrick Valeo, MCM President, The Americas.

Supported by MCM and created in partnership with Tribeca Studios, The Remix: Hip Hop X Fashion documentary is produced and co-directed by Lisa Cortés, the Academy Award–nominated producer of Precious and The Apollo, with renowned film director Farah X.

"As storytellers, the intersection of hip hop and fashion presents a unique lens to examine the continuously evolving journey of black creativity. For so long, we have culturally ignored what people of colour contribute to the zeitgeist and that has to change. We felt it was important to shine a light on these creators and innovators, especially women, and what they have brought to the fashion world over the years," said Cortés and Farah X.

The film examines works by legendary streetwear designers such as April Walker, along with key voices behind the cultural movement, including: music icon Mary J. Blige; artist Yoon Mi-rae; Vogue UK Publisher Vanessa Kingori; designer Kerby Jean-Raymond; designer Dapper Dan; founder of Highsnobiety, David Fischer; W Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Stefano Tonchi; Style Director of Elle Magazine, Nikki Ogunnaike; Professor at Parsons and critic at The Cut, Rhonda Garelick; hip hop historian Michael Holman; stylist and vintage clothing dealer Gabriel Held; TV personality Bevy Smith; and many more.

Following the premiere, MCM hosted an exclusive concert paying homage to the evolution of hip hop and fashion with a special performance by one of hip hop's founding women.

Dewar’s sees double with DFS

In a global exclusive launch, Dewar’s Double Double, a new whisky innovation with a four-stage ageing process, has made its debut with DFS at Singapore Changi Airport. 

The new series of blended Scotch whiskies is available with DFS, supported by a communications campaign running on the world-leading travel retailer's digital platforms.

The Dewar’s Double Double whisky promotion at Singapore Changi Airport

The inspiration for the innovation is rooted in the skill of Dewar's Master Blenders past and present. After he pioneered double-ageing in 1881, the first Dewar’s master blender, AJ Cameron, spent the next 20 years trying to create an even smoother whisky, adding further steps to the ageing process in 1901. 

Almost 120 years later, inspired by AJ’s “ultimate” 1901 process, Stephanie Macleod, Dewar’s seventh Master Blender, is now releasing the Double Double series – a range of blended 21yo, 27yo and 32yo whiskies aged four times for ultimate smoothness. The packaging features a distinctive four-point star bottle housed in a fresh, contemporary white presentation box.

Dewar’s Double Double 21yo (46%abv, 50cl, price: $90) is finished in Oloroso sherry casks, delivering subtle notes of cinnamon and ripe vine fruits. The 27yo (46%abv, 50cl, price: $160) is finished in Palo Cortado sherry casks, delivering heady, aromatic, floral notes with honeyed fruits and suble spice. The 32yo (46%abv, 50cl, price: $250) is finished in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks, bringing rich, ripe treacle notes with a hint of smokiness.

Explaining the strategy behind this new innovation, Julie Witherden, Marketing Director Bacardi Global Travel Retail, said: “Over the past five years, Bacardi has brought an incredible pipeline of whisky innovation into global travel retail. The channel has a vibrant mix of consumers from emerging markets at the second stage of luxury who actively seek new discoveries, especially in aged whisky. This new wave, combined with the specialist whisky status of travel retail among established connoisseurs and collectors, makes this an important strategic market for Bacardi. For these reasons, we knew Dewar’s Double Double had to launch in global travel retail first.”

“Given the demographic of whisky connoisseurs and our well-versed shoppers in Singapore, whisky is a popular category sold at DFS, Singapore Changi Airport,” said Brooke Supernaw, Senior Vice President Spirits, Wine, Tobacco, Food and Gifts, DFS Group. “The partnership between Bacardi Global Travel and DFS is a true collaboration – where we delight our discerning travelers the highest calibre of aged whisky and innovation.”

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.