New boutiques are cropping up across Kuala Lumpur and Penang, from Cartier’s gilded shopping experience at The Gardens Mall to Rado’s luxurious new boutique at Gurney Plaza, Penang.
Post-pandemic brought a raft of revenges from spending to travelling. It seems 2022 is the year where people are reintroduced to the modern way of life – splashing out on things that really elevate our quality of life. Have you borne witness to the snaking queues outside numerous branded boutiques? Or were you one of those who stood in line for the latest fashion drops?
Early this year, LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre finally opened after several months of delay. It looks as though the highly anticipated The Exchange Mall, which has assembled a formidable cast of luxury brands, will be up and running very soon. Meanwhile, make your trips down to these boutiques, either brand new or entirely refurbished to offer your greater retail experiences, we are highlighting below. Although the pandemic might have lent a rocket to e-commerce, nothing beats shopping in person and trying on that piece of garment or handbag you have been eyeing for some time.
New boutiques opening in shopping malls in KL and Penang in 2022:
Cartier opens a spacious boutique at The Gardens Mall
Inspired by Malaysia’s luxuriant nature, Cartier’s latest retail offering is the first of its kind in Malaysia – experiential confines of a lush garden spanning 409 square metres. The interiors are deliberately curated to whisk guests to gilded grounds the moment they step inside the stunning golden façade. The centrepiece of the boutique is a chandelier of fallen leaves, alongside a floor-to-ceiling wall that epitomises Cartier’s craftsmanship.
On the wall, 20,000 mosaic pieces took in excess of five months from start to complete, created using ancestral stone marquetry techniques, and together, they depict Cartier’s emblematic panthers in their most natural environment.
For the most discerning of shoppers, a semi-private alcove offers privacy, while a VIP lounge is decked out in furniture teeming with local influence. The boutique is thoughtfully demarcated into various sections – bridal, care service, foyer and much more – yet they are bound by a common theme that seeks to transport shoppers to the Cartier garden.
It opens daily, 10am-10pm
Burberry reopens to a new concept at The Gardens Mall
Burberry reopened at The Gardens Mall following an overhaul to exhibit a new concept collaboratively shaped by artist/architect Vincenzo De Cotiis, who is known for his minimalist approach towards designing interiors, furniture and objets d’art. The new boutique marries elements of brutalism in a luxurious setting, as well as fixtures exclusively designed by De Cotiis, where the focus naturally falls on the latest seasonal collection on display. The house motifs of the British fashion label such as the signature beige colour and the iconic tartan are ingeniously embedded into the boutique, endowing it a contemporary vibe but one that is decidedly Burberry.
It opens daily, 10am-10pm
Bonia’s stunning flagship gallery opened at Suria KLCC
A vibrant gallery spanning 2,211 square feet, designed by London-based Oskar Kohnen, the flagship boutique of Bonia is an invitation for shoppers to acquaint themselves with the brand’s progressive evolution as a lifestyle and luxury purveyor. Pastel hues stand out in this experiential space teeming with grey terrazzo flooring, black and green marble, breeze block screen bricks in terracotta and Barrisol ceiling. According to Kohnen, the boutique is meant to be a playground – not a predetermined showroom. It houses not only Bonia’s fashion creations and leather goods but also exquisitely designed tableware.
It opens daily, 10am-10pm
Roberto Coin’s boutique at The Starhill is the brand’s first permanent location in Asia
At 970 square feet, Roberto Coin’s first permanent boutique in Asia is located in the revamped Starhill. The Italian label founded by the eponymous Venetian jewellery designer is known for its innovative aesthetics where inspiration is sought from Mother Nature and history. His passion for gems and roots in Vicenza – by extension, their peerless elegance and glimmer – are epitomised by a showcase made from gold-washed walls and Venetian textiles.
It opens daily, 11am-8pm
Bell & Ross’ ambitious new tandem boutique openings in KL at Pavilion Bukit Jalil and 1 Utama Shopping Centre in 2022
Not one but two as Bell & Ross announced its arrival at Pavilion Bukit Jalil with a mono-brand boutique while also entering 1 Utama Shopping Centre with a permanent outpost in PJ. Already the avant-garde watch brand best known for its circle-within-a-square silhouette is firmly established at The Gardens Mall and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
According to Bell & Ross, the brand now boasts a network of 15 boutiques worldwide, in addition to 700+ points of sale in more than 60 countries. Thanks to these inaugurations, Malaysia houses the largest fleet of mono-brand boutiques in a single country with four standalones. More still is in the pipeline.
The Pavilion Bukit Jalil boutique teems with aeronautical references. It is bolstered with resplendent black marble amidst a chic industrial interior evocative of an aircraft hangar. To amplify the brand’s heritage, the boutique is festooned with numerous aircraft models and portraits. The juxtaposition of concrete, marble and glass with wooden cabinetry ensures the gallery exudes warmth.
Unmistakably contemporary and edgy, the I Utama boutique is designed to draw in shoppers through a combination of luminous interiors and clean architecture. The cooler choice of palette is intended to evoke speeds. Immersed in motorsport, Bell & Ross is a partner of the Alpine F1 Team.
Both locations open daily, 10am-10pm
Rado brings luxury up a notch in Penang in 2022 with a new boutique at Gurney Plaza
Rado has reopened its Penang boutique at Gurney Plaza. Best known for introducing the world’s first scratch-proof watch, the DiaStar, as well as the Ceramica, one of the earliest timepieces made from ceramic, Rado has fittingly endowed the boutique with a concept reflective of its innovative heritage. Heavy on wooden fixtures for warmth, the inviting boutique is arrayed with a complete selection of Rado timepieces. A dedicated lounge-like display area allows guests to feel out Rado’s impeccable build quality. Drop in for a viewing of its latest timepieces.
It opens daily, 10am-10pm
All images of new boutiques opening in KL and Penang in 2022 by respective brands
This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Kuala Lumpur.