It felt like yesterday when ICONSIAM celebrated its highly-anticipated grand opening with stars-studded red carpet, spectacular performances and the awe-inspiring sight of 1,500 drones dancing above the majestic Chao Phraya river, and under the sublime night sky of Bangkok. The night marks the beginning of many other greatest things to come — a phenomenal landmark in the Thai retail industry promising the first, exclusive and iconic experiences in shopping, dining and lifestyle, all within this 750,000 square-meter space by the historic river of kings.
ICONLUXE — Icon of Exclusive Luxury
Amongst all the exclusivities awaiting your discovery at ICONSIAM, ICONLUXE stands proud as the ultimate destination for luxury shoppers from all over the world. Nestled in the 5,000sqm three-storey building overlooking Chao Phraya river are the world’s most desirable names in fashion and luxury: Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Bvlgari, Fendi, Christian Dior, Versace, Ferragamo, Michael Kors, Coach, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Bottega Veneta, Tiffany & Co. and many more. What’s more? For the first time, and only here at ICONLUXE, each fashion and luxury house premiers its one-of-a-kind store experience ranging from unique decoration with Thai touch to personalisation services exclusive to ICONLUXE.
Size & Something Special
ICONLUXE is home to some of the largest luxury flagship stores in Thailand: Hermès, Salvatore Ferragamo, Fendi, Versace and Michael Kors, each boasting unique decors and furnishings that enrich their new boutique with a touch of exclusivity. In addition, luxury brands celebrate their new home with new products and services exclusive to their ICONLUXE store.
Hermès, as an epitome of consummate luxury, welcomes fans and luxury connoisseurs into a duplex home spanning across 368 square-meter space overlooking Chao Phraya river. Available for the first time in Thailand the furniture and objects from the highly-celebrated home collection. That aside, two special objects have also been conceived as a nod to Muay Thai. These exceptional pieces include a kit bag crafted from H canvas and turquoise Swift calfskin, and a pair of matching leather boxing gloves. Both feature a Barénia calfskin badge with a hand-painted tiger head designed by the naturalist Robert Dallet.
Only at ICONLUXE
Some other exclusive objects to celebrate the opening of ICONSIAM includes the red Quilted Gancini Bag Limited Edition from Ferragamo. Only 200 of its kind available in the world, and only one for Thailand. The bag is numbered 11 — the number believed to bring success and prosperity.
Also the first flagship store in Thailand, the Michael Kors boutique at ICONLUXE dedicates a corner for their coveted Michael Kors Collection — a luxury range featuring leather accessories made from materials of superior quality in Italy. At Fendi, you’re entering not just into the largest world of the Roman house in Thailand, but into the world of designer Karl Lagerfeld, who shows us a glimpse of his creative vision from some sketches decorating the fitting room.
Moving from products to services, fashionistas’ favourite Coach is another house that never fails to enrich its new home with something special. With the concept of Modern Luxury, the 287 square-meter retail space was designed by Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers in partnership with William Sofield, designer and president of the world renowned creative firm Studio Sofield. The new store features Craftsmanship Bar where customers can experience the next level of customisation service and fully express their individual style.
An Icon of Fashion Accessory, Revisited
Dior is another fashion big name that offers a big surprise by not just giving luxury shoppers for the first time a Christian Dior and a Dior Homme boutique located side by side, connected by a small pathway. To reaffirm its position as a storied Parisian maison with passion for art, Dior invites fans and fashionistas to experience their iconic Lady Dior handbag in a new light in “Lady Dior As Seen By” exhibition, for which artists from all over the world interprets, and transform this triangular accessory into a canvas to pain, sculpt and express their imagination.
An Iconic Synthesis of Brand DNA and Thai Identity
Two giant jewellery houses Cartier and Bvlgari both proudly take in the iconic location of their new home, and interpret the essence of being right in the place with their unique, different approach. Bvlgari celebrates being in the location by evoking the iconic design of its first store in Rome as inspiration, from the shape of its door, the use of Rome’s iconic eight-pointed star symbol, warm light and brass and, above all, the Elizabeth Taylor Lounge inspired by the secret reception room for the legendary Hollywood star.
Taking a different approach from Bvlgari, Cartier embraces Thai-ness in all glory for their new boutique at ICONLUXE. The classic timelessness of the interior design is complimented by a nod to local icons and heritage: the lotus-shaped chandelier, the arch door inspired by Thai traditional architecture and the use of Thai silk for furnishings for both walls and furniture.
Exclusively Designed for Thailand
Louis Vuitton takes the design of their new home at ICONLUXE to another level. The interiors are especially unique to Thailand and to a traditional Thai house through the delicate touches of dark red, the colour of old wooden Thai houses and macramé screens, reminiscent of an uba. The store was conceptualised through intermingled elements of the international spirit of Louis Vuitton harmonised with local elements.
The true highlight, however, is the art piece found on the ceiling of the store, featuring a18-metre long textile artwork crafted from mixed media of various traditional handicraft techniques as a homage to life along the river. The majestic art piece titled “River of Kings” was crafted by Thai artist, Mook Vinyartn. The appliqué sections are ornamented and stitched together from various Thai fabrics to the colour scheme reminiscent of the Chao Phraya River from day to night.
Visit ICONLUXE at ICONSIAM to discover the world of luxury where exclusivity is the norm.
Mila Wenin
Digital Managing Editor, TH
A veteran journalist, copywriter and content creator with over 15-year experience working in Bangkok's leading print/ digital publications, Samila is currently digital editor of Prestige Thailand, where she writes exclusively on style, beauty and art and culture.