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Balmain unveils a new boutique, Hermès moves to Madison Avenue, the new Bentley SUV model and the other news of the day
Press review
Balmain unveils its new Parisian boutique
Balmain opened its new flagship store at 374, rue Saint-Honoré in Paris on Thursday, February 14.
Artistic director Olivier Rousteing called on Studio AMV (Anna Philippou, Marie Prosperi and Victoire Guerlay) to design the layout of the last Balmain boutique, covering an area of 750 square metres. Studio with which he collaborated for his boutiques in Milan, Las Vegas and Miami, and which signed in 2017 the designer’s all-marble desk.
The boutique – the largest of the brand to date -, where the Balmain fashion show took place in January, is spread over two levels, the whole imagined as a large Parisian apartment and inspired by Versailles and its Hall of Mirrors.
After the entrance, the shop presents a first lounge with mirror-like furniture such as the ceiling, a black Chesterfield sofa and marbled consoles to welcome customers. Here are concentrated the lines of bags and accessories.
In its extension, a “safe gallery” area features caps, pockets, belts and scarves under a large chandelier decidedly very Versailles and a space dedicated to shoes. A virtual reality experience is also offered to good customers.
Hermès invests in Madison Avenue
Hermès is considering a new flagship location at 706 Madison Avenue in Friedland Properties.
The company has signed a lease and will open its new offices in 2022, reports Women’s Wear Daily. The five-storey space extends over approximately 40,000 square feet and includes two outdoor terraces.
“We are delighted with Hermès’ long-term commitment and what it represents for the avenue,” said Rick Friedland, Director of Friedland Properties. “Balenciaga and Celine just signed on to Madison Avenue. We hope this means a resurgence on the avenue.”
The brand would have sought a space that would allow it to stay on Madison Avenue and consolidate its products for men and women under one roof. The company, which is said to have become too large for its current locations, will remain at its current location at 691 Madison Ave until the new flagship opens.
As a reminder, the French brand had a record year, with a turnover of almost 6 billion euros.
Bentley presents the fastest SUV in the world
Bentley will make the event a success at the Geneva Motor Show (Switzerland), from March 7 to 17, by unveiling the world premiere of the “Speed” version of its Bentayga SUV. The British manufacturer presents this new model as the most luxurious and fastest SUV on the market.
The Bentley Bentayga Speed is powered by a 6.0-litre W12 with 635 hp, compared to “only” 608 hp for the classic SUV version, combined with an eight-speed all-wheel drive system. In fact, the manufacturer announces a top speed of 306 km/h for this new model and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.9s.
The most efficient model in the Bentayga range, the Speed is equipped with four dynamic road driving modes, from “Comfort” to “Sport”. In terms of innovation, the Bentley Dynamic Ride system deployed here is the world’s first active electric roll control technology.
As if all this were not enough, many options will be available to the brand’s customers, starting with ceramic carbon brakes, front seats with massage function, a carbon fibre dashboard and ambient lighting.
This new model is in the tradition of the “Speed” models, which appeared in 2007 with the Continental GT. It is expected to be commercialized in 2019.
Ulysse Nardin is inspired by yachts
An extension of the Marine Grand Deck Tourbillon watch launched in 2016 by Ulysse Nardin, the new reference named Marine Mega Yacht is in line with the Marine collection and the passion that Ulysse Nardin has maintained for the nautical world since its foundation in 1846.
If the first piece celebrated the world of sailing yachts and beautiful pleasure craft, this new edition of Mega Yacht is openly addressed to the owners of contemporary prestige vessels, who wish to find at the very heart of this exceptional watch some of the most representative mechanical elements of their vessel, designed to face all the seas of the globe.
Built as a luxury mega yacht, the new platinum Mega Yacht Marine is regulated by a flying tourbillon with a cage inspired by a latest generation propeller. With a diameter of 44 mm in diameter, only 30 copies of this piece are published.
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