The opening of LV The Place Bangkok, luxury behemoth Louis Vuitton‘s new hybrid retail concept in the Thai capital, not only signals the city’s post-pandemic retail slump is officially over, but also initiates a new experiential level of luxury shopping unseen before. While Singapore may be the most affluent yet also rather staid market in Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong having lost so much of its lustre due to obvious reasons, the upper segment of Bangkok‘s retail scene has bounced back, convincing Louis Vuitton it’s a much better fit for its new immersive lifestyle venture. Comprising a boutique, café, restaurant, and last but not least, a branded exhibition, and as far as we know, this multi-faceted venue is both a first for Louis Vuitton and the entire planet.

Situated on the premises of Gaysorn Amarin, a revamped and rebranded upscale shopping centre and office tower in Bangkok‘s bustling downtown area of Pathumwan – mind you, the shopping centre itself forms part of the even bigger Gaysorn Village shopping complex – LV The Place Bangkok occupies two floors. The luxury brand’s presence at the shopping centre is marked by giant diamond shapes on the façade that, but of course, glow at night. The Louis Vuitton store can be found on the ground floor, featuring an interior design created by the brand’s in-house design team which sees backlit overlaid panels lining the wall, forming a dynamic backdrop for a variety of different settings that present items from both the women’s and men’s collections. The settings embed carefully sourced vintage furniture pieces and colourful artworks that further elevate the shopping experience.

Especially for the opening, a number of store exclusive items have been released. Also on the ground floor, right next door, sits, and coquettishly so, Le Café Louis Vuitton. A true retreat from the city’s hustle and bustle, it ticks all the boxes for those ladies who lunch, and of course their companions, featuring botanical design elements with details of the Maison, Monogram parquet flooring, and adding that distinct secluded getaway touch, is an abundance of lush tropical plants. What’s on the menu? Well, there’s a wide selection of cakes, tarts, parfaits and ice cream sandwiches in an array of flavours, each decorated with a signature Louis Vuitton flourish. By the way, desserts are beautifully presented on a large, curved counter where guests can make a choice on the spot. The gallery space can also be found here, but we’ll cover the inaugural show separately in one of the next posts.

One floor up, the Gaggan by Louis Vuitton restaurant, can be found. A collaborative effort of the luxury brand and hailed Kolkata-born and Bangkok-based chef Gaggan Anand, the entrance of the fine dining establishment is marked by a pyramid of Louis Vuitton trunks which lead into a room of undulating walls punctuated with resin structures by designers Draga & Aurel, Monogram flower lamps, and fringed curtains. The setting sees ten Italian marble tables paired with comfy, beautifully upholstered benches and chairs, while a curated selection of artworks from Thai and international artists are scattered around the space, signalling the Thai capital’s increased vibrancy and cosmopolitan flair. Mind you, this hybrid new concept of LV The Place Bangkok establishes a new blueprint for future Louis Vuitton spaces. © superfuture