Luxury Has Redefined What It Means to Shop - Men's Folio

Luxury Has Redefined What It Means to Shop

Retail, revolutionised.

By Vanessa Grace Ng

It’s 2025, and shopping can no longer be seen as just a simple pastime. We mean, society has come quite far; wherein Cher’s wardrobe interface in Clueless has now become a reality and one’s computer can spill all on what’s in vogue. And so the act of retail therapy — even if gets boiled down to something as rudimentary as mall-hopping — cannot simply exist as just laps around liminal spaces, right?

Well, yes, because luxury is leading the charge on what it means to truly indulge the self in the act of retail experiences. New cafe extensions, vibrantly expansive pop-ups and stunning window displays are just some of the ways that the luxury fashion sector is getting creative with the age-old brick-and-mortar experience. Below, browse through the new transformative luxury retail experiences from houses like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dior and more.

Prada’s ION Boutique

Prada’s ION Orchard boutique just got a facelift. Even as it retains its original location at the prime locale of ION Orchard’s first floor, the boutique now seems even more expansive and extensive, with dedicated zones for menswear, womenswear, small leather goods, homeware, pet accessories, and more. Not to mention, the newly refurbished space is now home to Asia’s first Prada Caffe — where guests can sip on authentic Italian-style caffès and cut into Prada-branded pastries and confections.

Gucci’s Endless Narratives Window Concepts

Seoul, Tokyo, and Milan are among the metropolitan cities Gucci selected to get a taste of the house’s whimsy that is rich enough to stand the test of time. Windowfronts of Gucci boutiques have become (as the house best puts it,) portals — where objects “inspire, and stories endlessly unfold”. Key collaborator and Italian artist Luca Pignatelli attributes his own sense of visual dialogue, in creating these welcoming homages to the house’s elaborate history.

Dior Gold House in Bangkok

Possibly one of Southeast Asia’s grandest luxury boutiques to date, the Dior Gold House takes the cake in exemplifying the maison’s savoir-faire practices. In other words, stepping foot into the new 1,000-square-meter concept space evokes a surreal experience that imitates entering a mise-en-scene of a masterpiece. Boasting a new Café Dior and several art installations, the Bangkok concept melds lifestyle, fashion and art seamlessly for an immersive experience like no other.

Louis Vuitton X Murakami Pop-Up

By now, the Louis Vuitton x Murakami collection — culminating in artistically vibrant pieces as a result of the collaboration between the artist and the maison — has made its waves. And one big draw from this partnership comes in the shape of guerilla LV x Murakami pop-ups, happening all across the globe. And Singapore is not exempt from this. Featuring distinct zones that include a retail space, a cinema, a care station, a café and a Japanese gachapon-style draw, the Joo Chiat pop-up invites visitors into an immersive Louis Vuitton experience — from now till January 19 2025.

Fendi Ribbon Window Displays

To mark a century of craftsmanship, the artisans behind the historic house of Fendi are intertwining its past and present with a special window installation. The anniversary special places iconic Fendi pieces front and centre in historic flagships such as the luxury house’s Rome, Milan and Omotesando outposts — all tied together with an emblematic weaving ribbon, transcending geographical boundaries and uniting each storefront with a classically-Fendi touch of fun.

Gentle Monster Jewelry Pop-Up

Gentle Monster — the beloved South Korean optical label — has done it again! For 2025, the eyewear mavens have released a buzzy new collection, titled Gentle Monster Jewelry, that’s stolen hearts around the world, including that of Blackpink’s Jennie. From Bangkok to Seoul to Tokyo, larger-than-life activations see the collection honoured in ornate space takeovers with gargantuan magic sceptres to boot!

Loewe Crafted World

While not technically falling under the shopping category, Loewe’s Crafted World exhibition — now available for viewing in Japan — is a fashion experience too noteworthy not to include. The travelling exhibition will make its debut in Harajuku, following its Shanghai pit-stop last year. Providing glimpses into the tasteful artisanal creations from the Spanish house’s archives, the exhibition will send each visitor on a journey through the iconic designs and cultural collaborations over its 179 years of creativity.

Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our December/January 2025 issue.