By ASHOK SOMAN

Singapore got a luxurious serving of Champs Elysees style when luxury goods goliath Louis Vuitton set up shop at ION Orchard in July 2009. Only the second global Louis Vuitton store, this happens to be the largest in Southeast Asia, at 905 square meters over two levels.

In its press notes, the brand states that the new boutique represents its continuing efforts to offer innovative retail experiences in spaces that are architectural inspirations.

Officiating at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the ION Orchard store were Taiwanese supermodel Lin Chi Ling, CEO of Orchard Turn Developments Pte Ltd Soon Su Lin, President of Louis Vuitton Asia-Pacific Jean-Baptiste Debains and General Manager Louis Vuitton Southeast Asia Jean-Christophe Tevenin.

“When the first Louis Vuitton store opened in the city in 1979, Louis Vuitton was a pioneer of luxury retail,” said Tevenin. “Today marks an important milestone and symbolizes our dedication to our customers and friends in Singapore.”

The celebrations were capped off by a cocktail reception where the VIPs were joined by Singapore celebrities Zoe Tay, Fann Wong, Christopher Lee and Denise Keller. For the public, the celebratory spirit can be felt in the special range of "Singapore Exclusives", which includes limited and numbered items from a wide range of collections: ready-to-wear, shoes, sunglasses, watches and leather goods (some of which are pictured below).

Of special note is the Tambour 18 Croissant watch, created specially for the inauguration of the store. Limited to just eight pieces, the watch is swimming in diamonds and a variety of other precious stones.  Take note also of the handmade Soupcon Oversize sunglasses that debuted here along with the store launch.