Etoile Group Expands Its Luxury Retail Footprint with 11 New Stores in the GCC Region
Etoile Group reaffirms its commitment to redefining the luxury retail experience and setting new standards of excellence in the region’s fashion landscape.
5 min
Etoile Group, the pioneering luxury fashion retail group, proudly announces the successful launch of 11 new stores across the GCC region. These openings feature esteemed brands such as Etoile La Boutique, Aquazzura, Tod’s, Etro, and Chanel.
This expansion marks a significant milestone in Etoile Group’s ambitious plans for 2024, aligning with its vision to elevate the luxury retail landscape across the Middle East. It also supports its strategy to double its revenue and workforce over the next five years.
Founder and President of Etoile Group, Ingie Chalhoub, said: “Our vision for 2024 goes beyond just opening new stores; it’s about elevating every aspect of the shopping experience. From meticulously curated collections to immersive shopping environments, each store serves as cultural hubs where art, fashion, and sophistication intertwine, setting new standards of excellence in the realm of luxury fashion retail.”
Managing Director of Etoile Group, Samer Khouri, said: “Welcoming these new stores into the Etoile Group family marks a significant step forward in our mission to redefine luxury retail in the region. As we unveil these exquisite spaces, we also look ahead to our ambitious 2024 growth plans, which include expanding our digital footprint and forging strategic partnerships to enhance the shopping experience for our discerning clientele.”
Among the notable additions to Etoile Group‘s retail portfolio this year are:
Ingie Chalhoub’s passion for fashion and art converge at Etoile La Boutique. Conceptualized, founded, and launched in 2005, this pioneering multi-brand concept has become the go-to destination for fashion enthusiasts. Etoile La Boutique has expanded across the region, boasting seven stores in Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and, as of March 2024, a newly reopened boutique in Abu Dhabi’s luxury shopping hub, The Galleria. The relocated boutique showcases renowned designers and exclusive brands, with its modern and opulent design curated under the creative direction of Ingie Chalhoub. The interior features luxurious travertine marble walls and signature Etoile brass stars hanging from the ceiling, warmly illuminated to enhance the space.
Etoile Group expands by opening two more Aquazzura stores in the GCC region, following the launch of flagship boutiques in Dubai.Launched in December 2023, in Dubai, UAE, at the Dubai Mall within Galeries Lafayette (Ground Floor), the new store spans across 40 square meters and is carefully tailored to channel Aquazzura’s sophisticated identity and commitment to impeccable craftsmanship. Mirroring the brand’s contemporary essence, the brand presents a space adorned with gold-tone and glass displays, complemented by glossy tiled surfaces, creating a luminous setting showcasing a curated selection of footwear and bags while harmonizing with the Galerie Lafayette’s aesthetics, complementing the already existent flagship store within Dubai Mall.
Meanwhile, unveiled in April 2024 in Manama, Bahrain, at Marassi Galleria Mall (First Floor), this store provides a similarly refined shopping experience, where customers can explore luxurious collections in an environment that embodies Aquazzura’s commitment to timeless elegance.
Etoile Group already boasting five Tod’s boutiques in the GCC, has introduced new boutiques across three prime locations in the region. Opened in November 2023, in Dubai, UAE, at the Dubai Mall within Galeries Lafayette (Ground Floor), clients encounter a serene environment with refined ambiance and sophisticated design elements, ideal for experiencing Italian craftsmanship and style. Following this, a new boutique is set to open on May 22, 2024, at Galleria Mall in Abu Dhabi, further enhancing the brand’s presence in the UAE.
Similar experiences await in Manama, Bahrain, at Marassi Galleria Mall (First Floor), and Riyadh, KSA, at Kingdom Centre (Second Floor), both of which launched in April 2024. These new spaces offer an exclusive selection of Women’s and Men’s Ready-to-Wear, luxury footwear and accessories, embodying the brand’s understated elegance.
The revamped, first-of-its-kind boutique concept from Etro in the world, opened in December 2023 in Dubai Mall, UAE, and is located within the Fashion Avenue (First Floor). With flagship boutiques already in Dubai and Riyadh, this new location invites clientele into a world of luxury. Seamlessly blending the brand’s rich heritage with contemporary elegance, the boutique also serves as an art gallery, featuring selected artworks by young creatives and world-renowned talents including Italian artist Cesare Berlingeri, Korean artist Kwangho Lee, and Italian art and design atelier Draga & Aurel, to enhance the shopping experience.
Etoile Group has also brought Etro’s timeless aesthetic and Italian craftsmanship to Manama, Bahrain, at Marassi Galleria Mall (First Floor) in April 2024. Characterized by refined materials like white marble from Venice, pink marble from Portugal, and cappuccino onyx marble, with exteriors made of travertine, the boutique exudes sophistication. Further embellished with elegant precious Moroccan carpets, it reflects the vibrant and eclectic style of the brand. Housing a curated selection ranging from the latest Women’s and Men’s Ready-to-Wear collections to exquisite leather goods, accessories, eyewear, and fragrances, this new Etro boutique offers a luxurious shopping experience.
Having established the brand’s presence in the GCC region since 1983, the group has continuously expanded the brand, opening multiple stores for Chanel in the past four decades.
Etoile Group opened a new Chanel boutique in March 2024 in Manama, Bahrain, at Marassi Galleria Mall (First Floor), offering a luxurious shopping experience across three distinct divisions. The boutique showcases the latest Ready-to-Wear collections, alongside an array of bags, shoes, eyewear, and accessories. A dedicated Watches and Fine Jewelry area features exclusive timepieces, as well as iconic jewelry pieces. Additionally, there is a selection of High Jewelry and Haute Horlogerie. Accessible via a dedicated entrance, an adjacent CHANEL Fragrance & Beauty boutique presents the House’s fragrances, make-up, and skincare range. Designed by architect Peter Marino, the boutique combines black marble, white stone, and mirrors, creating a sophisticated Art Deco ambiance. In April 2024, a boutique revamp in Kuwait City, Kuwait, at Salhia Complex (Ground Floor), unveiled a similarly exquisite setting. This location celebrates Chanel’s heritage and luxury craftsmanship, providing clients with an unparalleled shopping experience.
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To empower local talents in the fashion industry
3 min
The Chalhoub Group has unveiled the second edition of the Fashion Lab, an innovative initiative designed to support and nurture local fashion talent in Saudi Arabia. Powered by The Greenhouse, Chalhoub Group’s hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, and in collaboration with the Saudi100 program, the Fashion Lab opens its doors to a new cohort of Saudi Arabian fashion brands specializing in ready-to-wear, accessories, handbags, and jewelry.
Fashion entrepreneurs across the Kingdom are now invited to apply for this intensive six-month program. The Fashion Lab is crafted to provide participants with an intensive curriculum that covers essential aspects of fashion business fundamentals, commercialization strategies, and entrepreneurial skills.
This initiative is a testament to Chalhoub Group’s dedication to contributing to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, fostering local talent, and driving innovation within the Saudi fashion industry.
Joaquin Mencia, Chief Innovation Officer at Chalhoub Group, commented: “The Fashion Lab is yet another testament to Chalhoub Group’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in the Saudi fashion scene. After the great success of the first cohort of the Fashion Lab, we are launching Cohort 2 with double the efforts and expanding our perks for the next batch of Saudi fashion brands. With the exciting addition of The Greenhouse’s newly opened location in Riyadh, we are well-prepared to host Cohort 2 in a dynamic environment designed to nurture creativity and innovation. We are committed to providing an unparalleled experience that will empower the next generation of Saudi fashion brands to thrive and reach new heights.”
The first cohort of The Fashion Lab produced remarkable success stories that highlight the program’s impact. Brands like KAFBYKAF have gone on to receive significant acclaim. “The Fashion Lab gave KAFBYKAF the unique experience of selling on a Chalhoub Group platform and receiving guidance and exclusive access to senior leaders and retail experts from the Group, which was incredibly valuable to my brand,” said Kawthar Alhoraish, Founder of KAFBYKAF. “I recommend this program for any brand ready for acceleration.”
“Having worked closely with the brands in the first cohort of The Fashion Lab, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible talent and potential within the Saudi fashion industry,” said Joseph Chalhoub, General Manager of Fashion KSA at Chalhoub Group. “This program is a transformative journey that provides real support, knowledge sharing from retail experts, and commercial opportunities for local brands to thrive.”
This year’s cohort will offer ten Saudi brands a unique chance to gain mentorship and guidance from prestigious partners such as Boltable Studios, Instagram and Snap Inc. The program will be hybrid, based out of Riyadh, and will feature approximately 30 exclusive mentorship and workshop sessions. Successful applicants will have the rare opportunity to bring their collections to life on one of Chalhoub Group’s sales channels.
For more information and to apply, visit The Fashion Lab’s official webpage from June 27 until July 18, 2024, on the following link:
https://www.chalhoubgreenhouse.com/thefashionlab
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