Giorgio Armani Opens The First Armani/Casa Store In Dubai At The Dubai Mall

The collaboration between the Armani Group and Emaar Retail LLC will see the luxury Armani/Casa brand open stores across the UAE. The opening at The Dubai Mall one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations, marks the launch of this exciting business partnership.

The Dubai store continues the international expansion program for the brand. Today Armani/Casa has 80 stores in 45 countries. Further new openings are planned for the next few months of this year in other strategic locations, such as Jakarta, Indonesia; and Manama, Bahrain.

Giorgio Armani, Chairman and Chief Executive of Giorgio Armani S.p.A. says, "I am especially pleased to note the very real growth we are now seeing in our home furnishings business. The Armani/Casa collection was launched in 2000 with the opening of the first dedicated Armani/Casa store at our Via Manzoni store in Milan. Since that time we have pursued an aggressive expansion programme for Armani/Casa through the roll out of 80 dedicated stores in 45 countries. I am delighted to have Emaar Retail as a partner for Armani/Casa in the UAE. I am sure that The Dubai Mall will be a new shopping and entertaining destination for an international clientele and it is the perfect location for Armani/Casa. We now look forward to offering our collection and service in this important market.”

Suresh Bhatia of Emaar Retail LLC, said: “The opening of the first dedicated Armani/Casa store in The Dubai Mall brings a new dynamic to the retail sector of Dubai. The Dubai Mall has already defined the retail experience in the city, and the addition of this new store will further establish the mall as a one of the world’s foremost shopping destinations. The store is personally conceptualised by Mr Giorgio Armani, whose pathbreaking design concepts will be a refreshing experience for Dubai and the region’s customers.”

The Armani/Casa Dubai store has an area of 330 square meters with a unique long curved window that gives total visibility of the interior. The display creates a distinctive atmosphere through a combination of products that range from furniture and furnishings to accessories, décor and fabrics – for both day and night zones – carefully selected for their compatibility in terms of shape, material and colour, all within a bright but softly lit environment.

The Dubai store displays, along with the permanent collection, some of the latest models of the 2008-2009 Collection, like the Limited Editions Antoinette and Adelchi; it also features an important piece of the permanent collection, the Bridge Kitchen, developed together with Dada (Molteni Group).

Some of the new products of the 2008-09 collection will be displayed in Dubai, like Beethoven, a charismatic sofa with a curved armrest and square cushions. The distinctiveness of Beethoven derives from the rigour and elegance of its shape, combined with the sophisticated materials used, like the glossy Macassar ebony which covers the armrests.

Limited Editions signed by Giorgio Armani

In Dubai Armani/Casa is presenting two “jewels for the home” created in limited editions of only 50 pieces, each one a unique item of furniture bearing the unmistakeable signature of Giorgio Armani. Antoinette is the highly original dressing table, intended for a sensual and sophisticated woman who loves to pamper herself. This piece is defined by its cylindrical form clad in a precious fabric in a pale shade of champagne. When open it reveals its function as a dressing table with a mirror and surface, and has a drawer created in a special material that resembles mother of pearl, while the seat with its curved back is in the same fabric as the dressing table and integrates into the main unit. Adelchi, restrained and charismatic, is a desk in the modern style featuring a wealth of highly prized craftsmanship: the satin-finish glossy metal tiles selected for the surface are applied one by one to deliver an impact that is both visually satisfying and opulent. Adelchi, intended for a man who prioritises minimalism and purity of style, is a desk fit for a study, and is itself a showpiece of beauty that forcefully evokes a mood of modern luxury.

Armani/Dada – Bridge Kitchen

The Armani Group and the Molteni Group have recently announced the formation of a joint partnership for the future production and distribution of kitchen systems. This collaboration will result in a new line Armani/Dada. “Bridge” is the first system launched under this partnership and it will be available in Dubai at the Armani/Casa store.

The special characteristic of this kitchen is the “duality” of its design concept. While possessing an intrinsic unity, there is an element of split personality here: on the one hand this is a zone that speaks the language of cutting edge technology with its interactive kitchen systems – storage units, hot section and cold section; on the other hand it is engaged in an aesthetic dialogue with the more glamorous dining area.

The new Bridge kitchen will be distributed through stand-alone Armani/Casa stores or Dada concept stores and appointed multi-brand kitchen stockists, where it will be appropriately displayed to do full justice to the brand, and to present the Armani/Casa concept without compromise.

source : Emaar