Latest news with #Rubelli
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EXCLUSIVE: Nanushka Pops Up in Paris, Eyes Experiential Retail Expansion
PARIS — Nanushka is planting roots in Paris — at least through winter — with a six-month pop-up opening Thursday inside Galeries Lafayette, the next big step in the brand's global growth plan. 'Paris is going to be a strategic focus for Nanushka in this upcoming period,' said cofounder and chief executive officer Peter Baldaszti. 'We know, based on data and demand for the brand, that France is a very fast-growing market for us. It felt like the right move to test the market more with a bit of a brick-and-mortar experience on a smaller scale.' More from WWD Brown Thomas Supports Homegrown Talent Robyn Lynch With Exclusive Capsule EXCLUSIVE: Fashion Rental Reduces Environmental Impact, According to New Study From The Volte Bal Harbour Shops' Roving Mini Mall on the Road Again The brand already has flagships in Budapest, London and New York, and has imported Nanushka's design DNA into an 88-square-foot physical space, a petite spot of prime real estate next to the highly trafficked Skims on the second floor of the historic department store. Anchoring the design is a hand-carved wooden totem pole featuring the house's Kopjafa symbols, a nod to the brand's Hungarian roots. Other artisan details include bespoke shell lighting, Rubelli fabric from Venice on the walls, 17th-century Italian wrought iron nails, and French plaster applied by hand. Cushions were handmade in Budapest using surplus Nanushka fabric, finished with the label's proprietary vegan leather, Okobor. 'It also allows us to start at the right scale, so it's not immediately a huge jump into flagship opportunity,' Baldaszti added. The pop-up will house three seasonal collections, pre-fall, winter and pre-spring through January, and particularly important through the holiday shopping season. The space also sets the stage for the launch of Nanushka's third handbag, the Harmonica, which will launch globally in October. Inspired by Hungarian folk music instruments, the new bag follows the success of the Origami tote and the Sandi top-handle. 'Bags are very significantly a growing part of the business for us, but we are taking slow and conscious steps on that,' Baldaszti said. 'It's one of my favorite areas of fashion. Bags are particularly interesting because they have to somehow be able to represent the whole brand universe in a very small way.' Despite being 'quite late to the bag game,' Nanushka's accessory business is 'growing in the triple digits,' he noted. 'We also tried to carve out our own niche in the space aesthetically,' he added, citing the Origami bag's distinctive silhouette and crochet detail — 'very Nanushka' — instantly recognizable but notably spared of any loud branding. Beyond product, the brand is committed to deepening its physical presence in key markets. 'E-commerce is very transactional for me, and a very pragmatic, utilitarian experience, while a physical space has to be much more — you have to touch all the senses. You have to build chemistry with the customers,' Baldaszti said. 'For Nanushka, the future is certainly in the right brick-and-mortar stores, where we can find meaningful ways to connect with customers.' Its business is 'very equally split' in thirds across e-commerce, retail and wholesale, he said. The brand bravely opened its London flagship mid-pandemic, and the U.K. remains challenging, he said. But Baldaszti still maintains confidence there. 'We still have a huge trust in that market, and we have a strong customer base.' The London flagship will undergo a facelift this fall with additional hospitality experiences. Nanushka explored experiential early on, with its bookshop-boutique-café combo in Budapest opening in 2018. 'Just experimenting with a space in Paris and connecting with the community,' he said of ideas they will be testing out. 'I think we will find new ways, when the right time comes, to enter the French market [with a flagship].' France is among Nanushka's fastest-growing markets, now expanding 'well more than double digits' across online and wholesale. The brand also maintains a presence in Le Bon Marché and Samaritaine Paris. Still, the U.S. remains Nanushka's largest market, with future plans to extend the Galeries Lafayette model to strategic U.S. wholesale partners. In China, the brand has opted for a digital-first strategy via its Tmall flagship, citing a 'quite challenging' retail environment which caused it to pull back its physical presence there, while it continues strong online performance. Nanushka's growth continues to be firmly rooted in cofounder and creative director Sandra Sandor's sustainable design ethos. 'It has become more institutional and more strategic for us after we realized that it makes sense to talk about it, because we can also influence other brands and influence customers,' Baldaszti said. Sustainability, including the use of Okobor — its proprietary vegan leather made from 56 percent recycled polyester and 44 percent polyurethane — remains an integral part of the brand's identity. The brand, which presented in Paris for fall 2022 and held a runway show in New York for spring 2025 has opted out of showing for the upcoming season, which will be bursting with big designer debuts. 'With our resources, it's kind of impossible to compete with the powerhouses,' he said, still hinting at future plans. 'But there will be a good moment for us to return to the Paris Fashion Week schedule.' In the meantime, they are 'looking into some alternative ideas on how to engage and how to present the collection' this fall, and will host an opening event in the Galeries Lafayette space in September. Best of WWD Macy's Is Closing 66 Stores in 2025 — Here's the List, Live Updates Inside the Demise of Lord & Taylor COVID-19 Spikes Elevate Retail Concerns
West Australian
09-07-2025
- West Australian
Luxury sleeper train, The Britannic Explorer, ready to run
The first luxury sleeper train in England and Wales, the Britannic Explorer, makes its first run on July 21. Part of the Belmond train stable, it will leave London Victoria Station for three-night itineraries to iconic regions — the coastline of Cornwall, the Lake District and the heartlands of Wales. A spokesperson for the Britannic Explorer team promises: 'The pioneering train embodies modern British identity through playing with history, style and personality to create something unexpected and unconventional.' Within eight carriages featuring bold fabrics and carefully selected antiques are 18 cabins, comprising three grand suites and 15 suites. There's restaurant cars and a spa. The spokesperson says: 'The design draws inspiration from the serene, organic beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Natural materials — wood, stone and wool — are thoughtfully paired with earthy tones and tactile finishes, evoking the elegance of the British countryside. 'The result is a harmonious blend of tradition and modern luxury, where guests feel simultaneously grounded in nature and enveloped in the distinctive style of the Britannic Explorer.' The train's interior has been designed by London-based studio Albion Nord, in collaboration with Luke Edward Hall, Mel Campion and Olly Fathers. + Luke is famous for fusing classical motifs with contemporary vibrancy. He has reinterpreted a Rubelli fabric with a 'whimsical and illustrative design inspired by elements that guests will see along their travels — from botanicals to key landmarks'. + Shell artist Mel Campion has created mirrors for the powder rooms. + Designer Rose Uniacke brings her understated touch to the custom light fittings. + In the wellness suite, painter and printmaker Sarah Woods has captured a calming beach landscape in muted hues. + The dining carriages have depictions of dancing figures by Ed Burkes, and Adam Halls' hand-dyed fabric creations inspired by lichen and algae. + The grand suites have striking panels by Brixton-based Olly Fathers, who is known for bold, geometric abstracts. + Those suites also have Marcus James' intricate multicoloured pen depictions of the landscapes of the Lake District. + Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan, a pioneer of Britain's farm-to-fork movement, leads the dining team. Executive head chef Sven-Hanson Britt will present seasonal menus that feature British produce, with an emphasis on good provenance and sustainability. + There are lots of excursions, from coastal sailing and yoga sessions by the sea in Cornwall to wild swimming, rowing and paddleboarding in the Lake District. In Wales, art classes are offered. A double cabin with the three-night itinerary, excursions, meals, wine and alcoholic beverages on board is from $11,000. or email
The Age
19-05-2025
- The Age
The revamped grand Rome hotel that inspired an Oscar Wilde sonnet
There's no shortage of grand, historic hotels in Rome, many of which welcomed wealthy young travellers on the Grand Tour of Europe in the 19th century. One of the most beloved, Hotel d'Inghilterra, has reopened after a years-long refurbishment overseen by owner Elisabetta Fabri, the president and chief executive of Starhotels Group. Ideally positioned near the Spanish Steps and the luxury boutiques along Via Condotti, the hotel was originally built in the mid-16th century as private accommodation for invited guests of Palazzo Torlonia across the street. In 1845, the guesthouse became a hotel known as the Angleterre, a welcoming home away from home for travellers, many of them British. Starhotels acquired the property eight years ago, inheriting a landmark address and a storied history. Pope Pius IX is said to have met there with Dom Pedro V, the former King of Portugal. After staying at the hotel on his first visit to Rome and visiting John Keats's grave, Oscar Wilde was inspired to write a sonnet. Fabri says loyal repeat guests – there are many – implored her not to change too much during the renovation, a request she has honoured. Elegant modernisation of the rooms and suites (reduced from 84 to 80), building facade, bar and restaurant has been done with a tasteful eye to the property's historic, boutique charm. Starhotels supports an initiative, 'La Grande Bellezza – The Dream Factory', to protect and promote the methods and expertise of Italian master craftspeople. As part of the project, restoration of the hotel's luxe chandeliers, furniture, frames and doors was undertaken by hand using traditional techniques. Bed linens by Frette and custom Rubelli fabrics on the walls are further evidence of a preference for Italian design from companies with roots in the 19th century. The hotel's signature restaurant, Cafe Romano, is now under the direction of executive chef Andrea Sangiuliano, formerly of Mama Shelter Roma. His handmade tagliatelle and zucchini flowers stuffed with Cacio e Pepe are already being talked about as must-try dishes in the capital. If the weather's nice, ask for one of Cafe Romano's outdoor tables along Via Borgognona. The pedestrian-zone cobblestone street in the heart of the city is a prime spot for people-watching. Still to come, a spa and subterranean gym, plus a chic rooftop terrace bar that will provide one of the best views of the Eternal City.
Sydney Morning Herald
19-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
The revamped grand Rome hotel that inspired an Oscar Wilde sonnet
There's no shortage of grand, historic hotels in Rome, many of which welcomed wealthy young travellers on the Grand Tour of Europe in the 19th century. One of the most beloved, Hotel d'Inghilterra, has reopened after a years-long refurbishment overseen by owner Elisabetta Fabri, the president and chief executive of Starhotels Group. Ideally positioned near the Spanish Steps and the luxury boutiques along Via Condotti, the hotel was originally built in the mid-16th century as private accommodation for invited guests of Palazzo Torlonia across the street. In 1845, the guesthouse became a hotel known as the Angleterre, a welcoming home away from home for travellers, many of them British. Starhotels acquired the property eight years ago, inheriting a landmark address and a storied history. Pope Pius IX is said to have met there with Dom Pedro V, the former King of Portugal. After staying at the hotel on his first visit to Rome and visiting John Keats's grave, Oscar Wilde was inspired to write a sonnet. Fabri says loyal repeat guests – there are many – implored her not to change too much during the renovation, a request she has honoured. Elegant modernisation of the rooms and suites (reduced from 84 to 80), building facade, bar and restaurant has been done with a tasteful eye to the property's historic, boutique charm. Starhotels supports an initiative, 'La Grande Bellezza – The Dream Factory', to protect and promote the methods and expertise of Italian master craftspeople. As part of the project, restoration of the hotel's luxe chandeliers, furniture, frames and doors was undertaken by hand using traditional techniques. Bed linens by Frette and custom Rubelli fabrics on the walls are further evidence of a preference for Italian design from companies with roots in the 19th century. The hotel's signature restaurant, Cafe Romano, is now under the direction of executive chef Andrea Sangiuliano, formerly of Mama Shelter Roma. His handmade tagliatelle and zucchini flowers stuffed with Cacio e Pepe are already being talked about as must-try dishes in the capital. If the weather's nice, ask for one of Cafe Romano's outdoor tables along Via Borgognona. The pedestrian-zone cobblestone street in the heart of the city is a prime spot for people-watching. Still to come, a spa and subterranean gym, plus a chic rooftop terrace bar that will provide one of the best views of the Eternal City.
