SINGAPORE rivals Asian fashion capitals such as Tokyo in Japan and Hong Kong in the fashion stakes – even if up-and-coming powerhouse China is already snapping at their heels.
 
The bold assessment came yesterday from Mr Jean-Baptiste Debains, luxury label Louis Vuitton’s (LV) president of Asia-Pacific, as LV, which has three other outlets here, gave the media a preview of its latest Singapore store at ION Orchard, ahead of its official opening today.

The store is the label’s biggest in South-east Asia. It is also a global outlet, which is defined by a wider merchandise range, including luggage and costume jewellery.

Speaking to the media yesterday, Mr Debains said that although the financial crisis has made shoppers here more cautious about what they buy, they would still “continue to buy high-end and luxury goods asthey want to treat themselves”.

He offered an idea of the label’s expansion plans, saying: “Japan is a mature market for luxury, so we won’t be opening 10 stores a year there like how we’re opening five to 10 a year in China, which has 28 LV stores in 21 cities...We are also opening one in Sydney next week, followed by Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Macau by the end of the year.”

Asked if Singapore could be a trendsetter in Asia, Mr Debains said the country, which he described as “a South-east Asian hub for luxury goods”, does not need to play catch-up with Tokyo or Hong Kong in the fashion stakes.

Home-grown fashion designer Sunny Ang, 34, agreed. “With all the new malls like ION Orchard, Mandarin Gallery and Orchard Central slated to open, there is no catching up to do,” he said.

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