Be an early bird at Ion Orchard if you want exclusive goodies. Slated to open to the public on July 21, the mega mall's fashionable tenants are gearing up for the big day in their own way.

A check with 10 of these retailers showed that at least eight of them - Burberry, Cartier, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Giorgio Armani, Miu Miu, Yves Saint Laurent and Topshop - will commission limited-edition products to mark their store opening.

These eight will also unveil new store concepts or flagship outlets - the first four are among the six much- hyped duplexes at the swanky eight-storey complex.

Cartier's customers have had a headstart. All 15 pieces of the specially commissioned 18-carat white gold Panthere watches, which are studded with diamonds and sapphire and worth $80,000, have been reserved by VIP customers. The boutique will open for business on July 15.

Louis Vuitton is an early birdie itself.

The French luxury label will be the first boutique to open at the mall next Friday - VIP customers get a sneak preview the day before - and it has goodies galore in store.

A brand representative says it is common practice for LV to release such items in conjunction with the opening of selected 'major, flagship or global' outlets.

For the launch of its 18,800 sq ft megastore in Hong Kong's Canton Road in March last year, for example, more than 10 commemorative items, including a rhinestone- and crystal-studded top and skirt - were produced.

To mark the opening of its

9,740 sq ft flagship store at Ion Orchard, it will launch 11 commemorative items, including a perforated lambskin skirt and gold leather sling bag with prices starting from $665 for a printed tee.

Produced in quantities ranging from six to 200 each, three items - women's sunglasses, women's ballet flats and men's sneakers - will also be marked with 'Louis Vuitton Orchard Road Singapore'.

Says the label's South-east Asia general manager Jean Christophe Tevenin: 'These Singapore exclusives celebrate the unveiling of this architectural showcase.'

Italian label Miu Miu, too, will release 40 specially designed snakeskin handbags marked 'Miu Miu Singapore Special Edition' priced at $3,120 each when its doors open on July 28.

Yves Saint Laurent, meanwhile, will launch limited-edition versions of its classic Easy tote in shades exclusive to its Ion Orchard store, which will open in late August.

Luxury labels are not the only ones giving out grand opening goodies.

Buy selected items at Topshop and Topman's new 12,400 sq ft flagship store at the mall and you will get a specially designed eco tote or badge.

Part of the proceeds go to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.

Urban gives you a sneak peek at the exclusive commemorative products from Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Giorgio Armani and Topshop.

As for the rest, let's just say it is worth keeping your eye on Ion.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.