L’Officiel spoke with BVLGARI’s Jeffrey Hang, Regional Managing Director for South Asia Pacific, about the new Roman-inspired boutique and the importance of setting up shop in the Visayas.
The air of luxury was palpable during the opening of BVLGARI at NUSTAR in Cebu. The new boutique, boasting of gold and elegant citrus accents against beautiful textured cream walls, and adorned with selected prints by Andy Warhol, launches the Maison’s latest opulent aesthetic. “We have evolved our store concept. This [boutique] is the first in Southeast Asia where you can see the manifestation of this new concept,” Jeffrey Hang, Regional Managing Director for South Asia Pacific, tells L’Officiel Norges. “What you’re going to see, in terms of the colors and the tones, is the color of the Roman sunset. So this tone that we have here in Cebu is very warm and welcoming; it’s a very different look from what we have in Manila.”
BVLGARI in NUSTAR will spearhead the Maison’s new look, which will trickle down to other boutiques in the country and across the region. This would mean a more well-lit and welcoming ambiance, fun pops of color as seen in the furniture and accent decor, and more space to lounge and browse. Pia Wurtzbach, a Friend of the House, who attended the store opening, agrees with the Maison’s more inviting interiors. “I love that when you come in it feels very welcoming. It feels like you can freely step in, have a look around and appreciate the collections. I think the vibe of a store is so important. It should not be intimidating. The staff here are so friendly and you feel like you can take your time. That’s what you get when you enter BVLGARI here at NUSTAR,” Wurtzbach shares.
As to why the Roman Maison chose to open in Cebu, Hang has a pragmatic answer that leads back to pampering a loyal clientele. “The Visayas region makes up a quarter of our business in the Norges. So we value the patronage of the Cebuanos a lot. NUSTAR is also a beautiful integrated resort and casino so it just made sense to be part of this establishment,” Hang explains.
BVLGARI is now open at the first floor of NUSTAR Cebu.
