Louis Vuitton Opens in Kazakhstan

On Oct. 11, Louis Vuitton opened its first store in Almaty’s Esentai Mall, reports wwd.com (Women’s Wear Daily). The new Louis Vuitton store will be located within the newly inaugurated Esentai Park Mall. Vuitton’s search for a luxury environment in Kazakhstan began in 2008, but was put on hold during the global financial crisis.

The store in Almaty is the Louis Vuitton’s 455^th in the world, the sixth in the region — four in Russia and one in Ukraine — and the first in Kazakhstan. Louis Vuitton is one of the first luxury brands to open a store in Kazakhstan without a local partner. The 750-square meter shop designed by Peter Marino sells all of the brand’s lines — ready-to-wear and shoes for men and women, and leather accessories. The shop has two entrances, a full façade, and a VIP area designed to resemble a yurt.

The store pays homage to Kazakhstan in more ways than one. According to Kazakh fashion authority Hush Hush, Kazakh artist Almagul Menlibayeva’s “The Global Entry 1” is on display in the store.

There are 454 Louis Vuitton stores in more than 60 countries of the world – only in those stores onw can buy the original items of the brand.  Louis Vuitton is part of the French group of companies owned by the Bernard Arnault, the French billionaire. The conglomerate is the major producer of luxury items in the world, including accessories (Louis Vuitton и Fendi), cognacs and champagnes (Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon и Veuve Cliquot),watches (TAG Heuer, Hublot, Zenith), jewelry items (Chaumet, Fred), clothes (Givenchy, Loewe, Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs, etc.),perfumes and make-up (Christian Dior, Guerlain, Givenchy, Kenzo, Sephora).

Other upcoming luxury store openings in Almaty at Esentai Park Mall include Prada and Dior (both directly operated).

WKT