Category: Fashion

I was reading an article on Arabian Business the other day about ghost brands which is a term being used for franchises that come to the Gulf and do really well here while end up failing and closing down in their original home country. One of the brands hit by the recession was the UK lingerie chain La Senza. But, I just found out that Alshaya got involved and purchased 60 La Senza stores in the UK and helped save 1,100 jobs. That’s pretty cool. [Link]

I’m a huge fan of BoConcept so I found this news very disappointing. It seems they weren’t doing so well in Kuwait and so they’ve decided to close down their store and leave Kuwait by February. They were my favorite furniture store and it sucks that they’re closing.

Thanks Patrick

According to a reader Go Sport at Avenues are now selling MMA gear. They’re currently carrying two brands which are Venum and Bad boy. Personally, I’m still holding out for a store that carries TapOut and Affliction gear.

Thanks Omar

Is it just me or does KD70,000 for a purse sound a bit on the expensive side?

Hermès sent out invitations to their opening at Al Hamra Tower which will be on the 13th of December. I’m not sure if anyone can attend the opening without an invitation but you could give it a shot if you really want a bag. The invite says the event starts at 7pm and I’m guessing if they will have any Kelly’s or Birkin’s available they’ll probably all be taken that first night.

I passed by the Superdry store in Avenues today and it’s pretty huge. They’re open near phase II where Diesel used to be.

I remember Tommy being open in Marina Mall around 7 years back but they weren’t doing good (I heard) and they shut down. Now it looks like they’re reopening again but this time at 360 Mall. Their new location is right next to Signor Sassi in place of Yo Sushi! and also right next to Mango.

Interestingly the brand doesn’t seem to be owned by Alshaya anymore. When Tommy was previously open in Kuwait Alshaya had the brand but, I just checked out the Alshaya website and there is no sign of Tommy Hilfiger so it looks like it’s opening under new ownership.

Franklin Marshall opened up yesterday (I think) at the Avenues Phase II opposite Paul Smith.

I was also at Marina Mall last night and noticed SuperDry is opening up in place of where Diesel was located.

Finally some sad news, it seems my favorite Japanese restaurant in Kuwait Kei will not be reopening at Marina Crescent and instead Nestle Toll House will be opening in its place. Originally Kei closed down for renovation but they then gave half their shop to Columbus Cafe Caribou Coffe and it seems now they’ve given the other half to Nestle Toll House. They still have their JW Marriott location but I preferred the Marina Crescent branch since it was right next to my house.

Toll House picture by Mohammed

Diesel at Marina Mall is closing down since they’re opening up at 360 Mall so they’ve got a major sale going right now. They’ve got 70% off on some jeans and they also have a large collection of jeans for just KD10. The store is pretty empty right now and they only have women’s jeans left so if you’re interested hurry up.

Alshaya recently stopped cash and credit card refunds in all their stores for returned items. According to the article on Arabian Business, this decision by Alshaya has caused an uproar of a sort with shoppers in the UAE but surprisingly I haven’t heard much about this in Kuwait. I don’t think I’ve ever returned anything back to a store so this won’t have much effect on me but I’m sure it’s going to piss quite a few people off. [Link]

Thanks Fred

Prada and Miu Miu are finally coming back to Kuwait again and this time they’re opening up at 360 Mall. Both brands were previously located at Villa Moda but ended up closing down along with the other brands.

Note: I think the location of the Prada store will be in front of Bottega Veneta near Burberry. That location seems big enough and it would be located in a strip that’s currently occupied by Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent as well.

Update: Got some more information regarding this. Prada signed a regional partnership with UAE based Al-Tayer Group and they are the ones who are bringing Prada and Miu Miu to Kuwait. As I predicted the Prada branch is going to open opposite Bottega Veneta while Miu Miu is going to open next to Marni. My guess is they might be open by the end of the year or early 2012.

I was having lunch today at the Avenues and I noticed Victoria’s Secret is opening up next to Starbucks opposite Lorenzino near The One furniture store. It looks like it’s going to be much larger than the Marina Mall branch so I’m guessing they’re going to have a proper lingerie section which is why I find the location a bit weird.

A proper Adidas and Adidas Originals store will be opening up at Hamra Tower. Right now there’s a tiny one at Marina Mall but supposedly the new one will be much larger and most importantly we’re getting Adidas Originals which I personally favor over the regular Adidas. Not sure when they’re opening exactly but Hamra Tower is schedule to open in December so maybe then.

The Chocolate & Chocolate blog posted pictures of the Eastpak event here in Kuwait where you could get your bag customized by graffiti artists. I like the artwork on the bag above and I’m now thinking of passing by and getting one of my bags tagged if it’s not too packed. The event is still on for another 2 days in case you’re interested. Here is a link to the blog post on Chocolate & Chocolate [Link] and here is a link for more information on the event [Link]

I just found out Tory Burch is coming to Kuwait and the rest of the region courtesy of the Chalhoub Group. They’re opening their first branch at Dubai Mall this year and a branch in Kuwait next year. [Link]