On the 5th of September, CHARLES & KEITH celebrated the official opening of its inaugural flagship store in South Korea. Located in the bustling shopping district of Gangnam, Seoul, the capacious duplex building is the largest CHARLES & KEITH store in the country yet. The boutique’s greyscale concrete exterior marks the brand’s ongoing commitment to provide a luxurious and immersive retail experience to all its customers.
Spanning over 330 square metres, a cohesive interior that would appeal to brutalist and minimalist fans everywhere is the first thing one lays their eyes on. The first floor of the store sees the brand’s expansive array of bags, ranging from the season’s latest to several of their classic designs. Moving upstairs, the second story houses the brand’s sprawling selection of footwear, in varied colourways and sizes that might not be available at some of the smaller boutiques. CHARLES & KEITH’s premium Collection line is also stocked on this floor, items that boast superior materials and improved construction.
Unique to the store are also sculptural pieces created by South Korean artist Jeesun Park. Titled ‘The Touchable Flow’, these volumes of organic curves are finished in a combination of gloss and matte plaster. Accents of brushed stainless steel and polished aluminium provide a touch of industrial detailing to the these ornate decorations that highlight the ethos of the space.
In line with the store’s grand opening, the latest capsule collaboration with local creative Henn Kim was also on display. Fondly titled “Heart Is Every Wear”, the monochromatic collection sees 4 pieces that are each inspired by Kim’s desire for versatility and comfort. The jet-black products can be seamlessly worn anywhere and everywhere, whilst encapsulating a certain level of nonchalance and attitude. The pop art style of the emblematic heart logo reiterates to all wearers the importance of authenticity, confidently wearing their hearts on their sleeves.
CHARLES & KEITH invited media from all around the asiatic region to be a part of the afternoon, strengthening its presence within the Asian market. Global face of the brand Han So-Hee made a guest appearance, in a fitting all-black ensemble. Decked out in statement jewellery from the Gabine line, she carried the coveted Petra bag while a pair the platform mules that rounded off her look. Other esteemed guests included Kpop girl-group singers Soyeon from G(IDLE), Nancy from Momoland, fashion model and style maven Irene Kim, and comedian-actress Joo Hyun-Young. Each interpreted the latest products in their own, unique styles, boasting fashion diversity.
Lastly, the flagship store is the first in South Korea to offer ‘Made for Me’ by CHARLES & KEITH: an exclusive personalisation service that encourages customers to express themselves by embroidering their names and city-exclusive icons on their various purchases. This service not only celebrates the spirit of creativity and individuality, but also provides an added personal touch to create more meaning to gifting. It drives home the goal of this store, to promote inclusitivity to all around the world.
Discover and shop CHARLES & KEITH’s fall/winter 2023 collection now available at all retail stores. For more information on the collection, visit the brand’s official website here.
