EVENT: Montblanc opens new-look boutique, their 7th in Australia
Felix ScholzLast week, Montblanc officially opened their seventh Australian boutique, at Chadstone in Melbourne – Australia’s largest high-end shopping precinct. And I must say that Montblanc looked right at home, nestled amidst some of the largest luxury and fashion names in the world.
The brand has a strong presence in Australia, with six other dedicated retail spaces dotted across the country, but none of them looks quite like this — as this boutique has been made in line with their new Neo2 design concept, designed by Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance. It’s intended to be more relaxed, a nice change from the sometimes intimidating boutique experience.
The space is open and inviting, almost living room-like, except that no one I know has a living room this stylish or pristine. And while the space itself was relaxing, what I was really excited about was what was inside: walls of writing instruments and timepieces — including a few special higher-end pieces, like the TimeWalker Chronograph Rally Timer — and leather goods. I was particularly keen to see the new (Montblanc M)Red, which is seriously sexy, as well as Montblanc’s new high-end hard cases, the #MY4810 collection, which looks set to go toe-to-toe with Rimowa. Watches, however, are clearly my comfort zone, and the new 1858s were well represented, and I’ve got to say, every time I see the 1858 Chronograph in bronze with its champagne dial I fall a little more in love.
