Singapore has welcomed many firsts for Louis Vuitton. The world’s only floating Louis Vuitton boutique is located in the Crystal Pavilion at Marina Bay Sands. Now, the French maison has unveiled the Apartment in Ngee Ann City. It is also the first of its kind in the world and resembles a sprawling, luxurious home with large rooms and small nooks and crannies encouraging you to explore.
It’s fitting that the first room in the Apartment pays tribute to Louis Vuitton’s spirit of travel. Hot air balloons and iconic flat travel trunks dominate the circular space, transporting visitors from reality into the Louis Vuitton universe. There are also several historical artefacts, including old postcards from Singapore, one-off pieces from the archives, and a fully restored 1924 Monogram Hat Trunk.
Louis Vuitton turned to French interior designer Stephanie Coutas for some of the conversation pieces in the Apartment. Among the most striking features of the main hall are the frangipani trees in each corner. Coutas collaborated with fellow French artist John Lookas to craft these icons of Singapore from plaster. The delicate leaves and stalks had to be created by hand on site.
There are three salons, each devoted to the different worlds in the Louis Vuitton universe. The first—and the largest—is for the woman who loves all things Ghesquière. You can lounge on vintage French armchairs or the custom-made Pierre Augustin Rose sofa while browsing the maison’s latest ready-to-wear collection, including evening gowns.
The second salon is designed for the Louis Vuitton man. While smaller in scale, its grandiosity remains the same. First, you’ll notice the Damier plaster design on the walls that commands attention before realising you’re walking on a gorgeous, bespoke carpet inspired by the sea. Several of Pharrell’s designs were littered throughout the space when we visited, including a camouflage suit that caught our attention.
The final room, or antechamber, is dedicated to Louis Vuitton’s high jewellery and timepieces. Unlike the other two, the lighting in this third space is brighter and more robust, presumably to make it easier to admire the small accoutrements. A Budri stone table with glass cloches provides the space you need to view the pieces, while the vintage 1970 chandelier suspended from the ceiling is the perfect backdrop for your social media posts.
The Louis Vuitton Apartment is only open to private clients. If you haven’t been yet, we highly recommend making an appointment. Oh, the magic you’ll experience in just a few, brief hours.
