Special offer

What's new in Waikiki? Moncler makes a splash, no seriously!

By
Real Estate Agent with HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 RS-76763

What's new in Waikiki?

Moncler makes a splash, no seriously &

The Ritz starts to rise, no dysfunction.

Waikiki is a resort and residential neighborhood in constant flux, with people and establishments coming and going in an endless flow of change and adaptation. I am constantly amazed at just how much change goes on in Waikiki and What's new in Waikiki is an occasional serial post highlighting new businesses and places to visit in world famous Waikiki, Hawai'i. 

 

Moncler, on Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki, Hawai'i

 

Nothing is more oddly juxtaposed, in my estimation, than a luxury winter sport and outerwear legend like Moncler and the sun soaked tropicality of Waikiki. It seems rather quixotic that one would find the renowned French/Italian winter-wear and mountain lifestyle brand just yards away, from the lapping surf of the tropical Pacific ocean. Yet violá, there it is in all it's puffy bundled and fur trimmed glory. 

 

Moncler, was the creation of René Ramillon and established in 1952. It's new Luxury Row location at 2120 Kalakaua Ave. opened this past fall to little fanfare, locally. Renowned for it's iconic padded or "puff" jackets and fur trimmed ski fashion, even this outer-wear manufacturer's spring and summer selection is acclimatized more for April in Antarctica than anything even resembling the tropics, but this shop is not for local consumption.

 

 

 

My favorite Spring/Summer 2015 Moncler looks that you

could wear during the winter in Hawai'i 

 

 

The question of course, why would anybody buy their winter wear in Hawai'i? The mind set is simple really, people buy things, expensive things when they are happy and celebratory and Waikiki is notorious for facilitating happiness and celebration. People are so happy in fact they are willing to outfit themselves in clothing appropriate for scaling the Himalayas, while vacationing in tropical Hawai'i. Also, the Brand is targeting exclusively to the luxury tastes of the Japanese and Asian tourist demographic who, depending on currency rates and economic expectations may see added value in purchasing down stuffed luxury outerwear in paradise.

 

Moncler, on Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki, Hawai'i

Moncler, on Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki, Hawai'i

 

Now that I have squeezed out all the facetiousness in my tone, I'll move to a more nostalgic moment from my youth, skiing on the Continent with my ultra-cool white Moncler sunglasses and my oh so popular "puff" down jacket; a look highly desired back in the late 70's and early 80's, as it is today. There was nothing more disappointing than puncturing the jacket and seeing the tufts of feathers poking through the breach and using utility tape to mend the tear.

 

 

 

The challenge for this brand at this location will be a weak Yen, especially when the largest Men's size in the boutique is a 2 and the brand's obvious brand incompatibility with the tropics. The Luxury market in Waikiki is Hot, Hot, Hot and rents are high and luxury retail spaces at a premium but will the luxury market support such a cool weather seasonal niche? Quixotic or not it's hard to say but time will tell? 

 

 

 

The Ritz on the rise in Waikiki.

 

The Ritz starts to rise, no dysfunction.

Just around the corner on the other side of the block from Moncler, next to Tiffany's is the entrance to the New Ritz Carlton Residences. Phase one is currently under construction and sold out with phase two in presales. Below is an artists rendering of the entrance and porte cochère of the luxury condotel. Dean and Deluca is slated to open on the corner of Kuhio and Kalaimoku Streets. The photo above is the future entrance viewed from across Kalaimoku Street. Price range - $890's to $20M+Find it on foursquare

 

Entrance to The Ritz Carlton Residences Waikiki, off Kalaimoku St. Honolulu, HI

Posted by

Crypto Certified Agent - By Propy 

HI Pro Realty LLC

REALTORS®, PROPERTY MANAGERS® 

We are a boutique brokerage firm offering responsive, dedicated, and professional Real Estate Sales and Pet Friendly Management Services in Honolulu, Hawai'i. 

 

                Office: (808) 941-8866   Mobile: (808) 926-7667

 

Comments (6)

Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Kimo - It looks like real luxury boom times in Waikiki. I had a pair of Moncler sunglasses once, lost in the mists of time. And I've seen the same luxury disconnect in Hong Kong, with Chinese and Japanese tourists buying ski-wear, seems very strange to us proles.

Feb 01, 2015 08:38 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Kimo -- interesting post and I like your take on the arrival of the Moncler store.   I guess time will tell if this is a brilliant marketing decision or pure folly. Keep us posted.  

Feb 01, 2015 10:27 AM
Florida Tolbert Team Keller Williams Advantage
Keller Williams Advantage III Realty in Lake Nona - Orlando, FL
Keller Williams Land Luxury Division Specialist

Hey if its anything like us here in Florida, people only shop there because they are traveling somewhere else.  

Feb 01, 2015 01:13 PM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Dick,  Many Asian countries have high tariffs on luxury goods so Asian tourists tend to buy whatever favorite brands they can get their hands on while vacationing, even brands that have no noticeable connection to their vacation destination, like Moncler in Hawai'i. It seems counter intuitive until you see the sales. I'm a bit ambivalent about global shopping environments like Waikiki as it both hurts and helps the local economy. Creates jobs yes but profits go overseas and inevitably dilute the Hawai'i brand when brand relevance takes a forth seat next to profit, profit, and profit. When a tourist leaves Hawai'i, personally I would like to see them take home something made here in Hawaii as opposed to somewhere else but consumers want what they want.

Aloha Michael, Luxury retailers are not unlike meteorologists, constantly predicting what the market will look like in the future and taking appropriate action to ensure their product is in fashion at the right place and time. This brand has a particular set of challenges being in Hawai'i but could do well at this location in theory.

Aloha Kevin, people want what they want when they want it, whether expected or not. I imagine they sell bikini's in Reykjavik, why not fur trimmed parka's in Honolulu. Relativity needs only to make sense to your target market, everything else is inconsequential.

Feb 02, 2015 06:51 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Kimo,

Wow interesting post!! I guess I'm with Michael Jacobs "I guess time will tell if this is a brilliant marketing decision or pure folly. Keep us posted. "

Feb 03, 2015 10:33 AM
Kimo Stowell
HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 - Honolulu, HI
REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i

Aloha Dorie, as counter intuitive as it sounds, the store will probably do well if the yen doesn't flounder.

Feb 13, 2015 04:46 AM