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.
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
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
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