NEW ZEALAND. DFS Group has opened its newest T Galleria by DFS store in the heart of Queenstown, one of New Zealand’s prime tourism destinations.
In celebration of the moment, brand and media partners, social media influencers and VIP guests joined DFS for a preview event to discover what the retailer dubbed “the ultimate luxury shopping experience in the adventure capital”.
The opening event featured store tours, live performances, in-store activations, and a flash mob fashion show.
The two-level store officially opened on Saturday with shoppers being treated to a raft of opening-weekend activity including watching local artist, Jessica Winchcombe, create a custom abstract artwork live in store. Customers were able to bid on the piece with all proceeds going to Sustainable Queenstown.
DFS also announced a partnership with world-renowned designer Karen Gee, renowned for her made-to-measure work. The Australian designer crafts garments of exceptional quality and structure, using premium fabrics and couture techniques for women to invest in pieces that “look great, feel incredible and last forever”.
DFS customers visiting T Galleria by DFS, Queenstown are able to book a session with Ms Gee to create bespoke pieces.
DFS described the new store as Queenstown’s first and only luxury emporium, boasting over 120 international and premium local New Zealand brands, nearly 40 of which are exclusively available at T Galleria by DFS, Queenstown.
The store embraces 1,800sq m of the newly refurbished O’Connells complex and features fashion brands such as Chloe, Stella McCartney and Kenzo; and beauty from Dior, Estée Lauder, Lancôme, Tom Ford, La Prairie, Clarins and Gucci.
It also offers a wide array of watches, wine, food and gifts from names such as Cloudy Bay, Steens Honey and Breitling with additional brands and concepts to be added leading up to a dazzling grand opening event in March.
T Galleria by DFS, Queenstown also marks the first store in DFS’ new ‘Resort Galleria’ concept which is being introduced to its global store portfolio.
Described as “casually sophisticated and inviting”, the Resort Gallerias will showcase curated assortments of renowned international and local brands. In Queenstown, the store encourages visitors to live vibrantly, with its open and airy design boasting an informal yet elegant feel created from natural and sustainable locally sourced materials and featuring iconic New Zealand motifs.
“Opening in Queenstown heralds a number of ‘firsts’ for DFS – our first store in this exciting location, the first luxury offering in Queenstown and the largest in the South Island, our first Resort Galleria concept,” said DFS Group Vice President Retail Operations Oceania Prashant Mahboobani.
“We cannot wait to welcome visitors and local residents alike to our new store, and to make them feel at home with us.”