Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive H E Akbar Al Baker, Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer Engr Badr Al Meer, Qatar Duty Free Vice-President Operations, Thabet Musleh, and VIP guests at the opening.
Doha: Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has announced the opening of the first Loro Piana airport boutique in the Middle East at the award-winning Hamad International Airport (HIA).
Adding to an outstanding portfolio of luxury brands available for travellers shopping at QDF, the new boutique offers an impressive selection of ready-to-wear items and accessories crafted in Italy from the world’s finest and rarest raw materials.
The official opening of the Loro Piana boutique was celebrated at a ribbon cutting ceremony. The event was attended by VIP guests and officiated by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer, Engr Badr Al Meer and Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations, Thabet Musleh.
Ambassador of Italy to the State of Qatar, H E Alessandro Prunas, and Italian Embassy First Secretary, Filippo Perzolla, were welcomed as guest of honour. Passengers travelling through the state-of-the-art HIA can visit the Loro Piana boutique to discover the unique savoir-faire of the Italian house and the story of its exceptional natural fibres.
The new store provides a sophisticated atmosphere, reflecting the brand’s high-quality materials, manufacturing techniques, aesthetics, comfort and performing garments. Some of the bestselling pieces available at the boutique include the brand’s Pouch L19 bag, the Summer Walk, the Summer Charm and Open Walk shoes, which are highly popular worldwide and amongst the Qatari market. The Loro Piana boutique at HIA also features its one-of-a-kind collection crafted from The Gift of Kings®, a rare and precious wool that was originally destined for the elite members of the royal families of France, Great Britain and the Netherlands.
Customers are also welcome to shop for must-have winter holiday pieces, such as the brand’s Storm System® collection, which includes versatile, comfortable and weatherproof outerwear that are warm yet light and flexible, suitable for confronting any weather and climate with style.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, H E Akbar Al Baker, said: “It is an honour to welcome this fine Italian fashion house to Hamad International Airport as its first airport boutique in the Middle East. Much like Qatar Airways, Loro Piana is a brand synonymous with exceptional quality and service and as such, I am confident that our partnership will be a very long and successful one.”
Loro Piana CEO, Fabio d’Angelantonio, said: “We are thrilled to reinforce the presence of Loro Piana within the region with the addition of the Hamad International Airport store. This new opening, the first boutique in Qatar, is in fact a consequence of the brand’s growing attention towards the Middle East. Our Qatari customers are long-time, loyal and refined admirers of the brand: Loro Piana is delighted to finally open a store in this country.”
Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Badr Al Meer, said: “We are pleased to welcome the coveted Loro Piana to our luxury retail brand offerings at Hamad International Airport. As a diverse lifestyle destination of its own, HIA aspires to offer a unique and memorable travel experience for our passengers by integrating world-class retail offerings such as Loro Piana to our airport experience.”
Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations, Thabet Musleh, said: “Qatar Duty Free is very proud to be the first airport retailer in the Middle East to launch the renowned Italian fashion house, Loro Piana. We are excited to offer all our shopping enthusiasts an exotic collection of fashion items from the world’s foremost cashmere brand. We are committed to continue expanding our extensive selection of high street brands and unique concepts available at Hamad International Airport in the coming years.”
