STARHILL Centre - Interior by David Rockwell [Archive]

szehoong

October 6th, 2004, 04:10 AM

YTL giving Starhill a facelift

By HANIM ADNAN

YTL Land Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of YTL Corp Bhd, is seeking to reposition the Starhill Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur as one of Asia's top-notch retail destinations with a facelift slated for completion by March next year.

“Our plans for Starhill are simple,” said YTL Corp managing director Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh. “We are giving it a new personality and identity, labelling it as a landmark of taste and style ... as KL's ultimate statement in fashion, art, beauty, food and living.”

He said that on completion of the massive renovation, Starhill would be relaunched with a brand new look and identity featuring a cutting-edge environment that would ensure Kuala Lumpur remained a “must” on every tourist's list of places to visit.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2004/10/6/business/b_1yeoh.jpg

Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh with a model of the Ritz-Carlton Residences.

Unlike the conventional shopping environment, the new Starhill would feature five themed floors, each offering a different experience – Feast, Indulge, Explore, Pamper and Muse, he told reporters at a preview of the new Starhill in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Yeoh said: “The only way we can continue to ride on and build on the success story of Starhill and Bintang Walk is to constantly re-innovate and re-engineer.

“As a shopping centre that wants to have a staying power and strong international visibility, Starhill needs to stamp its mark on the local retail industry as an icon and a trendsetter.”

However, Yeoh was quick to point out that the repositioning of Starhill was not “just an intelligent investment”.

“It is an acknowledgment of our responsibility to build up the entire Bukit Bintang area and we have chosen to hire the best to communicate that passion and commitment,” he said, referring to brand director Interbrand, iconic building designer David Rockwell, and architecture firm B&N.

He said that as part of the YTL group's initiatives to continue developing the Bintang Walk, a connecting walkway had been put in place linking Starhill to The Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur and the The Ritz Carlton Residence project, which is under construction. The whole project, including the facelift for Starhill, will cost RM220mil.

“These serviced residences will be the yardstick by which other exclusive properties are measured,” Yeoh said.

The Ritz Carlton Residence, part of a worldwide network of high-end urban homes and the only one of its kind in Asia, is due for completion in March next year.

The Bintang Walk area includes two of KL's most upmarket shopping malls (Lot 10 and Starhill), two five-star hotels (the JW Marriot Kuala Lumpur and The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur) and a wide mix of dining and entertainment spots.

On another note, Yeoh said YTL Corp is in the midst of appointing a merchant bank to advise on the possible launch of real estate investment trusts (REITs) for the group in the near term.

“If we are going to launch REITs, we need to have a YTL name behind it,” he said.

He said YTL group was optimistic that both its shopping complexes – the new-look Starhill Shopping Complex and Lot 10 – would be able to beat the global average of REITs return on yield of 6%.

“I hope to get between 7% and 8% yield from our new tenants that came about from our Starhill restructuring and Lot 10,” Yeoh said.

D_Y2k.2^

October 9th, 2004, 04:06 AM

Great news...really hope the design will be a master peace!Can;t wait till it completes

szehoong

October 9th, 2004, 10:27 AM

Five themed floors at new-look Starhill soon

By CHOW HOW BAN

STARHILL Shopping Centre in Bukit Bintang will sport a new identity when it is relaunched early next year.

The shopping centre, which was opened to the public in September 1995, promises a cutting-edge environment that celebrates the latest and best in fashion, art, food, beauty and living.

The new Starhill will offer five themed floors, namely Feast, Indulge, Explore, Pamper and Muse, encapsulating different experiences for each floor. Feast is where you can find world-class cuisine and a display of culinary skills; Indulge will house elegant and stylish fashion, watch and jewellery brands.

http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/10/m_pg04yeoh.jpg

Yeoh (centre) and his guests touring the new skybridge that links Starhill to The Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur and The Ritz-Carlton Residences.

Explore offers trendy fashion, accessories and furnishing brands and Pamper is dedicated to a myriad of beauty and health brands.

Finally, Muse promises everything related to arts, ranging from fine arts, theatre, ballet and music to opera.

At present, the shopping centre has Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gianni Versace, Fendi, Hugo Boss, B&O Showroom, Melium Designers' For Less, DKNY, Raoul, Jaeger-Le Coultre, Cortina Watch Espace Boutique, Art Colony and many more.

To make the shopping centre more shopper-friendly, YTL Land Sdn Bhd has hired iconic designer David Rockwell of New York, USA, to instil the elegance of nature into the building.

Pillars at the centre will become sculptural forms while the exterior elevation of the building will be visible with flagship stores.

Besides that, a walkway linking Starhill to The Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur and The Ritz-Carlton Residences has already been put in place. (The Ritz-Carlton Residences, a service apartment, is expected to be open in March next year)

At a preview of the new shopping centre, YTL Corp Bhd managing director Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh said the only way for the company to continue to ride on the success story of Starhill and Bintang Walk was to constantly re-innovate and re-engineer.

“We are giving Starhill a new personality. We are labelling it as a landmark of taste and style, where the tenants will double up as arbiters of style, making it a definite stopover for anyone on the Asian shopping trail,” he said.

He added that the repositioning of the shopping centre was not only about intelligent investment.

“It is an acknowledgement of our responsibility of building and making the whole of Bukit Bintang grow,” he said.

baqthier

January 5th, 2005, 08:29 PM

Any latest pics? ;)

Blabbyboy

January 6th, 2005, 01:39 AM

szehoong

January 7th, 2005, 08:23 AM

i went in just recently because i was staying nearby but i'm not sure whether the interior has been redesigned already or whether this is the old look. at the moment, the bars, restaurants, etc look very stylish indeed. there are also some innovative sculptures of people inside like the backpackers reading the newspaper on the floor - is that old or new? if it's redesigned, i would say that it is relatively conservative redesign.

Nope....whatever you've seen are all old (most of em 6/7 years old). The sculpture reading newspaper on the floor had been there since 6 years ago. This is the second time they are redesigning the entire place in just 9 years! (first was about 5/6 years back) ;) The mall first opened sometime in Sept 1995 :)

They are now redoing the interior for certain floors and the space where Tangs used to be. That would be the first phase. I believe other areas would gradually be done.

Latest: I saw em removing the dome at the front entrance! Hope they are putting something nice there! :D

Blabbyboy

January 11th, 2005, 01:47 AM

i see - so fast already refurbishing! maybe because lost anchor.

szehoong

January 11th, 2005, 08:09 AM

i see - so fast already refurbishing! maybe because lost anchor.

Maybe because they are eager to get Tangs off (by contract) to get the space they needed :D ANyway Tangs had been doing very badly in Malaysia and all had closed down since opening in the late 90s. :(

Well.....YTL is VERY rich and they had been active in the constant upkeep and segmenting their malls (and its tenants) to create the right tenant mix in both the malls they owned around BB area. Their first refurbishment in the late 90s did a good job in making Starhill the perfect hangout place for Datins and 'Tai-tais' :D

ANyway I was walking around Starhill last Saturday and not only the Tang's area is under refurbishment.......others like their cafe and bakery opposite Shook Restaurant and also the concourse level restrooms are closed for refurbishment as well. Another area is towards the Ritz-Carlton side (around the point-of-contact of the skybridge). :)

Blabbyboy

January 12th, 2005, 02:09 AM

Maybe because they are eager to get Tangs off (by contract) to get the space they needed :D ANyway Tangs had been doing very badly in Malaysia and all had closed down since opening in the late 90s. :(

Well.....YTL is VERY rich and they had been active in the constant upkeep and segmenting their malls (and its tenants) to create the right tenant mix in both the malls they owned around BB area. Their first refurbishment in the late 90s did a good job in making Starhill the perfect hangout place for Datins and 'Tai-tais' :D

ANyway I was walking around Starhill last Saturday and not only the Tang's area is under refurbishment.......others like their cafe and bakery opposite Shook Restaurant and also the concourse level restrooms are closed for refurbishment as well. Another area is towards the Ritz-Carlton side (around the point-of-contact of the skybridge). :)
i think there is a small tangs in one of the BB shopping centres - can't remember which one - is it BB Plaza opposite Jln Alor?

szehoong

January 12th, 2005, 03:58 AM

i think there is a small tangs in one of the BB shopping centres - can't remember which one - is it BB Plaza opposite Jln Alor?

Oh....I think you meant Tangs Studio....I think they just sell shoes ;)

choon

February 5th, 2005, 06:05 PM

latest pic on 05.02.2005

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/P2050208.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/pelican71/P2050206.jpg

baqthier

February 5th, 2005, 06:13 PM

Wow! Something grand is coming up!

TYW

February 6th, 2005, 11:15 AM

wow!! any interiors???

nazrey

February 6th, 2005, 11:51 AM

This is the old one right?

http://www.tom310.com/malaysia/image/stahil1.jpg http://www.tom310.com/malaysia/image/stahil2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/nazrey/Another/9797PLAZA.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/digitang/image/8591376.jpg

http://www.yenwen.net/Malaysia04/KL/KL_Hotels_1.JPG

SEED

February 6th, 2005, 03:37 PM

wow~ maybe they gonna built a bigger dome or higher~

choon

March 20th, 2005, 04:30 PM

Pic taken on 20.03.2005

http://us.f3.yahoofs.com/users/420f5a15z5df39ed1/b883/__sr_/18b2.jpg?phiwYPCBxht_0Iu1

baqthier

March 20th, 2005, 08:33 PM

pic not showing. Use http://www.imageshack.us as yahoo won't allow hotlinking ;)

choon

March 21st, 2005, 09:58 AM

http://img92.exs.cx/img92/3509/starhill7tw.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

D_Y2k.2^

March 23rd, 2005, 04:32 AM

wah,thc for the update!cant wait to c it!I'm sure the lighting will be very interesting at night later on

GaryinSydney

March 23rd, 2005, 07:25 AM

What's it going to be? Just an entrance dome or new shops in the centre?
Has anything replaced Tangs?

baqthier

March 23rd, 2005, 11:40 AM

Looks nice. Still no idea how it will turn out to be. Maybe a curved screen like at Picadilly? :D

choon

April 10th, 2005, 05:49 PM

pics taken on 10.04.2005

http://img146.exs.cx/img146/5624/p41000100dk.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

http://img146.exs.cx/img146/678/p41000118ur.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

SEED

April 10th, 2005, 06:34 PM

cool men~ :eek: thx forda pic choon!! :banana:

Sheik

April 10th, 2005, 07:51 PM

Cool glass frontage. What about the interior of starhill? Has anyone been there recently? PLease post pics. of the interior. Thanks

nazrey

April 10th, 2005, 08:00 PM

by TYW

http://img83.exs.cx/img83/2632/starhill10rx.jpg

Sheik

April 10th, 2005, 08:08 PM

Thanks for the pic. Still looks ths same! I have seen this pic on the other threads too. I want to see pics of individual floors that looks totally different from b4. Choon, if you can take new pics of the interior. Thanks

D_Y2k.2^

April 11th, 2005, 03:30 AM

thanks man.THe last time i went, i realise the interiror was almost the same.did they just change the CK Tang area?

Btw,thanks for the update.the glass looks not bad.

choon

April 11th, 2005, 04:50 AM

The Tangs area has been blocked since they removed out..The third floor (where Jim Thompson, Legacy and Blush) was reopened to public last week after the renovation completed. It is a great interior design by David Rockwell but unfortunately there are patroled by few security guards. May be we could have compettition on taking a snapshot from the renovation area...Start from today and see who is the first one to post the pics on that area...

GaryinSydney

April 11th, 2005, 05:12 AM

Does anyone know what shops have/are replacing Tangs old site?
To be honest, there's nothing in that centre worth visiting IMO! And it always seems so dead in there?

Also, any news on Border's opening date in BTS?

ZaHiRnYa???

April 11th, 2005, 05:23 AM

Also, any news on Border's opening date in BTS?

Thought the opening date is this Sunday rite ;)

choon

April 11th, 2005, 05:54 AM

What i saw from the tenant list, the new tenants in prev Tangs are Mulberry, Anne Klein, Brioni and few fine watch shop.

Believe me the new Starhill Gallery is totally different and u will be surprised with it's exterior and interior design...just wait and see!

The Border will be opened on 19.04.2005

Sheik

April 11th, 2005, 08:46 AM

Choon, since we can't see the interior yet, can you describe the new changes that you saw. How many floors have they renovated? Hopefully someone can snap a few pics soon. I don't even see starhill centre listed on the rockwellgroup site. Wonder why?

Maybe you can take pics of the new borders bookstore.

choon

April 11th, 2005, 09:54 AM

All the floors that prev occupied by Tangs have been renovated. Huge space between 2 shop rows if compared to Tangs time. A few very unique trees and it's branches without leaves as the display at each floor. It's really great interior design...hope they can finish it by this month.

I will try the best to take some pics when Borders opens next week..

szehoong

April 11th, 2005, 10:56 AM

May be we could have compettition on taking a snapshot from the renovation area...Start from today and see who is the first one to post the pics on that area...

Hahaha....sure you all win one.....my camera is so big that it is a attracting security guards like flies :lol:

Maybe I should use my espionage method.........simply clicking by just hanging my camera on my shouders :D .....well....at least it worked for my Gaysorn pictures (Gaysorn is an ultra high-class mall in Bangkok like StarHill).

Gotta go there soon to check it out! :okay:

szehoong

April 11th, 2005, 10:59 AM

Oh......I was at BTS last week for a movie and after the movie.....I managed to take a peep thru a small hole into Borders :D ....well....the interior works are finished ....just that the racks are still empty. The interior looks very refreshing and it is very different from the rest of the bookstores in the country (at least it looks that way without the books lah hehehe) :D .......warm colours rulez the interior........with lotsa red and pine wood finishes (as far as I could recall) ;)

Too bad my camera decides to take a rest that day lah......din bring :cry:

baqthier

April 11th, 2005, 11:38 AM

^ I love what choon just said! Lets have competition for all shots! From Sabah to Perlis!

THT-United

April 11th, 2005, 04:40 PM

I was driving along BB Rd. last weekend and noticed that the former Tangs premise now has a glass wall... That looks cool, as it completely replaced the former brownish-color dome and entrance into Tangs...

Too bad i did not stop there...

choon

April 17th, 2005, 03:38 PM

wow it seems nobody is able to take the snapshor in the "restricted" area yet...i bet Sze Hoong will be the first guy...

choon

April 18th, 2005, 04:37 PM

The Star 18.04.2005

http://img70.echo.cx/img70/1149/p41800058mr.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

szehoong

April 18th, 2005, 05:01 PM

Great article Choon! :okay: .....it is a bit blur so I am posting the text version from the news portal ;)

Sky bridges add value to buildings

Property Talk by S.C.CHEAH

WHEN Malaysia's most impressive sky bridge was slowly hoisted up the Petronas Twin Towers in 1995, it was a feather in the cap for the then tallest buildings in the world.

How wonderful it would be if some of our buildings could be linked up this way so that people would not be exposed to the sun or rain. There are many sky bridges around the world. One can walk over highways, enter shopping centres, hotels and office buildings like in Hong Kong where you can walk from the Novotel Century Hotel to the Wanchai ferry terminal using a sky bridge.

The importance of such “bridgesin- the-sky” can be seen from the fact that one of the selling points of many property developments depend to a large extent on these vital linkages.

In a way sky bridges help to rectify some of the developmental oversights.

For residents of apartments or condominiums, a sky bridge connecting their residence to a shopping centre, hotel and office building or to a transportation terminal may add value to a property.

However, there are legal issues and problems involved in building a sky bridge and one of this is whether the buildings so linked belong to the same owner. In some countries like Japan where there are many underground shopping centres and subways, the linkages are mainly at basement levels or underground rather than above ground.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/18/business/p17skyBridge.jpg

The new sky bridge linking Starhill to The Residence at the Ritz-Carlton.

Kowloon's Harbour City is an example where the retail centres are integrated with the office buildings.

Today, we are also seeing some developments where a sky bridge is being built to integrate properties belonging to the same owner.

Some of our existing “linkages” are mere pedestrian bridges like the one linking Lot 10 to the Sungei Wang Plaza or the one at City Square although it would be better served if it can link into the Ampang Park shopping centre instead of ending on the other side of Jalan Tun Razak.

Other “linkages” include the “high corridor” that connects Sunway Pyramid shopping centre to the Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel, the sky bridge linking the Pan Pacific Hotel to the KL International Airport, and the sky bridge between the Berjaya Times Square and Plaza Berjaya. In the centre of this sky bridge is the monorail station where commuters can enter both buildings.

However, the most interesting one is the YTL Group’s sky bridge connecting its two hotel properties the JW Marriott Hotel and The Ritz- Carlton as well as 110-unit The Residence At The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur and the Starhill shopping centre.

Opened in October last year, this sky bridge will enable guests of both hotels and The Residence to enjoy each other’s facilities including the new Spa Village (similar to the Spa Village at YTL’s Pangkor Laut Resort) that is linked to The Residence at the fourth floor.

YTL Group Customer Service executive director Eric Eoon said the sky bridge not only integrates The Ritz- Carlton to Starhill and JW Marriott but also enhances service consistency and expediency.

For example, guests staying at The Residence can pick up their groceries at the Carlton Gourmet (also owned by YTL), shop and enjoy fine dining at Starhill’s The Shook restaurant and walk over to JW Marriott without being exposed to the sun.

It is understood that YTL’s sky bridge is designed with a future linkage to the Westin Hotel. It is also possible to have the Westin Hotel linked to the adjacent Menara Keck Seng and it in turn is linked to the Dorsett Regency at Jalan Imbi.

This “chain” will be a win-win deal if the owners of these buildings feel there is a need for such sky bridges and are willing to share the cost of building them. There could even be a sky bridge to the proposed Pavilion across Jalan Bukit Bintang.

YTL’s Sentul East and Sentul West project will also have many linkages to ensure that residents of its condominiums can move with ease. A railway track separates Sentul East and Sentul West. The newly launched Cendana condominium at Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur will also have a sky bridge at level six connecting the pool deck of the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel.

The linkage is possible, as the developer IGB Corp Bhd also owns the hotel. Residents of the 144-unit, one block Cendana can just walk over to the hotel and enjoy some of its facilities. The sky bridge also allows easy access to optional services such as house keeping, laundry and catering services from the hotel.

A resident can have an ad-hoc business meeting with his business associates at the hotel’s meeting rooms just next door.

D_Y2k.2^

April 19th, 2005, 09:39 AM

I seriously think that BB area should use underground passage rather than sky bridge as skybridge may make the road look more congested or cramped.

Btw,last itme when i first saw Ritz Carlton Bridge,i thought the interior will b very simple.But...the real thing is...wow!

szehoong

April 19th, 2005, 10:08 AM

I'd like a combi of tunnels and skybridges ;)

Sometimes underground facilities in Malaysia are underused and they become drug addict den. Sometimes people just wouldn't use em. Take for example the tunnel between Regent Hotel and KL Plaza....how many here used it before.

If well-appointed, skybridges are very nice and of course....they allow spectacular views. We mustn't built cheap skybridges like some those you get around KL but more of the Ritz-Carlton - Starhill ones. Take Hong Kong's Central skylinkages for example - they are superb! :okay: We must follow their example ;)

Greg

April 28th, 2005, 09:02 AM

From the New Straits Times

A LIFESTYLE destination — that’s what Starhill Gallery will be all about when its grand makeover is completed. Its launch is scheduled for July 31.
The department store format doesn’t work anymore,” says Eric Eoon, executive directive (group customer service), YTL Land Sdn Bhd. “People’s expectations are higher these days.”

“To be a lifestyle destination, the buying experience has to be unique. We want people to stay a while longer when they come here — to make appointments for beauty treatments, to have tea or lunch and to enjoy shopping. It’s a place to celebrate the latest and best in fashion, art, food and dining.

“We also want Starhill Gallery to be a landmark. Why? Because people remember landmarks and specific places,” he added.

According to Eoon, the present Starhill is a “very nice building in the city centre surrounded by a good tourist catchment but no brand”. Hence the need to rebrand and reposition it.

“KL is a very iconic city. It had what used to be the tallest building in the world, a beautiful airport, etc… everything is larger than life.

“But the consumer and the shopper do not relate to all these. What KL needs is a street brand — something like Orchard Road in Singapore. When people come to KL, Bintang Walk is among the places they head to. When they go to Bintang Walk, where do they go? Besides Sungei Wang, Starhill and Lot 10 obviously come to mind.”

What will make this “lifestyle destination” unique are the stylish brands that are exclusive to Starhill.

Besides shopping, visitors to Starhill Gallery can also enjoy a “chic and contemporary dining experience”. It’s also a place where people can appreciate culture and arts as there is an art gallery on the top floor.

“There is an oversurplus of retail space in KL but for us, the good news is that 95 per cent of the shopping centres are after 95 per cent of the population. We only want the crème de la crème — the top five or 10 per cent — people who are or aspire to be in the know, those who have arrived, those who want to appreciate life

“As an analogy, when people come to Starhill to buy a bag, it will not be just to put things in; they buy it for its craftsmanship, material and brand.”

With the expertise of renowned shopping mall designer David Rockwell of New York, famed for his “organic” approach instead of merely “swanky marble, glass and steel”, Starhill Gallery will boast five themed floors — Feast, Indulge, Explore, Pamper and Muse — that offer different experiences for the shopper and visitor.

For Eoon, shopping at Starhill Gallery will be an “iconic” experience through the products available and through the service.

“Thus the use of the word ‘gallery’. It will be a gallery of rich experiences — rich having a dual meaning of premium prices and being enriching and fulfilling.

As an indication of how upmarket it will be, “shopping ambassadors” — think concierges — will be on hand to look after customers’ needs, including making reservations for restaurants and providing gift ideas.

Now that’s what I call shopping!

szehoong

April 28th, 2005, 11:46 AM

Let us revisit Starhill Centre before renovation. Please note that I dated these pictures wrongly......it should be 2004 :D

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/kuala lumpur/Starhill_Ctr/IMG_9049sm.JPG

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/kuala lumpur/Starhill_Ctr/IMG_9058sm.JPG

^^^ This thing is now Lecka-Lecka ;)

szehoong

April 28th, 2005, 11:47 AM

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/kuala lumpur/Starhill_Ctr/IMG_9059sm.JPG

szehoong

April 28th, 2005, 11:49 AM

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/kuala lumpur/Starhill_Ctr/oldstarhillpanomod.JPG

Here's a lousy pano.......seconds before being chased away by security :D

choon

April 28th, 2005, 04:08 PM

I tot they will launch by end of April...have to wait until July...so sad!

D_Y2k.2^

April 28th, 2005, 04:45 PM

those were the days.quite dark...wonder how the new one will look like!Openin in july?Cool!In time for me to c:D

choon

May 12th, 2005, 04:10 AM

Most happening this year..

http://www.ytl.com.my/getnews.asp?newsid=17104

choon

May 16th, 2005, 06:48 AM

They have removed the huge banner that blocked the main entrance 2 days ago...amazing design by David Rockwell...very very glassy!

ZaHiRnYa???

May 16th, 2005, 06:54 AM

Saw it yesterday ;)

D_Y2k.2^

May 17th, 2005, 06:17 AM

hey,take photos la!Hurry!i wanna c!

ZaHiRnYa???

May 17th, 2005, 07:21 AM

I think Sze will definitely going to take it this Thursday while waiting for Star Wars showtime later that day.

Dont worry Darren. He will definitely take one for you ;)

szehoong

May 17th, 2005, 08:16 AM

I think Sze will definitely going to take it this Thursday while waiting for Star Wars showtime later that day.

Dont worry Darren. He will definitely take one for you ;)

I dun think I'll be there considering our show is at BTS and I would be parking at BTS :D So I won't be walking there hehehe

Somemore the show is at 8:45pm ...might be reaching KL at 7pm and have dinner........so Farid.......you having dinner at home ke or with me? Cos if you're having dinner on your own then I'll leave home later :)

....probably during the weekend lah I'll take :D

ZaHiRnYa???

May 17th, 2005, 08:19 AM

....so Farid.......you having dinner at home ke or with me? Cos if you're having dinner on your own then I'll leave home later :)

....probably during the weekend lah I'll take :D

er...donno ler...where are we going to eat?
eH..How many people watching that day?

szehoong

May 17th, 2005, 09:12 AM

er...donno ler...where are we going to eat?
eH..How many people watching that day?

Just 3 person....a friend of mine is joining ;)

But I am not too sure if he would wanna have dinner with us so it would the the both of us deciding where we wanna eat......any suggestion?

ZaHiRnYa???

May 17th, 2005, 09:17 AM

can we go for something not asian n not western. i was thinking something fusion...

szehoong

May 17th, 2005, 09:25 AM

can we go for something not asian n not western. i was thinking something fusion...

Sounds expensive :D ....hahahaha.......hmmmm.....fusion.....no idea leh esp around BTS.......you got any suggestion? :?

ZaHiRnYa???

May 17th, 2005, 09:34 AM

Sounds expensive :D ....hahahaha.......hmmmm.....fusion.....no idea leh esp around BTS.......you got any suggestion? :?

Donno ler...there's this one behind Lot 10 or next or close to that area. Quite famous as well..always in the paper one...;)

szehoong

May 17th, 2005, 09:55 AM

^^^ Okay.....I think I know which one ....that would be Green Lotus ;) .....hmmmmm......actually I was thinking of within BTS hahahaha :D ....any suggestion?

ZaHiRnYa???

May 17th, 2005, 09:57 AM

Ah...indeed it is Green Lotus...BTS??? you choose, I go ;)

szehoong

May 17th, 2005, 10:09 AM

Hahahaha.....how bout Thai Nudle House? I think got fusion food there leh ;)

ZaHiRnYa???

May 17th, 2005, 10:15 AM

Can. Eh..BTS got Thai Noodle House? I don't think so ler...Siam2 I know ler..:D

szehoong

May 17th, 2005, 10:25 AM

Hmmmm.......then? KRR ah? :lol:

How bout Secret Recipe? :D

ZaHiRnYa???

May 17th, 2005, 10:29 AM

Hmmmm.......then? KRR ah? :lol:

How bout Secret Recipe? :D

I bet you going to say that :lol:

szehoong

May 17th, 2005, 10:35 AM

Or we just meetup and decide on the spot lah! :D

ZaHiRnYa???

May 17th, 2005, 10:41 AM

Much more easier...what time you planning to arrive there?

szehoong

May 17th, 2005, 11:03 AM

Hmmm......tentatively 7pm .....would call you if there are any change in plan ;)

ZaHiRnYa???

May 17th, 2005, 11:06 AM

sure. I will reach KL by 6.30pm...hmmm..maybe I should just skipped gym or go there for a quick shower..

Dont forget to buzz..

D_Y2k.2^

May 17th, 2005, 12:36 PM

oi oi oi!U guys don make every forumers hungry la:P this thread is turning into 'Fusion food thread' le!:P Okie dok!Will be waitin patiently for the photos to come up yo!And btw,u guys enjoy the show yo!I'll hv to wait till next week due to full house this whole week:(

choon

May 17th, 2005, 03:29 PM

Since when this thread has transformed to private thread? haha...just kidding!!

ZaHiRnYa???

May 18th, 2005, 03:46 AM

Sorry. It's always like this one when it come to deciding which place to go n have meal kinda stuff before watching movie :lol:

TYW

May 22nd, 2005, 10:29 AM

wei!! pictures leh?? :D:D

lepainperdu

May 25th, 2005, 03:52 PM

these were taken a week ago, the façade of the newly restructured area was revealed, maybe revealed a long time ago but here it is without any obstructions, looking very industrial!!

http://www.sucksmybrain.com/catpowder/vegetables/star4.jpg

http://www.sucksmybrain.com/catpowder/vegetables/star2.jpg

got coloured lights that change every few seconds, unfortunately not the smooth light transitions like in the westin's lobby, but still it looks very conceptual lah.

http://www.sucksmybrain.com/catpowder/vegetables/star1.jpg
here is on one of the levels, not yet complete and it looks rather like a children's playland area :O there are wooden 'tree columns' -- i thought a little out of place looking? but obviously it looks unfinished also.

http://www.sucksmybrain.com/catpowder/vegetables/star3.jpg
i'm not sure if this was a shop being renovated or just a walking area -- got big chandelier type of thing. very messy, aiyar can't wait to see the results though!!

choon

May 25th, 2005, 04:31 PM

Bravo bravo braovo!! Did u spend any lunch on the safety guards? How come they dun stop u on snapshort? congratulations and u r the first one to contribute the new interior pictures...

lepainperdu

May 25th, 2005, 05:29 PM

Did u spend any lunch on the safety guards? How come they dun stop u on snapshort?

no wor there weren't any guards! the interiors were open to the public, it seemed, not guarded or barred.

Vince

May 25th, 2005, 09:55 PM

The new facade looks very contemporary. However, I still miss the old dome.....I thought it was a piece of art, a one-of-a-kind architecture in Malaysia. It reminded me of the grandeur of architecture from period buildings. Seeing it go just brings tears to my eyes.

GaryinSydney

May 26th, 2005, 03:50 AM

So is this purely an entrance facade, with no extra shops? Just wondering what had replced Tangs and the escalators?

Without seeing it in person, i have to agree with Vince, that the old Dome was more in keeping with the centre design. It kinda looks now like a car showroom or office!

szehoong

May 26th, 2005, 03:57 AM

no wor there weren't any guards! the interiors were open to the public, it seemed, not guarded or barred.

What time and day you took those? Usually they even have guards posted outside and they zealously guard against anyone whom tried to take the exterior pictures as well. :ohno:

D_Y2k.2^

May 26th, 2005, 12:34 PM

wah!Nice pics!Finally,i must say lots of thanks to u man!I think just a while more then its completed.And yeah,I also hv to say,i prefer the old design even though this is much more contemporary to suit Bintang walk.THe old design is rather grand i must say

lepainperdu

May 26th, 2005, 04:43 PM

What time and day you took those? Usually they even have guards posted outside and they zealously guard against anyone whom tried to take the exterior pictures as well. :ohno:

these were taken around 7:00-7:30 on the 15th of May which is a Sunday. Strangely, I saw no guards at all. Sunday work day off??

lepainperdu

May 26th, 2005, 04:52 PM

So is this purely an entrance facade, with no extra shops? Just wondering what had replced Tangs and the escalators?

I don't remember much as I was in a post-KL-walking daze :/ but I took a few shots of the escalators:

http://www.sucksmybrain.com/yellowhorse/vegetables/star5.jpg

the textures around the escalators reminded me of tacky karaoke joints :X

szehoong

May 26th, 2005, 05:12 PM

these were taken around 7:00-7:30 on the 15th of May which is a Sunday. Strangely, I saw no guards at all. Sunday work day off??

Makan and prayers time for them kot? :D

Okay....next time I'll go there on Sunday evenings :lol:

szehoong

May 26th, 2005, 05:15 PM

I don't remember much as I was in a post-KL-walking daze :/ but I took a few shots of the escalators:

the textures around the escalators reminded me of tacky karaoke joints :X

Ic ic........at least I think Starhill now is better than the days when Tangs used to occupy that space......now looks classier :okay:

As much as I miss the grand dome in front.......the dome and the split level entrance isn't so inviting. This huge glass thing with lights sure do have better promise in crowd-pulling. ;)

choon

May 28th, 2005, 06:26 AM

Starhill Gallery to be relaunched in July

YTL Land Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of YTL Corp Bhd, wants to reposition Starhill Gallery as one of the most exciting shopping destinations in Kuala Lumpur, said YTL Corp managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh.

Formerly known as Starhill Shopping Centre and renamed Starhill Gallery after a re-branding exercise, the mall has been the hallmark of exclusivity and privacy since it was launched in 1995.

Yeoh said Starhill Gallery would be relaunched at the end of July with a brand new look and identity.

Tan Sri Francis Yeoh ... We are giving Starhill a new personality.
“We are giving Starhill a new personality. We want to turn it into a landmark of taste and style, where tenants will double up as arbiters of style, making it a definite stopover for anyone on the Asian shopping trail,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

While other malls offered a high concentration of luxury products and services, they did not offer the privacy and exclusivity that some very high net worth individuals desired, Yeoh said.

Unlike the conventional shopping environment, the new Starhill will feature five themed floors– Feast, Indulge, Explore, Pamper and Muse – corresponding with dining, high fashion, trendy fashion, beauty and arts outlets respectively.

At present, its tenants include Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Gianni Versace, Fendi, Hugo Boss, B&O Showroom, Melium Designers' For Less, DKNY, Raoul, Jaeger-Le Coultre, Cortina Watch Espace Boutique and Art Colony.

.Starhill Gallery is also now linked by a walkway to three other properties owned by the YTL group in Bintang Walk – J W Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur and Ritz Residency.

baqthier

May 28th, 2005, 11:08 AM

Looks much better! More like a gallery now! Thanks for those pics :eek:

musang

May 28th, 2005, 02:23 PM

baq has a point here.. dats y they r rebranding themselves as "S/Gallery."

D_Y2k.2^

May 28th, 2005, 03:53 PM

thanks alot man.Its veru unique!probably,K avenue is the competitor?:D

choon

May 28th, 2005, 11:15 PM

Went there after 6apm yesterday..full of guards!!! Few shops has been relocated like Dior and Cole Haan...

TYW

May 29th, 2005, 11:51 AM

those guards are turning SSC forumers into real spies. now we know what time there are no guards :devil:

weiaze

May 30th, 2005, 06:39 PM

I hope the end result is good. That carpet thing on the bottom of the escalators - what is that???? and the toy tree pillars - reminds of somesort of kiddie toyland. perhaps that's it! it's a playpen for the rich and famous. i wonder if Francis Yeoh has any misgivings about getting this Rockwell fellow. Anyway, still hoping for ze best!

bobdikl

June 12th, 2005, 01:17 PM

Cherie Blair to attend mall event (BBC news)

The prime minister's wife is to attend a charity event to mark the opening of a shopping centre while in Malaysia in July, Downing Street has confirmed.
The news comes after Cherie Blair was accused of "cashing in" on her position with a US speaking engagement.

But Number 10 said Mrs Blair's visit to Kuala Lumpur, which will also include a law lecture, was a private matter.

Shadow Commons leader Chris Grayling told the Sunday Times Mrs Blair should declare any fee, hospitality or gifts.

He has called for a tightening of the ministerial code to prevent any member of the prime minister's family gaining advantage from their position.

Mrs Blair has been invited to attend the function, one of a number of events being held to mark the opening of the Starhill boutique shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Earlier this month she was paid a reported £30,000 to make a speech in Washington on life in Downing Street.

Mrs Blair said the fact her speech came at the same time her husband was in the US for a meeting with President Bush was a coincidence.

She said she had to "walk a tightrope" with her joint roles as a professional woman and as the UK prime minister's wife

bobdikl

June 12th, 2005, 01:19 PM

The Sunday Times - Britain

June 12, 2005

Tycoon recruits Cherie Blair for luxury PR stunt
Jon Ungoed-Thomas and Mages Ramakrishnan, Kuala Lumpur

CHERIE BLAIR faces new questions over her judgment after it emerged she is being used to help promote a duty-free shopping centre for a Malaysian billionaire who has offered her a luxurious break in the Far East.

She will travel to Kuala Lumpur, the capital, next month for a six-day visit. Her trip is being used to help promote the opening of Starhill, a boutique complex.

Downing Street confirmed yesterday that Blair will attend a charity function, which is one in a programme of events to mark the launch of the new mall, marketed as “a palace of infinite indulgence”. The gallery’s developer, YTL, headed by the billionaire Francis Yeoh, 47, is sponsoring the function.

A lavish series of events has been devised by YTL. According to a document dated May 21, they run from July 25-31 and range from the mall’s “grand opening”, a commercial event, to the charity fundraiser, which will be held in an adjoining five-star hotel.

YTL, a utilities and property conglomerate, bought Wessex Water in 2002 and is believed to be seeking other acquisitions in the UK. Businesses in the Starhill mall have been been told Blair will be helping with its official launch.

Joanne Tan, promotions manager of Cortina Watches, one of the outlets at the new centre, said: “We are very excited that Cherie Blair is going to be at the [official] opening of the gallery. I think she is a special friend of the YTL boss.”

Blair has also been invited to Yeoh’s island resort, Pangkor Laut. One of his associates said last week: “He’s a great showman and he will really lay it on for Cherie. He has a gift for the celebrity event.”

Zarina Sharil, one of the organisers of the charity event sponsored by YTL, said: “All the celebrities [invited to the charity event] are going to Pangkor Laut for a holiday. Cherie is flying out the week before and is definitely going to the resort.”

A Downing Street source yesterday said that Blair would be in Malaysia next month, but the only confirmed engagements were a law lecture on July 26 and the charity function on July 31 in Kuala Lumpur.

The source said Blair would neither be travelling to the island nor attending the official opening, even though Malaysian business sources said they had been told to expect her.

The disclosure that she has apparently declined Yeoh’s invitation to the opening and to visit his island comes amid disquiet about whether her activities exploit her position as the prime minister’s wife.

She has just returned from Washington where she is said to have been paid £30,000 for a speech on life inside Downing Street, which coincided with talks held between the prime minister and President George Bush at the White House.

The Sunday Times revealed in January that Blair was being paid up to £100,000 for a charity tour in Australia. On a previous visit there in April 2003, she was accused of being “undignified” when she left a designer clothes showroom in Melbourne with 68 items after being told she could take “a few things” as gifts.

Chris Grayling, the shadow leader of the Commons, said yesterday that Blair should declare whether she was receiving any fee, hospitality or gifts in kind for her latest trip. He has already said the ministerial code should stop any member of the prime minister’s family gaining financial advantage from the premiership.

“Blair should disclose any benefits she receives because of her role as the prime minister’s wife,” he said. “We need some urgent action to address this

The event organisers said Blair and the other celebrities would be given “gifts”. They were unable to give details of the presents or their value.

Blair’s forthcoming visit is a big talking point in the city where business figures are being asked to pay £15,000 for one of the 40 tables at the charity fundraiser. Dame Shirley Bassey, the singer, Jackie Chan, the martial arts star, and David Hasselhoff, the Baywatch actor, are among those due to attend.

The stores complex covers seven floors and will sell watches and clothes from top fashion houses. Yeoh has said it will attract the wealthy from around the world as a “gallery of rich experiences”.

YTL is one of the most powerful companies in Malaysia, but was little known in Britain until it bought Wessex Water for £1.24 billion. Its Pangkor Laut resort has won several travel awards and boasts a spa with “lotus ponds”, “nap gazebos” and a “reflexology path”.

It offers massages with steamed lime leaves and lemon grass and the chance to bathe in “warm herbal floral water”. The resort’s beach, Emerald Bay, has been called one of the most beautiful in the world.

Yeoh’s wife Rosalind met Blair in London at a charity fashion show in October last year. She was told a similar event was being organised by Azrene Abdullah — the daughter-in-law of the Malaysian prime minister — in Kuala Lumpur and was asked if she would be able to attend the YTL-sponsored function.

Before attending the charity event Blair is scheduled to give the Sultan Azlan Shah law lecture in Kuala Lumpur, in honour of Sultan Azlan, a member of the Malaysian royal family and lord chief justice.

Visu Sinnadurai, who is organising the lecture, said Blair would be a guest of the royal family. He had no details of her travel arrangements other than that engagement.

choon

June 13th, 2005, 04:07 PM

Does the main entrance of the gallery open to public already?

bobdikl

June 13th, 2005, 05:18 PM

Evening Standard
13 June 2005

Cherie Blair faced new controversy today over a trip to Malaysia because of its human rights record.

Campaigners and opposition leaders said she should either cancel a planned law lecture there or use it to condemn the Malaysian government's record on issues such as political prosecutions and beatings of suspects.

The row comes after Mrs Blair was criticised for earning £30,000 for a 90-minute question-and-answer session in Washington last week.

Malaysia has refused to sign key United Nations conventions on torture and civil and political liberties. Its record has been condemned by Amnesty International, whose most annual report last month reported that:

An "array of restrictive laws curtailed enjoyment of freedom of expression, association and assembly".

Thousands of convicted prisoners, "mostly undocumented migrant workers", were caned.

Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim was jailed on "politically motivated" charges of sodomy. He has since been released.

Several people died in police custody, including one who was found drowned after allegedly trying to escape but whose family said he had been beaten to death.
Malaysia also defends the death penalty - which Mrs Blair opposes - and it sentenced seven people to execution last year. The regime has been criticised over the rights of Muslim women and a lack of press freedom.

Malaysia's opposition leader, Lim Kit Siang, told the BBC that as a well known civil liberties lawyer, Mrs Blair should confront such issues.

The deputy leader of the country's conservat ive Islamic Party, PAS, said it would be inappropriate for her to speak if she planned to avoid the controversial topics.

A Downing Street spokesman could not say whether Mrs Blair was being paid for her law lecture in Kuala Lumpur.

The event is hosted annually by lord chief justice Sultan Azlan Shah, a royal.

Mrs Blair's trip has been criticised by Tory MPs over claims that billionaire Francis Yeoh, 47, was using her name to promote a shopping mall being developed by his company YTL. The company was investigated and cleared by British police over alleged bribery in a ?1.24 billion takeover of Wessex Water in 2002.

There was confusion over claims she would go to a grand opening of the mall - a purely commercial event - and had been offered a free holiday at a resort also owned by Mr Yeoh.

No 10 refused to give full details of the trip or say who was paying for her flights, arguing it was a private matter.

Shadow Commons leader Chris Grayling called for No10 to provide a full and immediate explanation of the trip and what it involves.

bobdikl

June 13th, 2005, 05:21 PM

Is there a new starhill's department store after CK Tangs?

choon

June 22nd, 2005, 08:18 AM

let's wait for the new web site : http://www.starhillgallery.com/

szehoong

July 2nd, 2005, 06:44 AM

WOW! The new interior is beyond words! Just went there yesterday night and it is FANTASTIC!!! :eek:

And the concourse level had one of the nicest and most unique washroom I've ever seen! :dizzy:

AND I did not bring ANY camera there yesterday :wallbash: .........anyway I got excuselah......my 2 cameras now under repair hehehehe :D

choon

July 2nd, 2005, 07:00 AM

he...or not dare to take... :)

lepainperdu

July 2nd, 2005, 07:05 AM

quite classy la but the entrance with the huge glass façade is a little empty - it looks like an artificial greenhouse - actually quite okay looking la but i expected more :/ ?
i haven't explored the other floors too much yet, but it's got such a 'unconventional' feel with the childplayland tree structures and such. i wanted to take photos but there were guards i think ;/

szehoong

July 2nd, 2005, 07:57 AM

I think can take......I dunno.....been confronted at Starhill twice before :D

Anyway I saw many people taking pics.....perhaps I should go to Starhill with my small digicam instead of a DSLR :D

I like how the lights changes at night. And I have a feeling that since now Louis Vuitton is occupying the space where The Mariott Cafe is and that it now had a street entrance - they would probably have the huge LV suit case thingy at Starhill facade hehehe :D Anyway that part of the facade is now under renovation ;)

choon

July 2nd, 2005, 08:45 AM

LV's expansion? Sounds great!!! Do u see other stores like Lanvin, Eric Way, Garrard, Tumi...etc? i tot LV has occupied 2 floors inside the mall already? Much much awaited than the dead Avenue K..

TYW

July 2nd, 2005, 01:11 PM

SEED

July 2nd, 2005, 07:48 PM

WOW! The new interior is beyond words! Just went there yesterday night and it is FANTASTIC!!! :eek:

And the concourse level had one of the nicest and most unique washroom I've ever seen! :dizzy:

wow! sounds realli exciting! cant wait to see some pics of it! guess the interior must be very dramatic as u describe it! :happy:

Greg

July 4th, 2005, 01:38 PM

July 4:

The Starhill Gallery in Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL houses various designer outlets as well as being the Global Fine Watch Retailer carrying 70 luxurious brands, unparallelled in any shopping centre worldwide, writes JULIA JAAFAR.
THOSE with a keen eye for all things rich and beautiful will have a new place to look to for high-end goods when Starhill Gallery in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur officially opens on July 30.
It will house more than 30 retailers of luxury labels, some of which will be setting up outlets in Malaysia for the first time.
With the reinvention of the former Starhill Centre; investments by new tenants; and reinvestments by existing retailers, well-heeled Malaysians need no longer go to Singapore, Hong Kong or London for the latest designer goods.
American label Anne Klein, Mulberry bags and shoes, Garrard jewellery, Asprey house of fashion are among the new names that will set up their stand-alone boutiques, adding colour to the local shopping scene.
Familiar designer goods retailers Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Givenchy, dunhil Chopard, Cole Haan, Jim Thompson, Cortina and Swiss Union watch boutiques, also promise up-to-date range of their merchandise.
Taking pride in the new development, YTL Corporation Berhad MD Tan Sri Francis Yeoh said: “The renovation of the Gallery costs tens of millions of ringgit and houses only the arbiters of style.
“It’s a Gallery of rich experiences,” he said, adding that in accordance with their emphasis on fine craftsmanship courtesy of iconic mall designer, American architect David Rockwell, Starhill promises a stylish shopping experience. “People deserve a better crack at life and lifestyle. They deserve to come and shop in a nice environment, or eat if they want to eat and not feel pushed to spend,” said Yeoh who detests typical shopping centres comprising “rows of shops like birds on a wire.”
Yet, he said, Starhill is a place people go to with a purpose “because there are many brands that are exclusively here. You don’t find people just milling about.”
To a certain extent, it is the ideal place for big spenders who appreciate privacy. A stroll into the building will give the impression that it is otherwise quiet.
Aptly, he added, security is also an important factor as there is a strong uniformed and non-uniformed presence on the premises.
If you’re looking at a mall with the men’s section on the first floor and the household section on the top floor, you will be surprised to find that there are no arrows at the escalators pointing to such directions.
Instead, each floor bears a theme.
The lower ground floor featuring 13 restaurants is called Feast Village. Indulge is located on the ground floor for retailers of leather goods and fashion accessories such as Cole Haan, Aigner and Kenzo. More fashion accessories as well as watches can be found at Adorn, on the upper ground floor, while jewellery, home decor and lifestyle products are found at Explore on the first floor.
Tired of shopping? Take a step up to the second floor, and Pamper yourself at the many beauty salons and spas including Spa Indrani among others.
Those looking at fine dining can head straight to the third floor and Relish, the most exquisite dining experiences at the finest of restaurants like Japanese eateries Gonbei and Jogoya.
Those with a penchant for art, Muse yourselves away at the art galleries on the fourth floor. Coincidentally, Smooth Stones, a black-and-white photography exhibition is taking place until Sept 30.
According to Yeoh Malaysia is one of the most powerful retail centres of fine watches in the world.
“Starhill Gallery is the Global Fine Watch Retailer with 20,000 sq ft of retail space carrying 70 luxurious brands, unparallelled in any shopping centre in any city on this globe.”
Apparently, world-renowned F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya buys US$1 million (RM3.8 million) worth of watches during his visits simply because, “the watches here are authentic and the service provided by our people — including the discount offered to collectors — is satisfying.”
Indeed, a lot of positive changes have taken place since YTL’s acquisition of nearby Lot 10, Starhill (then Starhill Centre) and JW Marriott Hotel in March 1999. Yeoh explained he realised then “a little too late” that the Kuala Lumpur retail industry was not as glitzy as it had appeared to be.
“I found out to my dismay that the only tenants that were paying rentals promptly were the watch and camera retailers. It was clear then that the duty-free factor enabled them to thrive.
“International retailers like Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior were thought to be expensive and the items were more than a couple of seasons old. As a result, most Malaysians preferred to shop overseas for these plush items. Some even hoped that presents bought in local malls were not what they would get for Christmas!”
Since the rejuvenation of Jalan Bukit Bintang into what Yeoh described as Kuala Lumpur’s answer to Paris’ Champs Elysees, the city has become an increasingly exciting shopping destination.
“Shopping will be a great phenomenon in the city if we can complement it with the best global brands at competitive prices. I’m quite glad that all the global, regional and local retailers have voted with their purse.”

xelos

July 4th, 2005, 05:02 PM

Hi there,

We have in Belgium and Holland outletcenters too.

http://www.maasmechelenvillage.com
http://www.designeroutelroermond.nl
Greetz XeloS

Greg

July 4th, 2005, 06:59 PM

Wrong thread xelos. Starhill is a high end shopping mall and has nothing to do with outlet. ;)

choon

July 5th, 2005, 07:09 AM

www.starhillgallery.com/index.asp

xelos

July 5th, 2005, 04:43 PM

Wrong thread xelos. Starhill is a high end shopping mall and has nothing to do with outlet. ;)

Thx Greg idd wrong tread,
but I tought the Suria shopping mall
was the only high end shopping mall
in KL?
Do the have shopping malls in Zurch Greg??

Greetzzzz XeloS

nazrey

July 8th, 2005, 03:23 AM

Interior of Starhill Plaza
The Upmarket Starhill Plaza is part of the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur's most modern, expensive, developing city center and business district.

http://pro.corbis.com/images/DWF15-1118596.jpg?size=67&uid={3a469de6-9c74-40f6-9070-f913bcd45dc0} http://pro.corbis.com/images/DWF15-1118571.jpg?size=67&uid={5751f1ff-0cbb-4299-9761-9b6fe25fad4b}

nazrey

July 12th, 2005, 05:37 PM

A feast for the senses at the Village
By CHIN MUI YOON
Tuesday July 12, 2005

A RICH, unique culinary experience awaits diners at the new Feast Village of the revamped Starhill Gallery in Jalan Bukit Bintang.

The new gastronomy space offers a choice of 13 fine restaurants designed around the concept of a rustic multi-ethnic village.

The luxurious dining concept stands in place of the former Tang’s, which was vacated last year.

The Feast Village is accessible through Starhill Gallery’s main doors as well as the Time Tunnel linking it with the adjoining JW Marriott Hotel.

“The unusual effects created by the walls of mirrored glass lighted by thousands of twinkling, coloured lights will grab the hotel guests’ attention,” said YTL Corporation Bhd managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh during a media briefing and tour on Friday.

“They will have to move slowly through the link where they’ll suddenly see a sign announcing the Feast Village. It will be a pleasant discovery for the guests.”

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/7/12/central/m_11starhill.jpg

One of the most dramatically designed outlets in Starhill Gallery
is the Village Bar with its variety of dazzling ethnic pendant
lamps and pillars of glass bottles.

Yeoh said the Feast Village has some of the most dramatically designed restaurants in town to offer diners a unique ambience to go with the fine food.

“We have an amazing collection of fine restaurants,” he said.

“With my engineering background, I can appreciate the uniqueness and complexity of the work behind the designing of these spaces. We hope the Feast Village will contribute to the unique attractions in Kuala Lumpur.”

The total floor area of the Feast Village is 46,300 sq ft and can accommodate 1,058 diners. The design was under the direction of celebrated Japanese firm Design Spirits Co Ltd.

Among the outlets here is Fisherman’s Cove, headed by the same chefs of the restaurant located in the exclusive Pangkor Laut Resort, also owned by the YTL Corporation Bhd. It offers fusion-styled, elegant seafood dishes served in a houseboat and bamboo shed-styled dining room.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/7/12/central/m_11yeoh.jpg

Yeoh at the brilliant Time Tunnel, a psychedelic link between
the JW Marriott Hotel and the newly opened Feast Village at Starhill Gallery.

Famous Teochew Chinese restaurant Pak Loh brings a touch of authentic Hong Kong cuisine to the city, while the Luk Yu Tea House offers nostalgic old-world Chinese ambience combined with contemporary-styled dim sum and fine Chinese tea.

Korean BBQ KoRyo Won makes its debut in Kuala Lumpur, as does Jim Thompson with My Thai.

Starhill Gallery’s Shook! will continue to charm guests with its open kitchens serving Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Western cuisines.

Other outlets here are the Village Bar; Jake’s Charbroil Steak; The Bakery Moment from Norway; Vansh, an offshoot of Indian restaurant Rang Mahal in Singapore; Indonesian-Malaysian restaurant Enak; Lebanese oulet Tarbush; and Sentidos Tapas offering Spanish food.

In the Relish floor of Starhill, two restaurants are making their debut outside their home countries – Jogoya from Taiwan and Gonbei from Japan.

The Feast Village will officially open on July 31 although the restaurants are now open from noon to 1am daily.

nazrey

July 12th, 2005, 07:42 PM

YTL to turn Starhill into luxurious shopping haven
Updated : 27-05-2005
Media : Business Times
Story By : AZLAN ABU BAKAR

YTL Corp Bhd wants to turn Starhill Gallery into a luxurious shopping destination with many global brand names under one roof.

Managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh Sock Ping said the company had invested millions to renovate the shopping centre since it bought the premise in 2003. It was previously known as CK Tang Departmental Store.

YTL owns the whole shopping centre adjoining its two hotels, JW Marriot Hotel and Ritz Carlton. It also owns another shopping centre, Lot 10.

¡§The two hotels are connected to Starhill Gallery through a link bridge.

¡§We want to turn Starhill into a shopping haven for upmarket products with international brand names such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givenchy, Chopard, Dunhill, Cole Haan, Cortina, Fendi and a lot more,¡¨ he said.

He said the unique shopping centre with 250,000 sq ft of net retail space will allow shoppers to have a wide choice of luxury fashionable brands in the market.

The company had also invested more than RM250 million to build the Bintang Walk.

¡§Starhill Gallery is the realisation of a dream to provide a global luxury shopping environment,¡¨ he said.

Yeoh said this after a press tour around the shopping complex in Bukit Bintang yesterday.

He said products at the shopping centre are sold at competitive prices to dismiss the perception that international brands like Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior are too expensive and carrying items that were more than a couple of seasons behind.

Yeoh said the negative perception has caused most Malaysians to shop in Singapore, Hong Kong or London for these plush items.

The company hired mall designer David Rockwell Group from New York which is famed for its organic architecture to design Starhill Gallery¡¦s interior.

¡§We did not stop there, as we also got one of the most successful brand managers in the world, Interbrand, to reposition Starhill and turn it into an exciting store,¡¨ he said.

baqthier

July 13th, 2005, 07:10 AM

szehoong

July 13th, 2005, 08:51 PM

^ luxurious shopping haven? Inorder to make it heaven have to increase shoppers lah..maybe they should make like karaoke contest ,coloring contest for kids, family day or coffee appreciation day at the lobby

Having large crowd like Sg. Wang is not exactly luxurious. And I think the management wouldn't be doing all that you suggest because this is simply just not the run-of-the-mill shopping mall......this is an ultra luxurious mall and its positioning are reflected in its latest interior design and brand repositioning.

BTW LV is expanding and there are exciting new stores like Asprey and Jim Thompson opening there :okay:

And the concourse floor toilet is SUPERB!!! :D

choon

July 14th, 2005, 04:06 AM

Y u always go toilet? A new DBKL toilet supervisor? hehe :)

nazrey

July 14th, 2005, 06:44 AM

Watchmaker opens largest concept store in KL
Thursday July 14, 2005

THE newly refurbished luxurious Starhill Gallery now boasts an illustrious tenant when legendary Swiss watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre opened its largest concept boutique in Kuala Lumpur recently.

The launch comes right on the heels of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s new boutique launches in Paris, Geneva and Hong Kong.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/7/14/central/m_25francis.jpg

(From left) Yeoh, Lambert and Sew
at the boutique launch.

Collectors of fine Swiss watches will find an unprecedented full collection of the brand’s timepieces, including rare designs, at Starhill Gallery’s Adorn floor.

The boutique occupies 92.9 sq m with generous use of materials such as American walnut, stone, leather, copper and steel. The design evokes a feeling of intimate confidentiality and discreet luxury.

“Malaysia is an important location for the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand, as the people and culture here recognise and appreciate the finer things in life,” said Jaeger-LeCoultre chief executive officer Jerome Lambert.

“Today we have achieved our position among the top five of the finest watchmakers in Malaysia.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/7/14/central/m_25wong.jpg

Wong Sze Zen (Miss Malaysia World 2003) and
Elaine Daly (Miss Malaysia Universe 2003) taking a
closer look at Jaeger- LeCoultre watches.

“People want to see the roots and expression of a particular fine watch brand. Starhill Gallery was a natural choice for us to open our largest boutique in the world.

“We are also familiar with YTL Corporation Bhd managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh’s passion for fine watch-making,” said Lambert.

Yeoh said Starhill Gallery was proud to have been selected as a host for the prestigious Swiss watchmaker, as the shopping centre was setting a new benchmark in good taste, style and luxury.

By end-July, the shopping centre will boast seven themed floors offering a variety of experiences – Feast, Indulge, Adorn, Explore, Pamper, Relish and Muse.

Swiss Union Fine Watch, a private company started in 1997 by Datuk Francis Sew, manages the Jaegar-LeCoultre boutique in Starhill.

Sew is Swiss Union managing director.

Jaeger-LeCoultre watches have adorned the wrists of international celebrities, such as Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello and American actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

szehoong

July 14th, 2005, 07:16 AM

Y u always go toilet? A new DBKL toilet supervisor? hehe :)

If I became a DBKL Toilet supervisor, my staffs would be in a living hell hahahaha :D

But seriously......have you ever seen such a unique toilet? It is really great :D

ZaHiRnYa???

July 14th, 2005, 08:38 AM

Havent been there. Dont know what is the fuss is all about bout this unique toilet ;)

szehoong

July 14th, 2005, 01:22 PM

Havent been there. Dont know what is the fuss is all about bout this unique toilet ;)

David Rockwell's design of the toilet is so darn cool man! :okay:

ZaHiRnYa???

July 14th, 2005, 01:31 PM

David Rockwell's design of the toilet is so darn cool man! :okay:

Then, take la picture of that cool toilet :cool:

choon

July 14th, 2005, 02:39 PM

Went to the toilet today...however Sze Chong is right..the toilet is dammmmmmmmn unique and dammmmmmn dark...I dun even know how to use the basin...hehe

By the way Sze Chong's dream probably comes true cos I think LV is going to have a big briefcase outside the under renovation shop as like Paris and Hong Kong...

ZaHiRnYa???

July 15th, 2005, 02:27 AM

If that is the thing I will make sure that I will go to visit this unique toilet today. Is it free or what to pay one?

nazrey

July 17th, 2005, 12:00 PM

Starhill Gallery promises 5-star hotel-like service
Business Times Malaysia, July 8 2005
By VASANTHA GANESAN

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=42033

STARHILL Gallery, which will be officially opened on July 30 2005, promises to offer the level of service only seen in five-star hotels.

"To produce the best, we have to work with the best," YTL Corp Bhd's managing director Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh Sock Ping said.

In this context, Starhill has brought in brands like Jaeger LeCoultre. The latter opened its world's largest boutique, covering 20,000 sq ft at Starhill Gallery.

Yeoh was speaking to journalists at the soft launch of Feast Village and to announce the grand opening of Starhill Gallery at the end of the month.

Other firsts that will be seen at the Starhill Gallery include Jogoya from Taiwan, which is described as a buffet with a difference. The restaurant in Kuala Lumpur will be the first outside Taiwan and will be able to cater to 650 people.

Yet another first would be the The Photographer's Gallery - Malaysia's only such gallery.

Starhill Gallery, after an extensive rebranding and repositioning exercise, has done away with the traditional naming of floors.

Instead, each of its seven floors is named according to experiences ranging from feast, indulge, adorn, explore, pamper, relish and muse.

"Feast Village, Pamper and Muse floor (food, beauty and art) will all contribute to the unique status that Starhill Gallery will enjoy in KL and also in the future for our global plans for the brand," Yeoh said.

Starhill Gallery, previously known as CK Tang Departmental Store, adjoins two hotels - JW Marriot and the Ritz Carlton. All three entities belong to the YTL Group.

The shopping centre, which has been transformed into a luxurious shopping destination, has a net retail space of 250,000 sq ft.

A collaboration with NTV 7 will see a first in Malaysia with a shopping complex housing a "Studio on the City" concept. The convergence of the broadcast medium with its narrowcast medium, infoscreen and its website is expected to enable retailers to tell their stories of exquisite craftsmanship and passion better to the patrons of Starhill Gallery.

szehoong

July 17th, 2005, 01:34 PM

If that is the thing I will make sure that I will go to visit this unique toilet today. Is it free or what to pay one?

Its FREE! :banana:

I think they are redoing all the toilets to such style as I could see the other floors' toilets are under renovation now ;)

szehoong

July 17th, 2005, 01:36 PM

Went to the toilet today...however Sze Chong is right..the toilet is dammmmmmmmn unique and dammmmmmn dark...I dun even know how to use the basin...hehe

Did you know that the ladies are different in design? :D My sister let me peeked into the ladies (of course when there is no one there lah hehehehe) and their basin is even cooler. But the Gents' walls and ambience is wayyyy better hahaha......feels like I am in BatCave when I am entering the WC hehehehe:D

nazrey

July 17th, 2005, 06:11 PM

The arbiters of style
The Edge Malaysia (Options), 18 July 2005

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=42443

Starhill goes exclusive [ABDUL GHANI ISMAIL/THE EDGE]

BEHIND THE STORIES

KLites are appreciating style these days. And Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, managing director of YTL Corp Bhd, knows this. That is why he has an ambitious vision for the soon-to-be-unveiled Starhill Gallery.

"Starhill Gallery is about choosing the arbiters of style," he says. And he has proved this by attracting brands like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Fendi to Starhill Gallery, brands which do not have a presence in any other mall in the country.

"I select all the right people who will vote with their purse, passion and heart. It's not easy to have this convergence," he adds.

But Starhill will not be like a typical mall – it will have something special. The concept, Yeoh explains, is to maintain exclusivity. The people he wants to lure look for privacy and security without having to battle weekend crowds.

"We don't want wannabes," Yeoh says, insisting that only the top guns will be assembled at Starhill Gallery. But why in Starhill and KL?

"KL gains because of the lower currency value. The ringgit is pegged, so it's good for retailers," Yeoh explains. The lower currency value means that rental is lower and margins are therefore higher.

"Rental here is peppercorn. Rental in Hong Kong is between RM250 and RM600 psf. Here, it's about RM40. It's good to be competitive with rent," he adds.

TYW

July 22nd, 2005, 04:41 PM

pics pics pics!!!!!!

he he...:D:D

D_Y2k.2^

July 23rd, 2005, 07:53 PM

just went to the unique toilet too:P
Pretty cool man.I went there for dinner today at the basement for Thai food.pretty nice.Unfortunately,i don dare to take interior photos la.soooooooooo many security guards.I bumped into Francis Yeoh today.He was observing his creation:D will post the photos tomolo yo!

D_Y2k.2^

July 24th, 2005, 10:16 AM

Here's a exterior shot I've taken last nite:D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/Lovejesse/DSC_0747.jpg

GaryinSydney

July 24th, 2005, 11:57 AM

Wow! looks fantastic!!

D_Y2k.2^

July 24th, 2005, 06:04 PM

Only one interior shot.Almost kena scolding man
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/Lovejesse/DSC_0754.jpg

choon

July 24th, 2005, 06:04 PM

Fantaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaastic!!

ZaHiRnYa???

July 25th, 2005, 10:50 AM

N I haven't been to this new refurbish Star Hill...:(

D_Y2k.2^

July 26th, 2005, 02:11 PM

N I haven't been to this new refurbish Star Hill...:(
serious?How come tak pergi?Btw,on that evening,i happened to see a catwalk show.THe models walked around the lower ground

baqthier

July 26th, 2005, 05:47 PM

very nice darren :):) so lucky

ZaHiRnYa???

July 27th, 2005, 07:27 AM

serious?How come tak pergi?Btw,on that evening,i happened to see a catwalk show.THe models walked around the lower ground

Donno la..I never like StarHill if you asked me. Even though I go to Standard Chartered building everyday for gym session at the distance not that far..it never really excite me that much :D

baqthier

July 28th, 2005, 06:02 AM

Never liked it either..I only like Tangs shoe section and Quiksilver ;)

SEED

July 28th, 2005, 10:41 AM

beauuuutiful!!! :eek: like it! and.. how come theres grass/giant spring onion things on the balcony..??

szehoong

July 28th, 2005, 10:48 AM

beauuuutiful!!! :eek: like it! and.. how come theres grass/giant spring onion things on the balcony..??

Those are grass lah (some very tall species) :D ....not spring onions hehehehe

It is part of the design to rejulvinate the interior which IMO looks fresher and nicer. Those are real grass and they have to replaced em every now and then ;)

szehoong

July 28th, 2005, 10:52 AM

Never liked it either..I only like Tangs shoe section and Quiksilver ;)

Wah.....Starhill really that boring meh :D Actually the only thing that attracts me is The Lounge which the price is same as Starbucks or Coffee Bean but offer a much better ambience and environment :okay:

Apart from that, I wouldn't say that place is boring or dislike it for any other reason apart from that the things there are too expensive for me hahaha. A great place for window shopping IMO :D

SEED

July 28th, 2005, 11:06 AM

^^ hoho! back to nature! cool idea :cool: but why grass & not flowers? harder to grow flowers in there? anyway the color ofda grass match well wit the color ofda malls thou.. well.. ma opp..

szehoong

July 28th, 2005, 12:50 PM

^^^ I think flowers would looked kinda tacky in there. The previous management (before YTL) did put some flowers there (artificial ones) and it is HORRIBLE! They have different colours for diff floors - YUCKS! :puke:

TYW

July 30th, 2005, 10:08 AM

saw some pics in the star today. very nice :okay:

nazrey

August 3rd, 2005, 09:55 PM

Starhill Gallery: Luxury redefined
The Star, 30 July 2005
By TEE LIN DEE

STARHILL Gallery officially swings open its brand new glossy doors with aplomb today amid a new concept, swanky architecture and iconic flair.

With RM250mil spent on this extravagant refurbishment, great aspirations are touted for this upmarket shopping complex.

Called "A Gallery of Rich Experiences", each floor bears an individual name to reinforce the five senses – Feast, Indulge, Adorn, Explore, Relish, Pamper and Muse, one will discover a whole new sophistication in shopping.

"Starhill Gallery caters to a unique market, the higher end of the consumer market," says Danielle Pearce, General Manager (Operations) of Starhill Gallery.

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=43168

"Other retail places are everything to everyone, but over here, we're offering an intimate shopping area where service is very personalised. We don't have floor directories here, but we do have a concierge like five-star hotels."

Indeed Starhill houses a unique mix of tenants, with exclusive brands spread over 280,000 square feet of retail space. There are over 70 brands for fine luxury watches itself, giving the address further credence to its pedigree. In fact, many brands are exclusive only to Starhill Gallery, like Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Kenzo.

"YTL Corporation Managing Director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh had a vision that Starhill can become an icon. He didn't want the shopping experience to be boring.

"He repositioned Starhill along with lnterbrand, one of the most successful brand managers in the world, noted for turning around the Selfridge brand. Apart from that, the architect Kawai was brought in for the genius architecture you now see in Starhill," says Pearce.

Great potential abounds for Starhill Gallery, as the posh edifice is flanked by two five-star hotels, the JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur. As a matter of fact, a bridge was built to link The Ritz-Carlton with Starhill last August, another move to encourage hotel guests to patronise the gallery.

"There are lots of money in Malaysia and plenty of Malaysians are travelling. The way I see it, there is a demand, but no product. Tan Sri saw an opportunity within the luxury goods segment.

"People were jumping on planes to get luxury goods. If you want the latest Louis Vuitton or Fendi bag, why should you have to fly to another country? Why can't you do it right here? The quality of the retail game has to be lifted," says Pearce.

There is a vacuum for more personalised service for the more educated people. It is mass shopping everywhere, but there are people who may want to shop discreetly. Starhill Gallery is the answer.

Starhill Gallery aims to be the place to see and to be seen. It hopes to be what the Champs Elysees of Paris is to KL here.

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=43169

It is a celebration of the latest and best from international fashion, art, beauty, food and living.

"People are knowledgeable in brands, and they don't mind investing. All around the world, people don't mind paying money for quality," continues Pearce.

Still. Are the sentiments for the retail performance in Starhill Gallery positive despite the economic and political backdrop lately?

Pearce thinks so. "Principals of exclusive brands are investing heavily in Starhill. For example Jaeger-LeCoultre, the prestigious watch manufacturer is opening its largest boutique in the world right here at Starhill Gallery..

"The way I see it, with the demand and the level of sophistication that exists here, growth is most likely for the luxury goods industry. We've had SARS, wars and the tsunami, but still this industry experiences growth.

"Exclusive brands are great entities by themselves. But they need the right place to showcase them. At Starhill, we work with the best brands," says Pearce.

And sure enough. One of the new exclusive brands that has made its address here is Korloff. It is the owner of the largest black diamond in the world at 88 carats.

One more thing, it's not all shopping here as food critics will tell you.

The Feast Village is one of the seven-themed floors that is part of the new Starhill Gallery.

Designed to look like a village with its wooden planks and meandering pebbled floors, restaurants are left with gaping walls and ambiguous borders, so a sense of festive air and provincial warmth pervades.

Kawai, the architect flexes his creative talent here by bringing ethnic and rustic themes alive.

Some of the restaurants include Sentidos Tapas, Pak Loh Chiu Chow, Luk YuTeahouse, Fisherman's Cove, Tarbush, Jake's Charbroiled Steakhouse and Shook!

Pearce personally recommends Jake's for their fine vegetarian meals.

All F&B outlets open till 1am so the hours can be whiled away languorously.

"We have a few years to catch up before we can become the fashion place like Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, or the Champs-Elysees in Pairs, but we learn from the best, and we take the best components. I believe we can get there, but I'm just not sure when," laughs Pearce.

Starhil Gallery – A Gallery of Rich Experiences

SEED

August 7th, 2005, 08:33 AM

soo.. how they water the grass?? sprinkler(drop system).. or a gardener get in everyday to water it by hand :lol:

choon

August 14th, 2005, 03:40 PM

Pictures taken on 14.08.2005

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/4060/p81400263ew.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/263/p81400270fa.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/2982/p81400308ah.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/2579/p81400310zt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/681/p81400322tm.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/9836/p81400330cc.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2672/p81400346ol.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

ZaHiRnYa???

August 19th, 2005, 03:23 AM

szehoong

August 19th, 2005, 10:24 AM

Finally, finally I went there. Love it so much...though I have to say it is way way too upmarket for me.

Love the whole dining scene. But I didnt managed to find this so called unique wash room nonetheless :ohno:

The Toilet is in between Koryo Won (Korean Restaurant) and the 'Crystal Entrance' (entrance to JW Mariott). It is the same location where the old toilet is ;)

ZaHiRnYa???

August 19th, 2005, 10:58 AM

The Toilet is in between Koryo Won (Korean Restaurant) and the 'Crystal Entrance' (entrance to JW Mariott). It is the same location where the old toilet is ;)

Aiyoh..the old toilet also i donno where is the location wor :(

nazrey

August 19th, 2005, 01:20 PM

Cindy Crawford at Starhill Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, 18 August 2005

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=43809

From left: Raymond Chu, Raymond Lim, Anthony Lim,
Cindy Crawford, Stephen Urquhart and David Ponzo.

World-renowned supermodel Cindy Crawford was at Cortina Watch Espace in Starhill Gallery today to launch the Omega’s luxury jewellery collection – Bijoux – in Malaysia.

Braving the morning downpour, media and fans waited anxiously for a glimpse of the Omega star brand ambassador with the famous mole. As soon as Crawford arrived, an army of lensmen with popping flashes fought for the most strategic position to get the best shots of the supermodel.

Accompanied by President of Omega Stephen Urquhart, Crawford, who is a mother of two, beamed warmly at the adorable young ballerinas who performed a short piece, entitled “Tinker Bell”. Also with her were Cortina Holdings managing director Anthony Lim, Cortina Holdings executive director Raymond Lim, Cortina Malaysia Operations Manager Raymond Chu and Omega vice president in Southeast Asia David Ponzo.

After the launch, guests were invited to view the Omegamania watch that Crawford donated for a month-long auction that had been held in conjunction with her first visit to Malaysia. The watch, an 18-carat white gold icon from the Omegamania collection, features a red mother-of-pearl dial, lacquered red calfskin strap and is set with 41 diamonds. The watch also comes with Crawford’s signature. Proceeds from the auction of the watch will be channelled to two children’s homes – Yayasan Sunbeams Home and Rumah Sayangan.

Crawford’s visit at the newly refurbished Cortina Watch Espace follows a series of events at newly launched Starhill Gallery, which is now touted as a Global Fine Watch Retailer. Early last month, Jaeger Le-Coultre launched its largest standalone boutique in the world at the Adorn floor with Jaeger-LeCoultre CEO, Jerome Lambert in attendance.

Later that month, Audemars Piguet held an exhibition to celebrate the launch of its standalone boutique where Audemars Piguet Switzerland CEO, Georges-Henri Meylan was present together with international singer and Audemars Piguet ambassador, Anggun

The Omega Bijoux collection features four lines of fine jewellery – the Griffes line that bears the distinctive hallmarks of the famous claws of the celebrated Constellation watches; the Omegamania line bears the W symbol, which is the last letter of the Greek alphabet and represents accomplishment and perfection, as well as the Sedna line and the Aqua line.

The Omega Bijoux collection is available exclusively at Cortina Watch Espace in Starhill Gallery.

nazrey

August 19th, 2005, 01:50 PM

A new star on Bintang Walk
Sunday Mail, 14 August 2005

With the opening of Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, most of the world’s iconic luxury brands are available under one roof, writes Baidura Ahmad

SOME members of the media have touted the Starhill Gallery as a Palace of Infinite Indulgence. For some, this sounds like Heaven on Earth, which we do not claim to have created here, and for others it smacks of Hell, which we do not want to be associated with at all," joked Tan Sri Francis Yeoh.

The managing director of YTL Corp Bhd, which owns a number of upmarket properties along Bintang Walk, Kuala Lumpur, including Starhill Gallery, was speaking at the official opening of the much-talked-about shopping centre recently.

Starhill Gallery has received a lot of publicity, especially from the British dailies; after it was reported that Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife, Cherie, was scheduled to do the honours during a private visit here. It was one of these dailies which coined the term "Palace of Infinite Indulgence" when describing the shopping centre.

Many who have stepped into the stylishly upgraded shopping attraction see it as a place that is heavenly pleasing to the five senses.

Designers and artisans from around the world were commissioned to make sure that the place lived up to its "A Gallery of Rich Experiences" slogan. The David Rockwell Group from New York (famed for their work for Nobu restaurant and the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles) and many other iconic mall designers from around the world were engaged to give the new Starhill Gallery a facelift.

YTL also engaged the renowned branding guru, Interbrand, to reposition Starhill. It was Interbrand which turned dowdy Selfridges in London into an exciting shopping destination and increased their sales dramatically.

"We knew from the outset that we would not commoditise passion and craftsmanship. It is clearer now why we named the floors the way we did, Muse, instead of Art, Adorn instead of Jewellery, Indulge instead of Leather Goods and Handbags, Feast Village instead of food and beverages, and Pamper instead of cosmetics and spa treatments," Yeoh told the crowd of corporate figures, international and local celebrities, and the media who attended the opening, about two weeks ago.

He wasn't kidding. The Pamper Floor, at about 4,600 square metres, is twice the size of the world-renowned Harrods Urban Spa Retreat in London. Already, it has attracted many well-heeled Malaysians and guests of the adjacent JW Marriott Hotel.

Its watch retail space, at about 1,800 square metres, is said to be the largest fine watch retailers in the world. It offers 70 luxury brands. Starhill Gallery houses Jaeger Le-Coultre's largest stand-alone watch boutique in the world, which was set up at a cost of RM2 million.

Other watch brands that have their largest stand-alone boutiques in the world in Starhill Gallery include Audemars Piguet and Ulysse Nardin of Switzerland, Graham of London and famed jeweller of Paris, Korloff, which carries the world's largest diamond.

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=43643

The David Rockwell Group from New York and many other iconic mall
designers from around the world were engaged to give Starhill Gallery a
facelift.

The Feast Village comprises 13 upscale restaurants offering 1,000 seats of fine dining. It draws quality traffic and the sales since its soft opening have exceeded expectations. On an annualised basis, the restaurants can now expect to gross RM50 million.

Indeed, looking at the list of tenants at Starhill Gallery, you can almost conjure up a picture of the patron – clothed in Kenzo, DKNY or Anne Klein, a Givenchy on the arm and Louis Vuitton on the feet. And if it is local designers that they go for, it will probably be something from Jendela Batik or Rizalman Ibrahim.

Yeoh said that when YTL took over the Marriott, Starhill Centre and the adjacent Lot 10 Shopping Centre, in Bukit Bintang, in 1999, the area was slowly turning into a high-crime red light district. YTL then sought Government approval to create Bintang Walk to prevent further deterioration, and the Government and City Hall responded quickly and positively.

YTL replaced the low-market food court at Starhill Centre with a modern 400-seat food court in Lot 10. The strategy obviously worked, as the food court has served over four million meals since its opening.

With the improved traffic from Bintang Walk, Lot 10's anchor tenant, Isetan, reinvested heavily in its supermarket adjacent to the food court. It further increased its investment by upgrading the whole store.

"The traffic in Bintang Walk is improving in both quantity and quality, judging from the latest surge in rental rates and rental enquiries in both Lot 10 and Starhill on Bintang Walk. Millions of KLites, Malaysians and travellers have enjoyed the environment in Bintang Walk since its creation by YTL in 2000," adds Yeoh.

In 1999, the only duty free items available were watches and cameras and the management of YTL noted that these tenants were the only ones paying high rental rates and paying on time. Other retail goods were attracting duties as high as 40 per cent.

Once again, YTL approached the Government to reduce duties on other items, which the Government promptly did in a record four months. With branded goods free of duty, retailers from around the region and the world began to take notice and started to reinvest in retailing in Kuala Lumpur.

"As opposed to competing retail centres in Singapore and Hong Kong, which have a decades-long head start, we are only five years old in serious retailing. Despite this, Lot 10 and Starhill Gallery have done very well to attract regional and global retail principals," said Yeoh.

Based on his experience, Yeoh said that more and more retail principals no longer rely on agents to retail their global brands. They have bought back many franchises from their agents. This was done because in the past agents have not promoted their brands, and therefore their sales, because of the lack of experience and the lack of budget.

At Starhill Gallery, global principal retailer, the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy Group (LVMH) has invested RM20 million in its new concept store, backing the vision of the repositioning of Starhill Gallery. LVMH has all its brands exclusive to Starhill Gallery. These include Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Fendi, Loewe and Celine.

"The LVMH Group are excited with our vision and strategy, and have convinced other global brands to open stores in Starhill Gallery. These include Valentino, Hermes and many others," said Yeoh.

The non-LVMH Group brands that are available only at Starhill Gallery include Porsche Design, Asprey, Garrard, DKNY, Mulberry, Valentino, Lanvin, Lancel, Brioni, Jim Thompson, Bang & Olufsen, Alessi and TUMI and Kwanpen. In discussion are Longchamp and many others who are prepared to retail exclusively at Starhill Gallery.

"Starhill Gallery has benefited from the high-end traffic as a result of these iconic global brands' availability only in Starhill.

"Starhill Gallery is so attractive a shopping centre that many global brands have decided to fast-track their investments in Kuala Lumpur, instead of in neighbouring shopping centres in one way or another," said Yeoh.

"I can judge from the huge response, from both Malaysians and travellers from around the world, that Starhill Gallery has already gained a unique personality of its own. It takes much time, passion and patience to appreciate someone's true personality.

"This is the reason that Starhill Gallery has been unveiled act by act like a good play, saving the best for last. The opening marks the end of this first play and I am very sure there are many more exciting episodes to follow," said Yeoh.

nazrey

August 19th, 2005, 01:55 PM

Starhill reopens
Sunday Mail, 14 August 2005

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=43652

From left: Rainer & Brigitte Althoff; Yasmin Yusuff & Amarjit Chhina;
and Mohyiddin Al-Halabi & Shereen Abdullah.

Starhill Gallery, formerly known as Starhill Shopping Centre, is now open for business after an extensive refurbishment that has brought the place a few notches upmarket.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ruslin Hassan did the honour of cutting the ribbon to mark the occasion with owner YTL Corporation Bhd managing director Tan Sri Francis Yeoh.

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=43653

From left: Lorraine Hahn & Chef Wan; Datin Mastisa Mohamed, Kathy
Lam, Datin Bjoerg & Datuk Frank Steinleitner; Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir; Bruce and Sally Cleghorn.

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visit (http://www.ytlcommunity.com/spottedat/index.asp?proc=1&psize=6&cpage=15&fid=0&sid=0) - photos (http://www.faces.com.my/photo/)

nazrey

August 22nd, 2005, 09:37 PM

Event turns fairy-tale wedding into reality
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ
Friday August 19, 2005

Themed Fairy Tale, the wedding fair at Starhill Gallery this year showcased traditional and contemporary Malay attires.

The two-day annual event, organised by JW Marriott Hotel and Ritz Carlton Kuala Lumpur, featured elegant collections by fashion designer Salikin Sidek during the opening show recently.

The collection included designs in conservative whites and beige while others were in pastel colours.

Salikin is known as the first Malaysian designer who brought Malaysian ethnic fashion to the world by introducing his collection via CNN’s fashion programme.

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White is a perfect wedding colour.

Besides that, there were also shows by other designers and bridal houses such as Carven Ong, Lord’s Tailor, Covershots & The Wedding Shop, Wedding Touch Studio, Armadale Weddings, Dior Pink Wedding Services, Picasso Bridal and Wedding D-Art.

Couples who confirmed weddings bookings with the hotel during the fair also stood a chance to win exciting draw prizes.

The event also featured professionals in floral arrangements, pelamin creators, wedding planners and photographers.

Newly introduced was the Banquet Hall at the Carlton Conference Centre. With a larger space, bigger and more intimate weddings functions can be planned.

JW Marriott general manager Christian Bock said this year’s theme was turning a fairy tale wedding into a reality.

He said the fair, which was put together by the hotel’s sales and public relations team, offered a comprehensive selection on wedding needs and updates on the latest wedding related products and services.

“Besides, it also provides the bride and groom with all the information about a wedding,” said Bock at the launch of the event.

Guest of honour was YTL director Datuk Yeoh Soo Min.

nazrey

August 23rd, 2005, 06:01 PM

Audemars Piguet Boutique Launch In Starhill > Anggun! (Indonesian super star)
by Kelvin Tan

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Note : Her Song (http://www.tembang.com/denger/denger.asp?lagu_id=undefined&lagu_genre=undefined&lagu_cari=undefined)
Type Anggun - Snow on the Sahara :okay:

nazrey

August 24th, 2005, 06:41 PM

LV plans bigger boutique
New Straits Times , 22 August 2005
By Sofianni Subki

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UPGRADING: LV's new boutique is set to
take the shopping scene by storm.

LOUIS Vuitton will relocate and expand its Starhill boutique to the Starhill Gallery street-front facing busy Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

Conceptualised by the LV architecture department, the approximately 6,000-sq ft boutique will set a new standard in luxury retailing with a dramatic, eye-catching facade.

The development is currently veiled behind an expansive 184ft wide by 37ft high hoarding emblazoned with the brand's spring/summer 2005 campaign featuring Hollywood actress Uma Thurman and top male model Tyson Ballou.

LV first opened in Malaysia in 1985 at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur. In 2001, it expanded with the opening of the existing boutique in Starhill Gallery, the first global shop in the city.

Next year, the opening of the new Starhill Ga.llery boutique will be a testament of the brand's continued investment and commitment to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the boutique will remain open at its existing location in Starhill Gallery.

nazrey

August 24th, 2005, 06:44 PM

artseni gallery opens at Starhill Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, 22 August 2005

A small gallery with a big vision to bring Malaysian art to a higher platform, artseni gallery has opened on Art Loft (Level 4) at Starhill Gallery.

artseni gallery is founded by Phillip Wong, an artist, curator and lover of arts, and he aims to promote the works of Malaysian artists not only within Malaysia but also to the rest of Asia and Europe.

“We have already reached the international level. I have received an invitation through email inviting the artists and myself to hold an exhibition in London next year,” said an excited Wong during the launch of the gallery.

Through art and cultural exchange activities that would foster greater understanding and appreciation for art, artseni will not only sell artworks but aims to establish relationships among artists, art lovers, art collectors and the general public.

Wong, whose ambition was to be an artist since he was was six years old, achieved his dream 20 years later when he graduated with a degree from the Malaysian Institute of Art.

Having been involved in various creative pursuits including contemporary art, photography, advertising design and theatre, his dedication towards the promotion of arts and the creative output of Malaysian artists has led him to achieve another of his dream – establishing an art gallery.

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“The opening of artseni gallery is as much a dream of mine as it is a gift to you. With the birth of artseni gallery – a dream that took more than 10 years in the making, I allow myself to hope and dream even more.”

artseni gallery prides itself in establishing a close relationships with their artists and clients. The artists represented are individuals whom Wong personally knows and who have grown alongside with him artistically.

Each piece of artwork carried by artseni gallery is accompanied by detailed information on the artist and the artwork – the style of art, series title, medium, year of artwork, artist activities, artist profile, and the value of the artwork.

As an appreciation to the client, each artwork carries a certificate of authenticity with the artist's signature and an image of the artwork, to ensure that each piece is a genuine artwork of value.

“I chose to open at Starhill Gallery because I find it very peaceful working here. Eight months ago, when I came to Starhill, I received a lot of discouragement from my friends as they told me ‘no one comes to Starhill’. But I had no doubts about opening here. Now, eight months later, Starhill is alive and there are lots of people here,” said Wong, adding that it is wonderful to be in Starhill Gallery.

Wong also thanked YTL Corporation managing director, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh for giving the opportunity to young Malaysian artists.

In conjunction with the opening of the gallery, artseni is holding an exhibition entitled “art.life.learning – Contemporary Malaysian Artists Art Exhibition” featuring the works of Wong and 11 other artists - Azman Hilmi, Irma Murni, Lim Ah Cheng, Ng Foo Cheong, Pheh It Hao, Shahrul Anuar Shaari, Soon Lai Wai, Tan Bee Him, Tang Hong Lee, Teoh Kai Suan and Zainal Abidin Musa.

“I am pleased to represent the works of several Malaysian artists who have been painting for more than 10 years; in some cases, more than 20 years,” said Wong who took one week to set up the exhibition.

yung85

September 15th, 2005, 12:19 PM

hey this is yung... i hvnt been contributing to this forum for a long time... well i went to kl to shop and club last week and i went to starhill for a drink downstairs... i did went to the toilet too... its sooo funky... really one of the best place i have ever been i think... below r my contributions... btw i am the guy in black heheh

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ZaHiRnYa???

September 16th, 2005, 02:16 AM

Nice one. Is the green plant real or artificial one?

szehoong

September 16th, 2005, 04:06 AM

^^ All the green plants in Starhill are real! :eek:

ZaHiRnYa???

September 16th, 2005, 04:13 AM

Hard to maintain one..that one I believe so

nazrey

September 24th, 2005, 08:21 AM

by D_Y2k.2^

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nazrey

September 24th, 2005, 08:22 AM

Ulysse Nardin creates waves in Starhill Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, 22 September 2005

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Datuk Francis speaking at the press conference.

The Freak 28'800 Diamond Heart and Royal Blue Tourbillon, bound to win hearts of ardent watch collectors

In conjunction with the re-launching its newly enhanced boutique at Starhill Gallery, Swiss watch giant, Ulysse Nardin revealed its two new signature time pieces - the Freak 28'000 Diamond Heart and Royal Blue Tourbillon - with a grand party.

President of Ulysse Nardin SA, Rolf W. Schnyder and his charming wife, Chai, together with Swiss Union's Datuk Francis Sew and his wife Datin Aily greeted guests and friends at the exclusive evening. Malaysia's darling of the music industry, Siti Nurhaliza as well as the Swiss Ambassador to Malaysia, HE Dr Peter Schweizer and his wife Mrs. Susham Sud were among the guests who received a warm welcome that was extended to all at the event.

At a cocktail party while waiting for the arrival of the royal guest of honour, HRH Tunku Naquiyuddin Tuanku Jaafar, guests mingled in front of the boutique, which is one of Ulysse Nardin's largest boutiques in the world.

After the speeches by Schnyder and HRH Tunku Naquiyuddin, the boutique was launched by Tunku Naquiyuddin by untying a knot at the entrance of the boutique. Ulysse Nardin holds a highly respected position as a specialist in marine chronometers, giving the nautical theme to the name.

A violinist performed a short number to welcome the guests before Tunku Naquiyuddin, accompanied by Swiss Union chairman Tan Sri Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir, Schnyder and Sew proceeded to view the two special timepieces.

Dinner was served at Shook! later, with performances by Azman Warren and the violinist, Charmaine.

Datuk Francis speaking at the press conference.

At a press conference earlier, Schnyder said: "The launch of the Freak 28'800 Diamond Heart and Royal Blue Tourbillon showcases a significant milestone for Ulysse Nardin in achieving a step further in innovation, creativity, precision and success in perfecting our techniques in watch making. This effort also reiterates our position as one of the leading watch brands in the market, with the winning formula to create timepieces with a lasting value, heirlooms for future generations".

Schnyder added that love, passion and evolution are the three main ingredients for the success of Ulysse Nardin today. Only a handful of watch brands are capable of designing and manufacturing their own mechanical movements. The idea starts with a creative spark and takes many motivated and specialised craftsmen, engineers and technicians to turn a new concept into a finished product - and it takes many years to perfect the art of watch making!

2005 marks a year of success for Ulysse Nardin, as the company is blessed that two of its major developments have been realised. Both the Freak 28'800 Diamond Heat and Royal Blue Tourbillon are bound to capture the hearts of ardent watch collectors as both watches combine elements of style, innovation, creativity and beauty - the successful ingredients of a master timepiece!

The Royal Blue Tourbillon is probably by far the most outstanding Flying Tourbillon ever created. The watch exudes incomparable elegance, combining aesthetics with the art of mechanical watch making. On the other hand, the Freak 28'800 Diamond Heart is in a class of its own -an avant-garde technology utilising diamonds as a solution to make vital and sensitive movement components within the watch, more precise.

Both the Freak 28'800 Diamond Heart and the Royal Blue Tourbillon are limited to 99 pieces only as it takes several years to handcraft each watch. Only accomplished craftsmen, artists and master watchmakers are able to work on such exceptional timepieces.

Ulysse Nardin has been in the Malaysian market for over 15 years and the brand has a large clientele of both affluent and enthusiastic watch collectors. By setting up a larger boutique at Starhill Gallery which has positioned itself as a Global Fine Watch Retailer, the mega watch brand is able to house a wider range of Ulysse Nardin's extensive collection and will be able to serve its customers better.

Master Watchmaker Camille Guignard is in Kuala Lumpur from 22-26 September.

"Ulysse Nardin recognises Malaysia as a key market in the Asian region. Most of our customers have been purchasing our watches for several years and since they are ardent collectors, we want to cater to their needs as much as possible. Hence, our move to set up an enlarged boutique is a mark of our commitment to our customers as well as an ideal solution to cater to the care of their watches from time to time," Schnyder said.

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Ulysse Nardin Freak 28'800 Diamond Heart &
Ulysse Nardin Royal Blue Tourbillon

He added that Ulysse Nardin believes in knowledge transfer and the company sends visiting watchmakers and experts in the field of watch technology to Malaysia on a regular basis. Ulysse Nardin's staff from Malaysia are constantly updated on the ever changing technology, innovation and evolution of the watch industry and are also sent to Switzerland to learn the techniques and technology behind the art of watch making, in order to understand and better apply their knowledge, to serve their Malaysian customers better.

Present at the launch was Swiss Master Watchmaker from Ulysse Nardin Switzerland, Camille Guignard. In conjunction with the launch of the Freak 28'800 and Royal Blue Tourbillon, Guignard will be in Kuala Lumpur from 22nd September 2005 to 26th September 2005 to take questions on Ulysee Nardin's range of watches and to service watches of enthusiastic and loyal collectors of the brand.

nazrey

September 27th, 2005, 04:28 PM

World's largest Jaeger-LeCoultre boutique
Kuala Lumpur, 22 September 2005

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YTL Corp Bhd MD Tan Sri Francis Yeoh (left) accompanied by Jaeger
LeCoultre CEO Jerome Lambert and Swiss Union Fine Watch MD Datuk
Francis Sew (right) at the launch of the boutique.
Faces Magazine, September 2005 Issue

Jaeger-LeCoultre, in partnership with Swiss Union, recently inaugurated its new concept Boutique in Starhill Gallery.

The Boutique is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s largest in the world, presenting the brand’s full collection of timepieces.

Located at Starhill Gallery, the boutique is an exceptional and inviting destination to discover the art of high matchmaking, and the savoir-faire and iconic style of the prestigious Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Jaeger-LeCoultre will be exhibiting the full range of its collection: the Reverso, Master Control, Master Compressor, Ideale, Aston Martin watch line, and Atmos clocks at the new boutique.

With its floating levels of glass and an open-plan layout, the Boutique environment elegantly lends itself to an accessible interaction with the exclusive world of fine watch making.

It’s all at Jaeger-LeCoultre Boutique.

baqthier

September 27th, 2005, 04:38 PM

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wow..where is the hot girl from? Don't look Malaysian to me. And nice to see ya yung! :cool:

yung85

September 28th, 2005, 11:34 AM

the guy is my bro... and the girl is my bro's gf... hehe.... me and my bro have studied in uk for more than 10 yrs.... so he has a western gf... we came back this summer for holiday.. hehe so he brought his gf back to see family lo.... hehee... baqthier... u use msn??? can add me?? or give me ure msn? let me know thanks.... btw i will go back to uk this sunday:(.... will miss malaysia so much.. i took alot of pics in malaysia.. i will share u all when i go back to uk... hehe

szehoong

September 28th, 2005, 12:41 PM

^^ Oh......you stay in JB or KL? :?

Great pictures by the way....always wanted to try that bar there :D

My MSN is szehoong@maxis.net.my if you wanna add me :D

Bon Voyage and take care ;)

szehoong

September 28th, 2005, 12:45 PM

nazrey

October 1st, 2005, 06:27 AM

Korloff opens first and largest flagship boutique in Southeast Asia at Starhill Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, 29 September 2005

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(From left): Yeoh, Paillasseur and Low.

An exclusive prime luxury project brought to Malaysian shores by Luxury Concepts Watches and Jewellery Sdn Bhd

Korloff, one of the most renowned names in jewellery and watches, today inaugurated its largest flagship boutique in South East Asia at one of Kuala Lumpur's premier shopping centres, Starhill Gallery in the presence of guests of honour, Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh, Managing Director of YTL Corporation Berhad and Korloff’s founder and creator, Daniel Paillasseur.

Located on the Adorn Floor of the Starhill Gallery, the Korloff boutique stands luxuriously in 2,000 square feet and boasts an interior design concept of a combined art gallery and an exclusive jewellery boutique that is fashioned after the Korloff boutiques in France, Europe, USA and internationally.

Korloff, which stands for the highest standards in luxury is a project brought to Malaysia by LuxuryConcepts Watches and Jewellery Sdn Bhd, a forward looking and dynamic company.

According to Frank Low, Chief Executive Officer of LuxuryConcepts, the company aims to provide and broaden the Malaysian market with a selection of fine luxury offerings.

"Today marks the appreciation of Malaysia's growing association with fine luxury. Korloff brings something fresh and new to our Malaysian shores and we are confident that Korloff will help us achieve our objectives and will contribute positively to the growth and development of the luxury retail industry in Malaysia," said Low.

He added: “Korloff is a special brand; it’s unique. Starhill is a unique shopping complex in the world. There’s no other place like it – I’ve been to Tokyo, Paris, Milan… this is a unique shopping complex; and Korloff must be here!”

The Korloff boutique targets to tap into the growing sophisticated population of Malaysia, and is slated to provide the up-and-coming as well as the affluent and discerning lifestyle connoisseurs a different and unique approach in product design that is second to none.

Korloff provides an inimitable range of fine lacquer jewellery, the most exquisite unique range of timepieces, as well as a full repertoire of luxurious men and ladies' accessories, parfums, and fragrances and the newly launched Korloff haute couture.

The Korloff Boutique, which exudes a strong representation of the brand, carries a unique architecture that aptly matches its image-strong vertical lines and the discrete presence of its logo, the back-to-back 'K', a signature that represents the boundless spirit of creativity as embodied and expressed in its creator, Daniel Paillasseur.

The areas in the boutique are redefined and transformed into an art gallery concept envisioned to fulfil all the senses. Jewellery pieces that forms like art and its shapes accent the walls and create a modern aspect of mental suggestions. The clarity of the lines, the lights, background music, furnishings, colours, top-of-the-range materials including black tinted wood and smoked glass, and the concept of the space are all elements chosen to link the beauty of Korloff jewellery with well-being and to convey the Korloff spell of warmth in a luxurious setting.

"We can always identify the Korloff boutique and its product easily. Such is the power of the brand presence and identity that retain its soul in whatever form and shapes it manifests itself as aptly defined by Paillasseur himself – a brand is like a woman. She must have the same character, the same eyes, the same smile," explained Low.

"Customer satisfaction is also a priority for us. Every customer that walks in will feel like members of an exclusive club of connoisseurs. When they choose a Korloff piece, they are assured to benefit from the attentive service and availability of our boutique specialists," said Low.

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Paillasseur takes Yeoh on a tour of the Korloff boutique.

More than 200 guests, customers, socialites and celebrities alike celebrated the opening of the Korloff flagship boutique. The evening featured two sparkling stars: acclaimed singer and musician, Syafinaz, who wore the other star of the evening, the exquisite 23-carat Korloff Yellow Diamond necklace.

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The highlight of the evening:
the Korloff Yellow Diamond necklace.

While savouring beautiful jewellery and bubbly champagne in a wonderful Parisian-style ambience, the delighted audience also tasted their first showcase of the Korloff haute couture, when models in the luxurious dresses adorned with Korloff jewellery took to the stage.

nazrey

October 1st, 2005, 06:32 AM

by D_Y2k.2^

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nazrey

October 1st, 2005, 06:33 AM

Text of speech by Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh
Kuala Lumpur, 29 September 2005

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Paillasseur and Charmaine Low (centre)
with models in Korloff haute couture and jewellery.

Good afternoon members of the media, ladies and gentlemen. May I extend my personal welcome to Mr Daniel Paillasseur – President, Founder & Creator of Korloff and Ms Kareen Phelippe – International Marketing Director who have flown in especially for the official launch the Korloff boutique and their exclusive distributor for Malaysia and Singapore Mr Frank and Ms Charmaine Low.

We have established Starhill Gallery as an icon in Malaysia. Korloff in its own right is an international icon, they own an 88-carat black diamond, the Korloff Noir, one of the top 5 most rare gems in the world. Today, however, we are only privileged to see their 23-carat yellow diamond necklace. The Korloff Noir will make its journey to Starhill Gallery next year and Kuala Lumpur awaits this experience with unabated breath.

You will remember at this juncture what three famous women said about diamonds.

Mae West said, “I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond” or Shirley Bassey who said, “Diamonds never leave you... men do!” or the more pragmatic Zsa Zsa Gabor who said, “I never hated a man enough to give him diamonds back”.

Korloff not only have iconic gems, they developed a “Korloff Cut” which is recognised and authenticated by the esteemed International Gemmological Institute, bringing another dimension to their brand that enhances their exclusivity which includes haute couture.

It is this unbridled passion in craftsmanship, marinated in mystery, romanticism and love that we at Starhill Gallery cherish and I am sure so are many collectors of Korloff masterpieces.

Starhill Gallery prides itself in securing exclusive brands and we are honoured that Korloff have chosen to work with us. Korloff has certainly contributed in materialising my dream of housing only the finest brands on a floor which we have named “ADORN”.

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Yeoh with Syafinaz wearing
the Korloff Yellow Diamond necklace.

For those of you who are not aware, over 20,000 sq ft of retail space is dedicated to fine luxury watches. Korloff has beautifully contributed to make Starhill Gallery the “Largest Global Fine Watch Retailer” establishing a new benchmark in luxury retailing.

Finally, I would like thank you again for supporting Starhill Gallery and its exclusive tenants in our “Gallery of Rich Experiences”.

On a lighter note, “If wisdom and diamonds grew on the same tree we could soon tell how much men loved wisdom”. I certainly would not want to be a candidate for this testing but I am sure what my wife will choose.

Congratulations once again, enjoy this wonderful evening and may God bless you all.

Speech delivered by Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh
Managing Director, YTL Corporation Berhad
at the Official Opening of
Korloff's first and largest flagship boutique in Southeast Asia
at Starhill Gallery
on September 29, 2005

D_Y2k.2^

October 1st, 2005, 05:53 PM

wau,Korloff sounds really expensive la....anyone went there?Probably aiming for the Datuks and Tan Sris:D

nazrey

October 2nd, 2005, 05:11 AM

JeanRichard premieres Minute Repeater at Starhill Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, 20 September 2005

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In fairy tale-like setting, JeanRichard held the world premiere of the JeanRichard Minute Repeater at Starhill Gallery. With the theme “Mystical Garden of JeanRichard”, the evening saw Datuk Francis Sew of Swiss Union and Michel Santchi of JeanRichard playing host to Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Shafie Apdal and his wife, Datin Shuryani Shuib.

Celebrities including singer/TV host Anita Sarawak, songstress Dayang Nor Camelia, model Bernice Chan, award-winning actress Ida Nerina, and Instant Cafe Theatre thespians Patrick Teoh and Jo Kukathas were spotted attending the premiere of the RM1.375 million timepiece.

When Daniel JeanRichard was making his first watches, the trade was at its very beginnings in the Neuchâtel mountains. Simple and sturdy timepieces were produced in those days, which represent the fundamentals of the patrimony we own today.

Three centuries have passed since then. Generations of watchmakers have grown this heritage: with time, watches got thinner, smaller and more sophisticated, in such a way that they could house even more complex mechanisms in even smaller volumes.

Continuing this tradition, JeanRichard presents a model fitted with one of the most sophisticated complications: the minute repeater. When creating this exceptional timepiece, it paid tribute to the man who gave his name to the brand.

That is why the crystal case back of the watch is protected by a grid whose design is inspired by the “cock” of a piece Daniel JeanRichard produced in 1710. As it was usual, the design of this “cock” was symbolic. Allusions to the French royalty, especially to Louis XIV are clearly noticeable.

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Further, like its ancestor from 1710, the new model is fitted with an external adjustment device, allowing the owner to adjust himself the precision of the movement by means of a small key. This device, which was essential at that time, is fitted for the first time in a wristwatch, not out of necessity, but to add an aspect of play in the watch.

Another new element: the “cathedral” repeater mechanism, whose innovative conception allows a significant increase of the sound of the gongs, in comparison with similar watches produced until now.

The evening also showcased another range of JeanRichard’s masterpieces: the Milady watch which unveils the secret of the 4 Elements: air, fire, water and earth. With the Milady and its unique and original setting of precious stones, JeanRichard showcases its creativity and audacity. Each element has a distinctive character, like the women who will wear this timepiece.

Malaysia's jazz queen, Sheila Majid appeared with husband Acis accompanying her on the piano for a superbly polished performance that got the guests tapping their feet and singing along with some of the familiar numbers from her repertoire.

nazrey

October 2nd, 2005, 05:13 AM

Malaysia largest SEA market for TAG Heuer
The Star Online, September 26, 2005
By Chan Ching Thut

MALAYSIA has become the largest market for Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer in South-East Asia.

“It is even bigger than Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines last year,” LVMH Watch & Jewellery Singapore Pte Ltd regional managing director Ravi Thakran said, adding that TAG Heuer Malaysia recorded a double-digit growth in profit last year.

“We certainly believe that Malaysia will maintain its leadership in the South-East Asian market for quite some time,” he told StarBiz.

Expressing confidence of a double-digit growth again this year, he believes the US$500 to US$5000 watch category will be the fastest growing in Malaysia because more and more young people are becoming affluent and quality conscious.

In Malaysia, TAG Heuer commands more than 25% of the market share in that category.

He said over the next five years, TAG Heuer aimed at becoming the number one player in the Malaysian market.

“The development in Kuala Lumpur is fantastic and the market is growing. It is a combination of the growth of the middle-class population, the propensity to spend, and the change in style and trend,” he said, adding that TAG Heuer was a key brand for the LVMH group.

“We had put in much effort in the past to build our brand equity in order to generate new growth,” Ravi said.

He observed that in a market like Malaysia, trends were changing.

“People are becoming more stylish, more fashion conscious and more trendy. At the same time, people are also becoming health conscious by going to the gym, or engaging in some form of exercise.

“They are conscious about healthy lifestyle and eating, and the trend is growing. So this is a fantastic combination for TAG Heuer because the brand reflects this lifestyle,” he explained.

Another key trend, according to Ravi, is women wearing big and sporty watches. Women buyers make up 40% of the market share in Malaysia and it is certainly growing.

TAG Heuer watches are targeted at individuals aged between 18 and 50 years.

“Those who are young and young at heart, trendy and stylish with a sporty attitude, fall into our target,” Ravi said.

Sports have been the core spirit of the brand since it began in 1860. He said TAG Heuer watches were a combination of sports and glamour

“Our communication strategy is always to reflect the spirit of the brand, which is youthfulness and stylishness. We always keep this in mind and that is why we use a mix of Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities and sports personalities in our advertising campaign,” Ravi said.

Some of its brand ambassadors include Uma Thurman, Brad Pitt, Shah Rukh Khan, Maria Sharapova, Tiger Woods, Juan Pablo Montoya, Yao Ming and Kimi Raikkonen. They were selected because of the kind of “spirit” reflected by them

For example, he said, Woods was the epitome of success and a “big icon”. He added that Woods had encouraged more young people to take up golf and set a new definition for golf that changed the game forever.

Ravi added that besides advertising the brand, these “ambassadors” were instrumental in developing watches as well.

He gave the Professional Golf Watch designed and developed with the help of Woods, as an example.

“Most golfers do not wear a watch because of the added weight on the wrist and the strap does not fit comfortably, but the watch developed with Woods meets the requirements of top-level golfers,” he said.

The recent opening of TAG Heuer’s Espace at Starhill Gallery, in addition to its other boutiques in Suria KLCC, Berjaya Times Square and KL Plaza, the brand is certainly here to stay.

Although TAG Heuer has its own boutiques, Ravi always believes in working with local retailers.

“We are proud to be partners with Swiss Union, a Malaysian-based retailer, and they complement our business here. They have a better connection with consumers and have a long-term interest in developing the local watch market,” he said.

nazrey

October 2nd, 2005, 05:15 AM

Jackie returns to JW Marriott

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=45259

Nearly a year after his last visit to the JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur, international action superstar, ‘The Dragon’ Jackie Chan returns this time with Hong Kong movie director, Stanley Tong and Bollywood sex symbol, Mallika Sherawat. The trio was in town to promote their latest movie, The Myth, where a press conference and meet-the-fans sessions were also held at the hotel.

Playing two completely different characters in the movie, as the modern day archaeologist named Jack, and also as the ancient general, Meng Yi, Chan said that playing the general was a big challenge.

“In my last movie, New Police Story (2004), I played a very emotional character and could cry my heart out but here, General Meng Yi is a stoic character. I couldn’t cry or laugh or say ‘I love you’. It was a difficult role to play,” explained the 51-year-old actor during the press conference.

The Myth is a story about an intrepid archeologist Jack and ambitious scientist William (Tony Leung Kar Fai) who set out on an adventure that would lead them to the greatest discovery in Chinese history.

Their journey starts at Dasar, India, where they stumble upon an ancient sword from the Qin Dynasty and a magical gemstone that appears to be able to defy the force of gravity. The booty not only leads them to the mythical mausoleum, but it also connects Jack to his dark past life.

Through strange and provocative dreams, Jack sees himself reincarnated as Meng Yi, a general who fell for the First Emperor’s beautiful consort Ok Soo (Kim Hee Seon) some two thousand years ago. As Meng Yi commands his troops in an increasingly desperate war against rebels, he also has to battle his own inner desires in choosing between eternal love and loyalty.

Returning to the present day, the final secret of the First Emperor is about to be revealed. The two adventurers successfully enter the Heavenly Palace, a fortress loaded with death traps and unspeakable evils, as Jack comes face-to-face with his past.

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=45260

For Tong, creating an extravaganza combining Chinese mythology with a breathtaking modern-day action adventure, The Myth is also one of the biggest movie sets he has directed.

What the audience see is just a small fraction of the movie, probably only a few seconds, said Tong, who had to work with 1,500 extra army actors, 150 horses and more than 300 working crew.

nazrey

November 20th, 2005, 05:44 AM

by Silly Jilly (http://flickr.com/photos/sillyjilly/51557607/)

Just one building (Westin) away from JW Marriott.

http://static.flickr.com/24/51557607_06d23e31a4_b.jpg

It's connected to JW Marriott. ENAK is located at the underground floor.

http://static.flickr.com/26/51560985_7e90a5321a_b.jpg

nazrey

November 28th, 2005, 03:04 AM

Lacoste opens boutique in Starhill
Monday November 28, 2005
By BAVANI M
Photo by RAJA SHAMSUL BAHREN

FRENCH label Lacoste celebrated the opening of its latest boutique in the posh grounds of Starhill Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, recently.

The premium sports and leisure wear with the prominent Crocodile logo is featuring its top five looks for fall/winter 2005 at the new outlet. Guests who were present to witness the launch had a chance to browse and check out the label’s new range.

Carole Ooi, managing director of Lacoste products sole distributor and licensee Miwaki Sdn Bhd, said Lacoste was enjoying a resurgence in popularity worldwide as a result of the preference for casual elegance in today’s dressing style.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/11/28/central/m_pg15lacoste.jpg

Ooi and Davanley Lacoste representative Frantz Braha
launching the boutique in Starhill Gallery.

“Seventy years after the creation of the brand, 30 million items are sold each year in 109 countries, 747 boutiques and 1,700 Lacoste corners worldwide,” she said.

“Lacoste has evolved from a sportswear label, founded by Rene Lacoste, into a trendy, spirited lifestyle name that appeals to all age brackets,” she added.

Ooi said the opening of the boutique in Starhill Gallery was in line with the direction for the brand to be showcased in the best retail location in each capital city. It is the fourth Lacoste store.

“Since the launch of Lacoste last year, we have seen a good local following and demand from international travellers.

“Retail pricing is competitive internationally and now Malaysians need not go overseas to buy the Lacoste products as they are available locally,” said Ooi.

ZaHiRnYa???

November 28th, 2005, 04:08 AM

Finally..I been into that cool gents room. :D

Very very nice indeed. N there's a worker inside that help you to pump the water from the wooden thingy.

Classy ;)

nazrey

December 3rd, 2005, 06:20 PM

Resounding success of Malaysia's first international REIT
London, 2 December 2005
Speech by Tan Sri Francis Yeoh:

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=48235

From left: Chang Tou Chen (Managing Director, Head of Global Investment,
Southeast Asia, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited);
David Chua (Chief Operating Officer, ECM Libra Group); Tan Sri Francis Yeoh;
Eng Seat Moy (Managing Director, Debt Capital Markets, DBS Bank Ltd).

Retail Offering Subscription Rate – 6.27 Times
Institutional Offering Subscription Rate – 8.80 Times

Pintar Projek Sdn Bhd, the manager of Starhill Real Estate Investment Trust (Starhill REIT) today announced the results of its initial public offering of 509,599,000 new units in Starhill REIT, with subscription rates of 6.27 times for the Retail Offer and 8.8 times for the Institutional Offer. Pintar Projek Sdn Bhd (Pintar Projek) is a subsidiary of YTL Corporation Berhad.

The initial public offering comprised a combined total of 509,599,000 units available under the retail and institutional offers. A total of 29,999,000 units were offered to the Malaysian Public under the retail offer (Retail Offer), whilst the remaining 479,600,000 units were made available to Malaysian and foreign investors under the institutional offer (Institutional Offer).

The subscription rate for the Retail Offer was 6.27 times, drawing over 22,800 applications from the public, seeking 218.2 million units.

Meanwhile, the final subscription rate for the Institutional Offer was around 8.8 times which was priced at RM1.01 per unit (Institutional Price), drawing demand in excess of 4,218 million units from domestic and international investors.

The final retail price has been set at RM0.96 per unit (Final Retail Price), representing a discount of 5% to the Institutional Price.

Speaking from London at the conclusion of Starhill REIT's global roadshow, Tan Sri Dato' (Dr) Francis Yeoh Sock Ping, Chief Executive Officer of Pintar Projek and Managing Director of the YTL Group, remarked, "The resounding success of Starhill REIT's public offering has exceeded all expectations and represents to us that domestic and international investors alike are voting with their purses and hearts, expressing their overwhelming support, not just for this groundbreaking transaction and for the YTL brand, but for the Malaysian capital markets as well – demand from institutional investors outstripped domestic demand by a factor of 2 to 1".

"The abundant demand for units under the Retail Offer was particularly heartening, given the large number of IPOs and bearish sentiments prevailing in the local market at this time. Starhill REIT is off to an excellent start and it is now up to us to ensure that our new unit-holders are well-rewarded by this investment".

szehoong

December 10th, 2005, 08:44 AM

Here's pictures of the long-awaited Feast Floor toilet :D

The entrance corridor:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/szehoong/Starhill%20Gallery/Feast%20Floor%20Toilet%20-%202005/IMG_5640sm.jpg

szehoong

December 10th, 2005, 08:45 AM

The wash area........one have to pull the bamboo stick to operate the 'faucet' :D

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/szehoong/Starhill%20Gallery/Feast%20Floor%20Toilet%20-%202005/IMG_5639sm.jpg

szehoong

December 10th, 2005, 08:45 AM

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/szehoong/Starhill%20Gallery/Feast%20Floor%20Toilet%20-%202005/IMG_5638sm.jpg

szehoong

December 10th, 2005, 08:46 AM

These are pictures of the guy's toilet. The ladies are of different design ;)

Dun ask how I know hehehehe :lol:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/szehoong/Starhill%20Gallery/Feast%20Floor%20Toilet%20-%202005/IMG_5637sm.jpg

babystan03

December 10th, 2005, 08:47 AM

^ Oh haha....the gorgeous and unique toilet.....:lol:

TYW

December 10th, 2005, 03:18 PM

:eek: very interesting!!

didn't the other guys feel weird with you taking pics in the toilet?:D

BTW, thanks for the pics

baqthier

December 12th, 2005, 06:42 PM

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b283/szehoong/Starhill%20Gallery/Feast%20Floor%20Toilet%20-%202005/IMG_5637sm.jpg

the guy with specs looks like hypermount :D

Anyway, nice pics! David Rockwell loves wood just like Kenny Rogers :cool:

nazrey

December 12th, 2005, 06:47 PM

Starhill finds favour with S'pore investors
Business Times Singapore, 12 December 2005

They took up 19% of Reit; 68% of units went to foreign investors

By PAULINE NG

SINGAPOREAN investors took up nearly a fifth of Malaysia's soon-to-be-listed RM513 million (S$229 million) Starhill Reit, demonstrating a strong appetite for solid-yielding real estate investment trusts (Reits).

Property consultants say investors were attracted to Starhill's secure Reit income, possibly because they are familiar with the shopping malls and hotel to be injected into the trust.

Despite less-than-enthusiastic local interest, Starhill Reit's initial public offering attracted an oversubscription rate of nearly 9 times. That 68 per cent of the 509.6 million units was snapped up by foreign investors also underscores the belief foreign investors have in YTL Corporation, which owns the assets to be injected into the Reit. Post-listing, YTL will own 51 per cent of the Reit.

According to an article posted by FinanceAsia.com on YTL's community website, local investors took up 32 per cent of the offering.

UK investors topped the foreign portion at 20 per cent, only marginally ahead of Singaporean buyers, who accounted for 19 per cent. The rest of the units were split between Hong Kong (11 per cent), Europe (10 per cent), and 8 per cent to other countries.

At RM1.01 per unit for institutional investors and RM0.96 for domestic retailers, the Starhill Reit will yield over 6 per cent. Foreign investors were not deterred by Malaysia's 28 per cent withholding tax on non-residents.

In any event, the Reit - which begins trading on Bursa Malaysia on Friday - is committed to paying out all of its earnings in financial years 2006 and 2007. 'It's attractive for investors even at 5-5.5 per cent,' said Zerin Properties chief executive officer Previndran Singhe. 'People aren't investing in it so much for growth as for the recurring income.'

Another reason for the large foreign interest in the Starhill Reit is the 'YTL factor', he added. 'Everyone also wants to invest in a part of YTL, which probably has one of the most cash-rich businesses in Malaysia. Furthermore, Tan Sri is taking a personal interest in the Reit,' he said, referring to YTL Corp MD Francis Yeoh.

Over the years, Mr Yeoh has successfully expanded the construction company founded by his father Yeoh Tiong Lay into one of Malaysia's biggest conglomerates with interests in utilities, hotels, property, cement and technology.

One of Mr Yeoh's smartest moves was to acquire at fire-sale prices the property assets being injected into the Starhill Reit - a portfolio comprising the Lot 10 Shopping Centre, the recently refurbished Starhill Gallery and the adjoining JW Marriott Hotel. The Starhill Gallery used to house the Malaysian outlet of Singapore's CK Tang, which was later shuttered owing to poorer-than-expected sales. The property was sold to YTL Land in 2003 for RM77 million.

After the Asian financial crisis brought property company Taiping Consolidated to its knees, YTL Corp stepped in and took control of Taiping Consolidated via a reverse takeover of the company, which it later renamed YTL Land & Development. The three Starhill Reit-bound properties were purchased for RM323 million but are now worth some RM1.2 billion. Investors are obviously counting on Mr Yeoh and YTL Corp and its war chest of over RM5 billion to grab more assets should the opportunities arise again.

Mr Yeoh has said that 80 per cent of the proceeds raised from the Starhill Reit would be used to acquire more property assets in Malaysia, as well as in the UK and America. 'There is an abundant supply of properties that could fit into the Starhill brand in Malaysia and other countries. We won't run short of appropriate properties to fit into Starhill Reit.'

A 70 per cent owned unit of YTL Corp, Pintar Projek, will manage the Starhill Reit and has said it plans to establish Starhill shopping centres in a number of cities in the region.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

nazrey

December 24th, 2005, 07:11 PM

Anita Sarawak
profile (http://www.kru.com.my/krumatrix/kmg/artists/anita.asp)

http://www.kru.com.my/krumatrix/kmg/images/album/seksis_big.jpg

nazrey

December 24th, 2005, 07:14 PM

Anita Sarawak - 'Face of YTL Hotels' Spas'
Kuala Lumpur, 16 December 2005

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=49044

Anita (second from left) is presented a Spa Village gift set by Chik (second
from right) and YTL Hotels and Properties Public Relations Director, Uzma
Nawawi (left). At far right is Anita's husband, Mahathir.

Malaysia’s diva, Anita Sarawak, has been chosen to be the “face” for YTL Hotels’ spas. Under the umbrella of YTL Hotels, a host of multiple award-winning spas have been meticulously created by the YTL Spa Division, which is headed by Chik Lai Ping. This list consists of the famed Spa Village at Pangkor Laut Resort, Spa Village Kuala Lumpur, Tanjong Club Spa at Tanjong Jara Resort and Starhill Spa at JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur.

The YTL spas are of world-class standards and the collaboration with Anita, the iconic celebrity who has achieved tremendous success in the entertainment industry on an international scale is a recognition of her elegance, confidence, poise and down-to-earth persona.

“We picked Kak Nita because, just look at her, she has porcelain-like skin and we describe her as someone who has a classic look that everybody would be envious of,” said Chik during the press conference at Spa Village Kuala Lumpur.

YTL Hotels’ spas emphasise on excellence in services and facilities and also their originality of treatments to ensure effective and memorable wellness experiences. Their fine architecture, design and services that include some of the most unique and authentic treatments are only found within the four entities.

In an effort to further promote Malaysia as a spa destination, Chik also announced that YTL Hotels’ spas will be partnering Urban Retreats of Harrods in London for three weeks in May next year, where they will be showcasing treatments from Urban Retreats.

“We will be occupying three treatment rooms. This way, we are hoping to bring more foreign guests to Malaysia and make it a destination as a spa retreat,” said Chik enthusiastically.

“It’s a great honour for me to be chosen at the ‘face’ for YTL Hotels’ Spa," said Anita.

"I have to say this - I will not endorse anything I don’t believe in, and as you know, I started coming here as a regular customer,” added Anita, who goes to the spa at least once a week if time permits.

Anita’s illustrious career started in the ‘60s when she was just 17 years old, and she has successfully won the hearts of two generations’ worth of followers in this region.

Touted as Malaysia's living legend, Anita is undoubtedly one of the most multi-talented entertainers in this part of the world. She was the first local artiste to break local boundaries, concocting her own unique brand of entertainment with her blend of music, fascinating costumes and stunning showmanship, which she is famous for. Her rise to fame through Malay stages and television programmes saw her record her first album in 1974.

After a 16-year stint at Caesar’s Palace in in Las Vegas, Anita came home to rejuvenate her career. Anita had a desire to “make a difference in the world”, which brought about the birth of her own talk show, Anita. This ambitious lady not only works hard but also knows how to pamper herself deservingly.

Anita is known for her conscientious approach towards the well-being of the mind, body and soul. Her love for the little pleasures in life prompted her ‘relationship’ with one of YTL Hotels’ spas when she returned home from the United States. Visits to Starhill Spa at JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur was her favourite indulgence when she yearned for a revitalising body treatment like the Hot Stone massage or simply an uplifting facial after a hard day’s work.

Leading a very hectic lifestyle, Anita would head for the spa for relaxation, rejuvenation, detoxification and to undergo whatever treatment that would help her relax.

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=49045

Anita Sarawak makes a trip to the spa at least once a week or whenever

So it was no surprise that this spa enthusiast instantly became a loyal guest at Spa Village Kuala Lumpur – a tropical spa in an urban oasis located at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Kuala Lumpur, when it opened its doors on April 1, 2005.

“When we first moved back here three years, I discovered Starhill Spa where they have varieties of international treatments. Then I discovered this place (Spa Village Kuala Lumpur), where they have the Sensory Room which you must try... it’s a must. When you go into the room, you get this healing vibration that gives you that multiple sensation. It brings you down, it’s so relaxing and then it lifts you up, and you feel so alert and awake. When you come out of the room, you will feel so refreshed,” Anita described her experience at the spa.

Should she long for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, Anita travels to the exclusive resorts of Pangkor Laut and Tanjong Jara, to take pleasure in their world-renowned spas – Spa Village and Tanjong Club Spa.

Anita Sarawak is the epitome of total well-being with the healthy lifestyle that she leads and has become a role model for many. YTL Hotels’ collaboration with her is an ideal way to project the perfect wellness image on an international platform. Showcasing Malaysian healing cultures and traditions, YTL Hotels hopes this collaboration will help to elevate Malaysia as the spa destination in this region.

All four spas are unique in their own ways. They offer wide varieties of treatments using indigenous herbs and plants. Each spa features distinctive treatments.

Spa Village at Pangkor Laut Resort: Programmes based on four umbrella concepts: Rejuvenation and longevity, Relaxation and stress reduction, Detoxification, and Romance. Officially opened in 2002 by Luciano Pavarotti, it highlights the traditional healing culture of the three main races: Malay, Chinese and Indian. To fully experience the health rituals of the region, you can meet the Malay, Chinese or Ayurvedic specialists for a consultation. .

Spa Village Kuala Lumpur: Features the cultural diversity and rich healing heritage of the Nusantara region. The Sensory Room is the first of its kind in the region – it provides the backdrop for the healing vibrations on the Sensory Experience – a combination of multiple sensations that both soothe and heighten awareness.

Tanjong Club Spa at Tanjong Jara Resort: Treatments are based on traditional Malay healing customs and a unique blend of natural ingredients found in indigenous herbs and plants.

Starhill Spa: A retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban living. It features a wide range of international treatments with its signature Hot Stone massage as the highlight.

YTL Hotels’ spas and Anita Sarawak look forward to a meaningful union, which will see the spas elevate Malaysia’s status as a prominent spa destination for discerning leisure and business travellers as well as spa enthusiasts from the world over.
time permits.

nazrey

December 24th, 2005, 07:16 PM

JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/2959/4276504698kg.jpg

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3972/4276532396mv.jpg

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/8590/p8140020dm.jpg

http://www.starhillgallery.com/images/main1_01.jpghttp://www.starhillgallery.com/images/main1_02.jpg
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http://www.starhillgallery.com/images/main1_05.jpghttp://www.starhillgallery.com/images/main1_06.jpg

nazrey

January 2nd, 2006, 01:38 PM

by choon

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/3788/p81400296lt.jpg

nazrey

January 2nd, 2006, 01:39 PM

by tselp

http://static.flickr.com/40/79725373_9310c56235_b.jpg

ZaHiRnYa???

January 3rd, 2006, 04:23 AM

I love Lecka Lecka :D

SEED

January 3rd, 2006, 09:30 AM

^^ sounds like lickyou lickyou :lol: eh! still cannot take pics ofda interior ah? i can see some security guard out side the mall..

ZaHiRnYa???

January 3rd, 2006, 10:38 AM

^^ sounds like lickyou lickyou :lol: eh! still cannot take pics ofda interior ah? i can see some security guard out side the mall..

Ha.ha...you are damn pervert hor :lol:

SEED

January 3rd, 2006, 10:52 AM

^^ wow! dont get me wrong dude! i tot it just sounds like lickyou lickyou in some wierd language :lol: no :naughty: tot.. hehehe! im sure Baqies would know wat i mean.. hehe bah tak bang Baq? :naughty:

Greg

January 3rd, 2006, 10:55 AM

I believe that Lecka Lecka is a strange version of the German Lecker Lecker, which means yummy :)

SEED

January 3rd, 2006, 11:03 AM

^^ oh! :lol: it'll be better if it means liquor liquor :jippo: more yummy ja!?

ZaHiRnYa???

January 3rd, 2006, 11:11 AM

its an ice cream liao. jelato one..very addictive...well, for me lor :D

nazrey

January 4th, 2006, 06:00 AM

Starhill Gallery (http://www.starhillgallery.com/)
by tansengming

http://static.flickr.com/21/33636828_33bf14ac06_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/21/33636617_78f3d089db_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/21/33636503_f4311cfcc5_b.jpg

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http://static.flickr.com/22/33636993_645c18420f_b.jpg

nazrey

January 4th, 2006, 06:17 AM

Starhill Gallery's glitzy countdown
Kuala Lumpur, 1 January 2006

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=49456

A boy picks confetti off his father's head as he gets
ride above the crowd.

Starhill Gallery, lived up to its tagline as a gallery of rich experiences when it ushered in the New Year in style with joyful celebrations held at the famed Feast Village.

The young and the old alike turned up at the year-end party to wine, dine and to pass the final hours of the year. These guests were not disappointed as all the restaurants featured themes to set the festive mood.

Enak, which serves authentic Malay and Indonesian fare, featured luxurious traditional Malay costumes at its entrance. The costumes, as well as decoration in the restaurant transported diners to the legendary days of Puteri Gunung Ledang.

The main cast from the upcoming Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical, Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina and Stephen Rahman-Hughes, made their first public performance by performing three songs. The musical, directed by Zahim Albakri, will run from February 7th to 26th at Istana Budaya.

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=49457

Syafinaz (http://media.ampradio.net/media/shared/music_video/RindukuRinduku.wmv) and Joanne prepare for the countdown.

In an exclusive interview at Enak restaurant after the performance, Tiara Jacquelina, who plays the title role, said she was thrilled to perform at Starhill Gallery, with it being their first performance in public. Rahman-Hughes, who acted in the West End musical Bollywood Dreams by Andrew Lloyd Webber and plays the legendary warrior Hang Tuah in the musical, said he is happy with the ‘trial run’ of his performance.

Shortly after, Tarbush started drawing the crowd with a belly dancer to entertain their guests celebrating New Year’s Eve at the restaurant. The dancer pranced around the Middle Eastern restaurant while diners and non-diners looking in from outside to enjoy the performance clapped along with the music and took pictures with their cameras and mobile phones.

Settling down to their dinners, visitors at Feast Village were mesmerised by the overall concept of the area as well as the designs of the restaurants. Taking advantage of their respective heritage, MyThai restaurant staff were garbed in traditional Thai costumes while KoRyo-Won also entranced visitors with their staff dressed in the hanbok.

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=49454

Left: Zahim Albakri, Sherena Razaly, Tiara Jacquelina and Stephen Rahman-
Hughes at Enak. Right: Cynthia De Alwis and the crew in a festive mood at
Jake's Charbroil Steak.

A glitzy cabaret dance performance attracted the crowd back to the Shook stage, as dancers in colourful costumes pranced and danced to create the glamorous Hollywood mood onstage. The hostess for the evening, Joanne Kam Poh Poh had the guests in stitches with her hilarious banter before she introduced the highlight performance for the evening.

Malaysia’s singing sensation Syafinaz Selamat took to the stage and thrilled the audience with her vocal performance displayed through an eclectic repertoire including Prayer, Habanera, Over The Rainbow, When You Believe and It’s Raining Men. Her soaring rendition of Goodbye bid 2005 farewell before everyone prepared for the countdown.

Lucky draws and games were also held to give away prizes from sponsors including Korloff, Kanebo, Signature, Canon as well as restaurants at Feast Village – Fisherman’s Cove, Luk Yu Tea House, Pak Loh Chiu Chow, Shook!, Sentidos Tapas, Enak, KoRyo Won, MyThai, Jake’s Charbroiled Steaks, Tarbush, and Vansh.

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=49455

Left: Belly dancing at Tarbush. Right: 'Sawatdee Kaa' greeting for diners
at the gaily-lit MyThai restaurant

Joanne Kam, and Syafinaz led the countdown and at the stroke of midnight, confetti, streamers and ‘Happy New Year’ cheers filled the air. HRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam who was there was seen exchanging New Year greetings with the guests who were around him.

After the countdown people danced all over Feast Village to herald the New Year – from the Shook stage to the individual restaurants and even on the meandering paths of the area, guests joined hands as they laughed, cheered and toasted to the New Year.

nazrey

January 4th, 2006, 06:19 AM

A star is reborn
Orient Express (Eastern & Oriental magazine), Vol. 13 No. 4

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=49437

Left: Almost ethereal when lit up at night, Starhill Gallery is a celebration of the latest in international fashion, art, beauty and food. Right: With pillars made of recycled bottles and a five-sided counter, the Village Bar is a funky destination for those seeking refreshments.

Kuala Lumpur’s new Starhill Galley is an unmissable destination for visitors to the capital in search of exceptional shopping and cuisine.

Ever since it opened this summer, style-conscious locals have been flocking to Kuala Lumpur’s relaunched Starhill Gallery – pleasure palace in which to while away the hours shopping, dining and chilling out. But this urban village of swanky boutiques, ethnic restaurants and spa treatment cases is also a must-visit for travellers to the Malaysian capital.

Beyond its soaring glass façade are seven floors showcasing a vibrant mix of international names and local artisans. Duty-free shops packed with fashion labels from Christian Dior to Gucci sit alongside one of the planet’s most extensive displays of luxury watches, including Jaeger LeCoultre’s largest boutique in the world. Then there are Malaysian and regional fashion designers, including Jendela Batik and Beatrice Looi, know for original fabrics, plus cutting-edge jewellers such as Facet Fire and Alya and Co.

But perhaps the biggest draw is Feast Village – a collection of 13 family-owned restaurants designed in a contemporary, rustic style. Meandering paths lead past dining enclaves with widely contrasting atmospheres: the Luk Yu Teahouse with its traditional dim sum dishes; Vansh for Indian cuisine; Enak with Malay and Indonesian specialities; and KoRyo Won, renowned for its Korean-style barbecue fare. Guests who find the choice too overwhelming can sit in one, but order extra dishes from elsewhere.

An entire Starhill floor is dedicated to pampering – foot reflexology, facials, hair care and spa treatments using aromatic natural products from Malaysia and elsewhere. And, for those in search of stimulation rather than relaxation, another area is set aside for fine arts and antiques, with works by national and international artists on show.

What most distinguishes Starhill from other retail concepts in Asia is its striking interior, a feeling of intimacy and the way each shop and restaurant has been hand-picked to add a special something to the whole. Its bright, daytime ambience is replaced by a magical atmosphere of glimmering lights in the evening – in which the lively buzz continues until 1am, when the last visitors finally go home.

nazrey

January 5th, 2006, 07:03 AM

Latest from French jeweller
Thursday January 5, 2006
By LIM CHIA YING

THE atmosphere was exuberant and the mood lively.

Amid the colourful backdrop of props, the T-shaped white stage at Tiffin Bay in Starhill Gallery was brought to life once again last Tuesday through its weekly high tea fashion showcase by luxury brand names and fashion houses.

The latest to take place was the unveiling of SOFIA collection by the swanky French jewellery and timepiece boutique Korloff.

Refined yet spirited best describe the new collection, complementing perfectly the bold and exquisite spirit of the jeweller.

Consisting of sets, pendants, rings and earrings, customers have a choice of either the white or pink gold, all of which come in 18 carats.

The gold spirals are partly set with the Top Vesselton white diamonds carved with Korloff’s distinctive back-to-back double ‘K’ logo.

An elegant take is the pink gold stopwatch of automatic ETA Valjoux 7750 movement complete with an oscillating mass also engraved with the double K. On its mother-of-pearl dial with the iridescent reflections, numerous double K logos accentuate the timepiece’s beauty that is further enhanced by 52 white diamonds.

A hand-made genuine alligator strap adds a touch of classic glitter and sophistication.

Models dressed in fluid, strapless black gowns paraded the collection to a crowd made up chiefly of invited socialites.

Frank Low said the collection had been shipped straight from Paris into the boutique a day before the showcase and make great accessories for the festive season and New Year.

A range of other collections, he added, is available at the boutique.

“The Yasmine Collection, which is our most sellable one, features geometrical design and pronounced angles. It is a modern collection featuring our signature Korloff Cut that bring the sparkle of 65-faceted diamonds ranging from 0.2 to 10 carats to rings, earrings, and pendants.

“The choice of colours include rubies, blue, yellow, and violet sapphires,” said Low.

For info, call 03-2141 2881 / 7881.

nazrey

January 12th, 2006, 06:08 PM

Kuala Lumpur: Multi-cultural, multi-fun
Thursday, January 12, 106
By Kim Hoo-ran
Source : The Korean Herald (http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2006/01/07/200601070016.asp)

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Tiffin Bay at Starhill Gallery

Fancy an authentic Japanese dining experience in a design award-winning restaurant, comparable to anything you would find in downtown Tokyo? How about an evening drink at a rooftop bar with a swimming pool, admiring a skyline that features one of the tallest buildings in the world?

Kuala Lumpur is a city that is fast becoming the favoured hot spot in Southeast Asia. Although Malaysia is a Muslim country, its capital boasts a unique multi-cultural atmosphere.

Cars move bumper to bumper until well after 2 a.m. along Jalan Bukit Bintang, with revelers partying late into the night at the many open-air bars that dot the strip.

Starhill Gallery, an upscale shopping mall on the street is a Kuala Lumpur showcase that is home to numerous international luxury brands including Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Fendi. The mall also features outstanding restaurants serving cuisine from around the world.

On the lower ground floor of the Starhill Gallery you will find the Feast Village, a cluster of 13 restaurants and a bakery, that offer visitors a gastronomic world tour. Created by Yuhkichi Kawai, a Japanese designer formerly with the design firm of Super Potato, Kawai now heads his own company Design Spirits. The Feast Village is a showcase of international-class restaurants and design concepts. Like a true village, there are no walls separating the restaurants. From a winding pathway covered with smooth river pebbles, bricks, cut stone, slate and wooden planks, diners can catch a glimpse of each of the restaurants.

Among the dining options available at the Feast Village is the Fisherman's Cove. Offering fresh seafood, diners can sit at one of the booths on the upper section with a canvas sail strung with bamboo creating the illusion of sailing away on a boat. The Lebanese restaurant Tarbush features wooden screens carved with a caravan of camels that allows the strollers to catch a glimpse of the lavish interior.

Jim Thompson opened its first restaurant, MyThai, featuring Thai delicacies in a setting that incorporates fine silk prints produced by the company that put Thai silk on the global map. For Koreans homesick for kimchi and bulgogi, there is Koryowon, a popular Korean restaurant.

A true village must have a communal gathering place and at the Feast Village, it is the Village Bar. The watering hole is Identifiable by its jewel-colored lamps hanging from the ceiling and pillars stacked with translucent recycled glass bottles. Here, you will discover a row of Philippe Starck's Louis V Ghost Chairs that contrast with the leopard and cheetah prints of the bar stools.

While at the Feast Village, take the opportunity to visit the rather unusual bathroom. Having an attendant pump water for you, instead of the instant gratification and convenience of turning on a faucet, definitely makes you think twice about water as a natural resource fast becoming scarce.

Japanese restaurant Gonbei, another creation by designer Kawai is also located at Starhill Gallery. It features authentic Japanese cuisine with a contemporary twist. Entering the restaurant through a bamboo structured entrance, diners get a feeling that they are in for a very special experience.

The restaurant is modeled after a typical farm from ancient Japan and the three iron pots of rice cooking over the fire just inside the entrance reflect the restaurant's attention to detail. Cooking rice in a traditional pot over direct fire yields the best-tasting rice, and of course, rice forms the basis of Japanese food culture.

Gonbei features five sections, each section complete with its own cooking counter: teppanyahi, sushi, robatayaki, tempura and sake. The main area can seat 150 persons but the prized seats are by the counters where the diners are in direct communication with the chef, including the four Japanese master chefs personally selected by Masao Koboro, the Japan-based master chef who came up with the food concept for the restaurant.

The sake counter stocks more than 80 brands of sake. One of the most exclusive labels on the menu is Kame no kou 17 from Nada, Kobe, which only produces 400 bottles a year.

Tiffin Bay is a tea and cocktail jazz lounge that takes on a different characters throughout the day and into the night. During the daytime, this colorful, kitsch-like lounge is a fun place to meet friends or unwind over gourmet coffee and tea after a hectic day of shopping . Tiffin Bay is famous for its wide selection of chocolates, desserts, tarts, sweets, ice-cream and gelato, not to mention 15 different flavors of milkshakes.

As the evening descends, live jazz music takes over and guests relax and make themselves at home in the oversized, multi-colored sofas that are arranged so that you can find your own space in the midst of the city. The fiber optic curtain wall, at 52 meters by 14 meters, is one of the largest customized and treated light effects anywhere. It creates a magical waterfall casting a warm light blanket over Tiffin Bay.

For a truly romantic evening, nothing beats sipping wine under the moonlight atop Menara PanGlobal building. Located on level 34 of Pan Regency Hotel, the Luna Bar is one of the favorite jaunts for the city's young professionals who look forward to good conversation in the company of friends in a relaxed atmosphere featuring low-key music.

The highlight of Luna Bar is the rooftop bar and lounge area featuring a swimming pool as its centerpiece. The swimming pool is open to hotel guests before 7 p.m. and to the bar's guests in the evenings. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. the area is converted into a dining area and from 10 p.m. it is a nightclub. The glass walls provide an uninterrupted view of Kuala Lumpur's skyline, including the Petronas Towers, enjoyed by guests sitting on cushions in private booths along the glass walls.

For a night of loud music and dancing, Zouk on Jalan Ampang is the place to be seen, where international DJs keep the feet of the city's sophisticated clubbers happy. Different themes and styles of music are played on different nights of the week. Friday night, for example, has the club pulsating with electro and Brit pop/rock while on Saturday nights Zouk resident DJs play only the latest rhythms.

nazrey

January 12th, 2006, 06:13 PM

by Kelvin Tan

http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/image/49850798.jpg

nazrey

January 19th, 2006, 04:24 PM

Sleek Porsche Design store opens at Starhill Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, 12 January 2006

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Porsche Design is located on the Indulge Floor at Starhill Gallery

Step into the newly opened flagship store of Porsche (http://www.porsche-design.com) Design and you will be transported into a world of luxury and sophistication. The store, located on the Indulge Floor of Starhill Gallery, displays all the characteristics that represent Porsche Design – class, style and innovation.

Visitors to the store will notice its display of mainly black-coloured products exhibited on contrasting white-coloured shelves. A combination of an off-white wall with shiny black panels in the middle of each wall show off high-tech plasma screens. Exclusive products displayed in square glass table cases are highlighted by black spotlights on its solid black ceiling.

Joining other well-known luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Asprey, Audemar Piguet and Jaeger LeCoultre, Porsche Design is one of the latest luxury brands to make “The Gallery of Rich Experiences” its home.

Developed by the Porsche Design Group, together with Italian architect Matteo Thun, the first store in Malaysia introduces a unique store concept with innovative high-tech presentation.

The “Gate to the Future” is one feature that will thrill customers who want quick and easy access to product information.

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NIGHT SHOPPING: These arrows, installed in the shop window, allow
customers to surf the store's product range

All a customer has to do is place a product on the scan table (a square slate block positioned in the centre of the store) and animated films incorporating product images and information will appear on the three plasma monitors located on the left, centre and right walls of the store.

Another new and important feature of the store is “Night Shopping”, which is the first in the world, where arrows are installed in the shop window, allowing customers to surf the store’s product range by night when the store is closed. Using the touch control, selected products can be displayed in the window and the relevant information called up.

“Starhill definitely now is one of the more luxury shopping malls in Asia and we are very proud and very happy to have the opportunity to get such a good location here. Starhill is a fantastic mall for us,” said Porsche Design Asia Pacific managing director, Frank Schurmann during the media presentation.

“Over the next few years, Porsche Design will be developed into one of the leading brand names in high quality accessories market for men. We already have stores world-wide in Berlin, London, Munich, Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, and we will soon open stores in Florence, Milan, Paris, New York and California. With our new Porsche Design store in Malaysia, we will be able to further strengthen our presence in Asia,” he added.

Describing the uniqueness of the brand, Schurmann said is that the strength of Porsche Design is its technical functionality.

“Not many companies can really go back to technical elements in their collections. We have design competence and we have a very strong design studio. You can see that we are also very timeless in our designs, which one of the key philosophy of our brand. We are very modern yet timeless as well.”

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Schurmann (right) and Lian during the launch of the store

Schurmann then performed the opening ceremony of the store, together with Lian Teng Hai, director of DKSH, Porsche Design’s franchise partner. The doors to the store were opened and both Schurmann and Lian invited the media into the shop to browse through the products available.

Porsche Design offers classic men’s accessories such as timepieces, eyewear, pocket knives, writing tools, luggage and leather goods as well smoking accessories and shoes.

With ambitious plans for the future, Schurmann said the product range will soon be extended to include fashion, sport, furniture and electronic products.

He said Porsche Design has signed up with designer names for collaboration works to produce a wider range of products under the Porsche Design name.

For instance, Italian Ferragamo Finanziara Spa is the licensee for Porsche Design’s luggage, leather products and shoes; Adidas-Salomon AG is the licensee for Porsche Design’s sports products and BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgerate GmbH is the licensee for kitchen and home appliances.

Porsche Design brand was established in 1972 by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the designer of Porsche 911 and grandson of the Porsche founder.

nazrey

January 26th, 2006, 04:29 PM

Regal launch for Asprey's flagship store
Kuala Lumpur, 16 January 2006

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Snip! Asprey's first flagship store in Southeast Asia
is declared open.

Asprey (http://www.asprey.com), the luxury brand that holds three Royal Warrants from the British royal family, officially opened its 12th flagship store in the world at Starhill Gallery to bring a touch of its renowned style, refinement and quality to Kuala Lumpur.

Having the enviable honour as “Jewellers, Goldsmiths and Silversmiths” to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (the Palace has allowed Asprey to continue using the Warrant for five years after her demise) and the Prince of Wales, this 225-year-old brand is no fuddy-duddy.

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The store front features Asprey's signature curving black borders,
from its early days on Bond Street.

It made the news when it signed Keira Knightley as its ambassador, whose image is proudly displayed with an expansive poster hanging on a wall of the adjacent JW Marriott Hotel. Coincidently, Keira’s latest silver screen effort, Pride & Prejudice had just been released in Kuala Lumpur.

Asprey celebrated the launch in a manner that befits its legacy – by hosting the cream of the city’s business, entertainment and social circles to an evening of cocktails and dinner. British High Commissioner, HE Bruce Cleghorn and his wife Sally were among the early arrivals and they were soon joined by celebrities, dealmakers and trendsetters at the exclusive party.

Two stately British-made cars were parked outside Starhill Gallery – the Bentley grabbed attention and admiration from the public – many admired the cars and most were curious enough to take a peek of the party taking place in Starhill Gallery.

Board members and staff of the Valiram Group, which operates Asprey in Malaysia, welcomed the guests together with Asprey & Garrard Group chief executive officer Gianluca Brozzetti. The talented jazz and blues singer, Noryn Aziz performed several numbers for the evening during cocktails while guests mingled.

Gracing the historic launch were members of Malaysian royal families, namely the Sultan of Selangor, HRH Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah; the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah; as well as Tunku Naquiyuddin ibni Tuanku Jaafar and HRH Tunku Nurul Hayati of Negri Sembilan.

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Top: Overwhelming turnout of guests at the launch. Bottom:
Admiring some of the watches available at the store.

Sultan Sharafuddin, Valiram Group executive chairman Jethanan Valiram and Brozzetti performed the momentous act of cutting the purple ribbon with a pair of giant scissors to mark the opening of the boutique.

As guests continued to enjoy the party and view the items available at the boutique, an elite group were ushered to a fine dinner at Third Floor restaurant in the adjoining JW Marriott Hotel. Guests remaining at the cocktail party were treated to a performance by Tenors and Divas Incognito, a group that had been specially flown in from the UK for the evening's entertainment.

In an earlier session with the media, Brozzetti introduced Asprey’s extensive range of products at Starhill Gallery, including jewellery, watches, leather goods, silverware, silk, china, crystal, ready-to-wear, fashion accessories, writing accessories, and its signature fragrance, Purple Water.

The quintessentially British brand boasts the highly popular Steamer bag, which is inspired from the romance and luxury of travels on steam-powered ocean liners. The 167 After Hours bag is also another example of product that unobtrusively reveals the Asprey’s tradition of craftsmanship and creativity. The Daisy collection from the jewellery line remains a hot favourite and is available in different materials and varied designs.

The 2,500 sq ft boutique mirrors the design of the concept stores in London and New York that were designed and developed by Lord Norman Foster and David Mlinaric. Stone and blond oak floors, woven suede carpet as well counters and showcases of rich lacquer and bronze finishing reflect the contemporary look seen at the Asprey stores in Dubai, London, New York and Osaka.

“The location here is fantastic!” Brozzetti exclaimed when asked about Asprey’s presence in Starhill Gallery. Citing Asprey’s neighbours in Starhill Gallery of luxury brands and seeing Kuala Lumpur city as a large Asian capital that is setting trends, he said it was an easy first choice for its location.

ASPREY
Indulge Floor, Starhill Gallery
Kuala Lumpur

nazrey

February 3rd, 2006, 01:58 PM

Power-packed Porsche launch at Shook! (http://www.infoscreen.com.my/video/SHOOK2.mpg)
Kuala Lumpur, 21 January 2006

Porsche unveiled their latest model - the Cayman S - with an exciting launch at Shook! restaurant. Porsche enthusiasts eagerly turned out for the party and to witness the unveiling of the car in Feast Village at Starhill Gallery (http://www.ytlcommunity.com/spottedat/index.asp?proc=1&psize=6&cpage=2&fid=0&sid=0).

A sea of red colour greeted guests as they entered the restaurant, where staff of Auto Eurokars, the official distributor of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia, and Auto Eurokars chairman Dato’ Mokhzani Mahathir, were all dressed in the striking colour.

The two Porsche Cayman S which were waiting for the grand unveiling had earlier been skillfully maneouvered into the tight space in front of the Shook! stage. As the party warmed up, the cars remained mysteriously covered, with only a slight hint of the shape of the vehicles under the covers.

Meanwhile, three Porsche cars – Carrera GT, 911 and Cayenne Turbo – were parked outside Starhill Gallery, facing the high-traffic Jalan Bukit Bintang, attracting many passers-by who crowded around the cars in admiration. Many took the opportunity to take snapshots of these luxurious cars.

Back at Shook!, guests were being entertained by TV host, Sarimah Ibrahim, who welcomed them with her cheerful and energetic personality.

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EYE-CATCHING: Flashy Porsche cars on display outside Starhill Gallery.

Soon, it was the time Porsche enthusiasts had all been waiting for – the unveiling of the latest Porsche car – Cayman S. As Mokhzani, together with YTL Corp managing director, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh walked to the front to unveil the car, photographers jostled for the best spot for the perfect photo of the Cayman S.

Guests clapped and sighed with admiration when the cars were revealed for all to see. Mokhzani and Yeoh were the first to inspect the cars, getting into it for a feel in the driver's seat. Immediately after they had unveiled the car, there was a capoeira performance. The performers received cheers from the crowd for their skilfull demonstration of the Brazilian martial art.

Guests then quickly thronged around the two new cars to have a closer look at it and check out the design and interior. Everyone present got to experience the cars: listening to its powerful engine rev, touching the sleek shape of the car, and even getting a sniff of the luxurious interior while Porsche regional marketing manager, Dr. Hendrik Dreier gave a presentation of the car.

“With the Cayman S, Porsche has reinterpreted its tradition in a new and even more exhilarating way. Youthful and wild, it is the car that breaks new grounds and yet remains irresistibly Porsche,” said Mokhzani during his speech before the unveiling of the car.

“The Cayman S is an innovative concept offering unique features and performance. Its mid-engine agility is combined with extreme structure rigidity in a highly distinctive design. Blending power, dynamism and exception functionality, it is truly a unique sports car.”

When asked why the launch of the Cayman S was held at Shook!, Mokhzani said because he felt that the clientele that goes to Shook! are the clientele that would appreciate the Porsche.

“So I think Shook! is the appropriate venue for such an event. Furthermore, Starhill Gallery is fantastic and it is indeed the premier shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur,” he added.

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THUMBS UP: Yeoh and Mokhzani show their approval of the Cayman S.

The Cayman S is a hardtop, mid-engined Porsche, originally prototyped in 1953 on the legendary Porsche 550 coupe. A special edition called the 550 Spyder was later developed for the Le Mans 24 Hours race.

Like the 550, the 2-seater Cayman S is a track-ready sports coupe. With a free-revving six-cylinder boxer engine developing 295 bhp and 340 Nm of torque, the 3.4 litre Cayman S sprints to 100 km/hr in 5.4 seconds, and hits a top speed of 275 km/hr.

Its elegant, muscular and purposeful exterior is aerodynamically refined with a pronounced sensation of interior space. The result is a car that is perfectly adapted for every road environment. From urban driving to racetrack use, it remains instantly Porsche.

“I think the Cayman S has a very nice design, and the price range is just between the Porsche Carrera and the Boxster. I think it will attract a lot of market share,” said Albert, a Porsche enthusiast.

“It looks fine, sleek and sport. Basically I like it,” said another Porsche fan, Eddie.

During dinner, guests were entertained by the talented jazz and blues singer, Noryn Aziz, who performed several numbers for the evening. She later got the party going and went around Shook! inviting guests to sing along with her.

Before the night ended, seven lucky guests went home with the opportunity to have a ride in the Cayman S on the racetracks at a later date.

choon

February 24th, 2006, 08:04 AM

So many pictures of Starhill Gallery in this Blog...very detail!!

http://jacksquare.blogspot.com/

ZaHiRnYa???

February 24th, 2006, 08:36 AM

have not been to Starhill yet this year

nazrey

February 24th, 2006, 10:45 AM

In true Japanese style
Friday February 24, 2006

THERE are few places that I would proudly show off to foreign guests. The newly refurbished Starhill Gallery is one of them.

It’s a world-class place for indulging your “senseperience”.

I had the privilege of working with YTL during my interior design consulting days. What they have accomplished with Starhill is not surprising as they pull no stops when it comes to investing in aesthetic value.

The complex boasts a variety of ethnic, novelty and modern restaurants. However, having just watched the movie Memoirs of a Geisha, I was more inclined to review Gonbei, a Japanese restaurant on its Relish Floor.

Gonbei, which means “farmer”, is uniquely Japanese not just in terms of its food but also in terms of its design and ambience.

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The restaurant’s magnificent entrance is created
out of interlocking bamboo poles.

Interior consultant, Kawai of Design Spirit (formerly from the famed design firm Super Potato) has recreated a modern reinterpretation of Japanese inns and farm houses of old, using glass, stone and timber components while giving pride of place to Japanese arts and craft.

The lighting accentuates the juxtaposition of forms and shapes, giving the décor a subtle yet theatrical ambience.

Special mention must be made of the façade wall treatment, sliding screens and the interlocking bamboo design of the main entrance.

The restaurant's 6,000 sq ft interior is demarcated by display cooking islands featuring the different cooking styles offered.

Upon entering, one is greeted by the sushi, shashimi and teppanyaki display cooking island on the left surrounded by dining tables and chairs.

The cooking island concept is a great way to entertain guests because if you should ever run out of conversation topics, just channel everyone's attention to the chef!

In the adjoining hall is the Robatayaki and tempura display cooking island. Great emphasis has been given to the design of the Robatayaki as it is touted to be the first Robatayaki display cooking booth in Malaysia.

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The restaurant’s central display booth is dedicated to the cooking of
Robatayaki, said to be the first in Malaysia. The writer is especially
fascinated by the Japanese calligraphy menu that forms the backdrop.

Shelves of delicate Japanese tableware make up the backdrop of the Robatayaki, together with exquisite wood panelling of Japanese calligraphy that doubles up as the menu display panel.

The owners’ attention to detail can be seen in the custom-made furniture and the individual designs assigned to every service station.

Guests are sure to be fascinated by the carved wooden family crests, the hand-drawn sliding panel, traditional Japanese tables and cooking utensils.

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The attention given to detail and Japanese tradition extends
to the design of the restaurant’s washroom.

They are not merely Japanese- inspired but are items that are authentically Japanese in origin, culture and design.

Gonbei not only stocks up on premium-label sake but also has the biggest such collection in Malaysia. The sake jars are lined up against the wall for everyone’s viewing pleasure.

When it comes to food, the restaurant places utmost importance to the freshness of the ingredients which are flown in four times a week.

Its team of expert Japanese chefs did not fail in making my visit there a memorable experience.

Gonbei also got me visualising a Malaysian restaurant with a display kitchen featuring an old fashioned wooden stove just like the one in my grandmother’s kitchen.

GONBEI, T2, Relish Floor, Starhill Gallery, 181 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur.

nazrey

March 4th, 2006, 05:37 PM

Glashuette Original opens first Asian boutique at Starhill Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, 3 March 2006

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Models with Glashuette (www.glashuette-original.com) Original watches flank (from third from left) Muller, Sew, Jess and
Shamsuddin at the boutique entrance.

Starhill Gallery, which houses the world’s largest luxury watch retail area, welcomed another gem in its midst with the official launch of German brand, Glashuette Original’s first mono-brand boutique in Asia.

With a heritage of 160 years, the name Glashuette Original stands for high-quality mechanical watchmaking. The small town of Glashuette whose name literally means “hut of shiny metal” was originally a mining town but the people in this Saxonian town became very poor when the mines were all used up.

A master watchmaker of Saxon royal court, Ferdinand A. Lange, learnt of this town and decided to open a watch production house in Glashuette where he taught the people the art of watchmaking.

More masters of the trade began to relocate to Glashuette and the town flourish to become the centre of the finest German watches. However, the watchmakers of Glashuette suffered the First World War and after the Second World War, private ownership was banned. In 1951, VEB Glash�tte Uhrenbetriebe was formed held the entire watchmaking industry together, comprising the suppliers, manufacturers and the brands.

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Jess signing the commemorative plaque.

With the political and economic reunion of Germany in 1990, Glashuette Uhrenbetriebe became a limited company and the company set a goal to introduce its products of mechanical watches of the highest quality, manufactured in the tradition of the old masters.

Today, these traditional values of manufacture production continue to be handed down through the generations. From the smallest screws to the most complicated watch movement, timepieces by Glashuette Original are manufactured in this highest degree of production depth, with a great deal of work done by hand.

Glashuette Original also makes special effort to introduce the fine art and rich traditions of watchmaking to the general public by opening its factory for visits five days a week.

A grand launch ceremony was held with the German Ambassador to Malaysia, HE Herbert D. Jess officiating the event in the presence of the President of Glashuette Original, Dr. Frank M�ller; Sapura Group founder and chairman, Tan Sri Dato Seri Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir; Sapura Holdings executive director, Shahriman Shamsuddin; Swiss Union Fine Watch managing director Datuk Francis Sew; and YTL Group executive director Dato’ Yeoh Soo Min.

The celebration saw a live performance by a harpist as guests observed the fine art of watchmaking demonstrated by watchmaker, Andreas Loeffler. The brand new boutique, invitingly attracted guests inside to admire its design and the exquisite timepieces available.

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One of the watches from the Star collection,
a delight for women watch collectors.

In his speech, Dr. Frank M�ller described how he was awed by the Petronas Twin Towers during his first visit to Kuala Lumpur. A few years later, he visited the Sepang International Circuit. “Last year, I observed something so perplexing and special. This time it was the birth of the globe’s most elite site for retailing of fine watches, Starhill Gallery in KL,” he shared.

He added that he has seen all the possible places where watch lovers are invited to get to know timepieces in New York, Rome, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Geneva or Berlin. “However, I have never seen a place like this. Nowhere else on this planet, is it possible to enter the fascinating world of mechanical watches in a more elegant, diverse, cultivated, relaxed, and high class manner. Starhill Gallery is unique, indeed.”

“For 160 years, it has been our serious profession to invent, to produce, to assemble and to embellish mechanical timepieces being made in Germany. In my position as president of the few remaining classical authentic watch manufacturers, I did aspire that the wonderful company I’m heading would become part of this marvel called Starhill Gallery. Today we are celebrating the opening of the Glashuette Original boutique in Starhill Gallery. Thus, a dream came true,” he added.

Ambassador Jess said, “It is with pleasure that I accepted the invitation to officiate the opening of the Glashuette Original boutique in this charming and prestigious environment in Starhill Gallery. I’m confident that Glashuette Original will continue to shine like a jewel among all the other well-known luxury brands here.”

Ripping off the curtain that concealed the window display, guests were introduced to the new generation of sports watches, launched in conjunction with the opening of the boutique. The Sports Evolution collection comprises the Sport Evolution Chronograph and the Sport Evolution Panorama date. With finely finished yet robust automatic movements, this collection is made with flexibility in mind, making it suitable to be worn for business, leisure, sports or special events.

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Top: A striking beauty with a Glashuette Original watch. Bottom: Loeffler
shares his knowledge and passion in the art of watchmaking.

Some of the limited edition models of Glashuette Original such as the Julius Assmann 1 Tourbillon, the award-winning PanoMatic Tourbillon and PanoRetroGraph in White Gold have been specially made available in the store to mark the official opening of the 450-square foot boutique. Besides these models, the PanoMatic collection, Senator collection, Karree Collection and The Star collection for women are also available at the boutique.

The boutique is the collaboration of Glashuette Original and Malaysian premier fine watch retailer, Swiss Union Fine Watch – two brands that excel in exceeding expectations.

Adorn Floor, Starhill Gallery

nazrey

March 11th, 2006, 12:45 PM

Swatch Group and Sapura seal joint venture at Starhill Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, 9 March 2006

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Recognising the potential growth of the luxury watch market in Malaysia and South-East Asia, The Swatch Group (http://www.swatch.com/index_flash.php) of Switzerland has formed a joint venture with Malaysia’s Sapura Group (http://www.sapura.com.my/) to expand its leading Swiss watchmaker’s retail presence in the country and the region.

A celebration of this exciting new venture was held at Starhill Gallery, which has now established itself and it recognised as a Global Luxury Watch Retailer with the 70 brands of luxury watches offered in a space spanning 20,000 sq ft.

Swatch Group is the world’s largest maker of finished watches and a major supplier of watch components and microelectronic systems. Sapura Group is a diversified holding company active in energy, automotive parts, technology and education, and is also the parent company of Swiss Union, a leading watch retailer in Malaysia, which is exclusively located at Starhill Gallery’s Adorn Floor.

The signing ceremony of the joint venture between Swatch Group chief executive officer, G. Nicolas Hayek Jr.; Swatch Group Malaysia country manager, David Ponzo; Sapura Group founder and chairman, Tan Sri Dato Seri Shamsuddin Abdul Kadir and Sapura Holdings executive director, Shahriman Shamsuddin, which was held at the Shook! stage at Starhill Gallery's Feast Village, saw the formation of Swiss Luxury Watch & Jewelry Sdn Bhd.

Also present to witness the signing ceremony was Swiss Union Fine Watch managing director, Datuk Francis Sew and YTL Group managing director, Tan Sri Francis Yeoh.

Swiss Luxury Watch & Jewelry reflects a common entrepreneurial vision and shared recognition of the importance and significant growth potential of South-East Asia and its booming economy. The venture is a strategic alliance whose objective is to expand the retail presence of the 18 Swatch Group brands throughout Malaysia and the region.

The Group’s prestige brands include Breguet, Blancplain, Glashutte-Original, Jaquet-Droz, Leon Hatot and Omega.

Implementation of a very aggressive retail expansion plan for Malaysia and the region as a whole is already underway. Glashutte-Original recently opened a luxury boutique in the prestigious Starhill Galllery and Omega expects to open its first flagship store in Malaysia this year. Additional Swatch Group brands such as Rado, Longines, Tissot, ck Watch & Jewelry, Swatch and others will benefit from the joint venture’s plans to build out a dedicated retail network in the region.

In his speech, Hayek said that the joint venture is an important step for the Swatch Group as they seek to further strengthen and expand their retail presence in the region.

“We are especially happy to have a strong, high-class partner who shares our values and insistence on quality in our approach to market. We see a great deal of growth potential in the region,” he said.

According to Hayek, Swatch Group brands currently represent between 25 to 50 per cent of the world’s market for Swiss watches. In Malaysia, he said, that their brands at the moment represent 15 to 20 per cent of the Swiss watches imported into the country.

“We hope to expand our market share to about 30 to 40 per cent within the next two to three years. Currently, in Asia Pacific, Swatch Group’s biggest market shares come from China, Hong Kong and Japan. There is also a strong market share in Singapore, but we have identified Malaysia as one of the countries where growth can have most expansion, especially where you are a country that likes beautiful brands. You also have a lot of tourist coming to the country so we have a lot of opportunity in Malaysia,” explained Hayek.

Hayek also went on to express his pleasure to be able to hold the signing ceremony at a luxurious shopping centre like Starhill Gallery. “I have been to many, many shopping mall environments, but I have never been in an environment like this one. There are a lot of festivity and uniqueness in this place. I am impressed that there is life in here, and always something surprising to discover. We want our presence here,” he added.

Ponzo who has been to Starhill Gallery several times said that he is pleased to see the unique mix of high end merchant brand boutiques together with very luxurious monogram boutiques at Starhill Gallery, which he also hopes to see in more shopping centres in the region.

“At the Feast Floor, you have all these unique concepts of restaurants. I have been travelling a lot in the region, and it’s something absolutely fabulous. I must congratulate Tan Sri Francis Yeoh for this absolutely ingenius concept,” he said.

nazrey

May 15th, 2006, 02:18 AM

Ladies and gents, the price is worth it
Monday May 15, 2006
By DEBBIE CHAN

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/5/15/central/p1butlet.jpg

With shopping malls taking on aesthetic designs, pleasing ambience
and inviting facilities, their washrooms are doing the same, too.

THERE’s a price shoppers have to pay to use clean and inviting washrooms in some shopping complexes. Most of them don’t mind. After all, the fee isn’t much.

Plaza Low Yat’s premium washrooms on the ground floor, for instance, charge RM1 for shoppers to use the facilities. At Lot 10 in Bukit Bintang, it is 50 sen for a trip to the washroom.

At Suria KLCC it is RM2, and the shopping complex records an average 1,200 visits each week to the premier washrooms.

Some shopping complexes give patrons the best washrooms and charge them nothing to use it. Starhill Gallery is one such mall and it spares no expense in ensuring that visits to the washroom aren’t unpleasant.

The provision of top-notch washrooms is catching on fast among the popular shopping malls. The washrooms at the better complexes offer visitors not just cleanliness and sleek designs, but also comfort. Some even have butlers who help turn on the taps and provide paper towels to users even before one asks or looks for them.

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/5/15/central/p3washbasins.jpg

Gone are the days when the taps and washbasins
are the everyday ones seen in most homes and buildings.

The ambience is such that some users even forget that they are in a washroom.

The contemporary design with porcelain white bowls as washbasins are Plaza Low Yat’s offerings to its shoppers.

There is space aplenty with bright lighting that make it easy for customers as they freshen up.

Also available is a dressing table for visitors to place their shopping bags. A full-length mirror is a plus point for the fairer sex.

Some find the fee not worth the price, as the washrooms on Plaza Low Yat’s other floors do not offer much less anyway. Yet others feel that the fee deters crowd and hence they can use the washroom at their leisure.

Lot 10’s premium toilet service is on the fourth floor.

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/5/15/central/p3washrooms.jpg

Answering the call of nature is
interesting at the Starhill Gallery

It spots a classy, but simple design with marble floor tiles. There is an elongated dressing table at one end where washbasins face it along with the cubicles. Such is the practicality and minute attention paid to washroom users’ convenience at the shopping complex.

The washrooms on the other floors are smaller and the fee is 20sen cheaper.

Suria KLCC’s washrooms are the talk of shoppers.

“People tend to spend time at our washrooms,” said a butler who did wished to be named. “I estimate about 200 visits to the premier toilets each day,” he said.

The washrooms are equipped with a full range of Body Shop toiletry and scented candles and potpourri add fragrance to the air.

There is even a small partition in the female toilet for mothers to change their babies’ nappies and a hair dryer, too.

But, cleaning equipment such as mops and pails ought to be hidden from view, but they aren’t.

Starhill Gallery’s washroom on the Feast Floor is “a real feast”.

Designed with a Japanese setting in mind, the washroom is like a building of its own.

It sports granite flooring, geometric wall designs and brick ceilings that give it a rustic feel.

The washbasin and the tap are interesting features. For the womenfolk, a large wheel is spun to direct water to a wooden pipe that leads onto timber holders that act as washbasins.

The male washroom has a similar set up, but a lever is used instead of a wheel to direct the water.

The washrooms have butlers who help to spin the wheel or move the lever when shoppers look for the tap.

The male washroom is slightly darker while the room for the ladies is brighter.

Lamps of varying designs light up the cubicles while mint-based essence oil burns to emit a refreshing fragrance.

There is also a dressing table and some chairs for customers to place their belongings or rest.

baqthier

May 15th, 2006, 10:35 AM

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/5/15/central/p3washrooms.jpg

this one looks yuck(at least how it is in the photo). Reminds me of toilets in some rubber estates with zinc doors.

szehoong

May 16th, 2006, 06:13 AM

^^ The actual toilet looks nicer than in photos ;) It is certainly the best toilet in KL and its FREE! :D

James Foong

May 16th, 2006, 07:09 PM

Besides its free, the butlers r getting a lot of tips.

szehoong

May 17th, 2006, 02:54 AM

^^ Yea.......I always saw those tourist giving em like RM1 all the time :yes:

Sheik

May 17th, 2006, 02:13 PM

choon

May 17th, 2006, 02:37 PM

Anyone seen the new Dior boutique at Starhill?

Are there any other boutiques under renovation besides LV?

Is LV the only 2 level store with street front entrance? Hope to see pictures when it opens.

Yes..Lanvin..Lancel opened on 01.05.2006, Dior has a unique design and much bigger than prev one..by right they shud have Garrard but it was replaced by Omega..too bad and dun know what happned also, I think having the same fate like Eric Way and Jimmy Choo last time..

Sheik

May 17th, 2006, 03:04 PM

I thought Garrard just opened. The store is still listed on the starhill site. Starhill does not need another watch store.

choon

May 17th, 2006, 04:04 PM

I thought Garrard just opened. The store is still listed on the starhill site. Starhill does not need another watch store.

Too bad! Asprey is the one which has opened 2 months ago, by right Valiram group has planned Asprey and Garrad will be opened in Starhill Gallery..I have called up and went there last week, confirmed that Garrad has replaced by Omega..Very curiosity because Omeaga should locate at Fine watch floor!!!Talking about the web site is really suck cos the design is totally unmatched the Starhill Gallery and never update their web as well...Francis should fire the web design team...Sigh!!

Sheik

May 17th, 2006, 04:14 PM

I hate the music at the starhill gallery site too. So f***ing annoying!

Don't know why they cannot bring in boutiques other than another watch store.

Seems like the owners are crazy about watches!

choon

May 17th, 2006, 04:54 PM

I hate the music at the starhill gallery site too. So f***ing annoying!

Don't know why they cannot bring in boutiques other than another watch store.

Seems like the owners are crazy about watches!

The music is OK to me but definitely not the web design..The mall is 5 Star but the web is NO star, dun know the one who design the web doesn't master Flash and only knows simple HTML..i feel q bit shameful when I saw their web..is the bad design if compare to Siam Paragon, The Emporium..One thing we know Malaysia shooping centre not really care about their web design as like KLCC, Starhill Gallery, Sunway Pyramid...The OK one will be Mid Valley, The Curse..the rest...SUCK!!

That is the question I wanted to ask if I see Francis Yeoh..What happened to Jimmy Choo, Eric Way, Garrard, Velentino, Longchamp, YSL, Hermes..etc as they mentioned b4 last year..if u look at the store in Siam Paragon or Gaysorn Plaza in BKK and they DEFINITELY ahead KL already...

travellator

May 17th, 2006, 05:50 PM

shops come & go, calm down, there is already many highend swiss watch stores that i didnt know existed already here, Asprey is as posh as u can get. i m sure the competition to get highend branded stores is pretty tough, what with suria & the soon to be completed Pavillion offering so many choice locations, its likely all ur dream stores will open here sooner rather than later. Question is when these stores open can they sustain, opening many highend stores is one thing but will they still b open few years later, the economy will determine that

szehoong

May 17th, 2006, 09:28 PM

Th..if u look at the store in Siam Paragon or Gaysorn Plaza in BKK and they DEFINITELY ahead KL already...

Having been to Gaysorn, I like Starhill better :yes:

The ambience of luxury is there in Starhill and it is a more complete experience of the lifestyle of the rich and famous where one could pamper themselves with spas, art galleries and good food.

Watches is something that Asian malls seems to overlooked and the luxury watch industry is much larger than designer's clothing. That is because a single watch could be many many times the price of a top end designer dress :yes:

szehoong

May 17th, 2006, 09:42 PM

I thought Garrard just opened. The store is still listed on the starhill site. Starhill does not need another watch store.

Starhill positioned itself well in the luxury watch segment. You'll be surprised how big the luxury watch market is. Previously ubber-rich Indonesians, Malaysians and Thais shopped for luxury watches in Singapore. Tan Sri Francis Yeoh did some research and found out that the amount of Patek Philippe ever sold in Singapore is staggering. To put the figures against the Singapore population, every Singaporean would own 50 Patek Philippes! :eek:

And of course Malaysians are getting watch savvy these days. Did you guys know that Malaysia is Tag Heuer's largest SEA market? Anyway Tag Heuer isn't even in the kuxurty watch segment :yes: Yea........Rolex too isn't expensive if compared to many many brands that you'll find at Starhill Gallery.

That is why Choon is complaining why they positioned Omega away from the Fine Watches floor. That is probably because Omega is more mainstream compared to the like of Audemar Piguet, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantine etc...etc....etc... ;)

YTL is spot on in targeting the niche (and growing) market of fine watches. We are now seeing movie stars and F1 drivers buying watches here and it is a darn good sign. Even the exclusive Vacheron Constantine had a limited edition Malaysian version for one of its popular model. ;) That gives a very positive indication of a growing luxury watch market :yes:

nazrey

May 21st, 2006, 10:17 AM

Rodo (http://www.rodo.it/) and Blush! (http://www.blush.uk.com/) lead launch of boutiques
Kuala Lumpur, 19 May 2006

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=55003

From left: Wendy Eng, Gianni Dori and Patrick Chai

EUT Marketing launched the latest Rodo boutique, the only one in Malaysia, with a cocktail party at Starhill Gallery that featured glittery evening bags from Rodo and lingerie. Rodo, together with lingerie brand, Blush! were officially opened together with sporty apparel and accessories brand Pony; Arrow apparels for men and women, and Smalto – apparel and accessories for men.

Officiating the event was the president of Rodo, Gianni Dori, who had flown in specially from Italy for the occasion. Rodo representatives from Indonesia and Japan were also present to join in the festivities.

Guests arrived early for the cocktail party, and were happily met by EUT Marketing’s Patrick Chai and Wendy Eng. Dori was also at hand to greet guests and introduce the intricacies of the handbags and shoes from Rodo.

Rodo is a premium brand for evening handbags and luxurious shoes founded 50 years ago by Romualdo Dori. In America, the brand is known as ‘Artisans of Luxury’ because of the craftsmanship involved in every individual bag and shoe, which are still produced in their workshop in Italy.

“No two Rodo bag is the same,” Romualdo’s son, Gianni, said in an interview earlier, “Each item is handcrafted by Florentine artists. It can be based on the same design, but the result is always different because it is handmade.” Gianni’s brother, Maurizio is the chief designer for Rodo.

In conjunction with the launch of the Malaysian boutique together with the Blush! boutique, Gianni introduced a glittery handbag from Rodo’s large archive.

“It’s a very fine piece, brought in specially from Italy,” he dangled the small bag with his forefinger to allow the swarovski embellishments on the bag to catch the light and emphasise the design of the embellishments that looks like a bra with colourful floral designs.

“Our archives are available for study. We celebrate our 50th anniversary this year and we have a very big archive. Art schools ask to look at our designs to study them and we welcome them. We share our wealth of designs,” Gianni added as he admired the classy glass-covered Rodo boutique which joins to the lingerie boutique, Blush!

At the cocktail event, guests were delighted with the various brands now made available by EUT Marketing and took the opportunity to visit each of the boutiques.

Blush! offers traditional conservative undergarments together with stylish lingerie of superior quality. The new boutique showcases a brand new feature – an Adult Corner.

“The Adult Corner features thrilling and sensual lingerie for those who would like to take a walk on the naughtier side of life,” Chai said. “We believe that the Asian woman is looking for something a little more different when buying lingerie, so we’ve introduced the Adult Corner, and we believe it will be well received by the local market.”

A peek of the “naughtier side of life” was offered at the party, with a fashion show featuring Rodo's handbags from the Spring/Summer 2006 collection, followed by another show of Blush! lingerie. Blush! offers renowned brands of lingerie, sleepwear, swimwear and others from brands like Princesse Tam Tam, Wonderbra and Maidenform in addition to its own in-house designs and labels.

All the outlets under EUT Marketing are connected, allowing visitors to browse through Smalto, Arrow, Pony, Blush! and Rodo easily. Smalto is a celebrated French brand that emphasises on fabric and detail, offering business wear, casual wear and accessories for men. Arrow, best known for shirts, is currently available in 90 countries and now offers men’s and women’s apparels at Starhill Gallery. For the young and the young-at-heart, Pony offers sportwear and trend setting casual apparels.

Smalto, Arrow, Pony, Blush and Rodo are located on the Pamper Floor of Starhill Gallery.

travellator

May 22nd, 2006, 06:42 PM

had lunch in this dimsum restaurant on the feast level, looking out to the central foyer
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Citycentre/DSC00915.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Citycentre/DSC00924.jpg

travellator

May 22nd, 2006, 06:47 PM

view of the glass ceiling way up
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Citycentre/DSC00923.jpg

entrance to the thai restaurant
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Citycentre/DSC00927.jpg

coloured lamps & glasses of the bar
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Citycentre/DSC00928.jpg

baqthier

May 22nd, 2006, 06:51 PM

Love Starhill! I think it's pretty different from other high-end malls in our region. It's rather classical. Others go for a more minimal look. Some others high-tech.. Some others go for some marble deco appeal.

ps: Travellator> Are those guys in this pic your friends? :D

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/picaddict_1975/Citycentre/DSC00924.jpg

travellator

May 22nd, 2006, 07:14 PM

yes, just finished lunch ;)

baqthier

May 22nd, 2006, 07:32 PM

I should try the food there sometime. :cool:

andyf

May 23rd, 2006, 02:22 PM

naughty. photography and videoing strictly prohibited in Starhill. Got told off a few weeks back by the Starhill Service Desk for videoing. I told him that I had permission from a Starhill Manager who even handphoned an upper manager to seek approval, and I even quoted the manager's name. Apparently they are respecting the privacy of the Starhill clientele.
Got lots of footage of the F&B floor. Jogoya I didn't chance.

nazrey

June 1st, 2006, 06:52 AM

Starhill Gallery unveils Pamper Zone - world's largest urban retreat
Kuala Lumpur, 30 May 2006

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=55470

Yeoh, Tiara and guests tour Pamper Zone's
individuals spas and boutiques.

Pamper Zone at Starhill Gallery is officially open, offering 50,000 sq ft of pure unadulterated pampering. YTL Corporation managing director, Tan Sri (Dr) Francis Yeoh hosted media and the creme of Kuala Lumpur's social scene at a soiree as a preview to the services available at Pamper Zone.

A total of about 200 guests were given a tour of the Pamper Zone at the boutiques and spas with newly appointed Pamper Zone Ambassador, Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina, as well as the face of spas in YTL Hotels & Properties, Anita Sarawak.

Candles and curtains in purple and white enhanced the decor that was inspired by the legendary icons of beauty, the Egyptians. The lavish cocktail party with flowers bouquets, strewn flower petals and a string quartet providing soothing live music was a perfect setting to introduce women, and also men, to the wonderful services available at the 93 treatment rooms in Pamper Zone.

In his opening address, Yeoh said, "The legendary Estee Lauder remarked that every woman looks beautiful on their wedding day and therefore there is no reason why they should not look beautiful throughout the rest of their lives. I can vouch that today, my wife still looks as beautiful as she ever did after our magical wedding day," as guests sighed and clapped for his romantic tribute to Puan Sri Rosaline Yeoh.

"Knowing what I know, it will not be an exaggeration to say that she will recommend some of the advice and treatment available here from our experts and consultants in Pamper Zone," added Yeoh.

Yeoh said this latest experience at Starhill Gallery was in line with its current status of being the world's biggest watch floor at Adorn. He said there is a saying that the centre of the world is where you want it to be. "I believe Starhill Gallery, with Pamper Zone is set to be the centre of wellness and beauty for the whole of Asia. In creating Adorn and Pamper Zone, it shall truly be a gallery of rich experiences, dedicated to all the beautiful women and beautiful people of the world."

He added, "We were encouraged by the success of our world-acclaimed spas in Pangkor Laut and Tanjong Jara. Beauty and wellness is no small business - women in the UK spent £10 billion on it last year, and in Thailand the luxury spa business raked in USD285.7 million. Therefore the saying that beauty is but skin deep is but a skin deep saying."

nazrey

June 6th, 2006, 05:55 AM

KL boutique is a place to watch
By YIP YOKE TENG
Photos by SAMUEL ONG
Tuesday June 6, 2006

A PRESTIGIOUS Swiss watch brand with a history of more than 100 years has chosen Malaysia for the location of its first boutique in the world.

Armand Nicolet (http://www.armandnicolet.com/) opened its boutique at Starhill Gallery in Kuala Lumpur on May 25.

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/6/6/central/12launch.jpg

(From left) Tunku Myra Madihah, YTL Corporation executive director Datuk
Yeoh Soo, Low, Rolando Braga and Armand Nicolet marketing director
Alessandro Braga at the launch of the boutique.

Present at the launch were Armand Nicolet president Rolando Braga, LuxuryConcepts Watches and Jewellery Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Frank Low and local celebrities Lina Teoh, Soong Ai Ling and Carmen Soo.

To commemorate the event was the Armand Nicolet-Starhill Limited Edition, of which there are only 15 in the world.

“This boutique is the only place that carries the full range of Armand Nicolet timepieces,” said Low in his speech.

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/6/6/central/12soong.jpg

Local celebrities Soong Ai Ling and Lina Teoh looking at some
of the Armand Nicolet masterpieces.

“Rolando has also brought with him some of Armand Nicolet's historic masterpieces of pure beauty, quality and precision, which are conserved now in the museum owned by Nicolet SA,” he added.

He said the label, which had started out of passion in the little town of Tramelan in the Jura Bernese of Switzerland, is represented in over 20 countries, with over 100 points of sale worldwide.

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/6/6/central/12watch.jpg

Two of the Armand Nicolet timepieces on display at the launch of
the brand's first boutique in the world, located at Starhill Gallery.

“While we felt it was important to commemorate the creation of the first Armand Nicolet boutique in Starhill, it was also important to commemorate the gigantic Malaysian effort in the creation of Global Fine Watch Retail Centre in Starhill.

“We are proud that in the extremely competitive region of South-East Asia, we are able to command such recognition and investment here in Kuala Lumpur,” he added.

Braga said the company had chosen Starhill Gallery to house its first boutique in the world as they found the shopping centre to be the icon of style and luxury in the region.

“Starhill has an elegant setting with an entire floor devoted exclusively to the most prestigious brands of wristwatches.

“This is fundamental to the achievement and recognition of the Armand Nicolet brand as it continues its expansion in the various markets.

“We want to strengthen our presence in South-East Asia, where we have identified Malaysia as one of the most organised countries and where interest in high quality watch-making is already significant,” he added.

travellator

July 26th, 2006, 03:47 PM

Wednesday July 26, 2006

Fine gems fit for a princess

By VIVIENNE PAL

MALAYSIAN platinum MasterCard cardholders had the rare glimpse of the Korloff 2006 Collection in an afternoon cocktail event themed Bringing Yesterday's Princesses to Today's Women at Korloff, Starhill Gallery recently.
http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2006/7/26/central/p24SylviaGan.jpg
Head Lyon in France Michel Lopez explaning to Sylvia Gan the Emerald with diamond at korloff un veils 2006.
Originally unveiled at the Basel Fair 2006, this was the first time the collection was displayed in Asia, courtesy of Korloff and MasterCard International.

Guests comprising leading businessmen and bankers, as well as members of Malaysia’s high society had the opportunity of viewing Korloff's latest jewellery pieces from the Volupté Collection as well as the Papillion and Korloff K-Cut Diamonds Collection.

Inspired by the breeze-ruffled lace and embroidery in its creator's (Daniel Paillasseur) haute couture, Volupté is designed to be voluminous yet light, while the Papillion collection is inspired by the butterfly.

“At Korloff, creation rhymes with passion and this is reflected in the 2006 collection and the Korloff Cut Diamonds,” said Luxury Concepts Watches and Jewellery Sdn Bhd CEO Frank Low.

“Both classical and highly sophisticated, the diamonds are cut in an octagon shape and have a unique dazzle that attracts the eye of the those who love beauty, luxury and perfection.

“MasterCard has given us an opportunity to share for the first time in Asia, these creations with the platinum MasterCard cardholders. We believe that this programme, which blends two premier brands, will be an experience to remember.”