Qatar Duty Free (QDF) has opened the first Loro Piana airport boutique in the Middle East at Hamad International Airport (HIA).

Loro Piana is located in the airport’s luxury brand boulevard, which is home to Burberry, Hermès, Tiffany & Co, Gucci, Bulgari and Hublot.

The boutique is conveniently accessible to all passengers in the duty free Plaza South en route to the departures gates. It offers a selection of ready-to-wear items and accessories crafted in Italy from the world’s finest and rarest raw materials.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by VIP guests and officiated by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker; Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Badr Al Meer; and Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations, Thabet Musleh marked the official opening.

Ambassador of Italy to the State of Qatar, His Excellency Alessandro Prunas, and Italian Embassy First Secretary, Filippo Perzolla, were guests of honour.

SOPHISTICATED ATMOSPHERE

Passengers travelling through HIA can visit the Loro Piana boutique to discover the savoir-faire of the Italian house and the story of its natural fibres.

The new store provides a sophisticated atmosphere, reflecting the brand’s high-quality materials, manufacturing techniques, aesthetics, comfort and performing garments.

Best-selling pieces available at the boutique include the brand’s Pouch L19 bag, the Summer Walk, the Summer Charm and Open Walk shoes, which are popular worldwide and among the Qatari market.

The Loro Piana boutique also features its one-of-a-kind collection crafted from The Gift of Kings. This is a rare and precious wool that was originally destined for the elite members of the royal families of France, Great Britain and the Netherlands.

Customers can shop for must-have winter holiday pieces, such as the brand’s Storm System collection. This includes versatile, comfortable and weatherproof outerwear.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker said: “It is an honour to welcome this fine Italian fashion house to Hamad International Airport as its first airport boutique in the Middle East.

“Much like Qatar Airways, Loro Piana is a brand synonymous with exceptional quality and service and as such, I am confident that our partnership will be a very long and successful one.”

Loro Piana CEO, Fabio d’Angelantonio added: “We are thrilled to reinforce the presence of Loro Piana within the region with the addition of the Hamad International Airport store.

“This new opening, the first boutique in Qatar, is in fact a consequence of the brand’s growing attention towards the Middle East. Our Qatari customers are long-time, loyal and refined admirers of the brand: Loro Piana is delighted to finally open a store in this country.”

Hamad International Airport Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Badr Al Meer, said he was pleased to welcome the ‘coveted Loro Piana’ to the retailer’s luxury brand offerings at Hamad International Airport.

“As a diverse lifestyle destination of its own, HIA aspires to offer a unique and memorable travel experience for our passengers by integrating world-class retail offerings such as Loro Piana to our airport experience.”

Qatar Duty Free Vice President Operations Thabet Musleh concluded: “Qatar Duty Free is very proud to be the first airport retailer in the Middle East to launch the renowned Italian fashion house, Loro Piana.

“We are excited to offer all our shopping enthusiasts an exotic collection of fashion items from the world’s foremost cashmere brand. We are committed to continue expanding our extensive selection of high street brands and unique concepts available at Hamad International Airport in the coming years.”