Since the arrival of Bloomingdale’s in Kuwait, we are constantly celebrating fashion that continues to push boundaries. We relish those iconic moments, when a perfectly curated stylish selection guides our seasonal wardrobes. Always on trend and ahead of the curve, Bloomingdale’s fresh releases from the most cutting-edge designers keep us coming back for more! Which is why we’re super excited to celebrate Bloomingdale’s first anniversary in Kuwait! We sit down with General Manager Tina Sharp to talk all things fashion and festive fun at Bloomingdale’s Kuwait.
Bloomingdale’s Kuwait General Manager Tina Sharp
Hi Tina—Happy Anniversary! How has the Bloomingdale’s Kuwait journey been so far for you?
Thank you, I can’t believe it has been one year already! The journey so far has been incredible, and we’ve learnt so much along the way, by interacting with our customers and taking their comments on board. Starting with the opening celebration, where we had such a fantastic turn out and everybody loved the store and gave us such positive feedback, we couldn’t have been happier.
The most incredible moments this year have all been around the customer. As General Manager of the business, one of my favorite parts of my job is to walk the shop floor every day and meet new people, get to know them, and request their feedback. The Kuwaiti customer is incredibly sophisticated and, while fiercely patriotic, they have a global outlook on fashion, a world which they fully embrace.
Some particular highlights include our ‘Glow What Fun’ Festive windows, and our Ramadan offering which was so successful that we have worked closely with the buying team to build on that for this year. Also the Swim Shop pop-up, which we initially trialed with a relatively small buy, and have decided to quadruple the offering for this year as it was so popular.
Of course we always knew how important food is in the Kuwaiti culture, and we are delighted at how well received our homegrown restaurant concept, Scene, has been. Again we have listened to feedback from our customers and are excited to launch our new menu in time for the first birthday, based on this response.
Another area that we are particularly excited about are the Customer Experience elements such as Personal Shopping, Personalization Lounge and Experience Beauty. Here we have had customers book out the space so that they can enjoy the range of pampering treatments with their friends in total privacy. Similarly, we are so happy to see that our customers are so relaxed and comfortable using the Personal Shopping service that they take their time, enjoy a cup of coffee and chat with their girlfriends in the space, while being presented their favorite collections in store naturally!
How will Bloomingdale’s Kuwait celebrate this special occasion? Are there any special surprises planned for Bloomies lovers?
At Bloomingdale’s, we love to celebrate in style with our customers and we definitely have lots of fun planned in store for our birthday. I don’t want to give too much away and spoil the surprise, however I can assure you that we will have something for everyone to enjoy on the day! Make sure you pass by on March 14th to enjoy a Birthday Bash like no other. In addition, our beloved Big Brown Bear will again be here and visiting children’s hospitals across the City to celebrate with them and spread some joy and excitement. He will also be in store on 14th, so if you see him be sure to give him a big bear hug, which he loves!
What are some new brands that will be arriving this season to Bloomingdale’s Kuwait?
We have a host of exciting new brands arriving this season, and I’m really looking forward to seeing customer response. In Ready to Wear, we will introduce hot international labels including SAFiYAA, Huishan Zhang and Temperley London – all from the UK – as well as Dion Lee from Australia, Act No. 1, Isa Arfen and SMARTEEZ from Italy, SemSem by Egyptian designer Abeer Al Otaiba, Hemant & Nandita and SAU LEE., with a collection that is a unique mix of East meets West. In eveningwear we welcome exquisite labels such as Özgür Masur from Turkey, Rachel Gilbert from Australia, and David Meister from the US.
SemSem, Ozgur Masur, and Huishan Zhang at Bloomingdale’s Kuwait
Dion Lee, Cult Gaia, and Act N1 at Bloomingdale’s Kuwait
We will introduce many new handbag lines, from luxury icon Aspinal London, Danse Lente also from London, Egyptian label Okhtein, Nico Giani from Italy, The VOLON, Olympia Le-Tan and from Cult Gaia, we will carry the iconic bamboo Ark bag, much loved by fashion bloggers around the world. In footwear we will be stocking Chiara Ferragni’s new line, as well as Gia Couture and Veja sneakers. Finally in the jewelry category, we are thrilled to carry Spanish brand Anton Heunis, Shourouk and the legendary designs of Oscar de la Renta.
The Volon, Oscar De La Renta, Okhtein at Bloomingdale’s Kuwait
With spring right around the corner, what are some key trends that customers can perfectly execute with Bloomingdale’s latest collections?
We see modern bohemianism with a confident, feminine and effortless attitude by Temperley London. While Danse Lente’s debut collection is inspired by the angular shapes and clean lines of modern architecture. If you’re feeling a bit eccentric, then Chiara Ferragni, aka The Blonde Salad, has turned designer with her own line of high-impact footwear. Leopard print, glitter and stud embellishments reference Ferragni’s personal style and offer an irreverent take on current trends.
Click here for a Bloomingdale’s Beauty Surprise! Bloomingdale’s Kuwait is located in 360 Mall, Sixth Ring Road, South Surra. Follow @bloomingdalesme on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.
