Just a few years ago, traveling out of the country meant hoarding or stocking up on one’s favorite things—from basic supplies to fashion items, even food. Thanks to signs of progress, all that has changed.
The next global brand to set up shop in the Philippines is Ladurée, the French luxury bakery and sweets maker famous for its double-decker macarons.
Ladurée was founded in Paris in 1862 by Louis Ernest Ladurée, with the first pastry shop at 16 rue Royale designed by Jules Cheret, a famous turn-of-the-century painter and poster artist.
More than 150 years later, about 15,000 Ladurée macarons are sold everyday.
Mark “Jappy” Gonzalez, Managing Partner of H&F Retail Concepts Inc. (the group behind Homme et Femme and Univers, among other brands) announced the opening of Ladurée at 8 Rockwell end of August.
Ladurée is H&F Retail Concepts’ first food venture. What made them decide to bring it in?
“The macarons are simply the best,” said Jappy, a frequent traveler to Paris. “The texture, the ganache, the flavors—never too sweet. The sugar doesn’t overcome the flavor.”
Jappy says the first Ladurée in the Philippines will be a more of a gift shop or takeaway store—but not limited to macarons.
“We will also have fine chocolate, candies, jams, honey, tea leaves and tea bags, and coffee grounds. There will be shopping bags, key rings, candles, and room sprays,” said Jappy, who first tried his first Ladurée macaron in 1998.
His favorites?
“The rose, salted caramels, and pistachios.”
The 45-square-meter store will be rendered in marble, brass, gold leaf and crystals in true luxe Paris fashion. The interiors were designed by Paris-based interior architects.
Next year, Jappy says, H&F Concepts will open a Ladurée Salon de The in the Philippines.