Global fashion house Cartier has opened a new boutique at Sydney International Airport’s luxury precinct.
It joins 19 other high-end luxury retailers, including Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dior, Gucci, Prada and Saint Laurent.
Cartier noted the store design is inspired by Sydney, including a grand facade of four sails standing at over 7 metres tall against a backdrop of champagne mesh.
Inside, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is incorporated into the boutique’s feature wall: a custom design in fabric, featuring straw marquetry by British craftsman Alexander Lamont.
The interior also includes fluted wood and coral motifs, along with a warm beige and gold floral motif in the Bridal Area.
The 170 square metre boutique will offer the full range of Cartier’s jewellery and watch collections, along with leather goods, fragrances and gifts.
“It is a pleasure to unveil the new boutique at Sydney International Airport as we reinforce the Maison’s commitment to engaging travellers in Oceania and the broader Asia Pacific region,” Cartier global travel retail director Virginie Martignac said.
“We are privileged to partner with Sydney Airport to curate the ultimate luxury retail experience, exemplifying Cartier's dedication to offering a comfortable and engaging experience for travellers.
“We believe the boutique’s unique showcase of creativity, craftsmanship, and savoir-faire with a distinctly Australian touch will inspire our clients to discover the Cartier universe.”
The store completes Sydney Airport’s luxury precinct called SYD X, a 2,700 square metre streetscape with unique store designs and double-height facades.
The completion of SYD X comes as the international terminal is the busiest it's been in over three and a half years, Sydney Airport reported, with passenger numbers close to 90 per cent recovered.
Sydney Airport executive GM of commercial Mark Zaouk said Cartier is the final jewel in the crown.
“After several years of planning and development, it’s remarkable to see our ambitious retail vision come to life with 20 of the world’s best global brands under one roof,” Zaouk said.
“Sydney Airport is now positioned as a top player in the world of luxury, offering the most extensive collection of exclusive travel retail anywhere in the southern hemisphere.
“With international passenger numbers continuing to grow, SYD X has become a popular choice for travellers looking to indulge in a little luxury before they fly.”
Construction of the precinct began in October 2019, continued throughout the pandemic and was completed in December 2022.
SYD X was officially opened in February 2023, with 18 luxury brands trading. Versace joined in April, with Cartier taking the final spot.
The full list of luxury brands are:
- Balenciaga
- Bottega Veneta
- Burberry
- Bvlgari
- Cartier
- Celine
- Dior
- Gentle Monster
- Gucci
- Heinemann
- Hermès
- Loewe
- Louis Vuitton
- Moncler
- Prada
- Rolex
- Saint Laurent
- Tiffany & Co.
- Valentino
- Versace