Taikoo Hui Store Montblanc's Largest In Southern China#
Nicolas Cage with actress Tang Wei
It's not quite as random as Kobe Bryant's cameo in Smart's "Big, in China" television campaign, but this week, actor Nicolas Cage joined the Chinese actress Tang Wei and a handful of execs for the opening of Montblanc's new store at Guangzhou's Taikoo Hui. At the ribbon-cutting, Montblanc Asia-Pacific Chairman, James T. Siano said the attendance of brand ambassadors Cage and Tang indicated Montblanc's interest in supporting "the arts and culture, as well as the global promotion of philanthropy." Cage, who took part in a Montblanc event earlier this year in Beijing, said, "I'm really happy that Montblanc invited me to come back to China, to Guangzhou. Coming to this great store has made a really deep impression on me."
The new Taikoo Hui location is Montblanc's largest in southern China. Coming in at 557 square meters, split between two floors, the store stocks the brand's full inventory of writing instruments, watches, jewelry and leathergoods, along with special editions like the Montblanc Villeret 1858 Villair series and Nicolas Cage Chronograph World Series. Relatively low-key, considering its size, the store features a sizable VIP area, always a plus in China.
Brand ambassador appearances are becoming a somewhat regular occurrence in China nowadays, particularly in the luxury watch market, with Michael Phelps recently showing up at an OMEGA store in Shanghai, Lebron James doing the same at Audemars-Piguet on the Bund, and Nicole Kidman making a pit-stop in Beijing last winter.
Cage and Tang at the store opening
Cage, Tang and Montblanc execs christen the new Guangzhou store
Cage and Tang with Montblanc execs