French luxury designer Louis Vuitton opened its first boutique in the Lebanese capital Beirut on Thursday.

“For many years, the maison has maintained strong relations with Lebanese clientele and is proud to reiterate its engagement by offering a new store which respects the Beirutis’ heritage and patrimony,” said brand executive manager Yves Carcelle at the opening, which was attended by Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

Louis Vuitton commissioned local artist Marwan Rechmaoui to construct a special installation depicting images of Beirut for its storefronts.

As for the interior, Louis Vuitton’s new Beirut branch features a “malle bobine,” a cowhide trunk designed to contain the original reels of Nadine Labaki’s film “Caramel”.

Source: AFP