LOOK: United Colors of Benetton reopens in Manila

The Italian fashion store boasts a 260-sqm. floor area

After nearly a decade of halting operations in the country, the Italian heritage brand United Colors of Benetton has made its return to the Philippines, offering even more colorful and playful selections.

Last Sept. 27, the Benetton Group officially launched its flagship store at Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Mandaluyong, boasting a floor area of 260 sqm. Hans Clifford Yao, co-founder of Metaretail Ventures, Inc., which brought the brand back to the Philippines, shared, “I am personally, immensely proud to be leading the group relaunching the brand here in the Philippines. It is of course a testament to our group’s commitment to become stewards and to take care of this brand in the Philippines, moving forward.”

P-pop group BGYO members Gelo, Nate, and Mikki

In addition to the officials from the Benetton Group who attended the opening, key opinion leaders and celebrities also joined the launch. Special guests gracing the event included Maja Salvador, Rambo Nuñez, P-pop group BGYO, Ciara Sotto, Marlon Stockinger, and Lauren Reid.

The store opening featured a mini fashion show styled by renowned celebrity stylist Liz Uy, showcasing the brand’s spring-summer 2023 collection under the new creative direction of Andrea Incontri. The collection highlighted a blend of classic silhouettes, a vibrant color palette, and playful fruit prints like cherries and pears in seasonal colors.

Apart from apparel, another exciting offering from the Benetton group has arrived in the country. A variation of Benetton’s “We Are Tribe” called “We Are Tribe Intense” is now available for all fragrance enthusiasts. This 2023 perfume release was crafted by Bérénice Watteau, who also created the eau de toilette version released in 2022.

The top notes of this perfume feature carrot seeds, Artemisia, and cinnamon, while the heart notes include iris, guaiac wood, and lavender, and the base notes consist of leather, licorice, mint, and vetiver, making it an aromatic fougère fragrance for men.

The Benetton group has plans to open more stores in the country, including one at Okada Manila in Nov. 2023.