Monday, April 27, 2009

National Geographic Store - VivoCity, Singapore

Location: VivoCity, Singapore @ 1st Floor, shop no. 19-20

It's here, the much hyped about 2nd National Geographic Store worldwide ... in Singapore.

press.nationalgeographic.com
Dec. 12, 2008 - National Geographic and Barcelona-based Worldwide Retail Store SL have chosen Singapore as the site of the Society's first flagship store in Asia. Opening on Sunday, Dec. 14, the store in Singapore's Vivo City will be National Geographic's second global experiential space, following the launch of its store in London last month.
One of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, National Geographic has a rich 120-year heritage of inspiring people to care about the planet through its media offerings, education and research programs. The Asian store will bring together the Society's exclusive products and services in a constantly evolving, highly immersive and culturally inspired setting. The store will be geared toward amateur explorers, travel enthusiasts, adventure seekers and environmentalists -- a rapidly growing segment of Singapore's population, as shown by a recent study that indicated a nearly 10 percent increase in overseas travel among Singaporeans from 2006 to 2007.
The Singapore store opening builds on the success of National Geographic's strong subscriber base for its media products, with National Geographic Channel available in more than 56 million homes in Asia Pacific and more than 100,000 readers of its magazines in Singapore.
Located at Vivo City, Singapore's largest shopping mall in the vibrant HarbourFront precinct, the new National Geographic store is designed to appeal to Singaporeans' taste for adventure and diverse cultures. More than a traditional retail environment, the 1,500-square- metre (16,146-square-foot) store will feature a retail marketplace, exhibition space and unique "experience zones" for multisensory activities designed to stimulate, educate and inspire visitors. The exhibition hall will display a rotating showcase of curated exhibits, inspired by content from National Geographic's international channels, magazines and mission-oriented projects. The marketplace will feature a wide selection of National Geographic media products featuring its award-winning content as well as newly created branded merchandise and sustainable, unique, hand-crafted items sourced from global artisans.
The store will feature items produced, sourced or selected by National Geographic. Key product lines include National Geographic's Rugged Basic, International Traveler and Explorer Gear clothing lines and accessories; casual and expedition-style footwear; a full range of optics, from eyewear and binoculars to telescopes and cameras; journals, calendars and other stationery products; maps, atlases and guidebooks; watches; home furnishings and dėcor, with a special emphasis on reclaimed wood pieces; and a wide selection of children's products.


My favourite photo amongst the 100s of gorgeous photos at the Store, was from a National Geographic magazine published in 1985. The Afghan girl ... Sharbat Gula, and the photographer was Steve McCurry.
National Geographic News
Updated March 7, 2003
This story was first published a year ago, in March 2002, when the National Geographic Society announced that the "Afghan Girl" had been found.A National Geographic EXPLORER documentary airing in the United States on Sunday, March 9, 2003, tells the whole story, including an interview with Sharbat Gula.
She was one of the world's most famous faces, yet no one knew who she was. Her image appeared on the front of magazines and books, posters, lapel pins, and even rugs, but she didn't know it. Now, after searching for 17 years, National Geographic has once again found the Afghan girl with the haunting green eyes.

The mysterious Afghan girl whose direct gaze has intrigued the West for so long is Sharbat Gula. She lives in a remote region of Afghanistan with her husband and three daughters.
Sharbat was located nearly two decades after her picture appeared on the cover of National Geographic magazine in 1985. She had no idea her face had become an icon, said Steve McCurry, the photographer who made the famous portrait for National Geographic in 1984, and who tried to find her again during many subsequent trips he made to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
McCurry's photo of the girl was selected as the cover of National Geographic 100 Best Pictures.

No comments: