The newly-opened shop boasts high-quality products and a chill experience for its customers.
Last Thursday, March 27, international lifestyle brand Malbon officially opened the doors to its flagship store in the Philippines.
Located right at the heart of the Bonifacio Global City district in the country’s capital region, the shop offers plenty of fashionable merchandise and in-store experiences for its community.
During our visit for the exclusive pre-launch tour, we noticed passersby getting intrigued, with some even peeking into what the store has to offer.
Some that we have overheard even shared their excitement upon noticing that the construction boards have finally gone down after months of anticipation.
The huge Malbon signage displayed can be hardly missed by anyone who is around Shangri-La Fort, right along 5th Avenue and just a few steps away from the Bonifacio High Street.
Walking into the store, customers will be instantly greeted by a wide selection of products aesthetically displayed in the racks, shelves, and tables, as well as a couple of conversation pieces.
Sure to pique one’s curiosity is a reminder of sorts, which was put up right beside the two fitting rooms on the ground floor, and reads, “bodyguards are not allowed inside the club house.”
According to their representative, the line came from an actual sign seen by Malbon’s founder, Stephen Malbon, during his visit to a golf course in Manila, and he throught that it would actually be a nice piece to be had inside their BGC boutique.
So, fret not for those who might want to experience the place with their trusted companions.
Another talking point is the tall figurine that nearly spans the entire height of the two-storey shop.
Moving on and going into their collection, describing it as vast could be somehow an understatement.
After all, Malbon offers apparel and equipment not just for those interested in golf, but also other activities like skiing and hiking.
We have also gotten wind that they are also preparing to launch a new line for a popular water sport in a few months’ time — something that its fans might look forward to.
Collaboration is also at the brand’s core, with sample items that we have personally seen include brand tie-ups with the likes of Coca-Cola, Adidas, New Balance, and FootJoy.
Tag prices are generally north of Php 10,000, with some items going as high as Php 30,000.
Completing the first floor is a high-tech simulation room, which allows members to try out multiple golfing scenarios, such as practice and contests in various locations and ranges.
They will able to enjoy courses like the Olympic Beach and Pebble Beach in California, Payre’s Valley in Miami, the PGA National Golf Club in West Palm, Florida, and the Quivira Golf Club in Mexico.
Speaking of members-only perks, we are lucky to have seen in its full glory the VIP-only area on the second floor, which has been dubbed as the “19th hole.”
For context, the 19th hole refers to bar located right around the golf course where players could head to after completing 18 holes.
Some of the notable features of the second storey include a wide couch, carpeted flooring, a private fitting room, comfort room, and a wine bar for the members and their team to enjoy.
Moreover, there are also exclusive merchandising items that will only be offered in this area, some even being as a rare as Manila-only products — yes, they are not offered anywhere else in Malbon’s store network globally.
But to access the second floor, one must book an appointment with the store to inform them about their preferred schedule, as the ’19th hole’ can only accommodate one member, plus the entourage they might consider bringing with them, during a specific slot.
With these perks having been mentioned, what exactly do they mean by members, which is the community brand called the Buckets Club.
Perks for members include early access to new products, invites to special in-store events, and participation in golf events.
Meanwhile, for those who are not able to physically visit the flagship store anytime soon, the brand’s e-commerce segment is due to launch in the Philippines soon — allowing their Filipino customer base to shop through their own device.
If you have decided to drop by their BGC store, you may do so anytime from Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays, 11:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Malbon was established in 2017 by Stephen and Erica Malbon in Los Angeles, California with the aim to revitalize the golf culture by making it kore accessible and appealing to a wider, younger audience.
This was made possible by their blending of an unconventional approach that involved adopting streetwear style, while payiny homage the heritage of golf.
Behind Malbon’s launch in the Philippines is the TKG Lifestyle group, which also manages several brands in its portfolio like Gentle Monster, % Arabica, Pretty Huge, Art+, Dust of Goods, and Tough Mudder.
Head over to our Instagram page to see the photos giving you peek into the store.
Here is also a quick walkthrough video on our YouTube channel.