Aupen to Open Pop-up shop at Le Bon Marché

by · WWD
Nirvana Art Bags from AupenCourtesy image

Aupen will make its global retail debut at Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche on Thursday with a two month pop-up on the ground floor of the Paris department store. It will remain open through the end of October.

Previously available primarily online and through trunk shows, the residency marks Aupen’s first physical retail presence.

Following founder Nicholas Tan’s debut art exhibition in Manila, the 200-square-foot space brings elements of his art practice into retail for the first time, alongside Aupen’s signature asymmetric bags, jewelry and new releases.

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At the center of the assortment is the Aspen Surprise box, translating Tan’s examination of form and function from his art practice into the company’s first retail experience. Each sealed box contains a surprise Aupen piece revealed only after opening. The packaging features a hat motif originating from one of Tan’s artworks, first exhibited at 125 Projects in Manila.

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Aupen surprise box.courtesy shot

Alongside Aupen’s signature Nirvana collection, the pop-up will spotlight the Nirvana Art Bags, a series translating lessons and experiences from Tan’s journey into the band’s asymmetric Nirvana silhouette. Other highlights will include the Splash earrings worn by Emma Stone and the Purpose collection, recently carried by Taylor Swift during her pre-wedding celebrations this year.

According to the company, it expects the Nirvana collection and Surprise box to be among the bestsellers.

Aupen will open a pop-up shop at Le Bon Marché in Paris.Courtesy shot

Tan explained why he chose Le Bon Marche for his retail debut.

“Some members of Le Bon Marche team has lived in Singapore, and we bonded over things from my hometown while sitting together in Paris eating Singaporean food. As I planned Aupen’s future, their advice and support have been invaluable and they’ve made Paris feel like a home away from home,” Tan said.

Founded by Tan in 2022, Aupen is an independent accessories brand known for its sculptural, asymmetric handbags. Its designs have been carried by Swift, Stone, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Jennifer Lawrence, Hailey Bieber and Kylie Jenner. In 2024, Aupen revealed a collaboration with LVMH Métiers d’Art.