Say what you will of the state of brick-and-mortar retail these days — certain brands clearly still have faith and are willing to invest. Cue: Moncler‘s new Singapore flagship store at Marina Bay Sands. We were there yesterday for a preview and while it took some time to locate (it’s just around the corner from Chanel), once you do find it, there’s absolutely no mistaking the store; the double-storied boutique’s facade is anything but the traditional storefront. It is painstakingly carved out of black marble, curves and bulges in all the right places, a solid effort and homage to Moncler’s signature down puffer jackets.

At this point we have to interject: it absolutely works; it translates the brand’s essence instantly to those in-the-know and even if you are, by some chance, unfamiliar with the outerwear specialist, it’s an eye-catching sight to say the least.

The design details do not stop at the facade. Within the store, you’ll find plenty of white marble, including the stairway, which has been entirely decked out in the material to create a sense of being say, in the Alpines — where Moncler’s apparel are most useful, of course. Elsewhere, furniture are also likewise carved out of the material with a raw, ragged finishing, to mimic icebergs. A lot of attention and effort has been at play, folks, the result of a collaboration with acclaimed French designer Gwenael Nicolas.

The store is expansive at over 5,600 sq ft spread out over two floors, and counts among the brand’s largest in the Asia-Pacific region. Here the dedicated Moncler customer will find all of the brand’s collections and accessory lines, including children’s wear as well as a large offering of the Moncler Genius range.