Luxury travel retailer DFS has launched its first T Galleria by DFS in the centre of Queenstown, which is the first designer store to open under the Resort Galleria concept.

The two-storey store is located in the freshly renovated O’Connells building and showcases more than 120 international and premium local New Zealand brands. With 40 exclusive brands for T Galleria by DFS Queenstown, it is home to Chloe, Stella McCartney, Dior, Estée Lauder, and a selection of watches, wine, cuisine, and gifts from Cloudy Bay, Steens Honey, and Breitling.

DFS reports the location seeks to have “a casual yet sophisticated vibe” by combining open and airy design with natural and sustainable locally produced materials and highlighting New Zealand motifs.

“Opening in Queenstown heralds a number of ‘firsts’ for DFS – our first store in this exciting location, the first luxury offering in Queenstown and the largest in the South Island, our first Resort Galleria concept,” said Prashant Mahboobani, VP Retail Operations Oceania of DFS Group.

DFS has also collaborated with Karen Gee, a designer noted for her made-to-measure designs. Customers can schedule an appointment with Gee to build their own creations.

DFS Group, which was founded in Hong Kong in 1960, has grown to have 55 duty-free outlets in 13 airports and 23 downtown T Galleria locations on four continents. In June, it announced the successful completion of a bid to handle the fashion, watches, and jewellery concession at China’s Chongqing Jiangbei Airport for five years. It also reopened the revamped T Galleria Beauty by DFS at the Galaxy Macau resort, its largest in Chinese territory.