The opening of the new store has a great significance for Lando Simonetti, the founder of the elite brand of this equestrian sport, as it coincides with the celebration of the 30th anniversary of La Martina. For the occasion, the firm organized a lavish cocktail party where attention to the smallest detail was not lost. The event was attended by personalities, aristocrats, VIPs, and celebrities, from Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers, president of the International Polo Federation and Neil Hobday, CEO of Guards Polo Club, to Clare Mountbatten, Marchioness of Milford Haven, who besides being a journalist is also a renowned polo player. Acting as ambassadors of the exclusive brand, famous players like Malcolm Borwick, Eduardo Novillo Astrada and George Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford paraded on horseback in front of the new store, near the Palace Buckingham, displaying the magnificent attires made by La Martina.Tradition, style, elegance, and sportiness are the four elements that distinguish each and every one of the collections presented by this iconic company. The new store concept echoes the philosophy of the brand, which combines the most authentic British elegance and sobriety with the cozy furnishings that characterize polo clubs.
Iconic images and objects such as trophies, historical photos, and saddles award a feeling of motivation to the space. The first floor of the store exhibits and markets La Martina´s men’s collection, including sports clothes and dressier garments as well as an exclusive collection of the brand. Meanwhile, the second floor has been dedicated to women´s articles, with an area that carries a special collection of sports attire and polo gear.La Martina has a long history, and its scope seems endless. Currently, it is present in 50 countries, with 85 stores in cities such as Buenos Aires, Palm Beach, Miami, Las Vegas, St. Tropez, Milan, Lyon, Porto Cervo, Capri, Dubai, Doha, Cancun, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Bombay. It also has successful establishments in strategic cities such as Madrid, Saint Tropez, Sardinia, Mykonos, and Zurich, among others.
In the UK, particularly, it plays an important role as the official supplier of the British polo teams at the University of Oxford and Eton College. Also, every year it participates in more than 100 polo events, both as a supplier of high-tech equipment and with its fashion collections inspired by polo.
“We strive to offer the best products for this sport, which in addition to being fast, competitive and demanding, represents a whole way of life, a culture, a lifestyle: enough reasons for us to design products that can be used both inside and outside the polo field, “said Simonetti, speaking proudly of his sports fashion emporium. “This desire for excellence is what we call the ¨La Martina commitment.” ■
Photos: Courtesy La Martina.
