What do you do when you get invited to experience the sprawling playground of all things stylish and sophisticated at The Mall at NuStar in Cebu? You grab your best shopping shoes, don your sunglasses, and dive headfirst into what promises to be a thrilling marathon of luxury brands and designer boutiques.

Of course, for those of us in Manila, it will involve a quick plane ride and plenty of caffeine because once your fashionista heart finds out what's waiting at the luxurious paradise of Kawit Point in the Queen City of the South, you'll know to take the first flight out to maximize every minute of this glamorous marathon.

Allow The T-Zone to share the stylish thrills that await in this luxe-filled sprint.

Early in October, May Adolfo, the dynamic general manager of The Mall at NuStar — and a true style fanatic herself — hosted Manila's lifestyle contingent to an exclusive preview of the newly completed, carefully curated, four-level expanse of the world's most coveted brands in the Philippines. Divided into two half-day oculars with an exquisite overnight stay at NuStar's proudly all-Filipino five-star Fili Hotel to recharge, this marathon proved to be of the finest kind.

It took us from Louis Vuitton to Gucci, Tiffany to Bvlgari, and — to round out a lineup sure to dazzle any designer devotee — Boss, Burberry, Celine, Dior, Ferragamo, Givenchy, Kenzo, Lacoste, Loewe, Montblanc, Off-White, Porsche Design, Rimowa, Saint Laurent, Tory Burch, and Versace; along with prestige beauty brands Clé de Peau Beauté, Estée Lauder, and Jo Malone.

By the way, to fill in any gaps in this already impressive collection of fashion and beauty icons, The Mall at NuStar has also included the country's premier multi-brand luxury curator, Univers, and its counterpart, Rustan's Beauty Source, for global skincare, makeup, and fragrance exclusives, to leave no stone unturned.

From the moment The T-Zone sprinted off the starting line, it was clear The Mall NuStar was redefining the luxury shopping experience in the Philippines.

May was only too happy to confirm this as she told us, "Our grand vision was to bring Cebu to the world and the world to Cebu, creating an integrated leisure and entertainment hub that rivals the best in the world yet feels uniquely Cebuano."

More on this bright, shining feature as our marathon ensues.

'Splurge of Style'

If The Mall at NuStar's aim is to put every visitor into a fashion-fueled frenzy, there's no doubt that its "mission accomplished" every time. From one swoon-worthy boutique to the next, store staffers took pride in ensuring their respective Philippine branches featured the most up-to-date collections one would also find in the fashion capitals of Paris, New York, and Milan.

I must confess, Gucci's latest Horsebit line just as soon had me checking my online banking if I had the license to splurge as the endless temptation continued at Louis Vuitton, where a sign-up was in place for first dibs on the newest design of the iconic Neverfull tote coming out November. (Get this — it's a reversible monogram edition with bright pops of colors on the other side!)

"It was like serendipity," May said of bringing such prestigious brands to Cebu, snapping me out of my shopping reverie. "Several of them were already looking for opportunities in Cebu as a prospective market gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao." And aren't we thrilled they're here.

Where elegance meets edge

Now, The Mall doesn't stop at classic luxury; it's also sprinkled with a healthy dose of cool if The T-Zone's "Titas of Manila" excitement has worried the more fashion-forward reader.

There is indeed a fresh, approachable side to The Mall that makes luxury feel effortlessly cool, thanks to edgy brands like Off-White, Univers and Porsche Design, where them hoodies and sneakers and sleek, streamlined bags and jackets reign.

Of these, May shared again, "We made sure there was something for everyone who loves fashion," highlighting NuStar's goal to balance timeless elegance with trendier, urban styles.

Interiors, artistry and stories that inspire

While the world's best fashion designers fill the shelves and racks of what are likely to be the most spacious branches of each luxury label in the Philippines today, The Mall at NuStar's interiors are where the artistry of Filipino and more specifically Cebuano designers proudly shines.

The collaboration of the revered Ed Calma as principal and Cebu's renowned industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue for Univers immediately leads the way. Dubbed the "Ebb and Flow," their genius and innovative approach brings an organic elegance to the awe-inspiring space, where waves of rattan walls from ceiling to wall create this warm, sensory environment vis-a-vis the mostly avant-garde fashion brands on display.

The mall also impresses with an array of local and international artworks, such as Vito Selma's elegant woodwork, which adorns Louis Vuitton's exclusive VIC (Very Important Client) room, adding again, a distinctively Cebuano touch to the vast 459 sqm store's luxurious Parisian experience. Tiffany & Co., for its part, shines with a glittering blue wall designed to mimic gems and a custom Lobmeyr chandelier embellished with Tiffany Blue crystals — both experiences in themselves that transform shopping into an aesthetic journey.

The 'Nu' chapter of shopping

One could go on and on about the exquisite blend of local artistry and the breathtaking array of luxury brands at The Mall at NuStar, but it wouldn't quite capture the essence of this remarkable destination. Because, really, this high-end retail enclave is a space where you don't just shop. It is, in every sense of the word, an experience where every storefront exudes its own personality, where each boutique interior serves as a master class in luxury design, and where every corner and tiniest detail tells a story.

Savoring the unparalleled offerings that The Mall at NuStar has to offer — and The T-Zone promises you there's more — it is clear that this mammoth shopping wing of NuStar Resort and Casino is not just any new luxury mall. What it truly is is a bold new chapter in Cebu's — and the Philippines' — retail luxury scene, for that matter.

As she should, May — given all the dedicated work she and her staff have put in to make this vision a reality — expressed it best: "The Mall at NuStar is not just a shopping destination; it's a new way to experience luxury, where we bring together top-tier global brands and Cebu's unique charm."

And with the promise of more brands and experiences to come, The T-Zone can't wait for more luxurious marathons ahead and, ultimately, for Cebu to emerge as one of — if not the — top luxury shopping destination in Southeast Asia very soon.

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The Mall at NuStar is located at Kawit Island, South Road Properties, Cebu City, Cebu.