Watch out! H&M, Pull & Bear, others to open in Megamall

MANILA, Philippines – After all the waiting and online petitions, global fashion brands have finally answered the clamor of Filipino shoppers by setting their sights on Manila shores.

We’ve been seeing brands from the US and even Europe popping up in various malls the past few years, with lines of shoppers forming outside their doors on their first week of operations.

And it seems the influx of global brands won’t be stopping any time soon. At the opening of SM Megamall’s new Fashion Hall, SM’s head for shopping mall operations, Hans Sy, said that they will be bringing in more international fashion brands to Manila, with many coming from Europe.

Here are 5 fashion brands we can’t wait to open this year:

1. H&M

The arrival of this Swedish fashion brand is one that Manila-based fans have eagerly been anticipating. This wish was finally granted when H&M announced their decision to make their way to the Philippines. 

Sy says that H&M’s decision to finally come to Manila can be credited to the country’s booming economy. “I do believe that they now recognize the opportunities here and see that the market is big,” he said. With last year’s investment grade upgrade, Sy says that this is the first thing customers will be seeing – their favorite international brands coming in.

H&M’s first flagship store in Manila is set to open in the middle of 2014 and will occupy 3 floors of Megamall’s Fashion Hall, containing basics to formal wear as well as funky tights, jeans, shirts, accessories, and shoes the brand has been known for all over the world.

H&M is also known for its collaboration with top designers, most recently Isabel Marant. The brand has also worked with Jimmy Choo and Lanvin in past campaigns.

2. Pull & Bear

Yet another Spanish brand to come to Manila, Pull & Bear caters to shoppers who are going for a young and casual look. The brand also adds elements of international styles, street, and club fashion to their collection of pull-overs, shirts, jeans, and dresses.

Pull & Bear has over 800 stores worldwide and is under the same fashion group (Inditex) as its fellow Spanish brand Zara.

3. Zara’s flagship store

Though Zara has been around for quite a while, its following remains, mainly because of versatile pieces ranging from casual chic to formal. 

Zara’s two-storey Manila flagship store will also be opening in Megamall’s new Fashion Hall this year.

4. Vero Moda

Known for women’s clothing basics as well as for girly, casual dresses, Vero Moda is part of a family owned company called Bestseller which also owns ONLY – a brand known for its denim pieces, famous in Europe.

Vero Moda is now open at the SM Megamall Fashion Hall. 

5. Philosophy

Known for its skin-clearing cleansers and hydrating moisturizers, Philosophy has attained a cult following in Manila where clear, beatiful skin is a must-have for most Filipinas.

The brand has different categories of skin care catering to particular needs, from treating to protecting problem areas.

Runner up: Tim Ho Wan

Though not a fashion brand, news that this was opening caught our eye. From the streets of Hong Kong and Singapore, the Michelin-star dimsum restaurant known for its affordable dishes is also coming to Manila. We can’t wait to have some freshly-steamed pork buns that tourists in Hong Kong spend hours lining up for. 

Aside from international fashion brands and restaurants, SM Megamall’s new wing also has an Olympic-sized ice skating rink, an IMAX theater, and a computerized 14-lane bowling center in its top floor.

Which stores are you dying to shop in this year? Let us know in the comments section below. – Rappler.com