For The Lover

Join us for an exclusive interview with Golden Goose's APAC CEO, Mauro Maggioni, as he shares insights on the brand's distinctive retail experience.

- AININA HASNUL

Golden Goose has officially arrived in Malaysia, opening its first store at The Exchange TRX Mall in Kuala Lumpur. The brand's APAC CEO, Mauro Maggioni, -welcomed me warmly before taking me on a tour of the 200-square-meter, Italian-inspired store. His eclectic energy mirrors the brand he represents.

The store pays tribute to the brand's embrace of imperfections. Raw concrete walls and floors are offset by vintage rugs and wooden furniture, creating a space where the unpolished aesthetic radiates warmth.

For years, Golden Goose has been famous for its distinctive "lived-in" and distressed look, a concept that might seem unconventional in the luxury world. Yet, over 1.5 million "Lovers" worldwide resonate with this philosophy, and today, I completely understood why.

The Golden Goose store offers a retail experience unlike any other—one where you become part of the creative process. A true standout is the artisanal laboratory, home to their Co-Creation personalisation feature. Here, the brand's Dream Makers guide you in customising your Golden Goose pieces, whether by adding studs, crystals, charms, or swapping laces. You can choose materials like leather, suede, and glitter, and apply treatments such as distressing, embroidery, or handpainted designs. It's a playground for fashion dreamers.

By this point, I was eager to delve deeper into the brand's ethos. And what better way to do that than by hearing it directly from Mauro Maggioni himself?

APAC CEO MAURO MAGGIONI

I love the concept of the "ruined" or "distressed" aesthetic in Golden Goose products. In my sneaker collection, the most beloved are the ones most worn and torn. How would you explain this aesthetic to people who don't immediately understand the story or value behind it?