Borsalino Opens Its First Greater China Boutique at Plaza 66 Shanghai

Borsalino Opens Its First Greater China Boutique / Store at Plaza 66 Shanghai

Borsalino has arrived in Shanghai with its first permanent store / boutique in Greater China, opening at Plaza 66 on August 21, 2026. The new store marks a significant step for the Italian hatmaker as it enters one of Asia’s most important luxury markets, bringing nearly 170 years of history from Alessandria into a new cultural setting.

The opening was attended by Borsalino Managing Director Mauro Baglietto, Essence Group CEO Alec Hou, representatives from the Italian Consulate General and Italian Trade Agency in Shanghai, as well as Plaza 66 management and guests from the worlds of entertainment and culture.

Rather than treating the opening simply as a new retail address, Borsalino used the occasion to introduce visitors to the craftsmanship behind its hats. From August 22 to 27, the Plaza 66 atrium is hosting the Borsalino Experience, bringing together pieces from the historical archive of the Borsalino Museum in Alessandria with selections from the current collections. It is the first time the archive pieces have been presented in China. The experience also brings part of Borsalino’s Italian manufacturing tradition directly to Shanghai. Master hatmakers from the company’s historic Manufactory are demonstrating techniques that have been passed down through generations, while visitors can also take part in a personalization experience. The focus is less on the finished object alone and more on the manual work, knowledge and time involved in making a Borsalino hat.

The Borsalino Store / Boutique Shanghai opening also comes with a special limited edition created specifically to mark the Maison’s arrival in China. Based around the Fedora, the design features a distinctive bow keeper carrying the Borsalino logo, made in 18-karat gold and set with natural rubies, sapphires or diamonds. Actor Wang Yang was the first to wear the creation during the opening event, offering a visible connection between Borsalino’s Italian heritage and Shanghai’s contemporary cultural scene.

Inside Plaza 66, the new boutique follows a relatively restrained interpretation of Borsalino’s visual identity, using clean lines and refined materials. The space currently presents the Fall/Winter 2026/27 collection together with selected summer carry-over pieces, bringing together familiar Borsalino silhouettes with newer shapes, materials and interpretations. For a house that has been making hats since 1857, the Shanghai opening represents another point in a much longer journey. Borsalino’s identity remains closely tied to its origins in Alessandria, but its latest address places that history in a city where traditional craftsmanship and contemporary luxury continue to meet in new ways.