Dans le cadre de l’Hôtel Ubdub Hanging Gardens à Bali en Indonésie, voici cette installation de piscines à débordement sur plusieurs niveaux. L’ensemble de la surface surplombe la forêt luxuriante et la courbe des piscines s’adaptent aux formes des collines environnantes.
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Découverte de ce nouvel et luxueux hôtel Ayada Maldives se situant à 30 km au nord de l’équateur, dans l’atoll de Gaafu Dhaalu. Un accès par bateau pour rejoindre ces 112 villas et suites. Une décoration contemporaine avec pour chacune, une piscine privée à débordement
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Checking in with the “nose” behind the Italian label’s first perfume
As anyone who’s sought a signature scent knows, selecting the right one is much harder than it seems. From the balance of notes and allusions to something that stands out from the crowd, perfume bears the burden of channeling the most poetic aspect of personal style. Imagine then the task of coming up with Bottega Veneta’s first scent.
That was the job put to Michel Almairac, the famous perfumer behind Bottega Veneta Parfum. His solution elegantly marries the heritage of the label with the history of perfumery itself by inventing a leather smell based on the tanneries in Grasse, France—the world’s perfume capital since the 18th century that’s also home to many tanneries, due to the abundance of water. The scent evokes this essence of Grasse as well as the luxurious aroma of well-tanned leather, an important distinction Almairac made from poorly-tanned leather that can “smell like a goat.”
This particular leather scent (which now solely belongs to Bottega) is the big innovation, but we also learned a new bit of perfume vocabulary when we had the chance to meet Almairac in Paris recently. Chypre, based on the smell of Cyprus, defines the structure of a scent that pairs citrus with florals and more woodsy base-notes. After consulting with Bottega’s Creative Director Tomas Maier (no outside tests were done), this chypre takes form with Italian bergamot, Indian patchouli, Indian Sambac jasmine and Brazilian pink peppercorns.
The result of this “weaving of scent,” inspired by the brand’s level of craftsmanship, as Michel puts it, “smells like Bottega Veneta.” It has a remarkable consistency that, for those of us who have been wearing it for a few weeks now, has elicited many compliments. This strength comes from the kind of absolute elegance for which Maier is known.
Comparing the art of making perfume to cooking, Almairac describes how it’s the little details that make the difference when it comes to blending ingredients that compliment each other perfectly, creating a sense of mystery by combining new things. While he explained that sometimes you can’t oversimplify and need to add more, that was not the case with this perfume. The other key factor comes from new methods of extraction and manufacturing scents, as well as artisanal, quality ingredients, including handmade bases—resulting in what is the most expensive perfume Almairac has made in terms of ingredients.
Having such a success on their first outing, Bottega Veneta seems poised to create more scents in the future. It’s easy to imagine a less floral version for men from this base, and Almairac confirmed there’s “room for a family.” For now, we have to be content with this perfume, which is now available at stores in a gorgeous Murano glass bottle. The line sells from Bottega’s newly-revamped site, starting at $65 for a 30-milliliter bottle.
Contributions by Ami Kealoha and Evan Orensten
Madame Clicquot’s former domicile gets a top-to-toe makeover
Housed in the former residence of Madame Clicquot herself, Hotel du Marc is a place to stay unlike any other. As if the historic setting in Reims, France wasn’t enough, Veuve Clicquot recently completed a head-to-toe renovation, updating the interiors and facade to create the kind of charming experience for which many hotels strive but few achieve.
The facade underwent extensive repairs—though WWI-era pockmarks left by mortar shells remain—and now sports a smart-looking new awning (made locally, along with other new features), but it’s the decor, a mix of antique pieces, custom art and other clever design elements, that makes for a visit not just comfortable but totally enchanting. The surprises begin right away when, greeting guests at the entryway, a grometrically mirrored installation in tribute to Issey Miyake’s “Pleats Please,” recasts a problematic space by containing a cloakroom with serious “wow” effect.
Stairs leading up to the rooms honor the famous chalk caves of Reims with an ombre carpet that fades from white to burgundy—for the Pinot grapes, of course. The vine-like balustrade, designed by Pablo Reinoso, also evokes the neighboring fields, culminating in the twisting and turning wood of the artist’s captivating site-specific sculpture at the top of the stairs.
From there, a hallway swathed in their trademark yellow, leads to a handful of spacious rooms, each featuring a design tied to a season as well as a place. Details such as Fornasetti plates (a favorite part of the “Rome” room where I stayed when Veuve Clicquot invited us to preview it last month), and bathroom tiles incorporating touches of gold into an anchor pattern inspired by the Veuve Clicquot logo, make the rooms as elegantly pleasant as the rest of the house.
Downstairs, a library, lounge, chef’s kitchen and other spaces for entertaining promise many occasions for enjoying the bubbles responsible for the whole affair. On our visit, the kitchen transformed from an afternoon hands-on cooking demo to a post-dinner screening of Lady Gaga concert tapes, to give you an idea. A formal dining room is literally the heart of the house, featuring woodwork taken from the castle of Eduard Werle (Clicquot’s business partner) around which the house was initially built. Formerly painted white, the wood was restored and painted black, nicely offsetting frescoes depicting scenes of life in Champagne.
A cellar stores wine used in the house, as well as rare bottles, still wines and (eventually) Andree Putman’s 2005 writing table for the brand. The feature also allows the building to have a Canadian well, which keeps the building 13 degrees cooler in the summer as well as providing heat in the winter, part of the winemaker’s ongoing efforts to be environmentally conscious.
Alas, this kind of experience does not come without exclusivity; staying at the Hotel du Marc is by invite only. For more photos, however, check out Notcot’s coverage.
Four timeless pieces from a purveyor of opulent accessories
Ghisò makes luggage, leather goods and games for those concerned with absolute excellence in every facet of life—and who can afford the luxury. Rather than bejewel each product, Ghisò’s design approach is more subtle, with a dedication to fine materials and expert craftsmanship. We picked four elegant items that best embody the notion of understated opulence, something they call “slow luxury.”
The Pilot Helmet bag is simply an upgraded version of the standard GI-issued tote. Here, the traditional ripstop nylon has been replaced with vegetable-tanned brown leather and canvas for a more sophisticated look.
For the jetsetter who wants to hold papers in one place, the Document Holder is big enough to safely store a passport and numerous cards. The bifolds come in brown calfskin or iguana skin and, like on the helmet bag, the material is the main attraction.
Encased in Indonesian Macassar ebony wood and lined in rich brown leather, the Domino Double 6 game set has to be one of the most lavish set of bones out there. Each individual domino is made of ebony stone with Siberian-sourced mammoth ivory inserts. Cases also come in buffed walnut and white lacquered wood with a fuchsia leather lining.
The ebony and ivory Dial cufflinks simulate the knob on some kind of ornate safe, but are really an opulent embellishment on a fine suit. Hand-engraved with Arab or Roman numerals, the studs spin to one’s desired digit under a polished silver marker.
Ghisò is sold in Monaco, Italy, China, Switzerland and France. For a list of stockists, visit Ghisò online.
Epistolary-inspired nail art puts a retro-futuristic twist on the traditional manicure
London’s legendary name in nails Mike Pocock created Nail Quills for Illamasqua, an over-the-top answer to nail art. The handmade press-ons seem born from some kind of fashion editorial fusing magic powers with a darkly futuristic vibe, also nodding to a bygone era of handwritten correspondence. While it’s technically an old-time motif, the talon-like shape makes for a fierce way to trick out a manicure for Halloween or any time you need a decadent Goth touch.
Nail Quills come in a set of two—one for each thumb—and are available for £35 via waiting list through Illamasqua online. For a more monstrous take on the concept, check out Pocock’s latest, the Toxic Claw.
London’s expert craftsman releases limited-edition globes with exquisite hand-painted detailing
A young operation, Peter Bellerby’s globe-making concern resurrects an ancient art form. During our studio visit early last year in London’s Stoke Newington neighborhood, Bellerby intimated he’s one of those perfectionist types. If he’s not satisfied with what’s on offer, he sets out to do it himself. Such is the story behind Bellerby Globes. When the designer couldn’t find a high-quality orb for his father’s 80th birthday, he simply made his own, catching the eye of Cool Hunting and the luxury lifestyle media.
This month, Bellerby unveils the limited-edition Desk Globe, a smaller, nine-inch version of his handcrafted Plaster of Paris masterpieces. The desk model weighs 2.5 kilos (5.5 pounds), and uses a contemporary scheme with a matte finish on blue oceans and yellow ochre continents. Bellerby, who confided he’s loathe to part with a piece he feels is less than perfect, says he’s pleased with the result. “The prototype is sitting on my desk and I think everyone thinks I’m going a little crazy as I sit here spinning it constantly,” he writes.
There are three bases available: the standard model, with a stand hewn from American black walnut (£590 or $920); the 1951, made using a 12-foot piece of Japanese oak sourced from a closing London lumber yard; and the W Edition, featuring a base crafted from the inner trunks of walnut trees used for luxury automobile veneers in the 1960s. The globes are being released in a limited run of 250 and only 10 to 15 each of the 1951 and W Edition styles (each £990 or $1,536) will be made. All models ship in a flight case and delivery cost is included for the 1951 and W Edition globes.
To see what’s got Bellerby so transfixed, there’s an eight-second demo reel of the prototype spinning on its axis.
Luxurious iPad cases made by coveted fashion designers
Whether reading a book, taking notes at a meeting or using the camera to snap a quick photo of friends, the number of reasons to pull out an iPad in public left us searching for a case with a little more class than the oft-utilitarian styles typically reserved for the digital device (such as the functional cases found in our last round-up). Below are four premium cases that you could easily covet even if you don’t have an iPad, and are sure to take the already sleek device to new levels of sophistication.
The fashion-forward duo Proenza Schouler abandoned the pedestrian colorways typically used in protective cases in favor of a more vibrant assortment. Bold black, brilliant red and neon “sulphur” green genuine leather cases are accented by a front pocket that looks like the staps and snap closure system used on their signature PS1 bags, but the case actually zips shut for maximum security on the go. The iPad cases are available directly through the Proenza Schouler website where they sell for $685.
Rachel Comey‘s Laptop Clutch blurs the line between a classic downtown accessory and corporate office attaché. Noted for her attention to fabric and texture, Comey’s take on the case combines a roomy canvas and leather pouch with fine rope detailing at the edges. The subtle black and brown case can be picked up online at Creatures of Comfort for $288.
Resplendent in a plush rabbit fur exterior with a black leather lining, 3.1 Phillip Lim‘s Lynus Rabbit iPad case puts a soft spin on the harder edges of technology. A magnetic flap and hidden zipper closure complete the case’s sophisticated aesthetic. The case is available at Colette for $752.
Soft structured leather, a shearling-lined interior and detachable shoulder strap comprise Maison Martin Margiela‘s minimalist purse-like iPad case. Also included are a designer-embossed notebook and pencil for those times when technology fails. The opulent case can be purchased online from Net-a-Porter for $1,250.
Pettinatissimo leather laptop case by Maison Martin Margiela. Con questo alla mano, preventivi alti assicurati!
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A new collection of handcrafted menswear combines style, art and sophistication
If designer Jonathan Meizler had his way, subtle elements of couture would be a part of every man’s wardrobe. In Title of Work—Meizler’s new menswear label—opulent beadwork, Swarovski crystals and black diamonds embellish English wool crepe, Italian cashmere and silk twill ties and bowties.
After studying art and design in Vienna and London, the Massachusetts native returned to the States where he co-founded JonValdi to industry acclaim. Expanding from hand-painted ties to a fully developed sportswear collection for both men and women, he later created a women’s evening wear line exclusively sold at Bergdorf Goodman. Now the NYC-based designer has returned to his menswear roots with the line of luxurious ties, showcasing his background in couture and a talent for understated flair.
The Title of Work collection is now available online and at Neiman Marcus, hitting select retailers in the United States, Canada and Japan later this fall. Read below to learn more about where Meizler draws his inspiration from and the future of his new line.
Architecture is a constant inspiration on both a personal and work-related level—from the Egyptian pyramids to Italy’s basilicas, the humor and function of Gaudi, the fluidity of Noguchi and Zaha Hadid, and Gehry’s postmodernist vibe. I am drawn toward symmetry in the asymmetrical. I feel the most successful of my collection incorporates this structure while integrating jeweled elements, achieving simplicity in the ornate.
I created Title of Work to explore the craftsmanship of a well-made product, similar to that of a couturier, where each piece is hand finished. Hand-beaded techniques—primarily used in women’s clothing and accessories—are rarely employed in menswear. With this first Title of Work collection, I wanted to establish that beading for men could be modern and accessible, while pushing the boundaries of masculinity.
It is. For example, one of the signature pieces in the collection is a hand-cast sterling silver grommet with Swarovski crystals, attached by a jeweler who hand welds each sterling grommet around the crystal. There is little room for error. All of the collection is handmade and beaded, so no two ties are completely the same.
When creating a collection, I think it is important to be as specific as possible, especially in defining one’s point of view in an overly saturated market. I saw an untapped niche in neckwear and felt it was the ideal foundation to build from. As a designer, I take pleasure in the challenge of straddling the line of art and commerce, and I have hopefully created an approachable collection that is subtly sophisticated, modern, sexy and refined.
I currently have bowties in the collection, and for spring, I am expanding on that and creating sterling and black diamond cufflinks based on the amulets you see across the line. I am also in the midst of designing a bag collection. A bit raw and deconstructed, but, of course, beautifully finished with hand-cast hardware. On the other side, I am creating furniture, made from reconstructed wood, glass, metals and dead animals. I am obsessed with grommets, ventilators and industrial elements, so this should be interesting.
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
