You joined Bulgari a year and a half ago, what is an aim that you would still like to achieve that hasn’t been done yet?

My aim is to create more desire through excellent quality and creativity. If and when I leave the company one day, I want the desire from the consumer to be even stronger than when I took control.

With a brand that has many different offerings, how difficult is it to stick to one message, one DNA?

In the case of Bulgari, it is quite easy because we were born in Rome as a jeweller. This, we should never forget. Rome is in our DNA. It is a source of inspiration for our brand when it comes to the jewellery and boutiques and more. It’s a stepping stone from which we captured our main jewellery codes that have made Bulgari famous such as the Serpenti, B.zero1 and Bulgari Bulgari. So that is the frame and form that we try to expand the codes into other categories which are consistent with the jewellery. For example, the ladies’ watches are derived from the jewellery as a latest release. The bags are also touched by jewellery elements. So you see, we are framing our creativity within the codes of jewellery which have been inherited from Rome.

When it comes to watches – Swiss made vs. Italian made. These days, people want to invest in Swiss-made watches. What are you doing about this?

Well, first of all, our watches are designed and crafted in Switzerland in our very own workshop. The added Italian value is design. The Swiss are very good when it comes to engineering however, there is something that has been missing from the Swiss watch-making industry, and that is design. Only a select few can excel at both engineering and design. Design is not always in the Swiss DNA but it is definitely in-built in the Italian DNA. What makes Bulgari unique is that we are the only Swiss-made brand with a very strong Italian soul and design language.

After the success of Serpenti, what do you anticipate for Lucea?

Lucea is an offspring of Serpenti. We really wanted to design a mainstream, round-shape ladies’ luxury watch from scratch that is like Serpenti. We also wanted a non-logo watch but it needed to be immediately recognizable as Bulgari. That is not easy because there are so many watches. So, we took the inspiration of Serpenti and invented a new Serpenti design for the bracelet which is even more contemporary. When you look at it, it will remind you of the snake thus confirming its creation by Bulgari. We’ve added a crown in a coloured gemstone that again captures the essence of the brand. I believe it will be a major pillar.

SERPENTI

This year, Bulgari won six awards. Tell us more about this.

I can’t really recall every single one of them. The most recent one took place in Mexico and it was for the Octo – a watch with a lot of ambition. The fact that the Octo was awarded is very important to us. Being a jeweller, we are obviously very credible and compelling when it comes to ladies watches but there is a question mark when it comes to men. I am not saying men don’t like the design. On the contrary, they love Octo, and Bulgari-Bulgari has been a winner for men for such a long time however since we are a strong dimensional ladies’ brand, men may be a bit hesitant. So, the fact that we won such awards is the ultimate proof of Bulgari’s craftsmanship of beautiful ladies’ watches as well as extremely complicated men’s watches. These awards will provide us with a lot of legitimacy among male targets which have always been important to us.

OCTO FINISSIMO TOURBILLON

You were quoted earlier saying that you aim to be among the top 10 in the watch-making industry. What strategy are you adopting to make this possible in 2015?

We are just going to be quicker than the competition this year. The Swiss watch market was quite slow in 2014. A lot of the novelties (Lucea, Octo Finissimo) were released quite late in 2014 therefore; they will reach their full effect and greatest impact this year.

With those novelties plus the additional ones that will be released during Baselworld will speed up our growth. The novelties released this year will reach the market much quicker, right after Basel in fact. I believe that in 2015, we will have an even stronger growth of watches. We are not so far from the Number 10 position. It might take us maybe 3 or 5 years however, we are content knowing that we are one of the few brands with extremely strong ladies’ watches. The market right now is dominated by men’s watches and so it is great that Bulgari has a great offering of watches for women.

What challenges do you foresee this year for the brand?

Last year, we went through a very demanding year. We had some huge gaps in terms of portfolio that we managed to fill. Of course, we still have a few gaps that are quite obvious therefore; the challenge this year is to really leverage those gaps. We will focus on the three collections for ladies. Likewise, on Octo for men – we have to be focused and promote them properly in order to take them to the next level in terms of design and eventually sales dimension. Compared to our competitors, we are not too far behind in terms of jewellery. However, we are in terms of watches.

In terms of endorsing celebrities, you are a brand that works with faces. To what extent do you think this will affect positively the brand?

We don’t endorse or use celebrities. If we do, it’s normally for jewellery. For men, we don’t. For example we used Leonardo Da Vinci in the advertising campaign for Octo as he portrays the Italian genius of design combined with technology. When it comes to perfume, we use models that are totally unknown to the public but are able to convey an attitude and style that fits with each perfume. Being a top Italian brand, our jewellery and products are endorsed and advertised by Italian beauties as this further reinforces our message that we are completely Italian across the board!

OCTO VELOCISSIMO

DIAGONO

You have only been with Bulgari a short while. What’s your proudest moment at Bulgari since the day you joined?

I would say…helping the Bulgari team to realize their unleashed potential and capability. Not that the brand wasn’t successful, but there was a certain kind of ‘second place’ mentality. Today, I think the mentality is progressing and there is a much stronger ambition. This company has everything from the know-how, credibility and resources to break through even more and go much faster and higher than any other competitor. So, I’d like to think I probably brought back a lot of confidence that was missing in the company. The potential was always there, but sometimes the people just did not realize it. It was as if they were sitting on an incredible treasure without realizing its vast potential.

What is your favourite watch from the collection?

On a daily basis, I really love the Diagono. It is a great quality Swiss watch that allows you to feel the incredible Italian design. It is also very versatile and can be worn on the beach or in a boardroom. For a more formal occasion, there is nothing I like better than the Octo. It is a statement of style and refinement; a masterpiece of art, regardless of the engine that is in fact equally exceptional.

What would you like to tell our readers to expect at Basel?

Basel will be continuity to what we initiated last year so you will see more of Lucea. You will also see more of Octo and discover totally new expressions of jewellery watches.

How would you describe Bulgari in three words?

In three words, I would describe Bulgari as Roman, Magnificent and Contemporary. All this makes it pretty exciting.

Louis Vuitton’s active involvement in the world of art stretches back through the history of the House. In the 1920s the grandson of its founder Gaston-Louis Vuitton, who would go on to head the company, was a noted collector of artworks who invited artists to work on its store windows. But the last two decades have seen an even closer relationship, as Louis Vuitton has collaborated with noted artists on special projects to reinvigorate the icons of the House while providing a broader platform for art.

Louis Vuitton, Stephen Sprouse, Spring-Summer 2001 Top to bottom – Leather Graffiti Alma bag Graffiti Monogram canvas Keepall bag

For the Spring Summer 2001 ready-to-wear collection, New York designer Marc Jacobs and artist Stephen Sprouse graffitied over Louis Vuitton bags, marking the Monogram with his distinctive scrawl in bright colours. This was a profoundly iconoclastic act, as the House had previously treated the Monogram as sacrosanct. If it was a risky move, it ultimately proved to be a successful one, creating some of the most popular and memorable bags in fashion history and paving the way for other artists to rework the Monogram. Sprouse also modified patterns from his own archive for use in the collaboration, including a mock leopard-print made from the letter U which is still used as a print by Louis Vuitton to this day.

Louis Vuitton, Robert Wilson, 2002 Left to right: Neon polish leather Monogram Houston bag Neon polish leather Monogram Reade bag

Invited to work on the Spring Summer 2003 collection, the Japanese artist Takashi Murakami created the Multicolore Monogram collection, which saw the Louis Vuitton Monogram realised in colourways based on the artist’s distinctive pop palette. Other patterns that the artist worked onto the Monogram include the Monogramouflage and Cherry Blossom, he even printed the cartoon characters that populate his artwork onto Louis Vuitton bags. The Louis Vuitton/Murakami collaboration remains today in stores around the world.

Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Takashi Murakami, Spring-Summer 2003 Left to right: Eye Love Monogram Eye Dare You bag Monogram canvas Flower Hat rigid briefcase

Louis Vuitton’s Spring Summer 2008 collection was the result of a collaboration with Richard Prince, the American artist known for appropriating everyday elements from mass culture. His ‘Jokes’ series of paintings were carefully transferred onto Louis Vuitton bags and the monogram was subjected to a series of overlaid screen printings in the style of his canvases. The opening of the catwalk show featured looks based on nurses’ uniforms, a nod to Prince’s ‘Nurses’ series of paintings, and the colours throughout the collection were closely modelled on those used in his work.

Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Richard Prince, Spring-Summer 2008 Monogram Jokes bag

The summer of 2012 saw a special line of bags, clothes and accessories created with the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. The dots of various sizes that feature in her work, a representation of the visual disturbances that afflict the artist appeared on every surface of the collection. To celebrate the collaboration, Kusama also created a series of installations for the windows of Louis Vuitton stores, which included a startlingly lifelike mannequin modelled on the artist herself.

Louis Vuitton has also teamed up with artists such as James Turrell and Olafur Eliasson to create special events, one-off products, and commissioned artworks for stores. In 2009, the British artist Damien Hirst created two black leather trunks for surgical instruments. The French minimal artist Daniel Buren collaborated on the staging of the Spring Summer 2013 ready-to-wear presentation, which saw him setting up four long escalators, a familiar feature of his massive site-specific installations, within a huge show space in the courtyard of the Louvre. His striped and checkerboard works also formed the basis of the patterns on the clothing and bags that season.

Louis Vuitton, Damien Hirst, 2009 Leather trunk part of the ‘medical secretary’ set

Work by noted contemporary artists is frequently displayed in Louis Vuitton stores around the world. After curating a series of dedicated art exhibition spaces, the Espaces Louis Vuitton, in Paris, Tokyo, Munich, and Venice, in 2014 the House’s ongoing relationship with the arts culminated in the opening of its Fondation Louis Vuitton, a distinctive museum designed by Frank Gehry in Paris containing 11 galleries dedicated to promoting modern and contemporary art.

Louis Vuitton, Yayoi Kusama, Fall-Winter 2012-2013 Pumpkin Dots Monogram canvas Butterfly bag

Louis Vuitton, Kim Jones, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Fall-Winter 2013-2014 Velvet leather Week End Tuffetage bag

Louis Vuitton, Cindy Sherman, 2014 Monogram canvas Studio trunk in a trunk, Celebrating Monogram

This month sees the most high profile of the house’s collaborations, as a new collection of bags and accessories designed with the artist Jeff Koons are unveiled. One of the most widely recognised figures in contemporary art, Koons has brought imagery from his long-standing ‘Gazing Ball’ paintings, a series of large-scale hand-painted reproductions of works by the Old Masters, to a range of Louis Vuitton products. His re-creations of masterpieces by da Vinci, Titian, Rubens, Fragonard, and Van Gogh have been transposed on to such iconic Louis Vuitton bags as the Speedy, the Keepall and the Neverfull. Pushing its know-how to new limits, Louis Vuitton has employed the most advanced techniques and craftsmanship to faithfully reproduce the artworks on the canvas of the bags.

Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Julie Verhoeven Coated canvas conte de fees Paysage pouch

In choosing works which themselves consciously referenced paintings of the past, Koons’s ‘Gazing Ball’ series of paintings placed the artist within a chain of influence and inspiration that runs through the history of Western art. Now, by re-presenting these celebrated pieces on Louis Vuitton bags, Koons once again invites viewers to consider these works anew, opening the museum to the world and encouraging us to experience the Old Masters in novel ways. The bags are realised using the highest quality materials, and each one is boldly emblazoned with the name of the original artist whose work is re-presented.

Montaigne bag

Speedy bag

Backpack

Koons has also reconfigured the famous Louis Vuitton Monogram to bear his initials. This represents a radical departure for the House, which has never previously allowed its iconic pattern to be reshaped. Just as the ‘Gazing Ball’ paintings placed Koons within the lineage of art history, so this collaboration situates the artist within the heritage of Louis Vuitton itself, demonstrating the power of the artistic gesture to connect the present day with a shared cultural history. Elements from this new monogram have been crafted by Louis Vuitton in metal and placed on the exterior of the bag, as has Koons’s own signature. Each bag also carries a tag in the shape of the inflatable rabbit which has proved to be an enduring motif in Koons’s work throughout his 40-year career, while a biography and portrait of the Master whose work has been referenced is featured on the inside of the bag.

Keepall bag

Neverfull bag

This spring’s launch represents the first stage of the collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Jeff Koons. Further chapters will be announced in an ongoing project that celebrates the possibilities of connection through the history of art.

About Jeff Koons

Jeff Koons is one of the most widely recognised figures working in contemporary art. Born in 1955 in York, Pennsylvania, he studied painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. As a student, he revered the surrealist Salvador Dalí, with whom he got to spend a day after making an enterprising phone call to the artist on a visit to New York. Upon graduating in 1976, Koons moved to Manhattan and funded his early works by working as a commodities broker. Inflatable flowers, balloon animals, cartoon characters and mirrored surfaces quickly established themselves as recurring elements in his 40-year career. A blow-up toy rabbit which appeared in one of his earliest pieces has become a signature motif, immortalised as a 40-inch stainless steel sculpture in his Rabbit of 1986. Other famous works include Michael Jackson and Bubbles (1988), which renders the pop star and his pet chimpanzee as a large porcelain ornament decorated with gold leaf, and Puppy (1992), a 40-foot tall West Highland terrier made of flowers.

For the past fifteen years, Chloé has created a range of iconic ‘it’ bags, from the Paddington, in 2005, with its signature oversized padlock bags, to the subsequent success of the Drew, the Faye, and the Marcie.

Solange Knowles

Distinguishing themselves through their craftsmanship and their creativity, they embody the brand’s strong identity and unique attitude, in the same sway as the ready-to-wear collections, freedom, modernity, character, and effortless elegance, staying true to Chloé’s desire to give women the freedom to dare to be themselves.

Emma Roberts

With their characteristic roundness, exclusive colour palette and inherent attitude, Chloé bags are instantly recognisable, needing no ostentatious logos to set them apart. The new season brings the successive launches of the Nile and the Pixie, reconnecting with an important moment in its history, the 2005 introduction of the first bracelet bag that went on to inspire many designs with its jewellery-like quality. The most recent success being the Drew bag, with a knotted chain and T clasp reminiscent of the chunky link bracelet.

Clemence Poesy

Tang Yang

The Nile and the Pixie are a subtle nod to the Maison’s codes, effortless elegance, curvilinear shapes, mixed materials, soft leathers, golden hardware, functionality, sophisticated techniques, and discretely embossed or engraved logos. Their original shape and bracelet detail are a signature in themselves, needing no other form of branding.

The Nile

Available in a round or crescent shape, the Nile is SS17’s hero piece. A refined mix of smooth and velvet calfskin, it features an articulated golden metallic bracelet that forms a graphic focal point when let to fall on the front of the bag, but also allows the bag to be worn on the wrist or in the crook of the arm. The jewellery references are apparent down to the faceted bracelet and the engraved medallion.

As well as its curved shape, the strip of studded leather on the bag’s front and sides is reminiscent of a saddle, a discrete reference to the equestrian world by which the Maison has long been inspired.

The Pixie

This style features a leather strap and a golden metal handle that recalls the Nile bracelet without replicating it, as well as a mix of smooth and velvet calfskin. It’s perfectly round shape makes it feel playful yet chic, and it comes in ten colourways, including intense green, saffron red, sienna red, pearl beige and mustard brown.

Take a look at the new collection from Roger Dubuis; where High Watchmaking meets Haute Joaillerie.

Blossom Velvet

Velvet Bespoke High Jewellery Upon Request at Boutiques

Left to Right: Velvet Carbon with precious stones, Excalibur 36 Titanium with precious stones

Left to Right: Excalibur 36 Jewellery, Velvet by Massaro – Lana

Available at The Dubai Mall, Ground Floor, Grand Atrium Tel: +971 4 330 8228  Email: dubaimall.boutique@rogerdubuis.com

The story of Roger Dubuis is first and foremost the story of a meteoric success. Established in 1995, the company originated from a decisive encounter between a talented master watchmaker, Roger Dubuis, and an intrepid designer and entrepreneur, Carlos Dias. This remarkably driven company quickly set the world of Fine Watchmaking alight while its atypical watches, the perfect balance between traditional watchmaking expertise and avant-garde design, instantly made their mark.

RD101 Quatuor

The Integrated Manufacture

There can be no Fine Watchmaking without complicated mechanical movements. And the only way to propose original calibers is to master production, in other words, to be at the head of the most integrated manufacturing facilities possible. It took the company just four years to achieve this, when in 1999 the company presented the first Roger Dubuis movements to be developed and manufactured in-house.

RD01SQ Skeleton double flying tourbillon

The Meyrin-Geneva site

Six years after spreading its wings, in 2001 in Meyrin-Geneva, Roger Dubuis embarked on the construction of an avant-garde building for the company’s headquarters, integrated production facilities, and offices. As both success and the number of staff grew, the first extension was added four years later, bringing the total size of the manufacture to 14,500 square meters, and an impressive fleet of 120 machines.

A Signature Style

Renowned for their powerful design, the Excalibur, Easy Diver, King Square, Golden Square and La Monégasque collections integrate the defining features of the brand. Voluminous cases with transparent backs, imposing crowns, stylised Roman numerals, three lugs to secure the strap to the case, and the tourbillon cage in the form of a Celtic cross are all hallmarks of a Roger Dubuis watch.

Excalibur Knights of the Round Table II

Design Principles

Roger Dubuis movements are designed and developed in accordance with precise criteria. These principles guarantee the quality, originality and maximum enjoyment of every Roger Dubuis watch.

Aesthetics

The Poinçon de Genève on every Roger Dubuis movement is the guarantee that it has been manufactured and finished to stringent standards. In addition to these requirements, and thanks to technical optimisation and control at every stage in production, Roger Dubuis adheres to the most uncompromising standards of reliability, from the initial concept to delivery of the finished watch. Before leaving the Manufacture, every Roger Dubuis movement undergoes a further battery of intensive tests to guarantee perfect functioning.

Functionality

The movement constructors at Roger Dubuis work relentlessly to improve the functionality of the watch’s indications. Take the example of the innovative world time display by means of a triple time zone, a particularly legible and intuitive interpretation of this classic complication. Complex solutions are developed with the sole purpose of simplifying use, such as a rotation of the bezel to activate the minute-repeater function.

Technicality

Sophisticated technical solutions are developed to constantly improve the precision and reliability of the movements. The double tourbillon with differential, which synchronises the two mechanisms to optimise the watch’s rate, is a perfect example.

Legibility

Each movement’s design gives particular importance to the perfect legibility of the functions on the dial. Roger Dubuis’ exclusive instantaneous in-line perpetual calendar is a remarkable example of this, as day, date and month can be read at a glance. The ruby and diamond markers on the flange of the Excalibur skeleton double tourbillon allow the time to be precisely read despite the complex configuration of the dial.

Exclusivity

Every Roger Dubuis movement is designed to be emphatically exclusive, whether in the combination of functions it proposes, its aesthetic, or the way it fits seamlessly inside a particular shaped case.

Signature Features

Roger Dubuis movements make their identity known. The openwork, three-branch Celtic cross on tourbillon cages and many bridges, the heart that adorns certain women’s watch movements, the specific form of the jumper-spring end or the off-centre position of certain parts of the movement, such as the tourbillon, power reserve, micro-rotor or hour and minute hands, are all signature features that confirm the exclusive nature of Roger Dubuis movements.

Left to to right: Excalibur Broceliande, Excalibur 36 Rosegold, Velvet Jewellery Rosegold

Christian Dior’s chosen land of refuge and inspiration, the South of France is profoundly linked to the history of the House of Dior.

For the first time, a book explores the couturier’s passionate ties to Provence. A hedonistic lifestyle ingrained in the sun-kissed landscapes that inspired his most beautiful fragrances. Today more than ever, these Mediterranean roots portray a solar Dior soul deeply established in exceptional locations. From the recently restored Château de La Colle Noire to flower fields dedicated to Dior fragrances, this is the ‘Dior South’ of past and present, nurtured by nature, and cradled by the dolce vita of an earthly paradise found.

Abounding in archive photographs, manuscripts, letters, and other precious testimonials, ‘Dior and the South’ is a rich and touching book whose pages portray a ‘different’ Dior, who would recharge his energy in heaven-sent lands that fulfilled his love of nature. A beloved South that was the couturier’s refuge, synonymous with happy holidays and sharing simple pleasures.

The delightful times Christian Dior spent in his beloved South were also occasions to welcome family and friends at La Colle Noire and cultivate friendships with the artists he cared about: Bernard Buffet, Marc Chagall, Marie-Laure de Noailles and many others shared laughter and gourmet dinners with Dior. These precious moments are the inspiration for illustrator Jean-Philippe Delhomme’s 12 imaginary scenes featuring Christian Dior with his star models beside the pool at the château, with Victoire on the terrace of the Sénéquier café in Saint Tropez, or with the great Marlene Dietrich in Cannes.

Shoes took the spotlight for Dior at Spring Summer 2017, with the kitten heel making its comeback. Maria Grazia Chiuri, the first woman to hold the creative reins at Dior, made these a must-have, by incorporating her boldly feminine outlook. The shoes in the collection mirror her rules of modern beauty and feminism, through the form and shape of a silhouette that’s contemporary, agile and Olympian, exhibiting an elite sporting elegance, while remaining within each woman’s reach.

Slingback ‘J’Adior’ pumps, High calfskin sneakers, Slingback ‘J’Adior’ ballerinas, Calfskin sneakers. All by Dior

High calfskin sneakers. All by Dior

High calfskin sneakers. All by Dior

High calfskin sneakers, Calfskin sneakers. All by Dior

‘I strive to be attentive and open to the world and to create fashion that resembles the women of today,’

– Maria Grazia Chiuri

From Great Britain to Russia, via the United States along the way, buoyed by the success enjoyed by his House, Christian Dior toured the world.

This taste for globetrotting has been a consistent influence on the house’s creations, and more recently influenced the It Bag collection, Mister Dior.

A fusion of elegance and function, Mister Dior is one that is designed to keep you company throughout the day, think of it as a trusty companion. Consisting of two document holders and a messenger bag, Mister Dior can fit laptops and tablets, so simply carry it in your arms or sling it over your shoulder with the adjustable nylon straps.

Congruent to the house’s codes where form meets luxurious style, the bags are elevated with grained and smooth calfskin in both black and navy. Its attention to detail, however, is what elevates it, with palladium finishes, the Dior Homme signature embossed in tone-on-tone or silver, and the iconic Dior Homme ‘scar’.

Now, as a nod to Monsieur Dior and the savoir faire of the House, the Mister Dior bag has become customisable. Dior Homme offers their clients an exclusive service, which gives the opportunity to emboss their initials on the bag, or on the brand-new name tag, who has been designed especially.

Not only is the big day all about the bride’s dress as she walks down the aisle, because for these famous men, eyes were equally on their outfit choices too. 

Here, we have chosen the most notable looks over the years, so have a look and take some inspiration from these dapper gentlemen.

Featuring the greatest hotels in the world, our guide will take you on a journey, transporting you to another world of luxury, ideal for an idyllic honeymoon.

Giraffe Manor

KENYA

This magical boutique hotel was built in the 1930s on the forested outskirts of Nairobi. The Rothschild giraffes, which have been carefully nurtured and bred by the manor in order to reintroduce them to the wild, are known for sticking their heads through the windows at meal times, or joining guests for afternoon tea on the terrace as the sun sets behind the Ngong Hills. Ten individually styled rooms have elegant furnishings, art deco features, and four poster beds.

Six Senses

Zil Pasyon

SEYCHELLES

With towering granite boulders fringing the shoreline, and picture perfect beaches, the unspoilt Seychelles island of Félicité is the dramatic setting for the newest Six Senses resort. Seamlessly blending the contemporary design into the native beauty of the island, the property is made up of 30 villas and 17 residences, plus six dining and bar venues. A highlight of any Six Senses hotel is, of course, the spa, which is spread over 19000 square feet of rock studded coast.

Como Point Yamu

THAILAND

Very different from the usual traditional Thai resorts on Phuket, the Como group have successfully created a Zen haven, spectacularly situated at the tip of Cape Yamu. This contemporary retreat features an impressive 330-foot-long infinity pool with stunning views of the Andaman sea and the famous James Bond Islands. However, those who wish to have a dip in the sea can take the boat to their oh so chic and newly opened beach club. The wellness element is very prominent here at Como, with bright and open spaces and calming interiors, as well as private yoga studios, a five-star spa and an impressive variety of healthy and clean options for breakfast and all day dining.

Cheval Blanc

St-Barth Isle de France

SAINT BARTHS

With sugary sand leading down to the clear blue sea, Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France has won many loyal fans since its recent makeover by LVMH. The luxury goods conglomerate added this jewel of a destination to its new travel portfolio, and has preserved everything that was already perfect, so it remains serene yet chic. But the lightest touch of additional luxury has been sprinkles over the venue, from pink fluffy towels, subtle French lines, supremely stylish bathrooms, along with a very good Guerlain spa.

Belmond Caruso

ITALY

The Belmond group has done it again and has taken on another stunning property to add to their list of luxurious hotels. Boasting impressive views of both the mountainous countryside, and the stunning Amalfi coastline, this beautifully restored property exudes the charm and luxury that one would expect from a top five-star hotel. Ceilings are adorned with beautiful Murals and the lobby and guest lounges are perfectly fitted with ornate paintings and stunning antiques. The grounds are equally as impressive with beautiful gardens for guests to enjoy and discover, however, the selling feature of this hotel is indeed, its famous infinity pool.

Ulagalla Resort Anuradhapura

SRI LANKA

For those who seek nature and pure isolation, Ulagalla Resort is the perfect option to get away from it all. Once the ancestral estate of local Anuradhapura nobility, this hotel features a 150-year-old mansion at its centre, with 20 private ecologically-built villas spread across 58 acres of lush greenery. Guests can cycle to and from their villa or around the vast grounds, bumping into playful monkeys, peacocks, and water buffaloes along the way. Laze by the stunning and quirky infinity pool or pamper yourself at their intimate and hidden away jungle spa.

Amangiri

UTAH

With floor to ceiling glass windows looking out over stark mountains and canyons, the suites at Amangiri embrace the raw Utah aesthetic. In the centre of the hotel sits a heated swimming pool at the base of an imposing sandstone cliff. Its waters are said to have a healing energy that emanates from the surrounding rocks, and a 25000-square foot spa takes its lead from ancient Navajo traditions. Relax in the sauna, steam room, or plunge pool, and recharge your batteries through restorative, candlelit yoga.

Grace Santorini

GREECE

Santorini has come to epitomise the ultimate Greek island paradise, and this boutique hotel is proof that it deserves such a reputation. Refurbished last May, the whitewashed suites come with his and hers marble basins, ingredients for cocktail making, and private plunge pools. There is also a yoga and Pilates studio, and the largest infinity pool on the island. Yet the pièce de résistance has to be the out of this world views.

By Eliza Scarborough

The hotel celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2014 during Milan Fashion Week with the unveiling of freshly renovated rooms and public spaces, a new spa collaboration, and culinary treats.

The heart of the original classical yet contemporary design by the renowned architects Antonio Citterio, Patricia Viel and Partners has been refreshed with cream coloured linen wallpaper, new furniture from Antonio Citterio’s Flexform Collection and Maxalto, drapes by Enzo degli Angiuoni, B&B module libraries, and plush carpets by Altai. Framed sketches of iconic Bulgari jewels have been added to all the rooms, while the suites feature a new collection of arts and design books.

In the public spaces, archival sketches from the 1950s of Bulgari’s famed ‘spille Giardinetto’ – or garden brooches – hang in all the elevator landings, alongside images in the lobby of celebrities long associated with Bulgari such as Monica Vitti, Sophia Loren and Anita Ekberg.

One of the most extensive renovations has taken place in The Spa where a private new couples treatment room, sauna, and outdoor Jacuzzi were added in August 2014. On this occasion, the hotel announced its collaboration with the luxury skincare specialists La Mer. For the first time, guests are able to indulge in a series of customized body and facial treatments that incorporate La Mer’s cutting-edge beauty products. The Gentlemen’s Studio has also introduced a new grooming menu designed specially for men.

The Bulgari Hotel Milano is also launching in 2015 the second edition of the EPICUREA food festival. Beginning in January 2015, this remarkable culinary event will take the hotel’s guests on a voyage of discovery through the latest trends in international gastronomy. The feasting will culminate in June with an appearance by special guest chef, Rene Redzepi, the celebrated genius behind Copenhagen’s two-Michelin star Noma restaurant..

Silvio Ursini, Creative Director of Bulgari Hotels says : “We are very pleased with the way the Bulgari Hotel Milano has matured over the years. The original design by Antonio Citterio was conceived to remain timeless, and this goal has been reinforced by the recent renovations which have been enriched, as always, by Antonio with new ideas and inspirations.”

A breath-taking resort in one of Europe’s most beautiful destinations.

Wrapped around its own private bay on the northern shores of Turkey’s beautiful Aegean coast, the Mandarin Oriental Bodrum offers sublime views, a restrained elegance, hip bars, an excellent choice of restaurants, and a fabulous spa.

Location

The mountainous landmass that is Anatolian Turkey, tilting eastwards and upwards into Asia, throws out long, gnarled fingers of limestone into the azure waters of the Aegean. One of these digits, the heavily-indented, 27 mile-long Bodrum Peninsula, is home to the Mandarin Oriental. Built in tiers up a green hillside curving around twin beaches, the complex has sublime views across the bay it backs. Chic Bodrum, with its yacht harbour, imposing Castle of the Knights of St John, and Mausoleum remnants, lies 15 miles away on the peninsula’s south shore.

Food & drink

Given its deliberately isolated location, it’s just as well as that there are 10 different eating and drinking spots on site. Nudging the smallest beaches is Olive, which serves excellent Turkish cuisine. Kurochan, set on decking right over the water, has an open-kitchen devoted to innovative Japanese-Asian cuisine, overseen by a noted Australian chef. Assagio, with its own stunning pool, handles the Italian-side of things superbly with chef Roberto, whilst Sofra is the place for monumental breakfast and evening meal buffets.

Orchid Spa Suite

Located on the top floor of The Spa, this beautiful suite offers the perfect blend of space, style, and luxury. Designed as a large bedroom with a private whirlpool, the suite also includes a hammam, private sauna, en-suite shower, and treatment room. Adding to the sumptuous experience, this spa suite also has a 92-sqm terrace offering outdoor relaxation and unmatched views of the sparkling Aegean Sea. This makes it the perfect honeymoon retreat, with the Mandarin Oriental offering a special package for romance and relaxation, which amongst many treats, includes a private cabana on the beach for those days that you may want to venture out from your secluded retreat.

Photographer : Mélanie & Ramon for Dior

Styling : Azza Yousif

Set Design : Carole Gregoris

We caught up with the couturier to the A-list about his inspirations and what makes the perfect gown. The ‘Architect of Detail’ shares with us the romance of fashion, his exquisite detailing, and favourite dress of all time.

What is your favourite fabric?

I don’t have a favourite fabric, I like all kinds of material. From stiff to very light, and from thick to transparent, every fabric has its own charm and its own language, and that’s what I love. Imagining new shapes, new ways of using and mixing materials.

How would you describe your brands style?

They call me the ‘Architect of Detail’. Every detail counts in my designs, my ateliers create architectural volumes and cuts, and our aim is to always look up for new shapes and techniques.

Also, I am particularly fond of flowers, I love to insert them in my designs in different ways, either in hand-painted, embroidered, or 3D. After all, my last name is Ward (Arabic for Rose) so that could explain my fascination!

What is the best bridal accessory?

I love shoes. They complement the dress and they emphasise the beauty of the woman wearing them by beautifying her walk and her posture. It is also a way for a bride to express her individuality, does she like timeless white stilettos or custom sneakers? So, I would say that shoes are very important accessories for a bride.

Who is your style icon?

My style icon is the muse behind every collection, the inspiration behind the designs. Each season I get inspired by a different icon and a new image to look up to, every collection carries us to a world of imagination where fantastic meets reality.

Who do you follow on Instagram?

A&E of course, and other inspirational accounts about fashion, travel, art etc. Talking about bridal, some of the accounts I follow are The Knot, Kleinfeld Bridal and Brides.

How would you describe your new collection?

The Bridal 2017 collection is called ‘A Mid Summer Night’s Dream’. It represents a romantic voyage through a dark forest, into the world of imaginary tales. The dresses are classic yet unconventional with their flowy capes, play of transparencies and detachable overskirts.

What is your best-loved design of all time that you have created?

It’s always difficult for a designer to choose a favourite among his designs, but if I had to choose only one, I would say that the Ombrée Cape Dress, from the Couture Fall Winter 2015/16 inspired from the MIM Museum, is my best-loved design. It was worn by Alessandra Ambrosio and Beyonce, and was photographed for Harper’s Bazaar and Vanity Fair. This dress has travelled the world and is still as desirable as ever!

What is happiness to you?

Happiness is a big word. I think there are happy moments rather than happiness, and I would say that joy is being with the people you love, with your family and friends, people you can laugh with. It is about enjoying the gift of love, and the gift of being alive.

What is your favourite celebrity wedding dress? 

I have to say, I am particularly fond of the wedding dress I designed for Jane Zhang. The tailor-made off-white wedding dress was crafted from hundreds of layers of silk organza and pearl embroideries and took more than 350 hours of hand-made work in our ateliers.

What films have inspired you? 

Madame Bovary, both the book and the movie. The story took me to a new different world, an era I would have loved to live in, and that inspires me a lot.

Where is your favourite place to visit?

I have been to many places in the world to present my collections. I truly think that every city has its charm, however I have to say that Rome is my favourite city. It is an open museum!

What do you always carry with you?

My phone, my IPad that includes my music, pictures and movies, my sketchbook of course, and my passport when I don’t forget it…

How do you switch off and relax?

Whenever I have free time I spend it with my family, as for me quality time with them is the ideal way to relax. I also love playing basketball, so when I still have a little bit of free time I head straight to the basketball court.

What is your biggest achievement?

I am the first international designer to launch his atelier in Russia, something I am particularly proud of. When all the other designers were focusing on the gulf countries, I brought my line to Moscow, where everybody is trying to get into today, after 12 years of market and achievement for us.

Which era most inspires you?

The 18th century. I love the fashion as well as the prominence of humanism during this century.

What would you be if you weren’t a fashion designer?

I have always been interested in architecture so if I wasn’t a fashion designer I would most probably be an architect. But fashion has always been my true passion, and I find a way to include a little bit of architecture in my work, which is why I often draw my inspiration from contemporary architecture.

What is your advice for a bride to be who is dress shopping?

Choosing a wedding dress can be stressful for a bride, it has to be the perfect choice. In the end, it all goes back to the body type, the style, and the personality of the bride. I would recommend that she first figures out the silhouette that works best for her, and she likes best. Then think of the details, embroideries, sleeves, back, how does she like them? And most importantly, she should ask herself, ‘Do I feel beautiful? Do I feel comfortable? Does this dress fit my personality?’

By Eliza Scarborough

Unveiling an era of bridal evolution, Rami Al Ali presents a dreamy collection of nine gowns this season, glancing through years of sartorial transformation on the aisle. These exquisite gowns lend the wearer an ethereal fairy-like splendor, as they masterfully incorporate intricate beading and embroidery that sculpts the female figure.

From streamlined silhouettes to ultra-romantic multi-layers of tulle and organza, the dresses are carefully constructed employing new techniques and redefining traditional aesthetics, whilst maintaining the feminine code of the house, together with a sophisticated refinement and luxury.

One particular piece, the one shouldered gown with a cascading train from the shoulder, was crafted from no less than 12,000 Swarovski crystals, 120 metres of tulle, and 4 metres of customised Italian guipure lace. Taking 11 craftspeople to bring this look to life, 500 hours were spent on hand embroidery, together with 22 hours of hand tailoring.

Here we have an exclusive look at the original sketches which took Rami 3 days to finesse, and a behind the scenes look at their campaign photoshoot. The exquisite gowns were complemented with Van Cleef and Arpels fine jewellery, while the set was made from a staggering 9,500 flowers, including hydrangeas, glycine, cherry blossoms, white roses, and peonies.

Here we have an exclusive look at the original sketches which took Rami 3 days to finesse, and a behind the scenes look at their campaign photoshoot. The exquisite gowns were complemented with Van Cleef and Arpels fine jewellery, while the set was made from a staggering 9,500 flowers, including hydrangeas, glycine, cherry blossoms, white roses, and peonies.