Frank Gehry and Peter Marino’s Louis Vuitton Maison in Seoul, South Korea is a masterpiece of modern architecture

A modern masterpiece designed through a collaboration between Peter Marino and Frank Gehry for Louis Vuitton has now opened in Seoul, South Korea. The new boutique located in the Gangnam district and situated on Cheongdam-dong avenue opened its doors on October 30th.

The result of Frank Gehry and Peter Marino’s collaboration is a unique structure that pays respect to Korean architectural heritage while sharing elements with Louis Vuitton’s Paris flagship boutique. Although Peter Marino is no stranger to South Korean projects, having designed Chanel’s Seoul boutique, Louis Vuitton Seoul is Frank Gehry’s first project in the East Asian country.

The five level curved glass structure which appears weightless, plays on Gehry’s poetic charm, and is meant to demonstrate the strong relationship Louis Vuitton has with the Korean market. Frank Gehry was very inspired by traditional Korean architecture such as the Hwaseong Fortress and cultural elements like the traditional Dongnae Hakchum crane, a dance meant to demonstrate elegance and nobility.

“What struck me when I first visited Seoul nearly 25 years ago, was the relationship between the architecture and the natural landscape. I still remember clearly the powerful impressions I had stepping up from the garden of Jongmyo Shrine,” Frank Gehry said, adding “I am delighted to have designed Louis Vuitton Maison Seoul, reflecting the traditional values of the Korean culture.”

Peter Marino’s interior layout offers customers the ability to view different Louis Vuitton collections in a stand alone like experience. Massive interior volume allowed for imaginative contrasting spaces with a particular highlight being the boutique’s twelve meter high foyer with multiple lounges.

A glass enclosed entryway located on the structure’s main floor leads to a space devoted entirely to women’s collections, offering ready-to-wear, leather goods, accessories and fragrances. Whereas, the men’s area is located in a bright and light space on the lower level. Here men can browse Louis Vuitton’s selection of ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes and travel items.

The upper floors of the boutique are exclusively reserved for more intimate experiences, including exclusive appointments, events, and dinners in private salons and elegant terraces.

Louis Vuitton Maison Seoul is a masterpiece designed by some of today’s greatest architects, that have created a perfect blend of West meets East.

Image credit: © Louis Vuitton provided courtesy of LVMH

Fashionable Gifts for Any Occasion

When choosing fashionable gifts for any occasion, choices include not just apparel, but accessories and hi-tech wear. From classic to bold, mixed prints to feathers and texture, there are plenty of fashionable gifts for everyone. Whilst you want your gifts to be great, remember to spend some quality time with the people that you care about, certain that your fashionable gifts will be very much appreciated. Here are some suggestions.

Classic fashion

We all want to look good in the colder weather as we go to work or to enjoy our leisure time. Sultry suits for the office and classic killer coats are both sexy and practical. Argyle knitwear is officially back in favour as jumpers and cardigans matched with a chic skirt or classic trousers.

For something more colourful, try jungle prints on beaded cocktail dresses, with bold coloured accessories to break the look, perfect if going to a party to celebrate an occasion. Versace has reimagined its infamous jungle-print gown for a look that will turn heads.

Jewellery

Choose long, glittering earrings and in bold colours. Necklaces are also bold in colour, incorporating brand signatures and logos and tiny initials created from tiny gems. Classic jewellery styles never go out of fashion, which makes them and can end up creating a wonderful heirloom piece.

Diamonds will forever be a girl’s best friend and are a perfect gift for your beloved on any occasion. While the diamond anniversary is achieved after 60 years of togetherness, you could combine this with modern anniversary gifts by year that are arranged by colour.  Combine diamonds with red for your second anniversary, blue for your tenth, emerald green for your twentieth and an entire range of colours for all the following years.

New sneakers

Many of the big-name fashion houses have been working in collaboration with other artists to create some amazing shoes. For someone who always wears sneakers, gift a pair in the season’s colours of bold orange and blue. If being eco-friendly is a focus for gift-giving, there are all-wool sneakers that are lightweight and breathable, cool in the heat, warm in the cold, and they are also machine-washable and odour-resistant, making them great for all ages as they are available in sizes for children as well as for an adult.

Practical bag

The age of the tiny bag, no bigger than something that can carry just a phone, has come to an end. All the fashion houses have launched oversized totes, hobo bags and clutches. Consider a fluorescent yellow clutch with studs or a large white tote. A circular macramé-style bag, a bright blue bucket bag or bags over-the-top with feathers and fluff can be found everywhere, with classic black bags for those who like the more formal look. Choose a bag in the new season colours of bright tangerine orange and blue.

Carry-on travel bag with charger

Mix fashion with practicality with a carry-on bag that incorporates a removable battery that can charge up your devices whilst you are on the road or have no access to an outlet. Choose from a classic glossy black, polycarbonate shell, or a more colourful rose or silver colour. For something with a focus on travellers who want their clothes to stay neat while on the go, select a suitcase with built-in shelves that pop up to provide space for housing all your clothes and travel accessories.

The Bluetooth Audio Sunglasses

Be the height of fashion with hi-tech sunglasses that connect to Bluetooth and play music near your ears without anyone else hearing what you are playing. Listening via bone conduction helps save your ears from becoming sore from wearing earbuds.  Audio sunglasses come in a range of styles, colours and lens shades, or in a unisex style that suits all face shapes.

The Apple Watch Series 5

The very latest from Apple Watch, the Series 5 has a slightly bigger face with more band options that makes it perfect for both men and women.  This watch is also totally waterproof, and the speaker is half as loud again as the Series 4. It can also be used as a heart/health monitor, a partner for your workout, an activity and fitness tracker and more. 

Patou showcases women’s ready-to-wear collection

During Paris Fashion Week famed French Maison, Patou unveiled their very first new women’s ready-to-wear collection since the revival of the brand by LVMH. Founded in 1914, Jean Patou had been renowned for handcrafting women’s couture for decades throughout the 20th century. The all new collection was showcased at the Patou headquarters on Ile de la Cité.

The classic Jean Patou look was often characterized by their flowing evening gowns that blended high cutting edge fashion with elegant simplicity as well as their sportswear collection, which revolutionized the fashion industry. In 2018, LVMH appointed Guillaume Henry as Artistic Director of Patou. For the new collection, Henry’s designs were described by LVMH as “versatile and fun mischievousness.”

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The Patou runway featured A-line skirts, sporty suits, and ‘exquisitely worked lace and floral embroidery.’ Parisian elegance meets streetwear was at the heart of Patou’s new collection where a collaboration with Le Coq Sportif shoe brand complimented Patou’s sportswear heritage. Guillaume Henry payed another homage to Jean Patou by embellishing “a denim jacket, a coat and a marinière sweater with an interlaced JP for “Jean” and “Patou.”” Jean Patou is often regarded as one of the very first designers to sign his creations with a monogram.

The new Patou women’s ready to wear collection will be available beginning mid-November on the Patou website.

Image credit: © Patou courtesy of LVMH

Talking Sustainable Fashion with Pauline Hansen of PAMA London

German born, London based eco-entrepreneur, active-wear designer, and yogini, Pauline Hansen is passionate about contributing to a more mindful world. For Pauline, Yoga is more than just an activity, it is a lifestyle. With this in mind, we seized the opportunity to chat with the Creative Director about how she aims to make a difference and why sustainability in fashion is so important. When meeting Pauline you are quite literally intoxicated by her overwhelming energy and enthusiasm. As she showed us her most recent collection titled ‘Moon and Stars’, Pauline’s first statement was “the new collection is all made out of recycled plastics from the ocean.” 

All of the fabric in PAMA London’s current collection is sourced from plastic gathered from the ocean and sea around Spain. After the plastic is collected it is woven into a yarn, which is made into a superfluous fabric in Italy. Pauline’s desire to produce high quality and environmentally conscious clothing is at the heart of her brand. “The Issue with fast fashion [is] people just keep on buying and buying and then they threw [the clothes] away,” says Pauline. “It’s better to buy a couple of things that are really nice and then keep them for longer.”

In the past, Hansen’s brand PAMA London had their line manufactured in Los Angeles, however for this new collection, PAMA moved manufacturing to Portugal where ultramodern equipment is able to assist in the creation of the brand’s current line. When discussing the subject of the move, Pauline explains “I moved everything to Portugal because actually the technology is much better there for Active-wear and flatlock stitching.” 

Read on to learn more about the woman behind what can easily be described as one of the best active-wear brands on the market.

How did you initially become interested in Yoga and Wellness? And how did that subsequently inspire you to create PAMA London?

“My Mom always took [me and my four sisters to do Yoga] since we were little. My Mom has always been really into Yoga. I decided to do my Yoga teacher training in Costa Rica just for myself to deepen my practice and I learned a lot about the chakras and the energy fields and how it also helps you when you wear [particular] colors; and I thought at least when you practice yoga it’s nice to wear something sustainable, made [mindfully], and eco conscious. I live in London and I’m always in big cities. I live in my PAMA leggings because they are comfortable and you know you run around and it’s important when you practice yoga, or [at least personally] for me it was important because everything that you put on your skin [should be made ethically] and good for your skin and has no chemicals. So I wanted to create something [that is] fit to form because leggings are really high waisted, so they really tuck you in and support you [in] your active lifestyle and for yoga practice. I wanted to create something not only like organic cotton or linen, because [many] yoga clothes [are made from those materials]. All the gurus in India wear organic cotton or linen. I wanted to create something that could be worn in the city and look fashionable.”

What has been the inspiration behind your collections so far?

“So I did my Yoga teacher training in Costa Rica with Marianne Wells Yoga School and we [focused] a lot on the Chakras. So [the Chakras inspired] the first collection, which is made from charcoal bamboo. [My second collection], the Moon and Stars Collection was very influenced by astrology. I’m bringing out new leggings in October, so they are [influenced by] astrology and star alignment. I work with the ECONYL brand, so that’s an organization that cleans up the ocean, they take the plastic from the ocean [and repurpose the materials into nylon which is used in our second collection].”

“The Moon and Stars [collection was inspired by the] love [I have for] the moon cycle and my interest in bio dynamic farming. The cycle of Bio Dynamic Farming and the Moon Cycle [were definitely major inspirations]. I [became] inspired [one year ago] when I was in Tulum because there was an astrology workshop [with] a woman, who spoke a lot about the star alignments. The energy in Tulum is very magical, it is healing.”

We absolutely love that PAMA London is eco-conscious and ethically made. With that said, why do you believe that it is so critical for brands to produce great products that are both environmentally considerate and ethical?

“It really depends on the industry that you are in. If you make flowy dresses or [like my brand PAMA London], it’s really high-performance and activewear with a focus of fitting really well and providing support. [For me] it’s important to use fabrics that are biodegradable for the earth. There are so many things now, it’s like ‘where do you start and where do you stop?’ I think [with] the whole cycle, it’s important to tick all of the boxes [in regards to] sustainable production. So [for me] it’s always [fabric] quality; [the material in the Moon and Stars Collection] is wonderful because it gives great support and is just [all around] such a nice fabric. [Though] even if it’s not a legging, it’s still always about the material. It’s also important to me that there are no toxins in the fabric because eighty percent go straight into your skin [and then] the blood stream.”

What do you believe makes PAMA London stand-out compared to other Active Wear brands?

“It’s important when you produce a product that is [very desirable], especially for me. Selling in London, I think people in the [USA] are more open minded but it is still fit to form and is still fashionable [not to mention] looks nice. I wanted to create something that is young and fun, and not too organic because there are a lot of sustainable organic brands. I see their [products] and it’s nice that they use [organic or sustainable materials] and it’s [also] nice how they produce, but for me personally I would never really love to wear [those products] because I’d like to wear something that looks [stylish] and not too strange. Most of the other eco-friendly activewear brands have very baggy garments made from hemp or [similar materials]. With the Nylon [that I use in my collection our products] are fit to form and really tuck you in very well because all of the leggings are high waisted.”

“We use sustainable recycled fabric. Very few activewear brands are using recycled plastic [in their products]. What is nice about PAMA is that it is a simple and timeless active wear [brand]. [Our pieces] can be worn in the city and are not too funky like many other organic brands that [resemble a] hippy [style], you know? A lot of other brands’ designs are just too hippy yoga. I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing them in London when I’m running about all day.”

Can you tell us a little bit about the healing colours of the seven Chakras in your collection?

“The Chakra collection is all about the colours and how you are attracted to a [particular] colour each day. Based on the colour that you are drawn to, this is the Chakra that you should work on. It is nice to wear the colour Chakra that you are working on to balance out that Chakra. Each of the Chakra bras come with a booklet that explains each chakra and how each Chakra helps you when you wear the colours.”

“So the bras are made in the colours. The first collection featured all of the colours and now the new Chakra bra is available in two [shades] of blue, green, and violet. The chakra is all about the energy field, so it [always tells] a story. And it is quite like mystical.”

Take us through a day in the life of Pauline Hansen.

“Well, it’s always so different because I travel so much! My parents brought [me and my siblings] up so internationally. In the summer my [family] is always in Germany and then in the winter my family is in the US. But I’m based in London [and] I’ve been there for seven and a half years now. I start my day with morning Yoga because it really grounds me and helps me to set all my intentions. I focus and I feel great with my Yoga practice, it really helps me.”

What is your favorite work-out and how do you find the time to fit it in?

“Well I always do Yoga, [so] I should work-out more. [Aside from] Power Yoga, Yoga really isn’t a workout; it’s more for your mind and your spirit. It’s great to work out – I love going hiking, I love swimming, and I love just being active. I actually [dance] Zumba, [as well]. I love dancing, I used to dance professionally in Germany until I was 19 [years old].”

How do you feel that Yoga has impacted your life?

“For example when you travel, sometimes you cannot do Yoga. But I try to do it every day even if it is just for ten minutes. It really helps me just to ground myself and to have clear thoughts. You know when you’re really stressed out, and you have so many meetings, I just do Yoga and it helps me to [compile] my thoughts and to get to a decision when [I] can’t make up my mind about things.”

“Yoga is really a whole lifestyle. Only twenty percent is on the mat and 80 percent is off the mat. That’s why I also produce the [PAMA London clothing] because I think it’s silly if you just sit there on your mat and then everyone says ‘be mindful, be good to the planet’, and normally people only speak about eating organic and gluten free [as well as] vegan or vegetarian. But then all the yogis don’t really care so much [about] what they wear. [However, yoga] is a whole lifestyle. It’s just as important [as] what you put on your skin and see where it is manufactured. Before I started my brand I was sitting there in my Lulu Lemon outfit and I just thought ‘great, but what I’m wearing was actually produced in Bangladesh’. And now I’m sitting here doing my yoga [and] talking about ‘be good to the earth and mindful to every being’. Like I’m vegan for four years [now], but I’ve been vegetarian since I was 14.”

Being a frequent traveler, what are some of your favorite wellness destinations?

“Actually, I’ve honestly never been to such a special place as [where we are here in Big Sur, California] I’ve traveled a lot, and Big Sur and also [specifically the Post Ranch Inn] is very impressive. The garden here [at the resort] and all of the vegetables they grow for the [restaurant]; the nature is so impressive here. Yesterday I went on a four hour hike and I learned so much! The [giant Redwood] trees are so impressive. I had never seen so much nature in one day, and in one place. You have the ocean and then the forest. I think it’s very special and super magical. [Also, in Big Sur] everyone is so into Yoga.”

“I also love Tulum, especially since there is this healer from Los Angeles – his name is Bobby Klein. I’ve been [visiting] Tulum for eight years, and now because of Instagram everyone is there, so it’s great to visit Tulum off season. Tulum is great because it’s very eco-conscious. Then there is the Yäan wellness spa by Bobby Klein. The Mayan energy [in Tulum] is super healing and they work everything with the Chakras, as well. I think Mexicans are really amazing people, they are so nice! Whenever I’m in Tulum I feel the best because [many] of the hotels are on the beach. You are right on the beach and it’s so nice! You also have the jungle. You can drive around there and visit so many sanitas and healing waters and [natural] springs.”

Is there anywhere that you have not yet visited, but are dying to go and see?

“So [Big Sur] was really on my bucket list. I would love to visit Bhutan to see all of the temples, hike around there, and also visit the Himalayas. I think that is supposed to be really amazing. I’ve also never been to Bali or Hawaii.”

Where to next?

“I want to make sustainable fashion even more accessible to everyone. My dream is to see everyone wearing sustainable fashion.”

Is there anything you’d like to add that you didn’t have the chance to say?

“I’ve already filmed the [PAMA clothing] production, but I am really hoping to share more about our sustainable production and the educational side of things as well. I am going to be starting a blog in October. No one really knows what goes into the fabrics [of most clothing], there are so many toxins and then even if you wash them the clothes still have toxins in there.”

“I think the new generation is so much more aware of [being environmentally conscious] and supporting sustainable fashion. I work with ocean cleanup and they clean up the ocean [from] the plastic. But then you have all this plastic, so it’s great to recycle that into something. It’s a whole cycle! Our packaging is made from organic cotton.”

“In the process of making things, it is not only that vegan is much better and like non-vegan is bad. Because for example, leather is biodegradable. So, I’m vegan, but I wear leather goods. I think natural shoes are much nicer than plastic. One of the worst vegan fashion products is vegan fur, because the process of vegan fur production is so much more polluting to the environment than like buying or wearing an organic fur that [meets] all the guidelines where the animals aren’t harmed that much.”

Where can we follow you?

“We have the @PAMALONDON Instagram and we also have the website.”

Images courtesy of: PAMA London

Marc Jacobs SS2020 wows with bright colors and floral patterns at NYFW

New York Fashion Week ended with a colorful explosion. Marc Jacob’s Spring-Summer 2020 Women’s collection boasted a diverse range of warm colors most notably highlighted in floral pattern dresses. LVMH stated that creative director Marc Jacobs “imagined the colorful show as an optimistic celebration of life.”

“This show is a celebration of life, joy, equality, individuality, optimism, happiness, indulgence, dreams and a future unwritten as we continue to learn from our past and the history of fashion,” said Marc Jacobs.

Jacob’s Spring Summer 2020 collection delved deep into fashion history by honoring historic patterns with a modern touch. The collection is utterly fresh, yet we can easily note that it shares some direct links with the Marc Jacobs Spring-Summer 2001 collection; a collection which payed homage to the 1970s with similarly bright colors and floral patterns. The pieces in the collection, which were modeled by the likes of Kaia Gerber and Gigi Hadid, paid tribute to the present and appeared to anticipate an exciting time to come for the fashion industry. According to Footwear News, Jacobs credited his inspirations as ‘Karl Lagerfeld, Doris Day, Lee Radziwill and Anita Pallenberg.’

A 1950’s Jazz Aura was definitely present during the show, with “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong playing in the background of the event. The minimally furnished event allowed for Jacob’s designs to occupy the complete attention of viewers. Throughout the show models walked as well as danced across the runway in multicolored ruffled flowing floral gowns and flared pantsuits, sometimes without even a pair of shoes.

“As with closely guarded tradition, tonight is our reminder of the joy in dressing up, our unadulterated love of fashion and embracing grand gestures of unbridled expressions, reactions, ideas and possibilities,” said Jacobs as the show came to a close.

Image credit: © Marc Jacobs provided courtesy of LVMH

Talking Jewellery with House of K’Dor’s Zena Kaddour

Meet Jewellery designer, Zena Kaddour, who along with her husband Tarick, head the Sydney based House of K’Dor. Now entering its 20th year of business, the House of K’Dor, which was founded by Tarick in 1999, has become a name synonymous with extravagance. The husband and wife duo currently craft some of the most desirable creations in the bespoke jewellery industry.

Having just returned to the House’s flagship Double Bay Boutique from a recent trip to California, Zena who serves as the brand’s Creative Director tells us, “I’m inspired by creating happy moments for others through kindness, giving, hospitality and just listening and creating. I see our passion of sharing our beautiful pieces with the world as a way of spreading happiness.” 

Mrs. Kaddour, who is a mother of three, is highly passionate about sourcing ethical jewels and building House of K’Dor through partnerships with elite brands, such as Lamborghini, Moet Hennessey and Etihad. However, the Kaddour family is not only well regarded for their contributions to the world of jewellery, but also the world of philanthropy, where Zena and Tarick regularly support organizations that improve the lives of women and children.

When did you first become passionate about jewellery design?

“Naturally, I’ve always loved jewellery. I come from a big, vivacious family where the women always dress up! My husband Tarick has been a jeweller for as long as I can remember, and through observing him create art and working together I was able to connect the emotion of wearing a stunning piece with the architectural and technical aspects that give it harmony.“

“I think of jewellery as much more than mere ornaments, but rather personal and unique pieces that are an extension of ourselves. Jewellery can reflect our personality, and instantly connect us with the energy of the universe. It is great that Tarick and I share the same passion, as our taste has been refined and expanded into more global influences over the years.“

What are you currently inspired by?

“People! Always people. My family, friends and guests make my world go around, and I am so inspired by everyone I get to meet in my travels and in my every day [life].”

What are some of the differences between House of K’Dor’s Fine, Signature and Bespoke lines?

“The Fine collection is underpinned by modern, elegant classics – think thin diamond stackable rings, fine delicate tennis bracelets and chic diamond studs. It uplifts a daily wardrobe. Our Signature collection is inspired by the honeycomb, which, with its sweet centre and hexagonal base, underpins the joys of life derived through teamwork and an abundant, positive mindset. We translate those elements into design by playing with the hexagon, honeycomb and bee motif in our delicate diamond pendants, bracelets, initials and earrings. It’s a lot of fun and this range is eternally popular with our guests. The Bespoke line, for me, is a personal relationship that exists between a person and a precious stone. The stone is the star that pulls at someone’s heart, which are then housed into a collaboratively designed setting that enhances the shine in both the stone and our guest. The initial consultation is my favourite part of the process, because it’s an invitation to embark on a journey with our guests and together, create magic to bring a bespoke piece to life.” 

How would you describe the House of K’Dor’s ready made collections?

“Elegant, modern, joyful. We love to play with diamonds and precious stones for every day, ensconced in delicate and wearable pieces. Sleek and streamlined design that still feels glamorous and elevated is true luxury. Our guests instantly feel their spirits lift as soon as they put on a K’dor jewel, even in a jeans and a simple t-shirt… and that is the point. To bring happiness and confidence through love and beauty.”

“She is rare, exceptional – exudes in sophistication, confidence, grace, kindness and timeless elegance. She is a K’dor Diamond.” is a motto we love.“

Walk us through the process of creating a bespoke piece of jewellery with a client?

“Our guests are greeted and welcomed into our home and instantly become part of our K’dor family. The initial design concept takes place in our beautiful boutique and around our dining table, which is always brimming with love and energy! Our Kdor concierge team ensure that every element of the consultation is unforgettable by going above and beyond: we like to take our guests on a journey that elevates all their senses. Whilst we design, for instance, our guests indulge in Michelin star cuisines paired with French champagne.”

“Our guests may already have an idea of what they’re looking for, so we hear out their ideas and contribute our professional suggestions to the consulting process. I look at everything – what they wear, their facial proportions, the length of their fingers and hands… to discern what would elevate their self expression and dazzle their features. All ideas are valued and heard. Then we go about selecting the stone. We don’t compromise on a stone’s quality just to achieve size, all our diamonds are D E F and VS clarity and are ethically sourced. This is incredibly important to us. That special stone is then meticulously placed into an impeccable setting, fusing our guest’s desires with a technical artistry that maximises that stone’s brilliance.“

What is your personal approach when commissioning a bespoke piece of jewellery? What are the key elements that you look for?

“Lifestyle, lustre, proportion and instinct. To me, jewellery is very personal and alive. So, if I get a hunch of what may work but isn’t readily considered, I always put that idea on the table. I believe we are all diamonds at heart – unique, bright and brilliant. We all have a light within us and we shine the brightest when we connect. So, creating a bespoke piece is a very precious moment. Every stone has a story and as a jewellery designer, it is up to us to create art and showcase its beauty to the world.” 

I imagine this is a difficult question, but can you tell us about some commissions that you are most proud of?

“We are of course proud of all our commissions, as an intensive amount of care, meticulousness and creativity goes into each piece to ensure its perfection. However, recently, we designed and created a magnificent work of art featuring an exceptional and rare vivid green emerald weighing 13.44 carats, meticulously handcrafted in 18k white gold adorned by over 5.19 carats of diamonds. It’s a truly captivating design that harnesses the emerald’s innate beauty.”

Do you feel that you and your husband’s Arab heritage have influenced the brand? If so, in what ways?

“I think if anything, it influences our sense of hospitality! We love to have people over, we love to celebrate, and that attitude rings through every touch point of our brand. As a designer, my husband is actually rather pared back, preferring clean and elegant lines to overly ostentatious pieces…. and I would also consider my style quite restrained and low key. I love black! But yes we definitely love a big, opulent celebration…“

Take us through a day in the life of Zena Kaddour.

“We have three kids – so my days always begin with them. They’re my number one priority and endless inspiration. After school drop off, I drive to our Double Bay boutique, where the day is filled with consultations, appointments and phone calls to build our corporate relationships, as well as the philanthropic arm of our business. I always feel like I am zipping around and always on the move… However I feel truly blessed, like a diamond there are so many facets to this business that I love and adore. And I am incredibly grateful for the love and support we’ve received globally as a brand, and our ability to give back to the community. But yes, daily I’m with my kids, in the store, or on the phone with various arms of our ‘family’. I love it!“

In addition to your role at the House of K’dor you are also on the female advisory board of Lamborghini, with that said, can you tell us a little bit about how you first became involved with the automaker?

“Lamborghini approached me after they saw the growth of our business, and they were looking for professional and entrepreneurial women to help shape various brand conversations. It continues to be an incredible honour, and now we have a working relationship where Lamborghini feature in our events and we in turn, have been able to collaborate on beautiful products. As brands and humans, both Lamborghini and House of K’dor value people, artistry and pushing boundaries in impeccable design. It’s a perfect fit.”

Being your locale of choice, what do you believe sets Sydney apart?

“Sydney feels far away from most of the world, but it’s very sophisticated. The residents here are very chic, and the clean air, beautiful food and impeccable beaches offer us a great lifestyle as a family.“

Where to next?

“We are excited to be showcasing our House of K’Dor diamond collections in partnership with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi next month, as well as expanding our presence globally. With e-commerce and a great team behind us, the world truly is our oyster – and there’s no limit to how many happy K’dor memories we can create!“

To keep up with House of K’Dor visit their website and the official @HouseOfKdor Instagram account.

Ermenegildo Zegna x Maserati: When Iconic Fabrics Make Automotive History

On August 7th, the Italian luxury vehicle manufacturer Maserati unveiled their latest collection of 100 limited production Quattroporte S Q4 GranLusso sedans and Levante S GranSport SUVs with an exclusive PELLETESSUTA™ interior by Ermenegildo Zegna, an Italian luxury menswear house, at Monterey Car Week. Having partnered previously with Zegna’s innovative design of silk interiors, two Italian-based companies are entering a new phase of exploring modern manifesto of a luxury experience together. 

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For the 100 limited edition Maseratis presented during Monterey Car Week, 50 are Quattroporte S Q4 GranLusso sedans. Quattroporte has been the flagship of the company since Series I, the then fastest sedan in the world as it was introduced in 1963. The other 50 are levante S GranSport SUVs, which are the latest versions of the legendary Levante, the first SUV in the long history of Maserati. These vehicles will be available for order on a first-come-first-served basis and delivered to customers as early as spring 2020. 

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The most distinguished feature of the new collection is the use of PELLETESSUTA™ leather. The innovative use of thin strips of nappa leather woven in place like thick yarn help to create light, soft, and enduring leather surfaces that are unique and iconic. The muted woven surface of the interior along with the versatile knitting technique highlights the unique, chic style of Maserati: steady and timeless. Aside from the special offering from Zegna, both Quattroporte and Levante are equipped with refreshing features like blue brake calipers and sports seats for the Quattroporte, and black brake calipers and 21” polished Helios rims for Levante. 

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There’s no doubt that the collaboration between Ermenegildo Zegna and Maserati is a one-of-a-kind campaign. With distinctive radiator grilles in the front and streamlined silhouettes, the collections of Maserati stand out as a stunning representation of power and strength, which is also implied by its badge: The Trident. Zegna, on the other hand, showcases the beauty of Italian manufacturing by deploying high-quality natural fibers, directly from their country of origin. Devoted business partners as they are, Zegna’s objective on redefining masculinity as a state of mind echoes with Maserati’s long-lasting appeal to their owners for courage and fearlessness. 

For more information visit www.maseratiusa.com

Images Courtesy of: Maserati North America

Hublot Celebrates Summer With Three Limited Edition Watches

To commemorate the summer of 2019, Swiss Watchmaker Hublot launched their “Hublot Loves Summer” campaign with the release of three all new limited edition models. The watchmaker took inspiration for the three watches from three spectacular Mediterranean summer destinations. Mykonos, Capri and Ibiza are the locales which gave life to this very special set of limited edition models.

The three new editions inspired by iconic Mediterranean islands are all lightly colored Chronographs. Hublot which was founded in 1980 has a long time association with the sea. Not only is the design language of Hublot inspired by a boat’s porthole, but the brand regularly partners with nautically inclined organizations, such as the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Each of the watches in the collection is a Classic Fusion model.

The Classic Fusion Mykonos (pictured above) was created in a collaboration between Hublot and GOFAS Jewellery. The GOFAS boutique on Mykonos operates as an authorized Hublot seller. This timepiece is inspired by the beauty and history of the Cyclades islands, widely regarded as the birthplace of Apollo, and famous for archaeological ruins. Mykonos arguably the most famous island in the Cyclades Archipelago is renowned for it’s party culture, white houses, and blue doors. The Classic Fusion Mykonos features a sky blue ceramic bezel and an alligator strap which represent the Aegean Sea. The Mykonos edition is available in either Titanium or King Gold. The timepiece is limited to just fifty pieces all of which will be sold on Mykonos.

Hublot went all out when launching the Classic Fusion Chronograph Ibiza. For the summer of 2019 Hublot launched a temporary pop-up boutique on Ibiza. Set in the Beaeric Islands, Ibiza is well known for it’s summer nightlife and DJs who play across the islands many clubs. The Classic Fusion Ibiza is inspired by the modern and authentic aspects of the Bealeric Islands’ bohemian and chic culture. The timepiece is defined by it’s dark blue ceramic bezel, peace and love symbol on the seconds hand, as well as a bi-material strap in blue rubber and white alligator. These elements benefited from inspiration gathered by viewing Ibiza’s traditional dry-stone finca houses and absorbing the Island’s famous hippie culture.

Finally the Classic Fusion Chronograph Special Edition Capri represents everything that is this beautiful southern Italian Island. The faraglioni, which are coastal rock formations formed by waves gave inspiration to the watch’s white rubber and sky blue ceramic design elements. Although this watch is 45 mm it’s design language makes it a sleek piece to behold. Our favorite details on this watch are the blue satin dial and matching ceramic case with a versatile white rubber strap. The Classic Fusion Chronograph Special Edition Capri is limited to just 30 examples, all of which will be offered from the Hublot boutique on via Vittorio Emmanuele on Capri.

Images copyright of Hublot, provided courtesy of LVMH

Luxury Childrenswear: Marie Chantal A/W 2019

Founded in 2000 by Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, the Marie-Chantal childrenswear brand is well regarded for their quintessentially British designed clothing and high quality durable fabrics. Cloths such as Liberty, habotai silks and woolens crafted in the United Kingdom elevate the brand above competition. This iconic British brand has even been spotted on members of the Royal Family, with Princess Charlotte donning the Marie-Chantal Celina Liberty print dress at a recent polo match.

Marie Chantal’s timeless Autumn Winter 2019 collection was inspired by alluring woodlands, imposing trees, and autumn wildflowers. The design team, which is based in the firm’s Notting Hill atelier, explored floral patterns and romantic folklore as they worked to develop this spellbinding collection. Prominent features of the line are heart and fern motifs, vine prints and wildflower patterns. As shown in the collection’s images, it’s impossible not to feel immersed in a magical land where nostalgic childhood folklore roam freely.

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“It was a joy to work on the Autumn/Winter collection. Memories of reading the tales of Narnia took me back to the far off world of hidden forests and woodlands and inspired a collection that takes its cue from the magic of those places, updated for today’s adventurers,” said CEO and Creative Director Princess Marie-Chantal

The natural colors of the forest do indeed bring out recollections of the worlds in the stories told by C.S. Lewis or Lewis Carroll. The colors in the collection range from wild-berries to dark foliage and forest greens.

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Coats crafted from Scottish plaids and tweeds employ the use of classic tailoring which deliver a timeless and elegant style. Exquisite knit sweaters and cardigans are offered in shades of lavender and lovat green. In preparation for the Holiday Season, Marie-Chantal has designed a perfect range of silk and velvet dresses for the graceful young lady. Velvet dresses feature stunning detachable lace collars in soft pinks and smokey greys; whereas the silk dupion dresses are complete with satin ribbons, and ‘tulle overlay flecked with silver glitter and crystal embellishment.’

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The Marie Chantal flagship boutique designed by Fran Hickman is located in the Belgravia district of London on Motcomb Street, however the brand ships internationally to more than 45 countries. For more information on Marie-Chantal visit their website and Instagram.

Images courtesy of: Marie-Chantal

Digital Clothing: Fashion of Future

The wave of digitization hits the fashion industry this time. As the world’s first piece of digital couture created by The Fabricant was sold for $9,500 in May, the rise in digital fashion has received a lot of attention. This new trend, however, does not come unexpected. Two luxury icons, Prada and Balmain, launched their digital fashion campaigns last year, both of which feature digital models who wear tailored styles. By breaking the wall between physicality and virtuality, digital fashion challenges the notion of what future fashion could be. 

Lil Miquela, the fashion “it girl” recruited by Prada for its 2018 fashion campaign, introduces herself as a musician, change-seeker, and robot with the drip in her Instagram profile. With 1.6 million followers on Instagram, her fashion endorsement actually means something. The posts of Miquela ranges from her event photos with celebrities, music collaboration with artists, to chic OOTDs. Diversified social settings makes Miquela’s life deceptively realistic. Reactions to her posts proves her followers not only like her, but actually get inspirations of daily outfits from her fashion styles. For her collaboration with Prada in the Spring 2018 collection, the campaign video has been played 279,093 times and liked by 20,114 people. Balmain’s virtual army campaign also chooses virtual icons (Margot, Shudu, and Zhi) as the representation of the brand’s spirit of adventure. The three custom-designed digital models perform Balmain’s fluorescent 2018 collection in a fictional, but powerful way. Fitting designs on digital models is more than a novel move of advertisement, but redefining beauty to Generation Z. 

Scandinavia-based brand Carlings furthers digital clothing by making it more accessible to the masses. The designs of its digital collection line are priced up to 30 euros. According to the online instructions, once customers place orders and upload an image of themselves, a designer will dress them up virtually and send back instagramable pictures as final products. In this case, the artistic feature of fashion has stood out with the increasing use of social media. For art pieces, the weight of exclusivity decides their intrinsic value. The $9,500 deal of the one-and-only silver bodysuit created by Amsterdam-based fashion label The Fabricant offers a sneak peak of a new prospect of luxury business led by digital clothing: more affordable, but equally exclusive. 

Virtual clothing’s considerable implications doesn’t limit on fashion itself. The fashion industry has been notorious as one of the world’s least eco-friendly producers: water pollution, toxic chemical use and textile waste are all detrimental costs of fast fashion. Textile dyeing as well as the use of non-biodegradable fibers like polyester exacerbate the environmental pollution, according to an article from The Independent. Purchasing digital clothing, on the other hand, can be a desirable way out for solving environmental problems brought by overconsumption of fashion designs. 

The flexibility of virtual clothing also addresses the needs of a broader audience. In a video concerning digital fashion from VICE, three women discussed how digital fashion caters to their specific needs. Ashley Sherman, a model and influencer, explained how it’s difficult to find clothes that fit onto her prosthesis. To make it even harder for her: “shopping for maternity clothes has been a nightmare,” Ashley said. “What’s cool about digital clothing is that when you are wearing it, they can manipulate it. For that way, it fits your body.” Jasmine Asia, a model and influencer, shared her view that the new generation, who are more artistic and open to ideas of photo manipulation, would be interested in digital clothing.

Before digital clothing, technology was mostly used as add-on to visual presentation of designs. Instead of manipulating our perception of designs, digital clothing ventures to change the role that humans play in displaying fashion creations. It makes sense. Nowadays, we care less about how the clothing feels, but more about how it looks in others’ eyes. The pleasure of trying on new clothes has gradually transformed to the joy of receiving many likes by posting a well-articulated outfit. Anyway, we buy clothes because they fit. And digital clothing perhaps just fits in the mentality of the youth of today.

Featured Image: Courtesy of @lilmiquela