Streetwear has long been a popular choice among the style-conscious, particularly those of the younger generation. Typically characterised by its casual yet edgy appearance, modern streetwear has grown out of an interesting history to become one of the most iconic ways to dress, and its popularity shows no signs of waning any time soon.
So why is streetwear so popular in recent years? The ever-changing fashion landscape and also social media trends have had a big impact which have led to some of the best streetwear brands being worn around the world.
Why is streetwear so popular?
Image: Michael Ochs Archive
It’s easy to see why streetwear is so in-demand and on-trend. This informal, contemporary way of dressing is often associated with the urban environment and city living, and is heavily influenced by pop culture. It’s often linked to rap, hip-hop, R&B, skateboarding and sports, cherry-picking elements from all of them to create a slick street style which appeals to many.
The history of streetwear
Image: Gucci
Streetwear has a long history, with its origins in the post-war era when people began to veer away from earlier utilitarian looks to embrace individuality and self-expression through clothing. By the time we reached the 1970s, California was seeing a rise in skateboarding culture which fuelled a more open and easy style of dressing. This fashion trend quickly made it to New York, where the city’s influential rap scene made its mark on the new street dress code.
Clothes became looser fitting, baggier and more comfortable, and some big-name sports brands saw a way to tap into this growing market by creating new lines of clothing and sneakers. The 1990s was a really big decade for streetwear, made popular by stars such as P. Diddy and Notorious B.I.G. In the 2000s, streetwear moved online and became part of mainstream consciousness, with the likes of Kanye West and Virgil Abloh fusing street style with extravagance to create clothes which had mass appeal yet remained edgy and cool.
It’s also worth considering brands that first introduced the style. A prime example is Carhartt, which is often regarded as one of the pioneers of the streetwear scene. The original workwear brand was founded in 1889 and developed durable clothing for railway workers using denim and canvas as its core materials. Its adoption by the emerging streetwear culture, and subsequent expansion into Europe led to the creation of the iconic Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) brand. Since then, the label has been adapting classic Carhartt items to appeal to style conscious individuals and has been instrumental in helping streetwear crossover to mainstream consumers.
Best streetwear brands to wear right now
Image: Gucci
There are some incredibly popular men’s streetwear brands out there, and some sportswear companies also carry lines of clothing and footwear which might be classed as street. Nike and Adidas, for example, have both created incredibly well-loved streetwear sneakers and are constantly pushing the boundaries to create new products. In recent years, there have also been iconic fashion collaborations between luxury and sportswear brands, such as the latest Gucci x Adidas sports collaboration.
One of the most iconic streetwear brands has to be Supreme, with its familiar red logo and its incredible range of high-end or luxury streetwear products. Founded in New York, Supreme releases new clothes every week and leads the way when it comes to the most modern urban clothing. Close behind you’ll find the likes of Stüssy, famed for their t-shirts, and Off-White, which creates luxury streetwear inspired by Kanye West.
Streetwear has been in fashion for decades, but certain trends within the culture are now more pronounced than ever before. Every year there is much fashion inspiration to take from social media trends, celebrities, and even fashion events like the recent Milan Fashion Week. At the moment, baggy hoodies and sneakers from big-name sports brands are a must-have, so the likes of Nike, Adidas and Puma are seeing huge sales of streetwear. Collections designed by iconic rap and R&B singers are also in vogue at the moment, with these newer brands having gained a cult following around the world.
The best streetwear brands are constantly innovating and creating new, ever-more desirable garments. Streetwear outfits have exploded in popularity not just in the United States but right across the world, with men’s streetwear brands based in countries in Europe, Asia and Australia.
Streetwear arguably appeals to people of all ages, and not just the Millennial generation. There is something timeless about streetwear because it embraces the pop culture of the moment yet remains true to its sport and music roots, making it one of the most enduring and well-loved of all urban styles.
Watchmakers present their credentials in a few ways, and accolades are just one. Some display observatory awards denoting a legacy of accuracy. Still others summon up an array of patents reflecting the spirit of innovation and creativity marking their manufactures. A lucky few get to demonstrate both with hundreds of years of history. Bulgari decided to create its own legacy, and to do it in a way that no other brand had done. The result today is the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra, the world’s thinnest mechanical watch at 1.80 mm thick, caseback to sapphire crystal top. Such a watch does not appear overnight though…
In 2012, Bulgari built the foundation for this monumental achievement with the Octo L’Originale, and delivered the ground floor in 2014 with the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Manual. This tourbillon wristwatch boasted the thinnest manual-winding flying tourbillon movement in the world at just 1.95 mm thick. What set the brand apart was that it set out to break its own record — and establish new standards that surpassed all that had gone before. Of course, Bulgari was in that healthiest and most inspirational adventure — to do something only it could do, and then top itself.
Bulgari’s horological adventure since 2012 can be summed with a few numbers: ten years, eight world records, more than 60 international awards, and eight patents. And the Octo Finissimo story is far from over, having now entered a new dimension, as Bulgari puts it. Coincidentally, the Octo obviously shares key characteristics with these numbers, being eight-sided and having plenty of distinguishing aesthetic features along the same lines, including the inner flange of the watch.
While the numbers are impressive, symbolically and otherwise, they serve only as shorthand. The story of the Octo Finissimmo is filled with character and passion — it takes courage to commit to a single course in watchmaking. Having created the world’s thinnest mechanical automatic watch movement in 2017 with the Octo Finissimo Automatic, Bulgari wanted to push it even further. Think of it as a sprinter trying to shave fractions of a second from his or her own record.
“Can we do it? No sooner was the question asked three years ago than our teams answered: how are we going to do it?” said Antoine Pin, Managing Director of the Bulgari Watch Division, as he recalls the development process of the Octo Finissimo Ultra. “This ability to meet challenges is embedded in the brand’s DNA. As for the word ‘ultra’, it expresses this desire to go beyond the limits, to play with extremes, an idea that we love in-house!”
Making a watch that is 1.80 mm thick — a measure close to the thickness of paper, and certainly thinner than all existing mechanical calibres — requires more than mastering the techniques of miniaturisation according to Bulgari Product Creation Executive Director Fabrizio Bounamassa Stigliani. For a little context here, the Ultra watch is slimmer than all the record-breaking Bulgari ultra-thin movements.
“To achieve this degree of thinness, you not only have to challenge your way of thinking, but at the same time draw upon a wide range of skills, play with multiple materials and adapt to a multitude of new constraints. In this sense, the Octo Finissimo Ultra is unquestionably the ultimate complication in this vast field of possibilities represented by ultra-miniaturization,” said Stigliani.
Understandably, the arrival of the Ultra this year was greeted with great fanfare, with an international debut at the Pantheon at the Piazza della Rotonda, Rome. Once again, numbers played a key role, the number “8” in particular. This makes the Pantheon the perfect setting for a celebration of the Bulgari Octo, thanks to the configuration of the Roman landmark’s Corinthian columns (eight in the first position, followed by two groups of four behind). As a quick aside, an exhibition on the octagon shape, which is deeply important to Bulgari, is ongoing at the brand’s historic boutique on Via Dei Condotti. Returning to the recent festivities, the facade of the Pantheon served as a natural screen for an ambitious and unprecedented art project, put together at the behest of Bulgari for the occasion of the 10th anniversary.
The screening of Temple of Light_Ultra at Pantheon bookended the festivities, and consisted of the entire history of Italian architecture and art, rendered in digital form, and given substance by light. The artwork itself was a real time execution by Istanbul-based Ouchhh, a creative multidisciplinary hub, curated by Reasoned Art. This thematic link between the past and the future, between tradition and innovation, is di rigore for watchmaking, with Bulgari in the vanguard of pushing boundaries.
No celebration can do without music, and this was supplied by a live performance of the orchestra of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, which added the necessary human element. Of course, the connections with the number eight continued. On stage, the 8 + 8 Percussion Ensemble of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia — Alta Formazione led by Edoardo Giachino gave a breathtaking concert notably demonstrating exceptional percussion mastery.
Image: Bulgari
Once again, there was a visual component enabled by machine learning and artificial intelligence, linked directly with the performance; viscerally linked, in fact. The brain waves of the conductor served to create the visuals, thanks to data collected live from an EEG headset worn by the conductor. The Pantheon once more functioned as the screen (as seen above).
“This fabulous landmark that we are setting today with the Octo Finissimo Ultra is in fact — for me and all the teams – the fulfilment of a dream. One which now guarantees that Bulgari will forever be acknowledged as having written some of the finest chapters in Swiss watchmaking. And the fact that the Maison is Italian makes us particularly proud”, said Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO Bulgari.
One of life’s greatest pleasures is an open-top drive in a cabriolet on a warm, balmy sunset. There’s nothing like the smell of sea salt when driving along the coast or the petrichor of the forest, freshly washed by the rain just moments before.
Driving top down also makes for a heightened sensory experience. The driver hears the engine and exhaust more clearly, and the smell of hot brakes and tyres from a spirited drive stirs the emotions to a new level.
If you’re lucky enough to be behind the wheel of an open cabriolet on these occasions, you can literally feel the stress melt away and a smile grow on your face. It has been said, however, that the most successful people make their own luck. So to prepare you for these situations, here are six of the latest cabriolets that are guaranteed to make your day. Every day.
Maserati MC-20 Cielo
Image: Maserati
The newest in this group is the Maserati MC-20 Cielo. Hot on the heels of the coupé that made its debut last year, the Cielo is in fact more of a targa than an outright convertible. Instead of a folding fabric or metal top, this Maserati is fitted with a state-of-the-art electrochromic glass roof panel. At a touch of a button on the central screen, the top can be transformed from clear to opaque. Best-in-class thermal insulation promises to keep heat Sun’s heat at bay while it takes just a press of a button and 12 seconds to electrically remove the top.
Impressively, the MC-20 Cielo weighs just 65kg more than the coupe, which is insignificant for the revolutionary Nettuno twin-turbo V6 engine to overcome. With 630hp at the driver’s disposal, the MC-20 Cielo is capable of reaching over 320km/h and needs only three seconds to reach 100km/h from a standstill. Just as well then, that among the various drive modes available to optimize the car’s handling dynamics, WET Mode is also there for reassuring control when the heavens open.
The perfect accompaniment to a cabriolet is an engine that sings. One of the best-sounding motors that money can buy is a high-revving V8 which incidentally, can be fund under the bonnet of the Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible.
Its 4.0-litre twin-turbo engine produces a characterful V8 burble through its stylish quad exhaust pipes, while offering better efficiency for a Touring range of over 800km. All in unbeatable comfort for effortlessly covering long distances.
While a top speed of 318km/h and the ability to reach 100km/h from a standstill in four seconds, the Bentley Drive Dynamics selector allows the full breadth of performance, from class-leading refinement and comfort to focussed handling in Sport mode.
In addition, the Active All-Wheel Drive System, enables the use of rear-wheel drive as much as possible during normal driving for optimum efficiency and dynamic performance.
Another brand that is increasing the availability of all-wheel drive in its model range is BMW M. This performance division of BMW is known for building some of the most uncompromising performance cars of out time.
Most recently, the M4 is available in Convertible guise. Paired with all-wheel drive, the BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive, as it is properly called, breaks new ground for the M sub-brand. Just as well since its 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder in-line twin-turbocharged engine makes 510hp.
Reverting back to a fabric folding roof after a long hiatus also means adding the convenience of opening or closing the roof on the move at speeds of up to 50km/h.
Audi R8 Spyder V10 performance RWD
Image: Audi
The Audi R8 has matured into something of a “thinking man’s” supercar. It is well-executed; stylish, handles beautifully and has a track record of reliability that is the envy of many exotic brands.
It also offers some pedigree, too. By way of the Lamborghini Huracan with which it shares its chassis and that fabulous V10 engine! Additionally, the Audi R8 Spyder V10 performance RWD offers a greater degree of purity with a rear wheel drive layout that saves weight as well as puts the driver firmly in control. With great power, comes great responsibility indeed.
No list of sports cars, open-topped or otherwise, would be complete without the Porsche 911. In this case, the latest 992-generation models are so complete that even the ‘entry’ model is easily capable of delivering all the useable performance anyone could possibly need. Look further up the price list and the Stuttgart carmaker is only too happy to oblige with even more potent versions of its iconic sports car.
The 385hp output of the 911 Carrera Cabriolet perfectly subscribes to the brand’s philosophy of Porsche Intelligent Performance. In the real world, stratospheric power outputs only translate to spending more time braking for the next corner. The driver of this 911 Carrera however, would be able to spend more time, savouring the nuances of the power band and the characteristic engine notes that come with every increment of revs. All the better that this is done with the top down…
Speaking of intelligent performance, one of the most beautiful cars in this group is also the most efficient. Powered by a 300hp, 2.0-litre turbocharged Ingenium four-cylinder engine, it generates maximum torque from just 1,500rpm. All this while delivering the expected sports car acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in only 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h.
The new R-Dynamic Black variants of the F-Type take the purity and presence of its sports car ethos to a new level. For starters, the 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels known as ‘Style 5039’ are not available on any other model in the range.
Inside, more quality detailing can be found that gives this car the look and feel of traditionally British craftsmanship which adds a greater sense of luxury and sportiness.
The menswear season concludes with the arrival of Paris Fashion Week, allowing brands to showcase their creativity and delve into thematic influences that allow accessories to bloom on the runway. From Dior Men redefining urban workwear through their footwear to Louis Vuitton painting the runway with bold coloured bags, there is no limit to the different accessories that fashion week has to offer.
Curious to see these trends and more in action? Read on for the top accessories from the men’s Spring Summer 2023 collections.
Maximalism rages on in the Spring Summer 2023 collections, bringing bolder hues and a splash of nostalgia. Mega fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton and Versace can be seen dominating the runway with extravagant pieces and accessories. Neon-coloured sneakers, charm-embellished belts and pattern-printed bags can be seen throughout the shows, making this one of the season’s biggest trends. Louis Vuitton’s Spring Summer 2023 collection leads the way, showcasing a playful ode to Virgil Abloh’s debut for the house just four years ago. The collection presents Abloh’s signature tropes of boyhood, freedom and joy, which are further accented through the accessories: novelty-shaped bags; colourful, logo-filled belts and brightly coloured boots.
Similarly, Versace’s latest season is laden with contrasting, neon colours that show a certain playfulness. This gives the collection a sense of “youthful openness, optimism and energy”, and features oversized silhouettes and archive prints alongside bright colours. Models are seen sporting miniature teacup adornments, saucer earrings and Medusa themed sunglasses. KidSuper, a streetwear-focused fashion house from New York, also embraces the maximalist trend. This year, they showcased monochromatic sneakers and funk-inspired sunglasses to pair with their brightly coloured suits.
Another brand that contributed to the rise of maximalism is Moschino, which delivers an ode to the late artist, Tony Viramontes with a bright and bold approach to the collection. Models don polychrome-treated blazers, suits, and topcoats with pattern-printed bags and trooper boots to match. Each look is accompanied by colourful, eccentric latex headwear and trilby hats, giving the collection aggressive and powerful energy.
Fashion houses such as Dior Men and Givenchy can be seen redefining urban workwear in this year’s Spring Summer 23 collection. Elevated everyday essentials walked down the runways and into the trend boards; with soft utility boots, belt bags and covetable accessories turning workwear into a staple, standalone piece. When utility boots would only be seen as safety footwear in the past, brands such as Rick Owens, Dior Men and Givenchy have elevated its status to become one of the season’s most covetable and fashionable items through colour manipulation and experimentation with print. Givenchy’s Spring Summer 23 collection encompasses the great outdoors through its trademark looks, such as the iterations on the all-knitted TK-360 trainers, big backpacks and new angular sunglasses called “The G-cut”.
Although the fashion sub-genre trended last year, Dior Men’s summer show proves that #gorpcore isn’t going away anytime soon. The streetwear trend — inspired by hiking and other nature-related activities — is encapsulated by the fashion house. The collection explores technical outdoor wear with functional backpacks, belt bags and more accompanying tailored garments dressed in pastel tones. Staying consistent with the “adventurous chic” theme, models sported wide-brimmed, 3D-printed gardener’s hats, as well as caged footwear, hiker-inspired sneakers and camping backpacks with nylon straps.
With summer comes a sense of freedom, relaxation and lightness. Fashion brands such as Hermès, Brioni and Fendi have all embraced the comfort and elegance of summer and translated it into chic, vacation accessories that are perfect for the holiday occasion. Barely-there sandals and flip flops can be seen walking down the runway at Fendi, Hèrmes and Dsquared², alongside beachy-bright cotton canvas bags and bucket hats that came in a rainbow of colours.
Following suit is Brioni’s Spring Summer collection with its softly tailored silhouettes abound in summery, painterly hues. Its round-toe loafers pair perfectly with the brooch accessories in the latest collection, giving off a sophisticated, cultivated feel. Speaking of loafers, brands like Sacai and Ermenegildo Zegna have sent their models down the runway with a creative take on the classic shoes. Painting the footwear with soft, organic tones to create a cohesive monochromatic look, and straying away from the traditional look and experimenting with the sole’s width to create a carefree, formal, lightness.
Vintage Revival
Image: Gucci
Image: Gucci
Image: Dsquared²
Image: Dsquared²
Image: Gucci
Image: Fendi
Things to look out for:
Cuban heeled boots
70s era sunglasses
Beaded statement necklaces
Designers at major fashion houses have long been inspired by their archives, often looking back at previous eras of fashion for inspiration. But this fashion season, there is a true vintage revival on the Spring Summer 23 runway. The collection presented by Alessandro Michele x Harry Styles for Gucci felt particularly nostalgic; the bohemian-styled tailoring and matching pyjamas suits covered in cherries, elephants and squirrels are playfully paired with retro-shaped sunglasses and white, Cuban-heeled boots, making it reminiscent of the 70s era.
On the other hand, Dsquared²’s collection showed a more relaxed and punk side of the 70s era. Paying homage to the late reggae icon Bob Marley, this season combined Rastafarian style with two starkly contrasting personas — the relaxed surfer and rebellious biker. Filled with 70s-inspired outerwear, models donned crochet knits and patch-worked leather jackets with layered, beaded necklaces and leather-ringgit sandals. The combination paired perfectly to showcase the essence of 70s-era Jamaica while combining Italian luxury and bohemia.
Metaverse Inspired
Image: Givenchy
Image: Givenchy
Image: Loewe
Image: Loewe
Image: Givenchy
Image: VTMNTS
Things to look out for:
Thigh-high boots
Futuristic eyewear
Chunky silver jewellery
Crossbody micro bags
With the rise of technology and its inevitable fusion with fashion, brands are incorporating futuristic styles into the runway. Themes of military-inspired jackets, genderless clothing and accessories inspired by the digital world have all come up in this year’s Spring Summer runways. Thigh-high boots can be seen stomping down the runway of VTMNT’s latest show. The red and black leather boots pair with asymmetrical blazers and contemporary military bomber jackets. Its anti-uniform and non-gender-conforming angle appeal to those who want to present their truest selves through fashion.
Another trend in this year’s collection is the vast array of chunky, silver jewellery strewn amongst the fashion houses. Givenchy took this opportunity to highlight its accessories line with its futuristic eyewear and layered silver necklaces, while fashion brand, Loewe, showcased its micro, cross-body bags.
Using the wide variety of these Spring Summer 2023 accessories, you can spice up your summer and express yourself to the fullest extent next year.
The exploration of the great outdoors has been the cornerstone of this year’s Paris Men’s Spring Summer 2023 runway shows. Milan Men’s Spring Summer 2023 was ladened with utilitarian styles and similar aesthetic appeals were carried through to Paris. Major fashion houses led the conversation of the great outdoors through their intricate craftsmanship. Dior Men was one to look at, as with Hermès, where clothes appears to encompass lightweight materials with fabrication made for travelling, trekking and gardening. Others like Loewe, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy all gave a nod to the idea of springtime adventure.
Outdoor exploration was apparent in Hermès’s Spring Summer 2023 collection as it showcased a varied range of weatherproof layers such as windbreakers, parkas and sweaters. The French Maison’s vibrant colours are layered over simple tonal colours of inner shirts, making for easy pairing at anytime. The inner shirts were lightweight, which enhanced the idea of weightlessness and resonated strongly with the brand’s focus on lightness — a recurring theme of the past seasons.
At Dior Men, the brand’s ankle-length wellington boots appeared to be able to withstand tough conditions common to hiking trails. This is a balance of essentials that suits the ruggedness of the outdoors while making a straightforward fashion proposition.
Fabricated For An Outdoor Escapade
Along with the idea of the great outdoors, Givenchy upgraded its ensemble with easy-to-wear cargo pants, skinny motorcycle pants and tracksuits — potentially preparing your wardrobe for the host of summer activities next year. The brand’s creative director Matthew M Williams further elevated Givenchy’s Spring Summer 2023 menswear collection with pieces like utility track jackets, windbreakers and belts — when venturing outside, these are the essential items to have.
Apart from the usual trekking or biking, Casablanca gears you up exclusively for the wild west. The vibrant-coloured cowboy jackets, wide-collared shirts and loose-fitted pants prompted a tension-free expedition into the unchartered terrain of Texas. The brand, known for its vibrant orange and green, opts to go fresh with university blue, sky blue, pastel yellow and crimson red. The pop of colours, while reminiscent of summer, could easily be paired with warm brown or black scuffed boots.
Looking at Y/Project’s Spring Summer 2023 Menswear collection, the mix of various layers of materials is evident. From cotton to chiffon and jersey to denim, these textures round up the collection’s looks. A fitted jersey top and loose-fitting chiffon overlay paired with ruffled denim skirts emphasised how different textures could play a vital role in reinventing a toned-down construction.
The main focus was encouraging a more casual summer look but keeping some necessary styling layers. Such were the classic Y/Project jeans, vests, polos and rib-knits. Mixing-and-matching different textures are how brands seek to elevate the stylistic element associated with the great outdoors. This pushed the boundaries of what forms and structure a silhouette could become when spring arrives.
Marine Serre Men’s Spring Summer 2023 spotlighted athleisure during its runway presentation by incorporating jerseys. The designer focused on the functionality of her clothes while creatively utility fabrics to accentuate the wearer’s body. We reckon that it will be a hit in the months to come.
Image: Marine Serre
Flower Power
Following through the outdoors to textures, we observe the late Virgil Abloh’s team that worked with him at Louis Vuitton, employed couture-grade techniques that the French luxury fashion house is familiar with into the collection. The iconic Louis Vuitton floral motif was hand-crocheted all up the sleeves of a denim jacket. An array of embroidered floral details of sequined poppies and wildflowers call to mind a vivid summer fantasy in the fields.
Floral pattern shirts were also spotted at the Paul Smith’s Spring Summer 2023 collection. With the subtle floral prints, you do not need to know your hibiscus blooms from your orchids to be cognizant that print overkill is best to be avoided. To ensure you do not wander away from the garden and into the jungle, you may want to stick to a single print and blend it with simpler block colour pieces. Officine Générale, Isabel Marant and Kidsuper had hints of floral prints and patterns that resonate with the blooming season.
Lemaire’s Spring Summer 2023 collection incorporated camp collar shirts that were pre-scrunched with hibiscus prints. For a refreshed look, a top could be paired with the patterns with light, crisp cotton pants making it a toned-down, relaxed summer attire for any getaway.
Interestingly, Loewe Spring Summer 2023 collection had a different take on the season. Jonathan Anderson, creative director of Loewe, pushed the whole fascination with the great outdoors onto the garments. Plants were seen sprouting from the shoes, tracksuit bottoms, jeans and coats. As attention-grabbing as it is, some tinge of excitement is most welcomed and it is also a cool reminder that we are one with nature.
Paris Spring Summer 2023 Menswear was not all about nature and its vibrant atmosphere, the exposed area of the abdomen was quite apparent across multiple brands like Dior Men, Thom Browne and Y/Project. At Dior Men, models were seen wearing see-through garments or shirts with just one button holding the sides together. The midriff was exposed at Thom Browne while keeping in line with the brands renowned neat, sophisticated style. Y/Project and Amiri also had this feature in their collection, where the season is fitting to show some skin.
The overall styles of Paris Spring Summer 2023 Menswear altogether summarised luxury fashion houses’ technicalities of construction to suit the hot season. Furthermore, the styles were pushed even further, anticipating the concept of nature and reclaiming the conversation that summers should be spent outside.
Our relationship with time is deeply personal — visceral even. Of course, the very cells in our bodies respond to the passage of time and, at the level of our conscious minds, time provides meaning to our lives. Sometimes, meaning can enter the picture in the form of our relationships with other people — this is where very special watches enter into it. This year happens to be the 50th anniversary of Cortina Watch, but it will actually be 66 years since the respective families behind Patek Philippe and the retailer started on their journey together. To mark this occasion, Patek Philippe has created a special watch, Ref. 5057G-010 along with a unique clock, Ref. 20145M-001 “Singapore Skyline”. Of course, this is all about history, so Ref. 5057 might seem familiar.
Patek Philippe Honorary President Philippe Stern proposed a special watch to Cortina Watch founder Anthony Lim for the retailer’s 25th anniversary, and it was Ref. 5057. We have reported on this watch and how it came about, and the relationship between the Stern and Lim families in an extensive story in 2019. Only 100 pieces of the Patek Philippe Cortina Jubilee 5057R 18K Rose Gold Limited Edition Automatic were made, and this reference boasted a moon phase display, date and power reserve indication alongside a small seconds subdial. Uniquely, it is distinguished as a watch that began as a special creation, but remained in the Patek Philippe offering, in one way or another since its debut 25 years ago.
Introducing Patek Philippe Ref. 5057G-010
A new Patek Philippe Ref. 5057G-010 in white gold has been made specially for the Golden Jubilee celebrations. It features the same triple row guilloched “Clous de Paris” hobnail bezel as the first model created for Cortina Watch back in 1997, and is the same size, at 36mm. This time, the watch features a charcoal grey sunburst dial with a blackgradient rim, white transfer-printed Roman numerals and white gold, pear-shaped hands. Powered by the Calibre 240 PS IRM C LU, the watch has indications for the date, moon phases and power reserve on two subdials. There is also a small seconds display between the four and five o’clock position. This is an ultra-thin, automatic movement with 48 hours (maximum) of power reserve. Interestingly, this calibre is quite rare, being used in only one other reference that we know of, the Nautilus Ref. 5712, which the story on WatchesbySJX supports. The transparent sapphire caseback features the commemorative inscription “Cortina Watch 50th Anniversary Since 1972”. The watch is a limited edition of just 100 pieces.
The size of the watch and the hobnail bezel are highly distinctive characteristics, with Calibre 240 PS arguably benefitting from the more conservative proportions. Of course, the movement features all the signature technical upgrades that mark all current production Patek Philippe, even if the case and dial are throwbacks. This includes the Gyromax balance and the Spiromax hairspring, and quite possibly ceramic ball bearings in the winding system. This concern for how the heart of the watch performs also speaks to Patek Philippe’s relationship with a key partner such as Cortina Watch, which was the brand’s first authorised Singapore retailer all the way back in 1978.
Stored Value
This was a difficult time for Patek Philippe as it weathered the Quartz Crisis, and a key moment for the fledgling Cortina Watch, which opened its first store just six years earlier at Colombo Court. Both family-owned businesses doubled down on mechanical watches, staking their futures on quality rather than the ephemeral performance of quantity. If nothing else, Cortina Watch and Patek Philippe proved in the 1970s and 80s that patient and steadfast commitment to the values of fine watchmaking would pay off handsomely. Speaking of which, the values of traditional watchmaking are best represented in super-sized form…
Patek Philippe’s unique dome table clock comes in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel for the 50th anniversary celebration. This Ref. 20145M-001 “Singapore Skyline” showcases Singapore’s picturesque urban garden environment, from the Merlion to the Central Business District, Gardens by the Bay, the Esplanade, and Marina Bay Sands, where the second Patek Philippe boutique was opened in Singapore by Cortina Watch.
To bring to life the depictions of the city skyline and its recognizable landmarks, Patek Philippe shaped by hand a total of 9.2m of gold wire with a cross section of just 0.2mm x 0.6mm. A palette of 50 enamel colours was used and each enamelled plate required 10 to 14 firings at temperatures between 890º and 910º Celsius. Fifty gold stars and fireworks, made from gold and silver dust, light up the skyline. Apart from the other intricate details and embellishments, also present is the subtle engraving of “Cortina Watch — 50th Anniversary — Since 1972”. The clock is powered by the Calibre 17’’’ PEND mechanical movement, which is wound up by an electric motor.
Celebrating the strong partnership that spans five decades, Cortina Watch and Patek Philippe will co-host an exhibition to present the limited edition Ref. 5057G-010 and Ref. 20145M-001 “Singapore Skyline” dome table clock, together with the Ref. 5057R-001 25th anniversary model. Also included is Cortina Watch’s collection of several other unique Patek Philippe creations, such as Ref. 1677M “Esplanade”, created for Singapore’s Golden Jubilee in 2015; Ref. 20094M-001 “Bay of Singapore”, created for the Patek Philippe Watch Art Grand Exhibition, hosted in Singapore in 2019; Ref. 20040M-001 “Twilight Taipei”, created to commemorate the first Patek Philippe boutique established in the city’s most famous skyscraper.
To view these precious timepieces along with the other aforementioned exhibits, one can visit the travelling exhibition which shall be held at the Patek Philippe boutiques across the region. The tour begins at ION Orchard and Marina Bay Sands and subsequently moves to Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia before heading back to Singapore towards the end of 2022.
You can come to grips with this story in person, perhaps at the Patek Philippe boutique managed by Cortina Watch at ION Orchard. That store opened in 2009, and expanded to become the largest Patek Philippe boutique in Southeast Asia in 2016, at 265.48 square metres. This happened during a minor downturn in the fortunes of watch brands overall, but both Patek Philippe and Cortina Watch remained bullish. We will be turning our sights to key Patek Philippe boutiques in the region in a future article, mainly because Asia’s largest such store is also managed by Cortina Watch, in Taipei, Taiwan.
“Patek Philippe and Cortina Watch share an intertwined relationship in Asia, from the establishment of the Patek Philippe boutiques across Southeast and East Asia, to our shared passion for fine watchmaking and craftsmanship. Not only have I personally experienced this through the generous friendship of Mr. Thierry Stern and Mr. Philippe Stern, so have many of our clients who have had the privilege of visiting the manufacture. We have retained the aesthetic codes of the 25th anniversary Calatrava, launched in 1997, for the 50th anniversary limited edition. This is in homage to the past and present leaders of both companies who have nurtured our longstanding partnership. I hope that it will continue to strengthen over the next 50 years, and with the next generations after us.” — Jeremy Lim, CEO of Cortina Watch.
“The friendship between my grandfather, father and Mr. Anthony Lim started over 66 years ago and it still stands strong today, much like the relationship between Patek Philippe & Cortina Watch. This is a unique and precious relationship that truly transcends generations, and I am proud to be part of this very special celebration and to present the Ref. 20145M-001 “Singapore Skyline” Dome Table Clock to Mr. Anthony Lim on behalf of my father. We look forward to another 50 years of great partnership and for our next generations to keep this friendship going.” — Thierry Stern, President of Patek Philippe.
Happy Times
Of course, Cortina Watch has built a number of meaningful partnerships over the course of its history. Another watchmaking family that has a special relationship with Cortina Watch is the Scheufeles of Chopard. Like Cortina Watch, the watchmaker and jeweller is a family affair, and a recent reminder of this was the Happy Sport — Tale of an Icon exhibition. Organised by Cortina Watch and Chopard, this public showcase held at Paragon displayed the links between the two organisations and families, which goes back to 1992. That year will ring some bells for those familiar with the Chopard Happy Sport, which debuted in 1993.
The exhibition served as a reminder of the 30 years of history between Chopard and Cortina Watch, as well as 29 years of the Happy Sport model. We were struck by the inclusion of the original inspiration for the watch, the Happy Diamonds watch of 1976 (a creation of in-house designer Ronald Kurowski, and frequently misattributed to Gerald Genta), which was brought in from Geneva. Of course, Chopard Co-President Caroline Scheufele riffed off this to come up with her own design, the 1993 Happy Sport watch; arguably the Happy Sport design story eclipses that of the Happy Diamonds, perhaps because the latter is no longer a square model.
As seen here, the final part of the exhibition is a message to Cortina Watch from Caroline’s brother and Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and his wife. This is also where two special editions for the 50th anniversary come into the picture, the Happy Hearts Cortina 50th Anniversary and the Happy Moon Cortina 50th Anniversary. The Happy Hearts watch is an automatic 36mm limited edition in steel of 50 pieces, bearing all the codes of the Happy Sport.
Nett proceeds from sales of this limited edition will benefit the Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF). The Happy Moon watch, on the other hand, comes in three versions, although all are modelled on the Happy Sport and are 36mm. Each version has its own special dials — blue aventurine, green aventurine and red mother-of-pearl — and are limited to five pieces each. These are cased in yellow, white and rose gold. All feature moon phase indicators and are powered by in-house movements.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Chopard and the Scheufele family through the years. As family-owned businesses, we share many common values and it is especially meaningful for us to be able to celebrate Cortina Watch’s 50th Anniversary not only through the unveiling of exquisite timepieces, but more importantly, by sharing the joy of giving by giving back to society together with our longstanding business partner. We hope that this vibrant exhibition and our milestone collaboration with Chopard will bring about precious memories to be cherished in years to come,” said Jeremy Lim.
“We sincerely congratulate you all, the family and of course all the members of your staff on this important occasion because 50 years is quite something. It shows resilience, it shows your creativity, it shows everything you have built with passion over these years. And we are very happy that we have been working with you for 30 years, in fact, we went back to our records and we started in 1992. And we are very happy to commemorate this happy occasion with you with some special moments,” said Karl-Friedrich Scheufele.
There will certainly be more commemorative pieces for Cortina Watch’s Golden Jubilee, probably from Franck Muller and H. Moser & Cie. Look out for more news on those as the year rolls forward.
21 June marked the official start to the summer months with the passing of the Summer Solstice. As the days get longer, so does the party season. To help you kickstart the party season, we have picked 5 fragrances that are not only fresh but also sensual, so you can have an unforgettable summer.
Here are our top 5 picks for the best fragrance to wear this summer:
Dossier Aromatic Star Anise
Moncler Pour Femme
Louis Vuitton City of Stars
Le Labo Bergamote 22
Clean Reserve Rain
Dossier Aromatic Star Anise
Image: Dossier
The Dossier Aromatic Star Anise is a dupe of the iconic Dior Sauvage perfume, if you are looking for something similar, this would be your best choice. This highly masculine scent opens up with bergamot, pepper, and star anise as top notes. Following which, lavender, nutmeg and geranium take over before the scent grounds with Patchouli, amberwood and vetiver.
While the brand markets the Aromatic Star Anise as an outdoorsy and fresh scent, we reckon it will also be an excellent choice for a date night or late-night parties.
Get your own bottle of Dossier Aromatic Star Anise here.
Moncler Pour Femme
Image: Moncler
This is for the ones who enjoy floral musky scents. The Moncler Pour Femme is a powerhouse of white florals, vanilla and wood. The perfume’s top notes are a mélange of crisp, fresh Italian Bergamot with Powdery Snow accord — a reminiscence of the snowy Alps. The scent develops and gives way to a warm concoction of Jasmine Sambac and Heliotrope — sweet and everlasting throughout. The mountain wood accord has an earthy quality. However, it also offers a refined warmth as it mingles with hard-hitting vanilla in the base as the fragrance becomes one with your skin.
A spritz or two is all you need to enhance your feminine allure that will make heads turn.
City of Stars is Louis Vuitton‘s latest instalment of its LA-inspired perfume collection by perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. This olfactory masterpiece is a blend of blood orange, lemon, mandarin and lime as its top notes. The bright, citrusy notes intertwine beautifully with manoi — a gentle sweet scent made from soaking Tiare flowers in coconut oil — that creates an air of mystery. After a few hours, the essence of sandalwood and powdery musk take centre stage, giving the perfume more depth and sophistication.
“That magnetic combination is what lets this Evening Cologne bring on the night and exude sensuality — as if to say, ‘this is forever‘,” says Belletrud.
In the peak of summer, we would generally want something light, fresh and not too heavy on the senses. Hitting all the notes is the Le Labo Bergamote 22. This citrusy, woody scent smells just like freshly squeezed lemons, very refreshing and pleasant. At the top is a cocktail of bergamot and grapefruit. Also thrown into the mix is nutmeg; its piquancy adds a twist to the citrus notes then slowly soften into the warmer feel of the orange blossom with a green undercurrent. The fragrance dries out to a combination of vetiver, cedar, musk and amber.
The Le Labo Bergamote 22 is a fragrance with an unforgettable personality, making your summer days a little less fleeting.
Officially, the Clean Reserve Rain perfume has only three ingredients: Bergamot at the top, followed by Moist White Flowers at the heart and a base of Patchouli. But when these ingredients are mixed and sprayed, it is as though you were transported to a rainforest. Perhaps this is what the Amazon forest smells like: clean, fresh and floral. Rain is easy to wear, not too heavy and somewhat calming as well.
If you are looking to beat the warm summer slump, a spritz of the Clean Reserve Rain might just help!
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust emerges today as a descendant from the very first Rolex Oyster. The petite 28mm diameter of the 1957 Lady-Datejust was perfect for slender wrists, and so this iconic size has stood the test of time to define the collection as it is today. The Lady-Datejust is one of the most varied lines in the Oyster Perpetual collection, distinguished by its elegance and refinement, and remains only in 28mm. All Lady-Datejust watches feature the signature instantaneous date changing system, along with the Cyclops lens to magnify the watch’s emblematic date display two and a half times for easy reading.
Image: Rolex
Available in Oystersteel, 18 ct yellow or Everose gold, or in Rolesor versions that combine both Oystersteel and gold, the Lady-Datejust comes in a wealth of versions to perfectly reflect the different personalities of its wearers, with a stunning range of bracelets, bezels and subtle dials that enhance its style.
Similarly, since the time of Mercedes Gleitze, Rolex has been associated with a diverse group of women with undeniable substance. From marine biologist Dr Sylvia Earle and sitar-player Anoushka Shankar to pianist Yuja Wang and professional golfer Lexi Thompson, these inspiring Rolex Testimonees are trailblazers in their respective fields with impressive achievements. The list of exceptional women associated with Rolex and the Lady-Datejust goes beyond the aforementioned names. Despite their diverse personalities, you might use the same words to describe these women — graceful and precise, for example — as you would describe any Lady-Datejust.
Image: Rolex
However, the qualities of the Lady-Datejust far surpass mere words. At its core, the Lady-Datejust shares the same unmatched reliability and precision as every Superlative Chronometercertified Rolex timepiece that preceded it. All versions are guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet), which is an unparalleled achievement for an elegant dress watch. The hermetically sealed screwed down case back and the patented Twinlock winding crown, fitted with a double waterproofness system, are responsible for this robustness.
Inside the watches, the self-winding mechanical calibre 2236 is just as impressive as the case, if not more so. Developed and built entirely in-house by Rolex, calibre 2236 offers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability. The power reserve of approximately 55 hours is class-leading for watches of this size, and the motion of the wearer provides all the energy the watch needs to keep it ticking perpetually.
With regards to precision, calibre 2236 is officially certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). Each movement is tested by Rolex after being cased, to ensure that it meets criteria that are far stricter than those of the official certification. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2/+2 seconds per day — the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone.
A perfect alchemy of form and function, the Lady-Datejust remains a contemporary classic since its launch in 1957, designed and created for the wrists of modern, graceful and accomplished women.
The resumption of international travel sparked urban exploration, work adventures and travel lifestyles. The Montblanc leather collection returns this summer with an elevated look which offers a new texture on new trendy and functional accessories. Montblanc Extreme 3.0 collection was formed to withstand the demands from everyday active and fast-paced lifestyle to prolonged journeys out of the home. The German luxury goods maker pushed the boundaries of technical innovation to achieve new heights of durability and performance, with the introduction of the scratch-resistant motif and secure lock closure.
Distinctive Pattern & Textured Finish
Montblanc’s leather motif referenced inspiration from the graphic images created by Grete Gross in the 1920s. The geometrical and visuals were much influenced by the Bauhaus style of the time. The new Montblanc Extreme 3.0 collection features these motif debossed on the exterior of leather goods, on a larger scale for a refreshed yet striking outlook. Styled in contrasting tonal shades of black, the popular colour choice for business executives elevates the lustre of the motifs and provides a sleek look.
Efficient & Secure
The latest collection from Montblanc comprises leather goods of different shapes and sizes, to accompany those who value adventures. The curated colour selection of the leather pieces is in signature Montblanc Black and a British Green, paired with metal fittings in black and complemented with an original M LOCK 4810 closure inspired by the climbing hardware in a bold black. The lock closure is specially designed for a secured closure but also offers an equally effortless opening when needed. The Montblanc Extreme 3.0 collection not only offers a sleek style but also provides time-saving features that most businessmen would be interested to invest in.
Made Easy For Short-Term Traveling
The history of Montblanc’s leather accessory making has been adapted for today’s modern work requirements. Its Extreme 3.0 collection’s bold and streamlined design supports Montblanc’s tradition of sleek and clean designs, connecting to the lifestyle of the new generation of consumers — functionality is not complicated with several zips or flaps so it takes little effort to keep or reach for valuables. Montblanc has become synonymous with active urban travelling due to its dynamic and upgraded sporty design made for people who love a sleek accessory to match their fuss-free urban work style.
The collection consists of a backpack, duffle, sling bag, laptop case, wallet with wireless earpiece pocket, and smartphone pouch, which provides users with easy access while keeping contents well organised and protected while on business trips. They make for an ideal package for a short-term trip to contain all the essentials. Although regular travelling makes for certain wear and tear, the Montblanc Extreme 3.0 collection ensures that travelling with these uncertainties is minimised with its durability and performance.
While new innovations might accompany changing work natures, the basic requirement of hassle-free yet practical accessories will remain a constant. The Montblanc’s Extreme 3.0 collection meets the needs of every man from their daily commute to long-haul business travels through material science and pushes the boundaries for functionality without compromising on style.
You were shocked when you saw it in steel, and then promptly handed over your credit card. Next, you were perplexed when it appeared in white gold with a rubber strap, but you said take my money anyway. You know it; you love it; and so does everyone else with good sense… and more than a few cents to spare. Ladies and gentlemen, rise up and give your best impression of a Saxon roar as the A. Lange & Söhne Odysseus returns to the Palexpo, this time in titanium! Okay, that opening took a lot out of me, and it was actually meant to open a video about the watch (which we are very much working on). Check it out (when it’s out) and see if my professional sports narrator persona hits.
To be fair here, A. Lange & Söhne never debuted the steel Odysseus at the Geneva show, so this titanium chap is the first to grace these hallowed halls. As Ruckdee Chotjinda and I get into it elsewhere this issue, this watch is so clearly a winner that I even contemplated excluding it from my lineup this issue. I mean, we are making a video and everything so it seems a bit much to spring this on you in this section too, especially since the watch is limited to 250 pieces, and is probably all gone by the time you read this. In case you are on the fence about this (who are you? Please contact us), there are a few important points about the Odysseus in titanium that make it stand out. I will spare us all the recap on what makes the watch tick and get right to the main points.
In titanium, the watch is much lighter, as you would expect versus either steel or white gold. This makes the watch head sit a little better on the wrist — it could be argued that the steel version worked on most wrists, but this one goes the extra mile and makes the experience more comfortable. Next, the combination of matte and polished finishing for the case and the bracelet is simply spectacular, considering how difficult it is to gussy up titanium. The watchmakers at A. Lange & Söhne opted for micro-blasting to achieve the matte look, but the shiny bits — including the links in the bracelet — are hand-polished. Take a moment to let that sink in. Look at the watch again, and count the links. You know you want to. We will wait. If you are not duly impressed, then you know this watch is not for you.
Finally, there is the new Ice Blue dial, which has thoroughly won Ruckdee over (and also Logan Baker at Hodinkee). It is also decorated in a way subtly different to the steel version (I cannot remember the dial of the white gold version in the metal), which is a nice detail. In a way, this is the icing on the horological cake that team A. Lange & Söhne have so carefully prepared. Now, if only someone would serve you up a slice of that.
Movement: Automatic calibre L 155.1 with big day and date; 50-hour power reserve Case: 40.5mm in grade 5 titanium; water-resistant to 120m Strap: Grade 5 titanium bracelet Price: €55,000
When temperatures soar, your top priority is probably cooling down. Sure, air conditioning and a dip in the pool can work wonders, but there’s nothing better than a refreshing, fruity cocktail to cool the jets. Seriously, picture the scene. You’re burning up at your neighbour’s backyard BBQ. The sun is beating down, the cooler is fresh out of beers, and you’re parched. Enter the perfect summer cocktail. The best summer cocktails are designed to be invigorating, and everyone deserves a great drink to wind down with at the end of a long day. With star ingredients like mint, lime, and even basic crushed ice, these zesty cocktails promise to cool you down in a flash. If you think you’re too cool for traditional fruity cocktails, then sit tight. Hey, we get it. Perhaps you think summer cocktails consist of all fruit and no fire. However, you’d be sorely mistaken. Sure, you’ll always have your pick of delicious Pina Coladas and Margaritas. However, the best cocktail menus also feature options like fresh Mint Juleps and hot-sauce-laden Rocky Cucumbers. After all, even the hottest summer get-togethers need a little spicing up, right? With options available for complete newbies and seasoned mixologists, you’re sure to find the ideal cocktail to elevate your next gathering. To inspire you with ideas, we’ve compiled a list of the best summer cocktails to try right now!
Mojito
With a splash of lime and a hint of mint, a refreshing mojito is sure to hit the spot when the sun comes out. Hailing from Cuba, this zingy rum-based cocktail is one that guests always love. According to CrystalMixer, the mojito is one of the most popular drinks in the world and will look great when served in a tall glass. A generous serving of seltzer and a spoonful of sugar prevents this cocktail from being too bitter. If you’re looking for something even sweeter, add fresh orange juice to the mix.
Ingredients 1.25 oz — Captain Morgan Original spiced rum 12 — mint 1 tbsp — sugar 0.5 oz — lime juice 2 oz — soda Directions Place mint leaves at bottom of the glass. Add crushed ice, Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum, sugar, lime juice and muddle. Add soda water and garnish with mint leaves.
Aperol Spritz
This fizzy cocktail is bright and appealing, making it an ideal choice for summer garden parties. To create this drink, just combine Aperol, prosecco, and soda. To complete your Spritz, serve with a large slice of orange. Aperol gives this drink its signature vibrancy, making it look as divine as it tastes. Bottoms up!
Ingredients 3 oz — Prosecco 2 oz — Aperol 1 oz — soda water Directions Add all ingredients into a wine glass with ice and stir. Garnish with an orange wheel.
Pina Colada
Whether or not you find yourself caught in the rain, a Pina Colada is the perfect cocktail for summer. Both easy and refreshing, this is the ultimate drink to sip by the pool. A Pina Colada combines rum, coconut milk, and pineapple chunks for a tropical taste. Once you’ve mixed the necessary ingredients, blend with ice until smooth. For a creamier take on this summer staple, freeze the pineapple before blending. Then, serve in a tall glass, garnish with pineapple or cherries and enjoy!
Ingredients 3 oz — light rum 3 tbsp — coconut cream 3 tbsp crushed — pineapples Directions Put all ingredients into an electric blender with 2 cups of crushed ice. Blend at a high speed for a short length of time. Strain into a collins glass and serve with a straw.
Mai Tai
Level up your next summer barbeque with a Mai Tai. Not only does this drink look like happiness in a glass, but the humble Mai Tai will transport you back to the Tiki culture of the 1940s. Designed to be exotic, this summer cocktail features Jamaican rum, a simple syrup, orange juice, and lime juice. Garnish with mint leaves and a wedge of pineapple for a colourful twist.
Ingredients 1 oz — light rum 1/2 oz — creme de almond 1/2 oz — triple sec 1/2 oz — Myer’s dark rum sweet and sour mix pineapple juice Directions Pour light rum, creme de almond and triple sec, in order, into a collins glass. Almost fill with equal parts of sweet and sour mix and pineapple juice. Add dark rum, a large straw, and serve unstirred.
Peach Bellini
Nothing says bottomless brunches and walks along the beach like a Peach Bellini. This timeless Italian cocktail is made using two basic ingredients: prosecco and peach puree. Simple, elegant, and oh-so-delicious, this summer cocktail promises to whisk you away to the Italian coast.
Ingredients 1 medium ripe peach, peeled and pureed 4 – 6 oz – Champagne Directions Pour peach puree into a glass and slowly add champagne. Stir gently. Garnish with a peach slice.
Strawberry Daiquiri
The Strawberry Daiquiri is deemed a quintessential summer cocktail for a reason. Although this drink is packed with fresh strawberries, smooth rum, cane sugar, and a hint of lime, it remains pleasantly sweet. To beat the heat, use frozen strawberries and blend to your heart’s content! Citrus fruits not only add flavour and zing — they’re also good for you! Not to mention the beautiful garnish you can make with citruses such as lemons, limes, and oranges. They’re rich in vitamins, fibre, and plant compounds. According to Healthline, citrus fruits offer various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Only one medium-sized orange can have a whole day’s need of vitamin C, imagine that!
Ingredients 1/2 oz — strawberry schnapps 1 oz — light rum 1 oz — lime juice 1 tsp — powdered sugar 1 oz — strawberries Directions Add ingredients with a bit of ice in a blender. Blend and then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a strawberry.
Tequila Sunrise
True to its name, Tequila Sunrise is one of the most beautiful summer cocktails in the world. This cocktail is ideal for those who prefer less alcohol-heavy cocktails, as the mixture of orange and grenadine largely overpowers the tequila base. This aesthetically pleasing drink is surprisingly easy to make, as the grenadine automatically settles to the bottom of the glass when all ingredients are mixed. Simply pour the tequila and orange juice into a tall glass, add the grenadine, and watch the magic happen.
Ingredients 2 oz — tequila orange juice 2 dashes — grenadine syrup Directions Pour tequila into a highball glass with ice, and top with orange juice. Stir. Add grenadine by tilting the glass and pouring grenadine down side by flipping the bottle vertically very quickly. The grenadine should go straight to the bottom and then rise up slowly through the drink. Garnish stirrer, straw and cherry-orange.
Mint Julep
This bourbon-based, minty cocktail was first discovered in the southern states of America and has since become associated with summertime in the South. All you need to create this drink is bourbon, mint, sugar, and crushed ice. So, if you’re low on time and want to whip up a refresher in a hurry, this is an excellent choice.
Ingredients 4 fresh — mint 2 1/2 oz -—bourbon whiskey 1 tsp — powdered sugar 2 tsp — water Directions Muddle mint leaves, powdered sugar, and water in a collins glass. Fill the glass with shaved or crushed ice and add bourbon. Top with more ice and garnish with a mint sprig. Serve with a straw.
Sangria
A pitcher of classic, blood-red sangria is sure to get the party started. This simple blend of wine and fruit is an incredible thirst-quencher on a hot summer’s day. While crisp and light, the hefty serving of red wine or hard liquor in a typical Sangria certainly packs a punch. To make this drink even more enticing, fill your pitcher with sliced oranges and apples to munch on later. After all, nothing beats boozy fruit at the height of summer.
Ingredients 1 bottle — red wine 1/2 cup — sugar 1 cup — orange juice 1 cup — lemon juice, cloves and cinnamon Directions Mix all together and put in the refrigerator till cold. Add cloves and cinnamon sticks to taste.
Paloma
Don’t be fooled by this cocktail’s demure appearance — it’s stronger than it looks. Grapefruit and lime juices give the Paloma its pale appearance and signature zesty kick. However, it’s the tequila Blanco which gets the party started. With a dash of agave syrup added for sweetness and depth, you’ll struggle to stop at just one cocktail.
Ingredients 2 oz — tequila 6 oz — club soda 1 splash — lime juice 1 pinch — salt Directions Pour the tequila into a salt-rimmed collins glass filled with ice cubes. Fill with club soda. Splash lime juice on top, and serve.
Singapore Sling
If you’re looking to recreate a challenging cocktail recipe this summer, then you’ll love the Singapore Sling. Deemed one of Asia’s most famous cocktails, this drink combines gin, cherry liqueur, pineapple juice, bitters, club soda, and grenadine. This summer cocktail is the perfect antidote for humid weather and is almost as good as visiting the beautiful Lion City itself.
Ingredients 2 oz — gin 1 oz — cherry brandy 1 oz — lime juice 1/4 tsp — benedictine herbal liqueur 1/4 tsp — brandy Directions Combine gin, cherry brandy and lime juice in a cocktail shaker together with half-filled ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into a collins glass almost filled with ice cubes. Drop the benedictine and brandy into the centre of the drink and serve.
Strawberry Margarita
The famous Margarita takes many forms, but the Strawberry Margarita is synonymous with summer. All that’s required to make this well-balanced drink is basil, crushed strawberries, lime juice, syrup, and tequila. Simply put your ingredients in a blender with plenty of ice, pour, and proceed to bask in the sun. Before serving, be sure to line the rim of your glass with salt. Based on scientific studies by the National Institute of Health, not only does the salty rim help to add depth to any food you may be having, but a margarita isn’t a margarita without that famous finishing touch!
Ingredients 2 oz — tequila orange juice 2 dashes — grenadine syrup Directions Pour tequila into a highball glass with ice, and top with orange juice. Stir. Add grenadine by tilting the glass and pouring grenadine down side by flipping the bottle vertically very quickly. The grenadine should go straight to the bottom and then rise up slowly through the drink. Garnish stirrer, straw and cherry-orange.
Rocky Cucumber
Add a spring to your step with a Rocky Cucumber. The combination of vodka, cucumber, and hot sauce makes this drink one of the more daring summer cocktails on a typical menu. Although this spicy drink isn’t for everyone, the kick you get from a Rocky Cucumber is sure to spice up any night on the town.
Ingredients 2 oz — Vodka 1 oz — Lime Juice, freshly squeezed 3/4 oz — Simple Syrup 4 Cucumber slices 3 Dashes — Hot Pepper Sauce 1 — Cucumber (Garnish) Directions Muddle 3 slices of cucumber with the vodka, lime juice, simple syrup, and 3 dashes of hot sauce, in a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake well. Strain into an old-fashioned glass filled with fresh ice and top with club soda. Garnish with a cucumber slice and add an extra dash of hot sauce. Note: Take it easy with the hot sauce. One dash too many can easily throw off the balance and burn the drink to the point where it’s undrinkable.
Cape Codder
Are you looking for your next summer happy hour pick? Try the Cape Codder. This cocktail is an ideal solution for those who drink regularly, as it’s simple and easy to prepare at home. Made using cranberry juice, vodka, and a touch of club soda for effervescence, the Cape Codder is a low-maintenance choice for busy folk.
Ingredients 1 1/2 oz — vodka 3 oz — cranberry juice 1 — lime Directions Pour Vodka and Cranberry Juice into a highball glass over ice. Stir well, add a wedge of lime, and serve.
Cosmopolitan
It’s impossible to compile a list of the best summer cocktails without including the classic Cosmopolitan. Distinctly fruity, punchy, and pretty, it’s unsurprising that this drink remains a garden party staple. To fix yourself a Cosmo, shake up vodka, Triple Sec, cranberry juice, and half a lime. Then, drain into a martini glass or champagne flute. For a touch of elegance, garnish your glass with a lime wedge and sugared rim.
Ingredients 1 oz — vodka 1/2 oz — triple sec 1/2 oz — Rose’s lime juice 1/2 oz — cranberry juice Directions Shake vodka, triple sec, lime and cranberry juice vigorously in a shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass, garnish with a lime wedge on the rim and serve.
Strawberry Gin Fizz
The addition of crushed strawberries and prosecco transforms a traditional Gin and Tonic into a refreshing summer cocktail. The gin provides a solid base, while the prosecco adds a hit of effervescence that keeps the drink light. Both alcohols work seamlessly with the freshness of the fruit to create a highly drinkable cocktail that you’ll recreate for years to come.
Ingredients 2 oz — gin juice of 1/2 — lemon 1 tsp — powdered sugar with carbonated water or soda Directions Shake gin, juice of lemon, and powdered sugar with ice and strain into a highball glass over two ice cubes. Fill with carbonated water, stir, and serve.
Blackberry Wine Slushy
Summer is berry season, so why not celebrate with a Blackberry Wine Slushy? Featuring fresh blackberries, vodka, orange juice, and wine, this fruity cocktail is guaranteed to cool you down quickly. To create this tasty treat, tip all ingredients into a blender, blitz, and serve. For a thicker consistency, consider swapping out fresh berries for frozen.
Ingredients 4 oz — Red Wine 1 1/2 oz — Vodka 5 — Blackberries 1 oz — Orange Juice, freshly squeezed 1 tsp — Agave Nectar 2 — Blackberries (Garnish) Directions Add all the ingredients with about 1 1/2 cups of ice into a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a stemless wine glass. Garnish with 2 blackberries.
Grapefruit Shandy
Drinking an ice-cold shandy in the summer sun is as close to heaven as mere mortals can get. Although traditional shandies are delicious, adding grapefruit to the mix is sure to keep things fresh. First, mix up your grapefruit fizz using fresh juice and sparkling water. Then, top things off with your favourite wheat beer. Tart, tangy, and satisfying, this summer cocktail is a winner.
Ingredients 1 1/2 oz — Grapefruit Juice 6 oz — Beer 1 1/2 oz — Simple Syrup 3 oz — Water 1 — Grapefruit (Garnish) Directions Pour water, simple syrup, and grapefruit juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well. Strain that grapefruit mix into a beer glass, filling it half-way, and top it with beer. Complete it by garnishing with a grapefruit slice.
Long Island Iced Tea
The Long Island Iced Tea is a cult-favorite cocktail that can easily catch you off guard. Despite containing ample measures of white liquor and Triple Sec, you’ll find yourself downing glass after glass of this stuff as you simply won’t taste the alcohol. Aside from its glorious and refreshing flavor, the Long Island Iced Tea is a nostalgic drink that will take you right back to summer college parties. Ah, those were the days.
Ingredients 1 part — vodka 1 part — tequila 1 part — rum 1 part — gin 1 part — Triple Sec 1 1/2 parts — sweet and sour mix 1 splash — Coca-Cola Directions Mix ingredients together over ice in a glass. Pour into a shaker and give one brisk shake. Pour back into the glass and make sure there is a touch of fizz at the top. Garnish with lemon.
Personal wellness and self-care have gained more traction over recent years as overall trends in health and beauty continue to expand. Many people are actively practising self-care and wellness treatments such as facials, skincare and exfoliation for the feel-good power and pampered feeling they bring. While these treatments can be carried out at home, it’s the expert hands that make all the difference. Sometimes you need some quality time with a professional masseuse, nail artist, or laser eye surgery specialist. Keep reading to learn some of the popular health and beauty trends in 2022 you can have done professionally.
Prioritising relaxation and wellbeing with spa treatments
Spa treatments have been around for a while, but in recent years, they have advanced to include more targeted, tailored and intensive health and beauty treatments that address various conditions, demographics and issues. Today’s spa treatments combine holistic approaches to health and wellness with a luxury pampering experience to meet the needs of the consumer. Some of the new and exciting health and beauty spa treatments you can have include:
• Facials: They include exfoliation, masks, peels, steam and massages • Massages: They include aromatherapy, hot stone, deep tissue and reflexology • Medical saps: They perform non-invasive beauty treatments such as Botox and fillers • Body masks: They include mud, algae and seaweed
Image: Visit Frisco
Spa breaks are also quite popular now, allowing customers to completely immerse in a luxurious and relaxing spa environment. During a spa break, you get a chance to escape the outside world and relax and unwind in calm surroundings. You’ll receive several beauty and wellness treatments throughout your stay, delicious meals and a comfortable bed to sink in, ensuring you can destress and recharge.
Looking after your health and beauty with eye treatments
People have forgotten eye care in the past, but today, it has become essential in reducing eye puffiness, eliminating eye bags, correcting vision, and minimising the appearance of crow’s feet. For many people, it’s all too easy now to do your own DIY facial treatments at home with store-bought health and beauty products. There are gel eye patches, eye masks, eye cream, and even cooling face masks you can put in the fridge to keep cold. Sometimes social media influence from trending influencers can persuade audiences to get on board with the latest beauty products.
Image: E! Online
As well as home eye treatments, many people who wear glasses and contact lenses are now looking for new ways to correct their vision. LASIK surgery is a vision correction treatment provided by many laser eye specialists for those who want to live a life without glasses or contact lenses. Even singer-songwriter and drag artist Ginny Lemon teamed up with the leading specialists at Optimax for laser eye surgery.
Jumping on the latest online trends for beauty treatments
Beauty treatments help you look and feel your best while improving your physical and mental well-being. These treatments are normally tailored to suit your needs and formulated to give your body and mind a little extra TLC. There are many health and beauty treatments which might have been around a long time but have only just started to become really popular after going viral online. On TikTok and Instagram, many beauty consultants are showing their lash lifts and brow laminations on clients, or showing off their latest nail artwork. There’s an endless list of latest beauty trends right now, but the most popular include:
Lash lifts and tints
Image: Blush Clinic
Lash lifts and tints are quickly replacing mascara, allowing consumers to wake up with lashes that look freshly done every morning. This beauty treatment alters the shape and colour of your natural lashes for a more cosmetically pleasing appearance. When done professionally, you get lashes that are thicker, darker and longer, bringing your own lashes to their full potential.
Gel manicures
Image: Secret Spa
Gel manicures are nail treatments that give you long-lasting and well-manicured polishes. This beauty treatment improves the overall appearance of your nails while protecting them from harsh environmental chemicals and pollutants. The beauty of gel manicures is that you can choose from various colours, shapes and sizes to suit your style and personality.
Brow lamination
Image: Unsplash
Brow lamination is a hot new health and beauty treatment that involves straightening and lifting your eyebrow hairs to enhance their appearance. It’s often paired with a brow tint for a bolder enhanced look. Brow lamination aims to give your fuller-looking brows, eliminating the need to constantly use eyebrow make-up products.
Veneers
Image: Dental Designs
Veneers are a dental beauty treatment that works to improve your smile. They are a quick and effective solution for getting rid of stained, misshapen, chipped and crooked teeth. Dental veneers only cover the tooth’s front surface and are tailored to create a natural-looking smile.
It was a breezy and delightful evening of June 10th 2022 when World of Watches Malaysia, in partnership with the House of Breguet and Sincere Fine Watches Malaysia, hosted a magical evening of fine watches, great food and wonderful friends at the Sky Deck of Eaton Residences in the KLCC district of Kuala Lumpur. Invitees for the event included VIP guests and discerning watch collectors that were keen to discover and explore the latest collection of timepieces from one of the oldest and finest Swiss watchmakers in existence.
Hosting the event was Vice President of Swatch Group, South East Asia, Fabien Levrion, who alongside Olivier Burlot, CEO of Heart Media, welcomed the guests in their opening speeches.
Before dinner proceeded, Fabien wowed the interested guests in attendance with the storied history of the famed watch Maison and also the legendary achievements of Abraham-Louis Breguet including the invention of the Tourbillon as well as many other ground-breaking creations in watchmaking that are still relevant being used today, even by other watch brands.
The guests then dined on an unforgettable meal crafted by Nathalie Gourmet that was made to match the atmosphere of luxury that night. As the guests wined and dined, members of the Sincere Watch team conducted a valuable touch and feel session for them with the prized watches. Watches that were the focus of the evening included several high haute horlogerie Breguet Tourbillon watches along with some sought-after enamel dial pieces from the Classique collection, the ultimate ladies watch, the Reine de Naples, the intriguing watches in the Tradition series as well as the star of the show, the Marine Hora Mundi. The evening went on till late as the guests stayed on, reluctant to leave the presence of good company and fine Breguet watches.
Of the numerous dive watches that exist today, only a handful can lay claim to the title of pioneer that the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe does. Created in 1956, the icon of the dive world forged a path for others to follow, defining specifications and requirements that allow watches to reach the deep depths of underwater exploration. Though diving is not as popular compared to its heyday, dive watches are still well-loved to this very day for their functionality and aesthetics. Over the decades, various complications were introduced to the Fifty Fathoms to meet the evolving needs of the wearer, one being the complete calendar as seen in the latest interpretation of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet.
Built with an indomitable spirit and designed for functionality, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet is guided by the manufacture’s “Innovation Is Our Tradition” principle as it marries the savoir-faire of Blancpain. The emblematic sporting DNA of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe is tempered with a touch of tradition offered by the complete calendar more commonly seen in the Blancpain Villeret collection. In doing so, the Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet reinforces the principle of everyday utility — a timepiece that is more than capable of handling the rigours of daily wear and offers the calendar information at a glance.
Two iterations of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet are released in either dress or utilitarian guises. The former is the tried-and-tested formula that pairs an 18K red gold case with a sunburst blue-gradient dial and a blue ceramic bezel with Ceragold scale while the latter is cased in Grade 23 titanium. A tonal colour palette is distinguished by varying shades of grey seen on the sunburst anthracite dial and matte ceramic bezel with a graduated Liquidmetal scale. Both pieces are paired with matching coloured NATO or sailcloth straps with the titanium model available with a titanium bracelet.
Powering the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet is the in-house self-winding calibre 6654.P that offers 72 hours of power reserve and displays the date, day of the week, month and moon phase. Given the fragility of complete calendars in general, a security system is integrated into the movement allowing owners to manipulate the indications without any risk to the movement.
Wars, famines and civil unrest are some of the reasons why people are displaced from their motherland and take refuge in other countries. To honour the sacrifices of refugees around the globe, the United Nations has designated 20 June as World Refugee Day. More than just a stark reminder of the atrocities these people face, this is a day where strength, courage and tenacity are celebrated in the teeth of persecution and harm.
Embodying these traits is Chuu Wai Nyein, an artist who has fled her home country in Myanmar after the February 2021 military coup. She was involved in a peaceful protest through her artistic group, “Write for Right” in Yangon, which later caused her to be exiled. The artworks Chuu Wai Nyein created proved to be too controversial, and her family had to leave the country for their safety.
After leaving Myanmar, the artist travelled to Kyiv, Ukraine, and decided to settle in the new country. Being in a different country provided Chuu Wai Nyein with fresh perspectives on how to create more unique artworks that are an amalgamation of cultures of Myanmar and Ukraine. The central idea theme of the female identity remains to be the focal point of Chuu Wai Nyein’s paintings. To her, the artworks are created against an awareness of the many ways society controls and scrutinises women more than men. Furthermore, it also chronicles the ways women fought to resist this unjust treatment and how the culture has grown to become intolerant of such prejudices.
To fully grasp the intention of Chuu Wai Nyein’s body of works, one has to look at her artwork as a whole and peel off the many layers before laying naked the hidden meanings the artist wishes to put forth. The artworks, which often depict women who look to be in their 20s, are seen to be carefree and sexy. It is as though these women are smirking at the viewers for holding archaic views. Moreover, to drive the point that society needs to move on from these traditional notions, some of her paintings even show women with their legs spread and showing their underwear.
Chuu Wai Nyein’s artistic foray does not just stop at paintings. She has also ventured into other mediums such as traditional fabrics and even performances — all to show her solidarity with the plight of women worldwide.
For more information about Intersection Gallery, click here.
From exploring new materials and making their debut collection at the recent Salone Del Mobile 2022 (6 to 12 June), we find an array of intriguing products and new talents! The furniture industry is rife with designers being curious about materials or brands breaking ground with their innovative designs and artisanal know-how. Here’s our pick of the crop.
Poltrona Frau
Poltrona Frau Secret Garden collection by Roberto Lazzeroni. Image: Poltrona Frau.
Roberto Lazzeroni’s Secret Garden armchair for Poltrona Frau is the brand’s foray into outdoor furniture. The renowned designer has designed for countless furniture brands such as Flexform Mood and Baxter. The chair’s rounded corners and edges make it stand out all thanks to impeccable woodwork craftsmanship.
Poltrona Frau’s first outdoor collection by Roberto Lazzeroni. Image: Poltrona Frau.
The wooden teak frame is designed to embrace the sitter while the backrest comprises two-tone cotton, woven straps in ecru and taupe hues. All cushions are removable and make light work of water to dry quickly.
The Arco floor lamp designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni brothers in 1962 has become an icon for Italian lighting brand Flos. This year, it marks the sixtieth anniversary of this legendary lighting instrument. Dubbed the “Arco K 2022” limited edition, this will be the first time Flos engineered a crystal base to support the spun aluminium reflector and its curved stainless steel adjustable stem.
Flos Arco K 2022 limited edition floor lamp with crystal base. Image: Flos.
The original Arco was conceived as a weighted marble base and the iteration for 2022 will be Flos’ inaugural exploration of utilising new materials. The Arco K 2022 will definitely be a collectible item for my design heads everywhere. This stunning lamp is an exclusive online limited edition.
Gan Rugs – Kengo Kuma Debuts His Masterful Designs
Goz rug by Kengo Kuma for Gan Rugs. Image: Gan Rugs.
Master architect Kengo Kuma’s Goz rug for GAN is all about getting your feet to feel nature. Goz echoes the meticulous devotion to artisanal techniques through the intricate weave and thin wood slats. The inaugural collection for Gan demonstrates the architect’s deep love for genuine handmade objects using organic materials in their natural state.
Wooden rods and woolen weaves of Goz rug. Image: Gan Rugs.
The collection offers three rugs called Kiri (fog), Ame (rain), and Tsuchi (soil). Gan taps on expert craftsmen who utilise manual looms to interweave teak wood rods – circular, semi-circular, or square cross-section — into a complex weave where virgin wool enriches the tapestry.
Depadova + Paul Smith furniture collection. Image: Depadova.
Paul Smith’s sartorial magic for DePadova marks his first collaboration with the feted Italian furniture brand. His flair for colour is evidently displayed in the numerous details found in the collection of sofas and armchairs. There are coloured leather straps to bind the seat’s structure, not forgetting the leather pockets hooked onto the finely rounded armrest with its pleasurable ergonomics.
Midnight Blue upholstery of the Depadova + Paul Smith collaboration. Image: Depadova.
However, Smith’s Midas Touch is found in his signature colour palette: deep shades of midnight blue and peacock, sublime ecru, earthy brick red, or a splash of lime green belonging to the upholstery. This project is a confluence of fashion and furniture dubbed “Everyday Life” by Paul Smith. Even the poufs offer contrasting stitching which demonstrates this master’s sartorial know-how.
Gemla Open lounge chair, features intricate weaving. Image: Gemla.
Gemla’s Swedish roots delved into the manufacturing of tennis rackets. However, the brand is now more renowned for creating furniture pieces today. The Swedish furniture brand’s first participation in the Milan furniture fair – Salone Del Mobile — clearly excited attendees at the fair. British designer Samuel Wilkinson’s “Gemla Open” lounge chair features elegant armrests and a sinuous, sculpted backrest.
Gemla Open Lounge chair by Samuel Wilkinson. Image: Gemla.
The wood of the chair is derived from solid FSC-certified ash. To create the curved aesthetic, the wood has been bent by hand with steam while the seat is constructed from solid wood. Most striking to the eye is the intricate weaving made from paper twine. The open weave design provides good support and echoes the brand’s history in making tennis rackets, hence, the name “Gemla Open”. The leather parts are derived from Swedish natural leather from Tärnsjö Garveri.
It is Italian designer Guglielmo Poletti’s first time dabbling with lighting design and the fruition of his work has paid off. His creation “To-Tie” lamp for Flos is an execution of three elements united by a subtle structural balance — the glass encasement, the bar on which the cable is wound, and the critical cable that joins the cylinder to the bar via tensioning. The very thin tensioned cable supplies power to the lamp while the bar not only blocks the glass encasement thanks to the knotted cable, it also holds the LED light source.
Flos To-Tie lamps come in three variations. Image: Flos.
This also serves as a handle to move the light around. Poletti has worked with renowned designers such as Gordon Guillaumier who is artistic director at Desalto. To-Tie was a slow cooking project developed during the time of worldwide lockdowns and Poletti’s idea of using tension cables has clearly materialised into a tangible, purposeful lighting object.
Utilitarianism has reemerged in Italy’s style capital during Milan Men’s Spring Summer 2023. The collections beckoned nostalgia with denim and lightweight fabrics that are making a comeback when the practical trend was last seen on the runways of Spring Summer 2018. The refreshed silhouettes are now reemerging on the runways showcasing the utilitarian traits of detailing, practicality and elevated styling.
Lightweight, Laidback & Relaxed
Typical of the leading houses like Fendi, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana, a compiled boldness became apparent on the runways. It often came through with alluring lightweight materials, where sheer fabrics acted as a signature. The Spring Summer 2023 update was all about sensible juxtaposition as seen on Dolce & Gabbana incorporating lightweight see-through materials with wide-fit distressed denim jeans. Some looks were a perfectly tailored tuxedo worn over ripped denim, while others paired a sensual sheer black lace shirt with oversized double-breasted jackets. Creative freedom, newness and daring experimentation were well encompassed in this collection. Most of the Dolce & Gabbana’s looks were familiar silhouettes from their past seasons, which presented like an updated déjà vu.
Silvia Venturini Fendi created earthy and well-balanced looks for a planet-conscious generation that reflects shades ranging from soft cambric fabric to hearty brick colours, it merges into a new motif created from weather mapping images of the weather patterns. Fendi’s collection evidently brought forth simplicity and elevation on a higher level of wearability. The denim frays at the hem of the jeans together with the embroidery accents of the bags recall an edgy outlook. “It’s about a balance of decoration and simplicity,” Venturini Fendi shared. “An ageless sense of freedom to play, as we rediscover the luxury of free time.”
While imagining from previous seasons, Prada was challenging dressing norms, looking to prime men with the idea of tailored short shorts paired with knitted tops or leather jackets. It was apparent this time with the season to create a laidback Spring Summer look.
Kean and Veronica of the family-managed Italian fashion house, Etro, have also energised the short shorts for their collection, to make them suitable for next year’s humid weather when lighter garments will propel the season forward. Mesh textures were adorned to reveal bare skin while shorts expose nude legs. Tod’s were also seen in tailored shorts well above the knees, with blazers and utility jackets paired for the top in this Spring Summer 2023 outing. The versatile shorts could be worn next summer without worrying about heat waves ruining the look.
Apart from Etro, the cultivated mid-western look was also emphasised as seen in Dolce & Gabbana, where denim was the material in focus. The influence of Williams’s sleek industrial style and the tactical chic of Alyx evolved a little further at Milan Men’s Summer Spring 2023, where he blended denim with utilitarian outfits. There were signature details such as the origami pockets that are distinctive in Alyx’s tailoring, conveyed in denim. Prada decided to bring equilibrium between comfort pieces in contrast with utility and fitting jackets, proving how denim is versatile for everyday styling.
As for JW Anderson, the designer took a different approach. He wanted to form a collection that pushed perceptions of modern clothing. Known for his eccentric designs, Anderson’s collection embodied witty wearable assemblages such as broken skateboards, compact disc prints, barcodes and holes on shirts that mimic cheese, adding cheekiness to the collection. The tongue-in-cheek designs were paired with heavily distressed denim that offers an elevated look. However, the mix and match between denim and experimental tops gave a fresh look for the Spring Summer 2023 season and definitely head-tuners.
Most labels featured loose and baggy pants on their runway. The drapes flawlessly shape light and relaxed outlooks. The light material of cotton twill was employed to construct the garments of Ermenegildo Zegna and Etro’s Spring Summer 2023. This meant it could be worn both dressed up in formal or dressed down in casual. The embodiment of the exaggerated fit for Versace showcases how the wide tailoring flair of the pants matched with vibrant jackets perfect for any show-stopping moment.
The comeback of utilitarianism has made it evident that the world is ready to head out in comfort and style, and Milan Men’s Spring Summer 2023 has brought some nostalgia but also newness to the runways.
Akila is a real-estate data and management platform founded in 2021 that uses digital twin and AI technologies to empower data-driven decision making and ESG for large and multinational portfolios. How was the concept of Akila nurtured?
Akila started with a group of people from different fields related to the built environment: 3D design and simulation, system engineering, energy, construction, IoT and smart buildings, and facility management. What united us was a recognition that buildings contribute a massive share of all carbon emissions, approximately 40 per cent in fact, and that the sector still ranks bottom three for digitalisation. This simply must change. So, we were resolved to create a platform capable of driving a sustainability transformation in the built environment. This is a transformation oriented around data, digitalisation, improved performance and ESG. It very much includes the luxury industry and its built assets — mining operations, factories, warehouses, retail spaces, yachts and more.
There were many steps to get us where we are today. We took a lot of inspiration from the example of our strategic partners, Dassault Systèmes. From the 1980s onwards, they completely transformed manufacturing in the aerospace and automotive industries, using digital twin and 3D simulation to move from an analogue and paper-based system to one that was fully digital and model-based, leveraging the concept of a single source of truth from design through production and operation.
Now we want to do the same thing for the built environment, helping businesses and portfolio holders achieve massive decarbonisation across their holdings. We can achieve this because the Akila platform is an enabling technology capable of optimising across the value chain from design and construction to operations, all the way until decommissioning. In Akila, we are confident we have built a unique digital twin platform, carefully designed for the age of ESG.
Tell us about the close relationship between Akila and Aden Group?
Aden Group was the incubator of Akila and remains one of its three main strategic partners, alongside Dassault Systèmes and Microsoft. From Aden Group, we have been able to draw on 25 years of hands-on expertise managing complex operations at large facilities — factories, industrial parks, commercial space, retail space, etc. That experience has greatly informed the development of Akila because, alongside ESG and performance dashboards for high-level decision-makers, Akila is also designed as a solution for operational teams at sites. So, the functionalities of Akila have been very deeply informed by Aden’s decades of experience understanding client needs, resolving their pain points and making their buildings into high-performing, high-comfort, human-centric spaces.
Another exciting thing is that our partnership with Aden Group opens up opportunities to collaborate on net-zero carbon projects with other entities under the Aden Group umbrella. I am thinking especially of Tera Energies, the clean-energy JV it co-founded Total-Eren, and NXpark, a series of turn-key Industry 4.0 industrial parks that it is developing in China right now. Simply put, we are stronger together, and able to make an even stronger push for decarbonization and optimisation.
How instrumental has Dassault Systèmes been in the definition of the data to be collected and overall process of these?
Building Digital Twin with sensors. Image: Akila
As I mentioned earlier, Dassault Systèmes are truly pioneers in the field of 3D design and simulation. Over the past 40 years, they have become global leaders in software for advanced simulation and 3D modelling. Having Dassault Systèmes as one of our three main strategic partners has greatly expanded our capabilities in two areas especially.
First, Dassault Systèmes is central when creating and maintaining what we call the “digital thread” of a site in the built environment. This ensures that a single source of truth is preserved for a project through design, construction, commissioning, and then the Akila integration makes sure that this digital thread is maintained through operations. Only by having accurate data inputs can you have accurate outputs — otherwise, as the saying goes: garbage-in, garbage-out. Dassault Systèmes ensures the integrity of all structural data that goes into our platform.
Secondly, Dassault Systèmes software enables advanced simulation of an enormous range of scenarios for a building or asset without limitation. This includes things like energy simulation, thermal comfort simulation, carbon footprint calculation and more. In effect, we are able to merge the virtual and physical world for a continuous loop of optimisation and “see into the future” in ways that facilitate smarter and more sustainable building design for greenfield projects. Then, during the operational phase of a building, this simulation capability enables critical carbon-reducing features like predictive maintenance — this means we can target potential issues before they impact operations and cause unnecessary environmental impact.
Who are the key members of the Akila team?
Honestly, too many to name. Since our founding, we have grown from a team of five to 80, and we’ll see that number continue to rise. Our founding team is multicultural and multinational, bringing together high-level tech, business and sustainability experts from across a range of global tech, consulting and industrial groups. Our backgrounds cover ESG, energy, engineering, construction, PropTech and LEED. We started in China, but we’ve been expanding fast in Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia, with two main divisions: SaaS as well as an Architecture & Engineering Technologies division.
Akila’s Energy Savings Tracker: a smarter, simpler way to measure impact. What specific solutions is Akila providing?
Akila asset management. Image: Akila
Many companies are already undertaking energy-savings projects but lack the tools to successfully conduct and measure optimisation at scale. For instance, some companies don’t have a clear picture of how much energy they are consuming and where the inefficiencies lay — they can only compare energy bills side-by-side, for the crudest measurement of energy consumption. Or, they have undertaken energy optimisation projects, but they are still working off massive Excel sheets, dependent upon manual input and management. This limits how often measurement can take place, brings the risk of human error, and proves enormously difficult to coordinate across sites and borders.
These are the problems Akila Energy Savings Tracker addresses. The platform uses IoT to create a transparent energy-consumption baseline for each site, down to the level of individual pieces of equipment. Then, it tracks all subsequent energy consumption in real time, in the same digital space, using the same metrics. That means that at any point you can measure in exact terms how much energy has been saved for any equipment, facility, or portfolio over any period of time, and also calculate the change in carbon emissions that has been produced.
Real-time data and analytics in a user-friendly dashboard — is that the key message delivered to decision makers?
Akila workspace energy matrix. Image: Akila
Yes, it is one of the key messages. Akila is designed to facilitate faster, better decision-making among C-level leadership. We believe that centralising key information relating to ESG and building performance into a customisable “portfolio performance cockpit” is one of the best ways to achieve this. Importantly, this is not just a static report, but a dynamically updated one, so that leadership can be updated immediately if there are any irregularities at a particular site and ensure that they are followed up on in the fastest manner possible.
Is the Akila team acting as an adviser — can the team support clients in high ESG risk industries to develop their climate transition strategies?
In these cases, Akila is the enabler and we work with specialists to produce a detailed report. Those specialists can be either the company’s in-house experts or can be drawn from one of the consultancy firms in our own network. Either way, when this groundwork is done, Akila parametrises its solutions to meet the specific recommendations and needs of the company. We are then able to greatly simplify the execution of tour clients’ climate transition by automating the collection of data covering Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
Which clients have started implementing the various Akila solutions?
We are working with American, Japanese and European multinationals, many of whom are currently running pilots in China and Southeast Asia as a first step towards a global deployment. One of our biggest contracts for ESG and decarbonisation is in the retail sector (expect a public announcement about this very soon), but to date the largest share of our client base has been in industry and manufacturing, including automotive, construction equipment, electronics, and petrochemicals.
The beauty of the platform, though, is that any building or asset in any sector produces data, and Akila can help harness and scale this data collection, no matter what type of building or sector. We also have used Akila to help clients link and optimise multisite portfolios covering commercial buildings, warehouses, even hospitals and international schools.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has just recognised Akila as a fast rising player in the ESG space. The highly selective award recognises annually the top 100 early- to growth-stage worldwide that are shaping the future by advancing technologies. How such an award impacts on the whole team at Akila?
Yes, we were selected as one of 100 global startups to join the WEF’s 2022 Technology Pioneers cohort. Needless to say, this was a big milestone and will really help us connect with high-level audiences and partners in our mission of decarbonisation. To us, it is an indication that the things driving Akila — the climate crisis, the rise of ESG, digitalisation as the key to decarbonisation — are also resonating with a wider audience and people at the highest levels of business, technology and government.
As members of the Technology Pioneers cohort, we are able to connect directly with the WEF through working groups (we have just joined the Digital Twin Cities Advisory committee in Beijing, for example), as well as WEF events and networking in a group whose alumni include Google, Airbnb, Spotify, Wikimedia and many other massive tech companies.
Do you see growing number of companies integrating ESG into their investment process?
Akila multi-site dashboard in China. Image: Akila
Absolutely. And this makes good sense because ESG has always been structured from an investor point of view — making it easier and more reliable for investors to assess different companies on sustainability and best practice metrics. Looking at the luxury industry today, different companies are in different places on the journey, but the trend towards ESG is clear and lasting. It’s safe to say that in the coming years, sustainability — based on transparent, quantitative ESG data — will be one of the key markers of a premium brand, right alongside traditional measures like the grade of materials, craftsmanship and design, etc.
What is driving this is a real convergence in different sectors. On one hand, there is a wave of tougher government and industry regulation, but just as important is the market pressure coming from consumers themselves. This makes the robustness of a company’s ESG and sustainability policies a major strategic concern. Buyers today think about sustainability and carbon impact more than ever before and have been empowered by a new wave of apps and other tools to do their own research on a company’s impact. And, they are spending accordingly. In the past, companies have been able to pay lip service to sustainability and just greenwash, but ESG really takes an axe to that. The new reality is that companies which proactively adopt ESG policies will win, while greenwashers will pay. There will be nowhere to hide.
Overall, what should a company do to make sure its social and governance-focused targets are credible and ambitious?
They must put a premium on the transparency of their data. How do you achieve this? It requires digital transformation, carried out systemically across whole portfolios and across the property lifecycle — concept to operations all the way to operations and decommissioning. For credibility, companies also need third-party auditing of their data. Akila enables the needed traceability, and is designed to ensure a coherent structure of ESG data, making this process transparent and smooth.
As for ensuring that targets are ambitious enough, that needs to be taken on a case-by-case, looking at the clients’ specifics and taking into account industry benchmarking. It’s also important to remember that ESG is not something you start today and finish tomorrow — it is a process, and continuous improvement is the name of the game. Akila is the tool that lets companies document this trajectory in great detail. And by working with organisations like SBTi (of which Akila is a partner), targets can be set in both an ambitious and scientific way.
Where do you see Akila in five years?
Image: Akila
Well, by 2027, we won’t need to explain what a digital twin or ESG are anymore, because both will have become so prevalent in business and life. Our ambition by that point is to have become one of the defining digital tools of this ESG era, and to have accelerated a substantial change in the carbon emissions of buildings and cities.
How do we get there? Our Asia-first strategy and the fact that we are operational inside and outside of China will be very important. Asia will remain the world’s most dynamic economic zone. Then as now, it will be the place where MNCs have the freedom to pilot new technologies ahead of their global rollout. We have already begun this process with many major global clients, and we see this as a path we’ll continue on over the next five years: in short, we’ll be taking Akila from Asia to the world.
The other aspect we will see developing more is Akila’s open Ecosystem — a space we can conceptualise as a kind of app store for buildings and assets in the ESG era. Akila is designed as an open platform, so that partners with strong vertical specialisations can offer integrations inside the Akila platform. We have already begun this process by working with partners in industries like AR (augmented reality), but in five years we should see this really coming to fruition.
To learn more about Akila and its services, click here.
In collaboration with Montblanc, Malaysia’s Men’s Folio team unveiled the newest Montblanc Meisterstück leather collection designed by the brand’s artistic director Marco Tomasetta. Held at Montblanc Pavilion KL boutique, the event was attended by VIPs, influencers and fans of Men’s Folio as well as Montblanc, including Andre Amir, Desmond Tey, Alex Cheah and Raymond Tham. The fun-filled evening was hosted by Syazil Rahim from Men’s Folio and officiated by Benjamin Goh, Montblanc regional marketing and communication director for Southeast Asia and Olivier Burlot, CEO of Heart Media.
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
The event thronged with attendants in black attire was in full swing with a styling session with celebrity stylist Andrea Wong. Blending timeless silhouettes and the house codes, the Meisterstück leather collection is a nod to the German brand’s eponymous writing instrument collection where the remnant of nib is visible on the stitching, zip pullers and handles.
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
Image: Marcus Wong
Capturing the essence of Montblanc, the Meisterstück Tote bag and Messenger bag match well with any business attire or for a casual day out. A modern take on the classic briefcase, the Meisterstück Neo Briefcase decorated with renewed white star emblem in larger size makes another great business bag with multiple carrying options, be it slinging across the body, carrying it on the shoulder or hand-held.
Bringing a sense of ease to the restrained collection are the Meisterstuck Pouch and the Duffle bag. With the alpine landmark that gave Montblanc its name serving as the blueprint, the pouch crafted from fine Italian leather stands out in a bold two-tone design whereas the secure closure with lock and key in navy blue clinging to the Duffle bag renders a pop of colour to the otherwise all-black weekend bag. Ideal for off-duty looks, the clutch and duffle bag in leather can never go wrong with any buttoned down work affairs.
This article first appeared on Men’s Folio Malaysia and check out the Montblanc Meisterstuck collection here.
Italian carmaker Maserati, known to manufacture some of the world’s fastest and most luxurious sports and passenger cars, has launched a new SUV class to complement its range of automobiles. The brand calls it “Grecale”, which in Italian means a north-easterly Mediterranean wind. Like other models, Maserati named it after the world’s most famous winds to reflect its speedy nature.
Its base model, the Grecale GT can hit 60mph in fewer than 5.6 seconds and 124 mph in 23.7 seconds. This performance has already surpassed its fellow German competitor. In today’s fast-paced world, having an SUV like the Grecale makes commuting between places an easy feat. Its five-seater arrangement is just about right for a young family looking for a car, and each model has three basic drive modes (Comfort, GT and Sport) that the driver can toggle depending on the need.
For daily commutes in a city like Singapore, the ideal driving mode is Comfort, which guarantees maximum usability and comfort while ensuring peak efficiency. For those living in a country with long roads, the Sport mode will come in handy. Pedal sensitivity and gear change are set to peak performance and the driving position is lowered by 15mm — the spotlight is now on you and any preconceived notions of what an SUV can deliver will be rewritten.
The Grecale features a wide selection of powertrains, from conventional internal combustion engines to hybrid and a fully electric variation next year. As more countries move toward a greener future, the electric model, the Folgore, will most likely be a top pick for many across the world. Furthermore, it will be Maserati’s first fully electric SUV in its brand history and sets the standard for other upcoming electric vehicles the Trident brand has in its blueprint.
“The Everyday Exceptional” is the tagline for the Grecale, and it is an amalgamation of passion, innovation, versatility and style. These qualities are exemplified throughout the SUV starting from the exterior, which is the second series to adopt Maserati’s new styling direction after the marque’s flagship MC20. The car’s face features a distinctive Maserati grille but the rest of its bulbous body is emblematic of a typical SUV like its fellow competitors from Alfa Romeo, Porsche and BMW.
Moving into the cabin, you will be greeted by the modern touches available such as the 12.3-inch dashboard containing a digital gauge cluster and a pair of touchscreens on the centre stack. A first for Maserati is the fitting of a digital clock, which not only tells time but also emits a signal response when a voice command is issued. Furthermore, the clock face can become a compass, an essential tool when embarking on an off-road journey.
Image: Maserati
Image: Maserati
Image: Maserati
When choosing an Italian brand like Maserati, you would be sure to know that you will be living each day without any compromise. Be it with your family in the city or road-tripping with your friends, the Triden brand’s Grecale model is there to confer you luxurious comfort paired with supreme performance that the marque is well-known for in the automobile world.
