BLUSH Dream #32

THE NEW ALL-ELECTRIC MACAN. Change your look. Not your style.

SO MOVE COLLECTION

THE ART OF FUSION

Boîtier en saphir bleu. Mouvement manufacture avec 7 barillets couplés en série et une réserve de marche de 14 jours. Limité à 50 pièces.

BIG BANG MP-11

colettejewelry.com

Inspiring beauty

Natural High Tech Skin Care

Purity

New ArtyA Manufacture Movement

Drawing its architectural inspiration from the iconic Purity Tourbillon, this new manufacture movement confirms the watchmaking character of the independent Geneva brand. This entirely skeletonized movement features a double barrel offering 72 hours of power reserve. Many creations to discover in their Geneva showroom, at 22 Rue Neuve-du-molard, 1204 Geneva. www.artya.com

Curvy Purity Tourbillon NanoSaphir Emerald Unique piece 1/1

CONTENT SPRING/SUMMER 2024

25. EDITORIAL TIME-KEEPERS

28. L’HEURE BLEUE

Prestigious Watch and Wonders.

32. HUBLOT

The Big Bang integrated time only.

36. GENUS

The GNS2 Watch.

38. LOUIS MOINET

Black Moon & Moon Tech.

42. ROGER DUBUIS

A Creation of Contrasts.

44. ZENITH

Zenith defy skyline chronograph.

JEWELLERY

46. MAISON BELMONT & VINCENT DARRÉ

Those mysterious stories whispered by the gems.

50. SARTORO GENEVE AND MARLI NEW-YORK

Jewelry duo is arriving in Geneva.

52. MESSIKA

A family jewel.

PEOPLE

54. ZENDAYA Diversity by Design.

60. ADAM DRIVER

Driven To Distraction.

66. TOM HARDY Hard Graft.

BEAUTY

72. GUERLAIN

The story of a visionary genius.

78. DIOR SPA EDEN-ROC Discrete luxury.

80. THE GRAND RESORT BAD RAGAZ

A healthy dive.

82. CLINIQUE NESCENS

“Better-Aging” as its motto.

84. CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE

Well-being in a haven of peace.

86. VALMONT

Art, a magnificent showcase of beauty.

88. SHOPPING PERFUMES

Refreshing fragrances.

CONTENT SPRING/SUMMER 2024

FASHION

92. HERMÈS

A journey through craftsmanship and excellence.

98. ONKAI HEIWA

Swiss craftsmanship and Japanese aesthetics.

100. ULALAND

Hats off, cheer up!.

PHOTO EDITORIALS

102. ÉCLAT PASTELS

By Contarsy-Karecha.

110. ESTHER ABRAMI - A RISING STAR By Johann Sauty.

118. ADIL RAMI - THE GENTLEMAN FOOTBALLER By Johann Sauty.

DESIGN

126. HERZOG & DE MEURON

Unequalled creativity.

132. MATHIEU LEHANNEUR

What lies behind artificial paradises.

138. FABIAN OEFNER

Space, Time & Reality.

144. THE MALLE LOUIS VUITTON

The Epitome of Elegant Travel.

LIFESTYLE

150. ROLEX

Timekeeper of the seas.

156. NEW VANTAGE

Engineered for real drivers.

TRAVEL

164. THE CHÂTEAU DE THÉOULE

An open door to the sea.

170. CHEVAL BLANC ST-BARTH

The Art of Emotion.

176. DUNAS DE FORMENTERA

Simplicity as its finest.

GASTRONOMY

182. GOURMET SYMPHONY

Between heaven and the bright blue sea.

LAMBORGHINI GENèVE

Authorised Dealer

Revuelto: the new paradigm for super sports cars

Automobili Lamborghini presents the first super sports V12 hybrid plugin HPEV (High Performance Electrified Vehicle). Revuelto defines a new paradigm in terms of performance, sportiness and driving pleasure from its unprecedented new architecture; innovative design; maximumefficiency aerodynamics; and a new carbon frame concept.

Dear BLUSH Dreamers,

As the sun puts on its most beautiful shades and the air fills with the sweetness of summer, we’re delighted to present you with our new summer edition of Blush Dream. This issue is dedicated to the very essence of summer: the harmonious union between tradition and the inspiring new products that mark this season. But summer isn’t just about traditions, it’s also about exciting new things. That’s why we’ve scoured the boldest trends to bring you a range of discoveries, from the latest watch creations unveiled at Watches & Wonders, to encounters with the actors of the moment Zendaya, Adam Driver and Tom Hardy, and a fascinating dive into the creations of the French designer Mathieu Lehanneur. In this edition, innovation and expertise come together to offer our readers an unforgettable experience. Throughout these pages, you’ll also discover what goes on behind the scenes at Guerlain, Hermès and Louis Vuitton, the inspirations that have given rise to masterpieces and the fascinating stories of those who shape the world of art, fashion and culture. Blush Dream invites you to immerse yourself in a summer of timeless elegance and spellbinding discoveries. May this magazine be the perfect companion to your sunny days, inspiring you to live each moment with grace and passion. Welcome to our summer world, where beauty meets tradition and daring

Gregory Ayoun

Publication director

BLUSH DREAM is a biannual edition.

Publication Director : Gregory Ayoun

Art Director : Yvan Babillon KYF Studio

Editorial project manager : Caroline Sambucchi

Writers : Eleonore Guerre-Braun, Eduardo Costerg, Helena Perdoux-Frances, Quitterie Pasquesoone & Eloise Leray

Photographers : Johann Sauty & Ron Contarsy

Marketing and communication : Fiona Esther, Chloe Villard, Cyril Montegu & Louis Bouillot

Distribution :

Renzi communication SARL - Geneva

EDS Media AG -Meilen

MPK Luxembourg GmbH - Luxembourg

Edited and published by BLUSH EDITIONS. BLUSH DREAM declines responsibility for any unpublished texts, illustrations or photos it receives.

Reproduction of texts, drawings and pictures published in this magazine remains the property of Blush Editions, owned by Publiscope, which reserves the right of reproduction and translation in the whole world. Publiscope accepts no responsibility for the published documents. All rights reserved. ISSN n°2267-7372

Printed in EU at 30.000 ex.

Covers :

- Zendaya: © Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock.

- Adama Driver: ©Victoria Will/AP.

- Adil Rami: Suit Fursac - Shirt and bow tie : Jonas & Cie - Bracelet Giberg - Shoes : J.M. Weston

Watch: Genus Watches. Photo by Johann Sauty.

- Esther Abrami Total look Emanuel Ungaro - Jewels : Sartoro Genève. Photo by Johann Sauty.

- Rae Rodriguez: Front Slit Tulle Gown by Haleia Couture , Sterling Silver earrings by Kendra Scott, Stud Cultured Pearl by Mikimoto / photo by Contarsy-Karecha for Highmark Studios.

L’Heure Bleue

In the world of haute horlogerie, anticipation reaches its zenith as the prestigious Watch and Wonders event unfolds, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the future of watchmaking excellence. Join us as we embark on a journey through the a selection of novelties unveiled during Geneva’s show, where time is not merely measured but revered.

PORTUGIESER PERPETUAL 44

The new Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 44 features a completely re-engineered case construction with a slimmer casing ring. Box-shaped glasses on the front and back showcase the intricately crafted dials and the IWC-manufactured 52616 calibre, which features a Pellaton winding system with ceramic components and offers a power reserve of seven days. Four versions are available in 18-carat white gold or 18-carat Armor Gold® with either Horizon Blue, Dune, Obsidian or Silver Moon dials.

TAG HEUER

MONACO SPLIT-SECONDS CHRONOGRAPH

Celebrating 55 years of the Monaco collection, the TAG Heuer Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph further redefines watch design. By reviewing its architecture and using light materials such as grade-5 titanium, the timepiece only weighs a mere 85 grams and achieves a singular appearance where sapphire crystal and transparency play a central role. Fusing titanium and sapphire together, the timepiece impresses with its case crafted from a combination of half of each, enhancing its uniqueness.

PATEK

PHILIPPE

5330G-001

The new generation of the World Time is distinguished by a patented world first: a date display indexed to local time, i.e. that of the time zone selected at 12 o’clock and indicated by the central hands. The opaline blue-gray dial features a center with carbon pattern. The date is displayed on the flange by a red-tipped central glass hand. The entirely polished white gold case is paired with a blue-gray calfskin strap with denim pattern.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN

OVERSEAS TOURBILLON

Vacheron Constantin is expanding its range of titanium watches with an Overseas tourbillon model. Entirely made of titanium, from case to bracelet and from crown to bezel, this model graced with the collection’s emblematic blue dial is powered by ultra-thin selfwinding Calibre 2160. Equipped with a tourbillon regulator visible at 6 o’clock through a dial opening, the movement features an 22K gold peripheraloscillating weight winding the calibre and ensuring a comfortable over three-day power reserve.

PARMIGIANI FLEURIER

TONDA PF SKELETON PLATINUM

With its elegantly openworked dial, the Tonda PF Skeleton 2024 embodies a perfect fusion of complexity and minimalism, true to the spirit of the Tonda PF collection. The delicately suspended hour markers add a spacious dimension to the design, while the two openworked hands sweep across the dial with fluid grace. These are set against an open background that extends all the way to the flange, creating a visual continuity with the movement.

ROLEX

OYSTER PERPETUAL DEEPSEA

Rolex is unveiling an original version of the Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea. This divers’ watch is presented in 18 ct yellow gold for the first time and sports a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom bezel insert in blue ceramic as well as a blue lacquer dial bearing the name ‘DEEPSEA’ in powdered yellow. This new version also incorporates a technical innovation: the high-performance compression ring within the Ringlock system is crafted from ceramic.

Hublot

The Big Bang integrated time only

The Big Bang Integrated Time Only is back. It embodies the original DNA of the Big Bang, with a solid dial and integrated bracelet, in a new 38-mm version that represents the foundations of Hublot’s success.

“FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS, HUBLOT HAS SHOWN ITSELF TO BE UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT. AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO BEST. BUT, DOES THAT MEAN THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO? CERTAINLY NOT! THE ORIGINAL BIG BANG – THE ULTIMATE IN SIMPLICITY AND EFFICIENCY – IS STILL EAGERLY SOUGHT AFTER BY ALL OUR CUSTOMERS. WE HAVE HAD A SERIES OF  40-MM MODELS, AND WE'RE NOW OFFERING SIX 38-MM VARIATIONS. "CLASSIC" IS A WORD I NEVER USE FOR HUBLOT, BUT IT'S TRUE IN THIS CASE: THE BIG BANG INTEGRATED TIME ONLY IS TRULY A CLASSIC!”

RICARDO GUADALUPE

HUBLOT CEO

Although quite rare in Hublot’s collections, this is a natural choice. It was already the standard in the 1980s, when the brand was taking off. Secondly, it’s a diameter that fits everyone: If the great collectors only choose pieces between 38 and 41 mm, it’s because universal elegance lies there, in those three millimetres. There’s something here for every culture and every wrist size. Finally,  it’s a unisex diameter.

Hublot has always been at the forefront of this watchmaking vision. The brand’s current collections are not classified by gender. They can be filtered by the client’s desires, but it is important to remember that these pieces are imagined as being universal. The six new Big Bang Integrated Time Only models have been created with this vision. The case and bracelet are integrated –inspiring the name of the model – and both are made from the same material.

There are two versions in brushed titanium, with a black or a blue dial. The next two versions are in King Gold, available with these same two dial colourways.

The dial of the Big Bang Integrated Time Only is made of soft ferromagnetic steel. The movement is thus optimally protected against magnetic fields, preserving its chronometric precision from these external influences. For the first time, the Big Bang Integrated Time Only will be equipped with a new movement – the HUB1115, which has undergone a major quality upgrade in terms of its technical and aesthetic features. The main improvements take the form of a brand-new oscillating weight bearing and a stronger mainspring enabling the power reserve to be extended to 48 hours. All the finishes have been revamped, including a satin finish on the bridges and an anthracite ruthenium coating.

The last two versions are in ceramic. The first version is entirely navy blue, with a blue dial, perfectly in keeping with Hublot’s original maritime spirit. The second and final version features “Black Magic” – a style dear to Hublot which runs through all the Manufacture’s collections. With a case, bracelet and dial in deepest black, this is the first Big Bang Black Magic ever created on a watch measuring 38 mm – a diameter previously only available on rare Classic Fusion models.

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The GNS2 Watch By Genus

The watch that re-invents itself

With the GNS2, GENUS offers a fresh take on its signature complication. An exceptional timepiece with a sleek style whose semi-open dial showcases the brand’s modern interpretation of watchmaking artistry.

Asober, elegant, sporty-chic watch with a simplified, visually more accessible system for reading the time.

An elegant monochrome palette of grays allows the free-floating ‘genera’ – the movement’s hallmark timeindicating elements – to stand out through two spherical openings.

The dial is divided into two sections, each perfectly mirroring the other in flawless symmetry.

Elements, in metallic blue, move like three small origami-style arrows in zero gravity, shifting from one orbit to another with mesmerizing fluidity.

Black Moon & Moon Tech Contemporary mechanical art

A new age in displaying the moon

Twenty years after having acquired my first lunar meteorites, I felt like giving our nightly celestial companion a majestic setting. Rather than place her in an aperture, I decided to create a large central disc with two meteorites cut from special rocks and representing the full moon and the new moon. The BLACK MOON and the MOON TECH both illustrate this new concept for an astronomical moon. Thanks to a very particular mechanism featuring a gear wheel with 135 teeth, these timepieces boast great precision – with a deviation of one day every 122 years. Would this have pleased Louis Moinet, the man who invented a chronograph to track his astronomical observations? I really think so. Jean-Marie

Schaller, Owner and Creative Director

BLACK MOON

This limited edition of 60 pieces features an aventurine dial that recalls a nightly sky.

“MOON TECH : A WATCHMAKING PREMIERE WITH AN AUTHENTIC FRAGMENT FROM APOLLO 11”

REINVENTING A LUNAR INDICATION A MAJOR TECHNICAL CHALLENGE

The BLACK MOON and MOON TECH feature a novel display of the lunar cycle. The full moon and the new moon appear as two lunar meteorites placed on a domed central disc: a first in watchmaking! An index at 3 o'clock, framed either in red (BLACK MOON) or with a yellow covering (MOON TECH), points to the current phase. The timepiece announces the full moon when the circled fragment is aligned with the indicator. The sober look of these timepieces belies the mechanism driving the astronomical moon complication inside, which is the product of cutting-edge engineering and technology. This complex device, made up of a gear train including a 135-tooth wheel, provides excellent precision. Unlike conventional moon phase displays, these are especially precise, with a deviation of just one day in 122 years. The exclusive, self-winding calibre inside was designed by LOUIS MOINET, independent watchmaker, and developed in collaboration with Concepto, a partner of many years.

TWO METEORITES, TWO SEPARATE MOON ROCKS

To represent the full moon and the new moon, two lunar meteorites have been placed on the central disc. These extremely rare fragments from the universe come from two different rocks, confirming the geological diversity of our natural satellite. One is marbled grey, while the other is deep black, creating a striking contrast, just like the celestial body that arouses so much fascination in human beings.

DHOFAR 457 – INTENSE BLACK

Dhofar 457 owes its intense black hue to its origin. It first impacted the Moon, creating a crater. A second event then dislodged a section of the crater and propelled it into space, where it journeyed until it reached Earth, landing in the Dhofar desert, hence the name: Dhofar 457.

GADAMIS 005 – EXCEPTIONAL AURA

Gadamis 005, considered by experts to be the most beautiful lunar meteorite of all, comes from a region explored by the crew of the Apollo 16 mission. It has an extraordinary structure and a mottled grey-white texture.

BOLDLY MODERN, QUIETLY TECHNICAL

The dial surrounding the central lunar disc was conceived three-dimensionally and offers stunning interplay among the different planes. Hovering over it is a very modern structure that is in fact a fascinatingly complex element. The indexes are held in place by a central ring and a flange and seem to float mysteriously in space. Optimal visibility in the dark is ensured by a generous application of luminescent mass to the centre of each index. Another ingenious detail is the subdial at 9 o’clock housing sector seconds. In this unusual display, the hand, modelled after a compass pointer, uses its longer end to count off the first 30 seconds on the upper track. The shorter hand then comes around to tick off the next 30 seconds on the lower track. An openworked zone between 8 and 10 o’clock reveals the balance wheel, escapement, and bridges. It’s a detail that further highlights the play with depth and the very technical character of this contemporary timepiece.

THE TITANIUM CASE, PRECISION ENGINEERING

The BLACK MOON and MOON TECH are assembled in a grade 5 polished and satin-finished titanium case with sleek, modern lines. The domed sapphire crystal on these watches is a high-tech feat in itself that enables one to appreciate the depth and detail of the dial. The openworked lugs perfectly underline the integration of the strap. The crown is adorned with the emblem of Les Ateliers Louis Moinet, a beautiful fleur-de-lys.

MOON TECH

A Creation of Contrasts

The Orbis in Machina

Bold, unexpected, and forever at the forefront of expressive design, Roger Dubuis is a watchmaker like no other. A Maison that perpetuates the finest traditions, while simultaneously shaping the future with its own extravagant interpretations. This year, the Roger Dubuis journey continued at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024 – where the Maison’s tourbillon artistry was displayed like never before. To see exactly what sets Roger Dubuis apart, visitors immersed themselves in not one, but four exciting new releases, each distinguished by complex tourbillon mechanics as well as breath-taking aesthetics.

INTRODUCING THE ORBIS IN MACHINA

Contrasts are revealed. Harmony is created. The new Orbis in Machina presents a dual perspective of Roger Dubuis’ iconic tourbillon craftsmanship. The astonishing creation embraces both heritage as well as modern engineering, emphasizing the duality of the design, and creating a visible link between watchmaking generations. The story is told from front to back and reveals the art of tradition matched by the cutting-edge architecture of today. The name, Orbis in Machina, is a nod to the revolving nature of the tourbillon, and the circular orbit of the watch’s display. A fusion of movement and mechanical ingenuity that brings the concept to life.

CONTINUING THE CENTRAL TOURBILLON CALIBRE

THE CONTEMPORARY FACE

The Central Monotourbillon is indeed a rare sight within watchmaking. In creation, it poses a number of challenges, such as finding a different way to display the hands, while also redistributing the movement’s components around the tourbillon itself. Naturally, Roger Dubuis has embraced that challenge with both hands. From the front, this 45mm timepiece is therefore contemporary as well as captivating. Starting at the middle, the designers have worked outwards, delivering an aesthetic purity through contrasting concentric circles in pink gold and grey that indicate the seconds, minutes, and hours. It’s an overall reinterpretation of the skeleton style, allowing the watchmakers to play with the space and glorify the tourbillon by placing it at the centre.The 3D discs for the minutes and hours displays are particularly prominent and are contrasted by open-worked flying hands, mounted on ball bearings, that are double-sided and sharp. This particular display required the invention of a patent- pending system, which can safely disengage the hands and allow the watch to be set with assured stability.

A similar double-sided approach has been taken for the flange, which houses the hour indications on the outer perimeter. Going one step further, the Maison’s watchmakers have set all of the circles at different heights, delivering a multi-levelled décor that draws the wearer in. While revealing a glimpse of the skeletonised calibre beneath, it once again shows the high level of modern workmanship at which Roger Dubuis is able to perform.

Roger Dubuis has long been associated with tourbillon distinction, having developed its own line of in-house tourbillon movements over the course of more than 20 years. The manual-winding Calibre RD115 marks the Maison’s latest significant milestone and is housed inside the Orbis In Machina watch. Built from 283 components and with 29 rubies, the Calibre RD115 is a Flying Tourbillon - just like all Roger Dubuis tourbillons made since 2003. More impressive to look at, yet much more complex to build. Innovation also comes in the use of materials: to increase resistance to magnetic fields and keep perfect control of the weight, the lower tourbillon cage is in anti- magnetic titanium –twice lighter than stainless steel – while the upper tourbillon cage is in mirror-polished Cobalt Chrome, which is also non-magnetic and enables the weight of the tourbillon to be reduced by 16%. Finally, the power reserve is optimised to 72 hours.

A CASEBACK OF HOROLOGICAL EXCELLENCE

In the Orbis in Machina, the sapphire crystal acts as a window to the utmost excellence of Geneva fine watchmaking. In contrast to the front of the watch, the view through the back is based on detailed heritage, with a look that will instantly appeal to connoisseurs of high horology. Two opposing yet complementary sides that show the differentiation and duality that characterises Roger Dubuis. The artistry and hand finishing through the caseback is almost baroque in its appearance, with elaborate detailing that feels rich and exclusive. Take note of specific details, such as the sliced bridges, and the rounder lines, which are very much rooted in classic Geneva haute horologie. 19 specific finishing techniques are used, including the elegant perlage, Côte de Genève, and snailing. The ultimate

reward for this dynamic skeletonized approach is the Poinçon de Genève certification, one of the most demanding signatures in fine watchmaking.

A ROGER DUBUIS RARITY

Crafted with an 18K pink gold case and bezel and presented on a black leather strap with a quick release system, the Orbis in Machina delights with both aesthetics and performance.This is Roger Dubuis’ first Central Tourbillon timepiece launched within the main collection – and will be released in a series of only 88 editions. For collectors and connoisseurs, this immaculate timepiece is perhaps the best expression of who Roger Dubuis is today. A watchmaker who embraces the know- how of the past – and then transforms it with modern creativity and innovation.

Stellar Alignment

Zenith defy skyline chronograph

The DEFY Skyline constellation is finally complete. A natural continuation and expansion of ZENITH’s edgy, all-occasions line, the new DEFY Skyline Chronograph offers a new vessel for the Manufacture’s latest iteration of the El Primero automatic high-frequency chronograph calibre, endowed with a 1/10th of a second chronograph function.

Looking back at the legacy of the DEFY collection of wristwatches, there’s a long and enduring tradition of El Primero chronographs within the line from as far back as the early 1970s. A modernistic vessel for a groundbreaking calibre, the DEFY has always been perfectly suited for the El Primero automatic chronograph, whose high-frequency rate allows it to provide unwavering precision – even in highly animated and dynamic situations. With the same penchant for movement and performance in a wide range of settings, the new DEFY Skyline Chronograph is the culmination of over 50 years in elevating the chronograph to new heights. In essence, it is the DEFY chronograph of the 21st century – and it shows.

Architectural, geometric and intricately faceted, the DEFY Skyline’s 41 mm steel case is a modernized take on the earliest DEFY’s octagonal case with a multi-sided bezel. Retaining the same DNA of robustness and durability as its predecessors while bringing an edgier and more contemporary aesthetic and proportions. In the DEFY Skyline

Chronograph, the pushers follow the sharply drawn lines of the case, while the screw-down crown emblazoned with the star emblem helps ensure a water-resistance of 100 metres (10 ATM).

Available in metallic black, blue or silver, the DEFY Skyline Chronograph’s dial pairs the collection’s signature starry sky-patterned dial featuring engraved four-pointed stars with the traditional El Primero dial configuration. Three slightly oversized and overlapping counters show the elapsed seconds and minutes of the chronograph, as well as the constant running seconds. The date window – matching the colour of the dial – is positioned at 4:30, another El Primero signature. The flange ring with the 1/10th of a second scale has twelve facets, the form of the dodecagonal bezel and serving as extensions of the hour markers.

In an ever-faster moving world, every fraction of a second counts. Just like in the DEFY Skyline automatic model and its skeleton counterpart, ZENITH continues to offer the 1/10th of a second function found, now in the form of a 1/10th of a second chronograph in the DEFY Skyline Chronograph. This mechanical feat is the result of the El Primero 3600 calibre’s high-frequency rate of 5 Hz (36’000 vibrations per hour), visible through the display back. Its open star-shaped oscillating weight with bidirectional winding efficiently provides a power reserve of 60 hours.

One of the highlights of the DEFY Skyline is its integrated quick strapchange mechanismintegrated directly into the case, allowing for effortless versatility without requiring any tools. With the simple push of a button, the three-link steel bracelet can be swapped with the supplied star-patterned rubber strap with steel folding buckle.

Maison Belmont & Vincent Darré

Those mysterious stories whispered by the gems

By Eduardo Costerg

As chance would have it, it’s on the hilltop of Clos-Belmont, at number 5 - 5, the quintessence of alchemists – that we have an appointment. Sarah Mugnier, a gemologist of boundless creativity and founder of the emerging Maison Belmont, opens the doors to an extraordinary showroom – a singular world that she has built in her own image. Our hostess takes us into a dreamlike universe both refined and extravagant, that defies dogma and gives unconditional pride of place to creative power, expertise and craftsmanship. Come in, come in! A whole new collection awaits…

This is where our journey into the realm of audacity and imagination begins.

ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A HOUSE…

Asimple step inside the house is enough to ignite our curiosity. Sarah has given us the warmest of welcomes; it’s at her home, in the heart of her secret garden, that she has chosen to set up her showroom. As she recounts the genesis of Maison Belmont, we understand that the spirit of the brand is intrinsically linked to this place – The house has a rich, century-old history. Thanks to the vision

of its current owner and the support of outstanding artists and craftspeople – such as Vincent Darré –, its ancient heritage has been brought into the present. ‘The house is the starting point of my work, explains Sarah, I wanted to bring my customers into my world by recreating the spirit of the salons of yesteryear – places of exchange and effervescence where ideas give rise to ideas.’

Upstairs, we enter a colourful living room: emerald-green velvet walls, gilded bookcases, a marble fireplace, fringed armchairs and sofas, red and blue, knick-knacks from far and wide… it is a true cabinet of curiosities – legends even say that the coffee table had belonged to Mademoiselle Coco Chanel! A place where time stands still and inspirations meet. ‘I love spaces that feel alive, and objects that have lived,’ confides our hostess, ‘so I go hunting for furniture with stories behind it – sometimes even for my customers. I’m aware that my style is very distinctive: I don’t go for half-measures. Every style has a soul, and our interiors reflect that, don’t they?’

Sarah Mugnier leads us into a superb dining room, adjoining the salon. We sit at the grandiose kitchen table – another show is about to begin. We had been warned that ‘jewellery is always about magic’. Our hostess introduces us to the treasures of Maison Belmont: pieces of jewellery both bewitching and extravagant, rooted in ancient inspirations. ‘The period of history that fascinates me is the Renaissance, when artists rediscovered antiquity and created timeless masterpieces. The world of the arts, renewed by a humanist spirit, was at the apex of its glory. This era offered a profusion of vivid and deep colours, a true love of symbols and baroque elements… Symbols are also important in my creations: I work on the principle that a piece of jewellery always reveals something about the person who wears it.’

©Stefan Vos

Everything around Maison Belmont is about passion and creation. The house itself is a true jewel, and like all the pieces of jewellery, like those Sarah creates, it is a question of savoir-faire expertise, tradition – and

therefore, necessarily, of codes to be broken – audacity, hard work and spirit. Much more than a jewellery brand, Maison Belmont is an ode to craftsmanship and inventiveness. For all the curious people reading – the hedonistic ones, the lovers of beautiful things and the dreamers of all kinds – behind the doors of Maison Belmont, a whole world awaits to be discovered.

FANTASMAGORIA: A DREAM ON STRANGER TIDES

This must be our lucky day. Just when we thought we’d seen it all, Sarah unveils her first collection of artist’s jewellery: Fantasmagoria – an invitation at the crossroads of real and imaginary worlds. These pieces, emerging straight out of a fantastic mythology, are the fruit of a new collaboration between Maison Belmont and Parisian scenographer and designer Vincent Darré. We are invited to take a dip in the daydreams of fantastic figures, somewhere between the sea and the stars – Neptune, Calliope, Arion, Venus, all names that open a door toward ancient landscapes. Yet it is the love of Renaissance, shared by Sarah Mugnier and Vincent Darré, that is expressed once again in the four numbered and signed miniature art pieces composing the collection.

‘I wanted to create jewellery with a strong identity and recognizable aesthetic codes,’ explains the gemologist. There’s no doubt that the gamble paid off.

Each piece – triton, divinity, muse or mermaid – highlights ancient craft techniques and conjures up a world at the crossroads of dreams and reality: both aquatic and celestial, ancient and avant-garde, esoteric and carnivalesque. It took at least two souls and four hands to materialize from the waters of the imagination such a bestiary. When asked how he approached the project, Vincent Darré replies: ‘In a way, I’ve fulfilled a childhood dream; I’ve been able to create the jewellery I’d always dreamed of! It was a secret desire that I had deep down. By imagining those miniature objects, by giving a contemporary twist to those mythology creatures, I had the time of my life! The Neptune pendant, with its aquatic reflections, is both elegant and erotic. The Venus ring evokes the ultimate love story, diamond-studded with stars and sublimated by sparkling enamel. Everything about these pieces fascinates me. They are objects in motion, with changing reflections and light. The baroque pearls, the silvery hue– almost lunar blue – of the chalcedony, the touches of colour added by tiny precious gems – it’s all magic!

© Daniela & Tonatiuh

THE ART OF MAKING JEWELS TALK

As we marvel at the stories behind Fantasmagoria, Sarah Mugnier stresses one essential point: ‘Obviously, It is a collective work. We discussed every detail and made every decision together.’ Jewellers, an enameller, a jewel setter, a miniature painters, a 3D designer, gem dealers and an engraver – they are all the miracle workers who brought to life the shared vision and boundless imagination of Maison Belmont and Vincent Darré. Needless to say, they all have gold at their fingertips.

In its own way, each of the pieces of the collection is a proof of a consuming passion for craftsmanship and age-old savoir-faire. Fantasmagoria showcases “grand feu” enamelling – a process that consists of depositing crushed glass on metal – and ronde-bosse enamelling – enamelling in relief – , two ancient and rare techniques that inevitably place these art jewels under the sign of the Renaissance.

‘Enamels, whether translucent, opaque or opalescent, preserve their colour and brilliance indefinitely, as glass is one of the few materials that does not oxidize or tarnish over time,’ explains enameller Inès Hamaguchi. As a craftswoman, my role is to interpret the design with the enamel and bring to life what the artist has in mind.’ In the workshop, countless hours of development, modelling, experimentation and technical reflection were required. It is a difficult, meticulous and patient work, as precious as the gems that spangle with stars this surreal phantasmagoria.

It’s true that there’s no shortage of stars under the skies of Maison Belmont. They appear in the materials of the jewels, worn on the fingers or around the neck, and light up the eyes of the travellers of the imagination. The Geneva-based artisan jeweller with whom the company has forged a close bond emphasize this idea: ‘Sarah and Vincent’s joy over this project was contagious; they both have stars in their eyes!’

Mahieu

Mahieu

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Sartoro Geneve and Marli New-York

The Artinian Group’s jewelry duo is arriving in Geneva this summer!

With SARTORO GENEVE and MARLI New York, the ‘City of Calvin’ is set to sparkle with dazzling radiance. This summer, Geneva welcomes the Artinian Group’s two iconic brands to a new flagship store on Rue du Rhône. Within this precious setting and to the delight of collectors with a penchant for exclusive jewelry, showcases and lounge areas with private salons overlooking the lake will be unveiled in an unpreceneted Geneva concept store.

Founded by the Artinian family, SARTORO GENEVE and MARLI New York have won the hearts of enthusiasts the world over with their vision of the contemporary, elegant woman. While each signature has its own DNA,

the two brands will now be united under the same roof to offer devotees of precious creations a whole new jewelry experience. On the one hand, exclusive creations by SARTORO GENEVE designed by brothers Arto and Saro Artinian will be on display. This confidential and sought-after fine jewelry label strives to design each piece with the utmost respect for expertise mingling tradition with innovation. SARTORO GENEVE transposes all the purity and brilliance of gems into necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings featuring a subtle, trendy, haute couture style. Jewellery of rare intensity, celebrating each individual personality and inviting them to reveal their inner radiance.

The very philosophy shared by MARLI New York, created by their sister Maral Artinian, who magnifies women’s beauty with her glittering creations. The brand draws inspiration from the architecture and dynamic spirit of New York. The minimalist, mesmerizing fine jewelry collections are adorned with 18-carat gold, diamonds and the finest colored gems to enhance the allure of today’s women. These refined, timeless pieces can be found in Geneva and at exclusive ‘embassy’ boutiques such as the famous GUILHEM jewelry store in the heart of Megève.

Messika A family jewel

At Messika, jewellery is synonymous with excellence in craftsmanship and family passion. Dive into the heart of the emblematic Move collections, symbolizing the bold fusion of tradition and modernity. The result is the incomparable brilliance of Messika diamonds.

MESSIKA, A FAMILY STORY

After spending five years at her father’s side, travelling the world in search of the finest diamonds and honing her negotiating skills, Valérie Messika decided to carry on the family tradition and devote herself to design. Under her expert guidance, diamonds are transformed into jewels of rare delicacy, combining ergonomics and sensuality with perfect mastery. Father and daughter continue to work closely together, making Messika a veritable jewel, where excellence is handed down from generation to generation.

MOVE, THE HOUSE’S SIGNATURE CONCEPT

The inspiration behind a number of iconic collections, including Move Noa, Move Link and So Move, the jeweller’s emblematic signature offers an approach that is both couture and highly modern, fusing the beauty of diamonds with the simplicity of design. The three mobile diamonds are a perfect reflection of their time, making this collection a must-have in the jewellery world. With Move, movement is at the heart of every creation. Far from convention, diamonds come alive, move and have fun, adopting a new, rocking and extremely seductive allure. Evolving with the times, techniques and trends, Messika jewellery asserts its unique style. Like a wind of freshness and freedom blowing through the world of jewellery.

Diversity by Design

Zendaya

If there is actress out there unequivocally in touch with, and aware of, the demands that befall those in the spotlight, it is Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman. Not only a revered star of the stage in both singing and acting, her connection with multiple demographics – across gender, social status, diversity and more – has led to her regard as a mouthpiece for the new generation and their expectations of the world around her. As she discusses with BLUSH, it is a tag she both relishes and turns away from, in equal measure. By Frank

Grice

In a rapidly evolving cultural landscape, where social consciousness and individual identity sit at the forefront of the way celebrities and influencers present themselves, Zendaya has found, perhaps unwittingly, a reputation not just as one of the most sought-after multitalented forces – across acting, modelling and music – but an inspiration and emblematic figure for Generation Z.

Zendaya’s influence is immediately discernible in her choice of acting roles. Through a portrayal of characters like MJ in the Spider-Man series, Rue in the critically acclaimed Euphoria, to the tantalising tennis love triangle in Challengers and, of course, the return of the enigmatic warrior Chani in the Dune sequel, the California-born Golden Globe winner has consistently gravitated towards characters that exude complexity, independence and a sense of agency, often with an ability to smile and surprise.

In 2024, she slows little evidence of wanting to alter a path that combines responsibility with rebellion.

“I’ve never really been able to embrace the concept that people hang on your words and your thoughts, because I don’t think mine are any more important than anyone else’s,” she begins.

“I think anyone who sees my suitcase packing would know I have imperfections!”

And yet Zendaya is an advocate for a more transparent world – one when society has upon it shined a light that creates a healthier and more honest place. “Scrutiny is good when it’s used well, and that’s something we didn’t have in the past, when it was very easy to hide or conceal the truth. Accountability in our actions is always important, and I do think we should stand up when we don’t have that.”

I ALSO DON’T WANT THE EXPECTATION OF BEING FLAWLESS AND PERFECT, AND THAT’S WHAT YOU HAVE TO BE WHEN YOU START PREACHING OR PUTTING IDEAS TO OTHERS.

While to some Zendaya may be just another actress enthused by the potential of the platform she finds herself perched upon, in truth she is so much

more – a person who truly believes in the power of artistry and advocacy, and whose projects are not mere entertainment; they are reflective narratives, and she is a modern generational ambassador for a cultural paradigm that continues to evolve.

And when the 27-year-old is not fuelling a modern global community’s demand for openness and honesty across social media; or working with clothing brands with an insistence on inclusivity in sizes and models; or opening dialogue with fans about anxiety and self-acceptance… she is a catalyst for superb cinema.

“That should always be my number one,” she admits. “I don’t want to be distracted by all the other vocations that come from being in the spotlight, because I always need to remember the reason I am there, and that is primarily to act.

“That is my life dream, and I am very lucky to be living out that dream; and in every project I still feel honoured and privileged to be working alongside so many true greats.

“Ultimately I am still learning and building knowledge. I know that sounds like a big statement, but in actual fact you can’t fail to keep moving forward in that when you are being directed by, and acting around, icons of the industry.”

Sure enough, in 2024, in isolation, Zendaya is exposed to the directorial brilliance of Denis Villeneuve and Luca Guadagnino; she reads off the scripts of the of Justin Kuritzkes and Jon Spaihts; and acts alongside the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken, Dave Bautista and more. Who could fail to improve at every turn?

“That’s the point,” she fires back. “I have been doing this a while, but I know there is so much I can still learn and I’m intent on getting to the next level as quickly as I can.

“As an artist, my ultimate goal is to create a profound impact through my work. I strive to produce art that moves people, that touches their hearts in ways they may not have expected.

“So my work is always a natural progression of that, where I can not only talk to people, but make them think in different ways as well.”

The stylish and sassy actress and singer sees her work as something of a virtuosity – which of course it is – but takes that skill and aptitude to the nth degree. Does that perspective also influence the types of roles she gravitates towards?

“I’ve always been drawn to storytelling and different characters - it’s a passion that runs deep within me.

“From a young age, I found myself captivated by the magic of weaving narratives and inhabiting the lives of people… individuals. The ability to transform into someone else and bring that person’s story to life is nothing short of extraordinary - a profound experience that allows me to delve into the depths of human emotions and explore the intricacies of the human condition.”

She continues: “I don’t liken my talent to just one audience or one age group, because storytelling is ubiquitous – it doesn’t care if you’re female or male, old or young. I believe my generation has authenticity and honesty, and I feel this is something social media has given us as much as anything else. We are the generation who found a voice through technology, where perhaps in the past that sector of society was branded with the idea of knowing too little. You can only prove something by playing it out, and I think we have done that.

Although still something of a fledgling in Hollywood generational terms, Zendaya is already in total command of her career. From an early career kickstarted, predictably, across the Disney network, to breaking free into roles that showed a more mature, measured and masterful take on performance – not least with

“I DON’T TEND TO PIGEONHOLE SO MUCH THESE DAYS WHEN IT COMES TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC FOR MY FILMS OR THE WAY I WANT TO SPEAK TO A CERTAIN AUDIENCE. IF IT’S ARTISTIC, AND ENERGIZED, I AM KEEN TO DO IT.”

her involvement across three Spider-Man movies, and the brilliant performance in The Greatest Showman – the actress has risen into the mainstream with almost apologetic ease. Yet despite the variation in projects, one thing will always ring true for the actress. “For me, you can only really feel satisfied when you finish a project and know you have experienced both a story and an emotion. When you have one without the other, it’s a missed opportunity.

“Everything has to start with the story, though. When we immerse ourselves in a well-crafted narrative, we embark on a shared journey with the characters, experiencing their triumphs and tribulations.

“We all have a story in us, and we all know the power of storytelling – as something magical that can transcend boundaries and bring us closer together as human beings. It bridges gaps, it fosters empathy, and it builds understanding.”

And from a creative perspective, Zendaya believes she can hold on to openness and integrity, with exposure a big part of that. “I am glad at least that I am in an industry that values realism – I mean, so much of film and drama is just a representation of real life.

“I think young people today are very adept at talking about feelings and emotions. I know from my parents and other elders that outside the family circle this was never something that went on in the past.

“I believe the unlocking of honesty, and the expressing of vulnerability, is so important. The way young people speak about mental health is inspiring – we have a generation who are proud to express their failings, and this is wonderful to see.”

And with a role model as bright, brilliant and grounded as Zendaya, the inspiration to keep talking, keep evolving, is there and will remain.

Driven To Distraction Adam Driver

Informed and influential – a life of plenty that has guided Adam Driver to the Hollywood pinnacle. By

James Evans

Adam Driver knows his place. He is an icon of modern Hollywood, a respected actor – dare we say, even, an influencer. Adam Driver knows all this. It could be said, for that reason, he doesn’t need to listen to the conjecture, the comments, the perennial appraisal. In reality though, the 40-year-old holds up a barrier to any mention of his name and his performance. “I just want to be me,” he begins. “I know I can’t change that, and I can’t change the way I act, so praise or criticism is really, in many ways, pretty pointless in terms of what I can do with it.

“It’s easier just to block it all out and get on with it.”

Certainly, over the years, Driver has become used to humouring the slightly perverse perceptions of journalists and others who critique him. For example, it was put to him by one podcast host in late 2023 that he… “doesn’t look like a regular Hollywood actor.”

Driver’s simple response was quick and exacting, stating that not only was he largely unable to change the way he looked, but his visual presentation hadn’t especially harmed his career up to that point!

“Ultimately I don’t take that sort of chat too seriously,” he says. “And in the same way, I regard gushing praise and adoration with the same level of temperance. As the saying goes, with most things in life the truth is usually somewhere in the middle.”

What is true is the fact the BlacKkKlansman star has perhaps re-presented the styled, chic, almost elegant way the lead man is portrayed in Hollywood. He is unique, unconventional and attractive, yet purposeful, pragmatic and structured. His choice of films show a desire to reach for the

very pinnacle of what’s possible – notably in his portrayal of Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, from 2015 to 2019; yet Driver is just as renowned for a slew of indie movie successes, for stylish biographical chic such as House of Gucci, for high-speed biographical drama in last year’s Ferrari, and dark sci-fi from the vision of Francis Ford Coppola in the upcoming Megalopolis?

“I like the processes and philosophy that goes behind a big epic,” he says. “I actually like the feeling of being taken along by a system, a machine, while other actors like to prefer a much more conscious handle on how the thing plays out.

“I think from my time being in the Marine Corps,” he continues, referencing almost three years of military service, “there is comfort in knowing someone else is pushing and fuelling what it is you are doing.”

His role as Caesar in Megalopolis also afforded Driver the opportunity to work with Coppola – a dream of his. “It’s right up there with any experience I have had,” he says. “Francis is a visionary and I learned so much from him on this – specifically to always question your first thought and first motive, because everything is fluid and nothing is truly set in stone.

“It has been an experience I believe will influence so much of what happens from here.”

The San Diego-born actor first came to prominence in HBO-led comedy-drama Girls, then elevated himself through Coen Brothers projects and independent movies such as Hungry Hearts, for which he won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the 2014 Venice International Film Festival.

Nominated by the Academy Awards, Golden Globes and BAFTA for roles in the 2019 Spike Lee vehicle BlacKKKlansman and Marriage Story written and directed by Noah Baumbach, Driver has continued his upward trajectory. His route to both critical and commercial success was of course afforded him when Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015 grossed over $2bn at the box office, spawning sequels The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Yet, as the traditional sci-fi genre finds itself in stiff competition with the rise of the superhero, Driver has also realised he can’t afford to – or simply doesn’t want to – align himself too closely with one particularly mode.

“I’ve always said diversity as an actor is crucial and I’d be a hypocrite if I didn’t play that out with my film choices,” he begins. “I think the issue with Star Wars is that when you sign up to it, it envelops almost every part of who you are.

“The commitment is huge and the schedule is long, so even when you want to pull away from such a behemoth, it’s sometimes easier said than done.”

or action drama, and perhaps there is often the cornerstone of a true-life element, but the story is the most important thing, always.”

“ONLY ONCE IN A WHILE WILL YOU GET SOMETHING THAT MATCHES UP TO THE PROMISE IN EVERY WAY.”

Regardless, enough time has elapsed since the third film in the newest trilogy to enable Driver to put distance between himself and the most successful franchise in movie history. That’s probably wise, too, given the lukewarm reaction the JJ Abrams spin-offs have received. As for where he moves forward in 2025, Driver says: “It’s a case of seeing what the future will bring. I think some have tagged me in historical drama

And yet for someone so adept at making fine cinema choices, Driver remains as prone as anyone else to the randomness of the movie industry when it comes to what hits and what misses.

“There is no actor out there who produces great work all the time. There is so much beyond the lead man or the lead woman, and usually it’s a case of so many things having to properly align for a movie to really find the right audience.

“I have had so many resonate to me on so many different levels, and you will know in yourself something has the potential to become really elegant and special.

“Though the reality is, probably only one in 10 of these projects end up coming out the way you imagine. There will be a handful that simply fail, and another few that work in places but overall leave you feeling a bit cheated.

That Driver can accept the setbacks with the success is probably because this is an actor who still admits to pinching himself at the career he has. Serving with the United States Marine Corps at the start of the Millennium, he was medically discharged with the rank of Lance Corporal when fracturing his sternum while out mountain biking.

“I was quite a volatile figure coming out of the Marines and, I suppose, I had always had a ruthless, rugged streak to me.” That is no better evidenced than when starting up a fight club as a youngster, back in his native Indiana. “Growing up, there wasn’t really much to do and we were pretty much making stuff up as we went along,” he says.

“My friends and I began something of a ‘fight club’! It seemed like a really good idea, to fight your friends. And sure, yes, we got hurt, but no-one ever got seriously hurt – nothing really bad.

“I never went to the hospital after a fight - they were just friendly neighbourhood scraps where kids would ride past on their bikes and we would recruit them into our club, but it was optional – we didn’t just go up and start hitting people.

“The venue was a big field. As soon as night fell we would go back there once it would go dark and fight each other.”

That experience would go hand in hand with Driver exploring the work of Martin Scorsese, the real Fight Club movie and others of a similar nature – something which helped provide him with not only an escapism from boredom, but a resilience and battle-hardiness that would support his later choices in life.

“When we moved to Indiana, we lived with my grandparents, and my grandfather would have these videotapes, where he would put the tape over the tab so he could record new stuff onto them,” Driver recalls vividly. “He would record hundreds of programmes for my sister and I to watch, but he would draw the line at Die Hard 2,” he laughs.

“It gave a sort of mysticism over those types of movies, and I don’t think I have ever lost that. Indeed, I think all movies have ultimately become a kind of a touchstone for me – an adult entity. I grew up regarding stores like Blockbuster or Hollywood Video as my connection to the world.”

It’s a connection that remains today, albeit the way we consume drama is very different, and rather than being the watcher, Driver is the watched.

“It still doesn’t feel real, and I still approach each movie with a deep-rooted fear that it may be my last… that, at some point, I am going to get found out.

“There is no-one more surprised than me that the day hasn’t arrived yet!”

1WATCH 4FACES

Hard Graft Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy stands as one of Britain’s foremost acting talents, renowned for his chameleonic ability to inhabit a diverse array of roles. From the raw, unfiltered intensity of Bronson to the formidable presence of Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, Hardy’s eclectic range is undeniable. His unwavering dedication to the art is evident in cinematic triumphs like Mad Max: Fury Road and The Revenant, where he fully immerses himself in the heart and soul of his characters. His portrayals, which brilliantly balance vulnerability and strength, shine in masterpieces such as Dunkirk and the riveting TV series Taboo. The cinematic world eagerly awaits his upcoming ventures, Hardy is set to captivate audiences once more in The Bikeriders, Havoc, and the much-anticipated Venom 3. Away from the big screen, Hardy has been sober for well over a decade and says he intends to stay that way. He lives in London together with his actress wife Charlotte Riley, whom he first met on the set of Wuthering Heights in 2009. Hardy is also proud father to three children. By Frank Grice

BLUSH. You’ve got a busy period coming up with Havoc and The Bikeriders this year, while 2024 sees the release of Venom 3. What can you tell us about them?

TOM HARDY. [Laughs]. Ah, the eternal question. Not much, I’m afraid. I did share a picture on my social media of Venom 3, but that was a bit of a tease. These production companies don’t take too kindly to their actors giving away secrets, especially the comic book ones. I’d love to just sit here and tell you all kinds, but I can’t, so I won’t. What I will say is my ambitions for the film projects I take on have never changed. You do get a lot of actors who you see morphing into wildly different projects. That’s just not me. The fact is I know what I’m good at and I know what I’m not good at. Knowing your limitations in life is as important as knowing your talents. Conceal one and push forward the other!

You say that, though you have branched out in terms of the impact you have on the roles you take on – namely swaying between acting, writing and producing? Which do you prefer?

I rarely find a moment of respite while on the job, yet every project brings its own set of experiences. With Taboo, for example, filming in London granted me the comfort of returning to my family every evening. In fact, my youngest arrived just three weeks before we began production on that, so it made the circumstances quite favourable, and I feel that might be hard to compare due to my biased nature of those specific conditions.

conversations with some writers and directors on set if you feel you have an idea that could work. However, I like to respect the people who cast me with the script intact.

Do you still refer to Legend where you played both roles as the Kray twins as the most difficult film role – or roles, really – in your career?

Taking on a role as an actor always brings its own set of challenges and nuances. Each character demands immersion, understanding and a commitment to bring them to life authentically. However, the most formidable challenge I’ve ever encountered in my acting career wasn’t just stepping into the shoes of a single character. It was simultaneously portraying two distinct characters in that one film, yes.

I LIKE TO RESPECT THE PEOPLE WHO CAST ME WITH THE SCRIPT INTACT.

This isn’t just about remembering lines or adopting different postures. It’s about diving deep into two separate psyches, understanding their motivations, fears, dreams and then seamlessly transitioning between them. Moreover, establishing a believable relationship between these two characters added another layer of complexity. It required me to understand and convey not just how each character felt individually, but also how they interacted, how they influenced each other and how their relationship evolved over the course of the piece. While it was incredibly demanding, it was also one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional journey.

On the other hand, there are times when the film itself might be less demanding, but the environment proves challenging. The unpredictability is ever-present.

If you had to choose one?

Out of acting, producing and crafting an idea or writing? I must say that writing and developing an idea resonates with me the most. This is probably because to allows me to dive deep into the creative process and truly bring a vision to life. Not that I dislike acting, of course, but you’re tied to something which has been written by someone else, although you can have

You’ve been in many films that revolve around playing tough or violent characters, such as Legend and Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. Do you feel this is when you’re at your best as an actor?

I certainly don’t see myself as aggressive or rugged. While I don’t believe I come off as threatening, directors seem to find a quality in me suitable for such roles. There’s an underlying intensity within me. My younger days taught me self-reliance, which often led me into difficult situations. I attended a public school; it wasn’t as elite as Prince Harry’s institution, but it was quite upscale. However, I personally don’t consider myself to be posh, at all.

How does it feel being famous and having all of the adulation and respect that you get from so many people both within the film industry and also the audiences who flock to movies you’re in?

I value the acknowledgment I receive for my efforts, but the idea of fame is hard for me to grasp. I never want to perceive myself as superior or more entitled than others. While the attention can be exciting, at the end of the day, we’re all the same. Living an ostentatious life isn’t truly meaningful for me, whatsoever. It’s merely a persona cast upon you and it’s detrimental if you let it consume your thoughts.

How hard is it to revert back to normal life, and to be yourself, after you’ve immersed yourself in a character for so long during filming?

I wouldn’t say that it’s too difficult because I’m always me underneath. Everything is planned and meticulously crafted, so all that’s required is inspiration and a touch of magic. I leave nothing to fate and remain focused. Whether you’re grieving a loved one or battling the effects of a severe hangover, once you’re on set, the sole focus is the task at hand. You don’t need to experience trauma to portray it. That’s the essence of ‘acting’. Filmmaking is all about crafting an illusion, right? It’s about manifesting emotions on the spot and activating them when the scene demands – be it intense rage or any specific feeling. The most challenging fight in my life? Managing my ego and ensuring it doesn’t overpower me. That, in itself, is a genuine act!

to diverge from that and embrace a rawer approach. Our aim was to narrate a tale that seemed truer to life, stepping away from that traditional narrative, while still capturing the essence of history and its influence on our culture and society. I like to think that we achieved that with Taboo.

Was there such a bad relationship when you were younger?

It’s all in the past now. I’m over 40, a father to three and my dynamics with Chips have undergone a significant transformation. Being the only son, I had an inherent urge to push back against my father. Throughout my youth, my dad was immersed in his work, often returning home late, so our interactions were limited. My education at a boarding school further distanced us, leaving me in search of a paternal presence.

YOU DON’T NEED TO EXPERIENCE TRAUMA TO PORTRAY IT.

Unfortunately, I ended up associating with the wrong crowd, thinking they provided me with a sense of stability. It wasn’t until recent decades that my father and I truly reconnected and rebuilt our relationship. Life’s lessons and the experience of fatherhood profoundly changed my perspective. Now, Chips and I can have open discussions about everything. When we join forces, it’s not just as father and son, but rather as two creative minds working in tandem.

You often refer to your addictive personality, but you’ve been off alcohol for over a decade now. How does that make you feel and how do you also understand how hard it is for other people who may have those issues?

Your dad is someone who is your biggest fan, isn’t he… not to mention helping you writing Taboo with you.

I relish the opportunity to make him proud. My respect for him is immense and I’m thankful that our bond has strengthened over time, different from my younger years. Our discussions now feel like exchanges between two adults, yet there’s still that father-son essence. He guided me in challenging the conventional portrayal of historical dramas in Britain, which often lean towards being overly correct, formal and unauthentic. I aspired

The tendency to self-sabotage is a constant battle within me, stemming from my addictive personality. It’s a demon I’ll likely always need to remain vigilant against. Yet, this very trait fuels my creativity and I’ve learned to channel it into my work rather than letting it dominate and disrupt my life. Overcoming such challenges empowers you, instilling a drive to improve and be better. For others grappling with addictions, I empathise deeply. Addiction can be an all-consuming force, and I hope they find their own avenues of transformation and strength, just as I’ve found mine in my work.

Pi erre-François-Pascal

G uerlain

The story of a visionary genius

The first Guerlain boutique was created in 1828 by a former chemistry student. No fewer than five generations would follow at the head of one of the world’s most emblematic Houses. Focus on a passionate creator who revolutionized the world of beauty.

By Eleonore Guerre-Braun

THE BEGINNINGS OF A SUCCESS STORY

Make good products, never cheat on quality, have simple ideas and apply them scrupulously. It was with this phrase, which has become a philosophical motto, that the young Guerlain pursued his passion and his desire to make his boutique an institution.

Cleverly designed packaging, beautifully sealed packets and carefully selected ingredients... Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain leaves nothing to chance. He began by selling Sapoceti - soaps scented with natural essences of jasmine, rose or gardenia - then quickly dared to launch into the sale of eaux de toilette: “ Senteurs des Champs , Esprit de Fleurs and Bouquet du Jardin du Roi were his first olfactory works, composed of memories of his youth.

He also imported lotions directly from England, such as Gowland Lotion , and developed skin care products in the form of creams, and even a make-up collection as early as 1830.

His bold, refined creations reflected the poetic spirit of the time, and attracted a discerning clientele including the Marquise de Giradin and even Honoré de Balzac. His perfumes

in prestigious Baccarat bottles became highly prized, and his reputation as a master perfumer spread throughout Paris. Guerlain became a household name. His skincare creams such as Crème de Concombres , Serkis des Sultanes and Crème à la Fraise became cult favorites thanks to their originality and effectiveness: maintaining the skin’s elasticity, protecting against the sun’s rays... revolutionary claims for the time, marking the beginning of the future beauty creations of the 20th century.

In 1842, Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain set up shop at 15 rue de la Paix in Paris, where the extent of his prestige soared: the Duchess of Mouchy, the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Berry and even the Queen of Belgium became regular customers.

It was at this point that the genius perfumer created legendary fragrances such as Bouquet Napoléon and Parfum Impérial

A few years later, in 1853, he even offered Empress Eugéniewife of Napoleon III - a made-to-measure fragrance that would become emblematic: Eau de Cologne Impériale, in a bottle set with 69 golden bees. A creation - still sold today - that earned him the prestigious title of Her Majesty’s Patented Perfumer.

GUERLAIN: A FAMILY STORY

While Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain reigned supreme over the world of perfume and beauty, he delegated certain tasks to his sons Aimé and Gabriel, then chose to let them continue the adventure of the House. He died in 1864, aged 66.

Aimé Guerlain, a demanding and talented creator, designed a lipstick in a refillable case in 1870, Ne m’oubliez pas . A revolution at the time. He also proved to be an excellent perfumer, becoming the father of the iconic fragrance Jicky, considered in 1889 to be the first modern perfume, combining natural essences and synthetic products. Originally intended for women, it was a fragrance that men loved.

In 1897, Gabriel’s sons Jacques and Pierre took up the reins of the company alongside their father, constantly reinventing it. They left their mark on Guerlain’s history by launching iconic products such as Secret de Bonne Femme, the first moisturizer with a hand-whipped cream texture, and by creating iconic fragrances such as Après l’Ondée and L’Heure Bleue. A second Guerlain boutique was opened in 1912 on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, a must-see coquetry spot.

Everything accelerated in 1921, when the House of Guerlain dazzled the world with the creation of Shalimar, a perfume with vanilla and iris aromas, a tribute to the Hindu princess Mumtaz Mahal, presented at the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts in Paris in 1925. This event marked the beginning of Guerlain’s international expansion, with the opening of boutiques in Berlin and New York, almost 100 years after its creation.

In 1992, Jean-Paul Guerlain, Jacques’ grandson and a great perfumer capable of recognizing three thousand olfactory nuances, took over the management of the House, before selling it to the LVMH group in 1994, while remaining at its head.

The saga of the House of Guerlain, which began with the ambitious dream of Pierre-François-Pascal Guerlain, has turned into a fantastic saga of iconic fragrances and commercial successes.

La Petite Robe Noire, Aqua Allegoria, Abeille Royale or Orchidée Impériale skincare products, Terracota.... Guerlain, the first House to make its mark in sustainable luxury, continues to shine around the world. A great story of glamour that is not yet over.

Quai du Mont-Blanc, 1201 Genève - Suisse

Dior Spa Eden-Roc Discrete luxury

The new Dior Spa at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, a veritable legend on the French Riviera, has everything it takes to seduce you, with its focus on nature and the light of the Côte d’Azur. Nestling in the heart of greenery, overlooking the Lérins islands and a magnificent nine-hectare park where agapanthus, lavender and lavender are in bloom, the Dior Spa is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

By Quitterie Pasquesoone

Where agapanthus, lavender, roses and fragrant jasmine bloom, it offers a bubble of disconnection in discreet luxury, blending elegance and well-being. We love the chic salon, with its light sandy tones inspired by the rocks on which the estate is built, where you can receive the very latest treatments. We also love the onyx affusion room and the ice fountain in the spa’s experiential space. A gazebo, transformed into a double cabin, is the perfect place to receive a tailor-made massage, with four new customisable signature treatments: the Dioriginels Rituals, inspired by and using active ingredients from the flowers in the garden and the surrounding elements. You can also try one of the six Dior well-being cures, created exclusively for the Dior Spa Eden-Roc. The Bouquet Détente cure, for example, allows you to recharge your batteries, oxygenate and return to yourself, in the heart of this enchanting place. With the Détox cure, you boost detoxification of the body and skin and create a healthy lifestyle, day after day. Perfect for relaxing after a long-haul flight or before a swim in the Mediterranean, this is definitely a place where you’ll want to spend some time…

The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz A healthy dive

The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, a jewel in the Swiss Alps nestling in the splendour of the Heidiland, invites you to experience something truly exceptional. Here, the healing waters of the Tamina Gorge, discovered almost eight centuries ago, gush out at an ideal temperature of 36.5°C, offering a unique spa experience.

By Quitterie Pasquesoone

This know-how, first developed in 1535, has since become increasingly sophisticated, offering a range of treatments and baths that combine ancestral therapeutic benefits with luxurious details. You’ll be able to enjoy a wide variety of indoor and outdoor pools spread over no less than 7,300 square metres, between blue mosaics and natural stones, where highly beneficial waters rest. Whether it’s to strengthen your muscles after a sporting activity or to soothe your mind from the torments of everyday life, every dip in these miraculous waters is an aquatic immersion of pure disconnection. Perfect for an exclusive retreat for body, mind and soul, you can also enjoy authentic rituals around the sauna and a holistic range of wellness treatments designed entirely to do you good. The private spa includes a whirlpool bath, hydromassage shower, steam bath, sauna and treatment area. An unforgettable experience…

WIRELESS SPEAKERS

Goldmund sound systems blend cutting-edge technology with unparalleled aesthetics, delivering an immersive concert experience right in the comfort of your home.

WWW.GOLDMUND.COM

“Better-Aging” as its motto

Clinique Nescens

Nestled between the peaceful waters of Lake Geneva and the majesty of the Swiss mountains, and backed by the renowned Clinique de Genolier, Clinique Nescens embodies the very essence of wellbeing, between doing well and knowing how to be well, by basing its practices and treatments on remarkable medical expertise. Prevention, optimisation, performance… words that sound like Nescens, with empathy added. By Helena Perdoux-Frances

SCIENCE FOR A SECOND YOUTH

More than 20 years ago, Professor Jacques Proust, a true pioneer, created the Centre de Prévention du Vieillissement, which later became Clinique Nescens. At the same time, Professor Proust created his eponymous cosmeceutical brand. His objective was clear: to offer patients the latest scientific advances in the treatment and, above all, the prevention of the pathophysiological manifestations of ageing. Clinique Nescens takes an integrative and holistic approach to promoting health and general wellbeing. The intelligence and effectiveness of this approach depend on an outstanding team: doctors, nutritionists, osteopaths and sports trainers.

“Prevention is the first step towards cure”

COSMECEUTICALS, EFFECTIVE PERSONALISATION

Professor Proust wasn’t just interested in ephemeral cosmetics, but in using science to create beauty regenerating products, in the truest sense of the word, products adapted to each individual, capable of bridging the gap between pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Their effectiveness, enhanced by a high percentage of active ingredients, puts them on a par with medical prescriptions. Nescens has developed a serum that eliminates the “zombie cells” responsible for accelerated ageing. This exceptional formulation targets senescent cells. In fact, each product is meticulously designed to specifically target and treat one of the ageing mechanisms identified to date. The formulations are not only unique, but also based on the latest scientific advances to ensure optimal efficacy. The Nescens range comprises 22 products, offering a variety of treatments, from cleansers to serums, from corrective care to masks and peelings, for both face and body. All products are manufactured in Switzerland, guaranteeing exceptional quality.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

Clinique Nescens has a preventive medicine centre that provides the medical check-ups that are essential for effective care. Its proximity to Clinique de Genolier enables it to respond quickly and efficiently, as the two clinics are linked by an underground corridor. In addition to this medical performance, regenerative medicine has a purely aesthetic objective. The aim is to fill in facial wrinkles by re-injecting the patient’s own fat cells. This is a high-performance aesthetic result with no risk of rejection or rapid evaporation. This aesthetic medicine practised by the aesthetic surgeons at Clinique Nescens helps to lift our spirits...

“Only 30% of our genetic capital influences the tempo at which we age... the remaining 70% depends solely on our ability to cope with stress” (Pr. J. Proust)”

THE RESET CURE, THE NESCENS PLUS

This remarkable programme revolves around three logical themes: Restart, Regenerate, Rebirth. Cutting-edge medical expertise, advanced technological therapies and personalised exercise and nutritional support to provide a complete detoxification, anti-ageing and regeneration experience. Following a comprehensive assessment, patients receive a tailor-made treatment that includes physical fitness, improved sleep and stress management. During their programme they have access to medical consultations, nutritional assessments, a range of therapies, personalised exercise and yoga sessions, with particular attention paid to personalising the diet to support the fitness regime. Clinique Nescens invites us to grow old in good health and to maintain our vitality. Through its activities, cosmeceuticals and spas, Nescens offers a complete answer to ageing. Its philosophy can be summed up in a few words: to preserve all aspects of our lives, from aesthetics to intrinsic individuality.

Longevity and wellbeing in a haven of peace

Clinique La Prairie

Located in Montreux on the fascinating shores of the Swiss Riviera, Clinique La Prairie has been the epitome of health and longevity for over 90 years. Founded in 1931 by Dr Paul Niehans, a pioneer in cell therapy, it has become a world-renowned medical and wellness destination.

By Helena Perdoux-Frances

A LONGER, HEALTHIER, MORE FULFILLING LIFE

Award-winning spa-clinic, Clinique La Prairie offers the most advanced longevity and wellness programs, in absolute luxury. The exclusive holistic approach combines leading preventative medicine and wellbeing with bespoke lifestyle and nutrition plans, led by 50 medical specialists. All programs are based on the CLP Longevity Method™ using a ‘four pillars’ holistic approach: medical, nutrition, movement and wellbeing. The duration of the programs ranges from 5 to 14 days, during which guests can expect to receive a cutting-edge medical and epi-genetic screening, tailor-made nutrition and exercise plans, as well as results-oriented wellness and aesthetic treatments in a beautiful and peaceful environment.

THE SCIENCE OF LONGEVITY

The emblematic Revitalisation Program, a revolutionary cellular therapy created by Dr Niehans himself, has built Clinique La Prairie's unparalleled longevity reputation. This legendary program has regenerated and rejuvenated the body and mind, strengthened the immune system and improved physical and mental performance of international luxury guests for more than 90 years. With the new Revitalisation Premium, Clinique La Prairie offers today the ultimate approach to longevity.

“ Revitalisation Premium is now the most comprehensive tailored longevity program in the world combining the solid foundations of the iconic Revitalisation program with a targeted medical approach

to deeply regenerate the body's 7 key systems and functions: brain, heart, circadian rhythm, skin, metabolism, immunity and microbiota ” says Simone Gibertoni, CEO of Clinique La Prairie.

HOLISTIC HEALTH, LUXURY LONGEVITY SUPPLEMENTS

Clinique La Prairie's Holistic Health is a pioneering longevity nutraceuticals line, the result of five rigorous years of research and development. More than just a supplements collection, it represents a whole new approach to longevity.

“Crafted in Switzerland, Holistic Health supplements leverage the most advanced breakthroughs in science and nutrigenomics and have been designed to target and combat the root causes of aging and inflammation, promoting longevity in the process.

The four plant-based products: Age-Defy, Balance, Energy and Purity pair the exclusive Holistic Complex with carefully selected micronutrients and plant extracts to achieve maximum longevity results at home” states Simone Gibertoni.

BRAIN POTENTIAL, A REVOLUTIONARY STEP FORWARD

Clinique La Prairie recently launched another innovative program, Brain Potential, an undeniable breakthrough

in improving brain health. This seven-day program combines scientific assessments and interventions with a clear objective: to slow cognitive decline, improve brain performance and promote resilience to stress, while supporting the gut-brain connection. In today's performance-driven society, brain health is essential for longevity.

The result of several years of research and collaboration with the Neuroimaging Research Laboratory at Lausanne University Hospital Centre, Brain Potential embodies Clinique La Prairie's commitment to medical excellence and continuous innovation by combining in-depth assessments, such as genetic screening and MRI brain scans, with personalised interventions, such as the Brain Training Method.

“We are so pleased to be at the forefront of this new and advanced understanding of brain health. Our Brain Potential program encapsulates our dedication to nurturing the aspirations of guests who seek to embrace life's full potential, like never before. With proactive cutting-edge technology, Clinique La Prairie’s experts can help our guests optimize their cognitive wellbeing ” declares Simone Gibertoni.

Clinique La Prairie is the most advanced wellness destination to increase longevity, reverse aging and unlock the secret of living.

Art, a magnificent showcase of beauty

Valmont

Didier Guillon, Chairman and Artistic Director of the Valmont Group, the legendary luxury cosmetics maison, is a man eager to discover the world. Entrepreneur, curator, philanthropist, art collector and artist, he's driven by a curious eye on a changing world. Everything inspires him. The everyday, the extraordinary, shared emotions, but also aesthetics, an aestheticism with art at the core. By Helena Perdoux-Frances

ART AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION

“Art is at the heart of Valmont universe. Art and beauty are magically intertwined in all our creations both perfumes and skincare. Artistic language allows the brand to go off the beaten track, to create a different conversation with our audience. A real brand pillar but also a legacy”.

This artistic vision “where art meets beauty” sublimates all La Maison Valmont creations. Sophie Vann Guillon, CEO and creator of all products, conceives cutting-edge cosmetic formula and sensorial textures, while Didier Guillon designs the luxury and artistic packaging especially of the exclusive limited editions.From La Quintessence de Glaciers, where ultimate luxury meets the Bauhaus, to Prime Renewing Pack and its smiley face, subtly transformed to celebrate the 40 years of this iconic mask, to Scarface, the “Parfum d’Artiste” where master perfumery becomes a piece of art.

THE VALMONT FOUNDATION, A BRIDGE BETWEEN SCIENTIFIC PRAGMATISM AND ART

In 2015, Didier Guillon created the Valmont Foundation, a tribute to art in all its forms. Located in the magnificent Palazzo Bonvicini in Venice, this prestigious institution provides a platform for contemporary artists from all over the world. Palazzo Bonvicini is now hosting the art exhibition ULYSSES. We are all Heroes. 4 artists Gayle Chong Kwan, ISAO, Stephanie Blake and Didier Guillon. 4 challenges taken up by Ulysses... Mr Guillon has set out to metaphorize the Death of the Suitors, ready to steal Ulysses' wife, Penelope, and his fortune. “The exhibition brings to life the spirit of Homer’s epic poem in the context of our contemporary world. Art is immortal and its fusion with beauty is eternal”

LES RÉSIDENCES VALMONT, ART AS THE ONLY LUXURY

Valmont. Truly exceptional locations, to welcome customers, opinion leaders and friends of the maison. Four magnificent destinations: Villa Valentine in Hydra, Chalet Capucine in Verbier, Palazzo Bonvicini in Venice and the latest, Casa Maxence in Barcelona. Extending its roots, crossing borders, exporting art and beauty, Valmont has made this a mission.

“The idea was to create physical places, in addition to our spa and boutiques, to experience the brand at 360 degrees. It’s a fascinating way to immerse customers and the media in our universe, bringing them closer to beauty and art. Art, as always, is the common thread that guided me in decorating the interiors of the Résidences”.

CASA MAXENCE, OR WHEN THE HEART PREVAILS OVER REASON

Barcelona captured first Didier Guillon's soul. Then came the friendship with the Artigas family, the former owners of Casa Maxence, whose bond was forged naturally, out of love for a timeless place. Casa Maxence is also a love story with the city’s creative energy. Particularly noteworthy for its sublime façade, where pastel colours intertwine with a variety of high-relief motifs, and bucolic details gracefully wind their way along the walls and balustrades. At its heart a lounge and four bedrooms, spread over three floors, linked by a central cascade of luminous masks, evoking a mysterious and seductive Venice. To each bedroom its own identity, inviting visitors to marvel, question and be moved. Frédéric Amat, Yves Lévêque, Pavel Roučka and Didier Guillon.

“Art is everywhere in Casa Maxence and my favourite space is the Japanese garden. A unique garden that I can’t find anywhere else. Casa Maxence celebrates art, family and the link between historical heritage and contemporary creativity. The casa goes far beyond the traditional notion of hospitality to become an artistic, emotional and immersive experience. Without the love of art as a legacy, a true basis for a future rich in intergenerational transmission, the past and the future would be meaningless”.

In 2020, Didier Guillon decided to expand the horizons of the Valmont Group with an ambitious new project: Les Résidences

041 805

MORE INFOS: Valmont Foundation, Palazzo Bonvicini Calle Agnello, 2161/A, 30135 Venice, Italy - www.fondationvalmont.com - +39

0002 ULYSSES. We are all Heroes. 20.04.24 - 23.02.25

Refreshing Fragrances

In the mood for freshness? Discover our selection of refreshing summer eaux with light, bewitching notes. Dive into a fresh, summery olfactory universe that will enhance your sunny days.

SO CLASSIC!

Top notes of cardamom, lavender and coriander, heart notes of violet and iris, and base notes of amber, cedar and sandalwood... This is a racy juice imagined by Arnaud Poulain, inspired by the great classics of 20th-century French Haute Parfumerie, and taken from the Superclassique collection. This collection evokes in me the same emotions as the happy, innocent memory of a first love," he explains. Imagined as a second skin, Iris Palladium represents a bold blend of modernity and classicism

Iris Palladium

Les Eaux Primordiales

Eau de parfum 50ml, 115€

Eau de Parfum 100 ml, 180€

AN INFINITE TRAIL OF ROSES

An iconic bouquet with an exaggerated personality... Parfums de Marly unveils Delina Limited Edition, an ode to the rose, straight from the 18th century, and above all to femininity. At the heart of Delina, the Damascena rose, the noblest of them all, is sublimated by notes of lychee, then enveloped in vanilla and white musk, which blossom on the skin and leave their mark. Like a journey through time…

Delina Edition Limitée

Parfums de Marly 100 ml, 270€

THE SUN ON FIRE

Founder Kilian Hennessy has revisited his Polynesian elixir to give it an unrivalled luminosity with floral notes that are as fresh as they are enchanting, reviving sensory memories associated with the summer season. A true invitation to travel, Sunkissed Goddess offers sunshine in a bottle. "It's the fragrance of summer, the fragrance of happiness," says Kilian Hennessy. It's an addictive juice for warm weather.

Sunkissed Goddess

Kilian Paris Flacon rechargeable 50 ml, 250€

AROMATHERAPY

The Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona launches its fragrance: Musc Eternel, an ode to the typically Mediterranean lyricism of Barcelona, borrowed from the classic elegance of the historic 5-star hotel on Paseo de Gracia. This sophisticated fragrance is both fresh and warm, with opening notes of bergamot, sage, tea and blackcurrant, while the heart reveals a delicate harmony of white flowers and figs, enhanced by musk, moss and American cedar... A truly aromatic journey!

Musc Éternel

Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona 100ml, 95€

MYTHIQUE

Since its creation, Maison Goutal has been committed to engraving memories, dreams and emotions in our olfactory memories... With Le Chèvrefeuille, the time has come for lightness, innocence, reconnecting with our inner child and all those moments spent in the garden, rolling around in the grass and enjoying those precious moments... A scent of summer and freshness, like one of Proust's madeleines.

Le Chèvrefeuille

Maison Goutal 100 ml, 160 euros

A journey through craftsmanship and excellence

HERMÈS

Since it was founded by Thierry Hermès in 1837, the House of Hermès has embodied excellence in the world of luxury and fashion. Its remarkable history, punctuated by innovation and tradition, bears witness to the Hermès family’s unwavering commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and ultimate quality. A look back at a fantastic story. By Eleonore

Guerre-Braun

AT THE HEART OF THIS EVOLUTION: TRADITION, CRAFTSMANSHIP AND KNOW-HOW, THE WATCHWORDS OF THE HOUSE OF HERMÈS.

THIERRY HERMÈS: THE GENESIS OF A LUXURY EMPIRE

In the early days of the House, Thierry Hermès, a master saddler with a passion for the equestrian world, made top-of-the-range harnesses and saddles for horses, which he sold from his small boutique on rue Basse-du-Rempart, just off the Grands Boulevards in 19th-century Paris. Gradually, he attracted a loyal clientele of aristocrats, and acquired a solid reputation for the quality of his creations and his unrivaled expertise. The boutique became a symbol of excellence in craftsmanship. In 1867, it was the consecration. The Hermès boutique was awarded a first-class medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition, 30 years after its creation. Its success exceeded the expectations of its founder: Hermès became the ultimate brand for emperors, kings and notables around the world.

THE HERITAGE OF CRAFTSMANSHIP AT THE HEART OF HERMÈS’ EVOLUTION

The House underwent a metamorphosis after the death of its creator, Thierry Hermès, in 1878. His son, Charles-Émile, moved the workshops to 24 rue du Faubourg St Honoré, an address that has become emblematic, in 1880. Later, in 1922, Adolphe and Émile-Maurice, the founder’s grandchildren, took advantage of the emergence of the automobile industry to diversify the Hermès product range for export: quality leather goods, gloves, handbags, belts, etc. The House then established itself internationally as a prestigious luxury brand made in France. After a trip to America, where he discovered the zip fastening system used on the bonnets of military vehicles, Émile-Maurice brought the idea back to France and used it on the company’s luggage, marking the emergence of the zip fastener in France.

HERMÈS: A SARTORIAL ODYSSEY OF ELEGANCE

After establishing a presence in the United States in 1924, Hermès expanded its inventory and opened up to the world of fashion. This was a pivotal period for Hermès, which, under the aegis of its heirs, developed silk scarves, including the iconic carré foulard, and anthology handbags, such as the Kelly bag (a name it would be given years later, when Grace Kelly was spotted wearing it) in 1935. In 1950, Robert Dumas and JeanRené Guerrand, successors - and sons-in-law - of Émile-Maurice, put their stamp on the brand with their first olfactory creation: L’Eau d’Hermès. They further diversified the company’s activities, creating the very first women’s ready-to-wear collection in 1967. The beginning of a success story. What sets Hermès fashion apart: unrivalled expertise. Each creation, each piece, each material is studied and crafted by highly skilled artisans. The designs are refined and timeless, designed to last over time. Hermès creations are also recognisable by their exceptional quality and refined aesthetic, with a discreet, subtle logo and an unforgettable tangerine colour. In 1978, Jean-Louis Dumas - grandson of Émile Hermès - took over the reins of the family business. In 1984, he created the timeless Birkin bag, a tribute to the actress and singer Jane Birkin, who told him she couldn’t find the ideal bag to combine her life as a wife and young mother.

INNOVATION IN TRADITION: THE WORLD OF HERMÈS FASHION

Watchmaking, leather goods, jewellery, perfumery, lifestyle, make-up... Through the ages, Hermès has conquered many playgrounds, constantly renewing itself while preserving the House’s historic DNA. But it is in the world of fashion that the brand has reshaped the standards of elegance and luxury. Martin Margiela was appointed artistic director of women’s ready-towear in 1998 by Jean-Louis Dumas. The designer breathed new life into the brand with his refined, avant-garde style, while respecting the values and expertise of the House. He remained head of women’s ready-to-wear until 2004, before being succeeded by Jean-Paul Gaultier - fashion’s enfant terrible - until 2010. Bold choices for a traditional House, and the key to its success. Since then, the House has entrusted the reins of women’s fashion to French designer Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski, under the benevolent eye of Pierre-Alexis Dumas, the House’s current Artistic Director, thus perpetuating the Hermès family values. With sales of €13.427 billion last year, Hermès’ annual operating profitability will reach an all-time high of +42.1% in 2023, surpassing all previous records since its foundation in 1837. The House’s desirability and success are rooted in an exceptional heritage that has been handed down from generation to generation.

Onkai Heiwa

FBy Helena Perdoux-Frances - Photos Nicolas Bruni

ueled by an ardent desire for continuous refinement, Eric and Luca share a common ethos of striving for excellence in every aspect of their craft. Their collaborative efforts are driven by the pursuit of improvement, ensuring that their creations transcend the notion of perfection, instead embodying a distinct character and personality that sets them apart.

THE INTERSECTION OF SWISS PRECISION AND JAPANESE ARTISTRY

At the heart of ONKAI HEIWA lies a reverence for the pursuit of perfection, a principle deeply rooted in both Swiss craftsmanship and Japanese aesthetics. Every detail is meticulously scrutinized, with a focus on enhancing the inherent beauty of each piece. The dedication to achieving perfection knows no bounds, with Eric and Luca channeling their time, concentration, and expertise towards attaining the highest standards of quality.

The serendipitous union of Eric and Luca finds its roots in the rich artistic legacies passed down by their respective grandfathers. Luca’s lineage traces back to a Swiss Impressionist painter, whose passion for craftsmanship instilled in him a deep appreciation for the artisanal process. Similarly, Eric’s Japanese heritage, inherited from his grandfather, a revered calligrapher, imbued him with a profound reverence for the fusion of art and craft.  Eric Blum and Luca Meyer don’t just make things according

to their inspiration; they listen to you, track down your every whim and bring it to life. Their workshop in Zurich serves as the place for artistic expression. Clients are invited to collaborate in the creative process, selecting fabrics, leathers and accessories to personalize their hats or bags. This interactive approach not only ensures the creation of bespoke pieces but also fosters a deeper connection between the craftsmen and their clientele.

WIEDIKON, A SYMBOL OF CULTURAL CONVERGENCE

Nestled within Zurich’s vibrant Wiedikon district, ONKAI HEIWA finds itself amidst a cultural crossroads, symbolizing the harmonious blend of Japanese aesthetics and Swiss design. Once a working-class enclave, Wiedikon has evolved into a hub of creativity and innovation. It is within this dynamic milieu that ONKAI HEIWA thrives, serving as a beacon of cultural exchange and artistic collaboration.

A FUTURE THAT’S ALL SET

In a world consumed by plans and predictions, ONKAI HEIWA stands apart with its simple yet profound message: to continue creating with unwavering passion and dedication. As guardians of beauty and craftsmanship, Eric Blum and Luca Meyer remain steadfast in their commitment to preserving the timeless artistry that defines ONKAI HEIWA.

Ulaland

Hats off, cheer up!

By Eduardo Costerg

It’s perhaps no coincidence that Usua Landa, creator of Ulaland, was born on Saint Catherine’s Day – the patron saint of hat makers and milliners. While looking for a fascinator for her wedding, the Basque engineer discovered the world of hatmaking : it was the beginning of a passion. After training in this little-known art, Usua went on to create Ulaland, a hat shop with a slow-fashion approach that emphasizes individuality, optimism, craftsmanship and colour.

Can you describe the spirit of Ulaland in a few words? What values does your brand communicate?

Ulaland was born out of my passion for hats and my desire to share it with others. I wanted to give pride of place to the heritage and savoir-faire of traditional hatmaking – which, unfortunately, is being lost. It’s an art that people know little about. Yet it seems to me that a hat is the fashion accessory that best reflects one’s personality: it’s a statement – a declaration, an affirmation of oneself. With a hat on, you say: ‘Look, I’m unique and I’m totally in control.’

Tell us about the craftsmanship behind your creations: how are your hats made? In what context? With what materials?

Ulaland makes three types of hat: felt hats, straw hats and berets. Each has its own specific manufacturing process. Concerning the felt hats, I collaborate with a Spanish workshop – one of the best out there. They are used to creating with major luxury brands. First, I design the hats shapes that the craftsmen bring to life. All our hats are lined on the inside, with cheerful, colourful patterns to add an original touch – and a bit of joy! I select the colours myself and imagine the fabrics, which I then send to the workshop. Each hat also comes with personalized, interchangeable ribbons that I make myself. In the workshop, all these different elements are assembled by hand – to give you an idea, it takes around two hundred different procedures to create a hat. For our straw hats, the process is more or less the same. They are made in a workshop in Ecuador that works with authentic Panama straw. It’s the only place where this savoir-faire can be found. As for our merino wool berets, we collaborate with the only company in the Spanish Basque Country – the Basque Country is a natural for berets! It’s also where I was born. I really wanted to highlight the work of conscientious craftsmen and bring back quality products from my childhood land. As for the embroidery on each beret, it’s all done carefully by hand, by me.

Can you tell us more about the ‘slow fashion’ philosophy that defines Ulaland?

Ulaland’s slow fashion dimension – which advocates alternative, more ethical and sustainable fashion – is rooted in my own convictions. It’s part of who I am. Rather than encouraging my customers to buy different hats – which may never come out of the cupboard, or worn on rare occasions – I offer timeless models with classic lines, made with quality in mind. It’s then up to my customers to add their own touch of fantasy: from the colour to the lining fabric, not forgetting the choice of interchangeable ribbons, everything is designed to give everyone the chance to express their own individuality. As the ribbons are not sewn onto the pieces, it’s very easy to change them and adapt them to suit your outfits and desires – why not embellish the hat with feathers or flowers? After all, the pinnacle of elegance is perhaps being oneself, isn’t it? I think it’s a great compromise: change your style, but don’t change your hat. It was also important to me to deliver my pieces in real hat boxes, made from recycled wood, to echo the tradition and expertise of traditional hat-making.

The big problem today is fast fashion. I’m not in the best position to cast stones at anyone, but I think that buying more consciously, prioritizing quality and sustainability, and giving small brands and artisans the means to make a place for themselves on the market, is already a very good start.

éclat pastels

Photographer : Contarsy - Karecha for Highmark Studios

Assistant / Videographer : Paul Jaigua Stylist : Ursula M Agurto

Model: Rae Rodriguez - IMG Models

Make up : Viktorija Bowers for @kitritual

Hair : Andrea Wilson - Artist by Next Artists

Manicurist : Jazz Style for @seemanagement using CND Vinyle Polish

Special Thanks Cynthia at Broderson Backdrops and Shine Portrait Studio of Rutgers University, Newark New Jersey.

ASYMMETRIC FRILLS DRESS WITH HANDMADE 3D FLOWERS BY HALEIA COUTURE

HUGGIE EARRINGS IN STERLING SILVER BY KENDRA SCOTT

WHITE CULTURED PEARL STUD EARRINGS BY MIKIMOTO

RUFFLE CROPPED TOP BY BEAUTÉ COMME TOI

EMBELLISHED SATIN TOP BY MENZIE BY DESIGN

HUGGIE EARRINGS IN STERLING SILVER BY KENDRA SCOTT

WHITE CULTURED PEARL STUD EARRINGS BY MIKIMOTO

FLORAL APPLIQUE LACE AND TULLE “KELLY” GOWN BY SAREH NOURI

PEARL BOW DRESS FLATS BY GIANNI BINI

HUGGIE EARRINGS IN STERLING SILVER BY KENDRA SCOTT

WHITE CULTURED PEARL STUD EARRINGS BY MIKIMOTO

CRINKLE TAFFETA BOW TOP BY TISCARENO

“CARNATION” TAILORED SHORTS BY MNK ATALIÉR

HUGGIE EARRINGS IN STERLING SILVER BY KENDRA SCOTT

WHITE CULTURED PEARL STUD EARRINGS BY MIKIMOTO

DAISY PRINT “STACEY” DRESS BY CHICTOPIA

PURPLE FUZZY FAUX FUR JACKET BY MENZIE BY DESIGN

“MOLLY GENEPA SLINGBACK” SUEDE AND METALLIC LEATHER HEELS BY BENEDETTA BOROLI

HUGGIE EARRINGS IN STERLING SILVER BY KENDRA SCOTT

WHITE CULTURED PEARL STUD EARRINGS BY MIKIMOTO

“CAMILLE” TULLE PARTY TOP IN SORBET BY HOUSE OF CAMPBELL SCRUNCHED OMBRÉ ORGANZA SKIRT BY OTKUTYR FASHION HOUSE

HUGGIE EARRINGS IN STERLING SILVER BY KENDRA SCOTT

WHITE CULTURED PEARL STUD EARRINGS BY MIKIMOTO

FRONT SLIT TULLE GOWN BY HALEIA COUTURE

HUGGIE EARRINGS IN STERLING SILVER BY KENDRA SCOTT

WHITE CULTURED PEARL STUD EARRINGS BY MIKIMOTO

ESTHER ABRAMI

A rising star

Esther Abrami, a talented classical violinist, composer and web influencer aged 27, has become an iconic figure in the contemporary music scene. Graduated from the Darius-Milhaud Conservatory in Aix-en-Provence in 2010 and the Birmingham Conservatory in 2016, she quickly rose the ranks of international renown. In 2019, Esther Abrami became the first classical musician to win the “Social Media Superstar” category at the Global Awards, and in 2021, she was featured in Classic FM’s “30 under 30 Classical Artists to Watch” series. Then, she released her debut album Esther Abrami in 2022 that propelled her onto the world stage, including a memorable performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall. With her dazzling talent, contagious personality and overflowing enthusiasm for music, the violin virtuoso in the UK is considered one of the most promising young classical artists of her generation. Using her large social media platform, Esther Abrami shares her passion for music, offering behind-the-scenes insights into her life as a musician and inspiring a new generation of music enthusiasts. In addition to her musical achievements, she has won prestigious awards and has been recognized as an emerging artist to watch, both by critics and peers. With his latest album Cinéma released in 2023, the artist explored a new musical territory, reflecting his classic career, as well as the films and animes that moved him.

Esther Abrami is not only an accomplished artist, she is also committed to educating and inspiring others, whether as a guest speaker or through her podcast “Woman in Classical”. It highlights exceptional women musicians and composers. Esther Abrami believes that social media can have a positive impact on a musician’s career. These powerful tools can build relationships and inspire millions of people around the world by introducing them to classical music. BLUSH had the pleasure of holding a photo shoot with Mademoiselle Abrami at the prestigious Hotel Beau-Rivage Geneva. Check out these pictures on the following pages.

Model : Esther Abrami - Model agent : Thomas Dupont - Photographer : Johann Sauty

Make-up : Aline Le - Stylist : Aurore Donguy - Stylist assistant : Méïssane Guétari

DRESS: VIVIENNA LORIKEET - JEWELS: MAISON BELMONT

WATCH: ZENITH - BRACELET: GIBERG - DRESS: JITROIS - SHIRT: ANNE FONTAINE - BAG: PINEL&PINEL

DRESS: GUY LAROCHE - JEWELS: MAISON BELMONT - SHOES: ROGER VIVIER

DRESS: DANAMÉ PARIS - JEWELS: MARLI NEW YORK - SHOES: MAISON ERNEST

JEWELS: RITA&ZIA - SHOES: ROGER VIVIER - COAT: SAM RONE PARIS - BAG: PINEL ET PINEL

AMPHORA www.giberg.com

ADIL RAMI

The gentleman footballer

Adil Rami, a French-Moroccan international footballer, built his career with determination and passion. Born in Bastia in 1985, he became one of the most renowned defenders of his generation. Originally from Fréjus, he began his career as a footballer at the Etoile Sportive Fréjusienne, while working as a municipal agent at the town hall. Spotted by LOSC Lille in 2007, Adil Rami quickly climbed the ranks of professional football. Without having attended a training center, he made his debut in Ligue 1 and established himself as one of the best defenders of the French Championship. His remarkable performances earned him a team selection from France A, where he participated in several qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup. He made his debut as a starter in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, but the adventure ended in the quarter-finals against Spain. After a successful stint at Valencia CF, AC Milan and Sevilla FC, he once again joined the French team and took part in Euro 2016. Les Bleus lost the coveted title again, but in the final this time. In 2017, Adil Rami joined Olympique de Marseille, where he joined Rudi Garcia, his former Lille coach. Shortly after, Didier Deschamps selected him to play the 2018 World Cup, and he flew to Russia. His dream finally came true: he was crowned world champion following the victory of the French team against Croatia. He was then promoted to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor. The defender continues to excel on the field, whether during his seasons in Turkey, Russia or Portugal. Then, in the summer of 2021, he returned to France – in his home country – to join ESTAC Troyes. Apart from football, Adil Rami has been involved in various projects, becoming a football consultant for TF1 and a columnist for Camille et Images on the same channel. His perseverance on and off the field makes him a respected and admired figure in world football. Follow Adil Rami in the splendid settings of the prestigious Hotel President Geneva during an exclusive photo shoot for Blush.

Model : Adil Rami - Model agent : Florence Cymerman - Photographer : Johann Sauty Make-up : Aline Le - Stylist : Aurore Donguy - Stylist assistant : Méïssane Guétari

JACKET : KUNA SWITZERLAND - JUMPER : KUNA SWITZERLAND - BRACELET : RITA & ZIA - TROUSERS : BRUNELLO CUCINELLI - SNEAKERS : KARL LAGERFELD

LEATHER JACKET: JITROIS - JUMPER: PIERRE CARDIN - WATCH: ARTYA - TROUSERS: KARL LAGERFELD - SNEAKERS: KARL LAGERFELD

JUMPER: FATHER & SONS - BRACELET: GIBERG - FOUNTAIN PEN: MONTBLANC - TROUSERS: KARL LAGERFELD - SNEAKERS: KARL LAGERFELD

JUMPER: 8JS - WATCH: BRISTON WATCHES - BAG: ONKAI

HEIWA - TROUSERS: KARL LAGERFELD

JUMPER: MAXIME SIMOENS - WATCH: ARTYA

Unequalled Creativity Herzog & de Meuron

After four decades of distinctive achievements, from New York to Beirut to South Korea, the partnership continues to impress and influence architects around the world with each new creation. Here’s a look back at their architectural epic.

By Eleonore Guerre-Braun

RIGHT Beijing National Stadium

It was in the pretty cobbled streets of Basel, Switzerland, that the project of two former students of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich came to life: to create an architectural practice that promised to change the urban landscape. In 1978, having both taught at Harvard, Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron decided to set up their eponymous firm, combining their two creative visions to imagine projects that would leave an indelible mark on the world of architecture.

The Herzog & de Meuron agency brings together two visionary and complementary minds to create a new architectural vision. Together, Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron have forged an innovative approach that transcends traditional boundaries, harmoniously blending contemporary minimalism with a unique emotional depth. It’s no longer just architecture, it’s art.

THE EMERGENCE OF TWO ARCHITECTURAL POETS

Their first projects were immediately marked by their particular signature: creative audacity. Herzog & de Meuron began their career in Switzerland, then Italy and Germany, before taking their first steps in France, in Dijon, with the Antipodes I student residence at the University of Burgundy in 1992, followed by

the creation of a production site for the Swiss company Ricola in Mulhouse in 1993. The agency then exported to the United States, designing the upscale Dominus vineyard in Yountville, California in 1997. Captivating works that blend light and space, history and modernity.

“Architecture must be anchored in its cultural and environmental context, while at the same time being capable of transcending borders and entering into dialogue with cultures from all over the world” Jacques Herzog*.

But it was the creation of the now-famous Tate Modern Museum in London between 1998 and 2000 (and its expansion with the Switch House in 2016) that would forever etch their names in architecture’s elite. The transformation of this disused 1891 power station into a museum of contemporary art will change the urban landscape on the right bank of the Thames forever. Herzog & de Meuron have pushed the boundaries of regeneration with unparalleled mastery. A masterpiece of urban reinvention. Their boundless creativity earned them the Pritzker Architecture Prize in the USA in 2001. In 2007, they were awarded the Praemium Imperiale 2007, also known as the “Nobel of the Arts” in Tokyo, the ultimate accolade for the architectural duo.

ECLECTICISM AND REGENERATION

The agency’s projects follow one another without ever resembling one another. A social housing building on Rue des Suisses in Paris, the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich in 2004, now considered an architectural masterpiece, the De Young Museum in San Francisco in 2005, the incredible VitraHaus on the Vitra Campus in Weil-am-Rhein, Germany in 2010, the unique and spectacular parking garage at 1111 Lincoln Road in Miami, now a must-see tourist attraction, the Parrish Art Museum in New York in 2012, the Philharmonie in Hamburg, the new Bordeaux stadium with its forest of columns in 2015, the Beirut Terraces, a 116-meter-high mille-feuilles building in Beirut, Lebanon, the SongEun Art and Cultural Foundation in Seoul, South Korea in 2017, the National Library of Israel in 2023... Together, they enhance existing space, making it unique and powerful.

“We believe in the importance of creating spaces that evoke emotion, capture light in a special way and offer a unique sensory experience, “ confides Pierre de Meuron at the inauguration ceremony of the Hamburg Philharmonic in 2017.

UNIVERSAL INNOVATION AND POWERFUL MATERIALITY

The National Stadium in Beijing, China, also known as the “Bird’s Nest”, is another of Herzog & de Meuron’s iconic masterpieces. Now a global architectural icon, the stadium, built for the 2008 Olympic Games, boasts a complex and unique steel architecture, with interlocking beams that form a distinctive “nest”.

Today, their most incredible and ambitious project is due to be completed in Paris at the end of 2026: the Triangle Tower, a 180-meter silhouette of low-carbon concrete near Porte de Versailles in the 15th arrondissement. Now costing over 660 million euros and designed in the shape of a three-sided polygon, the building will house offices, restaurants, shops, coworking spaces, a crèche and a Radisson Blu hotel with panoramic views from the top. A key creation to revitalize the urban landscape and accelerate the ecological transition of the city of Paris.

“The Tour Triangle is interesting; it must be sustainable, not only in its construction and energy consumption, but also in its concept  ,” emphasizes Pierre de Meuron.**

Herzog & de Meuron now employ over 500 people worldwide, and the firm’s influence is inspiring a new generation of architects to push back the frontiers of creativity and innovation. There will undoubtedly be a before and after Herzog & de Meuron. Their legacy is one of excellence, passion and the power of unrivalled creativity

*

**

Interview with Jacques Herzog, The Guardian, 2015

Interview with Pierre de Meuron, Building Design, 2023

LEFT Blau Museum Barcelona

MATHIEU LEHANNEUR

What lies behind artificial paradises

Mathieu Lehanneur often speaks of magic. Each of his creations is accompanied by an element of the inexplicable, a sense of poetry that subverts the laws of reality. The designer has gold at his fingertips; he gives life to his singular, resolutely modern world that confuses dreams and matter, art and technology, science and design. His ambition has taken him from Paris to Manhattan, via the MoMa. Today, the whole world knows the name Mathieu Lehanneur.

Crowned Designer of the Year 2024 by the Maison&Objet trade show, designer of the Olympic Torch and Cauldron for the Paris Games, mastermind behind La Factory – workshop and headquarters of his brand, “fortress of ideas and energy”, place of experimentation and production… How far will this talented French designer go?

By Eduardo Costerg

TOMORROW IS ALREADY TODAY

“Visionary” is a word Mathieu Lehanneur doesn’t like; he doesn’t try to run faster than time. On the contrary, his work strives to crystallize the air of his time, to open doors to the present. “We’re in a world that consumes so much nostalgia that when you present something that makes sense today, it appears to some as the future. Let’s stop eating too much of the past!” proclaims the designer in an interview with Maison&Objet.

Yet there’s no denying that the singularity of Mathieu Lehanneur’s universe and the comprehensiveness of his creative approach make him a trailblazer in the world of design. Already on the benches of the École Nationale Supérieure de Design Industriel in Paris, the young designer is taking the road less travelled : he’s questioning the link between design and medication, its impact on the patient and the patient’s relationship with his or her treatment. His ideas caught the attention of MoMa, on the other side of the Atlantic, and in 2001, Lehanneur, who had just graduated and was running his own studio, became part of the famous museum’s permanent collection. Six years later, another masterstroke: in collaboration with Harvard University - America can no longer do without him - Mathieu Lehanneur designed Andrea, a living air purifier that harnesses the purifying properties of plants. The result, halfway between a miniature greenhouse and a diffuser, would be more at home in a space shuttle than in a New York loft. While the thinking behind Andrea's design does indeed stem from NASA observations, it is part of a wider, more trivial perspective: between spacecrafts and our homes, sometimes there’s a world, sometimes there’s just a step. Lehanneur is a jack-of-all-trades. His research into the tangible and the intangible has led him to explore fields as rich as they are eclectic: science, art, new technologies, the start-up spirit, craftsmanship, and so on. “I’m a designer who doesn’t know what design is,” he explains,

“or more precisely, where it starts and where it ends. Design is an open territory, with no fixed boundaries. It’s a great opportunity and a field of infinite possibilities.”

GIVING SHAPE TO DREAMS THROUGH MATTER

Mathieu Lehanneur’s ideal can be summed up in a few words: “progressively remove all obstacles between the dream and the means to realize it. Quite a program. Yet this is not Lehanneur’s first draft. On several occasions already, he has succeeded in inoculating matter with the substance of dreams, and has outwitted the laws of physics. The proof is in the pudding: you can hold your breath as you sit on the bench from the Inverted Gravity collection. Six infinitely delicate glass bubbles support a massive, monolithic seat in marble or onyx. The contrast between stone and glass, between lightness and heaviness, is striking and creates an immense, surreal tension. Yet the apparent delicacy of the structure is only an illusion:

“As in the conquest of space, the poetry of the quest is only possible because it is supported by incredible technological expertise. Here, each glass bubble is capable of supporting more than 250 kg,” reads the technical data sheet. By defying the impossible, the furniture of Inverted Gravity serie, from the dining table to the stool, redefine the space around them as if - bug in the matrix - the most elementary rules of reality no longer applied.

LEFT

Mathieu Lehanneur - Factory

©Felipe Ribon RIGHT

S.M.O.K.E. ©Felipe Ribon

This interplay of materials, this shift towards the fantastic, runs through the entire creative process of the MATHIEU LEHANNEUR brand. We find a superb expression of this in the Ocean Memories collection. Here, the French designer also plays master of time, transcribing the fluidity of waves in the stillness of marble. A new sleight-of-hand between inertia and movement, liquid and solid. Being a good sport, he shows us the ins and outs: “Poetry is not a figure of speech, but the best way to combine words or ideas that seemed incompatible. In this sense, the poetic approach creates a coherent whole from multiple notions and knowledge. My poetry is always functional. But I prefer the notion of magic to poetry. I want my pieces to carry an element of the inexplicable, to provoke emotion and arouse wonder.”

2024, A GOLDEN AGE

The year is off to a great start for Lehanneur. Last January, Maison&Objet crowned him Designer of the Year when he unveiled his Outonomy installation. As a modern reinvention of the original cave, a monochrome

haven of peace - in sunny yellow - inspired by survivalist movements, the project bring a breath of independence and freedom through the show, brilliantly embodying this year’s theme: Tech Eden. We follow the designer as he unfolds his thoughts: “Tech Eden is an oxymoron that invites us to return to our roots, but by mastering the ‘source code’, by combining nature and technology”. A reflection on humanity and nature, of course, but without turning back! Above all, this high-tech paradise questions our needs and invites us to rethink the pillars of our basic necessities: food, energy, activities, safety and comfort. Lehanneur prefers the hut to the bunker; there’s no apocalypse in sight, although the helium-powered drone floating above the installation is, at first glance, not very reassuring. However, the creator invites us to reconsider our view of things: “The drone is not there to monitor humans, but their environment, to get a little highter and see further. It’s a floating belvedere, a lookout”. Each element that makes up Outonomy is therefore intended to convey a sense of calm and optimism: “To escape, to breathe, to live elsewhere... It’s a possible life project, but also a way of addressing an implicit question to each visitor:

Mathieu Lehanneur - Factory ©Felipe Ribon

‘Are you ready?’” explains its designer. “I wanted to offer an alternative vision to the modern representation of man dominating nature.”

Back to civilization — Paris is in full swing.

The capital is preparing to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games: a new challenge for the French designer who has been entrusted with the design of the Torch and Cauldron. Mathieu Lehanneur makes no secret of his enthusiasm: “Designing the Torch for the Games is a designer’s dream. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime dream, like a miraculous encounter with History.” The stakes are high: we’re talking here about giving shape to a real symbol, but the ideas are already flowing in the designer’s mind. It is under the signs of equality, water and appeasement that he wishes to place the event. Equality is the absolute parity of the athletes, expressed in the perfect symmetry of the Torch; for the first time, a designer dares to embrace its duality and balance. Water, of course, is the Seine, the beating heart of the city - an art of living, a Parisian way of strolling along the river. The Torch is inspired by its

reflections and ripples, returning the polished metal to its liquid form. Lastly, the design’s curves and continuous lines create a sense of calm - because, while the Games are about competition and the quest for performance, the flame is a symbol of peace.

For Mathieu Lehanneur, 2024 will be yet another golden age. The designer’s career path is already strewn with stars, and he has no intention of stopping there. This June, he will inaugurate his new Pied-à-Terre in New York - an exclusive space, located in one of the city’s most beautiful skyscrapers, showcasing his latest pieces and his creative world. There are still good ideas to be found, dogmas of reality to overturn, things which need to be said through objects. Mathieu Lehanneur and his eponymous brand still have a bright future ahead of them: “Because we need intelligence and transcendence, because we live in reality but aspire to the fantastic,, because water, air, fire and time are our pillars, because magic is both a dream and a science...”, as his manifesto proclaims.

Mathieu Lehanneur - Inverted Gravity - Salon

FABIAN OEFNER

Space, Time & Reality

Exploring the intersection of art and science by developing mesmerizing and innovative photographic techniques, creating stunning images that capture moments of motion, of transformation, reflecting about time and space through photographs – Because it seemed impossible, Fabian Oefner did it! Meet the Swiss artist who deconstructs our vision of reality. Interviewed by Caroline Sambucchi

From Zurich to New York, can you tell us about your career?

Well, curiosity is really at the base of my career. Even as a kid, I was always very curious to find out how things work, how the world around me works from scientific fields like biology, on to chemistry, but also the way mechanical things function. And that curiosity led me to end up as an artist – It was never my intention to become one, I was just a very curious kid! But it did work out in a way that my curiosity led me to connect with a lot of other people that are equally curious and trying to understand the world better. Through my art, people may understand a bit better the world around them.

What was your first contact with photography? What did it awaken in you?

One of the earliest memories of photography is when I saw the images of Harold Edgerton. He was a professor at MIT, and he was the one who invented high-speed photography. You know, those famous photographs of an apple being sliced by a bullet or the milk drop – those are all iconic photographs. When I saw them, I thought: ‘Is there a way I can create images like that with my very limited suppliers?’ It was just at the time when the Internet became this great source of finding manuals and instruction of all sorts of things. Therefore, I was able to find out how to build those high-speed flashes that Harold Edgerton used for his photographs. I think this approach has stayed with me since. A photograph that seems so technical and so challenging should be taken only by experts, but I realized that with enough research, I could get similar results. Again, it became possible thanks to curiosity: the ability to be curious enough to find out how things work, to try out new things that at first seem impossible, and then, little by little, you get to that solution. It was that initial spark that brought photography to me.

Are you a scientist, a photographer, or a photographer-scientist?

I honestly don’t really make the distinction between a photographer, an artist, or a scientist. To me, they’re all the same. It’s just about understanding the world around me a bit better, whether I do this with scientific methods or artistic methods or photography or any other medium that I use.

Can you explain your concept of disintegration?

This was one of the earlier concepts I developed, and it started when I was working on a car that I needed to fix – a fuel pump that I needed to replace. I looked at the exploded view of this fuel pump. Usually, those drawings are made by engineers to explain the details of the car and how each component work. So I looked at this drawing of a fuel pump in this exploded view. It made me want to do the same with photography by recreating this aesthetic. That’s how this disintegration was born! In addition, I was reflecting a lot about time and how we perceive it through photography – a medium that is particularly accurate in stopping time and making it visible. By combining the idea of an exploded view combined with photography, a moment stopped in time, this idea of disintegrating became quite clear: to create an artificial moment that looks hyper realistic and yet never really existed.

Lamborghini, Riva, Audi, Nike. How do you work with the brands to get models they let you take apart?

The short answer is: ‘I ask very nicely’! But here is a longer answer. Truly, it depends on the company. In some instances, a company approached me. In other instances, it’s been me suggesting a project. You always got to find one or two like-minded people working in the company that are equally crazy, that are equally trying to do new things, trying to walk a path that has not been walked before. And little by little, you explain the project to them. You include them in this journey. And all of a sudden, you are able to explode a car or a boat or take apart shoes. Eventually, it’s an easy process in hindsight.

Your work is exhibited in art galleries. What message would you like to pass on to the spectators?

I don’t really have a specific message I like to pass on. I think that’s the beauty of art: everybody sees something different in the art piece. So once an object – a sculpture, a photograph – leaves my studio, I’m no longer in control of the narrative. And that’s the beauty of it.

And what is your own relation to time, space, and reality?

I guess like everybody else, I live in space and I deal with reality, and I certainly deal with time. And I think all of us try to understand what exactly is time and what is our place in reality, what defines reality, and ultimately what defines space. So even though those terms can be very abstract, it’s something we experience on a daily basis.

Which artist inspires you the most?

One artist from the past would be Leonardo da Vinci, simply because I can relate to his curiosity and the level of commitment he had to try to understand the world better. I think for him, there’s also no distinction between being an artist and a scientist. He was just incredibly curious. I can see a similar process that I apply to understanding the world. Another inspiration, more contemporary this time, would be the Japanese photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, which also deals with questions about time and reality. He has quite a different approach, and yet I can see some similarities in our work. So it’s always comforting to know in a way that you’re not completely alone out there, but there are other artists, other people that have similar thoughts, similar considerations.

Can you tell us about your current or future projects?

I think each artist will give a similar answer when they are asked about the artwork they’re the most proud of. It’s the piece they’re currently working on. Right now, I’m working on taking the concept of disintegrating to the third dimension – So I’m trying to stop time in 3D by recreating the explosion in space or in a sculpture. It’s honestly a process that I started seven or eight years ago. And I finally have a breakthrough. I’m quite excited to share these results soon. Stay tuned!

Iconic, legendary, luxurious, timeless a host of adjectives could be used to describe the prestigious Malle Louis Vuitton. From traveller’s trunk to collector’s item, we retrace its illustrious history.

By Eleonore Guerre-Braun

©Benoit Florencon

Since its creation in April 1854 by the visionary Louis Vuitton, the eponymously named luxury goods House has inscribed its name in history through a range of emblematic products. Amongst these, the Louis Vuitton trunk occupies a privileged place, embodying the perfect alliance between functionality, innovation, and the utmost in sophistication.

THE GENESIS: LOUIS VUITTON AND THE ART OF TRAVEL

Having left his native Jura at the age of sixteen to move to Paris, travelling almost four hundred kilometres on foot in 1837, Louis Vuitton spent many years working as a “trunk maker” in the workshop of a Monsieur Maréchal. Here, the young Louis manufactured travel trunks and carefully packed customers’ personal belongings. From this experience in the art of leather goods, he drew an astute observation: rounded trunks, popular in the nineteenth century, were nevertheless bulky and difficult to stack in compartments during train journeys. He therefore imagined the design of a flat, innovative, ingenious, and functional trunk, which immediately appealed to travellers and explorers all around the world for its practicality. In 1854, he opened his first “Louis Vuitton” boutique at number 4 rue Neuve-des-Capucines in Paris, catering to an affluent and exacting clientele, for whom he created bespoke, high-end trunks. The originality of these quickly

cemented Vuitton’s reputation: the emblematic library trunk designed for the famous writer Ernest Hemingway, the shoe trunk designed for the glamorous actress Greta Garbo, and the bed trunk for French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza…

THE ART OF PROTECTION: THE UNIQUE LOCK ON THE LOUIS VUITTON TRUNK

In 1886, Georges Vuitton—Louis’ son who was now working in the family workshop in Asnières, open since 1859—designed for his father an unbreakable and revolutionary “5-groove” lock. Each lock is unique and needs a specific key to open it. Louis Vuitton travel trunks were now ultra-secure chests. Even Harry Houdini, the greatest magician of the day, was unable to rise to Georges’ challenge and succeed in picking the lock! A secure locking system so perfect that it is still used today and is anchored in the brand’s DNA.

THE ICONIC MONOGRAM

Four years after the death of his father, Georges Vuitton wanted to pay tribute to him by preventing possible counterfeits of their canvas trunks. The striped canvas, then the checkerboard canvas, had already been copied and imitated many times. Therefore in 1896, he imagined a unique monogrammed canvas with floral motifs and the “LV” logo, his father’s initials. An unprecedented creation at a time when brand identity was almost never openly displayed. Georges had created a monogrammed canvas that was instantly recognizable, embodying the values of innovation, sustainability, and French luxury. Its pattern harmoniously fused the classic and the modern, while retaining a certain timeless quality.

Although constantly reinvented and reinterpreted, the Louis Vuitton monogram has kept its distinctive character. Under the artistic direction of Nicolas Ghesquière, the house reinvented its classics in 2014 by launching a collection of handbags called “La Petite Malle”, in homage to the iconic monogrammed luggage on which the House was based. Travel styles may have evolved but the appeal of Louis Vuitton trunks remains. Today, there are hundreds of different models signed Louis Vuitton, all of which bear the brand’s characteristic features: unique

rivets and locks, leather buckles and handles, and waterproof monogrammed slats and canvas. The truly iconic Vuitton trunk has even been the subject of several major exhibitions in the brand’s historic workshops.

The Rugby World Cup, Australian Open, Monaco Grand Prix, Ballon d’Or… An eternal and privileged partner of some of the world’s biggest sporting events down through the years, the Vuitton trunk has been chosen to transport and protect a number of prestigious trophies. The brand has also just created a line featuring the medals and flame for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Much more than just a basic history of a luxury luggage producer, the story of the Louis Vuitton trunk symbolizes the fascinating true story of a visionary craftsman, whose dedication to excellence and innovation laid the foundations of a brand that has transcended borders and epochs.

MORE INFOS: Maison de Famille Louis Vuitton - 18, rue Louis Vuitton - Asnières, France

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT

1. Benji B

2. JO paris 2024 Malle Torche Olympique

ROLEX TIMEKEEPER OF THE SEAS

For decades, Rolex has been much more than a luxury watchmaker. For 70 years, the iconic brand has had a privileged relationship with yachting, being a committed partner to the most prestigious yacht clubs, institutions and regattas, and sharing the highest standards of excellence with some of the world’s most talented sailors. Through this unwavering commitment, Rolex perpetuates the spirit of yachting while inspiring a renewed passion for sailing around the world.

By Helena Perdoux-Frances

RIGHT

ROLEX MIDDLE SEA RACE EMBODIES THE QUALITIES THAT DEFINE CLASSIC OFFSHORE RACING © Rolex/Kurt Arrigo

TWO WORLDS... ONE PASSION

At the heart of Rolex’s presence in the nautical world are legendary sailing events that captivate experienced sailors and enthusiasts around the world. The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, for example, embodies the spirit of adventure and competition, challenging sailors on the stormy waters of Tasmania. Similarly, the Rolex Fastnet Race across the English Channel and the Atlantic Ocean is the ultimate test of crew skill and determination. These iconic races, supported by Rolex, symbolise the relentless pursuit of excellence in the maritime world.

NAVIGATION AND WATCHMAKING, TWO COMPLEMENTARY DISCIPLINES

In addition to supporting world-renowned maritime events, Rolex celebrates the art of navigation by honouring the most prestigious sailors of our time. Sailors such as Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation of the globe, whose only timekeeper was the Explorer watch, directly inspired by the Oyster Perpetual… or Loïck Peyron, holder of several sailing records, including the Fastnet Race in 2023.

LEFT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

1. Rolex has enjoyed a close partnership with both the yacht club costa smeralda (yccs) and its principal regatta since 1985 ©Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

2. Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master II © Rolex/Alain Costa RIGHT Yacht Club de Monaco © Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi

ROLEX, PARTNER OF THE FUTURE

Rolex’s commitment to the world of sailing is not limited to prestigious events and sailors. The brand has also worked for many years with prestigious clubs such as the New York Yacht Club (USA) and the Royal Yacht Squadron (UK), supporting efforts to promote sailing to young people and to develop the sport at all levels. These partnerships demonstrate Rolex’s commitment to the future of sailing and its desire to share its passion for the sport with future generations.

PRECISION, PERFORMANCE AND PRESTIGE... AN UNWAVERING MOTTO

Rolex is the epitome of an unwavering commitment to precision, performance and prestige. These values, which are also at the heart of Rolex watchmaking, are reflected in each of the timepieces created to honour this world, ensuring a meticulous expression of the passing of time. On the decks of racing yachts, on the wrists of sailors, Rolex is inescapable, bringing precision and dexterity with an unrivalled sense of excellence.

The Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master, a chronograph that combines competition and performance

Designed for experienced skippers and enthusiasts alike, the YachtMaster II offers innovation, technology and performance, notably through its programmable countdown timer.

Three beats... just three beats to signal the start of a race. 5 to 10 short minutes to set sail. Aware of this challenge, Rolex provides the dexterity required for these timeless moments. Its Yacht-Master II offers sailors its unique programming and synchronisation functions... an indispensable aid for all skippers who, driven by the same enthusiasm, await the official start.

Rolex is synonymous with adventure, tradition and excellence... a universal language understood by sailors the world over. The seconds ticked by Rolex, the prestigious regattas, the yacht clubs and the most famous sailors... all the hopes inherent in this world unite and leave an indelible mark on the sails of these ships, inseparable from the world of chronographs. Rolex keeps a watchful eye on them...

LEFT

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch worn by Sir Francis Chichester during his historic round-the-world voyage in 1966-1967 ©Rolex/Jean-Daniel Meyer

NEW VANTAGE ENGINEERED FOR REAL DRIVERS

The latest in an iconic bloodline, Aston Martin is proud to introduce the new Vantage. The quintessential Aston Martin sports car and the most driver focused and fastest Vantage in the famous nameplate’s 74-year history, it is an authentic, unadulterated celebration of pure performance, engineered to deliver maximum thrills with maximum confidence.

Adesign refocused through a contemporary lens, Vantage champions the qualities that have gripped enthusiasts for generations but are increasingly hard to find in today’s sports car market. As such Vantage makes a stand for disenfranchised devotees of breathtaking power, razor-sharp handling and the perfect balance of a finely-tuned front-engine, rear-wheel drive chassis. The announcement of a new Vantage follows the successful introduction last year of the acclaimed DB12 Coupe and Volante. Further strengthening Aston Martin’s next generation of sports cars, Vantage reaffirms the brands position in the ultra-luxury, performance sports car market alongside its leading roles in the ultra-luxury sporting GT, SUV and hypercar arenas, and the highest echelons of world championship motorsport.

The new generation Vantage continues a remarkable lineage that can be traced back to 1950, when the Vantage name was first used to denote an uprated engine package for the race-proven DB2. The first time Vantage was applied as a model designation was in 1964, when a high-performance Vantage-badged version of the DB5 became the new flagship of the range. A standalone Vantage model was introduced in the early 1970s, from which point the nameplate has played an increasingly prominent role in Aston Martin’s model line-up. Synonymous with immaculate style, unforgettable

performance and inimitable character, Vantage embodies the sporting qualities for which this evocative name has become renowned.

This new Vantage reflects the most dynamic period in Aston Martin’s 111-year history. A formidable force in the 2023 Formula One® season, a dominant presence in international GT racing, where Vantage has a rich history as the most successful endurance GT racer and – with the recent announcement of Aston Martin’s quest for outright victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours race with the Valkyrie AMR in 2025 – a front-line challenger in the World Endurance Championship. Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer, Amedeo Felisa, said: “As we enter a period of pivotal change in the world of high-performance cars it is essential to remain true to those qualities upon which a legendary marque has been built. Any car bearing the Vantage name has much to live-up to, which is why this newest model makes an unwavering commitment to high-performance in its purest and most explicit form. Class-leading power and speed establish its credentials, but it is through expert application of the latest technologies to the Vantage’s perfectly balanced front-engine rear-drive chassis that we have created a sports car with addictive capability. Together with assertive styling, all-new interior and state-ofthe-art infotainment, Vantage is world-class in every respect”.

HUGE GAINS IN ENGINE OUTPUT DELIVER NEXT-LEVEL POTENCY

Powered by a heavily reworked, hand-built 4.0 Twin-Turbo V8 engine the new Vantage is the fastest in the nameplate’s history. With peaks of 665PS and a colossal 800Nm of torque it also makes the biggest-ever jump in power and torque compared to the model it succeeds, those increases of 155PS and 115Nm equating to gains of 30% and 15% respectively. These higher outputs have been achieved through extensive tuning by Aston Martin engineers, the adoption of modified cam profiles, optimised compression ratios, larger turbos, and increased cooling yielding the impressive new figures and creating an engine with a sharper, more visceral and more vocal character.

A MUSCULAR PHYSIQUE AND UNMISTAKABLE PRESENCE

From the first glimpse you know the new generation Vantage is a game-changer. A body standing 30mm wider with a more muscular stance is accentuated by a completely redesigned front-end featuring a 38% larger recontoured veined grille aperture, offering 29% increase in mass airflow for additional cooling. Further cooling intakes set into the bumper either side of the grille sharpen the front-end’s features, while the new integrated splitter, with a wider and lower stance, adds drama as well as aerodynamic function, providing high speed stability

www.astonmartin.com

through lift reduction. This distinctive front-end treatment is completed by all-new Matrix LED headlamp design with integrated DRLs, featuring Aston Martin’s new light signature.

SPORTING AMBIENCE, SUPREME LUXURY

Vantage is a hardcore sports car at heart, but this doesn’t mean it makes sacrifices when it comes to design, comfort or equipment levels. The new generation Vantage makes a breathtaking statement with an all-new ultra-luxury interior defined by flawless architectural lines, swathed in the finest materials and packed with state-of-the-art connected technology and a stunning surround sound system developed by audio partner, Bowers & Wilkins. Clean, unbroken lines create a striking yet elegant environment inside the Vantage cockpit, delivering a sense of space and clarity for the driver. From the slender air vents and perfectly integrated infotainment screen to the clearly defined array of physical switches on the lower section of the centre console, the new Vantage interior is a triumph of functional beauty and tactile quality.

Production of the Vantage is due to commence in Q1 of 2024, with first deliveries scheduled to begin during Q2 2024. The second of Aston Martin’s Next Generation of sportscars, new Vantage sets a new benchmark of driving purity, for drivers who relish in a challenge a fast sports car represents. Aston Martin Vantage, Engineered for Real Drivers.

The Château De Théoule

An open door to the sea

At Château de Théoule, every stone tells a story – a story that dates back to 1630. Before becoming a private residence and passing from owner to owner, the house was first used as a soap factory fed by the region’s many olive groves. In March 2024, the Château opened its doors to hedonistic travellers and dreamers of all kinds. Here, time stands still, and we plunge into the heart of an endless summer. The Château de Théoule, a jewel on the Mediterranean Sea, introduces us to the Provencal art of living – nothing is more important than living in the moment, to the rhythm of the waves and the song of the cicadas.

By Eduardo Costerg - Photos Gaelle Le Boulicaut

COLOURED BY THE TIME AND TIDES

Walking through the Château’s salons and corridors, you’d think you were passing from one era to another. Yet, invariably, the sea stretches like a canvas across the windows of every room. The Château enjoys a prime location, with its feet in the water and its eyes on the Baie de Cannes. Marie-Christine Mecoen, Artistic Director of the Millésime Group, has given the building a new lease of life – and breathed into it the warmth so typical of southerners – by combining its ancient heritage with the present: the period parquet floors have been brought up to date, the woodwork restored, the door frames and wooden staircase preserved… the Maison has lost none of its charm. But nostalgia is out of the question! Above all, it is about telling the story of this centuries-old Château and bringing it up to date. Marie-Christine Mecoen’s narrative come from the materials, colours and volumes. The silk panels above the beds are a reference to the silk merchant from Lyon who owned the property for a time, while the palette that unfolds from room to room is inspired by the

landscapes of the French Riviera: the deep blue sea, the yellow earth of the South, the lush, green vegetation, the golden light of the sun – vivid, bold colours that banish spleen and evoke summertime. Even the names of the thirteen rooms are an invitation to travel: La Fleur de Jasmin, L’Écossais, L’Eau de Reine, Numéro 5 de Chanel, La Source… all fragrances linked to the history of the Maison. At La Villa – a refurbished building within the Château grounds – the atmosphere is quite different: the Art Deco spirit has taken over the premises. Twenty-one rooms, each with a terrace or a balcony overlooking the sea and the sparkling swimming pool, are reminiscent of the French Riviera of the ’30s. We continue our tour and push open the door to the Maison des Pêcheurs – a haven of peace, far from sight, just a stone’s throw from the Château. What a surprise! Only three rooms – two of them communicating – make up this wing of the estate. The terraces dominate the entire marina – a piece of paradise with a view!

THE FRENCH DOLCE VITA

In the kitchen too, Mediterranean terroir and seafood take pride of place. For lunch, it is Chef Nicolas Boucher’s treat! He invites us to the Plage Blanche for a meal with our feet in the sand – in the South of France, we know the art of mixing chic and casual. Right down to the plate, we can hear the cicadas sing: we share a pissaladière or a few tapas, before indulging in the treasures of local gastronomy – crab in remoulade, grilled octopus, Mediterranean bass fillet, fresh fruits, ice creams and sorbets, lemon pavlova or chocolate profiteroles… To crown this feast – and in the purest Provencal tradition – we indulge in a little siesta on one of the deckchairs of the Château’s private beach, lulled by the sound of the waves.

While we wait to discover what Francesco Fezza, Chef at Mareluna, has cooked up for us this evening, we are taking some time for ourselves – After all, we are on holiday! We stroll around the Château until our steps lead us to an oasis of serenity: the Spa Éc (h)o opens its doors. Massages, hammam, whirlpool and Nordic baths…

We couldn’t have dreamed of anything better. In association with My Blend and KOS PARIS, the Maison deploys a range of treatments that place excellence and well-being at the heart of an idyllic interlude. And because everything is always more delicious by the waterside, we are offered the chance to enjoy our relaxing session on the beach. The Spa comes to us, and with it comes the promise of suspended moments between land and sea. In a setting like this, between the caress of the sun and the sea spray, we quickly lose track of time.

The sun is setting on the horizon, letting its last rays shine through. As night falls, we settle down at the Mareluna, in the heart of La Villa. Chef Fezza offers us a gastronomic experience in the colours of the Southern France. Here, Mediterranean cuisine also reigns supreme, creating a link between France and Italy – the Chef’s native land. On the menu, cuttlefish tagliatelle or snails from Provence, wild turbot or scialatelli with slipper lobster and, to finish, a delicacy with an evocative name: Fleur de Provence or Olea… It is more than enough to light a few stars our eyes of our guests and in our mouth.

EMOTION AS A STARTING POINT

The Château’s new lease on life is closely linked to the ambitions of the Millésime group. With its singular vision of the hotel world, the company has set itself the mission of enhancing remarkable sites, restoring them while respecting their historical dimension, and make emotions the core of the experiences offered. It was indeed emotion – a small spark – that brought the superb Château de Théoule back to life. In 2020, Alexandra and Philippe Monnin, founders of Millésime and passionate culture enthusiasts, stumbled upon this timeless site and fell in love. Conquered by the soul of the Château and amazed by the picture-postcard landscapes unfolding beneath its windows, the two entrepreneurs acquired the property in 2021. The first Maison Millésime on the French Riviera is born.

It took three years to restore the building to its former glory. Today, as a proud ambassador of its native Provence, the Château pays tribute to the landscapes of the Estérel region where it was born, as well as to the culture and hospitality of the South of France. Truly, it is a little piece of paradise between land and sea, a place of hedonism, an embodiment of a rich terroir and an unparalleled art of living… the Château proves that you don’t need to have delusions of grandeur in order to ‘mener la vie de château’ as we say in France – to live the life of Riley, to live like a prince in a castle. All you need is to let yourself be carried away by emotion and live each moment as if tomorrow didn’t exist.

PLAY. BUT

MAKE IT VERBIER

The Art of Emotion

Cheval Blanc St-Barth

Cheval Blanc St-Barth redefines the art of French hospitality since 2006 with unique homes, bringing privacy and contemporary luxury. Faithful to the creative and innovative spirit of the LVMH group, Cheval Blanc takes its guests on a journey of tailor-made service inspired by its four founding values: the art of receiving, exclusivity, savoir-faire and creativity.

By Eduardo Costerg

© R. Luhrs

INVITATION TO TRAVEL

Like a meticulously choreographed dance where every gesture must be precise and light, the art of hosting is made up of a multitude of details and exceptional skills, which are combined in all tenses. On the island of Saint-Barthélemy, one has to take a road, to know the entrance hidden in the vegetation, pass through it as a secret door, and set off along this fragrant and colourful path. Only then will the visitor discover the finery of Cheval Blanc. Here, on the Baie des Flamands – described as the most beautiful beach on the Caribbean island – everything is elegance, authenticity and emotion.

The reopening of Cheval Blanc St-Barth in 2018 pushes back even further the boundaries of an ideal perfection. To make the establishment a unique place where aesthetes and travellers can come together, three artists have been invited to take over the premises: Madison Cox, creator of extraordinary private gardens, Jacques Grange, designer of European palaces and characterful holiday resort at the end of the world, and Jean-Michel Othoniel, artist sculptor, creator of works often composed of glass beads. Like the island’s intertwined flora, they have intertwined their creations, which complementing and responding to each other, creating an ensemble of unique charm: an invitation to stop for a stay, for a moment.

IN HARMONY WITH NATURE

The most beautiful walls are the ones we can’t see. They are forgotten, to the benefit of the view, the shadows and the light. So it is with Cheval Blanc St-Barth, a house on a human scale where architecture marries nature. Here, doors and windows are more than mere openings for Jacques Grange: they are frames in the centre of which the lush gardens appear. Each room in the house is a unique world, open to the Caribbean Sea and the vegetation. ‘My first instinct was to create a décor around the theme of treehouses,’ explains the designer. I wanted to add this relaxed seaside style with rattan furniture, stripped almost bleached wood on the walls, white fabrics, then Caribbean notes, warm colours and straw mats on the floor. I thought a lot about my guests and those of Cheval Blanc: how would they like to experience this place and make it their own?

The suites open onto gardens whose abundant foliage led the guests from the beach to the villas, from the restaurants to the spa. Flowers, leaves, trees and shrubs are not just an association of shapes and colours, they also compose an olfactory score that begins as soon as you enter Cheval Blanc St-Barth and continues right inside. Madison Cox puts it this way: ‘The lush vegetation appears in the windows like living paintings and from the outside, the decoration responds to the flowers, palms, butterflies and birds, as if in a total work of art.’

© J. Le Menn

EXOTIC FLAVOURS

As far as flavours are concerned, the House has placed all its trust in the highly acclaimed Jean Imbert. In the kitchens of La Case – a place anchored in the elements – the chef has composed dishes that seem to spring from nature. Chef Jean Imbert plays with the essentials of French haute cuisine, creating culinary explosions full of the island colours and flavours: spices and herbs from the garden highlight the finest recipes like never before. ‘I wanted to capture the spirit of the Caribbean without denying Cheval Blanc’s own values of sharing and excellence,’ says Jean Imbert. In the White Bar, mixologists are invited to compose bespoke creations and original cocktails on the way to the main swimming pool. Simple, light fare is also on offer, with the same high standards of quality and authentic taste. Finally, in a dream setting, La Cabane opens onto the tropical waters of the Baie des Flamands – a place to enjoy with our bare feet in the sand. The sea breeze blows through the place, and the attention to detail means that relaxation and authenticity come together in total simplicity. Chef Jean Imbert has rethought the art of the table: the beauty of a basket made of wickerwork, a hard blue plate and a terracotta jar evoke tropical latitudes. On the plate, raw fish caught on the day, plant-based suggestions and generous dishes to share set the scene for a sunny reunion.

THE ART OF LIVING ON THE ISLAND OF SAINT-BARTHÉLEMY

Considered as a veritable sanctuary dedicated to well-being and beauty, the Cheval Blanc Spa showcases the world of Guerlain through rituals specially created for the House. Time stands still at Cheval Blanc. It’s up to each person to take their own time and create their own rhythm. Among the signature rituals, ‘Caribbean Wonders’ draws its essence from the unique soul of the island: the energy of raw nature and the gentleness of life. Cheval Blanc St-Barth unconditionally embraces the richness of the island and invites each guest to discover it as they please. An impromptu picnic, an excursion in a Cheval Blanc Mini-Moke to discover the hidden corners of Saint Barthélemy, an afternoon shopping in Gustavia or a romantic sunset cruise can all be imagined. Unforgettable events can also be celebrated in the in-house restaurants or on the Flamands beach with the complicity of the chef. Since all tastes are catered for, the House offers guests a range of experiences that are as diverse as they are exhilarating.

Conviviality, special moments, quality time spent with friends or family… Cheval Blanc St-Barth is as much the embodiment as a source of inspiration for the Cheval Blanc collection.

© E. Labouerie

Dunas De Formentera

Simplicity as its finest

Dunas de Formentera, located in the heart of the dunes of Migjorn beach in Spain, is a luxurious accommodation designed to relax in a place in harmony with nature. In this refuge where time seems to stop, life flows at a softer pace. Guests are invited to let go, feel free for a moment, and enjoy the simple things of life.

By Eloise Leray - Photos Marugal Hotel

THE “CARIBBEAN OF THE MEDITERRANEAN”

Formentera — the bohemian island of the Balearic Islands — enchants travellers with its pristine nature, beautiful white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and deep blue bays. This small island, accessible only by boat, is one of the most sought-after destinations. It appeals to travelers from all over the world who come to recharge their batteries and reconnect with the very essence of life. It is not without reason that Formentera is considered the “Caribbean of the Mediterranean”!

A LITTLE PIECE OF PARADISE

With the opening of Dunas de Formentera, it is now enriched by a very special 5-star boutique hotel. The hotel is being opened by Marugal, a hotel management group specializing in individual luxury hotels such as Cap Rocat, Vermelho. This new 5-star hotel promises an intimate and refined experience for travelers looking for luxury, but also for families looking for comfort. The hotel has 45 rooms and suites overlooking the dunes with an average size of 40 m 2 . The architecture was inspired by the local culture and surrounding nature. The fact that the sand directly touches the individual buildings and a gentle scent of juniper and sea salt wafts through the rooms blends the interior with the exterior.

A TRAVEL THROUGH THE SENSES

Barely the doors of Dunas de Formentera crossed, the breathtaking view of the sea and the wild landscape invites to escape. With its beachfront swimming pool and solarium, the hotel offers an ultimate place to relax under the sun. With direct access to the longest beach on the island, visitors enjoy walking along the southern shores of Formentera and spending their days exploring the turquoise waters and abundant marine life.

The restaurant offers authentic Mediterranean cuisine, highlighting local products in a relaxed and enchanting atmosphere. Classic recipes prepared on the fire are at the menu: traditional Neapolitan pizza, seafood and other local specialties, such as cocas from the Balearic Islands.

COMMITED TO NATURE

Dunas de Formentera is not only surrounded by nature, but it is also committed to nature conservation. Efficient thermal insulation was already taken into account during the renovation of the buildings, and within the next five years, 80% of the energy requirements are to be covered by photovoltaics. In addition, the waste water is treated and used to irrigate the grounds. Waste separation and a plastic-free purchasing policy are further examples of the hotel operators’ uncompromising sustainability concept. Last but not least, the spacious infinity pool with a view of the deep blue bay is cleaned with a special electrolyte solution from the salt flats instead of chemicals. This commitment ensues a holistic good feeling during a stay aligned with the beautiful natural surroundings. MORE INFOS: Dunas de Formentera - Lugar venda de ses clotades, 4449 - 07872 Formentera,Balearic Islands - +34 971 12 45 00 - www.dunasdeformentera.com

GOURMET

SYMPHONY

Between heaven and the bright blue sea

Summer lends itself to all sorts of pleasures and delicacies. That is why Blush Dream has gone in search of gastronomic treasures. On our plates, the land meets the sea: freshness, lightness and fineness take centre stage. We embark on a journey of flavours, fragrances and colours that takes us through sumptuous settings – from the French Riviera to southern Andalusia, and all the way to the gates of Paris. A summer for the senses, an invitation to savour every moment and every ray of sunshine.

VEGETAL, MINERAL AND IODINE CUISINE

Offering aristocratic grandeur and a fresh romantic feel, the Bellefeuille restaurant embraces nature in its decor and in its menu.

A winter-garden ambiance blurs the indoor-outdoor line: delicately drawn panoramas, mouldings, woodwork, marble, a period fireplace beneath an ancient mirror that reflects the greenery of the outdoor garden, a bird or two flitting by … In the summer, the restaurant overflows into the adjacent garden with a superb pergola complete with kiosk bar straight out of the 19th century. A lively place where guests hail from far-off lands or live down the street. A pretty open kitchen is set up in the vast dining room — Chef Grégory Garimbay adds the finishing touch to plates in front of guests, like a host preparing food in his home. He is a creative chef to watch, a rising star on the French culinary scene who intends to defend responsible food consumption : vegetables take precedence over meats - sublimated sparingly, like seafood from responsible fishing and talented producers.

SAINT JAMES PARIS

5 place du Chancelier Adenauer

75116 Paris

+33(0)1 44 05 81 81 www.saint-james-paris.com

FESTIVE AND COLOURFUL CUISINE BY DAY, STAR-STUDDED AND REFINED BY NIGHT

In the morning, alone in the world on the private beach, you take your first dip in the sea. The music rises with the sun. As the waves roll in, the party lights up Baba, Assaf Granit’s signature beach restaurant. At sunset, the Rotunda bar is a balcony overlooking the Mediterranean. Let your thoughts drift in the wind. In the evening, Chef Nicolas Rondelle sets the tables for dinner at the starred restaurant Les Pêcheurs.

CAP D’ANTIBES BEACH HOTEL

10 • boulevard maréchal juin

06160 cap d’antibes

+33(0) 4 92 93 13 30

www.ca-beach hotel.fr contact@cabh.fr

AUTHENTIC TASTE AND SEASONAL CUISINE

Château de Fonscolombe’s gastronomic restaurant, La Table de L’Orangerie, has been awarded its first prestigious star this year by the famous Michelin guide, awarding it its first prestigious star for 2024. Under the direction of talented Chef Marc Fontanne, who shares his passion for authentic taste and seasonal cuisine with his guests, the restaurant has raised its level of excellence. La Table de L’Orangerie continues to embody modern, gourmet and creative Provençal cuisine. The restaurant succeeds in bringing out the flavours of quality produce, respecting seasonal produce, all in an idyllic setting in the heart of Provence. At the Table de L’Orangerie, Chef Marc Fontanne and his team offer guests an unforgettable gastronomic experience, developing a conscious approach to tasting, inviting each guest to use all five senses. He takes up the challenge of sublimating simple products and showing vegetables in a new light.

CHÂTEAU DE FONSCOLOMBE

Route de Saint-Canadet 13610 Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade

+33(0) 4 42 21 13 13 www.fonscolombe.fr

CULINARY WONDERS REVEALED

Puente Romano Beach Resort is proud to announce the opening of GAIA Marbella, the first Greek-Mediterranean restaurant in Spain, as well as NYX Marbella, an exclusive speakeasy hidden within the restaurant. GAIA Marbella offers much more than just a culinary experience; it is a true voyage of discovery. Founded by culinary visionaries Evgeny Kuzin and chef Izu Ani, GAIA captivates from the first glance with its warm, azure-blue interiors that immerse guests in a spellbinding ambience.

GAIA is an invitation to the heart of Greek culture. Renowned chefs Izu Ani and Orestis Kotefas create menus to share, highlighting the flavours and traditions of Greece and the Mediterranean. Quality ingredients and a respect for homemade cooking are present in the various dishes on offer. There is also a wide choice of fish and seafood for Mediterranean aficionados. To complement GAIA’s gastronomic experience, NYX Marbella offers a speakeasy-style atmosphere, where customers can discover typical cocktails in an elegant and intimate setting.

GAIA MARBELLA

Puente Romano Beach Resort, 29602 Marbella, Málaga, Spain +34(0) 952 82 09 00 www.puenteromano.com

TABLES THAT CELEBRATE THE LAND

The Hôtel du Palais, Biarritz’s flagship restaurant, has announced the arrival of its new Executive Chef, Christophe Scheller. With its large dining room offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the restaurant will be serving authentic, refined cuisine, while retaining its 5-star service. Considered by many epicureans as “one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the world”, La Rotonde has two restaurants: La Table, a gourmet restaurant offering an exceptional 180° view of the ocean; and Côté Maison, authentic and generous cuisine. The hotel offers its guests refined and sought-after culinary experiences, inspired by the emblematic local produce of the Basque country, from both land and sea.

HOTEL DU PALAIS BIARRITZ

part of the unbound collection by hyatt

1, avenue de l’imperatrice, 64200 biarritz, France

+33(0) 5 59 41 12 34 www.hoteldupalaisbiarritz.com

THE MEDITERRANEAN SPARKLES ON THE MENU

Everything is ready, but nothing is written. For the menu of the restaurant Le Bougainvillier, the chef David Boyer has chosen a constraint. Every day the menu changes according to the catches of fisherman Julien Loire. His boat, Barbe d’or, is moored in the port of Agay. He casts his nets in the Bay of Saint-Raphaël and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, almost opposite the tables of the Bougainvillier restaurant. Lobster, capon, St Pierre, gilthead bream, bonito, rock fish, sars, amberjack, pelagic, corb, etc. The list of his catches is as long as it is random. That’s why David Boyer has designed two recipes for each fish, so that the menu can be adapted day by day, in a solar score where Anne-Sophie Pic’s former chef in Valence, who also worked at Ledoyen and Taillevent, draws on his affection for the Mediterranean repertoire.

HOTEL LA VILLA MAURESQUE & RESTAURANT LE BOUGAINVILLIER

1792 Rte de la Corniche, 83700 Saint-Raphaël

+33(0)4 94 83 02 42 www.villa-mauresque.com