Super Flea Market – the top model on her pre-loved fashion business
Oetker Collection
Built on baking powder – the exclusive hotel group’s latest destinations
Uli Maybach
The successor to the legendary automobile dynasty talks about his foundation
No. 4/24
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER / NOVEMBER
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Dear Readers,
Entrepreneurs in the German business world have a tendency to think and work in a “typically German” way due to their deeply ingrained desire for promptness and efficiency. A preference for standardization, order, systems, processes, quality and precision. Sometimes we appear to overdo things a little, and our methods and attitude make others smile. But it is precisely these characteristics, combined with our firmly rooted values, that give a product “Made in Germany” cause to stand out. The services we offer under the Engel & Völkers brand are “made in Germany” in much the same way. They are systematic, standardized in regard to quality and extremely client-oriented. Our tireless quest for perfection out of Germany over the past 47 years has enabled us to build one of the leading real estate companies worldwide. We are currently represented in 37 countries and around the globe 16,500 people work under the brand. All of them have passed through our in-house academy so as to acquaint themselves with the Engel & Völkers system. We make every attempt to think processes through to the end, act as reliable partners and do what we do as thoroughly as possible – which is also typically German. The “Made in Germany“ seal of quality has lost none of its international prestige. In fact, according to Statista it ranks first out of 52 countries. Introduced nearly 140 years ago in Great Britain to protect the market against cheap imports and warn consumers they might be buying imitation products, the Made in Germany label was almost immediately understood to stand for the finest quality products and services, just like today. And we naturally do our best to fulfill these high expectations for the time it takes to achieve success. I like to quote the chief executive of Deutsche Bank, Alfred Herrhausen, who said: ”Most of the time that we waste is the result of not thinking things through.” And some good news to finish: The worldwide willingness to invest large sums in outstanding real estate – also in Germany – is continuing unabated. Purchase prices in leading German markets such as Sylt, Tegernsee and Starnberger See are up again. Single-family homes in top locations are fetching sums of around €15 million, whereas truly exceptional properties are selling for as much as around €30 million. And on the East Frisian island of Norderney, residential space is fetching €25,000 per square meter.
I wish you a pleasant fall!
Sincerely,
Christian Völkers
Typically German!
We live in times when news is not evaluated by its quality but by the number of clicks it generates. Bad news works better in the digital world than good news because the outrage over a headline prompts us to click. In doing so, we also feed the algorithm and are subsequently targeted with more articles of a similar kind. Here, we do things differently: We present you with uplifting, interesting topics that inspire and highlight the positive. This edition features fascinating personalities from Germany who were shaped by the country’s education system and values, and are successful all over the world today. Perhaps precisely because they think and act in a “typically German” way. Our cover star, the model Toni Garrn, who has just launched her new pre-loved-fashion company Super Flea Market, shares her most German traits and talks about her high regard for products “Made in Germany.” The exclusive Oetker Collection has built a small but exquisite hotel empire based on impeccable service and unparalleled quality. Düsseldorf native Chemena Kamali, the new creative director of Chloé, is following in Karl Lagerfeld’s footsteps and taking the fashion world by storm with her beautiful designs. And Ulrich Schmid-Maybach explains how he continues to cultivate the values of his great-grandfather Wilhelm Maybach, who invented the first modern automobile, through his foundation.
Do you also have a typically German trait?
I hope you enjoy your read!
If you love to travel and are looking for inspiration, follow us to the Oetker Collection hotels in these exciting destinations: St. Barths, Jumby Bay (photo), Capri and Palm Beach, where the new The Vineta is opening its doors. The high heels by Gianvito Rossi, which Beyoncé wore for a Vogue fashion shoot, are available via Super Flea Market, Toni Garrn’s new company.
Michaela Cordes
Photographer: Constantin Meyer
32060 OCRE
Javier López
The photographer who shot our cover story about German model and entrepreneur Toni Garrn (page 32) grew up in Barcelona. Javier López developed his visual passion after moving to Alicante with his family in his youth and being captivated by the clarity of light there. Later, he pursued his professional career in Madrid. His work has appeared in magazines such as Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, L’Officiel, Vogue UK and Forbes.
Marcel Kaskeline
After two decades working as a freelance set designer, Marcel Kaskeline, a trained architect, now works as an E&V real estate advisor in Berlin. He has a particular fondness for buildings with rich architectural histories and is proud to have some of the German capital’s most beautiful and interesting villas in his portfolio –one of which you’ll find on page 70.
Patricia Engelhorn
The Swiss journalist has been working as a freelancer in the lifestyle sector for 30 years. Patricia Engelhorn grew up in Ticino, in southern Switzerland, studied in Florence and has lived in Munich, Hamburg and Berlin, but her dream destination remains L.A.
Katharina Pfannkuch
As a freelance author for various German magazines, among them Der Spiegel’s S-Magazin, Katharina Pfannkuch’s articles are mainly about fashion, which she views as both part of and a reflection of culture. She writes for people who find beauty in the everyday and who refuse to see it as mere happenstance.
PHOTO: ALVISE NICOLETTI (1)
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Foto: Woyshnis Media
Managing Director Janine Baaima
Toni Garrn
PLAYGROUND
14 COOL CITY Oktoberfest, world-class museums and its role as an economic powerhouse make Munich unique.
16 INTERVIEW Caroline and Benjamin Freisfeld are at the helm of Germany’s oldest jeweler Brahmfeld & Gutruf.
18 WOMAN Stand out from the crowd in purple.
20 MAN These shades of blue are soothing and seductive.
22 BOOKS The word “Heimat,” Karl Lagerfeld and 1920s Berlin are the topics of our books this fall.
186 PERSONAL Ole Scheeren’s spectacular buildings in China.
REAL ESTATE NEWS
25 OUTLOOK Jawed Barna, the new Group CEO of Engel & Völkers, talks about his strategy program #ONE.
28 ENGEL & VÖLKERS NEWS Real estate trends.
New Home
AT HOME
32 TONI GARRN The model turned entrepreneur now runs the online platform for preloved fashion Super Flea Market.
38 OETKER Oetker Collection’s exclusive, carefully curated hotels can be found in the most beautiful parts of the world.
46 PAULA BRUSS A young interior designer from Hamburg is attracting attention in Los Angeles.
52 CHEMENA KAMALI The first collection by French fashion house Chloé’s new creative director took the world by storm.
56 MAYBACH The heir to an automobile dynasty on his Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation and the passion to innovate.
FOR SALE
70 NEW HOME A very special property with a view of the Havel River. “The Villa – Berlin” celebrates classic opulence.
78 NEW HOME The traditional, thatched “Töpferhaus” in Keitum on the island of Sylt bears an artistic signature.
82 RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Villas, mansions & office space – the world’s most beautiful real estate.
A preface to the new issue. 8
Typically German!
184 ADDRESSES Names, addresses and manufacturers.
185 STAFF Masthead.
PHOTO:
A round six million
PLAYGROUND
people visit the popular Oktoberfest in the Bavarian capital of Munich every year.
COOL CITY HOUSE INTERVIEW WOMAN MAN BOOKS
Good Vibrations
Every year, the Oktoberfest lures over six million visitors to Munich. But the Bavarian capital has more to offer than beer and festivals; it’s home to seven DAX-listed companies and world-class museums.
BY Merle Wilkening ILLUSTRATIONS: Asia Orlando
Places to be
1 VIEWS The Sushi Club bar on the roof of the Mandarin Hotel in Munich is a popular place to enjoy a sundowner. 2 CULTURE HUB One building, four museums: The Pinakothek der Moderne houses exhibitions on art, graphics, architecture and design. 3 SEVENTIES FLAIR At the Michelinstarred Tantris restaurant, Benjamin Chmura is passionate about flavors, textures and colors –from lobster red to truffle black. 4 SHOWPIECE The Rosewood Munich, which opened last fall, is the luxury hotel group’s first German hotel.
Even from a distance, a familiar landmark welcomes both locals and newcomers to Munich. The unmistakable twin Gothic towers of the Frauenkirche church loom majestically over the city. What started as a small village on the banks of the Isar River gradually evolved into a significant commercial and residential town, eventually becoming a major city. The state capital is now one of Germany’s financial and cultural centers. With a population of around 1.5 million, Munich is Bavaria’s most populous city. Every year, four times as many visitors flock to the Oktoberfest, the world’s largest Volksfest. Last year, around 6.5 million liters of beer were sold here.
Beyond the famous Theresienwiese fairground, Munich is a vibrant city brimming with charm throughout the year. The buildings in the historic city center bear witness to centuries of history and Bavarian culture. Marienplatz, the city’s most famous square in the old town, is filled with the sound of the Munich Glockenspiel at midday. The streets, both small and large, are lined with long-established shops: the Dallmayr delicatessen, the Ludwig Beck luxury department store, Hemmerle, the traditional jeweler, and the shoemaker Ed.Meier and former purveyor to the Royal Bavarian Court. You can treat yourself to a traditional Bavarian costume at Herbert Lipah’s Lederhosenwahnsinn shop or at Holareidulijö in Maxvorstadt, or hire lederhosen and dirndls for a day from Bavarian Outfitters – even though traditional dress is not compulsory at the Oktoberfest.
The world-famous Hofbräuhaus, which has been celebrating Munich’s beer-brewing tradition since 1589, is located in the historic city
center. It was originally established as a brewery to the Bavarian court and did not open to the public as a beer hall until 1828.
In complete contrast to the beer halls, the Nymphenburg Palace or Munich Residence will transport you to the bygone era of the Bavarian monarchy. Or you can wander through the English Garden, where locals and visitors relax in the beer garden just a few meters away from the brave river surfers trying their luck on the Eisbach Wave. The Viktualienmarkt has offered fresh produce and local specialties from its stalls spread over two hectares since 1807. Excellent restaurants such as Tantris, JAN, Tohru and Brothers offer a fine counterpoint to the hearty local cuisine.
On a clear day, you can see the Alps from Munich. There are plenty of day trip destinations available – the hardest part might be deciding where to go first. Climb the peaks of Munich’s local mountains, cycle around the Upper Bavarian lakes, take a train to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, or go skiing in winter and stop off at a mountain hut. This easy access to nature creates a sense of well-being that makes Munich a truly special place to call home.
Hofbräuhaus
Deutsches Museum
Residence
National Theater opera house
Pinakothek
Olympic Park
Frauenkirche church
Oktoberfest on Theresienwiese
Karlsplatz square
Nymphenburg Palace
Brilliant Generations
Caroline and Benjamin Freisfeld have been in charge of Germany’s oldest jeweler Brahmfeld & Gutruf since 2010.
A conversation about traditional and contemporary jewelry making, exquisite pieces and superb materials.
Where does your passion for gemstones and diamonds originate?
B. Freisfeld: We’re jewelers in the third generation, so it’s something I was born with. I started collecting precious stones when I was only five. I was always the big collector in the family.
Was there a moment that made a particular impact on your life?
At an auction, I had the chance to examine the famous Wittelbach Blue and even hold it in my hand. This extraordinarily large blue diamond has a fascinating history. After the auction, it was recut. Although it lost several carat, it became many times more beautiful and more intense. That’s when I realized that jewelers create beauty. Every gemstone that we cut for a piece of jewelry becomes a treasure.
B&G was founded by Hinrich Brahmfeld in 1743. What led to your family taking over?
Our family was a founding member of the Collegium Cadoro, an association of leading jewelers in Germany, which included Brahmfeld & Gutruf, that formed in 1980 to promote jewelry culture. There was a good deal of cooperation between our two houses and we even sold some of the same models. That’s how we knew we’d be a good match and that our style of jewelry would sell here.
What values does Brahmfeld & Gutruf represent?
B&G have a very unique history. Few jewelers
around the world have been in business for as long. The freedom that the city of Hamburg enjoyed as a member of the Hanseatic League also applied to commercial thinking. Many long-established jewelers elsewhere were duty-bound to serve either the crown or the church. Brahmfeld & Gutruf also supplied royal households, of course, but they were always free, answering only to themselves. We are purveyors to the people. And thanks to Hamburg’s appeal, this extends far beyond the boundaries of the city.
Who are your customers?
We accompany a person’s “jewelry career” over
the course of a lifetime. Some people even come to us in the fifth generation, many of them members of Hamburg’s industrial families. Heavy gold pieces are very much soughtafter in times of uncertainty. Generally, German customers buy jewelry that is made to last
How do you preserve tradition and at the same time take it forward into the future?
The future is built on heritage. We always think in terms of collections. This isn’t something that’s done very often in Europe anymore. A collection develops over time, new things are added, but always with the awareness that the older pieces are still part of it. This way, a customer who bought a necklace 20 years ago can find earrings that match but are also contemporary. It’s not just about creating new things, it’s about continuously improving on the old ones.
Your jewelry claims to be “astonishingly Hanseatic.” What does that mean?
Our pieces exhibit a certain Hanseatic severity, but astonish too, for instance, by exploding with color. We are the biggest jeweler for colored gemstones in the German-speaking world, and we pay great attention to how individual pieces interact. Our sense of harmony is something that will never leave us. As my sister once put it: “It’s a kind of down-to-earthness that can kick up a leg and break into a dance.”
Would you like to know more?
With craftsmanship and the art of engineering we design your kitchen. A short movie about us:
Lovely Lavender
It’s the season’s trendiest hue! Make a stylish statement every time you step out in lilac or aubergine.
1 HARMONIOUS Combine rich earth colors for a stunning full-body, monochrome look. German fashion icon Jil Sander shows us how. Fall/Winter collection 2024, POR. 2 SIGNATURE HUE “Amethyst Purple” ink lends an air of elegance to any handwritten message. Montblanc, around € 24. 3 HUG ME Let the metal frame and upholstery enclose you in its gentle embrace. “Fulda” chair by German industrial designer Stefan Diez for
Viccarbe, POR. 4 TWO FOR ONE Textured front, satiny back: Cushion “pattern n’ pillows #9” is a creative mix of styles and colors specially selected by Stephanie Thatenhorst, €219. 5 WANDERLUST How about a visit to Berlin this summer? Rimowa luggage stickers help to keep the memory of every trip alive. Available for other cities too, € 6. 6 EXCELLENT CHOICE German brand Falke is primarily known for its fine quality socks,
but it also produces hats like this one in pale lilac made of pure merino wool, € 60. 7 MAGNIFICENT Rosenthal meets Versace in the “Grand Divertissement” porcelain mug with lid, designed to recall the opulence of the former French court, € 289. 8 SHEER ELEGANCE Adorn yourself in sparkling pink and rose tourmalines, amethyst and pavé diamonds: “Mikado Delicate Wildberry” by Tamara Comolli, € 9,500.
True blue
Captivating designs that evoke all the colors of the sea and sky from navy to aquamarine.
1 URBAN Denim does it! The Berlin label 032c, which began life as a magazine in 2000, now produces ready-to-wear fashion. From the NIGHTHAWKS collection, POR. 2 CATCH THE WAVE It doesn’t always have to be square! Console “Agatha“ adds a sculptural vibe to any space. Designed by Julius Heinzl for Bannach, from € 1,850. 3 PRECISION The city of Glashütte in the Eastern Ore Mountains is
famous for exquisite watchmaking. “Orion“ by Nomos Glashütte is a classic timepiece, € 3,260 via juwelier-becker.com. 4 ONE-OF-A-KIND An unusual piece made of fine porcelain: “Huge Vase Blue“ by Arlene Shechet for Meissen, POR. 5 NIGHT SKY “Plaid Moon“ is a blanket woven out of hand-spun, supersoft cashmere from Altai-Himalaya. Gisbert Pöppler, POR. 6 CHEERFUL “Caribe Basket Table” is inspired by the
vibrancy of Colombia and comes in various color combinations. Designed by Sebastian Herkner for Ames, € 899. 7 EYE-CATCHER Hand decorated with grains of colored glass to create a unique interplay of light: Lamp “Flakes“ by Hanne Willmann for Favius, € 1,125. 8 SOFTIE This incredibly soft cashmere sweater is pure luxury when the days turn cooler: “Boya-Sandro Cardigan Nimbus“ in navy by Stephan Boya, € 1,399.
BOOKS
Heimat
The German concept of Heimat has been successfully exported around the world. It translates as homeland, but ultimately describes a person’s sense of belonging, of feeling comfortable and at home in a particular place or among particular people. In this stunning, limited edition illustrated book, German photographer Ellen von Unwerth explores the concept by focusing on Bavaria, where she grew up. A nostalgic but tongue-in-cheek look at guys and gals in traditional dirndl and lederhosen set against a picturesque backdrop of Alpine peaks and lush meadows. Long live Bavaria!
Karl Lagerfeld
When a person who has shaped the fashion industry over a lifetime dies, they leave behind an enormous legacy. Fashion houses Balmain, Chloé, Fendi and particularly Chanel all bear Karl Lagerfeld’s mark. With his unmistakable look – elegant suit, dark glasses, gray ponytail – the worldfamous designer even turned himself into a brand. Born in Hamburg, Germany, Lagerfeld launched his career in Paris and died in his adopted country of France in 2019. In this biography, journalist Alfons Kaiser retraces the iconic designer’s life and numerous roles throughout his career.
1920s Berlin
The Golden Twenties were a very exciting time in Berlin. The horrors of World War I were followed by a fresh lust for living in Germany. Intoxicated by the new freedoms and advances in many areas of life, people indulged to excess and danced until dawn. Cabarets, jazz clubs, cinemas and restaurants were packed, and visitors thronged to the cosmopolitan city on the Spree River to partake of the cultural renewal. This book offers insights into the burgeoning scene and showcases the architecture, painting, photography and film that stand testimony to this historical period.
Rainer Metzger, Taschen, € 15
Alfons Kaiser, Thames & Hudson, £ 25
Ellen von Unwerth, Taschen, € 750
REAL ESTATE NEWS
Jawed Barna, Group CEO of Engel & Völkers since November 2023, on his strategy for the Engel & Völkers Group.
#ONE: A new chapter begins
Jawed Barna, the new Group CEO of Engel & Völkers, has a clear vision for the company: to establish it as THE one-stop shop for sellers and buyers of real estate, delivering unparalleled service excellence.
BY JAWED BARNA
For most people, buying or selling their own property is one of the most important and emotional investment decisions they will ever make. These pivotal moments raise many questions and have significant implications for the future. Selling a house is a complex transaction, and often neither the buyer nor the seller has the relevant market knowledge or experience to navigate it. Having a competent partner by your side who you can trust implicitly is essential.
Our advisors see themselves as precisely this caliber of partner. We accompany our clients with expert advice at every step of the brokerage process – from support during the often difficult decision to buy or sell, to securing optimal financing, conducting professional property valuations, and creating tailored marketing concepts. We are absolutely committed to delivering the best service. We aspire to be THE one-stop shop for real estate brokerage in the world’s most desirable first and second home markets. For 47 years, we have been delivering exceptional results for our
clients, driven by expertise and passion. We are always full of drive and ambition to keep innovating and are always striving to be the first choice for the most exclusive real estate worldwide.
When I joined the Engel & Völkers family last November, I was deeply impressed by the energy and commitment of our global teams and real estate advisors. It is an enormous privilege to continue the success story of such a renowned and traditional brand, and to lead the Group into an even more digital future. We have taken a critical, analytical look at where we stand and where we can improve to best serve our clients. The result is our #ONE culture and strategy program – an initiative that unlocks our brand’s full potential, leveraging the wealth of expertise within the Engel & Völkers network, ensuring that we offer our clients a consistently excellent service standard worldwide and continue to expand our market position - true to our purpose statement “We empower people around the globe to fulfill their living aspirations”.
ENGEL & VÖLKERS
JAWED BARNA has been Group CEO of Engel & Völkers since November 2023. Prior to this, he worked for the Zurich Insurance Group: as Board Member and Deputy CEO Germany. Before taking up this role he was Regional CEO for the Middle East & Africa. As Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Mr. Barna also oversaw the strategic direction and internationalization of Real Garant AG. He has supported various start-ups in the development of their business models. countries people locations 37 > 16,500 ~ 1,100
“We focus on people’s needs –both those of our clients and everyone in our network.”
JAWED BARNA
Engel & Völkers: Founded 47 years ago. Now operational with almost 1,100 locations in 37 countries.
is to understand diverse cultures and be open to new ideas. It is precisely this spirit that drives me – and that drives us.
We ensure that our advisors are empowered to fully serve their clients’ needs. This includes providing them with the latest digital technologies in their day-to-day work and offering comprehensive training in our in-house Engel & Völkers Academy.
The real estate market has always proven to be highly dynamic. But property is set to remain a long-term anchor of stability in our clients’ portfolios for many years to come. In prime, sought-after locations all around the globe, the consistently high level of demand for residential real estate will continue to exceed the limited supply of property listings. This alone will ensure that the strong level of buyer interest in the premium segment is here to stay. Falling inflation rates and increased optimism regarding greater economic stability moving forward is leading to an increase in demand once again in the mid-market segment too. As a result, for many, the dream of owning their own home has come a little closer – a dream that we are committed to making a reality.
What originally started out as an initiative spanning just some of our markets has quickly evolved into a dynamic movement that thrives on the passion and commitment of the 16,500 people working under our brand in 37 countries. Whenever I visit our teams in local markets, I am consistently impressed by the movement we have ignited with the #ONE initiative throughout the network. We focus on people’s needs – both those of our clients and everyone in our network. After 25 years of living and working in different regions around the world, I know first-hand how important it Would you like to know more?
Waterfront vacation homes in Germany
The market for vacation homes is booming. This is true especially for properties on the North Sea or Baltic coasts, or near an idyllic lake in the south of Germany. Houses right on the water are the most valuable and most coveted, but more affordable alternatives can be attractive too.
Without a doubt, the most sought-after locations for vacation homes in Germany are those that lie on one or the other of the country’s beautiful coastlines or on a lovely lake. Properties located on the exclusive North Sea island of Sylt, for example, where luxury and nature have a symbiotic relationship, are known to fetch top prices. Sylt is famous for its charming reed-thatched houses, broad sandy beaches and cosmopolitan flair. As far back as 2014, property prices in prime locations ranged from €7 million to €12 million, then climbed as high as €25 million in 2019 and reached an impressive €29 million in 2024.
When we take a look at Föhr, another North Sea island only a few kilometers away, the picture changes completely. Föhr may be only a stone’s throw from elegant Sylt, but properties here are far less expensive. In 2024, the highest price achieved on Föhr was €3.6 million, while similar properties on Sylt were fetching many times as much. Such a difference in price levels between Sylt and Föhr offers buyers looking to enjoy the beauty and proximity of the North Sea, but unwilling to pay the higher prices, an attractive alternative.
Some very exclusive waterfront real estate can be had in southern Germany too. Locations on Lake Tegernsee and around Lake Starnberg in Bavaria are among the region’s most expensive and most soughtafter. Properties in top locations in the town of Tegernsee can set you back between €5 million and €15 million, whereas prices on Lake Starnberg have now reached €30 million, even surpassing those on Sylt, which was Germany’s top market for a long time.
Buyers who prefer a more maritime flair should consider the equally lovely Baltic Sea islands of Rügen or Usedom, both of which are more affordable. Rügen, Germany’s
FUN FACT ENGEL
biggest island, is famous for its spectacular chalk cliffs and extensive beech forests as well as luxu rious villas and vacation homes. Prices for prime properties here can reach €4.3 million. Visitors to the island of Usedom will find charming seaside resorts and a lively culture scene. Here too, top properties are very much in demand, and prices for a villa in a prime location range from €1.5 to €3.5 million.
For the properties in the Mecklenburg Lake District, which is known for its idyllic lakes and picturesque villages and is a haven of relaxation, buyers won’t need to dig quite so deep into their pockets either. Attractive and affordable properties can also be found along the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Historic cities such as Wismar or Rostock don’t just offer a wealth of cultural highlights, but also less expensive properties compared with hotspots on the North and Baltic seas. Vacation homes in good locations in Wismar can be had for between €500,000 und €700,000.
Investors and buyers looking for an authentic North Sea experience should also consider East Frisia and Wilhelmshaven. These regions are distinguished by fresh sea air and their proximity to the tidal flats and wetlands of the Wadden Sea. Vacation homes here are still available at prices that would be unthinkable in more exclusive locations. In East Frisia, for instance, prices for houses in very good locations lie between €400,000 and €1.2 million, a very attractive option for potentials buyers.
Whether it’s the North Sea or the Baltic coast, lake country or the Alps, the German market for vacation homes has a waterfront idyll to suit every taste and purse. Let your- self be inspired by the diversity and beauty of Germany’s coastline and lakes!
Source: Engel & Völkers Market Report Germany · 2024 PRIVATE HOLIDAY HOMES
North Sea, Baltic coast or lakeshore properties: The German market for vacation homes is booming.
ACCORDING TO THE BLUE MIND THEORY, PEOPLE EXPERIENCE
PEACE & SATISFACTION IN THE VICINITY OF WATER.
Source: “Blue Mind,” above, by Wallace J. Nichols
Christian von Gottberg, director of E&V in Schleswig-Holstein, has been with Engel & Völkers since 2005. A true all-rounder, he started out at Engel & Völkers Commercial in Berlin before switching to E&V Residential in 2012. Von Gottberg now lives in Hamburg with his wife, three children and their dog. As much as he loves that German city, he is also a fan of Denmark, where his wife is from. He calls their house north of Copenhagen, where he goes for rest and relaxation, his “happy place.”
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EMERGING LUXURY MARKET
Dubai’s luxury real estate market is booming! Last year, the number of transactions reached record levels, with sales of properties valued at around 2.5 million and upwards seeing an increase of 76 % compared with the previous year. International buyers dominated the scene, as did exclusive newly built projects in Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali, Mohammed Bin Rashid City and Dubai Harbour, cementing Dubai’s role as lifestyle hotspot for discerning investors.
Come to Florence for a taste of la dolce vita! Our new Market Center in Lungarno Guicciardini is now at your service in the Tuscan capital. Florence and surroundings have been popular with investors for some years now. From elegant apartments in the historic old town to idyllic country estates and exclusive villas in the Chianti region –the unique flair of Italy is everywhere to be found. Our local team is eager to help you find a lovely new home in bella Italia so you can start enjoying some of the famous dolce far niente that the country is famous for.
SYLT
STARNBERG LAKE
LAKE TEGERNSEE
Headquarter: Alexander - Bretz - Straße 2 D-55457 Gensingen bretz.de
Flagships: Berlin Dortmund Dresden Düsseldorf Frankfurt Hamburg
Köln Leipzig München Nürnberg Stuttgart Budapest Paris Wien
Toni Garrn began her career early on as a model, now she is starting another one as an entrepreneur as well.
MADE IN GERMANY
They all share the same heritage: Entrepreneur Toni Garrn, the exclusive Oetker Collection, Chloé’s creative director Chemena Kamali, up-and-coming interior designer Paula Bruss & and the successor to the legendary Maybach dynasty.
SUPER
BY MICHAELA CORDES PHOTOS JAVIER LÓPEZ / TRUNK ARCHIVE
From Hamburg to New York and back. Since Toni Garrn became a mom, the newly fledged entrepreneur has been living in Berlin.
WOMAN
Breathtaking beauty paired with a stellar career: Toni Garrn is a world-famous model, initiator of a foundation, mother and, in her latest move, an entrepreneur and the visionary behind the preloved fashion platform Super Flea Market. A conversation about the art of using beautiful clothes to do good.
oni Garrn – your company Super Flea Market went online at the end of May. How do you feel and what were the biggest challenges?
Well, it’s definitely been an exciting and exhausting ride – and I mean that in the most positive sense: It’s an incredibly thrilling time for me and my team. About nine years ago, I started Super Flea Market in New York as a charity event, back then under the name Supermodel Flea Market. I sold clothes donated by my model friends to raise money for my then brandnew foundation, the Toni Garrn Foundation, which supports educational projects for girls
and women in Ghana, Uganda and Burundi. Back then, not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that this charity format would one day develop into a social start-up, and that I would end up investing so much of my time and energy. So, in principle, you could say that it took almost nine years from the initial idea to the first sale. Of course, digital is a completely different experience. Now, my team and I face completely different challenges than back then in New York City. Today, it’s about creating a strong brand, finding the right setup for this company in so many areas and, above all, continuing to build our team.
What was your first sale?
One of the first items sold through Superfleamarket.org was an absolute fashion highlight: beautiful over-knee boots by Jimmy Choo x Jean Paul Gaultier. My personal favorite in our range are without a doubt the Gianvito Rossi sandals that Beyoncé wore on a shoot.
Can you explain the Super Flea Market business model?
We sell clothes and accessories that have come from the private closets of celebrities and other exciting personalities or from the archives
Right up there at the top is a pink corduroy pants suit that my grandma made about 60 years ago. For me, this is such a special piece. About 15 years ago, Karl Lagerfeld gave me a Chanel dress that is timeless and beautiful – like all of Karl’s Chanel designs. I adore this dress. And then I found a vintage Versace dress in New York that is now for sale on Superfleamarket.org. It’s stunning! I have many happy memories of this dress, and it had a special moment in the spotlight when I wore it at our event in Miami. Now the time has come for it to make someone else happy.
“In my experience, products from Germany have a very good standing. Made in Germany sounds good to my ears.”
TONI GARRN
of fashion brands and were previously worn by celebrities on the red carpet or at photo shoots, for example. Super Flea Market is a profit-for-purpose company. This means that 50-90% of the net sales price of each fashion item we sell is donated to an organization in our NGO partner network.
Who is your main target clientele?
Our customers are primarily fashion and vintage lovers and fans, as well as charity enthusiasts. What they all have in common is that they don’t want an ordinary shopping experience; they are looking for special pieces that they can’t simply find online or in a store anywhere in the world.
What are your three favorite vintage pieces in your wardrobe? Would you be willing to share the story behind them?
What gave you the idea of launching your flea market concept worldwide and online? If I understand correctly, you have two partners in this enterprise?
After we held our last big Flea Market event in Berlin in 2022, Coralie, who is the managing director of the Toni Garrn Foundation, and Charlotte, whose agency had organized the event, approached me and told me about their idea of taking Super Flea Market to the next level and going online. Less than three months later in Berlin, the three of us decided to set up Superfleamarket.org and create a platform that fuses luxury second-hand, the circular economy and charity.
Like the original Flea Market, where the proceeds were donated to your Africa Foundation, a large proportion of what is raised through Super Flea Market will go to charity. How do you
Together with two partners,
a mission to support good causes.
Toni Garrn set up Super Flea Market, a second-hand platform with
Toni Garrn’s new online store sells preloved clothes and accessories, many of them from the private collections of celebrities.
select the organizations and which criteria do you apply?
One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Flea Market events have always been donated to the Toni Garrn Foundation projects. Last time, for example, the focus was on raising funds for equipment for the maternity clinic we opened in cooperation with our partners in Wioso, Ghana, in 2022.
At that time, the events were organized by the Toni Garrn Foundation. After the last event in 2022, however, we realized that an NGO of our size is not ultimately designed to organize and run mammoth events like these. Much as we loved doing it, it drained
respective national law, have a track record of projects, and a management team with whom we are in contact.
What inspired you to set up the Toni Garrn Foundation?
During my childhood and later in my career as a professional model, I was fortunate enough to travel extensively. This allowed me to meet people from different regions of the world and discover many countries. Over time, this led to a growing interest in the African continent. When I traveled to sub-Saharan Africa, I met young girls and families and gained an insight into their lives,
“As a mom, I want my daughter to know that she is perfect the way she is. In every facet.”
TONI GARRN
too many resources and took up too much of the time we want and need to spend working with our local partners.
When we started developing the Super Flea Market online model, we soon realized that in addition to the Toni Garrn Foundation we wanted other NGOs that depend on a regular inflow of donations to benefit. Our goal is to allow these NGOs to be able to plan ahead securely by partnering with them and generating regular donations. Ultimately, we want to build a strong, cohesive system committed to fighting social and environmental injustice.
To become part of our partner network, the NGOs (which alongside the Toni Garrn Foundation currently include All Hands and Hearts, and Re:wild) must fulfil formal criteria such as being a registered NGO according to the
and these encounters left a lasting impression on me. Girls and women are disproportionally affected by social and financial inequality, and this has an impact on their lives for generations.
Over time, my urge to support these girls grew. After having partnered with Plan International for many years, I decided to set up my own charity: the Toni Garrn Foundation. We are currently active in Uganda, Ghana and Burundi. Together with our partners in the global south, we support the development of education and health initiatives for girls and women. Our primary goal is to create a stable environment for girls and young women where their professional and personal development can be fostered.
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AFFAIR A family
From baking powder to luxury hotels. Exquisitely appointed, highly elegant and super discreet – that unique mix describes every hotel in the family-owned Oetker Collection. Here are their new masterpieces.
BY MICHAELA CORDES
Fine sandy beaches, 14 villas and 40 suites await guests at Jumby Bay, a small 121-hectare island off Antigua in the Caribbean.
This could well be the Caribbean island’s most beautiful hotel. After extensive renovation, it now sparkles anew. Below:
Eden Rock, St Barths
Villa Rockstar.
The story of the entrepreneurial Oetker family began in 1891 in a German pharmacy, where Dr. August Oetker invented a new baking powder in 1893.
he warm breeze plays in the tree tops, rustling the palm leaves high above my head. Somewhat fatigued by jetlag and slowly adjusting to the Caribbean humidity on the beautiful island of St. Barths, we meet for drinks outside the Villa Rockstar by the softly illuminated pool. The villa boasts six bedrooms and a white concert piano. A chef and a butler are naturally on hand to cater to guests’ every wish, one of many exciting innovations at the Eden Rock St Barths. The luxury hotel now offers 11 room categories; the rooms themselves were created by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio. There’s a sensational spa and the gourmet delights at the Sand Bar restaurant, now bigger than before, are overseen by Jean-Georges Vongerichten. “The destruction that was wrought by Hurricane Irma in 2017 is now almost impossible to imagine,” says a member of the hotel marketing team who has lived and worked on the
popular Caribbean island for years. But instead of indulging in self-pity, the Mathews family, the hotel’s proprietors, embarked on an extensive course of renovation, using the opportunity to raise the standard at the Eden Rock to an entirely new level. The impressive result is partly due to Oetker Collection, which had come on board as an investor. “A happy circumstance, a perfect match,” as an insider said. After two years of refurbishment and thanks to General Manager Fabrice Moizan and his dedicated team, the legendary establishment above popular St. Jean beach now shines forth more resplendent than ever in its long history.
No half-hearted measures here, but instead, a striving for perfection and the finest quality: That could sum up Oetker Collection’s imperative. Quite the opposite to other luxury hotel chains that aims to offer their guests the same familiar and predictable product, no matter the location. In fact, each of the extraordinary
By the beach, on the rock or surrounded by lush greenery: the Eden Rock boasts 37 individual rooms and suites.
La Palma, Capri
Centrally located at the heart of the island, the La Palma has 50 rooms, including 18 suites, a pool and a roof terrace.
Each of the carefully selected establishments joins Oetker Collection’s impressive portfolio as another stunning masterpiece.
establishments in the world’s most beautiful destinations has only one thing in common: its own personality paired with the highest quality service.
The enterprising Oetker family with its various different companies is firmly rooted in German entrepreneurial culture and its history dates back to the 19th century. It all started with Dr. August Oetker, a German pharmacist who developed a recipe for baking powder in 1893 – a practical and reliable invention to ensure that cakes always rise. Marketed as “Backin,” this was the touchstone for the successful rise of Dr. Oetker, a family-owned company that soon established itself as a significant player in the food industry.
It wasn’t until after World War II, when Rudolf-August Oetker, the grandson of the company founder, took over the firm, that the company started moving into the luxury hotel business. Under his leadership, Dr. Oetker branched out
in various directions, the hotel sector being only one of them.
Oetker Collection was only officially founded in 2008 but its heritage can be traced back to 1872, when the Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, Germany, first opened its doors. It was a hotel that Rudolf-August Oetker used to frequent quite often, and he liked it so much that in 1941, he bought it. On a sailing trip in the Mediterranean in the summer of 1964, he and his wife Maja discovered the Hôtel du Cap on the cliffs above Cap d’Antibes in the French Riviera. Five years later, in 1969, they purchased this extraordinary property as well, changing the name to Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc.
This was followed by the Le Bristol Paris, a unique luxury hotel in the heart of the French capital that the Oetker family took over in 1978. Today, the Château Saint-Martin in Vence, France, The Lanesborough in London, the L’Apogée in Courchevel, France, the Palácio
Very chic, far from the bustling activity and yet right in the middle of it all, lies the pool at the La Palma Hotel.
The Vineta, Palm Beach
The talk of the town even prior to its opening, The Veneta is the group’s first hotel in the U.S.
In partnership with the Reuben Brothers, Oetker Collection takes European hospitality to Florida.
“Our hotels have a soul, created by people. With a family spirit, elegance and sincere warmth.”
TIMO GRÜNERT, CEO OETKER COLLECTION
Tangará in Brazil and The Woodword in Geneva all belong to the group.
Off the coast of the Antigua, just a few minutes by air from St. Barths, lies Jumby Bay, discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 and later claimed by the British. Today, the private island boasts a resort-like hotel and magnificent, staffed villas. Families and wedding parties are particularly drawn to this discreet, secluded destination. Seven years ago, Oetker Collection took over the management of this particular pearl.
The highly anticipated opening of the La Palma hotel on the isle of Capri took place this past summer. Situated on the main drag on the southern coast of Capri (a Mediterranean island particularly popular with U.S. visitors), the hotel boasts magnificent interiors by Maltese interior designer Francis Sultana. No sooner had it opened then this top establishment was booked solid for an entire year. The hotel spa cooperates
with another German brand, Augustinus Bader, while in the restaurant, Neapolitan chef Gennaro Esposito offers guests a delicious culinary experience.
The opening of The Vineta in Palm Beach, Florida, marks the German hotel group’s first foray into the U.S. market. The interior of the imposing, pale pink building, which was constructed in 1926, has been rejuvenated by Parisian interior designer Tino Zervudachi. For the second time since Capri, the hotel group has once again partnered with the Reuben Brothers, raising expectations even higher.
Timo Grünert, CEO of Oetker Collection, describes the hotel group’s characteristics as follows: “Extraordinary hotels always have a soul and a personality, created by people. Our teams share a strong family spirit, have a real passion for being hosts and genuinely care about our guests.”
Would you like to know more?
PHOTOS: BLISS BRAOUDAKIS (2)
Interior designer Paula Bruss, whose ideas are inspired by Rose Uniacke, Giancarlo Valle and Pamela Shamshiri.
California
DREAMING
It all began with Pamela Anderson and a new interior design assignment for a streaming platform. Today, even without the celebrity factor, Paula Bruss is drawing attention in California thanks to the young German designer’s highly appealing style.
BY PATRICIA ENGELHORN
The dining table originated in southern France. It was acquired through the online auction house LiveAuctioneers. The antique English chairs were purchased through 1stDibs.
All she had really been planning to do was go on vacation. Paula Bruss was 14, a high-school student in Hamburg, when her parents took her and her little sister on a trip to California, to L.A. “I immediately fell in love with L.A., thought it was really cool. There were so many perspectives, the people were completely different and the weather was great,” she recalls. “All of us liked it, in fact, so we thought: Let’s move here!” The whim turned into reality and in 2014, the family left Germany for Malibu –first for six months, then longer, and then, it appears, permanently.
If you google Paula Bruss today, you’ll learn two things: that she and Dylan Jagger Lee, model, musician and son of Pamela Anderson and her ex-husband Tommy Lee, have been together for many years. And that Paula is now 24 and a successful interior designer. Both developments came about quite naturally: “Dylan and I were neighbors in Malibu,” she says, “we knew each other from saying ‘hi, how are you,’ as you do when you run into people often, but we didn’t know each other
well.” That changed after a party she attended at Dylan’s house, just three doors away. “After that, we saw each other almost every day.” Their relationship even survived Paula’s relocation to New York, when she went there to attend college. “When I returned to L.A., we moved in together.”
Back in L.A., Paula attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising: “My mother was super interested in interior design and architecture, and when we moved to Malibu, she decorated our first house really well, it even featured in Architectural Digest. I thought I’d like to do something like that too, although I wasn’t sure it was really the kind of thing you could make a career out of.”
She soon learned that you could, and exactly how to do so. In school, but also from Vanessa Alexander, an interior decorator for whom she worked part-time. Paula was young and bursting with enthusiasm, but she also evidently had good taste: “Working for Vanessa, I learned how to remodel an entire house.”
Continued on page 66
“Shrimp Boat“ is a painting by Andrew Piedilato; the white block sofa is from Living Divani.
The curved couch is a custom design based on the Polar Bear Sofa by French designer Jean Royère.
PHOTO: DANIEL COLLOPY
Cool like Chemena
She is the new fashion icon. Chemena Kamali has taken the fashion world by storm with her debut collection for French fashion house Chloé. The German-born designer demonstrates how a dream can turn into a huge success.
BY KATHARINA PFANNKUCH
After growing up in Dortmund, Chemena Kamali studied fashion design in Trier and London.
n her show notes for her debut collection for Chloé, Chemena Kamali almost seemed to be describing herself. She wanted to “feel the presence of the Chloé woman,” sense her “natural beauty, aura and instinctive energy” along with something both “recognizable and fresh.”
Such a long, enduring love affair with a label is a true exception in the fashion world.
When the designer crossed the catwalk after her highly lauded show last February in a caramel-colored blouse, jeans and sneakers, spontaneously hugged her young son and then proceeded to throw kisses toward the celebrity-packed audience (Jerry Hall and Sienna Miller were among those sitting in the front row), you could definitely feel it – the presence of the Chloé woman. Recognizable but also fresh, self-assured and gentle, sensual but too sexy, laid-back and ambitious. Born in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 1981, Kamali was no stranger to ambition. She grew up in nearby Dortmund, studied fashion design in Trier and then in London, where she took a master’s degree from the well-known Central Saint Martins University of the Arts in 2007. Evidently, she always knew exactly
what she wanted to do: work for Chloé. The French fashion house, part of Richemont today, opened in Paris in 1952. Its founder Gaby Aghion is regarded as the inventor of the readyto-wear principle, and to this day, Chloé stands for fashion that doesn’t trap its wearers into tight-fitting garments but envelops them in light, airy creations that are nonetheless easy to wear.
Here – and only here, as Kamali told Vogue magazine last January – is where she wanted to do the internship required as part of her studies. Unlike the other students, who applied to all of the big fashion houses, she boarded a train to Paris, went to Chloé’s headquarters and waited until someone finally agreed to look at her portfolio. Kamali had staked everything on one card, or rather, one portfolio, but Chloé accepted her and she was in.
What looked like a career move straight out of a film was in fact only the beginning. Kamali started out as a junior designer, returning to Chloé as design director in 2012. She also worked for Strenesse and Alberta Ferretti and spent six years with Saint Laurent. But her love for Chloé never faltered, which didn’t
At the Met Gala in May 2024: Chemena Kamali (center) with actresses Zoe Saldaña, Sienna Miller and Emma Mackey (left to right) as well as director Greta Gerwig (second from the right).
go unnoticed. Anthony Vaccarello, creative director at Saint Laurent, would often comment: “Oh, no, that’s too feminine, too soft. Keep that for Chloé!,” Kamali told Vogue.
In the fall of 2023, she was hired as Chloé’s creative director. When the new position was announced, she unsurprisingly admitted: “My heart has always been Chloé’s. It has been since I stepped through its doors more than 20 years ago.” Such a long, enduring love affair with a label is a true exception in the fashion world, where designers are replaced at shorter and shorter intervals and most positions still usually go to men rather than women.
When Sarah Burton left Alexander McQueen last fall and more recently, Virginie Viard left Chanel, the circle of prominent designers that includes Miuccia Prada, Donatella Versace and Maria Grazia Chiuri visibly grew smaller. How perfect, then, for Chemena Kamali to choose this moment to call attention to herself on a far bigger stage. How perfect, too, that Chloé is a fashion house known for its top female leaders. Laurent Malecaze’s appointment last year as president and CEO means a man is once again at the very top of the fashion house, but
for most of Chloé’s 72-year history, the creative side of the business has been mostly run by women, including Stella McCartney, Phoebe Philo, Claire Waight Keller and most recently, Gabriela Hearst. This makes complete sense from a pragmatic point of view because women who design fashion for other women have an easier time putting it to the wearability test than men.
Chloé founder Gaby Aghion would very likely have approved: While other couturiers back then were still putting their money on silhouettes that evoked Dior’s “New Look,” Aghion’s comfortable yet elegant designs for the Chloé women proceeded to take the world by storm.
The brand’s first prêt-à-porter show in 1956 didn’t take place in an elite Parisian salon but in Café de Flore, the legendary haunt of bohemians, free-thinkers, artists and intellectuals. Karl Lagerfeld, one of the few male designers for Chloé, was also frequent guest at the cafe. During his two stints at Chloé – from 1964 to 1984 and from 1992 to 1997 – he left his mark on precisely the designs that Kamali is so enthusiastic about today, primarily those from the late 1970s.
Recollections of that period are impossible to miss in Kamali’s debut collection: flowing fabrics, sheer lace, swinging ruffles, soft leather, jeans paired with clogs – and accessories including oversized sunglasses, headbands, a gold-tone metal belt with Chloé written in cursive and a new edition of the Bracelet Bag that Phoebe Philo created in the early aughts. A little bit of boho aesthetic, a lot of Chloé, or in the words of the designer herself, a “return to the original roots” as well as “a new beginning.” The collection acts as a gentle, playful, consciously imperfect and yet perfectly wearable riposte to sober minimalism, the cold, calculatedness of our digitalized era and the confusion of a world plagued by crises.
The way Kamali presented herself after the show, very approachable but also proud, was the final jewel in the crown of her achievement – not a glitzy, flamboyant jewel but one that shimmered softly. She appeared as a popular figure, a mom, someone you’d like to have as your friend, a person whose taste and wardrobe reflect a solid style, much like that of Phoebe Philo.
In Kamali’s case, the selection would be huge: Her extensive blouse collection consists of more than 600 pieces. That fits – like so much about this success story, because blouses happen to be part of the fashion brand’s DNA. Public response and media reaction leave no doubt whatsoever: This Chloé woman’s presence is both palpable and impossible to overlook.
Would you like to know more?
Cool, flowing and laid-back: Chemena Kamali’s looks pay tribute to Chloé classics. The new edition of the Bracelet Bag is highly coveted too.
Good Man Maybach
His great-grandfather Wilhelm created the first modern automobile. Three generations later Ulrich SchmidMaybach mentors young talents, continuing the family legacy. A conversation about philanthropy and the passion to innovate.
BY STEFFI KAMMERER
riginal Maybachs are cherished in museums and in the temperature-controlled garages of collectors. The name evokes images of luxuriously soft leather seats, a hallmark of their unparalleled commitment to elegance and comfort. The ultimate status symbol. Over a hundred years have passed since the success story began with the legendary Type W3 automobile. Relaunched in 2002, the Maybach brand was acquired by the Mercedes-Benz Group in 2014.
Do you drive a Maybach yourself?
Bike is my preferred mode of transportation, although I drive to the office in my 25-yearold Mercedes. But our family owns a Maybach in Germany and I have a Virgil Abloh special edition Mercedes-Maybach S680 in California.
“Wilhelm Maybach and Gottlieb Daimler designed the first modern car.”
ULRICH SCHMID-MAYBACH
You grew up in San Francisco, where your father worked as a doctor. Given the vital role that Heilbronn and Friedrichshafen played in your family ’s business, how significant were these places to you?
German culture was a strong presence in our household. My parents only spoke German with me and my three siblings, and we went to German school on Saturdays. I also wore lederhosen which, unsurprisingly, didn’t go down very well in seventh grade. My mother was on the board of Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH at the time and made regular trips to Lake Constance back in Germany. One of my
earliest memories is of attending one of these meetings as a small child and listening. We also went to the classic car rallies held in Friedrichshafen, the place where my grandfather had started his company and where my mother grew up. The city is the birthplace of some of Germany’s best-known industries. ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Dornier and Maybach are all based here. These companies started in Friedrichshafen because Count Zeppelin decided to build his Zeppelin airship there at the turn of the last century. He later co-founded Maybach-Motorenwerke with my great-grandfather Wilhelm Maybach. He built the first high-speed internal combustion engine, motorized the first boat and the first bicycle and, together with Gottlieb Daimler, designed the first modern car, the first Mercedes.
How did Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach meet?
Via the Bruderhaus in Reutlingen, the semi-religious orphanage where Wilhelm Maybach lived from the age of ten after the death of both of his parents. Attached to the orphanage was a toolmaking factory run by a young engineer called Gottlieb Daimler. My great-grandfather was originally supposed to become a baker, but when Daimler happened to see some sketches that he had made, he was so impressed with the boy’s talent that he decided to take him on. The two later went to work for other engine factories but, for contractual reasons, Maybach was not allowed to work on projects that originated in one of the companies that had previously employed him. Daimler therefore put his name to Wilhelm Maybach’s work and designs around this time and also applied for patents using his own name instead of Maybach’s. This only became known many years later. Mercedes fully acknowledges the pivotal role that Maybach played in its history, as it was his engineering genius that laid the foundation for the company’s vehicles.
Artist Vahakn Arslanian (top right) with his mentor Julian Schnabel, here at the Venice Biennale in 2011. Below: Graphic designer Michael Schwab created the poster series for the Maybach Foundation.
Maybach from the beginning to the present day
1 Ulrich Schmid-Maybach in front of Fürstenberg Castle in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. 2 In 1921, Maybach-Motorenbau launches its first automobile, the Type W3. 3 In 1897, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft had already begun series production of cars with Maybach’s Phoenix engines. 4 In Uganda, Ulrich Schmid-Maybach (second from left) learns about the work of HIV researcher David Bangsberg (fifth from left), who trains doctors in East Africa. 5 Adolf Daimler, son of Gottlieb Daimler, at the wheel of the Daimler motorized carriage from 1886 with his father in the passenger seat. 6 Wilhelm Maybach, the inventor of the first Mercedes, on his 80th birthday with his granddaughter Irmgard, Ulrich Maybach’s mother, who followed her physician husband to the U.S. 7 In 1909, Karl Maybach founded Maybach-Motorenbau together with his father Wilhelm and Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin 8 Nothing but the best: The Maybach Zeppelin DS 8, powered by a 12-cylinder engine, was the status symbol of the 1930s. It weighed up to three tons and was driven by major industrialists and other exclusive clientele 9 Regarded as the first modern automobile, the Mercedes 35 HP is pictured here at the Nice Week racing event in 1901.
Wilhelm Maybach and Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin founded Maybach-Motorenbau in 1909.
The Mercedes-Maybach S680 and Ulrich Schmid-Maybach in matching attire. There are only 150 of these special edition cars designed by Virgil Abloh, the legendary creative director of Louis Vuitton.
And did his son Karl, your grandfather, follow in his footsteps?
My grandfather built the engines for the Zeppelins. That was also in Friedrichshafen. The Zeppelin was an industry icon that spawned several other “spin-off” companies, from gas works to manufacturers of gearboxes and airplanes and – in the case of Maybach – engines and drive systems. While Maybach is known for its luxury vehicles, many people don’t appreciate the brand’s heritage in high-precision engines and inventions. Wilhelm Maybach’s development of the combustion engine helped bring the age of the steam engine to an end. Like his father, Karl Maybach possessed a natural talent for engineering, which he channeled into ships and trains and then, almost by chance, into cars. Karl Maybach’s
“We supported Conrad Muzoora, one of East Africa’s most widely published medical researchers, for five years.”
ULRICH SCHMID-MAYBACH
great achievement was the development of the high-speed diesel engines that ended the dominance of the steam locomotive and revolutionized the railways in Germany. Locomotives powered by his combustion engine could achieve speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour, cutting the travel time between Hamburg and Berlin by half.
Your grandfather might never have been able to develop his talent without Gottlieb Daimler. You embraced this idea when you set up the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation, which offers a carefully tailored mentoring program.
What inspired you to do so?
I attended a series of events at the Cannes Film Festival in the early aughts. It was wonderful, but demanding, and I was quite exhausted by the end. But I came away knowing that I wanted to make a difference. On the flight back to the U.S., I struck up a conversation with the man sitting next to me, who turned out to be a doctor. We spent almost the entire flight talking about his work. He specialized in infectious diseases and trained doctors in East Africa. His name was David Bangsberg and I asked if it would be possible to support his work. This led to our first project. We subsequently supported Conrad Muzoora, the chief physician at his hospital and one of East Africa’s most widely published medical researchers, for five years.
How do you select mentors and mentees?
It varies from project to project, depending on who approaches us. For example, we completed an athletics project in South Africa that helped a young man from a very poor Zulu family become an exceptional rider. The British Polo Association approached us and explained the project to us. Through a multi-year mentoring program, we connected this young man with polo legends in Argentina and around the world. This experience propelled him to become the first person of color to play for the South African polo team.
How can success stories like this be scaled up?
I can’t say too much, but that ’s exactly what we’re working on right now. First of all, however, we are putting the finishing touches to the Maybach Museum, which is being built in the pedestrian zone in Friedrichshafen. I also think it ’s important to remind people in Germany that the risk-taking spirit of innovation we currently associate with Silicon Valley was alive and well on Lake Constance 120 years ago. So, the question is: how do we get back there? How do we restore this mindset?
Would you like to know more?
You started your career at an early age and from Germany, going on to become a very successful, interna tionally sought-after model: What “typically German” attributes helped you in this regard?
I’m always very punctual or at least try to give plenty of notice when I know I’m going to be late. Admittedly, since becoming a mom, that’s something I don’t always manage.
Reliability, punctuality, an instinct for good quality are things Germans are often mocked for abroad; on the other hand, they are also the characteristics that help to build a solid business. Did these traits play a role during your modeling career, and how important are they to you now as a German entrepreneur?
Continued from page 37
In 2023, almost 1,300 girls benefited from a stable education at our partner schools. A close personal relationship with our local partners is extremely important to us. We are in regular contact and utilize all channels, from email to video calls and WhatsApp. We aim to visit our partners in person once a year, this year we are going to Burundi.
In the U.S., there is a widespread culture of giving very generously to charitable organizations, often on a very large scale. In Europe, and in Germany especially, this is not so common. Would you like to use your business concept to bring about change here too? What’s your personal experience: How willing are people to donate and talk about it? I believe that the profit-for-purpose approach will be the new way to raise funds successfully. In Germany, my experience is that people hesitate to say what they contribute to the non-profit sector as an individual or as a company, and I can’t help asking myself why this is so. If it’s part of your philosophy and not greenwashing, then talk about it! Inspire others by telling them what you’re doing! So yes, I hope Super Flea Market will help to drive the conversation about what each and every person or company can do to support people and nature.
In my experience, products from Germany have a very good standing, and particularly so because German products are perceived as being good quality. Made in Germany sounds good to my ears.
Is this something you also experience when you work with partners from other countries? Does the label “Made in Germany” give you a boost? And what do you think we Germans can learn from other countries and mentalities?
Made in Germany definitely helps. Plus, for us in particular, there’s the benefit of being a female-founded and led company. That’s something that interests and intrigues our business partners. Germans are often very wary of engaging with or testing something new swiftly without immediately criticizing things. That’s a trait we obviously struggle with – and it’s not the same as constructive criticism (smiles). Other European countries are more open – or less skeptical. Germany isn’t known for being an early adopter.
Your mother has always supported you in your career with her financial expertise. What other values did you pick up at home that help you now as a businesswoman and mother? ?
We are a very, very close-knit family. I love
being part of a community. As a mom, I want to pass this feeling on to my daughter. As a businesswoman, I really value a sense of togetherness, whether it’s in the team, in the Super Flea Market community or with business partners. I enjoy engaging with others, and it is also hugely important for success at all levels. People want to be seen and feel that their needs are being recognized.
As the mother of a daughter, how important is it for you to be a role model? What values and attitudes do you value especially? How do you deal with that typical guilty conscience most working moms are familiar with, and what advice would you give to mothers who are considering starting their own business? What piece of advice helped you the most?
My biggest piece of advice is to accept help and ask for it. My family, friends and my nanny are my biggest rocks, and they are the people who give my daughter love and affection. Only with this degree of support can I balance everything in my life.
I’m still learning how to handle the feeling of not being able to devote myself 100% to everything at the same time. Some days go really well, and others are really challenging. Asking for help on these days is difficult, but so important. As a mom, I want my daughter to know that she is perfect the way she is. In every facet. And that applies to her just as much as it does to me.
What is your vision for Super Flea Market? Looking ten years down the line, what do you want to have achieved with this business?
My vision is that in the future, the most gorgeous dresses, shoes and bags from the world’s most exclusive closets and glamorous red carpets will be given a second lease of life on Superfleamarket.org. But it’s actually about so much more than preloved fashion items from celebrities: It’s about contributing to the circular economy and providing real support for social and environmental justice initiatives. That’s what my team and I want to achieve.
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Top model Toni Garrn was discovered shortly before her 14th birthday, and became the face of Calvin Klein at the age of 15.
Continued from page 49
When she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in interior design and interior architecture in 2023, she had almost already completed her first big project – the house she shared with Dylan, his brother Brandon and Brandon’s girlfriend Lily, and their dogs, Dinosaur and Zucchini.
It was a 1950s farmhouse on Rancho Street in Encino, just half an hour’s drive from downtown L.A. “Dylan and Brandon bought it and asked me to take charge of remodeling and furnishing it. This project was actually a couple of sizes too big for me, so in the beginning, I had to ask for help. Also because I was still finishing up my degree. I’m very happy with the result; all of us are happy living in the house.”
This hardly comes as a surprise: The house is very spacious, it has smooth timber floors and an open kitchen that is painted chocolate brown; natural tones dominate, there are Moroccan carpets, bathrooms with antique-looking mosaic tiles and carefully selected vintage furniture. It feels like a cozy British country house with European elements and a cheerful, American touch. And it even featured on television – this is America, after all – in Pamela Anderson’s home renovation reality show “Pamela’s Garden of Eden,” which first aired on pay TV channel HGTV and later on Hulu.
The next season is in the works. It will focus on the renovation of Pamela Anderson’s boathouse on Vancouver Island in Canada. This time, Paula Bruss will be taking charge of the project, although the style will cater more to Anderson’s tastes than her own: “Pamela’s style
is very romantic, she loves roses, comfy sofas, cushions, flowers and vanity tables for her perfume bottles. At her house, I feel like I’m inside a castle from a French fairy tale.” This won’t be a problem for Paula at all since she’s very accepting of other people’s tastes and actually likes Anderson’s boudoir style. “It’s easy to work with Pamela because she’s so laidback. And I know that she trusts me. Not just because I’m going out with her son but because I’m from Europe, am familiar with French style and understand her taste for it.”
By collaborating with Pamela Anderson, Paula Bruss is naturally drawing a lot of attention to herself, but her customers usually find their way to her door in less spectacular fashion. A couple of months ago, she and a friend opened a gallery called Raum (which means room or space) in a top location in West Hollywood (home to Sunset Strip). Paula’s design studio is upstairs, and downstairs there’s a little store specializing in antique and mid-century furniture, home accessories, art and a host of other beautiful things.
Paula Bruss’s style combines European elements with a cheerful American touch.
Paula is also collaborating with two young entrepreneurs who flip houses – buy them, remodel them and sell them again. The remodeling part is naturally Paula’s job. Last June, she completed her first house in Woodland Hills. Is it easier to be successful doing this kind of work in the U.S. than in Germany? “Absolutely,” Paula says, and goes on to explain: “Most people in Europe decorate their homes themselves, they don’t need a designer to do it for them. It’s different here in the States, people like to take advice.”
She thinks it helps that she’s originally from Germany because Americans love the old world look that she creates – even though she herself is still so young. “My style is a pleasant style, most people like it and feel comfortable with it.”
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A room that exudes peace and quiet, not only at night. The stools are antiques from Italy.
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Edited by
&
Ad section on pages 70 – 183.
Inken Becker
Merle Wilkening.
Historic splendour overlooking the iconic Glienicke Bridge. This villa stands high above the River Havel.
Inaugurated in the year the world-famous novel “The Great Gatsby” was published, the villa is like a real-life version of the literary model.
Jewel on the Havel
Eminence and glamour abound throughout this residence next to the famous Glienicke Bridge. The Villa – Berlin is a fine example of both classicism and opulence.
BY MERLE WILKENING
A house perfectly designed for making a grand entrance. Its long heritage can be felt in every nook and cranny.
The villa was inaugurated with a lavish party in 1924, like a scene straight out of “The Great Gatsby”.
The villa‘s sophisticated colour scheme brings out the inherent distinction of the impactful interiors.
he double doors open as if by magic, sunlight flooding into the room and glistening off the parquet floor, polished to a high gloss. Your gaze is drawn by the ceiling, adorned with intricate stucco decoration. The generous entry hall is filled with a sense that the footsteps of former visitors to this place still echo here. It all feels like a dream. Like a journey back in time to the Berlin of the 1920s, golden, exhilarating and filled with glamour. Inaugurated in the year the world-famous
novel “The Great Gatsby” was published, the villa looks like a real-life version of the literary model. This magnificent and lavishly finished residence could have been plucked straight from the pages of the book.
The completion of the villa gave Berlin a new centre for sophisticated high society. It stands resplendently like a palace on a raised plot above the banks of the River Havel, in the parkland surroundings that make Berlin the greenest capital in Europe. Enclosed by centuries-old trees growing on
In recent years, the house has undergone refurbishment by the current owner, under the direction of the renowned
Kahlfeldt architecture practice.
Throughout the property, bold yet serene tones form a contrast with the linear forms of the classical design.
The villa shines once again in the splendour of the age it was originally built in.
ENGEL & VÖLKERS Berlin (DE)
Contact: Marcel Kaskeline
terrain steeped in history, the estate is a luxurious retreat in the midst of nature. Yet at the same time it still enjoys the perks of having Berlin’s cultural and political life practically on the doorstep. Every room and every part of the garden affords a new perspective on the surrounding scenery. The large, arched windows frame the view out onto no less than three extremely notable sights. Babelsberg Palace, Klein Glienicke Palace and Glienicke Hunting Lodge appear just like in old master paintings.
The Glienicke Bridge is located directly next to the driveway to the villa. This historic structure connects Berlin and Potsdam, and until 1989 the state border between East and West Germany ran straight through the middle of it. The villa itself has long been part of German history too. It is listed for its historic significance and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Palaces and Parks of Berlin and Potsdam. The building was designed by the architects Carl Mohr and Paul Weidner for the Kampffmeyer family, who had been mill operators ever since the Middle Ages. At the start of the 20th century, Kurt Kampffmeyer had risen to become the largest mill operator in the whole of Germany. The traditional brands “Aurora”, “Gloria” and “Diamant” all still exist to this day.
The spatial aesthetics of the villa are a playful take on the great era of Prussian histo -
Commission fee split between buyer and seller in accordance with new legislation from 23.12.2020.
ry, with an interior layout that forms a harmonious, unified whole. The exuberant and opulent design was turned into a reality by the most talented craftsmen of the era.
In recent years, the residence has undergone extensive renovation work, thanks to the initiative of the current owner, under the direction of the renowned Kahlfeldt architecture practice. Under the strict watchful eyes of the heritage office, stucco decoration has been restored, carvings added and silk wall coverings rewoven. Though hidden from view, the building has also been brought up to the latest technical standards.
The sophisticated colour scheme brings out the uniqueness of each and every room. Every hallway and every room has an atmosphere and style all of its own. Custom-made, classic curtains and the restoration of various antique pieces of furniture and design classics complete the rich interior furnishings. Modern furniture pieces set accents within the historic rooms and are also custom-made.
Just a 20-minute drive from Berlin’s City West borough, the villa’s expansive, park-like garden is a special place offering unparalleled retreat; an oasis of calm and serenity that continues under the vast sky of the surrounding scenery. Tucked-away terraces, protected by hedges, contrast with expansive lawns and provide ample space for peaceful, private moments and lavish parties alike.
Berlin, Germany
Price upon request
Interior approx. 1,500 m²
Land approx. 8,220 m²
E&V ID W-02SRHV
Opening the windows on a morning, daydreaming is a way of life! The large garden is a private, tranquil paradise.
Island Idyll
As the tides of the North Sea come and go here, the Töpferhaus stands as a genuine testament to beauty and longevity. The special property in Keitum on Sylt is steeped in a long history of art and craftsmanship.
BY MERLE WILKENING PHOTOS BENNE OCHS
nyone arriving here, whether resident or visitor, feels like they are coming home. “Töpferhaus” – which translates as “Potter’s House” – is emblazoned in large letters above the light blue front door. Blossoming roses reach up entwining around it, while the traditional local thatched roof sits atop the house like a brunette hood. An inviting scene.
Properties like this one are incredibly sought-after on Germany’s largest North Sea island. By people far and wide. This is compounded by the fact that such listings hardly ever come onto the market. The real estate
market on Sylt is one of the most desirable in the whole of Germany (see page X). People are drawn by the dream of strolling along the beach or across the island and just letting the fresh sea air blow away the cobwebs. And the Sylt phenomenon is a persistent one: demand is huge, while supply is low. Meaning that those who have the long sandy beach, the dunes and the Wadden Sea – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – right on their doorstep can consider themselves all the luckier. The tranquil village of Keitum, where boat captains once lived, is home to magnificent old Frisian houses set in romantic gardens dotted with mature trees. Exclusive boutiques, arts and craft shops, galleries and cafés round off the scene.
Above: Exposed ceiling beams and pitch pine floorboards give the upper level a cosy feel. Below: The wooden finishes by well-known Sylt-based craftsmen form a sensitive complement to the historic building materials throughout the property.
“This house is filled with charm. After almost 250 years, it has many stories to tell.”
THE OWNER
guards watch over a ceiling-height
ENGEL & VÖLKERS Kampen (DE)
Tel. +49 4651 985 70
E-mail sylt@engelvoelkers.com
The “Töpferhaus” in the idyllic heart of Keitum is a special example of how pure beauty can be preserved and prosper over so many years. In the 1960s, the house was renovated and redesigned over a period of four years under the direction of the artist and goldsmith Wolfgang Skoluda. He would buy up historical building materials found in attics and building sites on Sylt and then combine them all together in and around this property. The Töpferhaus got its name when his wife Regine opened a small pottery studio in the workshop at the end of the 1960s. It went on to gain a reputation as a place of timeless creativity for many decades. Generations of Sylt residents and visitors to the island have since found ceramics individually designed in the studio for their own kitchens at home. The Skoluda pottery studio was closed in its original form in 2019.
The artistic aura of this place lives on to this day, in beautiful, carefully curated details that give the house a special quality indeed. Whilst the building is forever enmeshed with local history and tradition, the former owners were also influenced by the philosophy of the Far East. For them, this island dwelling also embodied the idea of wabi-sabi – an aesthetic concept originating in Japan whereby beauty is found in the impermanence of nature.
The listed property, which dates back to 1780, is divided into a large apartment on the ground and upper floors, as well as a guest wing and a workshop on the ground floor, which is the former pottery studio. The adjoining studio building can be found at the rear of the house, providing abundant scope for creative and artistic pursuits. The floors and fittings on the upper level are largely made from
Commission fee split between buyer and seller in accordance with new legislation from 23.12.2020.
pitch pine, purchased from an old hotel in Westerland during the course of renovation work. The ground level floors are laid with old tiles in some rooms, combined with various wooden floors and modern finishes in both bathrooms. All materials have been adapted with great sensitivity to fit in with the original building.
There are carefully preserved gems hidden throughout the house. Two almost life-size guards adorning ceiling-height sliding doors are just one exceptional example. The jovial-looking gentlemen stand in frock coats, armed with pointed hats and rifles, guarding the entrance to a room overlooking the lush south garden. The Sölring Museum in Keitum still has one of these pairs of guards in its collection – and there are no other known examples of these unusual paintings on the island. “My favourite place in the house is the room behind the guards. I was born right here in this room. The view of the garden is fabulous and so very calming. The old planting bed with the huge poppies, lupins and peonies gives a face to the seasons. It’s tall, wild and beautiful,” says Skoluda’s daughter, the current owner, with enthusiasm.
The grounds around the house span more than 2,000 square metres. The south garden is filled with old fruit trees, perennials and hedge roses. The climbing roses at the front of the property have been blooming steadily for many years. A private well that is connected to the south garden makes watering so much easier. The north garden has generously sized dimensions; large greenhouses used to stand here when the house was home to a nursery. A beautiful old mirabelle plum tree provides both shade and fruit.
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Price upon request
Interior approx. 282 m²
Land approx. 2,146 m²
E&V ID W-02NFVE
Two
sliding doors. It is historic details like this that make this property so special.
Hamburg
Unique Penthouse at the Alster Lake
E-mail alster@engelvoelkers.com
Hamburg, Germany
Price on request
Interior approx. 444 m² No. of rooms 6 E&V ID W-02T4C0 ENGEL & VÖLKERS Hamburg Alster (DE) Tel. +49 40 471 00 50
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The next issue of GG comes out November 29, 2024 www.gg-magazine.com
Stacks of luxury
On Hainan Island in China, German architect Ole Scheeren is building a tropical resort called Sanya Horizons
The seaside resort Sanya on the southern tip of Hainan Island is one of China’s most desirable and most frequented vacation spots. The 160-meter-high mega project being built on 83,500 square meters of beachfront property is scheduled for completion in 2026. The name, Sanya Horizons, incorporates the ingenious idea behind the development’s curved silhouette: to frame the coastline and symbolically embrace the vast ocean.
Designed for CDF Investment Development Co., Ltd., the project consists of two hotels belonging to IHG Resorts and Hotels brands: the Regent Sanya Haitang Bay and the Hotel Indigo Sanya Haitang Bay, which will be erected on top of each other rather than side by side. Each room will have its own private terrace and enjoy unobstructed views of the sea. “Hanging gardens” containing various species of plant and biotopes will integrate the natural world into the built environment. What architect Ole Scheeren hopes to achieve with his “vertical jungle” is “the merging of architecture and nature into a synergetic habitat.”
Scheeren has lived and worked in Europe, the U.S. and in Asia, where many of his biggest projects can be found: skyscrapers in Bangkok, mixed-use towers in Singapore and the Guardian Art Center in the historic center of Beijing. In addition to architecture and interior design solutions, the international Ole Scheeren Group offers urban planning consultancy, research and project management.
Would you like to know more?
Ole Scheeren founded his international architecture firm in 2010.
The Iron Walker from Wempe is the essence of a timelessly modern yet sporty watch. Reduced to the essentials and uncompromising in terms of quality and workmanship, it meets the highest standards because it is manufactured at a place that stands like no other for fine German watchmaking: Glashütte in Saxony.