OBJECTS OF DESIRE

Master craftsmanship, effortless style and timeless appeal; this month’s must-haves and collectibles

Cartier The Obi Necklace

The globetrotting Cartier brothers saw beauty in many things throughout their long journeys: nature, cultures, and craft. Such inspirations continue to fuel the imagination of the house when it comes to creating high jewellery. The latest Beautés Du Monde collection features this spectacular necklace, the design of which has its roots in Japanese fabrics decorated with the rising sun motif. Comprising eight cabochon-cut emeralds, including one of 12.53 carats, rubies and onyx, the piece is also transformable.

VALENTINO SPRING-SUMMER 2023 LE CLUB COUTURE

In his show notes, Valentino’s Creative Director Pierpaolo Piccioli wrote of haute couture as “an expansion of the imagination, a space beyond reason.”

Finding the similarities between it and the freedom of expression that has always existed in club culture, Piccioli hit the dancefloor to inspire this collection, his moodboard pinned with photos from iconic clubs like Studio 54 and Taboo. As such, there are pops of colour throughout (not least on men’s suiting) with more than a nod to the dramatic.

CHANEL HAUTE COUTURE SPRING-SUMMER 2023

Like a gift that keeps on giving, Coco Chanel’s apartment on Rue Cambon remains ripe with inspiration. In it are objects, sculptures, and drawings of animals – lots of them. They were the creative muse this time around as the house welcomed spring in its uniquely charming way. “The whole embroidery universe of the collection is turned towards the animal world,” said Virginie Viard, with kittens, corgis, rabbits, and swallows to the fore. Elsewhere, the eyes were drawn to white cross-laced boots –expect them to be the hit of the season.

SCHIAPARELLI HAUTE COUTURE SPRING-SUMMER 2023

It was with little surprise that having created a literal ‘catwalk’ for this show – Irina Shayk shimmying down it with a fearsome faux lion’s head protruding from her shoulder – Schiaparelli blew up the internet, courting controversy among keyboard warriors. Social media is its own hell, but it was the Inferno of Dante’s The Divine Comedy that Creative Director Daniel Roseberry had in mind when dreaming up this collection. Beneath the torment was of course the extraordinary: Roseberry’s sculpturelike pieces are heavenly designs.

Yanina

HAUTE COUTURE SPRING-SUMMER 2023

The common poppy flower dominated the thoughts of creative director Yulia Yanina as she worked up the moodboard for her latest couture collection, using it as a conduit for colour, happiness and love and for women who are, “Beautiful, happy, self-reliant – even a little cheeky sometimes!” It further served as an inspiration for numerous shapes and details, such as hyper sleeves, romantic silhouettes, and hand-made décor across a vibrant range of dresses and tunics, skirts and palazzos.

The striking of a more optimistic note, following the gloomy tone of the pandemic, continues apace in the fashion world. The Hermès man is the latest to be swept up by this wave of good feeling, Véronique Nichanian making him feel extra good about himself by dressing him in clothes that are as comfortable as they are luxurious – see sweatshirts in cashmere, cardigans in baby lamb. There is also a dash of the playful, particularly in knitwear adorned with stitching and braided leather details.

Louis Vuitton has been building its library of industry-leading City Guides for over twenty years, taking a unique look at destinations such as Madrid and Miami, Taipei and Tokyo. Featuring the personal perspectives on a variety of independent and guest writers, each guide goes beyond the obvious attractions to highlight in-the-know places, from go-to restaurants to offthe-radar boutiques. Now Dubai has joined the prestigious set, the first Arab city to do so.