Lifestyle

y STORM-PROOF STYLE It was thanks to the personal frustration of three students at the Netherlands’ Delft University of Technology that the original Senz umbrella was invented. Through their understanding of the laws of aerodynamics, the students created an ultra-lightweight umbrella that is capable of withstanding winds of up to 100km/h. Unlike traditional round models, which invariably flip inside out in high winds, the patented asymmetrical shape of the Senz umbrella allows it to adapt to changing winds and thus defy the forces of nature – and win several major international design awards.

The stylish range currently includes the Senz6 Monsoon collection (tropical rain; pictured below), which showcases the brand’s collaboration with designer Yoske Nishiumi. senz.co.uk y PRETTY IN PINK Born in Paris to an English mother and a French father, designer Olympia Le-Tan studied Italian literature at university in London. It was back in Paris, however, that Le-Tan (who learned her trade at Chanel and Balmain) launched her celebrated accessories brand, combining her love of embroidery and literature in the coveted book clutch-bag collection.

This year, Le-Tan’s creative powers have been harnessed by luxury fragrance brand Diptyque for its new Rosaviola scent. She has interpreted the iconic Diptyque design in the style of embroidery, with a range of playfully pink felt-textured motifs that include hearts and kisses. Available in solid perfume, scented oval and candle (below). diptyqueparis.co.uk

{ WELL HEELED Even in the world of bespoke, having a pair of shoes made to your exact requirements is an enticing prospect. Few shoemakers can claim the attention to detail and level of craftsmanship provided by Maison Corthay. Having previously worked for John Lobb and Berluti, company founder Pierre Corthay launched his plush Parisian atelier in 1990, offering customers a bespoke shoe service with elegance and sophistication at its heart.

Corthay likes to experiment with materials, techniques, shapes and, most of all, colour. Recent experimentation has resulted in the creation of four new patinas for suede (above), following several months of experimentation by the creative team in Paris. The colours – flint, amber, clay and amaranth – are inspired by nature and the processes of time, and the unique graduation is created entirely by hand.

Corthay offers ready-to-wear shoes, from elegant loafers to Oxfords and Derbys, although bespoke forms the company’s cornerstone – helped in no small part by an order of 150 pairs from the Sultan of Brunei in 1992. More recent clients include Clive Owen, Rafael Nadal and Simon Le Bon. Prices start at £940 for ready-to-wear; POA for bespoke. corthay.com

x ISLAND PARADISE Combining tropical idyll with French chic, the Caribbean island of St Barths has long been the go-to destination of the smart set. And now, with the recently renovated Hotel Le Toiny reopening its white-shuttered doors, there’s even more reason to visit its stunning shores.

Thanks to renowned London interior designer Lady Bee Osborn, the 15 stand-alone villas of Hotel Le Toiny are a lesson in understated luxury – rooms are filled with palettes of natural tones reminiscent of the local beaches, and also feature petrified wood flooring, fine Belgian linens and textured furnishings. Large bay doors lead to wide private terraces that allow you to take in the spectacular ocean views (see left).

The Hotel Le Toiny’s renovation also marks the opening of the Le Toiny Beach Club. Accessible only by a special shuttle, this newly landscaped beach is surrounded by a coconut grove, tamarind field and pineapple orchard. With a small bar to hand, it’s the perfect setting for a relaxing cocktail in the cooling shade of the coconut palms. Round off the evening with a glass of champagne in Hotel Le Toiny’s new open-air oyster-shell bar while watching the sun set, and you’ll be secure in the knowledge that another day in paradise will follow. letoiny.com

x PEDAL POWER The new Gi FlyBike (left) is set to revolutionise urban commuting. The sleek design, brought to life through a successful crowd-funding campaign, is the first electric bike on the market that can fold up to half its size in just one second.

Packed with integrated technology, it’s also smarter than other bikes on the market, featuring built-in lights, a smartphone dock and an automated lock that will activate when the owner is more than five metres away. As well as being lightweight (17kg), the Gi FlyBike is also friendly to the environment – it’s made from 100 per cent recycled aluminium alloy by a machine also used in airplane manufacturing. Available for US$2,290 (around £1,600) during the pre-sale period until June. giflybike.com

x ICONIC FACES Designed in 1984, the Picto (left) remains one of Denmark’s most iconic timepieces. It was the first watch to display the time as a pictogram – a graphic symbol that conveys meaning through – a graphic symbol that conveys meaning through its resemblance to a physical object. The hour is indicated by a dot on a rotating dial, while minutes are signalled with a conventional hand, representing the earth turning and time passing.

Despite its simple appearance, this rotary disc system was a huge challenge for mechanics disc system was a huge challenge for mechanics to develop. Eventually, Danish homeware brand Rosendahl bought the rights and re-engineered the design. This iconic watch, which is on permanent display at New York’s Museum of Modern Art, was recently updated in four new colours. dezeenwatchstore.com

y WIRED FOR SOUND Esteemed audio brand Master & Dynamic has added stylish wireless headphones to its line of premium sound tools. The MW60 range embodies the label’s commitment to elevated design, technical sophistication and detailed sound.

While traditional headphones often trade metal for plastic, the Master & Dynamic MW60 combines stainless steel with an all-aluminium antennae for remarkable durability and signal range. The result: a perfectly rich, warm sound, with the ease of wireless to heighten your experience. Available in brown/ silver (right) and black/gunmetal colourways from £419. masterdynamic.com { EYE TO EYE District Vision is the newest go-to brand for active souls. Based in New York city, it designs performance-enhancing products for athletes, as well as running a digital forum for like-minded sports fans. The brand’s function-first performance eyewear is the result of two years of study combined with Japanese engineering expertise.

Spurning sweat and sunscreen, the featherweight glasses (above) feature anti-sliding nose pads and three shatterproof lens options: the polarising ‘Water Gray’ for aquatics, the ‘Sports Yellow’ for brightening low light, and the sun-proof ‘Sky G15’, which allows only 15 per cent of light to permeate the wearer’s vision. districtvision.com