Lifestyle

x MARQUE OF DISTINCTION Emerging from the blueprint of the 1957 D-Type Le Mans racer, the Jaguar XKSS was so beloved by Steve McQueen – one of the owners of the few made – that, eight years after selling it, he bought it back at more than double what he’d initially paid.

An edition of 25 was originally produced from the cars that brought Jaguar to victory in three consecutive Le Mans races, but, after just 16 were sold, a tragic fire destroyed the remainder. Those that survived are some of the most valuable in existence, but now the XKSS is back in production.

At the 2016 New York Auto Show, the marque announced it would reproduce the nine lost cars to the exact original specifications as part of the Jaguar Classic initiative, expected for 2017. From US$1.6m (around £1.1m); jaguar.co.uk

y CLEAR DIFFERENCE A new range of kayaks and inflatables has been designed to make taking to the waves even more exhilarating – Clear Blue Hawaii’s boats either have clear bases or are constructed in entirely transparent military-grade urethane, offering superb sub-aqua viewing.

Its single-person Napali kayak is one of the lightest in the world, at just 12kg, and its 4m-long Kevlar frame can be folded down to fit into a typical hiking backpack, ready to be reassembled in just 30 minutes. And it’s gaining recognition beyond the world of ocean sports, too: both the Smithsonian Institution in Washington and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City have exhibited it as an example of outstanding contemporary design. From US$6,350 (around £4,355); clearbluehawaii.com y CHANGE OF ART After three years and an investment of US$610m (around £419m), the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art reopened in May. Architectural firm Snøhetta was behind the project, which added 100,000sq ft of new gallery space, an education centre, a theatre, a sculpture garden and a façade inspired by the city’s waterside location and its fog.

The relaunch coincided with the first exhibition of works from the Fisher Collection, considered one of the greatest private assemblages of late 20th-century art. Calder to Warhol comprises 160 pieces gathered over 40 years. sfmoma.org

x CLEAN LIVING Knoll has long been a familiar name in furniture. Founded over 75 years ago, yet still at the forefront when it comes to innovation, its simple, ergonomic designs fit seamlessly into everyday life. More than 40 of them, including its classic Wassily and Barcelona chairs, are featured in the permanent collection of both New York’s Modern Art and Cooper Hewitt museums.

The company’s latest offerings, unveiled at Salone del Mobile in Milan, include a new sofa and storage series by Piero Lissoni (pictured), from US$4,530 (around £3,108), and updates to the existing Bertoia range in luxe cow hide and bronze, from US$1,120 (around £768); knoll.com

y FUTURE VISION It was only a matter of time before virtual-reality products became available on a mass scale, and who better to bring them to market than the Midas-like Mark Zuckerberg? The Facebook founder claimed that his acquisition of the company Oculus VR, back in 2014, was born out of a desire to ‘make the world a more open and connected place’; evidently, many people share his enthusiasm: since its international launch earlier this year, pre-orders for its lightweight, ultra-modern headset have exceeded expectation.

The Oculus Rift allows the wearer to be transported into games and films and marks the beginning of a new era for virtual immersion, with the likes of PlayStation and Sony already looking to follow suit with the launch of their own versions. US$599 (around £415); oculus.com

y PERSONAL TIME For the 85th birthday of its Reverso watch, Jaeger-LeCoultre has invited polo ambassador Clare Milford Haven – with whom it has been building close ties since 2004 – to design a personalised model. She has chosen the Reverso Classic Duetto Medium in pink gold, which, above and beyond its Art Deco inspiration, features a second face on the back in the shape of a dial, providing space for personalisation. Clare wished to have the carrier of the watch engraved with her family crest, symbolised by a crown, the initials of her children, and two polo mallets. Finally, the night-blue calfskin strap is reminiscent of polo players’ boots. jaeger-lecoultre.com { SIGNATURE STYLE Amalgamating Asian simplicity with classic Western style, the Julia B range of monogramadorned cotton and linen products was inspired by its founder Julia Berger’s extensive travels and her dual heritage: she was raised in both Tokyo and San Francisco by a Japanese mother and an American father. And hers is a truly international company in other ways, too – believing that handcrafted merchandise still has a place in a world of impersonal consumerism, she sources material from multigenerational businesses in Italy and Eastern Europe, and draws on the expertise of highly skilled embroiderers in Vietnam and Madagascar.

The charm of Berger’s wares is their timeless nature and muted colours, making them suitable for both modern and traditional interiors. A recent home-furnishings and accessories collaboration with Bunny Williams Home marks the arrival of three new intricately hand-embroidered and/or appliquéd bedding designs – Elizabeth, Annabelle and Cleopatra – in 100-per-cent linen and 425-thread-count cotton percale. From US$188 (around £130); juliab.com

{ ISLAND PARADISE If there were ever a reason to visit Miami, the new Miami Beach Edition is it. Each establishment in Edition Hotels’ portfolio is beautifully designed and indisputably luxurious, and this latest addition, overlooking 70,000sq ft of prime beachfront, is no exception.

The focus on quality is apparent in every aspect, from its 28 conceptually unique bungalows and 294 rooms to its restaurant, headed up by award-winning chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The menu at the bullring-shaped Matador Room gives a modern twist to Spanish, Caribbean and South American cuisines. Its gardens – inspired by Havana’s legendary 1950s Club Tropicana – are verdant with flowering vines and lush greenery. As the sun sets, guests can decamp to The Sandbox, a secluded snug with daybeds and hammocks from which to watch a film on the outdoor screen. Rooms from US$489 (around £335); editionhotels.com/miami-beach