Signe - Edition 44

AED 30 KWD 2.5 QAR 30

S I G N É

A GENEROUS PRESENTATION

A R EVIEW OF THE 25 NOVELTIES BY HUBLOT AT THE LVHM WATCH WEEK 2022

A MASSIVE IMPACT

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE LIFE AND CAREER OF THE PATH-BLAZING DESIGNER VIRGIL ABLOH

STOMPING ON NEW GROUND THE RICHARD MILLE ALULA DESERT POLO TOURNAMENT

RIVIERA FLARE IN THE TROPICS LE MÉR IDIEN MALDIVES R ESORT & SPA, THE BR A ND’S DEBUT IN THE MALDIVES

THE ALL-NEW 2022 RANGE ROVER Understated Revolution

A crystal lagoon lifestyle,

worthy of your every day.

Residences that provide endless moments of experiences with no reason to step out.

CARIBBEAN-STYLE LAGOON

LANDSCAPED TERRACES

BARBEQUE AREA

1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments starting from

AED 1.1 Mn

*

EXCLUSIVE PAYMENT PLAN

50%

in next 4 years *

50%

2 years Post-Completion

Offer valid from 6th January to 31st January 2022

To schedule a private tour, call +971 800 999 999 | sobharealty.com |

@sobharealty

*T&C apply

MBR CITY, DUB AI

P E R F E C T YO U R G A M E W I T H T H E

TRUMP DUBAI GOLF PERFORMANCE ACADEMY

Your Golf Journey Starts Here From beginner to seasoned golfer, discover the latest in golf instruction, state-of-the-art technology, and unparalleled amenities that are sure to improve your game.

Our highly qualified PGA instructors tailor the lessons to your particular skill level. Whether it’s building a better swing, perfecting your short game, or fine-tuning established golfer technique, our world-class practice facilities are truly second-to-none.

ACADEMY FEATURES • Dubai’s Only TrackMan Driving Range • Highly Qualified PGA Instructors • SAM Puttlab Technologies • Air-Conditioned Indoor Swing Studios • Floodlit PAR 3 Golf Course • Virtual Golf and High-Speed Cameras

Unlock your full potential at the Trump Dubai Golf Performance Academy

Book your next lesson at the Golf Performance Academy GOLFACADEMY@TRUMPGOLFDUBAI.COM WWW.TRUMPGOLFDUBAI.COM | 04-2453939 @TRUMPGOLFDUBAI

BUY SELL TRADE Unrivaled Selection Guaranteed Authenticity 2 year global warranty

+971 54 996 2509 WWW.THEWATCHBOX.COM

Escape into wonder every day

masaarliving.com 800-ARADA (27232)

DUB

AT MEYD

26 March 20

Dubai Racing Clu social and sporting US$ 30.5 million in to 9 world-class races.

Enjoy exceptional dining high-end entertainment an

The world’s most spectacular

BAI WORLD CUP IS BACK

DAN RACECOURSE

022

ub presents the biggest g event of the calendar. otal prize money across

g and hospitality options, nd more.

r race day.

Follow us @RacingDubai

16 - 19 March 2022 DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

HALLS 1 - 3

Unpl

L

lug Yourself,

Visit The Region’s Largest Retail Art Fair From graffiti to NFT, experience art in every form www.worldartdubai.com

Publishers’ letter AED 30 KWD 2.5 QAR 30

EVOLUTION OF LUXURY

Edition 44

The new Range Rover graces the cover of our 44th edition, while the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX Concept and Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost take electric mobility and hyper-exclusive luxury, respectively, to new heights. Lotus and Norton & Sons have created exclusive motoring gear for Evija owners.

Hublot once again goes big with an impressive line of debutants at LVMH Watch Week. MB&F and L’Epée 1839 present another mechanical masterpiece, the ORB. Montblanc continues its commitment to the art of writing with the latest Great Masters Calligraphy. H. Moser & Cie. x The Armoury go hyper-minimalist with the new Endeavour, while Richard Mille deepens its commitment to Polo in the Desert.

We look back at the life of Virgil Abloh, following his untimely passing. Hugo Boss launches its biggest rebranding project in half a century, while Gucci launches Giardino 25, its all-new cafe concept. New collections from Bally, Loro Piana, Hermes and others get our spotlight.

We travel to the Maldives, to unpack Le Meridien’s new resort, and to a jungle island near Bangkok, where we discover RAKxA wellness resort. Back home, we drop into St Regis Downtown’s dining venues, to Anasa at Conrad, Katsuya at Hyde and Sucre at DIFC.

As always, enjoy the read!

All rights reserved. No part of the material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, without written permission from the Publisher. SIGNÉ does not take any responsibilities for incorrect information. The advertising appearing within this publication reflects the opinion and attitudes of their respective brands and not necessarily those of the Publisher or SIGNÉ.

ISSN 2410-4523

Subscribe to Signé, the finest curated, luxury lifestyle magazine in the region.

Refined in content, elegant in aspect, elite in readership.

SUBSCRIBE TO SIGNÉ MAGAZINE www.signemagazine.com signe_magazine

@SigneMagazine

@signemagazine

22

STOMPING ON NEW GROUND

The Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo is the first modern polo tournament in the world to be staged in the desert

26 FORGED IN FIRE

IWC has added two new models to its Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium range

28

KEEPING TIME IN BLACK & WHITE

58

UNDERSTATED REVOLUTION

46

The all-new 2022 Range Rover takes refinement and performs to new heights

HIGH ACHIEVER

Meet Giannis Antetokounmpo, Breitling’s new towering brand ambassador

66

CELEBRATING BRITISH EXCELLENCE

48

STEALTHY TRANSPARENCY

MB&F × L’Epée 1839’s latest collaborative product, the Orb, is a masterpiece

Bell & Ross’ latest Cyber Skull Sapphire watch is a highly-limited collector’s piece in the making

32

HIDDEN COMPLEXITIES

50 A NEW MASTERSTROKE

36

54

We review the 25 novelty models unveiled by Hublot at this year’s LVHM Watch Week

The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX prototype is how one can imagine the future of electric cars to be

Presenting the H. Moser & Cie. x The Armoury limited-edition Endeavour Small Seconds Total Eclipse

Montblanc elevates the art of writing to new refinements with its Meisterstück Great Masters Calligraphy pens

A GENEROUS PRESENTATION

70

DARK MYSTIQUE

Rolls-Royce’s Black Badge variant of the Gev2 Ghost is the purest Black Badge motor car in the marque’s history

74

TESTING THE FUTURE

36

Lotus x Norton & Sons to create an exclusive driving jacket for the customers of the Lotus Evija

54

WITH LOVE FROM MIAMI

Maserati and David Beckham join forces to present the David Beckham MC20 Fuoriserie Edition

58

ALPINE EAGLE XL CHRONO The pure yet bold Alpine Eagle XL Chrono is a column-wheel chronograph equipped with a flyback function. Its 44 mm case houses the Chopard 03.05-C chronometer-certified automatic movement, for which three patents have been registered. This exceptional timepiece is made of Lucent Steel A223, an exclusive ultra-resistant metal based on four years of research and development. Proudly handcrafted by our artisans, it represents the expertise and innovation cultivated in our Manufacture.

96

CONTRASTING ELEMENTS

Presenting the Hermes AW22 collection

78

A MASSIVE IMPACT

114

FOR JOYOUS OCCASIONS

100

A look back on the life of Virgil Abloh, an extraordinary talent and a visionary

A COCKTAIL OF MEMORIES

We bring to you Café Giardino 25, Gucci’s new café concept that was unveiled recently in Florence

82

REFRESHING CONTINUITY

Rhuigi Villaseñor is set to spearhead a new strategy at Bally as its new Creative Director

St. Regis Downtown Dubai’s new exciting experiences at two of its most popular venues

115

LEISURELY DELICACIES Presenting Anása Greek restaurant at the Conrad Dubai hotel

104

OBJECTS OF DESIRE

84

We bring you a selection of our favourite must-have possessions

116

Fashion-forward buys, picked by Signé for you

106

Hyde Hotel’s Katsuya experience is as much about dining as it is about offering a visual treat

THE STYLE EDIT

88

LATEST

Our top product picks are the LORO PIANA Baseball Cap and the BALLY Caius weekender bag

90

CULINARY THEATRICS

RIVIERA FLARE IN THE TROPICS

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has announced its debut in the Maldives with the Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

Hugo Boss’ massive rebranding campaign is aimed at making the brand more appealing to younger consumers

The bespoke treatments at Thailand’s RAKxa wellness retreat are a combination of the modern and the oriental

90

BUSINESS LUNCH WITH LATIN FLAVOUR Sucre’s diversified menu now caters to the business lunch clientele

110

AN ORIENTAL REJUVENATION

A FRESH IMPRESSION

117

104

118

FOR OCEAN’S SAKE

German artist Rosemarie Trockel creates surfable artworks for Parley for the Oceans

118

Paramount Hotels

THE HOLLYWOOD ESCAPE!

The glory of the golden age has rolled out its red carpet.This time, exclusively for you.

Inspired by the rich history of Paramount Pictures, this hotel is set center stage in the heart of Dubai. With Hollywood-themed rooms, Californian inspired cuisine and unequivocal entertainment, its time to script your own story at the Paramount Hotel Dubai

WA T C H E S • S T O M P I N G O N N E W G R O U N D

STOMPING ON NEW GROUND Richard Mille deepens its involvement with the “King of Sports” in the region

Richard Mille has become the title sponsor of the AlUla Desert Polo tournament, the first modern polo tournament in the world to be staged in the desert. Officially titled Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Tournament, the two-day event took place on 11th and 12th February, bringing together polo patrons and professionals from around the world.

Organized by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) in partnership with the Saudi Polo Federation (SPF), this year’s event was the tournament’s second season. There was one held in 2020.

The RCU was established in July 2017 to preserve and develop the 2,000-year-old archaeological and historical site of AlUla, within Medina Province of the Hejaz region in northwestern Saudi Arabia. A majority of the historical remains on the site are from the southernmost settlement of the Nabataean Kingdom (1st century AD), and the second largest after Petra in Jordan. Traces of Lihyanite and Roman occupation, before and after the Nabatean rule respectively, have also been found there. In 2008, the site became Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Since 2018, RCU has been organizing the Winter at Tantora festival, the Kingdom’s first music and cultural festival.

This season’s festival was held from 21 December 2021 to 12 February 2022. It offered local and international visitors six

22

weeks of music, cultural and equestrian events. The Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo tournament is one of them. Winter at Tantora is the first of four AlUla Moments festivals - AlUla Arts festival, AlUla Skies, and AlUla Wellness festival.

The Saudi Polo Federation was established in July 2018 to develop the sport across the Kingdom from grassroots to elite levels, and to continue the work already undertaken by Saudi’s private polo patrons on the international stage. Chaired by Saudi polo player and businessman Amr Zedan, the SPF is aligned with key government stakeholders such as the Ministry of Sports and seeks to encourage the sport among young Saudi men and women in accordance with the goals set out in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

“We are incredibly honoured to have this partnership with Richard Mille for yet another season of AlUla Desert Polo. As a global supporter of this powerful sport, it’s a perfect match as two iconic masterpieces meet between progress and tradition,” commented Amr Zedan, following the announcement of the sponsorship agreement with the Swiss watchmaker.

As an avid supporter of polo globally, and its development in Saudi Arabia, Richard Mille played a pivotal role in the inaugural season of the Desert Polo tournament as the official timekeeper.

This season, Richard Mille deepened its involvement with the pioneering tournament as Title Sponsor and Timekeeper.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Polo player Pablo Mac Donough

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

23

WA T C H E S • S T O M P I N G O N N E W G R O U N D

The AlUla Desert Polo tournament 24

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

“The 2020 tournament was a milestone event for both Richard Mille and the Saudi Polo Federation. Hence, we wanted to deepen our involvement this year as we are committed to supporting the development of the sport in Saudi Arabia,” said Peter Harrison, CEO of Richard Mille EMEA. This year four teams competed for the Richard Mille AlUla Desert Polo Trophy in a specially built arena close to the

UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Richard Mille Polo team was one of the teams competing. It was led by Pablo Mac Donough, one of the world’s best polo players, along with his teammates Adolfo Cambiaso, Pelon Stirling and Juan Martin Nero.

Donough, the 10-goal polo icon, has been a Richard Mille brand ambassador since 2011. He wore his RM 53-01 Tourbillon Pablo Mac Donough throughout the tournament.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

25

WA T C H E S • F O R G E D I N F I R E

FORGED IN FIRE IWC has added two new models to its TOP GUN Pilot’s Watch range, constructed in Ceratanium

IWC Schaffhausen has announced the addition of two Ceratanium models to its Top Gun Pilot’s Watch range. This innovative new material - developed in-house over a period of five years - combines titanium’s structural integrity with scratch resistance similar to ceramic. It has a natural deep-matte-black colour, is skin-friendly, and highly resistant to corrosion.

The Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Ceratanium is the first IWC watch with a Ceratanium bracelet, which is lighter than steel and, according to the watchmaker, “very comfortable” to wear. The annual production of this model will be limited to 150 pieces.

The Timezoner Top Gun Ceratanium is the first Top Gun model with a Timezoner complication, allowing the wearer to effortlessly change between different time zones. The annual production of this model is limited to 500 pieces.

“Ceratanium is unique not only because of its outstanding material properties. With its matte black colour, it also enables us to manufacture watches in a completely jet-black design.

After introducing several models with Ceratanium cases, we are now going one step further and for the first time present a bracelet crafted from this innovative material,” explains Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.

Ceratanium is based on a special titanium alloy that is forged to IWC’s specifications. The case components are machined from bars to minimal tolerances using computer-controlled turning and milling centres and are then finished by hand.

Afterward, the components are fired in a kiln at high temperatures when a phase transformation occurs. As a result, the surface of the material not only obtains properties similar to ceramics, such as hardness and scratch-resistance, but also its striking matte black finish.

Ceratanium is, arguably, one of IWC’s most important material innovations in recent years. IWC first used this material in 2017 for the “50 Years Aquatimer” (Ref. IW379403). In 2019, the Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun Ceratanium (Ref. IW371815) became the first all-black Pilot’s Watch.

Top Gun, a sub-collection within IWC’s Pilot’s Watches, gets its name from the US Navy’s legendary Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor Program. As portrayed in the cult classic film starring Tom Cruise, Top Gun is a rigorous course used by the US Navy to train its elite pilots in flying and tactical skills. IWC’s Top

26

Gun watches are engineered to withstand the extreme strain pilots experience in the cockpit of a supersonic jet. The two new additions to the collection are no exception.

The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Ceratanium (Ref. IW503604) features a case, crown and, for the first time, a bracelet made of Ceratanium. This bracelet is around 30 percent lighter than a steel bracelet. The black dial with grey numerals complements the jet-black construction.

This Top Gun model is powered by the IWC’s 52615 calibre, visible through the tinted sapphire glass case back. The Pellaton winding system is fitted with components made of “virtually wear-free” ceramic and builds up a power reserve of seven days in two barrels. A single nightly switching impulse from the base movement drives the perpetual calendar. Its mechanical program automatically recognizes different month lengths and leap years and will require no correction until 2100.

Another IWC speciality found on this watch is the moon phase display, which depicts the moon as it is seen from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. It is so precise that it will only deviate by one day after 577.5 years.

The Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Top Gun Ceratanium (Ref. IW395505), the first Top Gun model with a Timezoner complication, can be set to a different time zone by simply pressing down and rotating the bezel. The hour hand, the 24hour display and the date will move forward or backward in one-hour steps. This also works across the dateline and without losing a single second.

While the case is made of Ceratanium, the “city ring” is manufactured from ceramic. It contains the names of 24 cities, each one representing one of the international time zones. The numerals are printed in grey on the dial, while the numbers 12, 3, 6 and 9 are coated with luminescent material.

This model also has a tinted sapphire glass case back to display IWC’s 82760 calibre. It uses a Pellaton winding system reinforced with ceramic components to build up a power reserve of 60 hours in the mainspring.

The two new Top Gun models are available through IWC boutiques, authorized retail partners and online. In addition, both timepieces are eligible for a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year international limited warranty under the My IWC care program.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium (Ref. IW395505)

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

27

WA T C H E S • K E E P I N G T I M E I N B L A C K & W H I T E

KEEPING TIME IN BLACK & WHITE MB&F × L’Epée 1839 present their latest collaborative masterpiece – the ORB

The Orb is a table-top chiming clock in the guise of a sci-fi-like mechanical eye. Its dial takes the place of the iris and pupil, while a shiny sphere resembles an eyeball.

This piece of mechanical art was conceived by German designer Maximilian Maertens and realised by L’Epée 1839, Switzerland’s premier clockmaker, in collaboration with MB&F. The sphere, in either shiny black and white finishing, is composed of four “elytra” that open up and swivel, enabling the Orb to be displayed in a variety of different positions. It starts life as a solid block of aluminium, which is then hollowed to create the sphere, cut into four

28

elytra, and coated with several layers of lacquer that are hardened in a kiln to create a brilliant finish.

The four elytra are soldered to the structure with torque hinges, so they can retain their angle however little or wide they are opened. When closed, the elytra are held in place with four tiny magnets on the interior of each tip.

Powering the Orb is a L’Epée 1839 hour-striking movement with an eight-day power reserve. When the Orb is closed, the stainless-steel movement can be seen just slightly through the curved aluminium dial. The latter is covered by a domed mineral glass, which has a hole in the centre to allow the setting of the time with a special key.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The ORB - MB&F × L’Epée 1839

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

29

WA T C H E S • K E E P I N G T I M E I N B L A C K & W H I T E

30

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The mechanism has two barrels, one for the time and the other for the chime. Both are wound separately. The mechanism chimes the passage of the hour and indicates the actual hour, like a church clock. This function can also be repeated on demand via a button on the side of the clock, or turned on and off when required.

This new hour-striking development, which posed a “significant challenge” to the watchmaker, is based on a similar mechanism used in L’Epée 1839’s historic carriage

clocks, also known as “Officer’s clocks” in France. A bellchiming mechanism normally uses gravity to strike the bell.

As the Orb’s palladium-plated brass bell can find itself in an infinite number of different positions, L’Epée 1839’s clockmakers incorporated several springs to strike the bell so it can chime even when it is flat. The system is, therefore, a hybrid between a clock and a watch striking mechanism.

The Orb is available in limited editions of 50 pieces, each in white or black.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

31

WA T C H E S • H I D D E N C O M P L E X I T I E S

HIDDEN COMPLEXITIES H. Moser & Cie. x The Armoury present the first collaborative effort between the two prestigious brands H. Moser & Cie, present the limited-edition Endeavour Small Seconds Total Eclipse in collaboration with The Armoury lifestyle brand - founded in Hong Kong, in 2010, by Mark Cho and Alan See to bring “classic tailoring to the modern man.”

“When Edouard and I first started talking about the idea of making a watch together, my main requirement was that it was small. I like watches that are discreet but reveal a deeper complexity if you pay them some attention,” recalls Mark Cho, co-founder of The Armoury.

Conceptually, the watch is a representation of the total solar eclipse. The pitch-black Vantablack dial - an exclusive material developed by Moser and capable of absorbing 99.965% of light – represents the moon’s silhouette. The steel bezel and the polished inner bezel, in steel or red gold, represents the halo of the solar corona.

32

While models with Vantablack dials in the past have been characterised by their absolute, minimalist purity, Mark requested that Total Eclipse should feature subtle yet exquisite marker dots as the indices. Fulfilling this request led to another first for H. Moser, and highlights the watchmaker’s expertise with the material. Vantablack’s surface, consisting of carbon nanostructures, can be damaged if it comes into contact with anything, even by a simple touch.

The Schaffhausen Manufacture, therefore, developed a new technique to meet The Armoury’s request.

The central hands and the small second’s hands retain the classic feel while beautifully complementing the indices.

The hour and minute hands finish with a circle at the tip, reflecting the Breguet style especially prized by Mark, while the small second hand is adorned with a dot-style marker, echoing the indices. Accompanying this watch is a black

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The H. Moser & Cie. x The Armoury limitededition Endeavour Small Seconds Total Eclipse

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

33

WA T C H E S • H I D D E N C O M P L E X I T I E S

34

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

calf leather strap, designed and created by The Armoury.

Combining two different textures of leather for an even more beautiful effect enhances the elegance of the watch.

“Absolutely everything in this model links back to this quest for ultimate elegance, combining classicism with a contemporary feel,” says Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser.

“Its 38-mm diameter is perfectly balanced. We opted for the smallest and finest of our movements, the hand-wound

HMC 327 calibre, with an offset small second at 6 o’clock, reminiscent of the pocket-watch style.”

The Endeavour Small Seconds Total Eclipse, available in two editions - steel or red gold bezel - of 28 pieces each, will be available in The Armoury stores in New York and Hong Kong, as well as on the online sales platforms of both companies. It will come with a pocket square developed by The Armoury.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

35

WA T C H E S • A G E N E R O U S P R E S E N T A T I O N

A GENEROUS PRESENTATION A review of the 25 novelty models unveiled

by Hublot at this year’s LVHM Watch Week In the recent past, Hublot has made a habit of aggressive model launches at watch shows. The watchmaker’s approach at this year’s LVMH Watch Week was no different.

No less than 25 watches were unveiled – six in Yellow Gold, three new Big Bang Integrals, a Big Bang Unico Golf in Orange Carbon, three new Big Bang Sang Bleu II models, and twelve Big Bang One Click 33s.

BIG BANG ONE CLICK When it comes to pleasing the ladies, Hublot went big at this year’s LVHM Watch Week; the number twelve to be exact. Twelve new Big Bang One Click 33 designs and twelve new straps. The timepieces are offered in King Gold or steel, partially or fully set, featuring black or white polished dials with matching black or white rubber strap. The new collection of twelve coloured silky bracelets is cut from ‘soft touch’ grained calf leather.

“Hublot excels in flouting conventions, perfectly matching materials that are rarely seen together or have no natural affinity. It’s been a very long time since timepieces were synonymous with austerity. Precision is the common denominator of Haute Horlogerie and jewellery. The Big Bang One Click combines the best of both worlds, by giving you the freedom to match your jewellery with your look,” says Ricardo.

The new Big Bang One Click 33s are particularly notable for their fine jewellery sophistication. Crowned with a set bezel, the highlights are the hour markers - eleven diamond markers set around the dial, leaving the 3 o’clock position for the date. In the most exclusive version, the cases are also lined with eternal stones. They house the HUB1120 automatic movement, which vibrates at 28,800 beats per hour for forty consecutive hours.

The twelve models are divided into four sets of three models each. The entry-level models are in satin-finished and polished stainless steel. Three of them - the Big Bang One

36

Click Steel – have black dials, while the One Click Steel White have white dials. Similarly, the three One Click King Gold models pair satin-finished and polished 18K King Gold cases with black dials, while the three One Click King Gold White models have white dials.

The three models within a set are differentiated by the number of diamonds on their case, bezel and dial. The base models in each of the four sets have a total of 47 Diamonds for around 0.94 cts. The four mid-level Pave models have 177 Diamonds each for 1.35cts. The four Full Pave models have 398 Diamonds each for 2.62cts.

Using the patented ‘One click’ system, these twelve models can further change their style and look. The Twelve Soft Touch calf leather straps are created with vegetable tanning in France. These straps are also available for the 39mm Big Bang One click and the 42mm Big Bang Unico.

If anyone is under the impression that Hublot has exhausted their novelty offering for the year with these 25 models, they may have to reconsider. “The LVHM watch week is a glimpse of the novelties we will launch this year,” reveals Ricardo.

“I believe that to do it in January is always interesting for us because we can present to the press early some of our novelties. Watches & Wonders will happen end of March, physically, and we will have a series of novelties that will be launched there as well. And then finally, for the world cup in November, we will launch around September a new edition of our Kinetic watch.”

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

37

WA T C H E S • A G E N E R O U S P R E S E N T A T I O N

YELLOW GOLD Hublot presented six models made entirely from yellow gold, as a tribute to the brand’s “preferred material,” which featured on the original Hublot Big Bang 40 years ago. The six models in yellow gold comprise three Big Bang Integrals, and one each of Big Bang Unico, Classic Fusion Chronograph, and a Spirit Of Big Bang.

“Collective strength is something we’re very familiar with at Hublot! Embarking on our fifth decade, we decided to revisit yellow gold, one of our core materials with not one, but six pieces. This is the first time we have unveiled such a rich set of pieces based on a single theme. The best way to reiterate our continued connection to our DNA and our ongoing commitment to forging our future!,” says Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe.

The six pieces, between them, embody significant milestones in the watchmaker’s history: the birth of the Big Bang, the Classic Fusion, the Spirit of Big Bang, the art of stone setting, skeleton work and the creation of the first manufacture movements, and so on. In their own individual way, these six pieces fuse the aesthetic and technical elements of Hublot’s DNA. Now, for the first time, they are unified by a shared aesthetic: yellow gold and black.

The Classic Fusion Chronograph, for the first time, has been produced in yellow gold in a 42mm vase, while retaining its clean, understated, styling and self-winding mechanism.

The Big Bang in this set is the first to feature a 42mm case entirely in yellow gold with a rubber strap. Its exterior fuses yellow gold, deep black, skeleton work, performance and power. Its Unico movement has a 3-day power reserve.

With the Spirit of Big Bang, the emphasis was on the design, which takes the form of an exquisite tonneau

38

with alternating straight lines and curves. It features polished and satin-finished surfaces of brilliant yellow gold to create a spectacular dance of light. In a 42mm version with skeleton movement, it shares the One Click interchangeable strap system with the Big Bang. It is still powered by the calibre HUB4700, one of the most accurate movements available.

The three Big Bang Integral models have their case, bezel and bracelet made entirely from 18K yellow gold, meaning they were crafted from a single block of solid gold. The three models are differentiated based on the level of highjewellery embellishment they possess.

In all three models, the gold used to construct the 42 mm case, bezel, integrated bracelet and case back are satinfinished and polished. The skeleton dial is in contrasting matte black. The crystal Sapphire on top and below has anti-reflective treatment. Inside, MHUB1280 UNICO 2 Manufacture self-winding chronograph with column wheel offers a power reserve of around 72 hours.

The Big Bang Integral Yellow Gold (Ref: 451.VX.1130.

VX) is the entry-level model in this set. Yellow Gold Pavé (Ref: 451.VX.1130.VX.3704) is one step above. It has a case set with 120 diamonds, a bezel set with 138 diamonds and its bracelet set with 768 diamonds. That’s a total of 1,026 diamonds for 5.4 cts.

The Yellow Gold Joaillerie (Ref: 451.VX.1130.VX.9804), the top model, has a case set with 64 diamonds and 14 baguette-cut diamonds. There are 54 baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel and 12 on the dial. The bracelet is set with 296 diamonds and 154 baguette-cut diamonds. The total here is 17cts for the 594 diamonds.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

39

WA T C H E S • A G E N E R O U S P R E S E N T A T I O N

BIG BANG INTEGRAL IN 40 MM Three more models were introduced to the Big Bang Integral collection at the LVMH Watch Week. The three pieces each have three hands for time only function, and are presented in three different materials. Their unifying factor: a case diameter of 40 mm, a first for the Big Bang Integral!

“No one was expecting it, so of course we did it. A Big Bang Integral that is more compact, vibrant and powerful than ever, at the same time as being more refined than any of its other timepieces. It has been a true exercise in watch design, retaining our aesthetic and technical grammar but in a totally new format for us. We pulled off the challenge, by creating a Big Bang Integral, which once again proves its versatility and modernity!”- says Ricardo.

Big Bang Integral 40 mm is not only smaller but also thinner, at 9.25 mm, than any other model in the collection thus far.

“We chose these dimensions because we wanted the watch that is a bit genderless, so it can be for men or women. It is extra slim, so it is very ergonomic on the wrist,” explains Ricardo.

40

This new sub-collection, simply named ‘Time Only,’ presents only the essence of watchmaking: hours, minutes, seconds and the date. The true aesthetic signature of the Big Bang Integral, the three-link integrated bracelet, mirrors the sharp edges of the case.

Each link is individually polished and satin-finished, chamfered and bevelled, providing either matt or glossy alternating surfaces. Each surface on the dial is satinfinished for better legibility. There are sapphire crystals on the face and back. Between them is the MHUB1710 Self-winding Movement.

The three ‘Time Only’ Big Bang Integral models presented at this year’s LVHM Watch Week are in Titanium (ref: 456.NX.0170.NX), Yellow Gold (Ref: 456.

VX.0130.VX) which complements the three Big Bang Integral 42mm Yellow Gold models mentioned earlier, and the “All Black” model (Ref: 456.CX.0140.CX), constructed in Black Ceramic, is limited to 250 pieces.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

41

WA T C H E S • A G E N E R O U S P R E S E N T A T I O N

BIG BANG UNICO GOLF In 2017, Hublot introduced the Big Bang Unico Golf - the world’s first entirely mechanical golf watch. Presented in partnership with Dustin Johnson, the most successful golfer of his generation, the watch can keep track of the score over the course of an 18-hole round. At this year’s LVMH Watch Week, Hublot presented the latest iteration of this golf watch: the Big Bang Unico Golf Orange Carbon (Ref: 416.YO.1120.VR).

“A few years ago, when we decided to get into Golf, we asked: which approach can we take that’s different from other brands,” Ricardo told us when recalling the Golf watch’s development process. “We said to ourselves: we need to have one golfer who has a strong identity and character, who is a legend of this sport. So, we decided to go with Dustin Johnson. After that, we thought: maybe we could do a mechanical watch deducted to Golf. I started the project with our technical department. But after some initial studies, we realised that it will not be easy because there were so many frictions. It has to be reliable and of high quality, because you have huge shocks in golf and it has to be lightweight.”

“This module is produced by our high-end complications department because it is very complicated to assemble and we needed to ensure its high quality. Because of these challenges, it is possible to produce only 200 pieces per year. So, we decided to present it as a high-end watch, using titanium because it is very light, and in very limited editions.

So, it is going to be 100 pieces in orange, and so far, we have done it in yellow, blue, one black and one white edition.”

The MHUB1580 automatic movement powering the Golf watch was developed as a module of the brand’s Unico movement. Through three apertures, the watch shows golfers

42

which hole they were on, how many shots they’d taken on that hole, and their cumulative score for the round.

Simple to operate, the shot-counting mechanism is activated by a yellow putter-shaped pusher at 2 o’clock, which also advances the yellow stroke counter visible through an aperture at 3 o’clock. When it’s time to move to the next hole, another putter-shaped pusher at 4 o’clock resets the shot indication to zero and advances the hole indication at 9 o’clock by one hole. The cumulative score goes up by one with every recorded shot, and is shown through an aperture at 6 o’clock.

At the end of a round, the display can be reset to zero via the pusher at 8 o’clock. This pusher can be locked by rotating it 45 degrees to avoid accidentally resetting the score during a round. And because the watch is skeletonised, the movement’s inner workings are revealed.

“I love this watch. It’s so complex and beautiful, but also so light and easy to use,” says professional golfer and Hublot Ambassador Dustin Johnson. “Players can overthink golf, when it’s better to relax and just play the game. This watch captures some of that – it’s the kind of device that slows everything down, encouraging you to stay calm while you’re out there.”

“What I like is that the same skill, patience and discipline you need to achieve that on the course are also behind making a watch this technical and this smart. I think it looks great, and I am proud to add it to my collection,” added Dustin.

The 45mm Big Bang Unico Golf Orange Carbon has a power reserve of 72 hours, comes on a high-tech orange fabric strap with Hublot’s One Click change system, weighs less than 100 grams, and is water-resistant to 100 metres.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

43

WA T C H E S • A G E N E R O U S P R E S E N T A T I O N

HUBLOT X SANG BLEU The Hublot X Maxime Plescia-Büchi collaboration story continues this year with three new iterations of the Big Bang Sang Bleu II. In the 7th year of collaboration, French tattoo artist Maxime Plescia-Büchi chose to apply his signature motif to two iconic materials - Magic Gold and Ceramic, in black and green. A total of just 450 pieces are on offer from the three limited editions.

“When you get a tattoo, you take a risk, an indelible decision to express yourself and to impart important messages or symbols that convey a significant moment in your life. This is exactly the spirit we strive to inject into the watches. A Hublot watch is a choice, a decision, an affirmation, a reflection of your essence and the message you wish to convey. For me, tattooing such unique materials in an indelible way represents a complementary facet of my art,” says Maxime Plescia-Büchi.

Ricardo added: “With Maxime, we have been fusing tattoo art with our watches for seven years. We love these long-term collaborations, which allow us to combine, experiment with and transpose our expertise and our vision to develop them and push them to new limits.

Our “scratch-resistant” materials engraved with the indelible lines of the Sang Bleu geometry imbue with even greater meaning the messages he conveys through his art: perfection, balance, precision, inalterability and irreversibility.”

The artistic collaboration between Hublot and Maxime dates back to 2016. The watches were engraved with the indelible mark of the talented “grapho-typo-tattoo” artist.

In 2019, with the Sang Bleu II, the collaboration went up a notch with “full-body” expression. Maxime’s geometric

44

patterns featured across the entire case, the hexagonal bezel, the sapphire crystal, the hands and the strap.

Maxime employs three-dimensional geometry that incorporates the use of relief and depth effects. The material itself is polished, satin-finished, sliced, carved, bevelled and faceted. It features alternating and superimposed hexagons, rhombuses and triangles in perfect visual harmony.

For this year’s trio, Hublot opted for the strongest materials to construct the 45 mm diameter cases. The master tattoo artist’s designs are superimposed on the case and bezel.

It begins with the elaborate hands, taking the form of a geometric tattoo that extends all the way to the rubber straps. This geometry of the HUB1240 manufacture selfwinding Unico chronograph movement is revealed through the skeleton dial and the transparent case back.

Magic Gold, developed and patented by Hublot, is the first and only scratch-resistant 18-karat gold alloy in the world. It has a hardness of almost 1000 Vickers, making it notoriously difficult to machine. The Big Bang Unico Sang Bleu II Magic Gold (Ref: 418.MX.1103.RX.MXM22), limited to 100 pieces, has its case, bezel, dial elements and case back in 18K Magic Gold, and is with a black rubber strap.

Even more scratch-resistant than Magic Gold is the Hublot specific Ceramic. While traditional ceramic has a hardness of 1200 Vickers, Hublot’s ceramic achieves 1500 Vickers.

Both Ceramic models are satin-finished and polished in their respective colours. Black Magic Ceramic (Ref: 418.

CX.1107.RX.MXM22), limited to 250 pieces, is paired with a black strap. The Green ceramic model (Ref: 418.GX.5207.

RX.MXM22), limited to 200 pieces, is paired with a matching green runner strap.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

45

WA T C H E S • H I G H - A C H I E V E R

HIGH-ACHIEVER Meet Giannis Antetokounmpo, Breitling’s new towering brand ambassador

This January, Breitling unveiled its newest brand ambassador: Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo. In his nine years since joining the National Basketball Association (NBA), Giannis has hit nearly every career milestone achievable, including Most Improved Player, Most Valuable Player (twice), Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP. In 2021, he also led the Milwaukee Bucks to win the team’s first title in 50 years.

“Giannis’ willpower, dedication, unwavering vision, and desire to give back make him an inspiration,” says Breitling CEO Georges Kern. “Plus, he’s just one of the coolest, most down to earth guys you’ll ever meet. When we recruit a Squad Member, it’s not just because they’re the best at what they do, it’s because they bring character and integrity to everything they do.”

At a whopping 6’11˝ and with the hoop skills to match his height, Giannis seemed destined to play basketball. But he didn’t come through the traditional American scouting grounds for the NBA – through the NCAA Collage system. His journey was much more unconventional, and international.

Giannis was born in Athens, Greece, to Nigerian immigrant parents in 1994. His parents had left Lagos and settled in the Athens neighbourhood of Sepolia. To support his parents financially, Giannis and his older brother, Thanasis, helped by hawking watches, handbags and sunglasses in the streets.

In 2007, Giannis started playing basketball and made his way through the local tier system. By 2011, a 16-yearold Giannis was playing with the senior men’s team of Filathlitikos, a semi-professional team competing in the third-tier of Greek basketball. Giannis’ impressive performances attracted interest from some of the big names of European Basketball.

46

However, there was a problem. Even though Giannis was born in Greece, as per Greek citizenship law, he did not automatically receive citizenship. He was effectively stateless and could not travel abroad until May 9, 2013, when he formally became a Greek citizen. In 2015, he also received his Nigerian passport, making him a dual citizen.

Less than two months after becoming a Greek citizen, Giannis made himself eligible for the 2013 NBA drafts. He was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, and made his professional debut as an 18-year-old on October 13, 2013. His impressive performance in the 77 appearances he made during his rookie season led to an invite to the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend.

His fourth season with the Bucks is regarded as his break season, with game-winning and record-setting performances sprinkled throughout the season. It culminated in his first invite to an All-Star game as a starter. Last year, he was instrumental in the Bucks’ run to the NBA championship, with Giannis being named the second youngest NBA Finals MVP. Today, he has taken that experience 360 degrees.

In addition to representing Greece at international tournaments, Giannis and his brothers run a basketball academy in Athens that helps kids from underprivileged backgrounds get involved in the game. Through it, they help build confidence and life skills for whatever they plan to achieve in life. Giannis joins other celebrities, including Brad Pitt, Charlize Theron, Misty Copeland, Kelly Slater, and Adam Driver, as a Breitling Squad Member. In personality and style, each one represents Breitling’s casual, inclusive, and sustainable approach to luxury, while bringing their own dynamic character to their work with the brand.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Breitling brand ambassador and GreekNigerian basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

47

WA T C H E S • S T E A L T H Y T R A N S P A R E N C Y

STEALTHY TRANSPARENCY Bell & Ross’ new all-sapphire watch is a highly-limited collector’s piece in the making

Bell & Ross, the French watchmaker known for its sombre aviation and military watches, likes to express its lighter side through its “skull” watches. This year, we have the BR 01 Cyber Skull Sapphire (Ref. BR01-CSK-SAPHIR), a completely translucent, full sapphire version.

In 2009, Bell & Ross introduced its first skull watch, becoming one of the earliest brands to do so. The BR01 Skull includes a skull and crossbones in the company’s iconic “circle in a square” case. It was an immediate success. Since then, the BR 01 Skull family has grown to include ten members, and are greatly sought after by collectors.

The Burning Skull (2016) introduced more volume to the skull, while being surrounded by flames patterns. This enhanced the 3D aspect of the design. In 2018, the Laughing Skull incorporated an automaton movement. The jaw moves when winding the crown, such that the skull appears to be laughing.

48

In 2020, Bell & Ross presented the first iteration of the Cyber Skull, a major departure in the aesthetics of the “Skull” series.

Its faceted design, representing “a leap into the future,” featured a black ceramic case with truncated corners and a “pixelated” skull. This avant-garde design continued the success experienced by its predecessors.

Last year, the Cyber Skull Sapphire Only Watch 21 had a case constructed entirely in sapphire crystal. With its orangecoloured skull, this one-off model was sold at the Only Watch charity auction. The hammer fell at 220,000 euros, twice its top estimated value.

The latest Cyber Skull Sapphire is the “general public” version of the Only Watch model. It reproduces the full sapphire case as in the Only Watch, but the faceted skull is transparent and totally devoid of any colour on this version. Even though it is available to the public, only ten Cyber Skull Sapphire watches

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The BR 01 Cyber Skull Sapphire (Ref. BR01-CSK-SAPHIR)

have been produced. Given the demand for the Only Watch at last year’s auction, one may safely presume that this year’s Cyber Skull Sapphire will add great value to the collections of those privileged enough to acquire one.

The design of this new Cyber Skull Sapphire breaks with the other skull watches in the neo-vintage style. The sharp edges and the multiple facets of the case play with the light, multiplying the perspectives and reflections. It draws on several sources of inspiration, according to the watchmaker. The faceted, pixelated design elements pay homage to the digital world. Its angular elements are reminiscent of Origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, but with a modern interpretation.

Like the fuselage of an American F117 stealth bomber, which also uses faceted and angular elements in its design, the case of the Cyber Skull Sapphire seems to blend into the background, leaving only the skull in the line of vision of

an admirer. The translucent rubber strap complements the transparency of the case.

The skull and crossbones are captured between two sapphire crystals, so that they appear to be floating in the air. Sapphire, a precious block of very hard glass, is a material that is very difficult to shape. The slightest error means starting all over again.

The Cyber Skull Sapphire is powered by B&R’s BR-CAL.209 automaton movement, specifically developed for this watch.

Keeping with the theme of the watch, this manual-wound skeleton calibre is almost invisible, by seamlessly integrating into the form of the skull. The skeleton form, therefore, reveals some of the interesting technical parts, including the cogs, balance and more. The plate and bridges follow the outline of the skull before extending below the crossbones. The spring balance is located at the “twelve o’clock” position, as the symbolic, functioning brain of the skull.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

49

WA T C H E S • A N E W M A S T E R S T R O K E

A NEW MASTERSTROKE Montblanc presents new flexible pens that elevate the art of writing to new refinements

Montblanc has been pushing the boundaries of innovation ever since the maison first revolutionized the culture of writing in 1906. In continuation of this heritage, Montblanc - through its Meisterstück Great Masters Calligraphy Collection - introduces the new, more flexible nibs that elevate the art of hand lettering, allowing for even more expressive and creative calligraphy.

Montblanc’s Meisterstück – which means masterpiece in German - collection brings together the expertise of Montblanc with the visionary tradition of other master craftsmen and their long-standing dedication to excellence.

The collection draws on a wealth of expertise, handed down over the years from one generation to the next.

50

The new nibs, hand-sculpted from solid gold by master artisans who oversee 35 skilled steps, are the result of great expertise and fine-tuned intuition. The Meisterstück 146 now features this flexible nib made of precious black resin with gold-coated fitting. Its development is based on the very successful Montblanc pens from the 1950s.

This special nib allows a variety of writing styles and delivers an elevated writing sensation. By exerting different pressures, a variation of line breadths can be achieved, with each breadth producing different hues of colour on paper. The 18K yellow gold flexible nib is engraved with the “888” calligraphy symbol.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

51

WA T C H E S • A N E W M A S T E R S T R O K E

The Montblanc Meisterstück Great Masters Calligraphy Collection

52

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The Flexible Nib also makes an appearance with the Meisterstück Calligraphy Solitaire Burgundy Tone Lacquer.

A nod to the great tradition of calligraphy in Japanese art and culture, the writing instrument is decorated in red, one of the most symbolic colours in Japanese culture.

The contemporary shaded look is achieved with a new lacquering gradient technique applied to brushed metal, also inspired by a traditional Japanese technique. The translucent

burgundy tone dégradé lacquer is enhanced with champagne gold fittings, and the champagne gold-coated 18K flexible nib features the “888” calligraphy symbol.

The Meisterstück Calligraphy Solitaire Burgundy Tone Lacquer is also available as a fountain pen with a standard nib and as a rollerball pen. The Meisterstück Great Masters Calligraphy Collection is now available at Montblanc boutiques worldwide and online.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

53

AUTOMOTIVE • TESTING THE FUTURE

TESTING THE FUTURE Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX is more than just a pretty face.

It is loaded with the car maker’s all-electric future-tech

54

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

“The Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX is how we imagine the future of electric cars... it underlines where our entire company is headed: We will build the world’s most desirable electric cars,” is how Ola Källenius - Chairman of the Board of Management at Mercedes-Benz - defines the marque’s latest electric concept car.

The luxury carmaker believes, and rightly so, that range and efficiency are going to be the defining factors of the electric era. The demand for ever-greater efficiency will create an incremental reduction in battery size and weight, allowing cars to go farther with less. Mercedes-Benz is determined to lead the way. One might argue that they already are. An EQS 450+ travelled 679 kilometres on one charge during a recent Edmunds test. That’s 124 kilometres farther than any other car previously tested.

Mercedes would not be Mercedes if they simply rested on their laurels. “Just one-and-a-half years ago,” adds Källenius,

“we started this project leading to the most efficient Mercedes-Benz ever built – with an outstanding energy consumption of less than 10 kWh per 100 kilometres. It has a range of more than 1,000 kilometres on a single charge using a battery that would fit even into a compact vehicle.

The Vision EQXX is an advanced car in so many dimensions – and it even looks stunning and futuristic.”

Rather than being just a showpiece, the EQXX is a roadlegal research prototype, and is part of an ongoing programme to deliver a blueprint for the future of Mercedes’ automotive engineering. Many of its features and developments are already being integrated into production, such as the next generation MMA – the Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture for compact and medium-sized cars.

According to the German carmaker, the EQXX’s radical new system achieves a benchmark efficiency of 95% from the battery to wheels. It has demonstrated a range of more than

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

55

AUTOMOTIVE • TESTING THE FUTURE

The Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX

56

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

1,000 km on a single charge on public roads. The battery pack in the Vision EQXX holds almost 100 kWh of energy, while occupying 50% less volume and being 30% lighter than the EQS battery pack.

Mercedes-Benz and Bridgestone engineers collaborated to combine Bridgestone’s Turanza Eco tyre with lightweight and environmentally friendly Enliten and ologic technology to drastically reduce the car’s rolling resistance. The tyre design also features aerodynamically optimised sidewalls to match the covers mounted on the 20-inch, lightweight, forged-magnesium wheels.

The Exterior designers and aerodynamicists have achieved a drag coefficient of 0.175, which is less than the resistance experienced by an American football zipping through the air, between 0.18 to 0.2. For an automotive context, the EQS has a drag coefficient of 0.20.

“In line with our philosophy of Sensual Purity, we created spectacular proportions that combine beauty with efficiency. The resulting body flow delivers revolutionary aerodynamics,” says Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Benz’s Chief Design Officer.

The surfaces of the Vision EQXX run smoothly from the front to the back, with powerful yet sensual shoulders above the rear wheel arches. This flow concludes with a cleanly defined, aerodynamically effective tear-off edge - accentuated by a gloss-black end trim and the rear light clusters. The smooth dome of the greenhouse roofline flows elegantly in a teardrop silhouette. The retractable rear diffuser, deploying only at higher speeds, fits seamlessly into the bodywork.

The Vision EQXX also marks the launch of Mercedes’ new, organic-minimalist interior design style - expressed through

the absence of complex shapes and the integration of lightweight structures. The luxury feel of the interior comes from extensive use of lightweight, sustainable materials and organic-inspired design detailing. The basic principle is maximum comfort and style with minimum weight, and “absolutely no animal-derived products.”

The interior, therefore, features a large number of innovative materials. The door pulls are made from AMsilk’s Biosteel fibre, a vegan certified silk-like fabric.

Mylo, a verified vegan leather alternative made from the underground rootlike structure of mushrooms, is used for detailing the seat cushions. Deserttex, a sustainable cactusbased leather alternative, has an exceptionally supple finish that is exceptionally soft to the touch. On the floor, the carpets are made from 100% bamboo fibre.

The Vision EQXX also makes extensive use of recycled waste materials, such as the recycled PET bottles used in a shimmering textile to enhance the floor area and door trim.

DINAMICA, made from 38% recycled PET, is used to create a wrap-around effect linking the upper edge of the onepiece screen with the doors and headliner. The interior also features UBQ material, a sustainable plastic substitute made from household and municipal landfill waste.

“Working with these innovative sustainable materials to design the interior of the Vision EQXX was a hugely liberating and exhilarating experience,” says Gorden Wagener. “They open up completely new avenues of creativity, and the visual and tactile finishes are exquisite. The upscale feel of the interior through the use of ambient lighting as well as silver, rose-gold and gloss black accents is a highly progressive interpretation of modern luxury for the all-electric era.”

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

57

A U T O M O T I V E • U N D E R S TAT E D R E V O L U T I O N

UNDERSTATED REVOLUTION The all-new 2022 Range Rover takes refinement and performs to new heights

58

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The fifth generation of Range Rover, JLR’s all-new luxury SUV, is set to make its appearance on the hi-streets of the world next year. At first glance, little appears to have changed. However, upon closer inspection, one finds that a quiet revolution has occurred beneath the subtle outward evolution.

“Informed by creative intellect and a desire for perfection, it doesn’t follow fashion or trend, but by a modernist design philosophy, combined with over 50 years of evolution,” says JLR’s Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern OBE, about the design philosophy guiding the new Range Rover.

Like its predecessors, the latest iteration of the Range Rover is defined by three lines: the falling roofline, strong unbroken waistline and rising sill line. These trademark features combine with a characteristically short front

overhang and a distinctive new boat-tail rear – complete with a practical split tailgate – to create an elegant profile.

The rounded edge of the door meets the glass for a simple, clean finish. This, combined with flush glazing, hidden-untillit lighting and precise detailing, not only give the SUV a clean and contemporary appearance but also contribute to a drag coefficient of 0.30. This makes the new Range Rover one of the most aerodynamically efficient luxury SUVs. The new Range Rover comes with a comprehensive lineup of advanced six- and eight-cylinder powertrains, a choice of new extended-range plug-in hybrids, and the latest mildhybrid petrol and diesel engines. The flagship is undoubtedly the powerful new petrol Twin Turbo V8, delivering “increased refinement and performance” while being “17 per cent more efficient” than the previous V8.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

59

A U T O M O T I V E • U N D E R S TAT E D R E V O L U T I O N

60

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The headline grabber, however, is the new ExtendedRange Plug-in Hybrid powertrain. Land Rover’s in-line sixcylinder Ingenium petrol engine is paired with a 38.2kWh lithium-ion battery – with a usable capacity of 31.8kWh – and a 105kW electric motor integrated with the transmission.

Together, this powertrain provides up to 100km of nearsilent pure-electric driving. Its instantaneous electric torque accelerates the new Range Rover from 0-100kmph in 5.6 seconds, and to a top speed of 140kmph. A pure-electric model is scheduled to join the line-up in 2024.

Land Rover’s new flexible Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA-Flex) underpins every aspect of the new Range Rover, from its handling to its refinement. “Our new

Integrated Chassis Control system ...co-ordinates a suite of predictive and reactive technologies that make this the most comfortable and agile Range Rover ever produced,” explains Rory O’Murchu, JLR’s Vehicle Line Director.

All-Wheel Steering is now standard. The electrically operated rear axle provides up to seven degrees of steering angle and, at low speeds, gives the New Range Rover a turning circle of less than 11metres, the smallest of any Land Rover.

The Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (iAWD) transmission, controlled by the Intelligent Driveline Dynamics (IDD) system, predictively distributes torque between the front and rear axles, and across the rear axle, for optimum traction on and off-road.

The all-new Range Rover 2022

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

61

A U T O M O T I V E • U N D E R S TAT E D R E V O L U T I O N

The New Range Rover also has a powerful new active 48volt electronic roll control system. It is faster-acting and more efficient than a hydraulic setup and can inject up to 1,400 Nm of torque to keep body movements under control.

These and other chassis systems feed into Land Rover’s award-winning Terrain Response 2 system, which automatically configures the optimal settings for each of the six driving modes. Alternatively, the driver can manually select the setting or use Configurable Terrain Response to create a bespoke chassis setup.

As always, the new Range Rover’s luxurious interior is underpinned by modern, intuitive and relevant technologies.

“In the quest for comfort,” says Nick Rogers, JLR’s Executive Director of Product Engineering, “we have been obsessed with human science and understanding brain activity to minimise cognitive impact.”

While the exterior colour palette elevates the new Range Rover’s elegant proportions and clean surfaces, the interior options are more sustainable, responsible and progressive.

Customers also have a wider choice of materials and finishes, including innovative textiles and tactile Ultrafabrics offered in collaboration with Kvadrat – one of Europe’s leading

62

manufacturers of premium textiles. These materials are not only lighter but also generate “only a quarter of the CO2 of traditional leather.”

The SUV’s 1,600W Meridian Signature Sound System creates one of the quietest vehicle interiors on the road.

It includes additional 20W speakers in the four main headrests for each of the four main cabin occupants.

These speakers create personal quiet zones similar to the effect when using high-end headphones.

To deliver a sanitised environment within the cabin, the new Range Rover debuts the Cabin Air Purification Pro3, which reduces odours and microbes. This system works in conjunction with the PM2.5 Cabin Air Filtration and the nanoe X technology. The latter is an innovative technology that is active in the air to trap and neutralise viruses and bacteria, including SARS-CoV-2 viruses.

The award-winning Pivi Pro infotainment system gets a 13.1-inch curved touchscreen on the new Range Rover, the marque’s largest ever. This “floating” screen embodies and complements the architectural lightness of the interior with a minimalist frame design.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

63

A U T O M O T I V E • U N D E R S TAT E D R E V O L U T I O N

64

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The all-new Range Rover 2022

Using a “smartphone-inspired” interface, it provides intuitive control for the major vehicle functions, in addition to the hard switches for climate control. For the first time, the central display will provide haptic feedback when customers touch the screen, to give a positive confirmation without the need to glance at the screen.

The Pivi Pro system works in harmo ny with an elegant new 13.7-inch Interactive Driver Display, featuring new high-definition graphics based on a three-panel layout.

Customers can choose from a variety of configurations, including a conventional analogue layout, using the steering wheel controls.

Rear passengers can enjoy a new Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) system via adjustable 11.4-inch HD touchscreens mounted on the rear of the front seatbacks. They can be operated independently and support the connection of most devices with an HDMI port, and have Wi-Fi hotspot capability. An eight-inch Rear Seat Touchscreen Controller - mounted within the centre armrest - provides intuitive controls for seating adjustments.

The new Range Rover is available in SE, HSE and Autobiography models. A First Edition will be available throughout the first year of production, and is based on the Autobiography. It is exclusively available in a Sunset Gold Satin finish, among a choice of five exterior colours.

While Standard Wheelbase (SWB) offers only a five-seat configuration, the Long Wheelbase (LWB) model is available with a third row for the first time, taking the seating capacity to seven adults.

The SV (Special Vehicle Operations) model - the first vehicle to carry the new ceramic SV roundel - is available in both SWB and LWB body designs. It offers exclusive options, including new SV Serenity and SV Intrepid design themes and a four-seat SV Signature Suite configuration.

The SV Serenity and SV Intrepid design themes introduce two-tone front-to-rear contrasting colourways to Range Rover. Exclusive materials include lustrous plated metals, smooth ceramics, intricate mosaic marquetry and soft near-aniline leather, as well as sustainable non-leather Ultrafabrics.

The new SV Signature Suite option on LWB models epitomises the heightened luxury and craftsmanship of Range Rover SV. Its cosseting seats feature 24-way adjustment with massage functionality. An elegant electrically deployable Club Table rises theatrically from the fixed full-length centre console to provide a convenient workspace when required.

Michael van der Sande, SVO’s Managing Director, commented: “With more choice than ever before, our customers will be able to create a new Range Rover SV that truly reflects their personality, their dreams, their desires.

That is how we interpret modern luxury.”

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

65

A U T O M O T I V E • C E L E B R AT I N G B R I T I S H E X C E L L E N C E

66

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

CELEBRATING BRITISH EXCELLENCE Lotus has collaborated with Savile Row tailor Norton & Sons to produce an exclusive driving jacket

Lotus has teamed up with Norton & Sons - the renowned Savile Row tailor - to create a lightweight luxury driving jacket, which will also be among the world’s most exclusive. It is only available to customers of the Lotus Evija - the world’s first British all-electric hypercar with a price tag of around £2 million.

The jacket’s unique design was created jointly by Norton & Sons Design Director Patrick Grant and Lotus Design Director Russell Carr.

Patrick Grant, best known as a judge on hit BBC TV Show The Great British Sewing Bee, commented: “When I was a kid, Lotus was the sports car everybody wanted. It was what James Bond drove and was the dominant team in Formula 1. To get the chance

to explore the extraordinary Lotus racing archive, and to design a piece of clothing that takes its inspiration from such iconic 1960s and 1970s designs, was both a challenge and a thrill.”

Russell Carr added: “We wanted to work with Patrick and the Norton & Sons team to create the ultimate driving jacket for Lotus Evija owners. I’m delighted with the result, which exemplifies everything Lotus and the Evija stand for – premium British craftsmanship and quality, exceptional performance and a timeless design.”

Lotus Cars, based in Hethel, Norfolk, UK, and founded by the legendary Colin Chapman, was built on its tremendous success on the racetrack, including 13 FIA Formula 1 world titles and

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

67

A U T O M O T I V E • C E L E B R AT I N G B R I T I S H E X C E L L E N C E

Lotus Design Director Russell Carr (Left) with Norton & Sons Design Director Patrick Grant (Right)

The “Evija” jacketNorton & Sons Design Director Patrick Grant (Right) 68

Norton & Sons Design Director Patrick Grant wearing the “Evija” jacket SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Norton & Sons Design Director Patrick Grant with the Lotus Evija

numerous other honours. In July last year, Lotus unveiled its latest model, the all-new Lotus Emira. This will be the last in a long line of iconic petrol-powered Lotus sports cars. In July 2019, the marque added a new chapter to its illustrious story with the launch of Evija, its first all-electric hypercar.

Every Lotus Evija customer, male or female, will be offered a personal appointment at Norton & Sons, where they will be measured and fitted.

Norton & Sons was founded 200 years ago, in 1821, and in the 1860s moved to its current address at 16 Savile Row. The house holds the Royal Warrants to four successive British monarchs and warrants to the royal households of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Prussia, Spain, and Portugal. The company has also clothed two US Presidents, Winston Churchill and some of the best-dressed men of the past two centuries.

Norton’s tailors developed expertise in lightweight clothing for customers bound for Africa and the East. Lord Carnarvon was wearing a Norton & Sons suit when he opened Tutankhamun’s tomb. The house’s contemporary lightweight unstructured tailoring continues this tradition.

The unique pattern for each “Evija” jacket will be drafted

by Norton & Sons’ master cutter, then individually hand-cut

and hand-sewn. The jacket is made from a superfine, lightweight, water-resistant merino wool and nylon technical textile manufactured in Italy by Loro Piana.

It features state-of-the-art Cobrax and Riri hardware. Its overall shape echoes that of Team Lotus pitlane jackets of the early 1970s, worn by the likes of Colin Chapman and his legendary drivers such as Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti.

The front pocket is outlined with twin red stitching, a shape drawn from Evija’s ‘ribbon’ tail light. Detailing on the nape of the neck, both inside and outside the jacket, repeats this motif and features a golden number 16 – Norton & Sons’ Savile Row address. Other tributes to Lotus heritage include three underarm ventilation eyelets inspired by the Lotus Elan 1600 triple taillight design.

The technical eyelet knit lining is breathable, perforated to reduce weight and includes a pocket perfectly sized to take the Lotus Evija key. The jacket also has a label celebrating the collaboration. It features the Norton & Sons’ wordmark, the Lotus roundel and strapline ‘For The Drivers’, and a new silhouette of the Lotus Evija hypercar penned by Anthony Bushell, the car’s lead exterior designer.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

69

AUTOMOTIVE • DARK MYSTIQUE

DARK MYSTIQUE Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Black Badge variant of the Gen2 Ghost

To meet the demands of its younger clients, RollsRoyce introduced the Black Badge concept - dubbed RollsRoyce’s alter ego - in 2016. It offers exclusive new colour palettes, technical surface treatments and a more powerful driving experience, while staying true to the effortless sensibilities that drew the younger clients to the Rolls-Royce brand in the first place. The concept, which debuted with Wraith and Series II Ghost, now represents more than 27% of the marque’s commissions worldwide.

In the past one year since the Gen2 Ghost has been available, it has become one of the fastest-selling products in the marque’s history, representing more than 3,500 commissions worldwide. In October, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce CEO, presented the Black Badge variant of the new Ghost, saying: “today, we announce a product that represents a new kind of Black Badge motor car, one that seizes on the minimalist, Post Opulent design treatment that has recast the legend of Ghost and amplifies and subverts it with the application of black.”

As with all Rolls-Royce models, the list of innovation and customisation options on the new Black Badge Ghost is quite extensive. Here, we present some of the highlights, starting with the interior.

The Lemniscate symbol, representative of the Black badge models, finds expression in strategic locations. The

70

Illuminated Fascia has a glowing Lemniscate amidst the 850-plus “stars.” Featuring more than 90,000 laser-etched dots across the surface, the stars are illuminated via LEDs that are colour-matched to the cabin’s clock and instrument dial lighting.

If requested, a Lemniscate may also appear on the lid of the Champagne cooler. The symbol, rendered in aerospacegrade aluminium, is applied between the third and fourth layer of a total of six layers of subtly tinted lacquer, creating the illusion that the symbol is floating above the Technical Fibre veneer.

The minimalist clock has a subdued chrome finish only on the tips of the hands and the twelve, three, six and nine o’clock markers. Air vents are darkened using physical vapour deposition, a method of colouring metal that ensures parts will not discolour or tarnish over time.

A complex but subtle weave has been crafted, incorporating a deep diamond pattern rendered in carbon and metallic fibres. Multiple wood layers are pressed onto the component’s substrates, using black Bolivar veneer for the uppermost base layer. This forms a dark foundation for the Technical Fibre layers that follow. Leaves woven from resin-coated carbon and contrasting metal-coated thread laid in a diamond pattern are applied by hand to create a three-dimensional effect.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The Rolls-Royce Black Badge Ghost

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

71

AUTOMOTIVE • DARK MYSTIQUE

72

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Although clients have the choice of selecting one of the marque’s catalogue of 44,000 exterior colours or creating a bespoke hue, the “overwhelming majority” of them request the signature black. The process of creating the high-gloss piano finish takes between three to five hours. Some 45 kilograms of atomised paint is applied to an electrostatically charged body. After it is oven-dried, two layers of clear coat are applied before being hand-polished. The deep-black hue becomes a high-contrast background to the hand-painted Coachline, resulting in the Black Badge’s signature ‘black and neon’ aesthetic.

A dark hue chrome replaces the standard mirror chrome on the Spirit of Ecstasy and Pantheon Grille. This is achieved by introducing an electrolyte to the traditional chrome plating process, which is co-deposited on the stainless-steel substrate. The components are then polished by hand to achieve the mirror-black chrome finish.

A 21-inch composite wheelset has been designed exclusively for Black Badge Ghost. The barrel of each wheel is made up of 22 layers of carbon fibre laid on three axes.

They are then folded back on themselves at the outer edges of the rim, forming a total of 44 layers of carbon fibre for greater strength. A 3D-forged aluminium hub is bonded to the rim using aerospace-grade titanium fasteners. It is finished with the Floating Hubcap – which ensures the Double R monogram remains upright at all times. A lightly tinted lacquer is applied to protect the finish.

As with the standard Ghost, the Black Badge variant comes equipped with all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering and the award-winning Planar Suspension system. However, these and other performance-related systems have been reengineered to handle the enhanced performance metrics.

Rolls-Royce’s twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine in the Black Badge Ghost generates an extra 29PS, for a total output of 600PS. Torque has increased by an extra 50NM, for a total of 900NM, all of which is available from just 1700rpm.

More voluminous air springs have been fitted to alleviate body roll under more assertive cornering. The braking bite point has been raised, and pedal travel decreased. A new suite of bold high-temperature brake calliper paint colours has been developed in preparation for forthcoming Black Badge Ghost commissions.

As with all products in the marque’s Black Badge portfolio, the ‘Low’ button, situated on the gear selection, stalk unlocks its full suite of technologies. The gearshift speeds are increased by 50 per cent when the throttle is depressed to 90 per cent, delivering Black Badge Ghost’s abundant power reserves “with dramatic immediacy.” An entirely new exhaust system subtly amplifies the car’s engine sound.

Like the Gen2 Ghost, the new Black Badge is expected to be a significant milestone in Rolls-Royce’s lineup. Müller-Ötvös went so far as to declare it “the purest Black Badge motor car in the marque’s history.”

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

73

AUTOMOTIVE • WITH LOVE FROM MIAMI

WITH LOVE FROM MIAMI Maserati and David Beckham have teamed up to create a one-off MC20 design Maserati and its brand ambassador David Beckham have joined forces to present the David Beckham MC20 Fuoriserie Edition.

“I have always been a car enthusiast. So, to be a part of designing and creating my MC20 through the Fuoriserie customization programme has been an amazing experience,” revealed Beckham. “Cars are about individual taste whether it’s the model, colour or small personal details on the inside. It has been incredible to collaborate with the Maserati team and designers to create this one-off car that is inspired by my second home, Miami, and my football club there. It is a joy to be behind the wheel.”

Maserati’s Fuoriserie customization program enables customers to create their tailor-made Maserati through a seemingly infinite array of options to work with, to express their personality. To simplify the process, the programme also offers three themed collections.

The Fuoriserie Corse Collection is dedicated to the age of ‘Gentleman Racers’ and the brand’s racing heritage. It features a reinterpretation of the racing liveries, bodyworks and heritage colours from the past. The Fuoriserie Unica Collection is dedicated to “dynamic individuals” who live by the “carpe diem” ethos. It captures the shifting trends in fashion, art and culture through the use of graphic elements on the livery and new interiors inspired by the Colour of the Year.

Fuoriserie Futura Collection is dedicated to futurists, lovers of technology and new materials, people who embrace and encourage change. Here, the palette is Biolime, Graphite Blue and dramatic industrial tones. The style is a combination of materials derived from the world of innovative product designs and sportswear. Technology offers improved performance and sustainability of materials.

The Beckham MC20 is one of four collaborative Fuoriserie Editions undertaken by Maserati in the recent past.

Levante Trofeo Fuoriserie Edition for Chef Alajmo was a collaboration with Massimiliano Alajmo, the youngest chef in the world to receive three Michelin stars. This Levante Trofeo sports the colours of the chef’s logo. The interior is soft gold and Pale Terracotta, with contrasting grey stitching and matching embroidered Trofeo writings on the Trident sealed headrests. The exteriors are in Nero Luce, a glossy black finish, accentuated with dreamlines in Mistic Gold, and 22-inch Orione wheel rims with black brake callipers.

Levante Trofeo Fuoriserie Edition for Massimo Bottura is a collaboration with the Modena born Trident Brand Ambassador and protagonist of Italian cuisine. The Blu Stradale exterior is painted with

74

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

75

AUTOMOTIVE • WITH LOVE FROM MIAMI

The David Beckham MC20 Fuoriserie Edition 76

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

multi-coloured splashes, which also feature on the interior inserts, the central console and the dashboard.

Finally, the new Ghibli Hybrid Love Audacious was presented in partnership with well-known Chinese actor, singer and trendsetter William Chan and his streetwear fashion brand CANOTWAIT_. The Ghibli Hybrid’s exterior is bathed in a unique emotional colour, Digital Aurora, inspired by the magical Aurora light. The complex colour is a blend of burned decisive purple with calming and relaxing bluish hints.

The David Beckham MC20 Fuoriserie Edition is the result of a collaborative design process between Beckham and the designers at Maserati’s Centro Stile.

The starting point is Maserati’s supercar with a carbon fibre monocoque, entirely made in Italy, and powered by a patented V6 petrol engine derived from Formula 1 technologies.

The end result is black and pink, a chromatic dichotomy, as well as the interplay between glossy and matt surfaces. Black and pink are the team colours of Beckham’s US soccer club Inter Miami, whose uniforms are characterized by contrasting glossy-matt treatments.

The bodywork of the David Beckham MC20 features a glossy black tone which contrasts with the Trident logos on the grille and on the C-pillar, in black, but with an opaque finish. The Maserati lettering on the

rear is also opaque, while the MC20 badge on the door is pastel pink, as are the Brembo brake callipers.

The interior, in leather and Alcantara, is black with contrast-stitching in pink. The backrests, in Alcantara, are worked with a tone-on-tone laser engraving method. The headrest features a threedimensional pastel pink embroidery.

Finally, in the centre tunnel between the two seats, is a personalized nameplate with a glossy-matte effect.

At the top, next to the Trident, the Maserati Fuoriserie lettering is pastel pink, and at the bottom, the italics “For David” appears with an aluminium effect.

Following the car’s presentation, Klaus Busse, Head of Maserati Design, commented: “As car designers, our mission is to offer a holistic experience. This value guides our brand’s stylistic research, making each Maserati uniquely recognizable. Our customization program is another example of our brand’s goal to create singular experiences for our customers: Maserati Fuoriserie is a blank canvas, on which Maserati clients can write their own stories and unleash their creativity, making their dreams come true.”

“Designing this special edition MC20 with David, as with all our Fuoriserie projects, is also an ode to the Brand’s past, taking us back to a time when every car was hand-built to the client’s requests, giving life to a one-off, a true “fuoriserie”, said Klaus.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

77

FA S H I O N • A M A S S I V E I M PA C T

A MASSIVE IMPACT We remember the man that was Virgil Abloh, an extraordinary talent and a visionary

On November 28, 2021, Shannon Abloh posted a portrait of her husband Virgil Abloh on his Instagram account. The post formally announced Virgil’s untimely demise to his 1.7 million followers. The caption accompanying the portrait states: “For over two years, Virgil valiantly battled a rare, aggressive form of cancer, cardiac angiosarcoma.”

The angiosarcoma tumour primarily forms in the heart, but it may also come from in the inner lining of blood and lymph vessels or other parts of the body, and then make its way into the heart. The tumour’s location makes it hard to treat and hard to detect until it is in the advanced stages. “[Virgil] chose to endure his battle privately since his diagnosis in 2019, undergoing numerous challenging treatments,” Shannon revealed. “Through it all, his work ethic, infinite curiosity, and optimism never wavered.”

Virgil’s “work ethic” was indeed extraordinary, even in an industry with no shortage of workaholics. He was constantly on the move, shuffling between his professional commitments - Founder and CEO of Off-White, Artistic Director of menswear at Louis Vuitton, Creative Director of Donda, and numerous collaborations. He did not bother with a permanent office, preferring instead to work on the go through his iPhone.

In a professional career that spanned just twelve years (2009–2021), Virgil’s “work ethic” had made him one of the most prolific and influential fashion designers of his era, and he reached the very apex of the global luxury industry. He was a purposeful boundary-breaker in an industry notorious for its clearly defined boundaries. To the old guard, he was maverick, an outsider, who nonetheless forged his way to the top through his successive headlinegrabbing shows.

Virgil’s life story, despite its premature end, is unquestionably the defining fashion story of the last decade. It is the “American Dream” realised to its extreme.

78

Labelled the “Karl Lagerfeld for millennials,” he was the son of immigrants, married and started a family with his childhood sweetheart, and professionally, he emerged from relative obscurity to become one of the most influential Black men within the fashion industry. If this was not enough, he used his philanthropy to bring about change, and to offer new opportunities to people of colour.

Virgil was born on September 30, 1980, in Rockford, Illinois. His parents, Nee and Eunice Abloh, emigrated from Ghana. His father worked at a paint company, while Eunice was a skilled seamstress. She taught Abloh how to use a sewing machine. This skill set, along with his passion for skateboarding, inspired a young, high school-going Virgil to design T-shirts. This, in turn, ignited his interest in Fashion.

He studied Civil Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, followed by a master’s degree in architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Both of these conventional disciplines contributed greatly to his unconventional approach to design, which he termed “metaphoric.”

While at university, Virgil continued designing T-shirts and blogging about Fashion. This was also when he became acquainted with Kanye West, who convinced him to pursue his passion for Fashion. After graduating from university, the two of them interned at Fendi’s Rome office.

After a series of collaborative projects with West and his associates, Virgil founded Pyrex Vision in 2012. A year later, he founded Off-White, the brand that would catapult him to celebrity status. On March 25, 2018, Abloh was named artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s menswear line, making him the first person of African descent to hold this title.

Despite this demanding schedule, Virgil was a committed family man. Virgil met Shannon Sundberg, his future wife, while they were both attending Boylan Catholic High School.

In 2009, the same year he began interning at Fendi, Virgil married Shannon at a large family wedding.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The Late Fashion Designer Virgil Abloh

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

79

FA S H I O N • A M A S S I V E I M PA C T

80

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Shannon studied management and marketing and had a more conventional career path compared to her husband.

While Virgil’s growth in Fashion relied heavily on his ability to garner attention and high-profile collaborations Nike, Mercedes Benz and IKEA, to name a few - his home life was the complete opposite.

Virgil rarely spoke about his wife in interviews. “I don’t want to be a celebrity designer. I want to keep my personal life out of it,” he once declared. Despite keeping a low profile, Shannon was a constant supporting pillar throughout Virgil’s meteoric rise. She did, however, attend all his shows and accompanied him at red carpet events. The couple was blessed with two young children daughter Lowe, eight years old, and son Grey at five years.

In the Instagram eulogy to her husband, Shannon gave us an insight into an important aspect of Virgil’s life – Philanthropy. She wrote: “Virgil was driven by his dedication to his craft and to his mission to open doors for others and create pathways for greater equality in art and design. He often said, ‘Everything I do is for the 17-year-old version of myself,’ believing deeply in the power of art to inspire future generations.”

For Virgil, therefore, philanthropy was a means to an end, rather than an exercise in self-promotion. To counter the rise of neo-nationalism in Europe and America, he collaborated with conceptual artist Jenny Holzer to create a line that emphasized the positive aspects of immigration and cultural integration. He also produced jerseys for Melting Passes, a football team of undocumented immigrants. He later invited the team to attend an OffWhite show.

He supported skateboarders and surfers in Ghana, and provided funds to fix public park facilities in Chicago.

He launched a Post-Modern Scholarship Fund and raised a million dollars in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. He raised funds to support Black-owned businesses, mentored young Black designers, including Samuel Ross, and even appointed some of them to his design team at Off-White.

No wonder the news of his passing generated an outpouring of emotion from his legion of followers, as well as a diverse list of A-listers – from singer Pharrell Williams to socialite Victoria Beckham, models Gigi Hadid and Hailey Bieber and many others. Kanye West dedicated his Sunday service to his long-time friend and creative collaborator.

Dapper Dan, dubbed the father of fashionable streetwear, wrote on Instagram: “Virgil’s life was a testament to how much Black Lives Matter by showing what black lives are capable of. His march took him to the top of luxury fashion. Virgil started out as a foot soldier but died a general.”

Edward Enninful, British Vogue’s editor-in-chief, called him “a giant among men,” adding that Virgil always worked “to open the door to art and fashion for future generations, so that they -- unlike himself, would grow up in a creative world with people to mirror themselves in.”

LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault, as quoted in the tweet announcing Virgil’s passing, said: “Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom.”

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

81

FA S H I O N • R E F R E S H I N G C O N T I N U I T Y

REFRESHING CONTINUITY Rhuigi Villaseñor, Bally’s new Creative Director, is set to spearhead a new strategy at the Swiss brand

82

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Swiss luxury brand Bally recently announced Rhuigi Villaseñor as its new Creative Director, responsible for the artistic direction across the brand.

A few years ago, the news of a reputed Swiss luxury fashion brand appointing a Creative Director who cut his proverbial teeth in the Streetwear scene of Los Angeles would have been sensational news at best, and controversial at worst. However, post-Louis Vuitton and Virgil Abloh coming together, such appointments have become the norm.

Some might even argue that it is now a necessity.

Bally, founded in 1851 as a shoemaking business by two brothers, Carl Franz and Fritz Bally, is among the longest surviving luxury brands today. Over the years, the brand has constantly innovated and diversified its product portfolio to offer its customers what they demand, from ready-to-wear to accessories to footwear. All this while staying true to its core values of uncompromised craftsmanship.

“We engineer functional fashion,” is how the brand describes itself. This approach is best exemplified by the Bally Reindeer boots worn by Tenzing Norgay during the first-ever ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.

Another is the Scribe, Bally’s most iconic shoes, still handmade in Switzerland and requiring 240 artisanal techniques to complete.

Bally’s commitment to innovation and evolution while staying true to its core values has served it well over the past century and a half. This century, however, millennials and subsequent generations have been adamant that they will define their own style rather than comply with established norms. To attract the patronage of these younger clients, luxury brands have had to adapt and radically reimagine their design language.

Thus, at Bally, enter Rhuigi Villaseñor. Recognized as one of the most promising fashion talents today, he is the Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of high-end streetwear brand Rhude. Since its founding in 2015, Rhuigi has developed the brand into a thriving business that includes ready-to-wear and accessories. The brand is coveted by a broad and diverse audience, including celebrities, from around the world.

His reinterpretation of the modern wardrobe references American iconography with nostalgic recollections from his childhood, and as an aspirational observer through the immigrant lens. Rhuigi was born in Manila, but his family lived in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand before emigrating to the US in 2001. The family settled in Los Angeles, and the nine-year-old Rhuigi could not speak a word of English.

His father wanted him to be a doctor, but he was driven by his artistic side, particularly for fashion. He credits his passion for

design and his understanding of garment construction to his mother, a tailor, and his father, who was an architect.

Rhuigi’s first commercial success came with a $200 t-shirt featuring a black and white bandana-inspired paisley pattern. The design struck a chord with the LA Hip-hip and Chicano sub-cultures. When he had built up a steady customer base, he used his mother’s laptop to launch Rhude online. In 2018, rapper Kendrick Lamar wore a pair of Rhude track pants when he became the first rapper to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize. And by the end of the year, Rhude’s revenues were approaching the $12 million mark.

Despite the seemingly disconnected journeys taken by Bally and Rhuigi, there exists a deep connection between them.

Following his announcement, Rhuigi revealed: “I am proud to be appointed as the new Creative Director of Bally. As a brand that is very dear to my heart, Bally has been worn in my family from generation to generation, from my grandfather to myself.”

Rhuigi then continued: “The brand’s pioneering legacy across social innovation and 171 years of luxury heritage is a true inspiration, and I am drawn to the company’s paramount commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.”

“I have always admired the Swiss approach to luxury, its discreet representation of excellence, and symbiotic openness and care for the environment. Nicolas [Girotto] and I connected on our shared vision, and it is with immense honour that I accept this challenge. I look forward to invigorating and modernizing the brand while respecting its longstanding tradition, sharing its story further with a wider community.”

Explaining his decision to appoint Rhuigi, Nicolas Girotto, CEO of Bally, said: “Having acutely followed Rhuigi’s ascent, I am excited by how his natural creativity and energetic spirit have made him one of the industry’s greatest idea generators and community builders. Rhuigi’s deep understanding of Bally’s history coupled with a distinct appreciation of the Swiss lifestyle will be instrumental in ushering the brand into the future.”

Rhuigi’s appointment fits into a greater long-term strategy of the brand, as outlined by Nicolas: “Over the past three years, we have redefined our positioning, successfully consolidating the brand across product offering and customer touchpoints. This strong foundation, rooted in an embrace of our Swiss identity, enables us to progress on our ambitions.

In this transformative moment, and having found the right champion in Rhuigi, we are ready to move Bally to the next level. I entrust Rhuigi, a talented visionary, to continue evolving the contemporary relevance of our brand and accelerate growth while preserving Bally’s core values.”

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

83

THE STYLE EDIT

EDITOR’S PICKS

Sunglasses, Bottega Veneta

Card Wallet, Moschino

Jacket, Etro

Men’s Bag, Bally

Trousers, Etro

Tread Shoes, Bally Linen Pants, Commas

84

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Bally SS’22 Collection

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

85

THE STYLE EDIT

EDITOR’S PICKS

Sunglasses, Cartier

Men’s Bag, Bally

Jacket, JW Anderson

T-Shirt, Moschino

Jogging Trousers, Moschino Sneakers, Bally

86

Trousers, Bottega Veneta

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Paul Smith AW’22 Collection

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

87

FA S H I O N

LUXURIOUS HEADWEAR Presenting Loro Piana’s latest collection of timeless accessories for the head Loro Piana’s six-segment, classic folding design Baseball Cap is made from a selection of the maison’s finest and distinctive fabrics - Wind microfibre, cashmere drap, Baby Cashmere, vicuña or velvet cashmere, all treated with Storm System

88

to make them water and wind-resistant. These caps have a wool and cashmere flannel lining. There is also a seamless front Baseball Cap in cashmere jersey with a compact, felt-like weave, which is soft and pleasant to the touch.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

BALLY Caius - TPU Weekender Bag in Brown The Caius weekender bag in brown B-monogram TPU features double leather top handles and a detachable and adjustable shoulder strap making for alternate ways to carry. The Bally logo in an elegant brand detail to the front, while the rear features a zipped pocket and

trolley sleeve that allows this style to be placed over the handle of an airport carry-on trolley bag for easy transportation. The interior is organized with card slots, pen holders, flat and zipped pockets, and a leather key holder with a snap button fastening.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

89

FA S H I O N • A F R E S H I M P R E S S I O N

Cole Haan Zerøgrand 48HR Backpack

90

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

A FRESH IMPRESSION Hugo Boss has launched a massive rebranding campaign to make the brand more appealing to younger consumers

Hugo Boss, in line with its ‘Claim 5’ growth strategy, has launched two simultaneous global campaigns to publicize the comprehensive brand refresh for its Boss and Hugo brands.

The Metzingen, Germany, based luxury fashion brand known for its tailoring, offers a comprehensive range of casualwear, bodywear, athleisure and accessories through its Boss and Hugo brands. Its range of licensed products includes fragrances, eyewear, watches, and kidswear. Hugo Boss offers its collections in 127 countries through 7,300plus points of sale, and online in 47 countries via HugoBoss. com. Boss, the company’s core brand, has some 400 exclusive brand stores of its own worldwide, along with its separate Boss.com e-commerce portal.

Hugo Boss has now introduced a new logo for its core Boss brand after almost 50 years. Meanwhile, the Hugo brand sports a new look for the first time since its last logo adjustment in the early 1990s. Both new logos feature a noticeably bolder graphic typeface to convey a contemporary look, and for an “impactful visual experience.”

The new logos are accompanied by a 360-degree rebrand across all consumer touchpoints. Hugo Boss’ new brand identity focuses on a younger and more global demographic. The entire collection design, store concepts and omnichannel brand experience are centred on a more playful and casual aesthetic while staying true to the brand codes of dressing excellence.

“With the branding refresh and the release of the starstudded campaigns, we are ushering in an entirely new era for Boss and Hugo. It is our aim to excite new and younger target groups and turn them into fans of our brands. Both campaigns are, therefore, an important step in further boosting brand relevance and in reaching our goal to become a top 100 global brand in the years to come,” states Daniel Grieder, CEO, Hugo Boss.

The rebranding was unveiled this January on the HugoBoss.com website. Using a combination of imagery, videos, and inspirational text content, customers have the opportunity to dive deep into the new products.

The objective is to offer a more enjoyable and immersive

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

91

FA S H I O N • A F R E S H I M P R E S S I O N

South Korean singer and actor Lee Min-ho for the Hugo Boss Campaign

92

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Italian tennis champion Matteo Berrettini for the Hugo Boss Campaign

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

93

FA S H I O N • A F R E S H I M P R E S S I O N

British professional boxer Anthony Joshua for the Hugo Boss Campaign

94

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

International TikTok star Khaby Lame for the Hugo Boss Campaign

shopping experience. This, in combination with improved usability, is expected to support the growth of the e-commerce side of the business. The brand has plans to unveil even more digital and omnichannel services throughout 2022.

As part of the rebranding exercise, an all-star cast has been assembled as the collective faces of the Spring/ Summer 2022 #BeYourOwnBoss campaign. The social-first campaign was shot by acclaimed fashion photographer Mikael Jansson on sets around the globe.

The campaign features top models Kendall Jenner, Hailey Bieber, and Joan Smalls, renounced American rapper Future, international TikTok star Khaby Lame, South Korean singer and actor Lee Min-ho, British professional boxer Anthony Joshua, Italian tennis champion Matteo Berrettini, and German runner Alica Schmidt.

Simultaneously, Boss has announced a strategic partnership with TikTok superstar Khaby Lame. After a record-shattering Milan Fashion Week event bringing in four billion impressions in just four days, where Boss cast

Lame for his fashion runway debut, an ambassadorship was formed to include two co-designed capsule collections.

In addition to the global campaign, a dedicated broad spectrum of engaging social-first content has been created in the form of podcasts, behind the scenes, stories, and reels. The campaign will be activated worldwide across all consumer touchpoints, starting with social media and includes prominent out-of-home advertising going live in 35 metropolises worldwide.

On the campaign’s launch date, January 26th, an impressive digital activation of 200 talents, including the luminary cast members, posted their personal Boss stories on Instagram, Weibo, Red, and WeChat with images of themselves wearing the signature Boss hoodie.

“We are absolutely thrilled by this amazing cast for Boss.

The talents and personalities of the campaign perfectly embody what a Boss stands for today. Delving into the more personal, emotive, and thoughtful aspects of being a Boss in today’s world helps us connect in a more concrete and tangible way to millennials,” adds Grieder.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

95

FA S H I O N • C O N T R A S T I N G E L E M E N T S

CONTRASTING ELEMENTS Presenting the Hermes AW22 collection, a study in contrasts

Hermes AW22 collection expresses sophistication with contrasting materials and superimposed elements.

The hybrid, reversible designs accompany life’s moments with joy and softness, effervescence and elegance - a golden-brown gloss, a touch of velvet, wavy lambskin, a technical fabric, chevron patterns. The colours: charcoal, brown, coniferous green, black, but also frost blue, pollen, pop orange, lettuce green. They bounce off one another, saturating and sometimes colliding.

To present the collection, longtime Hermès artistic director Véronique Nichanian teamed up with director Cyril Teste. Carefully conserved tapestries from Mobilier National forms an eclectic backdrop to the season’s offerings. The tapestries conspire to form a wall of screens, changing rhythmically in the background as the models move along in the foreground. In this decor, the clothes seem to come alive with lightness and energy.

Trench coats, parkas and blousons with hood in crispy technical canvas, removable lining in wavy lambskin.

Parkas and zipped aviator blousons in wavy lambskin or in coloured sheepskin. Parkas, zipped blousons with hood and sleeveless vests in Toiloxydée. Double blousons and parkas with playful pockets in technical cover and quilted Toilbright.

Quilted blousons in printed silkscreen and embossed rubberised lambskin - minimal compact design. Straight blousons in water-repellent technical satin, blousons with removable hood in underlined cheviot with contrasted technical canvas. Zipped blousons with ribbing in glazed calfskin, in sport calfskin or in mirror Porosus crocodile.

Autocoats in whipcord or in padded water-repellent crispy canvas. Double-breasted coats and autocoats in wool. Jacquard twin-sets in wool with oxidised effect or in silk chenille. Cardigans and round-neck pullovers in striped sport cashmere.

96

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

97

FA S H I O N • C O N T R A S T I N G E L E M E N T S

Hermes AW22 Collection

98

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Turtleneck pullovers in cable-knit wool and cashmere with playful contrasting stripes. Pullovers with twisted neck in cashmere with English ribbing or in 160’s wool and silk; detail in silk with C’est la fête print. Double zipped twisted neck in wool and cashmere. Sweatshirts with zipped high collar in water-repellent technical satin. Round collar in wool and cashmere teddy underlined in lambskin.

Overshirts with high collar and patch pocket in wool and cotton serge or compact cotton poplin. Zipped large shirts with contrasted secret pockets, or with high collars, and shirts with twisted collars in chintzed technical poplin.

Cargo trousers in water-repellent compact cotton serge, in technical cover or in stretch cotton drill. Straight pleated trousers in technical cover, in glazed calfskin, in wool

flannel or in wool serge. Straight pleated trousers with strap belt, in water-repellent compact cotton serge or in stretch cotton drill.

Straight suits in plain or striped wool flannel and lambskin insert. Two-button suits in glazed calfskin. Double-breasted suits in wool serge and satin insert.

Accessories: Haut à courroies Rock bags in Evercalf calfskin, Sac à dépêches messenger bags in box or in Togo calfskin. Phone cases in Tadelakt calfskin. Bucket hats in glazed calfskin or water-repellent technical satin. Éperon d’or et de couleurs fringed 65 cm scarves in cashmere and silk. Pendant in horn and palladium-finish metal, Chaîne d’ancre badges in Swift calfskin. Belts in Swift or mirror calfskin. Ankle boots in mirror calfskin.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

99

L A D O L C E V I TA • A C O C K TA I L O F M E M O R I E S

A COCKTAIL OF MEMORIES Gucci’s new café concept was unveiled recently in Florence, Italy

On February 14th, in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria, Gucci unveiled its Giardino 25 concept, the house’s all-new all-day café and cocktail bar. It is the latest addition to Gucci Garden, the multidisciplinary collaborative and creative space designed by Creative Director Alessandro Michele back in January 2018.

The name, Gucci Giardino 25, is a reference to its connection to Gucci Garden - Giardino is the Italian word for garden. The ‘25’ is a number of personal significance to Alessandro Michele and is often seen in his creations.

Taking inspiration from one of the location’s previous tenants, a historical florist, the venue is characterized by a sense of wonder and harmonious contrasts, playing with the codes of the house and its Florentine surroundings, while drawing from the colors, scents and exuberance of a flower shop.

Inside, visitors find themselves in a cozy yet uncanny den-like space that connects the dots between a traditional Tuscan shop and a refined French bistro.

The exposed wooden beams on the ceiling warm up the atmosphere while sitting side by side with the bespoke boiserie, recalling the styles of the late 18th century. Eight-pointed stars are inlaid into the oak parquet flooring.

The space is marked by carved capitals atop columns and mustard yellow panels. They frame the embossed mirrored tiles behind the counter or the intimate sitting areas. The shiny marble surfaces of the bar counter and tables reflect the lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling. Up to sixteen guests can be accommodated on the luxurious, leather-upholstered peacock blue sofas and chairs.

Giardino 25’s dual identity as a place to enjoy intimate daytime interludes and livelier after-hours happenings is reflected in its all-day menu. The assorted offerings are prepared by an on-site kitchen that reverently embraces seasonality while drawing creativity from the Tuscan countryside.

100

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

101

L A D O L C E V I TA • A C O C K TA I L O F M E M O R I E S

Café Gucci Giardino 25

102

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Bar Manager Martina Bonci

The breakfast selection presents traditional local pastries alongside creations from Japan and Mexico for a modern and international selection, while light dishes are available for both lunch and dinner. The menu is rounded out by Afternoon Tea. As we are in Italy, the menu also includes a curated selection of speciality coffee blends, served either as an espresso at the bar or to be enjoyed at a more leisurely pace in one of the sitting areas.

At the helm is the Umbria-born Martina Bonci, whose passion for mixology began in her great grandmother’s kitchen, with furtive sips of wine and was shaped by diverse experiences throughout Italy. Martina brings a distinctive line-up of balanced, colorful cocktails, including

the ‘Mémoire di Negroni’ – a tribute to the more than a century-old Italian Negroni, said to have originated in Florence. It is characterized by creative inventiveness and high-quality ingredients, reflecting the house’s core values.

Martina infuses the same level of dedication into her ideation of non-alcoholic cocktails, guided by her desire to offer a consistently imaginative experience across the entire drinks offering, as seen in the ‘1921’ - a tribute to the founding year of Gucci and characterized by earthy flavors.

Food is served throughout the day, from breakfast at 8 am to dinner and light snacks until 1 am. Reservations are required.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

103

OBJECTS OF DESIRE The new Leica M11

CAPTURING LIFE IN STYLE The new Leica M11 combines the experience of traditional rangefinder photography with contemporary camera technology. It features an exclusive triple resolution sensor, expanded ISO range, dual memory, extended battery life and a more intuitive menu system. Its Maestro III processor was engineered to deliver a fluid and responsive operation, even at the highest resolution and image quality.

It has a full-frame BSI CMOS sensor with Triple Resolution Technology. Raw image files in DNG format and JPEGs can be recorded at 60, 36 or 18 megapixels using the full sensor area. A special IR + UV cut filter – comprising two extremely thin, cemented layers of glass – offers correction of incident light. Thanks to a new colour filter array, the camera also offers

104

an improved, more natural colour reproduction. There is an optional electronic shutter featuring a shutter speed of up to 1/16000 of a second.

For better efficiency and ergonomics, the controls have been arranged in a unique layout around the new 2.3 million pixels, high-resolution touchscreen. The menu structure of the M11 remains consistent with that of the Leica SL2 and Q2.

In addition to the SD card slot, the M11 is equipped with an internal storage capacity of 64 gigabytes. As a result, the M11 is the first M model to save image files simultaneously onto two different storage media. The 1800mAh battery stores 64% more energy than before, and combined with the camera’s more efficient operation, allows for longer shooting sessions.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

ALL ROUND EXCELLENCE Bang & Olufsen has launched the newest edition of Beoplay Portal, its award-winning wireless gaming headphones. It is now fully compatible with PC, PlayStation consoles and mobile gaming devices, making it ideal for gaming and everyday use. It also boasts increased connectivity, a new wireless dongle, and improved battery life of up to 42 hours.

The new Beoplay Portal offers simple yet sophisticated 20.4 GHz wireless connectivity with dual–audio streaming for gaming, music, or calls. The introduction of a new wireless dongle allows for faster connection across PC, PlayStation or any other USB-C input device, with a seamless transition between wireless and wired usage. It caters to mobile gaming with Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX Adaptive technology.

Beoplay Portal has two custom-designed 40 mm drivers with neodymium magnets for precise and faithful acoustic reproduction, while Dolby’s Atmos for Headphones technology offers virtualized surround sound. The two combine to add layers of depth and texture to games, movies, and music.

The sound performance of the new Beoplay Portal is further enhanced by a new generation of Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation technology, which uses a combination of feed-forward ANC and feed-back ANC. The addition of Own Voice enables users to hear their own voices while cancelling out external sounds. The array of beamforming microphones isolates and amplifies the user’s voice while cancelling out background noise – creating a Virtual Boom Arm experience that eliminates the need for a physical one.

The new Beoplay Portal is available in three colorways: Black Anthracite, Grey Mist, and Navy.

The ear cups feature touch-sensitive aluminium discs with a gradient effect, produced using a proprietary anodization technique.

Designed for extended wear, Beoplay Portal features jaw-supporting earpads crafted from lambskin-wrapped memory foam. There is a subtle protrusion on the rear of each cushion, which conforms to the shape of the user’s head, enhancing comfort and eliminating sound leakage.

The inner headband features offset padding designed to relieve pressure on the top of the head. This padding is covered with a high-quality bamboo fibre textile, chosen for its durability and breathability.

Weighing in at a mere 279 grams, the new Beoplay Portal headphones are among the lightest in the wireless category, along with offering a significant increase in battery life - up to 42 hours of continuous playtime using Bluetooth and Active Noise Cancellation.

The Beoplay Portal PC PS

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

105

L A D O L C E V I TA • R I V I E R A F L A R E I N T H E T R O P I C S

RIVIERA FLARE IN THE TROPICS Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts debuts in the Maldives with a resort oriented towards sustainability

Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, part of the Marriott Bonvoy group of hospitality brands, announced the opening of Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa in September 2021. Developed in partnership with Singaporean developer Chiu Teng Enterprises, the resort marks the Paris-born brand’s debut in one of the world’s most desirable holiday destinations.

The 141-villa resort is spread across nine hectares at Thilamaafushi, the southern pocket of Lhaviyani Atoll, a 35-minute seaplane journey north of Velana International Airport at Malé. Thilamaafushi, which means “island surrounded by vast lagoon” in the local Dhivehi language, is a natural island abundant with indigenous flora and fauna. It is enveloped by a shimmering lagoon and coral reefs bursting with vibrant marine life, including pods of Manta Rays and turtles.

The resort’s 141 villas, either tucked amongst the tropical landscape or dotted over the Indian Ocean, offer tranquil views across the pristine beaches, the Indian Ocean, or the turquoise lagoon. A selection of one, two and three-bedroom villas feature a fusion of art and industrial design with clean lines, a muted colour palette and a contrast of renewable materials that foster “simplicity, openness, and functionality.”

The resort has six restaurants and bars, showcasing global tastes and locally harvested produce. Tabemasu, the resort’s signature restaurant inspired by Japanese fishing villages and water lanterns, features a teppanyaki counter and a private open-air pavilion where guests will enjoy an expertly prepared Omakase tasting menu.

Riviera, the resort’s adults-only bar, is a beachside playground framed by an oceanfront infinity pool and a private beach where lazy lunches flow into sunset spritzes. Waves Café, located amongst the banyan trees and swaying palms, offers a healthy and nourishing approach to dining through organic farm-to-table ingredients.

Velaa Bar+Grill, situated poolside, offers crafted cocktails and light dishes during the day and grilled seafood, meat and wood-fired delicacies in the evenings. The Le Méridien Hub, a social place, serves custom-brewed barista coffees as part of the brand’s collaboration with

106

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

The Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

107

L A D O L C E V I TA • R I V I E R A F L A R E I N T H E T R O P I C S

Le Méridien Hub at the Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

Riviera Bar at the Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

108

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Two Bedroom Overwater Villa Living Room at the Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa

illy coffee. Turquoise is a beachside marketplace where guests can choose from an array of global tastes and local dishes from breakfast to dinner.

“Au Soleil,” Le Méridien’s Riviera-inspired signature programme, will manifest itself as the “Golden Hour” at Thilamaafushi. At the end of a day under the sun, guests can enjoy European-inspired petit plates, specially designed rosé cocktails, and Le Scoop by Le Méridien gelato or sorbet, set against a soundtrack of live music and ocean waves.

The resort’s Explore Spa offers an extensive massage and body treatments menu, including Ayurvedic treatments, body scrub, body wrap, couples’ massages, eye treatment, facials, scalp and hair treatment, as well as instructions in the art of massage. The Waves Lifestyle Hub is a “wellbeing collective” set against ocean views. This boutique lifestyle space features an ocean-facing fitness studio, a yoga pavilion positioned high in the jungle, and Waves Café. This interactive creative arts studio focuses on local contemporary art. The Hub also features a retail emporium showcasing hand-crafted and contemporary lifestyle pieces.

The Marine Hub offers a range of conservation programmes, including mangrove and seagrass protection, turtle identification and snorkelling with a marine biologist.

This program offers guests the opportunity to name a turtle for themselves. Curious guests can discover an aquatic playground at the resort’s house reef that features four dive sites and a thila (sea mountain), all brimming with green and hawksbill turtles, various stingrays, shoals of colourful fish and numerous other reef dwellers. Farther

afield, the Atoll has around 50 renowned dive and thila sites. The resort also has a private island Bodu Finolhu, complete with tropical greenery and a 360-degree beach.

Families can take advantage of the Le Méridien Family and Kids’ Hub, with programming that ranges from day and night nature trails, folklore storytelling and sustainable art classes. The Greenhouse offers immersive family experiences, including micro-green planting and family foraging and cooking classes.

Thilamaafushi Marine Master’s programme was specially designed to inspire young adventurers to connect with their environment. This immersive programme is offered as stand-alone modules or a full curriculum that is scalable from young children to teens. Led by the resort’s marine biologist, topics include atoll topography, coral identification and health monitoring, turtle identification and, ray and shark protection.

According to the resort, ensuring “minimal environmental impact” was “paramount throughout the build and resort operations.” It claims a low carbon footprint through “leading-edge practices” that focus on renewable energy, waste reduction and usage of renewable resources. Standout initiatives include the widespread use of solar panels and one of Maldives’ largest state-of-the-art hydroponic farms. Guests can learn first-hand hydroponic practices and their links to traditions of foraging and preserving – gardento-plate philosophies and their impact on the host archipelago nation.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

109

L A D O L C E V I TA • A N O R I E N TA L R E J U V E N AT I O N

RAKxa Wellness & Medical Retreat

110

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

AN ORIENTAL REJUVENATION Thailand’s RAKxa wellness retreat combines the modern and the oriental to deliver bespoke treatments

RAKxa (pronounced Rak-sa), Asia’s first fully integrated wellness and medical retreat, offers tailored wellness programmes designed by world-class medical doctors and traditional healing experts. It promises a transformative experience through personalized two-to-fourteen night programmes with longterm health goals in mind.

RAKxa is located on Bang Krachao, the protected 16 square kilometres jungle-clad island across the Chao Phraya River from Bangkok. Therefore, it is only an hour from both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports. The island is a natural oasis, peacefully isolated from the city, yet conveniently located for international travellers.

Guests can opt from three types of accommodations at RAKxa, all of which are designed to foster deep rest and relaxation, and managed in partnership with the Minor International hospitality brand. The Garden Villa, tucked in a stretch of tropical greenery, features a bedroom with an adjoining living room and a terrace to take in the surroundings.

The Pool Villa, with lakefront views, also has a bedroom with an adjoining living room and a terrace, plus a private pool. The Residences, overlooking the Chao Phraya River, come with a lush garden, a private swimming pool, treatment room and gym. The latter two enable health and wellness professionals to offer in-residence sessions.

The individualized treatment programmes at RAKxa begin with a full diagnostic overview comprising medical lab tests and evidence-based physical assessments carried out by certified medical doctors from VitalLife Scientific Wellness Clinic - a subsidiary of Thailand’s Bumrungrad International Hospital with over 19 years of expertise.

Once the diagnostic test results are compiled and studied, a bespoke, comprehensive plan of action is proposed, based on the packages available, and in consultation with experts of time-honored healing disciplines such as traditional Thai, Chinese, Ayurvedic and energy healing practices. This methodology applies to all programmes, whether addressing a pre-existing condition or simply maintaining the overall wellbeing through meditative or body-strengthening means. Also, it covers all dimensions of the self: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

RAKxa’s treatment packages, on which the individualized programmes are based, include YOUR DNA, Long-Covid, Immunity Boosting, Detox, De-Stress, GUT Health, Mobilisation, Weight Management, Facial & Body Solution and a Discover RAKxa programme.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

111

L A D O L C E V I TA • A N O R I E N TA L R E J U V E N AT I O N

112

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

RAKxa Wellness & Medical Retreat

RAKxa’s Weight Management Programme, as the name suggests, helps each guest hone in on their ideal weight. A team of experienced medical doctors and specialists in health and wellness, nutrition and physical therapy work with individuals to establish and achieve their goals. It integrates innovative weight-loss technology with holistic, natural techniques, with a focus on long-term weight management, detoxification and energy balancing for an all-around mindbody wellness regimen.

It begins with a health and wellness consultation, followed by an anti-inflammatory or detoxifying cuisine programme. It includes hydrotherapy such as the vitality pool, herbal steam room, sauna and cold plunge pool.

Each guest also benefits from a personalized nutrition plan facilitated by a VitalLife dietician, allowing each guest the chance to continue their weight-management journey once they return home.

RAKxa’s personalized detox programme, lasting 5, 7 or 10 nights, begins with a medical examination crafted to reveal the body’s toxin levels. The results allow specialists and advisors to tailor a programme that supports the body’s natural detoxification process, helping eliminate external and internal elements that do more harm than good.

This programme, designed for overall detoxification of the body and mind, fuses innovative technologies - such as potent vitamin IV fluids - with cleansing cuisine, natural Ayurvedic remedies and traditional Chinese and Thai massages and medicines. The stated objectives are enhanced

immune function, reduced effects of pollutants, reduced allergic symptoms, improvement in alertness, and a sense of calm overall.

RAKxa’s Medical Gym brings together technology, functional medicine and the science of movement to tailor holistic exercise routines for its guest, either as a standalone program or as part of a broader treatment regime. It all begins with understanding each guest’s body by assessing kinetics using state-of-the-art equipment. The training plan blends modern and traditional exercises for a well-rounded regimen targeting strength and serenity.

The cuisine served at RAKxa, customized for each guest’s stay at RAKxa and beyond, is designed to help the body eliminate harmful toxins and food causing inflammation and allergies, while restoring a healthy balance. This approach to eating is “based on a deep understanding of gut and body imbalances caused by the average modern diet.”

The focus here is on ingredients - their origins and seasonality - the history of each dish, and the benefits of sustainable eating. The fresh, nutrient-dense cuisine comprises local organic produce, heirloom grains, sustainable wild-caught seafood and grass-fed organic meats. They are prepared using ancient Southeast Asian recipes that bring regional gastronomy to life.

RAKxa’s transformative experience may begin at the wellness retreat, but each programme routine and diet is designed to carry on long after guests leave, and into their daily routines back home.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

113

R E S TA U R A N T S

FOR JOYOUS OCCASIONS St. Regis Downtown Dubai has curated two new experiences at two of its most popular venues The St. Regis Downtown Dubai, a hospitality brand of the Marriott International group, has curated two new experiences for families and friends to enjoy - from a new sizzling barbeque brunch at the alfresco terrace of Italian restaurant Basta to a special ladies’ night at Mediterranean restaurant Bleu Blanc.

Basta fuses the food and feel of a Roman trattoria, Florentine steakhouse and Neapolitan pizzeria into one exceptional restaurant. The all-new St. Regis Brunch at Basta combines the traditions and rituals of the brand.

It offers unlimited Bloody Marys and champagne sabering throughout the brunch as a homage to the history of St. Regis Hotels. The experience is heightened with a live jazz band.

There are live stations offering the best selections from each of the hotel’s

114

restaurants, such as the Italian-inspired bites from Basta, Mediterranean flavours from Bleu Blanc, and fine pastries and desserts from The Library.

The event is hosted on the alfresco terrace overlooking the Dubai Water Canal, surrounded by lush greenery and sparkling waters, every Friday between 1 pm and 4 pm.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Bleu Blanc is the relaxed Mediterranean dining venue at St. Regis Downtown, combining authentic flavours with a laid-back continental style. Located on the mezzanine floor, its culinary art is centred on its wood-fired hearth. The menu features succulent wood-fire-grilled meat cuts, the freshest flavours of the sea and quality oysters.

A variety of specially designed cocktails are served with flair and complemented by an extensive grape selection.

Overlooking the waters of the Dubai Water Canal, Bleu Blanc now offers a new extensive weekend offer for ladies. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, ladies can enjoy two complimentary beverages and 50% off on the food menu.

The evening’s experience is accompanied by live beats by the resident DJ. Doors open at 8 pm, and stay open till 11 am.

LEISURELY DELICACIES Presenting Anása Greek restaurant at the Conrad Dubai hotel Conrad Dubai opened the doors to its newest dining venue. Anása serves Greek gastronomic delights - fresh, simple, and delicious food that is central to the laidback lifestyle of the Aegean.

Anása, meaning ‘breath,’ features live Greek music every weekend to create an authentic ambience.

“Our team at Conrad Dubai is thrilled to introduce a unique restaurant offering that boasts a mouth-watering menu, friendly service and a relaxing atmosphere,” said Todori Kalamaris, General Manager, Conrad Dubai. “We aim to provide unparalleled hospitality for our guests and visitors, in true Greek ‘filoxenia’ or ‘love of strangers’ style. Anása offers a memorable and easy-going dining experience, with a warm ambience and a standout menu.”

Executive Chef Ilias Doulamis is passionate about serving the most authentic cuisine, like those in Greece. The menu selection strikes a balance of classic

flavour and fresh local ingredients. Guests can expect to find fresh staple plates such as Dakos (bread rusk salad), Tzatziki and Taramosalata from the orektika; octopus on the grill, Lauraki A la Spetsiota (Cod

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

fricassee) and Astakomakaronada (lobster and pasta) from the mains. To end with, a sweet note of the traditional orange cake, Portokalopita.

To accompany its culinary offering, guests can choose from an extensive range of traditional Greek beverages, in addition to a comprehensive European selection.

The rustic decor is designed to encourage guests to take things at a leisurely pace. In the cooler months, guests also have the option of dining outdoors, on the terrace.

Anása is open only for dinner, daily from 7 pm to 1 am.

Conrad Dubai is a 51-storey luxury hotel conveniently located on Sheikh Zayed Road, opposite Dubai World Trade Centre.

In addition to Anása, the hotel’s dining options include al fresco dining at Ballaro, Bliss 6 pool area, the Korean Kimpo bar and Isla, an elegant lobby lounge. The hotel also features a fully-equipped spa with a fitness centre.

115

R E S TA U R A N T S

CULINARY THEATRICS Hyde Hotel’s Katsuya experience is as much about dining as it is about offering a visual treat Katsuya, the all-new fine-dining flagship restaurant at Hyde Hotel Dubai, Business Bay, is now open. Conceptualized over 15 years ago by Los Angeles’ renowned Master Sushi Chef, Katsuya Uechi, the restaurant showcases Japanese culture and cuisine through its skilled chefs and age-old cooking techniques.

Chef Pavel Nigai, the creative head at Katsuya Dubai, has curated a menu that pays homage to past and present Katsuya restaurants with a variety of Japanese favorites such as house rolls, specialty sushi and sashimi platters, perfectly steamed dumplings and robata grilled meats.

Signature dishes include the Katsuya Roll, a mix of scallop, snow crab, yellowtail, tuna, salmon and avocado, wrapped in soy paper, sushi rice and cucumber, served with a side of wasabi ponzu. The buttery Miso Black Cod, marinated in rich miso sauce for 48 hours and served on a dried magnolia leaf. The Premium A4 Japanese Wagyu Beef is grilled medium rare and served with fresh wasabi root and Japanese chimichurri.

116

The perfect side dish comes in the form of Crispy Brussel Sprouts, drizzled with a sticky balsamic tsume and topped with toasted almonds, scallions, and bonito flakes. Dessert platters feature decadent creations that will ensure every meal ends on the sweetest note. For accompaniment, Katsuya offers an extensive drinks menu of sake, premium house grapes and beverages, along with signature cocktails and mocktails concocted by the restaurant’s mixologists.

Diners looking for an exclusive and artistic dining experience can turn to

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

the highly sought-after 12-seat Omakase Bar. Named after the Japanese phrase for “leave it to the chef,” Omakase bar is a visual delight that offers diners an immersive experience.

The fully customizable, progressive menu spans over eight courses, individually curated ahead of time by the chef to surprise guests. Diners seated at the bar get to watch Head Chef Pavel Nigai, a nearly 20-year veteran, demonstrate his masterful craftsmanship and expansive knowledge of Japanese cuisine as he carefully prepares the dishes customized to each guest’s preferences.

Chef Pavel commented: “The team has been working hard since day one to organize a fully coordinated team who are well-trained and equipped to deliver unforgettable dining experiences to all guests. We pride ourselves on using the best quality Japanese ingredients and serving our guests with energy and vigor.

You will feel at home once you walk through our doors and are welcomed enthusiastically with the Japanese greeting, Irasshaimase!”

BUSINESS LUNCH WITH LATIN FLAVOUR Sucre restaurant at DIFC expands its menu to cater to the business lunch clientele After the successful launch of its third global venue in DIFC earlier this year, Sucre has now diversified its offering with the introduction of a business lunch. The menu features a selection of the finest Latin American inspired dishes curated by Master chef Fernando Trocca himself.

Sucre restaurant has repeatedly ranked in the World’s 50 Best Latin American list, along with numerous other accolades along the way. Inspired by global culinary influences, Trocca brings a combination of exciting flavours to his menu, all while staying true to his Latin roots - grounded in traditional open fire techniques. Sucre now translates the same flavour for which it is acclaimed into an everevolving two-course menu, which will be refreshed weekly.

Guests have a choice of indoor seating - with the captivating open kitchen as the backdrop – or terrace seating with DIFC in the background. Sucre exudes a relaxed, yet stylish ambience paired with premium hospitality, the perfect midweek or business lunch setting.

Guests have the option to pick between a selection of starters. Sample dishes include Corn and Cheese Humita Empanadas

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

served with Chili tomato jam; Spicy Octopus Tostada with avocado, cabbage and corn; a fresh Tuna and Watermelon Ceviche topped with lime and coriander.

As for the mains, both vegetarians and meat-lovers have options with dishes like Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli laid on a bed of tomato and hazelnuts; Sea Bream, Clams and Chorizo topped with chilli and caper butter; Striploin cooked to perfection with black garlic butter and grilled baby gem.

Diners have the choice to order from a selection of side dishes such as broken potato and humita. Sucre’s signature desserts are also available and can be ordered A la carte, from the Dulce de Leche Fondant to Basque Cheesecake and Lemon Curd Tarte.

Sucre’s business lunch is available on weekdays, from Monday to Friday, between 12 pm and 3 pm.

117

L A D O L C E V I TA • F O R O C E A N ’ S S A K E

FOR OCEAN’S SAKE Parley for the Oceans’ latest artistic collaboration is with German artist Rosemarie Trockel

Renowned German Conceptual artist Rosemarie Trockel has produced 20 limited edition surfboards titled Albatros, as part of her collaboration with Parley for the Oceans - an alliance to end marine plastic pollution by intercepting plastic waste from beaches, islands, and in remote coastal communities. All proceeds from the sale of the surfboards will support Parley’s Global Cleanup Network.

Born 1952 in Schwerte, Germany, Rosemarie is widely regarded as one of the most influential and important conceptual artists in her home country. Her first exhibitions took place at the galleries Monika Sprüth Cologne and Philomene Magers Bonn, both in 1983. Since then, she has been one of the most versatile female artists.

Her sculptures, collages, ceramics, knitted works, drawings and photographs are noted for their subtle social critique and range of subversive, aesthetic strategies — including the reinterpretation of “feminine” techniques, the ironic shifting of cultural codes, a delight in paradox, and a refusal to conform to the commercial and institutional ideologies of the art system.

Parley for the Oceans is the global network where creators, thinkers and leaders from the creative industries, brands, governments and environmental groups come together to

118

raise awareness for the beauty and fragility of the oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their destruction.

The organization has formed alliances with major partners, including Adidas, Anheuser-Busch InBev, American Express, the Republic of the Maldives, the United Nations, and the World Bank. Collaborators span the worlds of science, art, fashion, design, entertainment, sports, space and ocean exploration.

The surfboards designed by Rosemarie unite the worlds of art and surfing as a messenger for the cause. Each is a surfable symbol and a call for eco-innovation, creativity and collaboration to protect our oceans. The surf community is as vital to the Parley mission as the artists, as they know the oceans like no others. The project, therefore, is “a synthesis of a surfer’s love for the ocean and an artist’s imaginative call for change.”

The title of the work Albatros refers to one of the most celebrated poems by Charles Baudelaire, published in the second edition of the volume Les Fleurs du Mal. Baudelaire recounts the grace of the “king of the sky” in flight and its misfortunes on land - alluding to the artist and poet soaring high in their creative worlds, in contrast to the mundanity of daily life. Albatrosses glide above the waves, as do surfers, imbued with the forces of the oceans.

SIGNÉ • EDITION 44

Signed, Sealed, Delivered Subscribe to Signé, the finest curated, luxury lifestyle magazine experience in the region.

Refined in content, elegant in aspect, elite in readership.

w w w. s i g n e m a g a z i n e . c o m / s u b s c r i b e

signe_magazine

@SigneMagazine

SCAN ME

@signemagazine

Scan the QR Code to view the subscription page on your smartphones or tablets.