THE INSPIRATION FROM AROUND THE WORLD FOR AN AESTHETIC AND MEANINGFUL LIFESTYLE ISSUE N o 02 | 2021 thestylemate.com
Stylemate
think! T H E S T Y L E M AT E .C O M
and then act right.
2
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
IN THIS ISSUE
Essentials page 3
LIFESTYLEHOTELS selection:
LIFE:
What is the f***ing problem? pages 4–7
Hotel Heureka page LH 1
By Helder Suffenplan: Perfume for peace! page 8
Gradonna Mountain Resort Chalets & Hotel page LH 2
The taste of a clean conscience pages 9–11
EALA My Lakeside Dream page LH 3
The future of shopping pages 12–13 Franzobel page 14 STYLE:
Prêt-à-changer pages 16–18 Collected Fragments page 19 Fragility and transcience pages 20–21 In the name of the tassel pages 22–23 Outdoors is the new indoors pages 24–25 Democratic design pages 26–27
Bergland Design and Wellness Hotel Sölden page LH 4 Sportresidenz Zillertal page LH 5 New Member: Steinach Townhouse Meran page LH 6 New Member: Alpenstern Panoramahotel page LH 7 New Member: Sir Adam & Sir Albert page LH 8 Arabella Retreat & Spa page LH 9
Summer has arrived, and with it a longyearned-for slice of freedom. There are times when it feels like it was “before”. Then you start getting a bit nostalgic. Somehow, you can't stop yourself from thinking about it. There doesn’t seem to be an innocent light-heartedness anymore. We also have these thoughts, and it’s this “contemplation” that we’ve devoted this issue to. We met free-diver and environmental activist Christian Redl, who supports the protection of the sea through his 7Oceans project. We spoke to him about climate change, ghost nets, overfishing and the plundering of the world’s oceans. What is there to be positive about? The fact that Christian Redl believes there is a solution to every problem. We also want to believe that. And it gets easier when you consider the many people who try to make a difference through their work. Day in, day out. We invited chefs Stefanie Herkner and Paul Ivić for an interview, took a look around the new Green Pea shopping centre in Turin, which is entirely dedicated to sustainability, and got to know several sustainable fashion labels a little better. There are also many special characters in craft and design with ideas along the right lines – as there are at our LIFESTYLEHOTELS. Once again, we’ve been lucky enough to get to know some incredibly interesting people who we’ve been able to contemplate with. Because that’s what matters: not eliminating things but rather acting consciously and in harmony with nature. Preferably all together. But first of all, we hope we can encourage you to contemplate with our “thoughtful” issue.
New Member: Torel Boutiques pages LH 10-11 Directory LIFESTYLEHOTELS page LH 12
Thomas Holzleithner & Hardy Egger EDITORS
Be sure to subscribe to THE Stylemate so you'll never miss an issue! thestylemate.com
IM PRIN T Media owner and publisher: Prime Time Touristik & Marketing GmbH, Schmiedgasse 38/1, 8010 Graz, Austria Editors: Thomas Holzleithner & Hardy Egger Editor-in-chief: Mag. Nina Prehofer Managing editor: DI (FH) Christin Maier-Erlach Cover photo: Marc Hillesheim Layout: VON K Brand Design Writers: Franzobel, Helder Suffenplan, Lisbeth Wild, Jana Inga Trenner, Hedi Grager, Nora Palzenberger Translators: Katherine Nussey, Lisbeth Wild Advertising: office@thestylemate.com Printed by: Medienfabrik Graz, 8020 Graz Published in: Graz Publication: 3 x yearly
Cover Photo: Marc Hillesheim, Photo: Heldentheater
Imprint page 2
3
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
essentials CERAMIC ART Onka Allmayer-Beck worked for many years at large fashion houses, with her life at the time revolving around Milan. With the change of scenery of her return to Vienna, her creative path also changed: she started making items out of clay. What was initially a hobby is now her job, and with great attention to detail and a high standard of craftsmanship, she creates joyful pieces that have already been exhibited at renowned galleries around the world. All of her pieces are made entirely by hand in Vienna.
W E A R I N G N AT U R A L C O L O U R S Slow fashion label Rudolf was established in 2014 by Antonia Maedel and Lisa Mladek. All of their yarns are dyed with plant-based colours at the company’s own dye works in Vienna, and the items of clothing and home accessories are made exclusively in Austria, within a maximum radius of 150 km. The new collection will be available from September and is markedly colourful. A highlight is the pleated Franz skirt made out of 100% Merino wool.
instagram.com/onxydizzyfingers
rudolfvienna.com, Franz skirt € 249
SET SAIL! Old sailing and climbing ropes are the new raw materials. It is from these ropes that New York-based Austrian designer Sophie Sevigny makes individual mats that will give any house a joyful and unique lift. The idea came about in 2011 on a sailing trip to Nantucket. The knotting technique that Sevigny employs for her work harks back to traditional sailors’ knots that have been used for hundreds of years. serpentsea.com, from € 245
I N T H I S
E D I T I ON
A R E Y O U S I T T I N G S U S T A I N A B LY ? Back in 1933, Artek released the Stool 60. Designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, millions of the number one stool of all stools have now been sold, not least because of its simple design language and practical, simple use – like being easy to stack. And that’s before you consider the sustainable manufacturing of the design object. No wonder the Stool 60 was honoured with the German Sustainability Award in the Design Icons category in December 2020. artek.fi, from € 239
Photos: provided by/credit: Rudolf Vienna, Serpent Sea, Onka Allmayer-Beck, Wever Ducré, Artek, Rendl
TA K E A R E F R E S H I N G D I P !
ELEGANT AND TIMELESS Jules Wabbes (1919–1974) had a penchant for finding new ideas at flea markets. It’s no wonder people said that the Belgian architect and furniture designer had a unique eye for shapes and materials. And that is apparent in his countless designs, which still haven’t gone out of fashion even today. A shining example is the chandelier, developed in the 1970s, whose futuristic form is as much at home in a modern bar as in a posh hotel lobby. weverducre.com/j.j.w.-collection
Viennese designer Rosa Rendl sells swimsuits and bikinis for all body shapes. The designs and colours have been kept basic and classic, with comfort and a positive feel being the top priority. The summer essentials are made out of high-tech fabrics from Italy that incorporate recycled nylon. The benefits of the sustainable Econyl material are that it is quick drying, has a high resistance to chlorine and offers UV protection. rendl.co, from € 100
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 || 2021 2021
what is the
f ***ing problem?
4 LIFE
5
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
LIFE
Christian Redl
Photos: Jörg Carstensen
is angry. At people who throw their rubbish out the window. At everyone still gleefully drinking water from a plastic bottle. At politicians whose solutions only look good on the surface. And at everyone that has stopped thinking and acting independently. With his 7Oceans project, he wants to better protect the oceans. Not just because he loves them – but because all of our lives depend on it.
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
6 LIFE
Every second breath we take comes out of the oceans.
Including our own.
7
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
LIFE Do the oceans still need saving? I’ve always been an optimist and I always will be. That’s why I say “yes, but…”. In my opinion, we need to say goodbye to unrealistic scenarios that are unfortunately more likely to be heard in the current narrative. We need realism, solutions that people can actually implement. For me, it makes more sense to give lots of people a bit more responsibility than for a few people to totally change their way of life. The oceans are normally “only” linked with plastic waste. But the problem we’ll have if we don’t look out for the oceans is much, much bigger. In Austria, very few people understand why even we are dependent on the ocean. The horizon ends with the mountains and global connections can appear to be misunderstood. Every second breath we take comes out of the oceans. Including our own. To be fair, we should give the topic more attention. Up to now, we’ve only protected 3% of the oceans – that’s nothing! Our goal is to safeguard 30% of the oceans with protected areas by 2030. And that’s the only chance we have, because the climate is controlled largely by the oceans. You’re a free-diver, multiple world record holder and have worked as a stuntman. How did you become an environmental activist? I did my first dive with a tank in the Red Sea when I was 16. I’ve been back there countless times since. As a child, I watched all of the films by Hans Hass and Jacques Cousteau and I know what the Red Sea looked like in the 50s and then 30 years ago. The transformation to today is shocking! Then the topic of plastic waste gained more traction on social media and I saw the film For the love of the game by David Beckham. He wanted to give something back because he’s grateful for everything he’s got in life. That inspired me and led to my 7Oceans project. I wanted to give something back to the sea as well. I want to be the mouthpiece of the oceans. And offer a platform for solutions at the same time.
You discuss many topics through 7Oceans: how plastic is polluting the seas, climate change and the resulting coral bleaching, overfishing, ghost nets, the plundering of the seas, shipwrecks and the practice of shark finning. With such a huge range of problems, where do you start and what have you and your fellow campaigners resolved to do? As the name suggests, we want to dedicate ourselves to the world’s seven oceans. In summer, we’re going to start shooting our film. We’re going to dive in all of the world’s oceans and show their beauty. But also the problems. We don’t want to make a film that leaves the viewer feeling powerless, numb or just wanting to keep looking the other way at the end. I’ve also resolved to show solutions and think it’s really important to appeal to people’s individual sense of responsibility. It’s possible to do something on a small scale and the more people that do something, the more impact these small measures will have. I’m convinced that there are solutions for all problems. What upsets you the most? The fact that most people won’t take on any more individual responsibility. That we know more about Mars than about the oceans. That there are people who think fish don’t feel any pain. That supposed solutions from politicians are so widely accepted. What do you mean by that? Electric cars, for example. At the moment, we’re expected to all be driving electric cars by 2030. But I wonder whether an electric car with its huge battery can really be the solution? How do we get all the components? By exploiting the depths of the ocean on the hunt for nickel and other similar materials, releasing metals that poison marine life. What do we do with our old diesel and petrol cars? Send them to Africa! Are they suddenly less of a problem over there? What do we do with the batteries when they stop working? What are the risks in the event of a crash? What impact does the battery have on our body when we’re sitting on top of it? In my opinion, there must be more promising solutions than electric cars, but the industry has invested so much money that now they want their profit from it. I predict that in ten years, we’ll be told that electric cars unfortunately aren’t the solution. At the moment, we’re putting all our faith in natural gas or e-fuels.
You say the example of the shark can be used to explain a lot. Can you tell us a bit more about that? If we look at the ecological pyramid of the ocean, the shark is right at the top. Sharks are the governors of the ocean, meaning there aren’t that many of them and they only reproduce with great difficulty. Nature must have considered that, because they’re the strongest. But if you remove the shark from the top of the pyramid through shark finning and other methods, animals further down in the pyramid then breed too much. That’s how the viscous circle begins. When nothing has a predator anymore, the ecological pyramid dies out completely and then the reefs are dead and empty. And if the ocean dies, people die. Unfortunately, there are still far too many stupid people who don’t understand that the shark is absolutely worthy of protection. What’s the problem with the oceans, why are people paying so little attention? The problem, which is also a metaphor, is: we’re standing on the beach and looking at the surface of the water. Everything looks beautiful. But what about underneath?! There aren’t any more fish because they’ve been totally wiped out by dynamite fishing, there are no sharks because they’ve been hauled out despite the ban on longlines. We’re always looking at the surface of the ocean, but we need to submerse ourselves to see the problems.
So what can be done? People need to be told the truth. I think the poles will melt and towns on the coast will be submerged. We need to act quickly to work out how to prevent that. By that, I mean structural solutions or relocations. It’s also true that there are too many people on the planet. So dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, don’t buy any more plastic bottles, eat less meat and stop disposing of waste in nature. I mean, what is the f***ing problem with chucking your rubbish in a bin? Most importantly: think about how to act responsibly.
C H R I S T I A N R E D l is a multiple free-diving world record holder and the founder of 7Oceans – for the love of the oceans. Under his leadership, 7Oceans organises trips, dives and events in order to raise awareness and donations to help solve the 7 problems identified. The journey with 7 dives in 77 feet in 7 oceans will be the kick-off to start the project. A documentary road movie will show the beauty of the oceans and also the impact of human behaviour.
But people are now aware of garbage patches. Yes, and now you can imagine what it looks like underneath. And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. But we come back to the problem of protecting the oceans, because in my opinion, the biggest problem is how to deal with international waters. No one feels responsible for it. Dynamite fishing is more or less unopposed here, but even in protected areas, Chinese fishermen outsmart the protective features and haul hundreds of sharks out of the water, only to then throw their living bodies back into the water with their fins cut off. It’s been so long since international warships were there and the perpetrators immediately held to account that nothing will change.
Photos: Martin Aigner
I want to be the mouthpiece of the oceans.
And offer a platform for solutions at the same time.
savethe7oceans.net
8
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
perfume for F RAGRANCI NG AGA I N S T C L I MAT E C HANGE , MORE WOM EN ’S RIGH TS T HAN K S T O MOR E E AU DE T OI L E T T E, SPRAYI NG S CEN T FOR WOR L D PE AC E ? T HAT MAY S OU N D A BI T OP T I M I S T IC, BU T AC T UA L LY T H E R E A R E A L O T OF E XAM PL E S OF HOW EVEN T H E PER F UM E I N DU S T RY I S AT T E M P T I NG TO H EL P MA K E T H E WORL D A BET T ER PL AC E T O L I VE .
Competitors Givaudan are also striving for environmental protection and social responsibility, and through their own foundation they support vetiver growers in Haiti to improve infrastructure, healthcare and education in surrounding villages. Because vetiver is one of my favourite scents, I’m especially pleased by this. For me, a fragrance is even nicer when a large proportion of the ingredients are derived in justifiable conditions.
London perfume house Jo Malone has been inspired by the beauty of the British flora since 1990, releasing scents with charmingly simple names such as English Pear & Freesia and Poppy & Barley. A project emerged from this identity that has enabled the creation of eight of what they call Charity Gardens, where those with mental health issues can immerse themselves in nature in order to be able to better deal with vulnerability and isolation. Underground label Atelier PMP from Hamburg turns the fragrances themselves into ambassadors for a better world: Geschöpf (Being) appeals against discrimination and declares the right of people to reinvent themselves and to become their own person. The creation antianti aims to encourage positive thinking via the nose and actively doing something for good rather than always acting against something. However, with an annual turnover of around $50 billion, the perfume industry is more than just an aesthetic niche market. It’s a global industry with research centres, manufacturing facilities and distribution chains. The way the big and small brands make, package and ship their products determines whether urgent matters such as the use of resources, global warming and global justice are addressed. At this point, it’s important to know that the majority of fragrances sold in a perfume shop come from one of the five biggest manufacturers. Bottles flaunt the names of fancy fashion labels, even though the contents were most likely created and produced by companies like IFF, Firmenich, Givaudan, Symrise and Takasago. However, it’s all done according to the creative briefing from the brand, so if it says Armani on the
scentury.com
An area where the fragrance brands themselves need to do their homework is the packaging of perfumes. The quantity of the materials used is usually disproportionate to the quantity and transience of the contents. What’s more, the boxes are many times the volume of the bottle and are filled with inserts made out of plastic foam. The whole thing is then wrapped in film so no dust particles can tarnish the elaborately printed surface. This definition of luxury is so yesterday and it needs to stop! If we as consumers take care to only buy products that are as fair and sustainable as possible without too much packaging, we’ll be able to change a lot in this regard. My favourite example of this, of how scent – or the lack of it – can improve the world, is conclusive. In collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Firmenich has set up a project in India aiming to protect people from severe infectious diseases. The problem: when you don’t have your own toilet and public facilities smell so bad that you’d rather do your business somewhere out in the open, pathogens get into the drinking water and cause serious illnesses such as typhus and cholera. The solution: thanks to many years of fundamental research, Firmenich was able to develop a product that blocks receptors in the nose from foul-smelling molecules. People no longer sensed the smell, facilities were used once more and infection rates sank. But every one of us can do something good every day without the need for a billondollar foundation: fragrance improves our personal well-being and our happiness, making every spritz a contribution to world peace. So reach for your perfume bottle as often as possible and feel good about it!
peace The times of civet cats and musk oxes being slaughtered for a few millilitres of fragrance or rare plants almost being wiped out so people thousands of kilometres away can smell nice appear to be over. It’s in these situations that chemistry often comes to the rescue of nature: civet and musk are now chemically reproduced and rose essences in particular are synthesised in abundance. According to estimates, the entire planet would have to be covered in rose fields several times over to satisfy our appetite for the rose scent entirely from natural resources. That would no doubt look beautiful, but in the long run it might be somewhat monotonous and wouldn’t do anything for biodiversity.
HELDER SUFFENPLAN is an independent journalist and creative consultant from Berlin, and has had a particular passion for perfumes since he was a child. With his successful 2013 launch of SCENTURY.com – the very first online maga zine for perfume storytelling – Helder has become a recognised authority in the global world of fragrance. He has been on the jury for events such as The Arts & Olfaction Awards in Los Angeles and the Prix Inter national du Parfumeur Créateur in Paris. As a writer, he combines his passion topic of fragrances with a range of fields such as contemporary art, popular culture, literature, film and geopolitics. Photo: Atelier PMP
Just as there are in the fashion or the film industry, there are countless charity initiatives – for example, online perfume shops donating a portion of their profits to charitable organisations, or celebrities who use the medium of perfume to support aid organisations. Take Angelina Jolie, who passed on her fee, an estimated $10 million, from her Guerlain campaign for Mon Guerlain to an NGO in 2017. But there are other projects that arise from the specific structure and mentality of the perfume industry and can therefore only be found within this industry. These are a few of the most interesting.
outside, it’s Armani on the inside, too. Most of these perfume producers have acknowledged their responsibility for the future – perhaps with a better outcome compared with other industries. That’s why family company Firmenich in Geneva plans to be carbon neutral by 2025, and pledges to be climate positive by 2030, meaning they’ll remove more CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit.
9
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
changing the world
Photos: Stefanie Herkner, Ingo Pertramer
ONE FLAVOUR AT A TIME
I N T H E I R C ONVE R SAT ION S WI T H T H E ST YL E MAT E , T H E T WO AU ST R IAN C H E FS R E VE AL WHY T H E S O C IAL VALU E OF FO OD IS R E GAI N I NG I TS I M P ORTANC E , AN D GIVE T I P S ON HOW TO AC H I E VE ZE RO WAST E I N DAI LY L I F E .
In Stefanie Herkner and Paul Ivić’s restaurants, living sustainably every day takes pride of place on the menu.
10
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
IT’S TIME FOR A RETHINK REGIONA L I T Y, ORGAN IC A L LY FA R M E D I NGREDI EN TS , SIGNAT URE DI SH ES RATHER THAN AN ENORMOUS MENU AND A HUGE PORTION OF HUMANI T Y – VIENNESE PUB L ANDL ADY STEFANIE HERKNER REVEALS HOW SUSTAI NABI L I T Y AN D CUI SI N E C AN WOR K SE AM L E SSLY TO GET H ER .
Your motto is “Cuisine with heart”. What’s in this big heart? A passion for detail, passion for quality and passion for great flavours. But there’s also something deeply feminine and motherly about this attentiveness, and the heart always plays a big part in that. Based on which criteria do you select the ingredients for your dishes? It’s so important to look at where the ingredients come from. Do they come from the other side of the world, a huge factory or from a small local farm? For me, it’s always the latter. I’m fortunate that my family has a small farm where I spent most of my time as a child, and I saw how potatoes grow. I know how vegetables grown in your own garden taste and are supposed to taste.
As a layperson, which organic traps might it be easy for me to fall into? When it says organic, but it comes from the other side of the world – that’s definitely not the right thing to go for. Also, organic standards vary quite a lot around the world. There are many farmers in Austria that are more than organic enough, but they don’t tick all the boxes when it comes to “official” organic criteria. I’m currently working on the organic certification of my pub, which is quite a challenge, but I’m determined to take it on. I want to do my bit, to progress. It’s time for a rethink.
Let’s talk food waste. What are your three tips for being more conscious with food? I think it’s important to shop at local farmers markets or a small delicatessen. Most things have no packaging, they’re seasonal, and you tend to only buy what you actually need. I also recommend looking in the fridge and the cupboards before cooking or going shopping, and just making something from what’s there. It’s a lot of fun! My parents are old school when it comes to cooking and will make something out of anything, and nothing goes to waste.
How can food make the world a better place? Good food just makes you happy! Food brings us together. On my cookery courses, I see how a group of people who have been thrown together can get along as if they’ve known each other forever – from stranger to friend in an instant. That makes me happy. If we now continue to look at what we eat, we can improve the world, the climate and many other things besides. zurherknerin.at
What’s the perfect recipe for using up scraps? My mum is saddened the most when people throw away bread. It hurts me, too. Bread isn’t just good for dumplings and breadcrumbs. You can also make bread soup with warming spices, herby croutons to go with soup or thin bread crisps to nibble on. I love simple things like that. How has food culture changed during the pandemic? I get the feeling that people are paying more attention to where things come from. A new level of awareness has arisen from the momentary standstill. We’re concentrating on meals and ingredients much more and quality is therefore increasing in importance.
What does sustainability mean for you personally, and from a chef ’s perspective? For me, the personal and the professional are one and the same. I respect every ingredient, I respect nature and I respect our resources. It’s extremely important to me where products come from and how they were made. Connection with food and appreciation for it is the most important thing. Small operations and regionality are the top priorities for me – and flavour, of course!
STEFANIE
HERKNER
Photo: Stefanie Herkner
BORN AND RAISED IN VIENNA , STEFANIE HERKNER SPENT PERIODS IN THE LONDON AND VIENNA CREATIVE INDUSTRIES BEFORE REALISING HER DREAM OF OWNING A PUB IN 2013. IN THE FORMER PREMISES OF AN INSTALLATION COMPANY ON WIEDNER HAUPTSTRASSE, SHE HAS SINCE BEEN SERVING UP AU THENTIC AND HONEST HOME- COOKED FOOD. ONE OF HER SPECIALITIES IS DUMPLINGS, AND YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO MAKE THEM YOURSELF DURING REGULAR WORKSHOPS HOSTED BY THE CHEF HERSELF.
11
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
FLAVOUR IS OUR BIGGEST ALLY
LIFE Interview Nora Palzenberger
H E’S R E VOLU T ION ISE D VE GE TA R IAN C O OK I NG AN D HA S J US T REL EA SED H I S T H I R D C O OK B O OK R E S T L O S GLÜCKLIC H: PAUL I VIĆ I S A M ICH EL I N S TA R-RAT E D C H E F, AN D H E SP OK E TO US A B OU T CONS CIOUS EN JOYM EN T, H I S ROL E A S A BR I D GE BU I L DER AN D T H E TA S T E OF H I S C H I L DHO OD.
How do you convince a dedicated carnivore to book a table at your Michelin star vegetarian restaurant TIAN? With the absolute best flavours. Even after ten years, we still get diners (mainly men) who at first are rather uptight, as if their last meal on this earth is going to be without meat. But after the second course they start to relax because they realise, wow, that’s creative – not stupidly creative, just a really exciting experience. Then you start talking to people, and in that situation, flavour is our biggest ally. I see us as being bridge builders. Food should be fun, especially when you eat with us.
A quote from your new cookbook reads: “And if the world could be improved with simple enjoyment alone, who could possibly say no?” How can the world be made a better place through conscious enjoyment? I think food needs to be looked at as a whole. It starts right at the beginning with farming – from monocultures that ruin the soil to herbicides and pesticides, which I’m not saying are good, but I also don’t want to completely demonise. Over-fertilisation leads to nitrites in the water and it is therefore poisoned. Then the hormones and antibiotics used in fishing and animal
fattening are harmful to us and lead to antibiotic resistance. Also, when we buy cheap food, we’re automatically exploiting people who are forced to work for low pay. So with every purchase we’re doing something to change a part of this system. Can you give us a couple of tangible tips to make our food consumption more conscious? Before going shopping, I write down what I actually need. I don’t put too much in the trolley – I’d rather go back a second time. And as a first step, I try to at least go for organic foods. What I would avoid as much as possible are industrially processed foods, because it’s so much more worthwhile cooking something good for yourself. And maybe simply speak to farmers who grow organically, as you’ll learn a great deal from them.
How important is the social value of food these days? I think the social value has always been very high, perhaps some people are even more aware of it now. When I think back to my childhood, I remember the smell of vanilla biscuits, Tyrolean bacon dumplings, being together and testing cake batter. And that creates an insanely deep connection and the seed is sown. Eating is more than just a quick intake of food – it also has a strong influence on our economy, our environment, our social behaviour and our health. tian-restaurant.com
You’re pleading with people to avoid waste and use up their scraps. Do you have a simple recipe that will leave our organic waste bins empty? When I cook for my young daughter, I peel the carrots because they taste a bit better that way. I leave the peel to dry, then you can use it to whip up an amazing vegetable stock – I actually made some this morning. Leave the carrot peel to simmer for 15 minutes in two litres of water with some dried celery and onion peel, add a pinch of salt and reduce it a bit – and voilà! During the lockdown imposed by the pandemic, you gave us some entertaining cooking battles on Instagram with restaurateur Sepp Schellhorn, as well as creating the new TIAN zuhause product line. What flavour do you associate with coronavirus? A delicate bittersweet flavour. Sweet because of the birth of our child last summer – the best experience of all! And bitter because we couldn’t do what we really wanted to do: cook and entertain guests.
Photos: Ingo Pertramer/Brandstätter Verlag
PAUL
IVIĆ'S
CULINARY JOURNEY BEGAN AT THE AGE OF 14, WHEN THE TYROLEAN NATIVE OF CROATIAN HERITAGE NO LONGER WANTED TO GO TO SCHOOL AND HIS SISTER SUGGESTED THAT HE BECOME A CHEF. THE PATH OF THE COMMITTED ADVOCATE OF ORGANIC FARMING PASSED THROUGH GERMANY, AUSTRIA AND SWITZERLAND BEFORE FINALLY STOPPING IN VIENNA , WHERE HE’S BEEN HEAD CHEF AND MANAGER OF THE TIAN FLAGSHIP RESTAURANT SINCE 2011. WITH HIS INCOMPARABLY REFINED CREATIONS MADE FROM VEGETARIAN, FAIRLY PRODUCED INGREDIENTS, WHICH INCLUDE VIRTUALLY FORGOTTEN VARIETIES OF FRUIT, VEGETABLES AND GRAINS, THE FATHER OF ONE WAS AWARDED A MICHELIN STAR AND FOUR GAULT&MILLAU TOQUES FOR TIAN IN VIENNA . TIAN IS THEREFORE ONE OF ONLY A FEW VEGETARIAN/VEGAN MICHELIN STAR RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE. ITS GERMAN COUNTERPART, TIAN IN MUNICH, HAS BOASTED A MICHELIN STAR AND TWO GAULT&MILLAU TOQUES SINCE 2019. FOLLOWING ON FROM DIE VEGETARISCHE SOMMERKÜCHE AND DIE VEGETARISCHE WINTERKÜCHE, RESTLOS GLÜCKLICH IS THE THIRD COOKBOOK FROM THE AWARD -WINNING CHEF.
12
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
The Green Pea shopping centre in Turin is the perfect demonstration of what a sustainable 360-degree shopping experience can look like. THE Stylemate took a closer look at this exceptional green project.
the future of
Since the mid-2000s, Italian Oscar Farinetti has revolutionised Italy’s shopping landscape with his culinary marketplaces, and turned local food and dishes into the state of the art. His Eataly concept is a blend of shopping and a food experience, where delicatessens and supermarkets meet almost fine dining. Farinetti now runs over 40 Eataly branches around the world and is one of the biggest international purveyors of Italian consumer goods.
Photos: Fabio Oggero
And the success story of this self-made man continues: his new megaproject, the Green Pea shopping centre, is the epitome of a sustainable shopping experience. The shopping centre is a meeting place devoted to an entirely new means of consumerism that offers high-quality, sustainable products with a focus on Italian origin. What all of the products and services on offer have in common is that they have little or no impact on the environment. He is supported in this endeavour by his son Francesco, who is the president and CEO. For the Farinetti family, the name is a symbol of respect: the round shape of the pea represents the Earth as a whole and the solidarity we should display. Its green colour embodies respect and the attention we should pay to our planet so that we can continue living here in the future. You could also say that the pea represents a green, global lifestyle.
13
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
LIFE
shopping
The five-storey Green Pea building, which boasts highlights such as a large pool on the roof, is the work of architects Christiano Cartino (ACC Naturale Architettura) and Carlo Grometto (Negozio Blu Architetti Associati) and has an entirely organic and sustainable design. It is made almost exclusively out of recycled and recyclable materials. All 15,000 square metres of the structure are also fully recyclable and, as requested by the founder, can be dismantled using just a screwdriver. The predominant materials are wood and steel, while lush planted areas blend the interior with the exterior of the building. Heat and electricity are obtained via a geothermal installation and photovoltaic panels. But what about the inside of this shopping mecca? Its five floors allow you to indulge in sustainable shopping and cultural experiences. The ground floor caters for a green lifestyle – from electric cars to green energy, there’s a diverse range of concepts and ideas to explore, and you can also pay a visit to the building’s own Green Pea Discovery Museum. The first floor is dedicated to a green home. From sustainable kitchens to low-energy lighting and ethical sofas, there’s a bit of everything here. Up another floor, you’ll find the latest trends in green fashion.
More than 35 brands, including Italian giants such as Ermenegildo Zegna, offer only fair fashion that certainly gives high fashion a run for its money when it comes to style! There are of course also collections from green champions such as Ecoalf and Patagonia. On the third floor, visitors can immerse themselves in a veritable wellness wonderland and discover, test and purchase the latest in green beauty. Right at the top, the Green Pea features a real oasis of tranquillity and relaxation: a park-like roof terrace, wellness area, rooftop pool and lounge bar invite you to forget the daily grind and contemplate a more conscious, sustainable lifestyle. greenpea.com
14
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
LIFE
His great historical adventure novel “Das Floß der Medusa” (published by Zsolnay) was awarded the Bayerischer Buchpreis (Bavarian Book Award) 2017 and was on the shortlist for the German Book Prize 2017.
FRANZOBEL
When Jay Sugg woke up, he felt hungover. It was dark and he couldn’t move, but then he didn’t even know the words “darkness” or “movement”. “What’s wrong with you, lazybones?” someone nagged at him. “All of your brothers and sisters are already munching their way through the plant roots, working hard to dig the passages, and there you are with your feet up.” Jay Sugg stretched and yawned. He didn’t know what “passages” meant, had never heard of the word “feet”. After a couple of days, he knew exactly what was going on. He started in his first year at May bug school. A year later, the fourth-years got a hard cape under which their wings grew, then they crawled upwards and took flight. In doing so, they transformed from earth dwellers that lived in the soil into extra-terrestrials. Soon, there was barely a single family that didn’t have someone flying up above. All of them told of the wonders of life in the open air, how it was bright and warm and colourful. Only the worms reckoned it was unhealthy and dangerous up there, that there were terrifying monsters by the names of Wind and Rain and Human, who would skewer you on a hook and had unsightly spikes and horns growing out of their heads. But none of what the worms said made any sense. However, when even the moles started going on a tirade about life in the open air, spoke of the dominance of the earthlings and the benefits of the darkness, the young beetles became suspicious. “Nonsense,” objected their old teacher. “Moles, famous for their cosmopolitan attitude, of all people. Such prejudice! Life up above is magical and wonderful, you’re free. Up there is the future!”
No one ruled out the possibility that things could also be different. Some regarded the teacher as backward with outdated views. “We’ll be controlled and manipulated! Someone’s making a business out of it. There’s no life to be had up there,” said some. “The story about the wings is a lie, we’re being drawn towards a light that isn’t even there.” Stories like this were thrown back and forth. And when Jay Sugg’s class was about to graduate, no one was ready to put on their hard cape. They all went on strike. No one wanted to give up their home for an empty promise. They would much rather watch the grass grow from underneath, here in the good old musty soil. Word got to one of the most determined guys who had got around a lot on earth; he’d seen five gardens. When everyone realised there would be a season without a graduating class, Jay Sugg stepped forward, or rather he crawled, and mumbled that he couldn’t understand such small-mindedness. “You’re full of prejudice, incapable of adapting to new situations. I’m going to make the flight anyway, and it doesn’t matter if I break my neck doing it because I don’t even have one.” Soon he’d hooked up with the first ones to get their wings. And then they were off. There’s every chance that there had never been a May bug that moved with as little grace as Jay Sugg, but my goodness, he flew. It was incredible. He could take in the world of things with a single thought. Suddenly, he could see everything in a totally new light. Brightly coloured chasms opened up, blazing green hillsides, trees, a scorching blue sky. The world was hunched, but unspeakably beautiful. A mosaic of iridescent rainbow facets. And at night, the starry sky opened up and gave the daisies below their faces. It was incredible. It was paradise. But shadows soon descended. The appearance of the bird totally nixed the mindset of the May bugs and the enthusiasm with which they’d flown through the surroundings vanished. They realised that they were easy prey. But did they regret ever having hatched? “No chance,” said Jay Sugg the May bug. “This experience of life was worth it.”
the may bugs go on strike
Photo: Dirk Skiba
FRANZOBEL is an Austrian writer. He has published numerous plays, works of prose and poems. His plays have been produced in countries including Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Denmark, France, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Italy, Russia and the USA.
LIFESTYLEHOTELS LIFESTYLEHOTELS.NET
Selection 02 | 2021
Photo: www.lucanicolao.com
AN ARTISTIC MOSAIC The feeling that comes over you when roaming through the alleyways of Venice will have you swooning time and time again. You’ll discover beauty around every corner and your own imagination will be in overdrive. At the Hotel Heureka in the Cannaregio district, the 16th-century palazzo has been transformed into its present-day form that’s just as magical as Viennese architecture. Every one of the ten rooms is an individual artistic mosaic of various styles, which makes the whole palazzo a real feast for the eyes. And in the morning, when the birds are singing in the garden and the smell of espresso wafts in, you’ll know you’ve found a place that’s perfect. HOTEL HEUREKA I T A LY / V E N I C E lifestylehotels.net/hotel-heureka
THE Stylemate
LH
Issue No 02 | 2021
02
Silence, Reflection, Views – these are the names of the new power places to be discovered this summer and autumn in the forest surrounding the Gradonna Mountain Resort in Kals am Großglockner, East Tyrol.
time to recharge GRADONNA ****S M O U N TA I N R E S O R T CHALETS & HOTEL
SU STAI NABL E C U ISI N E
AUSTRIA EAST TYROL / KALS AM GROSSGLOCKNER
104 rooms
41
chalets
3,000m2 spa with natural cosmetics products Childcare included Book online lifestylehotels.net/ gradonna-mountain-resort
If you’re looking to explore nature and experience it with all your senses, there’s no better place to do it than the Hohe Tauern National Park, one of the largest nature reserves in the Alps. At 3,798 metres high, the Großglockner is in good company here, with another 300 peaks in the National Park also surpassing the 3,000-metre mark. At the gateway to this jaw-dropping Alpine landscape in East Tyrol, you’ll find the Gradonna Mountain Resort, with its four-star hotel and 41 cosy luxury chalets.
The resort is spectacular proof that luxury and protecting nature can work hand in hand. Carbon-neutral bioheat, close partnerships with regional partners and local producers, and vegan cosmetics brand Magdalena’s (made in Tyrol) are just three examples of how you can feel close to nature here. In turn, we enjoy the freedom of the silence and breathe in the fresh, clear air, which encourages us to go out and adventure and allows us to sleep much better at night. Our skin also benefits from the pure mountain source water and all of the herbs that can be collected right outside the hotel. After all, “Herbs do their best work where they grow”, as the wellness team at the Gradonna believes.
ADVE N T U ROU S T RANQUI L L I T Y While for some this might mean climbing the via ferrata or a summit tour, for others it’s an hour’s yoga session or a massage. Thank goodness the Gradonna caters for the relaxation of active holiday-makers and wellness fanatics alike. Both will find what they’re looking for when it comes to natural recharging, be it at the summit of the Großglockner, in the expansive pool complex or at one of the new power places in the forest. Young and old should keep their eyes peeled – with a bit of luck, you’ll see chamois, bearded vultures and blue gentians. For children in particular, the forest is a place of fantasy and experimentation, and us grown-ups would probably also benefit from spending more time allowing sand to trickle through our fingers, investigating mud with sticks and creating art with leaves. Next time, at the Gradonna!
Photos: Gert Perauer
NAT URA L LUXURY
Regionality and seasonality are also important in the kitchen. Award-winning chef Michael Karl and his team treat us at breakfast, lunch and dinner to Tyrolean specialities, elevated with a Mediterranean twist and herbs from the kitchen garden to create a top-notch gastronomical experience that nourishes both body and mind. The food, which is picked by hand by Tyrolean mountain farmers, can also be found in the Gradonna’s exquisite delicatessen, so there’s no longer anything to get in the way of you having a tasty snack in your chalet or a picnic in the forest.
THE Stylemate
LH
Issue No 02 | 2021
03
Owned by the Risatti family of passionate hospitality innovators, the five-star EALA design hotel on Lake Garda is a one-of-a-kind in many ways. Renovated to its current standard of luxury in 2019, the building is characterised by its proximity to nature. EALA ***** MY LAKESIDE DREAM
nature at its most elegant T H E P OWER OF NAT URE Close your eyes and picture the perfect Italian escape: imposing mountain landscape, the lake rippling at your feet and a full range of luxury amenities at your disposal. That’s exactly what you’ll get at the EALA exclusive hotel. Situated in the breathtakingly beautiful Limone sul Garda, the EALA benefits from a unique position on Lake Garda with direct access from its own private beach. There’s no denying that the setting is exactly what you’d expect from an idyllic Italian sojourn.
The draw of nature in this region is strong. It’s in the height of the mountains. The depth of the water. The warmth of the sun. It’s also in the design of the EALA. Following its full refurbishment, it now boasts an aesthetic that takes inspiration from the surrounding landscape for its shapes, colours and construction techniques, and has become a transition point between the lake and the Gardesana scenic road. It has two façades that have been designed differently to blend in with the natural setting. Facing the road is a frontage clad with vertical pine strips that are the same colour as the chestnut trees used to build the old lemon tree pergolas. At the entrance, a series of white triangular concrete elements are reminiscent of sails and the wings of a swan, and are an invitation to guests to venture inside.
Photos: 2021 EALA Parolari
T H E BEAU T Y OF NAT URE The interior of the hotel features natural materials and tones to create a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. Stone, wood, marble and glass are the predominant materials throughout the public areas, with colour accents creating a link with the natural setting. Furthermore, the names and designs of the exclusive suites make reference to elements of the surroundings: Albus is as white as a swan’s plumage, Nemos is blue like the sky and the water, Alisia boasts the strength of the cliffs and the elegance of marble, Argantos shines like a silver jewel and Awen is majestic like a swan.
T H E LU XU RY OF NAT U R E It goes without saying that spending time in nature has many benefits for our well-being, and the EALA capitalises on this to bring us closer to the unique ambience of Lake Garda, all while enjoying a luxury setting within the exclusive hotel. As an adults-only hotel, guests are guaranteed an opulent stay thanks to the 1,500 m² luxury spa, cuisine from the culinary genius of Michelin-star chef Alfio Ghezzi, a comprehensive concierge service – all of which is packaged to benefit from a view that frames the spectacular beauty of the lakeside position. This hotel truly is as elegant as the swan it was named after.
I T A LY LIMONE SUL G ARDA – LAKE G ARDA
67
junior suites and suites
1,500 m2 luxury spa
Adults only Book online lifestylehotels.net/eala
THE Stylemate
LH
Issue No 02 | 2021
04
You’ll feel the power of the mountains in a very particular way at the Bergland Sölden, where ancient plant knowledge has been revived in the SPA to allow us to relax in harmony with nature.
a tribute to
AUSTRIA TYROL / SÖLDEN
86 rooms
2,200 m² Sky SPA Own range of cosmetics products Book online lifestylehotels.net/ bergland-design-undwellnesshotel-soelden
BERGLAND DESIGN AND WELLNESS HOTEL SÖLDEN
the wonder of nature F OR A C L E AN CONS CI ENCE The active ingredients used in the Natural Alpine products all come from the Ötztal Alps themselves. Carefully harvested within a 40 km radius of the hotel and processed by hand, together they create exclusive products based on ancient healing knowledge. The plant wizards behind the exfoliators, powders, creams and other products come from Alpienne, a Tyrolean brand that represents nature, environmental awareness, ethics, responsibility and sustainability – both in terms of the production and the packaging of the items. F OR F RESH SKI N The beauty products don’t just calm our conscience, they’re also a real relief for our skin. If you’re looking to pamper this most important of organs while on holiday, you can’t go wrong with booking a Beauty Classic or Beauty Basic treatment at the Bergland Sölden. These treatments combine powerful Alpine plant extracts and natural active ingredients with luxurious creams to leave you with incredibly smooth, firm and revitalised skin.
FOR REL AXED M US CL ES As well as the skin, natural cosmetics products also have a positive effect on the digestion, circulation and muscles. For those who want to experience these benefits for themselves and their wellbeing, the spa team recommends trying a Bergland Natural or Alpine treatment. With a soothing brush massage, they’ll prepare the body for the highly beneficial ingredients of the moor Alpine herb pack that follows so that it can be absorbed deep into the skin. That’s followed by a massage using the hotel’s own arnica pine milk to intensify the sense of well-being. With so much natural regeneration on
offer, hectic everyday life is quickly forgotten at the Bergland, and you’re immersed in an Alpine world of relaxation where even the stones for the hot stone massage come from the Ötztal, and it’s not just soothing water you can float away on but warm hay flowers as well. And if you want to carry on enjoying nature in its purest form when you get home, you can simply pick up some of the cosmetics products from the hotel shop before your return journey and enjoy protecting nature and nourishing your body at the same time – on holiday as well as at home.
Photos: Daniel Zangerl, Christoph Schöch
Famous naturopath Sebastian Kneipp was a firm believer that “Nature is the best medicine”. And history has proven him right, as for many centuries, active ingredients derived from nature have played an important role in medicine and cosmetics. This ancient knowledge has been resurrected by the spa team at the Bergland Sölden, who treat their guests sustainably and naturally using the hotel’s own range of cosmetics products called Natural Alpine, which celebrates the boundless wonder of the hotel’s natural setting.
THE Stylemate
LH
Issue No 02 | 2021
05
Golf thrives on nature: on the lush green of the undulating landscape, and on the feeling of space that, in the Zillertal, is provided by the astounding mountain backdrop.
it’s all about the green SPORTRESIDENZ Z I L L E R TA L * * * * S
AUSTRIA TYROL / UDERNS
33 rooms
right on the golf course exclusive wellness area
Book online lifestylehotels.net/sportresidenz -zillertal
Photos: Golf Zillertal Betriebs GmbH
E N JOYM E N T I N, EN JOYM EN T OU T
It’s this backdrop that makes the small but perfectly formed holiday village of Uderns in the heart of the Zillertal valley – where the valley is still wide – the perfect place for a top-class golf course. The 18-hole championship course more than lives up to its ranking among the Leading Golf Courses top 14 in Austria. At the adjoining four-star hotel, the Sportresidenz Zillertal, you can golf-in, golf-out all year round thanks to the indoor putting green. And you can do so in peace and quiet considering there are only 33 rooms at the hotel, which means you’ll also enjoy the freedom of space off the course, too.
NAT URE I N, NAT URE OU T
REL AX I N, REL AX OU T
The natural beauty of the mountain and valley backdrop continues at the Sportresidenz, where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the 3,000-metre main Alpine ridge right in front of the hotel. Before we even make it into the lobby, we spot the solar panel installation on the roof, which provides the entire building with green electricity harnessed from the power of the sun. The next thing we catch sight of are the charging stations for electric cars and e-bikes that we can hire directly from the hotel, then we step inside and take in the natural, high-quality materials such as wood and stone that can be found at every turn.
In addition to how good it feels to do something good, we enjoy pure luxury at the Sportresidenz Zillertal. We feel it in the spacious rooms and suites with infrared saunas and the partly private sauna as much as we do in the wellness area that spans all three floors of the building. On the ground floor, we dive off the landing stage into the bathing pond, on the first floor, we relax in the sauna and the steam room, and the second floor takes us out to the sun terrace and the heated outdoor infinity pool, while up on the roof, a jacuzzi and relaxation area with a jaw-dropping panoramic view await.
When it comes to cuisine, the Sportresidenz also has something unique to offer. The Genusswerkstatt restaurant is located at the exciting end of the ninth green, a position that quickly turns it into the clubhouse of the exclusive golf course. The one toque and eleven points from Gault&Millau plus two forks and 85 points from Falstaff demonstrate the expertise of head chef Willy Tillian and his dedicated team, who transform local ingredients and game from their own hunting expeditions into mouth-watering delights with a healthy portion of passion. Anyone drawn in by the spectacular mountain views is able to make the most of the hotel’s location to head out hiking or snow-shoeing, depending on the season – or cruising through the countryside on an e-bike. It doesn’t matter which mode of transport you choose – pure enjoyment awaits us here, and it’s all sustainable.
THE Stylemate
LH
Issue No 02 | 2021
NEW MEMBER
06
The recently renovated Steinach Townhouse Meran is a hidden gem in the historic streets of Merano in Italy’s South Tyrol. Owned by two designers from Milan, the B&B provides a warm welcome to this central European city, and is the perfect retreat in the heart of the Alps.
STEINACH T OW N H O U S E MERAN
The Steinach Townhouse Meran simply oozes character and history, and has been lovingly embellished with examples of local craftsmanship by its designer owners. Everywhere we look there is evidence of the attention that has been paid to ensuring this B&B offers its guests an experience that is both personal and typical of the region. From the greeting at reception to the carefully chosen original furniture, we’re in no doubt that we’ll be extremely well looked after here.
S TA RT T H E DAY RIGH T
TAKI NG I T F U RT H E R AF I E L D
This is a B&B that fully subscribes to the belief that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. To avoid wasted food left over from an enormous spread, their breakfast offering is mainly à la carte – at no extra charge – and it’s jam-packed with organic, regional and seasonal produce that really gets our mouths watering. Our pick would have to be the crêpes with berry jam, but we’d be quite tempted by the porridge and the smoothies, too. Having sated ourselves for the time being, we head out to see what the delightful Merano has to offer.
If you’re looking to travel outside the town, the B&B offers a couple of options. Firstly, there’s the Meran Mobilcard that’s included in the cost of your stay and will give you access to public transport. Secondly, there are e-bikes for hire that will allow you to take to the trails and explore the surrounding valley. Such thoughtful touches to make our stay more convenient and environmentally friendly at the same time. After all that activity, we return to our spacious suite feeling like we’re coming home. Boasting allergen-free mattresses, a comfy seating area, state-of-the-art climate control and plant-based toiletries, it’s just what we need to recalibrate, recharge and revive. Thank you, Steinach Townhouse Meran, for welcoming us with open arms – we’ll be back!
ON T H E D O ORS T EP Equipped with a bounty of information from our knowledgeable host Katrin, we step out of the B&B right into the old town of Merano and feel ourselves relax as we take in the calm, low-key atmosphere. But that’s not to say this town doesn’t have enough to keep us occupied – quite the opposite. Within easy walking distance we come across a number of bars and restaurants (that’s dinner sorted), as well as boutiques, thermal baths and cultural attractions. We hear word of a wine festival taking place here in November and make a mental note to put it in our calendars, along with the upcoming South Tyrol Festival in September.
I T A LY SOUTH TYROL / MERANO
8
suites à la carte breakfast stylish urban retreat in the old town Book online lifestylehotels.net/ steinach-townhouse-meran
Photos: Steinach Townhouse Meran
the personal touch
THE Stylemate
LH
Issue No 02 | 2021
NEW MEMBER ALPENSTERN PA N O R A M A H O T E L
We will generally only allow ourselves to fall if we know that we’ll be caught safely – and that’s what we get at the new four-star Alpenstern Panoramahotel in the Bregenzerwald forest, where we land in a safety net of relaxation, enjoyment and sustainability.
retreat and space
AUSTRIA VORARLBERG / DAMÜLS
56 rooms
2
suits
9
lodges
modern, timeless design scenic location in the Bregenzerwald forest Book online lifestylehotels.net/ alpenstern-panoramahotel
The host family at the Alpenstern Panoramahotel still takes it upon themselves to personally ensure that guests want for nothing on their holiday. Father Bertram Bischof and his family used the enforced break last year to turn their hotel into a new power place, a place where we feel an overall sense of well-being. This is achieved not just thanks to their hospitality and the familial atmosphere, but mainly by the modern timber construction designed by architect Johannes Kaufmann and interior designer Stefan Ghetta. In collaboration with the hotel owners, 2020 saw the pair create a setting that prioritises relaxation, nature and sustainability. CUISI N E AN D VI S TAS
Photos: Mia Feline - goldenfox.com
In the restaurant, we’re spoilt by Bertram’s son Peter Bischof personally. Along with his team, he reinterprets traditional dishes and serves them beautifully on the sun terrace, which looks out towards the mountains. Bertram’s son-in-law, sommelier Maximilian Steinfeld, gladly recommends we try one of his hand-picked wines. “I only have wines from Austria on the wine list because our home country offers such a variety that it’s not necessary to fly in wines thousands of kilometres from around the world,” explains the husband of Bertram’s daughter Corina, the kind-hearted soul of the hotel. And in order to really anchor the sustainability concept in the hotel cuisine, Peter ensures that the kitchen only cooks with regional, seasonal products and that no part of an animal ever goes to waste.
07
NAT URE AN D REL AXAT ION
WA RM T H AN D COM FORT
It doesn’t matter whether we’re planning to head straight out from the hotel onto the slopes in winter or treat ourselves to some fresh, pure mountain air during a long summer hike, there’s a path to relaxation for everyone at the heart of the Bregenzerwald forest. The host family is also happy to show us their favourite places in Damüls, and there are options to climb one of the steep trails to the summit, have breakfast on the mountain and book a guided ski tour in the great Alpine outdoors. The Bischof and Steinfeld families are always available to guests for advice – after all, almost all of them grew up here so they know their home better than most.
Back at the hotel, the soothing wellness area awaits with pools, saunas and many a tranquil spot. In our fluffy bathrobes we look out across the surrounding mountain landscape and, just for a moment, lose ourselves in the silence. A feeling of warmth spreads within us and provides just as much energy as our outdoor adventure. Good to know: part of this warmth that can be felt throughout the hotel comes from the hotel’s own heat recovery system. This means that at the Alpenstern, we can enjoy ourselves while being in harmony with nature at all times, as well as preserving the environment for future generations. Corina and Maximilian’s young son Rasmus is very grateful for that.
THE Stylemate
LH
Issue No 02 | 2021
NEW MEMBER
08
The Dutch capital is so much more than just canals and coffee shops. At the Sir Adam and Sir Albert design hotels, we’re able to live the unmistakeable Amsterdam lifestyle.
S I R A DA M & SIR ALBERT
a different THE NETHERLANDS AMSTERDAM SIR ADAM
108
rooms in the A’DAM Tower for music and culture lovers Sir Adam
SIR ALBERT
89
rooms & suites in a former diamond factory for design lovers Book online lifestylehotels.net/sir-adam-amsterdam-north lifestylehotels.net/sir-albert-amsterdam-de-pijp
take on amsterdam Sir Adam
Amsterdam has more bikes than inhabitants – to be precise, there are around 880,000 bikes for just under 840,000 people. So it’s no wonder that even dogs, floor lamps and offspring are transported by pedal power in this European city. But Amsterdam is so much more than that. The city is a music hotspot, a creative centre and a design mecca, as the Sir Adam and Sir Albert hotels so impressively demonstrate. SI R A DAM RO CK S OU T
Sir Albert
Sir Albert
At the fashionable A’DAM Tower in the north of the city, the Sir Adam design hotel greets its guests with cool industrial chic and musical flair. The neighbours? None other than MassiveMusic, Sony Music, Wink and a host of young creative agencies with a passion for music. The fact that music is in the air here is no accident – every room features a different vinyl to provide the soundtrack for an evening with a chilled drink. Extras like Corsley record players and electric guitars in the rooms are sure to make it difficult for music lovers to leave their temporary home.
But they should, because the tower itself contains highlights such as the highest swing in Europe, cool cuisine at The Butcher Social Club and a nightclub where you can dance the night away. That’s Amsterdam, too. SI R AL BE RT O OZE S ST YL E Where before workers used to cut precious stones, there is now a hotel that’s fully deserving of its prestigious title. From its past as a diamond factory, the Sir Albert continues to shine today with its high ceilings, large windows and a myriad of historic details that were maintained during the renovation. In combination with the multi-award-winning interior design, they create an ambience that fits in perfectly with the fashionable district of De Pijp in southern Amsterdam. Museums, restaurants, markets, the red light district and hidden architectural highlights – in De Pijp, you’ll find everything is just around the corner. According to the host, the district is best explored on a hired (e-)bike. And when hunger strikes, culinary surprises from Asia with a South American twist await at the Izakaya restaurant. That’s Amsterdam, too. T HAT ’S HOW TO D O AMST E R DAM So if you want to get to know the city of canals from more than just a tourist’s perspective, you’ll be well looked after at either of the Sir hotels. Here you’ll manage to sneak an exclusive look behind the scenes of Amsterdam, if you want – thank goodness for the local hosts. But beware: once you’ve been a guest at the Sir Adam or Sir Albert, you’ll know how difficult it can be to leave the amazing rooms. But it’s worth it – we promise!
Photos: Sircle Collection
Sir Adam
THE Stylemate
LH
Issue No 02 | 2021
09
The Arabella Retreat & Spa near the Tyrolean border with Italy and Switzerland is a special place that promotes the freedom to enjoy your holiday just the way you like it.
ARABELLA R E T R E AT & S PA
freedom is a state of mind ON C L OUD 78
Photos: Arabella Retreat & Spa – Aparthotel Arabella Moritz GmbH & Co KG
Relaxation means something different for everyone: while for families it might be a pleasant hike followed by some pool action, for cyclists it’s a rapid downhill track and for couples it’s undisturbed alone time in the apartment. The Arabella Retreat & Spa in the idyllic town of Nauders welcomes all kinds of people, but there’s one thing that unites them: they value the quiet rather than the loud, understatement as opposed to overstatement and spontaneity over planning. That’s why people are drawn here to this unique power place with just 20 apartments, where hospitality and privacy work hand in hand.
It’s also recently become home to a new feature: Wolke 78 (Cloud 78). Behind the dreamy name is a modern spa area with an indoor pool, salt water steam room, spa lounge, heated jacuzzi in the garden and much more. Thanks to carefully selected materials sourced predominantly from the region, the hosts were able to incorporate nature into the spa interior: the sauna smells of the forest, the background noise takes us to the banks of a mountain stream and source water from the nearby Gamort valley burbles in the pool. That’s how the new Wolke 78 appeals to all the senses and turns relaxation into an experience in itself – no matter whether it’s after an active day on the slopes or a late breakfast. NAT U RE A S FA R A S T H E EYE CAN SEE Something that all areas of the Arabella Retreat & Spa have in common is sleek elegance created by the use of highquality and sustainable natural materials. Austrian oak meets native arolla pine and makes cosy nest-like areas feel open and spacious. The surrounding mountain landscape is within reach in all parts of the hotel: in the lounge, the premium Sky Sauna and on the rooms’ own balconies and terraces. Being immersed in so much nature grounds and offers guests exactly what they long for the most: to find themselves again, to make memories with their loved ones and to live life to the full.
AUSTRIA TYROL / NAUDERS
20
apartments
1,200 m2 wellness area
Border area between AT/IT/CH Book online lifestylehotels.net/ aparthotel-arabella
SE RVICE ON TOP How that looks for each individual person is decided by the guests themselves at the Arabella Retreat & Spa – your stay here is personalised and private in your own apartment with a terrace or balcony and a fully equipped kitchen. You don’t have to use the kitchen if you don’t want to, as the hotel provides all the amenities of a four-star hotel as part of their exemplary offering: concierge services, the convivial Auszeit. Bar & Lounge, delivery of breakfast and dinner to your apartment, restaurant recommendations including VIP discounts, MINI convertible and e-Vespa hire to take a spin round the border region and a free programme of activities including a ski test, group hikes, toboggan nights and much more. All as you want it, of course. Because here you are afforded the ultimate freedom to choose.
THE Stylemate
LH
Issue No 02 | 2021
NEW MEMBER
on a hill in lisbon…
T O R E L PA L A C E
T O R E L PA L AC E
LISBON
L IVI NG L I K E KI NG S The locals know that, and so does João Pedro Tavares. After taking a break from his 20-year career in finance, he ended up leaving it altogether. He converted an abandoned villa on one of the seven hills in the centre of Lisbon into an elegant oasis of tranquillity amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, and there and then transformed from a banker into a hospitality provider. That laid the foundation for Torel Boutiques, which now has three additional locations. The first took the name Torel Palace Lisbon, and this hotel most certainly lives up to its name. The exclusive bed and breakfast has been receiving guests since 2013 in two historic palaces and a striking mansion. Within the sensitively restored walls you feel as though you’ve been taken back in time, and can enjoy not only the
PORTO spectacular view across the capital and the Tagus river, but also modern luxury of the highest level. The location on the somewhat lesser-known hill Sant’Ana reinforces the feeling of exclusivity that is exuded here. And yet the historic city centre, the Baixa district, is only a few minutes away from this most central of the seven hills. The question is just whether you’ll actually want to leave this breath-taking place at all, because even within the Torel Palace Lisbon itself, there is plenty to explore: the pale blue pool surrounded by cobbles, the stylish Cave 23 bar, the sun-drenched terrace with a superlative view across Lisbon, and simply the exquisite rooms, suites , apartments, penthouse and villa – depending on which royal quarter you’ve chosen.
SUM M ER BREEZE BY T H E COA S T If you want to get away from the capital or if you already know the area from previous visits, there is another distinctive palace hotel from Torel Boutiques in the coastal town of Porto, around 300 km north of Lisbon. It came about following a meeting between original host João Pedro Tavares and two Austrian businesswomen, Barbara Ott and Ingrid Köck. The three now manage a total of four Torel locations: the Torel Palace Lisbon, the Torel Palace Porto, the Torel Avantgarde Porto and the Torel 1884 Porto.
But back to the palace hotel in the harbour city: the Torel Palace Porto. The five-star boutique palace is situated in the heart of the city of 200,000 inhabitants, also known as Portugal’s “capital of the north”. Again here, what was formerly a magnificent building provided the perfect shell for the ultimate relaxed and luxurious hotel. The 24 rooms and suites are named after major Portuguese writers and poets such as Fernando Pessoa and Florbela Espanca. But their literary influences aren’t just felt in the individual rooms but also in the Blind restaurant and bar and the romantic garden and pool.
Photos: Luis Ferraz, Carlos Vieira
Portugal is a tourist destination that moves with the times. Over the past decades, it has evolved from a little-known location on the Atlantic to a mecca for culturally aware tourists and energetic surf fans alike. With temperatures rarely dropping below 15ºC and 290 days of sunshine a year, it’s the perfect place for a small – or large – break from the everyday.
10
THE Stylemate
LH
Issue No 02 | 2021
11
This is where it all started for the Torel Boutiques hotels, and it’s a tale filled with history and sophisticated luxury. The first of their four establishments occupies a picturesque setting on Sant’Ana, one of the seven hills in the historic centre of the Portuguese capital.
PORTUGAL LISBON / PORTO
TOREL AVA N T G A R D E
ART I N T H E CI T Y CE N T R E The second Porto representative of the group, the Torel Avantgarde, celebrates the art and design of the early 20th century. The 47 rooms and suites here are not just dedicated to prominent modern artists themselves, they’ve also been designed based on their works. They allow guests to immerse themselves in a living world of creativity and ultimately make them part of the overall work of art. You’ll inevitably find yourself wondering here as well whether you really want to leave at all because of all its hidden treasures. But it’s worth it, because Porto itself has plenty of its own highlights to offer. Stroll through the coastal city’s historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, ascend one of the steepest hills on a tram, or Elétrico, and enjoy the authentic harbour atmosphere on the promenade by the river bank.
TOREL 1884
26
TOREL PALACE LISBON
1
rooms
villa
5
apartments
In the centre of the Portuguese capital Wellness & pool TOREL PALACE PORTO
24
rooms & suites Central location Wellness & pool TOREL AVANTGARDE / PORTO
49
rooms & suites Modern, innovative design Wellness & spa TOREL 1884 SUITES & APARTMENTS / PORTO
12
deluxe rooms
11
apartments
Bistro & wine bar 24-hour room service Book online lifestylehotels.net/torel-palace-lisbon lifestylehotels.net/torel-palace-porto lifestylehotels.net/torel-avantgarde-porto lifestylehotels.net/torel-1884-suites-apartment
S U I T E S & A PA R T M E N T S
F ROM SEA FA RER S AN D E XPLOR E R S In Porto, everything reminds us of the eventful history of the city, whose name literally means “port”. In the 19th century, it was the place where Europeans could always discover and buy new and exotic spices, dishes and fabrics from overseas. And it’s this part of the country’s history that provided the inspiration for the fourth Torel Boutiques hotel: the Torel 1884 Suites & Apartments. 12 deluxe rooms and 11 apartments in two historic buildings in the city centre await curious explorers looking to uncover the mysteries of the “secret capital of Portugal” while enjoying a laid-back atmosphere and all the luxuries and conveniences of the 21st century.
Each room at the Torel 1884 Suites & Apartments is based on an exotic theme such as coffee and tea, porcelain or tapestry, while the hotel’s own bistro, Bartolomeu, lures you in to revisit the highlights of the day over a glass of good wine – all while enveloped in an ambience that sends us right back to the land of the Portuguese explorers. All four Torel Boutiques hotels are rich in history, art and culture, but still young at heart. Laid-back luxury meets historic settings to create an atmosphere that perfectly captures the spirit of the two cities. It’s hard to imagine being able to experience Lisbon and Porto in a more authentic and yet modern way. But come and see for yourself. Some things really do have to be seen to be believed.
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
DIRECTORY LIFESTYLEHOTELS
AU S T R I A
CHINA
Lesehotel Wildkogel Resorts DAMÜLS Alpenstern Panoramahotel FISS Alps Lodge FÜGEN Alpina Zillertal family.lifestyle.hotel GASCHURN Montafon Lodge Luxury Lodgehotel und Spa GEINBERG Geinberg 5 Private Spa Villas GRAZ Aiola Living GRAZ Augarten Art Hotel GRAZ Lendhotel GROSSARL Hotel Nesslerhof HALLSTATT Hallstatt Hideaway KALS AM GROSSGLOCKNER Gradonna Mountain Resort KALTENBACH Das Kaltenbach KITZBÜHEL Alpenhotel Kitzbühel am Schwarzsee LÄNGENFELD Naturhotel Waldklause LEOGANG Puradies MARIA ALM Hotel Eder MARIA ALM Hotel SEPP MAYRHOFEN ElisabethHotel Premium Private Retreat MELLAU Sonne Lifestyle Resort MÖSERN Nidum Casual Luxury Hotel MÜHLDORF LA PETITE IVY NAUDERS Arabella Retreat & Spa OBERGURGL Hotel The Crystal SAALBACH HINTERGLEMM Alpin Juwel SALZBURG CITY Hotel Goldgasse SALZBURG CITY Hotel Stein SCHLADMING Stadthotel brunner SEEFELD dasMAX SERFAUS Alfa Hotel SÖLDEN Bergland Design and Wellnesshotel Sölden SÖLDEN THE SECRET Sölden STAINACH - PÜRGG Gästehaus Krenn TURRACHER HÖHE Hollmann am Berg UDERNS Sportresidenz Zillertal VIENNA Hollmann Beletage VIENNA Hotel Das Tyrol VIENNA Hotel Schani Salon VIENNA Hotel Schani Wien WAGRAIN Almmonte Präclarum Suites WAGRAIN Almmonte Sensum Suites ZELL AM SEE Seehotel Bellevue ZELL AM SEE Senses Violett Suites BAD GOISERN AM HALLSTÄTTERSEE
NANJING
I TA LY
Kayumanis Nanjing Private Villas & Spa
BRAMBERG
Casa Angelina Relais Blu CALABRIA Praia Art Resort CAMAIORE Locanda al Colle ISSENGO Gourmet & Boutiquehotel Tanzer LAZISE Quellenhof Luxury Resort LIMONE SUL GARDA EALA My Lakeside Dream MERANO Boutiquehotel SuiteSeven Merano MERANO Steinach Townhouse Meran MONTEFOLLONICO Follonico NATZ NEAR BRESSANONE Seehof Nature Retreat RIMINI i-Suite SICILY Monaci delle Terre Nere TRIESTE Hollmann Trieste VENICE Hotel Heureka AMALFI COAST AMALFI COAST
C R OAT I A
Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery Maslina Resort SUTIVAN – BRAČ Hotel Lemongarden ISTRIA
STARI GRAD
F RA NC E PARIS
Hollmann Paris
GERMANY
NETHERLANDS
Das Graseck Hotel Landhafen NUREMBERG art&business Hotel PIRNA Laurichhof SANKT ENGLMAR Berghotel Maibrunn TIMMENDORFER STRAND SAND TIMMENDORFER STRAND Hotel SeeHuus GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN
AMSTERDAM
NORTH FRISIA
AMSTERDAM
Sir Adam Sir Albert
P O R T UG A L
Sublime Comporta Country Retreat & Spa Vila Valverde CASCAIS The Oitavos LISBON Torel Boutiques: Torel Palace Lisbon MADEIRA Quinta da Bela Vista PORTO Torel Boutiques: Torel Avantgarde PORTO Torel Boutiques: Torel Palace Porto PORTO Torel Boutiques: Torel 1884 Suites & Apartments ALENTEJO ALGARVE
GREECE AMALIADA / WESTERN PELOPONNESE SANTORINI SANTORINI
Dexamenes Seaside Hotel
Myst Boutique Hotel Saint Santorini
H U NG A RY BUDAPEST BUDAPEST
Hotel Collect Lanchid 19
S PA I N MALLORCA MALLORCA MALLORCA MALLORCA
Convent de la Missio Fontsanta Hotel Thermal Spa & Wellness Hotel Can Simoneta Pleta de Mar
S R I L A N KA DICKWELLA SOUTH
UTMT – Underneath the Mango Tree
SWEDEN LAPLAND
Treehotel
SWITZERLAND
LIFESTYLEHOTELS Book directly. Enjoy benefits! We offer hand-picked, independent and stylish hotels for design-oriented globetrotters and sophisticated travellers. Direct contact with the hotel First-hand information Best price Best availability LIFESTYLEHOTELS.NET
LUCERNE ZERMATT
Hotel des Balances Hotel Matterhorn Focus
How can fashion change the world?
à-
changer T H E S T YL E MAT E PR E SE N TS F IVE SU S TAI NABL E BRAN D S F ROM AROU N D T H E WOR L D T HAT AR E R E I N T E R PR E T I NG AN D DE MON S T RAT I NG H IGH FASH ION FOR T H E PR E SE N T DAY T HAN K S TO T H E I R F U T U R E - OR I E N T E D WAY OF WOR KI NG. E T H IC S AN D AE S T H E T IC S AR E NO L ONGE R M U T UAL LY E XC LU SIVE
Photo: Victoria/Tomas
Issue No 02 | 2021
STYLE Text Nora Palzenberger
prêt-
15 THE Stylemate
16
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
BER L I N, GER MAN Y T H E CL OT H ES The multi-award-winning designer wants to “inspire women to be bold”. Effortlessly elegant and timeless pieces aim to highlight the individuality of modern and independent wearers. The current collection Edition IV is devoted to a new (non-)reality in which time appears to stand still. Contrasts of colour and shape define the look. Masculine elements meet flowing feminine fabrics, reflecting the contradictions we feel exposed to both within ourselves and in the world around us.
JULIA LEIFERT
THE GREEN PROMISE Julia Leifert is committed to integral access to sustainability. For this reason, the 38-year-old designer works exclusively with natural materials from Europe, with production taking place under fair and transparent conditions within a 150 km radius of Berlin. The quality and design are based on the concept of circularity: the garments are intended to be kept for several seasons and eventually recycled or upcycled. To avoid overproduction and wasting resources, Julia Leifert, a member of UN Women Germany, creates limited editions rather than short-lived seasonal items.
julialeifert.com @julia.leifert
Photos: Julia Leifert, Paulie Eberwein
T H E DE SIGN ER What is considered today as “sustainable” has been a way of life for Julia Leifert since she was a child: the animal-loving designer grew up surrounded by nature in southern Germany and is a passionate vegetarian. Even as a teenager she wore self-designed outfits, but decided to study law first before also studying fashion at the AMD Academy of Fashion and Design in Berlin. After a lengthy stay in New York, Julia Leifert founded her own label in 2014, initially under the name Philomena Zanetti.
17
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
STYLE VI EN NA , AUST R IA
DARIADÉH
T H E DE SIGN ER Madeleine Alizadeh became a successful Austrian fashion blogger after watching the 2013 documentary Gift auf unserer Haut (Poison on our skin) about the failings of the leather industry. The turning point for the 32-year-old former political science student was breaking up with cheap fashion and starting her own fair fashion label dariadéh in 2017 with a budget of €2,000 and some printed t-shirts. The brand aims to set new standards in terms of comfortable, sustainable and ethically manufactured fashion.
THE CLOTHES dariadéh sees itself as an inclusive and diverse label. All pieces are available in sizes ranging from XXS to XXXL and are easy to pair together. The current spring/ summer collection that’s made out of Tencel, organic cotton, Bemberg Cupro and linen is presented under the motto “Day to Night”, and the pieces can be worn both during the day and in the evening – which incidentally reduces the number of items of clothing in your wardrobe.
dariadeh.com @dariadeh
T H E GR EEN PROM ISE Madeleine Alizadeh places great value on transparent communication. All dariadéh products are made without any of the usual synthetic fibres like polyester or nylon, and are manufactured by small, carefully selected family businesses in Portugal or Serbia. In keeping with the concept of “giving back”, 50 cents from every order placed on the website is donated to charitable organisations. The Instagrammer, who keeps her 324,000 followers up to date about her passion topic on a daily basis, has much more planned: at the moment, she’s contemplating a second-hand portal and a recycling system for dariadéh products.
VICTORIA/TOMAS PARI S, F RANC E
Photos: Dariadéh-DIEIDA, Dariadéh-Maria Noisternig, Victoria/Tomas, Marion Colombiani
T H E DE SIGN E R S Working together and living together – for proof that this combination can work well, look no further than Paris-based designer duo VICTORIA/TOMAS, who are also a couple outside of work. Victoria Feldman and Tomas Berzins founded their joint label in 2012, four years after first meeting at a French fashion school. They first gained international recognition in 2013 as the youngest finalists at the Festival d’Hyères, the longest-running fashion festival in the world.
T H E CL OT H ES Their passion for skater culture and Tim Burton’s eccentricity combines with their fascination with experimental fashion and art to form the recipe for the success of VICTORIA/TOMAS. The pair don’t see their collections as being either masculine or feminine, but rather more of a dialogue between man and woman. Men’s wardrobe essentials form the basis and are adapted for the female body through the use of feminine elements and cuts. The result is pieces with sculptural silhouettes and vivid colours for a new generation of modern women.
T H E GREEN PROM I SE The imposed lockdown during the first wave of the pandemic in spring 2020 forced Victoria Feldman and Tomas Berzins to reconsider their access to fashion. To avoid excess, they are now both committed to living by the phrase “Buy less, wear more”, and decided that in future, they will only design versatile 2-in-1 pieces that can be worn in two ways. In addition, the label will move from four collections a year to two, and will relocate all production to France in order to ensure the best quality, as promised by the Made in France label.
victoriatomas.com @victoriatomasofficial
18
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
nynne.eu @nynne_online
T H E GR EEN PROM ISE “Buy fewer pieces of better quality” is the basic principle behind the Copenhagen label, which only releases two collections a year. The focus is on more responsible consumption and creating timeless pieces that can be worn for many decades no matter what the season or the current trend. Nynne Kunde sees sustainability as a process: every season, the proportion of recycled materials should increase, as demonstrated by the introduction of recycled polyester and Tencel in the spring/summer 2021 collection.
ABU JA , N IGER IA
NKWO T H E C LOT H E S Upcycled denim, cotton from Nigeria and fabric remnants form the basis of each collection from the Nigerian label. The result is free-spirited fashion inspired by the nomads of the African deserts. Using traditional weaving, embroidery and dyeing techniques, Nkwo Onwuka breathes new life into the limited pieces and at the same time combines the traditional and the modern. The designer sees the purpose of her label as recycling textiles. She invented the hand-woven, upcycled Dakala cloth that features in every collection and whose name refers to the use of denim remnants and the sound of traditional weaving techniques: Sakala-si, sakala-sa…
T H E DESIGN ER Nkwo Onwuka’s interest in fashion was sparked as a child when her mother taught her how to sew. What started as a hobby led to the launch of her own label in 2007 bearing her first name. With the rebranding five years later, Onwuka placed greater emphasis on the preservation of traditional crafts and the reduction of textile waste. The Nigerian, who has a degree in psychology, is today one of Africa’s leading sustainable fashion designers.
T H E GREEN PROM I SE For Nkwo Onwuka, sustainability and upcycling are the natural response to the vast quantities of second-hand clothing that land in the markets in her home city of Lagos. To minimise textile waste, conserve natural resources and also safeguard African weaving traditions, the designer works closely with local artisans and manufacturers.
nkwo.design @nkwo_official
Photos: Nynne, Nkwo-Scar Pictures, Nkwo-Nkwo Onwuka
THE CLOTHES In her collections, Nynne Kunde brings together craftsmanship, exaggerated silhouettes and Scandinavian minimalism. The recurring theme is female empowerment: with her sustainable pieces, the designer endeavours to empower women to leave fleeting trends behind them and instead opt for individual combinations that stand out and embolden the wearer. Both her home city of Copenhagen and London have influenced the 28-year-old’s design aesthetic: the current spring/ summer collection, entitled Walking Soft Sculpture, sees the pairing of clean lines and vibrant colours.
NYNNE
C OPE N HAGE N, DEN MA R K
T H E DE SIGN ER Born in 1993 in Copenhagen, Nynne Kunde was interested in art and design from an early age. In 2014, she went to London to pursue her passion at the Istituto Marangoni and study fashion, also working for ready-to-wear label Rejina Pyo. Shortly after her graduation in 2018, the Danish designer was named Womenswear Designer of the Year for her first collection and launched her eponymous brand NYNNE.
19
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
AT EL I ER
STYLE
The perfection of the imperfect and unique jewellery pieces can be found in the workshop of label LENA KRIS in Vienna’s second district. Lena Grabher is a gold- and silversmith and uses her creations to tell beautiful stories. At the forefront of her work is the appreciation of craftsmanship, locality and sustainability. In her jewellery workshops, you can learn for yourself how to experiment with materials and get to know the satisfying feeling of being able to smelt precious metals into wonderful shapes that will fire up the imagination. “The resulting jewellery pieces reflect the search for our roots, and the emotions and facets of a phase of transformation. The beauty of imperfections and the value of the handmade are highlighted,” explains jewellery designer Lena Grabher. lenakris.com
Photos: Maria Ritsch
LENA
collected
KRIS
fragments
20
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
ANNA RIESS lives and works as an artist in Vienna. All of her creations are made in her small workshop near the famous Prater amusement park and the Danube. After a brief time studying architecture, followed by a master’s in cultural anthropology in 2012, Anna focused on her true joy of creating things with her hands. During a three-year course in contemporary jewellery design, Anna learned how to explore and express her criticism of society by shaping objects in close relation to the human body. annariess.com
fragility and transience
T H E OBJ E CTS BY A RT I S T ANNA R I E S S CON TA I N MAN Y T HOUGH T S . NAT U R E AN D SUSTAI NABI L I T Y, T H E C ONSE QU E NC E S OF OUR PR ESENCE ON T H E PL AN E T, T H E ROL E OF WOM EN AN D, NO T L E A S T, HU MAN VUL N ERA BI L I T Y, F RAGI L I T Y AN D T RAN SI E NCE AC COM PAN Y H ER I N H E R WOR K WI T H CERAM IC S , M ETAL AN D T E X T I L E S .
21
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
STYLE
What do you think about when working on a new piece? Every process is different. I’m always in a different mood when I go into my workshop. When I’m working on an order, I have to stick to specific guidelines, everything is very results-oriented and focused. The preparation determines the result. Porcelain requires the right consistency in order to then be cast into shape. It takes me several hours and I have to feel relaxed. When working with clay, I don’t feel like I think, it’s more like my hands keep going until I’m satisfied. It’s like my hands are undertaking a search. With jewellery, it’s usually a shape or function that comes to me first, then I trace it onto the silver in the studio. I follow these lines with the saw, but I always allow myself the freedom to spontaneously do something different. So it’s more of a process-oriented approach where I often still decide and optimise in the moment. The sawn line leaves behind a shape that I can continue working on. I often finish off earrings with a naturally grown Keshi pearl.
Photos: Maria Ritsch – Outfits: Jana Wieland and Christina Seewald
ANNA
Is there a thought that’s always with you while you’re working? I have lots of ideas, and when I get to the point where I can bring them to life, I think less and focus more on shape, setting the tone, sawing silver, filing, drilling or soldering. But I would probably only associate the term “work” with the actual doing. I actually can’t clearly separate my work from my thoughts. What does occupy my thoughts is the urge to focus on the female form, because it doesn’t get enough attention in society. I think it’s a necessity to address all facets of the subject of the role of women and their requirements. Human vulnerability, fragility and transience are thoughts that accompany my work with ceramics.
see animals perish in plastic, knowing that we humans are responsible. It’s not about blame for me, it’s about laws that adopt environmental protection as their main priority.
What do you deal with as an artist when you think about society and the environment, people and nature? I see the fragility and transience I already mentioned in direct relation to my body. My presence on this planet doesn’t last long. Just recently I was walking through Venice with a rubbish bag that seagulls had previously got stuck into and I was looking for somewhere to get rid of it. But as people, we can’t get rid of our rubbish. It can’t decompose. Instead, it requires a global solution for how to handle plastic and our CO₂ emissions. The pandemic has shown that we’re capable of having a rethink, but we’ve got to the point where we need a pandemic to force us into it. It pains me physically to
Which materials interest you and why? I like the contrast between ceramic and metal. There’s something archaic and rustic about working with soft clay. It’s the same when you work with what starts off as solid metal, which can be reshaped by hammering and soldering, and expose it to different temperatures. I find it exciting to think about what the material can do, and what I can do. Dialogue with the material often creates space for the unexpected. I often use pearls that have been grown naturally and aren’t perfect. The appeal of this lies in the imperfection and the shimmer, because they’re never going to be perfect. Then there are the breast pieces made out of organic cotton and filled with lavender and cellulose.
What’s important to you during production? I work with clay, metal and textiles. The materials I use all come from nature. It’s important for me to avoid using any materials that put a strain on the ecosystem. I also make any journeys that I can’t make by bike in an electric rental car. I bought my kiln second-hand, and when I fire it up I make sure it’s as full as possible. During production, it’s also important to be self-sufficient so I can be as transparent with my customers as possible.
I like making those because they provide comfort, or have a calming effect because of the lavender filling. It’s important for the transition that the desire to create remains. Depending on the idea and the concept of a project, I work with one of these three materials. Lately, I’ve also been working with porcelain, which opens up even more production possibilities. What is our world lacking? What would make it better? Time to try things out, time to fail. Fewer patriarchal structures. Ethics lessons at school. Less of the jet-setting, more holidays on farms. Green spaces in cities rather than sealing up the earth. More time at the Aldi checkout. Yoga in schools for teachers and students. Empathy.
RIESS
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
22
in the name of
Photos: Vilma Pflaum, Lisa Winter
the tassel
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
Interview Nora Palzenberger
What have you learnt about slow fashion, environmentally friendly materials and fair production methods that you didn’t know before you founded your label in 2017? The production chain of an environmentally friendly and fair label is critical. The initial period of Tassel Tales was largely about research and establishing our production chain. Documentaries, social media, countless books and ongoing internet research have enabled us to build a solid foundation and also to continually evolve. Your products are made for women by women’s collectives in India and Morocco under the motto “We rise by lifting others”. How do you personally define female empowerment? Giving women the opportunity to be independent and self-sufficient in defining their future, giving them a voice that they might not have had if it weren’t for these collectives and the associated work. That’s why, since we established the company, we’ve collaborated closely with female artisans and women’s collectives such as Saheli Women in India and Al Kawtar in Morocco. We are motivated by the fact that through our work, we can change something sustainably, that we can empower the women we work with.
TASSEL
5 QUES T IONS FOR
way, whereas that is rarely the case. It is therefore enormously important, first and foremost, to be actively informed about the label and to check whether it’s all just a PR stunt or you’re actually dealing with a sustainable product. Reports on sustainability, clearly defined targets and the provision of sufficient information are good indicators. In addition, you should always be aware of the composition of the clothing, check what materials an item is made from and look out for sustainability seals – for example the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). However, this kind of certification usually costs a lot of money, which makes it difficult for smaller brands like us to achieve. The price of a product is often also a good indicator.
Sustainable manufacture, fair remuneration and natural raw materials are often more expensive, and the price will reflect these additional costs.
23 STYLE
TASSEL TALES Four years ago, sisters Alexandra and Stephanie Eisl and their cousin Sophie Eisl founded Tassel Tales. With their fair and sustainable ready-to-wear and yoga label, the three Viennese women want to tell the story of the origins of their products and the people involved in their creation, all of which will ensure greater transparency for their customers. The vibrant pieces with tassels are made by women’s collectives in India and Morocco under the motto “For women, by women” and are synonymous with bohemian elegance. With the launch of Project N°2021, Tassel Tales is focusing on eclectic looks that can be worn all year round and are inspired by the 70s. tassel-tales.com
And how can Tassel Tales customers help to make the world that little bit better? It’s important to be informed about the products we buy and to question our own buying habits. As teenagers, even we were also keen bargain hunters and simply didn’t know any better. These days, every young person has access via the internet, smartphones and other means to information that will reveal the shady side to the fast fashion business – we recommend watching The true cost. Because of this, we can make different and more aware choices, and do something to change and improve the world.
TALES
At the heart of your new Project N°2021 are looks that can be worn all year round. What encouraged you to stray from the traditional seasonal calendar of collections? Empowerment takes time. As a slow fashion label, we follow the production cycle of our partners in India, Morocco and Poland, meaning we set our schedules so they have a comfortable amount of time to make each individual product piece by piece. The result is products made out of passion that display something beautiful and good. Products that represent ethics, fairness and dignified togetherness. What are three criteria I should look out for to make sure I’m actually buying sustainably manufactured fashion? At the moment, there are a huge number of greenwashing campaigns being rolled out by many fast fashion labels. That means the brand’s products are portrayed as being “green” thanks to targeted PR activities, so customers wrongly get the impression that the brand acts ethically, fairly and in an environmentally friendly
With their slow fashion label Tassel Tales, Alexandra, Stephanie and Sophie Eisl are aiming for more transparency and fairness in the fashion industry. What’s more, their brightly coloured boho-inspired pieces show just how stylish sustainably made fashion can be.
24
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
OUT doors
I S T H E N EW
IN doors
10
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
Text Hedi Grager
ROBERT
QUES T IONS FOR ROBERT EI SEN BERGER , I N T ERIOR S EXPERT AN D OWN ER OF I NSI DE.
25 ADVERTORIAL
EISENBERGER
What’s your favourite piece of furniture for summer and what does it do? It would have to be the Mbrace model from DEDON. This lounge chair is available in several variations, it’s extremely comfortable and you can enjoy having a room-in-room situation.
Will this style be in demand for much longer? The combination with earthy tones is still very well received. And what really is here to stay are the great new rugs, which are now used in the same way as pictures or large works of art – based on the room layout and wall size in question. Using rugs you can achieve insanely beautiful room layouts, real “wow” effects. It’s also really nice when different versions of a rug are used in several rooms, even in wet rooms. Rugs are also big in outdoor areas – there are some really nice ones at GLAMORA and TAPIS VOLANT.
What outdoor furniture is an absolute must in any garden? I think it should be something that displays high quality in all aspects and meets our needs. Teak is very popular, but of course it has to be teak from a certified plantation. It’s also really nice when combined with wicker, which is available in many colours and designs. Which kitchen will fulfil our requirements? The kitchen is a particular type of workspace that needs to be planned according to specific processes and also meet any ergonomic requirements. Dekton is very popular, and is currently the most durable material on the worktop market. We work a lot with the company POLIFORM, who also offer a wide range of products for living rooms and bedrooms, and that means you have the option to apply a consistent theme throughout your living space.
POLIFORM Kitchen
What are three types of sofa with character? We really like working with MINOTTI, because in my opinion they’re a company that considers everything down to the smallest detail. All of the MINOTTI sofas are versatile, they’re extremely good quality, boast a timeless design and can be used in all settings. One example I can think of is the Lawrence model, which is a relatively new one. To ensure you’re sitting comfortably, MINOTTI sofas always have a firmer front corner and a softer middle. The sofas are also more comfortable because they are now slightly higher. Any new pieces that you’re raving about (and why)? Retro is making a strong comeback, but with new features and in new combinations. I’ll come back to MINOTTI, as the quality’s really great and the design has been well considered right down to the last detail. That’s what I’m really raving about.
GLAMORA Glam Fusion
ROBERT EISENBERGER, since 1992, he has been providing quality and experience for exclusive living in the domestic and real estate sectors. He makes living more beautiful thanks to INSIDE Einrichtungen in Graz.
Do you have a secret furnishing hack? I personally really like hanging chairs and they always create a “wow” effect for our customers. They’re a real eye-catcher in lounge areas in hospitality just as much as in a domestic setting.
inside-einrichtungen.at
Photos: Oliver Wolf, Freifrau, Poliform, DEDON, Brokis, Glamora
Where’s the best place to rest tired legs? Preferably on a comfy, welcoming sofa that makes me feel at ease. Indoors and outdoors. The trend of enjoying outdoor areas as an extension of the indoor living space is continuing to grow. Which lights shine almost as beautifully as the sun? And which will provide the best mood lighting for the evening? Light is a really important element in setting the mood of a space and creating a lovely atmosphere. There are lots of great options for this using LED technology. In the domestic sector, it’s preferable to use a warmer light, and for that we like working with companies like Brokis, Deja Vu and Foscarini. I personally would steer clear of coloured lights.
BROKIS Knot
DEDON MBrace
26
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
ISRAEL I PRODUCT AN D I N T E R IOR DE SIGN ER RON EN KA DUSH I N HA S TA K EN T H E WORL D OF I N T E R IOR S BY ST OR M WI T H I N T E R NAT IONA L LY AC C E SSI BL E DESIGNS T HAT CAN EA SI LY BE PURCHA SED, ADAP T E D AN D PRODUCE D ON L I N E BY ANYON E A ROU N D T H E WORL D. T H E S T YL EMAT E M ET WI T H T H E BE R L I N -BASE D CREAT I VE OVER Z O OM AN D TA L K E D T O H I M A B OU T H I S OPEN DESIGN CONCEP T AN D N EW L I VI NG ENVI RON M EN TS .
demo-
THE Stylemate Issue No 02 | 2021
STYLE https://nef.2ulfab.com; ronen-kadushin.com
cr
design
27
at ic
What makes your design concept sustainable? Nothing is made before it’s been ordered! There are very few materials and resources involved. We also have no unnecessary inventory or old stock. And no supply chain that’s harmful to the environment. We also produce locally without long supply chains. How has the way in which we buy and use furniture changed as a result of COVID-19? We have been forced to consider our living and home situations – there can’t be many people who haven’t rearranged their apartment or house or bought new things. We’ve also had to discover our own four walls as a workspace, actually as a space for everything. Throughout the pandemic, many architects have said that we need to revert back to a classic room structure, without open-plan kitchens and the like. I’m not convinced by this and think that what we need, even when the coronavirus is over, is a flexible living environment. That could be furniture with various functions, or pieces that are really easy to store. But rooms also need to be easy to adapt through the use of flexible walls.
Photos: provided by Ronen Kadushin
Why is a democratic design approach so important right now? In my opinion, we’ve gone past the point where there’s a hierarchy between buyer and seller. What I mean by that is that anyone can be a designer and a manufacturer these days. Every one of us has the tool to do everything and that’s reflected in a democratic design approach. Of course, digitalisation and the internet are also helping to make this easier, especially for the younger generation. How and why did you start your Open Design concept? It was around twenty years ago in Israel. Lots of my friends were photographers and artists and there was this constant creative energy and pioneering spirit. As a product designer, I had to fight against the hierarchy that was stuck in its ways, that often made it stupidly difficult to actually bring a product to market and exerted considerable power over the manufacturers. I wanted to break through this structure and
define for myself how I shared my ideas and products with the world. That was the beginning of the idea. Can you explain the Open Design concept in a little more detail? You could think of it as being similar to open-source software. We’ve organised our own network that runs according to defined mechanisms and therefore makes it possible for design to be accessible to anyone that’s interested and democratises product design. It’s a wonderful, honest and creative exchange. I also see a very clear difference between designers and artisans. In my eyes, the designer doesn’t work with their hands but with their mind. Essentially, I create designs that go directly from the computer to the people without any traditional craftsmanship in between. I replace that with modern technologies like 3D printing, laser cutting, etc.
Can you still remember the first design you shared? Of course! It was a fruit bowl. And you can still access the design now. I still love that piece! Do you often get photos from people who have used your designs? Yes, regularly – from Brazil to Italy to Austria! And it brings me no end of joy every time to see how my designs have been brought to life! Which people, apartments and houses do you envisage when you design furniture? Very often it’s my own house (laughs). It’s full of failed prototypes that at the same time I find rather inspiring. But in all seriousness, when I imagine my consumers, I picture them as being urban, internet and technology-savvy, well-informed about design history and appreciative of the core of good design, similar to how someone might love poetry. People who buy my things have intellectual access to furniture and design.
RONEN KADUSHIN Born in Israel in 1964, Ronen Kadushin taught interior design at international design academies for many years before developing the Open Design concept in 2004. The concept allows his designs to be downloaded, shared, modified and produced via the internet. Numerous exhibitions and publications have embraced the concept that has revolutionised the design world. In 2019, he founded his interiors brand FIT Furniture. Today, Kadushin lives and works in Berlin.
What’s your most important piece of advice for furnishing your own living space? Do it as cosily as possible! Because you never know how much time you’ll be spending at home (laughs). And you really must find a personal accent. These days, interior design is often no longer individual and has just one characteristic: being as photogenic as possible and worthy of the ‘gram. You should never forget that your own four walls aren’t a showroom but rooms in which you can enjoy living comfortably. What’s the biggest difference between an apartment in Berlin and one in Tel Aviv? In Berlin, there is an abundance of beautiful wooden floors, old floorboards, no matter whether you’re in an apartment or a stairwell, and that’s something you don’t get much of in Tel Aviv. In Israel, hardly anyone has a clothes airer, but almost every household has a tumble dryer. The reason for this is the high humidity. If you were to dry your things on the line as normal, they would probably always be slightly damp.
MEDITERRANEAN CHARM On the coast in Barcelona, you’re not just able to gather fabulous mussels but ideas, as well. And it’s exactly where we found the inspiration for our COSTA outdoor lighting collection too. What have we done with this inspiration, you ask? Created playful luminaires with decorative accents that resemble the colourful nets of Spanish fishermen and the fine texture of sunshades. Thanks to their smart design, the portable lighting can be used either directly on the floor, as floor lamps or as hanging lamps. And since the beach isn’t the only place where we appreciate some comfort, this water-resistant outdoor lighting has been designed to accompany you everywhere. Be it your garden or your patio, before you know it, COSTA will have turned any outdoor space into a bright sea of light.
WEVERDUCRE.COM