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UPFRONT
LIFESTYLE
MADE UP Trendy make-up retailer M.A.C cosmetics has opened a store in Luxembourg City centre, its first in the Grand Duchy. The Canadian company was originally aimed at professionals (its acronym stands for Make-up Art Cosmetics), but is now very popular with clients all around the world. The M.A.C range includes lipsticks and lip-gloss foundation, eye shadow, mascara and nail polish as well as fragrances and make-up application tools. Where: 79 Grand-Rue, Luxembourg-Centre Info: www.maccosmetics.com
SCANDINAVIAN CHIC Swedish mid-level fashion retailer COS (which belongs to H&M group) has finally landed in Luxembourg. The fashion chain’s clothes have been described in no less a publication than The New York Times as “studiously austere and, as often as not, neutral.” Indeed, the brand leans towards casual chic rather than business or formal attire, but the clothes have strong overtones of art and design and are clearly aimed at what the NYT calls “professional creatives”. Where: COS, 2 rue Philippe II, Centre Rosenstiel, Luxembourg-Centre Info: www.cosstores.com
December 2015
CHRËSCHTMAART
C
ompared to the Christmas markets in neighbouring Germany and France, the Chrëschtmaart in Luxembourg City always seemed rather quaint and tiny. Focussed on the bandstand on the place d’Armes, the market was limited to what seemed like a handful of stalls selling Teutonic Christmas tree decorations, wooden toys and tacky Santa hats. These were largely ignored by the throngs of expats who gathered at the market in the early evening to meet friends and drink heartily the local Glühwäin and listen to some indistinguishable local fanfare parp their way through ‘Stille Nacht’ et al. Things changed in 2012 under the stewardship of then Luxembourg mayor Xavier Bettel when the market expanded to the place de la Constitution and came to resemble more closely the funfair and international aspect of “foreign” Christmas markets. Who can forget Marilyn Manson taking a spin on the big wheel that first year? A sore sight, indeed, for the staunch defenders of the traditional Christmas market. Now Luxembourg has such confidence in its Chrëschtmaart that it is exporting it to one of the most famous Christmas markets in the region. The Marché de Noël in Strasbourg, which has been in existence since 1570 and comprises some 300 chalets, will be hosting a “Village luxembourgeois” from 27 November to 31 December. But the big question surrounding the Chrëschtmaart is whether Gromperekichelcher taste better accompanied by a steaming ceramic mug of Glühwäin (and yes, we insist on the Luxembourg spelling) on a cold and dark winter evening, or downed with a cool glass of pale amber Luxembourg beer on a sweltering summer evening at the Schueberfouer. The answer, of course, is that both are extremely satisfying in their own way and the conclusion can only be that the humble deep fried potato cake is indeed a truly universal food. Info: www.winterlights.lu
Luc Deflorenne Olivier Minaire Yileste COS
LOCAL STYLE We have featured Stéphanie Comes of Yileste before, but now she has opened her first boutique after years of selling her unique designs by appointment only. Yileste focuses on beautifully crafted small collections using quality fabric. The store is reserved for appointment only clients on Mondays and on Thursday evenings, but is open for shoppers as usual on weekdays and Saturdays. Where: Yileste, 8 Côte d’Eich, Luxembourg-Centre Info: www.yileste.com
TIMELESS SIMPLICITY As its name does not suggest, American Vintage is a brand created in Marseille by Michael Azoulay. It has now opened its first outlet in Luxembourg. The label specialises in simple, ready-to-wear clothing using soft and light cottons. It is supposed to be a simple and timeless take on fashion that appeals to a broad clientele. Latest lines focus on “British countryside chic”, while men can pick out items from the “Gentlemen of the road” collection. Where: American Vintage, 67 Grand-Rue, Luxembourg-Centre Info: www.americanvintage-store.com
GRAND DUCHY FILES