22 minute read
Dressed in Black
Signatures of the Sun - Oud & Spice
Over a hundred years of experience and passion has allowed Acqua di Parma to create fragrant compositions that vibrate with emotions and unravel unique narratives.
Each fragrance of the Signatures of the Sun Collection, reinterpreted through the sun-filled citrus prism of Colonia, turns a familiar ingredient into something experienced for the very first time, revealing it in all its unexpected and vibrant radiance.
The new addition to the collection - Oud & Spice - stems from the passion for one of the rarest and most mysterious ingredients that nature offers. A fragrance inspired by the love for an extraordinary gem that can reveal new and surprising and at the same time strong and tender aspects. In fact, Oud & Spice originates around the rarest and most highly-prized variety of agarwood, obtained from the resin of the Aquilaria tree.
This fragrance elevates to art the sun-filled transparency of citrus fruits with surprising spicy hints, revealing in a rich perfume journey the depth of oud and enhancing its unique nature.
Completing this work of art is the sophisticated packaging with soft black label and its embossed gold logo illuminating the trademark cylindrical black box while inside rests the iconic Art Deco bottle in full black for Oud & Spice. The fragrance is available in the 20, 100 and 180ml formats. As with the rest of the collection, the bottles come with a detachable dispenser for easy recycling, to represent the Maison’s commitment to sustainability.
The Casquette - Only Watch Edition - Pièce Unique
Girard-Perregaux, a loyal supporter of Only Watch, has dedicated a unique piece for the now-legendary biennial auction. The Manufacture, currently celebrating its 230th anniversary, has reimagined a 70’s icon, the ground-breaking Casquette. Created in partnership with Bamford Watch Department, the Casquette Only Watch revisits the original but adds a notably modern twist.
Every two years, the watch industry comes together in support of Only Watch. This charity was formed in 2005 and draws upon the generosity of the watch industry to fund research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Girard-Perregaux has been a loyal supporter of Only Watch from the outset, creating several unique versions of the Manufacture’s iconic timepieces over the years, returning to 1976 and the first unveiling of the Casquette for this, the 9th edition of Only Watch.
At the time of its launch, the Casquette looked futuristic. Indeed, its avant-garde styling tapped in to the zeitgeist of the era, a time when traditional watchmaking was temporarily set aside in favour of quartz movements. The Casquette’s space-themed design language was unequivocally on-trend. The LED digital display presented information in an unambiguous form in vivid red numerals. When viewing the case from the side, the observer was able to appreciate the Casquette’s unusual tapered profile, its sleek shape seemingly honed in a wind tunnel.
This collaboration with Bamford Watch Department isn’t the first time the two companies have joined forces - recently working together on the Laureato Ghost - but this time, they decided to reinterpret this timepiece with an interesting twist.
While the sapphire glass and LED display share the same look as the 1976 original, the Casquette Only Watch Edition is equipped with a new quartz movement, proffering additional functionality. The inventory of functions includes hours, minutes, seconds and date as found on the 1976 model; however, it also includes a second time zone, a chronograph and a ‘secret date’. This latter feature allows the wearer to program the watch to display a significant date on a daily basis, at a time of their choosing.
The watch is presented on a calf leather strap embossed with an alligator effect. A black ceramic buckle featuring titanium blades secures the timepiece to the wearer’s wrist. The Casquette Only Watch Edition is presented in a Casquette-inspired presentation case, designed and produced by Bamford Watch Department.
The Casquette - Only Watch Edition, a piece unique donated jointly by Girard-Perregaux and Bamford Watch Department, will be auctioned on 6th November 2021 as part of the Only Watch auction taking place at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva.
Leica M��-R - Black Paint Finish
Good design sets a product apart - it harmonises function, form and material and transforms complexity into simplicity and elegance. It can be timeless, yet with its own distinct identity. Manufactured in Wetzlar, Germany the Leica M camera is a product which embodies every quality of good design.
The Leica-M's latest design variant features a glossy black finish, which after years of use reveals the brass at the corners and edges. This inimitable patina further emphasises the camera's individual character and allows it to tell its own personal story.
The latest member of the M-family perfectly encapsulates the quality and craftsmanship Leica is known for. The Leica "M10-R, black paint finish" boasts the same technical standards as the original M10-R, but this special edition differs where design is concerned. Aside from its high-gloss finish and patina that will develop through use, there are further details that make it stand out within the M-family. On this model the Leica logo’s script is elegantly engraved on the cover cap, the dials have been shaped exquisitely and by removing the red Leica dot, the effect is understatement in its purest form.
Connoisseurs from all over the world frequently pay high prices at auctions for black paint cameras patinated from constant use. Just recently, a black painted analog Leica M2 including Summicron lens and leather case achieved a top price of €96,000 at the Leitz Photographica Auction. A black painted M3, from a 1962 batch of 150 cameras with a matching lens, sold for €55,000. As these examples show, the special models of the Leica M are extremely collectable items.
Roughly 100 years ago, Oskar Barnack had a groundbreaking idea that would change photography forever. He developed a 35mm camera with the ablity to capture 24 x 36 mm frames: the original Leica. Small, robust, and easy to operate, it paved the way for photography as we know it today.
For over a century, famous photographers from all over the world, including the likes of Henri Cartier Bresson, Elliott Erwitt, Steve McCurry and many more, have preserved unique moments with their Leica cameras.
Whether used professionally, artistically, or simply for documenting life, all Leica cameras have one thing in common: they enable photographers to focus on what is most important - the perfect picture.
It is with this in mind that Leica Camera continues to develop extraordinary cameras, all made from the best materials and still to this day assembled by hand for lifelong guaranteed reliability and value.
Leica always focuses on the sustainability of its products and lenses from the 1950s can still be used on the latest Leica M-cameras. Leica’s precision optical tools are timeless companions with impeccable quality and longevity guaranteed.
M10-R - Black Paint Finish £7,500.00 from Leica. Available in Leica stores, the Leica online store, and from authorised dealers.
Anthony Vaccarello has curated a new limited edition Bang & Olufsen speaker - Saint Laurent Rive Droite x Bang & Olufsen Beosound Edge.
This compact and powerful wireless speaker offers timeless design, cutting edge acoustic innovation and unparalleled interaction for a listening experience that inspires the imagination.
Beosound Edge resembles a contemporary art piece with a minimal design and perfectly circular aluminium frame exterior. The home speaker is calibrated to detect the force of your touch when adjusting the volume as you roll the speaker back and forth. As you approach Beosound Edge, it comes to life, lighting up the interface thanks to proximity sensors. The touch sensitive aluminium surface allows you to start, stop and change tracks with a simple tap.
This speaker offers three directional sound settings for different listening experiences, including the True360 omnidirectional mode which will fill the entire room with sound. The innovative Active Bass Port design allows Beosound Edge to deliver an outstandingly potent bass. This limited edition speaker is customized in a marble print with a matt black aluminium finish.
Porsche Design - ���� Globetimer UTC All Black
Two years ago, Porsche Design introduced the 1919 Globetimer UTC, a GMT watch that offers intelligent functionality, optimized legibility, and convenient, easy operation. No matter where in the world your travels take you, the simple push of a button resets the twelve-hour hand to indicate the local time. Previously available in three different colour variants, the chronometer-certified timepiece will now become available in an All Black edition this August. The timepiece features a black titanium carbide coating and a black leather strap made of Porsche interior leather - reduced, sporty, and, as expected of a Porsche Design watch, with optimal legibility. The 1919 Globetimer UTC All Black not only embodies a pure sports car feeling on the wrist, it is also always ready to embark on a journey, anywhere around the globe. Derived from the simple and precise handling of the Porsche double-clutch transmission, the display of the world's 24 time zones can be adjusted in 1-hour increments - without the loss of the current time display - by simply pressing the form-fitting push-button which is ergonomically embedded into the case. Each push of this button causes the short, localtime, hour hand to advance clockwise one position. When flying east, each push of the “+” button advances the second time zone by an interval of one hour. When flying west, pressing the “-” button causes the UTC hands to move in the opposite direction. All the while, the UTC hands automatically move, remaining in synchrony. To ensure this occurs at midnight and not at noon, the time needs to be set correctly just once. A circular window on the left-hand side of the dial facilitates this task: a white dot appears here during daytime hours, while the aperture remains black at night. Porsche Design has also taken into account the reference time indicated by a second, and clearly distinguishable hour hand with a distinctive luminous tip. This hand turns once every twenty-four hours, displaying the home time.
To intuitively display the time from any viewing angle, the dial’s radius was designed to be as large as possible, while the titanium case was made uncommonly slim. Well-balanced styling imbues this watch with a unique lightness, further enhanced by the handsomely shaped wristband. Colour contrasts, distinctive hands, indices and numerals combine with the generous use of nonradioactive Super-LumiNova luminous material to minimize the chance of misreading, even in poor visibility conditions. In addition, a sevenfold antireflective coating and an extra hardcoated treatment protect the sapphire crystal.
The latest version of the 1919 Globetimer UTC All Black is also powered by the Porsche Design Caliber Werk 04.110. The movement is equipped with the genuine Porsche Design ballborne, bidirectional winding rotor. It builds up a 38-hour power reserve with its balance paced at four hertz.
The newest fragrance from dunhill, Driven Eau de Parfum is a woody citrus floral blend that is elegant, modern and bold. With amber, vanilla, cedarwood, musk, jasmine and velvety rose mixed with fresh bergamot and lime, the fragrance is both fresh and warming.
Driven EDP, 100ml £64.00 from Dunhill. Available nationwide.
LUXURIOUS FRAGRANCE
Inspired by Louis XIV (known as the fragranced King) and his perfumed fountains at the Palace of Versailles. The Collection Royale by new British fragrance brand 1667 has been created with opulence in mind. The 25% concentration Eau de Parfum features the finest ingredients and to emulate the experience of guests at the Palace of Versailles who were splashed with scent from the fragranced fountains on arrival, the bottles are refillable via special fragrance fountains at 1667 fragrance counters. Scents include Rich Mandarin and Pepper and Smoked Wood.
1667 Fragrances £175.00 each. Available at thefragranceshop.co.uk
French fragrance house, Parfums de Marly, have unveiled a bold burst of freshness with their latest unisex scent, Greenley. Vibrant and fruity, this delectable fragrance is dominated by notes of tangy green apple, Sicilian bergamot and mandarin, whilst encapsulating a vertical overdose of mysterious cashmere wood. The finish is contrasted by notes of oak moss, amber and musk. Elegant and aromatic, the striking bottle more than deserves a place on your dresser.
Greenley, 75ml £160.00 from Parfums de Marly. Available exclusively at harrods.com
The first Home Fragrance Diffuser in the Jo Loves permanent collection, the Fig Trees Diffuser has been designed to be a beautiful sculptural addition to your living space. Comprising of the Home Diffuser and Fig Trees Fragrance Diffuser Refill 200ml, the scent has been inspired by Jo’s family holidays in Italy, Fig Trees captures the fresh, green scent of ripe figs alongside delicately sweet cassis and the warmth of amber to create an indulgent home scent. Created for those with unbreakable spirit, the latest offering from Bentley Fragrances is a bold and spicy, yet creamy and floral scent for men. Bentley Momentum Unbreakable blends new, high-tech ingredients with age-old perfumery traditions, to create an unbeatable new fragrance.
Bentley Momentum Unbreakable Eau de Parfum, 100ml £69.50 from Bentley Fragrances. bentleyfragrances.com
Beauty Buys
Modelled on an ancient beauty too, Olixa's Rose Quartz Gua Sha board is designed to be pulled across the skin to stimulate micro-circulation, increase blood flow to the skin and aid lymphatic drainage. Helping to tone the skin, when used regularly, the tool can smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and drain away puffiness.
Rose Quartz Gua Sha Facial Massage Tool £25.00 from Olixa. olixabeauty.com
Formulated with brightening pineapple enzymes, potent antioxidants and three types of hyaluronic acids, this super-light skincare treatment from Summer Fridays provides works hard to support the skin's moisture barrier, providing hydration for up to 72 hours. Apply alone for a fresh, dewy look or used under makeup for a smooth finish.
Inspired by 30 years of research and innovation, Augustinus Bader is renowned for their high performance skin care. One of the latest launches, and an upgrade of the original award-winning daily moisturiser, the Rich Cream is intensely luxurious, hydrating and nourishing. Working to support cellular renewal to dramatically improve the complexion's appearance, this 100% vegan cream features the brand's powerful TFC8 technology to leave you with a soft, even, firmer complexion.
The Rich Cream, 50ml £65.00 from Augustinus Bader. augustinusbader.com
Blended with Sake Water - a powerful antioxidant known for its purifying properties. This miracle toner from celebrity skin care expert Shani Darden will help mattify, minimize pores and intensely hydrate for more radiant, smoother looking skin.
Sake Toning Essence, 120ml £44.00 from Shani Darden. Available at net-a-porter.com
With a 99% natural formula, this vegan and cruelty-free intense lip mask treatment from Dr.PawPaw can rescue even the driest lips. The formula includes Natural Peptides to both plump lips and smooth any fine lines delivering effective and noticeable results from the first application. Cloud Dew Oil Free Gel Cream
Moisturiser, 50ml £39.00 from
Summer Fridays. Available at spacenk.com
Formulated with 3 Essential Ceramides, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin B5, this new lightweight gel-cream serum from CeraVe provides 24 hour hydration and muchneeded moisture to the skin.
Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum £17.00 from CeraVe. Available at Boots. Suitable for sensitive skin, dramatically reduce wrinkles and fine lines with Vichy's LiftActiv Supreme
H.A. Epidermic Filler.
Ingredients such as Vitamin CG and B5, as well as Hyaluronic Acid, plump skin with moisture smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles with a filling effect.
LiftActiv H.A. Epidermic Filler, 30ml £38.00 Vichy available at Boots
Cleanse, condition and create gorgeous, shiny, healthy hair, no matter where in the world your journey takes you. These travel-friendly sizes are perfect for beauty on-the-go!
Perfect for travelling, Dr Hauschka's special 30ml sized Cleansing Cream gently cleanses, balances and exfoliates the complexion to reveal brighter, healthier skin.
Cleansing Cream, 30ml £9.50 from Dr Hauschka. drhauschka.co.uk
Sweetly scented with Orange and Grapefruit, this new exfoliating cleansing gel from Omorovicza is perfect for sloughing away dead skin cells leaving a more refreshed and glowing complexion. Red Algae Extract strengthens skin's antioxidant defence with its film-forming properties, while Omorovicza's Patented Healing Concentrate remineralises to leave skin firmer and more supple. Jet Setter Kit £32.00 from Rahua. rahua.uk
Whether you are staying at home or venturing further afield, most of us covert that sun kissed summer glow. Providing just the right amount of pigment so you can replicate where the sun naturally hits the skin, Chanel's Les Beiges Healthy Glow cream-gel bronzer glides on with a velvety, delicate finish. Highly malleable and easy to blend, it can be used all over the face, with emphasis on the forehead, temples, nose and chin. Now available in a Soleil Tan Deep Bronze shade for darker complexions, skin takes on a radiant, naturally sun-kissed glow.
The popular bronzing cream, is part of the Les Beiges Summer Light collection; transporting you to the French Riviera through a range of eyeshadow palettes, lipsticks and nail shades. A one-stop shop for your cult summer staples.
Les Beiges Summer Light Collection from £24.00; Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream £43.00 from Chanel. chanel.com
Silky soft, this water-resistant powder foundation from Sensai visibly evens out the complexion, eliminates any discolouration and imparts skin with a sun-kissed, silky-bronze glow. Available in 4 shades apply alone to create a smooth, natural look or with water for a fresh, matte and flawless finish.
Silky Bronze Natural Veil Compact, 8.5g £45.00 from Sensai. Available from Harrods, harrods.com and sensai-cosmetics.com
Summer Sun
Sensai’s sun care range has been developed to allow you to enjoy sun filled days, whilst protecting the face and body from UV rays and addressing signs of ageing such as pigmentation and fine lines, with its Sun Ageing Care Complex. For that soughtafter, healthy glow without spending a day in the sun, Sensai’s latest bronzing products are a quick and easy way to encourage an illuminated, silkybronze and super healthy skin in seconds. All products contain the brand’s signature Koishimaru Silk which promotes the production of hyaluronic acid, helping to hydrate and achieve flawlessly silky skin. Creamy, water-resistant the Silky Bronze Cellular Protective Cream hydrates and protects the face from harmful UV rays. Formulated with
Whether spending your summer Sensai’s Sun Ageing Care Complex, in the UK or further afield, you it helps restore skin clarity, whilst need to be using sun protection to white tea extract helps defend bronze safely while gaining a sun against oxidation caused by UV kissed summer glow. Here are a rays and addresses signs of sunfew of our favourites. ageing. Providing high protection, the sunscreen is also available for the body too.
For moderate sun protection with anti-wrinkle face care suncare, this Bronz Repair from Institut
Esthederm is perfect for skin that tans easily but has concerns about ageing. Easy to apply, it stimulates tanning, prevents photo-ageing, corrects wrinkles, and firms the skin to leave you with an immediate sunkissed glow. It's ideal as a tinted day cream in the summer. Silky Bronze Cellular Protective Cream for Face SPF 30 or SPF 50, 50ml £87.00; and Silky Bronze Cellular Protective Cream for Body SPF 30 or SPF 50, 150ml £76.00 from Sensai. Available from Harrods, harrods. com and sensai-cosmetics.com
Bronz Repair Sunkissed Moderate Sun, 50ml £56.00 from Institut Esthederm. Available at naos-store.co.uk
Rehydrate and prolong your tan with this soothing after-sun from Bioderma. Suitable for all skin types even the most sensitive. Gently scented with a blend of Sweet Orange, Tahitian Gardenia and Vanilla, this High Protection Melting Spray SPF 50 from Nuxe protects the face and body against UV rays, hydrates the skin, prevents premature photoageing and the appearence of dark spots. Immediately absorbed by the skin, it doesn’t leave any white film.
THE SPA
AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL, TEN TRINITY SQUARE
When looking to escape it all, nothing is more luxurious or relaxing than a fabulous spa day experience and the Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square is one of the most exclusive and considerably one of the best in the City of London.
Situated below ground level within the iconic Four Seasons Hotel; a Grade II listed former Port of London Authority building, this impressive spa offers a wide choice of therapies, fitness and beauty treatments and is the perfect place to completely unwind from the stress of everyday city life. Be prepared to be amazed as you enter this little bit of heaven and marvel at the opulent décor of the gold and marble reception area which gives you an insight of the luxury you are about to experience.
Having reopened on 17th May the spa has introduced a selection of exciting new offers which include day passes and monthly and annual membership which allows full access to their swimming pool, vitality pool and gym facilities. The 14-metre lap pool can even be exclusively booked every evening from 8pm to 10pm for a private pool experience for up to six guests. This includes a special pool-side pod with champagne and light bites and exclusive offers on treatments. All Government Covid rules apply and are adhered to.
Proudly stating that they can arrange virtually anything, body and facial therapies are personalised to your every need with the sole aim of delivering outstanding results. Their exclusive results-driven product range has been carefully selected with the spa’s renowned partners to create a varied treatment menu that responds to a wide range of guests’ needs. This includes several treatments specifically designed with men in mind and is available in the Finishing Studio.
Before your treatment, it makes sense to make full use of the first-class facilities and enjoy the breath-taking design of the decadent, Roman inspired pool area. Thanks to the calming blue and the shimmering silver tones of the classical columns which also allow a certain amount of privacy in the vitality pool, you feel instantly relaxed and extremely spoilt whilst you walk down a central staircase and head into the water. Just like Cleopatra did in all those big budget Hollywood movies! Along with the lap pool,
the spa boasts a vitality pool with air and water jets to massage targeted areas, sauna, and steam rooms and also a spacious, fully equipped fitness centre.
When you have finished enjoying yourself in the pool area, time to head to one of the 8 treatment rooms. With so much to choose from, one of the many specialised treatments to try is the luxurious 90 minutes Aromatherapy Massage which, after a personalised consultation with an experienced therapist, is uniquely tailored to each individual’s needs. The aim is to offer a safe and comfortable experience for every guest.
Entirely indulgent, this therapeutic full head to toe body massage unites effective, targeted massage with soothing and nourishing essential oils combining the best techniques from Eastern and Western cultures to ensure the absolute best results for each individual’s needs. The oil you choose is tailored to you at the beginning of your consultation.
The atmosphere created in the treatment room is one of timeless serenity and the 90 minutes is up before you know it. After feeling thoroughly relaxed the best course of action is to head off to the relaxation room where you can further unwind without being disturbed.
For those wishing to celebrate that special occasion, there is a Ten-Trini Spa Day available which offers a full day of relaxation and pampering with a 60-minute personalised massage and use of the Spa facilities followed by an indulgent afternoon tea.
Individual and joint membership packages are available with a variety of flexible options to suit guests needs. Couples or individuals can enjoy a private space in the Spa Suite which features a couple’s treatment room, changing area and steam shower.
The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel at Ten Trinity Square provides a serene urban retreat for guests and locals to discover a sense of true privacy and escapism and they are invited to immerse themselves in the complete Spa experience. Currently closed due to COVID restrictions
Aromatherapy Massage 60-90 minutes £130.00 - £230.00.
The Great British Escape
Stoke Park is a luxury 5 AA Red Star Hotel, Spa and Country Club set within 300 acres of beautiful parkland and offers world-class sporting and leisure facilities.
Facilities include:
• 49 Bedrooms and Suites • Award winning Spa • 27 hole Championship Golf Course • 3 Restaurants and Bars, including
Humphry’s (3 AA Rosette, fine dining) • 13 Tennis Courts (indoor, grass and artificial clay) • Indoor Pool • State of the art Gym with Fitness,
Hot Yoga and Spinning Studios hosting up to 50 classes per week • Crèche • Games Room • Playground
35 minutes from London, 7 miles from Heathrow Airport and a short drive from Windsor makes Stoke Park an ideal location and perfect setting for stopovers and luxury breaks.
