Noted for their collaboration that signalled a new era for Dior Men, artistic director Kim Jones has reunited with contemporary artist KAWS for a capsule collection celebrating Dior icons and the pop-fuelled energy of the latter’s aesthetic. In other words: a throughly joyful start to 2025.
Photography: Brett Lloyd
CELINE has finally made its presence at ION Orchard, one of Orchard Road's unmissable landmarks. Building on the House's architectural design concept that had been put in place since 2019, the latest CELINE boutique greets eyes with a curved glass façade and Calacatta oyster marble that stretches from floor to ceiling. The interior is a constant juxtaposition between the natural and the industrial as metallic elements and furnishings (together with a lot of mirrored surfaces) are positioned with natural stones such as Basaltina and marble as well as warmer, wooden accents.
Like other CELINE boutiques the world over, the furniture (some commissioned) were curated specifically for the boutique. They're especially opulent in the boutique's private salon that can be easily closed off for added privacy with movable mirrors. It is also here that a CELINE Art Project piece is on full display, among a selection of other art pieces. Created by Royal Academy of Art alum Machteld Rullens, "Dolphin Creme" is a wall object reflective of her usual practice where used cardboard boxes are reshaped and then covered in epoxy resin—turning something that was once fragile into a sturdy piece. The artwork hangs to the right of the salon, a stark contrast from the glossy black wall that it's positioned against.
The ION Orchard boutique is dedicated to both the men's and women's universe of the House, including ready-to-wear, accessories, leathergoods, and the beloved Haute Parfumerie collection. It also marks the first time in Singapore that a CELINE boutique has a dedicated counter for the new CELINE Beauté line premiered a few months ago. While only one lip colour has been launched thus far, more are on the way.
There's no doubt that this new CELINE boutique is striking from the outside, but its interior offers a more playful and luxurious feel that needs to be experienced in person. Sure, online shopping is convenient but luxury shopping is all about the experience and living the brand, even if it's just for a moment.
The new CELINE boutique is located on the first level of ION Orchard.
If an accessory is like the icing on a log cake (you know, to decorate and enhance), a scarf is akin to the pieces of candied fruit in a fruit cake, where they serve a bit more of a functional purpose aside from mere aesthetics. Depending on the type, it has the ability to elevate while giving much needed comfort—we're talking about scarves, of course.
Comfort is key, especially this time of the year. And even if it may not necessarily apply to those of us not heading to cooler climes, there are always lightweight silk scarves as options to spruce up an outfit in a manner that's uniquely you. The way we see it, a scarf is a necessary tool to have in one's style arsenal. A quality piece is an investment you'd be able to whip out time and time again—a Loro Piana trait that's consistent throughout all of its creations.
The Loro Piana Grande Unita scarf is a fine example of how the brand's unparalleled elegant aesthetic is rooted in its use of luxurious materials. The scarf is made from the finest cashmere that gives it an exceptionally soft hand feel and a lightweight body, without skimping on its heat-retaining capabilities. The hand-finished details add touches of artisanal craftsmanship to an already sophisticated piece rendered in refined, solid colours. It's understated, yes. But that's exactly what you want in a versatile accessory that can easily be worn for just about every occasion.
For something a tad more versatile, the Two Tone scarf offers additional styling options with two different contrasting colours on opposite sides. The scarf is sublime; crafted from baby cashmere obtained only from the underfleece of Hircus goat kids, the scarf is incredibly buttery soft to the touch. It's so soft that no one will judge should you choose to simply lounge around at home wrapped up in the cosiness of one. Twist or fold the Two Tone scarf while wearing it to show off a hint of its contrasting colour for an added visual interest to every outfit.
No matter how you choose to enjoy a Loro Piana scarf—a gift to a loved one or to yourself—rest assured that it'll be one that'll be used and cherished for years.
Discover a selection of Loro Piana scarves now available in Loro Piana boutiques.
As part of the Dior Around the World odyssey, the Parisian house makes its stop in Bangkok, unveiling an exceptional concept store located in the prestigious Ploenchit district—a captivating retreat amid the bustling city.
The concept store is a harmonious blend of Thai culture and Dior's renowned savoir-faire. Celebrating the intricate craftsmanship of Thai artisans, with whom Dior worked closely to weave a dialogue that honours Thai heritage. At the same time, it pays homage to the original townhouse at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris—the very cradle of Parisian haute couture, founded by Monsieur Dior in 1946.
The site where the Gold House now stands was once a humble carpark, now transformed into an extraordinary space surrounded by lush gardens, where botanical motifs thrive alongside serene water gardens. Mirroring Dior's Paris HQ, the building is crowned with a mansard roof and features 300 faux windows, each surface exquisitely covered in a million handmade gold mosaic tiles—a shade that remains an eternal hallmark of Dior's identity.
Stepping inside, you're transported to the many worlds of Dior—from Maria Grazia Chirui's ready-to-wear collections to Kim Jones' menswear featuring shoes, accessories, bags, jewellery. Not to be overlooked, the Dior Maison lines dedicated to table wear are also showcased, seamlessly integrated into the concept store's design.
Crafted by Dior's visual merchandising creation and image director, Luca Albero, the interiors are nothing short of exquisite and refined. Signature elements such as Dior's lucky star to toile de Jouy, or the iconic Plan de Paris print, are beautifully balanced with natural materials such as bamboo, wood, and raffia, creating a harmonious blend of elegance and grounded warmth.
Appreciating the country's culture and people, the Dior Gold House showcases works by nine emblematic Thai artists, each contributing to its unique narrative. Among the standout installations is a reinterpretation of Bangkok's iconic tuk-tuk by Saran Yen Panya of 56th Studio. This reimagined tuk-tuk, a vibrant symbol of Thailand's bustling streets has been transformed into a masterpiece that bridges its local culture and Dior's elegance. Boldly designed and meticulously crafted, the tuk-tuk stands as both an artistic statement and a playful nod to Thailand's dynamic urban landscape.
Additionally, visitors are also greeted with installations by Boonserm Premthada, made from elephant footprints and sculptures by Wishulada Panthanuvong that subtly decorate the interiors. Extending the enchantment further, armchairs by Eggarat Wongcharit punctuate one of the boutique’s rooms, while furniture by the Sumphat duo—Rush Pleansuk and Philippe Moisan—balances beauty with functionality, each piece exuding its own singular identity.
Vassana Saima and Savin Saima of Vassana
Lastly, artists Vassana Saima and Savin Saima of Vassana have crafted a series of Lady Dior bags from bamboo, drawing inspiration from traditional floral art. These exquisite creations are showcased in a dedicated space, offering a perfect fusion of heritage and haute couture.
And for a refine treat, seek Café Dior by Mauro Colagreco, where exceptional cuisine meets artistic beauty. The space is adorned with a stunning bamboo installation by Korakot Aromdee, reimagining nature's flora and fauna in a design that feels almost alive, with plants, flowers, and birds appearing to take shape in three dimensions. This enchanting backdrop perfectly complements the three-Michelin-starred chef's nature-inspired menu, blending the essence of Christian Dior's love for the natural world with the Maison's elegance.
The Dior Gold House is a vibrant union of Thai heritage and Dior's elegance, celebrating artistry and tradition. It offers an immersive experience, blending culture, craftsmanship, and couture into a harmonious tribute to both Thailand's legacy and Dior's timeless vision.
The Dior Gold House is open to the public at 1029 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok
When duralumin was first discovered by German metallurgist Alfred Wilm in the early 1900s, no one could have predicted that the aluminium alloy would change the course of aviation. And certainly none could have foreseen it becoming the hallmark of a German brand for decades to come.
Successfully claiming a colour or a unique design or even a motif is quite common for brands, but not many can claim a material like RIMOWA has.
Legend has it that in the 1930s, a fire completely engulfed a RIMOWA factory leaving nothing save for the aluminium. This incident inspired second-generation owner Richard Morszeck to turn to aluminium as a replacement for subsequent RIMOWA creations, instead of its foundational wooden designs. Morszeck had already toyed with the idea in the 1920s, having created the brand’s first aluminium trunk.
The thing about claiming something as part of one’s branding is the need for constant innovation in order for the association to stick. A brand can be known for one thing (let’s face it, RIMOWA isn’t just about aluminium) but it doesn’t mean doing the same thing over and over again.
Much like how air travel has changed since, RIMOWA’s aluminium creations too have evolved. Initial aluminium suitcases were trunk-like with no wheels (the horror!) before wheeled luggage became mainstream in 1972; RIMOWA introduced its first Roller suitcase with removable wheels in the very same year. Eventually, the brand streamlined its aluminium offerings into three series: the super sleek Original, the Classic with leather handles, and the polycarbonate-based (another RIMOWA invention) Hybrid framed by aluminium accents.
The brand’s iconic grooves became part of RIMOWA’s design language in 1950. Taking inspiration from the all-metal (duralumin, of course), made-in-Germany Junkers F 13 plane that was a significant aviation milestone, the grooves run parallel to the length of every RIMOWA piece. And while the grooved design remains as an identifying element to a large majority of the brand’s creations, it had experimented with other decorative treatments for aluminium. The limited-release Hammerschlag collection for example, was inspired by a Hand-Carry Case from 1966 that featured a “hammer hit” exterior. The textured surface reflects light in ways its flatter predecessors don’t while at the same time, minimises any obvious nicks and bumps of prolonged use.
Over the years, RIMOWA’s presence in luxury has been strengthened not only by its distinctive aesthetic, but also by its steely determination to stick to it while innovating. It’s no longer just a luggage brand; it’s a luxury mobility brand with the aim of creating pieces for every and any movement. The brand’s use of aluminium evolved from protecting travel necessities to keeping just about anything that matters to an individual. Aluminium has been shaped into specific functionality such as vanity cases, an attaché solely for mahjong, and a watch case fit for three timepieces.
Aluminium’s more wearable, everyday functions have seen it being transformed into a number of bags and accessories. The crossbody Personal bags—a crossbody and a sling clutch iterations—have become known for their mini-sized similarities to RIMOWA’s trusted suitcases, but cleverly designed with unique locking mechanisms adapted for heightened ease of use. The brand has even crafted aluminium into a sleek cardholder that opens with a rather sexy swivel, and protects against RFID and NFC technologies.
And if you’re wondering, RIMOWA hasn’t stopped innovating with aluminium. In the last quarter of 2024, the brand released two new aluminium expressions. The Original bag is the brand’s first unisex, multi-carry handbag that takes on the shape of a shrunken suitcase adapted to be carried as a top-handle, a shoulder bag or a crossbody. Then, there’s the limited-edition Original Cabin Optical with a new take on the aluminium suitcase featuring a truly mesmerising interpretation of the grooved design.
Where will RIMOWA go from here? It has already built its aluminium legacy and will continue to do so. Perhaps, like its high-flying inspirations, the sky is the limit.
Cactus Plant Flea Market (CPFM) has the secret sauce.
You might say the streetwear brand—founded almost a decade ago by Pharrell's former assistant, Cynthia Lu—is the Krusty Krab of the fashion world, since she sits comfortably on a seemingly simple yet impossible to replicate recipe for success.
Lost? You're clearly not a SpongeBob stan, meaning CPFM's next collab is not for you. But for those fond of some nautical nonsense, here's a whopper—or rather, a Krabby Patty—of a collection: Cactus Plant Flea Market x SpongeBob SquarePants x Uniqlo.
A tripartite limited-edition line which celebrates 25 years of the Nickelodeon show, infused with Flea Market's coveted flavours.
As if the porous yellow fella and his friends aren't absurd enough—he lives, with his pet snail, Gary, in a pineapple under the sea, lest we forget—Lu has shooed the unlikely gang further into the abstract for the project, resulting in a few more eyes and some uncanny facial expressions.
The American designer also has fun referencing fan-favourite moments. For example, one tee is an ode to “Tea at the Treedome”, one of the first-ever SpongeBob episodes in which Spongebob refuses to admit he's drying out in Sandy's dome.
Silly—yes. And fun! Silly fun we can all afford—which is arguably half the reason it's fun, because this is a Uniqlo collab available in Uniqlo stores (and on the retailer's website) for Uniqlo prices.
I'mmmmm ready! Are you?
The SpongeBob SqaurePants x Cactus Plant Flea Market x Uniqlo collaborative collection arrives on Friday 13 December in-store and online.
Originally published on Esquire UK
It's safe to say that Christmastime is almost here (for those of us who aren't partaking, the holidays are almost here) and that means, all the festive things associated with this time of the year. In a sort of extension of its "It's Always Burberry Weather" campaign, the British luxury brand is doubling down on the cosy with the "Wrapped In Burberry" campaign. If the former refers to specific products, "Wrapped In Burberry" is more visceral in nature—building memories through traditions and spending time with loved ones.
"Wrapped In Burberry" features a trio of loved ones, including actual Burberry VICs (that's "very important customers") Drs. Herschel and Lilly Stoller, who've been longtime clients for over 20 years. British thespians David Tennant and Alex Hassell, as well as London-based artist Slawn with partner Tallula Christie and their two children, complete the campaign that was shot in London.
In Singapore, the campaign materialised in realtime as Burberry celebrated the opening of three boutiques in the past few months. It was undoubtedly festive with guests and friends of the brand coming together, with South Korean actor Kim Young-dae flying in to revel in the celebrations.
As a way of actually being wrapped in Burberry, the brand highlights scarf personalisation and bespoke monogramming services made to be perfect gift ideas. The range is as wide as one would imagine by the brand known for its iconic check—from two-tone reversible cashmere scarves to classic Burberry check ones. Add on initials (up to three) or labels featuring festive Burberry messaging for a piece of luxury that's a timeless style addition.
The Burberry scarf personalisation and monogramming services are now available at the Burberry Wisma Atria and Marina Bay Sands boutiques until 22 December 2024.
Saint Laurent creative director Anthony Vaccarello has unveiled a captivating series of short films inspired by French novelist Marcel Proust's iconic masterpiece, In Search of Lost Time. The series, entitled As Time Goes By, delves into the intricate themes of love, time, desire, togetherness, dreaming, and memory that lie in the heart of Proust's celebrated work. The novel was famously cherished by Monsieur Saint Laurent himself, reflecting the brand's deep-rooted ties to artistic and literary heritage.
Directed by Nadia Lee Cohen, the collection of shorts features a star-studded cast, including Charlotte Gainsbourg, John Waters, Chloë Sevigny, Addison Rae, Joey King, Travis Bennett, Cooper Koch, and more.
The evocative nature of the season is seamlessly integrated into Cohen's intimate cinematography, creating a sensory experience that bridges past and present while offering viewers a fresh lens through which to reflect on the universal themes.
What sets As Time Goes By apart is its auteurist approach, blending nostalgia and irony to reimagine Proust's meditations in a contemporary context. Originally published in seven volumes, Proust's masterpiece contemplates how the past shapes our personal identities—a profound idea echoed throughout the films. The collection not only brings these themes to life but also challenges viewers to consider the enduring relevance of Proust's reflections in a modern, fast-paced world.
Through the dynamic collaboration of iconic figures, high fashion, and poignant storytelling, As Time Goes By showcases Saint Laurent's continued prominence in blending art, literature, and fashion. It transcends traditional boundaries, paying homage to literature while redefining contemporary storytelling. This innovative series stands as a testament to the brand's legacy of pushing creative boundaries—a milestone in the ever-evolving intersection of fashion and film.
As Time Goes By is now available for viewing.
Understated elegance is an underrated attribute, especially when it comes to bags. This Loro Piano Bale hobo bag in extra-large size has all the makings of a timeless piece, and versatile to boot. The shape is inspired by the brand’s unparalleled cashmere manufacturing, with a suppleness that reflects the quality and care behind every Loro Piana creation. This should be the only baggage you bring over to the new year.
Moisturised lips are a universal need, so imagine finding this limited-edition Hermès creation under the Christmas tree. L’Orange en Fêtes is a lip balm housed within a folded paper ornament shaped to resemble an orange and dressed in Hermès’ signature hue. It’s a simple touch of luxury that, if anything, reminds you that life may be full of uncertainties but the condition of your lips shouldn't be one of them.
There is reason why this particular Royal Salute expression is all kinds of huat. Firstly, there’s the hue of red that in many Asian cultures signifies prosperity and success. And then, there is the use of the finest first-fill French oak casks (a first for Royal Salute) to create a complex taste profile that appeals to Asian palates. Basically, this is what you should be toasting the new year (and Chinese New Year) with.
The Rush bumbag could be considered an entryway bag—one that’s left near the doorway and constantly packed with everyday essentials ready to go. It’s easy to pair with just about any outfit and the nifty top handle (something you’d rarely see on a bumbag) adds more adaptability to an already versatile piece. The charm is removable if you don’t fancy it, but the bottomline is this: we’re all about seizing new opportunities in 2025 and having a bag that’s always at the ready is key.
Whether they are prescription or reading glasses, it’s always nice to put a stylish spin on an essential accessory. This Oliver Peoples optical frame comes in a flattering lens shape that’ll suit most faces. The gradient hue is a contemporary take on simplicity in design, showcasing the frame in its very essence and highlighting its curves. Here’s to seeing and looking (better) ahead.
It’s 2025 soon and high time to get smart about how you are travelling. This Samsonite backpack and luggage combo is perfect for those quick trips, especially with the easily accessible compartments and expandable volume. The backpack is what one would expect of a thoughtfully designed piece that’s centred around functionality, but with the added boon of design simplicity.
If you do not understand the hype behind the Labubu plushie decorating bags the world over, let this Prada combination persuade you. The leather tote bag is roomy enough to be an everyday work companion (those wide handles are a nifty design choice). And when paired with the brand’s latest bag charm that consists of an abstract robot and utility cords, what you have is a carrier with the bells and whistles, but in wholly grown-up way.
Onitsuka Tiger isn’t just about its iconic sneakers. The Onitsuka line is the formal expression of Onitsuka Tiger’s Japanese craftsmanship and comfort tech, with a twist. Take these wingtip brogues for example. They are of a classic silhouette, set on a chunky outer sole meant for durability and enhanced cushioning. They have tweed inserts that are woven in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture and combined with the glossy finish of the Japanese Kobe beef leather, making them a pair to be treasured.
Canine elegance aside, there is something particularly appealing about this Dolce&Gabbana dog collar. Made out of leather decorated with a leopard print, it comes with a dog paw charm. It's quite perfect for your non-human bestie. Or (and we won't entirely be surprised) you might actually be persuaded to adopt one.
To tell, keep and make time for all that is coming in 2025, you are unlikely to find a timepiece as nostalgically handsome as the Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921. It is designed to stay true to the spirit of the 1921 original, with that iconic diagonally placed dial that allows you to make quick work at telling time.
Nothing puts you in the mood of the season quite like the smell of woody effervescence. Maison Francis Kurkdjian extends its olfactory expertise to a limited-edition scented candle that celebrates mistletoe with a subtle one-two of musk and creamy woods. It’s calming, but not overtly festive, so you can burn it any time of the year.
As its name suggests, Byredo’s Desert Dawn takes you on a journey to the vast expanse of the desert with a warmth that’s felt with every spritz. The scent opens with the sweetness of cardamom and rose before the woodiness of cedar and sandalwood sets in. A body of silk musk and vetiver, together with the lightness of papyrus rounds off Desert Dawn for the right amount of depth.
Photography: Jayden Tan
Styling: Asri Jasman
Stock Images: Unsplash
Long before waxed cotton and tweed gave way to Gore-Tex and fleece, a tailored jacket was one of the most popular pieces of sportswear for men. Initially designed for the horsey set, the hacking jacket—hacking being the term for riding cross-country—was a linchpin of the male wardrobe in the UK, where it originated, and in America. It was built to withstand thornbushes and passing branches while providing warmth in the saddle. By the 1930s, the jacket had become a fixture even for non-riders, a way to say, “I may be off duty but I’m still keeping up appearances.”
Back then, the jacket was made of tweed, often with pronounced patterns in natural, country-inspired colors, and finished with details like slanted pockets and throat latches to make long rides more comfortable. Crucially, none of this had much to do with fashion. It was all about function, with a necessary nod to remaining presentable even when wandering around the outskirts of some far-flung estate. Fast-forward a century and the hacking jacket remains—blissfully—largely unchanged. The equestrian details are still there. The fabric is reliably a variation on tweed. And it’s still a great way to elevate your wardrobe without getting too fussy about things. Now you might find yourself pairing it just as comfortably with denim and loafers as corduroy and brogues. And the tie—much like the horse—is entirely optional.
Photographs by Ryan Slack
Styling by Andrea Rios
Grooming by Devra Kinery
Model: Thomas Gibbons at State Management
Originally published on Esquire UK
It is September, the month magazines typically turn their attention to the subject of style. Esquire Singapore may be far less conformist than many of this city-state’s publications, but delivering a fashion-centric September issue is one rule we’re glad to adhere to.
For much of my 20 years as a journalist and editor, I’ve covered fashion, among other subjects of vital socioeconomic importance.
Up until the pandemic, I would often spend much of each January and June at Pitti Uomo and the fashion weeks in London, Paris and Milan. Though I mostly focus on menswear, on several occasions, I had the privilege of attending the women’s couture presentations in Paris.
Being lucky enough to see Raf Simons’s spring 2013 Christian Dior couture show remains one of my most memorable fashion moments. Then a newbie to couture, Raf brought a crisp futurism to this classic discipline, creating structured gowns and mellifluous frocks that were ‘pretty’ and glamorous yet modern, and immaculately tailored suits that lent couture an almost everyday practicality.
(DIOR MEN'S SUMMER 2024)
The 2015 documentary Dior and I, which explored the frenzied eight-week creative process behind Raf’s first couture collection as artistic director for Dior, brought into sharp focus not only his passionate perfectionism but the incredible skill of the artisans toiling in Dior’s Avenue Montaigne ateliers. As much as the designer’s vision, it is these craftspeople’s painstaking execution of minute details that gives a couture garment its magic—contributing to a price tag that can stretch well into six figures.
It was details that distinguished the experience when I recently became one of the first customers of the Dior spa on Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express train, travelling through the jungles of Malaysia. Operating some of the world’s most elegant hotels, as well as several gracious sleeper trains and boats, Belmond was acquired several years ago by Dior-allied LVMH, making this collaboration very much a family affair.
Positioned between the dining and bar cars, the spa comprises two treatment rooms clad in rich tropical wood panelling carrying Dior’s canework motif, which figured prominently in Kim Jones’ spring 2024 Dior Men’s collection. Feature walls and bedspreads are dressed in Dior’s Toile de Jouy print, a graphic used across an array of apparel and accessories by the house’s current women’s artistic director, Maria Grazia Chiuri. The rooms look gorgeous, but where the Dior spa really impressed was in its attention to certain points that many five-star spas fumble.
(LUDOVIC BALAY)
Whatever plush fleecy textile was used to cover the massage table, it felt like lying on a cloud, and somehow, the face cradle miraculously avoided giving me the throbbing forehead-ache that most do. The music steered clear of meditative chants, nature sounds and panpipe cliché, instead opting for the type of laidback sounds you’d hear in a chic Parisian bar. (At several points, I wished I’d had Shazam handy. And a martini.)
Protecting my modesty, a zephyr-like cotton sheet of incalculable thread count was draped across me. It carried an embroidered quote from Monsieur Dior: “Au fond d’un cœur sommeille toujours un rêve,” which translates as “Deep inside a heart, there always lies a dream”—apt, as this spa experience was indeed dreamy. The massage itself was very nice, I might add. The vibrations as we rattled down the tracks added a certain je ne sais quoi.
(LUDOVIC BALAY)
I’d never been on a luxury sleeper train before, and it proved a terribly stylish way to travel. There’s an ineffable elegance to journeying at a pace far slower than an aircraft, relaxing and enjoying lush palm-treed scenery with a cocktail in one hand, a paperback of Paul Theroux’s Great Railway Bazaar in the other. “If a train is large and comfortable you don’t even need a destination; a corner seat is enough, and you can be one of those travellers who stay in motion, straddling the tracks, and never arrive or feel they ought to,” Theroux writes. Can confirm.
It was also pleasant to be in the company of travellers who’d made an effort to dress in key with the sophisticated surroundings. Prompting this, passengers on the Eastern & Oriental Express are issued with dress code guidance pre-departure, noting that the “atmosphere aboard is one of relaxed refinement,” suggesting that gentlemen should wear a sports coat or blazer for dinner, and to please avoid jeans or sneakers during meal times (where acclaimed chef André Chiang’s cuisine is served). Nearly everyone aboard stepped up sartorially, with a couple of gents going so far as to don a tuxedo one evening, adding to the sense of occasion and Agatha Christie-esque atmosphere.
(FRANKIE LIN)
Relaunched this year after a pandemic hiatus and a periodic spruce-up of its Art Deco interiors, the Eastern & Oriental Express currently navigates several different itineraries across Malaysia, and will soon also explore Thailand. Belmond operates classic trains in South America, Europe and Great Britain, but the man responsible for running the company’s mobile hospitality offering has a particular fondness for our local route, shunting from Woodlands to Penang and back.
“People always ask me which is my favourite train, and it’s like choosing between children—you’re not really allowed to say,” Gary Franklin, the vice president for Belmond trains and cruises, tells me. “But spending time on that train, sitting in the observation car, watching the Asian countryside go by, is amazing.”
Belmond’s philosophy centres on savouring both the destination and the journey, travelling in style, and much like the Dior atelier, having skilled personnel in place to ensure all the fiddly details are “just so”. “Luxury is evolving, it’s less about formality and more about genuine care. The art of hospitality is about creating an atmosphere where guests feel that everything is taken care of and that they are special,” Franklin believes.
“It’s about making guests feel comfortable, well looked after, and relaxed, creating an environment where people feel like they’re at home—but better,” he explains. “It’s not just about the tangible things like the quality of the food or the type of champagne served, though those are important, of course. It’s more about the people who make you feel at ease, the generosity and care that go beyond what’s expected.” In couture or hospitality, it’s the personal touch that makes all the difference. That, and a sense of style. Human qualities AI has fortunately not yet learnt to imitate.
Long before fashion houses consciously co-opted colours as brand identifiers, Dior was one of the first few to have incorporated the colour grey (specifically Trianon Grey or Montaigne Grey) as part of its visual vocabulary. Grey has become such an integral colour for the house that you’d be hard-pressed to find a single collection without the use of it.
It is said that Monsieur Dior’s fascination with the hue first began when he was establishing the couture house on the now-historic 30 Avenue Montaigne address. He drew inspiration from his childhood home in Granville, which featured hues of blush pink and grey. The latter, he regarded as a practical and neutral shade that’s elegant in every material expression from wool to tweed.
Grey continues to be a core element of the House and one that Dior Men artistic director Kim Jones refreshes time and time again. Across renewed menswear tailoring, reimagined bag silhouettes as well as modern classic pieces, Jones typically includes grey as a part of an item’s colourway. We reckon it’s equal parts to honour Monsieur Dior as it is exemplifying just how elegant the pigment truly is.
As one of Dior Men’s explorations of reimagining its icons, the recently released Dior Gravity series now receives a greyed out treatment. The embossed Dior Oblique motif is achieved through a delicate technique that marks the leather with the aid of gravity—hence the name. The latest iteration of Dior Gravity adds another layer of craftsmanship with a gradient of greys beautiful executed through a hand-spraying process. Dior artisans then cut, assemble and sew the elements one by one.
A duo of backpacks and messenger bags as well as a clutch are dressed in the gradient Dior Gravity. And just as how Monsieur Dior himself had envisioned, the distinct Dior elegance is apparent despite the pieces crafted as more modern, casual accessories. The Dior Oblique motif is slightly obscured as the shift from life to dark glides over each piece, adding a sort of dramatic subtlety—a kind of intricate element you'd find on a couture piece.
