https://www.scmp.com/rss/265164/feed Elizabeth Kerr has been writing on film, culture, travel and property among other things for nearly 15 years while living in Hong Kong, and is an admitted space nerd whose proudest life achievement to date was attending ComicCon. She is a staunch advocate of butter, sugar, caffeine, cheese and chocolate. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Contrary to the image, buying a private island isn’t just for the glitterati and titans of industry – although, along with jets and yachts, they surely rank among the world’s most exclusive trappings of wealth. From Scotland to the Bahamas and all points in between, private islands offer luxury and glamour, along with the privacy. They’re associated with ultra-luxury as well as carrying a whiff of aristocracy, and even though islands can be bought in various parts of the world for less than... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3201853/why-owning-private-island-isnt-glamorous-it-looks-celebrities-johnny-depp-leonardo-dicaprio-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3201853/why-owning-private-island-isnt-glamorous-it-looks-celebrities-johnny-depp-leonardo-dicaprio-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Dec 2022 00:00:09 +0000 Hawaii’s island chain is no stranger to glamour, drama or stunning beauty. Its incredible coastline has made it a playground for the rich and famous for decades, from the classic surf breaks on Oahu’s north shore, to the five-star resorts on Maui, and the quiet, off-the-grid calm of Hana. One of the state’s most famed and photographed single homes – indeed currently listed in toptenrealestatedeals.com’s “Top 10 Celebrity and Spectacular Homes” – is Waterfalling Estate, on the island also named... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3192565/take-tour-clifftop-hawaiian-estate-justin-bieber-rented?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3192565/take-tour-clifftop-hawaiian-estate-justin-bieber-rented?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Sep 2022 05:31:47 +0000 Since the dawn of travel, holidaymakers and history buffs alike have made pilgrimages to significant architectural monuments for a close-up look at some of the world’s most recognisable structures. In 2019, over 13 million people travelled to Egypt, the vast majority with the Great Pyramids of Giza at the top of their wish lists. Two million visit the art deco Empire State Building in Manhattan each year, and 10 million flock to the Great Wall of China. All three are prime examples of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3186991/why-taiwan-icon-next-our-travel-bucket-list-avant-garde?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3186991/why-taiwan-icon-next-our-travel-bucket-list-avant-garde?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 29 Jul 2022 06:00:16 +0000 When most of us think of California, images of white sand beaches, sun-dappled vineyards and movie stars come quickest to mind. Perhaps the Golden Gate Bridge or even the historic art deco Los Angeles City Hall building. Since the inflating then bursting of the dotcom bubble in the late 1990s though, Silicon Valley has also been one of the state’s quintessential identifiers, albeit one that less readily calls a specific image to mind. Today, boasting the largest concentration of homes valued at... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3174801/fit-tech-royalty-bay-areas-most-expensive-home-now-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3174801/fit-tech-royalty-bay-areas-most-expensive-home-now-market?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Apr 2022 19:00:23 +0000 Actor Leonardo DiCaprio proved it’s not just Once Upon a Time in Hollywood for him when he coughed up US$7.1 million for a 5,000 sq ft home in neighbouring Los Feliz for his mother. The property is the most recent addition to the 47-year-old Oscar winner’s considerable California portfolio. That already included a Hollywood Hills house bought from Madonna in 1994; a 1950s oceanfront Malibu bungalow off the Pacific Coast Highway he picked up in 1998; a mid-century modern home in Palm Springs,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3168355/inside-leonardo-dicaprios-us7-million-california-mansion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3168355/inside-leonardo-dicaprios-us7-million-california-mansion?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Feb 2022 19:00:25 +0000 With coronavirus and social distancing still ongoing concerns, entertaining at home has become a common practice – even in Hong Kong where space comes at a premium. And now the year’s most prominent entertaining season is just around the corner. If you really try, the holiday season can stretch from American Thanksgiving (at the end of November) right through Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, to Lunar New Year at the beginning of February. That’s a lot of entertaining. Standing tall among those is... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3158597/how-decorate-small-home-christmas-hong-kong-deck-halls-eco?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3158597/how-decorate-small-home-christmas-hong-kong-deck-halls-eco?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Dec 2021 06:00:14 +0000 It’s easy to forget how wasteful bars are when you waltz into the latest swanky watering hole to be confronted by glittering tables and trendy waiting staff serving bespoke drinks that tout local influences. A closer look, though, reveals just what kind of ecological disasters they truly are. Bars are among the world’s biggest consumers of plastics, paper and aluminium (straws, bottle caps, coasters), using astronomical amounts of water (in-house or purchased ice), and wasting thousand of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3155866/asias-most-sustainable-cocktail-bars-hong-kongs-penicillin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3155866/asias-most-sustainable-cocktail-bars-hong-kongs-penicillin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Nov 2021 06:00:29 +0000 When Milan Design Week got underway in early September, it was a scaled-down affair after a pandemic-induced 18-month delay. Included in the week’s festivities was Supersalone, a special edition of the pacesetting Salone del Mobile (Milan Furniture Fair), which set the tone for design in 2022 and beyond, and served as a reflection of our collective new normal. That’s not to say that there was less glitz and glamour than in any other year. Major luxury designers were front and centre again in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3153296/milan-design-week-showcased-2022s-most-fashionable-furniture?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3153296/milan-design-week-showcased-2022s-most-fashionable-furniture?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Oct 2021 07:44:52 +0000 Located in one of Los Angeles’ prettiest neighbourhoods is, arguably, one of California’s prettiest estates: Il Sogno was once the Bel-Air home of Hollywood glitterati Howard F. Ruby and his wife Yvette Mimieux. Literally named “the dream” in Italian, the US$45 million property is now for sale through Westside Estate Agency. Whoever picks up this distinctive address in its exclusive enclave will count superstar musicians Jay-Z and Beyoncé, actor Jennifer Aniston and Tesla mogul Elon Musk among... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3148024/inside-california-mansion-fit-royal-italian-villa-il-sogno?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3148024/inside-california-mansion-fit-royal-italian-villa-il-sogno?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:12:20 +0000 Equestrian sport didn’t used to be referred to as the “sport of kings” – the phrase originally referred to hunting – but over time it has come to epitomise that title. The name encompasses both horse racing and show jumping, among the most glamorous sports, associated with some of the biggest social events of the year – think of Epsom Downs’ elaborate fascinators on Derby Day, or the parade of the rich and famous on display at Royal Ascot or at Australia’s Melbourne Cup. Recall high-profile... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3147451/have-equestrian-sports-always-been-posh-queen-elizabeth?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3147451/have-equestrian-sports-always-been-posh-queen-elizabeth?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 06 Sep 2021 07:00:12 +0000 For some, René Caovilla might fly below the radar of other better-known shoe brands, such as Christian Louboutin or Manolo Blahnik, most likely due to the fact that Jennifer Lopez never sang about it and HBO’s Sex and the City never fetishised its wares. Which doesn’t mean René Caovilla’s history is any less star-studded. J.Lo has sported the brand’s signature crystal-embellished snake-coil design, as have other well-heeled fashionistas like Rihanna, Bella Hadid, Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3142696/rihanna-bella-hadid-and-kim-kardashian-all-rock-rene?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3142696/rihanna-bella-hadid-and-kim-kardashian-all-rock-rene?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Aug 2021 08:00:18 +0000 As SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin race each other to the stars – Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin is pulling ahead with his planned flight in July – Nasa, Roscosmos, the ESA and the China National Space Administration continue the work of preparing humanity for life in space. As of 2020, 570 people had travelled to space, of which just 65 were women – though that number has accelerated in recent years. In June, the UAE introduced the world to the country’s first female astronaut, mechanical... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3139741/sorry-jeff-bezos-these-women-beat-you-it-us-sally-ride?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3139741/sorry-jeff-bezos-these-women-beat-you-it-us-sally-ride?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Jul 2021 22:00:15 +0000 When British merchants arrived to Asia in the mid-1800s, members’ clubs were necessities: places not just for trade and socialising, but for gathering information on which the Empire might rely. Coffee or cocktail? Why not both, as Hong Kong (finally) embraces cafe-bars Today, Hong Kong is currently home to over 500 members’ clubs for all sorts of people, from gourmands (China Club) and yachting enthusiasts (Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club), to bankers (Hong Kong Bankers Club) and journalists... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3137919/hong-kongs-8-best-private-members-clubs-soho-house-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3137919/hong-kongs-8-best-private-members-clubs-soho-house-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Jun 2021 09:00:00 +0000 The word “tequila” likely brings two things to mind: The Champs’ 1958 novelty song, or hangovers resulting from nights out that got out of hand. That’s because this spirit – that dates to the 16th century and which can be as refined as single malt scotch – has a reputation as a drink for getting a quick buzz on a tight budget. In common with the recent trend for “rehabilitating” spirits however, that picture is evolving. Tequila began its life as pulque, a nutrient-rich drink fermented from... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3127554/can-celebrities-make-tequila-cool-dwayne-johnson-kendall?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3127554/can-celebrities-make-tequila-cool-dwayne-johnson-kendall?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Mar 2021 07:00:11 +0000 After the colourless year that was 2020, it might seem fair that the trendsetting Pantone Color Institute greedily broke with its own tradition by greedily choosing two colours of the year for 2021: 17-5104 Ultimate Grey and 13-0647 Illuminating, a vivid shade of yellow. While millions around the world are mired in reflection, hoping the light at the end of the tunnel is real, Pantone picked colours it describes as “conjoining deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3120468/pantone-picked-two-colours-year-2021-brands-shanghai-tang?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3120468/pantone-picked-two-colours-year-2021-brands-shanghai-tang?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Feb 2021 04:16:42 +0000 As popular as wine is across the globe, as much a part of everyday life as it is in many locations and as accessible as it has become, there are still pockets of chauvinism among wine aficionados – resistance to change, to usage and to new players. Despite technology and consumer attitudes evolving to make wine more approachable, it’s still difficult to convince a California wine fan to sample a Viognier from Texas. That challenge grows exponentially the farther you get from so-called... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3113330/will-western-snobs-ever-take-asian-wines-seriously-grapes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3113330/will-western-snobs-ever-take-asian-wines-seriously-grapes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Dec 2020 10:00:16 +0000 When most modern urbanites declare they “need more space”, they’re likely thinking of something along the lines of jumping from 500 square feet to 1,000. But when you’re musician and EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) holder John Legend and his model/food writer wife Chrissy Teigen, the base is naturally much, much higher. 7 Hollywood stars who only need an Oscar to earn EGOT status They’ve already secured the keys to a new-build of more than 10,000 sq ft (929 square metres). That means the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3112604/inside-john-legend-and-chrissy-teigens-incredible-beverly?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3112604/inside-john-legend-and-chrissy-teigens-incredible-beverly?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Dec 2020 02:00:22 +0000 A generation ago, London’s King’s Cross was a semi-derelict post-industrial district, known for rampant drug trafficking and prostitution by the 1980s. But the land around King’s Cross station itself, and neighbouring St Pancras station, was too valuable for a city strapped for space to build new offices and homes, and a multibillion pound, 67-acre regeneration began in the 2000s. Anchored today by the St Pancras International railway station (where the Eurostar terminates), the renewed King’s... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3104476/roksanda-fashion-house-designed-artsy-feminine-london?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3104476/roksanda-fashion-house-designed-artsy-feminine-london?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 07 Oct 2020 10:00:12 +0000 When a Chinese calligrapher and art collector recently bought a historic, 1,500-square-foot (140-square-metre) flat to serve as his London address, it was with the aim of creating a home that was “English outside and Chinese inside”, recalls the owner (who wishes to remain anonymous). Judging by the final product, he’s done just that, with this corner flat in a six-storey art nouveau Westminster building dating to 1907. “I [wanted] to bring my culture to my home in the UK, just as, similarly, a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3100053/how-british-architects-holloway-li-remodelled-listed?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3100053/how-british-architects-holloway-li-remodelled-listed?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Sep 2020 02:00:17 +0000 An island nation in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives derives 30 per cent of its GDP and 90 per cent of its tax revenues from tourism. Facing the coronavirus outbreak, the tropical paradise closed its borders in March and announced its intention to recommence its tourism in July. According to the report “Impact of the Covid-19 Crisis in the Maldives” by the Maldives Ministry of Economic Development, the latest forecasts shows that the decline in tourist arrivals will be in the range of 50-63 per... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3095827/maldives-climate-crisis-how-island-resorts-four-seasons?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3095827/maldives-climate-crisis-how-island-resorts-four-seasons?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Aug 2020 19:00:14 +0000 Florence. The name immediately conjures images of grand de’ Medici palaces, succulent “super Tuscan” wines and sun-dappled hills dotted with 15th-century church spires. The city is the jewel of the Renaissance for having given the world writers Dante and Machiavelli, polymaths Da Vinci and Galileo, artists Caravaggio and Botticelli, and architect Brunelleschi. Its influence was felt across Europe, and its legacy can be seen in world-famous galleries and museums such as the Palazzo Pitti, the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3091236/move-aside-michelangelo-modern-florence-all-about-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3091236/move-aside-michelangelo-modern-florence-all-about-open?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Jul 2020 04:00:19 +0000 “When you see a place like this, with heritage and history, you start with structure and literally start at the beginning: at the entrance. And the idea is to change everything – but leave everything as it is.” This is how Hong Kong-based ST Design’s creative director Stefano Tordiglione describes the approach he took for the comprehensive redesign of Vienna House, which was completed late in 2019. Located just outside the Austrian capital, Vienna House dates back to the 1890s, once serving as a... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3088837/how-hong-kong-design-company-gave-vienna-house-once?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3088837/how-hong-kong-design-company-gave-vienna-house-once?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 14 Jun 2020 09:00:09 +0000 Elizabeth Kerr Elizabeth Kerr Widely touted in the British tabloids as one of the UK’s most eligible bachelors, 29-year-old Hugh Grosvenor, the current Duke of Westminster and godfather to Prince George, is also one of the world’s wealthiest millennials. Grosvenor took up the title on the death of his father in 2016, Major General Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, the 6th Duke of Westminster. The peerage title was created by Queen Victoria in 1874 when one of Grosvenor’s namesakes, Hugh Grosvenor, the 3rd Marquess of Westminster,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3086954/meet-duke-westminster-hugh-grosvenor-british-royal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3086954/meet-duke-westminster-hugh-grosvenor-british-royal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Jun 2020 07:10:28 +0000 For a relatively small island, the Bahamas is one of the global glitterati’s favourite Caribbean playgrounds. Famed as home to holiday getaways of tech mogul Bill Gates, actor Sean Connery and pro golfer Tiger Woods, the tradition of elite escapism started decades ago, arguably with the arrival of the then-scandalous Duke of Windsor and his wife Wallis Simpson in 1940. The grand estate they lived in briefly is now for sale. Wallis Simpson shook the royals – and turned the panther into Cartier’s... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3085661/fit-royal-couple-exile-no-not-meghan-and-harry-caribbean?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3085661/fit-royal-couple-exile-no-not-meghan-and-harry-caribbean?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 May 2020 23:00:10 +0000 Elizabeth Kerr Elizabeth Kerr The travel industry is suffering from its worst downturn in memory due to the global coronavirus pandemic. As China, the first country with the outbreak and the world’s second largest economy, starts to return to normal, Beijing has also decided it’s time to get back to work and lift some of its travel restrictions, including bans on travel to and from Wuhan and Hubei Province, the epicentre of the pandemic. The world will surely take reference from the nation for post-coronavirus... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3085641/chinas-economy-recovers-coronavirus-post-pandemic-travel?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3085641/chinas-economy-recovers-coronavirus-post-pandemic-travel?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 May 2020 08:03:43 +0000 There’s something for everyone from among these latest luxury offerings. Relaxing staycation For anyone wanting to treat their mother to something special on Mother’s Day, the options are limited this year. A spot of pampering at a glamorous overseas destination spa is going to be a tough one to pull off – but fortunately, a staycation package at one of Hong Kong’s top hotels and spas offers a pretty good alternative. The Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s Oasis Indulgence for Mom, which is available... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3083265/luxury-may-5-star-mothers-day-staycation-striking-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3083265/luxury-may-5-star-mothers-day-staycation-striking-new?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 May 2020 04:54:32 +0000 The global hospitality industry is in turmoil as it tries to deal with recommendations for people to avoid cruises or non-essential travel. Hong Kong is no exception, and it has stepped up restrictions including quarantine for all inbound travellers, which further reduces the numbers of business and leisure travellers from overseas. In the face of this challenge, hotels in Hong Kong are offering a host of attractive packages – from immunity boost to wellness programmes – to support local... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3079223/6-luxury-hong-kong-hotels-offering-special-easter-deals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3079223/6-luxury-hong-kong-hotels-offering-special-easter-deals?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Apr 2020 10:00:11 +0000 Wine lovers will attest to the unmitigated joy found in making a personal wine discovery. Stepping beyond one’s personal comfort zone to sample a wine from Georgia or Tunisia and finding a hidden gem is a singular reward. While superstar wine regions like Tuscany and Napa Valley will always be popular, there are countless emerging destinations worthy of exploration, sometimes only a few kilometres away. Economics and human nature are putting the better known wine regions under the radar. The... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3076167/tuscany-napa-valley-lets-toast-new-wine-hotspots-slovenia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3076167/tuscany-napa-valley-lets-toast-new-wine-hotspots-slovenia?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2020 08:00:16 +0000 Looking for a relaxing lunch with a view? Look no further. Hot on the heels of the Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura in Florence comes the Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura Beverly Hills, fittingly located on the roof of the brand’s Rodeo Drive boutique in Los Angeles. How the Gucci Osteria in Florence won its first Michelin star The Michelin-starred chef’s latest eatery is a first for both Gucci and Bottura, despite the house’s long history with American glitterati. The new Osteria will combine... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3051076/guccis-michelin-starred-osteria-massimo-bottura?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3051076/guccis-michelin-starred-osteria-massimo-bottura?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Feb 2020 08:00:19 +0000 It wasn’t too long ago that a romantic getaway meant a weekend in a semi-tropical location a short flight away, or splurging on a suite in a fancy hotel at home. But the definition of “romantic travel” has changed in the past couple of decades, especially among discerning travellers seeking meaningful experiences that go beyond trips to classic destinations like Venice or Paris. For 2020 and beyond, romantic travel will include embracing the same ideas that are sweeping travel: from boomers to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3048913/luxury-train-cabins-transformational-experiences-and-device?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3048913/luxury-train-cabins-transformational-experiences-and-device?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 13 Feb 2020 09:00:08 +0000 It could be argued that rising interior design star Sophie Ashby was destined for greatness. She studied art history at the UK’s University of Leeds and interior design at New York’s Parsons School of Design, and started her career with Victoria Fairfax Interiors before moving to creative agency Spring & Mercer. Both firms are design legends that offer emerging designers an enviable leg-up. Ashby credits Fairfax with her “understanding of colour and sense of proportion”, as she told Sotheby’s... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3049524/why-interior-designer-sophie-ashby-turns-art-picasso?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3049524/why-interior-designer-sophie-ashby-turns-art-picasso?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Feb 2020 08:00:17 +0000 There’s an app for everything now, and dating is no exception. Tinder may have contributed “swipe right” to the lexicon, but apps tailored to the LGBTQ+ community are in full swing, too Can you tell the difference between these celebrities and their kids? Grindr For better or for worse, Grindr is the granddaddy of gay apps, boasting over six million active users worldwide and a total of nearly 30 million members. Despite its reach, the app, predominantly for men, has been unable to transcend... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3048361/5-lgbtq-dating-apps-will-help-you-find-one-you-are?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/tech-design/article/3048361/5-lgbtq-dating-apps-will-help-you-find-one-you-are?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Feb 2020 02:00:13 +0000 In recent years, the biggest pipeline of new hotels scheduled to open has been concentrated in the Asia-Pacific – and the majority of that pipeline is in China. With approximately 400,000 rooms under planning or construction, Shanghai is leading the charge, but Guangzhou and the Greater Bay Area are not far behind. Originally scheduled to open in 2019, travellers will have to wait just a bit longer for the new Conrad in Shenzhen and the 2,000-room Grand Lisboa Palace — designed by Karl Lagerfeld... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3045042/hyatt-rosewood-intercontinental-jumeirah-4-best-new-hotels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3045042/hyatt-rosewood-intercontinental-jumeirah-4-best-new-hotels?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Jan 2020 08:00:09 +0000 Be honest: how many times have you paid attention to the in-flight safety demonstration, now a pre-recorded video, before take-off? Chances are, after a certain number of flights, the answer is: not that many. The safety notifications may be dull, but they are important, and airlines are well aware most of us chat, read or sleep through them. Because of this, several are producing more captivating videos. Here are some of our selections of the most intriguing creations. 5 airlines with the best... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3043226/8-funniest-most-imaginative-flight-safety-videos-which?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3043226/8-funniest-most-imaginative-flight-safety-videos-which?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Dec 2019 04:00:16 +0000 Since it was introduced 10 years ago, the Christmas tree at London’s historic Claridge’s hotel has become a symbolic sign of the festive season. With designer John Galliano leading its debut, the project has since gone on to partner with worldwide renowned design creatives, with names including Alber Elbaz, Diane von Furstenberg and Karl Lagerfeld. This year, the interpretation of the tree sprang from the imagination of celebrated shoe designer Christian Louboutin. Capped with a glittering gold... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3041853/what-did-christian-louboutin-create-years-claridges?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3041853/what-did-christian-louboutin-create-years-claridges?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Dec 2019 02:00:07 +0000 Parisian fashion house Balmain is launching a limited capsule collection with luxury e-commerce platform Net-a-Porter. The collection features ready-to-wear designs and footwear in chic monochrome that is “anything but monotonous”. The 16 styles of capes, crop tops, leggings and shoes in striking black and white offer a modern take on classic French pied-de-poule (houndstooth). Designed by Balmain’s creative director, Olivier Rousteing, the line features unique patterns, graphic lines,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3040498/net-porter-and-balmain-are-making-monochrome-cool-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3040498/net-porter-and-balmain-are-making-monochrome-cool-and?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Dec 2019 18:00:17 +0000 Fashion brand Gucci is known for its clothing and accessories, but its hometown, Florence, has been a cultural tastemaker for six centuries. When Gucci opened the Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura inside the Gucci Garden two years ago, it was a tip of the hat to the house’s historic birthplace, and a demonstration of the label’s commitment to creativity across disciplines. Loved Lizzo’s tiny handbag? 5 awesome mini bags you can actually use It was also the realisation of childhood friends Marco... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3040586/innovation-passion-heritage-how-gucci-osteria-florence-won?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3040586/innovation-passion-heritage-how-gucci-osteria-florence-won?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Dec 2019 18:00:11 +0000 Few accessories are as symbolic as Christian Dior’s Lady Dior handbag. Its signature round handles and cannage motif are architectural and elegant, creating what the brand calls an “ode to femininity’s multiple nature”. Reinventing itself time and again – much like the modern woman – while maintaining the Dior spirit and acknowledging the house’s history, Lady Dior has once again been reinterpreted as a bag – and as art. Dior celebrates the late Peter Lindbergh with 2-volume book The fourth... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3040546/how-11-artists-reinvented-lady-dior-handbag-both-bag-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3040546/how-11-artists-reinvented-lady-dior-handbag-both-bag-and?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Dec 2019 04:00:07 +0000 What: Guggenheim International Gala (GIG) Where: Guggenheim Museum, New York Happenings: The annual Guggenheim fundraiser took place on November 14 at the legendary New York museum, a glittery event that included dinner, music and, of course, art. Attendees were treated to a performance by cellist Kelsey Lu. The evening honoured Guggenheim architect Frank Gehry, foundation honorary chair Peter Lawson-Johnston, the museum’s works and process founder Mary Sharp Cronson, and works and process... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3039720/charlize-theron-nina-dobrev-and-uma-thurman-rock-dior-new?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3039720/charlize-theron-nina-dobrev-and-uma-thurman-rock-dior-new?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Nov 2019 02:00:07 +0000 Those travelling to Paris can have swanky new accommodation at one of the city’s most majestic hotels. We review InterContinental Hotel Phu Quoc in Vietnam The third renovation for the InterContinental Paris Le Grand began in January last year headed by interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, and the new Signature Suites have been unveiled: the Charles Garnier, La Parisienne and The Pearl. 3 luxury hotels in Jaffa, Israel, that are fit for a Pharaoh Featuring views of the Opéra Garnier, the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3038620/paris-plushest-hotel-room-inside-new-swan-lake-inspired?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3038620/paris-plushest-hotel-room-inside-new-swan-lake-inspired?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 Nov 2019 04:00:18 +0000 Four Seasons was the first hotel chain to come out with a private jet flying around the world, now there is the Aman Private Jet, offering the same service, privacy, accessibility and luxury as the brand’s hotels. Spoil yourself on Qatar Executive’s new Gulfstream private jets The Aman private jet, a Bombardier Global 5000 accommodating up to 12, with a range of nearly 10,000km, is the “airborne extension of the Aman resort philosophy”, and will feature a host of amenities for all private... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3037694/visit-china-and-southeast-asia-aman-resorts-luxurious?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3037694/visit-china-and-southeast-asia-aman-resorts-luxurious?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Nov 2019 18:00:09 +0000 What: Bulgari Harrods Pop-up Opening Where: Harrods, London Happenings: Fashion and cinema have a shared history, and Roman jeweller Bulgari has had its place on the red carpet, dressing great names in the film industry such as Elizabeth Taylor and Ingrid Bergman for their appearances. 14 celebrities with crazy expensive supercars worth up to US$40 million Bulgari unveils watch collection at London Fashion Week The jeweller is showcasing the glamorous life on a global scale. Ahead of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3037724/harrods-home-bulgaris-pop-and-british-royals-models-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3037724/harrods-home-bulgaris-pop-and-british-royals-models-and?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Nov 2019 18:00:11 +0000 There are few journeys that capture the imagination quite like train travel in the 1920s. Belmond will celebrate the romance of the jazz era on its iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. The two-day, one-night journey kicks off from Venice and ends in London. Guests will spend the night of March 27, 2020, in Venice at Belmond’s Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca. They will indulge in a retro speakeasy in the hotel to set the mood for the journey. Get a taste of the Highlands from aboard the Belmond Royal... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3037360/london-venice-belmonds-luxurious-overnight-train-takes-you?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3037360/london-venice-belmonds-luxurious-overnight-train-takes-you?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Nov 2019 02:00:11 +0000 Mandarin Oriental Milan opens the doors to its exclusive private dining room by Fornasetti. A complement to the hotel’s custom-designed Fornasetti Suite, the new Duomo Private Dining Room is at the hotel’s two Michelin-starred Seta. Dim sum and drama: We review the Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing Named after Duomo Sommerso, an artwork based on founder and artist Piero Fornasetti’s surreal and ethereal 1951 illustration depicting the famed cathedral under water, the private space is also accented... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3036863/how-mandarin-oriental-milans-new-duomo-private-dining-room?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3036863/how-mandarin-oriental-milans-new-duomo-private-dining-room?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Nov 2019 07:00:14 +0000 What: Valentino’s Saint-Honoré Boutique Reopening Cocktail Party Where: Paris Happenings: Valentino threw open its revitalised Paris doors to unveil its new womenswear and capsule collections. Located in rue Saint-Honoré, in the heart of Paris’s glamorous and historic 1st arrondissement, the Valentino flagship store has undergone a refurbishment by renowned British architect David Chipperfield reflecting the brand’s lushness. The boutique is accented with velvet and marble among other... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3036533/olivia-palermo-nicky-hilton-and-pixie-geldof-join-star?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3036533/olivia-palermo-nicky-hilton-and-pixie-geldof-join-star?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Nov 2019 02:00:13 +0000 Event: Tod’s Studio Via Montenapoleone opening party Where: Milan, Italy Happenings: When Tod’s Studio opened its doors last month on Milan’s exclusive Via Montenapoleone, it was heralded with a glamorous drinks party on the evening of Tod’s spring/summer 2020 women’s collection launch event. How do celebrities Kate Moss and Sienna Miller get their red-carpet glow? Tod’s Studio is the third store in a new boutique concept injecting intimacy and architectural beauty into the shopping... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3035875/victorias-secret-model-alessandra-ambrosio-and-princess?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3035875/victorias-secret-model-alessandra-ambrosio-and-princess?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Nov 2019 02:00:11 +0000 Dozens of long-term collaborations between designers and photographers going back decades have created indelible images. Bruce Weber and Calvin Klein, Jürgen Teller and Marc Jacobs, and Helmut Newton and Saint Laurent are just a handful. Perhaps one of the greatest partnerships of all time was the one between German photographer Peter Lindbergh and French fashion house Christian Dior. Which fashion collection shone the brightest at Paris Couture Week? Dior celebrates its greatest photographer in... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3035313/dior-celebrates-late-peter-lindbergh-2-volume-book-dior?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3035313/dior-celebrates-late-peter-lindbergh-2-volume-book-dior?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Nov 2019 18:00:13 +0000 Who says Tiffany & Co.’s iconic blue box is only attractive to women? In October, the renowned New York jeweller unveiled its new Tiffany Men’s, a line dedicated to the gents, at the Hollywood Athletic Club in Los Angeles. The line comprises two collections: Tiffany 1837 Makers – a nod to the founding of the American jewellery house that year – and Diamond Point. Diamonds are a man’s best friend – just ask Floyd Mayweather Among the famous faces at the launch were actor and musician Jeff... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3035686/whats-tiffany-man-new-mens-line-features-games-rings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3035686/whats-tiffany-man-new-mens-line-features-games-rings?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Nov 2019 02:00:14 +0000 Nothing identifies your luggage in a sea of circling black boxes like a pop of bright colour. Stickers can be dated and messy; funky tags can fall off. But a vibrant red is eternal. Today’s consumers, with their busy schedules, also want more choice and individuality in their luggage, forcing manufacturers to keep both journey and destination in mind when designing their wares. STYLE Edit: 4 of Rimowa's summer-inspired colours The bright feathers of the scarlet ibis bird of Colombia’s and... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3034017/rimowa-keeps-both-journey-and-destination-mind-its?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3034017/rimowa-keeps-both-journey-and-destination-mind-its?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Oct 2019 02:00:12 +0000 Wine is bigger business than ever – and because there is an app for everything – there are now an increasing number of apps out there for wine lovers, serving novices and seasoned aficionados alike. So, whether you want to keep track of your personal collection, or choose the right accompaniment for that special dinner, there’s an app to help you get the job done. We tried out some of the most popular. CellarTracker Perhaps the most comprehensive app out there, CellarTracker – which has an... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3032493/wine-collector-or-social-drinker-here-are-5-wine-apps-help?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3032493/wine-collector-or-social-drinker-here-are-5-wine-apps-help?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Oct 2019 04:00:10 +0000