https://www.scmp.com/rss/322739/feed Some of the world's most coveted luxurious objects en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that celebrity engagement rings are no longer about quiet elegance – they’re about statements. Big ones. This year’s proposals have turned engagement rings, with their oversized oval cuts, rare coloured diamonds and deeply personal design touches, into full-blown cultural moments. But while social media is busy zooming in on the carat counts and price tags, there’s a deeper story behind these rings – one that Hong Kong’s L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, is... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3339558/style-edit-lecoles-new-course-engagement-rings-and-what-they-mean?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3339558/style-edit-lecoles-new-course-engagement-rings-and-what-they-mean?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 01:59:25 +0000 Annie Darling Annie Darling As social calendars fill up, high jewellers are leaning unapologetically into statement sparkle. The holiday season is when wearable art transcends accessory status and becomes the ultimate expression of style, drama and personality. Champagne-light diamonds flicker like paparazzi flashes; high-colour gemstones shift with fearless flair; baroque pearls glow as if lit from within. When you step into the season’s “It” party, your masterpieces are meant to do exactly what they were designed to do:... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3334484/dazzling-jewellery-festive-season-bulgari-chopard-chow-sang-sang-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3334484/dazzling-jewellery-festive-season-bulgari-chopard-chow-sang-sang-and-more?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Nov 2025 23:00:13 +0000 Lee Hill-choi Lee Hill-choi The value of the global collectibles sector is set to reach US$484.6 billion by the close of 2025, according to the “Collectibles Industry Report (2024–2034)”, published by Market Decipher – indicating an annual growth rate of 9.2 per cent. The report says that this boom is fuelled by millennial and Gen Z collectors turning passion into portfolios. But in a world where collectibles such as rare whisky, blue-chip art and vintage timepieces are prized as much for their stories as their yields, the... https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/special-reports/topics/wealth-alternative-investments/article/3332741/why-vetting-collectibles-so-important-amid-booming-market-fine-art-whisky-and-watches?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/special-reports/special-reports/topics/wealth-alternative-investments/article/3332741/why-vetting-collectibles-so-important-amid-booming-market-fine-art-whisky-and-watches?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 27 Nov 2025 21:00:10 +0000 Sheena Khemaney Sheena Khemaney A gold chain necklace, which was once believed to be a symbol of status, power and wealth, belongs to the same category as a pair of hoop earrings, a cocktail ring and a dainty bracelet – they are all classic jewellery pieces that can (and should) be worn as part of your everyday look. Here are some of the ones on our wish list. Roxanne First 80s necklace Shay Flat Cable Link necklace Pomellato Iconica necklace Lito Araki necklace https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3333556/4-gold-chain-necklaces-will-amp-your-outfit-pomellato-shay?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3333556/4-gold-chain-necklaces-will-amp-your-outfit-pomellato-shay?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 21 Nov 2025 01:00:14 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A Gustav Klimt portrait painting sold on Tuesday for US$236 million, a record for a modern art piece, at an auction where a solid gold, fully functional toilet satirising the ultrarich also fetched US$12.1 million. The toilet, by Maurizio Cattelan - the provocative Italian artist known for taping a banana to a wall - went up for auction on Tuesday evening at Sotheby’s in New York. The starting bid for the 101kg, 18-karat gold work was about US$10 million. Cattelan has said the piece, titled... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3333338/solid-gold-toilet-snapped-us121-million-new-york-auction?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3333338/solid-gold-toilet-snapped-us121-million-new-york-auction?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Nov 2025 03:06:43 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre It’s been almost two years since Catherine Rénier was appointed CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels after a successful stint as CEO at watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre. She couldn’t have joined at a better time for the jewellery maison. Established in 1906 in Paris, Van Cleef & Arpels is one of the most respected names in high jewellery – but don’t let its long history fool you. Over the years, the prestigious house has maintained its relevance among younger generations thanks to the success of its fine... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3333067/richemonts-van-cleef-arpels-ceo-catherine-renier-timelessness-and-sustainable-growth-interview?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3333067/richemonts-van-cleef-arpels-ceo-catherine-renier-timelessness-and-sustainable-growth-interview?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:00:14 +0000 Wilson Lau Wilson Lau Market resilience was on full display at Hong Kong’s autumn live jewellery auctions, with leading auction houses reporting enthusiastic paddle activity and strong results. Successes were widely attributed to the exceptional quality of lots on offer as well as meticulously curated catalogues that appealed to collectors. The recent strong sales have continued the momentum from this year’s spring auctions as well as those of autumn 2024. Overall, auction performance over the past two years has... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3332445/record-sales-hong-kongs-autumn-jewellery-auctions-sothebys-and-christies-phillips?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3332445/record-sales-hong-kongs-autumn-jewellery-auctions-sothebys-and-christies-phillips?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:00:09 +0000 Salina Li Salina Li Savvy investors, including a buyer of a floor at Opus in Mid-Levels who is connected to the family of a Cambodian Chinese tycoon, are pouncing on Hong Kong’s slumping commercial property market to snap up bargains. The 12th floor of 18 On Lan Street, a Ginza-style commercial building in Central, was handed over to Surplus Inc for HK$34 million (US$4.4 million) on Friday, according to Land Registry records. That represented a 65 per cent loss for the previous owner, Zhou Shubo, who bought the... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3332358/hong-kongs-slumping-commercial-property-market-lures-savvy-tycoon-linked-buyer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3332358/hong-kongs-slumping-commercial-property-market-lures-savvy-tycoon-linked-buyer?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2025 10:31:45 +0000 Joshua Hendren Joshua Hendren Jewellery design’s latest shift isn’t about bigger stones or brighter sparkle. It’s about leaving gems exactly as they were when they were prised from the ground. Unpolished, rough stones are being used in a growing number of high and fine jewellery collections. Once seen as merely the starting point of finished gems, they’re now prized for their texture, irregular shapes and raw beauty. This resurgence is nowhere more visible than at diamond specialist De Beers. Established in 2001 as the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3330480/why-rough-uncut-gemstones-are-feted-their-raw-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3330480/why-rough-uncut-gemstones-are-feted-their-raw-beauty?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 22:00:09 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter Victoria Reynolds, chief gemologist and vice-president of high jewellery diamond and gemstone acquisition at Tiffany & Co., has worked with the maison for a remarkable 38 years. She is the first woman to hold the chief gemologist role in the brand’s 188-year history, and was one of the creative forces behind the Blue Book 2025 Sea of Wonder collection. Reynolds is responsible for acquiring all of the jeweller’s diamonds and coloured gemstones, specifically the ones featured in the Blue Book –... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3329655/style-edit-tiffany-cos-victoria-reynolds-years-blue-book-high-jewellery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3329655/style-edit-tiffany-cos-victoria-reynolds-years-blue-book-high-jewellery?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Oct 2025 02:00:13 +0000 Francesca Fearon Francesca Fearon At the haute couture shows in Paris in July, bejewelled handbags generated buzz by marrying fashion and precious gemstones to create the ultimate accessory. Exquisite conversation pieces, they are a fresh and delightful way to showcase beautiful stones. Buccellati presented three one-of-a-kind clutch bags drawn from signature archival shapes and embellished with rich embroidery and gemstones. “The idea came from an exhibition last year in Venice featuring pieces from our archive and that... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3328331/gucci-hermes-and-bulgaris-gem-studded-bags-redefine-luxury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3328331/gucci-hermes-and-bulgaris-gem-studded-bags-redefine-luxury?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 11 Oct 2025 22:00:08 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal More affluent buyers are likely to snap up luxury homes in Hong Kong in the coming months, according to agents, as the city’s booming stock market and government policies that attract well-heeled investors boost the outlook for the high-end property segment. “Some ultra-wealthy buyers have earned substantial profits from the stock market over the past six months and are now reallocating part of their capital into the super luxury property segment, taking advantage of relatively low prices,” said... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3327423/more-affluent-buyers-snap-luxury-homes-amid-hong-kongs-roaring-stock-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3327423/more-affluent-buyers-snap-luxury-homes-amid-hong-kongs-roaring-stock-market?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 01:30:21 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter In the rarefied world of jewellery, the brightest light apparently comes from the deepest origins. This year, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) – the foremost arbiter of diamond standards for more than 90 years – has drawn an unmistakable line between the treasures of the Earth and their laboratory-made counterparts. On June 2, the institute announced that by year’s end, its famed 4Cs grading system – cut, colour, clarity, carat – will no longer apply to lab-grown diamonds. Instead,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3322198/style-edit-de-beers-drops-lab-grown-diamond-jewellery-focus-natural-stones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3322198/style-edit-de-beers-drops-lab-grown-diamond-jewellery-focus-natural-stones?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Aug 2025 02:00:09 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam Over the last 10 years, rare whisky has seen significant price increases and fluctuations, with some bottles fetching millions at auction. But what is in the bottle is not all that matters. These days, packaging plays an important role in determining the value of a rare vintage, according to Jonny Fowle, global head of spirits at Sotheby’s auction house. “Presentation in whisky is a key factor,” he says. Unlike wine, whisky can maintain its condition even when placed on a display shelf in a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3319532/how-rare-whiskys-box-can-bump-its-value-and-makers-getting-creative?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3319532/how-rare-whiskys-box-can-bump-its-value-and-makers-getting-creative?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Jul 2025 04:15:08 +0000 Annie Brown Annie Brown In 1937, the rather sharp-tongued British politician Sir Henry “Chips” Channon wrote in his diary of Lady Granard, one of the so-called “dollar princesses” – American heiresses who married into the British aristocracy – that she “could scarcely walk for jewels”. One such jewel, a frankly enormous emerald set into a diamond-studded collar necklace, is a highlight of the Cartier exhibition currently showing at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Because yes, huge gemstones have never lost... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3318670/big-showstopping-jewels-anchor-new-high-jewellery-collections-louis-vuitton-cartier-and-bulgari?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3318670/big-showstopping-jewels-anchor-new-high-jewellery-collections-louis-vuitton-cartier-and-bulgari?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 20 Jul 2025 03:00:10 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter The house of Graff and the history of magnificent diamonds go hand in hand. Over the decades, the exclusive British luxury jewellery house has handled some of the most outstanding rocks ever mined, including the legendary 1,109-carat Lesedi la Rona, the second largest gem-quality diamond ever discovered. In 2017, it added another chapter to that story with the acquisition of a 373.72-carat rough diamond of exceptional transparency that experts discovered had once formed part of the Lesedi la... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3317895/style-edit-graff-unveils-worlds-largest-heart-shaped-diamond-infinity-and-continues-redefine-luxury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3317895/style-edit-graff-unveils-worlds-largest-heart-shaped-diamond-infinity-and-continues-redefine-luxury?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jul 2025 02:00:14 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter In the world of haute joaillerie, few maisons dare to explore the beauty of contrast with the confidence and grace that Boghossian does. With the Lirya collection, the Geneva-based house unveils what it describes as a “secret garden of enchantment” – a realm where opposing forces come together to create sublime harmony. In this case, the “forces” are pairs of vibrant gemstones, masterfully delivered as pieces that are timeless and quietly transformative. At the heart of Lirya is the idea of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3316744/style-edit-boghossians-lirya-collection-brings-aquamarines-rubellites-green-tourmalines-moonstones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3316744/style-edit-boghossians-lirya-collection-brings-aquamarines-rubellites-green-tourmalines-moonstones?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jul 2025 02:00:20 +0000 Joshua Hendren Joshua Hendren There’s no shortage of innovation in horology, but lately, it’s not just happening inside the case – it is the case. At Watches and Wonders 2025, proprietary gold alloys stole the spotlight in some of the year’s most significant launches. These aren’t your traditional precious metals – they’re patented blends developed by brands to enhance hardness, prevent fading, improve colour stability and create materials as distinctive as any dial or movement. A prime example is A. Lange & Söhne, the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3316771/making-case-rolexs-everose-and-hublots-magic-gold-and-king-gold-show-latest-watchmaking-alloy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3316771/making-case-rolexs-everose-and-hublots-magic-gold-and-king-gold-show-latest-watchmaking-alloy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Jul 2025 22:00:10 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Parisian jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels took over Dumfries House, one of Scotland’s most beautiful estates, for the unveiling of a fine jewellery collection – of two fine-jewellery collections – Flowerlace and Fleurs d’Hawaï – both inspired by the floral motifs that have always been at the heart of the maison’s visual vocabulary. Van Cleef & Arpels is the principal patron of the gardens and estates of The King’s Foundation, which owns Dumfries House. In recognition of the maison’s support,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3316895/van-cleef-arpels-newest-fine-jewellery-collections-flowerlace-and-fleurs-dhawai-take-maisons?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3316895/van-cleef-arpels-newest-fine-jewellery-collections-flowerlace-and-fleurs-dhawai-take-maisons?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Jul 2025 02:39:45 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre In the almost 10 years that Frédéric Grangié has been president of Chanel watches and fine jewellery, the French house has released some of its most talked-about high jewellery collections. Although Grangié is not one to boast about his achievements, or even take credit for them, he and his partner in crime – Patrice Leguéreau, the former director of Chanel’s jewellery creation studio who passed away last year – were behind blockbusters such as Tweed de Chanel and Chanel N°5, as well as last... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3314850/frederic-grangie-chanels-president-watches-and-fine-jewellery-some-brands-biggest-blockbusters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3314850/frederic-grangie-chanels-president-watches-and-fine-jewellery-some-brands-biggest-blockbusters?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Jun 2025 02:36:28 +0000 Francesca Fearon Francesca Fearon A precious, deep blue gemstone is increasingly captivating jewellery designers. Tanzanite was first discovered in 1967 by Maasai herders in Tanzania’s Merelani Hills near Mount Kilimanjaro and is still the world’s only known source, meaning the stone remains very rare. Tanzanite was given its name by Tiffany & Co. – the first jeweller to market it – and the brand commanded a monopoly on the stone until the 1980s. Now, this vivid, blue-violet hued gem is animating collections from Dior to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3312280/blue-why-brands-dior-chaumet-and-giorgio-b-are-falling-tanzanite-gemstone-hills-mount-kilimanjaro?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3312280/blue-why-brands-dior-chaumet-and-giorgio-b-are-falling-tanzanite-gemstone-hills-mount-kilimanjaro?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 May 2025 22:00:10 +0000 Francesca Fearon Francesca Fearon When Sarah Burton showcased her debut collection for Givenchy in March, it felt like a strong, contemporary interpretation of the maison’s classic style – less Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and more modern-day diva. Burton had been inspired by archival patterns of Hubert de Givenchy’s original 1952 debut that were found during renovations of his first atelier. She took those structured silhouettes and gave them a dramatic, up-to-the-minute turn in pieces like a jewelled top with... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3311226/how-pearl-making-dramatic-new-statement-think-less-twinset-more-modern-day-diva-thanks-givenchy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3311226/how-pearl-making-dramatic-new-statement-think-less-twinset-more-modern-day-diva-thanks-givenchy?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 May 2025 09:15:39 +0000 Josiah Ng Josiah Ng Few dive watches are as embedded in pop culture as the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M. First made famous in 1993, when it appeared on Pierce Brosnan’s wrist during his turn as James Bond, the watch has seen updates over the decades – and as Daniel Craig succeeded Brosnan as 007. Throughout, it has stayed true to its identity: wave-patterned dial, skeletonised hands, distinct bezel and numerals, time-only design to preserve symmetry and a helium escape valve at 10 o’clock. This year, the brand has... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3308200/style-edit-omega-seamaster-diver-300m-seen-daniel-craig-paris-olympics-james-bonds-favourite-watch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3308200/style-edit-omega-seamaster-diver-300m-seen-daniel-craig-paris-olympics-james-bonds-favourite-watch?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Apr 2025 02:00:11 +0000 A set of the first four editions of William Shakespeare’s collected works is expected to sell for up to £4.5 million (US$6 million) at auction next month. Sotheby’s auction house announced the sale on Wednesday, Shakespeare’s 461st birthday. It said the May 23 sale will be the first time since 1989 that a set of the First, Second, Third and Fourth Folios has been offered at auction as a single lot. The auction house estimates the sale price at between £3.5 million and £4.5 million. After... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3307776/rare-editions-shakespeares-plays-could-fetch-us6-million-auction?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/culture/article/3307776/rare-editions-shakespeares-plays-could-fetch-us6-million-auction?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:59:07 +0000 Spring heralds renewal in nature and that sense is felt too in jewellery, with many brands picking up on the optimism in the air to issue a revamped annual collection perhaps, or find a favourite motif to revisit. Read on to find out how six jewellery houses are marking this spring. Nature is, of course, the muse most had in mind, but there are also some more left-field inspirations and interpretations as well. Hermès Sac Bijou Hermès handbags are the holy grail when it comes to luxury... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3305497/6-new-jewellery-launches-spring-hermes-and-cartier-top-our-wish-list-former-clearly-classic-birkin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3305497/6-new-jewellery-launches-spring-hermes-and-cartier-top-our-wish-list-former-clearly-classic-birkin?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Apr 2025 22:00:09 +0000 In 1975, a character that would go down in history as one of the most iconic of all high jewellery creations first fluttered across a delighted world’s consciousness – the Graff Butterfly. For the half-century since, the butterfly – a symbol of transformation and personal freedom across cultures and eras – has been a motif inextricably identified with the legendary British jeweller, renowned for its unmatched expertise with diamonds. It’s an endlessly adaptable creature that the house has... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3304316/style-edit-graffs-butterfly-50th-anniversary-collection-british-jeweller-graff-demonstrates-its?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3304316/style-edit-graffs-butterfly-50th-anniversary-collection-british-jeweller-graff-demonstrates-its?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Mar 2025 02:00:18 +0000 From surrealist artist Man Ray’s Lampshade earrings, worn in the 60s by French actress Catherine Deneuve, to his collaborations in the 70s with Italian jeweller Gem Montebello – and from sculptor Alexander Calder’s masterfully absurd jewellery creations, worn by the likes of Simone de Beauvoir, Georgia O’Keeffe and Peggy Guggenheim, to feminist artist Niki de Saint Phalle’s ruminations on the body with her colourful brooches – artists have long turned to jewellery as a medium for creativity and... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3303930/architectural-jewellery-artists-are-transforming-aspects-sculpture-and-ancient-artefacts-innovative?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3303930/architectural-jewellery-artists-are-transforming-aspects-sculpture-and-ancient-artefacts-innovative?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 26 Mar 2025 09:00:08 +0000 Rare whisky is supposed to be in decline. An extensive industry analysis published recently by financial advisory firm Noble reveals sales of top-shelf Scotch fell 24 per cent by volume and 34 per cent by value from the second quarter to the third quarter of 2024. Yet the ongoing parade of five-figure bottles hardly seems to be slowing. This month alone has seen the release of the oldest Irish single malt. That was followed a week later by The Glen Grant 65 Year Old, one of the costliest... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3303339/us48000-single-malt-whisky-scotch-distiller-youll-have-smash-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/3303339/us48000-single-malt-whisky-scotch-distiller-youll-have-smash-open?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Mar 2025 10:15:09 +0000 When fashion and luxury brands started to expand into the hotel sector – Versace being a pioneer when they opened their first “palazzo” in Australia in September 2000 – they were tapping into what would become a potentially lucrative market. A few decades on and many of the same names are hoping to strike gold again by venturing into a new segment in hospitality: branded residences. “Luxury fashion brands have taken these collaborations a step further, embracing their unparalleled design ethos,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3298702/these-luxury-residences-are-100-cent-designer-how-armani-karl-lagerfeld-and-dolce-gabbana-are?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/design/article/3298702/these-luxury-residences-are-100-cent-designer-how-armani-karl-lagerfeld-and-dolce-gabbana-are?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Feb 2025 23:00:13 +0000 A western Japan city has begun offering overnight stays at Fukuyama Castle, a site dating back 400 years, as regional economies seek ways to attract wealthy visitors amid the country’s tourism boom. The initiative, which received its first guests in October, offers visitors the chance to be lord of the castle for a day. Plans start from 1.32 million yen (US$8,700) a night for two people and include a stay in a rebuilt moon-viewing turret, a night lounge experience in the castle keep, use of a... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3297888/experience-japanese-luxury-us8700-night-stay-turret-castle-400-years-old?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3297888/experience-japanese-luxury-us8700-night-stay-turret-castle-400-years-old?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Feb 2025 06:45:07 +0000 Dubai is adding a new round of ostentatious mansions and penthouses – some fitted with cinemas, spas and private lifts – as developers in the United Arab Emirates city court multimillionaires from around the world. These ultra-luxury homes are being priced anywhere from US$60 million to more than US$120 million as house-hunters from Europe, Asia and the Americas swoop in. The trappings are increasingly extravagant, even by the standards of an emirate renowned for its love of glitz. One builder... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3297319/crazy-new-dubai-mega-mansions-cater-their-super-rich-owners-wild-requests?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3297319/crazy-new-dubai-mega-mansions-cater-their-super-rich-owners-wild-requests?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Feb 2025 03:15:08 +0000 Though watches are broadly leaning towards the understated and subtle, one of the best ways watchmakers can showcase their technical ability and artistic creativity is by taking three left turns to show time in a revolutionary new way. The Andersen Genève Jumping Hours Black Stone is a case in point, using the “jumping hours” complication that shows the hours in a single window in a rotating dial, and going down to one hand for minutes. The piece is an exercise in simplicity – easy on the eye... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3291013/future-timekeeping-patek-philippe-and-more-watchmakers-are-combining-artistry-and-technical-skill?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3291013/future-timekeeping-patek-philippe-and-more-watchmakers-are-combining-artistry-and-technical-skill?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Dec 2024 21:00:09 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter Hong Kong has one of the highest concentrations of US dollar billionaires in the world. The city is second only to New York in terms of the total number of billionaires, according to a 2024 Forbes list. As a consequence, our city’s five-star hotels aren’t just competing over expense account-wielding business travellers, they’re also jostling for position to land the biggest deal makers visiting Asia’s financial hub. Hong Kong is home to some of the world’s grandest suites, with the biggest names... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3290522/hong-kongs-most-luxurious-hotel-suite-island-shangri-las-newly-renovated-presidential-super-suite?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/lifestyle/travel-hotels/article/3290522/hong-kongs-most-luxurious-hotel-suite-island-shangri-las-newly-renovated-presidential-super-suite?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Dec 2024 04:00:14 +0000 Craft specialists are indispensable to the world’s luxury jewellery brands but their traditional skills in translating a designer’s idea into a jewelled masterpiece are disappearing. Different skills are required, each with its own specialist, to turn a design into reality – from the sculpting and casting of the gold to the stone setting and polishing. Jewels may require goldsmiths with extra skills like forming the fine filigree work seen in Dolce & Gabbana’s alta gioielleria; engravers such as... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3290486/how-jewellery-brands-are-helping-preserve-traditional-crafts-dior-and-van-cleef-arpels-buccellati?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3290486/how-jewellery-brands-are-helping-preserve-traditional-crafts-dior-and-van-cleef-arpels-buccellati?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Dec 2024 21:00:09 +0000 Boghossian’s latest high jewellery collection, Palace Voyages, is a mesmerising journey through history’s most storied palaces, reimagined as breathtaking adornments. Unveiled for the first time in Thailand during an exclusive showcase at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok last month, the collection embodies the maison’s meticulous craftsmanship and its passion for cultural storytelling. The occasion proved to be a seamless blend of artistry and elegance, with Ralph Boghossian, the sixth-generation... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3289701/style-edit-boghossians-palace-voyages-collection-journey-through-history-architecture-and-dazzling?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3289701/style-edit-boghossians-palace-voyages-collection-journey-through-history-architecture-and-dazzling?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Dec 2024 02:00:23 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Despite a slowdown in the global art market, auction house rivals Christie’s and Sotheby’s upgraded their commercial showrooms in Hong Kong earlier this year, as they shift from renting exhibition spaces to hosting auctions and events in-house. For its revamped showpiece, Sotheby’s chose a two-storey, 24,000 sq ft space in Hongkong Land’s Landmark Chater building in Central. It features a range of immersive experiences and museum-quality exhibitions. The ground floor will host year-round... https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3287166/rival-art-houses-christies-sothebys-show-flashy-new-hong-kong-showrooms?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3287166/rival-art-houses-christies-sothebys-show-flashy-new-hong-kong-showrooms?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Nov 2024 03:30:08 +0000 Inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale of adventure on the high seas Treasure Island, Van Cleef & Arpels’ latest high jewellery collection is bejewelled enough to draw the attention of any passing pirate. PHOTOGRAPHY & STYLING OLIVIA TSANG MAKE-UP EVELYN HO HAIR AL LEUNG MODEL MING MA @ SMG MODEL MANAGEMENT CHINA https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3287015/style-shoot-van-cleef-arpels-latest-high-jewellery-collection-inspired-robert-louis-stevensons-epic?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3287015/style-shoot-van-cleef-arpels-latest-high-jewellery-collection-inspired-robert-louis-stevensons-epic?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Nov 2024 06:18:45 +0000 For its latest high jewellery collection, unveiled in Vienna in May, Cartier once again paid homage to a menagerie of creatures. Named Nature Sauvage (“savage nature”), the collection offers a new take on Cartier’s signature animals – chief among them the celebrated panther – with pieces that blur the lines between figurative and abstract. While previewing the creations in the Austrian capital, editors and VIP guests had fun trying to figure out which beasts or birds were the inspiration behind... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3282729/how-cartier-designed-its-latest-nature-sauvage-collection-according-creative-director-high-jewellery?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3282729/how-cartier-designed-its-latest-nature-sauvage-collection-according-creative-director-high-jewellery?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Oct 2024 20:00:09 +0000 Paris is undoubtedly the spiritual home of jewellery, as this quartet of new releases from brands all founded in the city attests. Boucheron dates from the 19th century while Chaumet goes back to the 18th. The least well known, Mellerio, is in fact the oldest, with over 400 years of heritage behind it. While the youngster Chanel (born 1910) is of course best known as a fashion brand. Whatever lies in the past, each brand continues to show its relevance with creativity and craftsmanship in equal... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3276582/4-jewellery-highlights-august-2024-chanels-novel-necklace-watch-headphones-hybrid-chaumet-boucheron?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3276582/4-jewellery-highlights-august-2024-chanels-novel-necklace-watch-headphones-hybrid-chaumet-boucheron?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Aug 2024 06:00:16 +0000 Amber, a fiery gem recognisable by its honey-brown hue, is one of the oldest materials used in jewellery and one of the few substances considered a semi-precious stone that is not of mineral origin. Instead, amber is fossilised tree resin that has hardened after being buried for millennia through a chemical change called maturation. This process also turns the amber translucent, revealing natural inclusions including air bubbles and ancient organisms trapped in the resin, from plants to insects... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3275916/amber-jewellery-fires-gems-journey-ancient-forests-amber-coast-hemmerles-exquisite-pieces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3275916/amber-jewellery-fires-gems-journey-ancient-forests-amber-coast-hemmerles-exquisite-pieces?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:00:12 +0000 Recent months have seen the value of diamonds become the subject of much interrogation, with the emergence – and relative popularity – of lab-grown gems, and a broader decline in luxury spending the key factors weighing heavily on the industry. In February, De Beers CEO Al Cook acknowledged that the brand had built up a diamond inventory worth around US$2 billion. This excess of supply led to a halt in production and on April 23, the diamond specialists announced a reduction in global output to... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3274570/why-jewellery-industry-isnt-giving-natural-diamonds-heritage-brands-trade-rarity-real-stones-demand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3274570/why-jewellery-industry-isnt-giving-natural-diamonds-heritage-brands-trade-rarity-real-stones-demand?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Aug 2024 03:00:10 +0000 The jewellery market provided a rare bright spot in 2023 even as most luxury investments showed signs of weakening. According to the latest Knight Frank Luxury Investment Index (KFLII), jewellery stood out as the second-highest-performing asset class for the year, recording annual growth of 8 per cent and only trailing art. Jewellery’s value is, to an extent, an inherent one based on the precious metals and stones incorporated into pieces. “This makes it a great investment during periods of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3267985/why-jewellery-remains-shining-investment-during-troubled-times-year-drake-paid-us1-million-tupac?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3267985/why-jewellery-remains-shining-investment-during-troubled-times-year-drake-paid-us1-million-tupac?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Aug 2024 02:00:14 +0000 Inspired by the streams, rivers and glaciers of Iceland, Boucheron’s latest high jewellery collection Or Bleu presents powerful jewelled expressions of the glorious, rugged natural beauty of the country. Waterfalls, waves and icicles are transformed into stunning pieces of high jewellery by creative director Claire Choisne, sculpted by the maison’s artisans. PHOTOGRAPHY MIKE RUIZ STYLING JOANNE M KENNEDY MAKE-UP MEGUMI ITANO USING MAC COSMETICS HAIR CLÁUDIO BELIZÁRIO NAILS CHRISTINA... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3272596/style-shoot-boucheron-or-bleu-high-jewellery-inspired-iceland-and-forms-and-force-water?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3272596/style-shoot-boucheron-or-bleu-high-jewellery-inspired-iceland-and-forms-and-force-water?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 02 Aug 2024 02:00:14 +0000 Breaking news: semi-precious gems are back in fashion. Colourful hard stones including lapis lazuli, malachite and tiger’s eye have long been sought after for their natural beauty and affordability – especially when compared to diamonds, which are set to spike in price thanks to a surge in demand against tight supply. There is a certain thrill that comes from owning something that’s centuries old and from a far-flung destination, prompting jewellers to rethink these overlooked treasures – often... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3267214/will-semi-precious-gems-become-more-popular-diamonds-luxury-brands-look-affordable-stones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3267214/will-semi-precious-gems-become-more-popular-diamonds-luxury-brands-look-affordable-stones?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 22 Jun 2024 02:00:10 +0000 So far in 2024, so good for the resilience of the upper echelon of Hong Kong’s jewellery market, with premium lots selling at robust prices at recent spring auctions. Exceptional pieces invariably attract discerning connoisseurs, both locally and overseas. The current robust demand underscores the globally recognised investment value of top-quality jewellery. At Sotheby’s Hong Kong’s Magnificent Jewels sale last month, a record was set for a natural fancy-coloured diamond sold at auction, with... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3262166/jewellery-still-smart-investment-spring-auction-season-says-so-sothebys-hong-kong-magnificent-jewels?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3262166/jewellery-still-smart-investment-spring-auction-season-says-so-sothebys-hong-kong-magnificent-jewels?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 12 May 2024 04:00:10 +0000 The Égérie collection blends the best of old and new, taking Vacheron Constantin, one of the world’s most venerable watchmakers, into uncharted territory. The revered Swiss luxury watch manufacture first released the collection in 2020, drawing inspiration from the world of haute couture, while also becoming known for pushing the boundaries of innovation with its eye catching off-centre display. Brad Pitt’s impressive luxury watch collection as he turns 60 Those two things come together on the... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3260481/watches-and-wonders-edit-inside-vacheron-constantins-collab-yiqing-yin-previously-hermes-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/watches/article/3260481/watches-and-wonders-edit-inside-vacheron-constantins-collab-yiqing-yin-previously-hermes-and?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Apr 2024 02:00:24 +0000 The arrival of spring brings an infusion of colour and Gen-Z energy to our cover shoot with jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels. Well-known for its association with flowers and fresh starts, the brand’s rings and bracelets in hues from all across the spectrum steal the spotlight this month alongside equally vibrant examples of this season’s hottest styles from the biggest fashion houses. Welcome new beginnings and celebrate the best of style this spring with this fun, fervent burst of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/article/3257585/style-shoot-van-cleef-arpels-perlee-rings-and-bracelets-bring-rainbow-colour-ornament-any-seasonal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/article/3257585/style-shoot-van-cleef-arpels-perlee-rings-and-bracelets-bring-rainbow-colour-ornament-any-seasonal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Apr 2024 02:00:13 +0000 A scion of the Wee family, Singapore’s richest banking dynasty, is buying a S$39.5 million (US$29 million) mansion, taking advantage of a lull in the high-end real estate market. Grace Wee Jingsi, the youngest child of United Overseas Bank Ltd. CEO Wee Ee Cheong, is buying the so-called good class bungalow at Ford Avenue, according to property filings lodged March-end seen by reporters. The house is co-owned by Choo Chiau Beng, whose former roles include being CEO of the infrastructure giant now... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3257676/singapore-banking-dynasty-scion-pays-us29-million-mansion-amid-lull-high-end-property-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3257676/singapore-banking-dynasty-scion-pays-us29-million-mansion-amid-lull-high-end-property-market?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Apr 2024 05:36:53 +0000 Jewellery makes for a sparkling barometer of evolutions in taste and desires, frequently revealing something of the changes and upheavals in how we live. One such example is semi-precious stones. While they’ve been used in jewellery since around 300BC, they’ve gained particular prominence in both fine and high jewellery today. As Francesca Cartier Brickell notes in The Cartiers, a book that charts the story of the maison once dubbed “Jeweller of Kings and King of Jewellers”, semi-precious stones... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3257060/what-are-semi-precious-stones-louis-vuitton-cartier-and-van-cleef-arpels-brands-are-using?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3257060/what-are-semi-precious-stones-louis-vuitton-cartier-and-van-cleef-arpels-brands-are-using?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Apr 2024 06:00:13 +0000 Need a gift for someone special? Read on for some inspiration whether you want a classic piece of big-name jewellery, striking homewares in collectible patterns or more of a novelty item that nevertheless has the right exclusive feel. 1. Louis Vuitton Les Gastons men’s jewellery Gaston-Louis Vuitton was the grandchild of the late Louis Vuitton, the trunk maker who founded the company that went on to become a global luxury powerhouse. Remembered as a renaissance man and an avid collector,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3255874/6-luxury-gifts-guaranteed-wow-louis-vuitton-and-boucheron-jewellery-classy-diptyque-scent-marimekkos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3255874/6-luxury-gifts-guaranteed-wow-louis-vuitton-and-boucheron-jewellery-classy-diptyque-scent-marimekkos?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Mar 2024 02:30:51 +0000