Amazing Villa Amanzi
It’s happened already. That tan you took months to perfect has faded faster than your memories of summer, leaving your skin looking more David Bowie pallid than Iman bronze. Time to lock in your beach getaway, somewhere exotic, boutique, away from the madding crowds, with surf, sand and sun on tap. Here’s our pick of five tropical escapes where getting your chi chis nicely toasted is as easy as saying spaahhh…
Smoulder and sizzle
Move over Brian Atwood, there’s a new heel in town. Fash ed darling and pedigreed shoemaker of dreams Raphael Young has opened his first flagship store in Paris’ swank 1st arrondisement. Since launching his eponymous label three years ago, Raphael’s outré, architectural designs have footwear fetishists like Blake Lively, Eva Mendes and Lady Gaga, going, um, gaga.
Counter-active
Oh Federal, you can govern us any time. This all-day, fresh and hip Sydney-style café in Sant Antoni and near the museums of Montjuïc, Barcelona, is just what the java doctor ordered. Inspired by a middle of nowhere town in Oz (and dare we say Bill’s as well), it’s the offspring of Aussie lads Tommy Tang and Nigel Chouri, founders of artisan sweet shop Papabubble. They’ve since cashed in on the candy to bring you something even better, a proper breakfast/brunch/lunch spot, bless.
Pilot's view vistas at Flair
In Shanghai, a city of almost 20 million and counting, open spaces are becoming scarcer than hen’s teeth. But with the slew of new hangouts that have burst onto the scene in time for the World Expo (just one week left!), you can thank your lucky stars, as many sport brilliant alfresco spaces and blockbuster views. Eat, drink and be airy? Yes, xie xie. Here’s our pick of the newest bunch.
Such an easy fix for camel toe - who knew?
It’s every gal’s nightmare, you’ve starved and detoxed for weeks to get into that skintight Chanel all in one catsuit, you step triumphantly into the party only to realize you’ve brought along an unwanted guest in the panty region and there’s no hiding the elephant (or camel) in the room. Or is there…
The LUXElife Travel Q&A
Queen of Taupe - Kelly Hoppen
Kelly Hoppen, MBE, interior designer, author, educator and talented all-rounder, has designed for the Beckhams, Gwyneth Paltrow and Sir Anthony Hopkins, and also designed the British Airways First Class cabin and Hotel Murmuri in Barcelona, amongst others. She recently debuted her home furniture and furnishings collection at Indigo Living, bearing her signature clean, understated chic style. We caught up with Kelly to talk taupe and travel.
Come and get it
In the land of sweet tooths and toothsome sweets, where names like Pierre Herme and Jean Paul Hévin share the limelight with Hermès and Gaultier, and there’s a good pâtisserie on every second corner, it takes a lot to get Paris’s gastro savants in a tongue twist. That’s what Hugues Pouget, former Guy Savoy pastry chef, has done though with his cake and choc shop, Hugo & Victor, in a super styley black n’ svelte gem in St. Germain with glass cabinets showcasing tasty morsels as if they were the Crown Jewels.
Oh no, granny's found the stash again!
Cocktails and retail are two of LUXE’s favourite things, so when word got out that they’ve come together at the succinctly named Drink, Shop & Do in London’s perennially “emerging” King’s Cross, we were moist with excitement. At first glance, it may look like your granny’s flat after she had a toke and hit the flea markets, but come closer, my pretty, and you’ll find a cleverly edited collection of quirky arts and crafts alongside a small yet tempting menu of boutique beers, throwback cocktails and trad confections and finger sarnies.
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