Today's Luxury Pulse
Hotels Must Pivot to ‘Splurge or Stay Home’ Guest Mindset
The hospitality market is seeing a “splurge or stay home” shift, with cost‑conscious travelers spending only on highly curated, wellness‑focused experiences. Guests now expect authentic design, personalized service and transparent pricing, turning arrival moments and signature spaces into key ROI drivers. Hotels are urged to prioritize thoughtful design and premium perks to capture this demand.
This Is What Happens When ASICS' Most Trusted Dad Shoe Gets Weird
ASICS teamed with designer Kiko Kostadinov to launch the UB13‑S GEL‑SD LYTE, a $190 sneaker that blends the brand’s running heritage with avant‑garde aesthetics. The shoe features sculptural, egg‑inspired upper layers, a midnight‑black coffee palette and deep‑sea gradient accents. While retaining ASICS’s lightweight, responsive sole, the design targets detail‑obsessed consumers seeking art‑school‑style footwear rather than pure performance. The limited‑run model is now available on ASICS’s U.S. website.
Why I’m Hooked on the French Reality Show, ‘L’Agence’
Netflix’s French reality series L’Agence returns for a sixth season, chronicling the Kretz family’s ultra‑luxury property deals across Paris. The show highlights extravagant listings such as Brigitte Bardot’s 16th‑arrondissement mansion and a €100 million (≈$108 million) chateau still on the market. Viewers...
Europe’s Luxury Housing Boom: Which Cities Are Driving the Surge in Prime Property Prices?
Prime luxury housing across Europe showed a mixed picture in 2025, with Prague posting the strongest 14.6% price gain while London suffered a 4.7% decline, the steepest in the region. Alpine ski resorts, Mediterranean golf retreats and cultural cities such...
‘Emotion Took over’: Young Woman Wins Keys to $1m Potts Point Apartment
A 24‑year‑old Bondi resident secured a 49 sqm one‑bedroom apartment in Potts Point for $1.03 million AUD (≈$680,000 USD) at a Saturday auction. Ten bidders registered, three were active, and after 26 incremental bids the hammer fell, beating the $925,000 AUD reserve. The...
Four Seasons Launches First Luxury Yacht, Expanding Ultra‑High‑Net‑Worth Travel
Four Seasons has entered the ultra‑luxury yacht market with the launch of its first vessels, the Four Seasons I and II, each 207 m long and offering just 95 suites. CEO Ben Trodd says the brand’s focus on choice, space and...
Vacheron Constantin Dual‑Time Overseas Highlights Cardinal Directions
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points. One of the highlights from Watches and Wonders 2026. North, South, East or West. Which one are you picking? #vacheronconstantin #overseas #dualtime #cardinalpoints #watchesandwonders
Looking for Test Drive Suggestions Beyond the G‑Wagon
Thinking of test driving a G Wagon this week. What else should I test drive?
World’s Largest Sail Cruise Ship Celebrates Naming and Delivery
The Orient Express Corinthian, the world’s largest sailing ship, was christened in Saint‑Nazaire and delivered to Orient Express Sailing Yachts. Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, the 220‑meter vessel uses SolidSail technology to achieve 100% wind‑powered propulsion and set a speed...
$22M Koenigsegg One:1, That’s Impossible to Ignore, Just Disappeared
A Koenigsegg One:1 hypercar, one of only seven built, has vanished. The $22 million vehicle, chassis #7107, is believed to have been taken from Monaco and is linked to former Formula 1 driver Adrian Sutil. Interpol has opened an international investigation, concentrating efforts...
Wearing the Happiest Dress, Thanks to Cultured Mag
Thanks @cultured_mag for giving me a chance to wear the happiest dress ever (@driesvannoten by @julianklausner) 🌈 📸 bfa @sansho
Drake's Luxurious Rolex From Take Care Album Sells for $500,000
A gold‑and‑diamond Rolex GMT Master II, famously featured on Drake’s 2011 *Take Care* album cover, sold for $500,000 through Palm Beach dealer Wind Vintage. The watch was not Drake’s personal timepiece but a loan from a colleague for the photo shoot and...
Vintage Rolex Submariner Selling for $14,500
Aging like a fine wine. For sale — $14,500. Feel free to send me a message for any inquiries. #rolex #submariner #16610 #neovintage #forsale
No One Noticed Miu Miu's Surprise New Balance Collab. Except Us
Miu Miu quietly restocked its coveted New Balance 530 SL sneaker, adding original brown suede and fresh sage‑green and periwinkle‑blue colorways while keeping the $1,270 price tag. The drop arrived without fanfare, relying on a silent website update that only...
Cartier Privé Unveils La Collection Tank Normale, a 1917‑Inspired 18K Gold Watch
Cartier Privé presented the La Collection Tank Normale at Watches & Wonders 2026, a solid 18‑karat yellow‑gold reinterpretation of the brand’s 1917 Tank. The watch features Breguet‑style hands, a leather strap and dimensions that make the historic square case appear...
Affluent Shoppers Trim Daily Costs to Fund Luxury Travel and Experiences
Erin O’Connor‑Bell of Aprio Wealth Management says high‑income consumers are deliberately skimping on groceries and household goods to keep money for premium travel and experiences. The trend highlights a shift in how affluent families balance cost‑of‑living pressures with discretionary spending.
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Top 20 Travel Destinations for June
Travel + Leisure’s June guide lists 20 top destinations, mixing U.S. hotspots like Lexington, North Carolina, and Newport Beach with global gems such as Fiji, Munich and the Big Island. The roundup highlights seasonal festivals—from the Railbird Festival in Kentucky to Mackinac...
‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Inspires New Edit From Vestiaire Collective
Vestiaire Collective has launched a curated edit of over 500 pre‑loved luxury items inspired by the upcoming *The Devil Wears Prada 2*. The collection pairs vintage finds with red‑carpet pieces from Dior, Valentino, Mugler, Gabriela Hearst, Schiaparelli and others, including iconic looks like a Chanel...
Inside Sotheby’s Ultra V.I.P. Strategy
Sotheby’s has launched a suite of ultra‑personalized luxury services, ranging from custom "push present" diamond rings to exclusive holiday itineraries and even ostrich‑leather car interiors. The initiative was highlighted at the December Collectors’ Week in Abu Dhabi, where senior vice...
MSC Cruises Brings Yacht Club Experience to Formula 1 Grand Prix
MSC Cruises will debut a floating MSC Yacht Club hospitality venue at the 2026 Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. The 50‑foot‑tall, 264‑foot‑long structure will sit along turns 5 through 9, providing spectators with panoramic views of up to five corners. The multi‑deck...
What Goes Into Making Custom Shoes for the Met Gala?
The 2026 Met Gala’s “Costume Art” theme has sparked a surge in ultra‑custom footwear, from Debbie Allen’s hand‑bedazzled Clergerie platforms to Amina Muaddi’s multi‑option designs for Rihanna and Kim Kardashian. Designers use Preciosa crystals in varying sizes to create gradient effects, while...
Karen Elson Shopped Her Closet For This 28-Year-Old Velvet Dress
Supermodel Karen Elson attended the King’s Trust Gala wearing a deep‑red crushed‑velvet dress from Yves Saint Laurent’s 1998 ready‑to‑wear collection. She sourced the piece from her own closet, having originally purchased it from Shrimpton Couture years earlier. The look was...
Patrick Dempsey Channels the Ethos of Jack Heuer
TAG Heuer has broadened its luxury portfolio by launching three high‑performance eyewear collections—Jack Heuer, Mini Vingt‑Sept and Shield Pro—each drawing on the brand’s motorsport DNA. The Swiss house appointed actor‑racer Patrick Dempsey as the face of the new line, leveraging...
The Shadiest Brand Mention In The Devil Wears Prada 2
The sequel to *The Devil Wears Prada* drops a joke about Coach, the once‑stale American handbag label now riding a TikTok‑driven resurgence among Gen Z. In a lunch scene, Emily Charlton’s fall from a Dior executive role to a Coach‑related job...
How Chanel Became the Hottest Brand in Fashion
Chanel surged to the top of the Lyst Index after its Biarritz cruise collection, propelled by Matthieu Blazy’s refreshed aesthetic. The designer’s modern take has ignited a wave of consumer enthusiasm dubbed “Blazymania,” especially among Gen Z shoppers. While the hype is...
2027 BMW I5
BMW’s 2027 i5 electric sedan debuts with three trims—eDrive40, xDrive40 and high‑performance M60 xDrive—offering EPA ranges from 259 to 310 miles and power outputs up to 593 hp. The model switches to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port and includes...
The French Riviera Has Entered Its White Lotus Era
HBO confirmed that *White Lotus* Season 4 will be filmed on the French Riviera, using the Cannes Film Festival week in May 2026 as its backdrop. The production will shoot at iconic venues such as Hôtel Martinez and the Airelles Château de la...
Mandarin Oriental Snags Two Iconic Egyptian Sofitel Hotels
Accor loses two iconic Sofitel properties in Egypt to Mandarin Oriental: Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor and Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan. Both are now under Mandarin Oriental management. Wonder what happened there. Also, where is MO getting all this sudden...
Amanda Seyfried Gives a Comfy Sweater an Artsy Edge
Amanda Seyfried attended the Tory Burch Foundation’s Founders Breakfast wearing a dark caramel knit cardigan from the brand’s fall 2026 collection, paired with a studded Bunny Knot bag and the new Pierced pumps. The look highlighted Tory Burch’s “Toryssaince” aesthetic,...
Design Within Reach Makes a Splash With Its New Design Residency
Design Within Reach (DWR) has launched a three‑year design residency with Icelandic industrial designer Hlynur Atlason, tasking him with creating more than 20 collections. The partnership debuted with the Composed Modular Sofa, a large‑scale, adaptable piece that reflects Atlason’s blend...
Inside Sublime Sand, a Luxe New Resort Nestled in Portugal’s Jet-Set Hot Spot
Sublime Sand, the latest luxury resort from Portuguese hospitality brand Sublime, opened today in Comporta, a coastal village an hour south of Lisbon. The new property features 43 architect‑designed villas with private pools and rates starting around $1,400 per night....
How Cadillac's F1 Tech Will Help Shape Future Performance Cars
Cadillac will race under its own livery at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, marking GM’s first U.S. Formula 1 entry. CEO Mary Barra explained that performance data from the track is funneled into road models such as the CT5‑V Blackwing, then...
Lexus Is About to Reveal Its Three-Row Electric SUV
Lexus will unveil its first three‑row electric SUV, the TZ, on May 6 at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. The model is expected to sit on the same platform as the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV, but with Lexus‑specific styling and a premium interior....
Julianne Moore Has Messika to Thank for Her First Trip to Miami
Julianne Moore made her first trip to Miami on April 23, 2026 to front the launch of Messika’s Modernist collection, a line of geometric gold jewelry with diamond accents. The actress, who serves as the campaign face, attended a star‑studded...
When Does a Shoe Stop Being a Shoe?
Chanel’s spring cruise show in Biarritz featured a radical footwear concept: tiny leather heel caps held by ultra‑thin straps, leaving most of the foot exposed. Designer Matthieu Blazy framed the piece as a beach‑inspired, jewelry‑like accessory rather than a conventional shoe....
The BoF Podcast | Inside Dries Van Noten’s Venice Manifesto
Renowned Belgian designer Dries Van Noten has stepped away from his eponymous label to launch a cultural foundation housed in Venice’s 15th‑century Palazzo Pisani Moretta. The initiative shifts his focus from seasonal collections to preserving craftsmanship, fostering collaborations with artisans,...
Proper Hospitality Launches Longevity‑Focused Retreats as $48 Billion Market Grows
Proper Hospitality introduced a longevity‑centered wellness program at its Santa Monica Proper Hotel, partnering with Hundred Health to offer on‑arrival blood draws that assess more than 160 biomarkers. The move reflects a broader surge in luxury longevity‑clinic tourism, a market...
The Antwerp List
Antwerp, once Europe’s wealthiest port, has reinvented itself as a global cultural hub where 16th‑century guildhalls sit beside avant‑garde fashion from the Antwerp Six and contemporary architecture by Axel Vervoordt and Vincent Van Duysen. The city’s culinary landscape boasts at least...
Vacheron Constantin Unveils Four Louvre‑Inspired Métiers D’Art Watches
Vacheron Constantin released four new Métiers d’Art timepieces on April 16, each built around a distinct ancient sculpture from the Louvre’s collection. The launch expands the brand’s Tribute to Great Civilisations series and deepens its partnership with the museum that...
The Rivanera Gets Echo/Neutralized By Seconde/Seconde/
Watchmaker Romaric André and brand seconde/seconde have launched a limited‑edition version of the Echo/Neutra Rivanera, blending the Italian dress watch with an anechoic‑chamber inspired blue dial. The 27 × 40 mm Grade 5 titanium case remains sandblasted, weighing just 28 g, and houses the ETA/Peseux 7001 manual‑wind...
Lufthansa Selling Miles & More Miles With 60% Bonus (1.29 Cents Each): Worth It?
Lufthansa’s Miles & More program is running a May‑long Bundle&Go promotion that adds a 60% bonus to purchased mileage bundles. Prices range from $103 for 4,800 miles to $2,071 for 160,000 miles, delivering a best‑case cost of 1.29 cents per...
Dial Color Transforms Watches Into Subtle Conversation Starters
Dial color is everything. It’s what turns a watch into a conversation piece. These new finishes and color transitions are exactly what I look for something that stands out without being overdone. @grandseikousa https://t.co/sBZFejwPvc
Amtrak, Mekanism 'Build' NextGen Acela As Premier Train Travel
Amtrak, with agency Mekanism, launched “The Build,” a multi‑platform ad campaign promoting its NextGen Acela high‑speed service between Washington, D.C., and Boston. The spot highlights speed, luxury amenities, and positions rail as a faster alternative to congested I‑95 traffic, running...
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This Cruise Line Is Offering Access to Meryl Streep’s Stylist—For Your Own 'Devil Wears Prada' Moment
Cunard has teamed with Micaela Erlanger, the stylist behind Meryl Streep’s recent press tour, to launch a bespoke styling program for guests staying in Grill Suites. From May 15, 2026 to April 15, 2027, passengers receive a curated digital style...
Crocs X Simone Rocha’s Fifth Drop Features Coquettish Clogs and Bedazzled Sandals — Shop Here
Crocs and Irish designer Simone Rocha have launched their fifth collaborative collection, introducing five new styles—two platform Ballerina clogs and three Soho sandals—each adorned with pearls, crystals and floral‑inspired detailing. The Ballerina platforms retail for $300 and feature block heels, adjustable...
Keke Palmer, Naomi Watts and More Bring Valentino Looks to the Third Annual Cult100 Event
Cultured Magazine, Valentino and Valentino Beauty staged the third annual Cult100 gala at New York’s Guggenheim Museum on May 1, 2026. High‑profile guests including Keke Palmer, Naomi Watts, Natalia Dyer and Grace Gummer arrived in pieces from Valentino’s Spring 2026 ready‑to‑wear collection and...
Met Gala 2026: Everything We Know - Celebrity Guests, Theme and Strict Rules
The 2026 Met Gala, held the first Monday of May, will showcase a new theme centered on “embodied art,” coinciding with the opening of a 12,000‑sq‑ft permanent Condé Nast Galleries space at the Met. Anna Wintour has trimmed the invite‑only guest...
Diptyque Sets Bleecker Street Aglow With Its Classic Candle
Diptyque has transformed its West Village boutique on Bleecker Street into an immersive, multisensory showcase celebrating its classic candle line. The takeover features a looping 50‑hour film that follows a candle’s flame, alongside curated scent stations for Ortie, Shiso, Rhubarbe,...
BANYAN TREE PHUKET INTRODUCES NEW ALL INCLUSIVE SPA POOL VILLAS
Banyan Tree Phuket has launched ten adult‑only Spa Pool Villas, each spanning 550 m² with a private pool and in‑villa spa pavilion. The all‑inclusive offering bundles daily 60‑minute massages, seasonal dining at the communal Origin space, and curated wellness activities rooted...
The London Train Station Named One of the Most ‘Luxurious’ in the World
A new AllClear study placed London Paddington as the world’s ninth most luxurious train station, awarding it a Premium Score of 65 out of 100. The ranking evaluated lounge access, retail density, fine‑dining options, nearby hotels and overall passenger reviews....
Jamaica Is Always a Good Idea
Sandals Resorts, a Jamaican‑owned luxury hotel chain, has refreshed its flagship Sandals Dunn’s River property with new dining concepts, design‑focused suites, and expanded activities such as pickleball and scuba certification. The revamp underscores the brand’s all‑inclusive model, which funds the...