Today's Luxury Pulse
Hospitality Embraces ‘Splurge or Stay Home’ Trend, Prioritizing Design and Wellness
Travelers now adopt a ‘splurge or stay home’ mindset, allocating spend only to highly curated, wellness‑focused experiences. Guests demand authentic design, personalized service and transparent pricing, making arrival moments and signature spaces key ROI drivers. Hotels must respond by investing in thoughtful design, premium perks and eliminating low‑value offerings.
Jacob Elordi Is the New Face of Bleu De Chanel
Australian actor Jacob Elordi has been named the new global ambassador for Chanel’s iconic male fragrance, Bleu De Chanel. He joins a short list of only two previous male faces—Timothée Chalamet and the late Gaspard Ulliel—who have represented the scent. Chanel praised Elordi’s cinematic pedigree and modern, magnetic masculinity, noting his recent roles in Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights, and a Chanel N°5 short film. The new campaign launches in May 2026, with the L’exclusif version priced at £215 (≈$273).
Remembering Spain Shoot: Two Years After Epic Three‑Seater
Two years since the shoot in Spain with this pair of three-seaters. What a few days it was.
This Famously Posh Restaurant Company Is Opening Its First Ever London Hotel – the Five-Star Establishment Will Take over an...
London’s iconic Wolseley restaurant group is converting a former NatWest bank on Piccadilly into its first hotel, the WestDill Mayfair Hotel. The six‑storey, Grade II listed building will feature 50 luxury rooms, a new restaurant and bar, and is slated to...
This New Wellness Property Is One of the Hottest New Hotels of the Year
Six Senses has opened its 27th resort, Six Senses London, marking the brand’s first property in the United Kingdom and its debut in a major urban market. Housed in the historic Whitely Building, the hotel offers 109 rooms, a lobby...
Van Cleef & Arpels Unveils Celestial‑Inspired Watches at Watches & Wonders 2026
Van Cleef & Arpels debuted the Midnight Jour Nuit Phase de Lune and Midnight Heure d’ici & Heure d’ailleurs at the Watches & Wonders 2026 exhibition in Geneva. The pieces draw on the brand’s “Poetry of Time” philosophy, marrying celestial...
The Datai Langkawi Launches New Catamaran Expeditions Across the Andaman Sea and Beyond
The Datai Langkawi, a luxury rainforest resort, has launched a fleet of catamaran expeditions aboard its 54‑foot Gadis Pulao, offering half‑day, full‑day and overnight charters across the Andaman Sea. Guests can explore hidden coves, Koh Tarutao National Park, the Machinchang coastline, and...
Dries Van Noten Launches Venice Fondazione with ‘The Only True Protest Is Beauty’ Exhibition
Dries Van Noten opened his first dedicated museum space, the Dries Van Noten Fondazione, in Venice’s historic Palazzo Pisani Moretta on April 25. The inaugural presentation, titled “The Only True Protest Is Beauty,” fused fashion, craft and contemporary art, signaling...
Dordogne’s 'Petit Versailles' Tipped for Summer 2026 Stays
Château des Vigiers, a 16th‑century estate in France’s Dordogne, is being positioned as a premier luxury countryside retreat for summer 2026. The 150‑hectare property blends historic charm with modern amenities, offering 65 rooms, three nine‑hole golf courses, a spa, and...
Anantara to Debut in the US with Hotel and Residences
Anantara, the luxury brand of Minor International, will launch its first U.S. property with the Anantara Miami Resort & Residences, a 50‑storey tower slated to open in 2030. Developed with One Thousand Group, the high‑rise will house 100 private branded...
Pimp Your Drink with Cut-Glass Crystal
Cut‑glass crystal, once the hallmark of European luxury houses like Saint‑Louis and Baccarat, is experiencing a renaissance as designers reintroduce hand‑cut tumblers, carafes and decorative pieces. The craft traces back to Roman times and flourished in 17th‑century Bohemia before spreading...
For a Look that Hits You Need a Bright, Bold Knit
Designers across Europe and Japan are flooding the market with vibrant knitwear, turning colour from an afterthought into a central selling point. Alexandra Golovanoff’s cashmere crewnecks, offered in 39 shades at £523 (≈$670), exemplify this shift, while brands like Auralee, Jil Sander...
Porsche Design Tower Bangkok Takes Centre Stage at Singapore Yachting Festival 2026
Porsche Design Tower Bangkok, the third Porsche Design tower worldwide and the first in Asia, debuted at the Singapore Yachting Festival 2026. The showcase featured an invitation‑only event for 50 yacht owners and collectors, highlighting the tower’s automotive‑inspired architecture, including...
When Gold and Steel Collide
Bvlgari has refreshed its iconic B.zero1 ring, pairing a steel core with gold bands to make the piece suitable for daily wear. The launch is supported by a Highsnobiety partnership that pairs the jewelry with a music collaboration between DJ...
MGAC Launches Global Luxury Living Brand
MGAC, a global boutique project‑ and cost‑management consultancy, has unveiled a Luxury Living brand dedicated to ultra‑high‑end residential projects. The new division will apply the firm’s commercial construction discipline to architecturally distinct homes, from penthouses to private‑island compounds. MGAC already...
New Panerai Submersible Comes with a Three-Day Navy SEALs Experience and an Incredibly Rare Case Material
Panerai has launched the Submersible Navy SEALs Afniotech, a limited‑edition dive watch capped at 35 pieces and paired with a three‑day Navy SEAL‑inspired experience. The 47 mm case is made from Afniotech, an alloy of 95 % hafnium that is exceptionally rare...
Milan Design Week Highlights Sustainable Tableware Revivals
Final Milan Design Week impressions - aauanastas theline_gallery to isseymiyakeofficial re-imagining of precious waste paper with ensamble__studio to alessi_official re-issue of #ettoresotsass tableware and a celebration of shared meals. #salonedelmobile #design #alessi #isseymiyake
New Supersport 400 Revealed as Morgan's Most Powerful Car Yet
Morgan has unveiled the Supersport 400, its most powerful model yet, featuring a BMW‑sourced 3.0‑litre straight‑six tuned to 402 bhp. The power boost trims the 0‑62 mph sprint to 3.6 seconds, making it half a second quicker than the standard Supersport. Pricing starts...
Jewel Yang’s Photos Turn the Female Body Into a Sacred Canvas
Korean‑American makeup artist Jewel Yang has released the photo book "Genesis Vanishing," which treats the female form—especially pregnant bodies—as a sacred canvas. Drawing on her Kam heritage, Yang combines ethno‑futurist motifs with spiritual symbolism, turning makeup into a ritualistic art...
Candice Swanepoel’s Victoria’s Secret X Tropic of C Bikini Set Is $240
Model Candice Swanepoel’s label Tropic of C has teamed with Victoria’s Secret for a limited‑edition swimwear capsule. The centerpiece is a sequin‑covered bikini set priced at $240, with the top at $125 and the bottom at $115. The collection blends...
Zara Larsson in $114 Stringy Main Rose Bikini Is Giving Mermaid
Zara Larsson, co‑founder of Main Rose, debuted a hot‑pink string bikini priced at $114 to preview the brand’s upcoming swimwear drop. The minimalist triangle top and matching Low Tide bottoms were paired with ocean‑inspired jewelry and starfish hair clips, captured...
The Best New Affordable Luxury Hotels: 2026 Hot List
The 2026 Hot List spotlights a new wave of affordable luxury hotels, each charging under $300 per night. Properties range from Spain’s Cristine Bedfor Sevilla, a restored art‑house with color‑coded rooms, to Mumbai’s Fairmont offering high‑tech wellness. Many venues emphasize...
The Best New Hotels in Africa and the Middle East: 2026 Hot List
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Hot List spotlights the region’s most compelling new hotels, from Cairo’s revived 1940s Immobilia tower to Kenya’s all‑inclusive andBeyond Suyian Lodge, Marrakech’s art‑centric Jnane Rumi, and Rwanda’s ultra‑exclusive Wilderness Magashi Peninsula. Each property blends local heritage with modern...
The Best New Hotels Europe and the UK: 2026 Hot List
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Hot List spotlights the continent’s most notable new hotels, including the newly opened Mandarin Oriental in Vienna, the Fairmont Golden Prague renovation, 1 Hotel’s eco‑centric Copenhagen outpost, and Experimental Marais in Paris. Each property blends heritage architecture with modern design,...
Best New Cruise Ships in the World: 2026 Hot List
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Hot List spotlights a diverse slate of new cruise ships, from luxury river vessels like AmaMagdalena to mega‑liners such as Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas. The lineup showcases innovative concepts—adults‑only dining on Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant...
The Best New Hotels in Mexico and the Caribbean: 2026 Hot List
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Hot List spotlights four standout openings across Mexico and the Caribbean. Park Hyatt Cabo del Sol marks Hyatt’s first Mexican property, featuring minimalist design and ocean‑front pools. Rosewood Mandarina blends jungle‑coast scenery with family‑friendly suites and a...
The Best New Wellness Hotels: 2026 Hot List
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Hot List spotlights the world’s most innovative wellness‑focused hotels, from a Maldives resort that merges beach villas with private infinity pools to a Kenyan safari lodge offering all‑inclusive spa amenities. European entries such as Milan’s Carlton and...
The Best New Hotels in Latin America: 2026 Hot List
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Hot List spotlights three standout new Latin American hotels, each blending luxury with deep local roots. Inkaterra Cabo Blanco revives a historic Peruvian fishing club on a pristine beach, offering surf, infinity pools and eco‑focused design...
Future Porsche EVs in Frame for Hyundai-Like Simulated Gearboxes
Porsche’s GT division chief Andreas Preuninger says future electric Porsches could feature simulated gearboxes, a concept he experienced in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. The Hyundai system creates a fake rev range, paddle‑shifted gear changes and engine‑like sounds to mimic a combustion‑engine...
The Best New Hotels Australia and Asia: 2026 Hot List
Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Hot List highlights four newly opened luxury hotels across Australia and Asia, each emphasizing local heritage, design, and wellness. Aman Nai Lert Bangkok revives a historic Thai teak retreat with an infinity pool and bespoke spa rituals, while Capella...
Anne Hathaway’s Versace Corset Gown Comes With Sheer Cutouts & High Slit
Anne Hathaway stunned the London premiere of “The Devil Wears Prada 2” in an archival black‑velvet Versace gown. The strapless dress showcases a structured corset bodice with sheer mesh cutouts, ornate silver buttons, and a dramatically high thigh slit. She paired...
What Watch CEOs Said in Geneva
At Geneva Watch Week, Audemars Piguet made a high‑profile return after a two‑year absence, unveiling a limited‑edition piece and signaling renewed confidence in the Swiss capital. In contrast, heavyweight brands such as Rolex and Patek Philippe stayed away, reflecting market caution. CEOs...
Fashion Briefing: Why Rolex Discontinued One of Its Most Iconic and Coveted Watch Models
At the recent Watches and Wonders trade show in Geneva, luxury watchmakers unveiled new pieces, while Rolex quietly announced the discontinuation of its iconic GMT‑Master II "Pepsi" model. The move ends production of the 16710 reference, a staple since the...
Hongqi Coming to Malaysia with Quill as Distributor – China’s Luxury Brand to Launch Mid-2026; CKD Plans
Hongqi, the premium FAU‑Group marque famed for serving Chinese state leaders, has signed an MoU with Malaysia’s Quill Group to become the exclusive importer and CKD distributor. The partnership targets a mid‑2026 market launch, with Quill also tasked with appointing...
Timothée Chalamet Takes Minority Stake in Danish Watchmaker Urban Jürgensen
Timothée Chalamet has acquired a minority stake in Danish watchmaker Urban Jürgensen and will serve as the brand’s creative advisor. The deal, negotiated with the Rosenfield family owners and a handful of strategic investors, was announced without disclosed financial terms. Urban Jürgensen, founded...
Style Edit: Tudor Added Models to 3 Collections at Watches and Wonders 2026
Swiss luxury watchmaker Tudor unveiled a refreshed Monarch line, a reimagined Royal collection and three new Black Bay variants at Watches & Wonders 2026. The Monarch returns with a faceted stainless‑steel case and a papyrus‑textured dial featuring mixed Roman and Arabic hour...
Reservoir Unveils Mark II Series with Integrated Bracelet, Pricing at $7,800
Swiss microbrand Reservoir launched its Mark II series, a trio of 41mm watches with a fully integrated bracelet and a refreshed angular case. All three models—GT Tour, Kanister and Airfight Jet—are priced at €7,200 (about $7,800) and will ship in...
Our May Issue Celebrates Exceptional Timepieces and the People Who Wear Them
Monocle’s May 2026 issue celebrates the art of timekeeping, pairing its annual Design Awards with stories about a delayed train to Churchill, Canada, and the revitalisation of Cairo’s historic neighbourhood. The issue features a deep dive into why professionals still...
The Monocle Design Awards 2026: The Most Beautiful Buildings and Architectural Design
The Monocle Design Awards 2026 spotlight a diverse slate of award‑winning buildings, from Lombard Odier’s lake‑front Swiss headquarters to Seattle’s waterfront park that replaced a crumbling viaduct. Winners demonstrate how architecture can reinforce brand values, address skills shortages, and revive urban...
The Devil(s) Wore New Clothes at the Afterparty
At the Devil Wears Everything But Prada after‑party, Anne Hathaway opted for a sleek Louis Vuitton ensemble, swapping her oversized red gown for a more navigable, muted‑shiny dress. Meanwhile, Emily Blunt turned heads in a Balmain look featuring a skirt,...
First Cruise Was Surreal, I'm Totally Hooked
this @virginvoyages x @tiktok creator cruise was the most insanely amazing and surreal 3 days of my life omg. this was my first cruise but it really made me love that kind of travel 🥹🥹 i know there’s drama around...
This Toyota SUV Is Quietly Beating BMW, Mercedes, and Audi
Toyota’s 2026 Crown Signia SUV blends a 2.5‑liter hybrid powertrain with premium interior appointments, delivering 240 hp and an EPA‑rated 38 mpg combined. Priced at $44,490, it undercuts the BMW X3, Mercedes‑Benz GLC and Audi Q5 by $6‑7 k while offering more cargo space...
Shaken By A Slowdown, Luxury Retailers Focus On Just 3 U.S. Cities
Luxury retailers are retreating from secondary markets and concentrating on three premier U.S. corridors—New York’s Madison and Fifth Avenues, Los Angeles’ Rodeo Drive, and Miami’s Bal Harbour/Design District—after a revenue slowdown and a K‑shaped recovery. JLL data show 80% of 2025 luxury...
Emily Blunt Dresses in Red Balenciaga Head to Toe for ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ European Premiere
Emily Blunt arrived at the European premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada 2" in London wearing a custom red Balenciaga ensemble, from a dramatic bustier to the brand’s distinctive Duchesse pumps. The look echoed the film’s iconic red‑pump motif and matched...
Best W&W Watches
🎥 NEW VIDEO: Best Watches of W&W + WTF happened to Patek? LINK IN PROFILE
Striking Gold + Steel with BVLGARI
Bvlgari has unveiled a limited‑edition B.zero.1 collection that fuses 18‑karat gold with stainless steel, released in two colorways—radiant gold and cool steel—each stamped with a modernized Colosseum motif. The launch aligns with Highsnobiety’s Spring ’26 issue, featuring DJ Kaytranada as...
Drake‑Featured Rolex GMT‑Master II Listed for $500,000
Florida‑based dealer Wind Vintage has put the Drake‑worn Rolex GMT‑Master II, famed from the Take Care album cover, on the market for $500,000. The piece combines a rare off‑catalog Rolex with OVO branding, 36 baguette diamonds and 12 black sapphires,...
Michelin‑Recognized Alteño to Open in Austin’s Tallest Hotel Tower
Fonda Fina Hospitality announced that its Michelin‑recognized Mexican concept Alteño will open in summer 2026 inside 1 Hotel Austin, the city’s forthcoming 74‑story skyscraper. The move expands the Denver‑originated brand into a high‑profile luxury hotel and signals growing demand for...
Schiaparelli Unveils Art‑Inspired Pop‑Up Takeover at Harrods
Schiaparelli has transformed key areas of Harrods with art‑inspired pop‑up installations that showcase its iconic golden keyhole motif and promote the new book “Anglomaniac.” The takeover coincides with the Victoria and Albert Museum’s “Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art” exhibition, marking the...
Kimpton Ashbel New York – Park Avenue Debuts
Kimpton Ashbel New York‑Park Avenue, a boutique luxury addition to IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle collection, has opened in a fully restored 1928 Beaux‑Arts landmark at 70 Park Avenue. The 205‑room property features 14 family‑friendly connecting suites and replaces a traditional...
Alaska Air CCO Andrew Harrison Drives Premium Sales Push as Q1 Revenue Climbs 5%
Alaska Air reported $3.3 billion in first‑quarter revenue, a 5% rise on 1.7% capacity growth, as Chief Commercial Officer Andrew R. Harrison detailed a sales strategy centered on premium seats and network expansion. The airline posted a GAAP loss of $193 million,...