Five animals, two seminal German brands, one limited-edition collaboration—these are the stats behind BOSS and Meissen’s latest collection. Porcelain sculptor Maximilian Hagstotz created figurines based on the Big Five safari animals: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Each piece is inspired by traditional African sculptures but imbued with a modern monochrome motif that emphasizes each animal’s signature traits. BOSS translated the figurines into wearable art, such as a lion-emblazoned leather carryall bag and printed cashmere essentials. The label also designed sleek, evening-ready pieces: silk jacquard ties, pocket squares, and tailored jackets all get the royal animal treatment. In a move that transcends borders of the German collab, Hugo Boss is making a donation to the conservation charity Elephants For Africa, which helps provide education and outreach in Botswana to promote human-wildlife coexistence.
As Nicki Minaj told her 107 million Instagram followers: “All I’ll say is dreams really do come true.” The news that the rapper was collaborating with Fendi resounded globally when she spread the word this summer. Her collection—dubbed FENDI Prints On—embraces the Italian label’s iconic FF logo to maximum effect. Hip-hop culture-inspired T-shirts, joggers, and reversible puffers are made to be ultra statement-making. Case in point: Minaj chose shades of bold fluorescent pink and shiny metallic silver as much as possible. In her campaign for the launch, shot by fashion veteran Steven Klein, Minaj even had mini FFs printed on her hair. For the rest of us, there are street-style ready accessories, including performance sneakers, wraparound mask sunglasses, and belt bags.
For over half a century, the Japanese brand Porter has been renowned for its ultradurable, hand-assembled luggage and bags (the name is derived from a traditional hotel porter). Now, in the 21st century, the label has become famed for its must-have collaborations, and dropping this fall is the latest—and perhaps most iconic—with Fendi. Porter uses its bonded nylon to reimagine two signature Fendi silhouettes: the Baguette (the first edition for men) and the Peekaboo. Both styles debuted on the Milan runway earlier this year, and incorporate luxe Fendi hardware into the designs.
For 20 years, DITA has been at the forefront of merging innovative research with bold design. Now the Los Angeles-based label has launched DITA-Lancier, a 16-piece collection of eyewear imbued with performance technology to take on land, sea, and air. To test out the frames, the brand has tapped some of the world’s top athletes. Formula One racers Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly opt for a titanium style that dramatically reduces blinding glare. Olympic gold-winning sailor Peter Burling prefers a pair with embedded polarization technology. And Kirby Chambliss—a champion aerobatic pilot—sports lenses that guarantee minimal distortion at every elevation.
For nearly half a century, Parisian jeweler André Messika has been at the forefront of the diamond trading industry. Now his daughter, Valérie Messika, is merging her family’s old-world expertise with a fresh take on everyday jewelry for her own namesake line. Her debut men’s collection, Move Titanium, pushes diamonds into completely new territory, taking inspiration from tribal and punk influences. Brushed silver-gray titanium serves as a strong anchor for her pieces, be they an ergonomic cuff, band ring or bold cuff links. The Messika signature is the oval inset with a panel that features one to three diamonds that can slide (safely) along a discreetly hidden rail. Messika was originally drawn to create this movement from a childhood memory of her father playing with diamonds in his hands, each one practically glowing as it caught the light.
Alfred Dunhill was a man of unwavering tastes—specifically tobacco, cars, and luxury goods. In the 1920s, he combined his passions by launching Dunhill’s Motorities (a mash-up of ‘motorist’ and ‘priorities’) to sell everything from car horns to overcoats. By the 1950s, he shifted focus to create artful gadgets for smoking, which led to the invention of the Aquarium lighter. The one-of-a-kind creations are made from Perspex and depict undersea motifs—all handmade by artist Ben Shillingford. Though the lighters have become increasingly rare (pieces now easily fetch thousands of dollars), their famed imagery has been reworked for a modern audience on a collection of lounge shirts, swim trunks, and leather pieces. The range of hues evokes the season perfectly, such as a bomber jacket in bright sky-blue and a satchel in sea-green.
Nearly 20 years ago, a bottle of wine was quietly introduced with a bracing image on its label: The Prisoner by Francisco de Goya. Ever since, The Prisoner Wine Company has become a veritable status symbol, racking up over 10,000 Instagram followers and even popping up on TV (the bottle had a brief cameo on Better Things). Now the company has launched its first tasting room on Napa Valley’s famed Highway 29, a central thoroughfare in California that connects every major wine city in the region, from Yountville to St. Helena.
Images: Courtesy of The Prisoner Wine Company
The Prisoner’s tasting room launched late last year in a 40,000-square-foot complex dreamt up by San Francisco-based architect Matt Hollis and local interior designer Richard von Saal. Hollis infused a contemporary, industrial aesthetic throughout the building. A slate-hued entryway recalls the iconic bottle’s dark vibes, while a 57-foot-long skylight in the vaulted ceiling contrasts with the austere exterior. Shades of moody blues and grays are sprinkled throughout the interior, interspersed with earthy red.
Von Saal sourced local materials from all over the region to furnish the space. Reclaimed wood used for benches comes from the original Bay Bridge, a diesel tank is reimagined as a custom chandelier, and even the metal fixtures come by way of the naval shipyard on nearby Mare Island. Von Saal also gives cheeky nods to the Goya work throughout—shackles, balls, and chains are used as symbolic elements in the fireplace and bar lights are reminiscent of an electric chair.
Outside, the courtyard—aptly dubbed The Yard—is furnished with roomy wicker chairs, plenty of salvaged wood tables, and a wood-burning oven. Herbs and vegetables grow in a “living” wall and garden that are used in dishes served onsite. Chef Brett Young has made a curated menu that matches well with the unconventional wines The Prisoner is known for. He pairs the company’s Merlot Blend, Thorn, with king salmon, sake kasu, and tomato dashi. Blindfold (a complex white blend of Chardonnay, Grenache Blanc, and other Rhone varietals) can be enjoyed with yuzu candy and charred eggplant. And almost every wine goes brilliantly with any of the pizzas that come out of the wood-fired oven.
On the sprawling grounds is The Makery, which is comprised of four studios that host local artisans for three-month residencies. The idea to showcase artisanal wares originally began three years ago when The Prisoner hosted pop-up Makery Experience events across the country. The concept was so well-received that the company decided to make it a permanent fixture in their new home. Each rotating batch of artisans will be plucked from Bay Area locals who will stay for a three-month residency to sell their wares and work in a dedicated studio space.
Nothing The Prisoner Wine Company has done has ever been conventional, and their approach to wine tasting will undeniably shake up the Napa Valley scene. Their namesake product set the groundwork for the now highly popular world of red blends, itself a mix of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Syrah, and Charbono. Each tasting at the winery is composed of an array of blended wines that follow this same edgy approach, from the Syndrome rosé (with its bright raspberry notes) to the No. 39007 Chenin Blanc (with its hints of refreshing, ripe peach). Once guests arrive on The Prisoner property they have free reign to sip, eat, shop, and repeat all day long. Talk about freedom.
What do you get when an eclectic American artist teams up with a craft-obsessed Italian sibling duo? An exquisite and perfectly distressed collection under the collaborative moniker of Greg Lauren x Alanui. Lauren—a whiz with vintage denim and sumptuous jacquards—was inspired by Alanui’s ability to merge Italian artistry with an American Southwest sensibility. In turn, Carlotta and Nicolò Oddi were eager to give their popular cashmere knits an update. The eight pieces in the capsule are all unisex, including coats, field jackets, hoodies, and track pants.
Fragrance veterans John and Clara Molloy looked to Japanese tradition when launching Floraïku. Their collection of 11 scents—all made with natural ingredients including lily of the valley and tonka bean—fit within three different ceremony-inspired categories: Secret Teas and Spices, Enigmatic Flowers, and Forbidden Incense. A fourth category, Shadowing, contains two layerable scents that enable the others to smell deeper or lighter. Each fragrance comes in an artfully arranged bento-style box, replete with a haiku on the back of the bottle.
What do Rihanna, Kanye West, Josephine Baker and Maya Angelou have in common? Style in spades, as chronicled in the new book How to Slay: Inspiration from the Queens and Kings of Black Style. Published by Rizzoli and written by Constance C. R. White, the tome traces a fascinating historical trajectory that includes the aforementioned music royalty and cultural stalwarts to supermodel Naomi Campbell and power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé. A fashion veteran — with previous positions as editor-in-chief for Essence and a style reporter for The New York Times — White examines Black style with her journalistic expertise, utilizing beautiful shots to illustrate her points.
Elevating the contemporary cruise experience, Mekong Kingdoms launches a new fleet of river cruises to traverse Southeast Asia’s famed Mekong River. Each boat is outfitted with exquisite Indochinese décor with modern amenities. With 13 cabins, the Bohème is the largest in the fleet and travels between the Lanna and Lan Xang Buddhist kingdoms. Other boats include the romantic Gypsy—a two-cabin cruiser—and the Nomad and Play, both suited for day trips and sunset voyages. Onboard activities include yoga, meditation and fishing, while land itineraries are completely customizable. The company’s expert guides recommend jungle treks, a visit to the famed Pak Ou limestone caves, and biking through ancient Laos among key activities.
For booking, contact info@mekongkingdoms.com or +856(0)71255001.
