A classic becomes modern BY SANDY STRASSER Record players are the interior trend of the year, with the comeback of vinyl music currently omnipresent. But what exactly makes the sound system of yesteryear an absolute must-have today? Using new technologies, these new record players usually come with a USB connection, allowing music to additionally be…
Category: Trends/Lifestyle
HUNGRY FOR RESULTS
Global player in the digital fitness industry BY ANJA FAHS This app is really tough! My muscles were burning like fire and during the last ten jumps my legs started to feel heavy as lead, yet there were still squats to do, which would be the final straw for my trembling muscles. Quitting is not…
FREE SPIRIT
A girl and her eagle BY ANJA FAHS As soon as its mistress removes the protecting cap, the great eagle turns its head and looks around with its piercing eyes. It is still perched on the young girl’s arm. Suddenly, it spots its prey and in two great beats of its wings, it flies up…
THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE AIR
BY NADINE PELZER Time is a magical thing. Sometimes we feel it racing past, and sometimes it seems to stand still. But what if the time could suddenly catapult us into entirely different spheres? If we could let time literally intoxicate and sprinkle us? We can … At first glance, one could believe the simple…
NEXT GENERATION
Cult brand Abercrombie & Fitch reinvents itself BY ANJA FAHS At the end of the 19th century, someone stepping into ‘Abercrombie & Co’, a small shop on the waterfront in downtown Manhattan, would have found him- or herself in the midst of a large selection of expensive and in some cases quite exotic outdoor and…
THE MAGICAL KINGDOM OF SIAM
The Keemala Resort takes you away to foreign worlds BY ANJA FAHS In the old Kingdom of Siam in the rainforest-covered hillsides of the Thai peninsula of Phuket, there is a mysterious place. High above the beach, small buildings, like giant birds’ nests, are visible through the dense leafy cover of the jungle, hidden in…
TIMELESS ELEGANCE
Interview with Slowear Managing Director Roberto Compagno BY NADINE PELZER Carefully designed details and an immaculate fit combined with top-quality material is the recipe for timeless items of clothing. For 60 years, the Italian Slowear Group, which consists of 4 brands, has been passionately devoted to manufacturing products which are beautiful, sustainable and reliable at…
HUMAN SUBWOOFER
Basslet is the first speaker to be worn on the wrist BY DR CLAUDIA PELZER To not only listen to music, but to feel it – that is the vision of the Berlin start-up Lofelt, the creative minds behind the Basslet bracelet. They have been working on the prototypes since 2014. In 2016, a Kickstarter…
ROYAL TOUCH
Culinary secrets from the Royal Chef BY NORA MANTHEY Carolyn Robb was the Royal Family’s chef for thirteen years. She travelled with Prince Charles and was there when Prince William and Prince Harry lost their mother, Princess Diana. Her expertise and experiences inspired a cookbook: ‘The Royal Touch, Simple stunning home cooking from a former…
NAVY UNDERSTATEMENT
As versatility, timelessness, and effortless style go, the navy blazer is the piece of clothing that’s hard to beat. In fact, it’s one of the cornerstones of the modern male wardrobe – a classic item which can be worn at the weekend, in the evening and most importantly, in a smart casual office environment. The…
FEEL COMFORTABLE
In and out of slippers in style BY CHRISTIAN PECHER Just be relaxed and keep the slippers on when you go out, suggests the London label mahabis, which offers slippers with separate outer soles. Comfortable slippers in a lovely Scandinavian design are thus transformed into stylish outdoor footwear and vice versa. Who says functional wear…
DIGITAL NOMADS
Live, work and play around the world BY ANJA FAHS Distance is an illusion. Today we live in an era in which flight connections and various ways of communication have shrunk the world. New possibilities to stay loyal to your social environment have opened up, even if you are thousands of kilometres away. We are…
PERFUME AS HANDMADE ART
Exclusive, pure, unique BY ANJA FAHS Sweet and smoky — if there is one trendy scent, it is sandalwood. A warm, strong basic note, which is intensive, woody and spicy at first. Combined with cedar, cardamom and leather, it creates a subtle masculine fragrance whose strength is, however, mellowed and rounded off by violet and…
BEAUTY IN MOTION
Mercedes-Maybach luxury BY ANJA FAHS Each year in August, the world’s vintage car fan community transforms Pebble Beach in California into a superlative beauty pageant – a summit for the most exquisite classic automobiles. This year, it proved to be the perfect venue for premièring the exclusive Vision Mercedes-Maybach 6, a luxury-class coupé of the…
WORLDS OF WONDER
Adrenaline kicks in ice and snow BY NADINE PELZER The ability to tell stories through images is a rare gift. A gift that Mark Fisher is lucky enough to possess. With great passion and dedication, he captures human emotions on a background of alpine landscapes. As a result, he produces breathtaking images of extreme situations…
BORN TO RIDE
Where man and machine are one BY ANJA FAHS Every man dreams of fingering his own oily motorbike in order to make it his own custom machine. Imagine a cool garage somewhere at a beach where the sun shines and waves crash on the sand, and where the surfboard leans against the wall as it…
START ON PAPER
Continue everywhere BY SANDY STRASSER To let one’s thoughts run free in a surrounding that is both beautiful and exclusive: the feeling to write on paper by Montblanc with the respective pen or fountain pen remains unparalleled for many. For more than a hundred years, the label is synonymous with writing culture and master craftsmanship….
KOBE BEEF
The Beefbar Butcher Shop BY ANJA FAHS No other foodstuff invokes our basic instincts like a juicy steak being grilled on the barbecue and we catch the spicy aroma of caramelising meat. Meat is pure pleasure, and it is also healthy, in view of the fact that it has been one of our most important…
RETRO PERSPECTIVE
The sound of style BY NADINE PELZER Bluetooth speakers generally sound pretty well and are easy to use. In terms of style however, they rarely blend in with, shall we say, more carefully orchestrated surroundings. Not so the Caruso, a rather hip example which cleverly combines acoustics with storage space and sports a gramophone mimicking…
An Ode to Winter
If you work in a sprawling office with lots of colleagues, then it’s possible the main impression the people at the top have of you will be the way you dress. Whether you’re in a cubicle or a corner office, the way you dress can be a key determining process on your future career path….
MAR ADENTRO
Gateway to the ocean BY ANJA FAHS Dazzling light reflecting on the ocean, with nothing but endless blue all the way to the horizon. A gentle swell subtly hints at the power of the currents – a crass contrast to the rigid desert landscape of the coast. Here, the sun bears down on the radiantly-white…
HANDICRAFT
Individualism in Italian BY SANDY STRASSER Functional, practical and easy to carry - that is what the Italian label Piquadro stands for. Marco Palmieri is the boss of this bags and briefcases brand. Former engineering student and IT entrepreneur, he discovered his love of leather at an early age and eventually came to the decision…
RAINBOW GIRL
Designer Hella Jongerius in an interview BY SANDY STRASSER Colours and fabrics affect our well-being. In many cases they influence whether we like a particular product or not. For this reason, industry acknowledges its power in the manufacturing process. Dutch designer Hella Jongerius has made her mark internationally for her typical style, craftsmanship and industrial…
WAKE ME UP
BY NADINE PELZER Feeling energised when just waking up — every day. A dream. What sounds like fantasy is now to become a reality. At least in the world of two founders from California and their Kickstarter project ‘Sense’. Their little round gadget promises not only to improve our sleep but also analyses how the…
SOUL FOOD
Dishes that make you happy BY ANJA FAHS The days are becoming ever shorter, the evenings already feel cool and the sun has to try hard dispersing the morning mist. Autumn is around the corner and we look forward to cosy hours at home and cooking with friends and family. This is the best time…
The smart Business Look
There are two ways to approach a business look – the super-classic, straight-forward suit, tie, hard shoe combo. Then there is the slightly more casual, contemporary take on business wear which allows room for flexibility and feels more “of the time”. This dressing incorporates ready-to-wear pieces and separates that are smart enough for formal meetings,…
BACK TO THE ROOTS
A life away from the conventional BY ANJA FAHS They might very well be modern hippies, beatnik heirs or following the footsteps of Lost Generation artists, Victorian explorers and romantic poets. Just like all those distinct groups from the past, so-called gypsetters let go of the limitations that social conventions impose on them and search…
AS FAR AS FEET WILL CARRY
Shoe craftsmanship with a promise BY NORA MANTHEY Luxury shoemaker John Lobb dates back 150 years. The business moved from making boots for Australian gold diggers to making bespoke shoes that remain classics to this day. Since 1976, the brand belongs to Hermès group and now includes ready-to-wear shoe collections that are handmade in England….
SET IN STONE
The Wadi Rum Desert Resort in Jordan BY ANJA FAHS Wadi Rum in southern Jordan is one of the world’s most impressive deserts. Rugged, steep rock faces open onto far-reaching desert valleys, the view disappearing on the seemingly endless horizon. Even Lawrence of Arabia had been mesmerised by the Wadi Rum and its breathtaking landscape….
THE PORSCHE 911
A truly special lifestyle BY NADINE PELZER There are countless sports cars on the market, although for many people there is just one – the legendary Porsche 911. More than five decades have passed since the first model of the series was unveiled at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. But the hype surrounding…
JUMP INTO ADVENTURE
Where the feeling of freedom is at home BY NADINE PELZER It’s about adrenaline, freedom, speed and testing your limits. Far away from civilisation, mountain bikers are exploring extraordinary and unspoiled places. Adventure athlete Joey Schusler told us how he combines his physical abilities, on a mountain bike as well as on skis, with his…
THE JOURNEYMAN
Creativity inspired by traditions BY ANJA FAHS In a few weeks, Christian Watson will be driving – on some deserted road undulating through the foggy, rain-swept forests of Oregon – along the northern part of the American west coast in a 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer. In September, he is planning to travel from Oregon to…
HAPPY GIRL
Healthy lifestyle à la Rens Kroes BY SANDY STRASSER Food is as hip as it ever was. Around the world on social media platforms people share what they are cooking or are being served in restaurants. Frisian food lover Rens Kroes – supermodel Doutzen’s sister – is not only pretty, she is also a wonderful…
Summer in the City
A change in season also brings about an element of unease and uncertainty when it comes to dressing for work. You feel comfortable in your familiar Paul Smith navy travel suit, black John Lobb oxfords and reliable Mackintosh overcoat, but now you want to make the transition into summertime business-casual. Dressing for business in the…
POWERFUL PERFORMANCE
Inside a restaurant-ready oven BY NADINE PELZER A chef’s biggest challenge when cooking is to know the exact moment a dish is done. Many options exist to help determine it. American start-up June and its oven of the same name offer a solution that is elegant, easy to use, and one which promises to lighten…
WELCOME TO PARADISE
Relax and unwind at one of the most beautiful hotels in Mexico BY ANJA FAHS History teaches us that the first Franciscan monks arrived in Mexico with the first conquistadors. From the lush abundance of native flowers, plants, herbs and tropical forests they soon started to distill their very own perfumes. For over three centuries…
DEATH-DEFYING FEATS
Climbing between heaven and earth BY NADINE PELZER He is a visionary climber of the kind that comes along only once in a generation. A thirty-year-old climbing phenomenon, Alex Honnold pushes the limits of free soloing beyond anything previously attempted, as he climbs without a rope, without a partner and without any gear to attach…
EVERYTHING BUT THE DRESS
Kurt Geiger and his collaboration with supermodel Karlie Kloss BY SANDY STRASSER Whether vintage, unique or displayed with plenty of British coolness: London fashion is always truly eye-catching. Hardly surprising, considering the British capital is one of the most fashion-forward cities in the world, home to such labels as Burberry, Cartier, Escada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton…
OCEAN GIANT
A floating palace called Symmetry BY ANJA FAHS They are the mesmerising focal points of every port and marina across the globe: super-yachts. They supposedly represent strength, power and wealth. But if we look around international yacht shows, it quickly becomes clear that it is no longer just about size – it is above all…
Spring look
To celebrate the new season, we have worked on a definitive list of everyday wardrobe staples as part of our ‘essentials’ offer on site. These are items every man should have in his wardrobe in the transitional season ahead. Mackintosh was founded in Glasgow in 1832, and the label’s first-class weatherproof outerwear has proven so popular that it’s now a byword…
Smart-casual into the winter
Receiving an invitation that reads, ‘smart-casual’ is a bit like receiving a nebulous diagnosis from your physician. The sartorial equivalent of “It’s nothing really, but best to keep an eye on it”. When you’re dressing for a smart-casual event, if in doubt, it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. And whatever you wear, your look requires balance. If you go for…
INTO THE WILD
On a survival tour with President Barack Obama BY ANJA FAHS In the majestic wilderness of Alaska you may find you come across a more unusual scene: where previously bears caught salmon in the river and elks grazed contentedly, a hiker appears, a hiker otherwise known as Barack Obama, the President of the United States,…
ONCE UPON A TIME …
From Provence out into the world BY ANJA FAHS The smell of lavender is beguiling. It mingles with the aromatic smell of pine and rosemary. On the horizon, the peaks of the Maritime Alps disappear in a blue haze and you know the sea is not far away. Provence is a unique region of France,…
I SPY, WITH MY LITTLE EYE …
Spring accessories with style factor BY NADINE PELZER Rrrring. It’s modern, it’s chic and above all it’s smart. Ringly has a lot to offer and keeps us inconspicuously up to date with the news in all situations. A beautiful gadget, which doesn’t appear to be a gadget at first glance. Who hasn’t been in this…
FOOD LOVER
Delicious food that makes you happy BY ANJA FAHS Our food lays the foundation stone for the energy in our bodies, for our health and our well-being. What we eat influences our lives, our careers, even our relationships and family and beyond that, how we feel. In short, our food influences every part of our…
CREATIVE ZONE
Work, but with flair please BY ANJA FAHS Members-only clubs have been around for centuries. This is where the powerful representatives of the society have met, the leaders and thinkers, and all of them minding their own businesses in a like-minded community. Nowadays, golf clubs, a gym membership or spending the evening in a business…
TOWARDS HEAVEN
The perfection of an Icon BY ANJA FAHS To begin with we just had ideas and visions that were suggested, discussed, pursued and sometimes discarded again. Light reflexes are now mirrored in convex and concave lines, edges cast sharp shadows, and striking surfaces allow the coloured, metallic paintwork to shimmer in an array of green…
WINE CULTURE
On a pleasure trip through Franciacorta BY ANJA FAHS Deep in the heart of Lombardy not too far from Milan lies one of the most interesting wine regions in Italy, known as Franciacorta. With its gentle green slopes of ancient hills, moraine in origin, the province of Brescia stretches across 20,000 hectares and 19 parishes….
HELLO, I’M JIBO!
BY SANDY STRASSER Cute voice, smart design and equipped with a load of soft skills, this is Jibo. The mini robot reminds us a bit of the endearing ET, the only difference being that ET was an extra terrestrial and therefore a living being. Jibo on the other hand is fully automated. Nonetheless, he doesn’t…
DISCOVER IT …
… the story of your body BY SANDY STRASSER What if we could self-diagnose flu before it breaks out? What if we could see how physical training and the food we ingest are shaping our organism at the molecular level? The health product ‘Cue’ comes from the company of the same name. It combines powerful…
ICE COLD PASSION
Polar explorer Alban Michon dives under icebergs BY ANJA FAHS Alban Michon feels at home in a world of rugged, sharp-edged ice floes, glittering mountains of snow and endless, blue deep sea waters. The French adventurer and explorer has passionately devoted himself to the polar region and to diving underneath the ice. He has swum…
THE VISAGE OF MEDUSA
Versace on the road to new perfection BY SANDY STRASSER Versace is one of the most extravagant and glamorous labels of the luxury fashion world. The style is striking and splendid. A golden medusa head as logo and a baroque signature pattern have been the trademark for the fashion house from the beginning. We asked…
ON AN EXPEDITION
With the right equipment you defy the weather BY ANJA FAHS In 1950, the 14-year-old Åke Nordin from north Swedish Örnsköldsvik set off on a tour into the mountains. As he was not happy with the comfort of his rucksack, in the basement of his parents’ house he constructed his own model with an innovative…
