From a Cambodian Wellness Resort to a Women’s-Only Tailor: 6 New Things You Need to Know About

Muse writers and staff take a closer look at the season’s rising stars and revolutionaries.

By Muse Staff 27/03/2019

Spring has finally arrived, and we have uncovered the newest products, places and experiences you need to know to kick-off the season. From a London-based, women’s-only tailoring shop to a collection of Instagram-inspired acrylic paintings, here are the next big things on our experts’ lists.

Six Senses Combines Well and Good in Cambodia

Six Senses has been pushing its admirable agenda of sustainability and wellness since 1995, long before it was the trendy thing to do. Twenty-four years later, the arrival of Six Senses Krabey Island — the brand’s 16th property, which opened in March on an isle off the southern coast of Cambodia—is an evolution of that ethos, where culture and nature brilliantly collide. Just 40 villas are burrowed in the 30-acre island’s jungle, leaving beaches untouched—an unusual move for a tropical resort but one that respects the native landscape—and ensuring enough privacy among the trees for anything: a spa treatment on your terrace, a midnight dip in your infinity pool, an afternoon nap with the doors swung wide open. It’s the Six Senses way, however, to lure you out of the confines of your private oasis, so there’s also forest bathing beneath the banyans, yoga in a rooftop pavilion, authentic fish curry in a tree-house restaurant and meditation in a cave hidden inside a monastic stone-clad hilltop. Sounds like an agenda we can get on board with.


Six Senses’ Krabey Island, off the southern coast of Cambodia
Photography by Kiattipong Panchee

The Deck: London’s New Tailoring House Just for Women

Tailoring has traditionally been a men’s business, but once a woman has a made-to-measure suit—one that enhances her assets and conceals any flaws—she’s quick to recognize why everyone needs a go-to tailor. With that in mind, Daisy Knatchbull (pictured), former communications director at Savile Row tailor Huntsman and great-granddaughter of the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, is launching London’s newest tailoring shop—for ladies only. Slated to open in April on the King’s Road, The Deck offers just four suit styles, including a single-breasted blazer with straight-leg trousers and a double-breasted blazer with flared pants. The suits ($3700) are also sold as separates. They can be made in a variety of fabrics and linings, and modified to satisfy any whim. Perhaps you want a power suit (think strong shoulders, nipped at the waist), a bright floral-print lining or a fancy velvet collar? The choice is yours. —Jemima Sissons


Daisy Knatchbull, founder of women’s-only tailoring shop The Deck
Photography by Charlie Taylor

A Designer Takes the Reliable Locket from Memento to Momentous

Jewellery can pack real power. It’s worn, as it has been for centuries, for any number of compelling reasons—to bring good fortune, to signify love and betrothal, to denote authority. So why adorn yourself now, at this particular moment in time? Female empowerment, for starters. With this in mind, women are turning to designer Monica Rich Kosann for her 18-karat gold and sterling-silver lockets, which can be personalised with meaningful words, memes, or images that encourage and inspire. One recent client of Kosann’s had her gold locket inscribed with the words “I win” to celebrate a hard-won divorce.
“There is so much noise out there with social media,” says Kosann, whose New York–based brand offers a range of customisable jewellery. “These lockets are something personal and private, and a reminder of what matters to you.” And if you choose to leave life-affirming words of wisdom out of your locket, more power to you: It’s still a stylish accessory. *—Jill Newman
*

Monica Rich Kosann’s customizable, 18-karat-gold locket
Photo Courtesy of Monica Rich Kosann

Instagram Inspires an Artist’s Seriously Witty Paintings

Scrolling through Instagram may be Americans’ number-one method of procrastination, but for artist Gina Beavers, the app has fuelled a burst of creativity, the fruits of which are on view in a solo exhibition at MoMA PS1 in Long Island City, New York, through September 2.
Beavers broke through in recent years with vividly coloured, dimensional acrylic paintings that hover between whimsical and pointed, based on social media images of make-up tutorials and so-called food porn. There are close-ups of luscious, pouty lips and thick, raw steaks, as well as rear ends frosted like birthday cakes. “It has to do with these cultural groups that are artistic but outside of mainstream art,” says Beavers, noting that makeup artists even use the same tools she does, such as brushes, pigments and pencils.

Sometimes her themes converge, as in the double take–inducing Burger Eye (2015), a rendering of a closed eye made up to look like a cheeseburger, the lid brown and dotted à la a sesame-seed bun, the lashes green like shredded lettuce. For her PS1 show, Beavers, who recently moved her studio to Newark, New Jersey, painted an image of fingernails, each polished and built up to resemble an ear of corn.

Equal parts realistic, abstract and surreal, her works engender confusion in much the way the internet itself does. Some, such as the self-explanatory Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh as Rendered in Bacon (2016), are downright hilarious. While it’s easy to interpret her van Gogh series as a comment on the commodification of his art, and her Instagram-influenced paintings overall as laments about our current epoch, Beavers does not consider herself a social critic. “I see myself as an observer,” she says. “I don’t think I’m doing any political heavy lifting.” —Julie Belcove


Gina Beavers’ Cake, 2015, acrylic on canvas panel
Photo: Courtesy of Gina Beavers

Biologique Recherche Is the Master of Clean Lines

It’s a hazardous world out there, especially for your face. Pollution is wreaking havoc on our skin, but the scientists behind the cult French skincare brand Biologique Recherche are helping to clean things up. The new VIP O2 Anti-Pollution Range, an evolution of the company’s popular VIP O2 line, uses super-ingredients like polysaccharides, which create a barrier against UV rays and atmospheric particles, and cotton-stem-cell concentrate, an antioxidant that protects the skin against urban pollutants. In layman’s terms: The line is like a shield, protecting your face, body and hair down to a microscopic level—a good thing considering many pollutants are 20 times smaller than the size of a single pore.—Jackie Caradonio


Biologique Recherche’s VIP O2 Anti-Pollution Range
Photography by Joshua Scott

Marjan van Aubel Shines a Light on Sustainability

Marjan van Aubel is as much an inventor as she is a designer. At her Amsterdam studio, the Dutch artist, who calls herself a “solar designer,” infuses her furnishings and lighting with sustainable innovations, from newfangled materials (including “foaming wood,” an expanding composite she created by combining recycled timber with a bioresin) to the latest technologies (such as the solar cells she developed with the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands). But her pieces aren’t just high-tech; they’re nice to look at, too. “Every surface is an opportunity to make solar energy more accessible,” says van Aubel. “It needs to function, but it also needs to have an emotional connection.”

This month, at the Salone del Mobile in Milan, van Aubel will once again combine flawless form and function with new pieces from her Cyanometer collection, which she created for Swarovski after winning the Austrian brand’s Designers of the Future Award in 2017 for her “solar crystal” lighting. Inspired by the 18th-century instrument used to measure the colour of the sky, the ring-shaped floor lamps and sconces are an evolution of that concept, further incorporating Swarovski crystals in an intelligent design that is beautiful, bright and delightfully blue. —Alia Akkam


Marjan Van Aubel with her Cyanometer collection for Swarovski
Photography by Mark Cocksedge

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Escape from the Ordinary

Ponant, the luxury cruise line known for its meticulously planned itineraries and high-end service, ups the ante on their upcoming European Journeys that promise an unrivalled exploration of the Mediterranean.

By Robb Report Team 19/02/2024

Not all cruises are created equally. Ponant, the luxury cruise line known for its meticulously planned itineraries and high-end service, ups the ante on their upcoming European Journeys that promise an unrivalled exploration of the Mediterranean. From the stunning Amalfi Coast to the pristine Greek Islands, the narrow Corinth Canal to the picturesque Dalmatian coast, historic Istanbul and beguiling Malaga, each destination is a unique adventure waiting to be unravelled. With Ponant, these aren’t just locations on a map; they’re experiences that come alive with the intimate knowledge and insight that their expert guides provide.

Ponant’s luxury cruises are renowned for their individuality, with no two journeys the same. This is not by chance. Itineraries are scrupulously designed to ensure that each passenger is left with a feeling of having embarked on a journey unlike any other.

Athens-Venise. Photograph by N.Matheus. ©PONANT

In 2025, their fleet will set sail for a combined 56 departures from March to October, exploring the dreamy locales of Greece and the Greek Islands, Malta, Italy (including Venice and Sicily), Croatia, France, Turkey, Spain and Portugal. These European Journeys offer an intimate encounter with the Mediterranean, its people and culture. As you cruise in luxury, you’ll dive deep into the heart of each destination, exploring historic sites, engaging with locals, sampling scrumptious cuisine and soaking in the vibrant atmospheres.

The company’s small, sustainable ships, which can accommodate from as few as 32 to 264 guests, have the exclusive ability to sail into ports inaccessible to larger cruise liners, affording privileged entry into some of the world’s most treasured alcoves. Picture sailing under London’s iconic Tower Bridge, crossing the Corinth Canal, or disembarking directly onto the sidewalk during ports of call in culturally rich cities like Lisbon, Barcelona, Nice and Venice, among others.

Photo by Tamar Sarkissian. ©PONANT

This singular closeness is further enriched by destination experts who unravel the tapestry of each locale’s history and traditions.

Onboard their luxurious ships, every guest is a VIP and treated to refined service and amenities akin to sailing on a private yacht. Whether at sea or ashore, their destination experts guarantee a fascinating experience, immersing you in the rich cultural and historical diversity of each region.

Indulge in the finest gastronomy at sea, inspired by none other than gastronomic virtuoso and Ponant partner, Alain Ducasse. Each voyage offers an expertly crafted dining experience, from a-la-carte meals with perfectly matched wines by the onboard Sommelier at dinner and lunch, to a French-inspired buffet breakfast, featuring all the favourite pastries, fresh bread and quality produce.

Chef Mickael Legrand. Photograph by NickRains. ©PONANT

For a more intimate discovery, consider Le Ponant, with its 16 high-class staterooms and suites—perfect for private charter—sailing eight exclusive routes between Greece and Croatia, offering guests unparalleled experiences both onboard and ashore. Ponant’s commitment to crafting unforgettable experiences extends beyond itineraries. Aboard their ships, the luxury is in every detail. Unwind in opulent cabins and suites, each offering private balconies and breathtaking views of the azure water and destinations beyond.

Ponant’s upcoming European Journeys are more than just cruises—they’re your passport to a world of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and unrivalled luxury. Don’t miss this opportunity to embark on the voyage of a lifetime: the Mediterranean is calling.

To book European 2025 sailings visit au.ponant.com; call 1300 737 178 (AU) or 0800 767 018 (NZ) or contact your preferred travel agent.

 

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Saint Laurent Just Opened a New Bookstore in Paris. Here’s a Look Inside.

The chic new outpost is located on the city’s arty Left Bank.

By Rachel Cormack 14/02/2024

Saint Laurent is taking over even more of Paris.

The French fashion house, which only just opened an epic new flagship on Champs-Élysées, has launched a chic new bookstore on the Left Bank. Located in the 7th arrondissement, Saint Laurent Babylone is a mecca of art, music, literature, and, of course, fashion.

The new outpost is a tribute to the connection that Yves Saint Laurent and partner Pierre Bergé had to the Rue Babylone, according to Women’s Wear Daily. (In 1970, the pair moved to a 6,500-square-foot duplex on the street.) It is also inspired by the house’s original ready-to-wear boutique, Saint Laurent Rive Guache, which opened in the 6th arrondissement in 1966.

The exposed concrete in contrasted by sleek marble accents. SAINT LAURENT

With a minimalist, art gallery-like aesthetic, the space is anchored by a hefty marble bench and large black shelves. The raw, textured concrete on the walls is juxtaposed by a soft blue and white rug, a wooden Pierre Jeanneret desk, and sleek Donald Judd stools.

The wares within Saint Laurent Babylone are the most important part, of course. Curated by Saint Laurent’s creative director Anthony Vaccarello, the collection includes everything from photos by British artist Rose Finn-Kelcey to books published by Saint Laurent itself. Some tomes on offer are so rare that white gloves are required for handling.

The store also offers an enviable selection of records that are no longer being pressed. Highlights include Sade’s Promise, Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love, and the debut studio album of electronic band Kraftwerk.

Other notable items on the shelves include Leica cameras, chocolates made in collaboration with pastry chef François Daubinet, prints by Juergen Teller, and brass skull sculptures. You’ll also find an assortment of YSL merch, including pens, lighters, and cups.

To top it off, Saint Laurent Babylone will double as an event space, hosting live music sessions, DJ sets, book readings, and author signings over the coming months.

Saint Laurent’s latest endeavor isn’t exactly surprising. With Vaccarello at the helm, the Kering-owned fashion house has entered new cultural realms. Only last year, the label established a film production company and debuted its first movie at Cannes.

The space is fitted with a Pierre Jeanneret desk and Donald Judd stools.
SAINT LAURENT

Perhaps Saint Laurent film reels and movie posters will soon be available at Babylone, too.

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The Best Watches at the Grammys, From Maluma’s Jacob & Co. to Jon Batiste’s Vacheron Constantin

Music’s biggest names sported some outstanding watches on Sunday evening.

By Rachel Mccormack 08/02/2024

Weird yet wonderful watches punctuated this year’s Grammys.

The woman of the moment, Taylor Swift, who made history by winning Album of the Year for an unprecedented fourth time, wore an unconventional Lorraine Schwartz choker watch to the annual awards ceremony on Sunday night. That was just the tip of the horological iceberg, though.

Colombian singer-songwriter Maluma elevated a classic Dolce & Gabbana suit with a dazzling Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon and a pair of custom, diamond-encrusted Bose earbuds, while American musician Jon Batiste topped off a stylish Versace ensemble with a sleek Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon. Not to be outdone, rapper Busta Rhymes busted out a rare Audemars Piguet Royal Oak for the occasion.

There was more understated wrist candy on display, too, such as Jack Antonoff’s Cartier Tank LC and Noah Kahan’s Panerai Luminor Quaranta BiTempo.

For the rest of the best watches we saw on the Grammys 2024 red carpet, read on.

Maluma: Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon

Maluma busted out some truly spectacular bling for this year’s Grammys. The Colombian singer-songwriter paired a classic Dolce & Gabbana suit with a dazzling Jacob & Co. Astronomia Tourbillon and a pair of custom, diamond-encrusted Bose earbuds. The sculptural wrist candy sees a four-arm movement floating in front of a breathtaking dial adorned with no less than 257 rubies. For added pizzaz, the lugs of the 18-karat rose-gold case are invisibly set with 80 baguette-cut white diamonds. Limited to just nine examples, the rarity is priced at $1.5 million.

Asake: Hublot Big Bang Essential Grey

Nigerian singer-songwriter Asake may not have won the Grammy for Best African Music Performance for “Amapiano,” but did wear a winning Hublot Big Bang at Sunday’s proceedings. Released in 2023, the Essential Grey model is made purely of titanium for a sleek, uniform feel. The 42 mm timepiece was limited to just 100 pieces and cost $37,000 a pop.

John Legend: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding

Multihyphenate John Legend wore a legendary Audemars Piguet with silky Saint Laurent on Sunday evening. The self-winding Royal Oak in question features a 34 mm black ceramic case, a black grande tapisserie dial, and striking pink gold accents. The watchmaker’s signature is also displayed in gold under the sapphire crystal. The piece will set you back $81,000.

Jon Batiste: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Tourbillon

American musician Jon Batiste received four nominations but no wins at this year’s Grammys. The “Butterfly” singer can take solace in the fact that he looked ultra-sharp in Versace and Vacheron Constantin. A tribute to the spirit of travel, the Overseas Tourbillon features a 42.5 mm white-gold case, a bezel set with 60 baguette-cut diamonds, and a blue dial featuring a dazzling tourbillon cage inspired by the Maltese cross. Price upon request, naturally.

Fireboy DML: Cartier Santos

Fireboy DML’s outfit was straight fire on Sunday night. The Nigerian singer paired an MCM wool jacket with a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet, several iced-out rings, and a sleek Cartier Santos. The timepiece features a steel case, a graduated blue dial with steel sword-shaped hands, and a seven-sided crown with synthetic faceted blue spinel.

Noah Kahan: Panerai Luminor Quaranta BiTempo

Best New Artist nominee Noah Kahan wore one of Panerai’s best new watches to Sunday’s festivities. The Luminor Quaranta BiTempo features a 40 mm polished steel case and a black dial with luminous numerals and hour markers, a date display at 3 o’clock, and a small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock. The timepiece can be yours for $14,000.

Busta Rhymes: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore

Legendary rapper Busta Rhymes busted out a chic Audemars Piguet for this year’s Grammys. The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in question is distinguished by a 42 mm rose-gold case and a matching pink méga tapisserie dial with an outer flange for the tachymeter scale. The face is fitted with three black subdials, large black numerals, and a black date display at 3 o’clock. You can expect to pay around $61,200 for the chronograph on the secondary market.

Jack Antonoff: Cartier Tank Louis Cartier

Producer of the year Jack Antonoff took to the red carpet with a stylish Cartier on his wrist. The Tank Louis Cartier in question appears to be a large 33.7 mm example that features an 18-carat rose-gold case, a silvered dial with black Roman numerals and blued steel hands, a beaded crown set with a sapphire cabochon, and a brown alligator strap. It’ll set you back $19,900.

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This 44-Foot Carbon-Fiber Speedboat Can Rocket to 177 KMPH

The new Mayla GT is available with a range of different powertrains, too.

By Rachel Cormack 03/02/2024

We knew the Mayla GT would be one of the most exciting boats at Boot Düsseldorf, but a deep dive into the specs shows it could be downright revolutionary.

The brainchild of German start-up Mayla, the 44-footer brings you the blistering performance of a speedboat and the luxe amenities of a motor yacht in one neat carbon-fiber package.

Inspired by the go-fast boats of the 1970s and ‘80s, the GT sports an angular, retro-futuristic body and the sleek lines of a rocket ship. Tipping the scales at just 4500 kilograms, the lightweight design features a deep-V hull with twin transversal steps and patented Petestep deflectors that help it slice through the waves with ease. In fact, Mayla says the deflectors decrease energy usage by up to 35 percent while ensuring a more efficient planing.

The range-topping GT can reach 185 kph. MAYLA

The GT is also capable of soaring at breakneck speeds, with the option of a gas, diesel, electric, or hybrid powertrain. The range-topping GTR-R model packs dual gas-powered engines that can churn out 3,100 hp for a top speed of more than 100 knots (185 kph). At the other, more sustainable end of the spectrum, the E-GT is fitted with an electric powertrain that can produce 2,200 horses for a max speed of 50 knots. The hybrid E-GTR pairs that same electric powertrain with a 294 kilowatt diesel engine for a top speed of 60 knots (111 km/h/69 mph). (The GT in the water at Boot sported two entry-level V8s good for 650 hp and a top speed of over 70 knots.)

The GT is suitable for more than just high-speed jaunts, of course. The multipurpose cockpit, which can accommodate up to eight passengers, features a sundeck with sliding loungers, a wet bar and BBQ, and a foldaway dining table for alfresco entertaining. Further toward the stern, a beach club sits atop a garage with an electric transom door.

The garage has an electric transom door. MAYLA

The GT is even fit for overnight stays. Below deck lies a cabin with a double bed, sofa, wardrobe, vanity, and en suite. You can also expect a high-tech entertainment system with TVs and premium audio.

As for price, the GT with the entry-level powertrain will cost between $2.7 million and $2.9, depending on the final configuration. (You can fine-tune the layout, hull color, and interiors, naturally.) Interested buyers can set up a sea trial with Mayla, with test-drives set to begin this spring in Europe.

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Red Centre

First Nations artist Shaun Daniel Allen joins forces with Chopard to create a timepiece inspired by the Australian landscape.

By Horacio Silva 29/01/2024

Shaun Daniel Allen does not look like your typical collaborator on a prestige watch. For one, Shal, as he prefers to be known (“There are many Shauns but only one Shal,” he explains), is more heavily tattooed than your average roadie. His youthful appearance, bad-boy ink and all, belies his 38 years and leads to a disconnect. 

He recounts being recognised on the street recently by a journalist, who, unable to remember his name, shouted out, “Chopard!” “I was with a friend,” Shal says, holding court in his apartment in Sydney’s inner city, “and he’s, like, ‘What the hell? Does that happen to you often?’”

Perhaps because of his body art, he reasons, “People don’t put me and Chopard together.” It’s not hard to understand the confusion, Shal adds; even he was taken aback when Chopard reached out to him about a potential collaboration a little more than a year ago. “When I first went in to see them, I was, like, I don’t know if I’m your guy. I’m not used to being in those rooms and having those conversations.”

He’ll have to adapt quickly to his new reality. Last month Chopard released Shal’s interpretation of the Swiss brand’s storied Alpine Eagle model, which in itself was a redo of the St. Moritz, the first watch creation by Karl-Friedrich Scheufele (now Co-President of Chopard) in the late 1970s. 

Previewed at Sydney’s About Time watch fair in September, to not insignificant interest, and officially known as the Alpine Eagle Sunburnt, the exclusive timepiece—issued in a limited edition of 20—arrives as a stainless steel 41 mm with a 60-hour power reserve and a burnt red dial that brings to mind the searing Outback sun. Its see-through caseback features one of Shal’s artworks painted on sapphire glass.

When the reputable Swiss luxury brand approached Shal, they already had the red dial—a nod to the rich ochre hues of the Australian soil at different times of the day and gradated so that the shades become darker around the edges—locked in as a lure for Australian customers.

Shal was charged with designing an artful caseback and collectible hand-painted sustainable wooden case. After presenting a handful of paintings, each with his signature abstract motifs that pertain to indigenous emblems, tattoos and music, both parties landed on a serpentine image that evoked the coursing of rivers. “I have been painting a lot of water in this last body of work and the image we chose refers to the rivers at home,” he says, alluding to formative years spent at his grandfather’s, just outside of Casino.

It says a lot about Chopard, Shal points out, that they wanted to donate to a charity of his choosing. “Like everything else on this project,” he explains, “they were open to listening and taking new ideas on board and it actually felt like a collaboration, like they weren’t steering me into any corner.”

In another nice touch, a portion of the proceeds from sales of the watch will go to funding programs of the Ngunya Jarjum Aboriginal Corporation—an organisation, established in 1995 by Bundjalung elders, whose work Shal saw firsthand after the 2022 eastern Australia flood disasters ravaged their area. “Seeing Ngunya Jarjum suffer from the floods,” he says, “and knowing how much they do for the community on Bundjalung Country was heartbreaking. I want to see Bundjalung families thriving and supported.”

So what’s it been like for this booster of Australian waterways to be swimming in the luxury end of the pool? “I’ve done a few things with brands,” he offers, referring to the Louis Vuitton project earlier this year at an art gallery in Brisbane, “but nothing on this scale. It’s definitely fancier than I’m used to but I’m not complaining.” Neither are watch aficionados.

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