'Meet Block'
13 December
Let’s be honest, despite some of our best efforts to resist smart-phones, we’ve all got one and some of us multiple. Their indispensable and addictive qualities make them rather irritable little friends whose omnipresence can get slightly tiresome. Sometimes we just need a break! Meet Block, a Dutch startup supported by T-Mobile that has created an elegant solution. The Block case neatly conceals up to six smartphones, made from a single piece of aluminum that functions as a Faraday cage, blocking all incoming calls and messages. It’s time to virtually disconnect and re-engage with those you call 'family and friends'. ‘Tis the season after all…
Writer: Rosanna Bruce
Party people
13 December
Los Angeles-based design studio Stephen Kenn may be known for his furniture and leather goods, but this winter Kenn and his wife Beks Opperman are growing their offering by introducing six curated holiday gift sets. The common theme of the collection is leather – each kit contains a Stephen Kenn leather good, as well as a choice of imaginative gifting alternatives such as a private tour of the Stephen Kenn studio space.
We recommend 'Drinks with Friends', or the Travel Cocktail Kit, which contains two stunning rocks glasses, a leather travel kit, a notecard from Well Received and the quintessential book on modern cocktail creation, Death & Co - the perfect gift for a cocktail-loving friend or aspiring mixologist.
Writer: Jessica-Christin Hametner
Nectar & Stone
13 December
Blue food is always a questionable choice but we’ve found the exception. Melbourne desert designers Nectar & Stone have created these blue éclairs that aren’t only easy-on-the-eyes, but are also mouth-wateringly delicious. Caroline Khoo, founder and creative director, works tirelessly to design stunning desserts that certainly push the boundaries between art and food. Her feminine sweets have caught the attention of many an admirer and she is currently working on a book with Murdoch Book Publishers. Who said you can’t have your cake and eat it? Watch this space.
Writer: Rosanna Bruce
Lipstick game
13 December
From the Lipstick Queen herself comes the new range Lipstick Chess. Six rich shades that inject lips with full coverage colour, representing a playful take on a beauty staple. Lips feel moisturised and ready to embrace whatever comes their way thanks to the super hydrating, suede-feel formula that redefines what it means to wear matte lipstick. The vibrant shades pop against their monochrome packaging and will turn any look from bleak to chic. Available from January 2017.
Writer: Rosanna Bruce
Brooklyn bars
13 December
Given its name and the almost parodic images of bearded hipsters caressing its products online, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Brooklyn Soap Company is one of those achingly artisanal outfits that Brooklyn is famous for. Yet it’s actually based in Hamburg, selling men’s beard and skin care globally via its website and in barbers and menswear stores around Europe. In an imaginative move, BSC has commissioned star perfumer Mark Buxton (who was born in England but grew up in – Hamburg) to create a scent for its body wash and its first perfume. Called The Woods, it’s an appealingly earthy and, yes, woody fragrance, with a formula that includes bergamot, ginger, nutmeg and incense.
Writer: Christopher Stocks
Cartier takes flight
2 December
It’s rare that a perfume’s name, bottle, and scent come together in one clear and coherent concept. 'L’Envol' is a new fragrance from Cartier for men; translated loosely as ‘taking flight’, the scent – which is the work of in-house perfumer Mathilde Laurent – represents both the ground it leaves behind and the air it launches itself into. Specifically, it is made up of honey notes, guaiac wood and patchouli with an airy, musky transparent trail. The bottle, meanwhile, is an intricate construction – an inner vessel hovers inside an outer shell, fixed together only at the neck, a piece of engineering executed by the clever design-heads at the watch and jewellery HQ.
'L'Envol de Cartier', from £63 for 50ml, available from Cartier
Writer: Emma Moore
Paris match
2 December
We’ve been fans of Parisian homeware and fragrance brand Astier de Villatte ever since Ivan Pericoli and Benoît Astier de Villatte first opened their cabinet of curiosities on the rue St Honoré, so we were intrigued when they published Ma Vie à Paris, their personal guide to the city, in January 2016. Newly available in English, it’s the perfect complement to the Wallpaper* guide, with a quirky selection of everything from bird hospitals to parapsychologists, all arranged in alphabetical order and printed by the only traditional printing house left in Paris.
Ma Vie à Paris, €45, published by Astier de Villatte
Writer: Christopher Stocks
The rest is noise
2 December
Legacy whisky company Chivas Regal and the nifty precision audio brand LSTN Sound Co have teamed up on 'Generosity: Amplified'. It's a multi-faceted initiative with the key aim of raising funds for the Starkey Hearing Foundation – the $150,000 target will provide one million hearing aids for those in need over the course of a decade. LSTN's 'Troubadour' over-ear headphones have been given a limited-edition tweak, their wooden panelling reconstituted from recycled whisky casks and debossed with a Chivas Regal logo (with no scrimping on sonic quality). It's a timeless, elegant design – neatly presented in a custom wooden gift box with a spare set of removable cables. Sound stuff all round.
Chivas Regal X LSTN 'Troubadour' headphones, $249.99, available from LSTN
Writer: Tom Howells
Box of tricks
2 December
For those of you who haven't been organised enough buy an advent calendar just yet, take a look at this new twist on an old staple, by Susanne Kaufmann. Filled with 24 beauty delights – and priced at a punch £110 – the calendar has been created by Kaufmann’s team of dermatologists and includes a bevvy of naturally derived products for all skin types. Expect bath oils and salts, body products, facial skincare, haircare and festive teas, just in time to have yourself groomed and glowing for that ever-imminent Christmas party. Better than chocolate? That might be a step too far.
Writer: Rosanna Bruce
Chocolate, caviar and vodka
2 December
In a clash of titans, Nicolas Cloiseau of La Maison du Chocolat and caviar extraordinaire Armen Petrossian have united their two trades. What may seem a total juxtaposition of flavours is actually a harmonious marriage. The luxurious treat has broken boundaries to create an exquisite blend of caviar and vodka-infused chocolate. Salty notes of caviar inside a nutty chocolate ganache complement the coarse hazelnut praline and thus create a combination that is neither sweet or salty, nor dark or milky. The future is sweet – the future is caviar chocolate.
Available from Caviar Petrossian and La Maison du Chocolat
Writer: Clara le Fort
Strike gold
2 December
If one lifestyle brand defies industry conventions, it’s Lite + Cycle, founded by Kristi Head – a packaging and graphic artist based in LA, whose aim is to turn the fragrance industry on its head.
Continuing on her mission, the brand’s latest olfactory offering comes as an essential oil perfume range. Gracefully scented, the collection consists of three scents made of therapeutic-grade oils, all of which are certified organic. ‘Ingrace’ blends lavender and rose otto for a smooth, herbaceous scent; ‘Inrapture’ is fresh, citrussy and lively; while ‘Inheart’, a concoction of vetiver and sandalwood, oozes confidence.
Head conceived the mandala design and tweaked it to precision with the help of an architect, creating not only a fragrance that is eco-friendly but also easy on the eye (in an elegant bit of packaging, no less).
'Ingrace', 'Inrapture' and 'Inheart', each $58 for 8ml.
Writer: Jessica-Christin Hametner
Olive oil with a twist
18 November
Primitive Cyprus, a small-batch olive oil brand based in Larnaca, was established back in 2015 by designers Yorgos Marantos, Yannis Bartzis and Yeorgia Demetriou (also a biologist), whose true-to-tradition extra virgin olive oil has been making waves not just in Cyprus, but globally ever since its inception in May.
The focus is clear - ‘food minimalism’, which emphasises limited production and partnering with small and sustainable producers that yield unprocessed, natural food sources. This maximises the oil’s nutritional values, apparent in its high organoleptic characteristics (utilised by experts to determine an oil’s quality), having been selected as one of the World’s Best Olive Oils by Flos Olei 2017 already. Hand-painted, matte white bottles contrast with black silkscreened details, available with accompanying accessories including a felt or leather sleeve. From €30.
Writer: Jessica-Christin Hametner
Daimon Barber
18 November
Conceived by brothers Lee and Daimon Neelands, Daimon Barber (get it?) is a London-based men’s grooming brand, best known until recently for its range of hair pomades, which have received rave reviews from video bloggers online. This year the brand has added a shaving and skincare range and redesigned the packaging for the pomades, which all now come in smart charcoal-grey livery with pewter-coloured lettering – a look that’s much more Wallpaper* than its previous trad-dad incarnation.
Made in the UK from top-notch natural oils and the latest cosmeceuticals, the paraben-free range includes Honeybee Complex & Propolis Shave Cream, Anti-Fatigue Eye Cream and Exfoliating Cleanser, as well as the much-fêted pomades. Next up? A range of Daimon Barber fragrances, launching in 2017.
Writer: Christopher Stocks
Uproot
18 November
Established design studio Believe in is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and they've opened their first studio in Canada (Mono, Ontario) last month. To mark the occasion, the design studio conceived a limited edition of 200 bottles of premium maple syrup (100% pure grade A), paying homage to one of Canada’s most iconic exports.
The name 'Uproot' was chosen to reflect the company’s arrival in Canada and to reference the process of making maple syrup. Housed in heavyweight Italian glass bottles, each is individually numbered and adored with Japanese Takeo Tassel - a light grey paper that is subtly embossed and supplied by GF Smith, while a die-cut diagonal line marks the geographical connection between both studios. Simple and elegant, Uproot is sure to tick the boxes for all design aficionados with a penchant for pancakes and dripping maple syrup. £55 each.
Writer: Jessica-Christin Hametner
Rockwell Razors
18 November
Lets be honest almost all catridge razors leave your skin in an irritated and sensitive state with most models not being suitable to all hair and skin types. Rockwell Razors allow their user to customize their razor with a shave setting that can be adjusted from 1 though 6 that changes the angle at which the blade cuts the hair. The new Chrome Series combines superior design with the unique adjustability system in two alluring finishes: Classic Chrome and Gunmetal.
Writer: Rosanna Bruce
On the nose
4 November
Overose, a recently launched Parisian fragrance brand based in the 9th arrondissement, prides itself on its succinct collection of candles, which promise to instill a sense of warmth within any atmosphere. The candles, which are each lovingly made with a selection of organic essential oils, are all forged from the brand’s signature dusty pink rapeseed botany wax blend and boast a diverse selection of scents. Offerings include the 'Nympholia', a patchouli-fragranced candle featuring a fractionation of oil cultivated in Japan.
Writer Sara Sturges
Bozal Mezcal
4 November
Bozal Mezcal – available in four distinctive blends and made using traditional techniques – is produced from wild agaves grown on the sheer hillsides of Oaxaca and Guerrero, Mexico, taking up to 13 years to cultivate. The resulting spirit features rich and complex layers of flavour, evoking intense earth tones and a savoury smokiness. The ceramic bottle design comes in four natural colours, with a label printed on naturally flecked paper. These elements hint at the traditional terra cotta copitas commonly used for storing mezcal. Available from 3badge.
Writer: Rosanna Bruce
Perfect harmony
4 November
The Detroit fashion/lifestyle label Shinola is diverse as is, but its shift into the audio market is still unprecedented (though certainly not unwelcome). Preceding a wider range of headphones, in-ear monitors, speakers et al, the brand presents the Runwell Turntable. A belt-driven deck created in collaboration with New Jersey's VPI, the Runwell is a sleek, muscular plug-and-play unit in wood, solid steel and aluminium, promising exemplary audiophile quality (as it should, retailing for a keen $2,500). This first edition is available in a run of 500 (an all-black iteration will be released on Black Friday).
Writer: Tom Howells
Tsar buy
4 November
Parisian 5.5 Designstudio has created a sleek caviar spoon. Its silken surface is finished in brilliantly shiny black lacquer with a nacre shell spoon set into the handle – the purest way to eat caviar. Appropriately, it’s filled with 15g of Caviar Impérial de Sologne, produced in the small town of Saint-Viatre in the Loir-et-Cher region of France. The golden-black caviar is famed for its nutty, slightly salty taste and is recognised as the crème de la crème of French fish roe.
Writer: Rosanna Bruce
Pot luck
4 November
Tea is the lifeblood of Wallpaper* HQ, so we were predictably excited when the Eindhoven graduates behind 'Miito' – a revolutionary induction kettle – launched their conceptual online tea store. Like the kettle, ‘Miito Tea’ is novel, eco-friendly and deliciously simple. Comprising a concise selection of three, limited edition loose-leaf blends, the young team have honed in on the 'immersive experience' food trend, pairing each of their minimally packaged flavours with a mood, meal and music. Our personal favourite – ‘Sunday Brunch' – is infused with peach pieces, rose petals and papaya. This fruity number invigorates slow mornings, and is best served with a seasonal salad, while watching Little Miss Sunshine. Time for a tea break.
Writer: Elly Parsons
Gosha Rubchinsky by Comme des Garçons
4 November
A perfume that smells – according to its own description – of rubber and tar might not sound like the sort of thing you’d immediately rush out to buy, but Comme des Garçons has never been afraid of pushing the boundaries, and its new unisex scent, ‘Gosha Rubchinskiy’ is no exception.
Named after the young Moscow-based designer and photographer whose brash streetwear-inspired collections are bankrolled by the brand, it’s apparently inspired by ‘skateboarding on a summer day’, and was formulated by perfumer Alexis Dadier of International Flavors & Fragrances.
Dadier has cleverly created an impression of rubber, along with a tarry note that smells slightly leathery (probably thanks to the use of birch-tar oil, which is used in many leather perfumes). But while it definitely has a synthetic character which reminds a little of surgical spirit, the rubberiness isn’t overpowering, and after a while the pleasantly dry, wearable scent of vetiver starts taking over. Get your skateboard on and try it before it sells out.
‘Gosha Rubchinskiy’, £65 for 100ml eau de toilette, available from Dover Street Market locations worldwide.
Writer: Christopher Stocks
Libertine Fragrance and Material Lust’s ’Apostate’
28 October
The appeal of art often lies in its thrillingly subversive nature – a creative process that’s driven out of a need to shift the status quo, especially when it has become stagnant. ’Apostate’, a new scent created as a collaboration between Libertine Fragrance founder Josh Smith and distinguished design brand Material Lust, embodies this subversive spirit.
Both rebels in their own right, Smith has carved his own path in the indie perfume sector out of a dissatisfaction with the celebrity endorsed commercial market and Material Lust has cultivated its career by operating outside of corporate constraints – adopting an independent and unorthodox approach to product design. The result is a punchy and provocative mix of Moroccan rose, star anise, oak moss and a subtle note of soft black leather. Housed in an elegant jet black bottle, ’Apostate’ is a symbol of rebellion.
Writer: Adam Chapman
Makes perfect scents
28 October
Taking into account the evocative appeal of perfume, a fragrance-infused laundry detergent hardly seems like a novel idea. On the contrary, it smacks of simple logic. Why lather your skin with a sensual aroma to then mask it with a layer of clothing? L’Eaundry combines the two – abiding by the philosophy that luxury should be all-enveloping.
Conceived as a high-end laundry detergent for those hard to maintain, expensive fabrics such as silk and cashmere, L’Eaundry enlisted the expertise of distinguished perfumers to further enhance those special items by infusing them with a range of carefully crafted scents.
Oriental olibanum summons up warm notes of frankincense and blossom, Asian ginger flower exudes the sharp sweetness of ginger and Scandinavian moss evokes the Nordic countryside, with its earthy base notes of cedar wood and vetiver. Tastefully presented in glass perfume bottles with fabric-inspired labels, L’Eaundry is a laundry detergent that’s far more suited to the dresser than the cleaning cupboard.
Writer: Adam Chapman
Precious MOOD
28 October
Used as a centrepiece or displayed in the kitchen, MOOD looks like a giant, minimal Fabergé egg. Sculptural and contemporary, it is one of silversmith Christofle’s most successful, clever designs. A cutlery-container, it hides 24 pieces (forks, knives, and large and small spoons) in plain sight; stored vertically, each item slides into a dedicated wooden slot, composing a rather striking ‘bouquet’ of forks and knives.
Now available in two new luxurious finishes, MOOD’s coppery 18-carat rose gold and 24-carat gold reflective surfaces can even be placed on a console as a decorative object.
MOOD in 18-carat rose gold is available from €1350; €9000 in 24-carat gold.
Writer: Clara Le Fort
Landscaped lemonade
28 October
Widely know as 'The Land of Fire and Ice', Iceland is a country built on contrasting extremes and remains firmly connected to the natural world. These conditions are what have pushed Reykjavik-based Alda Iceland to create lemonade that pays homage to the country's diverse landscape. Manufactured in limited production by Stedji, a small family-owned brewery located in the historical upper Borgarfjörður region, the 100 per cent natural formula is sugar-free and blends filtered spring water with hydrolysed marine collagen that is sustainably sourced from wild-caught fish in the North Atlantic Ocean. Milja Korpela's minimalist packaging design emphasises the natural roots of the product, as does the photography that celebrates Iceland’s unspoilt and ravishing terrain.
Writer: Jessica-Christin Hametner
Tony Conigliaro x Negroni
28 October
The established drinks and flavour expert Tony Conigliaro has collaborated with graphic design group AS-CC to create the second in a series of label designs for his bottle-aged Negroni. The four designs illustrate idyllic Italian landscapes, reflecting the heritage and elegance of Soho's Bar Termini and the cocktail itself. Each design uses a pastel palette and gold lettering, reminiscent of 1930s glamour.
Soho's Bar Termini was founded by Conigliario and coffee supremo Marco Arrigo in 2015. With two Italian founders, Termini's interior is overwhelmingly proud of its motherland, the cosy space capturing the intimate soul and ambience of the cafes and bars that litter Italian train stations.
The new label series is available at Bar Termini, where the Classico and three other infusions (Robusto, Rosato and Superiore) can by bought by the glass. The Classico Negroni bottle is also available to buy at Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, The Drink Shop and Amathus. Saluti!
Writer: Rosanna Bruce
Chanel Rouge Allure Ink
28 October
Red lipstick is an enduring make up bag staple, the most modern iteration being matte in texture. That, however, can make for a dry and lacklustre pout. Chanel has found the answer in its new range of Rouge Allure Inks, created by Lucia Pica and the Makeup Creation Studio.
A pioneering colour technology embodies the qualities of ink, evenly and fluidly covering the lips’ surface for a weightless and velvety finish.
The nourishing blend of jojoba oil, sappan wood, green tea, sweet almond oil and a vitamin E derivative enables the matte colour to retain its moisture and vibrancy for up to six hours. Available in eight shades, there is a Rouge Allure Ink to suit every occasion, outfit and pair of lips.
Writer: Rosanna Bruce
Fresh perspective
17 October
Following the success of its first venture, Vinyl’s Mix has revealed the look of its second salon, a 91 sq m space in Osaka conceived under the guidance of Sohei Arao of Sides Core.
Founded by Koji Kawakami, the salon combines music, art and other forms of cultural expression, redefining the very idea of a hairdressing space.
The heart of the salon is the library, curated by employees and covering topics such as fashion, architecture and photography, serving to embrace the cultural curiosity of Vinyl's Mix's clients.
The salon’s industrial-style interior sees steel beams become lighting fixtures, water pipes repurposed as garment rails and decorative pieces, such as a vintage Verner Panton globe pendant, set against raw concrete.
Writer: Jessica-Christin Hametner
'Where we're going, we don't need laces'
14 October
The Nike Mag – aka, Marty McFly's self-binding moon boot from Back to the Future Part II – is, without fail, every Millenial's dream trainer. And as of this week, it's been possible to get one's mitts on an actual, honest-to-God pair of them. Cue sneaker-fiend meltdown the world over.
Only 89 sets of the 2016 Mag were created by Nike, to be auctioned for the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. The brand first built a version of the shoe for the same purpose in 2011 – raising nearly $10 million in ten days. But these lacked the essential 'adaptive' (intuitive self-tightening) technology, developed by Nike for its forthcoming HyperAdapt 1.0 performance shoe, an early version of which was incorporated into a new prototype last year (hand-delivered to Fox himself) and included in this model.
Eight-five pairs of the 2016 Nike Mag were available through a ticketed draw (now closed, and winners will be notified on 17 October), three pairs via public auctions in Hong Kong, New York and London, and one will be available via public draw at Nike Town London this weekend. The future is real.
Writer: Tom Howells
Claudius N° 1
12 October
Professional make-up artist Sophie Guillou knows her way around the face of many a French film star, but her latest project takes her into the world of natural skincare, which has been something of an obsession since an early age. With no particular business plan or marketing concept, she has tirelessly researched plant and marine sources of collagen to develop an anti-aging formula that is as natural and non-toxic as possible.
The result, Claudius N°1, is composed of 19 active ingredients (and only one per cent added fragrance) including sea collagen, immortelle essential oil and centella asiatica has just completed its first run. Named after her entrepreneurial grandfather, Claude (nicknamed Claudius by his family, and who financed Guillot’s studies at the Françoise Morice make-up school), it has been snatched up by Colette in Paris, and is also available at the perfume store Liquides (it's the only face cream they stock).
Claudius N° 1, €180 for 50 ml. For more information, visit the Claudius Paris website.
Writer: Jean Grogan
Vulpine's 'Nightfall' jacket
11 October
Cyclewear – as we've hammered on about at Wallpaper* before – is an ascendant corner of the lifestyle industry. But, until now, sartorial niceties have been restricted to the summer months, the grim cold season still catered to overwhelmingly with form over function.
Nowhere is this evinced more than in the fluorescent jacket, the resolutely unsexy centrepiece of a cyclist's winter wardrobe. Lucky then that Vulpine are on hand with 'Nightfall' – a waterproof, breathable and highly reflective jacket imbued with the brand's trademark urban styling.
Available in mandarin orange and a subtler navy, the jacket's abstract print blends into the design by day, but 'pings' (Vulpine's words) out at night. Fashion-forward aesthetics aside, the jacket features a host of necessary extra design details – different sized pockets, abrasion-resistant shoulder pads, a cycle-specific cut (long arms, a lengthened upper back and scalloped wrists) and underarm venting – so there's no excuse not to stand out on the roads (in more ways than one).
Released as a limited edition, the 'Nighfall' jacket costs £195 and is available from Vulpine's website in men's and women's varieties.
Writer: Tom Howells
Nailberry Elegance
6 October
Nailberry’s pink nude shade ‘Elegance’ recently had its catwalk debut at Emilia Wickstead’s SS17 show. A fitting pairing considering the polish’s palette chimed perfectly with the muted tones of Wickstead’s collection.
The subtly sumptuous Elegance is part of Nailberry’s L’Oxygene range - taking its title from the lacquer that’s used in the formulations, which allows air and moisture to pass through the polish, giving the nails a healthy vitality.
Promoting purity, the L’Oxygene collection is free from five distinct chemicals in order to preserve the natural condition of the nails.
Nailberry Elegance, £14.50, www.nailberry.co.uk
Writer: Adam Chapman
Poilâne & L/Uniform
5 September
After successfully opening the brand’s first permanent store in Isetan Shinjuku, Japan, in September, Jeanne Signoles unveiled yet another unique collaboration with master Parisian bread maker Poilâne. Known for its signature recipe – that uses four ingredients only: sourdough, stoneground wheat flour, water and sea salt from Guérande – Poilâne’s 4lbs round loaf can now be stored in its own flour-white L/Uniform cotton-canvas bag. A large, rectangular shaped bag that comes with strings attached to transport it around and keep it fresh!
Available online from Oct 11th, 80 euros.
www.luniform.com
Writer: Clara Le Fort
The Waytap
4 October
The rising trend in micro-distilleries and homebrew kits reflects the fact that consumers want to take a more active role in the production of their consumables.
The Waytap, a neat new draught system from Fizzics – a specialist in brew systems – makes this intervention accessible to everyone, by allowing users to enhance and enrich the flavour of their favourite beers, eliminating the hassle and expense of an elaborate home operation.
Attributing scientific precision to pouring, the innovative device uses oscillating sound waves to create uniformly sized and spaced bubbles, refining aromas, textures and tastes.
Eschewing the use of CO2 and nitrates, Waytap offers a pure consistency that’s complemented by a creamy foam finish.
The Waytap also prides itself on portability and a clean, minimal design – making it a tasteful addition to any kitchen worktop.
Writer: Adam Chapman
The Häagen-Dazs Ice Show
29 September
Hurrah! The ninth edition of Häagen-Dazs’ Ice Show is upon us. The annual event sees the ice cream aficionados collaborating with distinguished names in the design world – each creating their iteration of the ice cream cake. This year’s offering comes courtesy of Spanish artist-designer Jaime Hayon.
Wallpaper* has long admired Hayon’s craftmanship and his ascendant industry influence. His riff on Häagen-Dazs’ gâteau glacé once again demonstrates his eye for whimsical ingenuity.
The Spanish designer drew upon ideas of showbiz for the brief: weaving together fantastical elements to capture the surrealism of being in the spotlight.
The result is two playfully imaginative creatures, uncanny yet inviting.
Writer: Adam Chapman
Above Sea Level
28 September
The thriving independent magazine sector reflects the fact consumers are increasingly looking towards niche markets to cultivate their specific interests.
On that point, Above Sea level, a new independent magazine devoted to wine and its myriad wonders, is piquing ours.
Founded and edited by wine enthusiast Aimee Hartley, the publication's mission statement ambitiously aims to provide readers with a broader insight into the context of wine; the ways in which it trickles into the many areas of our lives, providing a rich cultural narrative that connects people, places and time.
Independent in its ideals, Above Sea Level provides a playfully accessible guide that eschews lofty jargon, encouraging an inclusive conversation around wine that rejects the misconception of elitist exclusivity.
We’ll drink to that.
Above Sea Level issue one is available now, £12.
Writer: Adam Chapman
Nuori's winter resistance
27 September
It’s that time again – the prospect of an unforgiving winter is looming. We can't change the seasons but we can change the way our skin reacts to them. The new 'Supreme Moisture Mask' from skincare brand Nuori offers a robust defence from aggravating elements.
The mask is packed with medicinal properties; grape water and damask rose flower hydrates and fortifies the skin with antioxidant protection and hyaluronic acid replenishes much needed moisture, while botanical squalene and betaine boosts the skins barrier. Anti-inflammatory chamomile flower also combats irritants and Vitamin B3 ensures a smooth, glowing complexion.
Skin can look and feel rejuvenated within 15 minutes of application, or absorbed overnight for deeper nourishment.
Writer: Adam Chapman
Elephant Gin
26 September
If there is one thing London's not short of, it’s gin. The Juniper-based spirit has soared in popularity over the last couple of years, becoming a byword for metropolitan mingling.
There may be a multitude of London gins to choose from, but Elephant Gin takes a different tack – offering a creation imbued with African spirit.
The London dry gin is distilled using 14 African botanicals and ingredients. Conjuring up an array of exotic notes, the botanicals include Baobab and the region’s Buchu plant – infusing the fruity flavour of blackcurrant.
Sloe gin, Elephant Gin’s latest addition, smacks a sweet note that is tempered with a subtle sharpness and distinctive colour.
Aside from the obvious African symbolism, the name and motif is central to one of the brand’s tenets – it helps preserve African wildlife by contributing 15 per cent of all proceeds to two African elephant foundations.
Writer: Adam Chapman
Wood and plastic
23 September
Reflecting on his approach, freelance designer Riccardo Randi said, ‘I believe design to be more of a “strategy attitude” rather than an actual work field,’ – perhaps it is Randi’s refusal to be pigeonholed that gives him the freedom to act on his creative impulses; delivering inspired ideas such as the ‘Wood + Cutlery’ concept.
Conceived with the aim to reduce the environmental damage caused by disposable cutlery production, Randi has designed a cutlery set that requires playful engagement.
Comprised of wood and plastic, the main part of the body is made from reusable wood and the head is made from biodegradeable plastic. The idea is to connect the different components – creating the cutlery.
In addition to encouraging the daily rhythm of recycling, Randi’s Wood + Cutlery concept offers a textured alternative to silverware.
Writer: Adam Chapman
Under pressure
22 September
Foam rollers are the secret weapon of many athletes and therapists – used to warm up, stretch and soothe muscles before or after a workout. Despite their popularity of late, the design of rollers is, well, rather basic. GatorTail aims to change that with its longer, thicker composition. Still portable and light, the 20mm thick eva foam comes with a sleek carrier bag making it easy to transport. More important still are the deep ridges – inspired by the skin of an alligator – which are all the better for an effective (and satisfying) deep tissue massage. Made to withstand up to 600lbs of weight, you can be sure that this sturdy roller won't collapse under pressure.
From £34.99; www.gatortail.co.uk
Writer: Sam Rogers
Lemon fresh
21 September
Widely know as 'The Land of Fire and Ice', Iceland is a country of extreme contrasts and one closely connected to nature. It is this cornerstone which has spawned Reykjavik-based Alda Iceland to create lemonade that pays homage to the country's diverse landscape.
Manufactured in limited production by Stedji, a small family-owned brewery located in the historical upper Borgarfjörður region in the West of Iceland, the wholly natural formula is sugar-free, blending filtered spring water with hydrolysed marine collagen, sustainably sourced from wild-caught fish in the North Atlantic ocean.
'Alda', a traditional woman’s name and concurrently, meaning, “wave”, suitably demonstrates Icelanders special connection to ocean and land. It is this respect for nature that Milja Korpela of Iceland Ocean Cluster captures in the design. While the minimalist packaging evokes a handmade feel, a playful editorial portrays Iceland’s elements – the blue depicting the sea and as the source of the ingredients, celebrating Iceland’s idyllic terrain in the process.
Writer: Jessica-Christin Hametner
For more information visit www.aldaiceland.com
A new parfum
20 September
Autumn is the perfect time for a new scent. Think about it. The nights grow longer and the winter chill sets in, making your fragrance all the more crisp. Especially with Malin+Goetz's new Vetiver eau-de-parfum in the mix.
The first of its kind for the New York-based apothecary brand, it builds on the success of their eau de toilette and perfume oils, as well as the popularity of their Vetiver candle. The new parfum employs an earthy base, tied with amber and guaiacwood, lifted by top notes of bergamot, grapefruit peel and cardamom to create a fragrance that is altogether warm and yet perfectly fresh, with a gentle woody overtone.
£125 for 100ml; www.malinandgoetz.co.uk
Writer: Sam Rogers.
Plume perfumer
19 September
Somewhere between a sculptural art piece and the familiar reed diffuser, designer Pierre Charrié and French plumassier Maison Julien Vermeulen have collaborated to create Nuto, a sculptural feather diffuser.
Available at galerie MICA, Nuto is a solid marble-based pendulum that slowly swings a delicate, perfumed ostrich feather through the air, diffusing its scent across the room. The feather is made of ostrich fluff starched and tinted by hand. Once perfumed, the feather naturally diffuses your chosen scent.
Nuto; from €2000; www.galeriemica.com.
Writer: Oyinkan Akande
Beauty stop
16 September
Rare will the moments of respite be this coming weekend with both London Fashion Week and London Design Festival in full swing. Thankfully, sketch is ready to offer reprieve from the buzzing streets and shows with their winsome breakfast/beauty pop-up.
Taking over the Glade, pictured, visitors will be able to restyle and refuel ahead of a long day of events. Start with an express breakfast – muesli or fruit salad, a viennoiserie, tea or coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice – while Sarah Hiscox and Willa Burton's The Braid Bar plait your hair. As well as their six signature styles they will have a bespoke 'sketch braid' on offer, too. And to finish prepping you to face the day, Facebar London's makeup artists will be on hand to work their magic. If only everyday started like this…
Pop-up beauty breakfast bar 16-20 September; £25 per person, includes express sketch breakfast and either Braid Bar braid or makeup with Facebar London. £40 for all three. Book via reservations@sketch.london or call 0207 659 45 00
Writer: Sam Rogers
Transformation
15 September
Dom Pérignon are to offer complementary champagne tasting tutorials in the heart of the retail recreation ground of South Molton Street for four days in October.
The experience is billed as a multi-sensory one, taking place inside an installation resembling a large black box, which will take up residence in the street for the duration. Slots of 15 minutes are booked in which the alchemy of Dom Pérignon’s 2006 Vintage will be explored through sight, sound and taste. The experience is guided by the voice of Cellar Master – and Wallpaper* Game-Changer – Richard Geoffroy. 'The energetic lifespan that our wines go through play a pivotal role in transforming our vintages, it isn’t a static process, but an evolution and we hope to bring this to life with Transformation.'
If you like what you see, hear and taste, a hop and a skip down the road to Claridge's will afford you the opportunity to indulge in a special pairing menu devised by Fera’s Simon Rogan and Geoffroy and served in the Dom Pérignon Suite.
‘Transformation’ will be open from 10.00am-8.30pm, 20th-23rd October. Slots can booked at uk.domperignon.com/transformation from 15 September
Writer: Emma Moore
Grub grub
14 September
Eating bugs is the next big thing. In fact, if the swarms of daily op eds and lifestyle features are to be believed, chowing down on insects might be the future of our increasingly fractious food industries – a readily available and sustainable source of high-protein, low-fat sustenance.
Jimini's is a new Parisian brand marketing a small range of dried savoury mealworms, crickets and grasshoppers, and cricket-flour chocolate and fruit bars. They're surprisingly moreish; while the smoked onion BBQ crickets slip down a treat, there's a singular weirdness in chomping through the beady compound eyes and crunchy wings of the Greek spiced grasshoppers (the squeamish, the packaging informs, can remove these). The cricket-flour bars taste identical to any other protein or natural energy bar, which is either a shame or a boon, depending on your preference.
It's not quite Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom's bug banquet, but our insect eating future might take some getting used to.
Writer: Tom Howells