TOPIC

How luxury is made

How luxury is made
A look behind the scenes at the artisanal expertise that go into creating the world's renowned luxury goods
Louis Vuitton’s Tambour Convergence in rose gold. Photo: Handout
Timepieces

Jump-hour watches are making a comeback thanks to Jaeger-LeCoultre and others

These artfully mechanical timepieces are experiencing a renaissance, blending vintage charm with modern precision to captivate a new generation of watch collectors.

Jewellery

How Japonisme still influences modern jewellery by Lalique, Cartier and Chaumet

Chanel

Reaching for the stars: Chanel’s Frédéric Grangié on making jewellery to last generations

Vacheron Constantin

Q&A | Vacheron Constantin’s Sandrine Donguy on the storied maison

Donguy says her role is about ‘gathering past and present, and preparing for the future’ on behalf of the storied brand, which counts Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and Bad Bunny among its celebrity fans.

Vacheron Constantin Overseas perpetual calendar ultra-thin skeleton. Photo: Handout
Luxury brands

Century of excellence: Loro Piana, the original quiet luxury brand, turns 100

Loro Piana’s attention to textile quality has won it fans across the globe, with even Hermès and Fendi relying on it for their raw materials; the house is now helmed by LVMH’s Frédéric Arnault.

Fashion

How luxury houses are embracing a renewed appreciation for dandyism

Fancy walking sticks and umbrellas were also out in force at the Met Gala, which paid tribute to Black dandyism – see Shah Rukh Khan, Usher, Central Cee, A$AP Rocky and Teyana Taylor, among others.

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High Jewellery

Chanel’s Reach for the Stars high jewellery launch in Kyoto

For its latest launch, Chanel unveils pieces featuring comets and wings as motifs; the debut in Kyoto is also a nod to the house’s collaboration with local lacquer artisan Yoshio Okada.

The Wings of Chanel necklace is made of white gold, platinum and natural polished diamonds, and features a statement Padparadscha sapphire. Photo: Handout
Style Edit

Style Edit: The new Santos de Cartier Petit Modèle timepiece

Over the years, the Santos de Cartier has been worn by everyone from pilots to the character Gordon Gekko in the 1987 film Wall Street: its latest incarnation recognises that small is beautiful.

Timepieces

Material gains: how ceramics are giving watches a sleek yet tough exterior

Modern ceramics are revolutionising high horology with scratch-proof durability and vibrant designs, making them the material of choice for many luxury watchmakers.

Luxury CEOs

Luxury watch entrepreneur Jean-Claude Biver on his family-run brand

Jean-Claude Biver returns to luxury watchmaking with a family-run brand, focusing on individuality and craftsmanship, while embracing smaller watch sizes – thanks to input from his son, Pierre Biver.

Former Tag Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver on his eponymous luxury watch brand JC Biver, and embracing smaller watch sizes – thanks to input from his son, Pierre Biver. Photo: Handout
High Jewellery

Jewellery that offers surprise and meaning with hidden elements

Jewellery with hidden design elements allows wearers to carry personal messages close to their hearts – and delights their designers too.

A Van Cleef & Arpels piece featuring the maison’s patented Mystery Setting. Photo: Handout
Masterpieces

Explainer | The signet ring holds many identities, from status symbol to style marker

Winston Churchill wore a signet ring bearing 2 family crests, and Frank Sinatra and James Brown were both partial to a pinky ring – today, brands from Anita Ko to Yvonne Léon are embracing the style.

Fashion

Inside PM23, Valentino’s new exhibition space for nurturing future creatives

Inaugural exhibition ‘Horizons/Red’ is showcasing 30 artworks on loan from various collections, as well as 50 archival Valentino dresses, all in the designer’s distinctive bright red hue.

Beauty

Why bedtime fragrances are having a moment on #perfumetok

Research has shown that certain scents can positively affect the nervous system – here’s how perfume houses are capitalising on that at bedtime by adding calming notes that aid sleep and relaxation.

Whitney Peak in the campaign for Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle pays tribute to Marilyn Monroe’s legendary Chanel No 5 advert. Photo: Handout
Style Edit

Style Edit: Henry Jacques’ Il y Avait un Jardin cologne-inspired fragrances

The raw materials for the perfumes are sourced from orchards in Italy, through a partnership with a Calabrian family renowned over generations for cultivating the world’s finest citrus trees.

The new Il y Avait un Jardin collection by Henry Jacques emphasises purity and simplicity, evoking memories from nature. Photo: Handout
Masterpieces

In the world of coloured gemstones, pink is the new must-have

Rare pink gemstones are fast becoming the darlings of luxury jewellery as the colour is linked to spirituality and creativity, something that resonates with consumers seeking deeper meaning.

Icons and Influencers

Whispered luxury: CEO Xavier Rougeaux on Valextra’s quiet appeal – interview

Before quiet luxury was a thing, the house was already making thoughtful quality pieces such as the Iside bag, which – like Valextra’s home city – marries beauty with functionality.

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Style Edit

Style Edit: The story behind Chanel N°5 and the haute joaillerie it inspired

Coco Chanel intended for N°5 to be ‘a woman’s perfume, with the scent of a woman’; a century on, Collection N°5 introduced high jewellery pieces including a 55.55-carat diamond necklace.

Marion Cotillard wearing the Chanel Collection N°5 55.55 necklace, showcasing a 55.55-carat diamond. Photo: Handout
High Jewellery

Explainer | What are torque necklaces, and how are celebrities reviving them?

Messika, Pomellato, Repossi, Jessica McCormack, Lalaounis, Tabayer and Laura Vann are among the other high and fine jewellery brands bringing their own twist to the classic torque design.

Style Edit

Style Edit: H. Moser & Cie’s Pop collection and new Streamliner models

The striking new Pop designs come in 6 colourways – featuring materials such as Burmese jade, lapis lazuli and lemon chrysoprase – in small-seconds, tourbillon and minute repeater models.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Vacheron Constantin’s anniversary Patrimony and Traditionnelle models

Product and innovation director Sandrine Donguy says the maison’s classic collections are ‘elevated by signature complications’, with the celebratory models displaying technical and decorative craft.

Vacheron Constantin is marking its 270th anniversary with a stellar line-up of Patrimony and Traditionnelle releases, including the Traditionnelle Manual-Winding, shown here. Photo: Handout
Style Edit

Style Edit: Tag Heuer wows with new watches designed to set hearts racing

The company took being in the fast lane up a gear with innovative novelties such as a celebratory Monaco F1 Split-Seconds Chronograph and a funky update on the colourful Formula 1 Solargraph.

Tag Heuer’s Formula One-themed booth at Watches and Wonders 2025 showcased the Monaco F1 Split-Seconds Chronograph and an update on the Formula 1 Solargraph, as well as cars driven by Ayrton Senna and Max Verstappen. Photo: Handout
Fashion

Chanel’s cruise 2025-26 collection at Lake Como in northern Italy

As the fashion world awaits new creative director Matthieu Blazy’s first collection, Chanel loyalists were treated to a parade of chic separates, with resort wear bringing the glamour of old Hollywood.

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Style Edit

Style Edit: Hermès wowed at Watches and Wonders with playful, intricate timepieces

Innovative new releases from the maison include the mesmerising Arceau Le Temps Suspendu, the gem-set Maillon Libre, and the playful Arceau Rocabar de Rire, featuring a cheeky horse.

Style Edit

Style Edit: Henry Jacques’ 2024 Collection de l’Atelier, made from its own roses

The limited edition trio expresses the heart of the latest HJ Rose de Mai absolute – an essence with floral, powdery characteristics, and acacia honey notes providing a warm, ambery depth.

The three perfumes in Henry Jacques’ 2024 Collection de l’Atelier express the heart of the maison’s latest HJ Rose de Mai absolute. Photo: Handout
Style Edit

Style Edit: Tudor hosted ‘King of Asian Pop’ Jay Chou at Watches and Wonders

The brand introduced Black Bay 58, Black Bay 68, Black Bay Pro, Black Bay Chrono and Pelagos Ultra models to the star as well as watch aficionados at the Palexpo convention centre.

At Watches and Wonders 2025 in Geneva, Tudor presented new Black Bay models and the Pelagos Ultra – with an in-person visit from “King of Asian Pop” Jay Chou. Photo: Handout
Style Edit

Style Edit: Cartier reshapes its heritage horological icons

The 2025 Tank Louis Cartier is larger and has a new in-house mechanical movement with automatic winding, while the new Tank à Guichets uses the hand-wound 9755 MC calibre.

Style Edit

Style Edit: IWC Schaffhausen’s new models at Watches and Wonders 2025

Horological legend Gérald Genta brought the 1950s Ingenieur back in the 70s, and it was reintroduced again in 2023, while the Pilot’s Watch dates all the way back to the 1930s.

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