Marrying France and Italy
Louis Vuitton’s prêt-a-porter shoes are something to behold, a marriage between traditional Italian craftsmanship and French flair, they’re the perfect addition to this most luxurious of brands.
Haute Horsey
Why are so many luxury brands getting involved with equestrian events? Product is part of the luxury brand story, yet as Bespoke discovers, the heart of the sponsorships is not commerce but the soul of the brands. At a moment when luxury has become associated with a period of extravagance
A Storied Address: The History of Beirut's Phoenicia Hotel
The Phoenicia Hotel was a dream for Najib Salha – a prominent Lebanese businessman – who in the year 1953, during Lebanon’s Golden Era, envisioned to build a world class hotel on the shores of Beirut. With a group of investors, Mr. Salha founded “La Société des Grands Hotels du Liban” and
Ahead of the Curve
London’s Tate Gallery has propelled them to stardom, but Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, the Swiss masters of architecture are not done with their peaceable and splendid revolution of the way we view buildings – not by a long shot. Here Bespoke shines a light on the architects’ path t
Name: Diane Kruger
Profession: Actress and Calvin Klein brand ambassador for the new fragrance ‘Beauty’
Essential Books:
Trunks and Trunks Luis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks by Pierre Leonforte Before the standardisation of luggage enforced a set of cumbersome limitations, trunks were the bastion for the globe-trotting jet-set. Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks recounts the history and legacy of the world’
One to the Power of Two: Marwan Alfadl Steers Zahid-Binladen Venture Wared Logistics
When the prominent Saudi families Zahid and Binladen join forces, it is worth noting. Their venture, Wared Logistics, harbours vast ambitions of regional dominance, with former banker Marwan Alfadl, a charismatic newcomer to logistics, at the helm.
Coupled Craft
The ability for couples to successfully work together is so mired in pitfalls that it’s rare to discover people doing it prosperously and harmoniously. Dubai-based interior designers, Paul and Ellen Bishop are doing just that.
Handyman connection
‘The Toolman maintenance company was founded ‘by Dubai home owners for Dubai home owners’ declares the simple, yet accessible website, toolman.ae - its friendly logo featuring an energetic maintenance man wearing a red hardhat and holding a spanner aloft. “Before Toolman, whenever people n
Great luminary
A major milestone was achieved in July 2010 when André Borschberg, an engineer and fighter pilot, landed an odd looking aircraft with a tiny fuselage and a massive jumbo-jet-size wingspan. In fact aviation history had been made, for it was the first time a plane had ever flown through the
Fit for a king
Marrakech, Morocco’s second-largest city plays host to a hotel that should be on every Bespoke reader’s must-visit list for 2011 - the Royal Mansour. Built according to royal edict, the mandate was that it be the most lavish hotel in all Morocco and the flagship in HRH King Mohammed VI’s e
Eau so cool
Through tenacious salesmanship and a genuine desire to improve quality of life, Qatar Cool has just done something remarkable. By using water, pumps and pipes, the company has brought about nothing short of a regional revolution in the way that we cool our homes.