travel

Everything Japan: J-Wellness, Terahaku, Yasuko Takahashi and more



David Bowie and stylist Yasuko Takahashi

With the Tokyo Olympics happening this summer, the spotlight is firmly on Japan.

For starters, I’m looking forward to the V&A’s Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk exhibition, which opens on 29th February. With its vast archives, this is the kind of exhibition the V&A does really well, time travelling from rare 17th and 18th century kimono to contemporary streetwear via Kawakubo and Galliano – that’s got be good!

Meanwhile, Sunspel is also feeling the Japan love this spring, collaborating with three contemporary Japanese brands – 45R, N.Hoolywood and Beams – on a capsule collection of men’s and womenswear. I like this 45R interpretation of the Sunspel Sun and Cloud logo, using an indigo dye cloud placement on a white cotton tee (below). All products will be available in Sunspel* shops and online from 7th March. (more…)



On my radar: ‘high slow’ travel



From Hipcamp to 'train bragging', the 'high slow' travel trends you need to know now. Ph: Andrea Gentl for How to Spend It

I’m already bored of all the decade in review articles; I much prefer looking forward.

We’re going to see a big shift in travel according to How To Spend It, with ‘high slow’ focusing on deep, meaningful, journeys rather than far flung jet-setting for the sake of showing off. I love this picture of a Prior Nomadic Clubhouse at Ahilya Fort in Maheshwar, India. It’s an example of the appetite for understanding the essence of a destination and taking the time to appreciate and support it.

As a die-hard city princess girl who’s never embraced camping, I’m also intrigued by Hipcamp, dubbed ‘the Airbnb of the Outdoors’. (more…)



Retro realness at the TWA Hotel



TWA Hotel David Mitchell

Gotta love the kitschness of the new TWA Hotel rooms.

Designed by New York City firm Stonehill Taylor, they boast Knoll furniture, rotary phones, special TWA toiletries, and custom-built not-so-mini bars stocked with Moët & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne, Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège Cognac and Belvedere Vodka (can of Tab not included).

Plus a view onto JFK’s runways and the historic TWA Flight Centre. (more…)



Art and architecture at the Fondation Louis Vuitton



fondation louis vuitton

With the spotlight on Paris, now is a good time to talk about the Fondation Louis Vuitton. This spectacular gift to Paris opened at the end of last year and I got my first look a few weeks ago on a whirlwind trip to the city with Who’s Next.

So what exactly is the Fondation Louis Vuitton? (more…)