In our weekly series, we bring you the latest in luxury news around the world. This week’s highlights: Balmain Beauty will arrive in the autumn; Accor will open Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa, among others; and Rouge Dior pays lip service
Harrods’ first members-only club opens in Shanghai
As of now, only 250 wealthy people have exclusive access to Harrods’ first private members’ club, known as the Residence. Located inside Shanghai’s stately Cha House, the club pairs British luxury with the finest hospitality, offering access to Harrods’ international lifestyle and concierge services, Gordon Ramsay’s first restaurant in China and the department store’s own brand of private jets. The club is also the only place in China to serve Louis XIII Rare Cask 42.1, a luxury drink for a luxury crowd. Membership starts at 150,000 yuan a year, with the club’s population capped at 250. Any additional members will be considered via peer nomination.
Massimo Bottura opens restaurant in Dempsey
Good news, all Massimo Bottura fans. The culinary master, loved for his world-renowned restaurant, Osteria Francescana, is opening a restaurant here this month. Torno Subito, which means ‘I’ll be right back’ in Italian, first made its debut at The Palm in Dubai, and will expand to Asia with a new 1,000-sqm venue at COMO Dempsey. The restaurant pays homage to the Golden Age of Italian cinema and summers on the Adriatic Riviera, celebrating Italian traditions and flavours from all over Italy in creative Massimo fashion. Expect cuttlefish tagliatelle, beef tartare pizza and Tiramisubito!, a rather tasty “tradition in evolution” that should not be missed.
Balmain Beauty is coming for you this autumn
Keep your eyes peeled. Balmain Beauty, a partnership between the fashion house and cosmetics giant Estée Lauder, is on its way this autumn. Completing Balmain’s foray into cosmetics, it will offer a whole range of fragrances, skincare and makeup hybrids and more, complementing its current range of hair styling products and living up to its promise to “transform the luxury and couture beauty world.”
Accor to open the Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa and more
New year, new you, or in Accor’s case, 20 new hotels. In one of the most diverse hotel openings to date, from the world’s most diverse portfolio of hospitality brands, there is a destination for everyone. Key openings to take note of include the Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa, an all-villa beachfront property equipped with private pools, a bar and spa (opening mid-2024); and Fairmont The Breakers, a revival of California’s most beloved hotels which will be restored with a two-story spa, live jazz club and views of the Pacific (opening mid-2024).
South Korea’s Coupang rescues Farfetch
Farfetch, founded in 2007 as a global platform for luxury fashion, didn’t quite go the way founder José Neves wanted. After peaking in market value at about US$24 billion in early 2021, a time when online shopping boomed, its shares have plunged since, losing over 97 per cent of its value since the company went public in 2018. Financial obligations of around US$2.8 billion have also pushed Farfetch to a brink of bankruptcy, which would have been filed if not for this deal with Coupang. The South Korean e-commerce group just acquired the company, which Neves will continue to be a part of. While his new position is up in the air for now, what we do know is Farfetch will begin a new lease of life as a private entity, rededicating itself to “providing the most elevated experience for the world’s most exclusive brands.”
Rouge Dior pays lip service
If you’re scratching heads over what to gift that special someone, we suggest going with something that makes them feel good. Such as lipstick in red—a classic shade that gives instant lift and confidence and looks as good anywhere as on the red carpet. It is also Dior’s ultimate colour of passion and femininity, as you would see in Rouge Dior’s new campaign featuring Rachel Zegler and Anya Taylor-Joy. Enriched with red peony and pomegranate flower extracts, the Rouge Dior lipstick is long-wearing and easy on the lips. It comes in satin, matte, metallic and velvet finishes, and is also available in 74 other colours to choose from.
In case you missed it:
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The casual sister to Cenzo makes luxury eating fuss-free.
Parmigiani Fleurier’s L’armoriale pocket watch brims with opulence
The unique pocket watch is a work of art.
IWC watches make a splash in Aquaman sequel
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom also inspires two new limited-edition IWC watches.
Featured photo by Harrods
