In our weekly series, we bring you the latest in luxury news from around the world. This week’s highlights: Valentino unveils new Paris flagship store, Rafael Nadal teams up with Meliá to open their first hotel in Mallorca, and more.
Valentino Unveils New Paris Flagship Store
Last year, celebrities such as Anne Hathaway and Zendaya were seen stunning in bold pink shades in pieces from the Italian Maison. Now, Valentino has painted its new store red, quite literally, at a new address in Paris just steps away from its former location. Women’s and men’s Prêt-à-porter and accessories are spread over three floors of the opulent settings where red is a key shade. Luxurious touches were added by notable craftsmen, such as hammered brass showcases by Fabio Cinti, ceramic handles by Massimiliano Pipolo, and plaster lights by Parisian artist Alexandre Logé. Long-time collaborator and Italian artist Gioele Amaro also created a billboard on Avenue de l’Opérac as well as a gallery display in store until 15 July.
Address: 35, avenue Montaigne, Paris VIIIème.
Rafael Nadal Teams Up With Meliá to Open First Hotel in Mallorca
The tennis superstar has opened his first hotel on his home island of Mallorca together with Meliá Hotels International, a leading Spanish hotel chain. Zel Mallorca (rooms from €265/night) is set alongside a beach with more than 1,000 metres of white sand and crystal-clear waters, while its interior is a harmonious combination of influences of Mediterranean culture. As a reflection of the athlete’s active lifestyle, the hotel provides guests with professional trainers to create personal routines, or they can choose to explore routes of the island’s most iconic destinations selected by Nadal himself. The hotel is the first of many, which is set to expand to 20 destinations including Paris, London, and Asia.
The House of Krug and Chef James Won Launch Collaboration
Since 1843, the House of Krug has honoured Joseph Krug’s vision of crafting some of the world’s best with each edition of the Krug Grande Cuvée and Krug Rosé. The Krug Grande Cuvée 170ème Édition is golden with delicate, lively bubbles, and it captivates the senses with a bouquet of blossoming flowers, sun-ripened fruits, and hints of marzipan and gingerbread. Meanwhile, the Krug Rosé 26ème Édition has a pale pink elegance and is rich with the aroma of rose hips, mulberries, and pink grapefruit, complemented by delicate flavours of honey, citrus, and dried fruit enhanced by fine bubbles. This year, the Champagne House has collaborated with a force majeure in the Malaysian dining scene, Chef James Won. At Shin’Labo by James Won, he presented a six-course Krug Degustation revolving around a single ingredient as per the brand’s tradition, the lemon, which perfectly pairs with the champagne.
Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle: The Perfect Summer Scents by Jean-Claude Ellena
Master Perfumier Frédéric Malle started working with the greatest perfumers in the year 2000, where scents are created as unique works of art. A former in-house perfumer at Hermès, Jean-Claude Ellena has been compared to a watercolourist, as his minimalist work centres around magnifying a single ingredient as a painter would colour. The Watercolours are three summer scents by Ellena for the brand. Rose & Cuir (RM745 for 30ml) is where bright cassis and custom extractions of timut pepper and geranium bourbon add freshness and spice to an airy rose. The Bigarade Concentrée (RM920 for 30ml) is characterised by its long-lasting, though natural-smelling freshness, while the L’Eau d’Hiver (RM579 for 30 ml) is a floral woody musk fragrance for both men and women.
Available exclusively at selected KENS apothecary stores and kensapothecary.com.my.
Upgrade Your Elite Status Through Malaysia Airlines’ EnrichMoney App & Visa Prepaid Card
Earlier this year, Malaysia Airlines announced its new Visa prepaid card under its frequent flyer programme called the EnrichMoney card, which is linked to the balance in the multicurrency e-wallet on the accompanying app. The card allows cardholders to buy world currencies, spend to earn EnrichMoney Points, and redeem the points for cashback benefits. It offers zero fees on overseas transactions and the convenience of buying and selling up to 20 foreign currencies in-app anytime without worrying about fluctuating rates. Until 31 July 2023, cardholders also have the opportunity to fast-track their Elite status when they perform a top-up of 40,000 Points for an Enrich Silver status while 80,000 Points will grant them an Enrich Gold status.
Download here: Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Christian Louboutin’s F/W23 Men Collection Reinforces Heeled Offerings
The French luxury footwear maison has become synonymous with boldness–– and what could be bolder than a gentleman in heels? Its Aigle line is a collection of boots and loafers designed to take any look to new heights with its heeled offerings. The Aiglissima boot screams rock’n’roll with its over-the-top couture iteration and 8cm stacked Cuban heel, while the Aiglon and Aiguilou loafers feature a CL emblazoned heel and sharp geometrical lines. It marks a new chapter in their constantly evolving menswear offerings, which are available online and in stores worldwide.
