All in one blog post. Some fine little points though, and I totally ADORE that photo of Milan. I am saving it on my computer. Well, whadda ya think?
Dear hearts, the ubiquity of luxury brands has reached such epidemic proportion in the main cities of Europe and America that you’re hard-pressed to buy anything that isn’t unbranded or covered in vulgar hardware and logos. It’s not that I’m against luxury brands per se, but I refuse point blank to be used as a human billboard, especially after having paid a princely sum to buy the item in the first place. Don’t get me wrong: If you can’t live without a logoed handbag/wallet/jacket/shoe/knickers, go right ahead, knock yourself out. But just how special do you feel knowing that hundreds of thousands of other folks are walking around in exactly the same gear as you? Is that luxurious?
Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II.
So much time and column space gets devoted to the fast-losing-its-luster subject of “luxury” — really I’m so bored I could cry. The simple fact is that luxury was, is and always will be centered on bespoke goods and custom products. End. Finish. There is no such thing as “new luxury.” That’s a silly concept invented by desperate marketing execs and their harried clients. Luxury is the precise intersection of high-quality materials, perfect form, functional design and the utmost skilled craftsmanship. Luxury is not lots of diamonds on things. It’s not everything slathered in foie gras, and it’s certainly not the latest starlet with her own scrubby fragrance that smells like floral bog cleaner and will end up down the pan in a year. Hilary Duff? Oh puh-leeease. But don’t get me started on scent.
Since the beginning of Luxe City Guides, we’ve featured what we call Advanced Shopping — shopping for people who like to go the extra mile. We devote space to the craftspeople and artisans of each city who will custom make shoes, leather, suits, glass, paper, fragrance, furniture, whatever, entirely unique to you. It often takes a great deal of time and effort to unearth these entries, but I’ve always felt that having something made for yourself is one the best memories of a city you can possibly take home. Here are a few favorites among the hundreds of stores and workshops we feature. By frequenting them you are keeping alive their craft and making a clear statement that luxury is, in fact, individualism. Farewell, ubiquity. Hello, gorgeous.
La Crasia Gloves in New York
Hundreds of styles in every color imaginable for men and women, as well as custom designs. Full-length opera gloves in purple polka-dotted antelope? No problem, madam. 1181 Broadway, Eighth Floor; (212) 803-1600.
Caroline Groves in London
Let all the other gals run after the Choo Choo train. Caroline’s unique, vintage silhouettes are entirely made to order with wonderful details like antique buttons, buckles or grosgrain ribbons and feathers. 37 Chiltern Street; 011-44-207-935-2329.
Caroline Groves shoes.
Dimitri Bottier (Paris)
Hidden away in the Crockett & Jones store, Bottier crafts superb bespoke and made-to-order brogues for men, including his signature no-seam escarpin, using ultraluxe and rare hides. 14 rue Chauveau-Lagarde; 011-33-1-44-94-01-74.
Lorenzo Villoresi (Florence)
Villoresi’s scents can be bought ready to wear, but why not splash out for a custom-blended fragrance from the king of spice and all things nice? He’ll guide you through the process in his fabulously old workshop in Oltrarno. Via de’ Bardi 14; 011-39-55-234-1187. By appointment.
Maurizio Grossi (Rome)
Want your own David? The Grossis can carve anything to order (and ship), from obelisks and inlaid tables to vases, busts and eerily realistic marble fruit. Via Margutta 109; 011-39-6-3600-1935.
Sevan Bicakci (Istanbul)
For guys and gals looking for something a little bit different — in fact a whole lot different — check out the astounding gem and hand-painted miniatures on the Ottoman and Byzantine-inspired cuff links and rings at this hidden Aladdin’s cave of bling. Gazi Sinan Pasa Sokak, Room 3 Kutlu Han 14, Nuruosmaniye, Sultanahmet. 011-90-212-520-4516.
Sevan Bicakci rings.
Retail therapy — there’s nothing like it!
Until next we blog… TTFN
Dear hearts, the ubiquity of luxury brands has reached such epidemic proportion in the main cities of Europe and America that you’re hard-pressed to buy anything that isn’t unbranded or covered in vulgar hardware and logos. It’s not that I’m against luxury brands per se, but I refuse point blank to be used as a human billboard, especially after having paid a princely sum to buy the item in the first place. Don’t get me wrong: If you can’t live without a logoed handbag/wallet/jacket/shoe/knickers, go right ahead, knock yourself out. But just how special do you feel knowing that hundreds of thousands of other folks are walking around in exactly the same gear as you? Is that luxurious?
Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II.
So much time and column space gets devoted to the fast-losing-its-luster subject of “luxury” — really I’m so bored I could cry. The simple fact is that luxury was, is and always will be centered on bespoke goods and custom products. End. Finish. There is no such thing as “new luxury.” That’s a silly concept invented by desperate marketing execs and their harried clients. Luxury is the precise intersection of high-quality materials, perfect form, functional design and the utmost skilled craftsmanship. Luxury is not lots of diamonds on things. It’s not everything slathered in foie gras, and it’s certainly not the latest starlet with her own scrubby fragrance that smells like floral bog cleaner and will end up down the pan in a year. Hilary Duff? Oh puh-leeease. But don’t get me started on scent.
Since the beginning of Luxe City Guides, we’ve featured what we call Advanced Shopping — shopping for people who like to go the extra mile. We devote space to the craftspeople and artisans of each city who will custom make shoes, leather, suits, glass, paper, fragrance, furniture, whatever, entirely unique to you. It often takes a great deal of time and effort to unearth these entries, but I’ve always felt that having something made for yourself is one the best memories of a city you can possibly take home. Here are a few favorites among the hundreds of stores and workshops we feature. By frequenting them you are keeping alive their craft and making a clear statement that luxury is, in fact, individualism. Farewell, ubiquity. Hello, gorgeous.
La Crasia Gloves in New York
Hundreds of styles in every color imaginable for men and women, as well as custom designs. Full-length opera gloves in purple polka-dotted antelope? No problem, madam. 1181 Broadway, Eighth Floor; (212) 803-1600.
Caroline Groves in London
Let all the other gals run after the Choo Choo train. Caroline’s unique, vintage silhouettes are entirely made to order with wonderful details like antique buttons, buckles or grosgrain ribbons and feathers. 37 Chiltern Street; 011-44-207-935-2329.
Caroline Groves shoes.
Dimitri Bottier (Paris)
Hidden away in the Crockett & Jones store, Bottier crafts superb bespoke and made-to-order brogues for men, including his signature no-seam escarpin, using ultraluxe and rare hides. 14 rue Chauveau-Lagarde; 011-33-1-44-94-01-74.
Lorenzo Villoresi (Florence)
Villoresi’s scents can be bought ready to wear, but why not splash out for a custom-blended fragrance from the king of spice and all things nice? He’ll guide you through the process in his fabulously old workshop in Oltrarno. Via de’ Bardi 14; 011-39-55-234-1187. By appointment.
Maurizio Grossi (Rome)
Want your own David? The Grossis can carve anything to order (and ship), from obelisks and inlaid tables to vases, busts and eerily realistic marble fruit. Via Margutta 109; 011-39-6-3600-1935.
Sevan Bicakci (Istanbul)
For guys and gals looking for something a little bit different — in fact a whole lot different — check out the astounding gem and hand-painted miniatures on the Ottoman and Byzantine-inspired cuff links and rings at this hidden Aladdin’s cave of bling. Gazi Sinan Pasa Sokak, Room 3 Kutlu Han 14, Nuruosmaniye, Sultanahmet. 011-90-212-520-4516.
Sevan Bicakci rings.
Retail therapy — there’s nothing like it!
Until next we blog… TTFN
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