No self-respecting fashion house can do without its home collection these days. This was already evident before the pandemic, but it accelerated again rapidly during the lockdown. The reason behind it is irresistible: taking full advantage of the iconography of a luxury name. Why should only the customer IN Dior dining and not much on it (Plate Jardin d’ Hiver: 130 euros)? Just why IN Missoni sleeps and not much DOWN (Andres zigzag bed: 168 euros)? Note: The world of the brand is really only complete with beautiful furniture, cushions and home accessories, and anyone who has always wanted to stick Chanel on their walls has also had this wallpaper for a long time . If now the undisputed grand master of apparent excess (motto: more is more), Philip Plein, is launching a home collection, what will it look like? A brief speculative pause: obviously lots of gold, black and plush, mirrors for narcissistic pleasure, maybe Swarovski crystals, certain dead skulls. And this is actually very close. Black velvet sofas with gold hardware, leopard-print rugs and wallpaper, gold-edged honeycomb mirrors, Plein logo cashmere throws and, of course, lots of skulls. The cooperation with the luxury furniture manufacturer Eichholtz and the traditional Italian company Zambaiti Parati, specialized in wallpaper, guarantees quality. The campaign was organized by photographer Ellen von Unwerth. Conclusion: Nothing for normal home use, but if you bring a little irony with you, you can have fun.
More than 75 years of fashion history in one volume: “The Little Book of Dior”.
(Photo: Eden Books)
Illustrated books on fashion are mostly offbeat subjects; The “Little Book of…” series from Eden-Verlag shows that smaller sizes are also possible. The books appear in paperback format, albeit with hardcovers – that’s the substance you need when it comes to the fashion giants. After Chanel, Gucci and Prada is “The Little Book of Dior” (15 euros, edenbooks.de) is the latest work in the series. Karen Homer tells the story of Christian Dior, who caused a sensation in the fashion world in 1946 with the invention of the feminine “New Look” after the war years and thus laid the foundations for one of the most influential Parisian houses to date. Even if after his death such different designers as Yves Saint Laurent, Gianfranco Ferré or Maria Grazia Chiuri shaped the signature of the brand – Dior’s maxim remained true: the great look. This is also shown in photos, from Marlene Dietrich in a tulle stole to Lady Diana’s sheer underwear and Carrie Bradshaw’s favorite “Sex and the City” bag.
Refreshing and decorative: Herbal face spray from Zurich label Soeder.
(Photo: manufacturer)
Different place, different associations: The name is in Zurich Söder not about politics, but about a natural cosmetics label whose simple, beautiful bottles as bathroom accessories rival Aesop’s top dog. Perhaps because it was two Swedes with an affinity for design, Hanna and Johan Åkerström, who founded the collective about ten years ago in Zurich. Alpine herbal scents in particular, such as in the new herbal facial spray, identify Soeder care products as Made in Switzerland. However, the brand is not limited to high-quality soap and shampoo, but also has a textile range dedicated to the same principles: look good and be good. In this sense, simple and beautiful bases are offered, which can also suit the big namesake in Bavaria.
Handcrafted and fair: Welana hammam towels.
(Photo: Aris Papadopoulos)
During a trip to Ethiopia, where Bermanian Wellella Negussie has family, she and her childhood friend Anna Papadopoulos were so fascinated by the traditional textile and weaving culture in and around the capital Addis Ababa that they decided to start their own social enterprise while there. still there. . with Welana they bring Ethiopian craftsmanship to the world and sell real favorites: beautiful hammam towels, cozy scarves and blankets. The products are handmade using traditional weaving techniques by the local weavers they work with. Only natural materials are used, pure Ethiopian cotton or cotton-eri-silk blends. To strengthen the local income structure, Welana ensures that the weavers work for fair wages and have health insurance (hammam towels from 89 euros, welana.com).
It tastes clean and punchy: La Toronja Grapefruit Lemonade by Aqua Monaco.
(Photo: manufacturer)
It all started with mineral water from the Munich gravel field: the new company Aqua Monaco perfectly hit the regional zeitgeist in gastronomy and retail a few years ago. Since then, it has mostly been refined tonic water and other mixers that, with their small, brightly colored bottles, have made the Munich brand more popular. This is now joined by a brand new late summer flavor called La Toronja. Behind it is a grapefruit lemonade, not too sweet and rounded with a light salty flavor and a hint of chili. A rather unique drink that should work very well with mezcal or tequila, but also neat over ice – even beyond the gravel plan.