Giorgio Armani’s Tarot Cards offer traditional cartomancy with a modern twist

This article highlights a curated selection of new coffee table books, released in late 2025, focusing on fashion, art, and culture. The author emphasizes that these books serve as ideal gifts due to their stylish content and broad appeal. The collection spans various themes, including detailed fashion guides, brand histories, behind-the-scenes looks at popular films, and biographical accounts. One featured book is "Emily in Paris: the Fashion Guide" by Marylin Fitoussi, the show's costume designer. This book offers an in-depth look at the iconic outfits from the television series, detailing how the distinct styles for characters like Emily, Mindy, Sylvie, and Camille were developed. It is presented as a photo-filled volume published by Assouline, drawing parallels to the fashion impact of "Sex and the City." Another significant inclusion is "Hermès Philosophy" by Mara Cappelletti, which explores the luxury brand's identity through archival materials, vintage advertisements, testimonials, original photographs, and previously unpublished interviews. This book is positioned as a must-have for both devoted Birkin collectors and general admirers of the Hermès brand. For film enthusiasts, "The Making of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" by Jay Glennie is presented. This book provides an exclusive look into the 2019 film's production, featuring never-before-seen photographs, costume sketches, and production memos. It also includes new interviews with key cast members such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Mikey Madison, Margaret Qualley, and Austin Butler, offering insights into their roles and experiences. Michelle Obama's new book, "The Look," is also highlighted, showcasing her fashion and beauty evolution from 2004, when Barack Obama first ran for U.S. Senate, to the present. The book contains over 200 images, including previously unpublished photographs, chronicling her journey as a public figure. "The Mark" by Derek Blasberg, another Assouline publication, delves into the history and allure of The Mark hotel. Beyond its association with high-profile events like the Met Gala, the book explores the hotel's storied past, its famous guests, distinctive interior design, dining establishments, and luxurious penthouse suites. "Valentino: A Grand Italian Epic" by Taschen offers an extensive 576-page documentation of the Valentino fashion house. This book illustrates the brand's evolution through drawings, editorial shoots, advertisements, portraits, and photographs, celebrating its appeal to figures ranging from Jackie Kennedy to Jennifer Lopez. "Collaboration: Frank Ockenfels 3 x David Bowie: Photographs" by Frank W. Ockenfels III compiles intimate and previously unpublished photos of David Bowie from 16 photo sessions before his passing. The book provides a personal glimpse into the artist's life and persona. Ronda Carman's "Lynn Wyatt" celebrates the life of socialite Lynn Wyatt, known for her connections with prominent figures such as Andy Warhol and Coco Chanel. The book includes a foreword by Elton John, detailing Wyatt's stylish life and influence. Sofia Coppola's "Chanel Haute Couture" is a 448-page visual history of Chanel's Haute Couture designs, presented as an essential volume for fashion enthusiasts. The article also mentions "Dress, Dreams, and Desire: A History of Fashion and Psychoanalysis" by Valerie Steele, which analyzes fashion through a psychoanalytic lens, examining designers like Elsa Schiaparelli, Gianni Versace, and Alexander McQueen. Paul McCartney's "Wings: The Story of a Band on the Run" covers his post-Beatles career, featuring 150 black-and-white and color photographs. "Stetson: American Icon" by Laird Borrelli-Persson traces the origins of the cowboy hat, highlighting its cultural impact and its wearers, from Willie Nelson to Beyoncé. Sarah Grant's "Marie Antoinette Style" explores the queen's fashion influence on design, film, and art, featuring forewords by Sofia Coppola and Manolo Blahnik. "Jean Paul Gaultier: The Complete Collections (Catwalk)" by Laird Borrelli-Persson, part of the "Catwalk" series, examines the history of the designer known for Madonna's conical bra. "Costume Jewelry" by Carol Woolton, published by Taschen, showcases over 600 pieces from Italian art collector Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo's collection, celebrating the artistry and whimsy of costume jewelry. Finally, "The Encyclopedia of Ugly Fashion" by Karolina Żebrowska humorously explores historical fashion trends, from 16th-century German hats to 1950s bullet bras, theorizing their eccentricities. "Vivienne Westwood: Provocateur" by Caroline Young serves as a tribute to the late designer, offering a historical perspective on her legacy. Steven Klein's "Steven Klein: Vogue" compiles 19 years of his photography for Vogue, featuring figures like Alexander McQueen and Björk. #CoffeeTableBooks #FashionBooks #ArtBooks #LuxuryBrands #MichelleObama #QuentinTarantino #Hermes #Chanel #DavidBowie #Valentino

Antolini MilanoDuomo Stoneroom hosted the “I WANT IT WOW” installation by Pietro Terzini during Milan Design Week 2023, showcasing a blend of street art's dynamic energy and the enduring beauty of natural stones. This interdisciplinary project centered on natural stone as a medium, featuring Terzini’s conceptual phrases brought to life through LED lights, inlays, and artworks, captivating visitors and stimulating their imagination. The installation involved Antolini’s advanced technology to meticulously carve Terzini’s phrases into the surfaces of various natural stones from the Antolini Exclusive Collection. Stones like Brèche Fantastique, Dalmata, and Calcite Azul were precisely cut using a high-pressure water jet, while Bianco Lasa|Covelano Vena Oro, Amazonite, and Noirblanc were shaped to form the lettering, creating ink-like elements. Three specific claims— “Good things take more or less 190 million years,” “Made by earth designed with heart,” and “Nothing is written in stone”—were translated into inlays titled “MOMENT,” “NO MISTAKES,” and “CHANGE” on the inner surfaces of double-sided exhibits. Antolini’s commitment to research, innovation, and technological progress, combined with their expertise in the ancient art of inlay, enabled them to transform natural stones into smooth canvases for Terzini’s phrases. This fusion of traditional techniques and modern artistry resulted in a unique poetic experience. The deliberate combination of different stones in the inlay process, each possessing distinct geological formations, colors, and mineral compositions, produced striking chromatic and textural contrasts. This visual impact, intended to evoke a profound sense of awe, directly inspired the installation's title, “WOW.” Alberto Antolini, CEO of Antolini Italy, highlighted that “I WANT IT WOW” aimed to inspire new possibilities in combining art, design, and innovation, with natural stone at its core. He emphasized that the harmonious integration of these elements demonstrated the extensive processing capabilities of stone through technology. He further explained that inlay technology was essential for translating Terzini’s creative vision, followed by a meticulous craftsmanship phase involving the manual assembly of hollow and solid stone pieces. The process concluded with stone polishing to enhance perspective effects and highlight the intricate inlays. Another part of the exhibition, titled “AFFAIR,” featured a luminous invitation—“Do you want to take a bath with me?”—displayed on a Lumix Crystal bathtub, encouraging viewers to embrace uninhibited experiences. The Perception Wall within the Antolini MilanoDuomo Stoneroom, also featuring Terzini’s input, conveyed the message, “Nothing is as it seems,” encouraging self-exploration. Pietro Terzini expressed his pride in the collaboration, noting that the artworks combined Italian craftsmanship with his ironic style, resulting in distinctive pieces. The collaboration reinforces the identity of Antolini MilanoDuomo Stoneroom as a vital hub in Milan. Since its opening two years prior, it has served as a laboratory and meeting point for architects, designers, and enthusiasts globally, focusing on the diverse applications and captivating nature of natural stone. #MilanDesignWeek #NaturalStone #PietroTerzini #Antolini #ArtInstallation #MaterialInnovation #InteriorDesign #Craftsmanship #DesignExhibition

During Milan Design Week, London-based Italian designer Martino Gamper presented an innovative in-store installation titled “Magnetism” for the luxury leather goods manufacturer Valextra. The installation aimed to re-imagine product display, moving away from traditional shelving units to create a more engaging and visually striking experience for customers. Gamper's design transformed Valextra’s Milan store by replacing conventional furniture and display cases with a system of floor-to-ceiling metal panels. These panels were upholstered in two distinct shades of grey fabric, a deliberate choice by Gamper to visually connect the store's interior with the urban landscape of Milan's streets. The natural Italian stone flooring, characterized by its "beautiful dry finish," was laid in a herringbone pattern, further referencing Milan’s diverse street pavings, from cobblestones to the larger stones of Via Manzoni outside the store. The core of the "Magnetism" concept revolved around the use of hidden, super-strong magnets. Each Valextra product, including classic wallets, bags, and small leather goods, was outfitted with one of these magnets, discreetly clad in leather to maintain the product’s aesthetic integrity. This allowed the items to be attached directly to the fabric-covered metal walls, giving them the illusion of floating. The design encouraged visitors to interact directly with the products; they could effortlessly pull an item from the wall to examine it more closely and then reattach it at their discretion. This hands-on approach was a significant departure from typical retail displays, fostering a sense of discovery and playfulness. Gamper’s primary objective with this installation was to highlight the products themselves, making them the central focus of the display. He articulated that by suspending the bags on the wall, rather than placing them on shelves, customers could observe the products more comprehensively and from different angles. This method not only showcased the craftsmanship and design of the leather goods but also eliminated the visual clutter often associated with traditional retail setups. The flexible nature of the magnetic system also invited experimentation and tactile engagement, which Gamper believed would enhance the customer experience and potentially boost sales by making the interaction more memorable and unique. “Magnetism” successfully demonstrated how innovative design and a simple, yet ingenious, mechanism could transform a retail space. The installation created a dynamic and interactive environment where products were not merely displayed but became an integral part of an artistic presentation. By making the products appear to defy gravity and allowing customers to manipulate them freely, Gamper created an unexpected and memorable surprise for visitors to Valextra during the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, positioning the brand at the forefront of creative retail display. #MartinoGamper #Valextra #MilanDesignWeek #RetailDesign #ProductDisplay #InstallationArt #InteriorDesign #MagneticDisplay #LuxuryGoods

This blog post, titled "Rugs That Ripple Like a Stream," is a compendium of cultural insights from T Magazine, featuring an introduction to a fashion designer, a renewal of the Marais district, a discussion on intricate jewelry, an intergenerational fashion collaboration, a look at unique soaps, a culinary exploration of beeswax, and a mini market for time-telling sautoirs. The article begins by introducing Marco Zanini, an Italian Swedish fashion designer, and his collaboration with Märta Måås-Fjetterström, a renowned Swedish textile artist. Zanini, who grew up in Italy, reconnected with his Nordic heritage later in life and developed a passion for Scandinavian design. This led him to discover Måås-Fjetterström's work and eventually collaborate with the company established to continue her legacy. He designed a rug called A Righe, drawing inspiration from traditional Swedish rag rugs and mid-20th-century pottery. The design's complexity lies in each stripe comprising 25 different yarns in complementary tones, creating an illusion of rippling water. Zanini's meticulous process involved hand-picking 1,800 different hues, aiming to approach the beauty of Måås-Fjetterström's original creations. Next, the article highlights the renewal of the Marais district in Paris. Despite initial concerns that pedestrianization would deter art collectors and galleries, the area has undergone an arts-driven renaissance. New establishments like MAĀT Gallery, which represents West African artists, and Atelier Ko floral studio, known for its experimental bouquets, have emerged. The culinary scene has also flourished with new restaurants such as Datil, Géosmine, Guefen, and Magma, embracing a pared-back, natural epicurean style. The district also boasts new luxury hotels like Maison Proust, SO/Paris, and Le Grand Mazarin, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences. The third section delves into the craftsmanship of high jewelry, specifically a necklace from Graff. Francois Graff, CEO of Graff, explains that even seemingly simple pieces, like a double-strand diamond necklace, can require immense effort and patience. Amassing 171 perfectly matched round white and yellow diamonds of varying proportions can take years. This particular necklace, with its graduated diamonds, exemplifies the time and dedication invested in creating pieces that balance opulence and simplicity. An intergenerational fashion collaboration between American designers Dylan Cao and Jin Kay of Commission and the British designer Paul Smith is also featured. Cao and Kay, inspired by Paul Smith's aesthetic since their student days, collaborated on a 22-piece men's wear capsule collection for the &PaulSmith; program. Their design process involved drawing inspiration from Smith's book "Father + Son" and his archives, resulting in modernized pieces like a scarlet bomber jacket, striped track pants, and a vintage-inspired T-shirt. The article then shifts focus to a new wave of luxurious soaps. Brands like Flamingo Estate, Orris, Redoux, and Alex Eagle are creating artisanal soaps with rare flowers, aromatic herbs, and unique ingredients. Richard Christiansen of Flamingo Estate emphasizes the nutrient-rich quality of their soaps, particularly the Jasmine & Damask Rose variety. These soaps are not only functional but also designed to be aesthetically pleasing, with some, like Bridie Hall's creations, even serving as decorative objects. Finally, the piece explores the growing culinary trend of incorporating beeswax into dishes. Chefs like John Shields at Smyth in Chicago and Jackson Boxer at Orasay in London are experimenting with beeswax for its floral aromas and unique texture. Shields uses melted beeswax in savory dishes, while Boxer incorporates it into desserts like canelés and ice cream. Pastry chef Melissa Chou of Grand Opening in San Francisco also uses beeswax to create a sabayon for her burnt honey pie, highlighting its "pure perfume" and the nuanced flavors derived from what bees are currently foraging. The flavor variations in beeswax from week to week are also noted, adding to its appeal for chefs. Completing the article, a "Mini Market" section showcases time-telling sautoirs from brands such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, Van Cleef & Arpels, Piaget, and Chanel, presenting them as the jewelry of the hour. The article also includes corrections regarding a misspelled restaurant name and a misattributed quote, underscoring journalistic accuracy. #MarcoZanini #MartaMaasFjetterstrom #TextileArt #ParisMarais #HighJewelry #FashionCollaboration #ArtisanSoaps #BeeswaxCuisine #LuxuryWatches