Top chefs gather to cook the ultimate dinner party and support Edible Schoolyard NYC

Every table eats a different menu – and bids at the live auction

Some of the world’s most noted chefs will come together for nonprofit the Edible Schoolyard NYC’s fifth annual Spring Benefit on April 24, cooking a one-off dinner to help support children in underprivileged New York communities.

David Chang, chair of Edible Schoolyard NYC’s Spring Benefit and chef at Momofuku

The night (from $1,500 per person) will kick off at the Metropolitan West at 6pm with canapés by Sam Goinsalvos of Tartine Manufactory and Nick Curtola of The Four Horsemen, alongside drinks from mixologist Dave Arnold. This will be followed by surprise four-course menus courtesy of a roster of notable names including David Chang of Momofuku, Danny Bowien of Mission Chinese, Eli Kaimeh of Per Se, Justin Smillie of Upland and Joseph “JJ” Johnson of Harlem’s Minton’s. There will also be a live auction featuring lots such as cooking masterclasses, private dinners and a “skip the line” item which give the winner access to hard-to-get-into restaurants.

Last year’s event raised more than $1m for many projects – among them helping fund teachers who provide hands-on food education to young New Yorkers through school gardens and kitchen classrooms. “It’s an education I wish I’d had in my school,” says JJ Johnson. “To see children gain this tool for life by learning about how to grow and cook food, and how to replenish their bodies and take care of themselves gives me a lot of inspiration and hope for the future.” 

Playful portraits of the students at Edible Schoolyard NYC’s demonstration school in East Harlem will help to decorate The Metropolitan West for this year’s fundraiser, which will be reimagined as a garden nirvana featuring lush greens hung from ceilings and columns courtesy of celebrated events planner Bronson van Wyck, whose clients have included Beyoncé, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton.

Inside Elie Saab’s Atelier in Beirut

The Lebanese fashion designer invites us into his world.

Truly beautiful bespoke wooden canoes

Trent Preszler builds traditional boats layer by layer in Long Island

“This is a meditative art,” says artisan boat maker Trent Preszler. “I love that it takes so long to make canoes. It’s like the seasons of the year; everything happens in due time.” Indeed, each exquisitely handcrafted wooden vessel ($100,000) is slowly built up in hundreds of layers of different woods – from ash, cedar and walnut to zebrawood, purpleheart and ziricote – and takes around a year to complete in Preszler’s Long Island studio: a former blacksmith’s barn built in 1820. 

Boatmaker Trent Preszler at work in his Long Island studio

But the wait does not deter Preszler’s clients, many of whom live in the nearby Hamptons, Canada or the Great Lakes, and patiently wait for the 0.5cm-thick wooden layers to be steam-bent and glued into the curved shape of the hull, before being further sanded and shaped. The canoe is then coated in fibreglass and epoxy to make it watertight, and finished with six coats of glossy marine varnish for a brilliant, streamlined sheen.

Each handcrafted canoe is built using hundreds of layers of different woods

The interior finishes are just as elegant as the exterior, with woven hemp and leather seats specially crafted by Jason Thigpen of Texas Heritage Woodworks, while solid bronze cutwaters, cast by Kristian Iglesias of Long Island’s Kai Design, add to the modern profile. So sleek and sculptural are the final results that it’s little wonder some clients have purchased them purely as works of art, but Preszler says this defeats the purpose. “I always tell people they have to paddle it, because that’s what it was intended for,” says the self-taught South Dakota native, who grew up surrounded by cattle, not kayaks, and is also the CEO of 100-acre vineyard Bedell Cellars. “It’s like owning a thoroughbred horse: you don’t want to leave it tied up in the stable all the time, you want it to run.”

Zaha Hadid talks personal taste: Part Two

The Pritzker Prize-winning architect rounds up her list of likes with Madonna, Russian tchotchkes and New York’s Upper East Side

My style icon is Madonna. She has always experimented with fashion: I attended the Met Gala two years ago when the theme was punk and, while many missed the mark, Madonna really got it. She popularised Jean Paul Gaultier’s bustiers and has never been afraid to try creative new things. The same can be said of Grace Jones – she is always pushing boundaries.

The last meal that truly impressed me was at Spring, Skye Gyngell’s new restaurant in Somerset House. Several friends and I enjoyed a lunch of shared starters -– calamari, scallops with polenta, and carpaccio of beef – veal chops with artichokes and an excellent panna cotta with blood-orange jelly. That day was particularly bright and the light from the river streamed through the very stylish room. Somerset House, New Wing Lancaster Pl, London WC2 (020-3011 0115; www.springrestaurant.co.uk).

Madonna at the Costume Institute Gala, New York, 2013 | Image: WireImage

The last items of clothing I added to my wardrobe were two Junya Watanabe patchwork leather and organza jackets. I bought one at Dover Street Market in New York and liked it so much I got a similar one at Selfridges. Dover Street Market, 160 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 11216 (+1646-837 7750; www.doverstreetmarket.com). £1,835; Selfridges, 400 Oxford St, London W1 (0800-123 400; www.selfridges.com).

An unforgettable place I’ve travelled to in the past year is Mexico City. It is an incredibly dense, vast place and the architecture is incredible. Real highlights include Luis Barragán’s brutalist buildings from the 1960s; the street murals by José Clemente Orozco; and amazing churches by Félix Candela, whose pioneering thin concrete shells look almost lightweight.

The best gift I’ve given recently was a collection of 50 ties I had handmade for a friend’s 50th birthday. The designs are inspired by my drawings for The Great Utopia show at the Guggenheim Museum and are made of all kinds of different materials: silk, paper, transparent tissue. The gift is an inside joke: this friend and I once met for a drink at a dressy place and he didn’t have a tie so they loaned him a very short one. I thought he could use a few more, so I made him 50.

If I didn’t live in London, the city I would live in is New York. I might have an apartment overlooking the High Line and Hudson River; the light in this area at dusk – when the setting sun hits the buildings – is particularly beautiful. I especially like the buzz and sense of street life downtown, where I’d single out the Japanese food at Morimoto in Chelsea and the minimalist aesthetic of The Mercer hotel in Soho, which I call home whenever I come to visit. I also love the culture in New York: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim and the sculpture garden at the Museum of Modern Art are particular favourites. I have many friends in Manhattan, which would make living there easy. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave (+1212-423 3500; www.guggenheim.org). The Mercer, 147 Mercer St (+1212-966 6060; www.mercerhotel.com). Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave (+1212-535 7710; www.metmuseum.org). Morimoto, 88 Tenth Ave (+1212-989 8883; www.morimotonyc.com). Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53rd St (+1212-708 9400; www.moma.org).

Spring restaurant at Somerset House, London | Image: Courtesy of Spring

An indulgence I would never forgo is weekly manicures and pedicures – either at home or at the Cowshed Spa at Shoreditch House. I find them relaxing and I love nail polish – I have every colour, from reds, blues and greens to gold and silver, and like to change my nails according to my mood. 1 Ebor St, London E1 (020-7749 4531; www.shoreditchhouse.com/cowshed).

The sites that inspire me are the city of Baghdad, with its position on the Tigris River, and Moscow’s Red Square at night. Each has a beauty and timelessness that makes it memorable.

Hadid’s Junya Watanabe faux leather and organza jacket, £1,835, from Selfridges | Image: www.selfridges.com

The books on my bedside table are more likely to be magazines. I am overly tidy so there are no large stacks of books in my bedroom, but I always have the Japanese, Chinese and Italian editions of Vogue, Architects’ Journal and back issues of Building Design.

The best souvenirs I’ve brought home are various Russian tchotchkes from a trinket shop in Moscow – little toys and figurines inspired by the Sputnik satellite; I love anything to do with space.

The Cowshed Rooms at Shoreditch House, London

My favourite room in my house is my sitting room. It is a stark, white space punctuated by two bright green sinuous couches I designed for Cassina in 2013 and the asymmetrical Aqua table I designed for Established & Sons in 2005. It is so glossy the surface almost looks liquid.

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighbourhood in one city, I’d choose New York’s Upper East Side. I like Barneys for its extensive shoe department and leather bags by Mark Cross, and Bergdorf Goodman for its selection of designers, Edie Parker’s gold acrylic clutches and its jewellery department, which is great for discovering emerging labels. Prada is also always a favourite and my go-to place for one-off special pieces for events. Barneys, 660 Madison Ave (+1212-826 8900; www.barneys.com). Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Ave (+1212-753 7300; www.bergdorfgoodman.com). Prada, 724 Fifth Ave (+1212-664 0010; www.prada.com).

If I weren’t doing what I do, I would be either a musician or a politician. I love music and like to sing, but I also find politics exciting and important. My father was a politician and his commitment, his ability to put the needs of others first and his foresight were inspirational to me.

Zaha Hadid talks personal taste: Part One

The Pritzker prize-winning architect’s projects range from London’s Serpentine Sackler Gallery to the residential 520 West 28th Street in New York

My personal style signifiers are black capes, particularly ones by Yohji Yamamoto and Issey Miyake; their early pieces are stunning. I love Japanese designers because their clothes are often asymmetrical and quite theatrical. www.isseymiyake.com. www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp.

Gerhard Richter’s 2009 tapestry, Abdu | Image: Courtesy of Marian Goodman Gallery

The last thing I bought and loved was a hand bracelet made by Russian sisters Katia and Sonia Gaydamak. I like the way this delicate, unique piece wraps around the palm of the hand instead of the wrist. I bought it at an extraordinary shop called The Alchemist, a Herzog & de Meuron-designed glass box in a multistorey car park in Miami. From about £2,000; 1109 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, FL 33139 (+1305-531 4653; www.shopalchemist.com). www.gaydamakjewellery.com. www.joshwoodcolour.com).

And the thing I’m eyeing next is a stunning tapestry by Gerhard Richter. I love its unexpected, muted colours. I’m not usually a fan of tapestries but this is an exception. Marian Goodman Gallery, 5-8 Lower John St, London W1 (020-7099 0088; www.mariangoodman.com.

Tom Ford Bruised Plum lipstick, £37

An object I would never part with is my parent’s wedding photo from the 1930s. I left Iraq as a child to go to school in Switzerland and most of my family things are gone, so this picture is very special to me.

The Alchemist shop in Miami | Image: Michael Stavaridis

The beauty staples I’m never without are dark berry-coloured lipsticks. I am not loyal to a particular brand but I like Tom Ford’s Violet Fatale and Bruised Plum, and Mac’s Diva lipstick and Currant lip pencil. I also like make-up by Shiseido, including its eyeshadow palette in green, yellow and black and its Sheer and Perfect Foundation. Diva lipstick, £15.50; Currant lip pencil, £12.50; www.mac.com. Luminizing Satin Eye Color Trio, £35.50; Sheer and Perfect Foundation, £39.50 for 30ml; www.shiseido.com. Violet Fatale and Bruised Plum lipsticks, £37 each; www.tomford.com.

Miami’s Seaspice restaurant | Image: Bruno Frontino

Hadid’s Perrin Paris 1893 Eiffel glove clutch

The best gift I’ve received recently was a Perrin Paris 1893 glove clutch. I always get wonderful gifts and this black evening bag is the perfect size for a credit card and some cash. www.perrinparis.com.

In my fridge you’ll always find water, pears, oranges, mangoes and eggs. I rarely cook and don’t have an oven, so if I have friends over, I have to order in.

The last music I downloaded includes Sam Smith’s Stay With Me – I love his voice; Lost Stars by Maroon 5, a band I discovered thanks to Adam Levine on The Voice; and Mark Ronson’s upbeat Uptown Funk, which puts me in a good mood.

The people I rely on for personal grooming are John Vial at Fudge in London, who comes to my home to cut my hair, and Josh Wood for my colour and rinses. Both are excellent and have been looking after me for years. John, his partner Tracy Hayes and the whole Fudge team also come to our gallery during London Design Festival and Fashion Week to open a pop-up salon for the people working there. They create a fun atmosphere and it is a sight to see everyone’s hair in foils. www.fudge.com. Josh Wood Colour, 6 Lansdowne Mews, London W11 (020-3393 0977;

The artists whose work I would collect if I could are Anish Kapoor – I like his seamless concave and convex shapes and his newer concrete pieces – and Richard Serra, whose minimalist, compounded steel cube, Grief and Reason (for Walter), I saw in New York; it’s stunning. I am intrigued by their use of materials.

A recent “find” is a restaurant called Seaspice in an undiscovered part of Miami. It’s on the river and you can arrive by boat, which adds to the draw. It serves very good seafood and the music is wonderful as well. After dinner people get up and dance on the tables. 422 NW North River Drive, Miami, FL 33128 (+1305- 440 4200; seaspicemiami.com).

My favourite websites are the BBC, Al Jazeera and CNN for news, Shazam for music and Style.com for fashion. And Flightracker is very useful when I’m travelling. www.aljazeera.com. www.bbc.co.uk. www.cnn.com. www.flightracker.com. www.shazam.com.

Minding Moncler

How Remo Ruffini got the fashion world to escape its doubts and embrace the puff.

Remo Ruffini is the consummate Italian outdoorsman. He’s more at home on the piste—or at the helm of a sailboat—than in the front row at a fashion show. He leads Moncler, his Milan-based luxury outerwear company, with a similar attitude. He’s exactly what the storied French brand needed.

Despite an illustrious history dating back to 1952, when René Ramillon founded Moncler in the town of Monestier-de-Clermont, in southern France, the company had begun to falter in the ’90s. Squeezed by high fashion outerwear offerings from Prada Sport and Gucci, as well as by more mainstream outfits like The North Face and Patagonia, Moncler struggled to find its niche, and in 2003 saw profits of just $62 million. Enter Ruffini, who brought with him a new sense of urgency and excitement. By 2016, the brand was raking in more than $685 million in revenue.

In part, Moncler’s comeback can be attributed to Ruffini’s push for diversity of aesthetic; not relying on one single vision allows the brand to speak to a wider demographic. Not only are there multiple lines that appeal to twenty-something, hard-core skiers as well as an older couture crowd, there is also a rotating roster of creative talent behind them that keeps the brand fresh and each season’s offerings unexpected. Moncler has expanded to include multiple collections including the classic sportswear line Grenoble; Gamme Rouge by Giambattista Valli; Gamme Bleu by Thom Browne; and Longue Saison, Moncler’s entry into the competitive marketplace for lightweight, season-less jackets. In addition to the ongoing design talents of Valli and Browne, as well as Virgil Abloh, Ruffini has enlisted pop stars like Pharrell Williams to create everything from limited-edition puffy parkas to eyewear and expanding accessory offerings. Ruffini delights in the design talent that he helps identify each season, and believes that constant creativity is key to the brand’s continued success.

Surface recently spoke with Ruffini on topics including his love of a preppy New England aesthetic, Japan’s affection for good backpacks, and global warming. It’s these varied fragments, sprung from Ruffini’s mind, that promise to shape Moncler in the years ahead.

You grew up in the textile industry. How does your background inform your work now?

I was raised in Como, near the Swiss border, and was always surrounded by the textile industry. My grandfather and my parents were both involved with fabrics and the clothing business, so production, runway shows, and marketing were always topics of discussion at home. When my father moved his company, Nik Nik, to the U.S. in the ’70s, I followed him there. But my story—from a design and quality standpoint—was always Italian.

What first attracted you to the ski jacket, and to Moncler specifically?

Skiing was always my passion, and Moncler jackets were popular when I was about 14 or 15 years old. When I was a kid, I traveled to school on the back of a scooter in the freezing cold, so a Moncler jacket was not only fashionable, it was also very practical. Later, in the ’80s in Milan, the paninari—a group of rebel Milanese teens—started wearing colorful, graffitied Moncler puffers, and they became very cool. The brand went into decline in the ’90s, but when I saw that it was for sale in 2002, I was very excited because it had been a part of my life forever.

I’ve read that you were inspired by American prep from your time spent in New England in your college years. What did you take back to Milan?

I briefly went to Boston, and while I didn’t end up studying, I instantly liked the attitude and the understated, classic style I saw there. Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Hyannis Port were all inspirational; the relaxed sensibility resonated with me. I liked the look of chinos, button-down Oxford shirts, and all of the traditional clothes. Instead of going to college, I returned to Italy and founded the New England Company when I was 21. It fused a Brooks Brothers and Ivy League look with Italian tailoring and details—including a trimmer fit.

Is there a city with particularly interesting street style now?

The style in northern Europe—Stockholm and Copenhagen, in particular—where it’s cold, and the attitude is very sporty, are both very interesting. The way they dress and how they use bright colors is very different than in Milan or New York.

You’ve done interesting collaborations with everyone from Pharrell to Junya Watanabe to Erdem. How were they chosen, and what have they added to your brand?

Pharrell is not a classic clothing designer, but someone from the music world, so it made for a totally different, very interesting collaboration. The ones we did with Japanese designers have been a highlight as well. I love Japanese style and we’ve worked with designers including Chitose Abe and Sacai from 2010 to 2013, Junya Watanabe in 2004, and Visvim, who understood our DNA particularly well. The Japanese always start from the original, from the basics of our brand, but then add incredible twists.

How did Moncler O, the latest collaboration with Virgil Abloh and Off-White, come about? 

Virgil is a creative director and DJ, but he has incredible energy. Using oversized logos and designs inspired by North Sea fishermen, as well as our technology, he married streetwear with skiwear and it was very successful.

Who do you think does fashionable skiwear or outerwear really well?

One of the best companies is the small Swiss skiwear brand Kjus. They do a great job with lightweight, technical jackets, and the quality is excellent. This is one of my preferred companies. Prada Sport was an interesting concept, too.

Tell me about your theatrical New York and Milan Fashion Week presentations.

We never wanted to do a classic catwalk show in New York. We put on spectacular performances that also showcase the technical side of our products. This year’s show was an icy, winter festival. In Milan, for example, Thom Browne for Gamme Rouge has played with the idea of the great outdoors—right down to the tents and sleeping bags.

About your production process, why did you move it from Madagascar to the Veneto region when you acquired the company in 2002?

When I bought Moncler, they were purchasing finished garments from the Far East and the Middle East, but I wanted to control the production and quality 100 percent.  That means we now buy all of the raw materials: the down, the specially designed nylon, the zippers, and the accessories. I’ve structured the company around this process. We cut everything ourselves and oversee the stitching and assembly at our facilities in Piecenza, before the finished pieces are delivered around the world.

How do you see the future of Moncler?

I want to continue keeping to our roots, and to focus on jackets. We don’t have to make everything, we just have to make our products the best. I think the strategy is more or less there, but we will always improve upon what we already have on the table.

What keeps you moving?

I’m inspired by my life: from skiing in St. Moritz, to sailing in the Mediterranean, to spending time with my family. The biggest inspirations, however, are the people in the streets, and people in the mountains. In a mountain village people tend to dress in strange ways because they are on vacation—they try different things because they are more concerned with comfort and functionality. My job is to travel the world to see what normal people love.

And what about non-normal people? Drake, for instance, wears a Moncler jacket in the “Hotline Bling” video.

Celebrities use our jackets for music videos or in life, but we often don’t know about it in advance. I had no idea, for example, about Drake—my friend called to let me know. It’s great advertising.

On the sales side, how does the international marketplace affect your business?

The world is obviously very volatile now. The U.K. market, for example, was quite depressed, but post-Brexit it is very successful. The British pound lost power, and the U.K. attracts customers from Asia and the U.S., so it has become one of our strongest performing markets. Japan is the opposite; the Yen became strong, so Asian tourists are going elsewhere. This is especially true in Tokyo and Ginza—it has been very difficult for us. The best region is still Europe—the U.K., France, Italy—and for anyone in the luxury market, Asia is quite successful now as well. Russia, however, has softened quite a bit over the last two or three years.

Do you ever think about global warming?  In the outerwear business—and as an avid skier—weather must be everything.

We are making jackets that can be used year-round. I am always interested in global weather patterns, especially in colder climates. Our business is winter.

Top Chefs Take Over St. Moritz’s New Norman Foster-Designed Dining Room

The historic Kulm Hotel in the Swiss Alps goes cutting edge.

(Photo: Daniel Martinek)

St. Moritz has long reigned as the European capital of wintertime indulgence, where the stream of private jets carrying business titans, film stars, and royals is as common a sight as the snowy pistes above the Engadine Valley. It’s the kind of place where the atmosphere is described as “champagne” and Cartier sponsors an annual polo match atop a frozen lake. The Kulm Hotel has served as the place to see and be seen for more than 160 years, hosting events at two Olympics and counting everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Alfred Hitchcock to Audrey Hepburn as guests.

But even grande dames need a refresh now and again, and who better to lead the charge than architect and part-time resident Norman Foster, whose firm, Foster + Partners, was commissioned to renovate the landmark. (A wing of guest rooms was recently given a makeover by French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon.) “This project is very close to my heart,” Foster says. “The old building had been abandoned for many decades. I saw a great opportunity to revitalize the hotel and this part of town by bringing it back to life.”

At the center of the restoration lies Kulm Country Club, a pop-up restaurant that hosts a rotating slate of chefs with award-winning pedigrees. Switzerland-bred Daniel Humm, of the Michelin three-starred Eleven Madison Park in New York, kicked things off in January. In February, the kitchen was helmed by Nenad Mlinarevic, the 2016 Gault Millau Chef of the Year, who is turned out unfussy classics like pork belly steamed buns, “just like I eat at home,” he says. In March, Italian-Argentine chef Mauro Colagreco, of the Michelin two-starred Mirazur in Menton, France, will close out the season by serving up his vibrant, produce-centric cuisine. “I try to take out the green of the vegetables and express that on the plate,” Colagreco says. 

Each menu will be served in a space lined with regional materials—such as larch, ash, oak, and walnut—detailed in a contemporary style. St. Moritz’s sporting heritage is referenced by vintage bobsleighs suspended from the ceiling, black-and-white skiing photographs, and assorted winter memorabilia—just enough kitsch to solidify its ski chalet credentials.

Outside, clean-lined wood pavilions with copper-edged curves add strikingly modern structures to the historic grounds. “In winter, parents can have a coffee at the bar and watch their children skate; in summer, terraces offer the perfect vantage point for viewing events such as the Classic Car Meet,” Foster says. “This will become a new gathering place for the community.” New, yes, but for the longtime visitors to St. Moritz, happily familiar.

SURFACE

Dan Barber’s WastED restaurant pop-up heads to Selfridges London

A host of top chefs will create cuisine from discarded ingredients

Michelin-starred chef Dan Barber of New York’s Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns is taking his zero-waste, holistic cooking approach to the top of Selfridges London, from February 24 to April 2, with rooftop pop-up WastED.

The juice-pulp burger | Image: Daniel Krieger

As well as demonstrating menus for lunch, dinner and afternoon tea that incorporate discarded ingredients – “everything from misshapen fruits, to stale bread, to parts of animals,” says Barber – the restaurant will broadcast a broader message about agricultural practices and redistributing global food waste through artisan furniture and collaborations with sustainable suppliers such as E5 Bakehouse, Neal’s Yard Dairy, Gilchesters Organics and Selfridges Food Hall.

A star-studded line-up of chefs, including Brett Graham, Jason Atherton, Gordon Ramsay and Clare Smyth, overseen by Barber, will reinterpret British classics such as fish and chips (made with discarded potatoes and bony fish), bubble and squeak, and bangers and mash. Also on the menu will be a juice-pulp burger – a reprise from New York’s 2015 WastED edition – made using leftover vegetable pulp from juicing machines. “It looks like a rare beef burger,” says Barber. Sharing dishes (£15) will feature ingredients such as cabbage cores, sprouts and waste-fed pig parts, all prepared with Barber’s trademark creativity.

The WastED dining room | Image: Mark Ostow

On the drinks front, Iain Griffiths of Mr Lyan will reimagine classic cocktails through the WastED lens, while Henrietta Lovell and the Rare Tea Company will curate the afternoon tea (Tuesday-Friday, 3-5pm, from £32) during which visitors can linger in an art gallery-cum-listening café featuring vitrines that tell the story of the ingredients featured on the menu.

Nut-pressed cakes | Image: Aliza Eliazarov

The decor by Blue Hill design director Laureen Barber, and Garrett Ricciardi and Julian Rose of Formlessfinder also focuses on upcycling, transforming the Selfridges rooftop into a garden/exhibition space with lamps crafted from seaweed and mushrooms by Jonas Edvard and Nikolaj Steenfatt. Eco-plastic tables and chairs and stools made from artichoke thistle and resin by Kizis Studio will sit next to vitrines and bar surfaces crafted from salvaged wood by Wonderwall Studios; even Kristie van Noort’s Cornwall plates are decorated with ceramic paint made from recycled materials.

“Almost one third of the world’s food gets cast aside, but as chefs it’s not in our DNA to be wasteful,” says Barber. “We’ve been refashioning discarded bits into delicacies for centuries: bouillabaisse is made with damaged fish; pot-au-feu with leftover beef and vegetables. The food-waste movement has really taken hold in the UK, so the timing is perfect to work in partnership with chefs and industry leaders to spread the word.”

A long weekend in Kuala Lumpur with Jean-Michel Gathy

The Brussels-born architect shares culinary highlights, clean green spaces and local craft troves in his adopted hometown with Christina Ohly Evans. Portrait by Ian Teh

What makes Kuala Lumpur special is its people. They’re a wonderful mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian, all considered equally important, so everyone is kind to each other. They are genuinely friendly and welcoming, and since everyone speaks English, a visit is very easy. The racial mix means a rich variety of foods, types of worship, ways of dressing and also, of course, different kinds of architecture. The diversity, tolerance and acceptance of everyone: these are the city’s most powerful assets.

The dramatic golden statue at Batu Caves | Image: Getty Images/EyeEm

If you like celebrations – and particularly fireworks – then this is the place, as there are holidays and festivals for the country’s myriad faiths throughout the year. Because of its variety of religions, Malaysia has earned itself the reputation of having one of the highest numbers of public holidays in the world. And in KL, there’s almost always something fun going on.

Because Malaysia was a British colony until 1957, the courts of law, the infrastructure, the police and the medical systems are all very balanced, much like you’d find in western Europe. Despite Kuala Lumpur’s lush, tropical feel – we’re basically on the equator – with the jungle that surrounds the city, you will still feel quite at home here as a foreigner.

Passage Thru India restaurant, which has a magical atmosphere and a memorable prawn masala

The city is a bit like Singapore in terms of its urban landscape, but I think of it as a more of a residential-feeling, cosy place. We have rain every day, which is good for the palm trees, the many golf courses and our public parks, and because we’re so close to the sea – it’s just 30km away – I think KL must be the world capital for incredibly dramatic lightning. I often recommend the very central Shangri-La hotel, not just because my office is there, so I gravitate towards it, but because everyone is drawn to the buzzing lobby. I’m a big fan of its Japanese restaurant, Zipangu, where the uni sushi is fantastic, but so is the hotel’s Sunday brunch in the Lemon Garden restaurant. Next to the city-centre KLCC Park, just below the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, is the Mandarin Oriental, where rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows overlook all the greenery, and there are great views from its MO Bar too. I think it’s the best location in the city – but almost as good is the Grand Hyatt, which is just 300m from the towers and has a very contemporary look.

Malacca has many ornate temples and makes for a great day trip out of Kuala Lumpur | Image: Alamy Stock Photo/Adrian Baker

KL has many suburbs, and each has a weekly market with a mix of Malay, Chinese and Indians selling goods of all kinds. In Petaling Jaya, for example, you’ll find day and night markets with every single kind of fruit and an abundance of vegetables. But the fish stalls are the stars – it’s not so much about the butcher here – and they sell everything from seabass to prawns to rock lobsters, as well as famous local dishes: nasi goreng, or fried rice, and nasi lemak, a mixture of rice with coconut milk, cucumber, chicken or seafood, and egg, which is delicious.

The lobby of the city’s Shangri-La hotel is a popular meeting place

People don’t really entertain at home in Malaysia, so restaurants with all types of cuisine to choose from are plentiful. To enjoy real Malay food, I send people to Bijan, for the nice ethnic feel – soft lighting, stone floors and wooden screens; it’s quite romantic – and the classic kerabu pucuk paku, the local fiddlehead fern salad, which is very good. The Chinese restaurants here tend to be the opposite: overlit, quite noisy and always very showy. But South Sea Seafood in Kampung Baru Subang and Hakka Restaurant in Jalan Kia Peng are both reliably good – bright and festive, and offering good versions of standards like spring rolls and stir-fried crab. The Indian restaurants here are visual feasts, always red or pink – they worship these colours! – with lots of gold decoration. The best place for prawn masala and all kinds of roti is Passage Thru India, with its magical, slightly exotic atmosphere. 

One of the best go-to restaurants in general, though, is Marini’s on 57, a lively Italian spot on the 57th floor of a building next to the Petronas Twin Towers – from the terrace, it feels as if you could touch them. The cocktail bar has good music and is always full of stylish people – it’s the place to be. And the founder of the restaurant, Cavaliere Modesto Marini, has another restaurant called Marble 8 that serves the best steak in town. 

There are so many cultural highlights in KL, but top of the list is the Hindu temple Sri Mahamariamman. It’s the oldest (and richest) temple in Kuala Lumpur, founded in 1873 at the edge of Chinatown, on Jalan Tun HS Lee. The Batu Caves is another Indian temple in the limestone hills near the city; it’s in a very dramatic grotto and has a tall golden statue at the base of a staircase that leads visitors up to the snug cave temple. It’s not for everyone, because it can be a messy walk, but I think it’s really worth making the trip. The city’s main mosques – Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad and the National Mosque of Malaysia – are both must-sees; the latter is set in 13 beautiful manicured acres and holds 15,000 people. And my golfing friends are always happy about the 15 courses within about a 10km radius of town, including the famous Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, where they host PGA and LPGA tournaments.

For real local immersion, I always recommend Bangsar Shopping Centre, where you’ll find a little of everything: spa and beauty products, clothes, shoes and a massive food hall. It has a very local feel – it’s not at all about big chain stores. One of my favourites to browse in is Jasons, the food hall, which has other locations in Singapore and Hong Kong and is basically a department store for all things edible. The huge selection and incredible lighting make it special, and its mangoes, my favourite fruit, are the best. For jewellery that’s influenced by Asian culture and mythology, it has to be Lotus Arts de Vivre: it makes use of raw natural materials – seeds, coconut shells, scarab wings, ebony and precious woods, sea shells, bamboo – and you’ll see wonderful examples of traditional craft techniques.

It’s well worth exploring KLCC Park in the middle of town. It isn’t Hyde Park or Central Park, but it is 20 beautiful hectares and makes the city feel so clean. It’s a wonderful place for children to play and there are running tracks too. For a city escape, take a day trip to Malacca. It’s just 120km south of KL and, since it was variously a Dutch, Portuguese and British colony, there’s an unusual mix of architecture with many ornate temples and a lovely harbour.

Kuala Lumpur is growing rapidly – we have good subways, elevated trains and everything is wired, which makes a visit here very user-friendly. But I hope it keeps its private, slightly homey feel, because when things get too urban, you lose the intimacy. Most of all, I love the genuine kindness of the people; they are what will continue to make it such a special place.

Switzerland's Kulm Hotel Expansion Draws Michelin-Starred Chefs and Sports Fanatics

The historic Ice Pavilion in St. Moritz gets an upgrade, courtesy of Pritzker Prize-winner Norman Foster, with new modern, cantilevered sports venues and a world-class restaurant.

Visitors to Switzerland’s Engadine Valley—home to high-end ski haven St. Moritz at 6,000 feet—have a new destination to consider, thanks to the opening of the Kulm Country Club at the storied Kulm Hotel. Following a £9 million (USD $11.3 million) renovation and expansion of the original Ice Pavilion—a two-story structure built in 1905 that figured prominently in the 1928 and 1948 Olympic Games—as well as a serene oak-paneled restaurant, lounge, and sprawling sun terrace, the new spaces will create a vibrant arts and events hub for the entire Alpine community.

“I have lived in St. Moritz for many years, so this project is very close to my heart,” says Lord Foster of the year-long project, inspired by “the sporting heritage of the region. "It connects with the history of the building, while adapting it for new uses.” Designed to enhance the flourishing arts and athletics scene in the perpetually chic ski resort, the Foster + Partners buildings have been reimagined using larch, ash, and oak—local timber in keeping with the tradition of the region. The results are spare, light-filled spaces that showcase the Kulm’s vintage sports memorabilia—bobsleighs, skis, photographs, and assorted artifacts—and capitalize on the breathtaking mountain views beyond.

One of the most exciting aspects of the Kulm project is the permanent pop-up restaurant concept that will kick-off with multi-Michelin-starred Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park, followed by inventive takes on bistro classics courtesy of 2016’s Gault Millau Chef of the Year, Nenad Mlinarevic, for the month of February. Next up in the rotating residency line-up will be chef Mauro Colagreco, of two Michelin-starred Mirazur in the south of France, who will prepare his signature South American-inflected, Mediterranean specialties that are vegetable-centric and focused on simple (yet striking) color and flavor combinations.

“Designed in the spirit of a mini stadium,” says Foster, of the multipurpose pavilion overlooking the expansive skating rink, “it is envisaged as the focus of the annual calendar of sporting and cultural events such as the medal ceremonies for the World Ski Championships in February (6–19), the Festival da Jazz, and the British Classic Car Meeting in summer.” The restaurant and lounge will complement these Kulm Park events, and, as Foster hopes, “become a new social space for the community, a place for everyone to come together and celebrate.”

Bespoke Scottish-made hardwood skis

Lonely Mountain Skis are made with adventure in mind

“Our customers are skiers looking for adventure,” says Jamie Kunka, head designer and craftsman at Scotland’s Lonely Mountain Skis (LMS). “They want something that can take on piste skiing, ski touring or even freeride ski competitions.” From a workshop in Perthshire, Kunka crafts handmade custom skis using a unique mix of traditional and modern materials and methods to provide a smooth ride – whether in powdery Patagonia or the icy gullies of Aonach Mor in the Scottish Highlands.

Jamie Kunka, of Lonely Mountain Skis, carrying Sneachda skis (from £750) at Carn an Tuirc in the Scottish Grampians | Image: Alun Callander

Each commission (from £1,100) begins with a consultation – in person or by phone and email – with Kunka, to determine desired fit, performance goals and the types of terrain to be covered, as well as graphics, finishes and veneers. Clients can take inspiration from several of the firm’s existing designs: the all-mountain Sneachda (from £750), which is perfect for use in Europe and beyond; the lightweight-yet-stable expedition Crua (from £750), which plays well in Scandinavia and the Alps; and the Ord (from £900), a powder and freestyle ski with a light balsa/flax core that’s ideal for use in North America and Japan. Kunka is happy to adapt these shapes, as well as to devise new concepts and work to varied ski lengths – which usually range between 168cm and 189cm.

Each hand-finished pair – made of an eight-layer laminate of natural and synthetic fibres with a beech, poplar or maple core – takes between three and five weeks to complete. The bases are sintered 7000 PTex (a polyethylene plastic) and the entire ski is pressed in a vacuum moulding system that ensures even flex. Flax and carbon fibres add strength and flexibility, while the top layer is a beautiful one-of-a-kind hardwood – maple or cherry. Most are capped with a discreet LMS logo, but bespoke clients can request any graphic finishes they fancy. One new embellishment this season is custom pyrography engravings of Scottish nature scenes by graffiti artist-cum-naturalist LeRoc.

Jamie Kunka making hardwood ski cores in the company’s workshop | Image: Alun Callander

These high-performance skis are also pleasingly friendly to the environment. “We use as many sustainable and natural materials as possible; 80 per cent are from grown sources,” says Kunka. “And for every ski we sell, we aim to plant two trees to offset the carbon dioxide we produce.”

Anabela Chan’s Soho trove of statement-making jewellery and sculpture

Vibrantly coloured jewellery and ethereal sculptures keep this little gem of a boutique sparkling in the heart of Soho

“I wanted to create an exquisite gem in the city,” says Anabela Chan of her bijou fine-jewellery boutique in the courtyard of the Ham Yard Hotel in Soho. Showcasing her exuberant, statement-making pieces alongside her personal collection of taxidermy birds and her intriguing artworks, the space is an art deco-esque tour de force – designed by her husband, Jimmy Hung, an architect at Heatherwick Studio. “He devised every cabinet and fixture, as well as the Italian marble, brass and walnut finishes.”

Gold-edged vitrines hold ornate cuffs (from £2,200) and feathered necklaces (from £1,990), while a stuffed crane and preserved parrots stand sentry over Chan’s exotic Butterfly Bloom sculptures (from £9,000). These ethereal arrangements, sourced from the jungles of Brazil and mountains of Mexico, are housed in sculptural, tinted-glass domes “reminiscent of water droplets” that are hand-blown in Wiltshire.

Gold and diamond Morpho Bloom cuff, £13,900 | Image: Michael Leckie

The grandchild of a noted Chinese film director and cinematographer, Chan first trained as an architect, practising with Richard Rogers, before turning her passion for drawing flora and fauna into print and embroidery design work for Alexander McQueen. “But I craved making things with my hands,” says Chan, who then headed to the Royal College of Art to study jewellery design.

She launched her eponymous brand in 2013 with 20 spectacular cocktail rings, and today her creations – “full of the magnificent colours, textures and geometries of nature” – have an international following, including Kit Kemp and Lady Gaga. Known for her use of vibrant stones such as sapphires, amethysts, garnets and peridots, Chan handcrafts each piece in her Chelsea atelier – from the dramatic Bumble Rose Ring (£910) with enamel and coral flowers and gem-encrusted bees surrounding a stunning aquamarine solitaire, to the dazzling Aqua Papillon drop earrings (£1,360), in 18ct gold vermeil with peridots and diamonds.

Unlike many fine jewellers, Chan delights in using laboratory-grown gems – such as the aquamarine mentioned above, as well as champagne diamonds and Japanese opals – but some of her most striking pieces focus on natural stones. The sculptural, modern Morpho Bloom cuff (£13,900), for example, is encrusted with ethically mined white diamonds, and the ornate Cinderella ring (£26,000) in white, yellow and black gold is set with a vivid, multifaceted 13.6ct blue topaz. Equally eye-catching are her one-off Triton earrings (price on request) – clusters of red and pink coral, Swarovski crystals and glass beads inspired by reefs in the Aegean Sea – and the bold Poseidon necklace (price on request), which combines turquoise and hand-dyed blue coral to spectacular effect.

Chan welcomes bespoke work too; she delights in setting treasured gems into new rings (from £30,000); a more outré commission was a tribal-inspired neckpiece in red macaw feathers for Game of Thrones actress Sophie Turner. “Jewellery isn’t rocket science,” says Chan, “but it can bring immense joy and empowerment. It’s often a celebration of the past and the future. I find that endearingly romantic.”

Nobu Matsuhisa’s insider Tokyo

The chef, restaurateur and newly minted hotelier shares hidden gourmet highlights and perennial cultural favourites with Christina Ohly Evans.

Tokyo is an incredibly sophisticated city, and the energy here is like nowhere else on earth. Despite the hustle and bustle, however, the pace of life is gentler than in cities such as New York and Hong Kong, and the people aren’t aggressive: everything is driven by ritual, and good manners are very important. Unlike other Asian cities – Singapore and Shanghai, for example – most people outside the larger hotels and corporations don’t speak English, and this gives Tokyo a unique feel as well. From the designs of Issey Miyake to the functional underlayers by Uniqlo, this is the city where fashion, technology and attention to quality intersect.

I travel to Tokyo for three days every month to prepare omakase [chef’s] menus at my restaurant in the historic Minato area. I love it in all four seasons, but the mild autumn months and spring, with its cherry blossoms, are my favourite times. The period surrounding the New Year holiday is very special, as it’s celebrated differently in each of Japan’s 47 prefectures. In Tokyo, everything closes down and there is a focus on food and local customs, with people wearing kimonos and going to shrines, such as the incredibly serene Meiji Shrine in Shibuya. Summer is a time of celebrations, including the Sumida River Fireworks Festival, which has been in existence since 1733. They set off thousands of beautiful hanabi – “fire flowers” – and you can view them from the various bridges or from river boats.

Seafood in the depachika (food hall) at department store Mitsukoshi | Image: © Jeremie Souteyrat

One of the most luxurious aspects of Tokyo is its hotels, because hospitality is of the utmost importance in Japan. There is the beautiful, sleek Aman Tokyo, which sits on the top six floors of the Otemachi Tower, and The Peninsula, with its views of the surrounding skyscrapers, where every piece of technology and bathroom fixture has been considered. Both are places that make visitors feel very looked after. The magnificent Palace Hotel overlooks the Imperial Palace grounds and has an incredible sense of history; it is the epitome of Japanese serenity and tradition, and features Michelin-starred chef Shinji Kanesaka’s Sushi Kanesaka. At any of them, you’ll find the classic Japanese breakfast of rice or congee, grilled fish, omelette and assorted pickles – all cooked without oil or butter – that makes for a very light, healthy way to start the day.

One of my favourite ways to begin any day is with a walk through Arisugawa-No‑Miya Memorial Park, in the Minato district, just down from Roppongi Hills. Once the home of a feudal lord, it became a public park in the 1930s, and features waterfalls, a large pond, pathways and plum trees, as well as the impressive Tokyo Metropolitan Central Library. Another good morning activity is a visit to the fish auctions at Tsukiji Market. It’s supposed to move to Toyosu soon, but for now it’s in central Tokyo. Go between 4 and 5am to see the chefs and buyers at work, or 7 to 9am to enjoy the general theatre of the place.

Food is, of course, a major highlight in Tokyo; you’ll find more Michelin stars here than in Paris. Much of this is because of the ingredients: when you put the freshest fish available in the hands of some of the most talented and creative chefs, the results are incredible. In addition, many of the finest Michelin-starred establishments, such as the three-star Sukiyabashi Jiro, have just eight or 10 seats, and some do only one seating per meal, which makes getting a reservation very difficult – even for me. But whether you’re eating in a fine-dining restaurant or a simple udon place, meals don’t typically last long; you can be well fed in 30 to 40 minutes.

There are so many local specialities to be tasted in Tokyo, and one of the best is the tempura at Tenko. Unlike showy teppan cooking, the food is produced in a very thoughtful Zen way here, by two generations of the same family, and it’s brought in sequence, beginning with tea, appetisers and miso soup, before the tempura of shrimp, eel and seasonal vegetables. It’s in a former geisha house, and a seat at the horseshoe-shaped counter is the one to get. For the juiciest pork gyoza and the best noodles, try Tohryu for a casual lunch, or Chikuyotei in Ginza for traditional unagi [eel] with rice. It’s been in business for 130 years, and the tatami rooms here are very popular, so you need to book in advance.

The Palace Hotel overlooks the grounds of the Imperial Palace

Also unmissable is the tonkatsu – deep-fried breaded pork cutlets – at Maisen, which is in a former second world war bathhouse. The understated atmosphere is ideal for enjoying the kurobuta pork, which is perfectly tender, with just the right crispiness. Obana, with its Michelin star, is far from the centre of town, but the unagi served there is excellent. The fact that each dish is prepared at the time of ordering makes it a little time-consuming, but it’s a very authentic dining experience.

Tokyo is known for shopping in part because there are certain things that can only be found here, including high-quality seasonal fruits such as the peaches and persimmons that are grown nearby. Two of the best places are Sembikiya and Shinjuku Takano, which specialise in all things fruit, including cakes, confections and beautifully boxed, very expensive muskmelons that are given as gifts and served in thick slices. Itoya is a favourite for stationery and everything to do with writing: pens and pencils, notebooks, desk accessories. Daikanyama Tsutaya is the bookstore to go to; it’s massive and has antique editions, contemporary fiction and everything in between, in many languages – and all the international magazines. Toraya, in the historic Tokyo Station, is another special place for confectionery gifts, including yokan jellies packaged in lovely Japanese paper. The red bean paste, agar and sugar sweets can be an acquired taste because of the flavour and texture, but try them anyway.

Arisugawa-No‑Miya Memorial Park | Image: Alamy

For totally unique kitchenware – bento boxes, incredible knives – Tokyu Hands is a must; it’s unlike any other department store and I’m always intrigued by at least one gadget I never even knew existed. Takashimaya, Isetan and Mitsukoshi are other noteworthy stores, each with its own depachika, or basement food hall, offering bento boxes, sweets, pickles and more. You can taste everything and they’re very high-tech and traditional at the same time. In terms of the number of offerings and the cleanliness, I’ve not seen anything comparable anywhere, even in New York.

The rich cultural history of this city is reflected in its museums. The Tokyo National Museum houses collections of everything from samurai armour to lacquerware to ancient relics. The Mori Art Museum has smaller rotating contemporary exhibitions that include video installations, and as it’s on the 52nd and 53rd floors of the Mori Tower in the Roppongi Hills, the views are incredible, especially from the rooftop Sky Deck. Fans of the king of animation Hayao Miyazaki will love the Ghibli Museum, which displays his sketches. And foodies should visit Umami Science Square “museum” in Kawasaki – my personal favourite, as it’s a great place to learn about umami, or the fifth taste.

Daikanyama Tsutaya stocks books in many languages | Image: © Jeremie Souteyrat

For a festive evening, I’d have a dinner of sukiyaki and shabu-shabu [thinly sliced meat dishes] at Imahan in Ginza, which has small, private rooms. At the opposite end of things is Sarashina-Horii in Azabu-Juban, for the fresh soba that are made daily and served either hot or cold. It is all about the food here, and people eat very fast; the soba with grated radish and shrimp is absolutely delicious. And to cap off any meal, I recommend a stop at Toshi Yoroizuka in Roppongi, where beautiful desserts are made to order, much like a sushi chef does at a counter, and where watching the exquisite preparation is as rewarding as the final pastries.

Part of why I love Tokyo so much is that there’s always discovery. I’m exposed to new products and new ingredients every time I come, and I love introducing these to people all over the world. I’m continually inspired by Japan and by this city.

The Aesthete: Rodman Primack talks personal taste

The Design Miami Basel executive director is also the founder of New York art and design practice RP Miller

My personal style signifiers are the casual jackets that I wear every day. I like navy ones by Dries Van Noten, or Austrian collarless versions that I have made for me at Hans Frauenschuh, Leder & Tracht. I wear the latter year round – in boiled wool or in linen for summer – and I love their horn buttons and the attention to detail. Because I fly so much, I always wear an I Pezzi Dipinti cashmere scarf, or one of the vintage Japanese handkerchiefs I get at Kapital in Tokyo, which are cowboy style. Dries Van Noten, +323-470 2510; www.driesvannoten.be. Hans Frauenschuh, Leder & Tracht, +43535-664 337; www.hansfrauenschuh.at. I Pezzi Dipinti, +1212-941 9966; www.ipezzidipinti.com. Kapital, +8135-725 3923; www.kapital.jp.

Primack’s Cowhide/Fried Egg painting by Math Bass, from Overduin & Co

The last thing I added to my wardrobe was a Gucci bomber jacket by Alessandro Michele. It reminds me of a traditional US varsity jacket, with blue and red knit cuffs, and it is embroidered with an amazing hornet. I’m planning to wear it all winter. www.gucci.com.

The last thing I bought and loved was an amazing painting by Math Bass from Overduin & Co in LA. It has a deep green background with a simplified, abstract cowhide print and features a fried egg that looks like it is made of stickers. It’s just a fantastic piece. 6693 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (+1323-464 3600; www.overduinandco.com).

Far right: his lamp by Jos Devriendt, from Pierre Marie Giraud Gallery | Image: Courtesy Pierre Marie Giraud Gallery

The best book I’ve read in the past year – and I cannot believe I hadn’t read it sooner – is Josef Albers’ Interaction of Color, which is a masterpiece of colour theory principles. Originally published in 1963, this later edition contains additional colour studies as well as Albers’ text about colour intensity and vibration. www.interactionofcolor.com.

The last meal that truly impressed me was at Nix in New York. The atmosphere is super-inviting: all‑white, organic-feeling Danish modern, with candles and soft lighting. The menus are vegetable-based, and we sampled everything from steamed buns with tempura cauliflower and a spicy vinegar sauce, to an egg salad with shards of potato, mustard seeds and pickles. The tandoor bread with hummus and spiced eggplant dips were excellent as well. This was the most delicious – and calorific – vegetarian meal I’ve ever had. 72 University Place, New York, NY 10003 (+1212-498 9393; www.nixny.com).

Interaction of Color by Josef Albers

The last music I downloaded was Frank Ocean’s long-awaited new album Blonde; the Stranger Things soundtrack by Michael Stein, which features 1980s-style synth music and nostalgic songs; Congolese band Mbongwana Star’s single Malukayi;and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No 5, conducted by Leonard Bernstein.

Nix restaurant in New York | Image: Stephen A Johnson

The best gift I’ve given recently was a black and gold skull ring with diamond eyes by German jeweller Karl Fritsch. I gave this playful piece to my sister for her 45th birthday. £2,900; Ornamentum Gallery, 506 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534 (+1518-671 6770; www.ornamentumgallery.com).

And the best one I’ve received recently was a unique ceramic lamp by Jos Devriendt. It looks like an abstract pink mushroom and graces the hallway in our Greenwich Village home. Pierre Marie Giraud Gallery, 7 Rue de Praetere, Brussels 1050 (+322-503 0351; www.pierremariegiraud.com).

The grooming products I’m never without are shampoos by Italian brand Davines, for their light herb- and spice-infused scents. I stock our homes with their Naturaltech Nourishing, Calming and Well-being Shampoos. I’m also a fan of Crème de la Mer for serious night-time moisturising. Crème de la Mer Moisturizing Gel Cream, $110 for 30ml; www.cremedelamer.co.uk. Davines Naturaltech Shampoos, $26.50 for 250ml; www.davines.com.

My favourite websites are Kayak.com for researching flight options and NYTimes.com for news. I like Artnet.com and Dezeen.com for art and design.

The Sweet Life in London's Best — and Craziest! — Mega-Suites

Hotel maven Christina Ohly fills us in on London suites fit for the queen.

LONDON – Whether you're traveling with a large posse or just want to live like a potentate, book one of these sprawling, amenity-laden suites at London's top hotels for a stay to remember. Bring your checkbook — or preferably someone else's. And note that although we list prices, hotel rates always fluctuate. Though you know what they say: If you have to ask what it costs...

Photo courtesy of The Connaught.

Photo courtesy of The Connaught.

The Apartment Suite at The Connaught

Location: Mayfair

The Digs: Situated on the hotel's top floor and designed by David Collins Studio, the stately study in soothing blue tones has a working wood-burning marble fireplace, a double-height sitting room, and a vast library.

The Wow Factor: Michelin-star chef Hélène Darroze will create menus for your bespoke, in-room dinner party.

USP: The Champagne Room downstairs and the ability to have the best fashions – Lanvin, Balenciaga, Christian Louboutin – placed in your dressing room prior to arrival are all pluses.

The Spend: from $16,959

Photo courtesy of Rosewood Hotels.

Photo courtesy of Rosewood Hotels.

The Manor House Suite at Rosewood London

Location: High Holborn

The Digs: A 1,991 square foot Zen sanctuary designed by Tony Chi. It’s about light-filled sitting spaces, neutral finishes, king-sized beds with Rivolta Carmignani Italian linens, and a dedicated champagne fridge. 

Wow Factors: The suite can be booked with five adjoining rooms to create an entire Manor House Wing, with a private entrance on High Holborn.

USP: The sprawling, sumptuous suite has its own post code.

The Spend: from £9,500

Photo courtesy of The Lanesborough.

Photo courtesy of The Lanesborough.

The Royal Suite at The Lanesborough

Location: Knightsbridge

The Digs: Seven resplendent bedrooms spread across 4,800 square feet make this one of the most lavish setups in town. Two Albert Pinto-designed sitting rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows afford views of Wellington Arch and Buckingham Palace Gardens.

The Wow Factors: 24-hour butler service, a private entrance, a dedicated Rolls Royce, and endless amounts of marble and gilt make this a stunner fit for Louis XIV.

USP: The hotel's Library Bar is one of London's best spots to sip rare cognacs, while Michelin-starred restaurant Celeste offers a sublime menu by chef Steeven Gilles.

The Spend: from £18,000

Book It

Photo courtesy of The Savoy.

Photo courtesy of The Savoy.

The Royal Suite at The Savoy

Location: The Strand

The Digs: The two-bedroom suite overlooking the Thames has a rotating contemporary art program, so you don't even need to leave for your culture fix. Opened in spring 2016, the digs have soothing, cream-colored interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon and Edwardian furnishings that evoke the hotel's rich history.

The Wow Factor: The views of the river and London's iconic landmarks are stunning. This was the vista that inspired Claude Monet to paint his series of London bridges, which he completed during his three long-term stays in the suite between 1899 and 1901.

USP: The 24-hour butler service is unrivaled, as are the delicious dry martinis in the Art Deco-inspired American Bar.

The Spend: from £17,000

Photo courtesy of COMO Metropolitan London.

Photo courtesy of COMO Metropolitan London.

COMO Suite at COMO Metropolitan London

Location: Park Lane

The Digs: Completely renovated in 2015, this spacious accommodation has floor-to-ceiling views of Hyde Park, even from the bathroom. For anyone in search of a peaceful, zen aesthetic (think light oak floors and neutral textiles), the sleek COMO outpost delivers.

The Wow Factors: A sitting room, pantry, and dining area that are big enough for a family of four make for the perfect jumping-off point for London sightseeing, meetings in Mayfair, or quiet meals in Shepherd's Mews just behind the hotel.

USP: Nobu downstairs means signature black cod with miso at all hours. Enough said.

The Spend: £2750

Photo courtesy of The Berkeley Hotel.

Photo courtesy of The Berkeley Hotel.

Opus Suite at The Berkeley Hotel

Location: Knightsbridge

The Digs: A muted green tea palette and original Asian furniture and art by interior designer Andre Fu fill the expansive space. A master bedroom, living room, study, full kitchen, and dining room make this a perfect, no-holds-barred pied-à-terre for an extended stay (or a serious lie-in).

The Wow Factor: The hotel's Blue Bar is still the height of cool, and the spa, with a pool overlooking Hyde Park, is destination-worthy.

Unique Selling Point: Michelin-star chef Marcus Wareing of in-house restaurant Marcus can be booked to prepare his stellar signature dishes en suite for parties of up to ten people.

The Spend: from $16,959

Photo courtesy of the Shangri-La Hotel.

Photo courtesy of the Shangri-La Hotel.

Shangri-La Suite at The Shangri-La Hotel at the Shard

The Location: Borough Market

The Digs: Set on level 39 of Renzo Piano's iconic skyscraper, the 2,000-plus square foot suite has it all: custom-made Italian furniture, silk-swathed walls, a dedicated chauffeur, private elevator access, 270-degree views, enormous marble bathrooms with heated floors, Bose sound systems, and spotting telescopes.

The Wow Factors: The specially designed Shangri-La bed featuring patented body-contouring technology is outfitted with sumptuous 1,000-threadcount Frette linens.

USP: Everything is personalized for you, from the stationery to Dine by Design meals prepared in your room's fully stocked kitchen.

The Spend: from $10,393

Photo courtesy of Hotel Café Royal.

Photo courtesy of Hotel Café Royal.

Dome Penthouse aat Hotel Café Royal

Location: Piccadilly Circus

The Digs: Three bedrooms, two furnished terraces, a living room, and marble dining table that seats six. An oasis of serene splendor.

The Wow Factors: The master suite is set beneath the hotel's iconic copper-domed rotunda, and the spacious suite features stunning views of Big Ben, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, and the Shard in the distance. Don't be afraid to use the LED projection system that illuminates the suite's dome. It's guaranteed to get the party started right.

USP: Thomas Kochs, the hotel's managing director, is the consummate hotelier/insider, and a person for whom no request is too big or too small.

The Spend: £14,000

Photo courtesy of Claridge's.

The Royal Suite at Claridge's

Location: Mayfair

The Digs: Victorian opulence is in full effect in this first floor, two-bedroom suite. Edwardian furnishings and a piano once owned by Richard D'Oyly Carte, builder of the Savoy, add to the intimate, historic ambience.

The Wow Factor: 19th-century French prints line the high-ceilinged dining room, creating a vibe that's Victorian with a sleek edge.

USP: Reservations at Fera, the ultimate farm-to-table restaurant downstairs, are easily booked, and the Fumoir remains the sexiest spot for champagne, oysters, and post-theatre conversation in central London.

The Spend: $6,663

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE

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Peter Marino’s perfect weekend in the Hamptons

The architect and designer counts Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Bulgari, Ermenegildo Zegna and London’s forthcoming Peninsula Hotel among his clients. He also designs private residences

Perfect weekends begin with a solo ride out to my home in Southampton, Long Island, on one of my bikes – a KTM 1290 Super Duke R or my Triumph Speed Triple. It all depends on how sporty I am feeling.

Saturday morning opens with three cups of strong black coffee, before 9am, followed by a trip to Marders nursery to meet with garden designer Charlie Marder. He’s been running this institution since the 1970s and knows so much. They have all sorts of flowering fruit trees and a greenhouse shop too. Then I’ll typically spend two hours in my garden. We have a different flower for each month: forsythia, hydrangea, rhododendron, apple blossom. I’ll also tend to my five beehives – if you have more than 10 acres in Southampton you’re encouraged to keep bees because so many have been affected by mites.

Exercise is an important part of my weekend routine and Kip, my trainer, comes to work out with me for an hour before lunch. I was a gymnast in high school so I like the rings and parallel bars. Lunch is almost always a tuna melt from Sip ’n Soda, a classic 1950s diner, I might have two if I’ve worked out a lot.

Afternoons often involve picking vegetables from our garden for the meal Giangi, our property manager, will grill for dinner. I try to eat clean and we grow our own tomatoes, cucumbers, kale and celery. We’ll buy meat or locally caught tuna from gourmet market Citarella and swordfish from seafood specialist Clamman.

Every weekend includes tennis – at my home or the Bath & Tennis Club, where I like the low-key atmosphere. It’s just six clay courts and perfect for round robins. I always make our house guests play; it’s like Mao’s Long March. But it’s usually followed by a refreshing swim and massages by Kip for whoever wants one.

I don’t like to shop very much, but two exceptions are Tennis East – to get my rackets restrung and buy my tennis whites – and Book Hampton, a truly old‑fashioned bookstore. Late in the day, after the crowds have gone, I might go to Halsey Neck Lane Beach, primarily for my European guests who come to the Hamptons and want to see the ocean.

On Saturday night my wife Jane and I will host dinner for friends, as well as our nieces and nephews who come out from the city. It might be grilled lamb chops and lasagne prepared by Heidi, our chef, paired with wines chosen by my daughter, Isabelle. She is a sommelier and will select a bordeaux – from our wine cellar or from Domaine Franey, a first-class wine shop in East Hampton that specialises in French reds. Afterwards, we like to watch movies in our screening room – preferably happy ones that are an antidote to the rest of the crazy week. I’m a bit of a night owl, so I’m in bed anywhere between 12am and 2am.

Sundays start with the New York Post – I like the difficult 12-box sudoku and time myself. Then we might ride to Montauk with friends. We’ll stop at Gosman’s Dock, the famous fish place on the water with views of the boats in the harbour – I love the tuna tartare cones – before returning to Southampton for more tennis, swimming and apple-picking.

Weekends are for relaxing, so I don’t look at email or social media. The air on Long Island is so oxygenated I sleep well and get re-energised for the coming week. I’ll head back to the city on my bike about 3pm. My wife and daughter go by car and we’ll meet for dinner at Mr Chow; we have a special table as it’s been a family favourite for 25 years – we’ll share their speciality, Beijing duck. Or we’ll go to Sette Mezzo, a simple Upper East Side Italian with a lively atmosphere. I travel from 12 to 15 days a month, so Sunday nights are family time.

Finding Southern Italian Hotel Charm in London

What happens when you bring Italian hospitality to a quiet London neighborhood?

LONDON – London may be the ultimate hotel town — with everything from luxurious, chintz-filled suites to bijou, boutique bolt holes — but there are surprisingly few options in SW3, the quiet residential area near Sloane Square in Chelsea where I used to live and prefer to stay. Needless to say, I am always happy to make a lodging discovery. My latest find isn't brand new, but it is under the radar due to its small size and low-to-no traffic location. My new home away from home is San Domenico House, an authentic, antiques-laden English charmer with a Puglian twist.

CHECKING IN

Overview

San Domenico House is a 17-room red brick Victorian home that was purchased in 2005 by the Melpignano family and lovingly transformed into a cossetting guest house just steps from the King's Road. (The same family owns Fathom Favorites Borgo Egnazia and Masseria San Domenico, five-star resorts in Puglia that are at the opposite end of the design spectrum.) Built in 1887 and established as the Sloane Hotel in 1991, the latest iteration of the hotel is a rare, slightly quirky find – making it ideal for travelers who like this part of town, favor peace and quiet, like to open the windows, or are traveling with older kids who will love the easy access to the shops, cafes, and parks of Chelsea. Spread across four floors, the rooms and suites are all individually designed, some with antique armoires, others swathed in toile du jouy fabrics. Some are bi-level; some have lovely terraces. But each makes guest feel like they are staying in someone's well-appointed house, with en-suite, modern bathrooms.

Book It

Rates start at £195. Click here for reservations.

Claims to Fame

San Domenico House is known for the art and antiques that have been lovingly curated by the elder Mrs. Melpignano. The public sitting room — sumptuous couches, serious oil paintings, roaring fire — is period perfect, so warm and inviting that I spent a Sunday morning reading the papers as natural light streamed in through the enormous, original windows.

Another point of differentiation is the staff: They're all Italian, and most from the same town in Puglia. This adds a sweet aspect to a stay here. Everyone is eager to please, to try their English, and to make you feel a part of their family, if only for a short while.

The deluxe suite terrace.

What's on Site

This is primarily a place to (peacefully) lay your head. No swanky bar and no spa, but there's a sweet breakfast room on the lower level. The staff takes great pride in serving everything from full English breakfasts to egg white omelettes (with a bit of translation required). The Deluxe Suite has a terrace overlooking the iconic townhouses and chimney pots of Chelsea. For my money, there's no better spot to enjoy a summer breakfast.

The Food

The breakfast offerings are excellent — fresh fruit, flaky croissants, and seriously strong coffee — and the sweet waiter will source whatever they don't have on hand (in my case, an icy Diet Coke which I think he had to run to the Sainsbury's to get, yet another gracious touch). Afternoon tea served in the main sitting room feels quintessentially English, right down to the overstuffed chairs and collection of antique silver. Lunch and dinner are available as is a nice room service option for late arrivals. The neighborhood has so many wonderful restaurants, from delicious Lebanese holes-in the-wall to fine dining establishments, that you'll want to walk the 500 yards to some of London's best meals.

A gallery suite bedroom.

Room with a View

There are 17 rooms in four categories. All have high ceilings and marble bathrooms; most have enormous bay windows, opulent draperies, and precious antiques. The Deluxe Suite is the top of the line, followed by Junior Suites decorated with vintage Louise Vuitton cases and gilt-framed paintings. Gallery Suites have a slightly regal vibe — velvet curtains with silk tie-backs, four-poster beds, and lots of rich red fabrics — while Deluxe Doubles have been designed in lighter palettes of cream and beige. Central air conditioning (still not the norm in small hotels), free WiFi, small flat screen TVs, and Molton Brown amenities round out the spare but practical room offerings.

This Place Is Perfect For...

Anyone who appreciates local color, Italian warmth, and good cheer. Just step outside the front door to see children going to nearby schools and people walking to the market. This is real London life, not busy, polished Mayfair. It's also perfect for anyone looking for an affordable, old-school weekend away or proximity to the shops and restaurants at the Brompton Cross.

But Not So Perfect For...

People with small children. You're living in close proximity, and no one needs the noise. Also not ideal for the sybarite in need of shiny, endless amenities, e.g. an on-site gym, vast room service offerings, or anyone with an aversion to heavy, slightly baroque décor. Consider this a very upscale B&B where you get real value for money.

Shake the London chill by the fire.

CHECKING OUT

Neighborhood Vibe

Chelsea is understated, well manicured, and definitely not the epicenter of the action in London. That said, it is full of beautiful architecture, particularly the white Georgian row houses with their colorful doors, and is also home to lovely parks and excellent restaurants. Staying in this part of town gives you a more local look at London life, and it's an easy jumping off point to nearby museums including the V&A and the Science Museum, the shops of Sloane Street, as well as the extremely cool Chelsea Physic Garden.

What to Do Nearby

Shopping is a major Chelsea highlight, and one of the best stores (anywhere) is the Conran Shop on Sloane Avenue. Not to be confused with the more mass Conran stores, this one-off is a highly edited, design-led emporium full of Eames and Saarinen furniture and the best letterpress cards, gifts, and accessories anywhere. Ideal for holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. Just steps away is the original Joseph boutique, a highly curated, multi-brand store with amazing fashions as well as practical pieces (pants and their signature sweater collections) at the annex across Walton Street.

Strolling the King's Road is a must, and Antiquarius is perfect for affordable vintage things, like Art Deco match strikers and silver picture frames, while Taschen Books in Duke of York Square has beautiful art and fashion-centric tomes. Muji is a must for desk accessories, as is Partridge's for snack foods. The massive Peter Jones is the place for practical, Union Jack-bedecked things.

Grab a picnic at Finns of Chelsea (prepared salads and sandwiches) and head for the slightly secret Chelsea Physic Garden or the Royal Hospital Gardens. Or have a light lunch at Itsu on Draycott Avenue. The best of this chain of restaurants, the Chelsea outpost has table service and a vibrant atmosphere. Other foodie highlights include Tom's Kitchen, noted chef Tom Aiken's comfort food spot; Manicomio for stylish breakfast, lunch or dinner with Italian flair; and Bibendum for celebratory lunches involving oysters. For excellent Lebanese food, I love Al Dar on the King's Road, where the chicken schwarma more than makes up for the ambience. For the best steak frites in town, go to La Brasserie, where the service is quite French. For a casual coffee or a light lunch, Baker & Spice is the place. Sit at a farmhouse table and order beautiful salads and baked goods, notably their enormous, signature meringues. This is a hip, farm-to-table spot that could easily flourish in the Berkshires or Williamsburg.

Good to Know

Chelsea closes early. Restaurants are finished by 10 p.m. and the streets get extremely quiet. On the plus side, the gastropubs are excellent (The Enterprise and Admiral Codrington are my favorites), flower vendors like Gilding the Lily are abundant, as are endless places for coffee including the café at Bibendum, Aubaine, and Poco.

Book It

Rates start at £195. Click here for reservations.

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A chic coat from a new niche label

Permanent Collection presents a clutch of timeless classics

I’m approaching winter this year with a certain glee, as I have a new coat ready and waiting in the wings. The navy-blue boiled-wool Yvonne coat ($950, also available in Loden green) from recently launched line Permanent Collection caught my eye with its pared-down silhouette and meticulous attention to detail. In a belted, almost bathrobe-like style with a full funnel collar, it can look both casual and unstructured worn with slouchy jeans as well as creating a more cinched, put-together profile paired with tailored trousers. It’s a particularly flattering fit on my shorter-than-average frame and features sumptuous silk-lined sleeves and deep pockets.

Permanent Collection porcelain cups, $350 for four

I have the distinct feeling that my made-in-New-York coat will be a wardrobe workhorse for many seasons to come, and therein lies the crux of this new label created by London-based Californians Mariah Nielson and Fanny Singer. All the Permanent Collection pieces are meant to be just that: permanent, timeless and elegant clothing and accessories based on classic designs. The wool/crepe Agnes coat ($1,200), for example, takes a tuxedo jacket as its starting point, while a pair of simple French leather slider sandals ($350) have been ever-so-slightly reimagined.

Permanent Collection leather slider sandals, $350

Founders Nielson and Singer – the daughter of celebrated chef Alice Waters – were both studying design and art history when they met at a party in 2012, so it’s not surprising that their tightly edited debut range combines clothing and accessories with a four-piece set of sculptural porcelain cups ($350), inspired by the designs of Nielson’s father, celebrated artist JB Blunk. And their second collection, which debuts in November, will see scarves and jewellery added to their stylish offering.

Modern Moroccan crafts at Marrakech’s 33 Rue Majorelle

The chef, restaurateur and newly minted hotelier shares hidden gourmet highlights and perennial cultural favourites with Christina Ohly Evans.

Our store is the antithesis of the crowded souk,” says Monique Bresson, who with Yehia Abdelnour runs 33 Rue Majorelle in the flourishing Guéliz district of Marrakech. This delightful two-storey space fuses the made-by-hand skills of the medina with the chic, calm aura of Paris boutiques such as Colette and Merci. “We specialise in modern takes on classic Moroccan crafts,” says Abdelnour of the wares by over 90 different artisans – from ceramics and paintings to design-led fashion and beauty products. “Under one roof you’ll find all the vibrant talents that exist in Morocco today, from both local master craftsmen who work with traditional techniques and foreign designers who have moved here.”

Crocheted Hamimi lantern, £71-£205 | Image: Terry Munson Photo

Bresson’s eye for emerging and established talent – honed during her years as the buyer for the boutique at the nearby Amanjena resort – results in “harmonies of colour and texture that are partitioned into spare, little corners, each telling a designer’s specific story.” From Atelier Nihal, for example, there are handwoven jacquard babouches (from Dh310, about £24) and leather pochettes (about £40-£125); Chez Zoé, which has a boutique in the city’s sleek La Mamounia hotel, offers simple cotton djellabas and pyjamas (about £55-£87); while local design star Noureddine Amir’s delicately embroidered tunics (about £158-£435) would pair beautifully with the statement-making, Berber-inspired brass jewellery (about £35-£55) by Australian expat brother-sister team Hamimi.

The range of homewares is equally tactile and tempting: Moroccan mint tea glasses (about £9 for a set of six) are made from recycled green glass by Beldi Country Club in contemporary shapes, and black and white patterned pottery (vases, about £31, coffee cups, about £10) by No.m Création is juxtaposed with patterned Plexiglas trays (about £63) by Le Collectif, Abdelnour’s own line that cannot be sourced elsewhere. Other hard-to-find pieces include carpets by Djeann (about £474-£632) that refashion torn strips of denim and hemp fabric into geometric designs, and embroidered vintage photographs (about £205) by BD Interiors, which line the store’s white walls. Particularly popular with holiday-makers are the striking crocheted Hamimi lanterns (about £71-£205) “in hues that vary with the seasons, from wintry greys to stripes for spring,” says Bresson, pointing out that they are “foldable, so can be brought home easily”.

Less suitcase-friendly, however, is the series of huge and intriguing metal cacti (about £237-£2,370) by artisan collective Orenzo, which are hand-painted to yield the perfect patina. But there is one element of 33 Rue Majorelle that won’t impact your luggage allowance: the bright and contemporary 16 Kawa Café, which specialises in pâtisserie orientale and organic juices – and is just the spot to take in all the woven, embroidered, henna-painted and sculpted joy this space exudes.

Bright and brilliant Brazilian clutch bags

Eye-catching custom marquetry designs by Silvia Furmanovich

The one-of-a-kind clutch bags by Brazilian jeweller Silvia Furmanovich are mini marvels of marquetry. The result of a labour-intensive, month-long process, each is made of sustainably sourced wood from the Amazon rainforest in northern Brazil, with Furmanovich’s vibrant images translated into detailed wooden forms by artisans in the remote Brazilian state of Acre.

Silvia Furmanovich emerald-inspired clutch bag with a cabochon tourmaline clasp, price on request

Designed in close collaboration with a client, the colourful clutches ($5,000-$7,000) begin with a theme – insects, flowers, far-flung travels or even the facets of gemstones – before the design is set, then pressed and curved into such woods as red muirapiranga, yellow tatajuba, purple roxinho and azul carvalho. Shapes vary from rectangles to octagons, with bright hues (deep reds, aubergines and brilliant yellows) – a Furmanovich trademark. Back in Furmonovich’s São Paulo atelier, finishing touches range from shells to precious stones such as vivid tourmalines, topazes, citrines and fire opals, all set in 18ct gold.

A signature scarab design on one of Silvia Furmanovich’s clutch bags, price on request

Recent commissions have included a sleek butterfly clutch accented with citrines and tourmalines in unusual shades of rose green; one depicting celestial skies in inky blue and black marquetry, with an intricate mother-of-pearl inlay depicting a luminous moon; as well as a geometric emerald-inspired poche with a spectacular cabochon tourmaline clasp. Clear diamonds are another starting point for Furmanovich, involving a more neutral palette of black, white and grey, while her signature scarab designs are also popular.