With my best wishes for 2021

Without hope, we lose everything. 

Remember the words of Martin Luther King: 

If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream. 

Be positive.

MCM delves into its rich history

German luxury brand MCM is celebrating two interesting openings at its flagship MCM Haus store in Seoul, South Korea. 

The first is the MCM Museum, full of iconic products and visual imagery marking the brand’s 45-year history. Archive items include MCM’s signature backpacks, crafted in the brand's Cognac-coloured Visetos monogram material. See picture below:

Covering 185sq m, the space is divided into six different zones. The MCM Hotel Zone features Visetos fixtures and trunks, designed to create the relaxing mood of an imaginary MCM hotel room. In the Photo Zone, visitors can take selfies in front of a wall image of Munich, the brand’s hometown. Visetos carry-ons are provided as a photo accessory. 

The Heritage Gallery is a walk-through gallery showcasing MCM’s historical items. The Collaboration Zone contains some of the brand’s most innovative, fun and eye-catching collabs. For example, an MCM x Bape trunk co-created with the Japanese streetwear brand is presented alongside a lounge chair. Meanwhile, in the Library and Study Zone, design books are on display, along with pencils and paper so that visitors can read and draw. Finally, a Relaxing Zone is described as a cosy space with seating and magazines. 

The second opening at the MCM Haus flagship is the Pink Butter x MCM Café, pictured above. Pink Butter is a super-trendy bakery in the Korean capital, frequented by fashion lovers - and presumably lovers of all things pink. Now it has an outpost at MCM Haus, located in Seoul’s upscale Cheongdam-dong shopping area. 

The MCM Museum opened on October 30 and the 145sq m Pink Butter x MCM Cafe celebrated its grand opening on November 2.

Tech innovations take centre stage in Monaco

More than 20 companies showcased their environmental technologies in a two-day forum co-founded by Prince Albert II of Monaco.

An innovative Dutch company called GoodHout was among the start-ups vying for funding at the CleanEquity Monaco 2020 event, held both physically and virtually via EarthX, from October 22 to 23.

GoodHout uses sustainably sourced coconut waste to make an alternative to tropical hardwoods. Its dynamic CEO Silvia ten Houten, who founded the company in 2014, calls the 100% composite material “the new bamboo”. This bio-based material has a luxurious finish with “endless applications” for flooring, interiors, etc, and is twice as hard as ebony. It is naturally fire-retardant and scratch-resistant and will be 3D-moldable.

The launch customer is a fashion accessories producer in Italy which has turned this natural material into handbag clasps and eyelets, presenting the results at the recent Lineapelle trade fair in Milan. 

Photo: CleanEquity Monaco 2020 

GoodHout also aims to enter the green building industry, supplying global decorative laminates. “Our coconut husk material exudes luxury and design. We use no added chemicals; we’re not a greenwashed product at all,” she told the CleanEquity audience. 

ten Houten is half-Indonesian and set up GoodHout (Hout means wood in Dutch) after she saw piles of unused coconut husk waste attracting snakes during her visits to the country. With this in mind, she also seeks to “make the world a better place” by establishing a fair trade supply chain with local farmers. “We believe in giving back to the community. We want to set up a charity for kids, set up micro-financing for the local women, and offer micro-insurance. We aim to promote gender equality in Southeast Asia. We want to be the most successful social enterprise ever – saving the world, one coconut at a time,” she enthused. 

Expect to hear much more of GoodHout, within the design industry and beyond.

On the final day of the event, the CleanEquity Monaco 2020 awards were presented by Prince Albert, Chairman of the judging panel. The trophies were designed by French artist Samuel de Gunzburg, who lives and works in London.

The environmental tech research award went to Olombria, for its crop pollination innovations, with GoodHout the runner-up. Metron, an energy management firm, took the development award, with polystyrene recycling specialist Polystyvert in second place. The commercialisation accolade went to OrganoClick, which produces bio-based binders for nonwoven and technical textiles. Envelio, the provider of an Intelligent Grid Platform enabling the next phase of the energy transition, was the runner-up.

CleanEquity is hosted by Innovator Capital, the London-based specialist investment bank, focusing on health and sustainable technology innovation.

MCM’s new global creative platform starts at Midnight

MCM has launched a new global creative platform to support and engage with cultural pioneers. The German luxury brand is teaming up with international creatives to introduce a series of upcycling and recycling projects via this initiative. 

Explaining the platform, Dirk Schönberger, MCM Global Creative Officer, said: “I would like MCM to engage with an international community of creative minds from various backgrounds and disciplines. We aim to offer a platform to showcase their work and a voice to spread their message. The platform will develop organically, not bound to seasons and is a long-term project for the brand. We will include curated capsule collections and individual product drops with local and international elements. Always keeping our sustainability efforts in mind.” 

MCM x Midnight collaboration

The first project is with German streetwear brand Midnight, established in 2016 by designer and social activist Can Demirezen, who paints all his products by hand. Midnight focuses on community, urban culture, and collaborations. Silhouettes are combined with modern customising techniques. 

“The melancholy of the night and the spirit of the 90s are my inspiration,” said Demirezen. “I also like to work with hip hop references and want to convey strong cultural and political point of views through my designs. MCM gave me the freedom to rework their product and a platform to share my beliefs, growing a community into a movement.” 

Midnight’s collaboration with MCM dropped on October 2 with limited-edition, screen-printed T-shirts, jackets and pants that aim to reduce fashion waste by upcycling archive MCM products. 

MCM showcases Midnight and the brand’s cause on its global digital and social channels. A dialogue between Schönberger and Demirezen – the first in a new series of conversations dubbed MCM Creative Minds – can be seen on MCM’s Instagram channel (https://www.instagram.com/mcmworldwide/). 

The MCM × Midnight collection is exclusively available in MCM flagship stores in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich as well as online at mcmcworldwide.com from October 2, 2020.

MCM explores a new reality

German luxury house MCM has introduced its Autumn/Winter 20 collection inspired by travel and movement through virtual and physical worlds.

Dubbed Hypertechnoreality, the campaign stars actor Aaron Altaras, artist and producer Pricela, writer and aspiring businesswoman Céline, and skater Yannick Zhou. The collection centres on clean-cut tailoring, deconstructed sportswear, and functional innovation. 

MCM's new logo play for AW20

“This collection is the beginning of a journey to real and virtual places – taking inspirations from both realms,” said Dirk Schönberger, Global Creative Officer of MCM. “In a mix of those cultural influences, we clash traditional tribal graphics with silhouettes inspired by Japanese garments to create a fresh take on tailoring and the modern street uniform.” 

Highlights are eco-friendly nylon ready-to-wear and a new logo play. The convertible pieces are designed to be worn on their own or layered. Logo-laden denim is paired with streetwise high- and low-top sneakers. This season, the letters MCM are colourfully glitched on handheld accessories, or turned into 24k shiny gold closures. 

Berlin street culture is also realised throughout the assortment. Berlin Bear paws appear on new T-shirts, with some styles spray-painted in bright graffiti to disrupt the muted hues of winter. The brand’s signature cognac colour is repurposed on accessories, while house codes get sleeker finishes and new Visetos colour options. Mini and x-Mini bags are designed to stack atop larger ones or link together for extra storage. 

Eco-friendly nylon ready-to-wear 

Key looks this season include the Logo Glitch shopper made with a translucent body and a linen-cotton canvas insert. Mini versions have crossbody capability via a removable leather strap. Graphically, the standout pieces are a body-skimming jacquard long-sleeve top in digitised geometry with matching skirt and leggings options.

Lastly, a fully functional and unisex quilted down coat expands the outerwear category. 

Continuing sustainability efforts led by SS20’s underwear collection, the Terrain Lo sneaker debuts in specially developed organic cotton canvas with a recyclable rubber outsole, and chrome-free tanned leather.

“Hypertechnoreality defies convention, redefines borders, crosses cultures, and blurs gender in an interconnected limbo wired between time and space,” said MCM. 

The AW20 campaign was photographed by Timothy Schaumburg, with Sabrina Hubert as Creative Producer.

Davidoff takes time with its Masterpiece humidors

Davidoff Cigars has created two limited-edition Masterpiece humidors, designed by the renowned French marquetry artist Rose Saneuil.

The humidors are inspired by different aspects of time. The first makes its debut in September and is limited to only eight pieces globally.

Davidoff's Masterpiece humidor designed by French artist Rose Saneuil

"Collaborating with artisans and artists mastering unique skills is not only a cornerstone in our innovation strategy but always a possibility for us at Davidoff to learn, get inspired and expand our creative horizons," said Edward Simon, Chief Marketing Officer of Oettinger Davidoff AG. 

In her approach, Saneuil artistically intertwines three dimensions of time: time as the ultimate luxury, a moment of serenity reflected in a sunset; the limitation of time and its easy evaporation is inspired by the image of evaporating smoke; and for the third dimension, when time seems to stand still, Davidoff has provided vintage tobacco leaves harvested in 1994 which inspired the artist to create the perfect moment. These tobacco leaves, reflecting eternity, are part of the artwork.

Following in November, the second Masterpiece humidor is designed with a shimmering effect, while the combination of darker colours of tobacco with vibrant golden hues reflects warmth. The materials incorporate gold leaves, tobacco leaves, mother-of-pearl, parchment and woods from vavona burl and sycamore trees. The body is crafted from precious Macassar woods, all treated to reflect a richer and more vibrant appearance.

Both designs will be accompanied by 50 unique cigars, exclusively blended by Davidoff's Master Blender for these humidors.

Bacardi doubles down on lockdown creativity

Bacardi has been busy getting creative during lockdown. The rum brand has launched a new digital ad spot – its first-ever shoot conducted remotely.

Featuring Bacardi rums such as Superior white rum and the brand’s latest product innovation, Real Rum Cocktails, the Bacardi Roommates ad spot inspires people to do what moves them. The message is: even when the world stops moving, you don’t have to.

To translate to screen how people were maximising their time in quarantine, Bacardi put out a casting call to find three real roommates to star in the new digital short film. They were not only the actors featured in the spot, but also the camera operators, cinematographers, set and costume designers, hair and makeup team, crew and lighting coordinators.

The film follows the three roommates – Alina, Kiara and Raisa – as they make the most out of quarantining together with Bacardi through a series of relatable, at-home activities, including choreographing a dance, singing karaoke from their couch, practising at-home mixology, giving each other haircuts, relaxing on their rooftop, and cheering on healthcare workers from the fire escape.

Bacardi's roommates mix cocktails in the new ad spot

To prepare the roommates for the shoot, Bacardi, its creative agency BBDO New York and production company 1stAveMachine sent the three stars professional film and lighting equipment – teaching them how to use it remotely via live video chats – as well as interior decor to spruce up their space before the director virtually shouted ‘action’. The final spot is a result of 30 hours of Zoom meetings, two days of filming, 15 boxes of props, and no outside people entering the set.

In other news, Bacardi Limited has unveiled a new company website (https://www.bacardilimited.com/) which aims to reflect the people-focused, entrepreneurial culture and vibrant life at Bacardi. The design is inspired by the company’s purpose of ‘celebrating moments that matter’. 

Dedicated pages detail the stories behind the brands and nutritional information for many of the brands as part of the company’s continued commitment to marketing alcohol responsibly. Also featured, the careers section gives a peek into Bacardi life with personal career stories, talent development programmes, and links to the job-searching tool.

“Our new Bacardi Limited website reflects our unique family culture and celebrates the people and brands that make us proud to be a part of the team,” said Jessica Merz, Global Director of Corporate Communications for Bacardi. “Our website’s striking design elements, improved navigation and new sections offer a simplified, yet very engaging, discovery of our business and brands.”

MCM's game-changing hip hop celebration

Luxury goods house MCM is celebrating ‘The Remix: Hip Hop x Fashion’, a film that chronicles the contributions of urban fashion pioneers Misa Hylton and April Walker in a male-dominated industry.

For the past two years, MCM, Tribeca Studios and Cortés Films have been working on producing this award-winning documentary.

MCM on Instagram @mcmworldwide

Co-directed by Academy Award-nominated producer Lisa Cortés (Precious, The Apollo) and film editor/director Farah X, the film brings these important women to the forefront.

There are special appearances by Dapper Dan, Kirby Jean-Raymond, and other game-changing Black voices in fashion.

Misa Hylton, the renowned stylist and MCM Global Creative Partner, was one of the leading contributors who changed the destiny of fashion and music.

The MCM and Tribeca Studios-produced documentary ‘The REMIX: Hip Hop X Fashion’ streams on Netflix on July 22.

MCM raves into spring

MCM has staged a series of activations as part of its #StayHome campaign initiated during the lockdown period in Europe and the US.

The German luxury brand teamed up with some of the coolest DJanes for three video DJ sets, which were livestreamed. The DJs were Alyssa Cordes, Sofie Royer and DJ Gigola.

Explaining the decision to host the digital activations, MCM said: “Since it’s in our responsibility to stay physically distant, we feel the urge more than ever to remain emotionally connected to you. Therefore, we’d like to send good vibes and spread positivity through what we believe is the strongest unifying force: Music.”

DJ Gigola plays her DJ set wearing MCM

As part of the DJ collective ALYGANY, Berlin-based Alyssa Cordes (@alyssa_cor) is not only a renowned DJane with appearances all over the city’s best clubs, but also a successful model.

A classically trained musician and painter, Sofie Royer (@sofieroyer) is signed to Stones Throw Records, was one of the original Boiler Room team, and has a monthly radio show on London’s iconic NTS Radio.

DJ Gigola’s (@dj_gigola) roots lay in hip hop dance and body movement, and her approach towards music is directed by intuition and rhythmic structures.

Grey Goose swings into action in Dubai

Grey Goose released a limited-edition exclusive version of its original vodka to celebrate its sponsorship of the recent Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Bottled at 43%abv and retailing at AED189/US$52.50 (75ml), it was only available at Dubai Duty Free stores. 

Grey Goose Vodka's Dubai Duty Free exclusive on promotion at Dubai International Airport

This was the second consecutive year that Grey Goose had been the official vodka sponsor of the event, which took place from February 17 to 29. Commemorative bottles of the Dubai Duty Free exclusive were produced, designed to create a memento of the occasion. During the promotion, anyone purchasing a bottle of Grey Goose vodka from Dubai Duty Free had the chance to win two of 120 tickets to the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.  

Sandeep Chugh, Regional Manager, Middle East and Africa, Bacardi Global Travel Retail, described the partnership with Dubai Duty Free as an end-to-end brand-building opportunity for Grey Goose. The brand sought to engage with consumers at the event itself through a sophisticated cocktail offering, as well as inspire people to purchase a bottle of the limited edition as they passed through Dubai International Airport for home cocktail making.

Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO of Dubai Duty Free, said he was delighted to continue the retailer’s partnership with Grey Goose as the official vodka sponsor of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship for the second consecutive year. 

Craigellachie debuts £3,500 whisky at Heathrow

Craigellachie 39 Year Old Single Cask whisky has launched exclusively at London Heathrow Airport, making it the brand’s oldest and rarest bottling available to buy.

Available exclusively at World Duty Free stores in all terminals at Heathrow, all 138 bottles are individually numbered and retail at £3,499.99 (70cl). 

Craigellachie 39 Year Old Single Cask

Distilled in 1980, the whisky was laid down in a refill bourbon hogshead, and in 2019 was singled out by the brand’s Malt Master Stephanie MacLeod for its notes of delicate oak, charred pineapple and toasted cereal. After 39 years of ageing, 138 bottles remain, each bottled from a single cask at 51.5%abv with no caramel colouring added and non-chill filtration.

The launch is supported across several touchpoints, including the airport wi-fi trigger and on digital screens in the World Duty Free stores. Members of the Red by Dufry loyalty programme are offered a special incentive of engraved glasses to members purchasing the product.

Shoppers purchasing the travel retail exclusive are entered into a competition to win a luxury trip to Scotland, including a behind-the-scenes tour of the distillery, which is usually closed to the public. The trip is completed with an overnight stay at the luxury Craigellachie Hotel, renowned as one of the world’s best whisky hotels.

In 2019, Craigellachie increased accessibility to ultra-premium Scotch whisky with the launch of 51 Year Old. It was shared, without charge, with whisky fans around the world via a sell-out free dram campaign in bars across the globe and was not available for purchase.

Now, at Heathrow, anyone making any purchase from the Craigellachie collection (13, 17, 23 and 3 Year Old) in the World Duty Free stores, in Terminal 3 and Terminal 5, can spin the Craigellachie wheel of fortune for a chance to win a dram of 39 Year Old. Other prizes include a collector’s book and pin badges. 

David Hughes, Regional Director Europe, Bacardi Global Travel Retail, said: “First launched in travel retail in 2016, Craigellachie has gone from strength to strength thanks to its multi-award winning success and the following of its many fans who adore its bold character. We are excited to launch the 39 Year Old expression in the luxury retail setting of World Duty Free at Heathrow, giving us the opportunity to share this special release with a discerning, international audience.”

Paul Martin, UK Liquor Category Manager at Dufry, added: “Craigellachie 39 Year Old is a fantastic launch for us and perfectly fits our mission to present rare and exclusive opportunities to our whisky customers.”

Heathrow Retail Director Fraser Brown concluded:  “As the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow is always proud to showcase the best of Britain in our products. That is why we are so pleased to extend our diverse selection of Scotch whisky and to welcome this exclusive and rare edition of Craigellachie 39 Year Old. Passengers now have another reason to consider Heathrow the world’s best airport shopping experience.” 

MCM donates funds to fight coronavirus effects

MCM has donated 1m RMB ($140,000) to the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation to help fund the psychological reconstruction and living assistance of the young generation in Hubei province when the coronavirus epidemic is over.

The German luxury goods company announced the initiative on February 14 - Valentine’s Day - along with its campaign message “Embrace Faith and Hope”.

In addition, MCM has donated face masks and other medical necessities to the Red Cross Society of Hainan Province through the Sungjoo Foundation and other NGOs to support the prevention and control of the infection in the region and Wuhan hospitals.

“We hope these donations will assist those in need in any way possible, and they will continue to have our support,” said Sung-Joo Kim, Founder, Chairperson and Chief Visionary Officer of Sungjoo Group and MCM Holding AG.

A new decade in rum innovation

Bacardi Añejo Cuatro Sherry Cask is the name of an exciting travel retail exclusive rum, aged under the Caribbean sun for four years before being finished in sherry barrels. 

From January 2020, Bacardi Añejo Cuatro Sherry Cask (40%abv) is available exclusively from Gebr Heinemann airport stores around the world including key locations Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Sydney and Oslo. This versatile premium rum is made for sipping and for elevated cocktails such as the Bacardi Cuatro Highball and the Bacardi Cuatro Mismo.

Bacardi Anejo Cuatro Sherry Cask rum

Crafted in collaboration with the brand’s Maestros de Ron (Master Blenders), the limited-edition aged gold rum features warming notes of grape, raisin, wine, molasses, caramel, plum and oak. The Caribbean climate accelerates the rum ageing process around three times faster than whisky ageing, but with no reduction in quality as the tropical ageing process develops. This four-year aged rum can be compared to a 12yo whisky.

Thomas Koch, Director International Key Accounts, Bacardi Global Travel, said: “Building on our heritage as leaders of rum culture for generations, Bacardi is working tirelessly to bring innovation and excitement to the premium rum category in travel retail. Exclusivity and differentiation from domestic markets are important purchase motivators for rum enthusiasts in travel retail and we are confident they will be drawn to the sherry cask finish in this edition of Bacardi Añejo Cuatro.”

Gebr Heinemann Director Purchasing LTCF Rüdiger Stelkens added: “Bacardi is a key brand for our rum category and we are really pleased to be partnering with Bacardi on another exclusive launch, adding something very special for our customers. I am sure rum lovers will be keen to explore this new sherry edition and to use it to elevate their home cocktail-making.”

Bacardi Añejo Cuatro Sherry Cask retails from €27.90 for a one-litre bottle.

MCM unveils new global retail design concept

German luxury brand MCM has opened a second flagship store in the brand’s birth city of Munich introducing a new global retail concept.

MCM's new retail concept makes its debut in Munich

Global Creative Officer Dirk Schoenberger masterminded the new visual identity with the renowned architecture studio Gonzalez Haase AAS. The architects looked back to the decade of MCM’s origins, the 70s, translating the ethos of the brand into a modern design language, while keeping the interplay between light and architecture at the forefront of their designs.

“Our design relates to the 70s origins of MCM with the strong connection the brand had to the music scene,”  said Gonzalez Haase AAS. “The usage of primary geometric shapes for goods became the formal basic language for the new spaces. The space tries to break from the straight forms and colours used in the luxury industry.”

Classic MCM bag shapes such as round, square, rectangle and triangle are reflected throughout the store. The architecture studio mixed the geometric forms with luxe materials and MCM’s signature colours.

“The new design concept embodies the energy and attitude of MCM perfectly by playing with its strong heritage as well as influences of art, culture and music, offering a modern showcase for our products as well as a contemporary setting for our customers,” said Schoenberger.

Spanning 168sq m, the new flagship store is located in the luxury shopping street Maximilianstraße. The store carries all available MCM AW19 product lines, including the 2020 Chinese New Year collection.

Women are changing the sustainable fashion game

Prominent female leaders have discussed the hot topic of sustainability in the fashion world at a major event on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.

Sung-Joo Kim discusses sustainability in fashion at Davos

The panel discussion, organised by Sung-Joo Kim, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Sungjoo Group and Chairperson of MCM, took place at The Female Quotient’s Equality Lounge. The session, titled "The Future of Fashion: How Women Are Leading the Way in Sustainability", also featured Shelley Zalis, CEO, The Female Quotient; Vanessa Kingori, Publishing Director, British Vogue; Miki Tsusaka, Managing Director & Senior Partner, Chief Marketing Officer, Boston Consulting Group; Marisa Drew, CEO Impact Advisory and Finance, Credit Suisse; and Jeehae Kim, Corporate Sustainability Leader, MCM.

They discussed how fashion can support women as the catalyst for sustainability and heard from mission-driven brands such as MCM that are changing the game.

“Greta Thunberg’s words, ‘You’ve stolen my dreams and my childhood’, went straight to my heart. I’d rather stop my business today if we can’t make a difference. We need to focus on reversing our direction and creating sustainable fashion,” said Sung-Joo Kim, adding: “As a company, we’re working to cut our carbon dioxide emissions in half, as Greta Thunberg has told us.”

Her words came just days after MCM launched its new underwear collection made from biodynamic Egyptian Giza cotton, becoming the first brand to use such an ecological and ethical fabric in this way. The packaging is a reusable, biodegradable EVA pouch with an FSC-certified, recycled paper hangtag.

BCG’s Miki Tsusaka added her voice to the Davos discussion: “As an industry, fashion is a huge offender in terms of sustainability. Brands can’t afford not to listen to the consumer. More than half of consumers care about sustainability from the brands they purchase. The fashion industry is worth $2 trillion. If they invested even just 1% a year, we could get to our 2030 sustainability goals.”

The Female Quotient, which hosted the Equality Lounge at Davos, brings leaders together to activate change through pop-up experiences at conferences, events and college campuses. The movement is described as the largest global community of women in business working together to transform workplace culture.

You can view the full panel discussion at the following link: https://m.facebook.com/FemaleQuotient/videos/319873885571959/

Also attending the Davos summit was Prince Albert of Monaco, a great champion of sustainability as head of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to environmental projects.

Sung-Joo Kim at Davos with Prince Albert of Monaco, her classmate at Amherst College in 1981

Club kids star in MCM’s Spring/Summer 20 campaign

Luxury fashion brand MCM pays homage to contemporary club culture in its Spring/Summer 20 collection - the first designed by Dirk Schönberger since his Global Creative Officer appointment.

Schönberger marries Munich disco with Berlin’s underground techno in a collection that breaks the rules, the company said.

Club inspiration: MCM's Spring/Summer 2020 campaign

The latest campaign celebrates the seminal moments in sound which defined the brand’s attitude and aesthetics from its creation in Munich in 1976 to 2020 Berlin.

Shot by Lukas Wassman, it stars five “creatives, rebels and starlets” whose inspirations are driven by arts, music and culture. They are singer Daisy Maybe, designer Imran Potato, model Joo Won Dae, rapper Tayahna Walcott and skateboarder Evan Mock.

Tayahna wears MCM's Chinese red trench

The collection spans 70s tailored suiting pieces and exaggerated silhouettes. Key pieces include a high-gloss Chinese red trench that fades to a matte finish and monogram matching sets of contemporary streetwear.

Singer Daisy Maybe

Accessories span classic items as well as unique bag shapes that make their debut in signature Cognac and shades of blue.

Royal Salute fires off $30,000 whisky

Royal Salute has released the first edition of its exclusive Time Series - Royal Salute 52 Year Old Single Cask Finish, retailing at $30,000 per bottle.

Limited to 106 bottles globally, the blend combines Royal Salute’s finest Scotch whiskies, and is available in travel retail and beyond. Out of the 52 years this blend has been aged, the last 14 years were spent finishing the liquid in a single oak cask.

Precious: Royal Salute 52 Year Old Single Cask Finish

As with all Royal Salute expressions, Master Blender Sandy Hyslop celebrates Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch. Royal Salute also seeks to pay homage to the importance of time with the Time Series, according to the Pernod Ricard-owned brand.

Royal Salute 52 Year Old Single Cask Finish is housed in a prestigious hand-blown Dartington crystal decanter. Dark blue in colour, the crystal is enhanced by elegant gold engravings and stopper. Each bottle is individually engraved with a unique number and is presented in a Time Series box that takes inspiration from the Royal Wedding Edition box, finished with five different layers of wood, each representing a different decade in the life of the blend. A striking 24-line sundial motif is revealed on opening the box that further manifests the importance of time.

The whisky is described as having intense, fruity aromas of ripe plums, toffee apples and dark chocolate-covered hazelnuts with the sensation of sweet, aromatic oak. Tasting notes are bright with sweet orange marmalade and hints of ginger and cloves, while soft ripe pears in syrup mingle with a touch of liquorice. The 14-year cask finish brings a creamy and sweet texture to the blend, enhanced with notes of toffee and vanilla and long, well-balanced sweet finish.

Hyslop said: “At Royal Salute we have unparalleled expertise in blending such extremely rare high-aged whiskies. Time is precious and fundamental in the creation of blends such as these and we are thrilled to be marking the launch of our Time Series collection with this stunning liquid. Every whisky in this blend, the youngest of which dates back to 1967, is influenced and enhanced by the delicate combination of flavours that only maturation in an exceptional quality cask can deliver, and the incredible result speaks for itself. Royal Salute 52 Year Old Single Cask Finish is an unparalleled blend for collectors and enthusiasts alike to seek out on their travels.”

Royal Salute 52 Year Old Time Series Collection is limited to 35 bottles in travel retail and 71 bottles in selected domestic markets worldwide. Launched at the end of December 2019 and retailing at $30,000, the product is available in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, US, Dubai, UK, Paris, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong.

Royal Salute was originally crafted as a gift for Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day in 1953. Royal Salute is the official partner of all ceremonial royal gun salutes fired at the Tower of London, home of the Crown Jewels.

MCM debuts gender-neutral lounge and sleep wear

MCM has unveiled its first loungewear collection made of high-quality Mulberry silk, as well as an underwear collection made of Egyptian Giza cotton that’s produced according to ethical-ecological standards, is biodynamic and Demeter certified.

American actor Quincy Brown stars in MCM's loungewear campaign

Designed with comfort in mind while also embracing boldness and colourful energy, the Mulberry silk loungewear collection includes a reversible robe, pyjama sets, drawstring and sleep shorts, boxers, and sleep masks. The colour scheme is described as classic and full of attitude, all in the brand’s signature Cognac with black accents. Each piece showcases the MCM logo throughout via the letters or the MCM signature Visetos print. 

MCM's new underwear collection

The underwear collection, which features versatile styles that can be worn underneath or styled as separates, are lightweight, comfortable and packable.

The campaign stars American actor and musician Quincy Brown. He said: "I'm always aiming for style, but comfort plays a huge role in my wardrobe. When the two combine, it instantly bumps up the self-confidence in anyone and it becomes my ultimate favourite look, albeit casual or formal. When MCM came to me about being part of their brand new lounge line, it was a natural fit for me. For me, it works both for home and as street wear."

Taking a contemporary approach, photographer Ilya Lipkin sought to blend the visual expression of joy, freedom and pleasure during the shoot with strongly composed choreography and a high-end aesthetic.

The MCM Lounge & Sleepwear collection made its debut in MCM stores worldwide and online from December 2019.

Dewar’s marks Chinese New Year with limited edition

To celebrate the Chinese New Year of the Rat, Dewar’s has launched a limited-edition travel retail exclusive gift box presentation of its 18yo blended Scotch whisky. The launch is supported in-store with the message of Celebrate with the Most Celebrated, aiming to emphasise the brand’s position as the world’s most awarded blended Scotch.

Double-aged in oak casks for extra smoothness, the whisky is described as creamy, full and well-rounded. Honeyed in taste with a hint of marzipan, this product is presented in a striking, limited-edition travel retail exclusive one-litre presentation gift box, retailing at around US$99.99.

It is available from the following airport and land border retail locations: Bangkok (King Power), Beijing (Sunrise), Dubai (Dubai Duty Free), Hong Kong Airport (Lagardère), Hong Kong Border (Anway), Jakarta (Gebr Heinemann), Kuala Lumpur (Eraman), Manila (Duty Free Philippines), Seoul (Lotte & Shilla), Shanghai (Sunrise), Sri Lanka (Dufry & Flemingo), Taipei (Everrich), Zhuhai (Zhuhai duty free).

Luxury meets streetwear in MCM x BAPE collaboration

MCM has collaborated with Japanese streetwear brand BAPE on a cutting-edge collection for Fall/Winter 2019.

The German luxury house has built on its legacy in music by partnering with the groundbreaking streetwear brand which, like MCM, is also celebrated by the hip-hop community.

Cutting-edge: MCM x BAPE

Large and small accessories, ready-to-wear and slides are decked out in the two brands’ respective house codes.

MCM’s Visetos print sets the scene for BAPE badges, while BAPE’s fluid camo is subtly punctuated with MCM's three-letter logo.

The collection sold out a few days after its launch in selected stores in London, the US and Japan, and online.

Exclusive humidor unites Davidoff and dance

Davidoff has unveiled a new limited-edition Masterpiece cigar humidor Royal Release Edition, crafted by the renowned French feather artist Émilie Moutard-Martin. Only five pieces are available worldwide.

Inspired by Davidoff and dance, the Royal Release humidor centres on the natural wonder of the feather. Moutard-Martin seeks to bring those worlds together in an original work, described by the Swiss cigar specialist as “a flight of the imagination to the beat of the waltz”. The circular patterns aim to evoke both the spiralling wisps of smoke and the arabesque of the waltz. 

Davidoff's new Masterpiece humidor Royal Release Edition (Picture: Oettinger Davidoff AG)

Each humidor is accompanied by 50 cigars, blended by Davidoff‘s Master Blender exclusively for this Masterpiece. Wrapped in a shiny, smooth Aromatica Dominicana leaf, the exclusive Davidoff Royal Release Perfecto Cigar brings together notes of pepper with oak wood, roasted almonds, milk chocolate and fresh spices.

The humidor was introduced in selected markets from December 2019.