YourLuxury Africa July 2026

The10 COMMANDMENTS Travellers for

Dearest Intrepid Traveller,

These commandments have been created for your good. They will save you money, tears, and potentially even your relationship – platonic or otherwise. Ignore at your own peril!

Disclaimer: If you carry a moon bag, use Instagram as your only destination guide, and just visit popular sites, you’re a tourist, not a traveller.

1. Thou shalt not convert currencies for every purchase. You can buy that flat white without calculating every cent (unless you’re in Switzerland).

2 Life is not a group sport. If you don’t want to do an activity, don’t.

3. If you want to stress test your friendship/relationship, travel together. You’ll either come back broken up or totally solid. There are no exceptions to this rule.

4 You shall not travel for more than 10 hours only to spend every day at the hotel. Walk, eat local food, and talk to strangers.

5. Leave your rules, insecurities, and, dare I say, even your dignity at the airport. It’s called a vacation for a reason. As soon as you get on that plane, vacate your ordinary life.

6. Travel solo as much as possible. Single, married, or in a 20-year friendship, travel alone.

7. Learn to greet and say “please” and “thank you” in the local language. It’s good manners.

8. Eating food from the country you’re visiting is mandatory. International food chains are for tourists. You’re not a tourist.

9. Upgrade whenever you can. From business class to first, from a suite to a villa, from an Instagram recommendation to a Michelin-guide choice. Upgrade.

10. Remember to keep your sense of humour intact. Travelling can be awkward, inconvenient, and uncomfortable. Laughter is the antidote to all that.

1.

JU LY

LOUIS VUITTON FLIGHT MODE 2026

One thing about me – I will rock a pair of sunnies on holiday. I normally bring two pairs: ‘el cheapos’ for dodgy places, so I can wear them and not sweat it if I lose them or have them removed from my person. I keep my favourites for the rest of the trip, because after a long-haul flight, you’ll look instantly stylish with a pair of sunglasses, a red lip, and a signature fragrance. Designed for life in transit, Louis Vuitton’s Flight Mode 2026 collection elevates travel dressing. Among the standout accessories are the LV Aura Low Rectangle sunglasses, a sleek, vintageinspired frame finished with subtle Monogram detailing and gold-tone House signatures.

2.

PATEK PHILIPPE WORLD TIME 7129J-001

One of the things travelling teaches you is that a capsule wardrobe is your winning formula. I used to overpack (I’m being economical with the truth here because I still overpack) and bring all the outfits, but being busy teaches you brevity. Now I stick to greys, browns, creams, navy, and a black and white wardrobe palette, and let accessories add some colour. Patek Philippe reimagines its iconic World Time in yellow gold with a striking red lacquered dial and intricate hand-guilloché centre. Elegant and practical, it tracks time across the globe at a glance while showcasing the Maison’s enduring mastery of travel complications.

4. BIRKENSTOCK BOSTON TURNS 50

The first thing I do when I visit a city is walk. And let me tell you, the right shoes can make or break your excursion. I’ve worn shoes that promised comfort and style, only to end up wincing after an hour, skulking for a place to perch and have a Scotch while I give my feet a break. But those rookie days ended when I discovered the comfort of Birkenstocks. Fifty years after its debut, the Birkenstock Boston remains as relevant as ever. This season, the cult clog returns in new premium finishes, from Amalfi leather and tonal footbeds to soft winter-hued suede, proving that true icons never go out of style.

3.

CHANEL DUO DE BAUMES

When I was younger, I used to travel with my entire makeup bag. Over the years, I’ve learnt that there’s no need to bring your whole kit on a two-week holiday. I prefer products that do dual duty so I can save space for shopping. Priorities people! Chanel’s new Duo de Baumes can be used as a blush or lip colour – in fact, I also use it on my eyelids because it’s so luminous. Whether you opt for the warmth of Coral, the glow of Champagne, or the subtle sheen of Gentle Glow, these silky balms are designed to catch the light while you catch flights.

5.

CARTIER TUTTI KANYA I travelled to Bangkok this June for the 20th anniversary of the Cartier Women’s Initiative (read more about it in our August issue). Since 2006, Cartier has been supporting female entrepreneurs across industries and continents. It gratifies me to see brands we love pay it forward. The Maison recently launched the Cartier Le Chœur des Pierres collection, and the standout piece for me is Tutti Kanya. This dazzling piece centres on a remarkable 30.33-carat engraved Zambian emerald. Surrounded by carved rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, it reinterprets the celebrated Tutti Frutti aesthetic with extraordinary colour and imagination.

grandseiko.seikostore.co.za www.shemer.co.za

Win

A LUXURY CAPE GETAWAY FOR TWO WORTH R19 160

Cape Town’s first and only five-star regenerative travel destination, Future Found Sanctuary, is nestled on five acres of private mountainside estate in Hout Bay. Bordering Table Mountain National Park, the property offers a unique blend of luxury, privacy, nature, and personalised experiences. Minutes from the Constantia Winelands, it’s also close to some of the city’s most iconic attractions, top restaurants, and beautiful beaches.

Surrounded by indigenous gardens and mountain views, guests can enjoy exceptional accommodation, personalised service, access the Sensorium Spa and fitness centre, healing gardens, natural pools, and range of wellness-inspired experiences designed for rest, reconnection, and relaxation.

A POLO LUGGAGE DUO WORTH R12 000

Whether you’re jetting off to distant horizons, seeking a sun-drenched island escape, or travelling on business, there’s something undeniably thrilling about the promise of a new journey.

To celebrate our travel issue and the art of travelling in style, one lucky reader will win a Rover luggage duo from Polo, valued at R12 000.

The prize includes the Small Rover Carry-On Cabin Case and the Large Trolley Case, a sophisticated pairing that ensures your journey begins and ends with ease. Contemporary and functional, a smooth four-wheel spinner system glides through airports and hotel lobbies, while TSA-approved locks provide peace of mind. Internal mesh compartments keep belongings organised, allowing you to plan a perfect capsule wardrobe for your trip.

TO ENTER Scan the QR code below or visit @yourluxury.africa and click on the link in bio.

With its sleek silhouette and refined detailing, Rover is a trusted travel companion for those who appreciate style, wherever they are in the world.

Your next adventure awaits... ask for Rover.

EDITORIAL: EDITOR IN CHIEF Lerato Tshabalala lerato@yourluxury.africa CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kate Walters COPY EDITOR Tamlyn Cumings CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Leigh Herringer WATCH & JEWELLERY EDITOR DebbieHathway debbie@yourluxury.africa IMAGE EDITOR Coralie Elske DIGITAL EDITOR Jessica Levitt jessica@yourluxury.africa TRAFFIC CO-ORDINATOR Rachel Ndawo

ADVERTISING & MARKETING: ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Yvonne Shaff +27 (82) 903 5641 I yvonne@yourluxury.africa ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Yvette Mehl +27 (21) 439 4907 I yvette@yourluxury.africa

ACCOUNT MANAGER: NATIONAL Gina van de Wall I gina@yourluxury.africa SALES EXECUTIVES: Sumeshni Pillay I sumeshni@yourluxury.africa

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER: LONDON AND THE UK Louella Stocchi I louella@yourluxury.africa PAID MEDIA SPECIALIST | SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Mbali Mthimkhulu I mbali@yourluxury.africa MANAGEMENT: MANAGING DIRECTOR Yvonne Shaff CO-FOUNDER Jacquie Myburgh Chemaly DISTRIBUTION & PRINT: DISTRIBUTION On the Dot, Media Support PRINTED BY CTP Printers, Cape Town for YourLuxury PO Box 1053, Sea Point 8060, Cape Town. All rights reserved. Whereas precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of information, neither the editor nor YourLuxury Africa can be held liable for any inaccuracies, injury or damages that may arise. The opinions expressed in the articles may not reflect those of the publisher. As part of our celebration of craftsmanship and culture, this publication features select alcohol brands. We support responsible enjoyment. Not for sale to persons under 18. Please drink responsibly. All prices correct at time of going to print.

yourluxury.africa

AMEX TENNIS TOWN

11 & 12 July | Johannesburg, South Africa

Returning for the third time, Amex Tennis Town transforms Montecasino into a stylish celebration of all things Wimbledon. Over the final weekend of the Championships, expect live screenings of the most anticipated matches, interactive tennis experiences, and gourmet food – including the quintessential strawberries and cream. From premium hospitality lounges to entertainment for the whole family, the weekend is sure to capture the elegance and excitement of tennis’s most prestigious –and traditional – Grand Slam in a distinctly South African setting. Tickets available at howler.co.za.

PARIS HAUTE COUTURE WEEK

6-9 July | Paris, France

The pinnacle of the fashion calendar, Paris Haute Couture Week returns with 30 houses presenting the very best in craftsmanship and creativity. This season, all eyes are on a series of highly anticipated creative milestones, including Pierpaolo Piccioli’s couture debut at Balenciaga and Duran Lantink’s first collection for Jean Paul Gaultier. Also generating considerable industry buzz are the latest couture offerings from Jonathan Anderson at Dior, Matthieu Blazy at Chanel, and Giorgio Armani Privé, ensuring a week rich in innovation, artistry, and fashion history. fhcm.paris

CULTURE DIARY

KNYSNA OYSTER FESTIVAL

3-12 July | Knysna, South Africa

A highlight of South Africa’s winter calendar, the Knysna Oyster Festival returns to the Garden Route for 10 days of outdoor adventure, culinary excellence, and family-friendly entertainment. This year’s theme, A Feast of Family Fun, places shared experiences at the heart of the programme, from the iconic Knysna Forest Marathon and Cycle Tour to oyster shucking championships, wine tastings, and vibrant food markets. Whether cheering from the sidelines or indulging in the region’s famed oysters, visitors can expect a vibrant winter escape infused with coastal charm. knysnaoysterfestival.co.za

FRANSCHHOEK BASTILLE FESTIVAL

11-12 July | Franschhoek, South Africa

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Franschhoek Valley, Bastille Festival returns with its signature blend of French heritage and Cape Winelands glamour. Inspired by France’s celebrated La Fête Nationale, the weekend brings a touch of Parisian spirit to South Africa through cheese and wine tastings, live performances, and vibrant street-style festivities. Guests are invited to dress in blue, white, and red for the annual Best Dressed competition, as the village transforms into a spirited homage to joie de vivre and timeless French elegance. franschhoekbastille.co.za

LUX AFRIQUE POLO DAY

25 July | Surrey, UK

Founded by luxury entrepreneur Alexander Amosu as a celebration of African excellence on the global stage, Lux Afrique Polo is now regarded as Europe’s largest polo festival. This year’s theme, African Boldness, provides the backdrop for thrilling polo, high fashion, gourmet dining, and cultural flair. Expect a colourful display of the dress code, ‘Polo Chic and Sartorial Elegance’, as tastemakers, cultural leaders, and luxury enthusiasts gather for what has become affectionately known as African Royal Ascot. luxafriquepolo.com

BRITISH GRAND PRIX

5 July | England, UK

One of the most anticipated fixtures on the Formula 1 calendar, the British Grand Prix combines high-octane racing with unrivalled hospitality, entertainment, and celebrity spotting at Silverstone. The festivities begin with the glamorous Grand Prix Ball in London before moving trackside, where fans can expect electrifying on-circuit action, A-list entertainment (think David Guetta), and a vibrant festival atmosphere. With fan favourites Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, and George Russell battling it out on home tarmac, fans are in for an exhilarating race weekend. silverstone.co.uk

ACROSS

MUSIC, FASHION, LITERATURE, AND ART, SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS OF BRITISH CREATIVES HAVE CHALLENGED THE STATUS QUO, CREATING MOVEMENTS THAT RESONATE FAR BEYOND THE COUNTRY’S BORDERS

TheDividend

F or a country that hasn’t produced a globally dominant technology company in decades, Britain remains remarkably good at something else: shaping culture. Not just music or fashion, but culture.

And it’s the kind of culture that starts on the fringes of society, gets ignored by the establishment and cool kids, and eventually ends up influencing boardrooms in Paris, Milan, and New York.

That’s why, when people talk about the best of Britain, they often default to the obvious things like Savile Row tailoring, country homes, afternoon tea, and the royal family. All perfectly respectable exports. But Britain’s real superpower has always been its ability to create movements – from punk, Britpop, and grime to streetwear.

The interesting thing about all of them is that they didn’t begin in luxury. They began as expressions of identity. Luxury arrived later and wrote a cheque.

Take Skepta. Long before luxury brands were scrambling to understand street culture, Skepta was helping define it. Today, his influence extends far beyond music. Through MAINS, he’s helped build a brand that feels unmistakably British, modern, and authentic. More importantly, he’s demonstrated something luxury groups spend billions trying to achieve: cultural relevance. You can’t buy it. You earn it.

The same story can be seen at Burberry. For years, the company wrestled with the challenge facing every heritage brand: how do you remain relevant without abandoning your roots? Under the creative direction of Daniel Lee, the answer has been surprisingly British. Not by reinventing the brand entirely, but by reconnecting it to contemporary British culture. That’s a much harder thing to do than launching another handbag.

Bright

Khumalo

Then there’s Trapstar, championed by artists like Stormzy. What began as a small independent label evolved into a global brand precisely because it represented something real before it became fashionable. The luxury industry often talks about authenticity. Trapstar just lived it.

As investors, we’ve seen this movie before. The most valuable assets rarely look valuable at the beginning. They often appear messy, niche, and misunderstood. By the time everyone agrees they’re important, most of the upside has already been captured. Culture works in much the same way.

“Britains real superpower has always been its ability to create movements”

Luxury companies understand this better than ever. That’s why they spend so much time looking beyond their own walls. The next great luxury trend probably won’t emerge from a strategy session in Paris. It will emerge from a neighbourhood, a music scene, a creative collective, or a subculture that most people aren’t paying attention to yet. Britain continues to produce these movements at an extraordinary rate.

What struck me recently while reading a collection of interviews with stylish Britons spanning generations wasn’t what they were wearing. It was how little

anyone seemed interested in trends. The 20-somethings sounded remarkably similar to the 70- and 80-somethings.

The younger generation spoke about individuality, comfort, and self-expression. The older generation spoke about craftsmanship, longevity, and confidence. Different language, but same message. Style isn’t about impressing other people. It’s about understanding yourself.

In many ways, the best investors arrive at the same conclusion. Eventually, you stop chasing every new idea. You stop worrying about what everyone else is buying. You develop your own investment framework and philosophy. Your own style. The older I get, the more I think luxury follows a similar path.

The best watch isn’t necessarily the most expensive. The best jacket isn’t necessarily the trendiest. The best investments are rarely the most exciting. What matters is the durability of the moat, the craftsmanship, or character. The ability to remain relevant long after fashions change.

Perhaps that’s Britain’s greatest contribution to modern luxury. Not a particular brand, designer, or trend, but the confidence to be different. The confidence to develop a point of view and stick with it.

Because whether we’re talking about style, culture, or investing, the biggest rewards rarely come from following the crowd. They come from knowing who you are before everyone else figures it out. ■

is a Portfolio Manager and Analyst at Vestact Asset Management

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THE OTTOMAN’S LINEAGE BEGINS IN THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE, WHERE LOW PLATFORMS LAYERED WITH CUSHIONS SHAPED THE RHYTHM OF DOMESTIC LIFE. TODAY, THIS ONCE COMMUNAL FORM HAS BECOME ONE OF DESIGN’S MOST ADAPTABLE GESTURES, OFFERING A QUIET PLACE TO PAUSE, PERCH, OR DISPLAY COMPILED BY LERATO TSHABALALA

bjects Desire of

1. Ardmore’s Thanda Limpopo Ottoman is wrapped in Pangolin Park Ash Velvet fabric – a luxurious African-inspired textile –and shaped with generous proportions for statement seating. R25 800, ardmore-design.com 2. The Isinmi Ottoman from TheUrbanative is a sculptural, fully upholstered piece from its Homecoming Collection. With its rounded proportions and gentle tactility, it embodies the Yoruba notion of isinmi: to pause and restore. R8 200, theurbanative.com 3. The Apex Ottoman in Orsetto Flex Tangerine from Roche Bobois is a fully quilted, circular seat by Sacha Lakic. Upholstered in fabric with bi-density HR foam and supported by a solid fir and particle board structure, it offers compact comfort in any interior. POA, roche-bobois.com

4. Egg Designs’ Wildebeest Ottoman pairs velvet upholstery with wildebeest fur and dramatic fringing, creating a tactile, expressive piece. Customisable in both fabric and finish, it sits at the intersection of craft and character. POA, eggdesigns.com

5. This Petal Ottoman from Wunders reimagines the classic round form with a refined duality: a hand-carved solid-timber base supporting a plush, upholstered cushion. Designed to function as both coffee table and footrest, it brings versatility to contemporary interiors. From R10 396, wunders.co.za 6. Crafted from natural sheepskin, Weylandts’ Moo Pouffe offers a richly textured, organic furniture piece. Each one carries its own unique patterning. R11 995, weylandts.co.za

A SAFARI MAY BE WHERE THE JOURNEY BEGINS, BUT WITH THE SABI SABI COLLECTION, IT DOES NOT END THERE. FROM THE VINEYARDS OF CONSTANTIA TO THE WILDLIFE-RICH COASTLINE OF THE CAPE PENINSULA, TRAVELLERS EXPERIENCE A DIFFERENT SIDE OF SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH IMMERSIVE ADVENTURES

BEYOND THE

SAFARI

Familiar hues and bushveld-inspired textures in The Claremont Boutique Hotel’s Safari Library evoke memories of a safari experience. It is here that one chapter of the journey ends and another begins, trading game drives for vineyard vistas and coastal exploration.

Just around the corner from the Sabi Sabi Collection’s The Claremont, Klein Constantia Wine Farm offers an introduction to the Cape’s rich wine heritage. Within minutes, the sense of exploration resumes – this time tracing the contours of Constantia rather than the outlines of a leopard track. A viewpoint below Klein Constantia’s famed Perdeblok vineyard offers the opportunity to take in the landscape while sampling wines from South Africa’s oldest wine-producing region. This heritage estate serves as a gateway to the next stage of the journey with the Sabi Sabi Collection, easing visitors into the rhythm of the Mother City.

A full-day itinerary with Escape + Explore awaits the following day. After a morning coffee stop in Kalk Bay, a world of kelp forests and ocean breezes opens up during a kayak excursion between Foxy Beach and Boulders Beach. As gentle waves catch the light of the winter sun, a raft of African penguins swims past, seemingly oblivious to nearby visitors. It’s moments like these that transform sightseeing into something more meaningful, creating a deeper connection with nature. An adventurous spirit, a curious mind, and the patience to let the wild reveal itself are qualities that the Sabi Sabi Collection seeks to inspire.

From harbour strolls and wandering through Simon’s Town to spotting ostriches at Cape Point, indulging in gelato in Noordhoek, and stopping for dramatic views along Chapman’s Peak Drive, combining a bushveld safari with coastal exploration creates a rewarding way to experience the Cape’s treasures. Equally memorable is a morning hike through Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, where the playful movements of Cape white-eyes and fluttering sunbirds capture the imagination.

Through experiences such as these, the Sabi Sabi Collection’s passion for people and place becomes tangible. Beyond the safari, it is this commitment to meaningful discovery that continues to shape every stage of the journey.

The Sabi Sabi Collection’s latest venture, Sandringham Private Game Reserve, opens in August, giving guests an opportunity to extend their Cape Town stay at The Claremont with an immersive safari experience, coupled with the familiarity of the collection’s warm hospitality.

At IWC Schaffhausen, engineering is more than a technical discipline; it’s a way of thinking. That mindset was evident throughout the brand’s Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026 launches, from the latest Ingenieur models to advances in perpetual calendar technology. Speaking to YourLuxury Africa, Chief Design Officer Christian Knoop (left) – who joined IWC in 2008 following a career in industrial design – explained how a culture of continual refinement drives its approach to design and innovation.

This was clear this year, particularly the Ingenieur collection. “We were really impressed with the reactions we got on the Ingenieur relaunch in 2023,” says Christian. “This encouraged us to build further on the collection.”

Inside IWC’s Mindset

Engineering

AT WATCHES AND WONDERS GENEVA 2026, IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN DEBUTED LE PETIT PRINCE IN THE PORTOFINO COLLECTION AND REVEALED A WHITE CERAMIC PILOT’S WATCH CHRONOGRAPH 41 – TWO RELEASES UNITED BY THE BRAND’S ENGINEERING-FIRST PHILOSOPHY

WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY

ABOVE FROM LEFT: Ref. IW345901 Ingenieur Tourbillon 41; Ref. IW329601

Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Proset Le Petit Prince

What began as the revival of Gérald Genta’s celebrated design has evolved into one of IWC’s most important collections. “It is such a recognisable design language and signature. Whatever we do with colours, sizing, or complications, it still comes through and unites the collection.”

“IWC continues to focus on performance rather than novelty”

This year’s Ingenieur Automatic 42 in dark olive green ceramic highlights that approach. While preserving the design’s essential character, IWC continues to refine its construction and ergonomics.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Ingenieur SL. “Gérald Genta was not only a great designer, but also an ambassador for the profession of watch design,” says Christian. “He was the first person recognised for his creative work.” Yet IWC has little interest in simply recreating previous designs. “We sometimes have a tendency to look back at creators of the past as old, bearded men creating vintage watches,” Christian says. “At the time, they were young men with bold visions creating futuristic watches.”

Few individuals embody that innovative spirit more than Kurt Klaus, creator of IWC’s fully synchronised perpetual calendar in 1985. For decades, however, one limitation remained: the calendar could not be adjusted backwards. The new IWC ProSet perpetual calendar finally solves the problem. “We see calendar complications as a core competence of the brand,” says Christian. “Being engineers at heart, the better solution always beats the good one.”

He recalls a conversation with Evelyne Genta after improvements were made to the Ingenieur. She told him it would have been entirely in keeping with her husband’s character. “He would have wanted us to keep improving it and not be satisfied with the status quo.”

That approach extends beyond movements into materials. From titanium and ceramic to proprietary innovations such as Ceratanium and the new luminous ceramic technology Ceralume, IWC continues to focus on performance rather than novelty. “We don’t just want to go for funky, rare materials that don’t deliver technical advantages,” says Christian. “For us, it’s always about performance materials that bring technical advantages.”

With a product and research pipeline that stretches 10 years into the future, IWC is clearly not short of ideas. If this year’s launches demonstrated anything, it’s that the engineering mindset that shaped the work of Gérald Genta and Kurt Klaus remains alive and well. ■

The Evolution of African Wealth

From the spirit of Ubuntu to the strength of the Nguni, African wealth has always told a story.

MetCon honours this legacy with modern expressions of value — Ubuntu Rounds, Minted Bars, and Nguni Cows & Bulls — cast in precious metals, from the heart of our land.

Ethically Refined. Locally Crafted. Authentically African. Invest in African Precious Metals.

TIME TRAVELLERS

BREMONT’S new Supernova Chronograph will travel on Astrolab’s FLIP lunar rover, scheduled to land near the moon’s south pole in this year and becoming the first British watch to reach the lunar surface. Inspired by spacecraft architecture, the 41mm chronograph features a fully luminescent dial, black ceramic bezel, and chronometerrated movement, combining terrestrial engineering with spaceage ambition. POA, Bremont

Developed to meet the demands of human spaceflight, IWC

SCHAFFHAUSEN’S Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive replaces a traditional crown with a patent-pending rotating bezel and a side-mounted rocker switch for winding and time-setting, making operation easier while wearing space gloves. Crafted from lightweight zirconium oxide ceramic and Ceratanium®, the watch has been spaceflight-qualified by Vast for future missions aboard Haven-1, the world’s first planned commercial space station. POA, iwc.com

TRAVEL HAS ALWAYS OCCUPIED A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE WORLD OF HAUTE HORLOGERIE. TODAY’S FINEST CREATIONS ARE COMPANIONS FOR LIFE ON THE MOVE, COMBINING TECHNICAL INGENUITY WITH ARTISTRY AND STYLE

WORDS DEBBIE HATHWAY

The H. MOSER & CIE Endeavour Flyback Chronograph Dual Time Date is a 42mm timepiece that “refuses to look, or feel, complicated”. It features a flyback chronograph, second time zone, and date display without any counters to disturb the harmony of the dial, affording the wearer an instinctive, fluid reading of time. POA, h-moser.com; bhhboutique.co.za

Hand-built in Britain, the FEARS Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour

‘Barleycorn Plum’ brings fresh character to one of the brand’s most distinctive complications. Its silvered barleycorn-pattern dial is contrasted by a rich plum centre, while a jumping-hour display replaces traditional hour hands. £4 250, fearswatches.com

The VACHERON CONSTANTIN Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points celebrates the brand’s travel spirit with four dial colours inspired by the compass and the landscapes beyond it. Crafted in titanium and equipped with the manufacture Calibre 5110 DT/3, the watch offers dual-time functionality, a day/night display, and date indication for travellers whose horizons extend beyond a single time zone. POA, vacheron-constantin.com

British watch brand CHRISTOPHER WARD has comprehensively updated its bestselling travel watch. The C63 Sealander GMT features a slimmer Light-catcher™ case that sits closer to the wrist, a larger 24hour bezel, redesigned crown, and a bolder GMT hand for improved legibility across time zones. This Sky Blue 36mm edition is finished with the brand’s new iLink™ bracelet-adjustment system. $1 620, christopherward.com

PATEK PHILIPPE’S Calatrava Travel Time Ref. 5224R-001, housed in a polished rose gold case, pairs a 24-hour display with the brand’s Travel Time function for tracking a second time zone. A patented crown-operated adjustment system replaces the traditional side pushers, preserving the clean lines of the case. POA, patek.com

“What resonates most deeply is the idea that we are constantly in motion. That’s what we as humans do by our very nature. Whether it’s an internal or external journey, it always leads us towards the cardinal points to guide our lives”

– Cory Richards, photographer, director, and writer who field-tested a Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time prototype

A Legacy Cut in Stone

The story began in London’s Hatton Garden, where Laurence Graff OBE (pictured above right with son Francois) developed a deep appreciation for the emotional power of gemstones. From humble beginnings as an apprentice, he went on to build a business that would leave an indelible mark on the jewellery industry through timeless style, innovation, and an unwavering pursuit of perfection.

Laurence is renowned for his intuitive ability to recognise a diamond’s hidden brilliance and untapped potential. Guided by this vision, Graff has presented some of the world’s most remarkable diamonds, including the 302.37 carat Graff Lesedi La Rona – the largest, highest-colour, highest-clarity diamond ever certified by the GIA. Other legendary stones include The Graff Venus, The Lesotho Promise, The Delaire Sunrise, The Wittelsbach-Graff, The Graff Pink, and The Golden Empress. Every facet of Graff begins with a diamond. While the industry traditionally assesses stones according to the 4Cs – cut, carat, clarity, and colour – Graff seeks an additional quality: character. Experts inspect each stone by hand to uncover its unique life force and beauty. This philosophy underpins every creation, resulting in jewels that forge an emotional connection between the wearer and the gemstone.

FOR MORE THAN 65 YEARS, GRAFF HAS OPERATED AT THE PINNACLE OF HIGH JEWELLERY, DISCOVERING AND CRAFTING DIAMONS OF EXCEPTIONAL BRILLIANCE AND RARITY. SINCE 1960, FOUNDER LAURENCE GRAFF OBE HAS TRANSFORMED A LIFELONG PASSION INTO ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST CELEBRATED LUXURY JEWELLERY HOUSES WORDS YOURLUXURY AFRICA

BUTTERFLY

(Above): A symbol of transformation, the Butterfly Collection captures the beauty and movement of nature. Pear- and marquise-cut diamonds come together to form the iconic Graff Butterfly motif, creating pieces that appear to float effortlessly on the wearer. Inspired by the journey from rough diamond to polished gem, the collection combines femininity, skilled craftsmanship, and timeless design.

TILDA’S BOW

(Top left): Rooted in the family values upon which Graff was founded, Tilda’s Bow celebrates enduring bonds and timeless keepsakes. Designed to be passed down through generations, the collection transforms delicate bows into exquisite creations of diamonds and gold. Graff’s master artisans capture the fluidity and lightness of silk ribbon, creating jewellery that is both deeply personal and eternally elegant.

LAURENCE GRAFF SIGNATURE

(Left): Honouring Laurence’s OBE legacy as one of the world’s foremost diamantaires, the Laurence Graff Signature collection celebrates expertise and craftsmanship. Inspired by the multifaceted cuts of diamonds, sculptural forms are translated into gold jewellery that reflects light with striking elegance. Each handcrafted piece pays tribute to the Graff family’s pioneering approach to innovation and artistry.

WITH HERITAGE DIAMONDS, CULTURED PEARLS, AND CONTEMPORARY SILHOUETTES, THESE BRITISH JEWELLERS DEMONSTRATE THE CREATIVITY SHAPING THE UK’S LUXURY JEWELLERY LANDSCAPE

A C ABOVE

COMPILED BY DEBBIE HATHWAY

1. Jessica McCormack Ball ‘n’ Chain diamond pendant with a 2.73ct pearshaped diamond in a Georgian-style cut-down setting in 18kt blackened white gold and 18kt yellow gold. POA, jessicamccormack.com

2. Alex Monroe Menagerie floral engraved elephant necklace with gemstones on a belcher chain, featuring a hand-engraved chunky elephant charm. £690, alexmonroe.com

3. Graff Follow Me Rings featuring a trio of pavé diamonds in rose gold, pavé diamonds in white gold, and pavé diamond accents in yellow gold. POA, graff.com, delaire.co.za

4. Genevieve Schwartz Golden Futures drop earrings featuring a hand-engraved lobster and crab visible beneath slices of garnet. The set is accented by bezel-set horizontal white baguette diamonds and vertical bars of geometric polished metal. £3 750, genevieveschwartz.com

5. Yoko London Glitz double ring in 18kt white gold with a white Australian South Sea pearl and diamond motifs. POA, yokolondon.com

6. Ellis Mhairi Cameron Armach diamond bangle IV in 14kt gold, inspired by ancient ideas of Scottish armour. £70 000, ellismhairicameron.com

7. Garrard Wings Embrace pink sapphire and diamond drop earrings in 18kt rose gold, featuring double-wing motif with diamonds, a single pink sapphire visible in front, and calibre-cut pink sapphire feathers tipped with diamonds behind the ear. POA, garrard.com

FROM HERITAGE FRAGRANCE HOUSES TO PIONEERING COSMETIC BRANDS, THESE BRITISH BEAUTY ICONS CONTINUE TO SHAPE THE GLOBAL INDUSTRY WITH THEIR CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

COMPILED BY

CANDICE-LEE KANNEMEYER

The

CLASSIC Club

Founded in 1870 by Cornish barber William H. Penhaligon, PENHALIGON’S began as a traditional barbershop where bespoke grooming products were crafted and sold to clients. In 1872, William created his first fragrance, Hammam Bouquet, inspired by the fragrant steam and soap-filled atmosphere of Turkish baths. More than 150 years later, it remains one of the house’s best-sellers.

Our Pick:

Penhaligon’s Bold Blend, R5 990 for 100ml EDP, skins.co.za

A relative newcomer to the British Beauty scene, REVOLUTION

BEAUTY – often called Makeup Revolution –was founded in 2014 and quickly disrupted the industry with its pioneering ‘fast beauty’ model. In 2019, it was recognised by the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 as the UK’s fastest-growing beauty brand. By offering trend-led, vegan, and cruelty-free products at accessible prices, Revolution Beauty continues to redefine what affordable beauty can look like.

Our Pick:

Revolution Beauty Superfix Hydra Cool Dewy Fixing Mist, R370 for 150ml, revolutionbeauty.co.za

LONDON traces its origins back to 1834, when French-born cosmetic innovator Eugène Rimmel established the brand. While his pomades, atomisers, and mouthwashes enjoyed widespread popularity, it was his development of the world’s first commercially successful non-toxic mascara that cemented his legacy. Nearly two centuries later, Rimmel remains a cornerstone of British makeup culture.

Our Pick: Rimmel London Scandaleyes Volume On Demand Mascara, R169,95, Clicks

While Burberry is best known for its iconic trench coats and signature check print, the British house expanded into fragrance in 1981 with the launch of Burberry for Men. Since then, its fragrance portfolio has grown into an impressive collection of more than 100 scents, spanning timeless classics and modern favourites.

Our Pick:

Burberry Goddess, R3 220 for 100ml EDP, Edgars

With more than three decades of expertise, Elemis is synonymous with results-driven skincare and holistic wellness. Co-founder Noella Gabriel recognised the powerful connection between wellbeing and skin health, creating a brand firmly rooted in the principles of aromatherapy. In 1994, Elemis launched its spa and retail onboard luxury cruise ships before opening its first flagship day spa in 2001. Today, it is one of the UK’s most respected skincare brands.

Our Pick:

Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Body Cream, R1 735 for 200ml, elemis.com

With nearly a thousand years of practice, Britain has had time to perfect the art of the hotel stay. On a road-trip taking in the length of the country, I was delighted to discover a few places that pay homage to South Africa with subtle but celebrated nods. From a farm stay above ancient cliffs and an art-infused lakeside retreat to a renovated royal club – all iconic British locations, but with unique South African touches.

LOUMA

The journey begins on the Jurassic Coast – likely England’s most photographed stretch, and for good reason. Reminiscent of South Africa’s Wild Coast, the towering cliffs run along the shoreline, and a patchwork of pastures quilts the countryside. And it’s not just the natural beauty; the coast is a geological time capsule, revealing nearly 185 million years of Earth’s history and yielding some of Britain’s most remarkable fossil discoveries.

A stone’s throw from the dramatic coast, Louma Country Hotel is a charming rural retreat. The British Isles have seen a rise in upscale agrotourism stays, and Louma sets a high standard for deep connection and appreciation for the land. The design is elegant, understated, and sometimes playful, but never distracts from the true star of the farm – the sweeping view down the valley to the coast. Louma is proudly South African-owned; Louis and Emma are the caretakers, whose family owns Saxon, Steyn City Hotel, and Shambala Private Game Reserve. When asked about their reason for choosing the location, they quickly explained, “Farms can be charming under almost any circumstances, but this one’s position was so uniquely stunning that we decided to make the rest of our offerings make sense in that location.”

Accommodation options include farmhouse rooms, timber stables, stone barns, and shepherd huts – names that fulfil any farm fantasy. Room rates are full board, inviting guests to relax and savour the culinary delights at the centre of the stay – most sourced from the 100-acre estate. The clinch pin for me? Louma is one of the emerging British wine estates producing sparkling wine that can rival any Cap Classique. The wines are also worth trying – the lightly oaked pinot noir is an undercover treasure.

With indoor and outdoor play areas for children and pets and two dining spaces, the farm is designed to be an inclusive space. However, embracing the outdoors comes with an exclusive touch – the countryside paradise is only open to their overnight guests.

loumacountryhotel.co.uk

HOME

awayfrom home

FROM FRANSCHHOEK-INSPIRED LUXURY IN THE LAKE DISTRICT TO BOBOTIE SERVED BENEATH EDINBURGH CASTLE, THESE STAYS ARE REMINDERS THAT HOME HAS A WAY OF TRAVELLING WITH US WORDS JARED RUTTENBERG

LINTHWAITE HOUSE

Meandering North, the Lake District offers a quintessential British experience, and understandably so: slivers of silver lakes dissect the landscape, rising to impressive fells and descending into lush green valleys. At 17 kilometres long, Lake Windermere is the most remarkable, and high above its shore, Linthwaite House stands tall. It’s no surprise that Linthwaite was ranked as the 13th Best Hotel in the UK in the 2025 Condé Nast UK Readers' Choice Awards.

Five-star luxury combines with country charm, and for South Africans, there’s a reassuring sense of familiarity: the hotel is owned by hospitality icon Analjit Singh, founder of the Leeu Collection. If you’ve driven through the gates of his two Franschhoek properties (or the newest Florence edition), you’d immediately feel at home here – from the familiar font to the manicured gardens and the South African artwork.

This includes large sculptures by Angus Taylor and Dylan Lewis, detailed collages by Barbara Wildenboer, and Jaco Sieberhagen’s metal installations, to name just a few.

Linthwaite’s culinary reputation is unmatched for the region. The Bar and Conservatory serve informal yet impressive menus, thanks to South African Head Chef Gerald van der Walt. The afternoon tea is a hearty affair, especially popular after an energetic morning hike. Sharing the property is Henrock, one of restaurateur Simon Rogan MBE’s fine-dining establishments. The multi-course tasting menu celebrates his farm-to-table philosophy, complemented by thoughtfully paired wines.

When it’s time to explore the surrounding landscapes, guide Steve Watts draws on 40 years of fell walking and trail running experience, taking guests to hidden waterfalls, caves, scenic trails, and iconic views. My only regret? Not bringing my running shoes to join the 72-year-old on a wild mountain trail. linthwaitehouse.com

100 PRINCES STREET

With the 12 Apostles, Bushman’s Kloof, and Oysterbox hotels under their belt, the Tollman family needs little introduction back home. Visiting their properties abroad makes it clear that their South African heritage has greatly influenced their hospitality ventures. Further north, my final stop is a coveted address – Edinburgh’s 100 Princes Street Hotel. It’s no coincidence that the hotel was once the headquarters of the Royal Over-Seas League, whose motto is to “foster friendship, understanding, and collaboration across the Commonwealth.”

“The hotel was once the headquarters of the Royal OverSeas League”

Like Red Carnation’s South African properties, this group knows how to find prime locations. Check-in takes place in the cosy Wallace lounge, draped in tartan, with a glass of champagne overlooking a postcard-perfect view of Edinburgh Castle. The intimate atmosphere of 100 Princes Street is maintained through its residents-only policy – it’s Edinburgh’s only hotel offering such exclusivity – enabling staff to deliver intuitive service.

Open since 2022, the hotel radiates a vibrant spirit. General Manager Laurie Jamieson shared with parental pride: “When I first walked through, it was a construction site, and I watched her transform completely. Every milestone I’ve been part of – it’s very special to have been there from her birth.”

The hotel fosters relationships with local artisans, offering guest experiences such as visits to Araminta Campbell’s atelier to see tartan being woven, opportunities to design a custom family tartan, a perfumery session inspired by Scottish landscapes, and a private fishing trip. And then of course, there’s whisky: what was once a collection of 100 bottles belonging to owner Stanley has now grown to 200 – a dynamic collection that evolves with tastings, always featuring rarer finds.

Back in the Wallace lounge, there’s no mistaking where I am: a plate of haggis Bon Bons with whisky sauce arrives, and through the window, the looming silhouette of the castle stands tall. Next, Chef Wilhelm Maree serves steaming bobotie with Mrs Balls Chutney.

As my journey has shown me, who says the best of British can’t be served with a much-welcomed dollop of home? ■

100princes-street.com

Miiro Hotels’ first UK property, Templeton Garden, is built entirely around a feeling – a cultivated retreat that feels both distinctly London and refreshingly apart from it.

Set along a tree-lined street in Earl’s Court, Templeton Garden occupies a row of restored Victorian townhouses yet carries the intimacy of a private residence rather than a traditional hotel. At its heart lies a sanctuary that honours Kensington’s long relationship with green space. It is here that the hotel’s rhythm is set – slow breakfasts beneath the willow trees, unhurried reading on weekend mornings, and a sense of escape rare in a city of this scale.

Inside, the aesthetic leans towards a modern interpretation of English refinement. Rich textures, warm timber, and thoughtful detailing create interiors that feel both polished and personal. Subtle nods to the neighbourhood’s literary and artistic heritage lend depth without pretension, resulting in spaces that honour character over spectacle and comfort over showmanship.

Urban An Sanctuary

A HIDDEN OASIS IN THE HEART OF LONDON, TEMPLETON GARDEN CARRIES ITS OWN PARTICULAR MAGIC – A POCKET OF CALM BEHIND VICTORIAN BRICKWORK, WHERE THE PACE SOFTENS AND CITY SEEMS TO EXHALE

The hotel’s 156 rooms and suites extend this philosophy. Some overlook the garden, others face Templeton Place, but all are designed as serene counterpoints to the city’s energy. Soft, earthy tones, bespoke furnishings, and thoughtful touches create an atmosphere that lingers long after arrival.

Dining, too, is grounded in a strong sense of place.

At Pippin’s, seasonal British produce is reimagined with contemporary flair, while Sprout Bar offers cocktails inspired

by the surrounding garden, blending creativity with a distinctly British sensibility.

Summer brings a curated programme of cultural, wellness, and lifestyle partnerships.

St-Germain leads a garden bar takeover, celebrating its elderflower liqueur through seasonal cocktails designed for long, languid afternoons. Wellness brand

Bodyism anchors the hotel’s Saturday yoga and Pilates sessions, offering guests and locals a restorative start to the weekend.

Creative partnerships further enriches the season. Sprout hosts one-night residencies from acclaimed bars recognised by The World’s 50 Best list, while partnerships with the Design Museum and Come Alive! introduce a cultural dimension. A series of Library Edits celebrates literature and contemporary ideas, nodding to the hotel’s artistic inspiration.

In a city renowned for its grand gestures, Templeton Garden offers something quieter yet no less compelling: a considered retreat that captures the enduring charm of British hospitality.

SUMMER IN

FROM FLORAL-CLAD FAÇADES IN MAYFAIR AND ROOFTOP TERRACES IN SOHO TO BLOCKBUSTER EXHIBITIONS, EXCEPTIONAL DINING, AND LUXURY HOTEL DEBUTS, LONDON COMBINES CULTURE, CREATIVITY, GASTRONOMY, AND HERITAGE IN A WAY FEW GLOBAL CAPITALS CAN MATCH WORDS LEIGH HERRINGER

I have the great privilege of staying in a beautiful flat in Chelsea when I’m in London. Perched on the third floor, it overlooks a green field that feels worlds away from the city's relentless pace. In summer, the street is lined with towering, leafy trees carrying the sounds of children playing and the gentle applause of cricket matches.

A charming location, certainly – but be still, my beating London heart – it also happens to be a stone’s throw from the King’s Road, where SW3’s impeccably dressed sip their morning matchas and lunch at Manicomio in Duke of York Square.

One of the great pleasures of staying in this area is that it’s remarkably liveable and central, yet it doesn’t come with the frenetic energy of some of London’s more crowded neighbourhoods. Afternoons are best spent wandering through independent boutiques and stores such as Anthropologie, Farm Rio, and Trinny London, or disappearing for an hour or two into John Sandoe Books

Then there’s Ralph Lauren, where walking through the doors is rather like entering the dressing room of a freshly showered polo player – which reminds me… have you seen the delicious second season of Rivals yet?

ART EXHIBITIONS

London’s cultural scene is particularly good this year. At the Serpentine Gallery, the late David Hockney’s A Year in Normandie and Some Other Thoughts About Painting presents a remarkable 90-metre panoramic work inspired by the changing seasons of the French countryside. Meanwhile, Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art at the Victoria and Albert Museum celebrates the legendary designer’s enduring influence on fashion, creativity, and surrealism.

Don’t miss Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait – a centenary celebration of one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons, featuring works by renowned photographers and artists, including Andy Warhol and Richard Avedon. It’s at the National Portrait Gallery until 6 September.

At Tate Modern, Frida: The Making of an Icon explores the life and artistic legacy of Frida Kahlo through more than 30 significant works alongside her personal items and immersive experiences. You can also book for the dining experience, created in collaboration with Michelin-starred chef Santiago Lastra.

on Pimlico Road – perfect for brunch – you’ll find organic everything and the loveliest homeware. The new French spot on Sloane Square is Brasserie Olivia, which has beautiful interiors, inviting long lunches and late dinners. Have the lobster and fries.

The King’s Road offers some of London’s very best food stores too. Within walking distance are Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Whole Foods, and The Chelsea Grocer, formerly Partridges, and a treasure trove for culinary enthusiasts. On Saturdays, the Duke of York Square Food Market becomes the social heartbeat of the neighbourhood with seasonal produce, artisanal cheeses, freshly shucked oysters, Bloody Marys, and bottomless bubbly flowing into the afternoon.

Exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery (The Sun and the Moon: Art Inspired by the Celestial is on until 8 September) are a must, as is a stroll down the road for dinner at the Ivy Asian. At Daylesford

Of course, my true love affair with London extends well beyond the Hugo spritzes and designer pop-ups in Sloane Square. And while Ralph Lauren’s immersive Summer of Sport clubhouse experience may be drawing the stylish crowds this month, the city’s enduring appeal lies in its diverse blend of heritage that effortlessly merges with the latest hotspots. Take Annabel’s extraordinary floral façade in Mayfair, for example. Made to mark the start of the summer, it’s worth going just to appreciate the hours it took artisans and specialists to construct.

So, whether you’re in the UK this summer or simply looking for inspiration for your next visit, here’s our pick of where to play.

RESTAURANTS

Among London’s many new openings is Impala in Soho, an open-fire restaurant with an in-house butchery that’s already been listed in London’s top 10. Drawing inspiration from North African flavours, the menu offers sublime dishes such as duck roasted in molasses with fig sauce and a celebrated date-and-pistachio custard tart (right).

Ranked in the top 20 Italian restaurants worldwide, Pollini at the Ladbroke Grove Centre for Contemporary Art in Notting Hill (left) has opened Giardinetto, its more casual summer space outside. Expect beautiful Italian cuisine such as chef Pollini’s speciality, Spaghetti Gambero Rosso, or the mortadella and pistachio pizza with rich stracciatella.

Gordon Ramsay’s five-concept culinary offering at the top of the 22 Bishopsgate building offers 360-degree views across the city. Choose between Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, an intimate 12-seater Michelin-starred chef’s table experience, Asian-inspired eatery and late-night bar, Lucky Cat, or Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, which now offers a signature afternoon tea experience 58 floors above the city.

THEATRE

This season’s most anticipated production is Electra/Persona starring Cate Blanchett. The production promises a bold reinterpretation of two classic narratives and is on at the National Theatre on the South Bank from 10 August – 10 October. For open-air theatre, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is on until 18 July at Regent’s Park, and Cats starts on 25 July.

SHOPPING

Perhaps the biggest retail news in London this year, Hermès has unveiled its magnificent new Bond Street flagship, a five-floor showcase of craftsmanship, design, and British eccentricity. A rooftop terrace, private salons, and hundreds of artworks are centred around a Norman Hudson-designed spiral staircase. The botanical illustrations on the walls in the Beauty Room (above right) are exquisite, done by one of 50 artisans involved in the building’s five-year restoration.

SUMMER TERRACES

Summer in London is terrace season, and few places can do alfresco glamour quite like the capital. The Dorchester’s collaboration with Milanese fashion house La DoubleJ has transformed its garden terrace into a vibrant celebration of colour and design, while The Ritz offers an elegant Secret Garden complete with afternoon tea, a caviar and champagne experience, and botanical cocktails served beneath the trees.

For rooftop sophistication with fragrant flair, Flute at Broadwick Soho has been reimagined with a distinctly Moroccan spirit inspired by Marrakech’s iconic restaurant El Fenn. Expect iconic red-and-white umbrellas, exciting cocktails, and views across Soho.

For something more relaxed – and if you know, you know – head to Weezie’s in Belgravia. It’s one of London’s most popular spots right now, where you can order paper-thin pizzas or small plates served with a cold pint, groovy cocktails, and excellent wines.

Take the lift in Selfridges up to Alto by San Carlo an Italian rooftop terrace where generous Aperol spritzes flow alongside an Italian menu. Some say it’s a little touristy, but with its lemony decor, vibrant atmosphere, and retractable roof if it rains, it’s a great place to rest weary feet.

HOTELS

Nearby, Zara’s newly renovated Oxford Street store introduces a sleek new concept with limited-edition collections and new digital services (you can order online and collect in two hours).

For classic tailoring and timeless style, however, few addresses rival Jermyn Street, where generations of gentlemen’s outfitters continue to define British sartorial elegance. Watch this space for information on Turnbull & Asser’s exclusive South African show days in collaboration with YourLuxury Africa

And for those who prefer village-like charm, head to Marylebone where the streets are dotted with independent boutiques, delis and cafés. Make stops at the famous Daunt Books and the gourmet grocery store Bayley and Sage

Luxury hotels in London reign supreme this year with impressive new openings. These include the Waldorf Astoria London at the Admiralty Arch on The Mall, which transforms a historic monument into 100 opulent suites, a subterranean spa and Michelin-starred restaurants.

Six Senses London (right) in Bayswater features a 20-metre indoor pool and a biohacking lounge.

The Newman is Fitzrovia’s new design-led boutique hotel with an Art Deco aesthetic.

A Nordic-inspired spa comes with an ice lounge and a halotherapy room, the first medical-grade salt therapy room in a London hotel. Designed around one of the largest private hotel gardens in the city, The Templeton Garden is a 156-room boutique hotel set within a collection of restored Victorian townhouses in Kensington, combining contemporary British design with a leafy oasis in the heart of stylish London. ■

AN ENGLISH SUMMER inthe SOUTH ATLANTIC

PART ENGLISH VILLAGE, PART VOLCANIC OUTPOST, ST HELENA OCCUPIES A SINGULAR PLACE IN THE ATLANTIC IMAGINATION. THIS IS AN ISLAND WHERE CHEFS REINTERPRET LOCAL TRADITIONS, STARS ILLUMINATE ENTIRE SKIES, AND NOBODY SEEMS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY RYAN ENSLIN

The lane offers no particular destination, and that, it turns out, is the point.

I’m walking above Jamestown after overnight rain, flanked by low stone walls and wild flax. A goat regards me from a verge. A wirebird makes its quick, scribbly dash across open ground ahead. Below, invisible through the cloud, the Atlantic waits. It feels, improbably, like the English countryside. That is, if the English countryside had been carried 4 000km out to sea, softened by volcanic air, and left to its own devices.

St Helena is a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic between Africa and South America, and among the most remote inhabited islands on Earth. Traces of that history appear quietly – in place names, garden walls, cups of tea, careful greetings, country roads, and the unexpected vowels of the Saints, as the islanders are known. Nothing feels staged for visitors. Distance has done subtler work, letting old English habits endure while the island became itself entirely.

Nothing hurries you towards the next thing. The roads teach this first. They wind through cloud forest, curl past dense flax-covered slopes, and drop into valleys where the light thins, gathers, then breaks open again over the sea. I walked them across several days, sometimes with an objective, more often without one. High Knoll Fort, the island's largest former military structure, offered a stone bench and a commanding view across the capital, Jamestown, and the open sea, a place to sit on walls first laid in 1799 as a Thursday morning moved through its paces.

The Saints carry this rhythm in their manner. Their warmth is genuine but unhurried; their conversation makes time for itself. In the shade of an ancient Ficus tree in the Castle Gardens, I fell into conversation with Basil George, a historian, educator, and keeper of island stories now in his late 80s. He traced 16 ethnic threads in his family genealogy, each one a chapter in the island's deeply layered history. When I asked about the pace of life here, he looked at me steadily. "Things take the time they take," he said. It was not advice. Around us, the garden seemed to agree.

At Farm Lodge Country House Hotel in Rosemary Plain, the island’s slower era of travel still feels beautifully intact. Owners Stephen Biggs and Maureen Jonas, both formerly of the RMS St Helena – the mail ship once the island's only link to the outside world –have shaped Farm Lodge around the kind of quiet ritual that turns dinner into an occasion.

ISLAND CHARM:

Farm Lodge carries the gentle grace of another era, where the smallest details seem to slow the day

“Nothing feels staged for visitors”

As evening gathers, Farm Lodge restores one of travel’s quieter pleasures: the desire to dress for dinner. Drinks kick off the ritual. Dinner follows with silver service, the room warmed by conversation that soon drew strangers into friendship. After the meal on my second night, Stephen noticed my interest in the sky and led me outside. Then, with the quick efficiency of a host who knew exactly what the darkness could reveal, he disappeared indoors to switch off every light he could. The Milky Way appeared dense and textured above this pixel in the Atlantic, making ordinary measures of luxury feel suddenly thin.

A TABLE IN JAMESTOWN

Then there’s Dan Flory (pictured below), a chef trained in some of Europe’s finer kitchens, who arrived when his partner joined the island’s paramedic service. Dan began baking bread at home. Soon, seven loaves became 40. Word on a small island travels fast. By day, Dan’s Bakery in Jamestown serves deli-style lunches. But at his fortnightly pop-up dinners, his training meets the island’s pantry and memory.

The night I joined, he opened with crownprince squash risotto rooted in the island’s beloved pumpkin stew, its sweetness deepened into something silky and earthy.

A couscous with fresh tuna followed, the Romesco carrying the smoke and brightness of the local tomato paste tradition. The refinement was quiet, but unmistakable. Not formality, but the care of a trained hand listening closely to the island. Each plate seemed to hold two things at once. The warmth of something familiar, and the quiet surprise of smoke, sweetness and sea finding a new arrangement.

ABOVE & LEFT:

At Dan’s pop-up dinner in Jamestown, candlelight, conversation, and island flavours gathered around a table made for lingering

Later, walking from Dan’s through Jamestown’s back streets towards my hotel, the island seemed to gather these moments without announcing them. The stone fort, Basil’s steady gaze, the remembered ship, the smoky Romesco, the sky revealing what the darkness held. Somewhere ahead, beyond the town’s narrow streets, the Atlantic waited. The goat, the wirebird, the country lane above Jamestown; each had fallen back into memory. Nothing on St Helena had asked to be hurried into meaning. Its gifts had been there all along, waiting for me to slow down enough to recognise them. ■

GETTING TO ST HELENA

Part of St Helena’s spell is that arrival still asks something of you. Airlink connects the island to South Africa, with weekly flights from Johannesburg and seasonal ones from Cape Town. Stays range from B&Bs and guesthouses to hotels; I stayed at Mantis St Helena in a heritage suite in Jamestown. South African and British passport holders do not currently need an advance visa for short visits, but receive a short-term entry permit on arrival. sthelenatourism.com

THE ART OF ENDURANCE

AS IT MARKS 56 YEARS SINCE ITS DEBUT, RANGE ROVER REMAINS THE DEFINITIVE LUXURY SUV. A SYMBOL OF REFINEMENT, INNOVATION, AND ENDURING DESIRABILITY, THIS IS THE STORY OF A TRUE ICON

There comes a point in life when success no longer needs validation. At 56 years old, a person has lived enough life to understand that true luxury is not about excess. It’s about confidence, refinement, and quietly knowing your worth. That is perhaps the best way to describe the Range Rover, which recently celebrated its 56th birthday.

Since its debut on 17 June 1970, the Range Rover has occupied a unique place in automotive history. It did not merely enter the market; it created an entirely new segment. The world’s first luxury SUV combined comfort, sophistication, and genuine off-road capability at a time when such a concept seemed almost impossible. More than five decades later, it remains the benchmark against which every luxury SUV is measured.

Like a distinguished 56-year-old who has continually evolved while remaining true to their values, Range Rover’s journey has been defined by innovation and reinvention. The original Range Rover Classic laid the foundation. Its clean design, commanding driving position, and unmatched all-terrain capability made it an instant icon. Over the years, it introduced a series of industry firsts, including permanent fourwheel drive, anti-lock braking systems, electronic traction control, and electronic air suspension – technologies that would eventually become standard across the luxury SUV segment.

In 1994, the second-generation Range Rover elevated the luxury experience. More refined, technologically advanced, and comfortable than its predecessor, it reflected a vehicle entering a mature phase of life. It possessed the confidence of an established leader while continuing to push boundaries.

The third-generation Range Rover arrived in 2001 and represented another significant leap forward. Greater refinement, enhanced ride quality, and a more luxurious cabin transformed the vehicle into a true global luxury icon. Whether arriving at a royal estate, luxury safari lodge, or five-star hotel, it had become the vehicle of choice for those who demanded elegance without sacrificing capability.

“Range Rover did not merely enter the market; it created an entirely new segment”

A decade later, the fourth-generation model further advanced the formula. Lightweight construction, sophisticated technologies, and a renewed focus on modern luxury ensured that the Range Rover remained ahead of an increasingly crowded field. While competitors

attempted to imitate its success, the original continued to define the segment it had created.

Today, the fifth-generation Range Rover represents the culmination of 56 years of evolution. Guided by a modernist design philosophy, it embodies what the brand calls “reductive luxury” –a minimalist approach where every detail serves a purpose and nothing is excessive. The result is a vehicle that feels effortlessly contemporary while remaining unmistakably a Range Rover.

The automotive world has changed dramatically since 1970. Trends have come and gone. Rivals have emerged and disappeared. Yet the Range Rover continues to occupy a position few vehicles can claim. That is the privilege of ageing well.

At 56, the Range Rover has achieved something rare. It has matured without becoming outdated, embraced innovation without abandoning its heritage, and maintained its desirability across generations. Much like the accomplished 56-year-old who enters a room with quiet confidence and instantly commands respect, the Range Rover no longer needs to prove itself. Its legacy already speaks volumes. For more info, visit rangerover.com

WITH INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND ITS NEW FIVE-STAR HOTEL STATUS, VERGENOEGD LÖW IS ENTERING A BOLD NEW CHAPTER. BEYOND ITS ACCLAIMED WINES AND HISTORIC WERF, THE ESTATE IS WHERE GASTRONOMY, DESIGN, AND STORYTELLING ARE ALL PART OF THE EXPERIENCE

WORDS CLIFFORD ROBERTS

Wine Estate More than a

Sitting at a long table for a showcase media lunch, conversation clattering like cutlery between speeches, I couldn’t help but marvel at the transformation of Vergenoegd Löw wine estate.

While Johann Gibson’s book Vergenoegd Löw Reds, Racehorses and Runner Ducks – An African Wine Journey from 1696 traces its fascinating history, I’ve known the property, situated near Somerset West, some 30km from Cape Town, for only about three decades. This is still before the current owner took over in 2015.

Under six generations of Faure Family on the 330-year-old property, the farm was among the first – if not the first –in the Helderberg to have a wine-tasting room open to the public. This certainly spread the contemporary fame of its red wines, port, and ducks, as well as critically acclaimed restaurants like Michael Israel’s Pomegranate.

What has transpired since may have once been deemed inconceivable.

At the turn of the millennium, the 160ha farm felt like a remote outpost. Today, urban sprawl along the False Bay coastline makes it more like an island, with a stately werf that’s home to geese and chickens as well as Indian Runner ducks, its fields dotted with grazing Dexter cattle and sheep, and, of course, the vineyards.

Estate owner Dr Peter Löw (pictured left), who sits beside me at the lunch, leans in and says almost mysteriously: “We are like a lost place.”

And that is no understatement. Despite having evolved into a world-class and multi-faceted destination sought out for its elegant refinement, the property provides a magical element of fresh discovery for every newcomer.

Developments have been underway at the farm for a decade already. Some significant milestones that have taken place include the replanting and restoration of the vineyards and wine cellar, the restoration of buildings, the addition of accommodation, and the introduction of visitor experiences that included restaurants operated by celebrated chef, Bertus Basson.

In more recent months, however, Vergenoegd Löw was named one of the Top 100 Sustainable Hotels and Resorts of the World by the International Sustainability Awards, its hotel received its fifth star from the Tourism Grading Council, the entire manor house went from a winetasting facility to an art-resplendent lounge exclusive for hotel guests,

and Chef Michelle Theron (pictured below right, formerly of Pierneef à La Motte and Hazendal Wine Estate) was appointed as Head of Gastronomy. Both Michelle and winemaker Mvuselelo “Vusi” Dalicuba now represent a formidable duo.

The standout of all this for me, however, is Vergenoegd’s contemporary link to the initiative known as the European Heritage Project (EHP), under the chief curatorship of Dr Löw. As such, it contributes perhaps to the preservation of a universal local identity – as the EHP mission statement declares – “not [as] a nostalgic aspect of museal curiosity, but an active contribution to the preservation of historical memory”, adding that “preserving lithic witness of time is a contribution to the history of global ideas”.

“Guests are no longer simply seeking luxury in the traditional sense”

Vergenoegd is the only entity of the initiative that is not located in Europe. Its addition was a stroke of good fortune due to the wine. The project’s investors sought to acquire a red-wine producer, but Vergenoegd presented something more that merited a second look – its heritage.

To Dr Löw – who not only holds a professorship in economics, but doctorates in law and history among other academic qualifications – it was too difficult to resist. “Wineries and restaurants have become like spaceships – you don’t know where you are,” he says, describing what seems to be a global trend towards “hyper-modernity”.

“You could be in Dubai or Germany or the US or on Mars because the spaces have nothing to do with the environment you are in. There are mass experiences to be had on the internet, but novelty wears off. If you really want to attract people the experience must be original,” he adds. “You want to the meet people who live there, who can tell a story from the past and create a future together.”

Part of getting there for the estate was the appointment of Rumour Has It Design, whose project list boasts some of the Cape’s leading wine farms, including Ernie Els Wines, Stellenzicht, and Alto. At Vergenoegd, the company worked on the entire homestead, Geuwels restaurant and wine tasting, the spa, its presidential suite, and the farmhouse lodge, as well as Clara’s Fine Dining & Barn.

“The vision for this project closely aligned with the principles of the European Heritage Project: to respectfully preserve and restore Vergenoegd’s original character while adapting it for modern use,” says CEO Analise de Beer. “The intention is not to create a museum, but rather a living environment – rooted in its history while evolving towards the future.”

Analise says that, from a holistic perspective, the design of heritage and contemporary hospitality destinations such as Vergenoegd Löw reflects a clear shift away from purely aesthetic spaces towards environments that offer meaningful, immersive, and emotionally resonant experiences.

“Guests are no longer simply seeking luxury in the traditional sense; they are drawn to spaces that feel authentic, grounded in place, and rich in narrative. In an increasingly digital and fast-paced world, there is a growing desire for connection to origin. Furthermore, there’s a movement toward intentional living and sensory depth, where environments allow for slowing down and engaging multiple senses.”

For many seekers, Vergenoegd Löw provides just this; an island, promising to continue building on what is a long and proud history of Cape wine. ■ vergenoegd.co.za

KNOWN AS MOROCCO’S RED CITY, MARRAKECH IS ENJOYING A FRESH CULTURAL RENAISSANCE. FROM ART FAIRS AND GALLERIES TO DESIGN-LED HOTELS AND DYNAMIC SPACES, THE CITY IS BEST EXPERIENCED THROUGH ITS CULTURE

WORDS PETRA MASON

COOL The CAPITAL of

Chaotic yet compelling, Marrakech is in a constant state of reinvention. The Los Angeles Times recently declared it ‘Africa’s New Capital of Cool’ – a distinction insiders have recognised for decades. Yet it's not just the new crop of sleek design hotels, stylish bars, modern restaurants, and contemporary art events transforming Marrakech into a destination that attracts creative travellers – it's the seamless collaboration with the timeless Moroccan classics that makes it irresistible.

THE RED CITY GRANDE DAME

Since opening its doors in 1923, La Mamounia has remained one of the continent’s most celebrated hotels – an icon that feels both timeless and unmistakably now. Dating back to the 18th century with royal origins, the former palace and surrounding orchards blend traditional Moroccan architecture with Art Deco flair. Modern transformations and redesigns have cemented La Mamounia as an elite retreat and global icon.

Visiting Marrakech during February’s 1-54 Contemporary Art Fair and staying at the city’s grande dame of luxury hotels felt transformative. Surrounded by artists, collectors, curators, and cultural tastemakers, I found myself immersed in a celebration of Morocco’s creative vitality. As essayist Pico Iyer once observed, “And if travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it's a heightened state of awareness in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.”

In this heightened state of awareness, I fell in love with almost everything. There was the seven-foot doorman in a fez and deepred Akhnif cape; the monumental carved wooden doors; and the cool, dappled calm of the inside foyer. Inside, the hotel’s signature fragrance – an intoxicating blend of cedar, dates, and rosewood, known as Dattes – drifted through the corridors. Even today, spraying the final drops of the fragrance I carried home evokes a lasting Proustian memory. The rooms are exquisitely appointed, with calming desert hues, bedding in the highest-possible thread count, dappled lighting, and delectable nibbles that seem to replenish themselves while guests are away.

IZZA – AN ART HOTEL

“The pastry display creations seem closer to haute couture than confectionery”

A GLOBAL TABLE

Beside La Mamounia’s expansive pool, a relaxed restaurant serves elevated classics like club sandwiches and lobster rolls. Emblematic of the hotel’s art de vivre, the Pierre Hermé afternoon tea is a gourmet highlight with a devoted following. The pastry display is so exquisite that the creations seem closer to haute couture than confectionery.

For dinner, book ahead for the signature dining experience known as Le Marocain. Serving elevated Moroccan cuisine in an opulent riad-inspired setting, the experience begins with a stroll through the private gardens lined with olive trees, orange blossom, and succulents, and past ornate fountains. The menu showcases refined interpretations of traditional tagines alongside contemporary signature dishes, many accessorised with threads of saffron. Spices are taken very seriously here. Locally sourced cumin, prickly pear, and argan oil feature prominently, reflecting Morocco’s rich agricultural heritage. Argan nuts only grow here, and the oil can be used on almost everything, including the skin.

Then there’s the breakfast. Describing it as a buffet sounds gauche – it’s more like a banquet with artisanal breads, pastries, cold cuts, juices, seasonal fruits, and cheeses. Afterwards, a leisurely stroll through the palace grounds leads naturally to the 1-54 Marrakech Contemporary Art Fair.

The greatest luxury offered by both La Mamounia and Marrakech is time itself: slow afternoons drinking sweet mint tea and orange-blossom cocktails, letting go of the pace of modern life. Marrakech knows how to slow down time – though the city’s energy is never far away.

SPIRIT OF AFRICA:

From art to dining, culture and creativity are seamlessly woven into everyday experiences

From this storied luxury, I ventured into the heart of the historic Medina, travelling by a carpet-lined tuk-tuk through a dense network of alleyways lined with piles of potatoes and oranges. I arrived at art hotel IZZA to meet Curator and Creative Director Aicha Benazzouz. Aicha’s walkabout included the hotel’s art collection, gallery, and an overview of IZZA Editions. Spread across seven interlinked riads, the hotel houses more than 300 artworks, including works by Hassan Hajjaj – often described as the Andy Warhol of Morocco for his role in bringing the country’s contemporary visual language to an international audience. Lunch was served at Noujoum, IZZA’s award-winning rooftop restaurant, where a menu designed for sharing celebrates local produce and seafood sourced from Dakhla, Safi, and Oualidia. Meat is sourced from the local Rahmna’s Farm. The feast was so generous that I left with carefully packed leftovers for the long journey home from all the way north, to all the way south. Marrakech’s appeal lies in its ability to honour the past while embracing the future. Rich in culture, creativity, and character, Morocco’s Red City remains one of Africa’s most exciting destinations. ■

with a Cause REBEL

NAMED ASIA’S BEST RESTAURANT MULTIPLE TIMES AND CONSISTENTLY RANKED AMONG THE WORLD’S FINEST DINING DESTINATIONS, GAGGAN ANAND’S BANGKOK INSTITUTION HAS BEEN REWRITING THE RULES OF FINE DINING FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. WELCOME TO THE ANARCHIC, THEATRICAL, AND EXHILARATING WORLD OF ASIA’S MOST PROVOCATIVE CHEF WORDS LERATO TSHABALALA

It’s my birthday. I’m standing by myself in the middle of Gaggan in front of a dessert that I’m about to desecrate with a hammer. In the background, WAP by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion blasts on the speakers. I have an awkward choice to make. Either dance to this provocative 2020 hit where the two rappers brag about having well-lubricated… never mind. Or be the middleaged prude this song makes me feel like I am, and just smile and wave at the 14 pairs of eyes fixed on me. And in a nano second, I remember what Lee Ann Womack once said: “When you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance”. But before I tell you how I got here, let me tell you about the man behind Gaggan –ranked by the World’s 50 Best as Asia’s number one restaurant.

Gaggan Anand has spent his career doing something incredibly rare: dismantling the rules of fine dining and rebuilding them in his own image. “I don’t use caviar anymore because it’s become overrated. It’s been put in everything from curry to noodles. It’s become an expensive item to signal fine dining. But that’s not fine dining to me,” he tells us that night. Gaggan’s restaurants are not simply places to eat; they are stages for provocation, humour, memory, and rebellion. To dine at Gaggan is to be confronted, delighted, teased, and occasionally bewildered – and to leave with the sense that you’ve witnessed something closer to performance art than a tasting menu.

And this is not hyperbole. We’re escorted into the restaurant one person at a time. Once inside the darkly lit restaurant, you sit quietly while Gaggan and his team begin to get the restaurant ready for the culinary production. “It feels like we’re in that black comedy horror thriller, The Menu, with Ralph Fiennes. I’m not sure whether to be scared or fascinated,” says my former Deputy Editor, Kate Wilson, who is sitting next to me. Later, when we’re served ‘rat brain with goat filling’ which we must pour ‘blood’ onto, and are told we can only go to the bathroom during the ‘intermission’, I realise that perhaps Kate has a point. Over the next few hours, through a 25-course meal served in five acts (India, Japan, Thailand, communal eating, and the grand finale), there will be loud music, singing, and banging on the impossibly pristine and long stainless table. Gaggan has never revealed the ingredients in this dish that is as creamy as it is delicate, but he assures us it’s not a rodent. I’m not sure if I believe him, but the dish is a stellar optical illusion of flavour. Here, all five senses are teased, cajoled, and pushed out of their comfort zones.

“Gaggan is a sensory theatre, and he is the star”

Born in Kolkata, Gaggan’s early life in India was shaped by music as much as food. He played in a rock band before entering the kitchen – a detail that explains much about his approach: the improvisation, the irreverence, the refusal to repeat himself.

After training at the Taj Group and later staging at elBulli under Ferran Adrià, he carried forward a belief that cuisine should be emotional, surprising, and unafraid of chaos. When he opened Gaggan in Bangkok, he created a restaurant that felt like a manifesto.

The world took notice. From 2015 to 2018, Gaggan had a place on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, a remarkable achievement for a restaurant that refused to conform to Eurocentric expectations of fine dining. In 2025, it placed third on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, reaffirming its status as a global benchmark for innovation.

The Thailand Michelin Guide awarded it two stars in its inaugural edition, recognising not only technical mastery but a singular creative voice.

His collaborations have been equally influential. From Latin America to Japan, Gaggan has cooked with some of the world’s most daring chefs, building a network of creative partnerships that reflect his belief in cross-cultural exchange. His venture, Gaggan at Louis Vuitton in Bangkok, extends his philosophy into the realm of luxury fashion. The first Louis Vuitton restaurant in Southeast Asia, its dessert programme is curated by Dej Kewkacha, Gaggan’s award-winning, self-taught Thai pastry chef.

THE MAKING OF A COLLABORATION

Gaggan is a sensory theatre, and he is the star. It’s a place where diners encounter dishes like truffle mushroom obulato, pork jowl vindaloo tacos, and squid shiso ice cream sandwiches. Each plate is a provocation, a joke, a memory, a dare. Behind the scenes, his team is essential to the alchemy. Wine becomes narrative, not accompaniment. Service becomes choreography. And music – the deftly curated soundtrack to this thriller.

“The man who reshaped Asian fine dining is preparing to reshape the way we inhabit food, space, and experience”

It was into this world that South African Ryan Cole stepped in November 2024, when he booked a table at Gaggan. Ryan, the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of Salsify at The Roundhouse, had long admired Gaggan’s work. Over a couple of beers after dinner, he asked the question that would spark an unexpected connection: had Gaggan ever been to Cape Town? He hadn’t. “I said, ‘Come cook with us’,” remembers Ryan. Gaggan’s response was immediate and characteristically unfiltered: “F**k yeah.”

When Gaggan arrived in Cape Town in October 2025, he stepped into Salsify’s world of coastal light, native ingredients, and quiet precision. The evening became a dialogue between Bangkok’s anarchic creativity and Cape Town’s terroir-driven elegance, with both teams working in rare synchronicity. For Gaggan, the experience was revelatory; he spoke openly about how Ryan had opened his eyes to the depth and diversity of South Africa’s culinary identity.

The connection did not end there. In February this year, the collaboration introduced Mzansi cuisine to Bangkok, this time at Mrs Maria & Mr Singh, one of Gaggan’s most personal restaurants. Here, Ryan cooked alongside Salsify’s Head Chef, Nina du Toit, in a space shaped by memory, sentiment, and the flavours of Gaggan’s childhood. The dinner, held on 22 February, doubled as Gaggan’s birthday celebration and a showcase of “Thainess” – not as a trope, but as a living, expressive identity. The menu offered Bangkok diners a rare glimpse of Salsify’s spirit; it included shortribs with chakalaka, squid with uni, and a delicious perilla leaf taco with yellowtail and finger limes, which I enjoyed with a margarita.

For Ryan, cooking at Mrs Maria & Mr Singh, the Mexico-meets-India eatery, meant entering a different emotional register of Gaggan’s universe. Where Salsify offered structure and South African character, Bangkok offered intimacy, nostalgia, and the quiet power of home cooking. The two dinners – one in Cape Town, one in Bangkok – ultimately revealed the depth of the relationship between the chefs. As Ryan put it, “It grows our community and gives everyone an opportunity to learn about different people, different cultures and opens your world to new ways of thinking”.

Back to the night of my birthday. I’m secretly thrilled that the day before, Gaggan had hosted us at his house for his birthday brunch. Resplendent in his iconic Hans Hopferdesigned Mah Jong by Roche Bobois sofa, I got to see his extensive vinyl collection –everything from The Gorillas and Miles Davis to Run DMC and Nirvana. Being a Pisces myself, it was refreshing to experience Gaggan in his element, with his team holding court, serving cold matchas and playing music at the highest decibel. By the time I got to the restaurant, I was prepared to shake what my mama gave me – to WAP – in front of strangers, because that night in February would be one of the last times phones were allowed during service at Gaggan. Since May, the restaurant has imposed a ‘no phones policy’. As he put it on an Instagram post announcing the ban, “We will not allow cameras and phone usage during most of the meal… So the hard work put into creating the surprise is not ruined. We can disconnect and connect at the same time. So that we live the moment, so we can make memories”.

A bummer for Instagrammable moments, but a win for the present moment. And still, Gaggan shows no sign of slowing down. Even as collaborations carry him between continents, he continues to build new worlds of his own, most recently with Gaggan Hotel at Daimon Sake Brewery, set within the historic Daimon Brewery complex in Osaka’s Katano district. Conceived with his Gaggan Hotels Co-Founder Jason Friedman, the hospitality mind behind some of Asia’s most iconoclastic luxury experiences, and designed by architect Bill Bensley, the hotel extends his philosophy beyond the plate into a fully immersive narrative space where irreverent storytelling, emotional design, and culinary rebellion converge.

For a chef who has spent his life refusing to stand still, it feels like both a promise and a provocation: the man who reshaped Asian fine dining is now preparing to reshape the way we inhabit food, space, and experience itself.

From Kolkata to Bangkok to Cape Town and now Osaka, the world he’s building keeps expanding – and the chefs, diners, and dreamers who cross his path are pulled into its orbit, knowing that with Gaggan, the next chapter is always already on its way, written by a rebel who refuses to let the story behave. ■ gaggan.com; mariaandsinghbkk.com

FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, BRITAIN HAS DEFINED THE LANGUAGE OF LUXURY MOTORING. YET, AS A NEW GENERATION OF CHINESE LUXURY VEHICLES ENTER THE CONVERSATION, THE INDUSTRY'S TRADITIONAL HIERARCHY IS BEGINNING TO SHIFT. TOGETHER, THE FUTURE OF AUTOMOTIVE LUXURY IS BEING RESHAPED

WORDS EDWARD MOLEKE MAKWANA

NEW ROADMAP LUXURY’S

We live in a world of contrasts. Just like the ancient yin-yang symbol suggests, seemingly opposite forces are often interconnected and complementary. The flowing curve represents the everchanging nature of the universe, while the small black dot in the white half and the white dot in the black half remind us that each side contains the seed of its opposite.

The same philosophy increasingly rings true in the world of luxury motoring.

For decades, Britain has been regarded as one of the spiritual homes of automotive luxury, producing some of the world’s most desirable vehicles. Their appeal has traditionally been built on heritage, exclusivity, and an unwavering commitment to refinement. Yet, as we celebrate the best of all things British, there’s a fascinating opposite seed that is flourishing from the East. China’s luxury automotive ambitions are no longer a distant possibility. They are rapidly becoming a reality.

Before we examine this emerging force, it’s worth appreciating the latest developments from three iconic British marques that continue to define the pinnacle of automotive excellence.

BENTLEY FLYING SPUR

Few vehicles embody the grandtouring luxury saloon quite like the Bentley Flying Spur. The latest iteration elevates the formula even further, blending handcrafted craftsmanship with supercarrivalling performance.

Bentley describes the new Flying Spur as a vehicle that combines luxury, technology, and exhilarating performance in equal measure. Every detail, from its meticulously crafted interior to its advanced digital architecture, reinforces the notion that luxury is no longer simply about comfort, but capability too. It’s a vehicle designed for those who desire chauffeur-driven elegance on one occasion and exhilarating driver engagement on another.

ROLLS-ROYCE SPECTRE

Completing Britain’s luxury triumvirate is the Rolls-Royce Spectre – arguably the most significant model in the marque’s modern history.

As the first fully electric RollsRoyce, Spectre demonstrates how traditional luxury can successfully embrace an electrified future without sacrificing exclusivity or prestige. More significantly, it’s become one of the brand’s most compelling canvases for Bespoke personalisation.

Rolls-Royce reports that some clients are now commissioning more than 20 Bespoke elements within a single vehicle. In a world increasingly defined by individuality, Spectre represents an era where luxury is measured not by standard features, but by how uniquely a vehicle reflects the personality of its owner.

RANGE ROVER SV ULTRA

Then there’s the recently unveiled Range Rover SV Ultra.

Widely regarded as the most opulent and technologically advanced Range Rover ever created, the SV Ultra pushes the boundaries of what a luxury SUV can be. With a price tag of R5 729 100, it combines elevated levels of personalisation and unmatched in-car audio innovations to create an environment that feels more akin to a private lounge than a conventional vehicle.

“The Spectre demonstrates how traditional luxury can embrace an electrified future without sacrificing exclusivity or prestige”

THE BLACK SEED IN THE YIN-YANG

Within every white half of the yin-yang lies a black seed, and that seed is beginning to grow rapidly in China. My recent visit to Auto China 2026 in Beijing served as a powerful reminder that the global luxury automotive landscape is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades.

Chinese manufacturers are no longer content competing solely in the value-driven or mainstream segments. More and more, they are targeting the upper echelons of the market traditionally occupied by British, German, and Italian luxury brands.

Of course, heritage cannot be manufactured overnight. Bentley traces its roots back more than a century; Rolls-Royce remains synonymous with automotive excellence; and Range Rover continues to define luxury SUVs for much of the world. These brands possess emotional equity built over generations.

But luxury itself is evolving. For younger affluent buyers, it’s increasingly measured by innovation, connectivity, sustainability, and technological sophistication as much as heritage and craftsmanship. In these areas, Chinese manufacturers have proven remarkably adept. This is where the yin-yang analogy becomes particularly relevant.

“Luxury is increasingly measured by innovation, connectivity, and sustainability as much as heritage and craftsmanship”

CHERY EXEED

A marque worth watching is Exeed, the premium division of Chery Group. Its striking EX Vision concept attracted considerable attention in Beijing, with many observers drawing comparisons to Rolls-Royce due to its commanding proportions, imposing front-end design and focus on luxury. While such comparisons may appear ambitious, they highlight the confidence with which Chinese brands are now approaching the luxury segment.

BYD YANGWANG

Among the most ambitious newcomers is Yangwang, BYD’s luxury division. Its flagship products, the Yangwang U8 luxury SUV and the spectacular U9 electric supercar (pictured above), are designed to challenge conventional thinking about what a luxury vehicle should be. Rather than relying on heritage, Yangwang places cutting-edge technology at the centre of its value proposition.

The U8 has gained global attention for its remarkable capabilities, including advanced electric drivetrain technologies and innovative vehicle-control systems that blur the line between luxury vehicle and technological showcase. The U9, meanwhile, demonstrates that Chinese manufacturers can compete in spaces once considered the exclusive domain of European performance brands.

BYD’s luxury ambitions, however, extend beyond China. The company is also preparing to introduce its premium Denza brand (above left) to South Africa, signalling its intent to compete directly with established premium players in our market.

While British luxury remains rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, and timeless prestige, Chinese luxury is emerging through innovation, electrification, and technological disruption.

At first glance, they appear to be opposites. Yet, much like the ying-yang itself, they are becoming complementary forces that are reshaping the future of the luxury automotive landscape. The black and white halves may differ, but together they create balance. For luxury car buyers around the world, that balance has never been more fascinating. ■

LINEAGE A Love Letter to

FROM DRESSING BEYONCÉ TO WINNING AWARDS, AISHA AYENSU HAS SHAPED FASHION IN GHANA AND AROUND THE WORLD FOR ALMOST TWO DECADES. THE FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIE BROWN DISCUSSES TASTE AND STYLE AHEAD OF HER UPCOMING RESORT COLLECTION

COMPILED

YOUR BRAND IS NAMED AFTER YOUR GRANDMOTHER. WHAT LESSONS DID YOU LEARN FROM HER? She taught me the power of being unapologetically yourself. She was blunt –sometimes to a fault – but what I appreciate now is that it takes a remarkable level of self-awareness and confidence to let your innermost thoughts leave your mouth without seeking permission from the room. She never edited herself for acceptance. In many ways, Christie Brown is an extension of that lesson.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART ABOUT RUNNING CHRISTIE BROWN? The woman I get to clothe. She remains endlessly fascinating to me.

YOU WORK WITH ALMOST 100 ARTISANS. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE FORM OF CRAFT? Embroidery. I’m obsessed with texture. It’s craftsmanship at its most patient and deliberate, and I could spend hours studying it in all its forms.

HOW DO YOU STAY GROUNDED? I remind myself that I’m a steward of this gift, not its owner. I believe each of us arrives here with an assignment. Mine happens to involve creativity, business, culture, and people. My responsibility is to execute it to the best of my ability. If recognition comes along the way, wonderful. But accolades can be terrible compasses.

HOW DOES YOUR SPIRITUALITY GUIDE YOUR CREATIVE DECISIONS?

BY

INNOCENT NDLOVU

I’ve spent almost two decades building Christie Brown. In a world obsessed with overnight success, I’ve found immense power in the long game.

A PLACE THAT MEANS THE MOST TO YOU?

Old Accra, Jamestown. As a proud Ga woman, there’s something profoundly reassuring about belonging to a place with memory. In an era where newness, flashiness, and constant reinvention are celebrated, I find myself drawn to roots, lineage, and heritage.

I don’t separate spirituality from creativity. It’s one of the ways I experience God. My faith reminds me that beauty has purpose and excellence is worship. Our gifts are meant to serve something larger than ourselves.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU NEED TO FEEL INSPIRED? I leave the noise and immerse myself in disciplines completely unrelated to fashion –art, architecture, anthropology, and African history. The most interesting creative breakthroughs rarely come from looking at more clothes. I’ll spend an afternoon studying the geometry of Sudanese architecture, for example, and somehow find myself designing with renewed clarity. Curiosity is my favourite creative fuel.

WHAT MOVIE BEST DESCRIBES YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW? I’ve always had a soft spot for underdog stories. Movies like Hidden Figures resonate deeply with me because they’re not about the loudest person in the room; they’re about quiet excellence eventually becoming impossible to ignore.

YOUR FAVOURITE DISH TO EAT? My friends and husband tease me about how unapologetically African my palate is. My favourite meal is pig feet stew with rice. And yes, I eat it with my hands.

TOP THREE CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?

The first is winning Emerging Designer of the Year at the inaugural Arise Fashion Week in South Africa in 2009. It felt like a validation of my vision. Secondly, designing for Beyoncé’s Mrs Carter World Tour in 2014. More than a decade later, people still reference it, which says a lot about the cultural impact of that moment. Thirdly, it’s seeing Christie Brown featured in London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. Not because of the institution itself, but because of what it symbolised – acknowledgement that African fashion is shaping global fashion history rather than merely participating in it.

BESIDES CHRISTIE BROWN, WHAT’S YOUR GO-TO BRAND TO WEAR? I’m a Phoebe Philo-era Celine girl at heart, and I love Bottega Veneta for accessories. That said, Zara has my unwavering loyalty when it comes to basics.

YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? Smutty romance novels.

WHAT DOES LUXURY MEAN TO YOU? Luxury is care. It’s the effort invested in making something valuable long before anyone sees the finished product. It’s the thought behind an idea. The craftsmanship behind its execution. The discipline required to do something properly when doing it quickly would be easier. Luxury is an intention made visible. And in a world increasingly optimised for speed, care may be the most luxurious thing of all. ■

THE FRESH

The debut of DJ FRESH marks a pivotal moment for KAYA 959 and SOUTH AFRICAN BROADCASTING

As the station enters a new era, his arrival signals not just a homecoming, but the beginning of a RICHER, MORE EXPANSIVE MORNING SOUND DJ Fresh’s return to commercial radio is a consequential win for Kaya 959, its clients, and audiences alike

There’s a particular kind of luxury that cannot be bought. It arrives quietly, often after years of experience, a few hard lessons, and enough time to understand what truly matters.

This is the luxury of perspective. The luxury of knowing who you are. For more than three decades, DJ Fresh has occupied a rare position in South African broadcasting. He’s entertained millions, shaped popular culture, launched careers, weathered storms, and witnessed the evolution of media from almost every angle imaginable. Along the way, he became one of the most recognisable voices in the country.

But the most valuable thing he acquired was not fame. It was craft. The ability to understand what audiences want to hear, as well as what they need to feel, and the discipline to turn a microphone into a meeting place.

“DJ Fresh is one of the most influential broadcasters South Africa has ever produced. His ability to connect with audiences is unmatched, and his arrival represents an exciting new chapter for Kaya 959,” says David Tiltmann, Acting Managing Executive at Kaya 959.

Kaya has never been a station for the hurried. It’s always been a destination for people who appreciate substance, understand that the finest experiences are thoughtfully curated, and who seek conversation, discovery, and connection in equal measure.

The audience that chooses Kaya does not simply consume media. They explore it and collect perspectives on everything from music and design to business, architecture, entrepreneurship, and culture. They understand that the best things in life are rarely accidental; they are created.

INTRODUCING THATO AND THATO

Alongside Thato Mataboge and sports presenter Mpho Maboi, Fresh joins a growing collective of broadcasters, thinkers, cultural observers, and storytellers who understand that radio's greatest strength has never been its ability to talk. Partnering with his long-time on-air collaborator and trusted producer Thato, DJ Fresh will bring his unmistakable energy, wit, authority, and connection to audiences across Gauteng every weekday from 06:00 to 09:00.

As a station built for people who move effortlessly between boardrooms and art galleries, between investment conversations and dinner-table debates, between innovation and inspiration, Kaya 959 provides the perfect platform for this reunion.

DJ Fresh notes, “Kaya 959 has built something unique – a powerful brand, a loyal audience, and a strong connection with Gauteng. Thato and I are looking forward to joining an already formidable team of broadcasters and to creating a show that is entertaining, warm, insightful and full of energy. This is a reunion 20 years in the making. That’s the last time Mpho Maboi, Thato and myself were on radio together, making this a full circle moment for us. We feel like we’re coming home together, and we want to make mornings on Kaya 959 essential listening. We want listeners to feel informed, inspired, entertained and connected every single day.”

kaya959.co.za