Piece by piece, interior designer Pascale Lauber and co-owner Ulrike Bauschke have carefully renovated and modernized this historic palazzo. A particularly striking contrast to the ancient walls is found in the steel-framed windows and doors, reminiscent of diamonds. Unique antique pieces and custom-made furnishings from various countries and eras come together in a truly magical way. The sofas and bed headboards come from South Africa, a fire bowl from the South African bush has been transformed into a bathtub. An old olive press serves as a communal table, and an impressive chandelier, designed by Pascale Lauber herself, hangs from the bar’s ceiling.

Located in a tranquil riverside neighborhood at the heart of Kyoto, GENJI Kyoto is a contemporary interpretation of Machiya townhouses, marrying traditional concepts with modern amenities. Inspired by the Japanese masterpiece Tale of Genji, the story of which took place in the vicinity, the hotel’s designers took motifs from the novel to create a wabi sabi world of beauty and harmony.

It may well be that you have to look more closely for the X in the products of the interior brand SACKit. And yet it appears everywhere as a design element. But the X is not the only thing that connects SACKit products. They all follow the Danish design philosophy: functional, aesthetic and durable. Here are five products that epitomise the X and that little bit extra that makes SACKit what it is.

Thebe Magugu is more than a fashion designer—he is a cultural storyteller, a visionary, and a trailblazer for Africa’s fashion scene. At just 30 years old, the South African has stepped onto the global stage, demonstrating how tradition, innovation, and sustainability can harmoniously converge. But what makes his work so exceptional, and why is he considered a beacon of hope for African fashion design?

It was a simple observation that led Paul Tsalikis to see the hotel industry with new eyes: hotel amenities were  mostly non-branded, poor quality products that didn’t reflect the luxurious surroundings and guest experience of the hotel. For Tsalikis, founder of VANITY GROUP, the question arose: Why don’t exclusive luxury hotels collaborate with equally luxurious designer brands to create an experience that truly complements the ambiance?

In the setting of a Tuscany’s villa, with its refined architecture and the enchanting vegetation’s lure, the Treble, Lulù and Nanda collections by Unopiù stand out for the essential lines, the refined materials and the soothing hues in tune with nature, thus celebrating the Italian lifestyle and the outdoor living relish.

Africa has firmly established itself as a stage for innovative, diverse, and bold fashion. At the forefront of this movement is Orange Culture, a Nigerian brand that breaks boundaries—both in gender norms and cultural representation. Founded by Adebayo Oke-Lawal, one of Africa’s most prominent designers, Orange Culture embodies the spirit of a burgeoning global luxury fashion industry deeply rooted in cultural heritage.