district vision x massimo osti studio | chapter 12

Lisbon’s skyline is about to get a serious touch of high-fashion edge. Karl Lagerfeld, the brand that carries the torch of the late designer’s colossal legacy, has announced its very first branded residential project in Portugal. It promises to be exactly as monochromatic, sharp and luxurious as you would expect.

While Karl Lagerfeld, the man, passed away in February 2019, his eponymous brand has continued to expand his aesthetic footprint across the globe, proving his vision is truly timeless. The Lisbon Residences are a key part of this legacy expansion, joining existing projects like the Karl Lagerfeld Macau hotel and the Villas Marbella, with Dubai Villas also forthcoming. The German designer himself, known primarily for his transformative work at Chanel, Fendi and his own label, was always heavily involved in architecture and interior design, often designing his own homes and studios.

Set to rise at Rua Braamcamp 48–50, just a few steps from the designer-lined Avenida da Liberdade, Karl Lagerfeld Residences Lisboa represents a piece of habitable couture designed to bring a touch of Parisian rock-chic to the sunny capital.

“Karl believed great design should be lived in, not just admired,” says Lagerfeld’s CEO, Pier Paolo Righi. “With every residence, our aim is to create a place that feels personal and true to Karl’s world. The Karl spirit comes through not only in the architecture and interiors, but in the way the concierge greets you, the calm of the spa, and the thoughtful touches that shape everyday life.”

This project, developed in partnership with Portuguese developer OVERSEAS, marks a significant moment for Lisbon’s real estate market. While the city has long been celebrated for its Pombaline order and azulejo charm, it is rapidly evolving into a playground for the global elite. By planting its flag here, the Maison is confirming Lisbon’s status as a new capital of design.

“Together, we’ve imagined a residence that speaks to comfort, elegance and authenticity – a place that reflects Karl Lagerfeld’s enduring legacy and the city’s timeless charm,” says Pedro Vicente, CEO of OVERSEAS.

The architecture itself acts as a love letter to Karl’s creative process. Designed with a precise, Bauhaus-coded expression, the building features a sculptural V-shaped façade where vertical lines ascend toward the sky. But the detail that will delight true loyalists is the colour gradient. As the lines rise, they warm into shades of red, a loyal reinterpretation of the red border Karl Lagerfeld famously used to frame his sketches. It is a signature finish that is now being applied to the city itself.

Inside, the development is hyper-exclusive, comprising just ten apartments spread across eleven floors. The interiors were developed in collaboration with The One Atelier and are furnished by Karl Lagerfeld Maison, sticking to a rigorous, sophisticated palette. You can expect brushed steel, lacquer and Via Láctea stone (a granite that resembles a starry night), all warmed by Grigio-toned wood.

The amenities go far beyond standard concierge service. The wellness floor acts as a bridge between design and ritual, featuring an ‘emotional shower’ which uses a multi-sensory mix of light, sound and aromatherapy alongside a steam room, sauna and floating pool.

What truly separates this project from generic luxury developments are the specific references to Lagerfeld’s private life. The communal pool features an underwater sound system, a direct homage to the one Karl installed in his own beloved home in Biarritz because he believed music shouldn’t stop just because you are swimming. 

The penthouse takes this boldness a step further with a private outdoor pool featuring a transparent floor that forms the ceiling of the level below. It creates a dizzying, daring layer of transparency that feels ripped straight from a futuristic runway set.

With completion slated for 2028, the residences promise to be a truly innovative living space, practically existing within a piece of art.

photography. courtesy of Karl Lagerfeld
words. Gennaro Costanzo

When Dries Van Noten stepped down from his namesake brand in June 2024, the fashion world held its collective breath, wondering what a man so famously obsessed with beauty, gardening and the slow pace of creation would do next. The answer has officially arrived today, as the shadows lift on the Fondazione Dries Van Noten, a cultural landmark in Venice that feels like a profound thank you to the world of making.

The concept of retirement never really captivated Van Noten. While the Belgian designer focuses his energy on this new cultural venture, his eponymous brand continues its journey under the leadership of his chosen successor, Julian Klausner, who was promoted internally in December 2024. Though the founder has stepped away from the day-to-day fashion cycles, the Fondazione acts as a meeting point between the very craft and material innovation that defined his collections for decades.

Launching in April 2026, the foundation is the vision of Van Noten and his long-term partner, Patrick Vangheluwe. It finds its home in the breathtaking Palazzo Pisani Moretta, a 15th-century Venetian Gothic treasure perched on the Grand Canal. While the palazzo is renowned for its Tiepolo frescoes and Rococo grandeur, the founders aren’t interested in creating a static museum. As they explain, “We fell in love with the Palazzo Pisani Moretta not as a monument frozen in time, but as a stage for creativity.”

The philosophy behind the project is rooted in the idea of ‘thinking with one’s hands.’ The foundation intends to dissolve the traditional boundaries between high art and functional craft, bringing together voices from architecture, jewellery, ceramics and even food and singing. 

For Van Noten, the motivation is deeply personal. He notes that “fashion has given us so much, and now we want to give back to support craft.” It is an invitation to experience making as a cultural act, especially relevant in what the founders describe as the “age of machines and digital revolution.”

Venice was a deliberate choice, moving past its reputation as a tourist backdrop. Van Noten describes it as “a city full of life, from its markets to its young residents, with a one-of-a-kind cultural stimulus.” The foundation aims to harness this energy, turning the palazzo into a “pulsing venue” where students can engage in hands-on exploration and established masters can present their work. The mission will unfold through a year-round calendar of residencies, collaborative projects and educational programmes. 

Looking ahead, the foundation’s footprint in the city will expand further. While the Palazzo Pisani Moretta undergoes a careful heritage renovation led by Venetian architect Alberto Torsello, a second site will follow in late 2026. This second location, Studio San Polo, is being redesigned by Giulia Foscari to offer a more minimal, experimental arena for creative exploration.

By connecting the city’s past with its creative future, Van Noten and Vangheluwe are ensuring that the craftsmanship which has long shaped our cultural identity remains visible, relevant and vital within the walls of the Fondazione Dries Van Noten.

Find out more here.

photography. courtesy of Camilla Glorioso
words. Gennaro Costanzo

Brunello Cucinelli has mastered one of fashion’s trickiest equations: how to feel utterly luxurious yet completely comfortable. It’s a philosophy that has earned him the title of the ‘King of Cashmere’ and for the AW25 season, the Italian house is perfecting its distinctive ‘chalet chic’ with a collection that is both cosy and effortlessly stylish for the colder months.

The seasonal mood is captured under the beautiful banner of ‘Cinema Meraviglia’ (Cinema of Wonder), a campaign reflecting the glamour of Cucinelli’s vision. The collection itself centres on modern, feel-good looks that combine the lightness of the Alps with a refined urban sense of style. 

Knitwear is central, of course, moving beyond simple cashmere to include chunky, hand-finished Shaker knit textures, jacquard and soft alpaca-blend cardigans. Outerwear features generous, enveloping silhouettes, such as oversized, double-breasted coats with soft shoulders, often crafted from textured wool or brushed mohair blends. Beneath the coats, the silhouette is fluid and contemporary with wide-leg trousers replacing rigid tailoring. 

The colour palette is particularly soothing: warm natural tones like taupe, hazelnut and winter white mix with cool, calm shades, embodying the serenity of the Alpine landscape.

Accessories remain subtly elevated but colourful enough for the holidays. For men, this translates to the Calfskin Watch Case in Ivory, the practical Calfskin Card Case and the richly coloured Calfskin Backpack in Burgundy. These pieces showcase Cucinelli’s dedication to Italian leather craftsmanship, offering understated luxury for the modern traveller.

The knitwear accessories, of course, remain the undisputed stars. The brand leans into the cosy, monochromatic textures of winter with items like the Cashmere Rib Knit Beanie and the supremely soft Cashmere Knit Scarf, often blended with silk for a decadent finish. For women, the accessory focus includes unique, cold-weather items such as the Knitted Wool and Cashmere Hood and stylish eyewear like the Sartorial Sunset Square Sunglasses.

Footwear spans from supple suede to shearling-lined boots and textured calfskin urban outdoor boots. Meanwhile, knitwear is trimmed sparingly with the brand’s signature monili beading – tiny metallic beads that add a hint of refined sparkle to necklines and cuffs. Every piece is designed to function as the ultimate foundational layering piece, radiating stylish warmth.

This focus on narrative and heritage runs deep, extending to the founder’s other projects. Cucinelli recently launched a major personal work: the docu-drama ‘Brunello, The Gracious Visionary.’

Directed by the celebrated Oscar-winner Giuseppe Tornatore (‘Cinema Paradiso’) and featuring a score by composer Nicola Piovani, the film had its glittering world premiere at Rome’s famed Cinecittà Studios. 

The film serves as a poetic testimony to Cucinelli’s journey, offering a philosophical account of his rise from a humble Umbrian village to becoming an entrepreneur who champions “humanistic capitalism.” Much like the cashmere pieces in the AW25 collection, the film celebrates enduring quality, human dignity and the beauty of legacy.

Discover more here.

photography. courtesy of Brunello Cucinelli 
words. Gennaro Costanzo