cupra | the new cupra raval

Louis Vuitton.

Marc Newson’s most famous design is a chair. The Lockheed Lounge, to be exact, made in 1986 which bent aluminium into a curving, futuristic form so prescient that it became the most expensive functional design object ever sold by a living creator, auctioning for around $3.2 million in 2015. Thirty years on, his newest aluminium invention is considerably more portable, and considerably more practical. Newson has created the world’s first rivet-free aluminium suitcase for Louis Vuitton.

The ‘Horizon Aluminum’ marks ten years of one of luxury’s more productive design partnerships. Of everything Newson has created, from the Apple Watch to the first electric Ferrari to the twisting staircase in Karl Lagerfeld’s home, his work with Louis Vuitton has perhaps been the most sustained exercise in translating industrial design language into the vocabulary of travel. The original Horizon launched in 2016, built around the same rounded curves and clean silhouette that define Newson’s broader body of work. The aluminium version takes a decade’s worth of thinking and applies it to a material the house has a longer history with than most people realise. Louis Vuitton was making aluminium trunks for explorers in the late 19th century. Newson is the latest chapter in that particular story.

Louis Vuitton.

Louis Vuitton.

The engineering involved in making the Horizon Aluminum look as uncluttered as it does is, by the house’s own admission, considerably more demanding than the finished object suggests. The shell is shaped through a stamping and laser-cutting process that preserves the Horizon’s signature rounded curves while working in a material that does not naturally want to hold them. The Monogram motif embossed across the surface is not ornamental: it helps strengthen the shell by spreading stress evenly across the surface, turning one of the house’s oldest visual codes into a structural solution. The absence of rivets, which would ordinarily be the standard method of holding an aluminium shell together, required developing an ultra-thin frame system attached to the shell instead. A single-piece, full-depth three-dimensional mould with no folding or riveting is a first in luggage design.

The hinges presented a separate problem. Traditional external hinges were replaced by concealed internal mechanisms, integrated into the interior without taking up additional space. The telescopic handle is wider than standard, the wheels are enlarged and made from a material designed to absorb shocks and run without noise, and the interior lining is thermoformed to create a completely flat main compartment, maximising capacity in a way that most hard-shell luggage does not manage.

Louis Vuitton.

Louis Vuitton.

VVN or black leather covers the corners and handles, one of the few places on the case where the material softens. A leather luggage tag doubles as a bag hook, meanwhile a protective cover with openings for the wheels, top handle and trolley protects the case during storage. The companion Vanity Case follows the same design logic throughout: aluminium embossed with the Monogram, no rivets, an ultra-slim frame, concealed hinges and an ultra-slim TSA combination lock.

Aluminium dents, but Louis Vuitton has thought about this and framed it accordingly: the case is built to bear its marks as souvenirs rather than damage, which is either a very elegant piece of positioning or a genuinely useful way to think about a material that will, inevitably, show the evidence of wherever it has been. Given that the original Louis Vuitton trunks were designed for people crossing continents and oceans, a few airport scuffs seem relatively manageable.

The ‘Horizon Aluminum’ is available from June 12. Discover more here.

photography. courtesy of Louis Vuitton
words. Gennaro Costanzo

The Leading Hotels of the World.

Luxury travel has long been defined by where you stay. Increasingly, however, it is also about what you experience once you arrive. That idea sits at the heart of ‘Explore: The Leading Hotels of the World,’ a new coffee table book celebrating adventure, wellbeing and transformative journeys through some of the world’s most remarkable hotels.

Released this month, the publication marks the third instalment in The Leading Hotels of the World’s ongoing book series, following ‘Design’ (2024) and ‘Culture’ (2025). Produced in collaboration with publishing houses Phaidon and Monacelli alongside New York media company The Slowdown, the new volume shifts its focus towards travel experiences that encourage discovery, movement and personal connection.

Written once again by editor-in-chief Spencer Bailey, ‘Explore’ brings together more than 80 properties from The Leading Hotels of the World’s portfolio, spanning over 80 countries. Across 304 pages and more than 300 colour photographs, the book journeys from alpine hideaways and remote safari lodges to wellness retreats and coastal resorts, examining how architecture, landscape and hospitality intersect to shape memorable travel experiences.

The Leading Hotels of the World.

The Leading Hotels of the World.

The featured destinations are presented through immersive visual storytelling, highlighting experiences that engage both body and mind. Readers will encounter mountain biking trails carved into the landscapes of South Africa, centuries-old bathing traditions in Tuscany and wellness concepts from across Asia that reflect the growing influence of restorative travel.

The book also looks beyond hotel walls. Curated day-trip recommendations accompany selected destinations, offering insights into local culture, nature and gastronomy, while contributions from experts across design, food, wellness and the arts provide additional perspectives for travellers seeking deeper connections with the places they visit.

Visually, ‘Explore’ is designed to be as much an object as a source of inspiration. The volume features a linen-bound hardcover, gilt-edged pages and embossed foil detailing, reinforcing the elevated aesthetic associated with The Leading Hotels of the World and its collection of independent luxury properties.

The Leading Hotels of the World.

The Leading Hotels of the World.

Founded in 1928, The Leading Hotels of the World today represents more than 425 independently owned hotels, resorts, villas, chalets and safari camps worldwide. For nearly a century, the organisation has championed distinctive hospitality experiences, bringing together properties that range from historic palaces and family-run country estates to contemporary urban landmarks and private island retreats.

With ‘Explore,’ the collection continues its effort to document the evolving nature of luxury travel, offering a snapshot of how some of the world’s most celebrated hotels are responding to travellers’ changing expectations.

‘Explore’ will ship globally from June 18th. Find out more about the third volume here.

photography. courtesy of  The Leading Hotels of the World
words. Gennaro Costanzo

Omeon Mykonos.

Mykonos has spent much of the past decade balancing two identities. One continues to revolve around beach clubs, international DJs and packed summer calendars. The other is attracting travellers who arrive for the same scenery but are looking for a different pace once they get there.

That shift forms the backdrop to the arrival of Omeon Mykonos, a new adults-only retreat that officially opened its doors in Agios Stefanos on 30 April. Following an extensive transformation, the 38-room property has been reimagined as a design-focused destination centred around wellness, architecture and a slower pace of island living.

Positioned just 650 metres from the beach and a short drive from Mykonos Town, Omeon occupies a space between accessibility and escape. Guests remain within reach of the island’s renowned restaurants, beach clubs and nightlife, while the hotel itself maintains a calmer rhythm.

Omeon Mykonos.

Omeon Mykonos.

Omeon Mykonos.

Architecture plays a central role in the Omeon experience. Designed by Greek studio Urban Soul Project, the hotel unfolds across five interconnected buildings overlooking Agios Stefanos Bay. Traditional Cycladic forms have been reinterpreted through clean white volumes, curved walls and large openings that frame views of the Aegean. Organic lines appear throughout the property, drawing on architectural details historically used across the islands to soften the effects of wind and create a natural flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Inside, the design continues that relationship with the landscape. Natural materials, textured finishes and muted palettes create interiors that prioritise atmosphere over excess. Accommodation ranges from Island Gaze Rooms to the larger Aeon and Omeon Signature Suites, many featuring private pools, plunge pools or rooftop hot tubs overlooking the sea.

Omeon Mykonos.

Omeon Mykonos.

Omeon Mykonos.

Wellness sits at the centre of the concept. The property is anchored by the Soma Spa, a destination facility that blends ancient Greek healing rituals with contemporary recovery treatments. This sanctuary is joined by an open-air gym and a dedicated outdoor yoga space designed for sunrise and sunset sessions. The layout flows towards a central infinity pool built with a distinct sand-mimicking texture that mirrors the water disappearing on the nearby seashore, ensuring wellbeing is experienced as a day-to-day lifestyle ritual rather than an isolated service.

Dining follows a similarly thoughtful approach. Ora Mare, the hotel’s signature restaurant, draws inspiration from Mediterranean coastal cooking, placing seasonal produce and Aegean flavours at the forefront. Elsewhere, Eos Bar takes its name from the Greek goddess of dawn, serving morning coffees and late-night selections beside the pool as the light shifts across the bay. The cocktail menu prioritises regional profiles, pouring thyme-honey-infused Aegean Breeze blends and custom Mediterranean spritzes made with fresh mandarin and bergamot.

Omeon Mykonos.

Omeon Mykonos.

Omeon Mykonos.

Behind the project is SWOT Hospitality, which continues to expand its portfolio across Greece and the wider Mediterranean. For Omeon, however, the ambition extends beyond launching another luxury hotel. The property arrives as part of a broader conversation taking place across Mykonos, one that is creating space for experiences centred on design, wellbeing and privacy alongside the island’s established social scene.

Across the property, the focus remains on atmosphere. Sea-facing terraces, long afternoons by the pool and wellness-led experiences shape the mood, while the architecture does much of the talking. For travellers who want access to Mykonos without making its nightlife the centrepiece of their stay, Omeon arrives with a clear sense of purpose.

Omeon Mykonos.

Omeon Mykonos.

Find out more about the retreat here.

photography. courtesy of Omeon Mykonos
words. Gennaro Costanzo