fondazione dries van noten | first look

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

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

If there was ever a spiritual home for Louis Vuitton within the adrenaline-fuelled world of Formula 1, it was always going to be Monaco. The French luxury house has just announced it will step up as the Title Partner for the Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco 2026.

This move comes hot on the heels of LVMH’s colossal 10-year global partnership with Formula 1, which kicked off in 2025 and saw the luxury conglomerate replace Rolex as a primary sponsor. The sheer scale of their commitment was showcased just last weekend, when 24 bespoke trophy trunks were presented at the Grand Prix Abu Dhabi 2025.

While that deal cemented LVMH’s presence across the calendar, the Monaco title sponsorship is the specific jewel in the crown, combining the world’s most glamorous race and the world’s most powerful luxury brand.

Louis Vuitton is no stranger to the sporting field, having crafted the bespoke Trophy Trunk for the Monaco winner since 2021. The trunk has already played a starring role in the victories of Max Verstappen (2021 and 2023), Sergio Pérez (2022) and Charles Leclerc (2024). Most recently, it was part of the celebrations for Lando Norris, who claimed victory on the streets of Monte Carlo in 2025 (and Schön! was there to witness it all).

For the 2026 edition, the House will present the Trophy Trunk for the sixth consecutive year, but with greater prominence. Handcrafted in the historic workshops at Asnières, in the Île-de-France, the trunk is a masterpiece of storytelling: clad in iconic Monogram canvas but interpreted exclusively in Monegasque red. It features a signature ‘V’ standing for both Victory and Vuitton, in red and white, directly matching the flag of the Principality.

The presence on the track will be unmistakable. Louis Vuitton has designed creative trackside banners that reinterpret their signature aesthetics to evoke the blur of speed, ensuring the House’s elegance accords with the legendary circuit’s twisty, unforgiving layout.

This collaboration is a natural continuation of a lineage that dates back to the very origins of travel. From the very first Auto Trunks designed by Georges Vuitton in the late 19th century to the modern Trophy Trunks created for the FIFA World Cup, the America’s Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympics, Louis Vuitton has always understood that “Victory travels in Louis Vuitton.” Now, as the title partner of motorsport’s most iconic weekend, they ensure that victory travels in style, too.

Discover more here.

photography. courtesy of Louis Vuitton
words. Gennaro Costanzo