Get set to hit the slopes in new-season sustainable style. Compiled by Candice Tucker
Bogner‘s bust front is the essential item for your ski bag. With its hi-tech materials, this weightless, head-turning piece will keep you warm for those all-important hot- chocolate breaks. Sometimes you just need that extra layer.
This Lindley cotton-blend knitted coat by Isabel Marant is snug and cosy but effortlessly stylish – just the thing for walking around the village in Zermatt after a long day of skiing, or enjoying a pizza with friends at Chesa Veglia in St Moritz.
A strong contender for the turtleneck of the season comes from the iconic Moncler Grenoble collection. This wool and cashmere knit is ideal to wear for strolling around an alpine village, enjoying fondue in the chalet or to shrug on under your suit for some ski action.
As Fusalp knows, safe doesn’t have to mean boring, and the brand has a reputation for chic, high-quality skiwear. Available in black and white, this helmet, with its leather band across the top, will match any ski suit and ensure you stay secure while looking the part.
This article first appeared in the Autumn/Winter 2022/23 issue of LUX
From trash to treasure, these stylish, innovative pieces are crafted by designers with an eye on the environment
London jewellery designer Anabela Chan uses laboratory-grown gemstones to create durable, wearable pieces of art. The whimsical design of this 18k-gold vermeil ‘Diamond Galatea Collar’ necklace, from the Mermaid’s Tale collection, pays tribute to the delicate floral shapes of coral.
Prada’s Re-Nylon project is the result of a partnership with Italian textile company Aquafil, which developed ECONYL®, a nylon yarn made from recycled plastic from landfill sites and oceans. This dress is one of our favourites, combining panels or Re-Nylon with fluid crêpe.
All of BEEN London’s products are handcrafted in East London by a team of women artisans, using recycled materials. This ‘Cecilia’ cross-body bag, in an eye-catching rainforest green, makes use of recycled tannery offcuts that would have otherwise been discarded.
Nanushka focuses not only on reducing its environmental impact, but also on educating its consumers. Each garment has a QR code on the label, via which you can learn about its journey. We love the rich shade of burnt red and retro-style collar of this ‘Alvah’ double-breasted jacket.
Swedish designer Agnes Fischer set up her sustainable swimwear brand, Fisch, after seeing the effect that waste was having on the island of St Barths, where she spent her childhood. The ‘Rajalin’ swimsuit, like all of her products, is crafted from regenerated ocean waste.
These Stella McCartney trousers are made from responsibly sourced wool, which the brand selects for its biodegradability and durability. The sherbet-yellow shade and branded elastic waistband harks back to the experimental aesthetics of Y2K music subcultures.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2022 issue.
This season, look to recycled, upcycled or handmade artisanal details to update your summer wardrobe
These playful swim shorts by British designer Paul Smith are cut from a recycled polyester that’s produced from the plastic waste retrieved from landfills across the globe. The bold print, featuring splashes of orange and turquoise, is guaranteed to turn heads on the beach.
New York-based designer Gabriela Hearst’s collections pay homage to her rural upbringing, on a ranch in Uruguay, with a strong focus on sustainable materials. This ‘Mcewan Raffia’ bag is hand-woven from 100 per cent bamboo grass, with a reinforced base for extra durability.
Foday Dumbuya’s fashion label, Labrum London, aims to ‘bridge the gap between Western and West African cultures’. This blue bib shirt is part of a collaboration with Browns, featuring a print inspired by the Mende people of Sierra Leone, where Dumbuya was born.
Justin Thornton and Thea Bregazzi of Preen continue their punkish sensibility by upcycling materials to create innovative designs. These porcelain ‘Etsuko Earrings’ were made in collaboration with costume jeweller Vicki Sarge.
Bethany Williams champions both environmental and social activism through her bold designs that not only use upcycled materials, but also give back to local communities. This dress is made from deadstock tulle and screen-printed fabric using non-toxic inks.
Niyi Okuboyejo’s fashion label, Post-Imperial, pays tribute to the African diaspora through fabrics hand-dyed by artisans in Nigeria. This ‘Ijebu’ shirt, cut from lightweight cotton, is a perfect summer addition.
This article originally appeared in the Summer 2022 issue.
Instagram: @nelis_vansia
Has Instagram been taken over by fake follower fever, banal mirror selfies and blatant product promotion? Not if you’re one of the new wave of creatives, eschewing follower numbers and influencer labels and doing it their own way, says Bryony Stone
A LUX x ROSEWOOD COLLABORATION
Instagram is in danger of eating itself. More than eight years after it was founded, what started as a photo-sharing app morphed first into a badge of cool among first movers and later into the biggest photographic movement in history. People’s self-worth, and tragically sometimes their lives, can hinge on followers and likes, and a generation of self-declared influencers (if you think about it, that can’t really be a job) are creaming fortunes, large or small, from their commercial posts. Kim Kardashian West and Kylie Jenner, two members of the Kardashian clan, boast a collective total of 236 million followers, which, while there’s almost certainly overlap, still constitutes just over three percent of the world’s population.
Follow LUX on Instagram: the.official.lux.magazine
It’s unsurprising that scrolling through Instagram is starting to feel like falling head-first down a rabbit hole into a wonderland where everything is #sponsored. Wasn’t that new influencer in Fendi wearing Prada yesterday and Gucci the day before? Does he really have 871,000 human followers? And who actually looks perfect all day, every day anyway?
Yet, under the radar, a new wave of Instagram stars is emerging. Forget fake followers and paid-for posts: these creatives are more interested in contributing to the real culture in the cities around them, and in the aesthetic of what they can create on what is still a remarkable visual medium. From Paris to New York, Hong Kong to London, meet four individuals who are redefining the Insta scene from the inside out.
Instagram: @de3ng
@de3ng, New York
Sudan-born, New York-based Deng Duot Deng describes himself as a “muse, model, creative director and casting director”. He has his own clothing line called Dengwear and posts crafted images with a casual feel that combine his passions: design, football and streetwear.
Describe your Instagram style: “Grounded in the nuances of street style and culture.”
How has the platform changed your life? “It’s a way to interact and connect the dots. I can see my common interests [with other users] as well our different tastes in art, fashion and culture. Through Instagram I’ve been featured in a campaign for Apple and a lookbook for Yeezy x Adidas.”
Instagram: @de3ng
Do you consider yourself an influencer or something else? “I’m a brand and a trendsetter.”
Why do you think people follow you? “I’m pretty authentic on my profile; I genuinely
express how I feel, but with a creative touch. Being natural makes a good image and keeps my followers engaged.”
What’s your favourite recent Instagram image? “A picture of my niece and I after her baptism. It was a beautiful moment.”
What are your New York hangouts? “Different creative spaces… I like to explore.”
What do you love most about New York? “The abundance of creativity – and the opportunities that can come from something as simple as walking into a bodega.”
Read more: Canary Wharf Group’s MD Camille Waxer on urban transformation
Instagram: @nelis_vansia
@nelis_vansia, Hong Kong
Instagram: @nelis_vansia
A former woodworker turned videographer, Hong Kong-based Nelis Vansia works at fashion-focused digital-media company Hypebeast. In his free time, he shoots intriguing, moodily lit films and stills that showcase the spirit of the city.
Describe your Instagram style: “Go with the flow. I like to capture everyday life.”
What’s Hong Kong’s creative scene like? “It’s a really tough place to survive creatively because the city is mostly focused on making money. You have to be tough here to do your own thing. But thanks to the internet, Hong Kongers are becoming more exposed to art and creation.”
Why do you use Instagram? “At the beginning, it was personal. Now, I’m posting videos and photos to build my own brand.”
Instagram: @nelis_vansia
Do you ever meet your followers in real life? “Half are my friends, and the rest are interested in the things I do. When I meet followers at events it can sometimes be awkward.”
Where do you go for downtime? “Hong Kong is so dense, but outside the Central Business District there are undeveloped areas such as Sham Shui Po where the pace isn’t as fast. Here, I can slow down and see everything clearly.”
What’s your favourite recent Instagram shot? “It’s a picture of Ydizzy, a rapper from Japan. I randomly bumped into him on the street chilling by the road and smoking and I asked if I could take a snap of him.”
Instagram: @Neptunes2000
@Neptunes2000, Paris
Instagram: @Neptunes2000
Jean-Yves Diallo is a Parisian street-style star, creative director and model with a penchant for whiplash-inducing outfits and creating conversation-starter, tongue-in-cheek images.
Describe your Instagram style: “Hybrid and colourful. I’m always adding new colours and patterns.”
Why do you post on Instagram? “To show people that you don’t necessary need big brands to break the regular codes and that only you make the image. I take pictures in the subway, in the streets, in ghetto apartments… you just need to be yourself.”
Instagram: @Neptunes2000
How has it opened doors? “I’ve extended my fashion network, but I’m careful with what I post. You can get lost by posting too much. People follow me because I have my own wave; I mix and match and don’t wear mainstream brands.”
Do you feel that you’re an influencer? “I consider myself more of an icon. I don’t want to influence people and all my life doesn’t turn around the app.”
What’s the creative scene like in Paris? “It’s heavy here, but people are too inspired by other countries and too conformist. They need to let their imagination speak out.”
What makes a great image? “I style and direct my own shoots so it’s all about the angle and light. Then I add my vibe to make it unique.”
Read more: Why creatives need to understand tech
Instagram: @edozollo
@edozollo, London
Instagram: @edozollo
Italian photographer Edo Zollo has been living in London for close to two decades. His low-lit and occasionally ominous images – which are always taken after dark and capture quiet moments and corners – showcase a side to the city that’s not often noticed.
Why do you post on Instagram? “Instagram feels like a small community because followers interact and share my passion for photography, but at the same time, it allows my images to reach a wider audience. My followers motivate me to go out in the dark and take pictures.”
Why do you think people follow you? “I’d like to think that my shots are mysterious; a bit [like] Hitchcock’s Rear Window.”
Where do you go in London to take a good image? “I don’t have a specific location. I’m mostly out at night. Once I’ve found the spot, I wait until someone with just the right amount of mystery comes along.”
Do you consider yourself an influencer? “I’m more someone that offers an alternative view of London.”
Instagram: @edozollo
What do you love most about London? “That it constantly changes! There’s always something new, something that changes your way of thinking. Also, it’s nearly impossible to be bored. Everything is here: entertainment, food and people from nearly every culture, and so your imagination is free to flow.”
Where do you like to hang out in the city? “House parties are my thing right now, but when I want to be alone, the streets of London at night become my secret spot.”
HÔTEL DE CRILLON, A ROSEWOOD HOTEL
Hôtel de Crillon in Paris is a grand microcosm of the City of Lights: a historic palace that is one of the city’s landmarks, and also a contemporary home for guests. As Paris develops its thrilling contemporary art, food and culture scene, atop the cultural riches and business powerhouses that sit the city atop the world’s fashion ladder, Hôtel de Crillon is, literally and metaphorically, at the heart of it all.
Book your room at: rosewoodhotels.com
This article was originally published in the Winter 2019 issue.
Léa Seydoux, the French star who’s conquered Hollywood and is the new face of Prada Candy, speaks to Caroline Davies about childhood, perfume and Nietzsche
Serious yet joyful, sleek yet dishevelled, Léa Seydoux is an elegant enigma. The actor is one of only three women to have won a Palme d’Or, has just been announced as the next Bond girl and is also the face of Prada Candy perfumes. Following the recent launch of the third fragrance in the series, Prada Candy Florale, and ahead of her role in 2015’s dystopian love story The Lobster, alongside Colin Farrell and Rachel Weisz, Seydoux spoke to us about her journey to the silver screen.
LUX: Were you a quiet child? Was acting an obvious path?
Léa Seydoux: Absolutely! I was a quiet child, but that is precisely why I decided to be an actress. I wanted to counter my shyness. As a child, I dreamed that I would become an opera singer; I don’t think I was predestined to have a quiet life.
LUX: Do you put your past experiences into your performances?
LS: I’m convinced there are no rules to follow when becoming an actress. Every path is personal. Learning from our own story is quite logical, as we have to put a bit of our life into the character played. However, it’s not always enough. Role- playing also involves being able to imitate reality.
LUX: How has your character in the Candy adverts evolved?
LS: Candy’s evolution is linked to the evolution of the fragrance. She has always been a very colourful and original character; she’s a very impulsive young woman who does what she wants, when she wants. I think that in the first film, directed by Jean-Paul Goude, Candy was more spoilt and rebellious, but now she’s grown up a bit and is more rounded as a character. With Prada Candy Florale, there’s a greater sense of freedom, lightness and sensuality that comes across in a sophisticated manner.
LUX: You’ve said that you find it difficult to be light on screen. How do you find the lightness to play less tightly wound characters like Candy?
LS: Candy is bold and light at the same time. It’s the contradiction that I find deeply interesting. That is what I drew upon when embodying that character.
LUX: Why did you want to work with Prada on this campaign?
LS: Prada is a brand that I’m particularly fond of; I feel very close to the spirit of the House. It’s a very singular brand, and very audacious.
LUX: What is your current fragrance?
LS: Prada Candy, of course! I love wearing fragrances. I use many of them. In general, I look for perfumes with a strong personality and lots of originality.
LUX: Does the perfume remind you of anything?
LS: The first time I experienced Prada Candy Florale I was pleasantly surprised. You feel like you’re being taken on a voyage into a world of flowers, a world that is in full bloom in spring.
LUX: How do you prepare for a role? Do you prefer directors who take control or leave you to find your own path?
LS: I really appreciate stage directors who are always attentive to characters but, more broadly, I can’t say that there is one better way to guide actors. Generally, I prepare myself in different ways; it depends on the role I am playing.
LUX: How do you view Hollywood in comparison to French cinema?
LS: There is a real and deep cultural difference between Hollywood and French cinema. Hollywood cinema makes me think of great epic stories and entertainment, while French cinema is based much more on realistic and intimate stories. French people are at the origin of the auteur film industry. “ose very peculiar specificities make both Hollywood and French films unique and complementary.
LUX: How do you choose a script?
LS: For me, the director choice is crucial as he is going to lead everything.
LUX: What is the best piece of advice you have ever heard about life and about acting?
LS: “Become what you are” – Nietzsche. It is the best piece of advice for both life and acting. It means that you have to look for your talent and then continually improve it. We are constantly evolving and changes in our life have a real impact on how we are going to play a role and vice versa. Today, I’m not the same actress or woman that I was yesterday.
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