LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
THE YEAR OF the Rat may not have begun on a propitious note with a looming pandemic, trade war uncertainty and a global slowdown, but Spice likes to focus on the half full premise. And the beginning of a decade seems like a good time to focus on a question that the luxury industry has been forced to ask itself: what next? So our issue this time turns the spotlight on the best luxury buys for the coming year. But it isn’t about self-absorbed decadence that chooses to wink at reality but rather about intelligent luxury that breathes with a conscience.
Ravi Thakran, Group President of South and South East Asia and Middle East at Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH ), outlines luxury’s mandate, taking stock of worldwide trends and how they will affect consumer buying. He explains how “today’s millennials are different from the luxury consumer of yore; they care about the environment, sustainability, fair trade, and last mile provenance.” With a rejection of mainstream brands in favour of authenticity, sustainability is another welcome trend that continues to wield huge influence. For instance, luxury carpets have been growing in single digits but ethical carpets are up 35 to 40 per cent.
With Asia finally carving a niche by creating its own brands like Gentle Monster; the rise of heritage brands and a return to classics, this Spice issue invites captains of industry and luxury experts to guide you through the plethora of choices available to offer the ultimate luxury buying guide where craftsmanship, creativity and class serve as hallmarks and milestones.
Nothing spells authentic more than Ayurveda. Spice celebrates the age-old wisdom of ancient beauty as Kavita Khosa, founder of luxury Ayurveda brand Pure Earth, outlines slow beauty rituals that patronise traditional ingredients. Provenance and perfection walk hand in hand with mouth blown, hand-cut crystal as Jerome de Lavergnolle, CEO, Saint-Louis Cristallerie—the first crystal glass manufacturer in continental Europe—guides us through the facets of luxury crystal.
Whether it’s an Hermes throw, a Gucci cushion, Fornasetti furniture, quirky collectable dolls by Bosa or spire candles by Lladro, there is plenty by way of informed ideas for your castle or countenance. Your home may not be dressed in accordance with the Pantone Colour of the Year—Classic Blue—but according to Italian luxury jewellery trends forecaster, Paola De Luca, cuffs, cocktail rings and couture necklaces in blue-hued metals will keep you opulent, theatrical and au courant. Whether it’s jewellery, fashion, or watches, the Spice wish list will ensure that you are not just in step with but well ahead of time.