A FRESH START

I am starting the year with a smile. That’s how infectious Amanda and Alexandre Mille’s joie de vivre is, that an interview done months ago can elicit a chuckle upon recollection. The siblings are taking the reins of leadership at Richard Mille, the watchmaking juggernaut their father has built. Over a box of kueh lapis, we discussed their entry into the brand ( there was no pressure from dad to join the family business), their respective passions, their partying together, their tattoo inspirations...

What became clear during the session was that the siblings were so in tune that they could practically read each other’s minds. We even tested their mutual affinity with a guess- what- the- other- is- thinking game, which Alex aced – of course, the cake his sister had in mind to be lemon. It was fun and side- stitchingly hilarious. The Milles had character and were not afraid to show it. Being the next generation, they were the perfect cover personalities for this month’s Fresh Issue, where we look at the new and novel to kick off 2024.

In other parts of the book, we introduce men’s suits to women’s dressing to create an unexpected silhouette of powered slouchiness. We also investigate the influence that artificial intelligence has on our beauty choices. When AI can deliver beauty solutions so well, who can or even wants to say “no”? Welcome to the age of hyper- personalisation where algorithms know our needs better than even our own mothers.

In jewellery, yellow gold has toughed out associations with over- the- top bling to make a comeback in today’s haute joaillerie design. The young are sporting the precious metal and there’s no cooler endorsement than that. Then, there’s the ever fresh theme of flora that has enchanted lovers of beauty from time immemorial. Have a browse of these exquisite pieces on Page 70.

Also in this issue, we have narrowed down the hot travel destinations of 2024 as well as hotel openings to note for jetsetters particular about their accommodation. Studies have shown that simply booking a trip will boost your mood, even more than being on the holiday itself. Anticipation is indeed delicious.

Hello, 2024!

Jennifer Chen

EDITOR- IN- CHIEF

Chalk it up to the fantasy world of James Bond to introduce an invisible car – 12 years ago, in fact, in Die Another Day. The feat is apparently made possible by strategically placed mirrors. Zenith’s Defy Extreme Mirror chronograph works on the same principle, perhaps not going as far as to be invisible, but it certainly claims to be a camouflage watch. The Defy Extreme Mirror has no colour of its own, the surface finished in a way that allows it to blend in with its surrounding. A futuristic watch it certainly is. Bonus points if it can help ladies on the go with their lipstick application.

| jennifer. chen@ burdaluxury. com