The power of 1
WHEN WE SHOT Alex Lam and his independent artist friends as part of our fifth-anniversary #legendturns5 series, each musician’s dedication to his or her singular vision got me thinking about the benefits of solitude ( page 89). We’ve spent much of the past year thinking of ways to combat loneliness, but what happens when we stop trying to fight it and actually embrace it?
In the case of Harry Styles, his unique take on gender-bending fashion and his willingness to show it on a global stage has set an example for young men everywhere to embrace aspects of themselves they might not have seen represented elsewhere
( page 34). In the beauty section, “Face Values” looks at what happens when gender norms are challenged by one or two individuals in a position of power or influence ( page 64).
Our watch shoot ( page 68) tries to peer into private spaces of guys who just like their alone time while our fashion shoot tries to bring out the sense of pensive freedom that can only be found while walking alone ( page 22).
In features, you’ll find an interview with Phoebe Hui, whose commission from Audemars Piguet prompted her to explore the ways in which the poem Prelude to Water Melody conveys a sense of togetherness but also heightens physical disconnection
( page 114). In an exclusive interview we also speak to former Daft Punk creative director Cédric Hervet and his cousin Nicolas Hervet, whose unique design vision can be experienced at a refurbished Cassio ( page 118).
In the wake of a rise in violence against women, we’ve put together a piece on how men can and must, each and individually, help keep women safe ( page 126). Finally, for those who like to spend their solitude at a slower pace, we look at contemporary coffee culture ( page 122) while those who prefer more fast-paced isolation, there’s a review of Lamborghini’s new Huracán Evo Rear-Wheel Drive Spyder ( page 130).
Strangely, as these things tend to be, it’s in rolling with solitude that togetherness happens. Take it from our cover star Taeyeon who tells us exactly this in her intervew ( page 76) – reminiscing on her days as part of Girls’ Generation but admitting that it was in fully leaning into her solo career that she learned to become an even better performer.