Welcome to Who What Wear UK’s Luxury News Bulletin, a monthly roundup of anything and everything happening in the world of luxury. Whether it’s a covetable collaboration between two leading design houses, an anticipated new store or a five-star resort opening on the other side of the world, you can bet that if it’s on our radar, we’ll make sure it's on yours too. Stay tuned…
Hello! Welcome to the next instalment of the Who What Wear UK Luxury News Bulletin. As we approach the end of 2024, the world of luxury promises much to be excited about for the new year. There are new bricks-and-mortar stores that you’ll want to add to your Saved places in Google Maps, exciting fashion and beauty collaborations you'll want to hear about, as well brand new fine jewellery collections. It’s been a busy few weeks in fashion, beauty and lifestyle, so scroll on for everything you need to know.
ALAIA OPENS BOOKSHOP & CAFE
If you love books, coffee, cake and fashion in equal measure, be sure to check out the new Alaia cafe and bookshop. Housed on the second floor of the brand’s flagship store on New Bond Street, the curation of books available are being operated in collaboration with Claire de Rouen—a key figure in the London literary scene, renowned for its curated collection of signed and rare photography and art books. What’s more is the baked goods are coming from East London favourite, Violent Cakes.
Alaia, 139 New Bond St, London W1S 2TL
JONATHAN ANDERSON X PLEASING
Possibly the most fashionable friendship duo are collaborating, in what may be the most exciting fashion and beauty mash-up we’ve seen all year. Harry Styles and Jonathan Anderson have come together to deliver the collection you never knew you needed. Jonathan Anderson's eponymous brand JW Anderson and Styles’ beauty brand Pleasing have joint forces along with stylist Harry Lambert to create Precious Metals, a capsule of nail polish, ready-to-wear and accessories, featuring signature JW Anderson clothing, such as the logo hoodie, the mesh long sleeve, as well as bags, a scarf and smaller leather goods like the key ring and bag charm. It’s colourful, sparkly and completely joyful. Shop it on Pleasing.com, JWanderson.com and at Selfridges now.
SAINT LAURENT OPENS NYC STORE
Manhattan’s Meatpacking District just welcomed its latest luxury store, Saint Laurent. The brand has expanded its East Coast offering with this new location, which is the largest Saint Laurent store in New York City. Fit with sleek interior finishes that match the design direction of creative director Anthony Vaccarello, expect black mirrored walls, a black wood staircase and marble and concrete fixtures. The two-floor boutique has a wide selection of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes and fine jewellery.
Saint Laurent, 72 Gansevoort Street, New York, NY 10014
FENDI FOR DESIGN MIAMI 2024
For Design Miami 2024, FENDI has worked with London-based designer and furniture-maker Lewis Kemmenoe, to create a new artful body of work. Merging Kemmenoe’s own signature design with that of the Roman luxury design house, his ‘ænigma’ collection (which is both the Latin word for riddle, but it also has an association in English, in the word ‘enigma’), compromises of two chairs, a cabinet, two wall panels, three lamps, a coffee table and an iconic Peekaboo Soft bag. The Peekaboo bag, an iconic accessory in the FENDI repertoire, is made of FENDI leathers cut into a jacket pattern from the FENDI artisans, then affixed together and patch-worked to emulate a key motif of his work.
JIL SANDER LAUNCHES FIRST FINE JEWELLERY COLLECTION
Italian luxury brand Jil Sander has launched its first ever fine jewellery collection, making its debut in the newly opened, largest Jil Sander flagship in Ginza, Tokyo. Inspired by the natural world, the collection features 18kt gold and lab-grown diamonds. Created with lost wax castings and hand polished to each be unique, every piece has its own slight iteration and identity. The collection launch comes at a time of growth for the brand, not only will the fine jewellery collection be rolled out and available globally in the new year, there will also be a new fragrance launched in January 2025.
LORO PIANA X HARRODS
Getting into the festive spirit, Loro Piana have partnered with Harrods to unveil their Festive Quest, an interactive game that is available IRL and digitally. Taking place from December 12th to 22nd, the game guides visitors on a window-to-window trail from Brompton Road to Hans Crescent, transporting them to faraway (virtual and physical) lands across the impressive window displays at Harrods. Developed by MONOGRID, the common theme for the game or ‘quest’ is 10—10 days, 10 windows, 10 queries, and 10 “Did you know” fun facts about the Loro Piana and Harrods history.
Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Rd, London SW1X 7XL
THE SAVOY OPENS NEW RESTAURANT, GALLERY
London institution in the hotel scene, The Savoy, has undergone a mass makeover in its Thames Foyer area, creating a new dining space. The new restaurant named Gallery has finally opened, with a new look and new menu. The interiors are also something to marvel at, with luxe brass and pink furniture, an opulent bar at one end as well as sophisticated mirrored walls and dimmed lighting. Offering an all-day menu with grazing platters, the usual à la carte options as well as the classic afternoon tea, this iconic hotel on the Strand is set to rival competitors with this new lavish dining experience.
Gallery, The Savoy Hotel, Strand, London WC2R 0EZ
