15 0 V O G U E L I V I N GIMAGE COURTESY OF GORGO ARMANThis pageThe Armani/Casa presentation Echi dal mondo (Echoes from the World)at Palazzo Orsini for Salone del Mobile 2024. Details, last pages.
C H R O M A T I CAn exhibition at the National Art Centre, Tokyo synthesises the RICH ROMANHERITAGE and effusive Italian spirit of luxury jewellery house BULGARI.By ANNEMARIE KIELY
15 3 V O G U E L I V I N GPOpposite page the Bulgari Kaleidos exhibition space. Artist Lara Favaretto’s installation Level Five features inside. HOTOGRAPHER KENCH SUZUKIith global tensions escalating, the lab-grown stone market exploding, and gold at anall-time price peak, one could assume that high jewellery has had its dolce vita day.But the current anomalous buy-in to ‘hard luxury’ continues as brands reframelegacy through modern life, meaning and ‘me’ — the distinct identity who wants tobe part of the conversation and inner cabal of deeper learning and engagement.One of the best at value-loading craftsmanship with community and culturalresonance is the Rome-headquartered house of Bulgari which recently flirted withart-world scale and purpose in Bulgari Kaleidos: Colours, Cultures and Crafts at the National ArtCenter, Tokyo (NACT), an undulating jewel of curtain-wall glass, designed by the lateJapanese Metabolist architect Kisho Kurokawa.Coalesced into pristine Roppongi parkland, the NACT sits in clear, light-refracting serviceto the breathtaking Kaleidos which, drawing its name from the Greek words kalos (beautiful)and eidos (form), assembles 350 chromatic masterpieces, from both Bulgari’s HeritageCollection and private clients, within a restrained scenography by Japanese architects SANAA.The firm’s Pritzker Prize-winning principals Kazuyo Sejima (suitably attired in Miss Diorand Bulgari) and Ryue Nishizawa addressed a press pack, pre-exhibition launch, to clarify aninfrastructure that, in plan, immortalises the fan shapes of both Bulgari’s tribute-motif to themosaics of ancient Roman baths and a key symbol in Japanese culture, the ginkgo leaf.They described a stealth bridge between two cultures compelled to create beauty; a materiallyspare, spatially gestural flow through Bulgari’s chromatic evolution, revealed in a taxonomy ofchapters dedicated to The Science of Colours, Colour Symbolism and The Power of Light.SANAA’s referential framing found both contra-post and Roman correspondence inthe display props designed by Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin of Formafantasma, theresearch-driven Italian studio known for distilling context and complex story into a strongvisual language. Their expressive plinth, pedestal and diorama casings — collages ofmulti-coloured stone, glass and steel conjuring modernity’s add to Italy’s history-ravageddoorways — shorthand the musings of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius who, in 167AD,observed that in Rome, “the soul becomes dyed with the colour of its thoughts”.“Colour is not only the mirror of modern Roma. It is [the mirror] of its surroundings — theMediterranean Sea,” Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin echoed in his launch address of anexhibition heralded as the largest ever held by the Roman high jeweller in Japan.“This explains why Bulgari was the first and only to develop coloured jewellery. In Paris thearchitecture is sober, so French jewellery is more monochromatic. It is important to have thatin mind, we did not become master colourists by coincidence, but because we were born inRome. Colours play an essential role in our overall mood, in our soul, in our emotions.”The Eternal City pulses in every Bulgari masterpiece displayed, from a diamond and citrinebracelet, circa 1940, suggestive of Roman sunsets and the square-recessed coffers ofThe Pantheon’s domed ceiling, to the emerald and diamond necklace (1962) gifted to ElizabethTaylor by Richard Burton, who quipped, “The only Italian word Elizabeth knows is Bulgari.”But hell, who needs a bigger vocab, when eyeballing the artistry, micro-engineering, daringchromatic combo of emeralds, amethysts and turquoise stones in the dazzling ‘bib’ necklaceformerly belonging to Lyn Revson, the socialite wife of Revlon magnate Charles Revson.Bulgari clearly tossed out the rule book in the 1950s, pioneering assemblages of precious andsemiprecious stones — a fearless approach amplified by signature cuts that continue to intensifystone depth and tone and Bulgari’s reputation as a master colourist.But this is not just an exhibition about jewellery; Kaleidos’s entreaty is to go on a journey splitinto immersive chapters with transition spaces that deliver a palate cleanse of contemporary art.Italian artist Lara Favaretto’s kinetic installation of coloured carwash brushes brilliantly andwashes away the cerebral weight of The Science of Colours in readiness for the visual poetryshowcased in Colour Symbolism, a chapter part celebrating the staying power and articulatedmetaphor of the Serpenti. Embodiments of wisdom, vitality and seduction, they snake theirway, in coloured and constructed variations, to a quiet silver cave containing Mariko Mori’sOnogoro Stone III, a sculpture delivering the Tokyo-Rome fondness for archetypal symbolismin a big diamond shard. It tilts towards The Power of Light, the concluding chapter edging intothe “alive painting” of Akiko Nakayama’s Echo, an immersive interplay of light, colour andsyncopated sound, focusing on a petri-dish play of dripped water, projected onto a large screen.At Kaleidos’s opening and gala dinner, the guest of honour, Her Imperial Highness PrincessHisako of Takamado noted her abiding association of Italians with colour and nature’smiraculous way of arranging so many different elements into the prismatic universe of Bulgari.“The world that we live in is full of people of different colours, different nationalities,different creeds, different beliefs, different orientations, different knowledge, we are alldifferent. Altogether, we make a beautiful world, and we have so much instability in this worldthat, looking at that collection, I was thinking, this is the way the world should be.”Bulgari Kaleidos: Colours, Cultures and Crafts runs until December 15, 2025 bulgari.comW
R I V E R D A N C EImpressively outfitted, Antipodean in style and designed by HECKER GUTHRIE,the APT SOLARA is a new European river ship that has reinvented the category.By KERRIE MCCALLUM Photographed by ANDREW URWIN
15 5 V O G U E L I V I N Gith the precision of a Dutch still-life master, Lou Tandy is adjusting a bouquet ona river cruiser before its departure from Rotterdam. “I found them in a local florist— they’re called forever flowers,” she says. It feels as though APT Luxury Travel, herfamily’s company, has achieved forever status, too. Over the past century, theMelbourne-based pioneer has made inroads to every corner of the globe. Now,the group is launching a fleet for navigating the Rhine, Main and Danube waterways.The first ship is the APT Solara (its twin, the APT Ostara, launched a few monthslater). I join the Solara’s inaugural sailing on a four-night cruise around The Netherlands. Thereis a whirl of activity on board as staff ready the vessel for its debut, and calling the shots areTandy and her brother Rob McGeary, APT’s co-owners and directors.Travel is in their genes. Their grandfather, Bill McGeary, founded Australian Pacific Touringin 1927, carving out popular bus routes in Victoria. In the 1960s, his son, Geoff McGeary,steered the venture, expanding its tours. After six decades at the helm, McGeary senior recentlypassed the baton to his children. The introduction of these ships, the company’s originaldesigns, signals a bold new era.Docked at Rotterdam’s New Meuse River, Solara stands out. Its dashing exterior is painteda matte French navy, its pale floorboards gleam in the morning light. The ship’s airy entrywayresembles a chic hotel lobby, with high ceilings, a circular skylight and marble tables. Artworksfrom Melbourne gallery Otomys, including moody landscapes by Greg Wood, adorn the walls.If the aesthetics have an Antipodean character, it’s intentional. “It’s a ship designed byAustralians for Australians,” confirms McGeary, who engaged Melbourne design studioHecker Guthrie. Known for exceptional residential and hospitality projects, the firm had neverdesigned a ship before — and that was a plus. “Lou and Rob wanted to break the mould, anddo something different to what was out there,” says co-founding principal, Paul Hecker.The brief was to create a ship that felt light and inviting, underpinned with stellar fittings andfurnishings — many are from Gervasoni and Cassina. “The fabrics are beautiful and, insteadof relying on patterns, we showcase subtle plays of texture,” says Hecker. Pale marble featuresprominently, too. “We used it in areas where people can touch it and engage with it,” he adds.Solara feels at once nostalgic, inventive and coolly modern. As McGeary puts it, “It’s a blend ofEuropean elegance with Australian ease.”That cultural mix is also apparent in the approach to dining. Solara has six distinct concepts,as well as room service; all food, drinks and excursions are included in the fare. Among themis Bistro Saison, which has all the glamour of a European neighbourhood haunt. The Owner’sCellar is an intimate dining room, while the Salon is a welcoming zone for breakfast and lunch.Sun-dappled Annie’s Table, named for Tandy and McGeary’s mother, serves delicious fare.With a maximum of 154 guests (and 60 crew), there’s ample room to move and a seeminglyendless number of dishes to try. “We wanted to offer multiple styles of dining,” says Tandy.To express their vision, the group enlisted Monique Lane of Fellow Hospitality, who isrenowned for designing venues with a sense of story and place. “My goal was to make it feel likeyou were walking down the street and popped into a restaurant,” Lane says.Raising the bar on river cruising was more than a vague notion — take Grüner Bar &Dining, where hydraulics elevate the venue from the Upper Deck to the Sun Deck. A worldfirst on rivers, the eatery offers unobstructed views of a port when the ship is docked.A conversation lounge on the roof is inspired by the idea of sitting around an Australiancampfire. “One of the things that we are great at doing is bringing people together,” says Tandy.“That goes right back to our earliest forays in the outback as an overland bus touring company.”And speaking of going “full circle”, the ship’s curved design features sinuous walls and windingstairs. Even the pool is round.Solara means light and energy, and the cabins are infused with both. There are three types:cosy entry-level rooms with timber-panelled walls and plush golden carpet that feel polished,tactile and indulgent; the Balcony Suites, which are fitted with electric windows that slide openfor fresh air; and eight Owner’s Suites offering additional seating areas, generous balconiesand original prints by Australian photographer Nick Wilkins. The tiled bathrooms come withample storage, enormousshower heads and handmade marble basins.“They are realsanctuaries,”says Hecker. “They’re calm, sophisticated spaces with soft pastels.” Quips McGeary, “Thosebeds cure jet lag.”On a typical sailing, guests will glide by the vineyards of the Rhine, the old-world villagesof the Main and the medieval castles of the Danube. On a canal tour in Amsterdam, our guidepoints out the house where Rembrandt painted The Night Watch. At Keukenhof, a botanicalgarden in Lisse, I’m struck with tulip fever. An overnight stay at Dordrecht, one of the oldestcities in the country, reveals a picturesque village of vintage stores, bars and vinyl-record shops.I borrow one of the ship’s e-bikes and ride along cobblestone streets, stopping for poffertjes,which are fluffy miniature pancakes. If I wanted to, I could have offset the local treats witha visit to the ship’s terracotta-hued spa and gym.It’s fitting to conclude our journey in Amsterdam, which is celebrating its 750th anniversary.For APT, 2025 is turning out to be a banner year, too. aptouring.com.au heckerguthrie.comW
Celebrating French SAVOIR FAIRE within the lush, immersive surrounds of theGreat Barrier Reef, Veuve Clicquot’s LE PICNIC is a unique experience not to be missed.By YEONG SASSALLL E S O L E I L
157 V O G U E L I V I N GPHOTOGRAPHER JAMES VODICKA/MAGES COURTESY OF VEUVE CLCQUOThere are few experiences that herald the beginning of summer more vividly than thealfresco picnic. And this spring, Veuve Clicquot has assembled the ultimate expressionof summer via Le Picnic, the world’s most exclusive outdoor dining experience.Channelling the solaire spirit that has defined the iconic Champagne house for morethan 250 years, Le Picnic melds culinary excellence with French-born decadence, amidthe startlingly beautiful tropical backdrop of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef.Le Picnic Australia follows a path paved by other Clicquot activations in far-flungdestinations across the world, including France, USA, Spain and Japan, and the lavish eventbrings the house’s unique joie de vivre to a pristine pocket of the Whitsundays. Locatedjust a short sail from Hayman Island, Le Picnic invites guests on Langford Island, wherea gastronomical journey curated by renowned Australian chef Analiese Gregory awaits.Gregory’s professional exploits include stints at the Michelin-starred Le Meurice in Paris andThe Ledbury in London, as well as Sydney’s Quay, and in 2019, she swapped the bright citylights for more rugged terrain, plunging herself into the wildest reaches of Tasmania as shelearnt to hunt, fish, and forage from the land, season by season.To mark the occasion, Gregory carefully crafted a menu wholly inspired by her time spentforaging on the island, and this is delivered by Hayman Island chefs at every Le Picnic. Themenu draws on the region’s bountiful local produce and highlights include oysters,mud crab finger sandwiches, chargrilled octopus with smoked macadamia and pickled currants,coral trout and a dessert of rainforest honey Madeleines with cultured cream and seasonal fruit— with each dish matched by chilled Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label or Rosé poured bya Clicquot sommelier. Underscored by colourful Provençal-style textiles and exuberant beachaccessories by luxury French lifestyle brand Souleiado, Le Picnic revels in the stunningsurrounds of the island’s tidal sand spit, rocky bluff and aquamarine water, elevating the art ofthe outdoor picnic into a series of extraordinary and unforgettable moments.A stay at the nearby InterContinental Hayman Island is the perfect accompaniment toLe Picnic and the hotel has teamed up with Veuve Clicquot to offer a range of luxuriouspackages. At the lavish end, Australia’s Most Exclusive Picnic Buyout promises anultra-exclusive event for 20 guests, including a Clicquot Concierge transfer, private reef-seekerboat to Langford Island, fully styled event setup, live DJ, and bar, alongside two nights at theInterContinental Hayman Island with airport transfers and breakfast. Couples or moreintimate parties can opt for Australia’s Most Exclusive Picnic Escape, which features a similargourmet picnic experience (minus the DJ, bar and Clicquot Sommelier service) and two nights’accommodation, with transfers and breakfast. And for those already staying at theInterContinental Hayman Island, there’s an exclusive picnic upgrade available, too.Ever mindful of its carbon footprint and the ongoing fragility of the reef, Veuve Clicquot andInterContinental Hayman Island has partnered with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation toplant a piece of coral in honour of each guest who books Le Picnic. Chic and sustainable,it’s available for a limited time only. veuveclicquot.com.auThis page the Le Picnic experience includes a private reef-seeker boat trip to Langford Island. Opposite page guestsenjoying a picnic on a stretch of sand with a menu inspired by chef Analiese Gregory.T
POSTSCRIPTV L P R O M O T I O NUpdate your home and elevate your lifestyle with these covetable offerings.AMERICAN DREAM“Before I had a home in the West, I lived there in my heart,”says Ralph Lauren, whose autumn/winter 2025 collectionis imbued with the same adventurous spirit and ruggednessas the American West. Here, polished tailoring is juxtaposedwith fringed detailing and romantic lace in a collection thatshowcases the label’s timeless design codes. Every piece, fromfringed jackets and chambray shirts to delicate lace blousesand silk dresses, celebrates Ralph Lauren’s mastery of classicAmerican apparel, albeit with a chic, contemporary twist.See the collection at ralphlauren.com.auSTAR POWERFor fans of British star Elton John,prepping the tree for Christmaswouldn’t be complete without aspecial ornament to represent theglobal icon. A golden ‘E’ has beenexpertly cut into shape and thestarry centre is a nod to hisunrivalled status in the musicindustry. Uniquely presented in anElton John gift box, it’s the perfectpresent for fans. Find out more byvisiting waterfordcrystal.com.auMERRY & BRIGHTJo Malone London’s Christmas collection is a festive feast forthe senses. Declaring it ‘the season of fun and games’, Britain’spremier fragrance and lifestyle brand has simplified yourfestivities with a line-up of scented candles, bath and bodyproducts, and home fragrances and diffusers — perfect forhosting or gift-giving. Boasting scents like Orange Bitters andGinger Biscuit and the limited edition Sandalwood & SpicedApricot, the range features a luxurious Twelve Day OrnamentCollection made up of individually wrapped ornamentscontaining miniature candles and colognes.Find out more at jomalone.com.auA PLACE IN THE SUNElevate everyday rituals with Chloe, Harbour’s award-winningoutdoor lounge chair, which has been designed to seamlessly blendindoor comfort with weather-proof resilience. Chloe’s elegant andsculptural design features sensual curves, sloping almond-shapedarmrests and a solid teak frame with a split back. Little wonder thatits list of accolades include a 2025 Australian Good Design Award forProduct Design in Furniture and Lighting, and a 2025 NYCxDesignAward for Best Outdoor Collection. Channelling contemporary easewith the hardiness of outdoor furniture, you can browse the full Chloecollection at shopharbour.com.auJUST THE TICKETTravel Associates is your go-to sourcefor curated luxury travel experiences.Its nine-night Ultimate Swedenitinerary explores the Nordic countrythrough husky sledding, a trip to seethe Northern Lights and a stay in afloating hotel, making for a trulyimmersive experience. To findout more about this trip and otherdestinations, go to travelassociates.com/ultimate-sweden
15 9 V O G U E L I V I N GPHOTOGRAPHER ANSON SMART STYLIST JOSEPH GARDNER506070 506070.com.au ABC Carpet abchome.com AgapeCasa agapecasa.itAlex Katz alexkatz.com Alex Seton alexseton.com Alustain alustain.com.auAnish Kapoor anishkapoor.com Annie Morris @annie_morris_studio AntiquesArt-Design antiques-art-design.com Antony Gormley antonygormley.comApparatus apparatusstudio.com Artedomus artedomus.com Astra Walkerastrawalker.com.au Atelier de Troupe atelierdetroupe.com Atmosfera Studioatmosfera-studio.com.au Australian Timber Ceilings australiantimberceilings.com.au Avenza Stone avenzastone.com.au Axess Glass Products axessglassonline.com Bazaa bazaa.com.au Bennet Schlesinger bennetschlesinger.com BigStuffedbigstuffed.com Bisazza Tiles bisazza-australia.com.au Blinds by Peter Meyerpetermeyerblinds.com.au Bondi Kitchens bondikitchens.com.au Bruder bruderco.be Cadrys cadrys.com.au Candana candana.com.au Carl Hansen & Søncarlhansen.com Carole Serny @caroleserny Cassina cassina.com Castorinacastorina.com.au Chris Lehrecke chrislehrecke.com Chris Wolston chriswolston.com Christophe Delcourt christophedelcourt.com Clarence House clarencehouse.com Coen Young coenyoung.com Cosh Living coshliving.com.au Craft Victoriacraft.org.au Criteria criteriacollection.com.au Daimon Downey@daimon_downeyDale Frank @dalefrankstudio De Padova depadova.com Dedar dedar.comDemisch Danant demischdanant.com District Furniture district.com.auDobrinka Salzman dobrinkasalzman.com Dornbracht dornbracht.com Duluxdulux.com.au Dunlin dunlin.com.au Eco Outdoor eco-outdoor.com Ellen [email protected] Erol Akyavaş erolakyavas.org Esther Stewart estherstewart.comF. Taylor Colantonio ftaylor.co Faye Toogood fayetoogood.com Fine Arts,Sydney finearts.sydney Fineworks Paddington fineworkspaddington.com.auFiona Brockhoff fionabrockhoffdesign.com Fox Jensen Gallery jensengallery.comFranAniorte frananiorte.com GalerieAlexandreGuillemainalexandreguillemain.com Galerie Patrick Seguin patrickseguin.com Garcé Dimofski garce-dimofski.com Garnier & Linker garnieretlinker.com Gemma Smith gemma-smith.comGina Gallina ginagallina.com Halcyon Lake halcyonlake.com Hali hali.com.auHallworth hallworth.com Hay hayshop.com.au Hechizoo hechizoo.com HubertLe Gall @hubert_le_gall Humble Matter by John Born @humblematter IndiviSutton@indivisutton JCSFlooring jcsflooring.com JackPierson jackpiersonstudio.com Jacquemus+Exteta exteta.it James DeWulf jamesdewulf.com James DunlopTextiles jamesdunloptextiles.com Jardan jardan.com.au Jonathan Westjonathanwest.com.au Kartell kartell.com Knoll knoll.com Kolkhoze kolkhoze.frKostas Lambridis kostaslambridis.com Kwangho Lee kwangholee.com Lamitaklamitak.com Lara Merrett laramerrett.com Laura Jones laurajones.com.auLavender Oriental Carpetslocrugs.com Leilah Babirye @babiryesculptor Life byShades lifebyshades.com Loom Rugs loomrugs.com Luceplan luceplan.comLynda Draper @lynda_draper M Contemporary mcontemp.com Makiko Ryujinmakikoryujin.com Maria Fernanda Cardoso mariafernandacardoso.com MarkTuckey marktuckey.com.au Martino Gamper martinogamper.com MatthewAllen @matthew__allen Mennour mennour.com Miniforms miniforms.comMobilia mobilia.com.au Myungjin Kim mjkimstudio.com Nasha Gallerynasha.com.au Nathan Hawkes @n.a.t.h.a.n.h.a.w.k.e.s Nefiko Marble nefiko.comNicholas & Alistair nicholasandalistair.com Noble Elements nobleelements.com.au Obeco Glass Blocks obeco.com.au Olga de Amaral olgadeamaral.artPaola Napolene paolanapoleone.com Patrick Crulis @patrick_crulis PatrickNaggar patricknaggar.com Paul Snell paulsnell.com Perennials perennialsfabrics.com Perrine Rousseau perrinerousseau.com Philippe Hiquily hiquily.comPhillip Jeffries phillipjeffries.com Pierre Frey pierrefrey.com Play by Designplaybydesign.com.au Poltronova poltronova.it Porky Hefer @heferporky Porter’sPaints porterspaints.com Raymond Jungles raymondjungles.com Rebel Wallsrebelwalls.com Reinaldo Sanguino reinaldosanguino.com Remy PajaczkowskiRussell remypr.com Rick Carlino @rick_carlino Rogers & Goffigonrogersandgoffigon.com Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery roslynoxley9.com.au Ryser ryser.auSaint Cloche Gallery saintcloche.com Saporiti saporiti.com Secondi secondi.com.au Sergio Rodrigues sergiorodriguesatelier.com.br Server Demirtraş@server_demirtas Signorino signorino.com.au Soufiane Zarib soufiane-zarib.comSpace Furniture spacefurniture.com.au Steve Lees @steveleesstudio Studio Almstudioalm.com Studio Gallery studiogallerymelbourne.com.au Studio Gardnerstudiogardner.com Sullivan+Strumpf sullivanstrumpf.com Sussex Tapssussextaps.com.au Tacchini tacchini.it Tadashi Kawamata tadashikawamata.comTamsin Johnson Showroom tamsinjohnson.com Tarryn Gill tarryngill.comTeraNova Tiles teranova.com.au Tereza Green Collection @terezagreencollectionThe English Tapware Company englishtapware.com.au Tim Silver @tim_silverTongue & Groove tongueandgroove.com.au Tracy Sarroff @tracysarroff_artTsar Carpets tsarcarpets.com Unique Fabrics uniquefabrics.com.auVampt Vintage Design vamptvintagedesign.com Van Rossum vanrossum.euViúva Lamego viuvalamego.com Volker Haug Studio volkerhaug.comWalters Wicker walterswicker.com Wout Wessemius wessemius.nl Yona Lee@ylee138 Zemba Luzamba @lutandaluzamba Zip zipwater.comThis page the dining room of a Sydneyhome, designed by Tamsin Johnson.Turn to page 122 for the full story.
16 0 V O G U E L I V I N GWRTTEN BY: YEONG SASSALL. PHOTOGRAPHER XU WANG. STYLST: PEIPE HSUThis page Up 50 armchair by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia, POA, from Space Furniture, spacefurniture.com.auSince its 1969 inception, GAETANO PESCE’S Up Series has transcendedthe era it was born, balancing the TECHNICALITY of its innovative foaminterior with the SENSUALITY of its curvaceous embrace.FINE FORM