1. Le Chocolat Maxime Frédéric opens at Louis Vuitton’s Marina Bay Sands flagship, Singapore
This is the first Louis Vuitton chocolate store outside France, following the success of its locations in Paris and Courchevel. Now, residents of Singapore and travelers from around the world can enjoy a variety of chocolates inspired by the codes of the French maison. The unique creations offered by the master chocolatier include Vivienne on Malle, The Petula, and Monogram tablets. The ethos of this exceptional chocolate store aligns with the personality of its founder, Maxime Frédéric, a renowned master chocolatier and pastry chef at Cheval Blanc Paris. Each of his creations is the result of remarkable savoir-faire, combining top-quality ingredients and an unbounded passion for meticulous work. “We started to see many similarities between our work as pastry chefs and the skills of Louis Vuitton artisans, whether they are carpenters or trunk masters. It is all about craftsmanship and is completely comparable to our craft as pastry chefs, bakers, and chocolatiers,” said Maxime Frédéric about the essential and comprehensive role of craftsmanship. marinabaysands.com
2. Collecting Inspiration, Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co., at The Met in New York, until October 20, 2024
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York presents the extensive private collection of silversmith, designer, and collector Edward C. Moore, along with various silver objects created by Tiffany & Co. designers and artisans, in a unique exhibition on display until fall 2024. Edward C. Moore (1827–1891), the creative force who led Tiffany & Co. to great originality and success during the second half of the 19th century, amassed a vast collection of high-quality decorative arts in various materials and formats. From Greek and Roman glassware and Japanese baskets to Islamic metalwork, these objects were a source of inspiration for Moore and the designers he collaborated with and supervised throughout his career. The exhibition Collecting Inspiration: Edward C. Moore at Tiffany & Co., on view at The Met in New York from June until October 20, 2024, will showcase more than 180 extraordinary pieces from Moore’s personal collection, who was responsible for the maison’s silver works since 1868. metmuseum.org
3. Sheer: The Diaphanous Creations of Yves Saint Laurent, until August 25, 2024
The exhibition Sheer: The Diaphanous Creations of Yves Saint Laurent is on display at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Paris until August 25, 2024, and is the second chapter of a story that began last summer at the Lace and Fashion Museum in Calais. In this stop in the City of Light, and at the invitation of the Yves Saint Laurent Museum Paris, curator Anne Dressen plays the important role of artistic advisor, focusing on transparency as an artistic expression chosen by Yves Saint Laurent. Few garments are entirely transparent. In theory, transparency is incompatible with the very function of clothing, which is to cover, hide, or protect the body. Intrigued by this contradiction and the powerful role that diaphanous fabrics could play in his work, YSL began using materials like chiffon, lace, and tulle in the 1960s. As a leitmotif, he regularly used transparency during his forty years of creation, sometimes in dialogue with embroidered or opaque fabrics, reconciling these contradictions to allow women to assert their bodies with pride and audacity. The forty garments presented in the exhibition include iconic creations that portray the history of Yves Saint Laurent’s discovery of the female body, such as the first topless blouse from the designer’s 1968 spring-summer collection—dubbed the “transparent blouse” by the American press—and the “nude dress,” a black chiffon piece with an ostrich feather belt from the following collection. The exhibition’s aesthetic was designed by architect Pauline Marchetti, whose work explores the intersection of perception and space. museeyslparis.com
4. Empathy Suite, the Pinnacle of Modern Hospitality at Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas
Shrouded in an aura of extravagance and amazement, the city reveals its most exclusive secrets, hidden behind the imposing façade of the Palms Casino Resort. It is here that the Empathy Suite opens its doors to those who venture into ultimate luxury, born from the vision of British artist Damien Hirst and the bold approach of modern hospitality. Known for challenging conventions and provoking thought, Hirst lends his daring eye to create an experience that transcends all boundaries of a resting place, where every square inch is a blank canvas that receives his unparalleled imagination. The presence of eccentric sculptures evokes a unique blend of admiration and contemplation. Surrounding the space of the Empathy Suite are unicorns and other pieces by Hirst, inviting us to explore the limits of our own aesthetic understanding. This exclusive retreat is not just a hotel room but rather a true full-scale art gallery. With an area of 2300 square meters, the suite reveals itself as a sensory experience from the first moment. The meticulously selected furniture, luxurious carpets, and walls dressed with exclusive fabrics are, however, a mere prologue to the true star of this adventure: six original works of art by Hirst, placed at strategic points within the suite. The absolute highlight is reserved for two bull sharks, suspended in a formaldehyde tank, a display of extravagance and audacity that defies any convention. Hirst’s intervention extends to the tiniest details, such as fabrics designed by himself and dozens of butterflies sculpted in stone that rest comfortably on the walls and marble floors. In a world where luxury is measured by exclusivity and taste, the Empathy Suite is a haven for art admirers and connoisseurs of refinement, a hymn to beauty, style, and creativity, and a testament to the transformative power of art in everyday life.
The imposing two-story suite offers spacious rooms, a private pool and terrace, a cinema room, massage rooms, and a gym, along with floor-to-ceiling windows that reveal Las Vegas and premium service for those who venture into this incredible experience. Palms Casino Resort, 4321 W. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89103; palms.com
