|From the Editor| Quiet luxury is one of this year’s trendiest trends, evident everywhere from cinema screens to fashion catwalks. On the Cover But really, quiet luxury isn’t just a short-term craze. Its emphasis on timeless style is a welcome acknowledgement of what we all know: namely, that quality is so often more interesting than quantity. We hone in on quiet luxury in menswear on page 54, where Milan-based designer Brett Johnson aptly sums up his approach, “Everyone’s talking about this quiet luxury thing as a trend, but, to me, it’s always been a way of life.” It is a focus on beautiful fabrics and flattering cuts, on meticulous craftsmanship and the absence of a logo: it is what so many Italian brands have championed for decades, from Brioni to Loro Piana to Brunello Cucinelli. The edition of Centurion you hold in your hands is in many ways an homage to the classics – and not just in the world of fashion. From places that are slowly evolving, like Mallorca or Siargao, to standout objects of desire that are updating for contemporary tastes, including yachts and timepieces, we celebrate these standbys not because they are relics of the past, but rather because they are so appealing in their transition into another era, blending old with new. Elsewhere in the magazine, we continue our own evolution with thoughtful pieces on the explosion of retreats that promote ageing well (and, in some cases, increased longevity) and on the role of an art adviser in an increasingly complicated art world. We also explore the global property scene, spotlighting scenic locales that offer prime value. We wish you happy reading. — Christian Schwalbach THIS SEASON, we showcase the complex artistry of American photographer and mixedmedia artist Cara Barer, whose work examines the ephemeral beauty of books – and questions the future of the printed word. “Books, physical objects and repositories of information are being displaced by zeros and ones in a digital universe with no physicality,” says Barer, who upcycles discarded books into rarefied feats of sculpture, then photographs them: her way, she says, of giving life to a book that was no longer wanted. “I have fully embraced technology,” she adds, “but fear the loss of the beautiful record of books common over the last two centuries.” Barer splits her time between Houston and Santa Fe, and has exhibited her work in venues across the US and Europe. carabarer.com 20 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
