DEPARTURES STYLE
DEPARTURES STYLE GETTING IT RIGHT 52 “Young people want top-quality clothes that last and support traditional savoir-faire” style, modelled by her friends and their daughters, attracts young clients who “care greatly about waste and its environmental effects and ask questions about the creativity and craft of these beautiful pieces. They want top-quality clothes that last and support traditional savoir-faire.” Japanese couturier Yuima Nakazato reached the same conclusion by different methods. Shocked by the dumping of Western clothing in a Kenyan landfill, he bought 150 kilograms of waste clothing there for his new collection. He then worked with a Japanese-invented dry-fibre technology to create fine fabric that he turns into beautiful, draped and folded, any-gender robes. Technology makes huge advances, but it needs to go faster, despite successes like this, and Siri Johansen’s Paris-based Waste Yarn Project, where surplus yarns are grouped into broad colour spectra and knitted according to a “wheel of fortune” – random computerised mixing of colour blocks and stripes that always seem harmonious. “It started as a design challenge when I saw the mills’ surplus yarn,” she says, “I didn’t want knitters to worry about choosing ‘correct’ colours.” The project is modest, and the most challenging buzzword is still “scale”. The way forward is indicated by Allbirds, a footwear brand co-founded by New Zealander Tim Brown in 2016 Clockwise from bottom left: Mulberry Lily clutch in metallic leather, mulberry.com; shorts and top in upcycled linen, paired with a pleated denim cape, by ELV Denim, elvdenim.com; an elegantly casual outfit by Welsh marque Toast, toa.st that is aimed at achieving carbon neutrality. It recently announced a carbon-neutral shoe, a tough item to make sustainably because of its complexity. It is made primarily of wool from one New Zealand farm that is carbon negative because of sensitive land use, and this offsets other carbon-positive components. Modern and streamlined, it meets Allbirds’ stringent requirements for comfort – but is still a prototype. Though Brown aims to commercialise the design next year, he can’t change the vast sneaker market on his own. Talk to the Italian founder of SQIM, Stefano Babbini, about the mycelium (mushroom fibre) that he is developing and you see the technology is there even if the scale isn’t. The resulting material is a tough and good-looking leather substitute achieved by low-input, high-tech methods. He has already collaborated with Balenciaga, but for the sake of future generations, scaling up needs perfecting very soon. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: © ELV DENIM, © TOAST, © MULBERRY
PARADISE, within REACH With it’s champagne-coloured sand, clear warm water gently lapping the beach, palm fronds rustling against the bluest sky the Platinum coast on the northern west coast of Barbados, is the sunny playground of choise for celebrities, royals and tycoons alike. On this coastline synonymous with understated luxury, St Peter’s Bay resort presents an attainable dream beachfront luxury residences with open living, familyfriendly amenities and sweeping ocean views at affordable prices. A private enclave with a welcoming community feel, St Peter’s Bay is ready-made for multi-generational fun, from learning how to stand up on a paddle board and recharging on the beach with a rum cocktail under a parasol to exploring the nearby world-class golf course, polo club and sailing experiences. The resort has its own beachfront restaurant, the Gazebo, one of the best restaurants in the area, and a water-taxi service to the historic old port of Speightstown and other notable restaurants along the coast. With a casual-luxe vibe and fantastic array of water sports for children of all ages, including kayaking, paddle boarding and wakeboarding, St Peter’s Bay is primed for winter-sun relaxation and full-on adventures in a tropical climate. add in a private pool, jacuzzi, fitness centre and an excellent kids activity centre and the resort presents exceptional value for a lifestyle investment in a Caribbean idyll properties range from £1.35 million to £1.8 million, and a signature penthouse at £4.4 million. There are 57 private residences, each just steps from the water’s edge with uninterrupted views of the powdery sand, dazzling sea and sky. Each property is turn-key – fully furnished with a well-equipped kitchen and laundry facilities, three en-suite bedrooms and spacious living rooms. The residences average 2,700 square feet, plus further outside terraces or balconies with dining and lounging areas. St Peter’s Bay is designed for practicality as well as comfort, and the landscaped community layout encourages friendships between owners that become enduring. Here are the foundations of treasured family holiday memories. Owners also benefit from concierge services and lock-and-leave storage useful if you chose to participate in the optional, professionally managed rental program – so you can purchase your own treasured place in the sun and enjoy easy luxury whether you are in residence or afar. For further information, please visit spbliving.com or call +1 246 836 1166
