Five Pairings Built on Craft, Character and Provenance
There are few things watch collectors enjoy more than being able to handle a watch away from the display case, and few things wine lovers enjoy more than tasting something with a story behind it. Bringing the two together was the idea behind an intimate evening hosted by I-M Inquisitive Minds with Mentzendorff in the private room at Watches of Switzerland, Regent Street. The format was deliberately small. Around the table sat watch collectors, wine lovers and a few guests who comfortably belonged to both camps. I-M’s Watch Editor Andrew Hildreth led the horological side of the evening, while wine expert and Bollinger ambassador Alexandra Beesley talked us through the bottles. Editor-in-Chief Julia Pasarón joined them in guiding the conversation, which soon became less about tasting notes or technical specifications and more about why certain houses seemed to make sense together. From the far left anti clockwise: Julia Pasarón with guests Jonathan Franklin, Craig Jones, Maximus Jones, Preet Margat and Dr Alba Pereira. On the right, Bollinger ambassador Alexandra Beesley with I-M Inquisitive Minds' Watch Editor, Andrew Hildreth, and guest Ashwani Aggarwal.
There is no question that Nikki Beach Marbella is much more than a beach club, it is a true insitution of the Costa del Sol. Since opening in 2003, it has become synonymous with a very special kind of Spanish summer: white Balinese beds spread across the sand, palms framing the Mediterranean and a crowd […]
Dolce&Gabbana’s DG Resort returns to Hotel Cala di Volpe for summer 2026, turning it into a living extension of the luxury maison’s world. This time, the house brings its Maiolica Gialla print to the two terraces of the Atrium Bar, one of the most recognisable gathering places on the Costa Smeralda. Expect decorated cabanas, hand-painted […]
Hidden beneath the bustle of Covent Garden, AIRE Ancient Baths London feels less like a spa and more like a time portal. Set within historic buildings on Robert Street, once associated with J.M. Barrie and the world of Peter Pan, the facilities are designed to recreate the atmosphere and thermal progressions of a classic Roman bathhouse. The result is a candlelit, almost monastic world of water, steam, silence and scent. For those unfamiliar with AIRE, the experience is built around a circuit of baths at varying temperatures, from hot and warm pools to cold plunges, steam rooms and salt-water floating, all designed to slow the body down and bring the mind with it.
The Restorative Ritual by Jo Malone London is an elegant collaboration with the British fragrance house, using its new Care Collection, inspired by bathing traditions and sensorial skincare. The ritual begins with time in the thermal baths, where heat, cold, water pressure and steam work together to release physical tension and encourage a sense of reset. The Caldarium helps soften the muscles, the Frigidarium stimulates body and mind, while the Vaporium surrounds you in eucalyptus-scented steam. In the Flotarium, a concentrated salt bath, you feel almost weightless, which, together with the silence, helps your cortisol levels drop.
The treatment itself starts on warm marble beds with a full-body exfoliation using Jo Malone’s Restore Body Treatment Scrub, a sugar scrub rich in natural oils and fragranced with honey, clove and nutmeg that leaves the skin as soft as a baby’s. The second part is a 60-minute massage with Restore Body Oil, a blend of jasmine, neroli and rosehip essential oils, enriched with primrose and almond oils, leaving the skin nourished, soft and luminous.
Beyond its obvious indulgence, the ritual has a persuasive wellbeing logic. Alternating temperatures can help stimulate circulation and reduce inflammation, steam may support easier breathing and relaxation, and massage is widely valued for easing muscular tension and reducing stress. Add fragrance, touch and darkness, and the result is a deeply restorative pause from London life.
This is wellness at its most civilised: none of the punitive rigour, all about sensuality and restoration.
150 min | £300 Jo Malone Restorative Ritual AIRE Baths & Spa London Discover more about this ritual and make your booking, HERE.
The First All-Female British Team to Take on the Dakar Rally
What does it really take to complete the Dakar Rally? Not glamour, not bravado, but stamina, nerve and the kind of determination that keeps going when the body, the machine and the odds are all working against you. In the new Spring issue of I-M Inquisitive Minds, Simon de Burton tells the extraordinary story of Helen Tait-Wright and Marcella Kirk, the first all-female British team to take on the world’s toughest off-road race.
Their vehicle was not a gleaming purpose-built machine backed by a major sponsor, but a 38-year-old Land Rover Defender bought on eBay and prepared with limited means for an 8,000-kilometre test across some of the harshest terrain on earth. What followed was far more than a race. It was a punishing trial of endurance involving fire, punctures, breakdowns, illness, injury and the constant pressure of trying to stay in the game against professional teams with vastly greater resources.
And yet, that is precisely what makes this story so gripping. Helen and Marcella are not cast as untouchable sporting icons, but as two women with an audacious idea, a huge appetite for risk and the resilience to keep moving forward when failure would have been entirely understandable. Their story is thrilling because it is so precarious and inspiring because it is so hard won.
L-R: Helen and Marcella at the start line of the Dakar Rally 2026; being towed out of the sand ruts; and standing proud, at the finish podium.
This feature is about motorsport, of course, but also about courage, partnership and the reality of chasing an improbable ambition all the way to the finish line. It captures the physical brutality of Dakar, the emotional cost of getting there and the quiet force of two competitors who refused to be defined by expectation.
To read the full story of this unforgettable challenge — and the women who took it on — order your copy of the new Spring issue of I-M Inquisitive Minds, available NOW.
At the 98th Oscars, taking place on 15 March 2026, Rolex continues its partnership with the Academy as proud sponsor of the Greenroom, a private backstage retreat at the Oscars, reserved for the ceremony’s key talent to relax and unwind as the show progresses.
Although some form of backstage “green room” at the Oscars can be traced back all the way to the late 1980s, it wasn’t until Rolex took over in 2016 that it became a true oasis of privacy, strictly for participants.
The Awards ceremony itself is seriously restricted. Only around 3,400 people attend the actual event, but tens of millions are expected to watch on television and digital platforms worldwide.
The 98th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre on 15 March 2026. Around 3,400 people are expected to attend the ceremony in person.
Part of the glam of Rolex’s Greenroom is that it gets freshly redesigned every year, but always faithful to the brand’s sustainable philosophy, expressed in decisions such as reusing the core architectural structure of the space. For 2026, the design takes on special significance. Not only is it the 10th anniversary of the Greenroom itself, but it is also the 100th anniversary of the iconic Rolex Oyster, the world’s first waterproof wristwatch.
The interior to the Rolex Greenroom for the Oscars with the brand’s signature green and gold palette of colours.
Fittingly, the design of the Greenroom combines the brand’s signature green velvet furnishings with brushed metal elements in champagne gold finishes, complemented by finely anodised accents in a range of golden tones. These materials create a harmonious, elegance balance that echoes both the glamour of Hollywood and the timeless design codes of Rolex. Throughout the space, portraits of legendary actors and filmmakers from the Oscars’ history celebrate the artistry and legacy of cinema, along with a cabinet containing an Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, in 18kt yellow gold with a vibrant green dial.
Rolex’s connection to cinema extends well beyond the Oscars ceremony itself. Through the Rolex Perpetual Arts Initiative, the brand champions excellence across creative disciplines and supports institutions that nurture artistic achievement. In cinema, Rolex testimonees such as Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Leonardo DiCaprio, Zendaya and Jia Zhang-Ke embody the creativity, vision and dedication that the brand celebrates.
Rolex testimonees and Oscar winners Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, with the watch on display this year in the Greenroom, the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona.
From hosting the Oscars’ Greenroom to supporting film preservation and education initiatives, Rolex plays an enduring role in the world of cinema. At the 2026 ceremony, the Rolex Greenroom once again becomes a symbolic meeting point in which watchmaking heritage, artistic excellence and the magic of film come together.
A Weekend at the Kohler Waters Spa, Old Course Hotel, St Andrews
Named as ‘Scottish Spa of the Year 2024’ by The Sunday Times, the Old Course Hotel offers Scotland’s most advanced contrast therapy experience and is launching a series of exclusive and transformative seasonal wellness retreats.
With sweeping views over the Old Course and a location in the ‘Home of Golf’, surrounded by some of the finest links courses in the world, the hotel celebrates active wellbeing. Just steps from the stunning Fife coastline, the Kohler Waters Spa – the only Kohler outpost in the UK – has re-emerged following a renovation with revolutionary thermal facilities inspired by coorie, the Scottish art of finding warmth, comfort and sanctuary after embracing the cold.
At the heart of the spa is contrast therapy, a process of alternating between hot and cold to promote healing, stimulate circulation, improve muscle recovery and enhance overall vitality. “Sometimes known as the Nordic cycle, contrast therapy works by triggering your physiological response to hot and cold,” explains Edinburgh-based wellness expert, Anna Deacon, in her forthcoming book, Wild Fix Scotland.
“Exposure to heat causes blood vessels to dilate and widen, whilst the cold makes them constrict and narrow. Using the microstresses of cold or hot conditions makes it possible to adapt our bodies through a process called Hormesis, which increases resilience and health. The process of switching back and forth creates a pumping action that is believed to help decrease inflammation.”
From the left: snow cabin, Espuro foam steam room and plunge cold pool at Kohler Waters Spa, Old Course Hotel, St Andrews.
At Kohler, guests can easily move between the restorative warmth of the saunas and the crisp chill of the cold plunges. “The contrast process works as a rotation of around 12-20 minutes in the heat, followed by 1-3 minutes in the cold”. However, Anna stresses “how long you should stay in really depends on many different things; everyone must find their own level, and this will depend on how much food you have had and how well you are feeling.”
Known benefits of sauna include improved sleep, better immune function, reduced risk of respiratory illness and pain relief. Cold is cited as reducing stress, improving memory and aiding symptoms of anxiety and depression. Increasingly, these practices are being adopted by elite sports men and women in their training schedules to improve their competitive performance.
The spa’s thermal suite also features a stunning new world-renowned KLAFS snow and sauna cabin delivering the ultimate contrast therapy experience, an upgraded hydrotherapy suite and the UK’s first Espuro foam steam room. The latter is an innovative, skin-pampering ritual where guests are cocooned in fragrant, plant-based foam that rises from special vents in the floor of the room. The feeling is both luxurious and holistic, whilst at the same time social and immensely enjoyable, if not a little child-like.
“Following the recent transformation of Kohler Waters Spa,” says the hotel’s General Manager, Phyllis Wilkie, “the hotel has solidified its position as a premier destination for wellness experiences in Scotland and beyond. Guests can indulge in world-class spa treatments and enjoy delicious, nutritious offerings thoughtfully crafted to nourish the body and enhance their overall wellbeing journey.”
Other restorative experiences that can be tailored to your visit include floating sound meditation, sunrise yoga, transformative sleep workshops and expert talks.
The basket of comforts for sunrise wild-swimming at the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews, include a fluffy towel, hot drinks and luxurious biscuits.
During my visit, I had the chance to embrace the ultimate wake-up ritual with a sunrise sea dip at the magnificent Castle Sands. Chauffeured by mini-bus in our dry robes at 6.30 am, equipped with creature comforts – furry towels, flasks of hot tea and biscuits for our return to shore – it was an exhilarating and character-building experience. I had the pleasure of meeting and swimming (well, not quite swimming exactly as I only lasted a few minutes at such icy temperatures) with triple Olympian and Olympic silver medallist, Kerrie-Anne Payne. Kerrie-Anne, a passionate advocate for open water swimming, runs bespoke retreats at the hotel and gave us an illuminating talk about the potential benefits of taking the plunge (enhanced mood, improved circulation and reduced muscle soreness among others) over a restorative lunch in the Spa Café.
Building on the spa’s new facilities, the hotel has partnered with Deacon, who is a leading advocate for Scottish cold-water wellbeing (she wrote Taking the Plunge in 2019) and will be launching an exclusive series of seasonal wellness retreats to extend on the hotel’s wellbeing offer. “Being involved in curating the Old Course Hotel’s retreats,” she says, “has been incredibly rewarding because there’s such a natural alignment between the resort’s vision for active wellbeing and my approach to contrast therapy and cold-water immersion.”
“The Scottish coastline provides the perfect raw, beautiful, and invigorating backdrop for these transformative experiences.” – Anna Deacon
The seasonal retreats, General Manager Wilkie says, are “driven by an ethos of active wellbeing, and inspired by collaborations with respected figures to empower guests to push limits, embrace balance, and discover a new way of being.”
The hotel is also equipped with a Fitness Centre, virtual and instructor-led classes, personal trainers and a 20-metre lap pool with a hot tub and sauna.
The first retreat, ‘Step into Summer’ debuting in May 2026, will feature broadcaster, author and endurance athlete Louise Minchin. It will combine the expert-led contrast therapy sessions using the spa’s KLAFS facilities with cold water swimming, energising and mindful practices including yoga, meditation and photography, and discussions around personal approaches to active wellbeing and the healing power of nature.
More information about the Old Course Hotel’s wellness offerings, HERE.
We pay close attention to what we eat, how we move and how we sleep, yet the role oxygen plays in cellular energy is often overlooked. Originally designed to support the recovery of professional athletes, Intermittent Hypoxic Hyperoxic Therapy (IHHT), sometimes called “cellular interval training”, guides the body through controlled cycles of lower oxygen (hypoxia) followed by higher oxygen (hyperoxia). The goal is not breathlessness or exertion, but cellular adaptation: a gentle stress signal, then an assisted recovery, repeated.
Why does that matter? Mitochondria, the cell’s power generators, are highly sensitive to oxygen availability. Research suggests these alternating oxygen phases can stimulate the body’s oxygen-sensing pathways and prompt “quality control” inside the cell, helping it clear out underperforming mitochondria (mitophagy) and support the function of healthier ones. In practical terms, that may translate into steadier energy, improved resilience to stress and clearer thinking.
The Vivamayr Clinic in London provides high-quality IHHT therapy, which can help with fatigue, long COVID, metabolic syndrome and other conditions.
The evidence base is still evolving, but it is moving beyond sport. A 2023 clinical study in people with metabolic syndrome reported benefits from IHHT across multiple markers, using protocols that alternated hypoxic breathing (roughly 11 to 12% oxygen) with brief hyperoxic periods (around 30 to 35% oxygen) across a short course of sessions. In 2024, IHHT was also investigated in an inpatient rehabilitation context for long COVID, reflecting growing interest in its potential role in fatigue, reduced exercise tolerance and recovery. Clinical trials registered in early 2026 are continuing to explore IHHT for post-viral fatigue conditions including ME/CFS and long COVID symptoms.
A session typically lasts around 45 minutes. You relax in a reclining chair with a mask while a device adjusts the oxygen mix and monitors your response. Most people find it calming, though some notice mild air hunger during the hypoxic phases. Because oxygen therapies are not one-size-fits-all, reputable clinics screen for suitability, especially in pregnancy, acute illness, or uncontrolled heart or respiratory conditions.
An isolated session can feel noticeable, but a short course is usually recommended to support more durable shifts in energy, sleep quality and recovery. £150 / session at Vivamayr London Clinic in Harley Street.
Other restorative treatments recommended by I-M Inquisitive Minds include Contrast Therapy at the Kohler Waters Spa and Hydrotherapy at the Kronenhof Spa.
With the arrival of the 2026 winter Olympics in Italy, the Park Hyat Milan is upping its game and going for gold with its Montenapoleone Suite, the epitome of quiet luxury.
As one of the “big four” fashion capitals alongside London, Paris and New York, the city of Milan has no shortage of luxury accommodation on offer. However, the recently completed refurbishment of the Park Hyatt in Via Tommaso Grossi, takes high-end hospitality to the next level.
Situated just minutes walk from the glittering stores of the 19th century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and the famous Piazza del Duomo, the hotel has been meeting the needs of the world’s most discerning travellers for over 20 years but, following an enforced two-year Covid closure in 2020, it has opened the doors to five magnificently revamped signature suites under the watchful eye of distinguished architect Flaviano Capriotti.
Capriotti – celebrated by Architectural Digest as one of the world’s top 100 architects – has spared neither time nor expense to realise his vision in every guest room, but the jewel in the crown is the 2,325 sq. ft Montenapoleone Suite on the 6th floor which blends sophisticated modernity with understated Milanese elegance across both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Left: The Montenapoleano terrace enjoys panoramic views of Milan’s skyline and features a retractable pergola for year-round al fresco dining. Right: Architect Flaviano Capriotti introduces intimacy through proportion and material in the Montenapoleone Suite’s fireplace seating area.
Its private terrace with views across the city’s rooftops can seat six people under a retractable pergola and the interior dining room up to eight. Hotel staff have discreet access to a fully equipped kitchenette where food can be prepared for service without ever disturbing the guests. A clever double-sided feature fireplace seamlessly connects the dining to the living areas, its gentle curve providing what Capriotti metaphorically described as “a welcoming hug”.
Despite the impressive features of the suite including two bathrooms – one featuring a standing tub and exclusive Villoresi toiletries from Florence – a 75” flat screen TV, a steam shower, heated flooring and an abundant use of rich Verdi Alpi marble and Italian walnut throughout, the overall effect is not one of unrestrained excess but rather of considered comfort.
Even the contemporary artwork on the walls – all of which is original as the owners are keen collectors – is discreetly complementary to the tranquillity of the space.
In the words of the General Manager Marcos Romero, “Here we’re not interested in the ‘wow’ factor…it quickly wears off.” The focus instead is on the genuine welcome offered to guests and on the flawless service they’ll encounter from arrival to departure. The hotel’s philosophy hinges on elevating the experience of travel and obsessive attention to detail is evident at every turn.
The Montenapoleano’s master bedroom and walk-in wardrobe reflect the same measured elegance found throughout the suite.
Whilst any hotel stay at this level certainly comes at a cost, to quote Aldo Gucci, “Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten” and numerous reviews attest this is very much the case with the Montenapoleone Suite.
With surroundings as opulent at this any guest could easily be forgiven for not venturing outside at all but this would be mistake as the delights of one of Europe’s most metropolitan cities is right on your doorstep.
Indeed, the suite takes its name from a street in the quadrilatero della moda, a mere ten-minute walk away. The Via Montenapoleone easily holds its own alongside Paris’s Avenue Montaigne, London’s Bond Street or the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai when it comes to luxury retail. Wouldn’t it be a shame to have access to the suite’s beautifully appointed wardrobes and not make at least a token effort at filling them?
Diane von Furstenberg once said, “When you get into a hotel you lock the door and you know there is a secrecy, there is a luxury, there is fantasy, there is comfort, there is reassurance.” My response? Diane, you’d love it here!
Author: Maurice Mullen
Book the Montenapoleone Suite at the Park Hyatt Milan, HERE.
An Inside Look at Milan’s Most Legendary Hotel Suite
The Principe di Savoia is arguably the greatest Grande Dame of the Italian hotel aristocracy. Nearly a century old, this luxurious establishment is as fashionable today as it was when it first opened its doors in 1927. As part of the Dorchester Collection, everything and anything at the Principe di Savoia exudes quality and class: the majestic Neoclassical façade, the multicoloured marble floors, the crystal chandeliers, the lavish textiles… and to crown it all, the Presidential Suite.
Located on the top floor of the building, this suite epitomises the definition of luxury and grandeur. The Presidential suite at the Principe di Savoia offers not only opulence but also a dynamic flow of space and light brought to life by its designer, American architect Michael Stelea. This is space conceived to impress.
And impress it does. Spread over 500sqm, the suite comprises three ensuite bedrooms, a dining room, private gym, indoor swimming pool and spa area, and a fabulous terrace with panoramic views of Milan. It is decorated throughout in Empire style, with original antique furniture that many collectors would wish for themselves. Venetian 19th century mirrors, original prints and fine objects of art complete the ‘attrezzo’ of this spectacular apartment.
Left: The master bedroom at the Principe di Savoia Presidential Suite, featuring Empire furniture and lavish finishes in gold, velvet and wood. Right: The private terrace provides an expansive outdoor space with unobstructed views of Piazza della Repubblica.
The master bedroom is flooded with light; the large, imposing Empire furniture reminiscent of a refined bygone era. I imagine Maria Callas warming her voice here and Madonna indulging in a hydra-massage after performing to her adoring Italian fans. Lady Gaga chose this lavish suite as her quarters when she stayed in Milan for her 2012 concert.
Sofia Coppola made great use of all its spaces in Somewhere (2010), as one of the two places where the film-star protagonist of the movie (Stephen Dorff) and his 11-year-old daughter (Elle Fanning) stay – the other being Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. The scenes shot in the suite really show off the splendour of the Pompeii-style indoor swimming pool in its private spa, which is also equipped with a sauna and a steam room.
Even our late queen, Elizabeth II, and her husband Philip, Duke of Edinbugh have enjoyed the exuberant luxury of the Presidential Suite at the Principe di Savoia.
The living room is decorated with a combination of French and Italian styles and includes a fireplace and a grand piano.
The formal dining room has floor to ceiling wood panelling and features an extraordinary Murano glass chandelier. The chairs are upholstered in burgundy leather, matching the lush velvet curtains. The glass and silverware are French, the porcelain, from Limoges. I can only imagine how many world leaders and dignitaries must have discussed issues of global consequence over a meal at its table. The food can be provided by the restaurants in the hotel or, alternatively, the service area has a small but well-equipped kitchen to fulfil the needs of a private chef or external catering service.
Should you choose to entertain more informally, in the living room there is a baby grand piano, a bar and a fireplace in front of which large sofas are arranged, for those relaxed evening conversations that – on occasion – run into the early hours. In warm evenings, it is magical to sit out on the private terrace with a long drink, letting your eyes travel across the lights that, like fallen stars, illuminate the skyline of the city.
It is no wonder that the Presidential Suite at the Principe di Savoia is considered one of the most spectacular hotel rooms in the world.
Author: Julia Pasarón
Book the Principe di Savoia Presidential Suite, HERE.
Other luxury accommodation in Milan recommended by I-M Inquisitive Minds includes the Park Hyatt and the Rocco Forte House.
A Residential Enclave Shaped by Art, Rooted in Heritage and Framed by Natural Beauty
Diriyah Company has unveiled its latest branded residential development: Faena Residences Wadi Safar, a collection of twenty villas shaped by Faena’s distinctive art-driven philosophy.
Set within the extraordinary landscape of Wadi Safar, the residences share their setting with world-class hotels, private estates, a Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, and the Royal Equestrian & Polo Club. Plans are also underway for a shooting club and a racquet club, further enriching the lifestyle offering.
Located in western Diriyah, Wadi Safar spans 62 square kilometres and forms part of the wider Wadi Hanifah system, which stretches through Riyadh. This protected natural valley, recognised for its ecological and cultural significance, provides a striking backdrop for both the Faena Hotel and the branded residences.
In line with Diriyah Company’s masterplanning standards, Wadi Safar has achieved LEED Platinum certification – the highest international benchmark for sustainability. This certification recognises exemplary performance in energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and indoor environmental quality. Attaining it demands rigorous planning and substantial investment, resulting in healthier, more resilient and more efficient spaces for residents.
The Faena Wadi Safar residencies are inspired by traditional Nadji architecture. The opulent interiors are characterised by Faena’s flamboyant style, abundant in bold colours and rich textures.
Kiran Haslam, Chief Marketing Officer of Diriyah Company, explains: “Wadi Safar is a truly pristine natural environment, and we have been committed from the start to exceeding expectations in every aspect of sustainability – from energy use and waste management to the protection of wildlife.”
Wadi Safar supports a wide variety of native flora and fauna. Its shrubs, herbs and grasses shelter many traditional Saudi desert species, including reptiles and birds. Among them is the Arabian spiny-tailed lizard, or ‘dhab’, one of the Kingdom’s most ecologically significant reptiles.
Haslam describes it as comparable in size to the Galapagos land iguana and vital to the desert ecosystem. Its selective grazing promotes vegetation regrowth, stabilises soil and helps slow desertification – one of the region’s most pressing environmental challenges. Safe wildlife corridors have been incorporated into the masterplan to protect these species and allow them to move freely without crossing roads or encountering disruption to their natural habitats.
It is in this remarkable landscape that the twenty ultra-luxury Faena villas are taking shape: twelve four-bedroom, six five-bedroom and two six-bedroom homes. They will sit alongside the 130-room experiential Faena Hotel, completing the hospitality offering within Wadi Safar.
The architecture has been entrusted to WATG, the global firm behind projects such as Fari Islands in the Maldives, Atlantis The Palm and the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach. Interiors are by Peter Mikic, internationally recognised for refined residential and hospitality work. Inside, the villas display Faena’s hallmark jewel tones and curated artworks, reflecting the belief that art builds community and that every residence should feel like a personal masterpiece.
Haslam notes that “Alan Faena’s creativity brings a new dimension to the language of Nadji architecture. His bold, colourful style is palpable, yet the exteriors remain unmistakably Nadji.” Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo adds that Faena’s approach to art, design and lifestyle aligns perfectly with Diriyah’s vision as a world-class cultural and heritage destination.
Curated artworks exclusive to each villa contribute to the unique personality of Faena’s Wadi Safar luxury residencies.
Faena himself states: “We are deeply honoured to bring the Faena philosophy to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Diriyah, a place of profound history, heritage and visionary ambition. At Wadi Safar, we are crafting more than homes – we are creating soulful environments where art, nature and hospitality come together to inspire daily life.”
Residents can expect privacy, prestige and exceptional, round-the-clock luxury hospitality. Exclusive privileges include preferred hotel rates, priority dining access, spa benefits, catering services and private community events.
Advantages also extend to the equestrian club and the 27-hole Greg Norman golf course. Through Faena’s partnership with Accor, homeowners will be elevated to Diamond tier within Accor Live Limitless, unlocking global upgrades, preferential rates and premium access across its extensive international portfolio.
Faena Residences Wadi Safar join a growing collection of distinctive branded homes across Diriyah and Wadi Safar. This launch is a core element of Diriyah Company’s plan to create homes for nearly 100,000 people in a human-centred urban development that honours 300 years of heritage while shaping an extraordinary future.
Author: Julia Pasarón
Find out more about Diriyah – City of Earth in our interview with Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo and about its luxury residential offer, Here.
Marcus Breitschwerdt carries the calm assurance of a man whose task is nothing short of guarding 138 years of history. Since 2022, he has been CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH, the company responsible for preserving and evolving the brand’s extraordinary automotive legacy. Simon Cundey, meanwhile, is the seventh-generation custodian of Henry Poole & Co., the Savile Row tailor often described as the founder of bespoke. Their paths first crossed at the inaugural Savile Row Concours in 2022 and from the outset, there was obvious common ground.”
“Technically it started there,” Marcus recalls. “Simon and I immediately understood that we are based on the same principles: pure craftsmanship, quality and product innovation.”
The saddlers of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre and the tailors of Henry Poole & Co. brought craft to life at this year’s Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace. In a joint workshop, the automotive experts demonstrated how to rebuild and reupholster the leather seat of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, while, just a few steps away, Henry Poole’s team sewed a made-to-measure suit jacket.
Mercedes-Benz is expanding its Classic Centre in Fellbach to 18,000 square metres. In the medium term, some 70 specialists will be taking care of classics with the star at that location – a significant commitment to heritage. Marcus sees this as a fundamental step. “The strongest asset that Mercedes owns is the brand, and the brand is totally built on heritage from 1886 until today. This is why we maintain at least one preserved example of every model series Mercedes has built since 1886. Some are hidden away, but 160 of them are on display in our museum. People want to engage with something reliable and rooted in tradition, something that remains rock solid in an ever-moving ocean.”
I-M Inquisitive Minds’ Social Media Editor, Yanis Mardel (far right), interviewing (from the left) Peter Becker – Classic Communications Spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz Heritage, Simon Cundey – Chairman of Henry Poole & Co – and Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage.
Those same workshops, once dedicated only to keeping cars alive internally, eventually opened to the public. Today, customers bring their vehicles back to Mercedes for first-class maintenance and restoration.
Simon sees a natural connection between that approach and Savile Row. “From the moment Marcus and I met, we shared a passion for each other’s crafts. A heritage brand like Mercedes resonates with what we do in tailoring. Henry Poole created this craft, and we continue to keep it alive on the Row. On site, we still make trousers, jackets and waistcoats by hand. Like Mercedes, we look forward to future developments while safeguarding heritage. That is what brings us together.”
Listening to both visionaries, I remarked that tailoring, with its focus on creation, might seem different from automotive heritage, which appears centred on restoration. To explore the link, I mentioned the Mercedes-Benz C111, the experimental prototype first shown in 1969 that, despite never reaching production, remains an icon of design. Marcus’s eyes lit up.
“It used completely new materials, new ways to package cars, and it was one of the rare Mercedes models with a rear engine,” he said. “As a boy, I played car card games and the C111 was always unbeatable. It reached 300 km/h, not just on paper but measured on track, and it did it without cylinders. That was unbelievable. In our business, if something remains timeless, then it has been done right. I drove the C111 in Los Angeles in 2022 and people still gathered around it asking, ‘When will it be on the market?’ If two generations later a creation feels like tomorrow, then we have succeeded.”
After Marcus’s story of the C111, I turned to Simon and asked, “Would you say that the dinner jacket is Henry Poole’s own C111?”
The significance for the future of men’s fashion of the dinner jacket “invented” by Henry Poole & Co under request of Edward VII is comparable to the creation of the Mercedes C111 in 1969. Its futuristic design and cutting-edge technologies showcased at the time the potential potential for both speed and durability in different applications within the automotive sector.
“That is a good way of putting it. The dinner jacket evolved from the longtail coat that gentlemen wore for every occasion. Even Edward VII, dining alone, had to go through the ritual of wearing one. He asked Henry Poole to design something more relaxed. That became the dinner suit, which travelled across the Atlantic and was adopted by the so-called Tuxedo boys in New York. It remains one of the epitomes of gentlemanly dress today. In fact, Marcus and I will both be wearing one tonight. So yes, the dinner jacket is our C111 to some respects.”
Absolutely,” Marcus added with a grin, “as long as it is not orange!” – a playful nod to the original C111 prototypes, which were famously painted in a bold metallic shade of this colour.
The Concours of Elegance has always been about more than just cars. Since its founding in 2012 at Windsor Castle, and later at Hampton Court Palace, it has become a stage for visionaries to show how the past informs the future. Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd. received a Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Majesty The King, a recognition of its longstanding relationship with the Royal Household. Henry Poole, meanwhile, has held Royal Warrants for more than 200 years. When these two houses came together at Hampton Court, it was not simply about tailoring or motoring but rather about heritage to be worn, driven, and carried forward.
Author: Yanis Mardel
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