Elizabeth Helman Minchilli

Sometimes the marks of quality are obvious: the radiance of a diamond or the sheen of a mink coat. But other indications of refinement are subtler: the aroma of a white truffle or the feel of cashmere against the skin. The exquisitely crafted leather items made by Valextra (+39.02.76000103, http://www.valextra.com) clearly fall into the latter […]

While de beers has spent millions of marketing dollars instilling in our minds that a diamond is forever, its latest joint venture with LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton makes a slightly different statement: A diamond is today. The massive South African diamond conglomerate that controls about 65 percent of the world’s diamond market is leveraging […]

While many perfumers have ventured into the realm of bespoke fragrances, London’s Creative Perfumers goes one step further by describing itself as haute couture. Creative Perfumers is the brainchild of Anastasia Brozler, the former head of perfume marketing in Europe for L’Oréal and Estée Lauder. Brozler, who possesses a doctorate in fragrance marketing from the […]

While many perfumers have ventured into the realm of bespoke fragrances, London’s Creative Perfumers goes one step further by describing itself as haute couture. Creative Perfumers is the brainchild of Anastasia Brozler, the former head of perfume marketing in Europe for L’Oréal and Estée Lauder. Brozler, who possesses a doctorate in fragrance marketing from the […]

“Shiny gold is for peasants!” declares Roman jeweler Massimo Maria Melis. To illustrate his point, he hands me a heavy gold chain set with a patinated ancient Roman coin. The links glow, radiating a rich, antiqued yellow golden hue. Glow, yes—shine, never. The handmade chain appears soft to the touch, and each strike of the […]

Tuscan Perfumer Lorenzo Villoresi receives patrons by appointment only. From his garret overlooking the cupolas, bell towers, and tiled rooftops of Florence, he crafts some of the most exquisite, personalized scents around. Acting as a sort of confessor, Villoresi will listen to your deepest thoughts, peer into your soul, and create a singular perfume that […]