Cartier SoHo. Photography by Adrian Gaut, courtesy of Cartier…
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A Dazzling New Cartier Boutique Springs Up in SoHo
The French fine jeweler has always embodied a Parisian sensibility, but New York is an inextricable part of its legacy too—two of its most widely recognized bracelets, the Love and Juste un Clou, were designed by downtown denizen Aldo Cipullo. The maison’s newly opened SoHo boutique embodies the best of both metropolitan hubs: interior design by Studioparisien includes a gallery, speakeasy and lounge, loft, and landscaped rooftop garden in the neighborhood’s landmarked Cast Iron Historic District.
The boutique seems to take more than a few cues from Manhattan’s reputation as a hotspot for sleek restaurants and polished private clubs. A residential-style dining room, library, and sitting room are ready made to entertain VICs and friends of the maison for numerous evenings in impeccable style. What’s more, the location will also offer exclusive versions of Cartier eyewear, stationery, and limited editions of the Écrou bracelet and Panthère de Cartier timepiece. –Jenna Adrian-Diaz
RSHP has won a competition to design a sustainable neighborhood in Paris’ La Défense district. The British studio’s proposal features green spaces, mixed-use buildings with prefab timber structures to minimize carbon footprint, and various leisure facilities. The “post-carbon” development aims to transform a difficult site into a vibrant, inclusive hub for future generations, aligning with La Défense’s goal of becoming the world’s first eco-friendly business district.
LVMH Métiers d’Art, the luxury group’s craft-focused division, is continuing its acquisition spree by taking over renowned Italian metal specialist Renato Menegatti. It follows the acquisition of Spanish tannery Grupo Verdeveleno and Japanese silk specialist Hosoo, all aiming to secure skilled artisans and expertise for LVMH’s stable luxury brands, which includes Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Fendi, Bulgari, and more. The strategy aligns with similar moves by other Italian fashion houses to consolidate their supply chains and preserve traditional craftsmanship.
Meta’s hefty investments in the metaverse to fulfill CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of a futuristic virtual world haven’t paid off yet. Despite sinking billions into VR and AR, the market is shrinking, with sales plummeting nearly 40 percent this year. While Meta hopes its new Quest 3 and mixed-reality features will revive excitement, Apple’s upcoming high-end Vision Pro headset is looming large. Whether Meta can cater to mainstream consumers or find success in the enterprise remains to be seen, but 2024 promises to be a pivotal year for the fledgling market.
The British Museum has announced a £50 million ($63.2 million) partnership with BP to fund one of the biggest-ever modernizations of its grand Bloomsbury building, sparking outrage from climate activists who accuse BP of greenwashing. The “masterplan” project, estimated to cost $1.26 billion, will culminate in a redisplay of the entire collection. The museum defended the deal, saying it needs corporate donations for the renovation. This comes amid the museum’s ongoing controversies including stolen artifacts and restitution claims for the Parthenon marbles. Despite criticism, the museum plans to proceed with the renovation and a new energy center.
Electric scooter giant Bird filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a turbulent year of plummeting stock, a CEO exit, and rounds of layoffs. Aiming to restructure its finances, Bird will use the process to sell its assets through a bidding war. This news echoes similar struggles for other micro-mobility companies like VanMoof, painting a bleak picture for the industry in 2023.
