And many times, the thing that you think you cannot survive ends up not killing you. These deeply challenging life experiences that we all go through forge strength and perseverance within us. It is because of our challenging experiences that we become better people.
You know the drill: 2025 rolls in with TikTok deciding whatās hot before weāve even had our morning matcha, and somehow quiet luxury is still here ā stronger than ever. And honestly? Iām not mad about it. Because if thereās one thing that never goes out of style, itās looking like you just stepped out of a Loro Piana campaign⦠without a single logo in sight. Quiet luxury is basically the art of whispering money. Itās suede so soft it could make a cat purr, cashmere lighter than your holiday luggage allowance, and tailoring so sharp it could cut through your situationship. No neon logos, no screaming monograms, just timeless, effortless elegance.
What I love about 2025 fashion is that the trends play surprisingly well with the quiet luxury vibe. A few highlights Iām personally living for:
Muted Pastels & Earthy Neutrals ā Think almond, sand, cloud-grey, dusty sage. Perfect with that buttery leather bag youāll wear for the next ten years.
Oversized Outerwear ā Longline coats and relaxed suiting are everywhere. Tailoring is bigger, but still refined ā Giorgio Armani is safe choice
Quietly Iconic Bags ā The HermĆØs Birkin, Bottega Veneta and PolĆØne are doing it best: soft, sculptured bags without logos, just pure design. Youāll carry them in 2035 and still look chic.
Tactile Textures ā Suede, nappa leather, chunky knits. Fashion right now is all about feeling rich as much as looking rich.
Hereās the thing: quiet luxury isnāt really a ātrend.ā Itās timeless ā the fashion equivalent of good wine or a black-and-white film. Your grandmother couldāve worn an Armani coat in the ā90s, and youād wear it today without a second thought. Try saying the same for that rhinestone logo T-shirt you bought in 2012. Exactly. The truth is, timeless is the trend in 2025. Minimal silhouettes, investment fabrics, discreet details ā they age like fine Italian leather. Quiet luxury doesnāt just make you look expensive now, it saves you from the dreaded āwhat was I thinking?ā fashion photos ten years from today.
Build Around Neutrals: Whites, creams, taupes, and soft blues are your best friends this year. They layer beautifully and instantly look polished.
Invest in One Luxe Piece: A suede jacket, a perfectly cut blazer, or a dreamy leather bag. Let that be the star.
Play With Proportions: Oversized coats with slim trousers, relaxed shirts with structured skirts. Balance is everything.
Keep Accessories Minimal: Think gold hoops, pearl studs, or a sleek watch. If your bag has a giant logo plastered across it, maybe let it rest for 2025.
Confidence is the Final Touch: Walk like you know your worth ā because you do.
Quiet luxury is like that quietly confident friend at a party: nobody can ignore them, even if they never raised their voice. Itās all about letting quality do the talking. If slapping a giant logo on your outfit is worth a thousand words, then a beautifully cut coat and a soft sweater are a novel in elegance. In the end, the best part of quiet luxury is that itās a sartorial inside joke: you know you look expensive, even if everyone else just thinks youāre very well-dressed. So embrace it ā your wallet might beg you to stop, but your style (and maybe your ego) will thank you later.
Thoughts, and go 1000 times over every day. Itās an overwhelming task to think that we have to control all over thoughts all of the time. There is value in that for sure, but the point here is that you stop letting your thoughts control your emotions and your life.
Even a small coffee table can set a vacation vibe in your living room. An effortless living room refresh idea is to swap out one or two objects on your table and instantly transform the mood. Designers say that in 2025 āeach element [should be] carefully chosen to create a serene ambiance and understated sophistication,ā embodying a reimagined minimalism. In practice, that means letting natural light and organic textures do the heavy lifting: soft jute runners or woven trays, a vase of seasonal flowers, or driftwood accents and shells can make your home feel beachier or forest-fresh. A 2025 trend toward terracotta and earthy materials is all about warm, natural contrast ā using clay, stone, organic linen and light woods to create inviting, peaceful spaces. In short, focus on less but better ā even in a city rental you can curate a relaxing, travel-inspired nook without tearing up the walls.
A big 2025 trend is that candles are now becoming art. Weāre āseeing a shift from ācandles on shelvesā to ācandles as sculptureāā ā think flowing forms, pillar and block shapes, or wax poured into organic, minimal vessels. Choosing one or two statement candleholders or a freestanding pillar candle in a matte finish instantly elevates a casual table. Likewise, swapping in handmade ceramics adds warmth and story. Hand-thrown mugs or a handmade bowl become focal points, reflecting the trend that āhand-poured, small-batch vessels (e.g., ceramic or clay) are trending, emphasizing uniqueness and storytellingā in 2025. (Even leaving out a pretty ceramic mug on a tray can whisper āback from a tropic vacationā if itās a color or shape that reminds you of travel.) Pair a simple, sculptural vase with a taper candle, or display an artisan pottery piece next to a stack of books ā these high-quality objects catch the eye without cluttering the minimalist vibe.
Start by giving your favorite accessories a stage to shine. Trays are still a foolproof hack: one designer notes that using a tray āto collect even the smallest of objectsā is an oldie but a goodie for coffee tables. Gather candles, vases, and travel souvenirs on a round or rectangular tray to keep them feeling intentional, and it also makes cleaning or clearing the table a breeze. On top of or beside the tray, stack a few coffee table books about destinations or art to spark wanderlust. Curated coffee-table books are an easy way to channel a ātravel-from-homeā mood ā as one publisher puts it, travel coffee books ācapture the beauty, culture and essence of each unique placeā on their glossy pages. A vintage travel guide or a surf photography book can turn a tabletop into your personal gallery of getaways.
Groups of three objects feel especially balanced: interior designers recommend āgroup[ing] your decorative objects in twos or threes to communicate intentionalityā. For example, three items on the tray might be a small potted plant, a sculptural candle, and a framed photo or shell. Or flank a book with a bud vase on one side and a sculptural sculpture on the other, so that no matter which seat you sit in, thereās something pleasing to see. (If you have a round table, mirror that shape with a round tray to keep the look cohesive.) Above all, leave some breathing room ā styling pros advise leaving open space so the display doesnāt feel cluttered. A largely empty table with one statement object (or a simple tray vignette) can feel as zen as an island beach, as opposed to a surface piled high. In short, use layered trays and stacks as your design palette ā mix a tall candle here, a stack of passports or postcards there, and youāll feel like your living room is whispering āadventure awaits.ā
Fresh life on your table truly brings the outdoors in. A single vase of seasonal flowers or a handful of green branches can make a table bloom with vacation energy. If your style is very minimalist, you can even let a single bloom or sculptural branch take center stage: one decor guide notes that if youāre inclined to clutter, just āclear out the clutter and let your flowers take the spotlight,ā even suggesting a low-maintenance succulent or eucalyptus branch if youāre busy. In coastal or boho settings, vibrant stems like protea or pink ginger nod to tropical islands. For a hygge feel, try dried grasses and wheat arranged with candles. Even a potted fiddle leaf fig or small palm plant on the coffee table brings in that āgreen refugeā feeling ā 2025 trends expect to see more plant-centered design, since lots of plants in a room ābreathe life into your homeā. Rotate flowers with the seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, lavender in summer, colorful mums in fall, and sprigs of cedar or holly around the holidays. Each nod to the outdoors shifts the mood a notch closer to vacation ā itās amazing what a difference a bouquet can make in a room.
Channeling coastal or rustic charm doesnāt require a full remodel; small accents do wonders. Think natural fibers and textures: a woven rattan tray, a small pile of shells in a shallow bowl, or even a piece of driftwood used as sculpture. These pieces echo summer trips even on rainy days. You might scatter smooth beach stones or a candle in a sand-and-shell holder on your tray. Light neutrals and sky blues (or just crisp white) on decorative pillows or a lightweight throw draped over the sofa set a breezy backdrop. One home style article points out that a coastal aesthetic ārevolves around natural lighting, blue and white color schemes, and earthy texturesā to capture vacation vibes year-round. You can incorporate that in miniature: a blue-and-white pattern under the glass tabletop, or a sisal rug beneath the coffee table (even over wall-to-wall carpet) will immediately warm up the scene. The key is just to suggest the shore: a netted candle lantern, an undyed linen table runner, or a slim vase of sand-dusted pampas. These subtle references keep things rent-friendly (no painting or permanent changes needed) yet convey relaxation as if you never left the coast.
This quote might seem trite but it is quite true. When someone consistently makes lemonade out of lemons, they often end up having things turn out quite well for them in general. A positive attitude creates a lot of movement and momentum in oneās life. How might you show up more positively during your tough times?
You know those trips you dream aboutāthe ones with turquoise waters, wild horses galloping along the shore, and lazy afternoons spent swimming under waterfalls? Well, Sumba was supposed to be that trip. Spoiler alert: it was⦠kind of. But also the wildest and most unexpected travel experience of my life. We landed on Sumba with stars in our eyes and zero bars on our phones. At the tiny airport, not a single soul spoke English, and little kids stared at me like Iād just stepped off a spaceship (note to self: blonde hair and blue eyes are a rare sight here).
No driver in sight either. Weād booked a pickup weeks ago, but apparently, time in Sumba runs on āweāll seeā mode. Eventually, someone arrived, smiling warmly but speaking no English. The ride to our hotel was two hours of silent guessing gamesāāAre we going the right way? Is this even our driver?ā A true test of faith and Google Translate that refused to work offline.
When we finally reached Lelewatu Resort, it felt like paradise⦠and a tiny bit like house arrest. The villas perch dramatically on a cliff overlooking the Indian Oceanādrop-dead gorgeous, yesābut hereās the thing: no taxis, no other restaurants, nowhere to go except your villa. Youāre isolated, for better or worse.
And then came the waves. I love falling asleep to ocean sounds as much as the next person, but this wasnāt a lullaby. It was a full-on ocean rock concert. Imagine trying to sleep while a giant drum set is crashing under your bed. Surfers might have loved it. Me? I fantasized about noise-cancelling earplugs all night.
Swimming? Forget it. The waves were so intense we couldnāt safely get in the water once during our five-day stay. A beach holiday where you canāt actually swim? Yep, that happened.
One of Sumbaās most iconic experiences is swimming with wild horses. I had visions of majestic creatures galloping beside me through the surf, movie-scene style. Reality check? The horses are tinyāadorable, yes, but more pony than stallion. We splashed around and laughed at how Instagram had made them look like something out of a fantasy film. Still, itās a memory I wonāt forget.
Sumba has raw beauty you canāt deny. If you go, hereās whatās worth your time:
Watu Bella Beach ā An untouched, powdery-white stretch of heaven where you might be the only soul around.
Mandorak Beach ā Calm, postcard-perfect, and finally a place where you can dip your toes without a tsunami sweeping you away.
Waterfalls ā Tanggedu and Lapopu are magical (go in dry season for their full beauty).
Makan Dulu Restaurant ā The only spot we found with English-speaking staff and an actual menu you can read. Trust me, after days of pointing and guessing, this feels like Michelin-star service.
If youāre after polished luxury and convenience, Sumba might not be your matchāunless you splurge on NIHI Sumba, the islandās famed 5-star resort where things seem a little smoother. But if you crave wild, unpredictable adventures, where nature is still untamed and nothing runs on schedule, Sumba will give you exactly that.
There really must be something to using your pain and strife to fuel you into a better life because there are so many quotes about it. Having belief in yourself is probably the key to being able to accomplish anything, especially if you can believe in yourself when others do not.
There are certain names in fashion photography that just make you stop in your tracks. For me, Glen Luchford has always been one of them. His images donāt just sell clothes ā they pull you into a story, like a scene from a movie you donāt want to end. And now, for the first time ever, his world is coming to Milan in a solo exhibition at 10 Corso Como. Honestly? Iām already clearing my schedule.
Iāve admired Luchfordās work for as long as Iāve been a stylist. Thereās this raw honesty in his photos, a gritty beauty that never feels forced. Youāve probably seen his campaigns for Gucci or Prada ā theyāre not just āfashion ads,ā theyāre almost like memories caught on film. They feel alive, unpolished in the most elegant way. Thatās his magic.
What makes this exhibition, called āAtlas,ā so exciting is that itās not just a greatest-hits gallery. Itās more like stepping inside his creative mind. The show mixes his iconic campaigns with rare, never-seen-before outtakes, test shots, even little behind-the-scenes moments. Youāll see how an idea grows from a simple proof image into something that ends up defining a brandās whole mood for a season. Thatās what I love most about his work ā he builds worlds, not just pictures.
And letās talk about the journey that brought him here. Luchford started young, shooting bands for The Face magazine, hanging out in Londonās underground scene. He was one of the first to capture a young Kate Moss wandering NYC streets ā way before she became āKate Moss.ā Then Prada trusted him with campaigns that completely changed how fashion could be photographed. Later came Gucci, YSL, Calvin Klein⦠you name a brand or a top magazine, heās shaped their visual language. And the list of people heās photographed? Bjƶrk, Tilda Swinton, Dennis Hopper ā icons meeting an icon behind the lens.
What inspires me most, as someone who works in fashion, is how timeless his images are. Theyāre cinematic, a little rebellious, yet somehow poetic. When I style a shoot, thatās the kind of feeling I want to create ā pictures that stay with you, not just until the next trend rolls around, but for years. Seeing his work up close feels like a masterclass in that kind of lasting impact.
So yes, Iāll be at 10 Corso Como the moment Atlas opens. I want to soak in every frame, every shadow, every quiet detail that doesnāt make it into a glossy magazine spread. Iāll probably leave with a notebook full of ideas and a renewed obsession with light and mood. If you love fashion, art, or photography ā or just crave the kind of images that make you feel something ā donāt miss this one.
Many times people think that they have failed because something did not meet their expectations. What about all of the other silver linings and blessings that were created because you risked success? Do not take the valuable lessons of failure for granted. Celebrate whatever level of successes you can.
Thereās something about traveling that always opens up your senses. But this spring, when I visited Japan, it wasnāt just the food or culture that got me hooked ā it was their beauty game. Honestly, I didnāt expect to be this obsessed. But here I am, months later, still dreaming about the sheet masks I used, the hair mask that worked better than any salon treatment, and a mascara that actually made me ditch all my others. Letās just say: I shouldāve brought a bigger suitcase.
If youāve ever been inside a Japanese drugstore, you know what I mean. Thereās a whole aisle (sometimes more!) dedicated just to sheet masks. I took four different types with me thinking I was being reasonable⦠now I wish Iād bought twenty. The one that really blew me away?
Quality 1st The Derma Best VC100 + Retinol. This mask has vitamin C and retinol packed inside, and after 15 minutes my face was glowing ā like, freshly facialād glow. It had that bounce and brightness that usually only happens after a really good night’s sleep (which I wasnāt exactly getting thanks to jet lag).
Another favorite was Lululun Hydra V Mask Vitamin ā so hydrating, so plumping, so soothing. Itās like the skincare version of a tall glass of water with lemon. I used it right after a long train ride and my skin literally sighed in relief. Honestly, every mask I tried there felt like skincare with purpose. No fuss, no hype ā just really smart ingredients doing their thing. And now Iām kicking myself for not bringing more back.
If I had more time, Iād have definitely explored deeper. Tokyo is full of high-tech beauty gadgets ā lifting tools, LED masks, facial rollers that look like futuristic sculptures. I spotted a few but didnāt get the chance to test them properly. Same with serums and creams; Japan has some wild innovations that I barely scratched the surface of. Next trip? Iām coming back organized ā with a proper list, an empty carry-on, and the time to treat myself to one of their legendary facials or maybe even a hot spring spa ritual. I owe that to myself.
Now letās talk hair. I picked up the Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask by Shiseido just out of curiosity ā Iād heard it was good, but didnāt expect it to be this good. After using it once, my hair felt like Iād just left a salon. It was soft, silky, frizz-free, and smelled like something subtle and clean ā almost floral but super delicate. The texture is rich but not heavy, and the biggest surprise? You barely need any. Girls with long hair, you get it ā most products need a lot to do anything. This one? A tiny scoop smoothed everything out. If I could stock up on one product forever, it would be this. Hands down.
Another gem I picked up? CANMAKE Tokyoās Gokubuto Mascara. It has this curved brush that grabs every little lash, adds volume without clumping, and makes my lashes curl and stay that way ā even through humidity and heat. Oh, and hereās the genius part: you donāt need makeup remover. It comes off with just warm water. Like⦠who invented this sorcery? It also has bee propolis in it (yes, really), which apparently conditions the lashes while you wear it. All I know is that I completely stopped reaching for my other mascaras. This one just gets it right.
I wasnāt even planning to buy nail polish, but a soft blush-pink shade from CANMAKEās Foundation Colors line caught my eye. It looked simple, clean, and very Japanese beauty aesthetic. I tried it once and immediately regretted not buying backups. Itās the kind of sheer pink that makes your nails look ādoneā without looking like you tried too hard. And it dries super fast ā perfect for a quick fix before running out. The finish almost reminds me of semi-permanent polish, but without the commitment or damage. Iāve looked all over in Italy for something similar and nothing comes close.
Thereās something deeply thoughtful about Japanese beauty ā the simplicity, the efficiency, the elegance. Nothing feels overhyped or superficial. Itās all about how it feels, how it works, how it fits into your life.
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