Leaders in Luxury 2024 2024’s Leaders in Luxury Awards life M A G A Z I N E
Jo Jolloway - Senior Account Executive Website: www.lux-review.com Welcome to the 2024 Leaders in Luxury Awards No information contained on or in this website constitutes investment advice or an offer to invest or to provide management services and is subject to correction, completion and amendment without notice. Neither AI nor any of its associated entities are authorised to give financial advice of any nature nor are they regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Prior to making any investment, AI recommends that any prospective investor should consult with its own investment, accounting, legal and tax advisers to evaluate independently the risks, consequences and suitability of that investment. AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility. LUXlife are proud to announce the return of our annual Leaders in Luxury Awards, offering recognition to those that are continually excelling within the ever-growing luxury product and services industry. The past few years have been challenging, with the pandemic and cost of living crises still at the forefront for many businesses, so this year’s awards aim to acknowledge and reward those who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and excellence. We are delighted to pay homage to the trailblazers, visionaries, and artisans who have mastered the art of the extraordinary! With their unwavering dedication and pursuit of perfection, they have not only set the standards but continue to redefine them.
6. Vanity Skin Bar: Maryland’s Premier Med Spa 7. Exclusive France Tours: The Art of Luxury Travel 8. Davidson Estates Limited: Birmingham’s Best in Estate and Letting 9. AEOS: Biodynamic Skincare Sure to Transform 10. E Plus A Atelier: E Plus A Equals Unique and Beautiful Designs 11. Architect Ante Vrban: Sustainable Luxury Architecture 12. Bonte Filipidis: Boutique Properties Bound by Luxury 13. Creacon Wellness Retreat: A Gem of a Retreat 14. 303 Face Body Organics: Beauty for All Seasons 15. Alison Henry Design Studio: Luxurious Designs to Stand the Test of Time 16. Emily Roose Interiors: California’s Ultimate Interior Design Experience 17. TANG Asian Luxury Restaurant & Bar: A Sensory Japanese and Cantonese Dining Experience 18. Villa Arrigo: Where Affordability Meets Luxury 19. Le Monte Hotel Khao Yai: Where European Boutique Style Meets Thai Mountain Views 20. Nicola Harding & Co: Creating Places, Not Spaces 21. Stephen Alderdice Studio: Turning Land and Buildings into High-Performing Assets 22. KAILO Wellness Medispa: Australia’s Premier Luxury Wellness and Medispa Brand 23. ALBORNO: Freeing Furniture from its Predetermined Purpose 24. Orange Design Studio Ltd: Painting the Town Orange 25. The Baker House 1650: The Hamptons’ Finest Bed and Breakfast 26. A Sunset Chateau: Retreat to Red Rock Country 27. Violin Travel: The Vessel of Musical Culture in Hungary and Budapest 28. Hotel Haldenhof: Say ‘Hallo’ to Hotel Haldenhof 29. Queensdale Residential: List-Worthy Property Redevelopment Professionals 30. LSH Auto Australia: At LSH Auto Australia, Luxury is Much More Than Fine Automobiles Contents 31. Original Beer Spa: Brewing a New Spa Experience 32. Rossano Ferretti: The Beauty of Artisanal Hair Care and Sophisticated Luxury 33. Odyssey Spa: Hertfordshire’s Odyssey to Luxury Wellness 34. John McKay Jewellers: Tie the Knot with the Finest in Scottish Jewellery 35. Golden Hill Country Chalets & Suites: Austria’s Garden of Eden 36. MONIOMI Design: Transformative Interior Design 37. The Lord Bute Restaurant: Rosette-Winning Culinary Excellence 38. The Retreat at Stirling: A New Age of Affordable Luxury 39. Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa: The Perfect Countryside Wedding 40. The Place Retreats: Find Yourself in Beautiful Bali 42. Eizun Eco Skin: Natural Skincare that Refuses to Compromise 43. The Houghton Hotel: Welcome to Your Home Away From Home 44. Hotel Stadt Wien: A Luxury Stay in the Heart of the Austrian Mountains 45. Vie Aesthetics Ltd: Transformative Aesthetic Solutions 46. Blue Zone Realty International: Luxury Living in Costa Rica 47. Wendy Glaister Interiors: Elevating Spaces with Luxury Interiors 48. Dawn Christine, Architect PLLC: Experiential Architect Pushes Functional Design Beyond the Four Walls 49. Stephen Tew: Achieving Excellence in Sales and Lettings 50. Anchorage Motor Lodge: The Anchor of North Island 51. Naturhotel Leithof: Relaxation in the Heart of the Dolomites 52. Elegant Occasions by JoAnn Gregoli: Bespoke Wedding and Events Planning 53. Majed Harasani Architects: A Vision of Distinction
Contents 54. ION Adventure Hotel: Adventure in an Icelandic Paradise 55. Monitor Audio: The Unmistakable Sounds of the Cinema, at Home 56. Prestige Gifting: Best Online Hamper & Florist Retailer 2024 - UK 57. Insider Expeditions: Creating Extraordinary Travel Experiences Around the World 58. Glass House Retreat: Holistic Detox and Wellness Experiences 59. Harp Design: Creating the Feeling of Luxury 60. Lana Banely Design: An Interior Design Service that Never Goes Out of Style 62. Tandberg Miller Design: International Design Studio Transforming Perception into Reality 63. The Morphbag by GSK BESPOKEDESIGNS LTD: Luxury Versatile Vegan and the Most Functional Handbags 64. Waves Hotel: Exclusive Luxury Hotel Experiences 66. Salpietra & Gajdos Architects: Luxury Architecture and Design Firm to Enhance Living Experience 67. Shantivillas Group: Luxury Villas Transforming Hospitality and Tourism 68. Aqua Platinum Projects: Aqua Platinum Projects: The Swimming Pool & Spa Specialists 70. Chamisse Lebanese Restaurant: Authentic Lebanese Cuisine Perfect for Everyone 71. Spices and Spirits in Basingstoke: A Fresh Approach to Indian Cuisine 72. Belvedere Custom Homes: Your Partner for Bespoke Builds 74. Corinthia Lisbon: Explore Lisbon from Elegant Surroundings
Jun22596 6 | LUXlife Magazine 14 | LUXlife Magazine Maryland’s Premier Med Spa Located in Baltimore, Vanity Skin Bar does more than just ensure that its clients are satisfied and confident with their appearances, its team constantly strive to provide fully tailored procedures, with excellence and safety being equally prioritised throughout the process. Cutting-Edge Luxury Medical Spa of the Year 2024 – Maryland recipient Vanity Skin Bar serves to offer a host of fantastic treatments, priding itself on the stunning results it garners clients that are sure to result in them returning time and again. Heading up this operation is Owner and Aesthetic Specialist Cara Heym, who we have the pleasure of talking to in order to find out more about Maryland’s leading medical spa facility. Founded in 2021 for the purposes of assembling a team of talented and highly experienced medical professionals that share a passion for medical aesthetics, cosmetic treatments, and furthering education in the field, Vanity Skin Bar strives to offer clients the very latest in cosmetic and non-surgical aesthetic services. Key areas comprising Vanity Skin Bar’s award-winning repertoire are inclusive of neurotoxins designed to promote advanced treatments in the field of facial and bodily enhancements, dermal fillers that are too applicable for face and body enhancement, biostimulators to sooth wrinkles and folds on the face, neck, chest, back of hands, and other such areas, microneedling, channelling and collagen induction therapy, chemical peels, medical grade skincare, and other customised treatment plans and consultations that are afforded to both new and existing customers alike. The overwhelming success that Vanity Skin Bar has been greeted with since its establishment approximately 3 years ago is likely rooted in its unwavering commitment to clients, with the team putting extra time and care into making sure that individuality is celebrated and goals and expectations effectively and actively manged and understood. As Cara explains, “[our] core values lie in assuring every client feels heard, comfortable and confident in entrusting VSB to achieve their aesthetic aspirations.” It is for this reason that the company’s waiting list often spans several months, reflecting the solid trust clients have in the service and satisfaction with the solutions they are provided. A diverse group of individuals spanning a multitude of backgrounds comprise the company’s clientele, and while the majority of these individuals reside in Baltimore, some travel in from neighbouring regions and even other states across the US. All who visit the spa are greeted with a customer experience that is unrivalled in the industry, with this exclusively appointment-based spa providing ample time for patrons to not feel rushed or like a mere statistic during their visit. For Cara, “clients gravitate towards us over competitors due to this unique encounter we provide, coupled with the remarkable aesthetic transformations our clients enthusiastically endorse.” Cara has always possessed a passion for the world of aesthetics, having fell in love with this art she refers to as “preventative maintenance” not long after beginning her career at a dermatological surgical centre more than 11 years ago. Bolstered by this background in the world of medicine and a love for aesthetics, Cara decided to go for her dream job and open her own medical spa. Returning to school and completing a B.S.N. at University of Maryland’s University College, Cara continues to work towards garnering the relevant qualifications to expand the offerings of the business and deliver clients the most cutting-edge aesthetic treatments. Looking ahead to the next few years of the business, the focus for the immediate future is expansion, with Cara and the team on the lookout for a breathtaking location where the personalised, patient-centric approach to treatment that distinguishes the company in this competitive field can continue to be upheld. Clients are constantly referring their family and friends to the team for appointments, with this highest of endorsements speaking true volumes about the quality and value that is intrinsic within the firm’s services, which has largely eliminated the need for traditional marketing methods. Cara explains to us, “We are deeply grateful for this unwavering support and the trust bestowed upon us by our clientele.” With exquisite services such as the ones on offer from Vanity Skin Bar, trust has been earned through the firm proving itself repeatedly, and a commitment to providing the latest treatments and staying abreast of all new developments in the sector combine to make the business a true beacon of excellence in in the medical spa scene, and we wish Cara Heym and the entire team the best of luck for sustained success in the future, eagerly awaiting what advances and new treatments they pioneer next. Contact: Cara Heym Company: Vanity Skin Bar Web Address: www.vanityskinbar.com
Leaders in Luxury Awards 2024 | 7 New Year 2024 | 9 The Art of Luxury Travel Exclusive France Tours is a bespoke luxury travel agency that delivers exclusive tours across France. With over 25 years operating in the high-end luxury tourism and events industry, the agency creates fully personalised experiences, private tours, and upscale events filled with authentic discoveries. Exclusive France Tours is also one of the leading luxury agencies offering intimate wine explorations across the country. Led by Marie Tesson, the company creates meaningful bespoke experiences that go beyond the ordinary to deliver clients a truly exceptional French holiday. Exclusive France Tours has received this year’s Best Luxury Tourism & Events Agency Award – France for its unparalleled service offering and high standards of care. With its innovative approach to the travel industry, Exclusive France Tours develops cultural tours designed to intrigue and provoke emotion. The agency has created a legacy of excellence with its bespoke adventures and journeys. Over the course of two decades, the company has become a connoisseur of travel, dedicated to creating immersive vacations that continue to surprise and delight its esteemed clients. Its exclusive locations are specifically chosen to ensure every traveller has an incredible, out-of-theordinary adventure. A network of passionate experts is also ready to breathe life into these locations to create irreplicable tours. At the heart of Exclusive France Tours are its private wine explorations. It was owner Marie Tesson’s love of the winemaking tradition that inspired her to offer these private and rare encounters. The team has cultivated a deep understanding of the wine industry and fostered connections across France with winemakers, sommeliers, and owners of acclaimed castles. These relationships enable Exclusive France Tours to offer access to wine estates usually closed to the public. Exclusive France Tours is committed to continuous evolution and adapting to meet clients’ individual needs. Marie Tesson and her specialist team are dedicated to perfecting their approach and consistently exceeding expectations. Exclusive France Tours is passionate about crafting memories for travellers that last a lifetime. The agency has developed strong partnerships across France with companies and individuals that share its high standards of quality. The team remains inspired by the variety of culture, heritage, and gastronomy that French destinations have to offer. France offers the agency endless possibilities and infinite combinations of thrilling experiences. By utilising the beauty of France and their strong creativity, the team can generate inspiration for even the most challenging requests. Exclusive France Tours has become renowned as a tailored designer for its outstanding discoveries, tours, and events. With its mastery of logistics, the company is capable of reacting efficiently to address any last-minute issues. All tours are elevated by reliable logistical procedures based on the agency’s quality standards. The company is passionate about creating well designed programmes and managing private stays and luxury events. These can be tailored to a specific theme, area, or multiple areas of France. One of the agency’s biggest assets has become its cross-regional tours, which consist of exclusive escapes to some of France’s most popular destinations. Exclusive France Tours provides travellers with a unique way to discover gems far away from the crowds. Most recently, the company has announced amazing private tours of Mont Saint Michel. After their three-week private tour, Jaime R. shared, “Marie Tesson listens and internalises what she’s heard. She crafts thought-out itineraries, isn’t afraid to suggest alternatives, and communicates earnestly with her clients. For our ‘Tour de France’, she has consistently gone beyond my expectations. I rate her baby, Exclusive France Tours, a 10 out of 10.” Moving forward, Exclusive France Tours will continue to make the most of its teams’ talents and leverage the innovations offered by AI. By utilising this new technology, the agency will be able to free up more time, increasing efficiency and client responsiveness. Exclusive France Tours is committed to offering exceptional travel experiences tailored to clients’ individual requirements. Specialising in luxury tours, high-end vacation packages, and upscale events, the company will continue to deliver authentic discoveries and unparalleled happenings that exceed travellers’ expectations. For its extraordinary tours and events, Exclusive France Tours has received our award for this year’s Best Luxury Tourism & Events Agency – France. Contact: Marie Tesson Company: Exclusive France Tours Web Address: www.exclusive-france-tours.com
Jun22596 8 | LUXlife Magazine 8 | LUXlife Magazine n 2009, Ben Davidson recognised that there was an ever-increasing outcry for estate and letting agents who truly valued the ins and outs of the Birmingham area. In response, he founded Davidson Estates – a collective that would go on to consistently provide awardwinning services to clients across the UK. Based in both Edgbaston and Birmingham City Centre, Davidson Estates boasts an in-depth understanding of the city that can only come from a specialist. Whether clients are seeking assistance with residential property sales, lettings, and management, or are hoping to be effectively guided through new build sales, investments, and furniture services, Davidson Estates is onhand to help. With a reputation forged around the high level of service and expertise that it has frequently delivered to clients over the years, Davidson Estates now stands as Birmingham’s most dependable agent. Clients can be seeking to rent, buy, or invest, and Davidson Estates’ dedicated team will be right behind them to ensure that their venture is as smooth as possible. It offers an immensely detailed understanding of the local market, allowing it to frequently deliver quality assistance and specialist advice at every turn. No matter how unique the request or requirement, Davidson Estates can be trusted to take care of it. Further emphasising the agency’s brilliance is its continuous recognition within the International Property Awards. Having found itself involved in this campaign for five years running, Davidson Estates has confidently identified that its approaches are working, and constantly enhances them to reach a new level of excellence. After all, excellence is one of its core values, and, combined with its commitment to integrity and client centricity, Davidson Estates has managed to resonate with clients from all sorts of backgrounds. Additionally, the collective has devoted itself to personalisation, leading to a supply of services that are specifically tailored to the client. In short, Davidson Estates prioritises professionalism. As such, it’s developed an incredibly transparent approach to real estate – something that is unfortunately becoming a rare occurrence in today’s property market. This agency, however, prides itself on its ability to lend a hand to every type of customer. Its clientele is beyond diverse, and even encompasses those heralding from other points of the globe. Birmingham, as mentioned previously, is synonymous with diversity, and Davidson Estates embraces this notion to its fullest. Whether it's facilitating seamless transactions for those navigating the international property market, or simply providing advice to the average homeowner, every aspect is imbued with excellence. We’re so very proud to feature Davidson Estates in this issue of LUXlife Magazine. Its dedication to its clients is unrelenting, and yet it somehow Birmingham’s Best in Estate and Letting Birmingham is a city simply brimming with culture – one that is renowned for being able to connect people from all over the world. As such, its property market has become exceedingly popular within the past decade alone, leaving a void in the estate and letting field that desperately needed to be filled. Determined to do so was Davidson Estates, now proud owner of the title of Best Lettings & Property Management Agency 2024 – Birmingham. With an intrinsic talent for navigating Birmingham’s property market, Davidson Estates has become the city’s definitive choice for estate and lettings services. manages to find the time to constantly discover new means to assist individuals from all over the world. As demands emerge, and the market fluctuates, Davidson Estates promises to remain ahead of the game for its clients. It’s this very attitude that has cemented it as a truly trustworthy collective – one that homeowners and investors can fully depend on for years to come. Contact: Ben Davidson Company: Davidson Estates Limited Web Address: https://www.davidsonestates.co.uk/ I
Leaders in Luxury Awards 2024 | 9 New Year 2024 | 7 Those seeking to capture the living power of nature in skincare products need look no further than AEOS, a company that consistently seeks out only the purest natural produce, combining this with next-generation technical expertise in order to unlock the most beautiful skin its users have ever had. Best Organic & Biodynamic Skincare Range 2024 – UK awardee AEOS was born in 2010, on the back of Mike Booth’s continued efforts to carry on the vision of his collaborator, Vicky Wall, with the two working together until her unfortunate passing in 1991. Boasting a line of products free from synthetics and chemicals, nature alone can provide results that look as though the skin has been lit from within, smooth, soft, and nourished to the touch. We speak with Mike, who tells us more about these groundbreaking products. Biodynamic Skincare Sure to Transform planet healthy and fertile, while simultaneously highlighting that luxury products do not have to cost the earth. The company is comprised of four key elements, with its name serving as an acronym for “Active Energised Organic Skincare”. Active stands for the company’s desire to feed the skin through products that are ‘alive’, this being the plant extracts, essential oils, enzymes, and vitamins used. Energised represents the unique and sophisticated process used by the team to fully enhance every element used in its products. Organic serves as a promise, with AEOS growing as many ingredients as possible itself, maintaining certainty that they are cultivated in line with its principles. Skincare of course represents the finished product, with results elevating customers skin to the next level. Mike and the team have been delighted to witness a significant increase in the amount of natural and organic products gracing the luxury sector, where they were previously often dismissed as ‘hippie’ products. Solidifying its presence within the luxury market, the team’s products proudly carry NATRUE Certification, with this internationally recognised benchmark authenticating the company’s offerings, as well as doing a stellar job in its own right, educating consumers about the importance of standards. Looking ahead to the future of AEOS, the team are currently working on designing and implementing a face mask, with this product set to retain the high standards, natural ingredients, and fantastic results that the company is famed for. Moreover, the team’s never-ending mission is to reduce its footprint, and to this end, the team are constantly tending to the 15,000 trees that it planted on its farm several years ago. Mike explains, “we are infusing our love and care into the soil so that it may be healthy for generations to come.” Quintessentially, this multi-faceted dedication to quality, nature, and measurable results sets AEOS apart from others in the field, and make it more than worthy of this acclaim, celebrating it as offering the UK’s premier range of organic and biodynamic skincare products for 2024. Contact: Mike Booth Company: AEOS Web Address: https://aeos.net/ 500 acres of only the purest plants and herbs in existence line the company’s biodynamic, Lincolnshire-based Shire Farm, an area where the soil is nourished deeply and there is wildlife and nature aplenty. The team adopt a hands-on approach across every stage of the process, carefully tending the land, extracting the purest water, and harnessing entirely natural energies in the processes of creating its organic skincare products. These products have been hailed by beauty press around the world, having been featured in publications such as Vogue and Vanity Fair, cited as skincare solutions that refuse to compromise. Heading up this operation is a team of pioneering pharmacists, with these experts in the fields of alchemy and skincare possessing the necessary knowledge to provide customers with unrivalled results, proud of a method that entails a holistic approach encompassing soil, skin, and soul. All of the ingredients used in every one of AEOS’ products are vegan, and the company is committed to never testing on animals, instead blending its host of natural ingredients with pure water that is measurably enhanced by crystal energies, with these liquid gems and crystals boasting the claim of being prepared using ancient techniques over a 12-month period. For AEOS, luxury is more than just a keyword, rather, it is the embodiment of the best products that truly benefit the skin, with these processes taking place long before the ingredients are blended and bottled, this again due to the organic and home-grown origins of all of the products involved in the curation process. Beyond just the providing of pure, potent ingredients, the biodynamic farming methods used by the business are incredibly ethical and sustainable, helping to keep the
Jun22596 10 | LUXlife Magazine New Year 2024 | 19 Founded in 2019 by the duo of Ali Mohammadioun and Elnaz Tagghados, E Plus A Atelier expertly combines two decades of experience in the architecture and interior design spheres, bringing this to the UAE in the form of modern and contemporary designs. Architecture, Interior & Landscape Design Firm of the Year 2024 – Dubai awardee E Plus A Atelier takes pride in the relationships which it has carefully nurtured with clients, and allows its work to speak for the rest. Over the past five years or so, the firm has garnered a stellar reputation amongst Dubai’s luxury clientele, even extending into the regions of the Middle East and Africa. We have the pleasure of speaking with both Ali and Elnaz, who tell us more about the business and its exceptional design services. E Plus A Equals Unique and Beautiful Designs The luxury sector is currently experiencing a sizeable shift, with a more conscious and eco-friendly approach dictating market demand. As Ali and Elnaz explain, “we’ve proactively embraced this shift, integrating sustainable practices not only in our interiors but also in our landscape designs.” This represents the business’ acute awareness of consistently rising exceed client expectations. This is evidenced by a particularly noteworthy client testimonial, serving to truly encapsulate the business’ holistic approach. “E Plus A Atelier doesn't just design spaces; they craft environments where every element, from furniture to greenery, becomes a testament to refined living.” It is an innate passion for transcendent design, mixed with a keen desire to create functional living spaces boosted by a unique artistic flair, which initially led to the team traversing into the luxury sector. Here, the team are provided with the necessary platform to challenge themselves, collaborating with eager clients who have an appreciation for life’s finer things. A good repertoire with one’s client base is essential, as the duo explain. “Building lasting relationships with clients is as crucial as crafting impeccable designs; it’s the fusion of these elements that defines success in the realm of luxury living.” Looking ahead to the future of the firm, innovation is at the very core of the company’s vision, and in the coming years, E Plus A Atelier is set to continue to innovate across industry, championing design principles that are both culturally and environmentally conscious, enabling the creation of spaces which reflect the individuality of clients while harmonising with nature. This extends too to cultural relevance, with all creations done by the team aiming to accurately reflect the past, present, and future, carried out by a diverse team of artists boasting a variety of viewpoints, creative processes, and influences. Quintessentially, E Plus A Atelier’s revolutionary vision, dedication to seamless design services, and unparalleled work ethic combine to make it more than worthy of this distinction, celebrating it as Dubai’s premier landscape and interior design firm. We wish Ali Mohammadioun, Elnaz Tagghados, and the entire team the best of luck for the future and eagerly await what innovations they pioneer next. Contact: Ali Mohammadioun and Elnaz Tagghados Company: E Plus A Atelier Web Address: https://www.eplusa.ae/ Dubai-based architecture and interior design firm E Plus A Atelier boasts interiors with decades of combined experience, and a team determined to expand into the fields of commercial and hospitality design, not only in the UAE, but as far afield as Europe and Asia. This expert team are multi-disciplined, highly dedicated, and possess an exceptional degree of creative expression. Balancing history with modernity, refinement with irregularity, and imagination with discipline, Ali, Elnaz, and the entire team bring a wealth of ideas together, with the finished results embodying co-existence and unrivalled creativity. Contributing immeasurably to Dubai’s bustling interior design scene, E Plus A Atelier possesses such prestigious clients as high-net-worthindividuals, royal family members, businesspeople and celebrities from across the Middle East, Asia, India, and Europe, creating expert design solutions complete with client privacy. Largely, this is achieved through a client-centric approach and finesse, seamlessly translating briefs into flawless finished projects. Ultimately, the team, “don’t just build houses; they create harmonious spaces with their matchless understanding of materials, space and light.” Key areas of focus for Ali and Elnaz including enabling clients to recharge with nature, crafting smooth transitions between home and garden, and meticulously blending creation with cutting-edge technology. This is made apparent by the firm’s faultless integrated landscape design, emphasising its commitment to a multisensory approach complete with greenery as a “living art palette”. It is this sense of refinement and “quiet luxury”, which underpins E Plus A Atelier’s forte, and has allowed it to stand out in the market, bolstered by an unbridled dedication to providing personalised services that are tailored to the last detail.
Leaders in Luxury Awards 2024 | 11 New Year 2024 | 17 Sustainable Luxury Architecture Architect Ante Vrban is an international award-winning architectural company with a focus on luxury residential and commercial projects. Ante Vrban is the main architect, renowned as one of the youngest professionals in the industry to achieve such unprecedented success. The company aims to explore new avenues and possibilities in luxury architecture with contemporary designs that beautifully combine nature and technology. Architect Ante Vrban is passionate about creating quality architecture and protecting the environment for future generations. Architect Ante Vrban has received a Leader in Luxury Award for this year’s Best Luxury Architecture Firm – Croatia. Based in Zagreb, Architect Ante Vrban creates modern projects that promote health for owners and the environment. The business chooses its clients carefully, aiming to work exclusively with open-minded clients to create inspirational designs that reflect the pinnacle of architecture and technology. Architect Ante Vrban provides a comprehensive service to clients and designs everything from the building itself to custom furniture. The team are proprietors of light, natural materials, and technology, designing architecture that is free and simplistic. Architect Ante Vrban has received many awards for stunning projects such as Expo Dubai 2020 - Croatian Pavilion, the Rotim Polyclinic in Zagreb, and Le Concept by Alex Dojčinović in Zagreb. Ante Vrban is the owner and CEO of Architect Ante Vrban. With over 300 developed projects around the world, Ante continues to produce his signature style of architecture that focuses on combining nature and technology. Within the industry, he is known as AV, the architect of light and reflection, because of the specific atmosphere he creates both inside and out. Ante believes that a house should ‘speak’, with its exterior communicating with the surrounding environment and its interior speaking to its owners. On luxury, Ante Vrban shares, “In an architectural sense, luxury is about the form and materials used. Luxury is not only gold and platinum. It is the atmosphere when you enter a house. A mosaic of everything implemented. Every single piece in that mosaic is equally important. The light, reflections, materials, and correspondence with the environment around the house. Sustainability is imperative. Today a house can be completely self-sufficient.” Since the pandemic, clients have been more enthusiastic about incorporating nature into projects. People are more aware of their individual impact on climate change and wish to embrace sustainability in their architecture. Architect Ante Vrban strives for green living by integrating natural materials, interior gardens, and sustainable architecture. The company is dedicated to innovation and observing the world to create trends and explore new materials or reuse existing materials. Ante Vrban says, “We will continue to try and make the world a better place. The architecture we leave behind is the most precise way of writing about the past and the level of consciousness and technology of our time. Everything else fades, but quality architecture remains and reflects the time we lived in. Architecture is a form of art that connects to everything from culture to the way of life and people.” Looking to the future, Architect Ante Vrban is currently fully booked until the end of 2025. There are many exciting projects to come, including residential, commercial, and public projects with a museum in the works for 2024. Headed by Ante Vrban, the architectural company is dedicated to exploring innovative ways to incorporate light, natural materials, and technology into new designs. Architect Ante Vrban aims to inspire clients to protect the environment and give new life to their personal space by integrating nature into their projects. For its sustainable designs, Architect Ante Vrban has received our award for this year’s Best Luxury Architecture Firm – Croatia. Company: Architect Ante Vrban Web Address: www.antevrban.com
Jun22596 12 | LUXlife Magazine 16 | LUXlife Magazine property isn’t just a building – it never has been. No, what truly makes a property is the personality that’s injected into it. It becomes a representation of the owner’s very being. From ceiling to floor, homeowners tirelessly work to find a means to express themselves through their living space. As such, it’s unsurprising that most individuals seek the perfect canvas to begin creating their own special sort of art. Enter Bonte Filipidis, a Portugal and Ibiza-based property agency that truly understands how to pair individuals with their dream living location. This abundant passion for uniting clients with their ideal properties is the essence of Bonte Filipidis – a trait that manifests through its approach to each and every customer. To the tight knit team of property experts, establishing long-term relationships with clients is arguably the most important aspect of the process. Whether individuals are looking to invest in a property, or are seeking to relocate, Bonte Filipidis acts as a devoted partner throughout the journey. Providing a bespoke service is essential, but ensuring that clients retain a strong connection with Bonte Filipidis is the core of its being. By retaining these premium approaches, Bonte Filipidis has managed to uphold its status as a luxury collective. Revolving around the principles of transparency, trust, and communication, Bonte Filipidis promises a plethora of personal services. Regardless of the unique needs of each individual client, its agents are willing to go the extra mile to make them feel secure in their choices. It’s a supportive collective, both in terms of customers and its own team, which has allowed it to transcend the usual expectations of real estate agents. Now, it’s viewed as one of the most trusted choices within the luxury real estate market. Possessing a portfolio of properties that are simply brimming with elegance, Bonte Filipidis emphasises its luxury aspects at every turn. From grand mansions that oversee the brimming expanse of the ocean, to penthouses that tower above the skyline to provide panoramic views to its cherished owners, the options posed are simply endless. However, there is one factor that will always remain consistent – each property is utterly exquisite; a real testament to Bonte Filipidis’ definition of luxury. It’s in this vein that Bonte Filipidis truly distinguishes itself. Its unapologetic dedication to sourcing only the most beautiful builds is where it thrives, ultimately resulting in a premium property portfolio that anybody pursuing luxury can enjoy. Bonte Filipidis is a real estate agency that holds an authentic love for architecture, design, and aesthetics. As such, it knew exactly what type of properties it wished to present, and went the extra mile to secure a selection of serene abodes for its clients. Now, Bonte Filipidis is widely Boutique Properties Bound by Luxury Compelled to deliver a bespoke services to each client, no matter their budget or requirements, Bonte Filipidis is a premium real estate agency whose insight into the Portuguese, Ibizan, and French property market champions the competition. Having recently received the prestigious title of Best Boutique Property Investment & Relocation Firm 2024 – Portugal, Bonte Filipidis demonstrates a profound level of commitment to its craft – a commitment that, under the guidance of its powerhouse of a team, has only flourished since the collective’s inception. Below, we explore how. recognised as the definitive real estate agency for anybody looking to inject some luxury into their life, with its impeccable attitude towards customer service simply enhancing its popularity. We’re so excited to see what new properties Bonte Filipidis discovers as we venture into 2024, and we hope that it continues to thrive as the pinnacle of luxury. Contact: Alexandra Bonte & James Filipidis Company: Bonte Filipidis Web Address: https://bontefilipidis.com/ A
Leaders in Luxury Awards 2024 | 13 6 | LUXlife Magazine A Gem of a Retreat A former historic Irish Inn, Creacon Wellness Retreat (Creacon) is the brainchild of founder, Derek O’Neill and his late wife, Linda. The couple dreamed of creating a haven for relaxation and rejuvenation in the stunning Irish countryside, and they achieved just that. Creacon Wellness Retreat is our ‘Best Health & Wellness Retreat 2024 - County Wexford’. Our lives these days can be hectic. Rushing our way through every day, bouncing from one task to another becomes the daily norm. But sometimes we all need a break, and there are times when just getting away on holiday for a few days simply won’t cut it. Finding an oasis of calm and tranquillity to completely relax and unwind is the only thing that will do the trick. Nestled in the majestic green hills of County Wexford, Creacon Wellness Retreat specialises in yoga and meditation retreats that run all year-round. Its aim is to enable its guests and clients to get away from it all, to rebalance and revitalise spirit, mind, and body. Modern, media-free accommodation continues to promote rest and relaxation, complemented by additional amenities such as the fitness studio, art room, and library. Surrounded by extensive, tranquil gardens, Creacon is the perfect setting to help you escape the stresses and strains of daily life. Listen to the sounds of the birds in the trees and let go of everything that no longer serves you. Of course, food plays an essential part in wellbeing too. Creacon’s philosophy of providing delicious, nutritious food is central to its ‘Soulful Food’ residential menu. Overseen by head chef, Dean Kennedy, Creacon’s Restaurant/Café is popular with both visitors and locals. The dishes are designed and prepared to nurture and promote health from the inside out. Favouring seasonal ingredients, the Chefs incorporate some Eastern traditional nutritional values. On most retreats at Creacon, you will have your accommodation, meals, and classes included for the full retreat experience. Creacon also offers a whole range of holistic treatments including Bowen therapy, acupuncture, reflexology, cleansing facials, and a range of relaxing and detoxifying massages to restore your body. Designed as a means to completely reset, consultations in areas such as psychotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), and hypnotherapy can also be incorporated into your retreat. As you might imagine, Creacon welcomes many solo guests, but it’s also the perfect getaway to spend some quality time with a friend, family member, or partner. With a range of packages to choose from, starting from an overnight stay to a full six-day wellness retreat, there really is something for everyone. In addition to its year-round programme, Creacon Wellness Retreat also welcomes speakers and practitioners from around the globe to host talks and workshops at the retreat. Details of specialised retreats built around these events are available via the company website. Contact Details Contact: Team Creacon +353 51 447 666 Company: Creacon Wellness Retreat Web Address: www.creaconwellnessretreat.com/
Jun22596 14 | LUXlife Magazine New Year 2024 | 25 When it comes to luxury skincare, look no further than 303 Face Body Organics, a spa grade skincare range that is personally curated for you. The perfectly pure and aesthetically pleasing beauty concept is the brainchild of creator Marci Lundy, who wanted to offer an at home experience that matched that of the spa. She particularly wanted to achieve this for busy people who are deserving of self-care, without having to book in advance at the health club. The company has now been recognised as the Best Natural Skincare Brand 2024 - Western USA, following which we were interested to find out a little more. Beauty for All Seasons provided time for consumers to think about what they did and didn’t want in their lives moving forward. As a luxury skincare brand, 303 Face Body has always revered smart and sophisticated products, and it knows it’s not alone. There will always be a place for the “pretty and shiny”, but when this is coupled with “smart and effective”, everybody wins. A product that fulfils on all levels, and is an absolute crowd pleaser to boot, is the Ch`erie Facial Gelate by 303 Face Body. This is a moisturiser that has proved to be significantly helpful for many people’s skin, and garnered a plethora of good reviews. “I feel as though it’s my life’s mission to help show people how. How amazing it can make one feel, how that level of euphoria can linger, creating a beautiful positive domino effect.” For a person like Marci, who relishes luxury in her life, she embraces every opportunity to enjoy little luxuries such as filling her loft apartment with plants, and making it feel like an at-home spa. She calls this “subtle luxuries”, and has designed her life so that she is always surrounded by what she loves. She is thrilled by everything modern, sophisticated, and minimalist, which is what she kept at the very forefront of her mind when developing 303 Face Body. Such factors simply sing luxury. Looking to the future, Marci would like to introduce the 303 Face Body line to the world of wellness retreats. This is something she feels is a “natural step” for a person like her, who has lived their entire life as a free flowing template for the vision she foresees. She would like her wellness retreats to be the kind of places that are draped with plants, with delicious aromatic scents wafting through the air, and decorative humidifiers that double up as art. In essence, she wants to introduce her own lifestyle choices to the public wellness arena. Furthermore, she imagines the future wellness/self-care developments operating on two levels. Both as an academy, and as a space where persons with disabilities can access wellness experiences. Marci is particularly excited to seek out ways of introducing luxury to those who may currently feel uncatered for, and to guide them down a path that incorporates delight every day. Company: 303 Face Body Organics Web Address: 303facebodyorganics.com Contact Name: Marci C Lundy 303 Face Body has something for everyone, from its coffee based eye serums to its subtle, zen tea therapy. None of the products being sold and promoted by the company have more than four ingredients, as the company is committed to manufacturing pure, top quality items. Those products on the market that are filled with multiple synthetic substances are often a major contributory factor to skin irritation and inflammation. It is far better to rely on filler and toxin free beauty items, such as those espoused by 303 Face Body, which encourage natural good skin health. Marci is delighted when customers sing the praises of her products, after they notice super quick results. This reinforces her belief in providing the purest of ingredients for all her lip balms, body butters, soaps, and even her loose leaf teas. “A little goes a long way”, she comments, “with visible results within a week”. As the company founder, Marci should certainly know. She is proud to divulge that there isn’t a single product in the 303 Face Body line she herself doesn’t use on a regular basis as part of her self-care regime. Since its very inception, it has always been very important to Marci that her company embraces clean beauty as a way of life. She wanted her products to be natural, and made to order according to each individual client’s skincare concerns. She is also onboard with the current trend for green and sustainable beauty products, which she is heartened to see entering the mainstream. In many ways, she thinks this is down to the enforced break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which
Leaders in Luxury Awards 2024 | 15 28 | LUXlife Magazine Luxurious Designs to Stand the Test of Time Whether designing a luxury residential property in London or an exquisite hotel interior in Hong Kong, Alison Henry Design strives to emphasise quality and superior craftsmanship across every aspect of its work. With its classic, timeless designs, the studio endeavours to create spaces that seamlessly integrate with their surroundings and reflect clients’ deepest desires. In the wake of its win, we speak to award-winning designer Alison Henry about her eponymous company. Born in New Zealand and travelled and lived abroad as a child growing up, Alison Henry is an interior architect and furniture designer renowned for creating memorable spaces that meet the needs of the modern family while invoking a sense of luxury and timeless elegance. Through her extensive travels across Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and the US, Alison have fostered a multicultural perspective that informs and elevates her work. Prior to establishing Alison Henry Design, Alison gained prominence at Richmond International where she contributed to several major projects including the refurbishment of the Dorchester Hotel in London and the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. During this time, Alison played a crucial role in strengthening the company’s presence, setting up Richmond International’s office in Hong Kong and worked on several hospitality projects in the region. In 1992, she founded Alison Henry Design in Hong Kong and began commencing prestigious hospitality and residential projects worldwide. Major projects have included the design of Peninsula Hotel Handover Suite, the renovation of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, a selection of retail stores, including Celine, and bespoke interiors for private residences and yachts. After relocating her practice to Belgravia, London, Alison shifted her focus to serving residential clients both locally and internationally. On her world travels, she curated a network of suppliers and craftsman whom she contacts for custom pieces. When Alison cannot find the perfect piece, she designs and creates bespoke items for her clients. She loves to work with a diverse range of architecture, materials, and artisans to create statement pieces that add character and charm to any space. Whether seeking a short consultancy on space optimisation or the complete refurbishment of a period property, Alison Henry Design can turn clients’ deepest desires into reality. Over the years, she has become revered for creating interiors that are not only luxurious but also comfortable, functional, and inviting for all. Alison Henry Design thoughtfully selects projects with remarkable architecture and inspiring briefs that excite the team to design fresh, comfortable environments for modern living. Alison Henry says, “Our deep respect for original architecture, attention to fine detail, and reverence for historical and cultural influences ensure that our designs seamlessly integrate with their surroundings. This dedication to excellence and harmonious blend of tradition and innovation distinguishes us in the realm of luxury design.” At Alison Henry Design, projects are tailored to reflect clients’ unique personalities while meeting their exact requirements. The studio believes that less is more, adhering in the principle of ‘design once well’. With its in-depth understanding of clients’ daily lives and design needs, Alison Henry Design creates life-enhancing spaces that truly feel like home. The team prides itself on delivering environments that are not only beautiful but also functional and meaningful to those who inhabit them. Alison Henry shares, “As a brand ambassador of Officine Gullo, I've had the privilege of working on various bespoke kitchen designs to create the heart of the home, the ultimate space for family and friends with professional or home chefs. The experience of creating my own kitchen and seeing it be manufactured through production in Florence, from selecting marble slabs to witnessing the production process, has been an immersive experience that references history and craftsmanship. As a family who loves to cook, entertain, and create memories together, I understand the importance of a welldesigned kitchen.” Throughout 2024, Alison has focused on further developing her brand and setting new standards for luxury living spaces. She aims to expand the brand’s reach through strategic partnerships and future collaborations with international artisans and manufacturers. Moving forward, Alison Henry Design will undertake more developmental projects and expand its property portfolio with dressing out, artwork, and custom-made products developed through brand collaborations. The design studio is currently working on a couple of residential projects including a historic school chapel set in the heart of South London. This endeavour aims to preserve the chapel's architecture while reimagining the interior into an open-concept space that bathes in natural light. They are also working on a new Artspace & café in Central London. For over three decades, Alison Henry Design has created timeless, enduring spaces designed to stand the test of time. Inspired by Alison’s extensive global travels and wealth of experience, the studio employs a bold, yet playful approach combined with a deep respect for original architecture and meticulous attention to detail. Recognised in LUXlife’s Leaders in Luxury awards, Alison Henry Design is eager to discover what creative possibilities await on its ongoing pursuit of design excellence. For its unrivalled luxury designs, we have bestowed on Alison Henry Design this year’s award for Best Interior Architecture & Furniture Design Company – London. Company: Alison Henry Design Studio Web Address: www.alisonhenry.com/ Email: [email protected] Tel: 0207 823 4620
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