_{Photographer: Jack R Johnstone}

_{Photographer: Jack R Johnstone}

_{Photographer: Jack R Johnstone}

_{Photographer: Jack R Johnstone}

_{Photographer: Jack R Johnstone}

_{Photographer: Jack R Johnstone}

_{Photographer: Jack R Johnstone}

_{Photographer: Jack R Johnstone}

_{Photographer: Jack R Johnstone}

Photographer: Jack R Johnstone at www.togetherassociates.com

Stylist: Steph Wilson at www.onerepresents.com 

Makeup: Adam De Cruz at www.onerepresents.com using Nars

Hair: Christopher Gatt at @agencyofsubstance using R+Co

Set Design: Helen Macintyre at www.onerepresents.com

Casting Director: Dean Goodman at www.thegoodmancreative.com

Fashion Assistant: Roz Donoghue

Model: Carolina Burgin at www.prm.com

_{Look 1: Dress LURLINE, Tights BLOCH, Shoes MAISON MARGIELA}

_{Look 2: Bodysuit CRITTER, Tights FALKE}

_{Look 3: Bangles DINOSAUR DESIGN, Bodysuit CRITTER}

_{Look 4 & 5: Top EDELINE LEE, Bodysuit BASERANGE, Tights FALKE, Shoes IZIE}

_{Look 6: Dress NANUSKHA, Leggings CRITTER, Shoes KALDA}

_{Look 7: Shirt STELLA MCCARTNEY}

_{Look 8: Shirt & trousers STELLA MCCARTNEY, Shoes 3.1 PHILLIP LIM}

_{Look 9: Shoes 3.1 PHILLIP LIM}

The post Glass presents FORM – an editorial by Jack R Johnstone, Helen Macintyre and Steph Wilson first appeared on The Glass Magazine.

The perfume house, which is known for its approach that that blends ancient tradition with modern innovation, has crafted a collection of perfumes, oils, and body care products that challenge conventional norms of scent for the past 30 years.

_{Nina Simona Briazu for Massimiliano Torti}

Born in Florence in 1975, Torti’s early exposure to the world of fragrances in the ’80s and ’90s ignited his passion for perfumery, honing in on single-note essences and focussing on the authenticity of raw essences. As such, his scents incorporate a high concentrations of essential oils (30- 40%), exemplifying his dedication to purity, and crafted by hand in his Umbrian workshop, in limited quantities to ensure excellence.

_{Raw collection by Massimiliano Torti}

On his approach Torti says,”we believe that true luxury lies in exclusivity and individuality. By remaining offline and avoiding mainstream marketing, we ensure that our fragrances are for those who truly appreciate the art of perfumery. Our goal is to teach individuals how to perfume themselves, to create their own rituals, and to discover scents that align with their essence.”

_{Bianca collection by Massimiliano Torti}

Channeling the brand philosophy that sees fragrance as a personal and transformative, the key to their scents is the art of layering, a technique that allows for personalised luxury. Torti introduced the concept of “olfactory stratification,” an approach that encourages the layering of different scents across various parts of the body that results in a rich, multidimensional fragrance experience. This method allows wearers to build a signature scent, and with over 300 fragrances, there’s a whole host of options to be worn.

_{Amber collection by Massimiliano Torti}

Building on years of research, artistry, and innovation, the house has added to its family with Nina Simona Briazu, a talented “nose” and personal protégé who plays a key role in expanding Torti’s brand and philosophy, and she’s marks the next chapter for the brand with the opening the London boutique.

Here, she will offer personalised fragrance experiences, helping to craft bespoke fragrances. On the offering Nina says, “I want to create ‘perfume awareness’—teaching people to own their scent identities. Fragrance is an intimate experience that deserves to be understood and appreciated.”

by Felicity Carter

_{57 Brewer Street, London, W1F 9UL}

The post Massimiliano Torti Perfumery arrives in London first appeared on The Glass Magazine.

_{Biodynamic Forces Through The Alchemy of Planets and Plants}

Expect 14 new cocktails that draw inspiration from biodynamic farming that offers guests not only innovative combinations, but also an immersive, educational experience. First established by Rudolf Steiner in the 1920s, biodynamic farming focuses on the connection between soil, plants, animals, and the cosmos.

Maria Thun then created the Biodynamic Calendar which mapped out the influence of lunar and planetary cycles on specific parts of the plant—root, leaf, flower, or fruit—and their ideal times for harvesting.

_{Biodynamic Forces Through The Alchemy of Planets and Plants}

In true form, each cocktail crafted by Michele Saladino, Head Mixologist and his team, is named after a planet on this Biodynamic Calendar, offering a playful menu that’s interactive and adds a touch of fun to the luxury cocktail experience.

The interactive element adds a level of engagement to the cocktail, allowing guests to select their cocktail by exploring constellation diagrams and astrology signs on each page. It also features a flavour dial that links each cocktail to the Biodynamic Calendar, offering a unique way to discover various ingredients.

And of course, where possible the team use biodynamic, organic and seasonal ingredients, working closely with The Biodynamic Association Demeter to build a relationship with farmers, producers and suppliers across to source produce that meet the standards.

_{Biodynamic Forces Through The Alchemy of Planets and Plants}

Personified by a fictional character, The Astro Botanist, this new menu includes original takes on ten classic cocktails, from the Jupiter, an elegant floral spritz, that’s poured at the table from a small fountain and topped up with biodynamic champagne, to The Moon, a twist on the Dirty Martini, as well as Mars, a new take on a Negroni. There are also four alcohol free cocktails, named Elixir Naturalis which include the Mercurius, Triton, Ariel and Phobos.

_{Biodynamic Forces Through The Alchemy of Planets and Plants}

The ritzy experience is elevated further thanks to an exclusive collection of bespoke glassware that reflect each concept, and for this, the 5-star hotel worked with 3D Vault to design the pieces, crafted from ceramic, recycled glass, and PLA (a 100% natural material derived from renewable resources). Through 3D printing, 3D Vault creates precise models with zero material waste and high-quality durable products.

by Felicity Carter

_{Available exclusively in The Rivoli Bar all year round, see more on theritzlondon.com.}

The post The Rivoli Bar launches new biodynamic-inspired cocktail menu first appeared on The Glass Magazine.

Charli XCX and the Rewriting of Pop’s Rulebook

Charli XCX continues her ascent as pop’s most thrilling disruptor. With three entries from her latest project “Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat”, she proves yet again that she can spin the mundane into shimmering gold. Tracks like “360 featuring Robyn & Yung Lean” and “B2b featuring Tinashe” exist in a hyper-real world where glossy production meets razor-sharp lyricism. It’s pop, but with an avant-garde edge that refuses to play by the rules. And then there’s “Mean Girls featuring Julian Casablancas”, which layers post-punk sensibilities over dancefloor beats, a meeting of minds that feels as effortlessly cool as it does unexpected.

The Dancefloor Renaissance

If 2024 is proving anything, it’s that the dancefloor never really left – it just took a brief sabbatical. MØ’s “Who Said” and D.O.D’s “Feel The Passion” remind us why we fell in love with euphoric beats in the first place. MØ conjures imagery of festival lights cutting through the night, while D.O.D channels the collective energy of dance culture’s revival. These tracks aren’t just for fleeting moments of euphoria – they linger, like the echo of a perfect night out.

Meanwhile, Porter Robinson’s “Something Comforting” feels like electronic catharsis. It’s a sonic embodiment of vulnerability wrapped in shimmering production – music for the overthinkers, the romantics, and those caught somewhere in between. Robinson’s craft invites introspection without sacrificing grandeur, cementing him as one of the genre’s most emotionally astute architects.

Unlikely Collaborations That Hit Different

Pairings like SEVENTEEN and DJ Khaled on “LOVE, MONEY, FAME” and The Black Keys with Beck on “I’m With The Band” reflect the beautifully chaotic state of music today. The former juxtaposes the polished, kinetic energy of K-pop against Khaled’s larger-than-life ethos, while the latter channels the grit and swagger of blues rock through Beck’s effortlessly cool filter. These tracks thrive on contrasts, blending disparate elements to create something greater than the sum of their parts.

Elsewhere, Rihanna’s “SOS” makes a nostalgic reappearance, a reminder of her ability to craft pop anthems that defy generational boundaries. It’s been nearly two decades, but the track still feels as urgent and vibrant as ever – a testament to Rihanna’s enduring influence.

A New Wave of Sonic Storytellers

Artists like Matilda Mann and Father John Misty infuse the playlist with narrative richness. Mann’s “Everything I’m Not” drifts through delicate melodies and introspective lyricism, evoking a sense of yearning that feels personal yet universal. Father John Misty’s “She Cleans Up”, on the other hand, is chamber pop at its finest – textured, immersive, and brimming with a sly self-awareness. These aren’t just songs; they’re diary entries set to music.

Obongjayar’s “Just My Luck” takes experimental R&B to new heights, where rhythm and atmosphere converge to form something hypnotic and compelling. Likewise, Mk.gee’s “ROCKMAN” strikes an exquisite balance between soulful resonance and sonic experimentation, reflecting the ongoing evolution of R&B into something more expansive and genre-fluid.

Afrobeats’ Global Symphony

Afrobeats continues its global ascent with tracks like Davido and YG Marley’s “Awuke” and Burna Boy’s “Bundle By Bundle”. These tracks exude vitality, serving as rhythmic passports to a cultural movement that shows no signs of slowing. Afrobeats isn’t just influencing music – it’s redefining how we experience joy and community on a global scale.

Nostalgia Meets Reinvention

Madonna’s “Frozen” returns with a sense of ethereal grandeur, a reminder that reinvention is the cornerstone of longevity. Similarly, LCD Soundsystem’s “x-ray eyes” weaves indie electronica with existential musings, offering the kind of sonic introspection that resonates long after the final note fades.

Breakbot’s “Fantasy” invites listeners to revel in nu-disco nostalgia, a groovy reminder that sometimes the best way forward is by revisiting the past – albeit with a modern twist.

The Emerging Vanguard

New voices like Willow Kayne and IN PARALLEL provide a glimpse into the next generation of musical trailblazers. “Zenosyne” by Kayne is punchy and self-assured, while “NOW IT’S GONE” channels raw emotion with atmospheric precision. These artists reflect the genre-agnostic future of music, where innovation thrives in the margins.

A Playlist for the Complexities of Now

At its core, this playlist mirrors the beautifully chaotic energy of contemporary life – unpredictable, euphoric, and deeply human. It’s a sonic snapshot of where we are and where we’re heading, soundtracking the moments that define us, from the revelatory to the heart-wrenching.

So press play, and let the music carry you – because whether you’re dancing in your kitchen or spiraling into a reflective haze, there’s something here that resonates. The future of sound is vibrant, unfiltered, and endlessly compelling.

Link on the GLASS homepage and here

The post GLASS curates its seasonal soundtrack for your Winter enjoyment first appeared on The Glass Magazine.

Now headed up by CEO Antoine Pin, the brand’s core collection consists of three iconic families designed by Jack Heuer, cue the TAG Heuer Carrera, Monaco, and Autavia, and it’s rounded out with the contemporary TAG Heuer Link, Aquaracer, Formula 1, and Connected lines.

_{TAG Heuer for 2025 F1}

Back in the driving seat and perfectly exuding its motto, “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” TAG has announced that it is once again the F1’s official timekeeper, and right in time to celebrate 75^th anniversary of Formula 1 this year.

With a rich history in the sport that spans over seven decades, 2025 marks the revival of their partnership that embodies luxury, precision, innovation, performance and speed. After all, TAG Heuer was the first luxury brand to have its logo appear on a Formula 1 car in 1969, the first to sponsor a team in 1971 and, with 239 wins and 15 World Drivers’ Championships to its name, it’s one of the most successful brands in history to be associated with Formula 1.

_{Steve McQueen wearing TAG Heuer}

“In a sport defined by mental resilience, physical strength, strategy, innovation, and performance it is only natural for TAG Heuer to be at the very heart of Formula 1 as Official Timekeeper” says Antoine Pin, CEO of TAG Heuer.

He continues, “With decades of history in F1 connecting us to the most successful drivers and teams of all time, we are honoured and privileged to be the name connected to the very thing that defines the winner: time. As Formula 1 and their exceptional team continue to build on the amazing work that has been done to create one of the greatest properties in sport, we are excited to be part of the journey and create new stories to enrich TAG Heuer.”

_{Ayrton Senna wearing TAG Heuer}

Formula 1 has become one of the most culturally significant and successful sporting championships in the world, with 750 million fans worldwide and a fanbase that’s becoming younger and more diverse—just head over to TikTok to see its popularity amongst a younger audience.

The 2024 season saw 1.5 billion viewers tune into the action-packed season, where the wheel-to-wheel racing went down to the wire between McLaren and Ferrari for the Constructors’ Championship in Abu Dhabi.

On the next stage of the F1 x TAG Heuer partnership, Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO, Formula 1 says the timekeeping brand is a natural fit, “With their focus on innovation, accuracy and excellence, they are a natural partner, and I am excited to see how our intertwining heritage can tell new stories for the future as we celebrate our 75th year.” 

As part of the collaboration, TAG Heuer will have a significant presence both on and off the track, through trackside branding, Fan Zone and Paddock Club activations and new product ranges that encapsulate the drama of Formula 1. Roll on the Australian Grand Prix in March.

by Felicity Carter

The post TAG Heuer is back as Official Timekeeper for Formula 1 first appeared on The Glass Magazine.

Bringing back over 200 creations as part of this capsule, the pieces balance French craftsmanship with Japanese innovation that is bound by their endless stream of boundless imagination.

_{Louis Vuitton x Murakami}

First sparked by the then-creative director Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton x Murakami is identified by its kaleidoscope of colour and recreation of the House’s most recognisable accessories. Bringing motifs like the famous Monogram pattern and adding the artist’s famed characters to the pattern, the pair balance each other out.

_{Louis Vuitton x Murakami}

Kicking off this anniversary year, Chapter One of the collaboration renders everything from the City Bags to Speedys, belts to skateboards and keyrings – and even taking over the packaging of fragrances and adding a customised travel case to the collection.

Brought to life with a special campaign starring brand ambassador and actor Zendaya, it seems 2025 is already Louis Vuitton’s year.

by Imogen Clark

The post Takashi Murakami celebrates 20 years of Louis Vuitton collaboration with launch of re-edition collection first appeared on The Glass Magazine.

Angelina Jolie in McQueen

Cate Blanchett in Louis Vuitton

Zoe Saldana in Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello

Jeremy Strong in Loro Piana with Richard Mille watch

Miley Cyrus in Celine with De Beers jewellery

Demi Moore in Giorgio Armani

Tilda Swinton in archival Chanel couture

Zoe Kravitz in Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello

Colman Domingo in Valentino and Omega watch

Daniel Craig in Giorgio Armani

Ariana Grande in archival Givenchy couture with Swarovski jewellery

Emma Stone in Louis Vuitton

Monica Barbaro in Bvglari jewellery

Emma D’Arcy in McQueen

Zendaya in Louis Vuitton with Bvlgari jewellery

Eddie Redmayne and Hannah Bagshawe in Valentino

Jack Lowden in Dior Men and Omega watch

Margaret Qualley in Chanel

Hwang Donghyuk in Louis Vuitton

Anthony Mackie in BOSS

Anya Taylor-Joy in archival Dior with Tiffany and Co. jewellery

Kate Hudson in Bvlgari jewellery

Richard Gadd in Dior Men

Anna Sawai in Dior

Jennifer Coolidge in Aje with Swarovski jewellery

Jacques Audiard in Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello

Keira Knightley in Chanel

Ralph Fiennes in Dior Men

Vic Carmen Sonne in Louis Vuitton

Viola Davis in Gucci with Swarovski jewellery

Gia Coppola in Valentino

Tadanobu Asano in Louis Vuitton

Guy Pearce in Brunello Cucinelli and Omega watch

_{All images are courtesy of the stated brand and Getty}

The post Glass presents the Best Dressed at the 2025 Golden Globes first appeared on The Glass Magazine.

Designed by Belgian architect Jean-Michel Gathy and his firm Denniston, the immaculate 299-room establishment has won applause globally for its fresh take on luxury, reaching third spot in The World’s 50 Best Hotels List 2023. 

_Pool

Enveloped in a constant dialogue between Thai-design and world-class hospitality, the Four Seasons Bangkok balances sprawling courtyards full of amazing water features with an interior that boasts an art-fuelled lobby curated in partnership with MOCA Bangkok, herringbone patterned walls and bathrooms boasting Apaiser stone baths. 

_{Palmier by Guillaume Galliot}

When it comes to culinary prowess, Bangkok is fuelled by its multicultural offerings and the Four Seasons Bangkok offers some of the best. Yu Ting Yuan, its signature Cantonese restaurant by chef Tommy Cheung, has already earned a Michelin-star and promises to be a treat for the tastebuds.

From perfecting roasted meats to crafting intricate dim-sum, it’s pure joy from start to finish. For those after a taste of Europe, Riva del Fiume ushers you to Italian shores with its rustic menu, while Palmier by Guillaume Galliot serves French brasserie-style classics. 

_{BKK Social Club}

But it’s BKK Social Club that has everyone talking. Again considered one of the finest in the world (with a plethora of awards accordingly) and inspired by the nightlife of Buenos Aires, this bar has taken a slice of South American charm to create an environment of sultry glamour centred by a truly experimental cocktail menu.  

_{Executive Suite}

Being able to offer guests a type of peace and quiet rare for Bangkok while maintaining an exceptional level of service, makes this hotel more than worthy of all its accolades.  

by Imogen Clark

_{fourseasons.com}

_{Hotel Reservation: +66 (0)2 032 0887}

_{Starting price for Guest Rooms:  USD450++ for Standard Room}

_{Starting price for Suites: USD700++ for Studio Suite / USD1400++ for One-Bedroom Suite}

The post Glass stays in an urban oasis at the Four Seasons Bangkok first appeared on The Glass Magazine.

_{Haldu Tola}

Nestled away in lush jungle flora, Haldu Tola is the only one of its kind to be located in Pench Tiger Reserve. Named after the long-standing Haldu tree, Haldu Tola boasts four bedrooms, a dining room, a living room, a lounge, and a heated pool. Carved by local artisans from the Gond tribal community, the solar-powered villa intertwines vibrant cultural elements with elegant furnishings and details.

_{Haldu Tola}

Additionally, guests can spend some free time hitting the well-equipped gym or enjoying in-villa yoga sessions and art workshops. However, the ultimate villa addition is Haldu Tola’s customised Africa-style safari jeep. For those hoping to learn more about the surrounding wildlife, an in-villa naturalist will accompany guests on excursions and provide thorough insights into the abundant landscape.

Alongside safari experiences, Pench Tiger Reserve has recently been recognised as Asia’s eighth and newest dark sky place – meaning it’s an ideal location for stargazing and astronomy workshops.

_{Haldu Tola}

Available to rent fully serviced, the villa comes with its own senior camp manager, housekeeping and chef. Tapping into traditional Indian culinary traditions, the catering team utilises locally sourced ingredients – including fruits and vegetables grown in the villa’s vegetable garden – to provide the freshest breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

by Sophie Richardson

_{Experience Haldu Tola with Explorations Company from £19,500 based on a five-night stay for 5-8 guests. For more information, please visit www.explorationscompany.com.}

The post Explorations Company welcomes Haldu Tola to its sparkling portfolio first appeared on The Glass Magazine.

According to legend, the monastery was founded in the eighth century by Padmasambhava, the “Second Buddha”, who flew to this site on the back of a tigress and meditated here for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours.  

This hike was the culmination of our Bhutanese adventure, having landed at Paro Airport a week earlier, with our plane banking left and right between the surrounding 18,000-foot peaks of Mount Jumolhari. Our pilot is one of only 24 in the world trained to land here.

_{Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten | Photography bay Marcus Westberg}

We have come to explore the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, nestled between China and India, with a population of only 750,000 living in the valleys of a country that is 99 per cent mountainous. Buddhism, the official state religion, permeates every aspect of the Bhutanese lifestyle, culture and even attire, with men wearing the traditional Bhutanese gho and women wearing the kira.

Bhutan has undergone a remarkable transformation over the last 15 years, evolving from an absolute to a democratic monarchy, with the government monitoring the country’s prosperity through its “Gross National Happiness” index. The so-called GNH tracks the population’s mental well-being, education, cultural diversity, community spirit, sustainability and living standards. 

_{Tiger’s Nest Monastery | Photography bay Marcus Westberg}

On our one-hour drive from the airport to the capital, Thimphu, our guide explains the reason for the mandatory accompaniment of all international tourists. It’s to ensure reverence for Bhutanese religious sites, to show respect for national traditions and to protect the environment.

We check in at Pemako Thimphu, a striking hotel enveloped by the vista of the surrounding mountains. Its exterior features a traditional Bhutanese façade with whitewashed walls, intricate wooden cornices and lotus-shaped window frames. The resident Buddhist monk blesses us with a welcoming ceremony, tying a red thread around our wrists, symbolising good luck and prosperity, which we proudly wear for the duration of our trip.

_{Punakha Dzong | Photography bay Marcus Westberg}

We are perfectly located to explore this quaint city and viewing its distinctive architecture, with each building adorned with ornate colourful designs and religious symbols. We later discover that the Bhutanese style of architecture extends to all the country’s monuments, dzongs, temples and monasteries.

Thimphu is the place to purchase textiles and handicrafts, to indulge in Bhutanese cuisine and to mingle with the locals. We admire the theatrical moves of the white gloved traffic policeman in an impeccable uniform, standing in his signal box directing traffic at the city’s only roundabout. Intriguingly, there are no traffic lights anywhere in Bhutan.

_{Pemako Thimphu Lobby and Restaurant}

A two-hour drive eastward across never-ending undulating valleys and verdant mountain peaks takes us to Punakha, the ancient capital city. We are staying at Como Uma Punakha, where our balcony overlooks the breadth of the riverine Punakha Valley. In the morning, we follow a trail to hike up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a modern monastery built in 2004 to ward off evil spirits and bring peace and harmony to all living things. Afterwards, we take a river raft to Punakha Dzong, a fortress monastery and one of Bhutan’s most revered sites.

After our descent from Tiger’s Nest near Paro, we head to our hotel, Amankora Paro, and its sultry Aman spa with its specially blended Aman amenities. We luxuriate in a traditional steamy hot stone bath, infused with rosemary, to ease our weary muscles. This pristine lodge, with its minimal aesthetic and incomparable service, offers unrestricted mealtimes serving Michelin-star worthy dishes, a help-yourself bar, daily cultural activities and a same-day laundry service.

We came to explore what makes this tiny Kingdom of Bhutan the happiest place on earth. We depart feeling privileged to have experienced the uniqueness of Bhutan’s traditional lifestyle and the sense the excitement for the King of Bhutan’s plan for the economic development of Gelephu in the more accessible south of the country, which will enable many more tourists to experience this happy Himalayan Kingdom in the near future.

by Amanda Bernstein

_{COMO Uma Punakha: Valley room stays start from $695 per night, inclusive of tax and service charge. COMO offers end to end services including visa applications, guides and activities.} 

_{Pemako Thimphu: stays start from $1,020 during high season (March-May/September- November). Rates include accommodation on a B&B basis and use of hotel amenities.}

_{Stays at Amankora start from $1,900 per night, based on double occupancy, excluding taxes and fees, all meals at Amankora Dining Room, picnics en route to other Amankora lodges, in-house beverages.}

_{For more information on visiting Bhutan, see bhutan.travel}

The post Glass visits the happy Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan first appeared on The Glass Magazine.

As in: ’Cool’, a blanket term covering all sensory interpretations, each, ultimately, justifying the other. A look, a sensation, a mood – as one. A man enters a crammed subway carriage in midsummer wearing in a wool, $900 Tom Ford suit. He looks cool, initially, but as beads of sweat pool on his brow, patches appear under his pits, and a screaming baby sicks on his lapel, his coolness ebbs away in a flash. Casa Cook el Gouna on the other hand…

_{Casa Cook El Gouna}

For one there are no babies – this is an adults only resort. Visually Casa Cook straddles that odd intersection of ancient and space age – linear, minimalist, earthy – drawn up, the design team explains, with “the post-modern traveller in mind”.

Think if Frank Herbert’s Dune featured an Aristocratic, gridded suburb – each private terrace boxed off by hedges every bit as angular as the structures they surround. Muted, heat proof, stone has been carved into benches, and formed into hotel room floors and walls, all delightfully cool to the touch – necessary when summer temperatures reach up to 50 degrees.

Plunge pools are plentiful. Grilled jumbo prawns are piled high. Signature cocktails (the Watermelon Negroni and the African G&T – hibiscus leaves for regional specificity) hit the spot. All in all, cool.

_{Outdoor seating at Casa Cook El Gouna}

_{Southern pool area at Casa Cook El Gouna}

If you can peel yourself away from one of the southern pools innumerable loungers, Casa Cook offers Kite Surfing lessons on their private stretch of beach. For those seeking a change of scene, the town of El Gouna is a 10 minute drive away. El Gouna’s a New Town, and, having been raised on a less than appealing English New Town diet of Welwyn Garden City and Milton Keynes, I had my reservations.

But having been told, then sworn to secrecy, then told another seven or eight times, that Angelina Jolie and Mohammed Salah own holiday homes in El Gouna, I thought, ‘if it’s good enough for them, it’s probably good enough for me.’

_Kiteboarding

So, the raw statistics: Age? 35 years. Tuktuks? £1 per trip. Dominant architectural style? Nubian traditional (traditional for locals, practically Tattoine to an ignorant westerner like myself). Lagoons? Well of course! 27, soon to be 28. Perhaps not all New Towns are created equal.

_{Desert tour with Orascom}

It was on my lagoon boat tour that my guide pointed me in the direction of lagoon number 28, mid construction and surrounded by tractors. Maybe I’m old fashioned but I felt, pretty steadfastly, that ‘Lagoon’ and ‘Tractor’ should not share space. Physical space, page space, any kind of space, so antithetical are they in all they stand for.

_{Patio area at Casa Cook El Gouna}

After all is there any word so evocative of natural wonder, of organically occurring, god bestowed heaven on earth as, ‘lagoon’? With that in mind, the invitation to observe lagoon 28 felt akin to a Vegas magician un-vivisecting his long legged assistant in plain view, proclaiming “and THIS is how we did it.”

I averted my eyes. Then remembered I am a 31 year old man. Maturing, after all, is realising that true delusion is believing in the make believe of Hollywood fantasy. Mermaid princesses with Jamaican fish companions? Webbed, damsel snatching, bi-pedal creatures? Not in El Gouna. And frankly, when the illusion of the artificial lagoon is this good, who cares it’s an illusion at all?

_{Plunge pool at Casa Cook El Gouna}

_{Room at Casa Cook El Gouna}

A brief off road drive takes you to a vast stretch of desert, once underwater, that now ranks as the world’s third longest natural valley. It’s traversable by quad bike, with tours culminating with tea in a Bedouin settlement at sunset. Equally accessible from Casa Cook is a yacht dotted bay leading into the Red Sea, home to an abundance of dolphin pods and coral reefs. Boats leave daily.

by Charlie Holder

_{Lagoon tour and desert tour organised by Orascom Development Egypt.}

_{Rooms at Casa Cook El Gouna start from EUR 300 per night including breakfast. For more information, please visit https://casacook.com/casa-cook-el-gouna}

The post Casa Cook el Gouna – An Egyptian desert mirage built of stone first appeared on The Glass Magazine.

_{Photograph: Thais Vandanezi}

_{Photograph: Thais Vandanezi}

_{Photograph: Thais Vandanezi}

_{Photograph: Thais Vandanezi}

_{Photograph: Thais Vandanezi}

_{Video: Clare Gigling}

Photographer: Thais Vandanezi

Stylist: Ophélie Cozette

Hair: Flavien Hymonnet 

Makeup: York Fujita 

Set designer: Prudence Palle at ORSO PARIS

Casting director: Hien Le 

Videographer: Clara Gigling

Photography assistant: Edigar Da Silva

Model: Yiran Liu at Select Model Paris

Location: Galerie Paradis

Text writer: Pedro Z. Cavalcanti

_{Clothing Credits:}

_{Look 1: Shirt and trousers, both, DRIES VAN NOTEN, Pullover THE FRANKIE SHOP, Shoes SPORTMAX}

_{Look 2: Bra and blouse DOLCE&GABBANA, Skirt GAUCHÈRE, Shoes DRIES VAN NOTEN}

_{Look 4: Jacket SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACARELLO, Shoes DRIES VAN NOTEN}

_{Look 5: All clothing SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACARELLO}

_{Look 6: Top THE FRANKIE SHOP, Skirt LOEWE, Shoes DRIES VAN NOTEN, Gloves ISSEY MIYAKE}

The post Glass presents Le spectacle du silence – an editorial by Thais Vandanezi and Ophélie Cozette first appeared on The Glass Magazine.