London’s oldest luxury hotel has handed three of its finest bedrooms to Sir Paul Smith, and the result is one of the most charming things to happen in Mayfair this summer. Opening in July 2026, the Paul Smith Grand Suite at Brown’s Hotel is conceived as a private London residence rather than a hotel suite, with three generous bedrooms connected by a bespoke Paul Smith corridor.
The collaboration brings together two great British institutions: Brown’s, the grande dame of Albemarle Street, and one of Britain’s most beloved designers, Paul Smith, who started his design empire in a small Nottingham shop in 1970. Created with Olga Polizzi, Director of Design at Rocco Forte Hotels, the new suite evolves the much celebrated Sir Paul Smith Suite into something larger, warmer and even more personal.
Everything here carries his handwriting. Curtains in the iconic Signature Stripe, developed with Maharam Fabrics, are tied back with original Paul Smith ties, a detail I find completely irresistible. Rugs from the 2026 collection with The Rug Company anchor the rooms, while Harris Tweed adds a quiet nod to his current ready to wear collection.
British craftsmanship runs through the whole apartment like a red thread. Hand painted porcelain lamps by Lyngard, ceramics commissioned from Charlotte Salt and Elaine King, glass pieces by Emsie Sharp and Stewart Hearn. Add English antiques, historic Japanese screens and Sir Paul’s own collected treasures, and you have a residence with layers, humour and a real sense of a person living in it.
Mayfair, tailored.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Brown’s Hotel
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To mark International Women’s Day, Villa Igiea in Palermo presents «We Are All Whatever Singularities,» an exhibition by the conceptual feminist artist collective Claire Fontaine, on view from 7 March to 10 May 2026.
Inspired by philosopher Giorgio Agamben’s idea of the «singularity,» the exhibition reflects on the human condition and our potential to become many different things. Claire Fontaine presents three silkscreens referencing Andy Warhol’s iconic Marilyn Monroe portraits, reinterpreted with varying colours and overlaid phrases that question identity, authorship, and the ways digital networks connect and divide us. The exhibition also includes the sculpture Brickbat, transforming a book on Selinunte into a solid stone block, and the luminous installation Luminous Fountain, symbolizing the continuous cycle of life and memory.
Alongside the exhibition, Villa Igiea introduces the cultural program «Sicilian Matriarchy,» curated by Rocco Forte Hotels. Inspired by the legendary Sicilian icon Donna Franca Florio, the program invites guests to explore Palermo through experiences led by remarkable women.
These encounters include a visit to Claire Fontaine’s studio, a guided exploration of the Norman Palace and Cappella Palatina through the stories of four historical queens named Constance, a meeting with artisan Carolina Guthman dedicated to preserving traditional Sicilian embroidery, and an intimate chamber concert performed by young female musicians in a Liberty-style palazzo.
Through art, history, and craftsmanship, Villa Igiea continues to position itself as a cultural meeting point where contemporary creativity and the spirit of Sicily come together.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Rocco Forte Hotels
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This summer, the Missoni Resort Club lands in Sicily, bringing its iconic patterns to the Verdura Resort by Rocco Forte Hotels to mark its 15th birthday. The collaboration combines creative energy and relaxation in a stunning landscape where to experience the Missoni lifestyle.
Plan your visit in summer and see this pristine beach pop with Missoni Resort Club prints inspired by the endless turquoises of the Mediterranean Sea. Recline beneath cabanas on sunbeds, towels, and chairs in sea blue and cool white accents that epitomise summer and combine Missoni’s energy and imagination with Sicily’s coastal tranquillity.
The Boutique
Visit the dedicated Missoni pop-up boutique offering a selection of the fashion house’s signature patterns. Fall in love with bold and beautiful designs that marry Missoni’s vibrant aesthetic with the serene ambience of Verdura Resort, and return home with a limited piece from this partnership, adding a touch of Italian flair to your poolside look.
The Cocktail Collection
Keep cool with a bespoke cocktail, such as the Kandinsky Escape or Missoni Breeze, served at the beach bar and at the newly refurbished Ondina pool bar and restaurant, overlooking the infinity pool. Admire breathtaking sunsets with a stylish poolside sundowner, inspired by Missoni’s dazzling colours and bursting with fresh, local botanicals. A multisensory celebration of your unmistakably Sicilian summer.
Just looking at the pictures, I get this amazing holiday vibe we all enjoy so much!
LoL, Sandra
Photos: © Rocco Forte Hotels
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