ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PODCASTS, Acquired, has a great episode on the ascension of LVMH from a struggling French textile company called Boussac Saint-Frères to the luxury juggernaut it is today, thanks to the man himself, Bernard Arnault. In 1984, Arnault invested US$15 million (S$21.1 million) of his money to own a part of Boussac Saint-Frères, along with other investors.
In contrast to other corporate raiders of the time, who simply bought businesses to strip them down and sell them for parts, Arnault had a unique vision. He believed in the magic of branding and luxury, and he knew that time was a vital ingredient for building something great.
This story comes to mind because Arnault implements the same playbook across all the different luxury brands he acquires, and it has always paid off in spades. In many ways, the Louis Vuitton watchmaking division follows Arnault's vision: crafting timelessness through passion while building the "utmost level of modernity". Nine women cannot have a baby in a month. The same is true of developing a deep expertise in horology. It requires time, space, and experience.
One Step Forward In
Time Louis Vuitton's first foray into watches began in 1988 with the Louis Vuitton LVI and LVII models. The maison drew on the talents of renowned Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti, the women best known for transforming the Gare d'Orsay railway station into the now-iconic Musée d'Orsay in 1981.
The LVI, also known as the Monterey I, was developed in partnership with IWC.
Denne historien er fra Issue 204-utgaven av August Man SG.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 204-utgaven av August Man SG.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Manners Maketh Man
The Principle Of Style Is Character, And The Core Of Character Is Conduct.
Slow Travel In Switzerland
The Swiss public transport system certainly aces the luxe factor with eye popping train rides, indulgent multi-course meals on a Belle Epoque era steamship, and even efficient luggage transport services.
A NEW DAWN IN SOLAR ENERGY
AUGUSTMAN SPEAKS TO MANDALA CLUB CHIEF SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER LILLY GILBERT ABOUT THE MOVEMENT THAT COULD CHANGE HOW BUSINESSES IN KEONG SAIK ARE POWERED THE MANDALA SOLAR COLLECTIVE.
THE POWER OF THREE
ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC IMAGES IN SINGAPORE TOOK THE FORM OF KOKILA PARVATHI, SITI AMIRAH (ALSO KNOWN AS CAMIRA ASRORI) AND SOBIKUN NAHAR ON THEIR WAY TO COURT. AUGUSTMAN SPEAKS TO THEM ABOUT THEIR IDEAS ON COMMUNITY ORGANSING, AND ABOUT RETHINKING OUR THOUGHTS ON POWER.
FLIGHT OF THE NARISAWA BEE
The esteemed Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa shares with us the intimate details of his brand's expansion into Singapore and what having the Mandala Club as its permanent address means to him.
DRINK THROUGH SPACE AND TIME
Preferably with a dram of The Macallan, in hand. The famed whisky maker celebrates 200 years of making perfection.
AND BUTCHER'S BLOCK MAKES IT THREE
SINGAPORE'S CHAPTER OF THE DOM PÉRIGNON SOCIETY HAS INDUCTED A THIRD MEMBER, RAFFLES SINGAPORE'S BUTCHER'S BLOCK, GIVING DISCERNING DINERS BETTER ACCESS TO THE EPICUREAN SAVOIR FAIRE THAT COMES WITH THE MARK OF THE SOCIETY.
AMERICAN SPIRIT
ROB SAMUELS, THE EIGHTH-GENERATION WHISKY-MAKER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MAKER'S MARK, EXPLAINS WHY THE BRAND'S CELLAR AGED EXPRESSION IS A PEAK INTO THE FUTURE OF BOURBON.
Wine The Time Is Right
What does the future hold for winemaking? Steph Dutton, senior winemaker for Penfolds, has some ideas.
From Mexico With Love
Behold the impassioned, informed and irresistible reincarnation of DeadFall Cantina by The Compound Collective, the team behind the runaway success of Barbary Coast.
