Aymeric Mantoux

The Rencontres de la Photographie draws the world’s elite of the photography world to Arles. In recent years, major luxury houses—from Louis Vuitton to Guerlain—have realized that the city is the only place in France where culture, money, and desire intersect without (almost) ever clashing.

The Australian star designer has created some of the most iconic objects of our time, from the Apple Watch to the upcoming electric Ferrari. His forty-year career is the focus of a retrospective exhibition at Château La Coste in Provence, which is home to a world-renowned contemporary art center.

New private clubs for the ultra-wealthy and ultra-luxury offices are the latest craze among financiers in the French capital. The move toward higher-end offerings in this capital-attracting sector comes with very high prices, but that isn’t deterring members. The trend is even expected to accelerate. Xavier Niel and Rasmus Michau are betting on it.

Between private clubs in Kuala Lumpur, duty-free islands, and a local elite that continues to grow richer, Malaysia is charting its own course, discreetly and exactingly. Dior chose to hold the second chapter of its Diorexquis high jewelry presentation there this fall.

While international investors smile, Saint Barth embodies a fascinating paradox: a haven for the ultra-rich, yet unable to house its own residents or the workers who keep its palaces alive. Report from Gustavia

Long seen as Asia’s discreet manufacturing hub rather than its glamorous showcase, Vietnam is undergoing a major transformation. Southeast Asia’s most capitalist communist country is now attracting the world’s leading luxury brands at an almost defiant pace. It has even seen an influx of Russian, Korean, and European visitors since the conflict in the Middle East.

On April 8, to mark the first International Diamond Day and at the initiative of the Natural Diamond Council, Antwerp is opening the doors of the world’s oldest and largest diamond market to the public for a special event. The Belgian hub is undergoing a profound transformation: while more than 80% of natural rough diamonds pass through it, it faces pressure from lab-grown diamonds, the demand for traceability, and the shift in value toward the rarest gems.

Long considered the ‘little Switzerland’ of West Africa, Benin is showing all the signs of new economic prosperity. A vibrant arts scene, luxury hotels, a new fashion incubator and international festivals make it one of the trendiest destinations.

Finland is not only the happiest country in the world for the seventh consecutive year, it also embodies an unconventional vision of luxury, combining silence, nature, and second-hand.

The international yearling market (thoroughbred horses) has just taken another leap forward. In August 2025, Deauville, Saratoga, and Magic Millions all recorded historic results, confirming the strength of a sector that, despite economic uncertainty and the decline in horse betting, continues to attract more and more wealthy investors.

Between the Upper East Side and Soho, Manhattan has redrawn the boundaries of luxury. With recent openings and the exodus of galleries to the Lower East Side, the Big Apple proves that “brick-and-mortar” isn’t dead: it’s just become more exclusive, more artistic, and radically experiential.

According to projections from UBS’s 2025 Global Wealth Report, more than $83 trillion is expected to change hands by 2045 in the Western world. An increasing share of this wealth will be controlled by women. The art market, which has always followed the flow of capital, is undergoing a major transformation. According to experts, women have a completely different approach to collecting. A profound shift is underway.

By investing in the high mountains, brands are no longer seeking merely a spectacular backdrop, but a territory capable of combining performance, desire, textile innovation, and experiential storytelling. As the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympic Games approach, the mountains are asserting themselves as a space for growth and influence for the luxury sector.

Cultural and architectural landmarks are no longer simple locations to visit. In recent years, luxury brands have boldly managed to attach themselves to monuments or take over historic sites.

A large billboard on the highway from LAX International Airport to Los Angeles features photos of top football players and reads: “Welcome FIFA Club World […]