When Louis Vuitton announced in 2023 that the search to replace Virgil Abloh as creative director of the French house's menswear division had ended with the appointment of Pharrell Williams, reaction was muted. Some insiders lamented his lack of technical training and blamed his status as a celebrity influencer. Other critics praised the elevation of one of pop culture's most visionary leaders to the upper echelons of style as a highly progressive move. But what most could agree on was that the ongoing courtship between the worlds of fashion, and by extension, the worlds of luxury and entertainment, had now become a full-fledged marriage.
In this, Rob Report”In the first entertainment issue of , author and business writer Christina Binkley investigates that deal and the ones that followed. After Bernard Arnault's LVMH brought Pharrell into the fold, François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Kering, the parent company of Gucci, Saint Laurent, Boucheron and Brioni, acquired a majority stake. This is because by doing so, he revealed the results of his love life. Acquired shares in Hollywood entertainment agency CAA. After that, Arnault did even better and started his own entertainment studio. And best of all, he turned the Hollywood sign into LVMH. That may not be the case, but the luxury industry's obsession with pop culture through music, movies, television, and more continues unabated. Binkley spent months speaking with numerous insiders and observers to understand what this means for consumers from all walks of life. Read her revealing report here.
For another look at Tinseltown, we visited one of its most interesting couples, Jessica and David Oyelowo. She is a true multi-hyphenate, an actor, producer, singer-songwriter, debut as a director, and spent time preparing to play Martin Luther King Jr. in her husband's award-winning 2014 film It records a period of 7 years. Selma. It's a fascinating and important conversation about racism, parenting, optimism, and culture.
Sports is also an important part of the luxury/entertainment ecosystem, with more and more stadiums and arenas spending significant amounts of money upgrading their facilities for big-name VIPs in recent years. Whether it's the Courtside Crown Club at the Barclays Center home of the Brooklyn Nets, a private club and restaurant by Major Food Group with an 800-bottle wine list, or the members-only Crypto.com You can also enjoy an authentic Los Angeles experience at the arena. Not only can you get the best seats and luxurious hospitality, but you can also get tickets to the Grammy Awards and his 2028 Olympic Games. It's no exaggeration to say that “going to a game” has become a seriously decadent experience (with the price tag to match). Rob Report”John Vorwald, Digital Director, provides a thorough explanation of the amenities.
This summer, sports will take to the global stage with the Olympics. France has been preparing for the Olympics for years, but Paris is reaching its peak just in time after a period of stagnation (25 5-star hotels have opened in Paris) in the past 3 year, no less). We asked tastemakers in fine dining, art, fashion and design to share their favorite spots, and travel writer Vivian Song explores how the City of Lights is coming back to life. Masu. “Paris is happier and more fun than before,” says her acclaimed six-star Michelin chef, Hélène Daroz. Her guide to summer in Paris begins on page 126.
For a quick pick-me-up, stop by our quiz that tests your knowledge of celebrity side hustles, from chic cleaning supplies (yes, really) and cannabis accessories to gold-plated toothbrushes and small-batch spirits. After all, unless you're selling something, you're nothing in the entertainment world, right? Elsewhere, we check out subtly stylish movies, discover Rajasthan's latest luxury outpost, review great new headphones, and meet the woman behind Piaget's resurgence.
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