Editorial: Sitting Pretty

This editorial by Marco Castellani is a journey between fashion and design, where elegance sits on iconic sofas.

In the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, an area where independent bookstores sit beside designer boutiques and café terraces buzz from morning to midnight, Mandarin Oriental Lutetia Paris stands as a landmark of style, sophistication, and cultural relevance. More than just a luxury hotel, it’s a Left Bank institution reimagined for today’s travelers: globally minded, design-savvy, and deeply attuned to the city’s creative pulse.

Through the lens of photographer Maria Kryvobok and the creative direction of Farouk Chekoufi, fragrances from Cannes Film Festival take center stage as sculptural symbols of elegance and allure. Captured in moments of quiet opulence, these perfumes embody the essence of red-carpet ritual — refined, timeless, and unforgettable.

Though the summer season has officially begun, the refined atmosphere of May in Monaco continues to resonate. It is a month synonymous with celebration—marked by high-profile gatherings, cultural prestige, and a tempo that belongs distinctly to the Riviera. At L’Officiel Monaco, we look back at the defining moments of this exceptional period.

In this editorial, the talented photographer Maria Kryvobok captures a vision of masculine elegance through a coastal lens, with styling by Farouk Chekoufi. The project explores the harmony between soft tailoring and natural elements, where each piece flows as effortlessly as a sea breeze.

During the glittering frenzy of the Cannes Film Festival, where luxury yachts regularly dot the Mediterranean horizon like jewels on a crown, one vessel drew a level of attention that eclipsed the rest. Sleek, sculptural, and unabashedly futuristic, THIS IS IT became the coveted afterparty destination for A-listers and industry power players alike. Whispers of its cutting-edge design and immersive onboard experience quickly turned into headlines, and just like that, THIS IS IT wasn’t just a yacht—it was a cultural moment. 

Can watching an American TV show overnight change your life? For renowned businesswoman Madison Zhao, it did precisely that. From that single show, she suddenly envisioned a completely different future —one of her own—a new life.

When love ends but the soul still listens.