Elevated Weekly explores contemporary luxury through four distinct lenses: escape, object, ritual and experience. Four signals. One weekly edit.
From a historic Venetian palazzo reimagined for modern travel to cross-cultural design collaborations, evolving rituals of wellbeing and immersive spaces for collectors, these stories reflect a shift toward more fluid, design-led and experience-driven forms of modern luxury.
Image credit: Orient Express Venezia
The Escape: Orient Express Venezia Officially Opens in Venice
Orient Express Venezia has opened within the historic Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, marking a new chapter for the legendary brand in hospitality. Reimagined by Aline Asmar d’Amman, the 15th-century palazzo is transformed into a 47-room retreat where restored frescoes, sculptural interiors and layered materials reflect Venice’s rich cultural past. From canal-facing suites to a fine dining concept by Heinz Beck and an Art Deco-inspired Wagon Bar, the hotel brings together heritage, craftsmanship and a contemporary vision of ultra-luxury.
The Object: Versace and Onitsuka Tiger’s Tai-Chi Sakura Sneakers Are Here
A new collaboration brings together Versace and Onitsuka Tiger, reinterpreting the Tai-Chi silhouette through a cross-cultural lens. The Sakura edition blends Italian maximalism with Japanese minimalism, expressed through refined detailing and a softer, more poetic palette. Balancing heritage references with a contemporary approach to design, the sneaker reflects a growing dialogue between fashion and function, where iconic forms are revisited through collaboration and cultural exchange.
Image credit: Courtesy of Klafs
The Ritual: KLAFS Introduces the World’s First Retractable Sauna
KLAFS reimagines the home wellness ritual with its S1 retractable sauna, now launched in the US. Designed to adapt to contemporary living, the space-saving concept expands at the touch of a button, transforming from a compact unit into a fully immersive sauna experience. Available in multiple sizes, it brings flexibility to private interiors, offering a seamless way to integrate wellness into everyday life.
Image credit: Vacheron Constantin
The Experience: Vacheron Constantin Opens its Largest Boutique in the Americas
A new kind of retail experience arrives in Miami’s Design District — one that moves beyond the traditional boutique. Conceived as an immersive environment, the space brings together private salons, curated artworks and refined interiors, where watchmaking is experienced rather than simply displayed. With this opening, Vacheron Constantin introduces a more cultural and social approach to collecting, positioning its new flagship as a destination where heritage craftsmanship meets contemporary lifestyle.