My Inspire Project

Rising above the plains of Puglia like a limestone fortress, Ostuni has stood as one of southern Italy’s most enduring strongholds for centuries. Its iconic whitewashed facades, historically covered in lime to reflect heat and protect the city during periods of plague, became both a practical necessity and the defining identity of the White City itself. Shaped by Messapian origins, Byzantine influence, Norman rule, and generations of southern Italian life, remains a remarkable reflection of ’s layered cultural history.

Wandering through its ancient fortified walls, Baroque gateways, medieval alleyways, and cathedral-lined piazzas via the Ape Calessino feels like stepping into a city where history continues to live within the stone. 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🛺🛺🛺🏛🏛🏛

Few journeys today capture the romance of slow travel with the same sense of atmosphere and refinement as the Eastern & Oriental Express () by . Earlier this spring, I embarked on the four-day journey from Singapore through the heart of Malaysia and back again, an experience that has stayed with me ever since. As the train moved through palm plantations, fishing villages, dense jungle landscapes, and quiet rural towns, the outside world gradually softened into a slower rhythm. Inside, polished wood interiors, velvet textures, soft lighting, and restored vintage details carried the glamour of another era, while the constantly shifting scenery gave the journey a rare sense of stillness and perspective. Each day unfolded between exceptional dining curated by Chef André Chiang (), long afternoons in the open-air observation carriage, and evenings shaped by live music, champagne karaoke, and the gentle cadence of the rails. The introduction of Asia’s first onboard Dior Spa () reflects how the train continues to evolve beyond nostalgia into a contemporary expression of wellness, design, and slow luxury travel.

What remained with me most, however, was the remarkable attentiveness of the onboard team. Despite the intimacy of the cabins and the realities of life aboard a moving train, every detail was handled with warmth, precision, and elegance. By the final evening, the journey no longer felt defined by destination, but by the rare privilege of fully slowing down and becoming immersed in the experience itself. 🚃🚃🚃🪭🪭🪭🌴🌴🌴🛺🛺🛺

Stay tuned for a full detailed review of the journey and join MY CIRCLE via link in bio to enjoy exclusive benefits and experience with us! 🔗✅️🥂

April went by so fast, I just had a moment to review the highlights.

revealed how design today extends far beyond objects. Across the city, fashion houses, galleries, hospitality brands, and technology studios are shaping complete cultural environments where furniture, art, craftsmanship, space intersect into a broader lifestyle language.

I kicked off the week with .forum.milan along with many design and hospitality professionals, executives and legendary Sir Rocco Forte who received another lifetime achievement at the forum.

During my first visit to Milan Design Week and Salone del Mobile ( ), what struck me most was the growing depth of collaboration behind the presentations. Alongside exploring exhibitions and installations across Milan, I spent time researching and visiting Salone itself, witnessing how contemporary design and furnishings continue to evolve through material innovation, craftsmanship, technology, and changing ways of living.

Highlights included Nilufar’s () cinematic Grand Hotel installation, CASAORNELLA () experimental ANIMALE SOCIALE, and Chloé’s () re-edition of the iconic Tomato Chair by Christian Adam and Poltronova (), a renewed reflection on Italy’s Radical Design movement. Elsewhere, MoscaPartners Variations (), the × experience, and Vanity Fair Italia’s () Archivio project.

What makes Milan unique is how the entire city becomes part of the exhibition itself where historic palazzos, courtyards, galleries, and industrial spaces transform into temporary cultural stages.

A beautiful first immersion into the evolving language of contemporary design. Bravo! 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🙏🙏🙏🔶️🔶️🔶️

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