David Dayen
Stage craft
As the summer festival season approaches we visited the factories of three musical instrument makers who are world leaders for their attention to craft and superior sound quality.
Asia
The Malaysian PM's motorcade, Japan's special town for pensioners, and how the Haitian earthquake became a chance for Taiwan to make its mark.
Bowled over
In a remote part of South Korea, 84-year-old Lee Bong-ju is reviving the tradition of making beautiful, unique Korean bronzeware, from elegant cutlery to white-gold dishes that have served presidents and royalty.
Fiell excited
After 15 years at Taschen, design editors Peter and Charlotte Fiell are launching their own publishing house. After two years of hard work, they are ready to make a splash with their new venture.
Monocle travel guide
New Zealand’s national carrier has unveiled an innovation to expand horizontal leisure travel. We also explore a new Hong Kong hub, a cosy Cape Town bistro, and inspired accommodation in Melbourne and Berlin.
Dream a little dream
In the second of our series on niche airlines, we take a trip on one of two planes – one red, one blue – run by the tiny, but ambitious, Fuji Dream Airlines.
Talent spot
Tokyo Designers Week features key fairs 100% Design and DesignTide. Monocle visited last year and found a healthy ambition to champion fresh talent. Here is our pick of the best newcomers.
Asia
South Korea employs a German-born TV celebrity for an image overhaul, Shanghai starts “digging for China” and Japan pioneers a less gory method of conducting autopsies. A round-up of stories from across Asia.
Look & listen
Monocle’s summer arts calendar highlights the best albums to line up, books for the beach, shows to saunter round and movies to enjoy – from Fuji Rock to the Whitney Museum.
