Contributors

Alberto Alessi
Writer
— concierge

Italian designer Alessi resides in Luzzogno, a small village in the Valle Strona near Lake Orta, where his family has lived since 1630. He likes to spend his free time reading and organising his vast collection of books – of which there are some 12,000 – about the history of Luzzogno and the surrounding region. In addition to tending to his home library, he enjoys walking to the lake with his wife, Laura, and his two dogs, and perfecting new dishes in the kitchen. For this issue, we asked him for tips on how to host the perfect party. “I was so focused on telling my story that I burned my pollo bruciaculo [spicy chicken],” he says.

What are your hopes for 2025?
To never stop looking for design inspiration and the best expressions of contemporary creativity. Before the New Year, I’ll be enjoying the winter sun at Ristorante Venus in Orta.

Adrien Herda
Illustrator
— essays

Originally from Lyon, Herda relocated to Marseille, France’s second city, in 2021 after a stint in Brussels. In his free time, you’ll find him rock climbing in the Calanques, hiking around the south of France or scaling the snow-covered slopes of the Alps. He illustrated our essays.

Do you have any seasonal style essentials?
In Marseille, people dress casually but in fashionable pieces. We tend to mix classic, well-cut clothing with sportswear. Come winter, you’ll usually find me wrapped up in a Patagonia coat, thrifting for vintage styles.

Ava Glass
Writer
— essays

Former crime reporter Glass was born in Texas but moved to the UK more than 25 years ago. She now resides in Surrey, a place that she has dubbed the “spy belt” due to the high number of former and current agents who live in the area. She honed in on this theme for our latest issue, writing about the work of real female spies. “They’re nothing at all like the characters in an Ian Fleming or John le Carré novel,” she says. “They’re much stronger and smarter – and definitely more dangerous.”

What’s on your list of things to watch and read this season?
I’ll be watching The Lion in Winter, a drama from 1968 with Katharine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole in the leading roles. It takes place during Christmas in the court of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, who battle over the choice of an heir. I’ll then settle in for the night with The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond by Louise Davidson. It’s the best wintery, gothic read.

Christian Cailleaux
Illustrator
— concierge

Illustrator and comic-book author Cailleaux grew up in Paris but has since lived in Canada, Africa and Asia. His travels continue to inspire his work. He now resides in Bordeaux but hasn’t given up on faraway adventures just yet. “I recently went sailing off the coast of Greenland for a whole month,” he says. We asked him to illustrate a festive day out in Paris for this issue.

What are your favourite winter rituals?
I always try to watch the classic Frank Capra film It’s a Wonderful Life with my daughter. It fills me with so much happiness, though my daughter is a little less convinced.

Brandei Estes
Writer
— culture

Writer and photography expert Estes hails from the US but is now based in London, where she lives with her fiancé. “Wedding planning is taking up all my free time,” she says jokingly. “But when I get the chance, I love to tango.” For us, she wrote about the history of the commercialisation of photography.

Where do you like to head for the holidays?
Venice. It is much less crowded in winter and so cosy. I also love to celebrate the tradition of La Befana, the gift-giving witch of Epiphany Eve, in Italy. It’s usually a little chilly, so I’ll make sure to bring my favourite menswear coat from South Korean brand After Pray.