This issue, Monocle throws a rigorous retail report into the usual mix of articles and briefings in the form of the Style Directory. Where to shop, who to watch and what to buy: we’ve got every angle covered.

A country of 7,000 islands and almost as many contradictions, the Philippines is living out its past and embracing its future through the trials of one powerful dynasty: the incomparable Marcos family.

We find out what's in the wardrobe of the first woman to chair the African Union and how the Lebanese are cracking down on corruption.

Waves of 20th-century immigrants from Finland have made Thunder Bay the most Finnish city beyond the Baltic. Can the next generation hold on to the sauna spirit?

On the Turkish border with Syria, an international Nato force sits quietly awaiting a conflict that may never come. But the heavy-duty weaponry on show says half the battle is about coming prepared.

A centre of perfume making for centuries, the town of Grasse in the South of France is holding on to its reputation as fragrance capital of the world by developing new technology alongside time-honoured traditions.

Away from the brashness of Beverly Hills the hilly neighbourhood of Silver Lake has enjoyed a reputation for enterprising creativity for more than 80 years. Monocle meets today’s residents who are keeping the tradition alive.

The Rijksmuseum’s overhaul has taken 10 long years. However, it is finally ready to reopen its doors to reveal an interior revamp that is almost as impressive as the wealth of art it so beautifully displays.

In an age of email the postcard is threatened in some quarters but not in the museum world, where they remain big business. Monocle meets the teams behind some of the world’s mini masterpieces.

Industrial designer Niels Diffrient says he has built his near 60-year career on a belief in staying under the radar and being ‘technically and stylistically capable’. He does himself a disservice: his work, particularly in ergonomics, is internationally revered.

We’ve been fine-tuning the espresso machines, testing the pastries and polishing the counters. We’re now ready to open the doors to our first London café.

Japan’s mini-car boom was rooted in affordability, low taxation and aesthetic myopia. Then Honda handed its new mini-car project to an F1 engineer, who surprised everyone by putting high-spec design at the heart of the kei jidosha.

The motorcade of Dutch queen Beatrix, Europe's dash for gas and an interview with Hungary's opposition leader, Gordon Bajnai.

Cambodia keeps politics in the family, South Korea get equal, and Japan gets green vending machines

A party in disarray, riven by ideological and regional splits, torn between populist impulses and its donor class’s economic interest, with glaring electoral deficiencies among major voting blocs and no leader to unify the fractious bunch and guide it to victory: meet the Democrats, circa 2016.

Australia scales down its military, French Polynesia has a big day ahead, and New Zealanders jump ship.

The importance of pipelines, crunch time for the US in Afghanistan, and an interview with Pakistan's representative to the UN.

An air ambulance service in South Africa, mineral water in Georgia and butter-making in Australia.

Books, films and music to make a date for.

The world of mags, print and photography, plus a visit to an Istanbul gallery and the Phillips spring auction in New York.

The latest buildings, most innovative products and most promising talent.

We speak to the man with possibly the best job title in the world - meet Mark Brownstein, international food hunter. Plus Austria's oldest preserve maker, our top three saucepan brands, a food-related film and other tasty bits and pieces.

Paraguay’s establishment was shaken by the election of Fernando Lugo as president but his dubious removal after four years in power has failed to silence the outspoken former Catholic bishop. He spoke to Monocle on the eve of new elections scheduled for April.

René Redzepi is regarded as one of the best chefs in the world and is credited with putting Denmark on the culinary map. Monocle meets the man at the forefront of the New Nordic cuisine.

The successful passing down of knowledge from master to apprentice can take years of hard work and practice before its benefits start to be seen. It’s this level of craft and attention to detail that helps create some of Monocle’s favourite products, so in a new feature – Master and Apprentice – we will be bringing some of these stories to life, beginning with Florence’s Liverano & Liverano tailors.

In under three years, Virgin Australia CEO John Borghetti has rebranded a struggling carrier and is now competing as a major player in the nation’s skies. He tells us how it’s an airline’s staff that helps keep standards high.

Tasked with transforming an old building on Kungsholmen island into apartments, architect Andreas Martin-Löf went back to its roots as a hat factory. And he was so pleased with the results, he moved in.

Time to shine your shoes, pamper your pooch and brighten up your home with this month’s assortment of objects.

As city government initiatives help kick-off a cycling boom in the Brazilian metropolis, we look at the converging urban elements that are rapidly making Rio a pedal-power paradise. Then on the following pages we go global for this issue’s travel picks.

A new generation of creative types are being seduced by the faded charm of the city that was once home to Paul Bowles and William Burroughs.

The bistro Vivant Table is testament to the owner’s cosmopolitan upbringing, with its organic, fuss-free Italian and French food.

Sculptor Rachel Whiteread is a regular at London restaurant St John, an establishment that has been a favourite with artists for nearly 20 years.

It’s part hardware store, part department store but ultimately defies description. It is a tokyo institution that sells just about everything and is loved by everyone. Welcome to Tokyu Hands.