Maxim Magazine USA - 2023 09 10

SEPT/OCT 2023
VINCENT
BOLLORÉ
EUROPE’S
“CITIZEN KANE”
BUGATTI
LUXURY
SUMMIT
COLLECTING
THE WORLD’S
MOST
EXPENSIVE
GUNS
R’Bonney Gabriel
RULER
of the
UNIVERSE
443 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
USA • +1-310-273-6544
Wynn Las Vegas • +1-702-998-6454
bijan.com
HIMALAYAN ALLIGATOR PURSE. LIMITED EDITION “ONE OF ONE”.
“ Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
MAXIM
443 North Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 • USA +1-310-273-6544 • Wynn Las Vegas +1-702-998-6454 • bijan.com
8 WATCHE S Swiss luxury
watchmaker Hublot’s new collab with
46 DESIGN
The dark, enchanting Desert
34 tattoo brand Sang Bleu is as cool as it gets Doghouse in California’s

Joshua Tree oozes rock
10
UP & COMING
Sexy DJ Rachel Winters tells you & roll style
everything you need to know MOTO Check out a custom
about being a social media star Harley-Davidson Sportster designed in
homage to the iconic Riva Aquarama 52 COLLECTING
14
Feast your eyes on some of
the world’s most expensive
INFLUENCER Model Josie and exquisite guns ever
Conseco may have a baseball star for a sold at auction
father, but she hits her own home runs
18 TITAN Here’s why French

56 SUPERCAR
We get behind the wheel of
billionaire Vincent Bolloré is one of the the 007-worthy new Aston
most influential men in Europe Martin DB12 in the South
of France
24 STYLE Fortune 500

footwear brand Skechers unveils its 64 COVER STORY
new collaboration with the legendary Meet the captivating
Snoop Dog current Miss Universe
R’Bonney Gabriel, a
28 TRAVEL Assouline’s luxe

hometown gal from Texas
new travel candles honoring top

luxury destinations like Mykonos 72 JETS These are
the world’s top luxury
30 LUXURY We drive a wicked

Chiron Super Sport to Bugatti’s first-ever
hospitality companies
now fielding their own
private jets
Luxury Summit in Molsheim, France
38 PHOTOGRAPHY
79 MAXIM EVENTS
We take you inside our
Lensman David Drebin’s signature ultra-exclusive Canadian
brand of glamorous, sexy voyeurism Formula One Grand Prix
shines in a new book party in Montreal
ON THE
COVER
R’Bonney wears a Gown,
Avec Les Filles, Official
Miss Universe Crown.
Robe, R’Bonney Nola
Photographer: Gilles Bensimon
Fashion Director: Caroline
Christiansson
Stylist: Karin Agstam
P H OTO L E F T A N TO I N E V E R G L A S
Assistant stylist: Ellen Toland

Hair by Thomas Dunkin at
Art Department using R+Co.
Makeup by Deborah Altizio
at Creative Management
using Chanel.
Stylist assistant Ellen Toland
Production Jessica
Athnasiou @newspixie
04 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

The Leading Voice in Men’s Luxury Lifestyle
SARDAR BIGLARI
Editor-in- Chief
special creative adviser GILLES BENSIMON creative director NICK I MINA J
art & design director GUILLAUME BRUNEAU senior vice president of sales LOUIS COLETTI
executive editor JARED PAUL STERN vice president of brand partnerships ADAM WEBB
deputy editor NICOLAS STECHER vice president of events and experience GERALD PACHECO
deputy art & design director PAUL O’DEA southeast director JIM YOUNG
european fashion director CAROLINE CHRISTIANSSON west coast director JEFFREY RINNA
cover producer JESSICA ATHANASIOU west coast director LARRY STEVENS
senior contributing editor KEITH GORDON
senior contributing writer JORDAN RIEFE digital director CHRIS WILSON
contributing writer SI SI PENALOZA senior writer BRANDON FRIEDERICH
entertainment adviser NICK C A NNON
For sales and licensing inquiries, please email: ADSALES@MAXIM.COM, LICENSING@MAXIM.COM
MAXIM INC.
A BIGLARI HOLDINGS COMPANY
NEW YORK MONTE CARLO

121 WEST 36TH STREET #327 27, BOULEVARD D’ITALIE
NEW YORK , NY 10018 MONTE- CARLO,
98000 MONACO
6.9% ALC/VOL 140 CALORIES 2G SUGAR NATURALLY FLAVORED GLUTEN FREE DRINKCOOLCAT.COM
21+. BE COOL. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. COOL CAT WINE SPRITZER, 6.9 % ALC./VOL. PRODUCED BY 3 COOL CATS, LLC, SONOMA, CA. @DRINKCOOLCAT
WATCHES
as it is of highly innovative watchmaking. Sang Bleu and Hublot, which
BLUE BLOOD
just jointly released a trio of special-edition Spirit of Big Bang watches,
wouldn’t seem to be likely or natural collaborators at a glance.
Except that Sang Bleu is much more than a pair of tattoo shops.
It’s true that its founder, Maxime Plescia-Buchi, is something of a
celebrity tattooer whose list of clients includes superstar musi-
Hublot and Sang Bleu merge the arts of tattoo design cians Kanye West, FKA Twigs and Adam Lambert, as well peren-
and watchmaking into something extremely covetable nially hip fashion designer Rick Owens. But Plescia-Buchi’s inter-
Te x t b y B R AN D O N FR I ED ER I C H
ests and resume are vast. In his 20s, he earned bachelor’s degrees
in Psychology and Graphic Design and apprenticed under re-
S
ang Bleu is best known as the unifying brand behind a pair nowned Swiss tattoo artist Filip Leu while living in his native
of sought-after tattoo studios located in London and Los Lausanne, Switzerland. He then moved to Paris and worked at
Angeles. Hublot, founded in Switzerland nearly 45 years various design agencies before relocating once again to London in
ago, has grown into one of the world’s most recognizable the mid-2000s, at which point Sang Bleu was founded—not as a
luxury watch brands, as much a symbol of wealth and achievement tattoo shop but as a magazine.
“A TRUE
ARTIST ALWAYS
TAKES RISKS
AND
OVERTHROWS
EXISTING
PREJUDICES”
A L L P H OTO S C O U R T E S Y O F H U B L OT

“Existing magazines covered
only one area: art, fashion, tat-
tooing, etc. But I hung around
people who had an interest [in]
all the above and no media rep-
resented this,” Plescia-Buchi
told Something Curated of Sang
Bleu’s beginnings.
“Especially tattoo publica-
tions had absolutely no interest
[in] contemporary art or fashion.
I wanted to create a media that
really represented the lifestyle of
culture I, and many other young people lived in really.”
Like the original magazine’s content scope, Sang Bleu is now ex-
tremely multifaceted as a full-fledged creative agency. It contains a
publishing house that prints multiple magazines and photo books, a
clothing design arm that’s partnered with New Balance and Nike, a
type-design company called Swiss Typefaces, the aforementioned
tattoo shops and online magazine, and an ongoing collaboration with
Hublot, which has most recently spawned the Hublot Spirit of Big
Bang Sang Bleu collection.
This is the third Hublot watch that Plesica-Buchi has designed—
his first two ticking canvases were 39mm and 45mm versions of
Hublot’s flagship Big Bang oversized chronographs, released in
2016 and 2019, respectively. The initial Big Bang Sang Bleu’s dial
featured a single geometric structure in the center of the dial, the The Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu features “geometric tattoos”
perfect proportions of which were inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s that alternate and overlap from the case to the bezel—the focal point
famed anatomical drawing, The Vitruvian Man. It could only be is a 3D diamond formed by several layered triangle and pyramid
considered simple when compared to the Big Bang Sang Bleu II, an shapes. A sapphire dial displays the HUB4700 automatic skeleton
“expression of a ‘full body’ tattoo” that features three geometric pat- chronograph movement through disc hands bearing more of its de-
terns on the dial and several more across the case, hexagonal bezel signer’s intensely geometric patterns. Plsecia-Buchi also custom-
and hands. The Spirit of Big Bang, featuring a barrel-shaped 42mm ized several other components with unique markings, including the
case instead of the Big Bang’s circular case, serves as Plescia-Bu- elongated bevels, the 6 H-shaped titanium screws running through
chi’s third Hublot canvas. the bezel, and the screwed crown over molded rubber.
“I have been able to question and review each component, from The Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu is limited to 200 examples in
the case to the crystal, the bracelet to the clasp, considering each titanium, 200 in all-black ceramic, and 100 in gold. Additionally, ex-
shape and proportion through a holistic reflection,” he says.“The actly one gold and one titanium watch, each set with 180 diamonds
aim is to incorporate the DNA of the Big Bang Sang Bleu II into (about 2.4 carats’ worth), will be produced at a cost of around
the Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu. The result is a similar geometric $70,000. Now try to tell us that Hublot x Sang Bleu is anything but
aesthetic with a new interpretation of shapes and volumes.” a match made in watch-collecting heaven.
MAXIM.COM SEPT/OCT 2023 09

MOTO
RIVA MET WHEN

LAMBORGHINI
Hazard Motorcycle’s gorgeous Ghisarma transforms a Harley-Davidson Sportser into a Riva yacht homage
Te x t b y N I CO L A S S T EC H ER

W
hen one wistfully dreams of luxurious destinations pact to craft the fastest, and most beautiful, Aquarama ever—
for the Succession set, like Lake Como or the Amalfi which is where Matteo’s story begins.
Coast, the reveries almost undoubtedly include vi-
sions of skipping across the glassy surface on a You grew up near Lago d’Iseo, the home of Riva. What’s your best
Riva Aquarama motorboat. Crystal-clear Italian water splashing memory of an Aquarama?
against its sleek mahogany sides, a beautiful partner at your hip Since I was a child in the summer after school, my mother took me
with hair flapping in the wind. You stare purposefully through the to Lake Iseo right near the shore where a family friend often loaded
wraparound windshield, guiding the steering wheel with casual all the children on the beach and took us far and wide on his splen-
determination—allowing the art of Dolce far Niente to lead you did Aquarama Special. There I fell madly in love with that wooden
where it will for the day. It is a similar reverie that inspired custom- boat, and with the roar of the twin V8 engines. One day our family
izer and designer Matteo Fustinoni to craft his latest, and great- friend Mauro told me the story of this legendary Lamborghini
est, Hazard Motorcycle yet: the Ghisarama. Legend has it that Aquarama, when in 1962 Ferruccio Lamborghini met Carlo Riva.
two of Italy’s greatest entrepreneurs and lovers of speed met on The two sat down and Ferruccio said, “Carlo you have ‘Made in It-
Lago d’Iseo in the summer of 1962, shared a Campari, and made a aly’ in your blood, you make the best and most beautiful boats in the

world, but those two American engines—no, “IT CELEBRATES creased the engine size from 900cc to 1,000cc.
no, they can’t be seen. Can I give you two Lam- Now we need a fast [silhouette] line that recalls
borghini engines for my Aquarama?” And so the THE GLORIOUS speed and passion, so I arm myself with wire and
unique Lamborghini Aquarama was born. The cardboard and created the shape. OK, I like it!
fastest Riva of those times. So, after more than PARTNERSHIP
40 years I decided to dedicate a motorcycle to How did you get artists like Andrea Pozzoli
these two Italian personalities. BETWEEN RIVA AND and Davide Aresi to help with the metal-shap-
ing, mahogany, etc.?
Utilizing the Lamborghini 350 GT V12, it was LAMBORGHINI” Andrea and I are great friends, we share the
the fastest Aquarama ever built. Was there any same passion for motorcycles, speed, beer….
interest in prioritizing speed in your Harley-Davidson Sportster and women. For the realization of the bodywork we spent about
inspiration? two months last winter beating aluminum—the whole body and
I have been dealing with Harley-Davidson for 29 years and have the tank are hammered by hand in foil of aluminum. Finally the
done many strange bikes: Marilyn, La Veloce, Bari Vecchia, Haz- fairing and tank were ready, but in my vision it must be made of
ard, and now Ghisarama. I like to invent and create sometimes mahogany on the side just like on the actual Aquaramas. So I
where others dare not. Ghisarama was born from an old ironhead called Davide Aresi, who is also a great friend and a wood-master.
from the ’80s, a motorcycle abandoned by a mechanic, full of dust He cut, steam-bent and covered in 100% real mahogany the alumi-
and almost destined to fall apart. I decided to buy it and create this num body. Then we spread some layers of transparent varnish as
work dedicated to Riva and Lamborghini. on the real boats. Lastly, in the same way, I contacted the great
Ivan Motta Design and we chose original Riva colors for the paint
What’s your favorite customization on the Ghisarama? What job. Then for the final piece came another close friend and saddle-
inspired it? maker, Luca Ronzoni of L&R Leather. He helped us by making a
I immediately focused on the engine. I wanted two double-bodied beautiful saddle with the original Riva [upholstery] material. So
Weber [carburetors] like the Lamborghini engine that has twelve! all winter me and my staff of friends worked on the motorcycle be-
But how to install two on a HD engine? I bought a front head and tween pizzas and beers. This is Ghisarama: a story of a motor-
turned it 180 degrees and made two manifolds, one on the right and bike… but above all a story of friendship.
one on the left, and bang!—the two Webers were placed. This in- Interview partly translated and edited for clarity and brevity.
P R EC ED I N G S P R E A D A N D T H I S S P R E A D A L L P H OTO S CO U RT E S Y O F M AT T EO F U S T I N O N I / H A Z A R D M OTO R CYC L E S

INFLUENCER
CO R S E T - V I N TAG E D O LC E & GA B B A N A G LOV E S - C H A N EL N EC K L AC E - V I V I EN N E W E S T WO O D B R AC EL E T- T Z U R I O F F I C I A L

S T Y L I S T A D O R E T H E CO U T U R E M A K EU P A RT I S T: K AT E K AT S P R O D U C ED BY R H I Y EN S H A R P AT T H E GA R D EN O F M I R R O R S
ABOVE AVERAGE
Model and social media star Josie Canseco on her idol, her famous father, and her career
Te x t b y B R AN D O N FR I ED ER I CH P h o t o g ra p h y b y ARNELLA MARKARYAN
osie Canseco’s Instagram bio doesn’t contain links to audio excerpts from his 2014 commencement speech at Fairfield,
her jet-setting Retreat Magazine cover or serene editorial Iowa’s Maharishi International University. Some may consider the
spread in Harper’s Bazaar México. Nor does she urge her video mawkish, but Carrey’s overarching message can be summa-
1.2 million followers to visit the top of her profile page for rized by this humility-inspiring line: “How will you serve the world?
a “special deal” from one of the labels she’s worked with, What do they need that your talent can provide?” Belying her youth,
among them Nike, Juicy Couture and Alo Yoga—she’s a the 26-year-old Canseco has taken Carrey’s words to heart, using
brand ambassador for the latter. Instead, there’s a link to a YouTube her time and talent in service of others—“others” being animals.
video titled “The Meaning —Jim Carrey.” “I’ve always had a really soft spot for animals,” says Canseco, who
“My favorite human, who I’ve looked up to my entire life, is Jim has also followed a meatless diet for the past five years. “Growing
Carrey,” Canseco tells us. “His talent, humor, confidence, and wis- up, I volunteered at farms and shelters just as a way to pass time do-
dom is inspiring and something that’s shaped me and my perspec- ing something I love. The last couple of years I’ve been working
tive on everything.” The four-minute clip features a montage of with a wonderful nonprofit [organization] called The Real Bark,
scenes from the prolific funnyman’s many roles overdubbed with which takes in dogs that other shelters simply won’t because they

“EVERYONE
SHOULD REMEMBER
THAT A LOT
OF THIS
WORLD IS
SMOKE AND
MIRRORS”
might be considered ‘hard cases.’ It’s so
beautiful to get to see [The Real Bark]
team find them loving forever homes.”
Canseco is of course most famous for
being the model daughter of controversial
MLB legend Jose Canseco. During and
following his baseball career, the six-time
All-Star and two-time World Series
champion’s personal and professional life
was rife with well-documented turmoil,
from steroid use to financial difficulties. “I
think everyone should just remember that a
lot of this world is smoke and mirrors,” she
says when asked about assumptions of
CO R S E T - V I N TAG E D O LC E & GA B B A N A G LOV E S - C H A N EL N EC K L AC E - V I V I EN N E W E S T WO O D B R AC EL E T- T Z U R I O F F I C I A L

nepotism. “Everyone’s family goes through
their own set of issues, and sometimes
when you have one side of your life in the
public eye, the personal side can bleed
through and make things messy. I’m grateful for my family in every out of debt with [the agency] and could afford to not stay in those
way, but it’s just not all what it may seem.” anymore. Regardless how rough those apartments could be, I
Contrary to public perception, Canseco’s early career was a com- wouldn’t have changed a thing. I met some amazing women. And
plete grind. She’d had limited experience working with Brandy luckily, I got along with most of them.”
M A K EU P A RT I S T: K AT E K AT S P R O D U C ED BY R H I Y EN S H A R P AT T H E GA R D EN O F M I R R O R S
Melville—a teen fashion brand—when viral photos of Canseco cap- The job that thrust Canseco into the national spotlight was walk-
tured at Coachella got ing in the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which happened to be
her noticed by scouts. the last installment of the famed lingerie parade before the company’s
She then made the rebranding. But there are still a couple of dream gigs that could take
move to New York its place. “The ultimate goal for me, because of my love for their late,
City to pursue model- legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld, would be to work with Chanel.
P H OTO BY A R N EL L A M A R K A RYA N S T Y L I S T A D O R E T H E CO U T U R E
ing full-time. Nearly Another dream would be an American Vogue cover. I think being cho-
broke, she lived in a sen for something that big would, in a way, solidify my success.”
string of cramped Looking at her portfolio, which also includes shoots with Chi-
apartments, most of nese Vogue and revered fine arts photographer David Yarrow, most
which were filled with would consider her success bona fide. Even so, Canseco manages to
several other models. remain humble and open as she speaks with us, even when asked,
“My agency believed in for what must be the umpteenth time, about her father. Specifically,
me and was fronting whether he intimidates her boyfriends.
me for rent and pocket “I think meeting any young lady’s father can be stressful, [espe-
money for my first two cially] a father that’s controversial like mine, and also very tall and
years of my career, so known for his strength,” she says. “My dad and I have a very special
when I’d get paid from relationship, most of the time, and I bring a very vulnerable side out
jobs they’d recoup of him, so ultimately he’s very kind and respectful to anyone I bring
that,” she recalls. around.” She also didn’t flinch when asked about the perks that
“Eventually I had built come with being a Canseco, joking, “I can hit a baseball pretty
a clientele, and I was well!” So far, she’s definitely batting 1,000 in life.

TITAN
The
KING
of CASH
French billionaire Vincent Bolloré
has built a hugely important
global empire with a signature
devotion to value creation
Te x t b y K EI T H G O R D O N
W
hen Vincent Bolloré officially retired as the head of set out on a path leading to the family business. In fact, the young man
his family’s business empire in February of 2022, it began his career in banking, including a stint with the Edmond de
was a historic day on numerous levels. For starters, Rothschild investment house. But as the Bolloré paper business con-
the day marked the bicentenary of his family’s em- tinued to struggle into the early 1980s, Vincent determined that it was
pire. A few months later the scion would turn 70, a cause for cele- time to join the family business. He was resolved to not only save the
bration for not only his family but for many of the most influen- business with a short-term fix, but to grow and, more importantly, di-
tial and powerful members of French society. After all, this is a versify it so that future generations of the Bolloré family wouldn’t have
man who is close friends with former French president Nicolas to confront the same upheaval and uncertainty in the years ahead.
Sarkozy amongst others, and even lent Sarkozy his yacht for a After taking over the business in 1981, Vincent began implement-
quick post-election mini-holiday. He and his family are among the ing his diversification strategy with a strong emphasis on internation-
richest in France, with an estimated net worth of about $10 billion; al development as well as innovation, technology and focus on the
Bolloré is perhaps the epitome of power, wealth and influence in companies’ core businesses. Furthermore, he instituted a more scien-
modern French society. tific way of running the company, leaving sentimentality at the door
The family empire is today worth billions of dollars with activities with his willingness to sell or leave a business once he deemed it was
stretching around the globe despite its humble beginnings. Founded no longer in the company’s best interest, even if he had spent years of
back in 1822 as a paper manufacturer under the name Papeteries Bol- his life building that exact business to its present stature. Today, the
loré, the business was located on the bank of the Odet river near Qui- group focuses on three categories: Transportation and Logistics,
mper in the region of Brittany. For the next century and a half, the Communications, and Industry. This is the rough blueprint that has
family stewarded the business into a major supplier of both Bible pa- allowed Bolloré to not only become one of Europe’s leading entrepre-
per and cigarette papers (they formed the famous OCB brand). neurs but one of the most impactful, influential men on the continent.
But the company hit a rough stretch beginning in the late-1970’s, In 1985, Bolloré Technologies marked their entry into the stock
P H OTO BY C H E S N OT/ C O R B I S V I A G E T T Y I M A G E S
and it would be Vincent who would step up to help save it and then lift market and embarked on a series of well-planned acquisitions, which
his family’s business to unimaginable heights. So while the Bolloré would include the fuel activities of SCAC, the Rivaud Group, Rhin-
family can celebrate 200 years of success, it’s really the 71-year-old pa- Rhône, and Delmas-Vieljeux. In 1990, he combined SCAC and
triarch of the family who is being feted. After all, Rhin-Rhône to create Bolloré Energy. As the years
it was Vincent who turned the paper-manufactur- “BOLLORÉ HAS BUILT passed, the Bolloré Group would venture into
HIMSELF A MEDIA,
ing business into a multi-faceted conglomerate wide-ranging industries such as tobacco, electric
worth billions of dollars and employing tens of vehicles and batteries, and even palm oil. Some
COMMUNICATIONS
thousands of people globally, in a variety of fields have lasted, others were sold or disbanded, but it’s
from telecommunications to freight transport, this willingness to push into new areas that has
AND TELECOM
global logistics and digital media. It was due to provided Vincent and the Bolloré family with many
his business acumen that he was given the nick- of their most profitable and successful endeavors.
EMPIRE”
name “the little prince of cash flow.” Over time, the Bolloré Group significantly
Born in 1952, Vincent Bolloré did not intially broadened its global footprint, with a notable fo-

cus on Africa, and strategically expanded its op- aligned with Vincent’s prioritized missions and
erations through purchases and collaborations “THE EPITOME OF focus on Quality Education (UN Goal #4) and
in energy, logistics, media, and telecommunica- Decent Work and Economic Growth (UN
tions sectors. Through subsidiaries such as Bol- POWER, WEALTH Goal #8) in an attempt to help empower the
loré Logistics, Vincent created a shipping, logis- global community. These are especially impor-
tics and transport powerhouse that controlled AND INFLUENCE tant for young women around the world, who
much of the shipping and ports in both West and are too often left behind by such programs de-
Central Africa. IN MODERN FRENCH spite best intentions.
In 2000, the Bolloré Group secured the con- So as friends, family and honored guests
cession for the Donges-Melun-Metz pipeline, SOCIETY” joined to celebrate Vincent’s 70th birthday and
the third-largest oil pipeline in France. They sold their cigarette pa- retirement, there was reason for such commemoration as it was the
per business to Republic Technologies that same year, eschewing culmination of decades of entrepreneurship and empire-building
any nostalgia for the long-held family business. The following years that few modern businessmen can match. While Vincent has offi-
saw the Group engaging in various acquisitions, partnerships, and cially relinquished control over the empire to his two sons, few be-
ventures, such as acquiring companies like Linea-Setramar, JE lieve that the scion of one of France’s most successful families will
Bernard, Pro-service, and CSA Group, and launching projects like move into retirement and a life of leisure. If anything, age has only
Direct 8 (a digital terrestrial television station), Autolib’ (an electric made the brilliant businessman even more focused, determined and
car-sharing service), and Bluely and Bluecub (electric car-sharing committed to his empire, even if only as advisor to his sons.
services). Unlike some successful titans of industry, sentimentality doesn’t
But perhaps the area which has drawn the most attention for Vin- seem to be in Bolloré’s repertoire. A prime example is the way he
cent is the move into media and communications. Often compared to and his family divested themselves of the African transport and lo-
Rupert Murdoch for his influential and diverse media empire, and gistics business that Vincent had spent decades building. Bolloré
political connections, Bolloré has built himself a media, communica- and his sons decided it was time to focus the family business else-
tions and telecom empire. From radio to newspapers, television, ad- where and pivoted accordingly. Regardless of the financial reports
vertising and even music, Bolloré has invested across the communica- and profit/loss statements, it takes a huge amount of confidence,
tions and media sphere. and just as much humility, to allow something you’ve built from the
Many of these acquisitions are held within the Vivendi Group, the ground up to be sold off. But Vincent was solely focused on making
global media behemoth of which the Bolloré family owns a substan- the best business decision possible for his family and his company.
tial share. Media company and Pay TV operator Canal+ Group, While others have scoffed at this hubris, or marveled at his will-
magazine publisher Prisma Media, advertising giant Havas, and ingness to dramatically change course, Vincent Bolloré simply did
video game developer Gameloft have all come under the Vivendi ban- what he felt was best, regardless of what his peers, allies and critics
ner, providing the Bolloré group significant stakes in each of the ma- thought of him; and he has reaped the rich rewards. It’s not that sur-
jor media industries. prising really from a man whose family motto since the 18th century
Vincent also increased the family’s shareholding in publicly-trad- has been, “Kneel before God, stand before men.” And it’s safe to the
ed companies like Vivendi and Lagardère, thus eventually leading say the “little prince” is now the king.
to the pending full acquisition of publishing and travel-retail giant
Lagardère by the Bolloré-controlled Vivendi. Only approved by the
European Commission this year after a long review process, the BOLLORÉ GROUP LABYRINTH
purchase will make Vivendi the world’s third-largest publisher in Economic Organizational Chart
the trade and educational markets, and will increase their global COMPAGNIE DE L’ODET 92.6%
workforce from 38,000 at the end of December 2022 to almost 57.0% Sofibol and holding companies [1]
19.1% Compagnie du Cambodge [2]
66,000 employees once the deal closes in the coming months. Last 5.6% Societé Industrielle et Fiancière de l’Artois [2]
year, the Vivendi group posted revenues of about 9.6 billion euros, 4.9% Fiancière Moncey [2]
3.6% Imperial Mediterranean [2] As at December 31, 2022 with some updates at bottom of page.
and to show their global reach, some 43% of their employees were 2.3% Nord-Sumatra Investissements [2]
Source: Bolloré SE 2022 Business Report.
(as a percentage of share capital)
located outside of Europe. It’s a behemoth, and even more impres-
sive, one that’s well positioned to thrive as legacy media continues BOLLORÉ SE 67.7% [3]
trying to adjust to the financial realities of the 21st century.
Vincent’s firm belief in entrepreneurship, education and opportu-
nity have become the cornerstone of the Bolloré family’s philan- Transportation Communications Industry
and Logistics [4] VIVENDI SE 29.5% [5, 6, 7] BLUE
thropic works. Brought together in the Bolloré Group’s EarthTal- Canal+
BOLLORÉ LOGISTICS Blue Solutions
ent by Bolloré program, these principles have provided the basis for Havas
BOLLORÉ ENERGY Editis, Prisma, Gameloft Bluebus, Bluestorage
a global charitable enterprise focused on the same traits of entrepre- UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP FILMS
neurship, education and hard work that Vincent emphasizes in both 28.0% SYSTEMS
his work and that of those he’s working to empower. IER, Automatic Systems,
Other Assets Smart Mobility
According to the company’s stated philanthropic mission and Portfolio of Shareholdings
listed securities, agricultural and viticultural assets Polyconseil, Telecoms
goals, “Solidarity and entrepreneurship are core values of the Bol-
loré Group. These values nourish its desire to support ‘people, (1) Directly by Sofibol and holding companies controlled by Bolloré Participations SE (the Bolloré family).
(2) Companies controlled by Bolloré SE
their ideas and their ability to materialize them’. Every year, the (3) Of which 0.5% by subsidiaries of Bolloré SE and 0.3% held by Compagnie de l’Etoile des Mers, owned by Bolloré Participations SE
(51%) and Compagnie de l’Odet (49%), excluding treasury shares (0.1%).
Group donates ‘a share of what it had the opportunity to receive’ to (4) Update: On July 11, 2023 the Bolloré Group announced that it has signed a share purchase agreement to sell 100% of Bolloré Logistics to the
solidarity activities.” To date, the organization has focused largely CMA CGM Group. The completion of the sale remains subject to obtaining antitrust and foreign investment clearances in the relevant jurisdictions.
(5) 28.9%. by Compagnie de Cornouaille, a fully owned subsidiary of Bolloré SE and .05% by Compagnie de l’Odet.
on two of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals crafted and ad- (6) Update: On June 9, 2023 Vivendi announced that it had received approval from the European Commission to proceed with the full ac-
quisition of Lagardère (approval contingent upon Vivendi’s two proposed commitments, the sale of 100% of the share capital of Editis as well
opted in 2015 by the United Nations. As expected, these goals are as the full sale of Gala magazine.
(7) Update: On June 16, 2023 Vivendi announced that it had signed an agreement with the International Media Invest (IMI) group for the
sale of 100% of the share capital of Editis. Completion is expected by early October 2023 at the latest.
On July 4, 2023 Vivendi announced it had entered into exclusive negotiations to sell Gala to the Figaro Group. Completion is expected by
October 2023.

UP & COMING
The
HOTTEST
WINTERS
Sexy model and DJ Rachel Winters is making waves everywhere she goes
oo many people wear too many hats, at least on 21, and the aforementioned Harper’s Bazaar cover, which she cites as
social media. Rachel Winters lists “DJ” and “mod- one of her greatest achievements.
el” at the top of her Instagram feed, but she’s in the You’d be hard-pressed to find any supermodel on her level, so to
minority of the internet’s self-proclaimed multihy- speak, except for the similarly lofty Karlie Kloss, whom Winters has
phenates—she’s really doing it. Give her a follow naturally already worked with. “I admire Karlie Kloss. I relate to her as
@rachelwinters, and you’ll see the stunner posing a model since we are both six-foot-two, and I’ve actually had the oppor-
on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar in one post and spinning for celebs tunity to work next to her as a stand-in model.” But her musical passions
like Jamie Foxx in another. are deep-rooted as well. “I was in singing, dancing, and piano lessons
Winters’ interests in music and modeling were sparked early and from a young age. I have to give credit to my mom for introducing me to
separately, but she views the latter discipline as more of her destiny. ’70s/’80s music and giving me the desire to explore music from earlier
“I am the youngest of five in a family of giants so I kind of always generations. For my 12th birthday, my parents threw me a rave party
knew I would be involved in modeling,” she says of her first passion. with a DJ and the entire town came. Looking back, I think it’s safe to
She towers at six-foot-two with a perfectly svelte figure. Those say I was destined for this lifestyle.” And what a lifestyle it is.
standout attributes, combined with consummate professionalism “I have been invited to play parties all over the world from New York,
and a home base in NYC, have helped Winters stack a modeling L.A., Capri, St Barths, Ibiza, and everything in between,” she says.
portfolio that includes editorial work for designers like Armani and “I’ve played in rooms for names like Drake, Lil Baby, G-Eazy, Miguel
Carolina Herrera, campaigns for brands like L’Oréal and Forever and in the presence of top models like Gigi Hadid, Irina Shayk, and
Te x t b y B R AN D O N FR I ED ER I CH P h o t o g ra p h y b y ANTOINE VERGLAS

“LOOKING BACK, I THINK IT’S SAFE TO SAY
I WAS DESTINED FOR THIS LIFESTYLE”
Stella Maxwell. I even had the honor of playing for Edward Enniful, though, is another, über-famous model who’s worn the DJ hat,
the editor-in-chief of British Vogue, many times in the past year.” among many others. “From modeling to activism, and now DJ’ing,
Winters’ modeling and DJ worlds have clearly already begun to Paris Hilton does it all,” Winters says. “After watching her docu-
converge in a way that’s directly benefited her career. It may come mentary [2020’s This Is Paris], I gained a new appreciation for her as
as a surprise, then, that she only first touched a turntable in 2020. a talented and inspiring individual who has built an incredible per-
Inherent talent is part of the equation, but she’s also studied a se- sonal brand.”
lection of diverse DJs, including Keinemusik, Purple Disco Ma- Looking ahead, Winters is turning the dial up on her DJ career
chine, Blondish, Black Coffee and Carlita—a female DJ and pro- as she chases the thrill of “moving people through music.” “My
ducer whom Winters cites as a personal favorite. main focus now is learning music production and getting more af-
“It’s really interesting to enter a scene predominantly run by filiated in the music industry. I’m learning something new every
men, since modeling is quite the opposite,” Winters says. “In re- day and always finding inspiration from my environment.” As for
cent years, there has been a shift with more female DJs making more tangible objectives, Winters says, “It’s been a goal of mine to
their way into the scene, and it’s exciting to witness this and be a walk in a show like Chanel and then DJ for their after party.”
part of this change.” Perhaps her most pertinent inspiration, Hopefully she can get us on the guest list.

STYLE
KICKING IT
with SNOOP
Checking in on Snoop Dogg’s cool new collection with famed California footwear brand Skechers
Te x t b y B E AU H AY H O E P h o t o g ra p h y b y L AR RY BART H O LO M E W f o r S k e c h e r s
ou never forget your favorite sneakers, the clas- Stones to Wayne Gretzky and Snoop Dogg pal Martha Stewart
sics that stand the test of time. West Coast hip- have rocked Skechers.
hop icon and legendary entertainer Snoop Skechers and Snoop have a long-running history, including a
Dogg holds a special place in his heart (and 2023 Super Bowl commercial starring the “Gin and Juice” rapper.
footwear rotation) for Skechers, the Manhat- And as far back as 2004, the Skechers Stamina was a Snoop Dogg
tan Beach-based footwear brand and Fortune staple around the release of his acclaimed platinum record
500 company, and the classics are better than Rhythm and Gangsta: The Masterpiece. Among other super-fresh
ever before with Snoop’s newly launched col- sneakers, the new Skechers x Snoop Dogg Collection nods to that
lection with Skechers. time with a vibrant, throwback homage to a classic via the Skech-
The offering, available online and in select Skechers retail ers Stamina Snoop 91.
stores, features three capsules and nine highly distinctive, Snoop For the acclaimed entertainer, it all comes down to individuali-
Dogg-inspired-and-approved sneakers fit for centerstage (and ev- ty, style and of course, iconic Skechers comfort. “I’m all about be-
erywhere else). Skechers is no stranger to partnering with high- ing comfortable in my own skin. Skechers enhances that by being
performing superstars in the worlds of fashion, music, sports and incredibly comfortable and having styles that I look good in,” he
entertainment: Everyone from Ringo Starr and the Rolling tells us. As with any truly rocking style partnership, admiration
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF SKECHERS

“IT’S FUN,
STYLE, UNIQUENESS,
CULTURAL
RELEVANCY—
EVERYTHING
THAT’S
ME”
“I HAVE A STYLE AND
FLAVOR THAT
CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED
AS ‘SNOOP’”
Exclusivity is also the name of the game, as all sneakerheads
know: Snoop’s work with Skechers also includes the Limited-Edi-
tion Collector’s Capsule, featuring the Skechers UNO and Doggy
Air. The coolest part, though? The appearance of Snoop’s Bored
Ape Yacht Club NFT persona, Dr. Bombay, on both the UNO and
Doggy Air—the fresh kicks are the only shoes on the market to fea-
ture Dr. Bombay.
And the Street Style Capsule meanwhile incorporates Snoop’s
playful, laidback nature, updating the Skechers UNO in vivid col-
ors. The third capsule also debuts a handpicked Snoop favorite, the
SKX Resagrip – Boss Treatment, with an old-school high-top de-
sign fit for hitting the court or hitting the town. Plentiful options
abound for every taste and wardrobe, not unlike Snoop Dogg’s ev-
er-shifting day-to-day pursuits. One day, he might be wearing a jer-
sey or a tracksuit, the next a tailored suit for business.
Snoop and Skechers have even bigger plans on the horizon, and
it’s clear to see what shoes the rapper will be rocking. “Every day is
different. And I can wear my Skechers with all of it,” he declares.
and respect were mutual, the rap legend says.

“From A-Z, Skechers has incorporated my ideas from start to fin-
ish. From colors to materials to styling to technology, they’ve taken
what I’ve wanted and made it even better than I can imagine,” he
said, noting the collection has plenty of unique, Snoop-inspired
touches every step of the way. Each capsule is designed for different
style preferences (from streetwear to sportswear) but classic Skech-
ers design details, comfort and next-level technology carry across
each shoe.
“I have a style and flavor that can only be described as ‘Snoop.’
Skechers has embraced my creativity and let me make shoes and
content authentic to who I am,” he tells us. “That enables me to
bring the whole Snoop experience to the brand—fun, style, unique-
ness, cultural relevancy, everything that’s me.” Since “everybody
wants to look good, from a celebrity to a dad working 9-5,” the hip-
hop icon and the famed footwear brand produced “a variety of shoes
that will look great and feel great on everybody no matter their job,
age, or anything,” he notes
And accessibility is crucial, Snoop adds: “I create music, enter-
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF SKECHERS
tainment, and now footwear for everyone to enjoy.” It’s clear that
Snoop Dogg also appreciates the classics, noting his bandana-print
Skechers Hands Free Slip-ins® are a longtime favorite. In fact,
Snoop’s OG Capsule includes the Snoop One OG and Snoop One
Double G, both featuring Skechers Hands Free Slip-in® technolo-
gy, plus metallic gold design flourishes and “Snoop S” toe-bumper
detailing. Those two styles reflect Snoop and Skechers’ emphasis
on the ideal “wear every day, wear everywhere” sneaker, all the while
hitting market trends and using premium materials.

TRAVEL
KEEPERS
of the FLAME
Assouline’s new candles pay homage to some of our favorite places the world over
Te x t b y JAR ED PAU L S T ER N
hether you’re planning, reminiscing or simply day- while the candles themselves are housed in a ceramic, beige-tinted
W dreaming about a trip to one of the world’s most

desirable destinations, there is often no better
source of inspiration than a book from Assou-
line’s impeccable Travel Series. The French luxury publisher’s
lush pictorial treatment, both archival and contemporary, of
vessel. There is also a range of accompanying accessories includ-
ing a branded pack of matches and a brass candle lid. “We’re very
excited to announce the new line of Assouline travel collection
candles,” notes Alex Assouline, the house’s Chief of Operations,
Brand & Strategy. “There is no better way to expand on the
each iconic spot accompanied by witty, pithy texts, along with Travel Series than by creating a scent showcasing the allure of
each volume’s evocative graphics has made them a hot commod- each destination.”
ity amongst jet-setters and the design cognoscenti. And they
have now replicated some of their most coveted editions in olfac- “SCENTS THAT SHOWCASE
tory form with a set of Travel Series-inspired candles to even
further enhance the experience. THE ALLURE OF EACH
“Close your eyes, take a breath, and be transported. Where? To
a warm sandy beach in Tulum, a bustling bar in the old town of
Mykonos, or an
EXCLUSIVE DESTINATION”
après-ski moment
in front of a roar-
ing fireplace in
Gstaad,” as As-
souline so entic-
ingly puts it. “Ex-
otic paradises,
winter wonder-
lands and wild es-
capes take you on
an inspiring jour-
P H OTO S C O U R T E S A S S O U L I N E
ney while adding a
whiff of travel to
your home.” Cre-
ated exclusively for
Assouline by re-
nowned perfum-
er Jérôme Epinette, one of the noses behind the beloved Byredo
fragrance collection, the candles are designed to “bring spirit
and dreams to your most precious life-moments.”
There are six destinations in the initial Travel From
Home Candle Collection: in addition to Tulum, Myko-
nos, and Gstaad, you can be transported to Marrakech,
Ibiza, and even the Moon. And for each legendary locale,
the Assouline family personally “reflected on memories
and personal associations that resulted in unique yet coor-
dinated fragrances,” the brand notes. “All pieces in the
collection seamlessly blend with any style of interior and
act as a perfect addition to one’s library, pairing elegantly
with Assouline titles.”
Each box is inspired by the Travel Series’ book covers, “match-
ing the palettes and individualized symbols specific to the series,”

LUXURY
FULL SPEED
AHEAD
We traveled to Bugatti HQ in Molsheim, France, for an epic summit on the future of luxury
Te x t b y N I CO L A S S T EC H ER
e’re driving Bugatti’s latest ode to un-

chained velocity and opulence, the Chiron
Super Sport, across the countryside of Al-
sace, France. Golden wheat fields ripple to
either side as the physical force of the $3.8
million hypercar bludgeons the June air
like a hammer. My copilot, the legendary racing driver Andy Wal-
lace, sits beside me while listing the absolute bonkers numbers of
this engineering abomination. Things like the 273-mph top speed
and 1,600-hp output, requiring a full 8.0-liters of displacement, 16
cylinders and four turbos to achieve. A full bore 0-62 mph run—in
just 2.4 seconds, mind you—requires 1,000 liters of air to be sucked
through its 10 radiators every second.
Wallace mentions that at 200 mph the Chiron boasts more than
double the downforce than it weighs. “So theoretically,” I ask, “does
that mean if you were in a round tunnel, you could actually drive it it.” This from the man who once drove the fastest production-car
upside down?” “Yeah, it does…. Somebody nutty enough some- run ever (240.1 mph) in the famed McLaren F1; the record stood for
where has done it. It would be brilliant, but yeah I don’t want to do over a decade. More recently he set the world record again by pierc-
A L L I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F B U G AT T I
Top: Past and present Bugatti supercars in front of the marque’s French chateau Opposite: Chirons parked outside Bugatti’s historic chateau

ing the 300 mph threshold in a Chiron Super Sport 300+
We drive to a closed section of winding asphalt a couple miles
from where this Chiron Super Sport was hand-built at the Château
Saint Jean. The old farm road dips down to the right, then dramati-
cally up a hill dappled by giant oak trees. “So yeah, you can just floor
it now,” Wallace says with the casualness of asking to pass the pota-
toes. The body tingles as I slam the accelerator to the floor, releas-
ing a cannon shot of combustion, sound and vibration shuddering
through the Chiron—and my bones. The takeoff is so sudden, so
all-encompassing my lungs catch and stomach swallows heart.
Before I can blink we blur past valley and hill and are cresting the
ridge, so I release the throttle and inhale my first breath. The Chi-
ron Super Sport slows to a non-ludicrous speed and eases into a
heavily planted but well-cushioned coast. As Bugatti’s prime test
pilot, Wallace has been logging much track time preparing the
marque’s upcoming Bolide racecar—so he seems utterly unfazed by
our little run. Wallace knows both speed and endurance as one of Hours of Sebring (1992 and 1993).
few men to claim racing’s coveted Triple Crown: the 24 Hours of Le Me, I’m a mess. The body vibrates with post-rollercoaster nerves,
Mans (1988), 24 Hours of Daytona (1990, 1997 and 1999) and 12 a sort of sketchy euphoria that I recognize from late nights in foreign
cities. This is only a fraction of the Bugatti Experience, however—
something we’ve flown all the way here to pontificate on and dis-
cuss. For this inaugural Bugatti Luxury Summit, the French hyper-
car maker has invited a pantheon of top minds across relevant
categories and fields to Château Saint Jean to dwell on the future of
extreme abundance. A fitting location for a conversation on afflu-
ence as Bugatti assembles vehicles here by hand at their Atelier,
starting at around $3 million.
Powered by 1,500–1,600-horsepower W-16 engines with be-
spoke capabilities that put other OEMs to shame, they are argu-
ably the finest automobiles Planet Earth has ever seen—and now
with their upcoming electrification (thanks largely to the merger
with electric hypercar maker Rimac), heading towards a path of
greater sustainability.
“Since we are talking about luxury, the easiest thing would be to
“BUGATTI IS SOMETHING TO ASPIRE TO,

IT’S SOMETHING TO DREAM ABOUT”
Clockwise from top: Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac. 2022 Bugatti Chiron Profilée; a scene from the first Bugatti Luxury Summit.
Opposite top: A Bugatti pop-up boutique. Bottom: Bugatti Bolide

say, ‘Well luxury is by definition something nobody needs, so you place this glorious summer afternoon. Under discussion is the very
just don’t do it,’” Bugatti-Rimac CEO Mate Rimac shares from the philosophy and definition of luxury, its present and perhaps most
stage. He goes on to describe the serious race to cut carbon emis- importantly its future. What exactly is the future of opulence when
sions as a “life or death situation,” something to be taken with the we are ever more faced with the certainty of a world with limits?
utmost urgency. “But I think [eliminating luxury] is the wrong ap- How do you discuss infinite growth on a planet with finite resourc-
proach because we humans are more than just, you know, eat, sleep, es? Well, you assemble some of the greatest minds across the luxury
and reproduce. Life is about more than that—and luxury is like sci- sector—from managing directors of the world’s finest hotels to
ence in many fields. It’s aspirational, like space travel or traveling medical doctors, from CEOs of apex fashion houses to professors
into the timeline, nature or the human genome. It’s exploration and and partners in capital investment firms—and look that Chiron-
it’s aspiration.” sized elephant right in the eye.
“And if you look at Bugatti for example,” continues the Croatian From planning to execution, it’s clear what Bugatti is hoping for
entrepreneur, “it’s been raising the bar for over 100 years now. It’s with this innovative new Luxury Summit Series. Unsatisfied with
something to aspire to, it’s something to dream about, so it would be simply being perceived as a luxury automobile manufacturer, Bu-
a disaster to kill those things because of the environment.” He paus- gatti wants to be seen as a standalone luxury lifestyle brand. Cha-
es, takes thought. “But we do need to do our part, I believe,” he says, nel is not simply a handbag manufacturer, after all. Rolex perme-
addressing the Chiron-Sized elephant in the room. ates far beyond wristwatches. And Hermès began by humbly
Mate Rimac is here as arguably the pinnacle member of the crafting horse saddles.
event, and while he did not want to be the keynote speaker, he volun- As previously mentioned a large part of the discussion seems to
teered to take part as a panel member for one of the talks taking always return back to the Future of Luxury. And it seems clear that
Clockwise from top left: A Bugatti Bolide; a display of Bugatti lifestyle collections; the newest Bugatti-branded watch from Jacob & Co;
a crystal sculpture by Lalique inspired by Rembrandt Bugatti’s ‘Dancing Elephant’

“RIMAC WANTS
BUGATTI TO BE
PERCEIVED AS
A STANDALONE
LUXURY BRAND”
PaClockwise from top left: Detail of an Asprey egg with a “Dancing Elephant” motif from a famous Rembrandt Bugatti sculpture; Bu-
gatti x Carbon champagne; detail of the Bugatti Residences by Binghatti in Dubai; Rimac with Binghatti CEO Muhammad Binghatti; a
rendering of Bugatti’s first residential tower

while sustainability will be digital twin you can write in a smart contract where you get a roy-
a huge factor, the potential alty, so that if Rebecca buys something from Nathalie the brand will
for digital, or virtual, luxu- still make money from the second, third, fourth sale, etc. It is not
ry, could be seismic. And perfect, but it is a very practical solution.”
they could be integrally Other benefits reside in fostering direct communication with
tied, as well. Daniela Ott, your client base, building a relationship and brand loyalty. Stefano
General Secretary of the Rosso, the Chairman of Maison Margiela and its parent OTB
Aura Blockchain Consor- Group (which also owns powerhouses Diesel, Marni, Viktor &
tium, predicts there will be Rolf and Jil Sander) tells the audience about his new Brave Virtual
a significant shift: where to- Xperience (BVX) endeavor. The new offshoot of OTB is dedicated
day 100% of luxury items are to Web3 and the metaverse, where they’re developing communities
both physical and new, in through channels like the instant messaging and chat-room social
2-10 years from now, 20-30% platform Discord. There if you purchase product you get a NFT
of sales will be made up of gifted alongside, which comes with exclusive access to activities—
like a party at Art Basel, an event in Dubai, or a special holiday
gift—available only to the NFT holder.
Ott mentions a recent Prada activation where they raffled 180
tickets if you bought a digital item, and the winner won a first-class
experience to the brand’s hyper-coveted Paris Fashion Week
show, complete with first-class airfare, five-star hotel, etc. The
lucky customer then shared their entire experience on Prada’s Dis-
cord channel—incredibly popular with the highly desired youth
demographic.
Conversations range from the need for “Informal but impecca-
ble” service in the highest hospitality tiers, to hacking health and
digital goods and resale. longevity, to the profound potential of the metaverse; but one sub-
And the reasons why ject that keeps cycling back is the harrowing paradox of exclusivity
luxury hungers to embrace versus availability—one of the most challenging conundrums ev-
the blockchain are mani- ery luxury brand needs to continuously navigate. Simply put, how
fold. Obviously they see the does one balance the need to create and maintain desire while still,
metaverse as a new, poten- you know, actually selling and fulfilling that demand? “There is a
tially massive revenue pace, and you cannot go faster than the sort of rhythm of growth,”
stream of both manufac- Bain & Company partner Nathalie Remy warns during the Sum-
tured exclusivity and digi- mit. “If you try to go too fast then you start to have some quality
tal peacocking. But per- issues, you start to have incidents in the stores, etc.”
haps equally important is As an example, she recalls the disruption the fashion and leath-
the idea of provenance and er-goods category faced in the early 2000s, when the emergence of
traceability: since the blockchain can act as digital receipt of au- fast fashion caused a self-destructive kneejerk reaction to keep up.
thenticity, it protects all your future products from bootlegging. “It created this kind of frenetic need for freshness, and a lot of lux-
TO P R I G H T M A R N I – (C ) M A R N I / OT B G R O U P M I D D L E C EN T ER O R O P I A N A – (C ) LO R O P I A N A
Verifying a luxury item’s authenticity will be as easy as scanning a ury brands embarked on this trend,” she notes from the stage. “I
QR code. mention this example because yes, the expectation of consumers is
B OT TO M M I D D L E H U B LOT – (C ) T M / K K B OT TO M R I G H T G I V EN C H Y – (C ) G I V EN C H Y
This is what Ott refers to as Circular Revenue, making resale to have this freshness, yet the challenge in luxury is to find the
both efficient and convenient—and convenience, she reminds us, is a right balance: between the luxury DNA, perfect execution, etc.,
true value of luxury. “To reduce consumption you need to decouple and the industry standards. It will always take more time to de-
growth and revenue from selling a physical product, and this is sign, develop, produce and manufacture a luxury product than a
where blockchain comes into the game,” she explains. “If you have a Zara shirt. So don’t try to compete, but try to reinvent in a luxury
T H I S PAG E B OT TO M L EF T P R A DA T I M EC A P S U L E – (C ) P R A DA
P H OTO M I D D L E L EF T BY T H I ER RY C H E S N OT/G E T T Y I M AG E S
O P P O S I T E PA G E I M A G E S C O U R T E S Y O F B U G AT T I
Clockwise from top left: Stefano Rosso, the Chairman of Maison Margiela and its parent OTB Group; a Givenchy x Bstroy streetwear
NFT; Hublot and Takashi Murakami collaborated on a collection of watches linked to NFTs; Prada’s limited-edition Timecapsule Col-
lection is paired with a corresponding gifted NFT; a model walking the runway for Viktor & Rolf; QR codes used for blockchain authen-
tication on luxury goods. Opposite page: page: Bugatti W16 Mistral

way what the standards are becoming.”
Another speaker mentions Gucci’s Dionysus Bag, where the
digital version sold for more ($4,100) than the actual physical bag
($3,400), a concept difficult to grasp for some. “For me this was
quite remarkable, and it showed that indeed there is something
going on,” commented Dr. Hannes Gurzki, a luxury expert and
researcher during his “Future Of Luxury” talk. “And the world of
luxury is changing.” When asked how to balance that need to feed
demand while not overproducing, Remy offers a most relevant
metaphor: “I would advise—probably like when you drive a Bu-
gatti, you have a lot of horsepower; it feels good at the moment to
push on the accelerator to get that feeling, but use the brake at
some point, too.”
“GOING BACK TO
THE HARROWING PARADOX OF
EXCLUSIVITY VERSUS
AVAILABILITY”

PHOTOGRAPHY
FLIRTING
with DANGER
The voyeuristic, impossibly glamorous work of David Drebin is showcased in a beautiful new book from teNeues

hen Elton John purchased many photo- turned out to be a stellar 20-year career. In 2007 he published his first
“ graphs from my first show in Los Angeles at

Fahey Klein Gallery in 2004, I knew we
were onto something. I always had internal
validation but it was certainly a confidence
booster at the beginning of my art career to
comprehensive illustrated book, Love and Other Stories. Many other
exhibitions and books have followed, but his latest, Flirting with Dan-
ger, from German luxury publisher teNeues, is one of his very best.
“Starting a conversation with David is really uplifting,” notes Ste-
fanie Penck, Managing Director of teNeues Verlag, in the book’s in-
have some external validation too.” Photographer David Drebin’s troduction. “Like the title of one of his photographs: ‘Fly with me!’ He
words to Heart of Cool recollect the promising beginning of what has is bursting with power and creativity and thus inspiration flies high.
This page: ‘Classy & Scandalous’. Opposite: ‘Caviar Dreams’

There is a hint of magic in the way he talks and acts. And that’s also proach to storytelling, Drebin’s work resonates with people in a way
what his photography is about. Photographic works like ‘City of An- that few other artists can.”
P R E C E D I N G S P R E A D T H I S S P R E A D A N D F O L L O W I N G S P R E A D A L L P H OTO S
gels or ‘Sea Dreams’ enchant us, creating imaginative scenarios that Then there’s GQ’s slightly more pithy assessment of his work:
serve as places of longing and escaping. And they are as energetic as “Photographic artist David Drebin creates mysterious visual
David is as a person. Flirting with Danger shows David at his best. worlds. Icy thrillers with dangerously beautiful women.” Definitely
Photographs that seem to be film stills. Always beyond a single shot.” our style. Not to mention these laudatory words from 300 Magazine:
Penck adds that, “It comes as no surprise that Drebin is a collec- “The world of contemporary photography would not be as singular,
D AV I D D R E B I N : © D AV I D D R E B I N / C O U R T E S Y T E N E U E S
tors’ favorite. He is a master of the art of pleasing the eye but without authentic, and dramatic as it is now without one of its most inge-
being plain. His works are brilliantly staged. In their unique color nious ambassadors—David Drebin”; and the UK’s Waterstones:
palette and composition, they can “These skillfully arranged scenarios convey the thrill of deeply illicit
always be distinguished as Dre- adventures. We find ourselves intrigued, yet also slightly concerned
bin’s.” The publisher notes that his by the risks set against distinctive backdrops. Drebin’s models seem
work “combines voyeuristic and psy- to occupy a supernatural state of being.”
chological viewpoints in a unique Perhaps Drebins’ greatest talent is producing works that are lus-
manner, offering the viewer a dra- ciously cinematic but that don’t seem overly staged or photo-
matic insight into emotions and ex- shopped. “At first glance, Drebin’s images seem like snapshots from
periences that many of us have a film noir—dark, mysterious, and dripping with suspense,” as Voy-
doubtlessly felt at some point in our age New York puts it. “Yet, upon closer inspection, each image is a
lives.” As Forbes puts it, “Whether it’s carefully crafted work of art, designed to draw the viewer in and in-
his ability to capture the essence of vite them on a journey of the imagination. Drebin’s photographs are
his subjects or his innovative ap- not just pictures—they are stories waiting to unfold.”
This page: top: ‘Money Shot’; the cover of the book, published by teNeues; Opposite page: Top: ‘Sea Dreams’ Bottom: ‘Yellow Fever’

M A X I M . C O M S E P T / O C T 2 0 2 3 41
“HE CREATES MYSTERIOUS
THRILLERS FULL OF
DANGEROUSLY
BEAUTIFUL WOMEN”
‘Outside the Bubble’

’Sparkling Beauty’
44 S E P T / O CT 2 0 2 3 MAXIM.COM
“DREBIN’S IMAGES
SEEM LIKE SNAPSHOTS
FROM A FILM NOIR”
D AV I D D R E B I N : © D AV I D D R E B I N / C O U R T E S Y T E N E U E S
‘Upper Deck’;

DESIGN
YOU WANT
IT DARKER
A road trip to the Desert Doghouse in Joshua Tree, where rock & roll style meets ‘Dark Nostalgia’
oshua Tree, one of the most iconic and compelling plac- cross the storied threshold and experience its storied allure.
es in America, in the High Desert of California, is bor- From the beginning the house was designed as a place for friends
dered to the south by the Coachella Valley and encom- to gather, and the interior of the 4,500-square-foot spread is laid out
passes Joshua Tree National Park. The Park itself for intimate entertaining, with a music room, library, pool table,
occupies nearly 800,000 acres of otherworldly, starkly grand piano, sky deck, outdoor dining area, hot tub, and several
beautiful scenery, and the rest of the land can seem bars. The decor also goes against the prevailing rustic / southwest-
scarcely civilized outside of the few towns that cling to the rocky ern grain of most Joshua Tree houses, instead layered in black paint,
T H I S PAG E P H OTO B OT TO M A N D TO P BY V I K TO R I A C H ER N E T S K Y
mesas and deep-rutted valleys. Most of the surrounding roads are black marble, rich, dark leather, and industrial-chic fixtures, with an
unpaved, and the houses dotted around the cactus-studded hills
tend to blend into the harsh landscape.
Close observers however may notice that one house in particular,
though well off the beaten path, seems to increasingly be a hive of
activity. If they happen to drive down the right dirt road they might
O P P O S I T E PAG E P H OTO BY M A J O R F EEL S
even have seen the mysterious sign reading “Desert Doghouse.”

And perhaps they’ve even caught a snatch of pulsing music, quickly
whipped away by the wind.
Originally built as a rock star’s private residence, and previously
relegated to private parties, writing and recording sessions, and
film and photo shoots for his high-profile friends, last year local bou-
tique luxury firm Foxden Hospitality took over management of the
property to offer it as a one-of-a-kind event and vacation rental to
discerning clients. The mysterious Desert Doghouse is finally re-
vealing its secrets. And of course we had to be among the first to

overall aesthetic resembling
“IT IS EQUAL PARTS “equal parts luxury retreat
and playful secret-society
LUXURY RETREAT clubhouse,” as Foxden co-
founder Dale Fox puts it.
AND PLAYFUL It emphatically evokes
Dark Nostalgia, the trend
SECRET-SOCIETY identified by author and de-
sign scholar Eva Hagberg in
CLUBHOUSE” her cult book of that name,
but with a distinct rock ’n’ roll
edge and layers of interest and patina provided by the many vintage
pieces. “As the late twentieth-century fascination with rounded
shapes, organic influences, and plastics fades, interior designers are
increasingly drawn to deep colors, polished woods, velvets, furs, ineffable allure to its ambiance—a magnetic force that impelled indi-
leather, dark metals, and others that have a nostalgic quality—mate- viduals to emerge from their seclusion and gather around a table,
rials used liberally in centuries gone by,” as Hagberg noted. “Efforts engaging in spirited discourse or savoring a sumptuous repast. Per-
to shape a more authentic, less austere present by creating an ideal- haps it was the lingering essence of a bygone era, that of the illustri-
ized version of the past.” ous speakeasy, which lent itself to this captivating imagery.”
Foxden co-founder Brookelyn Fox explains that, “The idea was to While the house has now been prepared for outsiders, so to speak,
use only original materials in the house. No-one likes a person who very little has changed. “One relic from those hallowed times is the leg-
pretends to be something they are not. The owner feels the same way
about materials: no fake antiques, fake marble, fake wood, fake brass,
mass-produced or mass-marketed furniture, art and accessories are
allowed anywhere in the house. This is meant to create a sense of
timelessness and ‘realness’ that has been lost in many homes today.
There is also a certain typical post-boho minimalism look to most
desert houses that the owner wanted to stay away from.” Even the
photographs on the walls—some of sexy models in latex catsuits and
such—are more real in the sense that, upon closer inspection, they
were actually taken at the house, during what we can only imagine
must have been some extremely memorable evenings.
T H I S PAG E P H OTO B OT TO M BY V I K TO R I A C H ER N E T S K Y P H OTO M I D D L E R I G H T BY A L E X JA M E S P H OTO TO P R I G H T BY M A J O R F EEL S

Initially, word spread from the owner’s friends and “the house at-
tracted a ceaseless stream of requests from actors, musicians, pro-
ducers, and the like, seeking its covert embrace,” the Foxes tells us,
leading to the decision to bring Foxden on board. “There existed an
O P P O S I T E PAG E P H OTO BYJA R ED PAU L S T ER N

endary Champagne Phone,”
“THERE’VE BEEN Dale Fox says. “A vintage
wooden-cased rotary-dial
A STREAM OF positioned resolutely near
the kitchen, it stands as a
REQUESTS FROM beacon, ready to answer
your call should the nectar of
ACTORS, celebration run dry in the
wee hours of the night. A sin-
MUSICIANS gular feature that, we must
confess, has seen more use
AND PRODUCERS” than one might surmise.”
Just one of the features designed to make the Desert Doghouse
“an enchanting, magical place to host,” Fox points out. “Little de-
tails like leather-wrapped door handles, thousands of vintage books
and original art, or a wall of playable vintage Fender Stratocaster
guitars that have toured some of the biggest stages in the world are
meant to create the perfect backdrop to make amazing memories
with people you love while you are here. The maximalism of the
Doghouse may not be for everyone. But the owners and curators
wanted the guests to ‘feel’ the house. They wanted to create an envi-
ronment that does not look overly curated or ‘designed.’ They want-
ed a house that feels like it grew over time. In fact the owners are
adding to their collection of art and furniture all the time.” you want to figure out who was here, there are some clues left in the
Many of the most prominent pieces, including a leather Chester- house,” Brookelyn Fox notes, declining to provide names; “officially
field sofa emblazoned with the Union Jack, were handmade by the we can’t move past our NDAs.”
late, renowned British designer Timothy Oulton, a Dark Nostalgia Though as we’ve noted the house evokes a strongly compelling
luminary, as one-of-a-kind prototypes. “Some never went into pro- sense of nostalgia, under Foxden’s management it is more than
duction so there are some oddball and one-of-a-kind pieces for sure,” ready to embark upon a new era. Of course it’s fun to try and figure
Fox notes. Some of the other vintage items even offer hints as to the out which movie star frolicked with which supermodel under the
identity of various famous guests who made the pilgrimage to the antique chandelier in the Game Room. But it’s even more gratifying
Desert Doghouse when the rock star owner was in residence. “If to now have the opportunity to create some legends of your own.
T H I S PAG E P H OTO B OT TO M BY V I K TO R I A C H ER N E T S K Y P H OTO TO P R I G H T BY M A J O R F EEL S

O P P O S I T E PAG E P H OTO BY T I N A LO U I S E

COLLECTING
HOT SHOTS
Feast your eyes on some of the most expensive firearms ever sold at auction, many of which have fetched over $1 million
Te x t b y B R AN D O N FR I ED ER I C H
T
he most expensive car ever sold at auction was a one-of- million, set in May of 2021), the highest-yielding year of a firearms
two 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR prototype that auction house ($121 million, set in 2021), and the second-most expen-
fetched an exorbitant $142 million at a 2022 RM Sothe- sive firearm ever sold at auction (more on that below).
by’s sale. The priciest watch ever to cross an auction “If a gun has made it on to the list of most expensive guns sold by
block was a 2015 Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon featuring Rock Island Auction Company, it most likely possesses a multitude
one-of-a-kind craftsmanship so desirable, the final bid hit $5.8 mil- of desirable traits that send collectors clamoring,” writes Joel Kolan-
lion at a 2023 Christie’s event. In both cases, it was ultimately a com- der, RIAC’s Interactive Production Manager. “They may be beauti-
bination of quality, brand recognition and extreme rarity that re- ful, rare, historically significant, belonged to someone famous, or they
sulted in record prices. may be an unusual version of a very popular and beloved gun. Nearly
But in the realm of fine firearms collecting, the X factor that often all are so incredibly well-preserved that their condition defies belief.”
COURTESY ROCK ISLAND AUCTION COMPANY
pushes values into the stratosphere is provenance. Consider the Ian McCollum, who serves on the National Firearms Act Trade
most expensive gun ever sold at auction: the Colt Single Action & Collectors Association’s Board of Directors, has noted on his ex-
Army used to kill notorious American outlaw Billy the Kid, which cellent Forgotten Weapons YouTube series that, historically speak-
exceeded expectations by more than double when it sold for $6.03 ing, the most collectible guns are “Winchester lever-action [long
million in 2021. Or just take a look at the many million- and multimil- guns]; Colt, S&W and Remington revolvers; Mausers; and Luger
lion-dollar firearms that have fallen under Rock Island Auction pistols.” Of the 17 most expensive guns ever sold by RIAC, seven are
Company’s hammer. Colt revolvers, five are Winchester long guns, a pair of revolvers are
Founded in 1993 in Rock Island, Illinois, the esteemed weapons Remingtons, and one is Han Solo’s BlasTech DL-44 Heavy Blaster
specialist has set and shattered many of its own industry records, from Star Wars: A New Hope… which is based on a Mauser C96
among them being history’s highest-yielding firearms auction ($30 “broomhandle” pistol. “One thing they undoubtedly share,” contin-
Above: Founding father Alexander Hamilton’s Flintlock Pistols sold for $1.15 million. Opposite: A Smith and Wesson New Model No. 3
revolver from 1898 belonging to Teddy Roosevelt sold for $881,000

ues Kolander, “is a unique story: how it began, how it lished with Greco-Roman symbolism and other
became extraordinary, and how that exceptional na- “BEAUTIFUL, scenes, came from the renowned Versailles [Arms]
ture resulted in an enviable price point at auction.” Manufactory led by Nicolas-Noel Boutet… Following
The best stories of course come from the most de- RARE, the Battle of Waterloo and the final defeat of Napo-
tailed and exceptional provenances. For instance, leon, the weapons went on display in London in 1816
the most expensive firearm sold by RIAC—and the HISTORICALLY and set the clear provenance to Napoleon.”
second most expensive firearm ever sold at auction— Two firearms connected to Theodore Roosevelt,
is actually a pair of New Model Army Remington SIGNIFICANT, 26th President of the United States, appear on RI-
revolvers presented to Ulysses S. Grant, Command- AC’s “most expensive” list, the more valuable being
ing General of the Union Army during the American AND OWNED BY a Colt Single Action Army that sold for just under
Civil War and subsequently the 18th President of the $1.47 million in December of 2020, blowing past the
United States. Though RIAC was sure of the SOMEONE top end of its $350,000-$550,000 pre-auction esti-
wheelgun set’s stately ownership, the ivory grips mate. Featuring ornate reliefs from muzzle-to-grip
carved with Grant’s portrait by master 18th-century FAMOUS” by Colt Master Engraver Cuno Helfricht, Roos-
engraver L.D. Nimschke sealed the deal. evelt is said to have purchased the weapon four days
“[The Remington Revolvers] were likely presented to Grant after after he survived an assassination attempt in 1912 and vowed never
he captured Vicksburg on the Fourth of July in 1863 and thus se- to leave home unarmed.
cured the length of the Mississippi River for the Union,” Kolander “Its significance is further amplified by the impeccable documenta-
notes. “Currently, these firearms constitute the most elaborate and tion placing this specific revolver in the hands of Theodore Roosevelt
historically significant known set of revolvers manufactured during late in his 1912 presidential campaign for the ‘Bull Moose’ Party,” Ko-
the Civil War.” Grant’s New Model Army Remington revolvers lander points out. And the moniker “Founding Father War Pistols”
fetched $5.17 million at RIAC in May of 2022. were rightfully assigned to a pair of Alexander Hamilton’s flintlock
Fewer than six months prior, RIAC sold its second most expensive pistols, which RIAC sold for $1.15 million in May of 2021. Paired with
lot for nearly $2.9 million: a gold-encrusted garniture of arms owned his officer epaulettes, the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and
by Napoleon Bonaparte. The “glaive”-style sword and scabbard; ri- American Revolutionary War veteran is believed to have carried the
fled carbine; pair of rifled carriage pistols; and pair of pocket pistols sidearms into the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, where, as a Colonel, he
were gifted to Bonaparte in 1797 while he was still forging his reputa- led three battalions in a swift capture of a British fortress.
tion as a great military leader of the French Republic. As made apparent by these recent sale dates and rising prices, it’s
“The set is among the most significant set of arms from the French clear that the fine firearms collecting market is growing as quickly
Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars in private hands,” writes as flame ignites a powder charge. Our advice: don’t get lost in the
Kolander. “The arms, covered with amazing engraving and embel- smoke—get your own collection started right away.
COURTESY ROCK ISLAND AUCTION COMPANY
Below: General Ulysses S. Grant’s c.1863 Remington New Model Army Revolvers sold for $5.17 million. Opposite: Gifted to Napoleon
Bonaparte in 1797, this presentation garniture of arms from Boutet sold for $2.875 million

SUPERCAR
GRAND
IS NOT ENOUGH
Aston Martin’s new DB12 more than lives up to its billing
as the world’s first “Super Tourer”

his year marks both Aston Martin’s 110th anniversary first all-new sports car to be launched under the leadership of Law-
T and 75 years of its iconic DB line, which includes the

original James Bond DB5, as well as every Aston driv-
en by the world’s most famous secret agent ever since.
Perfect timing, in other words, to introduce the next
vehicle to bear the legendary prefix, (in automotive terms) every bit
as freighted as the famed double-O—the brand new DB12.
It arrives at a time when Aston Martin is enjoying one of the most
rence Stroll, the Canadian billionaire who took over as Executive
Chairman of Aston Martin Lagonda in 2020, and who has invested
so wisely in the F1 program. And finally it is the marque’s first new
vehicle for Aston Martin CEO Amedeo Felisa, the former CEO of
Ferrari who assumed his new role last year.
With so much on the line, there was no question of making DB12
a “typical” GT. With 670 hp—more than its closest competitors, the
dynamic runs in its century-plus history, thanks to the continued Ferrari Roma, McLaren GT, and Bentley Continental GT—and
podium captures of its Formula 1 team this season. DB12 is also the 800NM of torque courtesy of its hand-built V8 Twin-Turbo, it’s a

the new DB12 we are reinvigorating the DB model line and reas-
serting Aston Martin as a maker of truly exceptional performance
sports cars. By combining class-leading performance and excep-
tional chassis dynamics with cutting edge technology, impeccable
craftsmanship and immaculate design, DB12 leads Aston Martin
into a new era of excellence.” With a starting price of around
$245,000 in the U.S., a 0-60 sprint of 3.5 seconds, and a top speed of
202 mph, the DB12’s numbers alone add up to something pretty
spectacular. With its predecessor the DB11 having been on the road
since 2016, it’s safe to say all eyes are on Stroll and Felisa to see if they
can inject Formula 1-like magic into the DB program.
Speaking at the opulent and Bond-worthy new Maybourne
Riviera hotel, perched on a cliff overlooking Monaco, Miles Nurn-
berger, the brand’s Director of Design called the DB12’s launch
part and parcel of “our very ambitious statement to create the
world’s most desirable, ultra-luxury British performance brand.
class-leader in every sense. In Aston’s words, “grand is not enough”; The really significant word in all of that is actually ‘performance,’”
hence they have dubbed DB12 the world’s first “Super Tourer,” as he points out. “The company in the past definitely has been a per-
well as the “most complete and accomplished” DB model in histo- formance brand, but it’s something that, in the last two or three
ry—one that “shines with authenticity, capability and passion to de- years, we have definitely re-emphasized”—a nod here, we infer, to
liver a driving experience that’s second to none.” And we were in-
vited to the South of France recently to put those claims to the test.
“When a brand has as much history as Aston Martin it is impor-
“IMPRESSIVE ATHLETICISM,
tant to honor the past,” says Felisa, who has quickly warmed to his
new role. “Not by looking back, but by pushing on with the same
MEASURED AGGRESSION
energy and passion that propelled our founders 110 years ago. With AND UNRIVALED ELEGANCE”
P R EC ED I N G S P R E A D A N D T H I S S P R E A D A L L P H OTO S CO U RT E S Y O F A S TO N M A RT I N

the F1 reboot but also limited-run hypercars the Valhalla and dard-fit 21-inch forged alloy wheels and the latest evolution of the
Valkyrie. “[It’s] very, very important. It drives our day-to-day ac- iconic Aston Martin wings badge complete the exterior visual cues.
tivities and what we do, and our choices.” Climbing into the cockpit, where a state-of-the-art infotainment
He continues, “In redefining our next generation of sports cars, system—entirely bespoke, designed and developed by Aston Mar-
performance in particular was something in which we wanted to tin, it is the marque’s first in-house system—forms the centerpiece of
shift the brand’s perception. Obviously, first of all in a dynamic an all-new interior that is leagues above any previous Aston DB car,
sense, but there’s also movement within the aesthetics and all the completes the mission.
other attributes that the car has towards that goal.” Prior to DB12, Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Executive Vice President and
which is aimed at introducing an all new “Ultra-Luxury Perfor- Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin, elaborates on the “Super
mance” category, Nurnberger explains, “You have the ultra-luxury Tourer” concept thusly: “Historically, the GT code among most
experience, you have Rolls-Royce and Bentley, to one side. What you contemporary enthusiasts meant some semblance of comfort,
might say about these brands is that they slow time down. They give speed, and refinement. But since the Aston Martin customer is no
you more time. Then on the other side, you have the likes of Ferrari, ordinary motorist, and we no longer simply design objects in and of
McLaren and Lamborghini—in many ways they speed time up. It’s all themselves, we’ve fused everything together on the DB12—he han-
about exhilaration. And that’s a very different type of luxury.” dling, dynamics, powertrain, sense of space, and styling—and we’ve
The idea with DB12, Nurnberger notes, is “actually being able to done it to the max through technology to deliver this new category
mix those elements together. We believe that’s quite a unique brand of performance-design driving experience.”
position and actually a real strength of Aston Martin today. So we He adds, “We know that when the owner of an Aston Martin
have the luxury elements that we’ve been very good at for many, many heads out for open-road driving at the upper limits, hoping to reach
years. And what we add is more performance. So in terms of pow- those exhilarating moments of perfection, they are seeking the
ertrain, in terms of chassis dynamics, this is really being raised to a thrills of speed and performance while safely commanding control
new level with DB12”—which is 34% more powerful of their experience. DB12 intuitively knows what
than DB11. “Alongside that, there’s a huge invest- the driver is wanting and effortlessly gives them
ment in interiors that started about three years ago. “THE WORLD’S that optimal combination at any driving moment.
We made a big, big decision on going our own way, It’s this total experience that separates the DB12
investing more in the design team and the materials MOST DESIRABLE, as the first breed of Super Tourer.”
and everything around interiors. And when you The DB12 features five pre-defined drive
drive the DB12 you instantly feel that change.” ULTRA-LUXURY modes, emphasizing its versatility: GT, Sport
You actually get a sense of it even before getting and Sport+ progressively adjust the car’s dynam-
behind the wheel, at first glimpse of the DB12 in BRITISH ic behavior; Wet mode enhances stability on low-
fact, with its all-new front-end treatment, wider grip surfaces; and Individual mode allows the
stance and “more muscular surfaces,” all designed PERFORMANCE driver to “precisely tailor the vehicle systems to
to convey “an impressively athletic physique, mea- their preferences, with the freedom to mix and
sured aggression and unrivaled elegance.” Stan- BRAND” match chassis, powertrain, ESP and traction
A L L P H OTO S CO U RT E S Y O F A S TO N M A RT I N

Scenes from the epic DB12 launch in and around Roquebrune-Cap–Martin in the South of France, including the stunning new Maybourne
Riviera hotel and an exquisite lunch in the hills above Monaco, for which Michelin-starred British chef Tom Kerridge was flown in

“DB12 CONFIRMS
ASTON AS A LEADER
IN PERFORMANCE,
ENGINEERING,
TECHNOLOGY
AND DESIGN”
ALLPHOTOSCOURTESYOFASTONMARTIN

control settings.” No matter the setting, the driver is swathed in luxu- statement car. One that asserts Aston Martin’s position as a lead-
ry throughout the journey; one only need decide if the engine alone er in performance, dynamics, engineering and technology. We
should provide the soundtrack; or the top-drawer surround sound have pushed every aspect of this car to be best-in-class. The result
system from the marque’s new audio partner, Bowers & Wilkins. is more power and performance than its rivals. Combined with
UK-sourced and hand-stitched Bridge of Weir leather hides exceptional handling and an exciting soundtrack, it is a car with
cocoon the interior, soft, supple and supportive, making the DB12 passion and a truly sporting character. Crucially, thanks to its
suitable both for long journeys and speed runs. With DB12 Aston breadth of capability we have achieved this without compromis-
has introduced a new quilting pattern as well. And those who ing refinement, comfort and luxury. Together with our use of in-
wish to go their own way can commission Q by Aston Martin, the dustry-leading dynamic control and infotainment systems, DB12
brand’s bespoke division, to create something truly one-of-a- is the start of Aston Martin’s most exciting new era.”
kind. Options range from “a single small distinguishing detail to We are all waiting to see who will be tapped as Daniel Craig’s
full-scale engineering and production of entirely bespoke compo- replacement in the role of James Bond. But whoever earns the
nents,” with literally nothing out of reach or impossible to express. iconic 007 designation is sure of one thing: Aston Martin now has
Roberto Fedeli, Group Chief Technology Officer of Aston a mission-crtitical and suitably stylish and thrilling ride ready
Martin, further expands on that theme, declaring that, “DB12 is a and waiting.
The new DB12 in our favorite color of Iridescent Emerald over saddle brown leather—the iconic “green over tan”. This is the one we
would buy for ourselves

COVER STORY
UNIVERSAL
A PPE A L America’s own
Miss Universe,
R’Bonney Gabriel,
gives us the lowdown on
winning the world’s
most prestigious pageant
Photographe d b y GILLES BENSIMON

Fa shion Dire ctor CAROLINE CHRISTIANSSON
Styling b y KARIN AGSTAM
Te x t b y ZEYNEP YENISEY

Opposite page: Shirt, VICTORIA’S
SECRET, Denim, GUESS, Choker,
MESSIKA, Belt, CHROME HEARTS.
This page: Lace bodysuit and robe,
AGENT PROVOCATEUR, Gold rings,
DINH VAN,
MAXIM.COM S E P T / O CT 2023 65
This page: Gown, AVEC LES
FILLES, Heels, RENEE
CAOVILLA, Official Miss Universe
Crown. Robe, R’BONNEY NOLA,
Silver rings, DIHN VAN.
Opposite page Sunglasses,
CHROME HEARTS, Blouse, ASOS,
Pants, AKNVAS, Hoop earrings,
MESSIKA, Silver rings, DIHN VAN,
Heels, RENE CAOVILLA.

“TRAINING FOR PAGEANTS
IS LIKE TRAINING
FOR THE OLYMPICS.
IT’S INTENSE”
I
n the dazzling realm of pageantry, where grace meets cha- personality. Eye contact is everything for me. I always try to make peo-
risma and poise merges with purpose, one name reigns su- ple smile, and not take myself too seriously when I walk into the room. I
preme: R’Bonney Nola Gabriel. With the world’s eyes fixat- still tell people what I do as Miss Universe, that I’m a model, about my
ed on her radiant smile and resplendent presence, this design brand and how I’m all about sustainability, but I always try to say
extraordinary woman has captured not only the coveted title it in a fun and memorable way. If you can really connect with people on
of Miss Universe, but also the hearts of millions around the globe. In a a down-to-earth level, I think that’s the way to go.”
world hungry for role models who embody intelligence, strength, and R’Bonney is more than just a queen with a megawatt smile. She’s a
compassion, R’Bonney’s ascendance to the throne is a triumph for all talented designer, with a passion for fashion that took root at a tender
those who believe in the power of dreams, resilience, and the limitless age. Inspired by her mother’s skillful tailoring, she embarked on a cre-
potential within us all. ative journey that led her to create unique pieces of wearable art. “I grew
Behind the scenes of this extraordinary journey lies R’Bonney’s Texan up in a household where I saw my mom using a sewing machine and she
spirit, nurtured amidst the vast landscapes and spirited culture of the would take stuff from the thrift stores and she’d tailor them and make
Lone Star State. She embodies the quintessential Texas girl—brimming them fit me or brother or my father, so I saw the beauty of taking some-
with confidence and an undeniable magnetism that captivates all who thing and making it your own. So I started buying vintage clothing and
cross her path. With a unique blend of elegance, intelligence, and down- I would alter it in some way, and that’s where I learned how to sew. I
to-earth charisma, it comes as no surprise that she effortlessly claimed the started making my homecoming dresses and prom dresses in high
titles of Miss Texas, Miss USA, and eventually, Miss Universe. school, and designing for local fashion shows, and I just became ob-
“I was born and raised in a suburb right outside of Houston, Texas. sessed with the whole process.”
Specifically Missouri City, but I usually just tell people Houston. I’m a Today, she uses her skills to promote sustainability and ethical prac-
Texas girl through and through,” she proudly declares. “It’s all about tices in an industry she holds dear, showcasing the transformative pow-

er of recycled materials through her sewing and captivating videos. “I
started building my sustainable fashion brand and was running it all
myself. I was basically doing one-off orders and custom orders on my
website rbonneynola.com. When I won Miss Universe, I sold out of
everything on my website and the brand is kind of on pause for now,
but after my reign is done, I’m going to continue to build my brand.”
While she was at her sewing machine working on her next fashion
masterpiece, destiny had even grander plans in store. The Miss Uni-
verse stage beckoned, and R’Bonney, armed with her fashion-forward
sensibilities and unwavering drive, embarked on an adventure that
would lead her straight to the highly coveted crown. She faced formi-
dable competition from a diverse array of talented women, yet it was
her inner strength, unwavering confidence, and captivating personal-
ity that propelled her to the forefront. Her infectious energy left an
indelible impression on all fortunate enough to encounter her.
“Training for pageants is like training for the Olympics. I’m tell-
ing you, it’s so intense, and I trained my mind, body, and soul every
single day,” she says. “I had to win Miss Texas and then Miss USA,
which granted me a spot to compete at Miss Universe. So I entered
my state level in Texas. I received first runner-up three times in a
row, and the rejection and failure was pretty rough because there
was so much time and money put into it. I didn’t know if I wanted to
keep going and keep investing all my time and resources into it, but
I would always take that failure as a step back to really understand
what I could do better.”
Her unwavering dedication paid off as she captivated audiences
“YOU NEED TO REALLY and judges alike with her elegant demeanor, intellect, and inner radi-
ance. With grace and humility, she claimed all three titles, solidifying
CONNECT WITH PEOPLE her status in the world of beauty and pageantry. “I won Miss Texas
and three months later I won Miss USA, and then three months later
ON A DOWN-TO-EARTH LEVEL” I won Miss Universe.” Obviously, conquering the universe and be-
coming its crown jewel is as surreal an experience as you’d imagine.
“The stage was so loud, and the audience was cheering and I felt like
we were at the World Cup because I couldn’t hear the announcers on
stage,” she recalls. “So when they said my name, I was like ‘wait, is it
really me?’, because I didn’t want to be wrong and celebrate. So Miss
Venezuela and I were looking at each other and I was in so much
shock, but when I saw the crown and sash coming towards me, it was
an indescribable feeling. It was the best feeling ever. I felt like I just
climbed the highest mountain and I was so emotional. I mean, the
most euphoric feeling I’ve ever had in my life.”
Now, as the reigning Miss Universe, this Texan belle finds her-
self transplanted to the bustling metropolis of the Big Apple. “Every
time a girl wins Miss Universe, she moves to the Miss Universe
apartment in New York. I get to live here for my reign; about a year,
from January to December. I basically moved in here the day after
winning,” she says. Since her coronation, R’Bonney has wasted no
time in using her newfound platform to advocate for causes close to
her heart. She’s determined to leave a lasting impact on the world, as
she aspires to leverage her influence to inspire future generations
and create lasting change.
“Something I’m extremely passionate about is pushing sustain-
ability and ethical practices in fashion since I’ve been a designer for
so long. We’re the second- largest polluting industry in the world, so
there’s a lot of improvement to be made. Miss Universe is giving me
the opportunity to raise awareness for that, and I’m able to do that
through my sewing and the videos that I make and showing how
you can make fabulous pieces from recycled materials that don’t pol-
lute the environment.”
This page; Gown, R’BONNEY NOLA, R’Bonney Nola Gabriel isn’t just your average beauty queen;
Heels, NALEBE, Rings, DIHN VAN, she’s on top of the universe, and she’s etched her name in pageant
Sunglasses, CHROME HEARTS. history and reigns over our imaginations. Long live the queen!

Hair by Thomas Dunkin at Art
Department using R+Co.
Makeup by Deborah Altizio
at Creative Management
using Chanel.
Stylist assistant Ellen Toland
Production Jessica Athanasiou
@newspixie

Opposite page: Suit, ASOS, Gold chain, MESSIKA, www.messika.com. Heels, ASOS,
This page: White pajama set, VICTORIA’S SECRET.

JETS
BEYOND
FIRST CLASS
How luxury hotel brands and prestige travel companies are redefining the private jet experience
Te x t b y S I S I P EN ALOZ A
P H OTO CO U RT E S Y O F F O U R S E A S O N S
Every Four Seasons Private Jet flight crew includes a dedicated Concierge, Executive Chef, and Journey Physician

etting a month-long “out of office” auto-reply is the clusivity, the luxury of experience.” For CrossFit gladiators who
current leisure-travel power move, if the plethora of happen to be Centurion card holders, A&K even recreated the
new private jet itineraries is any indication of the Naadam Games, usually performed in Ulaanbaatar, in the Gobi
golden age of remote work for captains of industry. Desert, bringing in traditional archery, wrestling, and horseman-
Take Abercrombie & Kent’s Around the World by ship that speak to Mongolia’s deep military history. A&K trans-
Private Jet itinerary, for example, priced at $164,950 ported a fleet of vintage Alpha Romeos from Rome to Sicily for
per person, which comes fully loaded—from exploring everything guests to self-drive Taormina, ending with lunch at Bar Vitelli,
from Samarkand’s Silk Road to dinner at Yas Marina Circuit, the storied 18th-century neoclassical enclave from The Godfather. A
home to the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, followed by a full- full buyout by A&K of course, Corleone style.
throttle auto race put on just for you. Abercrombie & Kent’s jet is a Boeing 757 with 50 custom-de-
Ann Epting, Abercrombie & Kent’s Senior Vice President of signed Italian leather seats equipped with a personal massage
Private Jet & Special Interest Travel, tells us, “It’s no longer just system, and lie-flat beds more than 6’5” long (79” pitch). Inaugu-
about having the top suite in a hotel or on a cruise, flying first rating the first PJ trip to the Pantanal, Brazil was no small feat—a
class, or Michelin dining. It is increasingly about privacy and ex- major operation involving resurfacing runways, converting a do-

mestic airport to international, and flying in a private chef from lombia, Easter Island, Fiji, Borneo, India, Turkey, Namibia, and
Rio. A&K’s key flex is access. The fortunate few walked the Co- South Africa, and will finish the journey with White Desert’s sig-
pacabana Palace Magic Ball red carpet, and had an all-access nature jet landing on Antarctica.
pass to party with Brazil’s rich and beautiful. The A&K entou- Patrick Woodhead, White Desert Founder and CEO, constant-
rage also met up with Brazilian soccer legend Cafu, and gleefully ly looks to new technologies to ensure intrepid exploration within
took part in a penalty shoot-out. Then like something out of a his signature sense of pioneering luxury. “Going deep into Antarc-
Carnival daydream, guests got to shake it on the Samba School tica’s interior is one of the defining characteristics of a White Desert
float in the parade. Immersive travel indeed. What’s next for the experience, made possible by plane,” observes Woodhead. “And
legendary adventure-travel firm? Dinner, dancing, and a duet we’re the first company to explore the use of sustainable aviation fuel
P H OTO S CO U RT E S Y O F A B ER C R O M B I E & K EN T.
with Anitta? in Antarctica, made from waste oils and fats.” The
A&K isn’t the only company that has literally “INTERIORS supplement for an Antarctic extension on the six-fig-
moved earth to land a jet. Due to shifting ancient ure trip starts at $37,000 per person.
glacier ice, White Desert’s 1.9-mile-long blue ice CONFIGURED FOR Four Seasons’ 60-plus-year history of immacu-
runway must be graded and prepared for each late properties certainly translates in their efforts in
flight 22 hours before wheels down, giving the ice SNOOZING OR the private jet space. “We view the Four Seasons
similar friction to landing on wet tarmac. If you’ve Private Jet Experience as a true extension of our
outgrown Monaco yacht charters, shake up your SOCIALIZING brand,” elaborates Marc Speichert, Chief Commer-
next big splurge with the new White Desert World cial Officer, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Seven Continent Adventure, capped at 50 guests, IN SUBLIME “The same focus on exceptional quality and service
slated for January 2025, from $178,000 per person. extends to our Private Jet offering, and we continue
Starting in Mexico City, guests will travel to Co- LUXURY” to enhance the experience to ensure we deliver on
Abercrombie & Kent’s jet is a bespoke Boeing 757 with 50 custom-designed Italian leather seats and every creature comfort you can imagine

our brand promise. Our brand-new Private Jet features a bespoke
design aimed at further enhancing comfort and connection on
board; the latest and greatest in technology; and offers the widest
and tallest cabin in its class.” Fully customized to Four Seasons’
exacting specifications, the Airbus A321LR features a 48-seat in-
terior configured for snoozing or socializing in sublime luxury.
The flight crew includes a dedicated Concierge, Executive Chef,
and Journey Physician.
Level up your Labor Day plans with Four Seasons’ new An-
cient Explorer itinerary, taking flight in late August 2024, across
24 days with ten destinations spanning five continents ($205,000
per person, based on double occupancy). Arriving in style means
waking up with a cashmere blanket on a handcrafted leather flat-
bed seat, refreshed and ready to take in the Temple of the Sphinx.
Sail Bora Bora’s crystal waters aboard a 40-foot catamaran, and
nibble on tropical fruit between blissful dips in the South Pacific.
Unless you’re allergic to biting satire, you’ve no doubt seen The
White Lotus. A highlight of Ancient Explorer is checking into
Four Seasons’ iconic San Domenico Palace overlooking the Io-
nian Sea, a reimagined 14th-century convent now infamous
thanks to the hit series. With 20 journeys spanning 35 countries
now completed and a 30% repeat guest rate, demand shows no
signs of slowing down.
When it comes to passenger density—go figure, the 1% and the
1%-adjacent prize personal space—Aman Jet has the edge. Aman
travels with an Airbus ACJ 319 that normally flies 150 passengers,
but of course, the super-posh luxury hospitality group refitted it
with just 19 lie-flats and lounge seating. The flight itself is a desti-
nation to be coveted—an exclusive cocktail party in the sky where
you’ll definitely want to meet your seatmate. Catherine Heald,
CEO of Remote Lands, who has partnered with Aman remarks,
“The key ingredients start with the Aman resorts, the main rea-
P H OTO S CO U RT E S Y O F A M A N
Aman Jet’s Airbus ACJ 319 gives each passenger the most space per client—cocktail party in the sky, anyone?

son guests choose Aman Jet
“IF NECESSARY Expeditions. They love the
brand and know the service is
THEY CAN the ‘ne plus ultra’. Each guest
or couple has their own car,
CONVERT driver, and guide to do as they
please. The small group size
A DOMESTIC helps to create a strong bond
and most guests have gone on
AIRPORT TO to travel on up to five different
expeditions, often with new
INTERNATIONAL” lifelong friends they met on
our expeditions.”
Bonding over Bora Bora is the social upside of luxury group
travel at this level, starting with sunset cocktails. Safrans du
Monde’s private jet “air cruise” is linguistic genius. A travel designer
specializing in luxury tailor-made trips, Safrans du Monde’s new
World Tour Grands Classiques, running this October 24-Novem-
ber 14, is a social safari of vivid cultural enchantment, peppered
with couture gala evenings, and starting at around $75,000 per pas-
senger. CEO Guy Bigiaoui personally boards each World Tour; he
believes quality time with clientele leads to understanding connois-
seur expectations, helping Safrans exceed them. “We call it ‘Voyager
dans un esprit palace.’ We are permanently chasing the necessary
‘wow effect’ that is the real luxury of a travel experience,” he muses.
RH is perhaps the most intrepid outlier to scale the “luxury
mountain” of private aviation with the launch of RH One, the
company’s first private charter jet. The A-list design and decor
brand is firing on all cylinders fresh off its new RH Guesthouse
luxury hotel concept, and oh, bankrolling an entire Aspen real es-
tate enclave into a seamlessly branded “ecosystem.” Available for
P H OTO S CO U RT E S Y O F R H O N E
charter, the cabin of their 12-passenger Gulfstream G650ER is
clad entirely in the brand’s signature aesthetic, brushed European
pale-white oak, bringing forth a quiet timber cocoon cosseting a
dozen streamlined lounge chairs upholstered in fine charcoal lin-
en. This foray into jets took engineering au maximum—auspi-
ciously marking the first all-wood interior Gulfstream has ever in-
stalled. The floors are adorned with hand-tufted wool, silk and
cashmere. We can’t help but picture Margot Robie on tiptoe,

reaching for a blanket—barefoot down the aisle aboard RH One RH, is clearly on a mission to reinvent the company as a global
isn’t cringe, it’s cush. And to keep the livery on brand, they went thought-leader and tastemaker. At a cultural moment in which
with a champagne paint for the undercarriage, to accentuate aero- time and privacy are the most precious aspirations, RH hopes to
nautical form. deliver a completely realized idea—an ecosystem of harmonious
The jet will double as the company’s own innovation center in lifestyle offerings, upgrading to synergic spaces and services.
the sky—a space for entertaining strategic partners, collaboration Wheels up takes on a whole new meaning when cocktails, cana-
and ideation sessions. Gary Friedman, the chairman and CEO of pés, and cashmere blankets are involved.
P H OTO S BY M A R KO P R E Z EL J CO U RT E S Y O F W H I T E D E S ERT
Due to shifting ancient glacier ice, White Desert’s 1.9-mile-long blue ice runway must be graded and prepared for each flight
0pposite page: RH One embodies the aesthetic advantage of Gulfstream’s custom livery playbook

La Bastide des Pins near Vence, one of the most beautiful country inns in France,
was a stop on our epic Aston Martin DB12 drive. See page 56 for the full story
CREDITS
COVER: Gown, AVEC LES FILLES, www.aveclesfilles.com. Official Miss Universe Crown. Robe,
R’BONNEY NOLA, www.rbonneynola.com.
P.64: Shirt, VICTORIA’S SECRET, www.victoriassecret.com. Denim, GUESS, www.Guess.com.
Choker, MESSIK A, www.messika.com. Belt, CHROME HEARTS, www.chromehearts.com. P.65: Lace
bodysuit and robe, AGENT PROVOCATEUR, www.agentprovocateur.com. Gold rings, DINH VAN,
www.dinhvan.com. P.66: Gown, AVEC LES FILLES, www.aveclesfilles.com. Heels, RENEE CAO-
VILLA, www.reneecaovilla.com. Official Miss Universe Crown. Robe, R’BONNEY NOLA, www.rbon-
neynola.com. Silver rings, DIHN VAN, www.dihnvan.com. P.67: Sunglasses, CHROME HEARTS,
www.chromehearts.com. Blouse, ASOS, www.asos.com. Pants, AKNVAS, www.aknvas.com. Hoop ear-
rings, MESSIK A, www.messika.com. Silver rings, DIHN VAN, www.dihnvan.com. Heels, RENE CAO-
VILLA, www.renecaovilla.com. P.68: Gown, R’BONNEY NOLA, www.rbonneynola.com. Heels, NA-
LEBE, www.nalebe.com. Rings, DIHN VAN, www.dihnvan.com. Sunglasses, CHROME HEARTS,
www.chromehearts.com. P.70: Suit, ASOS, www.asos.com. Gold chain, MESSIK A, www.messika.com.
Heels, ASOS, www.asos.com. P.71: White pajama set, VICTORIA’s SECRET, www.victoriassecret.com.
TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF ASTON MARTIN
MAXIM (ISSN 1092-9789) Sept/Oct Issue, Volume 264 , Number 5 is published bimonthly in Jan/Feb, Mar/Apr, May/June, July/Aug, Sep/Oct, and
Nov/Dec by Maxim Inc., 121 West 36th Street #327, New York, NY 10018. One-year subscription rates for U.S., $40; for Canada, $50; for all other
countries, $60 in prepaid U.S. funds. Canadian GST Registration #867774580, Publications Agreement number 40031590. Periodicals postage paid
at New York, NY, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Maxim, 121 West 36th Street #327, New York, NY 10018.
We sometimes make our subscriber list available to companies that sell goods and services by mail that we believe would interest our readers. For
subscriptions, address changes, adjustments, or back issue inquiries, or if you would rather not receive third-party mailings, please visit us at Maxim.com/
customerservice or write to Maxim, 121 West 36th Street #327, New York, NY 10018, or email customerservice@mastcircgroup.com. Copyright © 2023
Maxim Media Inc. Maxim ® is a registered trademark owned by Maxim Media Inc. All rights reserved.

MAXIM EVENTS
Border
PATROL
Inside the 2023 Maxim Grand Prix Party
in Montreal
Te x t b y M A X I M S TAFF
Maxim once again hosted the most sought-after event
of the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix Weekend in Mon-
treal, with electric performances, live activations and
a star-studded guest list. The highly-anticipated Max-
im Grand Prix Party took place on Saturday, June 17,
and transformed Windsor Station into a hub of excite-
ment. It was the most talked about event during the
big race weekend north of the border, offering exclu-
sive access to the most celebrated figures in racing,
music, and live entertainment.
Guests were treated to an unforgettable experi-
ence as they danced the night away to a lineup of
standout performances. Diplo headlined with sets by Francis
Mercier with special performances by Kiesza, DJ Ruckus, Sam
Blacky, Olympian K Haw, and more. Diamond Cafe also sur-
prised guests with two performances during the evening. These
world-renowned musicians added to the allure of our annual
Grand Prix Party, solidifying its status as the hottest event of the
race weekend in Montreal.
The guest list was star studded,
with actors, influencers, Dulcedo
models and athletes like NBA stars
Danny Green and Chris Boucher,
PK Subban, Montreal Canadiens
NHL player Cole Caufield, actress
Sophie Nélisse, musician Tyler
Shaw, and more in attendance.
Stunning model Kim Bruneau
hosted the second edition of this annual event, as guests were
treated to the ultimate VIP experience. The red carpet featured a
one-of-a-kind car from the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1
Team, allowing guests to get a closeup look at an F1 legend-in-
the-making. Upon entering the venue, guests were greeted with
signature cocktails by Jack Daniel’s, perfectly complementing the
collection of stunning luxury sports cars showcased by Dilawri,
Canada’s largest automotive group.
Meanwhile Black Mohawk Productions delighted attendees
with awe-inspiring circus acts, while celebrity chef Antonio Park
curated a gourmet menu that satisfied even the most discerning
palates. Maxim was proud to welcome Sports Interaction, a lead-
ing online gambling platform offering a wide range of sports bet-
ting and casino games to Canadians, as one of the event’s spon-
sors. As guests bid farewell to the venue, they were treated to
Organika electrolytes, ensuring they felt refreshed for the race the
following day. All in all, it’s safe to say the Maxim Canadian
Grand Prix Party of 2023 was an extraordinary affair, combining
the worlds of racing, music, luxury, and entertainment into an un-
forgettable experience.
COURTESY OF FCP STUDIO

“You can’t connect the dots looking forward;
you can only connect them looking backwards.
So you have to trust that the dots will
somehow connect in your future.”
STEVE JOB S
MAXIM

Maxim Magazine USA - 2023 09 10

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Maxim Magazine USA - 2023 09 10

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SEPT/OCT 2023

34 tattoo brand Sang Bleu is as cool as it gets Doghouse in California’s

18 TITAN Here’s why French

24 STYLE Fortune 500

28 TRAVEL Assouline’s luxe

new travel candles honoring top

30 LUXURY We drive a wicked

Assistant stylist: Ellen Toland

04 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

special creative adviser GILLES BENSIMON creative director NICK I MINA J

cover producer JESSICA ATHANASIOU west coast director LARRY STEVENS

senior contributing editor KEITH GORDON

senior contributing writer JORDAN RIEFE digital director CHRIS WILSON

contributing writer SI SI PENALOZA senior writer BRANDON FRIEDERICH

entertainment adviser NICK C A NNON

For sales and licensing inquiries, please email: ADSALES@MAXIM.COM, LICENSING@MAXIM.COM

NEW YORK MONTE CARLO

08 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

MAXIM.COM SEPT/OCT 2023 09

RIVA MET WHEN

10 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

MAXIM.COM SEPT/OCT 2023 11

P R EC ED I N G S P R E A D A N D T H I S S P R E A D A L L P H OTO S CO U RT E S Y O F M AT T EO F U S T I N O N I / H A Z A R D M OTO R CYC L E S

12 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

CO R S E T - V I N TAG E D O LC E & GA B B A N A G LOV E S - C H A N EL N EC K L AC E - V I V I EN N E W E S T WO O D B R AC EL E T- T Z U R I O F F I C I A L

14 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

CO R S E T - V I N TAG E D O LC E & GA B B A N A G LOV E S - C H A N EL N EC K L AC E - V I V I EN N E W E S T WO O D B R AC EL E T- T Z U R I O F F I C I A L

16 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

18 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

MAXIM.COM SEPT/OCT 2023 19

20 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

22 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF SKECHERS

24 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

and respect were mutual, the rap legend says.

26 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

W dreaming about a trip to one of the world’s most

28 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

e’re driving Bugatti’s latest ode to un-

30 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

“BUGATTI IS SOMETHING TO ASPIRE TO,

32 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

34 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

MAXIM.COM SEPT/OCT 2023 35

36 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

MAXIM.COM SEPT/OCT 2023 37

38 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

“ graphs from my first show in Los Angeles at

MAXIM.COM SEPT/OCT 2023 39

40 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

‘Outside the Bubble’

42 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

MAXIM.COM SEPT/OCT 2023 45

even have seen the mysterious sign reading “Desert Doghouse.”

46 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

T H I S PAG E P H OTO B OT TO M BY V I K TO R I A C H ER N E T S K Y P H OTO M I D D L E R I G H T BY A L E X JA M E S P H OTO TO P R I G H T BY M A J O R F EEL S

O P P O S I T E PAG E P H OTO BYJA R ED PAU L S T ER N

48 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

T H I S PAG E P H OTO B OT TO M BY V I K TO R I A C H ER N E T S K Y P H OTO TO P R I G H T BY M A J O R F EEL S

50 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

52 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

COURTESY ROCK ISLAND AUCTION COMPANY

54 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM

56 SEPT/OCT 2023 MAXIM.COM