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By Kristina Moskalenko (Originally published in Kommersant in 2016) From 13 to 18 June, Ascot transforms into the glittering heart of Britain’s social season for the legendary Royal Ascot. Across the nation, hats are donned with flair and bets placed with eager anticipation, all under the watchful eyes of tradition. Winners are crowned with trophies…

By Kristina Moskalenko Nestled in the Warwickshire countryside, some 100 miles from London, Jaguar’s Fen End track stretches over 800,000 square metres—a playground for automotive history. Here, enthusiasts can slip behind the wheel of legendary Jaguars, experiencing the marque not as a static display in a museum, but as a living, breathing machine. Acquired in…

By Kristina Moskalenko Every day, offers arrive in the mailbox, proposing to convert the historic Holland & Holland factory into sleek apartments or stylish studios. Every day, those same letters are tossed aside. Tradition reigns supreme here, and the ceaseless London drive to turn heritage buildings into hotels, luxury flats, or boutiques simply does not…

By Kristina Moskalenko Compilations of hits from beloved musicians and composers are a staple of the music industry. In fashion, however, “hit” collections take a decidedly more opulent form. Far from mass-market releases, they are typically produced as hefty, luxurious volumes designed for true aficionados — the kind of coffee table books that guests can…

By Kristina Moskalenko John Lobb is the epitome of British shoemaking tradition — a name that conjures oak-panelled workshops, the scent of polished leather, and the timeless elegance of craftsmanship passed down through generations. Yet since 1976, this most quintessentially English house has carried a French passport too. Acquired by the Hermès Group, John Lobb…

By Kristina Moskalenko From Sicilian carts to couture on the food hall floor, the designers transform Knightsbridge into a celebration of style, indulgence, and la dolce vita. The fourth floor of Harrods, London’s iconic temple of luxury. It is here that Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have conjured a lavish celebration of all…

By Kristina Moskalenko A museum where it rains? Or perhaps: a museum where it rains light? Or even crazier: a museum like Atlantis rising from the water? How about a museum-quarter instead of a single building? Or a museum-quarter overshadowed by a flying saucer? All these concepts are embodied in the new Louvre, which opened…

By Kristina Moskalenko (Published in 2015) The first six came here as spies. They didn’t know what they were getting into, but agreed to a secret job that required them to use all their previously acquired professional skills. They were placed in the back room of the Nokia factory in Farnborough, where not even the…

By Kristina Moskalenko On 7 October, London’s exclusive private members’ club Annabel’s will host the inaugural Golden Vines Awards—an extravagant “Oscars of wine” celebrating the world’s finest vintages and visionary producers. The ceremony, organised by London-based Liquid Icons, takes inspiration from the legendary Met Gala. “We wanted to capture that same sense of glamour and…