#craftsmanship

#craftsmanship

Rafa Cabello started work at the age of 14. He spent the first five years of his career preparing staves, the cut and curved wooden boards that form the sides of a cask, which are then secured with iron hoops. "That gradual learning matters because it's important to start with an appreciation for the wood - understanding its densities, its chemical systems, how one type of oak reacts differently to another," he says. "It all really starts in the forest."

Few brands can thread together the past and present of global style with the same authenticity as Polo Ralph Lauren. With its latest release, the house turns to Tokyo for its ongoing "Polo Originals & Friends" campaign, bringing forward a vision rooted in craftsmanship, individuality, and cultural connection. The city is not only a backdrop but also a living character, symbolizing how Polo's global heritage continues to evolve while honoring its origins.

Jerry Lorenzo 's Fear of God has spent the last decade perfecting a singular vision - one that balances reverence for American craftsmanship with an elevated, almost spiritual minimalism. For Collection Nine, the brand takes a significant step forward by presenting its first-ever womenswear collection, a moment that feels both inevitable and groundbreaking. This debut isn't just an expansion of the Fear of God universe - it's a full expression of what Lorenzo has been building toward,

Walk into EB Denim's new flagship in Los Angeles and you immediately understand why this brand has captivated a generation. The space is raw yet refined, balancing industrial minimalism with an energy that feels alive. Racks display denim that has been cut, twisted, and rebuilt into something entirely new. It is a store, but also a studio, a warehouse, and a clubhouse where people gather around more than product. They gather around an idea.

Fashion design and automobile design share more commonalities than you might think. Both juggle modernity and a huge amount of heritage, and luxury is often hugely important pursuit for designers in both sectors. So it was perhaps only a matter of time until the two collided. Timed to coincide with London Fashion Week, Audi has revealed 'Audi Couture', a print ad imagining Audi parts laid flat as a dressmaking pattern (which, to my eye, has more than a hint of 'Transformers' to it).

"A study in contrast, materiality and craftsmanship." That was how Cos described its Autumn/Winter 2025 collection at New York Fashion Week, the fourth consecutive September the London-based brand has crossed the Atlantic. For a house steeped in urban minimalism, the city is a natural stage - its architecture and relentless movement a mirror of Cos's own design philosophy, a refined quiet cutting through the bustle.

Architecture and design had already entered Taska Cleveland's field of vision when she studied painting at the San Francisco Art Institute. "My experience as a fine artist has been informative in the way I work now," says the LA-born talent, who struck out on her own three years ago after rising to the position of artistic director of the AD100 firm Studio Shamshiri.

Ever since she was a kid, Emily Lindberg has been interested in how things are constructed. Crafting dollhouse furniture, reigning as the only girl in woodworking class, repairing boats with her grandfather-these experiences and more all foretold a future in design. "Making, fixing, and dreaming, that was our family language," recalls the AD PRO Directory member, who studiedinterior architecture at RISD, including a formative year abroad in Rome.

We often revel in the artistic craftsmanship of hand-built bikes. For most, owning one is like owning an original Picasso, only you also get to ride it. Many of us will settle for reading about handmade frames and bikes online or attending events showcasing them. And very few of us will actually attempt to build one. Surely, the know-how aspect is a huge barrier, as many may not have a mind bent toward frame building.

Most days, she rises at 6:45 a.m., her assistant soon arriving, and "sticks the kettle on." The artist lives in a caravan parked outside of her studio, so she says it's really just "a case of rolling out of bed and into a pile of felt." They work until around 4 p.m., and then between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., the artist begins to paint. She says Netflix has been her prime accompaniment for these slots, for absorbing selections to aid productivity.

At Hermès, every object speaks. They bear witness to a long history of patience, inspiration, and precise gestures, interwoven with joyful encounters and curious anecdotes. They tell the story of a family house and the people who make it up, from the artisans to the boutique staff, not to mention the customers! They represent the lively and bold side of creation, always striving to reinvent itself without ever repeating itself.

Vermelho Hotel, designed by Christian Louboutin, Madalena Caiado and Carolina Irving, is organized like a villa rather than a resort, with courtyards, gardens, and shared rooms encouraging interaction among guests. Exterior spaces are animated by sculptural interventions from Italian artist Giuseppe Ducrot, whose ceramics extend across facades in a series of baroque-inspired frescos and ornamental figures. His work folds into the architecture itself, creating a sense of permanence rather than applied decoration.

The 2025 bottling features 74% 11-year-old, 10% 13-year-old, and 16% 14-year-old bourbons, showcasing a meticulous blend that speaks to Maker's Mark's commitment to 'aged to taste'.

The Nantucket Lightship basket bag, I've come to learn, is like a Birkin for Nantucketers—and, depending on the year in which it was made, can go for as much as $5,000.

66°North demonstrated its commitment to functionality and craftsmanship at Copenhagen Fashion Week with a special exhibition titled '100 Years of Progress. Still Made for Life.' This immersive event highlighted the brand's performance heritage and innovative design through engaging installations like a wind tunnel and GORE-TEX simulator.

Crafted using the same mash bill of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye that forms the backbone of its classic whiskey, Tennessee Blackberry undergoes the signature Lincoln County Process-mellowed drop by drop through ten feet of sugar maple charcoal. The result is a smooth, clean base that's ready to meet its fruity counterpart.

The emergence of playful, artisanal glass sconces highlights a shift towards authenticity in design, prioritizing craftsmanship and unique details over minimalist styles.

Vintage kitchenware, including cast iron pans and mid-century dishes, can be surprisingly valuable and cherished for their durability and craftsmanship. A thrift store find may be worth much more.

The handprint found on a 4,000-year-old 'soul house' at Fitzwilliam Museum offers direct evidence of ancient craftwork and the personal touch of its creator.

A hand crafted wooden scale model of the Sony Alpha 7R, built to exact proportions. The process began with detailed technical drawings and dimensioning based on the original camera.

The adidas Predator Precision Silver Strike' features a clean white leather upper, silver Three Stripes branding, and a shimmering chrome soleplate, reflecting modern craftsmanship.

Being good at the people stuff can feel like progress, and in most environments, it is what buys you influence, respect, and speed.

Andu Masebo designed the Around Table from No.1 Common red oak, comprising eight reconfigurable curved segments, creating an adaptable gathering space that embodies connection and change.

Japanese design philosophy creatively merges simplicity and functionality, enhancing Apple accessories with timeless elegance and precision engineering, embodying traditional arts and modern technology.

Bandit9's latest creation, the Ducati 821, embodies a liquid metal aesthetic where aluminum and carbon fiber merge into a monolithic sculpture housing an 821cc engine.

Georges Hobeika's Fall 2025 couture collection showcased three decades of craftsmanship, featuring disciplined silhouettes and meticulous embellishments that elevated couture to an act of poise and quiet power.

Hourigan in his studio with his miniature model of the now-closed Gasometer hotel. Photograph: Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Guardian Australia

Rivas employs exclusively recovered materials while ensuring responsible water usage in the washing processes. It's his first foray into denim, and he's done it with flair, embodying a zero-waste philosophy.

It was made for presence.

The G-Falcon SUV exemplifies unparalleled design and craftsmanship, merging the worlds of luxury automobiles and firearms into a unique, high-end vehicle.