Armani Hotel Dubai
The world’s tallest building Burj Khalfia awaits the hyper-luxurious Armani Hotel Dubai. Each intricate and stylish feature is selected by Giorgio Armani to encapsulate his elegant vision down to the smallest detail. The minimalist style and unorthodox lighting give this pillar of luxury a futuristic flair that complements the handmade Florentine leather, Japanese tatami floors and Brazilian bamboo marble in an outstanding and rarely seen way. dubai.armanihotels.com

Bulgari Hotels and Resorts
With a focus on forming a harmonious balance between the cityscape and nature, Bulgari Hotels and Resorts combines the luxury of high-class accommodations with the soothing relief of an oasis. Designed by the architectural studio of Citterio & Partners, contemporary rooms are decorated with modern Italian furniture, while special rooms come equipped with meditation corners lined with tatami floors for the absolute in relaxation. Designed by the prestigious architect Antonio Citterio and using exceptional and rare materials, Bulgari Hotels promise to meet even the highest expectations of today’s modern and fashionable traveller. www.bulgarihotels.com

Hotel Missoni
World-renowned fashion house Missoni teams up with the Rezidor Hotel Group – one of the fastest growing hotel groups in the world – to unveil the modern and stylish Hotel Missoni. Located on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, this contemporary re-imagining of the hotel experience combines a black and white foundation with bold and vibrant colours for a spectacular look. With every detail designed by Rosita Missoni herself, Hotel Missoni redefines traditional hotel design creating an unparalleled feel. www.hotelmissoni.com

Claridge’s
In the heart of Mayfair, London’s renowned commercial and shopping district, resides the phenomenal five-star hotel Claridge’s. For over 100 years, stars, celebrities, socialites, and even European royalty have enjoyed the unmatched service and luxury of this breathtaking edifice. Touched by a variety of esteemed designers including Basil Ionides, Thierry Despont and David Collins, Claridge’s combines comfort and glamour in a way rarely seen in today’s ultra-modern world. With the biggest suites in London, a prestigious history and the ultimate butler service, Claridge’s will cater to your every whim. www.claridges.co.uk

Hotel Notre Dame
Feel the true magic of Paris through the lens of Hotel Le Notre Dame. Housed in a building over 400 years old in the centre of the Latin District, this classic hotel is set off by unique décor, courtesy of French fashion designer Christian Lacroix. Although each of the 26 unique rooms embody the je ne sais quoi spirit, the real draw of this stylish hotel is its view. Be captivated under the Parisian moon as the spectacular and romantic lights of Notre Dame leave you
and your lover in awe. www.hotelnotredameparis.com

Maison Moschino
Fairy tales come to life in the bustling streets of Milan at Maison Moschino – perhaps one of the most intriguing and imaginative hotels in the world. Designed by the Italian fashion design house Moschino, see into the looking glass, journey through an enchanted forest, or lay on a bed of roses in this wonderland of artistically designed spaces. Go on a culinary adventure at Clandestino Milano, Maison Moschino’s house restaurant, or pamper yourself like a fabled princess at the hotel’s enchanting Culti Spa. www.maisonmoschino.com

PHOTOS: The Honourable Tony Clement (Minister of Industry) and Michelle Levy.; Javier San Juan (president and CEO, L’Oréal Canada) and Caryn Lerner (CEO Holt Renfrew).; actor Arsinée Khanjian and husband celebrated filmmaker Atom Egoyan. The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson (former governor-general ) and her husband, John Ralston Saul.; Dancers from Toronto based dance company Hit & Run Productions, Jennifer Nichols (left) and Leonie Gagne (right ) with producer Robert Lantos (centre).

With his latest venture, a sartorial legend comes alive with De Laurentiis Signature, a modern bespoke tailored menswear line made with lavish fabrics culled from Ermenegildo Zegna and other exclusive wool mills of Italy.

Paying homage to the sophisticated elegance of the art of tailoring, De Laurentiis’s latest fashion endeavour is inspired by his grandfather’s teachings and the vast clothing experience amassed by generations of his family. For De Laurentiis, commissioning a bespoke garment signifies and celebrates a right of passage, a mark of distinction, the beauty of a milestone, a coming of age and special events: a wedding, promotion, celebration. A term originating from the 17th century, bespoke refers to “been spoken for,” when a bolt of cloth was selected at a tailor shop.

At De Laurentiis Signature, you are spoiled with personal service, first with an engaging consultation with De Laurentiis, where his unparalleled vision has you exploring never-ending options for your modern bespoke garment. After you are meticulously measured and fitted by him, this master of the tape works with a designer to create the pattern. Fifth generation master tailors then begin to make your suit by hand, while incorporating modern design with the age-old practices of skilled Italian couturiers. “Clients come to see me and say, ‘I just saw Ocean’s 13 and I really loved Brad Pitt’s suit.’ So I sit down, watch the film frame by frame; study the details and turn that desire into reality,” says De Laurentiis.

Applying 35 years of clothing experience with his appreciation for custom-tailored apparel, this self-declared fashion historian takes you through the ages by stirring the true essence of men’s fashion. “I watch a lot of movies; read a lot of books, and look to history for inspiration,” explains De Laurentiis. “I can actually pinpoint style trends well before they are back en vogue.”

It was centuries ago when men’s style first launched into the clothing round-table, giving way to De Laurentiis pieces that exude elite social standing and a subtly sexual allure. From the ancient Roman times when men proved their strength in draping togas, to the heydays of the 1930s when British socialites were unable to resist the emerging elegance of the first classic suits on the market, De Laurentiis captures the evolution of fashion while marrying it with modern, luxurious approaches in his bespoke suits. “I really love the ’60s because there was such a change from the beginning to the end of that decade. It started off with the shrunken suit style, which is in right now, and ended with the relaxed hippie generation,” says De Laurentiis, who looks to Giorgio Armani as one of world’s most timeless designers.

Today, a classically made, modern bespoke tailored garment by De Laurentiis Signature transpires into the ultimate power suit, fitting celebrities, government officials and entrepreneurs looking to make a statement. From cloth to clothes, the De Laurentiis vision speaks for something as every detail and meticulous stitching techniques reveal true craftsmanship. “The power of our suits conveys confidence. Why do my clients come to me? They want a garment that will parlay quality, a heightened taste level, self-assurance and success,” says De Laurentiis, who founded the fashion-savvy Le Firme boutique in 1999.

Delivering high-end apparel like Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Prada and more, Italian style abounds in the popular showroom. With a passion for fashion, De Laurentiis jet sets to Italy five times a year, bringing back the latest cultured trends for the Western Hemisphere to indulge in. “At Le Firme, there’s no need to travel the world to find the best of Italian fashion,” he explains. Not one to rest on his laurels, De Laurentiis proves that with each stitch, every man can be a somebody. “North American society is chock full of volume, quantity and gluttony,” explains De Laurentiis. “But what a man really needs in his wardrobe is three to five bespoke suits that will last him a lifetime.”

www.bespokeman.ca, www.lefirme.com