HTSI Editor’s Letter: Finding the Quiet Corners of Summer

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In our only issue during August, I hope most of you are on vacation. I am currently finishing up a trip to the Dolomites, Slovenia and Croatia where, during one of the busiest and hottest European summers ever, I have been trying to escape the crowds. Finding less-discovered cities and places in Europe is a challenge in an era where social media can turn even the most remote destinations into a vacation meme.

I’ve had romantic notions about exploring the empty parks and mountains of Slovenia, though all too often the TikTok team has beaten me to it. Meanwhile, the last time I was in Croatia, in 1998, the country was on the brink of a new tourism boom. I remember staying in a four star palace, full board and transfers, all as part of an all inclusive holiday that cost just £250. How picturesque.

It is easy to understand why people say that Li Galli has a siren song.

Even so, you can still discover small corners of tranquility. Gisela Williams is lucky to receive a exclusive tour from Li Galli (also known as Le Sirenuse), the historic and much-mythologised Italian archipelago once owned by Rudolf Nureyev off the Amalfi Coast. Now the home of art patron Nicoletta Fiorucci Russo and her husband, hotelier Giovanni Russo, Li Galli has been reimagined as a home and artists’ retreat. The islands are home to painters and sculptors, many of whom have created site-specific works. With its mix of Islamic tiled interiors, whitewashed terraces and clever plants, it’s easy to understand why people say the place has a siren song.

While only boasting a gravel bellow, Arnold Schwarzenegger shares the same mythical status as those haunted figures in Le Sirenuse. Our cover story coincides with what has been a season of Arnie, marked by a Netflix drama, a documentary and a new book. He FOOTLos Angeles bureau chief Christopher Grimes went to his Brentwood home to try to capture the actor, bodybuilder and politician, now 70 and enjoying an Indian summer of fame. The strength of Schwarzenegger’s personality extends well beyond the page. I am especially captivated by the portraits, by photographer Tracy Nguyen. Who else but Arnie could pose for a portrait wearing a governor’s buckle and Stetson, holding a little pig, and still manage to own the frame?

Another ’80s icon appears in this issue: Hunza G. Danish supermodel Helena Christensen talks to Kate Finnigan about her collaboration with the distinctive crinkle swimwear label. Founded in 1984 and revived in 2015 by Georgiana Huddart, its wholesaler is now Net-a-Porter, and it sold more than 350,000 units last year. So when Helena posted a photo of herself in a Hunza G swimsuit, the seed for a capsule collection was quickly sown: we can reveal the project exclusively in this issue, with Helena not only helping to create the new collection, but also modeling the line.

Finally, do not miss those of Rhodri Marsden gadget column this week, which looks at the new frontier of toys. From The Little Car Company’s expanded version of a remote-control car to the Bittle X, a palm-sized robot dog that can code to respond to your commands, Rhodri has come up with some great solutions to getting past strangers. rainy summers. day.

@jellison22