Having & Being: And La Schiffer beckons forever

We remember the year 1989: George Bush was sworn in as the 41st President of the United States, FC Bayern Munich secured the German championship by five points over 1. FC Köln, the Berlin Wall fell, and a blonde German who looked exactly like a young Brigitte Bardot launched her meteoric career with a Guess campaign. Tempi passati, one could say now – in the USA, President No. 47 is boldly leading the country into a dictatorship, 1. FC Köln is still second-division at least until the end of the season, and the Federal Republic of Germany is more divided than ever, judging by the election results in the light blue color spectrum.

But Claudia Schiffer, initially dubbed the new German "Fräuleinwunder" (well, the late 1980s) and soon renamed "Cloodia" by her patron Karl Lagerfeld, is still around. Less often than before, but judging by her flowing blond mane and stubbornly pouty lips, not a minute has passed since spring/summer 1989.

Her current appearance in the new Chloé campaign is certainly not entirely coincidental. The collection, the epitome of French je ne sais quoi, has been designed for the past three seasons by a German, Chemena Kamali, who also grew up in North Rhine-Westphalia. But now, flashback: Cloodia in a nude bodysuit, lounging on a wrought-iron beach chair, a whole pineapple in her hand. Cloodia in a white top and jeans, in a hammock or romantically and sexily arranged (legs apart) over the back of a chair. Photographed by David Sims. According to the press release, the inspiration was the sun-drenched southern French aesthetic of Eric Rohmer's films. "Chloé à la Plage" is available until the end of summer in selected boutiques in Saint-Tropez, Capri, and Monte Carlo.

Poppy red, bright gradients from violet to steel blue, patent leather boots in orange: It's somehow liberating how clearly designer Roksanda Ilinčić embraces color in her current designs, where we'd normally retreat into a cloud of defensively plump pastels this spring. In her collaboration with &Other Stories, the Serbian-born designer, who founded her label in London a good 20 years ago, remains true to her look. Not only in terms of the colors, but also with the always slightly statuesque silhouettes, which nevertheless appear feminine in her work.

The small collection includes a voluminous flared skirt in sunflower yellow, large ruffles, and a theatrical hat with a visor, as well as gently flowing dresses and one-shoulder tops with almost romantic ribbon ties. In England, these pieces have already been declared the ideal wardrobe for the wedding season , although, as we all know, the bride should never be overshadowed in terms of fashion. But perhaps it will also come in bold colors (available from May 15).

In recent weeks, the literary arts pages have been celebrating the 100th anniversary of "The Great Gatsby." F. Scott Fitzgerald's worldwide bestseller, published in early April 1925, tells the story of the unhappy life of the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby on Long Island. The depiction of the lavish parties and stylistic extravagances makes the novel a popular work to this day.

The aesthetics and glamour of the Roaring Twenties are also embodied by the "House of Gatsby" gin, which has only recently been on the market. Not easy to obtain and with a website that is both elaborate and opaque, Gatsby gin obscures its origins much like Jay Gatsby – only in the imprint does one discover that he comes from Hamburg. In addition to relatively common citrus botanicals, an essence of Marc de Champagne gives Gatsby gin a special flavor – and is intended to make it the perfect spirit for champagne occasions.

The distillate was already named test winner in GQ magazine's gin tasting earlier this year. The heavy Art Deco bottle and elegant label are certainly an aesthetic enhancement, bringing a touch of Gatsby to the home bar. Rum and absinthe are also reportedly in the works.

Many hotels now have a "signature perfume" that wafts—sometimes more, sometimes less pungently—through the lobby and every room. Ideally, guests buy it after their stay so they can remember it again and again. Suite 909, Blue Piscine, and Chambre Secrète are also hotel fragrances, albeit from a house that exists only in the imagination of Francesco Ragazzi. The founder of the successful Palm Angels label sold his brand at the beginning of the year and has now entered the booming niche perfumery with Pietro Ruffini (son of Moncler founder Remo Ruffini) and Frédérique Obin, the former brand director of the Hôtel Costes.

"Réservation Parfums" is an elaborately staged concept centered around a mythical hotel in California (think: Chateau Marmont...), and with each of the current seven fragrances, you essentially check in there. Regular guests prefer the classic Suite 909, those who prefer to hang out by the pool choose the fresh Blue Piscine, and Late Night is said to be the best fit for those who throw wild parties in their rooms. Perfumes that tell stories are nothing new. But the fact that the entire brand engages in elaborate storytelling—the marketing world's favorite phrase—with room keys, reception bells, rumpled sheets, and pictures of hotel pools is more of a novelty. The price for a sample set is accordingly as much as a luxury suite: 390 euros.