The Notebook

A personal notebook on luxury, fashion, design and craftsmanship. Reflections on materials, heritage and the cultural meaning of objects.

My Notes1–8 of 18 notes

When AI Writes the First Draft, Who Does the Rest?

A Friday column on AI, creative judgement and the time it takes to check the work.

Ingredient order, preservatives, fragrance allergens and palm oil: what a cosmetic INCI list can tell you.

What oud is, how agarwood forms and what an oud note reveals about a perfume.

Amber beads, the warm accord in perfumery and the distinct origin of ambergris.

What vegan leather is made from, how footwear labels work and what to ask about environmental impact and repair.

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the purchases we start to consider when a price comes down.

Amanda Gorman, Ryane Leão and Cécile Coulon: reading poems beyond the lines we share online.

Luxury growth under uncertainty: product trust, creative experimentation and the ateliers needed for future collections.