• images courtesy of CHANEL

    Front Row — The Chanel Circle at Como

    Written by Jahwanna Berglund by Zohra Vanlerberghe

    Chanel’s Cruise 2025/26 show wasn’t just a celebration of timeless elegance on the runway — it was also a gathering of the House’s closest muses, global ambassadors, and cinematic kindred spirits. Against the dreamlike setting of Villa d’Este, the front row sparkled with familiar faces and quietly iconic presences.

    Keira Knightley, a longtime Chanel muse and embodiment of the brand’s modern romanticism, arrived in effortless style, joined by the always-radiant Margaret Qualley and Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong’o — each bringing their own energy to the show’s golden atmosphere.

    In a rare public appearance, Roman Coppola was spotted supporting his sister Sofia, whose direction of the show’s teaser brought an ethereal, filmic mood to the entire presentation. Also among the guests was The White Lotus actress Sarah Catherine Hook, a rising star whose presence hinted at a new generation of Chanel women — sharp, luminous, and unafraid of a little mystery.

    And then, of course, there was Caroline de Maigret — ever-present, ever-effortless. At this point, it’s hard to imagine a Chanel show anywhere in the world without her signature nonchalance anchoring the brand’s Parisian soul.

    The scene felt less like a red carpet and more like a gathering of the Chanel universe — elegant, understated, and entirely in tune with the spirit of la dolce vita.

    images courtesy of CHANEL
  • photography Sandra Myhrberg
    makeup Elva Ahlbin

    Stockholm Art Week: An Interview With Joanna Sundström & Lill Lindqvist

    Written by Natalia Muntean by Zohra Vanlerberghe

    Some collaborations just click. Joanna Sundström, founder of Stockholm Art Week and Lill Lindqvist, Head of Membership & Communications at Soho House Stockholm, have forged a partnership that blends art and energy in a way that feels uniquely Stockholm. Their latest collaboration for Stockholm Art Week brings back what works, intimate artist talks, bold installations in Soho House's iconic space, and that unforgettable closing party, while introducing fresh twists to surprise even returning attendees.

    Natalia Muntean: How did this partnership come about, and what makes it such a natural fit?

    Joanna Sundström: This was Lill’s idea from the start. She’s a visionary and a true art lover. I’ll never forget when we went to an art exhibition 15 years ago, she was completely drawn in and said, “I’d love to be involved in something like this.” Not long after, we organised our first event together. That’s the power of art - it sparks emotions and meaningful conversations.
    Lill Lindqvist: I met Joanna through a mutual friend when I was new to Stockholm, and I’ll always be grateful for the way she introduced me to the city’s art scene. My background is in nightlife, and over the years, we’ve hosted quite a few Stockholm Art Week events together - they’re honestly my favourites. I love the mix of people: artists, gallerists, collectors, and creatives. It makes for such a dynamic atmosphere.
    JS: Soho House is already a hub for open-minded creatives, and art naturally enhances that. The space itself, a hidden old church in the middle of Stockholm, is breathtaking, but what excites me most is how they’ve brought contemporary artists into the mix.
    LL: This partnership really grew out of our longstanding connection and shared love for the arts. Stockholm Art Week is all about bringing artists, galleries, and audiences together, and Soho House, with its focus on curated creative experiences, was the perfect match. It allows us to reach new people who are just as passionate about art and culture as we are.

    NM: How will this collaboration enhance the Stockholm Art Week experience for Soho House members?

    JS/LL: Soho House members can expect a really special lineup during Stockholm Art Week: exclusive events, curated talks, and behind-the-scenes access to exhibitions and projects. Over the past three years, we’ve built up a strong program, from artist talks and studio visits to press breakfasts, all leading up to the grand finale - the closing party at Soho House Stockholm. It’s a chance to experience the art world in a more intimate and engaging way.

    NM: How does this collaboration support emerging or underrepresented artists?

    JS/LL: We’re both passionate about creating space for new voices in the arts. This partnership helps spotlight emerging and underrepresented artists, introducing them to a broader network of collectors, curators, and cultural influencers. Soho House has such a diverse and engaged community, giving these artists valuable exposure and opportunities to connect with the right people.

    NM: How does this collaboration bring art into the everyday lives of Soho House members?

    JS: Soho House is designed to inspire creativity, and art is woven into that experience. The House already has an incredible art collection, and its international curator, Kate Bryan, has done a fantastic job selecting works from local artists and building strong relationships with Swedish galleries.
    LL: And during Stockholm Art Week, that presence is amplified. The spaces come alive with curated installations, pop-up performances, and interactive experiences that encourage people to engage with art in a more natural, everyday way. It’s not just about looking at art, but about feeling part of it.

    NM: What are the must-see events from this collaboration?

    JS/LL: The official closing party has become a tradition, it’s always a standout moment. For the third year in a row, we’re hosting it in collaboration with Porsche, and it’s going to be a special night with art, curated drinks, and internationally renowned DJs who are deeply connected to the art world. Another highlight is the guided tour of Market Art Fair, which members always look forward to.

    NM: What’s been the most exciting or challenging part of bringing these worlds together?

    JS/LL: The best part has been the creative energy between our teams. Soho House has this amazing ability to curate intimate but impactful experiences, which has allowed us to present artists in really fresh ways. At first, one challenge was the fact that Soho House is a private members’ club, but we found a great solution by introducing an external guest list for Art Week events. It worked out even better than we expected because it opened the House to new people and made the Stockholm art scene feel a little less exclusive.

    NM: Where do you see this collaboration going in the future?

    JS: This is definitely an ongoing partnership. We want to keep creating meaningful opportunities for artists while growing Stockholm’s creative community. Looking ahead, we’re excited about expanding into artist residencies, mentorship programs, and international collaborations that put Stockholm on the map as a hub for contemporary art.
    LL: After three years, it really feels like our organisations are intertwined. Stockholm Art Week is one of the most important moments of the year, and I think this partnership has helped make the city’s art scene feel more open and accessible to a wider audience. We’re just getting started!

     

  • Heather Chontos on Intuition, Nature, and Turning Paintings into Rugs

    Written by Ulrika Lindqvist

    For multidisciplinary artist Heather Chontos, creativity is less a career choice than a way of being, spontaneous, intuitive, and inseparable from daily life. Speaking from her farm in Portugal, Chontos reflects on her journey from set design to abstract painting, her recent collaboration with Swedish design brand LAYERED, and how wildflowers, light, and chance encounters continue to shape her practice.

    Ulrika Lindqvist: Hi Heather, can you tell us how long you’ve been working as an artist, and what first drew you to this path?

    Heather Chontos: I have always been an artist in one form or another. I always drew and made things as a child, and my work as an artist of one type started officially at 18 as a prop stylist and set designer. Then I moved on to fashion illustration and art direction. I was all the while painting but did not fully commit until I was 30 , so 16 years now. It was always just obvious to me, it is who I am.

    UL: How did your collaboration with Layered come to life, and what has that creative exchange been like for you?

    HC: It all happened very randomly on my end. My daughter is half Swedish and lives in Stockholm,  studying for her masters degree. So when I saw it was a Swedish company contacting me, I was intrigued.  The exchange has been very fluid and easy . They have an amazing team of people who are truly respectful of my work and the individual creative process. It has been a lot of fun to see the artwork come to life in a new way.

    UL: Three of your paintings have recently been reimagined as rugs. Can you walk us through how you chose which pieces to transform?

    HC: I didn’t choose the works on my own. I think  they have a very clear vision at LAYERED and understand what works best with the way the rugs are made. I came to see the showroom to understand the different methods of weaving and it helped me understand the vast  possibilities. Lisa Nyman, the designer at LAYERED truly looks at the artwork and understands how it can be transformed through this new medium, so it was a joint effort in choosing the works.

    UL: Nature seems to play a significant role in your work. Are there any specific landscapes or environments that particularly inspire you?

    HC: I love every little piece of the landscape around me at home in Portugal, the wildflowers and red grasses, the insects and birds, the cork oak trees and rocky cliffs and formations. I just have to walk out my front door and it is right there for me. What us. Most important, is the light . Nature has many shades of light and thus bring my attention to many different parts of nature all day long.

    UL: Looking back on your career so far, are there any projects or moments that feel especially meaningful or memorable?

    HC: Yes, the ceiling I painted in Paris this year was a new challenge for me. I painted 90 sq meters of beamed ceiling in a historical private residence . There were a lot of challenges to making it, but the result was a wonderful new version of my work.

    UL: Can you share a bit about your creative process? Do you have any rituals or routines that help spark new ideas?

    HC: I don’t have any rituals. I work very spontaneously . I have a working farm here with horses and chickens and dogs, so I paint in between doing chores. I find that it is so very engrained in what I am doing every waking and non waking minute of my life that I can’t really separate it out, it’s like breathing or drinking water, I just have to do it. It has chosen me.

    UL: What does an ordinary day in the studio look like for you?

    HC: I am always working on more than one thing, and I tend to work in the studio and around it outside. I have multiple tables and surfaces where I work on various things. I am always moving around from one thing to the next. There is no ordinary day.

    UL: How would you describe your personal interior style at home?

    HC: Eclectic and very focused on everything being handmade

    UL: And finally, what’s on the horizon for you? Are there any upcoming projects or ideas you're especially excited about?

    HC: Yes, I have many projects, some I can mention, some I cannot… I have an exhibition in The Hague, Netherlands, where I will fill an entire house with my work, that opens in May and then the exhibition schedule for 2025-2026 is in the works for Paris and possibly Portugal.I just built a house and am trying to finish all of its details, so that will be my other main focus. I can’t wait to see everyone’s reaction to the rug collaboration. I think they are so wonderful. I am very grateful.

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