Time to Shift – THE Stylemate No. 03

THE
Style
mate
INSPIRATION FROM AROUND
THE WORLD FOR AN AESTHETIC
AND MEANINGFUL LIFESTYLE
ISSUE N
o
03 | 2025
thestylemate.com
Time
to
Shift

32THE Stylemate
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THE Stylemate
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IN THIS ISSUE
Photos: Natuzzi, Louis Widmer, Looops, Byredo, Falconeri, Samsung
Mindful Essentials
Page 3

Metamorphosis
Pages 4–7

The Human in Beta Test
Page 8

LIFE:
Sweet Circle of the Seasons
Page 9

Genes on Reset
Pages 10–11

Light Years Ahead
Pages 12–13

Review:
Yuval Harari Pulls the Plug
Page 14

STYLE:
Metamorphosis part 2
Page 15
Between Yesterday and
Tomorrow
Pages 16–18

From Space to Idea
Page 19
„Design is the intelligent
Management of Chaos
Pages 20–21
From Workshop to Runway
Pages 22–23
Fashion as a Space
for Thought
Pages 24–25
The Silent Revolt of Matter
Pages 26–27
Lifestylehotels™
Selection:
Zash
Page LH-Cover 01
Lifestylehotels™
Directory
Page LH 02
Mia Alpina
Page LH 03
Heureka - Atomos
Pages LH 04–05
Bergwiesenglück
Page LH 06
New Member:
Everelmus
Page LH 07
Wilmina
Page LH 08
OLM Nature Escape
Page LH 09
Puradies
Page LH 10
Kaer x Sublime Comporta
Page LH 11
Racó d’Artà
Page LH 12
Imprint
Page 2
SKIN RESET FOR AUTUMN
Proderm Extrait Liposomal by Louis Widmer, approx. € 43.90, louis-widmer.com
After a summer filled with sunshine and adventure, the skin needs one thing above all: a mindful reset.
Louis Widmer, the Swiss dermocosmetics brand with a pharmaceutical approach, guides us through this
transition with a skincare routine rooted in science, efficacy, and mindfulness. At the center is the trend of
Skinimalism – fewer products, but used purposefully and with maximum effect. Whether it’s skin cycling,
barrier care, or eye wellness, Louis Widmer essentials deliver everything our skin needs in autumn to
regenerate and glow. Instead of aggressive treatments, the focus is now on gentle recovery, intense hydra-
tion, and protection for lasting skin health. A beauty reset that feels like a deep breath – clear, conscious,
and soothing.
RITUALS OF LIGHT
Limited Edition by Looops, from € 26, looopsmoments.com
Candles are much more than small flames – they are touchstones of mindfulness in daily life. Handcrafted
Looops candles, with their natural fragrances and soft glow, bring us back into the present moment. Inspired
by nature, they create an atmosphere of warmth and comfort while inviting us to let go. Especially in
autumn and winter, when days grow shorter and nights longer, Looops candles transform every home into
a place of calm. A mindful ritual: light the wick, breathe deeply, pause. A small flame – with a big impact.
CASHMERE WITH A MOUNTAIN VIEW
Alps Getaway Collection by Falconeri, from approx. € 200, falconeri.com
The Dolomites as inspiration, nature as essence – the new Alps Getaway collection from Falconeri trans-
lates the stillness of the mountains into luxurious fashion. Finest cashmere and noble natural materials
wrap around us like pure alpine air: light, warm, and irresistibly soft. This is fashion that doesn’t shout, but
quietly convinces – with timeless elegance, sustainable production, and the comforting sense of carrying a
piece of serenity with you. The collection feels like a journey into the Alps: mindful, unhurried, and inspired
by a desire to reconnect with both nature and oneself. A touch of mountain view – always close at hand.
JOY, CAPTURED IN A FRAGRANCE
Alto Astral by Byredo, from € 240, byredo.com
With Alto Astral, Byredo opens a new olfactory chapter – radiant with light, color, and joie de vivre.
Inspired by the vibrant energy of Brazil, the scent evokes everything from samba at dusk to the sea breeze
on Rio’s beaches. Aldehydes and coconut open the fragrance with brightness, jasmine and incense add
warmth and depth, while sandalwood and salted amber create a sensual, lasting base. The result is a
perfume that isn’t just worn but lived: optimistic, moving, powerful. Accompanied by intimate portraits
of Brazilian life, the campaign tells stories of dance, closeness, and cultural expression. Alto Astral is more
than a fragrance – it’s a statement: joy as an attitude, optimism as a state of being.
COMFORT, REDEFINED
Mindful Project by Natuzzi, price upon request, natuzzi.com
A sofa that not only looks beautiful but actively enhances our well-being – with Mindful 365, Natuzzi
introduces a whole new definition of comfort. Italian design meets innovative wellness technology: the
Zero Gravity Position improves circulation, gentle micromovements engage the body, and personalized
adjustments for head, back, and legs create tailor-made relaxation. Even breathing and heart rhythm can be
harmonized, helping to release stress step by step. Yet Mindful 365 is more than just furniture – it’s part of
a philosophy where time, mindfulness, and balance represent the truest form of luxury. A place not just to
sit, but to live consciously.
ART BASEL X SAMSUNG – ART IN THE DIGITAL SPACE
ABB Collection in the Samsung Art Store, now available on all 2025 Samsung TVs, samsung.com
With the new ABB Collection, Art Basel and Samsung present their most extensive selection yet on
the Samsung Art Store. Featuring 38 works by international artists – from Roméo Mivekannin to Zandile
Tshabalala – the collection offers a vibrant panorama of contemporary creativity across continents and media.
Alongside the fair in Basel, Samsung’s “ArtCube” invites visitors to experience digital art in stunning
detail on The Frame, MICRO LED, and Neo QLED 8K. It’s an encounter with art that extends far beyond the
exhibition halls and into the living rooms of people worldwide.
MINDFUL ESSENTIALS
The Art of Reinvention
Metamorphosis – the very word carries a subtle
enchantment, something iridescent that promises more
than mere change. Change is ordinary: a new apartment,
a different haircut, a brief diet. Metamorphosis, on the
other hand, suggests a transformation of deeper conse-
quence, one that touches the entirety of who we are.
But how often does it truly occur? Do we transform
throughout our lives, or are we simply presenting
variations of the same self? Perhaps it is both. We remain
who we are, and yet we drift through layers, through
molts and versions – each one a draft, a possibility.
Why, then, this constant yearning for transformation?
Perhaps because we sense that life withers in stillness.
Perhaps because we understand, however faintly, that
identity is no fixed edifice but a text in progress, one we
are forever rewriting. Seen in this light, our dissatisfaction
with ourselves is not weakness but proof of vitality.
This issue is devoted to metamorphosis in all its facets:
the sweeping transformations that divide life into a before
and after, and the subtle ones that pass almost unnoticed
– in the timbre of a voice, in the way we gaze at the world.
And perhaps the most beautiful realization is this: we are
never final. And in that lies our freedom.
Photo: Heldentheater
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IMPRINT Media owner and publisher: Prime Time Touristik & Marketing GmbH, Schmiedgasse 38/1, 8010 Graz, Austria
Editors: Thomas Holzleithner & Hardy Egger E ditor-in-chief: Mag. Nina Prehofer M anaging editor: Thomas Holzleithner
Design, Art Direction: VON K Brand Design
Cover: photography / alfons sonderburgerstyling /codanhair&makeup /yayoi sasakimodels / madeleine nostitz
Editorial Team: Christina Wetter-Nohl, Nina Prehofer Proofreading: Mag. Marlene Zeintlinger
Advertising: [email protected] P rinted by: Medienfabrik Graz, 8020 Graz P ublished in: Graz Publication: 3x yearly
Thomas Holzleithner & Hardy Egger
EDITORS

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THE WORLD IS NOT
Text: Nina Prehofer
Ovid opens his Metamorphoses with a line that has outlived centuries of dust:
everything changes, nothing remains. Gods turn into birds, maidens into
trees, mortals into stars. The Roman poet understood what we, despite all our
progress, continue to forget:
WE, MODERN HEIRS OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND CAPITALISM, PREFER TO
PRETEND OTHERWISE. WE CALL IT “LIFE PLANNING,” “CAREER TRAJECTORY,” “SELF-IMPROVEMENT.” WORDS THAT PROMISE STABILITY BUT IN TRUTH
DESCRIBE NOTHING MORE THAN CONSTANT METAMORPHOSIS. ONLY, UNLIKE OVID’S FIGURES, WE DO NOT TRANSFORM INTO GRACEFUL LAUREL TREES
OR LUMINOUS CONSTELLATIONS – WE MORPH INTO SPREADSHEETS, POWERPOINT DECKS, AND IF WE’RE LUCKY, SHIMMERING AVATARS CURATED FOR
THE HUNGRY EYES OF SOCIAL MEDIA.
FIXED.
IT IS
A STAGE OF
TRANSITIONS.
META
MOR
PHOSIS
Photos: Shutterstock, Adobe Stock

76THE Stylemate
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POLITICAL METAMORPHOSIS
It is not just individuals who change shape. Entire
nations are shapeshifting before our eyes. Democracies
that once seemed carved from stone crumble like cheap
plaster. Political parties mutate from representatives
of the people into influencer collectives. And from the
ashes of liberal order rise phoenix-like caricatures of
authoritarianism – so sleekly packaged that one could
almost mistake them for lifestyle brands.
Politics itself has undergone its own metamorphosis: no
longer the negotiation of interests, but the performance
of identity. Government as reality television, where the
question is less how one governs than
how one plays the role. Ovid would
have adored it: parliaments as stages,
ministers as shapeshifters, switching
characters depending on the mood of
the audience.
THE WORLD TRANSFORMED
And then there is the world itself, morphing in real
time. Climate change is metamorphosis made visible:
glaciers dissolving, rivers drying, entire landscapes
transforming. Only this time, the metamorphosis is not
into gods or myths but deserts, floods, and ruins. An
anti-Ovid, if you like: transformation not as spectacle
but as slow catastrophe.
Yet the pattern repeats. Humanity insists on interpret-
ing, managing, even curating this metamorphosis. We
speak of the “transformation” of economies, of “green
technologies” and “sustainable solutions.” It all sounds
so lyrical, almost mythic. But the aftertaste remains:
who exactly is saving whom? Are we saving the world,
or is the world deciding whether to save us?
“DEMOCRACIES THAT ONCE SEEMED
CARVED FROM STONE CRUMBLE LIKE
CHEAP PLASTER. POLITICAL PARTIES
MUTATE FROM REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE PEOPLE INTO INFLUENCER
COLLECTIVES.”
THE METAMORPHOSIS OF THE SELF
The grandest transformation of our age is the self itself.
Identity is no longer a marble statue; it is a subscription
service: cancelable monthly, endlessly upgradeable.
Today I’m productive, tomorrow creative, next week
“offline” on the advice of my digital detox coach. Who
am I? A marketing strategy disguised as a human, equal
parts mirror image and selfie.
This perpetual metamorphosis is sold to us as liberation:
You can be anything! But buried inside that promise
lurks a demand: You must be everything. Attractive but
never vulgar. Ambitious but not ruthless. Vulnerable,
but only in the kind of vulnerability that
photographs well and can be spun into
a success story on LinkedIn. Opt out of
the constant transformation, and you
risk the deadliest fate of all in our new
mythology: irrelevance.
THE BODY AS PROJECT
The body, once the slow vessel of identity, is now a
construction site. Diet, fitness, surgery, hormones –
the body is raw material awaiting reinvention. We no
longer turn into stone or water; we turn into silicone,
hyaluronic acid, and carefully branded skin routines.
And just like Ovid’s mortals, we too are compelled to
change – not by capricious gods, but by algorithms.
They tell us what a “healthy” body should look like,
and the verdict is merciless: muscles are mandatory,
wrinkles are crimes, cellulite a moral failing. Even in
our innermost selves, in the psyche, metamorphosis
never ends. Mental health, once a quiet personal mat-
ter, has become a public declaration. “I’m exhausted,
but growing from it” – such is the new confessional. To
be ill is permitted, as long as the break-
down is transformed into content: the
depression as Instagram carousel, the
panic attack as TED Talk.
“DENTITY IS NO LONGER A MARBLE
STATUE; IT IS A SUBSCRIPTION
SERVICE.”
LOVE, RELATIONSHIPS, INTIMACY
Love, too, has become metamorphic. It resembles a lab-
oratory for identities, a constant experiment. Tinder
and its kin have accelerated the cycle: from match to
conversation to vanishing – all within hours. Relation-
ships, once intended for a lifetime, now arrive like soft-
ware versions: v.1.0, v.2.3, v.4.7 – bugs fixed, promises
patched, permanence nowhere in sight.
Even intimacy is transformed: sex is sometimes per-
formance, sometimes self-therapy,
sometimes currency. We shift shape
depending on partner, context, or plat-
form. One moment we are desire, the
next we are algorithm.
A PARKERIAN ASIDE
AT THIS POINT DOROTHY PARKER WOULD HAVE LIT A CIGARETTE
AND REMARKED: “METAMORPHOSIS IS ALL WELL AND GOOD, BUT DO
I REALLY HAVE TO PARTICIPATE EVERY TIME?” SHE WOULD HAVE
REMINDED US, WITH HER SLY SMILE, THAT NOT EVERY TRANSFOR -
MATION QUALIFIES AS PROGRESS. WE TRANSFORM, YES – BUT OFTEN
INTO PARODIES OF THE VERY SELVES WE HAD HOPED TO BECOME.
THE ART OF METAMORPHOSIS
So what are we to do? One option is resignation, like
some tragic hero turned into stone: at least stones pay
no taxes. Another is to practice a new art of metamor-
phosis – an ability not merely to endure change but to
shape it.
This art would recognize that not every transformation
is ours to command. Some arrive like tidal waves – polit-
ical, ecological, psychological. Yet it would also seize the
freedom inherent in change: the possi-
bility to reinvent, to swap masks, to try
on roles. Perhaps the only constant is
not stillness but the capacity to remain
intact in motion.
IN THE END
OVID’S CHARACTERS ESCAPED THEIR PREDICAMENTS BY BECOMING
TREES, FOUNTAINS, STARS. WE, ALAS, CANNOT ESCAPE. OUR MET -
AMORPHOSES ARE LESS SPECTACULAR BUT MORE RELENTLESS. WE
TRANSFORM DAILY, HOURLY – SOMETIMES RELUCTANTLY, SOMETIMES
WITH ENTHUSIASM.
THE REAL QUESTION IS NOT WHETHER WE TRANSFORM BUT HOW:
INTO VICTIMS OR AUTHORS, INTO FAÇADES OR SUBSTANCE, INTO
MYTHS OR RUINS.
AND PERHAPS, HERE, LIES THE ONLY IRONIC CONSOLATION: IF
EVERYTHING MUST CHANGE, THEN WE MAY AT LEAST DECIDE WHETHER
WE END UP AS STATUES IN A MYTH – OR AS A WRY FOOTNOTE IN AN
ESSAY ON THE METAMORPHOSES OF OUR TIME.
WE
INVENT US.
CAN
RE-

98THE Stylemate
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Photos: APT Garda Dolomiti
SPRING
The Time of Blossoms
When the first warm days arrive, the
apple orchards turn into a vast sea of
white and pink blooms. The air is filled
with the fragrance of fresh grasses and
wildflowers, while deer and hares dart
across the fields and swallows announce
the return of life in the sky.
On the plate: fresh garden vegetables, wild
herbs, and young alpine cheeses.
To experience: walks through the blosso -
ming orchards, gentle hikes in the forest,
or the first bike rides through the valley.
SUMMER
Vibrant Abundance
In summer, the valley becomes a festival
of colors: apple trees heavy with fruit,
vineyards stretching toward the sun,
lakes shimmering in deep blue. Bees,
butterflies, and ladybirds bear witness to
a thriving ecosystem, while the forests
are filled with the scent of resin and
wildflowers.
On the plate: garden vegetables, berries,
honey, and light dishes from Trentino’s
cuisine.
To experience: swimming in the lakes,
high-altitude hikes, wine tastings, and
relaxing hours in the garden.
AUTUMN
The Golden Season
As the vineyards turn red and the beech
trees glow golden, the seven lakes of the
valley reflect the full palette of autumn
colors. It is harvest time: the fragrance of
freshly picked apples fills the air, accom-
panied by chestnuts and young wine.
On the plate: apples, nuts, mushrooms,
pumpkin, and warming autumn dishes.
To experience: apple harvesting, chestnut
festivals, wine tastings in the cellars, and
walks through forests glowing with color.
WINTER
Stillness and Reflection
When snow gently covers roofs and fields,
the valley wraps itself in silence. The apple
trees stand bare and still, while foxes,
deer, and birds leave their tracks in the
snow. The aroma of wood fires drifts from
chimneys, mingling with the scent of
cinnamon and spices from the kitchens.
On the plate: hot soups, polenta, game
dishes, apple desserts, and warming
mulled wine.
To experience: snowshoe hikes, relaxing
sauna sessions, cozy hours by the fireplace,
and visits to Trentino’s enchanting
Christmas markets.
IN SOME PLACES, SPRING, SUMMER,
AUTUMN, AND WINTER ARE NOTHING MORE THAN DATES ON A CALENDAR.
AT AGRITUR DOLCE MELA, HOWEVER, THE SEASONS DRAW US INTO THEIR
OWN UNIQUE WORLDS, FULL OF SCENTS, FLAVORS, AND EMOTIONS. IN
THE VALLE DEI LAGHI IN TRENTINO, NATURE REMINDS US THAT WE, TOO,
ARE PART OF ITS CONSTANT TRANSFORMATION. AT TIMES WE DANCE
LIGHTLY ACROSS THE DEWY MEADOW; AT OTHERS, WE LEAP FREELY INTO
THE NATURAL SWIMMING POND, BREATHE DEEPLY IN THE SHADE OF THE
APPLE TREES WITH A GLASS OF WINE IN HAND, OR GAZE INWARD WHILE
LOOKING OUT TOWARD THE DISTANT MOUNTAINS.
Sweet Circle of the
Season
The Human in
SOME PEOPLE GO ON A DIET. OTHERS START A WORKOUT PLAN. BRYAN JOHNSON
WENT FOR SOMETHING CLOSER TO A METAMORPHOSIS. FROM AN ORDINARY TECH MILLIONAIRE, HE’S TURNED HIMSELF INTO A SELF-PROCLAIMED
UPGRADE OF HOMO SAPIENS – A WALKING OPERATING SYSTEM THAT PREFERS WRITING PROTOCOLS TO BLOWING OUT BIRTHDAY CANDLES.
Text: Nina Prehofer
WELCOME TO THE WORLD’S MOST
EXPENSIVE UPGRADE: BRYAN
JOHNSON V1.0.
For the price of a small private jet, you get
a man who refuses to age like the rest of
us mere mortals.
SPECS:
– Processor: Human brain,
boosted by Kernel headsets.
– RAM: 111 supplements a day.
– Battery life: 8 hours of sleep, zero
alcohol, zero sugar – basically endless.
– OS: “Blueprint 3.2” – bug fixes applied
whenever the skin starts to wrinkle.
WHAT CAN IT DO?
– Organs that look factory-fresh.
– Fitness stats that would terrify
any personal trainer.
– A lifestyle that sounds like an Elon Musk
experiment – just without rockets.
USER EXPERIENCE:
Only works if you’re ready to turn yourself
into a spreadsheet. Emotional features
(pizza, beer, spontaneous late nights) are
not supported.
VERDICT:
A human as an iPhone update – fascinat-
ing, pricey, not exactly practical. Perfect
for early adopters who think mortality is
just an outdated feature.
RATING:
7/10. Cool to watch, but the warranty
conditions are still unclear.
For those who want live like Bryan Johnson:
bryanjohnson.com
BRYAN JOHNSON
BETA-TEST
Photos: Photographed by Katriece Ray for Kernel - https://www.flickr.com/photos/193463161@N07/51311536622/
LIFE

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LIFE
“EPIGENETICS WILL BE AS COMMON
AS MEASURING BLOOD PRESSURE
IS TODAY. WE’LL TAILOR NUTRITION,
THERAPIES, AND COACHING
INDIVIDUALLY TO OUR GENES. IT’S NOT A
TREND, IT’S THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE,
LONGEVITY, AND LEADERSHIP.”
Ms. Schröder, how would you explain
epigenetics to a child?
Nike Schröder: I like to say: Imagine your
genes as a giant piano. The keys are given
– that’s your DNA. But how you play,
what melody comes out, depends on
you. Nutrition, exercise, sleep, and even
thoughts are the fingers that influence
the music. Sometimes just a small change
in how you “play” is enough to hear a
completely new song in life.
What was your personal aha moment
when you realized: wow, our lifestyle can
actually influence our genes?
That was with my partner Lorenzo
Giannuzzi. He had been taking antibiotics
for years until we looked more closely at
his epigenetic markers. Once we changed
nutrition, exercise, and mindset, the effect
was astonishing: less inflammation, more
energy, visibly healthier skin. That’s when
I understood how strongly lifestyle can
actually “reprogram” genes.
Do you have routines or rituals in your
daily life that keep you epigenetically
healthy?
Yes – my morning ritual: 10 minutes of
breathing exercises, then a glass of warm
lemon water, movement in the fresh air,
and a mindful breakfast. In the evenings,
digital detox is sacred to me. And
something very simple: I walk barefoot
almost every day on grass or sand – the
so-called “grounding” gives me incredible
calm and balance.
How much do sleep, nutrition, and
exercise really determine how our genes
“speak”?
They are the Big Three. Sleep controls
repair programs, nutrition provides the
fuel, and exercise activates protective
mechanisms in the cells. Taken together,
they are more powerful than any drug.
Many people feel stressed – what does
stress do to us epigenetically? And how
can we counteract it?
Chronic stress activates genes that
promote inflammation and make us
age faster. Anyone can counteract this:
conscious breathing, short meditations,
walks without a phone. Sometimes it’s
enough to take a deep breath and look up
at the sky.
Are there small, simple lifestyle changes
that can make a big difference?
Yes – go barefoot more often, put your
phone away in the evenings, cut down on
sugar, and get 15 minutes of daylight every
day. And don’t forget proper hydration –
it may sound trivial, but epigenetically it’s
a real booster.
There are many nutrition trends –
how do we find out what truly fits us
epigenetically?
By listening to our bodies and using data.
Blood values, microbiome analyses, and
lifestyle tracking help us find our own
way beyond the hype. No two bodies are
alike – that’s what makes epigenetics so
individual and exciting.
What can someone expect when they come
to you for epigenetics coaching?
No dogma, but a tailor-made strategy.
We combine high-end diagnostics with
rituals that truly fit into everyday life.
Science meets luxury well-being. And I
take the time to see the person as a whole
– not just their lab values, but also their
story, wishes, and goals.
Do you have an example from your
practice where someone gained noticeably
more energy or well-being through small
lifestyle changes?
One client was constantly exhausted.
By introducing a fixed bedtime, reducing
coffee after 2 p.m., and adding daily walks,
the “wow effect” came after just three
weeks: more energy, a clearer mind, and a
better mood.
How do you manage to break down
scientific knowledge so that people can
actually apply it?
I tell stories instead of using technical
terms. Instead of “methylated DNA,” I say:
“Your lifestyle switches genes on or off like
a light switch.” People remember images,
not paragraphs.
Do you believe that with epigenetics we
can stay young longer?
Yes – we can’t stop the biological aging
process, but we can significantly slow it
down. Epigenetics is one of the keys to not
just living longer, but also healthier and
more vibrantly.
If you could only give three tips, what
would be the most important lifestyle
hacks from an epigenetic perspective?
– Get at least seven hours of sleep.
– Eat colorful, natural foods.
– Move every day – even small steps count.
Where do you see epigenetics in ten years –
is it a gamechanger for health and
lifestyle?
Definitely. Epigenetics will be as common
as measuring blood pressure is today. We’ll
tailor nutrition, therapies, and coaching
individually to our genes. It’s not a trend,
it’s the future of medicine, longevity, and
leadership.
Gene Reset
ON
NIKE SCHRÖDER PROF. DR. HC. MULT.
NIKE SCHRÖDER – EPIGENETICS
COACH, MISSION IMPOSSIBLE MIND -
SET EXPERT & CO-FOUNDER OF
PALAZZO FIUGGI. THERE, SHE COM-
BINES MODERN DIAGNOSTICS WITH
PRACTICAL RITUALS TO PROMOTE
HEALTH, VITALITY, AND LONGEVITY.
PALAZZO FIUGGI IS CONSIDERED ONE
OF EUROPE’S LEADING HEALTH AND
WELL-BEING RETREATS, MERGING
SCIENCE, EPIGENETICS, AND LUXURY
INTO A UNIQUE CONCEPT FOR SUS -
TAINABLE TRANSFORMATION.
GENES ARE NOT A FIXED DESTINY. NIKE SCHRÖDER, EPIGENETICS COACH &
CO-FOUNDER OF PALAZZO FIUGGI, EXPLAINS HOW SLEEP, NUTRITION, EXERCISE, AND EVEN OUR THOUGHTS CAN INFLUENCE OUR GENES, WHY SMALL
ROUTINES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE, AND THE POWER EPIGENETICS HOLDS.
Text: Nina Prehofer
Photos: Palazzo Fiuggi; Portrait: Sabine Radke
More inspiration at:
nike-schroeder.com

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A MOLECULAR FOUNTAIN OF
YOUTH
The principle is simple, the effects are
complex: red light in specific wavelengths
stimulates the mitochondria – the power-
houses of our cells. In response, they
produce more adenosine triphosphate
(ATP), the universal energy currency of the
body. The benefits ripple through nearly
every system: muscles recover faster, skin
becomes smoother, sleep more restorative,
the immune system more resilient. “In
the end, it’s all about energy. When cells
are better supplied, the entire organism
benefits,” explains Thomas Lechner,
co-founder of Luminous Labs.
More than 9,000 studies have examined
the effects of red light in recent years,
ranging from anti-inflammatory proper-
ties and improved circulation to cognitive
benefits. At the same time, the risk profile
is strikingly low compared to other longevity
technologies: adverse effects have been
documented almost exclusively in cases
of overexposure with medical lasers
– scenarios that are not possible with
LED-based devices.
BETWEEN LABORATORY AND
LIFESTYLE
“We wanted to develop a system that
integrates seamlessly into everyday life,”
says co-founder Barbara Sekulovska.
Light Years
This everyday usability is
part of red light’s allure:
it requires no extreme
lifestyle changes, no com-
plicated protocols. Unlike
many longevity methods,
the promise of energy and
vitality is not achieved
through deprivation but
through a pleasurable
ritual.
A NEW KIND OF
LUXURY
In a wellness landscape often associated
with sacrifice, discipline, and pushing
limits, red light therapy offers something
rare: enjoyment. The warmth on the skin,
the soft glow, the calm of the session –
it is a luxury that simultaneously regener-
ates. And this, perhaps, is what sets it apart
from fleeting wellness gadgets: red light
therapy is as understated as it is reliable.
It may be precisely this quiet quality
that makes it one of the most exciting
technologies in the longevity field.
Scientifically grounded, aesthetically
pleasing, ecologically responsible, and
refreshingly uncomplicated.
As Thomas Lechner sums it up: “It’s not
about living forever. It’s about making the
years we do have active, healthy, and joyful.”
SOME WELLNESS TRENDS MAKE A LOT OF NOISE: LIQUID NITROGEN HISSING
IN CRYO CHAMBERS, INTRAVENOUS VITAMIN DRIPS IN LUXURY LONGEVITY CLINICS, AND SHELVES STACKED WITH SUPPLEMENTS PROMISING YOUTH IN
A CAPSULE. AND THEN THERE ARE APPROACHES THAT ARRIVE ALMOST SILENTLY. RED LIGHT THERAPY IS ONE OF THEM: UNSPECTACULAR, PAINLESS,
PLEASANTLY WARM. AND IT IS PRECISELY FOR THIS REASON THAT IT IS GAINING TRACTION IN THE LONGEVITY SCENE. BEHIND THE SEEMINGLY SIMPLE
EXPERIENCE OF IMMERSING ONESELF IN LIGHT LIES AN IMPRESSIVE FOUNDATION OF SCIENCE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND LIFESTYLE.
LIFE
“It shouldn’t feel clinical or require
supervision.” This philosophy led to
the creation of the Regevity Master, a
red-light bed designed more like a piece
of architectural furniture than a medical
device. Users simply recline, select a
program via software, and enjoy the
self-service experience. It feels more like
a spa treatment than a clinic procedure –
yet it rests on solid scientific ground.
That distinction sets the technology apart
from other trends. Cryo chambers, for
example, require trained staff, meticu-
lous maintenance, and massive energy
consumption. Red light, by contrast, is
easy to handle and highly efficient: “Our
system consumes no more electricity than
a professional hair dryer,” says Lechner.
SUSTAINABILITY BY DESIGN
Luminous Labs also places a strong
emphasis on sustainability. Every unit is
manufactured in Austria in collaboration
with a network of twelve regional compa-
nies. The modular design allows for
components to be replaced or upgraded
instead of discarding the entire system.
“That enables a true circular economy,”
notes Sekulovska. “For us, sustainability
means not only ecological responsibility
but also long-term value for the user.”
In fact, reliability is remarkably high:
their first B2B client in London has been
operating the system daily for more than
four years – without a single maintenance
issue. For a technology in the wellness
sector, that level of durability is almost
revolutionary.
EVIDENCE AND CAUTION
Despite its lifestyle appeal and design-
forward approach, research remains the
core of Luminous Labs. In collaboration
with IVF clinics in Switzerland and
Austria, the team is investigating how
red light affects the endometrium. Initial
results suggest that targeted light improves
blood flow in the tissue, without the need
for additional hormones. A finding that
could open new possibilities for women
facing fertility challenges.
And yet, the founders remain cautious.
Pregnant women, children under the age
of ten, and individuals with epilepsy or
pronounced photosensitivity should avoid
using the technology. “We see it as our
responsibility to communicate transpar-
ently,” Lechner emphasizes. “Precisely
because the technology is so safe, we must
avoid the trap of exaggerated promises.”
RITUALS IN EVERYDAY LIFE
For Sekulovska, red light has long become
a daily ritual. Instead of coffee, she begins
her morning with ten minutes in the light,
which stimulates not only metabolism
but also hormonal balance. “It makes me
more awake, more centered, and it feels
like a small reset.” Such routines can even
be personalized – by linking data from
fitness trackers, for example, to align
sessions with sleep cycles and recovery
patterns.
Ahead
“INITIAL RESULTS SUGGEST THAT TARGETED
LIGHT IMPROVES BLOOD FLOW IN THE TISSUE,
WITHOUT THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL
HORMONES. A FINDING THAT COULD OPEN
NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR WOMEN FACING
FERTILITY CHALLENGES.”
HOW RED LIGHT THERAPY BRINGS
THE DREAM OF LONGEVITY INTO
EVERYDAY LIFE
Photos: Luminous Labs
Text: Nina Prehofer

14THE Stylemate
Issue N
o
03 3 2025
LIFE
03/ 25Lifestylehotels™
lifestylehotels.net
Selection
Photos: Penguin Random House
YUVAL NOAH HARARI HAS A GIFT FOR NARRATING HUMAN HISTORY THE
WAY NETFLIX SPINS A BINGE-WORTHY SERIES: SWEEPING ARCS, CLIFFHANGERS IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES, AND A MORAL LESSON AT THE END OF
EVERY EPISODE. WITH NEXUS, HE SETS OUT TO EXPOSE THE INVISIBLE NERVOUS SYSTEM OF OUR SPECIES – THE VAST WEB OF INFORMATION THAT
CARRIED US FROM STONE AGE CAMPFIRE MYTHS TO THE ALGORITHMIC SERMONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
“Yuval Harari Pulls
the Plug:
How Nexus Exposes
Our Addiction to
Information”
Photo: Hotel Zash
The book doesn’t feel written at a desk so
much as performed onstage, with Harari
striding back and forth, lectern abandoned,
his audience hanging on every line. He starts
with the obvious – language, myths,
writing – and then leads us into darker
terrain, where bureaucracy, propaganda,
and digital platforms dictate more of our
lives than we’d ever care to admit. Readers
who know Harari understand his style:
he thrives on the big thesis, rarely the
footnote. It’s what makes him so accessible,
so seductive, and also what opens him
to accusations of oversimplification or
Eurocentric blind spots.
Still, for all the scholarly eye-rolling he
inspires, the book is hypnotic. There’s the
chapter on social media, where Facebook
ceases to be a company and takes on the
role of a capricious fate-god, presiding
over elections and ethnic violence. There’s
the passage on the “Silicon Curtain,” a
looming digital divide that could make
the Cold War’s Iron Curtain look quaint.
And there’s his bleakest vision: AI not as
a tool we wield, but as a self-contained
logic, an autonomous force operating
beyond human control. Here, Harari is no
longer the gentle guide of Sapiens but a
Cassandra for the data age.
The tone, however, remains beguilingly
elegant. You read him and find yourself
nodding along, even as you sense that
some of the arguments are thinner than
they appear. Critics complain of recycled
theses, a flair for alarmism, and the
suspicion that Nexus bears the fingerprints
of a ghostwriting team. But that, perversely,
may be its charm: Harari isn’t writing
manuals – he’s staging intellectual theater,
designed to provoke more questions than
answers.
By the final page, Nexus leaves a taste equal
parts fascination and unease. One is tempted
to read it less as history than as a mirror
– reflecting, with startling clarity, the
precarious present we inhabit. It feels
almost like a Vanity Fair profile of human-
ity itself: gorgeously told, not always
precise, but irresistible in its cocktail of
entertainment, warning, and the glamour
of grand ideas.
ZASH Country Boutique Hotel is a boutique hotel where guests rediscover a time where they live in another dimension, made of slow
gestures, new visions and mysterious voices: zash, splash, cucù, crag, ciuf, druum, pluf - the instinctive and hidden sounds of nature.
To be surrounded by the volcano stones and scents of orange blossom, then all is quiet. It is the pleasure of life.
ZASH COUNTRY BOUTIQUE HOTEL
Italy / Sizilien / Riposto
zash.it
Minimalism meets Mediterrenean
country charme.
(
+ )

THE Stylemate
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03 3 2025
THE Stylemate
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MIA ALPINA ZILLERTAL FAMILY RETREAT Austria / Tyrol / Zillertal
Photos: Mia Alpina
MIA ALPINA ZILLERTAL FAMILY RETREAT
Austria / Tyrol / Zillertal
mia-alpina.at
A lively hotel for the whole family in the Zillertal
mountains: beautifully designed, with a wide range of
offerings – from bowling and a Ninja Warrior course to
a petting zoo and the Zirben SPA.
(
+ )
Just as children continuously rediscover the world through play, the Mia Alpina Zillertal Family
Retreat gently reinvents itself again and again. Sometimes through spaces brimming with adven
-
ture, sometimes through quiet oases of calm – always guided by the belief that variety and change
are essential parts of family life.
Host Carolin Kobliha on the hotel’s evolving spirit:
How do you know when it’s time to change something,
rather than stick with what’s familiar?
We often sense it directly through conversations with our
guests – when their wishes evolve or new holiday habits
emerge. Our own standards also push us: if we find our
-
selves excited about something new as guests, it’s time to
act. Stagnation doesn’t suit a lively house like ours – we want
to surprise, inspire, and always stay one step ahead.
In what ways do your growing children shape the hotel?
Our children are our most honest advisors. They test the play
areas, tell us straight away whether a dish on the kids’ menu
works, and show us how family needs evolve over the years.
As they grow, so does the hotel – from baby facilities to
attractions for teenagers. They naturally keep us in tune with
the times.
How do you preserve the soul of a place while its shape
keeps changing?
The soul of our house lies in personal hospitality – and that
remains, no matter how much we remodel or modernize.
Of course, spaces, designs, and concepts evolve, but the
warmth with which we welcome families stays constant.
Many guests feel that even as the hotel expands, it still feels
like a home away from home. That sense of belonging is at
the very heart of what we do.
Room to grow
Familiar comforts remain ever-present: attentive childcare,
indoor and outdoor play areas with a bowling alley and
carousel, sports halls, a petting zoo, and secluded corners
offer a sense of security and warmth for every generation.
At the same time, new experiences blend harmoniously: the
“Area 500” with its Ninja Warrior course and climbing wall
turns each day into a small adventure, Woody’s Activity Pool
beckons with slides and water delights, while the Zirben SPA
offers moments of gentle restoration.
Spacious family suites combine modern comfort with
Tyrolean charm. A contemporary fitness area, thoughtfully
curated products in the hotel store, and bike and ski rentals
open up further possibilities. Here, time-honored traditions
and fresh ideas flow together into a living, breathing whole.
Mia Alpina is a place that grows organically, all the while
preserving its soul – just as children do naturally.
The demand for aesthetics and quality
is central to Lifestylehotels
TM
vision of a modern hotel industry and
it is inextricably linked to its
commitment to sustainability and
mindfulness.
Stylish retreats
for inspiring
timeouts.
lifestylehotels.net
IN THIS ISSUE
BAD GOISERN AM HALLSTÄTTERSEE Hallstatt Hideaway
Mountain | Lesehotel
FÜGEN Mia Alpina Zillertal Family Retreat
GEINBERG Geinberg
5
Private Spa Villas
GRAZ Augarten Art Hotel
GRAZ Kai 36
GRAZ Schlossberghotel
GROSSARL Hotel Nesslerhof
H A L L STAT T Hallstatt Hideaway
HINTERSTODER Triforet Alpin Resort
KALS AM GROSSGLOCKNER Gradonna Mountain Resort
KALTENBACH Das Kaltenbach
KITZBÜHEL Alpenhotel Kitzbühel am Schwarzsee
LEOGANG Puradies Mein Naturresort
LUNZ AM SEE Refugium Lunz
MARIA ALM Hotel Eder
MARIA ALM Hotel SEPP
MAYRHOFEN ElisabethHotel Premium Private Retreat
OBERGURGL The Crystal VAYA Unique
SAALBACH HINTERGLEMM Alpin Juwel
SALZBURG Hotel Goldgasse
SALZBURG Hotel Stein
SCHLADMING Stadthotel Brunner
SEE Bergwiesenglück
SEEFELD/MÖSERN Nidum Casual Luxury Hotel
SERFAUS Alfa Hotel
SÖLDEN The Secret Sölden
UDERNS IM ZILLERTAL Sportresidenz Zillertal
VIENNA Hotel Das Tyrol
VIENNA Hotel Motto
AUSTRIA
ALENTEJO Sublime Comporta Country Retreat & Spa
ALGARVE Vila Valverde
AZORES Santa Bárbara Eco-Beach Resort
AZORES White Exclusive Suites & Villas
LISBON Torel Palace Lisbon
PORTO Torel Avantgarde
PORTO Torel Palace Porto
PORTO Torel 1884 Suites & Apartments
PORTUGAL
LUCERNE Hotel des Balances
VALLÉE DE JOUX Hotel des Horlogers
ZERMATT Hotel Matterhorn Focus
LAPLAND Treehotel
SWITZERLAND
SWEDEN
MALLORCA Convent de la Missio
MALLORCA Es Racó d’ Artà
MALLORCA Fontsanta Hotel Thermal Spa & Wellness
MALLORCA Hotel Can Simoneta
MALLORCA Pleta de Mar
PRIORAT Mas d'en Bruno
TENERIFE Ecohotel El Agua
VALENCIA Serra Nature Ecosmart Hotel
SPAIN
GERMANY
I TA LY
AMALIADA/PELOPONNESE Dexamenes Seaside Hotel
FOLEGANDROS Hotel Gundari
MYKONOS The Wild by Interni
GREECE
APUGLIA Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa
BRIXEN Arthotel Lasserhaus
BRIXEN Hotel Badhaus
CAMAIORE Locanda al Colle
DEUTSCHNOFEN Pfösl Nature Hotel
DORF TIROL Küglerhof
MERANO Culinaria Living
MERANO Steinach Townhouse
MONTEFOLLONICO Follonico
RISCONE Hofergut
RIMINI i-Suite
RIPOSTO Zash Country Boutique Hotel
SANTO STEFANO DI SESSANIO Sextantio Albergo Diffuso
SICILY Monaci delle Terre Nere
SOUTH TYROL OLM Nature Escape
ST. LEONHARD Apfelhotel Torgglerhof
VENICE Hotel HeurekaCROATIA
BRAČ Hotel Lemongarden
STARI GRAD/HVAR Maslina Resort
QUINTANA ROO Boca de Agua
MEXICO
USA
ARIZONA Ambiente
TM
Sedona
Lifestylehotels™
Directory
BERLIN Hotel Wilmina
CHIEMGAU Agrad Chalets
FRIEDRICHSHAFEN Seegut Zeppelin
GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN Das Graseck
PIRNA Laurichhof
TIMMENDORFER STRAND Sand
TIMMENDORFER STRAND SeeHuus
KASAR DEVI The Kumaon
INDIA
JAPAN
TOKYO Hotel K5
KYOTO Genji
Mia Alpina, Zillertal
(LH 03)
Heureka - ATOMOS, Venice - Vienna
(LH 04–05)
Bergwiesenglück, Paznaun
(LH 06)

Everelmus, Bruges
(LH 07)
Wilmina, Berlin
(LH 08)
OLM Nature Escape, Sand in Taufers
(LH 09)
Puradies, Leogang
(LH 10)
Kaer x Sublime Comporta, Alentejo
(LH 11)
Es Racó d’Artà, Camí des Racó
(LH 12)
BRUGGE Everelmus Boutique B&B
BELGIUM

THE Stylemate
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03 2025
THE Stylemate
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Photos: Luca Nicolao
HOTEL HEUREKA
Italy / Venice / Cannaregio
hotel-heureka.com
A Venetian palazzo reborn, Hotel Heureka
offers 10 uniquely styled rooms, each with
its own character. Tucked away in the heart
of the city, it is a quiet sanctuary — a place
to arrive, linger, and feel truly at home.
( + )
Two places,
There are places that have fallen silent. Their walls still hold
memories, yet warmth has long since faded. A Venetian
palazzo, decayed and forgotten. A clinic, once renowned,
later neglected. And then there are people like Angela Valach
and her sons, Florian Valach and Christoph Valach, who dare
to see beauty in decline and who believe in turning loss into
life, distance into closeness, and fear into hope.
With the ATOMOS Clinic in Vienna and Hotel Heureka in Ven
-
ice, they have, with subtle artistry, restored the gentle whisper
of two forgotten worlds — uniting them in a shared vision and
giving them a voice once more.
BEAUTY REDISCOVERED
When Angela Valach and her sons, Florian
Valach and Christoph Valach, first entered
the palazzo in one of Venice’s most authentic
quarters, they barely registered its ruin. What
caught them instead was its quiet majesty —
the grace of its architecture, the generosity of
its spaces.
The building already carried permission for
hotel conversion, yet the plans reduced its
vastness to a maze of narrow rooms. They set
them aside at once. Their vision was different:
the palazzo was not to dissolve into a hotel
of cells, but to breathe again in its original
splendor. Choosing this path meant beginning
anew — every application, every negotiation
with heritage authorities — but it was the only
way to honor the soul of the house.
And therein lay the
true metamorpho
-
sis. The palazzo
would not survive
merely as memory
within a hotel, but
as both: palazzo
and hotel, history
and hospitality
intertwined.
Today, Hotel Heureka stands as such a
house — expansive in its rooms, touched with
modern sensibility, and alive with the Venetian
spirit. A house that breathes, that welcomes,
that opens its doors with ease. From the very
beginning, they turned to Venetian hands and
hearts. It was never about bringing Austria
to Venice, but about finding, as Austrians,
their own path into the Serenissima. In a city
so bound to water, where every material
demands reverence, they leaned on the
wisdom of time-honored workshops and
master artisans.
Guided by Angela Valach’s eye as interior
designer and founder of MasterPlan A
EinRichtung, the interiors embrace contrast
— subtle tensions that spark vitality. An Indian
marble seating group, a Nepalese birdhouse:
each chosen with care, each entering into
dialogue with the Venetian. Together they
weave a place of arrival. A house where one
feels sheltered, embraced, at home. Again and
again, guests leave these very words in the
hotel’s guestbook, testifying to a feeling that
lingers long after their stay.
FROM HOSPITAL TO HOSPITALITY
The same ethos can be felt in the feedback
left by patients at the ATOMOS Clinic, who
speak of its comforting atmosphere and say
they would gladly “check in” again if needed.
Six hundred kilometers north of Venice, the
Valach family’s visionary philosophy continues
in Vienna — now extended to health.
Like Hotel Heureka, the former beauty clinic
was a building in need of complete renovation,
its prime long past. It’s no surprise that the
Valachs were the only applicants. But their
motivation to create lasting change matched
their courage. With Florian Valach as managing
director with medical expertise and Christoph
Valach as a practicing physician, together with
their mother, they rebuilt the clinic from the
ground up.
While heritage restrictions did not apply
as they had in Venice, they faced another
challenge: every aspect of the renovation
had to comply with strict hospital regulations.
Down to the very tile adhesive, each detail had
to be approved by the authorities — a level of
diligence few would have undertaken.
Driven by the desire to transform a fractured
healthcare system, they turned the building
into an indivisible whole, living up to its name,
ATOMOS. Today, it is far more than a clinic
for cosmetic medicine: numerous specialties
are now housed under one roof. Though it
meets the highest technical standards, one
hardly senses that they are in a medical facility.
Here, emotional well-being is given equal
weight alongside medical expertise — not in
competition, but in harmony.
As Florian Valach explains: A clinic must
radiate confidence. It must be a place where
people can truly heal. It must be a place for
humans.
This is not an empty phrase, but a reality lived
every day. Staff are trained to provide not
only medical excellence but also the attentive
service and human warmth that reflect the phi
-
losophy of the house. The interiors are bathed
in warm colors and light where it matters most
— in common areas, waiting rooms, and the
bistro. A rooftop terrace invites moments of
pause, while the abundant artwork throughout
the clinic guides the mind and sometimes even
offers a small, healing distance from oneself.
When asked which design pieces she
chooses, Angela Valach considers the
question secondary. For her, the secret lies
in the overall concept — the interplay of
colors, materials, and forms, “the right thing
in the right place,” she says — creating a true
transformation of a space.
Just as the individual pieces of a mosaic
weave together into a harmonious whole, so
do Angela, Florian, and Christoph Valach blend
their differences into a family united, each
finding their own place. Carried by trust and
shared vision, they move forward together
— and, inspired by Paolo Cazzin, Sales &
Marketing Director of Heureka, they are now
making their dreams visible through their very
presence.
In this way, they have given not only their
houses in Vienna and Venice a renewed voice,
but also, with quiet elegance and charm, have
found a way to give voice to themselves.
“True transformation must
begin at the root.”
Angela Valach
“When assembling a mosaic, it’s not enough for each
individual stone to be beautiful — what matters is
placing them in the right position. Only then can a new
image emerge.”
Angela Valach
one mindset
HOTEL HEUREKA Italy / Venice / Cannaregio ATOMOS KLINIK Austria / Vienna / Währing

THE Stylemate
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THE Stylemate
Issue N
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BOUTIQUE HOTEL AND CHALETS BERGWIESENGLÜCK Austria / Tyrol / Paznaun
Moments
BOUTIQUE HOTEL AND CHALETS
BERGWIESENGLÜCK

Österreich / Tirol / Paznaun
bergwiesenglueck.at
A chalet village meets boutique hotel in
the Tyrolean Alps – 1,250 meters above
the ordinary.
(
+ )
Photos: David Johansson
EVERELMUS Belgium / Flanders / Bruges
Photos: Marjan Hellraeth
A TASTE OF HAPPINESS
If happiness had a flavor, it could well be the airy sweetness
of Kaiserschmarren with homemade apple compote from
Hermann’s Kitchen. Or perhaps the delicate artistry of sushi,
prepared here by a master chef from Tokyo. Either way, it’s
about authentic dishes that stir emotions, awaken memories,
and reach the soul.
THE WARMTH OF HOSPITALITY
There’s a saying in Tyrol: If you’re Tyrolean, you’re human. And
here, the people embody that spirit – grounded, warm, and
deeply welcoming. Where guests feel seen, where a sense of
belonging arises, and where even unspoken wishes are fulfilled,
happiness takes root. And this human connection doesn’t end
at the hotel door – it’s something you can carry with you, and
share. After all, happiness shines brightest when we meet each
other with genuine humanity.
THE COMFORT OF RETREAT
At Bergwiesenglück, the privacy of a chalet village blends
seamlessly with the comforts of a boutique hotel. Here, retreat
means more than seclusion – it’s about stepping back, listening
to your own needs, and rediscovering clarity. Balanced with
moments of connection, it creates a harmony that lingers. Even
at home, you’ll remember: how restorative it is to create small
islands of calm in everyday life – even without an infinity pool
overlooking the Alps. Perhaps a dinner out, or a spontaneous
day trip, could be your own version of it.
THE LUXURY OF EASE
Part of Bergwiesenglück’s charm lies in its scale – intimate
rather than grand, making it easy to unwind and leave the
everyday behind. Back home, the lesson remains: happiness
doesn’t need spectacle. Often, it’s enough to slow down, put
the phone aside, breathe deeply. Small gestures, learned in the
stillness of the Tyrolean mountains, can become everyday keys
to happiness.
to Take Home
Before setting off on a journey, we carry a sense of longing with us. But what remains afterwards?
With the right place to stay, a touch of happiness lingers. High above the everyday at 1,250 meters,
nestled in the Tyrolean Alps, the Chalet Boutique Hotel Bergwiesenglück offers exactly that:

a feeling you can take home with you. What elsewhere might sound like a tired magazine cliché
reveals itself here in the Paznaun Valley in its purest form: four simple ways to step straight into
happiness.
EVERELMUS
Belgium / Flanders / Bruges
everelmus.be
A charming boutique hotel on the Dijver
Canal, with four rooms in a historic house –
lovingly restored and thoughtfully furnished.
(
+ )
A Gift
from the Past
“It was early 2021, in the midst of the pandemic.
Marjan and I were in Bruges with our children
to celebrate my birthday. Almost everything
was closed, except the museums. We visited
the freshly renovated Gruuthuse Museum,
enjoyed a birthday cake outside on the go,
and I even got crowned, which drew applause
from passing tourists.
On our walk back, we happened upon an
old house, just steps from the museum.
It was in poor condition, but its location –
by the water, tucked into a small medieval
street, right next to major museums –
was enchanting.
This house had history. On Marcus Gerards’
famous 1560 map, small medieval houses
already stand at this exact spot. In the 18th
century, they were combined into a single
townhouse, and the interior structure has
remained largely unchanged ever since.
We were also captivated by the garden,
perfectly aligned, and just a few steps from
Groeninge or Arentshof – the heart of Bruges
at its most picturesque.
We quickly realized, however, that the house
was too big for us alone. We wanted to give
it a meaningful future, something connected
to art, history, and culture. Our dream was to
create a space where people like us could
meet, a home for guests to feel truly at home
– minimalist, clear, comfortable, yet full of
soul. Inspired by the Old Masters like Van
Eyck and Memling, we named each room
after the pigments they favored.
The house presented its challenges.
Authorities strictly limited what we could
change, and only part of it could be adapted
for guests. But as we peeled back layers
of time, we uncovered traces of the past:
18th-century block-printed wallpaper, old
floors, doors, and ceilings. Historians told
stories of early settlements along the Dijver,
Celtic rituals, and Canon Johannes van der
Stricht – history we felt compelled to preserve.
Renovation brought surprises, too. Archaeol
-
ogists unearthed small objects in the garden,
including a child’s sandal. And then, toward
the end of the work, it all fell into place –
we felt the house had finally become what
we had envisioned.
Today, welcoming guests feels like a bless
-
ing. They explore the house, the garden, and
the city, experiencing a mix of old and new,
and the charm we have preserved with care.
Many delight in the breakfasts we prepare
with love and the sense of being part of a
larger story.
Looking back, the journey was long and
sometimes exhausting – but ultimately
wonderful. For over two years, we made
weekly trips to Bruges, debated every
decision, and sought the best solutions for
our guests. Today, we know we made the
right choices. The house has a new heart
and fresh breath – a gentle rejuvenation you
can feel when you live here or spend a few
days with it.”
Some presents don’t come wrapped
in colorful paper – they arrive in
unexpected moments. For Fernand
and Marjan, an extraordinary surprise
appeared while they were strolling along
the canals of Bruges: an old, dilapidated
house that would soon change every-
thing - and what happened next would
transform not only the building but also
themselves.

THE Stylemate
Issue N
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THE Stylemate
Issue N
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Photos: Andreas Gruber, Hannes Niederkofler
OLM Italy / South Tyrol / Sand in Taufers
OLM

Italy / South Tyrol / Sand in Taufers
olm.it
A hotel shaped by circular design,
self-sufficiency, and harmony with nature.
(
+ )
When a thread is gently pulled from nature’s green carpet, it doesn’t go unnoticed.
That was also the case with OLM. Yet sometimes, a small disruption can open new
spaces – places where life blossoms in surprising ways and nature reveals itself
with renewed beauty.
Where Nature
Comes Full Circle
WILMINA Germany / Berlin / Charlottenburg
Photos: Wilmina / Robert Rieger; Markus Gröteke; Slowdown Hotels
Berlin is famous for its inexhaustible energy,
its pulsating creativity, and its multifaceted
history – a city that never stands still. Amidst
heavy traffic and urban noise, the search for
places of retreat can seem almost impossible.
And yet, on Kantstraße, an unexpected
sanctuary unfolds: Hotel Wilmina.
Where once, behind the neo-baroque façade
of a courthouse and shielded by high brick
walls, a prison lay hidden, Grüntuch Ernst
Architects have rewritten a piece of the
city’s history. With great sensitivity, they have
brought the once-sealed-off ensemble
into the present, creating an oasis of calm
– rooted in the awareness that the past
remains, but the present is always open to
transformation.
The tall walls now evoke a near-monastic
tranquility. Lush courtyards weave the
buildings together, offering peaceful retreats.
Where windows were once barred and doors
locked, Hotel Wilmina has emerged as a
space of openness and comfort. Forty-four
light-filled rooms and twenty-two lofts, an
atrium with a Bocci light installation and a
view of the sky, a rooftop terrace, library, spa,
and pool create an atmosphere of weightless
ease. The past is still present here, yet it is
released into freedom. The window grilles,
disappearing below and only visible above,
whisper quietly of this letting go.
In the same spirit, the former gatehouse
has been transformed into the restaurant
Lovis, sheltered beneath a new roof. Here,
chef Sophia Rudolph serves regional cuisine
with a contemporary twist. The hotel’s own
bakery adds to this rhythm with freshly
baked, handmade bread every day – not just
for guests, but also for the neighborhood.
The ensemble feels like its own small urban
quarter, one that thrives not on separation,
but on connection.
This ethos extends to the Lotta Day Bar,
where fresh waffles with berries and
buckwheat crunch await, and to the Lovis
Bar, where drinks are mapped out by a flavor
compass rather than labels. Or even to the
former courthouse itself: Amtsalon / K79,
now reimagined as a multidisciplinary space
for temporary projects in art, architecture,
and design.
WILMINA
Germany / Berlin / Charlottenburg
wilmina.com
A historic hotel ensemble reimagined: a retreat in the
heart of Charlottenburg with bar, restaurant, bakery,
and multidisciplinary space.
(
+ )
From
Confinement
to Comfort
The Ahrntal valley in South Tyrol was never entirely untouched.
A modest guesthouse once stood here. And still, the move
-
ments of earth that made space for geothermal energy stirred
unease at first. Change often does. We are, after all, creatures
of habit. But what first appeared unsettling soon softened into
curiosity, and then into wonder.
Today, OLM stands as a circle in harmony with its surround
-
ings – an eco-aparthotel that generates its own warmth and
electricity, living fully energy self-sufficient and CO₂-neutral. Its
round form is more than design: it is a symbol of wholeness, of
cycles, of continuity.
At first glance, some thought it looked like a UFO had landed
in the valley. But what truly arrived here was a vision: a place
where architecture and nature embrace one another. A place
that inspires reflection, connection, and renewal. Quietly, OLM
has become not just a hotel, but a landmark of mindfulness in
the valley.

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SUBLIME COMPORTA Portugal / Alentejo / Grandola
Photos: Kaer
On a
Journey to
Transforma-
tion
Every journey is, in a way, a journey to another version of oneself. At kaer retreats, founded by Barbara den Bak, this inner
voyage is gently guided through breathwork, immersion in nature, shared experiences, and mindful practices that cultivate
clarity, serenity, and profound transformation. The retreats also invite guests to enchanting destinations around the globe,
including the Lifestylehotel-Members Sublime Comporta in Portugal and Es Racó d’Artà in Spain. We had the pleasure of
speaking with Barbara den Bak about her vision and the experiences she creates.
There’s something profoundly healing in
being witnessed. A group amplifies break
-
throughs: when you see someone else’s
courage, it sparks your own. Community
makes change feel both safer and stronger.

At what point do you notice that something
is starting to shift?
It often happens in subtle moments, during
breathwork, a walk in nature, or an honest
group sharing. You see it in someone’s body
language: the shoulders soften, the face
lights up, the eyes become present again.

Your retreats take place in extraordinary
locations – how do you discover these
places?
We look for destinations that already carry
a transformative energy, untouched nature,
architectural beauty, and a strong sense
When you hear the word “transformation”,
what feeling comes up for you?
For me, transformation feels like freedom,
the moment someone realizes they are not
defined by old patterns, but can choose a
new way forward. It’s both powerful and
deeply human.
What different goals do people bring to the
Kaer retreats and is there something that
connects them all?
Some arrive to recharge, some to break
patterns, some to gain clarity for a new
chapter in life. What connects them all is the
desire to feel more aligned with themselves
and to reconnect with what truly matters.

What special power emerges when trans
-
formation happens not alone, but within a
group?
of place. Most of our locations come from
personal connections or word-of-mouth
within our community.

What makes Sublime Comporta so special
for you? And what about Es Racó d’Artà?
Sublime Comporta is grounded in simplicity
and elegance, with endless beaches and
pine forests that invite deep reflection. Es
Racó d’Artà feels like pure artistry, a place
where design, sustainability, and Mallorcan
tradition merge into something truly soulful.

Soon, a retreat will take place at Sublime
Comporta – what can participants expect?
They can expect an immersive journey
with daily practices from the Kaer Method,
nourishing food, time for rest, and deep
connection, both with themselves and
with others. And of course, the magic of
Comporta’s landscapes.
Personalized retreats, like the ones at
Es Racó d’Artà, offer a unique escape – but
what truly makes this experience stand out?
It’s almost like an exclusive concierge
service: with our Kaer Takers, we craft per
-
sonalized multi-day journeys that combine
practices such as breathwork, mindfulness,
and bodywork with the unique atmosphere
of Es Racó d’Artà. More and more people
are seeking not just rest, but a personal path
to recenter themselves and reconnect with
their inner selves.
How does one decide which location is
the right fit for them?
We guide participants to choose based on
what they feel drawn to: the desert calls for
stillness, the mountains for resilience, the
wilderness for courage, the ocean for clarity.
The location becomes a mirror for the inner
journey.
You combine ancient methods with
modern science – how can we imagine
that in practice?
For example: we might start with guided
breathwork (an ancient practice) and then
explain its effect on the nervous system
through neuroscience. This blend ensures
participants not only feel the shift but also
understand why it works.

Which exercises or practices are
particularly effective in creating real
change?
Breathwork, mindfulness in nature, and
guided group sharings are among the
most impactful. They regulate the nervous
system, create awareness, and build emo
-
tional resilience, the foundation for lasting
transformation.
What has been the most impressive
transformation you’ve witnessed in a
participant? And in yourself?
I’ve seen people arrive burnt-out and leave
with clarity and light in their eyes, ready to
make bold life changes. For myself, Kaer has
been a constant reminder that growth is not
linear and that creating space for stillness
allows new ideas and energy to emerge.

Does transformation end with the retreat –
or does it only begin there?
It only begins there. A retreat acts as a
catalyst, but the real transformation happens
back in daily life, when participants bring new
awareness into their relationships, work, and
habits.
Which sentence or comment do you hear
most often from participants?
“I didn’t know how much I needed this.”
SUBLIME COMPORTA
Portugal / Alentejo / Grandolan
sublimecomporta.pt
A magical retreat with discreet rooms,
suites, and villas set amidst 17 hectares of
pristine nature, surrounded by pine trees,
cork oaks, and dunes.
(
+ )
PURADIES Austria / Salzburg / Leogang
PURADIES

Austria / Salzburg / Leogang
puradies.com
A spacious, sunlit and tranquil resort –
anchored by its historic farmhouse,
enriched with chalets, and completed by
a state-of-the-art spa.
(
+ )
Photos: Lukas Reschreiter & Puradies
Gentle
Steps
It is quiet here, in this part of Leogang. At certain corners of Puradies, you might
even feel that time itself has paused – like when sitting by the old stone wall, gazing
out at the mountains, or when taking in the stately façade of the Pinzgau farm-
house. And yet, things are always in motion here – though only in a soft and steady
rhythm.
In 2007, the first seven chalets were built,
followed by another seven. The Steinalmdorf
was one of the very first of its kind in Austria,
and to this day offers a truly unique overnight
experience. Over time, the wish grew to
merge the different parts into a single whole.
The historic farmhouse was carefully ren
-
ovated, 60 additional rooms were created,
and under the name Puradies, a nature resort
was born – pure and paradisiacal. In 2023,
the resort expanded once more with the
opening of the Heaven Spa.
What’s next? Even founder Michael
Madreiter doesn’t know for sure. Many ideas
linger in his mind: housing for staff, a burger
restaurant, a cold-water pool for the sauna.
Guest wishes are also taken seriously – not
only through feedback forms, but often
through the intimate conversations staff have
in the spa or sauna, where people tend to
share their thoughts most freely.
Changes happen here only when they
feel necessary or simply right. As long as
Michael Madreiter still delights in the striking
design bar at the entrance, built from 16,000
wooden cubes, it will remain a part of
Puradies. At the same time, he knows that
holding on to the familiar is not everything.
“We often wish people would stay just as
they are,” says Madreiter. “But that’s actually
the worst wish – it means not being open to
change or adaptation.”
“We don’t want to be bigger, faster, higher,”
he explains. “We want to maintain our current
size, and take careful steps forward. That
requires both roots and wings. With only
roots, you lose your perspective; with only
wings, you’re no longer grounded.”
He fondly remembers a long-time guest who
spent his holidays here for 70 years, before
passing away at the age of 90. On one of his
last visits, Madreiter asked how he felt about
all the changes in the village and at Puradies
over the decades. Sitting on a bench, looking
out at the mountains, the guest simply
replied:
“But nothing has really changed…”
For 280 years, a mountain farm with cattle
has stood on this very spot. And for the past
180 years, it has belonged to the Madreiter
family. As early as the 1950s, long before
the first major ski lifts arrived, rooms were
already being rented out at the Embachhof
alongside the farm work – five at first, then
twenty. Back then, the fact that each had its
own bathroom was considered a true luxury.
A sauna and infrared cabin later added even
more comfort.

15THE Stylemate
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STYLE
Can a place ever
lose its identity,
or does it merely
transform into
another form of
memory?
Is there a
threshold where
transformation
becomes de-
struction, and
when does some-
thing new emerge
from it?
How does our
perception of an
object change
once it no longer
serves its original
function?
Is metamorphosis
a visible process
of form, or an
invisible process
of meaning?
What role does
transience play
in every act of
transformation?
Can a garment or
a work of art be a
subject of meta-
morphosis itself
– or is it always
the human being
who transforms
through it?
Is every meta-
morphosis also
a translation –
from the language
of things into
the language of
humans?
To what extent is
metamorphosis
less a fixed
state than an
opening toward
possibility?
Could beauty
itself be consid-
ered a form of
metamorphosis,
or is it only a
fleeting moment
within its flow?
9
QUESTIONSPhotos: Ana Lui/ Es Racó d’Artà, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen/ Es Racó d’Artà
With the decision to travel to Es Racó d’Artà, the transformation
has already begun. Even a glance at the website invites a gentle
pause. B R E A T H – six soft white letters, quietly asking us to
do just that. A tender hint of what awaits.
ES RACÓ D’ARTÀ
Spain / Mallorca / Artà
esracodarta.com
Wellbeing retreat with a historic finca in
northeast Mallorca, surrounded by nature,
architecture, and art.
(
+ )
Turning
Where exactly is this place? Yes, Mallorca.
And yet it feels like stepping into a world of
its own: untouched, serene, in the northeast
of the island. On 220 hectares of natural
land near the coast and the town of Artà, a
13th-century finca rises, both sheltered and
open to the unfolding moments.
Here, the chirping of birds fills the air,
Mallorca’s light enchants at every season
– as it once inspired Joan Miró. Olive trees
offer gentle shade, a light curtain sways in
the breeze, sculptures quietly guide the way,
and countless paths invite you to discover
your own.
Barefoot and wrapped in a flowing garment,
we set out in search of ourselves – only to
realize that we have already found it, even if
the awareness has yet to reach the surface.
Perhaps the path leads us on a soft
exploration of the grounds. We hear the
rooster crow, the rustle of leaves, we catch a
whisper of a delicate fragrance, and gather
small moments that slowly ground us deeper
in the present. We lose ourselves in the now.
WHAT TIME IS IT, TRULY?
Time to let our hands drift through traditional
basket weaving with dried palm leaves, to
sink gently into the Mallorcan way of life, and
let the mind quietly unwind.
Then a few soft, mindful strokes in the pool,
before a quiet culinary journey, discovering
the simple gifts of earth and water.
We share the table, the conversation. We
speak, we laugh, we feel the gentle threads
of connection – and with them, ourselves
– before a heartfelt farewell and the quiet
embrace of retreat.
And then, softly, almost imperceptibly –
a flutter in the stomach, a deep breath,
a delicate scent, or a distant gaze – quietly,
we feel it. A moment when everything can
be released, when a new understanding
of life blooms, when the key to ourselves is
gently felt. Or at least one of several.
A Quiet
“A transformation that begins when you find the inspiration to
follow your own path – a new way of being.”
ES RACÓ D’ARTÀ Spain / Mallorca / Artà

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BETWEEN
WHEN A BUILDING IS RAISED, IT CARRIES WITHIN IT A SENSE OF PURPOSE.
BUT WHAT HAPPENS ONCE ITS ORIGINAL FUNCTION FADES? ONE OPTION IS DEMOLITION. ANOTHER – PERHAPS MORE MINDFUL – IS TO SEE IN IT THE
POSSIBILITY OF A NEW BEGINNING. THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF ADAPTIVE REUSE, AN ARCHITECTURAL PHILOSOPHY THAT SAFEGUARDS WHAT ALREADY
EXISTS WHILE GENTLY TRANSFORMING IT. A CHURCH MAY BECOME A SWIMMING POOL, A FORMER LABORATORY THE HEADQUARTERS OF A FASHION
BRAND, OR A DISUSED QUARRY AN ATMOSPHERIC STAGE FOR ART AND CULTURE. THESE ARE PROJECTS SUSPENDED BETWEEN MEMORY AND VISION –
PLACES THAT OPEN A NEW CHAPTER WITHOUT FORGETTING THE STORY THEY WERE WRITTEN INTO.
Architecture: DnA Design and Architecture
Year: 2024
Location: Jinyun, China
Before: Quarry
Now: Cultural & Art Center
For centuries, natural stone was quarried
in the mountainous region of Jinyun.
Over time, a dramatic landscape of caves
and subterranean waterways emerged:
a setting so extraordinary it deserved to
be revealed rather than concealed.
Today, three of these former quarries
have been transformed into a
20,000-square-meter cultural and art
center. The architectural intervention
was minimal, allowing the raw beauty of
the site to remain. Wooden lattice bridges
connect different areas. Small boats invite
visitors to experience the quarry from the
perspective of its turquoise lakes. Galleries
and a café are carved into the rock walls,
while the towering chambers – rising
up to 38 meters and glowing in golden
hues – serve as natural concert halls, their
acoustics enhanced by stone itself.
HUANGYAN QUARRY
CULTURAL & ART CENTER
Architecture: Bindloss Dawes
Year: 2025
Location: Gascony, France
Before: Farmhouse
Now: Wellbeing Retreat
Built in the 1930s as a city palace with its
own laboratory, this Parisian landmark once
produced herbal tinctures and essential oils
for the cosmetics company Gomenol. Today,
it has entered into a new cultural dialogue –
this time with Swedish fashion house Acne
Studios. The building now embodies the
same minimalist, avant-garde, and elegant
spirit that defines the brand itself.
Together with Swedish design studio
Halleroed, Acne Studios Creative Director
Jonny Johansson preserved the raw
grandeur of the historic palais – its gilded
stucco details, wooden panelling, and
parquet floors – while setting them in bold
contrast with contemporary furniture and
art, including works by Lukas Gschwandtner
and Daniel Silver.
The former laboratory now serves as a
showroom, its vaulted glass-tile ceiling and
raw concrete columns providing a striking
backdrop for new collections. Playful state-
ment pieces, such as Max Lamb’s oversized
pink vinyl sofas, punctuate the space, while
a stainless-steel industrial kitchen nods
subtly to the building’s original purpose.
ACNE STUDIOS
HEADQUARTER PARIS
Photos: Wang Ziling Photos: Acne Studios / Benoit Florençon
YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW
STYLE

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It is not just walls, floors, and connections
that shape a kitchen – it is the idea of life
that manifests itself within it. In an old
building in the middle of the city, a bare,
purely functional room was transformed
into a new center of life. The transfor-
mation impressively demonstrates how
interior design goes far beyond mere
aesthetics.
Where once a windowless storage room
with a low ceiling dominated, today a
light-flooded kitchen landscape opens
up, harmoniously blending old and new.
Structural elements such as old masonry
arches were preserved and deliberately
highlighted, while modern materials –
matte black, brushed stainless steel, bright
natural stone surfaces – create a striking
contrast.
The central guiding idea of the renovation
was not only functionality but also
emotionality: the kitchen as a stage for
everyday life, as a social meeting point, as
a place of inspiration. The transformation
took place in close collaboration between
the client and the interior designer –
a process marked by respect for the existing
substance and the courage to reinterpret it.
Particularly striking: the kitchen island
is not just a workspace but a sculpture.
Built-in lighting makes it appear to almost
float in the evening. Technical elements
disappear discreetly behind seamless
fronts – only what has impact is left
visible.
From Space
to Idea
HOW ROBERT EISENBERGER
FROM INSIDE EINRICHTUNGEN
TRANSFORMED AN UNUSED
ROOM INTO AN ARCHITECTURAL
STATEMENT
This metamorphosis is an example of how
spatial transformation can create identity.
A forgotten room became an architectural
centerpiece – clear in its formal language,
bold in its execution, and deeply rooted in
the idea of contemporary living.
inside-einrichtungen.at
THE METAMORPHOSIS
OF A KITCHEN
Architecture: MVRDV & Zecc Architecten
Year: 2027
Location: Heerlen, Netherlands
Before: Church
Now: Public Swimming Pool
When a church becomes a swimming
pool, the phrase holy water takes on a
whole new meaning. For now, however,
silence still reigns inside the century-old
Sint-Franciscus van Assisiëkerk, as the
project by MVRDV and Zecc Architecten
has only just won the design competition.
By its planned opening in 2027, though,
the nave will be filled with water.
The former pulpit will host the lifeguard,
and the church pews will find their
new home along the edge of the pool.
Ingeniously, the water can also be hidden
beneath a platform, allowing the space to
transform into a venue for cultural events.
And when just a thin layer of water covers
the floor, the effect is almost mystical:
shimmering reflections create the illusion
of walking on water – a symbolic echo of
the church’s past life.
HEERLEN
HOLY WATER
Architecture: Bindloss Dawes
Year: 2025
Location: Gascony, France
Before: Farmhouse
Now: Wellbeing Retreat
It seems almost inevitable that this
once-abandoned farmhouse in the
secluded landscapes of southwest France
would find new life as a retreat center.
The weathered stone walls and medita-
tive stillness of its surroundings seem
destined to invite inner reflection.
Lovingly preserved, the ensemble of main
house, pigsty, bakery, and tractor shed
has been carefully renovated without
losing its rustic charm. At the heart of
the property stands a 300-year-old barn,
soaring up to ten meters high, radiating a
serene, almost sacred presence. To secure
its structure, a concrete frame was
introduced – doubling as a platform that
creates two levels. Where hay was once
stored, today yoga and meditation unfold
in quiet harmony.
AMASSA RETREAT
Renderings: MVRDV Photos: Ellen Christina Hancock; Bindloss Dawes Architect
STYLE
Photos: KWER Sead Dedic

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Other cities have since adopted the
“Design Month” model. Spreading events
across a whole month instead of concen-
trating everything in one week benefits
studios, audiences, media, and tourism –
and reliably boosts overnight stays in Graz.
You initiated numerous international
collaborations – which ones were
particularly formative or surprising?
Graz became the tenth City of Design
in 2011 – shortly after, Beijing joined.
I strongly supported the inclusion of
Detroit, Valencia, and Istanbul, also in
connection with the internationalization
of FH Joanneum. With the UNESCO Cities
of Design, a completely new world of
cooperation opened up. Particularly excit-
ing projects included the staff exchange
program, “Designers in Residence COD
100” – a 100-day scholarship – and the
“World Wide Things Collection” launched
with Montreal, a global online marketplace
for carefully selected design products.
Another highlight was the “Design Clinic”:
an online format where renowned experts
offer free initial consultations. In 2025,
the first licensed Design Clinic opened in
Puebla, Mexico.
At the core, it was always about creating
value for the creative community: broad-
ening horizons, increasing competitive-
ness, opening new markets.
How important is internationality for a
comparatively small creative scene like
Styria’s?
Very important – but only if studios are
willing and able to operate internationally.
Through mentoring programs, we
encouraged many to take their first steps.
At the same time, many design studios are
internationally oriented anyway.
The “small” scene here is an advantage:
people know each other, exchange ideas,
collaborate. The network plays a central
The Creative Industries Styria have made
Graz and Styria visible internationally.
What was your motivation to open the
network beyond the region?
Well – if you want to stay among your-
selves, I’m definitely not the right person.
My experience as CEO of Graz 2003 –
European Capital of Culture – showed
me what is possible: the dynamism,
the courage, the demand for top quality.
All of that catapulted Graz from the
periphery of Europe to the center.
The UNESCO “City of Design” title has
no expiration date – it’s a mandate for
the future, a logical consequence of the
Capital of Culture year.
Opening up externally always requires
openness internally. Authentic openness
has to be an attitude – then something
comes back. My goal was always to bring
real benefits to companies in the network:
increase reach, open markets, unlock
potential. CIS acted as radar and bridge
builder – into international networks like
the Creative Cities of Design, discovering
opportunities and giving creatives direct
access to business.
How has the term “design” changed inter-
nationally during your time as Managing
Director, and how did you bring these
developments to Graz?
In Austria, design was long reduced to
aesthetics and luxury: shiny surfaces,
branding, expensive – and often negatively
connoted. Changing that was a long process,
even among creatives. For me, design
today is “the intelligent management of
chaos to create results of order.” It’s an
attitude that shapes urban, sustainable
culture, designs living spaces intelligently,
improves daily life – acting ecologically
and socially responsibly.
Design is methodology, process, analytical
approach, responsibility for resources,
circular economy, sustainability. Designers
have evolved into conscientious creators
with an ethical compass.
Design Month Graz is now internationally
established. What role does it play in the
worldwide network of UNESCO Cities of
Design?
Design Month is central for the visibility
of Graz as a UNESCO City of Design – and
for the community itself, locally and inter-
nationally. It is a showcase, a terminal
within the network of design cities,
a “must” for the industry. Local creatives
meet international guests here – collabo-
rations, ideas, and impulses emerge.
Despite a relatively small budget, we
achieved enormous reach: DEZEEN listed
Design Month in 2018 and 2019 as a
“Best Design Event,” and Contemporary
Lynx ranked Graz in 2019 among the
“must visit” top ten design festivals
worldwide – alongside Milan and London.
role: as an international showcase, a
place for encounters, cooperation, and
impulses. Many creatives take their first
international steps at festivals.
Are there design and creative industry
trends that particularly inspired you on your
international travels?
It depends strongly on the city. Detroit
ticks differently than Valencia, St. Etienne
differently than Helsinki, Kortrijk, or
Bilbao. Yet all face similar challenges:
urban development, vacancies, traffic,
design of public spaces.
Kortrijk, for example, installed parking
sensors in asphalt so drivers can run quick
errands. Montreal created the “Quartier de
Spectacle” – a district where it’s allowed
to be loud. Helsinki integrates design
into elementary school curricula. Such
examples inspire, even if they are less
noticed here.
What challenges did you face in positioning
Graz internationally as a design city?
Graz was never about “glamour and glitter.”
We positioned the city as an underdog
with depth – designers who, away from
red carpets, work on real solutions. Our
credo: “Design follows content.” It was
rocky, but honest.
Is there a meeting with a personality from
the international design or architecture
world that you will never forget?
Many. A memorable one was drinking
Turkish çay on a boat on the Bosporus
with Stefan Sagmeister, Karim Rashid,
and others – discussing the role of design
in nation branding.
Looking to the future: what role could the
Styrian creative scene play more strongly
in global exchange?
I see great potential. First steps have been
taken with mobility and automotive cities
in the network. What strikes me is that
many ideas are reinvented over and over
again – that’s where we could contribute.
Styria’s strength lies in its compact
ecosystem and clusters: innovative
companies, close collaboration with
universities, and strong R&D investment.
The real opportunity is to integrate design
and creativity into development processes
from the start, promote cross-cluster
projects, and strengthen collaboration
across borders – locally and across Europe.
On a personal note: which cities or creative
hubs worldwide have shaped you most –
and where do you see yourself spending
time after retirement?
Sun-seeking, I’d say Valencia. Equally
fascinating, but rougher, are Detroit or
Bilbao. But most of all, Istanbul attracts
me – the cultural clash, the chaos, the
mix of Orient and Occident, everything in
abundance – it exerts an incredible pull.
“GRAZ WAS NEVER ABOUT "GLAMOUR AND GLITTER." WE POSITIONED THE CITY
AS AN UNDERDOG WITH DEPTH – DESIGNERS WHO, AWAY FROM RED CARPETS,
WORK ON REAL SOLUTIONS.”
CHAOS.
ON INTERNATIONALITY,
ATTITUDE, AND GRAZ’S
ROLE IN THE WORLD OF
DESIGN
EBERHARD SCHREMPF
DESIGN IS THE INTELLIGENT MANAGEMENT OF
As Managing Director of Creative Industries Styria and co-creator of the UNESCO
title “City of Design,” Eberhard Schrempf has put Graz and Styria on the interna-
tional map. In conversation with The Stylemate, he speaks about openness, the
power of networks, the significance of Design Month Graz, and why he sees the
Styrian creative scene well positioned for the future.
Text: Nina Prehofer
Photos: Miriam Raneburger, LippZahnschirm

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03 3 2025
WORKSHOP
Text: Nina Prehofer
RUNWAY:
FROM
TO
TOKYO, A COOL AUTUMN NIGHT. ON THE STREETS OF SHIBUYA, CON-
STRUCTION JACKETS MINGLE WITH OVERSIZED COATS, WORK BOOTS WITH HIGH-FASHION SNEAKERS. IT’S NO COINCIDENCE, BUT PART OF A FASHION
MOVEMENT THAT HAS SHAPED JAPAN FOR DECADES: THE TRANSFORMATION OF WORKWEAR INTO AVANT-GARDE. FEW COUNTRIES HAVE MASTERED
SO VIRTUOUSLY THE ART OF TURNING THE FUNCTIONAL, THE EVERYDAY – EVEN THE WORN-OUT – INTO HAUTE COUTURE.
THE ROOTS: SASHIKO, BORO, AND
THE BEAUTY OF USE
Workwear in Japan carries a deeper cultural
meaning than in Europe or the United
States. It is not only pragmatic clothing
but also an expression of respect for craft
and materials. As early as the 17th century,
families stitched their work kimonos with
sashiko embroidery, not only mending them
but also creating an almost meditative
beauty through geometric patterns.
Even more iconic is the technique of boro:
patching and layering old fabrics into
new garments. What originally arose out
of economic necessity became a symbol
of sustainability and aesthetics. Today,
designers such as Kapital or Blue Blue
Japan deliberately embrace this practice,
presenting denim jackets that look like
relics of a bygone era – yet are sold in
boutiques from Paris to Los Angeles.
AVANT-GARDE AS ATTITUDE:
YAMAMOTO AND KAWAKUBO
Japan entered the international stage in
the 1980s with a fashion shockwave. Yohji
Yamamoto and Rei Kawakubo (Comme des
Garçons) showed collections in Paris that
were black, asymmetrical, deconstructed –
and yet subtly inspired by workwear.
“I design for people who want to look
strong, not for those who want to please,”
Yamamoto once declared. His coats
recalled uniforms, his fabrics evoked the
rough materials of street workers – and
suddenly, workwear was no longer trivial
but radical.
Kawakubo, in turn, pushed deconstruction
further with Comme des Garçons: vests
without function, jackets with deliberately
“wrong” seams, garments that appeared
unfinished. Beneath it lay a political
subtext – an outright refusal of conven-
tion, but also a tribute to the act of making
itself.
THE NEW GENERATION: KAPITAL,
VISVIM, WATANABE
While the first avant-gardists shook the
Paris salons, a new scene emerged in
Japan that redefined workwear as luxury.
Kapital is famous for its almost humorous
reinterpretation of denim. A single jacket
can be boro, Americana, and pop culture
reference all at once. It’s fashion with a
wink – yet crafted so artfully it could hang
in a museum. Visvim, founded by Hiroki
Nakamura, embodies the Japanese dream
of authenticity. Nakamura travels the
world to study ancient dyeing techniques,
translating them into garments inspired
by American workwear silhouettes. The
result: parkas, boots, and jeans as luxuri-
ous as a tailored suit – only infinitely more
relaxed. Junya Watanabe, once Kawakubo’s
protégé, goes a step further. His collec-
tions are experiments in functionality:
parkas brimming with pockets, hybrid
jackets merging workwear with couture,
or denim with technical detailing. “I see
clothing as a tool,” he once said in an
interview – and from that, he made high
fashion.
WHEN STREETWEAR MEETS
COUTURE
What’s fascinating is how Japan’s work-
wear avant-garde blurs into streetwear.
Labels such as Neighborhood or Under-
cover reference uniforms, biker jackets,
and construction pants, but their staging
is urban, rebellious, at times almost punk.
In Harajuku, these pieces collide with
Louis Vuitton accessories – a mix that has
long since dictated global trends.
Even Western houses such as Dior Homme
or Balenciaga now rely on codes that
originated in Japan’s workwear cosmos:
oversized silhouettes, utility pockets,
fabrics that look raw yet are technically
sophisticated.
MARGIELA AND THE EUROPEAN
TRANSLATION
As Japanese avant-garde conquered Paris,
a European visionary was drawing on the
same codes: Martin Margiela. The Belgian
designer understood workwear as a uni-
versal language of fashion. He dismantled
work uniforms, flea market jackets, and
overalls, reassembling them in ways that
revealed the process itself.
His most radical reference to Japan,
however, was the shoe: the Tabi Boots,
inspired by Japanese work shoes with a
split toe worn by farmers and laborers.
In 1989, Margiela translated them into
leather and sent them down the runway
– transforming a practical everyday shoe
into a global symbol of avant-garde.
Later, his Replica sneakers, modeled after
German army trainers, underscored how
much workwear – whether Western or
Japanese – was, for him, the foundation of
luxury.
Thus, a bridge was built: in Tokyo,
workwear was elevated into avant-garde,
while in Paris, Margiela transformed it
into myth.
WHY NOW?
The rediscovery of workwear in fashion
has much to do with the present moment.
In a world saturated with excess and digi-
tal surfaces, many yearn for authenticity.
Japanese fashion offers exactly that – but
without nostalgia. It elevates work clothes
into art without forgetting their origins.
It is a philosophy that goes far beyond
fashion: an attitude of appreciation,
respect, and sustainability. “Workwear is
honest,” says designer Takahiro Miyashita
(TheSoloist). “It tells stories about life, not
about trends.”
A TOUCH OF GLAMOUR IN THE
ROUGH
What makes Japan unique is its ability to
find subtle elegance even in the roughest
fabrics. On a Tokyo Fashion Week runway,
a construction jacket might be adorned
with sparkling embroidery, paired with
pearl necklaces and silk trousers. The
contrast doesn’t feel like a clash, but like
a revelation: beauty lies in the functional,
glamour in the grit.
THE FUTURE OF WORKWEAR
AVANT-GARDE
The next generation of Japanese designers
is carrying the movement forward, with
an even sharper focus on sustainability
and innovation. From upcycling projects
to high-tech fabrics that are both weather-
proof and luxurious, a movement is growing
with global reach. Workwear is no longer
just fashion. It is cultural statement, avant-
garde, and vision of the future all at once.
Perhaps that is the essence of Japanese
fashion: it forces us to see the ordinary
anew. Where others see only work clothes,
Japanese designers uncover poetry, rebel-
lion, and a new form of elegance. A pair of
work boots or a patched denim jacket can
be just as glamorous as a couture gown –
if only one understands how to wear them.
JAPAN’S WORKWEAR AS AVANT-GARDE
STYLE
Photos: stock.adobe.com

2524THE Stylemate
Issue N
o
03 3 2025
THE Stylemate
Issue N
o
03 3 2025
STYLE
BETWEEN EUROPE AND JAPAN, BETWEEN CONCEPT AND BEAUTY, BETWEEN
EVERYDAY LIFE AND PHILOSOPHY: AUSTRIAN DESIGNER EDWINA HÖRL, WHO LIVES IN JAPAN, SEES FASHION AS A LANGUAGE. HER CREATIONS ARE
MORE THAN CLOTHING – THEY ARE REFLECTION, IMPULSE, AND A BRIDGE BETWEEN WORLDS. IN THIS CONVERSATION, SHE EXPLAINS WHY FABRICS
SOMETIMES SPEAK LOUDER THAN HER OWN INTENTIONS, WHY SHE SEES CLICHÉS AS OPPORTUNITIES, AND WHY TRUE BEAUTY ALWAYS ALSO MEANS
ATTITUDE.
EDWINA
HÖRL
Text: Nina Prehofer In times of fast fashion: what makes a
garment “valuable” to you at all?
A garment is valuable to me when it tells
a story – whether through the way it was
made, the material, or the cultural or social
context it embodies. In a world shaped by
overproduction and short-lived trends,
value for me does not mean luxury or a
brand name, but depth, time, attention.
I believe in clothing as a medium – as
a way to express an attitude, to build
relationships: with the environment,
with people, with one’s own identity.
If a garment comes out of a respectful
process that honors resources, safeguards
human dignity, and allows for reflection,
then it becomes valuable to me. It’s about
regaining a sense of what we wear –
not just on the body, but also as a
responsibility.
If you had to describe fashion with a
philosophical concept – which would fit best?
Performativity – clothing as action, not
just as shell. And perhaps the aesthetics
of the political – clothing as reflection on
society, not merely as a consumer good.
Performativity describes how identity is
not fixed, but is continually brought forth
through actions, gestures, language, and
clothing. The aesthetics of the political
describe how aesthetic forms (art, design,
fashion, etc.) can make societal power
structures visible, shift them, or criticize
them.
Have you ever started a collection and then
completely abandoned it because the idea
suddenly bored you?
No, never. For me, a collection is not
a spontaneous idea but always a longer,
intense process. I fully commit to that
path – and along the way, many questions
arise that I need to answer. That is
challenging, but never boring. If I were
to begin the same process at a different
time, the outcome would probably be a
completely different collection. That’s
exactly what fascinates me about it.
What bothers you more: fashion as a mere
consumer product or fashion as elitist art?
Both are problematic – in different ways.
Fashion as a pure consumer product
devalues clothing, people, and resources.
It fosters exploitation, waste, and aliena-
tion from our own bodies and needs.
But fashion as elitist art can also exclude –
it then becomes self-serving, untouchable,
detached from reality.
I am interested in the in-between: fashion
as everyday practice, as a way to think
critically, to take a stance, to create
connections. Fashion is not a status
symbol, nor a gallery piece – it is a social
language.
Your designs often feel like little impulses
for thought woven into fabric – when was
the last time you yourself were surprised by
what a garment can “say”?
When I design, I start with an idea, a
concept, sometimes a material or a
technique. But as the process unfolds,
the piece often develops its own language
that I cannot fully control.
That is a special moment: when form,
fabric, and cut come together in such
a way that the garment expresses an
attitude beyond my original intention.
It is as if the fabric itself were telling a
story – about time, space, culture, and
movement. These unexpected “messages”
make the act of designing exciting and
alive for me. Sometimes this very sense of
wonder pushes me to rethink old designs
or to radically reimagine seemingly
familiar forms.
Japan and Europe – two worlds, two
aesthetics. Where do you catch yourself
thinking in clichés?
Working between Japan and Europe
means constantly living with projections –
including my own.
I think clichés do not stem from ignorance,
but often from a need for orientation.
But as a designer, I am interested in the
in-between: that space where categories
blur, where expectations dissolve, and new
connections become visible.
My work is not about uniting cultures
or “mixing” aesthetic codes. It is about
showing how we see – and how strongly
our seeing is shaped by historical, cultural,
and societal filters.
The productive contradiction between
both worlds is not a problem for me
but my field of work – and perhaps an
opportunity for new perspectives.
You often talk about the concepts behind
your fashion. Are there moments when you
think: “Oh, let’s just make it beautiful”?
For me, beauty is not the opposite of
concept – it is part of it.
I don’t aim to “overcomplicate” fashion.
But I believe that true beauty often
emerges where form, content, and
attitude come together.
“Simply beautiful” is often the result of a
great deal of conceptual work – even if you
can’t see it at first glance.
Which garment, in your opinion, reveals
the most about a person – and why?
It’s less about a particular garment and
more about how someone wears their
clothes, which reveals a lot about a person.
Also, the way someone combines clothing
says more than a single piece, I think –
except maybe dresses or overalls.
AS A SPACE FOR THOUGHT
Fashion
Credits: photography / alfons sonderburgerstyling /codanhair&makeup /yayoi sasakimodels / madeleine nostitz, konrad winter

2726THE Stylemate
Issue N
o
03 3 2025
THE Stylemate
Issue N
o
03 3 2025
THE SILENT REVOLT OF
Simon Quendler, born in 1983 in Wernberg
near Villach, is an artist who not only
expands the notion of painting but funda-
mentally questions it. For more than two
decades he has been working in Vienna,
during which time he has developed a
practice that resembles a laboratory far
more than a traditional studio. His works
emerge through processes in which pig-
ments, chemicals, and organic substances
are not merely means to an end but
autonomous agents in their own right.
It is no coincidence that critics and
curators have dubbed Quendler the
“Malchemist.” He employs substances
such as potassium sorbate, aluminum
silicate, or cadmium sulfide, combining
them with volcanic ash, resins, metals,
and even the hardened skin of alligators.
These ingredients are more than mere
materials – they are the true protagonists.
They react, transform, form crystals,
cracks, and layers. Quendler’s role is not
that of the omnipotent creator, but rather
that of an instigator who sets processes
in motion whose outcomes he can only
partially control.
From a curatorial perspective, Quendler’s
practice opens a field in which painting
is translated into a performative under-
standing: the canvas is no longer a finished
artifact, but a site of transformation that
continues to unfold during the act of
viewing. This dynamic became strikingly
evident in exhibitions such as Reaktionen
at the Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien
(2017). Visitors were confronted not
with completed paintings, but with works
in becoming – objects that evolved over
the course of the show. This shift of focus
from result to process points to a funda-
mental artistic approach: painting as an
open system.
At a moment when art markets and
visual cultures push toward the sleek,
the perfect, and the immediately legible,
Quendler insists on unpredictability.
His works contain within them the risk
of disobedience – they may stain, discolor,
or decay. Yet precisely in this lies their
aesthetic power. They confront us with
impermanence, with the autonomous life
of matter, with the question of control and
autonomy. These are questions that
IS ONE OF THE MOST INTRIGUING VOICES IN AUSTRIAN CONTEMPORARY
ART. THROUGH HIS “REACTIVE PAINTINGS,” HE PUSHES THE BOUNDARIES OF THE MEDIUM BY FOREGROUNDING MATERIALS AND PROCESSES THAT
RESIST FULL ARTISTIC CONTROL. IN HIS PRACTICE, THE PAINTING IS NEVER COMPLETE BUT BECOMES A LIVING EVENT – A SILENT, POETIC REVOLT
AGAINST THE EXPECTED.
Matter
STYLE
reach beyond painting itself: How do
we handle resources? What happens when
we allow things the time to unfold their
own processes?
Viewed up close, a microscopic world of
particles, layers, and structures reveals
itself, evoking geological formations
or biological growth patterns. From a
distance, however, the paintings appear as
atmospheric fields of almost metaphysical
radiance. This dual legibility – microscopic
and macroscopic – is central to their fasci-
nation. Quendler works at the intersection
of science, philosophy, and art without
exhausting himself in any one of these
domains.
For a curatorial reading, it is crucial to
emphasize that Quendler’s work cannot
simply be slotted into the tradition of
abstract painting. Rather, he reactivates
historical discourses around art informel
and postwar material aesthetics, but
translates them into a contemporary
register in which ecological and societal
questions resonate. When he works
with residual matter or unconventional
substances, it is not only about surface
effect, but also about a material ethics –
a reflection on what artistic practice in
the 21st century can be.
The result are works that are neither purely
object nor purely process. They are mani-
festations of an attitude: the recognition
that art is not only representation but also
transformation. In this sense, Quendler’s
paintings are less completed works than
permeable events that renegotiate the
relationship between human and matter.
Simon Quendler’s position within
Austrian contemporary art can thus be
understood as a silent yet insistent revolt.
He resists the expected by foregrounding
the autonomous life of substances.
His painting is an open system – fragile,
resistant, poetic. It invites us to linger,
to look more closely, and to recognize
becoming itself as an aesthetic value.
SIMON QUENDLER
Photos: Courtesy of Simon Quendler
Text: Nina Prehofer Text: Nina Prehofer
simonquendler.com
ABOUT SIMON QUENDLER
Simon Quendler was born in 1983 in Wernberg,
Austria. His medium is contemporary painting,
as well as process and material art. His central
theme is transformation. He lives and works in
Vienna and Carinthia.

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Time to Shift – THE Stylemate No. 03 | 2025

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