Journal

A chronicle of people, places, happenings, and creations we admire.

Monocle Quality of Life Conference 2023: Munich

Still buzzing after returning from last weekend’s Monocle Quality of Life Conference in Munich. This truly unique experience with nearly 200 delegates from around the globe in an intimate setting listening in on some of the world’s top experts, execs, creatives, public servants and professionals at Allianz HQ bordering the venerable Englischer Garten.

Speakers ranging from entrepreneurs manufacturing innovative micro e-cars, such as Merlin Ouboter (son of the inventor of the modern kick scooter) of Microlino, to heads of offices of public realm like Ya-Ting Lei of NYC, to young, dynamic mayors (for contrast and commonality) like Matúš Vallo of Bratislava and Eric Johnson of Dallas respectively, to Carsten Spohr, the CEO of Lufthansa, discussing air travel now and in the future.

There was an overwhelming consensus amongst the speakers and delegates alike that the event lent a convivial energy throughout the proceedings, whether sharing Negroni Sbagliato at the famous Schumann’s Bar on the formal Hofgarten, at the main HQ auditorium, over a four-course dinner at Gallerie Thomas, or at Club Bayerischer Hof, where many of us celebrated into the early hours. You were an absolute legend if you made the 8:30am 5k run the following day. I, for one, did not. -HD. Photos ©Manuel Nieberle, 2023

Aynhoe Park

whimsy |ˈ(h)wimzē | (also whimsey) noun (pl. whimsies or whimseys) playfully quaint or fanciful behavior or humor: the film is an awkward blend of whimsy and moralizing.• a whim.• a thing that is fanciful or odd: the stone carvings and whimsies.

Whimsy is the theme to this Grade I-listed, 17th century Sir John Soane-designed stately home in Oxfordshire near the Cotswolds in the countryside of England.  Purchased by entrepreneur and collector James Perkins in 2008, Aynhoe Park is now a venerable destination for parties, weddings and receptions for those who require "something completely different". Celebs such as Jade Jagger (daughter of Bianca and Mick) have had celebrated nuptials there.  While Perkins' eclectic collection of taxidermy, natural history artifacts and contemporary art are found throughout the estate; it seems to be almost too much at first blush, but he somehow pulls it off.

Photos: ©Corbis / Aynhoe Park / Architexture