The legendary dress worn by Princess Diana, designed by the British brand Bellville Sassoon, was sold at Julien’s Auctions for an impressive $520,000. The new owner of the dress is Renee Plante — the curator of a virtual museum dedicated to Lady Di.

The bidding started at $150,000 and seemed to be heading for a final price of $350,000. However, at the last moment, Renee unexpectedly raised her paddle and offered $400,000 — not including the auction house’s 27% commission. When the final hammer fell, Plante couldn’t contain her emotions — she let out a joyful shout and even collapsed to the floor.

According to the curator, the dress holds special meaning for her for two reasons. First, the gown was long believed to be lost. Second, Diana wore this very dress when they first met.

The blue crepe de chine dress with a floral pattern was nicknamed «Caring,» as the princess frequently wore it during visits to hospitals and nursing homes.

Photo: Instagram @juliens_auctions

Anna Wintour is stepping down as Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue after nearly four decades in the role, according to Business of Fashion.

The 75-year-old Wintour has begun the search for a new «Head of Editorial Content.» It is expected that this position will report to Wintour, who will remain Global Editorial Director of Vogue and Chief Content Officer of Condé Nast.

The title «Head of Editorial Content» has recently been introduced across all international Vogue editions — now it will be implemented at the American magazine as well. The role is not equivalent to that of Editor-in-Chief. Therefore, the new editor will not replace Wintour, but will act as a leader under her supervision.

Wintour, a British journalist, was appointed Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue in 1988. In 2020, she became Global Chief Content Officer of Condé Nast — a role created specifically for her — overseeing all international Vogue editions and the content across all of Condé Nast’s global brands.

Her departure from the top role at Vogue is part of a broader global restructuring at the company. It also marks the beginning of a new era for the magazine, opening the door for new leadership and a potential rethinking of its direction. In 2022, British Vogue was taken over by Chioma Nnadi, who became the first Black woman in that position.

OLGA TORNER
Mrs. Universe 2016, influencer, publisher of INSIDER.UA, and mother of three children.
Travels 150 days a year, has visited 55 countries, and knows a thing or two about excellent service

It’s time to reflect on the year. I decided to do so in a unique way through my blog. Since 2024 was filled with travel and stays at various hotels, I asked myself: what truly sets luxury hotel service apart, and do they deliver on the high expectations that come with the price tag?

While the world has no shortage of five-star hotels, not all of them live up to the promised «luxury.» Having visited many, you begin to notice how service quality can vary significantly, even among hotels of the same formal status. What truly leaves an impression are not the lavish interiors or stunning views but the subtle, often unnoticed details. As the saying goes, «The devil is in the details!»

Here, I’ll share my thoughts and experiences. This blog is illustrated with a recent, somewhat cinematic photo shoot at the exquisite Hotel Bristol Vienna — a hotel that is, indeed, quite remarkable.

Check-In Experience

Luxury hotels never let arriving guests wait in line for check-in. Instead, you are escorted to a comfortable seating area, offered refreshments, and ideally, the check-in process is handled discreetly while you enjoy your drink, be it a cocktail or champagne.

Equally important is the moment you enter your room — this is one of those times when first impressions cannot be made twice. High-end hotels always keep this in mind and make sure to delight you with a special welcome surprise. Most often, this is a bottle of champagne and fresh fruits, or sweets if you are traveling with children.

The moment you enter your room is one of those times when first impressions cannot be made twice.

Personalized Approach

In a top-tier hotel, the staff will always address you by name. For instance, at the renowned Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, the staff knew my name and greeted me personally from day one. Although the hotel didn’t leave the best overall impression, this particular aspect was outstanding. It’s nice to hear a warm «Good morning, Olga!» at the entrance, knowing they were expecting you, rather than just a routine greeting.

In the best hotels, they don’t just remember your name; they anticipate your preferences to pleasantly surprise you. For this, there is often a special staff member responsible for ensuring VIP guest satisfaction.

For example, during a stay at Joali Maldives, I was served champagne at breakfast two days in a row. On the second evening, I returned to my room to find a bottle of my favorite Ruinart Brut, accompanied by a note: «We noticed your love for champagne and will provide a bottle daily for the rest of your stay — on the house!»

We stayed there for another 10 days, and receiving such a gift every day was incredibly pleasant, especially considering the high local alcohol prices and the strict prohibition against bringing your own alcohol to the Maldives.

In the best hotels, they not only remember your name but also learn your preferences to delight you later on.

Special Perks for Returning Guests

Returning guests are often treated to special perks, like complimentary room upgrades or other thoughtful gestures.

At the Vienna Ritz, where I stayed several times before moving to the city, I was always greeted with a dessert or cake inscribed with chocolate lettering: «Welcome back, Mrs. Torner.» It’s a small but touching detail.

Concierge Service

A luxury hotel always provides concierge service to fulfill any request 24/7 — be it arranging transportation, booking a table at a popular restaurant, or even sourcing medication.

Recently, many hotels have simplified communication with the concierge. Instead of calling the front desk, they now create a WhatsApp group upon arrival. The key is to ensure there’s always WiFi — something that, ironically, wasn’t properly provided at the expensive Soneva Fushi.

Child-Friendly Amenities

Hotels with exceptional service always cater to their youngest guests. This includes branded toys, coloring books, and books in the room upon arrival, as well as essentials like strollers, diapers, and cribs already set up in the room.

Hotels with exceptional service always cater to even the youngest guests.

At Cheval Blanc Paris, baby bedding and cosmetics were provided from the exclusive Baby Dior line — a delightful detail! Children’s menus in restaurants and playrooms are standard, so I won’t elaborate further.

Evening Room Preparation

You’ve spent the whole day at the hotel, ideally an unforgettable one, and evening care becomes just as important for guest comfort. As your day winds down, luxury hotels focus on making your evening as relaxing as possible.

This might include options for pillow softness, sweet treats by the bed, or even a calming herbal tea. At one hotel, which I unfortunately can’t recall, they left a small teapot with calming herbal tea by the bed every evening.

Gifts

Guests are often presented with branded items like caps, keychains, or plush towels. At Mandarin Oriental and Burj Al Arab, for instance, the slippers are so soft and high-quality that guests frequently take them home. Some hotels go a step further with personalized items, like robes embroidered with the guest’s initials.

At Cheval Blanc Paris, we were showered with gifts from the day we arrived until the end of our stay — caps for me and the kids, sweets, gingerbread cookies, keychains, passport covers, and champagne. These thoughtful gifts leave warm memories of the hotel and its exceptional service.

Location: Hotel Bristol Vienna
MUAH and Creative Director: SAVRINISO VIENNA
Style: Anna Romanko
Dress: Demarush Vienna
Photographer: Kari Shu

It seems that in the new year, we’ll witness another star-studded wedding. According to Page Six, renowned English actress Vanessa Kirby, star of «The Crown,» «White Widow,» and the «Mission: Impossible» franchise, is engaged.

The outlet reports that professional lacrosse player Paul Rabil proposed to Vanessa after two years of dating. Rumors about the couple’s romance first surfaced in October 2022 when they were spotted walking hand-in-hand through New York City.

In November 2023, the Oscar nominee and her partner officially announced their relationship. At the time, 39-year-old Rabil shared sweet photos and a heartfelt message, saying:

«From the very moment we first met in Des Moines to traveling the world, life with you has become so much better, more meaningful, and beautiful.»

Well, we can’t wait to see stunning wedding photos!

Photo: Instagram @paulrabil

Nadine Mirada and her colleagues set both the mountain scenery and the internet ablaze with their latest project.

As one of Austria’s most successful models, Nadine Mirada consistently makes headlines — and now she’s capturing viral fame. Together with her Guess colleagues, she shines in a new video that’s rapidly racking up views.

«If it keeps climbing like this, we’re going viral», — she says excitedly.

The clip features models dressed in black lingerie, garter belts, and fur hats, posing on a mountain lodge at 3,200 meters above sea level.

The stark contrast between the icy backdrop and the sizzling visuals has grabbed global attention. In just three days, the video amassed over 18 million views and nearly 500,000 likes. Fans are in awe, flooding the comments with fire emojis and hearts.

Photo: Instagram @nadinemirada

Stella McCartney has been recognized as PETA’s «Person of the Year». Representatives of the leading international animal rights organization highlighted the designer’s commitment to excluding fur and exotic animal skins from her collections. Additionally, she plans to phase out the use of natural feathers in the near future.

«I have felt a connection to this bold, rebellious movement since childhood, from our joint video calling for a ban on fur farms in the UK in 1998 to my pledge to eliminate feathers in the fashion industry by 2024», — McCartney remarked.

She also expressed pride in her team, who share her vision of raising awareness about animal and human rights.

«I hope to put an end to animal suffering once and for all», — the designer added.

PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk commented on McCartney’s recognition:

«Stella McCartney’s call to protect cows and birds is yet another example of her decades-long efforts to create fashion free of leather, fur, and feathers. We are proud to name her our «Person of the Year 2024» and urge brands still using animal-derived materials to follow her lead».

Photo: Zoe McConnell/WWD, @RichardPhibbs

Although it’s only mid-November, the Christmas spirit is steadily spreading everywhere. Just look at Victoria Beckham, who has already decorated her flagship boutique on Dover Street in London!

The festive design was crafted by renowned English decorator and gallerist Rose Uniacke. She infused the store’s minimalist interior with touches of holiday warmth and charm.

With mid-20th century Scandinavian furniture, vintage Japanese tableware, luxurious art pieces, and, of course, fluffy Christmas trees, the space evokes a glamorous 19th-century European salon party.

«I wanted the boutique’s guests to feel as if they were at home. Among dozens of mirrors, artworks, and objects, the clothing comes to life», — says Rose Uniacke.

«It was so exciting to watch our shared vision come to life. I dream that you’ll immerse yourself in this festive, enchanting space — I’m sure you’ll love it as much as we do», — added Victoria Beckham.

Photo: Instagram @victoriabeckham

Celebrity couple Hailey and Justin Bieber, who became parents just two months ago, made their first public appearance in their new roles. The stars attended a party hosted by Hailey herself to celebrate the launch of the new product from her Rhode beauty brand — a facial cream called Barrier Butter.

The glamorous event took place at Funke restaurant in Beverly Hills. Among the star-studded guests were Hailey’s close friends — supermodels Bella Hadid, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, singer Tate McRae, and the new beauty brand ambassador, 54-year-old Claudia Schiffer.

Hailey, 27, shared photos from the event on Instagram. For the occasion, the brand owner chose a chic office-inspired look — an oversized Saint Laurent suit.

Her husband, singer Justin Bieber, who is rumored to be dealing with emotional strain amid the P. Diddy scandal and has been avoiding public appearances, attended the party with his wife but avoided photographers. However, he did post a romantic photo of himself and Hailey taken in a vintage photo booth.

Photo: Instagram @rhode, @justinbieber, @haileybieber

American actress Olivia Munn has taken a bold step, revealing the scars on her body. In 2023, the star received a breast cancer diagnosis, a shock for her. This March, Munn underwent a mastectomy, and now the scars from her double mastectomy serve as a reminder of her victory over cancer.

Recently, the «X-Men» star shared pictures on Instagram where she posed without a bra. The actress showed how her chest looks after a series of surgeries. The photos of Olivia were taken as part of Kim Kardashian’s new Skims campaign.

«I have decided not to feel insecure about my mastectomy scars anymore. Every mark left on my body is proof of how I fought. I hope that other women who feel ashamed of their scars see these photos and feel all the love I’m sending», — Munn wrote in her blog.

Olivia faced a challenging recovery, both physically and emotionally. Now, the actress strongly advises women to monitor their health and get regular check-ups with specialists.

Photo: Instagram @skims, @oliviamunn

The royal family of the Principality of Liechtenstein has announced the engagement of Princess Marie-Caroline, daughter of Hereditary Prince Alois. The 28-year-old princess is engaged to Venezuelan-born Leopoldo Maduro Vollmer.

Marie-Caroline, who is not in the line of succession to the Liechtenstein throne, currently works in the fashion industry in London. Her 33-year-old fiancé, who was educated in the UK and remained there, works in investment management.

The princely house confirmed that the wedding will take place in late summer next year, though the exact location has yet to be revealed.

The family’s last major royal wedding was that of Princess Marie-Astrid and Ralph Worthington in Tuscany in 2021.

As a reminder, Liechtenstein is the only European monarchy that operates under the rules of agnatic primogeniture, meaning women are excluded from the line of succession. The principality is located between Austria and Switzerland and has a population of about 40,000.

Photo: fuerstenhaus.li/Robert-Leslie