Perspectives

photography from Festival de Cannes /Lumix

The Côte d'Azur Essentials of August
Written by Yasmine M
Hello August. Let's bring the glamour of the french riviera back home. Being inspired by the glamour of the film festivals, we have gathered the new must-haves of products rich in hydration, moisture and protection. Here is a great list you have to try to enrich your bathroom cabin a la Côte d'Azur.
Sunday Riley Ice Ceramide Moisturizing Cream
The Cermaide enriched moisturiser from Sunday Riley is a must-have for your dry skin. The soft cream gives your skin a lasting hydration and strengthens the natural moisture barrier against environmental stressors responsible for premature aging. The cream uses beetroot and coconut extract to pull hydration into the skin, while ceramides, vitamin F, and pomegranate sterols strengthen the skin's natural moisture barrier, sealing in moisture. Not to mention Lipid, that is created naturally by our skin, and helps form the skin's natural moisture barrier. Sunday Riley notes that without the right correct ratio of ceramides in our skin, the skin may become dry, dehydrated, itchy, crepey. Apply the rich but lightweight cream morning and night, to lock in your moisture. Find your new face cream bestie here.
Libre L'Absolu Platine Yves Saint Laurent
The scent of a glamorous filmfestival can be achived at home with the new YSL Libre, Absolu Platine. Releasing this fall in Europe, the iconic couture gold Cassandre, is now in a preciously infused bottle with a silver metallic texture. The bottle, is said to encapsulate a unique metallic trail with the highest concentration within the LIBRE range. This new perfume, has top notes of aldehydes, bergamot, mandarin, with a base of vanilla and amber. It also includes Diva lavender - originally from France that brings a fresh and cool aroma. Together with orange blossom from Morocco to create a warm, floral fragrance. The ultimate sensual fragrance crafted that lasts from day to night. Find your new Libre scent here this fall or in the U.S. here today.

SkinCeuticals Ultra Facial UV Defense SPF50 Sunscreen Protection
Protect your skin even in the end of the summer, from the sun's harmful rays with Ultra Facial UV Defense SPF 50. A good sunscreen is important all year around, even in the cloudiest days. The Ultra Facial protection don't only have a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection but works as a daily moisturizer. The feather-light, easily absorbed sunscreen has been manufactured with ultra-modern UV filters and also moisturizes the skin. It counteracts UV-induced breakdown of collagen, UV-induced pigment spots and other early signs of aging caused by the harmful rays. Find it here.

Sensai Revitalising Eye Pads
These essence‑soaked pads from Sensai helps hydrate your skin around the eye and mouth for instant revitalisation. To give an intense hydration and renewed radiance. The treatment pads is soaked with Koishimaru Silk togetther with advanced CPX Vital Extract that targets the five major skincare ageing concerns – dryness, sagging, fine lines, wrinkles and dullness – while Advanced Energy Charge Technology energises to help beauty resurface. With one 10‑minute application (I usually use them much longer), the skin is visibly revitalised, youthful and silky smooth to the touch. They are definitely the best eye pads I have tried so far. Find them here.
Color Wow Snag Free Pre Shampoo Detangler
After a long summer, our hair can be a bit more detangled and worn out. To easy untangle the hair and reduce wear, we can use the new Pre-Shampoo Detangler from Color Wow. Use it before shampoo to not only help detangle your hair, but get clarifying and softening properties. The soft gel contains Pracaxi oil and Color Wow's exclusive Profaxil-18 complex that together help eliminate frizz and make hair more manageable. With a small amount of coconut oil that moisturizes dry curls and prevents wear. The result is shiny, frizz-free and moisturized hair. Find your new hair routine here.

photography from Festival de Cannes / shot on Lumix
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photography Felix Odell

Brutalisten
Written by Josie McNeill by Josie McNeill
Earlier this year, the Swedish Chef Association named Brutalisten, a restaurant known for crafting each course out of a single ingredient, as the 8th Best restaurant in Sweden–the first restaurant to achieve this honor without a Michelin star. Brutalisen has attracted the attention of stars such as Lily Collins, Veronica Di Maggio, and Oscar Zia. Now, despite opening just over a year ago in May 2022, the restaurant has a new head chef. Coen Dieleman, who previously worked at Copenhagen's Geranium, will be taking on the esteemed role.
Belgian-German artist Carsten Höller dreamed Brutalisten according to his Brutalist Kitchen Manifesto that is inspired by the characteristics of Brutalist architecture. Dieleman will be blending his own unique style with that of Brutalisten.Odalisque went to test out the food and then got to ask Dieleman some questions. We found some of the dishes a little too bland, but what truly delighted us was the chlorophyll ice cream. We'd happily visit the restaurant again just for its delectable dessert.
Can you start off by telling me a bit about your cooking background?
I started to have interest in cooking as a career when I was working as a dishwasher, as a holiday job during summer when I was 14. That was my first experience in a kitchen and loved the energy and intensity of it. From there on I started also helping in the kitchen and when I turned 16 I started my chef education and gave up dishwashing!

How would you describe your cheffing style?
It is hard for me to describe my cheffing style as I am still discovering and learning so much everyday about cooking and ingredients. My main focus is to cook with products that are produced with the greatest care and respect.

What do you hope to bring to Brutalisten?
A new approach to the Brutalist kitchen manifesto. I want to bring a more detailed presentation to show case the produce and our approach to treating the produce in their purest form. I also am excited to find new ways to get the best flavour out of the product, hopefully inspiring others to cook in the same way.

What do you think of Höller's Brutalist Kitchen Manifesto’s rule that all dishes must be crafted out of a single ingredient?
As a chef I like to think about it more as a challenge than as a rule. It can be very challenging to cook this way because you have to find the best produce possible and if you find the best produce, cooking in the Brutalist way allows you to show to quality of the produce in its purest form. Fresh, cooked just right and with the best flavour. I also believe it gives more credit to the suppliers who put a lot of effort, care and respect in supplying the best produce. As a guest you wouldn’t think about that when you are eating but they are the start of a great meal.

In your career as a chef, what was your most formative memory or moment in your career that most impacted how you work today?
There are many moments in my professional career which have shaped me, they all impact you in different ways, but I think the most important one was when I did a one week stage at three Michelin starred restaurant “De Librije”. This was also my first three Michelin starred restaurant I ate at a year before and to be in a kitchen which was at the highest level was a different feeling. From the organisation, the products, the energy, the passion of the people, the wow moments the guest were having. It just hit different and I wanted to feel that. So from there I decided I wanted to see that in a different place and I ended up at Geranium.

What do you think is the main difference between working as a Chef in Copenhagen vs Stockholm?
I am not sure I can answer this yet! Ask me again in 6 months…

If you could serve food to any guest/ celebrity, who would you pick and why?
There are many guests I would like to cook for but it is always exciting when there is legends from our industry. People you look up to and are your idols from a young age. I don’t really have anyone in particular.

photography Attilio Maranzano
photography Ake Eso Lindeman
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photography and art direction Adam Kaiser
fashion Paloma Gonzalez Axeheim
shirt and trousers Levi's shoes Eytys necklace All Blues
bracelet and ring KSV Jewellery

High Life: An Interview with Kimchi

Written by Natalia Muntean by Josie McNeill

“Music heals. I hope mine does too,” says Kimchii, the part that brings more clarity to Kim Söderlund, a Stockholm-based artist. Kimchii is “an outlet for everything Kim can’t express” and, as the artist puts it, they make “a good team.”

Kimchii released his debut single When You Feel The Time Is Right in 2020, on the legendary French record label Kitsuné Music. Since then, he has been refining his skills as a producer and songwriter. Embracing collaboration and exploring new genres has expanded his creative spectrum in all directions, and challenged what good music means to him. But believing in his ability to make a living out of his art made “the biggest difference” in how his music has evolved.

In early 2023, Kimchii released Energetic Fields, an intriguing blend of organic instruments, electronic accents and feelings galore. The song was followed by Own the Night, a collaboration with Marseille-based artist Anoraak. Despite never meeting or speaking, their musical styles share a common language, reinforced by their passion for disco and electro-pop music. The two artists brought the idea of “owning the night” to life, and the single put Kimchii on BE Records' radar.

NM: What inspired the single’s sound?
Kimchii: When writing my songs, I often get a clear vision that plays out in my head and translates into lyrics and melody. With Own The Night, I wanted to capture the feeling of standing at the edge of the world in the night, dancing with strangers, being confident and in control

NM: What story is Energetic Fields telling?
Kimchii: Energetic Fields was inspired bynightlife, having too much of a good time, and how easy it is to lose yourself in it. The video embodies the dark side of partying, three creatures dancing their way deeper into the night. I won’t say more. You’ll have to see it for yourself!

NM: How has working with BE Records been?
Kimchii: Bon Entendeur is an amazing band from France, and I’ve loved their music for a while. They heard Own the Night and wanted to feature it on their new compilation. It’s easier working with labels run by musicians, as there’s a deeper understanding of how things work, and it’s an honour to release music on their label.

NM: Who is on your collaboration wishlist?
Kimchii: I’m very inspired by the Australian band Pnau by the craft of their productions, and I am confident we would create something magical together. Another Australian band I admire is Confidence Man. Amtrac is a producer I’d love to collaborate with.

NM: Do personal experiences play a significant role in your music?
Kimchii: We all have different parts of ourselves - I get inspired by these and try to exaggerate them conceptually. We’ve all stayed out too long, not wanting the party to end, like in Energetic Fields. And as in Own the Night, we have all felt insecure on the dance floor.

NM: Can you give us a sneak peek of your upcoming projects for 2023?
Kimchii: I have some singles and collaborations coming up, including with two artists I love: Tensnake and Satin Jackets. I’m also performing live at the Porsche SCOPES festival in Stockholm, at the end of May. And there’s more to come!

NM: How do you hope to develop your sound in the future?
Kimchii: You can expect more alternative dance-driven & up-tempo sounds, while keeping a dream-like texture, influenced by 70s disco and 80s post-disco music. I don’t like to restrain myself. The sky’s the limit!