The reality TV couple might have sold it almost four years ago for $55 million, but for viewers of «The Real Housewives of Orange County,» it will always be known as the Dubrow Chateau. The reality TV couple might have sold it almost four years ago for $55 million, but for viewers of «The Real Housewives of Orange County,» it will always be known as the Dubrow Chateau.
Автор: karymsakov_qq4zn395
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Once Lost, This Extraordinarily Original Bugatti EB110 Is Now up for Grabs
Offered by Mecum Auctions in May, the 1995 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport vanished for 24 years before appearing in 2019 with roughly 413 miles. Offered by Mecum Auctions in May, the 1995 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport vanished for 24 years before appearing in 2019 with roughly 413 miles.
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Indie Watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi Just Unveiled His First Eponymous Chronograph
The new RRCHF is one of the slimmest chronos on the market. The new RRCHF is one of the slimmest chronos on the market.
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The World’s Most Beautiful Hotel Pools to Dive Into
From cliff-edge infinity pools to floating lake retreats, these are the hotel swims worth traveling for.
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Why Sofia, Bulgaria’s Capital, Shout Be On Your Travel Radar
Designer boutiques, bold restaurants, and stylish accommodations – the Bulgarian capital has much to show off.
It feels a touch unjust that Sofia is only now shuffling into public consciousness for reasons that are good to know about but completely unsexy. Last year, Bulgaria was finally absorbed into the EU’s Schengen Area, instantly making it easier to incorporate a visit into a broader European itinerary. This January, the nation adopted the euro, streamlining the travel process further.
Go ahead and visit the capital, though, and you’ll tell friends much more interesting stories. At over 7,000 years old, Sofia is one of the world’s longest-standing cities. Amble from the gargantuan, copper-domed neo-Byzantine Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and you’ll bypass cobbled boulevards with jaunty old-European mansions, Roman ruins, Ottoman mosques, formidable Communist-era monoliths, and a notable absence of identikit soulless skyscrapers. Instead, the low-slung city is framed by views of the nearby Vitosha Mountain — a popular spot for hiking and biking in summer and skiing come winter.
See also: Mandarin Oriental Just Took Over This Iconic Dutch Hotel
Dot Sofia ©Assen Emilov The city is home to a flourishing community of creatives and entrepreneurs, and what they’re concocting is genuinely exciting. Major luxury hotel brands have yet to sprout here (despite on-off talk about a potential Nobu), but in any case, I found Dot Sofia much more interesting. Behind a fiery Corten-steel facade, its 11 minimalist apartments include a three-storey penthouse whose roof terrace gives 360-degree views of the city. There are 200 Bulgarian artworks on show throughout the property and temporary exhibitions are held at its on-site gallery. And, at its Bulgarian restaurant Komat, the chocolate parfait with tonka and rosehip was the most drop-the-spoon delicious dessert I’d had in months.
Sofia’s great for inventive, laidback dining and drinking experiences more generally. At 3 oz. Bar, top-tier mixologists make a punchy Negroni if asked but prefer to conjure up bespoke cocktails, something they do with aplomb. At fine-dining restaurant Cosmos, classic local dishes like tarator, a refreshing summer soup made of cucumber, walnuts, and yoghurt, are re-interpreted with a refined touch, and complemented by some robust regional reds.
See also: This Exclusive Heli-Ski Trip Takes You Where No One Has Skied Before
Komat ©Plamen Gavrilov You get a further sense of the money and decadence that are increasingly flowing through the city when shopping at All-u-re’s two minimalist boutiques, artfully stocked with Alaïa and Dries Van Noten, but the most rewarding discoveries are found in the city’s cultural district Kvartal, like the pretty handmade porcelain homewares from Art.e, or along artsy Shishman Street, with its jumble of jewelers, like the contemporary Testa Gallery, and concept stores.
A broader overview of the capital’s culture and character, and a greater insight into Bulgaria’s complex history, await at its many museums and galleries. The fortress-like National History Museum sits in what was the residence of a Communist leader of Bulgaria, one big enough to now house 700,000 or so exhibits. In a former royal palace, the grand National Gallery displays centuries of Bulgarian and global artistry alongside surprising temporary exhibitions. Academy Award-winner Jessica Lange is among the artists who’ve been celebrated here, though her recent retrospective was dedicated to her decades of work as a photographer rather than as an actress. That meeting of Hollywood and Bulgaria might seem incongruous at first, but it makes sense when you’re in the thick of Sofia’s open-minded approach and surprisingly playful sense of creativity.
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Getting Married? These Exclusive Bridal Designers Should Be on Your Radar
The couture ateliers, private salons, and bespoke houses creating six-figure gowns for brides.
A wedding dress is one of the most emotionally charged fashion decisions a bride will ever make – and it’s rarely a spontaneous one. In an age shaped by social media, glossy wedding features, and endless visual inspiration, gowns are no longer chosen in isolation. They are curated for their life beyond the aisle.
Personalization now leads the conversation. Made-to-order and bespoke designs unfold over months of private fittings and fabric sourcing, mirroring the traditions of haute couture. More than a single-day statement, the modern bridal gown evokes artistry and heritage, designed to endure long after the last dance.
See also: The Most Luxurious Destination Wedding Locations for 2026
Unlike ready-to-wear, couture gowns are built from scratch. Patterns are hand-drafted and embellishments crafted by specialist artisans. Teams of cutters, embroiderers, and tailors work over months, sometimes a year, producing a dress that exists nowhere else.
To guide brides-to-be, Elite Traveler has curated a little black book of the world’s most exclusive wedding dress ateliers, from British workrooms to international maisons and bespoke services where six-figure commissions are increasingly common.
Luxury wedding dress designers
Vivienne Westwood Bridal
Estimated price range: $25,000–$80,000+
For brides seeking fashion history woven into every seam, Vivienne Westwood’s bridal atelier remains unmatched. Known for sculptural corsetry, dramatic draping, and subversive romance, Westwood gowns are crafted using couture techniques. Made-to-measure and bespoke commissions often involve extensive fittings and pattern drafting, so start your shopping process as far in advance as possible.
Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda Bridal
Estimated price range: $90,000–$250,000+
Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda program operates more like a private cultural salon than a fashion line. Bridal gowns are created as couture artworks, frequently referencing Italian religious, historical, and architectural motifs. Brides receive immersive design experiences, often including fittings in Milan, Rome or Sicily.
Notably, Lauren Sánchez commissioned a custom lace gown inspired by Sophia Loren’s 1950s screen style for her wedding to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. Featuring a high neckline, corseted bodice, and a row of hand-finished covered buttons extending down the front, the dress took over 1,900 hours to make. The result was an old-Hollywood silhouette reinterpreted through Alta Moda’s modern couture lens.
Phillipa Lepley
Estimated price range: $30,000–$100,000+
Often described as the gold standard of British bridal couture, Phillipa Lepley runs a London atelier specializing in corsetry and construction. Each gown begins with an internal structure engineered to sculpt the body before layers of silk, lace, and embroidery are applied.
Lepley’s clients commit to a highly involved process that can span up to a year, with multiple fittings and hand-finished detailing all part of the process.
Halfpenny London
Estimated price range: $18,000–$60,000+
Founded by designer Kate Halfpenny, Halfpenny London is revered for its modern approach to bespoke bridal – combining couture craftsmanship with contemporary silhouettes. Known for elegant separates, feathered overlays, and fluid tailoring, the brand appeals to brides who want individuality without overt formality.
Its bespoke service includes full design development, custom textiles, and atelier fittings in central London.
Vera Wang Bridal
Estimated price range: $20,000–$75,000+
Vera Wang’s name remains synonymous with modern bridal luxury. While her ready-to-wear collections are globally accessible, her couture and custom bridal services operate on an entirely different level. For brides seeking understated glamour with editorial polish, Wang’s atelier remains a go-to.
Oscar de la Renta Bridal
Estimated price range: $25,000–$90,000+
Oscar de la Renta’s bridal atelier often builds upon the house’s signature femininity. Custom gowns are developed in collaboration with the design team, often incorporating hand-applied embroidery, floral motifs, and couture lacework.
Clients receive private consultations and multiple fittings, with gowns frequently produced in limited or one-off iterations.
Elie Saab Haute Couture Bridal
Estimated price range: $40,000–$150,000+
Elie Saab’s bridal couture is defined by luminosity: layers of silk organza, crystal embroidery, and ethereal trains that ooze visual impact. His Paris and Beirut ateliers specialize in fully custom bridal commissions involving hundreds of hours of handwork. Saab’s gowns are particularly favored for destination and palace-scale ceremonies.
Zuhair Murad Couture Bridal
Estimated price range: $35,000–$120,000+
Zuhair Murad’s atelier produces some of the most ornate bridal gowns in the world. Known for intricate beadwork and illusion detailing, the brand’s custom designs are unapologetically glamorous.
Each couture bride works closely with Murad’s team to develop a personalized design, often incorporating bespoke embroidery patterns and custom-dyed fabrics.
Christian Dior Haute Couture Bridal
Estimated price range: $100,000–$300,000+
Dior’s haute couture atelier represents the pinnacle of Parisian craftsmanship. Bridal commissions are handled privately and discreetly, with gowns created entirely from scratch, from textile development to embroidery. Every piece is produced in the maison’s couture workshops, often requiring months of artisanal labor.
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How This New Lodge in the Scottish Highlands ‘Rewilded’ 13,000 Acres to Create a Natural Wonderland
Meaningful change is afoot in Scotland, particularly across Kilchoan’s massive sprawl in Knoydart. Meaningful change is afoot in Scotland, particularly across Kilchoan’s massive sprawl in Knoydart.
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Manhattan’s $10 Million Condos Are Flying Off the Market—Even as Sales Slow Elsewhere
Trophy-home deals jumped nearly 50 percent in Q1, according to new reports. Trophy-home deals jumped nearly 50 percent in Q1, according to new reports.
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Audemars Piguet’s Complicated New Pocket Watch Can Date Holidays For the Rest of the Century
With its latest horological masterpiece, Audemars Piguet proves you can teach an old model new tricks. With its latest horological masterpiece, Audemars Piguet proves you can teach an old model new tricks.
