1 — Don't stay on the fence and adopt bermuda shorts that will carry you through to September. We advise to team them with the season's boat shoe or loafer by day and switching to strappy sandals by night for a grown-up-yet-cool take on shorts. Trust us — they are a flattering and practical form to wear and look equally brilliant with button down shirting or soft ruffles. We're especially taken with the cotton fabrication used here: developed exclusively for Aimé in India, it has a slightly worn-in feel and is beautifully soft.
2 — Head to Kensington Gardens for the 25th edition of the Serpentine Pavilion designed this year by Bangladeshi architect Marina Tabassum (from 6th June until 26th October). The temporary structure made of wood and translucent panels is built around a Gingko tree, chosen for its notable resilience to climate change. Its leaves will shift from green to golden as the seasons pass, symbolising continuity and change and adding a dynamic element to the experience we are excited to witness.
A new museum opening is always an event — but the launch of the V&A East Storehouse in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park marks a true revolution, thanks to its sheer scale and radically interactive concept. This "immersive cabinet of curiosities" unveils to the public half a million works spanning fashion, books and ceramics, and offers an Order an Object feature so visitors can examine items up close. Dramatically, New York firm Diller Scofidio + Renfro have removed all glass barriers between viewer and artifact, lending a bold and fun energy to the gigantic warehouse space. Among its highlights, the reconstitution of a complete office designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is a must-see.
3 — Seek creativity for summer breaks in our edit of travel books.
A forever favourite, Greece has so much to offer that an up to date catalog of addresses and spots through the editorial lense of Monocle is an essential companion for hellenic voyages. Reaching further afield, Kinfolk Journeys is the latest title published by this collaborative of writers and embodies their ethos of slow, intentional travel. Lush photography as well as practical details are meant to encourage readers to be their own guide.
The New York Times Cultured Traveler will appeal to travelers who are curious and have a sharp appetite for knowledge with journalists stories and tips on what to read and watch for inspiration. And because we are fond of a list, the 150 series has recently updated two of its compilations, 150 Hotels you need to visit before you die and 150 Restaurants you need to visit before you die for those searching once-in a-lifetime experiences.
4 — La Côte d'Azur rarely disappoints in June — and if you needed a reason to go, the recently unveiled extension of the Fondation Marguerite et Aimé Maeght in Saint-Paul de Vence might be it. The very first French private art foundation opened in 1964 and was inspired by American institutions like the Guggenheim. With contributions from Braque, Giacometti and Miró, the Maeghts assembled a remarkable collection and commissioned a purpose-built site to house it. The new galleries reach out towards the surrounding pine forest and are as striking architecturally as the works they contain.
Stay at Hôtel Amour in Nice for a laid-back escape and rooftop dinners under the stars. Or opt for the cloistered charm of Hôtel du Couvent and try their homemade pan bagnat for lunch.
5 — If a trip isn't on the horizon, a new ice cream bar in Islington is serving the ultimate hot weather treats. The Dreamery is a whimsical jewel box of a space with candy-pink tiles and a hand-painted glass ceiling, offering inventive ice cream and wine pairings. It’s the perfect place to prolong the evening after dinner at their sister restaurant Goodbye Horses, just next door on Halliford Street (20a & 21, London N1).