Bal Harbour

P H OTO BY A L E X A N D R A M C D O W E L L ( B OT TO M ) ; C O U R T E S Y O F E X P LO R A J O U R N E Y S ( TO P L E F T ) behind the scenes IN THE ADRIATIC For many in the crew that produced our cover story, "Siren's Call," boarding Explora I was their first time sailing on such a ship. That didn't deter them from quickly acclimating to its luxurious amenities. "I am a systems geek and these floating hotels are fascinating, so I was incredibly excited to shoot this story," says photographer Alex John Beck. "I've never experienced such a combination of beauty, impeccable service, and attention to detail. Every surface reflected the light perfectly, every room had its subtle allure. The ship was its own character, as serene and elegant as our model." IN NEW YORK CIT Y Photographer Jens Mortensen (left, center) is renowned for his mastery at shooting still-lifes in suspended animation, so for this year's holiday gift guide, "Wrap It Up!" on page 146, Contributing Fashion Editor Paul Frederick (left, right) showed up at his Brooklyn studio with three trunks of Bal Harbour Shops' finest. "It's always great to photograph a curated collection of luxury items," says Mortensen. "I try to keep it simple, just letting the beauty of the objects speak for itself. In these shots, we went for an off-white set and long shadows adding a horizon line for depth." EXPLORA JOURNEYS' EXPLORA I Explora Journeys transformed travel on the seas the summer of 2023 with its first ship, Explora I. The Lobby Bar (above) exemplifies the quietly luxurious atmosphere that permeates throughout the ship's decor. Beck shoots model Mariina Keskitalo (in Gucci) as the sun sets in Corfu. ABOVE, FROM LEFT Alexander Hopkins, Cindi Blair, Lizzie Arneson, Mariina Keskitalo, Caitlin Cowger, Paul Frederick, and Alex John Beck on set BALHAR B O U RSH O P S .CO M

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