After the devastating port explosion of 4 August 2020, Beirut's creative community is battling to rebuild amid power-cuts and petrol shortages. A year on from the blast, Monocle joins its designers and architects on the streets of the city to see how they hope to make the city anew.

Nestled in the heart of the Aegean, the island of Ikaria used to be a secluded spot with a humble and unhurried way of life. Today, a third of the island's population lives to be more than 90 years old. We venture to the local kafeneios, wild beaches and abundant allotments to meet the bronzed seniors.

Monocle’s October issue has all the insights and inspiration you need to get going this autumn, from a sit-down with Estonia’s prime minister to a design special on rebuilding Beirut. Grab the issue now at [The Monocle Shop](https://monocle.com/shop/product/2032912/issue-147/).

Quality of life is a defining pillar of the V-Zug brand and an emphasis on sustainable living is fundamental to the Swiss company’s approach. We travel to Melbourne to visit Hip v. Hype, an innovative company specialising in eco-friendly homes. In a perfect partnership of mind and mission, we discover how good design can have a positive affect on the planet.

The alchemy of creativity and technology is at the heart of V-Zug’s innovation. An integral part of their R&D is collaborations with top chefs from around the world. We travel to Hong Kong, Munich and Bern to witness the fine balance of technology and design that inspires Michelin-starred chefs to be creative in the kitchen.

Swiss design is famous for precision engineering and high-quality materials. V-Zug’s design language is a reflection of this and is embraced by architects and designers around the world. We travel to Milan to talk to interior designer Elisa Ossino, who appreciates V-Zug’s purity of spirit and timeless elegance.

For more than 100 years, V-Zug has been developing and producing premium household appliances that balance efficiency with aesthetics. As the company launches its new Excellence and Supreme Lines, we visit their headquarters in Zug to discover the meaning of Swiss perfection for the home.

Launched in December 2020, [Konfekt](https://konfektmagazine.com/) is a smart, sumptuous magazine from the creators of Monocle. Edited between Zürich and London, this rich quarterly publication covers fashion, travel, drinking, dining, travel and design. We go behind the scenes to showcase the making of the magazine and to shine a spotlight on Konfekt’s chic understated glamour, convivial hospitality and sense of discovery.

They might not fit the archetype of the high-end tailor but a new generation of smart young outfitters are now at the cutting edge of bespoke menswear. We get the measure of four such craftsmen in London, Berlin, Hong Kong and Perugia.

A short drive from Tokyo, the storied town of Nikko has attracted locals as well as visitors for centuries. Located in the Nikko National Park, The Ritz-Carlton lets the craft and hospitality traditions of the region shine through. Asuka Washizu, who looks after guest relations, takes us on a tour of highlights both inside and outside the hotel.