Special Edition Vol. 11:
The Muse Issue & Pages of Portugal
NEWSROOM
Reportage from Portugal: Art, Design & Wellbeing Weekend at Martinhal Sagres.
From Kuala Lumpur to Algarve, this was my first experience attending the Martinhal Sagres Art, Design, and Wellbeing Weekend—a journey as rewarding as it was inspiring. The nearly twenty-four-hour journey from Kuala Lumpur to the Algarve was long but filled with anticipation. Returning to Lisbon last winter, I felt an undeniable sense of familiarity. The city, once foreign, now feels like a temporary home—a comforting thought that brings its own warmth.
The Art, Design, and Wellbeing Weekend brought together a vibrant mix of artisans, entrepreneurs, tastemakers, and creatives from across Portugal and beyond. As someone travelling from Southeast Asia, it felt both exciting and humbling to connect with familiar faces and forge new friendships in such an inspiring setting. From November 15 to 17, 2024, we were treated to Martinhal’s exceptional hospitality and immersed in a beautifully curated boutique exhibition, thanks to the meticulous work of O Apartamento.
Image Right: The breathtaking view of the Algarve ocean from Martinhal Sagres. Photo by Mariana Mota.
STORIES
Andermatt, Switzerland 🇨🇭
Switzerland has always held a special place in my heart. With each visit, I've marvelled at its picturesque beauty and the seemingly idyllic life of its people. Nestled within a landscape that changes with each season, Switzerland boasts stunning natural splendour and the comfort of safety, stability and prosperity, often ranking among the happiest places to live. Recently, I had the opportunity to revisit Switzerland after quite some time. I expected to be greeted once again by its astounding beauty, but little did I know that this trip would provide me with a fresh perspective and unveil new wonders.
My journey began at Zürich Airport, a testament to Swiss ingenuity which blends classic charm with modern efficiency. The airport's design, from its iconic typeface to its subtle colour palette, sets the tone for the traveller’s experience. Despite an exhausting 18-hour journey from Kuala Lumpur, I felt invigorated by the anticipation of what lay ahead. Leaving the country's capital behind, I embarked on a scenic, almost two-hour drive to Andermatt, a charming village in the heart of Switzerland.
1. Hello Nick, how have you been? It has been a while since the last time we met in Sydney. I’m excited you agreed to be part of this issue. Please share with our readers a bit about yourself.
Hi Kerol. I’m very well, thank you. Yes, that coffee meeting we had below our old office feels like ages ago now – I probably would have picked a nicer café if I knew it would be mentioned in an interview years later!
I’m from Sydney and co-founded a publication called Softer Volumes with my business partner, Joe Vuong. I’m mainly responsible for the creative direction and managing the content team, along with various graphic design and photography work. This year, I’ve been working remotely. I spent three months in Portugal at the start of the year and have now been in Bali for about five months.
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2. You ran the men’s style magazine Hey Gents last time (I loved your work!). What made you decide to halt the production of Hey Gents and launch a new publication? What was the spark?
The move from Hey Gents to Softer Volumes was actually more like a natural evolution of the publication than a decision to stop one and start another. Hey Gents began as a men’s style blog, and over the years, we introduced new categories such as interior design, architecture, travel, etc. As our content topics broadened, our readership grew closer to a balance of men and women. After extensive consideration, we decided the publication’s name should embrace our entire audience, rather than only partly. That was the main motivation – to better represent the community we had built.
Full Interview in Musotrees Vol. 10
