This issue, One Last Colony, is all about nostalgia. The phrase truly sums up what the exuberant city of Havana, where much of the action in these pages takes place, is all about. This oft-overlooked, somewhat forbidden architectural extravaganza sets the scene for a celebration of music, old American cars running on Russian engines and a perfectly vibrant social landscape that is captured by L.A. based photographer Doug Inglish in our fashion/travel portfolio for Summer 2012.

But One Last Colony doesn’t end in Havana. First, we bring you our favourite collections one by one, exploring them in all their variety and elegances. Then, we take a worldwide tour in which we introduce you to a re-invented Aiden Shaw, we visit the iconic Madrid-based interior designer Pascua Ortega, catch up with the young jet-setter bag designer Gabriele Corto Moltedo, and we end up talking to Kim Jones about his new role at Louis Vuitton Paris.

With the sound of live salsa, a mojito in hand and the smell of tobacco mixed with a steady Caribbean breeze we are proud to introduce our second journey as Hercules Universal and invite you to our very own colony.