Inside the Shoot: Spirited Away

Polar whites, cool metallics and vintage prints make for stark statements against the snowy winterscape of Niseko Special thanks to The Luxe Nomad and Skye Niseko

Above Videography: Ian Wong and Anne Berry at Capsule 48

When the crew touched down in Sapporo, Hokkaido late November, there was less than a foot of snow on the ground, the trees lightly frosted by the first dump of the year. We received a warm welcome by Skye Niseko, a luxury boutique hotel that opened in 2018 located right on the slopes of Mount Hirafu.

The Aspen of Asia, Niseko has long been the designated winter destination of our 500-Listers and has only risen in popularity in recent years (it's no coincidence that Aman is choosing to open its fourth property in Japan here). And with more and more luxury brands like Chanel and Fendi latching on the ski craze, we decided to feature the best of the resort and ski collections in this iconic setting.

Performance skiwear brands have also elevated their aesthetic to be not only functional but stylish for après ski. Some of our favourite pieces come from brands like Fusalp and Sportalm that are being carried by The Ski Project, which recently opened up shop at the new Park Hyatt Niseko.

Above Outfit by Chanel

Above Jacket, top and trouser by Fendi; boots by Chanel; scarf by Christian Dior

Above Sweater by Moncler; dress by Prada

Above Jacket by Louis Vuitton; hat by Sportalm, avialable at The Ski Project

Above Coat by Saint Laurent; trousers by Isabel Marant; earrings by Chloé

The subsequent day was spent touring the hill with ski instructors-slash-tour guides from Alteo–a concierge service favoured by our 500-Listers–scouring for the best nooks and backdrops for the shoot. It was important to us to showcase not just the breathtaking snowscape and views of Mount Yotei, but also the gloomy mountain's mystical energy, thanks to its perpetual mist and dusted deadwood.

When we awoke the next morning, we found our world covered in several feet of fresh snow, to the point where some of our designated shoot locations like a frozen pond, had since been buried and rendered nondescript. But it also meant that we had fields of powder to play with, resulting in pristine pastures of snow that are now in some of our favourite photos.

Above Top and trousers by Gucci; sunglasses by Stella McCartney

Above Coat by Tom Ford; sequinned top by Paco Rabanne, available at Matches Fashion; turtleneck by Wolford

Above Vest by Prada; top and trousers by Chloé; boots and necklace by Chanel; gloves by Gucci

Above Ski suit by Cordova, and boots by Moon Boot, both available at The Ski Project

Above Jacket and trousers by Balmain; jumper by Bottega Veneta; boots by Moon Boot and gloves by Sportalm, both available at The Ski Project; sunglasses by Balenciaga

The team gamely braved sub-zero temperatures the next few days, fighting strong winds as we climbed up slippery slopes (where a beautiful blue Chanel number was shot) and trudged through knee-deep snow. But we also got to visit an abandoned chairlift station, its facade caked in green paint and rust, which made for a beautiful contrast against a graphic Saint Laurent coat, as well as a natural, outdoor onsen which gave off clouds of steam that fed the air of mystery.