Unique Issue 21

U N I Q U E

BOARINI MILANESI

BOLOGNA

Situated on the main floor of the sumptuous 19th century Palazzo “Casa Bernaroli” with its high co ered ceilings and elegant salons, the Temple of Luxury handbags is unveiled.

Boarini Milanesi Templum is the only showroom in the world where visitors can immerse themselves in a multi-sensory experience, discovering precious leathers, beautiful colours inspired by art and antique techniques of Italian cra smanship.

TEMPLUM

Piazza Minghetti, 1 40124 Bologna, Italy

T. +39 051 095 4026

boarini-milanesi@boarini-milanesi.com

www.boarini-milanesi.com

HANDBAGS BRIEFCASES WALLETS LEATHER ACCESSORIES

Maestà Magenta python bag with pink quartz details € 8 500

ONE CENTURY IN A DECANTER

Four generations of cellars masters have crafted twelve hundred eaux-de-vie to establish Louis XIII as the most prestigious spirit on Earth. A closely guarded secret since 1874.

www.LOUISXIII-cognac.com

Stay Exquisite

Experience a modern sanctuary in natural splendor at The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort. Nestled on a private island in an Indian Ocean atoll, this intimate retreat offers unparalleled access to the region’s thriving marine life.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort Vommuli Island Dhaalu Atoll Republic of Maldives t. +960 676 6333 stregis.com/maldives

Five-star views from Sydney Harbour’s edge

Location doesn’t get any better than this. Iconic Sydney Harbour sits at the doorstep of Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.

Head out to explore the nearby shopping, outdoor adventure and vibrant social scene that surrounds us, then meet back at Mode Kitchen & Bar for fresh, local cuisine and drinks at Grain.

The RUSSO-BALT HOTEL MOSCOW in the center of Moscow epitomizes the charm of the Art Nouveau era. The hotel has individually decorated rooms and suites with every possible convenience. Art Nouveau furniture, art and paintings of the Old Masters dominate hotel’s interior. The design and decoration of the hotel is supported by personal service of the highest standard. Under the guidance of our chef, the restaurant AODUVAN offers decadent natural cuisine.

31/1, Gogolevskiy Boulevard, Moscow, Russia, 119019.

Tel.: +7 (495) 645-3875

www.russo-balthotel.com

The RUSSO-BALT RESORT KAMCHATKA is a balneological resort, situated on the Kamchatka. The cuisine, containing the freshest seafood and wildfowl, will create your mood. Whatever the weather, you can dive into an open-air pool with natural geothermal water of volcanic origin. The cultures of ancient people, skiing from the volcanoes, diving, rafting, marvelous views of the Valley of Geysers, untouched Tundra and the best hunting and fishing in the world – a dream come true.

Russia, Kamchatka region.

25th km “Elizovo-Paratunka” road. www.russo-balthotel.com

COMPENDIUM

LE MANS CLASSIC 2018

The sound of frenzied mechanics, the smell of burnt fuel and the infernal roaring of 6-cylinders, v8 and other humming V12 engines will animate this weekend, long-awaited by numerous enthusiasts. Created almost 20 years ago and awarded with Two Motoring Event of the Year prizes at the International Historic

Motoring Awards in 2014 and 2016, Le Mans Classic gathered together some 123 000 spectators, 8,500 European clubs, 1,000 drivers from around the world and 200 exhibitors on the French circuit over the weekend in 2016.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans has allowed thousands of cars to compete on the

legendary 13 kilometer circuit over the last 86 years. Le Mans Classic aims to revive these highlights of motorsport. The 500 racing cars entered - on the condition of having participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans between 1923 and 1981 - are divided into six categories, each corresponding to a period. Following its introduction and success

in 2016, Group C once again welcomes these cars with modern lines that made this the true Golden Age of Endurance as confirmed by specialists of the discipline.

Alongside the gentleman drivers who will confront the Hunaudières’ straight, Le Mans Classic is also the rendez-vous of renowned drivers who will come to compete with them. Jenson Button, F1 World Champion in 2009, will join Group C driving a 1988 Jaguar XJR-9 as well as other former 24 Hours winners such as Henri Pescarolo, Jochen Mass and Stéphane Ortelli.

Richard Mille will welcome his partners Felipe Massa, former Formula 1 racing driver as well as Sébastien Loeb the WRC champion and WRX rallycross driver over the weekend. Luxury British sportscar and supercar creator

and Richard Mille partner McLaren Automotive will also be supporting the brand by providing their supercars; both the versatile 570S Sports Series and the highly acclaimed 720S Super Series to delight the spectators throughout the event.

As is now the tradition, Richard Mille will present their new watch dedicated to the race, the very sporty RM 11-03 LMC, a numbered limited edition of only 150 pieces. First RM 11-03 in white ceramic, it takes the mythical British

racing green in the purest Le Mans Classic style.

On the occasion of the release of “Car Racing 1965” published in collaboration with the agency DPPI and the Editions Cercle d’Art, Richard Mille will exhibit in the lively village of the Le Mans circuit the most impressive photos hitherto unpublished. This exceptional testimony retraces in detail this historic year of motor racing, enough to immerse yourself a little more in the legendary «Spirit of Le Mans».

THE ELITE WORLDS OF ART & AESTHETICS UNITE IN CHELSEA

When speaking about the high-end worlds of both art and aesthetics, they’re seldom included within the same sentence. However, the arrival of an exclusive clinic in Chelsea has changed all that and is set to redefine the partnership between the two illustrious industries forever.

VIVA Skin Clinics, a highly regarded range of skin health and aesthetics clinics across the UK, wanted to provide their clients with a high-end experience with a difference. Adorned in the little black book of London’s elite, its client list includes socialites, supermodels and even royalty. So with this in mind, it was time to rip up the rulebook and provide their core treatments in a top-tier exclusive environment that was unique, tranquil and creative.

Box Galleries, a highly regarded contemporary art gallery situated on the infamous King’s Road, was set to be the perfect partner. On the ground floor, clients can immerse themselves in works of art from some of the world’s most high profile names such as Damien Hirst and Terry O’Neill. While on the lower ground floor, an exclusively secret boutique HQ for VIVA Skin Clinics now resides. Led by Founder & Director, Dr Rupert Critchley BM MRCGP, the clinic provides some of the capitals most renowned names with anti-ageing and aesthetics treatments so that they can attain youthful, glowing complexions in a serene environment.

The clinic’s interior décor exudes a tranquil air of modern yet feminine charm. The colour scheme features pastel pinks and greens, which have been paired with sleek metallic fixtures and sumptuous velvet furnishings. Meanwhile, the addition of cleverly placed plants gives the studio a vibrant and fresh atmosphere.

The exclusive clinic really is the ultimate aesthetics destination, perfect for a quick fix or afternoon of aesthetics excellence in the exclusive Chelsea borough. The VIVA team specialise in offering only the safest and most effective nonsurgical procedures on the market, which produce natural results whilst

significantly improving the skin and slowing the age process.

Dr Rupert Critchley and his team of highly trained aestheticians offer a wide array of treatments ranging from chemical peels and eyelash growth serum to anti wrinkle injections and Hyaluronic acid fillers.

The ethos behind all treatments is the clinic’s focus on individuality, passion for skincare and the belief

that natural looking results are the best options for all clients. Dr Rupert Critchley and his team work tirelessly to provide his patients with the best anti-ageing treatments and solutions available, using the best products and technologies to provide outstanding results with minimal downtime.

“At VIVA SKIN CLINICS we only offer excellence and aim to set a new standard in non-surgical cosmetics” –Dr. Rupert Critchley

BUBEN&ZORWEG OPENS INSHOP BOUTIQUE AT LANE CRAWFORD, HARBOUR CITY

The recent, exclusive opening of the BUBEN&ZORWEG InShop Boutique at Lane Crawford, Harbour City, the top luxury department store in Asia and one of the busiest hotspots for luxury shopping worldwide, saw not only champagne flowing but mouths watering when Mr. Zorweg, one of the CEO’s of the company unveiled just some of BUBEN&ZORWEG’s masterpieces. At the grand opening, the German luxury safe creator revealed such treasures as the Grande Infinity – not only a fine timepiece in its own right but an inbuilt safe and Time Mover®. The Mirage and the Orion safe prove that a safe does not necessarily have to look like a strongbox.

Mr. Zorweg, proudly showed his creations one by one and explained the brand DNA, and reasons why customers from all over the world purchase the state of the art safes. The selected VIP customers appreciated the German engineering and craftsmanship at BUBEN&ZORWEG.

BUBEN&ZORWEG have been working with Lane Crawford for over a decade and so the opening of an Instore Boutique is a natural process not only for the store but also for Harbour City at Tsim Sha Tsui, a vast retail destination featuring more than 700 stores and an array of flagship stores concentrated at Canton Road. Here there's something for everyone, from international designer brands to fine jewellery and watches and chic boutiques and now thanks to BUBEN&ZORWEG a safe and luxurious place to savour those treasures.

Mr. Zorweg said, “The uniqueness of our work is very important to Lane Crawford therefore the Grande Infinity is one of BUBEN&ZORWEG's most important masterpieces for them. This fine timepiece is so much more than a clock. It is innovative in design and technology and may I say perfection!”

B&Z Inshop Boutique Opening at Lane Crawford Harbour City:

Address: 2/F, Lane Crawford, No.3 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, HongKong.

Senturion, the world’s first and only creator of bespoke, ultra luxury wristwear pieces that synchronise with supercars, is to introduce its new S177 Senturion Key Collection in September 2018.

Designed with supercar owners in mind, the Senturion Key replaces the need for a key through global patent technology and is compatible with some of the most elite and high performance cars available including Bentley, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, McLaren, Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Porsche.

The new S177 collection comprises of 177 pieces only, making it the ultimate collector’s accessory. The original Senturion Key design has been re-

imagined with a fresh aesthetic and new arc shape, reminiscent of a fine timepiece, as well as the addition of a sapphire window which provides an inside view into Senturion’s intricate mechanics and the workings of the technology behind the system. Whilst unlocking the owner’s supercar or hypercar the internal clogs visibly turn behind the window, mirroring the gears of a car.

The S177 piece is fully customisable and starts with a base price of £15,850 for brushed titanium. Customers can choose their specifications and tailor the core finish, insets, precious stones and strap to create a one-of-a-kind piece. The S177 collection also includes the option of a rubber strap for a lighter and more athletic feel.

piece takes 70 hours to assemble and undergoes stringent inspections prior to delivery. Every part of the product are custom made even the screws are designed specifically for Senturion.

Once completed, each Senturion Key S177 is delivered to its owner in an eye-catching ‘Senturion Orb’ fitted with a reinforced heavyweight wooden frame that is handcased in resin and polished to perfection. The Senturion Orb can also be engraved with a personalised message.

Senturion Key S177 Collections can be viewed at senturionkey.com or by appointment at the Senturion Showroom from 1 September.

British craftsmanship and industry leading technology

• Each hand-cast frame, cast in Birmingham, is finished to the precision of one-ten thousandth of a micron by a five-axis computer numerical control. Senturion’s in-house master jewellers set the individual stones by hand, which includes up to 198 diamonds per piece.

• The key’s clasp is made out of solid titanium and undergoes PVD-coating in an ultra-high vacuum chamber, which is the same technique used on Formula 1 pistons, to create high tolerance micro parts.

• The carbon composite core, visible on the sides of every Senturion Key, is created using a fifteen-tonne press and is then augmented with electronwelded wings.

• Senturion has set several world records in compact micro-circuitry, and with over 1000 components, bespoke Obsidian circuits boards produced by Senturion are completed to the precision standards of astronaut equipment.

• The technology behind enabling RFID transmission through precious metals has only been achieved by Senturion.

Senturion was developed out of a passion for supercars, British design and cutting-edge technology and the S177 collections celebrates the complex mechanics of Senturion and the innovative machinery of the world’s most impressive supercars.

Senturion’s expert engineers integrate the user’s existing encrypted key’s security system into a custom Senturion Key to ensure the piece is compatible with their supercar by miniaturising the car manufacture’s technology and embedding the information into the new Senturion Key.

Senturion uses the finest materials in all of its collections and each piece is handcrafted to perfection. Every

ROMVLVS BILLIONAIRE

Known for unusual timepieces from movement to finish, Corum’s decadent and intriguing Romvlvs Billionaire is a bold statement showcasing the brand’s signature open vertical movement. The skeletonized dial features hours and minutes, and flying tourbillon.

With a spectacular tourbillion placed between two anti-glare sapphire crystals, the ‘floating’ movement is hypnotising as it is beautiful. The movement is nested in an 18K white gold case that is fitted with sapphire crystal on both the front and the back,

revealing the movement in a captivating manner. The case is set with 154 baguette-cut black and white diamonds that total 8.68 carats, whilst thebracelet holds a staggering 16.72 krts of baguette cut diamonds.

The watch is equipped with the CO 374 hand-wound movement that beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour, offering power reserve of 90 hours.

The watch is water-resistant to 30 meters.

AUTO VIVENDI. A WAY OF LIFE.

Auto Vivendi is a private members’ supercar club which provides members with convenient access to a collection of the world’s best supercars as well as organising a host of global lifestyle events. Membership to Auto Vivendi is by application and the Club delivers cars to members throughout the UK and Europe from its London clubhouse.

If you like to live life to the full, you will love Auto Vivendi.

+44

Coloured Pearls

By Naomi Sarna

Iridescent drops shimmer in the light. Like molten metal one would imagine that they are fiery hot, but when held in the hand, or caressed across a neck, they are cool and sensuous. Coloured pearls. Beyond the reach of the rainbow.

While round white pearls command the international market in gross tonnage, a select group of connoisseurs seek the unique and compelling pearls of colour. Purple, vivid rose, gold and green, all with rich lusters that command attention whether worn singly in a drop or ring or in Ombre strands falling about the neck and shoulders.

All pearls of the nacreous types, including pearls from fresh water and salt water clams and mussels, are composed of layers of calcium carbonate including aragonite and calcite. Something gets into the clam, usually a parasite, which irritates it. The irritating grain of sand story has been largely discounted. In defence, the clam secretes calcium carbonate to protect it from the irritation. Like bricks set side by side, layer upon layer builds up until the irritant is completely covered. These layers cause light to bounce around. Aragonite is slightly transparent and allows light to be refracted back, giving the pearl it’s iridescent luster and colour, in the same way a prism breaks up light the that goes through it, making a rainbow.

The layers are called nacre and the thicker the nacre, the richer the iridescence of the pearl can be. The value of the pearl is also greater with thicker nacre which can be carved or faceted into specialized gems.

Conchiolin is a protein secreted by the clam or mussel and organically glues the blocks of the nacre together. Depending on the pigments present in the conchiolin, the pearl will take on various colours.

Pearl colours are often controlled by the colour of the lip of the mollusc. The lip is the outer edge of the clam or mussel and is called mother of pearl. It is considered a valuable gem material in its own right. Buttons, inlays in mosaic boxes ortrompe-l’oeil marquetry and all types of jewellery can be made from mother-of pearl.

NAOMI SARNA

How can you tell a genuine pearl from a synthetic one? Rub it against your teeth. Yes. A true pearl, however inexpensive or rare, will feel gritty from the calcium carbonate and other mineral bricks when rubbed on the teeth. All fake pearls will feel smooth.

Incidentally, many people praise the components of powered pearls because of the presence of the various mineral and the conchiolin proteins. Pearls have been crushed and powdered for makeup, or eaten for the minerals as an anti-acid, or dissolved in acids and drunk for extreme displays of wealth.

Cleopatra, in legend, perhaps, challenged Marc Antony to an extravagance duel. To show the vast riches of Egypt, she dissolved a highly valuable pearl in wine and drank it. Marc Antony apparently acknowledged Egypt's superior wealth and did not drink the matching pearl.

We do not know the true colour of the pearl but could imagine it was a passionate purple.

Other legends of the source of pearl colours include the presence of pigmenting minerals in the water. One story tells that the reason Lake Biwa pearls had such fabulous colours was because the lake was so polluted. Another story about Lake Biwa pearls claims that the Biwa mussels were taken to Lake Kasumigaura and cultured there, thus creating the Lake Kasumigaura pearls which have extraordinary colours and luster. Lake Kasumigaura may or may not be still producing pearls at this time. This is the secrecy of pearl culture.

Much of the culture and farming involving coloured pearls is kept hidden, true secrets known only to the owners of the pearl farms around the world. A cultured pearl is purposely implanted or nucleated with either a piece of clam tissue or tissue and a bead, or a cut is made in the clam tissue. The pearl responds to these treatments in the same way it would if a natural parasite invaded it; it secretes the calcium carbonate to sooth itself and eventually, in two, three or more years, makes the beauties we wear.

Mr. James Peach, Sr. of U.S Pearls is one of the world largest dealers of pearl and pearl products. He has been greatly involved in the development of Chinese Yangtze River pearls which now rival South Sea pearls in colour, quality and size. The technical development of these pearls has been a work in progress for years, employing an unusual method of implanting the mollusc with exceptional results. Mr. Peach anticipates these pearls will be the standard by which other coloured pearls with be judged.

Sometimes when the mollusc is cut, a second generation pearl will develop which is pure nacre with no nucleation of any type. These pearls are flat and round or oval, like coins. They come in a variety of soft apricot or pink colours and are so wonderfully pure and translucent the light can pass right through them. Although they might be called natural pearls because there is no nucleation, they are, in fact, the result of pearl culture.

NAOMI SARNA

Yoko London is one of the world's foremost coloured pearl jewellers. The pearls they present in their elegant jewels are notably round with perfect surfaces and a full range of rare colours. Their pearls may come from Australia or China and it may take years to find the exact pearls needed to create their highly desirable jewels. They maintain a close relationship with pearl farmers around the world, which affords them the opportunity to pick only pearls which match their exacting standards.

The majority of their pearls are set with 18 Karat white gold, or occasionally with rose or black gold embellished with white or black diamonds. This family owned business has established a reputation for exacting craftsmanship and exceptional design, thus creating a presentation that combines classic gems in a modern and contemporary look. Their High Jewellery Collection exemplifies the finest examples of pearl jewels in the world and they have been appropriately awarded for their high standards.

Gregore Morin and Jennifer-Rabe Morin met while working in Santa Barbara, CA where they continue to live. He is from Vancouver, BC and she from Spain. They use their combined imaginations to experiment, learn and focus their creative energy into the form and substance of exceptional pieces and objects d’art. Inspired by their curiosity for all things natural and beautiful, their work is meticulously refined, taking many hours, months or even years of thoughtful consideration.

Gregoire Morin especially enjoys combining beautifully hued pearls with

modern day technology. Their workshop is full of machines from antique ones to complex, computer driven technical marvels. One of his most recent successes included pink pearls with machined aluminium hoops, making the huge eye-catching earrings light and technically perfect

Their dazzling jewellery pieces are crafted from rare gemstones, unusual materials and precious metals. A unique brooch combines the visual lightness of a fluttering fire opal butterfly, bejewelled with sapphires that are reflected in the softly multi-coloured mother of pearl

flower upon which the butterfly rests; it trembles as if alive. Victorian jewels were often set with springs which animated them as the wearer walked; called en tremblant, the liveliness of those jewels is continued in Greg’s and Jennifer’s work in the technical prowess and natural beauty of this wearable work of art.

This dynamic duo have won more than thirty international design awards and have exhibited their treasures in galleries and museums. Their jewels and exquisite figurines are collected by discerning clients across the world who seek their joyful creations..

YOKO LONDON GREGORE MORIN

Naomi Sarna, based in New York City has always had a fascination with coloured pearls. As a child she favoured coloured pearls and shells over all other gems. Her current obsession includes green pearls which she pairs with olive green diamonds and large baroque mauve pearls with mauve diamonds, all spiked with hot pink and deep purple sapphires. Her award winning Green Pearl Necklace combines Chinese fresh water pearls with American Sunstone which picks up the pinks and greens in the pearls; an especially happy combination of colours and textures.

Naomi especially favours baroque pearls which may be wrinkled or have undulating shapes and variations of colour swirling throughout the pearl. Many of Naomi’s pearl pieces are set as though the pearl was still in the water, or caught by a wave. While her pieces are serious art, she enjoys the subtle humour in concepts and the names she uses for them.

The Contessa, however, was inspired by the opulent folds of gowns and lace in Renaissance paintings, combining a lavish look with delicate scatterings of natural coloured diamonds and sapphires which repeat the colours of the pearls. Like most of Naomi’s jewels, the Contessa Pearl is set in 18 Karat white gold, and finished with a textured surface she calls moire, like the fabric. This finish and the warm colour of natural, un-plated gold are harmonious with the satin surface of the pearls. A sensuous work of art to hold, wear and behold.

In a future article, natural and cultured black and white varieties, as well as non-nacreous conch pearls will be addressed.

BOOK FREE PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION

FOR OUR STORES IN DUBAI

M: +971-52-6480925

UAE DUBAI

SARIGIANNI GOLD BOUTIQUE

Al Fardan Bldg

Port Saeed Boutique 1

M: +971-50-4696042

DYNASTY BOUTIQUE

Waterview Bldg

Port Saeed Boutique 1

M: +971-52-6480925

RUSSIA

SARIGIANNI MOSCOW BOUTIQUE

Prints Plaza, TRTs

ul. Profsoyuznaya, д. 129а, Moskva, Russia, 117321

M: +7905 549 96 97

GREECE

FACTORY & SHOWROOM

Kaloneri Siatista

Kozani 50300

T: 2465 0 71333

www.sarigiannifur.com

VMAX 200

We’ve all been there at some point, sat with a few friends over drinks, if you’re a gentleman of a certain age the conversation often ends up with cars and performance and which car goes faster than another. Well there’s a discreet event which goes all out to prove it for real and it’s called Vmax200…

Vmax200 started sixteen years ago when petrol-head oil broker Craig Williams wanted to see how fast his and his friend’s cars could go, at the time trackdays weren’t an option for supercars so he rented an airfield and they spent a sunny Saturday doing just that! The event has grown up somewhat since then and Williams, now a Director of Supercar Club Auto Vivendi which owns Vmax200 tells us all about it…

“When we started we were rough and ready, an old burger van and no loos, no safety and it was very, shall we say, ‘raw’. We’ve matured over the years and I swiftly realised we needed the very best safety team available – MSS, who handle Top Gear and the hit films - ‘The Fast and the Furious’ and ‘Mission Impossible’. We’ve subsequently upped the catering and added a driver’s lounge with live streaming of the whole event. It’s our business, we take it very seriously and we have a guest list of drivers to die for.”

To give a flavour of Vmax200 is tricky, you need to feel it, smell the petrol and feel the excitement in the air, a secret runway location, long, smooth, straight and with a band of drivers all with one vision, to see how fast they can go.

As you arrive you will note that some very serious players have turned out for the event; no less than two Bugatti Veyron, a Pagani Huayra, a Porsche 918 and an ultra-rare Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato, all ready to take their place on the grid, whilst resting up in the paddock, there is always a plethora of other supercars waiting patiently to hit the runway. Vmax200 are no strangers to motoring royalty though, it’s not unusual to see a Ferrari FXX, McLaren P1 and La Ferrari in attendance, although the current crown is held by the Swedish Koenigsegg Agera RSN at a frankly absurd 242mph whilst driven by the Koenigsegg test ‘pilot’.

After a thorough briefing it’s time for the safety lap and 70 hypercars and supercars make their way down the straight for a sighting lap. It is one of those spectacles you don’t see very often and quite literally the ground shakes beneath you. A glimpse in the rear view mirror sees a helicopter bringing up the rear of the field!

Then it is time to race the runway for real, and with a full TV crew capturing the action for ‘Vmax200 TV’, the cars line up and battle commences. It’s all taken in good spirits and camaraderie is high as the day goes on.

Aston Martin previously sponsored Vmax200 in both 2016 and 2017, and now Jaguar have stepped on to the startline bringing their staggering Special Vehicle Operations cars to the event, and Vmax200 now features ‘The fastest test drive in the world’…

Vmax200 drivers have the chance to take to the runway in the full range of ’SVR’ cars and push them to their ‘Vmax’. A truly exhilarating and unique experience, that Craig gives us a feeling for - “With an instructor next to me and the safety briefing ringing in my ears, the adrenaline was high as I prepared to unleash over 560bhp of British muscle. My weapon of choice? The brand new F-Type SVR. With the car’s special top speed ‘V-Max’ mode engaged the marshal’s arms dropped and I buried the throttle hard into the carpet. An operatic snarl bellowed through the cabin as the tyres battled for grip and was launched forward in anger. The instructor told me to ‘Keep it nailed’ and wasn’t going to argue. The car to my left was disappearing from view as the numbers rose… 120, 130, 140, 150… The sound of the engine, the tyres and the sheer wind noise became deafening as the end of the runway hurtled towards me at an ever increasing pace. 180MPH flashed up on the display and huge signs at the side of the runway telling me to ‘BRAKE’ meant it was time to sample the stoppers, it’s quite staggering how good brakes are on modern supercars and I was thrown hard against my seatbelt as the Jag hauled me up before the end of the runway. Adrenaline levels were through the roof as I drove back around the rest of the circuit with a big smile. I’ve done thousands of runs down the runway and for me it never gets boring.

Vmax200 is great fun and a unique experience, a track day this is not, more a high octane meeting for a group of likeminded connoisseurs with petrol in their veins and a heavy right foot!

www.vmax200.com for more information.

Surprisingly different...

A REFUGE OF TRANQUILITY

Inspired by Wuzhen’s maze of quiet canals and ancient alleyways, Alila Wuzhen offers an extraordinarily peaceful escape for exploring the town’s rich cultural heritage. Understated elegance, intuitive service and the finest lifestyle experiences set the tone for an unforgettable stay, offering indulgence for the senses and calm for the soul.

From USD 289 + taxes

RATE INCLUDES

Two-night stay at Garden Suite • Welcome amenity • Daily breakfast for two • Guided tour to the water town (Dongzha & Xizha) • Signature set dinner for two (with San Bai wine)

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Rates are subject to government goods and services tax • Booking period from 1 October 2018 until 31 March 2019 • Stay period from 1 October 2018 until 31 March 2019 • Promotional blackout periods may apply • Reservations are subjected to availability.

BOOK NOW at wuzhen@alilahotels.com

LUXURY IS A STATE OF BEING . . .

Sublime natural beauty abounds on the enchanting island of Koh Russey, a tropical jewel blessed with stunning coastlines, dramatic headlands, powder-sand beaches and tropical forests, framed by the emerald waters of the gulf and the azure sky. To celebrate our opening, enjoy your third night on us!

From USD 375 + taxes, per room, per night.

RATE INCLUDES

Accommodation in a Garden Pavilion • Return airport transfers to Sihanoukville • Complimentary speed boats to the island • 30-minute Foot Reflexology at Spa Alila • Complimentary yoga classes • Complimentary non-motorised water sports

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Rates are applicable to 12% government tax and 10% service charge • Booking period from now until 18 April 2019 • Stay period from 1 November 2018 until 21 April 2019 • Promotional blackout periods may apply • Reservations are subjected to availability.

BOOK NOW at kohrussey@alilahotels.com www.alilahotels.com/kohrussey

www.alilahotels.com

ALILA WUZHEN CHINA

ALILA VILLAS KOH RUSSEY CAMBODIA

Perfection THE KEY TO

‘A Steinway is a Steinway and there is nothing like it in the world’

ARTHUR RUBENSTEIN

In the technological age of restless innovation, efficiency and speed, making a Steinway takes around one year and remains a perfect art – one that has not changed for one hundred and sixty five years – but the road to greatness is rarely easy.

The story of Steinway is a family buffeted by political events, economic hardship and tragedy with eventual triumph, the result of dogged determination and hard work.

FROM FAMILY TRAGEDY TO GREATNESS

Henry Steinway (born Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg on 22nd February 1797) was born at a time when Germany was invaded repeatedly by foreign troops and in 1806, as Napoleon and his army threatened the region for the second time, Henry’s father and some of his older brothers were killed defending their homeland. Henry and his remaining family were forced to flee to the mountains where more of them died in the tough conditions, including his mother. Henry and his father became foresters in the service of the Duke of Brunswick. But tragedy continued, the hut that the family lived in was struck by lightning and collapsed, killing everyone except young Henry who was forced to crawl over the dead bodies of his father and remaining elder brothers to safety.

Heinrich Steinweg learnt carpentry under the Duke of Brunswick’s service when he was just 15 years old, an orphan and penniless. It was a skill that was to change his life.

In 1820 he moved to Lower Saxony, where he set up as a cabinet maker and repairer of organ pipes. In February 1825

Heinrich married Julianne Thiemer. The couple had ten children, with six sons and three daughters surviving. He was a tough taskmaster and his sons learnt to select, cut and polish wood, add strings, insert keyboards and other pieces.

The family’s first grand piano as we would know it was built in Heinrich’s kitchen in 1836 and it’s currently in the Musical Instruments Museum in Phoenix, Arizona. Heinrich would build 482 more over the next decade. His former employer, the Duke of Brunswick bought a grand piano from him, paying what was then a huge price of 300 marks.

But political and social instability were to intervene and in the Europe of 1848 the economy was sluggish.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK …

In 1850, the 53-year-old father of nine decided to move his large family to America, leaving his eldest son, to continue running the family business in Germany. The family moved into a tenement at 199 Hester Street. The come-down from their spacious home back in Germany must have been hard and life was difficult. The family also suffered from the hostility and prejudice faced by many German immigrants living in New York at that time. So they took the decision to Americanise their names. Heinrich became Henry, Steinweg became Steinway.

They officially founded the family firm, Steinway & Sons, in a loft at 55 Varick Street, lower Manhattan, as a verbal partnership in 1853. The company’s first piano, serial number 483, was sold to a New York family named Griswold for $500 and is now displayed in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

SALES GROW

As sales grew, reaching 500 pianos a year by 1859, the company moved to larger and larger shops on a regular basis. Eventually it occupied an entire block between 52nd and 53rd streets in Fourth Avenue.

For the first time, some of the machinery was steam powered and the company now employed 350 men who increased production to 1,800 pianos annually. The first Steinway Hall opened on 14th street in 1866 and with 2,000 seats it housed the New York Philharmonic until Carnegie Hall opened in 1891. Steinway pianos won awards in the Paris Exposition of 1867.

Having become an American citizen in 1863, Henry Engelhard Steinway died on February 7th 1871. His eldest son Theodore, a serious, intense introvert, took over the running of the company along with another son, William.

By now the family could afford to live in an impressive stone mansion on Long Island. William Steinway acquired the franchise for Daimler motorcars in the US but he also oversaw the expansion of Steinway & Sons.

In 1870 William Steinway bought a four hundred acre plot of land on Bowery Bay, Long Island. As well as a new lumber mill and foundry, he built houses for the workers, a post office and a lending library. Steinway Village, as it became known, also contained a public park and a kindergarten.

Two years later William launched a series of concerts in cities around the US by the great pianist Anton Rubenstein, initiating the Steinway Artist performances. Then, in 1875, a Steinway Hall opened in London and five years later a factory was opened in Hamburg. By 1876 the company was worth $8million with stock held entirely by family members who also continued to lead the company and oversee its growth.

William launched a high profile advertising campaign, which included generating endorsements from famous pianists and musicians such as Richard Wagner, Franz Liszt and the Rubinstein brothers, Nicholas and Anton contributed. A skilled marketer, William also released the names of royal fans including the Queen of Spain and Grand Duke Alexander of Russia who bought number 25,000. The AlmaTadema piano, made in 1883, was designed by the then very fashionable painter Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema with nine muses on the lid.

1903 saw the unveiling of the 100,000th Steinway piano. It was built by the “Art Case Piano Department” for President Theodore Roosevelt for the East Room of the White House.

Two of the World’s greatest pianists at Steinway Hall

By 1925 Steinway employed some 2,300 people and a second Steinway Hall opened at its current location on West 57th Street. Three years later two of the greatest pianists of their age, Vladimir Horowitz and Sergei Rachmaninoff, met at the Hall and played Rachmaninoff’s third Concerto. The piece became Horowitz’s trademark.

GREAT DEPRESSION

The Depression of the 1930s took its toll on Steinway & Son, as did the advent of radio, which gave people new opportunities to listen to music. In 1932 the plant was closed for two years while the existing stock of pianos was sold off and many of the staff took jobs driving taxis.

During World War II Steinway was forbidden to build pianos as they used vital raw materials that were needed for armaments. Instead, as a contribution to the war effort, the factory began to build gliders – and coffins.

In Germany, things were more difficult. When he came to power in 1936, Hitler had threatened to nationalise Steinway in the mistaken belief that the family were Jews. When America entered the war in 1941 because the Hamburg factory was owned by Americans it was impounded and was forced to build decoy aeroplanes and rifle butts, much to the horror of the Steinway craftsmen.

One of the members of the Allied forces who arrived in Hamburg and saw the various ruined Steinway factories and offices was the nephew of the company’s London boss. The New York offices started sending their Hamburg counterparts food parcels. The factory rebuilt second hand pianos while the company’s legal status was decided.

After the war, demand for Steinway pianos began to take off again. The company also began to publish sheet music to fill the void left by the wartime destruction and the company’s experts began to rescue damaged pianos from bombed out buildings, salvaging what parts they could for new instruments.

STEINWAY FAMILY SELL OUT

However, the turnaround was slow going and so in 1972 the family decided to sell the business to the Columbia Broadcasting System.

The company invested heavily and allowed Steinway engineers to make use of its technical resources and the salespeople to exploit its powerful marketing department. However, there were conflicts between the Columbia management style and the traditions of Steinway production.

In 1985 a group of Boston businessmen bought the business under the name Steinway Musical Properties. Three years later the company celebrated its 135th anniversary with the presentation of the 500,000th piano at a gala concert at Carnegie Hall.

In 1996 under its new name, Steinway Musical Instruments Inc., the company floated on the New York Stock Exchange. Steinway shares were quoted on Wall Street using the abbreviation “LVB” standing for Ludwig van Beethoven. The late 1990s saw the company’s expansion into Japan and China.

THE CROWN JEWEL COLLECTION AND A NEW OWNER

The year 1999 marked the introduction of the Crown Jewel Collection of pianos with precious wood veneer finishes from around the world. At the same time the walnut upright Steinway piano owned by ex-Beatle John Lennon and used by him to compose Imagine was sold for over $2million dollars to the late pop star George Michael.

On 5th March 2003, Steinway & Sons celebrated its 150th anniversary. Leading the celebrations was a concert series held at Carnegie Hall in New York featuring artists from classical, jazz and pop including Peter Cincotti, Art Garfunkel, Herbie Hancock and Eroica Trio. The designer Karl Lagerfeld was commissioned to design a piano to mark the occasion.

In September 2013 the investment management firm Paulson & Co Inc. bought Steinway in a deal which valued the company at $512million.

Describing himself as the “guardian” of the greatest name in piano making John Paulson said of Steinway pianos: “They are the epitome of high culture and art… my goal is preserve it and to ensure the greatness is continued in particular to the quality of the instruments and secondly to expand the distribution of Steinway to other parts of the world where Steinway is not fully represented ... not only in the current generations but in future generations.”

In its largest product innovation for 70 years in 2015, Steinway created a selfplaying model, Spirio – the world’s finest player piano system that accurately reproduces live performances –controlled by iPad.

Today, Steinway is the choice for 9 out of 10 concert pianists. This anniversary year, the ONE SIX FIVE Limited editions ONE SIX FIVE/ONE, limited to only 10 pieces worldwide, and ONE SIX FIVE/ TWO have been created to signify and celebrate the Steinway story and its continuous drive for excellent craftsmanship and design.

BECAUSE HE’S WORTH IT

DWYANE WADE AWAY COLLECTION

Dwyane Wade might be retiring from the NBA after the upcoming season, but after that chapter is done, he has a long career waiting in fashion and style. One glimpse into his fashionable future is his current new collab with surging luggage brand,

AWAY. The new capsule collab consists of sleek polycarbonate suitcases with a definite Miami touch; ocean blue exteriors and a custom printed interior. Other items in this drop also include a multi-functional Dopp Kit and a very versatile Duffle (both

fashioned from high quality leather and durable nylon). The collection was made for “ambitious travelers who never set limits on how far they can go,” and we think they succeeded in doing just that. Well done!

THE NEO TOURBILLON WITH THREE BRIDGES SKELETON

In unveiling the first ever skeleton version of its Neo Tourbillon with Three Bridges, Girard-Perregaux is showcasing a new exercise in horological architecture. Making light of gravity, mass and opacity, the Neo Tourbillon with Three Bridges Skeleton proudly asserts the relevance of the Girard-Perregaux approach to design, watchmaking and style.

The Neo Tourbillon with Three Bridges Skeleton is crisscrossed with slender black finely rounded bridges. Their curves and cut-outs define the structure of the visual effect and support an incredibly slim mechanical structure. The ethereal suspended masses appear truly improbable given the extreme transparency of this complex calibre.

Stretched like cables over a precipice, the bridges of the skeleton calibre are a nod to the architecture of their monumental counterparts around the world. The Millau Viaduct in terms of its sheer scope; the Mohammed VI bridge in Rabat for the openworked and sensual shape of its pylons; and the Oversteek Bruk for the fine sense of balance it exudes.

BENTLEY MOMENTUM

Driving ahead as the most sought after luxury car brand in the world, Bentley also swiftly shifts gear to lead as the foremost fragrance brand by launching Bentley Momentum. Joining Bentley for Men and Bentley Infinite, the luxury automotive brand’s third pillar matches an assertive, bracingly masculine fragrance with a sleek, modern presentation.Keeping up with the highest standard of Bentley cars, the new, forceful composition has been created by the renowned master perfumer Nathalie Lorson. Contrasting aromatic freshness with potent, vibrant woods, the new fragrance is offered in two intensities. Bentley Momentum Eau de Toilette and Bentley Momentum Intense Eau de Parfum, each deliver its distinctive olfactory design.

The Momentum notes include Bergamot, Aquatic Accord, Green Violet, Clary Sage, Ambergris, Cashmere Wood, Jasmine Petals, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Moss and Musks. The Intense edition builds up the intensity of the composition with new ingredients that include Bergamot, Elemi Essence, Lavender Essence, Geranium Essence, Tonka Bean, Ambergris, Ambery Wood, Sandalwood and Musks.Bentley Momentum’s bottle design is inspired by New York’s soaring, vertical skyline. Tall, rectangular and faceted, it is made of luxuriously heavy glass. The front and back are covered with silver brushed-metal plates, printed with the iconic “Flying B” Bentley logo and the name of the fragrance. The rounded metal stopper is entirely embossed with Bentley’s signature knurling. The same knurling motif also adorns the top and sides of the box to complete the look.

ARCH MOTORCYCLE PUSHES THE LIMITS

Arch Motorcycle dropped a lot of jaws at its with three new models. The California maker updated its KRGT-1, expanded beyond the cruiser segment with the sporty, single-sided swingarm Arch 1s, and dove into a whole other world with the ultra-exclusive Method 143. Using precision machining, carbon fiber, American V-twin motors, and all ultrapremium components, Arch just added some serious diversity and performance to its line of custom, handmade motorcycles.

The KRGT-1 was originally developed in 2015 as a custom, luxury power cruiser. was lucky enough to ride more than 1,000 miles on one this year, and while it’s a comfortable cruiser, it’s also a bike you can really push and ride hard in turns. The new bike is powered by the same S&S proprietary 124ci engine and built on a very similar steel chassis with an aluminum subframe. For 2018, Arch updated several components, most notably the 48mm fork, display gauge, dual six-piston front brake calipers with optional ABS, and a redesigned tank shape. More than 200 parts were CNC machined for this motorcycle, and, just like before, every bike is custom fit for the buyer.

GUCCI FLASHTREK SNEAKER

Gucci‘s Fall/Winter 2018 show was full of surprises. Creative director Alessandro Michele continues to push the boundaries of runway fashion borrowing inspiration from streetwear and European workwear. Besides the show-stopping props that included a baby dragon, snake and lizards, the Milan Fashion Week presentation also debuted new footwear silhouettes from the Italian label.

The standout is the hiking sneaker which is draped with squareshaped jewels. Gucci’s text logo is then printed on the shoe’s tag in SEGA’s nostalgic script. Models wore an assortment of chunk heels, retro ’90s jelly sandals and a pair of flat mules engraved with the New York Yankees’ insignia. Michele is set to disrupt the sneaker community again like he did with the rework of the Ace sneaker.

REVERSIBLE VINTAGE CHECK DOWN-FILLED PUFFER JACKET

Tradition meets contemporary vision at British powerhouse, Burberry. Drawing on its 150-year heritage, the highly coveted label combines modern city style with its rich history of craftsmanship and is renowned for its iconic trench coats and sophisticated staples. Sharp silhouettes,

fresh colourways and heritage checks are signature parts of every collection. This puffer jacket is given the Burberry touch with a House Check print -- the label's fame motif. Crafted from shell, it features long sleeves, front pockets, a padded interior and a front zip fastening.

ALL ABOUT the Girl

AZZA FAHMY THE GYPSY COLLECTION

Leading luxury design house, Azza Fahmy takes us on a mystical and enchanted cultural journey inspired by the continents of North Africa, with Egypt’s Eastern and Western deserts, India, Asia, with a nod to the era of the Ottoman Empire for the 2018 collection entitled ‘Gypsy’.

Intricately designed by Amina Ghali, Azza Fahmy’s Head of Design, the 14 piece hand-crafted collection creatively epitomises the spirit of avant-garde desert lifestyles and delivers a mix of multi-cultural characteristics and shapes of tribal jewellery while celebrating the vibrancy of the Desert Gypsy woman and the modern nomad traveller.

The Laureato continues to extend its sphere of influence by connecting with women for whom style expresses an art of living. Pride of place is given to the sheer joy of being alive and of proclaiming that happiness, as well as to energy-giving pop-inspired variations and to the unmistakable graphic appeal embodied by the Laureato. In 38 or 34mm versions, powered by a mechanical self-winding or a quartz movement and brimming with peppy colours, the five models of the Edition 2018 from GirardPerregaux set a vibrant new upbeat tone.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Carolina Herrera’s campaign against breast cancer. Since 2008, Carolina Herrera has globally supported women who put up a daily fight against the disease and their family and friends through initiatives of awareness, support and funding.

To commemorate the anniversary, CH Carolina Herrera has teamed up with model and philanthropist Jessica Kahawaty and her mother, breast cancer survivor Rita Kahawaty to bring a message of hope to breast cancer patients and their loved ones.

For the first time on record, the mother and daughter duo share their heroing story of strength, persistence, and positivity. On the importance of family support, Jessica comments, “Family plays a huge role when it comes to this situation. They are pillars, a source of

positivity and strength. A reason to keep fighting as my mother used to tell us. We all stood beside my mother during this difficult time and made her believe that nothing is impossible to overcome. Your family is your rock. She was our rock even though she felt that we were hers. We got strength from her willingness to live.”

The brand’s powerful motto –We won't give up– will be spread in order to unite, cheer up and comfort the patients and their loved ones. The commitment against the disease entails sharing positive messages over the counter and through digital media platforms and fund raising to support research and increase awareness all over the world.

In the UAE and KSA, CH Carolina Herrera has pledged to donate a portion of all RTW sales made on 19th October, 2018 to breast cancer associations in the region – namely Pink Caravan (UAE) and Zahra Association (KSA).

Great improvements have been made in the last decade as far as treatments

and therapies are concerned. Moreover, due to the enormous rise in awareness and visibility, and to the multiplication of regular check ups, early detection has grown, which has increased the chances of survival and of a better cure. Besides the medical aspect, it’s crtical for patients to maintain a positive support system during treatment. “A positive mentality is one of the most important things to win against this adversity. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and make you laugh. Never give up, ” says Rita.

Prevention and early detection –through self-exploratory exams– are crucial and will continue to be the main issues promoted by CH PINK. The importance of love, family, friendship, hope and of tiny gestures like a smile, a wish or a hug –crucial in the daily fight against breast cancer– will also be enhanced.

With this inspiring message, CH Carolina Herrera will continue to challenge breast cancer not only today, but also tomorrow.

Today, being oneself is a real art. It is a matter of taking perfectly measured decisions aimed at displaying various facets of one’s personality, including a touch of boldness, creativity and sometimes also a rebellious streak. In other words, showcasing individuality. Clothes, shoes, jewellery and a handbag all contribute to the persona, while a watch has a place of its own. An essential object rather than a mere fashion accessory, it literally says it all at first glance, before revealing subtler nuances as time goes by.

LAUREATO, A QUESTION OF TASTE AND CHOICE

The Laureato is a historical watch in the sense that it asserted a design combining sportiness with a sense of chic back in the 1970s, when elegance had thus far been the predominant factor in women’s watches. There is nothing ordinary about wearing a watch that played such a ground-breaking role.

The octagonal bezel is another standout feature. In terms of watch design, round, rectangular and occasionally oval shapes were – and indeed remain – the norm. The octagon is a much rarer phenomenon, especially when inspired by Italian architecture as was the case for the designer who created this highly distinctive bezel for Girard-Perregaux.

The current Laureato also stems from a wager on the future. It made its grand comeback in 2016 as a limited series in tribute to the 225th anniversary of the Maison. In the wake of this successful edition, Girard-Perregaux decided to give this contemporary watch with its excellent timekeeping precision the place it deserved within its collections. The adventure thus began… all over again.

Finally, in its 38mm version, this model proves uniquely capable of jumping the gender barrier. Masculine? Feminine? Who cares? The Laureato is a timepiece with a standout personality and there is definitely no room for doubt about that.

CH Carolina Herrera launches Campaiagn against Breast Cancer in GCC region

ELLEƧD THE EFFORTLESSLY CHIC PRÊT À PORTER LEATHERWEAR BRAND FOR THE SERIOUSLY STYLISH HAS UNVEILED ITS NEW COLLECTION FOR AW18. THE BRAND, WHICH FOCUSES ON EXCEPTIONALLY CUT LEATHER AND SUEDE SILHOUETTES, HAS AN ETHOS THAT PUTS STYLE ABOVE TRENDS. THIS HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED IN THEIR NEW COLLECTION OF GARMENTS, WHICH ARE STILL CLASSICALLY CHIC IN THEIR NATURE, BUT HAVE BEEN GIVEN A NEW SEASON TWIST AND CORE CLASSICS RE-VAMPED.

Available now, the new colour palette includes forest green, midnight blue, burgundy and taupe, which blend seamlessly among the brand’s core palette of black and gunmetal grey.

With a daring and provocative nature at its heart, yet so sophisticated in their cut, quality and nature, the pieces can easily be worn from the boardroom to the bar!

This powerful combination of business and fashion is ELLEƧD’s raison d'être and underlines their mission of creating confident, timeless clothing that exudes sex appeal.

From classic LBD’s and tough-luxe biker jackets to pencil skirts and T-shirts, the new season collection comprises of core fashion staples suitable for all social situations and settings. Building upon a style staple, their best-selling ‘Perfecto Jacket’ has also received a luxe, modern

update and is now available in gunmetal grey. This meticulously designed outerwear article is definitely this season’s stand out product and will inevitably be seen adorned upon the best dressed and most discerning fashion-forward women across the globe.

SPOTLIGHT AUTUMN/ WINTER ESSENTIALS

The ELLEƧD founders, Flora Mascolo and Meriem Semlali-Broby, also believe in the importance of mixing up a look, as shown in their new AW18 campaign imagery. They believe that the ELLEƧD woman should have the ability to play with her style, mixing core leather staples with silk, sneakers or vintage denim. The ELLEƧD woman has the confidence to be her own woman and create her own style – with the brand providing the fashionable foundations for a multitude of en vogue and new season looks.

Additionally, and for the fashionistas amongst us, when looking at the AW18 Pantone Fashion Colour Trend Report, this seasons key colours are a mirrorimage of those seen across ELLEƧD’s new collection. ‘Comforting classics’ such as deep reds, urbane greens and timeless soft greys dominate which underlines ELLEƧD’s talent for redefining classic pieces and giving them a modern twist.

Mix this with the muted colour blocking and layering trends as seen on the catwalks of New York, London, Milan and Paris and ELLEƧD provides the core foundation for your fashion forward winter wardrobe! Add glossy satin fabrics to elevate a simplistically chic ELLEƧD A-line skirt and a dash of semi sheer lace for a sultrier look. Alternatively, contradict this look by draping their tough-luxe Perfecto biker jacket loosely over the shoulders of a cocktail dress to stay in-line with the season’s more understated riff on after-dark shine.

While the visual impact of each ELLEƧD item is classically bold, the experience of wearing each calfskin creation is nothing but subtle. Produced using only the highest quality and buttery soft lambskin, all pieces provide comfort, quality and longevity. This in itself underlines the notion that the ELLEƧD woman, while forever confident and not afraid to make a statement, is still never willing to forgo comfort. The end product thus provides a seductive silhouette of elegance that can be worn every day.

THE NEW SENSUAL EAU DE PARFUM

Gaggenau’s grand architectural statement:

the ‘Gaggenau Home’.

EuroCucina, Salone del Mobile 2018.

Milan/Munich, April 2018: Gaggenau, the luxury brand for professional-grade home appliances, unveiled the ‘Gaggenau Home’ at EuroCucina, 2018. The brand achieved an extraordinary turnout, determined by the perfect execution of the booth design –inspired by grand architectural statements.

A core element of the booth concept centred on placing a spotlight on the new Vario cooling 400 series; a portfolio of cooling products inspired by grand architectural statements. The result was a full-scale representation of an aspirational domestic space, that presented an immersive stage to showcase the appliances’ ability to go beyond the kitchen. The distinctly designed ‘Gaggenau Home’ created a powerful narrative –expressing how the new functional, imposing range are grand appliances, that mirror the architectural statement of the home.

The ‘Gaggenau Home’ focused on an open-plan kitchen and living space, which hosted a suite of Gaggenau appliances such as the new Vario cooling series, baking, coffee and cooking appliances. The home also included a garage, foyer, living area and outdoor space, all seamlessly connected with the use of authentic, pure materials and a discerningly designed interior structure.

Whilst creating a booth concept of this magnitude, longstanding partners, architectural firm einszu33 led by Hendrik Müller and Georg Thiersch, deconstructed the sentiment of grand architectural statements. Visitors to the booth experienced an aspirational insight into Gaggenau’s vision, perfectly articulated through a sequence of architectural gestures. The home reflected with precision, the harmony between the rituals of domestic culinary culture, and the functional and aesthetic aspects of sophisticated, centralised living.

Sven Schnee, Head of Global Brand Gaggenau, commented: “We utilised this opportunity to showcase our newest range of appliances, the award winning* Vario cooling 400 series, and its ability to integrate with our ideal of the future contemporary

LONG ISLAND 85’ NDS EVOLUTION

On a clear, bright, spring morning, in Southern Brittany; NDS Evolution gracefully leaves the dock in Concarneau. As she exits the harbour into the sparkling Bay de la Forêt a strong breeze of 25 knots is blowing.

NDS Evolution - 85' catamaran is the latest delivery from JFA Yachts. The sails are hoisted and she goes from 0-15 knots in just a few minutes. The transition from motor to sail is seamless, thanks to easy sail handling characteristics - all lines are led back to the flybridge with well thought out line termination locations and hydraulic winches. This makes her suitable for operating with a reduced crew and offers excellent manoeuvrability.

The Long Island semi custom catamaran range is designed by the Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group. This 85' sailing catamaran offers the interior space and performance of a 110' monohull, but with far less draft and much more stability. NDS Evolution is in accordance with WindQuest philosophy, ie aluminium hulls and composite bulkeads and superstructure. NDS Evolution is fitting with a hard top flybridge. In colder climes this can be closed off using transparent windshields.

Today, however, is full of brilliant sunshine and the windshields are not in use. She is racing along yet it does not feel like it, the size of the yacht and her large freeboard deliver a smooth and comfortable ride thanks the powerful Carbon rig.

The owners of NDS Evolution were already experienced catamaran owners. Coming from a smaller catamaran they were looking for something larger, more reliable and high in quality. JFA Yachts has built up a reputation for constructing solid, luxurious, ocean-going vessels over their 25 year history and its strong sailing culture and commitment to quality combined with its enthusiasm and savoir-faire made it the perfect fit. And the Owners’ brief? A planned trip to the 2 poles plus family living aboard for extended periods. There would be long crossings, so extreme comfort was required.

The first Long Island 85', WindQuest, was launched in 2014, and has covered 45 000nm since then. Currently on her way from the Baltic Sea and St Petersburg, she has visited the West Indies, Panama, the western US coast up to Alaska, Bermuda, western Europe and the UK, including a trip up the Thames to the centre of London. WindQuest is also very successful on the charter market, regularly booking several weeks charter each winter.

In their constant focus to reduce weight JFA Yachts has paid particular attention to the hull mass of NDS Evolution and used lightweight materials for fittings. This has resulted in a low completion weight of just 56T. The mast and boom are carbon; the sails including a fat head mainsail with a large roach, are D4 membrane, providing real performance, reliability and style.

The deck layout is very generous; a large aft cockpit features a lounge area to starboard and a dining table to port. Each side is flanked by a large sunpad. Like the flybridge, this area can be completely closed off and heated. Perfect for this yacht’s adventurous itinerary. One feels a lot of time will be spent in this area. The flybridge hosts the exterior helm station and sail handling winches. In addition, there is also a good sized lounge area with sofas, a table and sunpads. Good storage is found in the numerous exterior lockers for fenders and mooring lines as well as for equipment for recreational pursuits; inflatable SUP, wakeboard etc. A large trunk mounted over the swim platform stores 4 bicycles and diving equipment. Behind the cockpit the 16’ tender is launched using a hydraulic Tenderlift platform.

The vessel is equipped with 2 x 400hp engines and 2 x19kW generators. On the hardtop are 16 flex solar panels providing just over 2kW of electricity for quiet running.

The sophisticated electronics and entertainment systems are well able to handle the long stays aboard by the owners.

In the interior Darnet Design and JFA Yachts study office worked closely with the owners to create a clean and clear contemporary ambiance. Light oak panels contrast with walnut. Light coloured fabrics from Pierre Frey and Dedar Milano keep the mood airy and fresh, whilst the varied textures add warmth. Vibrancy is brought by multiple cushions in chartreuse and dark greige, colours taken from the striking logo design on the hull and sails thus connecting interior and exterior.

Large sliding glass doors provide entry to the interior salon from the aft deck, one space flowing into the other delivering an inside/ outside feel. Inside the salon there is a bar and lounge area to starboard and a dining table on the port side. The central nav desk connects the two areas. JFA Yachts' attention to detail is evident everywhere.

Forward the elegant owner’s cabin occupies almost the entire width of the boat. Windows on three sides deliver a 180° panoramic view and abundant natural light. It is a spacious cabin with a corner seating area, a desk and private access to the forward deck. The bathroom is housed, down a couple of steps, in the port hull. Also featured in the port hull are a children's cabin with 3 beds and a double guest cabin aft. The

starboard hull offers a second aft double guest cabin and the forward part is dedicated to the crew with the captain's cabin, a twin crew cabin and a large galley with crew mess. The vessel can accommodate 9 guests and 4 crew.

NDS Evolution is a sleek, powerful, modern cat. She delivers great performance in a high level of comfort.

JFA Yachts is a boutique shipyard building both motor and sailing mono and multi hulled yachts. They are building a 78' power cat with an enclosed wheelhouse on the flybridge and a seawater bathing pool on the deck, innovative features on a cat of this size. Plans for the Long Island range already exist at 78', 85' and 100'. Interiors are fully customizable.

Step into The Westin Turtle Bay Resort & Spa, Mauritius and you’ll notice right away how great it feels to be here. Rest assured, throughout your stay we do everything we can to make sure you say goodbye satisfied, energized and revitalized. The resort is located in a peaceful spot in the historic Balaclava area, facing the idyllic Turtle Bay, a protected marine park on the north-west coast of Mauritius.

Natural tropical elements like local teak and lava rocks combined with contemporary design to create a serene and elegant atmosphere. Lounge at our stunning natural beach and two outdoor pools or recharge with boat trips, water activities, tennis, fascinating local tours and day trips.

westinturtlebaymauritius.com reservations.westin@starwoodhotels.com +230. 204.14.00

CORPORATE ELITE CHERIDA:

for the FASHION FORWARD CLOTHING

This season, a new brand has emerged that’s destined to revolutionise corporate womenswear forever. CHERIDA is a luxury collection for the professional woman that reimagines corporate style with high quality timeless classics.

Launching in AW18, its debut core collection comprises of strong tailoring alongside a design fusion of both masculine and feminine silhouettes, giving a modern twist to the classic corporate wardrobe.

The collection comprises of ten core pieces that can either be bought separately or in their entirety to produce the ultimate workwear wardrobe. All garments are crafted using only the finest materials such as 100% silk and super-wool to create high quality clothing that women can wear every day.

From classic LBD’s and sharply tailored silk jackets to fishtail skirts and culottes, the dynamic debut collection appeals to all ages and styles. The colour palette is solely monochrome, meaning the garments are timeless investment pieces that will transcend all seasons and trends.

All materials used within the CHERIDA debut capsule collection are sourced in the UK and manufactured in London, a point of difference that not even the most high-profile designers can match.

Founder, Cherida Patterson, set up her eponymous brand after spotting a gap in the market for fashion forward corporate wear that combines confidence and power with both style and quality. Raised in London, influenced by Arabian lifestyle and having lived in the Middle East and New York, her evolution process has been inspired by people, cosmopolitan cities, places and experiences.

The end result is a striking collection of pieces that are set to redefine the fashion workwear industry and provide women with individual yet timeless pieces that empower – a collection of true modern classics.

The debut AW18 campaign imagery is also just as striking and compelling as the garments themselves, having been shot by the founder’s uncle, Roger Charity, a highly regarded creative who spear-headed the revolutionary fashion photography movement of the 80’s.

The prêt-à-porter collection also offers an exclusive add-on service whereby garments can be exclusively tailored to fit the client’s exact measurements. Cherida and her design team can come to your residence in order to attain the client’s exact measurements and requirements so that each garment adorns the body perfectly.

With its strong tailoring and powerful modern edge, CHERIDA is a brand destined to dominate the wardrobes of the elite and become a major player within the luxury fashion industry.

Escape time.

Set in the otherworldly beauty of the Baa Atoll, The Nautilus offers true liberation. Here you’re free to be yourself and reconnect with what matters most. Reserve your bohemian hideaway and rediscover the joy of what it means to simply be.

A world of your own making

Truffle Hunting

at Villa Lena, Tuscany White Truffles

White truffle season is fast approaching, and there is no better place to discover the unique experience of seasonal truffle hunting than Villa Lena.

Villa Lena is wild Tuscany’s unique agriturismo combining holiday accommodation, a farm-to-table restaurant and a not-for-profit art foundation. The white truffle, or tartufo bianco, season starts mid-tolate September and carries on until Christmas time, during which Villa Lena will be hosting truffle hunting expeditions.

Guests will have the chance to take part in the seasonal truffle hunt, accompanied by Villa Lena’s specialized agriculture team and Lagotto Romagnola dogs, who promise to reveal all of their best kept secrets and knowledge about succeeding in a hunt; Villa Lena’s chefs in residence will then instruct on preparing and cooking the truffles at the farm-to-table restaurant. As always at Villa Lena, guests are included in the community of resident artists and musicians who host special cocktails, concerts, and creative workshops alongside the other activities on offer.

There will also be the opportunity to experience fresh truffles in the best possible way; finely shaved over homemade Tuscan pasta, accompanied by a glass of Villa Lena’s own wine. Better

yet, truffle lovers can experience a full wine tasting to accompany their meal, sampling some of the most unique wines found in the region. Guests can also buy the Villa Lena truffles, fresh from the truffle hunt yield, from the Villa Lena shop.

With its biodynamic vineyards and agriculture, organic kitchen gardens, speciality produce and creative approach to cuisine and food culture, Villa Lena’s stunning setting in wild nature is the perfect place to experience the best of Tuscany’s harvest season food traditions such as the white truffle hunt.

MORE INFORMATION ON WHITE TRUFFLES:

The woods at Villa Lena include a variety of oak, ash, and white poplars which can grow in sandy soil in a humid environment. These conditions are ideal for the white truffle, and yet the woods of Villa Lena opened to truffle hunting only two years ago. Until then, the estate was used predominantly for hunting, and the truffles lay dormant without anyone noticing except the wild boars, who are particularly tasty due to their diets of truffles and oak acorns. Now they can collect approximately 25 kg of white truffles per season.

These truffles resist cultivation, are available only a few months of the year to those with local expertise and trained animals, and once foraged, the truffles must be consumed within a week.

These factors cause the delicacy to be expensive and exclusive in restaurants. At Villa Lena you will get to experience the whole process from start to finish – from foraging to cooking, and then, of course, enjoying it in a selection of gourmet dishes.

ABOUT VILLA LENA

Founded by contemporary art collector Lena Evstafieva, her musician husband Jérôme Hadey and their friend Lionel Bensemoun, a successful entrepreneur and founder of the hip Parisian nightclub Le Baron, Villa Lena aims to bring together their experiences in entertainment, music, art, film and other creative fields in one place. Art and culture are at the heart of the project and the estate is a creatively inspiring and serene place both for individuals and families, with a diverse and international context for the guests and the artists of Villa Lena.

The restoration of Villa Lena commenced in 2013. Interior designer Clarisse Demory revived the living spaces by recycling and restoring some of the existing Tuscan furniture combined with vintage mid-century pieces. This eclectic "neo folk" style creates a fresh and uncluttered atmosphere throughout the hotel. Rooms are designed with an emphasis on easy chic and spaces are filled with vintage pieces, recycled furniture and art produced at the residency.

Offering multiple places to stay and to rest and enjoy your break, guests are

invited to rent apartments or houses which are spread over the estate, including rooms in converted stables, self-contained apartments, and private houses. San Michele is located right in the centre of the property, next to the main pool and with the views of either the 19th century villa or Tuscan rolling hills. San Michele rooms have been renovated in the winter of 2016/17 and offer en-suite and shared bathrooms with AC and wifi. Santa Maria is a former hunters lodge recently renovated; Santa Maria now houses four modest one bedroom apartments.

Renacchi is set within 10-minute walking distance from the heart of the property and is ideal for a family holiday. It houses 6 individual apartments, each fully equipped with their own kitchen and dining area. The pool and an outdoor wood fire grill area are perfect for evening BBQ’s, which can be used by all guests, as well as a kid’s park. Fattoria houses ancient stables remodelled into apartments with high ceilings, terraces and tall fireplaces and Stento and Stentino are two separate houses with a shared pool 15 minutes’ walk from the centre.

CHESS contemporary

LHOUETTE: “MORE OR LESS”

Lhouette first drew inspiration from East London’s street art scene, appreciating the culture as outsider and expressing this through a unique, self-taught art form. However, prior to his career as an artist, Lhouette took off from his hometown to join the Royal Navy at the age of 17, finding himself traveling to the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and Europe for six months at a time. While at sea, Lhouette began to create scrapbooks, postcards, souvenirs, and

his own doodles, drawing inspiration from an array of different cultures and his ever-changing surroundings. Elements of Lhouette’s early techniques can be seen among the more polished artwork of today using raw materials such as forklift pallets and other industrial cast-offs. The striking binary between the old and new and the raw and the refined is the major juxtaposition inherent to Lhouette’s work.

DANIELA RAYTCHEV: "THE GLASS CEILING"

One set in particular struck me as of potential interest. "The Glass Ceiling", Daniela Raytchev's set depicts conflicts within, enquiring about social stigmas, especially with regards to mental health and equal rights, promoting honesty and positive messaging. Raytchev’s paintings and sculptures are bold, at times ironic, feminine yet feminist, touching poignantly on the themes of the worldwide #metoo campaign. This is also seen clearly in her chess set, created using drops of red and broken glass on a subtly toned board.

In 2015/2016 Raytchev received the Selected Artist Award for Beat, a charity that helps people affected by eating disorders. She has also established closer working relationship and supports National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) in the U.S.

“A glass ceiling is a metaphor used to represent an invisible barrier that keeps a given demographic (typically applied to minorities) from rising beyond a certain level in a hierarchy. The Glass Ceiling art chess installation is a commentary on the recent turbulent climate regarding exposure of sexual assaults, inequalities,

NETTE ROBINSON: "SPOILS OF THE OCEAN"

In addition, perhaps you might also be interested in "Spoils of the Ocean", a board created by female artist, jazz singer and chess player, Nette Robinson.

“When was invited to create a chess set for this exhibition, I decided to paint one with a message. settled on the subject of the oceans, which is particularly topical now. There are so many damning reports and assessments appearing about the damage caused by such things as plastic pollution, climate change, and rising sea temperatures, resulting in the decimation of marine life and the bleaching of corals. The white pieces represent these fading corals and the opposing pieces are painted to represent the seas, contaminated with

fragments of plastic. The alternating light and dark squares of my chessboard show both clear seas and the darker polluted waters.

However, also wanted my chess set to look beautiful, (as well as to be playable). These issues of pollution and climate change are terrible and more than concerning, but on this planet and in nature there is great beauty. Therefore, my chess set shows both the ‘spoiling’ factors, such as plastic debris and the wonderful ‘spoils’—the jewel-like corals, (which despite the bleaching, are still exquisite), as beautiful. It is serendipitous that the word “spoil” contains another pollutant—oil—that has wrought havoc on the seas, beaches, and sea life— which I have illustrated on many of the dark squares.” Nette Robinson

and suppression still so predominant, especially at the workplace. My personal experience sparked the inspiration for this art piece and I so closely relate to it. Glass Ceiling is a metaphor for women breaking through social barriers and limitations, and a celebration of new feminist movements such as #metoo and #timesup. The work shows that the passion and spirit for change is in its glory. It also acknowledges that a lot of blood had to be spilled to get to this stage. It reflects on the fragility of human nature, rawness of the subject and the brutal reality of what one is talking about.” Daniela Raytchev

SOPHIE MATISSE

Finally, we have been working with Sophie Matisse, the great granddaughter of Henri Matisse & stepgranddaughter of Marcel Duchamp. While clearly what we would think of when we consider the notion of “Art Royalty”, she is also herself hugely successful as an international contemporary artist. Sophie gained much public attention for her series in which she painted classic artworks such as Mona Lisa without the figures, entitled Back in 5 Minutes. She attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston and L’Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris. While in Paris, she met and married French Pop Artist Alain Jacquet, with whom she had a daughter, Gaia in 1993.

Sophie has created not one but two sets for Purling, the below being entitled "Alice in Wonderland".

“This Alice in Wonderland-inspired chess set with its candy-like colours was a lot of fun to work with. I think keeping even just an air of playfulness in any battle is essential for self-preservation! Some of the best solutions are the simplest, a useful reminder that even just a little magical thinking can not only save your skin, but also your soul.” Sophie Matisse

THE NEW SENSUAL EAU DE PARFUM

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