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Thursday, June 30, 2022
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Strength, Freedom and Destiny: Louis Vuitton’s Latest High Jewellery Collection
Infused with the power of mythological characters, Louis Vuitton encapsulates the essence of its spirit with its fourth high jewellery collection titled “Spirit”. Designed by Francesca Amfitheatrof, the Maison’s Artistic Director for Watches and Jewellery, the collection brings together concepts held dear by the brand, and is the perfect fit for the contemporary Louis Vuitton woman.
The collection stands true to Louis Vuitton’s core ethos: its pioneering spirit, capacity for innovation and constant desire to explore new identities. With ideas of destiny and soaring to new heights, as well as liberty, strength and the notion of infinity, Amfitheatrof has taken the mythology around fantastical creatures and transpose it to the 21st century, creating allegorical high jewellery pieces infused with her highly contemporary vision of the symbols showcased in the collection.
“Like a phoenix rising from the ashes to take flight, or a dragon breathing protective fire, the Louis Vuitton woman exudes amazing strength, energy and optimism. It is that very femininity — so emancipating and emblematic of the Maison — that I wanted to embody in Spirit.”
– Francesca Amfitheatrof
The stunning collection features five key values across 125 spectacular pieces: Radiance, Liberty, Destiny, Fantasy and Grace. It comprises more pieces than any high jewellery collection in the history of Louis Vuitton, making it the Maison’s largest ever. It requires over 40,000 hours of work in its Parisian ateliers and took the artisan jewellers three years to source for the perfect gems; with sapphires from Sri Lanka, emeralds from Colombia and rubies from Mozambique.
To express all the vitality that drives the sense of adventure in the collection, triangle shapes and Vuitton’s iconic V shape is used to create unique designs and a high-impact visual language.
“It reads as the Vuitton V and resembles an arrow, which was the earliest graphic symbol ever created by humans – pointing the direction, it constantly urges us forward.”
– Francesca Amfitheatrof
This provides Spirit with a graphic purity whose aesthetic force runs through every design, linking them like a precious, live energy.
Grace
Two phoenix wings unfold around the neck of a stunning 65.26-carat tsavorite from East Africa. It acts as a metaphor for the Louis Vuitton woman’s capacity for renewal, soaring off to discover new lands and reach new heights. The design is formed of a double V — one V made of custom-cut baguette diamonds while the other is a twisted metal torque of round diamonds that curve around the top of the neck.
Fantasy
In perpetual movement, the wanderlust so prized by the Maison manifests in a virtuoso interlacing of yellow-gold chevron motifs with diamond-paved triangles and Vs in white gold. Spotlighting a 25.6-carat monogram flower-cut diamond, the two-tone contrast of textures enhances the flawless geometry of the piece and act as a callback to the arrowheads that Louis Vuitton showcases in its high jewellery collections.
Liberty
Louis Vuitton’s creative boldness breaks free of high jewellery’s conventional design codes through the regal star necklace. The piece acts as a re-interpretation of its damier pattern in a mosaic composition of square and triangle custom-cut diamonds, highlighting the outstanding selection of emeralds — the largest of which weighs 8.90 carats — and a 2.60-carat D VVS1 diamond in the Maison’s signature Monogram Flower Cut.
Radiance
The necklaces in the collection are intended to act as protection for a woman as she makes her way through life, like a second skin of gold and platinum that simultaneously speaks of the untamed, mysterious nature dormant inside each of us. Every scale that makes up this piece is individually mounted, so that its masterfully concave checkerboard pattern sits perfectly on the skin.
Destiny
This strikingly architectural jewellery set magnifies the power of Louis Vuitton’s legacy, revealing the fullness of its spirit through a repeating pattern of triangular shapes and the ever-present letter V. The whole piece is brought to life by a number of fiery rubies from Mozambique, its characteristic red bringing the piece together. As it’s detachable, the ruby can also be worn on the specially designed accompanying solitaire ring, which comes with a detachable diamond that also hangs from the necklace.
For more jewellery reads, click here.
The post Strength, Freedom and Destiny: Louis Vuitton’s Latest High Jewellery Collection appeared first on LUXUO.
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Porsche Penske Motorsports Debuts Its 963 LMDh Race Car At Goodwood
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Serena Williams: Builds Her Wealth On And Off Court
A Peek At Serena Williams’ Luxury Lifestyle
Professional sport and luxury living often go hand in hand. The glossy magazines can’t get enough of taking a peek into the lives of Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan or David Beckham, for example.
It doesn’t take a genius in anthropology to notice that these athletes have one thing in common. Generally speaking, to make millions from sport, you still need to be male. There is one notable exception to that of course, and it’s someone who fully deserves all the rewards of being one of the most remarkable athletes of all time.
A Unique Sporting Talent
Serena Williams isn’t just a tennis player, of course. She is also independently wealthy through her business interests, which include two fashion labels and numerous lucrative endorsement deals. But it is her talent as an athlete that made it all possible. Right now, Williams is dominating the sports pages again as she attempts to win a 24th grand slam title at Wimbledon.
Since the announcement that she would be playing, legal online sports betting on Unibet has gone into the stratosphere as her fans get behind her one last time. Let’s be clear here, Williams is 40 and in a sport where most retire at about 30; she has not played for a year and she last won a grand slam five years ago. What’s more, she turned pro before most of her opponents in this year’s event.
Rewriting The Rules
With an estimated net worth of US$250 million, it is safe to say she’s not in it because she needs the prize money. Along with sister Venus, Serena Williams has made a career out of challenging the status quo. They turned pro in the mid-90s, but pro tennis was so exclusively white middle class that the casual and sometimes overt racism made it look more like the mid-50s.
Undeterred and uncowed, they continued to upset the order of things with bright clothes and accessories. Fast forward to 2017 and Serena didn’t just win a grand slam at the age of 35 — she did so while eight weeks pregnant, too.
Kicking Back In Florida, Bel Air And Paris
It’s easy to see why Serena Williams is such an inspiration and how with a little business savvy, she has created some highly lucrative brands. She has also accumulated quite the property portfolio. Her Beverly Hills mansion was her main base over the past decade, but recently went on the market for US$7.5 million.
She also has an awesome property in Palm Beach, which sister Venus helped to design. This oasis has been her main residence since becoming a mother and is in addition to a chic apartment in Paris on the seventh arrondissement with views of the Eiffel Tower.
Plus Some Star Cars
Serena shares a love of fast cars with the sporting millionaires we mentioned earlier. Her collection definitely shows a love of luxury and includes an Aston Martin Vanquish, a Bentley Continental and her personal favourite, a Lincoln Navigator, plus several others.
For more business reads, click here.
The post Serena Williams: Builds Her Wealth On And Off Court appeared first on LUXUO.
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Wednesday, June 29, 2022
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The 8 Best Rooftop Bars To Catch the Summer Sunset
Nothing beats a summer sunset; the orange-gold sky stretching far and wide behind the backdrop of the city skyline, the evening sun casting a warm glow on your surroundings. All your problems seem to disappear at the sight of the magnificent view in front of you. So, how do you get the most out of the summer sky? Well, you enjoy it with a side of cocktails, bites and spritzer at a rooftop bar.
Whether you prefer your aperitifs at an altitude or a more grounded garden haven, the appeal of a rooftop bar and the panoramas it offers are hard to beat. These experiences have an air of glamour to them and provides the perfect combination of a relaxing ambience and jaw-dropping views of the city.
Today, bar-goers and travellers alike have their choice of several rooftop spots to hit around the world. From spectacular skyline bars, to chic restaurants that guarantee stunning views (and the culinary treats to match), make the most of the summer with our guide to some of the best rooftops in the world.
L’Ouiseau Blanc at the Peninsula Paris, France.
Parisians for example, are abuzz about L’Ouiseau Blanc. The vintage, aviation-themed rooftop bar is perched on the top of The Peninsula Paris. With live music on Sundays and house music on Saturdays, the lounge is perfect for those looking to enjoy a drink with a side of class and glamour. The interiors (which include an actual plane) and the cocktails (fittingly called the Aviation and the Take Off) pay homage to French pilots Charles Nungesser and François Coli, who attempted the first transatlantic flight between Paris and New York, making it an avid place for both tourists and aerophiles alike.
Ozone at the Ritz Carlton, Hong Kong.
In Hong Kong, one of the world’s highest rooftop bar sits on the 118th floor of Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. Ozone provides unbeatable views of Hong Kong Island with its floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking the city skyline. Designed by Masamichi Katayama, its marble bar, slouchy lounge and eclectic decor make it stand out from the other bars in Hong Kong. Accompanying the modern interior are their inventive signature cocktails — like the Wan Chai cooler (with vodka-infused liquorice, mint tea, lemon and hibiscus syrup). Expect to share a drink with the city’s brightest, who know to book in advance for a seat at the window, dress way up and dance until the lights go on at 2:00 am.
Read more: 19 Best Cocktails to Enjoy This Summer
Sugar at East, Miami.
If you prefer drinking in a haven of botanicals, you can head to Sugar in Miami. Inspired by Chinese and Hong Kong roots, Sugar brings an Asian-influenced restaurant and bar experience to the heart of Miami’s Brickell district. It’s set in a lush garden setting that serves as an untraditional hideaway located high in the sky above urban downtown Miami. Accompanied by DJ sets bumping house and a stunning backdrop of the Miami sunset, it is the place to meet and be seen.
AER at Four Seasons Hotel, Mumbai.
Experience Mumbai’s skyline like no other at the AER. Mumbai’s highest rooftop bar lies 34 floors above the busy streets of India’s most populous city and boasts an impressive view of the Arabian Sea. Their menu offers an interesting concoction of Mumbai mixology, with their signature drink, the Mumbai Kiss, being a super-sweet fusion of Bacardi Superior, pineapple juice, maraschino cherries, and cardamom. Streamlined white seating and low-key shrubbery create a comfortable, stylish vibe fit for every occasion, from relaxed business lunches, friend reunions or romantic dates, catch the sun setting over Haji Ali Bay in Mumbai’s hottest rooftop bar.
Gingko Sky Bar at Plaza de España, Madrid.
Move further east and you’ll be met by Madrid’s latest urban gourmet destination — the Gingko Sky Bar. In an unbeatable location on the Plaza de España, the flexible and multi-character rooftop terrace includes spectacular views of Madrid (including the Royal Palace and Debod Temple) and an equally spectacular food and drinks menu. The Gingko Sky Bar celebrates the best of Spanish cuisine through its octopus carpaccio and Jamón Iberico served with pan con tomate, pair it with their house special — the “Daiquiri of the Rising Sun”, featuring Bacardi rum, yuzu juice, ginger jelly and egg white — and you can enjoy the Spanish sunset with ease.
The Ready Rooftop at Moxy East Village, New York.
To be in with Miami’s hip and handsome crowd, head to The Ready Rooftop. Located on the top floor of the Moxy East Village in New York, the bar is the perfect place to mingle and meet modern and trendy individuals. The retractable glass walls and roof allow for all-season panoramic views of the Lower Manhattan skyline and with string lights, a vine strewn mural and a bar made of plastic milk crates, the eclectically decorated bar feels like a coveted New York backyard. The Ready Rooftop features six cans from local breweries and both frozen and fresh cocktails to accompany you this summer, attracting both the local beer enthusiasts and IPA-loving individuals.
Baba Nest at Sri Panwa Resort, Phuket.
Travelling to resort-paradise Phuket, one has to visit the Baba Nest — a bar located within the Sri Panwa Resort. Situated 60 metres above sea level, it includes an amazing 360° view of the Andaman Sea and the surrounding islands. Once the sun begins to set, the panoramic views, stylish decor and fresh cocktails make it the perfect chill-out spot to relax into the night. It’s an ideal venue for lovers.
Folly Rooftop, Dubai.
Our world tour of rooftop bars end in Dubai, where the Folly Rooftop is located. Created by British star chefs Nick Alvis and Scott Price, it’s the perfect place for individuals who want to experience both gourmet cuisine and inventive drinks. With a prime location in Souk Madinat Jumeirah, the rooftop boasts impressive views of the city’s waterways and the Burj Al Arab. Other than the classic cocktails it has to offer, the standout feature of the bar is the experimental tasting menu personally crafted by the two renowned chefs. Inspired by the multiculturalism of Old Dubai, their signature dish includes the Crispy Hen’s Egg with Pancetta and maple syrup, sweet potato, chestnut and oregano and delicious meaty Eryngii mushroom with cashew nut curry leaves. In Folly, Daytime patrons can enjoy afternoon tea and sweets, while night owls can expect a lively DJ and the occasional saxophonist.
So, if you’re looking to chase the sunset with a drink in hand and a view in the other, pack your bags and get ready to travel to these 8 iconic rooftop bars. Jet, set, go.
For more alcohol reads, click here.
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Bulgari Celebrates 10th Anniversary of the Octo Octo Finissimo Watch
Watchmakers present their credentials in a few ways, and accolades are just one. Some display observatory awards denoting a legacy of accuracy. Still others summon up an array of patents reflecting the spirit of innovation and creativity marking their manufactures. A lucky few get to demonstrate both with hundreds of years of history. Bulgari decided to create its own legacy, and to do it in a way that no other brand had done. The result today is the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra, the world’s thinnest mechanical watch at 1.80 mm thick, caseback to sapphire crystal top. Such a watch does not appear overnight though…
In 2012, Bulgari built the foundation for this monumental achievement with the Octo L’Originale, and delivered the ground floor in 2014 with the Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Manual. This tourbillon wristwatch boasted the thinnest manual-winding flying tourbillon movement in the world at just 1.95 mm thick. What set the brand apart was that it set out to break its own record — and establish new standards that surpassed all that had gone before. Of course, Bulgari was in that healthiest and most inspirational adventure — to do something only it could do, and then top itself.
Bulgari’s horological adventure since 2012 can be summed with a few numbers: ten years, eight world records, more than 60 international awards, and eight patents. And the Octo Finissimo story is far from over, having now entered a new dimension, as Bulgari puts it. Coincidentally, the Octo obviously shares key characteristics with these numbers, being eight-sided and having plenty of distinguishing aesthetic features along the same lines, including the inner flange of the watch.
While the numbers are impressive, symbolically and otherwise, they serve only as shorthand. The story of the Octo Finissimmo is filled with character and passion — it takes courage to commit to a single course in watchmaking. Having created the world’s thinnest mechanical automatic watch movement in 2017 with the Octo Finissimo Automatic, Bulgari wanted to push it even further. Think of it as a sprinter trying to shave fractions of a second from his or her own record.
“Can we do it? No sooner was the question asked three years ago than our teams answered: how are we going to do it?” said Antoine Pin, Managing Director of the Bulgari Watch Division, as he recalls the development process of the Octo Finissimo Ultra. “This ability to meet challenges is embedded in the brand’s DNA. As for the word ‘ultra’, it expresses this desire to go beyond the limits, to play with extremes, an idea that we love in-house!”
- READ MORE: Bvlgari Wins the Day at GPHG 2021
Making a watch that is 1.80 mm thick — a measure close to the thickness of paper, and certainly thinner than all existing mechanical calibres — requires more than mastering the techniques of miniaturisation according to Bulgari Product Creation Executive Director Fabrizio Bounamassa Stigliani. For a little context here, the Ultra watch is slimmer than all the record-breaking Bulgari ultra-thin movements.
“To achieve this degree of thinness, you not only have to challenge your way of thinking, but at the same time draw upon a wide range of skills, play with multiple materials and adapt to a multitude of new constraints. In this sense, the Octo Finissimo Ultra is unquestionably the ultimate complication in this vast field of possibilities represented by ultra-miniaturization,” said Stigliani.
Understandably, the arrival of the Ultra this year was greeted with great fanfare, with an international debut at the Pantheon at the Piazza della Rotonda, Rome. Once again, numbers played a key role, the number “8” in particular. This makes the Pantheon the perfect setting for a celebration of the Bulgari Octo, thanks to the configuration of the Roman landmark’s Corinthian columns (eight in the first position, followed by two groups of four behind). As a quick aside, an exhibition on the octagon shape, which is deeply important to Bulgari, is ongoing at the brand’s historic boutique on Via Dei Condotti. Returning to the recent festivities, the facade of the Pantheon served as a natural screen for an ambitious and unprecedented art project, put together at the behest of Bulgari for the occasion of the 10th anniversary.
The screening of Temple of Light_Ultra at Pantheon bookended the festivities, and consisted of the entire history of Italian architecture and art, rendered in digital form, and given substance by light. The artwork itself was a real time execution by Istanbul-based Ouchhh, a creative multidisciplinary hub, curated by Reasoned Art. This thematic link between the past and the future, between tradition and innovation, is di rigore for watchmaking, with Bulgari in the vanguard of pushing boundaries.
No celebration can do without music, and this was supplied by a live performance of the orchestra of the Accademia di Santa Cecilia, which added the necessary human element. Of course, the connections with the number eight continued. On stage, the 8 + 8 Percussion Ensemble of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia — Alta Formazione led by Edoardo Giachino gave a breathtaking concert notably demonstrating exceptional percussion mastery.
Once again, there was a visual component enabled by machine learning and artificial intelligence, linked directly with the performance; viscerally linked, in fact. The brain waves of the conductor served to create the visuals, thanks to data collected live from an EEG headset worn by the conductor. The Pantheon once more functioned as the screen (as seen above).
“This fabulous landmark that we are setting today with the Octo Finissimo Ultra is in fact — for me and all the teams – the fulfilment of a dream. One which now guarantees that Bulgari will forever be acknowledged as having written some of the finest chapters in Swiss watchmaking. And the fact that the Maison is Italian makes us particularly proud”, said Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO Bulgari.
Here is a timeline of the Octo Finissimo series:
For more watch reads, click here.
The post Bulgari Celebrates 10th Anniversary of the Octo Octo Finissimo Watch appeared first on LUXUO.
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Tuesday, June 28, 2022
The Elegear Cooling Shirt: Stay Fresh and Dry This Summer (10% OFF)
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5 Outdoor Designer Furniture Brands to Make Your Summer Stylish
Kettal Plumon outdoor furniture collection. Image: Kettal.
Five of the latest designer outdoor furniture brands to let you reap the season of summer. From lounge chairs to daybeds and sofas, you’ll have every needful piece of furniture to create your haven outdoors. Whether it’s a family get-together for a meal in the garden or just enjoying a balmy breeze at the poolside, these designer pieces will give new meaning to your summer.
Spanish Flair
Gandiablasco’s latest series of modular furniture called Onde is a flexible system that suits indoor and outdoor environments. Conceived by Italian designer Luca Nichetto, he was inspired by our current climate to include a workspace at home.
The furniture system takes its name from the French word for “wave” where the seating system’s corrugated aluminium sheet appears like the watery element crashing on our shores. This striking aesthetic forms the backrest and sides and elevates the style quotient of the product. Onde seating system can be used in many environments such as patios, verandas, porches, gazebos, or gardens.
Poolside Glamour
The B&B Italia Borea daybeds are designed with simple aesthetics but are innovative to use. Designed by the renowned Italian architect Piero Lissoni, he created two iterations for poolside outdoor seating. First is a chaise lounge version that’s elongated; allowing up to two people to lie or recline.
By lowering the back support, the chaise lounge becomes an island for multiple uses. The second iteration offers reclining back support along the length, creating an instant sofa at the pool or patio. With a 6-cm thick upholstered mattress guaranteeing comfort through all seasons, you have a transformable piece of furniture to cater to your outdoor activities by the pool at a whim.
Sofa Clothing
The Plumon range of furniture pieces devised by Spanish architect Patricia Urquiola is all about dressing and undressing furniture.
Kettal Plumon sofa. Image: Kettal.
Using a tailoring approach, the structure is light but rigid but the tailored and padded dress — its upholstery — is wrapped around the teak frame. Hard to ignore is the ribbed padding and stitching lend character to Plumon.
On the other hand, the Plumon range of tables uses a revolutionary technology — 3D stoneware printing. This mind-blowing, game-changing technique is set to revolutionise 3D printing both on an industrial and aesthetic levels. The possibilities are endless. No molds were required! The material is fired at low temperature, shortening the process and creating a more agile approach to complete the project. The end result is a distinctive, textured stoneware leg which makes the Plumon tables stand out.
Asian Inspired
“Hashi” is taken from the Japanese word which means “chopsticks”. Created by Frederica Biasi for Gervasoni, this modular sofa system takes on a touch of Asian aesthetics bolstered by the know-how of western construction techniques.
The cushions are made from variable-density polyurethane foam and polyester fibres covered with outdoor polyester canvas and non-slip breathable bottom. The structure of the base and frames of the backrest are made from steel and suited for outdoor usage. Hashi usage of Accardi Outdoor jacquard technical fabric that wraps the iroko wood elements at the bottom and at the top makes it a unique seating solution. The outdoor fabric featuring a textured pattern blends beautifully with the wooden structure to highlight this characteristic Japanese detail.
Architectural Details
Oiside may not be a household name but the truth is, the Spanish firm has been specialising in the design and manufacture of high-quality outdoor furniture for 20 years. The brand commissioned Spanish designer Francesc Rifé,(@francescrife) famed for his interior design and architectural works, to create the Beam collection of outdoor furniture pieces. Rifé’s design DNA is all about minimal aesthetics and a strong architectural narrative with meticulous detailing.
Therefore, the Beam outdoor furniture collection is a union of sound architectural knowledge, proportion, scale, and the usage of high-quality materials. Beam’s aesthetic is made up of simple wood slats in varying planes and sizes, all coming together in a graphical and striking expression. Made of iroko timber, Rifé was intrigued by the wood’s natural beauty and its structural integrity. Oiside ensures that all the pieces belonging to the Beam collection can be customised including the colour of the fabric, thereby allowing homeowners to create their personalised Beam seating solutions. In fact, Oiside allows homeowners to even customise each element of the collection according to their preferences.
For other decor reads, click here.
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