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Saturday, December 31, 2022
This Pristine 1964 Ferrari 250 LM Race Car Will Hit The Auction Block Soon
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The Airain CoLAB Sous-Marine Re-Edition Is Now Up For Preorder
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Bentley Residences Miami: Luxury Living For Motoring Enthusiasts
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Friday, December 30, 2022
Polartec Fleece Boasts High Resiliency and Warmth In Outdoor Wear Performance
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Proto M: A Sleek Holographic Display For Communications And More
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The Panam Superyacht May Strike An Imposing Form But Is Replete With Luxurious Features
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Cartier Brings Nature to Our Home with Les Écrins Parfumés
Cartier has got the perfect scented candles to accompany you through the new year. More than a treat for the olfactory senses, these Écrins Parfumés candles also serve as chic objets d’art that instantly elevate any living space. A celebration of the art of fine objects, which Cartier is most known for apart from its jewellery-making savoir-faire, the Maison also puts the spotlight on its perfumery division.
Created by Cartier’s in-house perfumer Mathilde Laurent, the quartet of scented candles aims to invoke a sense of relaxation, escapism and dreaminess. “Four candles designed by Cartier perfumer Mathilde Laurent that are capable of conjuring up a landscape and a sense of vastness, while also connecting us to nature,” Cartier shares in a press release.
“Through smoke, the origin of perfume, I wanted to offer the possibility to create amazing landscapes, real or imaginary, at home. By lighting the Écrins Parfumés, we can rediscover the joy of moments spent in nature and invite everyone to enter into this unexplored sensory world of fragrance,” explains Laurent on the intent behind the collection.
The wax component of the candle is housed in a porcelain casing and features Cartier’s emblematic red hue. Its shape is also modelled after its iconic gift boxes, and you will also see its garland motif surrounding the name of each candle. Coming in four scents: Pétales (Petals), Désert (Desert), Canopée (Canopy) and Neige (Snow); while each candle exudes a distinct fragrance, the through line of the collection is its nod to the beauty of nature.
Pétales
Captures a meadow filled with thousands of flowers, a floral explosion for the senses and a bouquet as vast as a field that has its scents wafted by the fresh morning ennoble the perfumes.
Désert
The image of endless dunes warmed by the sun’s rays. A sea of sand traversed by a slow, soft and warm amber breeze.
Canopée
The feeling of soaring high above the treetops. A fresh and vibrant expanse of green woodland with a rich, varied and complex aroma carried by the fresh wind.
Neige
The discovery of a snowy white immenseness atop which the sun diffracts its rays, bathing the landscape in a soft pinkish glow, shrouded with frosty, ozone, fresh, crystalline and musky notes.
When lighting each candle individually or in combination with the others, the aromatic notes blend flawlessly to conjure a poetic dreamscape. “Freshness, warmth, greenness, softness, lightness: everything blends together, everything is possible and new.”
XL matches, a panther lighter or Diabolo de Cartier candle holders complement this olfactory delight.
Canopée, Désert and Pétales will launch in February 2023 while Neige will be released at a later date. Get the candles in stores or online here.
For more style reads, click here.
The post Cartier Brings Nature to Our Home with Les Écrins Parfumés appeared first on LUXUO.
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Travel Trends 2023: Far-Flung Places Take the Top Spots
Does Mr Raven have the power to predict the next moves in travel? After being in escapade-obsessed circles with friends in high places, a grandmother who danced the tango with the Onassises in Buenos Aires in their glory days, a father who swept me away from New York to India as a kid, where I learned how to waltz at a wedding in the presence of a Maharajah, all the way to present day where I create stunning, if I may say so, editorials and digital content that put a spotlight on destinations for the young high society, and countless luxury hotels in the world on publications in the Middle East, Japan and the USA, well I have to say that my prediction would probably be a little more seasoned than an average guess. One thing I have learned over the years, when it comes to predictions, you have to always follow the money.
Will wanderlusts with strong spending power triple their travel plans with a vengeance in 2023? I do think so!
Business and first class flights were nearly sold out in all of 2022, given that most airlines have cut down their fleet, and there’s of course the hype of the FIFA World Cup that added to the direct-sales of flights from and to Qatar, one or the world’s travel hubs. Let’s also consider some top destinations like Bali, Thailand, The Caribbean, and almost all of the Americas lifting their travel restrictions in the summer of 2022 — yes, there’s that. But there’s a big number of people who are still paranoid and afraid to hop on long-hauls, first class or not. That number however is slowly moving down as social media has been taken over by countless travel-inspired reels and images. This digital influence that affects our decision-making has somehow brought a positive impact on the lives of the afraid. How? Well, through constant inspiration, beautiful visuals, more often a filtered take on the lives of people we know, can relate to, follow, adore, love or hate. That overload of picture-perfect moments, fake or not, trumps fear. So for once, we are seeing a positive impact of social media, not to mention that it has driven the economy of travel back to the skies. Not only was the fear of travel kicked out of the scene, but it also revived a whole lot of jobs. So the next time you see a friend’s sparkling holiday video on Instagram, before hating on it, think about how many jobs did the travel industry lose during the pandemic, so yes, double-tap that. Inspiration is contagious, not just in the world of travel, but in all aspects of life.
All of the above is an impressive feat considering there were still staffing and operational constraints, not to mention closed borders in some destinations. While we’re thrilled to see the new dawn of travel and tourism rebounding. Rental car shortages, packed European capitals and sky-high airfares were just the start. Will travel in 2023 be as overwhelming? I’ve gathered some inside info to give you my take on what travel trends to expect in the Year of the Rabbit.
Sadly, inflation is making an impact on all travel plans, but that’s not enough to stop anyone who hasn’t travelled all year from booking a flight to destinations where their currencies are standing strong. Our friends at the US Travel Foundation has forecasted an increase in travel spending in 2023 compared to 2022 (or 2019, for that matter). As a frequent flyer, expect full flights and plenty of tourists at popular travel spots.
Here’s my prediction. Far-flung destinations like Iceland, Greenland, Antarctica, French Polynesia, Chile and the Easter Island, Maldives, Seychelles, Mustique, New Zealand, Rwanda, the Serengeti, and other destinations with minimal private jet landing restrictions and requirements, but have access to high-calibre and well-curated cruises, will be flocked by the elites. From the Arab world most especially. I already know some families, two of which are from royalty, who just took off for an expedition with an army of chefs, aboard their private ship to the far away.
For the global middle-class and those who have money but don’t want to go crazy on the spending department, Southeast Asian destinations like Bali, Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, where the beaches are stunning and the Euro is bangin’. It’s almost predictable. We also know that these destinations hold some of the most beautiful, luxury resorts in the world. As for Americans, in its own category, there will be a lot of stateside travel. Keeping it local will be an ongoing theme for the majority, except New Yorkers. A true Manhattanite would drop dead on the street if they couldn’t at least pack their bags and get out of the US once a year.
The “new money” will flock to destinations like Bhutan, where luxury is muted but felt in the air through the serenity, and not having to bump into Australian backpackers. Bhutan gives a sense of peace at a price tag. Fact of the matter is, people with new money who are new to luxury travel love the feeling of old money, that’s what they aspire for, and Bhutan exudes old money charm.
Here are some places to look out for, and I predict, will be the next “new money hotbed destinations” for 2023: Fiji, Mauritius, Japan, the island of Corfu in Greece, and the Argentine and Peruvian Andes. After a dizzying saga of countless dinners and afternoon teas with editors and acquaintances who truly splurge on travel, these destinations are prominent on our 2023 calendars. You’re welcome.
For more travel reads, click here.
The post Travel Trends 2023: Far-Flung Places Take the Top Spots appeared first on LUXUO.
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Thursday, December 29, 2022
Bernard Arnault Now Owns Leonardo Da Vinci’s Residence and Vineyard
Bernard Arnault, the famed entrepreneur and owner of the ultra-luxury group LVMH, has added a new property under his name. The billionaire is the new owner of Casa degli Atellani, the former residence of Leonardo Da Vinci, a polymath and master painter. Located in the city centre of Milan, the property’s previous occupants include the descendants of the Conti and Portaluppi families.
At press time, the transaction and purpose of this acquisition were not disclosed.
The majestic estate was built in the late 1400s and donated to Da Vinci by Ludovico “Il Moro” Duke of Milan in 1498 when the painter was in town to paint his magnum opus — The Last Supper. Through the years, Casa degli Atellani saw multiple changes of hands and ownership and in 1919, it was acquired by the senator and entrepreneur Ettore Conti.
- READ MORE: Top 10 Philanthropists in the World
Located on Corso Magenta, the estate underwent restoration works under the direction of Piero Portaluppi, who is a famous architect and son-in-law of Conti. Within the grand country house’s verdant courtyard is a hidden vineyard that once belonged to Da Vinci. It was the only wine-producing landholding in the centre of Milan and spans around two acres or 16 rows. Restored in 2014, after years of neglect, it was restored to its former glory in 2015 during the international Expo held in the capital city. The public could once again indulge in the wines made in Milan.
The revitalisation of Casa degli Atellani saw it become a top destination for fashion shows, presentations and cocktail receptions. Tourists and visitors often earmark the estate as one of the places to visit. There are also six for-rent apartments that could be utilised.
The multi-billionaire’s portfolio includes some of the world’s most luxurious brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Tiffany & Co., Bvlgari and others. He also owns several wines and spirits firms, namely Ruinart, Dom Perignon, Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot. Being one of the richest in the world, Arnault is always at the top of the list and often competes with Tesla and Twitter owner Elon Musk for the crown. As of December 2022, Forbes estimates Arnault to have a net worth of US$181.8 billion.
For more property reads, click here.
The post Bernard Arnault Now Owns Leonardo Da Vinci’s Residence and Vineyard appeared first on LUXUO.
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SusieCakes is the go-to bakery for sweet treats and celebration goodies
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Karuizawa Distillery Revival: First 250 Casks Of Whiskey Due For Bottling A Decade From Now Sells Out
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Quip ToothBrush is the Perfect Gift For the Man Who Has Everything
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BREKR To Launch The Model F Initially In Select Markets With More To Follow
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Louis Vuitton Renews Collaboration with Yayoi Kusama
The renewed collaboration between Louis Vuitton and the Japanese art maven, Yayoi Kusama, comes full circle. The artist’s message of obsession and seriality are translated through the use of polka dots populated across some of the luxury fashion house’s Cruise 2023 product line-up.
This is the second time the Maison and Kusama had worked together and a celebration of Louis Vuitton’s longstanding partnership with the artist. The first creative endeavour occurred in 2012, under the helm of Marc Jacobs. The artist’s signature dots made it across famous Louis Vuitton silhouettes like the Keepall, Neverfull, Papillon and Speedy. To this day, pieces from the inaugural collection still fetch exorbitant prices on many resale platforms.
“Yayoi Kusama’s collaboration in 2012 flourished through various universes of the Maison, from exhibitions, products and a series of unique window installations, which included a startingly life-like mannequin modelled after the artist herself,” says Louis Vuitton in a press release.
More than just a typical fashion meets art collaboration, the decision to invite artists onboard also exemplifies Louis Vuitton’s desire to remain a cultural powerhouse. Other past collaborations with artists include Stephen Sprouse, Takashi Murakami and Richard Prince. Its most recent appointment of Jung Hoyeon, the South Korean actress who rose to fame through the hit Netflix series “Squid Game” is another example of the Maison plugging itself into the cultural zeitgeist and cementing its position at the forefront of the cultural movement.
One could also look at these collaborations as a way for luxury fashion brands to appeal to a broader audience by tapping into these artists’ fan base. Furthermore, products created from these collective efforts make a rare sense of permanence. And many times, it also transcends seasons and continues to be a hit among fashion enthusiasts and collectors.
A sneak peek of the partnership, which featured a handful of leather goods, was unveiled during Artistic Director of Women’s Collections Nicolas Ghesquière’s Cruise 2023 at the Salk Institute in San Diego. References to Kusama’s “Narcissus Garden” exhibition, where multiple metallic orbs filled the space, decorated the Twist bags. The contemporary artist’s penchant for colourful dots also appeared on the Dauphine and soft trunk bags.
According to Louis Vuitton, this is just a teaser and next year January, the full-fledged collection will be out in stores.
For more fashion reads, click here.
The post Louis Vuitton Renews Collaboration with Yayoi Kusama appeared first on LUXUO.
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Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Mixologist Ethan Leslie Leong of Maison Ikkoku Shares About His Cocktail Journey
You were originally a chef. Tell us about how you became one of Singapore’s most revered mixologists?
After cooking for so many years, I switched to being a bartender and quickly won many championships and gained the limelight by hosting a weekly cocktail show on local TV. From there onwards, I focused on building this as a “career”, taking management courses then climbing up the ranks from Bar Manager to Operations Manager, General Manager and Business Consultant. I ran most of the top clubs in Singapore until I opened my own cocktail bar. There, I keep creating new modernist cocktails that people love and I will never give up this passion.
“Making a bespoke cocktail is a lot like cooking. You have to understand the ingredients’ flavours and how well they pair with others”. This is a bold statement. Which ingredients do you favour the most working with?
Being equipped with a chef background helped me understand the techniques, ingredients and flavours; being a bartender enables me to understand people and alcohol characteristics. Mixology is a combination of flavour profiles using botanical or fresh fruits, and finding balance in the alcohol’s characteristics with that of the different people. For such mixing skills, you need a lot of understanding, experience and knowledge. I like using gin in cocktail mixing, it has many botanical flavours inside and when you mix it well with other fresh ingredients, you can bring all this taste alive and that’s the magic of it.
How has the cocktail scene evolved in Singapore over the past ten years?
Ten years ago people didn’t even know how to order a Negroni, and today Singapore became one of the world’s largest cocktail capitals. We saw many different cocktail concepts opened and it was interesting to see every concept offering a different style of cocktail. The scenes have evolved quickly and I am glad to be part of this cocktail culture from the very beginning.
What are your favourite cocktails bars in Singapore?
Flow by JAG Restaurant, Barbary Coast and Papa Doble, buy me a Vesper when you see me!
What has Maison Ikkoku brought to Singapore in terms of unique and bespoke experiences and tastes?
We customise the cocktail base on the individual guests by talking to them. We then generate the mixing recipe in our brains and create the flavour and taste in their drinks using fresh botanicals and fresh fruits. Balance is the key in this process, an experience you can only find in Maison Ikkoku. We are very glad that this mixing style has been appreciated by many visitors worldwide.
Do you see yourself as an influencer? What do you want clients of Maison Ikkoku to remember when leaving your establishment?
I dare not call myself an influencer, but our creativity in food and cocktails does attract many followers. We want our clients to feel satisfied with the food and drinks we crafted, have a good time and leave with happy memories. Overall, a place they feel confident to show their friends or bring clients the next time.
You stated, “Traditional cocktails are created using mainly cold methods, but I’ve invented techniques that use heat to extract the full flavour from herbs and such.” Can you elaborate further there?
Botanicals mostly contain essential oil, and fresh fruits contain good amounts of natural sugar. Applying the proper heat can extract unique flavours into your drinks or food. Techniques such as siphon, flambe, smoke, brew, distillation and even heat maceration (similar to perfume making in essential oil harvest) can alter the flavours as some heat will destroy, and some heat will harvest. I learned this in Grasse, the capital of perfumery.
- READ MORE: The Macallan Harmony Collection Inspired by Intense Arabica: A Perfect Pairing of Whisky and Coffee
Mezcal, for instance, is relatively new across Southeast Asia… are Singaporeans into trying new cocktails?
Oh yes, I love Mezcal. Singaporeans are always up for new things, and Mezcal is a versatile spirit that you can do it as a shot, sniff, on the rocks, cocktail or in dessert.
What is your favourite cocktail?
Vesper, a drink named after Vesper Lynd, is a fictional character featured in Ian Fleming’s 1953 James Bond novel Casino Royale, it is a drink that very few bars get right.
Maison Ikkoku’s concept has evolved over the year. Which achievement do you value the most?
My biggest achievement came from our guests finishing all the food and drinks we served, which is a big thing to us because we changed from an only-drink concept to a restaurant that offers a full dining menu. It shows that we achieve the flavour and taste in cocktails and in our food.
On a more generic level, what are the main qualities an entrepreneur should always have?
Persistency, Efficiency, Consistency.
What are your exciting plans for the coming three years?
We are very grateful to all our supportive customers from Singapore and people from all over the world. And to thank all your support, Maison Ikkoku will be launching a brand new concept soon, we will work hard to deliver more top-quality products for your indulgence.
What advice would you give to a young person dreaming of becoming a mixologist?
Mixology is a rewarding journey, do not give up easily.
Would you like to name a mentor inspiring you in your daily work?
Lionel Messi, I decided not to retire from food and beverage after Messi completed the World Cup title. I will continue to work hard and create more delicious food and drinks for all of you.
For more alcohol reads, click here.
The post Mixologist Ethan Leslie Leong of Maison Ikkoku Shares About His Cocktail Journey appeared first on LUXUO.
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Neck Pillow For Traveling: A Shopping And Maintenance Guide
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The Packable DMOS Stealth Shovel Can Handle Over 3K Lbs. Of Force
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Pre-Spring 2023 Mayhem: Matthieu Blazy Cements His Vision For Bottega Veneta
Beneath Bottega Veneta’s brilliant cutting-edge sheen lies a rare sense of authenticity. Look around you — millions are entrapped by their phones, endlessly scrolling through social media. Ominous underpinnings of advertisements disguised as personal content infiltrate social media feeds, carefully convincing the audience to buy into a product or forcing the viewer to assimilate as its followers. It creates a harrowing sight — content stuffed down one’s face has infuriatingly proven successful.
Ex-creative director Daniel Lee explored these maladies with bold gambits on past occasions. He first made the label go dark on all its social media platforms, deleting its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts in one fell swoop, before reorganising the collections as private affairs by hosting discreet off-the-calendar shows. The modern era of Bottega Veneta ushered in aspiration towards intimacy, a personal connection to the brand that wades through the noise of targeted advertisements; something felt rather than seen. Then, when Daniel Lee left, his replacement Matthieu Blazy instead looked in the mirror and chafed at the label’s reflection.
Unlike Wardrobe 03 and Salon 03 — both attempted to capture a more obvious, straightforward angle of Daniel Lee’s radicality — Matthieu Blazy’s proposal for Winter 2022 tames the label’s recent taste for excess with an inward-looking suite of looks and accessories that was woefully absent of the reclusive and cultishly beloved traits introduced by Daniel Lee. Instead, where once a shearling dress sewn with the animated proportions of an enlarged flower once appeared on Bottega Veneta’s runway, Matthieu Blazy’s Winter 2022 is distilled clean of such nuances. It is completely ambient — focusing more on revealing a more discreet sense of luxury by using craftsmanship to hide the details others would so mistakenly make obvious. These deliberate counterpoints have become nothing less than routine among the growing canon of collections predominantly created after a predecessor has abruptly left.
His follow-up — Pre-Spring 2023 — again oscillates between comforting recollections of the past and tentative inklings of the future. With just about 64 looks that continue from where was left off in Winter 2022, it is the House’s largest and most focused pre-collection yet — one that perpetuates a simple message: Quiet Power. For a start, the Intrecciato weave — the label’s finely-tuned answer for monograms and logos — has been similarly shrunk to how it was when Tomas Maier steered the ship. It is further scrunched, pleated and reshaped in the large squares of Daniel Lee’s reintroduced Cassettes. The new styles for the accessories are noticeably designed to be more accessible, which includes the reintroduction of the classic backpack, document cases and bucket bags in its host of menswear offerings.
Silhouettes from the ready-to-wear are relaxed and the resulting clothes evocatively communicate a sense of ease with a utilitarian approach in their aesthetic. It offers a useful framework for interpreting movement, where every inch of the garments was carefully put together and imagined “on the go” — never allowed to be still and dormant. Styles are also repeated from the Winter 2022 collection, with new renditions in colour and material. Leather pants make a return and now feature an Intrecciato weave exterior. Leather coats spot a return of shearling, now used amongst seam lines to exaggerate proportions and create contrast between the leather’s toughness and soft textures of shearling — again, an emphasis on intimacy. It is simple but inimitable, general but specific.
Without the thematic discursions and stylistic detours of past collections, Pre-Spring 2023 can be viewed as an example of how Matthieu Blazy intends to lead Bottega Veneta by rendering “hype” secondary. Instead, he shows how being genuine could be part of the charm. This sense of commitment to the Bottega Veneta experience extends even to its new lifetime warranty program for its bag offerings. The “Certificate of Craft” program was launched in November and offers customers complimentary services to refresh and repair their Bottega Veneta bags to ensure the longevity of their purchases. That applies just in time with every Pre-Spring 2023 bag purchase.
At the beginning of 2021, Bottega Veneta was at its most popular. The Italian luxury House became one of fashion’s true word-of-mouth successes — what used to be a name unbeknownst to the general public became known without ever needing to introduce itself. By the end of the year, they somehow became more difficult to define. Daniel Lee’s sudden departure at what felt like a time when things at the label were starting to make sense, followed with Matthieu Blazy’s promotion — the Belgian designer served as Daniel Lee’s right-hand man since 2020 — left many to wonder what might change.
With the breath of fresh air presented in Pre-Spring 2023, it is not that the Bottega Veneta defined by Daniel Lee, is starting to disappear. It is simply the result of slowing itself down, taking a step back to think about its future, what an Italian “Quiet Power” means to its new generation of customers,and where it will be in the next few decades. Right now, we would like to think of it as a retrofit led by Matthieu Blazy, where bits and pieces are improved to present an identity that is meant to last the same way a Bottega Veneta bag would one day be passed on to the next generation.
This article first appeared on Men’s Folio.
For more fashion reads, click here.
The post Pre-Spring 2023 Mayhem: Matthieu Blazy Cements His Vision For Bottega Veneta appeared first on LUXUO.
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Laphroaig Introduces Book 4: Malt Master Of Its The Ian Hunter Story Whiskey Collection
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How to Start a Cleaning Service Using BookingKoala
A remote cleaning service is a cleaning service that you can start and operate from anywhere in the world. All you need is a computer, an internet connection, and some basic cleaning supplies. Starting a remote cleaning service is a great way to make extra money or even replace your full-time income. In this blog post, we will show you how to start a cleaning service.
The first step in starting a remote cleaning service is to choose your niche. What type of cleaning do you want to offer? Do you want to specialise in residential or commercial cleaning? Do you want to offer one-time deep cleans or recurring weekly services? Once you have decided on your niche, you can begin to build your cleaning business around it.
Choose Your Services
Now that you have chosen your niche, it is time to choose the services that you will offer. What type of cleaning do your potential customers need? Do they need their homes cleaned on a regular basis? Do they need help with specific tasks like laundry or dishes? Once you know what services you will offer, you can begin to build your cleaning business around them.
Build Your Website
The next step in starting a remote cleaning service is to build your website. Your website is where potential customers will learn more about your cleaning business and decide whether or not they want to use your services. Make sure that your website is professional and easy to navigate. Include pricing information, customer testimonials, and contact information. To help you with this step, you can sign up for BookingKoala. BookingKoala was initially created for a cleaning company based in Chicago, IL, and later turned into its own business to help others start cleaning companies in seconds. When signing up for the software, you will get a pre-built website with all the necessary tools to help you start and run a successful cleaning company efficiently and effectively.
Market Your Business
Once your website is up and running, it is time to start marketing your business. There are many ways to market a remote cleaning business. You can start by creating social media accounts and posting regular updates about your business. You can also create flyers and distribute them to local companies. You can even hold open houses to attract new customers. Whatever marketing strategy you choose, ensure that you are consistent with it and that you are reaching your target audience. Starting a remote cleaning service is a great small business idea and an excellent way to make extra money or even replace your full-time income. In this blog post, we have shown you how to start a remote cleaning service from scratch. We hope that this post has been helpful and makes starting your journey easier.
For more lifestyle reads, click here.
The post How to Start a Cleaning Service Using BookingKoala appeared first on LUXUO.
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This Electrified Chevrolet 3100 From Kindred Motorworks Can Be Yours For $159,000
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