Monthly Archives: July 2011

By: Christina Stewart at JustLuxe

Virgins, sailors and mermaids, combined with elaborate headpieces, over-the-top cancans, and a spirit of true avant-garde genius fill the echoing halls of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

With an invitation to preview The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk — and the chance to meet ‘l’enfant terrible’ himself — I quickly packed my bags for Montreal and was on my way to the UNESCO City of Design.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts opened its doors earlier this month to celebrate the life’s work of the Parisian courtier with an installation that marks the designer’s first international exhibition. The exhibit features six thematic galleries, comprised of 140 carefully-curated pieces, photos, and sketches from 150 collections from the past 35 years.
The exhibit opens with The Odyssey of Jean Paul Gaultier, a unique selection of the designer’s signature style, including an eclectic mix of nautical stripes and religious stereotypes. Visitors make their way up the museum’s grand staircase and are  greeted with what at first glance appears to be Jean Paul himself reciting French limerick. The familiar face, along with those of past models and muses, such as Eve Salvail, are in actuality state-of-the-art holograms projected onto  delicately casted-mannequins.

Curator and former male model, Thierry-Maxime Loriot said the decision to introduce the exhibition with this particular collection was an obvious choice for several reasons.

“I think it’s one of the most spectacular collections, but also its one of the first dresses he made (the blue one on the left that he made in 1971),” Loriot said.

“We use the sailor stripe because it’s something that started his career.”

(more…)

  

The future of yachting is here! The new Yacht Controller – Remote control for your yacht.

  

By Alice Baghdjian at Reuters

The sale of a 200-year-old bottle of white wine for 75,000 pounds ($121,000) has set a new Guinness World Record for the most valuable bottle of white wine ever sold. The buyer of the 1811 Château d’Yquem was private collector Christian Vanneque, former head Sommelier at the Michelin starred La Tour d’Argent restaurant in Paris.

Though Château d’Yquem is famed for being one of the finest and most expensive sweet white wines, the 1811 vintage has a particular attraction for wine enthusiasts. The climatology of the year, reviews from tastings, as well as the auspicious appearance of the Great Comet in that year, all indicate an excellent wine.

“This wine is very special — it is attached to the most renowned white wine in the world, and it was produced in the year of the Great Comet, which was believed to enhance the quality of the wine,” Vanneque told Reuters. “It is a rare wine, which been tasted on three occasions and each time received five out of five stars,” he added. “It was not just purchased as an investment – it is also going to be an enjoyment.”

“I did not know it was the most expensive white wine ever sold when I purchased it, but I did know it was the most expensive wine I had ever paid for.” The high concentration of sugar in Château d’Yquem means it has a drinking life which far outstrips that of other wines.

The wine will be displayed in a bullet-proof, temperature and hydrometrically controlled showcase for six years at his restaurant, the SIP Sunset Grill in Bali. “I will open it in six years to mark the 50th anniversary of when I began work in Paris and share it with my wife, brothers and friends — I already know what the menu will be,” Vanneque said.

The private sale was by the Antique Wine Company, which had also held the previous record for white wine — an 1887 Château d’Yquem at $100,000. “I always have a tear in my eye when I sell a bottle of wine but I’m comforted by the knowledge that it has been purchased by someone passionate about wine and it’s going to a good home,” said company Managing Director Stephen Williams.

  

by Melissa Magsaysay at Los Angeles Times

Roberto Cavalli has managed to put his signature leopard print and heavily gilded stamp on an exercise bike. That’s right. The Roberto Cavalli for Cicolette collection features 6 styles of stationary bikes featuring a minimal shape consisting of a wheel, seat, handlebar (which look more like animal horns) and comes in a variety of flashy colors and metal combos that Lady Gaga can appreciate.  In fact, this bike is just about as wacky and over-the-top as Gaga’s Hussein Chalayan egg. It would be no suprise to see her and her back up dancers spinning on the Cavalli bikes during her next performance.

There’s black carbon fiber with jaguar or zebra print or gold steel with jaguar print which while being a slightly ostentatious is a sleek alternative to planting a traditional, clunky stationary bike in your living room.

It’s sure to be a conversation piece when guests come over. Especially if you also have the exercise gear to go with it; Cavalli has an active wear range called Cavalli Gym hitting stores this month along with the bikes (think more leopard found on leggings and skin tight zip up jackets)

Roberto Cavalli for Ciclotte bikes are available exclusively in Roberto Cavalli boutiques. The Cavalli gym collection is in Roberto Cavalli boutiques and other select stores.

video bonus : Roberto Cavalli Fall 2011 Campaign: Behind The Scenes

  

for Yiannis

  

Alberto Alessi on Luxury in Design

How to Integrate Research in Design

The Contribution of Recessions to Creativity

  

Celebrating the very best of luxury brands across key areas including travel, fashion, fine dining, nightlife and art, the Quintessentially Awards will recognize companies and individuals who like Quintessentially itself, always strive to go that extra mile in search of perfection and share the Quintessentially ethos of quality, style and service.

Quintessentially is the world’s leading luxury lifestyle group, private members’ club and 24-hour global concierge service. With 60 offices worldwide and a team of international lifestyle experts on hand 365 days a year to help save our members time, hassle and money, Quintessentially knows the business of luxury like no one else.

  

As the fourth installation in the Gulfstream family line, the GIV offers new advancements that the former aircraft lacked. One of the most significant improvements is the change of engines from the Rolls-Royce Spey to the Rolls-Royce Tay Mk 611-8, used in later jets including the G300 and 400. The successful intercontinental-range business jet has been a prototype for later Gulfstream models.
Two Rolls-Royce Mk 611-8 engines provide 13,850 lbs of thrust each. Inspection interval is 8,000 hours. The Roll-Royce upgraded engine is responsible for 15% improved fuel consumption and decreased noise levels.
The GIV is the first in the Gulfstream family to employ Goodyear Aerospace’s brake-by-wire system and a Dowty fail-passive steer-by-wire system, making pilot maneuverability easier. The GIV’s takeoff weight is 2,000 additional pounds than its predecessor, at 72,300 pounds. Hot-and-high performance is also improved. The GIV has a high speed cruise of 480 ktas.
Compared to the GIII, the GIV has gained 4.5 feet in usable interior space but maintains Gulfstream’s famous stand-up cabin. The cabin has a length of 45.1 feet, width of 7.3 feet, and height of 6.1 feet. Up to 19 passengers can be accommodated in the GIV comfortably. Amenities include a large galley and full-sized lavatory, including a shower.