16 minute read
Charlie Siem, Violinist
| BY RAJ GILL
When you ask Charlie Siem who he is in his own words he has an immediate and one word answer, Violinist. He doesn’t say he is the son of a billionaire businessman or refer to himself as brother to three sisters who are equally talented musically or as a model for iconic brands. He doesn’t refer to himself as a son, brother, lover or friend. He simply refers to himself as a Violinist and that is where his passion has stemmed from since he first discovered his love of music at the very early age of three. Since then Charlie has managed to forge a career out of playing the violin, a career that has gone rapidly to dizzying heights playing in some of the finest legendary concert halls in the world from the Carnegie Hall in New York City to the Albert Hall in London. Our Editor at Large, Raj Gill caught up with him on his train journey home to Florence.
Charlie you were packing a bag almost every week
to go perform at a concert and now thanks to the pandemic you are down to minimal travel. How are you coping?
To be honest it hasn’t had a detrimental effect on my mental well-being. In fact I have embraced the downtime and enjoyed being less hectic and more grounded. Despite it being a challenging year so far, being at home for a change has been delightful.
How are you dealing with the pandemic?
It has had a dramatic impact on my life. I am loving the routine I am in, as it is uninterrupted by travel. And also I finally have the time to pursue projects that I have had on my mind. It has also taught me to be much more grateful and appreciative of the role that I have. I think prior to the pandemic, I took a lot of it for granted and it was losing some of the freshness. Now I crave being on stage.
Who or what has helped you cope with the pandemic?
My family. Although I am quite self-sufficient, I just get on with it.
You have three siblings, are you close? What do they think about your talent/talents?
I have one older sister, and two younger sisters, and we are very close, we appreciate each other. We were all together during the lockdown we spent over three months at my parents place in the South of France, and it was a tremendous quality family bonding time. My sisters tease me mercilessly about my looks, and about my obsession with clothes, I tend to be the butt of their jokes, only in good jest. They are all very talented and we are lucky to have each other.
How do your parents feel about your career choice? Does your father wish you had followed in his footsteps or is he pleased that you have forged your own path?
My parents have only ever been supportive and encouraged me to forge my own path. My father didn’t ever push me to follow in his footsteps to become a businessman. He is happy that I formed my own identity and found something that I am passionate about.
Why Music? If not music then what?
Music chose me. It wasn’t the other way around. I cannot imagine doing anything else. There is no alternative.
How much influence have your parents/your upbringing had on your career choice?
I was drawn to the sound of the violin, and they encouraged me, they did their best to make it happen for me, but they never pushed me in one direction or the other. I was pretty much left to pursue my dreams and I have always pushed myself.
You made your debut at a young age. What was that experience like for you?
Incredible. The first major concert I performed in was age 15 in Rio, and that gave me the confidence to know that I could continue to do this as a career.
Which performances are highlights for you?
Performing at the Albert Hall, London was a particular highlight as it is just down the road from our house. I used to pass it every day, and always aspired to perform on the stage there. And of course performing at the Carnegie Hall in New York City is always an absolute dream. There’s so many! Performing at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow was also incredibly special.
Apart from your musical talents, you have modeled for some iconic brands what was that like?
It is very glamorous and fun, you get to meet all sorts of different people from different walks of life. I met characters that were larger than life, from another world, not quite in touch with normality.
I was asked by the late great Karl Lagerfeld to be involved with his book The Little Black Jacket, and we became very good friends. He presented me with a great deal of opportunities, performing at Chanel launch parties etc. He is sorely missed, he had a wicked sense of humor and despite his image he was very personable. He had a way with people that was quite unique; he was always interested in everyone he met. He was a master at dis-arming people, and was able to talk at a level with anyone. He had an intimidating image, however he was very warm and engaging.
Seems as though you have had an incredible life so far, living your best life, what is the challenge you still wish to take head on?
There are still a great number of people I want to share a stage with and also music pieces I want to record.
Have you ever used your music to woo someone?
No, but thanks for giving me the idea. I may just have to try that.
Really?
No, honestly I haven’t.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Going on stage each and every time is a challenge, confronting myself, my own fears, you are holding up a mirror to yourself, and it is up to you to excel, to do your very best.
What’s next for you?
My album, Between the Clouds, is launching on November 20th. And in December I will be back in the studio working on my next album, which I hope to launch in 2021.
What is the one question you wish a journalist would ask you?
I wish a journalist would ask, what is your purpose as a violinist and my answer would be to be moved myself and to move people through music.
QUICK FIRE round What is your weakness?
I have so many, I am very self-critical.
What is your strength? I am quite disciplined.
Who was the last person you texted?
My grandmother.
Who was the last person you had an actual vocal telephone call with?
My mother. Actually I make verbal phone calls many times a day, I guess that’s rather unusual, however I prefer to hear the sound of someone’s voice, rather than texting.
Who is the one person you dread having a vocal telephone call with?
There is someone, but I can’t say, as I wouldn’t want to hurt their feelings.
Who is your best friend?
My old school friend James, and he is still my best friend to this day.
What is the one thing you can’t live without?
My violin
What is your ultimate passion?
Music
What is your most used Emoji/s?
Smiley face
Animal lover? Yes, no? Dogs or cats?
Yes, animal lover, and dogs, most definitely dogs.
What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Go to the bathroom
What is the last thing you do at night?
Go to the bathroom
What is on your night stand?
The remote control for the television.
Where do you feel most at home?
By the sea
Who makes you feel most at home?
My family
And the million dollar question do you have a significant other? (at this question Charlie gives a hearty laugh, and eventually reveals the answer)
Yes.
And would you consider acting as a career and would you consider if offered the role of Bond?(more laughter)
Yes I would love that
Sweet or savory?
Sweet
Smart or casual?
Smart
When are you most comfortable?
When I am alone.
Where in the world are you most at ease?
By the sea
Where feels like home?
The south of France
If you were stuck on a desert island, name your top five must haves.
I would need a great book, maybe Short stories by Somerset Maugham, my violin, a bar so I can make gin cocktails, a good outfit, and a dog.
Emerald cut teal sapphire from Gombe, Nigeria, courtesy of Caleb B. Quashen International.
Marisol Teal sapphire engagement ring by Valerie Madison.
Teal sapphire engagement ring styles by Valerie Madison.
Top quality Australian teal sapphire of 6.11 carats.
TEAL SAPPHIRES Wear a piece of the Ocean & The Forest at Once
| BY ISABELLA YAN
The Era for Teal
Widely known as teal, this dark cyan-like hue was originally named after the bluish-green stripe around the eyes of a Eurasian duck. In recent years, the gem’s mesmerizing marine hue - reminiscent of serene oceans and the mysterious green of our lands has redefined the jewelry market for unique colored gemstones, capturing the imaginations of consumers especially amongst the millennial and Gen Z. The USA is amongst teal sapphire’s most ardent consumers, followed by Australia, France, UK, and Asia. Public awareness regarding teal sapphires has grown in the last five years and will continue to grow, says Navneet Agarwal, Marketing Manager of Navneet Gems & Minerals Limited Co., a gem manufacturer based in Bangkok.
Like a Mermaid
Bold flashes of soft green mixed with a kiss of blue, teal sapphires have earned various trade names like “Mermaid” sapphire. “Mermaid sapphires are a subset of teal sapphires which have a specific color ratio of 50% blue and 50% green. Mermaid sapphires are the top color of teal sapphires,” says Agarwal. He speculates that this 50-50 color ratio of blue and green may have the potential to scale up in prices like a perfect padparadscha color. “Like padparadscha, each teal sapphire appears to have a unique personality reflected in its color variations.”
The main sources of teal sapphires are Montana, Australia, Madagascar, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, all equally important with differences in tone, intensity, and brightness. Teal sapphires have been actively mined for more than 100 years in Montana’s Rock Creek and Potentate Mining is among the industry’s premier local producers. “Montana’s teal sapphires have sporadically been on the market since the late 1990s. When we tested the market in 2014-2015, there was general ambivalence and dismissiveness about these unique colors from the Rock Creek Sapphires, but we have seen a paradigm shift,” says Warren Boyd of Potentate Mining. He adds, “We could accredit this surge in interest to the discovery of the first teal sapphires in Montana.” According to Agarwal, “the interest also piqued when Australian teal sapphires were discovered with their unique coloring, yielding both teal and only a few rare mermaid sapphires of excellent quality. The challenge lies in finding rare top-grade teal or “Mermaid” sapphires of superior clarity and cut. “We source our teal sapphires from well-known mines all over the world. The choice of source depends on the quality and their ethical sourcing.”
Most teal sapphires from Montana and Australia are responsibly sourced using mechanical mining to ensure processes are closely regulated throughout the supply chain. Whereas those from Madagascar and Nigeria are predominantly mined by artisanal miners. “Its exquisite color and rising popularity are also helping them establish new markets for this non-traditional, unique color sapphire,” says Agarwal.
Caleb B. Quashen International, a gem supplier specializing in ethically sourced obscure gems, helps to support African artisanal miners. “We see purpose and beauty in all the different qualities of teal sapphires and pride ourselves in using stones with eye visible inclusions. We do not cherry pick, instead we buy it all and that means the full unearthing effort.” Caleb adds that “every origin has the ability to produce spectacular specimens and the veteran eye can get pretty good at noting the distinctions.”
Magnetic Appeal
With the emergence of the alternative bridal market, teal sapphires are providing a new palette for designers and consumers who gravitate towards less popular gems in search of jewels that define their individuality. There are multiple reasons for their appeal. First, their unique coloring due to a perfect balance of titanium and iron, makes them a more personalized alternative to the traditional blue sapphire engagement ring. Second, compared to top blue sapphires, teal sapphires are much more reasonably priced. Third, besides sharing a color with lagoon tourmaline from Afghanistan, Teal sapphires have greater hardness with 9 on the Mohs scale and higher refractive index, opening great possibilities for the engagement market. Slovenia-based jewelry brand Capucinne, specializes in alternative engagement rings is a prolific employer of teal sapphires. “We liked these stones from the start as they were the perfect solution for those looking for something blue but wanted a modern and deeper undertone to the classic blue sapphire.” Apart from color, clarity, cut, the stone’s origin due to consumer patriotism also plays a role in their purchasing decisions. Regarding Montana teal sapphires, Boyd thinks “American consumers are keen to purchase American-mined products that are recovered in an environmentally responsible and ethical manner.” Capucinne also says “what matters most about origin to us is that they are responsibly and ethically sourced, whether they’re from Montana, Australia, Nigeria or Madagascar.”
Teal sapphires offer something new in the world of gemstones and the desire to possess them will only intensify as more gem and jewelry lovers become enchanted by their beauty.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Top quality Australian teal sapphire of 6.11 carats, courtesy of Navneet Gems & Minerals Ltd. Co. Photograph by Arjuna Irsutti ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|BY LISA ALONNIE
Anok Yai on the Fendi springsummer 2021 runway
Furla Handbag
Lady Arpels Pont des Amoureux Automne watch
|BY LISA ALONNIE
Etro Mens Spring Summer SS21 Gentle Monster x Diplo Lone Wolf 032 sunglasses
True Square Green Dial watch, £1475, Rado
Adidas Matchbreak Super shoes
FERRARI OMOLOGATA FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
| BY SOMNATH CHATTERJEE
Buying a Ferrari is a cherished experience that is surely to be right at the top of the bucket list for anyone. However what if you already own ten of them and a new bespoke colour or interior is not enough anymore? Well Ferrari has an answer to that with a special division to cater to whims and fancies of its top tier clients who want a Ferrari like no other. The “Special Projects” division was created in 2008 to create one-offs for the very best of the Ferrari customers and to also let the imagination of it customers run wild along with the design team working on creating some of the most desirable Ferrari’s which will never be replicated again.
You cannot just get that “privilege” as Ferrari selects customers who have amassed a huge collection of their cars over the years and also happens to go beyond than just being a simple buyer. This special division can only create one or two cars a year while currently the order book runs into 2024 and beyond! These special cars are based on current Ferraris yet the bodywork is completely changed while Flavio Manzoni (Design Boss) and the Design Centre work with owner over a period of time to create a unique and bespoke creation which pushes the boundaries which a standard production model faces.
The latest Omologata is the 10th V12 one-off and is based on the sublime 812 Superfast. Being taken two years to make, the Omologata can claim to be one of the prettiest creations to leave the Maranello gates as the design pays homage to some of Ferraris greatest hits namely the 250 LM and 250 GTO. The shape is hand crafted using aluminium and turns the edgy 812 design into a gorgeous shape being festooned with classic Ferrari design cues. The rear is reminiscent of the F12 TDF or even the 250 GTO with a large spoiler adding further down-force along with the svelte front-end which is much more streamlined and which also lets go of the aggression which the 812 possess.
Everything is bespoke right down to this luscious shade of red which is an entirely new colour made just for this car! It is a layered Magma red while the carbon fibre all over the car, sits perfectly with the “modern road racer” image which this exudes. Inside there are metal parts in the dashboard and steering wheel to evoke the golden age of motor racing and the 50s/60s racing Ferraris, with even a ‘cracked effect’ to the design. There are also the inside doors handles and the F1 bridge which has a special hammered effect to its paintwork. We reckon the owner wanted to create a modern day interpretation of some of the greatest Ferraris and the infusion of retro and modern is a brilliant design by the special projects team.
The 6.5 litre V12 is left untouched but the operatic soundtrack accompanying a Ferrari V12 revving to dizzying heights and producing 789 bhp is something which did not need changing in the first place. But we reckon, the Omologata, with some of the modifications would actually be quicker than an 812 and might just be the
quickest V12 that Ferrari has made. But of course this is not a series production model or even a limited edition car like the LaFerrari so the actual performance numbers or even the astronomical cost involved will never be disclosed. After all owning your own bespoke Ferrari is a priceless experience!
While this special projects division is a relatively new phenomenon that has taken off very well, the art of custom built bespoke cars was quite popular in the early days of Ferrari. The famous Italian design houses would get commissioned to design a gorgeous body on a Ferrari chassis. Thus it is Ferrari bringing back the old ways of doing a coach-built car and in today’s world where personalization and exclusivity is one of the biggest things desired, this will bound to grow. The SP1 was the first such Ferrari and over the years we have seen some stunning cars like the F12 based TRS and more.
Thus while the chances of ever seeing the Omologata on road are slim and next to impossible, the world would be a much poorer place without these extraordinary automotive creations.
