LUX Comfort
January 2016
STAY IN STYLE:
A QUARTERLY GLIMPSE INTO THE WORLD OF THE GLAMOROUS
We review Palazzo Victoria, Verona The Big Blue Hotel, Blackpool The Macdonald Bear Hotel, Woodstock and The Langham, London
Top Choice for Car Buyers Despite continued economic troubles car buyers remain loyal to luxury brands
La Belle Assiette: a Revolutionary Dining Experience / Timekeeping Gets Smart
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Contents Welcome to the January 2016 issue of LUX Magazine. If you are looking to escape the January blues with a trip away then our hotel reviews are perfect. We have hand selected a range of hotels and sampled the delights they have to offer so that you can find your perfect break. On the other hand, if entertaining at home is more your style, then La Belle Assiette, an innovative new catering service which brings restaurant quality service and food to your home will be ideal for your celebratory gatherings. We also outline the newly remodelled John Bell & Croyden emporium in London, which offers a range of services and products for all aspects of health and wellbeing for anyone who is feeling the effects of an over indulgent Christmas. Despite economic problems there are a number of luxury car manufacturers boasting rising sales. We provide a unique overview of the market and what is driving the boom in luxury car purchasing. Whatever your New Year’s resolution, whether it be to take up photography, treat yourself to a meal out or to get a better night’s sleep, we have the product for you within this quarter’s magazine. We hope you enjoy this issue. See you next month! Hannah Stevenson, Editor
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retreats
4. Palazzo Victoria, Verona 6. The Big Blue Hotel, Blackpool 8. The Macdonald Bear Hotel, Woodstock 10. The Langham, London
taste pampering
16. La Belle Assiette: a Revolutionary Dining Experience
20. Treat Yourself to the Perfect Night’s Sleep 22. Wellbeing fit for a Queen
drive jewels
28. Luxury Car Market Remains Strong
32. Stunning Signet Rings to Set Off Any Outfit 34. Timekeeping Gets Smart
style tipple
38. Menswear by Royal Appointment
44. Award Winning Casamigos Tequila 46. Whisky with a Touch of Romance
tech
50. Shades of Perfection
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Palazzo Victoria, Verona Review
Palazzo Victoria, Verona Review We visited the sister hotel to Il Salviatino, Palazzo Victoria, which opened its doors in March 2012 and introduced a new type of luxury to Verona. Built on Medieval and Roman ruins which have been carefully preserved and feature throughout the public areas and rooms, the hotel comprises 74 rooms and suites, and effortlessly blends rich heritage with seamless service, first-rate technology and bespoke amenities.
Situated in the stunning and history drenched Italian city of Verona, Palazzo Victoria offers a unique blend of style and home comfort to ensure that all visitors have an enjoyable and relaxed stay. The hotel is just a few steps away from the Arena and directly on Corso di Porta Borsari, one of the main streets, full of elegant shops but also delightful restaurants and cafés, which ends in the sumptuous Piazza delle Erbe, ensuring that clients are never bored and able to enjoy the very best of everything the city has to offer. Walking in the grounds of the hotel is an experience enough, with its inner courtyard in typical Veronese style, but also with the original Zen garden creating a stylish and tranquil outdoor space for visitors to peruse. The hotel interior with the spacious and definitely contemporary lobby also offers a gorgeous and romantic setting for any trip. Despite the classic style of the hotel there is an attention to providing all the technological comforts of a modern hotel, and there are a number of enjoyable leisure rooms incorporating a wide range of amenities which guests can enjoy (the pool table being a personal recommendation). The hotel boasts 74 rooms, including eight junior suites and seven suites which have been designed specifically offer the atmosphere of the ancient palaces of Verona with the modern conveniences. The rooms are light and airy, each with a glorious view which shows the city in all its natural beauty and offer the prelude to a truly unforgettable experience. Precious materials, ancient techniques and age-old remains are combined with the warm colours of the fabrics and colours used and those of the typical local varieties of marble for rooms that from the very first approach bring the experience of the city within their walls. During our stay we were lucky enough to experience a meal at the hotel’s unique Borsari 36, which puts the open kitchen in its centre, making it the heart of
its activities and inviting guests to explore the wealth of what our city can offer in gastronomy. Olive trees, fresh flowers and herbs like rosemary, sage and basil diffuse their aromas throughout the restaurant making it the ultimate experience. We are told by the delightful Hotel Manager that in the summer, the restaurant has its natural extension in the 14th century courtyard where guests can enjoy the chef’s creations in the shade of elegant white parasols, which would provide the perfect Italian culinary experience in which to enjoy one of the glorious pasta dishes offered in the restaurant. In the evening the hotel bar, the Victoria Lounge e Café, is the perfect chic background in which to enjoy a cocktail or sip some flavourful Italian coffee. An exquisitely decorated but at the same time genuine setting, the bar perfectly preserves the spontaneity that distinguishes Verona and its inhabitants During our stay we were able to enjoy the ritual of an “aperitivo”, which is still very much alive all over Italy. As well as the classic drinks, above all the star aperitivo of Verona, the Spritz, the bar serves a number of refreshing reinterpreted the great classic cocktails, ensuring that guests have a wide choice of tipples to choose from. In addition to standard stays the hotel also offers an exclusive range of packages for guests to enjoy so that they can tailor their experience to suit their interests, including city tours which combine the beautiful art and history of the city and gourmet tours allowing guests to embark on a culinary journey through the charming streets of Verona. With fashionable shopping, world renowned opera and culinary delights all available on the hotel’s doorstep Palazzo Victoria is a stunning and luxurious way to experience one of Italy’s greatest cities. Palazzo Victoria Phone: +39 045 590566 Email: info@palazzovictoria.com Website: http://palazzovictoria.com/
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The Big Blue Hotel Review
The Big Blue Hotel Review Situated at Blackpool Pleasure Beach the Big Blue Hotel combines chic, cutting-edge design with an attention to detail and a level of service that ensures a memorable and incomparably comfortable experience.
The Big Blue is a modern, 4-star hotel and is perfectly located for a luxury break, business trip or family holiday, with modern accommodation at affordable prices. Each one of the hotel’s spacious rooms and suites provides maximum comfort and ease for guests, with an elegant combination of neutral tones, clean lines of dark woods and sleek furnishings. The Big Blue is a haven of calm and style among the thrills of Britain’s top tourist attraction and since opening in May 2003 has set the new standard for holiday and business accommodation. This unique hotel consists of 157 beautifully designed bedrooms with oversized American space and a totally contemporary feel. Sumptuous fabrics create a tranquil mood, state-of-the-art lighting, DVD players in every room and big, big beds are just a few of the innovative touches that make all the difference. These sumptuous amenities made our stay even more enjoyable, as we were able to enjoy all the home comforts without leaving our sumptuous bedroom. All 157 bedrooms within the hotel are designed with wonderful fabrics from Designers Guild and offer luxurious en-suite bedrooms with complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, flat screen televisions with inbuilt Freeview, iron/ironing board, tea/coffee making facilities, telephone, hairdryer, heating control, electric shaver point, 24-hour room service, smoke alarms, duvets, power shower, key card access, an integrated air cooling system and DVD players that can also be used as a CD player. The Wi-Fi is fast and reliable and all of the technological facilities are top of the range, highlighting the hotel’s quality credentials. Europe’s tallest rollercoaster, The Big One, provides a spectacular backdrop to The Big Blue Hotel, with many rooms overlooking the rollercoaster, and during our stay we were able to truly experience the fun and excitement of staying at Pleasure Beach by visiting the various stunning attractions.
After our trip to the Pleasure Beach we visited one of the six first-class golf courses conveniently situated within 10 minutes of the Big Blue Hotel, allowing the opportunity to indulge in a little putting practice before heading back to the hotel for lunch. Lunch was served in the Blues Bar & Brasserie, which was recently voted Hotel Restaurant of the Year at the Blackpool Tourism Awards, and it is not difficult to see why. Offering a sumptuous array of edible treats to choose from, as well as a stunning wine list which provides a tipple to go with every course, the restaurant is the ideal backdrop for a lazy lunch, but in the evening offers all the refinement and comfort of a fine dining bistro. In order to keep the little ones happy the hotel also offers a service where children can create their own fresh pizzas, and we had the pleasure of watching some little darlings diving in to the pizza bar and were envious of their colourful creations. The soft, rust red leather armchairs are also the perfect place to settle and enjoy a refreshing cocktail after a visit to the hotel’s gym facilities. These are offered in the fully equipped studio gym, boasting state-of-the-art equipment and offering additionally personal training for those who really want to work hard before they play hard at the Pleasure Beach. Blackpool Pleasure Beach offers a gorgeous ice skating rink where those who are not as clumsy as this reviewer can glide effortlessly and impress their fellow guests. We later enjoyed a refreshing walk along the sea front, which helped to burn off the delectable food we had been indulging in all weekend. Alongside their array of visitor amenities and activities the hotel also offers a selection of services for business clients. A dedicated, on-site, air conditioned state-of-the-art Business Centre at the Big Blue Hotel offers a dedicated business
environment with wifi internet access, video conferencing and a range of secretarial services to help any business meeting run smoothly and professionally. For something a little different Blackpool Pleasure Beach offers an outstanding choice of seven flexible conference and corporate venues for up to 1800 delegates. Stay at the Big Blue Hotel and make the meeting or event that extra bit special and encourage delegates to think outside the box by adding a touch of magic to the day that totally captures their attention. The Big Blue Hotel has a Business Centre for up to 60 delegates in a theatre style board room, making it perfect for presentations and lectures. With five additional rooms, all well-appointed including three syndicate rooms adjacent to the Business Centre ideal for break out rooms. A wide choice of additional facilities are available for corporate entertainment, team-building, events, product launches and any type of conference or meeting no matter how large or small. The hotel’s dedicated meetings and events team will work with clients to create your perfect event matched to their requirements and budget. Overall, our stay at the Big Blue Hotel was the perfect combination of relaxing and eventful, and we were thoroughly impressed by the range of facilities and quality of the food and service. Address: Big Blue Hotel Ocean Boulevard, Lancashire FY4 1ND Tel: 0871 222 4000 Tel: +44 (0)1253 400045 Fax: +44 (0)1253 400046 Email: reservations@bigbluehotel.com Website: http://www.bigbluehotel.com/
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The Macdonald Bear Hotel Address: Park Street Oxfordshire OX20 ISZ Phone: 0344 879 9143
The Macdonald Bear Hotel, Woodstock
The Macdonald Bear Hotel, Woodstock The Macdonald Bear Hotel is one of the finest 4-star hotels in Oxfordshire and offers a beautiful slice of luxury in the heart of the countryside.
Set in Woodstock, in what was once a 13th century coaching inn, this warm and welcoming hotel combines history and culture with exceptional facilities. The hotel is perfect for a relaxing retreat, with its proximity to the historic city of Oxford offering visitors the perfect opportunity to marvel at the dreaming spires or linger in the city’s many shops and museums. Christopher Rafe, the hotel’s General Manager, was especially welcoming and was happy to help with every request we had, no matter how trivial. His team were well led and trained, providing a professional service which is unmatched in other similar establishments. They were courteous and kind at all times and their level of organisation was fantastic. Covered in a blanket of ivy the hotel offers an impressive external façade, with outside seating around the back providing the ideal space to spend a relaxing afternoon. Inside there are 54 individually styled bedrooms at the Macdonald Bear, each offering free cloud powered Wi-Fi, combining comfortable, traditional furnishings with a range of modern conveniences. We enjoyed the comfort of one of the hotel’s beautifully and newly refurbished rooms –the Winston Churchill suite, perfect for a luxury break. Furnished with antiques and a glorious four-poster bed, inside were period features together with luxury amenities, allowing us to enjoy the full splendour of a glorious countryside view and the complete comfort of luxurious furnishings. Christopher informs us that these stunning rooms were once a favoured romantic getaway for Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and considering the sumptuous décor and naturally beautiful views it is easy to see why. We were lucky enough to enjoy an exemplary dinner at the hotel’s award winning restaurant, which offers a fine dining take on hearty country fare including Potato Fondant, Cauliflower Soup served with truffle oil, Liquorice Braised Ox Cheek, Whole Roasted Plaice with Lemon Parfait or a well-chosen Cheeseboard to round off the meal. Breakfast and lunch are also catered for by this
versatile and skilled restaurant, which also offers a range of snacks such as crisp whitebait with garlic aioli and wild mushroom arrancini. The hotel allows their chefs the freedom to create menus that are unique and make the most of fresh, seasonal ingredients, which shows in the quality of the food served. The hotel also boasts the picturesque Churchill Lounge, which offers a perfect venue for morning coffee or afternoon tea. This comfortable space provides guests with an elegance and tranquillity, perfect for relaxation. The lounge features comfortable sofas, large sash windows and inspiring views across the market square, and guests can order a drink or snack from the lounge menu or simply sit back and enjoy the views. The traditional afternoon tea is worth sampling, offering luxurious scones and cream which make for the perfect inclusion to a relaxing break. Located just outside Oxford in the picturesque village of Woodstock the hotel is perfect for anyone looking to do a little shopping or enjoy a range of activities including visits to the Cotswolds. All the staff are keen to assist with anything the guests need and every step has been taken to ensure the full comfort and enjoyment of guests, with 40 complimentary parking spaces provided and the option for guests to bring pets for a nominal additional charge. The hotel is fully accessible to wheelchair users and offers a range of suitable rooms to ensure that everyone is able to treat themselves to the luxury of a trip to this historic and charming country hotel. Alongside providing the ideal venue for a relaxing break, the hotel is also the perfect venue for celebrations, events and conferences, boasting superb accommodation, stylish meeting and function rooms, peaceful views over the courtyard and stunning period features. Overall this picturesque hotel is the ideal destination for any relaxing break, whether it be a romantic holiday or a quiet, relaxing weekend. With courteous staff, luxuriant furnishing, gorgeous views and a full complement of amenities, the Macdonald Bear Hotel really does offer every possible convenience.
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The Langham, London Boasting stunning décor and a premium Regent Street location, The Langham, London is referred to as Europe’s first ‘Grand Hotel’ with good reason.
For over 150 years, The Langham, London has enchanted royalty, dignitaries, and celebrities, even upon entering it is easy to see why. The vast, regal building somehow manages to be dominant without imposing, with a castle like exterior.
the finest seasonal ingredients in a modern style. The restaurant sees father and son Albert Roux OBE and Michel Roux Jr. bring the Roux’s legendary culinary expertise and creativity to their second West End address.
Moving inside, the marble and iron reception areas offer a formal yet inviting façade, and all of the hotel’s 380 stylishly appointed rooms cleverly combine Victorian charm with discreet modern amenities.
Roux at The Landau has a glorious vaulted wine corridor where visitors can browse a selection of rare and unusual wines from around the world. The combined forces of Head Chef, Oliver Boon, and Restaurant Manager Franco Becci make a dream team that guarantees the highest standards of service and culinary excellence at one of London’s best restaurants.
We were shown to one of the hotel’s stunning Grand Executive Rooms, located in the newly refurbished Regent Wing which have the unique feature of a private door with immediate access to the top of Regent Street. The gloriously soft king size Blissful Bed was invitingly made up, and the room is tastefully decorated to reflect Victorian style infused with modern warmth and comfort. The vase of fresh flowers added a personal touch to the room. Across two floors is the unique Langham Club Lounge, which offers all of the privileges of exclusivity, modern conveniences and attentive service. The Langham, London is currently the only 5 star property in London to feature this new Club concept, offering an exclusive home away from home residence, offering tempting food created in collaboration with celebrity chefs Albert Roux OBE and Michel Roux Jr. Alongside exquisite culinary options and access to the club’s sumptuous lounge, the club also offers an exclusive butler and specialist concierge service headed up by Director of In-Room Dining and Butler Services, Fadi Samhoun. From serving beverages to obtaining that unattainable ticket, the team are dedicated to making every club guest’s visit truly unforgettable. Whilst we did not sample this particular amenity, we witnessed a number of occasions when the concierge service came to the aid of club guests, providing a professional and prompt service. Whilst the club offers a range of exclusive meal options, the hotel’s main restaurant also provides mouth-watering dishes designed to enrapture every palette. The elegant restaurant, Roux at The Landau, offers a range of classically constructed dishes using
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lux The restaurant’s private dining room, Postillion, also offers an exclusive Chez Roux private dining experience, creating magical occasions that will be talked of for time to come. A personal events coordinator is offered to ensure that the experience goes without a hitch. For anyone looking for a truly sophisticated afternoon tea, the dazzling Palm Court is famed as the place where the tradition of afternoon tea was born over 150 years ago, an indulgence that lives on today. We enjoyed a bespoke version of the afternoon tradition – ‘The Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood’, with Wedgwood specialty teas served in tailor-made ‘Langham Rose’ Wedgwood teaware. Later we were treated to the luxury of a drink in Artesian that has aptly been voted ‘ World’s Best Bar’ for four consecutive years, by Drinks International. The bar offers all-day dining with gourmet bar treats, as well as long lasting, pure ice which we are told will keep our refreshing cocktails cooler for longer. Chuan Spa offers a luxury haven in the heart of the West End, with a philosophy steeped in the values of Traditional Chinese Medicine. As an exemplary spa hotel in London, guests are offered the ultimate in relaxation through an individually planned holistic journey, with each of the therapies designed to rebalance and revitalize the body and soul. Guests have the choice of six private treatment rooms, including a Couple’s Spa Suite, pre and post treatment relaxation area, a vitality pool, male and female changing facilities, herbal steam rooms and saunas. Lifestyle facilities include a fully equipped fitness centre with state-of-the-art Technogym cardio and resistance equipment and free weights as well as a 16 metre swimming pool. All hotel guests enjoy full access to the Chuan Health Club which we were lucky enough to experience and highly recommend. As well as the in-house amenities, the hotel’s premier location on the historic Regent Street offers a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy the very best that London has to offer. The hotel enjoys an enviable address in the heart of the West End, with the luxury stores of Bond Street, the unique boutiques of Marylebone Village, London’s famous theatre district and cultural attractions on its doorstep. With easy access to some of London’s top attractions, The Langham, London is the perfect destination for any break.
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La Belle Assiette: a Revolutionary Dining Experience
La Belle Assiette: a Revolutionary Dining Experience Enjoy the luxury of a restaurant quality meal in the comfort of your own home. La Belle Assiette brings the restaurant to your home by working with professional and creative chefs. The company was founded by two young entrepreneurs, Stephen Leguillon and Giorgio Ricco. In just a few clicks, book a menu created by a local chef and book securely online at www.labelleassiette.co.uk La Belle Assiette takes care of everything, allowing the host to simply relax and enjoy the company of their guests at the table without having to worry about a thing. The chefs buy the ingredients, cook in your kitchen, and serve you at the table and even clean up before leaving. For All Tastes, All Budgets and All Occasions Working with over than 200 chefs across the United Kingdom it is easy to find the menu that suits your tastes and expectations. All of the firm’s chefs create menus to entice and excite, from Nepalese to Nordic and Italian to Iraqi therefore they have a menu to suit every culinary appetite. The chefs cater for any dietary requirement or preference, creating amazing meals no matter how small the kitchen or basic the equipment. Quality Service: Quality Experiences All the firm’s chefs are professionals: all with diverse and exciting backgrounds, whether they have graduated from prestigious culinary schools or trained in Michelin starred restaurants. They are all carefully selected by La Belle Assiette with reference checks and then “validated by the jury” where they cook for a panel of eight gourmet judges and are then rated on their performance. All the reviews are unedited from the people that have tasted the chef’s food. The chefs find fresh good quality product and all their food is freshly made. Among the firm’s high calibre chefs are Steven Edwards, winner of Master Chef 2013 and Alec Maxfield who has worked in a number of Michelin Starred Restaurants and has worked as Head Chef in some prestigious establishments. All staff working for the firm are dedicated to ensuring clients receive the best possible quality and service.
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Treat Yourself to the Perfect Night’s Sleep
Treat Yourself to the Perfect Night’s Sleep One in three people sleep better in a luxury hotel room, according to recent research conducted by Rooi, the luxury bedding specialists, which has revealed that people are much more comfortable in a used bed, rather than in their very own home.
Of those who had experienced the pleasure of staying in a luxury hotel, a huge 49% of 25 to 54-year-olds asked, said they slept better. Does this say more about the comfort of a hotel or the discomfort of our own bedrooms?
So what does the luxury setting of a hotel offer that our own homes don’t? The Great British Sleep Survey has detailed exactly what elements disrupt our sleep. The top five physical factors that keep people awake at night are:
If you desperately wanted to gain a good night’s sleep, would you escape to a luxury hotel? It would cost you just over £84,000 to live in an average five-star hotel in London for a whole year. Would you go that far in pursuit of a good night’s sleep? If you were to really push the boat out, you could stay at London’s priciest hotel, Mandarin Oriental, which charges and eye watering £18,000 per night.
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Surely it makes much more sense to treat yourself to a little luxury at home instead? To that end, Rooi has compiled a handy guide to help you turn your bedroom into a relaxing sanctuary. “If people looked a little closer at their environment, the answer to their restless nights could be right in front of them,” Alka Ruia, Managing Director at Rooi explains. “Everything from the material of your bedding, tog of your duvet and little finishing touches that make your room your own make a huge difference. You could sleep a lot better in your own home if you simply took a few tips from the hotels themselves. Living in luxury doesn’t have to cost the earth and when your health is concerned, you can stretch a little further.” You need eight hours of sleep to feel refreshed and ready for a new day, but the Sleep Council discovered that nearly half of us are only getting six hours or less every night! A large percentage of these people could be better off with a few quick changes around their room. Affordable luxury does exist and it’s much cheaper than a lifetime stay in a luxury hotel room, that’s for sure! Rooi’s new guide looks at how you can take the experience of staying in a high-end hotel and replicate this in your own bedroom.
Bodily discomfort 67% Noise 36% Partner 34% Room temperature 34% Light levels 19%
Does a luxury hotel tick all the boxes when ensuring a comfortable night’s sleep? One in three people seem to think so. We also spoke to Sam Lygo from Unique Home Stays, who personally visits each luxury property on their books to ensure it’s up to standard. She revealed her checklist that each holiday home must complete: · · · · · ·
“An excellent level of cleanliness throughout the property, but particularly in the bedrooms.” “Only the finest of bedding and linens.” “Different tog duvets according to the seasons is an important factor to bear in mind.” “Extra blankets and cushions for cosiness should they want them.” “Blackout curtains to ensure no light is peeping through the windows.” “Private ‘off the beaten track locations’ for peace and quiet.”
When it comes to getting a sound night’s sleep, you can’t make a compromise. Simply follow our guide and create the perfect space to hibernate all autumn. Rooi are a luxury home accessories retailer. The firm specialise in offering the finest products at competitive prices. With a rich family history that stems from the cotton industry, Rooi aims to bring East-meets-West style to homes across the UK.
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Wellbeing fit for a Queen John Bell & Croyden, pharmacists to Her the Majesty The Queen for more than fifty years, opened the doors to its new health and wellbeing concept on Wigmore Street, London in September of last year, and the exciting new concept has been met with satisfaction by clients.
The beauty, health and wellbeing emporium has been transformed following a multi-million pound investment to offer a truly exquisite shopping destination; the beautiful new interior consists of marbled flooring and rose gold fixtures, while showcasing the store’s 200 year heritage through unveiling its existing architecture and ornate ceiling. With many of today’s consumers more health and wellbeing conscious than ever, John Bell & Croyden has recognised the need to create bespoke departments, embracing the key interests of its clients who are often extremely knowledgeable about the latest health and beauty trends. The new concept store will feature a host of handpicked exclusive product ensuring customers have access to the latest in technology and trends. As part of the refit, John Bell & Croyden also launched its new Best of British and Skin and Fragrance from Around the World collections, handpicked by its team of industry leading buyers who have collaborated with new trend-setting and established brands for a handful of exclusive products, including: • OSKIA : The Renaissance Range - Designed to rebuild skin health via bio-available nutrients, the nutritional skincare products and supplements target skin concerns from pigmentation; to fine lines to dark circles. • RUBY RED : Hair, Face and Beard Oil - Using the latest plant technology, the award winning, natural body care British brand has developed oil that works in harmony with the skin to improve texture, hydration and radiance. • HIFAS DE TERRA : Facial micro-lift treatment for Women and Men - Made with the eternal youth mushroom Reishi in synergy with the healing properties of Cordyceps, this powerful organic treatment works at a cellular level to soothe regenerate and reduce fine lines. • 001 by Ada Ooi : The Supreme Equilibrium Mask - From the London based beauty brand comes an innovative, anti-ageing mask made with pure natural actives sourced from ecological discoveries around the world.
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Dr Jackson : Rose and Baobab Body Oil - Dr Jackson, a niche British cosmeceutical company born out of 21 years of pharmacognosy research, utilising the very best from nature launches its first body oil. Dr Jackson uses techniques, learned from traditional healers, which mimic the way that the natural ingredients are extracted at source.
Interactive Departments: Skin, Nutrition and Vitamins, and Independent Living Customers can be introduced to three new and interactive departments focusing on skin, nutrition and vitamins and independent living, offering a world class holistic service. Each area features touch screen technology with expert staff on hand to help visitors navigate more than 12,000 globally sourced products, which include the very latest innovative ranges to cult, long-standing and firm favourites. Specialist Clinics and Pharmacy Services Complementing the vast product range, customers can also book an appointment with five specialist wellness clinics housed under one roof, including chiropody, hair, osteopathy, dental hygiene and a Eucerin Skin Institute. John Bell & Croyden’s team of pharmacists and healthcare assistants complete the 360 degree health and wellbeing offering, providing NHS, private dispensing and over-the-counter medicines. Purposebuilt consultation rooms offer privacy for health checks, including blood pressure; Type 2 diabetes; and cholesterol, and minor ailments are also now treatable in store at the new First Care Walk in Clinic. Robin Winfield, John Bell & Croyden Operations Manager commented on the refit and new products: “Our years of experience have helped us to constantly edit and curate our range, and tailor our advice and wellbeing services so that we’re always providing the very best. “The transformation of John Bell & Croyden will ensure that we continue to be relevant to the needs
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lux of today’s customers; we have reinforced our proposition while bringing the store back to its former glory and remaining true to our heritage, of which we are extremely proud. “We have been the best kept secret for Londoners and foreign visitors who regard us as a must visit destination who they can trust for holistic inside out solutions to health and wellbeing. Our omni-channel approach means that we can now provide customers across the UK, and beyond, the chance to experience and benefit from our products and expertise.” Covering all health and wellbeing needs –inside and out – this new 360 degree holistic retail offering makes John Bell & Croyden a must visit destination for shoppers from across the UK and those visiting London and sets the benchmark for pharmacy, health, beauty and wellbeing standards and excellence across the world. A ‘best kept secret’ amongst celebrities for everyday essentials and specialist products and a long-established, trusted supplier to medical professions on Harley Street John Bell & Croyden is the go to destination to experience a healthier world and to live life to the fullest. To celebrate the relaunch renowned London jeweller Phoebe Coleman has designed a limited edition Wellness Pot. Phoebe is a champion for British craftsmanship, with all jewellery designed and handmade in her London studio. A London girl at heart, Phoebe is the perfect choice to design an exclusive piece for British institution John Bell & Croyden, which first opened its doors to Londoners in 1798. Made in solid sterling silver and intended for the storage of vitamins, the wellness pot is an ornate and unique piece of jewellery which affirms the importance of health and wellbeing. The rose gold plating of the cherry blossom flowers echoes the new interior at the John Bell & Croyden store, featuring exquisite rose gold fixtures and marbled flooring, while showcasing the store’s 200 year heritage. Josie Elles, Leading Expert in the Field of Supplements and Wellness at John Bell & Croyden, says, “We are thrilled to be collaborating with British brand Phoebe Coleman to celebrate our autumn re-launch. With the primary use of storing vitamins, Phoebe’s design caters to the increasing trend of healthier living. The wellness concept is instrumental to John Bell & Croyden, as we pride ourselves on covering all health and wellbeing needs – inside and out – with our new 360 degree holistic retail offering setting the benchmark for pharmacy, health, skin, beauty and wellbeing standards across the world.” Phoebe Coleman says, “The design was inspired by photographs of the most beautiful cherry blossom trees in Regent’s Park, close to where I grew up. It is believed that the cherry blossom tree represents the beauty and fragility of life, which ties in nicely to the theme of a well-being pot and the importance of taking care of ourselves – a notion that is heralded by the re- launched John Bell and Croyden.” The limited edition wellness pot is available exclusively at the refitted John Bell & Croyden store, located at 50-54 Wigmore Street, London.
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Luxury Car Market Remains Strong
Luxury Car Market Remains Strong Record sales figures for 2015 for high end car firms such as Porsche and Mercedes-Benz highlight the enduring popularity of the renowned luxury car brand.
With 225,121 vehicles delivered to customers worldwide, Porsche achieved a new record in 2015, exceeding the previous record of 189,849 cars in 2014 by 19%. “The figures reflect the pulling power of our brand as well as the appeal of our products which we have launched on the market in the past few years,” says Dr. Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “Focusing completely on the development, production and sales of highly emotional sports cars is paying off.” Despite this, sales are only a secondary yardstick for success for Porsche. “What is much more important for us are customer enthusiasm, return on sales and secure jobs,” says Blume. The 911 legend continues unabated. The sports car icon recorded an increase over the previous year of 4 percent with just under 32,000 units delivered. “This growth, even in a year in which the model was changed, shows the immensity of fascination for the 911 on the markets,” says Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. The new 911 series, with the 911 Turbo as the flagship model, will be available on the European market at the end of January 2016. It will provide another boost and consolidate delivery figures to a stable level. The firm’s new model, the Macan, has been an ongoing the best-seller for Porsche. Clearly, the growth drivers are the SUV models and the best-seller is the latest addition to the family. With more than 80,000 cars delivered, the Macan became the most coveted Porsche already in the first year of full availability. It is closely followed by the Cayenne (73,119 units). Compared with the previous year, the Macan and the Cayenne achieved two-digit growth figures. Cayman sales rose slightly by 1%, whilst the Panamera and Boxster models lagged behind the previous year levels. The reason for this is the upcoming model change from which Porsche is expecting renewed growth in 2016. In future, the Boxster and Cayman models will be branded as the 718 model series and will continue to merge both technically and optically. For the first time, the strongest single market in 2015 was China where Porsche delivered 58,009 vehicles.
Compared with 2014, this was an increase of 24%. In second place came the USA with 51,756 vehicles, a growth of 10%. The European market grew by 24% to 75,354 units where Germany is the strongest single market with a total of 28,953 vehicles delivered (+21%). Mercedes-Benz also had a record year, delivering more cars to customers in 2015 than ever before in one year. The Stuttgart-based premium brand with the three-pointed star sold a total of 1,871,511 vehicles (+13.4%), posting its fifth record year in a row. Furthermore, the year 2015 ended for Mercedes-Benz with its strongest-selling December (178,017 units, +9.1%) and best quarter (495.159 units, +8.8%). Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “Last year, we sold more cars than ever before. We were able to increase our unit sales in all three core regions – Europe, NAFTA and Asia-Pacific. And with 373,459 units sold, China developed into our biggest individual market worldwide in 2015. With growth there of 32.6%, Mercedes-Benz grew significantly faster than the overall automobile market.” Growth drivers in 2015 were the SUVs and the compact cars. For the first time, more than half a million units were sold in each segment. “We anticipate additional sales impetus in 2016 from the new E-Class, the world’s most intelligent business saloon. And our new dream cars such as the S-Class Cabrio, the C-Class Coupé and the new generations of the SL and SLK will further boost the fascination of the MercedesBenz brand,” stated Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales. With six versions of the new-generation S-Class now presented, Mercedes-Benz continued its product offensive in the luxury segment in 2015. Last year, the S-Class was once again the world’s best-selling luxury saloon. About a third of all S-Class vehicles were sold in China in 2015. Approximately 500 units of the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, which was launched in February, were delivered to customers each month in China alone. These figures highlight that despite global economic issues, the market for luxury cars is still strong, with clients retaining their desire to pay high prices for quality and comfort.
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Stunning Signet Rings to Set Off Any Outfit
Stunning Signet Rings to Set Off Any Outfit Rebus Signet Rings creates unique, hand-crafted signet rings that are designed and made exclusively at their in-house workshop in London’s famous jewellery quarter – Hatton Garden.
Using traditional hand-engraving techniques the award-winning team of skilled goldsmiths and hand engravers creates high quality, bespoke signet rings for both men and women who want to express their individuality and appreciation of craftsmanship. Not only does this mean traditional family crests, but an increasing number of people are interested in creating their own meaningful design, which communicates their personality. Rebus offers bespoke signet rings, family crests and monograms, as well as two ready-to-wear collections; Talisman, and Initials. Rings are crafted from precious metals including platinum, 9- carat, 14-carat and 18-carat gold in colours of yellow, rose or white. Each ring is delivered in a beautifully designed Rebus gift box that includes an encapsulated wax impression of the engraving, a wax taper and instructions to create a wax seal. Bespoke Signet Rings For thousands of years people have used signet rings to express and communicate the things that mean the most to them and with the current demand for bespoke and fashion-led jewellery pieces for men and women, a signet rings allows people to express their individual style and be creative with their own bespoke design. The experienced craftsmen at Rebus help customers to design and custom make a meaningful piece of jewellery, which will fit perfectly and look stunning. Prices range from £240 to £3,150. Family Crests & Monograms Creating symbols for identification purposes can be found going back to the earliest man. Rebus has over 30,000 family names and 4,000 crest images in their database, which have been sourced from one of the most respected sources for heraldry information: Fairbairn’s Book of Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland, and their Kindred in other Lands. For monogram rings, Rebus also has 1,000’s of two initial combinations. For those looking for design inspiration, to discover a family crest, or see how fabulous a monogram of their initials could look, Rebus has a Crest Finder app which contains our full database of family crests and monograms. Available on the App Store, search ‘Rebus Crest Finder’. Engraving prices range from £85 to £250.
Initials Collection The Initials Collection which launched in spring 2015 is the second ready-to-wear collection and consists of 26 pieces from A-Z. This stylish range of hand engraved initial rings is available in three precious metals; sterling silver, 9-carat yellow gold, or 9-carat rose gold. Prices range from £190 to £550. Talisman Collection Rebus’ first ready-to-wear seal engraved signet ring collection comprises 16 carefully selected symbols, each with a unique symbolic meaning. The high quality rings are available in 9-carat or 18-carat yellow gold. Prices range from £475 to £1,015. Designs include: • The Warrior – featuring Boadicea - history’s most famous warrior queen, symbolising infinite determination, fearlessness and courage. • The Swallow of Hope - traditionally featured in tattoos as a superstition of sailors – the swallow symbolises hope, freedom and eternal life • Bumble Bee - a symbol of the soul in Greek mythology • Hummingbird – representing boundless energy and a desire to seek out the good things in life. Rebus was founded by Emmet Smith in 2005 as a department within R. H. Wilkins, the renowned engravers to Downing Street, Westminster Abbey, The Wimbledon Championships, based in London’s Hatton Garden. Emmet has worked in the jewellery trade since 1986 and after studying at the Sir John Cass School of Art in Whitechapel, undertook a 5 year apprenticeship with R.H. Wilkins, the company he went on to buy. The word ‘Rebus’ means a device that uses pictures and symbols to represent a word or phrase, so it seemed a natural choice for the signet ring brand. Emmet Smith, Founder of Rebus said, “With a hand-engraved message or symbol, an object can be transformed from the ordinary into the extraordinary, giving it a life and meaning of its own. And in time, the item will acquire its own personality. It will become a talisman – precious and cherished that can be handed down from generation to generation.”
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Timekeeping Gets Smart Martian Watches debuts new collection of women’s discreet notification smartwatches and smart jewellery. 34 LUX - January 2016
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lux Martian Watches, a California-based developer of award-winning fashion-forward analog smartwatches, today announced the unveiling of its new Martian mVip discreet notifications technology in the Kindred Vip Collection of women’s analog notification smartwatches and jewellery, designed to discreetly alert a woman to important VIP messages based on information that she chooses, while she leaves her smartphone in a nearby pocket or bag. These new watches and jewellery, along with Martian’s newest line of men’s Active mVoice Voice Command smartwatches, will be on display at the Martian booth #72742 at the Sands Expo Center during the International CES event this week in Las Vegas, NV. Kindred vip – Woman’s Hybrid Smartwatch Featuring Martian’s mVip discreet smart notification technologies, a modest round diameter of only 38mm and a stainless steel case in ion-plated rose gold, black and polished stainless steel, the Kindred vip is a true woman’s hybrid smartwatch. Kindred vip uniquely has no discernible technology on its watch face and only a discreet LED alert light located on the side of the case at the 6 o’clock position, allowing users to create and customize their own “VIP Groups” defining discreet vibration patterns, in combination with seven unique consumer-assigned LED color notifications through the Martian Smart mVip companion app. Kindred vip also features a built in accelerometer for step and sleep tracking, and its fitness data will be open for use in apps and ecosystems such as Google Fit, Up by Jawbone and others. Adding a leash feature and a ‘tap to recall’ function for notifications, the Kindred vip provides smart, discreet and stylish smartwatch functionality. The Kindred vip is water resistant, has a two year analog battery and lithium battery capacity of two-three weeks before being needed to be recharged via a pogo pin. Martian’s dual battery feature eliminates the need to charge your smartphone daily. Italian leather straps and stainless steel bracelets are interchangeable enabling users to easily customize the watches to complement their own unique lifestyle. The Kindred vip smartwatch was produced in conjunction with Seiko Instrument Hong Kong (SIH) and uses both a Miyota 3-hand analog movement and Martian’s ‘Powered by Martian’ mVip discreet technology module to achieve the highest level of quality, functionality and performance in a true hybrid smartwatch. Kindred vip’s modern design watch series includes two lifestyle collections: • Kindred vip CL Series: The perfect smart style day to evening companions with looks for business to casual dress to evening occasions. • Kindred vip SP Series: Sporty watches that are fun and colourful with crisp dials, vibrant contrasting indexes. Kindred vip Smart Jewelry Martian will also showcase its new Kindred vip Smart Jewelry, an elegant smart wearable solution for fashion and fine jewelry. Featuring Martian’s mVip discreet smart notifications technologies, the Kindred vip smart bracelet offers one of the smallest and slimmest water-resistant wireless Bluetooth
Timekeeping Gets Smart
notification modules available today. A discreet LED alert light, is located on the top of the bracelet and an alert vibration motor hidden within, Kindred vip jewelry discreetly alerts the user to what she wants or needs to know, while enjoying moments with family and friends. Like Martian’s Kindred vip smartwatches, its jewelry notification products allow consumers to create and customize their own “VIP Groups” defining discreet vibration patterns, in combination with seven unique consumer-assigned LED color notifications through the Martian Smart mVip companion app. New Line in Martian’s Men’s mVoice Collection Martian is introducing its mVoice Collection of Men’s watches featuring “always-on” analog designs with classic styling, sweep-second hands and separate two-year batteries. Martian’s directional speaker and noise-canceling microphone allow wearers to access their smartphone’s voice command functions and receive spoken responses. Users can place calls, send voice-to-text SMS and email messages, listen and respond to messages, set calendar notifications, request music selections, search the web, set reminders and all the other voice commands their phone allows The new Active Collection features Martian’s award-winning technology, including Dual Mode functionality, simultaneously offering voice command functions via Classic Bluetooth while utilizing Bluetooth LE to provide hands-free and eyesfree notifications to the wrist from 1000s of popular apps and programs. The Martian Active mVoice Collection includes two unique lines: • Martian mVoice PT Series: Arouses nostalgia with its retro, timeless design. Although equipped with smartwatch capabilities and hightech performance, the PT series the simple, distinctive style of a vintage or retro airman’s watch. • Martian mVoice AE Series: Boasts bold features with an active lifestyle design. This watch presents a precision appearance through an uncluttered 24-hour clock display with modern smartwatch features. Martian also announced its “Powered by Martian” B2B solution and partnership with PC Jeweller Limited (PCJ) of India, a $1 billion public jewelry conglomerate. Together, the companies will develop precious gold and semi-precious “smart” jewelry featuring six interchangeable design capsules through PCJ’s award-winning jewelry designs utilizing Martian’s ‘Powered by Martian’ smart jewelry device and App ecosystem. “We recognize that wearable technology, specifically discreet notifications, will continue to touch our connected lives which is why we’ve expanded our line of smartwatches and wearable jewelry to help accommodate this need,” said Jeffrey Hsiech, CEO of Martian Watches. “Over the past year, we’ve entered into strategic partnerships combining Martian’s smart technologies and App ecosystem with other leaders in the traditional watch and jewelry space including the recently launched GUESS Connect™ smartwatch and now smart jewelry with India-based PC Jeweller.”
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Menswear by Royal Appointment Designer Raghavendra Rathore pays homage to his regal lineage with “Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur” a bespoke menswear line for a modern new world, which makes its UK debut this month.
India’s most iconic; luxury-fashion brand Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur will open its doors to the international market with the launch of a debut collection in the United Kingdom in January 2016. A pioneer in the menswear luxury segment, Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur is the brainchild of design doyen Raghavendra Rathore, who is credited for reinterpreting the concept of Indian Royalty through design and luxury innovations, blending global sophistication and impeccable quality the Raghavendra Rathore Jodhpur brand is driven by a holistic vision of luxury, inspired by the “old world charm” of Rajasthan in India, with a clean and modern sensibility. Renowned for cutting-edge designs and pushing the boundaries of fashion familiarity, the Raghavendra Rathore label is synonymous with the revival of the iconic Bandhgala jacket and Jodhpur Pants (Jodhpur breeches), where 1400 years of regal Jodhpur heritage has been interspersed with contemporary design. Its coterie boasts of industry stalwarts, socialites, aristocrats, celebrities and public figures across India and international markets. For its international launch, Raghavendra Rathore has curated a bespoke collection combining opulent luxury and renowned heritage to bring a traditional twist to the wardrobe of the modern man. The Equestrian Renaissance – Rathore Breeches Renowned as much for its cultural wealth as for its equestrial passion, riding breeches being its contribution to the world of fashion, Jodhpur’s flamboyant lifestyle has always throbbed with joie der verve that mixes with the sands of its legacy and makes it a magical destination. The regal game of polo has historically been associated with The Royal House of Jodhpur forming a collaborated theme that eeds a reflection of our times and much care and preservation. This further reestablishes the bond of a certain lifestyle, thereby bringing people from international backgrounds to connect with this sport. From this, the brand’s focal point is to exude the intricacies of rural craftsmanship and infuse it with contemporary design and modern aesthetics, with the central theme of Polo — often referred to as
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the ‘sport of kings’ — giving the brand a particular historical and cultural significance to Rajasthan. Iconoclastic Legacy of the Classic Rathore Bandhgala Inspired by 1400-years of rich history, the Jodhpuri Bandhgala Jacket, available in both short and long lengths, has today become synonymous with the Raghavendra Rathore Label. Worn by royalty and nobility from generation to generation, the Rathore Classic, patented Bandhgala is a global statement of sophistication and style, with the Rathore moniker symbolising culture as much as it does fashion. Designed exclusively by the atelier, it exemplifies the hallmark of Indian Heritage on a global landscape, modern Indian sophistication and the grandeur of India’s bygone era. It is truly a relic of the noble aristocracy back at the time when Maharaja Sardar Singh patronised this attire and gave it a new dimension and appeal. This fashion element is a reflection of that ethos for the brand taking 33 hours for a craftsman to immaculately tailor this timeless garment to perfection. The versatility of wearing “The Jodhpuri Bandhgala” in numerous fashions, classic or contemporary, amalgamates effortlessly the vibrancy of cool, chic glamour while anchoring legacy and tradition. It has been the brands constant endeavour to reinvent this suit and project a contemporary yet slick appeal for the modern man and now international fashionistas can experience the richness of the bespoke Bandhgala, once enjoyed by India’s elite club of Maharajas, and today revived into thread by a royal himself. Waistcoats and Waistcoat Sets Raghavendra Rathore has crafted a signature style creation of waistcoat sets and waistcoats for men to wear as either ethnic dressing or to perfectly complement Western looks such as with tailored shirts, suits and (Jodhpuri) pants. Bright block colours or patterned fabrics can glam up a sophisticated look with soberness and richness. Raghavendra Rathore has also perfectly introduced velvet based waistcoats to add a regal touch to any ensemble. For a more Ethnic inspired look, longer versions of waistcoats can be worn over kurta or dhoti suits, a classic ensemble.
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Menswear by Royal Appointment
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lux Kurta Kurtas, long or short, are one of the most versatile of Indian fashion items which can be worn solo or as part of an ensemble such as with waistcoats. Wear them with a pair of denims or straight cut pants for a modern Western twist. Team them with waistcoats for an Ethnic twist. The kurta is a great option for formal affairs as well as a stylish casual choice for everyday wear. Bespoke Tailoring Carrying on the tradition of the aristocratic tailor services, the brand specialises in giving an eastern philosophy to the meticulously customised apparel, that speaks volumes regarding the precision and care that goes behind the making of it. Techniques of tailoring have been adopted from 1400 years of handcrafting that was inimitable to the isolated Thar region. Each inspirational template is diverse as the selections in design are made depending on which house of royalty it is coming from. The intent is to work with the classic timeless fits and structuring that add authenticity and relevance to every ensemble. There is an extreme methodical process that is followed from measuring to fabric selection, customisation and fittings, to, ultimately, completion of the garment. As a member of the Jodhpur Royal family, Raghavendra Rathore began his creative journey with the study of Renaissance Art. His path into fashion was given firm foundation at Parsons School of Design in New York, which paved the way for him to work with Donna Karan, New York (DKNY) and subsequently, Oscar de la Renta. The influences of such iconic fashion institutes gave Raghavendra Rathore the impetus, desire and devotion to launch his own fashion label in India. From his immense creativity, inimitable style and exquisite flair, so was born the Raghavendra Rathore label in 1994. Raghavendra Rathore cites his creative inspiration as drawing from his culturally and historically rich royal ancestry in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He brought Jodhpurs and Bandhgalas, two popular fashion exports from India, to prominence; both styles gained iconic status and consequently promoted and preserved the heritage of Rajasthan culture. Raghavendra Rathore holds the copyrights on both the styles as a means to preserve its authenticity. Speaking about the launch of the brand in the UK, Raghavendra Rathore says: “I’m excited the UK will get to experience, firsthand, the flamboyancy of the Maharaja’s of Jodhpur, transposed in time by my meticulous craftsman and presented with a dash of British elegance. The collection highlights will be Classic Bandhgala Nehru jackets, Jawar waistcoats, Jodhpur breeches and Achkans, all of which will beautifully complement the soul of London. I’m also honoured that the designs and the cuts of my rural craftsman have found a place in a global hotspot like the UK, and this means a lot to my team.” The design diversity that the atelier offers also expands to aspects of interiors, product design, accessories such as scarves and cufflinks, shoes and other areas of lifestyle, which are also due to launch in the UK later next year. In the United Kingdom, Raghavendra Rathore operates via a By Appointment Only service. For more information, please visit: http://www.rathore.com/bespoke.php 40 LUX - January 2016
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Menswear by Royal Appointment
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Award Winning Casamigos Tequila
Award Winning Casamigos Tequila Beat the January blues with a bottle of award-winning Casamigos Tequila.
“Brought To You By Those Who Drink It,” Casamigos Tequila is privately owned by George Clooney and longtime friend, bar and restaurant mogul Rande Gerber, and Discovery Land Company CEO & founder Michael Meldman.
“We worked on the creation of Casamigos Tequila with our master distiller in Jalisco, Mexico, for years and held many blind tastings until we knew we got it right. We’ve been drinking Casamigos with friends and family for over six years,” says Clooney.
Casamigos is named after Gerber and Clooney’s houses in Mexico, and roughly translates to “House of Friends.” Tequila-filled nights with friends is how Casamigos was born. Casamigos was originally created out of Clooney and Gerber’s desire to enjoy the best-tasting, smoothest tequila and was always intended for personal use, to be shared with family and friends.
Casamigos is available in the United States, Bahamas, Canada, Hong Kong, and the UK, and has garnered the highest accolades from the spirit industry’s most well respected authority figures. Awards and ratings include the highest rated gold medals from Los Angeles International Spirits Competition, the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, The Beverage Testing Institute, The New York World Wine & Spirits Competition, The Spirits of Mexico Tasting Competition and many more. Additionally, Casamigos was rated “Excellent, Highly Recommend” by The Ultimate Spirits Challenge, received the coveted 5 star rating from BevX Magazine, “A perfect tequila,” A rating, from Good Spirit News, named “Best Tequila in the World” by Men’s Journal magazine and Oprah Winfrey lists Casamigos as “The Smoothest, The Best.”
Casamigos is currently available in Blanco, Reposado and Añejo. These small batch, ultra-premium tequilas are made from the finest hand-selected 100% Blue Weber agaves, grown in the rich red clay soil and cool climate of Mexico’s Jalisco Highlands for a minimum of seven years. After harvest, the agave piñas are roasted in traditional brick ovens for seventy-two hours before undergoing an extra-slow fermentation process over an additional eighty hours, nearly double the industry standard. Casamigos’ Blanco rests for two months, whilst Casamigos Reposado and Casamigos Añejo are aged 7 and 14 months respectively in the finest premium American white oak barrels, which have been carefully reconditioned after being used to age the finest premium whiskey. “Casamigos Blanco is crisp and clear, with subtle hints of vanilla and a smooth finish, Casamigos Reposado is smooth and clean with hints of caramel, and Casamigos Añejo is a perfect balance of sweetness from the Blue Weber agaves, layered with barrel oak and subtle hints of spice with a lingering smooth finish. All expressions are great served neat or on the rocks, and are the perfect base for premium cocktails,” says Gerber. Before going into the bottle, each batch is tasted and approved by the firm’s master distiller, Gerber and Clooney, to ensure the highest quality. Each batch is then numbered and signed by Gerber and Clooney. Casamigos’ authentic minimalist design reflects the men who created it.
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Whisky with a Touch of Romance SPEY from Speyside Distillery celebrates 200th anniversary of Byron’s marriage with an exclusive 200 limited edition release.
Two hundred years after the marriage of celebrated Romantic poet Lord Byron, Speyside Distillery has launched an exclusive limited edition release to commemorate this special wedding anniversary. Matured in port casks, the whisky has a taste as sophisticated as the aristocrat and as complex as his personality. Just 200 cases – amounting to 1,200 bottles – of the limited edition expression have been produced. The boutique distillery nestled at the foot of the Cairngorm mountains has a historic link to the renowned poet George Gordon Byron, who was known for his scandalous private life as much as his talents as a wordsmith. Lord Byron is said to have gifted a cask of his favourite SPEY whisky to King George III to celebrate the occasion of his wedding in 1815 to Lady Annabelle Millbanke - a union that was to last less than two years. Speyside Distillery Chief Executive Officer John Harvey McDonough believes that Lord Byron - who was known to enjoy a dram - would have approved of the gesture. He adds, “It is a fascinating part of our history and one of which we are incredibly proud. It is understood that when Lord Byron wed at Seaham Hall in Northumberland, a cask of SPEY whisky was sent down to Kew Palace in London as a gift for the King. “A replica of the cask remains in Seaham Hall, where SPEY has a mini museum in the cellar. Two centuries have passed, but we are still making SPEY whisky in the same time-honoured traditional ways and we are continuing to create very desirable drams. “We believe that Lord Byron would have been delighted that we have chosen to mark the anniversary by creating a new single malt expression in his name. We wonder if it would have stirred him enough to put pen to paper - we can only dream of the words he would have conjured up in tribute.”
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SPEY Lord Byron expression is a delicate balance of warm, nutty, tawny port hues with a soft sweet toffee aftertaste and a fresh, fruity lingering note which soothes the palate like the finest warm honey caressing ones tongue. At 46% ABV, 70c, it has an RRP of £95. Lord Byron spent his early years in Aberdeen around 100 miles from Speyside Distillery - before completing his education at Harrow School and Cambridge University. After returning to England following a tour of European countries, he began to court Annabelle Milbanke. Said to be a highly moral woman - as well as a gifted mathematician and heiress - she refused his first proposal but later accepted his hand in marriage. He may have been one of the greatest poets of the Romantic Movement, but Lord Byron treated his new wife poorly: there were rumours of scandalous affairs and he also mounted up significant debts. The couple had a daughter - Ada - but just a year into the marriage, Lady Byron left him. Lord Byron left England later that year, never to return. He died in Greece on 19 April, 1824 after developing a fever. John adds, “Many, many years after the marriage at Seaham Hall, in a strange quirk of fate, my family developed a further connection to the historic property. My grandfather Alec Harvey ran a whisky export business from Seaham Hall, and exported whisky to the US during the prohibition era. “He had a very long list of customers - including one Al Capone - who helped to establish demand for SPEY across the Atlantic. It was the drink of choice for those in the know - a secret that was actually on every whisky lover’s lips.” For further information about Speyside Distillery, visit www.speysidedistillery.co.uk. Follow Speyside Distillery on Twitter @SpeySingleMalt and on Facebook at facebook.com/speysidedistillery
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Whisky with a Touch of Romance
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Shades of Perfection
Shades of Perfection Leica unveils D-Lux ‘Solid Gray’ high-performance compact camera with two-tone silver and grey styling, perfect for anyone whose New Year’s resolution was to improve their photography skills. Leica Camera has introduced a stunning new model in its compact camera range – the Leica D-Lux ‘Solid Gray’. This beautifully-designed camera is a variation on the current black D-Lux, styled in a striking two-tone finish, with elegant silver lens and control elements complementing the sophisticated, grey enamelled body. Offering the same high-performance specifications of the standard model, the D-Lux Solid Gray includes an extensive feature set within its compact body, combined with extremely intuitive handling, making it a highly desirable and versatile companion for all photographic situations. Outstanding highlights of the camera include a fast, Leica DC Vario-Summilux 10.9–34 mm f/1.7–2.8 ASPH. lens that is perfectly matched to its large four-thirds sensor, producing exceptional image performance. The zoom lens, with its highly practical range of focal lengths equivalent to 24 to 75mm (in 35mm format), ensures perfect results in a wide range of photographic genres – from portraits to landscapes, architecture to macro, and – the classic domain of Leica cameras – reportage photography. Further creative possibilities are offered by the camera’s 4K video capability, as well as an integrated WiFi module, providing remote control of the camera from a smartphone or tablet PC, and wireless transmission of still and moving images. The Leica Image Shuttle app that enables these features can be downloaded free of charge and installed on iOS or Android devices. Included with the Leica D-Lux Solid Gray is a Leica CF D flash unit, also finished in silver, and a speciallydesigned, matching carrying strap - meticulously finished in genuine leather with exclusive Leica embossing. Its special form factor and non-slip lining ensure particular comfort, making this versatile camera ideal for carrying to social events or taking on exciting outside adventures. The Leica D-Lux ‘Solid Gray’ is available from Leica stores and authorised Leica dealers in the UK, at a suggested retail price of £825 including VAT.
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