Cercle n12

A R T S | T R AV E L | FA S H I O N | C U LT U R E | I N T E R I O R S | C A R S | L E I S U R E | E C O N O M I C S

R E A L ESTATE

Etsuko Morishita

L AU R EUS AC A DE M Y

CINEMA

Spartacus becomes a new member

DR EAM CARS Salon Prive

A RT FO C US

Fiac - Paris

POLO

A Great Weekend in Dubai

Venice Film Festival

Jana Sinkova-Courtin Fr eedom

日本国 INSIDE

J A PA N

is the

A nsw er

FA SHION New York FW

H AU T E JO A IL L E R IE

EDITOR’S LE T TER

of Shigeo Oguri’s Ogurhythm, his personalised account of Japanese philosophy. Mr Oguri enlightens us into the essence of Japanese culture with core concepts such as bushido: ‟begin with a bow, end with a bow”.

With their flawless complexions, we were curious to find out about Japan’s innovative beauty industry.

Dewi Sukarno ensures us that luxury is not just shiny things but also a state of being, “The greatest luxury is to be mentally, economically and spiritually free.” A successful businesswoman, socialite,TV personality, and philanthropist, Ms Sukarno offers us some personal insight into her life and what drives her out of bed early in the morning.

Dear Cercle Friends, What a year! As we look back on 2016, we reflect on a time of intense political turmoil. From Brexit to Trump’s recent election, our assumptions about the state of the world have been truly challenged. Undoubtedly, large global shifts await us in the coming year as our political, cultural and natural environment transform rapidly; movements rise and fall, we face new challenges, and we learn and grow, adapting to an ever mercurial world.

However no matter how turbulent our world may be at this time of year we come together - in celebration. We at Cercle wish you to take care of yourself this season, to love those around you and to stay hopeful - there is much to be excited about. Our Christmas edition begins with our beautiful Cercle friend Jana Sinkova-Courtin, a successful entrepreneur, consultant and mother, who not only dazzles our front page, but also inspires us with all her achievements.

Lucia Hwong Gordon then takes us on a whirlwind adventure through the streets of NYC during September Fashion Week. Experience a frontrow-seat account of all the need-to-know designers and their collections.

For our loyal fashionistas, Sheetal’s ‟The Six Yards Wonder”, article on the sari, our ‟closet chameleon”, is one not to be missed. Monika Bacardi shares star studded stories from Venice Film Festival, and we congratulate Hugh Grant for the Golden Icon award at Zurich Film Festival.

Community, culture and the rise of modern spirituality is seen through ancient practices such as yoga. We take you around the world with reviews on some of the most heavenly retreats, encouraging you to put your wellbeing first. We invite you to come with us as we explore the fascinating country of Japan with its unique culture. Satoko Yahata, The Visit Japan Ambassador as appointed by the Ministry of LandInfrastructure-Transport and Tourism, gives us a personal account on ‘The Art of Japanese Hospitality.’

We were honoured to speak to Hiroshi Hamaguchi, an anomaly when it comes to motorsports racing. Hiroshi takes us ‘into the Driver’s Seat’ for a thrilling account on how he became a successful financier and race car driver. If you are inspired and Japan is on your list of travel destinations, be sure to read ‟Inside Tokyo”, for an insider's guide to the top restaurants, bars and places to see.

Cars, proven to be a shared passion by men and women alike, is another trending theme in our 12th edition. For the F1 fanatics, the Grand Prix Mexico is also featured, one of the most exciting races of the season.

Leila Russack, a classic car and motor enthusiast, recounts the Salon Prive, England’s most exclusive automotive Garden Party. The Burning Man cultural uprising is seen with large scale manifestations of art, communal effort and acts of self-expression. A playground for wealthy adults, reminding us that life is not all about work, we are here to have fun too!

Readers are taken to the magic of St. Moritz, with a personal piece

by Maura Wasescha, as well as a delightful review of the St Moritz Art Masters. Indulge in the works of Albert Watson and Pierre-Anthony Allard, two of the greatest photographers of our time. It is indeed in these prestigious contemporary art fairs, FIAC, Art Basel, Frieze where the crème de la crème gather, delighting in all things quality and culture.

Not to be missed is the article on Cycling legend Fabian Cancellara who joins the Laureus World Sports Academy in Zurich. Experience also the Event of the Year in celebrating Queen Elizabeth II' s 90th birthday at this year's Royal Ascot chronicled by Simon Piggott.

And last, but not least, the talented fashion and jewellery designer Siran Manoukian gives a down to earth interview, touching on the benefits of these ancient tools for keeping us in balance and managing our stress.

We hope you are reminded and left inspired by all the things to be grateful for. Gratitude allows for empathy and with power and wealth comes a responsibility to empathise with the less fortunate and to play a part in making the world a safe and better place for all.

We look forward to sharing many more memories.

If you do plan to visit Japan and stay in one of the recommended ‟ryokans” (Japanese Inns), we suggest equipping yourself with some

Gabriele Salvadori Founder & Editor-in-Chief 6 | Issue N12

© Didier Gourdon

CALIBER RM 037

www.richardmille.com

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P O L I T I C S | A TRUMPED DISILLUSION?

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M Y F AV O U R I T E S | J A N A S I N KOVA - C O U R T I N

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F A S H I O N | N Y FA S H I O N W E E K

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C I N E M A | Z U R I C H & V E N I C E FI L M FES T I VA L

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A R O U N D T H E W O R L D | YO GA

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T R AV E L | A CALIFORNIA ROADTRIP

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L E I S U R E | I B I Z A E L PA R A I S O

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I N S I D E J A PA N | K A N A Z AWA

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R E A L E S T A T E | TO K YO, J A PA N

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B E A U T Y | M A S AYO S H I YA M A D A

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T R A D I T I O N S | OGURHYTHM:

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I N S I D E T O K Y O | A WES T ERN G I RL I N A J A PA N ESE WO RL D

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P E R S O N A L I T Y | R AT N A SA R I D E W I S U K A R N O

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For advertising please contact: Nadya.Arsekina@ccercle.com | +44(0) 7985 342246 Publisher Cercle Ltd ® 5 Vigo Street, Mayfair, London,W1S 3HB, UK Cercle is a ® Registered Trademark. Printing in whole or in part is expressly forbidden without written permission from the publisher.

The publisher declines any responsibility for manuscripts and photos sent directly.

The views expressed in the magazine are those of the contributors and are not necessarily shared by the magazine. © 2016 - Cercle Ltd ®. All right reserved.

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POLITICS

A Trumped Disillusion?

By Yaron Hubin Plimmer

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he 2016 U.S presidential election seems to have shocked us all but nothing quite like the surprise of the result. That surprise in itself was spread across an ever more vibrant and disenfranchised electorate across the Western world looking for a sense of reassurance in a time with more questions than answers. So why has is it boiled down to the two worst polling candidates in terms of favourability, and why was it conducted as one of the fiercest and personal campaigns to date.

Even in the early days of this Presidential election, candidates looking to secure their parties nominations faced a non-conventional battle to the endorsement. Where Donald Trump thwarted sixteen fellow Republicans, Hillary Clinton faced five. The final set of candidates from both parties, in this list I include Bernie Sanders and Ted Cruz, largely represented a new era of political discussion. For better or for worse, the conversation touched little upon conventional topics but focused on

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the “establishment” and the infiltration of corruption within the inner chambers of American democracy. Yes, themes like immigration and the economy played a key role within the campaigns but this article looks to highlight that a new era of social sentiment had emerged at precisely the optimal time where solutions arose from areas rarely touched upon before. Despite the outcry from the Republican establishment, Donald Trump secured his mandate from party members. On the other side it was revealed, rather ironically, that the Democratic party had colluded in handing Hillary Clinton her victory despite the heated contest that gave rise to the “new”, left leaning, anti-establishment voice of Bernie Sanders.

These campaigns didn’t cement party platform but amassed together an across the board social coalition that manifest itself in a fight between the conventional and the anti-establishment that managed to connect and encompass themes developing across the world.

Like with Brexit, the rise of the National Front in France, Pegida in Germany and the candidate in Austria’s presidential rerun election Alexander Van Der Bellen, there seems to be a wave of dissatisfaction across the populations of liberal democracies of today. On the surface, issues of immigration, individual economic prospects and sovereignty take centre stage but at its core, a social movement is developing that is being received by all those that have fallen victim one way or another to the encroachment of globalization. Though the developing European sentiment and that of the U.S is perhaps a little different, neoliberalism, that once promised prosperity and internationalism is today being met with more scepticism than open arms. Arguably, access to individual economic prosperity lays at the core of many people’s priorities when viewing society and casting their vote and though globalization has enriched the western world, its successes have been disproportionate and concentrated.

The erosion of manufacturing, the threat to small business and a strained welfare system due to dwindling government revenue have left the national citizen feeling marginalized

and out of reach from their own governments.

At the moment 48 million Americans are on food stamps with the government's capacity to do anything meaningful constrained by the national debt which currently stands at 20 trillion dollars. Todays neoclassical economy relies on a healthy, strong and vibrant middle class that can drive consumerism, but when it erodes, the economy weakens. " We cannot have the 0.1% taking all the spoils" says outspoken Richemont's Chairman Mr. Rupert at FT Luxury Conference in Monaco, "We are destroying the middle classes at this stage, and it will effect all of us. It is unfair and it is not sustainable" Undoubtedly the middle classes are the engine that fuels the success of the neoclassical economy, a factor that is today threatened by unequal access to wealth. The intense and unequal concentration of wealth, whether it be in the European Union or the United States, has made clear the distortion between corporations, financial institutions and interest groups that have upset the three tier balance between the government, the governed and interest groups (including businesses).

Globalization has radically changed the way we

perceive politics, society and economics but has failed to structurally adapt. This has done little to help the increasing feeling of marginalization that see the representative system as slow, corrupt and inefficient.

In the case of the United States, its founding fathers in the 18th century crafted a state that offered a weak executive in favour of state power. In essence, the federal government was to be open and representative of the interests of all states and commercial interests to provide an all-encompassing democratic process of checks and balances. The system failed to adapt with the times and what started as an appeal for commercial interests has now allowed industry to lobby for its interests, effectively watering down legislation. An executive branch that has grown in importance and a legislature reluctant to let go, the problem the United States faces is no different than that of the rest of the western world, it is to slow in meeting the interests of the people. Perhaps at blame lay the principles of representative democracy. By function, its designed to limit the individual’s political participation by voting on a representative

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POLITICS whom would pick up the responsibility to act upon their constituents interests.This no longer seems to be enough with what looks like a congress interested in re-elections and political games.

As a result, this election became about changing the status quo and rustling the powers that be. It eroded traditional party platforms and captivated voters from across the spectrum behind a movement interested in structural change, protectionism and greater levels of isolationism. It became about changing the system to benefit the American rather than now and it infused the belief that America can and should be great again. When commenting on

faced with an aggressive expansionist China which will force them to follow policies that can guarantee their own national security, like going nuclear. Threats to withdraw from NATO due to a lack of equal commitment has sparked worries that Europe’s Eastern borders would be susceptible to Russian expansion much like developments in the Ukraine. These calls have had a not so surprising affect with the European Union today announcing an increase in defence spending in the annual budget with what seems to be states already anticipating a “smaller” America. Calls to restrict immigration and organize deportations is nothing more than an attempt to appeal to individuals national insecurities at a time where global insecurity

The problem lays not with the election of Donald Trump but of the failure of the system to prevent the rise in protest votes and social dissatisfaction. It’s clear that globalization and representative democracy has marginalized the “little guy” and worsened the economic prospects of many as they are no longer competing at a national level but an international level. As a result, internationalist ambitions and expansive federal programmes in a country wary of over bearing government gets harder to justify. The article never looked to support the election of Donald Trump but merely point out that it was an inevitable development due to a failure to adapt to the times and its demands. This election, for the electorate was

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the United States role in the globe, Trump had plenty of material to appeal to disenfranchised voters. With almost 130,000 U.S troops serving in over 130 nations, Trumps calls to limits its role as international police was obviously welcomed by voters tired of investing in international campaigns with what they saw as to one sided. Though the United States has a proven record of helping maintain the peace, its troop presence has become a double edged sword. Retreating from its international role will promote the rise of a world with increasing numbers of regional powers adding to what already is a complex balance of power.

Trumps isolationist rhetoric implies its regional allies like Japan and South Korea will be

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is on the rise not only by international militant organizations but domestic radicalization as a result of a number of factors. These insecurities are not limited to security but to the economy as well. Trumps calls against TTIP and NAFTA are clear examples of a desire to appeal to communities that have been victimized to the principles of neoliberalism and left to dry.

They are appeals to victims of a broken welfare system and appeals to victims of a shattered social status. Calls to reverse the Paris climate deal and renegotiate trade deals are calls that emulate a desire to rejuvenate the American manufacturing sector at the expense of the environmental legislation and sustainability.

about projecting a social movement whom in the words of Donald Trump, had nothing more to lose and whether that’s true or not, the electorate have chosen an attempt to change the status quo.

In conclusion, the Economist phrased it well in saying: “The problem with popular anger is that disillusioned with Mr Trump will only add to the discontent that put him there in the first place. It could pave the way to someone even more bent on breaking the system.”

Michel Jordi “Twins Héritage Bicolore” Limited Edition No 01/99 For

any purchase inquiries

please contact concierge@ccercle.com

MY FAVOURITES

Jana Sinkova-Courtin “My family and everything related to it will always come first in my life.”

Creative Director of photography: Richard Zouari Special thanks to Mandarin Oriental, Geneva

Cover photo: Necklace: Hedera “Asiana” necklace Watch: Hedera "Vitrail" watch in titanium and gold with diamonds and pink sapphires Bracelet: Hedera “Les Pompons” bracelets

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Earrings: Inis “Chiara” earrings Watch: Hedera “Mirada” watch in titanium with diamonds and sapphires

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Earrings: Hedera “Santorini” earrings Rings: Hedera Green and purple jade rings Watch: Hedera “Capricieuse” watch in titanium with green chrysoprase and diamonds

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“When I was small I was mesmerized by hummingbirds, and sometimes used to watch them for hours.”

MY JOB GIVES ME THE FREEDOM TO DO WHAT I LIKE R ATHER THAN TO DO WHAT I MUST.

who I am too, including why I love to travel and explore, so that’s why I can feel pretty much at home everywhere.

urrently the CEO and founder of Secret Spirit, a luxurious line of swimwear, resort wear and accessories, I have a Master’s degree in International and Business Law. I have held positions in the United Nations, worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as for the Ministry of Justice. I have had the opportunity to work with renowned politicians and business personalities, with whom I maintain close ties even today. Additionally, I have practiced international law extensively, in both Europe and the United States.

I personally like challenges very much and I’ve always been a real perfectionist. Whenever an opportunity has presented itself, I’ve always made a point of seizing it right away. Every opportunity in my life matters to me. Another principle I live by has been building atop past experiences, and that’s helped lead to a solid and stable career in the business world. Today, my name is my personal brand and professional guarantee, whether in event management, lobbying, or in coaching and consulting on an international level. On top of that, I’ve been able to balance my working life with my longtime passion of designing clothes and accessories. It certainly hasn’t been easy, but today my brand Secret Spirit really says it all: dreams do come true, and real victories actually do happen, and I’m living proof of that.

That said, Slovakia will always be a part of me: my eternal childhood memories that seem to have passed me by so quickly. It truly is an indescribable feeling to go back home and find my room, and to see my old box full of mementoes and old photos.

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DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE A FRENCH WOMAN? France has adopted me, I must say, and for that I am eternally grateful.

So it should come as no surprise that it’s my second home. At the same time, I’ve always felt like real a cosmopolitan girl. I love to travel, and in fact I travel regularly—basically all the time, since my job requires it.

Not only have I had the chance to travel around the world, but living in France has meant that I’ve been lucky enough to live in a foreign country for an extended period of time, and that is incredibly exciting.

In being here and traveling so much, I’ve learned a thing or two about

AS A BUSINESS WOMAN, WHAT ROLE DOES THE FAMILY PL AY IN YOUR LIFE? My family and everything related to it will always come first in my life. I couldn’t be more blessed in that regard. I have a wonderful husband and a beautiful daughter. Thanks to them I feel I can say that I understand what real happiness is, a happiness that has nothing to do with success or a career. In fact, it’s my family specifically, as well as their support, that have made me the successful woman I am today. I was brought up to believe that family is everything, and that without it, we aren’t even half of what we could be. My husband has avowed that I am his other half, and he too completes me. Without him, and the missing armor of our love, my daughter, I could no longer go on.

YOU TR AVEL AROUND THE WORLD, WHERE DO YOU ORGANIZE YOUR BUSINESS MEE TINGS? In the beginning it was somewhat challenging but eventually we found a nice compromise, although fairly well-known. Some of the dilemmas that travel can present are not always easy to resolve, but at present I hold client and business meetings in a centralized location, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, in Geneva. We’ve always been met by a dedicated and highly experienced conference planner who ensures that our meetings and events run smoothly. It really is a beautiful environment, I must say. The staff, as well, are very friendly and always ensure a sense of absolute privacy.

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“All sorts of people work for charities and for all sorts of reasons, but the one thing that unites us all is that we find it challenging, rewarding, and exciting.”

YOU ARE THE FOUNDER OF THE LUXURY BR AND SECRE T SPIRIT. WHEN WAS THE IDE A BORN? When I was small I was mesmerized by hummingbirds, and sometimes used to watch them for hours. I remember gazing at a charm of them one day and realizing that the bird’s elegance and beauty are due in part to the fact that throughout its life it only ever rarely touches the ground. Personally, I have always loved the heat, the smell of summer and the rays of the sun, and whenever I see a hummingbird in flight, it’s hard not to notice the colors of its feathers, like some magnificient work of art. So, maybe it was that brilliant iridesence and coordination of flight that inspired the foundation of my company. A kind of symbiosis, if you will. Travel has also played a huge role in my life, quite like the hummingbird, incidentally. Not just because I love the joy and excitement of travelling, but because when I fly, to me it means I am realizing my dreams.

We’d all like to have wings, of course, if even for just a short while. I was lucky enough to find mine when I was young, thanks to the gentle hummingbird, whose speed and agility have propelled me toward success and innovation.

At Secret Spirit, that has meant fitting my clothes to every silhouette of the female form, itself yet another masterpiece. In turn, this has led to the integration of high-quality material and remarkable comfort, which allows each and every woman to feel chic and stylish no matter the occasion.

Secret Spirit is a synergy of innovation and creativity. My launch collection is characterized by modern colors and a chic design, and includes a large range of swimwear, beachwear, and accompanying accessories.

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AND WHEN DO YOU CALL IT QUITS AND FINE TIME TO REL A X? After a heavy day's work, the best way I have found to relax is doing exercise and fitness. When you exercise, the brain releases a kind of compound called endorphins, which help to relieve stress and reduce depression. That’s what physical activity does for me: it gets rid of mental stress. And, I’ve found that a clear mind is essential for successful business, so that’s also why I love getting in a good work out! I tend to hit a fitness center situated right in the heart of Paris in the Hotel Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris, and then I finish up in their spa, called My Blend by Clarins. They recently transformed the interior into a kind of modern Palace, infused with French spirit, specifically because of the spa, actually. Everytime I work out I always end up there, it’s just so relaxing and peaceful. It may as well be a temple of well-being and beauty!

I also like to ski, and to play tennis and golf. I’ve even tried car racing.

In fact I have to tell you that I am a pretty big fan of extreme sports.

Aside from all that, another way I like to relax is spending time with my daughter. We love to go to the theater, cinema, opera, to see look at architecture and to visit museums, which I’m also very passionate about and delighted to share with her.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION? In the summertime my favorite place to go to is Saint-Tropez. I spend the whole time there with my family and in our house near the beautiful beaches. I love to be with my family, surrounded by my best friends there. It’s amazing atmosphere, the people, the unending parties, and the all-around good vibrations make it so much fun. I don’t think there is a place where I feel better, and freer. In the wintertime, Thailand is an absolute must for us. Phuket may as well be my very own private piece of paradise.

Necklace: Hedera "Skull" necklace Earrings: Hedera black "Santorini"earrings Watch: Hedera ADN carbon and titanium Bag: Laura Chaplin limited edition, alligator, "Urbanus"

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For our next holiday we’d really like to visit El Oued. A friend of ours is an owner of a new Hotel there, called La Gazelle D’or and since he’s invited us, it’s pretty much a given that we’re going to go. Apparently the absolutely breathtaking decor and Arabian Nights ambience make it a real retreat! He’s said that for some time to come I’ll be able to survive all the adventurous tales that queen Scheherazade narrated so well, so, that will be our next holiday.

WHY IS CHARIT Y IMPORTANT FOR YOU? All sorts of people work for charities and for all sorts of reasons, but the one thing that unites us all is that we find it challenging, rewarding, and exciting. For most people, it’s a chance to try out something different from everyday life and work. As well, it gives you the power to change somebody’s life. Millions of children around the entire world are born into really harsh realities that a lot of us never even know about.

There are so, so many kids who don’t get even the basics, like a quality education where they can learn and develop. All children around the globe, no matter where they come from, should have the right to an education, and a right to health! And so that’s why I try to help through charities. Children are our future!

Outside of charity work, I try to help my husband with his Arthritis Foundation. It’s a nonprofit organization supported by Clarins and funded by donors who are trying to make a differece for people inflicted with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs). I can’t tell you how proud my family makes me, and what it means to be a part of them.

YOU WORK IN FASHION AND ARE A BUSINESSWOMAN. WHAT DOES YOUR WARDROBE LOOK LIKE? I would be lying if I said I do not like luxury. My favorite fashion brand has got to be Mugler. His Couture is both an art and a science.

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Mugler’s cut and perfected silhouettes are distinct, ultra-feminine, and instantly recognizable. He could literally change your attitude from a businesswoman to an extravagant diva or a glamourous, fairy-like star in just minutes. I wear his line both for business meetings and for my VIP evenings.

In the summertime I’m more or less always in my very own Secret Spirit. And, to go with it, I generally choose an absolutely stunning brand, called Hedera, which is a line of watches and jewelry by the very talented Pierre Koukijan. If you know his work, you know he is basically the free electron of everything that is excellent watchmaking. I don’t know a woman whose beauty wouldn’t be accentuated by his work. As well, since he’s an entrepreneur, his attire really has a different story to it. I simply love it!

WHAT ABOUT YOURS GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? My long-term goals involve growing with and expanding my own company, wherein I can continue to learn, take on additional responsibilities, and contribute as much value as I can to all the avenues of my life. I see myself as a top performer in a well-established organization. I plan on enhancing my skills and continuing my involvement in similar professional associations. My future projects will therefore most likely be in emerging countries. In 2017 I would like to have my own charity project specialized in rescuing women subjected to domestic violence in the UK. In all though, my future is my family and primarily my loving daughter. I will spend the rest of my life protecting her, teaching her, caring for her, worrying about her and doing all those annoying things my mom does for me.

Next, more than anything, I would like that she follows her dreams as well; whatever they may be and no matter how far-fetched they may seem. I am confident that she will accomplish so many things that will make me proud..

FASHION

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SEPTEMBER 2016 The September sultry hot weather of New York City carried through from the gorgeous summer where many were coming back from Europe or the Hamptons. People were not ready to get out of their beach wear and flowing skimpy summer garb. But the undeniable buzz of the Big Apple had ladies getting back into dramatic make-up and high heels to race around the city for NY Fashion week.

By Lucia Hwong Gordon

VICTOR DE SOUZA:

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ictor De Souza runway show was staged at the Gansevoort Park Avenue ballroom.

The excitement of seeing his Believe in dE Impossible show with cutting edge fashions for male and female and people who like to mix a little of both. Beautifully embroidered garments for both sexes floated down the runway. Unicorns, masked suits, embroidered kilts and billowing chiffon created the fantasy.

The angel and vixen moment was personified

by Amanda Lepore strutting in a wisp of chiffon and jeweled nipple covers and strappy bikini bottom, followed by a delicate blond in a dreamy red chiffon ball gown embroidered with a fanciful unicorn who closed the show.

We gathered for the afterparty at the rooftop peppered with cross dressing guests. One stunner was decked in pumps who flashed muscular legs and topped the look with a blond mane and groomed mustache over cherry lips believing in dE Impossible.

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aking my way to the Desigual show downtown at The Arc at Moynihan Station on the westside, the traffic was so packed bumper to bumper that I dashed

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in one minute before the show began to my front row seat. Fashion veteran, Deborah Hughes oversaw the fashion flurry and gave the signal for showtime! A parade of riotous color, pattern, fabric and textures ensued.

It was a fresh juxtaposition of florals, stripes and color. The daring fierce look of tie dyed, crocheted with bare skin showing through was the order of the day. Dangling earrings, cool flat embellished shoes and embroidered bags accessorized the look. The cool and hip look made us want to head back to the beach and islands.

of Kelsey Grammer. Malan took his bows on stage in an exquisite red brocade suit beaming at all his fans with NeNe Leakes in a sequined gown and dramatic cape. Dashing backstage to congratulate Consuelo and style guru, Montgomery Frazier, who co-produced and co-styled the show. We took an entourage photo with MTV legend, Downtown Julie Brown. We squeezed through the throng and made our way to the step and repeat where Malan was holding court with photographers, interviewer and well wishers and joined in for a photo and hug!

MALAN BRETON

NICOLE MILLER

From there I sauntered up the street to Malan Breton and his show, Sanxiantai, at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Inspired by a journey to Taiwan, brocade abounded for both women and men. The frothy fabric found manifestations topped by leather and slit up to the thigh. Printed chiffon dreamily swished down the runway. The beautifully tailored fringed jacket modeled by Frankie Grande, brother of Ariana Grande opened the show.

The brocade, gold and fringed jackets flashed a sophisticated and masculine relaxed chill attitude. Gorgeous Conseulo Vanderbilt Costin glided in a metallic floral gown. Also on the catwalk was Mason Grammer, daughter

At the Skylight on Washington Street, NICOLE MILLER inspired by indigenous exotic patterns of Panama, she gave a stunning show that never disappoints. Flowing gowns with sheer chiffon and cut outs complimented the body’s curves and movements. The colorful graphic patterning and body skimming cuts gave a sensual air to the spring line. The embroidered and tiered details in a black and white gown, making it effortless to go looking stunning from beach to dinner party. Rushing backstage to congratulate Nicole, friends Janna and Zoe Bullock were there, and we raised our glasses of champagne to toast Nicole.

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VIVIENNE TAM

DENNIS BASSO

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ivienne Tam drew from science and the stars in her NASA inspired runway show.

She utilized the full spectrum of color in her Spring/Summer collection uniting earth and space and technology of Lenovo/Motorola.

The show began with a broadcast message from International Space Station Mission Control followed by the models in metallic silver denim and techo-mesh designs sauntering in with the attitude of Space Cowboys. Houston rodeo inspiration was translated into ruffled fluid dresses offset by embellished denim jackets festooned with butterflies and NASA logos.

In the front row with me were, Tracy Stern, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Margaret Luce, Laura Eastwood gave a standing ovation. Susan Shin who handled the PR, beaming from the excitement and assembling an A list crowd.

The afterparty at Skylark was the perfect New York venue. Perched on the rooftop amid the skyscrapers we sipped wine on the terrace.

Paola Bacchini pulled out her iphone and we took fun selfies and photos. Rose Billings, the photographer who gets everyone to smile for the camera, documented the glamorous guests.

Everyone welcomed a luxurious setting to lounge after a day of fashion shows.

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ll the loyal fashionistas clamored to Dennis Basso, for his show at The Arc. Modern world voyager was his theme and everyone was coveting to own every piece. Flowing chiffon, suede cocktail dresses and pants, and unfussy exquisite details is made for the woman who goes effortlessly glamorous from one adventure to another. The minimal palette of dove gray, silver, champagne and camel and hints of black chiffon painted elegance to the maximum effect. From the standing ovation we rushed backstage to congratulate Dennis and Michael Cominotto glowed with pride. Celebrity and social photographer, Rob Rich was capturing pictures of the international celebrities and socialites grabbing a hug and kiss from Dennis.

All making mental notes which dress from the Spring/Summer collection they are wearing to the next gala.

ZANG TOI

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legance is always supreme at Zang Toi whose show at Pier 59 Studio was packed and people waiting in line for standing room.

Jean Shafiroff, Chiu-ti Jansen and I posed in our seats while photographer, Eka Halim snapped pictures of Zang’s loyal clients, where

I wore a classic Zang Toi red chiffon dress. A hush came over the crowd as the lights went down. Inspired by Monet’s gardens at Giverny, his wisteria patterned palette of violet and lavender streamed down the runway. Gorgeous black satin trench dress with violet wisteria lining was breathtakingly fresh, giving the classic shape an edge with cut and color. Zang’s architecturally topped the purple sheath dress with a jeweled collar transformed the look to a regal affair. Gowns flowing in lavender and purple with wisteria headpieces was romance with a capital R. Wisteria cascaded over the shoulders of beautifully tailored jackets and bodices of Loro Piana cashmere. Zang took his standing ovation walk with his model in purple and lavender hand embroidered gown floating down the runway like a Monet dream.

My dear friend, Lauren Day Roberts took me to Naeem Khan’s afterparty at another downtown club, Blond, along with Sheila Rosenblum who owns the first female racing syndicate of winning race horses. A cool fashion crowd assembled to sip tequila drinks to cap off another fabulous day of fashion.

So here we are, three brunettes at Blond, celebrating the diverse fashion and creativity in New York!

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FASHION

The Six Yard Wonder

By Sheetal Mafatlal

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ari has often been called the most refined form of couture dress. This closet chameleon offers a plethora of styling options, which always make it of-the-moment and relevant in the ever evolving style landscape. It could either be tied with precision, emitting a polished, sophisticated look, or it could be draped in a wildly imperfect style, exuding an incendiary, sexy insouciance. Several decades of Indo-Western fusion have helped catalyse the saris remarkable evolution. Whether you require a pre-

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stitched version, ideal for an exotic destination, or a colourful wedding or beach sari, evoking fun visuals, sari have all your looks covered.

I have always enjoyed wearing sari draped in a traditional, pure and unmitigated style. I believe that the soul of the sari lies in its ability to help the wearer add her own unique twist to it, which makes it the most democratic piece of garment that ever was. It accents the right parts,

India is the land of diverse textile weaves, each taking birth from a unique loom, and offering a variety of styles. There is the pre starched Jamdani sari, which is structured and non-conformist; the crushed Bandhini drapes; the nine yards Navvari sari, a draped sari mimicking the bifurcated capri style and finally the simplistic cotton Mundu sari, with its gold border from Kerala. Today the sari is even worn with a bikini, expressing the modern Indian woman on holiday, at a wedding or on honeymoon. Indian designers have infused a healthy dose of irreverence and lightness by reworking the ways in which to wear a sari.

Today, it is tucked into a pair of trousers, clubbed with a tennis blouse or even worn with a pair of shorts, also known as a 'sarini'.

hides the parts you do not want seen, thus making it a flattering piece for all body types. The on-trend net saris are versatile and, if heavily embroidered, can be worn with the basic style drape or open pallu, to accentuate its beauty. The Mumtaz drape (inspired by Bollywood actress Mumtaz of yesteryear) stands out in sheer fabrics like georgette or chiffon. On the other hand, the mermaid style drape works well with a heavy border sari and enhances the embellishments when draped around the body.

By toying with sari gowns, which beautifully fuse the Indian and Western silhouettes, designers have created another means of incorporating the six yards wonder. Be it one-shoulder or off-shoulder, and at times full surface texturing and beading, the sari gowns have become the metaphor for evening glamour. Luxe labels like Hermès, Jean Paul Gaultier and Marchesa have presented the sari in their own ways over the years. It is no surprise that the sari often ends up becoming a great canvas for weaves: prints, embroideries and embellishments, lending ample scope for experimenting with silhouettes or draping techniques.The fact that one may choose to opt for a pair of sari pants or wear one with a bikini blouse, proves its timelessness and versatility as well as its incredible scope for innovation.

Of all the sari styles, I have a particular liking for the timeless and charming sari, lehenga, which has its origin from the South Indian half sari silhouette. The dupatta is draped creating an illusion of a sari pallav.

Modern Indian couturiers, like Manish Malhotra, have revolutionised this classic and presented it in the form of an intriguing hybrid, which captures the grandeur of a lehenga and also combines the sexy drape of a sari. Designers across the board have modernised this basic silhouette by using contrasting materials. Highlighting its borders, playing with diverse textures and adding ornate elements like tassels, have all added to its au courant feel. Pallavi Jaishan and Rohit Bal are integral to the revival and modernisation of the sari, whereas Varun Bahl and Suneet Verma, are famed for their modern twist of the six yard wonder.

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CINEMA

Zurich

Film festival

by Maite Plimmer

Zurich, a financial hub otherwise known as a tranquil and quite austere city surrounded by beautiful mountains and lakes, has been taken over by the glitz and glamour that accompanies the world of movies and lights.

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he 12th edition of the Zurich Film Festival, that has been scaling up since October 2005, runs from the 22nd of September and ends on a high note on the 1st of October with the ZFF Glamorous Awards night.

The aim of the Zurich Film Festival is to offer audiences insight into the work of the most promising filmmakers from around the globe, and to promote the exchange of ideas between established film workers, creative talent and the public. Budding directors have the opportunity to present their films to the wide attention of the entire German-language market.

Participants come from around the globe and include both emerging and renowned filmmakers as well as buyers, sellers, distributors, media professionals and industry leaders.

The International Competition sees emerging filmmakers compete for the coveted Golden Eye – the festival’s main award. In addition to the competition, the festival also presents the latest films from renowned filmmakers as exclusive “Gala Premieres” or “Special Screenings”.

Furthermore, the “New World View” series focuses on the current cinematic oeuvre of a particular film producing region; “Border Lines”

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is a section dedicated to films dealing with border situations including territorial, social and individual conflicts; “TVision” focuses on the latest, most innovative TV formats; and finally, numerous side events, such as the “Zurich Master Class”, the “Zurich Summit” and the “Film Music Competition”, complete the festival programme.

The festival’s Co-Directors Nadja Schildknecht and Karl Spoerri are fully dedicated to the cause and their determination is clear to see. In 2015 the festival had 85.000 visitors and five hundred press accreditations were issued.

Hollywood personalities, as well as famous guests from around the world, have been attending the festival and we have been truly spoiled for choice. From the fringe events to the introductions to the premieres and screenings by the cast and Directors/Producers; everything has been done immaculately with the setup and general ambiance being one of great excitement and professionalism across town.

Opening night screened the European Premiere of the Australian drama LION and Garth Davis, Iain Canning and Harvey Weinstein were present for the introduction. Bringing to light, the serious issue India has with its "Lost children". Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman are part of the cast with the plotline portraying a moving account of an Indian child that, after suffering uncertainty and many tribulations, gets adopted by an Australian couple allowing him to start a new life and his then subsequent quest for the old one…

Hugh Grant holding the "eye" award

Alexander’s naughty boy charisma serves him well. I believe his attitude is going to grant him a reputable place in Hollywood.

Garth Davis about "Lion"

Ewan McGregor made his first debut as a Director with ‘American Pastoral’, based on the book written by John Romano and the 1997 novel of the same name by Philip Roth. The cast includes McGregor, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Connelly, Rupert Evans and Valorie Curry.

The critics haven’t been entirely positive about it but in truth he has

Snowden had one of its first screenings here too and Oliver Stone, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley were in attendance. Whether you personally see Snowden as a hero or a criminal, this film shows one another side to the individual. In my eyes he comes across as immature yet spontaneous, naïve and slightly narcissistic, a complex character. The film is definitely worth watching.

Alexander Skarsgard, and Director John Michael McDonagh)

chosen a challenging adaptation as a debut and personally I believe his cast followed his cue brilliantly. He might lack a bit of creativity, but he was determined in his attention to detail with an intense obsession on following Roth’s book and prose.This of course complicated matters and was certainly a brave challenge to take on.

Oliver Stone, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Shailene Woodley, Nadja Schildknecht and Karl Spoerri

Hugh Grant received a Golden Icon award for his part in ‘’Florence Foster Jenkins” and as usual was cheered and adored by his fans. He holds himself with such old fashioned British charm and his walk through the green carpet took much longer than anticipated as he was offered Swiss chocolates, kisses, flowers and many compliments…he seemed natural and thrives on the attention.

“War On Everyone” featured the Swedish heartthrob Alexander Skarsgard, who spoke to his fans together with Director John Michael McDonagh. This crude comedy had the public laughing hysterically and

“Imperium” has an idealistic FBI agent (Daniel Radcliffe) going undercover to infiltrate a white supremacist group that's plotting an act of terror. The casting was somewhat surprising but I came away thinking it was an excellent choice in the end. A very complex role to play as this particular agent had no field experience or combat skills and was rather a sensitive soul. Kudos to Daniel Radcliffe for taking on such a challenging role and nailing it.

These are only a few of the top movies presented to give you a taste of the Zurich Film Festival. The standards were generally very high and I trust this festival will only grow and flourish in the years to come.

It is admirable to see Zurich becoming a sought after destination for filmmakers across the globe. Well done Zurich!

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CINEMA

Venice

Film festival

by Monika Bacardi

The Venice International Film Festival is one of the most important and famous film festivals in Europe, it was founded in 1932. Venice Film Festival is of great significance to us and our company, AMBI Group. This festival is serves as a real reference in the cinematic world.

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very year, Venice Film Festival takes place in late August or early September on the island of the Lido, Venice. This location is breathtakingly beautiful, which makes the festival one of the most attractive in the world. Screenings take place in the historic Palazzo del Cinema on the Lungomare Marconi and in other venues nearby.

Every year, we work very hard, focusing a lot of time and attention, before attending Venice Film Festival as the results of this Festival are fundamental for our work in Europe. For us at AMBI Group, it is very important to present our company in the best light, showcasing the work we are busy with on our current projects as well as our future projects.

Over the last few years, Venice Film Festival is back on top after a

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scorecard that saw successful Oscar wins for Venice premieres three years in a row: Gravity, Birdman and, last year, Spotlight. Such success has allowed for a rise in show titles this year at the festival, bringing an abundance of A-list talent and glamour to our red carpet.

Me and my business partner Andrea Iervolino, as well as the team from AMBI Group, organized several events as well as attended some of the key events ourselves. We started the Venice Film Festival, on 1st September, with a special dinner that we organized for the actors Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber before the Premiere of our new movie “The Bleeder�. It was a small party but we had a great fun !

Producers Monika Bacardi and Andrea Iervolino after party The Bleeder

The day after we were on the Red Carpet for “The Bleeder” Premiere with the main actors Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, the Director Philippe Falardeau and producer Avi Lerner. The Premiere was a great success and we’re extremely proud and happy! We hosted an after party and we were happy to receive all the positive feedbacks from the screening of the film.

After this, on the 3rd September we participated at the photocall of our other new film “In Dubious Battle” directed by James Franco. Just after we attended all together Mimmo Rotella Award Ceremony. The Premiere of “In Dubious Battle” was an extremely exciting event! We attended the Red Carpet with the actress Ashley Greene, the actor Austin Stowell, the Director James Franco, the Producer Vince Jolivette and the Producer Scott Reed. The interest of “In Dubious Battle” premiere was huge and it was very important to us how the spectators will react and what will be the critics. At the end, it was a pure success so we’re totally satisfied!

I’m absolutely happy about our performance at 73rd Venice Film Festival! Since its inception the Venice Film Festival has grown into one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world and i’m very happy to be able to attend this amazing event every year!

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AROUND THE WORLD

YOGA

& heavenly retreats

By Annette Muller

It is all in the name, Yoga, coming from the Vedic Sanskrit root ‟yuj” which means ‟to join” or ‟to unite”. Dating back to ancient India, yoga is a practice that encompasses the physical, mental and spiritual into one discipline. Harmonizing the mind, body and soul and bringing one into a state of peace and wellbeing. It serves as a reminder to ourselves of our oneness with nature, our connection to Mother Earth.

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hilst the variety of schools, practices and goals are far-reaching, the core origins of yoga date back to pre-Vedic Indian traditions, mainly found in classical Buddhist, Hindu and Jainism texts. Yoga has been around for centuries, with The Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali dating back to the first half of the 1st Millennium CE. The West, however, have only since the mid 19th Century, began fully embracing yoga. It was guru Swami Vivekananda who was one of the first to introduce the yogic philosophies to Europeans and the Americans in the 1890s.

Celebrities began building public acceptance of yoga through their personal endorsement and soon enough yoga was being practiced around the world. Today, the Wests popularization of yoga is mainly as a form of physical exercise, focusing on Vinyasa yoga, Hatha and its asanas. Madonna swears by it, Gwyneth Paltrow lives by it and Jennifer Aniston admits she would not be who she is without it. As our society becomes more health

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conscious and connected we see a surge in practices such as yoga and meditation. In the USA alone yoga grew from four million practicing in 2001 to twenty million in 2011. Barack Obama stated “yoga has become a universal language of spiritual exercise…crossing many lines of religion and cultures.”

Why Yoga?

As we become more connected (digitally) so do we become more disconnected, from nature and from humanity. With more time spent on cell phones and laptops than ever before and cities seeing stress levels sky rocketing, it is no wonder people have been on a desperate search for more peace. In our highly chaotic lives, rarely do we find the time to notice our breath. Breath, a powerful tool used in yoga to quieten the mind. Thoughts of what we need to do: future, and what has happened:

past, are set aside during practice as one relishes the present moment, by noticing our breath. Sounds simple, but try putting aside the endless to do lists and thoughts and you will soon realize how cluttered our minds really are. It is through discipline and continual practice of yoga, however, that some peace and tranquility will undeniably find its way into your life.

Overtime, leaving your yoga class will bring feelings of ease with yourself and your surroundings.

As yoga becomes more popular, more research into its health benefits have been discovered. Scientists are now able to show a direct correlation between yoga and physical health. Dean Ornish, a follower of Swami Satchidanada, connected yoga to heart health, legitimizing its benefits beyond the more skeptical esoteric ones. Yoga has been used to treat cancer patients as it is said to decrease depression, insomnia, pain, and fatigue as well as anxiety. The American College of Sports Medicine has acknowledged yoga as beneficial in bringing ‘mental, physical and spiritual awareness’ and a great tool for stretching, breath control and core strength. The strength which yoga provides is long lasting as the be humble. Whilst instant gratification is what our Western minds often expect and seek, yoga’s main benefits are gradual. Patience and discipline are key but the result is lasting transformation. Unlike the monotonous gym routine, leaving little space for stillness and reflection, yoga strengthens the body but more importantly, the mind as well (‘moshka’ or liberation via ‘nrodha’ - mental control.)

Yoga Styles

The wide variety of yoga styles allows the practice to be accessible to all who welcome it into their lives. You can tailor the practice to suit your lifestyle and level. If you are looking for fitness and detoxifying, hot yoga or Bikram is a powerful cleansing practice and very popular in cities around the world. For those wanting to have a restorative, deeper muscle stretch, yin yoga holds poses for longer, allowing for greater opening.

There is also power yoga, for a more physical workout, Vinyassa Flow, kid’s yoga and even prenatal yoga.

body is trained from the inside out, with focus going beyond your external body image. By strengthening the muscles around the spine and core, everything that operates around this area is improved: posture to shoulders, neck ache and back alignment. Yoga is particularly beneficial, therefore, for those sitting at a desk all day.

The functioning of respiratory, circulatory, digestive and hormonal systems is vital to our overall health and wellbeing and another feature which yoga benefits. The digestive system is rebooted, relieving all forms of internal discomfort and allowing for a healthy tummy which results in a healthy mind. It is found that those doing yoga naturally adopt healthier eating habits too. Soon the need for a chiropractor or doctor will begin to fade as we realize the power of self-healing; how our bodies have the miraculous ability to heal themselves.

International Day of Yoga

The 21st of June is International Day of Yoga (IDY). An initiative of The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and is recognized by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). On 21 June 2015, 35000 people, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, performed 21 yoga asanas for 35 minutes at Rajpath, New Delhi, establishing two Guinness World Records for the largest yoga class with the greatest diversity of nationalities. The day is now celebrated around the world with events even taking place in cities such as Cape Town, South Africa.This year, five

Preserving our health is the best medicine, yet often we wait for something major to happen before we decide to take care of our bodies.

Yoga can be seen as a powerful preventative tool and the best remedy for longevity. Unlike some of the intimidating gym classes, where only the youngest and fittest attend, yoga is open to all generations and fitness levels. From young models to middle-aged moms; bodybuilders to old hippies; even children, yoga does not discriminate. ‘Age is a matter of the mind, if you do not mind it does not matter.’ The point is to leave your ego and insecurities at the door and come as you are.Yoga reminds one to

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AROUND THE WORLD

hundred people came to celebrate their love for yoga with family and friends in a warehouse in Woodstock, organized by LOKOH, a collective and social enterprise based in Cape Town. The intention behind IDY is for yogis around the world to celebrate their passion for yoga and share this with their family or friends in the hopes that they too may to discover the great benefits it brings.

Yoga Retreats Around the World

Yoga can be practiced anywhere: on your front porch or garden, in your room, in your office in the city or a studio down the road.

If you are looking to dive straight in with a holistic experience of yoga, an exotic yoga retreat may be the perfect way to start. These resorts around the world are some of the most luxurious and healing. Recharge those batteries and experience world-class teachers, delicious cuisine and the very best rustic and luxurious spas.

natural sugars. If raw and vegan is not your thing, delicious fresh fish and meat options are on offer at the east harbor restaurant called Bok, overlooking the pool and dance floor. When you are not doing yoga there are workshops, inspiring talks, boxing classes and even star gazing at night with some added insight into astronomy. Off-island adventures include a nautical paradise excursion through the Croatian archipelago with a stop off at the magical Kornati National Park, a breathtaking sight of waterfalls and karst-limestone dating back to the Neolithic Ages.

Obonjan Festival, Sibenik, Croatia Sail across the Adriatic Sea from Šibenik and you will soon come across a small island called Obonjan. Only an hour and a half from Split, the island is surrounded by turquoise waters and the land is covered in olive and pine trees. With only six kilometers of mainland, this mystical island is completely secluded from the rest of the world. The yoga classes range from beginners to advanced and take place throughout the day with sunrise salutations and sunset restorative classes. London’s top yoga teachers are flown in to share their practice with you offering acro, vinyasa, yin and yoga nidra. Imagine stretching under the shade of pine trees with a panoramic view of the ocean; the island breeze cooling you off after a heated vinyasa series.

At the Zen Den Spa you can indulge in a range of alternative healing therapies such as reiki, hypnosis, deep tissue massage and Raynor (a blend of Eastern and Western massage). Skin and tonic facials are done with organic, natural face products serving as a reminder to be aware of what we put on our very absorbent skins. If you are looking to detox, the Zen Den includes a raw food café with spiralized beetroot and zucchini salads, watermelon zinging smoothies and ginger mornings (grapefruit, lemon and ginger juice). They cater for all allergies with gluten free breads and homemade spreads are served all day with divine raw cakes made from

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to all. The integral system at Anahata provides a step-by-step approach to dealing with the chaos of our modern world so one is well-equipped when leaving the retreat. Regardless of age, experience or social background you walk away from Anahata with tools for self-love, peace of mind and a healthy body full of energy and inspiration. One yogis review reflects on how one “starts to really think about what you’re giving to the world and how you’re taking care of it.” (A. Blair, BookYogaRetreats.com) The accommodation is eco-friendly with hotel-style rooms and private strawbale houses offering daily, weekly and monthly stays.

Locally sourced vegetarian food is hand-picked from the garden, providing simple but fulfilling meals. Personal growth is practiced through the Satayanada tradition with simple daily routines of hatha, mantras, walking, chanting, cooking and gardening. Karma, which literally translates to action or work, is a form of yoga offered at Anahata consisting of working with meditative awareness. This dynamic form of meditation encourages one to live in the present, witnessing our inevitable thoughts but remaining unattached to results. It is not uncommon for us to be so caught up in preparing for the future: stressing to reach our targets; planning the next party to go to; people to see; places to be and whilst doing so, missing the moment we are in right now. At Anahata, karma yoga is in the form of helping in the garden, cooking food for one another and sharing in the simple activities around the retreat.

Como Shambala, Bali, Indonesia.

Anahata Yoga Retreat, New Zealand For a more traditional experience, travel across the globe to New Zealand where a remote ashram-style yoga retreat awaits you. At Anahata, the aim is to get yogis back to basics.

Expect incredible serene views of Golden Bay where you will live atop a mountain in the midst of native bush. The environment is aimed at fostering personal growth and clarity with specially targeted practices for each individual.

Yoga ranges from introductory to deeper esoteric yoga but is made simple and accessible

If you are looking for something a little more refined and lavish head over to the tropical paradise of Indonesia where you will find Como Shambala. The Como Hotels are best described as understated luxury with a focus on wellness and healing. The Como Shambala retreat in Bali was voted this year by Conde Nast Traveller Awards as the ‘Best Destination Spa’ and Bilanz’s ‘Best Holiday Resort.’ Bali is known for its lush landscapes and magical beaches, a perfect location for a yoga getaway.

The aim at Como Shambala is to immerse its guests in nature and offer experiences which have lasting improvements on your lifestyle.The wellness program runs for three, five or seven nights with therapies and yoga styles designed to fulfill whatever you desire: be it relaxation,

Haramara Retreat, Mexico

Last stop, Mexico, where we you will find Haramara, a yoga retreat in its truest form.

Haramara was built using all the basic principles of the yogic life materialized into one location where true transformation can take place, a safe place surrounded by natural beauty.

Using the eightfold path of yoga, Sajeela, the founder, created a space that would allow everyone to heal together and become whole.

Haramara (Mother Sea) is an exclusive and intimate sea side retreat with a superior mind, body and spirit yoga package, encompassing all the elements. The incredible Pacific Ocean coastline views and Sierra Madre Mountains allows one to completely disconnect from the pressure of work life, city life or family life. It is an idyllic place for yoga with the yoga shalas providing full panoramic views of the jungle landscape, perfectly placed for sunrise and sunset salutations. The classes are customized with great focus on meditation and breathing.

The energizing yoga breath is taught as a tool to take home, a way to return to balance when faced with stressful situations. detox or deep healing. The Balinese yoga teachers offer a full program of varied yoga and meditation techniques.

The accommodation is made to feel like a home away from home with villas, suites and houses for the individual, couple or family.

You are immersed in a natural forest with wild (but maintained) jungle and the glorious River Ayung flowing nearby. The river, with its own sacred spring, is revered by the locals for its healing properties. The cuisine ranges from traditional Indonesian at Kudus House or raw, health conscious options from the Como Shambala Restaurant. Flexibility is imperative and their offerings are indulgent or light depending on your preference. If you are partaking in the full yoga and healing retreat, a resident nutritionist and Ayurvedic doctor will be found on site at all times to help you create the perfect diet. The outdoor services on offer are uniquely designed with bamboo bridge climbing, trekking through rice paddies and visiting the local Sebali village to learn more about the Indonesian culture. One can even take a bike ride through the wild jungle gorges to the sacred spring of the Ayung River.

The food is a perfect mix of heartiness and rustic charm with catering for all pallets. Expect gourmet, organic Mexican food with a menu that changes daily, depending on what is locally available and fresh. Head to Larimar, an open air wellness center, for relaxation and renewal.

The spa aims to reconnect you with nature whilst healing the body and mind through private treatments. Ayurvedic treatments as well as beautifying therapies and are on offer. The environmentally conscious retreat has been designed with minimal impact and remains at one with the spirit of the land. Everything is hand-built using traditional methods and the casitas, cabanas and dormitories have no electricity or wifi, encouraging guests to reconnect with nature (and disconnect from their digital devices) so they may fall asleep to the breaking of the waves against the shore in luxurious hand woven sheets. There are hot, outdoor showers with magnificent views and hammocks to laze around in all day.

Leave these retreats feeling glamorous and rejuvenated, ready for the next holiday adventure. Prioritizing relaxation time for you, or you and your partner, is essential. Whilst a party in Ibiza, Mykonos or the South of France

is a must do over the summer months, it often leaves one feeling as though we need a holiday from the holiday. A yoga retreat offers you this balance. Whether you are looking to better your yoga practice or just desire some personal reflective time, the best investment one can make is in themselves and their wellbeing and yoga is a great way to start!

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TR AVEL

A Californian Roadtrip

By Ksenia Mezentseva

California is a great travel destination almost the whole year round, but my personal favourite is doing a road trip in the fall. If you are adventurous and enjoy active travelling, moving from one place to another, I highly recommend to spend a few days driving along the Pacific coast from San Diego to Napa Valley. The journey will offer breathtaking views as well as delicious dining and luxury lodging experiences.

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tart in San Diego and spend a day or two in this lovely city with its famous satellites: La Jolla, Del Mar, and Rancho Santa Fe. Rated as one of the top places in the world for its attractive climate, San Diego is surely worth a visit. Checkout the famous San Diego Zoo, a pioneer in cage less exhibits, it is a home to over 3000 different animals and over 650 species.

Spread over 100 acres it is divided into themed areas representing different parts of the world.

The Zoo is located in Balboa Park, an urban cultural park that hosts many beautiful gardens, museums and walking paths. A must do is the San Diego Museum of Art, the oldest and largest art museum in the region.

The collection features work by Matisse, El Greco, Francisco de Goya, Diego Riviera.

Walk the glorious Park’s gardens: Japanese Friendship garden, Spanish style garden and Palm Canyon are among my favorites.

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If you like hiking, Torrey Pines Natural Reserve is one not to be missed. The 8 miles of trails offer a breathtaking view of the cliffs and the sandy beach. To rest in peace after an exciting day, stay at the Loge at Torrey Pines or the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. If you feel like being extra glamorous, check out Hotel Del Coronado, where Marilyn Monroe starred in “Some Like It Hot”.

For fine dining book a table at the Marine Room, the beautiful La Jolla restaurant has been around for 70 years and is considered a true landmark. The dining room has huge windows facing the ocean. If you so happen to be dining during high tide you may enjoy an outstanding view of the powerful ocean waves splashing against the window panes.

For another iconic spot visit Bertrands at Mr A’s, open for 50 years, with its original essence still very prominent. Bertrands is located on the roof of an office building offering sophisticated cuisine with a panoramic view of the city and San Diego bay. The Market is definitely a unique dining experience, not perhaps for those who love outdoor dining.

This trendy restaurant is located in a shopping plaza in Del Mar. Although it does lack a terrace, it compensates by offering a very chic contemporary setting, a very famous chef and an inventive Californian cuisine. If you are looking for the freshest and finest sushi in the area go to Sushi Ota. The restaurant is noisy, crowded and the setting simplistic but the sushi speaks for itself. Discover creative rolls and fresh sashimi that will delight your taste buds.

To continue on the active adventuring, start your drive north towards Los Angeles through Orange County, a place that deserves a separate article entirely just to describe its vibrant little beach towns. Newport Beach and Costa Mesa certainly have plenty gourmet hot spots, but if you are passing by and want to stop for a quick lunch, walk or a coffee, then go to the picturesque Laguna Beach, well known for its artistic community. For delicious seafood enjoy the fresh tastes of the sea at Slapfish or a super creative Wednesday-to-Sunday brunch at Break of Dawn.

Soon you will arrive in the land of angels, Los Angeles. Spend a night or a few days in the entertainment capital of the world, surrounded by its beautiful landscapes and people. Stay at the classic Beverly Wilshire, the recently renovated Hotel Bel-Air or the scandalous Chateau Marmont. Attempting to narrow down restaurant recommendations for LA is certainly a challenge. With an abundance of beautiful, delicious and trendy places, I am going to only mention a few of my own picks but be warned there are many more to find.

Stop by the Ivy for a great lunch and a spot of people watching. Make sure to book on the terrace and be prepared to face the celebrity crowd. The North Robertson Boulevard is a nice place to shop afterwards for funky and contemporary designers. For dinner, Il Pastaio, a classic Italian restaurant in Beverly Hills will not disappoint. While it seems like a simple choice, reservations are key as this understated gem is a must with authentic, delicious food.

For a more experimental cuisine experience, book a table at Cleo or Katsuya Brentwood.

The former is a creative Lebanese setting with a bustling atmosphere, and the latter is my favourite alternative to Nobu that will leave you feeling fully satisfied. During the day walk the beach from Santa Monica to Venice and have lunch at Gdjalina before

you head off to the Getty Centre. The late afternoons are my personal favourite as you witness the gorgeous views. Enjoy mesmerizing sunsets accompanied by a crisp glass of local Pinot Noir.

Come morning and it is time to get back in the car, driving on Route 1 towards Malibu. Enjoy the stunning beach with a hearty breakfast or

an early lunch at Geoffrey’s. Drive north to Santa Barbara. If you happen to come there on a first Thursday of the month you can participate in Art and Culture celebration.

Galleries, museums, shops and other art related venues open their doors to customers with live music performances, exhibits and other enriching entertainment. Spend the night at the Four Seasons Hotel and in the morning visit the Coronado Butterfly Preserve, a truly special place. From October to March, monarch butterflies migrate to spend their winter at this magical park. Have lunch at the Harbor and then head towards Big Sur. On the way there you may want to stop by the Hearst Castle, the publishing magnate’s estate of mixed historical European styles, now housing an art and antiques museum.

Head north towards Big Sur and be prepared for spectacular scenery. Named as one of the most stunning meetings of land and sea in the world

by The New York Times, Big Sur is a nature's wonder that attracts visitors from around the world. Spend the night at the magnificent Post Ranch Inn or at the Ventana Inn. The Big Sur offers an abundance of wild and wonderful hiking trails. If time is limited two hikes you do not want to miss are the McWay Waterfall trail and Ewoldsen trail.

When your feet are tired and eyes are dazzled by the great natural beauty, head towards Napa Valley. Make sure to stop by Carmel-bythe-sea just one hour north of your hotel for a nice lunch and walk along the harbour. Then, via Pebble Beach 17-mile drive, а nice scenic

Issue N12 | 37

TR AVEL

A Californian Roadtrip

road will take you through famous mansions, golf courses and local attractions.

You are then going to pass by Silicon Valley, the tech capital of the world and an opportunity to experience the innovation centre first hand. It is only really worth doing it if you are lucky enough to have friends who can give you access into the infamous Apple, Google and other tech giants’ campuses.

Arrive to Napa Valley in the evening. Choose your lodging from one of the several wonderful hotels like Auberge du Soleil, Carneros Inn or the Bardessono. Spend the next few days tasting fine Californian wines at the world’s famous wineries such as the Silver Oak, Caymus, Mondavi, Quintessa, Blackbird, Frog’s Leap and many others. If you get tired of tasting wines and want to taste something else stop by Napa Smith or Bear Republic Breweries for some local beer, Kollar Chocolates and Round Pond Estate for olive oil.

While in the area, visit Di Rosa: the 200 acre estate that offers visitors several indoor and outdoor exhibits of contemporary Northern Californian art. The outdoor grounds are open for guests without prior reservations while for the main indoor collection it is wise to book a tour. In the afternoon more local wines may tickle your fancy or perhaps some unique art and decoration pieces can be browsed at the exclusive South-of-France inspired Maisonry: a contemporary gallery with an intimate garden lounge.

Golfers should visit the semi-private Chardonnay Golf Club and the Eagle Vines Golf Club that are open throughout the year and offer beautifully set 18-hole courses set through the acres of scenic vineyards. If you prefer something with a bit more of an adrenaline kick, the Sonoma Raceway is the place for you.

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Completing Napa Valley’s highly hedonistic experience are its world-class restaurants. For lunch, the famous Farmstead. This not-to-be-missed farmto-table restaurant is set in a former barn and has a charming atmosphere revolving around the open kitchen, with fresh organic ingredients and friendly staff. Another great lunch venue is Bouchon Bakery: Thomas Keller’s traditional French bistro (open from lunch through dinner).

It features a seasonal menu with a raw bar which will greatly satisfy the health conscious.

In the evening, if you were not able to get a table at the legendary French Laundry, dine at the trendy Japanese Marimoto or at Thomas Keller’s Ad Hoc with a four course pre-fixed chalkboard menu that changes daily.

And the next day, before you head home, do wake up bright and early to explore the Valley at a bird’s eye view with the “Balloons above the valley” sunrise ride. Don’t worry, they will provide plenty of freshly brewed coffee with a pastry to wake you up before the flight and finish your wonderful Napa experience with a champagne brunch celebration!

CAPE TOWN’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE VENUE Perfect for romantic meals and beach dining, with ocean views, tailor made events, VIP meetings, glamorous events and Ibiza-style parties all summer.

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Book online www.shimmybeachclub.co.za OR 021 200 7778 SOUTH ARM ROAD, V&A WATERFRONT, CAPE TOWN SHIMMYBEACHCLUB

SHIMMYBEACH

LEISURE

...ACTUALLY IBIZA IS GETTING MORE AND MORE BEAUTIFUL AND CEASES TO LET YOU DOWN.

by Ottavia Redaelli

I

biza, besides being an island with the most beautiful sea in the world, the Mediterranean Sea, is also a place for the mind. A place to get out of your reality and jump into a parallel universe.

The island is magical with such variety and contradiction. Sometimes it is sleazy, but it can be wild and sophisticated too. Ibiza is spiritual but also materialistic and snobbish. Hugely popular and eccentric but also simple and calm. The Yin and the Yang is evident here because on this island, with a surface of only 60 km of length per 20 km of width, you will find everything…and the opposite of everything.

I have been coming to Ibiza for the last 27 years and have been hearing people say that the island cannot take it anymore, that it is about to burst, that sooner or later it will sink… actually Ibiza is getting more and more beautiful and ceases to let you down.

As soon as I land on the island, and this happens every time I get off the plane, I feel a tickling in my stomach, a feeling that something fun is about to happen. Since the very first landing it was love at first sight. I arrived on the white island at the end of the 80’s, I was not yet 18 years old, and had followed my boyfriend of the time from the peaceful village of Forte dei Marmi in Tuscany. He whisked me away on his enduro motorbike and made me travel the 1000 km to Barcelona, from there we boarded the ferry, next stop… Ibiza.

The island at the time had a reputation for being an extravagant place; House music had just appeared in Europe and Ibiza, where the night life was already ahead of its time, had become the background for it. The original clubs were all open air; Amnesia looked like a country Spanish village surrounded by low walls covered by a purple buganville. Pacha and Ku, now called Privilege, were fabulous and already featuring the finest music and parties of the time. After all, it is said that already 3000 years ago the Phoenicians were celebrating their victory feasts on the island.

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Over the years I came to Ibiza almost every month of the calendar year.

During the winter the island is stunning, the red soil is covered by a green carpet and in January the almond trees are already in blossom.The charm of the Ibizenco countryside touches my heart. The smell of the fig trees, the Mediterranean pines and the carob trees is one of the most pleasant in the world. The perfume of the island is evocative bringing with it ease and happiness.

The heart of the island, even in summer, is not entirely invaded by tourists.

I like to drive, in a convertible, among the lush green hillsides and dusty off-road tracks taking in the beautiful landscape. Going through the small villages of San Mateu and Santa Ines you can still meet the typical Ibizenco old ladies, wearing their smocks and distinctive straw hats, grazing their goats and taking a rest by the shady walls of the small country churches.

This is the pure soul of the island which still happily coexists with the more well-known party side. For the best meat restaurant, unknown to tourists and appreciated by locals, is Can Cires, also in San Mateu. Do not forget to try the homemade Hierbas here (the typical Ibizenco spirit).

The island is Yin and Yang in its geography with the southern part being populated and chaotic as it is filled with the turquoise Salinas beaches, naturally attracting tourists. You will find many legendary Chiringuitos (beach bars) in Sa Trinxa with resident and historical djs playing music that never stops. Although the music and limpid waters draw an international crowd, it still holds its original allure, remaining a classic Ibizenco experience. On Es Cavallet beach, the east side of Salinas’ tip, you have El Chiringuito, a sophisticated day restaurant with excellent service, even on the beach, making it one of the most difficult places to book a table.

From Salinas, drive west a few miles after the airport and you will reach the bay of Sa Caleta. With its red cliffs and turquoise waters, this beach

hosts one of the best fish restaurants on the island.Their specialty is black paella with squid and shrimps, a must! Furthermore, in Sa Caleta you can find the first Phoenician settlement of the island, dated from 654 BCE and declared a world heritage site. A few miles up the coast you will find Cala Jondal. Here, between July and September, some of the most fabulous yachts drop their anchors, enticed by the splendid bay and iconic beach club, Blue Marlin. The stylish crowd, exclusive beach and top djs make Cala Jondal one of the more up market beaches of Ibiza, a favourite of the rich and famous.

Between the remarkable peninsula of Porroig, where you can find original villas from the 70’s, there is the charming village of Es Cubells and Es Torrent beach. Attracting an international crowd, sometimes a bit snobbish, this beach remains an oasis of calm, especially during the month of August. For another mouth watering experience, Es Torrent’s fish restaurant is worth a visit. Follow the coast and soon you will reach the mythical rock of Es Vedrà, the most magnetic part of the island. This legendary cliff is located in front of Cala d’Hort beach. A cathedral of rock with large concentrations of minerals and metals resulting in a remarkably high magnetic field. Many legends surround Es Vedrà. It is said that this is the point where, in the Homeric Odyssey, Ulysses was bewitched by the Sirens and it is what remains of the legendary Atlantis.

It seems, moreover, that if we would observe Es Vedrà from a satellite it would appear as a darkened spot, like the White House or Pentagon. The fact is Es Vedrà is sacred soil and nobody has the right to step on it. The magic released by this place is certainly magnetic, no doubt one of the reasons that brings us back to the island again and again. The traditional restaurant of Es Boldado, just next to Cala d’Hort beach, is a great place to view this masterpiece.

For shopping, expect a different experience in Ibiza. Up until now the designer names never quite took hold of the market, therefore one can still find unique pieces, going around the old port, especially in a small street called called de la Virgen. Shops don’t open before 10 pm and stay open all night - hairdressers too! For unusual treats visit the Sunday market of Las Dalias, near the village of San Carlos. A hippy chic market with some surprises to reveal.

When night arrives and it's time for dinner you will not find a seat in a restaurant before10.30 pm! The island is teaming with delicious restaurants. Over the years the quality of food on the island has certainly increased. I love a small restaurant, just in the centre of Ibiza town, called Pastis, their specialty is meat and their canteen is lovely too. For people watching and a pre club warm up one should go to Downtown Cipriani, a classic. Here you will find a combination of excellent traditional Italian cuisine and the coming and goings of a sophisticated crowd, ready to rock and roll in the Ibizenco night life.

Finally, we are ready for the most popular reason to visit the island... clubbing!

I don’t have much to say on this that has not already been said but I have some favourites.

Lio, with its eccentric show and amazing views of the old town, is worth the long waiting list for an extravagant dining and dance experience. The best night on the island, for me this summer, has been Sundays at Pacha: Solomun +1, for those that seek top quality deep house music you will not be disappointed!

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INSIDE JAPAN

KANAZAWA

The Art of Japanese hospitality

By Satoko Yahata

T

he Art of Japanese hospitality from the Edo period, Kanazawa was ruled by the powerful Maeda clan. With a history of over 430 years, Kanazawa boasts one of Japan's three famous landscape gardens, Kenrokuen Garden,with a different look for each season. Having been spared from war,historical areas such as tea house entertainment districts where geisha still train and many former samurai residences have been preserved.

Since the Maeda clan, in an effort to avoid war, had dedicated their significant resources to promoting cultural pursuits, traditional crafts and arts such as gold leaf and Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing have been handed down to the present day. In 2009, Kanazawa was designated as a UNESCO Creative City in the field of Crafts and Folk Art. Kanazawa has also contemporary look such as the Kanazawa 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. You can enjoy the harmony between its traditional past and contemporary present. Surrounded by the Japanese sea and the mountains, Kanazawa is blessed with an abundance of fresh seasonal ingredients. So Kanazawa offers the best Japanese cuisine every season.

Ms Yahata's position of “The Visit Japan Ambassador appointed by Ministry of Land,Infrastructure,Transport and Tourism�

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Asadaya Asadaya is one of Japan's most prestigious ‘ryokans’ ( a traditional Japanese inn) and is located in the historical city of Kanazawa. This beautiful Japanese inn started business in 1867 as a humble Ryokan with thirty seven rooms.

In 1977, Asadaya began serious renovation works, scrapping and rebuilding their business into a luxury, boutique Ryokan with only four elaborate rooms. Their aim was to reduce their

number of rooms and instead provide luxury, top quality services for a minimum number of guests. Today, Asadaya welcomes celebrity guests from around the world who are looking for a unique, true Japanese Ryokan experience with full privacy. Asadaya is also well-known for its outstanding cuisine which has a Michelin star. Dinner is prepared with local, seasonal ingredients, cooked according to traditional Japanese culinary techniques, and served using the most beautiful and refined Gold-lacquer

antiques. The restaurant is fully equipped to respond to all its guest needs, due to the limited numbers. Vegetarian, allergies, organic, likes and dislikes, all your needs are cared for. Asadaya create true lasting relations with their guests by recording each individual's likes and dislikes.

Food allergies, bedding material preference, size of Yukata and other personal information is all added to their client data-base. On your next visit, you will be cared for immaculately without any need to repeat your desires.

www.asadaya.co.jp/ryokan

Issue N12| 43

INSIDE JAPAN

www.zeniya.co.jp/english

Zeniya Cozily tucked away in the quieter streets of Kanazawa's bustling Katamachi, Zeniya is one local destination not to miss on your next visit to Ishikawa. The restaurant, which is a historic ryotei of the highest caliber, serves multi-course Kaiseki sets of breathtaking elegance and refinement. At the behest of chef Shinichiro Takagi, the restaurant responds carefully, with great sophistication, to the sequence of Kanazawa's seasons. Seasonality, as chef Shinichiro Takagi believes, is not

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merely about dates on a calendar or metrics on a record. Rather, it is about the very gradual changes of life in the nearby soils and waters. "Sometimes", explains Takagi, "one season can be divided into four or five periods. The menu is a constant effort to reflect these gradual changes. The seasons dictate the ingredients. The ingredients dictate the menu". Chef Shinichiro even sources his water with extreme care. The entire team at Zeniya have taken great pride in their ground water sourcing and even bottle and pack gallons of their water which

they pass onto their collaborators and events around the world. After experiencing the rich flavors and vibrant colors of Zeniya’s multicourse fare, one emotionally connects with Chef Shinichiro and his team and their grand effort to truly create their raison d'être: to serve the chant of their seasons and the flavor of their ingredients with utmost nuance.

They truly do so with grace, hospitality, and inclusion. We confidently declare: the Zeniya experience is nothing short of impeccable.

Araya Totoan Araya Totoan dates back to 1639, with an order by the ruler of the Maeda Family, to protect the Yamashiro hot spring, which he personally owned. The home has been running for eighteen generations and is a real jewel. The best features of this ryokan is definitely its “hot springs” which are

truly something special. Araya is known for its drawing of the largest amount of hot spring water, more than all the hotels in the area. The superior quality of its hot springs are well established and offer its guests a luxury experience, bathing in the privacy of their own room with a private open-air bath. They also have the precious works of Kitaoji Rosanjin and many Kutani ware and

contemporary artists on display. After having a beautiful seasonal kaiseki meal, you can enjoy a cozy nightcap at the cottage named “Arisugawa-sanso”, which serves as a lounge bar and offers a wide selection of fine wines and local Japanese drinks. During your stay you will feel the essence of traditional Japanese hospitality, an honored guest with your every need taken care of.

www.araya-totoan.com

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RE AL ESTATE

Real Estate in Tokyo, Japan

東京

By Etsuko Morishita

I

n Japan, where the Bank of Japan’s monetary easing policy has been in place, real estate prices in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area have been rising since Tokyo’s hosting of the 2020 Olympic Games was announced.

This is likely due to expectations of its positive economic effects. In November 2015, the average sales price of upscale condominiums topped 60 million yen, a high in 1991 during the bubble economy.

One of the contributing factors for this was the surge in foreign investment in recent years. Real estate in Tokyo has been popular, especially among wealthy investors in Chinese communities. The average real estate price

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per square meter in Beijing nearly tripled in the eight years leading up to 2008, due to the effect of the Beijing Olympics.

Of the 125 major cities in the world, Tokyo has been ranked fourth after New York, London and Paris in the Global City Index since the survey started in 2008. In terms of international business cities however, Japan lags behind Singapore, Hong Kong and other regions in terms of its business environment.

In order for Tokyo to become a competitive international city, its immediate tasks are in areas such as tourism and international business, enhanced logistics, communications infrastructure and means of transportation

to access city areas. The number of inbound foreign tourists surged after the Great East Japan Earthquake, rising to 19.73 million in 2015 from around 8 million in 2012.

Shortages in accommodation facilities were a serious issue. Residences and land assets owned by households exceed 1,000 trillion yen with 50% owned by the elderly, aged 60 or over. As the population ages, their relocation to nursing-care facilities and smaller houses accelerated, therefore giving rise to a number of abandoned houses. Only a portion of business operators were able to work on the renewal of these abandoned homes and shops, therefore limiting its upkeep.

Since the holding of the Tokyo Olympics was decided, the Otemachi area, which is located in the center of Tokyo, has been rapidly changing. It is being transformed with shopping centers, entertainment facilities, and hotels and housing being built up, whilst still serving its original role as the center for business. In addition, comprehensive city redevelopment is being conducted in Shibuya on an unprecedented scale. In association with the renewal of the area around the station,

large-scale city regeneration is underway by further developing the infrastructure of transportation networks. By installing underground rainwater tanks in preparation for emergencies and disasters, the city aims to be prepared for torrential rainfalls that have happened in recent years. In addition, Shibuya, which has been at the forefront of Japanese culture, is further enhanced as a trendsetting city that gives birth to nextgeneration industries and as a base for

transmitting Japanese culture to the world.

Redevelopment is also underway in other parts of the metropolitan area. P's Corporation, in which I serve as the president, specializes in real estate renovations in the city center to provide properties that satisfy customers with enhanced value by accurately capturing the diversification and sophistication trends of the times.

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BE AUT Y

美しさ (Utsukushi-sa)

Beauty in Japan with Masayoshi Yamada

By Natsuki Hayashi

I

had the pleasure of speaking with the founder of beauty salon, EFFECT358, and representative of the popular haircare brand DPA, Masayoshi Yamada, regarding the definition of beauty. The modern Japanese beauty industry is in a state of constant evolution and innovation. This is not limited to Japan, however, as throughout the eras and across Asia there has always been extraordinary attention given to age preservation, purity, and the fairness of skin. It is with this theme in mind that I will discuss the present-day Japanese concept of beauty.

What is beauty? We women always have this mysterious fixation in the back of our minds. In our pursuit of beautiful lives, we feel that physical beauty is an inseparable element from happiness. It is an

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irrational desire of ours, similar to the pursuit of love. Women feel that continuing to sparkle radiantly is somehow their duty. Beauty seems elevated and disconnected from us, and yet it is intimately connected to a county’s history and economy. Thus, though the definition of beauty seems undefinable, it is at the same time all around us.

The Japanese woman’s obsession with this topic has remained unchanged up to the present day. For those of us pursuing the essence of beauty, care and persistence has become essential. This is not only limited to beauty care at home. Constant daily care, and of course, the objects that assist us in carrying out that daily ritual are of the utmost importance. High quality beauty products and the wisdom of well informed and trustworthy advisors are invaluable.

Masayoshi endlessly pursues the most cutting edge beauty preservation techniques, and from those, establishes a customized beauty care strategy. He designs a beauty care method for each individual customer, specifically based on their unique type. In his salon, for example, he focuses on bringing out the original quality hidden within one’s hair, working to recover its natural luster and shine.

As for home beauty care, he has designed, for DPA, a shampoo which reaches the very depths of one’s hair follicles right in your own home.

the last ten years. Now that the root of all those substances has been discovered, the source from which those very substances spring, I believe that proteoglycan will steal the spotlight and take center stage. Among the limited Japanese makers producing proteoglycan products, I would like to introduce the following product:

The secret of DPA lies in its generous and diverse list of ingredients such as glucose trehalose, the moisturizing elements of coconut oil, and the natural hair filament, raw keratin. It is essentially a washable bubble pack of pure beauty, leaving your hair glistening after every wash. The keratin seeps deep into your hair, bonding itself within the hollow cores and healing it from the roots up.

The Japanese beauty industry was also touched on in our conversation. If anything, it can be said that the growth and progress of the industry is strikingly rapid. Not long ago (approximately five years to be exact), the popularity of placenta and collagen products, for their age-defying qualities, reached an alltime high in Japan. As science advanced, more research and experimentation into beauty product had been conducted which speed up the progress and resulted in a remarkable new beauty enhancer: Proteoglycan.

Using honey, rich in proteoglycan, Fay’s Honey has become an object of fascination for many, from young Japanese celebrities to mature madams. With 250000mg of Proteoglycan, there is no other product on the market that can boast the same generous proportion of this remarkable substance. This is the very first attempt to produce such a product in Japan. Proteoglycan’s direct effect on our ever weakening cells has brought positive feedback from all around. By invigorating the cells that produce hyaluronic acid and collagen, their production of those substances is enlivened.

In short, proteoglycan is responsible for building the basic structure of cells.

In recent times, the practice of reviving cells has begun to enjoy immense popularity in Japan. If human cells are ever in a state of gradual deterioration, the best thing we can do is to prevent that decline all together.

Recent research focuses on eliminating decay in cells, the fruit of that research being in the discovery of proteoglycan. I myself am among those using this product to protect my young cells that grow older day by day without my noticing.

In a word, proteoglycan is the component that lies behind the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid. Due to its recent discovery, there are only two or three leading beauty product makers quietly pouring their efforts into the development of this substance. I do believe that proteoglycan will revolutionize the Japanese beauty industry. The reason for my confidence is due to the huge spotlight products (containing collagen, placenta and hyaluronic acid) have been receiving over

With this in mind, what can be said of Masayoshi’s philosophy on beauty? His answer was as follows: ‘The most important thing is turning your willpower into reality.

And that requires steady perseverance.

Unreasonable effort isn’t something that you can continue long term. Of course, it’s different for everyone, but one needs to actually feel and see the changes and the fruits of their efforts.’ Behind this philosophy lies Masayoshis experience which he has gathered

through the running of his exclusive salon in Jingumae, Tokyo. A place that is a clear reflection of his own heart. Being a private salon, it allows members the freedom to reveal their inner-most selves. Customers can enter and leave its rich environment with the utmost comfort and ease. I am a great supporter of EFFECT358, as every visit I have had for hair pampering, I have felt as though something deep within my soul was cleansed.

In that calm space, Masa thoughtfully considers the inner health of each customer's’ hair follicle. Just as one must carefully consider the correct method of care for their individual skin type, they must also find the best matching style of care for their hair. With a hair care designed uniquely for you that aims to enhance natural radiance and simplicity, your appearance can become an expression of your true self. Beauty can be seen as a means of self-discovery and self-confidence.

Issue N12 | 49

TR ADITIONS

オグリズム Ogurhythm: The Philosophy of Shigeo Oguri and Japanese Traditions

By Shigeo Oguri

Childhood

I

was born and raised in a city called Nagoya, in Aichi prefecture, which lies in the middle of Japan. This whole prefecture is defined by the automobile market, home turf to a world renowned Japanese motor company, Toyota, you may have heard of it. People in Aichi believe it is the centre of the world and seldom leave. One might call them reserved, to put it lightly. From a young age I always saw myself as a bit of a rebel. At school, I would often find myself getting into fights with classmates. I remember my mother having to deal with complaints from other parents about my behaviour. Now, with children of my own, I feel deep regret for the trouble I caused her. It must have been my boundless energy that kept me jumping off the walls.

From the age of 2, I started swimming, right up until I graduated high school. I partook in numerous competitions and made quite a name for my young self. My childhood was pleasant and comforting, in a familiar city surrounded by friends and family. One morning, however, I decided it was time to leave the familiar behind, Kyoto was calling.

University in Kyoto

When my acceptance came to go to university in Kyoto, my swimming career ended. It was time for something new and exciting, the motorsports club. Coming a family who owns one of the leading car dealerships in Japan, it might have seemed a little cliché, but I was determined to give it my all. No sooner had I joined the club, did I leave it! Unfortunately, rather than having any relation to one’s driving ability, if you weren’t a third year senior then there was no chance of you actually driving in competitions. Regardless of our results, and however badly we did, we were expected to defer to these seniors in all matters, in true, respectful Japanese fashion. One could say I was overly results oriented, but it made my skin crawl and so I made my grand exit. It was through this experience that I began to develop my own personal philosophy. A mix of my name and ‘ism,’ I called it ‘Ogurhythm.’

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The location of my university, Kyoto, ancient and of international fame, is even more conservative than Nagoya. There is feelings of uppityness and arrogance which pervades the area; 3 Japanese phrases come to mind: ikezu (wicked), tatemae (conceal your true intent and let people hear what they want to hear), and ichigensan okotowari (first time customers strictly prohibited). The people of Kyoto see elegance in this culture, ironically improving its peculiar allure. Before Tokyo, Kyoto acted as the capital of Japan. Safe from air-raids, it is still surrounded by shops and houses which are centuries old. Kyoto, in this respect, is truly unique. The people of Kyoto, aware of this fact, hold their heads high; from rich to poor, everyone is cultured.

I lived a carefree existence under the auspices of my grandparents, the founders of our company, until I moved to Kyoto. At first, it was a shock to the system but over time the

experience helped me develop and channel my rebellious spirit into a more bushidolike form: honour and philanthropy have had a profound effect upon my Ogurhythm.

Comparing my current self to the Oguri who was shocked all those years ago, I have come to adore Kyoto. The unknown can be frightening, but if you sum up the courage and forge it into the void, you will find a brave new world just waiting to be explored.

Currently, I am serving as an ambassador for introducing Japanese sake to a worldwide audience. In the same manner as promoting aspects of Japanese culture, cuisine, cosplay and opera, there are roughly 60 of these officials worldwide of whom 30 are Japanese.

So, in the style of Ogurhythm, I would like to introduce some aspects of Japanese traditions in the hopes of giving you a greater understanding of Japanese culture through my lenses.

Ginza Gentlemen Clubs

In Japan, there are certain exclusive, memberonly lounges where one can enjoy drinking in a relaxed and friendly environment. These ‘clubs’ are especially famous in Tokyo’s Ginza district and host successful gentlemen from

all over the world. It is here that the theme of refined drinking is embodied: high class lounges where guests pay tens of thousands of yen merely to sit down. Of course, there is an abundance of beautiful women in such lounges, but do not get distracted for it is the black-suited attendants that one must look to.

Whether a club can truly be labelled as first class all comes down to the actions of these men. Drinking can be pleasurable for oneself, but in order to drink in a manner befitting a Ginza Club, one must acknowledge the presence of these black-suited attendants often overshadowed by their glamourous staff - make an occasional toast them, offer them a drink or a chat.

When a club is filled with successful people that, alone, is proof of its class. Although, as with everything, those with puffed up pretensions do occasionally wash up here.

In the world of drinking, Ginza is a stage

and human nature is the player. Behave in a way as to be appreciated by the black-suited attendants and you will be an Ogurhythmic gentleman before you know it! If you ever find yourself in Ginza, I highly recommend spending some time in one of these refined lounges, in conversation with the iconic blacksuited gentlemen.

Japanese Cuisine

Tokyo is more than just drinking, however, it is also one of the food capitals of the world with Japanese cuisine being more popular than ever. The names sushi, tempura and yakitori are well known by those outside Japan but something a little less known would be Oden.

Oden, a Japanese vegetable stew with fish dumplings, is cooked in dashi stock made from fish flakes and seaweed. It may not be one of the great mysteries of Japanese cuisine but, if I do say so myself, eating top quality oden, fills one with nostalgic warmth. When you ask any Japanese person about Oden, they will all grin and say the same thing: “phew!”

It may look simple, but cooking oden correctly is particularly difficult. Low calorie ingredients such as daikon, egg, chikuwa, konnyaku jelly and hanpen fish cakes are all cooked together

in the same pot. Each item’s delicate flavour differs depending on their cooking time; important factors are the temperature of the dashi and the positions of the ingredients.

Managing this requires a certain level of skill and experience. This deceptively complicated process is representative of Japanese cuisine in general. It is up to the chef to judge, solely based on the customer’s appearance, just how he would like his oden, and then serve it appropriately. This is what I would call real Japanese made-to-order!

Craftsmanship

When discussing Japanese food, one must be sure to discuss the finely honed knives of the kitchen. It is the hocho (knife) which truly brings the food to life. A weapon kept in prime condition but interestingly shrinking in size over the years, due to use. The craftsman, sharpening and polishing his knives to a sheen each day (an art in itself), handles them

with expert care. At the counter of a sushi restaurant, these craftsmen may be reluctant to talk with you but will happily entice you with their swirling, nimble blades. The first rule of a chef ’s philosophy: take care of your knife.

All food, be it steamed, fried, or raw meats and fish, are prepared with the knife during which the taste is imbued with the craftsman’s skill and spirit. Their philosophy can be seen in the carefully delicate slices and minute severing. It takes years of training for sushi chefs to develop such precision. The Japanese saying, ‘the devil is in the detail,’ ensures every grain of rice is valued, every knife sharpened daily and every minutiae, even if trivial, is fussed over. And thus, perfection is born.

Food is automatically judged by customers and by understanding the efforts put into such a fleeting moment, one can truly respect the chef and, only then, begin to eat like a true gentleman.

Japanese Sake

Good food must be accompanied by good drink, so let us move on to Japanese sake.

There exists many breweries or “chateaus” if we were talking of wine, in Japan. Each area boasts its own methodology of brewing sake, depending on philosophy and climate.

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TR ADITIONS

Beginning with the cultivation of rice and ending with the finished product is, to put it in operatic terms, from the first to the final act. Like opera, the production of sake involves many aspects which must all come together effectively.

Fortunately, though, whereas many operas finish with a sad finale, the production of sake ends with a deliciously mellow flavour instead. Due to the recent explosion in popularity of sake, if you contact a brewery in advance, it is possible to arrange a tour. Enjoying sake whilst watching sake being made gives it an exceptional taste.

Japanese Culture

Japanese can appear to the observer as patient, sensitive and tolerant. In its very foundations, Japan is built upon rice, which, in turn, relies heavily upon the weather. The Japanese disposition, too, derives heavily from culture.

Japan has a history of tenement housing, nagaya, which provides very little privacy compared to Western dwellings. The people who lived in such housing had to put up with noisy neighbours and crying babies, but they did their best to maintain peace and avoid troubling those around them. Living in such close quarters

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developed patience and perseverance. I believe that even modern Japanese sensibilities derive from this history. When talking about Japan, one must consider the background behind the concept of ‘refinement.’ To the discerning eye, Japan may appear in a very different light.

Finally, understanding that Ogurhythm embodies the concept of bushido, I have written about how one can enjoy Japan. I leave you with a word of advice: if you ever visit Japan remember that a bow equals a thank you. You may know of martial arts known as kendo. Japanese kendo practitioners bow before entering and after exiting the dojo, before and after competing and at meal times. To the Japanese, bowing one’s head or bowing oneself is a display of respect.

One of the fundamental concepts of bushido is: ‘begin with a bow, end with a bow.’ If you visit Japan, when you talk with the Japanese or before enjoying a meal, be sure to show respect and there is no doubt you will enjoy your visit and fit in perfectly. Of course, enjoy the delicious food, sake and beautiful sights, but in order to

gain a greater understanding of what makes Japan Japan; I would recommend visiting a sake brewery, learning about their brewing methods, and visiting a sushi restaurant, becoming mesmerised by the chef ’s dancing blade. It is there that you will find thanks, hospitality and true refinement.

Opera

Having taken you on a whistle-stop tour of Japanese food, drink and leisure, I would like to leave you with a more personal story about my great passions. I have a great appreciation for the arts and, in particular, opera. Music is a universal language. Regardless of nationality, gender, political affiliation or class, music can overcome any barrier. To succeed in music takes a great deal of belief in oneself, a major tenet of Ogurhythm. The world is full of people with huge potential, but those who treasure each second and take advantage of their opportunities are few in number. I had the chance, several years ago, to speak with a well known conductor. As we chatted away, she commented on the quality of my voice and asked me if I sang. Frankly, I had never

considered it before, but she told me I had potential. Potential. That is key.

Her words struck a chord with me and, as I never do things in half measures, I decided to pursue opera professionally. My situation was not ideal. I had never learned a classical instrument, had no singing experience and I could not read music. But to top it all off, whereas many opera singers undergo vigorous voice training from a young age, I was 50.

And so I return to that word: ‘potential.’I firmly believe that one should always aim high, and aim concretely. Consequently, I set myself the goal of giving an opera concert in New York’s Carneige Hall in 2019, a mere 3 years away. With such a high bar, it would seem easy to panic. The key here, however, is strategy. Samurai would never enter battle without a plan and co-ordination. Spearmen, archers, musketeers, cavalry, artillery, if all are co-ordinated successfully then even the harshest of odds can be overcome.

In the same manner, conductors, attendants, musicians, planners, public relations managers, to name but a few are all essential to put on a concert.

Of course, though, one cannot forget the singer, and his tool: the voice. I threw myself into practice with all the more vigour than usual. At home, at the office, in the car, even during this very interview!

Opera is a fantastic outlet that trains not just the mind, but the body. In order to project your voice clearly, you must strictly regulate your breathing and employ your whole frame, centering around the diaphragm. Pronunciation is crucial. Aside from Japanese opera, I also sing Italian which, naturally, is a problem because I do not speak it! However, enunciation is a crucial skill in both opera and business in general; I often stress this to my staff. I am able to draw on my business experience in opera, and vice-versa. Professionally, I sing tenor and perform under the name “世歌勳” or “Sekai.” One of the beauties of the Japanese language is that each character holds its own conceptual meaning. The three I chose (world, sing, action) reflect precisely that: my desire to proactively bring my music to a worldwide audience. Last year I made my professional debut in my hometown of Nagoya in front of a large audience, which led to invitations to perform elsewhere, one of which was in New York at a concert of my own. I believe it was a great success.

Throughout my life I have always strived to break the mould. Human nature is not a defined path and we are all free to choose our own direction.

In a time of increasing specialisation, I still maintain my principles of the importance of being a gentleman or, as it were, a modern Renaissance man.

As I stand today, a businessman-come-opera singer, I would hope that my audience, even for a second, would think, ‘he achieved his dreams, why can’t I?’

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PERSONALIT Y

An Inspiring Woman:

Ratna Sari Dewi Sukarno A Morning with Dewi Sukarno The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is play with my dogs. I caress them and give them love. Ever since I was a child, I always loved dogs. I currently own fourteen dogs. Toy Poodles, Tea cup Poodles, Japanese Chins, 2 Pugs, 1 Imperial Shih Tzu and the rest are mostly Chihuahuas because they are small and easy to look after. I then have my coffee and watch the news on TV or I will read the newspaper. At ten my staff come to work and we discuss my scheduled television work, talk shows, conferences I have been invited to and so forth. I have two secretaries, one for my social calendar and one for my television work.

Life after the late President Sukarno I was only thirty years old when I became a widower and my daughter was very young, three and a half. She was an only child and grew up with me and the nanny and I remember thinking it is important for her to have a male figure in her life. She went to kindergarten when she was two years old so she could have playmates. I knew it was good for her brain to have many people to interact with, not just me and the nanny.

I

was married to such an accomplished man, the president, he was powerful and charming and had all the wisdom of the world. This allowed me the security to find a partner that I could build a life with, someone a similar age to live with till the end. It would be such great fun to create the most beautiful life together, a companion, I thought. And soon I found someone. We lived in Switzerland for three years. We had a beautiful house with a big garden, like a park, you would see the swans and wake up to birds singing. I had hundreds of roses. It was a dream life but unfortunate things happened and we are no longer together.

I realized it was very difficult to be a widow of such a great man because you hesitate to marry again.

my daughter was very happy, but then in 1981 one of the Sukarno family weddings was taking place in Jakarta and I was invited to attend.

From the period of 1970 to 1980, fourteen years under the regime of general Suharto, there had been no word of the late Sukarno. No media was brave enough to write his name. People had been very afraid but things were changing by 1981. When I came back with a child, people were so overwhelmed. We would be walking in the street and they would take my hands, crying, taking pictures. All the newspapers started writing about us. It was my duty to bring my daughter back to Indonesia to meet with her brothers and sisters. I wanted her to learn the language and culture of her father and so we returned to Indonesia.

When I moved back to Paris, I soon found love again. We lived together for seven years,

My Career and ambition

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I worked in Indonesia for ten years before I

retired from my business but it was not easy to work there. My first home in Jakarta was confiscated from me so I had to work hard to rebuild a life for myself and my daughter. Most Asian women or wives of presidents after they are ousted are dismissed. I was a consultant and agent for European and American construction companies, French, Italian, Spanish, all in heavy industry and machinery. There was an American and English consulting and engineering company that I also worked for. It was a very busy time for me as I was determined to succeed on my own terms.

My energy and ambition came from my anger.

When you look at all of the injustices in this world, how can it not make you angry? It made me angry as a child and even now as an adult.

I see the world and I want to fight. This is what gives me my drive. I want to fight to solve these

injustices, did you see the image of the fiveyear-old boy in Syria? These atrocities give me energy to keep going. I now work as a television personality in Japan and continue my philanthropy work too. My passions are also artistic. Painting has always been a part of my life and I won many competitions as a child. I am currently part of two exhibition groups and every year we present two paintings. My current inspiration is women or young ladies with their dogs. Poetry is also a big love of mine and something I do too.

Being in the Public Eye

Being in the public eye is part of my life. I enjoy it very much to be in the limelight.

But being in the lime light comes with its advantages and disadvantages. When I used to live in Paris that was a very glamorous time in my life. I used to love to dress up in all the the classics like Chanel, YSL, Pier Cardin, Guy Laroche and so forth. It was a very avantgarde period of my life and I had a great time.

My social life was exciting and the culture of Paris society was fun back then.

In general, being known affords you some benefits. You can have a good reservation in any restaurant; get invited to great events; explore the world; you have tax advantages too and get to meet influential people. The disadvantage is of course the constant desire from the public to take your photos, especially in Japan where they give you no privacy. You will also struggle to be loved by everyone.

When you are popular, I have learned that

you should never compare yourself to anyone else. Through my television work people see me on the screen and they put me on a pedestal, they adore me but others who are on that same level of fame, they may not like me because of jealousy or envy. You cannot satisfy everyone and must accept that not everyone will like you.

I am very outspoken and honest. I say what I want. Most Japanese people were taught not to express their feelings. Showing emotion is seen as vulgar or weak, therefore some of what I say is controversial. It has afforded me great strength in some aspects of my life though. There is a proverb; smiling always brings happiness. I have gone through many hard times in my life and my sense of humor has saved me. Even in the most difficult of times when you are hitting your head against the wall, remember that happiness is a state of mind.

I believe everyone is given the chance but if you have no purpose and do not take the opportunity, then you miss it. Struggle is good because it motivates you to better yourself but it is up to you to be happy.

Beauty & Longevity

I am very careful with food and what I eat because when you get older it's important to keep your blood clean. I eat less meat and take a lot of tofu and soya bean products as it is all the protein without the fat. To keep spiritually young is of vital importance too.

You must have emotional drive, strong beliefs, good mood and moves and a heartfelt belief that you are beautiful. Compliment yourself daily and appreciate those times you open a newspaper and an article touches you. Do things that move you. Talk to good friends, discuss positive things. When you surround yourself with beautiful music, conversations, surroundings and people – you become beautiful too. You must also remain interested and curious in everything. Challenge yourself to new things as it will keep you feeling alive.

When people complain they have eaten this, tasted that, worn that dress – they get bored of everything –they complain – and then they age very quickly – the skin will become dry and drop. Some people blame everybody or everything: society is wrong, this is wrong, my job is unfair… instead of making the effort themselves. You have to challenge yourself to keep youthful.

I like to explore and go on adventures, this keeps me young. I was surfing on a dolphin during my latest exploration in Japan. I’ve done bungee jumping, I do pole dancing lessons and ballroom dancing too. For me, the greatest luxury is to be mentally, economically and spiritually free. Independence. When you can say what you want to say, do what you want to do and feel how you want to feel.

Working for Japanese TV is tough and I do have obligations but I am very grateful. I work hard and will work till my death but I will always find the time to enjoy my life..

SPORTS

Back in the Driver’s Seat

by Hiroshi Hamaguchi

Japanese pilot Hiroshi Hamaguchi is no ordinary motorsports driver. He has consistently astounded most racing pundits throughout his career by outperforming in a variety of racing series both at home and abroad.

H

eads started to turn when he won the Porsche Carrera Cup championship gentlemen’s class in 2008 in Japan. It was his very first year of racing. He won six races out of the eleven, achieving pole position in all six. Somehow calling him a “late starter” doesn’t quite convey the astounding fact that Hiroshi only started racing at the age of 31.

Since 2008, Hiroshi has won races in Super GT in Japan, achieved the Malaysian Merdekker 12 Hour overall win, and has won races in the GT Asia series in 2014 and 2015 driving for McLaren. From this year, Hiroshi is looking to prove himself in Europe by competing in the inaugural season of the GT3 Le Mans Cup. It is the year that Michelin and the ACO launched the Michelin GT3 Le Mans Cup, although little overall fanfare, the series has turned out to be a fantastic concept that produces thrilling races. The series includes some top level drivers and a few surprise names such as ex-Moto GP driver Marco Melandri.

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Hiroshi is a bit of an anomaly when it comes to racing. His younger years were spent in other sports and he was actually a top level athlete in College in the US. He played NCAA basketball for Chapman University and was one of the first Japanese kids, directly from a Japanese high school, to play in the championship. It does not end with top level sports, Hiroshi is also the founder of Hamaguchi Asset Management (HAM) which consult on M&A, PE investment and the real estate asset management businesses in Japan. Hiroshi specializes in helping overseas investors who are interested in purchasing Japanese companies and real estate.

What many people do not know about Hiroshi is that he also happens to be a direct descendant of the founder of the Yamasa Corporation (Japan).

Founded in 1645,Yamasa is a billion dollar company and one of the most established food related conglomerates in Japan. The company is still run by his family and was established way back during the time of the Shogun era of Japan. It was even appointed as the best grade soy sauce by the Shogunate for its quality.

His family is the stuff of legends in Japan with many mysteries untold.

One such example, around the end of the 19th century, a popular legend sprung up about a man in a village who saw a huge tide coming in and burned his rice field to warn the villages of the coming tsunami. Such tales emphasize the importance of warning systems when earthquakes hit and are often re-told in textbooks or schools all over Japan.This particular legend is in fact based on an actual event in the life of Goryo Hamaguchi, Hiroshi’s great great grandfather. There was indeed an earthquake and Tsunami in the area where Goryo lived in 1854. Goryo was only 35 at the time and lived in town. By setting his rice fields on fire, he was able

to warn the people in the area of the coming tsunami. But what he did after the earthquake was in many ways even more courageous than the warning fires. Goryo spent his own savings, 4665 ryo or gold coins, which was a huge sum at the time (a family of four could live comfortably on 10 ryo a year) to make the area around his village more secure and able to withstand earthquakes and tsunamis.

It was very surprising when Hiroshi decided to get involved in finance and race car driving, rather than enter the family business. Hiroshi has ensured that just as much determination and effort has gone into building Hamaguchi Asset Management as his racing career. Today, HAM is a top private consulting firm providing its clients with a wide range of investment banking and consulting services regarding investment opportunities and strategic partnerships in the Japanese market.

So, whether you want to talk about Yen currency levels, the ramifications of negative interest rates or what is the ideal driving line at LeMans, Hiroshi is the man to seek out!

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INSIDE TOK YO

A Western Girl in a Japanese world

By Bee Beardsworth

Three years ago, I fell utterly and irrevocably in love when I took my first trip to Tokyo.

Wandering wide-eyed through an alien city, my eyes dazzled by neon kanji on every building; spine-chillingly tranquil shrines in alcoves of each neighbourhood; exquisite food and the considerate and charming demeanours of each encounter. Japan is a truly exotic and enchanting place, where there’s always another mystery to uncover, and I’m hooked!

Sights

There seems to be an ever growing multitude of places to see or be at in the sprawling Tokyo metropolis, but a few of my favourite experiences were the Tokyo Tower (the Japanese Eiffel Tower), Shibuya (the quintessential Tokyo area), Zozo-ji and Senso-ji temples (both equally regal and memorising),Tsukiji (the world's largest and busiest fish market, and home of the freshest sushi).

Shopping

Ranging from traditional to hyper-modern, Japanese fashion and style is an art form in itself. For impeccably dressed Tokyoites, obsession with aesthetics stretches into every aspect of their life, so this city is ideal for satisfying all your shopping needs.

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• Omotesando is one of the best shopping areas for designer stores and boutiques. Along with designer brands, the Spiral is a wonderful concept store, and Cat Street has a plethora of boutiques and hidden gems.

• Ginza is Tokyo’s answer to 5th Avenue. Dover Street Market is a firm fashion favourite, but here you'll be able to find the best quality in all traditional crafts, food, perfumery, and clothing.

• Department stores are an essential part of the Japanese shopping experience. Go to Shinjuku and get lost in the mazes of Isetan, Seibu, and Mitsukoshi, amongst others.

Nature

• Famed for its fusion between nature and man, the concept of wabi-sabi influences all aspects of Japanese life, so try to find your own zen in this bustling city by visiting these sanctuaries: • Shinjuku Gyoen National Gardens will enchant anyone, with Japanese, French, and English gardens, and a tropical, orchid-filled greenhouse.

Eating & Drinking

• Visit a traditional tea house for a tea ceremony, drinking whisked matcha and eating tiny mochi while sitting cross legged.

• Yoyogi Park is a tranquil place to have a picnic and observe Tokyoites doing everything from yoga to band practice, and is also the home of the Meiji-Shrine.

• Try to visit an onsen (Japanese bath house) for a day of relaxation and replenishment.

Tokyo is a foodie’s dream, with more Michelin starred restaurants than anywhere in the world. It has an exceptional array of bars and hidden old school hot spots.You cannot leave Japan without trying the ‘real’ ramen, sushi, tempura, yakisoba and sake.

• For the Kill Bill experience, have dinner at Gonpachi, the restaurant where the infamous fight scene was set in.

• Head to Shinjuku’s Golden Gai for a night out tasting beers and sake in hundreds of tiny izakaya (standing bars) • Have a tipple in the Park Hyatt’s New York Bar for the Lost In Translation experience and breathtaking views.

• The Shangri-la’s Nadaman is an exceptional Japanese traditional restaurant catering for Westerners too.

Like anywhere, Tokyo has numerous events and seasonal activities constantly springing up and taking place throughout the year. Be sure to show your respect when visiting this gem of a place by doing some research into the polite and fascinating culture and city.

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CIT Y LIFEST YLE KAZUTOMO ROBERT HORI

NATSUKI HAYASHI With a ravenous passion and a stunning figure, Natsuki Hayashi emanates an aura that turns heads. Her outgoing nature and sophisticated charm have helped establish her across the board in the beauty industry in Japan.

With close ties to foreign embassies, she is active in the import and export business as well as being the producer of Fay’s Honey beauty products.

Aside from her work as an MC and interviewer for various industry and red carpet events, Natsuki also works as a perfumer, a model, and a television persona, appearing this year on MTV reality show J Club TV. While originally having a deep connection with southern Italy (and not to mention, well versed in its history and art), her current projects allow her to spend more time in London and Paris, where she hopes to further establish herself in trade between Europe and Japan.

Lofty ambitions and insatiable passion make for a sumptuous appetite.

Natsuki reveals to us her secret haunts in Tokyo: 1. Elio Locanda Italiana (in the Hanzomon area) for its authentic Calabrian cuisine and warm Italian family-like hospitality.

2. Gentil H (in Meguro) for its French cuisine with the touch of Japanese subtlety and attention to detail and taste. Not to mention, the manager is an expert among experts on wine in Japan and will find the perfect glass to suit your dish.

3. Sukiyabashi Jiro (in Ginza), Natsuki’s choice of the best sushi in Japan!

Booking is tight, so make sure to reserve early!

4. iCas (in the Aoyama/Shibuya area) not only for its use of completely natural and beauty enhancing organic ingredients, and but for the amazing flavor of its dishes, crafted by its head chef, who was chosen by the Italian Chamber of Commerce as the number one chef in Tokyo.

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Restaurants: In most of the hotels I stay, the restaurants I eat at never allow me as much satisfaction as I would receive if I was in my own home, except for Margotto e baciare. I hate to see only a few slices of truffles and a small spoonful of caviar at a place that calls themselves a luxury restaurant. I say, bring me a whole piece of truffle and a sliver and leave the rest to me. I tell the chef what I want and how I want it... normally people would call you rude or uncivilized, but in Margotto e baciare, the more you ask for what you want, the more your wishes are granted. Mix truffles with soup, Kobe beef, desert, even Sauternes. And the bill? Not to worry, truffles cost exactly the same as in the mountains of Alba. Wine you purchase from a wine merchant. Oh and the chefs, these brothers have both been trained by a number of different 3star Michelin restaurants, enjoy!

Gyms: My favorite place to workout is Jungle Gym with the highest quality facilities and trainers providing a program tailored especially for you.There are private Victorian change rooms, a magma spa with volcanic rock tiling from Mt Fuji and infrared radiation to relax your muscles. A trainer will stretch and prepare you as well as train alongside you to keep you motivated. They will provide water, music, towels and anything else you desire. After an intense training you soak, sweat, and receive another 15min of painful yet pleasurable stretching. This is by far the best gym in the world, completely private and unique, no spa can compare to this excellent quality of service.

Bars: A great bar is MUSICA in Nishiazabu. Classical musicians take a drink here after their concerts.There is a funny bartender and spontaneous music always erupting. From quartet to opera aria... this is truly a magical place. My other favourite is Tsubaki, known as a mysterious spot in Nishiazabu. It's a bar in a cave full of expensive antiques mixed with cheap trinkets like a Mcdonald's gadget.They have the best wine list in Japan and champagne glasses made from vintage crystal. Caviar, truffles, fruits, anything you desire. Price ranges from 100 dollars to 10,000 dollars per person...it's a bit like Kyoto...the more you go, the more you can enjoy without spending too much money.

Banques, a wine bar in Roppongi, is a super lovely bar for smokers. The place is dark, each seating separated by a curtain, so as not to disturb other guests with your smoke. The wine list is perhaps the second best after Tsubaki.

Laura Chaplin, artist, carrying the “Chaplin” Limited edition Lake side, Geneva

BE UNIQUE BE DIFFERENT HANDCRAFTED SWISS LUXURY

www.thecollector.ch

GR AND PRIX

MEXICO GRAND PRIX

By Michelle Hambly-Grobler

The Mexican Formula One Grand Prix has to be, for me personally, the best race of 2015 - with its colourful, vibrant and electrifying energy.

T

he brilliant and totally addictive circus that is Formula 1 has returned to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez Race Circuit in Mexico City, home to 21,1 million people, after an absence of over twenty three years. The circuit hosted its first Formula 1 race in 1963. The track is named after two legend racing brothers of Mexico, Ricardo and Pedro Rodriguez, who both tragically died whilst racing (and living out their passion) in the 60’s and 70’s. It was known amongst fans, that Pedro always travelled with both the Mexican Flag and a tape of the Mexican National Anthem with him. This was a result of an odd happening during his winning of the 1967 Grand Prix, at the famed Kyalami Race Circuit in South Africa. After his win organisers were unable to retrieve the tape of the Mexican National Anthem and played the Mexican Hat Dance instead.

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The track has been extensively upgraded, resurfaced and the notorious corner the “peraltada” has been changed, much to the relief of many fans, wives and mothers. The track is fast and the surface is known to be quite unforgiving. It was a close call for the Mexican Grand Prix as one of the biggest tropical rain storms in the Northern Hemisphere, Hurricane Patricia, almost derailed the race in 2015. The Formula 1 fans in Mexico were driven into a frenzy of excitement when Sergio Perez made podium in the Russian Grand Prix in 2015, gearing them up for the Mexican race. It was estimated around 120.000 Mexican fans attended the Mexican Formula 1, coming out in full support for their home turf.

Tavo Hellmund, promoter and tireless supporter of the Mexico Grand Prix, believed it was a number to break all world records in the future.

The young and energetic President, Enrique Pena Nieto was honoured to host the race and felt the spin off was well worth the money invested.

It was thanks to private and state involvement which made this exciting race a possibility again.

Cars, be it fast cars, vintage cars, small cars, long cars, are very much a universal attraction to most men and a growing number of women myself included. As a self-confessed car addict, particularly of Porsche, racing is the ultimate fun one can have with these awesome toys. It is interesting to witness how Formula 1 are becoming a largely television watched event and in my heart I feel it is slightly sad, as how can you

Lewis Hamilton deep in style...

Pedro Rodriguez (MEX) finished seventh in his home GP driving the sole NART in 1963

possibly feel the vibrations and yes, the turbos, which are depleting the sheer noise factor. I believe it is driven, excuse the pun, by passion, adrenaline, talent and skill and in the modern era an increasing reliance on technology. Television and technology make such events accessible to all, allowing for a greater audience and a growing number of fans from around the world.

The secret is out, Apple are currently working on driverless cars with a focus on McClaren, why? - not for the sheer speed or aerodynamics

real attraction to such sport, and to those who dare to enter it, has always been the element of danger with which it brings. It was James Hunt who famously (or infamously) used this very tactic in his day, admitting that women find men who cheat death on the track so much more attractive.

The dream that Lewis Hamilton nurtured, from the tender age of three, was made possible by his hardworking father.A dedicated father, who held down three jobs to ensure his son could continue his Karting career, can now stand proud as his boy goes on to win three times world champion.

In countries where poverty is rife the hosting of such a sporting event is questionable but I feel it makes for great dreams and inspires young people its an empowering sport that does not attract drugs and substance abuse - at 350 km an hour for 71 laps all the facilities are firing. Lewis Hamilton has created a proud fan base and where the audiences are

Nico Rosberg celebrating his win with Lewis Hamilton and Finish Valtteri Bottas

Next to my lovelly classic 911

but for the developmental technology, which are such a major feature of successful racing teams. The complete all encompassing energy surge of a real race, in real time, in real cars is incomparable.

My personal and all time favourite driver, besides from the fabled Ayrton Senna, is Lewis Hamilton. A young, talented man who brings an air of cool and current into the often quite exclusive and traditional Grand Prix scene. Lewis has given the sport an enormous boost, using his enormous social media following, to attract a new and more diverse following. The

maybe a little jaded the energy and passion of a younger and vibrant hosting country is sorely needed in the F1 business model currently.

The Amber Lounge is the place to be when the F1 event rolls into town, originating in Monaco -and setting up in Singapore and Abu Dhabi the ultimate in glamour and celebrity magnet with Bono and Heidi Klum frequenting , the Amber Lounge is the place where the drivers hang out after racing and the Amber Lounge will host a fashion show in Mexico in 2016.

The touting of South Africa as a possible venue is often flaunted and proposals have been tabled and as a diehard Formula 1 Fan - Hope Springs Eternal.

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DRE AM CARS

Salon Prive

Blenheim Palace, Oxford

By Leila Russack

Late Saturday morning, a bramble of young classic car and modern motoring enthusiasts took to the road from Richmond, Surrey in a high-speed convoy to Winston Churchill’s manicured former residence, Blenheim Palace. While grey clouds loomed above like the slow traffic below on the M40, a tourmaline 1981 Aston Martin V8 Oscar India, a purist white MY15 Jaguar F-Type V6 S, an imported rare manual MY16 F-type V6 and a brand new Land Rover (for good measure) took every opportunity to stretch the miles per hour in their prowl towards Salon Prive.

Koenigsegg at one of England’s most exclusive parking lots

A

s soon as the low riding vintage Aston was parked on the green, the ladies swapped their driving feet for heels and took to the VIP Hospitality Entrance, umbrellas in tow, ready for the rain. Those who didn’t enter the event enjoyed watching the stunning menagerie of cars turning up, snapping shots with the day’s perfect stormy lighting.

Beyond the box tapestry gardens and lawn, a concourse of mighty stealth, design class and vision awaited us. The lineup

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was over 50 vehicles in the innovation and bespoke league of Koenigsegg, the racing pedigree of McLaren, the modern must-have Lamborghini, vintage Ferraris, Porches, Jaguars and Bentleys, and, much to our excitement, the Jaguar’s new Project 7. All set against the backdrop of Blenheim Palace, famous for more than just a parking lot for Winston’s Daimler Dropheads.

Jaguar Ftype V8 Supercharged Project 7 roadster

Yellows of canary and real gold, reds of seduction, velvet and lipstick, blues for boys and girls. Greys for discretion and greens for professionals.

Racing stripes and badges from decades of supercar manufacturing. The details excite as they are emblems of the horsepower and history these cars hold. Those who drive them, love them, make them, and of course, race them.

Peckish after the long drive, we took shelter in one of the Dining Pavilions for some late lunch. After the main dish was served, my Brazilian friend insisted we not be rabbits with left-over salad and buffalo mozzarella. She insisted the catering staff find us a special meal, something that reflects the price of entry, a cool £300 each. Soon enough, after some laughs, the waitress brought us a family of lobsters, and Champagne of course. We laughed and ate before heading back to the lawn, umbrellas protecting us from the typically English drizzle.

One of my friends could not even fit into the E-Type, so how small are these drivers? .

A cold chill catches us in our cocktail dresses during a selfie capture at the Ferrari 330GTC. We admire the lust-worthy Aston Martin DB11 V12 and quickly find cover at the Universal Classic Cars pavilion. At their sophisticated Salon Prive hut, we are offered more Champagne, how can we say no? The youngsters talk supercar mechanics and high specification detailing, while I can’t help but notice one of UCC’s neon Porsche Carrera RS sitting like sunshine in the rain.

After such an exhilarating day, we are hungry again, time for dinner! The Crazy Bear in Bear Lane, Stadhampton lured us in with its Medieval

The black Jag E-Type they call Elvis

setting and farm fresh food. Recommended was the pan-fried fois gras, a texture entirely new to me, divine and wholesome. We had fillet steak and creamy risotto with lobster, delicious delights.

UCC restored Porsche Carrera RS

An old tale tells of a coupe being remodelled into a roadster in aide of fainting ladies. One young man comments on the lack of adequate sealing to avoid water leaking into these old cars. Another collector sits in his 1961 Bentley S2 Drophead coupe, engine running to keep him warm.

Discreet chattering is heard about how many millions of pounds each of these rare cars are worth.Whilst showroom vehicles drop value as soon as they are driven, these classics continue to hold and gain value.

Our slew of cars rode back along the M40 towards William the Conqueror’s 11th Century residence,Windsor Castle, Berkshire SL3.The Aston among us soon lost fuel with its full throttle V8, each of us racing the other down the motorway. We eventually found the entrance to the sparsely signed Castle grounds. What an incredible sight. Our beautiful vehicles were parked among common spectators,’Toyotas and Skodas, but what can you expect when more valuable parking closer to the Castle is upwards of 5000 pounds?

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An Art Deco feat, the 1938 Hispano Suiza Dubonnet Xenia is fit for the Queen of England and the 1940s cartoon villain.

Frank Halford Special – 1926 British Grand Prix - Aston Martin predecessor

We opened some purpose-chilled, half-bottles of exclusive Dauby Champagne, preferring the dry complexity to the usual event sponsors’ sweeter choices. In a constant sling of jibes and laughter, we posed with our cars before strolling up to the Classic Car Club and tree-lined Long Walk.

After all these tipsy questions were partially answered, we ate BBQ for lunch at the burned out car and drank more Champagne at the RM Sotheby’s stand. A metallic strawberry 1957 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster caught my eye, matching perfectly with my patent Diorama and manicure. At a chilling million pounds to be auctioned on the 7th of September with RM Sothebys, why barter? The perfect ladies' vintage vehicle.

If we weren’t already amazed by the concourse leading to the Castle, sixty of the world’s rarest cars gleamed in the Castle’s Quadrangle lawn, leaving us all in awe. I spot a 1953 Jaguar XK120 Ghia Supersonic, a kissed raspberry red coupe ready for a dream drive around the country roads.We could certainly put some miles into its odometer at 22,000kms!

A Lalique crystal Cockerel head is perched upon the radiator of the deep magenta 1928 Mercedes 630 Saoutchik Stadt Coupe, which would fit us all in for a top-hatted run for Champagne and ice-cream.

By the time it was over, there were already so many people we would drive in the rain with for the next luxury motoring event.The Concourse of Elegance at Salon Prive Blenheim Palace and at Windsor Castle are the ideal events to have entry-level enthusiasts and professionals mixing with keen collectors and buyers. Tips for newcomers: arrive early at Salon for your lobster! Best weekend in a long time, thank you to all involved!

1953 Jaguar XK120 Ghia Supersonic at the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle

We found a 1926 Grand Prix car, a Frank Halford Special that completed 82 laps of the circuit. It held a special place in my heart, as my Grandfather drove under the name Allan Marshall with the number 26 on the Jeep Special he built. Memories flooded back of watching races in the late 80s. His car is now owned by a driver collector of the Vintage Speedway Association in Australia. These cars are not legal to race due to the safety requirements of professional racing.

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MUSIC

BURNING MAN 2016

By Naike Bokan

Whether you are a spiritualist working on your chakras; a rational geographer; a glamorous materialist; a dreamer who wanders off into the mystical past; a futuristic space traveler; a Mad Max enthusiast; or perhaps just someone longing to endure in the secretive Eleusinian Mysteries; whoever you may be, if you happen to find yourself in the middle of the Nevada Black Rock desert in August, prepare for letting go of all the physical and emotional boundaries and allow this true playful side of yourself to shine through.

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ike an untouched magical land, the desert of Nevada has an echoing emptiness, without any traces of civilization, it sits waiting for the creation of a new world. An enchanted world, resurrecting from and dissolving into dust, built by its great creator - man. For this very reason, Burning Man is much more than just another music festival and its ideals go far deeper than a whimsically colorful carnival - it represents a celebration of the creative power of man.The Burn promotes freedom of expression, which is a responsibility, not an anarchy; individuality in the form of a gift rather than selfish egoism; it is a communion emerged from the acknowledgement of each and every individual who attends. Being part of this ad hoc community, you can’t help but be inspired and drawn in by the Ten Principles, which mostly rely on the connection and the revolving of the individual combining into one. For me, as an artist, the

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principle of radical self-expression is the closest one to my heart, probably because it is a crucial element of my point of view - art is a way of life, it is not something artificial. Art represents the natural and organic which every one of us can and should base our beings on. It was a playground for me to freely express my creativity without any boundaries. The leading philosophy behind the Burning Man festival is that every man is an artist, therefore each individual is a work of art on its own, one of the reasons why I myself wanted to take part in this experience in August this year. Best known to the public for the distinctive costumes of the participants, which you can say are without a doubt limitlessly unconventional and authentic. The innovation this world inspires, creates a feeling of boundless freedom and self-expression.

You will soon come to the realization that a mask does not obscure our true face, but rather reveals us in our natural state. Speaking of deconstruction to reveal our true selves, I would like to mention a sculpture which I think reflects exactly that - the Heart of Gold. Inspired by this year’s theme “DaVinci’s Workshop”, the light installation is based on Leonardo’s polyhedron drawings. Just looking at its holographic

sequence of infinity mirrors, giving the viewer a fusion of diverse lighting and color, instinctively suggests letting go of all barriers and encourages one to look inside as well as outside. A pluralistic perspective that calls upon you to take a different point of view. Burning Man feeds all of us longing, since our childhoods, to travel to outer space where we believed we could fly and build magical worlds of our own. It is for those of us who know that love, giving and freedom is the strongest power and gift and for those who believe they can change the world for the better.

Let your playful inner child run free without any judgement. The diversity of experiences from people around the world allow you to try and imagine yourself being there. Indulge in the fantastic and inspirational photographs; get creative and dream up your costumes and imagine yourself running wild in the desert. Be warned, however, that what you actually endure at Burning Man is not something you can ever foresee, control or prepare for, nor should you try because it will certainly exceed all your wildest expectations. In the words of Hamlet, who said the truth is in the readiness, being ready for Burning Man means - being ready for a complete surprise! Burning Man is not a mimesis nor does it try to be, rather it is a procreative evocation of the myth and rituals forgotten. It is an eclectic symbiosis of the future and the past utopia and dystopia, a pre-civilised and post apocalyptic experience that generates a ludic playground free of traditional convention.

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DESTINATION

The Slate, Phuket

by Sneha Rupani Hailed as Phuket’s father of tourism, Wichit Na-Ranong was born into a family that revolutionized Phuket’s trade industry with tin mining. After hosting a James Bond film crew in the 1970s, Wichit knew he could make Phuket an international destination. His efforts put Phuket on the map, opening up her white-sand beaches and clear blue seas, to the world. Now, his daughter Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong, brings forward-thinking hospitality to the forefront with The Slate – the island’s only avant-garde expression of a true Phuket heritage.

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rystal Prakaikaew’s vision was to create a sanctuary that intrigues and inspires guests through placing importance on intuitive service, satisfying guest’s desires while simultaneously engaging their curiosity.

To bring her vision to life, Krystal Prakaikaew recruited one of South East Asia’s leading designers, Bill Bensley to create a seamless marriage of Phuket’s tin-mining heritage and her avant-garde, innovative design philosophy.

The result is a 177-room property that oozes industrial chic. Krystal Prakaikaew’s emphasis on design has resulted in an oasis that borrows heavily from the past but is yet innovative and forward-thinking. The Slate’s strong design elements are a nod to Phuket’s and her family’s tinmining heritage. Krystal Prakaikaew says, “We wanted The Slate’s design to stand out from the other resorts in the region and offer a distinctive atmosphere that will intrigue urbane travelers but at the same time, not

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be modern for modern’s sake. Good design has to be rooted in something and in The Slate’s case, it is the history of the island.”

The Slate is just ten minutes away from the airport, but guests will feel like they’ve entered a different world from the moment they pull up into the lobby. Located along Phuket’s northern beaches, The Slate is far removed from the hustle and bustle of Phuket’s southern party zones.

Our favourite is the private pool villa, ensconced within a lush walled tropical garden. Wake up in a cloud-like, oversized bed to the soft chirping of tropical birds and the whispering waves in the background.

Cool off in your private plunge pool or lounge in your striped sofa out on your sun terrace. Request your private butler to organize a therapist to come to your own in-room spa area and relax on the luxurious massage beds or enjoy the private sauna and steam rooms.

If idling the day away is more your style, the stunning Coqoon Spa was built around a tropical garden with eight treatment rooms-for-two, the highlight of which is a spectacular woven Nest built into a 100-year old banyan- tree. Krystal Prakaikaew designed the Coqoon Spa programme to offer treatments that invoke healing and the relaxation techniques of Thai massage. The Slate’s three sparkling pools have relaxing sun loungers, swaying palms and stunning views.

The Slate offers a myriad of activities for you to explore Phuket.

Their concierge team can arrange to charter yachts for you to go island-hopping, deep sea fishing, colourful, coral diving or simply to cruise into the sunset. On land, delve into local culture and customs with temple visits, Thai cooking classes and modern art tours. Fitness fans can enjoy tennis, archery, yoga, tai-chi, Pilates, Fit Ball and Muay Thai boxing. Visit Shore Thing, our beach club overlooking the Andaman Sea, while delighting in fantastical sunset cocktails.

Foodies can tuck in at any of The Slate’s eight restaurants. Tin Mine restaurant highlights with Steak & Grilled and a selection of Indian cuisine as well as international buffet breakfasts and specialty cuisine evenings.

Experience Thai street-food cooking stations which are also featured in this alfresco restaurant. For fine dining, visit Black Ginger, The Slate’s signature Thai restaurant. Set on a private lagoon, it can only be reached via a ropepulled boat ride and features special dishes from the Phuket region. Rivet is an intimate and artistic venue setting with plush, leather upholstered chairs and unique tables as well as geometric metalwork.

With a distinct story to tell, a combination of gorgeous industrial chic design, top-notch service, close attention to detail and the beautiful backdrop of Phuket’s northern beaches, The Slate offers up the perfect recipe for a beautiful getaway.!

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PL ACE

My St Moritz ST MORITZ IS PROUD TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL ICON OF STYLE. NOT ONLY SPORT, BUT ARISTOCRACY, RULERS AND POLITICIANS FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE

by Maura Wasescha

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t. Moritz owes its legendary fame to Johannes Badrutt.

In 1864, this budding hotel manager invited four English friends to spend the winter in St. Mortiz. The sun here was so warm, the air so crystal-clear, there was no doubt his friends would enjoy sitting on the terrace in this secret paradise.

Johannes even offered to refund them the trip costs, if they left unsatisfied. It was this simple bet that allowed St Moritz to become a winter tourist spot. In the summer, its popularity was already strong: visitors used to to come to St Moritz for the water cure, a tradition that started 3000 years ago when the ferruginous spring waters flow, later discovered by the Romans, this tradition was carried over by the aristocracy since 200 years ago. This was just the beginning, St. Moritz keeps establishing its leadership among the alpine holiday resort industry and its popularity is strong worldwide. St. Moritz hosted the Winter Olympics games twice, the Ski World Championships

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five times (including the coming 2017 championships). St Moritz is proud to be an international icon of style. Not only sport, but aristocracy, rulers and politicians from all over the globe, including movie and television stars, have given and still continue to give a luxury image to St Moritz. An image of adventurous lifestyle and glamour, a place that has never forgotten its origins and its traditions. Last but not least, the nature, the landscape with its lake plateau make of this region a unique place in the world.Today, when my clients ask me, ‘Mrs Wasecha, do you know that you are living in paradise?’ My answer is undoubtedly...Yes! 38 years ago, when I arrived in St. Moritz from Italy, the paradise of it all was not clear to me. It was by complete chance that I landed here, with a high school diploma in my hands, and only limited information about this glamorous location.

In reality, my career at the beginning was not easy at all, far from all the nice stories that you can read in magazines. Being supported by a strong personality, my motto has always been “you should never give up…” In my life I always carried on, I started to work as a simple cleaning lady, but I was lucky enough to become the founder of a real estate agency specializing in luxury properties of the highest standards. Properties which fully respect the environment and the quality of life of the people living in them and around him.

There have been many schools of thought behind the realization of our projects, which have made this dream come true. In order to truly feel and experience the real meaning of expression one must aim to achieve “maximum well being.” As you see, St Moritz has fascinated me and still does today. The poetry of a wonderful landscape lives together with the typical glamour of the place, a unique destination. Come and visit us… I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.

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ART

St. Moritz A rt Masters:

SAM, The Immense World Of Beauty You Want To K now A bout

by Nina Milic

A

rt Masters opened to the world for the first time in the valley of Engadin in 2008. In the very heart of Switzerland, you will find a place which seems to always be in perfect peace and harmony. St. Moritz is one of the most amazing places, hidden amongst brilliant scenography made of eye-catching mountains, lakes and breathtaking landscapes.

The nature is pure and serves as a glorious backdrop for hosting one of the biggest art festivals in the world, for nine years in a row. It is a festival defined by quality and by culture. In a short space of time, Art Masters has emerged as a one of the most prestigious cultural events in the world. The biggest artists from all over are invited to be a part of this extraordinary event every year.

The man that we can heartily thank for Art Masters is Monty Shadow.

An amazingly talented individual with the creative flair of a true artist but also a visionary willing to share his ideas with the world for many years now, a man who has always been ahead of his time. The event and brand which Monty created began as a wish to create a unique place and opportunity for the best quality art and artists from around the world to come together. He certainly succeeded in his intention. Today Art Masters is not only the opportunity to admire art but also a place where anything is possible‌.When good ideas are also surrounded by amazing people that can see and recognize them, true value for life can take place and visions can become realities.

St. Moritz, known for its prestigious skiing in the winter, opens its doors to SAM and to the so-called Walk of Art at the end of August each year.

The Walk of Art takes you through the magical narrow streets of St. Moritz, bursting with beautiful houses that interlace modern and classical architecture. At every corner you will find a new gallery, a museum or a church that offers another exhibition, each one of them giving you a new perspective on the world, seen through an eye of a different artist.

The newest achievements in technology, design, photography and music are presented here, giving us the privilege of enjoying something the world is only yet to see, we are the first to witness it and excite in the potential. There are also beautiful retrospectives on the history of Art and the most appreciated works and artists from the past. This 9th Art Masters was dedicated to American art and gave us the opportunity to go back in time, 50 years, at least for a few minutes.

Kempinski Grand Hotel Des Bains presented an amazing exhibition of Albert Watson's work. Watson is one of the biggest photographers of our time, well known for his fashion, art and celebrity photography.

He presents a unique atmosphere in his work, you feel a great sense of emotion and presence, as if you are almost standing there with him, right in front of his model. Through the decades, from the 60s till now, he has

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worked with a great number of rock stars, actors, supermodels and the like. His most famous works are with Andy Warhol, Alfred Hitchcock, Queen Elizabeth, Michael Jackson, Mick Jagger, Steve Jobs and of course Kate Moss. Once you lay your eyes on his photography, it will be hard to forget it. His distinctive style will occupy your thoughts for a long time. For me personally, his portrait of Mick Jagger is an absolute winner.

The range of his artwork leaves a lasting impression on all that see it, therefore, for many of the above reasons, Watson received a lifetime achievement award by Cartier Foundation at their gala dinner hosted at Hotel Kempinski.

After a great dinner with American specialties, complete with various performances, we were honoured to end the evening with music by the famous pianist, Cesare Picco. He led us into his magical world of music and through the sweet sounds of his piano, told us his story. We were relocated into his imaginary world of music for half an hour. It was a truly inspiring experience.

The hallway of Kempinski was filled with lights, cameras, and scenes from shoots. Anthony Pierre Allard was the next artist in whose talent and charm we could rejoice in. One of the most famous French photographers who too has worked with many celebrities, gave us an opportunity to enjoy his work and creation.

Anthony has a true talent for taking breathtaking portraits, always bringing out the best qualities in his subjects. I had an opportunity to sit in front of his camera and I have to say he made it so easy going that I did not even notice the time that had passed. Spending time with him was fantastic and we were able to witness his boyish enthusiasm and the great energy he brings with him wherever he goes. One whole day was dedicated to his kids. The smallest one had the chance to enjoy brunch, various games and

painting. It was their ‘adult day’ and it seemed they were very happy about it. It was so special to watch Allard do a photoshoot with his children, the boys sitting proudly on big Pirelli tires set in the hall especially for this day and their own little shoot.

As days were passing by very fast, we tried to find some time for hiking in the beautiful mountains. It was very difficult to do it all. The night was calling and it led us further away to gala parties and many social events. Once again there was a great crowd of quality people with lots of positive energy all around. The variety of talented people to meet was very inspiring. Hotel Kulm was another key destination that hosted us mostly during the evenings. It gave us Art, design and a great exhibit of idea books. The best edition was definitely GOAT-Muhammad Ali, a tribute to the icon of all time, published

by Taschen.

This book weighs 34 kg and is really an epic piece containing 800 pages of original photographs, artwork and articles, including some entirely new content only published in GOAT. Taschen is a powerful publishing house that offers great

limited editions dedicated to the biggest artists of our times like the Rolling Stones, David Bowie and many others. Great personalities have been immortalized in their luxury editions which truly are a masterpiece worth owning.

Over the past nine years hundreds of artists, photographers, musicians and designers have left their traces in the Engadin valley. Since 2008, SAM has presented to the world more than 500 artists. From RenĂŠ Burri to David Douglas Duncan, from Steve McCurry to Michel Comte, from Andy Warhol to Albert Watson.

By connecting the greatest artists and creatives of our time, SAM creates an inspirational space for beauty and art. Every year bringing us a new theme, all equally enchanting. We are all looking forward to next year and the new program, projects, partners, events and artists that it brings.

I have no doubt that the 10th anniversary will shine light on all the outstanding achievements thus far as well as open the doors of discussion for future breakthroughs in the art world. SAM is a special event that I am honoured to attend each year, where the art masters of our times, those who have passed and those still to come, can be celebrated.

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ART FOCUS

By Caroline von Krockow - Lahame

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here are so many contemporary art fairs around the world these days, admit it… how many do you attend a year? Three at least? Even though many of us might not understand or even like contemporary art. But with our already busy schedules and the endless options which one do you attend? In the good old days, we mingled with our newest dresses, hats and shoes at horse races in Ascot, Baden Baden or the Arc de Triomphe. But now, contemporary art fairs have become the new place to be. There are VIP events, where one has to go two or three days early so as to attend the pre, pre-VIP cocktails and events, especially if one wants to rub shoulders with the crème de la crème and still get the pieces (which are often actually sold before you arrive.) It would not be difficult to go to a different contemporary art fair each month as there are new ones popping up all over the world, all the time.

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Art Cologne (established in 1967 as Kölner Kunstmarkt) is regarded as the world’s oldest art fair for modern and contemporary art of the 20th and 21st century. Art Basel (established in 1970) is now possibly the most important one and from there the list goes on forever. There is for example Art Basel Hong Kong, Bogoart in Colombia, Art Dubai, Melbourne ArtFair, Arco in Madrid and Art Turin to name but a few. So after Frieze London and with Art Basel Miami around the corner, is it all really worth it? Why go to FIAC especially with all the bad news coming from France? Is it even safe in Paris?

Kim Kardashian just had all her gems stolen (news I discovered in the train on my way to London). But flying back I noticed someone sitting next to me, a celebrity covered in gems, who obviously did not worry

June 2010. She recently stated that FIAC is the only art fair in the world which is able to provide true museum conditions for her exhibitors and said that there are some really beautiful works being shown in the Petit Palais as well, including a great Damien Hirst “Fallen Angel,” an ensemble of Abraham Cruzvillegas light sculptures, a new David Altmejd, a new Oscar Tuazon, and a new Guillaume Leblon – 38 artworks in total.

about the recent news and terrorist attacks. Paris’s appeal stays unshakable.

With the sparkling Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe – the City of Lights remains one of the most magnificent cities in the world.

A glass of champagne in the Hemmingway Bar of the newly opened Ritz, beautifully served with a white rose at its rim, just does not taste the same in New York or London. There is something about celebrating in Maxim’s, an institution since the 19th century. Thaddeus Ropac’s, a must for a seated dinner during the FIAC, an obvious and glamorous choice.

Some of my personal highlights at the fair include: Paul Mc Carthy’s “White snow dwarf (bashful)” at Galerie Valois Alicja’s Kwada’s “Be-hide” at Galerie Perrotin Duane Hanson’s “Old couple on a bench” and the George Baselitz at Gagosian gallery All the Robert Longo’s (Vincent Van Gogh, Rose) at Thaddeus Ropac Barbara Kruger and Hans Op de Beeck’s “The Settlement” at Galerie Krinzinger A short distance from the Grand Palais you will find my favorite antique gallery. How can an antique gallery attract visitors during FIAC you might wonder? The Galerie Aveline on Place Beauveau next to the Hotel Bristol, which specializes in 18th century furniture, knows how. JeanMarie Rossi is a visionary having collected Liechtenstein and Daniel

Paris uniquely combines historical buildings with contemporary art and FIAC (since 1974, also one of the oldest contemporary art fairs) has made its mark especially since its taking place in the arched historical edifice.

Most art fairs tend to exhibit in impersonal halls, not the FIAC however, which is situated in the Grand Palais, an immense building housing international fairs since its creation in 1900. Built for the Exposition

Universelle, the first exhibition which showcased sculptures, horse shows and motor cars, drawing visitors from around the world. A century later, international visitors are still attracted by the contrast in architecture with its heavy stone on the outside and a light iron structure on the inside.This year, on September 24th, Emmanuel Perrotin rented out the whole space to host a party around his stand showing Elmgreen & Dragset’s work.

This October, for FIAC’s 43rd edition, I checked out the 174 international galleries and other events in Paris. The FIAC has become unbeatable since Jennifer Flay took charge. The New-Zealand born galleriast was FIAC’s artistic director from 2003 to 2010 and is its general director since

Buren long before others. The gallerist bought 10 Buren paintings in the 60s and this year Buren did the façade of the gallery making it shine.

Inside are Rossi’s Burens, but in addition many more. Marella Rossi, Jean Marie Rossi’s daughter now runs the gallery with the same vision and energy of her father. To perfection, she combines contemporary art and antique furniture, creating a beautiful dialogue between the centuries.

Lovers of the artist should definitely visit the Louis Vuitton Foundation where Buren’s roof shows bright colors until April 2017.

My dear friend Diane opened a new space and is showing American Abstract Expressionism at her gallery Diane de Polignac & Chazournes.

In the heart of St. Germain the young, dynamic gallerist presents a selection of American Abstract Impressionism including Sam Francis and Paul Jenkins. The large, airy gallery space has three rooms and visitors can also see European lyrical abstraction like Gerhard Schneider, Hans Hartung and Pierre Soulage and Post-war abstraction.

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Another exciting event is the sale of Marcel Duchamp’s ‘Porte-Bouteilles,’ showing at Galerie Thaddeus Ropac. The gallerist will sell this piece to a museum, preferably an American one, which are all sending daily competing offers. Opening for FIAC week, Duchamp’s emblematic ‘Porte-Bouteilles’ is being shown in the gallery’s Marais space along with a selection of works by the French artist and archive documents. The exhibition coincides with the 100th anniversary of the term ‘ready-made’, used by the artist in a letter to his sister Suzanne in 1916. Concluding that, the contemporary art scene in Paris still has that unique, sexy French touch!

1. Maurizio Cattelan: Not afraid of love at Monnaie de Paris, October 22 – January 8: We all know Cattelan for his colorful provocative portraits of fingernails, cigarette buds and sculptures, as for example the Pope being hit by an asteroid. In the 18th century rooms Cattelan once again seeks to challenge visitors with horses jumping into the wall, a covered elephant and a man popping up from the ground. “Is there life after death?” is his real question. In the Monnaie de Paris visitors can contemplate this whilst enjoying the delicious Guy Savoy cuisine.

2. MTX showroom, subsidiary to Chanel: Fashionistas should definitely visit this new concept, which bridges a gap between sculpture

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and interior design. The exclusive creations are constructed with modules that unfold and multiply themselves indefinitely. Playing with colors and sparkles of lights, these exceptional pieces defy scale, thus achieving a dialogue between the precise techniques of embroidery and the immensity of architecture.

3. Hervé di Rosa and Les Arts Modestes, plus jamais seul at La Maison Rouge, October 22 – January 22: The exhibition shows how Hervé di Rosa’s pictorial and sculptural work has drawn inspiration as much from major artists from the 20th century such as Matisse, Picabia, and Dubuffet as from the multitude of unique objects he buys, accumulates, assembles and shares.

4. Oscar Wilde, l’impertinent absolu at the Petit Palais, September 28 – January 15: Exiting the Grand Palais, it is worth taking a peak just opposite into the Petite Palais to visit the first exhibition in France dedicated to the famous writer Oscar Wilde. The exhibition evokes his life and work through a collection of 200 pieces, bringing together exceptional documents, some of which will be presented for the first time, including manuscripts, photographs, drawings and caricatures.

5. Hors Les Murs:FIAC and the Domaine national du Louvre et des Tuileries present sculptures, installations, sound works, and performances around the Tuileries garden. On view this year are projects from Berdaguer & Péjus, Joe Bradley, Alexander Calder, Mirea Cantor and more which are worth

exploring and a good opportunity to get some fresh air!

6. Carle André at the Musée d’Art Moderne, October 18 – February 12: The Musée d’Art Moderne is presenting a tribute to the major 20th century American artist Carl Andre.

This retrospective reveals how André, working with standard, unmodified industrial elements, redefined sculpture as a means of experiencing space, form and matter. He also produced poems that made use of words for their visual as well as their semantic and sound value.

7. Tino Seygal at Palais de Tokyo, October 12 – December 18: The Palais de Tokyo offers carte blanche to Tino Sehgal, a major figure on the international scene and one of the most radical artists of his generation. The artist’s experiment will transform the Palais de Tokyo’s exhibition space into an area where his own «constructed situations» reside.

8. The Shchukin collection at the Louis Vuitton Foundation, October 22 – February 20: The collection constituted by Sergei Shchukin includes works by the most renowned impressionist, postimpressionist and modernist masters like Monet, Cézanne, Gauguin, Renoir, Picasso and Van Gogh. The Moscow industrialist was a visionary in his taste for modern French art, leading him to begin forming an exceptional collection from 1898, representing the most radical trends in art from the era. Nationalized during the Russian revolution, the paintings in the collection have

been displayed at separate locations in Saint Petersburg and Moscow.

9. Slick Art Fair, October 19 – October 23: SLICK co-founders Johan Tamer-Morael and Aude de Bourbon Parme have collaborated with passionate galleries who persistently contribute towards promoting the French and International art scene. A stroll along the river bank to explore the compact sized, always new, visionary fair is therefore a must.

a poet, listening to animal sounds to analyze them as a true scientific.

13. Private collection of Daniel and Florence Guerlain at the Guerlain Foundation, The founders of the Daniel and Florence Guerlain Contemporary Art Foundation in 1996, and the Contemporary Drawing Prize in 2006, have been collecting for about 30 years. Featured artists include Jose Maria Sicilia, Gilles Aillaud, Martial Raysse, and Gaetano Pesce.

10. Asia Now, October 20 – October 23:Asia Now is the first ‘boutique art fair’ in Europe to focus exclusively on the contemporary Asian Art scene.

This year, highlights include Chimères, a platform curated by Hervé Mikaeloff in collaboration with Matthias Arndt and Shang Xia & Christie’s with a collaboration on Chinese contemporary design.

14. René Magritte at the Centre Pompidou, September 21 – January 23: This new show, under curator Didier Ottinger , focuses on five figures the painter always referenced in his work : fire, shadow, curtains, words and the fractionated human body.

11. Outsider Art Fair, October 20 – October 23: Out of the 38 exhibitors present for the fourth edition of this fair, 15 are newcomers, which confirms that the Parisian fair is expanding.

12. The Nights of Uncertainty: The Infinite Conversation and The great animal orchestra at the Cartier Foundation, July 2 – January 8: Based on a proposal by Hans Ulrich Obrist, a conversation in his presence between artists, scientists and intellectual’s relation to the great animal orchestra exhibition. The Great Animal Orchestra was inspired by the bio-acoustic compositions of Bernie Krause. Krause contemplates ecosystems as

15. Picasso-Giacometti at the Musée national Picasso, October 4 – February 5: Organised in collaboration with the Alberto and Annette Giacometti Foundation, the exhibition will highlight the formal, amicable, or iconographic relationships that these two major artists of the 20th century maintained.

16. Francesco Gennari at Galerie Antoine Levi, September 23 – November 15: A new art scene has rapidly emerged in Belleville (mainly the 20th arrondisement.) Not to be missed is the Levi gallery, which was founded three years ago, and since has cast a bright light on the work of Francesco Gennari.

17. Tom Wesselmann: A different kind of women at Almine Rech Gallery, October 17 – December 21: Almine Rech Gallery is hosting the most significant representation of Tom Wesselmann’s work in Paris in over 20 years.

The exhibition features a selection of historical works and viewers can watch the performance piece ‘Bedroom Tit Box’, as well as other key pieces.

18. Marcel Duchamp Prize at the Centre Pompidou – Presentation of the shortlisted candidates by their representatives: Kader Attia, born in 1970, presented by Dr. Clémentine Deliss, curator and critic. Yto Barrada, born in 1971, presented by Omar Berrade, writer and art critic, director of the Dar al-Ma’mun Library in Marrakech.

19. Ulla von Brandenburg, born in 1974, presented by Jean de Loisy, president of the Palais de Tokyo; and Barthélémy Togua, born in 1967, presented by Roger Malbert, Head of Hayward Tourig, Hayward Gallery, London. …And the winner is?

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POLO

A GREAT POLO WEEKEND IN DUBAI Dubai is synonymous with progress, innovation and luxury and the new Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club fits that description perfectly.

by Diana de Souza LeĂŁo Jensen

L

ike a mirage in the desert, but impressively real, this all-encompassing equestrian haven in the heart of Dubai Land boasts the best grass polo fields in the region, surrounding a 5-star 136 rooms St Regis Resort and villa community, which is due to open in January 2017.

The upmarket gated community includes 120 luxury rental villas ranging from 3 to 5 bedrooms in a stunning contemporary setting alongside a cluster of St. Regis-branded villas. Each villa has a unique view of exquisitely landscaped development devoted to all aspects of equestrian life. The impressive collection of opulent villas is designed with the horse

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lover in mind. Tastefully decorated throughout with natural hues, these elegantly designed homes are full of character and charm.

A world-class polo club with exceptional facilities in the Polo Academy and Riding School, offers equestrians in all disciplines the opportunity to learn to ride or further their skills. With 520 stables, 4 polo fields, exercise tracks, a trail ride track and 2 international standard arenas for show jumping and dressage, the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club is the largest equestrian facility in the UAE.

“Horses have been a big part of my life for many years, playing polo is one of my biggest passions," says Mohammed Al Habtoor, Chairman of the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club, "My vision for the Al Habtoor Polo Resort & Club is to create something unique for all equestrians, not just about polo. It is an equestrian haven, which incorporates multiple disciplines including polo, dressage and show jumping and traditional horseback riding.”

A Busy Polo Season The local community will be able to enjoy a jam-packed calendar of international polo events including the highly-acclaimed Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series, an 18 Goal Handicap tournament, entering in its eighth year under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. The tournament series are the highest ranked tournaments in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, ranking it also amongst the best polo tournaments worldwide and played under the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA). This coming Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series will be from 20th of January until 14th of April 2017.

Passion, tradition and sporting elegance… a unique lifestyle symbolized and reflected in the Julius Baer Gold Cup. Every year, this tournament gathers together royalty, celebrities, VIPs from the Dubai social scene and fans of the ‘sport of kings’ to a spectacular performance by the world’s best polo players competing for the Gold Cup trophy, an intense battle to the top, to be the best team in the Middle East and Asia.

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POLO

Polo: the sport of kings and the king of sports Polo has been played for over 2000 years and is thus recognized as one of the oldest team sports in the world.

The game is played on horseback with 2-4 players on each team depending on the type of polo turf (beach, arena, grass, snow), a chukker is a period of 7,5 minutes of play, the clock stops when a foul is committed. A foul is when a player makes an unsafe maneuver. Most of the rules in polo are for the safety of the horse and rider. Polo matches last between 4 to 8 chukkers depending on the level and type of polo and players must change their mount after every chukker.

The polo season started in October and on November 4th the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club had the pleasure of welcoming the Monte Carlo Polo Team for a cup in their honor, named the Monte Carlo Polo Cup Dubai.

Reuniting through polo Rashid Al Habtoor, co-founder of the Habtoor Polo Organization, and Rommy Gianni, patron of the Monte Carlo Polo Team, have known each other for many years and meet up in different countries for events and polo tournaments. They had played polo together before, but not against each other. This summer in Monaco the two agreed that the Monte Carlo Polo Team was due for a visit to the city of wonders, Dubai, for a polo cup at the new Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club. “I love the way polo unites people from all over the world.

During my travels I always meet interesting people and it is a pleasure to be able to welcome them in my home country and play the sport we love. I am excited to show Rommy the new Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club and the great facilities. I am so proud of my brother Mohammed (Al Habtoor) for carrying out his vision on this project under the Habtoor Group and creating a truly spectacular equestrian oasis�

The quartet travelled from Monaco to Dubai for a week of polo culminating in the final day on Friday the 4th of November under the beaming Arabian sun.

Spectators and supporters came from near and far to witness the polo match between the Habtoor Polo Team (Mohammed Al Habtoor 0, Rashid Al Habtoor 0, Justo Cuitino 3 and Alejandro Gowland 3) and Monte Carlo Polo Team (Rommy Gianni 1, Giles Greenwood 0, Andrea Moretti 0, Martin Espain 6).

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Four chukkers of intense polo were played, with Rommy Gianni from the Monte Carlo Polo Team opening up the score board in the first chukker. Followed by a goal from Mohammed Al Habtoor to even out the score. The two teams followed each other throughout the game, with very good defense plays and some fast attacks. Rommy Gianni scored all the goals for his team.

In the final chukker the two teams were even at 3 goals each. As often happens in this exciting game, just as we thought they would go in to overtime, Alejandro Gowland swiftly took the ball and passed it on to his team mate and patron Rashid K Al Habtoor who hit an “under-theneck” shot and scored with only seconds left on the clock.

Rommy Gianni enjoyed his day: “It was a tough match, the fields here are amazing, one of the best I have played on. I think the home team, Habtoor Polo, had an advantage of being acclimatized to the weather, it is a bit warm still for us guys from Europe. I look forward to the re-match, maybe we should play on snow and see who has an advantage then.” Gianni said with a grin on his face, since his team won the 2016 Snow Polo World Cup St Moritz. “I am grateful to our host Rashid and the Al Habtoor Polo Resort and Club for welcoming us here and taking very good care of us, we already look forward to coming back.”

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POLO

Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge 12th Edition

Zedan Polo wins 12th edition of the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge

U

nder the patronage of HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the 12th edition of the prestigious Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge concluded today with an 9-6 win for Zedan Polo. Their valiant opponents in this final were Habtoor Polo, headed up by Mohammed Al Habtoor.

HRH Princess Haya presented the impressive Cartier trophy to the Zedan team patrons Amr Zedan and Rashid Bin Drai. Cartier’s VIP guest Alessandra Ambrosio had earlier presented the La Martina Most Valuable Player of the Tournament Award to Habtoor Polo’s Santiago

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Gomez Romero. She also presented the Cartier Best Playing Pony Rug and a saddle to Mohammed Al Habtoor’s Sasha, which had been played

by Habtoor Polo’s Tommy Iriarte.

Some 600 Cartier guests attended this thrilling, four-chukka match, with HRH Princess Haya watching the game from the Royal Box, accompanied by HRH Princess Azemah of Brunei, Alessandra Ambrosio, Jerome Metzger, Retail Director Cartier Middle East and India and Ali Albwardy, the founder of the Desert Palm Resort and Polo Club – the home of Cartier polo in Dubai since 2006. The visitors also had a chance to view Cartier’s latest inspired collection, Cactus de Cartier. A stunning

collection of yellow gold rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces, featuring additional warmth from lapis lazuli, carnelians, emeralds and diamonds.

This is the first time that Cartier has hosted its acclaimed Dubai Polo Challenge tournament in November and four 8-goal teams took part this week, featuring players from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, England, Brunei, Scotland, Argentina, and Spain. This included today’s Desert Palm Trophy players, featuring the sponsor’s own team, Cartier and the home team, Desert Palm. This subsidiary final opened today’s polo and saw a victory for Desert Palm, with HRH Princess Haya presenting the Desert Palm Trophy to HRH Prince Jefri of Brunei and Rashid Albwardy.

CARTIER INTERNATIONAL DUBAI POLO CHALLENGE 12th EDITION TEAMS 2016 Zedan Polo Team: Amr Zedan (0); Rashid Bin Drai (0); Nico Petracchi (2); Raul Laplacette (6) Habtoor Polo: Stuart Wrigley (0); Mohammed Al Habtoor (0); Santiago Gomez Romero (3); Tomas Iriarte (5).

Cartier: Federico von Potobsky (6); Peter Reid (-1); Haider Bangash (-1); Mario Gomez (4) Desert Palm: HRH Prince Jefri (0); Saoud Khoory (1); Rashid Albwardy (2); Martin Valent (5).

Issue N12 | 85

E VENT

CELEBRATING QUEEN ELIZABETH II’S 90th BIRTHDAY IN STYLE AT ROYAL ASCOT

by Simon Piggott This year has been a special year for all those participating at Royal Ascot as it marks Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday celebrations with her favourite sporting event of the season.

M

any members of Cercle were present at this year’s event and had the added joy of being able to share Her Majesty’s favourite sport coupled with all the traditions that beset the beautiful surroundings of Ascot Racecourse, Windsor Great Park and the Royal Meeting.

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Tuesday started off with the traditional Royal Procession in carriage onto the racecourse by Her Majesty and her family down from Windsor Castle , her 70th since her first time with her father, George VI, in 1946.

This may also have proven to have been a significant moment for British racing because of who was alongside the Queen during the Meeting in the Royal Box and the Winners' Enclosure.

The Prince of Wales has often been characterized as being ambivalent towards the sport about which his mother is passionate. But there he was, clearly taking an interest and joking with the Queen about her trophies. The heir to the throne has also been here much more than usual this week, even participating with two runners.

The Royal support for the 'Sport of Kings' is a massive thing, and, with the future in mind, it's clear that he's taking an active part in being moulded to perhaps one day take over a baton that Her Majesty has held for so long," said Cornelius Lysaght correspondent for the BBC. The second day saw the participation for the first time of Kate, Duchess of Cambridge with her husband Prince William, who were joined by Princess Mary of Denmark as well as the Duke and Duchess of Wessex, who all seemed to have winners that day.

The weather was mixed during the week but we still had time to have the traditional picnics in Car park One followed by the very high standard of racing that we are accustomed to at the Royal Ascot.

To be seen amongst the regular goers were The Count and Countess Edouard de Guitaut, the Veaseys, Andrew and Serena Woodward, Charles and Agnieszka Hancock, Mark and Sinead Read, all joined by their children for the Saturday as well as our foreign contingent with designer Isabell Kristensen, Prince Hannibal di Reitano, Lara

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Preston and Natasha Bruun from Texas, Masato Hisamune from Japan, Brandon and Masha Nejati, Olga Stepp and many more.

The five day meeting ended on a high note for the birthday girl who was able to celebrate in style upon the winning of Dartmouth, which won the Hardwicke Stakes on Saturday, its final day. The 10-1 chance, ridden by Olivier Peslier for trainer Sir Michael Stoute, was her first winner at the meeting for three years and how better to end the week with her 23rd win!

It was also a record-equalling 75th triumph at the meeting for Sir Michael Stoute, her trainer, set by the late Sir Henry Cecil. Nearly ÂŁ130,000 in prize money went to the winner, with the majority of this for her victorious owner.

The race was a very tight one with an inquiry held after Dartmouth and Highland Reel came close together but the placings were unaltered with Dartmouth winning by a head from Highland Reel, and Almodovar finishing third.

Victory brought a high for the Queen, a week after her official 90th birthday, following the low of losing her runner Guy Fawkes, who suffered a fatal injury at Ascot on Thursday - John Warren, racing advisor to the Queen said that The Queen got such a thrill out of him sticking his neck who went on to say that "this is the Olympics (of racing) and even to have a runner here is huge. To end up with a winner is so fantastic."

The Queen was congratulated by her son, The Prince of Wales, on such a great ending with the spectators cheering along.

God Save the Queen, Long live the Queen!

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AWARD WINNING MILLINERY

www.laylaleigh.co.uk

ART E VENT

ART BASEL MIAMI the finest Contemporary Art and Design Event

by Andreea Belba

T

he esoteric Miami Beach will reopen its gates in early December inaugurating a more dazzling edition where exclusive galleries, illustrious artists, enthusiastic admirers, fervent collectors and curators will relish on the most refined contemporary art. Prestigious in terms of exhibition space, quality, and reputed artists who look to expand their position on the worldwide stage, Miami is the cradle of endless ravishing events revolving around the commonly known Art Basel Week (December 1st – December 4th , 2016), a bloom of prolific art shows, celebrations, splashy parties, music concerts, film, and design.

Miami Beach will always make a splash in resplendent art deco architecture, impressive local art museums, fine sandy beaches and a bustling nightlife remaining an exclusive and emblematic haven with a unique variety of influences. Vibrant and effusive, Art Basel Miami will feature all forms of visual arts and multimedia works, the impact of

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satellite fairs enhancing its notoriety (Pulse with a new dialogue approach between artists, Satellite with audacious projects, Scope Miami Beach concerned in contemporary art market.)

Since its start-up in 2002, Art Basel Miami has continually evolved into an exquisite art fair, a prolongation of the original Art Basel in Switzerland providing a platform for emerging and established artists from all over the world. It is an annual unique show that reveals modern and contemporary art from curatorial perspectives. Conceived as a pivot in the region, Art Basel Miami’s aim is to create a diverse artistic ecosystem in terms of participating galleries, artists and artworks to be mirrored in amazing contemporary paintings, sculptures, drawings, photography, digital art and installations. Each show is a genuine event emphasizing the latest achievements of each sector enchanting and stimulating the visitors’ imagination and creativity. Moreover, Art Basel

Miami will bring forth to a myriad of other innovative stands, outdoor exhibitions, private parties and grandiose openings.

The 15th edition of Art Basel Miami sounds particularly exciting as a high percentage of the former participants will reapply this December but there is also an endless list of firsttime participants. Emanating from North and Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, the 269 outstanding galleries are dispersed in nine sections: Galleries, Nova, Positions, Edition, Kabinett, Public, Survey, Film and Magazines will embellish the main hall, Collins Park and SoundScape Park with paintings, sculptures, drawings, large-scale installations, photographs, and films of the highest quality belonging to modern and contemporary masters, and to emerging artists as well.

Galleries, the highly invigorating sector, will comprise 193 exhibitors covering paintings, installations, sculptures, drawings, photographic, digital and video art. While some top names have renewed their participation, others will make their first appearance such as Altman Siegel, Cherry and Martin, GALLERYSKE, Labor, Pilar Corrias, etc. Pairing galleries will comprise Galerie Micky Schubert with sculptures by Benedicte Gyldenstierne Sehested (b. 1977) and paintings by Mark van Yetter (b. 1978); Maisterravalbuena by Maria Loboda (b. 1979) and Cristián Silva (b. 1969); mother’s tank station belonging to Nina Canell (b.1979) and Sebastian Lloyd Rees (b. 1986).

Revolver Galería with José Carlos Martinat (b. 1974) and Andrea Galvani (b. 1973) will inspect the gap between the real and the virtual, Lawrence Abu Hamdan (b. 1985) and Oscar Muñoz (b.1951) will explore the impact of language upon spy systems, and Freedman Fitzpatrick will analyze bias across three generations of German artists: Amelie von Wulffen (b.1966), Lucie Stahl (b. 1977) and Mathis Altmann (b. 1987). David Castillo Gallery will display artwork by Sanford Biggers (b.

1970) and Xaviera Simmons (b. 1974) to reveal morality in the context of historical and cultural contexts. Moreover, Vivian Caccuri (b. 1986) and Jaime Lauriano (b. 1985) at Galeria Leme will convey the dynamics between Brazil and Africa, whereas at Travesía Cuatro, Sara Ramo (b. 1975) and Mateo López (b.

1978) will explore the language of objects.

Nova, the fresh sector, will host 35 new galleries exposing vivid paintings of maximum three artists. Edouard Malingue Gallery and Wong Ping’s film, House of Gaga with Josef Strau, Vivian Suter, and Nanzuka range among newcomers. Dedicated mainly to young galleries, Nova will also showcase works by Keiichi Tanaami (b. 1936), drawings by Hiroki Tsukuda (b.

1978) and a video by Oliver Payne (b. 1977). Leo Xu Projects will exhibit for the first time an installation of works by Aaajiao (b. 1984), Cui Jie (b. 1984) and Liu Shiyuan (b. 1985) showing an urban model and the Shanghai myth, whereas Clearing will highlight an installation by Harold Ancart (b. 1980) and Korakrit Arunanondchai (b. 1986). The sector will also show creations exploiting chicken skin, animal fur, and synthetic flora to investigate anxiety as a result of radical biotech by Anicka Yi (b. 1971) at 47 Canal, Rita Ponce de León (b. 1982) and Ishmael Randall Weeks (b. 1976) at Ignacio Liprandi Arte Contemporáneo; Rey Akdogan (b. 1974) and Elaine CameronWeir (b. 1985) at Hannah Hoffman Gallery; Xavier Antin (b.

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ART E VENT

1981) and Renaud Jerez (b. 1982) at Galerie Crèvecoeur; and Matthias Bitzer (b. 1975) with Armin Boehm (b. 1972) at Francesca Minini. Nicole Wermers (b. 1971) and Margo Wolowiec (b. 1985) will search for the social and psychological significance of daily forms at Jessica Silverman Gallery.

Wojciech Bąkowski (b. 1979), Julia Rommel (b. 1980), and Christine Rebet (b. 1971) will study time-based methods by means of drawing, painting and animated film.

Kaspar Müller (b. 1983) at Société will have solo presentations, Kostis Velonis (b. 1968) at Kalfayan Galleries will present redeemed sculptures, whereas Mika Tajima (b. 1975) at 11R will display conceptual works made of textile, wood and steel. Joan Jonas (b. 1936) will combine several Murano mirrors and a video piece at Galleria Raffaella Cortese while Anita Schwartz Galeria de Arte will expose solo exhibitions by Wanda Pimentel (b. 1943) and Michael Dean (b. 1977) at

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Supportico Lopez. Simone Subal Gallery will show works of Anna K.E. (b. 1986) and Florian Meisenberg (b.1980), while Ghebaly Gallery will reveal the link between architectural space and the body rendered by Kelly Akashi (b. 1983) and Patrick Jackson (b. 1978).

Edition, the printing sector, will spotlight 11 leaders reputable in prints and edition works like: Alan Cristea Gallery, Carolina Nitsch, Crown Point Press, Gemini G.E.L. LLC, Pace Prints, Paragon, Polígrafa Obra Gràfica, Sabine Knust, STPI, Two Palms and ULAE. Positions, the resourceful sector with 16 solo stalls, will include eight newcomers: Callicoon Fine Arts; Christian Andersen, High Art, JTT, Galerie Maria Bernheim, Off Vendome, Thomas Erben Gallery and Various Small Fires and notable artists to exhibit a main

project on focused platforms. Adrià Julià’s (b.

1974) multimedia installation will include a mural reflecting Picasso’s ‘Guernica’, while Manuel Burgener’s (b. 1978) installation will reveal the effect of light between sculptures and photograms. Callicoon Fine Arts will focus on tapestries and Ulrike Müller’s (b. 1971) enamelwork, while High Art will display Max Hooper Schneider’s ‘Trans-Habitats’. Beto Shwafaty (b. 1977) will depict the Brazilian current matters at Prometeogallery di Ida Pisani based on video and architectural techniques whereas Becky Kolsrud’s (b. 1984) installation will mirror the artist’s dedication to the feminine profile. Jeanette Mundt (b. 1982) will expose female figures from historical paintings, Melanie Gilligan’s (b. 1979) TV sculptures with abstract animations will criticize the commerce systems, whereas Maggie Lee’s (b.

1987) installation will remodel a teenager’s bedroom, and Gao Ludi’s (b. 1990) symbols

from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will scrutinize how the virtual world interacts with the real one.

Survey, the thematic sector, will feature historical projects with solo presentations by individual artists, juxtapositions or various cultural exhibits. This sector will comprise Carmelo Arden Quin (b. 1913) at Simões de Assis Galeria de Arte, Romare Bearden (b.

1911, d. 1988) at DC Moore Gallery, Graciela Carnevale (b. 1942), Ibrahim El-Salahi (b.

1930) at Vigo Gallery, Margaret Kilgallen (b.

1967, d. 2001) at Ratio 3, Giorgio Morandi (b. 1890, d. 1964) at Galleria d’Arte Maggiore G.A.M. and Howardena Pindell (b. 1943) at Garth Greenan Gallery. There will also be David Reed (b. 1946) at Peter Blum Gallery, George Rickey (b. 1907, d. 2002) at Maxwell Davidson Gallery, Barbara T. Smith (b. 1931) at The Box, Betye Saar (b. 1926) at Roberts & Tilton, and Jacques Villeglé (b. 1926) at Galerie

Georges-Philippe & Nathalie Vallois.

The fair’s project-based sections Kabinett, Public, and Film as well as the Magazines will add a surplus of value to the main gallery sectors.

Kabinett, the thematic sector based on various curatorial conceptions, will present a plethora of group and solo exhibitions as well as arthistorical showcases. Artists from the Galleries section will present their works in a distinctively mapped out space.

Public, the outdoor sector conceived in cooperation with the Bass Museum of Art, will enchant its visitors with outdoor sculptures, installations, and shows, placed in a public space at Collins Park.

Marian Masone. The screenings will be projected on a huge wall in the Convention Center and in SoundScape Park.

Magazines, the editorial sector, will offer worldwide art magazines in single stands or collective booths.

No art lover should miss this four-day amazing cultural experience that will break all frontiers metamorphosing Miami into a global art show with electrifying programs both for the amateurs and the aesthetes. Sponsored by its Lead Partner UBS, Art Basel Miami will be held at the Miami Beach Convention Center from December 1st to December 4th, 2016.

Film, the dynamic sector, will present movies about artists curated by David Gryn and

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CHARIT Y

Cycling legend Fabian Cancellara joins the

Laureus World Sports Academy

ZURICH, November 21, 2016 - As a rider they called him ‘Spartacus’ because of his aggressive style and his refusal to give in. He was respected for his unselfishness in the teams in which he competed. And those are the qualities which Fabian Cancellara brings as the newest member of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

The double Olympic gold medal winner was inducted at a fundraising event in Zurich, which also celebrated ten years of Laureus Sport for Good in Switzerland. Now retired, his passion and commitment will be focused on improving the lives of young people through the power of sport.

Fabian was welcomed into the Laureus Family by another Olympic legend, Nadia Comaneci, at the event at Dübendorf air museum, which raised funds for the work of Laureus in Switzerland.

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Fabian, who has been a Laureus Ambassador since 2009, finished his career in glorious style by winning the 2016 Olympic time trial gold medal in Rio de Janeiro at 35. It was his second Olympic time trial gold medal, the first coming in Beijing in 2008, where he also won the silver medal in the road race. He has also won the time trial in the World Championship on four occasions. He has had an outstanding record in the Tour de France with eight stage wins and 29 career yellow jerseys.

Among his many achievements, Fabian has had great success in the classics. He has won Paris – Roubaix three times, the Tour of Flanders three times and Milan – San Remo once. Laureus Switzerland currently helps more than 10,000 children every year in four sports-based community projects around the country. In its first decade, it has helped to improve the lives of more than 60,000 children.

"It is exactly the unattainability, which differentiates a dream from a goal: Goals are reachable, when you fight for them. Dreams are not. Athletes shouldn't dream, but set goals for themselves and fight for them."

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“Every race is a war. Every race is a fight. If you don't go into every event with that belief, you will never achieve your goals.”

New Laureus Academy Member Fabian Cancellara: “When I was competing I was always looking for things I could do to help. Sport has given me so much, now I want to give something back, to disadvantaged or underprivileged children or children in general. Sport to me is the school of life. It teaches you how to win and how to lose, respect, discipline, humility and kindness. That’s why Laureus Sport for Good is the perfect match for me, as it is using sport to end discrimination and disadvantage. After my involvement as an Ambassador, I’m ready to get more involved and help where I can in the future.”

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Laureus Academy Member Nadia Comaneci: “Fabian is a great Swiss sporting hero, so this is absolutely the perfect place to introduce him as a new member of the Laureus World Sports Academy. His achievements over the years have made him a massive international figure and it is a great pleasure for me to welcome him into the Laureus Family. Even before he became an Academy Member, he has been very active on behalf of Laureus Sport for Good and I am looking forward to working with him in the future to help young people.”

2 7 t h S A L O N I N T E R N AT I O N A L D E L A H A U T E H O R L O G E R I E G E N E VA FROM 16 TO 20 JANUARY 2017 OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON FRIDAY 20 JANUARY Prior registration required via sihh.org

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Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas Saadiyat Island CELEBRATING ITS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, THE OPENING OF PARK HYATT ABU DHABI MARKED HYATT’S ENTRY INTO THE UAE CAPITAL, AND WAS THE FIRST HOTEL TO OPEN ON THE NATURAL ISLAND OF SAADIYAT.

L

ocated on the prestigious natural island of Saadiyat along a nine kilometre stretch of environmentally protected white sand beach and within minutes of Abu Dhabi’s prime business district and Corniche, the stylish contemporary resort caters for both business and leisure travelers alike, offering spectacular unobstructed vistas of the waterfront and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club from rooms and restaurants.

club or hotel swimming pools. The resort’s luxurious Beach View, Garden View Suites and Villas offer guests a private, residential ambience. Surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens they also feature a large terrace with a private plunge pool, rain shower and sunbeds overlooking Saadiyat Beach or the Golf Club. The design of all guest rooms is contemporary with a blend of arabian décor.

All wooden elements in guest bedrooms and Abu Dhabi offers an incomparable blend of corridors originate from a mixture of oak and year-round sunshine, pristine sandy beaches black American walnut from Finland. Guest and Arabian history, tradition and modernity. bathroom features are made from Chinese Visitors can also enjoy desert safaris and dune lava wave marble as well as white marble driving in four-wheel drive vehicles and a originating from Oman. range of beautifully located golf courses with breathtaking views and award-winning designs. Dining The stunning island property reflects Hyatt’s authentic and elegant approach to hospitality.

In addition to the 306 luxuriously appointed rooms, suites and villas, the hotel also presents a first class array of dining options serving a wide selection of cuisine from around the world: The Park Bar & Grill, The Café, Beach House and The Library. Resort activities include four generously sized swimming pools, a range of non-motorised water activities, the beautiful Atarmia Spa with nine spacious treatment rooms, outdoor private terraces, fitness facilities, a tennis court and Camp Hyatt children’s club. Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi also offers visitors and guests an impressive range of meeting venues to cater for any occasion, from exclusive board meetings to large conferences and social gatherings.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi’s 306 spacious rooms, suites and private villas offer guests a secluded and luxurious place to retreat. Each room has a spacious, open-plan bathroom with an oversized stand-alone bath tub and dedicated rain-shower area as well as a spacious balcony with views towards the Arabian Sea, golf

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The hotel’s signature restaurant, The Park Bar & Grill, is set over two levels and is connected by a long showpiece staircase. It offers authentic grill cuisine served from a theatrical show kitchen with an emphasis on succulent choice cuts of grilled meat, poultry and seafood.

Featuring a private dining room and several semi-private dining tables,The Park Grill is the ideal venue for intimate dining.

light fare and homemade ice-cream during the day with a lively and casual atmosphere.

As evenings approach, the restaurant serves homemade dishes from the Mediterranean, a selection of sangrias, cocktails and international bottled beverages. With a view of the Arabian Gulf on one side and the beautifully landscaped gardens of Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi on the other, The Beach House is a charming venue for guests looking for long weekend lunches or memorable evenings by the beach.

The Library is Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi’s contemporary tea lounge, serving selected teas, barista coffee specialities, homemade Western and Arabic pastries and grand cru chocolates.

With its orange leather panels, accents of black marble and open fire,The Library is the perfect place for intimate meetings in a tranquil and comfortable setting.

The Café is the hotel’s stylish all-day-dining restaurant serving Arabic specialities and featuring an impressive show kitchen with a large wood-burning oven. Breakfast is served buffet style and features international and regional items. Lunch and dinner offer a choice between a large selection of Middle Eastern hot and cold mezzeh from the restaurant’s oversized buffet counters, Arabic grills and oven-fresh bread. The restaurant is located on the ground level and offers additional outdoor seating overlooking the hotel’s beautiful gardens.

Located 500 metres off the coast of Abu Dhabi and with its miles of natural beaches, Saadiyat Island is poised to become an international beachfront tourism destination.

Activities in Abu Dhabi range from diving, wakeboarding and kayaking to desert safaris, sunset cruises and guided tours through Arabic history. Saadiyat Beach Golf Club is located just minutes from the hotel and offers a championship 18-hole golf course designed by golfing legend Gary Player.

After spending the day on Saadiyat Beach or touring the city, hotel guests can relax further at the luxurious day spa, Atarmia, which offers beauty and health treatments, as well as a fitness centre, a whirlpool, steam room and sauna.

Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi also offers a tennis court and four outdoor swimming pools, including a children’s pool.

Set close to the hotel’s swimming pools, Beach House offers traditional poolside favourites,

For more information and reservations call +971 2 407 1234

BASELWORLD.COM

The one unmissable trendsetting show for the entire watch and jewellery industry, where all key players unite to unveil their latest creations and innovations.

Be a part of this premier event and experience passion, precision and perfection in action.

MARCH 23 – 30, 2017

IN CONVERSATION WITH

SIRAN MANOUKIAN Born in los angeles, of armenian and lebanese descent, a lifetime of travel has inspired designs that capture the motivations and passions of the modern woman. channeling feminine simplicity for any occasion, ease of movement, enjoyment and comfort are fundamental characteristics behind every piece.

Education and Career

I

was born in Los Angeles but raised in London where I went to school. I would always go back and fourth to LA for vacation as it was like my second home, which I think has really influenced my character and style.

After graduating from high school, I went to the European Business school in Regents Park, London and studied business for 2 years until I realised it was not my true passion. I then went to GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and studied diamond and jewellery design. I learnt about diamond grading, different types of stone and everything you could possibly want to know about jewellery. From there I did a few years of custom jewellery design for high profile and high-end clients. I would be approached to create and source pendants and all types of jewellery. I would have total control to design, choose precious stones and use my imagination to create some really beautiful pieces.

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I would only ever use precious stones and precious metals and would create really simple, elegant and classic pieces, rather than costume jewellery. I am allergic to the nickel used in costume jewellery so it wasn’t really an option to me to wear myself. Exquisite luxury jewellery has a style and quality I just adore.

This is reflected in my choice of fabrics and style of clothing within my collection today, where I use very high quality fabrics that are not only aesthetically beautiful, but also luxurious to touch on the skin.

Interests

G

rowing up I was always into fashion. I would sit and read all the magazines and even from a young age I would look at outfits and clothing and would pick it apart and say how I would like to change it. I guess that has never changed since and that’s why I chose to create my own collection, where I could really design for myself and what I felt would make a woman feel sexy, confident but also

comfortable. Even from a young age, every day before school I would dress my mum in her clothes and make her wear the outfits I chose to take me to school. I have been lucky enough to have been surrounded by beautiful clothing which has allowed me to have a good eye for it.

When it comes to jewellery, I have always loved art & art history. It was my favourite subject at school as it allowed me to be creative and allow my imagination to run free. I think I got that love from my dad who is a huge art collector and has a true appreciation for it.

However, compared to my dad I have a much more relaxed approach in the way I create it. From a young age I’d always be sketching, painting and doodling in my own little world and from there I’d just come up with designs from my own imagination. To this day, that is how I create and design clothing and jewellery through free flow doodling.

Why Jewellery Design?

E

ven from the age of 2, I’ve always had a love for jewellery and sparkly things. My mum has the most beautiful jewellery collection that included timeless and one of a kind pieces that my dad designed just for her. When I was around 4, my mother had this gorgeous and very expensive ruby bracelet that I was obsessed with. So, for Christmas, she wanted to get a matching one for me, but tricked me with a less expensive one from Butler and Wilson. When I opened it, I immediately knew and told her I only wanted hers! I guess being involved in luxury jewellery was always meant to be.

For me, my love for jewellery is from the heart. I have a deep passion for it and it is not just about the materialistic aspects of it that makes me want it. My signature style is delicate, everyday wear with simple designs, and that is the same for my clothing. With my Siran collection, I wanted to incorporate soft, beautiful fabrics that look like jewellery, so you don’t necessarily need to wear jewellery with it.

and everything I believed in that it made sense to name it Siran.

Inspiration

I

t is all based on my love for jewellery and my belief in always being comfortable in what you wear and in yourself. All the fabrics look like precious stones and metals. Beautiful to touch and to look at. They are simple, yet really eye-catching and classic. You can also mix and match the whole collection, dress it up or down, plus it’s multi seasonal. I believe a collection should be timeless and classic, and I wanted women to be able to wear it at all times and all occasions.

Has it always been an interest of yours to have your own business?

Siran Collection

A

t the time, 5 years ago, there were so many new jewellery designers coming up, which made it quite difficult to truly establish myself as a designer. I’d love to go back to designing jewellery again in the future, but I do feel you can be more creative with fashion, which goes better with my free-spirited approach.

With my collection, I designed clothes exactly how I would wear them and exactly how I wanted them to fall, to fit and to look. I would design everything that I could not find in store.

With most of the big designers now being male, they don’t necessarily wear the clothes themselves so can’t experience how they feel on. The dresses they design are beautiful and appealing to the eye, but what is most important for me is what is comfortable as well. If you’re spending that kind of money on an evening gown, you don’t want the night to end just so you can take it off. You want it to be luxurious to touch and comfortable to wear day or night!

The name ‘Siran’ for the brand was the most difficult to choose and it actually took me a few months to finally make a decision on it. I didn’t want to use my own name initially because I was worried people would pronounce it incorrectly, or that it would seem a bit narcissistic. A couple of months later, once the collection was designed, I realised that the brand was so true to myself

Personal Interests and Hobbies

I

love going to shows and seeing the collections on the runways, but I would only attend the ones that truly appeal to me. I’m not so keen on the mayhem and craziness of the shows and parties.

I love going to see art exhibitions and try to go to every new exhibition there is, whichever city or country I am in. I am involved in a lot of charity work, which I really enjoy. My parents have their own foundation and I often support Unicef too.

I’ve recently started travelling a lot and have taken the opportunity to see the world. When you go on family vacations as a child you only experience so much culture. Now as an adult, I love to travel and I really love to immerse myself in the culture of wherever I go. Last November, I went travelling to Bali with my boyfriend and had the time of my life. I fell in love with the culture; the spirituality of the country and how carefree and humble everyone was. I felt I could really relate to the locals and loved being in such a beautiful environment. I stayed in Ubud, where it was less touristy so I could truly understand the Balinese way of living and I tried surfing for the first time. It was an incredible trip.

Yoga and Meditation

I I

t’s really important to me to be true to myself and genuine in anything I do and I think that’s what really drove me to want to start my own business. I am very independent and I have my own style and like to do things my own way. I think I have also got that drive and determination from my dad, who was a businessman himself. I have a fierce, entrepreneurial side to me, which my dad passed on and has really influenced how I run my own business. In fact, my whole family are all strong individuals and are happy to express their views, so I don’t think I could run my business in any other way. My parents are so supportive to me and the brand. They know it is truly my passion, which is always important.

love yoga and I love to meditate, which I believe is really important to get in touch with yourself and to be able to clear your head.

I used to have a lot of anxiety and meditating and regularly doing yoga has definitely helped.

I can leave a room for about half an hour and easily zone out and have some time to myself if I need to. It’s strange as my mind is constantly going and I’m always thinking non-stop, but to be able to zone out for a moment keeps me sane!

Describe your own style and where you get your clothing

I

would say my style is refined LA style, with a touch of European glamour. It is really influenced by my upbringing from living in between London and LA. I love the laid back, free-spirited LA look, but I like to always add a bit of luxury to my outfit. I literally live in jeans and t-shirts but the fabrics will always be sumptuous to refine my look. I love E-com and I mainly always shop online. Net-A-Porter is incredible; you can see everything right in front

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S IR AN MAN O U KIAN

of you, see all designers and filter it if you know exactly what you want. I love how much variety there is online and I also hate trying clothes on, so the ease of sending things back is just amazing. It helps that I know what I like and I know what styles suit me, so it is much easier for me to shop online.

Philanthropy

I

love attending the Unicef ball in the states, which is always such a great night and also for such an amazing cause.

I support my parents foundation, where they help to support underprivileged children go to university around the world.

I’ve also recently been asked to be on the board at UNICEF, which is really exciting.

I try to do as much as I can to be involved in charities to help other less fortunate people out.

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BIRTHDAY PARTY hosted in London

T

he week coming up to my birthday was really hectic, with people coming from all over the world to celebrate with me. I had a pre-party and was doing things with my friends and family the whole week so I didn’t really get the chance to properly think about my party.

When it came to the day of the party, it was everything I could have wanted. I had envisioned a Winter Wonderland, a happy place where people would be blown away and it would feel like you were in a different world. It was basically Narnia, which was amazing. I invited all my family and friends and we literally danced and partied all night. Even my parents stayed till 3am!

Because my party also fell on fashion week, everyone was in London for the week so

many random people showed up to the party, which was hilarious. There were big celebrities there who gate crashed – It was so funny.

The highlight of my party was definitely when my younger brothers flew in from LA with his band and actually performed at the party. Everyone was loving the performance, dancing along. They had no idea that it was my brother! Watching him perform really inspired me to follow my dreams, like he had followed his.

I was in awe at how carefree and humble he was, and how focused he is on his work.

He is honestly so talented and has the most incredible voice. My other brothers also gave the most beautiful speech, which truly meant so much to me. There was so much love and positivity in the room and I think that is why everyone had such a great night.

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Love & Peace Party Chateau Borelli Les Parcs

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de

Saint Tropez

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Mak

is Back for Quaglino's London

Frieze Party

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Mahsa&Brandon Nejati Friendship Bulgari Hotel London

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dinner party

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Umberto Tamburrino's 50th Birthday La Canzone Del Mare Capri

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Rashid Al Habtoor White Party, Marbella

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Nicolas Brochet Birthday Party L'Escale Saint Tropez

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Glorious Goodwood Chichester

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FRIDAY 6TH & SATURDAY 7TH JANUARY 2017

KENILWORTH RACECOURSE CAPE TOWN

Strictly Blue & White | Tickets available at Computicket

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