BUBBLES, SPARKLES & GIFTS December 2014 |www.cheektochic.co.za
2 | Editor’s Letter
Editor’s letter
I
t’s that time of the year again: the champagne is flowing, the shops are full of beautiful things and long balmy summer holidays lie enticingly ahead as 2014 bows out with a flourish.
famous diamonds, and we take a look at some of the other beauties which come from Cullinan, near Pretoria. Graff Diamonds finds a new home in the Cape, naming their new sparkling wine after one of their most famous diamonds, the Delaire Sunrise.
Our theme this issue (gosh, has it already been a year since the first issue of Cheek2Chic!) is “Bubbles, Sparkles and Gifts”. Cheek2Chic visits the City of Lights for Paris Fashion Week and, the highlight of the week, Swarovski’s World Jewellery Facets 2014. South Africa’s Jenni Gault presents her stunning work “Circle of Life” on a one-and-a half-storey-high ice sculpture in the beautiful late Gothic Refectoire des Cordeliers in the district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Extravagant cocktail bars are très à la mode; for example, the Algonquin in New York serves the world’s most expensive martini, the Martini on the Rocks – the olive is replaced by a half-carat diamond. In South Africa we serve up the best views in the southern Hemisphere and Cheek2Chic rounds up smart and sophisticated cocktail spots to enjoy gold leaf sake and signature cocktails. Most people associate champagne with famous personalities – but who knew they have personalities of their own? Find out what they are on page 22! The British Crown Jewels feature some of South Africa’s most
When it comes to shopping, Sandton City is the place, and we have luxury gifts for every taste. In the watch department Mont Blanc launches their new feminine line Bohème and Baume & Mercier reveals their design secrets. Renowned foodie Anna Trapido talks being a frank but fair reviewer as editor of Diner’s Club 2014 Rossouw Restaurant Guide, and the Handspring Puppet Company makes South Africa proud with their creations in War Horse and other productions. Don’t miss the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Awards, the Panthere de Cartier launch at the brand new Four Seasons in Joburg and the South African Style Awards honouring our very own homegrown style icons
Sarah Cangley Cheek2Chic Editor
Cover picture by: Atelier Swarovski by Viktor & Rolf
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EVERYTHING THAT SPARKLES
South African jewellery designer Jenni Gault shines at Swarovski’s World Jewellery Facets 2014 in Paris – plus a peek at Masha-Ma’s show at Paris Fashion Week
TOASTING IN THE NEW YEAR
The most fabulous bars and signature cocktails, from Cape Town to Zambia
CHARISMATIC CHAMPAGNES Ten of the most bubbly personalities of the wine world
WHO NEEDS A MICHELIN STAR?
Foodie Anna Trapido’s frank yet fair drive for consistent culinary excellence in the Rossouws Restaurant Guide
THE JEWEL OF THE CAPE WINELANDS Delaire Graff dazzles with their wines, superb food, art, diamonds and state-of-the art spa treatments
HEAVEN’S STARS IN THE SOIL OF AFRICA The rich soil of Cullinan yields the biggest, bluest diamonds in the world
BUMPER CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
Sandton City’s festive shopping guide – plus a few stocking fillers!
GORGEOUS TIMEPIECES
Swiss watch maison Baume& Mercier, and Mont Blanc’s feminine new line, Boheme
THE MAKERS OF “JOEY BOY”
The Handspring Puppet Company reaches adult audiences around the world
MAKING YOUR EYELASHES CURL A top make-up artist gives tips on mascara
BY INVITATION
Absa Champagne Festival Cartier Panthere launch The Style Awards Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Mont Blanc in Cape Town
Swarovski® is a registered trademark of Swarovski AG. © 2014 D. Swarovski Distribution GmbH
EXPERIENCE THE SPARKLING WORLD OF SWAROVSKI
IF YOU WANT THE BEST, CHOOSE THE ORIGINAL The precious ingredients of Swarovski can be recognized through the unique Swarovski seal, which serves as a certificate of authenticity and exclusivity. SWAROVSKI.COM/CRYSTALS
CRYSTAL FORUM AND SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS - AN INSPIRING PARTNERSHIP CRYSTAL FORUM has represented the exclusive SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS brand in South Africa and its neighbouring countries since 2003. In addition to being a leading distributor of Crystal Components and Crystal Jewellery in South Africa, it is our mission to match the superlative quality of our products with our professionalism and world-class service. Our comprehensive array of Crystal Products cover a wide range of industries including textile, lighting, interior design and the corporate sector. This is in addition to the traditional spheres of jewellery and accessory design one would generally associate with SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS. Many of the top international fashion houses, designers, architects, artists and artisans make use of SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS as Crystal Components in their clothing, handbags, jewellery, accessories, gifts, lighting and home & interior design, to great success and reception. WWW.CRYSTALFORUM.CO.ZA
TEL. 011 884 8404
6 | Swarovki
WORLD JEWELLERY
After visiting Wattens/Tyrol in Austria and the headquarters of Swarovski, with a tour of the famous “Kristallwelten” and a trip to Munch’s one and only Oktoberfest, we are now in Paris to attend Swarovski’s “World Jewellery Facets 2014”. Our group comprises of South African jewellery designer and close friend Jenni Gault, who was one of the 50 designers around the world invited to showcase their designs, journalist Tilly and Liselotte Hager from Crystal Forum in Sandton.
Picture supplied by: Swaroski
I
t is obvious as we land that Paris is full of excitement. It is Fashion Week and the weather is beautiful. The temperature in the most elegant of the world’s fashion capitals is so mild that even the sexiest of slips can be worn without the need for a shoulder wrap.
This was the third country that Jenni had shown her work at for Swarovski. Last year she showcased throughout China, Swarovski’s biggest market, and at JCK in Las Vegas, which is the largest jewellery trade show in the States. At Charles de Gaulle the energy is palpable and the airport is crowded with news crews, photographers, models and trendsetters. Accommodation requires a minimum of six weeks’ planning beforehand or a large amount of luck, but fortune is on our side and we find a place to lay our heads before the excitement begins. Hailing a taxi, on the other hand, is an impossibility! The bistros and restaurants are alive throughout the week, music filling their bustling interiors. Everyone is here for the same reason: What’s hot, what’s not, who’s in, who’s out, please take my picture and “Is that really her?” The famous designers showcasing at the week include Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Chanel, and Jean Paul Gaultier who shows his Farewell Collection. Our first show is Masha-Ma who used to be an assistant of Alexander McQueen. With limited knowledge of directions we locate it and arrive at the venue with enough time to sip and enjoy a glass of excellent French wine. It is 10.30am but we are easily persuaded to indulge. After all, this is France.
We arrive on the tail end of the Louis Vuitton show which is celebrity laden and the security presence is impressive. Fortunately we have been invited by Swarovski and are quickly seated for the next show in row A2. Masha-Ma is a fantastic designer who receives a lot of media attention for her quirky, crystallised face masks. Masha-Ma was exclusively sponsored by Swarovski and her use of crystal is glamorous and subtle. Her colours are mostly nude with hints of sapphire and olive. We love her contrasts of quilting and sharp lines. All three of us revel in every minute of her show.
FACETS 2014
Bijoux de Famille Earrings
Waiting to enter and watching the excitement and enthusiasm of the throng of media is an experience. It looks like a movie, complete with enormous bodyguards. Without their permission entry is simply impossible. “Quel est votre nom?”
Picture supplied by: Swaroski
8 |Swarovki
Jean Paul Gaultier Banana Necklace
Everyone is on a high after every show and guests spill out, loudly chatting with lots of “OMGs” and a few “seriouslys?”.
founder of this family empire. They chat about our South African jewellery market and share thoughts on developmental ideas in community upliftment.
Then the cafes fill up and the wine flows freely. During the day we explore the Louvre, The Champs Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre, Centre Pompidou, cruise the Seine and have dinner at the fabled Kong restaurant, with its Philippe Starke design and magnificent view, including the Louis Vuitton headquarters ... and shop! Our main reason for being in Paris though is to attend the World Jewellery Facets show.
Jenni does South Africa proud with her exquisite designs and her name is prominently displayed between Jean-Paul Gaultier and Karl Lagerfeld, both icons in the Paris fashion world. Making our way around the photoboard at the entrance we discover Jenni’s contribution, “The Circle of Life”, which hangs in pride of place on the one and a half storey ice glacier/ sculpture in the centre of the room, beautifully lit against the slowly melting ice.
So the night after the Fashion Week we make our way across Paris again on another balmy evening to the Sorbonne area. Arriving at the beautiful, late Gothic Refectoire des Cordeliers, a 13th century monastery in the district of St-Germain-de-Pres, we are greeted by elegantly lit candles and brightly UV branded Swarovski signage.
The late Oscar de la Renta’s necklace is among the contribution by a number of French designers.
Jenni, Liselotte and I start with the evening with introductions to Markus Langes-Swarovski and his beautiful wife Caroline. Markus is the great-great-grandson of Daniel Swarovski, the
It is an evening never to be forgotten. Paris is the perfect place for Swarovski to sparkle in romance.
After conversation with several VIPs and numerous glasses of bubbly the formalities end with us receiving a gorgeous Swarovski bracelet from the Facets team.
Philippe Audibert Necklace
Pictures supplied by: Swaroski
10 | Swarovki
Celeste Cuff
Une Lligne Earrings
Shiatzy Chen Brooch
Marmen cuff
Picture supplied by: Swaroski
Cango Rinaldi Cuff & Necklace
12 | Swarovki
Valerie Valentine Cuff
Carlo Zini
Picture supplied by: Rolex Swaroski
Cheek2Chic was invited to view the new 2014 models for Rolex, which included the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller D-Blue 116660 watch, which was released as a new version of an existing watch in honour of James Cameron and his journey to one of the deepest parts of the ocean in his aptly named Deepsea Challenger submersible in 2012.
Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller D-Blue 116660
Necklace
Karl Lagerfeld Watch
Picture supplied by: James Fox
14 | Bars
BEST BARS IN SA TO T
TOAST IN NEW YEAR C
heek2Chic rounds up some of the best bars in the southern hemisphere to celebrate the lazy days of the festive season. From the bush to the beach to the five-star hotel and urban rooftop, these spots boast the best views and/or most extravagant signature cocktails around. PLANET BAR: SEEING STARS Signature cocktails: Besides a superb selection of the Cape’s finest estate wines and a large variety of spirits you can order the Miss Nellie (club rum, fresh mint, orange, grapefruit juice, ice) or the Planet Passion (a signature mix of Stolichnaya raspberry vodka, fresh passion fruit and raspberry purée, with sparkling wine and crowned with Chambord black raspberry liqueur). Dress code and clientele: Cape Town casual chic. Urban sophisticates, five-star travellers, visiting rock stars and royals. Ambience: Sexy and fashionable with a touch of colonial elegance. Black and white tiles, velvet, satin and leather furnishings, loads of mirrors and Marilyn Monroe prints, a fibre-optic light system representing the Milky Way and stars of the southern hemisphere and the pièce de résistance, a solar system suspended from the ceiling. Location: Planet Bar is situated off the Lounge at Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel and has an open terrace to relax in when the weather is good. In the winter, take your seat in front of the warming fireplace, glass of red in hand, and relish the atmosphere which is frankly out of this world. 54 ON BATH: BUBBLES ON TAP Signature cocktails: Veuve Clicquot by the glass, but the expert barmen will accommodate your needs. Dress code and clientele: Crack out the Louboutins and LBD, ladies, for that hot date with a well-dressed Jozi gent at this stylish champagne bar. This is the drinking hole of choice for corporate powerhouses and captains of industry. Ambience: Decorated impeccably by designer David Muirhead in accents of black, silver and orange. Intimate and small, the area can extend out on to the rooftop garden on fine summer nights. There is a Veuve Clicquot love seat for those who want more privacy. Location: On the roof of boutique hotel 54 on Bath, in the heart of Rosebank with a great view over the city. ROYAL LIVINGSTONE: ON THE BANKS OF THE ZAMBEZI Signature cocktails: Try sundowner cocktails with a hippo/Jabu swizzlestick on one of the two Sundecks or retire to the Travellers Bar for a traditional G&T to the accompaniment of live piano music or the signature drink of Livingstone, a Mosi lager (maybe a beer shandy for the ladies?) Dress code and clientele: Relaxed bush chic. Wealthy holidaymakers, lovers of luxury African living. Ambience: The most beautiful sunset on the planet with unrivalled views of the river and “the smoke that thunders”. The river sings a watery lullaby as it flows past. Location: The banks of the mighty Zambezi.
16 | Bars THE OYSTER BAR: PURE LUXURY ON THE ROCKS Signature cocktails: The Umhlanga Schling is The Oyster Box’s signature cocktail. This is a must-have at the Lighthouse Bar, with its spectacular views of the beach. The Umhlanga Schling is based on the famous Singapore Sling from Singapore’s Raffles Hotel, and consists of cane spirits, pineapple, sugar syrup, mint and crushed ice. Or try the Oyster Bar for pre-dinner drinks or sundowners, sit back and relax with a glass of chilled Champagne and freshly harvested oysters from the hotel’s own oyster beds and a delicious array of cocktails. And don’t forget the Chukka Bar, filled with Polo memorabilia, which is The Oyster Box’s only smoking venue and guests/local residents can enjoy an excellent selection of whiskeys and beers in comfort. Dress code and clientele: Relaxed Durban style. Generations of Durbanites have celebrated their lives at this legendary hotel and it is the hottest rendezvous spot in KZN for sundowners, weddings, special dinners or any other special occasion. Ambience: Refreshed neo-colonialism and spectacular views in a luxurious setting. You might even meet the resident hotel cat, Skabenga, who has a cult following but can be cantankerous. Location: Overlooking the iconic lighthouse of Umhlanga Rocks, Durban, with a view of the Indian Ocean. THE RAND CLUB: INNER CITY OLD SCHOOL GLAMOUR Signature cocktails: With two bars to choose from you could ask for a colonial style drink or just a very dry martini. Or you could have beer still served in a tankard. Dress code and clientele: You have to be a member or friends with a member to enter this sanctus sanctorum. If you are not a Rand Lord, try dressing like old money or an inner city slicker. Ambience: The main bar is reputed to be the longest in Africa and measures 103 feet. With dark varnished wood and beautiful original light fittings it is a magnificent reminder of a bygone era, the time of the Randlords. Tommy’s Bar, which was introduced when ladies were not allowed into the club, this is an elegant, comfortable venue adjacent to the Main Bar. Location: The Rand Club is situated in the heritage area of Marshalltown and originally dates back to 1886. ORPHANAGE COCKTAIL EMPORIUM: PLAYING IN THE MOTHER CITY Signature cocktails: Orphanage Martini, which is served in a big glass and infused with flavours of cucumber, elderflower, mint and apple juice. The jauntily named cocktails, served in tea cups with sandwiches on the side, include Oliver’s Twist, An Old Fashioned, Jammy Dodger, Child Catcher, More Tea Vicar and the alcohol free Innocent Orphan Annie.
Picture supplied by: 54 on Bath
Picture supplied by: Planet Bars
18 | Bars
Dress code and clientele: Sadly, the cool and happening Cape Town crowd don’t believe in dressing up for cocktail hour. Except for the sexy steampunk barmen who are too cool for school in their waistcoats and bowler hats. Ambience: Named as one of the top 50 bars in the world by Drinks magazine and winners of the World Class cocktail competition. A clever key-and-crystal feature above the bar. A percentage of your pricey drink goes to charity. Location: The key to the door is in Bree St, Cape Town, across the road from an old church which was one of Cape Town’s very first orphanages. THE POT LUCK CLUB: BLOODY MARY SUNDAYS Signature cocktails: The in-house cocktails include a spicy Thai-style martini, a beetroot and chocolate martini and a moreish Apple Strudel cocktail. The help-yourself Bloody Mary Bar is bursting with ingredients and edible innovations. The Pot Luck Club created three of flavoured vodkas using bacon, black pepper and green herbs - mix them up with homemade tomato juices laced with either smoked jalapeño or bacon. Don’t forget a delicious bacon stirrer. Dress code and clientele: Very ardent foodies and hipsters. Very casual, only the food is serious.
Location: Silo top floor, the Old Biscuit Mill, 373 – 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town. LENINS, Maboneng District, Joburg (specialist vodka bar) THE MARSLOW, SANDTON (try the Fynbos Cooler) UMI, Camps Bay (whisky bar) SOWETO HOTEL, Kliptown (try the “Kliptini”)
Picture supplied by: Royal Living Stone
Ambience: An extra sensory experience with regular music offerings, new interactive dining options and a series of new taste sensations on the agenda. Lend your ears to world-renowned jazz musician Buddy Wells, who together with a series of guest artists keeps the Sunday brunch crowd entertained.
20 | Bars
Picture supplied by: Ophanage
Picture supplied by: The Pot Luck Club
The help-yourself Bloody Mary Bar is bursting with ingredients and edible innovations. The Pot Luck Club created three flavoured vodkas using bacon, black pepper and green herbs
22 | Champagne
BUBBLY PERSONALITIES C
hampagnes are always associated with personalities, but it is assumed that they do not possess their own. Cheek2Chic talked to champagne festival organiser Shaun Anderson about ten top “bubbly personalities”.
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NICOLAS FEUILLATTE: The self-made man
Spirit of the house: Founded in 1972 Nicolas Feuillatte is the friend of the little guy, who has become a big brand. This zeitgeisty champagne is made by a collective - a happy marriage between unconventional, dedicated entrepreneur Nicolas Feuillatte and the Centre Vinicole de la Champagne - using around 4000 French winegrowers.
Structure: Hedonistic yet elegant, entrepreurial yet sophisticated, this is one of France’s favourite champagnes, with a magnificent fruity structure. It is now available in South Africa at Norman Goodfellows. Special vintages: The Palmes d’Or blends the finest Crus in Champagne, enhanced by meticulous ageing for at least 6 years.
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TAITTINGER : The Andy Warhol of the wine world
Spirit of the house: Friendly, frivolous, colourful and sexy, this is “Pop Art” with a serious streak. One of the few family-owned champagne houses, Taittinger’s alliance between the winemaker’s art and contemporary art dates back to the 1970s. Taittinger uses artists like André Masson, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichenstein and Amadou Sow to design the packaging for their Collection Series. Structure: The wine has signature fine pinpoint bubbles as well as a beautifully toasty, yeasty character on the nose. The wines are made from Chardonnay mainly from the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs, and Pinot Noir from Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne vineyards. Special vintages: Top of the line bottling is Comtes de Champagne. The Taittinger Collection Series bottles are released only in great vintages, from a selection of the year’s finest cuvées.
3
LOUIS ROEDERER: A blue-blooded royal
Spirit of the house: This is one of the few champagnes sold in a clear bottle because the Czars feared poisoning. This house has a royal, proud tradition and is one of the most acclaimed and best known champagne brands. The champagne house owns 250 hectares but only produces 1,5 million bottles annually. Structure: There is a boutique effort put into their wines and a certain maturity. Cristal is usually released when it is six to ten years of age. A small percentage of the base wine is wood aged and has had the lees stirred to give it more body and complexity. Cristal is usually a bit citrusy, light and crisp but is more complex if allowed to evolve in the bottle.
Dom Perignon Picture by: Dom Perignon
Pictures: Pictures taken at the Absa Champagne Festival
24 | Champagne
Special vintages: Cristal, which was first made in the late 1800s at the request of Russian Czar Alexander II.
4
BOLLINGER: The alpha female
Spirit of the house: Don’t mess with this lady, Mr Bond! Women are intrinsically bound up with champagne production because historically men went to war and women ran the estate. Woman power is fundamentally entrenched in champagne. Madame Bollinger is considered the founder of modern champagne; she built the whole brand and turned it into something world class. Today Bollinger is the official champagne drunk at Royal Ascot and of course “Bolly” is the tipple of choice of the Absolutely Fabulous duo. Structure: The house style is a classic, Pinot-dominated champagne with an addition of reserve wines which tends to develop a pleasing toastiness.
Special vintages: Vieille Vignes Françaises, a blanc de noirs, is regarded as Bollinger’s prestige cuvee and is made in small quantity.
5
DOM PÉRIGNON: The father of champagne
Spirit of the house: Hautvillers Abbey was where Dom Pierre Pérignon pursued his dream for 47 years of creating the best wine in the world. His quote: “Come quickly, I am drinking stars!” is famous but, ironically, he initially resisted the idea of bubbles in wine. His bubbles spent years in captivity until their final release. It was the English who decided they liked bubbles, and who came up with stronger bottles to resist the cold in the Champagne region, as well as corks. Structure: This champagne is made from a mingling of white and black grapes from two classic Dom Pérignon varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Special vintages: Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004 Metamorphosis, with packaging by world renowned designer Iris van Herpen.
6
BILLECART-SALMON: The Coco Chanel of champagne
Spirit of the house: Like a racehorse with a great pedigree, Billecart-Salmon gleans its strength and its name from both the female and male line. An early 19th century version of mergers and acquisitions, the champagne house is the product of a happy marriage seven generations later, with the charming Antoine Roland at its head. Structure: This is a super elegant and very intelligent wine with an aperitif style, renowned for its purity of fruit; strong and independent with a great love of all things pink. Special vintages: The real prowess of Billecart-Salmon is in their rosés, which are an amazing colour.
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PIPER -HEIDSIECK : The party animal
Spirit of the house: This is a Marilyn Monroe among champagnes: sexy, adventurous and daring, with a love of diamonds and rare jewels. The house was founded on a little hanky-panky when the widow of Christian Heidsieck married her dead husband’s partner, Henri-Guillaume Piper. To celebrate its centenary, Fabergé designed a bottle in diamonds, gold and lapis-lazuli in 1885. Piper-Heidsieck celebrated its bicentenary with a bottle set with diamonds and gold by Van Cleef & Arpels. Structure: The blend is composed of a majority of Pinots Noirs, incorporating more than 100 crus from around the Champagne region and Pinots Meuniers from the Grande et Petite Montagne de Reims region. Special vintage: In 2012 Piper-Heidsieck Rare Millésime was wrapped in a 64 gram 18-carat gold tiara created by ArthusBertrand.
26 | Champagne
Pictures: Pictures taken at the Absa Champagne Festival
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RUINART: The ultimate gentleman.
Spirit of the house: Ruinart doesn’t have to shout loudly, it speaks for itself. This is the first established champagne house in 1729, which comes in a round, clear, little bottle. The maison uses its old Roman chalk quarries to store wines because of the perfect humidity. Maison Ruinart is a patron of contemporary art and design, associating itself with top art fairs like Art Basel. Structure: Chardonnay is at the heart of Ruinart cuvees and the grape is mostly harvested from the Cote des Blanc and Montange des Reims regions. The champagne boasts an aromatic richness and the Blanc de Blanc uses three grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir. Special vintages: L’Exclusive de Ruinart is an assemblage of 17 vintages, and is in the form of a magnum.
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ARMAND DE BRIGNAC: The Hollywood star
Spirit of the house: This is a prestige cuvee which was owned by the Cattier family but was recently acquired by US rapper Jay Z. One of the most expensive champagnes in the world, it is drunk by the likes of Oprah Winfrey. Structure: Beautifully crafted, the “Ace of Spades” is a multi-vintage wine, a blend of only premium and Grand Cru rated grapes, and will probably continue to be crafted by the Cattier family. Special vintages: There are three cuvees whose hallmarks are finesse and rich creaminess: The Brut Gold, the Blanc de Blancs and the Brut Rosé.
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LAURENT PERRIER: The great statesman.
Spirit of the house: One of the ambassadors of champagnes. It is all about location, location, location. This is a great estate with the best fruit and Grand Cru villages in Champagne, with the best aspect, sunshine and slopes. Another family house, owned by Bernard Denoncourt, which was part of the “champagne resistance” of World War 2 after the family was thrown into concentration camps and fought in the Resistance. Structure: With a certain modernness, LP continues to be fresh and relevant, distinctive, well made, solid and reliable. Their rosé is one of the great rosés of the world. Special vintages: Brut Millésimé 2004, a great vintage year.
This is a Marilyn Monroe among champagnes: sexy, adventurous and daring, with a love of diamonds and rare jewels. The house was founded on a little hanky-panky when the widow of Christian Heidsieck married her dead husband’s partner, Henri-Guillaume Piper.
Pictures: Pictures taken at the Absa Champagne Festival
28 | Champagne
Women are intrinsically bound up with champagne production because historically men went to war and women ran the estate. Woman power is fundamentally entrenched in champagne. It was the English who decided they liked bubbles, and who came up with stronger bottles to resist the cold in the Champagne region, as well as corks
Pictures: Pictures taken at the Absa Champagne Festival Dom PĂŠrignon champagne announced its promising new collaboration with world-renowned designer Iris van Herpen: Dom PĂŠrignon Metamorphosis by Iris van Herpen
ANNA TRAPIDO: 30 | Food
C
heek2Chic caught up with foodie icon Anna Trapido at her “temporary office” La Marina in Moddersfontein, so beloved of the province’s chefs.
What is it like taking over from such a formidable powerhouse? “I am lucky in that JP successfully created a kind of personal brand with honesty and integrity. “For me qood quality is not about being trendy, in a world where so much food writing is about what is fashionable. “Rossouws occupies a different space from other restaurant guides, a thoughtful, honourable space where reviewers pay their own way.” She intends the guide to be forthright in its opinions. “All criticism is constructive as reviewers owe it to chefs and diners to treat them with respect. The guide must give information and readers can decide which facets of the review are important to them.
FRANK BUT FAIR
“For example, I do not care about decor but the review needs to say if the decor is not great, and if the meal at an Italian restaurant is constructed like a French meal. “People might be quite surprised and indignant but this is what an interesting guide does. To qualify a restaurant has to have table and chairs and a permanent address, otherwise the guide covers everything, not just fine dining. “There are four categories: luxury, smart/casual, casual and on the edge. “We all use restaurants for different things at different times and any of these things are magnificent if done well.” The guide covers the Western Cape, KZN and Gauteng. There is a panel of reviewers in each province, ordinary folk who love food and are well travelled. None of whom write about food for a living, making them a form of “mystery shopper”. “The review starts from the moment the reviewer makes a reservation to when they walk out of the door. Reviewers are looking at core things, hygiene, sustainability, wine list - an experience in the round. My favourite meal of the year, however, was profoundly flawed in some of these departments.” She hopes all reviews are constructive and there is a scoring system. Nothing under 50 percent makes it into the guide. If a restaurant gets five stars it has scored very highly in all categories from wine list to menu balance. What are the chefs’ reactions to the reviews, I ask nervously, envisaging knives being thrown. “Nearly all the chefs own those businesses and it has an impact on their economic stability, so I know that a review can have direct economic consequences. They sometimes get anxious and overwrought and say stuff, so they have right of reply in print or person. “I have been a chef and know it is the hardest job in the world; reviewing is much easier. I know I have made every mistake in the book and how easily it happens and there is a kind of humility that comes with that. It is as complicated as brain surgery and not everyone can do it. And I have enormous admiration for anyone with consistent culinary excellence. “There is so much focus on youthful creativity but iconic consistency is just as important.” We move on to the Michelin star system. “We need a good restaurant guide in South Africa - Michelin or not - the type that people can trust and use on all sorts of levels.” “The guide is almost armchair travel, it is descriptive and not simply a reference guide, it can be read as stories, as the write-ups give enough colour and reference, and each review has a page.” For light relief we talk Banting diets. “I cannot live with a good loaf of bread in the house,” she says. Anna is the only person I know who talks about “carbohydrates”, giving potatoes, rice and bread their correct name. “The point of carbohydrates and proteins is that the combination of both is so wonderful. You need the crusty bread to mop up the sauce. All great food cultures are overlaid with this belief. Food culture is a form of evolution; it all goes back to childhood and who we are.” Let foodies the world round breathe a sigh of relief.
32 | Wine & Diamonds
GRAFF DIAMONDS D S
ituated along the Helshoogte Pass from Stellenbosch, with panoramic views of the estate vineyards and Simonsberg Mountain, Delaire Graff Estate has been nicknamed “the jewel of the Cape Winelands”. The estate was given its prestigious name by Laurence Graff OBE, the head of Graff Diamonds, who acquired it in 2003. Delaire Graff Estate has been transformed over the past 11 years into one of the most prestigious properties in the Cape, renowned equally for its views, wines, cuisine, hospitality, and art. Throughout the property, understated yet glamorous interiors reveal the same dazzling level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. In addition, the new flagship Graff Diamonds store is the first in Africa and is located in the winery. Characterised by the same distinctive Indian rosewood panelling, marble and chandeliers as other Graff Diamond stores around the world the store has been designed to show off the unique one-of-a-kind jewels, collection pieces and watches designed by Graff Diamonds in London. In addition, the estate has launched their first champagne-style blend Delaire Graff Sunrise Brut, named after the magnificent 118.08 carat Delaire Sunrise, the largest square emerald cut fancy vivid yellow diamond in the world which was cut and polished by Graff Diamonds (there is a copy on the estate). The crémant blend, driven by Chenin Blanc, deviates from the traditional South African Méthode Cap Classique grape varietals of traditional MCC varieties of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Winemaker Morné Vrey says: “South Africa is famous for Chenin Blanc wines and vineyards, some of which are ancient. As a result, these vineyards have always offered an invitation to winemakers to push the envelope in terms of style.”
Pictures supplied by: Graff
DAZZLE IN THE CAPE
34 | Wine & Diamonds
Pictures supplied by: Graff
The estate’s flagship awardwinning restaurant Indochine is where the finest local, seasonal produce is transformed into exquisite dishes by the passionate team of chefs. From aubergines to lemongrass, the majority of Indochine’s fresh produce requirements are picked from the estate’s own biodynamic greenhouse and vegetable gardens. Enjoy sundowners under the pin oak tree canopy or enjoy a whimsical and extravagant aerial art installation in the interior of the restaurant – an artistic collaboration between Lionel Smit and Andre Stead – depicting almost a thousand swallows in flight fashioned out of light-catching Perspex. Art is everywhere as Laurence Graff’s personally curated art collection has been a life-long passion. The focus at Delaire Graff Estate is on contemporary South
African art by iconic and emerging South African artists. Works by William Kentridge, Lionel Smit, Dylan Lewis, Deborah Bell, Sidney Kumalo, Durant Sihlali, Cecil Skotnes and Stephane Graff define many of the interior and exterior spaces. The hotel’s 10 private lodges each have a heated infinity pool, lounge, kitchen and marble bathrooms stocked with Aromatherapy Associates products. The spa has recently invested in brand-new technology to offer diamond-tip microdermabrasion facials, a minimally invasive technique that uses the polishing effect of diamonds to make skin glow. A diamond-tipped wand glides painlessly over the face and décolleté, gently resurfacing the skin while removing dead skin cells. A rejuvenating solution of peptides is then sprayed over the skin to boost cell function.
In addition, the estate has launched their first champagnestyle blend Delaire Graff Sunrise Brut, named after the magnificent 118.08 carat Delaire Sunrise, the largest square emerald cut fancy vivid yellow diamond in the world which was cut and polished by Graff Diamonds The spa has recently invested in brand-new technology to offer diamond-tip microdermabrasion facials, a minimally invasive technique that uses the polishing effect of diamonds to make skin glow.
36 | Wine & Diamonds
Carved Ruby, Tourmaline and Diamond Necklace Diamonds 78.72cts, Rubies 181.18cts, Tourmaline 41.40cts
Sapphire and Diamond Double Brooch Sapphires 332.13cts
Emerald & Diamond Bracelet Multishape diamond bracelet set with three cushion cut emeralds (Diamonds 62.75cts, Emeralds 25.47cts)
The Gemini Yellows Diamonds 113.94cts
Pictures supplied by: Graff Secret Watch Diamonds 40.62cts
38 | Wine & Diamonds
Necklace Diamonds Limited
Bracelet Diamonds Limited Pictures supplied by: Graff
40 | Diamonds
HEAVEN’S STARS IN T
The Cullinan Diamond, which at 3,106.75 carats remains the largest clean white diamond known to date, was so large it was cut into nine major pieces and 96 smaller brilliant cut diamonds. These diamonds have since gone on to create their own legends, including the Great Star of Africa, which weighs 530.2 carats and is displayed in the head of England’s royal Sceptre, and the Lesser Star of Africa, which weighs a remarkable 317.4 carats and forms part of the British Crown Jewels’s Imperial State Crown, both in the Tower of London.
Pictures by: Petra Diamonds
P
etra Diamonds’ historic Cullinan diamond mine in South Africa, which was originally owned by Sir Thomas Cullinan in 1903, has yielded some of the most remarkable stones in the world.
Twenty-five percent of the world’s diamonds over 400 carats have been mined in Cullinan. A true Cullinan diamond is defined by the Cullinan Star Cut, which has eight more facets than the standard 58 facet gem diamond and every stone is laser inscribed. Some of the “Cullinan Legends” have included: The Golden Jubilee Diamond, which resides at the Royal Museum at Pimmimak, Bangkok. The Jonker Diamond, which was bought in 1935 by famous New York jeweller, Harry Winston, and polished into 13 pieces. The Centenary Diamond, one of the largest top-colour diamonds ever found, surpassed only by the Cullinan I and the Cullinan II. The Niarchos Diamond, purchased by millionaire Stavros Niarchos in 1954 for his wife at an extravagant $2-million. The Taylor-Burton Diamond. The 240,8 carat rock was sent to New York to be polished by jeweller, Harry Winston, into two pieces. The larger 162 carat pearshaped diamond, which had been set by Cartier into a neck piece, went up for auction in 1972 where legendary star, Richard Burton successfully bid for it for his wife Elizabeth Taylor. The Premier Rose Diamond. This was acquired by Jacob Mouw from the Mouw Diamond Cutting Works and called the Premier Rose after his wife Rose. The diamond was one of the largest colourless stones in the world before it was cut into three spectacular pieces. The Cullinan mine is also the world’s most consistently reliable source of blue diamonds. As recently as 2009 a fancy vivid blue, internally flawless, cushion shaped diamond weighing 7.03 carats, was sold at auction by Sotheby’s and named the “Star of Josephine” by its new owner Hong Kong collector and connoisseur, Joseph Lau Luen-Hung.
The Blue Moon, a 29.6 carat blue diamond was discovered at the Cullinan mine in January 2014
THE SOIL OF AFRICA
42 | Diamonds
The blue diamond ranks among the most important diamonds ever to be offered for sale by Sotheby’s. It was cut from a 26.58 carat rough discovered in 2008 at the Cullinan mine. The exceptional blue diamond set two auction records at Sotheby’s Geneva – the world record price per carat for any gemstone at auction and world record price for a fancy vivid blue diamond at auction. In 2010, The Chow Tai Fook jewellery group limited successfully bid for the 507 carat Cullinan Heritage rough diamond at US$35.3 million (an approximate of HK$275 million), setting a record high price for a rough diamond. The Cullinan Heritage is world-renowned for its size and flawless quality. And in 2014 a 232 carat white diamond was found at the Cullinan mine, east of Pretoria. The Cullinan mine is owned by a three way partnership consortium, led by London-listed group Petra Diamonds, black economic empowerment group Thembinkosi Mining Investments and Saudi-based investment company Al Rajhi Holdings. The mine is expected to produce one million carats per year over the next 20 to 40 years. http://www.cullinandiamonds.co.za/heritage/
Pictures by: Petra Diamonds
The true brilliance of diamonds can only be captured through the amount of light that is able to penetrate the precision cut facets. The light that is absorbed by the angle, pattern and proportion of the facets allows the stone to reflect a fiery, radiant sparkle. Cut and clarity are crucial to the fire of a diamond, which is why the Cullinan Star Cut (TM) is so unique. The 66 facets ensure that each stone radiates a passion so bright and clear that it resembles heaven’s stars, at the heart of the jewel
44 | Festive Shopping Guide
Ferrari Essence Oud, Eau de parfum 100 ml. R1295.00 at the Ferrari Shop
Pictures by: Dylan le Roux
Passion Velvet Smoking Jacket. R5499.95 at Ted Baker Menswear at Stuttafords
Christofle cufflinks, R2800.00 at the Wish Collection
YSL Black Opium, Eau de parfum 50 ml, R975.00, at Woolworths
Jenni Button cocktail dress. R2500.00 at Jenni Button
Platinum, diamonds, emerald, onyx Panthère de Cartier brooch Cartier boutique. Price on request Picture by: Cartier
46 | Stocking Fillers
Pictures by: Dylan le Roux
Chocolates from The Wish Collection Prestat The London Truffle Box R400 at the Wish Collection
Pictures by: Mont Blanc Montblanc MeisterstĂźck Heritage Date Automatic. R125 300.00. Available from all Mont Blanc stores: Sandton City; Hyde Park Corner; Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town; Gateway Shopping Mall, Durban
The Starwalker Extreme Screenwriter. R11 100 . Available from all Mont Blanc stores: Sandton City; Hyde Park Corner; Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town; Gateway Shopping Mall, Durban
Pictures provided by: Cartier
48 |Stocking Fillers
Louis Cartier Bag Document Holder Black calfskin, palladium finish R35 400
Louis Cartier Bag - 24 Hour Bag Caramel-colored calfskin, palladium finish R41 800
Available From Cartier Boutique, Sandton City
Picture by: Rolex
Why a Rolex Watch is The Only Gift You may need this Christmas Introduced in 1963, The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona was designed to meet the demands of professional racing drivers. Today Rolex’s newest jewelled version of the Cosmograph Daytona combines the nobility of platinum and the radiance of purest-quality diamonds to create a timepiece with a perfect balance between style, functionality and luxury.
Rolex Watch Price available on request Rolex Watches are available from authorised Rolex dealers throughout South Africa Contact 011 784 9230 or visit www.Rolex.com for further information
Pictures by: Dylan le Roux
50 | Stocking Fillers
Ford Violet Fatale lipstick R545.00
Tom Ford Velvet Orchid fragrance 100ml eau de parfum. R1 575.00
Available at at Stuttafords stores and Luminance, Hyde Park Corner
Picture by: YSL YSL fragrance for men Yves St Laurent La Nuit de L’Homme, 100ml, R1 180.00 Available at selected Edgars, Red Square, Stuttafords, Woolworths, Truworth and Foschini stores.
Pictures provided by: Baume & Mercier
52 |Fine Timepieces
B
aume & Mercier creates beautifully crafted timepieces with lines inspired by iconic pieces borrowed from its rich heritage. Cheek2Chic goes inside the design studio of the Swiss watch maison with watch designer Sara Sandmeier
Establishing the final dimensions requires the prior use of computer design techniques involving 3D software. These designs are finalized by the Design Studio, where product development engineers ensure the feasibility of the technical choices made.
Sara is part of a three-man team involved in designing Baume & Mercier watches, among them the Clifton range of men’s watches which launched in 2013 and expanded this year with Clifton 1892 Flying Tourbillon , the Clifton Retrograde Date Automatic and the Clifton 30 mm watches.
Once this stage has been validated, the Design Studio initiates the formation of the models by means of innovative techniques such as stereolithography, a state-of-the-art form of printing capable of giving physical volume to a 3D image by producing a model of it formed in synthetic resin. The finishing relating to the aesthetic appearance of the case is then applied on the basis of a life-size metal model.
The collection is named after the famous strip of Cape Town prime beachfront where Johan Rupert has a property.
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SO DID THE SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESSMAN INFLUENCE THE NAMING OF THE CLIFTON?
“Johan Rupert did have a hand in the naming,” Sara admits. “There is always a great deal of discussion about the naming of a collection; it is not easy to give a name, as sometimes there are legal questions. It is a difficult process because the name is about what we want to express.” She shows me a photograph of an historical 50s dress watch from the maison’s museum collection. “It is a beautiful piece, very classic, and there are some tiny details that give it a special character.” The Clifton has taken on all the characteristics of the 50s - the golden age of the wrist watch - and is a direct interpretation from the museum piece. “You can see the domed glass, which is a special sign of the ‘40s and ‘50s dress watch, which gives the watch smoothness,” she says.
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TELL ME ABOUT YOUR TEAM? “There are three designers in the studio, two men and one woman. It’s okay, it works well - we laugh every day!”
HOW DOES THE DESIGN TEAM GET THE BRIEF?
“We have all these phases in-house at Baume & Mercier. “The brief comes from the marketing team: We need a round watch for men, very classical, elegant and refined. It is for a man between 35 and 45 and we need a whole collection in steel that is automatic, then we need lots of gold versions.” Then begins the process at the integrated design studio in the heart of the headquarters in Geneva Once the museum piece has been selected in accordance with the orientation to be given to the new collection, the Design Studio begins its reinterpretation of the codes by means of handdrawn pencil sketches, and then continues its work in the form of digital 2D designs. Once the main aesthetic characteristics have been approved by management, the work of establishing the final dimensions begins.
Once the resin models and the metal models have been validated, the first prototypes of the dials, hands and bracelets are produced, so that the finishing of each newly-created model can be best appreciated. “We feed the information to the 3D printer, and it creates the product in about 8 hours. The synthetic wax machine builds in very thin layers from the bottom to the top and the wax is strengthened. You can cut a dial in paper to fit the dial so that it is very close to what the watch will look like,” adds Sara.
4
LET’S MOVE ON TO THE LINEA, BAUME & MERCIER’S RANGE OF WOMEN’S WATCHES?
The particularity of the Linear is the interchangeability of the straps. Bringing her own personality to the table, Sara has taken into account the feminine need for a quick change between office and evening. “You have the liberty of going to the office with a metal bracelet, then in the evening you change to the soft second strap which comes with the watch. “Just detach it–tak! – and it does not hurt the nails. You can do it in two minutes, even two seconds.” Inspired by the vibrant Hindu celebration of Holi, which celebrates the spring equinox and the return of colour,, the watch bracelets echo fashion trends and come in soft woven lambskin.
5
WHICH WATCHES DOES SHE LIKE TO WEAR?
“The Clifton is very elegant Classima. I love the big watches!” Besides being incredibly talented as a designer, Sara is very stylish in her own right. She confesses to being a fabric and material freak and adores colour. “I am wearing a dress by one of my favourite Swiss couturiers. He creates clothes like an architect creates a house and size does not matter. One size fits all!”
and I also wear the
54 | Fine Timepieces
Inspired by the vibrant Hindu celebration of Holi, which celebrates the spring equinox and the return of colour, the watch bracelets echo fashion trends and come in soft woven lambskin.
Baume-et-Mercier-Clifton Chronographe roue Ă colonne 1940
Baume-et-Mercier-Clifton Chronograph-watch-1950
Baume-et-Mercier-Clifton Historic-Model-1950
Pictures provided by: Baume & Mercier
The Clifton has taken on all the characteristics of the 50s - the golden age of the wrist watch - and is a direct interpretation from the museum piece.
56 | Montblanc
MONTBLANC’S NEW BOHÈM
Part of the new Bohème collection, necklace, bracelet and rings
T
his year Montblanc launched a collection of jewellery that highlights the various facets of distinctive beauty, refined feminine elegance and striking personality of the contemporary woman with her own, unique sense of style. Montblanc’s new Bohème Jewellery is a statement of feminine beauty, sophistication and style. Bohème Collection includes necklaces, rings and bracelets crafted in precious materials such as silver, lacquer, gold and diamonds. The collection also includes beautifully crafted timepieces and writing instruments. This strikingly delicate collection of ladies’ jewellery sees the same alluring design elements explored in both silver and gold. Minimalistic, delicate and distinctive, the collection represents a feminine expression of the values and the striking personality that characterise the contemporary Bohème lady. All styles of the collection follow a refined, understated and contemporary aesthetic and are aligned with the other pieces in the Bohème Jewellery Collection. The look across the various categories in this collection is carefully composed and subtly matched so that the bracelets, necklaces and rings express the same sophisticated elegance with a lightness of contemporary touch as its refined writing instruments and timepieces. Created for the self-confident, elegant and discerning lady who values the authenticity to create her own personal unique look, it provides a range of beautifully made products which share common design themes complementing each other such as the ultra-feminine, very delicate and light silhouette, the contemporary guilloché and white lacquer pattern and the precious materials crafted to the highest standards of fine European craftsmanship. Events to launch the new Bohème Collection included a high tea in the grounds of the Marion Hotel which was attended by clients of the Hyde Park and Sandton boutiques, as well as selected media.
Pictures provided by: Mont Blanc
ME JEWELLERY COLLECTION
58 |Theatre
HANDSPRING PU
They created a baby horse from twigs and sticks which grew into a big horse and so “Joey Boy” became a physical actuality.
UPPET COMPANY T
he art of puppetry is basically breathing life into an inanimate object and achieving an extraordinary suspension of disbelief.
The puppets can also inspire their master. One has only to think of Paul Gallico’s famous story, Love of Seven Dolls, where the normally abusive puppet master, Capitaine Coq, gives life with his seven creations to different, more tender personae within him.
The Handspring Puppet Company has taken the art of puppetry to a new level, reaching adult audiences around the world. This puppetry performance and design company, established in Cape Town in 1981 by Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones, has garnered critical acclaim worldwide for their astonishing work. The pair met at the Michaelis School of Fine Art in Cape Town and they quickly found themselves involved in serious South African theatre, collaborating with a string of talented directors from Esther van Ryswyk, Mark Fleishman and Malcolm Purkey to Barney Simon and William Kentridge. Adrian’s mother was a puppeteer so he grew up with that influence in his life, while Basil, ironically, hated puppets and wanted to become an avant garde artist. After being introduced by Adrian to the fabulous tradition of puppetry for adults in West Africa, however, Basil gained a new respect for this art form. The company is perhaps best known for its puppets in the awardwinning stage production of War Horse, commissioned by the National Theatre in London. In 2006 Tom Morris of the National Theatre saw the Handspring Puppet Company’s production, Tall Horse, which used a giraffe made out of hoops of cane with two people inside it, controlling the giraffe’s movements. Around the same time his mother told him about Michael Morpurgo’s book War Horse, and he gave Adrian and Basil a call. They came up with the idea of creating a baby horse from twigs and sticks which grew into a big horse and so “Joey Boy” became a physical actuality. In 2007, Basil and Adrian won the Oliver, Evening Standard and London Critics’ Circle awards for the stage production of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse, commissioned by the National Theatre in London. The company also received an Outer Critics Circle Special Achievement Award for “Puppet Design, Fabrication and Direction”, for the Broadway production of War Horse, and they are also a recipient of a Special Tony Award in 2011. The continuously sold-out production has been recognised as the “theatrical event of the decade” by the UK media and this year Joey the War Horse even paid a visit to the Tower of London to see the poppies. Today the Handspring Puppet Company has a factory in Kalk Bay where their life sized puppets are created by Thys Stander, the company’s chief puppet maker. At the TED event in Long Beach, California, in 2011 Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler told the audience: “The attribute of breath is really important for the original movement of any puppet. It is what distinguishes them from an actor; an actor has to fight to die on stage, a puppet has to fight to live and every moment on stage it is making that struggle. We call this a piece of emotional engineering, that uses up to date 17th century technology.”
LASHES O 60 | Beauty
1917 saw the introduction of cake mascara – does anyone remember using it? And where it said: “Wet the brush”, the truthful ones will admit that they used their spit to do so. Helena Rubenstein created the first waterproof mascara. Then in the late 50s she created Mascara-Matic which used a brushless wand, an item that had been invented 20 years earlier. Use waterproof mascar only if you cry a lot or are planning on being the next Esther Williams – it is hellish to get off. You do need an oily make up remover to remove this puppy. I personally think everyone should wear black mascara (blondes through to brunettes) as mascara is meant to enhance the eyes. Colour mascara is good if you use black first and then touch the tips with colour. If you are going to use that thing that looks like a medieval torture device, called an eyelash curler do use it before applying mascara, otherwise it will be torture as you pull your eyelashes out. Do swish your mascara wand windscreen wiper style across your eyelashes to separate them. A mascara brush is called a spoolie. I personally prefer less expensive mascaras as I think if you spend less you are less emotionally attached to the product and more likely to throw it out after 3 months (because of bacteria and the eyes). Do not pump the tube like a bicycle pump. Mascara is meant to dry with exposure to the air and pumping forces air into the tube. The wand is flexible, rather use that quality. Maybelline mascara, originally made by chemist TL Williams out of Vaseline and coal dust, helped his sister attract her boyfriend. The name Maybelline is a portmanteau of Mabil and Vaseline.
OF BEAUTY
In Cheek2Chic’s first beauty article, one of Joburg’s top make up artists gives hot tips how to have fabulous eyelashes, what mascaras to wear, and even the lowdown on how Maybelline got its name
62 | By Invitation
Jacques Erasmus was named Diners Club Winemaker of the Year 2014 at a gala dinner at La Residence, Franschhoek. Ebrahim Matthews, MD of Diners Club South Africa, said: “The Diners Club Winemaker of the Year awards make an incredible contribution towards raising the standards of wines produced in South Africa. Each year we look forward to seeing entries from internationally recognised estates as well as smaller – but equally competitive – wine farms.” Pictures provided by: Diner’s Club
64 | By Invitation
Cartier celebrated 100 years of its iconic emblem, Panthère de Cartier, at the luxurious Westcliff Four Seasons Hotel, Johannesburg, which was transformed into an urban jungle. The complete Panthère de Cartier jewellery collection was on display together with new creations paying tribute to the panther. The evening was full of diamonds, French elegance and champagne and singer Nandi Mngoma performed. Pictures supplied by: Cartier
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66 | By Invitation
Now in its 19th year the SA Style Awards recognises South Africans in different fields from entertainment and fashion to the corporate community, who live stylish lives. The red carpet rolled out for an Yves St Laurent-themed glamorous event at Hyde Park Corner and the bubbles flowed. Winners included Public Protector Thuli Madosela and New York based milliner Albertus Swanepoel. Pictures provided by: Zebra Square
68 | By Invitation
Montblanc hosted the international premiere of the Power of Words film project at the Inner City Auditorium in Cape Town, South Africa, in partnership with Tribeca Film InstituteÂŽ (TFI) and the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Co-host for the evening was Miss Caroline Rupert, daughter of businessman Johan Rupert who owns the Montblanc brand and an intimate selection of international guests including members of Tribeca Film Institute.
Pictures provided by: Montblanc
One lucky reader can win a High Tea for Two voucher to the value of R400 at the Crabtree & Evelyn Design Quarter tea room.
Just answer this question: Where is the Crabtree & Evelyn tea room situated?
Email your details to scangley43@gmail.com to win. Only South African residents may enter.