“There are places one dreams of, that conjure up an ideal, that are filled with magic. There are places one falls in love with at first sight, where one feels at home, that comfort, soothe and renew us. There are places to which we are deeply attached, of which we have powerful memories, and ever present joyful moments. Timeless places, which make us forget everything. Places that know so much about us.�
Fawaz Gruosi
A PLACE RECOUNTED BY PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT, LOVE AND SHAPE BOTH ITS MAGIC AND ITS AURA It
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After Porto Cervo, the travel journal of the Maison de GRISOGONO takes you to the Bernese Alps, on the border of the Pays d’Enhaut. An intimate glimpse of an authentic location imbued with a family spirit.
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A FA I R Y TA L E D E C O R F O R A VA L L E Y
A CAPTIVATING VILLAGE WHERE de GRISOGONO SETTLED 17 YEARS AGO
Whether one arrives by air or road, Gstaad instantly reveals its authentic, captivating character, a mountain panorama under its white mantle with the surrounding landscape punctuated by farms, traditional houses and legendary palaces. A fairytale decor for a valley the very name of which means “shores�. Overlooking the village, as if watching over it, the Gstaad Palace has reigned supreme for over 100 years. Outlined against a thick pine forest, its towers are reminiscent of castles from the most beautiful fairytales. Its history is now the subject of a book retracing a century of legends. At 1,050 metres above sea level, the village of Gstaad has become an international symbol of a region grouping nine villages, 13,000 inhabitants, five 5* hotels, as well as 100 restaurants (including 18 chefs with a total of 272 Gault & Millau points and three Michelin stars),
200 farms, 80 pastureland dairies and 7,000 cows. A place that combines authenticity with a discreet, elegant brand of luxury. From the air - You can land your jet at Saanen Airport just ten minutes from Gstaad. If you are coming by helicopter and you are with Air Glaciers, they will also take you right to the very top of the runs. On land - In just 80 minutes, you will enjoy an unprecedented lake-to-mountains experience that is nothing short of sheer poetry. The Golden Pass Panoramic will introduce you to every detail of the countryside from Montreux on the shores of Lake Geneva all the way up to Gstaad. And if you are a fan of La Belle Epoque, you can do the trip aboard the chic GoldenPass Classic, a legendary historic train.
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A FA I R Y TA L E D E C O R F O R A VA L L E Y
ICONIC REGIONAL DISHES • Blue trout @ Rössli in Feutersoey • Simmenthal beef @ the Palace Grill
TO DO & SEE IN GSTAAD • Molkerei Kaesegrotte Visit the cheese caves (Käse-Grotte), dedicated to the conservation and ripening of cheeses by producers from Saanenland. • Take your snow shoes or back country skis and head for the Geltenhutte two to three hours on foot from Lake Lauenen. Spend the night there and come back. • In Rossinière, just 30 minutes from Gstaad, lies the Grand Chalet Balthus. The largest wooden chalet in Switzerland, built in 1750, in which to discover the family history of the painter, Balthus. • Air Glacier Visit six peaks by helicopter (Gstellihorn, Wildhorn, Vordere, Walig, Stalden, Gumm, Tsanfleuron Glacier) to discover nature in its wildest state with a mountain guide.
• Chinese fondue @ Fromagerie du Palace Located in the former stronghold of the Swiss Bank Corporation (which is today the UBS). Reserve your table with Maître Massimo • When the celebrated New York Megu was deciding where to set up in Europe, it chose Gstaad at the heart of the Alpina @ Megu • The best pasta @ Gildo’s. Andrea Scherz, General Manager of the Gstaad Palace named this restaurant after his maître d’h. Voted best maître d’h. in the world by the Sunday Times , Gildo Bocchini has been a loyal Palace employee since the 60s. • Traditional cuisine combined with Mediterranean flavours, Le Rosey students’ basecamp @ Rialto
• The traditional descent on a Gstaad bobsled from the top of Eggli after a fondue. • A carriage ride in the heart of Gstaad’s unspoilt nature up to the shores of Lake Lauenen.
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S U M M I T M E E T I N G S W I T H FAWA Z G R U O S I
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BETWEEN TWO INTERVIEWS AND A PRIVATE DINNER AT THE EAGLE CLUB, FAWAZ GRUOSI SHARES HIS “VERY OWN� VISION OF GSTAAD WITH US
This man from the South loves warm and mild climates, but if there is one place where he particularly enjoys being in winter, Gstaad gets his vote. This is a place where he has written important pages in the history of de GRISOGONO. A place he has frequently visited over the past 20 years and that he has introduced to his friends and to the celebrities who are longstanding fans of the Maison, such as Naomi Campbell, Adriana Karembeu.
On this particular day, we meet up with him for an apres-ski moment in the Lobby Bar of the Gstaad Palace, martini in hand. When skiing, he always does so equipped with his special limited-edition Rossignol pair of skis embellished with de GRISOGONO black diamonds. While he generally meets up with his clients and friends at the Eagle Club, he also loves the edginess of the Saanewald Lodge Hotel and its original take on the burger.
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S U M M I T M E E T I N G S W I T H FAWA Z G R U O S I
BOLD, EXCEPTIONAL: THERE IS NO LACK OF SUPERLATIVES WHEN IT COMES TO DESCRIBING THE STYLE OF A MAN KNOWN FOR HIS UNBRIDLED CREATIVITY
This epicurean who loves cooking naturally enjoys the convivial nature of fine cuisine. He appreciates the creative gastronomy of chefs such as Peter Wyss, Erich Baumer and Marcus Lindner, including their talent for magnifying each dish as if it were a precious gem. While he revels in discovering haute cuisine, he has a personal preference for simple and traditional dishes, as well as homely atmospheres. Fawaz Gruosi knows the maître d’h. of the eponymous Italian restaurant, Gildo’s.
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Having regularly eaten there for almost 20 years, he never tires of sampling its pasta and the annual de GRISOGONO dinner is indeed held at Gildo’s. This frequent traveller also loves the New York-style atmosphere of the Megu, ensconced at the heart of the Bernese Alps in Gstaad’s Alpina Hotel. When his friends join him at the resort, he enjoys taking them to the Fromagerie restaurant of the Palace to taste fondue and raclette from the region.
3 ICONIC BOOKS Fawaz Gruosi’ library contains three iconic books on Gstaad that eloquently express his passions. Travel: Travel in Style, published by teNeues Art: Le livre de découpe (paper-cutting art) by Anne Rosat Gastronomy: Cuisine pure - 30 years of cooking the best of the Chesery Gstaad by Robert Speth
Another day brings another interview in another location and with another martini, this time in the bar of the Olden. Among the mile-stone moments in his ongoing relationship with Gstaad, Fawaz Gruosi particularly remembers February 17th 2007. That was the evening he was preparing to unveil an exceptional stone – a 45.39.-carat ruby discovered in northern Myanmar – in the delightful company of Naomi Campbell. Gems occupy a central place in his designs.
Fawaz Gruosi operates on the principle of “love at first sight” and always returns from his travels with precious stones in his luggage. He loves their subtle colour nuances, the infinite possibilities of highlighting them in various ways. This is a man who has already made his mark on exceptional gemstone jewellery and became a trailblazer for black diamonds. One of his previous masterstrokes in the realm of extra-large stones was the Spirit of de GRISOGONO, a ring set with the world’s largest Moghul-cut diamond, a stunning 312.30-carat gem.
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S U M M I T M E E T I N G S W I T H FAWA Z G R U O S I
THE COMBINATION OF DARING COLOURS In the course of a conversation, if he gets a faraway look in his eyes, you can be sure that he is lost in his thoughts and doubtless dreaming of his next creation. However, let’s return to the Virgin Scarlet, a rare and hypnotic stone that perfectly sums up the story of Fawaz Gruosi and that of de GRISOGONO. The resulting ring called for around 350 hours of hand craftsmanship, three months of meticulous and accurate work done by a master-jeweller and a master-gemsetter. A floral decor bears the fabulous ruby surrounded by four prongs in subtly graded shades of yellow and orange. The body of the ring is made of enamel, graced with a scrolling motif creating an exquisite transparency effect. The combination of daring colours that are the signature of Fawaz Gruosi’ designs features a flurry of intermingled white diamonds, emeralds, rubies, tourmalines and pink sapphires. This creation bears all the inimitable hallmarks of de GRISOGONO jewellery.
Fawaz Gruosi casts a discreet glance at his wrist: his New Retro shows 7 pm. This evening, he is dining with Andrea Scherz – an opportunity to look back on the 17 years over which the de GRISOGONO boutique has been flourishing at the heart of the Palace. What he loves about Gstaad is its traditional village-style spirit in which the jet-set lifestyle meets a distinctive art of living in a fascinating mixture of genres. It harbours a wealth of expertise such as is embodied in paper-cutting. It is filled with simple venues rubbing shoulders with the world’s most coveted addresses. A straightforward place where celebrities come to enjoy peace and discretion. When he settles down at the Lobby Bar in the Palace or strikes a match, he remembers his first visit and all the match boxes that had caught his attention. Andrea Scherz had explained to him at the time that his father collected them and had brought them back from his each of travels – a story that amused him, since he himself also always brought back a particular type of object from his own trips: the gemstones that he sculpted into jewellery.
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FAWAZ GRUOSI’S CREATIONS PLAY A ROLE IN EVERY STORY THE MOST PRECIOUS JEWELLERY ADORNING THE WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN
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G S TA A D PA L AC E G E N E R AT I O N S
ANDREA SCHERZ I
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The Gstaad Palace has seen several generations of families grow up and welcomed stars, royalty and celebrities. The most important thing behind its walls, and that which has always been the most important aspect, is a sense of family. A sense of coming home that one immediately discovers when crossing the threshold and which – in light of the amazing loyalty of its staff – creates the impression of returning to one’s own family, year after year. The Gstaad Palace is celebrating its 103rd birthday. This legendary place has belonged to the Scherz family for 78 years and three generations.
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G S TA A D PA L AC E G E N E R AT I O N S
A LARGE FAMILY COMPOSED OF SUCCESSIVE GENERATIONS WHO ENJOY THE FAMILY ATMOSPHERE AT THE PALACE WHICH ENSURES THAT THEY FEEL AT HOME
This generous, caring and helpful individual regards each member of his team and each client as a member of his family. His favourite leisure activity is being at the wheel of his collector’s edition Jaguar and in the company of his friends, with whom he enjoys getting away on short breaks in his native Saanenland. Andrea Scherz grew up at the Palace. Although he was appointed Managing Director in 2001, his destiny inseparably bound up with the Gstaad Palace had been long since sealed. He likes to say with a smile that “a Scherz comes into the world every 30 years”. His grandfather started it all in 1909; his father was born in 1939, followed by himself in 1969 and his son and heir, Alexandre, in 1999.
Andrea Scherz, who is also the father of a little girl, keeps watch over an extremely large family – consisting of 300 employees in winter and 200 resident clients. His grandfather Ernst Scherz took over management of the Palace in 1938. The Scherz family became owners in 1947 and their dynasty settled in the castle. In 1969, Ernst Andrea Scherz took the reins from his father. Today, this establishment is so closely associated with Gstaad that it has become the heart of the jet-set and has a loyal clientele, of which 80 per cent returns on a regular basis. A large family composed of successive generations who enjoy the family atmosphere at the Palace which ensures that they feel at home. For many of them, it has become 30,000 square metres filled with hospitality, quality, human warmth and personal touches.
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G S TA A D PA L AC E G E N E R AT I O N S
HE REMEMBERS THE ARRIVAL OF THE MAISON de GRISOGONO AT THE PALACE PERFECTLY
It was in 1999, and at the time he was responsible for the reception. The boutique was just opposite his office. Ever since it opened, their relationship has been infused with mutual trust – and Andrea even has a key to the premises, just in case‌ In the winter, almost all his time is devoted to his guests, although this passionate skier loves to escape from time to time to indulge in some downhill or cross-country skiing.
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These mountains are his entire life. His favourite piste is the Tiger Run, the steepest and toughest in the whole of Saanenland. He has never ceased throughout his 47 years to marvel at the beauty of the panoramic views of the Bernese Alps from the hotel lobby. Just like his father, he loves travelling and discovering luxury hotels all over the world.
THE CHEFS AT THE PEAK OF THEIR GAME • Peter Wyss @ Le Grill at Gstaad Palace 16 Gault & Millau points • Robert Speth @ Chesery 18 Gault & Millau points – 1 Michelin star • Steve Willié @ La Bagatelle Hôtel le Grand Chalet 16 Gault & Millau points • Erich Baumer @ Sonnenhof 16 Gault & Millau points • Marcus G. Lindner @ Le Sommet The Alpina Gstaad 18 Gault & Millau points – 1 Michelin star
Peter Wyss
DAIRY DELIGHT • The diversity and multitude of cheeses from mountain pasture dairies are legendary in Gstaad. Each one has its own flavour and can be purchased directly from the mountain pasture dairy. Amongst the 80 mountain pasture dairies in the region, try the mountain cheese from a small farm in Lauenen @ Helmut Annen – Lauenenstrasse 24 • One of the best of all raclette cheeses and many others @ Molkerei • The most original of all champagne and truffle fondue recipes @ La Fromagerie at the Palace. Other fondue versions. @ Post Hotel Rossli @ Le Cerf in Rougemont @ Chaudanne in Rossinière @Brasserie de l’Ours in Château d’Oex.
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• Andrea Casiraghi and Tatiana Santo Domingo’s famous aunt where they hosted all their friends for a traditional fondue @ Berghaus Eggli on the snowy peaks. • A famous raclette restaurant in Rougemont @ Le Café du Cerf, or in Saanen @ Bar Restaurant 16, and the not-to-be-missed @ La Fromagerie du Palace. • You’re on the point of leaving Gstaad, all the boutiques and restaurants are closed and your best friend asks you to bring home a local speciality @ the cheese machine near the station in Gstaad distributes cheese and succulent fondue mixtures 7/7, 24/24.
G S TA A D PA L AC E G E N E R AT I O N S
These are always enriching experiences that enable him to share news and views with the directors and owners of other hotels, most of whom are personal friends. All these different perspectives, solutions and experiences can be put to good use in their establishments. Amongst the places of which he is particularly fond, he enjoys staying at the Royal Palm in Mauritius which he regards as the very symbol of perfection and getting away from it all . The Baur au Lac in Zurich also holds a special place in his heart, representing one of the last family-owned city hotels.
The two other addresses on his “top four list” are the Royal Mansour in Marrakech and its 5 star medina, along with the Chewton Glen in Hampshire, the most luxurious and charming country house hotel one could possibly imagine. When asked to name the best local addresses, this affable man knows that he could talk about his favourite spots for hours. He loves the diversity of the places that make Gstaad what it is and form the very foundations of its warm, welcoming identity. He indeed loves so many of them that responding to our request to choose just three in each category was a really tough exercise!
FAVOURITE SPOTS 3 places for wearing evening dress Le Grill @ Gstaad Palace Olden Hotel Le Sommet @ Alpina Gstaad 3 romantic restaurants Le Grand Chalet Le Café du Cerf in Rougemont Sonnenhof in Saanen 3 secret addresses on the peaks Refuge l'Espace La Renardière in Albeuve The Wasserngrat restaurant 3 après-ski spots The Lobby Bar @ Gstaad Palace Charly’s Tea-Room The bar at the Olden Hotel
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The famous champagne and truffle fondue from La Fromagerie at the Gstaad Palace Ingredients for 2 people: 400g Palace cheese mixture (Available from Gstaad dairy) 200ml Champagne 16g flour 6g white truffles 8 slices of truffle 1 teaspoon truffle oil Mix all together cold. 300g bread and new potatoes Preparation: Heat the mixture gently. Never allow it to overheat. Season and if necessary, add pepper.
A S U I T E AT T H E P E A K O F I T S A RT
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It is on the roof of the Palace, in the Penthouse Suite, where the view is at its most incredible, that it is time to land. Far from the urban hustle and bustle, the prodigious serenity of the mountains, accompanied by an anti-jetlag treatment with precious stones immediately erases all the effects of crossing successive time zones. The panorama of the Alps is breathtaking. Here, where time seems to have stopped in its tracks, the atmosphere is propitious to sharing secrets.
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A S U I T E AT T H E P E A K O F I T S A R T
A PENTHOUSE SUITE AT THE VERY TOP WITH A VIEW OVER THE SWISS ALPS
Marina Nickels has a feeling for beauty and elegant materials with generous textures. While her interior design studio is installed on of the shores of Lake Geneva, it could just as well be in the mountains, in this wonderful valley that is Gstaad and where she is to be found several times a year. Hers is a studio that she has voluntarily chosen to maintain at a reasonable, ‘human-sized’ scale in order to cultivate close ties with her loyal clients. The Gstaad Palace holds a particularly special place in her heart. Marina started working here at the same time as Andrea Scherz, more than 20 years ago. Andrea Scherz willingly admits that if he hadn’t been a hotelier, he would have liked to be an interior designer.
So every renovation that is undertaken at the hotel is an opportunity to immerse himself in this world that he finds so fascinating. For Marina, it is a valuable advantage to be able to work with someone who not only understands but also shares the same passion. Despite requests from other establishments, the Gstaad Palace remains the only hotel in her portfolio. She completed the renovation of the Penthouse Suite (which she already designed in 2000) in 2014. She has worked on many private chalets and residences both in Switzerland and abroad for the past 15 years.
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A S U I T E AT T H E P E A K O F I T S A RT
HERE, EVERY ACCESSORY, EVERY OBJECT APPEARS TO BE PREDESTINED FOR THE PLACE
Her unmistakable style that stands out from the crowd is strongly infused with her English influences and with delightful old-time colours. She especially loves fabrics by Colefax & Fowler, Brunschwig and Mulberry, which quite naturally find their place in her projects. For the Palace, she designed an elegant, cosy environment, a place that is as reassuring as a cocoon, a space in which clients would feel at home, or even better. The timeframe was a key element in this project. The project had to be completed from start to finish in just 12 weeks, namely the number of weeks for which the Palace closes its doors between seasons. A stimulating challenge that was successfully achieved.
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Here, every accessory, every object appears to be predestined for the place, such as the magnificent lamps from the Aqua collection made of Porta Romana glass which adorn the entrance to the suite, along with a typically Swiss painting depicting a magnificent Poya (a festival celebrating the cows' ascent to the mountain pastures) in the region, both real finds discovered at Moinat in Rolle. Marina likes to set signature touches to her decors with the presence of objects filled with history and creating a connection with the owners. So it was entirely natural that a desk and Louis XV chair that belonged to Andrea Scherz’ grandmother have also been used here.
BOOKS TO READ Browse around at Cadonau on the Promenade, a stationers with souvenirs, post cards and toys. A list of books about Gstaad, its history, style, cuisine, panorama and traditions. • "Gstaad" by Ferdinand de Lesseps • "Travel in Style" published by teNeues • "Chalets d’alpage" by Daniel Glauser • "Passé, présent et futur des chalets" by Claude Quartier • "An Oberland Chalet" by Edith Elmer Wood • "Gstaad Saanenland, Pays de bien-être" by Ruth L. Aebi • "L’histoire de Gstaad" by Gotfried von Siebenthal • The four volumes of "Pays-d’Enhaut historiques lieux vivants" • "Les découpes du Pays-d’Enhaut et du Sanneland" , by Claude Allegri • "Le livre de découpe" by Anne Rosat • "Quer Schnitt, Schweizer Scherenschnitte aus fünf Jahrhunderten" by Felicitas Oehler • "Swiss Panoramas" edited by AT Verlag • "Welt & Gstaad" Photos Jacques Naegeli, 1885-1971 • "Cuisine pure – 30 years of cooking the best of the Chesery Gstaad" by Robert Speth • "Les histoires pour enfants"written by written by local author, Peter Bergmann • "Fondues & Furs and Hitting the Slopes" , Oliver Preston cartoons dedicated to Gstaad • "Chalets, Trendsetting mountain treasures" by Michelle Galindo and Sophie Steybe • "Chalets mit Stil, Alpine interiors in Gstaad" by Christine Marie Halter-Oppelt • "Rustic Elegance" by Ralph Kylloe • "Powder ", die 50 aufregendsten Skiabfahrten der Welt by Patrick Thorne • "Die Alpen" published by Kunth
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GIFTS & DECO IDEAS Paper-cutting creations. Magnificent art works that decorate and adorn chalets in the Oberland. @ Béatrice Straubhaar (black and white paper-cutting) @ Anne Rosat (colourful paper-cuttings) who designed the famous Hermès “Découpage” silk scarf with paper-cutting motif in 1997. Interior design @ Marti @ Rougemont interiors Cigars & co @ Fürrer Delicatessen and wines. If your chef has taken the day off, you’ll find whatever you need @ Pernet
A S U I T E AT T H E P E A K O F I T S A RT
A COLLECTION OF STORIES SURROUNDING GEMS BROUGHT BACK FROM DIFFERENT TRAVELS
Marina turns to the expertise of craftsmen from the region for every project she undertakes, as in the case of the inlaid wooden flooring made by Mueller & Hirschi in Zweisimmen. Her projects lead her to fascinating encounters with traditions and history, each representing a journey through time. Her references have remained consistent ever since her years of studying architecture in London. Amongst those for which she has a particular fondness are works by Anouska Hempel, Scott Sanders and Bunny Williams. Marina’s travels have enabled her to discover particular locations whose interior designs tell stories that are especially meaningful to her. In this respect, she feels natural affinities with the history of the Maison de GRISOGONO and its founder Fawaz Gruosi, whose creations are a collection of stories surrounding gems brought back from different travels.
Special finds giving rise to unique compositions. With her experienced eye accustomed to refined details, she loves the discreetly openwork swirls whose light effects give such an amazing sparkle to the gems adorning de GRISOGONO jewellery. This approach based on highlighting and enhancing spaces and materials also lies at the very heart of her work, since she shapes interiors in such a way as to reveal their full beauty. Whereas the new “Pantone Color of the Year 2016” has just been announced, a blending of the two Serenity and Rose Quartz shades, Marina admits to never following trends. At the centre of her own colour chart, her personal hallmarks meet and merge with the world of her clients as she transforms their words into a colour palette that resembles them. In order to feel like a home from home, a place needs to reflect one’s inner self.
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ICONS TO INSPIRE de GRISOGONO has developed a singular and easily recognisable style expressed through watch and jewellery collections Each creation is unique, while bearing within it all the distinctive signatures that reflect the spirit of the Maison. Over time, all have become icons and sources of inspiration, embodying a style that is both bold and sensational, an art that appears quite simple at first glance, but requires considerable skill to master.
A natural sense of contemporary elegance that is impossible not to admire. Fawaz Gruosi’s unbridled imagination gives rise to de GRISOGONO collections that are not short on ‘superstars’ and its iconic models have contributed to creating an influential style. Twenty-three years of disruptive creations illustrate the full range of de GRISOGONO aesthetic constants.
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C O C K TA I L M O M E N T S
C O C K TA I L M O M E N T S
IN THE LOBBY BAR OF THE PALACE THE MOST COVETED COCKTAILS & DRINKS • Scherz Cocktail @ Gstaad Palace • Pink Panther, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the film "The Return of the Pink Panther", shot in Gstaad @ Gstaad Palace • A martini @ The Olden Bar A tribute to James Bond, Roger Moore, Fawaz Gruosi and their favourite cocktail • Sauvignon blanc from Dardagny, Sito Moresco of Gaja @ Wasserngrat mountain restaurant
In the lobby bar of the Palace, we have a date with the movers and shakers of Gstaad. At drinks time, regulars and passing celebrities alike get together for a drink. At the bar the regulars no longer ask the barman about the hundreds of matchboxes on the counter. If you ask Mario, who has been serving in the establishment for 22 years, for the most popular cocktail, he will serve you a Pantherita: a chilled cocktail that tastes of lemon and raspberries with a dash of Curaçao and Tequila. It is at that moment that he will tell you that 40 years ago the Palace was at the heart of the storyline of the movie,
The Return of the Pink Panther, which tells the tale of the theft of the largest diamond in the world, the fictional Pink Panther. Moving from diamond to diamond, he will also go on to evoke the story of the largest cut black diamond in the world, the Spirit of de GRISOGONO. A cut stone, weighing 312.34 carats, set on a white gold ring paved with 702 white diamonds. The black diamond, the very gem that inspired Fawaz Gruosi and gave rise to the iconic style of the Maison de GRISOGONO.
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C O C K TA I L M O M E N T S
THE MATCHBOXES Preciously guarded by Ernst Andrea Scherz since the 1980s, they reflect the Scherz family’s attachment to luxury hospitality. They tell the tale of travels, favourites and the person who presided over the destiny of the Leading Hotels of the World. From 1974 to 1989, Ernst Andrea Scherz directed the hotel association, THE LEADING HOTELS OF EUROPE & EGYPT which under his leadership became THE LEADING HOTELS OF THE WORLD. A hotel collection incorporating the best addresses in the world with more than 400 hotels in 80 countries.
The Gstaad Palace joined this famous institution in the 1950s. In 2015, Ernst Scherz was elected Leading Legend of the year. A distinction which paid tribute to the passion with which for the past three generations the Gstaad Palace has offered its guests rare and authentic experiences, to his style of hospitality as well as to his commitment to preserving and developing independent luxury hospitality. A title also awarded to his lifelong friend, Jean-Jacques Gauer, owner of the Lausanne Palace & Spa. Today, the Gstaad Palace is one of the last 5* hotels in Switzerland still in family ownership.
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Scherz Cocktail For the past 78 years, the Scherz family has reigned supreme over the Palace. The eponymous cocktail is the favourite of Ernst Andrea Scherz and his mother Silvia.
2 cl Dry Martini 4 cl Tanqueray Gin 2 cl Red Martini
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
HOW MANY WOMEN HAVE GAZED AT THEMSELVES IN THIS MIRROR?
The ground floor of the Palace harbours the legendary boudoir that has for more than a century extended an opulent welcome to the world’s most beautiful women. How many women have gazed at themselves in this mirror? And how many memorable moments are engraved in its walls ?
Intimate discussions, snippets of conversations, as well as arguments, bursts of laughter and even tears. A place in which to collect your thoughts, to give the final touch to your makeup, adjust a dress, have a few minutes to yourself.
Countless companionable moments, unexpected and delightful encounters as well as friendships have been sparked by a few words exchanged while applying a touch of lipstick or blush.
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THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
CELEBRITIES WITHIN REACH OF A WALK
They are discreet and partial to Gstaad for its cult of privacy. Despite being instantly recognisable, they appear to belong to this place to such a degree that in the end they look like every other Gstaad local. Celebrities from the world of the movies and show business, political figures and crowned heads have been parading through this cocoon perched on top of the mountain for nearly a century. Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf, Marlène Dietrich, Ava Gardner, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Michael Jackson, Valentino, Johnny Hallyday, Paris Hilton,
Keanu Reeves, Uma Thurman & Arpad Busson, Margherita Missoni, Madonna, Elton John, John Travolta, Georges Clooney, Anne Hathaway, Kate Moss, Roger Federer… Families who have been coming to Gstaad for years or even generations include names such as Grimaldi, Gunter Sachs, von Fürstenberg, Valentino, Bertarelli, Ecclestone, the royal family of Savoy, the Belgian royal family and the grand-ducal family of Luxembourg. Nestled in wooden chalets or elegant palace hotels, celebrities from all over the world have finally found their haven of peace.
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THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS
MELODY OF COLOURS
LE ROSEY
Since 2002, Melody of Colours has been the collection characterising the iconic style of Geneva jeweller de GRISOGONO. Embodying the passion of the founder of the Maison de GRISOGONO for stones with their many cuts, shapes and original colours, the Melody of Colours collection achieves the highest carat weights. Playing on daring colour associations, combining black, brown or icy diamonds with the splendour of emeralds, rubies and sapphires, the collection explores the richness and variety of shades from turquoise to amethyst, from opals to pearls, and from coral to aquamarine.
Gstaad’s success and that of the Institut Le Rosey are inseparable. The latter has moved its campus to the mountains every winter since 1916, taking with it the most select offspring of the most prestigious families.
Vivacious creations mainly consisting of cocktail rings with XXL stones, or of voluptuous earrings. Centre stones, cabochons, drops, briolettes or stunning paving, all the magnificence of the compositions lies in the enhancement of the natural beauty of the stone.
A tradition passed on from father to son, this is a benchmark establishment with a roster of former students that includes Princess Zahra Aga Khan, eldest daughter of the Aga Khan IV – Arpad Busson – Emmanuel-Philibert de Savoie – Geoffrey Moore, son of Roger Moore – the Miller sisters, Alexandra von Fürstenberg, Pia Getty, Marie-Chantal Princess of Greece – Rhonda Ross Kendrick and Tracee Ellis Ross, daughters of Diana Ross – Sean Tara Ono Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono – and Tatiana Santo Domingo, now married to Andrea Casiraghi.
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S AT U R DAY N I G H T F E V E R
WHEN TIME HAS NO HOLD ON ICONS BOULE COLLECTION Embodying one of the most sparkling and iconic expressions of de GRISOGONO style, the Boule collection is inspired by the world of glamour and dazzles under the spotlights. Since its creation in 1999, the glittering of its baubles with their facets set with diamonds and precious stones has elevated it to cult status. In 2015, de GRISOGONO wrote the future of the BOULE collection by giving it a new face and a new soul. An “It� collection consisting of perfect, complete spheres in rose or white gold, featuring highly original materials, or revealing a new setting look: a set in the shape of honeycomb. de GRISOGONO revisits a traditional shape with seeming simplicity. When time has no hold on icons.
TEO JAKOB ARCHITECT OF THE GREENGO A famous pioneer of Swiss design, Teo Jakob, is responsible for the staging of the location. Greatly inspired by the fashion at the time, the decorator created orange lamps strewn with a thousand minidiscs like the famous dresses by stylist Paco Rabanne. While the floor and seats are covered in green carpets, the ceiling is plastered with silver discs producing a psychedelic reflection of the shapes and movements of the dancers on the floor. With its distinctly 1970s legacy, the nightclub has a unique dance floor featuring a bay window area that directly overlooks the illuminated swimming-pool.
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Under the spotlights, Boules, Allegra,‌ light up the dance floor of the GreenGo. This legendary club with its Seventies decor has been making Gstaad rock for 45 years. One can’t stay in Gstaad without a turn on the famous dance floor suspended above the swimming pool of the Palace spa.
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AN ARTIST WHOSE WORK IS STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY POP ART AND A JET-SET FAVOURITE, VINC HAS MADE GSTAAD HIS PLAYGROUND OF CHOICE SINCE THE 1980S.
A Gstaad regular, Vinc regards the Palace and the Olden as his second home. The painter produces creations rocking bright, electric colours. These vibrant hues form part of a morale-boosting Post Pop style. This spiritual son of Andy Warhol is a man of the world who places icons – be they Gstaad, Louboutin or Campbell’s – on soup boxes. In 1992, he produced a custom-made work that decks out the GreenGo like New York City. Vinc held his first exhibitions at the Palace.
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For 15 years, his traditional Christmas exhibition on the walls of the Baccarat room has drawn international celebrities from Paris Hilton to the Hallyday family, not to mention Emmanuel-Philibert of Savoy, and the Moore family. The Olden exhibits his works in more intimate formats, a gathering of the “who’s who” of Gstaad. Some of his favourite moments in Gstaad are those timeless ones spent with Ermes Elsener and his loyal team before they begin serving.
Many chalets in Gstaad have a “Vinc” on the wall. A great fan of vintage posters, he has diverted some of them depicting the Palace, Gstaad and the surrounding area. It is all about his friendship with Gstaad, and it is with the aim of paying tribute to this place that means so much to him that this artist has created a limited Gstaad edition of his famous “soup boxes”. Don’t miss an exclusive display at Rougement Interiors this winter.
It is precisely because he loves the authenticity and tradition of the Gstaad region that he has transposed the ancient art of paper-cutting to his “coeurs des montagnes” (hearts of the mountains). On canvas, metal and plexiglass, the silhouettes of traditional cut outs are adorned both with diamond dust and neon lighting. His sources of inspiration and his icons are Andy Warhol, Roy Lichstenstein, Tom Wesselmann, and James Rosenquist.
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ART& DESIGN TOUR • Post-Pop Art works featuring Gstaad, traditional cutouts, Louboutin or Campbell’s @ Vinc at Rougemont Interiors • The art of traditional paper-cutting @ Museum of Folk Art in Château-d’Oex • Antiques to explore @ David Rossier in Flendruz • Art in Gstaad @ Patricia Low Contemporary and @ Tournemine
His favourite addresses are The Museum of Folk Art in Château-d’Oex; David Rossier, the antique dealer from Flendruz; as well as Marina Anouilh and her Gstaad MAVI concept, a not-to-be-missed pop-up store. At the GreenGo, each family has its own table, its own territory and always has had. A kind of natural organisation that is invisible but recognised and respected by all. The GreenGo symbolises Gstaad’s nightlife. Indeed, all the most sought-after parties either take place in private chalets or at the GreenGo, nowhere else. Vinc knows the whole of Gstaad and the surrounding area. Over time, the owners and chefs at the best addresses have become his friends. He is able to recommend every single one of the can’t-miss places on the de GRISOGONO Black Book as well as to reveal one or two more atypical or surprising locations.
When friends from New York or Paris come to visit him, he enjoys introducing them to some of the region’s special places such as the Restaurant de la Chaudanne in Rossinière. In the traditional manner of the Pays d’Enhaut, fondue is served in a homely environment that even includes a resident cat. Still in the realm of fondues, he enjoys the Ours Brasserie in Château-d’Oex, known for its homemade beer fondue enhanced with diced bacon. Despite being at the peak of his artistic career, Vinc hasn’t lost an ounce of his passion. This artist whose work is shown the world over is a loyal friend. His must-see galleries: Patricia Low Contemporary in Gstaad – Perrotin in Paris – Thaddaeus Ropac in Salzburg – Matthew Marks and Gladstone in New York.
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Gen Hershey stays busy creating memories all over the world. Genuine access Inc., her luxury travel and lifestyle company in Los Angeles, plans trips for a portfolio of clients including C-level executives, Hollywood producers, celebrities, media, technology & finance moguls and ultra high net worth individuals. Amongst the places she highly recommends as winter fairy-tale vacation spots, Gstaad is on the top 10 list.
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ROMANTIC ESCAPES Looking for an original location in the heart of Gstaad’s mountains and valleys to organise a marriage proposal or a wedding? Here are the recommendations from Gen 1,300m Les Ouges mountain hut in Rougemont 1,650m Walig mountain hut, the Gstaad Palace mountain retreat 1,400m Cabane de Tschärzis near Arnensee at 1,400m – 27 people 2,860m Refuge l’Espace – 30 to 70 people
IT’S A TRUE GREAT GATSBY ATMOSPHERE The Palace Hotel in Gstaad – where Gen sends many of her A-list clients – has more than a century of legends and celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton. “It’s a true ‘Great Gatsby atmosphere’ where the timeless elegance continues to live on” Gen says. Many of the restaurants in Gstaad are fantastic but there are ones to be sure not to miss, including Gildo’s, an Italian restaurant named after the Maître d’Hôtel who has been an indispensable figure of the Palace since the 1960s. There is also the very busy La Fromagerie, known for its fondue and raclette: a definite must.
The Gstaad Palace also has some of the most beautiful spots for moon- and star-gazing, like the romantic open sky bathtub inside the elegant Penthouse Suite. For a sophisticated night that stretches into the early hours of the morning, there is no better place for jet-setters to see and be seen than GreenGo nightclub. Tables are difficult and indeed impossible to get but Gen has been known to make it happen for a select clientele. For a romantic escape, a horse-drawn carriage ride through Gstaad or along the Lake of Lauenen, allows you to embrace the magic of the Swiss Alps.
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BESPOKE FASHION STYLE • For elegant evening or more casual wear @ Lorenz Bach. Ask for his sister Michaela. • Moncler • Louis Vuitton • Loro Piana • de GRISOGONO • Elie Saab • Marina Annouilh pop-up store @ MAVI concept Gstaad • For cocktail wear and long dresses by the greatest designers @ Les 3 Pommes
T H E U LT I M AT E L U X U R Y
“THE PROMENADE‟ IS THE MAIN CENTREPIECE FOR SHOPPING IN GSTAAD The Alpina is also a favourite hotel amongst clients. Having opened in 2012, the Alpina has a modern yet boutique concept, combining the best of modern and local architecture. The Panorama suite is truly magnificent with its three bedrooms and private hammam and jacuzzi, great for the ultimate luxury family get-away. The Six Senses Spa located at the hotel is a must so be sure to get an appointment ahead of time. Megu’s Swiss outpost where Madonna dined last year is fantastic and is now settled up in the Bernese Oberland. Make sure to dine at Sommet restaurant, a very worthy Michelin Star and 18-point Gault-Millau and definitely considered one of the best in Gstaad. “The Promenade is the main centrepiece for shopping in Gstaad,” says Gen, “so definitely carve out a few hours (or more) to stroll down the street to stores like Prada, Moncler, Louis Vuitton, Loro Piana. Make sure to stop at the de GRISOGONO boutique to meet and greet with Claudia.
"The first time I discovered de GRISOGONO is when I saw my mother wearing a pair of the gorgeous earrings. Since then, I always get excited for the new collection to come out. My favourites are the multi-gemstone Allegra rings and the Diamond Gypsy earrings that Karlie Kloss wore on the red carpet in Cannes… Stunning." Afterwards drop into Olden or the Gstaad Palace Lobby bar to share a few après-ski glasses of Swiss wine with the Uber elite. There are few places in the world that offer within a 235 square kilometre area such a culinary journey studded with 270 Gault&Millau points, three Michelin Guide stars and such a concentration of beautiful palace hotels reaching 25 stars like Gstaad. Some of her other favourite European winter hot spots include L'Apogée in Courchevel, France and the St. Moritz Palace. Of course, in the United States, Gen would pick Montage Deer Valley and the Little Nell in Aspen.
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During his peak-level career resulting in two Olympic and three World Cup medals, Christof Innerhofer has skied the most legendary runs in the world. From the Lauberhorn to the Stelvio, from Saslong to the Face, he knows every detail of these technical routes.
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FINE “GRAZING” ON THE SLOPES The best addresses on the ski runs The best burger @ Saanewald Lodge Tea time @ des Alpes, Swiss ski champion, Bruno Kernan’s stylish address The Wasserngrat mountain restaurant The most elite location in the resort @ Eagle Club. Not what you know but who Döner kebabs @ Kübelialp Appetizers @ Waldmatte at Chalberhöni Oysters and steak tartare @ Wasserngrat mountain restaurant Discover the snowdog, a hotdog with fondue replacing its Vienna sausage @ Snoasis on top of Eggli A cup of hot chocolate @ Charly’s tearoom Traditional moments and a homely welcome @ La Renardière in Albeuve
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IF YOUR ARE LOOKING FOR A RUN WITH A CAPITAL “R”
The most emblematic of them all in terms of both its topography and those that frequent it, the Tiger Run is the ultimate choice. Designed for top athletes, it will allow you to tackle nearly eight downhills in two hours at top speed without stopping until you meet up with your friends again for lunch at the Wasserngrat mountain restaurant for excellent oysters or a steak tartare cut with a knife, to be combined with an extremely elegant, fruity Sauvignon Blanc of "Domaine des Hutins" or a very distinctive Sito Moresco of Gaja. Just a small suggestion: before you start your final Tiger Run, drop into the restaurant and ask them to open the bottle of Sito Moresco for you: it will be perfect when you get back. At the heart of Gstaad’s 220 km ski area, equipped with his Hero Elite LT by Rossignol skis, Christof Innerhofer enjoys discovering the pistes of the prestigious resort in the Bernese Oberland and has three favourites: - The Combe d’Audon, an 8 km black run that goes from Les Diablerets Glacer to Reusch, traversing three cantons in less than 30 minutes (Vaud, Valais and Bern).
- The Michael von Grunigen Run at Horneggli. Get into giant slalom champion mode. From cutbacks to slope changes and tight turns, this is the world’s greatest technical run. - The Parwengesattel run on the Zweisimmen side, is ideal for carving and skiing with the family. And if you want to post the best views of Saanenland on Instagram, head for the Rellerli run. This keen gourmet has become a regular at some of his favourite places for grabbing a bite when skiing: - In Saanenmoser, the Kübelialp’s döner kebab is a must, as is the hamburger at the Saanewald Lodge. - Don’t miss the snacks at the Chalberhoni Waldmatte between Gstaad and Rougemont, on the Videmanette. And when it comes to après-ski, his favourite place is the Lobby at the Gstaad Palace. For a break from shopping in the middle of the Promenade, the bar at the Olden Hotel (which belongs to Bernie Ecclestone), is his place of choice for their famous cocktails.
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HIT THE SLOPES WITH STYLE Made by hand by craftsmen from the Rossignol competition workshop in Moirans en Isère (France), de GRISOGONO skis boast an architecture that is directly inspired by the competition skis used by champions who race wearing the colours of Rossignol expertise. Athletes such as Christof Innerhofer (Italian Alpine skier, world champion and well-used to podiums and gold medals) and Frida Hansdotter (Swedish Alpine skier, world champion and medal collector).
A ski whose lighter construction makes it easier to use while retaining its main advantages, notably exceptional steering ability, unparalleled precision and perfect grip. Enhanced with a metal plate in the shape of a diamond, engraved with the logos of both Maisons and the individual number, the skis bear the emblematic de GRISOGONO signature along with an over two-carat row of black diamonds. An exclusive pair of skis that go with a pair of goggles and a helmet bearing the colours of the Geneva jeweller.
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EAGLE CLUB
A WALK TO THETOP
Co-founded in 1957 by several members including Ernst Scherz and the late Peter Notz, the legendary Ski Club overlooks Gstaad from the peak of the Wasserngrat at 2,000 metres above sea level and is an an ultra-selective private club with a restaurant. The old ski lift was replaced, and the Wasserngrat mountain was saved in 1999 by many Eagle members who gave money, and it is also open for everyone to ski on and enjoy. To gain access to the Club however, you have to be a member or be invited by a member (there is a waiting list of nearly three years). One can be invited up to three times a season by a member. Entrance to the Club is celebrated in style, like a sort of ascension to the throne. Here, kings and queens, actors, politicians, senior finance professionals and trade leaders enjoy the wonder views and old fashioned Italian service. It is a Club of friends, and the tradition lives on, as their children wait to join.
At 2,971 metres above sea level, a panoramic view of 20 or so 4,000 metre-high mountains. Exactly 24. At the heart of the Matterhorn, the Mont-Blanc, the Eiger, MÜnch and Jungfrau, reigns a metal and glass monolith by architect Mario Botta. Christened the Botta, this futuristic building blends perfectly with the surrounding environment. Since 2014, the Peak Walk has been Europe's second highest suspension bridge. Here, the entire world immortalises the moment with a selfie. And if you feel like a hike at 3,000 metres on the glacier, catch the Ice Express chairlift that whisks you up in an hour to the Quille du Diable where you can discover its Refuge de l’Espace and equally spectacular panorama.
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www.degrisogono.com
Acknowledgements Fawaz Gruosi – Founder and Creative Director – de GRISOGONO Andrea Scherz – General Manager – Gstaad Palace & his father Ernst Andrea Scherz Marina Nickels – Interior Designer Vinc – Post Pop Art artist – Artvinc Gen Hershey – Luxury travel and lifestyle – Genuine Access Beverly Hills Christof Innerhofer – Italian World Cup alpine ski racer Stefanie Krisch – Public Relations Manager – Gstaad Palace Kerstin Sonnekalb – Public Relations Manager – Gstaad & Saanenland Tourist Office Storytelling © Gaëlle Gygax-Zosso – Bthe1 Communications Photos © Edzard Piltz © Federico Ferrari © Gstaad Palace © François Rousseau © Nick Welsh
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