equ_european rivieras by Equ Lifestyle

European RIVIERAS

news

fashion, travel gadgets, bikes, luxury item and much more

travel

hotel du cap-eden-roc & auberge du soleil resort

del mar

opening day: the one and only truly fabulous hats contest

desires

discover the best scotch whiskies in the world

fashion

the looks and accessories you must have for this season

August / September

Staff President/Founder Francisco Pasquel fpasquel@smgmx.com

EXECUTIVE EDITOR/Founder Álvaro Escobar alvaro.escobar@smgmx.com

Founder

Simon Nizri s.nizri@smgmx.com

eDITOR IN CHIEF

Alejandro García García de LEÓN alejandro.garcia@smgmx.com

Cover: General view of Del Mar Courtesy: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Editor’s note

e welcome you to our anniversary issue. This edition marks our first year of bringing the luxury of Equ Lifestyle to the west coast and beyond. As we embrace everything this season has to offer, we take you from the idyllic lifestyle of southern California to the magnificent Riviera region. Before summer ends we thought we’d entice you to consider a European getaway. We present you with the ultimate experiences from head to toe. Take a peek at our piece about Del Mar Opening Day, including The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest. It was an amazing experience to be part of this colorful tradition, the displays of magnificent headwear left us speechless. We share Del Mar’s love for horses and fashion. In this issue you’ll find all the late summer trends, outfits and accessories that are simply irresistible. If there’s a place that has raised the bar for beyond expectations, it’s the French Riviera. Don’t miss our special piece about this ooh la la destination. And then, there’s the charm of the Italian Riviera, another amazing place for the ultimate escape. We have also gathered the newest releases on the market from trendy trinkets to the awesome outdoors. Along with bringing you the ultimate in fashion, travel and trends, we present you with superb show jumping from the award winning Spruce Meadows in Calgary Alberta, Canada to the internationally flavored Blenheim EquiSports June Series in San Juan Capistrano, California. This first fabulous year of Equ Lifestyle wouldn’t have been possible without the valuable assistance we received from our colleagues, coworkers and public relations agents from all around the globe. We humbly thank you, for without your efforts we would not have come to this point. We also want to thank you, our loyal readers, as you are our raison d’être (a little French Riviera rubbing off). Thank you for joining us on this amazing journey.

Publisher

annie Tame atame@equlifestylemag.com Phone: 858 6881 796

Associate Editor Paulina delgado pau.delgado@smgmx.com

Fashion & Style Editor FERNANDA GALDEANO fernanda@smgmx.com

Art Directors Aarón Alonso aaron@smgmx.com

MARIo cruz mario.cruz@smgmx.com

Contributing editors and Photographers

Jackie Freundlich-McFarland, Anwar esquivel, Israel Camargo

SALES

Monica Ward hiett mhiett@roadrunner.com Phone: 619 8514 307 ALEXANDRA EVANS aevans@equlifestylemag.com Phone: 206 2403 559 Danielle wise dwise@equlifestylemag.com Phone: 310 9951 147

WEB MASTERs

Gonzalo Gallegos gonzalo.g@smgmx.com

uriel garcía uriel@smgmx.com

office address

2683 Via de la Valle Suite G 704 Del Mar, CA 92014

Alejandro M. García & Paulina Delgado Editors

@equestrian_l_s

California law applies to and controls all materials contained herein. ORDERING FROM ADVERTISERS: Advertisers warrant and represent that the descriptions of the products or services advertised are true in all respects. EEL assumes no responsability for claims made by advertisers. EEL makes no recommendations as to the purchase or sale of any product, service, or other item, and publications of any advertisement by EEL is not an endorsement of the product or services advertised therein. EEL assumes no responsability for any failures by its advertisers to deliver any goods or services advertised herein. EEL assumes no responsability and no liability for unsolicited materials. EEL has no responsability for any advertised product or service the purchase, sale, or use of which may violate any law. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and are not necessarily those of EEL. All letters and their contents sent to EEL become the sole property of EEL and may be used and published in any manner whatsoever without limit and without obligation and liability to the author thereof. Copyright © 2011 by Eq Equestrian Lifestye, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part or storage in any data retrieval system or any transmission by any means therefrom without prior written permission is prohibited.

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Nestled upon 6.86 Covenant acres, this lovely property offers a 5 bedroom main house centered around a pool and courtyard, a beautiful two bedroom guest house with an indoor/ outdoor patio overlooking a stream, tennis, and gorgeous gardens. Zoned for 9 horses, this is a perfect horse property with a classic barn, large arena, and room for spacious pastures.

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Located on 8.74 flat, green acres, this amazing equestrian facility offers a state-of-the-art custom 14 stall barn, Hacienda style main house with pool, 2 BD guest house, studio, several corrals and turnouts, large pastures with loafing sheds, an all weather Grand Prix arena, excellent producing wells for irrigation, and much more.

August / September

Content Expressions News The newest and most exclusive items for you.

hours Luxurious times for her and complicated watches for him.

looks Trendy outfits to look your best this season.

musts Ideal and trendy accessories for a killer outfit.

WoMan of style Tamara Mellon, the woman behind Jimmy Choo’s empire.

14 23

40 46

Spirits space & design The latest furniture trends for your favorite space.

DIVINE DINING California Modern in La Jolla, and Joël Robuchon at Métropole, Montecarlo,.

Travel & tips Hotel Du Cap-EdenRoc, Cap d’Antibes; and Auberge du Soleil Resort, Napa Valley.

The blissful touch Relax in the most luxurious spas.

World’s five best Five superb and luxurious airlines that trascend the motto “the sky is the limit.”

pleasures Imagine and Exuma, two superyachts.

Test drive Equ’s top three European Selections.

desires Discover the best whiskies.

10 [ equlifestyle.com ]

50 53

Journal OF Patrick Grant, Director of Norton & Sons.

features

18 24 36

del mar opening day, The one and only truly faboulous hats contest. An amazing hast contest that left us spechless.

french riviera: a côte d’azur journey This is the ultimate summer spot to be seen.

summer in spruce meadows One of the best places to compete and watch show jumping events.

blenheim equisports june series Four weeks of competition in the California sun.

the italian riviera

66 84

cartier international day

62 90 72 76 80

92 96

Travel across this delightful destination.

chio Aachen The Dutch continued their triumphant rampage through the 2011 FEI National Cup series.

The England captain lifted the cup on the 100th anniversary of the competition.

monaco yacht show This is the most glamorous events in the Principality of Monaco.

equestrian Flash Picture perfect Great events and surprising pictures.

equ’s laws of style 10 musts to bring on board.

Expressions trunks

Photo: Courtesy of Louis Vuitton.

With a trendy look, trunks are making a stylish comeback, you should not miss. This is the vintage trend of the season.

NEws

HOURS

Looks

musts

woman of style

The newest and most exclusive items for those who enjoy to live at the limit of luxury.

The most trendy and luxurious pieces for her and complicated watches for him.

A selection of trendy outfits that will make you look your best this season.

Ideal and glam accessories that, both he and she, should have for a killer look.

Tamara Mellon, the visionary woman that create Jimmy Choo as a luxury goods brand.

46 [ August / September ] 13

News Expressions

Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin’s trademark glossy red soles are an undisputed stamp of fashion excellence. For Christian Louboutin it all started when he visited a museum and noticed that there was a sign forbidding women wearing sharp stilettos from entering for fear of damage to the extensive wood flooring. This image stayed in his mind. He taught that women needed to possess something to make them powerful, and shoes—with high heel stilettos—where the answer. The French shoe designers always have a thing for shoes, but it was 1992 the year his name became famous. More than a cunning marketing concept, the red sole was a happy accident. While working on a prototype in his studio in his early designing days, Louboutin searched for a way to match the shoe to a colorful sketch. “Something was missing, and I couldn’t figure it out,” he remembers. “Then I realized that the black sole of the shoe was too dark.” So he grabbed a bottle of red nail polish from an assistant who was doing her nails nearby and painted the soles. Nothing makes a statement like red and throughout history red has been used as a color to mark social status and wealth, but for Louboutin this color was so much more, it was the first stone of his empire: “It didn’t take me long to learn from my customers that the red soles were a very popular fetish with men,” Louboutin says, laughing. “This red sole was a bit of a green light.” 14 [ equlifestyle.com ]

Everything started when Christian Louboutin was a teenager. As an apprentice in the dressing rooms of the Folies-Bergère, the famed Parisian music hall, the soon-to-be-a-master-shoe-maker was impressed with the ability of the showgirls to remain sure-footed while wearing huge headdresses; it was then, in the early 1980’s, that he realized the strength of his interest in footwear design. Following his apprenticeship at the Folies-Bergère, the designer gained experience through periodic work for the venerable Paris shoe brand Charles Jourdan with the master shoe designer Roger Vivier—who became Louboutin’s mentor—and as a designer for the fashion houses formed by Coco Chanel, Maud Frizon, and Yves Saint Laurent. There was a moment in which Louboutin thought he would change the sole each season. “But red is more than a colour. It is a symbol of love, of blood, of passion. It’s like the handkerchief that an elegant woman dropped if she saw a man whom she was attracted to.” For a short time, some Christian Louboutin shoes were available with baby blue soles. Intended to provide the “something blue” for brides-to-be, these creations were only available via special order, and were very short-lived. The great Mr. L. gave us a subtle status symbol; he create us an obsession for high heels, an illness that has not only infected Hollywood stars and royalty, this red sole addiction has hit us too. christianlouboutin.com

Photos: Christian Louboutin.

Nothing makes a statement like the red soles

Divine Expressions

Casino Monte-Carlo

Photos: Courtesy of Les Casinos de Monte-Carlo.

gamble your luck away in monaco

A legendary destination to try your luck. A meeting point for beautiful women, mysterious businessmen and European royalty, the Casino de Monte-Carlo, in the heart of Monaco, is an architectural gem from the “Belle Époque” in which large amounts of money change hands at the speed of the roulette. The Casino de Monte-Carlo is the paramount reference of elegance, glamour and risk. Back in 1853 the history of the Casino started just as a project. Its evolution into the epitome of gaming was slow and progressive. After having several owners, this becomes the world’s most famous place to risk it all. Roulette, poker and blackjack, tycoons and adventurers… it had it all! Despite the presence of gaming destinations such as Las Vegas and the popularity of some gambling sites, the Casino de Monte-Carlo remains as the favorite place of savvy travelers from worldwide. Located on the Place du Casino, opposite to the Hôtel de Paris, this glamorous building represents the style and class of the European bourgeoisie and monarchy; its architecture is a feast to the eyes. A museum of gambling and a magnificently restored

tribute to Belle Époque architecture, the Casino de Monte-Carlo receives millions of visitors each year. From the Salle Renaissance to the Salon Europe lit by 8 monumental Bohemian crystal chandeliers, each weighing more than 150 kg, the private rooms—Médecin and Touzet—with mahogany panelling delicately chased in gold, French, English and American Roulette, Red & Black, Baccarat, Black-Jack, Craps, Punto Banco, Banque à deux tableaux and Chemin de Fer... it is all very tempting. The Salle Blanche is the link between the 19th and 20th centuries; this is where you will hear the metallic clickety-click of the slot machines and video-poker. In Monte Carlo nightlife is a carnival of decadence and fortune. Don’t be surprise if you just can’t contain yourself as your inner James Bond gets unleashed and you hear yourself asking for a “shaken, not stirred” vodka martini. It’s normal, we don’t have the exact numbers, but we are pretty sure that at least eight of ten guests fall to the temptation of recreating Ian Fleming’s character, After all, this is the true “Casino Royal,” and one of the locations of “GoldenEye.” casino-monte-carlo.com

[ August / September ] 15

News expressions

Trunks

Travelers of all times have used them. Trunks have been the way to go for journeys all around the globe. These are the perfect item to transport and protect valuable assets and beautiful garments. Today they are back, and they are more fashionable than ever. A hundred and so years ago these traveling chests started to be available in different shapes, sizes and materials. Trunks began as a primitive-stile large box, covered with animal skins, with a rectangular or square wood structure. With time basic features evolved into stylish, yet functional, design pieces. Trunks history started a couple of thousand years ago in Asia. Quickly, it use spread throughout Europe, where monarchy and all bourgeoisie levels needed some way to carry all their belongings with them when traveling across the world. Around the 1600’s trunks began to be made in America. These were made of different types of wood and where covered with

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deer, horse or cow leather. A century afterwards trunks evolved into more complicated items, with handcrafted decorations and functional features such as iron handles, locks and rivets. Suddenly what began as a rectangle shaped big box, underwent gradual changes toward a round structure, which soon became popular. The trend changed into custom made pieces, with silver locks, elegant linings and bespoke storage spaces. These genuine treasure chests where a hit, everybody wanted to get one. For the usual train and transatlantic travelers, trunks where really useful, even though, because of their big size, their design suffer significant changes. Being a lifestyle item, trunks have been made in all kind of materials and shapes, from the basic without compartments or with an array of special features, to the fully equipped, avant garde style, with exotic leather tapestry. Speaking of the different styles, it is noted that there were many changes in a relatively short

period of time. Since 1950 there have been several periods of transition in which elements of style or design, changed overnight to buttons, wood and strips of skin. There are over a thousand trunk manufacturers worldwide. Some of the most famous and elegant are those made by Louis Vuitton. The French house of style goods is renowned as the developer of this luggage style, and they have been in the business of making trunks longer than anyone. Also impresive are the ones made by Goyard and Pinel & Pinel. There is a huge array of trunk styles. They can be heavy or light; big, small or custom; with a specific purpose—like protecting your cognac collection—or useful to save anything; new, with a revolutionary design, or vintage, made to last forever. There are also some made to resemble luxury luggage or some designed to look like a decorative piece. With a retro touch, trunks are making a stylish comeback you should not miss.

Photo: Cortesía Pinel & Pinel.

A vintage trend

News expressions

Goyard trunk This trunk was exclusively designed for caviar lovers. goyard.com

EphteĂŠ trunk Lefott, one of the best shoe brand, has created a special trunk to store your favorite shoes.

Photos: Louis Vuitton, EphteĂŠ and Goyard.

ephtee.com

Louis Vuitton trunk Pioneers in this kind of accessory for over 100 years, LV offers you their special wine trunk. louisvuitton.com

[ August / September ] 17

Opening Day

The One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest

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From tropical flowers to muted feathers, from giant horses to glamorous and trendy styles, the vast diversity of gorgeous designs was breathtaking and, as usual, we could not make our mind on which one was the best.

Photos: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

hen most people think of Del Mar two images immediately come to mind; horses and headwear. Del Mar is the place to see and be seen in Southern California during the summers. Each summer the track plays host to a fun and fashionable hat contest. A grand tradition on Opening Day at Del Mar is the One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats contest, this time held on Wednesday, July 20th. Glamorous, wild and zany hats compete for cash prizes in the contest, now in its 17th year. Contestants vie for attention in four categories: Most Glamorous; Best Racing Theme; Funniest/Most Outrageous, and Best Flowers/All Others. The Best Flowers/All Others category attracts entries that defy classification. Some competitors spend weeks and months designing their masterpieces, all race fan beauties—young and old—are encouraged to wear a little (and sometimes big) something to accent their outfit. This day was like no other. Each hat we saw was more than telling, for each one, besides being a sculpture that sometimes even defied gravity, was a window to the soul and creativity of each one of the contestants. From tropical flowers to muted feathers, from giant horses to glamorous and trendy styles, the vast diversity of gorgeous designs was breathtaking and, as usual, we could not make our mind on which one was the best. “After watching the Royal Wedding this spring, it seems that no outfit is complete without a hat,” said Julie Sarno, who began the Hats Contest in 1995 and continues to coordinate it each year. “I have been involved with two hat events since the Royal Wedding and women are

[ June / July ] 19

If you were not present during this fabulous celebration, don’t worry, you will have plenty of time to show off your wonderful headdress the rest of the season.

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much more daring about what they will put on their heads. A welldesigned hat completes an outfit, adding to its appeal and allure.” This year, the One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest was sponsored by San Diego Hat Co. The Grand Prize were two American Airlines flight vouchers, good for air transportation to any American Airlines destination in the contiguous United States. In addition, the first prize winner in the Most Glamorous category received a gift from The Diamond Boutique, a dual chain 24-karat gold-plated necklace from the Jacqueline Kennedy collection valued at $650. If you were not present during this fabulous celebration, don’t worry, you will have plenty of time to show off your wonderful headdress the rest of the season. The sun does not let up during the months of August and September so stylish hats are a must—the bigger the better and the floppier the more fabulous! Del Mar's 2011 season runs through September 7, with racing Wednesday through Sunday each week. The $1,000,000 Pacific Classic is slated for Sunday, August 28.

News Spirits

TWG Tea

I often find myself craving for a cup of coffee, but now I have found a new path, one that English, Parisians and Asian people have been walking—or should I said drinking?—for a long time: the tea path. While coffee is related with the big city rush, having to stay up for working longer hours or taking five minutes off from work, drinking tea is about relaxing and contemplating life. Even though it seems that no matter where you look there is someone having coffee, tea is still the second most popular beverage in the world, right after water. The last 5,000 years have been really important for tea business. The buzz about this hot comforting beverage started in Asia. China, India, and Japan claim they discovered how to make tea. Often herbal infusions where use as hypothetical remedy for all illnesses or diseases; also, it was considered as a religious drink. It was such a precious possession, that in imperial China, it was used as currency. Europe and the Western world only discovered

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tea in 1610 during the first exploration trip from Holland that would soon follow by France and England. Tea was an instant success from its introduction in Europe; hence a strong tea tradition is still going strong today. You cannot picture United Kingdom without its daily teatime.

No matter its great history, for lots of people, tea variety remains a mystery. The sad part is that most people are condemned to drink dry, over-processed tea that comes in a pouch with a colorful tag attached to a practical white string. For a tea gourmet experience, you should try TWG tea products. The Singapore based tea company was established in celebration of the island’s great history as a trading post for teas. A veritable tea institution, TWG tea has become a trustworthy point of reference for tea lovers all over the world. It holds over 800 single estate fine harvest teas and exclusive blends, all exquisite and distinct. Innovation is part of the tea world, and the people behind TWG know it, that is why each season they release new varieties of tea. The grand cru teas of TWG are composed by the best tea leaves from around the world and blends them in ways that are close to magical. The young tea brand stands up to its motto: “The finest teas of the world.”

Photos: Courtesy of TWG Tea Company Pte Ltd.

It is time for tea

Hours

Luxurious

Times

expressions

Sober luxury The Big Bang Tutti Frutti Hazelnut by Hublot features a fusion between late summer fruit and the colors of autumn. Warm golden reflections, melancholy brown and the mineral gleam of garnet form a harmonious blend, as do the rubber with alligator skin and the precious metal with fine stones. hublot.com

Keeping up with the latest in trends in our

ever changing fashion industry is an absolute must when it comes to selecting a watch that is stylish. Seeing that each person has their own unique style and personality, it is best to focus on a specific match that suits your needs.

Dazzling beauty Representing the casual beauty, Jules Audemars Small Seconds watch in pink or white gold with a diamond-set or polished bezel. The round case, sleek bezel and beautifully understated dial conceal a finely crafted hand-wound Audemars Piguet movement. audemarspiguet.com

Golden memories A highly rare and unusual gold bangle wristwatch with burmese jade dial and box, manufactured in 1970 by Piaget. The circular nickel-finished lever movement, with 18 jewels and lapis lazuli dial, is mounted on an asymmetric case, secured by four screws, all set within the 18K gold. piaget.com

Starry night

This Frédérique Constant automatic timepiece with large Roman indexes and date indication, includes the Automatic Moonphase which shows Hour, Minutes, Seconds, Day, Date, and Moonphase. These automatic watches have a see-through back and are 60 meters water-resistant.

chopard.com

Photos: Audemars Piguet, Piaget, Hublot, Frederique Constant, Chopard.

Autumn Moon

The new Xtravaganza watch collection from Chopard evokes a strong sense of celebration. The watches have a deeply engraved sunburst pattern on the dials with a speckling of diamonds to look like a burst of light of fireworks. The bezels are set with diamonds, and they are continued on to the lugs.

frederique-constant.com

[ August / September ] 23

CANNES waterfront

French Riviera A CÔTE D’AZUR JOURNEY

Voguish bikinis, trendy shoes and killer cocktail attire aside, the essential accessory to be seen in on your holidays is the ultimate summer coastline, and there is no place as elegantly designed and sophisticated as the French Riviera. BY MIRIAM CAIN

easoned with the immaculate good taste that only the French can pull off, the Côte d’Azur steals the spotlight when it comes to designer côtes. It is a fascinating mix of history, culture, natural beauty, artistic wonders and cult acclaim. Its design is flawless, for it has not been out of fashion since the fifties and, it seems it will not be out of fashion for the years to come. However, the Côte d’Azur is much more than beaches, sun, luxury and glamour, for the Riviera is as much about the sea as it is about the coastline.

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The Côte d’Azur steals the spotlight when it comes to designer côtes.

Though the lure of life ashore is considerable, it is best savored in canapé-sized servings. As countless movie stars, fashion icons, statesmen and royalty have proved, the trick is to appear in one of the hot spots of the coast one minute, and then disappear in a swirl of deep blue waves, maintaining the glamorous beach and the view while you make sure you stay away from prying eyes. Sunbathe, swim, sit on the deck, take your shoes off and enjoy a night out without annoying interruptions, before emerging again on the coast, overwhelming mystery, another burst of life-style Riviera.

Port Hercule,

MONACO

If you want a journey that combines the elegance of the coast with the bliss of the sea, begin with a five-star stay in Saint Tropez before boarding a yacht bound for the Ile de Porquerolles, Cannes, Antibes and Villefranche, before ending up in Monaco.

Jours à Saint Tropez Being the favorite destination for celebrities, it is hardly surprising that there is a glut of fantastic hotels here. In town you can plump for Hôtel La Ponche-—an intimate, historic hotel, with the added attraction of a strip of beach strip made famous by Vadim’s film Et Dieu… créa la femme—, or head for Saint Tropez’s most legendary residence of all: Hotel Byblos. However, a recommendation: the heart of the town in high season is more clamour than glamour, so escape to La Messardière on Route de Tahiti, the perfect hideaway for those who need a place clear of crowds. To set yourself in suitable sybaritic mode for your trip, a preliminary day of local culture and stylish repose is highly recommended. After a lazy breakfast, the hotel’s boat will drop you at the port of Saint Tropez, which is just a short stroll from a typical Provençal market

Being the favorite destination for celebrities, it is hardly surprising that there is a glut of fantastic

hotel CARLTON INTERCONTINENTAL,

Photos: CRT Riviera Côte D’azur

CANNES

square where you can catch up on local gossip at one of the cafés and restaurants. Back at the hotel that afternoon, rest at your private poolside cabin, scented with eucalyptus, mimosas and parasol pine trees. An evening apéritif, perhaps, and then dinner on the bayview terrace of the hotel’s Les Colonnades. The next day, ludicrously relaxed, prepare to shift things up a gear. For adrenalin junkies, we suggests a helicopter flight to the nearby AGS Formula 1 racetrack for the opportunity to slip behind the wheel of a Grand Prix car. Expert tuition is on hand to guide you whatever level you are and the whole place has been designed to deliver an adrenalin-fuelled experience with the assurance of luxury and safety. Alternatively, you could head to the water for sailing, diving, windsurfing or waterskiing, hire quad bikes, or opt to shop in town. Or jump in the limousine for a 45-minute drive to Callas for a private guided tour of a working olive mill. Such an active day might be rounded off in one of two ways: a romantic candlelit dinner to help you wind down; or a late-night party by the sea. Paradoxically, the ideal venue for either option is nearby Pearl Beach, where the Mediterranean meets the Orient with enchantingly lit tropical foliage, seriously elegant beachfront dining and devastatingly cool décor. Little more than mallet-striking distance from the hotel is the esteemed Haras de Gassin Saint-Tropez Polo Club, so if your trip coincides with one of the meetings your CNI charter broker could arrange tickets. Failing that, take to the saddle yourself for a polo, show-jumping or dressage lesson. Another option is to have a personalized wine tour created for you, delivering you to the Provençal châteaux and vineyards that par-

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Palais de la Méditerranée, monaco

Saint Tropez WHERE TO STAY Château de la Messardière Route de Tahiti, 83990, Saint Tropez +33 (0) 4 9456 7600 messardiere.com

MUSÉE de la CASTRE

cannes

Hôtel Byblos Avenue Paul Signac, 83990, Saint Tropez +33 (0) 4 9456 6800 byblos.com Villa Belrose Boulevard des Cretes, 83580, Gassin, Saint Tropez +33 (0) 4 9455 9797. villabelrose.com

WHERE TO dine La Bastide de Saint Antoine Avenue Henri-Dunant, Grasse +33 (0) 4 9370 9494 jacques-chibois.com Spoon Byblos Avenue Paul Signac, 83990, Saint Tropez +33 (0) 4 9456 6800 byblos.com

Night Life St. Tropez parties late, which is to say all night long. English is common, as the nighttime mix includes bankers from Milan, the odd Austrian prince, and nearly every beautiful young woman in France. Club 55 Plage de Pampelonne, Boulevard Patch +33 (0) 4 9455 5555 Maison Blanche Champagne Bar Place des Lices, Saint Tropez, 83990 +33 (0) 4 9497 5266 Les Caves du Roy Avenue Paul Signac, Saint Tropez +33 (0) 4 9456 6800

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ticularly suit your palate. Our recommendation is to head to Château Sainte-Roseline—a family-owned vineyard property dating back to the 10th century where you can have a guided tour and tasting. While you’re there, you must visit the chapel of Sainte-Roseline amid the vines of this celebrated pilgrimage site. That night, we recommend your limousine makes just two stops: the first for dinner at Leï Mouscardins followed—a gourmet threecourse meal later—by a trip to Les Caves du Roy, the fabulous, famous nightclub of the Byblos hotel and an A-list haunt if ever there was one. If you have the stamina for an early rise the next day, the 18-hole Beauvallon golf course is just a hundred meters away, or further afield are many others including the Thierry Sprecher, Gery Watine and Gary Player designed course Gassin Golf & Country Club. After a day filled with breathtaking views of the Alps and the Mediterranean, it’s time to take a closer look at the latter as you join your yacht that evening for a welcome meal on board.

Cannes The first day eases you in with a leisurely cruise to the Ile de Porquerolles—the largest of the three Gold islands of the gulf of Hyères. The village dates back to 1820 and has a beautiful church and shaded café terraces. After a late-morning coffee, the best way to see the island is by bike and even novice cyclists will love the experience of winding through a mosaic landscape of vines, olive, lemon, orange and mandarin trees, and tracks shaded by pine and eucalyptus. A late luxury picnic lunch in the heart of this paradise will fuel you

It is a fact that beaches in SaintTropez are of a magical beauty so why not go for a trek on the coastal side and discover its many attractions.

the long, curvaceous, sandy beaches of La Croisette, the luxury cruise boats of the Old Port, the palatial hotels, the designer shops lining the famous promenade and the gastronomic delights of the Côte d’Azur are part of cannes.

Boulevard La Croisette

cannes

CANNES WHERE TO STAY Carlton Intercontinental 58 Boulevard Croisette, 06400, Cannes. +33 (0) 4 9306 4006 carltonadvertising.com Hôtel Martinez 73 Boulevard La Croisette, 06400, Cannes. +33 (0) 4 9298 7300 hotel-martinez.com

WHERE TO EAT Auberge Provençal 10 Rue Saint-Antoine, 06400, Cannes. +33 (0) 4 9299 2717 auberge-provencale.com La Palme d´Or Boulevard La Croisette 73, 06400, Cannes. +33 (0) 4 9298 7300 hotel-martinez.com Le Mesclun 16 Rue Saint-Antoine, 06400, Cannes. +33 (0) 4 9399 4519 lemesclun-restaurant.com

with energy for the afternoon before you return to Ocean Victory for an overnight cruise to Cannes. A place that has bewitched artists, and poets, writers and millionaires call home, Cannes is illuminated with a glow that goes way beyond its ethereal sunlight. A morning ashore could be spent shopping in the elegant boutiques of rue d’Antibes, or in the rue Meynadier for a more authentic experience overflowing with local specialties. Keep an eye out for the three Ernest boutiques. Since 1936 this family-run company has treated locals and visitors alike to delicious breads, delicate pastries, wonderful fresh deli meats, salads, hors d’œuvres and wines. Late afternoon is the perfect chance for a siesta aboard, returning ashore later to dine at one of Cannes many restaurants. The next day, follow in the barefootsteps of Jackie O and the like and have that shot of blissful seclusion that was mentioned earlier, beginning with a lazy breakfast on the sundeck and a swim or windsurf followed by late-morning treats from the chef to keep you going until lunch is served under the shade of the aft deck. After a siesta, Jacuzzi, cocktails and pampering session in your marble bathroom, you’re ready for the tender trip ashore to try another of those irresistible restaurants. The next morning the golfers among you can set off for an early round at the par 72 Claux Amic Golf Club. Set on the upper hill of Grasse, just a 15-minute drive from Cannes, the 18 holes unwind across the grounds of a former 17th-century hunting estate, twisting through oak and pine forests with views of the bay of Cannes and the Estérel Hills. The rest of the charter party can enjoy a more leisurely late-morning trip to Grasse where you can all meet for lunch.

WHERE TO SHOP Rue d’Antibes & Boulevard de la Croisette

night life Palais Cannes Palais des Festivals, Boulevard de la Croisette +33 (0) 4 9299 3333

If you just take a walk in the streets of Cannes you will discover a very friendly atmosphere. The main streets are d’Antibes and

Reservations can await you at the town’s Michelin-starred restaurant at La Bastide Saint-Antoine hotel. An 18th century Provençal house gazing over the Bay of Cannes and enveloped in a 1,000-year-old olive tree park, it is a spectacular setting for lunch. Chef Jacques Chibois presents a truly creative menu—try oysters with yukka leaves, and strawberry soup with spice wine or olive oil ice cream as you dine on the beautiful lawnfronted terrace with vibrant flowers veiling the building behind you.

[ August / September ] 27

monaco boat show party

MONACO WHERE TO STAY Hôtel Port Palace 7 Avenue P résident J. F. Kennedy, 98000, Monte-Carlo, Monaco. +377 9797 9000 portpalace.com Hôtel Metropole Monte Carlo 4 Avenue de la Madone, 98007, MonteCarlo, Monaco. +377 9315 1515 metropole.com Hôtel Hermitage Square Beaumarchais, 98000, MonteCarlo, Monaco. +377 9806 4000 hotelhermitagemontecarlo.com Hôtel de París Place du Casino, 98000, Monte-Carlo, Monaco. +377 9806 3000 en.hoteldeparismontecarlo.com

WHERE dine Petrossian Avenue Princesse Grace, Monaco. +377 9777 0024 Le Louis XV Place du Casino, Monaco. +377 9806 8864 en.hoteldeparismontecarlo.com

NIGHT LIFE Le Casino de Monte-Carlo Place du Casino, Mónaco. +377 9806 2121

WHERE TO SHOP Avenue de Montecarlo & Avenue des Beaux-Arts

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La vie d’Antibes Antibes is just a heartbeat up the coast, though you may choose to detour via the Iles de Lérin. A heady mix of Provençal beauty and Côte d’Azur style, Antibes oozes color, Mozart, Ray Charles, architecture, nightlife, beaches and sparks. Speaking of the latter, many are worth a visit. Exflora Park is a microcosm of Mediterranean flora, from ancient Rome to 19th-century Rivera, Italian Renaissance, Moroccan orchards, 18th-century Provençal gardens and Spanish-style orange groves. A multitude of ponds, fountains, terraces, palm groves and rose bushes lining paths to the sea make this a magical haven. Time your cruise right and you may encounter one of the many summer festivals—there’s everything from music and jazz to fireworks and the Voiles d’Antibes sailboat festival. That evening head to one of the fish restaurants or ask your chef to prepare a special fish dinner on board.

JUANA HOTEL antibes

Monaco

Sur Villefranche et au-delà The next day, it’s time to set sail to the port town that captured the heart of Jean Cocteau. Dating back to 1295 when it was created by Charles II d’Anjou, the village of Villefranche sur-Mer is a tumble of warm colours, steeped streets and picturesque Riviera charm—epitomised by the Botanical Garden St Michel with its panoramic view of Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and the peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat; and the Garden of the Rosary at the heart of the 16th-century citadel. If you have time it’s fun to take a Saturday trip to the Provençal market at the Octroi.

From the multi million pound yachts glinting in Monte Carlo harbour, to the endless flow of golden champagne, Monaco oozes privilege.

It’s never easy to draw to the end of a wonderful holiday but it helps if your final few days are an eclectic mix of the fun, scenery and culture that you’ve enjoyed so far, and a few days in Monaco are the perfect end to a Côte d’Azur charter. As you glide into harbour, all the glamour of cruising the Riviera comes home, and remains with you as you spend two last nights on board. As with Saint Tropez, the best of Monaco is out of the city center, so the next day make your way to the old town where the palace, cobbled streets, restaurants and bars make for a much more welcoming and typically Provençal setting. Boutiques abound around the Monte-Carlo Casino, where you can spend a hard-hitting evening or, for a more elegant occasion, the Opera of Monte-Carlo is well worth seeing. For your final night, though, return from a busy day ashore to the welcoming decks of Ocean Victory. As the port lights up all around you, it is a magical setting for Champagne cocktails before you sit down to a four-course meal of Provençale delicacies prepared by your chef. Cocooned in the bay with the memories of your holiday mingling with the spectacular setting, it reminds you that there is indeed no côte that you’d want to have wrapped around you quite so much as the Côte d’Azur.

Looks expressions

Seventies revisited As anyone with a passion for fashion will tell you, the key to great style is in the detail. And, as any celebrity worth their salt will add, the most important detail is the perfect accessory. This season, you should go for colored and retro styles, a reminiscence of that 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style.

1. Disco shades Not to mask your identity, but to show your knowledge in fashion. These big shades are the trend to follow this summer. marcjacobs.com

2. Jungle prints You can choose between thousands of available designs. Go for this kind of print, it adds a glamorous touch to your outfit. riverisland.com

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Looks expressions

3. Antiqued bracelet If you want a vintage look, accessorizing yourself with antiqued inspired wristbands is the best way to go for that trendy style. asos.com

4. Finishing touch No trend cries summer style quite like brilliant colors. They are femenine, pretty and full of joie de vivre. bottegaveneta.com

5. Polka dot trend Photos: Courtesy of Maurizio Pecoraro, French Connection, Bottega Veneta, Asos, River Island, Marc Jacobs, Lamvin and Dolce & Gabbana.

Dots might be a stamp of our seasonal wardrobe. Remember you can only wear them in one piece of your outfit. frenchconnection.com

6. Shoe shine Comfortably fashionable, these wedges will give you a futuristic effect while making your legs look longer. mauriziopecoraro.com

[ August / September ] 31

News spirits

Beats by Dr. Dre Nothing kills your mood more than listening to a great song you love in a system that delivers an incomplete, awful sound. When you use sound devices that lack technology, the experience turns what should be a great musical moment of contemplation, formed by complex harmonies, rhythms that explode and feelings formed by sounds, into a crude, everyday act, without any feeling or significance. If you want to listen to every detail of the songs in your playlist, Beats by Dr. Dre are the answer. These headphones are designed to take fidelity one-step forward. Dr. Dre is not the kind of doctor you visit to check your health status, but his area of expertise will help you to explore music in all its glory. His past as a rapper and music producer has inspired him to develop Beats, headphones that can handle the bass, the detail, and the dynamics. For the producers of artists like 50 Cent and Eminem, the headphones available on the market are not able to transmit the hard work of

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producers and artists. The sound range of the original record gets lost and therefore the music is blue, without beat. Keeping this in mind, the Hip Hop master launched, in collaboration with Monster Cable Products, a headphone line called Beats by Dr. Dre. The first edition of Beats by Dr. Dre was released a couple of years ago, these were over-ear headphones with a powerful digital amplifier and a superb noise cancellation system. It didn’t take long until this device became the chosen election of producers, artists and music lovers, who where looking for the best headphones. Now these beautiful instruments are available in six over-ear versions—Studio, Pro, Detox Limited Edition, Solo, SoloHd and Solo HD Red Special Edition, launched last May—and six inear styles, including models designed in collaboration with artists like Lady Gaga, Sean Diddy Combs, Justin Bieber and Dr. Dre himself. beatsbydre.com

Photos: Courtesy Beats Electronics LLC.

High Fidelity in your ears

Grooming Expressions

Jo Malone

Photo: Courtesy of Jo Malone.

The art of fragrance combining

Jo Malone has created an exclusive lifestyle collection for the bath, body and home. From the refined, unexpected scents to the exquisite cream and black packaging, the timeless luxury of Jo Malone has captured the senses of discerning women and men around the world. Encouraging a fresh, modern look at the way we use fragrance, the Jo Malone philosophy of Fragrance Combining gives you the freedom to express yourself and your individuality. Learn how to create your own custom signature scent by combining two different fragrances. Spray on one cologne, let it dry, then spray a different fragrance on top of it. Or choose your favorites from the Jo Malone Bath & Body collection such as a luxurious Body CrĂ¨me in one scent to use after a deliciously scented Bath Oil or Shower Gel in another.

Think of fragrance as your little black dress or classic pinstripe. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s adaptable and versatile and can be work at any time, for any occasion. How you accessorize defines the difference between casual daywear and evening chic. You choose when and how you translate your look, depending on how you feel, where you are going or even the reaction you want. For women, create evening drama by dressing up the soft and sensual character of White Jasmine & Mint with tantalizing Orange Blossom. The effect will be both elegant and sexy. For men, create everyday chic by dressing down spicy Amber & Lavender with a fresh and zesty twist of Verbenas of Provence. This combination exudes an air of casual confidence. So if you want a unique aroma, dare to mix up some of these scents. jomalone.com

[ August / September ] 33

Looks expressions

Forever summer The eternal appeal and versatility of these classic clothes and accessories is what makes them so unique and necessary. Navy blue and tan are perfect for a dandy attitude, but don’t be affraid to add a hint of color into your outfit, it would be a crisp touch, full of personality. If you want to make sure you’re dreseds for success, go one step ahead, here is all you need to know to look your best.

1. The Riviera touch Nothing says “cool” like loafers-the real Cannesdo spririt. They are everywhere, so don’t be afraid to indulge. testoni.com

2. Perfect touch Socks are a travel essential even in warmer climes. Colored versions work equally well with formal or casual clothes. thomaspink.com

3. Best friend Not only for holding your troussers, a belt is a must have in any outfit. A good one will add style instantly. hackett.com

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Looks Expressions

4. The cravat look If you are looking to the dandy, man-about-town look, you should get this item, it is the perfect companion to your suit. scabal.com

5. Bag makes the man There are tons of duffle styles, they can perform equally well for both airline travel and everyday use. gucci.com

6. Star Piece Your eyeglassses deserve to become one of the most prominent fashion accessories you wear.

Photos: Courtesy of Ermenegildo Zegna, Loro Piana, Indivijual, Gucci, Hackett,Scabal and Testoni, Thomas Pink.

indivijual.com

[ August / September ] 35

summer in

Spruce Meadows

When considering where to go to compete as well as watch the best in the world of show jumping, several locations come to mind year after year. A majority of those are in Europe—Aachen in Germany, Hickstead in England, the stops on the Global Champions Tour—but certainly one on the list is Spruce Meadows in Calgary Alberta, Canada. by jackie mcfarland

orty years ago the Southern family purchased a large parcel of land with a dream of developing a worldclass equestrian facility. Hosting their first Tournaments in 1976, the name Spruce Meadows became synonymous with superb show jumping within a decade and that reputation continues to this day. ‘Spruce’ hosts a fabulous five-week summer circuit. Even when the weather poses challenges, the amazing, immaculate facility, friendly, professional staff and fabulous prize money, always draws riders from around the world. Below are highlights from the Spruce summer circuit, show by show.

THE NATIONAL: JUNE 8-12, 2011

Top: Spruce Meadows Great Hall.

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The season opened with the Enbridge Cup, 1.50M. Fittingly won by #1 ranked rider in the world Canadian Eric Lamaze on "Coriana Van Klapschuett," Californian Richard Spooner picked up the second place on "Lady Like." In the ATB Financial Cup, Kent Farrington took the victory aboard "Uceko." Notably Amateur rider Karl Cook on "ASB Conquistador" was seventh. Farrington did it again the following day aboard "Valhalla," taking the top spot in the Prairie Mines Cup. Lamaze claimed the Spectra Energy Cup 1.60M aboard his Olympic Gold Winning and World Equestrian Games top horse, "Hickstead." Olympics again in 2012? Spooner rode "Apache" to the fifth position. The US took home 1st, 4th, 5th and 6th in the ATCO Midstream Challenge. McLain Ward won with "Coco 135" who at the time was undefeated at Spruce Meadows. Returning to California after time on the east coast, Kirsten Coe took fourth on "Vernon G," and Spooner was again in the ribbons earning sixth on "Quirino 3."

Lamaze and that great Belgian mare "Coriana Van Klapscheut" were victorious in the RBC Capital Markets Winning Round. A unique format, the top eight scoring riders from the first round advance to the second, so a non-clean ride can return. Speed is also key, as the faster times advance over the slower. A Canadian who resides in California, John Pearce, rode "Son of a Gun" to second. Spooner was fourth on "Billy Bianca." It was a wet Canada day but Spooner and "Billy Bianca" braved the downpour for the win in the TransCanada Parcours de Chasse 1.50M. The natural obstacles including the Table Top and banks add to thrill of this class and then Rich Fellers rode "McGuinness" masterfully and came within a tenth of a second of beating Spooner. Spooner was also fourth on "Lady Like." Fellers fell just short of the win again in the $200,000 CN Reliability Grand Prix, earning second on "Flexible." McLain Ward took home the top prize on "Antares F." Ward and Fellers were the only double clears in the challenging 1.60M class. The Leopoldo Palacios Nexen Cup Derby course had 25 obstacles and a time allowed of two minutes. Fans cheered as rider after rider attempted the tough track. Brazilian rider Eduardo Menezes, now residing in southern California, and "Percynality" lead the class until Leslie Burr Howard and "Lennox Lewis 2" went slightly faster for their second Derby win at Spruce Meadows. Spooner earned a double scoop—third on "Apache" and fifth on "Cristallo."

CONTINENTAL: JUNE 16-19, 2011 2012 Olympic Course Designer Bob Ellis set the tracks. Canadian Chris Pratt, who resides in the Los Angeles area, rode "Cruise" to the victory in the Husky Energy Cup, one of only two double clean rounds. American Beezie Madden and "Coral Reef Via Volo" came in

second by just 0.7 seconds. Spooner was again in the ribbons, fourth on "Billy Bianca." Proving why he is currently ranked the #1 rider in the world, Lamaze took the top prize in the Scotiabank Cup on "Hickstead." With a smoking jump off ride, he led the class by three seconds. Guy Thomas picked up second on "Queen Charlotte B" as the only other double clear. Will Simpson rode "Black Cherry" to the win in the Friends of the Meadow Barrage 1.40M. The aggressive California amateur Karl Cook and "Notories Utopia" were second fastest in the Friends of the Meadows Parcours de Chasse 1.45M, just behind Venezuelan Alejandro Karolyi with "Vichy" and just ahead of Eduardo Menezes on "Audis Reflection." There was a seven horse jump off in the $125,000 CN Performance Grand Prix 1.60M. American Kyle King and "Capone" took the win over Olympic medal winning riders Eric Lamaze aboard "Hickstead" (2nd), Ian Millar on "Star Power" (3rd) and McLain Ward riding "Antares F" (4th). Richard Spooner and "Cristallo" were fifth.

SKYLINER: JUNE 23-27, 2011 Highlights from the Junior/Amateur week include Elvenstar Show Stable professional Custis Ferguson coaching the 'Princess Plus 3' Team to the win in the Paramount Resources Prix des Nations III

Top: Hannah Selleck on "ES Carando Z." Middle: Jennifer Crooks and "SF Uryadi." Bottom: Karl Cook and "Uno De Laubry."

1.30M. The winning team included "Crown Princess"-Alec Lawler, "Abrakadabra"-Alexa Anthony, "Miss Magic"-Taylor Marie Harris, "Ulano 13"-Vani Khosla. Californians Cayla Richards rode "Faustino" to the top spot in the Friends of the Meadows Junior/Amateur Grand-Prix 1.40M, Hannah Selleck was 2nd aboard "Arturo Van De Helle" and Sage Flynn rode "Hot Pants" to the 7th place. Flynn took home 3rd in the Friends of the Meadows 1.40M Final Four, a unique competition where the top four scoring riders all compete on each otherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s horses, just as the top riders in the world do at the World Equestrian Games (WEG).

CANADA ONE: JUNE 29-JULY 3, 2011 A CSIO 4* event, Spruce Meadowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Canada One offered $450,000 in prize money and Canadian Michel Vaillancourt designed the courses. American Leslie Burr Howard jumped up to win the Great West Life Cup. Spooner took fifth on "Apache." Also hailing from California but riding for Portugal, Mark Watring was eighth on "Green Sleeps Vioco" and Karl Cook was ninth on "ASB Conquistador." After giving his horses two weeks off, Rich Fellers returned to the show ring. His mount McGuiness claimed the top prize in the Cargill Cup, with Richard Spooner and "Quirino 3" nipping at their heels. Spooner picked up fourth on "Pariska 2." The RSA Cup

[ August / September ] 37

went to Michael Whitaker on "Viking." Kristen Coe on "Kilkenny Randall Z," Guy Thomas atop "Queen Charlotte B" and Mark Watring on "Green Sleeps Vioco" garnered sixth, seventh and eighth. Spooner didn’t slow down. He rode "Wandor Van De Mispelaere" to the win in the AKITA Drilling 1.35M, "Lets Dance" won the TRIMAC Cup 1.40M and "Caretol" was first in the Ashcor Techonologies 1.35M. Also no stranger to the winner’s circle, Canadian Ian Millar showed how his Olympic partner "In Style" could clear a challenging course. The pair posted the only clean round in the RBC Financial Cup 1.60M. One-fault time scores earned the second and third spots, Irish rider Jennifer Crooks on "SF Uryadi" and American Katherine Dinan on "Vancouver." Spooner was fifth on "Cristallo" having the second fastest four fault score behind McLain Ward with "Rothchild." Rich Fellers and his speedy stallion "Flexible" won the ESSO Challenge World Cup Qualifier with a jump off time nearly two seconds faster than second place Mario Deslauriers on "Urico."

NORTH AMERICAN - JULY 6-10 The final week of the Spruce Sizzling Summer Circuit was a hot one for west coast riders. Wener Deeg of Germany designed the courses. Fellers and McGuiness sped their way to the top spot out of 65 entries in the Suncast Cup 1.45M. Followed by a mix of nationalities, British riders Ellen and Michael Whitaker were second and fifth, American Kent Farrington third, Columbian Daniel Bluman fourth, American Beezie Madden sixth, Brazilian Eduardo Menezes seventh and Irish rider Jenifer Crooks eighth. Speed ruled once again for Fellers in the Sun Life Financial 'Reach for the Sun.' Fellers and "Flexible" went first in a jump off of six horses. Knowing he had to put the pressure on, Fellers turned it up a notch and laid down a trip that ultimately couldn’t be topped. Richard Spooner and "Cristallo" were fifth. The youngest rider ever to win an FEI event at Spruce Meadows, sixteen-year-old Caitlin Ziegler and her mare "Valencia" were three seconds faster than the second place finishers Californian Nicole Simpson on "Candle Light Van De Warande" in the AON Cup. Richard Spooner was fourth on "Apache" and Karl Cook took fifth on "Uno De Laubry." The female rule continued that evening when American Beezie Madden won the D-Line Cup aboard the marvelous mare "Coral Reef Via Volo." Spooner was third with "Cristallo" and Cook tenth on "ASB Conquistador." Like fellow west coast competitor Fellers did earlier in the week, Spooner took home the top prize twice on Friday. Aboard the Dutch mare "Pariska 2" Spooner was the top in a field of 49, and a jump off of 20 in the Pepsi Challenge 1.45M. Fellers was fourth on "McGuiness." Later Spooner rode "Apache" to the win in the Lafarge Cup 1.50M. The week culminated with some historic moments. The circuit began and ended with #1 Lamaze taking the limelight. Aboard the

Top: Rich Fellers wins the ESSO Cup World Cup Qualifier. Bottom: Rich Fellers and "Flexible."

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practically unbeatable Hickstead, the Canadian won the $200,000 ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup in front of 36,000 fans. In a two horse jump off, Lamaze went first and clean. Rich Fellers and the also amazing "Flexible" had an unfortunate rail for four faults and second place. Spooner was fourth on "Cristallo," and veteran Hap Hansen earned fifth on "Archie Bunker." In the TD Cup 1.50M the girls rose to the occasion once again. Twenty-six year old Canadian Tiffany Foster aboard "Victor" shaved two seconds off twenty-two year old Californian Hannah Selleck’s excellent jump off time on "ES Carando Z." Then the two young show jumpers watched some of the best from around the world, including Britain’s Michael Whitaker, American McLain Ward, Irish rider Shane Sweetnam and Captain Canada Ian Millar, try to beat their scores. None of the attempts changed the top two on the leader board, so Foster and Selleck deservingly collected first and second. Another great crowd of almost 40,000 watched Ian Millar on Star Power beat the young Caitlin Ziegler who was vying for her second Spruce win. Richard Spooner was sixth on "Billy Bianca," Hannah Selleck seventh on "ES Carando Z" and Mark Watring took ninth on "Green Sleeps Vioco." Irishman Shane Sweetnam won the final event of the season, the Cenovus Energy Classic Derby. Since 1985 only thirteen riders have ridden the Derby course clean and on this historic day Sweetnam made it fourteen. Pamela Carruthers designed the track with banks, Devil’s dykes and other Derby dares over a quarter of a century ago and the challenges continue to this day. Spooner rode "Cristallo" to an impressive second, having just one rail on the bank. With excellent prize money and loads of equine entertainment, competitors and spectators alike will return to Calgary in September for the well-known Masters Tournament.

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Musts expressions

Loving accessories Picking the right accessories is not always easy, and we now that. We give you a little guidance about the items that you should have during this transitional season.

1. Stone & wood

2. Wrapped perfection

3. Rubber soul

4. Romantic turn

Jewelry and accessories capture the essence of artistic expression in every piece. The best is to mix different materials.

Rock your curves with a thin waistcinching belt. This retro trend is more in than ever, it will make you look spectacular.

Bring on the stormy weather. With Huntersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rubber boots you look stunning. You can also wear them with shorts in a sunny day.

To illuminate your style there is a new collection that evokes precious memories in exquisite fragrances.

luganodiamonds.com

brioni.com

hunter-boot.com

agrariahome.com

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3.Wrapped perfection

Musts expressions

5. Snake eyes

6. Shades of you

7. Upgrade your scent

8. Reach higher

Rattle things up with a dangerously striking reptilian bag. Remember in this bag style: the bigger, the better.

A good pair of sunglasses is transformative. The shape to buy right now is the retro round frame.

From a collection called Royal Exclusives this scent, is an object of art from the master Oliver Creed.

The naked shoe is so huge right now that you should get some pumps in this trendy and classy style.

brioni.com

alexanderwang.com

creedperfumes.us

abelmunozaccessories.com

Photos: Courtesy of Lugano diamonds, Rolex, Brioni, Hunter,Agraria home, Abel Muñoz, Creed, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang and Dior.

Seriously sophisticated lips Chiristian dior believed in the power of color to create a mood, enhace a look, and inspire an attitude. Discover the exicting palette of colors you’ve always dreamed of wearing. Red is the way to go this season, so don’t be afraid of it. To make lipstick last longer, place a single-ply tissue over the lips and dust over with translucent powder. dior.com

[ August / September ] 41

News expressions

Loro Piana

For six generations, the Italian fashion firm Loro Piana has provided their sophisticated clients unmatchable quality in fabrics and garments. Originally from Trivero, the Loro Piana family started as merchants of wool at the beginning of the 19th century, and got famous for being one of the best suppliers of fine fabrics for the haute couture industry, which was a growing phenomenon in the post-war period. Now, this diminutive store has become a giant: Loro Piana is today one of the most renowned fashion companies in the world, with 132 stores worldwide. But their vast expansion is not everything: the range of items offered by Loro Piana is in-

comparable—the Italian house not only offers luxury sportswear and leisurewear for men, women and children, but also knitwear, home accessories, bags, shoes and small leather goods. In addition to the exclusiveness of the materials, the variety of combinations, and the attention paid to every detail in the production of these items, Loro Piana also offers one of the most complete made-to-measure services available in the market. Loro Piana offers you the option of choosing from their iconic products and rendering them special and individual through the use of exclusive colors, special finishings, unusual combinations, and

adding a spirited, finishing touch in the way of embroideries and monograms. Over the years, Loro Piana has also been involved in outdoor sports, concentrating on riding, polo, sailing and vintage cars. These are all sports that are close to the company’s heart and for which Loro Piana shares such relevant values as elegance, tradition, love for the sea, the pleasures of beauty, and the taste for challenge and competition. Through a deep understanding of these sports, Loro Piana produces garments that are consistently designed to satisfy the specific needs of the sport. For equestrian pursuits, Loro Piana developed the Horsey jacket, which was originally created for the Italian riders who participated in the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. For sailing aficionados, Loro Piana created Coaster, a line of technical items, and the exclusive Windmate. The Roadster line was inspired by the world of motoring: the Roadster Villa d’Este jacket was designed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the exclusive Concours d’Elegance, while Roadster Short was created to celebrate the victory of the LP Classic team in the Italian Time Trials Championship for Historical Cars. The constant pursuit of uncompromising quality, unique raw materials and close attention to the need of their clients, are the fundamental elements that maintain the distinctive quality and high level of excellence in Loro Piana products. loropiana.com

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Photos: Courtesy of Loro Piana.

the finest garments for the best clients

Hours expressions

No other object unites technical prowess, artistry and plain usefulness as nicely as a wristwatch. It is a combination that has made it the people’s timepiece of the 20th century—a mirror of fashion and the obsession of countless inventors and entrepreneurs. Owners sought to express by the value of their timepieces by showing how much their own precious time was worth. Nowadays a wrist without its gently ticking adornment is practically unimaginable. Watches have become a key topic of conversation.

Photos: Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Lange Uhren GmbH, Patek Philippe, Blancpain S.A.

Complicated times

Moon-phase Calendar

Tourbillon

The Jules Audemars Moon-Phase Calendar watch displays a discreetly selfeffacing air that serves to highlight its sleek, slender lines endowed with that je ne sais quoi that is in fact the natural elegance of authentic Audemar Piguet classics.

Demonstrating an uncompromising commitment to accuracy and reliability, the Master Tourbillon bears the unmistakable creative imprint of Jaeger-LeCoultre. Its tourbillion regulator is accompanied by a second time zone as well as a date display adjustable in both directions.

audemarspiguet.com

jaeger-lecoultre.com

Perpetual Calendar

Minute Repeater

Equation of Time

With the Langematik Perpetual, A. Lange & Söhne demonstrates that the usefulness of mechanical wristwatches can indeed evolve further even after 100 years. The indications of its perpetual calendar can be advanced separately or collectively.

The new Triple Complication Reference 5208 is the first Patek Philippe wristwatch to combine a chronograph, a minute repeater, and an instantaneous perpetual calendar with aperture displays. An impressive example of how tradition and innovation interact.

Blancpain once again distinguishes itself by creating the Equation Marchante, the first wristwatch to feature a “running” equation. The dial is fitted with two coaxial minute hands, which indicate mean and real solar time.

alange-soehne.com

patek.com

blancpain.com

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Must expressions

Stimulate your style ‘Accessorize’ is an expression that the fashion world has conjured up to make something quite simple sound profound: all it actually means is mixing up a few basic items togheter in an outfit—it is just as ensambling a fashionista piece of art.

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1. Two tone

2. Printed scarf

3. “C” Perfume

4. The polo

5. Contemp watch

Fashionable before the First World War, these shoes aren’t for the timid.

This navy silk handmade foulard keeps the traditional London style.

For the loyal clients, the House reveals a dominat spirit and a seductive strenght.

Break up the back and forth between T-shirts and buttondowns with a polo.

A remastered version of the modelcreated almost a century ago.

aldenshoe.com

drakes-london.com

clive.com

hackett.com

panerai.com

Must expressions

6. The go bag

7. Casual neckwear

8. Man jewels

9. Power dressing

Just throw some stuff in a duffle and get away. Remember what we always say: you have to travel in style.

Knitted ties have a great versatility that helps to create an edge to a formal outfit. They bestow you a retro look.

There is a tremendous variety to choose from, and many ingeneous new shapes. Go for an original style.

Simple elegance is best when choosing a belt. Don’t make the biggest mistake: not wearing one at all, you’ll be underdress.

mulberry.com

brioni.com

paulsmith.co.uk

corneliani.com

Photos: Courtesy of Alden shoes, Drake’s London, Hackett, Panerai, Brioni, Paul Smith, Corneliani and Gucci, Mulberry.

Here comes the sun Sunglasses fulfill many different functions. On the one hand they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. In the last few years, the latter aspect has gradually became the main focus. On the other hand, they are a fashionable, and, from time to time, expensive accessory that some

wear more on their heads than on their noses. Nevertheless, sunglasses can draw attention to the person wearing them, these means all eyes will fall over you. Try on all styles, you’ll find the one that works for you. gucci.com

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Woman of style Expressions

Tamara Mellon

The woman behind Jimmy Choo’s empire She is the visionary woman that created Jimmy Choo as a luxury goods brand. As Founder & Chief Creative Officer of the shoe and accessory label, Tamara Mellon is a powerful entrepreneur that has made it, again, into the Sunday Times Rich List 2011.

IT IS ALL ABOUT ACCESSORIES Jimmy Choo’s co-founder started work at 17. She was as a shop assistant in the Azzedine Alaia department of Browns, on South Molton Street. A little later she got a job as assistant to the legendary fashion editor Caroline Baker on the short-lived Mirabella magazine, those were her first serious steps into fashion industry. Her shot at Vogue as accessories editor came a little later.

BUSINESS WOMEN Tamara was happy working at Vogue, but soon she realized that she wanted to start her own business. Recognizing the potential for development of high-end designer accessories, Mellon approached custom shoemaker Jimmy Choo with the idea of launch-

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ing a ready-to-wear shoe company. Little did they know the Jimmy Choo shoe brand would be a success.

BUILDING A BRAND FROM NOTHING In 1996 with a £150,000 loan from her father, Tamara took over Jimmy Choo, which at the time was a small label making custom designs for private clients. Sooner than she expected she made the brand a household name, with 18 stores worldwide and an impressive annual turnover of $50 million. In 2001 she bought Jimmy Choo, and today she holds 50 percent control of the company. For Tamara, her brand’s history is a great British success story.

THE HEART BEHIND BUSINESS WOMEN Love knocked on her door in 1998, at the wedding of Henry Dent Brocklehurst, where she meets Matthew Mellon. Her now ex-husband comes from an American family who made their wealth in oil; he inherited the first of his 13 trust funds, 25 million, at the age of 21. He wooed Tamara by reciting his own poetry before proposing to her in the back of a limo. Tamara and Matthew got married and she gave birth to Araminta, also known as Minty. And then it all started to go wrong: Matthew’s addiction led him into rehab. First came a separation, then a couple of affairs, and finally they signed the divorce.

BROKEN HEARTED In April 2004, Mellon’s adored father, Tom Yeardye, who provided the original financing for Jimmy Choo and who was chairman of the company, died suddenly of a brain aneurysm. From the second she lost her father it all started going downhill. In 2007, she had to wrest control of the company from her then-CEO Robert Bensoussan, who’d tried to sell it out from under her.

DAUGHTER VS MOTHER Mellon successfully sued her mother, who she once described as a “sociopath,” for pocketing £5 million worth of Jimmy Choo assets that, Tamara claimed were not rightfully hers. In a statement reported by the Telegraph in 2008, she said: “It is with immense sadness that I take this action, but I see no other way to protect my daughter’s interests, which are my paramount concern. The property in question was to help secure my daughter’s future, and I am baffled by my mother’s refusal to return assets which rightfully do not belong to her.”

WORTH EVERY PENNY Tamara Mellon, the co-founder of Jimmy Choo shoe brand, is worth £150 million. She owns a 17 percent stake in the business, whose products were seen on the feet of Princess Beatrice, Zara Philips and the Duchess of Cornwall at the royal wedding.

Photo: Archives.

THE GIRL IN THE HEELS Tamara was born in London, on July 1967, as Tamara Yeardye. Daughter of Tom Yeardye, a successful entrepreneur, cofounder of the Vidal Sassoon Empire and Ann Davis, a former Chanel model, Tamara always wanted more of life. As a teenager she assisted to several schools, being educated in Berkshire at Heathfield St Mary’s School, in Beverly Hills and in Switzerland. She was already a cosmopolitan woman at an early age. She had fallen in love for with glamorous fashion and held high expectations for the future.

The tack store you were looking for!

Monica Ward 619.851.4301 www.equlifestyle.com

Spirits

travel & tips

Photos: Courtesy of Auberge du Soleil/ Trinette Reed.

Auberge du Soleil, Napa Vlley, CA. It means “the inn of the sun”, and it is true. Each room, corridor or space is full of live and color.

Space & Design

DIVINE DINING

pleasures

desires

journal of...

The last furniture trends to transform your fav room into a glamourous space.

California Modern in La Jolla, and Joël Robuchon at Métropole, Montecarlo.

Two great superyachts to navigate the seas in style: Imagine and Exuma.

Discover a premium selction of the best Whiskies. A delicious drink for gentlemen.

Patrick Grant, Director of Norton & Sons: new spokesman of masculine style.

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Space & design spirits

Amazing Design

If you are looking to create a space inspired in trends and movement, keep an eye on the items we have gathered for you. Space, color and volume are the way to go if you want to express your unique personality. Keep in mind that organic elements like wood and cork add warmth and calm, while a unique design piece is always an inversion.

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1. Eastern design

2. Organic 3. Leather Inspiration and steel

4. Square style

5. Polder sofa

This paper lamp is part of the Akari Light Sculptures Collection by Isamu Noguchi. These are considered icons of 1950’s design.

Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec created a universal chair named: Vegetal. Its lines were directly borrowed from nature.

With the series Easy Edges, Frank O. Gehry succeeded in lending materials such as cardboard a new aesthetic dimension.

For this piece Hella Jongerius chose five combinations of colors and fabric qualities, accentuating them with large buttons.

Designed in 1930, the Cité lounge chair is one of Prouvé’s earlier furniture designs and it fits perfectly in the modern home.

6. Shine a light

7. Exotic shape

8. Dynamic 9. Retro furniture forms

Created from handmade washi paper, Noguchi’s paper lanterns are a harmonious blend of Japanese handcraft and modernist form.

The frame construction of Maarten Van Severen’s MVS Chaise makes it easy to shift from a sitting to a lying position.

The Wiggle Side Chair is a creative alternative to stiff furniture. A set of curves and straight lines give this eco-friendly chair a natural style.

Vermer Panton’s Amoebe is an incredible example of close-to-the-floor colorful lounge furniture that embodies the spirit of the early 1970’s.

Photos: Courtesy Vitra International.

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News expressions

Exclusive bicycles I want to ride it where I like! The newest trend from high-end designers is posh bicycles. And the best part about all of these bicycles is that they are cruisers. We introduce you to the Gucci Cruiser Bicycle. This is another cruiser sporting Gucci accents all over. The Gucci Bicycle is for the Mr. Rogers in you, that old soul who appreciates heritage and has an affinity for luxury items. The bronze metal frame does look nice with the white metal frame with blue/ red/blue signature web, and white GG plus seat and handlebars, seat pack, and double pannier. This is truly for the unique individual who likes to ride around in style. gucci.com

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As the debate on global warming rages, Chanel has chosen a timely launch for its newest covetable accessory: an ergonomically designed, eightspeed bicycle. This Limited Edition Chanel Bike is the ultimate in two-wheeled novelty. With only 50 made and less than 20 available in the US, this is the latest trend in bicycles. The Chanel bike aims to impress with very fine detail, like the quilted leather handles, seat (made by the legendary Brooks Brothers), pant guard, even the bike pump is covered in Chanel’s signature quilted leather. The bike also features two quilted flap bags and a jewelry roll behind the seat, all of which are detachable and can be used as individual shoulder bags. Even Mme Chanel would doubtless be proud to ride this hand-finished Chanel bike that celebrates the heritage of the house. chanel.com

Divine Spirits

Divine Dining

Photos: Courtesy of George’s at the Cove

California modern, la jolla, ca

When in La Jolla, for a superb dining experience you must head to George’s at the Cove, a triple-decker building that has it all: formal dining on its bottom floor, a bar in the middle and a casual rooftop terrace. Each one offers incredible ocean and Cove views. The bottom venue is called California Modern, a place where the menu changes frequently and the service is impeccable. With more than 24 years open, George’s at the Cove was totally renovated in 2008, then, California Modern was born. The atmosphere is chic, warm and inviting, and the tone is relaxed. This venue is the hot spot for La Jollans, who know that best food, perfect service and incredible views waits for them at this amazing restaurant. At California Modern everything is just excellent, perfectly presented and prepared. Every dish is innovative and extremely delicious. Trey Foshee, Executive Chef & Partner, is the man behind the surprising seasonal cuisine offered in California Modern’s menu. Local and fresh ingredients—brought to you straight from Chino Farm in Rancho Santa Fe—are the main actors of Trey’s kitchen, which is the scenery where the nuances of technique blend with innovation. Trey’s kitchen has developed lot of dishes based on the vegetable component. The

vegetarian menu came out of the normal dishes and they have been getting more and more requests from guests about vegetarian items. The Vegetarian Menu is interesting to the palate, at the same time that it is nutritious. This substantial delicious meal can be transformed into vegan options, you just have to “ask vegan.” The wine list is eclectic and extensive. Cultural influences from all the word are reunited in a selection of wines that includes the best labels. Chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, albarino, grenache, tempranillo… just name your grape, they will have it. A piece of advice: try the Fish Tacos, they are hard to explain, but just delicious. As an entreé you cannot miss the Slow Roasted Leg of Lamb and Braised Shoulder. For desert the perfect choice are the Cardamom Doughnuts & Dip. If you prefer to go green, choose the Fried Avocado and the Charred Eggplant Puree, these are great and delicious options. If you are planning a romantic evening, time your reservation to be during sunset. Nothing can beat the amazing Pacific views. There is no doubt; this venue is perfect for all occasions. 1250 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037. Phone: 858 454 4244 georgesatthecove.com

[ August / September ] 53

Hotel du cap-eden-roc

The hotel doesn’t feel like a hotel, but rather, a large, private mansion. It’s small size ensures that even when occupancy is full, the hotel is still quiet and private. The hotel itself reminds you of Versailles meets the ocean, and the grounds are immaculate. Dining on the terrace is a treat at all three meals, and the pool is simply one of a kind. The hotel also has a wide variety of water sports for those who don’t just want to lounge around.

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One of the world’s most iconic and luxurious hotels, the Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes in the south of France, has been the ultimate place to stay on the Riviera for the luxury traveler, and is the choice for royalty, celebrities and VIPs when staying in the region. by alejandro m. Garcia. Do you see that white spot on the coast? Yes, that one, on the right! As you get closer, you feel your heart starts pounding, beating in sync with a sound you cannot hear, yet feels right. The pearly construction contrasts against the dark pinewoods and ragged rocks. The waves break tenderly against the beach. You know it, you are about to arrive to paradise on earth: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc. You are welcomed in the real teak landing stage by the genuine smiles of a top-notch staff. They lead you to your palatial suite, where every wish comes true. Composed of a vast bedroom, a prestigious lounge, two bathrooms, a dressing room, the Eden-Roc Suite is the epitome of luxury and pleasure. The first thing that strikes your fancy is the 2,700 sq ft terrace, where you immediately go to contemplate the Mediterranean sunset, while you relax in the plush, lavish Jacuzzi. In keeping with the style and tone of the property the bathroom has under-floor heating, a traditional faucet by Collection Axor Carlton from Hans Grohé and is decorated from a choice of three different marbles including pink marble from Portugal, Marfil and Bourgogne stone.

TENDER IS THE NIGHT Night is the perfect time to enjoy the brilliant trilogy of colors, scents and flavors, in the beautiful Restaurant Eden Roc. In this gastronomic restaurant between sky and sea, surveying the Mediterranean

Photos: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc.

Cap d’Antibes, France

Travel & Tips Spirits

and the Lérins Islands, you appreciate their essential specialties in a shimmering atmosphere: fillets of red mullet fried “a l’Antiboise” or wild seabass “façon Eden-Roc” with basil and a mousseline of fennel, engulfed by the perfume of the immaculately arranged table roses. For a perfect food and wine pairing, Xavier Dinet, the Chef Sommelier, tells you all his secrets to your ear. Later on, you glide to the Piano-Bar “La Rotonde”, with its “trompe l’oeil” decors, where you sip a couple of cocktails in a warm and elegant ambiance.

MORNING GLORY No, it’s not a dream. Next morning, after a repairing sleep, you pamper yourself with a sumptuous breakfast. On the terrace, in the early hours of the day in the shade of the park palm trees overlooking the sea, this is a rare moment shared by all accompanied by the discreet clinking of silverware, and the attentions of impeccable service. Among the heady perfumes of the pinewood and the roses, cradled by the imperceptible surf of the Mediterranean, there is no time of the day or night that is not exquisite between sky, land and sea. The rose garden, an eternal source of dreams, is at the heart of the 22acre park of pinewood. You and your significant other walk towards the Gazebo under the shade of wisteria trees, and make unforgettable promises, where the silent trees and the exhilarating aromas of the flowers are the sole witnesses of the pledges of the hearts. Close to the rose garden, the well-being center and its health and beauty specialists welcome you in their four treatment cabins with La Prairie’s signature treatments. A Sauna and hammam as well as a comfortable patio for relaxation are the finishing touches to an offer designed for absolute well-being. Dug into the rock in the last century, the seawater swimming pool is an overflowing mirror, uncovered and heated, one of the most attractive luxury corners of

the world, where the azure sky and rippling turquoise merge into one. Now you are part of this legendary refuge whose history intermingles with that of many celebrities from all four corners of the world. From the Kennedy family to the Greek shipbuilder Niarkos, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Marlene Dietrich, Eddie Constantine, Scott Fitzgerald arm-in-arm with his beautiful Zelda, Ernest Hemingway and even Nobel Prize winner George Bernard Shaw, all seeking their share of the dream: luxury in all simplicity.

F. Scott Fitzgerald used this hotel as the model for Hôtel des Etrangers in his Tender is the Night. Today its broad, sun-drenched rooms, thickly carpeted and furnished with antiques look out on 22 acres of immaculate tropical gardens bordered by rocky shoreline.

[ August / September ] 55

News Expressions

Personal Care

You can spend all your money in gathering the dream wardrobe, but if your skin looks dry and your hair is a mess, you might as well stay at home, wear those old jammies and stay up watching old movies or your favorite TV show. You must take care of yourself: your hair, nails, skin and smile are just—or maybe more— important than your outfit is. A man with a lame haircut in a custom suit is just a lame guy wearing an expensive outfit; a woman with a crackled nail polish looks like an insecure girl playing the role of a big woman. It doesn’t matter that you can wear lots of products and make up to look like a Hollywood star, if you don’t have a healthy palette to work on, you are loosing money, energy and time. Your skin is like your business card; it has to look radiant, moisturized and healthy. In fewer words: it has to be perfect. The only excuse is if the night before you where the soul of an amaz-

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ing party, and even in that scenario you must wash your face with cold water and use an ultra moisturizer face cream to fight back the hangover effects. Let’s take a step back and talk about hair. Some people think that using hair products and cutting that ponytail will just make a mess of their hair… that is a complete lie. You must fix your hair, and for having it healthy and shiny you need to use some products, that is not up for discussion. There is a large list of must have items for your hair, such as texturizing gels, serums and shine drops. Believe me, they can work hair miracles. Hair is not supposed to be all over your body. If you are a man, here is a piece of advice: moustaches, beards and sideburns should be neatly trimmed, that is a golden rule. Just as important: no one wants to see your nose or ears hair— trim them regularly with extreme care. For the gals the only facial hair rule is that you should

have no facial hair. At all. Period. (Except your eyebrows, of course.) That tiny moustache is quite visible, and unless you are Frida Kahlo or an Italian grandmother, this is not the trend for you. Avoid an oops moment and wax your body hair away. You must be ready to wear a skirt, a sexy bikini or a sleeveless shirt without an uncomfortable peek-a-boo hair telling everybody that you are a scruffy baglady. For all this there is an expanding menu of cosmetic and grooming treatments—including facials, manicures, massages, haircuts, waxing and body wraps—offered by an another recent phenomenon: full-service day spas & salons. These establishments create a relaxing environment, where dental and surgical services are also offered for those seeking to make true that healthy desire to look and feel their best. All treatments come with a mood changing plus. twinluxe.com

Photos: Courtesy TwinLuxe.

personal care starts on the face

Spa spirits

The blissful touch

VAIR SPA

MANDARIN ORIENTAL

SHA SPA

An inspiring retreat tucked between the mountains and the Adriatic Sea, Borgo Egnazia interprets classical ideals of beauty, luxury and hospitality for the modern age. Vair Spa, the resort’s wellness area, offers customized treatments, which use local resources like citrus to breathe life and energy into guests. Embrace the decadent indulgence of Vair’s modern-day interpretation of a Roman bathhouse or regulate the body’s temperature in the Tepidarium (warm room), Calidarium (hot room) and Frigidarium (cold room).

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami features six stunning VIP spa suites, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Biscayne Bay. Each has been custom designed for specific treatments; two were created especially for couples wishing to share their experience. From its tri-level grandeur to the enticing menu of original treatments, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Miami is one-of-a-kind. The menu offers an array of treatments ranging from Traditional Chinese Medicinal Signature therapies to a full day of luxurious rejuvenation.

This Spanish resort has focused all its efforts in improving people’s health and wellbeing through the fusion of the best natural therapies. Sha offers a selection of treatments and therapies inspired in the Far East, combined with the latest western advances and techniques. Situated in Albir Beach, nearby the picturesque town of Villa de Altea, Sha sits on a beautiful mountainside overlooking the Mediterranean Sea; the unrivalled surroundings of this resort create a relaxed atmosphere ideal for those seeking inner and outer peace.

500 Brickell Key Drive, Miami, Florida 33131 Phone: +1 (305) 913 8288

Verderol 5, El Albir, 03581 Alicante, España Tel.: +34 966 811 199

mandarinoriental.com

shawellnessclinic.es

ORIENTAL HARMONY

ANTI-STRESS PROGRAM

Four hands work in perfect unison in a remarkable experience that inspires a harmony of the senses. The treatment begins with a soothing footbath in purifying waters, leaving the feet soft and supple and the mind relaxed. Next, two therapists work together in time and movement. First, providing a warm scrub that smoothes and replenishes the skin and later a harmonious massage that balances the body and the soul.

The fast pace of modern living and inappropriate eating habits are major causes for increased physical and emotional stress. Sha Wellness Clinic is the perfect environment in which a team of experts will prepare a highly personalized plan to reduce stress and improve wellbeing. You will leave with the knowledge of how to manage stress, improve quality of your sleep and lead a healthier lifestyle.

Savelletri di Fasano, Brindisi, Italia Phone.: +39 080 225 5000 borgoegnazia.com

Fotos: Borgo Egnazia Resort, Taleon Club, SHA Wellness Clinic.

KIUV-Rain Hot essential oils chosen for their relaxing properties fall like raindrops on your back to relax your body. The therapists’ expert hands will guide these oils over your body with slow calming movements correcting muscle alignment and releasing tension. These movements also help you regain and maintain a correct posture and relax deep tension.

AMAUR- Love A gentle and refined experience for your body, which will receive a thorough deeply relaxing treatment. The pace of the massage changes in order to promote your reactivity while evocative perfumes and expert techniques will help you relax and forget your problems. It creates an “inner smile,” which will last for a long time. Ten Southern Italian natural products combined with simple, though refined, rituals offer a wonderful break to those who seem to be always in a hurry.

WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM spice treatment The Kundalini Journey combines advanced massage techniques with aromatherapy, color and gemstone therapy as well as sound therapy to guide you toward a state of inner peace and physical balance. Performed in a luxurious Spa Suite, the experience ends with a gift to help you stay balanced in your daily life.

Weight is often associated with health. It also affects vitality and the full enjoyment of life. Sha’s approach helps guests to lose weight, keep it off and increase their vitality. With a personalized diet designed to balance metabolism and reduce blood sugar, Sha will introduce you to a low fat dietary program with specific herbal drinks to facilitate the elimination of excess fat.

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BLENHEIM EquiSports June Series Four weeks of competition in the California sun By Jackie Freundlich-McFarland

The four-week Blenheim June Series offers classes for every rider. Add a Grand Prix Hilltop VIP, the VIP Medal Club, Kids Days and two excellent exhibitor parties plus some cool yet sunny California weather and you have some extraordinary horse shows. The over $150,000 in prize money including a $30,000 Grand Prix each weekend, Zone 10 Young Rider Selection Trials, a USHJA Hunter Derby, Zone 10 Pony Hunter Finals, Open Jumper Classics, Children’s Pony Hunter Divisions and Green Rider Equitation,

The North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC) played a role in producing a stellar group of young Grand Prix riders from the west coast, including twenty-year old Karl Cook, eighteen-year-old Lucy Davis, and Ricky Neal, who was chosen as a USHJA Emerging Athlete and won on the European Young Riders Tour this summer. Zone 10 had several successful years at NAJYRC, with the aforementioned riders and others bringing home a handful of Gold, Silver and Bronze Team and Individual Medals. The 2011 Zone 10 Teams consist of the west coast’s next group of solid show jumpers. Beginning the final qualifying rounds for NAJRYC on Friday of the first week and culminating on Sunday morning, points earned were tallied from this and previous shows for the naming of the Zone 10 NAJYRC Young Rider and Junior Teams. Taking on the challenges of Linda Allen’s courses, the ten top point earners got a taste of the tracks to come in late July at the beautiful Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

Repeat Performance on the Hunt Field

Tina Di Landri.

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John French aboard the Holsteiner stallion “Crown Affair” (owned by Yellow Dog Farm) not only won one of the last qualifiers of the 2010/2011 High Performance Hunter Challenge season during May’s Ranch & Coast Classic but had a repeat performance at one of the first qualifiers for the 2011/2012 season. The challenging course built by Joe Lombardo meant high scores were few and far between for the thirty couples who came to ‘hunt’ on the large grass field. By the end, eleven of twelve pairs earned scores in the eighties and returned for the Handy Round. As often seen in the Handy Round, positions

Photos: Flying Horse Photography / Anwar Esquivel.

WEEK 1: NAJYRC Teams Named

shifted as rails and riders fell. The top two horses, “Crown Affair” and “Symon” (owned by Alison Baileys) both ridden by one of our nation’s best John French, handled the Handy Round with style and held their positions finishing first and second.

A First for Lane Clarke and Granville’s Casseur De Prix As expected, course designer Linda Allen built a demanding track for the $30,000 Blenheim Classic Grand Prix presented by the Orange County Register. At the end of the round one, nine entries managed to jump without fault. Although many seasoned equestrians were part of the mix, it was twenty-five-year-old Australian Lane Clarke aboard Granville’s “Casseur de Prix” who took home the top prize by delivering the only double clear of the day. The second place team veteran Rusty Stewart aboard the precocious seven-year-old “Bristol” masterfully negotiated the track but stopped the clock a touch slower than Clarke. Finishing third, Francie Steinwedell-Carvin and “Taunus” were the first to negotiate the shortened track but had a rail midway through the course for four faults. Steinwedell-Carvin also went clean on “Twistar,” but the pair struggled in the second round with a run-out, rails and then an unfortunate fall and elimination from the round. Late in the jump-off order, the master hunter rider mentioned above, John French, aboard “Chawi De Laubry” (owned by Mountain Home Stables) was clean as he approached the final fence on course. Riding for the win, French followed the lead of some of his fellow competitors and opted for the inside turn. The crowd groaned as the pair had a disappointing run-out, followed by a rail on the second attempt for an eighth place finish.

WEEK 2: Internationally Inspired Show Jumping It was superb to see several countries represented in both the first round and the jump-off of the $30,000 June Classic II Grand Prix— Puerto Rico, Australia, Brazil, the United States and predominantly Mexico. Of the forty horse and rider combinations who came to play, seventeen qualified for the jump-off. Six more couples rode without lowering the height of a jump, but incurred time faults, including American Molly Talla who stopped the clock a mere .008 seconds over the time allowed aboard “Camaron Hills Quick Dollar.” Course Designer Scott Starnes set a track to suit the range of experience in the class, which was a mix of young horses and riders to Olympic level riders. With two combinations, a few scope tests and a tight time allowed, the collective group rose to the occasion.

“This is only the fourth grand prix [Granville’s Casseur de Prix] and I have done together so to come out with a win this early in our partnership is pretty amazing,” smiled Clarke. Top: Lane Clarke. Bottom: John French aboard “Crown Affair.”

With a large and aggressive group competing in the jump-off, the top ten finishers were all double clean. First to return in the second round was Jaime Azcarraga of Mexico aboard his own “Celsius.” He set the pace, going clear and held the lead until hometown heroes Susan Hutchison and El Dorado 29’s “Cantano” galloped in eight entries later with a blazingly fast, clean ride over the shortened track. Azcarraga returned on his second mount, “Gangster,” trying to catch “Cantano” and steal back the leading spot. He managed to beat his first horse but not Hutchison’s ending the day third and fifth. American Rusty Stewart rode Grey Fox Farm’s “Bristol” efficiently and picked up fourth for their efforts. Then along came Agustin Aguayo aboard his own “Pro Star de la Nutrin” who delivered a clean and fast performance for the win, bumping Hutchison to second. Aguayo explained that he bought “Pro Star de la Nutrin” when he was a three-year-old. Now an eight-year-old, this was only their second grand prix; the first was in Jalapa (Mexico). Competing here at Blenheim for the next two weeks, the team will be in Mexico for the Pan Am Trials this summer. The thrills and spills kept spectators engaged from beginning to end. Salvador Onate lost both his stirrups halfway through the course and impressively still managed to ride without fault, qualifying for the jump-off on “Paldatus.” While François Esteves was almost jumped off by “ET 14 Mercedes Benz” in round one, Luis Alejandro Plasencia did part ways with “Dante” at the final fence of the jump-off. Internationally speaking, the final placings included two Mexican riders and two American riders in the top four, with Australians Harley Brown and Lane Clarke as well as Puerto Rico representative Mark Watring. Overall ten of the top twelve ribbons went to international riders.

WEEK 3: Another International Heyday An impressive field of thirty-eight horse and rider combinations representing five countries ventured onto the Blenheim International Field for the

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Top: Antonio Maurer. Bottom: NAJYRC Zone 10 Teams.

$30,000 June Classic III Grand Prix, presented by the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort. Course designer Pierre Jolicoeur set a challenging track, posing questions that kept riders on their toes (and in their heels). Many riders racked up faults by exceeding the 81-second time allowed, dislodging rails or both. After a tough first round, only eight duos managed to ride without fault and earn a ticket to the jump-off. While the second round had several solid attempts, the well-seasoned Olympian Antonio Maurer of Mexico masterfully navigated the shortened track to secure the win aboard Francisco Del Rio’s “Callao.” As the first to jump clean in round one, Brazilian François Esteves christened the shortened track aboard his own “E.T. 14 Mercedes Benz,” setting the stage for his fellow competitors with a clean ride, ultimately finishing fifth. Maurer galloped onto the grass next and shaved 1.37 seconds off, taking the lead. Continuing the double clear rounds, Australian Harley Brown and his talented World Cup horse “Cassiato” (owned by Oak Park Group, LLC) earned third place honors for their neat and clean effort. Salvador Onate of Mexico aboard “Paldatus” was very close to catching Maurer, stopping the clock just two tenths of a second shy of taking over the top spot, and finished in the second position. Nineteen-year-old Tina DiLandri aboard Avargo was the only American to advance to the second round and the last to show. DiLandri laid down a stellar performance, leaving all the rails untouched and fast enough for fourth place in a difficult field.

WEEK 4: International Fireworks on the Field Perfect weather during the start of the Fourth of July weekend greeted the thirty-four horse and rider pairs at the Blenheim International Field for the $30,000 Red, White & Blue Grand Prix. Course designer Anderson Lima of Brazil set a technical track with sixteen efforts as well as a tight time allowed. Six pairs successfully rode without fault in the first round, four going double clear. Mexican rider Salvador Onate aboard “Charro” balanced speed and precision to secure the victory.

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The second pair to attempt the course, last week’s grand prix winners Antonio Maurer and “Callao” (owned by Francisco del Rio) were the first fault-free pair, and remained the only clean until Susan Hutchison and El Dorado 29’s “Cantano” blazed through the course in their usual clean and tidy way. The crowd roared, animated by her tempo and the guarantee of a jump-off. Lane Clarke and “Casseur de Prix” (owned by Granville Equine), winners of the first grand prix in the Blenheim June Series, received a hearty welcome from the crowd. Though they had no jumping faults, the pair finished with a heartbreaking time fault when they stopped the clock just three-tenths of a second over the time allowed. Then Antonio Maurer returned on his second of three mounts, Francisco del Rio’s “As Hyo Hugo,” and turned in a beautiful clean round. Immediately following Maurer, Duncan McFarlane on Simone Coxe’s “Mr. Whoopy” navigated the course without fault. A dozen entries, beset with refusals, eliminations and jumping faults, went before up-and-coming grand prix rider Tina DiLandri and “Avargo” went clean. Salvador Onate and “Charro” entered the ring as DiLandri exited, turning in a fantastic clear round just under the time allowed and then there were six coming back. Maurer and “Callao” returned to the ring and finished with a double clear round in a quick time, which held the lead until the very last. Hutchison and “Cantano” raced around the course, and even managed to kick it up a notch during the long gallop to the final jump. A late rail fell as they landed and the pair ended up with four jumping faults and placed fifth. Duncan McFarlane and “Mr. Whoopy” attempted the course next, and though they seemed to have the speed to challenge Maurer, they dropped a rail at the penultimate obstacle and ended up sixth with four faults. Maurer piloting “As Hyo Hugo” turned in another double clear yet conservative performance for a fourth place finish. Tina DiLandri and “Avargo” also turned in a double clear round and were sitting in second place as the final couple of Salvador Onate and “Charro” entered the ring. The crowd grew silent as Onate and “Charro” cleared each obstacle, and when the timers stopped, the stands erupted—the duo had won the grand prix by less than one second, putting Maurer second and DiLandri third. Regarding Lima’s design, his first in California, Onate commented, “I liked the course a lot. Lima designed a great course, and I hope he comes back next year.” With a smile Onate added, “This is my first year here and hopefully I can come back, too.” The Blenheim EquiSports season continues through fall, with shows in both San Juan Capistrano and Del Mar. In November they host their final event of the season in the wilds of Las Vegas, the Las Vegas National at the South Point Hotel’s Equestrian Center.

Qatar Airways

Ultimate first classes Five superb and luxurious airlines that trascend the motto “the sky is the limit.” These are the five best options for you to travel in luxury, comfort and style. Based in Doha, Qatar, this airline has earned its reputation as the best First Class service in the air. As a First Class passenger connecting in Doha, you will be chauffeured personally in a premium BMW 7-Series right to the aircraft for boarding. During the trip, the crew will pamper you in ways you have never experienced during a flight: luxury and elegance are the key concepts that involve all the Qatar Airways experience. You will be offered with a wide array of delicacies, paired with a superb wine selection and exquisite bubbles. For dining you can choose from a menu worthy of any Michelin starred restaurant. Once you select a dish it will be cooked by a renowned chef that is international awarded. The dinner will be an extraordinary gastronomic experience on air. If your trip is for pleasure, just let go and relax while the crew takes care of you and all your needs. If it is for business, take advantage of the accommodations. At every seat there is a large worktable, space for storing all your papers, a personal lighting system and a laptop compartment. When the time comes to rest, a regular size, 180-degree-horizontal flat bed, will be put together for you. Soft and cozy, Qatar’s First class bed is perfect for getting a rested and refreshed. Each bed has its own personal screen and on-demand entertainment system, which allows you to choose from more than 900 options. Qatar Airways is one of only six airlines in the world with a Five Star ranking for service and excellence awarded by Skytrax, the independent aviation industry-monitoring agency. Skytrax also named Qatar Airways’ cabin crew as Best in the Middle East for the fifth year. With these credentials, believe us, you really don’t want to miss the opportunity to fly by Qatar Airways, they will transform what could be an ordinary flight into an experience of perfection and luxury. qatarairways.com

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British airways A new First Class is here. You will get use to a level of sophistication, comfort and refinement without precedent. These spaces conjoin tastefulness with space to provide an experience entirely centered on relaxation and privacy. New cabins redefine style and elegance, with immaculate service meeting classic elegance in an atmosphere of flawless quality and unerring attention to detail. On my last flight I was pampered in every single aspect. The first class journey starts when champagne is poured into your glass and the plane sways gently in the air. This delightful experience gives you vast array of comfort and amenities, from the soft cotton pajamas to the specially designed bed, everything is just perfect. Perfection is not only a word that defines the in-flight service; it is also the perfect way to describe the First menu, the in-flight dining service. There are a variety of flavors for different tastes, so the decision on what to choose and when to do it is yours. The menu is based on the simplicity of the dishes, which vary each month depending on the quality of seasonal ingredients. You can choose your lunch and dinner à la carte and have it served either formally on an exquisitely dressed table with crisp white linen and fine bone china or on your side table so you can carry on relaxing or working. If your flight departs from UK, you can go with the “Catch of the day”, a fresh menu base on delicious seafood supplied by the renowned company Loch Fyne in Scotland. Beside the delicious food, your flight will be spiced with the First entertainment system. You can enjoy movies, play games and listen music on a 15-inch screen. Whenever you are ready to sleep, all you have to do is request the Turndown Service, available at any time of the day, and in a wink of an eye your bed will be ready, fully flat and covered with a white 400-thread Egyptian cotton duvet and pillow. With all this exclusive amenities you will not only have a good night, you’ll have an amazing flight. britishairways.com

Photos: Courtesy of the airlines.

5 World’s Best spirits

Virgin atlantic

Singapore airlines

Emirates airways

Safety and efficiency are two qualities that have characterized Virgin Atlantic for its 26 years of existence. Now, with flights all over the world, Virgin keeps on being an avant-garde airline In Virgin you are not going to find a traditional “First Class,” you are going to fly in an “Upper Class.” The Upper Class Suite allows you to work, relax, share a drink with a friend or sleep in complete comfort. There is room to store your laptop and a large table to work or eat. Each suite is equipped with a 10.4 “ multi-screen TV and your entertainment options include a huge range of films, television shows and games. From the Freedom menu you can order whatever kind of meal you feel like having. Maybe you want to sit by yourself, but maybe you want to ask a friend to join you for drinks, that is your call. If you want to meet other travelers, share with a loud petit comité or get to know the crew, the impressive bar area, is the place to go. The one thing that makes us keep falling in love with Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class Suites is that every seat has aisle access, so you never have to move to let the annoying passenger next to you get his way to the bathroom, again and again. Onboard, you will find a unique configuration that is different to anything else flying today; the leather seats were designed to be both the most comfortable bed and the most comfortable seat in the air. With the press of a button, your seat will become one of the widest beds available in the sky.

Flying first class on Singapore Airlines is ama-

Enjoy one of the highest standards of luxurious comfort, care and service in the air. From private suites to the luxury spa and social areas of the Emirates A380, Emirates Airways’ First Class is unmatched in the air. Throughout your stay in Emirates First-Class, the staff will be watching you, pampering you, making sure you get all the best attention you deserve. You will discover the stability that is Emirates’s impeccable service, a key reason why this airline has been repeatedly voted as one of the world’s leading First Class airlines. Enjoy your own sanctuary in the spacious private suites; each one equipped with electrically operated sliding door, personal mini-bar and adjustable ambient lighting. Plus, you’ll have your own vanity table, mirror and wardrobe. Each Private Suite also has a wall-mounted big-screen TV, allowing you to explore up to 1,200 on-demand video and audio channels of the in-flight entertainment system. A real luxury flying experience includes a delicious food selection. Succulent dishes at the level of the best kitchens in the world are reunited at the in-flight dining menu, providing the best dining experience on board an aircraft. The awful thing of flying is arriving to your destiny smelling like an airplane, well, it was until you fly by Emirate’s, because these guys have come up with the first shower in aviation history, so you can get a bath at 12,000 feet and touch land totally revitalized and looking your best. emirates.com

virgin-atlantic.com

zing, but the top of luxury and comfort is enclosed in its SkySuites. On board Singapore Airlines’ Boeing 747-400 long-haul aircraft you will find 12 individual SkySuites, each one with a host of special features that cater to satisfy every one of your needs in terms of comfort, privacy, convenience and entertainment. If you are traveling for pleasure, the delight starts as soon as you are on board; if the subject of your journey is business, then you can concentrate on work from the minute you are in your private suite. The luxurious seats offer maximum comfort, with a seat pitch of 78 inches and seat width of 23 inches as well as a 23 inch-wide legrest, the seat is among the widest in the airline industry. When I walked in the beautiful accommodations of the SkySuites, I walked into a cloudy paradise, where the seat transforms into a flat bed, with just the press of a button, and the duvet and nightwear are Givenchy’s creations. The ample Suites are as amazing just as the First Class in-flight dining service, which features an exquisite menu created by Singapore Airlines’ International Culinary Panel. Givenchy has also designed the perfect tableware for each gourmet masterpieces. Every meal is complemented by a selection of fine wines, where you will find the perfect pairing for each menu. Do not miss the Champagne, Grand Cru red Burgundy and Second Growth Bordeaux, these delicious beverages are served in crystal stemware. Besides the delicious food, the surprising wine selection and the soft, and big, bed, when you fly in a Singapor Airlines’s SkySuite you will find an exhaustive range of entertainment options. singaporeair.com

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News Spirits

Garrus 2006 It doesn’t matter if you are not a sommelier; everybody knows that there are great red wines, brilliant whites and amazing sparkling wines. But, wait… there are also delicious rosés, a wine kind that is often relegated to a second best option. You must avoid the awful mistake of thinking on rosé selection just as a minor beverage, barely worthy for pairing or for a toast. To change and open your mind to the delicacies of pink, we present you with an award-winning rosé, which surprises for its originality, quality and succulent young French oak notes. The label Château D’Esclans transformed the reputation of rosé after presenting Garrus, known as the best rosé in the world and, of course, the most expensive on the market. This wine, described as a complete delight worthy of the place 91 on the Wine Spectator List, is guilty of the revolution that is brewing in the Provençe region, where, at La Motte district, are the Château D’Esclans’s vineyards. The terroir, whose vines have been around 80 years, has conquered the palates of connoisseurs and critics since the mid of the 1900’s, when it was acquired by Sacha Lichine a visionary entrepreneur. Accompanied by Patrick Leon, former oenologist of Château Mouton Rothschild, Lichine transform the place into a boutique winery dedicated exclusively to the production of high quality rosé. From Lichine’s desire of quality and exclusivity Garrus was born as a wine composed with 70% Grenache and 30% Rolle grapes. Its preparation is meticulous to the extreme; it is not surprising that only six barrels are manufactured by vintage. Therefore, acquiring its uniqueness and amazing price of about $100 per bottle. Château D’Esclans’s Garrus is a delicious rosé, which tone is far from the common in this type of wine. Garrus’s hue is closer to the range of grays than to the traditional soft reds. Its pale freshness is the preamble to a gentle aroma, really smooth, with hints of fresh fruits. The flavor is complex, with a balanced bouquet, which opens the palate to notes of wood, an unusual touch in rosé. The finish is creamy, full of mineral exuberance; the flavors lingering in the mouth are earthy and mature, like a statement of the age of the vines. Thanks to its great features, Garrus is a wine that lives up to its reputation as an elegant rosé, a soft and distinguished beverage. chateaudesclans.com

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AN INCREIBLE ROSÉ

Divine Spirits

Divine Dining Joël Robuchon at Métropole, Montecarlo

Photos: Courtesy of Hotel Métropole.

As you know, Joël Robuchon is a master of culinary delights. This French chef and restaurateur—who was titled “chef of the Century” by the Gault Millau guide, back in 1989—is the master mind behind the greatest restaurants all over the world. Not all chefs can say that their culinary talents deserve a Michelin star; Roubochon’s has been awarded with 26. In each of his restaurants throughout the world, Joël Robuchon remains faithful to his principles which made him guide of the French gastronomy: an exceptional choice of products and ease in execution thanks to his talent choosing and training his team. Within the Hotel Métropole, a palace that became through the years, a gourmet reference in Monaco. Joël Robuchon inaugurated, in September 2005, his first restaurant in the Principality in a stage set designed by Jacques Garcia. He entrusted the direction to one of his faithful disciples, Christophe Cussac. The experience is of course culinary but also visual thanks to the concept but also to the fantastic terrace view on Montecarlo. It has a Mediterranean cuisine with Joël Robuchon’s note.

buchon Experience Discovery Menu, this is a great option created to present the best dishes of the house. One dish that encapsulates the essence of the restaurant is the Rock Lobster, it is plated with gratinated fresh figs and rucola salad.

Head Chef Christophe Cussac presents the sophisticated cuisine of Joël Robuchen in the most skillful way. The open Teppanyaki-style kitchen creates a special relationship between the Chef and the guests. The warm, inviting decor complements this unique dining experience. Once at Joël Robuchon Montecarlo Restaurant you must ask for a place at the “Joël Robuchon’s Table”. There is no doubt that this is the best place in the house. A large wooden table, located straight in front of the open kitchen, with space for eight guests is, Joël Robuchon’s version of the table d’hôte, the honor place. The soft movements of the chef will amaze you and your party, while flavors and aromas stimulate all your senses. The menu is full of Robochon’s creations. You can either go a la cartè or choose the Joël Ro-

Hotel Métropole, Av. De la Madone 4, Monte Carlo, 98007, Monaco. Phone: +377 9315 1510

joel-robuchon.net metropole.com

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The Portofino Peninsula and its towns are well known for very good reasons. They are beautiful, accessible, offer good hikes and walks, people-watching, and good tourist services. By Enza Ferreri

Camogli

the italian

Riviera O

ne of Italy’s smallest regions, Liguria stretches west in a narrow ribbon along the coast from France. Liguria is a land of contrasts, home to belle époque seaside resort towns, dozens of sandy strands, rocky coves and pebbly beaches; the country’s largest commercial port and largest naval port; some of its most secluded stretches of coast, where lush forests of lemon trees, herbs, flowers, almonds and pines send forth heady sweet-smelling breezes; ter-

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raced hillsides that produce an olive oil considered more delicate than those grown in Tuscany. Ezra Pound, Lord Byron, Shelley and his wife Mary Wollstonecraft, Ernest Hemingway all loved this part of Europe.

Genoa You can start your trip in Genoa, capital of Liguria. Its steep, narrow alleys stretch from the picturesque medieval town center up to the hills crowding directly behind it. Via Garibaldi with its patrician palaces and herringbone brick pavement, is the epitome of European elegance, and the Royal Palace,

Genoa

Whatever the reason of your travel, the experience of visiting the Italian Riviera is unique. This colorful destination awaits for the traveler seeking luxury and relaxed pleasures.

which houses an excellent collection of European art works, rivals Versailles for its extravagant trappings. Notwithstanding Genoa’s attractions, most people come to Liguria for its seashore, which is a virtually uninterrupted string of resorts that have been a mecca for Italian tourists for a hundred years. The Ligurians have two names for their boomerang-shaped coastline: the half that stretches from France to Genoa is called La Riviera di Ponente, while the half that lies on the Italian peninsula proper is La Riviera

Maybe it’s the surrounding vegetation what gives the water that beautiful color.

Camogli

Where to stay Hotel Splendido by Orient Express Salita Baratta 16, Portofino, Italy, 16034. Phone: 0180 0223 6800 www.hotelsplendido.com

San Giorgio Hotel Via Del Fondaco 11, Portofino, Italy, 16034. Phone: 0180 0525 4800 www.slh.com

La Meridiana Via ai Castelli - Garlenda, Liguria, Italy, 17033 Phone: 3901 8258 0271 www.lameridianaresort.com

Genoa

Where to eat

di Levante. The latter is where you will find Portofino, Camogli, Rapallo, Santa Margherita, and Liguria’s rising star attraction, the fascinating Cinqueterre.

Photos: Archive.

Portofino If you have never been to Portofino, you probably have never seen a sea color of such a pure, dark emerald green. Maybe it’s the surrounding vegetation that, hanging from the hills enclosing the small bay almost to touch and caress the sea, gives the water that color. Or maybe it’s the depth of the cliffs under the water that contributes

to the games that the sunlight plays with the sea. Whatever the reason, the experience is quite unique. Portofino is an ancient village, according to the Latin historian Pliny the Elder founded by the Romans, who called it “Portus Delphini” (Port of the Dolphin) due to the many dolphins living in the bay. The peaceful Parco Naturale Regionale di Portofino comprises the promontory that overlooks the Tigullio Gulf, on the top of which is Monte Portofino (610m) on whose summit are the small settlements of Portofino Vetta and Ruta. There are well-marked

Ristorante Puny Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta 5, Portofino, Italy Phone: 0001 8526 9037

Trattoria Tripoli 49 Piazza Martiri dell’Olivetta Portofino, Portofino, Italy Phone: 3901 8526 9011

Da u Batti Vicolo Nuovo 17, Portofino, Italy Tel: 0001 8526 9379

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Portofino

Where to stay Excelsior Palace Hotel Via San Michele di Pagana 8, 16035 Rapallo, Italy www.preferredhotels.com

Hotel Astoria Via Gramsci 4, 16035 Rapallo Phone: 3901 1852 7353 www.hotelastoriarapallo.it

Imperiale Palace Hotel 19 Via Pagana, Santa Margherita. Phone: 390 8528 8991 www.hotelimperiale.com

Where to eat Romantico Corso Italia, 23, 16035 Rapallo. Phone: 390 1856 2354 www.ristoranteromantico.it

Le Cupole Roof Garden Via Aurelia Orientale, 369, Rapallo. Phone: 00 3901 8527 3313 www.ristorantelapunta.it

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hiking trails and foot paths through the park, leading down to San Fruttuoso, with its historic Benedictine Abbey. The views from the the top are splendid: you can see the two bays around the promontory, from the Bay of Tigullio to Sestri Levante, from Paradise Bay to the island of Bergeggi and, in the distance, the French island of Corsica, one of the largest in the Mediterranean. Portofino has two souls, living in perfect harmony: a cosmopolitan, elite aura, with prestigious shops, elegant boutiques and luxury restaurants, and a traditional persistence of old crafts and skills. Portofino is a world famous jewel of the Italian Riviera. It’s an enchanting place, lined with brightly painted houses, with its old, picturesque buildings, the incredible color of the sea and the surrounding vegetation. It’s trendy in summer and quiet in winter, and has mild climate all year. You can get to Portofino by car, by bus, or by boat. By car you’ll have problems due to the long queues of other vehicles trying to enter the small village. You will have to park your automobile and walk, because Portofino is not made for getting around by car: there are no roads, except an access one.

Camogli Camogli is the fishing village of Monte di Portofino (Portofino Mountain) in the heart of the Italian Riviera. Camogli, a great city

with impressive multicolor houses, is located on a favourite weekend getaway for many Italians in this part of the country. When you arrive to Camogli, the first thing that draws your attention are the colors: brilliant pastel shades of the houses and cheery fishing vessels in the port. The weather is usually gorgeous and the sun shines brightly.

Rapallo With about 30,000 inhabitants, Rapallo is not only the largest town in Portofino’s bay, called Bay of Tigullio, but also the town with the most ancient history in the district. It is in a privileged position, only 20 minutes’ bus drive from Portofino to the west, and half an hour to Levanto and Cinque Terre to the east. Near Rapallo, on the road

Santa Margherita Ligure, called the Perla del Tigullio (Pearl of Tigullio), is a famous, elegant seaside resort, one of the major resorts in the Riviera di Levante. to Portofino, is Santa Margherita Ligure, another major resort. Rapallo has a historic center along the elegant seafront promenade, the lungomare Vittorio Veneto, adorned with palm-trees and flower beds, which offers a vast, breathtaking view of the bay. Still in the centre of Rapallo, near the promenade, are the beaches and the touristic harbour. There are bothfree beaches and paid beaches. Symbol of the town is the Castle on the sea, built in 1551 to defend the town from pirate invasions, which has been declared part of Italy’s national heritage. It can be seen from the road along the coast, and today it is used to host exhibitions and tourist events. Rapallo is an elegant resort, famous for its mild climate, beautiful hotels, harbour. Various golf courses are also here, and cultural events are organized.

centre and in the innermost part of Tigullio Bay, halfway between Portofino and Rapallo. The town is surrounded by hills covered in splendid Mediterranean vegetation, on which are villas and gardens with breathtaking views over the Costa dei Delfini, which joins Santa Margherita and Portofino. It has a lovely view of the arch of the bay, traditional cottages right on the sea, interesting Art Deco buildings all around its bay and seafront promenade. Worth visiting are some remarkable churches. The Basilica of Santa Margherita di Antiochia is a baroque church containing works by Genoese masters, with a large facade, enclosed by two belltowers. Also notable is the Chiesa dei Cappuccini, built in the

Rapallo has a historic center along the elegant seafront promenade; the lungomare Vittorio

Rapallo

Santa Margherita Santa Margherita Ligure, called the Perla del Tigullio (Pearl of Tigullio), is a famous, elegant seaside resort, one of the major resorts in the Riviera di Levante, the section of the Italian Riviera east of Genoa. Its name is often shortened to Santa Margherita, and even to Santa, in particular by its residents and locally. The resort is east of Portofino Promontory, in a picturesque cove in the

Santa Margherita

Cinque Terre early 1600’s, containing a 1400’s Crucifix and the Madonna in Trono, a group of sculptures from the 1100s. Just outside town is the 14thcentury San Gerolamo della Cervara Abbey. Santa Margherita Ligure has a tourist harbour, where many boats and luxury yachts are moored. It is intensely used for sailing, rowing, waterskiing, yachting, and for major sports events including international regattas. The harbour is also the center around which a lively tourist and social life revolves, with parties, folk shows, and events associated with the competitions hosted. From Santa Margherita depart motorboat services to well-known destinations, including San Fruttuoso and Cinque Terre.

At the extreme south end of the Cinque Terre coast there’s another interesting place to visit, the ancient fortified town of Portovenere. With its narrow alleyways and pastel-colored harbour cottages it’s not less picturesque than the “five lands” themselves. In Portovenere are important Roman ruins, Cinque Terre is a paradise of relaxation. Your journey will be full of Italian elegance.

Cinque Terre The Cinque Terre is a wine-producing district that seems to be growing in popularity with international tourism. At the moment it’s still pretty unspoilt, due to its remoteness and difficulty of access. It’s made up of five small villages: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare. Cars don’t travel very well in and between the tiny villages. For this reason Cinque Terre is much better visited by train. It’s possible to enjoy very beautiful walks between the villages. The villages are minuscule and extremely picturesque, and they’ve preserved their old-world character.

Santa Margherita including a Roman villa. In front of it is the island Palmaria. On the other side of the Bay of La Spezia is Lerici, with its castle looking down from the top of a cliff onto the Bay of Poets, where Byron and Shelley lived. At the north end, Levanto is also considered part of the district, a kind of sixth Cinque Terre.

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Pleasures Spirits

Two fabulous

Superyachts

As the saying goes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not about the destination but the journey traveled. This is reason enough to choose a first-class, stylish yacht for your adventures. You will enjoy the journey just as much as your destination. Here we offer you insight into two of the most impressive superyachts available on the market: Imagine and Exuma

Technical Data: Type: MY displacement Length overall: 214 ft 11 in Beam moulded: 39 ft Engines: 2 x CAT engines, model 3516 TA HD Cabins: 5 double ; 2 single Cruising speed: 14 knots Max speed: 17 knots

Imagine more intense workouts or totally agreeable escape. On this deck is a Sky gym, whose selected exercise equipment is supplemented by an adjoining steam room and day head. The interior space is intended for majestic roominess and desirable intimacy. Forward on the Main Deck, the full-width master suiteâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;with deluxe bath, dressing room and office. Among her most exceptional features are two elegant VIP suites set comfortably amidships on the Bridge Deck, each with a balcony that opens

the space to fresh sea air and vivid sea views. On the Lower Deck, four grand suites accommodate guests. Two are planned as full doubles of which one could be considered as a third VIP suite, while the other two can be alternately configured as twin or double suites. A central elevator serves guests from the Lower to the Sun Deck, in parallel with a spiral staircase serving all decks.

Photos: Courtesy Fraser Yachts.

Both the external arrangement and interior space are intended for majestic roominess and desirable intimacy.

Imagine has a bold contemporary exterior, shaped for eye-catching beauty by the renowned British designer Tim Heywood. Heywood conceived Imagine with qualities every guest desires: high volume, exceptional indoor accommodations and social spaces, and plentiful choices for luxuriant, gracious outdoor living. Her external arrangement offers a variety of al-fresco dining and relaxing opportunities at every deck level. The large swimming pool with Jacuzzi, jet stream, wet-feet bar and mini-beach offer further choices for

Pleasures Spirits

Exuma Superyacht Exuma, the Picchiotti the 163 ft motor yacht, is conceived with a focus on top efficiency for fully autonomous navigation. The interior and exterior spaces are designed to increase privacy among shipboard guests and to enhance outdoor living. Internal furnishings are designed by Perini Naviâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Interior Designers with a focus on classic maritime style tradition, essentially using oak, teak and Italian marble. Large glass doors and the spacious side deck conceived to enjoy a full view of the surrounding panorama characterize the Bridge Deck. Besides the helm, the Captainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office and a panty, the bridge deck features a spacious saloon with L-shaped sofa, a coffee table, armchairs and an entertainment area. The outdoor living concept embodied

by this yacht is ensured by two comfortable chaise-lounges for sunbathing and a large, accessorized Jacuzzi. The Living Area is equipped with every latest generation entertainment device, while the dining area hosts a table that can be modified, and is capable of seating up to 12 people, and is completed with a useful pantry. Exuma was conceived and created with a strong aptitude for exploration in mind, and has the capability of stowing large amounts of equipment on board to allow exploring the most beautiful and remote areas of the world: an amphibious 16.4 ft vehicle, a Hov Pod 12 ft hovercraft housed inside the two fore lateral garages with gull-wing door openings, two electric land scooters, two Seabobs and a Sea-Doo RXT 250 jet ski.

Internal furnishings were designed with a focus on classic maritime style tradition, essentially using oak, teak and Italian marble. Technical Data: Type: MY displacement Length overall: 163 ft 9 in Beam moulded: 31 ft 2 in Engines: 2 x Caterpillar C32 Acert Cabins: 1 Single, 3 Double, 1 Twin Cruising speed: 14 knots Max speed: 17 knots

Travel & Tips spirits

Auberge du soleil The most tranquil retreat lies in the captivating location of California wine country. It is the Auberge du Soleil, an amazing hotel that offers a secluded paradise, where luxurious accommodations and amazing services are reunited to satisfy all your wishes. Relax and revitalize yourself in an incredible destination, which reminisces of a Côte d’Azur retreat.

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Auberge du Soleil, part of Auberge Resorts, is a wonderful California retreat that covers a 33 acres property. Its name means “the inn of the sun,” and it is true. Each room, corridor or space is full of life and color. The atmosphere at the Auberge du Soleil is warm and nurturing. All accommodations at Auberge du Soleil offer incredible views of the Napa Valley landscape. The interiors of the resort feature Mediterranean-inspired décor, with original contemporary art pieces. Guest rooms, and suites feature Italian linens, down bedding and duvets, Auberge du Soleil’s custom-made bath amenities, plush robes and slippers and private outdoor terraces, ideal spaces for relaxing or dining. If you choose to stay at the Main House Rooms, the Maison Rooms, the Maison Suites or at the Private Maisons, your stay will be a delight of pleasures. From every room you will be amazed by the surprising views of the Mayacamas Mountains, and inviting landscape completed by Mount Saint Helena, which is five minutes away from the resort. The luxurious country inn’s spa occupies a 7,000-square-foot building that overlooks the Napa Valley. It embraces a nurturing philosophy embodied by a unique menu of body and facial treatments that utilize natural ingredients indigenous to the olive groves, valley, gardens and vineyards of the region. The menu changes on seasonal basis, ensuring all ingredients are fresh and perfect. Tucked under the trees in a hillside vineyard beside a bubbling brook, the freestanding La Pagode is a shaded Asian-style pavilion that offers a serene space for holistic spa experiences, couples treatments, private meditation and movement classes.

Photos: Courtesy Auberge du Soleil Resort / Trinette Reed.

Napa Valley, California

Spa Eight treatment rooms, including three designed specifically for couples, surround the courtyard; each bathed in natural light streaming through French doors that lead to a private patio with outdoor shower or tub. The MĂŠlisse Suite, specifically designed as a luxury couples room with breathtaking views of the valley below, it features a fireplace and private outdoor space with a soaking tub where guests may enjoy relaxing and sunbathing au natural.

Auberge du Soleil is not only recognized as an incredible retreat, but it is also renowned as a cuisine hot spot. This Napa Valley venue began as a restaurant created by visionary restaurateur Claude Rouas more than 30 years ago. Since then, Auberge has maintained its legacy as a culinary destination, where innovative menus inspired by the bounty of Napa Valley are paired with wine in ways that delight and inspire longtime devotees. The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil features rich interiors accented with abstract paintings, exposed beams and warm wood furnishings. Auberge du Soleil is also a member of Relais & ChĂ˘teaux, the prestigious global hospitality association of intimate, elegant and independently owned hotels and acclaimed restaurants. Founded in 1954 in France, the association is comprised of 480 luxurious establishments in 56 countries. Auberge du Soleil Resort 180 Rutherford Hill Road, Rutherford, California Phone: 707 963 1211 aubergedusoleil.com

Test Drive Spirits

Audi A8L

Equ’s Top three

European Traveling to Europe is in itself an extraordinary experience. And what could be better than doing it in a European car, an exclusive machine that has been born to cross the roadways that traverse the English countryside or to run in the German Autobahn. Here we present you with the best three options according to Equ Lifestyle. POR Alejandro M. García

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Audi A8L The new A8 L is a concentrated high-tech package that confirms Audi’s claim to technical leadership. The body has been built from aluminum weighing about 40 percent less than a comparable steel body. The body’s tremendous rigidity is the key to the car’s precise handling, low interior noise levels and high passive safety for the occupants in the event of an accident. Subtle visual details distinguish the A8 L W12 quattro from the other cars in this model line. The single-frame radiator grille with integral grid structure has a high-gloss black paint finish and special chromed horizontal bars. There are also chromed inserts of new design in the air inlets, and chromed applications on the exterior mirrors. Twelve cylinders are the ultimate engine configuration, a tradition that still applies in the large luxury car class. The W12 engine has an output of 500 hp and delivers its peak torque of 460.98 lb-ft

Test Drive Spirits

Fascinating aspects of the car’s interior are the slim, clear outlines and the stylish materials with their modern look.

TWELVE cylinders are the ultimate engine configuration, a tradition that still applies in the large luxury car class.

selections at engine speeds at 3,250 rpm. It delivers the kind of performance normally expected of a sports car: it sprints from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.9 seconds and effortlessly reaches its governed top speed of 155.34 mph. The engine is known as the W12 because of its unusual layout: it has four rows of three cylinders with a 15-degree included angle between the two offset rows of cylinders in each broad cylinder block. This layout makes the W12 engine exceptionally compact and distinctly shorter than a V8. The engine therefore runs exceptionally smoothly, and the car’s occupants are unlikely to sense any of this supreme power at work unless it is at high engine speeds and severe loads. The quality of workmanship in the A8 is simply first-class— from the restrained ambient lighting through the accurately fitted switches with their precise click action. Fascinating aspects of the car’s interior are the slim, clear outlines and the stylish materials with their modern look.

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BMW Alpina B7

The BMW Alpina B7 is respected for its impressive power and desired for its luxurious interior.

The interior of the sedan features a Switch-Tronic steering wheel in hand-stitched Lavalina leather, and a Black-Panel LCD screen instrument cluster branded with Alpina.

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The engineers and craftsmen at Alpina have taken everything good about the BMW 750 and made it better. It has the expected comfort and luxury of a BMW flagship and the sportiness of the marque’s M cars. The BMW Alpina B7 is respected for its impressive power and desired for its luxurious interior. The B7 sedan is finished with the Alpina aerodynamic kit, which includes front and rear spoilers that not only enhance the appearance but also improve stability and performance at high speeds. In true “form-follows-function” fashion, the Alpina front integrates the fresh-air requirements of the transmission and engine oil coolers. The spoilers reduce lift at the front by 30% and rear by 15%. The exhaust system’s two double tailpipes are seamlessly integrated into the rear bumper. The newest evolution of the traditional 21” 20-spoke Alpina Classic wheels gives the B7 a distinctive appearance and powerful stance. The interior of the sedan features blue illuminated doorsill trims, a Switch-Tronic steering wheel in hand-stitched Lavalina leather, and a Black-Panel LCD screen instrument cluster branded with Alpina. The Switch-Tronic transmission control puts Sport and Manual modes at your fingertips. To manually select the gears of the automatic transmission, you use buttons found on the back of the steering wheel. This results in shifts that take place in a few hundred milliseconds with minimal power interruption.

The B7 engine starts with BMW’s aluminum 4.4-liter TwinPower Turbo V-8 with High Precision Direct Injection and then confidently increases horsepower and torque to deliver the highest levels of performance in all rpm ranges. Feel the power in your hands. Under your constant control are 500 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque from 3000 to 4750 rpm with the ability to go from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The 2011 BMW Alpina B7 proves that power, luxury, performance and comfort can live together. Prodigious power, standout handling, supreme long-distance capability and sublime seats, this car has everything you want and some more.

BMW Alpina B7

Test Drive Spirits

Bentley Mulsanne Designing a grand car that looks powerful, yet agile is no easy task. Yet this is precisely what has been achieved with the Bentley Mulsanne. Like a powerful athlete that is also a swift and graceful runner, it captures a unique fusion of power, elegance and sporting style. Solid yet sleek. Classic yet modern. The entire body of the Bentley Mulsanne is sculpted to create rich design contrasts. It appears to be solid, as if sculpted from a single block, yet simultaneously graceful and elegant. The Mulsanne retains classic Bentley heritage and styling cues such as its bullseye air vents and mixes them with the latest in 21st-century craftsmanship. A solid ‘ring of wood’ encases the entire cabin, drawing the occupants into unparalleled surroundings, while all-new glass-like switchgear is inspired by the classic Bentley interiors of yesteryear. But don’t be deceived by this classic look. Beneath the surface you’ll find the best technology available, from advanced electronic systems to four-zone air conditioning and state-of-the-art soundproofing. The highest quality wood veneers, leather hides and solid stainless steel brightware are used. Wriggle your

feet into the deeper pile carpets, which were specially created to offer an unparalleled level of comfort. To bring out a richer leather smell, the craftsmen reverted to a traditional tanning process. At the heart of every great car lies a great engine. Though the base configuration is similar to the engineering design classic first built in Crewe fifty years ago, the Mulsanne V8 has been completely redesigned to integrate the latest technologies. A remarkable 6.75-litre, 90-degree V8 engine, an all-new 505 bhp engineering marvel that generates 1020 Nm of torque and delivers the effortless performance expected of a grand Bentley, whilst retaining huge amounts of power in reserve. But if you’ve got a vision of a car that expresses your personality in every detail, you can step into the world of Bentley and you’ll find a huge selection of existing colors, hides, veneers and other standard options from which to choose. You may even want to complement these choices with premium options. This is where the Mulliner ‘bespoke’ craftspeople come in, adding their magic touch. And while all Bentleys are unique, a Mulliner Bentley is the most personal expression of all.

At the heart of every great car lies a great engine. The Mulsanne V8 integrates a remarkable 6.75-litre, 90-degree V8 engine.

Photos: Cortesía Bentley Motors Limited.

Bentley Mulsanne

The Mulsanne retains classic Bentley heritage and styling cues such as its bullseye air vents and mixes them with the latest in 21st-century craftsmanship.

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Desires

E Spirits

xcellent whiskies Whiskey isn’t the easiest drink to embrace. Its alcohol level is much higher than beer or wine. Whiskeys, though, are rich and diverse in flavors—more than any other distilled spirit. Each country traditionally produces its own style of whiskey. by Alejandro M. García.

Maker’s Mark

The final, crowning touch on each bottle is the red wax seal. Because the bottles are hand-dipped, no two are alike.

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flavors from the wood. When ready, (around three years) each barrel is moved to a lower part of the warehouse to continue its maturation process in a less extreme fashion. Maker’s Mark is bottled to taste. The final, crowning touch on each bottle is the red wax seal. Because the bottles are handdipped, no two are alike. makersmark.com

Johnnie Walker Blue Label King George V Edition Johnnie Walker Blue Label King George V was created to celebrate the Royal Warrant given to the Walker family in 1934 to mark their exceptional quality. Reflecting the style of whiskies in the early 19th century, this spirit uses some of the rarest casks from the Johnnie Walker stocks. The casks are hand-selected and set aside for their exceptional quality, character and flavor. The character of Blue Label is truly unique; it’s complex, powerful, incredibly smooth and retains the Johnnie Walker signature smokiness. Hand-crafted in single barrel batches of only 330 bottles it’s an exceptionally rare blend of nine whiskies, and including those from Glen Albyn and Cambus distilleries. It’s presented in a unique, individually numbered Baccarat crystal decanter—hand blown, polished and engraved by Jim Beveridge, one of only three Master Craftsmen in the world. Johnnie Walker Blue Label sets the standard, with layers and layers of flavor from hand-selected, rare casks from across the distilling regions of Scotland. The smoke of the west and the rich, sweet whiskies of the east influence its flavors. It’s a slow, intense, rich, deep and multi-layered experience. The layers of flavor develop and unfold and the finish continues with more and more flavors developing. Then there’s a rich and uniquely long and satisfying finish of smoke, pepper, ending with a glorious touch of spice. johnniewalker.com

Photos: Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc., The Glenrothes, John Walker & Sons.

Maker’s Mark is one of the few brands to credit Mother Nature for such a unique bourbon taste. That’s because they use pure, iron-free limestone spring water exclusively. Searching for that unique bourbon flavor, they had to choose their grains wisely. First, they use yellow corn and red winter wheat from specially selected small farm cooperatives. This wheat gives the whisky its soft, mellow taste. Their rare cypress fermentation tanks are historically irreplaceable. Some of the planks are more than 100 years old. Cypress was chosen for fermentation before modern stainless steel was available because it didn’t contribute iron or taste to the final product. As if all this was not enough to cook an extraordinary whisky, Makers Mark is distinguished by rotating its barrels from the top of the warehouse to the bottom floor. All the barrels start at the top of the warehouse where they are exposed to the greatest temperature extremes. Hot Kentucky summers cause the whisky to expand into the wood. Cold winters cause the whisky to contract back out of the wood. This is what allows the whisky to absorb the wonderful

Desires Spirits

Glenrothes Vintage 1975 This is the Glenrothes bottle to find. Having won Platinum medals, and been given 98% ratings, we are talking about one of the very finest Speyside Single Malts ever, a Scotch of staggering reputation, a Vintage Malt. The 1975 was launched in 2006 and is the rarest Glenrothes vintage ever. Only 3,708 bottles were made available of this 31-year-old whisky, and at the moment it’s almost extinct. As with all expressions of The Glenrothes, the 1975 Vintage is released in keeping with the policy of bottling selected casks at their point of optimum maturity and maximum flavor. This approach allows for some fascinating variations from vintage to vintage. The nose is rewarded with the classic combination of stewed fruits and a result of exceptional wood policy. Rich and spicy on the palate, it delivers some vanilla, grapefruit and hazelnuts notes. The finish is lengthy and medium sweet. A post dinner great—preferably on a winter’s evening. A big Glenrothes. If it’s to be shared, choose carefully. Only 2% of the production of The Glenrothes is used for single malt bottlings. The majority is used in blends such as Cutty Sark and The Famous Grouse. Interestingly, since 1993, they release vintage bottlings, each of a single year, instead of focusing on certain ages like most distilleries do. This is the result of Glenrothes being distributed by Berry Bros & Rudd, whose core business is selling wine. theglenrothes.com

This is the Glenrothes bottle to find. It is one of the very finest Speyside Single

For many, whiskey is just as much an adventure as it is a drink. It invites you to explore and indulge in its diversity.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label sets the standard, with layers and layers of flavor from hand-selected, rare casks.

[ August / September ] 81

Journal of… Spirits

Patrick Grant Director of Norton & Sons

Behind Norton & Sons, one of the most important sartorial houses of Savile Row, and E. Tautz is Patrick Grant, a man passionate for elegance. Discover the life of a visionary entrepreneur and the new spokesman of masculine style. by paulina delgado

swer all his questions and be honest about how you want to look. You don’t want to get home with a suit exactly as the one in the window; you must work together with your tailor to create a really unique piece.

FLATTERING FABRICS, NEVER DENIM According to Patrick Grant, jeans are not a basic item in the male wardrobe. He just love his clothes tailored, so for him jeans are just too stiff. After loosing a year looking for the perfect shoes for jeans, Patrick thought that maybe shoes weren’t the problem. He stopped looking, and said it all loud, “I’m not a fan of denim.”

READY-TO-WEAR, A MATTER OF QUALITY

We constantly look at how soon-to-be businessman found their destiny in an almost intuitive way. That is the case of Patrick Grant, who felt a true interest over iconic English brands of luxury goods, like Burberry and Lyle & Scott. To satisfy his curiosity Grant studied at Oxford Said Business School and received his MBA, this brought him close to Savile Row, the famous sartorial street in London.

BESPOKE SUIT, the UNIFORM OF SUCCESS Patrick Grant believes in elegance as the perfect combination between being comfortable and looking your best. A bespoke suit is the best outfit to look elegant, confident and successful. As soon as opportunity knocked on his door, Patrick opened; he realized the importance of the sartorial venue of Savile Road, and in 2005, bought—with some part-

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ners—Norton & Son, which was founded by Walter Norton back on 1821. Before Grant, Norton & Son was having some problems but nowadays business is better than ever. Its regular costumers are presidents, chiefs of state, rock stars and Hollywood actors.

THE FIRST SUIT Patrick began to wear suits when he was 14. It was 1960 and the owner of the suits was his father. Eventually Grant had to buy one of his own, in the right size, and then he started his collections. Among the variety of styles, colors and cuts, there is a concept that unifies its collection: less is more.

HOW A BESPOKE SUIT MUST BE Grant’s world moves around the bespoke suits. If you want to take advantage on your visit to the tailor, Patrick Grant is the one to ask for advice. He believes that speaking with your tailor is essential for getting your suit done the way you wish, you must an-

RELATIONSHIPS For Patrick a man is not a true gentleman until he has the correct social relationships. These include a good tailor, a shoemaker, a cigar connoisseur, a barber and a merchant of fine wines.

LONDON-NEW YORK, ROUND TRIP Every year Grant and Stephen Allen, head cutter of Norton & Sons, visit New York. This small Savile Road delegation stays at the Affinia Hotel for several days. After attending appointments—scheduled months in advance—Grant enjoys walking around New York. He stops at Barney’s and Bergdorf Goodman to look what they have in and see what New York menswear is doing. For dining in the big apple, Patrick loves Balthazar and Gemma in the Bowery Hotel.

Photo: Courtesy of Dressed for Dinner.

AN AvID INTEREST IN BRITISH LUXURY BRANDS

Grant believes that wearing clothes that are ready-to-wear doesn’t mean to drop a link in the evolutionary style-chain. On the contrary, he knows there are all sorts of occasions, and each one has it’s own etiquette. Patrick knows that ready-to-wear is not just about cotton shirts with funny prints or straight-cut trousers in stiff fabrics, that is where E. Tautz comes into the game.

CHIO

Aachen

The Dutch continued their triumphant rampage through the 2011 FEI Nations Cupâ&#x201E;˘ series when recording their third victory of the season on the hallowed turf of Aachen, Germany. In a cliff-hanger of a competition, filled with all sorts of drama, the result was not decided until the last man entered the arena. by Louise Parkes. Photos by Ki Houghton/FEI.

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s it came down to the closing stages, it seemed the host nation might follow the success they enjoyed in Sweden with another memorable night on their home ground. But two late fences down for anchorman Ludger Beerbaum and “Gotha” snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, and Germany was obliged to share runner-up spot with the come-back kings from Ireland and the impressive new-look British side. The result has reinforced the Dutch hold at the top of the series leaderboard, but for Belgium, the USA and Denmark, things are now getting critical.

BIG AND BOLD Frank Rothenberger’s track was typically big and bold, but eight riders went clear first time out and the British, Germans and French held the lead with just four faults at the half-way stage while the Dutch were next in line carrying eight. The Americans and Irish shared a score of 12, but the Belgians had already accumulated 32. It was Belgium who finished last when Rik Hemeryck’s horse recalled his dislike of the double after the water and stopped twice for elimination while last-to-go Jos Lansink retired. The Irish rallied in the second round with a clear from Shane Breen (“Carmena Z”) and just a toe in the water for Shane Sweetnam (“Amaretto D’Arco”). American chances went into decline with 16-fault results for both McLain Ward (“Antares”) and Margie Engle (“Indigo”), while the remaining four nations all reached the half-way stage of the second round carrying eight faults apiece. A clear from Denis Lynch (“All Inclusive”) suggested the Irish might be able to finish on a 12-fault total but when Billy Twomey’s “Tinka’s Serenade” faulted at the water that was increased to a 16-fault final tally. American chances were gone however, despite another four-fault round from Laura Kraut (“Cedric”) and a fabulous clear from Beezie Madden (“Coral Reef Via Volo”).

CAT-AND-MOUSE At the sharp end, there was game of cat-and-mouse going on, and the result was undecided to the very end. Clears from pathfinder Eric van der Vleuten (“VDL Groep Utascha”) and a second faultfree performance from anchorman Jeroen Dubbeldam (“BMC Van Grunsven Simon”) meant Gerco Schroder’s four faults was all the Dutch had to add to their eight-fault first round total. Single errors from Guy Williams (“Titus”), Scott Brash (“Intertoy Z”), and Michael Whitaker (“GIG Amai”) had to be included in the British scoreline when Nick Skelton’s Carlo left two on the floor however, so they moved to a 16-fault scoreline. For the Germans, it seemed likely that Ludger Beerbaum could make amends for Christian Ahlmann’s and Jann-Friederike Meyer’s errors. But German hearts were broken when Beerbaum and “Gotha” connected with the Rolex oxer at fence 10, and then, having negotiated the following vertical, also hit the final oxer. It wasn’t quite over yet though. Despite two down for Penelope Leprevost (“Mylord Carthago”), the French would force a jump-off with the Dutch if Michel Robert could follow the single secondround mistakes from Olivier Guillon (“Lord de Thieze”) and Kevin Staut (“Silvana de Hus”) with a foot-perfect run. And it seemed the veteran might escape a possible penalty at the open water when the three judges spent some time poring over the tape as Robert and “Kellemoi de Pepita” continued around the track. As they cleared the oxer three from home however, the flag was raised at the water and shouts rang out around the arena, and the mare then hit the final oxer to return a costly eight-fault total which dropped them right down to fifth place.

Opposite: Winning netherlands team. Top: CarstenOtto Nagel riding "Corradina 2." Bottom: Jeroen Dubbeldam riding "BMC van Grunsven Simon."

Chio Aachen

1netherlands 2ireland 12 faults

Eric van der Vleuten Jur Vrieling Gerco Schroder Jeroen Dubbeldam

16 FAULTS

Shane Breen Shane Sweetnam Denis Lynch Billy Twomey

2GERMANY 16 FAULTS

Christian Ahlmann Janne-Friederike Meyer Carsten-Otto Nagel Ludger Beerbaum

[ August / September ] 85

International Day

The England captain lifted the cup on the 100th anniversary of the competition, after facing a tough oposition of the Brazilian team. Photos by centaur photographic ©.

Top: The England team with the Coronation Cup. Joining the team here are Carlos Gracida, the team coach, Andrew Hine, the team manager, Andrew Tucker, chef d'equipe and John Tinsley of the HpA's International Commitee. Bottom: England's Nacho Gonzalez v Luis Paulo Bastos of Brazil.

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uke Tomlinson led the Audi England team to an historic victory in the Coronation Cup at Guards Polo Club on Sunday 24 July. The England captain lifted the cup on the 100th anniversary of the competition, watched by HRH Prince Philip and Arnaud Bamberger of Cartier. Although England were on home soil, and playing more familiar horses, they faced a tough opposition as the Brazilian team was fielding a 29-goal team. In fact Brazil, supported by Equus Wealth Management, were so keen to win the Coronation Cup this year—they have been defeated by England on their previous two encounters—that they even flew some ponies over for the game. However England (rec 1 goal on handicap) won the match 8-7, capitalising on Brazil’s misfortune when their captain Jose Eduardo Kalil had to retire in the fourth chukka due to a recurrence of an old ankle injury. Despite this disappointment, Kalil was magnanimous in defeat at the post-match press conference, saying:

“England played better this afternoon.” He was full of praise for Guards Polo Club too, adding: “This is the best place in the world, the most beautiful club and the best polo.” Kalil’s place in the Brazilian team was taken by Calao Mello, a fivegoaler who was just one of a group of Brazilian players who had gathered to watch the game. “I never expected to play,” he said afterwards. “There was some symphony but I didn’t know the horses and so I wasn’t that good. And England played better than us!” England were in great form. Professional player Carlos Gracida has taken up a coaching role at the England HQ and he moved Luke Tomlinson to the number three position in the team. After the game, he praised Luke, saying “he did a great job.” The judges of the Cartier Pegasus Award for The Most Valuable Player obviously agreed and named Luke as the winner of this trophy. Pony power was also rewarded and Jose Donoso, the captain of the Chilean team, stepped forward to join James Beim at the presentation table as one of Donoso’s ponies, the 10-year-old Argentine mare "Pelusa," owned by Donoso, but played by Beim, was named Best Playing Pony. The Retraining of Racehorses organisation supported a prize for any former racehorses on the field on this day. The Best Retrained Racehorse went to Jonny Good’s "Minni," a nine-year-old Irish-bred mare. Jonny was the captain of the HowToSpendIt.com’s Hurlingham team—this year sporting impressive black shirts provided by Joules—in the morning’s Golden Jubilee Trophy, a showcase of English polo excellence. However, new team colours did not bring the Hurlingham team success as they were defeated 13-6 by an impressive IG Index/Audi Prince of Wales’ team. Away from the polo action, a large audience, reported to be around 20,000 strong, were entertained by an impressive parade before the game. Dancers and drummers from the London Samba School sashayed in front of the Royal Box, while the hounds of the Bicester and Whaddon Chase Hunt, raced across

Top: The Most Valuable Player Award, the Cartier Pegasus Trophy, is presented to Luke Tomlinson by Prince Phillip. Middle: Prince of Wales's George Meyrick v Hurlingham's Max Charlton. Bottom: Prince Phillip, Arnaud Bamberger and Nick Colquhoun Denvers with the HowToSpendIt.com Hurlingham and the Audi/IG Index Pirnce of Wales teams and their sponsors.

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captain jose eduardo kalil was full of praise for Guards Polo Club: “This is the best place in the world, the most beautiful club and the best polo.” the ground to thunderous applause from the crowd. The parade of a First World War ambulance reminded the crowds of the main charity of the day, Horses Help Heroes. Visitors to Smith’s Lawn, the home of Guards Polo Club, also had the opportunity of visiting an extensive retail village which offered everything from Audis to champagne, Argentine food and drink to all your essential polo kit. A variety of hospitality options ensured that the perfect day could be arranged for everyone and Chinawhite brought the event to a close with a spectacular party in their stunning marquee. The evening concluded with a wonderful memorial to the Guards Polo Club’s late Chief Executive, Charlie Stisted, when 40 Chinese lanterns were lit in his memory on The Queen’s Ground. This may be the final Cartier-sponsored International Day—the leading jewellery comTop: The Blester with pany returns to Guards Polo Club next June Whaddon Chase Hunt as sponsors of the high-goal Queen’s Cup hounds parade on The competition. Meanwhile, the Hurlingham Queen's Ground before Polo Association (HPA) is already planning the game. next year’s International Day, which will be Bottom: Pony Club held on Sunday 22 July, a week before the ofparade. ficial opening of the 2012 London Olympics. What a sporting week that will be!

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Travel & Tips spirits

Monaco yacht Show

his is one of the most glamorous and high net worth events in the Principality of Monaco. The Monaco Yacht Show, an internationally famous and glitteringly gorgeous event, on the Cote d’Azur, bursts with the flavorings of wealth, health and happiness. More than 100 superyachts, with more than 40 making their worldwide debut, will line the docks of Monte Carlo from September 21st to 24th. It is they that set the tone for what is the most prestigious yacht show in the world. Their very presence inside Port Hercules draws in Royalty and millionaire yacht owners alike. Ulysse Nardin, awardwinning watchmakers to the world’s elite, are the

official sponsors for the show. The Swiss based watchmaker will use the occasion to unveil their new MYS limited series of exceptional timepiece. The renowned French catering house Lenôtre offers refined and varied menus in the show’s very own restaurant. Located next to the Champagne Bar, where Lanson recommend a selection of fine prestigious champagnes, the Baccarat Crystal Lounge offers the participants a cozy room for their appointments or to relax a while between visits to the yachts. VIPs visitors benefit from a courtesy car service provided by BMW which allows them road transport within Monaco, to and from the Show, while a fleet of yacht tenders supplied by EAMS and Pantaenius are used to reach the main quays of the Show by water. It is, however, the superyachts from 25 to 90 m that are the true stars of the show. This year the line up includes Imagine a spectacular 64 m built in Holland and are amongst the tenders on show. Among the yachts for sale there is Big Fish one of the most dramatically designed discovery yachts that has, since her launch last year already explored the globe and visited Antarctica. Packed

Photos: ÂŠ Pierre Pettavino & Altivue.

to the gunwales so that she resembles a floating art gallery, the new 39 m Snowbird is a stunning example of how different owners use their superyachts. If it is the majesty of large sailing yachts what it takes to get your blood running try the award winning 50 m Zefira, the most magnificent of fast cruising yachts that is the largest Dubois design to date without a flybridge. She won Sailing Yacht of the Year at the World Superyacht Awards earlier this year. A new yacht that has chosen Monaco to make her world debut is Galileo, the latest exciting design from Vitruvius Yachts, built at the Picchiotti Perini yard in Italy. Designed for remote Arctic and Antarctic exploration she truly is a blue-water, global explorer yacht and with her good looks will turn heads wherever she goes. The Monaco Yacht Show would be a success as a boat show in any yachting calendar but what makes it special are the events every day: prize givings, gala dinners and cocktail parties. These take the occasion into a class of its own without equal. Clearly the 21st Monaco Yacht Show is set to be the best in yachting events.

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SUPERB MOMENTS Events from North to South

Capturing glimpses of competition and post competition action from Spruce Meadows to San Diego. Whether show jumping, socializing or catching a chukker, the events from north in Calgary to south in San Juan Capistrano and San Diego were fantastic. The Southern’s of Spruce Meadows host some of the world’s best tournaments and have for many years. Fast horses and the summer’s most fashionable attire can be found at the San Diego Polo Club. Blenheim EquiSports and Equ Lifestyle Magazine hosted not-to-be-missed social events from The Great Train Robbery to an Evening at Arden Cottage. The images below depict equestrian delight by day and by night.

Social Flash Picture perfect

1. Spruce statues and Linda Southern Heathcott. 2. Richard Spooner wins at Spruce Meadows. 3. Spruce Meadows Founder Ron Southern. 4. Stylish couple attend San Diego Polo Club’s opening day.

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Photos: Courtesy Spruce Media Services , Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Anwar Esquivel, Flying Horse Photograph, San Diego Polo Club.

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5 1. Armando Flores of Charco Construction and his son Maximilian. 2. Mariano Fassetta changes horses between chukkers. 3. Karl Cook meets Marg Southern at Spruce Meadows. 4. Nick Haness and friend dance the night away at Arden Cottage. 5. Angie Antwan from Ferrari of San Diego throwing out the first ball of the Pan-American Cup featured match. [ Julio / Agosto ] 93

Social Flash

Picture Perfect

1. Monica Hiett, Melissa Brandes, raffle grand prize winner John McConnell. 2. Samantha Sommers is all smiles. 3. Lauren Hester. 4. Gorgeous Lugano Diamonds anyone? 5. Alex Wilson, Chloe and Jackie McFarland.

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Photos: Courtesy Spruce Media Services , Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Anwar Esquivel, Flying Horse Photograph.

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5 1. John Perez. 2. Toasting the Great Train Robbery party. 3. Heather Olson and Lucas. 4. Olivia Chowdry and Alyssia Gasser. 5. Summer Phillips.

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Laws of style

1. light weight Sometimes life just gets too complicated, take a weight off you with a large wheeled Tumi Luggage to bring your stuff.

2. WEAR IT You’ll go so right with a fresh Loro Piana or Ralph Lauren buttoned cashmere sweater.

3. ooops... rain! It is always a drag to carry an umbrella, you better go with a Barbour raincoat for those bothersome rainy days.

4. first aid

Musts

casual-Cool j brand jeans... don’t dare to wear

to bring to Europe

6. Look for a hot spot

7. Hi, mr. sunshine

8. one for the waves

9. 9.50” of pleasure

10. carry on, go on

Make the most of sunny days and let all that gym work pay off. Show off your body in some J Crew shorts.

Cover your hangover or jet lag face with some cool Ray-Ban shades, go for retro or vintage style.

Pick up the ultimate beauty advice: if you don’t have the body of a goddesses, bikini is not an option.

The iPad fits neatly in your handbag, and comes with all your can’t-livewithout apps.

It’s good for a quickie, and works miracles in long rides, get a Louis Vuitton carry on, for emergencies.

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Photo: Courtesy of PRshots.

Wear comfortable shoes, (Tod’s are the best), because there is nothing more nasty than band-aids.