essential essentialWWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM I TRAVEL I TRENDS I CULTURE I LIFE STYLE I PROPERTY I GOURMET CLICK TO VISIT WATCH on-page VIDEOS ºN 274 2022SEPTEMBER-DESIGNANDALUCÍAMARBELLA-SPAINWEEK MARBELLA NEW VINCCI LARIOS DIEZ 20 YEARS OF AMBIENCE HOME DESIGN HI-SO SOTOGRANDE TANTALISING TUSCANY EL UNICO IN LA LAMBORGHINIZAGALETA COUNTACH REVEL IN RECARLO JOHANNA ORTIZ RESORT COLLECTION 2023 - P148 on the cover
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Dcontents 128 138 148 ESSENTIALS 22 Publisher’s Letter GO TO SPOTLIGHT 30 Tuscany 44 The New Vincci Larios Diez 52 Design Week Marbella 62 Recarlo Jewellery 72 The DART Mission 80 Geothermal Energy 90 Lamborghini Countach 96 The World’s Most Expensive Car GO TO TRENDS 104 Eduardo Conçalves –Stop Trophy Hunting! 108 Vintage Fashion Trends For Gen Z 112 Hot New Films 116 Blonde – Coming This Month! 118 New Book Releases 122 What’s Cool
GO TO LIFESTYLE 128 The Impressive El Unico in La Zagaleta 138 Ambience Home Design 20th Anniversary 148 Johanna Ortiz Resort Collection 2023 156 Estée Lauder Beauty & Skincare 160 Different Pets GO TO ENTERPRISE 164 DM Properties Market Report 172 Business News 182 deLona Exclusive Upcycling 184 The Vibe GO TO GOURMET 192 HI-SO Restaurant 198 Jorge Hernández-Gil of Grupo Trocadero 202 Gourmet Bytes 206 Wine – La Vendimia 96 192 3062
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ake your September suave! Take a step back from the frenetic activity on the Coast, slow down, and savour life in one of the nicest spots on the planet. To help achieve this state of mind, find somewhere cool and comfortable to enjoy your copy of Essential. This edition has a distinctly Italian theme, as you will see from reading on. We embark on a tour of Tuscany, surely a favourite destination for many of us, and we become acquainted with the new Vincci Larios Diez, close to Málaga’s cathedral, occupying a tastefully restored period building. We preview the highly anticipated Marilyn Monroe biopic, Blonde, finally being released later this month, and delve into NASA’s DART mission which is due to impact with Dimorphos at the end of September. If supercars excite you, don’t miss our presentation of the stunning new Lamborghini Countach. Find out also about the world’s most expensive car – a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which has nearly tripled the previous record at Forauction.sparkling diamonds with profound romantic symbolism, look no further than Recarlo Jewellery, founded in Piemonte, Italy, 55 years ago, and available at Ideal Joyeros in Puerto Banús.
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D WORDS BY IAIN PUBLISHERBLACKWELL LET IT BE! M
Locally, be prepared to be bowled over by Lavele’s remarkable El Unico at La Zagaleta, toast Ambience Home Design on their 20th Anniversary, and get ready for the 2nd edition of Marbella Design Week, hitting town on the 22nd. Relax!
128 90 122 192 30 PRECIOUSOFMOMENT“EVERYLIFEISANDCANNEVERHAPPENAGAIN” ZELIG PLISKIN
e spotlight CHECK IN TO THE NEW VINCCI LARIOS DIEZ. CHECK OUT THE REVIVED LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH AND THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE CAR SOLD RECENTLY AT AUCTION. REVEL IN RECARLO JEWELLERY, AND LOOK FORWARD TO DESIGN WEEK MARBELLA AND THE DART MISSION, BOTH COMING LATER THIS MONTH. 90 back to CONTENTS
30 Tuscany 44 The New Vincci Larios Diez 52 Design Week Marbella 62 Recarlo Jewellery 72 The DART Mission 80 Geothermal Energy 90 Lamborghini Countach 96 The World’s Most Expensive Car MOTORINGHISTORYTRAVELCULTURE 4480 30
TUSCANY APPEALTIMELESSOF
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The hotel is cocooned among the ever-present vineyards, cypresses and ‘abete’ (fir trees) with curves of every shade of green that nature produces.
THE
For I was in Chiantishire (so called after the flurry of British tourists who take delight in the Tuscan countryside) with its light green vineyards, sunburnt wheat fields and long rows of trees comprising of tall poplars, parasol pines and upright cypresses that point delightfully in silhouette to the heavens. It was very late at night by the time I reached my hotel Castello di Spaltenna home)(www.spaltenna.it/en/ . But the next morning compensated by heralding the utter joy of opening the shutters of my room, like a gift, to reveal the sunshine streaming in beneath the countryside in her full glory.
Peaceful and elegant country vibes, Hotel Castello di SpaltennaPool with panoramic views, Castello di Spaltenna Rustic food offerings,MonasteroCastel
The swallows swooped and swerved between the terraced flowerbeds; all very stimulating as I immersed myself in its utter stillness. ›
Aeral view of the Hotel
WORDS
Other Italian regions may have lusher valleys and may have taller mountains. But in Tuscany it’s all about the serenity and joy of her rolling landscapes with their agricultural precision and elegance. It is all so engaging and life enhancing. My senses were enlivened by the many stimuli of their smells, sights and sounds, by the fields of poppies, the margheritas (daisies) and the tiny ‘ranuncolo’ buttercups as they danced in their stunning meadows while butterflies flitted and bees buzzed along the mazy, dappled lanes. ADAM JACOT DE BOINOD Castel
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Luxurious bedrooms, Castello di Spaltenna This independent boutique hotel rests comfortably beside the Romanesque Parish Church of Santa Maria, a monastery constructed in 1040 that is currently awaiting restoration. The small monastic windows look out over the ‘chiostro’ (courtyard). It’s perfect for weddings and is enjoyed by all ages: particularly, it seemed, by ramblers. The 37 rooms have tasteful shots of colour beneath their authentic farmhouse beams. It has its own ceramic shop and a vineyard which produces its own rosé. Look out for the miniature red robot called Ambrogio that mows the lawn with great industry.Fromhere I took myself off to Siena to visit the cathedral. It’s striking black and white striped columns reflect the ‘balzana’, the symbolic shield of the city, with the contrasting colours of the horses ridden by the two sons of Remus, brother of Romulus. I recommend visiting it late in the day when it remains open for twenty minutes after the last entry. For only then can you have it to yourself and own the experience with its full dramatic hollow silence. Back outside and the black and white façade is beautifully offset by hues of pink stone as the cloudless blue sky completes the aesthetic picture. › Imposing exteriors and conservatorycharming at the Hotel Castello di Spaltenna
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. It’s a small 11th century former convent for cloistered nuns (the Pope being the only permitted outsider). By the 1400s it belonged to the Chigi Saracini family, renowned for having two Popes, one of whom, Alexandro V11, booted the Mother Superior out of the nunnery, causing her such disappointment that she died at his feet. But her spirit remains in the room nearest the church and is still keenly felt by guests today. Villa Lavanda, Hotel Castel Monastero Castel MonasteroCastel Monastero
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I walked back up from the dipping ‘campo’, the famous piazza where the two annual ‘palio’, the bare-back horse races, are staged surrounded by dramatic steep cobbled streets and harmonious ‘Siena’ brown buildings.Thankfully, my car was nearby – I recommend parking right by the San Domenico football stadium. When you’re ready for a meal, try out the mid-price ranged Baggoga ristorantebagoga.it)(www. , named after a famous local jockey and restaurateur and managed by his son, Francesco Fagnani. “Chefs are French, I am a cook,” was the boast from the kitchens. Baggoga carries the symbol of Vetrina Toscana, a government-backed scheme to promote the more authentic aspects of the region’s locally sourced food and wine of which Francesco offered up a white Anna 2013 and a red Brunello di Montalcino 2012. A good place to stay nearby is the Castel Monastero Resort and Spa home)castelmonastero.com/en/(www.
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This boutique hotel is set among woodlands and vineyards and is perfectly positioned for art lovers, being a half hour drive to Siena and an hour to Florence. It’s also ideal for an indulgent weekend for gourmets and spa seekers, with 55% of the guests returning for more. Bought and renovated twelve years ago, it has 74 rooms and no apartments. They were all standardised in design but priced by size. There are meditation classes offered near the dreamy pathways that took me down to the four swimming pools. Three of the latter are outdoors and adjacent to the luxurious and stylish spa where every programme is based on the deep ‘marma’ massage, working the acupuncture points and energetic meridians with Ayurvedic and Reiki treatments. › From here, I headed to San Gimignano, with the 13 medieval towers (out of the original 76) in full prominence justifying its sobriquet of ‘Medieval Manhattan’ (towers once symbolised power among the rival households vying for status). It’s an unspoilt, well-preserved town with a lovely approach through cypresses, silvery green olive trees and vineyards. With more open spaces than most Tuscan hilltop towns, it doesn’t feel unduly touristic.Ihada delicious light lunch at the Locanda di Sant’ Augustino (www.locandasantagostino.it) in its eponymous large, empty piazza, a quiet breathing space where the buildings have layers of faded plaster to reflect the wear and tear of time. Genziana, the characterful owner, paid careful attention to create a lovely dish of spaghetti with pea sauce and truffle oil. It’s marvellous how Italian cuisine knows how to make something so delicious out of such simple ingredients. ›
San Hotel Castel MonasteroSpa, Hotel Castel Monastero
GourmetGimignanodining,
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Dimora Palanca, Florence back to
The baptistery has a bare interior in stark contrast to the one in Florence. The lawns of the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles) that surround the Duomo give a wonderful frame to the honest and devout architecture. And so finally to Florence where the secret is to surrender yourself to being transported in time and to sharpen your eyes by testing and training yourself to take in all the detail and refinery. It’s one of the best ways to revive the spirits. How life-affirming it is to admire the artistic skill of our forebears! Indeed, anyone trying to understand the greatness of European culture over the last five hundred years has to grasp this Tuscan journey of human confidence.Istayedfirst at the boutique hotel Dimora Palanca dimorapalanca.com/en/)(www.
. From €295 a night, it has18 spacious rooms with the master suite even having a private terrace and, above the four-poster bed, its own 19th century gilded fresco. Opened in August 2020, it has all the glory and freshness of being brand-new. This elegant and classical square villa was formerly the 19th century home of the Palanca family and is bang opposite the luxurious grounds of the esteemed Corsini family on the Via Scala just out from the city centre.
From San Gimignano, it’s a simply gorgeous drive to Pisa where the leaning tower truly defies science, so I preferred to photograph it from a distance!
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The
The leaning tower of Pisa sense of harmony and tranquillity is enhanced by the height of its large windows and by its predominantly pristine white interior: a colour that exudes supreme confidence.
When I’m in Florence, I like to take a zonal journey beyond the walkable centre exploring the North, West, South and the East, one at a time. I strongly recommend Destination Florence (www.destinationflorence.com/en) for their specialist tours and expert advice. If you find a church door open then go in (by the right-hand door) as they are often shut. All the museums and most of the churches offer some delight for the eye, some masterpiece of craftmanship. However beware the Accademia, which is overpriced and overrated, and which lures unsuspecting tourists to see the original of Michelangelo’s David and not much else.
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The ceramic shop of Ricceri Giuliano Façade detail of the medieval church of Santa MariaFlorenceNovella,OccasioniMusicali
PiazzaSignoriaDella
Florence night skyline Time to go on a shopping spree! As for my suggestions for unusual shopping I recommend Ricceri Giuliano (www.riccericeramica.com) in Via dei Conti for ceramics and Fabio Innocenti com)antichitafabioinnocenti.(www. in the Piazza dei Ciompi for antiques. Try Galleria d’Arte Pietro Bazzanti e Figlio it/en/)(www.galleriabazzanti. on Lungarno Corsini for your very own sculpture and Occasioni Musicali it)(https://occasionimusicali. on Via dell’Oriuolo for pop memorabilia and vintage rarities. And if you happen to be there on the last Sunday of the month go to Piazza Sant’ Ambrogio to rummage around for a bargain from the bric-abrac market. The hills are visible from every central point and nowhere more directly than from the cathedral (the ‘duomo’) along Via Camillo Cavour. The Duomo is still mercifully the tallest building on the skyline with no modern buildings in the city centre allowed to detract the eye. The interior is vast and empty with all the hollow echoes that brings. Opposite is the Baptistery. Just imagine baptising your child beneath the gilded splendour and of course the centuries-old holy breath. From the cupola’s vastness, images expand like unfurling petals, whose symmetry is broken only for Christ from above to (who welcomes you reassuringly into his church with his all-enveloping, outstretched arms). ›
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Fantastically situated overlooking the river and only one bridge along from Florence’s world-famous Ponte Vecchio is Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni 1 tornabuoni1.com/en/)(www. . The latter was where I stayed next. This hotel, with prices starting from €245 per night, inhabits the top half of a rather grand 13th century tower. And it’s perfectly placed for high-end shopping. Opposite is the Salvatore Ferragamo flagship store (complete with its own museum). And there’s Tiffany and Burberry, Gucci, Prada and Alexander McQueen, Armani and Dior, Bulgari and Montblanc to name but a few. My room (and I recommend you ask for room 55) has lime green curtains and painted yellow striped walls. It was traditional and stylish but simply decorated and refreshingly free from pictures so as not to compete with the stunning view out over the Ponte Trinita. The terrace breakfast room and, higher up, the panoramic restaurant look longingly out at the city’s famous riverscape –the bridges, the churches dominating the skyline and the glorious almost delicate cypress trees of the ‘rural suburb’ that is Bellosguardo. In Tuscany, I was transported in every sense and by every sense. I must go back. Whenever, but soon! g Adam Jacot de Boinod was a researcher for the first BBC television series QI, hosted by Stephen Fry. He wrote The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words from around the World, published by Penguin Books.
Ponte Vecchio in Florence
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LARIOSVINCCIDIEZ4* IN MÁLAGA
Vincci Hoteles, the famed group with a portfolio comprising 41 hotels in Spain, Portugal, Tunisia, and Greece, recently opened the brand-new Vincci Larios Diez 4* in Málaga’s most emblematic street, Calle Larios. ‘Diez’ refers to the building’s number on this iconic pedestrian street, which is one of the City’s most famous shopping and gastronomic havens. For tourists and Malagueños alike, Calle Larios is often the first stop prior to visiting the Málaga Cathedral, the Museo Carmen Thyssen and the Picasso Museum, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Teatro Cervantes, and many more must-see sites. OF HOTELES
VINCCI
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY
OPENS
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T he Larios Diez, the fifth in the province of Málaga, is part of the Vincci Group’s ambitious national and international expansion strategy. It is the most central of the Group’s Málaga hotels.
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The Hotel is testimony to the Group’s passion for converting old, architectural treasures into beautifully restored buildings that form part of the City’s vital energy. It is housed in a building that dates back to 1821 and belonged to Almacenes Gómez Raggio (one of the biggest storehouses in the province) from the start of the 20th century until almost its end. ›
The Vincci Selección Posada del Patio 5* and the Vincci Málaga 4* are also in the city though not within the Old Town. The Group’s other two hotels are in Marbella (the Vincci Selección Estrella del Mar 5*) and Benalmádena (the Vincci Selección Aleysa 5*).
Architect, Ignacio Ruiz Rivas, was entrusted with the global design project and with the restoration of the original facade that graces the first floor of the building. Group Plan, meanwhile, took charge of the interiors, giving priority to the special location of the Hotel and to natural lighting. High ceilings abound and the entrance hallway is flanked by two vertiginous vertical textiles that welcome guests and lead to the reception. The Vincci Larios Diez 4* measures 3,500m2 and is divided into seven floors, with a total of 76 rooms distributed between the first and fifth floors. There are various accommodation types to choose from, with the smallest measuring around 22m2. An ideal room if you are on a special getaway is one of the 10 double rooms with a terrace – some look out onto the Cathedral. For something a little larger, consider an exclusive superior room, located on the highest floor and boasting 33m2 of space, a 29m2 terrace, and features like a hydromassage bath to relax in after a day of sightseeing. Discerning clients will enjoy the ‘Essence’ service, which entitles them to personalised attention and exclusive advantages. › to
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The sixth floor is home to El Taller de Larios 10 – a restaurant with a terrace that serves clients non-stop, serving buffet and à la carte breakfasts, lunch, and dinner. Its menu comprises seasonal produce and top-quality products, as well as drinks and cocktails. It boasts a dynamic design, its black-and-white geometric flooring being married to natural wood and aged mirrors on the ceiling. Its gorgeous terrace is the ideal spot from which to contemplate the beauty of the Cathedral.
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The Vincci Larios Diez 4* is the perfect place to capture the essence of Málaga on foot. Imagine a day that begins with a hearty breakfast and continues with a walk to the home where Picasso was born in the Plaza de la Merced. Next up, why not enjoy lunch in the city and a theatrical show or ballet performance at the Teatro de Cervantes? Finally, you can dress up for dinner at the hotel overlooking the stunning architecture of this old but lively city that is very much young at heart. i www.vinccihoteles.com
CLICK TO www.vinccihoteles.com
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have,” wrote author and poet, Maya Angelou. Her words sum up the inner fire that sparks innovation in all its realms – including the worlds of interior design, architecture, construction, decoration, art and interior architecture. The talent of a myriad of professionals from these sectors will be on show for the second year running at Design Week Marbella (DWM 2022), which will run from September 22 to 28. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DESIGN WEEK MARBELLA DESIGNMARBELLAWEEK LIGHTS UP THE PALACIO DE CONGRESOS DE MARBELLA FROM SEPTEMBER 22 TO 28 Landscaping by La Menara back to CONTENTSD SPOTLIGHT design 52 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
MARBELLA AS CAPITALINTERNATIONALANDESIGN
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Artwork by Isabel Martín
D WM differs from a typical design fair in that it bears a more original, distinctDWMdesign-basedvariousconstructors,realThisdandfeaturedoveryear’sofheavilyacademicprofessional,focusandreliesontheparticipationlocalcompanies.Lasteventreceived14,000visitorsand426nationalinternationalbrands,esignersandarchitects.editionwillincludeestatepromotersandaswellaswell-establishedcompanies.2022willhavesixspaces–a‘free construction zone’, a display area for various firms, common areas, an architecture area, a space for companies specialising in interiors and an art avenue.
Design Week Marbella will be a perfect showcase for a city which has so much to offer when it comes to events of this calibre. Some of the many reasons why Marbella was chosen to host it include its unbeatable climate, glorious Old Town and excellent selection of hotels, restaurants, leisure zones, beaches, sailing ports, and golf courses. Walking through the city streets, one encounters a wide range of contrasts in style and creative expression. Marbella is a window into the work of some of the most renowned architects, designers and interior architects from all over the world. It is no less than a capital of luxury. ›
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Art will abound at a special zone called ‘Avenida del Arte’. There will be numerous innovations to marvel at – including Kahiru – a collection of 7222 anime NFTs in 3D. NFTs are doing a roaring trade and by the year 2030, it is predicted that they will achieve a global worth of €231 billion. If traditional art is more your thing, check out the dynamic oil paintings by Isabel Martín and the aweinspiring works by Ana Tinoco Studio. For sculpture, marvel at the creations of Moisés Gil, which are often described as inArieltheEquallybetweenbecause‘philosophical-conceptual’theyblurthedistinctionartandphilosophy.attention-catchingarespiralinstallationscreatedbyElizondo,whocreatesworknaturalstoneandsteel.› Construcciones
SAVVY BRANDS AT DWM 2022
DWM provides participants with an excellent opportunity to access one of the most exclusive markets in Europe, since so many high-end homeowners inhabit the areas spanning Sotogrande, Estepona, La Cala de Mijas and more. Professionals from the world of design, as well as constructors, high-end buyers, investors, real estate agencies and promotors, and international residents will all be making the most of the event in different ways.
The list of companiesparticipatingandspecialisms is vast indeed. Some brands will be collaborating on exciting projects. For instance, prestigious studio, Tekwood, has created a spectacular project for Rekker’s stunning K7 exterior kitchen line. The Conference Hall, meanwhile, a place where pioneers in design, art and architecture will engage in lively talks and debates, will be designed by Jesus Peña, illuminated by GLC Iluminación and fitted with carpentry by Fucking Wood. Exclusive textile editor, CR Class, will be accompanied by Portuguese furniture design company, Mamoa. Finally, hautecouture firm, Maison Mesa; artist, Juan Antonio Tinte; and high-tech company, Bellalux (with Inves Project) will create a unique, never-before-seen work, exclusively for DWM 2022.
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ARTISANSHIP AND TRADITION
Natural materials such as wood are trending in the world of design. If this material fascinates you, view the work of Maderas Gámez – a Malagueño firm founded in 1986 by two brothers who have dedicated their professional lives to wood and carpentry. Another company with a rich history and tradition is Cement Design – a leader in the manufacture and installation of decorative cement cladding for highstandard constructions and renovations that is present in over 60 countries. For an example of biophilic design at its finest, check out the work of Junco Africano –a Málaga-born company that has dedicated over 20 years to the manufacture, distribution and installation of items such as pergolas made of African reeds, heather and esparto. Landscaping, too, will find its place to shine thanks to firms like La Menara Estudio de Paisajismo, which has worked on a plethora of projects – including luxury villas, boutique hotels and public parks. ›
AN EYE FOR ITALIAN DESIGN
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Whether you’re into fabric, leather or wood and other natural materials, your attention will definitely be captured. Prestigious brand, Etagon, creates chic leather products for walls and furnishings.
Italian brands will feature strongly at the fair. Firms to watch out for include Dall’Agnese (which consideredfoundedbybe,howFormultifunctionalOzziobedsTwilscontemporarymanufacturesfurniture),(makersoffurniture,andtextiles)andItalia(whichdesignsfurniture).afullappreciationofmagicallightingcanvisitthespaceinhabitedSforzinIlluminazione,in1966andoneofthetop
lighting firms in Milan.
Nova Stone specialises in natural stone and its new line, Renaissance Collection, comprises unique finishes that reflect the origin and spirit of the elements that are hidden in stones. Treforma is another brand to watch out for; it has been manufacturing traditional tapestries for over 40 years.
CHOOSE YOUR MATERIAL
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Art by StudioTinocoAna
MetamorfosisbyArielElizondo
Fucking Wood. What’s not to love about this brand?
A stunning space by Estudio Alegría
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Work by Nova Stone i www.designweekmarbella.com A spiral
Even lifts will be the subject contemplation,of thanks to Aritco – a Swedish firm that will be showing off its newest, most advanced and high-tech creations. By now you have probably guessed that DWM 2022 amounts to no less than a full immersion in the wonderful word of art, architecture and design. There are many novelties this year, including the establishment of the new ‘free construction zone’ – an innovative concept that invites high-end specialists,architects,promoters,interiorand specialist firms to converge in one space. This is one fair you will probably want to spend more than one day at if you wish to discover what it truly means to live in the lap of luxury, comfort, and splendour. installation by
Showroom: Avenida Canovas del Castillo 25, Marbella blackshawinteriordesign.com / +34 951 403 787 Interior Design & Property Development
Receiving a diamond as a symbol of love is an unforgettable experience that often elicits highly emotional reactions. Actor Debra Messing, for instance, says that she is so fascinated by this sparkling gem that when she tries one on, her hands literally shake. Of course, not all diamonds are alike. Diamond designs by Recarlo, for instance, manage to take romance to the next level with compositions that speak to the imagination and touch the heart and soul.
SPARKLING DIAMONDS WITH
DEEP ROMANTIC SYMBOLISM RECARLO The Contrarié Anniversary Love ring 62 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE back to CONTENTSD SPOTLIGHT diamonds
A FAMILY-FOUNDED BUSINESS Recarlo was founded in 1967 by Carlo Re in the scenic northern Italian region of Piemonte. His wish was to capture beauty in its eternal form. Today, his sons, Giorgio and Paolo – who serve as DirectorsGeneralofthecompany–havegivencontinued life to his father’s vision, which focused on refined luxury combined with a discreet taste for precious things.
“Diamonds have an image of purity and light. They are given as a pledge of love and worn as a symbol commitment”ofPeterSinger
The Contrarié Anniversary Love bracelet
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A
MOMENTS OF LOVE Recarlo Jewellery, which is made in white diamonds and white gold, brings romance and meaning to some of the most special moments in life: engagements, weddings, births, and other occasions one wishes to capture for eternity. The brand’s expert gemologists select natural diamonds of the highest standard, relying on the Ideal cut to enhance the stone’s colour and brilliance. masterpiecesolitary
ICONIC COLLECTIONS Throughout the year, Recarlo has given life to emblematic collections such as Anniversary and Anniversary Love, which are products of innovation, experimentation, and research. The solitary diamond continues to be the specialisation of the company, though a myriad of designs are available. The ethos of the brand is to make women – mothers, wives, and daughters – fall in love with timeless designs that last a lifetime.
THE ANNIVERSARY LOVE COLLECTION
The Anniversary Love collection boasts equilibrium, harmony, and the shine that only natural diamonds possess. Wearing a design from this collection, one feels wrapped in the light that radiates from these heartshaped gems. The collection comprises solitary ring designs, as well as bracelets, earrings, and necklaces, formed by elegant and unexpected heartshaped sequences. ›
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The star of this collection is an unbreakable heart: a symbol of an eternal bond that is as luminous and everlasting as a Recarlodiamond.makes the dream of every woman – that of feeling special – a reality, though a gift that is a true sign of love. Thousands of shining facets symbolise the universal nature of this emotion, marrying tradition and imagination and elevating classic solitaire diamond designs to new heights. This collection comprises a refined, heart-shaped diamond within an emblematic setting that is also heart-shaped. It is based on centuries of history. The Sun King, Louis XIV (who was enamoured by diamonds) bought a large blue diamond which he asked his jeweller to cut into a heart shape for his then-lover, Madame de Montespan. Boasting an impressive 68 carats, it is known today as the Hope or Blue Diamond of France. Although heart-shaped diamonds are rooted in history, today, they are modern and fresh.
Items from the Contrarié line back to
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The most representative jewel in this collection is the Valentine solitary, which is the perfect representation of contemporary romance. The brilliant cut of the rock highlights its natural light, making it even more luminous. Anniversary Love comprises two exclusive lines called Contrarié and Incrocio. A select group of rings, bracelets and necklaces bear a distinctive design that has become synonymous with the Recarlo name.
THE CONTRARIÉ LINE The jewels in the Contrarié collection engulf you in light and make you feel like a true diva. Recarlo has captured the exclusive enchantment of a night on the red carpet, dressing its clients in designs that celebrate love and wrap them up in heart-shaped spirals.TheContrarié ring is the most emblematic piece in the Anniversary Love collection. Equally dazzling is the semirigid necklace, or the threelayer bracelet, both of which are designed with heart-shaped diamonds and graced with a scaled sequence of diamonds that hide a titanium spring which guarantees the perfect fit and security. The brand’s mastery and the meticulous work of artisans from Valenza shine in this emblematic line, which is instantly recognisable and which has fast become a symbol of the house of Recarlo. Anniversary Love solitary Solitary shine
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An
This line is the ultimate exponent of mastery in jewellery design and refinement. It is made up of a ring, bracelet and earrings. Bearing a enchantmentsophisticatedandunmistakable beauty, the earrings revive the style canons of the crossed ring and they have become one of the brand’s biggest sellers. They combine scaled heart-shaped diamonds and round brilliant-cut diamonds in a unique cadence. The bracelet boasts four springs that guarantee comfort and security and they shine with intrinsic luminosity. Once again, scaled heart-shaped and round diamonds create absolute harmony. ›
The Contrarié earrings and necklace THE INCROCIO LINE
Designing a symbol of perfect love
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THE ANNIVERSARY LOVE AT IDEAL JOYEROS These beautiful items of jewellery can be purchased at Ideal Joyeros, a luxury brand that selects highend jewellery pieces from across the globe. Grupo Ideal Joyeros was founded in 1973 by Shyam Aswani. His son, Anup, became its Director in 1998 and in 2020, he assumed the Presidency of the Group. Some 49 years after it was founded, Ideal Joyeros is considered one of the most important luxury jewellery chains in Spain. It is present in Marbella, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, and Fuerteventura. Its stores are staffed by highly qualified experts who can offer you the personal attention you need. e g Ideal Joyeros Puerto Banús. Muelle Ribera 28, Marbella. Tel.: (+34) 952 907 www.idealjoyeros.com010. The Contrarié bracelet and ring A solitary ring from AnniversarytheLovecollection back to CONTENTSD SPOTLIGHT diamonds 68 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
DINE UNDER THE STARS AT LA VERANDA Enjoy the elegance and old-warm charm of La Veranda, which is going ‘back to its roots’ by serving a new menu offering its most iconic dishes and guests’ all-time favourites from 20 years ago. Savour mouth-watering flavors created by chef Santiago Altuna. Steeped in nostalgia, complemented by exceptional service and a fairy-tale setting on the property’s iconic veranda Informationterrace. and reservations: E: laveranda.villapadierna@anantara-hotels.com T: +34 952 889 150 LIFE IS A JOURNEY. Visit anantara.com
THE ART EichholtzHermèsBECAUSEBEAUTIFUL-INTERIORDESIGN.COMHOMESYOUONLYLIVEONCE·Dolce&GabbanaCasa·Trussardi·ArmaniCasa·Missoni·RalpHLauren Home info@theart-interiordesign.com · Tel.: +34 604 305 755 Marbella Club Hotel · Galería Comercial IV Fase · Bulevard Alfonso de Hohenlohe s/n · 29602 Marbella
DARTNASA’S LIKE A SPACE MOVIE, BUT FOR REAL In a question of weeks, Nasa will be sending a spacecraft on course for an asteroid heading close to the earth to crash into it, on purpose. No, it’s not the script for the latest space adventure movie. This is real. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY NASA/JOHNS HOPKINS back to CONTENTSD SPOTLIGHT space 72 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
We know that asteroids have pummelled the earth for literally billions of years, helping to shape the planet and later destroying ecosystems, as in the famous case of the dinosaurs, but as none have threatened humanity in recorded history, we tend to think that was a one-off accident. The truth is that our planet is constantly being hit by objects from space, but since the majority of these range from space dust up to large boulders, they tend to burn up upon entry into the earth’s atmosphere and we don’t even notice. Residents in a remote part of Siberia did notice the crashing of a meteor that was somewhat bigger, back in 1908, as it completely demolished a forest (and everything else) within an area the size of a typical UK concerned,Fortunatelycounty.forallthisisa sparsely populated area, and the impact which became known as the Tunguska Event caused very few deaths. Had it happened in a major metropolitan area such as New York or Tokyo, the death toll would have counted in the hundreds of thousands, for while the massive rock didn’t hit the earth in solid form but disintegrated several kilometres up in the air, the ‘meteor air burst’ created in this way is similar in force to a nuclear explosion. In fact, people were thrown to the floor several hundreds of kilometres away and the shock was felt all the way to Western Europe and Indonesia, then the Dutch East Indies.›
• DISTANCE: DART’s impact will take place when the distance between Earth and the Didymos system is near its minimum, roughly 11 million kilometres.
• TIMING: The impact is scheduled to occur between 26 September and 1 October 2022.
• SIZE: The Didymos asteroid is approximately 780 metres in diameter and the smaller Dimorphos is around 160 metres.
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THE NEED TO PROTECT THE EARTH To be fair, while such objects hitting the earth can produce the extinction of a whole species or ecosystem – including of course humans – this requires a huge lump of rock, which is very rare indeed. The Tunguska Event was the largest recorded impact of its kind in history, but this is not to say that it couldn’t happen again, or even that smaller and therefore relatively more frequent asteroids could not devastate part of the world. For this reason, NASA has been on a mission to reduce this potential danger, however distant it may be. The product of this endeavour is the development of Asteroid Deflection Technology, and DART – the Double Asteroid Redirection Test – the first product in a whole new field of space development. The programme is part of Nasa’s new planetary defence mission, as directed by the specially focused Nasa Planetary Defence Co-ordination Office (PDCO), which works together with other departments of NASA, the US defence agencies and scientific research facilities to produce the hardware and software required for the mission. The main objective is to test the methodology in a real live environment, monitor its effectiveness and also assess the functioning of newlydeveloped technologies that have been specially created for the mission—and it’s all happening outside your window between 26th September and 1st October. So if you time it right, you might be able to look up and imagine a Star Wars like battle waging up there in the night sky. ›
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Dimorphos, the smaller asteroid that will be involved in the test, circles the larger Didymos, neither of which pose a direct threat to the earth as they are not on a collision course with our planet. The duo of asteroids is, however, going to pass by relatively close to us, and this makes it a convenient candidate for the testing of new plans to develop earth protection capabilities based upon the principle of Kinetic Impact Deflection –basically ramming a spacecraft (unmanned, of course) into an asteroid to knock it off course. It’s not the most elegant method, but while lasers and possibly even the manipulation of magnetic fields may become viable options in the future, a bowling alley style impact and redirection is the technology available to us right now.From the light 650kg unmanned craft and the autonomous optical navigation system that directs it, to a new propulsion system with great potential for future deep space missions, not to mention new camera, sensoring and monitoring technologies, DART is a researcher’s dream come true, as it will escape the bounds of theoretical monitoring and provide a very rare opportunity for live testing and result measuring. Firstly, to see if an asteroid can be knocked off (collision) course this way, and secondly to get valuable development feedback on new technologies.Ifyouconsider that an undetected asteroid entered the earth’s atmosphere as recently as 2013 and caused damage in six cities in the Chelyabinsk area of (again) Siberia, and that this object was only 18 metres wide, then you also need to know that space is literally littered with rocks both bigger and smaller.
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DOUBLE REDIRECTIONASTEROIDTEST
NASA estimates that there are approximately 25,000 asteroids passing near us that are roughly the same size as Dimorphos and big enough to do some serious damage if they impacted. At 780m, Didymos is potentially even more dangerous, so DART will be launched from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California with the use of a Space X Falcon 9 launch rocket, travelling at speeds of 24,000km/h on a mission to find and impact the asteroid Dimorphos some 11 million kilometres above us. Like all those science fiction movies come to life! e
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GEOTHERMALENERGY HOT AIR OR STEAMY SOLUTION? back to CONTENTSD SPOTLIGHT energy 80 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
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The earth’s inner heat bubbling up to the surface
With all the talk of solar and wind energy, we sometimes tend to overlook other potential sources that are renewable and sustainable alternatives to the fossil fuels we’ve come to depend upon for over one hundred years. The question with all of them is: what is their output potential and just how ‘green’ are these energy sources really?
WORDS MICHEL CRUZ
As a sustainable energy source, geothermal has the capacity to produce heating and generate electricity from the heat – or thermal energy – stored under the earth’s surface. Temperatures in the huge inner core of our planet are incredibly high, partly due to pressure, to energy stored under the crust from the formation of the earth, and from the decay of radioactive material associated with this. In all, the earth’s subterranean heat content is about double the present energy requirement of all humans living on the surface, but it isn’t as easy as all that, as the process to harnass it is only viable in locations where the hot steam can be tapped at the surface or drilled down into. Taken together, geothermal energy nonetheless forms a potentially huge source for heating and the production of electricity, but the extraction and production processes come with their own challenges and limitations. Nature gave us the example of potential heat extraction early on, as there are many spots around the world where natural geysers spray geothermally heated water jets high into the air. Think of New Zealand, Iceland and of course ‘Old Faithful’ at the Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, USA. ›
The first commercial power station of this kind was built in New Zealand in 1958, followed by more in Iceland, the USA, Japan, France and Germany. Right now, 26 countries around the world are making use of the ‘free’ provision of geothermal energy to produce electricity, while the resource is used for heating in 70 nations and the number and scope of both kinds of projects is growing apace. World output stands at around 17.5 gigawatts (GW), which though considerable is just a fraction of the energy required and produced every year, and also roughly onetwentieth of the potential capacity of geothermal energy.
Old Faithful, the famous geyser at Yellowstone National Park back to
The world’s most famous geyser – a huge tourist attraction in its own right – is so called because it erupts like clockwork every 90 minutes, but in spite of this natural source of inspiration it wasn’t in the USA that the use of the earth’s thermal energy for heat and electricity production was first pioneered. No, not even in Iceland, the country that has long been most famous for it, but Italy, where a pioneer called Prince Piero Ginori Conti initially experimented with the concept and built the world’s first experimental geothermal power station over a century ago.
GEOTHERMAL POWER
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Developing all the potential that lies under the earth’s crust will, however, require a great deal of further investment, technological development and the perfecting of extraction and storage systems around the world. Part of this will involve the improvement of drilling techniques, which will open up a great deal more of what lies below. Naturally, the best access points are not evenly spread across the world, and some countries have greater geothermal resources than others, with Indonesia thought to have the greatest amount of all, followed by the likes of the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland and Russia.
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SYSTEMS USED Over time, different systems have been developed to extract thermal heat and convert it into electricity, and currently there are three in use. The first of these is Flash Steam Technology, as used in the commercial power station inaugurated in 1958 at Wairakei in New Zealand. In essence, geothermal power stations are not that different to others in that they use heat from a natural source on the earth’s surface to heat water (for instance) and produce electricity by moving the turbine of a generator. The water is afterwards cooled and returned to the earth. › Countries such as Iceland supply a large part of their electricity needs through geothermal plants
First developed in the Soviet Union and later also introduced to the West, Binary Cycle geothermal power production is the most recent process developed, and it has the advantage of being able to use water at much lower temperatures, starting at 57°C – which opens up far greater potential for production around the world.The process works by passing moderately hot water through a second liquid with a much lower boiling point, which produces a flash steam effect that drives the turbines. Here too, all liquids involved are safely returned to their original sources, and the system ranks as sustainable, though conventional energy is of course required to work the machinery, but it is 20 times less than that demanded by a conventional power station.
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Geysers have curative powers but are also potential sources of energy back
DRY STEAM
FLASH STEAM
This system uses high-pressure hot water from deep in the earth and feeds it into low-pressure tanks, powering the turbines from the resulting flashed steam. The commonly used system requires water temperatures of 180°C and qualifies as a renewable and therefore sustainable energy source.
The oldest and straightforwardmostofthe three techniques developed so far, it isn’t so common because it requires the rarer occurrence of dry steam. It works by extracting hot steam from hot water in natural reservoirs and requires a minimum temperature of 150°C. After use, the steam passes through a condenser and is returned to a liquid state and to its original source, so this too is a fullcycle process.
BINARY CYCLE
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FUTURE POTENTIAL The environmental impact of this renewable energy source is therefore minimal, but detailed geological studies of potential sites is important, as it has caused subsidence and even earthquakes, the latter due to the extraction and re-injection of large amount of water and steam. In fact, some locations have had to be abandoned due to the (potential) danger, so as more and more fields are developed in the near future, careful attention will have to be paid to their suitability, or else we merely transfer environmental damage from one source to another.Ifdone properly, geothermal can become an important contributor to the shift to renewable energy sources, as even at full viable production, it will extract only a relatively small amount of the earth’s thermal heat capacity. If development and investment continue to accelerate, it can account for 3-5% of our energy needs by 2050, and reach approximate full potential at 10% by 2100. Geothermal will never be the magical one-stop solution to humanity’s power requirements, but it is renewable, sustainable, generally safe and a big potential source in localised settings around the world, so yes, this is a steamy option worthy of excitement. e Steam forms a vital part of the process
The original Countach was built until 1990 and then shelved for a succession of other models from the Italian carmaker. Most of us thought we’d never see anything like it again, but Lamborghini sprang something of a surprise recently by announcing a Countach for the next generation, though it has almost no links with the original car at all. Lamborghini survived a complex corporate history since the Countach years, but is now a stable and prosperous operation under the wing of Audi AG. ›
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WORDS TONY WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LAMBORGHINI COUNTACH REVIVAL LAMBORGHINI WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 91
When Lamborghini launched its original Countach at the Geneva Salon in 1974 it was an immediate sensation. We’d all seen supercars before, but this one was different. Gone were the usual organic, flowing lines, replaced by multi-faceted bodywork that made it look more like a stealth fighter than a sports car. Quite simply, the scissor-doored, wedge-shaped car looked like nothing else on the road at the time and the public loved it.
The new Countach LPI 8004, of which Lamborghini will build only 112, brings the old model into the electrified age and uses a hybrid drivetrain. Expectedly, the price tag will be high but orders have been brisk nonetheless.Impressively, styling is very close to that of the old Bertone car, right down to a louvered rear window that’s almost impossible to see out of. Major cues, apart from the flat surfaces, are huge side vents for the mighty V-12, side ‘gills’ behind the side windows, scissor doors and headlights very much like those of the 1974 car. In many ways, the highly contemporary new version shows how advanced Bertone was with his design efforts back in the early 1970s. The original car was built from aluminium alloy, but with the new car the monocoque chassis and all the body panels are fabricated from carbon fibre, maximising lightness and ensuring stiffness. A structure like this makes a huge contribution towards optimal handling and responsiveness. Advanced technology features around the bodywork include 3D printed movable air vents and a photocromatic roof that can be changed from solid to transparent at the touch of a button. This car draws extensively on the technology of the 21st century just about everywhere.Theengine straightforwardis and well-tried – a 780-horsepower V-12 that provides massive power and torque without recourse to a turbocharger. It’s integrated with a 48-volt electric motor and drives all four wheels. The electric motor contributes an added 34-horsepower and is directly mounted on the 7-speed automatic gearbox. Any Lamborghini is a total delight to climb into, but the Countach raises it all to a higher level. It takes a few design cues from the original Countach, but they’re not easy to spot. Almost all the interior is trimmed in a very luxurious leather. ›
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Z ENGINE: Hybrid with 6.5-litre V-12 and 48-volt electric 780-horsepower.motor. Z TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic with manual override. Z ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h in 2.8-seconds. Z TOP SPEED: 355km/h. Z I LIKED: As good an interpretation of the modern hypercar as it’s possible to achieve. sympatheticCleverlyrework of the original Countach that still has plenty of its own styling cues. handling.performanceAstonishingand Z I DIDN’T LIKE: Hyper car, hyper price tag, though expected. Z ALTERNATIVES:MARKET Aston Martin Valhalla, McLaren Speedtail, Ferrari 296 GTB, Mercedes AMG One. Z WHO DRIVES ONE? garage.alongsideaandofwhoconsiderableenthusiastsLamborghiniwithmeansperhapsownonetheoriginalcarswouldliketohavenewversionsittingitinthe Z PRICE AVAILABILITY:AND Not officially announced, but will be placed.Orders2.6-millionapproximatelyeuros.nowbeing The geometric stitching adds an interesting touch and is said to reflect the old car’s ‘1970s optimism and technology.’ At the centre is an 8.4-inch touchscreen unique to the new car. Press a button marked ‘Style’ and you’ll hear a commentary on the Countach design philosophy. This very expensive sports car certainly bristles with intriguing features and stands apart, even from other Lamborghinis. The carmaker claims that the Countach is the patriarch of modern super sports car design, and who’s to argue with that? e back to CONTENTSD SPOTLIGHT motoring 94 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
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A new record holder was crowned recently – the world’s most expensive car ever sold at auction is… not a Ferrari 250 GTO.
UHLENHAUTCOUPÉ
I n rolls the ultra-rare, now certifiably ultra-expensive, Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe. Also known as the Silver Arrow. The mighty Merc smashed records during a recent auction held by RM Sotheby’s and dethroned the formidable former record holder, a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, by an extraordinary margin. Prior to the sale, the record value held by the Ferrari since 2018 stood at a cool $48.4million or around €46.9million. But as the hammer came down on the Silver Arrow, the final bid registered on the Richter scale at a staggering €135million. In fact, the former record was broken by the opening bid on the gull-wing Mercedes. ›
THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE CAR: THE
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One of just two in existence, this beautiful race-inspired coupé dates back to 1955 and was born bearing many shared components with the legendary two-time Grand Prix Championship-winningWorldW196 R. The signature long hood of the SLR housed a larger and more powerful engine than the former race winner, but it still sits within the same focused Formula 3 chassis. The Uhlenhaut Coupé, aptly named after its creator and chief engineer at MercedesBenz, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, is powered by a ferocious 3.0-litre straight-eight-cylinder engine, good for 302bhp. With a top speed rated at over 289km/h and the rush to 100km/h taking just 6.9 seconds, the Silver Arrow was one of the fastest road-legal cars of its era. This particular example also has true racing pedigree to its name – achieving both first and second positions during the infamous endurance race, Le Mans, in 1952. Since that time, it’s appeared at various classic car concours events across Europe. But aside from making some conquering cameos, the car has spent most of its life stored in public display, covering just 3,756 miles in the 67 years since it left the factory in Stuttgart. But the allure and aura aren’t only drawn out by the coupe’s performance; this racing-derived prototype features jaw-dropping looks, enhancing all the stellar styling of the standard Mercedes-Benz SL models. The Silver Arrow is arguably one of the most incredible aesthetic automotive designs of all time. I mean, just look at it. The SL led the way in the now iconic “roadster” proportions –delivering a tight two-seat cabin that sits almost over the rear axle while the motor sits on the horizon line, hidden somewhere beneath its elongated nose. Access for the pilot and navigator come courtesy of the signature gull-wing doors, opening towards the heavens to reveal the compact and purposeful cabin, after passing over the tall and distinctly wide sills. Dressed in a mix of oxblood leather, dark woods and brushed metals, the interior matches the cars exquisite outer coachwork. The car sold was nicknamed ‘Red’ for its distinctive upholstery, while the second of the two prototypes, which remains on display for the public and is still owned by the marque, is suitably named ‘Blue’.
One of the most defining cosmetic features separating the Uhlenhaut Coupe from other SLs, is the gaping outlets cut into the front wings, allowing hot air to exhale from the sides of the motor – while also housing two shotgun-like chrome tail pipes. There’s also a defined crest that sits on top of the hood hiding an intake that feeds cold air into the rasping straighteight engine.
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At a final selling price of €135million during the invitation-only auction in Stuttgart, Germany, this very particular 300 SLR isn’t just the most expensive car ever sold, but now qualifies as one of the top 10 most valuable items ever sold at auction. All the proceeds from the sale will be used to establish a worldwide Mercedes-Benz Fund that will go on to provide education and research scholarships in environmental sciences for future generations. The age-old saying is true: they don’t make ‘em like they used to. e
published editions [274] published pages [over 50k] published copies [over 5 million] monthly readership [over 50k] digital reads per issue [over 20k] issuu* impressions [over 15 million] issuu* unique reads [over half a million] instagram followers [over 16k] facebook followers [over 22k]
@essentialmarbellamagazine awesomewithdailyupdatedmediasocial :)happy!youmakewillthatcontent ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM featuring luxurious cosmopolitan lifestyle on the Costa del Sol, Spain and further afield. From editorial to advertising, thousands of affluent readers see, source and purchase products directly from essential’s pages. If you would like your business to be included, email us today! DIRECTOR@ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM SUNDELIVERWESHINE and entertainment all over the world...
w trends LOOK FORWARD TO NEW BLOCKBUSTERS AT THE CINEMA, INCLUDING THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED RELEASE OF MARILYN MONROE BIOPIC BLONDE LATER THIS MONTH. CHECK OUT THE LATEST BEST-SELLING BOOKS, AND PREPARE TO BE HUMBLED BY THE ACTION EDUARDO CONÇALVES IS PIONEERING TO END TROPHY HUNTING. 118 back to CONTENTS
NEWSMUSICSERIESCINEMA 104 Eduardo Conçalves 108 Vintage Fashion Trends For Gen Z 112 Hot New Films 116 Blonde – Coming This Month! 118 New Book Releases 122 What’s Cool 116 104 122
GonçalvesEduardo has dedicated his life to conservationprotectionanimaland
WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF EDUARDO GONÇALVES AND SHUTTERSTOCK back to CONTENTSD SPOTLIGHT people 104 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
Have you ever walked through hallways filled with the stuffed heads of animals that once roamed free in nature? Have you ever seen footage of an elephant baby shot alongside its mother to end up in just such a room, or did you know that in Africa, lion cubs are raised in cages just so they can be shot by ‘hunters’? Maybe you should…
AND THE MISSION TO END TROPHY HUNTING With numbers challengesdramatically,droppingtrophyhuntingisthemostsenselessofallthewildlifefaces O
riginally trained as a journalist,
“I just couldn’t imagine why someone would want to purposely hurt an animal for no practical reason,” says Eduardo, and unlike Spain they don’t even kill the bulls in Portugal. “Even so, it seemed a cruel, ancient pastime not befitting a modern world,” and as he continued in his career, he encountered more and more examples of the same, from fox hunting in England to the unspeakable cruelty committed upon living creatures throughout Asia, Africa and beyond.
GONÇALVESEDUARDO
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wheresummertoofissuesinvolvedGonçalvesEduardobecamewithenvironmentalearlyinhislife.ThesonPortugueseimmigrantstheUK,hewouldspendholidaysinPortugal,hewasexposedto
bullfighting at a young age.
THE RIGHT TO LIFE Governments and agencies around the world officially rally around the cry to save thousands of animal species on this planet from impending extinction, which means they will be lost and gone forever. But not enough is done to effectively stop poaching of all kinds, from trophy hunting to shooting by farmers and the trade in furs, ivory, rhino horns, shark fins and all manner of so-called medicinal products that have no proven efficacy. It speaks again to our savagery as a species, and as Eduardo says, “all living creatures have an equal right to walk on thisHealthearth.”issues created obstacles to Eduardo’s desire to end blood sports of this kind, but never diminished his drive, so he set up the campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting. Its message began to resonate more and more, and among the very long list of celebrity endorsers are the likes of Ed Sheeran, Ricky Gervais and Dame Judy Dench, with Sir Ranulph Fiennes as his co-director. “We focus on a global level, finding for example that while Botswana upholds a ban on elephant poaching, it still allows big game trophy hunting, and as a result has become a favoured spot for ‘sportsmen’ of this kind.” Eduardo and his colleagues work hard to campaign for awareness and the enforced banning of such activities including the import and export of hunting trophies, not just in far-off countries but Animal lovers mobilising before it is too late back
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“We are meant to be civilised creatures ourselves, but can hardly justify that boast,” says the man who would later become a leading figure in wildlife conservation and animal rights organisations, including working for the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and the conservation of the Iberian Lynx. A few months before he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the League Against Cruel Sports, Eduardo had been particularly shocked by the killing of Cecil the lion in 2015 by an American dentist. “Like most people, I thought trophy hunting belonged to another era and had largely died out, but research bore out that Cecil was one of 600 lions shot by trophy hunters that year alone.”
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His partner in the project is none other than Sir Ranulph Fiennes also closer to home, where he uncovered a criminal organisation, whose activities included not only organising illegal dog fights, but also drug smuggling and trafficking women.Theperpetrators were arrested, but he doesn’t sit on his laurels, fighting on to protect the Iberian Lynx, which went from 100,000 in 1900 to just 92 animals left by the end of the century. Many believed it was a lost cause, but Eduardo fought on and created the noise required for the governments of Spain and Portugal to begin an active breeding programme, followed by release into the wild of a new generation of young lynxes. Today, numbers are up and recovering, and the species saved from what was going to be certain extinction. Having such achievements to his credit, Eduardo Gonçalves is now aiming to realise an international convention abolishing worldwide trophy hunting forever. “Of all the poaching and other challenges to the continued existence of animals in the wild, trophy hunting is the most senseless and cruel, as it serves no purpose other than to inflate the ego of rather sad individuals,” says the author of the book, Trophy Leaks To put it into perspective using the example of one of the most famous animals of all, the African lion, as recently as the 1970s there were 200,000 in the wild, and now there are just 15,000 left and that number is in freefall thanks to a combination of human overpopulation and senseless hunting. If nothing is done, the lion could be gone by 2050, followed by the majority of wildlife that still clings on to life on this planet today. Rather than football players or pop stars, it is people such as Eduardo Gonçalves who are the true heroes of today, and they don’t do it for fan adulation or millions, but because they want a better world.Soif you are shocked to learn that in the 21st century trophy hunting is a growing industry and see just how easy it is to arrange a killing holiday online, visit the Ban Trophy Hunting website to join Eduardo and his numerous supporters – maybe you too will be inspired to do something about making this a better world. g www.edgoncalves.wordpress.www.bantrophyhunting.orgcom/trophy-hunting/
Bella Hadid wearing vintage Versace from the Fall 2003 Collection in Cannes 2022 ©Twitter
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HOW GEN Z ARE LUXURYCHANGINGFASHION
As Elisabeth Joy said, “ethical fashion is the recognition that there are human beings behind the clothes that we wear”. But how does the youngest affected generation deal with the ever fast spinning fashion trends? Francesca Eley tells us... It was a summer afternoon and I was bored and at home, having been roped into helping my grandmother sort out her clothes from the seventies. She had decided it was high time to get rid of them, so we were sitting in the stuffy upstairs bedroom sifting through the different fabrics and making fun of the outlandish styles of the decade. Most of the clothes were colourful flares and jumpsuits and a few classic dresses in various colours. We concluded they would never be fashionable again and dispatched them by the sackload to charity shops. Five years on, the same flared trousers and bright patterned co-ords are filling up my Instagram feed and are all over resale sites. The seventies is the latest comeback trend. It is not just vintage clothes that have resurfaced in recent years. The use of analogue technology like film and polaroid cameras as well as record and cassette players has also greatly increased among Gen Z – to the bewilderment of many parents, my own included. But what has brought about this sudden surge of nostalgia for a time that my generation never knew and what does it mean for the future of the luxury fashion industry?Inpart, this can be seen as a backlash to the fast-moving trends created by the endless amount of information and back
Lily ShutterstockTomDeppRose©Rose/ inspiration available on social media, which are then adopted by fast fashion companies looking to jump on the trends before they disappear. This hugely wasteful cycle has caused many people to think more about where their clothes come from and their own carbon footprint. The climate crisis weighs heavy on young people’s minds so it may be that many of us have made decisions to be more sustainable in our lives. There is also an element of nostalgia among these trends. A 2020 survey by CNBC revealed that Gen Z experiences the most stress of any generation. Could it be that our angst about the future has made us do a full 180 back to simpler times, seeking comfort in the films and music we enjoyed as children and adolescents from the nineties and early 2000s? › Bella Hadid, a keen wearer of vintage items of fashion brands © Shutterstock.comAndersphoto/
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Many 2023 Resort Collections feature a vintage feel. Maxwell © iMaxtree.com BEST WAY TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION IN FASHION, IS TO PROMOTE THE IDEA THAT A
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This era of style has undoubtedly been the most popular of all the decades seeing a resurgence, with a whole category on secondhand site Depop dedicated to ‘Y2K’ fashion. Standing for the year two thousand, this tag has also been plastered across social media sites such as Pinterest and Instagram. There is also a financial benefit to preloved fashion. Burdened with university loans and facing high housing costs, Gen Z could be the first generation in a long time to be financially worse off than their parents. Finding ways to incorporate 2000s style has enabled many young people to economise by clearing out their parents’ or older sibling’s wardrobe. Or is it that we have simply just run out of Genideas?Z itself is a complete paradox. On one hand, we are advocates for change and social justice with a vision for a better world and we use new technology to organise and spread these ideas and movements. Yet we are also a generation of followers, digital natives forever looking to the next ‘it girl’ and Instagram model to tell us what to wear and how to Luckilybe.though, this generation’s ‘it girls’ such as model Bella Hadid and actress Lily
FASHIONABLE.THEINTERESTFUNDAMENTALINPRESERVINGENVIRONMENTISITSELF
THE
Georgio Armani Bella Hadid in vintage Jane Norman and vintage Gucci sunglasses ©Vogue.co.uk
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the nineties, specifically the nylon baguette bag which helped drive resale value up and made these desirable to own again. Gen Z have certainly changed the definition of luxury fashion in recent years. Now, it is more of a ´flex’ to have found a rare vintage designer piece and reworked it into your wardrobe than to show off the latest designer pieces in a brash display of wealth. This new way of shopping is economical and eco-friendly, in line with Gen Z’s moral consensus and vision for a healthier planet. g Francesca Eley writes about lifestyle and fashion and is an undergraduate of modern languages at Bristol University.
Rose Depp are the torch bearers of the vintage fashion trend and are frequently photographed in archived pieces from designers such as Vivienne Westwood and NotChanel.only this, but their general styles are easy to emulate; all one needs is a pair of oversized jeans and a vintage top, making it simple to thrift their effortlessly chic outfits. Where once we would have seen fast fashion unboxing and hauls, we are now seeing thrift hauls and videos on Youtube and TikTok encouraging shopping second hand from this generation’s influencers. Even Boohoo, the epitome of fast fashion, has launched a resale site.And to show for it, during the pandemic when most enterprises took a hit for business, Depop instead doubled its sales from the previous year. This revolutionary change is happening at both ends of the price spectrum, from the cheapest charity shops to second hand sites such as Vestiaire Collective which specialise in archive designer fashion and provides a certificate of authenticity with each item. In many ways, having the most upto-date fashion is now the least cool thing you can do. The challenge instead is to find the best value or rarest piece in the thrift store, the most unique vintage top, to reject conformity. It’s no secret that Gen Z is the most gender fluid and experimental generation so it comes as no surprise that we are drawn to the creative freedom that comes with vintage clothes. As my generation moves further away from clichés and ourwillluxurythecommercialisation,overchallengeforthefashionindustrybetokeepupwithoriginalityand fluidity when it comes to style but to also make archivedsuchalreadyeachbyemissionslimitcommitmentsenvironmentalthatthewasteandproducedthefashionindustryyear.WehaveseenbrandsasPradarestockpiecesfrom
Lily Rose Depp in vintage Burberry skirt © Pinterest
Florence Pugh plays a young 1950s housewife leading an exemplary life with her husband (Harry Styles), who works for an experimental community they form part of. As time passes, the veneer of perfection begins to crack and she starts suspecting that the community is hiding disturbing secrets.
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DON’T WORRY DARLING Olivia Wilde (Booksmart) Science Fiction Actors: Harry Styles, Chris Pine, Florence Pugh, Olivia Wilde
HOT NEW MOVIES
» Director:
» Genre:
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Stewart
Tenser (Viggo Mortensen) is one of them. He suffers from ‘accelerated evolution syndrome’, which causes him to grow new organs and which puts him in the eye of a revolutionary group that seeks to fight the government’s anti-evolution stance.
Léa
/ »HorrorActors:
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CRIMES OF THE FUTURE CronenbergDavid(Crash) Science Fiction Viggo Mortensen, Seydoux, Kristen In the far future, the devastating effects of pollution and climate change have led to major advances in biotechnology – including the invention of machines and computers that can interact with and control bodily functions. Physical pain and infectious diseases have disappeared for the majority of people. Some, however, experience radical physiological changes.
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WHERE CRAWDADSTHE SING » Director: Olivia Newman (First Match) » Genre: Mystery / Thriller » Actors: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson
The worldwide phenomenon and best-selling book has made it to the big screen. Where the Crawdads Sing is the story of Kya – a little girl who has raised herself in the dangerous North Carolina marshlands. She meets two young men from town and opens herself up to a passionate, yet dangerous world. When one of them is found dead, she becomes the main suspect, judged because of her ‘wildness’ and previous isolation from humankind.
THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING »
When University of Chicago graduate, Lily (Kaitlyn Dever), visits Bali to celebrate her academic achievements, she is swept off her feet by a local, with whom she enjoys a whirlwind romance. When he asks her to marry him, her parents (played by George Clooney and Julia Roberts) grow determined to stop her from repeating their own mistake (that of getting married too soon). Now divorced, they can barely stand being in a room together, but their desire to save their daughter from tragedy leads them to join forces to stop the wedding from happening.
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Director: George Miller (Mad Max) » Genre: Fantasy » Actors: Tilda Swinton, Idris Elba, Aamito Lagum
While attending a work conference in Istanbul, Dr. Alithea Binnie (Tilda Swinton) releases a djinn (Idris Elba). He offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom “There is no story about wishing that isn’t a cautionary tale,” she warns herself. However, the djinn seduces her with extraordinary stories and soon, she succumbs to her hidden desires and goes on a fantastical ride that sees her experiencing passion, adventure and love.
TICKET TO PARADISE » Director: OI Parker » Genre: Romantic Comedy » Actors: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Kaitlyn Dever
The film is an adaptation of the short story, The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye, by A.S, Byatt. e
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WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS ANA DE ARMAS AS THE ONMARILYNICONICMONROENETLFIX BLONDE
“I’ve never themselves.letanyone.fooledI’vepeoplefoolThey didn’t bother to find out who and what I was. Instead, they would invent a character for me. I wouldn’t argue with them. They were obviously loving somebody I wasn’t”
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Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe fans from across the globe have been waiting with bated breath for what will undoubtedly be one of the hottest streaming releases this year: Blonde, a film which will be released globally on Netflix on September 28. Written and directed by Andrew Dominik (perhaps best known for his Nick Cave documentaries), it has one aim: that of telling Marilyn’s story from her own perspective. Dominik hopes to reveal the essence not only of Marilyn, but also of Norma Jean –the woman Marilyn was before she was transformed into an icon. Ana de Armas, who stars as the bombshell, says that Dominik chose “the most daring, feminist perspective possible.” The film reveals details about Marilyn’s life which, to date, have largely been kept under wraps.
The choice of Ana de Armas to play such a beloved American icon has garnered its fair share of criticism – based only on the few seconds de Armas speaks in the trailer. The actor, who was born in Cuba and who spent her later teenage years in Spain, acknowledges that perfecting Marilyn’s accent was a big challenge. She called the process “a torture” that left her brain “fried.” It took nine months of work and required re-recording parts of the dialogue post-filming. Marilyn Monroe’s estate stood by the casting choice, telling Variety, “Marilyn Monroe is a singular Hollywood and pop culture icon that transcends generations and history. Any actor that steps into that role knows they have big shoes to fill. Based on the trailer alone, it looks like Ana was a great casting choice as she captures Marilyn’s glamour, humanity and vulnerability. We can’t wait to see the film in its entirety!” Dominik, meanwhile, has called de Armas’ performance “f***ing amazing.”
WHY ANA?
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ANDREW DOMINIK: A KEEN OBSERVER OF HUMAN SUFFERING AND REDEMPTION
The answer to the question is obvious if you have checked out the promo material and trailer. The resemblance between both actors is uncanny. While there will always be one and only one Marilyn (the same can be said of Princess Diana, Grace Kelly, and other icons of modern culture and history), Ana de Armas is as undoubtedly lovely, warm, and charismatic. She also happens to be an ultra-talented actor. Jamie Lee Curtis once said that de Armas had “the most expressive eyes she had ever seen.” The film also features a talented supporting cast, which includes Adrien Brody and Bobby Cannavale.
If you are keen on learning more about Andrew Dominik, I suggest the documentary, One More Time with Feeling. The latter centres on musical and literary great, Nick Cave, and his creative process as he struggled with the greatest personal tragedy he had experienced: the death of his 15-year-old son, Arthur. Dominik, who hails from New Zealand, has a deep interest in the human condition. He told Collider that he believed Blonde would be “one of the 10 best movies ever made” because it “tells the story of how a childhood trauma shapes an adult who’s split between a public and a private self. It’s basically the story of every human being.” Dominik has revealed that the film will be low on dialogue and high on imagery and events.
ACCENT WARS
BLONDE IS BASED ON JOYCE CAROL OATES’ BEST-SELLING NOVEL Blonde has also received the stamp of approval of the author of the book Blonde, upon which the film is based. The author, who revealed many shocking events from Marilyn’s life (including a crime committed upon her by a studio executive) gave it glowing reviews after watching a rough cut in 2020. She tweeted, “It is startling, brilliant, very disturbing and perhaps most surprisingly an utterly ‘feminist’ interpretation. (I’m) not sure that any male director has ever achieved anything [like] this.” Dominik clarified that his film is “demanding”, calling it an “emotional nightmare fairy-tale type movie.” Don’t let that put you off, though. Nightmares can be chilling, but they can also reveal fascinating information about our psyche and inner desires and fears. e
WORDS ALICIA DUGGAN OF THE BOOKSHOP IN SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA , CC LA COLONIA LOCAL 21, SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA. TEL: 951 779 785. WWW.THEBOOKSHOP.ES SEPTEMBER IS ALWAYS A VERY BUSY BOOK PUBLISHING MONTH. HERE ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS!
THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT BY MAGGIE O’FARRELL
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O’Farrell’s Hamnet was a huge global success and won nearly every literary award there is. Her latest offering is an imagining of the life of Lucrezia de Medici. Lucrezia was the daughter of the two most powerful people in Italy in the 16th Century, and the inspiration for Robert Browning’s famous poem, My Last Duchess. When her older sister dies on the eve of her wedding to Alfonso, ruler of Ferrara, Moderna and Regio, Lucrezia is offered as his bride instead. However, despite her young age, Lucrezia’s only role is to provide a male heir for Alfonso. If she can’t do that, her life could be in danger. O’Farrell does more than provide a well-researched historical novel. She brings Lucrezia de Medici to life.
THE LONG KNIVES BY IRVINE WELSH Ritchie Gulliver is an MP. He is rich, racist, corrupt, and vicious. He is also dead. He was castrated and left to bleed out in a warehouse. Considering the type of person he was, the list of suspects is endless. He had many political and corporate rivals and there were just as many individuals and groups who fell prey to his cruelty, mostly the vulnerable and marginalised in society. Detective Ray Lennox is tasked with bringing the guilty party to justice. However, as he looks through the many people Gilliver has offended, hurt, and bullied it becomes difficult to see who the real victim is. As the attacks continue, Lennox must bury his feelings to catch a killer, even if the victim was a monster.
CARRIE SOTO IS BACK BY TAYLOR JENKINS REID TikTok sensation, Taylor Jenkins Reid, is back with one of the most hotly anticipated novels of the year. Carrie Soto is the best tennis player that the world has every seen, and possibly the least liked. Trained by her tennis pro father from the age of two, she was relentless and focused, earning her the title ‘The Battle-Axe’. By the time she retired at 31 she had won twenty grand slam titles and had broken every record there was. She sacrificed everything to be the best, and she was. Six years later Carrie watches horrified as new rising star, Nikki Chan, smashes all her records at the US Open. Carrie decides to come out of retirement to attempt the impossible: one year back on the circuit to reclaim all her titles. And she will stop at nothing to succeed. A beautiful, intriguing, and emotional novel full of heart and warmth.
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THE BULLET THAT MISSED BY RICHARD OSMAN
The sixth instalment in the hugely successful Cormoran Strike series works perfectly as a standalone novel. Private detective Robin Ellacott is approached by frantic cartoon creator Edie Ledwell. He is being harassed online by someone calling themselves Anomie, and he wants help finding the person’s true identity. Believing the agency is not best placed to help, Robin refuses the case, however, when Edie is murdered, Robin is compelled to investigate and calls on her business partner, Cormoran Strike, to help. They soon find themselves caught up in a web of online aliases and family dramas that will put them in danger and test their powers of deduction to the limits. A tense and exciting crime thriller.
THE INK BLACK HEART BY ROBERT GALBRAITH
VISIT THE BOOKSHOP
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The mystery solving octogenarians are back in the third instalment of Richard Osman’s beloved Thursday Murder Club series. This time they are trying to solve the ten-year-old cold case of a journalist who drove her car off a cliff in an apparent suicide, however, the body was never found. Meanwhile, former MI5 operative, Elizabeth has been given a kill or be killed ultimatum by a man known as The Viking. Assisted by friends in the police, a TV news anchor, money launderers and a former head of the KGB, the four friends must catch a killer or risk becoming the next victims. Filled with humour and suspense, The Bullet that Missed is the perfect mix of poignancy and charm. e
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The Carrera y Carrera Back to Origens campaign features Portuguese model and influencer, Ana Ventura, who succinctly conveys the values of a modern woman, sure of herself, with character and poise. Magnificently photographed by the international celebrity photographer, Valero Rioja, the collection pays homage to the iconic brand’s history and acquired expertise. i www.carreracollection.com
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CARRERA Y CARRERA –BACK TO ORIGENS
Ocean Builders, a leading innovation technology company, will this month unveil the world’s first eco-restorative futuristic floating homes. The range of price-accessible Pods includes the original SeaPod customised for aquatic living, and the GreenPod and EcoPod for land use, which have been created to optimise high-quality living experiences driven by cutting-edge technology. i www.oceanbuilders.com
what’s cool?
COMPILED BY IAIN BLACKWELL
SEAPODS & GREENPODS
PUERTO BANÚS SUPERCARS–
NICOLAS CAGE – FACE OF CASABLANCA
Iconic actor, Nicolas Cage, stars as the new face of Casablanca’s AW22 campaign alongside Alton Mason and Anok Yai. Creative Director, Charaf Tajer, sought someone who could embrace the artistic values of the brand. Having recently purchased a Casablanca shirt and developed a true affinity for Casablanca’s stylish and vibrant designs, Nicolas Cage was a natural fit. i www.casablancaparis.com
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Puerto Banús recently hosed a unique exhibition of supercars valued at more than €100 Million comprising the 1st edition of the Costa del Sol Concours d’Elegance. The impressive vehicles included the world’s only Lamborghini Aventador J, a Formula 1 car from the Alpine team, and a 1919 Hispano Suiza previously belonging to King Alfonso XIII, which received the Best of Show award. i www.puerto-banus.com
backcool
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GRUPO MOSH – NU DOWNTOWN Grupo Mosh has inaugurated its latest gastronomic venue, NU Downtown, which is located inside the iconic and newly opened Hard Rock Hotel in Marbella. The new restaurant offers a high-level cosmopolitan experience with exquisite Mediterranean and Asian cuisine, an impeccable cocktail menu, live DJ spun music and entertainment in their dinner show format. i www.grupomosh.com
Dejavu brands created a unique and special fragrance for the wedding of the influencer Alba Silva and the footballer Sergio Rico, who plays for Paris SaintGermain. Originally intended as a special gift for the guests of the wedding, its popularity was such that the couple decided to further the collaboration through the commercialisation of the perfume in the Dejavu online store. i www.dejavubrands.com
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ALBA & PERFUMESERGIO
INTERNATIONAL RAMEN DAY
Lovers of Ramen had a great reason to celebrate on August 25, which was International Ramen Day. Asian restaurants throughout the world offered special Ramen dishes, such as Ninja Ramen in Madrid, part of the Bellaciao Group, where expert chefs in this delicacy perfected the broth over 12 hours, and seasoned with spices and select ingredients like www.grupobellaciaogroup.com
NIKE SWIM Famous brand, Nike has launched its Icon collection comprising swimsuits and bikinis that feature high quality fabrics with supreme comfort for long days at the pool and beach. The range brings patterns that adapt to the female form enhancing confidence in the wearer, and provides versatility with high waists, bikinis that play with straps, fluor colours and even reversible garments. i www.nike.com
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d lifestyle MARVEL AT THE DESIGN AND FEATURES THAT COMPRISE EL UNICO IN LA ZAGALETA, DEVELOPED BY LAVELE. JOIN IN CELEBRATING THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY WITH AMBIENCE HOME DESIGN. GET IN A TOES-IN-THE-SAND MOOD WITH THE 2023 JOHANNA ORTIZ RESORT COLLECTION, AND READ ABOUT ESTÉE LAUDER, A PIONEER IN BEAUTY AND SKINCARE. 128 back to CONTENTS
128 The Impressive El Unico in La Zagaleta 138 Ambience Home Design 20th Anniversary 148 Johanna Ortiz Resort Collection 2023 156 Estée BeautyLauder&Skincare 160 Different Pets SPAFASHIONARTARCHITECTUREINTERIORS 138 160 148
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The road to La Zagaleta winds its way past golf courses and hillside communities amid wooded mountain slopes. The lower gate of one of Europe’s most select country clubs leads on to the prized southern section of what was once a hunting estate and is now a highly exclusive 900-hectare domain where the individual villas and mansions are separated by natural scenery, and deer and pheasants roam. “In winter, you can see a rainfall cascade from the east-facing side of the villa,” says Stephani Zambrano, who founded the boutique development company Lavele exactly to create the kind of one-off masterpieces that EL UNICO Marbella embodies. “For us, designing and building this home is a serious business, but also a labour of love, for what could be more special than creating such an idyllic living environment?”
As a young woman leading a team of builders, architects, engineers and technicians, you might think she provides only aesthetic input, but while EL UNICO Marbella is very much the product of her vision, Stephani is totally au fait with the technical side of things too. You see, this highly qualified civil engineer used to spend her time building bridges, shopping malls and commercial real estate, and it is this experience together with an innate sense of style and proportions that is driving her unique projects in Marbella. ›
Created by Lavele, El UNICO Marbella is a made-to-measure lifestyle villa in La Zagaleta that belongs to an elite class of real estate in southern Spain, offering a new level of technical and aesthetic finishing, amenities, luxuries and deluxe villas surrounded by nature. CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LAVELE
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WORDS MICHEL
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A COMPLETE LIVING CONCEPT EL UNICO Marbella occupies a concave hillside curve; a very private setting surrounded by the wooded greenery of La Zagaleta and marked by a simply panoramaMarbellashapeviews,makehouseYoucountrysideacrossthatamphitheatrebreathtakingofviewssweepdowngolfcoursesandtothesea.oftenhearthatawasdesignedtothemostofthebuttheroundedofELUNICOtrulyfollowsthethatunfolds below it. In fact, there is nothing about this property that does not impress – to the point where this is a villa that clearly belongs to another level of luxury living in Marbella. More than that, EL UNICO Marbella represents a new kind of elite home that brings the international super category to our shores. From the moment you pull into the driveway, park in the elegant forecourt and step through the six-metre front door into the imposing glass entrance, you’re entranced.
Fountains and a cascade enliven one side of the entrance as the villa takes form in front you – a mesmerising interplay of architectural design, high-quality textural materials and the view shimmering through the glass frontage. In the evenings, the villa comes to life through richly ambient lights that shine out just as the sunlight illuminates the interior spaces during the day. Sleek in style, EL UNICO Marbella offers so much to see, so much detail to take in. ›
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Architects will speak of form and function, and the importance of balancing these two fundamental components of a home, but working together with her husband Steven Leyzac – the founder of the KARTELLé Corporation, a major Canadian commercial developer – Stephani is creating a super class of home in which elements such as style, comfort, quality, space and amenities are matched by a level of functionality in construction, design, layout and practical facilities that is hard to find. back
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OPULENCE AND FUNCTIONALITY
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The imposing entrance leads to an open living space fronted throughout by a panoramic deck, itself overlooking a rather spectacular 22-metre infinity pool with built-in seating area and bar. The elegant living room, with its ‘floating’ gas fireplace, the formal dining room and the expansive kitchen are all interconnected, linking also to the lounging and dining areas on the terrace. Two large islands create a social hub within the kitchen, which also features a stylish butler’s pantry complete with professional gasfired appliances, revealed as panels slide away – should you want a chef to provide the catering for a private party.
The modern convex curvature of the villa’s design opens up an even more impressive window to the views, as well as creating a wonderful flow for the terraces and interior spaces on the four levels that make up the home.
“I build on my many years of experience in property development to include lots of storage space, ensure a good interior flow and use of space, as well as introducing new technologies and technical standards not commonly used here,” says Steven. Together, they are a formidable team and it shows in EL UNICO, the ultimate evolution of their work in Marbella so far. “We’ve built spectacular villas in Canada, California and other parts of the world, but this is the finest yet. It’s simply a very complete home in the top segment, and one with multiple wow factors throughout.”
The sommelier will find a large collection of vintages in the stunning glass wine cellar, which is a design feature in its own right. The other wing of the ground floor features a connected entertainment area with bar, indoor and outdoor relaxing spaces, an outdoor shower and bathroom/changing room. Linked but secluded, is a stylishly modern office with private entrance from the exterior and the hallway leading from the gently sloping multi-car garage. Not only is the latter fitted with a charging station and car washing equipment, complete with drainage system, but its glass frontage makes this a stylish modern gallery of beautiful cars – contemporary or classic.›
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A JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF LA ZAGALETA EL UNICO Marbella is undoubtedly a jewel in La Zagaleta’s crown; one of the most impressive properties ever seen in Marbella, and part of a new generation of super living in the region. Art adorns the corridor that leads to the impressive glass staircases taking you up or down a level, in case you don’t wish to use the lift that connects four levels of luxury living. The lower floor is dedicated to entertainment, and its heated indoor pool with integrated Jacuzzi, spa circuit with sauna, Turkish baths, changing rooms and private massage space all enjoy natural light and inspiring Zenlike views of the wooded hills. This is also true of the adults’ entertainment bar and lounge, with movie room and private bowling alley, all adjacent to a children’s playroom that opens up to a comfortable outdoor garden and exterior cinema area. This level also features private guest and staffThequarters.roomsthat house the technical infrastructure of the property are discreetly tucked away, as is a potential panic room, while a discreet and comfortable staff apartment completes the lower level of EL UNICO Marbella. Of the total of nine bedroom suites in the villa, the first floor contains those that form part of the inner circle – the private domain of the family, with three bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, dressing areas and terraces for children, a large second master suite for other family configurations, and a master suite that is an apartment in its own right – with a coffee corner, superlative his and hers dressing areas and a state-of-the-art bathroom, not to mention a private terrace with some of the best views from the house. ›
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EL UNICO Marbella is a modern mansion that makes the jaw drop, and is resplendent in art, noble materials, modern luxuries and sculpted views. It is also highly practical and family-friendly. Few villas this size feature so much storage space, and as Steven says, you can never have too much of it, so he’s discreetly provided it throughout the house, as well as a total of four bars and two laundries – including a suction system in all rooms that delivers worn clothes to the washing machines. The pinnacle of this fourstorey villa in La Zagaleta is, however, the rooftop leisure space, which includes a bar area, outdoor kitchen, elegant lounging and dining spaces, a floating Jacuzzi that appears to overhang the property, and a solar plant producing roughly 35kWh – making EL UNICO Marbella energy self-sufficient. Without a doubt a villa that sets new standards, EL UNICO Marbella is the product of the design and construction vision of Stephani Zambrano, who brings a fresh concept of modern luxury and style to these shores, and building expertise of Steven Leyzac. The result – a new jewel in the crown of La Zagaleta. g LAVELE Tel: (+34) 610 315 info@lavele.ca729. i @lavele.ca
The Ambience Home Design team on the Golden Mile, Marbella 138 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE back to CONTENTSd LIFESTYLE décor
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WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF AMBIENCE HOME DESIGN
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This year Ambience Home Design celebrates its 20th anniversary. In that time, the design studio has grown from a small team to a thriving business that decorates and refurbishes homes and businesses across the globe.
HOMEAMBIENCEDESIGN YEARSMARBELLACREATINGSTYLE
OF
Relaxing style with a Boho chic twist
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Ying and Yang come together in richly atmospheric
Twenty years in business is an achievement to be proud of, especially in a competitive market such as that of Marbella. “It’s a huge milestone for both me and my team,” says founder Andrea Böck, who started with three computers and desks in the San Pedro industrial estate. Now, her team has grown to include architects, interior designers, 3D artists, project managers, technicians and the administrative team, and Ambience has become a brand in its own right – associated with a knowing touch when it comes to creating beautifully evocative living and working environments. › designs,
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“We not only furnish spaces but also provide Interior Architect services. This means that for our clients we design new bathrooms, doors, cabinets, kitchens, fireplaces and we make a complete selection of materials. Our architects work closely with our interior designers to ensure we achieve a perfect result,” says Andrea.
› Sourcing and
“We have grown steadily, even through the Financial Crisis of 2008, thanks in part to the fact that although we’re based in Marbella we also work on projects in different parts of the world, including locations as diverse as Hong Kong and Egypt.” Ambience Home Design specialises in luxury turnkey projects, which means its clients walk into their newly finished home for the first time to find everything ready – with beds made, music playing and Champagne chilling in the fridge.
The various elements selected to create both the interior and exterior are carefully coordinated between the architect and interior designer to ensure an optimal harmony of styles, dimensions, textures, tones and of course composition. “It leads to a focus on detail that improves both aesthetics and functionality, so that for instance the faucets in the master bathrooms work in perfect harmony with the handles on your nightstand. What can I say, we’re perfectionists by profession and designers by passion.” blending superb oneoff design
ambiencehomedesign.com Two decades of transforming our clients’ ideas, needs and dreams into a three dimensional reality. - Multiple awards winner in the last 5 years - In house team of architects, interior architects and 3D artists - 3 installation teams - Over 1.500 satisfied customers in the last 20 years - 32 staff members - 17 international projects in 9 different countries Facts speak for themselves We believe this synergy is the key of our success.
A PERSONAL PROCESS
If you think of it, what is more personal than creating someone’s home, so the Ambience team works very hard to ensure they get all the details right. “People tend not to realise how deeply we affect the day-to-day lives of our clients through our work,” says Andrea, “as we create the backdrop for their lifestyle, so it’s important to absorb all the required information at the outset. One of my favourite parts of this creative process has to be the moment when we hand over the property and they enter their new home for the first time. It’s pretty emotional, and some clients have even cried with joy, which makes all that hard work entirely worth it.”
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So, when asked what her signature style is, Andrea says that Ambience creates interiors moulded to the lifestyle of its clients. “We don’t have specific rules or styles, we like to reinvent ourselves with each project and brief. Naturally, we also take the property’s architectural design and its surroundings into account, but for me the art lies in combining the client’s needs with the characteristics of the home to produce a harmonious balance of design.” For Andrea, the main sources of inspiration are visual and sensory, found in travel, nature, contact with people and also professional sources such as décor fairs and even Pinterest. ›
Tone, texture and form in harmony
Adding a sense of luxurymaterialsthroughqualityanddimensions
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“However, truly the best ideas come when you’re away from it all, with your headset on, playing your favourite jam, being alone with yourself and getting inspired by that aloneness. Forgetting about the latest trends and suddenly hours later you find yourself having designed this amazing space. Problems can occur, but it’s how you overcome them that counts. Ambience has made a name for dealing with the whole process in a very efficient, client-friendly way while creating powerful and enchanting interiors.” The innovating problem-solvers at Ambience have been designing interiors and sculpting beautiful living environments for 20 years now, evolving with the times as technology and a need to feel more connected to nature transform the industry.
g Blvd. Principe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, C.C. La Poveda, Local 6, Marbella. Tel: (+34) 952 858 info@ambiencehomedesign.com699.www.ambiencehomedesign.com
As for the 20th anniversary celebrations, Andrea remains mysterious, smiling as she says that she’s got a surprise up her sleeve. We’ll be watching this space while following the creative projects of what has become a leading brand in Interior Design and Architecture at an international level. e
DISCOVER OUR NEW KOLLEKTION BoConcept & PlusStore Mijas Ctra. de Mijas km 3,5 29650 Mijas, Málaga Tel. +34 951 242 092 ecibanus@boconcept.esmarbella@plusstore.esmalaga@plusstore.eswww.plusstore.esecibanus@boconcept.esmarbella@boconcept.esmalaga@boconcept.eswww.boconcept.es BoConcept & PlusStore Marbella Ctra. N-340 km 176, 29602 Marbella, Málaga Tel. +34 951 492 727 BoConcept El Corte Inglés Calle Ramón Areces S/N 29660 Puerto Banús, Málaga Tel. +34 659 388 226
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JOHANNA ORTIZ RESORT COLLECTION
2023 Resort Collections for 2023 are now out, and once again Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz bedazzled New York with her weightless barefoot glamour, presenting a brand new set of tropicsinfused discovereddresses.dance-readySincebeingbyLauren Santo Domingo, co-founder of Moda Operandi, the designer’s architecturally raffled skirts and dresses have been spotted on many celebrities, and have proven a unique wear for exotic vacations, weddings, tropical parties and the likes. Made of organic cottons and linens, Ortiz’s pieces this year come in colourful, largepatterned elegant prints – a fun style recalling her true authentic SouthAmerican spirit. It is a really inspired look for jet setting, or as day wear in Marbella’ssummerextendedahead.
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i www.johannaortiz.com WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 155
Read about the life of any successful leader and one quality you will most probably come across, is confidence. Taking risks, following your gut instinct and breaking new ground are impossible when your mind is plagued with ‘what ifs’. Estée Lauder was not only the head of a giant beauty conglomerate, but also an entrepreneur who invented what has come to be standard practice in most beauty and perfume shops today – the ‘free gift with purchase’ strategy. The latter is as much a boon to buyers as it is an opportunity for companies to present a wide array of products and make more sales.
WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS A PIONEER IN BEAUTY AND SKINCARE ESTÉE LAUDER 156 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE back to CONTENTSn SPA beauty buys
“My success is based persistence,on not luck” Estée Lauder
Estée broke ground in many additional ways, catering products to specific ages and genders, launching various brands that would serve as each other’s best competition, and signing the first ever ‘beauty contract’ with a model. This agreement, made with model, Karen Graham, stipulated that Graham would be featured in all the brand’s campaigns. It transformed Graham into ‘the Estée Lauder Woman’.
FAMILY INSPIRATIONS Estée, born Josephine Esther Mentzer, was raised in Queens, New York by her Czech father and Hungarian mother. Her interest in beauty blossomed when her uncle came to live with her family and began creating skincare creams, first in the kitchen and then in a stable/ laboratory. Estée was fascinated not only by the texture and fragrance of the products, but also by the technique involved in their application. Alongside her uncle, she launched the Estée Lauder brand in 1946, selling a selection of just four products to nearby salons and hotels. In 1948, the company opened its first counter at the Saks Fifth Avenue store in New York.
A MARKETING GENIUS To build her brand, Estée prioritised branding – choosing, for instance, a beautiful blue hue for most of her packaging because it would go well with most bathrooms. She also invested heavily in advertising, choosing models who were aspirational yet familiar. Estée paid great attention to detail. For instance, she instructed salespeople to touch consumers and encourage them to test products so they could see the effect of each product on their skin. She was present at the launch of every new counter and store, staying for various days to teach salespeople the correct display and sales techniques. LAB-OBSESSED Estée was also known for her passion for research. She was interested not only in learning the potential properties of various compounds, but also in creating new products that could potentially meet new demands. One of her groundbreaking products was called Youth-Dew – an oil that served as both a bath oil and perfume. Through it, she encouraged women to smell beautiful every day, not only on special occasions.
skincare routine: the three-step process (cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturise). Origins, meanwhile, relied on the power of nature and science to create lines that were free of harmful chemicals and kind to the environment. The brand harnessed the power of unique products like mimosa tree bark from Brazil or silver tip white tea from the Fujian province of China. Aramis, a fragrance founded in 1963, was the first of many products aimed at the male market. A TRUE EMPIRE Today, Estée Lauder owns many of beauty’s top brands – including MAC, Bobbi Brown, Jo Malone, Crème de la Mer, Tom Ford, and more. Although Estée passed away at the ripe age of 97, the company continues to thrive under the guiding hand of her son and grandchildren. The brand is now famed both for makeup and skincare products and perfumes. In the next page, you will find just a few of its most popular skincare products. ›
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LAUNCHING NEW BRANDS Estée founded a myriad of brands that would tap into different and slightly overlapping niches. These included Clinique, Origins, and Aramis. Clinique, for instance, was known for its scientific, targeted approach to skin, and for what is now a basic component of any
ESTÉE
SKINCARELAUDER If you’re already sold on the longlasting value of Estée Lauder Double Wear foundation, and you are besotted by the brand’s Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick or its Futurist Aqua Brilliance Watery Glow Primer, make sure to stock up on some skincare as well. The following are just a few of the brand’s top sellers. 1 – DAY WEAR MULTIPROTECTION 24H-MOISTUREANTI-OXIDANTCRÈMEBROADSPECTRUMSPF15FACEMOISTURISER An ideal product to wear beneath makeup. 2 – PERFECTLY CLEAN MULTI-ACTION MASKCLEANSER/PURIFYINGFOAM This foaming cleanser and mask removes impurities without drying skin. 3 –SUPREME+REVITALIZINGYOUTH POWER CRÈME MOISTURISER A luxurious cream infused with hyaluronic acid and hibiscus flowers, which boost collagen production. 4 – ADVANCED NIGHT REPAIR FACEMULTI-RECOVERYSYNCHRONIZEDCOMPLEXSERUM Wake up with beautifully soft, supple skin, thanks to this potent productantioxidantthatoffers 72 hours of hydration. 5 – IDEALIST PORE MINIMIZING SKIN REFINISHER Use this product regularly to reduce pore size and absorb excess oil. 6 – PERFECTIONIST [CP+R] WRINKLE LIFTING/FIRMING SERUM A product containing CPR-75 technology, which targets lines and wrinkles, hydrates, and plumps up skin. 1 2 4 5 6 3 back to CONTENTSn SPA beauty buys 158 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZIN E
ONALWAYSTOPOF my health WITH… GP SERVICES, INTERNAL MEDICINE & CARDIOLOGY Value. Quality Care. Convenience. At Reisbeck Medical we combine our expertise in different medical fields to offer a holistic view of each and every patient to enable highly personalised treatments. • Family medicine • Internal medicine • Home visits • In-hospital care • Leg vein treatments • Nutrition consulting • Ultrasound & diagnostic tests • Laboratory analysis • RamónCardiologyGómez de la Serna 22, 29602 Marbella, Spain T: (+34) 952 779 680 I M: (+34) 657 790 000 E: info@reisbeck-medical.com www.reisbeck-medical.comGERMAN INTERNATIONAL HEART & VASCULAR CENTRE Expert. Trusted. Minimally invasive. At CardioCare Marbella we combine our expertise with state of the art equipment and minimally invasive techniques to achieve excellent diagnostic and therapeutic results for cardiac patients or those just looking for an extensive, personalized cardio-vascular check-up. • Cardiovascular interventions: no cut, no wound, no scar! • Coronary and peripheral artery stenting procedures • Non-surgical heart valve repair (TAVI) • 3D cardiac ultrasound • Advanced arrhythmia (electrophysiology)treatments • Pacemakers, defibrillators and CRTs • New enlargedtreatmentprostate(PAE) Our urological department offers non-surgical treatments for men suffering from: BPH - Bening Prostate Hyperplasia If you have issues urinating you could have an enlarged prostate. Talk to our expert urologists for new treatments available. ED - Erectile Dysfunction Don’t suffer in silence. New minimally invasive treatments available. CardioCare/UroCare, HC International Hospital, Calle Ventura del Mar 11, 29660 Marbella, Málaga, Spain T: (+34) 677 759 003 | E: info@cardiocaremarbella.com www.cardiocaremarbella.com
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AMAZING AXOLOTLS Axolotls have one of the sweetest faces you could imagine. They are similar in appearance to salamanders but bear a pretty light pink or white hue. They need a good aquarium to survive but are otherwise pretty lowmaintenance. Their aquarium will need an excellent filter and fresh, clean water, which should be changed frequently. Axolotls feed on foods like shrimp, ground beef, and blood worms. Once they trust you, they usually enjoy eating from your hand and will often rush to where you are when they see you approaching their aquarium.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF NOT-SO-UNUSUAL PETS Spain has 46 million inhabitants and they own 20 million pets, as found in a Think Spain census. As is the case in many other countries (such as the UK), a similar percentage of people (34 per cent and 28 per cent, respectively) own dogs and cats, followed by indoor birds, rabbits, hamsters, domestic fowl, and tortoises and turtles. If you enjoy thinking outside the box and want a pet that lies outside standard choices, the following creatures may be right up your street!
WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS
Rodents are light, loving, and easy to care for. Many are super affectionate, with rats, in particular, enjoying a nap beneath their human’s collar or in a shirt pocket. Many love being caressed in places like the forehead, beneath the neck, the cheeks, and behind the ears (a bit like dogs). Those that do will usually ‘groom’ you right back by licking your finger. Of course, some don’t like their space being invaded at all, so respect their wishes if they don’t like cuddling. Rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, and other rodents need little more than breed-specific pellets and a good cage. Each rodent will have different cage sizes, which you should research and consult a specialist about. For instance, for rats, choose a cage that is at least 90cm (L) x 60cm (D) x 120cm (H) for two to five rats (you will need a larger cage for bigger groups). Your rodents should also have wellness checks approximately every six months, so make sure to select a good vet for their needs.
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LOVELY LEOPARD GECKOS
RAMBUNCTIOUS RODENTS
Leopard geckos have a pretty yellow and black pattern that conjures up the sophistication of fierce felines. Of course, they are anything but ferocious and many enjoy interacting with people. To keep them happy, feed them a diet of insects (the breeder or specialist will explain what type of insects you need to buy), fresh vegetables, and clean water. Your gecko will also need a tank measuring around 60cm (L), 40cm (H), and 30cm (D). Like garter snakes, they require a vivarium with a heat lamp on one end and a cool zone on the other. Their basking area should be between 28ºC and 30ºC in the daytime, while the cool side of their enclosure should be 24ºC to 26ºC. At nighttime, you can close the heat lamps and rely on a heated map that is set at 18ºC as a minimum. Your gecko will also need extra ultraviolet light, as well as various hiding places and low, strong branches and/ or rocks forWeclimbing.havementioned just four cool pets you might consider instead of (or in addition to) a dog or cat. The one thing to bear in mind is that although these pets are not difficult to raise, they will need special housing and food that will take time and money to source. e
This pet has a lifetime of 10 or more years and they make great company for humans who are willing to invest in the long-term care of an unusual pet. They are carnivorous and are usually fed frozen (thawed) foods such as defrosted pinky mice (you will need to buy their meals from a specialised store). They should also have access to a constant supply of fresh water. Because they enjoy basking in temperatures of around 30ºC in the sun, they need to be in a heated cage in the daytime. Only one-third of the cage is heated to this high temperature. The opposite side should be a cool 21ºC so the snake can move around until it finds the perfect temperature. A heat mat is also necessary for the nighttime because it keeps the snake warm without introducing light to the enclosure. Finally, owners should provide their pet garter snakes with extra UVB lighting, which they would normally obtain from the sun. Their enclosures should have elements such as hard décor to climb over, so don’t scrimp on all the essentials.
GRACEFUL GARTER SNAKES
z enterprise FOR A DETAILED REVIEW OF THE LOCAL PROPERTY MARKET AND COMING EXPECTATIONS, SEE THE DM PROPERTIES MARKET REPORT. FIND OUT HOW LOCAL INITIATIVE DELONA IS UPCYCLING A RANGE OF MATERIALS AND GET UP-TO-DATE WITH LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS AND RECENT EVENTS. 184 back to CONTENTS
164 DM MarketPropertiesReport 172 Business News 182 deLona Exclusive Upcycling 184 The Vibe EVENTSPROPERTYLOCALBUSINESSNEWS 164 182 172
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MARBELLA Marbella has undergone a significant transformation. Little is left of the tourist destination once limited to where European golfers would flock in the colder months to enjoy the winter sun and leisure time. The combination of technological advances and being able to work from home most of the time has gradually helped Marbella evolve into the home for numerous families, mostly from Northern Europe, who have migrated to the Costa del Sol to take advantage of Marbella’s sound infrastructure and quality international schools. This change, which began almost a decade ago, has transformed the town and increased the number of activities available for a growth, especially post Covid. Construction has reached a level of sophistication that places Marbella on a par with its European Casasuchcounterparts,MediterraneanwithprojectsasEpicMarbellabyFendiprovingacommercial other internationally renowned brands.Marbella has become one of the fastest-growing and most sought-after luxury destinations in Europe, and is set to remain this way for the foreseeable future. ›
2022
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performance and
globally Z The
Z Low
OVERVIEW There were 5 million new millionaires created globally in 2021, so the rich are getting richer, and this is reflected in the value of the properties they are buying. Buyers of luxury properties continue to be younger and we are also seeing better-qualified buyers, with much of the property research process now taking place remotely in advance of a physical visit. This has been the usual modus operandi when searching for property even before pandemic times, the difference now being that remote viewings have almost become normal. This means fewer in-person property viewings and a buying process that has sped up. We’ve seen this trend continue during the first quarter of 2022, with a knock-on effect of dwindling supply of key-ready properties in prime locations producing significant price increases and a search for suitable properties in neighbouring locations. Although we feel that the pentup demand has now largely been satisfied, we expect demand for the high end of the market to continue being strong for the foreseeable future, albeit at a less frantic pace than last year. HAS BEEN DRIVING DEMAND? interest rates the availability of cheap shortage of prime wages and accrued savings in lockdowns equity market record reassessment housing needs flexible working creation – 5 million new millionaires in 2021 appeal of property as an inflation Contribution of Foreign Buyers
finance Z A
stock Z Rising
and
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bonuses Z A
and lifestyles Z More
of
patterns Z Wealth
hedge Percentage
Z Strong
WHAT
New Build vs Resales 2021-21 by Municipality THE 2021MARKET:–2022 Sales transaction volume in the Golden Triangle – the name colloquially given to the area comprising the municipalities of Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís – practically halved during the height of the Pandemic in 2020. According to figures from Spain’s Public Works Ministry (Fomento), this pent-up demand was satisfied in 2021, especially during the last three quarters of the year as travel restrictions were lifted worldwide. However, as official figures reflect, the volume of sales for 2021 and 2020 combined average out to a similar volume seen in 2019, perhaps with a slightly better performance from Estepona. Given that many agencies which operate in the Golden Triangle reported record years in terms of sales, generally saying it is not just pent-up demand, this leads us to believe that what was experienced was an across-the-board increase in average transaction values in the higher end of the real estate market. This was supported by news of record sales figures in super-prime areas such as La Zagaleta in Benahavís, as well as record prices per square metre being achieved in the sales of apartments and penthouses in iconic resorts such as Puente Romano in Marbella’s Golden Mile.
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Source: Colegio de Registradores de la Propiedad
FOREIGN BUYERS During 2021 in Málaga Province more than a quarter (27.36%) of residential property sales were to foreigners. This represented a slight drop (0.83%) from the previous year. According to official figures, this number rose further to 33.7% in the first quarter of 2022. The top 3 foreign buyer nationalities in 2021 in Málaga Province were: 1. UK 16% 2. Sweden 14% 3. Belgium 9%
Foreign
Ranking of Foreign Nationalities Buying Spanish Property (Nationwide) Percentage shows share of each nationality over the total foreign buyers for each year
Percentage Buyers in Andalusia
Source: Colegio de Registradores de la Propiedad
MARBELLA AREA Locally, based on our own transactions data for the Marbella, Benahavis and Estepona area, property purchases by foreigners immensely surpasses that of Spanish buyers.
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Z Biophilic design.
Z Record sales of luxury homes in the €2m+ range over the past 12-16 months in prime areas within the municipalities of Marbella and Benahavís.
Z Concierge services. Z Branded residences. Z Properties with a unique design or amenities vs. the rest. Z Sustainable homes.
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Z Arguably Southern Europe’s most exclusive urbanisation, La Zagaleta in Benahavis reported a record year in 2021 tripling the volume of sales of the previous two years and enjoyed the best start of a year in their history during the first quarter of 2022.
Z Off-plan apartments, expecting good profit for resale.
Z As predicted in last year’s Market Report, this surge in demand and the subsequent depletion of key-ready stocks in Marbella areas such as Nueva Andalucia, Sierra Blanca, El Madroñal, La Zagaleta and most parts of Marbella’s Golden Mile, has not only resulted in a rise in property prices in these areas, but produced a spike in demand for high-end, key-ready homes in surrounding neighbourhoods, mostly within the municipalities of Benahavís, Estepona and to the east of Marbella.
The branded residences sector has grown rapidly, particularly over the past 20 years, with more than 400 across the globe, the majority of which are hotel-branded. In response to increasing demand for branded residences in the last four years, Marbella has become the destination for several very exciting luxury hotel and private residence projects.
LOCAL PROPERTY TRENDS:
Z Meanwhile, the prices per square metre achieved in several sales of apartments and penthouses in the iconic beachside Puente Romano Resort have resulted in historic highs, some cases reaching in excess of €30.000/m2
Z Off-plan villas, due to lack of finished new product.
HOME HOTSPOTS Areas where we expect to see growing demand: Z East Marbella from Rio Real, Los Monteros to Santa Clara. Z Monte Mayor (Benahavís) , as a consequence of the rising popularity for its neighbour Marbella Club Golf Resort. Z Los Flamingos (Benahavís).
WHAT BUYERS WANT These are the current customer trends our team has identified: Z Refurbished and furnished contemporary villas ready to move into. Z New build.
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BRANDED RESIDENCES
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GLOBAL MARKETSRESIDENTIAL
Services and amenities are the top motives behind the purchase of a branded residence, according to Knight Frank Global Buyer’s Survey 2021.There are projects underway in the Marbella area associated with renowned hotel brands such as The Four Seasons, W Hotel, Club Med Group, Hilton, as well as designers Fendi Casa, and the planned Karl Lagerfeld residences, among others.
The value of the Knight Frank Prime International Residential Index (PIRI 100, which tracks prime residential prices across 100 locations around the world) increased by 8.4% in 2021, up from just under 2% in 2020 and its highest annual increase since the index was launched in 2008. Marbella properties saw a rise of 5% in 2021 according to the PIRI 100. The world’s population of UHNWIs (those with net assets of US$30 million or more, including their primary residence) rose by 9.3% in 2021, following on from growth of 2.4% in 2020. This is reflected in the results of Knight Frank’s Attitudes Survey: 82% of respondents (wealth advisors and private bankers) said their clients’ wealth had increased in 2021. Between 2021 and 2026, we forecast that the global UHNWI population will grow by a further 28%. Over the period 2016-2026 that represents a more than doubling in the number of global UHNWIs –from 348,355 to 783,671.
Z
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Z High demand for and shortage of prime stock of: either older villas with possibility to refurb or newly built/or newly refurbished villas in prime locations within the Golden Triangle as well as branded or serviced properties.
g DIANA PROPERTIESMORALES|KNIGHTFRANK Tel: (+34) 952 765
DM Properties / Knight Frank Foreign vs Spanish Buyers Ratio Source: Colegio de Registradores de la Propiedad Foreign
Z Cooling of property price increases – the tightening of financial conditions driving constructions costs up and making financing less accessible, point to a slowdown of the increases in property prices of the past 12 months. Simultaneously, although pent-up demand has been largely satisfied, continued demand as well as a lack of stock will cushion price adjustments. e
Z Increase in off-plan sales, more noticeable in the villa market.
OUTLOOK Z
info@dmproperties.com138.DMproperties.comSource:DMProperties Buyers Málaga Province The appeal of property as an inflation hedge. A reassessment of housing needs and lifestyles: more flexible working patterns allowing for relocation overseas and the need for space and practical homes with well-being and mental health driven architecture and interior designs.
business news
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CHILDREN’S FASHION SHOW BY THE GLOBAL GIFT FOUNDATION
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WORDS BY MARISA CUTILLAS
La Casa Ángeles by Global Gift foundation, a day centre for children with special needs, recently hosted a children’s fashion show featuring clothing by Jelena Vassiljeva. The event was attended by a host of personalities, including Eva Longoria, María Bravo, Chenoa, Manuel Rulfo and Alejandro Nones. i www.globalgiftfoundation.org
STARLITE CATALANA OCCIDENTE GENERATES €1.430 MILLION SINCE ITS COMMENCEMENT
The Starlite Catalana Occidente Festival has had an economic impact of some €1.430 million since its creation, according to a PwC report. Launched in 2012, it has boosted employment in Marbella and on the Coast, having generated 31,784 jobs. Considered one of the most important ‘boutique festivals’ in Spain, Starlite celebrated its 10th Anniversary this year, adding approximately €305.2 million to Spain’s GDP. i www.starlitemarbella.com
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WELLNESS EXPO COMES TO ESTEPONA
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Expo Costa del Sol 365 Estepona – Wellness 360º, an event focusing on wellness, beauty, spas, food, fashion, sports, and all things to do with the good life – will be taking place from September 16 to 18 at the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones in Estepona. Attendees will enjoy a host of activities, exclusive experiences and conferences. They will also participate in a raffle to win stays at a luxury hotel on the Coast. Moreover, 50 per cent of ticket sales will go to Paula y La Fábrica de la Medula – a charity specialising in the donation of blood, plasma and bone marrow. i For tickets, www.eventbrite.com
VICENTE DEL BOSQUE VISITS HIS SUMMER CAMP IN ESTEPONA
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Ex-national coach, Vicente del Bosque, visited his Estepona summer camp, which was held for the ninth year running. The camp aims not only to teach participants key skills in the game of football, but also to foster a commitment to a healthy, active lifestyle. Friendship, integration, and the importance of working hard are just a few of the many values kids learn. i www.estepona.es
Various Rotary Clubs along the Coast have come together to host a unique event: a charity Viennese ball, to be held on Saturday, October 1 at the Puente Romano’s Salon Andalucía. A new orchestra comprising classical musicians aged 22 to 32 will be playing a collection of waltzes by Strauss. Ticket sales will aid the charities Home of Hope for Girls, End Plastic Soup and Mi Moana. g Further information, Tel: 722 551 987. straussballmarbella@gmail.com
ELISSIMO EVENTS PRESENTS VIENNESE BALL CHARITY GALA
TREATMENTONCOLOGYRADIOTHERAPEUTICCUTTING-EDGE MÁLAGAQUIRONSALÚDAT
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The Quironsalúd Hospital in Málaga has embraced an innovative approach called radiotherapeutic oncology. A new ‘lineal electron accelerator’ will be used to treat patients more quickly and precisely, lowering their exposure to toxicity. This accelerator, called the Varian TrueBeam, has an incorporated CT scan and robotic table, which allows doctors to carry out a range of functions, and reduces treatment for less invasive tumours to one week instead of six. i www.quironsalud.es
NEW GENERAL MANAGER AT THE KEMPINSKI HOTEL BAHIA, ESTEPONA
Kempinski Hotels has appointed Lars Pursche as the new General Manager at Kempinski Hotel Bahía, Estepona. The German native brings the resort his in-depth experience in the global hotel industry. He started with the luxury hotel brand in 2011 as Director of Sales & Marketing and was appointed General Manager of Kempinski Hotel Huizhou, China, in 2015. From 2017 until his current appointment, he successfully managed Kempinski Hotel Soma Bay on the shores of the Red Sea, leading his team in delivering strong operational results and navigating the pandemic. i www.kempinski.com
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MONDAY MUELLE UNO: A NEW CO-WORKING SPACE IN MÁLAGA BY URBANIA Málaga’s chic Muelle Uno is now home to a new co-working space where you can work, connect with others, rest, and lead an active, healthy lifestyle. The space features ergonomic workspaces, healthy food, workout classes (including yoga, boxing, and HIIT), a gym, showers, meeting facilities, projectors and other top tech, and more. It offers a flexible contract under which you can adapt your chosen services to your needs at any time. There are different workstations and room sizes available and there is also a space for events. i www.mymonday.es
ADRENALIN-CHARGED MOTOCROSS EVENT LIGHTS UP THE PUERTO BANÚS SKY
The XTreme World Series FMX Freestyle Motocross event, one of the most important of its kind in Europe, took place recently at Marbella Arena in Puerto Banús. Featuring almost three hours of non-stop action, it stunned the crows with amazing feats of motocross magic by pilots Leo Fini, Greg Rowbottom, Stig Froseth, Diogo Ribeiro, Abraham Parra, Javi Jabato, Pedro Torres and Francis Costela. i www.marbellaarena.com
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Laude San Pedro International College has announced the appointment of Andrew Atkinson as the school's new Principal. With over 30 years of experience in international education, Andrew has been involved in many international programs for children of various ages (aged three to 18). His last leadership position was as Director of the International School of London and he has also been a Governor of the International School of Dublin. In the last three years, however, he has undertaken international consultancy work, leading various projects in Spain and Russia. Most recently, he helped launch a highly innovative international school in Punta del Este, Uruguay. i www.laudesanpedro.com
Cancer care hospice, Cudeca, recently celebrated the first edition of the Joan Hunt Awards. The winners included famous musician, Chucho Valdés, renowned scientist, Dr. Yusuf Hamied, the mayor of Canillas de Albaida, Jorge Martín, the editor of SUR in English, Rachel Haynes, and the General Director of Lumon Spain, Javier Martínez Uría. The awards recognise visionary, hardworking professionals like Joan Hunt, who worked with endless passion to ease the burden of people with cancer. i www.cudeca.org
NEW PRINCIPAL FOR LAUDE INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE
CUDECA CELEBRATES THE FIRST EDITION OF THE JOAN HUNT AWARDS
GRUPO TROCADERO SPONSORS MARBELLA WOMEN'S SAILING TEAM Grupo Trocadero has once again shown its commitment to sports, having co-sponsored (alongside the Soho Boutique in Málaga) the women’s sailing team of Marbella, which took part in the Copa del Rey (King’s Cup) in Mallorca. The Marbella teams (men’s and women’s) have won various prestigious competitions, including the King’s Cup (2017 and 2018), the World Championship (2018 and 2019) and the Spanish Championship (2018). i www.grupotrocadero.com
LUIS GIBRALTARSTRAITSWIMSPORTILLOTHEOF
CHILDREN
FOR WITH CongratulationsCANCER to Luis Portillo, who swam the Strait of Gibraltar back and forth in nine hours and 11 minutes. He started at Las Palomas in Tarifa, and ended his swim on a beach between Punta del Acebuche y Punta del Fraile. His impressive effort raised €5.000 for children with cancer from the Fundación Olivares. i fundacionolivares.orgwww.
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MOSH LAUNCHES FIRST 100 PER CENT SUSTAINABLE BEACH CLUB IN ESTEPONA
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Grupo Mosh, a leader in the hospitality sector on the Coast (with six establishments to its name) has partnered up with Interior designer, Lázaro Rosa Violán, to launch the first fully sustainable beach club on the Coast. Photovoltaic energy will power the 250m2 venue, which will be located on Playa El Padrón and constructed with sustainable materials such as wood, terracotta, sand, and other recycled materials. iwww.grupomosh.com
COSTA WOMEN END OF SUMMER
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CHARITY PARTY Costa Women and their female friends will be celebrating their 12th anniversary with a fun party at PLAY Restaurant, Mijas Costa, on September 22 at 7:30pm, in support of Cudeca. The evening will feature music by Laura Elen, a fashion show by local boutique, Mapuchi Moda, and a welcome drink courtesy of Simply Spanish Wine. Photographer, Harmony Barr will be on hand to capture special moments. i Further information, summer@costawomen.com
AN EYE FOR CHANGE Mariana, a designer by trade, first came upon the idea of upcycling while working in a beauty store. She says, “I noticed that the shop was continually throwing away large advertising canvasses,” adding, “They featured ads for Chanel, Dior, and other brands. I remember thinking that they could be reused in so many ways. Canvas is water-resistant and it holds colour well. It is particularly suitable for bags, hats, trousers, coats, and pouffes,” she says. that inhabit some of Marbella’s chicest décor stores, as well as bracelets made from scrap materials.
FROM THE BASKETBALL COURT TO THE CATWALK Mariana has an entire line of bags made from unwanted rugby, football and basketball balls. These items are made in a tough, sturdy material that makes for ideal fashion accessories that last a lifetime. In the early days of her business, she began approaching sports clubs, who were happy to give away equipment that was no longer usable. deLona also COURTESY OF DELONA
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deLona NOTHING IS TRANSFORMEDEVERYTHINGLOST,IS Welcome to the circular economy – a movement that embraces sharing, reusing, recycling, refurbishing, and of course, upcycling – giving new life to things that seemingly no longer have any use. In Marbella, fashion company, deLona, is leading the way when it comes to the upcycling movement. Its founder, Mariana Forcillo, launched her company in 2020 –a year in which many businesses were folding or pausing their operations. For Mariana, this challenging time provided the perfect opportunity to dream of new ways of making the world a better place through fashion. deLona comprises two words – ‘de’ (‘of) and ‘lona’ (canvas). It is the perfect name for a brand whose product list comprises items made of unwanted canvas, as well as many additional materials.
EXCLUSIVE UPCYCLING WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY
www.delona.euSocialMedia:@delonaspain
marvelous“Creativityismakingout of the discarded” collaborates with charitable institutions, including María Bravo’s Global Gift Foundation.
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MADE IN UBRIQUE Mariana works alongside talented leathersmiths and sewers in the municipality of Ubrique, which is famed for its leather industry. “Each item is unique, as its design depends on factors such as how much material is available. I cut destroyedout bits of material and salvage what I can. I then send detailed design plans to the manufacturers, who are experts at sewing even the most complicated creations.” In a multimaterial design, for instance, the colour of the thread has to change and the available material can come in many different shapes.”Mariana tells me that each article has its own story and that some items she retrieves are signed by their previous owners.” She happily transforms each piece into beautiful accessories that have a whole new life ahead of them and the ability to form part of many new memories. g
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i
way
approaching happiness” – Antonio Gala PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 185
“Making someone happy is perhaps the
Puente Romano Hotel in Marbella was once again the venue for the annual Gala of World Vision, which is renowned for bringing hope to struggling children around the world. Celebrating its 10th anniversary year, attendees enjoyed an evening of fine dining and live entertainment, with performances by Culture Beat, Trevis, and Gypsies. www.worldvision.org humblest of
WORLD VISION GALA
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MARBELLA CANCER GALA
Following a two year absence, the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer Gala returned with an unprecedented success. More than 500 attendees congregated at Finca La Concepción for a truly memorable evening, raising over €300.000 in support of cancer patients and their families. Included in this amount, was €100.000 from the Principal Sponsor, Centro Comercial La Cañada.
i www.contraelcancer.es “A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles” – Jane Fuller WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 187
STAND PROPERTIES FUENGIROLA
“Owning a home is a keystone of wealth… both financial affluence and emotional security” – Suze Orman PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF STRAND PROPERTIES back to CONTENTSz ENTERPRISE social 188 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
Dynamic real estate agency, Strand Properties, has opened their third office on the Coast at Calle España, 1 in Fuengirola. Since launching in Puerto Banús in 2020, the forward-moving company, headed up by Finnish couple Anssi and Sirena Kiviranta, has acquired a solid reputation, both as an employer and as a highly respected player in the property market. i www.strandproperties.com
LPA AT SOTOGRANDE POLO
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Members of the LPA gathered for the 51st International Polo Tournament, the Gold Cup high handicap, at the Santa María Polo grounds in Sotogrande. The Leading Property Organisation is an association of reputable real estate agents sharing a code of ethics which oversees the professional service they accord to their clients. Dunghy
i www.lpaspain.com “Integrity – the choice between what’s convenient and what’s right” – Tony
b gourmet FIND OUT WHY HI-SO IS THE PINNACLE OF ENJOYMENT IN SOTOGRANDE ALTO AND HOW THE DYNAMIC FAMILY OF HERNÁNDEZ-GIL HAS ACHIEVED SUCH SUCCESS WITH GRUPO TROCADERO. SEPTEMBER IS HARVEST MONTH IN SPANISH VINEYARDS – CHECK OUT SOME OF THE CUSTOMS. 198 back to CONTENTS
192 HI-SO Restaurant 198 Jorge Hernández-Gil of Grupo Trocadero 202 Gourmet Bytes 206 Wine – La Vendimia WINECHEFSGASTRONOMYNEWS 206192 202
b GOURMET restaurants HI-SO IN SOTOGRANDE WORDS JAMES SINCLAIR PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN & COURTESY OF SO/ SOTOGRANDE Opened on 1st August last year, HI-SO is the stylish restaurant in Sotogrande Alto, with stunning views to the Mediterranean Sea. THE PINNACLE OF ENJOYMENT! back to CONTENTSb GOURMET restaurants 192 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
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The dining venue is predominantly outdoor on an extensive descending terrace with multiple wooden canopies offering plenty of shade, luxury sofa seating, solid dining tables and comfy chairs, and a bar area with sliding glass doors that can be closed in inclement weather. It is very vibrant here with a myriad of coloured cushions and the multi-striped canvas atop the awnings. From this platform, the views across the rolling cork oak hills to the sea beyond are simply breathtaking. In the words of Sales and Marketing Director, Chloe Brandalac, “it’s a place to Chill and Grill.” You will be warmly welcomed by the multilingual Restaurant Manager, Ricardo Nunes, who hails from Lisbon and he will take good care of you during your dining experience. We were shown to a nice wooden table in front of the open kitchen, where you can see the dishes being prepared on the 5 metre BBQ grill by Executive Chef, Leandro Caballero and his team.The menu is compact and enticing, as befits a venue which is open to the public and where you can enjoy a visit to the large swimming pool alongside, with sun loungers commanding the same panoramic vistas, combined with a leisurely lunch. It is also sufficiently versatile to cater for dinner under the stars – one of the best possible pastimes in September. ›
TIPTOP LOCATION
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FAYRE FULL OF FLAVOUR We shared Bluefin Tuna Slices in Dill and Radish Oil, and Grilled Avocado, Red Chilli and Honey Extra Virgen Olive Oil as starters, finding ourselves impressed with the presentation and even more so with the appealing flavours of both dishes. These went exceedingly well with a chilled bottle of Sunday Bay from Marlborough, New Zealand. With our appetites nicely teased, we were looking forward to the mains of Grilled Sea Bream and an impressive 800g Cowboy Steak derived from beef matured over 40 days. The accompaniments to complete these dishes were Giant Asparagus and Patatas Fritas al Romero (Rosemary). It soon became very clear that all of the plates sampled had a wonderful smokey taste conferred by the BBQ, heightening the experience considerably. As the evening progressed, with the sun setting over the hills and the light changing, we found ourselves immersed in a joyful cocoon at our table. We even found space for two delightful desserts: Roasted Mango with Yoghurt Ice Cream and Roasted Pineapple with Coconut Ice Cream, both exhibiting the same smoked tendencies. ›
CORTIJO Another great dining concept at SO/ Sotogrande is the nearby Cortijo Restaurant, which will become the main evening venue this autumn, with tapas, wine and music on the ground floor and haute cuisine on the floor above. We will have to come back to try that soon! g Open every day from 11am to 11pm. Seasonal opening. Reservations recommended. HI-SO, Hotel SO/ Sotogrande Avenida Almenara s/n, Sotogrande. Tel: (+34) 956 582 000. i hiso.sotogrande@so-hotels.com@hi_so_sotograndewww.so-sotogrande.com
QUALITY DRINKS HI-SO bar has a range of Cocktails and Champagnes which you can enjoy at any time of day or to toast a special occasion. The wine list contains some interesting vintages, and you can order various varieties of Jerez by the glass. There is also an impressive collection of Gin and Whisky to select from.
A PLACE TO PLAY As you can imagine, HI-SO is a fantastic setting for a party or event. Following the success of their recent Summer Party with a live DJ and entertainment from 3pm until midnight, they will be repeating the experience again on Saturday 17th September – dress in white!
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GRUPO
OF TROCADERO
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Some people would say that working with family is challenging but for Jorge Hernández-Gil, Grupo Trocadero’s General Director, it’s a strength. “Family knows you inside-out and this makes it easier to communicate and understand each other,” he says. Jorge is one of three brothers who are actively involved in the management of the business. His brother, Dionisio (‘Dioni’), first arrived in Marbella in 1996, after trying his hand at the world of restaurateurship in Madrid. Their father, Dionisio Hernández-Gil, one of Spain’s most renowned architects, had hoped that Dioni would finish his Law degree (he had a year left to complete). However, nobody can stop an entrepreneur with a vision, and Dioni’s heart belonged to the world of hospitality. At the age of 21, he founded various bars in Madrid, honing his craft via trial-and-error. For Dioni, every ‘failure’ or ‘mistake’ was simply an opportunity to grow.
Jane Howard AN GROUPEIGHT-RESTAURANT
The Group now has eight restaurants on the Coast: Trocadero Playa (on the Golden Mile), Trocadero Arena (in the Río Real beach area), Trocadero Sotogrande, Trocadero Benalmádena, Trocadero Estepona, Trocadero Petit Playa (in Marbella, near Trocadero Playa), Trocadero Tarifa, and Trocadero Casa de Botes (in Málaga). Soon there will be two more. “Tarifa will open this month and Casa de Botes will be ready by December,” Jorge says.
The Casa de Botes, an emblematic structure located on Málaga’s port, was a hotly contested project. “The City Hall called for public bids on it. We were up against Antonio Banderas and the Grupo El Pimpi on the one hand, and a Mr. Spain and a famous basketball player on the other hand.” Trocadero’s bid was the winner, and the group immediately began carrying out the necessary reformations. EIGHT IS ENOUGH Eight is also the number of brothers and sisters that make up the Hernández-Gil family. Most of them are involved in Grupo Trocadero in some way. “My brother, Fernando was the architect for Trocadero Benalmádena. He had designedpreviouslyTrocadero Petit and Trocadero Zanzibar (a smaller bar adjacent to Trocadero Arena), but Benalmádena was his first large restaurant for the Group,” Jorge tells me. Brother Aldo, meanwhile, is in charge of the Group’s Purchasing Department. “He comes from the world of advertising but he had always taken charge of purchasing and negotiation for my mother’s finca in Cáceres.”Although the rest of Jorge’s siblings are dedicated to different professions, many are involved in Grupo Trocadero. One sibling, for instance, has a furniture business in Madrid and many of his pieces grace the Group’s restaurants.OneofJorge’s sisters is an artist who has created beautiful pieces for Trocadero’s dazzling interiors. Indeed, if you are a frequent diner at one of the Group’s restaurants, then you know that their interiors are often inspired by the wild, fearless animals and rolling grasslands of African landscapes.
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Jorge tells me, however, that “Trocadero is evolving and in our newer establishments, such as EsteponaTrocaderoandTarifa, the design plays more with fabric and colours. ›
“Call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one”
Trocadero PlayaTrocadero Petit Trocadero Zanzibar They very much house the essence of Trocadero, but they are far from being replicas of our otherJorgeestablishments.”overseesthework of 700 employees in high season and around 450 in low season. In the realm of employment, one of Trocadero’s defining traits is stability. “We prefer to stay open all-year-round even though the winter season is quiet.” This enables management to count on experienced workers who have come to form part of a well-oiled machine.
Trocadero is not only a business for the HernándezGil family, but also the setting for some of the family’s most meaningful events. “I got married in Trocadero Sotogrande in 2018,” Jorge says, adding, “One year later, my daughter, who is now three years old, was born.” Jorge sees the Group’s expansion as organic rather than ambitious. “When we open a new establishment, it’s because we find unique locations that fit in perfectly with our vision.” Currently, all restaurants are located within one-and-a-half hours from each other. The Group will be opening a new restaurant in the Plaza de los Delfines in Madrid in January, 2023, in a special locale that the brothers have celebrated many memorable eventsGrupoin.Trocadero, whose heart and soul is family, fine food and good memories, is no less than a labour of love. The friendly service, longstanding staff and beautiful interiors are just a few reasons why, when it comes to long lunches or dinner with friends by the sea, Trocadero is always first choice for so many Marbellís, celebrities and dignitaries. i www.grupotrocadero.com
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NEW TAI PAN Marbella Tel: 952 818 www.thaigallerymarbella.com392PuenteRomanoHotel,PlazaVillage,Marbella. SUKHOTHAI Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine Tel: 952 777 893 / 952 775 www.taipanmarbella.com500 Puente Romano, Fase 2, Marbella. Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00 Tel: 952 770 www.sukhothaimarbella.com550 Marbellamar, L-3A, Marbella. Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00 CHINESERESTAURANT-POLYNESIANBAR ALL ACCORDINGRESTAURANTSOURAREOPENTOREGULATIONS,WITHFULLSAFETYMEASURES!
COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS
MISTER BROOK BURGER PRESENTS THE FIRST MARBELLA BURGER FESTIVAL Pizza has opened its first-ever store in Benalmádena. The pizza chain, which is famed for its delicious crusts and generous toppings, donated all the profits from its first day serving the public to AFESOL. This association helps Costa del Sol residents with illnesses and provides support to their families. Avda. de la Constitución, 28, Benalmádena. to
Mister Brook Burger, a company serving 100 per cent halal burgers in San Pedro, recently celebrated the first Marbella Burger Festival. The event featured juicy burgers, live music, and the presence of some of Marbella’s best-known influencers. It was sponsored by David Lafuente (ex-member of famous Spanish pop band, Auryn). Performing on the restaurant’s busy terrace was the band Calle Nueva, which added a touch of magic to a special evening. g C/Andalucía, 13, San Pedro de Alcántara. Social Media: @MRBROOKBURGER
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www.dominospizza.es FIRST DOMINO’S PIZZA OPENS IN BENALMÁDENA back
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The seventh edition of The World Ham Competition took place recently on Estepona’s Paseo Marítimo, drawing a huge crowd of over half a million visitors and featuring over 50 exhibitors and 150 ham slicers from across Spain. Organiser, José María Téllez, was delighted with the outcome, noting that around 2,000 ham legs from the very best Iberian brands were consumed. The organisers estimate that the economic impact of the event amounted to over €3 million. i www.estepona.es THE WORLD COMPETITIONHAMRECEIVES OVER 500,000 VISITS
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b GOURMET news
A myriad of wooden boats filled with smoking sardines on skewers added colour and life to the Playa de Carihuela in Torremolinos, during the eighth edition of the Concurso de Espetos Costa del Sol (the Costa del Sol Espetos Competition). Over 20 professional espeteros (espeto cooks) took part in the event. The jury comprised talented Chefs like Diego Gallegos of Michelin-starred restaurant, Sollo and Fernando Villasclaras of Michelin-starred establishment, El Lago. i www.concursodeespetos.com
THE EIGHTH EDITION OF THE CONCURSO DE ESPETOS COSTA DEL SOL BLAZES IN TORREMOLINOS
If you plan on visiting the sunny province of Cádiz over the summer and you love traditional gelato, make sure to stop off at Badiani’s new pop-up store at the Hotel MIM in Sotogrande. Badiani, one of the main producers and distributors of artisanal gelato in the UK, was founded in Florence in 1932. It is known for its traditional recipes and green packaging, which is made of recycled, biodegradable or compostable materials. i www.badiani1932.com
BADIANI LAUNCHES ITS SECOND GELATO SHOP IN SOTOGRANDE back to CONTENTS
After thousands of uncorked bottles and as many opinions from the lucky individuals who sampled their contents, I decided to add something more to my thirty years of experience serving Bacchus. Questions! Yes, I added questions. And the first one that occurred to me, despite having taken part in many conversations on the subject, was the following:
WHAT IS THE PERSONALITY OF A WINE? With the sole intention of settling this issue and putting black on white, allow me to elucidate this controversial issue and perhaps we will make it more understandable. Personality is the result of a simple sum in which the factors are temperament and character. There are many discussions on the subject and if we want to clarify it, perhaps we should immerse ourselves in the masterpiece The Delusions of Certainty, in which its author Siri Hustvedt, expatiates knowledge on the subject in question. Of course, fasten your seatbelt if you do, because it is possible that, as it has been in my case, your doubts about the meaning of the word ‘Personality’ will increase.
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WORDS ÓSCAR GONZÁLEZ CALZADA
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
to CONTENTSb GOURMET wine 206 / SEPTEMBER 2022 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE
HONORARY MENTION
LA VENDIMIA
There are thousands of people with a passion for what they do who gather each year during this month around a project, a winery. It is a real show and a privilege to be able to enjoy the moment when these scissors virtuosos take action. They are invisible heroes, whose names will not appear on any label nor will they be interviewed in the major wine publications. They will not be remembered when uncorking a bottle of good wine, despite the fact that they are the gold dust that unites the vineyard, the unequivocal origin of the winemaking process.
THE INVISIBLE HEROES
Let’s toast to them!
WATCHED BY THE STARS More than 25 years have passed since the first wineries in Spain opted for the nocturnal harvest, in which the lack of light makes the stars the protagonists of a new way of harvesting that is becoming more and more widespread.Withthedisadvantage of having to carry out the process mechanically, which can harm the treatment of the grapes, the night harvest is here to stay and, for now, the wineries in the warmer areas are the ones who use this technique on a regular basis. With this process, the grape is protected from the high temperatures of the day, which at this time are around 35ºC, thus avoiding a possible oxidation of the fruit, especially of the white varieties that have a skin more sensitive to solar radiation. Night harvesting precludes possible premature fermentation (mosteo) and provides significant energy savings by avoiding the cooling process of the grapes upon arrival at the winery.
We are in September and most Spanish wineries are at that magical moment when their grapes are about to undergo their great transformation. It’s time to harvest! The bunches are ripe. The grapes are mature. And it’s time to work the miracle. The harvest is the turning point in which the temperament of the grape, that is to say, the variety, the DNA, the genetics of the noblest castes, has acquired its moment of maximum expression, thanks to the character imparted by the terroir. The soil, the climate and the care with which the guardians of the kingdom of Dionysus have taken care of our future elixirs, imprint the definitive personality. After collecting the product... it’s time to suffer. The harvest has been excellent, but the clusters, at their perfect point of maturation, like any of us when we raise our level of consciousness, must be crushed, de-stemmed and fermented. It is also time to make a selection, and only the best clusters will result in the best wines.
It is always a good time to congratulate someone for their achievements, and today is a great day to congratulate my friend, Vicente Dalmau Cebrían-Sagarriga, alma mater of the extraordinary Marqués de Murrieta project. His commitment, constant work, and values adhered to extend a fantastic example that innovation and tradition are the perfect marriage. Marqués de Murrieta has become the first Spanish winery to ‘sneak’ into the world’s top 10 best wineries in the prestigious Wine Advocate guide. e
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