Le Kap - Winter 2016 edition

SOUTH AFRICA

®

‘Huracán LP580-2’

ELSA SCHIAPARELLI

‘dare to be different’

NICOLETTA SPAGNOLI ‘custodian of a legacy’

BUENOS AIRES ‘city with rhythm’

OUR BILLIONAIRES

THE BARBIE PHENOMENON

WIN TER 2016

R45.00

SOUTH AFRICA’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

SOUTH AFRICA’S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

Welcome to

Luisa Spagnoli Cape Town V&A Waterfront, Shop 7249, Tel 021 418 1691 Luisa Spagnoli Johannesburg Hyde Park Cnr, Shop UM 65-66, Tel 011 268 0859 Luisa Spagnoli Midrand Mall of Africa, Shop 2117, Tel 011 517 2445 Also available at Isabella Charlotte Boutique, Franschhoek Tel 021 876 2707 and Brooklyn Mall, Pretoria Tel 012 346 4472

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FROM THE EDITOR There is this extraordinary moment, just before the printing of each edition of Le Kap, which gives me a thrill. It is the thrill of the anticipation to see the weeks of creative thought and work about to be realised - in print. Nearly like a mother anticipating the arrival of her unborn child.

As a committed magazine enthusiast and the editor of Le Kap magazine, my greatest responsibility is to stimulate the visual imagination of our readership, while at the same time provide thought-provoking editorial content. Magazines are an unspoken collaboration between its loyal readership, brand advertising partners and a magazine’s production team. We, at Le Kap, strive to keep you, the reader, engaged and by virtue thereof, provide a significant ‘loyalty-based’ platform to our advertising partners.

There has been much speculation that the internet spells doom for the print sector. Although this may be true for some publications, this is not the case with magazines in the luxury sector. While the internet proficiently delivers news and content in droves to our computers, tablets and mobile devices, a magazine is all about context - and more specifically, how the thoughts of the editor and the images applied to content are presented in relation to one another. This combination provides for a tactile and at times, an emotionally provoking experience, which the internet simply cannot provide.

On this note, I thank our readers for tuning into this Winter Edition of Le Kap where we have, once again, applied our focus to provide you with a diverse range of editorial content.

Some of the Le Kap editorial contributors had fun this year whilst visiting fascinating destinations. Travel with us in our pages to Buenos Aires, Tanzania, Monaco, Cliveden House, a delightful cruise on the Crystal Esprit, as well as dining in the world’s most expensive restaurant in Spain.

On the fashion front, we are proud to feature Nicoletta Spagnoli, who is at the helm of the iconic fashion brand Luisa Spagnoli, on the front cover. Read all about this dynamic and charismatic lady (page 10). We also go back in time to the first half of the 20th century, when fashion pioneers such as Coco Chanel, Luisa Spagnoli and Elsa Schiaparelli dominated global fashion trends. Read about Elsa Schiaparelli on page 34. The ‘Barbie’ Brand Phenomenon (page 40) will touch the hearts of both mothers and daughters in most households.

The editorial on South African Born Billionaires on page 66 will certainly draw your attention, as most may not realise that some of the world’s wealthiest men are proudly South African.

The review on the new Lamborghini Huracán LP580-2, by our automotive lifestyle editor, Richard Webb, on page 22 will be of much interest to petrol heads and supercar owners alike.

As always, thank you to all of our contributors, advertisers and media partners. And a special thanks to you, the readers of Le Kap. Steve Swanepoel Founder & CEO - Le Mag Publications Group

Reverso Tribute Calendar watch Eduardo Novillo Astrada, polo Champion, Winner of the Argentine Triple Crown.

Open a whole new world

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editor-in-chief l Steve Swanepoel automotive lifestyle editor l Richard Webb creative l by Le Mag Publications Group proofreaders l Moira Theart l Marion Pfeiffer photographers l Various wine correspondents l Jean Vincent Ridon l Jörg Pfützner international research & correspondents Howard Linsee-Tutill l Liz Webber advertising enquiries l sales@lemagpublications.com

CONTENTS

editorial enquiries l info@lemagpublications.com event enquiries l info@lemagpublications.com website l Warren Richardson editorial contributors l Richard Webb, Liz Webber, Joy Scott Steve Swanepoel, Jean-Vincent Ridon, Christopher Pfeiffer Sarah Woods, Moira Theart, Marion Pfeiffer, Grant Davison Claudia Pieper, Jennifer Howard, Gillian Goldman-Bentley, Nicolene Richards, Jeremy Nel, Angela Day publisher l Le Mag Publications Group editor l editor@lemagpublications.com email l info@lemagpublications.com web l www.lemagpublications.com tel l 021 829 7120 l 021 829 7205 fax l 086 554 5580

FRONT COVER l NICOLETTA SPAGNOLI 04 FROM THE EDITOR 10 NICOLETTA SPAGNOLI 15 CRUISING, FASTEST GROWING TOURISM SECTOR 16 BUENOS AIRES - CITY WITH RHYTHM

COPYRIGHT © 2015 l 2016 - LE MAG PUBLICATIONS GROUP The opinions and views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Le Mag Publications Group. The publisher and editor regretfully cannot accept any liability for omissions or errors contained in this publication. The ownership of registered trademarks is duly acknowledged. No part of this publication or any of its content may be reproduced, digitally stored or transmitted in any format without the express and written permission of the publishing editor.

22 LAMBORGHINI HURACÁN 580-2 28 PARADISE FOUND - CRYSTAL ESPRIT

FOLLOW US ON THE ELIE SAAB MAGAZINE / THELIGHTOFNOW.COM

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80 Breguet and the art of Guilloche

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CONTENTS CONT ...

BY JEFFREY S. KINGSTON

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eft brain. Right brain. Sensible and functional or artistic and

emotional? How often do objects or designs fall into one box or the other? Almost always. This is why absolutely nobody waxes poetic on

34 ELSA SCHIAPARELLI

66 SOUTH AFRICAN BORN BILLIONAIRES

40 THE BARBIEexercise.

BRAND PHENOMENON training

72 LUXURY BRANDED PROPERTIES

44 LEOPARDS

76 BEAU BRUMMEL

the subject of minivans or plans flower arrangements for a Navy Seals

But if there is to be an exception that proves the rule, guilloche

48 FLYING HIGH

decoration is the perfect example.

80 SUBLIMOTION

52 STEYN CITY - IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE

84 THE MAGICAL SERENGETI HOUSE

56 THE ART BEHIND THE SCENES

88 VILEBREQUIN - STYLISH QUALITY

60 CLIVEDEN HOUSE

92 MONACO - GLITZY & GLAMOROUS

WELCOME TO OUR WORLD

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086 100 1884 info@breitling.co.za

BREITLING.COM

AVENGER BANDIT

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NICOLETTA SPAGNOLI ‘Whoever runs towards the future forgetting their past mislays their identity’ – Nicoletta Spagnoli

Luisa Spagnoli is an iconic Italian fashion empire internationally established with a strong identity and proud heritage in the world of haute couture, a highly personal style and undisputed quality.

Elegance, refinement and modern trends are the marks of this brand. This Italian fashion house is headed by the charismatic Nicoletta Spagnoli, granddaughter of Luisa, who took over the company in 1986 after the death of her father, Lino Spagnoli.

In the early 1900s, in the small provincial town of Perugia in Italy, Luisa’s interest in developing business, vocational drive and vision of what might be possible propelled her into the business arena. Starting in her small hometown with a grocery store, then specialising in La Perugina chocolate, her business skills were recognised and she became the first female member of the Board of Directors of Perugina. In 1928, she introduced the use of Angora yarns to produce knitted garments and started breeding Angora rabbits on the grounds of her home in Santa Lucia. From a particular breed of rabbits, she created a consistently thin yarn and this was the beginning of the manufacturing of refined and luxurious fabrics, leading to the birth of the first Italian Angora clothing. Luisa had feminine skills, vocational drive and a natural, timeless elegance, all of which led to her success in the fashion industry of the time, resulting in a thriving business, as well as the creation of local jobs.

Until then, the breeding of Angora rabbits was of no interest to Italian farmers and most of the yarn used for the manufacturing of clothing was imported. Using local women to do the spinning by hand she achieved yarns of subtle and varied textures to create classic and fashionable clothes with great success, arousing the attention of buyers, both local and international.

This increased interest in the Spagnoli garments for their textures, elegance and harmony of colour, and they were considered to be superior to all the Angora products on the market at the time. In 1953, two years after her death, Luisa’s son, Mario took over the leadership of the company and formally established the Luisa Spagnoli brand as one which produced haute couture at reasonable prices while maintaining and ensuring quality and sophistication.

He spread this recognition and prestige of the company worldwide.

In 1940, the first Luisa Spagnoli store was opened in Perugia, followed by stores in Florence, Rome, Venice, Naples and Milan.

Styles and fabrics produced from Angora wool designed by the brand name Luisa Spagnoli increased and it became the largest Angora wool store in Europe and began to appear in celebrated stores internationally.

During 1953, as the demand increased, the company was headed

by Lino, Mario’s son, a brilliant business leader and talented sportsman. He decentralised its productive capacity, transforming the business from the established manufacturing ‘city within a city’ into a complex organisation. By creating small subsidiary artisan businesses that generated competitiveness and flexibility, he spread the culture of enterprise throughout Perugia. Under his leadership, new stores, concepts acknowledging the history of the family in Italy, tradition and emotional investments with carefully planned ideas were established. He developed the company to its full potential while creating the foundation for the present structure.

This culture was and is attentive to strategic orientation, marketing, distribution and financial management.

In 1986, after Lino’s death, Nicoletta was appointed at the helm of a company well established in the world of Italian clothing. By this time, Nicoletta had completed a degree in pharmacy at the University of Perugia and followed that with a Masterclass at the University of San Diego. Her sudden appointment as CEO was an immediate challenge as her knowledge of all the various elements involved in the business was limited and the brand represented the legacy of family and her father’s work. Her mantra was ‘to take every decision my father might have done’. To respond to demand, Nicoletta has to be innovative without losing the identity of Luisa Spagnoli and reach out to attract new customers, appealing to young and stylish clients and maintaining the price-quality ratio while upholding the existing standards and quality. She has accelerated development in the international markets while focussing on the renovation of outlets to be consistent with the new image. Today Nicoletta, the granddaughter of the mastermind and namesake, is the Managing Director and President of the company and the recipient of several awards for her achievements including the honour of Cavaliere del Lavoro in 2007 and the Marisa Bellisario Award for the Fashion Industry. In May 2014, she received the prize of the Guido and Maria Carli Association, an award under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic and awarded annually to distinguished personalities from high finance, culture and business world.

Le Kap asked Nicoletta how she envisages further developing the company. Her response was that she has focussed on creating new styles and increasing the market share held by the Luisa Spagnoli brand. She believes that there is an increasing demand by professional young women who seek quality clothing that makes them feel both elegant and feminine. Therefore, collections benefit >

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from only the best yarn, finest fabrics, a variety of models, colours, sizes and a wide range of accessories that are interchangeable for different occasions during the day.

Furthermore, Nicoletta is expanding their presence into foreign markets as the continuous increase of international consumers, with spending power, has opened new possibilities. Recently, new stores have been opened in South Africa, America and the United Arab Emirates.

She improved store layout to keep up with the latest trends and focussed on captivating clothes with high added value to enable clients to feel that they are buying not ‘just a feeling’ but something that ‘dresses her soul’. The range of products was increased to include accessories such as Luisa Spagnoli bags, perfumes and shoes, amongst others, to create a Luisa Spagnoli total look.

This fashion house is now internationally established in 50 countries and prides itself on identifying the acquisition of clothes as not just items of clothing to be purchased to keep up to date with fashion trends, but to identify with feelings and a timeless elegance that is never out of place. Nicoletta has set out to enchant her customers and in doing so, she has determined the current position and the future of the company in the world of fashion.

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There are now 151 brand stores in Italy and a further 57 throughout the world. A sophisticated automation system has been developed from storage to shipping and this vital technological innovation can guarantee the high level of service, quality of products and delivery times offered by the company. To the delight of South African clients, Luisa Spagnoli stores are now in Hyde Park Corner in Johannesburg, the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria and the Mall of Africa in Midrand and there is also a range available at the Isabella Charlotte Boutique in Franschhoek. >

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PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE 01 Nicoletta at the Luisa Spagnoli head office in Italy 02 The new Luisa Spagnoli store in The Mall of Africa in Midrand, Johannesburg PHOTOS ON NEXT PAGE 03 Nicoletta in her boardroom 04 Nicoletta is very active in the design & manufacturing process

Luisa Spagnoli Cape Town Shop 7249, V&A Waterfront Tel 021 418 1691

Luisa Spagnoli Johannesburg Shop UM 65-66, Hyde Park Cnr Tel 011 268 0859

Luisa Spagnoli Midrand Shop 2117, Mall of Africa Tel 011 517 2445

Also available at Isabella Charlotte Boutique, Franschhoek Tel 021 876 2707 and Isabella Charlotte Boutique Brooklyn Mall, Pretoria Tel 012 346 4472

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Nicoletta lives in Perugia with her family, close to the company’s headquarters. She states that she has always worked hard and believes she inherited this work ethic from her great-grandmother, Luisa.

Determined to pursue her dreams and ambitions she feels fulfilled by the achievements of the business every day although there are sleepless nights because of the many responsibilities. She hopes to pass on the values she has inherited from her family to her son, to give continuity to the company, with the same passion and dedication to ensure further success for their fashion collections. Her son, Nicholas, is a student of economics and business at university, as well as being involved with the Luisa Spagnoli brand. His primary focus at this time is e-commerce, which has recently been launched. Nicoletta says that the Spagnoli family has always lived closely attached to the company and all the members of the family have been involved to some extent and it works because they like it.

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Today, with Nicoletta at the helm, Luisa Spagnoli offers fashion, reinventing the 60s mood with geometrical prints, cashmere patterns and ‘Capri style’ pants. Historically, it is the oldest European label and celebrities and trendsetters alike are seen dressed in Luisa Spagnoli tailored clothing, which continues to display its trademark style of creative energy and high quality workmanship. • Marion Pfeiffer

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CRUISING, THE FASTEST GROWING SECTOR IN WORLDWIDE TOURISM The global cruise industry is currently valued at $39.6bn worldwide. With 350 ships, cruise lines are struggling to cope with passenger demand. New ships are being commissioned and built by almost all major cruise lines.

George Argyropoulos

The number of passengers carried by the cruise industry has grown year-on-year and is expected to exceed 24 million passengers during 2018. (Source Statista) The largest passenger segment by nationality is predictably from the USA, the UK second, Germany third and Australia fourth. Significant growth is expected from the Asian market and ships designed specifically for this market are presently under construction.

In a statement from the largest Southern African cruise sales and marketing agent, Cruises International, CEO George Argyropoulos said, ‘South African cruise travellers represent a mere 0.1 per cent of the South Africans who travel overseas annually. We are convinced this figure can increase to one per cent and beyond. To this end, we have offered substantial discounts on certain sailings, free flights on Ama Waterways river cruises and other incentives to grow the market.’

Antiquated perceptions regarding cruising prevail in the South African psyche. These include the fact that one has to be middleaged, retired and wealthy to select a cruise. ‘In fact, anyone who can afford an overseas trip can afford a cruise. It is still the best value for money, least hassle and most memorable vacation. With all-inclusive fares, there is no comparison with a land-based option.’

Some cruise lines like SeaDream Yacht Club boasts 60 per cent repeat passengers; it’s evident that brand loyalty is important. Royal Caribbean has 36 per cent repeat guests and Crystal a mammoth 65 per cent.

Mr Argyropoulos noted, ‘of course, the cruise industry has evolved enormously over the past five years. Now ships like SeaDream include excursions accompanying the Executive Chef to local markets, cycling and hiking with the Captain, and a far more flexible

and relaxed programme. Gourmet cruises, wine cruises, al fresco dining and a Living Food menu reflect contemporary guest lifestyles. Cruising has become mainstream and more accessible than ever. Chartering a ship for incentive and brand launches is a major part of SeaDream’s business. Family reunions and weddings are just some of the options. A full 3-day charter of a SeaDream Yacht Club vessel, from Nice to Cannes at USD 200,000 and at USD 1,800 per person, that’s an excellent business decision.’

‘Business charters represent 30 per cent of our business,’ said Thomas Harrison, Sales Director of SeaDream, during a whirlwind visit to South Africa this week. Mr Harrison announced a SeaDream special Riviera cruise starting 18th May for just ZAR 56,000. Expect personalised pyjamas, Bulgari amenities and Balinese Dream beds where guests can sleep under the stars. The relaxed ambience of the privately owned SeaDream is intrinsic to the Nordic owners’ philosophy. Dining al fresco is encouraged. Movies under the stars, a shaken not stirred Martini cocktail, and their signature Champagne and Caviar beach parties account for 60 per cent of repeat guests.

Cruises International’s impressive portfolio is comprised of nine luxury brands, including sailing yachts, private yachts like SeaDream and the Crystal Esprit, able to navigate smaller ports, to megaships like Royal Caribbean offering world-class entertainment. River cruises, including Ama Waterways and Crystal, have become hugely popular offering spectacular itineraries.

The Crystal Endeavour is an exploration vessel due to be launched soon and has an exclusive Bombardier aircraft being fitted to cater for the discerning executive. Celebrity Cruises has also recently announced the purchase of a dedicated luxury yacht to sail in the Galapagos Islands. • Gillian Goldman-Bentley

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BUENOS AIRES A City with Rhythm The capital and largest city in Argentina, Buenos Aires is a charming and fascinating destination, located on the western shore of the estuary of the Rio de la Plata and the most visited city in South America. There is an abundance of smart and well-appointed hotels, where one can sway to the energetic rhythm of the tango, indulge in prime beef cuts at Asado restaurants, while quenching your thirst with copious amounts of the fine Malbec wines. Choose to shop up a storm at the glamorous and exclusive Patio Bullrich in the area known as Retiro, admire the European-style architecture or sit back and watch the world go by in one of the delightful parks.

Patio Bullrich is an excellent example of a neoclassical building and a remarkable old dame restored to its former glory, once used as an auction house, and now hosting designer stores such as Hugo Boss, Salvatore Ferragamo, Carolina Herrera, Armani Exchange, amongst numerous others.

Visiting a cemetery is not normally on any tourist’s itinerary but in Buenos Aires your opinion may change once you visit the impressive Cementerio de la Recoleta in the smart neighbourhood of Recoleta. Most international visitors do not leave without visiting here. Expect to stand in awe as you experience the spectacular array of sculptural marble statues adorning the graves of the rich and famous, including Argentina’s beloved Eva Peron, affectionately known as Evita. Her tomb is surrounded by marble cherubs that guard the graveyard with their soaring wings and arms reaching towards the sky. There is nothing modest about the many exquisite marble sculptures decorating the graves, which are reminiscent of the wealth of the family members who have chosen this as their final resting places. Here lie many famous people, including politicians, military officials and capitalists, as well as the La Paz family, who owned the local newspaper known as La Spenza, and even some of Napoleon’s descendants.

The city is easy to navigate if you are driving. You could also choose a different cultural experience by taking the subway that spans across the entire city. The main street, the widest avenue in the

world, traversing the city for roughly one kilometre, is known as Avenida 9 de Julio and here the imposing Colon Theatre, famous for its opera, is located. If opera or ballet is not your style, it is worth taking a guided tour to view the impressive interior of this glorious monument. The portenos, as locals are known, enjoy culture and certainly know how to dress for the occasion. Be sure to pack your evening gown or black tie if you propose spending an evening amongst the elegant Buenos Aires opera-besotted crowd.

Do not despair if you neglected to pack evening attire; there are many options where you could find the perfect outfit as there is no shortage of extravagant malls and shopping arcades dotted across various barrios or neighbourhoods. Quality is notable, although shopping options offer a variety of choices at different prices.

The beautiful and renowned alpaca woollen products and leather jackets, as well as plentiful accessories, in soft satin leathers and trendy, fashionable designs are on offer here.

If you are partial to extravagance and luxury, it is essential to meander down the extravagant Avenida Alvear, where you can visit the swanky boutiques and high-end designer stores. Gourmet breaks at the many coffee shops and restaurants are a delight and the richness of expertly brewed South American coffee, accompanied by the traditional and rather rich cookie, called the Alfajore, oozing caramel known as dulce de leche between two layers, is pure ecstasy.

The mecca for upmarket shopping, combining Parisian architecture with trendy buildings, Recoleta is the most desirable and expensive area in the city, naturally hosting the most glamorous hotels and establishments where one could linger after a day’s exploration.

Here, you will meet the celebrity crowds at the many cultural venues.

One example is enjoying high tea at the Alvear Palace Hotel, an imposing building that has endured for many years.

To avoid the consequences of the carbo load and caramel laden cookies, retire the chauffeur and take a stroll down to Palermo, >

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Tango in the streets of Buenos Aries

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‘Cementerio de la Recoleta’ (cemetery)

a barrio adjacent to Recoleta. Here one finds stores offering everything possible. Cafes and bars spill across the pavement and it is fast becoming a national sport to meet friends at one of these trendy bars for sundowners and cheerful banter.

Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is a lively city full of surprises.

The country is a prime producer of premium beef and lamb, so it is not particularly easy if you are not a meat lover. Asado, the unique Argentinian way of barbecuing, offers generous platters of meat, including the more unusual dishes and if you are not fussy, you may find yourself enjoying certain cuts we are not accustomed to. . .

Don’t let the sight of a real-life cowboy scare you into believing that you are seeing visions, as they are real and resemble characters from the film set of Wyatt Earp. They are known as gauchos, originating from nomadic horsemen, and mostly resident in the Pampas where

they farm cattle or breed horses. A typical gaucho will sport long boots, loose gaiter pants that they call bombachas, a poncho, an elegant felt hat and a bandana scarf loosely tied around the neck.

For a real Pampas experience, take a day trip to a farm where gauchos will entertain you lavishly with an Argentinian barbecue, Asado style, tantalising your taste buds with a splendid array of meat, accompanied by fine Argentinian red wine.

Buenos Aires has many tastes and flavours and different options available for dining, including international foods. You could sit at a bar counter in an arcade for an informal dinner where you select your meat from the different cuts on display; then have it slowly barbecued to perfection and to your choice, whilst watching. There are many formal restaurants where white starched napkins and heavy silver cutlery are routine, with waitrons ready to serve you with epicurean delights. In downtown Buenos Aires, Puerto Madero Basilica of Nuestra Señora de Pilar

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San Telmo Market

on the waterfront, previously the Docklands in the 1880s, has developed into a lively suburb with so many options for dining that you would need at least a month to visit each of them. Although no longer a commercial docking area, cruise ships arrive and depart nearby, and smaller excursion vessels and yachts still operate from here. You could embark on a voyage around the continent of South America or to the South Pole, or spend the day on a yacht or motorised ferry to travel to neighbouring Uruguay’s Colonia, taking you back in history.

every wish. Tomo I has received several awards and accolades, such as that from Academia Argentina de Gastronomia, and will please every gourmand.

Siga la Vaca in Puerto Madero is a more casual and traditional restaurant, and the steaks are super-sized and served Argentinian style. The generous buffet is prepared a la Asado, according to your request, and you may eat as much as you like while enjoying an exceptional wine. The meal is not for the faint-hearted, though, as most unusual pieces of meat are presented, much to the entertainment of my husband who was very amused when I consumed something I would never choose, much to my dismay, of course. I haven’t quite decided just how palatable it was though….

The most famous pedestrian street, although outwardly adjusted to attract tourists, is Florida Road with numerous stores and vendors, but its real attraction is after dark when street performers emerge to entertain the Gringos, the name given to non-Latin foreigners.

Tango dancers appear, swaying their toned hips on just about every corner, luring you into the sensation to the tune of real Latino music, gently coaxing you into the movement of the dance. The stores have an overwhelming variety of goods, leaving you spoilt for choice. Be warned, this is another venue where your defences will weaken at the sight of the leather attire and accessories. From here, continue with your journey to the Plaza de Mayo where, from the balcony of the Casa de Rosada or Pink Palace, the nation’s beloved Eva Peron presented her speeches to the masses. Here also, the mothers of the children who disappeared during the political turmoil of the 1970s, convened and protested against the government.

Catch your breath on a park bench facing the palace and feed the pigeons on the plaza, while absorbing the magnificent architecture surrounding you. >

With a large contingent of Italian descendants, there is no shortage of Italian dining options. The Italian influence is strong in the barrio of La Boca, the old port district, where the local football arena is situated. Argentinians are passionate about football, as confirmed by the extensive paraphernalia seen in the souvenir stores. Should you prefer something more formal and chic, try the stylish and sophisticated Tomo I where a sommelier will assist you in pairing the right wine with your choice of meal and waitrons anticipate your

La Boca is also famous for its colourful display of buildings and restaurants. Although very touristy, it is essential to stroll down the alleys to experience the Italian flavours and join in the joy of Latin dance, with Tango dancers spontaneously appearing wherever crowds gather.

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Buenos Aires is renowned for abundant literary productions, its countless bookstores (numbering around 730) and coffee shops where artists, poets, writers and intellectuals convene over finely brewed coffees. No visit to the city is complete without visiting one of these coffee shops to mingle with the locals. One such venue is the famous Cafe Tortoni, where the likes of Einstein and Borges used to meet. This cafe will charm you into parting with a handsome amount of money for the mere thrill of enjoying coffee in an institution established in 1858 and regularly visited by famous patrons.

crafts and tango exhibitions on display. Try a piquant little pastry called an Empanada filled with bits of meat. The market spills into the many side streets, so once you have satisfied your appetite with these and other delicacies, take a gentle stroll while admiring the architectural masterpieces. You can hear the music from different venues and no visit to Buenos Aires is complete without enjoying a dinner and tango performance at one of these establishments.

When you tire of the city lights and traffic, head down to the Tigre Delta for a day trip on its web of interconnecting rivers and streams, to view the many islands and canals. There are vintage mahogany commuter launches, ferries and motorboats for tourists and locals, as some neighbourhoods can only be reached via boat. Here, you can embrace the peace and quiet amongst a variety of animals and prolific birdlife while admiring the countless marinas, humble dwellings and elegant mansions, lodges and simple picnic sites along the way.

The city has many historical and imposing buildings to admire. No wonder it is called the Paris of South America. The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Recoleta has 24 halls and exhibits include a superb international collection, as well as work by Argentine artists.

The Plaza Francia in the Recoleta neighbourhood is recommended for extended lunches and another place to catch your breath after visiting the weekend markets. Do not miss the Basilica of Nuestra SeĂąora de Pilar and the glorious Plaza de las Naciones Unidas, where you can admire the splendour of the Floralis Generica, a metal and aluminium flower with buds that open and close mechanically, gifted to the city by the master architect, Eduardo Catalano.

San Telmo Market is located in a bohemian neighbourhood and takes place on a Sunday, with a variety of exciting artwork, antiques,

Buenos Aires, a charming European style city with a rhythm of its own. Buen Dia Buenos Aires! • Nicolene Richards

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Tigre Delta

Casa de Rosada San Telmo Market

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LESS IS MORE ...

It’s like a time machine. Only it’s faster ...

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M

ies van der Rohe is widely regarded as the first industrial designer in history. Known for creating corporate identities for major 19th century brands, including AEG, he was inspired by architect Peter Behrens, who taught him ‘the great form’. Together, as two of the founders of modern architecture, they became proponents of simplicity of style, influencing art at the turn of the century, promising to unify all modes of cultural expression.

They also created the pithy - and now immortal observation - ‘Less is More’. This is one of the greatest design aphorisms ever coined, and is, in my estimation, the essence of Lamborghini’s outrageous Huracán LP580-2.

The world public debut of the first Huracán at the Geneva Motorshow during 2014 marked a new era for the motoring brand.

Firmly positioned in the luxury supersports car segment, this allnew car succeeded the beautiful Gallardo, and at a stroke redefined the benchmark for the genre.

The ‘2’ nomenclature indicates that power goes only to the back wheels, unlike the car’s current Huracán stablemates, and signals a return to Lamborghini’s roots. I honestly loved driving the fourwheel drive version - the LP610-4 – a while back, but the LP5802 comes across as being a more serious driver’s car. Lamborghini reckon they have turned its most technological car into the purest fun-to-drive machine.

After getting the call from Le Kap editor, Steve Swanepoel, asking if I wanted to try the car out, I had the feeling I was about to be schooled first hand in the ‘Less is More’ culture. The loss of fourwheel drive has its benefits, like saving 33kg for starters. Along with modifications to the suspension and aerodynamics, the car now feels different – in a good way. Franschhoek Pass came and went in a blur, and that extra front-end bite makes a huge difference to the agile turn in. The car seemed be pulled towards the road as the front digs hard as the car rockets towards the next hungry apex, bearing down with unrelenting grip. It’s a handling masterpiece.

With this mid-engined car, 60 percent of the mass is on the rear end, which translates into a much more intense driving experience.

I met the then Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann at the last Paris Motor Show, and he promised me that the car would be ‘a serious car for serious drivers; it is maximum driving fun. It will have controllability, rawness and excitement.’ He was not wrong.

It is true that the brand characteristics include naturally aspirated engines, extreme design, and all-wheel drive, but they are not the only supersports car manufacturer that makes four-wheel-drive cars. ‘But this doesn’t mean we’re unable to do what the others are doing, and to do it even better’, said Winkelmann.

Happily, not much else about the car has changed, aside from larger air intakes in front and unique taillights. The engine - a 5.2-litre,>

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naturally aspirated V10 and 7-spd dual-clutch automatic gearbox remains much the same, save for a small reduction in power in deference to the fact it no longer has four wheels to put the power down onto the tarmac. Will you miss the few kW of power? I think not. It still feels viscerally fast, urgent and cantering like a racehorse glistening with sinewy muscle.

One hundred kilometres per hour arrives in 3.4 seconds from standstill, along with an otherworldly metal on metal cacophony of sound. Come 8000 rpm, you reach maximum power and it’s as if the very powertrain that propels the earth spinning around at 1,666 km/h is right there in the leather lined cockpit with me. And, unlike some turbocharged engines it produces instantaneous throttle response anywhere on the revs band along with the unneutered exhaust note crackling and fizzing in my wake.

Like a president with his hands on the nuclear codes, you can adjust the car’s responses by toggling three modes on the steering wheel.

I called it the Jekyll and Hyde personality switch. Strada, meaning ‘street’ cuts in with stability control fairly early and it’s here you will experience some understeer if you push it through the bends. The Sport setting firms the optional magnetic dampers and will give you some generate manly oversteer. Fancy yourself as a drifter? Sport is your setting. But only if you’re man enough, because drifting this car takes some serious - ahem - cahoonas. But drift, it can, spectacularly.

Set it to Corsa - meaning ‘race’, and it firms the dampers even more and the car develops a more neutral cornering feel. Are you feeling lucky, punk? You can turn the ESC off completely (gulp), which allows the car to bang up against the rev limiter. Having pressed the nuclear Corsa button the full brutal potential of the LP580-2 is unshackled. All I’m saying is that you had better be skilled and have decent run-off areas in case you run out of talent. It’s so brutal, so stimulating that I caught myself tensing my core against the g-forces, and I forgot to breathe during extended periods around some of the mountain curves. It’s that electrifying.

This two-wheel-drive model has created new levels of involvement to the car – and for those who can really drive, it offers a playful relationship between steering the car with the throttle as much as it does with the wheel. It communicates like few other cars through the palms of your hands, through the seat of your pants and through that melodic, beastly, heavenly, Machiavellian V10 engine.

Few cars have ever captured the imagination of fellow motorists like this one does. From boy racers in pimped out Honda Civics urging me to drag race them, to blue-rinsed hair grannies smiling and letting me out of side turnings, the car has real gravitas.

Whilst I have no doubt this car has the potential to kick you if you lack the finesse, the driving experience rewards skill if you have it.

More than that, it completely epitomises the maxim of Less is More.

But all good things come to an end, and as I drove the car back in the rush hour traffic to the company’s Cape Town showroom, I replayed the multi-sensory experience that is Huracán, as I cling to the quote “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

The car has gone back, but the smile still endures. • Richard Webb

Lamborghini Huracán LP580-2 On sale Now Price Call Lamborghini South Africa in Cape Town on 021 419 0595 or in Johannesburg on 011 361 6500 Engine V10, 5204cc, petrol Power 427kW at 8000rpm Torque 540 at 6500rpm Gearbox 7-spd dual-clutch automatic Top speed 320 km/h 0-100 km/h 3.4sec; Fuel Economy 11.9 l/100 km (combined) CO2 278g/km For further information: www.imperialcollection.co.za

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PARADISE FOUND ‘Crystal Esprit’ - the new Superyacht Allow me to transport you to the world of Superyachts. I was recently invited to experience Crystal Esprit, the newest addition to the Crystal fleet, during her Seychelles season.

Crystal, a recognised pioneer in luxury and destination cruises, has expanded its fleet with the launch of the ultraluxurious Crystal Esprit, a sleek 62 passenger superyacht.

This new craft is small and nimble with a shallow draft that allows it to access the more out-of-the-way harbours and islands inaccessible to the large cruise vessels. With these features, there is a host of new excursions, itineraries and activities that were not previously possible while cruising on a ship, such as a variety of water sports equipment that can be used directly from the Marina platform at the aft of the yacht. They’ve rewritten the rulebook on cruising.

The dress code is Crystal Yacht Casual, comfortable sailing attire for the day and fashionably-chic apparel for the evenings.

We spent our first two nights before departure at the splendid new Eden Bleu Hotel, overlooking the yacht harbour. In the early morning, dawn broke after a tropical overnight thunderstorm. Sipping tea on the balcony amid the twittering of exotic birds, a rainbow over the sparkling blue sea seemed a good omen. After enjoying a glorious pre-breakfast dip in the infinity pool, we sat down to breakfast with a glass of champagne. Later, we strolled along the harbour and admired the fine craft belonging to the super-rich, but when the Crystal Esprit came into view, towering above them, it made us feel smugly superior. >

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Should we laze poolside or explore Mahé? As intrepid journalists, we opted for the latter. We toured the island courtesy of our Seychellois taxi driver and soon found the perfect horseshoe of Anse Royale surrounded by peppermint coloured water. Unable to resist the lure of the sea, we were soon immersed in the warm Indian Ocean with schools of friendly fish as our nautical companions.

I have been fortunate to visit some of the world’s acclaimed beaches and I still maintain that the Seychelles offers the most pristine, powder white idyllic cluster of beach options on the planet.

Once on board the Crystal Esprit, our expectations were surpassed as we were escorted to our luxuriously appointed staterooms.

This cabin space is maximised, accommodating a king size bed, workstation and bar with a Nespresso machine, while thoughtful touches include slippers, a choice of fluffy, cotton bathrobes, with champagne and fine wines available in the private bar. These suites designed by award-winning Canadian interior designers, II BY IV DESIGN, to create a classically elegant interior, with the flair of a fashionably designed home, mixed with modern comforts with a colour design of bright neutrals, complemented by soft greys and taupes, are fresh and contemporary. High definition Television

screens, interactive bedside Ipads, closets with interactive lighting, all possible electronic devices, including digital information and WiFi, are just some of the luxuries in the 28 sq.m staterooms.

Cabin attendants, our personal butler and the housekeeper handle the ordinary tasks like unpacking and their warmth and excellent service is irresistible and we immediately felt at home. Even a shower feels different. In the well-appointed bathroom, there is a mountain of soft white towels, a choice of four different bathrobes and Etro Milano amenities.

Captain Lars Larssen and Hotel Director, Capetonian Johann van den Heever ensure the 20-strong crew is available to attend effortlessly to every passenger’s request. The 85ft yacht accommodates just 62 guests and our cruise included an eclectic mix of travellers – Europeans, Americans and Canadians who had travelled over 14 hours to experience the new jewel of the Crystal fleet.

The dining experience is a culinary adventure beyond six stars, with a menu to titillate the most discerning jaded palate and the range of wines, from vintage champagnes to celebrated estates, is remarkable.

There are several restaurants available to cater to your taste.

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Light lunches are served at the open-air Terrace and Patio Bar, or you may choose to enjoy an evening sundowner here. Skilled mixologist, Costa Rican Pamela, creates her special concoctions. The elegant Yacht Club Restaurant offers a menu of contemporary and classic dishes, influenced by the vessel’s location; the Pantry for breakfast and light meals, and the Grill for an innovative menu of global street food, the al fresco Sunset Bar on the top deck of the ship, and The Cove, the premier gathering place to sip cocktails, dance and share stories with others. Cocktails in the Cove are a convivial affair with Chicagoborn Mark Farris tinkling the ivories. Don’t miss the deliciously dark Takanaka rum, ‘Spirit of the Seychelles’.

The simplicity of unstructured dining enabled us to meet different passengers every evening while we appreciated our meals. The complete absence of formal dinner seating is a refreshing touch on Crystal Esprit. We enjoyed meeting cosmopolitan people in the intimate ambience of a superyacht.

Travellers from a variety of countries joined the cruise in Dubai. We met effervescent Jane, a Champagne aficionado and her architect husband Michael from Surrey. They had both sold their successful practices and taken early retirement a decade ago to explore the world. >

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Dispelling the myths of traditional cruising, Crystal has responded to an increasing demand for exploration and discovery as part of more exploratory and unusual cruise itineraries. The Crystal Esprit provides for the adventurous and sophisticated traveller who wants both luxury and adventure. We slipped into shipboard life effortlessly and appreciated the array of activities, including hiking, jet skiing, scuba diving, deep sea diving, zip lining, snorkelling and just swimming in the azure ocean. Crystal Esprit even has a submersible for viewing marine life.

Each day we arrived at another island with bird watching, hiking, diving, snorkelling and jet skiing among the plethora of options. After a few hikes and bicycle rides, city stress and tension melted away with a deep tissue massage under the expert hands of the masseuse.

The interiors of the Crystal Esprit are gorgeous and inviting, the views of fabulous scenery quite remarkable and the celebrity-style pampering from the attentive crew sheer indulgence. I was just one of 62 guests and with an almost one to one crew ratio, this is an elegant and genteel way to travel.

So many islands, so little time.

Cost per person is USD 4960 per person sharing, excluding port taxes. Drinks, most excursions and gratuities are included.

Mahé is a four hour flight from Johannesburg and visas for South African passport holders are not required. Eden Bleu Hotel, built in 2014 is part of Eden Island, a reclaimed luxury marina development 200 metres off the coast. • Gillian Goldman-Bentley EDITOR’S NOTE: Bookings for the January 2017 Seychelles season now open. Contact Cruises International on (+2711) 327 0327 or email reservations@cruises.co.za - www.cruises.co.za

A world of luxury and performance that you can call home.

Your Leopard catamaran.

40 | 43PC | 44 | 48 | 51PC | 58

+27 21 200 1825 www.leopardcatamarans.co.za southafrica@leopardcatamarans.com

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Elsa Schiaparelli

, (born Sept. 10, 1890, Rome, Italy - died Nov. 13, 1973, Paris, France) Italian-born fashion designer who established an important couture house in Paris. She was famous for her surrealist fashions of the 1930s and for her witty accessories, such as a purse in the shape of a telephone and a hat inspired by the shoe...

Impassive, unreadable, a face with a façade that guaranteed nothing; not a smile or a frown, but beneath this, a woman of fantastic intellectual ability and daring, with a superb crazy flair for fashion and deep emotional needs. This was Elsa Schiaparelli. Known as the ‘Queen of Fashion’ in the first half of the 20th century, her fashion creations seem to envision what women desired, before any other designer. However, despite this profound influence on fashion, today her work is mostly unrecognised as she ceased designing more than 60 years ago and other names like her famed rivals at that time, Chanel and Christian Dior replaced her. Furthermore, her life does not fit neatly into the story of 20th-century fashion; shrewd business sense, provocative, acquiring popularity for the eye-catching and audacious, even in the difficult times of the Great Depression. Her love of Surrealism, reflected in her work with its confrontational mix of ugly and beautiful, vanished with her.

Elsa Schiaparelli was one of the most famous fashion designers of the period and was born and raised in Rome as the daughter of an aristocratic and erudite, but distant family.

She studied philosophy at the University of Rome and published a book that was considered so sensual by her parents that they sent her to a convent, from which she was released after going on a hunger strike. Schiaparelli left for London at the age of 22. In London, she met and married her former teacher, Count William de Wendt de Kerlor, a charismatic charlatan. Through him and his antics, she

learnt the art of showmanship and selfpromotion and they moved to New York where their daughter, Maria Luisa, was born.

In New York, Schiaparelli began working in a boutique concentrating on French fashion and this caught her interest and developed her taste for clothing and accessories. The marriage to William de Wendt de Kerlor failed and she returned to Paris to continue working in the fashion milieu. She began designing clothes and opened her first boutique in 1927.

Her first collection featured her trademark design on sweaters, a Surrealist ‘trompe l’oeil’ and captured the attention of the fashion world, including the renowned Vogue magazine. A second well-received collection included bathing suits and ski wear, as well as the divided skirt, an early form of shorts worn by tennis champion Lily d’Alvarez in 1931.

That same year she began working on designs for evening wear. Her styles were recognisable – a silhouette that emphasised the shoulders with peaks and padding, a high and narrow waistline and a hemline below the knee. In reality, this was the first ‘power suit’, long before the struggles for equal rights in the workplace. Smart clothing, body conscious and tailored, and also, easily adaptable for the mass-market, increased her popularity. Aimed at the young, active, American clientele, she later designed the clothing for Amy Johnson’s solo flight to Cape Town in 1936.

In 1932, Janet Flanner wrote in the New Yorker magazine: ‘Certainly one of the explanations >

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‘A dress has no life of its own unless it is worn, and as soon as this happens, another

personality takes over from you and animates it, or tries to, glorifies it or destroys it, or makes it into a song of beauty’ - Elsa Schiaparelli 1954

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of her phenomenal success here was the unEuropean modernity of her silhouettes, and their relevance to a backdrop of squareshouldered skyscrapers, of procedures in private life and pursuits devoted to gadgetry.’

Also, many of her creations were designed to transition from day to night, by changing lengths, by tying a skirt back or adding a jacket for a cooler evening. Clothing with this adaptability was very popular during the difficult economic times of the early Depression. Examples included interchangeable pieces, hidden pockets, sashes that could be used as skirts, all versatile and unexpected touches. She used new materials before they became well-known. Innovative ideas, such as zippers on skirts, sleeves, pockets and necklines, modern synthetic fabrics, shaggy furs, garments made of metal, cellophane and straw, amongst others – all found their place in her creations.

Elsa Schiaparelli and Salvador Dalí

For Schiaparelli, fashion was as much about art as it was about clothes and this connected her to artists of the era, some of whom designed fabrics for her, including Dali.

As her reputation for beautiful clothing developed, she became revered by some of the best-dressed women and she became a member of the fashionable trendsetting circles. Her designs for film and theatre were much admired and materialised in more than 30 films. Her steep ascent in the fashion world peaked as World War II consumed Europe but faded subsequently. However, the 1930s were hers.

She dressed A-list film stars and one of her most famous clients was the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson. One critic said she ‘allowed clothing created out of pure, unmitigated, almost divine inspiration’; she was the first to use rayon, Lurex, thick velvets, wrapdresses, see-through raincoats, trompe l’oeil bows and followed her own advice, ‘dare to be different’. She was tough and despite her personal difficulties, including being a single mother with a sickly child, she would never accept ‘no’ as an answer. Her collaboration with the surrealists of the time was legendary, one of the best known was the Lobster dress designed with Salvatori Dali; a white dress with a lobster painted down the front over the pelvis that was purchased immediately by Wallis Simpson. In her collections, she always featured unwearable items, or statement pieces

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Elsa Schiaparelli

that were never produced in numbers but enlivened her presentations and fed the imagination of the public and the press.

She and Dali were great friends – both daring and risk-taking individuals. One of the first designers to put jackets with evening wear, to design a built-in bra for a bathing suit and include feathers, sequins and fanciful buttons and embroidery, she outshone her rival Coco Chanel in her prime and her boutique at 21 Place de Vendome in Paris was the place for glamorous haute-couture. Once the Second World War took place, Paris as an environment for designers was chaotic, as France fell so fast and the Germans moved into Paris. In 1942, she left Paris for New York and remained there until after the war, returning in 1946, but she refused to design while living in New York, out of solidarity with the couture houses in Paris. During this time many believed she was a spy for the Vichy regime and her movements were examined by various governments and she was never again free of the suggestion of collaboration. She wanted to keep her life exactly as it was; the salon, her house, her ability to come and go, all to remain the same. After the war, her clientele had moved on, they sought romance and not >

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modernity in fashion styles, that is, the softer ‘new look’ of Christian Dior’s flared skirts and tight waists. The post-war style had changed and Schiaparelli had not. Less provocative styles with more feminine silhouettes and bows and frills were in vogue.

In 1951 she closed her couture business and three years later her design house, but continued to work privately in fashion, designing accessories and later, wigs. Her biography, Shocking Life, was released in 1954.

After her death in Paris in 1973, Schiaparelli continues to be thought of as a giant in the fashion world and her work has been featured in New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, alongside Prada, in a major exhibition. Her label has not been seen for the last half-century, but in 2014, the House of Schiaparelli re-opened its doors at 21 Place Vendome in Paris with new collections from Marco Zanini and a once-off tribute collection from Christian Lacroix. She would probably have not been surprised by this revival as she recognised that a fashion designer’s work had its own existence, once out in the world.

In her 1954 autobiography, Elsa Schiaparelli wrote: ‘A dress has no life of its own unless it is worn, and as soon as this happens, another personality takes over from you and animates it, or tries to, glorifies it or destroys it, or makes it into a song of beauty’. • Steve Swanepoel

Elsa Schiaparelli

bespoke design. superior craftsmanship.

Morningside Sandton (011) 523 6600 Lynnwood Bridge Pretoria (012) 368 1490 info@jennaclifford.com www.jennaclifford.com

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THE BARBIE BRAND PHENOMENON ...

Fifty-seven years ago, the first Barbie doll was sold and today Barbies sell at a rate of two per second in more than 150 countries!

Currently, Barbie is a global industry generating billions of dollars each year, with expanding business interests that include a variety of dolls, as well as videos, cds, computer games, shoes, accessories and bags. Just think of an item and they have it.

that represented her vision – her name was Lili Blond and she was a German pornographic caricature in the post-WW2 period - with an hourglass figure targeted at men! On a human scale, Barbie would measure 39-18-33. Mattel decided to give the doll a chance and Barbie made her first entrance at the annual Toy Fair in New York in 1959 and this was the beginning of the epic story of Barbie.

The question is, ’Why did the Barbie doll find a market of such enormous and unequalled magnitude and interest in the toy industry.’ Well, she is more than just a doll, she is a major part of pop culture and has, at some time, been the subject of nearly every major news channel internationally. Barbie represents the myth that every girl can be a beautiful and independent woman. The first Barbie with her famous black and white costume sold 351,000 units for USD 3.00 each, and the craze became an instant mania, from little girls to adult collectors. Barbies are second only to stamps as the most collected items in the world. Today, the prices for Barbies start at approximately USD 29.95 and can extend to thousands of dollars for a limited collection that Barbie manufactured decades ago.

Acquiescing to demand, Mattel later produced a mate for Barbie, Ken, and as the years have passed, new friends have been added; Midge, Skipper and Becky, amongst others. For each year, there was a Barbie Doll that represented the fashion style of that year and she has developed with the generations’ way of thinking over the decades. Ninety per cent of American girls aged between three and ten own at least one Barbie, according to Mattel.

So, what is the attraction? At that time, there were only baby-type dolls for little girls, so here was a doll with which little girls could play at being big girls, that is women. The mastermind was Ruth Handler, wife of Mattel Inc co-founder, Elliott Handler. She had realised that her daughter gave her dolls grown-up roles while playing and this prompted the idea of a teenage looking doll with which little girls could dream of their futures. Initially, Mattel did not like the idea and she had to fight the protests of their designers; and salesmen convinced her that no parent would buy such a doll for their daughter. After visiting Europe, Ruth came across a doll

Historically, she has commemorated special events like the Olympic Games and the 70s flower power era, so each doll is an account of that time. For many, she is a reminder of their childhood, as most women, particularly in the US, have played with a Barbie Doll and today, they are bought for the memories and price value by collectors. Barbies can be considered as a miniature collection of fashion for the past six decades.

As a fashion icon, Barbie remains a celebrity in her own right and a muse for some top designers. In April 2016, the latest Oscar de la Renta Barbie doll was released – they first designed a doll in 1985 and then again in 1998. There is also a circus-style Barbie with an outfit created by superstar American designer Bob Mackie and a Barbie dressed in a gold gown studded with Swarovski crystals, conceived by Faberge. The list of Barbies is endless.

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In Milan, the Museum of Culture opened late in 2015 and revealed the forthcoming 2016 marquee exhibitions – Gaugin, Miro and Barbie. During 2016, numerous international museums will showcase Barbie, demonstrating her cultural evolution over six decades with the participation of Mattel. Displays will include numerous items, from silk dresses and stiletto heels, sports cars, fold-out houses and the accessories for more than 150 occupations, including astronaut, pet stylist and president. Since 1959, she has had 500 makeovers as she has evolved, according to style trends over the years, from super girl, doctor, princess, ballerina – she has done it all.

The Landmark Collection at the Barbie Expo is the foremost permanent collection of Barbie dolls in the world. The Barbies – hip, classic, inspired by famous artworks and pop culture cuties – are part of a collection of 1,000 dolls donated by collectors and designers from around the world – that recently opened as the Barbie Expo at Les Cours Mont-Royal, a museum in the heart of Montreal.

Barbie Dolls dressed by famous designers such as Dior, Versace, Ralph Lauren, Armani, Vera Wang and many others are on display in this 5,000 square foot exposition. Dolls inspired by entertainment industry celebrities, models on a moving runway, some motivated by films such as ‘The Hunger Games’, ‘Gone with the Wind’, ‘Grease’ and ‘Titanic’, as well as one-of-a-kind dolls including the Duchess of Cambridge, Coco Chanel and Cleopatra – the display is simply stunning. The museum is situated in downtown Montreal in the city’s most prestigious shopping centre, so the exhibition in this location is a perfect match. For dedicated fans, no visit is completed without posing for a photo in a life-sized pink Barbie box.

As a global icon, museums of the calibre of the Louvre in Paris and the Vittoriano in Rome dedicated exhibitions to her. The Icon exhibition featuring Barbie dolls will open at Palazzo Albergati in Bologna and

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continue until October 2016 alongside displays dedicated to Egypt at the Archaeological Museum, Edward at the Palazzo Pepoli.

The display of Barbies at The Icon includes new offerings loaned by collectors, including rare Sixties Vintage Models, Silkstone Barbie Dolls Fashion, Fashion Model Barbie Dolls and Lingerie Model Barbie Dolls. Some models were produced from a hard plastic that emulated porcelain and their vintage flair made them incredibly popular. This display illustrates the story of a doll that has interpreted aesthetic and cultural variations in society for more than 50 years, timeless, international and representative of different nationalities. She reinforces universal imaginary. She has worn one billion outfits, equalling 980 million metres of material and kept up with contemporary trends and styles. Offering new perspectives, The Icon includes historical and cultural facts and interactive games and other activities to engage visitors and educate them about Barbie’s history. The seventh and last section on display, Divas, Celebrity and Work of Art describes how Barbie has identified with the heroines of her day, dedicated to Fifties and Sixties movies stars, and those of present day, as well as cultural icons. Some dolls have been inspired by art, becoming the interpreter for representations of paintings, for example, there is a Water Lily Barbie Doll, inspired by Claude Monet’s Water Lilies and Reflections of Lights doll motivated by the light effect of Renoir’s work.

In 2015, an Andy Warhol Barbie collector doll and lifestyle capsule collection was launched, taking ideas from the Warhol’s signature style and blending fine art with pop culture. Barbie by Sophia Webster was released in August 2015 at Selfridges in London, with Barbie wearing flat shoes for the first time, with six adult styles, two sneakers, one flat sandal and three heeled shoes – her legs now had ankles and feet that could bend to fit her shoe style! Also, the first ‘talking doll’ was launched where little girls could now hold conversations with their Barbies. She has made it on to ‘Saturday Night Live’, TV commercials, primetime cartoons, talk shows and a list of celebrity gossip magazines.

In 2016, the Barbie collection includes four body types, including the original statuesque Barbie, as well as tall, curvy and petite, seven skin colours, 24 hairstyles, 22 eye colours and numerous trendy fashions, sparking the imagination of owners and playing out their stories. In May 2016, a doll in the likeness of Misty Copeland, the first African-American female principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, was released. The idea echoes the campaign message asserting ‘that when a girl plays with Barbie, she imagines anything she can become’. Many of today’s well-known celebrities got their start in a Barbie commercial, such as Mila Kunis, Christina Applegate and Maureen McCormick. Supermodel Twiggy was the first to join Barbie doll’s extended family in 1967 and the list has included Barbra Streisand, Heidi Klum and Jennifer Lopez, just to name a few.

This dramatic remake over the past two years has resulted in the most varied line up of dolls in its history and these changes, developed to boost the brand’s popularity, are starting to have an effect with sales rising as a result. These new fresh Barbies reflect the world girls see around them and also associate with the fact that Americans are increasingly recognising standards of beauty beyond the blonde, blue-eyed look defined by Barbie for decades. It is also an appropriate step to keep Barbie as a cultural icon for kids.

Barbie has her own Facebook page, is partnered by MAC cosmetics and Volkswagen to promote their companies by combining products with advertising and believes that sustaining the brand requires a dense web of products with more corporate sponsors and of course, popular culture. • Steve Swanepoel

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LEOPARDS ‘They are ambush predators, crouching low as they approach their prey and pouncing before it can react, killing with one swift bite to the neck.’

Leopards have been known to humans throughout history and have their place in the art, folklore and mythology of many countries such as ancient Greece and Persia. In many engravings, they symbolise the might of kings as they were seen as the kings of the forest.

They have been kept and paraded as mascots, sacrificed to deities and even domesticated – King John in the 13th Century kept a menagerie, including leopards in the Tower of London.

Although some of the big cats, like tigers, seem to be willing to interact with humans, the leopard remains primarily a predator.

Studies have revealed that their activity levels have adjusted to their habitat and the type of prey available in their home range, some living in humid rainforests while others inhabit semi-arid desert edges. Leopards live in many more different places than any other type of cat. Occasionally they may live near human settlements but because of their exceptional stealthiness, humans may often be unaware of their presence.

One of the problems related to research on the behaviour of leopards is that they are mostly nocturnal and typically studied in open savannah environments, which may have led to some bias. The home ranges adopted by these cats vary, with males inhabiting areas of up to 78 km2 and females about 15 km2.

Previously this data had been gathered from leopards in protected zones, leading to possibly inaccurate results, but since the 1980s studies have focused on animals outside of these areas.

For example, in Namibia, it appears that ranges of individual animals covered areas above 100 km2 with a few exceeding 300 km2, although there are reservations about the validity of these studies as they also reported little variation between males and females. It seems that there is no overlap in territories between males although there may be common ground between the sexes.

Leopards can reach speeds of up to 58 km/h and the agile cat can leap over six metres and up to three metres vertically.

Though they are strong swimmers when necessary, they are not as comfortable in the water as some of the other big cats such as tigers. Their capacity to climb trees and descend from them headfirst makes them as comfortable in trees as they are on the ground and this, combined with superior strength, enables them to drag their kills into the branches where they can keep the bodies of their prey safe from ground scavengers such as hyenas and wild dogs. They frequently use trees as a position from which they wait for their prey and pounce with deadly accuracy on the unsuspecting creature below. They can often be spotted resting on the branches, camouflaged by their unique colouring.

Most leopards are light cream coloured with well-defined dark spots in densely packed patterns called rosettes as they resemble the shape of a rose. Their coats tend to be paler in desert areas, greyer in colder climates and of darker golden shades in the rainforest habitats–in other words, their colour has adapted to provide the best camouflage in the area in which they live. There are variations in colour to the extent that some appear to be black, as their spots are impossible to distinguish and these are called black panthers.

There is also a considerable difference in weight between males and females with males estimated to weigh between 30 – 91kg while

photos : courtesy Singita

Graceful and ferociously powerful hunters and one of the most famous predators in the world, leopards are often regarded as African animals. Closely related to lions, tigers and jaguars and one of the five ‘big cats’, they have secretive and solitary natures and are versatile and resourceful nocturnal hunters. These beautiful creatures have the largest distribution of any of the wild cats, with the majority of the species remaining numerous and thriving in sub-Saharan Africa where other cats have disappeared.

However, in northeast Africa, they may be almost extinct and information regarding their numbers in Central Asia is uncertain.

In southeast Asia, India and China numbers appear to be relatively high. However, despite their vast reach, they continue to decline as reflected by statistics. Unfortunately, over time leopards have suffered from the loss of their environment and prey species, as well as persecution. Hunted for its glorious spotted coat that remains prized in many parts of Africa and Asia, they have been the targets of trophy hunters for many years and this unsustainable practice still continues today. The largest decline in numbers is most evident in areas where there were initially fewer animals, for instance, desert animals are estimated to be about one per 100 km2 but in the rainforest, there are 30 per 100 km2.

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females vary between 23 – 60kg, though their size varies according to their territory probably due to the quality and availability of prey in the area – animals in semi-desert areas tend to be smaller.

Leopards are ambush predators, crouching low as they approach their prey and pouncing before it can react, killing with one swift bite to the neck. Their prey includes antelope, deer, monkeys and pigs although they may often consume much smaller animals such as rodents, insects, birds and even fish. They do not need much water as they survive from the moisture they get from consuming their kills. An interesting fact is that they are the only natural hunters of adult chimpanzees and gorillas although they most often avoid these because of the potential hazard in making the kill. They mostly avoid people but occasionally may target humans as prey where their natural prey has reduced. Only two ‘man hunting’ leopards are well known, both in India where one was responsible for the killing of more than 125 people and another believed to have been responsible for the deaths of more than 400 – both these animals were killed by the renowned hunter Jim Corbett. Man-eating leopards are bold and very difficult to track, often entering human settlements unnoticed and seen as more threatening than tigers.

photos : courtesy Singita

Female leopards will mate with many of the dominant males in their territory as this avoids the risk of the young being killed by a rival dominant male as he will think that the cubs are his. Cubs are born throughout the year, except in the very cold climates such as Siberia where the young are born primarily in spring. The gestation period is usually about 14 weeks, each litter consisting of two to four cubs that are born blind until their eyes begin to open after ten days and they have long grey hair and less defined spots. By the age of three months, they start to follow their mother while hunting and by one year can usually fend for themselves although they remain with their mothers for 18–24 months. Typically, their lifespan is between 12 to 17 years. Although classified as one of the roaring cats, they will usually bark when they have something to say! They produce various vocalisations including grunts, roars, growls, meows and purrs. The term ‘rasping’ describes the rough deep call that leopards use to announce their presence. Their hearing is five times better than that of humans.

Leopards are fast becoming an endangered species in some areas, but the extent of their extinction is hard to identify because of their elusive natures. For hundreds of years, they were classed as vermin to be shot on sight, particularly by farmers whose stock had been threatened. Inadequate monitoring of ‘permitted’ hunters, trade in skins for cultural and religious attire, poaching and excessive shooting of the animals, both legal and illegal, all form part of the extinction process. Trophy hunting and the use of skins for ceremonial regalia are the two biggest threats. The latter being

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considerably larger because the demand for the skins often acknowledges prestige and power. Sadly, this has opened a lucrative market, which has no understanding of the threat caused to the species. Cartier, together with the Peace Parks Foundation and Panthera, started a pioneering project to assist clothing companies to produce fake skins and by the end of 2017 about 20 000 faux leopard skins are planned for distribution.

In the Western Cape, the Cape Leopard’s Trust is a project that started in the Cedarberg mountains and is now becoming established in the Swartberg/Gamka Corridor and the Boland. This project aims to increase the understanding of leopard behaviour and so reduces human-wildlife conflict for the species which have persecuted them for centuries. At present, the leopard is the top predator in the Western Cape, living in the mountainous regions. Regarding conservation, its status is unknown, as it has been removed or killed on farms with little awareness regarding the population or sustainability of the removal with the resulting conflicts that may occur regarding territories between the animals.

Also, studies reveal that the home ranges in this area are ten times larger than those previously noted, so populations may be smaller than was imagined.

There are numerous programmes dedicated to protecting species of leopard that are in danger of being exterminated. Panthera’s Snow Leopard Program supports conservation activities in seven of the twelve snow leopard range countries as this enigmatic species now numbers less than 10 000 and by collecting extensive material about their behaviours they are helping governments to implement National Snow Leopard Action Plans. In far eastern Russia, the Amur or Far-Eastern leopard is one of the eight sub-species enduring and there are fewer than 40 individuals still alive in the wild, with over 200 in captivity. The Amur Tiger and Leopard Alliance (ALTA), amongst others, fights vigorously to implement effective conservation projects in protecting this critically endangered species.

However, protecting the global leopard population from extinction is an activity well supported by tourism, as this increases the public’s awareness of their plight when informed by tour guides. Safari tours in South Africa, for example, attract thousands of visitors in the hope of catching a glimpse of this majestic and mysterious animal.

A variety of destinations for viewing these big cats is available from luxurious and highly organised lodges in game parks to wilder destinations offering self-drive and camping holidays. Visitors in search of even just a quick sighting of this magnificent animal are occasionally delighted by the sight of a leopard at high speed or just resting gently in the branches of a tree.

• Joy Scott

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FLYING HIGH Why do some feel the need to fly privately – for the super-rich, the simple answer is often ‘because they can’ and there are advantages.

For most of us the experience of flying can be a tedious and somewhat uncomfortable experience, but in the world of travel in customised private jets belonging to the super rich and famous, it is somewhat different. When you consider private jets, you probably either have no idea how expensive it might be to own one or you do know and simply do not understand how anyone can afford to fly privately. The possibilities are endless and quite astounding. Some of these incredible aircraft include cinemas, marble baths, saunas, aquariums, spas, vehicle garages, glass floors, concert halls, thrones, gold seat buckles and chefs in their bespoke kitchens, awaiting requests. In these unique flying machines, each detail is personally designed for the owner and includes every luxurious detail for work or play. Beautiful leather, burnished woods, gleaming handles, plush carpets, superior tableware, lavish sleeping accommodation - the list continues. Why do some feel the need to fly privately – for the super-rich, the simple answer is often ‘because they can’ and there are advantages.

The cost of a new jet will vary from USD 3 million to USD 90 million or more. The most expensive jet in the world belongs to Saudi Prince Al-Waleed Talal – this USD 500 million aircraft includes a twocar garage, a stable for horses and camels, as well as a prayer room that revolves so that it always faces Mecca. Besides the purchase price, the annual running costs for these private aircraft will set you back between USD 700,000 to USD 4 million. As a result, ownership of a private jet is outside the range of most, belonging only to a small fraction of the world’s wealthiest people and some large corporations.

So, marketing private jets as affordable seems ridiculous but there is a new fleet of charter jet operators who are endeavouring to do precisely this; make private jet travel more reasonable and available. Jetsuite is an example of a private jet airline operating a small fleet of four to seven seater aircraft, offering daily deals on flights to fill empty seats on return flights. Others place passengers wishing to travel to the same destination on a single jet and certain routes will be more available at lower costs in order for clients to get an excellent deal. Obviously, this is not suitable for those with an itinerary to maintain. However, the advantages include avoiding any boarding processes, no queues, no baggage checks and a car delivers one to the stairs. Furthermore, you can bring your dog, your large bottles of shampoo, your chosen refreshments and more ... the pilot is there to fly you to your destination. From a business point of view, most private jets are simply fully-equipped flying conference rooms, with the result that the percentage booked for business travel is increasing each year.

There are other options offered. An investment in fractional ownership entitles you to a ‘timeshare’ of an aircraft each month or

a jet card, which permits a number of hours of charter time within a specified period. For large corporations wishing to transport a dozen or more VIPs, it starts to make sense to fly the group privately as the time saved by avoiding delays that may occur when using commercial airlines justifies the additional cost, particularly when multiple city destinations are involved. Executives can work privately or in a group while on board, as well as visit destinations that would otherwise require several commercial flights when no direct flights are available. Also, should weather conditions prevent commercial airlines from operating on schedule, a private aircraft could merely reroute to avoid severe weather.

Leasing a private jet is another option and some owners offer their planes for rent when they are not in use. This provides the same benefits without the long-term financial costs. Dry-leasing means leasing a plane without personnel and usually applies to longer timeframes while wet-leasing includes these privileges, but either way, it is far less expensive. It is also a good way of testing the private-plane concept before actually investing.

If purchasing a private plane is a little out of your price range, you can follow the route taken by most wealthy folk, charter a plane.

Costs vary from USD 8 000 per hour, but remember you are not paying for a seat; you are paying for the aircraft. If a company wishes to fly eight executives first class, the cost of chartering a private plane may become reasonable, especially with the time saved.

Nevertheless, the reality is private jet travel is the ultimate extravagance reserved for the richest of the rich who can afford the often exorbitant price tag. The impression is one of affluence and luxurious style and that’s not just the aircraft alone, the concierge service offered on board is exceptional. Clients’ requests are carefully provided for – speciality foods, gifts, flowers and pet accommodation or decorations for in-flight themed parties. Some companies will send employees to source items not available at the point of departure to make the experience as flawless as possible.

The biggest amenity is the aircraft itself, as passengers can sit next to the pilot, ask questions and find out details not available to those on commercial flights.

Media mogul, Rupert Murdoch, has recently invested in one of the superb Gulfstream G650 aircraft, along with others such as the Dow Chemical CEO Andrew Liveris and Multiplex heir Tim Roberts. The G650 ascends to 41,000 feet in 22 minutes and has a cruising speed of 956 km/h. In 2013, the Gulfstream G650 set a world record for the fastest circumnavigation of the world for a passenger aircraft with a flying time of 41 hours and 7 minutes. It is the largest purpose-built private jet available and the biggest in its class. The only way to be in full control of your private jet travel is to acquire your own aircraft >

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and a number of advanced cost calculators will determine running costs based on utilisation levels, capital costs, operating expenses and residual value. The biggest trade off for this extraordinary outlay is flexibility and carte blanche in every aspect of the customisation of your aircraft, from personnel to seating arrangements and finishes. Also, of course, being able to plan trips spontaneously is very convenient, as your plane is always ready and waiting for you.

Some of the lucky owners of these luxury aircraft include Donald Trump, who has a private fleet which includes a Boeing 757-200 (the commercial equivalent carries 228 passengers), a corporate jet and two helicopters. His Boeing, nicknamed ‘Trump Force One’ has 43 seats (each of which converts into a bed) a silk-lined master bedroom, extravagant personal and communal entertainment systems, a master bathroom with 24 carat gold fixtures and a shower, dining room and a guestroom. All systems on board this impressive private jet are accessible and controlled by touch screen. The 747 owned by the Sultan of Brunei is rumoured to have cost at least USD 100 million, with the specifications for the interior of the jet costing an additional USD 120 million. These include washbasins of solid gold and French Lalique crystal lamps and again, this is only one of the aircraft he owns. ‘Air Force One’ is the private jet used to transport the president of the USA and is a 747-2008, heavily remodelled with secure systems, electronic equipment and the ability to refuel in flight. Labelled ‘the White House on Wings’, the front section

imitates the aesthetics of the White House, has a full medical crew and state of the art attack counter measures.

Harrison Ford pilots his own Cessna 525B CJ3 Citation jet which can carry six people. Oprah Winfrey, Celine Dion and Steven Spielberg own Bombardier Global Express XRS known for its ability to undertake ultra-long flights. Gulfstream G550 jets are renowned for luxury design, abundant light and views, as well as the capacity to fly over 12,000 km non-stop and are enjoyed by celebrities such as Tiger Woods and Jim Carrey. One of the best-known movie stars whose love for aeroplanes is well known, is John Travolta. He owns seven planes, including a Boeing 707, Bombardier Challenger 601, Boeing 727 and three Gulfstream jets and has built two customised runways at his Florida home. He is an honorary Qantas pilot and has flown an astonishing 35,000 miles. Bill Gates, Roman Abramovich and Jimmy Buffet are also proud owners of executive private jets.

Rock idol Elvis Presley’s Convair 880 remains perfectly preserved on display at Graceland, the late Presley’s Memphis home.

Clearly, a private jet is a luxury item and something many would wish to experience for even just one flight. Their stylish and beautifully decorated interiors fly their wealthy owners around the world in comfort that is difficult to imagine. Furthermore, the market predicts a steady growth in the purchase, ownership and utilisation of these luxury machines in the future. • Jennifer Howard

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IN A DIFFERENT LEAGUE S

teyn City was never going to be ordinary. How could it be, when it was built on a dream, with dreamers in mind.

To be more specific, it was designed around the vision of Douw Steyn and Giuseppe Plumari; this was to create a piece of paradise where community still matters and families live as they did before technology overtook togetherness.

This vision had been realised in a sprawling 2 000 acre multi-billion Rand lifestyle resort which will set the benchmark for developments to come. The most expansive property on the continent, this world-class lifestyle city offers a unique style of living which is unprecedented and unparalleled.

To make their dream come true, Plumari has joined forces with a formidable team of designers, architects, landscapers, planners, golfing and equestrian experts and, yes, fellow dreamers, as well as those with an eye for a good investment.

‘From the outset, we were determined that Steyn City would not just be another golfing estate, but a unique lifestyle resort that caters to the many interests and pursuits of our homeowners, to afford them an unparalleled quality lifestyle,’ Plumari comments.

Ambitious, maybe, but then again, Steyn City has already recorded phenomenal uptake since its launch in March last year, achieving some of the highest rentals in the region.

What exactly is it that makes Steyn City so unique? For starters, its sheer size, scope and scale. Four times the size of Monaco, space is boundless here. It turns the idea of dense city living on its head and offers children, teens and parents the great outdoors to play – or simply to breathe.

The sense of vastness is complimented by landscaping designed to create an ‘urban playground’; urban as there is nothing more in the way of amenities that residents could want, yet possessing a rare beauty that grounds, connects and soothes the soul.

This has been achieved through ingenious landscaping which embraces the area’s natural woodland and indigenous trees. Just a few minutes in this environment and you’ll feel more at peace than if you were relaxing at a country retreat. Steyn City has planted over 500,000 indigenous trees, shrubs and ground covers to create forest and parkland areas.

More than 50 per cent of Steyn City’s 2,000 acres is dedicated to green lung areas, creating a natural haven where homeowners could explore the outdoors and relax under canopies of shade.

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‘Steyn City was never going to be ordinary. How could it be, when it was built on a dream, with dreamers in mind’.

It’s no small wonder then that Steyn City feels like a sanctuary in nature and the sense of freedom that comes with this is enhanced by the excellent safety and security measures offered by this lifestyle resort. In addition to security personnel who receive ongoing training, residents are protected with the latest technological advances. In ensuring even greater peace of mind, the development also boasts an essential infrastructure and facilities, such as healthcare and schools, retail and a filling station. Even loadshedding becomes a problem of the past, thanks to piped gas and generators installed in each apartment building.

All of these special features leave residents free to enjoy the recreational facilities - and what facilities they are!. The Equestrian Centre is, of course, a major draw card for horse lovers because of its world class facilities and exquisitely decorated clubhouse. The golfing fraternity is equally well catered to with a Nicklaus-designed golf course and international award winning design Clubhouse.

It is these superior facilities and superb infrastructure that has led to an exciting collaboration between Le Kap Magazine and Steyn City to host the annual Le Kap Lifestyle Fair in February 2017 at Steyn City. This trendy Fashion, Gourmet food, Wine, Equestrian and lifestyle fair has firmly established itself as one of the most >

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‘It’s no small wonder then that Steyn City feels like a sanctuary in nature’ . . .

important annual events on the South African social calendar, due to its unique combination of popular lifestyle activities and the manner in which it is presented. Its sophisticated international appeal captures a national and international audience who embraces a lifestyle of luxury. It is anticipated that more than 2 000 enthusiasts, celebrities and VIPs would attend the event. The bespoke Le Kap Lifestyle Fair extravaganza, now in its fourth year, will be perfectly showcased at Steyn City and be taken to new heights.

The Club at Steyn City has a boutique, ‘Gentleman’s Club’ style Pro Shop, which complements the clubhouse with its custommade wooden displays and hanging rails to present the finest golf merchandise. The outlet stocks clothing ranges from top international brands such as Ralph Lauren, J Lindeberg, Cutter & Buck, Rhode Island, Tommy Bahama, Ahead, Adidas, Nike and Puma.

The Gym at The Club overlooks the golf course and has a full range of state-of-the-art Techno Gym cardio equipment, free weights and machines. Nineteen (XIX) Restaurant, managed and operated by The Saxon Hotel, offers sophisticated dining, with scenic views over the lush green fairways of the 18-hole Nicklaus-designed golf course, which has already been described as the ‘Augusta of South Africa’ However, there are many more spaces and places where residents could enjoy themselves, for example, swimming pools, delicatessens, outdoor fitness areas and indoor gyms, river walks and cycle paths, tennis courts and beautifully maintained parklands with magnificent land art.

While these facilities undoubtedly enhance the standard of living at Steyn City, they are ultimately about convenience. The Steyn City

lifestyle is crafted in such a way that you never have to leave home.

You’ll be able to access everything you need – from fuel to groceries – on site, in an environment that is pleasing to the eye and soothing to the soul. It’s about a lifestyle based on old-fashioned values of neighbourliness and the joy of family time.

A child-friendly environment is a primary focus for Plumari, as this is central to realising the vision of a family-oriented lifestyle. That’s why you’ll find plenty of play nodes, soccer pitches, zip line slides and even a skate park.

Then, of course, there are the luxury homes themselves: one, twoor three-bedroomed apartments, clusters and freehold homes – all fitted according to the highest specifications and designed with comfort in mind.

The homes are located within small villages, again relating to Plumari’s ideal of traditional community. For this reason, the villages are accessed by small cul-de-sacs and crescents, which ensure that all traffic is confined to the main thoroughfare that traverses the lifestyle resort.

Furthermore, the villages are linked by a 15km pedestrianised walkway – all of which means that there is no excuse not to put on your running shoes and take a stroll.

If it weren’t for the stunningly advanced technology that has been implemented in every aspect of the lifestyle resort, it would be easy to mistake living at Steyn City for a journey back in time - a time when neighbours were friends and family was at the core of every day, well-lived. • Sarah Woods

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‘THE ART OF BEHIND THE SCENES’ For the second year in a row, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Finch & Partners continued their collaboration with another edition of their exhibition ‘The Art of Behind The Scenes’. This vernissage, coinciding with the annual Cannes Film Festival, was held at the Hôtel du Cap (Antibes) between 13 May to 20 May 2016 and attracted a star-studded crowd during the Annual Filmmakers Dinner.

‘The Art of Behind The Scenes’ is a unique setting and opportunity to celebrate the art of photography alongside iconic directors and actors, many of whom hail from the golden era of filmmaking.

This second edition was curated by the photographic expert, John Ingledew, from the University of Gloucestershire in the UK. Ingledew assembled a selection of rare images of actors, artists and filmmakers taken by some of the world’s most accomplished ‘on-set’ photographers. All of these pictures are extremely rare and some have never been previously exhibited.

Each of the photos on these pages of Le Kap characterises the universe of this period with a collection of nostalgic images. For instance, the French actress Brigitte Bardot, sitting on the floor with a cigarette dangling from her lips, playing what appears to be a game of Solitaire, while bored on the film set of ‘Viva Maria!’ - a 1965 comedy-adventure.

In other photos, silver screen idols, Marilyn Monroe and Clark Gable are seen discussing sound with John Huston on the set of ‘The Misfits’ and in yet another, the British actors Michael Caine and Anthony Quinn take a much needed rest during the filming of ‘The Magnus of Mallorca’.

Martin Scorsese directing Sharon Stone and Robert De Niro on the set of ‘Casino’ and Andy Warhol capturing a moment with his first anchored camera in the 1960s are amongst the many outstanding photos. In another, Audrey Hepburn looks bored between takes with Peter O’Toole. There are plenty of gems among the collection, but all of them warrant thoughtful consideration.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s involvement in photography dates back to 1938 when LeCoultre & Cie manufactured the Compass Camera, also known as LeCoultre Compass. This full-featured camera, small enough to fit in a cigarette packet, was based on a design

by Englishman Noel Pemberton-Billing. Due to its complex design and small size, manufacturing of the camera could only be done by a watchmaker and only 4000 of them were made. This exceptional camera featured an exposure meter, range finder, EV indicator, angle viewfinder, telescopic lens shade, inbuilt filters and a device for panoramic and stereoscopic views. >

Marilyn Monroe & Clark Gable discussing sound with John Huston on the set of the film, ‘The Misfits’

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Brigitte Bardot on the film set of ‘Viva Maria’ in 1965

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The 1938 advertisement declared the Compass Camera to be the embodiment of a scientific system in a miniature camera. ‘Built like a watch - as simple to use.’

In the spirit of the exhibition, Jaeger-LeCoultre displayed the Compass Camera. This exceptional vintage camera pays tribute to the legacy of luxury Swiss watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre with a further series of classic photos captured through its camera lens in different parts of the world, showcasing locations, which have since become the backdrop to some of the iconic movies exhibited in this display.

The London-based agency, ‘Finch & Partners Corporate Creative Limited’ is a global creative brand consultancy representing and advising some of the world’s most distinctive brands and institutions within the cultural, philanthropic, political and entertainment sectors.

‘Haute Horlogerie and the worlds of cinema and photography share common values: both create dreams and a sense of wonder through aesthetic and technical mastery. Jaeger-LeCoultre draws upon the talent of its many artisans to create exceptional watch objects, just as it takes talented writers, directors, actors and technicians to produce a work of filmmaking art. It is all about two worlds infused with creative ingenuity.’ Says Daniel Riedo, CEO of JaegerLeCoultre.

This exhibition celebrates the artistic ingenuity of the film industry and the resolute role of photography as collected by JaegerLeCoultre and Finch & Partners. • Moira Theart Peter O’Toole and Audrey Hepburn in ‘How to Steal a Million,’ 1966

On the set of ‘Moby Dick film in 1954

Audrey Hepburn relaxing on set of ‘Two For The Road’ 1967

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David Bowie in ‘The Man Who Fell From Earth - 1975

Zabriskie Point, 1970 film directed by Michelangelo Antonioni

Patrick Swayze on set in ‘Tall Tale’ - 1995

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Michael Caine and Anthony Quin taking a rest, ‘Magnus of Mallorca - 1968

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‘When one lives in Paradise, how hard it must be to ascend in heart and mind to Heaven’. - Lady Frederick Cavendish on Cliveden, June 1863.

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CLIVEDEN HOUSE ‘This property has been the site of passionate conflicts and tempestuous love affairs over the centuries, once even offered as a wedding gift.’

Renowned and revered, Cliveden House is pure unadulterated elegance with an impeccable English history. Sir Charles Barry (the designer of the Houses of Parliament) designed the original home for the 2nd Duke of Buckingham in 1666 for his mistress, Anna Maria, Countess of Shrewsbury whose husband he killed in a duel. This property has been the site of passionate conflicts and tempestuous love affairs over the centuries, once even offered as a wedding gift. Sadly, the original home and its replacement (built in 1824) were both destroyed by fire. In 1851, the present Grade 1 listed Italianate mansion was constructed for the second Duke of Sutherland. In 1893, when the Duke of Westminster decided to sell Cliveden to the American Astor family, Queen Victoria was famously ‘not amused’. In 1942, the Astor family handed Cliveden to the National Trust.

Today, Cliveden is a 5 Red Star award-winning luxury hotel accorded many accolades for superb accommodation, facilities and fine dining. It is still owned by the National Trust but operated under a long lease agreement by the owners of Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in Hampshire, who added this legendary property to their portfolio in 2012. Managing Director Andrew Stembridge is responsible for the supervision of both properties. However, they are independently operated, with a shared vision of unparalleled luxury, attention to detail and the finest levels of service.

Cliveden is a grand and glorious home with a vast expanse of beautiful gardens perched on the banks of the river Thames, commanding panoramic views over the beautiful Berkshire countryside. In the heart of England, the formal gardens and parklands measure 376 acres and feature the celebrated four-acre parterre, seasonal floral exhibitions, a unique topiary, a maze and a collection of exceptional sculptures. A long drive leads up to the imposing home with the great 30-metre clock tower standing proudly to the right. This is still used as a functioning water tower for the house today. It is hard for any visitor not to feel the weight and wealth of history that has undoubtedly passed through this noble house in the past 350 years.

At the start of the driveway stands the Fountain of Love, a huge marble cockleshell created by sculptor Waldo Story and featuring the Goddess Aphrodite and numerous nymphs and cherubs. For some, this may seem representative of the scandal and political intrigue that has been central to the history of Cliveden. The interior breathes faded elegance, English country house repose and, in the Great Hall with its large 16th Century fireplace, there are suits of >

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armour and a portrait of Nancy Astor looking girlishly attractive.

Large portraits of past family members adorn the walls alongside 18th century tapestries and coats of arms. The ceilings and walls of the Great Hall are panelled in English oak. The impressive staircase newel posts are adorned with carved figures representing previous owners and above the staircase is a painted ceiling portraying the Sutherland’s children painted as the four seasons; it’s quite breathtaking in size and beauty.

Famous guests have included various royal figures, Winston Churchill, President Roosevelt, George Bernard Shaw, Charlie Chaplin and many others.

Cliveden’s best-known chatelaine was the indomitable Nancy Langhorne, an American, who married William Waldorf, the second Viscount Astor, a descendent of the fabulously wealthy Astor Family.

In 1893, his father bought the property and he gave the family estate to the newly married couple in 1906. She was known for her talent for riding and astute one-liners; one famous example is ‘The only thing I like about rich people is their money’, and one of Winston Churchill’s favourite sparring partners in conversation. In 1919, she became the first woman to take a seat in the House of Commons.

Nancy Astor changed the somewhat dour home into a luxurious and inviting house, and an offer to stay was seldom refused as guests appreciated they would experience the comforts of beautifully furnished guestrooms, attentive staff and an indulgent experience.

The standards she established over 100 years ago still remain rigorously in place. The house was synonymous with the smart set of the 1920s and 30s when the Astors entertained celebrities from the literary, political and thespian galaxies.

Each room has period features, beautiful drapery and priceless antiques. Some have towering four-poster beds, elaborate wood carvings on the mantelpieces and each is named after a prominent guest from Cliveden’s past, for example, the Prince of Wales room, the Sutherland room and the Churchill room. Furthermore, and most unusually, dogs are welcomed and there is a ‘Doggie Break’ package with a canine menu on offer and the parklands offer acres for you and your pets to explore. There are a variety of rooms and suites available, including Spring Cottage, which was originally commissioned by Lady Orkney in 1813 as a Gothic tearoom. In 1852, plans for the conversion of the cottage into a fishing villa were drawn up and eventually, in 1857, the Duchess of Sutherland asked George Devey to adapt and develop it into the cottage as it is today. One of its most famous visitors was Queen Victoria who would stop here during trips along the river from Windsor to have tea with her friend, the Duchess of Sutherland. In 1956, Dr Stephen Ward rented the cottage and guests included the MP John Profumo and Christine Keeler who met at the cottage and whose subsequent relationship brought down the Conservative government in 1963.

Restored in 1998, Cliveden guests are now once again able to enjoy this fabulous retreat on the bank of the Thames that is one of the finest places to stay on the river.

Only 45 minutes west of London and 20 minutes from Heathrow, the hotel offers visitors a choice of 38 lavish rooms, including 15 spacious suites with a summerhouse on the river with boathouse and boats, heated pool, spa and a range of sporting and leisure activities. Attention to detail and excellent service in every aspect of this hotel is evident. Michelin star award-winning chef Andre Garrett was appointed as Executive Head Chef at Cliveden House in 2013 and spearheaded the successful opening of the new restaurant, Andre Garrett at Cliveden, which overlooks the formal gardens. >

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Garrett is renowned for his elegant modern French cuisine and exotic dishes, and his exceptional skill and talent has led him to be the recipient of many awards. Visibly captivated by the traditional milieu where he operates at Cliveden, the restaurant is unashamedly classic, with European dishes from Ye Olden Days, served with traditional silverware and fine bone china. The first-rate service never fails and to some extent, the selections on the menu are governed by the seasons and true to grand country house tradition. There are also seven private dining facilities available for between two and 60 guests. In 2016, a second restaurant, the Astor Grill will open in the Duke of Westminster’s formal stables adjacent to the main hotel and serve a mixture of classic American and British dishes.

with all the amenities. Excursions and activities including golf at the Lambourne Golf Club, shooting, archery and fishing can be arranged. A river cruise on one of Cliveden’s Vintage launches is a real privilege. For special ceremonies, such as wedding and civil ceremonies, Cliveden provides a setting for an idyllic day and the house can be booked exclusively, offering complete privacy. There are also many other options for entertaining; the Mountbatten Suite is available for up to 40 guests, with polished oak panelling and views of the grounds, or the Churchill Room for up to 60 guests, with its own private terrace. From private entertaining for small parties to larger celebrations, there is an elegant room in this superb house to match the occasion.

William Waldorf Astor built the Pavilion pool for his wife, Nancy, to try and prevent her from swimming in the river. This now forms part of the spa and the heated pool is now complemented by an indoor pool, hot tubs, whirlpools, spas and treatment rooms, offering an extensive range of beauty and holistic therapies tailored to individual requirements.

For any guest having the pleasure of spending some time at this luxury house hotel, Cliveden includes the charm of British eccentricity and splendour, even offering games of hide and seek.

During the summer the gardens can be packed with visitors, but for those seeking a more peaceful experience, there are shaded paths where one can walk alone in the silence of the parkland, contemplating the astonishing beauty of the English countryside.

The massive refurbishment that has taken place over the past few years has been sensitively and professionally undertaken, providing a triumphant combination of modernisation and superb comfort while maintaining the style of English aristocracy. The essence of Cliveden House seems to have survived to continue into our modern world while offering a grandeur and style reflecting the past in the present. • Marion Pfeiffer

Cliveden House offers flexibility in that it has the potential to be a venue where there are facilities for meetings and corporate entertaining with two dedicated boardrooms within the house – the Macmillan and the Churchill rooms– both fully equipped for business purposes. There are other reception rooms, which can be adapted for business purposes for up to 100 people, and a dedicated conference manager will ensure guests are well satisfied

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SOUTH AFRICAN BORN BILLIONAIRES ...

The number of South African billionaires is growing and here we look at some of the wealthiest individuals either living, born in or with strong ties to South Africa who are classified as being high on the list. During the past year, the weakness of the Rand versus the US Dollar in challenging economic markets has been reflected in the fortunes of the country’s richest, meaning that the fortunes of some of the most affluent have declined. However, more South African billionaires are surfacing each year; each has a story to tell about overcoming obstacles and making their way to success.

According to the Forbes list in 2016, these are the gentlemen who hold this accolade at this time.

Elon Musk - $12.3 billion (R195.2 billion) Musk is a self-made South African-born billionaire, residing in Los Angeles. Musk was born in Pretoria in 1971 and matriculated at Pretoria Boys High. He moved to Canada at age 17 and subsequently attended the University of Pennsylvania where he obtained two degrees - one in physics and the other in economics. Twenty-seven years later, Elon has an estimated net worth more than 190 billion Rand, is one of the richest men on earth and wealthier than any other South African by a significant margin. The 45-year-old billionaire revolutionised two key industries, unsettled car manufacturers with his electric car Tesla and reshaped aerospace technology with his company, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX ) based in Hawthorne, California.

Musk’s dazzling rise has not been smooth. In June 2015, one of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets exploded minutes after take-off, resulting in a total loss. Six months later, a Falcon 9 rocket successfully landed upright after its travels in space, but in January 2016, when SpaceX endeavoured to land a rocket on a floating ocean barge, it tipped over and exploded. However, the company has retained a USD 1.6 billion contract with NASA to resupply the International Space Station and is valued at over USD 10 billion. Tesla produced the very successful Model S sedan, and this is being followed up by an electric SUV, the Model X, and the first deliveries are anticipated to take place in the second half of 2016.

Elon Musk

Musk made his first fortune when eBay bought PayPal for USD 1.5 billion in stock during October 2002. Elon, the largest shareholder of PayPal – a company he founded - received USD 165 million for his 11.7 per cent stake. Musk is also the chairman of SolarCity, a publicly-traded solar energy company. In 2013, Musk revealed the Hyperloop, a project for a high-speed transport structure that would send passengers through tubes in pods. In June 2015, SpaceX stated that it would hold a contest for students and independent engineering teams to design pods to be tested on the company’s one-mile track.

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An apt description of Elon Musk comes from Dolly Singh, one of his staff; 'Elon is brilliant, dynamic, charismatic and an exceptional freak of nature. In my humble opinion, Mr Steve Jobs in all his greatness has nothing on him. Elon is Wernher von Braun, Howard Hughes, Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and every other badass all rolled into one'.

Patrick Soon-Shiong - $11.8 billion (R187.2 billion)

Nicky Oppenheimer - $6.7 billion (R106.3 billion)

Patrick Soon-Shiong is a talented man. This former surgeon, medical researcher and entrepreneur created the successful NantWorks health empire. The son of immigrants from China and born in Port Elizabeth, he graduated from high school at 16 and as a doctor at 23 at the University of the Witwatersrand. The company with its subsidiaries represents a USD 1 billion-plus vision to fight cancer, combining multiple technologies using innovative methods and aims to attach a patient’s health data and leverage it with genetic data to transform the healthcare experience. This revolutionary scheme has attracted investors. In July 2015, the healthcare software firm, Allscripts Healthcare Solutions invested USD 200 million into NantHealth, one of nine Nant subsidiaries, valuing it at USD 2 billion. In July 2015, Soon-Shiong went public with NantKwest, a cancer drug maker with the highest value biotech IPO, raising USD 200 million and holding over 50 per cent of the company.

Nicky Oppenheimer inherited his family’s stake in the diamond giant De Beers and in 2012, exited the diamond business and has kept a relatively low profile since this move while continuing to live in Johannesburg. In 1927, his grandfather took over the firm and for 85 years the family owned the diamond business De Beers, occupying

He is also head of the CSS Institute for Advanced Health established in 2011; this company is working to create a nationwide health information system for the protected sharing of biomedical information. He has received international and national awards in recognition of his work in cancer research and related fields. He founded two drug companies in the U.S., Abraxis and American Pharmaceutical Partners, which he sold for a total of USD 9.1 billion.

He invented a cancer drug, Abraxane, now available in 40 countries due to its efficacy against pancreatic cancer. A member of the Buffett-Gates Giving Pledge, Soon-Shiong plans to donate at least half his fortune. He has donated USD 136 million to Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica in California.

Patrick Soon-Shiong

Nicky Oppenheimer

a controlling position in the world’s diamond trade. The company was involved in mining, exploration and marketing of diamonds internationally until 2012 when he sold his 40 per cent stake for USD 5.1 billion to the multinational corporation, Anglo American.

Anglo American, established by his grandfather, holds 85 per cent of De Beers with the remaining 15 per cent owned by the Botswana government. He was a member of the board of Anglo American for 37 years until 2011 and retains an estimated 1.8 per cent stake in the company. He is now focussing his attention on private equity through his company – E Oppenheimer & Son, which controls the investment arms Stockdale Street Capital and Tana Africa Capital, a joint venture with the investment firm Temasek, owned by the Singaporean government. Tana Africa Capital holds minority interests in African food manufacturers Promasidor and Regina.

In 2002, Oppenheimer, then chairman of De Beers, attended the World Summit on Sustainable Development and helped launch the Diamond Route. This initiative set aside 250,000 hectares of land adjacent to the diamond mines, including property belonging to De Beers and Oppenheimer, for tourism and conservation. But in October 2015, three years after the sale of his family’s share in De Beers, he stated that he was separating the Oppenheimer land from the diamond route at a Diamond Route research convention.

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Christoffel Wiese - $6.4 billion (R101.6 billion) Cape Town resident, Wiese, recognised as a retail tycoon, continues to grow his wealth. In 2014, he announced plans to exchange his minority stake in the information technology company, Digicore for a share in ConvergeNet, a South African Technology business undergoing restructuring into a diversified holding company. Other investments include a 15 per cent stake in the publicly-traded Shoprite Holdings, which controls supermarkets, furniture stores and fast food outlets in 15 countries in Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, as well as controlling interest in Pepkor, a private clothing and footwear giant with almost 32,000 employees. He has shares in the private equity firm, Brait, industrial production company, Invicta Holdings and mining investor sector, Pallinghurst.

In December 2015, Steinhoff, his biggest asset, which is a furniture and home goods retailer moved its listing from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to the Frankfurt Stock Exchange to concentrate on markets in Europe. In February 2015, Steinhoff obtained clothing and footwear seller Pepkor, another one of Wiese’s companies, for USD 5.7 billion in cash and stock. After this transaction, Wiese now holds 17 per cent of Steinhoff. Wiese has extended his business to the UK and in 2015, he acquired British fashion retailer New Look for USD 1.23 billion and gym chain Virgin Active for USD 1 billion.

Johann Rupert - $5.3 billion (R84.1 billion) Johann Rupert is a luxury goods magnate living in Cape Town. He is the chairman of the Swiss luxury goods company, Compagnie Financière Richemont, which he started in 1988 after spinning off international assets held by the Rembrandt Group Limited founded by his father, Anton, in the 1940s as a manufacturer of tobacco products. The company is now best known for its brands, such

as Cartier and Montblanc, amongst numerous others. He is the chancellor of Stellenbosch University. Rupert is also the chairman of Remgro (previously the Rembrandt Group), an investment holding company and has a 7 per cent share and owns 25 per cent of Reinet, a Luxembourg-based holding company that has a stake in British American Tobacco Company. He is part-owner of the Saracens English Rugby team and Athonji Rupert Wines, named after his late brother. Before starting out on his own, he worked for Chase Manhattan Bank and Lazard Freres in New York.

In recent years, Rupert has become a vocal opponent and activist against plans to allow fracking in the Karoo, an area of South Africa where he owns land. At a luxury conference in Monaco in June 2015, Rupert said, ‘income inequality – exacerbated by the rise of technology and automation – was one of the biggest concerns for the luxury industry, because it makes luxury goods customers afraid to publicly display their wealth through the fancy goods they purchase’.

Nathan Kirsh - $4.2 billion (R66.7 billion) Nathan Kirsh was born in Potchefstroom where he attended and matriculated from Potchefstroom Boys High in 1949 before obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Witwatersrand and an Honorary Doctorate of Law at the University of Swaziland.

Kirsh, now living in London, has a property empire which spans Australia, Swaziland and the UK. He made his first fortune in his native Swaziland, founding a corn milling business in the small country in 1958. Kirsh then expanded and developed the company into wholesale food delivery in apartheid South Africa, and then into supermarkets and development of commercial property. Sanlam, the South African insurance company bought 49 per cent of Kirsh’s business but this partnership unravelled and he moved to Swaziland in 1986 and became a citizen of the country. His main holding group is Kirsh Holding Group, which owns Swazi Plaza Properties and is his biggest asset in the country, and he has an equal partnership with the government-owner Swaziland Industrial Development Company (SIDC).

His current fortune results from his stake in Jetro Holdings, which operates Jetro Cash & Carry stores and Restaurant Depots in the New York City area, delivering wholesale merchandise to bodegas, small stores and restaurants. His charitable endeavours are focussed on Swaziland, where he has provided starter capital to more than 12,000 people for small businesses. He says 70 per cent of those individuals are women and his success rate is 70 per cent. ‘You can’t take money with you,’ Kirsh stated a few years ago. ‘And if you can’t do good things with it, you’re a bloody fool’.

Ivan Glasenberg - $2.6 billion (R41.3 billion)

Johann Rupert

Now living in Ruschlikon in Switzerland, Glasenberg was born in South Africa in January 1957. His father, Samuel Glasenberg, was a luggage importer/manufacturer born in Lithuania and his mother, Blanche, was South African. The family lived in Illovo, a suburb of Johannesburg. Glasenburg attended the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Accountancy.

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This South African media tycoon and astute executive stepped down from his position as CEO of the media giant, Naspers, although this move did not stop the company’s stock from rising to double digits.

He has run the Cape Town-based company since 1997, established aggressive business policies and making appropriate investments and returned as chairman of the Naspers board in April 2015. He transformed the publishing outfit from a small time newspaper into a new media powerhouse, a multi-billion media conglomerate with investments in China, India, Russia, as well as other countries.

This also included a shareholding in China’s foremost internet and instant messaging company, Tencent Holdings, operated by Chinese billionaire Ma Huateng, Russian internet giant Mail.ru and Abril, a Brazilian magazine.

During his tenure, Bekker engineered the rise in the market capitalisation of Naspers from USD 600 million to USD 45 billion, while receiving no salary, bonuses or benefits. His compensation was in the form of stock option grants of which values have increased over time. He is a founding director of African mobile telecoms firm, MTN. Bekker owns Babylonstoren in the Drakenstein Estate in the Western Cape, a property of nearly 600 acres that features architecture dating back to 1690. The magnificent estate incorporates a farm, an orchard, on-site bakery, cheesemaker, hotel and restaurant surrounded by vineyards.

Ivan Glasenberg

Glasenberg is CEO of the commodities giant Glencore whose stock price tumbled two-thirds in the past year, reducing its long-time CEO Ivan Glasenberg’s net worth by USD 3 billion in the 12 months for the period ending in February 2016. In September, the Swiss firm issued 1.3 billion new shares and Glasenberg obtained enough shares to maintain his 8.4 per cent holding.

Glasenberg earned his MBA from the University of Southern California in 1983 and got his start with the late legendary oil trader Marc Rich, working as a dealer in the coal and coke division of Marc Rich & Co in his native South Africa. At the time that management bought out Marc Rich & Co and re-branded it as Glencore in 1994, Glasenberg was the international director. He burst into the billionaire club in 2011 when Glencore went public. When Glencore and Xstrata merged, finalising one of the largest mining company mergers in history, Glasenberg was appointed CEO. He is a former South African and Israeli race-walking champion.

Koos Bekker - $1.6 billion (R25.4 billion) Koos Bekker was born in Potchefstroom on December 1952 and matriculated from Hoër Volkskool Heidelberg. His academic qualifications include BA (Hons) and an Honorary Doctorate in Commerce from the University of Stellenbosch, an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MBA from Columbia University, New York.

Koos Bekker

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Patrice Motsepe - $1.3 billion (R20.6 billion) Patrice Motsepe’s wealth is self-made and he became Africa’s first black billionaire in 2009. He was born on 28 January 1962 in Soweto, Johannesburg. His father, Augustine Motsepe, was a schoolteacher who turned small businessman and owned a Spaza shop in Hammanskraal, close to Pretoria.

Group was the first direct underwriter in South Africa and the first company in the world to transact insurance business over the telephone. His determination to succeed and ability to recognise opportunities and drive for change has formed the platform for his international success.

To build on the success of the South African Insurance business, Steyn moved to the UK where he first established ‘Insurance Underwriter’ (1992) and subsequently transformed this into what is today the UK’s largest consumer-focussed insurance broker and insurance price comparison website.

In 1999, the Group opened an Australian ‘Insurance Underwriter’ and has subsequently established businesses in France, Turkey and Singapore. The Steyn family business interests are held through Reef Holdings Limited, based in Guernsey where the Group’s reinsurance operations are also centred.

Aside from Insurance, Steyn developed the Saxon Hotel in Sandton, named the World’s Leading Boutique Hotel since 2000, and the vision for Steyn City, the 800-hectare luxury lifestyle estate, which is rapidly becoming a reality with the first sales having taken place in early 2015. The estate was founded on the principles of community and quality of life, and comprises 11,000 homes, a private hospital, two private schools, a golf course, shopping complexes and office parks. Leisure facilities in the surrounding woodland include a 41km running and cycling track.

Patrice Motsepe

After matriculating Patrice earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Swaziland and a law degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. He founded African Rainbow Minerals, a company that mines minerals such as iron, coal, manganese, copper, platinum and gold. A sharp decline in the stock price of AR reduced his net worth during the year ending March 2016, along with falling commodities prices and increased costs in labour and electricity. He is a stakeholder in Sanlam and the president and owner of Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club. He was a partner at the Bowman Gilfillan law firm in Johannesburg and started a contracting business doing mine scut work. In 1994, he purchased low-producing gold mine shafts and turned these around, increasing their productivity.

Steyn returned to South Africa in 2007. His magnificent R250 million home, Palazzo Steyn at Steyn City, is believed to be the largest home in South Africa. Douw also maintains a residence in fashionable Belgravia, London and owns a private game reserve in the Limpopo province. • Marion Pfeiffer

Motsepe also benefits from South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) law which mandates that companies be at least 26 per cent black-owned to get a government mining licence. His company Ubuntu Botho Investments, with Sanlam as its partner, plans to start an Africa-focussed private equity firm. He is also a philanthropist and has pledged USD 1 million to help fight the Ebola epidemic in West Africa and has signed Bill Gates’ and Warren Buffet’s Giving Pledge, in which he promises to give at least half of his wealth to charity.

Douw Steyn – $720 million (R12.7 billion) Douw Steyn was born in Brits in the North West Province in 1952 and moved to live in Johannesburg as a teenager.

Since the founding of Steyn’s Insurance Brokers in 1973, self-made billionaire Douw Steyn has proven himself to be an outstanding entrepreneur. Steyn’s first substantial success as an insurance underwriter was the launch of the Auto and General Insurance Company in 1985 with some ground-breaking innovations. The

Douw Steyn

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LUXURY BRANDED PROPERTIES The choice of which home to buy is always complicated and the selection of branded properties available to the discerning buyer on the real estate markets is on the increase. Some real estate companies focus on selling homes from branded or reputed developers who have a legacy of delivering on their commitments and are financially stable. Most developers today are leveraged financially, therefore, there is a risk involved in purchasing properties under construction, so in offering their clients a branded property they ensure delivery and no compromise on quality. Also, there are benefits to branded homes in these lifestyle developments or residences, which include guaranteed quality of construction and superior conveniences, improved maintenance, better returns on investment or rental returns and a higher resale rate.

The idea of branded residences first emerged in New York when a hotel called the Sherry Netherland Hotel on 5th Avenue offered residential apartments but there was little interest. It was only in the 1980s when the Four Seasons first established their first residential property in Boston, followed by several others, that this concept developed. Since then the numbers have increased substantially, with well-established companies such as Shangri-La, Hyatt Regency,

Aman and Six Senses investing in these residences. Owners have the option to live in their homes full-time or enter into a rental pool agreement where the hotel will let out the property on their behalf.

An important consideration, valued by many buyers, is the level of pride and status that ownership of the property will bring to them.

High-status factors include ultra-prime locations, residences with views on the higher floors, penthouses and design quality – the more famous the architect, the higher the status of the building nicknamed the ‘Starchitect’ effect! Creating the impression of exclusivity for the development is the chief element in creating price premiums, as well as limited numbers of units and personality endorsement, making the purchase seem even more exceptional.

Branded residences are soaring in popularity among wealthy international buyers as an investment which offers the best in prestige, convenience and innovative design. Whether you have chosen your penthouse in Milan, Miami or the Swiss Alps, being affiliated with a five-star hotel or global luxury brand is not just about being able to enjoy all the available hotel facilities. Internationally, it is believed that these luxury properties with their first class facilities command an average uplift in the price of around 31 per cent in

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comparison to non-branded properties. An example of a luxury branded residence in South Africa is the Taj Cape Town, with its view across to Table Mountain. Here prices start at around ZAR 5 million.

Dunhill, Ferrari and Versace offer properties that are extremely fashionable in Dubai. In fact, these types of developments in this area number around 300. In the world’s tallest building, the Armani Residences at the Burj Khalifa, the penthouses are now available at a price 55 per cent higher than the starting price five years ago.

Canada, the USA and Asia are fast becoming experts at linking new upmarket residential schemes with the best in branded hospitality.

In Miami, now seen as being a city re-establishing itself as a place of cutting-edge architecture, the Ritz-Carlton Residences include 111 condominium residences and 15 villas with prices starting from around ZAR 24 million for a one-bedroom apartment.

The Edition Residence in Miami, which is a project by renowned hotelier Ian Schrager, is selling their residences at prices 20 per cent higher than the nearby non-branded homes. In Colorado, The Residences Viceroy Snowmass offers three and four bedroom designed penthouses for the elite and the Solmar Group offers its most lavish property to date, Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort and Spa in Los Cabos, set against the stunning setting of the Pacific Ocean and rock formations.

Europe is not lagging behind in this trend. The Chedi Andermatt in the Swiss Alps and the Residences at the Mandarin Oriental in the Turkish resort of Bodrum are on offer for similar amounts. Aman resorts in Greece offer villas from ZAR 52 million at the Amanzoe on the Peloponnese peninsula.

Demand is high in London, especially among international buyers who prefer modern style to the old traditional developments and the luxury name which ensures standards. However, at present, there are only six of these types of branded residences available, such as One Hyde Park, serviced by the Mandarin Hotel, the Bulgari Residences in Knightsbridge and the Finchatton-designed penthouse at The Connaught in Mayfair. The obvious problem here is that the prime areas in London cannot get bigger, so new developments are taking place inside older buildings such as the St James’s House, with just eight apartments on offer. New money is gravitating towards these projects, for example, a three-bedroom apartment at One Hyde Park is on sale for GBP 20.95 million. For these high net worth individuals, who have come into their wealth in recent years, an established brand offers the desired quality, luxury and a guaranteed level of service.

For these facilities, the service charges alone are not cheap. For instance, at The Chedi Andermatt, the annual fee is GBP 26,000 and many other similar establishments will not even disclose their fees and state the cost is offset by premium rental income and returns on investment.

These branded residences are created and constructed with inspiration and thoughtfulness for the comfort of the owners and set new standards of luxury and style with every development. The frequent question is, ’What is the difference between an executive style luxury hotel room and a branded residence?’ The latter are designed to be homes and residential projects with a different usage pattern from hotel rooms and serviced apartments. The purchaser will identify with a particular lifestyle and taste which he believes reflected by the brand. • Claudia Pieper

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BEAU BRUMMELL The original and greatest English Dandy, Beau Brummell (1778-1840)

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It is a popular misconception that a Regency dandy was a powdered and patched horror, dressed in silk and affectation. Nothing could be further from the truth. The original and greatest dandy of them all – Beau Brummell – would have recoiled with horror to be compared with these creatures.

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ecognised as one of the earliest and most celebrated dandies and fashion trendsetters, George Bryan ‘Beau’ Brummell established styles and trends, and influenced royalty and the aristocracy in the late 18th and 19th century. An iconic figure in Regency England, he was famous for his elegant dress and friendship with the Prince of Wales, the future George IV. Brummell is renowned for the introduction of the precursor to the modern men’s suit, a style worn with a necktie – he maintained it took five hours to get dressed each day. His recommended mode of dress eschewed elaborate fashion for impeccably fitted and tailored designer apparel, based on dark suits, full-length trousers, pristine shirt linen and a perfectly tied cravat.

Brummell was the younger son of a middle class family from Berkshire, but his father was determined that his son should become a gentleman and he was sent to Eton where he made his first mark on fashion by updating the trademark Eton cravat and adding a gold buckle to it. This was an era when taste in tailoring would often prove to be more important than fame or wealth and he was by nature and looks well-suited to be a model of fashion.

Also, he was fastidious in regard to his cleanliness and dress, an example of exquisite propriety and he had already attracted the attention of the Prince. This was regarded as an honour but would lead him down the path, in the end, to shame and ruin. He enrolled at Oxford University, but left after only a year– already recognised for his droll wit and sense of humour. One of his lecturers, a Mr Thackeray, enforced the doctrine, ‘Cultivate the society of your betters, young men’ and Brummell followed this principle for most of his life.

In 1794, he joined the illustrious Tenth Royal Hussars where many of his peers were the heirs to noble titles and land. By this time, Brummell had inherited some money from his father but this sum was inadequate for an ambitious officer in the personal regiment of the Prince of Wales for which they were supposed to provide their horses, uniforms and often exorbitant mess bills. Brummell’s forceful and charismatic personality allowed him to take the regiment by storm, fascinating George, Prince of Wales, who became regent in 1811. In essence, as a protégé of the Prince, he was able to do as he pleased, miss parades and evade duties, and by 1796 was made captain to the disgust of his fellow officers. When the regiment was transferred to Manchester, he resigned instantly, stating that the city lacked culture and ambience.

Now a civilian, he set about cultivating a life of pleasure and his friendship and influence over the prince continued, with his elegant

style of dress and natural wit allowing him entry into the Prince’s social circles. At that time, the daily routine of the lives of aristocratic men included getting dressed – a lengthy procedure each day, shopping in the morning then riding in Hyde Park or visiting gentlemen’s clubs, followed by theatre or a private party or perhaps, visiting brothels in the evening. Brummell lived in Mayfair and managed initially to avoid the nightly gaming and other extravagances linked to his lifestyle although he refused to economise on his dress. Invitations to his home were considered as essential social events, attended by many gentlemen who also wanted to see what he was wearing for the occasion. No dinner, ball or assembly was considered complete if he were absent and he was careful to maintain his exclusiveness.

His style put into practice the principles of harmony and shape and contrasting colours so successfully that men of more superior rank would ask his opinion on their dress styles. He declared, ‘nothing too tight or too fashionable’ and ‘fine linen and plenty of it’. He was never flamboyant but remained dignified and strove to be perfect in every way regarding his appearance. He chose his wardrobe created from a limited palette of colours, a change from the previous rather gaudery finery of the Georgian times, also dispensing with powdered wigs, knee breeches and stockings worn with high heels.

Cleverly, he avoided using only one tailor, as by using a variety, not one individual could say they were responsible for his success in fashion. He was fastidious about cleanliness and influenced the upper echelons of society who began to follow his example.

At the beginning of the 19th Century, he was considered a leader of fashion. A famous anecdote occurred during a stroll with the Duke of Bedford along Pall Mall when his Grace asked him if he approved of the cut of his coat — an improvisation from his tailor.

Beau Brummell inspected the ducal coat and said, with an air and accent of concern, ‘My dear Bedford, do you call this thing a coat?’.

In the circles around the Prince, he was known to be knowledgeable on the subject of dress, etiquette and a new dictator of refinement, as he established a code of costume, which was also more practical for the ‘man about town’. A typical Regency outfit for the day was the tailcoat, a jacket cut away in front and with tails at the back (for easier wear when riding). There was no waist seam, a feature present in Victorian coats. The open area around the hip had a distinctive curve pulling slightly around the waist. The sleeves were long and placed high on the shoulder with no shoulder padding.

Most jackets of the time had fabric-covered buttons, but for blue jackets brass metal buttons were acceptable–a reminder of military styles. Light coloured pantaloons completed the outfit, with a strap under the foot, disappearing into riding boots, similar to those >

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used by the military. For the evening, sartorial splendour, luxurious textiles, which included velvet, brocades, silks and a black coat, which was a sophisticated combination for a gentleman’s apparel.

The formality of evening entertainment trumped all other dress factors. The hours of daylight were for business and leisure while those after dark were dedicated to lavish dining, opulent balls and private opera boxes, and the appropriate attire was essential.

Brummell revolutionised it and his style became the required dress code at Almack’s, the most fashionable club in London and laid the foundation for the black and white palette that governs evening wear today.

Brummell was a prolific flirt, but seldom seriously engaged in a love affair. His closest friend was Frederica, Duchess of York, and one of the few items in his possession at the time of his death was a miniature of her left eye. He refused to publish his memoirs even when he was in a state of financial despair and ruin, so this part of his life remains private.

Today, we would say that Beau was very well connected, a prominent member of a leading network and a man to know. For many years, it was Brummell’s opinion that mattered and it still seems implausible that a non-aristocratic boy was first accepted into the regiment, and then into the Prince’s circle of intimate friends. At White’s Club in London, a bow window became known as the ‘Beau window’ as he liked to sit there. However, he was unable to avoid the temptations of spending and gambling and began to rapidly reduce his capital leading him to finding it difficult to maintain his lifestyle. The beginning of Brummell’s downfall was his falling out with the Prince, and it is said that he was ‘famous for his wit, but infamous for his rudeness’. In 1813, at a masquerade ball hosted by ‘the Dandy Club’ consisting of Brummell, Lord Alvanley, Henty Midmay and Henry Pierrepoint, Brummell fell out with the Prince, an occurrence which would ordinarily signal social doom. Due to his friendship with others in fashionable circles, he became an anomaly, continuing without a patron and courted by a large part of society.

By 1815, his extravagant lifestyle and losses in gambling led to his owing thousands of pounds and when this became known, he fled to France and spent the rest of his life in exile in Calais in comfort, supported by former acquaintances. He could escape his debts, but he could not escape the reality of his illness as at sometime late in his life in London he became infected with syphilis. Eventually, he was forced into debtor’s prison by his long-unpaid French creditors but managed to be released through the charitable intervention of his friends in England. He died in 1840, penniless and insane in an asylum outside Caen, at the age of 61.

This eccentric gentleman, who had ruled as the ‘king of ton’ in England, died almost unnoticed. Brummell left his mark in literature and there are a collection of witticisms and anecdotes ascribed to him, often referred to as ‘Brummelliana’. Several authors have written books about his life and some have used his characteristics to depict a personality in their books. His life was dramatised in an 1890s state play, later adapted to film, and further plays and films have followed, the most recent being the 2006 television drama, Beau Brummell: This Charming Man and he was even the subject of an opera. Culturally, Brummell remains associated with style and good looks and his name was linked to a variety of products and is often used in songs or poetry. • Jonathan Marcs

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THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE RESTAURANT ‘if you have to ask then you really can’t afford it – however, USD 3,000 is the price tag associated with this virtual gourmet experience’ There’s something a little scary about the place. It is not the fact that it was created by a renowned Michelin rated chef, as I’ve eaten in those before, but that it was billed as ‘a space created to stimulate the five senses, a different experiential trip to anything you’ve ever experienced before’.

The Mother City, Cape Town, has become the amphitheatre of South Africa’s culinary world regarding innovation, fusion trends and the allout whacky concepts and promises dreamed up by hipsters in pop-up places. So, when I read the invitation I was a little sceptical. What could they possibly be offering that could merit the title of the ‘world’s’ most expensive restaurant’?

I was half expecting to be blind-folded in James Bond or ‘Red’ Reddington style, as we were whisked away in one of the branded Range Rovers available for the discretion of the guests, for dinner at some secret lair of a mad-culinary genius hell-bent on world domination. However, I was a little disappointed to find myself outside a nondescript, all-white building, moments away from the bustling Playa d’en Bossa in Ibiza. It was not until I had been ushered through an unmarked door into a tiny ante-room full of crates and a random nitrogen tank, that I started to realise that this was how the world could change. Before us, a rather rickety freight elevator noisily shuddered into life when one of the pleasant, widely smiling Spaniards pressed a button and we descended rather rapidly into the bowels of the volcanic rock that make up the pleasure island above us.

And all was revealed: Sublimotion. The concept, which started nearly four years ago, inside the research workshop of chef Paco Roncero and opened two years later to an adoring public, is an equal mixture of intensity and hard work. Various industries have combined to push the existing boundaries held by chefs, designers, engineers, illusionists, set designers, architects, >

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choreographers and screenwriters to create something exceptional.

This idea defines the times we live in and sets a new benchmark for the highly competitive culinary environment. Well, good luck to those who try to improve on this because Sublimotion is something that cannot be easily imitated or picked apart for flaws.

But back to our descending journey to the centre of the earth and, as the doors parted through the bleakness, a white 12-seater table stood there, surrounded by screens that serve as walls and produce a 360-degree projection capability and our names illuminated above our designated seats, instructing us where to sit. This is not a conventional restaurant that seats a room full of people but rather only a select few. The chosen…. We had not just come for dinner, but rather an unprecedented staged gastronomic show where haute cuisine is practised by a team of highly qualified performers. Roncero said he came up with the idea while leading a culinary workshop at the Casino de Madrid in 2012. ‘I recognised that diners were becoming more interested in gastronomy and how it connects all five senses,’ he said.

The 70 m2 central open-space ‘capsule’, as referred to by Roncero, has one of the most sophisticated audio-visual settings ever designed. The white colour palette means that you have no first impression, other than perhaps you’re about to hear his monologue of the future of food. ‘We don’t see ourselves as a restaurant,’ Roncero said when I mentioned the lofty title, ‘world’s most expensive restaurant’. Later in the evening, as my research before visiting revealed, this was to be the lead message to anything attached

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to Sublimotion. ‘We play with emotions, the senses, the set, the aromas, and the taste to be able to create absolutely unique experiences with each scene’.

But it all sounds very gimmicky, to say the least. Once you relax and enjoy the three hours it takes to appreciate the set menu of 20 dishes, prepared by 25-highly trained professionals, and allow the time to blur literally between the virtual and real with the use of Samsung’s Gear VR headset, that the doors of fantasy and culinary poetry open like never before. My days of experiencing Bree Street or some pop-up experience back in Cape Town fast faded before my eyes, as well as imagining that anything else would have been bland and dull. The use of VR headsets is there merely to augment the ‘multi-sensory’ immersion with the introduction of sound, colour and imagery which is part and parcel of dining at Sublimotion.

So, how does he describe the experience when people ask him what to expect? ‘Something you will only understand if you experience it first-hand.’ That’s all good and well but for the more practical of us the question is: what does an experience like this cost? Well, like many things in life, if you have to ask then you really can’t afford it – however, USD 3,000 is the price tag associated with this virtual gourmet experience. The restaurant is fully booked for all manner of unnamed celebrities, Russian oligarchs and multi-millionaires who know someone who is friends with a cousin or uncle that works at Sublimotion and can get you a booking in early 2018 - even with that goods lift. • Grant Davison

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THE MAGICAL SERENGETI HOUSE For many the Singita brand represents the wonder of a luxurious African safari, delivering a superlative experience to their clients and recognised with countless awards for standards of excellence.

Singita means ‘place of miracles’ and their establishments attempt to live up to this in every respect. Lodges are situated in South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, and you can expect the very best, complemented by their winning formula subscribing to the ethos of low impact, high-value tourism. Sophistication and elegance blend while respect for the surrounding environment, community empowerment and conservation projects is recognisable.

Singita Serengeti House is located in the 350,000 acre Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania. The Grumeti Reserve is positioned next to the legendary Serengeti National Park, which is home to the great annual migration of wildebeest and created by the Tanzanian government in 1994 for its protection and that of the indigenous

biodiversity of the region. In 2002, the Grumeti Community and Wildlife Conservation Fund was granted the right to manage the conservation of the area and in 2006, Singita took over the management with the view to the creation of low-impact tourism to generate funds to ensure the sustainability of the reserve.

Serengeti House is designed as an exclusive retreat for guests on the slopes of Sasakwa Hill. It is one of three lodges in this gamerich private reserve and the only visitors besides the wildlife are the lodge guests. From the villa, the breathtaking panorama of the endless, tree-dotted open plains of the Serengeti stretches in all directions and it is ideally positioned for the famous wildebeest migration across the river. At the front of the property is a well-visited waterhole, a favourite drinking spot for the famous wildlife of the area. Singita has created this haven in response to the demand for luxury, privacy and flexibility in a relaxing environment. Itineraries, >

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activities and meals are tailored to the requests of guests who can choose the style and tempo of their vacation.

Singita experience and meals are carefully organised and arranged to your taste, from candle-lit gourmet dinners to picnics in the bush.

The four-bedroom private villa accommodates eight people in two suites in the main house and two garden suites on either side of the main house. At the centre is a central deck with a 25m infinity pool. Gracious interiors complemented by a tranquil, unpretentious atmosphere and efficient service complete the luxurious home environment in the bush. All suites have spacious bathrooms en suite with outdoor showers and private decks.

There are a variety of facilities for guests to enjoy at Serengeti House, as well as the used of amenities at Singita Sasakwa Lodge, which is a 10-minute drive away. Early morning and late-afternoon game drives, including horseback safaris, are available and the guides are renowned for being specialists in their knowledge of the game in the area. Guided walks in the reserve can be arranged.

On your return, there is a choice of enjoying the inviting pool, a game of tennis, a cooking lesson in the private kitchen from the resident chef, spa treatments, mountain biking and archery. For the less active, just plain lazing around the swimming pool with a good book is very appealing.

Throughout the house, there are indoor and outdoor lounging and dining areas with never-ending views of the surrounding landscape.

With interiors designed by Cecile & Boyds, this home blends European country house style with African flair using a cool neutral palette of subtle, sun-bleached colours. Mirrors throughout the house maximise light and space. Natural fibres, such as rattan, grass matting, polished cement floors, bleached, raw timbers and local stones have been used to furnish the well-appointed, beautiful and boldly proportioned rooms. The décor in the house also includes a modern African art collection, artefacts and anthropologically significant tribal sculpture from the region.

All requests are handled by on-site experts and the committed housekeeping staff who are attentive to your every whim. The private kitchen and resident chef will cater exclusively to the wishes of the party while taking into consideration every detail from different food preferences to preferred cooking styles and flavours.

Delicious food and naturally, an excellent wine cellar are part of the

A sojourn at Serengeti House in this beautiful reserve will meet every expectation for the discerning traveller who knows exactly what he wants from his safari style vacation, including the services of well-trained staff, a private vehicle and a safari guide. Children are welcome and activities can be organised for your family.

One of the specialities available for those having the opportunity to stay at Serengeti House and enjoy the magic of the surrounding land is the pleasure of creating your holiday on a day by day basis.

Here you can create an itinerary suited to your mood that can be changed as and when you wish. Shared experiences, awe-inspiring game viewing, memorable outdoor feasts, storytelling and impromptu celebrations – any and all of these will shape memories of your days spent here. • Sarah Woods

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A LIFETIME OF STYLISH QUALITY International fashion brand Vilebrequin has been leading the way when it comes to creating swim trunks and leisurewear that is not only functional and flattering, but also announces the wearer as an individual with an appreciation of quality, a sense of style and sophistication.

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he swim trunks were originally conceived from a chequered tablecloth by French journalist Fred Prysquel in St Tropez during the early 70’s in a moment of creative inspiration. Fred and his friends were tired of the run of the mill standard offer and decided to take matters into their own hands. Today, almost half a century on, Vilebrequin has become an iconic global luxury brand sporting a ranges of beach and resort wear and that is seen the world over, in a variety of carefully thought out prints. They have also quickly found favour with international celebrities such as Jude Law, the British Royalty, Jay Z, George Clooney and his close ally Brad Pitt, amongst others.

The Vilebrequin brand is not only synonymous with style and sophistication, but also with quality and durability. The trunks are made from a special high-density quick drying polyamide material.

The Yarn is sourced from an Italian Mill and is woven in Spain before >

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being sent to Italy or France to be embroidered. The trunks are then carefully constructed to keep the print seamless and offer the most effective drainage. While the ultra-comfortable mesh lining is constructed from hypoallergenic polyester fibre surrounded by strands of cotton. And if damaged the lining can be replaced free of charge.

Taking this highly artisanal and meticulous creation process into account the price tag of R2,450 for the plain and R3,450 for the printed classic Moorea trunks is justifiable as these classics will last a lifetime and are stylishly timeless, a true leisure wear investment.

Not only creating swim trunks for men Vilebrequin offers resort and beach wear, including polo shirts, linen Bermudas and shirts, for both men, women and children; as well as an extensive range of beach accessories including canvas bags, towels and caps. • Jeremy Nel EDITOR’S NOTE: Vilebrequin stores are located in the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town and Melrose Arch, Johannesburg. Follow Vilebrequin on Twitter @VilebrequinSA, like on Facebook, and visit the official website for more information.

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Casino de Monte-Carlo

Royal Palace of Monaco

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MONACO – GLITZY, GLAMOROUS AND ENCHANTING! ...

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onaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a sovereign city-state and microstate situated on the French Riviera and one of the smallest countries in the world, covering an area of two square kilometres and surrounded by France on three sides and the Mediterranean on the other. Although small in size, it has a niche in the luxury and business tourism industry and the largest number of millionaires and billionaires per capita.

Monaco is not formally a member of the League of the European Union (EU); however, it participates in selected EU policies. The first association that springs to mind related to this beautiful place is Princess Grace, or Grace Kelly, her name before she married Prince Rainier III in 1956. She abandoned her acting career to marry the prince and became a favourite member of the royal family, mother of four children and loved by many. Many Monegasques mourned her tragic death in a car accident in 1982. Monaco conjures up images of luxury goods and vehicles, super yachts, Michelin-starred restaurants and the famous casino in the Monte Carlo area with the Belle Epoque style Café de Paris on one side and the uber luxurious Hotel de Paris on the other. This dream destination’s Mediterranean climate is mild and pleasant, adding to its attraction for celebrities and other wealthy folks to enjoy the sunshine on the beaches and from the decks on board their yachts, moored at Port Hercules, when not island hopping along the coast on the French Riviera.

Due to its limited territory and being the world’s most populated country with 35,000 inhabitants, some land has been reclaimed from the sea to counter the lack of space. Today, Monaco is crammed with skyscrapers and divided into four territories. Monaco-Ville and Monte Carlo are the most popular areas for tourists. The Rock is the old town and home to the ruling Grimaldi family, with the royal palace extending over a considerable area and La Condamine, the south-west area that includes Port Hercules. The changing of the guards can be seen at noon each day, viewed with enthusiasm by large groups of visitors. Towering over the city and the port, the Rock of Monaco stands tall, guarding the entrance to Port Hercules, the playground of the rich and famous. This astonishing port has numerous extravagant yachts and motorised vessels, owned by trendsetters, oil sheikhs, tycoons and corporate entities, moored in the harbour. Each weekend, crowds arrive by train to enjoy the delights of this Principality. >

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Le Louis XV restaurant

In spite of the crowds, one never feels crowded or cramped for space. Port Hercules hosts some of the most distinguished boutique hotels and if you are interested in gorgeous watercraft, this is the best vantage point from where you can observe daily life on board these floating mansions. The sleek and sophisticated Port Palace Hotel, a very chic and urban establishment with a location not easily equated by any other hotel, is part of the group of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and the standard of service and ambience is superb. Breakfast is served on the rooftop with a spectacular view across the bay to the Rock of Monaco and the Eastern façade of the palace. The elegant and chic interior clearly reflects the influence and style of Hermes’s Leila Menchari, who ensured the brand’s immaculate taste and panache remain evident. For years, Hermes brand has been well represented in Monaco as Princess Grace elevated her favourite Hermes bag to iconic status and this same bag now bears the name, the ‘Kelly bag’ by Hermes. The Kelly bag is a prize investment and desired by any fashion conscious woman.

Monaco has an abundance of exceptional dining options with highly rated restaurants scattered around Monte Carlo. One of the best and most famous gourmet institutions is the Le Louis XV restaurant at the Alain Ducasse a L’Hotel de Paris, which was established in 1864 and was one of the first elite hotels in the town. The newly renovated Le Louis XV offers excellent cuisine for an epicurean sensation that is not easy to describe, leaving any client with treasured memories of an unforgettable experience for the taste

buds. The wine list includes wines sourced from the best cellars in the world, and simply reading through the available selection before making your choice, will tempt your palate. Service at this restaurant is impeccable and precise, with a platoon of attentive and subtle waitrons. The sophisticated and old-world style interior is palatial, so if this gastronomical paradise is on your radar, dress in your most fashionable and smartest attire, as even the seasoned traveller and gourmand will be awed by the experience.

The famous Casino de Monte-Carlo attracts an international clientele due to its history, décor and variety of table games and slot machines, as well as a theatre and the office of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo. Interestingly, no citizen of Monaco may enter the gaming rooms. The casino first opened in 1863 and the imposing building, with the Belle Epoque style of architecture, overlooks the splendid gardens, adorned with a spectacular mirror ball, reflecting the glitz, glamour and grandeur. The casino has imposing neighbours – the Hotel de Paris and the famous Café de Paris. The Café de Paris has a casual ambience and is regarded as a tourist attraction for those looking for a vantage point from where they can view the opulent surroundings and patrons of the casino. The luxury vehicles used by the wealthy clients are carefully parked to showcase their style, with the front of the cars facing the casino.

Travelling to Monaco is easiest by helicopter, unless, of course, you are being driven in a suitably designed vehicle along the winding

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roads through the hills from Nice Airport. The road is adventurous and challenging, even for an experienced driver. After all, it is here where the Monaco Grand Prix Formula One race happens on an annual basis, the most popular annual event. This race, considered to be one of the most significant and prestigious internationally, first took place in 1929 and the 78 laps cover slightly more than 260km and together with the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, forms the Triple Crown of Motorsport. Regarded as ‘an exceptional location of glamour and prestige’, the course is laid throughout the streets of Monaco, winding and climbing through tight corners and is regarded as one of the trickiest courses on the circuit. Driver Nelson Picquet compared it to ‘riding a bicycle around your living room’.

The old town, known as Monaco-Ville or ‘the Rock’ is often referred to as the heart of Monaco and a medieval village at heart, consisting of only pedestrian streets and passages. There are plenty of buildings dating back to previous centuries. There are numerous quaint and interesting little shops and a variety of accommodation and restaurants available in this part. Finding a café or restaurant is easy in the city. There is a huge variety with varying price tags and excellent food, for simple meals during the day as you watch the world go by – another favourite sport here where the trendsetters come together. However, dining in Monaco can be rather a shock to the person who is paying the bill. You are likely to be seated next to a famous person, enjoy the most out-of-this-world meals in luxurious surroundings, but the prices are high. Restaurants such >

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Jimmy’z Nightclub

as Le Grill de L’Hotel de Paris has a wine list of 600,000 wines to choose from to accompany their interesting and delicious dishes on the menu.

At night, Monaco offers a variety of entertainment and you will need more than one night to appreciate it. There are several beautiful casinos, trendy clubs and lounges where you can quietly sip your champagne or sample a cocktail in stylish surroundings, with a fashionable and celebrity-style crowd and music continuing through the night. Bars and pubs with a variety of décor are open until dawn and you will be spoilt for choice. For those who are in need of more action and wish to rub shoulders with the jetsetters, the experience of visiting Jimmy’z is a must, a super glamorous nightclub, opening at 11.30 and closing at sunrise. It’s an iconic landmark and has been in existence since 1970, with elegant lounging areas to while away the time. Other favourite clubs with similar opening times include Black Legend, La Rascasse and the Sass Café. Gala evenings are presented at the Salle des Etoiles and a programme of events is always available for summer nights while the Cuban Bar in the Casino offers fabulous cabaret shows during winter.

For outdoor excursions in Monaco, there is an abundance of interesting things to do. The fascinating Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is highly rated. The Japanese Gardens and The Jardin E

Xotique de Monaco will delight gardening enthusiasts with a considerable number of exotic plants on display. There is the private collection of antique cars, which belonged to H.S.H. Prince Rainier III, the Saint Nicholas Cathedral, as well as several palaces to visit, besides the astounding beauty of the harbour, beaches and scenery.

Shopping in Monaco is not for the faint hearted as it is an ideal setting for the prestigious labels in haute couture, jewellery and perfume. The most famous shops are in the Cercle d’Or and as in most of the shopping areas, nothing less than high-end style and service can be expected. Extravagant displays and alluring designs of clothing and accessories will tantalise and tempt you, obviously with many zeros added to the price tag. So be prepared to part with a handsome amount of money to blend in with society before you set out for the cocktail hour, or perhaps that nautical outfit required for setting off into the sunset on a luxury yacht, cruise style.

Health spas invite you into their world class standards of relaxation and beauty treatments. Enjoy treatments, and there is a huge list available for your pleasure. It is near essential to visit a spa to rejuvenate and prepare as you continue with your discovery of the sophisticated lifestyle available in Monaco and for what lies ahead once you take to the coastal road onwards to the Italian border, visiting small and charming villages along the French Riviera. • Nicolene Richards

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