EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Design
elestilo.co.uk
EL ESTILO* visits the Tesla showroom in Kinghtsbridge to do a photo shoot with Carly Stratton wearing Almagro Couture
MARK MCGOUGH Magazine Designer mcgough.mark@gmail.com HELENA TEPLI Photographer tepli.helena@gmail.com AYESHA MUBARAK Make-up and Hair ayeshanmubarak@yahoo.co.uk LOUIS JULIEN Stylist julien_louis@me.com
Contents
DESIGN 08 Songdo 12 Azimut 64 Yacht 14 Piaget FASHION 20 Carly Stratton 25 RCA Graduates 27 UCA News 28 Coventry News LIFESTYLE 32 Necker Island 34 Necker Nymph 36 The Venetian® Macao 38 Shanghai Tang Café 40 The Polilâne Bakery 41 Gaucho Restaurant
Welcome
elestilo.co.uk
OPPOSITE PAGE Left Outfit design: TalisaQi.com Photographer: Ray Anderson MUA: laralockwood.com Models: Larissa and ZhenZhen Right Outfit design: Asia Wysoczyńska Photographer: Tomasz Jedrszczyk Models: Olga Radwan and Adrian Igielski @ Mango Models Written Piece Georgie May
In this issue we have Carly Stratton, winner of the 2008 TV show ‘Shipwrecked, Battle of the Islands’, modelling clothes by Almagro Couture. The photo shoot took place at the Tesla showroom in Knightsbridge, London. For those of you that don’t know it yet the Tesla Roadster is an electric supercar twice as energy efficient as a Toyota Prius and faster than a Porsche. Also in the magazine is Songdo International Business District, a city development in South Korea which plans to integrate computers into every apartment, office and street to monitor social behaviour, increase efficiency and help make the city greener. We also have exciting fashion news from Coventry University, the Royal College of Art and The University for the Creative Arts. And lots more! MARK MCGOUGH | EDITOR mcgough.mark@gmail.com 4
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Fashion
Showcase
I aspire to be a role model to young girls that their parents would be happy with. Encouraging girls that beauty is not solely on the outside, inner beauty and helping others always shines through, making yourself proud and loving who you are. This is a very important thing to learn while growing up and such little knowledge can do so much to a young girls life. Being a model I have learnt many things regarding body confidence but there are some tips that really seem to work for me. This is not to say that they will work on you but i am sure that they will help you realise your own body confidence tips along the way. • We must love our individuality. • No one is better or worse than yoube proud of who you are! • Do not get weighed down by other people´s opinions- you can´t please everyone all the time. • Recognise your good points- your eyes or your smile or something along those lines. And only ever change or improve things for yourself,
not for anyone else! • A woman´s body should be respected and adored. Who makes the rules of what your body should look like? You only have one body so why not love it? Take a look in a long mirror and realise your beauty. • Don´t follow the newest fashion to a T, pick key things and work them into your own style- it´s about personality and individuality. • Dump the baggage or ´I should be this or that´and let your soul shine through • Always have a head band or hair accessory as a back up for those bad hair days. And always have those key pieces of clothing that you look great in as a back up for those feeling fat days. • Always walk with your shoulders back and your head held high. The correct posture always shows off your body confidence. And looking confident means feeling confident! A role model is someone who enjoys life, knows right from wrong and acts upon this knowledge, with what Georgie May has written it is clear that she is a very positive role model
for young girls and I would rather my daughter look up to a girl like her than a celebrity that are constantly in the tabloids for the wrong reasons. I only have positive feedback for her. Jane, Aberdeen. I feel so much more confident after reading this. I think that all girls should read it, every time I go out I love my curves rather than being jealous of the other girls that look like teenage boys. Trisha, berkhamstead. Not only is she skinny but she has curves so she knows what she is talking about. I cannot believe it when skinny women think they can give opinions on larger womens figures. I love this girl! Amanda, Hertfordshire. I now have a special draw with my clothes for those 'feeling fat days', I feel so much better knowing that my little draw is there. And instead of looking for my bad points, every time I look into the mirror I search for what makes me beautiful. Thanks. Hayley, Yorkshire. By Georgie May EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Profile
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EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
Yuan Yuan
Y
uan Yuan recently appeared on ITV1’s ‘This Morning’ cooking a fabulous Tuna dish. According to Gino, her mentor for the contest, it was ‘cooked perfectly’. She didn’t win but she did stand out. Mark McGough and Yuan Yuan crossed paths in December 2007, when the first Miss Wimbledon event was held. She was living in Southfields at the time and saw one of the posters that had been put up and decided to enter. But she was not your typical contestant. With a post graduate degree in Film Making, who had also been a successful TV presenter in China, she was the dream contestant. For the talent round she performed ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ and blew away the audience. Yuan Yuan was the only one to get everyone clapping and cheering and as a result won the Charismatic award. After proving herself in Wimbledon she moved to Central London where she got a job working on the postproduction for ‘The X Factor’ and ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. In 2009 she came back as a judge for Miss Wimbledon and in 2010 was made the Mr & Miss Wimbledon Ambassador to China. After a successful start to her career, she’s now busy getting TV experience in the UK. We’ll keep you updated on her progress.
EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Design
songdo.com
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EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
Green City
EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Design
songdo.com
T
he $35 billion Songdo International Business District (IBD) is being built on 1,500 acres of reclaimed land along the Yellow Sea in Incheon, South Korea at the site of General MacArthur’s 1950 landing. Songdo is being developed by
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Gale International, a premier international real estate investment and development company headquartered in New York. Songdo, the largest private real estate venture in history, will include forty-five million square feet of office space, thirty million square feet of residential space, ten million square feet of retail, five million square feet of hotel space and ten million square feet of public space. Every conceivable cultural and recreational amenity will be available including an international preparatory school, a Central Park, an art museum, an international hospital, the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea and the Convensia Convention Center. When completed in 2015, Songdo will
be home to 65,000 residents and 300,000 people will commute in daily as office workers or students. Songdo IBD was designed to promote green growth and become a model for future, sustainable city-scale developments, not only in Asia, but across the globe. Songdo is using as a framework the evolving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) For Neighborhood Development certification. Songdo is the first urban area to aspire to LEED-ND certification for an entire city. Songdo will be comprised of 40% green space and is pedestrian city, featuring a first-rate system of public transportation comprising buses, subways and water taxis, as well as
Green City “Songdo is just an 80 minute flight to Shanghai, a 90 minute flight to Tokyo and a three hour flight to Hong Kong” extensive bikeways and electric-car rentals. Songdo’s core components – Convensia Convention Center, Convention Center Hotel, Central Park and canal system, hotels, many residential projects and infrastructure projects, such as the water, energy and transportation systems opened August, 2009. The iconic 68-storey Northeast Asia Trade Tower, which will be South Korea’s tallest building is scheduled for completion later this year. The Chadwick International Preparatory School opened this month along with the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea, which hosted the PGA Champions Tour, September 10-12, 2010. The Incheon Bridge, a dedicated 7.4 mile bridge that connects Songdo IBD to Incheon International Airport opened October, 2009. Songdo’s proximity to the airport, ranked as the best airport in the world, is attracting attention from corporations as Songdo is just an 80 minute flight to Shanghai, a 90 minute flight to Tokyo and a three hour flight to Hong Kong. Songdo has been heralded as the epitome of the Aerotropolis concept. EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Design
azimutyachts.com
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EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
Azimut 64 Yacht
T
he Azimut 64 is over 20 meters long, the hatural heir to the Azimut 62, a model rewarded with unprecedented sales success: 200 units sold world-wide. Stylistic innovation, an exceptional level of safety, excellent navigability: the Azimut 64 reinterprets and updates the strong points that made the 62’s commercial feat possible. The originality and sportiness of the design are apparent at the very first glance. The lines of the deckhouse exude elegance and harmony, with bold windows made more aggressive by the fin of the flybridge that emerges at the level of the saloon. The mirror-finish glass placed on the roll bar further refines what is already perfect. EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Design
piaget.com
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Piaget
MOJITO
INSPIRATION COCKTAIL RING
18-carat white gold ring set with 182 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx 1.57 ct), 1 cushion-cut green tourmaline (approx 24.56 ct) 1 carved citrine (approx. 3 ct), 16 round-cut tsavorites (approx. 1.56 ct),120 round-cut emeralds (approx. 1.01 ct), 8 marquise-cut emeralds (approx. 0.61 ct). Ref. G34LP200 EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Design
piaget.com
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EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
Piaget
WHISKY ON THE ROCKS INSPIRATION COCKTAIL RING
18-carat yellow gold ring set with 100 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx 0.83 ct), 1 cushion-cut citrine (approx 27 ct) and 2 carved quartz ( approx 2.64 ct). Ref. G34LP300 EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Design
piaget.com
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EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
Piaget
WHITE TONIC INSPIRATION COCKTAIL RING
18-carat white gold ring set with 44 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx 1.56 ct), 1 round-cut bead peridot (approx 7.22 ct). Ref. G34LP400 EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Fashion
teslamotors.com
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EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
Carly Stratton at the Tesla Showroom
EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Fashion
teslamotors.com
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EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
Carly Stratton at the Tesla Showroom
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“An electric dress for an electric car”
So why did we do it at the Tesla showroom? Well, we like to publish innovative design and the Tesla Roadster certainly ticks that box. It’s
the first production automobile to use lithium-ion battery cells and the first production EV (electric vehicle) with a range greater than 200 miles (320 km) per charge. The base model accelerates 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.9 seconds and, according to Tesla Motor’s environmental analysis, is twice as energy efficient as the Toyota Prius. But what really excited us was shooting Carly modelling an electric dress for an electric car.
his is El Estilo’s second photo shoot with photographer Helena Tepli and make-up artist/hair stylist Ayesha Mubarak. Modelling for this issue is Carly Stratton, winner of the 2008 TV show ‘Shipwrecked, Battle of the Islands’. She is wearing Almagro Couture by Joana Almagro. Assisting us on his first shoot is Louis Julien, an up & coming stylist and directing the shoot is Mark McGough.
EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Fashion
teslamotors.com
Carly is somebody to watch out for. With stunning looks, impeccable punctuality, the highest level of professionalism, very friendly and polite, pro-active, highly intelligent, an enormous amount of modelling and TV experience , still only in her early 20’s, there’s definitely potential for her to fight her way to the top. Joana Almagro is another one to keep an eye on. She is an up & coming fashion designer from the Philippines although now resides in the UK. Almagro Couture is her fashion label, which creates made to order, one
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of a kind, hand crafted luxurious design for weddings, evening gowns, prom dresses and ready-to-wear clothes. Each design is formed with collaboration and consultation between client’s requirements and Joana’s design proficiency. Once again Helena Tepli, our official photographer, has proven that she is still Queen of the camera. And Ayesha Mubarak, our official make-up artist and hair stylist, pulled off another great look. Louis Julien was also on hand to assist and give some great styling advice.
“Each design is formed with collaboration and consultation between client’s requirements and Joana’s design proficiency”
Fashion
rca.ac.uk
Post Graduates from Royal College of Art
DESIGNER Marielle Van De Ven
DESIGNER Miyoko Kamijo
DESIGNER Kirsty Emery
DESIGNER Alison Linton
DESIGNER Caroline Pambakian
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
DESIGNER Cecilie Bahnsen
DESIGNER Danielle Romeril
DESIGNER Frances Conteh
DESIGNER Sophia Webster
DESIGNER Kathleen Connors
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
MODEL Michellle Ouelette @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Fashion
rca.ac.uk
Post Graduates from Royal College of Art
DESIGNER Zara Gorman
DESIGNER Jung-Yoon Shin
DESIGNER Victoria Stone
DESIGNER Yuli Yuferev
DESIGNER Sara Bro-Jorgensen
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Michellle Ouelette @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
DESIGNER Simone Sommer
DESIGNER Poppy Cartwright
DESIGNER Sam McCoach
DESIGNER Morten Olesen
DESIGNER Nabil El-Nayal
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
PHOTOGRAPHER Louise Te Poele
MODEL Michellle Ouelette @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Suki Waterhouse @ Union Models
MODEL Michellle Ouelette @ Union Models
MODEL Michellle Ouelette @ Union Models
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EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
Fashion
ucreative.ac.uk
Graduate Design Taken On Tour By Florence and The Machine
Pop sensation Florence and The Machine has been seen wearing a cape designed by a recent graduate from the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) at Epsom. Alice Halliday, who recently left UCA Epsom with a 2:1 in BA (Hons) Fashion created a hooded, floor-length cape made out of lace for her Graduate Fashion Week collection in June. The 22-year-old from Skibbereen, Co Cork, Ireland, designed the cape with Florence Welch in mind and contacted her stylist to see if she would like to wear it. Alice said: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard that Florence loved my design so much she wanted take it on her tour of Australia. I ran around screaming with joy and have been feeling so excited ever since. “Florence has been my muse for some time and even after the first stitch I could imagine her wearing it. “There is nobody I would rather wear my cape, and to take it to the other side of the world to Australia, makes it even more surreal and exciting.” Florence was first photographed wearing Alice’s crystal and sequin embellished cape at the Splendour in
the Grass festival in Queensland on 30 July 2010. Alice continued: “It felt amazing to see Florence wearing my cape – it looks magical on her and really is a dream come for me. “I’m so proud that the hard work my friends, my sister and I put into beading the cape until the early hours has paid off, I feel so happy.” The popstar may be used to wearing expensive clothes but Alice’s design was made from material from a charity shop. Alice explained: “I bought a huge lacy table cloth from a cancer research charity shop in Epsom for £2. I then draped it and tied a ribbon around the neck to form a hooded cape reminiscent of the religious garments that I had researched. “I then decided it needed to be illuminated and sparkle, so with the help of some wonderful friends, I covered it with beads, crystals and sequins.” Alice is hoping to continue her fashion career by working for a designer in London or Paris for the next few years before pursuing her own label. EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Fashion
coventry.ac.uk
A
team of five graduates from Coventry University is spending this autumn working with award-winning fashion designer Gavin Douglas as he prepares his spring/summer 2011 collection. The fashion graduates are making use of the University’s state-of-theart studios to help with research, development and production on Mr Douglas’s new designs. Since starting his business in 2004, Birmingham-based Mr Douglas has carved a reputation for producing a 28
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unique brand of high-end fashion for women. His ultra-chic garments – which have been worn by the likes of Kelly Rowland and Estelle – have won him a string of commendations, including Avant-Garde Designer of the Year in 2004 and the prestigious Fashion Fringe award in 2006. Mr Douglas showcased his debut collection during the Caribbean Fashion Week in 2005 and has gone on to exhibit designs at major fashion shows in London and Paris. His brand has wholesaled to high-end stores
such as Harrods and Yoox.com. As part of the new collaboration with Coventry University, Mr Douglas is providing graduates with exclusive industry experience – including roles such as pattern cutting, print designing and garment production – while offering a series of on-campus workshops for fashion undergraduates over the next academic year. The paid internships, which are being supported by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), reflect the University’s increased focus on helping its students and graduates
Working for Gavin Douglas at Coventry
to develop their employability skills and meet the demands of today’s challenging job market. Ann Muirhead, Head of Fashion at Coventry University, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for all the graduates involved. We’re very excited to be collaborating with Gavin, and the department is looking forward to building a strong relationship with him from which both sides can benefit. This is also an excellent example of how the University is engaging with the business community not only to help develop research and innovation, but also to help our students and graduates progress into the world of work.” Gavin Douglas said: “Coventry University has some of the most advanced technology and machinery used within the fashion industry. It’s fantastic for me to have access to this machinery to develop my new line. I’m looking forward to working with the fashion department and their students and graduates. The graduates are getting the opportunity to observe and actively participate in the creation of our new line of clothing, from the concept to the completed garment which I’m sure they’ll agree will be an exciting experience.” Dawn Edwards, one of the Fashion graduates on placement with Mr Douglas, said: “My internship with Gavin has allowed me to develop my skills in
areas in which I want to specialise in the future, such as creating print designs for a variety of garments from t-shirts to dresses. I’ve also worked on other projects such as designing the layout for the look book and for Gavin’s website, and interpreting his sketches into technical drawings to
be sent to manufacturers. Gavin has been really helpful, passing on his industry experience and providing us with the opportunity to demonstrate our specific and specialist skills gained through Coventry University’s Fashion course. It’s been a very valuable experience.” EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Fashion
piaget.com
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EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
Piaget
L
uxurious and playful. Crystalline and festive. Shimmering and fragrant… The jewellery and watches from the Limelight Paradise collection compose a fascinating ode to the magic of dreams and exotic surroundings. Whether warm seas, luxuriant tropical flowers or the refined world of yachting, the themes evoked by these creations confirm Piaget’s extraordinarily audacious creative liberty. A freedom that can only be fully expressed through the expertise of the master jewellery and watchmakers, whose talent has once again given rise to a collection endowed with an exquisitely extravagant personality. A fascinating immersion into a shimmering lagoon… to find unexpected treasures. First of all, the ceaseless wonderment of tropical waters. Blue-tinted aquamarines, green tourmalines, amethysts and diamonds create a
smooth chromatic flow that is a sheer visual delight. The magic gemstones waft gracefully to shore on necklaces, earrings and watches, like drops of rain warmed by the sun.
like a promise of tenderness. A ring, necklace, earrings and hairband whisper tales of the gentle island way of life.
Then it’s time to explore the atolls. The delicate purity of coral is interpreted by gleaming precious metal and gems. Nature reigns supreme. White gold is skilfully fashioned to form the gentle arborescence of a luminous diamond-studded reef.
“The themes evoked by these creations confirm Piaget’s extraordinarily audacious creative liberty” Finally, a stunning marine life encounter, in which hundreds of white gold, diamond and Akoya pearl “scales” undulate over a stretch of beautifully tanned skin. Worthy heirs to historical know-how, cuff-watches float gently away on the tide. The pink gold version is immersed by a delightful breaker wave of brown sapphires and copper-coloured, orange and pink garnets. An exotic island… that captivates the senses. Within this verdant paradise, yellow sapphires surrounded by five white chalcedony petals form resplendent frangipani flowers. A glowing token of genuine welcome, they rest tenderly against the skin or slide into the hair
A secret watch revealing an entirely paved dial beneath a diamondstudded bed of flowers symbolises the magic of time that stands still to allow one to savour the moment in hand. The generously rounded white gold case is softened by a delicate openworked motif: the exquisitely scalloped material filters the light and covers time with a protective shadow, transforming the watch into a sparkling pattern of plant-life arabesques. Suddenly, a few carefree butterflies drawn to the heady floral fragrance flit onto the twilight scene. Playing on the warm breezes, their diamond wings flutter around a 17-carat Ceylon diamond set on a white gold ring. A necklace, earrings and bracelet – adorned with fiery red rubies or sky blue sapphires –quiver joyfully around irresistibly graceful feminine curves. EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Lifestyle
virginlimitededition.com
“At 74 acres, Necker sits in turquoise waters surrounded by coral reefs and fringed with beautiful white sandy beaches” 32
EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island
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ecker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s private island paradise, is situated in the British Virgin Islands, Caribbean. At 74 acres, Necker sits in turquoise waters surrounded by coral reefs and fringed with beautiful white sandy beaches. Necker is hired privately, for up to 28 guests, with 60 staff. If not looking to hire the island privately, guests can enjoy the Necker experience ‘house party’ style during Celebration Weeks when
individual rooms can be booked by singles or couples. Necker Island Accommodation: Necker consists of the 14 bedrooms in total - eight bedrooms in the Great House and six beautiful private Balinese Houses. The Great House: This majestic, airy Balinese villa sits on Devil’s Hill and boasts panoramic views of the Caribbean. There are six double rooms and a Junior Suite on EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Lifestyle
virginlimitededition.com
the main level and a Master Suite on the upper level. Bali Houses: Bali Hi, Bali Cliff, Bali Beach, Bali Lo, Bali Buah and Bali Kukila. Bali Hi, Bali Cliff and Bali Beach are built on a cliff in order to maximise views, sea breezes and the sounds of the sea. Bali Lo, Bali Buah and Bali Kukila are built in the middle of the island and boast wonderful views with a large private pool. Necker Island Activities: Necker Island has a large selection of state of the art water sports equipment, enabling guests to try kite-surfing, sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, kayaking, power boat trips and plenty more. There is a fully equipped gymnasium with stunning sea views and two floodlit tennis courts. The energetic can take the
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two-hour walk around the island to view the flora and fauna while those simply wishing to be pampered can enjoy a treatment at the Bali Leha spa, built into a cliff overlooking the sea. Food & Drink Fine food is the highlight of any guest’s stay and Necker Island rates are fully inclusive of all food and all beverages, including champagne! How to get there: The closest International airport to Necker Island is on Tortola (Beef Island), which is a 35-minute flight from San Juan and a 1 hour 20 minute flight from Antigua. It is possible to fly to the British Virgin Islands via many parts of the Caribbean with the most popular routes being via San Juan, Antigua and St Thomas.
By boat, Necker is approximately 30 minutes from Tortola and 10 minutes from Virgin Gorda where there is another smaller airport. It is also possible to reach Necker Island by helicopter from Tortola, Virgin Gorda, St Thomas, San Juan and many other neighbouring islands. NECKER NYMPH Virgin Limited Edition enters the underwater world, welcoming Necker Nymph, a DeepFlight three-person aero submarine. Likened to an underwater aircraft, this open cockpit winged sub is the first of its kind to hit the market - would Sir Richard Branson want it any other way? Designed and built by renowned engineer, Graham Hawkes, of Hawkes Ocean Technologies, Necker Nymph
Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Nymph
represents a new class of highperformance, positively buoyant vehicles which safely extend the overall capabilities of scuba, while offering the unique experience of underwater flight. Unlike all conventional subs which use ballast to sink in the water, Necker Nymph uses downward ‘lift’ on the wings to fly down to depth. Available either when chartering Necker Belle, the luxury 105 foot catamaran, or when staying on Necker Island, underwater flight on Necker Nymph takes exploration to another level. Gliding on the water’s surface like an aeroplane on a runway, one of the three pilots will
operate the joystick to smoothly dive down, and the thrilling experience begins. Uncover ancient shipwrecks, fly side-by-side with dolphins, or spyhop with whales; the options are endless. With the flexibility to glide peacefully over glorious reefs or bank adventurously, the sub is hydrobatic. Individual “wind shields” remove the pressure of slipstream, enabling comfortable speed and ranges previously unthinkable without enclosing the pilots. The open cockpits allow panoramic viewing for occupants, creating a uniquely open experience. Dives can last up to two hours. Guests follow standard SCUBA procedures and will be trained/ accompanied by a certified Necker
Nymph pilot. Importantly, like all DeepFlight subs, Necker Nymph has near-zero environmental impact. Its positive buoyancy prevents the sub from landing on a reef, and its low light and noise emissions ensure the fragile ocean ecosystems remain undisturbed. Ultra-lightweight and compact, this newest DeepFlight sub was designed specifically for Necker Belle, but can also be launched from shore. When taking Necker Belle for 7-nights’ exclusive hire, the sub is available at a weekly rate of US$ 25,000. The sub may at times be berthed on Necker Island, so if planning a visit, make sure to ask if she’s available! EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Lifestyle
venetianmacao.com
I
n 2007, the opening of The Venetian® Macao – the largest of its kind in Asia – marked the beginning of Cotai Strip®. The Cotai Strip is a visionary new development of luxury, leisure and entertainment resorts as well as business-to-business facilities inspired by the legendary Las Vegas Strip. The Resort: In the two years since it opened, The Venetian Macao has become synonymous with innovative thinking, exceptional service and unparalleled amenities. The 3,000suite integrated resort features stunning replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy. It is also a re-creation of the famous Venetian® ResortHotel-Casino in Las Vegas. Twice the size of its sister property in Las Vegas, The Venetian Macao features the Grand Canal Shoppes, international restaurants, a Cirque du Soleil® theater, the 15,000-seat CotaiArena™, upscale gaming facilities that offer a unique Asian gaming experience, and one of the largest convention, meeting and exhibition centers in Asia. 36
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The Venetian® Macao
“Twice the size of its sister property in Las Vegas” EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Lifestyle
shanghaitang.com
S
hanghai Tang, the pioneering Chinese luxury brand, officially launched its first Shanghai Tang Café restaurant-bar in Shanghai within Xintiandi, one of the leading retail F&B destinations where the Shanghai Tang flagship store is also located.
Chen, and Sisi Lu were amongst the first to try the Shanghai Tang Café contemporary Chinese dishes. During the post party, over 300 guests enjoyed creative canapés and innovative signature cocktails as they chill out to the music of the Shanghai Tang Lounge music collection.
The grand opening party featured a gourmet VIP dinner followed by a post party. Celebrities and social elites such as famous model Tong Chenjie, popular MC Chen
The Shanghai Tang Café is an extension of the brand’s mission to deliver a lifestyle vision of contemporary Chinese chic. It expresses the unique Shanghai
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Tang brand DNA beyond fashion so that more people can enjoy its vibrant multi-sensory world. Raphael le Masne, Executive Chairman of Shanghai Tang said “Shanghai Tang Café truly completes the Shanghai Tang multi-sensory experience by offering inspired flavors to the sense of taste.” Shanghai Tang’s unique vibrant energy, witty humour and cultural richness are clearly reflected in the Shanghai Tang Café’s interior décor,
Shanghai Tang Café “The Shanghai Tang Café is an extension of the brand’s mission to deliver a lifestyle vision of contemporary Chinese chic”
with its use of signature colours in vivid accents, Chinese luxury materials and craftsmanship and exquisite Shanghai Tang signature home products. At the helm of the kitchen is consultant chef Jereme Leung, a multiple award winning chef & former founding chef of the Whampoa Club at the 3 on the Bund renowned for his innovative ‘New Chinese Cuisine’ style of cooking that respects the traditions of Chinese regional cuisine while pushing the envelope in terms of style & presentation. Jereme Leung said “Through Shanghai Tang Café, we hope to offer a new vision of contemporary Chinese cuisine with a heartwarming sense of oriental service.” EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Lifestyle
poilane.fr
T
he world-famous Poilâne bakery on the fashionable rue du Cherche-Midi in Paris has its first London shop on Elizabeth Street, SW1. The bakery and shop are an exact replica of its French counterpart – ergonomically simple and gimmick-free, allowing the quality of the produce to shine through. Londoners can enjoy the most celebrated old-style, handmade, thick-crusted, sourdough bread. The bread is freshly baked every day on the premises, along with countless other delicacies which include: rye bread; nut bread; raisin bread; brioches, croissants, pain au chocolat and the famous Poilâne apple tart. Lionel Poilâne took over his father’s bakery - founded in 1932 - in the early 70’s. Over the next three decades Lionel’s business endeavours and expansions ensured that the Poilâne brand is as synonymous to bread in France as Gordon’s is to gin in Great Britain. After a decade of running the family business, Lionel decided to opt for the traditional rather than the modern in all aspects of his bakery. 40
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The Poilâne Bakery
Therefore, he discarded the baking of the baguette and concentrated solely on the traditional French bread – sourdough. The business is now run by Lionel’s eldest daughter, Apollonia. who expressed an interest in doing so from an early age. It is said that the Romans, using the wheat from the fields around Paris, originally introduced the ‘boule’ to France. Apollonia Poilâne explains, “The baguette isn’t even a true traditional French bread anyway. It began here only around the middle of the 19th Century, when an Austrian Ambassador introduced the recipe for a Viennese-style loaf.” For years, the gourmets of Paris have queued up for Poilâne’s loaves alongside discerning visitors from around the world. Poilâne’s loaves are distributed worldwide – and are particularly popular in Milan, Brussels and Berlin. Distribution even reaches as far afield as Tokyo and America, where thousands of loaves are flown in every year. They have become a part of the staple diet of such luminaries as Robert de Niro, Lauren Bacall and James Coburn. In France, Catherine Deneuve, Audrey Tautou, Vincent Perez and Emanuelle Beart
help make up the 3% of Parisians who consume the bread on a daily basis. The international popularity of the Poilâne loaf is predominantly due to two facts. The first is the unique texture, flavour and versatility of the Poilâne boule. The bread is as delicious with butter and honey as it is with more sophisticated foods such as foie gras, smoked salmon. One of Lionel Poilane’s favourites was Rillettes d’Oie on toasted bread. Due to the quality of flour used and its long fermentation, the boule retains its freshness far longer than other breads. The second factor is that the bread is made exclusively with wheat flour, ground by stone milling and leaven. It is then shaped by hand and baked in wood-heated ovens. Due to this method, the bread contains hundreds of micro-organisms essential for good health. The Poilâne bread is also far easier to digest than most bread as the natural fermentation breaks down the gluten, unlike other bread where the gluten remains. Subsequently, doctors often recommend Poilâne bread (sourdough bread), to patients who have digestive disorders or allergies.
Lifestyle
gauchorestaurants.co.uk
G
aucho Charlotte Street, a 130-cover basement dining restaurant - will continue to serve the popular Gaucho menu, which includes the award winning Nuevo Latino Ceviches, sausages and grilled meats such as Argentine Steaks for which Gaucho restaurants have become notorious. The Gaucho beef comes only from young steers that have feasted on the lush, rich grasses of the Argentine pampas. Their meat is so tender it has been liked to something between veal and
beef as the journey from pampas to table allows the meat to age for four to six weeks, a process that makes it even more tender still. In the restaurant, the meat is cut to order, only salt is added before it is flash grilled - locking in the flavour. Argentine Beef is considered the best in the world due to its reduced fat, increased moisture content, mild climate, rich soil and vast terrain on which the Aberdeen Angus cattle graze. The steaks are cooked in the
Gaucho
traditional Argentine way too, by only turning the cut once there is a greater caremelisation which seals the meat, enhancing the flavour, as the rich juices cannot escape. An extensive cocktail menu is served in the 30-cover mezzanine bar, with cocktails priced from £7.50. Gaucho’s Head barmen and mixologists have collaborated to create the ultimate cocktail experience, putting together a menu of Nuevo Latino influences alongside Gaucho classics. Guests EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Fashion
gauchorestaurants.co.uk
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Gaucho “Cowhide leather furnishings, luxurious chandeliers and leather-panelled walls are featured” will be offered a number of cocktails with an edible aspect such as a miniature Freggo ice cream cone or a shot of jelly to compliment a variety of flavours. A Wine Room, located on the Ground Floor of the restaurant features Gaucho’s 209 exclusively selected Argentine wines, the largest Argentine wine list to be served outside South America. Conceptualise Design has created the signature look of all Gaucho restaurants, and Charlotte Street is no exception. Cowhide leather furnishings, luxurious chandeliers and leather-panelled walls are featured combining the design inspiration of earthy Argentine ranch elements with the sophisticated glamour of Buenos Aires’ nightlife. Gaucho’s success has allowed the brand to continue opening several new restaurants in unique and distinct locations across London, and internationally each year. Through careful design and direction, the Gaucho brand has evolved to develop an award winning restaurant group. Each restaurant in the group has its own individual character, serving local residents, travellers, the business community and aficionados of Argentine cuisine and great steak alike. EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
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Lifestyle
EL ESTILO* / OCTOBER 2010
elestilo.co.uk