I actually do not know where to go first with this beautiful edition! The cover is my absolute favorite, along with all the previous issues! Ever since the shoot I have been constantly looking at the photos and getting so excited to launch...THANK YOU Marcella Martinelli and the amazing Cover Team you have gone above and beyond.
We have also been blessed by the appointments of the following extremely talented editors...
Ruby Hammer MBE - has joined MilliOnair magazine as the new Beauty editor.
Chris Sullivan - a regular contributor to L'Uomo Vogue and GQ also joins MilliOnAir as Style and Travel editor. Ciona Johnson-King - is MilliOnAir's Beauty Contributor.
Juliet Herd - Contributing Features editor writing on Celebrity Art & Culture.
Bridget Hancock - Health and Wellbeing editor. Marcella Martinelli - Fashion & Jewellery director. So what an amazing year so far.
This edition explores the latest in new trends; Art that has the critics talking, Fashion for the Spring/Summer including a push towards shades of reds and pinks; stunning designs; inspiring people and beauty lip treats to give you the ultimate natural pout by Ruby Hammer MBE (P138) and so much more...Enjoy.
Millie Cooper Editor in Chief
We are accessible online, so you can take us anywhere in the world whether it be via your smart phone,computer or tablet. Here is our link for your entertainmentwww.moa-global.com. 'not only access this edition but our back catalogue'.
Adler "Fantasy" earrings in pink gold set with 2 fancy shape kunzites two oval cut green tourmalines and diamonds.
Adler Necklace "Fantasy" in pink gold set with one pear-shaped morganite one pearshaped light pink tourmaline and diamonds
Adler Ring "Shinsei" in pink gold set with one diamond and diamonds
Pink laser cut top by Paskal
Left hand: Adler Caméléon” ring in white gold set with purple sapphires
A selection of “Méandres” white gold rings set in orange, pink sapphires, rubies and diamonds
Right hand: Adler white gold ring set with one cushion cut amethysts, two half moon cut diamonds and diamonds all around.
Fern flower trench coat Paskal Van Cleef & Arpels Bouton d’or pendant and earrings Yellow gold, lapis lazuli, Turquoise, Diamonds
Amira top by Roksanda
Calleija Yellow Beryl and diamonds chandelier drop earrings with diamonds set in yellow and white gold
Left hand: Calleija Milenia ring light pink diamond set in white diamonds in platinum and rose gold.
Right hand: Calleija Blue Iris Aquamarine Ring featuring an aquamarine set with white diamonds in Platinum and Rose Gold Calleija Amaya Blue Sapphire Cuff with round cut Sapphires set in white gold
Ong-Oaj Pairam Miss Teria gown, printed silk chiffon with gathered bodice detail
Niquesa VENICE BAUTA pendant, 18kt Yellow Gold, Amazonite cabochon, Rubies, Blue Sapphires and Diamonds available at Niquesa Fine Jewellery
VENICE SIGNATURE ring, Rose Gold Mandarine Garnet, Orange Sapphires and Brilliant Cut Diamonds
VENICE ARLECCHINO ring, Yellow Gold Pink Sapphire, Rubies, Multicoloured Sapphires and White DiamondsJewellery Right hand VENICE PULCINELLA ring, Yellow Gold
Facetted Ametrine, Multicoloured Sapphires and White Diamonds available at VENICE COLUMBINA ring in rose gold
Oval facetted Amethyst, Rubelite, Aquamarines and White Diamonds
VENICE BAUTA ring, in Rose Gold, Amazonite, Diamonds and Rubies
Chopard earrings from the Temptations collection featuring two pear-shaped amethysts, heart-shaped pink sapphires, rubies, blue sapphires and amethysts, set in rose gold
Right hand: Chopard ring from the Red Carpet collection featuring one pear-shaped morganite, round shaped pink sapphires, diamonds and aquamarines set in white gold Chopard ring from the Temptations collection featuring rubies, blue sapphires, pink sapphires, amethysts and tourmalines, set in white gold
Roksanda Carina dress
Left hand: Chopard artichoke ring from the Haute Joaillerie collection featuring emeralds, tsavorite, amethysts and pastel pink sapphires set in white gold and Chopard ring from the Temptations collection featuring one pear-shaped amethyst, tsavorite and two smaller amethysts set in white gold
Amira top by Roksanda Calleija Yellow Beryl and diamonds chandelier drop earrings with diamonds set in yellow and white gold
Issey Miyake dress De Grisogono earrings Melody of Colours earrings: white gold, amethyst, white diamond, spinel Left hand De Grisogono Onde ring in rose gold, ruby, white diamond and Onde ring in rose gold, white diamonds & pink sapphire. Right hand: De Grisogono large ring Melody of Colours ring: white gold, purple sapphire, icy diamonds, white diamonds and Doppia ring in rose gold, amethyst & white diamond
Turquoise Puff sleeve laser top by Paskal Bucherer Fine Jewellery Pastello earrings in rose gold set with 8 coloured sapphires and attached Fine Pastello earrings in rose gold set with 16 coloured sapphires.
This season, the CHANEL Summer 2019 eyewear collection is a story about sunshine, the beach, natural materials and light. It is also a story of fashion, inspired by the House's Spring-Summer 2019 Ready-toWear runway show.
Faded or raw, denim lends itself to all sorts of creations. Now CHANEL is using it for some decidedly modern glasses. A small, ultra-light oval frame is worn high up on the nose transforming a gaze or a face. Rimmed with denim and held by metallic temples, it comes with lenses ranging from a transparent sea blue to a grey-blue and deep blue.
A pilot frame, also swathed in denim, accompanies and imposes a masculine/feminine style. Designs in acetate with exclusive prints - rectangle and oval for the sunglasses, butterfly and oval for the opticals - are adorned with wide temples in denim quilted by needle or by laser. One trompe-l’œil that calls for another: a denim or sand effect in acetate highlights delicate metal frames with blue or amber lenses.
Straw hats and rope espadrilles are the signs of a sunny summer. CHANEL daringly reinvents them as a detail on a line of glasses in seaside hues. Composed of three feminine and joyful shapes they require an artisanal savoir-faire. Round and bursting with freshness, the first is enhanced with hand-woven straw inserted into the circles surrounding the lens. Five different shades of lenses, from ultra-pale blue to smoky grey, are combined with these metal frames. As a nod to CHANEL, the ultimate frame, in black and beige, revisits the emblematic two-tone of the House.
A translucent acetate surrounds the rectangular and butterfly frames and extends into wide, comfortable temples around which a fine rope is meticulously rolled by hand. These timeless shapes come in tones of sand, tortoiseshell, blue, black and olive to support the gradated lenses.
Playing a classical score that's never just that. This is what defines the subtlety of CHANEL. While its glasses in denim or dressed in straw and cord are discreetly marked with a double C, the House also plays with the opposite of this sobriety on a third line of glasses in the Summer 2019 collection. As with certain pieces of the Ready-to-Wear and certain accessories of the season, the name CHANEL appears in all its letters on the dark acetate of optical frames and sunglasses. In pale gold, silver, brown or black, the six XXL letters are laid in relief on the temples, perfectly assumed, on acetate in black or taupe, fawn, grey and brown coloured tortoiseshell. Deliberately classic colours, duos that are occasionally tone-on-tone or enhanced with lenses in 24-carat yellow gold and XL frames with easy to wear lines: round or square for the sunglasses, rectangular, square and round for the opticals.
Asserting one's style every day, merging fashion and timelessness to set the pace, this is the guiding principal for eyewear according to CHANEL. The glasses in the Summer 2019 collection will be available in boutiques from March 2019.
DIORGRAND BAL OPERA
The Dior Grand Bal collection is unveiling ten newpieces inspired bythe fabulous world of the Opera.
The DiorGrand Bal Opera timepieces areequipped with the “Dior Inversé 11 1/2” calibre, featuring the oscillating weightplaced on top of the dial and adorned withgold and diamonds. The interplayof net, transparency and layered effects seemstodance around likea ballet and echoes the precious embroideries on Monsieur Dior's dresses.
The newDior Grand Bal series innovates witha brand newsquarecase, referring tothe baroque and grandiosearchitectureof Parisian opera sublimated byfacades,columns and arcades.
One-of-a-kind pieces
DIOR GRAND SOIRREINE DES ABEILLES
The Dior Grand Soir collection unveils fourteen new pieces featuring the bee, small inhabitant in the beloved gardens of Mr Dior.
These airy-light creatures are adorned with tourmalines, sapphires, rubies, amethysts, tsavorite garnets, opal or even feathers to become real multicoloured pieces of jewellery. Their wings, decorated with precious stones and shimmering materials, seem to be fluttering in a sublimely ethereal spectacle in a perfect buzzing.
The white gold case fully paved with diamonds becomes the queen bees’ own sparkling hive. These timepieces are equipped with a quartz movement and an adjustment corrector.
Have you ever dreamt of what it must be like to be totally lost in the wilderness? And when I say wilderness yes I mean the likes of lets say… Zimbabwe, Africa. Well, lost may be a slight exaggeration, however, emotionally I have never felt so free with such clarity....
Our trip to Africa came totally out of the blue. Two weeks prior to going I was approached by a friend who owns a stock image company, Image Source. She was planning a shoot in Cape Town and needed a couple to get involved, so naturally Jean and I jumped at the opportunity when asked to go to South Africa. Wanting to make the most out of our trip we decided to contact the lifestyle and tourism company Pure Africa, to help us plan the remainder of our travels. As this really was so last minute we really didn’t have enough time to even think about what we wanted to do whilst there. All I knew was that there was no way I was going to Africa and not going on Safari! Thankfully the guys at Pure Africa dealt with everything, and when I say everything I mean, from the moment we touched down in Cape Town to the car rental to the vineyard tour right through to booking our internal flights into the bush in Zimbabwe plus all of our restaurant bookings inbetween. All we had to do was say yes to the proposed itinerary. So leading up to our adventure Jean and I started watching a tonne of documentaries on wildlife. That however, could have never prepared us for how truly spectacular it was to experience first hand everything Africa had to offer.
So lets start at the beginning with Cape Town...
THEULTIMATEADVENTURE
We managed to find very reasonable flights with British Airways. The flight was eleven hours and thirty minutes in total which compared to our trip to Tahiti was a breeze! We arrived on the over night flight which landed at 7.45am well rested and excited to explore South Africa. We had hired a car from the airport as we were advised that with all we had planned this would be the most convenient. We then headed to our friend's apartment where we would be spending the first night before heading to the villa for the shoot. So after quickly showering we started to make our way towards our first stop, Babylonstoren vineyard. Self-described as one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms which houses not only its fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, but also accommodation, fine food and wine plus lots more. Already Cape Towns beautifully versatile landscape was blowing us away and That is even before we had laid eyes on the magic of the vineyard! We were in a slight state of trance that we were actually there. The exceptionally quick lead up seemed to have flied by in the blink of an eye and here we were driving through the South-African countryside surrounded by an aggressive mountainous back drop which was unassumingly draped in clouds as the sun relentlessly burnt through.
WINTER ESCAPES
Our first day well and truly set the bar high for what we had in store for the remainder of our adventure. Day 2 however, catapulted us into a whole new level! Our friend had planned to take us on a hike up ‘Lion's Head’ mountain to watch the sunrise. Lion's head is placed between Table Mountain and Signal Hill. It peaks at six hundred and sixty-nine metres above sea level and it is the best way to get a three-hundred and sixty degree view of the city so it is a must for all visitors. With our alarm set for 5.30am we began our climb at 6am. Jean and I love to hike so we were more than excited for this challenge. With chains and ladders to take you across thin ledges and up to the next stage of the climb we felt totally immersed in our surroundings. Once we reached the top, the view of the sun rising up from beyond the horizon was breathtaking. The glowing amber and nectarine light bled over the city as the rays protruded out like golden pathways. In that moment, in amongst the other hikers all standing absorbing the beauty which was unfolding before us everyone became one and everyone was equal. I for one couldn’t resist the overwhelming sense of gratitude I felt In that moment.
Apparently, brunch in one's active wear with a subtle hiker's glow is very on trend in Cape Town. So, not to shy away from local formalities we headed to Oranjezicht City Farm to devour acai bowls and freshly squeezed juice. The market was heaven to us and exactly what Jean and I look for whilst exploring new countries. All local farmers and brands under one roof supplying healthy organic produce. It was quite the experience, and as explained everyone was dressed for the occasion, activewear central!
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
We then spent the next four nights at the villa with the production crew shooting a tonne of lifestyle videography. Our exposure to Cape Town was minimal just because of the tight shoot schedule but from what we saw of it we knew we would be back to explore further very soon.
So Thursday morning we made our way back to Cape Town airport ready to head to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. This is where our real adventure began… We took another very early flight just to maximise our time in Vic Falls. In fact, our whole trip consisted of 5.30-6am starts. This however, didn’t feel like a burden as every morning we woke up so excited for what the day holds. In Africa, everyday is different, you never know what you’re going to see or experience so you don’t want to waste a minute sleeping when the reality is so much better! Landing in Vic Falls was so different to Cape Town. The atmosphere changed dramatically from somewhat cosmopolitan to completely authentic and rural it was like stepping out into a whole new world. As we made our way out the airport Tribal dressed local-men were gathered performing traditional welcome routines which in itself had us transfixed.
We had a pre-booked transfer which took us to Lokuthula Safari lodges. When we were discussing what we wanted from our trip with the guys at Pure Africa, we really emphasised on the fact that we wanted our experience to be as authentic as possible. Even though we are partial to the finer things in life, whilst in Africa we wanted to feel completely immersed in our surroundings. This is why we chose to stay at Lokuthula instead of the Victoria Falls hotel which is renowned. The lodge was placed In amongst the wildlife so coming back and finding the local warthog and vervet monkey congregation running riot in your pathway was the norm! The main hotel was home to the dreamiest restaurant which was decorated with a thick grass roof and exposed timber beams (which were clearly a play ground for the monkeys). It overlooked the crocodile infested waterhole which attracted the likes of elephant families, Giraffes and Hyenas just to name a few. So to say we had dinner with a view would be
Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too.
As expected our Zimbabwe itinerary was as jampacked as our previous in Cape Town. Once we checked into our lodge we were shortly after collected by our transfer to take us to the Zambezi river where we would embark on our sunset cruise. Sailing down the river in-between Zambia and Zimbabwe was quite extraordinary. Completely encompassed by the national park we really felt the effects of what it meant to be in the wilderness. As we slowly cruised upstream we were surrounded by hippos and crocodiles. The river was so peaceful and the setting serene but there was something exhilarating knowing what lurked just below the murky waters. The predators every now and again slowly glided towards to the surface to present a mere glimpse of themselves before disappearing again. As the sun began to set and the gin and tonics flowed we noticed a herd of elephants descending in the direction of the bank which was right before us. A whole elephant family was coming to drink and bathe in the river. They splashed around playing carelessly to cool off from the baking African sun. Seeing these graceful giants up close in their own habitat so unexpectedly and witnessing how they interact with each other was somewhat emotional. Especially for me, I have been a huge animal lover for as long as I can remember so this experience I found slightly overwhelming. I can't find the words to describe the emotion that overcome me in that moment but I became fully captivated in observing their behaviour..
"AFRICA'S BEAUTYIS REMARKABLE"
The next few days we catapulted ourselves into the heart of Zimbabwe. We did everything from touring the great Victoria Falls to visiting lion and elephant conservations. Our trip to the Fall's (which is one of the seven wonders of the world ) was frightfully spectacular. Nothing can prepare you for how dramatically remarkable the vision of the gushing waterfall truly is. Just to get a better perspective of this wondrous site we had arranged to swim in the ‘Angel pool’ which is on the Zambia side of the falls. The pool is positioned on the edge of the falls which sounds utterly barbaric but it was sheer exhilaration. One of the many highlights of our stay in Zimbabwe was the precious time we got to spend observing and interacting with the animals. The feeling of stepping into their territory and exposing ourselves in such a vulnerable manner also gave us insight into not only how they react to human presence but there was an unexplainable sense of mutual respect.
After two nights in Victoria Falls taking in all it had to offer and learning so much about the African culture and wildlife it was now time for the final leg of our journey: a three-night stay in Somalisa camp in Hwange national park. This was the ultimate end to an extraordinary trip. We headed back to Vic Falls airport to board the bush plane to fly into Hwange. I managed to swindle my way into the cockpit to sit next to the pilot… as one does on such an adventure!
However instagrammable the pictures were the experience was pretty terrifying. Flying head first into clouds doesn’t sound like such a bid deal, but let's discuss is once you have done it in a tin plane…. Joking aside it was quite the experience!
As we flew over the park the beauty of the vast African planes and savannah became apparent. I had dreamt of going on Safari since I was a little girl so this for me was the ultimate moment, especially as I got to share it with Jean and his father. As we came into landing (a thin dirt strip surrounded by the thick bush!) a dazzle of zebras and ostriches scarpered from the path. This was way beyond anything I could have imagined and we had only just arrived. Our guides met us in typical land cruiser trucks to take us to our camp.
We bundled our luggage together and headed into the thick bush. The Thirtyminute drive ended up being slightly extended as we came face to face with the bush locals. Kudus, Impalas and elephants were the first to acknowledge our presence as we made our way through the savanna. This again was totally different to seeing the animals in Victoria Falls, I think it might be because they were just as curious about us as we were about them and this time we were fully exposed and in their domain. We arrived at Somalisa which blew our minds, the staff greeted us with their typical beautifully friendly and welcoming Zimbabwean manner. The people made such a huge impact on me I couldn’t believe how positively flawless their outlook on life was. Their smiles and charm were infectious to the point where spending merely five minutes with them was addictive.
The camp was heavenly! It was so perfectly undisputed with its decor and locally sourced materials, but also the amenities and consideration for the environment and wildlife was utterly inspiring. I couldn’t help but acknowledge the profuse sense of gratitude and appreciation for that very moment. In fact, I think I had many of these moments of appreciation and acknowledgement throughout the entire trip. Africa appeared to have an immense effect on me, at every turn and every experience I found myself succumbing to the beauty of how wild and pure the country is.
So, our daysatSomalisacampstarted witha wake-up callat5.30am, thisalsowasn’tjusta wake-up call, it was alsoa calltolet you knowitisnow safeto venture out yourtentalone!And yes thisisnecessary! The nightsare filledwiththe soundsofthe vibrant bushcommunity. Fromthe distant baritoneroarofa lioncoalition ona hunttothe baboons screeching warningsfromthe treetops. The tents are nomore thana luxurious tent. Sothe whole one sideismesh which means you are fully exposed towhatever natureintends (we wereassured thismeshwas an adequatedeterrent for predators!) . The shadows of certain wildneighbourscan beseenastheymake their way thoughcampwhilstyou are safelytucked upinbed, which initselfismind-blowing. Soonceit was safetoleave, wemadeour way tothe maincamp for breakfast. The foodwas delicious. InfactwhenI wasn'tday dreamingabout our Safari adventure I was dreamingabout whatwould beonthe menufor lunch ordinner! The first gamedrive startsat6am sowe wereforever chasing the sunrise and sunset(this is alsowhenthe animals all cometolife, sothe action reallystarts!). Wewereappointed a guide atthe start ofthe trip, ourswas calledAlbert. Our tripwas made all the moreextraordinary merelybyAlbert's knowledge and wisdom. Hehad previouslyservedas a parkrangerfor overtwentyyears sothe skillshe had acquiredand the tales hetoldusblewour minds. Hetaughtustotrack animals via their footprintsand toidentifydifferent species bytheir waste. Welearnt how tonavigateour way through the stars and how tosurvive inthe wild. Albert'sstories ofhunting poachersand the tales ofdedicatinghis lifeto conservationwas beyondinspiring. There was no questionhecouldn’tanswerordidn’thavea story about. After experiencingour safari the way wedid, it soonbecameapparentthe importanceofhavingsuch a remarkableguide. I think without Albertwewould havestill had anincredibletimeZimbabwehowever, wewouldn’thavefeltsoconnected and engaged in all our encounters. Hepresented the wildlifetous fully through his own eyesand wisdomwhich iswhy the experiencebecamesospecial.
WewereinAfricafor a total often daysand inthat short timewemadesurewemaximised every second ofitinorder toreallyabsorbeverythingithad to offer. After experiencingevery aspectfromCape TowntoSomalisabushlifewehavewholeheartedly falleninlovewiththe country. Havingtravelled far and wideI never expectedfor one secondthe power a place can haveovera personbut Africaexposed me tosomuchraw emotionsthatI couldn’tignore. Ithas tobebyfar the mostlife-changing tripI haveever encountered personally. The magic and purity bewitched metoa point where weare already planningour tripback, but nexttimeweare going to takeitone stepfurther and strip backtothe bare basicsofbushliving.
