XCELLENCE L U X AV I AT I O N & E X E C U J E T M A G A Z I N E
ISSUE 8
A NEW SENSE OF LUXURY IN THE MALDIVES Thirty five thousand square feet of your own private playground, discreet round the clock brigade of butlers, chefs and wellness assistants. Dine under the stars on your beach or at your private restaurant‌ Relax in one of the two swimming pools or in your own spa. Your dreams become reality here. The 5 bedroom Royal Residence at Jumeirah Vittaveli. Everything. Closer.
For more information, please visit jumeirah.com/jvroyalresidence or call +960 664 2020
EVERYTHING. CLOSER.
CONTENTS
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22
LUXAVIATION
PHOTOGRAPHY
54 | Kimon Riefenstahl
3 | Editorial
8 | From Above
74 | Jumeirah Vittaveli’s Royal Residence
86 | Luxaviation Story 87 | Fleet Highlight
Kacper Kowalski
42 | Into Africa Frans Lanting
88 | Group News TRAVEL
10 | The Himalayas Beyond Everest
15 | Himalayan Itinerary 20 | Urban Break Seoul
90 | Luxaviation People 91 | Luxaviation Highlight
28 | The Oberoi Udaivilas
92 | Fleet List
The Royal Treatment
94 | Luxaviation Worldwide
50 | Forest Break
96 | Office Locations
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24 | Travel News
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Into The Wild
PORTRAIT
16 | Ella Maillart A Wartime Walkabout
22 | Johanna Choi The Hanna Peace Centre: A Safe Haven
CONTENTS
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ART
DESIGN
TECHNOLOGY
33 | Zeitz MOCAA
60 | OEO Studio
76 | Made In Space
A Path to Perfection
Reaching For The Stars
79 | New Tech Best Bets OBJECTS OF DESIRE
66 | Shopping Gift Guide Winter ’17/’18
68 | Brand Story Huntsman Bespoke Tailoring EPICUREAN
REGULARS
80 | Agenda 84 | Aviation News
71 | Business Travel 72 | Spotlight
56 | BRAE Dan Hunter's Sustainable Restaurant
59 | Sustainable Dining
IMPRINT
Nathalie Grolimund | publisher Margaux Daubry | editor in chief Nicholas Thompson | deputy editor Charlotte Sarrola | contributing editor Jennifer Davis | contributing editor Mareike Walter | graphic designer Betti Fiegle | photography editor Leanna Thomas | pr manager & advertising Martin Nicholas Kunz | creative consulting
editorial@xcellence-magazine.com advertising@xcellence-magazine.com www.xcellence-magazine.com published by www.ng.media
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CREDITS cover (A view of the ceiling and cathedral-like space, taken from inside the Atrium at Zeitz MOCAA, Cape Town) @ Iwan Baan. toc from left to right clockwise Page 4 © COMO Hotels and Resorts, © Adlan Mansri/Hans Lucas, © Jumeirah Vittaveli, © Luxaviation / ExecuJet Group. Page 6 © Colin Page, © Kohchosai Kosuga, © Iwan Baan, © Dassault Aviation. from above Pages 8-9 © Kacper Kowalski. urban break seoul Pages 20-21 (Conrad) © 2017 Conrad Hotels & Resorts, (Soigné) © Soigné, (Ryunique) © Ryunique, (Lie Sangbong) © Lie Sangbong, (Leeum Museum) © Yong-Kwan Kim. travel news Page 24 (Hameau de la Volière) © G. de Laubier/Evok Hotels Collections, Page 25 (Kwandwe Fort House) © Kwande Private Game Reserve, (Casa Cook Kos) © Thomas Cook, Page 26 (The Hoxton Hotel) © The Hoxton, Paris, (Fiskebar) © Ritz-Carlton, Page 27 (Haku) © Haku, (Frantzén) © Martin Botvidsson. forest break Page 50–51 (Keemala) © Small Luxury Hotels, (Juvet Lanscape Hotel) © Jan Olav Jensen, (Kingston Treehouse) © Lion Sands Game Reserve, (Golden Triangle Four Seasons) © Ken Seet, © Markus Gortz, (7th Room at Treehotel) © Johan Jansson.
agenda from left to right Pages 80–81 © Dubai Airshow, © Yas Marina, © Laurent Vu, © Design Miami/2016/Courtesy of Design Miami, © Rolex/Ambroise Tézenas, © Rolex/Daniel Forster, Pages 82–83 © SIHH 2017, © Tennis Australia, © Morgane Delfosse Photographe, © Maison & Objet, © Tony Ramirez/www. imagesofpolo.com. shopping, aviation news, new tech best bets & travel smart All images are courtesy of the brand. Noncredited images are property of © LUXAVIATION or © ExecuJet Aviation Group. Every effort has been made to identify the copyright holders of material used in this publication. If any copyright holder has been overlooked, please inform editorial@xcellence-magazine.com. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. All information correct at the time of going to press, but subject to change. All Rights Reserved. Printed in Germany in October 2017, covering November, December and January. Produced with passion by NG.MEDIA Sarl for Luxaviation CMI Group.
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SANDOMIERZ, POLAND What appears to be part of the International Space Station is in fact a flooded gravel pit near the town of Sandomierz. Due to heavy rain, the Vistula River reached its highest level since 1860, causing widespread flooding, meaning the whole town had to be evacuated. The image was taken from the Side Effects project by Kacper Kowalski, a documentary about the complex relationship between humans and nature. The photos were shot either from a paraglider or a gyroplane, some 150 metres above the ground. www.kacperkowalski.pl / Panos Pictures
© Shakti Himalaya
TRAVEL
BEYOND EVEREST Discovering the diversity of the Himalayas
The Himalayas span 2,900 kilometres from Afghanistan to China, across the Indian subcontinent through Bhutan and Nepal. A translation from the Sanskrit for ‘abode of snow’, its peaks retain their frosted tips all year long. An imposing and majestic natural barrier, they have inadvertently separated and protected several ancient cultures from homogenising with the global status quo. Composed of a diverse terrain of steamy tropical forests and powdery alpine snow, this fascinating region of intriguing countries also supports an abundant population of endemic flora and fauna. Visitors can experience scenic flights, wildlife expeditions, archery lessons, meditate at the top of the world or receive a Buddhist blessing in a sacred temple. Multi-day walking tours punctuated by village home stays provide visitors an authentic glimpse of the simple beauty of rural Himalayan life. Worn bare over the centuries by local traders and tribes people, every mountainside footpath yields staggering views that assure any choice of itinerary will be an exceptional one.
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ainly regarded as a backpacker destination, many areas of the Indian Himalayas have retained their unspoilt and offbeat quality.
The high-altitude desert of Ladakh is the largest district in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Here, it rarely rains and what precious water it receives comes from glacial melt. Often referred to as ‘Little Tibet’, the region’s rich and colourful belief system centres around the practices of Tibetan Mahayana Buddhism. The people of Ladakh believe that gods and spirits exert their influence upon the material world and as such no major activity is undertaken without their consideration. As the chosen intermediaries between the human and spirit worlds, Lamas preform the necessary rites to appease the gods while also serving as astrologers and oracles. One of the finest examples of Ladakhi religious architecture is the 600-year-old hillside monastery of Thiksey. Consisting of twelve ascending levels topped with the Lama’s private residence, visitors who arrive early enough will be rewarded with the experience of early-morning Buddhist prayers. The best time to visit is mid-May through the end of September. Hugging the Himalayan range to the south is Uttarakhand, which is divided into two regions: Garhwal and Kumaon. While Garhwal has become a centre for yoga and meditation schools, Kumaon has managed to stay relatively unknown. Composed of several districts, Almora is the largest town and 12
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considered the cultural centre of Kumaon. Surrounded by undulating hills, museums, temples and scenic treks, travellers will often rent houses here and stay for months on end. Travelling to the area in October and November or from March to May will offer a lush scenery with clear views and warm sunny days. At the easternmost end of the Indian Himalayas is Sikkim, which sits in the shadow of Kanchenjunga – the world’s third highest peak. Being able to see Kanchenjunga is akin to a rare animal sighting, and the chances are most favourable from October to early December when the days are crisp and clear. Due to its location and altitude, which ranges from 800 to 8,500 metres, Sikkim has extreme variations in climate and vegetation. This makes the region home to more than 450 species of orchid, the Blue Yak, the rare Clouded Leopard, the Tibetan Antelope and even the endangered Red Panda. Village walks through this area offer close encounters with an extraordinary and beautiful landscape. Throughout the Himalayas, every mountaintop, lake and range is linked with a myth or deity associated with the Shaiva, Shakti and Vaishnava traditions. One of the most important goddesses in the Hindu pantheon is Shakti. Recognised as the divine feminine energy that moves through the universe, she is responsible for creation and often manifested to destroy demonic forces and restore balance.
Left Due to the natural boundaries established by the imposing mountains, the peoples of the Himalayas have maintained distinct cultures throughout the millennia Above The Thikse Monastery in Ladakh, India is a twelve-storey complex at an altitude of 3,600 metres and dedicated to the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism
p 12 all images © Shakti Himalaya, p 13 clockwise from top © COMO Hotels and Resorts, © Aman, © COMO Hotels and Resorts
INDIA
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BHUTAN Right Tsechus, regional festivals, take part throughout the year in different regions and offer a unique glimpse into Bhutan’s vibrant culture Below left The forested Paro valley is a lush sanctuary in Bhutan, known for its fruitful farmlands and rice paddies Below right The Paro Taktsang monastery was built in 1692 on the site where it is believed that Guru Padmasambhava was born and is a cultural icon of Bhutan
he ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ is the world’s last Himalayan Buddhist kingdom. Historically isolated and wary of outside influences, Bhutan has preserved its ancient culture for centuries and only began to open up to visitors in 1974.
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Mass tourism has been duly restrained and mountaineering is forbidden out of respect for the deities that are believed to live among the peaks. In Bhutan, the mountains, rivers and valleys are considered the abodes of the gods. Hillsides dotted with ancient temples, monasteries and prayer flags are testament to this, alongside small streams with prayer wheels that turn day and night, powered by the natural flow of the water. Some sites considered among the most sacred are the Taktsang Monastery in Paro and the many sites in Bumthang, Bhutan’s spiritual heartland. The town of Paro is located along the riverbank, a short distance northwest of the imposing Paro Dzong. The main street was built in 1985 and is lined with colourfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants. For now it remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot. Of all the beautiful and imposing dzongs in Bhutan that house administrative and religious offices, the largest is Trongsa Dzong.
The Buddhist tsechus, or festivals, are one of the best ways to experience the living culture of Bhutan. Varying in each different region, locals gather to celebrate their faith. Architecture is also a significant feature of Bhutanese identity. Traditional shapes, colours and patterns are universally applied to all buildings and include various floral, animal and religious motifs. The best example of Bhutanese architecture can be seen in dzongs (fortresses), Ihakhangs (temples), monasteries, palaces and bridges. The ideal season to visit Bhutan is from September till November, when the weather is pleasant and the skies are clear.
Also known as ‘Tigers Nest’, the 900-metre-high Paro Taktsang monastery clings to the mountainside and requires a three-hour hill climb plus 350 steps to reach it. Helicopter tours can also be arranged for dramatic views over pine forests, farmlands and rice paddies. After a long day of activities, a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath is a highly recommended way to relax.
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NEPAL ncluding Mount Everest, Nepal is home to eight of the world’s ten highest peaks. While Buddhism maintains a strong influence, Hinduism is the main religion of Nepal and Shiva is regarded as the country’s guardian deity.
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Religion makes up the core of Nepalese culture and most celebrations are religious festivals. By participating in a Nepalese festival, visitors can experience the richness of its culture and people. The biggest and most popular are Dashain and Tihar. Dashain occurs during late September and early October each year and is the longest and most anticipated festival in the Nepalese calendar. The celebration is fifteen days long and commemorates a great victory of the gods over a wicked demon. In the cosmopolitan capital of Kathmandu, the impressive Swayambhunath Stupa surrounded by a legion of holy monkeys is an unforgettable sight. The site has stood as a hallmark of faith and harmony for centuries and the glory of Kathmandu Valley is said to have started from this point. The oldest of its kind in Nepal, this temple has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises. To the south, the city of Patan has the finest collection of temples in Nepal as well as a long-standing art scene 14
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with several UNESCO-listed landmarks among opulent palaces and art galleries. The nearby site of Dhulikhel is the perfect city to explore ancient religious sites and witness stunning Himalayan sunsets. Lumbini, on the western edge of the plains, is one of the most important historical and religious sites in Nepal. It is here that Siddhārtha Gautama Buddha, who went on to achieve enlightenment and founded Buddhism, was born in the seventh century. The site’s location remained unknown for centuries and was rediscovered in 1896. From Kathmandu, it is just a thirty-minute flight northwest to Pokhara, Nepal’s second largest city. Sometimes called the Switzerland of the East, visitors are greeted with panoramic views of serene lakes that reflect the Himalayan mountain scape. Graced with pleasant weather all year round, the eastern shore of the lake is full of lodges, restaurants and book shops set against this striking background. Pokhara is also the perfect spot to embark on a voyage through the Annapurna Range. For the daring, an eighteen-day Grand Nepalese Voyage encompasses culture discovery in Sherpa villages, trekking through the mighty Everest region, private helicopter flights and relaxing at the awe-inspiring lakeside town of Pokhara. •
Above Perhaps most synonymous with the Himalayas is the landlocked country of Nepal, which is home to eight of the world’s top ten highest peaks
p 14 © Perreten/123RF, p 15 (360° Leti) © Shakti Himalaya, (Aman) © Aman, (Como Uma Bhutan) © COMO Hotels and Resorts, (Pavilions Himalayas) © The Pavilions Himalayas
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HIMALAYAN ITINERARY The Himalayas are breathtaking by nature and the hospitality in the region is amongst the most welcoming in the world. Stunning lodges embrace the mountainsides, providing scenic views and serenity. We’ve rounded up our top selections for you to enjoy the splendour of the mountains in utmost style.
360° Leti
Aman
Kumaon, India
Kingdom of Bhutan The first of its kind in the area, this remote hideaway combines local architecture with contemporary design. Accompanied by fine wines, gourmet cooking and lush bedding, four private cabins overlook serene mountain wilderness. Guided village walks are arranged to offer encounters with locals. www.shaktihimalaya.com
A unique circuit of five lodges spans the kingdom of Bhutan in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Bumthang. Perfect for couples or groups, polished suites, Bhutanese spa therapies, candle lit dinners and an exhaustive list of excursions will see visitors engaged in a host of unexpected pleasures. www.aman.com
Como Uma Bhutan Paro, Kingdom of Bhutan
With Bhutan’s only helicopter itinerary, visitors can split their time between the resorts two properties in Paro and Punakha. Each location offers terraced villas, butler service, hot-stone baths and farm-fresh fine dining. For recreation, guests can go on a heritage tour or even take archery lessons. www.comohotels.com
Pavilions Himalayas Pokhara, Nepal
This spacious and perfectly modern hotel is set on a lush organic farm. Surrounded by gentle countryside, guests can start the day with breakfast and bird watching before spending an afternoon in the bustling lake district. Return and relax with an Ayurvedic spa treatment followed by dinner by the pool. www.pavilionshotels.com
Jacada Travel Whether in Bhutan, India or Nepal, Jacada Travel can design the perfect itinerary for a stressfree luxury adventure. Their travel concierges can design trips that include encounters with monks in sacred temples, leisurely boat trips or rich culinary experiences set against stunning Himalayan sunsets. www.jacadatravel.com
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A WARTIME WALKABOUT Ella Maillart finds herself in uncharted territory
“You do not travel if you are afraid of the unknown, you travel for the unknown, that reveals you with yourself.”
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PORTRAIT
Left Ella Maillart enjoys a quiet moment reading Valéry during her famous seven-month trek through the Himalayas with Peter Fleming in 1935 Right Large exhibitions have been made of photographs Ella took during her travels, including this one from 1965 in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal
n unintentional heroine, Ella Maillart (1903– 1997) never entertained dreams of being a famous writer or adventurer. Though she bore witness to two great wars during her lifetime, she always found inspiration in the purity of the present moment.
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Highly athletic, Ella was physically primed for a life of intense travels from an early age. As a child, her mother took her to the mountains to ski every Sunday and she learnt to sail on Lake Geneva with her childhood friend Miette de Saussure. Together they sailed and skied their way through adolescence, winning their first boat race when they were just thirteen. In 1924, she represented Switzerland in the single-handed sailing competition at the Paris Olympics. She came in ninth place as the only woman among seventeen nations. Her father pushed her to study for a profession but she always preferred the outdoors over the library. With no particular career in mind, Ella drifted around Europe doing odd jobs, such as stunt doubling in Berlin and teaching English in Wales. During this time, she was also a member of the Swiss national ski team and competed in several world championship races. “I believe that skiing is responsible for having made me a rolling stone. As soon as winter arrived, visions of skis swishing through new snow filled me with such feverish longings that wherever I was – in Berlin or Paris, or even onboard [Miette's boat] Perlette – I interrupted what I was doing…and went to the hills.”
At twenty-seven, she took a temporary job as a news correspondent in Moscow and ended up touring the Caucasus Mountains on foot with a group of students. Upon returning to Europe, a friend introduced her to a publisher who immediately commissioned her to write about the experience. It became her first book, Parmi La Jeunesse Russe (1932). Now as a published author and correspondent, she was free to travel full time. From 1930 to 1945, Ella crisscrossed Asia on foot, on horseback, by ski, truck and train. Without permit or visa, she explored forbidden areas, narrowly avoided danger and spent six months with a Turco-Mongol tribe in Kirghiz yurts, feasting on the marrow of bones from freshly slaughtered sheep. “The nomad’s life enthrals me. Its restlessness pursues me: it is as much a part of me as the sailor.” Turkestan Solo (1934). Her most famous trip was a seven-month, 5,600kilometre trek over the Himalayas from Peking to India alongside the famously handsome English journalist Peter Fleming. Eager to re-join the British Empire, Peter indulged in fantasies of a butler bearing a tray of scrambled eggs and the London Times, whilst Ella savoured the journey to its fullest. “I wanted to forget that we had inevitably to return home. I even lost the desire to return, and would have liked the journey to last for the rest of my life.” Though they took the trip together, in the end, they both presented two very different perspectives of the experience, in Peter’s News from Tartary (1936) and Ella’s Forbidden Journey (1937). XC E L L E N C E
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Her next travelling companion was fellow writer, photographer and heroin addict Annemarie Schwarzenbach. In a brand new Ford, they went from Geneva to Kabul and became the first European women to travel Afghanistan’s Northern Road. Together they endured the pitfalls of drug addiction and political conflict against a backdrop of breathtaking landscapes. “A few things I learnt…made me realise that hunger or poverty can be less terrifying that mental suffering and anguish.” The Cruel Way (1947). Ella spent the entirety of WWII living in India in the company of her beloved cat, near the ashram of Indian sage Ramana Maharishi. She recounts this period of spiritual growth in her book Ti-Puss (1951). At the end of the war, she returned to Europe and settled in the Swiss Alps, naming her chalet after the sacred hill that overlooked the ashram.
In 1949, Ella became one of the first travellers permitted to enter the newly opened independent kingdom of Nepal. The Land of the Sherpas (1955) included detailed accounts of her interaction with the people whom she said reminded her of her native Swiss – it was her last travel book. She spent the remainder of her life organising cultural tours and her one last trip abroad was to Tibet at age eighty-two. Her work was greatly appreciated in a time when people could not easily travel around the globe. Without television, movies or documentaries, reading was the only way people could learn about the world. Today her legacy of photographs, films and books serves as a unique travelogue of unfiltered and intensely authentic experiences. •
pp 16–17 all images © Succession Ella Maillart et Musée de l'Elysée, p 18 © Anneliese Hollmann / Succession Ella Maillart et Musée de l'Elysée
Below Ella spent five years in India before finally settling in Chandolin, Switzerland where she is pictured here in 1982
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MADE IN GERMANY
TRAVEL
Conrad
10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu Located in the heart of ‘Korean Wall Street’, the Conrad boasts dramatic views over the Han River and city skyline. The smart-controlled elegant and efficient rooms are complemented by a twenty-five metre indoor pool, high tech gym and spa. Among the hotels several dining options are a 37th -floor open-kitchen grill as well as an outdoor sky lounge that plays live music on Thursdays. +82 2 6137 7525 www.conradhotels.com
URBAN BREAK
SEOUL In the mood for little Seoul searching? This city’s rich history and progressive style is all around when you know where to look. Apgujeong-dong and Cheongdam-dong offer Beverly Hills-style luxury whilst Insa-dong is an artist enclave with antique shops and boutique galleries lining its main street. In Jamsil-dong, a sports complex and amusement park stand in contrast to the Bukchon Hanok Village, a well-preserved residential area that embodies six centuries of Hanok architecture.
Soigné
46 Banpo-daero 39-gil, Seocho-gu Located off the beaten track in a residential neighbourhood is the final act in a string of successful pop-up restaurants. Here, chef Jun Lee fuses French, Italian and American flavours into a constantly changing menu of haute Korean cuisine. Reserve a counter seat around the open kitchen to interact with the chefs whilst they build edible representations of the city’s cultural melting pot. +82 2 3477 9386 www.soignerestaurantgroup.com
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Luxaviation Travel Tip Fly from Singapore to Seoul in 6:00 in a Global Express XRS that seats 13 passengers. Contact Luxaviation Asia: charter.asia@luxaviation.com +65 6814 0590
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Ryunique
520-1 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu Inspired by Korea’s natural scenery and ocean wildlife, Chef Tae Hwan Ryu has created a twenty-three-course menu of edible art. Drawing from his experiences in Japan, Sydney and London, his innovative Japanese-French cuisine is prepared with an intent to engage all the senses. Allow a leisurely three hours for this unexpected and memorable meal whilst taking care to add the wine pairing, which comes highly recommended. +82 2 546 9279 www.ryunique.co.kr
Lie Sangbong
97- 6 Chungdam Dong, Gangnam Gu Currently serving as the cultural ambassador for the city of Seoul, this fashion designer-cum-craftsman founded his own brand in 1985. Made to complement the feminine form, his architectural silhouettes have attracted celebrities from Lady Gaga to Rihanna. His new flagship store opening in Seoul this winter will include fashion, lifestyle products and art. +82 2 553 3314 www.liesangbong.com
Leeum Museum
60-16 Itaewon-ro 55-gil, Yongsan-gu Split between two spaces, MUSEUM 1 highlights metal works, folk paintings and Buddhist art from Korean antiquity. MUSEUM 2 focuses on modern and contemporary art with work from the likes of Jeff Koons, Francis Bacon and Damien Hirst. Sensor activated audio tours are prompted with the aid of a sleek digital device and the gift shop carries a variety of intriguing objects that reflect the collections. +82 2 2014 6901 www.leeum.org
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THE HANNA PEACE CENTRE: A SAFE HAVEN While the international geopolitical entities procrastinate, South Korean civilians busy themselves at the Hanna Peace Centre to establish a message of peace.
n expatriate in Switzerland and California for thirty years, Johanna Choi came back to her country of birth, South Korea, in 2012. The former business woman settled in Cheorwon – a tiny village on the edge of the demilitarised zone where the last inter-Korean battles occurred – with the idea of raising awareness for reunification by creating the Hanna Peace Centre. In spite of their deep scars, the inhabitants of the rice-farming, mountainous region wake up to the new idea of a potential reunification thanks to the favourable politics of the new government and to the beneficial actions of volunteer workers like Johanna.
pp 22–23 all images © Adlan Mansri / Hans Lucas
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This solitary community, after largely helping the North Korean orphans and defectors, keeps expanding by means of its collaborative spirit and adaptability despite the many socio-political changes. Peace, spirituality and sharing are the only ways according to Johanna Choi: “I believe in change because people’s perceptions evolve. The most important thing is for us to walk on the path on peace, for invisible but constructive phenomenons to keep happening.” As a strong symbol of coexistence, the Hangul, the official Korean writing alphabet, is employed throughout greater Korea. These ideas are what the Hanna Peace Centre tries to spread, so as to achieve their enormous undertaking to, one day, unite the North and South Korean populations. The unification of the Korean peninsula and the beginning of unification of the global village begins with respect.
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PORTRAIT
“We hear North Korean speakers over the DMZ here and it feels like another world, yet we are the same people.” — Johanna Choi, Founder of Hanna Peace Centre
Left page What seems like an idyllic lake is in fact in the demilitarised zone, just steps away from the North Korean border behind the village of Cheowron Above A military checkpoint within the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea Above right A natural reserve for migrating birds, the demilitarised zone echoes with the propaganda songs from the other side of the border Right A South Korean soldier on lookout in the demilitarised zone Right Johanna Choi has made it her mission to promote peace between the two Koreas
In spite of the geopolitical instability of North Korea, and the deep-rooted turgescent economy centred on the jang madang (editor’s note: North Korean black market), the creation of the Hanna Peace Centre never was thought of as a partisan project, but as an initiative independent of any political or religious motives, the objective being to advocate for the respect of the human rights. The life-saving site wishes, first and foremost, for a human and social reunification, so as to spread the ideas of love and peace that the North Korean people have been deprived from for so long. That’s why Johanna opened a café to greet travellers and organise tours, wishing to rally people to her cause: “Our programme is a few day’s voyage into the demilitarised zone. Through this pilgrimage, we fully live the notions of tolerance, peace and unity. We learn that we are all connected. The meaning of unification goes beyond the North Korean reunification, it is above all a universal message of peace and respect.”
distant from their current lives. Even though Johanna cannot shelter them in her centre for now, she often visits them; but the Hanna Peace Centre is looking to expand so as to become a worldwide village; a sharing society where everyone will be able to live in harmony. Johanna states: “We will need time before the reintegration of the refugees can be optimised, but we need to keep communicating on the matter to fight the fear of them. Education and information are the only solutions for raising awareness. It is our duty to live together so as to cooperate with one another intelligently.” In light of the last North Korean political upheavals, the mindset slowly changes and the truth which was voluntarily ignored a few years ago is progressively accepted. Could the reunification of the Korean peninsula happen soon? Only a strong will can make this happen… •
To think of social reintegration, we must first think of a literal union, for only that strength will help the North Korean refugees adjust to their new environment, in particular the capitalist way of living, which is so
If you would like to learn more, help or get in touch with Johanna, please contact editorial@xcellence-magazine.com
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TRAVEL N EWS Our Pick of the World's Finest New Venues
Courchevel, France
Hameau de la Volière Perfectly positioned on the mountainside with direct access to Le Plantret slopes are three new fully-serviced luxury chalets: Les Bastidons, Cryst’Aile and Nanuq. Decorated by interior designer Christophe Tollemer, each chalet sleeps twelve and can be rented individually or together. 24
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Small details orchestrated by the butler, chef and concierge services create an atmosphere that rivals the finest fivestar hotel. Warm, inviting living areas and spacious welcoming bedrooms are tastefully trimmed in rich fabrics, marble, fur and aged woods. Each chalet has a spa with swimming pool, lounge and bar in addition to billiard rooms, a cinema and library. Between Les Bastidons and Cryst’Aile is a connecting door that allows guests to move freely between the two chalets without venturing outdoors. The
Nanuq also has a wine cellar and dedicated children’s area. Each chalet has a lift on every level and a ski room for equipment and meeting with mountain guides to organise lessons or plan outings. Opening: Winter 2017 Rue des Chenus, 73120 Courchevel, France +33 4 79 251 251 www.hameaudelavoliere.com
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Eastern Cape, South Africa
Kwandwe Fort House In the secluded area of a 22,000-hectare game reserve is a private safari villa. The perfect answer for a multigenerational safari of up to eight people, its high ceilings and glass doors encourage admiration of the wide open plains that
once served as a cattle rustling route and ostrich farm. Throughout the house, modern furnishings are found in classic tones with natural fibres like silk, leather and linen alongside added benefits of the latest technology. Local artists are represented throughout the fort, so guests can still appreciate a sense of the culture. While dining, lounging or wading in the pool, guests can watch wildlife meander across the landscape to and from the local watering hole. A newly laid two-kilometre
runway allows guests the opportunity to arrive easily and with even more privacy in aircraft up to thirty-five metric tonnes, including the Gulfstream 550. Opening: September 2017 Kwandwe Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape, South Africa +27 46 603 3400 www.kwandwe.com
Kos, Greece
Casa Cook Kos
In a relaxed yet dynamic communal environment, Casa Cook has created a hotel that feels more like a residence with building shapes and natural colours that are in complete harmony with the landscape. Similar to an organically developed village, irregular webs of interconnected pathways and gardens encourage spontaneous encounters. Each accommodation is designed to feel like a cosy minimalist sanctuary with amenities like private verandas, gardens and pools for outdoor
living. Desiring to create a transitional space, the Beach Club restaurant – open to both locals and guests – acts as the town square serving farm-totable Mediterranean flavours with the village on one side and the ocean on the other. Opening: July 2017 Marmari, 85300 Kos, Greece +49 9610 3 8606 www.casacook.com XC E L L E N C E
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Paris, France
The Hoxton Hotel
After four years of construction, an abandoned clothing factory that laid dormant for ten years has been revived. Designed with fifteen staircases, the factory was originally built for Etienne RiviÊ, a diplomat and advisor to Louis XV. Composed of three buildings with a central courtyard, this hotel plays host to local lifestyle gatherings and cultural events. The
restoration process delicately preserved two 300-hundred-year-old spiral staircases. One of them leads to Jacques Bar, which is inspired by Jacques Majorelle and his exotic garden in Morocco. Rooms are spread over five floors and designed to embrace the various quirks and shapes of the hotel, like the attic rooms with a bathroom view of the Eiffel Tower. The main restaurant
serves a full menu from 7AM to midnight and guests have the option to dine in the courtyard or lobby.
Raw and elegant, the Fiskebar is a Nordic fusion concept inspired by Executive Chef Alessio Corda. Located in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, the restaurant is spread amongst four independently designed yet interconnecting areas: an intimate area for fine dining; a luxurious yet cosy bar lounge and a communal table set-up for the raw bar with low hanging lights that bring to mind a Scandinavian fish market. The main dining area has panelled walls of weathered timber wood and plush furniture in dark tones with a view that overlooks the westernmost point of Lake Geneva. The relaxed and minimalist atmosphere is also evident in the menu. The first of its
kind in Geneva, the bold and simple choices focus on high-quality seafood inspired by a Nordic palate. The perfectly fresh arctic char and octopus tempura are expertly prepared and artfully presented without ostentation. The Fiskebar experience is chaperoned by friendly staff, a passionate sommelier and first-class mixologist.
Opening: August 2017 Rue du Sentier 30-32, 75002 Paris, France +33 1 85 65 75 00 www.thehoxton.com
Geneva, Switzerland
Fiskebar
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Opening: September 2017 Quai du Mont-Blanc 11, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland +41 22 909 60 71 www.ritzcarlton.com
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Hong Kong
Haku
A collaboration between triple Michelinstarred Hideaki Matsuo and “Best New Chef of 2016”, Agustin Balbi, aims to encourage a conversation between guest and chef. The interactive dining experience features creative Japanese dishes with distinct European influences, a combination of Matsuo’s philosophy and Balbi’s technical prowess. The sharing menu is curated with savoury combinations like fatty tuna and Polmard beef topped with gold leaves and caviar from Kaviari House in Paris. Diners can expect starters of
bite-sized barracuda and Bellota ham from Iberico pork and surprises like rice crackers in shape of the logo. The intimate venue has a theatre-style bar and has a private room for parties up to eight. Opening: July 2017 Shop OT G04B, Ground Floor, Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong +852 2115 9965 www.facebook.com/hakuhongkong
Stockholm, Sweden
Frantzén Following a decade in Gamla Stan, chef and restaurateur Björn Frantzén closed his two-star location and moved to the centre of Stockholm. The new space is in a 19th-century three-storey building with a top-floor loft that’s been converted into a lounge. Though the space is much larger, diners can expect the same intimate experience as the previous venue, since the restaurant will retain its original twenty-three seat capacity. For Frantzén,
the additional space allows him to greatly expand his kitchen to incorporate new techniques like cooking over an open fire. An all-night dining experience, multicourse tasting dishes are brought out and taken away by a well orchestrated team of chefs, staff and servers. Expect memorable dishes like onion soup with liquorice, deer carpaccio with caviar and smoked ice-cream, all prepared with surgical-like precision. Menus are so unique that diners
are actually encouraged to return home with them as souvenirs, serving as proof of their unbelievable experience. Opening: August 2017 Klara Norra Kyrkogata 26, 111 22 Stockholm, Sweden +46 8 20 85 80 www.restaurantfrantzen.com
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THE ROYAL TREATMENT Experience the maharaja lifestyle in Udaipur
n stark contrast to the bustling cosmopolitan seaports of Calcutta and Mumbai, the interior province of Rajasthan maintains the princely ambiance of old India. Amongst seven interconnecting lakes surrounded by the Aravalli Hills is Udaipur. A living museum, the city reveals the history of an elaborate and sophisticated culture.
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Centrally located and conceived as a traditional Indian palace, The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur exudes nature, luxury and ordered calm. Located on the old hunting grounds of the Maharana of Mewar, the twenty-hectare property includes a wildlife sanctuary where deer, wild boar and peacocks are common sights. The impeccably manicured gardens of the hotel boast an abundance of fountains and courtyards filled with bougainvillea, hibiscus and roses. Part of the charm of Udaipur comes from its aristocratic tradition as a court city. Grandeur and extravagance abounds in the architectural heritage, which The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur openly embraces. The hotel has an intricate layout of interconnected domes and ornate corridors that are saturated with sunlight and gentle breezes from Lake Pichola. Like Maharana Pratap, who spared no expense on splendour, each of the eightyseven rooms in the hotel has rich Indian textiles mixed with local artefacts and handcrafted bespoke furniture. All luxury suites come with a private infinity pool and dining canopy, where one can enjoy a coffee with a morning paper. The Kohinoor Suite, at 246 square metres, has two bedrooms, a well-stocked pantry and a private twenty-two metre outdoor heated pool. Upon leaving the luxury of one’s private quarters, guests can partake in local and international cuisine at any of the hotels three restaurant and bar facilities. Chandni offers al fresco dining with views of the natural landscape and the City Palace. It also features a small raised platform for performances of traditional Indian music. Suryamahal and Udaimahal reflect their hours of service with depictions of the morning and evening sky on their domed ceilings. Located in the expansive hotel courtyard is a heated pool by which drinks and light snacks can be had throughout the day, whilst the bar provides similar offerings around the clock. 28
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The combination of grandiose landscapes, rich flavours and uncommon experiences come together to produce an authentically Rajasthani feast for the eyes, the palate and the soul.
Top Inspired by Mughal and Hindu design, the architecture of Rajasthan is well known for its lavish courtyards of scalloped arches and glass in-laid wall designs Middle Views from the private pool of the Kohinoor presidential suite look across Lake Pichola Bottom In addition to privacy, ornamental perforated screens called Jaali are used to filter light and cool air into indoor spaces Right The Chandni restaurant offers lake and mountain views accompanied by traditional Rajasthani dishes and live musical performances
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Guests with a penchant for the arts will be pleasantly surprised by some unique diversions. Within a quick fifteen minute drive of the hotel is the Mewar School of Art, where visitors can learn about the ancient artistry of miniature painting and even try it for themselves. There is also the opportunity to visit the Thekri workshop and see the Rajasthani technique of creating elaborate glass-inlaid designs on walls, tiles, vases and boxes; making it an ideal place to pick up souvenirs.
pp 28–31 all images © Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
For a more intimate look at the surrounding urban area, a heritage walk can be arranged with a local guide. The colourful history of Udaipur comes to life whilst meandering through narrow lanes, past havelis and ancient shrines. The temple tour through tribal villages is an all-day excursion that starts at daybreak and encompasses a guided excursion through the Aravalli mountain range to the Ranakpur Jain temples. In this remote area traditional practices of indigenous Adivasi tribes in the villages of Bheels, Meenas and Garasiyas can be observed. Often described as ‘The Venice of the East’, Lake Pichola is home to the famous Jag Niwas Lake Palace. Sailing on the lake was once an exclusive privilege reserved for Udai Singh, the founder of Udaipur. Surrounded by views of the City Palace and Jag Mandir, guests can take pleasure in city tours, sunset boat rides and private dining experiences on the lake. Lunch cruises are accompanied by drink, canapés and main courses, whilst the afternoon tea cruise comes with an array of homemade pastries and gourmet sandwiches served with rare teas and gourmet coffee.
Luxaviation Travel Tip Fly from Kuala Lumpur via Ahmedabad or Jaipur to Udaipur, India in 5:00 / 0:35 in a Global Express XRS that seats 13 passengers.
Contact Luxaviation Asia: charter.asia@luxaviation.com +65 6814 0590
Winding down in The Oberoi Spa is the perfect way to end a day spent by the pool or trekking through the arcades of the bazaar. Encircling a white-marble fountain within the two-storey chandeliered atrium is a fitness centre, steam room and hair salon. The second floor includes couple’s therapy suites that overlook the lake and mountain ranges. Treatments incorporate Ayurvedic herbs soaked in therapeutic oil and aromatherapy. Professional therapists have developed holistic, non-clinical programmes that relieve tension and stimulate marma points – concentrated energy centres around the body. The in-house Yogacharya also provides private meditation and yoga sessions that encompass breathing techniques, poses and Sanskrit mantras. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur is a place to indulge in the lavish royal lifestyle of a bygone era. The combination of grandiose landscapes, rich flavours and uncommon experiences come together to produce an authentically Rajasthani feast for the eyes, the palate and the soul. • XC E L L E N C E
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Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Collectible Design designmiami.com @designmiami #designmiami
Chair from a series of eight/ Jacques Quinet, 1960/ Courtesy of Lebreton - Photo by Yvan Grubsky
Dec 6–10, 2017/
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A Look Into The Zeitz MOCAA “What we have created here is a space unlike any seen on the continent for a while; to create the largest contemporary cultural institution in Africa; to advance the careers of the artists of our time; to present ground breaking curatorial content and exhibitions; to present educational programmes to a diverse audience; to secure the museum for future generations; guarantee access for all; to collect, preserve and hold in trust a permanent collection of contemporary art for the people of Africa; to help develop art in Africa. What happens here will radiate well beyond the V&A. The desire for undertaking this project was two-fold…to repurpose a historic landmark within the V&A Waterfront and for it to house something of public civic significance, something open to the public and I believe we have achieved this with the opening of the Zeitz MOCAA. Given the history and socio-economic role the V&A Waterfront plays in South Africa and the sheer number of visits we achieve annually, we felt this gift to the nation, where commerce meets culture, was entirely appropriate. However, for the Zeitz MOCAA to be a success it needs local engagement and ownership. We want this to be a very accessible museum where locals and tourists will gather to enjoy a unique African cultural experience. Our overall success ultimately will depend on how successful we are at making the art accessible and appealing.” — David Green, CEO V&A Waterfront
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Insider guide to Zeitz MOCAA Cape Town’s Waterfront took centre stage for one of the largest spectacles to hit the art world in the 21st century. Set to become one of the most important cultural attractions on the African continent, the Zeitz MOCAA opened its doors on 22 September within a 1920s grain silo – a historic landmark within the city and the tallest building in sub-Saharan Africa until the 1960s – in a partnership through the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and former Puma CEO-turned philanthropist Jochen Zeitz. Showcasing diverse contemporary artworks from throughout Africa and its diaspora, the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa has already garnered much attention.
Seven of the nine floors are filled with art, making this ambitious undertaking a must-visit on your next trip. Here, you will experience the more than 100 galleries, six institutes centred on performance, costume and curatorial studies, to name a few, as well as regular events and activities for visitors of any age. The future-facing atrium dazzles, with a gargantuan dragon made of rubber by the South African artist Nicholas Hlobo suspended above. The permanent collection houses most of Jochen Zeitz’s private collection, which gives an insight to 21st-century artistic practice. Other sections showcase media such as film and photography.
British architect Thomas Heatherwick designed the museum to allure and strike awe. Instead of gutting the former silo, he carved out the space to resemble a futuristic cathedral, incorporating many of the original components of the building, including the dense cellular structure of forty-two tubes that pack the building. The development includes 6,000 square metres of exhibition space, a rooftop sculpture garden, state-of-the-art storage and conservation areas, a bookshop, a restaurant and bar, as well as various reading rooms. On the top levels of the building sits the Silo Hotel, which opened earlier this year. David Green, CEO of the V&A Waterfront,
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1 | The exterior of the Zeitz MOCAA building at night, with The Silo Hotel perched atop. Photo © Iwan Baan 2 | Many features of the grain silo’s original structure were incorporated into the design by architect Thomas Heatherwick. Photo © Iwan Baan 3 | A view of the Atrium from inside the tunnels on the basement level of the Zeitz MOCAA. Photo © Iwan Baan 4 | A view from inside the Atrium space. Photo © Iwan Baan
5 | A view of the V&A Waterfront and Harbour precincts. Photo © Iwan Baan 6 | The Zeitz MOCAA is housed in the historic grain silo, an iconic landmark in Cape Town. Photo © Iwan Baan 7 | The cathedral-like Atrium greets visitors on entering the Zeitz MOCAA. Photo © Iwan Baan
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“Africa has often been defined by outsiders, but this museum gives artists an opportunity to tell their own stories, and provides a different context and perspective for viewers.” — Jochen Zeitz
was largely responsible for the transformation of the building, deciding early on to utilise the space for artwork. Zeitz, who had been building his collection together with curator Mark Coetzee since 2008, generously provided a long-term loan of his artwork as well as substantial funding for the project.
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As a public, not-for-profit entity, the museum has been designed to collect, preserve, research and exhibit 21st-century artwork from within Africa, as well as playing host to international exhibitions, developing supporting educational and enrichment programmes and encouraging intercultural understanding. The museum considers the collection to be political in its gesture, with a goal to acquire seminal artefacts in the 21st century to either be kept in or returned to Africa, as opposed to
following an encyclopaedic collecting strategy. The Zeitz MOCAA is a distinctly African answer to the Tate Modern, a worldclass venue that complements Cape Town’s cultural scene. Amongst the inaugural exhibitions are works by Angolan photographer Edson Chagas, the first African to win a Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale, and petal-like silk saris hanging alongside sepia ancestral photographs by Madagascan Joël Andrianomearisoa. The exhibition has been curated by a diverse staff, resulting in surprising and challenging approaches to traditional artwork. Though the undertaking has not escaped criticism, the museum’s opening demonstrates an approach to art that many traditional institutions have been slow to recognise.
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The Interview
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Mark Coetzee Executive Director and Chief Curator at Zeitz MOCAA
The Zeitz MOCAA is the most ambitious contemporary art museum on the African continent. What led to its founding and who was involved? The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has played an important role of historical significance in South Africa. After a ZAR 500 million investment into its restoration, it has become a hub for commercial retail, fine dining, transportation and now, through the Zeitz MOCAA, contemporary art. I met Jochen Zeitz by chance and after a conversation over pizza, we decided to begin building his private collection to someday go on display in a public space. For the V&A Waterfront, it was clear that a
museum would be integrated into the historic grain silo, which was viewed as a central feature. After considering various options ranging from a maritime to design museum, ultimately, David Green, the CEO of the Waterfront, came into contact with Zeitz and myself, and we decided to use the building as a space to host the collection, which will be on loan for Zeitz’s lifetime. Thomas Heatherwick was commissioned to design the museum.
galleries throughout America and learnt from watching how each institute went about curating. In comparison to the European model, which is very academic and generally state-funded, the American model of curation is much more dynamic, depending on fundraising and trustees. Traditionally, Africa has pursued a European model. I think we have managed to bring together both models to establish a distinctly African model, that carefully assesses what works and what is relevant to the audience whilst being sensitive to not imposing a structure that wouldn’t function here.
Are there any international museums you looked to for inspiration during the curation What sort of process? art can visitors I spent a lot of time working expect when for different museums and visiting the Zeitz MOCAA? 2
Many people confuse modern art with contemporary art. That being said, I believe that the museum represents the radical change and challenges in contemporary African art. Artists from Africa and its diaspora deal with complex topics like
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colonialism and Apartheid. Many people don’t consider that much of Africa went from having no phones straight to having mobile devices, from not having banks to having ATMs and many artists play with interesting media to convey this. Much of the artwork is tremendously ambitious, dealing with difficult issues and subject matter. What has been important to us from the start is promoting a sense of intelligent tourism through art that approaches Africa with a sense of authenticity.
Why do you think that African art has been garnering so much attention in traditional art markets recently? Western museums are increasingly being challenged by why they have what they have. There is accountability behind their collections. We’re dealing with complex social issues across the globe and focussing on giving people voices. The canon of art
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history is very one-sided and there is a countermovement to this. That being said, the art world tends to have a short attention span. It is the job of public museums to create a platform where the arts are preserved. Many museums across the globe, such as the Tate, the Whitby and now the MOCAA are doing their part.
Many artists find that Africa is connected through its history of experience and collective struggles, many of which, in practice, are still contemporary. Currently, only a small part of the collection is on display – the curators have a broader picture. The public will have to wait, but it’s in a way exciting to know that something fresh and challenging will be coming.
What sort of challenges does curating art to represent such a diverse continent pose?
Who are some up-and-coming artists that people should keep an eye out for in the museum?
Africa is comprised of fiftyfour countries and fiftytwo per cent of the global population has African descent. To gather art that represents this scale of diversity is a challenging feat, but it’s a part of a journey that, over time, will begin to paint a clearer picture.
really challenges the perception of contemporary art. There are three types of artwork I find really interesting. First is the diorama, which has been reinterpreted by artists like Athi-Patra Ruga, who uses visual imagery to draw from a diverse range of cultural references, challenging the heteronormative social construction of African history and knowledge. Nandipha Mntambo’s cowhide sculptures are reminiscent of an Amazonian army, addressing ongoing debates around traditional gender roles, body politics and identity. Then there are portraits. Cyrus Kabiru’s selfportrayal of junk transformed
into sculpture deals with our imagination of the future and transformation of modernisation. Mary Sibande’s 3-D artwork references post-Apartheid South Africa and the stereotypical depictions of women. The third type challenges traditional norms in technology, like Edson Chagas’ 5,000 images split into twentythree stacks – a piece that will later exist in people’s homes as opposed to the museum, as visitors can take an image with them. There is also a strong emphasis on the use of digital photography and performance as a means to generate images.
We have twenty-one curators who have done an amazing job sourcing artwork that
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1 | The Centre for the Moving Image, where some of the original silos have been transformed into intimate viewing rooms. Photo © Antonia Steyn 2 | An installation view of The End of Carrying All (2015) by Wangechi Mutu. Photo © Antonia Steyn 3 | An installation view of Mary Sibande’s In the midst of chaos, there is opportunity (2017). Photo © Antonia Steyn 4 | An installation view of Cyrus Kabiru’s Macho Nne series of portraits (2015). Photo © Antonia Steyn 5 | And So Be It (2014) by Daniella Mooney. Photo © Antonia Steyn 6 | An installation view of Mohau Modisakeng’s Untitled series (2012). Photo © Antonia Stey
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The Forecast
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A selection of exhibited artists at Zeitz MOCAA 1 | An installation view of Isaac Julien’s Ten Thousand Waves, 2010. 35mm film, transferred to High Definition on nine-screen installation, dimensions variable. Photo © Antonia Steyn
Isaac Julien British-born artist Isaac Julien is best known for his breakthrough work Looking for Langston (1989), a short film he made on the black American poet Langston Hughes, which has gone on to become a canonical work in the field of African-American and queer studies. The eldest of five children to parents from St Lucia, Julien was determined to attend art school, his interest piquing in
cinema and photography early on in his career. Some of his work has delved into commercial mainstream, such as his 1991 film Young Soul Rebels. In recent years, his work has focussed on complex installations, such as Ten Thousand Waves (2010), an immersive installation projected onto nine doublesided screens arranged in a dynamic structure. He
drew inspiration from the Morecambe Bay tragedy of 2004, in which more than twenty Chinese cockle pickers drowned on a flooded sandbank off the coast of northwest England.
with each other in the cities of London, Reykjavik and Dubai. His work has been displayed at prestigious institutions across the globe, including this year’s Biennale in Venice.
Playtime (2014), the artist’s most ambitious installation thus far, tackles the subject of money, with six protagonists connecting
www.isaacjulien.com
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2 1 | From left: Retrato de um lutador, 2011. Cowhide, resin, polyester mesh and waxed cord, 176 × 146 × 80 cm. Vela Sikubhekile, 2011. Cowhide, resin, polyester mesh, waxed cord and horn, 17 × 156 × 95 cm. Photo © Antonia Sten 2 | An installation of Babel, 2008. Photo © Marlene Steyn
Nandipha Mntambo In her solo exhibition Material Value, Swazi artist Nandipha Mntambo presents artworks that span an entire career of using cowhide and the cultural, historical and universal associations attributed to the medium.
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The obsessive use of bovine by-products and the complex associations we attribute to cattle allows a multiplicity of readings of Mntambo’s work. The idiomatic and proverbial references and associations of traditional bullfighting in Mozambique (tauromaquia) imbue her work with ambiguities and contradictions.
Mntambo’s engagement with the physical and tactile properties of cowhide resides in its counteractive properties, its malleability when wet and righty when dry, both inhibiting and facilitating her artistic interventions. In this sense, the material takes on agency – a female figure – with the ability to control the outcome of its own form. The concept
of anthropomorphism is extended to the material consciousness that remains in the cell of each hide as it moulds to the shape of a ghostly human figure, presenting a liminal boundary between mankind and the animal kingdom. www.stevenson.info
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1 | Genesis [Je n’isi isi] I–III, 2016. Photo © Marlene Steyn 2 | State of the Nation, 2011. Photo © Marlene Steyn
Kudzanai Chiurai Independence from colonial rule came with a responsibility for African leaders to construct new democratic symbols of nationhood. Kudzanai Chiurai’s work invites us to consider how the symbols of an African heroic male
figure can be challenged. It also reflects on the role of women as victims, observers, witnesses and sometimes initiators in the violence that ensues during conflict and power struggles. The attempt of nations to find resolution to the political, religious and cultural cycle of conflict in the post-colonial era is depicted throughout
Chiurai’s work. He challenges the fallacy of an independent state and reimagines a feminist nation where female empowerment is admired by men. Women are no longer subjected to political violence, but represented as the country’s decision makers – revolutionary leaders and holy saints – all in control of their own symbolic power.
The alternative nation states in Chiurai’s work are transformed as places where the marginalised can envision a hopeful future, with women being recognised participants in the building of democracy. www.goodman-gallery.com
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1 | From left: Comforter, Comfort Her, Come For Her, 2016 and X The Self-Fish Pedicures, 2016. Oil on linen, 150 × 150 cm. Photo © Antonia Steyn 2 | How To Be A Door, 2016. Painted bronze, 200 × 88 × 20 cm. Photo © Antonia Steyn
Marlene Steyn Born in Cape Town in 1989, Marlene Steyn is known to produce immersive, installation-based experiences, cultivating an expectation for her ever increasingly constructed worlds. Her distinctive iconographic tales
shape through unsettling established ideas surrounding themes of psychoanalytic theory, certain historical narratives of art, as well as popular signifiers borrowed from contemporary culture.
Using anchor points such as the androgynous figure, the fried egg and braided ropes of hair, she reinforces the symbolic visual language that has become the cornerstone of her practice.
Adept at choosing telling details, Steyn reviews familiar objects to create uncanny motifs through repetition and unpredictable combinations.
In 2016, Steyn presented Your Skin Is Not The Best Hiding Place, her first solo exhibition with SMAC Gallery in South Africa. Following the
exhibition, she attended a collaborative residency with product designer Avantika Agarwal at the Shoonya Space – Centre for Art and Somatic Practices in Bangalore. Her most recent solo exhibition, You Can’t Cry When Your Head is Underwater, was presented at Lychee One in London. www.smacgallery.com
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Itinerary Paris Photo
London Art Fair
Cape Town Art Fair
One of the premier international art fairs for works in the photographic medium, the 21st edition of Paris Photo will be held at the Grand Palais this year. The annual event for collectors, professionals, artists and enthusiasts offers its visitors a qualitative and diverse selection of artworks alongside an ambitious public programme led by industry leaders. More than 180 galleries and publishers will present a complete panorama of the history of photography: from vintage and modern works to contemporary creations, rare and limited editions and avant-premiere book releases. The Prismes sector features a curated presentation of large format, series and video and/or installation works.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, London Art Fair has given access to exceptional modern and contemporary art, as well as expert insight into the changing market. Presenting leading British and international galleries alongside the curated spaces Art Projects and Photo50, the fair invites collectors and visitors to discover works by renowned artists from the 20th century to today. For the 2018 edition, the fair will be partnering with Art UK – the digital platform for the UK’s publicly funded art collections. The charity’s mission statement of transforming public access to the nation’s art collection is achieved through digitising artworks and creating exciting opportunities for public interaction with art both on and offline.
Bringing together the city’s vibrant art scene, Cape Town Art Fair showcases a diversity of work that represents the forefront of contemporary art from Africa to the world. Driven by the top galleries on the African continent, Cape Town is a compelling destination for both art world professionals and collectors. In its sixth edition, the fair plans on showing works from more than eighty exhibitors, both from established contemporary artists from South Africa, the African continent, the Middle East and Europe, but also from emerging artists all over the world. The ambitious programme includes interactive installations, walkabouts, special projects and talks with industry leaders.
Grand Palais | Paris 9–12 November 2017
Business Design Centre | London 17–21 January 2018
Art Basel Miami The American showing of the worldrenowned Art Basel fair brings together leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa to show significant work from the masters of modern and contemporary art, as well as the new generation of emerging stars. Paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, films and edition works of the highest quality are on display in the main exhibition hall, whilst ambitious large-scale artworks, films and performances become part of the city’s outdoor landscape. Over 250 of the world’s leading galleries participate in the fair, offering an exciting and inspiring week for artists, collectors, curators, critics and enthusiasts. Miami Beach Convention Centre | Miami Beach 7–10 December 2017
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Art Stage Singapore The flagship art fair of Southeast Asia kicks off the international art season annually in January with the very best of Asian contemporary art. With a deep understanding of Asia’s dynamic visual arts scene, the fair presents the diversity of art rising from the region. Its location at the crossroads of the East makes it a catalyst for igniting heightened market activity in the entire region, attracting the world’s most influential collectors, buyers and VIPs. Art Stage Singapore promotes dialogue between Asia and the West through carefully curated galleries, but although consistently supports Asian galleries, artists and art practices. Sands Expo & Convention Centre | Singapore 25–28 January 2018
International Convention Centre | Cape Town 16–18 February 2018
Artgenève Over the course of six years of continued development and consolidation, artgenève has taken root in the Geneva Lake region, establishing itself as a high-end and internationally renowned contemporary and modern art fair. For its seventh edition, the fair enlarges its offer to decorative arts, historic and contemporary design and tribal art by inviting the Pavilion des Arts et du Design, Paris & London. International galleries are showcased in addition to a large area for public and private collections, as well as independent spaces and curators, promoting the dynamism created through the dialogue between institutions and galleries. Palexpo | Geneva 01–04 February 2018
22 – 27 March 2018
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Frans Lanting
INTO AFRICA Frans Lanting's images reveal the wonders of wild Africa and create an enduring vision of the continent’s primeval natural heritage – and what is at stake in the 21st century. His images feature some of the most celebrated landscapes on Earth, from the sweeping vistas of the Serengeti Plains and the water wilderness of the Okavango Delta to the enchanting deserts of Namibia, the bewildering jungles of the Congo, and the otherworldly island of Madagascar.
“While tracking cheetahs in Kenya, I followed a coalition of three brothers in a part of the Maasai Mara visited by many tourists. These males grew up in public and act like stars – which they are. They have given multitudes of safari-goers the thrill of a lifetime, and at the same time, they are passing on their precious genes to the next generation. How much more can we expect from any one cheetah? And how much are we doing in return?”
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PHOTOGRAPHY
“A family of meerkats sun themselves at first light in the Kalahari Desert, where it can get quite cold during the winter. When they warm up, they’ll scamper across the landscape searching for scorpions and insects, but they’re always on the lookout for their enemies in the sky. With their keen vision they can spot eagles as specks in the distance, and when they do, they’ll dive into the nearest burrow."
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“Dwarfed by immense sand dunes tinged pink by morning light, a lone oryx makes its way along a dune crest in the border area between Namibia and Angola."
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“On summer nights, the musical tinkling of reed frogs drifts across tranquil lagoons in the delta. Its backwaters are oases of calm where you can glide through fields of floating blossoms in a dugout canoe."
“Trophy hunters are reflected in the eye of a zebra killed moments earlier. Licensed trophy hunting as well as local hunting was legal in Botswana until 2014, when the government banned all hunting over concerns about sharp declines in wildlife."
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PHOTOGRAPHY
“The giant quiver trees growing in South Africa’s northern desert look like living sculptures. At day’s end, I juxtaposed a grove of shaded trees against the background of a sunlit rocky hillside to express the miracle of life in the desert."
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“I like to get eye-to-eye with animals and portray them as individuals. I worked with one pride of eight lionesses for several weeks and got to know them intimately. At dusk, with eyes and ears scanning the bush, four of them are alert and ready to hunt."
Frans Lanting Texts and Photographs taken from INTO AFRICA, Earth Aware Editions. The INTO AFRICA Collector’s Edition is available from November 2017. It is limited to 250 numbered copies, each hand signed by Frans Lanting on vellum tip-in sheet. It is cased with cream-coloured linen cloth and features Lanting’s classic image, “Elephant at Dawn” (see p 42) in a beveled inset. The book comes inside an exquisitely designed clamshell case, with the title and Lanting’s name debossed in matte gold foil stamping on the cover of the case and spine, making this a truly elegant display piece.
Format: Hardcover Dimensions: 36.5 × 33.7 cm Price: USD 350 Copies can be pre-ordered from the Frans Lanting Studio gallery@lanting.com | www.lanting.com
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TRAVEL
Keemala
Kamala, Kathu District, Phuket, Thailand Tucked into the hillside forests of Phuket, each fantasy villa has a private pool that overlooks the treetops to the Andaman Sea. Inspired by stories from Thai mythology, the cottages, tents and tree houses are modelled after the community of ancient clans that settled the island. Serving local and international cuisine, the onsite chefs receive especially high praise for their delectable Indian dishes. +66 76 358 777 www.slh.com
FOREST BREAK
INTO THE WILD Nature is the perfect place to detox from Wi-Fi signals and the unrelenting glow of city lights. Provided with a never ending kaleidoscope of landscapes from which to choose, the forest maintains a mystical appeal for its promise of a glimpse of creatures yet unseen and the discovery of plants that have the capacity to both heal and nourish. These inimitable environments have inspired a myriad of locations adapted specifically to enjoy the woodlands of the world in both comfort and luxury.
Juvet Landscape Hotel Alstad, More Og Romsdal, Norway
Forming the set of sci-fi movie Ex-Machina are seven cabins set in a majestic landscape. Developed without heavy machinery or disturbing the original vegetation, the remote hideouts seem grown in place rather than built. Appointed without so much as a painting or an iPhone dock, minimal distractions encourages guests to enjoy the scenery with a swim in the river or a walk through the lush surrounding forest. knut@juvet.com www.juvet.com 50
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Kingston Treehouse
Lion Sands Game Reserve, Sabi Sand Reserve, South Africa Positioned on an open air perch just out of reach of the local wildlife, this treehouse is as close as you can get to a raw experience of the African bushveld. Armed with a two-way radio and a retracted drawbridge for safety, guests are left with a constellation app to bring context to their stargazing while fighting hippos, sawing leopards and cackling hyenas roam the grounds below until sunrise. +27 11 880 9992 www.lionsands.com
Golden Triangle Four Seasons Ruak River, Chiang Rai, Thailand
Greeted with a longboat transfer to accommodations that resemble a luxurious 19th-century explorer campsite, each tent is equipped with an outdoor living area that faces the river valley with views of Burma and Laos. As a natural habitat for rescued elephants, guests can experience close encounters regularly at breakfast or take a walk on the wild side with these gentle giants with a bath in the river. +66 53 910 200 www.fourseasons.com
7th Room at Treehotel
Harads, Sweden The 7th Room is the newest luxury treetop cabin with panoramic views at Treehotel. The netted outdoor patio between the rooms is perfect for watching the magnificent northern lights or taking in a birds eye view of the ground below. Perched at ten metres high, the entire underside of the building is covered by a life size photograph of the treetops. The 75-square-metre living space can accommodate five poeple and is decorated with Scandinavian wood and textiles. +46 928 103 00 www.treehotel.se XC E L L E N C E
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Whether you want to BUY, SELL OR LEASE your aircraft you can trust like-minded people within our international network to understand your local needs
KIMON RIEFENSTAHL The Danai’s owner gives us a glimpse into his family’s history It’s truly a family affair at the Danai – arguably Halkidiki’s most stunning resort. With sixty-two plush accommodations on a secluded beachfront, it’s the perfect place to escape from a busy schedule. Founded more than forty years ago by a husband and wife team, it’s now run by their son Kimon Riefenstahl, who helped transform it into one of the leading hotels in the country. Xcellence sat down with him to catch a glimpse behind the scenes, with a look into the hotel’s dedication to personalised service and utmost quality.
Left page As the premier hotel in Halkidiki, the Danai is the perfect venue for enjoying the crystalclear waters of Aegean in utmost style and comfort Right page As a family-run establishment, Kimon Riefenstahl and the staff at the Danai put emphasis on creating meaningful relationships with guests
TRAVEL
Greece is one of the most awe-inspiring destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors from across the globe each year. What makes the Danai’s location in Halkidiki so special in your eyes?
am the Managing Director, the entire family is somehow involved. The founders still take care of the furnishings and design as well as all renovation processes with passion and care.
We are located in Sithonia, the middle “finger” of the peninsula, which boasts an abundance of unspoilt nature, charming villages, rural areas. Its many secret and pristine beaches make it ideal for a recuperative holiday. We are located next to Mount Athos, which is worth a pilgrimage and attracts many culturally-interested tourists worldwide. Our hotel is set in a secluded location, featuring a private beach and surrounded by lush nature and beautifully blooming gardens. The distance to the airport and the city of Thessaloniki is considerably short. Due to our unique location, we can secure privacy as well as an exclusively noise-free environment.
As a family-owned business, what are some of the challenges and opportunities that has presented themselves at the Danai?
The greatest challenge is the responsibility one has for both guests as well as employees. I aim to provide the best for both. It is a
pp 54–55 all images © Danai Beach Resort & Villas
Tell us a bit about the history of the Danai.
The history of the establishment reaches back to 1975, when it was founded by my mother (Greek) and father (German). At that time, no hotels were present in the area at all. A friend of my mother, who happened to be the president of the national touristic organisation, asked her whether she would be able to host him along with a few diplomat friends of his at her house, which had the space to accommodate that number of people. The guests found their hosts and the house very delightful and continued staying with her for further days, eventually inviting more friends to join. Based on that experience and the joy she had hosting her guests, she ultimately decided to open her house to even more people by finally turning the family residence into a steadily-growing hotel complex. In 1996, the family run business shrank from 120 rooms to sixty, determined to set the focus on quality rather than quantity. Nowadays, the complex consists of sixty-two suites of different sizes as well as exclusive villas. The original number of employees has grown from thirty to 160 people. While I
constant process to try and establish longlasting and reliable relationships between my employees and our guests, which of course requires excellent choices in employment but furthermore, constant education and sensibility implementation for being of truly hospitable by nature.
or employee, each individual wishes to being recognised as such and requires personalised attention and care.
What is the most outrageous request you have ever received from a guest that you were able to fulfil?
During one couples’ stay, the gentleman requested to organise something unique as he wanted to propose to his girlfriend. He left EVERYTHING to us; it actually ended up being a surprise for both of them! We asked the man all about their preferences in terms of food and the wine and instructed him to meet us with his girlfriend at a nearby beach off-site, which was completely deserted. Prior to their arrival, we had prepared a beautiful setup with sunbeds, umbrellas and a pop-up bar just for them. A barman and butler were there waiting to serve the couple. We installed a bathroom close to the sunbed, which included a romantic bathtub and the couple’s personal belongings. Upon arriving on site, they enjoyed the sea and the freshly prepared drinks. We escorted them towards the “bathroom” area, where they were stunned to discover their belongings all neatly presented for them and a romantic candlelit bath with numerous flowers. Lastly, we treated them to an on-spot spa treatment. With the sun setting in the background, we asked them to dress for dinner. We had prepared a romantic candlelit dinner accompanied by a grand piano and pianist. During the dinner, an opera singer serenaded the couple who was spontaneously transferred there via boat. As the gentleman got down on one knee, the staff were discreetly on hand to hear the ecstatic “YES!”, which was our cue to release the fireworks! It was an amazing surprise for both of them and the most magical day! •
What, in your opinion, are the most important things to consider when operating a luxury resort?
To connect the guests with the staff and make them feel at home, not having to worry at all and being confident that they will be well taken care of. Whether guest XC E L L E N C E
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“I want the experience to be stimulating but healthy both for the guests and our patch of land.” — Dan Hunter
EPICUREAN
BRAE Australian Chef Dan Hunter’s unique approach challenges preconceived notions of fine cuisine
he small town of Birregurra in Australia’s Otway ranges seems an unlikely location for one of the world’s best restaurants. A 12-hectare farm in said town even less so. And yet, since 2013, critically acclaimed chef Dan Hunter has been welcoming guests here at his restaurant Brae, honoured with the title of 44th best in the world.
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Considering his late introduction to cooking, it’s a surprise that Dan Hunter is a chef at all. “I wasn’t brought up in one of those food families, in which everything revolves around family recipes,” he writes in his memoire and cookbook Brae. Growing up in suburban Melbourne, Hunter neither did well in school nor did he have much direction in his youth. After graduating high school, he moved into the city and eventually got a job working as a kitchen hand. After a couple of stints washing dishes in pubs and the like, Hunter followed his then girlfriend Jules (now his wife) to the UK, where he got his first real chance to work as a chef at a pub in Bath. He worked about five months here, then embarking on a trip to Central America. “The thing that still stands out is the memory of travelling somewhere where food was central to the culture,” he writes. “Those few months in a kitchen as a cook had created an interest in food that I never had
before and I spent a big portion of that trip tasting as many new things as I could.” The trip opened Hunter’s eyes to the important relationship between food and a country’s DNA – prompting him to consider a career as a chef a little more seriously. After his trip to Central America, he returned to London and worked for a few months at a nursing home, eventually working his way up to preparing evening meals for the forty or so residents. This is when he decided to return to Melbourne and start an apprenticeship in a kitchen. Hunter began his training under Adrian Upward at the Melbourne Oyster bar when he was twenty-four years old. After eighteen months of training, the chef encouraged him to try out something new, and placed in a call at Langton’s, one of the city’s premier restaurants. It was his first experience in a fine-dining establishment, run by Jeremy Strode, and he learnt quickly in that kitchen. But he came to realise that he needed to gain some international experience to really make his mark – to do something different than all of the French-trained, English chefs who were dictating the style of many top kitchens in Australia. Having picked up a bit of Spanish during his travels, he left for Spain, eventually landing at Mugaritz in 2005. “I’ve always found it a little difficult to summarise XC E L L E N C E
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Left With a focus on seasonality and sustainability, much of the produce served at Brae comes directly from the surrounding gardens
“I want Brae to be an immersive experience,” explains Hunter. From the dining room, guests can gaze across the well-kept grounds, through orchards and groves. Hunter wants guests to notice that the grounds are worked on and cared for by people. “We made a decision not to preach to our guests about food provenance, but it’s there in plain sight.” The open kitchen, the light-flooded restaurant, the gardens you drive buy when you arrive – these are just a few of the ways Hunter operates transparently. Brae’s gardens and the surrounding local farms provide the restaurant with its high-quality ingredients. “I decided that the food we serve should always reflect who we are at the present time, that it should continually evolve and be mostly made up of humble home-grown, locally grown or wild ingredients that mirror the season, the current day’s weather and our geographical region.”
And so, the menu at Brae features uniquely Australian ingredients, be it from the land or sea. Hunter has consciously chosen his dishes to be plant forward, either grown on-site or on local sustainable farms. “One interesting and important discovery that has come to me by having daily contact and interaction with our vegetable gardens is the ability to be much more courageous and spontaneous with dishes for the menu.” In just a few years, Hunter has managed to draw attention to a sustainable and green approach to fine dining that is so dear to him. Guests from across the globe visit his restaurant for the AUD 240 per head menu that takes several hours, feasting on unique dishes like the famed Iced Oyster (essentially an ice-cream like dish flavoured of oyster) or the smoked eel doughnut. Each dish is nuanced and fun, admirably technical in preparation and yet approachable. “The menu at Brae is, hopefully, reflective of what we would eat if we ate together informally,” he explains. And so, in this little farmhouse about two hours from Melbourne, he welcomes diners in a way that challenges the concept of traditional fine dining. •
Right Brae is housed in an old farmhouse in which Hunter welcomes guests as he would to his own home
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pp 56–58 all images © Colin, p 59 (Blue Hill at Stone Barns) © Ira Lippke, (Relae) © P.A. Jörgensen, (Septime) © F. Flohic, (NARISAWA) © Sergio Coimbra
what it was like to work at Mugaritz and what I took away from the experience,” explains Hunter. “It’s a place that really opened my eyes to the possibilities of what a restaurant can be.” He remained at the restaurant until 2007, before deciding to return to Melbourne. By chance, he was offered a position as head chef at the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, where he worked for six years. “I realised that I had a very clear vision for what I wanted a restaurant to be and, unfortunately, I was in the wrong place.” It took four years for Hunter to find a location that met his expectations: within 150 kilometres of Melbourne, close to the coast, close to a town but not in it, on a property with enough land to grow food. In August 2013, he finally purchase the property, and after four months of renovating the existing building and grounds, Brae was born.
EPICUREAN
SUSTAINABLE DINING Sustainability is a trend we’re happy to follow. From farm-to-table dining to regional-seasonal fare, international chefs are choosing to focus on a new type of luxury. Xcellence takes a look at some of the restaurants that are redefining our perception of fine dining and what it means to go green.
Blue Hill at Stone Barns Located forty-eight miles north of New York City in Westchester County, this restaurant is set inside a beautiful barn. Helmed by talented chef Dan Barber, the simple yet delicious farm-fresh food sourced from the surrounding fields and pastures is transformed into groud-breaking dishes. Also housing the Stone
Barn educational centre, guests can understand more about what they eat and are invited to visit the farm. There are no menus, as such, but instead a parade of thirty or more bites and courses to suit all tastes. Barber continues to blur the line between the dining experience and the educational, bringing the principles of good farming directly to the table. www.bluehillfarm.com
Relæ
Septime
Opened in 2010 in Copenhagen by Christian F. Puglisi and partner Kim Rossen, Relæ was awarded a Michelin star only two years later. The dining concept is centred around no-fuss comfort food and natural wines, while their manifesto states that simplicity with quality comes first. Fully committed to the sustainable movement, the space is simply styled with wooden tables and chairs, while diners are invited to help themeselves with cutlery and to pour their own wine. Offering four to seven courses, with vegetables put centre stage, the dishes served could be compared to a long symphony of flavours, textures and ideas to be experienced as a whole. www.restaurant-relae.dk
Awarded the Sustainable Restaurant Award in 2017, Septime’s approach is holistic. Owner-chef Bertrand Grébaut, who trained the kitchens of Alain Passard’s Arpège, has quickly drawn attention to himself in the Parisian fine-dining scene. With the mission of being sustainable in every way possible, guests dine on some of the finest produce France has to offer – with a menu that consists of eighty per cent vegetables and where every single person on the food chain received a fair treatment. Overall, Septime encompasses everything from protecting the environment to preserving historical techniques and creating harmony throughout the entire system. If you are not able to get a table at the restaurant, try the small but brilliantly accomplished wine bar Septime La Cave on the other side of the street. www.septime-charonne.fr
NARISAWA Located in Tokyo, chef Yoshihiro is a pioneer of cuisine that is connected to the preservation of the natural environment. His restaurant Narisawa has established an original genre of cuisine: “Innovative Satoyama Cuisine,” which expresses Yoshihiro’s respect for the rich gastronomical culture of the Japanese Satoyama. A traditional rural landscape of Japan, the Satoyama Initiative focuses on harmonising society with nature. Narisawa places seasonal produce front and centre, bringing nature to plate through the careful curation of a few core ingredients. “Guests should fall under the spell of the season,” explains Yoshihiro. “They should not only be eating a meal; they should absorb life itself.” www.narisawa-yoshihiro.com
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Strong believers in objects of enduring quality, Thomas Lykke and Anne-Marie Buemann create generational products that take a permanent place in the home
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DESIGN
A PATH TO PERFECTION OEO Studio revives heritage brands with a fresh perspective eginning in 2003, the former interiors editor at Wallpaper* Magazine decided to establish a design studio that specialises in product design, interior architecture and brand innovation. Founded in Copenhagen, Thomas Lykke now serves as head designer and creative director for a company he has dubbed OEO Studio. Together with the help of managing partner and CEO Anne-Marie Buemann, they work with a diverse range of clients to produce award-winning designs and premium products.
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p 60 © Marie Louise Munkegaard
Taking a very human approach to design, Lykke and Buemann have a perceptive ability to bring out a brand’s true personality. Whilst working with Kadeau, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Denmark, they aimed to create a holistic environment that reflected the chef’s roots from a small Danish island in the Baltic Sea. Their solution was to design a warm and intimate atmosphere that provided guests with a sense of being welcomed into a sophisticated but down-to-earth dinner party at a private residence. In their own backyard of Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District, they created a quirky colourful interior for a bookshop/café that sells a wide array of independent culinary magazines. In order to create noteworthy design, their view is that the process must be motivated by a desire to inspire people on an emotional level. The space they created for the flagship jewellery store of floral designer Nicoli Bergmann is a meticulous assembly of contrasts; heavy contemporary woods were balanced with bright natural light and soft furniture. OEO design studio is in no way moved by visually
appealing artifice. Their goal is to always produce objects that are beautiful, environmentally sympathetic and relevant. For Brdr. Krüger, they worked to bring a little something extra to a woodturning workshop that originated in the mid-century Danish modern
movement. Accented with elegant and durable fabrics, the products were instant classics that perfectly captured a sense of modern sophistication. Their deceptively simple designs made the collection of earthy yet chic chairs and bar stools versatile enough for hospitality or domestic use. When approached by six craft companies from Kyoto looking to bring their traditional crafts to an international stage, OEO Studio was all in. Together, they came up with new designs that could be produced using 1,000-year-old traditions in ceramics, metalknitting, tea wares, wood and bamboo craft. The final result was to create a new umbrella brand that could be properly curated to showcase a variety of heritage products reimagined in novel and compelling new designs. Known as Japan Handmade, many products from the collection have already made it into London’s Victoria & Albert Museum’s permanent collection, the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum in New York and Denmark’s Design Museum. By adapting their passion and know-how, OEO Studio was able to help create a refined collection of bespoke products made with materials that will age gracefully into family heirlooms. The following pages highlight four of the six makers from the Japan handmade collection and are a testament to OEO’s dedication to the creation of meaningful products with an enduring quality. The work of Kaikado, Kohchosai Kosuga, Nakagawa Mokkougei and Hosoo present a diversity of elegant yet accessible design forms that shift focus from pure visuals to the conscious enjoyment of a more tactile experience. In this way, they are successfully able to acquaint a new global audience to the poetry and soul of Japanese design. • XC E L L E N C E
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DESIGN
KAIKADO aikado established itself in the mid 1870s around the time Japan opened up to trade with the rest of the world. The subsequent import of tin from England inspired the company's founder Kiyosuke to design the first tin tea caddy. A necessity for maintaining freshness, air tight containers were essential in the time before refrigeration. Welldesigned and functional, many orders came in from tea dealers and hardware merchants. Kiyosuke took bespoke orders and made them according to the needs of each store.
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The 140-step manufacturing process and even the original die and moulds are still in use today. Six generations later the basic design still avoids excessive detail but additional materials such as brass, copper and silver have been incorporated into production. After many rounds of use and polishing, these natural materials age gracefully with changes in colour and patina. Their latest Objects Collection includes tea pots, water pitchers, trays, vases, champagne coolers and more. www.oeo.dk/kaikado
DESIGN
KOHCHOSAI KOSUGA amboo has served as an integral part of daily life in Japanese culture for more than 10,000 years. An ideal substitute for wood, its rapid growth and lack of need for pesticides has allowed this raw material to exist in abundance for generations. Using aesthetics derived from their founder – an Edo era painter whose work can be seen in the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts – Kohchosai Kosuga has specialised in bamboo artistic handicrafts since 1898.
p 62 © Kaikado, p 63 © Kohchosai Kosuga
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Harvested during the winter months, the bamboo is steamed to remove oils and then dried in the sun for several weeks. When ready, it is cut with a specialised kiku-wari knife and, depending on the product, can be further cut down to a thickness of 0.2–0.5 millimetres using special tools. Dyed two or three times before and after weaving, items are finished with a generous lacquering. The Sartorial Collection, created with OEO Studio, combines the company's philosophy of innovation with a style-savvy functionality well-suited for contemporary lifestyles. www.oeo.dk/kohchosai-kosuga
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DESIGN
NAKAGAWA MOKKOUGEI regular household item in Japan since the 1700s, the hand crafted wooden ki-oke is a multi purpose bucket that had many uses including those for bathing rituals and the storage of rice and miso. Using only local materials from various regions, they select wood depending on the final use of the product. For rice bowls they use certain species of Cypress for its acid resistance and mild aroma while others with antibacterial and water resistant properties are used for the creation of bathtubs.
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The typical process calls for arranging strips of wood into a circle and binding them with a metal or bamboo strip on the outside. However, Shuji Nakagawa, as the third generation of the family business, brought a new approach to the 700-yearold technique. His design collaboration with OEO Studio produced the Ki-oke Stool which brought a contemporary edge to Kyoto wood crafting. This piece is now part of the permanent collection in the Toshiba Gallery at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. www.oeo.dk/nakagawa-mokkougei
DESIGN
p 64 Š Nakagawa Mokkougei, p 65 Courtesy of Hosoo
HOSOO ounded in 1688, their history is linked with the Kyoto silk industry of the sixth century. It was the nobles of the Imperial courts of Kyoto and the samurai class that first appreciated the Nishijin technique for its ability to produce fine garments and kimonos. Today, Hosoo remains well-known for their skills with traditional Japanese three-dimensional weaving techniques.
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The process begins with the creation of a hand painted pattern. The yarn is then dyed to match the pattern. The process of dying the yarn is painstakingly done in
order to compose a colour scheme of only the richest and deepest tones. The most unique aspect of this type of fabric is the inclusion of gold and silver which is shredded and woven with silk thread. The looming process creates a richly textured Nishijin weave that incorporates contemporary design. Connected to the global luxury market, Hosoo provides woven materials for both fashion, textile and hospitality clients like The Four Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton. www.oeo.dk/hosoo
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SHOPPING
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OLD HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR
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8 The usual stocking fillers will not do for this sophisticated dame. She adores dripping chandeliers and boudoir touches with an air of grace, the full endeavour is needed to impress this holiday season. Luckily for you we have picked a selection of luxuriously elegant ideas to make that special lady in your life beam with happiness.
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GIADA Autumn/Winter ’17/’18 Alexander White ‘Issey’ suede ruffle heel Loro Piana fawn ski band in fox fur cashmere and silk Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris Aqua Celestia fragrance
5 | Mark Cross ‘Grace Large Box’ in fine Italian brush off leather and lambskin lining 6 | Smythson Mara 3 drawer crocodile print calf leather jewellery box 7 | Elham & Issa bespoke diamond necklace 8 | Tim Walker Pictures book available from teNeues
SHOPPING
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THE TIMELESS GENTLEMAN
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3 Think dapper, sleek, think Carey Grant in North by Northwest. Christmas ideas for the traditionally modern gentleman, no novelty socks here! Something for even the most particular man, this sterling selection of options will not disappoint, you will leave him highly anticipating next year’s festive offering.
1 | Kiton Autumn/Winter ’17/’18 2 | Berluti Opus Bergen leather Oxford 3 | Utimate Toys for Men by Michael Brunnbauer available from teNeues 4 | Corneliani two-piece single-breasted suit in virgin wool, silk and flax
5 | Byredo ‘Mister Marvelous’ eau de parfum 6 | Rolex Oyster Perpetual 18-carat rose gold timepiece with olive green dial 7 | Globe-Trotter Japanese Urushi lacquer ‘Orient 30’ extra deep suitcase 8 | Czech & Speake No. 88 shaving set and stand
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BRAND STORY
BESPOKE TAILORING Huntsman tailors define the art and look of being a gentleman
n institution of British luxury, Huntsman has over a century of archival inspiration that informs their style philosophy. The company began as a simple equestrian and military tailor shop in 1849, when the founder, Henry Huntsman, purchased an existing business from a forty-year-old gaiter and breeches maker.
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Huntsman became a destination tailor in the 1950s during the golden age of cinema. Actors like Clark Gable, Rudolph Valentino and Elizabeth Taylor made up their impressive client list. Hollywood’s leading men and women influenced an entire generation and their bespoke outfits of the time continue to serve as a reference point for taste and glamour.
In 1886, Huntsman acquired its first Royal Warrant as the maker of leather breeches for the Prince of Wales. The commissions quickly expanded to Prince Albert and finally to Queen Victoria herself in 1888, which established them as the go-to supplier for riding country attire.
Men’s style icon Gregory Peck commissioned over 160 suits for his private and professional wardrobe, including the dinner jacket he wore to collect his Academy Award for Best Actor. His sons attest that he never owned a pair of jeans, and wore his tweed until the elbows and knees needed patching. They inherited their fathers dapper wardrobe and still wear his blazers today, elbow patches and all – a testament to the lifetime quality and character of Huntsman cloth and tailoring.
After the company took up a Savile Row address in 1919, their bespoke service offerings expanded to include suits and evening wear. Their most iconic look, known as the ‘Huntsman cut’, is a long coat with strong shoulders and a single button fastening. Elegant and comfortable, it has remained the ideal choice for public figures and statesmen who require a sharp look for daily use. 68
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In addition to the glamorous set, Huntsman has contributed to the sporting world. Lead by Prince Harry and dressed in full bespoke riding gear and suits, the Huntsman team won the 2014 Sentebale Polo Cup. They also created the driving suits for industrial
Right The Huntsman tailoring process is 100% bespoke, with a dedication to their craft that employs the world’s finest materials, attracting royals, movie stars and even other designers
BRAND STORY
“MANNERS MAKETH MAN” A selection of the “Rules of Sartorial Engagement” → Never wear trainers with formal trousers or a suit.
→ Only wear patent leather shoes for black and white tie events.
→ Avoid wearing a slip-on shoe with a suit unless it is a formal tasselled loafer.
→ Shirts should always be long sleeved, unless a polo shirt. If you want to keep cool, roll your sleeves up!
→ Always ensure your coat sleeve length is correct and that you are showing just the right amount of cuff, around one centimetre.
→ Shirts worn with suits should not have out-breast pockets on them. Save these for weekend wear, if at all! → Suits should be worn with a round-toe shoe such as a Cleverley Oxford as opposed to anything squared or pointy.
designer Marc Newson and his wife/co-pilot Charlotte Stockdale. Their participation in the 2016 and 2017 Mille Miglia Storica required clothing suited for long distance drives in open top classic cars. Made of a lightweight all-weather cotton and modelled after vintage driving suits, the aptly named ‘Marc Newson onesie’ was accessorised with tweed gilets designed with deep pockets to hold all the modern essentials. Even though their bespoke services are available to fulfil any kind of request, most clients opt for a suit or sports jacket in the classic house style. Developed over one hundred years ago, the classic style is a hybrid of a classic riding jacket and a dinner suit: firm shoulders and high arm holes paired with a defined waist and the clean and subtly accentuated lines of military tailoring. Created using thirty-five different measurements and configurations, each suit is doted upon with over sixty hours of tailoring. The refined look is the work of not only the tailor but of the cloth. Numerous intimate conversations between client and tailor inform the design and development of every new cloth. Every year they commission an updated version of the perfect suit; accessible enough for daily wear yet still heavy enough to bring gravitas to the boardroom. In 2007, they began producing luxury suits using some of the world’s finest wool. The cloth equivalent of a fine Château Pétrus wine, production is often limited to as little as twenty suits, ensuring the company’s continued history of exclusive and bespoke offerings. Always on the leading edge, Huntsman became the first Savile Row tailor to take up permanent residence in New York City. This is in addition to their overseas 70
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→ Do not wear a solid black suit for business or professional activities, save it for formal events and funerals. The most versatile suit of all is a classic navy worsted two piece. It will always hit the right note. →A lways leave the bottom button of your waistcoat/vest unbuttoned.
trunk shows. A major endeavour, their circuit includes several major cities in Asia, both US coasts and the Middle East. This pioneering service meets the needs of the clients by providing access to company tailors three to four times per year.
Below Zack is the grandson of American actor Gregory Peck, who remains one of Huntsman’s most esteemed clients for his commission of over 160 suits
Like becoming part of a understated club, the Huntsman silhouette is distinct and many clientele find it easily recognisable, even at a distance. Dedicated to working exclusively with discreet colours and classic fits, Huntsman continues to exemplify the ultimate look of the perfect gentleman. •
pp 68–70 all images © Huntsman Savile Row
→ If your trousers have belt loops, wear a belt and match your shoes to it.
→ Avoid carrying a backpack when wearing a suit and avoid doing so on your commute at all costs.
BUSINESS TRAVEL
TRAVEL SMART When the going gets tough, the tough keep going – and get a luggage upgrade. Overwhelmed with choices, Xcellence has rounded up its top selection of travel essentials to keep you rolling. Whether you’re boarding a sea plane or a bullet train, your belongings should always be safe, stylish and secure.
Smythson: Mara Travel Watch Roll Brilliantly functional, this is a must-have travel accessory. Crafted with premium calf leather, the easyon-the-eyes contrast suede lining holds a removable padded roll that will accommodate a diversity of watch styles. www.smythson.com
Horizn Studios: Cabin Luggage Now that your luggage is as smart as you are, you’ll never have to hunt for an electrical outlet again because this carry-on has a removable charger that can reboot your mobile device up to six times. The aerospace-grade polycarbonate shell that can take a hit and still spring back into shape sits on near silent all-terrain wheels. The waterproof front pocket large enough to hold a 15” laptop is made with Italian Vacchetta leather that will age gracefully and develop a lovely patina over time. www.horizn-studios.com
Davidoff: Travel Humidor Lightweight, this modern travel humidor is perfect for the aficionado on the move. Available in three designs to best fit your needs: Explorer, Outdoor and Business. The inlay features a flexible wave design and can securely
hold and preserve up to eight cigars. www.davidoff.com
Hook & Albert: Garment Weekender A thoughtful design process and elevated sense of style has created this sophisticated leather duffle that functions as a garment bag. Equipped with gold-plated hardware and top-grain pebbled leather, it easily holds two suits and a pair of shoes with still more room in the front pockets for accessories and large rear pouch for a tablet or magazine. Perfectly sized, it meets all international carry-on requirements. www.hookandalbert.com
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SPOTLIGHT
The bottle, produced by Baccarat craftsmen from an archive drawing, proves itself to be a shining example of modernity. 540 degrees centigrade is the temperature that molten crystal has to reach in order to produce Baccarat’s hallmark golden red.
BACCARAT ROUGE 540
The Rouge 540 flacon weighs in at 500 grams and is comprised of 160 facets: ninety-six on the bottle, sixty-four on the stopper, while raised gilding is achieved by brushing a mixture of gold powder and a binding agent over re-fired matt enamel.
he woody amber floral fragrance, created by acclaimed perfumer Francis Kurkdjian, embraces Baccarat’s timeless values in a beautifully crafted crystal jewel box. Kurkdjian is fascinated by the way crystal is produced and has made every effort to capture the essence of the Baccarat process. “I wanted to create a graphic fragrance with a formula that was taut and compact in the extremely luminous, dense, transparent and intense fragrance.” Molten crystal inspired him to create this highly structured composition, which bursts forth with a flash of blood orange, in a constellation of oak moss, lavender and sage.
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The bottle, designed by Georges Chevalier, Baccarat’s Creative Director from the ’20s to the ’70s, also has the additional complement of Baccarat’s expertise production of the bottle, including master glassmakers, cutters and gilders. Among the craftsmen are four “Meilleurs Ouvriers de France”(Best Artisans of France). Only 250 pieces have been produced in the Baccarat workshops, making this engraved, fine-gold gilded jewel box a work of art. • Available in select Baccarat boutiques
p 72 lifestyle images © Pol Baril, packshot images © Thierry Peureux, p 73 © Lotusier
An iconic brand, Baccarat is mainly known to produce home, decoration, lighting and jewelry collections in crystal. However, the company’s history also goes handin-hand with the development of the perfume industry in the late 19th century, and today Baccarat still works with leading perfumers and well-known couture houses to produce outstanding fragrance bottles that are true objects of desire. We take a look at the fragrance that was created to mark the brand’s 250th anniversary in 2014.
SPOTLIGHT
The humidor opens to reveal hand-blown crystal containers that form the hub of the elegant humidification system, complete with bespoke German precision instruments for monitoring, as well as Swiss-made accessories and chrome hardware.
LOTUSIER TEA HUMIDOR Lotusier Interiors was founded in 2012 by former Head & Communications of COS – Åsa Eriksson-Ahuja. A native of Sweden, Eriksson-Ahuja has often worked on exclusive interior design projects for clients across the globe, and her new tea humidor, personally designed by her for her tea-loving husband, is an invention that is very close to her heart. Xcellence takes a moment to shine the spotlight on this innovative creation.
The exquisite wood marquetry of the exterior is available in five different designs. Each is inspired by a specific tea-drinking culture: China (Cha Jing Collection), Japan (Saicho Collection), the Indian subcontinent (Indus Collection), the Middle East (Andalus Collection) and the Euro-American Occident (Déco Collection).
otusier is the latest brand in the global luxury market place that marks the significant development in the history of tea. The world’s first tea humidor is exquisitely crafted and designed to elevate the preservation and presentation of tea. Created to store up to six varieties of fine teas in optimal conditions, Lotusier’s humidor draws on the highest European artisanal skills and traditions, a collectable objet d’art item that will be treasured by tea lovers and connoisseurs around the globe. Lotusier has also earned Madame Tseng’s personal seal of approval for the humidor. Widely revered as one of the greatest authorities on tea in the world,
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Madame Yu Hui Tseng is one of only ten internationally recognised Gongfu Tea Masters. Lotusier is currently researching charitable causes relating to global tea plantation workers, to which it will donate ten per cent of profits from sales of the Lotusier Tea Humidor, so that you can also appreciate this exceptional creation guilt free. • www.lotusier.com
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JUMEIRAH VITTAVELI'S ROYAL RESIDENCE A look into the new residence within the Maldives’ premier resort swift twenty-minute boat ride from Malé International Airport lies the Jumeirah Vittaveli, a pristine gem in the Maldivian atoll. The resort is an indulgent retreat, set upon a private island where each detail has been meticulously cared for to provide the utmost in service and comfort.
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Opened in July 2017, the Royal Residence is a luxurious five-bedroom accomodation located on the far end of the island. It spreads across an impressive 3,500 square metres and is the ideal getaway for families and groups of friends, comfortably hosting up to fourteen guests. No luxury is spared: the residence is home to two private swimming pools overlooking the private beach, a dedicated restaurant set atop a Dhoni-shaped deck, a private spa, gym and Jacuzzi.
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The experience at the Royal Residence begins already upon arrival in the Maldives. Guests receive a complimentary priority customs service and a personal welcome at the airport, followed by a luxury yacht transfer to the island. Tucked away from the rest of the resort, the residence is a private paradise of undisturbed peace and tranquility. In its heart resides the Sanctuary suite, which features a king-sized bed, a walk-in wardrobe and separate indoor living area. The bathroom includes an oversized stone bathtub crafted uniquely for the space, complemented by his and hers Hermès vanities. To complete the opulence, the Sanctuary has its own outdoor Jacuzzi with TV, a private massage room and a gym with state-of-the-art equipment. Created with families in mind, the Royal Residence also houses two Guest Villas, one kingsized suite and one twin-bed suite, flanking the main Sanctuary on either side. An additional two-storey, two-bedroom Guest House with its own swimming pool and private white sandy beach is also available for additional guests.
TRAVEL
pp 74–75 all images © Jumeirah Vittaveli
Left Jettisoning out like a massive ship, the Teppanyaki style restaurant of the Royal Residence is shaped like a traditional Maldivian Dhoni Below With space for up to fourteen guests, the Royal Residence includes two guest villas, one guest house, one sanctuary, its own private beach and two swimming pools
The Royal Residence’s kitchen is fully stocked, with a wine cellar featuring rare vintages from around the globe. Guests can take advantage of personalised concierge service, including private butlers, dedicated golf buggies and chauffeurs. The menu of iconic experiences available includes award-winning chefs, a celebrity photographer to document the guest’s journey and a personal astronomer. All water sports and excursion activities are offered directly from the private beach at the Royal Residence, allowing guests to enjoy their holiday in complete privacy. The custom interiors reflect the subtle sense of luxury that permeates the property. A crystal curtain in the living pavilion was handmade in India, whilst the carpets were woven according to designs provided by the Jumeirah Vittaveli team. The massive wooden headboards of the beds were sculpted using Suar wood and Balau wood was employed in the structural woodwork throughout. Four bespoke pieces of artwork
were commissioned by Jumeirah from Maha al Mazrouei, a notable Emirati artist who was inspired by the Maldives’ stunning scenery. “I wanted to create an entirely unique, yet indulgent concept for our guests at Jumeirah Vittaveli,” explains Amit Majumder, General Manager of the resort. “For the last five years, we have continuously added new facilities to the resort. Now that we have crossed the five-year milestone, we wanted to present something spectacular. The design elements of the Royal Residence are taken from the resort and made even more opulent, its space and layout is second to none. Guests will enjoy unrivalled privacy with a totally personalised service, while still having access to the activities and facilities that our award-winning resort offers.” •
Luxaviation Travel Tip Fly directly from Singapore to Malé, Maldives in 4:15 in a Global Express XRS that seats 13 passengers.
Contact Luxaviation Asia: charter.asia@luxaviation.com +65 6814 0590
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REACHING FOR THE STARS Made In Space is revolutionising space manufacturing There is no denying that the future lies in space. Since the dawn of time, mankind has pondered the stars and their meaning, and technological advancements of the 20th and 21st centuries have propelled space travel to a new level. What is it that fuels this fascination and desire to explore? Made In Space, a US-based company that manufactures in space, is leveraging the unique properties of the space environment to develop solutions to commercial, industrial, research and defence challenges. Xcellence sat together with Andrew Rush, President and CEO, to find out more about his company and where he envisions the future of living and working in space.
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TECHNOLOGY
What was the motivation behind creating a manufacturing business in space?
We see space as a place that’s full of opportunity and the potential for industry. A big hurdle to having offices and factories in space is having the ability to create the infrastructure necessary to enable people to live and work there. We see our technology as something that changes how we think about building in space. Whether it’s using a 3-D printer to reduce the amount of mass you need to bring with you, or using high-precision robotics to assemble giant space structures, we at Made In Space are thinking about how we can use in-space manufacturing to advance humanity’s push further into space.
To the average person, the unforgiving conditions in space hardly seem ideal for working. Are there any challenges that you face in your work as a result? Are there any clear advantages? Above Archinaut can harness its proprietary internal extended structure 3-D printer and advanced robotics to manufacture and assemble satellites in space Below Though not without challenges, manufacturing in microgravity has revolutionised 3-D printing
Space provides us with a number of intense challenges, such as vacuum, solar radiation and extreme temperature change, but it also enables the construction of materials and designs that wouldn’t be possible on Earth. 3-D printing without gravity allows us to manufacture intricately complex shapes and geometries – designs that simply can’t be achieved on Earth’s surface. We are also in the final stages of preparing our Made In Space Optical Fiber Payload, which harnesses the effects of microgravity to manufacture an exotic ZBLAN optical fibre. This material is significantly better than any produced on Earth, and will be the first commercially sold “microgravityenabled material.”
What sort of background do some of the Made In Space team have?
Our team is a diverse group of women and men from all around the United States. Some of our team have technical backgrounds, others have business or creative backgrounds. We’re made up of aerospace engineers, material scientists, roboticists, programmers, business developers and human resources professionals, but we’re all aligned on the vision of making space a place in which humans can live and work.
3-D printing has revolutionised the way we produce items in a range of different industries. Where do you see this practice headed in the coming decade?
3-D printing is a core technology for MIS. While not all of our systems employ additive manufacturing as a mode of construction (e.g. Made In Space Fiber Optics), most of them do. In the coming decade, we expect to see 3-D printing become more widely used for in-space applications, both inside and outside of spacecraft. With the Additive Manufacturing Facility, the world’s only commercial manufacturing system in space, MIS has proven that 3-D printing is viable and effective on orbit, and we expect to see industry develop around that finding.
Made In Space also produces fibre optics. What are some of the key differences between terrestrial and extra-terrestrial fibre optics?
When optical fibre is produced on Earth, or in another gravity-rich environment, small imperfections, or “crystals” form in the fibre. Optical fibre transmits a signal by sending light through the fibre. These crystals reduce the strength of the signal being transmitted. This means every so often along the line, there have to be expensive “repeaters” set up, which are used to boost the signal. When we manufacture this optical fibre in microgravity, we can avoid these crystallisations, cut down on the need for repeaters and deliver a product far superior to what’s currently being made on Earth.
Made In Space currently operates from the International Space Station. Do you think that market demand will eventually lead to the need for a second orbiting station?
We are fortunate to have a great working relationship with NASA. Operating our systems on the ISS has provided important data for us to continue to improve our in-space manufacturing capabilities. As private space companies begin to forge plans to have modules and stations on orbit in the next several years, we definitely plan on being a part of several of those missions.
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TECHNOLOGY
Made In Space’s Archinaut project is arguably the company’s most ambitious to date. What inspired its conception?
Archinaut was designed to enable the next generation of on orbit manufacture and assembly. Using its advanced robotics and extended structure 3-D printer, the system can be used to achieve any number of big manufacture and assembly jobs in space. Archinaut may be used to build and assemble spacecraft and satellites, repair existing systems, and create intricate networks of connective lattice structures. Ultimately this technology removes current design constraints on spacecraft and satellite by shifting the paradigm of building these craft on Earth, to building them in space, where they will no longer have to endure the harshness of rocket launch.
How will Archinaut affect space technology and travel in the future?
By enabling larger builds, more advanced spacecraft and removing launch-related design constraints, Archinaut has the potential to completely change how we think about building things for space. Shifting the mindset from building for launch to building in space doesn’t only mean we can go deeper into space than ever before, but we can become more responsive to the needs of satellites orbiting around Earth, too. •
“We at Made In Space are thinking about how we can use in-space manufacturing to advance humanity’s push further into space.”
Above From intricate networks of lattice structures to advanced fibre optics, Made In Space’s manufacturing capabilities are full of potential Left Through close collaboration with NASA, Made In Space strives to push boundaries, taking mankind further into space
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p 76 © Made In Space, pp 77-78 © NASA
— Andrew Rush, President & CEO of Made In Space
TECHNOLOGY
NEW TECH BEST BETS As more new technology becomes available everyday, Xcellence has sifted through the clutter to bring a few essentials to our readers. Indulge your inner techie with our cool and classy collection of no-nonsense buys that will add a bit of beauty, efficiency and bragging rights to your everyday life.
Loewe: Bild 5 Oled One of the first television manufacturers to return to the use of natural materials, the retro-grained oak floor stand makes the ultra-slim high-tech screen of the Bild 5 appear almost weightless. At a thickness of 4.9 millimetres, it is thinner than most smartphones and requires no backlighting, as its crystal-clear
images are produced by self-lighting pixels. Modular elements allow choices in colour and material from silver oak to piano black. The Bild 5 Oled comes with 1 TB of storage space for pausing and recording multiple live programmes, optional eighty-watt soundbar and high-resolution audio transmission to wireless speakers or headphones. www.loewe.tv
Pininfarina: Elettronica Limited Edition The latest collaboration between sports car designer Pininfarina and bicycle producer Diavelo is a celebration of the successful E-voluzione collection debuted last year. The Elettronica has been upgraded with an added GPS unit and Shimano Alfine electronic
gearbox, but even fully loaded the carbon-fibre parts and frame still keep the total weight just under fifteen kilograms. Available in January 2018, production will remain limited to eighty-eight pieces. www.pininfarina.com
Beoplay E8: Wireless in-ear earphones Bang & Olufsen focussed on sound quality and ergonomics to create a premium wireless listening experience that is both discreet and stylish. In transparency mode, the audibility of colleagues or traffic noise over the music can now be adjusted. Splash and dust resistant, the Beoplay E8 can play four hours of music with one charge. www.beoplay.com
Ruark Audio: R7 high fidelity radiogram Determined to look as good as it sounds, the all-new slimmed down Ruark A7, made with walnut, soft grey lacquer and British-milled fabric, looks more like a piece of finely crafted furniture than a piece of audio equipment. Able to
receive radio stations nationally and worldwide the matching radiolink remote can control the device from an adjoining room. It contains several features that allow it to play CDs, MP3s, connect to a turntable and stream music from Spotify or any personal device. www.ruarkaudio.com
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November 2017 Dubai Airshow Dubai | UAE 12 – 16 November 2017
As the leading aerospace event in the Middle East, the 2017 edition of the Dubai Airshow brings together more than 1,200 exhibitors from across the globe, including Asia, the Americas and large representations from both Europe and the Middle East. Held at the DWC, the event traditionally attracts leading international aerospace companies. Several first-time exhibitors are joining the ranks this year, including PBS Aerospace from the United States and Vector Aerospace from Canada. Thanks to Dubai’s advantageous geographical position, the city has become an important aviation hub between the West and the East. As a result, the event has grown immensely since its conception some thirty years ago, with this year’s event expected to draw over 72,500 trade visitors across its five-day run.
F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Abu Dhabi | UAE 24 – 26 November 2017
Closing off an adrenaline-packed Formula 1 season, the final championship race is returning to the 5.55 kilometre-long Yas Marina Circuit. In celebration of the event, the outlets and promenade area will be open to the public during the festival, with seven on-site restaurants and two exclusive pop-ups. Showcasing an electric atmosphere with a weekendlong array of activities, fine dining and world-class entertainment to complement the awe-inspiring spectacle of the F1 race on the track. The circuit is renowned for hosting the first F1 twilight race and for being one of the few venues on the F1 calendar with a counter-clockwise track. Designed by the acclaimed circuit architect Hermann Tilke, the circuit’s waterfront setting rivals the likes of Monte Carlo and Singapore. www.yasmarinacircuit.com
www.dubaiairshow.aero
RESTAURANTS La Môme
French Cuisine Sheikh Zayed Road 30, Dubai +971 4 308 0470 Inka Peruvian Cuisine Sheikh Zayed Road 150, Dubai +971 4 346 9295 HOTELS Al Maha Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, Al Ain Road, Dubai +971 4 832 9900
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RESTAURANTS Hakkasan Cantonese Cuisine Emirates Palace, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi +971 2 690 7739 Bord Eau French Cuisine Shangri-La Hotel, Khor Al Maqta, Abu Dhabi +971 2 509 8511 HOTEL Royal Pavilion Villas Qasr Al Sarab Road 1, Abu Dhabi +971 2 886 2088
Longines Masters Paris | France 30 November – 3 December 2017
The opening leg of the intercontinental Longines Masters Series begins in Paris, where aficionados and amateurs alike will convene on the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre for a riveting experience of the best in equestrian sport and art de vivre. Bringing together the best riders and horses from across the globe, the premier event in jumping takes place across four days with captivating face-offs that will thrill and inspire audiences. In addition to the fine display of sportsmanship, the event is also one of unparalleled cultural breadth, combining the best in gastronomy, arts, performance, music and fashion. Over 200,000 visitors are expected at this year’s event. A new competition has been added to the programme with the Riders Masters Cup, a legendary battle between Europe and the United States in a show that is not to be missed! www.longinesmasters.com
RESTAURANTS Verjus French Cuisine Rue de Richelieu 52, 75001 Paris +33 1 42 97 54 40 Le Grand Restaurant French Cuisine Rue d'Aguesseau 7, 75008 Paris +33 1 53 05 00 00 HOTELS Hotel de Crillon Rosewood Hotel Place de la Concorde 10, 75008 Paris +33 1 44 71 15 00
AGENDA
December 2017 Design Miami Miami Beach | USA 6 – 10 December 2017
In the 13th edition, Design Miami remains a global forum for design, bringing together the most influential collectors, gallerists, designers, curators and critics. This year’s event brings together thirtyone galleries and eleven design curio installations – the largest selection to date – as well as a robust offering of satellites, collaborations, design talks and exclusive events just steps away from Art Basel Miami Beach. A strong presence of historic and contemporary American designers will be felt throughout the fair, as well as global variations on modernism. Three galleries are making their Design Miami debut, and notable presentations include solo shows at Galerie kreo, featuring limitededition design work from Paris-based brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, and Magen H Gallery, which features furniture by French designer and master wood craftsman Pierre Chapo.
www.designmiami.com
Teatro alla Scala Season Opening Milan | Italy 7 December 2017
Umberto Giordano’s legendary masterpiece Andrea Chénier (1896) returns to La Scala after more than thirty years. First premiered in the legendary venue, the four-act verismo opera is renowned for its magnificent lyrical-dramatic music for the tenor lead. As one of the premier opera houses in the world and the leading house in Italy, La Scala’s mythicism draws from its rich history of fostering some of the world’s greatest operatic talent, with composers such as Rossini, Verdi and Puccini premiering many of their most famous operas. The venue draws its name from having been built on the site of a Gothic church called Santa Maria alla Scala. The theatre was founded in 1776 under the auspices of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. The theatre is best known, however, for its audience, one of the liveliest and most discerning in the world. www.teatroallascala.org
RESTAURANTS Zuma
Modern Japanese Cuisine Biscayne Boulevard Way 270, Miami 33131 +1 305 577 0277 Seaspice International Cuisine NW North River Drive 422, Miami 33128 +1 305 440 4200 HOTEL Faena Collins Avenue 3201, Miami Beach 33140 + 1 305 535 4697
RESTAURANTS Lume Italian Cuisine Via Giacomo Watt 37, 20143 Milano +39 02 80 88 86 24 Potafiori Italian Cuisine Via Salasco 17, 20136 Milan +39 02 87 06 59 30 HOTEL Palazzo Parigi Corso di Porta Nuova 1, 20121 Milan +39 02 62 56 25
Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Sydney | Australia 26 December – 1 January 2018
Since its inaugural race in 1945, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has drawn talents and spectators from across the globe for 628-nautical miles of endeavour, drive and determination. Its rich history, distinctive date and reputation as one of the world’s toughest ocean races have contributed to its status as a genuine icon in the sport. In the 72nd edition, 5,916 yachts started the race, with 4,895 finishing. This year’s edition promises to be no less thrilling, as one of the most viewed sailing events in the world. During the race start, iconic landmarks like the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge pay witness to the action out on the water as a fleet of around 100 yachts ranging from thirty-metre cutting-edge Maxis to ten-metre familysailed yachts jostling for space at sea.
www.rolexsydneyhobart.com
RESTAURANTS Tetsuya's French-Asian Cuisine Kent Street 529, Sydney NSW 2000 +61 2 9267 2900 The Bridge Room Modern Australian Cuisine Bridge Street 44, Sydney NSW 2000 +61 2 9247 7000 HOTELS The Langham Kent Street 89-113, Millers Point, Sydney NSW 2000 +61 2 9256 2222 Harbour Rocks Harrington Street 34, Sydney NSW 2000 +61 2 8220 9999 XC E L L E N C E
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January 2018 SIHH Geneva | Switzerland 15 – 19 January 2018
The 28th Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie will see important new developments, with the central aisles extended for the arrival of Hermès, whilst a larger Carré des Horlogers makes room for DeWitt, Chronométrie Ferdinand Berthoud and Romain Gauthier. The new arrivals bring the total number of exhibitors to thirtyfour, with eighteen historic Maisons and sixteen Carré des Horlogers brands, all dedicated to achieving excellence in the measurement of time. The epicentre of fine watchmaking, SIHH retains the selectiveness and exclusivity that has underpinned its success for the past twenty-seven years. Every year, exhibitors unveil their finest creations, presenting the latest trends in technical and precious watchmaking and acting as a gathering spot for the people shaping the industry today.
Australian Open Melbourne | Australia 15 – 28 January 2018
The first of the four Grand Slam events in the tennis season, the Australian Open remains one of the premier events of the sport. Featuring men’s and women’s singles, men’s, women’s and mixed doubles and junior’s championships, the event typically draws high attendances. AO Hospitality offers guests to create bespoke experiences surrounding the event, ranging from court-side seats, super boxes, private rooms and visits with some of the star players themselves. As one of the event highlights on the Australian social calendar, a modern mash-up of multicultural street food that is quintessentially Melbourne has been prepared for the event at the Laneway Club, with more formal dining options organised at 88 Melbourne and the Glasshouse. www.ausopen.com
Snow Polo Masters Megève | France 18 – 21 January 2018
Home to the first snow polo tournament in France, this free public event boasts an international reputation and attracts the best French and overseas players in the sport for a weekend of villagewide events. Most of the matches and activities surrounding the event take place in the evening, the perfect way to end the day after skiing Megève’s legendary pistes. Conceived over twenty years ago, the spectacle has attracted crowds to the picturesque village year after year at the esplanade of the Palais des Sports. Six international teams face off for three matches in one of the most exciting events of the season. An array of activities are organised surrounding the event throughout the streets of Megève, ensuring entertainment for visitors of all ages.
www.polo-master.com
www.sihh.org
RESTAURANTS Le Creux-de-Genthod
Route du Creux-de-Genthod 29, 1294 Genthod, Geneva +41 22 774 10 06 Le Vallon Route de Florissant 182, 1231 Conches, Geneva +41 22 347 11 04 HOTEL The Ritz-Carlton, Hotel de la Paix Quai du Mont-Blanc 11, 1211 Geneva +41 22 909 60 00
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RESTAURANT Coda International Cuisine Flinders Lane 141, Melbourne, VIC 3000 +61 3 9650 3155 HOTELS Jackalope Hotel Balnarring Road 166, Merricks North, VIC 3926 +61 3 5931 2500 QT Melbourne Russell Street 133, Melbourne VIC 3000 +61 3 8636 8800
RESTAURANTS La Ferme de Victorine French Cuisine Le Planay 73590 Notre-Dame-de-Bellecombe +33 4 79 31 63 46 La Sauvageonne French Cuisine Route du Leutaz 2637, 74120 Megève +33 4 50 91 90 81 HOTEL Le Chalet Zannier Route du Crêt 367, 74120 Megève +33 4 50 21 01 01
AGENDA
Maison & Objet Paris | France 19 – 23 January 2018
The major event for working professionals in the art of living and all of its rich and varied expressions, this lifestyle show brings together a 360-degree offering in the world of decoration, design, furniture, accessories, textiles, fragrances and tableware. The styles coexist in a multifaceted way throughout the inventive show design, which enlivens the spaces. The extraordinary diversity is in line with the varied expectations of global markets. As the multicultural crossroads of contemporary living, the event is a meeting place for exhibitors and visitors from around the world in a showcase of premium international design. Each year, the show celebrates the Designers of the Year and Talents à la Carte, selecting emerging talents and celebrating the values of style.
Snow Polo World Cup St. Moritz | Switzerland 26 – 28 January 2018
Keeping in with tradition, the last weekend of January has seen St. Moritz turn into the world capital of polo since the premiere of snow polo here in 1985. Teams from around the globe gather to compete for the coveted Cartier Trophy on the frozen lake for the world’s only high-goal tournament on snow. The three-day event stands for high-class polo played against the magnificent backdrop of the snowcapped mountains of the Engadin Valley and social events both on the lake and in the first-class hotels throughout the village. More than 12,000 spectators gather each year for the tournament in a world of sports marked by elegance, speed and the traditional British sporting spirit. The challenge of playing on snow, the unique location at 1,850 metres above sea level and the sophistication of St. Moritz combine to make the tournament one of a kind.
Save the Date
Salon Retro Mobile 7 – 11 February 2018 Paris, France Dubai International Boat Show 27 February – 3 March 2018 Dubai, UAE Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta 8 – 11 March 2018 Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands Geneva Motor Show 8 – 18 March 2018 Geneva, Switzerland Saut Hermès March 2018 Paris, France Rolex Australian Grand Prix 22 – 25 March 2018 Melbourne, Australia Baselworld 22 – 27 March 2018 Basel, Switzerland F1 Bahrain Grand Prix 5 – 8 April 2018 Sakhir, Bahrain
www.maison-objet.com www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com
RESTAURANTS Divellec French Cuisine Rue Fabert 18, 75007 Paris +33 1 45 51 91 96 Providence French Cuisine Rue René Boulanger 90, 75010 Paris +33 1 46 34 34 04 HOTELS Hotel Grand Amour Rue de la Fidélité 8, 75010 Paris +33 1 44 16 03 30 Saint James Avenue Bugeaud 43, 75116 Paris +33 1 44 05 81 81
RESTAURANTS Dal-Mulin
French Alpine Cuisine Plazza dal Mulin 4, 7500 St. Moritz +41 81 833 33 66 Matsuhisa Japanese Cuisine Badrutt's Palace Hotel, Via Serlas 27, 7500 St. Moritz + 41 81 837 10 00
Singapore Yacht Show 12 – 15 April 2018 Sentosa Cove, Singapore Rolex Masters Monte Carlo 14 – 22 April 2018 Monte Carlo, Monaco ABACE 17 – 19 April 2018 Shanghai, China Salone del Mobile 17 – 22 April 2018 Milan, Italy
HOTEL Kulm Via Veglia 18, 7500 St. Moritz +41 81 836 80 00 XC E L L E N C E
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AVIATION NEWS
The Height of Comfort Embraer embraces ergonomics and accoutrements in a new light jet Sleek, sporty and sophisticated, Embraer debuted its Phenom 300E light jet at the 2017 NBAA Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas, Nevada. The “E” designation is for “Enhanced”, and this craft certainly delivers on its promise. Like a high-tech luxury vehicle, the Phenom 300E is fully customisable, with a spacious interior, luxurious seating,
sleek video technology and hidden display panels. Available in multiple finishes, the highly polished interior has numerous pockets and drawers for personal items as well as fully retractable armrests that increase aisle width and avoid the irksome catching of bag handles and straps. Along the centreline of the aircraft ceiling is an industry–exclusive flight information
The Phenom 300E has a high-cruise speed of 453 knots and a six-passenger range of 3,650 kilometres.
NASA’s Grand Finale
Peace and Productivity
A journey to the frontiers of Saturn comes to a dramatic end
The new G600 offers enough space for an en route company retreat
On 15 September 2017, NASA’s Cassini spacecraft ended its twenty-year exploratory journey. Launched in 1997, Cassini took seven years to reach Saturn before spending another thirteen years in orbit around the giant ringed planet. During this time, it was able to collect a lot of data and complete many flybys of Saturn’s moons. Key discoveries included hydrothermal activity on Enceladus and liquid methane seas on Titan. Coming to the end of its fuel reserves, the directory of Cassini was changed so that it would dispose of itself by diving into the atmosphere of Saturn. On the way down it collected valuable data and rich close-up images of Saturn’s rings and clouds. 84
and entertainment panel. Complete with seven-inch swing down video displays and mood lighting, it even has separate temperature zones for the pilots and passengers.
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The newest iteration of the Gulfstream G600 is equipped with a fully outfitted cabin that offers maximum flexibility, comfort and function. The longest cabin in its class, the G600 can be configured with up to four living areas and includes two lavatories and a shower, the ideal amenity after a deep rest on any of the divans that convert into a bed. The full-sized galley, which can be located forward or aft, can be outfitted with a steam oven, interchangeable beverage maker and a refrigerator that can be positioned above or below the counter. Capable of accommodating up to nineteen passengers, there is plenty of space to work, dine, relax and sleep in the 100 per cent fresh-air environment which greatly reduces fatigue and increases mental awareness. FAA certification is expected in 2018, with customer deliveries slated for later that same year.
AVIATION NEWS
The best things are worth waiting for
From Sci-Fi to Sky High
Dassault endures development delays with Safran Engines
DeLorean cars progress from bending time to defeating gravity
First rumoured in 2006, the longawaited Falcon 5X will have its 2017 certification delayed until 2020 due to issues with the aircrafts Silvercrest turbofans.
The first stainless-steel gull-winged DeLorean became notable for its starring role as a time machine in the iconic ’80s film Back to the Future. Now, the nephew of the original automaker is continuing the family legacy as CEO and head designer of DeLorean Aerospace, where he is developing a flying car.
During a press conference at this year’s NBAA in Las Vegas, Cedric Goubet, the VP of commercial engines at Safran Aircraft Engines revealed the issue was not with overall
engine performance but related to the responsiveness of the high-pressure compressor “in certain operational conditions”. The twelve-passenger ultra-wide body 5X has fifty cubic metres of cabin space, a range of 9,650 kilometres and a fifty per cent increase in fuel efficiency over competing models.
Founded in 2012, Paul DeLorean has designed the DR-7 as a two-seat vertical take off and landing (VTOL) personal air transport vehicle. Paul plans for the vehicle to be fully electric with a range of 193 kilometres, far ahead of the competition who have much shorter projected ranges. A full-size six-metre prototype is planned for production in the next year. The 5.6metre wingspan will fold against the sides for easy garage storage.
Easy Rider Easy Rider Cruise the skies in a highly economical low-maintenance personal jet The Cirrus Vision Jet is the world’s first single-engine civil aircraft that provides the performance and convenience of a jet without the need for a crew or maintenance team. Outfitted with an inviting and clutter-free cockpit, the highly advanced Garminpowered flight deck offers a wealth of information and controls on just a few, easy to read touchscreens and displays. Including the pilot, the roomy cabin seats up to five passengers, plus two smaller seats suitable for children. The seamless carbon fibre fuselage and topside engine placement with
V-tail design provide a novel solution for reducing cabin noise. Among the many layers of passive, redundant and active safety features is the innovative Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). When deployed, a parachute stored near the nose of the craft will allow the plane to descend safely to the ground at a rate of about eight metres per second. The Vision Jet has a top cruising speed of 555 kilometres per hour and range of 1,850 kilometres.
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LUXAVIATION STORY
TIMELINE Luxaviation Group offers more than 100 years of combined business aviation experience from some of the world’s most respected private jet operators. Our joint aviation expertise, together with our economies of scale, provides you with full customer satisfaction in the air as well as on the ground. Take a look at the history of the companies that form Luxaviation Group today.
2017
/ L uxaviation Helicopters acquires Starspeed, the global helicopter management, charter and training company / B AA and Luxaviation create a new strategic alliance / L uxaviation Helicopters is offering worldwide VIP helicopter charter and management services as a new addition to Luxaviation’s portfolio
2014
2013
/ Luxaviation acquires Abelag, the leading business aviation company in Benelux / Luxaviation opens an office in Singapore and launches its operations in Asia
2008
/ L uxaviation is founded
AT A GLANCE
2009
1,600+ Employees 140+ Aircraft available for charter 280+ Aircraft under management
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2016
/ All former entities have been rebranded to become part of the unified Luxaviation Group. Abelag now trades as Luxaviation Belgium, LEA as Luxaviation United Kingdom, Masterjet as Luxaviation Portugal, Switzerland and France and Unijet as Luxaviation France. Luxaviation Germany (formerly Fairjet) and Luxaviation Luxembourg belong to the group as well. ExecuJet has retained its name and its logo
/ Luxaviation acquires Unijet and becomes the third largest European business aviation company with nearly sixty jets in its fleet / Fairjets becomes Luxaviation Germany / Luxaviation acquires a majority stake in London Executive Aviation (LEA), the leading business jet charter company in the UK / Abelag celebrates its 50th anniversary with an accident-free record
/ Luxaviation receives its first AOC
2015
/ Luxaviation Group acquires a majority stake in Masterjet / Luxaviation acquires ExecuJet Aviation Group and becomes the second largest corporate aircraft operator in the world / China Minsheng Investment acquires a 33 % share of Luxaviation Group
2011
/ Luxaviation acquires German aviation company Fairjets GmbH
15 Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities 14 Air Operating Certificates (AOCs) 25 Fixed-Based Operators (FBOs)
LUXAVIATION FLEET HIGHLIGHT
Luxaviation fleet highlight Gulfstream G650 This high-speed, long-range business jet is largely considered the gold standard in business aviation. As the flagship model of the Gulfstream fleet, the G650 flies faster, further and more comfortably than any other aircraft in its class. Incredibly versatile, the aircraft delivers excellent take-off and landing performance with a balanced field length of just 1,786 metres.
Overview 14 passengers 6 sleeping positions 12,964 km max range 14:49 hours max flight time
With a cruising speed of Mach 0.9 and a maximum altitude of more than 15,500 metres, the G650 can traverse between New York and Zurich in just over six hours. The luxury aircraft is designed with three 26-inch monitors for Apple or satellite television, and each seat offers its own screen. In addition, cabin entertainment can be controlled with an iOS app. The aircraft is also fitted with high-speed Internet for the duration of the flight. Contact ExecuJet Europe: +44 1 223 803 555 charter@execujet.eu www.execujet.com
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GROUP NEWS
LUXAVIATION HELICOPTERS ACQUIRES STARSPEED AS FIRST MAJOR BUSINESS VENTURE
Luxaviation Helicopters, part of the Luxaviation Group, has announced the acquisition of Starspeed, the global helicopter management, charter and training company. The deal, Luxaviation Helicopters’ first acquisition since launching in February 2017, positions the company as the world’s largest VIP and VVIP helicopter operator. Luxaviation Helicopters is incorporating Starspeed’s fleet of twenty-three helicopters into its own fleet of managed and charter helicopters, providing clients of both
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companies with an expanded and integrated portfolio of helicopter and jet aviation services from the Luxaviation Group. With Starspeed’s fleet, Luxaviation Helicopters now has a fleet of forty-two helicopters. Starspeed, headquartered in the UK, will retain its identity, leadership and personnel. The acquisition will enable Starspeed to benefit from an expanded back office and the wider breadth of resources which Luxaviation Helicopters can provide. Starspeed’s fleet is made up of nineteen
helicopters under management plus four additional helicopters available for training and charter. Starspeed’s fleet includes Sikorsky S-92 and S-76; Airbus Helicopters EC155, AS365, EC145, EC135 and AS350; Leonardo AW169 and Bell 429 helicopters. Every helicopter in the fleet is optimised to meet the specific requirements of the client and meets the highest safety standards. •
GROUP NEWS
The ExecuJet FBO in Zurich is the first to gain IS-BAH Stage II accreditation in Switzerland
EXECUJET’S ZURICH FBO GAINS IS-BAH STAGE II ACCREDITATION ExecuJet, part of the Luxaviation Group, has seen its Zurich FBO gain the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) Stage II accreditation, making it the first FBO facility in Switzerland to do so. The Zurich FBO is based at the ExecuJet Aviation Centre at Zurich International
Airport and features a private hangar, private ramp, VIP lounge and separate pilot’s lounge.
and the commitment to using the most comprehensive assessments available.
Four of the twenty-five FBOs in the Luxaviation network are IS-BAH accredited, including Berlin, Brussels, Lanseria and Zurich, showcasing the quality of the company’s support services
IS-BAH is a joint programme between IBAC and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). •
EXECUJET BECOMES SOLE HANDLING AGENT IN ZURICH FOR SURF AIR ExecuJet, part of the Luxaviation Group, has announced the successful launch of a new partnership with Surf Air, which sees ExecuJet becoming the sole handling agent for the airline at Zurich Airport. Surf Air is now offering two flights a day for the Zurich to London City Airport route. Surf Air’s first Zurich to London City flight departed on 25 September 2017 from ExecuJet’s Zurich FBO, after a wet send-off from the local fire brigade who hailed the aircraft with a water salute. •
LUXAVIATION SUPPORTS COLLEAGUES IN ST MAARTEN The group’s FBO in St Maarten, operated by ExecuJet, has been severely impacted by the devastating passage of Hurricane Irma in September. Luxaviation has decided to help their colleagues who have lost their houses and their possessions by setting up a youcaring.com campaign and many colleagues and external supporters have taken part in this.
headed by the company’s CEO, Patrick Hansen, flew to St Maarten to offer manpower and get a better understanding of what further support is needed.
In addition to this financial help, a team of seven staff members,
www.youcaring.com/ luxaviationcaresforIrma
The aircraft took food, water, power generating units, medical supplies, essential personal hygiene products and baby care products. •
For further news from the entire Luxaviation Group, please refer to our news page www.xtoday.news
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LUXAVIATION PEOPLE
AIRCRAFT SALES DIRECTOR
REBECCA JOHNSON
With a passion for both people and aviation, Rebecca Johnson is now heading the sales division for Luxaviation Group. This intelligent and compassionate aviator logged more than 6,000 hours of flight experience before finding her niche in aircraft sales.
ven before she got her driving license, Rebecca Johnson was flying planes through the sunny California skies. The daughter of a private pilot, she began taking lessons at age fourteen and on her sixteenth birthday, she took her first solo flight. Growing up west of Lake Tahoe, her Cameron Park neighbourhood was a residential airpark that allowed homeowners to land on the nearby runway and taxi their planes right up to their homes.
E
After graduation from San Jose State University, she landed a co-pilot position with a local charter company called Silicon Valley Express. Two years later, she moved to Wichita, Kansas to work with Hawker Beechcraft Corporation as part of the demonstration team. From there, she was transferred to the company’s base in Switzerland, where she would partake in training and demonstrations for pilots and clients all over Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India. After being promoted to Base Manager and Senior Demonstration Captain, she supervised all pilot training, scheduling and operations of demonstration aircraft. She also spent time flying a Gulfstream G550 as a captain for a private individual. In her last role as Regional Vice President of Sales for Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, she was assigned the Southern Europe territory, which included Turkey, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Austria, France and Spain. She was responsible for implementing Gulfstream’s sales strategy for all current production aircraft, as well as the G500 and G600 launch aircraft. Here is where she was able to further develop direct relationships with end users. During the course of her transactions, Rebecca often develops lasting relationships not only with the clients but also with their families and staff. “It’s really much more than simply selling aircraft. People want
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to feel good about their purchase and know they are getting the best value for their investment.” She is compassionate and attentive, understanding client needs, and her technical and operational background gives her the ability to answer complex questions and to make recommendations. The combination of these qualities make her adept in finding the best aircraft for each client’s practical and emotional needs. After more than fifteen years in the industry, she brings to Luxaviation a highly developed sense of cross-cultural understanding and an extremely broad range of knowledge. As overseer of Luxaviation’s many aircraft transactions, she asserts that it is her passion for people, customer service and aviation that remain among her strongest and most important attributes. •
“Its really much more than simply selling aircraft. People want to feel good about their purchase and know they are getting the best value for their investment.”
LUXAVIATION HIGHLIGHT
A TASTE OF TEGERNSEE
p 91 all images © Leeberghof Betriebs GmbH
Above Well-known for its gourmet kitchen, the terrace of the Leeberghof restaurant is a local hot spot for outdoor dining during the temperate summer months Below Trimmed with carved inscriptions and vintage paintings, the current hotelier is committed to preserving the unique character of this historical lodge
ising high above the bay shoreline with sweeping views of the Tegernsee Valley stands the Leeberghof Hotel. Located in Upper Bavaria, it has seen many owners since its construction in 1860. The initials above the front door are those of its most notable proprietor, Georg Theodor Pschorr of the Munich brewery dynasty.
R
A dream location for a summer escape or cosy winter retreat, it is an ideal launchpad for many hiking and mountain biking routes, whilst still an easy fifteen minute drive into the town of Tegernsee. The charming lodge consists of clean spacious rooms with balcony views of the lake. The traditional Bavarian alpine décor is complemented by a few well-placed touches of modernity.
The Leeberghof restaurant and separate chalet-style tapas bar make this location a gem of the Tegernsee area. Aside from the stunning terrace views, meals are a mix of Bavarian classics with a bit of international flair. The ambitious kitchen staff puts a concerted effort into presentation and flavour by way of fresh herbs from the onsite garden and house-made jams with breakfast. Using ingredients sourced from sustainable farms, Tegernsee lake fisherman and local hunters, executive chef Matthias Roediger is able to produce brilliant gourmet home-cooked meals that keep regular lodgers and diners from all over the world coming back year after year. A combination of unforgettable views and legendary cuisine will ensure this hotel continues to flourish as a location especially suited to celebrating the joie de vivre. • www.leeberghof.de
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LUXAVIATION FLEET
BUSINESS LINER
× 3
ULTRA LONG RANGE JET × 67
LARGE JET × 61
MIDSIZE JET × 24
LIGHT JET × 38
VERY LIGHT JET × 13
282 TOTAL NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT
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TURBO PROP × 30
HELICOPTER × 46
LUXAVIATION FLEET
1× Airbus ACJ320 1x Mc Donnell Douglas MD 87
1x Embraer Lineage 1000
8x Global 6000 12x Global 5000 15x Global Express
5x Challenger 850 4x Gulfstream 650 6x Gulfstream 550
1x Gulfstream V 13x Falcon 7X 3x Falcon 8X
1x Gulfstream IVSP 3x Gulfstream 450 11x Falcon 900
14x Falcon 2000 12x Legacy 600 3x Legacy 650
7x Challenger 605 9x Challenger 604 1x Challenger 601
3x Falcon 50EX 4x Challenger 350 3x Challenger 300
2x Learjet 75 5x Learjet 60 1x Citation III
2x Hawker 400 3x Hawker 800 1x Hawker 850
1x Hawker 400 5x Learjet 45 11x Citation Excel
2x Citation II 5x Phenom 300 6x Citation CJ2
7x Citation CJ3 1x Citation CJ4
5x Citation Mustang 3x Citation CJ1
5x Premier 1
3x Piper Cheyenne 1x 208B Supervan 2x 208B Grand Caravan
2x King Air 350 3x Super King Air 200 16x Pilatus PC12
10x Airbus EC1551 4x Airbus EC145 3x Airbus EC135 1x Airbus EC130 2x Airbus EC350 1x Airbus H130
3x Airbus H125 1x Airbus AS 350 2x Airbus AS355 2x Airbus AS365 1x Leonardo AW119 2x Leonardo AW139
2x Piper Mirage/ Malibu 1x Phenom 100
1x Leonardo AW169 1x Leonardo A109 Power 1x Bell 230 4x Bell 407 1x Bell 429 2x Bell 430
1x Sikorsky S92 1x Sikorsky S76 B 2x Sikorsky S76 C
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LUXAVIATION WORLDWIDE
COPENHAGEN
CAMBRIDGE EINDHOVEN LONDON KORTRIJK BRUSSELS
BERLIN PADERBORN
LUXEMBOURG
PARIS
ZURICH
MUNICH
GENEVA
GIRONA BARCELONA
LISBON
MONTERREY TOLUCA
VALENCIA
IBIZA
PALMA
MIAMI SINT MAARTEN
LAGOS
Office Locations Fixed Base Operations (FBO) Air Operator Certificate (AOC) Maintenance (MRO) Charter Completions Consulting Aircraft Management services offered globally For contact details – refer to office locations page
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LUXAVIATION WORLDWIDE Â
MOSCOW
TIANJIN
ISTANBUL
NEW DELHI RIYADH
DUBAI
HONG KONG
SINGAPORE
KUALA LUMPUR
BALI
JOHANNESBURG CAPE TOWN
PERTH SYDNEY MELBOURNE WELLINGTON
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OFFICE LOCATIONS
Luxaviation Group Head Office 4a, rue Albert Borschette 1246 Luxembourg, Luxembourg info@luxaviation.com
ASIA
Brussels, Belgium T +32 2 720 58 80 charter.belgium@luxaviation.com
Bali, Indonesia T +62 81 558 408 883 fbo.wadd@execujet.co.id
Büren, Germany T +49 29 557 4882 28 charter.germany@luxaviation.com
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia T +603 7845 6800 support@execujet.com.my
Geneva, Switzerland T +41 22 707 19 27 charter.switzerland@luxaviation.com
Tianjin, China T +86 22 5835 3503 services@execujet.net.cn
Lisbon, Portugal T +351 21 002 6860
Singapore, Singapore T +65 6808 6305 enquiries@execujet.com.sg
Luxembourg, Luxembourg T +352 42 52 52 charter.luxembourg@luxaviation.com Paris Le Bourget, France T +33 1 48 35 90 90 charter.france@luxaviation.com Stapleford, United Kingdom T +44 1708 688420 quotes@flylea.com Singapore, Singapore T +65 6816 0369 info.asia@luxaviation.com ExecuJet Head Office ExecuJet Europe AG ExecuJet Aviation Centre PO Box 1 8058 Zurich-Airport, Switzerland T +41 44 804 1616 enquiries@execujet.eu AFRICA Cape Town, South Africa T +27 21 934 5764 enquiries@execujet.co.za Johannesburg, South Africa T +27 11 516 2300 enquiries@execujet.co.za Lagos, Nigeria T +234 1295 5110 enquiries@execujet.com.ng
Delhi, India T +91 99 1023 6146 vidp.fbo@birdexecujet.in
AUSTRALASIA Melbourne, Australia T +61 3 9937 2000 enquiries@execujet.com.au Perth, Australia T +61 8 6144 3100 enquiries@execujet.com.au Sydney, Australia T +61 2 9693 0800 enquiries@execujet.com.au Wellington, New Zealand T +64 4 387 7738 enquiries@execujet.co.nz
Ibiza, Spain T +34 971 80 91 51 enquiries@execujet.eu Moscow, Russia T +7 495 637 2617 enquiries.ru@execujet.eu Munich, Germany T +49 89 975 95800 enquiries@execujet.eu Palma de Mallorca, Spain T +34 971 12 69 31 commercial@execujet.eu Valencia, Spain T +34 96 159 83 92 enquiries@execujet.eu MIDDLE EAST Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Dubai International) T +971 4 601 6300 enquiries@execujet-me.com Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DWC) T +971 4 601 6363 fbo.omdb@execujet-me.com Istanbul, Turkey (Ataturk) T +90 212 465 37 95 istops@bilenair.com.tr Istanbul, Turkey (Sabiha Gokcen) T +90 216 588 0610 sawops@bilenair.com.tr
EUROPE
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia T +966 11 220 0218 fbo.oerk@nasexecujet.com
Barcelona, Spain T +34 93 298 33 73 fbo.lebl@execujet.eu
THE AMERICAS / CARIBBEAN
Berlin, Germany T +49 30 8875 4700 enquiries@execujet.eu Cambridge, United Kingdom T +44 1 223 637 200 enquiries@execujet.eu Copenhagen, Denmark T +45 46 141 516 enquiries@execujet.eu Girona, Spain T +34 93 298 3373 enquiries@execujet.eu
Miami, USA info@luxaviation.com Monterrey, Mexico T +52 81 8369 0909 enquiries@execujetmexico.com St. Maarten, Caribbean T +172 154 69 00 852@tlc-aviation.com Toluca, Mexico T +52 722 273 0003 enquiries@execujetmexico.com
For full details of locations, services and contacts, please visit: www.luxaviation.com
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