Private Edition Issue 41

D E S I G N A N D T EC H N I C A L I N N OVAT I O N .

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TE M P E RATU R E U N D E R H I G H PR ESS UR E BR ING TH E NE W LUMINO R S UBM ERSIB LE 1950 CARBOTECHTM TO LIFE,

IN A COMBINATION OF HIGH-TECH, HIGH-PERFORMANCE

MATE R IAL AND A UNIQUE , TIMELESS DES IGN.

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PA N E R A I . C O M

215 Kramer Road, Kramerville, 2090 Sandton Tel. 0106002100 info@illusso.co.za www.illusso.co.za

215 Kramer Road, Kramerville, 2090 Sandton Tel. 0106002100 - info@illusso.co.za - www.illusso.co.za

215 Kramer Road, Kramerville, 2090 Sandton Tel. 0106002100 info@illusso.co.za www.illusso.co.za

215 Kramer Road, Kramerville, 2090 Sandton Tel. 0106002100 info@illusso.co.za www.illusso.co.za

LIVE REFINED The location, the style, the feeling you get when you walk through the door – every aspect of your home should be a reflection of who you are,where you’ve been, and the life you aspire to live.

Your best life begins with a home that inspires you.

La Concorde, Somerset West R13 million. Chantal Botes 083 702 5460 | 021 851 4450 Web ref 2780494 Each office is independently owned and operated.

CONTENTS 24 NATURE’S LITTLE MIRACLES Stem cells have been given the sobriquet ‘Mother of Regeneration’ for good reason

52

28 WATCHES NEWS Notes on the most beautiful jewelled timepieces

30 YOUTH MOVEMENT Young master watchmakers are finding balance between innovation and tradition in the ever-evolving world of haute horlogerie

12 ED’S LETTER Thoughts from the editor

CREATIVE DIRECTION: KIMBERLEY REID ILLUSTRATION: ELOISE TIMMIS

16 LUXURY INVESTMENT NEWS The objects of passion that enrich our lives can also offer financial security if you know what to pick and choose

18 A DRY WHITE SEASON The drought and the state of play for wine investors

20 20/20 VISION Buying your own sports team can be an exciting investment. Risky, but exciting

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36 PIN-TEREST Breaking news: the brooch is back

38 FASHION NEWS From statement pieces to must-have accessories

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED, GRILLOT EDOUARD ON UNSPLASH

34 JEWELLERY NEWS Classic beauties, audacious moderns and singular spoils

40 EVERYONE LOOKS BETTER IN SUNGLASSES Sunglasses do things for you that other fashion accessories simply can’t.

And the bigger they are, the better

58 JUST AROUND THE CORNER Predicting the future of how we will be driving may be perilous, but Richard Webb reckons the future is already upon us 52 ACCELERATE NEWS The latest on modern classics and super performers

62 TRAVEL NEWS Your guide to far-flung places and exotic spaces

76 A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME What will your dinner table look like in 10 years’ time, asks food writer Richard Holmes 78 FOR KING AND COUNTRY The production and prestige of Louis XIII cognac goes way beyond the bottle

54 THE INTELLIGENT FOOL A classic-car collector on the latest car launches 42 FASHION (FAST) FORWARD Designers are reimagining wardrobe staples for the 21st century

74 TASTINGS NEWS Fine foods and wine trends from around the world

64 OUT TO LAUNCH Will we be holidaying in space in the next decade?

56 EXPRESSION IS A FUNCTION OF INTENTION Richard Webb takes the new Lexus LS for a drive

68 QUILALEA: ‘THE RESTING PLACE’ A barefoot paradise expertly flavoured with indulgent service and gourmet food

44 DÉCOR NEWS Décor and design news to spark direction and creativity

80 THE VERY BEST...

Travel writer Darrel Bristow-Bovey on his very best trip ever

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46 ITALIANS KNOW GOOD DESIGN The classic quality of Italian design gives it enduring appeal and investment clout

48 INTELLIGENT LIFE There are a few pioneers building genuinely smart, beautiful and sustainable solutions to future living

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EDITOR’S LETTER EDITOR CATHERINE DAVIS cdavis@tppsa.co.za PUBLISHER SUSAN SUSAN NEWHAM-BLAKE NEWHAM-BLAKE PUBLISHER CREATIVE DIRECTOR KIMBERLEY REID CREATIVE DIRECTOR KIMBERLEY REID COPY EDITOR WENDY MARITZ COPY EDITOR CHRISTINE DE VILLIERS DIGITAL CONTENT PRODUCER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER MATTY MAIHVA NIC MORKEL nmorkel@tppsa.co.za BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 021 488 5926, 082 468 6490 MANAGER NIC MORKEL nmorkel@tppsa.co.za PRINT MANAGER 021 488ADVERTISING 5926, 082 468 6490 SAMEEGHA WOLHUTER swolhuter@tppsa.co.za PRINT ADVERTISING MANAGER 021 488 5938, 078 356 9521 SAMEEGHA WOLHUTER swolhuter@tppsa.co.za 021 488 5938, 078 356 9521 ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES NICK LUMB nlumb@tppsa.co.za ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES 021 488 3518, 060 736 4386 NICK LUMB nlumb@tppsa.co.za ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR 021 488 3518, 060 736 4386 LESLEY GREEN lgreen@tppsa.co.za NEAL ESAU nesau@tppsa.co.za 021 021 488 424 5944 3517, 082 228 7103

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FINANCIAL MANAGER NAEEMA ABRAHAMS RECEPTIONIST FAGMIEDA WILLEMSE ACCOUNTS LAETITIA BOTHMA RECEPTIONIST FAGMIEDA WILLEMSE

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This issue – issue 41 – marks exactly 10 years of Private Edition magazine’s existence. And so, in a way, it celebrates the power of print, from the tactile pleasures of its material parts to the potency of the written word and evocative imagery. The media landscape is a very different place today than it was 10 years ago, but there will always be room in the market for the publishing excellence, and something a little unexpected, found in every issue of our magazine.

Issue 41 is no different. And while we don’t go big on themed editions, this being our birthday issue gave us pause for reflection, and a reason to look forward to the next 10 years. So you’ll find stories of old and new and how they are meeting each other in design, fashion, jewellery and watch craft, as well as in wine and food.

We venture to worlds where science fiction is becoming science fact. Our features include tantalising advancements in emerging technologies – artificial intelligence, biotech, green energy and space tourism – that will begin to enter the mainstream and disrupt business, geopolitics and everyday life around the world.

We also have a new section on luxury investments that offer more than just the promise of cash returns. But with the prospect of returns over and above those offered by traditional and, currently, uncertain markets, the glamorous side of investment remains a seductive proposition. Private Edition delves deeper into the people and places behind the products appreciated by investors, collectors and connoisseurs around the world.

So here’s to the past 10 glorious years of Private Edition – to us, to you our readers, and to our partners; and here’s to the next 10…

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARK BEARE ADVERTISING SALES COORDINATOR LESLEY GREEN lgreen@tppsa.co.za PRODUCTION DIRECTOR JOHN MORKEL 021 488 5944 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MARK BEARE JOLINDA KEMP PRODUCTION DIRECTOR JOHN MORKEL FINANCIAL MANAGER NAEEMA ABRAHAMS HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER ACCOUNTS LAETITIA BOTHMA JOLINDA KEMP

THE DIGITAL LUXURY GUIDE

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES.COM

Private Edition Digital is a dedicated luxury news and lifestyle guide with reviews, opinions, videos and stories about the best, most exclusive cars, watches, art, travel, style and much more.

Find us online at PrivateEdition.co.za, or like Private Edition magazine on Facebook and be the first to discover the latest developments and news from the world’s most covetable brands, curated by the digital team behind Private Edition.

You can also subscribe to our newsletter for a roundup of the latest trends and stories every two weeks, so you never miss a moment in luxury.

For the best life has to offer, PrivateEdition.co.za is an essential resource.

MATTY MAIVHA is a small town poet, writer and social media strategist who has worked in advertising and publishing. She’s a compulsive notebook collector. Last year she took a break from the creative industry to teach English in Thailand where she made unbelievable memories with lots of Thai kids.

Back in the country she creates magic on Private Edition’s digital platforms – it allows her to share her love of the digital space, which has the remarkable ability to let one experience something exceptional without physically being there.

PETER LINDBERGH Known for his memorable cinematic images, Peter is recognised as one of the most influential contemporary photographers. He turned his attention to photography in 1971 and opened his own studio in 1973. Peter is the first photographer to include a narrative in his fashion series, and his storytelling brought a new vision of art and fashion photography. He shot Carolyn Murphy for Buccellati jewellery on our jewellery pages.

KATHY MALHERBE has been a freelance writer for more than 20 years, specialising in investigative, medical and travel features. She’s what we call a regular, having contributed to almost every issue of Private Edition since its launch. In fact, Kathy wrote the lead story in the first issue in September 2008 about apartheid in medicine. She was a finalist in the Discovery Health Journalism Awards. It took her six months to research and write. In this issue you can find her features on an island holiday and space travel.

ELOISE TIMMIS is an illustrator, designer and art director. She’s the one behind this issue’s spectacular 10th anniversary cover illustration. She’s also a mom of two girls, so she’s really good at multitasking. Eloise has worked on big brands like VW and Marie Claire, but enjoys making beautiful work wherever she can. She likes to quote the incredibly wise Mary Poppins: ‘A thing of beauty is joy forever.’

NIC MORKEL As a business development manager who oversees a number of print and digital titles in the TPP stable, Nic is strategic, handson, target-driven and always excited about developing long-term relationships with clients who own their brands. Private Edition continues to set the publishing benchmark for global luxury through its dual offering of engaging, original content and topquality advertising, which makes his job so much easier...

LESLEY GREEN has worked in the media industry for 11 years trying her hand in different roles. Now, as our advertising sales coordinator, she ably juggles a portfolio of print publications, making her a valuable asset to the advertising and editorial teams.

Her two loves? First and foremost, and by a long way, her kids; and then fashion, which is obvious to all those who work with her – her outfits never disappoint.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: CAROLYN MURPHY AND ZHANG ZIYI BY PETER LINDBERGH FOR BUCCELLATI, SUPPLIED

CONTRIBUTORS

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www.silveray.co.za

LUXURY INVESTMENT NATURAL BRILLIANCE In business, one looks for the best deals in everything. But many of the items considered personal indulgences, from vintage wine to fine jewellery, may be outperforming our financial portfolios.

WORDS: CATHERINE DAVIS. PHOTOGRAPHY: COURTESY RM SOTHEBY’S, GETTYIMAGES.COM, SUPPLIED

Our love affair with precious stones has endured for thousands of years, manifesting today in record-breaking, multimilliondollar auctions and a global race to unearth the next cache of coloured diamonds, emeralds and rubies, among others. Three that are catching the eyes of collectors and investors right now are pink diamonds, blue diamonds (garnering the highest price per carat) and new contender Paraíba tourmaline.

The biggest pink diamond ever discovered was 132.5 carats, cut to create the 59.6-carat oval Pink Star. Sotheby’s Hong Kong sold the Pink Star for $71.2 million in 2017 ($1.19 million per carat). At 14.62 carats, the Oppenheimer Blue is the largest Fancy Vivid Blue diamond ever to appear at auction. In 2016, at the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues in Geneva, it set a new world record for any jewel when it sold for around $58 million ($3.96 million per carat). Paraíba tourmaline was discovered in 1989 in Brazil, and the stone has nearly been depleted there due to demand. The most expensive was the 191.87-carat Ethereal Carolina Divine Paraíba, valued at up to $125 million.

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LUXURY INVESTMENT - NEWS

WHEELS OF FORTUNE Every August, car collectors descend on the Monterey Peninsula in California for the ultimate celebration of the passion hobby. For more than 30 years, RM Sotheby’s Monterey sale has been the pinnacle of collector-car auctions, known for its innovative presentation and record-setting results.

The 1962 Ferrari 250GTO was the undeniable star. The holy grail of cars is valued at $45 million and was once nominated as the top sports car of all time.

AND THE OMEGA GOES TO... OMEGA An Omega timepiece belonging to the legendary Elvis Presley was sold for CHF1.5 million at the Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN, presented by Phillips earlier this year.

After a lengthy and competitive round of bidding, the Omega Museum in Biel/ Bienne became the proud new owner, not only attaining the watch for their significant collection, but also paying a new world record for any Omega watch ever purchased.

Described as the ‘most historically significant Elvis Presley-owned watch to ever appear on the market’, the 18-karat white-gold wristwatch was presented to Elvis

by RCA Records in February 1961, at a charity luncheon and concert to celebrate his 75 million records sold worldwide.

The 33mm timepiece houses a manually wound Omega calibre 510, and features 44 brilliant-cut diamonds surrounding the bezel, as well as an elegant silvered ivory dial with a small-seconds subdial. On the caseback, the engravings include the words: ‘To Elvis, 75 Million Records, RCA Victor, 12-25-60’. The incredible provenance of this one-of-a-kind timepiece was further confirmed by photos of Presley wearing the watch, as well as a certificate of authenticity from Jimmy Velvet, the founder and CEO of the Elvis Presley Museum.

PRELLER, KENTRIDGE AND TRETCHIKOFF TOP LOCAL ART SALE Alexis Preller was the star artist at Strauss & Co’s winter sale, generating R15 530 000 in sales from seven lots sold in June. Cementing his stature at auction, Preller posted three of the top five auction results at this live sale.

The top lot was a mesmerising oil from Preller’s celebrated Seychelles period, ‘Head (Adapting Itself to the Unendurable)’ from 1949, which sold for R7 055 600 (pictured left). A museum-quality drawing by William Kentridge, ‘Deep Pool’ (1996), from his Colonial Landscapes series, was the auction’s second biggest lot and the top earner in the contemporary art category, selling for R3 414 000.

The auction generated overall sales of R56 milion with a sell-through rate of 74 percent. The result was the eighth highest combined result for a live sale since Strauss & Co launched in 2009 – a remarkable feat in a challenging economy.

The next Johannesburg sale will be on 12 November, and will include a curated section titled ‘Neglected Tradition’ that will draw collector attention to the depth and breadth of South African art from the twentieth century. straussart.co.za

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LUXURY INVESTMENT

A DRY WHITE SEASON

I

n May this year in France, a bottle of 1774 Vin Jaune du Jura sold for a record-breaking €103 700 (roughly R1.6 million) at auction, while two others from the same era were snapped up for €76 250 and €73 200 (roughly R1.2 and R1.1 respectively).

As an alternative investment, wine can be unpredictable, but clearly, exceptional wines have stood the test of time. So, while a worldwide wine shortage is catalysing a price hike, it hasn’t dampened investors’ appetite for extra-special vintages.

These coveted items may be in short supply, but they clearly provide enormous gratification to those who own or consume them.

In South Africa, the persistent drought has resulted in a 15% drop in total harvest from 2017. Challenging conditions are pushing prices up as farms struggle to stay afloat. In light

of this, can wine remain one of the most popular investment choices?

The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) recently reported that in 2017, global wine production fell to its lowest level in 60 years.

Unfavourable climatic conditions are mostly to blame. Earlier in the year, devastating hailstorms ravaged parts of the Bordeaux wine region in southwest France, resulting in several winemakers losing 100% of their harvest.

Europe’s bleak production figures present a compelling opportunity for South Africa to secure sound export agreements in terms of volume and value. According to Rico Basson, local wine-industry expert and managing director of VinPro, technical adjustments can enable local exporters to reap the benefits of the quality this region has to offer.

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The top producers in South Africa have demonstrated that they can compete against the best in the world and have scooped multiple awards on the global stage. Our wines are positioned as a product that provides the consumer with a taste of both the old and the new world.

As top-quality wines leave our shores, it would be logical to assume that shorter supply of premium product ultimately leads to higher prices. Investors might well be rewarded for buying and keeping premium South African wines.

But the punishing drought continues to wreak havoc on our local wine industry. The VinPro Production Plan Survey found that over a third of the 495 farms it surveyed are operating at a loss. According to VinPro, all wine regions except Breedekloof reported a smaller wine grape crop for the 2018 harvest season.

As producers face the need to adapt to changing climatic conditions, research is already underway to evaluate the financial viability of various vineyard blocks and to explore more drought-resistant vines that still produce flavour, acidity and intensity while requiring less water. New clones of Grenache and cultivars such as Assyrtiko, Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Touriga Nacional are among the latter.

Next season’s potential harvest is dependent on many factors, including the size of the current year’s crop, post-harvest irrigation, reserve levels collected during winter and the season leading up to the next harvest.

Like any other investment, supply and demand will ultimately determine the value of the asset. While the potential worldwide shortage of quality wine could result in some investors acting irrationally and pushing prices aggressively, the discerning wine collector can still find great wines with extraordinary future potential without overpaying for them. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES.COM

The drought experienced in certain parts of South Africa has had a profound impact on our wine industry. But reduced production here mirrors a global issue – a growing shortage of wine due mostly to extreme weather patterns. Sanlam Private Wealth Director of Investments ALWYN VAN DER MERWE unpacks the state of play for wine investors.

One of the most successful innovations to come out of the Black Forest And a cuckoo clock

The difference is Gaggenau.

Visit our Brand Experience Centres: Cape Town: 17 New Church Street Bree Street Studios 021 550 9900

In the Black Forest, some things never change. Others have been evolving since 1683. Ever since our company was founded as a hammer and nail works, innovation has become a tradition for us. Such as the ovens 400 series, shown here with oven, combi-steam oven and warming drawer – uniting cutting-edge technology with superior design. Finally, our appliances have been constantly evolving. What stays the same: they just keep looking better and better.

For more information, please visit www.gaggenau.com/za

Johannesburg: 30 Archimedes Street Kramerville 010 001 0019 1 8 P R I VAT E E D I T I O N 1 0 Y E A R S I S S U E 4 0

LUXURY INVESTMENT

20/20 VISION Buying your own sports team can be an exciting investment. It can also be one of the riskiest. An Indian billionaire shares the rollercoaster ride with ANDREW SHIRLEY.

M

ohit Burman was a mixture of nerves and excitement when we met to chat about cricket at a private members’ club in London’s Mayfair early this year. And understandably so. It was only a few weeks before the two-day player auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL), the annual 20-over, big-hitting cricket tournament that has revolutionised the game.

This was Mr Burman’s chance to bid for the players he’d like for the next three years for the Mohali-based Kings XI Punjab, the team in which he holds the majority share. If it were simply a matter of having deep pockets, he might have been more relaxed – his family owns Dabur, one of India’s largest consumer goods companies, and he is the joint venture partner in Aviva India.

Axar Patel made his IPL debut in 2014. His all-rounder skills resulted in Kings XI Punjab retaining him for the 2018 season. The masterclass fielder and spin bowler has played in 59 IPL matches and taken 58 wickets

But in the IPL strict rules govern how much can be spent.

The owners of each of the league’s eight franchises have a purse equivalent of around $12.5 million to spend at the auction. However, with the most in-demand Indian or overseas players commanding multimillion-dollar price tags – Royal Challengers Bangalore set a record by retaining India’s national captain Virat Kohli for $2.7 million – it’s a balancing act to assemble a team that has sufficient local and international star power to pull in the crowds and sponsors, but also enough depth to win games consistently. Teams may also only field four overseas players in any one game.

‘You do need the names, but the trick is to identify up-and-coming young Indian players who will be your stars of the future,’ says Burman, who co-owns the team with actress Preity Zinta and Indian businessmen Ness Wadia and Karan Paul.

He played his cards close to his chest when I asked who he would be targeting at the auctions. ‘I’m going to discuss it with my co-owners and team manager and then we’ll decide who we want.’

BILLIONAIRES’ CLUB According to the latest UBS/PwC Billionaires Insights report, more than 140 of the world’s top sports teams are owned by 109 billionaires. The majority, 60, are from the US, and 29 come from Asia. Asian billionaires were behind more than half of club acquisitions in the past two years.

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The team celebrates as Australian Andrew Tye takes a wicket, one in a four-wicket haul for Kings XI Punjab, in the match against the Rajasthan Royals on 8 May this year in Jaipur. Unfortunately the team was beaten by the Royals who, playing to a home crowd, won by 15 runs

I asked Burman what was driving the trend and why he got involved with cricket. ‘Affluent people buying sports teams is nothing new in the US and UK, but with huge wealth being created in other parts of the world, it’s become much more global.’ There has also been a shift in social attitudes, he adds. ‘Previously, it wouldn’t have been acceptable to be seen spending a lot of money on a sports team, but that’s changing now.’

Although most owners, Burman included, are passionate about sport and love the thrill of owning

their own team, nobody wants to lose money. ‘I’m a huge cricket fan, but I definitely saw it as an investment when I bought my stake in the franchise,’ says Burman, who has been involved with the IPL since its inception 10 years ago.

‘The team is run like any other business with a proper board and CEO. ‘I also realised it could be difficult to make money from a sports team – I was well aware of what I was getting into. You shouldn’t invest money in sports when you can’t afford to lose.’

Even though the IPL is now one of the world’s richest sports leagues, profits are not a given. ‘We lost money for the first six years; it’s been a long learning process,’ admits Burman. ‘To begin with, it was difficult to get sponsorship and some people assumed that the team owners didn’t care how much money they spent. It was easy for costs to spiral.’

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FEATURE: COURTESY OF KNIGHT FRANK WEALTH REPORT 2018. PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES.COM

LUXURY INVESTMENT

LUXURY INVESTMENT

Mohit Burman co-owns the Kings XI Punjab with actress Preity Zinta and Indian businessmen Ness Wadia and Karan Paul. Burman, who was involved with the IPL since its inception 10 years ago, says that sports team franchises need to be run like any other business

Retaining sponsors can also be a challenge, Burman adds. ‘Everybody is chasing the same companies and generally there are no specific benefits for a sponsor to be associated with one particular team.

There is a lot of brinkmanship when you are negotiating.’

The high point of Burman’s IPL involvement came in 2014 when the Kings XI won the round-robin stage of the competition, but just missed out on victory in the final knock-out game, despite scoring a highly respectable 200 runs. But even success doesn’t guarantee more money.

‘When you win games your players want to be paid more, although when they don’t do so well, the opposite certainly doesn’t apply,’ he jokes.

Each team, for example, is allowed to retain three of their most valued existing players and strike individual deals rather than bidding for them in the triennial auction. But Burman has let favoured players go because they asked for too much money.

‘You never know, I might get the chance to buy them back for less in the auction.’

A MODEL FOR SUCCESS Other sports in India have tried to copy the IPL model but they have not enjoyed the same success. ‘There just isn’t the domestic and international interest to make it work financially,’ Burman explains. Even an equivalent football competition would struggle here, he says.

‘Technology means everybody can access every sport in the world, so why would anyone want to watch retired stars playing here when they can watch the world’s best

players in the English Premier League?

Kids wants to see world-famous teams and players.’

That’s not to say Burman isn’t interested in owning a football team. He’s been asked to get involved with several English teams, but never felt confident enough to take the plunge. ‘Maybe one day the right opportunity will come along.’ For now, he is focusing on creating a marketing strategy to boost revenue streams from the Kings XI. ‘The tournament lasts for six weeks, which means people are only buying shirts and other merchandise for two to three months.’ Because players move around every three years, it’s challenging to build up a long-term fan base. ‘We need to think out of the box to extend that period and create more loyal supporters,’ he explains.

Another option to make money from sport is to sell your stake in a franchise for a profit. Teams are now reportedly worth many millions of dollars. But Burman says that’s not on the cards for him. ‘I’m not a seller.’ 

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BREAKTHROUGH

NATURE’S LITTLE MIRACLE Stem cells have been given the sobriquet ‘Mother of Regeneration’ for good reason. These building blocks of the human body hold tremendous promise in the understanding and treatment of a range of diseases, injuries and other healthrelated conditions.

WORDS KATHY MALHERBE

P

rofessor Michael Pepper, director of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Extramural Unit for Stem Cell Research and Therapy at the University of Pretoria, says, ‘Stem-cell therapy is changing the way we practise medicine.’

It’s a bold statement. So, what makes stem cells so extraordinary? They are our body’s natural healing and rejuvenation system, dividing regularly to repair and replace worn-out or damaged tissues.

They are also unlike other cells in the body as, regardless of their source, they have three general properties: they are prolific (capable of dividing and renewing themselves indefinitely), unspecialised and can give rise to specialised cell types.

Although stem-cell therapy is not new, scientists have taken a leap forward in terms of researching and harvesting stem cells. Innovative applications for their use have also made headlines. Who can forget the heartbreaking story of Pippie Kruger of Limpopo who, at the age of three, sustained third-degree burns on

85 percent of her body in a freak accident?

Pippie’s treatment crossed the frontier of cutting-edge medicine when a plastic-like skin, grown from a small sample of her own skin, was cultivated in a lab in Boston in the US. The sheets of delicate skin were flown with an escort to South Africa and skilfully grafted onto her body.

The revolutionary use of stem cells to grow skin for a badly burnt toddler naturally drew a great deal of attention, but scientists and medical professionals are applying stem-cell therapy in their disciplines around the world. It’s unsurprising that stem cells, with their unique attributes and inherent mechanisms for healing, have the potential to treat an enormous range of conditions that plague millions of people across the globe.

CLOSE TO MIRACULOUS According to Professor Pepper, ‘The two most commonly utilised forms of adult stem cells are hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), used for bone-marrow transplantation, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), currently being tested for

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BREAKTHROUGH

It’s unsurprising that stem cells, with such unique attributes and inherent mechanisms for healing, have the potential to treat an enormous range of diseases and conditions that plague millions of people across the globe

Immunotherapy is being hailed as the fifth pillar of cancer treatment. This 3-D rendering shows a T cell with receptors engineered to target cancer cells

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES.COM

a variety of conditions in clinical trials around the world. HSCs are derived from bone marrow, peripheral blood (after mobilisation from bone marrow) and umbilical cord blood. Three common sources of MSCs are bone marrow, adipose tissue and Wharton’s jelly from the umbilical cord.

‘However, there are restrictions in terms of the miraculous properties of

adult stem cells,’ he says. ‘They are what is called multipotent, which means they can’t generate any cell or tissue on command but they can create certain subsets of cell types. This means they have to be carefully targeted in their application.’

Pluripotent stem cells, on the other hand, are able to turn themselves into all the different cell types in the body.

A miracle? Close enough. Especially since they are very rare and only found naturally within very early embryos.

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BREAKTHROUGH

UNTIL 2007 THAT IS...

During the course of 2006 and 2007, Professor Shinya Yamanaka and colleagues at the University of Kyoto in Japan discovered a method of converting skin cells to stem cells (called induced pluripotent stem cells). He and British developmental biologist Sir John Gurdon of The Gurdon Institute at the University of Cambridge in the UK were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012 for this breakthrough. Dr Janine Scholefield, senior researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Biosciences in Pretoria says, ‘This was really significant because pluripotent cells can be guided to become almost any cell type in the body.

‘To the best of our knowledge, our lab was the first to create these types of cells in South Africa, which we use for modelling “disease-in-a-dish”,’ she adds.

They hold great potential for future stem-cell research and therapeutics.

Researchers globally continue to do extensive safety testing, until deemed ready for therapeutic application.

Apart from growing stem cells in a Petri dish, the best place to harvest stem cells is, of course, from the original production plant – the patient’s own body (autologous) or a stem-cell donor (allogeneic).

As they say, ‘medicine is not a perfect science’ and there are risks in using stem cells from a donor as they may be rejected. To avoid this, patients are placed on immunosuppressive therapy for life.

There is also the possibility of the reverse, namely graft-versus-host disease, which is a potentially serious complication of bonemarrow transplantation.

THE ‘FIFTH’ PILLAR One of the increasingly possible and life-changing applications for stem cells is in neurological diseases (motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and spinal-cord injuries). But Professor

Over the past few years, immunotherapy, which solicits and fortifies the power of a patient’s immune system, has emerged as the ‘fifth pillar’ of cancer treatment, as oncologists call it Pepper points out, ‘As far as I know, there is no official work being done in these areas. Some clinics are using stem cells for these conditions but this is not part of a registered clinical trial or of mainstream medicine. That said, the possible applications for stem-cell therapy continues to expand. There are hundreds of clinical trials on stem cells underway all over the world.’

Other applications include orthopaedics (osteoarthritis and cartilage and bone repair), sports’ injuries (cartilage and ligament repair), respiratory system diseases (emphysema), cardiology (heart-muscle regenerations) and blood circulation (critical limb ischemia).

Professor Pepper believes the most significant breakthrough internationally is for cancer. The foundations of cancer treatment have always been surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But over the past few years, immunotherapy, which solicits and fortifies the power of a patient’s immune system, has emerged as the ‘fifth pillar’ of cancer treatment, as oncologists call it. CAR T-cell therapy involves T cells being collected from a patient and are then engineered to recognise an antigen on targeted tumour cells. These cells are infused back into the patient. CAR-T cell therapy is being used to treat previously untreatable cancers with success.

Like most of nature’s resources, as we age, the number of stem cells decreases and become less efficient, which is where the science helps. Gerontologists too, believe stem-cell technology is one of the most fascinating areas of modern biology and one of the pioneering ingredients in medicine.

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WATC H E S

THE BRIGHTEST SPARKS Kaia Gerber is set for superstardom. The teenage beauty is no stranger to modelling, thanks to her famous mother Cindy Crawford, and her unique presence has secured her position as one of the fashion industry’s fastest-growing names. Like her mother, Kaia has partnered with Omega, and is now the face of the Trésor Collection. The slim case of the 39mm model is made from stainless steel and features diamond paving that curves along each side, as well as a crown that is polished with red HyCeram® and set with a single diamond. The lacquered white dial includes unique transferred Roman numerals in blue and elegant blued hands. The watch is driven by the Omega calibre 4061, which sits behind a special mirrored caseback that features a ‘Her Time’ design. omegawatches.com

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WORDS: CATHERINE DAVIS. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Omega has a long tradition of creating beautiful watches for women, and the Trésor Collection is no different.

WATCHES - NEWS

ABOUT FACE The Cartier Révélation d’Une Panthère had Instagram in a video-fuelled spin within seconds of its launch. At first sight, a simple, diamondbezelled watch with tiny gold beads under its glass, but as the wearer’s hand moves, the 9 000 beads form the face of Cartier’s ultimate icon, the panther. Only briefly does the image hold, before the beads fall away like grains of sand to the bottom of the dial. According to Marie-Laure Cérède, Cartier’s director of horologic creation, the beads somehow ‘find their way through channels in the glass’. The effect is fleeting and fascinating. ‘It took five years to develop, yet it’s not a technical timepiece,’ says Cérède. ‘Everyone’s first reaction to it is emotional. To me that is authentic Cartier, which has always been about wonder and beauty.’ cartier.com

SECRET SERVICE Cocktail watches rose to prominence during the roaring ‘20s, a time when special private parties were regularly held at secret locations. Women wore dainty, luxurious timepieces whose timetelling mechanisms were hidden in an adornment of diamonds and gemstones – a handy way to avoid the social faux pas of checking the time in public. The popularity of coquettishly concealed dials has not diminished, and they remain a desired and precious accessory. The enchanting Graff Diamond Secret is a delicately designed timepiece, embellished with multishape white diamonds set in a scintillation across the wrist. Beneath an imperceptible, gracefully sliding mechanism lies a covert, miniature dial. graffdiamonds.com

A SLINKY NUMBER Whether realistic or geometrically abstract, the Bulgari Serpenti watch collection is able to wind all of Bulgari’s hallmarks together: a love of colour, the juxtaposition of materials, innovative artisanal techniques and a subtle wearability. A pink-gold chain bracelet is the latest addition to the Bulgari Serpenti Twist Your Time watch that glides on to transform a daytime piece into a spectacular jewellery statement. In a moment, and without chipping a nail, you can slide off the leather strap and replace it with the chain bracelet. It’s a perfect choice for those who desire both glamour and practicality, and don’t want to compromise on either. bulgari.com

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WATCHES

YOUTH MOVEMENT DEBBIE HATHWAY talks to young master watchmaker Felix Baumgartner about finding balance between innovation and tradition in the ever-evolving world of haute horlogerie.

F

elix Baumgartner (43), Urwerk cofounder and master watchmaker, is the son and grandson of watchmakers. It’s unsurprising he developed a passion for watchmaking at a very young age.

Born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Baumgartner says his father’s atelier was his very first playground.

‘I was around five years old when he sat me by his side at the bench and started to show me the mysteries of horological complications. Later, I earned my very first francs (pocket money), helping my father clean and oil old wheels.’

Baumgartner recalls his first musical concert taking place at home, the instruments being more than 50 clocks tick-tocking in the atelier. ‘My father’s specialty was restoring collector’s pieces. Our family home used to be filled with pendulums and complex mechanisms. They were all over the place: in his atelier, of course, but also in the living room and even the kitchen. At my bedside I had an imposing clock. It was the very first thing I saw in the morning and the last thing I saw before falling asleep. I was programmed to love watches.’

In 1992, Baumgartner enrolled in the prestigious watchmaking school in Solothurn in Switzerland, where he met ‘a new family’ of watchmakers and engineers, many of whom he’s worked with since. ‘I studied the theory behind

At my bedside I had an imposing clock. It was the very first thing I saw in the morning and the last thing I saw before falling asleep.

I was programmed to love watches

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WATCHES

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

I saw some of the most fabulous masterpieces ever realised, most dating back to the 18th century when craftsmanship was almost perfection. Then only 20 years old, I thought, ‘How can I do better than this?’

the magic I had seen and experienced at my father’s bench,’ he says.

Three years later Baumgartner arrived in Geneva to begin his career as an independent watchmaker. After a visit to the Patek Philippe Museum (a must-see if you love watches), he left feeling so depressed he considered quitting watchmaking. ‘In the museum, I saw some of the most fabulous masterpieces ever realised, most dating back to the 18th century when craftsmanship was almost perfection. Then only 20 years old, I thought, “How can I do better than this?” It was a real nightmare.’

He says he eventually realised he was asking the wrong question. ‘It was not can I do better, but can I do things differently? My way. These geniuses lived in another century and made watches for their time. Haute horlogerie is meant to evolve. It is a continuous process. And I wanted to be part of this evolution.’

As an independent watchmaker, Baumgartner developed complicated watches including perpetual calendars and minute repeaters, and took on restoration commissions from prestigious brands, until he met Martin Frei, a talented artist and designer based in Zurich. ‘We started to dream about a new way to display time, one that would be simultaneously intuitive as well as aesthetically and mechanically challenging.’

The pair founded Urwerk in 1997 with the intention to design and craft haute horlogerie timepieces that blend tradition with a futuristic vision. ‘We make a great team: Martin and I are totally complementary, and we rely on the best team possible! It’s been like this for the past 20 years and, hopefully, it will remain the same for the next two decades.’

United in their quest for horological excellence, the creation of Urwerk’s different collections is a shared process. ‘We share ideas and discuss all possible technical solutions together. All our horological mechanisms are new, so we need to be inventive, daring and pragmatic.’ 

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JEWELLERY

Founded in Milan in 1919, Buccellati continues to carve its way into the hearts of wearable-art aficionados.

The Rigato engraving technique, featuring handcarved fine lines, combined with the Openwork method (which creates a lace-like effect on metal) lends Buccellati’s sculptural pieces their distinctive appearance. The Macri Collection is a case in point. Designed by founder Mario Buccellati’s son, Gianmaria, the range of cuffs, rings and earrings embraces traditional methods, many of which take years to perfect, with on-trend demands for unique jewellery that tells a story. The result is a collection of sculptural, gold lust-haves with a distinctive satin finish, beautifully and boldly studded with diamonds. buccellati.com

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WORDS:J USTINE HEWITT. PHOTOGRAPHY: CAROLYN MURPHY BY PETER LINDBERGH FOR BUCCELLATI, HEMMERLE, SUPPLIED

SPECIAL EFFECTS

JEWELLERY - NEWS

FLUTTER BUY In the quest to create jewellery with a unique point of difference, the world’s best designers are using increasingly more intricate and cleverly engineered elements in their work. These earrings by German design house Hemmerle feature 10 pink conch pearls (the rarest variety in the world) and a series of magnificent pink spinels in varying colours, set in white gold and copper. The earrings are constructed as if to flutter as the wearer moves, providing mesmerising viewing pleasure. hemmerle.com

RARE FIND Once again, Graff brings nature-inspired beauty to the fore with its Triple Pavé Butterfly necklace, all 18.14 carats of it.

The brand is vocal about its love of natural form and the butterfly is a favourite motif, both because of its luckycharm qualities and its ethereal and luminescent natural beauty. The collection features glittering clusters of pink, yellow and white diamonds beautifully matched with rubies, sapphires and emeralds, while the Butterfly necklace itself is a confection of rare pink and white diamonds, sure to make its final owner blush with pride. graffdiamonds.com

INNER LIGHT

COLOUR BURST New techniques are coupled with Baroque-inspired designs in Swiss company De Grisogono’s jawdropping Melody of Colours ring from their latest collection. This piece reflects the consistent lengths the company’s designers take to go bigger and bolder with their diamond and precious stone marriages, using complex settings and techniques to create showpieces that demand attention. Here, no less than 107 diamonds are placed alongside six spectacular pink sapphires and nine smoked-quartz gems in a pink-gold setting. degrisogono.com

Luster is the amount of light a pearl reflects from both its surface glow and the deep mirror-like reflection of its inner luminosity. The better the nacre quality of the pearl, the more superior its luster. The Mikimoto flower rings, with the most luminous luster, are each a tiny cosmos symbolising the seaons. This one, with delicate cherry blossoms and plump buds, depicts the antipation of spring with 18-karat white gold, conch pearl, ayoka cultured pearl, sapphire, garnet, diamond and quartz. mikimotoamerica.com

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JEWELLERY - TRENDS

PIN-TEREST

T

here are few lovers of jewels who don’t have a brooch or two among their favourite pieces. Long the lair of an older generation of women who love to adorn a hat or coat with the likes of a marcasite flower or emerald-eyed owl or lizard, brooches are making a comeback, and this time in haute joaillerie circles. Of course, the beauty of the brooch, which has made a fairly consistent appearance on the high street (and was most beloved by Victorian-era dandies) lies in its versatility and the chance for its bearer to showcase their personal style. Whether it’s used to dress up a gown or coat, it’s bound to draw the eye. But 21st century ‘it’ girls are showing their love for brooches in other ways too, by bejewelling their hair and shirt collars, drawing attention to the waistline with decorative pieces and, of course, as a deliberate juxtaposition of high and low fashion – the combination of denim and diamonds never looked so good.

In the past few years, Europe’s most prolific jewellery houses have been experimenting with new takes on this traditional form of personal decoration, and with glittering effect. Leading the charge is Graff’s extraordinary $100 million Peacock Brooch. Designed in 2013, it is a 120-carat diamond creation with one of the world’s rarest blue diamonds at its heart. A longtime fan of flora and fauna designs, Graff has also created a series of bird- and insect-inspired brooches, many of which show off the brand’s trademark ability to show movement and life in inanimate objects. Their 23-carat pink-and-white diamond Flower Brooch is a graceful celebration of colour and cut.

Likewise, brave jewellers Bulgari are embracing the brooch, and in a thoroughly modern manner. One can only but wonder if their latest

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Gelati Jewels collection of ice creamshaped brooches, with a distinctive ‘nibble’ missing from the corner, is inspired by pop culture’s current pin obsession, much of which relates to street foods, from doughnuts to tacos. Either way, it’s a wonderfully delicious surprise.

Parisian maison Chaumet has always looked to the corners of the globe for inspiration, and this year collaborated with Kenyan artist Evans Mbugua for their vibrant ‘Trésors d’Afrique’ collection. Mbugua designed six pieces for the house, including the whimsical Espiègleries lion brooch (pictured left) that features a textural yellow-gold mane and sapphireencrusted body – just ready to pounce from the lapel of a jacket.

As for Cartier, they’re one of the world’s most favoured brooch designers and so loved by royals. Their 1938 Rose Clip Brooch was a favourite of Princess Margaret’s, while the Duke of Windsor famously commissioned the Flamingo Brooch for Wallis Simpson’s birthday in 1940.

Equally famous is the Panthère de Cartier brooch, a striking microsculpture featuring the brand’s emblematic panther, a veritable confection of 579 diamonds, emeralds and onyx set in white gold. Its design denotes a distinctive nod to the past yet there is no doubt it is destined to be adored and worn by forwardthinking fashion lovers for many years to come.

And that is the beauty of the brooch. Its relevance and ability to charm new generations of fans is seemingly timeless. And long may that notion last. 

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

News for jewellery aficionados is that the brooch is back, says VICKI SLEET. In the form of popular culture pins to be sure, but it’s the bejewelled pieces we’ve got our eyes on.

FOCUS ON IWC

THE FINEST HOUR

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

In 1884, IWC manufactured the first so-called Pallweber pocket watches. 150 years later, they’ve brought back 50 limited editions, with stunning effect.

IN Schaffhausen, Switzerland, the digital age began early, back in 1884.

That was the year IWC manufactured its first Pallweber pocket watches.

A watchmaker in Salzburg, Josef Pallweber was the inventor of the jumping-numeral timepiece, and Johannes Rauschenbach-Schenk, head of IWC at the time, was captivated by the modern form of time display and secured the patent for the innovative technology behind it. During the period up to 1890, IWC made about 20 000 of these pocket watches.

‘These were avant-garde watches and displayed the hours and minutes

using large numerals on rotating discs,’ says Christian Satzke, project manager for movement development with IWC Schaffhausen. Some say they were ahead of their time.

The relaunch of this exclusive pocket watch, called Tribute To Pallweber Edition ‘150 Years’, to celebrate IWC’s 150th anniversary, is limited to 50 pieces. It’s housed in an 18-carat red gold case, elaborately decorated with handcrafted guilloché work and worn on a chain also made of 18-carat red gold. Tribute To Pallweber Edition ‘150 Years’ has a white dial with a lacquered finish and

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white display discs. As a reference to the design of the historical Pallweber watches and a tribute to F.A. Jones – the American watchmaker who founded IWC – the windows of the digital display are labelled as ‘Hours’ and ‘Minutes’. Two windows in the spring cover reveal the hours and minutes, so the time can be read even when the front cover is closed. The case also features a closed dust cover on the backside.

The complete IWC ‘150 years’ Jubilee Collection includes 27 limited edition watches.

iwc.com

FASHION CITY FOR ALL SEASONS Chanel’s Fall-Winter 2018/19 Haute Couture Collection draws on the cool hues of Paris’s urban landscape and exudes the city’s inimitable style and sophistication.

WORDS: JULIA FREEMANTLE. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Literary, art-loving Paris in the inpiration for Chanel’s latest showcase – from the pale grey of the zinc rooftops and the asphalt anthracite of the streets, to the pale pink and mauve of early sunrise and the beige of cloudy mornings.

The collection is all lightness and delicacy, with the pastel and mineral shades being showcased in the delicacy of chiffon, lace and crêpe. The iconic suit – a Chanel institution – is given a slender silhouette and a somewhat more bookish spin this season. chanel.com

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FASHION - NEWS

AT FIRST BLUSH Dunhill’s chic interpetation of the polo shirt takes a well-loved leisurewear silhouette and gives it an update with extra finesse. The sleek and luxurious silk-piqué composition and ribbed hems and cuffs finish off the garment perfectly, with polished pearlescent buttons taking it up a notch The luxury-goods purveyor makes a case for classic staples being anything but basic. dunhill.com

BE A SPORT Stella McCartney’s reputation for creating designs that are resoundingly modern yet underpinned with femininity means she is perfectly poised to interpret the current athleisure trend. The zip-up sweatshirt in burgundy, made from plush cotton velvet and featuring decorative lace panels, plays with proportion and volume and ups the ante in activewear through the use of luxe fabrics, jewel tones and metallic accents. stellamccartney.com

PLUM PURCHASE Valentino’s creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli says his mission is to capture ‘the essence of the maison’ rather than simply revisit the archive. ‘Working closely with the artisans and the Italian expertise has been fundamental. It has allowed me to understand and perceive the rules in order to break and rewrite them,’ he says. The burgundy leather Rockstud messenger bag represents that thought process perfectly. valentino.com

ROSE-TINTED Offering a soft slant on athletic down-dressing, the Ambleside suede sneakers from Oliver Spencer are named after a picturesque place in the Lake District (the brand often names its designs after locations in England). The beige-pink tone and crisp white sole are a fresh combination for menswear and look optimal paired with complementary cool tones, especially grey or denim. oliverspencer.co.uk

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FASHION - TRENDS

‘EVERYONE LOOKS BETTER IN SUNGLASSES’

I

like my fashion haute couture and humorous. I don’t mean wearing something that causes amusement (not for me an octopus-inspired minidress by Iris van Herpen), even if loaded with irony, but rather enjoying the sartorial realm with a tongue-in-cheek attitude. It’s for this reason that I read the words of fashion writers and authors Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, who wittily unpack all the couturier shows as well as many a celebrity fashion moment on their website, Go Fug Yourself. Inspired writers, they coin phrases that take the stuffiness out of designer luxury and, well, just make good style sense.

‘Everyone looks better in sunglasses’ is one of their popular expressions, and a piece of fashion advice with which I wholly concur.

And for many reasons too, not least of which is that South Africa has the second-highest UV level in the world. Sunglasses (the bigger, the better, and polarised, of course) mean stylish protection. Which, in turn, is a very good reason not to fall prey to the smallframe sunglasses trend that is unfortunately so popular right now. These mean-sized, little accessories also do nothing for one’s sense of

mystery, a very important point in Cocks’ and Morgan’s sunglasses ethos.

Sunglasses do certainly add mystique, says Cocks. ‘There’s a reason Anna Wintour wears them all the time, including during fashion shows, and it’s not because she’s worried about the lighting.’ With the right pair of shades, you exude cool.

So what is cool right now (apart from teensy-weensy pairs)? Luxury, handcrafted sunglasses from designers that don’t automatically come to mind when you’re hunting for a new pair. British luxury eyewear brand Cutler and Gross, for example, combine fine Italian craftsmanship with irrefutably sophisticated style. ‘If you buy a handcrafted pair of glasses or sunglasses, you want to see the tiny inaccuracies, the straight, raw edges of the plastic, the pins – they give character, make them unique to the wearer,’ explains the brand’s cofounder Graham Cutler.

Another upscale designer that is delivering the goods, but might not be on your sunglasses go-to list, until now that is, is Thom Browne, Council of Fashion Designers Menswear Designer of the Year Award (CFDA) recipient in 2006, 2013 and 2016. Browne’s

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unisex range is essentially classic yet retroinspired, with aviator-styles given current spins and sleeked to modern perfection.

For women, wearing sunglasses means the opportunity not only to exude mystery but on-point glamour too. Some might say they are your look’s finishing touch. ‘I think sunglasses are very glamorous, but they also help you look “done” and accessorised without a lot of effort on your part,’ says Morgan.

‘Obviously, it also helps that they cover up tired eyes, under-eye circles, crow’s feet, and all manner of eye-related drama you might want to conceal,’ she adds. And, yes, about that, sunglasses as a means of hiding age-related complexion challenges is another nail in the coffin for those tiny-framed nasties.

A pair of cat’s-eye sunglasses – just as fashionable – will work wonderfully and labels such as DITA have reinterpreted this shape into a contemporary look with a lightweight, titanium construction.

Chopard, too, have taken this particular style and modernised it, injecting their jewellery heritage into the design for a touch of opulence. And what could be more glamourous than that? 

PHOTOGRAPHY: WWW.EYECONIK.COM

It’s true, sunglasses do things for you that other fashion accessories simply can’t, says style writer, HELEN CLEMSON.

Rose Gold Diamond Selene Pendant

L U X U R Y R E D E F I N E D

Amanda du-Pont for Bellagio

Nelson Mandela Square | +27 (0)11 782 4062 | Gateway Theatre of Shopping | +27 (0)31 566 2527 | info@bellagiojewellers.co.za | www.bellagiojewellers.co.za

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PHOTOGRAPHY: 3X1

FASHION

FASHION (FAST) FORWARD Designers are reimagining wardrobe staples for the 21st century. It’s clever stuff!

WORDS HELEN CLEMSON

pair of 3x1 Joe Doucet jeans get you? Phone-cleaning for starters (thanks to microfibre-lined front pockets that also protect your device), as well as a 20cm reflective strip that runs down the centre back leg. Visible when the hems are pegged, this strip offers extreme reflection while commuting in low light. Perhaps not essential for car-loving South Africans, but for those on foot or travelling by bike, this denim upgrade could be lifesaving.

The redesigned coin pocket is, however, genius no matter how you get from A to B. This often-forgotten feature on the front right leg has been enlarged to accommodate credit cards or a driver’s license and lined with hightech radio-frequency identification or RFID-blocking fabric to ensure your data stays safe from modernday pickpockets. While the notion of being physically pickpocketed may seem passé, virtual skimming is a possibility. Book a bespoke fitting for a pair when next in New York.

LUXURY DESIGN MEETS PRACTICALITY

W

hile dual-use fashion is handy, techsavvy garments are becoming the new normal. Earlier this year Nike released details of their ‘so bad, they’re kind of good’ Benassi slides. These socalled fanny-pack sliders feature a zip-up pouch above the strap, providing storage space for your keys or lip balm while you traverse the beach in relative comfort.

(Perhaps not the best in aesthetic design for those who crave fine footwear.) Clever in concept? Yes, maybe, but they neither satiate our digital hunger nor do they fulfil a sartorial need, which is where it’s at.

Picture a pair of ‘smart’ jeans with pocket finishes that clean and protect your device. Or a sweatproof blazer that, thanks to the antibacterial properties of its fabric, has been honed to weather-dependent perfection.

These garments are available now and they’ve been developed as technology responds to not only what style wearers want from their clothes right now, but also how much more they demand from them. It seems it’s not enough for bag designers to simply create smarter, more roomy vessels to tote around goods (and by goods, we obviously mean devices), garments need to be made after a similar fashion.

BEYOND-UTILITY DENIM Back to those phone-cleaning jeans. They’re also (proper) mobile guardians too. Award-winning industrial designer Joe Doucet teamed up with denim label 3x1 to completely overhaul the concept of a simple pair of jeans and give it a spin so inventive that the price tag of $395 seems remarkably reasonable. So, what does a

Bragging rights for innovation also go to Hugo Boss for their new washable suit. Thanks to specialised wool fabrics and an altered construction, the trousers and blazers (sold as separate pieces in three colourways) can be machine-washed and, even better, don’t lose their sharp silhouette. It’s Boss’s answer to a fast-paced world, where limited time doesn’t always allow for dry-cleaning.

HAPTIC (NOT HATHA) YOGA In the same way that haute couture is benefitting from the latest in fabric technology, so too is the wellness-gear arena. If your yoga or Pilates outfits are simply ones you wear to work out, it might be time to indulge in nextgeneration wearables that marry digitally infused fabrics with easy-wear and seamless design. Like the Nadi X SMART yoga pants that have built-in data trackers (think woven-in accelerometers and haptic feedback sensors) located at the ankles, hips and knees to translate data so that the wearer can really feel their way into a pose.

Paired with the Nadi X mobile app, visual and audio cues break down yoga poses step-by-step with corresponding vibrations delivered courtesy of the leggings. These smart pants are ideal if you’re travelling and want to yoga on the move. (Yoga instructors, be warned. While highly in keeping with modern life, advances such as these make it much easier to work out alone.)

In fact, future fashion invention is very much about moving faster. Balenciaga’s Pantashoes combine pants and footwear in one piece. Ideal if you’re a lazy dresser or into a little fetish cat-suit dressing. This may not be a look for all women, but it’s certainly a style, that will, if nothing else, turn heads. 

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DÉCOR SITTING PRETTY Contemporary seating combines the artistry of form and function to create pieces that serve as subtle accents in both serene or bold spaces.

WORDS: JULIA FREEMANTLE. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

The Mannequin Pop chair by Scab Design embodies this balance perfectly with its simple construction and elegant design. It is at once timeless, yet utterly contemporary.

Created by Arter & Citton, a multidisciplinary firm that works across architecture, product and interior design, the chair is enjoying an updated incarnation courtesy of a new fabric shell, which dresses up the clean lines and softens the overall effect. This slightly softer effect lends the piece to a more flexible array of dĂŠcor applications, while the nude, almost mauve tone is incredibly on trend and versatile when used in a modern living space. Pair with blonde wood for a light and sophisticated feel. scabdesign.com

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DÉCOR - NEWS

THE LIGHT FANTASTIC

A CUTE ANGLE The Captain Flint light, conceived by Michael Anastassiades in 2015 for Flos, is a masterclass in a less-is-more design philosophy. The floor lamp provides adjustable direct light via a pared-back angular design that celebrates a return to pure geometric form. The stark simplicity of the painted steel version is elevated by the Black Marquina marble base in a subtle touch of luxury. For an altogether more feminine feel, it also comes in brushed brass and white marble. Available at Illusso. illusso.co.za

British designer Lee Broom made a name for himself with his innovative approach to products and space – often whimsical, always high-end and invariably eye-catching.

His lights are his primary calling card: beautiful statement-making décor centerpieces that celebrate Broom’s creative flights of fancy. Always seeking to bring together craft and heritage in a contemporary way, his Crystal Bulb Chandelier, made up of five cut-crystal globes suspended at different lengths, is the perfect convergence of contemporary interpretation and time-honoured tradition. cremadesign.co.za

JEWEL PURPOSE As bathrooms increasingly become places of sanctuary and inspiration rather than mere function, so bathroom designers have had to elevate their offering to provide solutions that are more decorative and conducive to comfort. The Script sink faucet from Kallista signals the kind of ornate and refined articulation that’s possible now – the simplicity of the elegantly curved spout in ontrend blush bronze is offset by bauble-like crystal knobs in grey from French crystal maison Saint-Louis. Available from Kohler. africa.kohler.com

WARM EMBRACE The furniture equivalent of a hug, Kenneth Cobonpue’s Rapunzel Easy Armchair is the most inviting seating solution imaginable. Demonstrating the designer’s signature handmade techniques and innovative use of natural materials, this soft and textural seat is as cocooning as they come – the thick wool braids have a touch-me tactility, the circular shape and high sides create a snug nest-like effect, while the plum colourway adds depth and warmth, upping the comfort factor even further. kennethcobonpue.com

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DÉCOR - TREND

ITALIANS KNOW GOOD DESIGN

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here’s something about Italian design... And not just in interiors, but across the spectrum and in all disciplines – from architecture to fashion to food. I think it’s because all the factors that make for good design – sound aesthetic principles, an understanding of proportion, strong engineering, a commitment to quality and attention to detail – are all present.

The close relationship between design and manufacturing is also crucial: creative capitals Milan and

Brianza are in close proximity to one another, and the legacy of cooperation between top designers and manufacturers means that over time they’ve pushed each other and raised the standards. If you consider brands like Ferrari, Fiat 500, Vespa and pieces like B&B Italia’s ‘Up’ chair, you can see how they’ve retained their relevance. This design ethos means that many furniture pieces created over the years have transcended being merely decorative and have become investment pieces, some ending up in museums.

As a partner to some of the most exclusive interior brands in the world, Illusso’s focus is design-oriented first and foremost – our goal is to bring functional and beautiful Italian furniture to the African market.

Our partners are a point of pride and have all been carefully selected to represent the best of premium Italian design – global names that signify quality and tradition. We knew all along that we wanted to hone in on the super-luxury segment – a small niche – which made it easy to narrow down our brands.

As a result, our stable includes industry heavyweights like Molteni&C, Maxalto and Flexform – companies that walk the line between classic and contemporary, and that have global reach and long histories (the oldest dates back nearly a century). But another reason they’re special is because most are family businesses. This personal investment means they have a particularly strong sense of pride and a vision for long-term success. It’s an approach that sees them focusing on quality and creating a legacy of enduring design (that doesn’t date aesthetically, and also lasts physically).

The nature of contemporary Italian brands as a whole is timeless though, as they continually interpret classic shapes while retaining their essence, thereby keeping them relevant through innovation as well as via collaborations with modern design icons like Antonio Citterio, Rodolfo Dordoni, Patricia Urquiola and Gio Ponti.

It’s these principles of understated good taste and a coherent design approach, as well as a balance between staying current and remaining classic that puts Italy in the lead for innovative, beautiful and highquality design. 

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PHOTOGRAPHY: SMALL TABLE BY GIO PONTI PRODUCED BY MOLTENI & C, SUPPLIED

The classic quality of Italian design gives it enduring appeal and investment clout, says ROBERT MARENGO, founder of luxury décor store Illusso.

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DÉCOR

INTELLIGENT LIFE New home technology ranges from the bewildering to the bizarre, but there are a few brave pioneers breaking through the home-tech firewalls, building genuinely smart, beautiful and sustainable solutions to living in the future.

WORDS JULIA FREEMANTLE

‘D

uring the course of history, architecture has been through a number of major “revolutions”, which always occur due to advances in technology. At the moment it’s going through another revolution, driven mainly by the progress in IT but also the development of new materials. This shift is a fundamental and enormous one, reflecting more than just a change in taste and shapes as we see every 10 years or so,’ says Italian-born, Johannesburg-based architect Enrico Daffonchio.

While improving the quality of life is the main objective of smart living, the motivations to automate are, in fact, multifold. From the convenience of having remote and central control over daily tasks to more intangible atmospheric advantages like regulating light and sound, or more practical considerations like security and sustainability, technology can be designed to your exact needs and can be as comprehensive or as low-key as you would like it to be. ‘I think the real development in terms of tech is how much more accessible it has become,’ says Mark Bullivant, a director at Stefan Antoni Olmesdahl Truen Architects (SAOTA).

Smart home automation is not just about control; it’s also about customising your technology so that it fulfils your unique needs, and moods for that matter

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING How you interact with your living space will dictate what level of automation works for you. For someone who spends a lot of time away from home, having remote control will offer peace of mind, while a homebody might be looking more for sensory enhancements to make their time at home a better experience.

Bullivant says that there’s a lot of scope, and highlights a few areas homeowners show the most interest.

‘Voice-operated smart assistants – Alexa and the like – are an interesting development in the field of robotics.

Clients are also taking on board the environmental responsibility of ensuring that building or renovation projects operate without wastage, and some are opting to install sophisticated building management systems (MBSs) that allow them to have greater control.’

Smart home automation is not just about control; it’s also about customising your technology so that it fulfils your unique needs, and moods for that matter. This could take the form of choreographing ‘scenes’; for instance, lights that gradually dim or brighten, or shades that close or open, and then scheduling them for certain times of day.

Or using them ‘on demand’ – particularly useful for creating ambience at a dinner party. A single tap of a button turns on the music, adjusts the temperature and dim the lights in one area of your home, while a movie plays in another.

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DÉCOR

It is very likely that in the near future, smart systems will be at the top of the wish list for buyers who have never known life without the internet; a generation for whom technology is an intrinsic part of their daily lives

Eco-consciousness is progressively becoming a crucial element of the homedesign process. Water management and energy conservation will, out of necessity, fall into the category of integrated features. Architect Nico van der Meulen says that smart environmental tech will increasingly prove a major design consideration into the future. ‘Green technology, such as geothermal or solar heating and heat pumps, is becoming more mainstream and is mostly controlled by home automation.’

FUNCTION MEETS FORM With the vast leaps in technological capabilities over the last few years, home automation can be unobtrusive or form part of the design. Ultimately, the most successful results are when appearance meets practicality. Sometimes this takes the form of almost invisible behind-thescenes features, and other times it’s the tech that is designed to be beautiful.

Siemens’ chief designer Gerhard Nüssler believes that design is as much a part of the language of progress as technology, and as a result the brand’s kitchens answer both imperatives – sleek, well-thought-through design that looks good and also automates your daily tasks.

Siemens’ Home Connect app allows the user to look inside the fridge remotely, and even preheat the oven before leaving the office.

Likewise, the Gaggenau Vario 400 series wine climate cabinet combines

imposing and sophisticated design with intuitive functioning – the door’s ice and water dispenser anticipates your needs and automatically activates the light and touch keys as you approach, thanks to its ingenious proximity sensor.

Van der Meulen finds one has occasion to both hide and display tech, depending on the context. ‘While automation doesn’t affect the design of the building for the most part, there are occasions it can facilitate a design feature – such as switchable (privacy) glass that makes it possible for you to opt for privacy when you need it.’

FUTUREPROOFING INVESTMENT Because a property is a long-term investment – whether you’re planning to live in it or sell it – the importance of ensuring your home is futureproof can’t be understated. If that means kitting it out now, or ensuring that it allows for the possibility of adding smart features at some point in the future, thinking ahead is vital.

In real estate terms, the property’s appeal to an emerging market is also important. ‘It is very likely that in the near future, smart systems will be at the top of the wish list for buyers who have never known life without the internet; a generation for whom technology is an intrinsic part of their daily lives,’ says Sandy Geffen, executive director of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty. 

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DÉCOR Brands like Grohe understand the need for features that appeal to our sense of wellbeing. Their AquaSymphony is a 40-by-30-inch shower head that features a variety of multicoloured lights and myriad spray selections – from waterfall to light rain. An app allows you to control the lights and water and even play music while you shower

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTYIMAGES.COM, SUPPLIED

The three independently controlled zones on the Gaggenau Vario 400 series wine climate cabinet can be adjusted via the intuitive TFT display, so that part of your wine collection can be stored in cellar-like conditions, while bottles that are best enjoyed now can be served on demand

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ACCELERATE SIMPLICITY AND SPEED Aero is everything, they say, but there’s more to the new Venge than an all-out pursuit of speed.

WORDS: ZEYD SULAIMAN, RICHARD WEBB. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

You may have noticed a few targeted campaigns recently by several major cycling brands to launch their updated flagship road bikes, with a clear focus on aero frames, high-end components and gorgeous paint jobs.

We’re certainly spoilt for choice at the moment, but if your desire to stand out of the crowd is as strong as your will to ride faster than you have ever done before, then the weapon of choice is the latest Specialized S-Works Venge.

Featuring disc brakes, Roval deep-section rims and a Di2 electronic transmission, the Venge is lighter than its predecessor and is frankly the epitome of ‘bike porn’ right now.

Any rider will appreciate the aesthetics of this machine, and with the integration of a boxy top tube and the lack of any visible cables, you can carve wind like a pro, and look great doing it.

There is also up to 50 percent more flex in the frame, which means Specialized has delivered a world-tour-level bike that is incredibly responsive on attack, but remains comfortable and predictable. And after five stage wins at this year’s Tour De France, thanks to Peter Sagan and Fernando Gaviria, who wouldn’t want to own one? specialized.com

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ACCELERATE - NEWS

007’s ASTON... WITH GADGETS The most instantly recognisable car of all time, the DB5, made its appearance in the third James Bond movie, Goldfinger, starring alongside the inimitable Sean Connery as Bond. Laden with gadgets and armaments installed by Q Branch, the secret agent’s Aston Martin became an instant hit with moviegoers. Now, a series of 25 Goldfinger DB5 continuation editions will be created for customers by Aston Martin Works and EON Productions. They will be authentic reproductions of the DB5 seen on screen, with some sympathetic modifications to ensure the highest levels of build quality and reliability. This authenticity will extend to include functioning gadgets such as revolving number plates, and more. First deliveries to customers will commence in 2020. astonmartin.com

NEW PORSCHE COUPÉ FOR 2019

TREAD LIGHTLY, FLY EFFICIENTLY In a world where ‘walk-on, walk-off’, quiet, electric aircraft sounds utopian, consider this...

Boeing, with its massive technical, regulatory and manufacturing expertise has invested in ZUNUM Aero, a Seattle-based aviation business. Their 12-seater plane – aimed at the commercial aviation niche for fast travel between secondary airports – is powered by batteries alone for short trips, but uses a range extender (think BMW’s i3) to increase the range to 1 120km. It would dramatically reduce the cost of flying between, say, Cape Town and Durban, or George and Bloemfontein. And since short-haul flights produce over 40 pecent of aviation emissions, hybrid-to-electric planes will be kinder to the earth.

Hybrid-electric aircraft offers the quickest path to actual market deployment, so ZUNUM’s first test flight is planned for next year, with the aim to go to market within four years. zunum.aero

Private Edition spoke to Porsche at Zuffenhausen and can confirm the arrival of a new coupé derivative of the third-generation Cayenne late next year. It is predicted to rival Mercedes-Benz’s GLE Coupé, BMW’s next-generation X6 and Audi’s Q8. Expect updated, but similar front-end styling as the current generation Cayenne, but with a sporting coupé-like profile (2.9-litre V6 and 4.0-litre V8 petrol-only engines – both twinturbocharged – will be offered).

Porsche’s development centre in Weissach is a busy one, so expect an announcement in the months to come about a Macan Coupé designed to gate-crash the BMW X4 and MercedesBenz GLC Coupé party. porsche.com

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ACCELERATE - OPINION

THE INTELLIGENT FOOL

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outh Africans love to collect things.

Their motivation and methodology vary as much as their collections do.

Some, like the rugby fan, will collect team memorabilia to express loyalty; others, like me, collect classic cars because it is comforting. A collection lives on, even though I will not.

It helps me to connect to a time I feel strongly about. The ’60s and ’70s classics like the Alfa Romeo GT Junior, Jaguar XJ and Porsche 911 and 953 are part of my collection.

They help to keep the past in the present.

This quest also allows me to experiment with arranging and presenting an era of bygone times, where in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity. Can the same be said of the latest crop of luxury cars?

At this point, I should mention the elephant in the room: the ‘big SUV folly’. Most SUVs are not taken off-road – they conquer

only city streets and are good for looking loftily over the heads of others in traffic jams.

They will always be less economical than cars like sedans or estates and, thanks to their high centre of gravity, their handling is not as sharp or pleasant. They cost more too.

Look at the new Mercedes-Benz G Class.

Love it or loathe it, this heroic car is one of those precious few icons in the world that have remained unchanged for 40 years.

Mechanical updates aside, it still resembles the 1979 original. Changes are made but design integrity remains, albeit slightly softened, and its familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 now drives through a new 9-speed to make fuel consumption slightly less ludicrous.

Quite what business Lamborghini has making an SUV supercar is beyond me, but the new Urus is more stylish than most other SUVs. Naturally, this ‘supercar SUV’ laps Nürburgring in an utterly pointless 7.41, and

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is equally great off-road, which is also where almost no one will take it.

Car companies ‘tease’ their new models so far in advance that when they eventually do arrive in the showrooms, I am over it. Which brings me to the 2019 Porsche Cayenne. It has a new platform, and still resembles the Cayennes of old, which means it looks a bit contrived. But the Cayenne is a huge success for the Stuttgart brand. About 800 000 have been sold since its inception in 2002, so it’s probably me who is the ‘intelligent fool’.

In this automotive world where bigger is seen to be better, I think it’s time to take a more minimalist approach to modern luxury. Take the latest crop of Volvos. It’s clear to me that Scandinavian artistry leads the modern design interpretation of uncluttered luxury, with simplicities of yesteryear combined with the latest technology.

But for now, I’ll stick to my classics.

PHOTOGRAPHY: RICHARD WEBB

Any intelligent fool can make things more brash, complex and unnecessary. Classic-car collector RAY COBLEY reckons it takes a touch of artistry – and a lot of audacity – to head in the opposite direction.

ACCELERATE

EXPRESSION IS A FUNCTION OF INTENTION

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ntention is a powerful force. Ask Koichi Sugo, chief designer at Lexus, who invites us to experience his. ‘I hope that when you open the door, you have an immediate sense that you are looking at an interior that’s unlike any luxury car you’ve seen before,’ he says in reference to the fifth-generation flagship LS 500.

While some of its competitors continue to put out relatively conservative designs, Lexus keeps on evolving. After all, that spindle radiator grille alone took three-and-a-half months of computer-driven, eight-hour days to perfect. That almost obsessive detailing continues throughout the car.

THE SMALL THINGS Aside from its invisible qualities of being relentlessly reliable and refined, a sensory theatre emerges as you approach the LS 500. Door handles illuminate and

pools of light emanate from beneath the wing mirrors.

The seatbelts present themselves as you settle into this most fascinating modern cabin that is infused with traditional Japanese aesthetics.

Delightful details abound, with variegated materials chosen to beguile the occupants. The flowing lines that run along the dashboard appear to connect with purpose, much like the strings of the koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument that inspired the design, which also features fixed and concealed fins that regulate and direct airflow in the vehicle’s interior.

Cabin temperature is maintained by the ‘Climate Concierge’, which uses 16 sensors to monitor occupants’ surface temperature and adjust the environment for optimum comfort. And if the almost total absence of noise needs interrupting, a Mark Levinson Reference audio system will surround you in sound via 23 speakers.

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WORDS: ??????????

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

RICHARD WEBB takes the new Lexus LS for a drive and discovers that tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.

ACCELERATE

COMFORTABLE CRUISING When on the move, the 24-inch heads-up display – the largest in the class – projects key information about your audio, speed, current gear and RPM onto the windscreen.

Driving agility is enhanced by adjustable dampers to reduce body roll, gifting it with composure and precision in long sweeping corners.

But for me, I found the most rewarding drive was when I avoided the hustle and left it in the ‘Comfort’ setting. It feels right at home there.

Tradition is alive and well in the LS 500, then.

But what about its fire? That comes courtesy of an all-new twin-turbocharged 3.5l V6 engine. It’s good for 310kW and 600Nm, all seamlessly delivered through a 10-speed automatic transmission.

This kind of luxury is capable of 0-100km/h in 5 seconds, yet still delivers a real-world average cruising consumption of 9.5l/100km.

If Lexus’s intention was to make tradition and modernity intuitive bedfellows, they achieved this with the LS 500. 

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ACCELERATE

JUST AROUND THE CORNER Predicting the future of how we will be driving (or not driving) may be perilous, but RICHARD WEBB reckons the future is already upon us – it’s just not evenly shared when it comes to planes, trains and automobiles.

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T

o view any major city from above is to observe a connected world in motion. Our trains carry commuters to and from work, taxis circulate in abstract (read haphazard) patterns, trucks deliver payloads and cyclists cleave through clogged traffic. This mobility is the hub of urban life, but it has consequences.

The reality is that much of that mobility does not yet match our aspirations for safe, clean, reliable and affordable ways to travel. While it is said by some that knowing too much of your future is never a good thing, there is hope in reading the automotive tea leaves. In the presentations I attend with virtually every car brand, most have committed to becoming ‘mobility companies’ or ‘mobility service providers’ in the future. Many repeat the word ‘zero’: zero emissions, zero accidents, zero distractions, zero congestion.

This philosophical notion of nothingness points to a dramatic shift in traditional mobility patterns.

Electrification, shared mobility, connectivity and autonomy are providing the conditions for change in everything from the use of public space to propulsion systems.

But on-demand, autonomous, shared mobility is very different to the model these carmakers have become accustomed to over the last century and a bit.

They are caught between the old-world model and the new realities because they are committed to serving

The new Volvo Polestar 1 is about to challenge the performance-car status quo. The carbonfibre-clad, 592bhp, all-wheel-drive hybrid coupé will go on sale in 2019, adding to the burgeoning ranks of electrified performance cars on the market

traditional buyers of internal-combustion-engined, privately owned cars. They are also having to make investments in electromobility to catch up with Tesla, which recently hit ambitious targets for its new Model 3.

NEW WORLD ORDER Tesla may operate in an industry that’s more than 130 years old, but unlike most, its business model is unencumbered by a legacy of development and production for combustion-engined vehicles. It’s pioneering changes in the coming decade – the likes of which we have not seen in any other 50-year period in our history – that will usher in a new world order.

It’s about time too. Trending data and population growth reveals that if we don’t deal with the various changes that global urbanisation is causing, we’ll get stuck in a gridlock that will make rush-hour Hospital Bend in Cape Town or Rivonia Road in Sandton look like a superneural pathway.

Not convinced? Seventy percent of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050, so there is no way enormous, dense-population centres like these can sustain a commensurate growth in car use. A recent report suggested that Johannesburg and Pretoria will become a single ‘megacity’ with a population of over 10 million by 2030. That will be a scary prospect to navigate unless we rapidly embrace some of the Promethean thinking we are seeing elsewhere.

ACCELERATE

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

AT LIGHT SPEED Globally, electromobility will see dynamic growth.

The BMW Group for example will sell at least 140 000 electrified vehicles this year and will have a total of half a million electrified vehicles on the roads by the end of 2019. South Africa will develop at a different speed, but there are already 57 ChargeNow stations installed around the country to help grow the charging infrastructure so desperately needed in the medium term.

For now, though, you can forget widespread use of self-driving cars locally. Blame patchy infrastructure, wayward pedestrians, the roadworthiness of vehicles, and, ‘ahem’, ill-disciplined driving standards and a blissfully ignorant disregard for traffic regulations.

I expect a shift to hybrids, the limiting of private-car ownership through legislation and taxes, and hopefully an expanding public transport network in the coming decades. Right now, shared mobility is primarily focusing on megacities. It’s smaller cities with fewer than 500 000 inhabitants that usually have gaps in the coverage of mobility services. In South Africa, the potential is huge.

Car sharing and ride hailing could emerge as complementary options but would not replace your car for years to come. For most of us road users in South Africa, having a car is essential and this is likely to remain the case for the foreseeable future. 

The Porsche Taycan, previously known as the Mission E, takes the form of a four-door coupé that’s set to rival the Tesla Model S in the EV market

THE VOLTE-FACE The two biggest trends in cars are SUVs and electrification. All-new EVs like the Alfa Romeo Grand SUV rival the Audi Q7; the Aston Martin DBX with a mix of models with all-electric and all-wheel drive and conventional engines will rival Lamborghini’s new Urus.

Mercedes-Benz won’t be left out as their new EQC will be the first of a family of EQ models based on their new, scalable EV platform. Featuring an electric motor on each axle to deliver four-wheel drive, expect a range of up to 490km on a single charge.

The Porsche Taycan EV is just over a year away and Volvo’s new Polestar 1 blends a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a starter/generator and electric motors to give a rocking 441kW, and 0-100km/h in under four seconds. Don’t hold your breath. It’s lefthand-drive-only for its launch next year.

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TRAVEL FAR OUT IN THE OCEAN Velaa Private Island offers just 45 exclusive villas and is considered by many to be the finest resort in the Maldives.

WORDS: LYNETTE BOTHA, CATHERINE DAVIS. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Located on Noonu Atoll, a 45-minute seaplane ride north of the capital Malé, this exceptional luxury retreat, which shares the white-sand beaches and crystalline waters so characteristic of Maldivian resorts, has been curated with comfort and privacy in mind. Velaa’s interior designer Petr Kolář uses the phrase ‘polite luxury’ to describe the resort’s aesthetic; instead of gold-plated bathrooms and gem-studded chandeliers, the resort’s most impressive accoutrements are designed to be nearly imperceptible.

An intimate teppanyaki restaurant, wth views of the entire island, stands atop the three-storey-high wine ‘cellar’, which houses a £1 million inventory. It’s the largest wine and champagne collection in the Maldives. velaaprivateislands.com

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TRAVEL - NEWS

CRYSTAL PALACE After the success of his first two luxury hotels, Silvio Denz, chairman of crystal company Lalique, has added a third to the collection.

Situated in the Lafaurie-Peyraguey vineyards, in the heart of the great terroirs of Sauternes, Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey aims to be a place ‘where four worlds – wine, crystal, gastronomy and hospitality – come together’. With décor by interior designers Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli, and Jérôme Schilling and three Michelinstarred chef Jean-Georges Klein running the kitchen, the luxurious boutique hotel is set to raise the bar in the already high-end region. lafauriepeyragueylalique.com

GRAND THINGS

WILDEST DREAMS Angama Mara, Kenya’s newest safari lodge, offers two intimate camps of just 15 tented suites each. Located high above the floor of The Rift Valley, overlooking the Maasai Mara National Reserve, this owner-run lodge was inspired by the Swahili word for ‘suspended in mid-air’. It’s all about the meserising view - it’s the most magical place to witness the apricot-hued sunrises and sunsets that begin and end each day. Offering an authentic safari experience, which is both luxurious and laid back, owners Steve and Nicky Fitzgerald want guests to experience the great plains of Kenya in a fun and thrilling way. Angama Mara’s unique setting provides visitors with an unrivalled safari experience, the most popular of which is the great migration from July to October. Each tented suite offers a 180-degree view of the Maasai Mara below and has been luxuriously kitted out with a less-is-more approach. Whether relaxing in the 12-metre rim-flow pool, enjoying a game drive or walking safari, or taking flight in a hot air balloon high above the reserve, a stay at Angama Mara will exceed all your wildest dreams. angama.com

After fleeing Provence to avoid religious persecution, French Protestant Pierre Joubert and his fellow Hugenots made their way to South Africa, settling in Olifantshoek (now Franschhoek) more than 300 years ago. In 1732, at the age 67, Joubert died, leaving a legacy of acres of vineyards and outstanding examples of Cape Dutch architecture. One only has to venture to Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate to experience them... and much more. There is the impeccably preserved Manor House, the art gallery and sculpture garden, suberb seasonal creations from executive chef Guy Bennett, and the lush lawns and green hedges that beckon visitors to spend time in the warm sun. Then, of course, there are the award-winning wines – the Grande Provence Amphora 2016 is recommended. In The Owner’s Cottage, the five en suite bedrooms are spacious and elegantly designed, with modern technology discreetly hidden between bold, vintage furniture. There’s a shared lounge, dining room and swimming pool that blend modern luxury and period grandeur seamlessly. grandeprovence.co.za

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TRAVEL

OUT TO LAUNCH Will we be holidaying in space within the next decade? Sir Richard Branson says yes, lift-off is in a matter of months, not years. Here’s what your trip might look like.

WORDS KATHY MALHERBE

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TRAVEL

W

hether it’s a moonbreak in a luxury space hotel or spending two weeks orbiting 320 kilometres above Earth, a gravityfree holiday is no longer a thing of science fiction.

According to entrepreneurial space cadets it’s all about democratising space travel. But at R140 million a pop it’s hardly a holiday for the people. One reason Houston-based space-hotel developers Orion Span says it can target a price of less than $10 million

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per person is because of declining launch prices.

If you need to think about putting in leave, then you aren’t rich enough to apply. But for those who can, a space break is the new black and needs to be ticked off the bucket list. Best to book and go before the concept becomes passé.

BUDGET TO LUXE The really budget break is R2.6 million on Virgin Galactic – it only goes to sub-orbital space (about 100 kilometres). It floats around for about five minutes, then it’s back to earth.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft the VSS Unity undertook a successful glide flight on 11 January 2018 from Mojave, California, US

TRAVEL

NOT FOR THE SPONTANEOUS It’s not ‘a-pack-up-and-go’ vacation, though. Prior to launch, Aurora Station guests would have three months of training, beginning with online courses to understand ‘basic space flight, orbital mechanics and pressurised environments in space’.

Then there is the blast beyond the atmosphere 386 400 kilometres away. It takes about three days to reach your destination without any 1-Stops for padkos along the way.

Accredited space agents (they do exist) will wax lyrical about the extraordinary views. History buffs will enjoy seeing the six Apollo landing sites, particularly where Apollo 11 landed in the Sea of Tranquility, or astronaut Neil Armstrong’s perfectly preserved footprints. Be sure to request an Earth-view room – the same side of the moon always faces Earth and you don’t want to spend your holiday staring out into, er, space.

AROUND THE WORLD

To really chill and get the fullmoon experience, Orion Span’s Aurora Station is billed as the ‘first luxury hotel in space’. You need to be there a lunar day, which is 30 Earth days but, according to the experts, you won’t get bored. There’s a lab for zero-gravity research, a holodeck for a peek into the world of virtual reality and internet connection too… so, yes, you could probably ‘phone home’. The module is 50m2 and can accommodate four guests and two crew. Orion Span hopes to launch the modular station in 2021 and host its first guests by 2022.

For adrenalin junkies, the alternative is the luxury platform orbiting 320 kilometres above Earth that will set you back R1 million a night. It offers six guests 384 sunrises and sunsets as they race around the planet for 12 days at very high speeds. Here’s a spoiler though – don’t expect to be sipping on craft G&Ts or snacking on canapés. It costs around R98 000 just to get a bottle of water into space, and every drop has to be recycled, including your own body fluids.

There won’t be a cooked English breakfast either. Food on the flight is ‘iffy’. It comes in tightly wrapped packages and it’s not the taste buds but rather the label that identifies it. And don’t even think about sneaking some grub onto the flight.

Ask the crew of Gemini III after they squirrelled corned-beef sarmies on board. There was a disciplinary and a congressional hearing to discuss the matter. Not because they chose to defy the spartan diet but because even the tiniest crumb can cause havoc with spacecraft machinery. 

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STILL HOOKED ON THE IDEA? READ ON… IT’S ALL IN THE BONES You don’t get to be an airborne couch potato in space. Guests will have to do some ‘airobics’ and a daily keep-fit class to compensate for the lack of gravity on the body. Microgravity environments cause muscle and skeletal atrophy even during a relatively ‘short’ sojourn in space.

SPACE SICKNESS Space adaptation syndrome (SAS) affects half to 70% of all astronauts during their first few days in space.

MAXIMUM ABSORBENCY GARMENT Calling them a maximum absorbency garment (MAG) doesn’t change anything. It’s an adult diaper and each astronaut gets issued three. It’s for blast off and then re-entry into orbit when a trip to the loo is not an option.

MEDICAL CARE What happens when an astronaut becomes severely sick or even requires surgery?

A Russian ‘space ambulance’ (a Soyuz rocket) collects them in a mission that costs millions of dollars and, no, it’s not covered by travel insurance.

DREAMS DO COME TRUE When Ol’ Blue Eyes crooned, ‘Fly me to the moon, let me play among the stars’, little did he know that 54 years later, those with means may be putting down a deposit to do just that.

TRAVEL

QUILALEA ‘THE RESTING PLACE’ The flight to Azura Quilalea Private Island resort is an appetiser of things to come: a barefoot paradise expertly flavoured with indulgent service and gourmet food.

WORDS KATHY MALHERBE

T

he Airbus EC120 helicopter flies out of Pemba over the string of islands making up Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago. The loosely strung islands, like raw pearls, are joined by a cyan string in the Indian Ocean.

The water canals through the mangroves on one uninhabited island appear as if made by a bloat of hippos on their daily commute. An occasional rough-hewn kayak dots the ocean as subsistence fishermen wait patiently.

Quilalea comes into view; it’s nature’s pièce de résistance in the Archipelago, and the only island with its own house reef.

The pilot touches down gently, sensitive to the island’s environment, and you feel the mellowness immediately, as if your DNA has recognised paradise. The restorative journey on this 35km2 island (that has cheekily adopted its own time zone) has already begun.

Quilalea, which forms part of the Quirimbas National Park, is an island of limestone karst, characterised by an artistry of caves, sculptured rock formations and natural blowholes.

It is one in a triptych of Azura Retreats’ luxury destinations owned by Christopher and for them Bettany, and celebrates its 10 anniversary this year. The preservation of the island is a high priority. The coral reef is a palette of colour and undisturbed marine life. It’s a scuba diver’s utopia and, unsurprisingly, the island and its waters are home to nesting turtles, migrating humpback whales and more than 100 species of bird life, including the Madagascar bee-eater.

When your personal host’s name is Nelson, you know you’re going to be more

than OK. Not only does he have a great sense of humour but he has mastered the art of ‘benign neglect’. Unobtrusive, anticipatory service.

Nelson leads the way to one of the nine handcrafted sea-facing villas. The walls are coral stone and the roof Makuti thatch (made from the sun-dried leaves of the coconut palm). A mosaic in the shape of a baobab tree adorns the shower.

TOUGH CHOICES For an island this small, there is so much to experience. Fishing trips often produce a delicacy for dinner. One guest lands a 24kg wahoo (a new record on the island) and another a dogtooth tuna. ‘Barry’s wahoo’ is beautifully prepared by chefs Julio and Abacar, both born and raised on the Quirimbas Archipelago. The fresh catch is prepared with local Arabian and Portuguese flavours, and utterly unforgettable in taste and presentation.

The local fishermen are supported and arrive daily to offer a smorgasbord of fresh line fish, calamari, mangrove crab, lobster and prawns.

On the light-lunch menu – chilled avocado and lime soup, spinach and pomegranate salad with honey and lime oil, mangrove crab-claw tempura with wasabi mayo, and fresh white-snapper ceviche with lime and chilli, topped off with home-style organic mango sorbet.

A welcome, cooling respite from the alimentary inferno after the best and hottest chilli paste on the globe.

As the sun sets, the 12-hour day shift on the coral reef ends. The water morphs into soft velvet and night snorkelling begins. The reef glows with its own soft light and the coral comes alive in a feeding

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TRAVEL

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TRAVEL

frenzy of tentacles. We are gentle gate-crashers to this all-night underwater party. A hawksbill turtle moves unperturbed and languorously towards the surface, centimetres away. As he takes in a breath of fresh air, we hold ours, knowing we’re privy to something really special. We have just swum with one of the oldest creatures on earth.

Quilalea is a single-use-plastic-free island.

Showers are solar powered, eco-detergents are used in the laundry and grey water is recycled and used in the gardens. They also have an advanced rainwater harvesting system. What can’t be recyled is transported to Pemba for this purpose.

There is no lip service to eco-tourism here.

Azura’s Rainbow Fund establishes and supports social and environmental projects that make a meaningful difference – from supplying a local clinic with medical supplies and building a school on Quirimba island to protecting endangered marine life. It gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing your impact is minimal and sustainable to the local population.

THE GUESTS RETURN Kudos must be given to general managers Claudia Pellarini and Leon Joubert, whose hands-on and creative approach to the guest experience is unparalled. They’re warm, vibrant, engagingly interested and interesting hosts. Their nurturing leadership means the personalised service infuses every aspect of the private island. Both are wellknown underwater photographers and PADI scuba instructors, with thousands of dives behind them and more than two decades of experience in the hospitality industry around the globe. The high percentage of return guests is testimony to their dedication.

Leon guides a marine walk – with 4.8 metres of tidal change, there is a vast area of freshly exposed seabed. It’s alive with creatures. You can hear the plop of the small bubbles of sand, the tinkling of a crab as it launches sideways, then settles into its hole. There are cowrie shells of different hues with shy tenants and a baby eel that slinks through the thin layer of water.

There is no shortage of time out on the island either. Or pampering. The spa is built discreetly into the rocks and at high tide, the water pushes through a blowhole. Nature’s uncanned music is the slop and gurgle of the seawater.

Nelson continues to surprise and delight – a dinner among the giant 1 200-year-old baobabs, with lights reflecting off the grey, wrinkled bark, not unlike the skin of a martriarch elephant. The low-hanging baobab fruit is a superfood with an extremely high antioxidant rating, which is why it is ground up and used in much of the food on the island. The baobab is like the ‘canary in the mine’, a harbinger of environmental changes or harm.

It’s unsurprising that the 58 baobabs on Quilalea are thriving.

THERE’S NO RUSH Then there’s a kayak through meandering canals in the mangrove forest on Sencar. Perfect timing lets you float in with the tide and out with the turn. Silently, so that you actually hear a mangrove leaf break off a tree, flutter down and land on the water.

Or you can sit on the deck of your villa, watching the weavers stopping for a quick drink as they continue their thankless task of building a nest on ‘spec’. As the sun sets, the day-shy Cape dikkops emerge, their long, spindly legs bend and straighten as if doing squats.

As they serenade the coming of night, the bats swoop over the rimless pool, the light reflecting off their bodies. Like blue-white ghosts they go back and forth, taking in the first insects of the night.

Quilalea has the only accessible beach in the Archipelago, even at low tide, and through the centuries became known as the ‘resting beach’ for a steady stream of Arab and Portuguese traders.

‘Lálea’ is an adaptation of the Swahili ‘Ulala’, which means ‘nice resting place’. Quilalea is just that and so much more. 

Getting there: Airlink has direct scheduled flights between Johannesburg and Pemba, Northern Mozambique, except on Tuesdays and Sundays.

Visit flyairlink.com and call 011 978 1111 to book.

The trip was arranged by Tourism Corporation Africa, which covers luxury tourism from the Cape of Good Hope to the Great Plains of Tanzania.

Email andrew@tourismcorp.co.za

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PHOTOGRAPHY: CLAUDIA PELLARINI

A hawksbill turtle moves unperturbed and languorously towards the surface, centimetres away. As he takes in a breath of fresh air, we hold ours, knowing we’re privy to something really special

TA S T I N G S TEATIME REVISION The time-honoured British tradition of afternoon tea gets a dose of modern quirk.

WORDS: CATHERINE DAVIS, WENDY MARITZ. PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

Sketch was conceived by restaurateur and designer Mourad Mazouz and French masterchef Pierre Gagnaire.

Together they embarked on the ambitious four-year restoration of 9 Conduit Street; Mazouz delicately remodelled the building, while retaining all possible original features. Each room has its own unique feel and influences, and Mazouz collaborated with numerous designers for every space, including sculptor and designer NoÊ Duchaufour-Lawrance for the Gallery, East Bar and pod loos. Gagnaire’s eponymous threestarred Michelin Paris restaurant has a distinctive menu style, which he has adapted for Sketch. Executed by his acolytes, the food is imaginative, bold, groundbreaking and delicious. sketch.london

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TASTINGS - NEWS

SMOOTH AS VELVET Winemaker Gerhard Swart says that Flagstone ‘is committed to making honest, handcrafted wine that is an authentic reflection of its provenance’. Its Velvet Red Blend certainly speaks to this authenticity, and reflects the unhurried, no-short-cuts tradition of taking care at every touch point, from the viticultural strategy used for each vineyard to the creativity employed once the grapes arrive at the winery.

The ‘Velvet’ is a product of three vineyards, each located in different cool-climate regions chosen for their terroir. Two of these vineyards are high altitude, while the third is in close proximity to the ocean in False Bay. ‘This results in a fresh natural acidity and low pH that gives this wine longevity and will allow it to mature gracefully over the next 10 to 20 years if stored correctly,’ Swart says The blend is a decadent expression of Shiraz, Mourvedre and Viognier with alluring top notes of cinnamon and spice, followed by a concentration of intense red berries that unveil the dark, ripe aroma of soft black plums.

This expression of luxury is presented in a purple gift box, and is only available at the cellar door... Flagstone awaits your visit. flagstonewines.com

BERRY RED Bagging four stars in the Platter’s Wine Guide, the Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 was matured in 60 percent new-wood French oak barrels for 12 to 16 months. It’s full bodied, and displays blackberries, dark chocolate, cedar and sweet vanilla, with a firm tannin structure on the palate and lingering sweet red berry fruit. Winemaker Niel Bester, who has been at the helm of Plaisir de Merle’s winemaking since the inception of the winery in 1993, notes that the Cabernet Sauvignon will mature well over a period of 10 years and more. plaisirdemerle.co.za

A LITTLE SPARKLE Romance, milestones, anniversaries, great achievements, deals signed and sealed – all good reasons to call for bubbly. And if you’re in Johannesburg, a very lovely place to do so is the Muse Champagne Room at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel and Spa. They’ve collaborated with French Champagne house, Perrier-Jouët. The Champagne Room and adjoining courtyard is a sumptuous mix of elegance and contemporary chic. Do try something from their signature Casse-Croûte menu – we indulged in the cheese platter, which paired perfectly with aromatic champagne. fairlawns.co.za

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TASTINGS - TRENDS

A TASTE OF THINGS TO COME

I

n a world where we’ll need to feed another two billion people by the middle of the century, food (in)security demands that our diets will change.

Crystal balls can be dangerous things though.

If the soothsayers of a decade ago were to be believed, we’d all be subsisting on little more than insect bars and Franken-burgers. But as the planet gets more crowded, alternative sources of protein are certainly going to play a bigger part of our gastronomic future. ‘The 21st century is recognising that the things that were weeds and pests can turn out to be food,’ global food security expert Raj Patel told National Geographic.

In many parts of the world that’s already old news: in northern Thailand a bag of roasted, salted crickets are akin to pretzels on a New York bar counter. And, kilo for kilo, they offer more protein than beef. But will we be sitting down to a flamegrilled entrecôte of reconstituted cricket in the Meatpacking District? Probably not, but it might pay to read the ingredients on your energy bars more carefully.

If Beyond Meat has its way, even the crickets will be safe. This US-based company is one of a handful pioneering plant-based ‘meat’ products, using peas, soy and beetroot to mimic the taste and mouthfeel of ‘real’ meat.

But what is ‘real’? Laboratory-grown protein – euphemistically dubbed ‘clean meat’ by the industry – is already on the rise. In the United States, billions of dollars have been invested in gene editing and ‘cellular agriculture’, with over a dozen companies looking to take protein from ‘meat breweries’ mainstream.

Dutch biotech firm Thrive is doing the same for fats, using algae and sugar cane to create oils with healthier monounsaturated fats and the high smoke point so beloved of chefs. Last year they created a butter substitute using the same process.

While one face of our food future no doubt dons a white laboratory coat and uses technology to keep the global pantry stocked, expect the other to remain dressed in muddy corduroys, out in the field watching over a herd of pasture-reared cattle.

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Although some foodie trends – I’m looking at you activated charcoal – burn brightly before fizzling out, others become so widely embraced they are assimilated into mainstream food culture.

The flag of sustainability, once only waved by vegan chefs and health restaurants, ‘has become a normalised part of how we approach food in good quality restaurants,’ said hospitality entrepreneur John Fink, in an interview with The Australian.

Local. Sustainable.

Provenance. Authenticity. These buzzwords aren’t going away anytime soon. Several luminaries at the top of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list – Spain’s Asador Etxebarri, Italy’s Osteria Francescana and Peru’s Central – all revel in their regionality.

Science may solve the problem of feeding the extra two billion, but those with means will care more than ever about the connection between farm and fork. Or perhaps that should be hook and hotplate. A clutch of top South African chefs, including Giles Edwards at La Tête and Luke Dale-Roberts of The Test Kitchen, have embraced technology that connects their kitchens with small-scale local fishers on a daily basis. It’s disruption that could easily spread to other corners of the kitchen. Change is inevitable, but don’t be worrying about Cricket au Gratin just yet.

PHOTOGRAPHY: CALLO ALBANESE & SUEO

What will your dinner table look like in 10 years’ time? Food writer RICHARD HOLMES isn’t referring to the quality of the crystal stemware or the provenance of the handcrafted crockery, but rather, what’s likely to be on the menu when you sit down for a meal in Paris, London or eGoli in 2028?

A SERENE LIFE n e xt

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APARTMENTS • TOWNHOUSES • VILLAS m o n t r e s o r. m u

TASTINGS

FOR KING AND COUNTRY Louis XIII reigns supreme as one of the world’s most iconic cognacs – and its precise production and prestige goes way beyond the bottle, as cellar master Baptiste Loiseau tells CATHERINE DAVIS over lunch.

ILLUSTRATION: SUPPLIED

F

rance’s King Louis XIII, who reigned from 1610 until 1643, has been somewhat overshadowed by his son Louis XIV, the ‘Sun King’, who gave us the Palace of Versailles, ‘L’état, c’est moi’ (‘I am the state’), and a number of wars.

Louis XIII’s reign was less spectacular, but he did have the good sense to encourage the infant brandy industry that sprang up in the PoitouCharentes region of western France, just north of Bordeaux. Brandy quickly became a major industry, and the small Cognac area in PoitouCharentes was soon recognised for the superior brandies that took its name.

Louis XIII’s foresight is recognised in the name of one of the world’s great cognacs: Rémy Martin Louis XIII Cognac. The name acknowledges the fact that Louis XIII was on the throne when the Rémy Martin family, a lineage that included many winemakers, settled in the region.

‘Back in 1874, founder Paul-Emile Rémy Martin already had the vision to create the best cognac possible,’ Loiseau says. ‘Each bottle takes the work of four generations of cellar masters more than 100 years to craft, and the youngest eaux de vie are 40 years old.’

The historical references don’t end there.

Louis XIII was poured to celebrate Winston Churchill’s election in 1951. It’s made cameo appearances in the lyrics of Rihanna and Jay-Z. It even inspired an experimental Hollywood movie, 100 Years, starring John Malkovich,

which is currently locked in a vault and set for release in 2115. Most recently, the brand collaborated with Pharrell Williams to produce a song, which will only be released in 2117, to raise awareness about climate change.

Louis XIII has an enviable heritage and it remains a symbol of luxury on the top shelves of bars around the world.

As far as producing Louis XIII Cognac is concerned, Loiseau’s job is to both look to the future and draw on the past. He identifies young cognacs that promise the quality to be candidates for Louis XIII a century from now; in this sense, the cellar master neither sees nor tastes the final fruits of his or her work. He must also perfectly replicate the same flavour profile for each batch, dipping into endless barrels that are constantly evolving as they age.

To appreciate the amber liquor’s subtle flavours of nuts, honey, candied fruit, tobacco and incense, Loiseau advises sipping it neat. No mouth-swishing or elaborate manoeuvres needed.

The flavours come on in layers, with each sip bringing another dimension to light. The texture is opulent and almost creamy, with clean acidity and a gentle warmth. Louis XIII does not burn; it radiates, and that, added to its other qualities, makes it exceptionally easy to drink.

The exacting production process may seem excessive for such a simple ritual but the final product is proof that good things – really good things – come to those who wait. 

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BACK PAGE

THE VERY BEST…

M

y best trip overseas wasn’t my first one, which was to Egypt when I was already nearly 30 years old. Although that did open me up and fill me with light and space. It was my first time out of the country and the sun fell on my skin with physical weight and I can still hear the breeze snapping the white sails of the feluccas and smell the white jasmine at the entrance to the Temple of Isis at Philae and hear the call of the muezzin rolling through the streets of Aswan. I know that Egypt belongs to many people, but when I left, it also belonged to me.

That was the trip that made me believe in travelling, but it wasn’t the best trip ever.

The best trip was to Paris in April in a year when spring came late and the wind was icy and the trees in the Luxembourg Gardens were still bare and dark and smudged like charcoal sketches and I didn’t have enough warm clothes. And everything was wrong.

There was a transport strike and the rand dropped and half my luggage went missing.

There was no table available at Polidor the first three times we tried there. A storm had ruined the flowers in the garden at Giverny, and cycling back to the railway station, the chain came off my rented bicycle and I didn’t know how to fix it so I had to ask for help and watch as a square-jawed American said, ‘There’s nothing to it,’ and

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rolled up his sleeves and impressed his girlfriend at my expense.

I took Keren to Sacre Coeur and, while attempting to return to our apartment, ended up in some place we have never been, footsore and weary. We were supposed to meet old friends from Dublin for lunch at the Closerie de Lilas but I got the day wrong and we missed them. Everything, but everything was wrong, but it was the best trip ever because we were married the week before and she had never been to Paris and we walked hand in hand on shining streets under yellow streetlights, and I know Paris belongs to many people, but when we left, it also belonged to us.

PHOTOGRAPHY: LEONARD COTTE/UNSPLASH.COM

Travel writer and columnist DARREL BRISTOW-BOVEY travels because life is short and the world is very large and very beautiful. This year alone he has visited 16 different countries but his very best trip will always be the one to Paris when spring was late.

CYPRUS, PAPHOS, CASA MYRtUS, €2 MILLION

LIVE CYPRUS

Casa Myrtus is located in a private area with total land area of 1320m². This two storey, 4 bedroom, contemporary house located in Paphos Cyprus was designed in 2017 by Medousa Developers. Luxury finishes and features include a private elevator, underfloor heating and cooling system, Smart home system. swimming pool and electric curtains.

Permanent Residency is afforded to the purchaser, children under 25 plus parents of both husband and wife when buying a new property worth €300,000 + VAT or more.

Citizenship on a property purchase worth €2,000,000 + VAT or more. For further info please contact: Yael Geffen 082 578 4777 or yael@sothebysrealty.co.za.

BRYANStON, SANdtON

MORNINgSIde, SANdtON

House. Ultra modern home - Contemporary architectural splendour with views in millionaires row. Stunning open plan elegant reception rooms to covered patio to secluded garden with rolling lawns and heated pool. Gym (potential flatlet), 4 bedroom suites (2 with private lounges), guest room downstairs. Full automation. Luxurious staff flatlet. 3 Garages. Asking R20 million. Contact: Manuela Coelho 082 552 7119, Ester Kruger 082 771 8389 Web ref: 2781209

Spectacular home occupying a prime position opposite Redhill School, yet affording its’ inhabitants privacy and tranquility, it must surely qualify as one of the area’s finest homes. Clean lines, plethora creature comforts, ease of living and seamless indoor / outdoor flow creates a canvass on which to paint your life story. Set on ±1000m² & offering 5-bedroom suites, an open-plan design, pyjama lounge, cocktail bar, all-weath-

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

er patio, 3 garages, staff acc and top shelf finishes, Fully furnished optional. Asking R14.999 million. Contact: Wayne Brownhill 078 023 5462 Web ref: 2780006

PAARL, WESTERN CAPE

BOSKLOOF ECO ESTATE, SOMERSET WEST, WESTERN CAPE This home is the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor space surrounded by nature and provides the ultimate space for those who love to entertain. This opulent home offers a spacious entrance hall looking onto the pool through the glass, en-suite bedrooms and wine cellar. Quality of Life for nature lovers. Natural fynbos is a feature of the estate with endless walking trails and its own dam also well-known for its bird life. Asking R8.3 million. Contact: Chantal Botes 083 702 5460 Office: 021 851 4450 Web ref: 2891750

Well positioned immaculate family home. Ideal for the larger family and walking distance to top quality schools and fantastic views overlooking the magnificent Paarl valley and Drakenstein Mountains. The double volume entrance hall with striking staircase, leads you to the open plan formal lounge and dining room with fireplaces and then flowing out to the wrap around balcony. Asking From R14.5 million. Contact: Jaco Brand 083 299 6820 Office: 021 870 1011 Web ref 2846879

STELLENBOSCH, WESTERN CAPE

VAL DE VIE ESTATE, WESTERN CAPE

This magnificent home located in a prime location of Karindal, offers an enviable lifestyle close to top Stellenbosch schools. Designed with sophistication and a floor plan for fabulous entertaining indoor and out. The large double volume entrance hall introduces a dining room and open plan lounge. A country style kitchen with a scullery and abundant storage space makes life for the Master Chef exciting. Asking R13 million. Contact: Estelle Victor 083 725 6463, Marelise Visagie 072 776 2645 Office: 021 809 2760 Web ref: 2777207

Classic designer home in the heart of Val de Vie in quiet cul de sac. Secure lifestyle with view over vineyards, greenbelt to mountains and polo field. Bright inviting open plan entertainers dream home with timeless quality finishes. Ideal location walking distance to polo clubhouse & restaurant, gym, squash and tennis courts, indoor pool, steam room, fleet coffee shop & wine cellars. Val de Vie has been rated the top residential estate for the last three years by New World Wealth. Asking from R14.3 million.

Contact: Sandra Steenkamp 083 659 2988 Office: 021 867 0161 Web ref 2888643

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

BOSCHENMEER GOLF & COUNTRY ESTATE, WESTERN CAPE

DE ZALZE WINELANDS GOLF ESTATE, STELLENBOSCH

This 4 bedroom family home with 650m² of land is perfectly positioned in one of the most sought after lanes in Boschenmeer Golf and Country Estate. The home offers four bedrooms, four bathrooms, three reception areas and excellent flow to enclosed North facing patio and sparkling salt swimming pool. Enjoy a peaceful and protected lifestyle in this Premier security estate which includes a round the clock, manned security. Asking R7.195 million. Contact: Marinda de Jongh 082 573 2204, Marilize Breytenbach 083 241 1580 Office: 021 870 1011 Web ref: 2903037

Fantastic price for this immaculate property situated in a quiet position in De Zalze, within walking distance to the club house. The owners created a wonderful entertainment area that leads through stack doors to the enclosed garden and pool.

This home is unique in that it offers two completely separate living areas, ideal for entertaining in all seasons. Asking R7.5 million. Contact: Monique Stephens 076 383 2189 Office: 021 809 2760 Web ref: 2499138

STELLENBOSCH, WESTERN CAPE

PEARL VALLEY AT VAL DE VIE, WESTERN CAPE

Exclusive custom designed property in a private and quiet location overlooking the Stellenbosch mountains. This is more than a home – it is private sanctuary where old and young can get together to enjoy life to its fullest and embracing all seasons. The architecture is simple, rustic and casual yet elegant in style. The spacious and bright open plan living area, surrounded by glass doors has a seamless flow onto a North facing low maintenance garden. Asking R15.4 million. Contact: Marelise Visagie 072 776 2645 Office: 021 809 2760 Web ref: 2842332

Poised above the wetlands of one of the country's premium residential estates, this 4 bedroomed home, in a very desirable position, is the epitome of modern elegance.

On entering the welcoming double volume entrance hall one is struck by the transfixing view of the iconic Simonsberg Mountain that lays directly beyond the sparkling pool and wetlands. The design of the house focuses on embracing these views from as many rooms and angles as possible and, while doing so, also creates fluid and cohesive living spaces. Asking R18.95 million. Contact: Annelize Reinmuller 076 788 9918, Leigh Robertson 082 882 8243 Office: 021 867 0161 Web ref: 2869044

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

BISHOPSCOURT, CAPE TOWN

CLAREMONT UPPER, CAPE TOWN

Soaring architecture in a parkland setting with unsurpassed 360° panoramic views.

Your private nature reserve! Dynamically designed contemporary home with grand, double volume interiors, offering panoramic views across the Constantia Valley towards the mountains and False Bay. Set on over an acre of indigenous fynbos garden and incorporating state of the art eco-friendly features, this home is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Asking R35 million. Contact: Barbara Manning 083 407 3656 Office: 021 673 1240

Designed by leading architect Micheal Dall, and superbly located in a quiet street in the heart of Hen and Chicken Estate, this beautiful contemporary home enjoys a light filled north facing aspect with panoramic mountain views. Spacious, beautifully appointed interiors, and flow to deep covered terrace and easy to manage garden. Asking R19.75 million. Contact: Barbara Manning 083 407 3656 Office: 021 673 1240

NEWLANDS, CAPE TOWN

RONDEBOSCH, CAPE TOWN

Paradise awaits... Living area with solid smoked oak floors and a wood-burning stove.

Kitchen, complete with separate scullery. Patio stack doors that back onto the deck.

Main bedroom with open plan bathroom and dressing room. 4 further bedrooms (2 en suite) and WFH studio. Off street parking for 3 cars. Asking R13.5 million.

Contact: Nina Smith 082 774 4596 & Jo Fourie 071 286 5383 Office: 021 673 1240 Web ref: 2476985

Contemporary Elegance and Style. Set on over 1500m² with magnificent mountain views. Expansive reception rooms open to a large covered patio. 4 Large bedrooms, 2 en suite, separate study wing with covered balcony. Separate 2-bedroom flatlet / staff accommodation. 3 Garages, excellent security and off street parking. Asking R15.995 million. Contact: Lesley Payne 082 455 4808, Tiffany Stehlik-Leck 084 232 2002 Office: 021 673 1240 Web ref: 2883536

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

CONSTANTIA UPPER, CAPE TOWN

CONSTANTIA UPPER, CAPE TOWN

Four bedroom Georgian home plus a separate 2 bedroom cottage. The house comes complete with two living rooms, a kitchen with separate scullery, dining room, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathroom, (3 en-suite 1 family bathroom), a study and retains the value of peaceful living on an acre.As well as a separate 2 bedroom self contained cottage, staff accommodation, high ceilings & staff quarters. Asking R16.85 million. Contact: Jo Thomas 084 404 4120, Rouvaun McKirby 071 671 0821 & Jacques Fourie 072 304 7957 Office: 021 701 2446 Web ref: 2778194

Oh so pretty - sensational designer cottage style home. A gorgeous home you will fall in love with nestled away quietly at the end of a cul-de-sac with a mature garden full of trees. Stylish open plan living all flowing to garden and patio areas for alfresco eating.

Upstairs annex reading room, study / studio and 2 children’s annex bedrooms sharing a bathroom, main en-suite, further bedroom plus a separate flatlet with kitchenette & bathroom. There is a pool, double garage & domestic room. Such a charming and enchanting home for a growing family in prime position. Asking R10.8 million. Contact: Jo Thomas 084 404 4120, Rouvaun McKirby 071 671 0821 & Jacques Fourie 072 304 7957 Office: 021 701 2446 Web ref: 2824142

CONSTANTIA RURAL, CAPE TOWN

STONEHURST MOUNTAIN ESTATE, CAPE TOWN

Versatility and charm in a tranquil setting. This 5 bedroom family home on 2650m² of land is perfectly positioned in one of the most sought after lanes in Constantia Rural.

The main home offers 3 bedrooms, 3 reception areas and excellent flow to established garden with pool and mountain views. Besides an independent cottage with own entrance there is another apartment / work from home. Borehole driven irrigation system, staff quarters, extra length double garage and covered carport that complete’s this exceptionally versatile offering. Asking R8.6 million. Contact: Eileen O’ Sullivan 082 410 7204, Peter Stingl 076 315 0014 Office: 021 701 2446

For the connoisseur. Continental sophistication is everywhere to be found throughout the home boasting superior bespoke finishes and both German appliances and Italian cabinetry. Kitchen and bathroom fittings are of the highest standard and set in beautifully finished areas featuring exclusive natural stonework. Asking R15.995 million.

Contact: Dave Burger 083 458 3333, Brenda Pretorius 083 442 1318 Office: 021 701 2446 Web ref: 2821916

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FRANSCHHOEK, WESTERN CAPE

FRANSCHHOEK, WESTERN CAPE

Situated on the picturesque Domaine des Anges Residential Estate, with its Provencal style architecture, cobblestone roads and walkways, this 5 bedroom home is truly what dreams are made of. With North facing covered patio area, swimming pool and garaging for 3 cars, this home is for the discerning buyer with its exquisite finishes and picture perfect style throughout. Asking R25 million. Contact: James Penlington 076 356 4993 Office: 021 876 8480 Web ref: 2732050

From the symmetrical design to the luxurious finishes, the beautiful floor boards, high ceilings, bevelled window panes, chef’s kitchen, extra wide staircases and sauna, this is a truly mesmerising property. Situated on an exclusive residential estate, this home offers 4 bedrooms, games room (potential study), deep covered patio, swimming pool and double garage. Asking R15.25 million. Contact: Bev Malan 082 901 6966 Office: 021 876 8480 Web ref: 2866564

TOKAI, CAPE TOWN

SIMON’S TOWN, CAPE TOWN

No further water shortage worries - stunning brand new and totally off the water grid!

3 Bedrooms - all en-suite; covered patio; double garage and private garden. No transfer duty. Asking price: Unit 2: 204,7m² R5 347 500 Unit 3: 204,7m² R 5 462 500 Unit 5: 211,5m² R5 692 500 Unit 7: 204,7m² R5 462 500 Contact: Herculene Visser 083 658 2686 Office: 021 701 2446 Web ref: 2094651

This beautiful home offers the ultimate coastal position and location. Close to pristine swimming beaches, sunny North facing position with unobstructed views across False Bay. With natural stone finishes, unique architectural detail, beautiful landscape rare cactus feature garden. The open plan living and dining area leads out through glass stacker doors to curved sea view balcony. Fully fitted granite top kitchen. Private back courtyard with sea-view patio. Two sunny sea facing bedrooms with main en-suite plus separate apartment suite. Secure covered off street parking for 3 cars. Asking R5.49 million. Contact: Bev Goldhill 082 445 7239 Office: 021 784 1940. Web ref: 2736377

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LANGEBAAN, WEST COAST

LANGEBAAN, WEST COAST

This 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom home is the perfect summer getaway. Set moments away from the beach with great attention to detail with luxury finishes throughout. The sunny north facing level front garden with swimming pool is accessible via stacker doors from the bedrooms and open plan lounge which creates the perfect sync between indoor and outdoor living. In addition, the kitchen garden courtyard with built in braai and romantic lighting sets the mood for long evenings in front of the fire.

Beautifully crafted white high gloss kitchen with Blum soft closing extra width drawers and Silestone tops (quartz) is an integral part of the home. Asking R4.45 million.

Contact: Louise du Plessis 079 892 6776 Office: 022 772 1186 Web ref: 2583138

Nestled on 3939 m² of land this is a rare opportunity to own an estate within the popular Myburgh Park. This stately home offers old world charm and lovely views. The ground floor presents 2 lounges: a formal lounge with a fireplace, as well as a sun lounge with stack doors leading out to the patio & pool. Spacious kitchen with scullery.

There are 2 large bedrooms, the master is en-suite with a dressing room & private sun

HEMEL EN AARDE, HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE.

FERNKLOOF, HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE.

Set in the picturesque and exclusive country estate of Glen Fruin Meadows this newly built contemporary home offers a large en-suite master bedroom as well as a guest suite fully contained with private lounge/kitchenette area, double bedroom and full bathroom. The open plan living areas include kitchen, scullery/laundry, dining room, TV lounge and sun lounge leading out to a spacious decked patio with beautiful mountain views. Large grounds totalling 3000m² have been lovingly landscaped with indigenous fynbos. Asking R6.4 million Contact: Shaun Flynn 083 676 5854 Office: 028 312 4970 Web ref: 1561783

Nestled at the foot of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve close to the golf course, lies this classic thatch home set on a ±2700m² stand with stunning views of Maanskein mountain. The attractive main house features five large bedrooms, three bathrooms, country kitchen, cosy lounge with fireplace, dining area, study and double garage. The gymnasium/pool house includes spacious sauna and Jacuzzi, overlooking the large heated swimming pool privately positioned in the landscaped garden. Asking R15 million Contact: Marina Denisova 082 447 2108 Office: 028 312 4970 Web ref 1204224

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room. There is also a large, well established wine cellar. The first floor has a study on the landing and a balcony, 2 bedrooms, one with a jacuzzi and sauna on the balcony.

Plus charming free standing two-bedroom cottage & boat house. Asking R7.995 million.

Contact: Melanie 079 378 0000 Office: 022 772 1186 Web ref: 1432453

MELKBOSSTRAND, CAPE TOWN

MELKBOSSTRAND, WESTERN SEABOARD, CAPE TOWN

An exquisite 5 bedroom beachside family home with uninterrupted views of Table Mountain and Robben Island. This home comprises ¹750m² of family living designed to maximise the breath taking views. Open plan reception rooms, indoor pool, entertainment lounge, 6 person lift, cherry wood gourmet kitchen, top of the range appliances, jacuzzi & sauna room are a few of the luxuries you can expect upon entering this home. Melkbosstrand is located 35km north of Cape Town and is a mere 35 minute drive from the International Airport. Asking R19.995 million. Contact: Dawie du Plessis 083 293 0449 Office: 021 910 1697 Web ref: 2089431

Luxury coastal living! An exceptional modern contemporary home that embodies style and elegance with quality, with no cost spared. A seamless flow of both indoor and outdoor living to perfection! Sip cocktails while enjoying timeless sunsets and distant ships lazing on the ocean from the vast balcony-patios or relax and soak up the sun on the deck of your private pool. Accommodation of 5 bedrooms, 2 en-suits, pajamas lounge, 4 living rooms, 3 garages, au pairs quarters, bar with wine cellar and kitchen with scullery. This property offers state of the art living, advanced security and all the modern components one would expect in a 5 star luxury home. Asking R16.995 million.

Contact: Leo Florees 082 370 7777 Office: 021 910 1697

VALMARY PARK, DURBANVILLE, CAPE TOWN

BLOUBERG, WESTERN SEABOARD, CAPE TOWN

This architecturally designed home presents private, secure and tranquil up market living in the heart of Durbanville. Built to meticulous standards, it is set on a prime stand featuring gracious open plan living with a double volume dining area creating a feeling of space. Generous reception areas are effortlessly presented offering the executive buyer every modern convenience. 5 Bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 4 garages. Located close to good schools including Eversdal, Gene Louw, Durbanville Primary, Fairmont, Stellenberg, Durbanville High School & within easy access to the N1 and other main routes & main shopping centres. Asking R10.5 million. Contact: Nicole Viljoen 084 579 1126, Dawie du Plessis 083 293 0449 Office: 021 979 4396 Web ref: 2602858

A rear opportunity to acquire this beach front gem. Watch the waves rolling in while enjoying the breath taking views of The famous Table Mountain. This beach front property boasts 3 full sized bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. A spacious open plan kitchen area, with fire place and sliding doors onto patio. A deck upstairs perfect for sundowners and Braai. This property could be purchased as an exciting business or create the dream holiday home for your family. Asking R11 million. Contact: Leo Florees 082 370 7777 Office: 021 979 4396

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PEZULA PRIVATE ESTATE, KNYSNA, GARDEN ROUTE

HERSHAM BEACH, MOSSEL BAY

This spectacular property for sale in Knysna, designed by architect Rick Brown, maximises on the spectacular ocean view. Privacy is a priority & the master en-suite, boasts 180°

staggering sea views & kitchenette. The lower floor offers an indoor sauna, steam room & rain-water shower plus double garage. Asking R20.5 million. Contact: Barbara Wilson 082 377 1830, Samantha Osman 072 356 9245 Web ref: 1574893

One of the most exclusive residences to be showcased on the Mossel Bay coastline, this triple-storey mansion offers several living and entertainment areas, six bedrooms, six bathrooms, three kitchens, four garages and panoramic ocean views from every room. The use of glass throughout the home ensures the space is filled with light through all seasons. High quality finishes and entertainment features throughout. A beautiful courtyard with jacuzzi is positioned on the sunny northern side of the home.

Manicured gardens surround this well-priced exclusive seaside residence in up market Hersham Beach. Asking R7.995 million. Contact: Peter Barton-Hill 084 505 0577 Office: 044 695 0919 Web ref: 2876689

EASTFORD GLEN, KNYSNA, GARDEN ROUTE

COLA BEACH, SEDGEFIELD, GARDEN ROUTE

This luxurious home, offering elegance and tranquillity, is situated minutes from the centre of picturesque Knysna Town, in the secure country estate of Eastford Glen. This immaculately maintained home with three en-suite bedrooms and two lounges leading through stack doors, onto a large patio overlooking the valleys and lagoon is the perfect family home. The gourmet kitchen is a special feature of this home and with the large dining room lends itself to large family gatherings. The well fitted study, scullery, and large double garage with workroom, storeroom and generator room complete this exquisite home. Asking R4.495 million. Contact: John Lees 083 626 6077, Joey Scheffer 082 901 4090 Office: 044 382 4700 Web ref: 2917616

This magnificent home offers open plan living with both a fireplace and braai area and an expansive dining room linked to a well appointed kitchen. The 3 door garage is accessed via the kitchen and stacked doors open to the private pool / patio area. The 2nd floor, reached by a staircase or lift, opens to a large mezzanine lounge. To the one side are 2 guest suites with own baths and to the other is the main suite with full bath, generous bedroom and gym area with steam room / shower. This home offers every luxury, a real find in the beautiful Garden Route! Asking R6.5 million. Contact: Kandy Grieve 072 694 4608 Office: 044 343 2011 Web ref: 2335147

ocean views, walk-in dressing room & glassed bathroom. Part of this upstairs suite is an office/baby room with own en-suite & butlers station. Downstairs features include generous entertainment areas and a feature long-lap pool & the jacuzzi area. Off the passage are the 3 guest bedrooms & separate guest suite with glass-fronted lounge,

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EARLS COURT, GEORGE, GARDEN ROUTE

HANSMOESKRAAL, GEORGE, GARDEN ROUTE

The home exudes class and sophistication with American shutters, spacious living areas and a well-planned kitchen, with integrated Miele appliances. The four north-facing bedrooms all with access to the garden, add to the appeal. The master bedroom is en-suite and the remaining bedrooms are served by two additional bathrooms. The lighting throughout the home compliments each area perfectly. A braai room leads to the landscaped garden and an extra length, double garage takes care of your vehicles and a storeroom accommodates your storage, camping and sporting gear. Asking R5.495 million. Contact: Beatrix de Waal 072 394 8822 Office: 044 873 2519 Web ref: 2822127

A spectacular position, providing approximately 50 hectares of undulating ground.

Easily accessed, occupying a breath-taking position, above the rocky coves of this pristine coastal stretch. This spectacular home offers sizeable living spaces with walls of glass bringing the outdoors in. The ground floor living areas are linked to the second level via a sweeping staircase, to four en-suite bedrooms. The lower level provides a fifth bedroom en-suite and potential for a variety of other living spaces. Garaging for four vehicles. Additional features include a large water reservoir and a three-bedroom cottage, situated higher up on the property. Asking R24 million. Contact: Ruanda Brink 082 824 5612 Office number: 044 873 2519 Web ref: 2899107

NAHOON BEACH, EAST LONDON

BEACON BAY, EAST LONDON

Calling all Investors! Great investment opportunity in Nahoon Mouth. Fully tenanted sectional title block has come on to the market for the first time since being built in 1960’s! This block of 7 apartments comprises 4 two bedroom, 2 three bedroom and a one bedroom. There are 6 extra length garages, a communal garden and store room. Four of the apartments have sea views and 3 overlook an open park. All the apartments offer good security, parquet flooring, aluminium windows, built in cupboards, open plan lounge and dining room. Situated in a sought after location, within walking distance to Nahoon Beach and River. Asking R9.995 million. Contact: Ann Nel 083 455 1163 Office: 043 726 0111 Web ref: 2849251

Modern masterpiece in a gated estate! Invest in this generously proportioned modern residence offering 4 beautifully appointed bedrooms, study, 4½ bathrooms, 2 garages, 2 lounges in a popular estate in Beacon Bay. The modern staircase leads to the first floor where you will find the bedrooms, study / office or 5th bedroom & family lounge.

The ground level offers a formal lounge, dining room, wine bar with jacuzzi and built in braai, open plan kitchen, scullery / laundry and the added bonus of a staff suite.

Double automated garage with vast storage space leads directly into the home. This luxury golf estate offers a squash court, tennis courts & club house. Asking R6.995 million.

Contact: Ann Nel 083 455 1163 Office: 043 726 0111 Web ref: 2931010

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

PLETTENBERG BAY, GARDEN ROUTE

PLETTENBERG BAY, GARDEN ROUTE

This brand new home, currently under construction, is part of the One Beachy Head gated estate designed by world famous architects Stefan Antoni/Olmesdahl/Truen in association with Simplicitas Architects and overlooks the Piesang River valley, lagoon, and Beacon Isle beach. Contemporary, modern, state-of-the-art, privacy, security, prominence, and a unique signature style associated with the world's best architects creating a “wow”-factor. This design, built over 3 levels comprises 4 en-suite bedrooms, open-plan living areas that enjoy magnificent views and generous terraces for outdoor entertaining with a pool, double garage and storage space. No transfer duty. Asking R25.562 million incl. vat. Contact: Hein Pretorius 083 701 3159 Office: 044 533 2529 Web ref: 1996200

This immaculate B&B has it all. Downstairs comprises of 3 guest units (each complete with en-suite bathroom and kitchenette), plus another guest suite, study, laundry, storeroom, patio, double garage, fenced yard and sparkling pool. Upstairs comprises of 2 bedrooms en-suite, spacious open plan living area with bar, loft and large covered patio / entertainment area. Alarm system, underfloor heating, superb finishes throughout, situated on a large stand within short walking distance to the spectacular Robberg Beach. Asking R9.3 million. Contact: Hein Pretorius 083 701 3159 Office: 044 533 2529 Web ref: 1088967

PLETTENBERG BAY, GARDEN ROUTE

PLETTENBERG BAY, GARDEN ROUTE

Rarely are you able to acquire an absolute gem of a property like this one which is close to town and yet has a superb country feel. In extent ±7.5ha with direct access to the Bitou / Keurbooms wetlands and lagoon. It truly is a nature lovers paradise!

Several structures compliment the property: including a 4 bedroomed main house, a generous 2 bedroomed cottage, staff quarters and a barn-like “artist studio”. The beautiful and lush garden has majestic trees combined with areas of fynbos and coastal thicket giving an “old Plett” feeling that is hard to find these days. If you are looking for something special, you have just found it! Asking R16.5 million. Contact: Elbie Pama 082 569 2588 Office: 044 533 2529 Web ref: 2892153

Entire prime mixed-use property situated in Main Street, comprising of a multilevel commercial shop with a 4 bedroom penthouse above, a separate open-plan cottage in the garden in front, off street parking and single garage. The penthouse is on 2 levels, both having lovely sea and mountain views and patios for outdoor entertaining. The garden cottage is perfect for extra income or visitors. Fantastic and unique opportunity to own this exceptional property with so many possibilities; don’t delay. Asking R9.995 million. Contact: Carrie Maclean 082 566 1881, Paul Jordaan 082 876 0577 Office: 044 533 2529. Web ref: 2792298

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SHEFFIELD BEACH, KWAZULU NATAL

UMHLANGA ROCKS, KWAZULU NATAL

"Raglin House". We are privileged to have the opportunity to introduce to you, one of the finest homes available on this exquisite Sheffield coastline. The ultimate 'Beach House' or 'Boutique Hotel' is awe-inspiring, positioned with its own private beach.

Architecturally designed and displaying sophisticated interior detailing. From the moment you walk into this 7 bedroom, 7.5 bathroom utopia, you feel the true sense of seamless integration between luxury and utility. This home engulfs you with its multi-sensory experience and impresses you with the sharp attention to fine detail and composition. Asking R22 million. Contact: Michelle Taylor 083 653 3696 Web ref: 2803117

Magnificent classic home, immaculate with grand proportions & luxurious finishes arguably the most prestigious home in Umhlanga Rocks. Private entrance hall, 2 lounges, Italian style kitchen, dining room, large study & double atrium all leading out onto the most spectacular patio/deck area with a sparkling pool & built-in jacuzzi, overlooking the tennis court with uninterrupted seaviews. The covered entertainment area includes a built-in pizza oven & braai area. 7 Beds, 3 lounges, 5 baths, 2 guest suites, a fully equipped bar with a full sized billiards table as well as a private yoga studio, with own entrance.

Staff acc, 2 outside storerooms, automated irrigation & state of the art security. Asking R39 million. Contact: Maurizio Dalle-Vedove 083 301 1946 Web ref: 2748753

SIMBITHI ECO ESTATE, BALLITO

ZIMBALI COASTAL ESTATE, BALLITO

This magnificent, private south east facing home offers an enviable lifestyle with glorious forest views. The spacious facets and wonderful flow of the living areas have been cleverly designed to ensure a luxurious lifestyle. The master bedroom and main en-suite are situated on the upper level of the home with its own lounge. The home features a further 3 bedrooms with en-suites, an open plan kitchen with high end built-in appliances, scullery and walk-in pantry, as well as 3 lounges downstairs and a rim flow pool. Simbithi is an upmarket eco-friendly estate offering a variety of activities for families. Asking R13 million. Contact: Kim Egdes 082 956 3371 Office: 032 946 1818 Web ref: SEE085

Discover life’s finest with this opulent residence. Uninterrupted glass navigates you from floor to floor. The front of the home has a large undercover entertainment area with a sparkling new pool and deck. No transfer duty on this modern marvel of a home which boasts solid oak finishes, marble floors and a landscaped garden with exterior lighting. 4 bedrooms (all en-suite), 3 lounges and a state of the art open plan kitchen with scullery. Zimbali is a coastal forest estate designed for luxury living with a world famous golf course and miles of secluded beach to explore. Asking R17.3 million.

Contact: Sabrina Errico 082 414 8955 Office: 032 946 1818 Web ref: ZIM1024

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MORNINGSIDE, SANDTON

SANDHURST, SANDTON

Handsome Georgian home set on ±2000m² opposite Redhill School. From the front door out to the patio, pool and garden this fine habitat is a marvel in understated sophistication. Generous proportions, vast windows. French doors, solid Teak floors and natural light make for a very pleasing life here. 4 Bedrooms en-suite, pyjama lounge, gym and study, expansive reception rooms, eat-in kitchen, garaging, staff rooms

Unique! Exciting! Modern contemporary - breathtaking in sheer artistry and design with spectacular exotic verdant green gardens. A synthesis of clean lines, quadruple volumes and proportions, the epitome of panache and style – enveloped by a natural haven of beauty. Seven free flowing reception areas with a harmonious indoor / outdoor flow ideal for grand entertaining and comfortable living centred around an enormous patio and sparkling pool, private study and 5 luxurious bedrooms all en-suite. A bold statement of originality - for the privileged few! Asking R37 million. Contact: Tasha Rossen 082 561 1675 Office: 011 886 8070 Web ref: 2746982

or separate cottage and more. Asking R12.5 million. Contact: Wayne Brownhill 078 023 5462 Office: 011 803 3380 Web ref: 2866806

WESTBROOK, KWAZULU NATAL

WESTBROOK, KWAZULU NATAL

Have you ever just walked into a home and thought “This is the life!” – that is what resonates with you from the moment you step out the elevator and into this inviting beachfront penthouse. Designed with free-flowing spaces and modern architecture, it is superbly maintained with immaculate finishes and exceptional furniture that compliments it all. You have access to all the complex amenities. Best part, selling fully furnished. All you will need is your suitcases just ready to move in. Asking R8.5 million.

Contact: Colin Moses 082 553 7576 Office: 032 943 2008 Web ref: 2361643

This home was built and designed with luxury and style in mind. Overlooking the Indian Ocean, and split over 2 levels, this home boasts ample accommodation and reception rooms; superbly ideal for entertaining. Sit on the covered patio and enjoy watching the sun set from the comfort of your private patio. Immaculately maintained with top finishes and tiled throughout. Lush tropical plants in the garden, excellent security, staff accommodation and easy access to beach. Inclusive of furniture and no transfer duty. Asking R9.85 million. Contact: Colin Moses 082 553 7576 Office: 032 943 2008 Web Ref: 2668778

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HOMES HAVEN, ROODEPOORT

SONHEUWEL, NELSPRUIT

An architectural masterpiece, this bespoke home offers up stylish finishes & a natural flow of space that only serves to enhance the spaciousness of the home. High ceilings & strategic window design allow for maximum natural light to enter the home, highlighting the incredible spaces within. Views that will leave you breathless, an open-plan chef’s kitchen, terraces that wrap around the house surrounding the crystalline pool, make this home an entertainer’s dream. Pure luxury is evoked through the placement of a crystal chandelier in the reception hall, a note of what is to come as one ascends the stairway up to the generous bedrooms and gleaming bathrooms. A design of sleek, clean lines, ambient lighting and an idyllic location, this truly luxurious family home is set to astound. Asking R4 699 500. Contact: Ina Eksteen 081 735 2489 Web ref: 2897478

Step into the epitome of refined elegance, luxury & spectacular uninterrupted views! Every desired amenity can be found in this modern 5 bedroom, 2 level residence that further boasts a separate 1 bedroom guest cottage. Open plan gourmet kitchen & dining with separate pantry & scullery. 3 Elegant reception areas with bar & cellar room that lead outside through folding stack doors, flowing out to the covered patio & entertainment area. Solid Rhodesian teak floors & imported Iranian Chandeliers lends unique finishing touches, as does the central heating/cooling system, 3 fireplaces & state of the art security system. Your rim-flow pool, designer garden & irrigation system completes this magnificent abode. Asking R16.48 million. Contact: Valentine Masilela 079 250 3652 Web ref: 2904954

RUIMSIG GOLF ESTATE, ROODEPOORT

HONEYDEW RIDGE, ROODEPOORT

Well positioned modern home, tucked away in a cul-de-sac, situated in a top-rated and secure golf estate! Beautiful family home offering 4 sunny bedrooms, 3 spacious bathrooms; main bedroom en-suite with double vanity and large walk in closet.

5th bedroom / study option. Spacious kitchen offering a scullery as well as a laundry, and includes a family dining area, flowing out to the covered patio. The open plan lounge and bar / TV room has easy access to your outside entertainment area, where your covered patio sports a large built in braai, overlooking a sparkling black rock pool and wrap-around garden. Double garage with direct access into the home. Asking R3.999 million. Contact: Abbie McDonald 078 039 1450. Web ref: 2883382

If top notch security is what you are looking for in a home, then we have just the place for you! Located in a secure estate, this gorgeous family home features 4 generous bedrooms, each offering up spectacular views from covered balconies. The kitchen boasts a gas oven and centre island, which doubles as a breakfast bar. Entertaining guests will be effortless with two lounges/family rooms, dining room & guest bathroom in close vicinity to each other. One lounge opens up to the outdoor entertainment area, featuring a crystalline pool and gazebo. A study, air-conditioning throughout, staff quarters and double garage are just a few of the features this property has to offer.

Asking R3 999 999. Contact: Chris Liebenberg 074 117 4971 Web ref: 2875162

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ELDO LAKES ESTATE, CENTURION

SOUTHDOWNS ESTATE, CENTURION

Nestled in the exclusive security estate of Eldo Lakes, this unique home is full of thoughtful and striking features. Just as “eyes are windows to the soul”, an entry door makes the first impression about what lies beyond. With gorgeous wooden accents and floor to ceiling windows, this home offers privacy, warmth, and lots of character.

Lose yourself in your favourite book while lounging by the cozy fireplace on those winter days. Our South African spirits just can’t imagine our homes without a braai area.

With a built-in braai, you can enjoy amazing summer evenings with your family and friends. Asking R2.999 million. Contact: Samir Jhina 079 812 9007 Office: 012 460 9261 Web ref: 2912743

Sunsets are not just beautiful and a spectacle of colours, but they are also fleeting.

Watch Mother Nature put on her nightly display from the back yard of this home as the sun drops into the horizon – take advantage of the free show that plays out every night. In case you are looking for some inspiration for your next sunset-spotting adventure, this is the best place to watch the sunset from any place of your home. You will be drawn with the tranquil living this home has to offer. The entire pasture is yours.

Price on application. Contact: Samir Jhina 079 812 9007 Office: 012 460 9261 Web ref: 2823455

LINDEN EXTENSION, JOHANNESBURG

FAIRLAND, JOHANNESBURG

This farm style gem perfectly meshes open-plan family living with the bushveld ambience. It has a wrap-around patio for hot summer evenings and a big wood fireplace for cold winters. The French style kitchen and spacious loft rounds off the perfect home for the entire family. From kids' entertainment to the master suite of your dreams - this house has it all! Asking R3.299 million. Contact: Melinda Odendaal 083 399 4113 Office: 011 476 8303 Web ref: 2505516

Gracious living from room to room and extra for Granny! 3 Reception areas with sliding doors to patio, overlooking solar heated pool and low maintenance garden.

Granite kitchen, breakfast bar, separate scullery and laundry for all appliances. Family room, formal living, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Full granny flat with lounge, kitchenette, 2 bedrooms, bathroom. 3 Automated garages. Well-equipped staff quarters.

Generator, air condition, underfloor heating, face brick adds to low maintenance.

Asking R4.25 million. Contact: Ria de Wet 082 824 6925 Office: 011 476 8303 Web ref: 2875492

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RIETONDALE, PRETORIA

SILVER LAKES ESTATE, PRETORIA

Fit to feature in a home and dĂŠcor magazine-picture perfect! Elegance and style meets comfortable living in this well-designed home with attention to every detail and finish.

French shutters, gleaming parquet wooden floors, and a delightful garden with water features, paved walkways and a pool. A home of generous proportions, designed to invite light and air to flow throughout. A large covered patio welcomes you, setting the tone for high expectations as you continue to the lounge where the ambience is warm and inviting, and a small skylight keeps the room light and bright. Asking R3.599 million. Contact: Elmareth Coetzer 074 478 8499 Office: 012 460 9261 Web ref: 2867219

An exceptional home is simply a frame for an exceptional life. Upon arriving at this exquisite residence, one is immediately impressed with lavish landscaping features complimenting the sophisticated grandeur embodied home. An enticing entrance into the residence, allows one to breathe in the harmonious yet majestic presentation into the home. The double volume entrance hall leads one through to the various reception areas, including a very spacious lounge fit with fireplace, air-conditioning. This property offers great privacy and easy access to main routes as well as the game reserve to enjoy a stroll or drive. Asking R5.5 million. Contact: Juanita du Plessis 082 322 3407 Office: 012 460 9261 Web ref: 2886999

SILVERWOODS COUNTRY ESTATE, PRETORIA

LOMBARDY ESTATE, PRETORIA

Poignant beauty and man's architectural and botanical artistry comes alive in this property. The welcoming porch opens into a double volume entrance hall commanding views of the encased panelling. Exquisite interior design which flows into a spacious lounge, open plan to an elegant dining room enjoying easy access into the designer kitchen. The elegant wine bar enjoys views to the entertainment room which opens up onto the veranda, swimming pool and built gazebo with gas/wood braai as well as boma. The entertainment lifestyle on offer is a marvelous blend of modern luxury quality and classic elegance. Asking R7.3 million. Contact: Juanita du Plessis 082 322 3407 Office: 012 460 9261 Web ref: 2829198

This boutique home offers spectacular waterfront, north facing views with great privacy enhanced by the award winning landscaping. This elegant property offers the connoisseur the opportunity to enjoy the spacious comfort of the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired architectural designed home offering large open flowing reception areas. The large scatter folding doors opens onto the great patio, complimented by exquisite decking, pizza oven, splash pool & views to set the scene for great relaxation. The guest cloakroom serves the reception areas downstairs, while the imposing staircase leads to a comfortable snug pyjama lounge and three double sized bedrooms, all en-suite. Asking R3.77 million Contact: Juanita du Plessis 082 322 3407 Office: 012 460 9261 Web Ref: 2871710

To view these properties visit www.sothebysrealty.co.za. Each office is independently owned and operated.

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