November 2015 | Vol 6
OUTLOOK SPLURGE
Meet the Stylish
November 2015
JOHN TRAVOLTA
VOL 6
The Steinways of
Speakers From
Paris with Love
SPLURGE EDIT
Up above the sky
SO HIGH
A T-6 World War II plane at the Reno Air Races
Editor-in-Chief Krishna Prasad President Indranil Roy
F
lying upside down above the Californian desert, I had an epiphany. I felt free, unfettered, and where fear had nibbled into my psyche the morning I was to take this dramatic aerobatics ride with a pilot from ace airman David Martin’s crew, I felt strangely at peace. The recurring, dramatic effects of the G-force notwithstanding, I understood, perhaps for the first time, what flying really was all about. Beyond the pretty twists and turns and loops and drops that one sees through a squinted eye or even a pair of binoculars, are real men and women, who wake up every day to perform these daring stunts. We spoke to the daredevil, rugged pilots of the Breitling Jet Team, and even spent a few moments with a World War II veteran and aerobatic legend. What I saw and learnt at the Reno Air Races will always stay with me, and give me new-found respect for any aircraft I sit in henceforth. Respect is also what comes to mind in an unforgettable and rare interview with one of cinema’s most iconic actors, the fabulous Mr John Travolta himself. His modesty, charm, and soft-spoken demeanour instantly put me at ease, despite the demands of his schedule. Later that evening, at a special event, he felicitated the instructors of the famed ‘Top Gun’ flying academy in San Diego, no doubt paying homage to their skills as an incredible pilot himself. We have for you our exclusive cover story with John Travolta and the Reno Air Races. Respect.
Associate Publisher Vidya Menon Executive Editor Priya Kumari Rana BUSINESS OFFICE Vice Presidents Johnson D Silva, Shishir Saxena National Head Kabir Khattar Business Head (Digital) Avneendra Mani Tripathi Brand Head Shrutika Dewan CIRCULATION National Head Anindya Banerjee Assistant General Manager G Ramesh (South) Vinod Kumar (North) PRODUCTION Assistant General Manager Shashank Dixit Senior Manager Shekhar Pandey ACCOUNTS Senior Manager Diwan Singh Bisht
- Priya Kumari Rana HEAD OFFICE
CONTRIBUTORS
AB-10 Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi 110029, India Tel: 011-33505500 Fax: 011-26191420 Email: outlook@outlookindia.com OTHER OFFICES Mumbai Tel: 022-33545000 Fax: 022-33545100 Kolkata Tel: 033-33545400 Fax: 033-24650145 Chennai Tel: 044-33506300 Fax: 044-33506327 Bengaluru Tel: 080-45236100; 45236105
Hari Govind Nair
Shveta Bhagat
Meraj Shah
He’s been writing on automobiles for a decade, and is constantly cornered at parties to resolve which-carshall-I-buy dilemmas. For fun, he loves ploughing offroaders in Kerala jungles and on Himalayan terrain.
She’s based in New Delhi, and has been writing on lifestyle and luxury for several years. She also brand consults for startups, enjoying the thrills that come with it. In her free time, Shveta loves to bake or do the zumba.
He indulges his passion for golf, travel, and motorcycles under the guise of writing. He’s written three travel guides but his striving to improve his golf handicap, an 18, has come to naught. He lives in Delhi when he’s not roaming the world.
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Printed and published by Indranil Roy on behalf of Outlook Publishing (India) Pvt Ltd. Printed at IPP Limited. C4-C11, Phase II, Noida and published from AB-10 Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi 110029 Cover & Layout design @alarinks
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CONTENTS November 2015
COVETABLES
24 | Holiday Marvels For that impossible-to-please person, there’s always the pleasure of giving a hard-to-find gadget, a limited-edition watch, or a genuine walnut games table for chilly days ahead.
SPLURGE WATCH
36 | What to do, what to see Put the ‘M’ back into motorsports with the all-new BMW X6 M, embrace Nirav Modi’s ‘elastic’ diamond bracelets, and mingle with the directors at the Napa Valley film fest,
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COVER STORY
42 | A date with John Travolta Splurge catches up with the dashing Hollywood megastar in a rare, exclusive chat on his childhood love of airplanes, his car and watch collection, and a deep appreciation for his Indian fans.
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46 | Race to the finish line
FASHION
We went to the Reno Air Races in Nevada and saw first-hand the twists and turns of the world’s only pylon-racing event. We also met the daredevil, stunt-loving members of the Breitling Jet Team.
52 | The search for the best
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We speak to Sachin Jain, president of Forevermark India, and uncover the real meaning of this diamond company’s latest international ad campaign.
cover photograph courtesy Breitling; Behind the scenes at the 2015 Breitling ad campaign
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November 2015
Contents 54
FASHION
54 | The artistry of Made in Italy We meet Stefano Ricci master tailor Andrea Lombardo in New Delhi, who’s offering bespoke services for the first time in India. We also discover this Italian fashion house’s love of colour, animal motifs, and the creative force behind each fabric and accessory.
58 | Dressing American presidents This 163-year-old US shoemaker is now in India via a partnership with Premium Retail. We speak to Nishu and Gaurav Agarwal, managing directors of the Indian arm of Johnston & Murphy, and find out about this brand’s future growth in India.
58 home dÉcor
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60 | Hearing the Steinway tune Danish-born audio guru Peter Lyngdorf visits India to inaugurate the launch of his first Steinway-Lygdorf flagship in Defence Colony, New Delhi, and tells us why his speakers are the world’s best.
62 | Designs to stir the senses French luxury furniture design company Roche Bobois celebrates 50 years, and creative director Nicolas Roche shows us why its designs have captured our imagination.
62 High spirits
68 | The legend of a luxury Scotch From a picturesque distillery in Speyside, Scotland, comes one of the world’s most legendary and luxurious whiskies. We discover the unique blend of this prized Scotch, and discover its heritage, from humble beginnings in Aberdeen, to conquering America.
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November 2015
Contents
GOURMET TEAS
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72 | Brewing a traveller’s tale Tea sommelier Radhika Batra Shah recounts intrepid journeys into the heart of China to discover the most elusive green leaves for the most exotic brews, and the company she’s founded.
wanderlust
74 | A Parisian love affair The sumptuous La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa, a stone’s throw from the Champs Elysées, has it all – history, an indulgent spa, a fantastic menu from a fabled chef, and opulent, 19th-century aesthetics.
74 cars
76 | The smoothest sedan in the world It’s the ultimate symbol of motoring luxury, and it’s like travelling first class, every day. Ladies and gentlemen, we bring you the Mercedes Maybach S600, that beats its younger sibling the S-class by 8 inches, and much more.
TÊTE À TÊTE
78 | The motorcycle diaries Triumph Motorcycles India is clearly in the lead in the premium motorcycle segment, explains keen bike rider and managing director Vimal Sumbly, in a conversation about the hottest bikes in his stable.
Parting Shot
80 | A powerhouse of talent Oscar-nominated actor Michelle Williams and mother to little Matilde, is set to light up the silver screen in two films and hit the Broadway stage.
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Covetables
wonders Festive
Find the perfect gift for that impossible-toplease person, with a solid gold limited-edition watch, a handmade games table, or men’s accessories inspired by an Italian sportscar. text by Hari Govind Nair
The Serpent’s
Golden Hour
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uetzalcoatl is a composite name in the Nahuatl language derived from the words ‘quetzalli’ — meaning the large, green feathers of the sacred quetzal bird — and ‘coatl’ — meaning snake. One of the main divinities of the Mesoamerican civilizations, the feathered serpent reigned for many long centuries over pre-Columbian America. Stemming from an age-old tradition of artistic crafts and engraving, the solid gold dial of De Bethune’s DB25 Quetzalcoatl, exquisitely fashioned by engraver Michelle Rothen — based on drawings by David Zanetta — is made of a solid gold dial with a serpent surrounded by hours shaped like temples. Its mechanical hand-wound movement has a self-regulating twin barrel with a 6-day power reserve; the triple pare-chute shock-absorbing system protects the regulating organ, a silicon escape-wheel and a balance-spring with a flat terminal curve ensures optimal concentric development. The DB25 Quetzalcoatl is a limited edition offering with only 20 pieces produced. Price: `79,41,000
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SHIMMER and Flounce
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ust in time for the festive season, comes a new collection of lights and chandeliers by Italian luxury furniture monobrand Visionnaire. The Bologna-based company headed by the Cavalli family puts a fresh spin on interiors, creating designs for private spaces as well as entire concepts for boutique hotels, yachts, and private jets. This Erte chandelier has four concentric flounces, with tiny aluminium plates that create movement, and Swarovski crystals. Price: `10,00,000
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Covetables
TREE OF Harmony
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emember the pyschedelic tunes of a Janis Joplin song? Now you can keep a piece of it in your home, in the form of a lamp. The Janis Joplin floor lamp, part of Portuguese decor firm DelightFull’s heritage collection, turns any space into a majestic setting. Launched in 2007, DelightFull lamps are designed and handcrafted in the city of Porto, and have strongly sculpted forms, with reduced shapes and clear lines. Price: `3,12,000
PRECIOUS Dewdrops
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t’s a statement of personal style. Inspired by Omega’s Fine Jewellery collection, the De Ville Prestige Dewdrop combines elegant fine jewellery with precise Swiss timekeeping. The Omega De Ville’s dewdrop-shaped beads are crafted from 18k red and yellow gold, and come with two variations on the dial. The first is mother-of-pearl with diamond indexes, while the luxurious edition has enchanting golden butterflies on the same mother-of-pearl dial, with a diamond bezel. Price on request
LET the Games Begin
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hat better way to spend time en famille indoors this winter, than by recreating the magic of a classic games session? This elegant Linley Classic Games Table in elegant walnut inlaid in Macassar ebony is equipped for chess, cards, backgammon, dominoes, and bridge. The top features a reversible chess board/card table, that conceals the backgammon board, while the drawers hold chess sets, backgammon stones, dice, cards, dominos, score cards, and Linley pencils. Price: `24,77,115
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Covetables
ROBOTIC Smart Drone
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nap is a portable and easy-to-fly drone with a 4K-resolution gimbal stabilized camera. The drone pairs with a smartphone app for manual or automatic control. It provides 20 minutes of flight time on a single charge, and manoeuvres within a range of 150 metres Snap weighs just 500 grams and fits easily in a backpack. The patent pending blade protection and magnetic break-apart design makes it safe to use around people. Price: `58,000 (on pre-order)
DOING the Twist
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arre’s new bluetooth speaker AeroTwist is a fashionable addition to your eclectic wardrobe. This bluetooth speaker uses a circular design that can be twisted to break its shape. This lets it stand more easily, or be attached for carrying, to bags or bikes. The speaker gives 10 hours of high-quality playback on a single charge. It has four loudspeakers, coupled with an integrated subwoofer for impeccable sound clarity and impact. The AeroTwist also features a 3.5mm audio jack so it can be connected via a cable to pretty much anything. It even has a built-in microphone so it can be used as a speakerphone with your mobile. Another interesting feature include Near Field Communication compatibility for easy connection to any smartphone. Price: `24,000
TOUGH LUXE Fun-loving Loubs
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or the party girl in you, there’s no better way to let your hair down that with the sky-scraping new ‘Follies Spikes’ by Christian Louboutin, the genius behind those instantly recognizable red soles. Monsieur Louboutin’s shoe obsession began when he visited a museum in Paris, that forbade women from wearing highheeled shoes, lest they damage the floor, prompting him to start his own special line. Cloaked in his iconic spikes, this feminine 120mm pump in ivory with glitter and colombe metal is all you need to turn enchantress for the evening. Price: `78,500
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HORSEBIT Story
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ome shoes are just destined to get all the attention. For the Gucci’s Autumn/Winter 2015 collection, it was all about individual style. With its visceral storytelling through fashion, the collection celebrates the idiosyncracies that define personal style. This Black Jordaan Leather Loafer, is fully lined in natural fur and finished with signature horsebit, and is destined to become one of the maison’s classic pieces. Price on request
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Covetables Lozza sunglasses Price: `44,000
Forever Pininfarina Cambiano pen Price: `30,000 Visconti pen Price: `1,84,000
SPORTY PERFECTION from Italy
Horo polo Price: `22,000
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aunched at the Milan Expo 2015, the stunning Icon85 Collection is the result of a collaboration between carmaker Pininfarina and six leading Italian luxury brands — Baraka, De Rigo, Horo, Napkin, The Bridge, and Visconti. The collection features six exclusive products, in a limited edition of 85 each: a bracelet characterized by dynamic lines; a pair of sunglasses with a sporty character; a precious polo; a revolutionary writing tool; a handmade travel bag; and an innovative fountain pen. Icon85 is an expression of the Pininfarina DNA, and has been created to mark the brand’s 85-year history — a heritage made of contrasting genes: art and industry, tradition and innovation, elegance and sportiness. This is the first collection of lifestyle products signed by Pininfarina. The Bridge travel bag Price: `1,10,000
Baraka bracelet Price: `55,000
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Splurge Watch
M STARS T
wo high-performance sports cars from BMW’s M range make their debut in India with a launch in Chennai. “Inspired by motorsport, M is the most coveted, the all-new BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M are breathtakingly agile and powerful,” says Philipp von Sahr, president, BMW Group India. Prices: `1,55 crore (BMW X5 M); `1,6 crore (BMW X6 M). n
Philipp von Sahr with the all-new BMW X5 M and the BMW X6 M
ABSOLUT joy
Rings from Nirav Modi’s Embrace collection
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one of the world’s most iconic vodkas launches its first ‘ABSOLUT India Limited Edition’ that features the artwork of young Mumbai-based artist Shaheen Baig. The design captures the colourful chaos of India in its vibrant hues. The vodka is flavoured with India’s king of fruits, the mango, that is smooth and mellow, and a symbol of national joy. n
TRAFFIC BLUES Here After Here After Here
EMBRACING PLAYFULNESS
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rom the ateliers of Nirav Modi, who’s just opened a flagship in New York City, comes the Embrace collection of bangles and, for the first time, rings for him and her. Nirav, inspired by his daughter playing with an elastic bangle, decided to recreate a design in a diamond-jewelled bangle that would magically stretch and slide over the hand before springing back into shape. There are 700 moving parts, that took craftsmen 200 hours in a single bangle. It is available in pink, yellow and white gold, in all-diamonds or a single row of diamonds. n
AVANT-GARDE CHRONOGRAPH
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n an historic first, Indian artist Jitish Kallat unveiled his large-scale, 6m x 17m installation in a roundabout in Stockerau, around 20km from Vienna.This public artwork, Here After Here After Here is in a traffic blue shade, set in the Trans European Road Network font, and is an infinite loop of traffic signs with city names from Taipei to NYC. n
RUNNING TO WIN
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egna has just launched the Techmerino Light Sneaker, with a running sole and strobel construction. The suede module is sewn directly on the Techmerino woollen structure that moulds to the shape of one’s foot. This shoe is soft, yet adheres to the dynamic movement of the wearer. n
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ew case, new construction, new design, and new calibre. The TAG Heuer Carrera – Calibre Heuer 01 is made in honour of the founder Edouard Heuer, under the direction of new CEO Jean-Claude Biver, who is taking the brand in a new direction, and is the ‘backbone of the new collection’. The clean new design reveals the chronograph controls and the open-worked date disc on the dial side. On the case back, the red column wheel, the skeleton chronograph bridge and the black weight, draw the eye in. The 45mm case is in steel, with a perforated rubber strap. n
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FLAVOURS OF INDIA
Chef Vikas Khanna and Bill Clinton
Visit the wine-growing Napa Valley
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Napa Valley
FILM FEST
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eadowood estate partners with the Napa Valley Film Festival between November 11-15 where it’s hosting the talented directors of the Narrative and Documentary films of the Juried competition, for an inspirational artists-in-residence program. If you happen to be in California, pencil in a short stay at Meadowood for spirited conversation, and the opportunity to mix and mingle with these directors at the afternoon wine receptions. If you’re a film buff, it’s a wonderful way to gain special access and insights that are bound to make your film festival experience even more exciting and meaningful. www. meadowood.com. n
Chef Nobu in action
hef Vikas Khanna, Michelin-starred, was no doubt a bit starry-eyed when he presented his magnum opus 16kg culinary book Utsav to former US president Bill Clinton, cherishing the opportunity to showcase to the American leader, the rich and diverse cuisine of Indian festivals and rituals. Chef Vikas has also presented his book to the Dalai Lama and PM Modi. n
Chef Gordon Ramsay with Chris Strong, bar manager of the eatery
VIVA NOBU
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unich is in luck. Internationally celebrated Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa, will be a guest of the Mandarin Oriental, Munich, when his eponymous restaurant Matsuhisa, opens in the Bavarian capital later in November. The restaurant follows the successful format of Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills, as well as his five exclusive outlets in the world. Chef Nobu’s specialty is New Style Japanese Peruvian cuisine, with such legendary dishes as the Black Cod with Yellowfin Tuna Sashimi with Jalapenos, and grilled lamb cooked over Tea leaves with Peruvian Anticucho Sauce, and Sushi. So if you’re headed to Munich, stop by. n
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BREAKING BREAD
H
e’s back! The inimitable Chef Gordon Ramsay launched the Bread Street Kitchen & Bar in Dubai’s glitzy Atlantis, The Palm hotel. The who’s who of Dubai showed up to be the first to sample his modern European dishes, innovative beverages, and eclectic Britannia atmosphere of the venue, which is now open to all. n
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NEW GENERATION
The Yas Viceroy, Abu Dhabi
Performance & Looks
T GLITZY NIGHTS
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s the jet set descends upon the UAE for the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi in November 26-29, the iconic five-star Yas Viceroy will be the place to be seen. Partygoers can enjoy the rooftop Skylite Lounge on Friday November 20, while the Sunset Monaco takes over the Palm Gardens, with a DJ dance party until 4am, and celeb haunt Cirque Le Soir takes over club Rush. richard@cirquelesoirdubai.com n
CORNERSHOP BARBERSHOP
he new Day-Date 40 from Rolex is all about sophistication, and great technology. With its new-generation calibre 3255, developed and manufactured by Rolex, it has been certified as a Swiss chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute, and has a self-winding mechanical movement. It also has the new Chronergy escapement which is highly dependable. The oscillator has a new hairspring making it 10 times more precise. The power reserve is 70 hours. n
The glittering Dubai cityscape
A Truefitt & Hill salon
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ne of the trendiest barbershops and men’s grooming salons in Mumbai, Truefitt & Hill, has just opened the doors of its fashionable South Mumbai (SOBO) outlet, its sixth in the city, much to the delight of stylish men. Their state-of-the-art offerings include The Royal Shave, A Royal Haircut, Royal Manicure and Pedicure, and a complimentary shoe shine. The original London Truefitt & Hill has an international royal legacy, with Oscar Wilde, Winston Churchill, and Alfred Hitchcock among its famous clients. n
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dubai calling
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ly off to Dubai this winter, and enjoy the city’s many delights. With a seven night and eight day stay planned by TravelTriangle. com, costing `72,996 per person, indulge in a city tour, take in the Burj Khalifa, take a ride at the Ferrari World theme park, visit the Aquarium and underwater zoo, experience the Atlatis Aquaventure, and have fun on a yellow boat ride on the Marina. You can also take the children to the Wild Wadi waterpark, with some of the world’s fastest and tallest rides. A highlight is dune-bashing, thanks to the Overnight Desert Safari that includes a camel ride, and staying in a desert tent that emulates the Bedouin experience. The best part is the stunning desert vista and the delectable breakfast. n
Cover Story
John Travolta
PHENOMENON We meet Ăźber-cool Hollywood heavyweight John Travolta in Reno, Nevada, learn about his collection of automobiles and watches, his infatuation with the Boeing 707, and his array of crime thrillers lined up for release, in an exclusive for Splurge. text by Priya Kumari Rana
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ur interview is scheduled for 12.30pm sharp, in the 15th floor suite of the Whitney Peaks Hotel, Reno, Nevada, where the Hollywood superstar is staying as special guest of Swiss watchmaker Breitling, the presenting sponsor of the 2015 National Championship Air Races, one of the most famous air races in the United States, where flying enthusiasts and world media have gathered for three exciting days. Moreover, the megastar has been brand ambassador for the watch brand for a decade, ever since his own passion for aviation took hold. Once upstairs, I wait for around five minutes before I am ushered into an elongated suite, and as the door opens I catch my first glimpse of the brown-suited two-time Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner John Travolta, legendary actor and world-famous celebrity. Now 61, with a remarkably unlined face and piercing blue-green eyes, he’s the icon of ‘70s smash hit Saturday Night Fever and ‘90s cult film Pulp Fiction, starring thereafter in blockbusters such as Face/Off, Get Shorty, and Broken Arrow. His first reaction is one of surprise: “She looks just like Chrissy!” He tells his managers, as he puts an arm around me and gets an assistant to take our photo, to send to Chrissy. I’m in complete awe. What just happened here? Before I can even learn the identity of the mysterious Chrissy, we are sitting down, and
John is telling me about his very special association with Breitling. “It’s a privilege to be part of the Breitling team, because, in my opinion, they are the finest watches ever made,” says John. “It’s everything you love in a watch – it’s retro, it’s modern, it’s technically correct.” The licenced pilot and Living Legend of Aviation mentions a model he’s currently fascinated by, the Emergency watch: “It has two beacons, one that goes to a satellite, and another that reports to a rescue station, so it’s not just for aviators or seamen – you could be driving to a ski lodge and be stuck in a snowstorm, and if you’re afraid you’re not going to be found, you use it.” John talks about “liking the breadth of Breitling, and their love and care of keeping history alive” linked with the history of aviation itself, as suppliers of cockpit chronographs to
John Travolta with the North American X-15, for Breitling
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aircraft from the Lockheed Constellation to the De Havilland Comet jet. The conversation quickly steers to his fascination for airplanes and cars. “I love cars, airplanes, and watches,” he says. “And because I love all these things, I also love the mix of how I love them.” So while he cherishes owning an antique car, he also likes having a new car, as well as “a new car that looks like an antique”.
“I’ve always had this fascination for aviation being at my doorstep,” says the actor of his Ocala, Florida mansion with a runway that leads right up to the front door. “Even 30 minutes can stop you, but there are no stops if you have your planes right there.”
John Travolta at last year’s G’Day USA Los Angeles Black Tie Gala at JW Marriott Hotel, LA.
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The same goes for airplanes, of which several are parked at his Ocala, Florida home. “I have an antique plane as well as one that is retro-fitted; people in my position love this mix.” One of John’s most impressive acquisitions is a Boeing 707, which he loves to fly around the world. “When I was a little boy, I had this book, called Gordon’s Jet Flight (1961), about a little boy who took his first flight on a 707,” he says. The book appeared with different airlines on the cover, such as Quantas and American Airlines. “Prior to that, I had been in love with the Lockheed Constellation, and the Douglas aircraft, but they felt immodern,” he says. “At that moment, the 707 was the last word in aviation, and so often, you want those things that your childhood spoke to you about.” By the time he was able to afford to own a large airliner, the 707 held a special place for him rather than a newer model, as it was associated with fond childhood memories. The same goes for the 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL, which forms part of his fleet of 30 cars. “When I was a teenager, all the glamorous people of the world had that car, and I didn’t want a newer model, I wanted that one.” Besides the 1970 Mercedes, the cars that really get “his heart going” are his 1955 Thunderbird, a brand new Bentley, and a brand new Mercedes-Benz 550 SL. To indulge his zeal of flying, John’s built his Ocala mansion with a runway that leads right up to the front door, so that he and his family can jet off at a moment’s notice. “I’ve always had a fascination for aviation being at my doorstep, as opposed to the distance between your house and the airport. So even 30 minutes or an hour, that stops you,” he says. “But there are no stops if you have your planes right there. You can get in, and the world is your oyster.” He enjoys flying his family – his wife of 24 years, actor Kelly Preston, children Ella Bleu and little Benjamin – on holidays to his favourite destinations, Paris, Ireland, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Africa. “Lately, we’ve been enjoying Dubai,” he says. A lot of this is thanks to the Boeing 707 that is parked, literally, in his backyard, which today carries the Quantas insignia. John tells us the story of how this happened: “I had purchased my Boeing, and was flying around the world promoting my film Swordfish. I decided to meet the president of Quantas, for something very simple. I said, ‘If I paid you some money, would you let me use your logo on the side of my plane?’ He said, ‘Don’t you have it backwards?’ And I said, ‘What do you have in mind?’ He replied, ‘Maybe you could promote the airline, do other things, and we would pay you.’ I said, ‘I’ve always been obsessed with
photograph Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com
Cover Story
photograph Ales Studeny / Shutterstock.com
John Travolta arrives to present the film Killing Season at the International Film Festival of Karlovy Vary
airlines, so that sounds fun.’ A month later they came back to me with a beautiful proposal, for my 707. We did our first round-the-world trip to promote aviation safety after September 11, so that was how it happened.” Workwise, the actor has his hands full, playing criminal defence attorney Robert Shapiro in the HBO crime thriller American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson, the preview of which was released this month. (Shapiro successfully defending Simpson, accused of the murder of his wife.) “I wasn’t allowed to meet Shapiro for legal reasons,” says John, “But I was allowed to do as much research as I could. So I had videos on him, the book he wrote, books on him, as well as material on the trial. Then I had my own take on him, and it turned out phenomenally well.” John says he’s completed the first two episodes – there are 10 in total (“Like 10-hour movies.”). Having played a lawyer before in A Civil Action, he was familiar with the technical research. “I was interested in what Robert was about, his personality, the way he would start fires and wouldn’t know how to put them out.” He’s got a slew of crime thrillers lined up, very different from his last film, in which he plays an artist who is a forger. “In a Valley of Violence is a classic Western, while I am Wrath is an action thriller, and Criminal Activities is more like an intellectual thriller that is cleverly directed, so it becomes like a Pulp Fiction,” says John.
“I want to thank Indian audiences for choosing me, as their favourite American star, at the Indian Oscars,” says John. “That night when I did that little dance (at the 2014 IIFA awards), I felt very loved by the whole culture. It was 800 million people watching, and I was chosen by that group. It was a big deal.”
One is immediately reminded of the dapper, dancing 1995 character of Vincent Vega played by John, dancing with Uma Thurman. As for his style quotient, he says he likes to sport a gold Breitling at the Oscars, and for casual wear, prefers the Navitimer, “because it pretty much goes with everything”. He tells us about what he wore the night before, to a PBS special for tenor Andrea Bocelli, where he introduced the concert with an homage to the maestro. “I wore a black Italian suit by Di Maestro, but my watch was the Transocean with the mesh bracelet,” he says. “I will also wear a silver Chronomat if I am dressed up; the other day I wore a brown Transocean. I have a Breitling for every occasion; I get joy out of that. I have them all lined up, depending on what I am wearing, and I will ask my wife – do you like this? And I size it up.” John Travolta is no stranger to India, having made a visit to Mumbai a few years ago. He was last seen by Bollywood-loving Indian audiences shaking a leg with Priyanka Chopra and Hrithik Roshan at the 2014 IIFA awards in Florida. He’s very appreciative of the support he’s received from India. “I want to thank them for choosing me, as their favourite American star, at the Indian Oscars. That night I did the little dance, I felt very loved by the whole culture. It was 800 million people that were watching, and I felt that if I’ve been chosen by that group; I am in. It means a lot to me; it was a big deal,” he says with his trademark dazzling smile. n
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Cover Story
Those Magnificent
FLYING
MACHINES At the National Championship Air Races and Air Show at Reno, Nevada, Splurge meets the daredevils of the Breitling Jet Team, learns the intricacies of air racing, catches up with a legendary World War II veteran, and performs some serious aerobatics above the desert. text by Priya Kumari Rana
A T-6 plane from World War II, refurbished for the race; Right: The final trophy
T
he skies are a brilliant blue, and it’s an unusually sultry September day at the 52nd Annual National Championship Air Races and Air Show, at Reno Stead Airport, just a half-hour drive north of the city of Reno, in Nevada, USA. Around 150,000 spectators and aviation buffs have gathered at this annual display of flying prowess, accuracy, and speed, which generates around $66 million dollars for the local economy. The Reno Air Races are the only closed-course, pylonracing event in the world, with planes in six categories racing head to head against each other, around pylons in the field, just as one would see at Nascar or Indy 500. It’s a heady mixture of racing – in the categories of Formula 1, Biplane, Sport (for smaller planes), T-6 (the World War II trainer aircraft), Jet (the fastest), and Unlimited (most are modified World War II fighters) – and aerobatics, with stunts by aerobatic ace David Martin, US Air Force pilots, and of course, the Breitling Jet Team. We’ve got a bird’s eye view, watching all the action from the white-tented, luxurious Breitling podium.
The Need for Speed Swiss watchmaker Breitling has long been presenting sponsor of the Reno Air Races, and this year is extra special – it’s the first time that the Breitling Jet Team, the world’s only professional, civilian jet team, is performing here with
a valiant, sometimes heart-stopping display of audiaciousness and piloting supremacy in the skies. “It’s our first time here, and it’s a real public of fans and aviators, and to demonstrate in front of this public is particularly exciting,” says Jacques Bothelin, the tanned, blue-eyed leader of the Breitling Jet Team, one of the world’s most experienced jet pilots with over 11,500 flight hours on 145 types of aircraft. Bothelin flies at the very tip of the seven-aircraft formation, in plane no. 1, and it’s his 13th year leading the squadron, since the Team was established in 2003. He says that because of its height (Reno sits at 4,500ft above sea level), flying is particularly challenging in this desert town. The team flies the Czech Republic-made, L-39C Albatros, a twin-seater military training jet, that can reach speeds of 565mph. “The purpose of our team is to do displays, and we’ve flown in 28 countries so far, doing 50-60 displays a year,” says Bothelin. “We’re a civilian squad as well as ambassadors for Breitling.” Each pilot wears the Chronomat 44 while he’s flying. “The dial is very visible, so I don’t have to squint each time I want to see the time,” says GeorgesEric Castaing, ex-French Air Force, who flies second slot in the formation. “Plus the chronograph ensures I check my flight time, and it can take a knocking from the G-force.” As members of the French air force squad, these pilots know what it’s like to fly in a formation, and didn’t need any training when they joined Breitling. “What’s attractive about flying the L-39 Albatros is that it’s a two-seater, so we can bring along a passenger,” says Castaing. The week before Reno, the team was in Dallas, and flew over the Grand Canyon, with an eighth plane carrying a photographer, whose sole job it was to capture breathtaking shots of the jets as they flew above the rugged landscape. “The jet is aesthetic and beautiful,” says Castaing, “It’s easy to manoeuvre and made for these kinds of displays, but it has its aerodynamic limits, as does the pilot, vis-à-vis the G-force.” The plane can take a positive G-force of 8 Gs, eight times its weight, and -4 as the negative force. “When we do a turn, we are at around 4-5 Gs, and after that, the force goes down with speed, but a few pilots, when they do really tight manoeuvres, it can go up to 7 Gs,” says Castaing. It is one o’clock – time for the Breitling Jet Team to perform its awe-inspiring stunts. As they take off from the landing strip barely a few metres in front of us, they quickly take the ‘Calysto’ formation, and perform their first stunt, the ‘barrel roll’, where they elegantly ‘roll’ in the air in a loop. They then do a full loop in the ‘Avenger’ formation. Then in the ‘Rocket’ formation they do a stunning ‘Vertical Split’ where they scatter vertically from above, followed by the daring ‘Opposite Barrel Roll’ which looks like two jets are about to crash headlong into one another. Perhaps one of their most famous formations, is the ‘Apache’ roll, a signature move created by leader Jacques Bothelin (and named after his dog), where a lone jet circles and loops around the rest in Rocket formation. The ‘Ocean Wave’ is another delightful formation that has the jets fanning out as they swirl a few metres above the ground. The ‘Final Break’ with the jets tumbling down in opposite direction from high above, is rendered beautiful with small flares
November 2015 | Outlook Splurge | 47
Cover Story
The Breitling Jet Team flies over the Nevada landscape
This year, in the Unlimited class, pilot Robert ‘Hoot’ Gibson has won the prestigious Breitling Gold Race, breaking Steve Hinton Jr’s six-year winning streak. He flew at 489mph in his North American P51 Mustang, the ‘Strega’.
The German-made Extra 300 from David Martin’s aerobatics’ team that made us do somersaults in the air
48 | Outlook Splurge | November 2015
Neck to neck, at the pylon
A Race like No Other It’s the last day of the races, on this sunny weekend with its cloudless skies. The six race categories for aircraft that take to the skies range from small planes and biplanes, all the way to ultra-fast jets, and souped-up World War II airplanes, like the 1940s-built Mustang, with their in-line engines. The planes start in the air, after they’ve all formed up, based on what their qualifying position was, just like a racecar would. There is a starter in another airplane, and when he thinks the competitors are ready and have come on to the course, signals that they have a race. He pulls up, and the planes dive up and go around the pylon. Some are eight lap races, while others are six laps. Today, in the Unlimited class, pilot Robert ‘Hoot’ Gibson has won the prestigious Breitling Gold Race, breaking Steve Hinton Jr’s six-year winning streak. In his North American P51 Mustang, the ‘Strega’, he flew at 489mph past Hinton, who flew up and didn’t finish the race. Other winners included Pete Zaccagnino flying ‘Vampire’ in the Jet class, that clocked the highest speed today, 502mph. The T-6 was another closely contested race with pilot Dennis Buehn winning on the World War II ‘Midnight Miss II’. “This is a very wealthy sport, so only wealthy people are able to own airplanes,” says Bob, one of the show’s organizers. “A Mustang
photograph (top) Katsuhiko Tokunaga
that go off like fireworks as they split. But perhaps the two most daring manoeuvres are the ‘Synchro Pair Percussion’ with a pair of jets splitting into two, and the upside-down manoeuvre, barely a couple of metres from the ground, by pilot no. 6, Paco Wallaert, the right outside wingman. We ask the Lille-born, 43-year-old ace after the show, how does he do it? “There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work and experience. So this flying upside-down may look impressive, but this technique has been mastered, so it’s natural for us,” he says modestly. For the Dijon-based team, each year the jets are disassembled and packed into containers, and shipped to Miami, only to be reassembled at the Breitling hangar in Lakeland, Florida. “Our team of 18 people and eight jets then travel from city to city, like a rock group,” says Luc Herbinière, the ‘voice’ of the team as the presenter, and support aircraft pilot. “The week after this we will be in Miramar, and then to Texas, for a show called Wings Over Houston,” says Herbinière. “After our season, we fly back to Dijon, only to tour again in March.”
Cover Story now is worth $2 million or more. They get companies to sponsor them, and that is how they keep the planes flying. In fact, ‘Strega’, the modified Mustang, is owned by a farmer in Bakersfield, California, and he’s had it for 25-30 years.” A lot of the pilots are glad to fly for free, like Strega-winner Hoop Gibson, who’s a professional astronaut. We are very lucky to have among the audience a special guest,100-year old Dick Cole, who is one of only two surviving ‘Doolittle Tokyo Raiders’ (part of the famous group led by Lt Col Jimmy Doolittle who conducted a successful air raid over Tokyo after the attack on Pearl Harbour). And there is the legendary Bob Hoover, the 93-year-old Tennessee born World War II pilot who conducted 58 missions in Europe before being shot down and taken as a German POW, only to escape daringly on an abandoned German FW-190 back into Allied territory. “I’ve been racing at Reno for 35 years, been a test pilot, broken both legs and feet, but can still reach a drink,” says Hoover, dressed in an immaculate beige jacket and straw hat, looking every inch a gentleman. “I was 20 years of age, and I’d learned so much they made me in charge of 67 fighter pilots.” He’s been described as the “greatest stick and rudder man who ever lived”, and has been bestowed with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldiers Medal, Air Medal, and Purple Heart.
Taking to the Skies As a special treat, I’m offered the chance to take part in a special aerobatics session conducted by Breitling aerobatics ace pilot David Martin’s
Left to right: Breitling Chronomat 44 and Breitling Emergency
“I’ve been racing at Reno for 35 years, been a test pilot, broken both legs and feet, but can still reach for a drink,” says legendary aerobatics pilot Bob Hoover, a World War II decorated fighter pilot who escaped from a German prison camp.
Actor and aviator John Travolta with the Breitling Jet team pilots
50 | Outlook Splurge | November 2015
Legendary aviator Bob Hoover
team. That morning, at 7am, we drive an hour west of Reno, to a desolate airfield in Beckwourth, California, where we meet our instructors, professional pilots Chelsea Stein Engberg and Greg Bruyn. Our German-made, compact red Extra 300 looks far from daunting as I clamber into the front seat, parachute et al, with my instructor Greg offering reassuring instructions. I am told to tighten my stomach and leg muscles as we go into the G-force (reaching 4-4.5 Gs) and do manoeuvres such as the Hammerhead, the Avalanche, the Half Cuban Eight (a dog fight manoeuvre), as well as flying inverted. Twelve minutes have elapsed too quickly, alas, and we are on safe ground, heading back to Reno. This once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Reno Air Races reinforces the spirit of aviation, and just goes to prove, that we can all be magnificent men and women in our flying machines. n
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fashion Forevermark Trends Intergalactic Future earrings
A Promise is
Forever As it unveils its latest worldwide campaign, De Beers diamond brand Forevermark reaffirms humankind’s age-old pursuit of brilliance, beauty, and rarity, all the qualities that are embodied in its rare diamonds.
I
f you’ve ever heard the tagline, ‘A Diamond is Forever’, you have American advertising copywriter Frances Gerety to thank, who coined the slogan in 1947 in Philadelphia. This slipped into common parlance, ruling supreme in every engagement advertisement diamond conglomerate De Beers ever carried, right up to 1999, when it was coined the ‘slogan of the century’ by Advertising Age. “Till today, this has been one of advertising’s most successful taglines globally, ever,” says Sachin Jain, president, Forevermark India, a De Beers’s diamond brand. “But back then in 1947, there was a larger vision. The war had just ended, and the general mood was depressing. The chairman of De Beers, Mr Oppenheimer, felt that there was something that lay beyond selling diamonds as a commodity, and so he invested in the ‘diamond dream’.” It was the first time that diamonds were sold for emotions, as the tagline ensured high sales and assured the diamond its place as the only proper way to
52 | Outlook Splurge | November 2015
Forevermark Trends Extravagant Reality necklace announce one’s love and commitment. And starting this Fall, this age-old campaign gets a makeover, the first time in decades, with a new promise of everlasting love. The new advertising campaign ‘It’s a long journey to become the One’ launched worldwide in September, reveals the pursuit of perfection, one of absolute beauty, and the rigorous demands to find the absolute flawless diamond. The 60-, 30-, and 15-second commercial, created by J Walter Thompson Italy, depicts a man running among hordes of others, in a rugged landscape, braving the odds, all after the same thing, the rarest treasure, which turns out to be a glittering diamond. “It’s the pursuit of brilliance,” says Sachin, “Brilliance is always pursued, it’s never a destination.” It is also testimony to the brand’s rigorous selection process to uncover the world’s rarest and most beautiful diamonds (only one percent of the world’s diamonds qualify for the Forev-
Encordia Plain Rose Gold pendant
Eternal Collection Pavé earrings
Forevermark Trends Intergalactic Future bracelet Yellow Semi-Pavé Cornerstone ring
Forevermark Trends Extravagant Reality earrings
Millemoi dangler earrings
Behind the scenes at the new Forevermark advertising campaign
ermark inscription). “The idea was to bring in the relevance of Forevermark, of ‘A Diamond is Forever’, and to bring in modernity,” says Sachin. “Today’s consumer in India is looking for more than a Bollywood celebrity just wearing diamonds. We wanted to bring out the concept of the rarest and most selective.” He adds that the fact that all Forevermark diamonds are responsibly sourced, comes out strongly in this campaign. Plus, the fact is that when the protagonist, the explorer, opens his hand, there is a diamond sitting there, not a piece of jewellery. “The diamond is the fundamental thing that stands for beauty and rarity, and that can be worn as a ring or a pendant,” says Sachin. “How many things can a woman wear, that are older than Mt Everest? The diamond has stayed eternal, a gift from Mother Nature, and that is what we are celebrating here.” For a firm that prides itself on being the diamond specialists, those that have the expertise and the technology to select the world’s most beautiful diamonds, the campaign artfully impresses upon this point. They select diamonds at the source, and put an inscription number on top of every selected diamond. “That is our promise,” says Sachin. Sachin says the company did a lot of consumer research to find out what is it that appeals to people across cultures. They found
Millemoi pendant
“A diamond, is the fundamental thing that stands for beauty and rarity. How many things can a woman wear that are older than Mt Everest?” says Sachin Jain.
that today’s consumer wants things that are absolutely differentiated, and a far cry from the run-of-the-mill couple exchanging rings, trite imagery. With the new advertising campaign, Forevermark also relaunches its parent company’s famous tagline, ‘A Diamond is Forever’, that could not be used earlier with its branding due to an internal issue, the magical words that transformed the entire business. So the campaign sees a 360 degree approach, with television, print, broadsheets and magazines, digital, outdoor hoardings, and social media. As Forevermark India completes one of its biggest consumer researches in the country, covering 40,000 consumers in seven cities, it is also happy to announce its ‘Year of Design’, that includes new theme-based products as part of its global trend book. “There’s been a lot of product development based on what we’ve seen,” says Sachin. “For instance our nose pin collection, Capricci, is doing rocking business, and is perfect for the new age consumer. It’s an ‘Indian tattoo’ of sorts, and gives the wearer freedom and confidence.” The company is also working on a collaboration with two designers, the New York-based Bibhu Mohapatra (one of Michelle Obama’s favourites) and Indian bridalwear supernova Sabyasachi, a “work in progress” that will be launched soon. It will also add new jewellers to its kitty, ending the year with 200 retailers in 26 markets. n
November 2015 | Outlook Splurge | 53
fashion
Italian
Flair
Splurge keeps its appointment with master tailor Andrea Lombardo from the Italian luxury maison Stefano Ricci, synonymous with exquisite, handmade suits and accessories for over 30 years, and a well-kept secret among world leaders and billionaires. Master tailor Andrea Lombardo
54 | Outlook Splurge | November 2015
R
ows of handstitched leather loafers, lookbooks, notebooks filled with fabric swatches, embossed leather briefcases, wallets, belts, ties, and sports jackets – these are some of the exquisite things that greet the eye in a top-floor suite at the Taj Mansingh, New Delhi. It’s a special occasion: mingling with the sprinkling of CEOs, hoteliers, and other high-net-worth guests present, is the very dapper Andrea Lombardo, master tailor for Italian luxury fashion menswear brand Stefano Ricci who is here to introduce his bespoke tailoring services for the first time in the country. The Florentine fashion maison, founded in 1972 by innovative designer-entrepreneur Stefano Ricci, with 43 boutiques worldwide,is known for its unique prints, flamboyant ties, stylish suits, and sporty casualwear. It set up shop in India at the beginning of the year in South Mumbai’s Taj Palace Hotel, in partnership with entrepreneur and now president, Stefano Ricci India, Jackie Manglani, bringing its precious ‘made in Italy’ fabrics, suits, and accessories to the country’s most discerning men. “Everybody asks me, why does a Stefano Ricci suit cost more than the others?” says Andrea Lombardo, on his second India
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fashion visit. “Firstly, our suits are totally handmade, taking up to 50 hours of work, with no machines.” The company uses the finest fabrics, even using pure silk for the inside lining. “Secondly, all the fabrics, for the shirts and the ties, are personally designed by Stefano Ricci,” he adds. “In his office, he always has a paper and a pencil – he has no computer on his desk – and he designs all day; it’s incredible.” This insight into the grandfatherly, bearded Stefano Ricci’s ability to churn out designs by the thousands comes as a revelation. And it’s the first thing Andrea noticed about his would-be employer the first time he met Stefano Ricci. “He was on the phone, yet continued to design,” he says. Andrea was cherry picked to join the luxury maison in 2012, literally two days after he left his first job with an Italian fashion brand. Andrea has been immersed in fashion since childhood, as he watched his father grow his own bespoke tailoring business in Tuscany, working with him, and learning the intricacies of tailoring. “My father started his shop in 1947, and it became famous. He sold it in 2012,” says the 53-year-old Andrea. The master tailor works closely with the 64-year-old Stefano Ricci, at his headquarters that employs nearly 250 artisans and tailors. “Everything is Italian, from the fabric, to the buttons, and even the thread,” says Andrea. “We have our own mills where we make the fabric for our shirts, once Mr Ricci has designed it.” He says the company often uses different manufacturers from Florence to Tuscany, but they are always Italian. Even bags, belts, and buckles are made in Florence. He points to a belt with an eagle-motif buckle. “The eagle is one our most important symbols, as is the elephant,” says Andrea. “Mr Ricci picks up most of his inspirations from Africa, where he has been travelling for several years.” The hues and fauna of Africa have made their way into the collections. This season, Stefano Ricci has four key colours – orange, red, pink, and yellow. The colour percolates down from shirts and ties, all the way to bags, shoes, belts and ties, to make a complete range. “You can’t find a full yellow suit,” says Andrea, “But you can find a yellow jacket with white pants.” A permanent offering is the Blue Ricci, which is omnipresent every season. “Right now, we are working on green (not acid!) and brown,” says Andrea. Are Indians adventurous when it comes to colour? “They are afraid of colour if they are not in their traditional clothes, so it’s mostly blue, beige and grey,” says Andrea. “But in Indian dress, what a
56 | Outlook Splurge | November 2015
“Our suits are totally handmade, taking up to 50 hours of work, with no machines. All the fabrics, for the shirts and the ties, are personally designed by Stefano Ricci.” Stefano Ricci’s Autumn-Winter 2015 collection
Made in Italy, down to the last detail Sporty footwear
Animal-inspired motifs contrast – I see incredible colours.” He doesn’t feel he’s here to change anyone, though. “Clients want to be guided by us; they trust us,” he says. In terms of a loyal clientele, Stefano Ricci has several. “President Kenyatta of Kenya wears our suits; tenor Andrea Bocelli wears our clothes on stage, and Ratan Tata is a friend of the Ricci family,” says Andrea. Although he’s hesitant to name more, many top industrialists from Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata have been Stefano Ricci clients for years, long before the brand came to India. And now, with a store in New Delhi in the offing, it won’t be long before more follow suit. “Our biggest hurdle is location,” says Jackie Manglani. “We can’t compromise on that. Until then, we’re servicing clients all over India. If they can’t come to us, we fly out to them.” Truly bespoke. n
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fashion
All the President’s
Shoes This 163-year-old American shoemaker to every US president in office offers oxfords, brogues, and more, via a partnership with Premium Retail Pvt Ltd. We learn of the brand’s Indian arm and future plans. text by Shveta Bhagat
J
ohnston & Murphy, a pioneer in shoemaking for a century and half is the leading brand in premium footwear in the United States. The American footwear brand has outfitted leaders and legends‚ custom-fitting shoes for every US President from Millard Fillmore to Barack Obama. The 163-year old brand entered the Indian market in 2013 with an exclusive licencing arrangement with Premium Retail Private Limited. It has a flagship store at Linking Road, Mumbai and is available in 12 cities in India through shop-in-shops and an extensive dealer network. Nishu and Gaurav Agarwal, managing directors, Premium Retail, after having completed MBA’s from the US, gave up their flourishing corporate careers at Fortune 500 companies to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in India. They then got the pan-India licence rights for J&M in India and have successfully grown the business to a network of 60 dealers and a flagship store in Mumbai. Speaking about the foray, Gaurav says, “When we launched the brand in India three years ago, it was a tough environment to operate in. The footwear market was fragmented, and there were a few brands in the non-sports category which had a
Gaurav and Nishu Agarwal 58 | Outlook Splurge | November 2015
national presence. We needed to be in a premium environment to showcase the brand and be able to train sales associates to highlight the craftsmanship and quality behind our shoes. Fortunately, through our partners like The Collective, Shoe Tree, and Regal, we’re in some of the best retail locations in the country. This was a great launch pad since we targeted the right audience. The consumers also got a feel of the product and we were able to gauge the potential of the brand for our expansion plans.” Looking back at the initial challenges and high points, Nishu recalls, “Our big break came when Regal shoes agreed to see our product. We had an initial meeting with Imran Virji of Regal shoes; he liked our product range, and then we did not hear back from him for months. My husband met him at an exhibition and the talks started again. The first time Imran came into our office, he tried on every shoe we had samples of. With over a 100 SKUs, that is a lot of shoes to try! Once we got our very first order from him, the ball was set rolling, and we haven’t looked back since.” The exquisite shoes embrace the heritage of artisans from northern Italy, proficient in centuries-old techniques still relevant for today’s footwear connoisseur. Synonymous with sophistication and dexterity, the wide range of meticulously crafted shoes keeps the vibrancy of the season in mind. It currently caters to men’s footwear and will soon launch a women’s line. The turnover of the company was `15 crore last fiscal year. They are promoting Western styling which includes oxfords, brogues, double monk shoes, casual driver shoes, and boat shoes. The brand stands for innovation, craftsmanship, and quality. It is an avid believer of comfortable wear. n
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home dÉcor
Mu ic to One’s Ears Scandinavian audio guru Peter Lyngdorf introduces the Steinway-Lyngdorf range of speakers, one of the world’s most coveted, to India for the first time. Splurge meets him, and is literally blown away.
W
hat is perfection, for an audiophile? Just ask Peter Lyngdorf, one of the world’s pioneers in audio systems, and the founder of Steinway-Lyngdorf, a decade-old partnership with the world’s finest piano-makers, that marry the hautest technology with stunning exteriors, to create the most superior audio systems known today. “While listening to a piece of music, you should only think about the music, not the system,” says the Denmark-born Peter. But this absolute, bare-bones definition of perfection in audio sound, isn’t something that came easy. After nearly four decades of pioneering work in audio systems, starting with his first company Audionord at the age of 21, followed by several others such as NAD Electronics, Gyphon Audio, Snell Acoustics, and Dali Loudspeakers, Peter has patented several technologies such as Room Perfect, that assures a uniform audio quality in any room, “where you compensate for the acoustics in the room, to make it sound like a Steinway grand piano, and not like a pair of speakers”, he says. And now, these iconic sound systems are available in India for the first time, at Steinway-Lyngdorf’s flagship in Defence Colony, New Delhi, launched by their Indian partner and distributor, Trescent Life-
60 | Outlook Splurge | November 2015
Top left: Peter Lyngdorf and the Model LS Concert; Below left: The Model D; Below right: The Model LS Concert, that comes as a pair.
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The head unit of the Model D
Top: Monica Sambhariya Parikh, Peter Lyngdorf, and Harshul Parikh. Below: The S Series speakers in satin silver and matte black.
styles, at an evening that saw its founders Monica Sambhariya Parikh and Harshul Parikh play hosts to Gauri Khan at a glittering soirée that unveiled the über-luxe, gigantic Model D, a marvel of design and technology, that can change tracks, volume, and other features with just a wave of the hand. It all started when Peter Lyngdorf was 11 years old, and fell in love with The Beatles. He bought himself a tape recorder, and began to record their hit songs from the radio. A few months later, while still in high school, without any professional training, he built his first pair of speakers. Over the years, with his companies in place, he began to gain a reputation in audio. Then came the collaboration with Steinway & Sons to create the Model D, that would be similar in stature to a
Steinway grand piano, and reproduce its sound, so that if you had a good recording and were blindfolded, you would not know if you were listening to the piano or the speakers. Peter also agreed to adhere to the principles of the Steinway company, which is always, to make the best possible product, and only then find out what is the price. Today, the panels with their lacquer finish are made in Steinway’s Hamburg, Germany factory, and shipped to Denmark where Peter’s factory is, where it is assembled with his high-tech components, and shipped directly to the client’s installation site. “The Model D combines brass, steel, and aluminium, to give the right acoustics,” says Peter. The amount of aluminium in a Model D is enough to manufacture three Audi A8 chassis! And the speakers don’t come cheap. Prices in India range between `25 lakh to `5 crore, with the Model D at `2 crore, and the Model LS Concert at `2.7crore. Peter counts several pop artists as the brand’s fans, such as Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, and amazingly, former US president and jazz buff Bill Clinton, who famously walked into a party in Kuala Lumpur (where Peter was installing a speaker for the host, a friend), walked right past royals and other eminent personalities, right up to where he could hear jazz riffs coming from the living room, and exclaimed: “Wow, who’s playing?” And walking around the corner, spotting the speakers, said, “What? I thought there was a band playing! I have never heard anything like this!” Peter Lyngdorf’s future plans include making “retro-fittable, incremental” additions to all of his systems, so that if the technology changes, people can upgrade to the new one without having to buy a completely new system. But he shies away from car audio systems, unless it were for the RollsRoyce. “Every product that has my name attached to it, is done in my factory, and nowhere else. There are no two ways about it.” n
November 2015 | Outlook Splurge | 61
home dÉcor Kerria curved couch
For the
Bon Vivant As luxury French furniture company Roche Bobois completes 50 years, it’s counted among the most cutting-edge luxury furniture brands today. Nicolas Roche, creative director, tells Splurge about the journey thus far and the road ahead.
Nicolas Roche
F
rom both a commercial and creative point of view, Roche Bobois was launched as an avant-garde brand aimed at the more youthful and hipper section of society. It has evolved to acquire its own refined edge. “Over time our company has developed into an exclusive luxury label which finds itself at the forefront of the competitive world of interior design and furniture,” says Nicolas Roche, creative director. Primordially Roche Bobois’s aesthetic has developed from being homogenous and Scandinavian-influence to diverse and innovative, exploring several different styles. A turning point for the company was the year 1972 when Roche Bobois launched the ‘Lounge’ sofa. Nicolas says, “This lowseat sofa is the father of our iconic ‘Mah Jong’, and was an innovation in the world of interior design itself in terms of its simplicity and modernity. The brand developed, and with it came the release of the Mah Jong – one of the brand’s most luxurious and niche sofas to date.” Today, Roche Bobois blends creativity with luxury, offering innova-
An Aircell sofa
An Ixilon chair A Focus low table
62 | Outlook Splurge | November 2015
home dÉcor
Doc pedestal tables
tive designs in the French style that respond to the expectations of the luxury market. The ‘Mah Jong’ remains the no. 1 model worldwide, and its fabrics have been designed by world-renowned fashion designers such as Missoni Home, Kenzo, and Jean-Paul Gaultier. The company made its foray into the country just last year with its sprawling 5,000 sq ft flagship store in Mumbai that stocks origami coffee tables, pop-coloured sofas and industrial chairs. “The fashion-conscious Indian consumer has taken well to the brand and its variety of futuristic product lines available in funky designs and colours that can be customized to suit individual needs. We see more and more Indian consumers embracing the brand,” says Nicolas. Sighting great potential for Roche Bobois in the premium end of the market, they are all
Diamond low table
Bookcases such as Helis by Philippe Bouix or Pollen by Sacha Lakic, stir the senses, while Cedric Ragot’s Suspens table is seamless. These are nothing short of works of art that provoke feelings.
set to expand their retail footprint. “We are in the process of expanding our presence in India and will open our flagship store in Bengaluru in November 2015. Apart from the flagship, we are also adding a new outlet in Mumbai shortly,” says Nicolas. With the momentum of its growing presence in Africa and Asia, as well as an expanding foothold in Europe and the Americas, Roche Bobois is researching possibilities in unexplored territories such as Australia and Japan. In the Mumbai store, customers have the freedom of customizing the products that Roche Bobois offers. Clients can select the dimensions, depths, finishes, and colours of the products they buy. In this way, the customer becomes the designer of a unique piece that he has conceived himself or herself. The Fall-Winter collection from Roche Bobois comprises of furniture with a unique character, inspired by multiple personalities. Each furniture piece is unique, exclusive, and truly created for the discerning consumer. “The inspiration,” says Nicolas, “is comfort, which has always been fundamental to Roche Bobois, but with a modern definition. The Discours sofa, for example, looks and feels like a huge pillow.” From this collection, there are several new pieces that really stand out. Bookcases such as Helis by Philippe Bouix or Pollen by Sacha Lakic, provoke visual sensations. Similarly, Cedric Ragot’s Suspens table is seamless. Booleanos, with its asymmetric wonky-looking shape, questions stability, and the Rosace pieces, with their façades covered in a dynamic three-dimensional Arte (the luxury wallpaper brand) faceted material, whose effects change and glimmer in the light, attract one’s attention. This is the experience that the company wants to create with its products that are nothing short of works of art: to defy expectations, to provoke feelings, and to establish a dialogue between design and the user. n
Suspens dining table
A Tempus sofa chair
64 | Outlook Splurge | November 2015
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TIMES
Modern
This classic American fashion brand, famed for its youthful, minimalistic lines, has launched its 2015 watch collection. With their genuine Swiss movements, here are three of our sleekest picks, including the brandnew men’s Infinite, with its stunning transparent back.
Calvin Klein Supreme
Calvin Klein Round
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ransparent, ephemeral, and round, are three words that describe one of the latest offerings for women from the world of Calvin Klein. A luminous bracelet accented by geometric cut-out details simultaneously reveals and conceals the wrist of the wearer. This light, refined timepiece with a Swiss movement comes in either polished stainless steel, PVD yellow, or PVD pink gold, and either a black, silver, or mirror dial. With a case size of 33.5mm, it is finished with a Calvin Klein logo at 12 o’clock and is water resistant to 3 bar.
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inspired by the intricate patterns of plissé textiles, which are revealed only through motion, the graphic links of Calvin Klein’s Supreme offering for women, create an elegant statement. Choose from a polished stainless steel, PVD yellow, or PVD pink gold case and coordinating polished bracelet, accented by a silver or black dial. With its quartz movement, sapphire glass case and folding clasp, it comes in 28mm and 38mm styles, and is water resistant to 3 bar.
Calvin Klein Infinite
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his men’s watch is one of the most iconic offerings of the year. With its automatic Swiss movement and transparent case-back, it allows the wearer to see the ‘heart’ of the watch. The timeless, minimalistic construction that reflects accuracy and elegance features a polished and brushed stainless steel or PVD pink gold case with a silver, cool grey, black, or blue dial, and a sapphire glass. The strap is in brushed leather or polished and brushed stainless steel. So it’s either a pin buckle for the leather strap, or a deployant buckle with push button for the bracelet version. The Calvin Klein logo sits at 12 o’clock, while polished white superluminova hour and minute hands subtly and conveniently illuminate in the dark. The watch is water resistant to 3 bar.
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Chivalry The world’s first luxury whisky emanates from a picturesque distillery in Scotland, and has an unique heritage story, discovers Shveta Bhagat
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legend among whiskies, Chivas Regal was founded on the pioneering principles of James and John Chivas over 150 years ago. It is the story of measured success, one that reinstates the belief, that a dream doesn’t manisfest via magic, but through sweat, determination, and hard work. Starting off as a simple grocery store in 1801 to become one of the most prestigious blended Scotch whiskies in the world, selling 4.9 million 9 litre cases annually across more than 150 countries, this heritage brand has earned its rightful place. Chivas Regal is the world’s first luxury whisky, produced by Chivas Brothers, now owned by Pernod Ricard, the world’s co-leader in wines and spirits. Made from hand-selected malt and grain whiskies, it is truly a global brand sold across Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. The home of Chivas Regal is the Strathisla distillery in Keith, Moray in Speyside, Scotland. It is the oldest and most picturesque continuously operating distillery in the Master blender Scottish highlands, built Colin Scott on the banks of the river Isla in 1786. Chivas Brothers purchased Strathisla in 1950 to safeguard this special Speyside malt for Chivas Regal. With its short, small copper stills and natural spring water, Strathisla produces a full-bodied single malt Scotch whisky. As described by master blender Colin Scott, “This classic Speyside malt has a deep fruitiness with a complex array of nutty and hay-like flavours, and is the heart of all the Chivas Regal blends.” Like most heritage brands, they too have a story to tell. The brand Chivas Brothers started with the opening of a grocery store on 13 King St, Aberdeen in 1801. At that
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A bottle of Chivas Regal 12-year-old Scotch whisky
Bottling Chivas Regal, Glasgow, c.1950s
The Chivas Brothers grocery in Aberdeen
In the early part of the 20th century, the Chivas Brothers Company exported their best blended Scotch whisky to the USA, where a booming economy created a demand for luxury goods.
Casks transported from the distillery
A bottle of Chivas Regal from the 1920s
Cases of Chivas Regal being shipped to the United States, c.1950s
time, the store sold luxury goods such as coffee, exotic spices, French brandies, and Caribbean rums to a wealthy clientele. A few decades later, in 1842, Chivas Brothers was taken on as a retainer to supply provisions to the Royal family at Balmoral Castle upon Queen Victoria’s first visit to Scotland. As their clientele grew, James Chivas received several requests from his well-to-do customers for a smoother whisky. He began blending whiskies to create a blend which would be his proprietary formula. He created two proprietary blends called Royal Glen Dee and a few years later, Royal Strathythan. In the early part of the next century, the Chivas Brothers Company decided to create and export their most aged blended Scotch whisky to the USA, where the booming economy was creating a demand for luxury goods. Thus was born the whisky, Chivas Regal. The Chivas Range includes; Chivas Regal 12 Year Old which is one of the world’s most famous and prestigious super premium spirits brands with a rich, distinctive style and heritage. Chivas Regal Extra is an exceptional blend of rare whiskies combined with malt whiskies aged in sherry casks from the Oloroso sherry bodegas in Spain. Chivas Brothers’ Blend pays tribute to the pioneering art of blending and the Chivas house style, created by James and John Chivas. Chivas Regal 18 Gold Signature, created in 1997, is a unique blend of whiskies matured for a minimum of 18 years, hand-selected for exceptional richness. And Chivas Regal 25 Year Old pays homage to the first-ever Chivas Regal blend which was shipped to New York in 1909 to cater to the sophisticated palate of American high society. The milestones in its long history are earmarked in years that saw some of the greatest innovations in whisky evolution. In 1909, Chivas Regal was created as a 25-year old blended Scotch, the World’s First Luxury whisky that was hit by prohibitions in 1920. Then in 1938, the brand returned to America as a 12-year-old blend. The next stunner came in 1997 with the award-winning 18 Year Old blend with 85 flavours. The 2007 25 Year Old blend was recreated in the same Chivas traditions. The year 2012 saw an ultra-smooth blend, Chivas Brothers Blend. Most recently, the Chivas Extra launched in 2014, was created by master blender Colin Scott with some of the rarest malts matured in Sherry Casks from Oloroso, Spain. Each whisky blend is a work of art that carries its own story. n
November 2015 | Outlook Splurge | 69
GOURMET TEAS
The Tea
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ea, with a cultural legacy that transcends borders and dates back thousands of years, owes its origin to China, regarded as its birthplace. So rich is its history, that one would need quite a few servings of yixing tea pots to discuss the matter. And the perfect companion to do this with would be Radhika Batra Shah, whose fate with tea was sealed much before she knew it. “Tea was so much a part of our lives, that we rarely gave it a thought while growing up,” says the Mumbai-based tea sommelier. You won’t be surprised when you know her family was acquainted with Gingsheng oolong and Longjing while the five-star hotels and local Chinese restaurants’ knowledge was still limited to Jasmine tea. Her father, who was into shipping, would bring home boxes of tea and interesting etiquette from across the South China Sea. The tea culture permeated into the lifestyle of the family, who according to Radhika, “began and ended every meal with it”. However, not paying much attention to what was soon to become a passion, Radhika went on to build a career by getting an MBA degree and going headlong into the corporate world with McCann Erickson, handling strategy for some of the most premium brands in India. It was only some years into her career in 2003, that she had an eureka moment, when she wanted to be independent and spend
Temptress Her family’s love of tea grew into a lifelong passion for Radhika Batra Shah, entrepreneur and tea sommelier. She tells us about the exotic brews that have her traipsing into the heart of China. text by Shveta Bhagat
photograph Shutterstock
A teapot and tea leaves, part of a Chinese tea ceremony
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Radhika’s Teas, the tea sommelier’s own brand
more time bringing up her newborn daughter. While she was racking her brains, she realized that her interest lay close to home, and the idea to do something in the area of tea took hold. Radhika says, “Once the idea struck, I was on a mission. I took a one-and-a-half year’s break to recce the most inaccessible, hidden tea gardens of China. Information kept opening up and opportunities seemed boundless.” Her search took her to the Laoshan, 40km from Beijing, which is a temple town with an organic tea garden that produces only a small amount annually, but of very premium quality. The other internationally reputed tea gardens where Radhika spent time was Longjing, near Hangzhou, a UNESCO heritage site. In layman’s language, Radhika explains, “Longjing tea is a breakfast tea, somewhat like what Darjeeling tea is to us.” What she learnt here, no tea school could have taught her, claims Radhika. From plucking to processing, every phase goes into ensuring the quality of the leaf. And the biggest wonder, all this practical learning in areas where they didn’t speak the same language. “Tea is the only language we spoke,” recollects Radhika. Now it has been many years of dealing with the same people who first taught her the craft, as she is the sole authorized buyer from
Radhika Batra Shah
Radhika’s journey took her to Laoshan, 40km from Beijing in China, which is a temple town with an organic tea garden that produces only a small amount of tea annually, but of a very premium quality. The other tea garden she visited was Longjing, near Hangzhou, a UNESCO heritage site.
India for the tea cultivated in this region. On a lighter vein, Radhika says, “While I haven’t been able to pick up Chinese, they now speak a little English owing to our subsequent interest in their tea gardens.” Call it perfect timing or a date with destiny, for a long time Radhika was the only one dealing in specialty teas with a vast repertoire of about 300 leaves, and the expression ‘tea sommelier’ was probably coined for her. Her boutique Teacup that opened in February 2006 on Mumbai’s Carter road, piqued a lot of curiosity, and many converted to a new way of consuming tea. In just a few months, a surprise visit from the head chef at Taj Lands End, led to the first tea ceremony conducted for 20-odd chefs and sous chefs. The tea boutique had to be shut for commercial reasons, but its clientele was loyal. There on, Radhika continued to deliver tea on order, while foraying into tea appreciation sessions, for a range of occasions and audiences. From setting up tea bars at derbys and fashion weeks, to holding tea classes for corporates and even enlightening young students at cultural fests at IIT, Radhika’s passion has rubbed off. Radhika’s company is now called Radhika’s Fine Teas, and also includes tea from Darjeeling where she has long partnered with tea connoisseur Sanjay Bansal. His gardens which were sick at one time, are not only organic today, but their produce has been auctioned at Harrods in London. In 2011, a signature gourmet line of organic teas, mainly Darjeeling and Assam, under her brand name, was introduced, and was retailed at Godrej Nature’s basket. Over time, her mastery is quite evident. Take for example, a high-tea kitty party Radhika is presiding over which garners applause for expert advice such as, “for anti-ageing properties, just go for the Butterfly Pea Tea infusion”. n
November 2015 | Outlook Splurge | 73
Wanderlust
From
Paris
with Love
A sumptuous fireside setting by the reception of La Réserve Hotel and Spa
Stay far from the madding crowd in the newly opened La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa, an elegant retreat in the heart of town that offers newlyweds privacy and the chance for exclusive forays into the city’s seductive charms.
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ocooned by trees along the shaded avenue, with sweeping views of the city’s most iconic, droolworthy sights – from the Eiffel Tower and the Panthéon, to Le Grand Palais and the Concorde obelisk – La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa is a haven of the haute Parisian life that bursts with the promise of an exciting stay. The 19th-century mansion it occupies on 42 Avenue Gabriel, an ode to the Haussmann era, when the latter was commissioned by Napoléon III to beautify and renovate the city with its large boulevards and classical buildings, was originally built for the Duc de Morny, step-brother to the Emperor. This year, it threw its fabulous, large red doors open to the public as a hotel that is part of a bouquet of exclusive hotels owned by entrepreneur Michel Rey-
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bier. With its chic feel of a private club, first impressions past the doors lead one to a plant-filled lobby, and a little further, a first-floor terrace and interior courtyard filled with seasonal plants and shrubs. Celebrated designer Jacques Garcia has drawn inspiration from James Tissot canvases – that perfectly captured Paris in all its 19th-century bourgeois beauty – to create a home that evokes that era. With an unusually high suite-room ratio, the interiors are airy, and classical in their style, with lots of intricate woodwork, mouldings, and cornices modelled on the historic styles that were discovered while the building was being restored. So the 26 suites and 14 rooms are decorated in four distinct colour palettes – bronze, beige, prune and tearose – and the walls hang with silk, damask and brocade, as well as taffeta and velvet.
The dramatic red doors of the Haussmann-era building
A bedroom in the Presidential Suite
The 16-metre indoor swimming pool A view of the Eiffel Tower from the bathtub
A sweet treat at Le Gabriel
The floor-to-ceiling Carrera and blue Turquin marble bathrooms are the perfect complement. And beneath its Chef Jérome Banctel classical good looks lies a plethora of technology. On arrival, you are taken immediately to your room or suite, with your passport and credit card scanned discreetly by a member of the staff holding a hand-held device, for an on-the-spot check-in. This avoids the need
The concierge team at La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa can arrange for a romantic dinner cruise on board the Don Juan II, for couples to enjoy a gourmet meal while sipping a flute of Dom Pérignon or a Krug Grande Cuvée as they pass the Eiffel Tower. Or the hotel can arrange for a picnic basket in the Luxembourg Gardens.
for filling out tedious forms and documents. In your room, control lighting, temperature, and TV/movie/radio channels via an interactive iPad, which also lets you live-chat with the concierge, access restaurants and bars nearby, look up museum timings, and book airport transfers. The free-standing, stunning glass speakers allow for wireless music streamed from a smartphone. And for the newlyweds looking for an unique night in the bright city, no request is too big for the concierge team at La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa. One of the most romantic experiences at hand is a dinner cruise on board the Don Juan II, while you enjoy a gourmet meal by Chef Guy Krenzner (selected Best Artisan in France), all the time sipping a Dom Pérignon 2004 or a Krug Grande Cuvée as you pass the Tour Eiffel on the river Seine. Or you can have dinner at the Jules Vernes restaurant on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. In the warm summer months, La Réserve can arrange a delicious picnic basket for couples to enjoy in the stunning Luxembourg Gardens. One of the biggest attractions of La Réserve is its spa. Swiss anti-ageing brand Nescens is available exclusively at the hotel, and was created by Professor Jacques Proust to maintain clients’ youth and beauty. The Signature Nescens Better Aging Body Massage targets muscles and energy meridians (80mins, €260). The spa is also home to a 16-metre swimming pool and fitness centre. What better way to enjoy the city’s world-famous cuisine than the hotel’s Le Gabriel, for contemporary French cuisine? Led by Executive Chef Jérome Banctel, a native of Brittany who’s worked in some of the best culinary establishments in France, such as as Le Crillon and L’Ambroisie, the menu overflows with fresh, authentic flavours. Signature dishes include Le Homard Bleu (Blue Lobster), Le Pigeon de Racan (cocoa-marinated squab) and Le Cochonde lait de Burgos (suckling pig). End the meal with a sweet something, a confection made especially by Chef Jérome.n
November 2015 | Outlook Splurge | 75
Cars
Smooth
Operator
With its V12 engines and a 8.1-inch wheelbase advantage over its S-class sibling, this is the crowning glory of the German marque
The Mercedes Maybach S600 is the most opulent ride ever to sport the threepointed star, finds out Meraj Shah.
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very once in a while you’ll find a car that you don’t want to drive. And honestly if someone had told me that a chauffeur was included as a standard accessorywith the Mercedes Maybach S600 then I wouldn’t have been surprised. If that seems like hyperbole, then please consider this unimpeachable fact: this 18-foot leviathan – a deluxe version of the Mercedes S600 – is the crowning glory, literally, of all the cars ever to have been produced by the legendary German marque. Enough said. Even though it is based on the standard S600, the Maybach’s distinctive personality is derived from an exhaustive list of extras that is much longer than its 8.1-inch wheelbase
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stretch over its less decadent sibling. In fact there aren’t too many cars out there that can make an S-class feel downright minimalistic. Once you’re inside that is: on the outside, the Maybach is typically understated. Discreetly differentiated by the Maybach branding on the boot and the V12 badges on the side flanks, this isn’t an ostentatious looking car by any stretch of imagination. Onlookers will have no clue that enclosed within its virtually soundproof cabins lies, possibly the most decadently plush ‘cocoon of comfort’, on wheels. Ergo, Mercedes refers to the front seats as the ‘captain seats,’ while the rear passengers are couched in ‘executive seats’. That’s
The interiors are a cocoon-like oasis, shielding passengers from traffic sounds, and enveloping them in the Burmester’s 3-D surround sound if they wish
Mercedes Maybach S600 Engine V12, 6000cc Power 530bhp Torque 830 NM Price
`2.6 Crores (ex-showroom, Pune)
not over-the-top nomenclature either: except that rather than executive- or business-class airplane seats, the Maybach’s rear quarters are more akin to the kind of lazyboy-type thrones you’ll find in private Lear jets. Think pillows, quilted upholstery, real sheepskin mats, and a surfeit of wood and leather that would make an old-fashioned men’s only English club look spartan. Don’t like the ambient lighting? You’ve got seven colours to choose from. Not going to waste space talking about things like legroom: suffice to say that napping on the way to work would come very easily if you’re being chauffeured in the Maybach. And while there’s no question of traffic sounds seeping into that vacuum, passengers will strain even to hear (or feel vibrations) of any engine sound to ascertain whether the car is in fact powered on. Even the reels of the seatbelts’ have been sealed off for completely noiseless operation. What passengers can choose to hear, however, are the dulcet strains emanating from the state-of-the-art Burmester 3-D surround-sound system. The system is not just an aural feast but one for the eyes too with perforated metal tweeters that pop out and rotate into position when the car is switched on. The driver though, is also privy to the sonorous gurgle of the V12
I wouldn’t be surprised if a chauffeur were included in this 18-ft leviathan. The ride, as expected, uses the ‘Magic Body Control’ suspension and the ‘Road Surface Scan’ to deliver the most level gait you’ll experience in any luxury sedan. The car keeps its poise even if cornered hard.
that is perfectly capable of propelling this 2.4 tonne behemoth to its electronically limited top whack of 250 kmph. Interestingly the acceleration is quick and linear without being brutal, presumably to make sure that the folks at the back don’t spill any of the bubbly in their Maybach embossed silver flutes. The ride as expected uses the ‘Magic Body Control’ suspension and the ‘Road Surface Scan’ (a forward-looking-camera system) to deliver the most level gait you’re likely to experience in any luxury sedan on the roads. The car keeps its poise even if cornered hard. Unlike motoring hacks, who’ve grown to love the olfactory excesses of fine-grain leather, Mercedes isn’t taking a chance lest the Maybach’s occupants feel overpowered by the sensory leather overkill in the cabin. The car’s ‘Air-balance’, system, besides ionizing and filtering, also adds a dash of scented essence to the cabin’s airflow. The special concoction is derived from the prized agarwood which has been used in the perfumery industry for centuries now; not surprisingly, it costs an arm and a leg for an ounce. Not sure how much it would cost to refill the Maybach’s on-board supply but we’re assuming that buyers wouldn’t be too concerned. n
There’s that Maybach branding on the boot and the V12 badges on the side flanks.
November 2015 | Outlook Splurge | 77
TÊTE À TÊTE
Raring to go We meet Vimal Sumbly, managing director or Triumph Motorcycles India, and discover how this company has raced into number one slot in the premium bikes category in just 20 months.
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here is your manufacture? We have an assembly facility in Manesar to support CKD (completely-knocked-down) units operations. Out of our 15 models, 11 are assembled at Manesar. On average, 6-8 bikes can be produced daily, making it 180-240 on a monthly basis. Why has this been your strategy? We launched at the end of 2013, with 10 brands in a single day. Our first store was in Bengaluru and our latest in Jaipur, opened last month. Localization brings down cost. This is our second CKD facility globally, that lets us cater to customer demand faster, with a diverse portfolio. Which models are imported? Four models are directly imported. These are the Thunderbird LT and Storm, Tiger Explorer XC, and the Rocket III Roadster. In case of urgent requirements, we also adopt the CBU route occasionally, made easier through our manufacturing facility in Thailand. What do Triumph Motorcycles mean for the Indian market? Triumph Motorcycles, a British brand with a 112-year legacy, today has 12 fully operational dealerships across India. We have close to 2,000 triumphant customers to date. It is the only premium motorcycle brand that offers 15 models under 5 broad categories for the Indian market. We’ve witnessed a stupendous growth of 32 percent market share in the category of 500cc+ and in the premium segment. Bengaluru is our most mature market in the country.
The Triumph Bonneville
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Which is the fastest growing category? Over the last year, we have seen a growing demand for motorcycles in the Adventure category. Both long-distance as well short-distance riding has grown. People want to experience the world’s best, and they now want to splurge on
The Triumph Bonneville Vimal Sumbly, managing director, Triumph Motorcycles India themselves. We have four models in the Adventure category: Tiger Explorer XC, Tiger 800 XCx, Tiger 800 XRx and Tiger 800 XR. The new Tiger’s riding position, handling, and responsive engine give the rider joy, and lets it handle all kinds of terrain. What is your price range in the categories? Our range starts from `6 lakh with the Bonneville A3 and goes up to `23 lakh with the Rocket X Limited Edition. Of these, we’ve sold 70 of these. The top-end variant of Tiger 800, XCA, is priced at `14.02 lakh. The sought-after lineup includes the classic Bonneville and Bonneville T100; the legendary Speed and Street Triple; the largest production motorcycle – the Rocket III Roadster, the class leading Street Triple, the cool café racer – the Thruxton, the go-anywhere Tiger XRx, Tiger XCx, Tiger Explorer XC, and Tiger XR; the stripped-back and black Storm, the all-new Thunderbird LT and the king of super sports bikes, the Daytona 675 and 675R. Triumph Motorcycles India has won 12 major auto awards. Are you affiliated with any motorcycle clubs? We’ve done over 100 organized rides through R.A.T.s (Riders Association of Triumph) managed by dealerships in each city. It’s a visual delight to see enthusiastic riders take their mean machines out on the road and ride into glory. Are you sponsoring any motorcycle events? We’re proud to be associated with the Distin-
The Triumph Rocket X
“At our stores, you can select your own product, browse through it, and book a test ride. You can build your own bike, configuring the colour and the mix. People are also buying the right riding gear, available in our stores. Motorcycling is unisex, and therefore we’ve had almost 25 customers in 20 months who are women.”
Triumph riding gear: Clockwise from top: Analog digital watch, Raven leather jacket, Canvas leather weekend holdall, Leather boots, Storm gloves guished Gentlemen’s Ride, to raise awareness for prostate cancer. We do India Bike Week in Goa, and superbike festivals. To commemorate 69 years of India’s Independence, over 300 Triumph Motorcycles customers came together to ‘Ride for Freedom’ on Independence Day across 12 cities. We partnered with Smile Foundation to support the cause of girl child education. How do you make motorcycling attractive? At our stores, you can select your own product, browse through it, and book a test ride. You can build your own bike, configuring the colour and mix. People are also buying the right riding gear, and this is available in our stores. We also focus on safe and responsible riding, with helmets. Motorcycling is unisex, and we’ve had almost 25 customers in 20 months who are women. We have had women bikers riding Bonnevilles and Thunderbirds. Which motorcycle do you ride? I ride the Street Triple and take it for a spin on weekends. I am not the kind of CEO who sits inside; I like to ride outside. n
November 2015 | Outlook Splurge | 79
Parting Shot
Michelle Williams
Warrior Princess She could well be the actor of our generation. the multiple Oscar-nominee and devoted mother returns to Broadway and two films.
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he Montana-born, California-raised 35-year-old Golden Globe Award winner and three-time Oscar-nominated My Week with Marilyn star has been in the news…for a real estate purchase. She’s just purchased a Victorian ‘Gone with the Wind’ type of house in a tony Brooklyn neighbourhood for over $2 million, no doubt pushing prices up in that area. The actor, who is mother to 10-year old Matilde (the two were spotted strolling in Central Park recently) with late Aussie actor Heath Ledger, grew up partly in California, long before fame beckoned with her role in Dawson’s Creek, and even longer before she met and courted The Dark Knight star (they met on the set of the Oscar-winning Brokeback Mountain). Today, the actor, who was last seen in World War II drama Suite Française, is trying to give her daughter a normal upbringing by taking her to see Broadway shows like Finding Neverland. She’s also the face of Louis Vuitton handbags and recently made her debut at Paris Fashion Week, seated at the front row for the maison’s Spring Summer 2016 presentation, next to Catherine Deneuve. She will be seen next in two movies, Manchester-by-the-sea, where she plays estranged wife to Casey Affleck, who returns home to the Boston ‘burbs to deal with a family death, and next year she stars in another film with Laura Dern and Kristen Stewart. She also makes her Broadway return a year after Cabaret, in a production entitled Blackbird by David Harrower, opposite Jeff Daniels. n
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Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton at the 2015 InStyle awards, at the Getty Center in Los Angeles
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