Tempus Magazine: Issue 53

WEALTH

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FEMME

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OCEAN

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BOOM TOWN

DISCOVER THE DISRUPTORS OF THE NEW WEALTH LANDSCAPE

1 MATT DAMON / WORLD’S RAREST GEMS / HOW TO BUY A YACHT

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T: +44 (0)208 242 1993

W: www.mjs.capital

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E: info@mjs.capital

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We invite you to join us for an unforgettable night at the TEMPUS MAGAZINE CHRISTMAS PARTY Thursday 7th December 8:30pm - 2:00am The Rumpus Room @ The Mondrian Sea Containers With Ministry of Sound Resident DJ Jack Francis and special guest performances Dress code: Cocktail Tickets from ÂŁ100 inclusive of drinks Limited tickets available Please RSVP to georgia@tempusmagazine.co.uk

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FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the Wealth edition of Tempus, our essential guide to how to make money from the luxury world – and how to spend it.

This issue sees us focus on the latest smart investments. From premium vodka to art, there are plenty of more interesting ways to make money than stocks and shares. We reveal some expert advice from those dominating the industries of retail, fashion, F&B, art, and more.

We open the magazine with a closer look at the new way of making fractional ownership work for those living a luxury lifestyle, proving you can have your cake and eat it, too. We also introduce our first ‘debate’, which sees two finance pros go to head-to-head as they discuss the future of hedge funds. Which side are you on?

For this special edition, we’ve brought some big names on board to give us exclusive insights into many of the world’s most exciting industries. Dragons’ Den panellist Touker Soleyman gives us an education on the ever-changing retail landscape, and OTB Group founder Renzo Rossi reveals how he's used fashion to become one of the wealthiest men in Italy.

Putting on our mindful hats, we also explore the power of knowledge, while, in an exclusive interview, Hollywood star Matt Damon unveils how to make philanthropy work for your heart, soul and bank balance.

But before you go thinking it’s all work and no play, we highlight the best ways to spend your hard-earned millions. Fast cars and giant superyachts, priceless gems and limited-edition collections, private jet holidays and farflung escapes, fine dining and even finer drinking… we’ve got you covered.

Want more? Head to our brand-new website tempusmagazine.co.uk for upfront news, reviews and exclusive content.

Enjoy the issue.

Rachel Ingram

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Editorial Director Scott Manson scott@tempusmagazine.co.uk

Business Development Manager Alex Papodopoulos alex@tempusmagazine.co.uk

Editor Rachel Ingram rachel@tempusmagazine.co.uk

Events Director Georgia Peck georgia@tempusmagazine.co.uk

Creative Director Ross Forbes ross@tempusmagazine.co.uk

Publisher Jay Boisvert jay@tempusmagazine.co.uk

Digital Editor Michelle Johnson michelle@tempusmagazine.co.uk

Editorial Assistant Dan Krout dan@tempusmagazine.co.uk

Chief Executive Officer Shaun Prince shaun@tempusmagazine.co.uk

Contributors

Paolo Briscese

Lysanne Currie

Laura Nineham

Rhymer Rigby

Paolo is an Italy-based fashion and lifestyle editor who collaborates with titles such as L’Officiel Italia and Vogue Japan. Discover his exclusive interview with fashion magnate Renzo Rosso on page 60.

Former editor in chief of Director magazine, freelance writer and editor Lysanne debates how mindfulness impacts the business world. Read her exploration into the subject on pages 32 and 126.

As a former editor at Boat International, Laura was the perfect choice to reveal to our readers the essential info you need before buying your first boat. You can read her report on page 50.

A respected business writer for publications such as the FT and the Daily Telegraph, Rhymer makes a case for reconsidering the role and effectiveness of hedge funds. Find out more on page 22.

Office Address: Tempus Media Ltd 3-5 Wardour Street London, W1D 6PB

tempusmagazine.co.uk @tempusmagazine TempusLondon @tempusmagazine

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Š 2017 Tempus Media Limited Articles and other contributions published in this journal may be reproduced only with special permission from the Publishers. The Publishers Tempus Media Limited, accept no responsibility for any views or statements made in the articles and other contributions reproduced from any other source. No responsibility is accepted for the claims in advertisements appearing in this journal and the Publishers reserve the right to accept or refuse advertisements at their discretion.

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CONTENTS

Wealth 12 The luxe list This month’s most exciting new launches 16 Luxe for less Making money from fractional ownership 22 Hedge funds: Dead or alive? Two experts debate the future 24 The golden ticket Tier 1 visas explained 26 Enter the dragon Touker Suleyman on the future of retail 30 Future proofing your business The right questions to ask for success 32 Is knowledge the new status symbol? Inside the world of the mindful millionnaire 36 A new wave in philanthropy Matt Damon on the power of giving back

Move 44 On the waves The latest launches from Ferretti Group 50 The life aquatic How to buy your first superyacht 52 Smarter skies Private jet travel from the palm of your hand 56 Smooth operator Test driving the Bentley Bentayga Diesel SUV

Style 60 A self-made man Renzo Rosso on the future of fashion 66 Next level luxe Collecting the world’s rarest gems and jewels 70 The heart of luxury When philanthropy and luxury collide

Escape 76 Flight of fancy Private jet holidays are the new way to travel 82 Back to school Exploring Vietnam’s newest luxury resort 88 The secret garden Inside London’s new The Mandrake hotel

Indulge 92 Ice ice baby The rise and rise of premium vodka 98 The gold standard Sampling Venissa wine in Venice 102 Dinner with drama Reviewing Ginza Onodera 104 Room at the top Soho’s biggest roof terrace restaurant

Culture 108 To buy or not to buy How to make money out of art 114 Nemesis or brother in arms? Debating the impact of tech on the art world

Smart living 120 City riches Guaranteed good investments for property collectors 126 Into the wild Discovering the Extraordinary Adventure Club

ISSUE 53

Luxe for less 16

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The LUXE LIST Our essential guide to the month’s most exciting new launches and finest seasonal must-haves

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Migaloo M7 When you’ve achieved the golden triangle of supercar, superyacht and private jet, where else is there to go?

Underwater. After spotting a gap in the market, companies are racing to create the world’s first ultra-luxe submarine.

Migaloo with its 928-foot M7 (predicated to cost £2bn) is a key contender. The submersible vessel, which is packed full of state-of-the-art facilities and capable of reaching speeds of 20 knots underwater (40 knots on the surface), takes the concept of yachting to fresh new depths. migaloo-submarines.com

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2 Yamazaki Mizunara 2017 Edition

Brikk Lux iPhone X Ingot 250

The Japanese have never shied away from difficult challenges, so when master blenders at Suntory Whisky announced their plans to create a special whisky cased in rare – and most significantly, permeable – Mizunara oak, we were excited. Now, 18 years later, the casks have been uncorked and we can say it’s been worth the wait. This unique Japanese spirit has a tantalisingly spicy taste, with notes of sandalwood and aloe wood brought out by the Mizunara. Delicious. whisky.suntory.com

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Mercedes-AMG Project ONE

A Formula 1 car built for two, the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE is high on our list of top launches of 2017. A first in the history of motoring, Mercedes brings the technology of the F1 track to the road, creating the ultimate hybrid in the shape of this stunning two-seater sports car. The vehicle is powered by a turbocharged combustion engine with four electric motors and can reach phenomenal speeds of 11,000 rpm with ease. It’s pretty nice on the eye, too. mercedes-benz.com

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When the iPhone X was unveiled with its £1,000 price tag, it caused a stir around the world. But for those to whom four figures is a drop in the ocean, Brikk has found a way to make the devices even more special. The Lux iPhone X collection, launching in December, features a variety of stunning models, including this Lux iPhone X Ingot 250. Priced at $69,995 (£51,660), the case is handmade from solid gold and features 250 grams of 22K yellow gold. It just might be the most opulent iPhone in existence. brikk.com

Tiffany & Co. Signature Fragrance If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, perfume comes in at a close second. Combining the two beautifully is none other than many women’s favourite jeweller, Tiffany & Co. Launching worldwide in October, the brand’s new signature fragrance is a deliciously floral iris scent, encased in a beautiful glass flacon modelled on Tiffany’s iconic diamond cut.

If you’re seeking a sparkling new scent for women, look no further. tiffany.co.uk

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Zenith Defy Lab Re-writing the future of Swiss watchmaking in a single launch, Zenith unveils the world’s most accurate mechanical watch, Defy Lab. The timepiece,which is striking both visually and mechanically, features a revolutionary new oscillator system with a 15Hz movement that’s been deemed the “world’s most accurate” by experts. Only 10 limited edition launch pieces are currently available to collectors, with further production planned for 2018, so get in quick.

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The Vault Bar & Lounge Concealed behind a 20-tonne vault door in the basement of The Ned hotel lies one of London’s most exclusive new member’s clubs, Ned’s Club. The venue is home to The Vault Bar & Lounge, a 24-hour cocktail bar in a former jewel vault, lined with 3,000 original safety deposit boxes. Here, guests can enjoy modern mixology, Italian light bites, live music and special events tailored to the club’s elite clientele. thened.com

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zenith.com

Elysium by DavidHugh New from British inventor and designer David Wickes is this innovative, scientifically-savvy floatation chair.

Introducing a new generation of gravity-defying seating, Elysium is the only chair in the world that offers an incredibly relaxing, ‘weightless’ experience. While its hefty £20,000 price tag may seem steep, it needs to be seen – or should we say sat in – to believed.

Audemars Piguet Diamond Outrage

davidhugh.com

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WEALTH

9 BitCoin properties

As cryptocurrency becomes increasingly desirable and respected within the luxury marketplace, more and more industries are experimenting with virtual currency payments. The latest to join is property. Baronness Michelle Mone OBE and Knox Group chairman Douglas Barrowman have unveiled Aston Plaza & Residences, a £250million luxury apartment complex in the heart of Dubai where interested parties can buy flats off-plan using BitCoin. Owners can even pay for interiors with the cryptocurrency when commissioning Mone Interiors. Is this the future of property? astonplazacrypto.com

Dynamiq GTT 115 Hybrid The modern gentleman’s superyacht, the GTT 115 Hybrid combines the innovative technology of Dynamiq with the style of Porsche. Featuring a bespoke hybrid system and a boat-load of fashionable features, the 35m vessel is the closest you’re going to get to taking a sportscar out on the high seas. Production of the striking superyacht, which was unveiled at Monaco Yacht Show, is limited to just seven pieces, so it’s bound to be in high demand.

10 bedynamiq.com

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Luxe for less Fractional ownership is the modern – and economical – way to buy luxury vehicles.

And we’ve found a company that takes the concept one step further Words: Rachel Ingram

MJS Capital’s luxury fund can enable investors to have their cake and eat it too

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t’s said that the wealthiest people are also often the thriftiest. In the current economic climate, even those fortunate enough to afford a luxury lifestyle need to manage their finances in a less exuberant fashion.

In recent years, owners of luxury vehicles such as superyachts, jets and cars have been seeking fresh ways to reduce the mounting costs that come with owning such products. Often, the biggest expense isn’t the initial price involved to drive, sail or fly it out of the showroom, but the ongoing cost of maintenance.

As a result of an increasingly prudent mentality that’s sweeping the HNW community, alternative options such as jet sharing packages and supercar hire membership plans have seen a great surge in growth and popularity. Ultimately, however, all of these still incur avoidable expenses.

One London-based boutique wealth management firm has created a solution that offers a new way to reduce ownership costs by 50%. By combining investment with ownership, MJS Capital has taken its core values of security and high yields and encompassed them into a ‘luxury fund’ that offers clients the opportunity to experience the best of both through a unique fractional ownership programme.

Offering interested parties the chance to maintain a luxury lifestyle and a healthy bank balance, the fund already has a large line of affluent investors queuing up to participate when it launches in December. We spoke to the fund’s creator, Shaun Prince, CEO of MJS Capital, to find out how it all works. »

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Tempus: What inspired you to launch the MJS Capital luxury fund?

Shaun Prince: MJS Capital has been quietly generating good profits for nearly three years, so after lots of hard work I felt it was time to enjoy some well-earned rest. My initial idea was to buy a yacht, but the thought of buying one outright seemed too much, especially as they are such an expense to run full-time. My second option was to charter but I couldn’t bring myself to pay the inflated chartering costs. This is where I spotted an opportunity to combine my finance background with luxury living and create a new solution for people facing a similar dilemma. This is how the ‘luxury fund’ was born.

Reducing ownership costs by 50% is a huge saving. How is this achieved?

For just over two and half years, we have been quietly performing for our investors by offering access into simple arbitrage, a trading strategy that generates a higher than average yield with relatively little risk. Following this, we simply decided that the returns we have been achieving, combined within the luxury chartering business, would provide a simple yet cost efficient way for investors to enjoy the luxury they’re accustomed to without wasting money. It’s very simple to understand. Funds raised into the fund are split 50/50 – 50% is used as a deposit to purchase the luxury assets and the remaining 50% is taken out in the form of a loan. This leaves us with 50% to be invested into one of our arbitrage trades.

The profits achieved from the trading is sufficient to repay the 50% finance package over a five-year period, along with many of running costs associated with owning such luxury items. This ultimately means we can exit our investors with 50% of what they invested, and during the period of investment they can use the fund’s luxury items on a points-based system.

Who are you targeting with the luxury fund?

Our target audience is those who enjoy the finer things in life but who also wish to be wise with their funds. After all, many successful investors have worked extremely hard for what they have achieved and tend not to be frivolous. We have also spoken with a number of jet and yacht owners who wish to sell and they love the idea of the luxury fund so much that they’ve enquired about putting their assets up as cash into the fund.

Is there a minimum, or maximum, amount that people need to contribute to take advantage of the fund?

Entry to the fund will start at £500,000 and the maximum is £5m. We decided on a maximum as we wish to keep the pool of investors evenly spread to maximise the use of the stock we intend to purchase.

What can investors expect to see included in the fund?

WE AIM TO COVER ALL THE NEEDS OF THOSE LOOKING TO INVEST AND PROVIDE A VARIED

PORTFOLIO

We aim to cover all the needs of those looking to invest and provide a varied a portfolio of ultra-high-end vehicles. Starting with yachts, we aim to include a number of smaller charters, starting at the 28m mark and going up to 60m. One such target yacht is the incredible SARASTAR, which we recently viewed at the Monaco Yacht Show. »

OF ULTRA-HIGH-END VEHICLES 18

WEALTH

Top left: Bugatti Chiron, left: LaFerrari Aperta, right: McLaren P1

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Save a potential 50% on superyacht ownership through the luxury fund

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WEALTH

With our super jet collection, we are looking to acquire between three and five jets – we will then create set routes that best suit our investors. Finally, our supercar range will comprise a pool of cars valued over £200,000, including a selection of highly desirable stock such as a McLaren P1 GTR or a Bugatti Chiron.

How will investors get access to the stock?

We have looked at existing models and have worked out a way that seems fair. The model is one which follows a points-based system.

Certain stock can be used by redeeming points based on the seasonal peak periods, for example to hire a car at the weekend will require more points than hiring it during the week. This will apply in the same way with jets and yachts.

How do investors use their points?

To make sure the stock is evenly managed, we have created a system whereby investment is exchanged for rental points, which can then be redeemed subject to a detailed, yet easy to follow, set of rules. The SARASTAR yacht (pictured left), for example, cannot be booked for the same weeks each year but must instead be staggered. A detailed pack can be obtained by contacting us and, providing investors fall into the correct investor class, we will arrange a viewing at our offices to discuss what works best for the client.

Bar the obvious savings, what are the other advantages of fractional ownership?

The advantage of the fund is that investors are able to access a larger stock which is professionally managed and cared for. We expect to see a typical investor fly to Monaco on a jet, stay on a luxury yacht and drive along the Côte d'Azur in a luxury supercar, all provided by the fund.

What has the reaction been from potential investors so far?

The reaction has been staggering. We had originally planned the fund to be something we would complete next year, however due to the immense amount of positive feedback from people pressing me to create the fund sooner, we’ve brought the launch forward.

Following yachts, boats and cars, are you planning to expand the luxury fund into any other fields of luxury?

We intend to create something similar that combines the same strategy but with signature properties, allowing investors to share a series of beautiful properties around the world. We will target all major cities as well as exotic locations such as the Maldives and French Polynesia.

SARASTAR is one potential yacht in the fund’s collection

For more information on the fund and how to invest, go to www.mjs.capital

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HEDGE FUNDS: DEAD OR ALIVE? For

DEBATE

As investors, markets and regulatory regimes have changed with the times, so too have hedge funds, says Kola Capital’s Ken Ginsburg

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fter the 2008 financial crisis, a negative media narrative about hedge funds became widespread. More recently, many would agree that 2015 and 2016 were not good years for the sector. However, to take a dim view of the entire hedge fund industry is a mistake – and one based on simplistic assumptions.

For starters, 2017 has been very different. In August, overall, hedge funds posted their 10th consecutive month of positive returns. On current performance, hedge funds may deliver over eight percent for 2017 (after fees).

Hedge funds have also changed considerably since 2008. In the pre-crisis days, the prevailing view of the sector was that it was it was a kind of boomtown. This had some truth to it: the number of new funds and positive asset flows grew year on year and many funds tended to be lean, agile, and comparatively small. These attributes, and the financial climate up to 2008, are what enabled many of them to deliver double-digit returns (after fees). Many people still expect these returns – but the world has changed.

After the financial crisis, as a lot of investment flowed out, smaller funds closed and many talented portfolio managers joined hedge fund platforms. These tend to be larger and more heavily regulated.

Now, if a portfolio manager or a prop trader wants to set up a regulated investment management firm, they need a substantial amount of capital, they have to wait 9-15 months to get FCA approval, they must build considerable infrastructure and they require a minimum of $100million AUM to break even.

Investors have changed too. Many now give Operational Due Diligence the same weighting as performance and have the head of their ODD Team sitting on the Investment Committee with veto power. In short, the days of two guys in a serviced office with an Excel spreadsheet and great intuition are over. Worth noting too is that investors are paying more attention to fees paid to managers and funds’ expenses.

So should you invest in hedge funds? Absolutely – if they’re right for you. The trick is to remember that not all hedge funds are the same. Performance, strategies, style and risk profile vary enormously. In addition to investing directly into funds, managers are more open these days to customised strategies and open managed accounts which provide greater transparency and control. So shop around and find the fund or the manager that does what you want and ensure you’ve done your due diligence. If you can’t find the right hedge fund, then you can always invest in an Index Tracker or elsewhere.

Finally, it’s worth pointing out that nobody makes anybody invest in a hedge fund. Rather, investors continue choosing hedge funds because most are run by talented people, who can generate real alpha using strategies and asset classes which give them an edge in the global market. If a manager underperforms, the investor can redeem and allocate to another fund or directly into the markets.

We’ve seen this in action recently. In the five successive quarters to Q4 2016, hedge funds had net outflows. This correlated with the period during which they underperformed. Following their far better performance in 2017, we have now seen the second consecutive quarter of net inflows. Through Q2 this year, net inflows have totaled $25billion. Overall, assets under management has grown to over $3.3trillion – and this is the vote of the confidence that really matters.

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The

Against Increasingly regarded as expensive and underperforming, hedge funds are falling out of favour, argues Rhymer Rigby

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ver since the financial crisis, hedge funds have been a popular bogeyman. But over the last few years many investors have started taking a similar view. On their recent performance, this may well be deserved.

Last year the board of New York City’s largest pension fund decided to leave all its hedge fund investments. The reason? They believed that the funds had delivered terrible results at very high costs for the city’s pensioners and that they could hit their targets by taking lower risks. Nor are they the only ones. The California Public Employees’ Retirement System pension fund (which is the largest in the US) has done the same, as have public funds in Illinois.

Speaking to the board, New York City’s Public Advocate Letitia James was scathing. “Hedges have underperformed, costing us millions,” she said. “Let them sell their summer homes and jets, and return those fees to their investors.”

This dissatisfaction extends far beyond public sector pension funds. According to JP Morgan, in 2016, three quarters of large investors were disappointed by the performance of hedge funds. This was up from a less than stellar two thirds the previous year. Nor are they moaning about nothing. According to the data provider HFR, in 2016, hedge funds returned 5.6%. The S&P 500 returned 11%, meaning that your money would’ve done twice as well invested in a “dumb” tracker fund.

This theme was picked up by Warren Buffet in his February 25 annual letter to shareholders.

Buffet has long been a critic of active investors and here, he devoted no less than four pages of the 29-page letter to criticism, noting that “In my lifetime, though, I’ve identified – early on – only ten or so professionals that I expected would [out-perform the S&P in the long term].”

Buffet also said: “When trillions of dollars are managed by Wall Streeters charging high fees, it will usually be the managers who reap outsized profits, not the clients. Both large and small investors should stick with low-cost index funds.” Indeed, Buffer has long been a fan of these funds, which typically charge considerably lower fees than hedge funds.

Investors do appear to have been voting with their feet to some extent. Various estimates of outflows from hedge funds in 2016 range from $70-110bn (the industry is worth about $3trillion) In a report, the data provider, eVestment said, “"Investor flows for 2016 resembled an industry in crisis."

So, is it all bad? Is the party finally over for hedge funds? Well there have, perhaps, been some improvements in 2017. But they’re coming back from a pretty bad place. As a recent Reuters headline put it, “Fewer hedge fund managers call it quits in 1st-half 2017.”

There is one ray of sunshine. If you are going to use a hedge fund, you might want to consider one that is run by a woman. According to analysis by the Financial Times, The HFRX Index, which pulls together the performance of hedge funds run by women, delivered a return of 9.95% over the first seven months of 2017. By contrast, the HFRI Fund weighted composite index which covers both genders returned 4.81%. However, only 10% of fund managers are female.

So will hedge funds get their mojo back? Only time will tell but, on current form, it’s unsurprising that investors are approaching this sort of fund with caution.

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THE GOLDEN TICKET: Tier 1 (investor) visas explained

In 2011, the UK government introduced new visa rules rewarding foreign investors who’ve invested £2m or more with fast tracked residency. Six years on, the system is still relatively unknown but advantageous to both sides.

Here’s how it works

The UK has long been considered an attractive place to live by the international elite. Its premium education and health systems and perfect global positioning between North America and Asia make it a desirable place to do business as well as set up home.

When Damien Green, then UK Immigration Minister, introduced the new Tier 1 (investor) visa rules in April 2011, he very much saw the system as beneficial to both the foreign investors looking to put down roots and the recession-weary UK economy. International investors would be fast tracked to residency and the UK economy would benefit from the injection of wealth and job creation.

“Investors can play a major part in our economic recovery,” Green said. “And I want to do everything I can to make sure that Britain remains an attractive destination for them.”

Immigration by investment works well all over the world.

As global wealth increases more and more, families have had the means and the desire to purchase a new life elsewhere.

The Chinese, for example, last year invested $7.7bn in the United States through their EB-5 programand $6bn in Australia through its Significant Investor Visa program. The UK, meanwhile, saw investment from Chinese citizens to the tune of $1.96bn through Tier 1 (investor).

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The earliest you can apply for a Tier 1 (investor) visa is three months before you travel but decisions on visas are usually within three weeks.

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Investors can also spend 180 days outside of the UK without impacting on their right to residency – this is a crucial level of mobility for many international investors who need to travel often.

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Investors need to be able to invest £2m or more. The more invested, the quicker the residency. Investors could apply to settle in the UK after two years if investing £10 million, three years if investing £5 million. With the Tier 1 (investor) visa, investors can stay for three years and four months and can then apply to extend residency for another two years.

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The £2m plus investment needs to be in UK government bonds, share capital or loan capital in active and trading UK registered companies.

Property companies (investment, management and development) are excluded due to concerns about the increasing number of empty homes under international ownership in London.

How it works •

London-based investment firm MJS Capital has created structures to enable Tier 1 investments.

The Tier 1 (investor) category rewards those who invest large sums of money by allowing them to settle in the UK faster than the standard five-year minimum requirement.

For more information, go to www.mjs.capital

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WEALTH

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Enter the

dragon Britain’s retail magnate Touker Suleyman talks the future of big brands and how to impress on Dragons’ Den Words: Rachel Ingram

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est known as one of the fiery faces of television series Dragons’ Den, Touker Suleyman is a tough-talking businessman with an impressive career history, particularly in the retail sector. From fashion brands and tailoring shops to brownies and baby toys, Suleyman’s smart investments and business acumen have made him one of Britain’s foremost retail giants. He’s taken brands from collapse to success, launched start-ups and transformed them into household names and, while he’s been burned in the past, he’s always risen from the ashes. In an exclusive interview with Tempus, Suleyman talks product innovation, impressing the dragons, and how to stay ahead of the ever-changing retail game. »

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Touker Suleyman is the man in the know when it comes to retail domination

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A LOT OF MY INVESTMENTS COME FROM A GUT FEELING. I DON’T TAKE MONTHS TO THINK ABOUT SOMETHING, I JUST DO IT

Tempus: You’ve made your millions in retail. What is it about the industry that appeals to you?

products, and the brand which has its own products. So Healthista could a brand that could go into drink, a bar, anything. We have also invested in a bike market online called Bike Soup. We realised that cycling is now the biggest sport in the world now so we’re in that market, and that’s got a longer play because it’s got a lot of technology invested in it.

Touker Suleyman: Well, I’ve been in the retail sector all my life, whether it’s in products or manufacturing. I’m a product man. I like products and I love innovation. I love the fact you can create something and someone will buy it.

Which industries should people be investing in going forward?

How closely do you work with the brands you support on a daily basis?

I think technology is one that’s growing very fast, however it’s a risk. There’ll be a lot of businesses in technology, some will work, some won’t. The problem with technology is when a new technology comes along. For instance, I met a very astute investor who said to me ‘I won’t invest in Apple’. I said ‘why?’ and he said ‘there’ll be a new invention and Apple will be disappear.’

When it’s up, it can only go one way. For me, any business that is appealing, has a cash flow and can make a profit, yes, but industry wise, we're in the baby world which we believe is very good. Retail is tough because a lot of people today are very savvy and have become very discount orientated. However food and drink is always good. But it’s all about marketing. You can have the worst vodka in the world but if you market it right, it’ll be number one.

I’m very much hands on. With our clothing brands, there’s not one item of clothing that leaves the office that I don’t see. I have a great team around me and they understand I want to see everything. It’s all about product innovation.

How do you select the companies to work with?

I ask, can we add value? Is there a synergy we can do? Can we source it in the right places? Can we open doors for the product? A lot of my investments come from a gut feeling. I don’t take months to think about something, I just do it.

Would you say you’re a risk taker?

Many people know you as one of the ‘dragons’ on Dragons’ Den. What inspired you to go on the show?

I’m a calculated risk taker. Every day I come to work is a risk. I’ve made mistakes – I bought a business without due diligence and I lost everything. Each day we take a risk, whether it’s to do things one way or another, it’s all a risk. Take Hawes & Curtis – we bought them for a pound and now we’ve built it up to a £30m business. Even now with Brexit and retail slowing down, we were stuck with a business with fixed prices. So we’ve overcome all those.

At the time, I felt I could give something back. My highlight is that I have become an investor. People are coming to us outside of ‘the den’. Dragons’ Den is a passport to open more doors.

Do you enjoy the competition with the other dragons?

How have you adjusted your business strategies to manage the impact of recent political and economical issues?

Yes, that’s part of the fun because when you’ve got a business in front of you and you want that business, there is competition. I’ve just done my third year and that’s made it a bit easier because most of the entrepreneurs now accept me as a dragon. In the first year it was very difficult because they didn’t know me.

We are adjusting all the time. We have adjusted Hawes & Curtis prices that have gone up because of Brexit. And we looked at the offering and realised people are dressing more casual than business, so we are putting more casual wares out there now. It’s important to give the customer what they want and not become set in your ways and say ‘this is what you should be buying’. Give them what they want to buy.

What do you get out of the show on a personal level?

For Dragons’ Den, you have to give up 22 days of your time to go up to Manchester so it’s a commitment. However what it does do, for me, is give me a chance to meet lots of entrepreneurs. It’s helped me open my mind to other businesses away from fashion. So apart from something that’s very technological (I’m not into tech in a big way) there’s not a product sourcing business that I won’t look at. When you sit in that chair, you don’t know who’s going to come through the door or what entrepreneurs are pitching to you, so it’s wide open.

How do you see the retail world changing in the future?

We will see more and more stores close down. We will have a new revolution of pop up digital stores. I think online will grow even further. I think technology will grow. Same day delivery will be more common. Certain brands will diminish.

High streets will become service orientated.

What do you look for in a potential business partner?

How should people be embracing this change?

That they can run their own business, are honourable, trustworthy and have passion. I look for people who are hardworking and honest, and people who share my dream.

If you have a product people want, they will find you. However, if you have a shop, it’s fixed costs. If you have an online business you can switch it on and off when you want. Don’t get involved in fixed costs long term.

What’s your advice for those pitching to investors?

What are the biggest challenges of running an online business?

It’s important they know their numbers, know their pitches and, of course, have the vision to take it forward. A lot of it is knowing your journey and knowing where to go.

The online business is challenging because it’s all about how much you throw at it. We have a brand called Healthista. It’s an amazing brand with amazing prospects. It has three lots of revenue: a magazine, a website selling health

toukersuleyman.com

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WEALTH

Names to watch A closer look at some of Touker Suleyman’s most exciting investments.

The Air Agents Luxury Airbnb property management company The Air Agents takes the hassle out of renting out properties in London. From check-in and concierge to fresh linen and cleaning, the company offers hotel-style management. Plus, with background checks in place for renters, owners needn’t worry about what they’ll come home to. It’s a no brainer. theairagents.com

Hawes & Curtis One of London’s longest-standing menswear tailors, Hawes & Curtis has been crafting premium tailored shirts since 1913. Relaunched

by Suleyman in 2001, the brand continues to dominate the premium tailoring market and has expanded from shirts to suits, ties, accessories and womenswear. hawesandcurtis.com

Finery London Offering contemporary, affordable ready-towear clothing for women, British online retailer Finery London has been described as London’s alternative to fast fashion. The British label specialises in timelessly stylish pieces that are made to last and defy trends. hawesandcurtis.com

Healthista A fast-growing digital platform for healthconscious women, Healthista offers practical advice and products for those seeking to live a healthy, balanced lifestyle. The health channel is a one-stop shop for all of its reader’s needs, both online and offline. healthista.com

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Co-written by Minter Dial and Caleb Storkey, Futureproof, How To Get Your Business Ready For The Next Disruption is out now in paperback (Pearson and FT Press) and on Kindle on amazon.com.

Futureproof co-author Minter Dial

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WEALTH

FUTURE PROOFING YOUR BUSINESS: insider tips and tricks for aspiring entrepreneurs

Minter Dial, president of The Myndset Company and business book author, reveals what it takes for a business owner to succeed in an age of disruption 3. Finding your cocktail of disruptive forces

It’s quite astonishing that we tend to make different decisions between how and what we buy when shopping as consumers versus how and why we invest in financial instruments. As much as I consider myself a savvy technologist, my new financial advisor was appalled when he took over my account and saw how little my stock portfolio reflected my tech-forward mindset.

At the heart of this contradiction – if not paradox – is one of the key issues for business and, I might argue, for society at large. If we don’t align the way we invest with the way we consume (and fret about daily life), we’ll stunt our ability to effect real change. Similarly, in business, we need to align our internal culture with our external brand. It’s about having a coherent, consistent and congruent brand. This is one of the four keys to futureproofing your business. The rest is as follows.

With all the new startups sprouting everywhere and the new technologies coming on board, it can be tricky picking your way through.

The challenge is not just to avoid the SOS (shiny object syndrome), but to adopt those technologies that are most solidly aligned with your strategic intent.

Truth is that these technologies do not live in isolation. Systematically, it will take a cocktail of technologies in order to benefit fully. For example, ‘big data’, which is going to explode because of the omnipresent smartphone and the burgeoning ‘internet of things’, it will rely on the cloud and AI for smarter analytics.

Key thought: Is your strategy crystal clear, well understood and owned by all your key stakeholders?

1. Creating a strong brand with purpose

4. Getting your slice of the PIE

In order to pierce through the crowded marketplace, sustain a high level of energy, recruit great talent and create a lasting legacy, there is no doubt that it’s all about having a strong brand that’s attached to a significant purpose. Many companies make the mistake of leaving ‘branding’ down to the logo and a claim. The reality is that a strong brand is a mark of confidence. As such, the first and most important audience is the inner circle of employees. It’s about the little things we do, the way we behave on a daily basis that make that brand come alive. Having a strong sense of purpose will help take the brand to the next plane.

At its core, it’s about adopting the right mindset. My co-author Caleb Storkey and I created a simple PIE model. It starts with the ‘Personal’ action plan. What should you be doing as an individual to model and demonstrate the desired behaviours you’d like to see cascading throughout the organisation? This means, for example, taking personal responsibility for your own learning, cyber security and personal branding. Secondly, you need to look at the ‘Internal’ functioning of the company and make sure that it’s optimised and aligned with how you’d like to operate and communicate externally toward the customer.

Lastly, you need to look at the ‘External’ activities, and see how these technologies can augment and activate your strategies vis-à-vis your external stakeholders, shareholders and, of course, customers.

Key thought: Why would the world be a lesser place without your brand?

2. Adopting the leadership mindset True leaders lead by example. They must observably walk the talk. There are three mindsets that I believe need to be embedded in your company culture. First, as part of your purpose, make sure that everyone in your team feels that they are contributing and doing something meaningful.

Second, instill a sense of accountability and personal responsibility, especially when it comes to your sense of ethics and communications.

Finally, in this fast-changing environment and faced with a vast number of options, it’s important to display humility and to craft a deeply collaborative spirit within and without the company.

Key thought: To what extent is your internal culture aligned with your external messaging?

I leave you with a last set of questions. As leadership expert Robin Sharma asks: Is your audio aligned with your video? Do your personal consumer habits and desires match up with your investment profile and strategy? And are you prepared to bring your whole self to work to make the important decisions that will impact your employees, customers, long-term profits and the betterment of society?

Key thought: Are you, as a leader, modelling the behaviour you’d like to see happen in your company?

For more information, go to futureproof.ly

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Is KNOWLEDGE the new

STATUS SYMBOL? From private clubs to luxury cruises, the new status isn’t about who you know, it’s about what you know. Smart is most definitely the new sexy Words: Lysanne Currie

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t’s Friday morning and my regular email newsletter from The Club at the Ivy pings into my inbox. It details next week’s breakfast briefing – free to members, coffee and pastries supplied, numbers limited. This one is on Immersive Technology. Over the past few months, topics have included ‘Investment Post Brexit’, ‘Living Sugar-Free’ and ‘Benjamin Britten’s Operatic Works’. Across town, Shoreditch House’s events programme is just as busy with art talks, an Instagram workshop and a debate titled, ‘Brexit: will fashion suffer?’

Once upon a time, London’s exclusive members clubs were hedonistic havens, places to let loose with likeminded people. Friendships were forged as the sun rose – “bird song and new business ideas,” as one partygoer called their regular 5am finishes. But times change, and 20 years on private members clubs now compete over their cerebrum-stimulating content. Even private parties need an element of intellectual invigoration to be the hot ticket. The super smart founder of Innocent turned investor, Richard Reed, threw a glamorous party for his 40th birthday. While guests were greeted with fine wine, a fantastic venue and mouthwatering canapés, the star of the show was an entertainment programme that included a 20-minute talk by author and School of Life founder Alain de Botton.

The democratisation of luxury has played a key part in this shift from the material to the mindful – everyone can now buy designer handbags and supercars so the elite now use much more tacit signifiers of their status – intellectual capital and knowledge. Digital trend magazine Aeon revealed that, according to US Consumer Expenditure data since 2007, the top 1% of the country has spent less on material goods and more on ‘inconspicous consumption’ – health and knowledge.

“This whole trend is interesting because it's part of the experience economy,” said Helen Brocklebank, CEO of Walpole, the alliance of over 200 British luxury brands and cultural institutions from Claridges to Cliveden, Dunhill to Debretts. “It's immensely chic to be smart at the moment – think of Serpentine CEO Vana Peel and her super smart, connected circle. If you have wealth enough to buy anything you want, brains become the thing money can't buy.”

Tanya Rose, CEO of luxury marketing agency Mason Rose, added that time pressures also play a big part. “The lines between social networking and selfimprovement are blurring as time gets tighter. Events have to work harder – if I can learn something valuable, test a trend or develop personally, it’s winwin. We are all looking for depth of expertise, quality of information and the opportunity to discover something new and life-enhancing.”

And luxury trend spotter Nick Scott, former editor-in-chief of The Rake magazine, agreed: “Status without intellectual substance increasingly seems vacuous in a society which is becoming more of a meritocracy with each passing generation.” »

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Travel trends Knowledge is so desired by the world’s top tier that luxury brands have to work hard to keep their edge. The super wealthy residents on the largest yacht on earth, The World, crave learning both on their expeditions and back on board. The World constantly raises the bar with their event programme – last month they introduced their new quarterly Nobel Laureate Lecture Series which kicked off with a lecture by the 2014 Nobel Prize winner and inventor of the blue LED, Dr. Shuji Nakamura.

“This programme offers residents the opportunity to personally connect with internationally-renowned Nobel Prize Laureates,” explained CEO Pamela Conover.

These are in addition to The World’s itinerary-inspired lectures and breakfast forums where on-board residents discuss current affairs with lecturers and local dignitaries.

“Our programmes enrich the residents’ intellectual exploration at the highest academic levels – they often comment that living on The World is like getting an advanced degree.”

Ultra-luxury cruise line Seabourn’s similar ‘Conversations’ programme has brought speakers including Lord Digby Jones, Apple’s Steve Wozniak and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Walter Robinson on board to lecture and mingle with guests.

And in 2014 they introduced a partnership with UNESCO which gives Seabourn clients special access to their sites for ‘truly remarkable learning experiences’.

“The UNESCO partnership provides our guests with opportunities to experience World Heritage Sites as few travellers can,” explained Seabourn president Rick Meadows. “Imagine the conversations and memories among the guests, after taking advantage of these limited access and behind-the-scenes experiences.”

Lord Digby Jones

Seabourn’s Conversations programme offers an on-board education that can’t be bought

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Steve Wozniak

WEALTH Bill Bensley’s ‘chemistry department’ bar revolutionises mixology

Luxury DNA

Shinta Mani Wild will be the epitome of sustainable tourism

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Interestingly ‘knowledge’ is now starting to play a part at the conception of new luxury products. Award-winning hotel designer Bill Bensley created the JW Mariott in Vietnam’s Phu Quoc (read our insider’s review in Escape) in the same physical format as a university campus. “The beach bar is built into the ‘old chemistry department’ filled with periodic tables and busts of the world greatest chemists,” Bensley explained. “Everywhere one looks, knowledge is presented in a spectacularly amusing manner!”

Another of Bensley’s hotly-anticipated launches, Shinta Mani Wild, sees him take learning to the next level, mixing it with conservation and sustainable tourism.

“I’ve bought a 1,400-acre logging concession in the middle of Cambodia’s Cardamon National Park,” he says. “We’re building the Shinta Mani Wild, a low impact high yield project for just 30 guests maximum.” Bensley is working with Wildlife Alliance, Fauna & Flora International, The Royal University of Phnom Penh and the Cambodian Government to bring his new conservation model to life in 2018. Guests will be able to choose from myriad activities including exploring South East Asia’s last wild estuarine ecosystem by boat or accompanying rangers and researchers as they study the wild forests and their inhabitants.

“Just the bragging rights that guests will have in aiding to preserve this natural habitat for thousands of wild creatures including the last of the wild Asian elephants is enough reason to travel half way round the world!” Bensley reflected.

Walpole’s Helen Brocklebank concured, knowledge is now catnip to the elite, the discreet status symbol of the privileged. “In a digital world where everyone can access everything at the touch of a finger, we crave an experience that can't be reproduced, a moment that's yours alone. The way you feel in that moment becomes increasingly valuable.

Right now, it's about what you know even more than who you know.

Knowledge is the capital that counts.”

A new

wave in philanthropy When Oscar-winning actor Matt Damon launched Water.org he found a way to make investments matter to those who need them most. Now, he exclusively tells Tempus how his WaterEquity initiative is turning the tide on philanthropy Words: Michelle Johnson

“If you don’t know about the water crisis, you should.”

This is how Matt Damon first introduced Water.org’s most ambitious project to date – WaterEquity. The actor and philanthropist has always been ahead of the curve – whether he’s winning an Oscar for his debut screenplay Good Will Hunting (with Ben Affleck in 1997) or as an actor, breathing new life into the spy genre with his Jason Bourne series – but it’s his humanitarian work that is truly making waves where the financial and philanthropic worlds collide.

Water.org was founded by Damon and entrepreneurial engineer Gary White in 2009 after the pair met at an international summit on global poverty, and merged their individual charities to deliver safe water and sanitation to developing countries. The organisation has since grown to be one of the world’s leading charities tackling the water crisis, and their rising success – which Damon hopes will ensure that “everyone has access to safe water and the dignity of a toilet in our lifetime” – is all down to their innovative, fiscally-savvy approach.

“We know the water crisis can’t be solved by a onesize-fits-all approach. Charity alone won’t ever solve the problem,” explained the 46-year-old actor. Instead, like his water-creating character in The Martian (2015), Damon looked for a more bespoke solution.

He and White developed WaterCredit, a network of microfinance institutions providing small loans – $287

(£212) on average – that allow people to install their own safe water and sanitation facilities.

And it worked, so far reaching nearly eight million people around the world. Yet the organisation estimates there are 565 million people who can benefit from these microloans while maintaining the repayment rate of 99 per cent, putting agency back into the hands of those who most benefit. The question is how to make up that $12bn (£8.9bn) demand. Enter, WaterEquity.

“So we asked another big question. What if we could connect the immense wealth that sits in investment portfolios around the world to this $12bn demand and channel it to solve the water crisis for everyone,” said Damon. The concept seems simple. Socially-conscious investors put capital into WaterEquity social investment funds, which help finance enterprises including their accredited microfinance institutions across 13 countries. The investor gets a moderate return, or can re-invest to further their social impact. “The good news is that WaterEquity works. The first fund is in action already. Investors have put millions of dollars in the hands of those in need.”

Tempus spoke exclusively to Matt Damon and Gary White about their innovative approach to charity, their projections for WaterEquity, and how investors and policy-makers can turn the tide on the global water crisis for good… »

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Water.org founders Gary White and Matt Damon in the field

Tempus: You co-founded Water.org in 2009, and the charity is now a global leader in access to safe water and sanitation. Where did it all start?

Matt Damon: Water is fundamental. It underpins everything. Visiting Zambia with Bono’s team, meeting and talking to people in the villages taught me that safe water is a primary need. With access to safe water and sanitation, people have access to opportunity and can end the cycle of poverty in their lives.

Gary White: I started my first non-profit after a volunteer trip to Guatemala where I watched a ten year old girl in the slums walk through sewage to a barrel where she retrieved water for her family. The idea that this was people’s reality hit me hard. I dug a little deeper and learned that in poor countries, people spend six hours a day, on average, gathering water. Some walking miles to rivers contaminated with animal waste.

How has the charity’s focus grown over the years, and what are the issues you face?

Damon: One issue is the perception that poor people are unable to participate in the solution. There are cultural issues that we address through hygiene education and as a part of our programmes. However, ultimately lack of capital is the biggest barrier and the one we are solving.

White: Early on, we centered on working with local partners in developing countries to build water and sanitation systems. It quickly became apparent that we could not match the scale of the problem by digging wells. When we met a poor woman in India who was

paying a loan shark 125% interest on a loan to build a toilet, I had an ‘aha!’ moment. If we could enable people living at the base of the economic pyramid to obtain small loans at a reasonable rate, they could install the solutions that best fit their needs, turning them into customers of local utility providers.

What are the benefits of providing loans – rather than charitable aid – to communities and to individuals?

White: This is the key to the success of WaterCredit, borrowing upfront costs and repaying them with what they save on their coping costs. People pay in money (to vendors or buying bottled water), they pay in the time spent collecting water or traveling to remote areas to defecate, and in their direct health costs from drinking contaminated water. We are helping people move out of the very expensive, informal system and transform into customers with rights and responsibilities. This is bottom-up financing for utilities, a massive new customer base.

Water.org has won various awards and been praised for its transparency. How does this help the organisation?

Damon: This is foundational to the trust our supporters have in us. Being one of Charity Navigator’s top charities gives us the advantage of an arm’s length, third party evaluation of effectiveness that reinforces supporters’ – and potential supporters’ – confidence. Receiving awards, like the Forbes 400 Lifetime Achievement Award for Social Entrepreneurship, reinforces our business »

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WEALTH

Water.org co-founder Gary White

WaterEquity provides small loans for personal sanitation and clean water projects

WATER IS FUNDAMENTAL. IT UNDERPINS

EVERYTHING - Matt Damon

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model with those that have the means and desire to inject the needed capital into water and sanitation projects.

You’ve taken this a step further with WaterEquity.

How does this type of investment affect what you are able to provide?

White: WaterCredit has proven immensely successful, but we were not scaling fast enough. We had the customers ready, but there was not enough capital in the system for the new loans.

Water.org decided on a two-pronged course of action – advocacy, to move the system toward capitalizing water and sanitation loans, and a modest $11m (£8m) social impact investment (SII) fund that we deployed this year. The success of that first, small SII fund led to the creation of WaterEquity and the launch of a $50m (£36.9m) social impact first fund.

Do you have any projections about how far WaterEquity could close the gap between annual aid, and what’s needed to find a permanent solution to the water crisis?

Damon: Using WaterCredit we have driven down the philanthropic cost per person from $25-50 (£18.50–37)

to about $10 (£7.40) per person. This decline reflects that poor people are not all equally poor – there’s not a single homogenous group – and that many can participate financially if they can get access to a loan up front. For some, charity might be the only solution, but that group is much smaller than the 565 million people who simply need a hand up.

White: I have no doubt this can be achieved in our lifetime. Water.org alone has committed to reaching 60 million people over the next five years and we are no longer alone in seeing finance as a major part of the solution. Throughout the sector, institutions have taken up the blended finance model to stretch public aid and charity dollars to solve the crisis.

How can investors, or people in positions of influence, help to make a difference?

Damon: By contributing or investing in Water.org and WaterEquity. Unrestricted donations help us innovate and investment into one of WaterEquity’s funds will help drive capital toward solutions. Together we can solve the water and sanitation crisis in our lifetime.

Water.org

Gary White and Matt Damon meet with communities benefitting from investment through WaterEquity

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WEALTH Water.org also provides hygiene education and programmes to empower communities in tackling the water crisis

Photo credits: Images taken on location in India by Praveen Sundaram for Water.org. Additional images courtesy of Water.org

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M O V E ON THE WAVES

44 - 48

THE LIFE AQUATIC SMARTER SKIES SMOOTH OPERATOR

50 - 51 52 - 55 56 - 57

JETS AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON, THE BEST ITALIAN YACHTS ON THE MARKET, THE WORLD’S NEWEST SUPERCARS...

MOVE HAS IT ALL, AND MORE

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Making

WAVES As it sails ahead of its competitors with seven stunning new models, Ferretti Group proves that Italians do it best Words: Rachel Ingram

The 56’ Rivale showcases a fresh, modern look for the traditional Riva brand

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T

o take one boat from concept to sea trial involves several years of planning and testing, so to introduce seven in just one year is an ambitious feat even for the most experienced shipbuilder.

When Alberto Galassi became CEO of Ferretti Group in 2014, he made the monumental promise to increase production and deliver not one but several new designs every year – a promise that, miraculously, he’s managed to keep. While many of the group’s competitors released just one or two new editions in 2017, Ferretti went above and beyond to present seven fresh models, plus one restyle, across five of its luxury brands – Ferretti Yachts, Pershing, Riva, Custom Line and CRN. Tempus joined Ferretti Group at the Cannes Yachting Festival to witness the world premieres of these game-changing vessels and discover up close the innovative wonders of Italian craftsmanship. »

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In the family: Ferretti Yachts Ferretti Group’s home-grown brand Ferretti Yachts unveiled three models at the 2017 Cannes Yachting Festival. First up is the 780, a 24-metre flybridge which offers the best of comfort, style and safety.

A strong emphasis has been spent on intelligent design – an improved aeordynamic silhouette, for example, improves sailability. A worthy option for those seeking the look and power of a sports car on the water, the boat features sleek lines and clean shapes that add to its distinctively sporty character.

Another new launch, the 920 flybridge also stands out with dynamic design, innovative features and sophisticated interiors that combine elegance with flexbility. A highlight is the addition of a sizeable bow area that adds to the superyacht’s expanse of communal spaces. All in all, the launch is monumental for Ferretti Yachts.

Also new for 2017 is the 550 Restyling, a special edition based on the concept of the 550 with the addition of fresh elements to modernise the muchloved vessel. On the outside, a dynamic profile is created via uninterrupted glazing of the main deck, while three large windows on the hull usher in plenty of natural light and magnificent views.

Inside is where the design shines, however. ‘Made in Italy’ is the theme and designers have focused on a sophisticated choice of furnishings, created through partnerships with prestigious luxury brands.

The 780’s 24m flybridge is a highlight for 2017

The new-look 550 Restyling

Inside the 550 Restyling

The new 920 features an innovative design inside and out

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MOVE

From the expert In conversation with Stefano de Vivo, Chief Commercial Officer of Ferretti Group

One of a kind: Custom Line

Tempus: With so many new launches this year, is there one that's particularly special to you?

For its new Navetta 33 series, designed in collaboration with Zuccon International Project, Custom Line places a particular focus on the advancement of the line’s technical innovations.

The 33-metre tri-deck yacht follows the design of the celebrated 37 model, with the inclusion of a bulbous bow on the hull that not only looks fabulous, but adds to the vessel’s stability, efficiency and performance when out at sea. The yacht encompasses several excellent spaces across four decks, including an extra-wide master suite and four guest cabins on the lower deck, making it an excellent investment for keen entertainers. »

Stefano de Vivo: I think the one I am proudest of right now is Pershing. For certain technical aspects, it’s the most challenging brand we have. From the outside, you think the Pershing is just about speed. In reality, you have to marry all of the other chromosomes of its DNA, including style and design. The boat is specially designed for people who use it at speed, to have fun and enjoy water toys and sunbathing. Just like a fast car, its clients want a fast boat that is sleek.

They want to be able to cruise, but for them, cruising is at 40 knots. It’s the same as being in a car and cruising at 170km/h on the motorway.

Customisation is one of Ferretti’s key offerings. What are some of the most extravagant requests you’ve fulfilled to?

I’ve seen a snow machine inside a boat, created for someone who wanted to be in the Caribbean and sit down in a cold room in a ski suit and look outside while it’s snowing inside. That was a €5m gig. I’ve also made a pizza oven on a boat. On a boat, where you’re working with fibreglass, it’s not very friendly to 400-degree ovens, but it was great. When I went on board with the owner, I had one of the best pizzas of my life.

I'm finding this kind of extravagance was more in the past, though.

Now, people are using boats more so they’re asking you a lot more practical questions, from a school for their kids and an office with proper telecommunications so they can stay away for months at a time, to a pole dancing club, depending on their use for the boat.

The latest figures indicate that Ferretti Group is outperforming many of its competitors at the moment. Why do you think this is?

There are three reasons. One is the people. We have always had talented people inside the group but since I joined again in May 2014, we have attracted even more talent at all levels. From the cleaner to the CEO, they all have to be talented. Otherwise they only see the numbers and not the long-term future. The second reason is the brands. We have seven brands in the group, which makes it very difficult, very challenging and very expensive. The third is economy.

While competitors are putting all their money into one brand, we have to split it between them. It is the biggest advantage we have as our brands are a niche in our segment.

How important is the UK market to you, and which models sell best in Britain?

The UK is a huge market for us, being the 5th/6th richest country in the world. Riva, for the British market, is outstanding. We don’t need to advertise – we have clients phoning us up and so many celebrities and business tycoons who want to come to see us. We get fantastic results in this market. For Ferretti Yachts, we struggle a bit more because Princess and Sunseeker have a bit more of the market.

However our new designs are starting attracting more UK clients. ferrettigroup.com

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La dolce vita: Riva

Riva’s new 100’ Corsaro

For 2017, legendary Italian shipyard Riva unveiled two new yachts, the 100’ Corsaro and the 56’ Rivale.

The former is a beautiful flybridge that bears striking resemblence to the brand’s legendary wooden models, updated for the 21st century. In true Riva style, attention to detail is of upmost importance and the yacht features an advanced design that ensures maximum comfort, style and performance, whether sitting in harbour or out at sea. With a surpringly large size compared to traditional Rivas, the 100’ Corsaro is excellent for entertaining, while an expansive use of metallic materials and glass makes it one of the brand’s sleekest to date.

The 56’ Rivale, in comparison, is dynamic, elegant and sporty, with equally strong design elements, combined with innovative technologies. The cutting-edge boat makes use of the finest quality materials around – a tradition that customers have grown to expect from Riva, including premium leather furniture, stainless steel details, and much more. Inside, stunning mahogany interiors complement the natural teak of the exteriors that, in turn, reflect the legend of Riva.

The 56’ Rivale

Need for speed: Pershing

M/Y Cloud 9

The second launch from Pershing’s ‘Generation X’ comes in the form of this stunning 9X maxi coupe.

The result of a 10-year collaboration with Italian furniture-maker Poltrona Frau, the striking yacht is sporty yet stylish, comfortable yet luxurious, and a serious performer when on the waves. The main structure is made from carbon and fibreglass, making it super lightweight, without losing any power. In fact, its great competency on the water is achieved through the addition of numerous technical innovations. It’s fitted with a whole host of helpful extras, designed to improve navigation and manoeuvring, making it suitable even for the smallest harbours of the Riviera. In short, it’s magnificent, inside and out.

On cloud nine: CRN Last but not least is the world premiere of the M/Y Cloud 9, a new launch from the innovative CRN shipyard that was presented for the first time at the Monaco Yacht Show. A clear highlight of the show, the 74-metre yacht, which sleeps 16 guests and up to 26 staff and crew, is a prime example of CRN’s leadership in the bespoke design arena. A stunning home from home, the vessel features customisable interior and exterior spaces, a sleek profile and a flawless indoor-outdoor living environment arrangement. It’s set to be one of the most impressive vessels on the waves in 2018.

Pershing 9X

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the

life aquatic Buying your first boat is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. Here’s how to get it right Words: Laura Nineham

S

o you want to buy your first yacht. Let’s assume you’re no yachting novice – you’ve chartered a yacht before, you know how to operate a boat and you know people who own them. By this point you’ll have answered the hundreds of questions about what your dream boat looks like and where you’ll keep her, you know whether you want crew or if you want to be a more hands-on owner-operator, and you know what size and budget will help you make the most of being on the water. But knowing what you want isn’t the same as knowing how to get it. So where do you start?

Which yacht is best How to find your for a first-time buyer? dream yacht

The final steps: what happens next

For a first yacht, it’s advisable to consider a production model and look for one being sold through a brokerage house instead of a new model bought directly from a yard’s agent. This will get you on the water much faster and give you the chance to build your experience and enjoy it in your own way.

There are some reliable models that always appeal to first-time buyers. According to Bryan Jones, marketing manager at UK yard Sunseeker, their San Remo sports cruiser is popular thanks to its ease of use, while their fastest selling model of all time is another big hit. “We have new owners buying yachts across the range but the Manhattan 52 has certainly caught the imagination of many boaters moving up in to this size range,” he said.

And when it comes to thinking about which yacht to invest in, it’s always smart to consider one from a yard that will hold its value at resale. “A pedigree yacht with a great brand and recognised build quality will hold its resale value over the years,” advised Kevin Bonnie from yacht brokers IYC. He added that choosing a yacht with a great layout and decent amenities will give you the flexibility to charter, which is also very appealing if you decide to sell in the future.

“Any buyer must remember they are buying floating real estate, not a car,” advised John Leonida, partner at global law firm Clyde & Co. “Before you make any offer to buy, be certain as to what you want from the yacht and take your time when choosing. Don't get rushed into a deal. Do your research. Speak to other owners.

Speak to yachting professionals.”

When you’re confident that she’s the one, make sure you take her out for a sea trial and commission the relevant surveys. Just as you consulted a broker, now is the time to get a maritime transactional lawyer. They will make sure the contract is suitable, and will walk you through all the necessary steps you need to take to protect yourself, and your investment. “The maxim ‘buy in haste repent at your leisure’ was never so apt when applied to yacht buying,” added Leonida.

Should you make a successful offer, you’ll usually part with a proportion of the agreed price at this stage.

Your lawyer will help you with this conditional offer, ensuring any issues identified in the survey are dealt with or used to negotiate the price. And then the sale will close, at which point the paperwork is completed and exchanged and you’re given the keys.

And now the fun really begins…

The best place to start your hunt is online, but make sure you stick to a credible source. YachtWorld is the largest network for buyers and brokers with an average of 110,000 yachts advertised at any one time and considered to be a trustworthy place to begin by many – but you should look at broker websites, too.

You might even consider attending a yacht show – favourites include the Monaco Yacht Show, Cannes Yachting Festival or the Dubai International Boat Show – where you can get on board lots of yachts and meet others who share your passion.

Once you have a clearer idea of the kind of yacht you’re interested in, you should engage a broker.

“Anyone can look up asking prices on boats, but it takes a professional broker to have an intimate knowledge of current market conditions, an expertise about similar boats, and information on recent sale prices and time on the market through resources that may only be available to the trade,” explained Rodolfo Tomarchio, senior manager of Branding & Buzz at YachtWorld.

You can approach a broker in one of two ways – by contacting the listed broker who is advertising a yacht and enquire about her, or you can contact a broker directly and ask them to act for you.

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MOVE San Remo Sunseeker’s Manhattan 52 is popular with first time buyers

Tips from the experts John Leonida, partner at global law firm Clyde & Co:

“Don’t allow your maritime dreams to override the fact that your ‘dream yacht’ is not the only yacht in the market.”

Bryan Jones, marketing manager at luxury motor yacht manufacturer Sunseeker:

“Training is really important to enhance your safety and enjoyment. Ultimately, buy a boat that you’re comfortable using.”

Kevin Bonnie, managing partner – Monaco at yacht brokers IYC:

“Find a yacht ready to go yachting, which does 90% of what you need and enjoy the experience.”

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Smarterskies Innovative private jet chartering app JetSmarter is revolutionising the way we fly, network, and even socialise Words: Rachel Ingram

With JetSmarter, seats on jets can cost the same as first class on a commercial plane

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ber for jets, Tinder for billionaires, Linkedin in the flesh, JetSmarter could be likened to myriad apps but in truth, it’s in a league of its own. What started as a chartering app, connecting travellers with empty seats and planes, has developed into an exclusive lifestyle community through which members can travel, network and even socialise.

The app’s primary aim is to make private jet travel more accessible to travellers. For the price of a first-class ticket, members can book seats on a jet and avoid all the time and hassle of airport security and commercial flights. Granted they must sacrifice the privacy afforded by chartering an entire jet, but what travellers lack in seclusion they make up in time and money, with the added bonus that they may meet interesting, likeminded people onboard.

Members have been known to meet friends, business partners and even husbands and wives on flights booked through JetSmarter.

And that’s just the beginning. In the coming months, the company is set to roll out fresh features including a social forum that enables fliers to connect with other members and, most interestingly, interact with fellow passengers in advance of their flight. Coupled with the introduction of member’s only events, the concept could transform networking as we know it. »

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The game changer The initial idea for JetSmarter was simple – democratise private aviation. Chief commercial officer Lolita Frangulyan said: “30% of aeroplanes fly empty so we saw a lot of unused supply. We put demand together with unused supply and packaged them in a membership model, and JetSmarter was born. The reason we have succeeded is because we were initially a tech data company. We have triumphed where other companies failed because we looked at it from the data perspective.”

For the consumer, the cost saving is phenomenal. “People basically create a charter flight but pay only for the seats they are utilising, which brings the cost down significantly,” Frangulyan explained. “For example, New York to Miami is the biggest charter route in the world. Say the charter costs $11,000, with us you can pay $2,000 per seat and JetSmarter pays the rest to fill the aeroplane.”

JetSmarter is able to offer this service because it only offers routes that its data model says are in demand.

Affordable costing also brings in a whole new audience into the private jet world. By bringing the price of a private jet seat down to around the cost of a first-class commercial seat, the company is tapping into a whole potential market of travellers who may not have considered jets before.

Frangulyan said: “60% of our members have never flown private therefore this is how we democratise private aviation. A lot of people have come in because they couldn't afford to charter the aircraft, but with us they can afford to purchase a seat here and there.”

Networking at 30,000 feet When JetSmarter launched, its first challenge was to debunk the myth that people who fly by jet only want privacy. Nobody will want strangers on their flights, founders were told, but with 11,000 signups since the launch in 2012 (including 6,500 new members in the past 12 months), evidence suggests otherwise.

Membership to JetSmarter starts at $17,500 for ‘The Smart Membership’ Membership. As a consequence, it’s created an exclusive club of likeminded people.

“As JetSmarter becomes more of a recognised brand, potential members are becoming more and more interested in meeting their next partner or their next client than the flights themselves,” Frangulyan revealed. “The trend that I see today, especially in the US, is that people are joining because they want to belong to the club. It’s a community.”

IN LONDON THIS SEASON WE’VE DONE REALLY WELL WITH LEISURE ROUTES SUCH AS LONDON TO IBIZA AND NICE. WE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS OF LONDON TO GENEVA BOOKINGS IN THE SKI SEASON

How it works JetSmarter works in one of two ways – members can be finders or creators. Finders are the most common and refers to those booking empty seats on pre-scheduled flights. Clients can also be creators and plan a new flight route at a time that suits them, using the ‘SharedCharter’ service. While this option incurs an extra reservation fee (starting at $1,400 depending on the route and aircraft type) alongside the seat price, it’s still vastly more affordable then chartering an aircraft. Leftover seats will then be offered to other members to book – a service that JetSmarter handles.

As an added bonus, available seats on pre-scheduled flights under three hours in length are free for all members. With no limit each year, users could, in theory, fly for free all year round.

JetSmarter currently focuses on 50 routes between major cities including London, New York, Dubai, Milan, Zurich, Geneva, and other key seasonal European and American cities.

“The fastest growing routes in the United States are New York to Miami and New York to LA. New York to London is growing really well, we’re at 100% occupancy,” Frangulyan revealed. “In London this season we’ve done really well with leisure routes such as London to Ibiza and Nice. We have high expectations of London to Geneva bookings in the ski season.”

In the UK, JetSmarter flies from London Luton Airport, which is the world’s largest private jet terminal. While not as large as the likes of Heathrow and Gatwick, the airport is, in fact, much quicker and more convenient for private jet passengers travelling from central London. As demand increases, the company is due to trial other airports such as Biggin Hill.

As well as flying in style for less, JetSmarter members can enjoy additional benefits such as a 24/7 concierge and invites to exclusive events around the world. However, the most exciting element remains what happens at 30,000 feet. If the future pans out in the way we expect, networking in the sky could become the norm.

Watch this space. jetsmarter.com

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Pay for the seats you’ll use, not the whole plane

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Smooth

operator

As Bentley launches its first ever diesel, the Bentayga Diesel SUV, Tempus takes it for a spin Words: Shaun Prince

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riving through the winding roads of Berkshire, through the lush green gardens of Windsor Great Park where Guards Polo Club calls home, calls for a true thoroughbred with some serious horsepower. So, it was no surprise that when we test drove Bentley’s newest Bentayga through these lush surroundings, she soon stole best in show.

When the Bentley Bentayga first launched in 2015, it was hailed as the fastest production SUV on any market, marrying the brand’s luxury aesthetic with speed, power and precision. It was developed from the concept car EXP 9 F, which boasted an unfavourable design that prompted middling reviews from critics.

In contrast, the Bentayga was a true original from the brand, fitting all the power and comfort of the concept into a more contemporary design. Now, as the brand launches the Bentayga Diesel SUV two years later, it seems Bentley has caught the bug of innovation.

The Bentley Bentayga Diesel SUV is the brand’s first ever diesel car – boasting an impressive 429 bhp from

its four-litre, eight-cylinder, 32-valve engine – but maintains the classic feel of a traditional Bentley. The result is a smooth and quiet ride that belies the power at your feet.

With a top speed of 168mph and achieving zero to 60mph in 4.6 seconds, we were also impressed with the reasonable rate of fuel consumption.

More innovations come in the form of Bentley’s new ‘triple-charging’ feature, created for the SUV’s nature as an on- and off-road vehicle. Speaking of which, the vehicle also features a special fluted seat design to suit when off-roading. But despite these updates, Bentley enthusiasts can rest assured the interior still features the brand’s classic leather craftsmanship and design.

Modifications are available via a variety of colour and veneer options, and though there are not yet options for internal structural amends at this time, there’s very little about this powerful motor we would change after this galloping experience. studiolondon.bentleymotors.com

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MOVE

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S T Y L E A SELF-MADE MAN NEXT LEVEL LUXE

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THE HEART OF LUXURY

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FROM THE WORLD’S RAREST GEMS TO FASHION’S GREATEST BUSINESS MINDS, STYLE IS OUR INSIDER’S GUIDE TO THE BEST OF THE BEST

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A selfmade man As founder and chairman of the OTB Group, Renzo Rosso is the driving force behind some of world’s biggest fashion brands. Now, he tells Tempus why money is no object Words: Paolo Briscese

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enzo Rosso believes in standing out from the crowd.

It’s a philosophy that has seen the 62-year-old rise from humble beginnings (he grew up in the Italian village of Brugine to farmer parents) to founder of denim company Diesel in 1978, and later the OTB Group. With a $3.9 billion fortune to his name and a slew of iconic brands – including Maison Margiela, Marni and Viktor & Rolf – under his belt, he’s become one of the wealthiest men in Italy.

“Our goal is to build not the biggest, but the most alternative fashion group,” Rosso tells Tempus, adding that creativity has been the key to his success – his first foray into fashion was borrowing his mother’s sewing machine to make a pair of bell-bottoms at age 15. This mentality shines through his business sense – in early October his playful video ad to find Diesel’s next CEO via best ‘chair posing’ gif went viral – and his daring yet savvy investments into technology start ups and e-commerce sites.

We met with Rosso in Milan during fashion week to find out the story behind the successful entrepreneur who transformed a teenage passion into a wildly successful business, and made billions in the process. »

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OTB founder Renzo Rosso © Louis Teran

Tempus: Renzo, how did you begin your venture into the world of fashion?

Renzo Rosso: Really, it was pure coincidence. I was the youngest child, and although my parents wanted me to pursue secondary education I was not too much into studying. After spending a little time researching I chose a fashion and textile technical institute near my town – I’d heard it was easy – but I have to say that I was immediately fascinated by the industry, which is why I am still here today.

Did you ever imagine that you would be this influential and successful in business?

Not at all. My biggest ambition was to be something more than a simple worker or employee. I’ve never worked one day for money in my life. I’m driven primarily by passion and the ambition to create something special, unique and pioneering.

Your sons Stefano, Andrea and Alessia all work within your company. Do you consider OTB a family business? What are the values that you are hoping to impart?

You know, I never asked them to join the company – I just wanted them to be happy in whatever they chose to do. Then, one day, they surprised me by telling that they actually wanted to join the family business and I was sincerely happy. They each worked their way to their current positions without my backing, as they felt they had to earn the respect of the people they work with. In fact, the first value I passed on to them is respect: respect for your co-workers, respect for your suppliers and for your customers, respect for your employees.

What is the most interesting aspect of your job – and the most challenging?

I have to say I consider myself very lucky because with the current variety of businesses that I cover, and after 40 years of work, I feel like I have a rare wealth of knowledge and a global vision, which I try to apply to everything I work on and to share it with my staff.

I can span over several brands, categories, market segments and industries. I work in fashion but I also invest in organic food and digital start-ups. I also produce my own olive oil and wine, and I’m very active in philanthropy. The part of my work I like the least is everything that has to do with accounting, numbers, and fiscal matters. I am more of a creative entrepreneur.

Marni S/S 2018 Renzo Rosso © Andrea Delbo

You are always travelling the world for your work, so when do you find time for yourself ?

Honestly, I never make that distinction. When I am travelling for leisure, I always see something that sparks my imagination, or an idea that I can use back at work. And when I am working, I often come across things that are interesting to me as an individual. I am a very curious person.

Forbes Magazine listed you among Italy's richest men.

What is your personal relationship with money? And what does luxury living mean to you?

I do not at all feel like I am one of the richest people in Italy, I am probably just one of the people who pay all my due taxes! As I said before, I never worked with the goal of earning money, but only for the desire to create something beautiful and more modern than what was existing. For me, luxury is quality time with my family and real friends. »

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STYLE Marni’s sleek boutiques (below and left) reflect the modern style of the brand

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Diesel’s boutique (below and right) on Madison Avenue is worthy of its prestigious postcode

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STYLE

I DO NOT BELIEVE IN LUCK. WHAT MATTERS IS YOUR VISION, YOUR DEDICATION, AND THE TEAM YOU BUILD AROUND YOU

Considering your goals, do you consider yourself lucky in business?

I do not believe in luck. What matters is your vision, your dedication, and the team you build around you. You are not going far alone. My family is my point of reference in everything I do.

The fashion and luxury market in general has undergone a profound change in recent years. How do you see the future of the retail industry and what strategies should be adopted to keep up with the times?

Diesel Black Gold 2017

I think online sales are the growth area of the future. At OTB Group. we are starting off well, with almost 15% of our total sales already on this channel. However, real brick-and-mortar stores are also important in order to convey the lifestyle and the aesthetics of a brand and its collection. In fact, what is happening right now is this convergence called ‘omni-channel’ where consumers browse online and then buy in the store, buy in the store and return online, or they buy online and change in the physical stores. You have to be easily available at every touchpoint.

Your advertising campaigns are quite provocative. What message are you trying to convey?

I do not consider them provocative, and they are not developed with that purpose. They just always try to shed a light on the world at that precise moment, speaking in particular to young people.

We want to open a dialogue with them on topics that are relevant for them.

As a holding company, how does OTB Group preserve the true spirit of its brands when they become so big?

It is not easy, of course. It is hard to maintain the integrity of a passionate and motivated team that grows every day. This is the reason why I recently returned to Diesel. I want to bring down barriers in the company and make the unique DNA of this brand shine.

We’re living in a time of great political, cultural and social change. What key advice would you give to aspring young entrepreneurs?

Believe in your skills, in your vision and in yourself. Stay true to your dream and surround yourself with a group of people who share it and are willing to fight their way to it with you.

Finally, any plans for 2018?

2018 is Diesel’s 40th anniversary so we will see a series of events and collaborations throughout the world. For all the other brands and companies of the group we are building a steady, healthy growth.

And who knows – maybe new brands will join our group soon. otb.net

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NEXT

LEVEL

LUXE What to get the jewellery and watch lover who’s got everything? Discover the gemstones, designers, brands and specialists that garner next level appreciation from luxury seekers Words: Sarah Jordan

STYLE

An opal adds a touch of glamour to this poppy brooch

Ammolite gems mined in Canada by specialists Korite

JUST 0.01% OF THIS MINE’S TOTAL PRODUCTION IS PINK DIAMONDS, BUT FINDING A RED, VIOLET OR BLUE DIAMOND IS AN EVEN RARER TREAT

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hen money is no object, the interlinked worlds of luxury jewellery and fine watches become a playground of sparkling, technically-impeccable proportions.

With a safe full of pieces from the most highlysought after houses – Rolex, Patek Philippe, Boucheron, Chaumet, Harry Winston – to name a few, where else is there for the serious collector to go? Well, it turns out there are quite a few areas to stretch your opulent limits.

The first place to start is gemstones, or more specifically, those once-in-a-lifetime rare stones that would give Elizabeth Taylor a run for her money. In the sphere of fancy colour diamonds, it’s the ultra-rare red shades – typically found in Rio Tinto’s Argyle Mine in Western Australia – that result in a flurry of excitement. Just 0.01% of this mine’s total production is pink diamonds, but finding a red, violet or blue diamond is an even rarer treat. Earlier this year, Rio Tinto unveiled its largest ever Fancy Red diamond, named the Argyle Everglow, at a staggering 2.11

carats. To put this in perspective, in the entire 33year history of the Argyle Mine’s diamond sales, there have been less than 20 carats of Fancy Red certified diamonds sold.

To really generate a gemstone collection worthy of royalty, you will also need to consider history and geography. The Indian region of Kashmir is universally considered to have produced the world’s finest sapphires with a rich blue colour and velvet-like appearance. Today, new sapphire finds are rarely discovered in Kashmir, which is why gems mined in this area – some more than 100 years ago – are so highlyprized. The same kind of story exists around Burmese rubies, and the elusive ‘pigeon-blood’ colour that warrants so much attention. For the serious gemstone collector, a highly-skilled gemologist and a testing laboratory must be on speed-dial.

And why stop there? A genuine Paraiba tourmaline (mined in Paraiba, Brazil) with its almost neon-blue colour is an exciting sight. This rare gemstone can also be found in Nigeria and

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Aquamarine cockatoo carved by Patrick Dreher

The incredibly rare red Argyle Everglow (centre) surrounded by Argyle’s hero diamonds

Mozambique, but many consider the original deposit in Paraiba to be the crème de la crème.

Then, there is beautiful Russian alexandrite to source, alongside real colour changing garnet and iridescent ammolite – an organic gemquality material formed by the fossilised remains of extinct, sea-dwelling ammonites.

And speaking of the sea, no collection is complete without beautiful pearls. Pastel-hued conch pearls – produced by the Queen conch mollusc – cannot be farmed or cultivated by man, which makes them exceptionally rare.

London-based jeweller David Morris currently boasts one of the largest conch pearls available to buy, weighing 44.55 carats and set in a pink diamond ring.

With an enviable array of diamonds and gemstones, the avid collector will also need an encyclopaedic knowledge of big name brands and designers. Aside from high jewellery pieces by houses like De Beers, Van Cleef & Arpels and Chanel, it is worth seeking out the more unusual contemporary creations by Place Vendome-based jeweller JAR or London-based creator Lauren Adriana. To do your search justice, you will need a jewellery expert on your side. Antique jewellery expert Susannah Lovis in London’s Burlington Arcade is an excellent source of information and fabulous jewels, while

ShinyPrettyThings founder, gemologist and jewellery expert, Rona Bierrum, can guide you through the big names to snap up at auction.

As Bierrum explained: “For 20th century pieces, Belperron is very important and hard to find.

Other important, collectible and less well-names are Flato, Boivin, Templier, Despres, Sandoz and Dunand. For whimsical designs, look for Claflin or Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. Cartier has stood the test of time, and large important pieces are rare and highly-desirable.”

For vintage watches to make the seasoned timekeeper green with envy, you will need to visit Aurel Bacs and Livia Russo at Phillips auction house in London. If you have money to spend and a penchant for the incredibly rare, this world-renowned duo can find you a treat, such as the stainless steel Patek Philippe Ref.1518 wristwatch that sold in November 2016 for $11m (£8m). For a brand new timepiece, make friends with master watchmaker Roger Smith on the Isle of Man and get on his waiting list for a bespoke, hand-made timepiece. It could take up to eight years, but it will certainly be worth the wait.

With this level of luxury acquired, now is the time to turn to jewelled objects and novelties, like the iconic Fabergé Eggs. The opera-ready Broadway Glasses by Harry Winston, complete with black onyx, white gold, titanium and

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hundreds of carats of brilliant and baguettecut diamonds, are an equally ostentatious example of jewelled excess. For more demure tastes, the Poppy Brooch by award-winning jewellery designer Fei Liu, features Australian opal petals draped over a stem of tsavorites, complete with stamens of yellow diamonds and a jade centrepiece.

Finally, anyone who dares to call themselves an enthusiast should boast a gemstone carving

by Patrick Dreher, who brings animals to life with skilled, sculptural precision. Add to this a specially-cut treasure by gemstone artist, John Dyer, a gemstone photomicrograph (a photograph of the microscopic internal world of a gem) by the inimitable Danny Sanchez, and a painting by diamond portrait artist, Angie Crabtree, and you won’t just have the most financially impressive collection, but also the most artistic.

IT COULD TAKE UP TO EIGHT YEARS, BUT IT WILL CERTAINLY BE WORTH THE WAIT

THE BEST IN SHOW

Brazilian Paraiba Tourmaline ring by Kat Florence A sensationally blue 0.79 carat Paraiba tourmaline from Brazil, featuring D flawless diamonds totalling 0.85 carats in 18k gold.

Priced at £12,400.

Russian Alexandrite ring

by Kat Florence A beautifully rare 1.29 carat Russian alexandrite ring surrounded by 0.81 carat D flawless diamonds. Priced at £36,400.

Tutti Frutti by Dior Riotous blends of coloured gemstones are both in-vogue and highly collectible at the moment. Contemporary examples include the 2017 Dior à Versailles Côté Jardins High Jewellery collection by esteemed artistic director, Victoire de Castellane. A highlight includes this Bosquet de L’Encelade Saphir brooch, set with pink and yellow diamonds, black opal, rock crystal, emeralds, spessartite and tsavorite garnets, pink spinels, yellow sapphires, Paraiba-type tourmalines, turquoise and red spinels.

The

HEART of LUXURY

When philanthropy and style combine, it’s a roaring success for nature and mankind Words: Rachel Ingram

Fiona Pacifico Griffini-Grasser brought her love for animals to her job

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or many luxury brands, philanthropy has become an important part of their annual campaign. As luxury consumers seek fresh ways to give back, they expect similar levels of charitable engagement from companies they’re loyal to. To use the distinctly unsexy term coined by marketing experts, ‘corporate social responsibility’ has become not so much a choice for brands nowadays but an expectation.

One brand that’s particularly successful in its charitable contributions is Swarovski. The jewellery brand even has its own foundation, set up in 2013 to handle its mounting philanthropic missions. From the conservation and protection of animals and the environment, to youth education and female empowerment in developing countries, Swarovski supports a variety of organisations and initiatives around the world.

A worthy cause The Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundation is a nonprofit organisation devoted to the care and protection

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of felines. Set up by Mexican businessman and animal lover Eduardo Serio, the organisation has rescued over 300 felines from captivity, including lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, pumas, servals and lynxes. The animals are taken from the often-cruel environments of circuses, zoos and breeders, and rehoused in one of the foundation’s 50-something sanctuaries across Mexico and the US where they’re cared for by professionals and enjoy a habitat that’s as close to nature as possible.

Swarovski is supporting the foundation via the creation of a special jewellery line, the Fiona Endangered Animals Collection, featuring seven limited edition bracelets. Ideal gifts for animal lovers, each piece features a fine waxed cord bracelet mounted with an animal – a lion, cheetah, cougar, gorilla, rhino, turtle or elephant – adorned with Swarovski crystals. A portion of all proceeds is donated to the foundation so it can continue its work and expand its sanctuaries.

The collection was dreamt up by Swarovski’s animalloving creative director Fiona Pacifico Griffini-Grasser, who become inspired following a trip to Africa.

Speaking of the collaboration, she said: “It has been so »

The Black Jaguar-White Tiger foundation rescues and protects felines around the world

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STYLE

Photo credits Courtesy of Gavin Bond

exciting to transpose the beauty of such lively animals into still crystal-faceted pieces. I am proud to put these species under a brilliant light.”

Serio added: “To be able to collaborate with Swarovski, in a shared mission with the goal of helping the planet, is something that makes me super happy and proud.

Swarovski has always been a part of my life – the first real gift that I gave to my mom when I was growing up was a Swarovski figurine and she carries it with her in a small velvet bag wherever she goes. It’s incredible how life works out.”

Time for change Another brand that’s devoted time and energy to worthy causes for many years is Hublot. While the Swiss watch manufacturer is widely known for its collaborations with high profile personalities and sports stars, its limited-edition collections for deserving charities and foundations around the world deserve equal attention.

One of Hublot’s most special launches is the Big Bang Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundation collection, created

in partnership with the BJWT Foundation. Combining style and philanthropy in a majestic way, the unique range comprises three powerful watches designed to signify the strength and beauty of felines.

The watches are available in three limited edition materials, gold (50 pieces), ceramic (100 pieces) and steel (100 pieces).

Each is hand-crafted and features an eye-catching tiger head-embossed dial, a satin-brushed bezel and a rubber strap engraved with a fur pattern. But don’t think this is just a novelty. The design is sleek enough to ensure diverse wearability, without losing any impact, while under the tough case, it’s powered by the HUB1401 calibre, one of Hublot’s most reliable automatic movements.

With the help of organisations and brands such as Hublot and Swarovski, the BJWT foundation will continue to expand its sanctuaries and raise awareness for the treatment of animals around the world for many years to come. blackjaguarwhitetiger.org

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Hublot Big Bang Black JaguarWhite Tiger in rose gold

E S C A P E FLIGHT OF FANCY

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BACK TO SCHOOL

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THE SECRET GARDEN

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AROUND-THE-WORLD PRIVATE JET HOLIDAYS, BRAND NEW HOTEL OPENINGS, EXCLUSIVE REVIEWS... THE WORLD OF LUXURY TRAVEL IS ON FIRE

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Flight of

FANCY

Whether you’re planning a round-the-world adventure or taking aim at a more remote escape, it’s time to wave goodbye to business class as these tailor-made private jet retreats take flight Words: Michelle Johnson

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ound-the-world trips were once the remit of gap-year students backpacking through Asia, but as the trend of private jet tours continues to rise, the concept is enjoying a much-needed face-lift. In a striking resemblence of the ‘Grand Tours’ enjoyed by upper class European gentlemen in the 17th and 18th centuries, bespoke private jet holidays are becoming the norm for luxury travellers.

Bridging the gap between high-end and experiential tourism, the appeal isn’t solely down to comfort – although what could be better than great service and Michelin-starred cuisine at 30,000 feet? In fact, there are many more practical reasons why a private jet could be the answer to many of the frustrating vacation woes that impact that adventure of a lifetime. Time, flexibility, security and the ability to choose your route are certainly major advantages, alongside accessibility.

Over the last five years, private jet chartering has seen a huge surge in popularity. Likewise,

travel agents have noticed an increase in requests for trips to far-flung destinations, particularly those not accessible to commercial airlines. This has, as a result, inspired premium travel companies and hotel groups to work with jet companies to offer exclusive packages for their most discerning customers.

“Travelling by private jet is truly a unique experience. There is simply no other way to see so much of the world in a single journey. Our private jet expeditions ensure that you travel in comfort and style, flying direct and landing close to destinations, so you can spend more of your vacation time exploring,” said TCS World Travel president Shelley Cline. “We specialise not only in traveling to remote destinations around the globe, but also on taking our guests places where they can have experiences that they would not be able to do on their own.”

Here are some of our favourite travel brands mixing ease and comfort with the rare escapes and daring excursions that will get the new jet set ready to take flight. »

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Amans customised 18 berth airbus

The new Grand Tour From Japan and Vietnam to Montenegro and Italy, see the world as never before with Aman’s Global Private Jet Expedition. Aman’s 18-berth airbus features four lounges, a shower room and hostess service to carry you in the height of luxury for this 22-day Grand Tour, taking in the brand’s most coveted hotel destinations around the world.

Beginning at Aman Tokyo, offering sushi and sword fighting lessons when you’re not discovering what the city has to offer, you’ll then enjoy properties in Shanghai, rural Vietnam, Thailand, Bhutan, and the north of India before heading into Europe – Greece, Montenegro (including a stay at the ultra-exclusive Sveti Stefan) and finally Italy – all with excursions and experiences included for a £85,110 price tag. aman.com

Explore Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan

Club suite at Amanyangyu luxury hotel and resort

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The hotel’s cafe terrace

ESCAPE

Into the wild If you’re looking for an escape from city living, the Four Seasons’ World of Adventures is everything you never knew to ask for. From the Seychelles to the Galapagos, this private jet tour takes guests across four continents to experience the rarest fruits of the earth from 19 October to 11 November. Adventurers begin in Seattle before venturing to the Samurai traditions of Kyoto, the sacred waters of Bali, the Seychelles’ pristine beaches, the Virunga Mountains of Rwanda (where you can observe gentle gorillas up close), the Berber villages of Marrakech, and the rhythms of Bogota. A three-night expedition in the Galapagos is certainly a rare jewel in the itinerary, before flying into Orlando, Florida. From £100,000 per person, this is an adventure designed for tried and true travellers. fourseasons.com

Gorillas in Rwanda

The remote Galapagos islands

Ranthambore National Park

Rajasthani musicians

Destination in the details Whether you want to enjoy alfresco dining on the Great Wall of China or take the kids on safari in Kenya’s Mahali Mzuri, TCS’s annual range of bespoke private jet adventures are tailored to every desire. Leaving your holiday in TCS’ detail-oriented hands, their classic world travel itineraries will take you on a 50 or 80 seat customised Boeing aircraft on anything from their president Shelley Cline’s top pick of the world’s distant locales – from kayaking in the Maldives or hiking through the bamboo forests of Rwanda – or the Unchartered Himalayas journey, which takes you from the fabled “land of Shangri-La” to the dizzying, isolated landscape of Mustang. » tcsworldtravel.com

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Flamingos in the Atacama desert

Aye aye, Captain If knowing which rare adventure to choose leaves you feeling out at sea, Captain’s Choice might have the answer. Originating in Australia, the company now offers UK customers a complete experience to their destination of choice, whether that’s helicopter flights over Mt Etna or horse riding through the Mongolian countryside. Whether private jet, expedition ships or Orient express, their aim is to get you to the most unique adventure possible while working with local guides for a sustainable touch.

Captainschoice.co.uk

Meet the loclas in South America Discover the Iguassu waterfalls

Tailor-made travel Abercrombie & Kent are the real deal when it comes to a tailor-made escape, with each holiday curated for the individual down to the very last detail. The brand was founded 50 years ago and now has a luxury boutique in London’s Harrods, has won awards for its philanthropic efforts in many of the remote locations it offers trips to, and still maintains its passion for discovery. Founder Geoffrey Kent even hosts one of the round-the-world private jet journeys on offer ( from £122,915), but shorter trips across the Arctic or East Africa are equally in vogue. abercrombiekent.co.uk

Discover unspoilt beaches and buzzing nightlife of the Phillipines

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Back to

SCHOOL We get a re-education in luxury from Bill Bensley on the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc Words: Rachel Ingram

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ietnam. A nation of conical hats, chicken satay and backpackers, or that’s what's believed by many people.

I too was guilty of such stereotyping, until a trip this summer changed my opinion for the better. I first visited Vietnam in 2007 as a young traveller. Armed with a rucksack and a map, I explored the mainland, hopping between guest houses and sleeper boats in my quest to ‘find myself ’ Eat, Pray, Love-style. Ten years later, I was invited to venture beyond the mainland to the island of Phu Quoc for a re-education that even Julia Roberts would have been envious of.

Phu Quoc island, a hidden gem in southern Vietnam, is where the rich and famous of Vietnam holiday. Lovingly known as the ‘pearl of the ocean’ in honour of its undeniable beauty, the island has, surprisingly, remained mostly untouched.

It's home to just one luxury five-star hotel, the newly opened JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay. For now, the resort has a monopoly, but its opening has set in motion a change that'll see a multitude of high-end brands set sail for Phu Quoc's sandy shores in the coming years.

Arriving at the resort, we knew we were in for something special.

Driving up the path we’re greeted by two giant dog figures and a greeting: ‘Welcome to Lamarck University’. It was immediately clear that this is no ordinary hotel.

The resort was designed by Bill Bensley, an eccentric hotel designer behind wonders such as The Siam, a serene garden escape in the heart of bustling Bangkok, and the forthcoming Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia’s first luxury eco-tent resort. Bensley famously only takes on a project if he is given an “unlimited” budget, and this is evident in the astonishing attention to detail that’s been paid as he brings to life his concept of a make-believe college.

Reality has been blended with fiction in a way that's so convincing that you could be forgiven for believing the elaborate stories that Bensley is selling. As he gives us a tour, pointing out the photographs and sports kits that line the walls, giving us anecdotes about the ‘classrooms’ we visit, and letting us in on little secrets – “the hotel manager is grandson of university’s founder, but he’s shy so don’t tell him you know”, he claims – I find myself asking, has he become the protagonist in his own story? »

Bill Bensley's designs exude luxury and attention to detail

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A bird's eye view of the Lamarck University 'campus'

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Home from home

Red Rum hosts a fresh seafood BBQ

The resort is organised into several ‘departments’. The Department of Physical Education houses the fitness centre. The Department of Mycology is home to the Chanterelle Spa by JW, a particularly whimsical space with a quirky ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme. The Department of Chemistry is, meanwhile, the gastronomy hotspot of the resort and offers a delectable spread of fine and casual dining options – and an incredibly sleek ocean-facing cocktail bar.

Start the day with freshly baked pastries at French & Co or head to Tempus Fugit (meaning ‘time flies’) and lose yourself in an enormous buffet of international dishes, washed down with sweet Vietnamese coffee. When the sun goes down, you’re spoilt for choice. The fresh seafood BBQ at Red Rum is a firm favourite all round, while guests can also enjoy authentic Cantonese flavours in the opulent Pink Pearl, or small bites and opulent elixirs mixed by ‘chemists’ at the Department of Chemistry.

When it comes to ‘student halls’, accommodation is spectacular.

Sea views, marble bathrooms and private terraces come at a minimum, while the private villas are something else.

Each luxury villa has a different nature theme. From sea life and bugs to mammals and birds, every animal lover can find a villa to fulfill their fantasies. The most impressive villa, Lamarck House is scheduled to open in December and is set to be even more opulent.

As well as a bathroom filled with $1m of marble, it will feature the longest private pool in Asia at 50 metres. and sits at the end of the bay in absolute privacy. If this is student living in Bensley’s world, sign me up for three more years.

Three blocks of rooms and suites, topped by stunning duplex apartments, overlook the Emerald Bay and the hotel’s garden and trio of infinity pools. The most striking pool lies in front of the Department of Concology and is shaped like a fanned shell – a silhouette that’s most impressive from the top floor penthouse. »

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ESCAPE

Mixologists at the 'Department of Chemistry

The whimsical Chanterelle Spa

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Lesson plans include traditional lantern-making

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“

IT’S CLEAR THAT A TRIP TO JW MARRIOTT PHU QUOC EMERALD BAY IS MORE THAN JUST A HOLIDAY,

BUT AN EDUCATION IN LIFE

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The Department of Concology's shellshaped pool is a show stopper

Work hard, play harder The resort is set along the Bai Khem beach, locally known as ‘ice cream beach’. Guests can spend the day relaxing on the private sandy shores and watching the wooden boats taking fishermen out to sea and visitors out on day trips.

Those eager to be more active can take part in a generous choice of activities, or ‘lessons’. Presented in the format of a class schedule each week, options range from sunrise surf-yoga and Vo Viet Nam (A Vietnamese martial art) to traditional lantern making and cocktail mixology. There’s even a weekly Sports Day where guests can go head-to-head on the lifesize running track.

Those who can drag themselves away from the resort can join exclusive excursions, or ‘field trips’, around the island. From kayaking through the waterways of the national park and trekking in the forest, to Vietnamese fishing and trips to local farms, there’s a lot on offer.

It’s clear that a trip to JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay is more than just a holiday, but an education in life. And with one of the world’s most creative interior designers on hand to add to its magic, the resort truly is a modern-day fairy tale come to life. It’s a place where Bensley is headmaster and we’re all the students participating in his fantastical game.

Currently, the best way to get to Phu Quoc from London is to fly with Vietnam Airlines to Ho Chi Min City and transfer to the island, where Bensley awaits ready to usher in a new class of students eager for a lesson in luxury at Lamarck University. marriott.co.uk

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SECRET GARDEN A quirky new boutique hotel is blooming amid city buildings in the heart of London’s Fitzrovia. Tempus explores art hotel The Mandrake’s leafy take on luxury Words: Michelle Johnson

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any city hotels take inspiration from their location, absorbing the buzzing streets or vibrant communities into their DNA, but entering Fitzrovia’s Mandrake Hotel is to escape London entirely. From the first steps through a darkened corridor, The Mandrake slowly reveals itself to its guests in tendrils of lush plants and dramatic works of art by the likes of Francesco Clemente, Jonas Burgert, PJ de Villiers and Bushra Fakhoury. The bar and reception areas benefit from soothing ‘soundscapes’ courtesy of sound engineer Pierre-Arnaud Alunni and bespoke Azzi Glasser scents, and if not for the trendy clientele you would feel about as far from city life as you can get.

The hotel’s 30 bedrooms and three suites are each a world unto themselves, from the Bedouin-inspired Mandrake Suite (below left) to the indoor-outdoor garden nature of the Terrace Room. The most jaw-dropping is the £6,000-per-night white marble penthouse, complete with a six-person Jacuzzi under a retractable roof. But don’t mistake the extremes of variation for a lack of unity within this truly surreal art hotel.

Designed by Rami Fustok, son of absurdist sculptor Bushra Fakhoury, The Mandrake is a wonderland that Lewis Carroll would surely have delighted in. Adding to the city’s cultural

Experience Bedouin living in style in the Mandrake Suite

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landscape is the hotel’s Artist in Residence programme, which kicks off with artist and tattooist Mark Mahoney this month.

For dining, the restaurant is the first foreign venture of Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred restaurant Serge et le Phoque, offering a fresh twist on French techniques. A 16-person private dining room offers another luxurious space, while botanical-based cocktails are offered to guests enjoying courtyard views from the 58-cover restaurant.

Perhaps the Mandrake’s most striking space – particularly on those precious clear London nights – is the open-air courtyard bar, designed by landscape architects Bureau Bas Smets. Like stepping into a city forest, within cascades of jasmine and passion flowers that surround the interior walls. It was here that Tempus sponsored the Mandrake’s launch party on 31 August, joining a host of the city’s entrepreneurs and restauranteurs to take in the last of the summer nights and smell the sweet jasmine scents accompanied by a few cocktails created by the hotel’s mixologists.

Whether you’re searching for an escape, looking to peruse the specially commissioned murals and creative art spaces, or just looking for a truly unique hotel experience, the Mandrake has got you covered, right in the heart of London. themandrake.com

The Mandrake’s courtyard brings the 89 charm of the country to central London

I N D U L G E ICE ICE BABY

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THE GOLD STANDARD

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DINNER WITH DRAMA

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ROOM AT THE TOP

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FROM THE FINEST VODKAS ON THE PLANET TO THE NEWEST RESTAURANTS, INDULGE IS OUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE FINEST FOOD AND DRINK AVAILABLE

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ICE ICE BABY Exploring the irresistible rise of super premium vodka

Words: Peter Dean

Move over whisky – vodka is the premium spirit of the moment

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hen Joe Gilmore, the legendary head barman of The Savoy’s American Bar died two years ago, there was a fact in his obituary that stuck out like a cherry in a Martini. During the 1960s, the amount of vodka that the Savoy managed to get through in a year was precisely… one bottle. In an entire year. The reason was the Cold War, when all things Russian were deeply unfashionable and just as hard to get as a pair of Levi’s on the other side of the border.

It was also a matter of taste. In that era, brown spirits were de rigeur in cocktails and, if it was going to be clear spirit that a customer ordered, then you knew it would be gin, usually served with tonic, in a fizz, Collins or Martini.

We get through a lot more vodka these days. We now drink over £3bn worth of the spirit and export a whopping 54 million bottles to other countries. In the past couple of years even that has started changing, as enthusiasts now favour quality over quantity. Sales of cheap vodka are tailing off globally due to a revived interest in brown spirits, a fatigue over outlandishly-flavoured vodkas and a switch in cocktail preferences. When Sex in the City was airing, every fashionable woman in town was drinking cosmopolitans with Absolut Citron, now they’re more likely to indulge in an Aperol spritz or a nebiolo made with English gin and German vermouth.

But while people are turning away from the cheap stuff, the one type of vodka that we are drinking more of is super premium – a category that was launched 20 years ago with the advent of Grey Goose and its five-times distillation process, and now includes over 100 brands in the UK alone. Premium vodka sales are set to boom with the US and UK leading the charge. » The reason there are fewer vodka distilleries in the UK compared

WE NOW DRINK OVER £3BN WORTH OF VODKA AND EXPORT A WHOPPING 54 MILLION BOTTLES TO OTHER COUNTRIES

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The reason there are fewer vodka distilleries in the UK compared to gin stills, according to Frank Harding, CEO of super premium vodka brand BeringIce, is that unlike gin it’s much harder to distil vodka en masse. It’s even harder to distil vodka as a super premium liquid in the way that his Swiss company is doing.

BeringIce is made using the highest quality luxury grade winter wheat. Wheat vodkas tend to be very light because wheat is a delicate grain and needs less distilling. “I find that any wheat vodka that’s distilled more than five times is a waste of time and misleading,” Harding said. “In general, wheat makes for a very approachable vodka, smooth, crisp and clean. We also use the purest water sourced from an ancient artesian well some 319m below the frozen ground of Belarus.”

The vodka passes through an exclusive platinum filtration system, giving it a unique smoothness that’s won the brand some of the highest accolades achievable. The first time BeringIce was entered into a competition it won Best Super Premium Vodka, Smoothest Vodka and Best in Eastern Europe – an incredible feat for a new contender. In 2016 it also won gold in The Luxury Masters out of 112 super premium entrants.

Another benefit of drinking BeringIce is that its certified ‘gluten free’ – a unique selling point in this day-and-age of caring about provenance and purity.

Aroma is another key consideration. “Scent accounts for 80% of how we process flavour,” said Harding. “The aroma of BeringIce is a key factor determining that its perfect to drink neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail, and is a result of the quality of our ingredients and Swiss technical excellence and precision.”

Although we recommend BeringIce neat at room temperature, in Switzerland it is served on ice – and it’s hugely popular. Each year increasing its consumption to 45,000 cases of what the Swiss simply refer to as ‘ICE’. Super premium vodka is a sipping drink so, even if you are going to drink it from the freezer, it’s recommended to only freeze it an hour before serving, and then wait a few minutes for it to thaw and allow the aromas and taste to open out – much like a fine wine. »

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Three vodkas that all the smartest drinks cabinets should have Christiania Ultra Premium Produced in Norway using Trøndelag potatoes, it is distilled six times, charcoal filtered and aerated, according to a recipe said to have originated in the court of Christian IV of Norway over 400 years ago. christianiavodka.com

BeringIce is crafted from 100% luxury grade winter wheat

BeringIce Made from the very finest soft winter wheat, it has a gentle aroma is light on the tongue with a silky smooth texture, has a weighty richness on the mid-palate and a delicate hint of vanilla cream on the finish. beringice.com

Reyka Iceland’s natural spring water is used by other spirits brands but this is the only Icelandic spirit from the island’s only distillery, powered by the island’s geo-thermal heat, making it truly ‘green’. It tastes pretty good too. reyka.com

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Dartz’s Russo-Baltique can be yours for a cool $1.35m

The vodka also goes with any mixer and bolsters any vodka-based cocktail such as passionfruit martinis, espresso martinis and vodka peach sparklers.

Of course, if you’re talking super expensive super premium vodka, then the bottle and packaging is often what chalks the prices up so alarmingly that, quite frankly, you need a few shots to calm yourself down. Swarovski and Fabergé have a hand in some of the most expensive vodkas in the world, from the relatively cheap £1,500 you pay for a bottle of Alize (bottle studded with diamonds) to £2,300 for Stoli Elit’s Himalayan edition, which comes with a gold-plated icepick. The limited Jean-Roche designed edition of Belvedere called Belver Bears (£5,500 a bottle) is also in this bracket.

If you think Diva is pricey at $1m (£700,000) a bottle then hold onto your Ushanka for Dartz’s Russo-Baltique, whose $1.35m (£1m) price tag is justified by the gold bottle cap that’s encrusted with diamonds in the shape of the Russian Imperial Eagle. Finally, there’s Billionaire costing – wait for it – $3.7m (£2.8m) a bottle, making it the world’s most expensive. Leon Verres designed the bottle that holds five litres of a spirit made to a secret recipe, while the packaging includes more than 3,000 diamonds. Oh, and each bottle is hand delivered by white gloved-armed secure courier to anywhere in the world.

We’ve come a long way since that solitary bottle of vodka sat gathering dust all year at the back of the American Bar.

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IMPRESSIVE THAI-STYLE RESORT IN A

BLISSFUL SETTING Imagine lush oriental gardens and a pool landscape designed to create an environment of exotic aromas and water noises – without having to go long haul – and you have the 5-star Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa on the White Coast in Alicante. Bringing the East to the West, creating the perfect setting in which to unwind, this resort brings the finest blend of Asian style, cuisine and therapies to a European hotel. Deluxe guest rooms have been designed in a meticulous Balinese style combining technology with comfort; dining is a masterly combination of original Asian flavors as well as traditional Mediterranean and international cuisine; and the hotel has an authentic Thai Spa where you can enjoy a genuine, traditional Thai massage. There’s even a kids’ club so the whole family can enjoy the hotel.

A member of ‘The Leading Hotels of The World’ ASIA GARDENS HOTEL & THAI SPA, TERRA MÍTICA, ROTONDA DEL FUEGO S/N 03509, ALICANTE SPAIN

WEBSITE: WWW.ASIAGARDENS.ES

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PHONE: + 34 966 81 84 00

The

GOLD

standard

On the island of Mazzorbo in the Venetian lagoon, Venissa is the last producer of the dorana grape. Now 16 of their bottles with unique gold-leaf labels have gone on display at the Venice Biennale art show Words: Antonia Windsor

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Venissa’s unique colour is one of its USPs

ost lovers of wine would consider a particularly fine vintage to be a work of art. And now the art world has endorsed this, with a display of Venissa wine at the 57th Venice Biennale running until 26 November. The Venetian wine, which stands out with its golden colour, gold leaf labels and use of rare, historic grapes, joins the Luxus exhibition at the Venice Pavilion. This is the first time that any winery has featured at the worldfamous art exhibition and Matteo Bisol, general manager at Venissa, is suitably proud.

“We are really happy to be invited to be part of the Biennale because it is one of the most important art shows in the world,” Matteo tells me when we meet at the Michelin-starred restaurant that overlooks his vineyard. “The Venice Pavilion decided to create an exhibition called Luxus, which brought together many of the hand-crafted luxury products of the area. So the exhibition includes textiles, perfumes, lamps and pottery and they selected our wine because even agriculture, especially when it is done in a certain way and in certain places can become something which is very close to art.”

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Venissa is situated on the island of Mazzorbo in the Venetian lagoon. They have only 0.8 hectares (two acres) of vines, which produce the historic dorana grape. The 4,000 vines have grown from just 80 samples of the ancient native variety that his father Gianluca found in the lagoon.

“Making wine here is really something very difficult,” explains Matteo. On the picturesque terrace, we are treated to a starter of anchovies marinated in mezcal with rose powder and buckwheat ice cream – the choice a perfect match to this uniquely earthy wine.

“It is actually quite incredible because this vineyard is surrounded by water in three of the four sites and sometimes the water gets over the vineyard, when we experience what is known as ‘aqua alta’. We get flooded with saltwater and the wine has this salt taste, which is really related to the soil and it makes it one of the most unique wines in the world.”

The fermentation process of this white wine is also distinctive to its taste. Like in the treatment of red wines, the skin is left on during fermentation, which extracts the tannins and antioxidants to make what is known as an »

Venissa wine is already proving highly profitable for investors

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“orange wine” or skin-macerated wine, giving it its unique golden colour. Venissa’s wine was also chosen for the Luxus exhibition in part because of the beauty of its bottles, which are decorated with gold leaf.

“The bottles are very unique because they were designed by Giovanni Moretti, a glass designer from Murano,” says Bisol. “He had the idea to put together two things related to Venice, the Battiloro gold leaf and our golden grape.” The Bisols are the only producers carrying on the tradition of making dorana wine and the Battiloro family is the last family to produce gold leaf in Venice, so Moretti had the idea to bake the gold leaf into the bottle. The shape of the gold leaf is different for each vintage and then on each bottle is written the name of the wine and the number of the bottle out of the total number of the bottles produced that year.

“Each year we make around 12 bottles that are created by artists and these are really pieces of art,” Bisol explains as we move on to the main course – an intensely flavoured dish of guinea fowl with a salad marinated with yuzu and sea artemisia oil.

“At the centre of the Luxus exhibition is 16 bottles from this collection – all from the first vintage – worth around €8,000 a bottle.”

Even typical bottles of Venissa wine are proving a good investment. The first bottles were sold for €8 (£7) and they now sell for €800 (£700). The new vintage sells for €140 (£125) a bottle, while the

2016 vintage sells for €280 (£250) and the 2015 vintage now fetches €560 (£495) a bottle.

“Our production here is very small,” Bisol explains. “We produce between 3,000 to 4,000 bottles of wine and a small number of large formats – so magnums (1.5 litres), jeroboams (4.5 litres) and imperials (6-litres). Almost half the production is sold here through our restaurant and to people who come here, and we only have about 2,000 bottles more or less – just 300 cases of six – to sell to collectors and wine lovers.”

Because of its unique fermentation method, Matteo believes the wine could be laid down for as many as 40 years, particularly the larger bottles that age slowly.

They have a base of wine collectors that preorder the wine each year. Half of the 300 cases go to collectors and the other half go to Michelinstarred restaurants all over the world.

“If you come here you can buy, because we allocate half the production to this purpose,” explains Bisol.

It is definitely worth making the visit to buy the wine on site. They operate a boutique hotel within the walls of the vineyard where guests can experience a gourmet stay and find out more about the wine. As Bisol hurries off to attend to business, I order a dessert and enjoy the tranquility of my spot overlooking the vineyard. issa.it

Giovanni Moretti

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INDULGE Venissa’s winery is home to a Michelin-star restaurant

HE HAD THE IDEA TO PUT TOGETHER TWO THINGS RELATED TO VENICE, THE BATTILORO GOLD LEAF AND OUR GOLDEN GRAPE

Photo credits Francesco Galifi – Restaurant Mattia Mionetto – Vineyard

Matteo Bisol

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Dinner with

DRAMA

Flaming grills, flashing blades and a thrilling wine list – Tempus discovers one of London’s best new Japanese restaurants Words: Scott Manson

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inza Onodera has a lot to live up to – it’s set in the same site that, for 23 years, was home to celebrated Japanese restaurant Matsuri. We spotted a couple of its former staff on the night we visited but, following a six month, £2.5m refurb, the space itself has been transformed into a showpiece monochromatic temple of gastronomy, complete with floor to ceiling wine (and sake) cabinets.

The sense of theatre continues as the top of the room – the stage, if you will – which sees chefs at work behind a robata grill and marble topped sushi and teppanyaki bars. Refreshingly, the overall ambience of the 120-cover room is one of quiet, understated wealth, rather than shiny extravagance, which befits its more sober St James’s location – as opposed to its brasher Mayfair neighbour.

The beautiful setting provides a backdrop for exquisite food. Think delicate sushi, crisp prawn and vegetable tempura and – of course – miso black cod. The latter is not just a hackneyed version of the Nobu classic though. Rather it’s a chunky, pearly-white affair, cooked on the robata grill (with authentic Japanese ‘bincho’ wood, which gives puffs of smoke, rather than scorching fire) and plated so beautifully that it seems blasphemous to eat it. We do, of course.

Glasses of aged sake start to arrive with each course, a new take on a tasting menu. Call me a philistine but I found them fighting with the flavours of my food and soon asked to switch to wine. I was glad I did, as the next course – cactus-fed turbot "kobujime"– saw this king of fish cured between layers of kombu, resulting in a punchy umami hit. In fact, it’s where this restaurant pushes the envelope that it really hits the mark. For proof, look no further than the delicious tapas-style crab croquettes, complete with parmesan and béchamel, that help redefine the sometimes too-traditional world of Japanese dining.

As we left, I spotted a few cute private rooms where, if there’s six of you looking for an intimate dining experience, you can book your own chef to dazzle your taste buds all night – #dininggoals, as the kids might say. onodera-group.com

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Room at the

TOP

Want to try Soho’s biggest roof terrace restaurant? Then join the club Words: Scott Manson

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ondon’s West End member’s clubs are having a bit of a moment. For a while it looked like the trend was expanding outwards – spearheaded by Chiswick and Shoreditch outposts of the Soho House empire – but the needle has turned back to the centre again. This is great news for the Century Club, which is something of a hidden gem despite it sitting in the middle of Shaftesbury Avenue, one of the capital’s busiest streets.

As befits an under-the-radar spot, I managed to walk past the discreet entrance twice. It’s a single dark door with minimal signage, no doubt to avoid the tourist hordes who might otherwise do some late-night bell buzzing if they saw the word ‘club’ outside.

Up a steep staircase, though, lies a fascinating warren of rooms to discover, from a sophisticated cocktail lounge to a light-flooded tap room, a relaxing club lounge and – our destination for lunch – the famous rooftop terrace.

It’s an impressive space, the biggest rooftop terrace in Soho, they claim. The glass roof gives it an airy feel so that, even on this wet Tuesday, the place feels fresh and welcoming. Member’s clubs are often set in old, historic buildings, which is part of their charm but can make for a gloomy feel. Century combines a traditional setting with a modern aesthetic to great effect.

And so to lunch. Head chef Ghani Ould-Rabah has cut his teeth in some serious London kitchens, including Vijante and

Hakkasan, and now he’s combining his Middle Eastern heritage with the best in modern British classics. We chose from the allday menu – a list of unashamed crowd-pleasers that suits the in-arush executive and the leisurely luncher alike. Creamy, wobbling burrata was a deliciously rich starter, as was the Forman’s smoked salmon, served with caper berries, dill yoghurt and grilled bread.

As any foodie knows, the East London smoker that supplies this salmon is one of the world’s best, with its ‘London cure’ being the smoked fish of choice for many top restaurants.

The mains were similarly impressive, from the Josper grilled, 30-day-aged Aberdeen Angus ribeye – a chunky, marbled beauty cooked to perfect mid-rare – to a beautifully tender Norfolk Black chicken breast, served with an insanely moreish bacon jam and madeira sauce. This is relaxed, casual dining without the show-off cheffery, which is exactly what you want from your private club.

Super staff, too.

That’s the thing, though. You do need to be a member (or be with a member) to eat here. Should you join Century just because it’s got a lovely rooftop restaurant? I’d say no. However, factor in the location, the many beautiful bars and the cool-but-not-toocool vibe, and you may well want to investigate further. Beyond that hidden doorway lies several floors of fun. centuryclub.co.uk

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C U L T U R E TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY

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NEMESES OR BROTHERS IN ARMS?

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OUR COLOURFUL GUIDE TO THE ART WORLD’S MOST EXCITING ARTISTS – AND THOSE TO INVEST IN

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Nicolas Laborie is a nominee for portrait of the year award

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buy or not to buy Buying art is a serious business. We gathered some of the art world’s leading figures to reveal the secrets behind a successful art investment Words: Scott Wheeler

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ou don’t have to be a big-time player to become a successful art investor. For proof, look no further than the story of Herbert and Dorothy Vogel. A postal worker and librarian, respectively, Herb and Dot began investing their modest wages in the work of emerging artists of the day such as Roy Lichtenstein, Donald Judd, Robert Mangold, Richard Tuttle and Cindy Sherman. Eventually they had amassed almost 5,000 works, all of which were displayed and stored in their one-bedroomed apartment. By the time Herbert died, their collection was one of the most important in the world and worth hundreds of millions of pounds. Dorothy eventually donated the majority of it to the National Gallery so that the world could also enjoy their treasures. It demonstrates what a little know-how can do, together with all-important passion.

The Vogels were successful because they did their homework, found out where and how to buy, and fostered personal relationships with the artists. They also bought small affordable works across a wide spectrum from conceptual to contemporary art. If you feel like art collecting could be for you, then here’s a fair warning. Like most pleasures, it can become addictive. But my word, is it fun. »

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Nicolas Laborie

Buying from a gallery The advantages of buying from a gallery are that you’ll receive good advice about which artists might make strong long-term investments. For example, London’s Woodbury House advises buying “a balanced portfolio which includes blue chip artists, such as Richard Hambleton and emerging artists such as Schoony.”

The disadvantages of gallery buying include paying them 50% of the asking price, which either you pay, or is split with the artist in the hope that the gallery will increase their sales enough to make up their shortfall on individual items. Spotting the artists that galleries are promoting, and going directly to the artist, will save you both money and the almost inevitable depreciation of 50% you suffer as soon as you part company with your cash to the gallery owner.

Galleries can also form a clique of opinion about ‘who is hot and who is not’, which can blindside them to artists emerging outside of key cities, or in genres that are currently out of fashion. Buying art is a long-term investment, trends come and go, so be like a Vogel and buy pieces across a wide spectrum that will intrigue you for a lifetime to come.

It can be confusing because the experts don’t always agree. Vicki Winfor, director of Roseberry’s Auction House, said: “Right now the market for modern and contemporary sculpture is rising and the post war and contemporary picture market remains hugely buoyant while the photography market is quite stagnant.”

However, Brandei Estes, Sotheby’s head of photographs, noted that: “The photography market is proving to be the fastest rising sector due to its accessibility, both in terms of aesthetics and price points.”

Sometimes it’s that niche element that makes something ideal for new investors and seasoned collectors who are finding themselves priced out of the conventional market. The fashion photography of luminaries such as Helmut Newton, Irving Penn and Guy Bourdin have shown sustained growth at auction over the past 10 years. As Brandei Estes said: “With expert guidance and insider insight, this growing market is worth exploring right now.”

Leading galleries worth checking include London-based Maddox Gallery, Jealous Gallery, Panton and Hall and Woodbury House. In New York, Emmanuel Fremin Gallery and Guy Hepner are also recommended.

Some online galleries also come with good credentials so take a look at hanguppictures.com, countereditions.com, dominicguerrini.co.uk, and saatchiart.com.

Artists to watch include Bran Symondson, Antony Micallef, Dan Baldwin and Charming Baker. For photographers, take a look at Nicolas Laborie (a nominee for LensCulture’s Portrait of the Year award) and Miles Aldridge. »

© Bran Symondson

© Thefirsttime

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© Charming Baker

Brandei Estes from Sotheby’s urges collectors not to ignore the power of photography

© Schoony

IT CAN BE CONFUSING BECAUSE THE EXPERTS DON’T ALWAYS AGREE

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RIGHT NOW THE MARKET FOR MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY SCULPTURE IS RISING AND THE POST WAR AND CONTEMPORARY PICTURE MARKET REMAINS HUGELY BUOYANT WHILE THE PHOTOGRAPHY MARKET IS QUITE STAGNANT

Roseberys is one of London’s leading fine art auctioneers

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Art fairs and auction houses

© Charming Baker

Auction houses have the advantage of saving you gallery fees, but should be approached with caution if you’re not a seasoned auction-goer. The four main auction houses are Sotheby’s, Christies, Bonhams and Roseberys. They offer a wealth of information with a specialist in every category, so do ask for their advice. Learning about art is half the fun, after all.

With the art market now worth $45bn (£35bn) and attendances at galleries, auctions and art fairs at record levels, it’s perhaps unsurprising that wealth fund managers now employ expert advisers. As Woodbury House pointed out: “Rather than investing in stocks or bonds, art provides investors with an alternative, tangible opportunity.”

London-based boutique wealth management firm MJS Capital, for example, offers a diverse portfolio of investment schemes including art collectibles bonds. It also covers the storage and insurance aspects of owning precious artworks. Depending on how much you invest, you can buy complete works of art or a share in a blue chip artist.

Art fairs are growing in popularity at a tremendous rate. If you’re looking to start a collection, it’s a good idea to go to the main fairs.

These give you the perfect opportunity to become acquainted with the commercial market. Look at which artists the top galleries are promoting, have previously represented or picked up at the start of their careers. Vicki Wonfor advised that if a picture comes up for auction from an artist that a top London gallery is due to exhibit, this is often considered a possible investment opportunity.

She explained: “This is because the gallery’s promotion of the artist will quite often raise the value in the future secondary marketplace.” In other words, buy and you might see your investment rise on the tails of a gallery’s investment, which is quite a neat reversal of buying directly from them. London’s recent Frieze event is the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with great art or, as a starter, it’s also worth taking a look at the Affordable Art Fair.

However your adventure in art begins, keep the Vogels in mind – do your homework, buy with passion and, like them, you could end up with a world-beating collection. Even if you don’t, you’ll have a lot of fun doing it.

© Richard Hambleton

Vicki Wonfor advises to watch the top London galleries closely

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NEMESES OR BROTHERS IN ARMS? Debating the impact of technology on art Words: Henry Hopwood-Philips

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he post-war period has been dominated by the question of whether art and politics have stuck to their historical claims. While art has typically judged the culture from which it’s sprung and politics has stuck to more pedestrian matters, the two appear to have flipped in recent years.

Now, politics aspires to a meta-political role (wrapped in the language of ‘globalism’ and ‘governance’) and art is becoming increasingly sensitive to market demands, losing any pretence of belonging to a higher order.

But a new framework is being born that may possess the power to overturn the conventional debate. Here, we look at how developments in the technological sphere may unleash the greatest dreams of artists, or reduce art to a province of the economy.

The first shots across art’s bow came from a collaboration between two Dutch museums, Microsoft, ING and the Delft University of Technology. In 2016, they created a faithful replication of a Rembrandt painting by mining the data (i.e. the metrics) of all the artist’s previous works. A 3D printer was even employed to give the work an authentic brush-stroked texture.

If the work of a canonical painter like Rembrandt can be reproduced by changing variants in an algorithm, not only does that throw into question the worth of the current stock of Masters, but also the value of what one has historically considered “genius”. Adam Greenfield, author of The Real Dangers of AI, suggests the project calls time on our traditional notions of creation. “The essence of [the artist]”, he asserted, “is perceiving patterns and having stereotyped responses to those patterns that they can improvise on.”

When AI can do this better than us, why still laud the creator? It’s a question that touches on whether art has progressed or perished as its relationship with the tools of production has become more enmeshed. Once art was about the human touch behind a paintbrush, chalk or pencil but now new tools require different skills. And this new repertoire appears to reinject a new animus into the ancient Greek debate on the merits of techne (practical knowledge) and episteme (abstract knowledge), with the former clearly gaining ground today.

Meanwhile, artists – while being required to master new tools – are also, on a deeper level, at risk of being »

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The ‘Rembrandt’ painting created by the 3D printer is virtually indistinguishable from the original

CULTURE

The 3D printer at work

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THE TIDES OF CHANGE A closer look at five new apps and technologies ruffling feathers in the art world...

Verisart Employs blockchain to revolutionise many of the authenticity issues that plague art industry verisart.com

Wild Spark Where artists can upload works on to central system and be paid without any need for a corporate structure – eliminating middle-men. wildspark.me

Cappasity Making 3D digitising as easy as photography, Cappasity also allows parties to monetise their content. cappasity.com overwhelmed and exhausted by the sheer amount of options offered. Myriad means of expression rarely result in empowerment.

Instead, a surplus of tools or ideas tends to immobilise an artist.

There’s a sinking feeling – in an infinite sea of content – that everything must have been done by someone else; hopes of originality are easily pilloried as juvenile or hubristic.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however. Technology also has the potential to improve transparency. Historically, the art world has suffered opacity when it comes to tracking the provenance and movement of items. This is almost entirely because it still relies on a paper-based system where corruption, theft, loss or destruction regularly blight the industry. But this may quickly become a thing of the past if Blockchain (the technology behind Bitcoin) is deployed.

Essentially a public database for global transactions, its genius lies in its lack of a central authority (which could potentially be corrupted). Instead, its ledger is distributed through a vast network of users, which keeps things tamper-proof and neutral.

Several start-ups are already seeing its value and adopting ways to implement it in the art world. Some of the biggest contenders include Verisart, which generates certificates of authenticity and verifies works in real-time. The company Ascribe, which pins unique cryptographic IDs that retrieve the entire histories of items.

While Monegraph offers a similar service, too, but also promises to send alarm bells ringing if a person attempts to claim ownership of the same artwork.

Much of the value in these companies derives from the virtues of decentralisation. For too long, mediators have made transactions in the art world both expensive and clumsy. In the future, the hope

is that contract systems will spring up that make the artist an equal and transparent partner with investors in ventures. ‘Smart Contracts’, which promise to self-execute the terms of agreements, ensuring that profits are divided fairly and without delay, will quickly follow. And, finally, mechanisms like Weifund (which, unlike Kickstarter or Indiegogo turn supporters into investors instead of dumping them after reaching targets) will be likely to proliferate among artists, too.

All these developments promise to place artists back at the centre of their own banquets, rather than begging for crumbs from others. They assure the market that legal wrangles will be settled in a world of a few clicks instead of months or years of court battles.

They guarantee that automated code is more reliable and honest than the elites that currently govern the processes.

The real problem is, however, that though they may be correct, these are revolutions that affect the body rather than the spirit of art. Of course, governance, identity and supply chains matter, as do investment patterns and contracts. But arguing about the capillaries while ignoring the heart, could be seen as an exercise in futility.

This is why the curator Hans Ulrich Obrist, director of the Serpentine Gallery, did not daydream about the future grammar of the economic system that art found itself in, when questioned about the nature of future art. Instead, he answered: “It is the famous ‘etonnez-moi’ of Diaghilev and Cocteau.” To have one’s artistic norms shattered, modified and astonished is not the same as the neo-liberal dream of complete financialisation. And to pretend so would be to make a mockery of art.

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Duet Display Pro If you haven’t got budget for a second screen while scrawling your latest creation, don’t worry, this little app turns your solo monitor into two so you can get any project turned around in no time. duetdisplay.com/pro

Wydr The Tinder of buying art, Wydr lets prospective buyers flip through stacks of artwork, swiping right when you like and left when you don’t. Don’t waste time browsing galleries, simply download this app. wydr.co

S M A R T

L I V I N G

CITY RICHES

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INTO THE WILD SAFE AND SECURE

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GIVE YOUR MIND, BODY AND SOUL A MUCH-NEEDED UPGRADE WITH THESE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE PROGRAMMES AND SMART PROPERTY INVESTMENTS

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City

RICHES

Plant your currency in key world conurbations for handsome returns Words: Cheryl Markosky

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conomist John Stuart Mill reckoned that “landlords grow rich in their sleep”. Investing in property is a sound way to become wealthy, but where should you capitalise your funds?

Paul Tostevin from Savills Global Research Team believes Paris is back on the radar, with values rising 6% this year now that Macron’s on the scene.

“Milan’s also one to watch,” he says.

“Transactions are up, with new prime development emerging in the business district and recent tax incentives introduced by the Italian government for high net worth individuals.” Other strong candidates, according to Savills, are New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto.

John Taylor’s Oliver Blum tips Berlin, where many young tech companies are burgeoning, because this vibrant German metropolis is cheaper than Switzerland or Sweden. He says you need to determine which district feels

right for you, from arty Kreuzberg – with its “cool, old refurbished buildings” – to upscale Charlottenburg, or stylish Mitte, known as Berlin’s beating heart.

If Charlie Smith of Prime New Developments had disposable cash he’d run to an established European city – in particular, Rome, where you can pick up a property for about a quarter of values demanded in Tuscany. “It’s steeped in culture, has good air access and is down about 50% on pre-crash prices.” A braver person could venture out further to Athens, he suggests, as “Greece will come back one day soon”.

Don’t forget London, argues Lisa Ronson of Ronson Capital Partners, who’s selling apartments from £2m at Riverwalk – a sleek building with lines following the curves of the Thames. “It’s a world capital, has solid British laws and its time zone fits conveniently between Asia and America.” Here’s our pick of the best around the world. »

Incredible views are just one of the appeals of London’s Riverwalk

The Ritz Carlton Residences Singapore Pleasing ‘culture collision’ in three- and four-bedroom apartments with Poggenpohl kitchens, Sub-Zero fridges and a dash of Asian panache. Keep fit in the aqua gym and indoor lap pool, or laze in the maze garden. Prices from £6m. primenewdevelopments.com

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SMART LIVING

Riverwalk, London Elegant, waterfront penthouses with five bedrooms and south-facing terrace on the north bank of the Thames, next to London’s Tate Britain and the high-end neighbourhood of Belgravia. Applauded for its curvaceous architecture by award-winning Stanton Williams, the building is tended by Harrod Estates’ concierges, who will look after deliveries and book theatre tickets. Valet parking is also provided. Price: £25. » knightfrank.co.uk

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Mitte, Berlin Furnished 10,000-square foot penthouse with direct access to the Tiergarten, and a 10-minute walk to the Brandenburg Gate, Neue Nationalgalerie and Potsdamer Platz.

Perks include concierge service and security, sauna, spa, gym and rooftop pool in this six-bedroom bolthole in Berlin’s diplomatic quarter. From €25m (£22.2m). john-taylor.com

Isle Saint-Louis, Paris A truly ‘magnifique’, three-bedroom luxury apartment with separate kitchen and dining room, and views of the Seine in a building on the Left Bank romantically once inhabited by French artists. Priced at €5.2m (£4.6m). Parking space available for an extra €150,000 (£133,000). savills.com

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Into the

WILD

Words: Lysanne Currie

When wealth brings complications that require unique solutions, the Extraordinary Adventure Club steps in to help. Tempus tracked down founder Calum Morrison to hear how his revolutionary selfdiscovery programme helps elite clients recalibrate their lives

EAC programmes take clients out of their comfort zone

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alum Morrison first became interested in the transformational power of the wilderness as a teenager, climbing in the Scottish Highlands. “I led outward bound courses and saw how they transformed these hard nuts from Glasgow in only a few days,” he told us. Calum’s interest in personal development was further sparked during his eight years as a Royal Marines officer, developed as he mentored business leaders and then was formalised in 2012 when Morrison founded the Extraordinary Adventure Club (EAC), a collective of internationally renowned psychotherapists, counsellors, holistic practitioners, coaches and mentors. Clients sign up to a six month programme of self-discovery which includes two retreats in the Scottish Highlands, weekly coaching sessions and two expeditions created by Morrison for the client. Journeys could be anything from trekking through the Sudanese desert to training with a Zimbabwean anti-poaching unit – the only thing that is certain is that the client won’t know what’s in store until they arrive... »

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Tempus: As an officer in the Royal Marines, you worked in hostile environments including Afghanistan and Somalia. How did those experiences inform the development of EAC?

WE PLACED ONE CLIENT (WEIGHED DOWN BY HIS HIGH PROFILE) WITH CAMEL HERDERS IN MONGOLIA. THE HERDERS DIDN’T KNOW WHO HE WAS SO HE COULD

what we need to do and then find somewhere that suits. Then an envelope is delivered to their home with just a kit list and meeting coordinates, not the destination. All they know is that it will be two weeks out of their schedule. One of us meets them on arrival and the journey starts almost immediately – within a few hours of arriving they could be on a camel in the Sudanese desert. This is how we dislocate them and then that’s where it gets interesting: the questions begin and the exploration starts. Everything we do is focused on their development, simplifying and reducing complexity, not only on the journey that we undertake but within their own lives. Whether it’s jumping out of a helicopter or dog sledding, everything is designed to help clients unlock their inherent resilience and recalibrate their perceptions of both themselves and the world in which they wish to live – and we are watching the whole time.

We placed one client (who was weighed down by his high profile) with camel herders in Mongolia for 24 hours. The herders didn’t know who he was – he was “only a man” and interesting only if he engaged with them – so he could finally be himself, no-one was judging. And we sometimes throw in surprise luxuries – one client spent days biking through the Gobi Desert, sleeping in whatever shelter he could find. Then suddenly he came across a yurt with a mattress! That was now luxury for him. It’s about recalibrating from the excess that might characterise their lives.

FINALLY BE HIMSELF

Calum Morrison: I spent 15 months in Georgia observing the Russian/Chechen fighting forces. We stayed in a remote community that was akin to Scotland in the 18th century. Survival was totally dependent on the relationship we had with the local people – guns and money mean nothing if the locals don't want you there. I watched what made people tick, which processes motivated and understood that we are all far more capable than we think. When I returned I started helping individuals on an ad hoc basis and out of that the EAC was born.

Who signs up to your programmes?

One of our main groups is the super successful CEO who has sold their business and received millions but not the contentment, enlightenment or transformation that they assumed would accompany the payout.

Often, they have spent decades not knowing where their business finishes and their real self starts and then, when the business goes, they’re left wondering who they are – that’s what brings them to us.

Then there’s the second generation of big enterprise families who are missing their motivation. In one family, the parents were from modest backgrounds and their success had come from years of hard graft whereas their children only knew extreme wealth. The father expected his children to have the same hunger when the appetite stimulants were totally different. We help these types of people discover their values and purpose in the context and the environment in which they live.

All your programmes kick off with a retreat in the Scottish Highlands. What happens there?

The four days includes psychological profiling and a fitness appraisal so we can identify what we can do. First, we remove phones, laptops and watches and then we take them outside – clients are often thigh deep in an icy river within hours of disembarking the sleeper. It’s a good way of disconnecting. After that we sit by the fire and talk through why they have come to EAC and how they want their life to look.

And how does the big expedition come about?

The team then decides on the right expedition for the client – we decide

What happens when they return?

The expedition is transitional and when it’s over we help clients bring what they learnt about themselves into the everyday. The speed at which clients change varies – one underwent an enormous transformation in the four-day retreat, whereas others experience slow, incremental gains over the months. And sometimes only family members notice the difference – one mother rang up to say that they’d just had the best Christmas ever. It’s an emotional journey and there can be tears but there is playfulness and lightness too. We want clients to accept responsibility but not let it be a noose around their neck. It’s far better if it can instead be a ball they can juggle and put down when they want to.

We want to help clients not wear life too heavily.

The Extraordinary Adventure Club programmes are fully bespoke and curated for the individual. Packages are priced upon request, starting from £175,000 for a six-month engagement. extraordinaryadventureclub.com

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SMART LIVING EAC founder Calum Morrison

“I realised I was much more capable than I thought” One Extraordinary Adventure Club client shares his thoughts on the unique programme “I grew up very privileged financially. My parents came from modest backgrounds but had achieved incredible success through hard work. I grew up lacking the same confidence and ambition and began drinking heavily and behaving recklessly from an early age. When I reached my twenties, I wanted to change but didn’t know how. Conventional therapy hadn’t worked for me so I realised needed to do something different.

I’d heard about the Extraordinary Adventure Club through a friend whose father had gone on their programme and he talked about the time he’d spent disconnected from the material world and immersed in nature. That resonated – I too wanted to experience a deep connection to nature and to test myself.

The Scottish retreat was set up so that I lived nearby the team and the outdoors element gave me the opportunity to test my survival skills and confront my fears. Coaching and mentoring sessions followed and then I took things a step further and went on the expedition – a remarkable experience which taught me how to isolate and release incidents from my past.

I realised I was much more capable than I thought and less fearful than I imagined and that change has been fundamental. I’m now determined to get out into the wild far more and since I’ve been back I’ve spent far more time climbing mountains and open water swimming.

This more active lifestyle and ongoing mentoring from the EAC has given me clarity and has helped build my confidence and release negative thought and behaviour patterns.

I’d advise anyone who feels at a crossroads in their life to look into an EAC programme. It is a unique experience away from conventional therapy and it’s changed my life.”

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Safe and secure Close protection services are on the rise for the wealthy. Here’s what you need to know

Close Protection Officers (CPOs) are highly professional and very discreet operators. When you think of bodyguards, then images of celebrities surrounded by hulking men often come to mind, but the image of a professional close protection officer takes us far from that conspicuous minder.

They’re more likely to be in the background, wearing business suits and ties, keeping a close eye on their clients and the surroundings. One company at the forefront of providing such highly qualified officers is Excellentia.

With the strap line “Excellentia – the constant pursuit of excellence”, the company does just that.

The growth in the number of high net worth individuals over the last 20 years has seen an increase in demand for such services. Wealthy individuals face the threat of kidnapping or the kidnapping of their children, and dignitaries face the risk of attempted assassination.

Business executives working in high-risk sectors – such as unstable political regimes – may also have protection assigned by their company as a matter of course. The diversity of those seeking close protection services is increasing year on year and you’d be surprised at the number of people in the UK that have a close protection officer, not only providing protection to them but their home and their assets.

Excellentia, a platinum level security firm established in 2006, has a high-calibre workforce of professional, discreet men and women who are all government vetted and have previously served in close protection units for the UK Royal Military Police, Royalty and Special Branch protection or the UK Special Forces, providing protective security in the UK and overseas. As the company says, this provides "excellence through experience."

Derek Kerr, director at Excellentia, explained why it’s not about James Bond types wearing sunglasses doing handbrake turns as they speed their clients away from bad guys.

“It’s vital for our operators to listen to what the client wants. Often they prefer their security to be inconspicuous as they go about their daily routine and

not bring more attention to them. Our operators are constantly risk assessing, thinking how they can protect their client at all times and get them out of a difficult or threatening situation if it should occur. It’s this thinking, dynamic risk assessing and planning that protects the client.”

Thanks to Excellentia’s optimal level staff, the company is also highly regarded by many of those seeking to train their own team in security work. Derek Kerr outlines why they are uniquely placed to run this kind of training “We are a specialist company providing close protection training in the centre of London. The majority of close protection work in the UK is in London so it makes sense for our operators to have excellent knowledge of venues, routes and the environment in general for them to look after their client as best as they can.”

Besides close protection, the company also offers security and risk assessments for a wide range of projects, ensuring that corporate governance and reputation is strictly adhered to.

Additionally, Excellentia has a team of highly professional investigators – covering everything from due diligence to business intelligence – who will discreetly and comprehensively gather the information a client needs to make informed decisions.

“Our clients needs are developing, particularly as the world of technology develops. It’s vital that we tailor our services to meet these changing needs. It’s exciting times for Excellentia as we grow and develop services to meet our clients individual needs.”

With its bespoke training programmes and wealth of international security experience, Excellentia should be the first choice for anyone looking to reduce risk for themselves, their family or their organisation.

“Excellentia are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the entire year to provide you with the service you desire on land, sea or in the air. Excellence simply delivered." excellentia.co.uk

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ADVERTORIAL

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Send them

VICTORIOUS The final of the Tempus Autumn Nations Trophy was a thrilling affair with a royal twist

Emlor C and Park Place battle for the Tempus Autumn Nations Trophy

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EVENTS

Guards Polo Club is the most prestigious in Britain

A

beautiful day, illuminated by late summer sun, provided the perfect backdrop to Tempus’ Autumn Nations Trophy polo final. Held at Windsor’s prestigious Guards Polo Club on 17 September, the match was the culmination of a series of games that had run from 30 August and, fittingly, the final also marked the last game of the season for the club before it closed for the year.

A number of high-profile guests were in attendance, including cricketing star Sam Billings (Kent and England), joining the Tempus team in the Royal Box for lunch and an afternoon of watching the ‘sport of kings’.

Neil Hobday, CEO of Guards Polo Club, said: “The team at Tempus Media International is passionate about the finer things in life and is able to deliver a unique insight into today’s finest brands. Guards Polo Club is equally focused on delivering a first-class experience for our players and our guests and the support of a brand such as Tempus Media International can only enhance the experience for everyone here at Smith’s Lawn.”

And what an experience it was. From the delightful threecourse lunch – delicate trout and salmon to start, followed by tender, rich lamb – prepared by Mosimann’s chefs, to the

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excitement of watching top players guide their thundering steeds across the vast fields, this was a truly memorable day.

The afternoon saw Emlor C take the Tempus Autumn Nations Trophy with a score of 7-4 against rivals Park Place for the final 12-goal tournament of the season. With some of the most promising young polo stars, including Jack Richardson and José Ramon Araya, playing in the match, it was a fast-paced and thrilling spectacle for fans on the sidelines of the Queen’s Ground.

Tempus CEO Shaun Prince was on hand to present the winners with their trophy and prizes – Richardson’s pony Lucky received a Tempus-branded rug as the best playing pony – and afterwards he spoke about his love of the sport and Tempus’s involvement in it.

“It’s an honour to be part of such an exhilarating tournament – Tempus is a prestige magazine and has proved the perfect partner for the renowned Guards Club,” said Prince. “It’s been a fabulous day for all concerned and I know that, given many of our readers share our passion for polo, it’s a sport that we will continue to support editorially going forward.”

guardspoloclub.com

Towerof power Lifting the rope on a private dinner for MJS Capital, sponsored by Tempus, at the Tower of London Art by Bran Symondson complimented the milutary theme

Guests arriving at the Tower of London

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EVENTS Cigar and cognac connisseurs enjoyed an after party at The Wellesley

Digital illusionist Tom London treats guests to a pre-dinner trick

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n a showy affair of tradition meets modernity, Tempus sponsored a private dinner at the Tower of London hosted

by London-based investment firm MJS Capital.

The evening began with a champagne reception inside the Fusiliers Museum, followed by a three-course dinner during which time-honoured traditions such as the passing of the port and toasts to the Queen were carried out.

Entertainment was provided by the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment Pipers in traditional military dress, and America’s Got Talent star Tom London who added a modern slant to the classic night with his unique digital illusions. Artist Bran Symondson, himself a former soldier, added to the military air with displays of his new collection of works, including ‘Brutal to Beautiful’ – a gold plated AK-47.

After dinner and coffees from Difference Coffee, guests filed out to watch the Ceremony of the Keys – this custom to lock the tower has taken place every night for 750 years without exception – before making their way to a fleet of Jaguars ready to whisk them off to a secret location for the after party.

Those with a ‘golden ticket’ were chauffeur driven through London to The Wellesley, Knightsbridge, where the cigar terrace was turned into an opulent setting for after-dinner digestifs. Cigar and cognac connoisseur Giuseppe Ruo hosted a masterclass on pairings that guests could sample – Hennessy XO Cocnac paired with Dipolatico Cigar Excelencia and Rum Zacapa Xo paired with San Louis del Rey Marquez – before mingling into the small hours.

Co-sponsored by bespoke private jet company JetSmarter, and Difference Coffee, the event also raised funds for the PWRR Benevolent Fund. Guests also enjoyed an exciting auction which included prizes such as two return shuttle seats to Europe, courtesy of JetSmarter, and a tandem skydive with the Army Tigers parachute team in formation. www.mjs.capital

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SAVE the DATE Your luxury event calendar starts here

Frieze Art Fair

Singapore Rendezvous

5 – 8 October

5 – 8 October

Featuring artworks from 160 of the world’s leading premium galleries, Frieze Art Fair at Regents Park London is a weekend dedicated to collectors, investors and art lovers alike. Head down in October to discover thousands of eye-opening art pieces and take part in the anticipated festival’s critically acclaimed Frieze Projects and Talks programme.

Hosted during China’s Golden Week, Singapore Rendezvous is one of South-East Asia’s most notable luxury lifestyle events. Taking place at the close of the Singapore F1 season, the event showcases the best the luxury industry has to offer, from high-end real estate and fashion to fast cars and superyachts – sea trials are offered from the Raffles Marina.

frieze.com

singaporerendezvous.com

London Literature Festival 13 October – 1 November A celebration of literary talent and freedom of expression, the 2017 London Literature Festival welcomes a selection of incredible speakers, including former US presidential candidate Hilary Clinton and award-winning actor Tom Hanks. With a busy programme of talks and workshops, there’s something for everyone.

Tickets to the most popular sessions will go fast. southbankcentre.co.uk

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Volvo Ocean Race

The Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix

14 October – 30 June 2018

26 November

The ultimate test of a sailing team takes place over 45,000 nautical miles around the world, crossing four oceans, touching six continents and 12 landmark host cities. The longest and toughest professional race in the world will see the best sailors from across the globe prove whether they can sink or swim. The race sets sail from Alicante, Spain.

The finale of the Formula 1 Grand Prix is a showy affair of glitz, glamour and speed. Taking place at the world-famous Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, the weekend is as much about the parties as it is the cars. From superyacht soirees to star-studded after parties, there’s a packed schedule of exclusive events and VIP hospitality packages to choose from. formula1.com

volvooceanrace.com

The Luxury Property Show 27 – 28 October Whether you’re looking to move to a new house or add an additional property to your portfolio, The Luxury Property Show is a great place to start your search. The show is based at London’s Olympia and brings together a huge selection of exhibitors showcasing some of the finest properties in the world. theluxurypropertyshow.com

Winter Art & Antiques Fair Olympia 31 October – 5 November The 27th annual Winter Art & Antiques Fair Olympia is an unmissable affair for art and antiques collectors. A highlight of the winter arts season, the event attracts galleries and dealers from across the globe, and with pieces on display with price tags ranging from three to six figures, it’s an excellent opportunity to pick up some truly unique works.

Melbourne Cup Carnival 4 – 11 November The Melbourne Cup Carnival is a highlight of the global horse racing calendar and the greatest race in Australia. There are four race days to select from, including the prestigious Melbourne Cup Day on 7 November, a glamorous event which attracts equestrian enthusiasts and fashion mavens alike.

olympia-antiques.com

flemington.com.au

For more exciting events, visit our website: W W W. T E M P U S M A G A Z I N E . C O . U K

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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

GAIA WEISS Behind the scenes with cinema’s secret ballerina

A N N I V E R S A RY

SPEC IA L EDIT I O N

ISSUE

51

STATEMENT JEWELLERY Inside Fashion Week LUXURY ESCAPES

DIVE WATCHES / Yacht investment / ULTIMATE AIRLINE LOUNGES Issue 52.indd 1

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11/09/2017 15:03

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G e t a l l t h e e s s e n t i a l n ew s a n d v i ew s fr o m t h e wo r l d o f l u x u r y d el i ve r e d d i r e c t t o yo u r d o o r Since 2012, Tempus has been delivering the best in luxury content to a discerning audience.

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CREATE YOUR PERFECT HOME AND LIFESTYLE With inspiration from our beautiful subscription box delivered to your door each month. Lovingly curated by Anthea Turner & Sarah Jones. www.theathomeboxcompany.com 139

ASTON MARTIN MAYFAIR

BEAUTY, POWER & LUXURY PCP

£1,299

Per month

£41,000 Customer deposit

REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLE 23 Monthly Payments of

Customer Deposit

Dealer Deposit Contribution

Total Deposit

Term of Agreement

On The Road Cash Price

£1,299.00

£41,000.00

£17,591.00

£58,591.00

24 Months

£152,995.00

Total Amount of Credit

Option to Purchase Fee**

Option to Purchase Payment - GMFV**

Total Amount Payable

Rate of Interest (Fixed)

Representative APR

£94,404.00

£10.00

£74,224.56

£162,702.56

3.05%

5.9% APR

ASTON MARTIN MAYFAIR 113 Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1K 7AJ TELEPHONE: 020 7235 8888 www.astonmartinmayfair.co.uk

Stratstone.com

OFFICIAL FUEL CONSUMPTION FIGURES FOR THE ASTON MARTIN RAPIDE S IN MPG (L/100KM): URBAN 13.2 (21.4), EXTRA URBAN 28.0 (10.1), COMBINED 19.9 (14.3). OFFICIAL CO2 EMISSIONS 332 G/KM. Victoria (Bavaria) Limited is a credit broker/intermediary that can introduce you to a limited number of lenders to provide funding for your vehicle. They may incentivise us for introducing you to them. Finance provided by Aston Martin Financial Services and Alphera Financial Services, both trading names of BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited Summit ONE, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire, GU14 0FB. Finance available for Aston Martin Rapide S registered from 01/04/17. PCP (Personal Contract Plan): **Payable at the end of the agreement if you decide to purchase the vehicle (GMFV - Guaranteed Minimum Future Value). Contract mileage of 12,000 miles, excess mileage charge of 36.21p per mile. Finance is subject to status and available to over 18s in the UK (not the Channel Islands or Isle of Man). This offer may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Finance subject to status. Guarantees may be required. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Images shown for illustration purposes only. Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

Victoria (Bavaria) Limited, Loxley House, 2 Oakwood Court, Little Oak Drive, Annesley, Nottingham, NG15 0DR. All information related to fuel economy data shown was obtained from official manufacturer’s testing carried out in accordance with Directive 80/1268/EEC as amended by Regulation (EC) 692/2008. Such test data is helpful for comparative purposes but is not necessarily representative of what may be achieved when driving the vehicle in non-test conditions. Offers end 30/06/17.

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