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Good Life ...
WELCOME TO THE
It’s not easy curating luxury but I think we’ve managed to do it. Marie Claire’s inaugural Luxury Lexicon not only presents you with a definitive look at the finer things in life, it also gives you an idea of what true luxe is. Forget the idea of fast fashion, nouveau riche bling and outlandish purchases, real luxury comes in the value of its keepsake. The best luxury brands in the world understand this and that’s why they invest a great deal in the emotional connection their brand provides. Not to mention, indulge in the quality of the product to last you many years of pleasure and utility. This makes for an irresistible combination as you identify with the item you’ve purchased. “A diamond is forever”; “Be fabulous”; “...you merely look after it for the next generation” —these have become more than taglines, they’ve become mantras for a modern age looking to bond with the very things it has created. Featured in our Luxury Lexicon are just some of the brands that have managed to create that relationship with their clientele, resulting in an impressive heritage even while they boldly experiment in their quest to give you the best. We are very proud to be associated with these brands and hope you enjoy perusing the following pages. May you find something that resonates with you and stays with you through your own life’s journey.
Mindy Teh
Managing Editor Aster Lim Editor Mindy Teh Senior Special Projects Writer Farah Hanna Alkaf Creative Director Eireen Ooi Special Projects Associate Art Director Kong Shier Lee Special Projects Designer Gan Yew Chin
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JEWELLERY& WATCHES White Nights Collection Necklace, Montblanc
ANTIQUES & HEIRLOOMS When it comes to high end jewellery and time pieces, to say that “old is gold” isn’t just a cliché. Fine jewellery is a joy to behold, but what’s even better is that, like fine wine, it only grows better as it ages. Forget stocks and bonds – for a truly recession-proof investment, gold is a far better bet than even the most lucrative Wall Street propositions. Take good care of the heirlooms passed down from previous generations, and be sure to handle your own jewellery with the greatest care, so that you can give your own children that same security, as precious and priceless as these treasures themselves.
BY THE RULES Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but only if you take the time to learn how to select the right one. To find the diamond of your dreams, you need to play by certain rules – understanding the classifications that sellers use to determine the true value of a piece of diamond jewellery.
• CUT: The cut of a diamond allows
Mediterranean Eden Collection ring and earrings, Bulgari
it to make the best use of light; a masterfully cut diamond reflects light from one facet to another, then disperses it through the top of the stone. If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion. If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected. • COLOUR: The best colour for a
diamond is no colour at all. A totally colourless diamond allows light to pass through it easily, dispersing it as the colours of the rainbow. • CLARITY: Most diamonds contain very tiny impurities know as “inclusions.” An inclusion can interfere with the light passing through the diamond. The fewer the inclusion, the more beautiful – and valuable – the diamond will be. • CARAT-WEIGHT: This is the weight of a diamond measured in carats, and is the easiest measurement to determine. Two diamonds can be of equal carat-weight, but their value can differ greatly due to their cut, colour, and clarity.
JEWELLERY& WATCHES
Co-Axial Calibre, OMEGA
COVETABLE COMPLICATIONS You may not look for complications in your life – but in the world of luxury timepieces, complications can represent the pinnacle of fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. A complication in a watch refers to any feature beyond the display of hours, minutes and seconds, which can include anything from astronomical indications, chronographs and time zone displays to minute repeaters, moon phases, and leap year display. Horologists often wax lyrical of three classic high complications, collectively known as grandes complication: the Perpetual Calendar, the Tourbillon, and the Minute Repeater. The perpetual calendar is a highly intricate mechanism that automatically takes into account the varying number of days in each month as well as leap years; most are
based on the Gregorian calendar so they won’t need correction for more than a century. The tourbillon requires a delicate balancing act and an immense amount of effort to produce; it was invented around the turn of the 19th century to reduce the debilitating effects of gravity on watches by mounting the balance wheel and its related components in a light weight carriage which rotates on its own axis. A minute repeater is the most difficult to construct – it tells the time audibly, with a bass note for the hour, a treble-bass combination for the quarter hours and a treble note for the individual minutes.
The Very Zino Limited Edition Jewellery Watch
The Velero Lady with Black Spinels
DISTINCTIVELY DAVIDOFF For the woman who believes in living life to the fullest, take on the world in style with the mysterious allure of a Davidoff timepiece. Life is too precious for compromise – that’s the philosophy behind each Davidoff creation. It’s a brand that believes true luxury is the ability to live passionately and intensely, and in order to do just that, it crafts its timepieces – and indeed, all of its products – with the finest materials and ingredients the world has to offer, and the finest craftsmanship and designs available.
The Very Zino Lady Classic Diamonds Black Dial
Each Davidoff watch is an excellent example of this marriage of passion and practicality. With straps made of either supple calf leather or polished metal, and distinctive bezels more often than not set with brilliant, carefully selected diamonds, their elegant beauty is obvious for all to see – but with practical functions like a precise quartz movement, anti-reflective treatment and water resistance, they’re also ready for any adventure life happens to throw your way.
FINE TUNING Necklace, Chopard
Fine watches are sophisticated and precise pieces of equipment, so make sure they stay fine for years to come by practicing these care and cleaning techniques. Give your watch a quick check on a regular basis, making sure that the strap or bracelet is securely attached to the watch face – but leave real repairs to the experts. A mechanical watch should be checked regularly by your jeweller, watchmaker or an authorised dealer and serviced according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Batteries run for about two to three years; those in some less expensive, multi-function digital watches have shorter lives, as little as six months. Have your jeweller or watchmaker replace the battery in a quartz watch before it runs out, as dead batteries can leak or corrode, ruining the timepiece. If you spot a crack or scratch on the crystal, replace it immediately – even a hairline crack can let dust and moisture into the time-keeping mechanism, threatening its accuracy.
ELEGANT HUES Coloured gemstones make a delightfully vibrant statement in a sea of icy brilliance.
Oils from your skin can build up on a watch. If your watch is water-resistant, give it a quick cleaning with a mixture of warm water and either mild soap or dish detergent. Dry with a soft cloth after cleaning. If your watch has a strap made out of leather or another material, you should clean only the watch face and not the strap.
A little colour can go a long way to showcase a lot of personal pizzazz. Just think of the company you’re keeping – from Princess Diana’s (and now Kate Middleton’s) sapphire stunner to Sarah Ferguson’s glowing ruby, coloured gems have long been a royal favourite, and more and more celebrities have been painting red carpets in all the colours of the rainbow, from brilliant green emeralds to dazzling canary yellow diamonds. So which hue suits you?
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BLUE: Cool blue gems are said to represent jealousy in love, politeness, and vigilance. RED: These fiery gems were once said to stand for pride, haughtiness, and obstinacy. VIOLET/PINK: These soft shades symbolise high thoughts and spiritual love. GREEN: Green gems stand for unfounded ambition, childish delight, and change. YELLOW/ORANGE: Citrus toned gems represent generosity. BLACK/BROWN: You may find this hard to believe, but a black gem symbolises constant love and perseverance.
Tourbillon Pocket Watch, Girard-Perregaux
JEWELLERY& WATCHES
HEAVY METAL From platinum to palladium, find the perfect fit with ring metal glossary. Finding the perfect ring is about a lot more the stone – the metal, after all, is what ties it all together. Make sure you pick the right one by taking a look below.
• PLATINUM: A natural white metal
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GOLD RUSH Get the lowdown on gold, and learn the difference between your karats and your carats.
Gold, black enamel & diamond locket; gold & diamond locket; both Tiffany & Co.
You know gold is good, but since it comes in many shapes, forms and colours, it’s best to know what you’re getting into before making the leap into parting with your hard-earned money for purchases.
Natalie Portman
The first thing to bear in mind is the karat – not to be confused with carats, which is refers to the weight of a gemstone. Gold is a soft metal; mixing it with other metals hardens it, making it more durable and less likely to bend. The karat of a piece of jewellery, therefore, is the content of gold used in gold alloy jewellery; 18k gold, for example, contains 75 percent pure gold. The higher the karat, the higher the content of gold in a piece, and the more expensive it is.
It’s also important to note the terms used in jewellery stores to hock their wares. Gold plated jewellery describes jewellery that has a layer of gold applied to a base metal by an electrolytic process; it’s a less expensive alternative, but the gold plating may wear off over time. Gold filled jewellery is a solid layer of gold bonded with heat and pressure to a base metal such as brass. Solid or fine gold jewellery generally refers to karat gold; that is, jewellery that isn’t gold plated.
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known for its strength and purity. Its density makes it extremely durable, so it keeps gemstones protected. It’s also hypoallergenic so it won’t irritate sensitive skin. YELLOW GOLD/WHITE GOLD: This naturally yellow metal is combined with different alloys for strength. Yellow gold is turned into white gold by plating its surface with rhodium, so it may eventually return to its original colour. ROSE GOLD: This pink-tinted metal is gold with a copper alloy. One of its most attractive aspects is its underlying meaning – the colour represents love. Plus, it’s durable and is pleasing against many skin tones. PALLADIUM: A lustrous silver-white metal, palladium won’t tarnish, is very flexible, and is hypoallergenic, but its lower density makes it less costly than platinum. TITANIUM: Has a cool grey or polished black finish. Corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic, it’s as strong as steel but as weightless as aluminium, making it perfect for men who don’t normally wear jewellery.
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INDUBITABLY OMEGA The OMEGA Ladymatic combines intricate design elements with the best mechanical watch movements in the world for a truly one of a kind chronometer.
The OMEGA Ladymatic’s decorative wave
OMEGA Ladymatic
When the first Ladymatic watches were released in 1955, the name concisely communicated the collection’s strength: the Ladymatic was a self-winding watch created especially for women. Now OMEGA has chosen to revive that legendary name with a family of watches that gives an entirely new meaning to Ladymatic. The watches in the new Ladymatic line feature polished 34mm cases crafted in 18 Ct red or yellow gold or stainless steel, with a distinctive ceramic ring between an outer decorative wave and the inner case body, and a choice of polished or snow-set diamond-paved bezels. The polished caseback has a sapphire crystal that reveals the movement that powers the watch – the OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8520/8521. Each movement is equipped with OMEGA’s exclusive Si 14 silicon balance spring, an innovation that makes it more resistant to external shocks and environmental disturbances.
JEWELLERY& WATCHES
“THESE DAYS, INTEREST IN THE QUALITY OF A WATCH MOVEMENT ISN’T GENDER SPECIFIC – WOMEN HAVE THE SAME INTEREST IN ITS PERFORMANCE AS MEN DO. THE LADYMATIC ADDRESSES THAT PERFECTLY.” Nicole Kidman
Behind the scenes at the Ladymatic shoot
With either bracelets in metals matching their cases or on supple alligator leather straps, the stunning face of the Ladymatic is highlighted by a supernova pattern, with extra-white mother-ofpearl or lacquered black dials to match the colour of the ceramic ring. The dials are available either with 11 diamond indexes in faceted 18 Ct gold mounts or in understated, elegant simplicity, with no hour markers. In short, like its namesake, the new OMEGA Ladymatic Collection perfectly blends graceful, timeless design and OMEGA’s groundbreaking technology, taking the best elements of an earlier era and introducing them, completely updated and upgraded, to women of accomplishment in a new century.
On a hot day in June, just a few minutes away from the sounds of pedal steel guitars and fiddles that regularly spill into the streets of Nashville, Tennessee, Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman was being photographed for an advertising campaign for OMEGA’s new Ladymatic watch line by acclaimed photographer Peter Lindbergh – often dubbed the “poet of glamour.” In a relaxed atmosphere, the two worked on a clean, simple set, and they were both pleased with the results. Asked if there was an element of acting that she brings to the set, Nicole laughed and said, “I still feel like I’m playing dress up!”
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JUST SO BALENCIAGA In the sea of dark, rich shades that herald the Fall/Winter season, Balenciaga’s beautifully vibrant or delicately textured accessories add much-needed colour and contrast.
Balenciaga’s Fall/Winter 2011 show teased audiences on the runway, playing on variations in scale and layering to merge varying silhouettes in a tantalising display of challenging realities and perspectives. Designed by Nicolas Ghesquière, the collection delights in contrast, pairing voluminous pullovers and oversized bomber jackets with light crepe blouses and softly draped silk-cady skirts. Large men’s coats are worn over fluid, feminine dresses, and pants of satinfinished imitation leather are then paired with deliciously feminine creations inspired by Cristobal Balenciaga: dresses in net fabric with graphic colours inspired by an Edition dress, egg-shaped coats, emblematic models from the Balenciaga legacy.
Balenciaga Runway FW11
Balenciaga Clutch
FASHION
Graphic print tote
With a classic, somewhat subdued palette of black, plum, gray and ivory, the materials. which boast a strong modern touch with imitation leather and nylon knits, stay classic and refined thanks to the use of crepes and satin. The whole collection, however, is brought to another level with one important ingredient: the accessories. The sleek styles are frequently illuminated with flashes of bright colours – vibrant fuchsia, electric blue or brilliant emerald green – as well as graphic patterns and classic shades of black and gray, in delicately embossed clutches, impossibly soft leather totes, or knit with imitation leather. Shoes cover not only the spectrum of colour, but the spectrum of lifestyles, with flat knee-length boots mingling with jewel toned pumps and sky high stilettos in two materials,
Black leather shoulder bag
Sumptuous metallic tones and exotics skins like iguana and tilapia add to the effect of contrast, and the graphic modernism running throughout each piece is juxtaposed with the artisan technique of Cordoba leather to give the entire collection a truly luxurious dimension.
Cut-out heels
With each piece, the peerless craftsmanship of the brand shines through, creating accessories that truly elevate every outfit to dizzying new heights.
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KNOW YOUR COUTURE Do you know your haute couture from your prêt-a-porter? It’s time to supplement your fashion education. Haute couture is a French term that literally means “high sewing” or “high dressmaking,” and refers to the creation of exclusive, custom-fitted clothing, made to order for a specific customer and usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric. It is sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable seamstresses, often using time-consuming, hand-executed techniques. In France, the term haute couture is protected by law and is defined by the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Paris based in Paris, France. Only “those companies mentioned on the list drawn up each year by a commission domiciled at the Ministry for Industry are entitled to avail themselves” of the label haute couture. To earn the right to call itself a couture house, members must follow these rules:
• Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings. • Have a workshop (atelier) in Paris that employs at least fifteen people full-time. • Each season, present a collection to the Paris press, comprising at least thirtyfive runs/exits with outfits for both daytime wear and evening wear.
• Haute couture should not be confused with prêt-a-porter, the French term for ready-to-wear fashion. While every haute couture house also markets prêta-porter collections in order to supplement its revenue stream, haute couture pieces are much more rare and difficult to procure – truly unique works of art for the most discerning of collectors.
Dior Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2011-12
Glitter pump, Stuart Weitzman
LAVISH COLLECTIONS A study confirms what most women already know: the perfect shoes are always worth the budget. Women love to buy shoes, says a recent study in ShopSmart Magazine, and they will continue to buy shoes despite only really wearing 10 percent of what they own. According to the report, women who own up to 17 pairs of shoes only wear three of them on a regular basis, 19 percent of women go shoe shopping to make themselves feel better, 28 percent believe that shoes are an important part of making an outfit, and 51 percent admitted to checking out other people’s shoes. Interestingly enough, the study also states that women have a higher pain threshold than men, which explains why we invest in shoes that pinch, squeeze, and hurt our heels and toes – just because they look good on our feet. Plus, of course, there are other perks. “Shoes never make your butt look big, you don’t have to worry about squeezing into them if you’ve put on a couple of pounds, and they can instantly make you feel sexier,” explains ShopSmart editorin-chief Lee Freeman. “Maybe that’s why, despite the economy, we’re still buying shoes.”
FASHION
MEASURING UP Where does your own bag obsession weigh in? Take a look at these numbers to find out.
Birkin bag, Hermès
Satchel, Louis Vuitton
Number of handbags owned by the average woman.
Cobalt tote, YSL
1 IN 10: Number of women willing to spend USD150 or more on a handbag
22: Percentage of women who would splurge on a handbag if they could choose only one designer item (only nine percent would choose shoes).
Versace
USD24,500 The highest price that a luxury handbag (the Hermès Birkin) sold for on eBay. Weight in pounds of the average woman’s handbag (that’s about 1.4kg)
Satchel, Davidoff
N Animal print tote
NOTES FROM ARMANI
There’s a je ne sais quoi, a certain something about an Emporio Armani piece that transcends mere fashion and makes a statement – and the Fall/Winter collections for both men and women don’t skimp on the elegance and luxury so distinctive of the brand.
Clothe yourself in the sumptuous fabrics and delicate silhouettes of Emporio Armani’s Fall/ Winter 2011 Collection. Beaded clutch
FASHION The designer takes his cues from the classic glamour of film noir for women, creating an aura of mystery and refinement with fluid, seductive silhouettes and an almost entirely black colour palette, depending on the texture and sheen of luxurious fabrics to create the mood – the luminous sheen of soft velvet, or the impossible softness of Mongolian fur. In doing so, the brand weaves their story, a take on international espionage and travelling through time and distance, referencing the beat of great nightclubs and the silence of famous hotels with the insouciant tilt of a hat, gloveless hands clutching beautifully designed bags, or a pair of sunglasses hiding bright eyes.
Lace-up leather boot T-bar stilleto sandal
In contrast, the men are clad in a spectrum of neutrals, from a warm camel to rich shades of gray to deep black. Taking inspiration from the urban landscape, Emporio Armani explores sharply tailored overcoats, waistcoats and trousers, playing with wool, nubuck style sheepskin and leather and pairing innovative cuts with sophisticated silhouettes and meticulous detailing to create an image of refined ruggedness. Among the most innovative designs of this season: trousers that unite the casual and sporty, with knit edging at the hem that can be concealed by the full length of the leg – with the elegant aplomb of the tailored darts at the waist, absolutely typical of the Armani style.
Leather belt
Leather tote Giorgio Armani with musician Alison Balsom backstage at the Emporio Armani show
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OVERT ARTISTRY The most advanced formulations, the most luxurious environments, and the expertise of Kérastase transform hair care into an art form.
Nobody understands hair like Kérastase. Ever since its inception by Francoise Dalle in 1964, the brand has strived to anticipate consumer needs and offer innovative product solutions, combining luxury and technology for a truly one of a kind hair experience. Masques, serums, nutritional supplements, precious oils – there are just a sample of the exclusive products you can expect to experience at a Kérastase salon.
BEAUTY
Kérastase Chronologiste
When the products were first debuted to the public, the range was initially branded L’Oreal Recherche, thus firmly entrenching its outstanding technical sophistication – and little has changed in that regard since then. As a pioneer in “Hair Spa,” Kérastase benefits from the most advanced scientific discoveries from The L’Oreal Advanced Research Laboratories: Ceramide, Aminexil, Micro-oil, Emulsion, Fibrionic System and Gluco-Lipid GL, to name but a few of the technological innovations that have become part of the brand’s legend. Today, 3000 researchers are dedicated to formulating care products to fulfil each woman’s needs and all of their desires.
Luxurious Experiences
A Kérastase treatment isn’t just for your hair – it’s a treat that indulges each and every one of the senses for true relaxation. Each ritual strikes the perfect balance between professional expertise, cutting edge technology, and absolute well-being. Composed of five essential gestures, the ritual deeply stimulates the action of the formulas, combining soothing sensations with delicious fragrances, scrumptious textures, and voluptuous massages. A Kerastase luxury hair experience envelopes each of the five senses in total luxury:
SEE: The calming, lush atmosphere of the salon HEAR: Soft music to lull you into total relaxation TASTE: The comforting warmth of the special Beauty Tea SMELL: The soothing scent of aromatherapy essential oils, free of chemicals TOUCH: The expert touch of your Kérastase specialist on your hair and scalp
Kérastase Elixir Ultime
Home Indulgences The luxury doesn’t stop at the salon. Prescribed by your Kérastase Consultant, personalised homecare programs – using a full range of Kérastase products – allow you to prolong the pleasure and benefits of a Kérastase Ritual at home, day after day, for truly soft, sublime hair.
The interior of a Kérastase salon
Facial Treatment Essence, SK-II
P PERFECTLY FLAWLESS Truly glamorous makeup starts with a smooth, utterly unblemished canvas. Your skin is where it all begins - and getting that dewy, luminous, glowing look means investing in products that boast the best results. Follow these do’s and don’ts to make sure you get the most out of your skincare regime. DO: Make sure to moisturise each day. Your skin’s water reserves are what keep it firm, healthy and hydrated - make sure it never runs out of the moisture you need to look and feel your best.
DON’T: No matter what the hype is, never succumb to a beauty treatment or miracle product without being sure that it’s completely right for your skin. Everyone has different skin needs; why waste time and money on items that just aren’t right for you? DO: Spend on the things that matter. If there’s one area of your beauty arsenal you shouldn’t skimp on, it’s your skincare. Think of it as an investment!
QUIET GLAMOUR The subtle elegance of a high end lifestyle can be captured with the perfect shade of lipstick.
Amanda Seyfried
No matter what the occasion or ensemble, an eye-catching slick of glossy lipstick is never out of place. Whether you’re 24 or 64, at a business meeting or on a date with a man who makes your heart beat just a little faster in an intimate restaurant, the right shade can instantly elevate your look, brighten your face, and give you the confidence you need to strut your stuff. So take your pick from a sea of shades, and go forth – fabulously, of course.
Q Lipsticks, Cle de Peau
BEAUTY
Astor Place, Bond No. 9
Rose The One, Dolce & Gabbana
Tresor, Lancome
RARE & REFINED Your taste and grace set you apart from the rest of the crowd – and your fragrance should be no different. So how do you select your signature scent? Choose from these distinctive categories to pick the perfect perfume.
• FLORAL: Floral fragrances capture
the sensual essence of floral notes, recreating the delicate scents of recent blooms for a perfume that’s both enchanting and memorable. The most popular of all the fragrance families, floral concoctions can consist of lush bouquets to the clear, sparkling note of a single flower.
• ORIENTAL: For something more
exotic and evocative, turn to oriental scents, which play on plush resins, warm vanilla, rich florals and sumptuous musks for a dramatic, complex blend that can range from candy vanilla to spicy orange floral notes, each with its own distinctive, sensual personality.
• WOODY: These fragrances boast
an array of deliciously warm, woody scents, typically consisting of agarwood, sandalwood and cedarwood essences for a richly complex scent that doesn’t dominate the wearer.
• FRESH: Fresh scents are
characterised by their clean, green quality, and in their most refreshing modern incarnations can include citrus-based scents with notes of lime or bergamot to aquatic scents that recall delicate sea breezes.
• FOUGÈRE: The aromatic fougere is a universal family that combines floral accents with spicy sweetness of a Floral Oriental, the amber richness of a true Oriental, and the warm Woody scents of oakmoss and sandalwood.
SUBLIME RADIANCE
Cosme Decorte’s AQMW range seeps right into the skin for intensely moisturised, dewy fresh skin Who’s the fairest of them all? You will be with Cosme Decorte’s AQMW products – a range that gives skin so much clarity, it’s as if you’re constantly awash with natural light. The striking white packaging of all the products in the AQMW range is richly embossed with an intricate pattern of plants and flowers, evoking the regenerative powers of the skin. And to boost those regenerative abilities, Cosme Decorte has infused each product with sandalwood extract and mucinsome, an encapsulated form the mucous membrane ingredient muscin that helps enhance the skin’s barrier function and protects it from dryness and other external stressors.
Cosme Decorte AQMW range
Start your skincare regime with the AQMW Cleansing Milk. A smooth cleanser that’s gentler than cream and quicker to absorb into the skin than oil, this cleansing milk quickly removes makeup and alleviates dull skin tone. The Repair Emulsion’s light formula provide cells with ideal moisture and leaves skin soft, firm and supple. The Repair Lotion absorbs into skin the instant it’s applied, boosting skin’s barrier function and protecting skin from external stress factors, like dryness. And the Essential Balm is an oil-based cream that restores softness and moisture to skin prone to roughness or dryness. Infused with the calming scent and moisturising properties of sandalwood essential oils and extracts, watch your skin transform and restore itself to natural dewy freshness – in no time.
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BEAUTY
TRUE NOURISHMENT Treat your skin with Cosme Decorte’s rich, nourishing AQ Meliority range. Fight back against environmental stressors and the signs of anti-aging with the utterly luxurious texture and deliciously light fragrance of Cosme Decorte’s AQ Meliority range. Intensely moisturising, these products seem to melt right into your skin, instantly restoring vitality and brightness to leave you with an almost unbelievable luminance. Between the AQ Meliority Repair Emulsion, Repair Lotion, Intensive Serum and Intensive Cream, it’s an indulgent, stress-free way to rid your skin of lines, blotches, sagging and dullness, working tirelessly to continually deliver active ingredients deep into your skin – right where you need it most. The true highlights of the range, however, are the Intensive Cream and Intensive Serum. The Intensive Cream
is the perfect synthesis of the sophistication of modern dermatology, “restructuring” your skin and allowing cells to rebuild and create the perfect complexion. Fortified with energy booster Siberian Ginseng extract and soy extract, this night cream melts into the skin, enhancing cell multiplication and skin health and rapidly solving underlying skin troubles by correcting irregular bio-rhythms while you sleep. The result? Supple, firm skin
unravaged by the passage of time or the environment. The Intensive Serum contains 30 strictly selected active ingredients, for quick, intensive repair. Highly recommended for those who want fast results, this popular serum works to quickly lift the skin in various directions and recover brightness, radiance, firmness and elasticity, all tat the same time. The addition of Black Soy Bean extract helps prevent various hormonerelated skin troubles, and peppermint extract makes a soothing, refreshing balm for tired, stressed skin. With four bottles, two each for day and night, each product contains the optimal balance of ingredients to awaken your skin’s natural abilities – and a truly radiant new you.
UNFORGETTABLE RIDE When you feel the need for speed, choose a ride as high on style as it is on power. Who says that speed machines are just for the boys? There’s nothing quite like being behind the wheel of a mass of solid power, especially when it’s packed in a beautiful, streamlined body in a stunningly eyecatching colour – and built for zipping through city roads with the greatest of ease, drawing impressed and envious glances at every turn. So choose your next car with care – you never know who’s watching.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
WHIP OUT THE CHAMPAGNE
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Life’s victories, big and small, deserve to be celebrated with the finest vintages.
Soneva Gili by Six Senses, Maldives
VACATIONS & GETAWAYS When you need to relax and reenergise, just pack your bags and get away from it all. When life’s little stresses start to get to you, you know it’s time to take a break, so pack your bags and take a trip wherever your heart desires. Whether you choose an exhilarating, adventure-filled experience or one filled to the brim with spa treats and luxurious indulgences, or just a lazy island getaway by bright blue waters under a sunny sky, take the time to truly recharge those batteries – and you’ll find yourself back and better than ever in no time.
Too often, we lean towards moderation – even at our happiest moments, we downplay our achievements and understate our own exhilaration. But why? Revel in those joyous occasions and toast to life’s biggest moments with fine champagne and even finer words to live on in hearts and memories for years to come.
Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial
LIFESTYLE
Giorgio Armani views the home as a place possessing a special ambience, an intimate, personal space where you can create your own world and, if you choose, welcome others into it. It is always surrounded by beauty in all its shapes and forms – indulging those who dwell in it in a sensuous, emotional experience without overt ostentation. The new collection at Armani/Casa provides new temptations with which to elevate your home, inspired by the spirit of the 30s. Lighting and colour are used in innovative new ways for a completely fresh vision of the home space. Truly elegant and sophisticated colour combinations evoke a serene and soft mood: leather and dark green matt lacquer, stained mahogany
THE X FACTOR Trust Armani/Casa to add that special ingredient that elevates a room from ordinary to extraordinary.
Caneva gold vases
Carmen armchair & pouff
and natural brushed brass, dark grey and rich brown hide, or crocodile print leather with a silver coating. Through it all, the furniture of course takes on a central role, like the utterly comfortable Dandy and Dream beds, padded throughout, and the multifunctional D’Alambert container, where the GA logo functions as a handle. Spaces can be softened with carpets and screens with wooden frames that can be covered in your own choice of Armani/Casa Exclusive Textiles by Rubelli, to narrate an individual story.
LIFESTYLE
YACHTING Nothing says luxury quite like sailing a yacht across open seas.
Image CORBIS
It’s the very definition of exclusive luxury: sitting on a yacht as it skims across the ocean, basking in the sun on your face and the sea breeze whipping through your hair. But we’re not talking about any old boat or dinghy – we’re talking about luxury yachts, a relatively new breed of seafaring craft that can be up to 40 meters long and loaded with cutting edge technology. With every modern convenience, from air conditioning to hot water to television, these palatial cruisers make it easy to travel the seas in high style and comfort.
Z ZESTY INDULGENCE Decadent designer chocolates from Armani/Dolci make for the ultimate treat. Armani/Dolci was created in 2002, borne of Giorgio Armani’s own passion for the richness of dark chocolate – and that passion shows in everything from the intricately detailed designs moulded on each piece of chocolate to the flavours that burst through with each bite. The brand offers a unique sensory experience for everyone who tastes
these chocolate wonders, combining a careful selection of the finest raw ingredients available without tainting them with additional flavourings, colourings or preservatives. The result is a highly exclusive range of products that belongs in a league of its own, marked not only by its unparalleled deliciousness but the refined sophistication of packaging that exudes the Armani elegance.