7.11.09

UNITED STATES SELLS ITS LONDON EMBASSY TO QATAR INVESTMENT GROUP


THE US STATE DEPARTMENT HAS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT TO SELL THE US CHANCERY IN LONDON, LOCATED IN GROSVENOR SQUARE. THE SALE IS TO QATARI DIAR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT COMPANY WHICH HAS ITS HEADQUARTERS IN DOHA, QATAR. THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED FOR THE UNITED STATES BY THE US AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED KINGDOM, LOUIS B SUSMAN. THE WELL KNOWN HISTORIC US HERITAGE BUILDING IN LONDON WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED BY THE MODERNIST ARCHITECT EERO SAARINEN. WITH THE SIGNING OF THE CONTRACT THE UNITED STATES TAKES ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS RELOCATING TO A NEW STATE OF THE ART EMBASSY WHICH WILL ENHANCE THE URBAN FABRIC OF LONDON AND DEMONSTRATE EXCEPTIONAL AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW EMBASSY IN THE NINE ELMS AREA OF WANDSWORTH WILL PROVIDE A MODERN, OPEN AND SECURE AMERICAN DIPLOMACY DIPLOMATIC FACILITY IN LONDON. IN EARLY 2010, THE STATE DEPARTMENT WILL ANNOUNCE A WINNER OF THE DESIGN COMPETITION FOR THE NEW US EMBASSY. ACTUAL GROUNDBREAKING WILL DEPEND ON MANY FACTORS, BUT IT IS HOPED THAT CONSTRUCTION WILL BEGIN IN 2012 OR 2013 WITH THE PROJECT COMPLETED BY 2016 OR 2017. THE UNITED STATES WILL CONTINUE TO OCCUPY THE CHANCERY IN GROSVENOR SQUARE UNTIL THE RELOCATION IS COMPLETE.

£82,000 DIAMOND AND RUBY CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENT


A STUNNING ONE OF A KIND £82,000 CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATION HAS BEEN RECENTLY UNVEILED IN A TINY ENGLISH VILLAGE JEWELERS. THE ORNAMENT IS MADE OF 18 CARAT WHITE GOLD AND IS SET WITH OVER ONE AND HALF THOUSAND THOUSAND SPARKLING DIAMONDS. IT IS SURROUNDED BY TWO INCREDIBLE RINGS FEATURING 188 RED RUBIES AND TOOK OVER A YEAR TO DESIGN AND CREATE. THE AMAZING CREATION WAS DREAMT UP BY MARK HUSSEY, THE OWNER OF A 30 YEAR OLD BUSINESS IN TITCHFIELD, HAMPSHIRE, HALLMARK JEWELERS. HE SAID: "IT WAS NEVER ABOUT THE VALUE OF THE BAUBLE, WE JUST WANTED TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR CHRISTMAS. IT WAS MORE ABOUT MAKING SOMETHING UNIQUE, BUT AS WE RESEARCHED OTHER AMAZING BAUBLES WE DISCOVERED THE MOST EXPENSIVE ONE WAS £26,874. WE THOUGHT, WHY NOT SEE IF WE CAN BEAT IT, BUT WE WERE BOWLED OVER WHEN IT WAS VALUED AT £82,000. IT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC IF WE COULD FIND THE RIGHT PERSON TO BUY IT. BUT IF I'M HONEST, IF IT'S STILL HERE ON CHRISTMAS EVE I'D LOVE TO PUT IT ON OUR CHRISTMAS TREE." THE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT FEATURES A SNOWFLAKE-CUT PATTERN AMONG A HALLMARKED 18 CARAT WHITE GOLD SPHERE WHICH HAS BEEN HAND PAVE SET WITH 1,578 BRILLIANT CUT DIAMONDS. THREE ONE CARAT DIAMONDS ADORN THE CENTER BAND OF THE DECORATION, WHICH IS ORBITED BY TWO RUBY ENCRUSTED RINGS. IT COMES IN A HANDMADE WOODEN BOX COMPLETE WITH A STAND AND HAS BEEN INDEPENDENTLY VALUED BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOLDSMITHS.

PRADA UNVEILS NEW 706-PAGE "PRADA" BOOK


ITALIAN FASHION LABEL PRADA, KNOWN FOR ITS ORIGINALITY THAT MAKES IT THE FASHION POWERHOUSE AMONG THE MOST INFLUENTIAL FASHION HOUSES, HAS RECENTLY UNVEILED A STUNNING NEW 706 PAGE TOME THAT CAPS 30 YEARS OF INNOVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS IN FASHION, ART, ARCHITECTURE, CINEMA AND COMMUNICATIONS. THE BOOK TITLED "PRADA" WAS PUBLISHED BY PRADA PROGETTO ARTE TO ILLUSTRATE ALL THE ASPECTS THROUGH WHICH IT EXPRESSES ITSELF. PRADA, WHICH HAS GONE BEYOND SUCCESS IN THE FASHION WORLD, IS SELLING THE BOOK IN PRADA BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE, IN SELECTED BOOKSTORES AND ON prada.com/pradabook FOR AN ESTIMATED $150.

6.11.09

RUSCHA PRINT 'STANDARD STATION' SELLS FOR RECORD AMOUNT AT AUCTION


ED RUSCHA SEEMS TO BE HAVING A GREAT YEAR. LONDON'S HAYWARD GALLERY FETED HIM IN A MASSIVE RETROSPECTIVE, THE PHILANTHROPIC GROUP AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS AWARDED HI ITS ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE AWARD, AND NOW BIDDERS HAVE SET A NEW RECORD PRICE FOR HIS PRINTS AT AUCTION. BUYERS COMPETED VIGOROUSLY RECENTLY AT BONHAMS AND BUTTERFIELDS, PUSHING THE PRICE OF THE ARTIST'S STANDARD STATION (E.5) (1966) WELL ABOVE ITS $30-40,000 ESTIMATE TO AN ASTOUNDING $170,000. IT IS THE HIGHEST PRICE EVER RECORDED FOR ONE OF THE ARTIST'S PRINTS ON THE AUCTION BLOCK. THE PREVIOUS HIGHPOINT FOR A RUSCHA PRINT WAS SET IN 2007, WHEN AN EDITION OF HIS HOLLYWOOD PRINT WENT FOR $133,000. PERHAPS MOST REMARKABLE ABOUT THE PRICE IS THE FACT THAT THE WORK, WHICH DEPICTS A RED GASOLINE STATION (ONE OF RUSCHA'S MOST ICONIC IMAGES) AGAINST A GRADIENT BACKGROUND OF ORANGE AND GRAY, IS NUMBERED 33 OF A FAIRLY SIZABLE EDITION OF 50. AFTER THE TRIUMPHANT EVENING, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF COLLECTORS DECIDE TO CASH IN OTHER RUSCHA PRINTS OR HOLD ONTO THEM.

DUCHESS OF CORNWALL VISITS CANADIAN NAVAL VESSEL HMCS HAIDA



THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL HAD A CRASH COURSE IN SEA WARFARE RECENTLY . . . AND LOOKED LESS THAN IMPRESSED WITH THE EXPERIENCE. AS PART OF THEIR OFFICIAL VISIT TO CANADA, PRINCE CHARLES AND CAMILA HAD THE CHANCE TO FIRE A NAVAL GUN ON THE HMCS HAIDA. IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT AT MULTI-TASKING THE DUCHESS TRIED TO COVER HERE EARS AND FLINCH AWAY FROM THE SOUND WHILE PULLING THE TRIGGER OF THE DESTROYER'S GUN, BUT SHE DISSOLVED INTO A FIT OF GIGGLES AS SHE TRIED TO PROTECT HERSELF FROM THE EAR-SPLITTING SOUND. SHE WAS SEEN LAUGHING AS THE PRINCE OF WALES HAD A GO AT FIRING THE GUN ON WHAT IS KNOWN AS 'THE FIGHTINGEST SHIP IN THE ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY'. DESPITE HER DISTASTE AT THE SOUND SHE LOOKED LIKE SHE WAS HAVING FUN ON HER FIRST OFFICIAL TRIP TO CANADA. PRINCE CHARLES, HOWEVER, LOOKED LESS THAN IMPRESSED AT THE FUSS HIS WIFE WAS MAKING. THEIR GUN-TOTING ON THE SHIP, WHICH IS NOW USED AS A NAVAL MUSEUM AND SEA CADET TRADING VESSEL, IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS THE ROYAL COUPLE HAVE PLANNED AS PART OF THEIR TEN-DAY TOUR OF CANADA. THEY ALSO CALLED IN AT DUNDURN CASTLE, THE 72 ROOM HOME OF CAMILLA'S ANCESTOR SIR ALLAN MACNAB BUILT IN HAMILTON NEAR TORONTO. SIR ALLAN BECAME PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED PROVINCE OF CANADA IN 1854. ALTHOUGH IT IS CAMILLA'S FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE COUNTRY OF HER ANCESTORS, IT IS PRINCE CHARLES' 15th VISIT. THE COUPLE HAVE ALREADY VISITED NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR AND HAVE MANY MORE ENGAGEMENTS BEFORE THEY LEAVE ON 12.NOVEMBER.

5.11.09

GUY FAWKES DAY . . . REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER


GUY FAWKES' DAY, A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY . . .
IN 1605, GUY (GUIDO) FAWKES AND A GROUP OF CONSPIRATORS, PLANNED TO BLOW UP THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT IN A BID TO KILL KING JAMES VI AND THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHO WERE MAKING LIFE DIFFICULT FOR THE CATHOLICS. IN ALL THERE WERE 13 CONSPIRITORS IN THE GUNPOWDER PLOT -- THEIR NAMES WERE ROBERT CATESBY, THOMAS WINTOUR, JACK WRIGHT, ROBERT KEYES, THOMAS BATES, JOHN GRANT, AMBROSE ROOKWOOD, FRANCIS TRESHAM, AND EVERARD DIGBY. ALTHOUGH ROBERT CATESBY WAS THE LEADER, GUY FAWKES BECAME THE MOST WELL KNOWN MEMBER OF THE GUNPOWDER PLOT AS IT WAS HE WHO WAS CAUGHT UNDER THE HOUSE OF LORDS WITH 36 BARRELS OF GUNPOWDER. FOR TWO DAYS FAWKES WAS THE ONLY SUSPECT AND HIS NAME BECAME SYNONYMOUS WITH THE 'POWDER TREASON'. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE REST OF THE PLOTTERS WERE EITHER CAUGHT OR GAVE THEMSELVES UP.
FOR OVER 400 YEARS, PEOPLE HAVE BURNED BONFIRES ON 5.NOVEMBER TO MARK THE FAILED GUNPOWDER PLOT. INITIALLY, THE PEOPLE OF LONDON, LIT BONFIRES TO GIVE THANKS FOR THE FACT THAT THEIR KING HAD BEEN SAVED AND SOON AFTER, EFFIGIES WERE BEING PLACED ON THE FIRES AND FIREWORKS ADDED TO THE CELEBRATION.


REMEMBER, REMEMBER THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER,
THE GUNPOWDER TREASON AND PLOT,
I KNOW OF NO REASON
WHY THE GUNPOWDER TREASON
SHOULD EVER BE FORGOT.
GUY FAWKES, GUY FAWKES, T'WAS HIS INTENT
TO BLOW UP KING AND PARLI'MENT.
THREE-SCORE BARRELS OF POWDER BELOW
TO PROVE OLD ENGLAND'S OVERTHROW;
BY GOD'S PROVIDENCE HE WAS CATCH'D
WITH A DARK LANTERN AND BURNING MATCH.
HOLLOA BOYS, HOLLOA BOYS, LET THE BELLS RING.
HOLLOA BOYS, HOLLA BOYS, GOD SAVE THE KING!

CROCKER ART MUSEUM ANNOUNCES MAJOR EXPANSION TO OPEN IN 2010


ON 10.OCTOBER THE CROCKER ART MUSEUM, SACRAMENTO, CA, THE FIRST ART MUSEUM ESTABLISHED IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES, UNVEILED A NEW 125,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING DESIGNED BY GWATHMEY SIEGEL & ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS, THAT WILL MORE THAN TRIPLE THE MUSEUM'S CURRENT SIZE. THE NEW BUILDING WILL COMPLEMENT THE MUSEUM'S HISTORIC STRUCTURES AND EXPAND THE CROCKER ART MUSEUM'S ABILITY TO ORIGINATE AND PRESENT TRAVELING EXHIBITIONS AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EXHIBIT SIGNIFICANTLY MORE OF ITS GROWING COLLECTION, AND ENHANCE ITS ROLE AS A CULTURAL RESOURCE FOR CALIFORNIA AND THE STATE'S MANY VISITORS. THE PROJECT'S CAPITAL CAMPAIGN HAS ELICITED UNPRECEDENTED SUPPORT, WITH MORE THAN $90 MILLION RAISED TO DATE TOWARDS A $100 MILLION GOAL.
THE CROCKER ART MUSEUM, WHICH BECAME A PUBLIC INSTITUTION IN 1885, WILL MARK ITS 125th ANNIVERSARY IN 2010. THE MUSEUM'S HOLDINGS AND PROGRAMS HAVE BURGEONED AS THE POPULATION OF SACRAMENTO HAS INCREASED AND DIVERSIFIED. TODAY, THE MUSEUM HOUSES CONTEMPORARY PAINTINGS, SCULPTURE AND MULTI-MEDIA WORKS, A COMPREHENSIVE COLLECTION OF CALIFORNIA ART DATING FROM THE GOLD RUSH TO THE PRESENT DAY, EXCEPTIONAL HOLDINGS OF MASTER DRAWINGS, DUTCH AND FLEMISH PAINTINGS FROM THE 16th AND 17th CENTURIES, 19th CENTURY CENTRAL AND NORTHERN EUROPEAN PAINTINGS, ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE INTERNATIONAL CERAMICS COLLECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND A RAPIDLY GROWING COLLECTION OF ASIAN ART. THE CROCKER CONTINUES TO BUILD ITS PROGRAMS AND STRENGTHEN ITS COLLECTIONS IN NEW AND EXISTING AREAS IN ANTICIPATION OF THE INCREASED CAPACITIES ITS NEW BUILDING WILL PROVIDE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.crockerartmuseum.org

VANDALS DEFACE BANKSY MURAL UP FOR NEIGHBORHOOD VOTE



A NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL IN SOUTH LONDON THAT INVITED LOCALS TO VOTE ON WHETHER TO KEEP A BANKSY STREET ART PIECE EMBLAZONED ON THE SIDE OF A BUILDING ARE NOW IN THE CURIOUS POSITION OF HAVING TO DECIDE WHETHER TO RESTORE THE PIECE AFTER IT WAS DEFACED BY GRAFFITI RECENTLY. LAST MONTH, THE SUTTON COUNCIL DECIDED TO ACCEPT VOTES FROM CITIZENS ON WHETHER TO KEEP OR REMOVE THE UNIQUE BANKSY WORK, WHICH SHOWS A "PUNK"CONSULTING AN INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR PRODUCING GRAFFITI NEXT TO A CARDBOARD BOX LABELED IEAK (AN ANAGRAM OF THE SCANDINAVIAN FURNITURE STORE IKEA). "WE BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY AND WANTED LOCAL PEOPLE TO DECIDE WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO THE BANKSY", COUNCIL MEMBER COLIN HALL EXPLAINED. A CHECK OF CURRENT VOTING SHOWED THAT 93% OF THE 250 VOTERS WHO CAST BALLOTS WERE IN FAVOUR OF KEEPING THE WORK ON DISPLAY. AFTER VANDALS TAGGED THE WORK WITH GRAFFITI LATE LAST MONTH, THOUGH, THERE IS NO LONGER MUCH TO SHOW. HALL NOTED THE IRONY OF THE ATTACK: "THE IMAGE ACTUALLY CRITICIZED MINDLESS GRAFFITI, SO PERHAPS IT ISN'T SURPRISING THAT THE SORT OF PEOPLE WHO DO THAT SORT OF THING SHOULD ATTACK IT." THE COUNCIL IS NOW DEBATING WHETHER TO RESTORE THE PIECE OR REMOVE IT ENTIRELY.

LALIQUE AND HAVILAND OPENS NEW BOUTIQUE IN NEW YORK



LALIQUE AND HAVILAND ARE TWO OF THE MOST ICONIC AND PRESTIGIOUS DESIGN HOUSES FOR CLASSIC PORCELAIN, GLASS AND DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES, AND RECENTLY HAVE JOINED FORCES TO OPEN A STUNNING NEW FLAGSHIP BOUTIQUE THAT FEATURES THE AMAZING ARTISTIC CREATIONS OF BOTH COMPANIES. LALIQUE, WHICH IS KNOWN WORLDWIDE FOR ITS CLASSIC ART DECO INSPIRED CRISTAL AND GLASS JEWELRY, AND HAVILAND, ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS MANUFACTURERS OF OF LIMOGES PORCELAIN PRODUCTS, HAVE OPENED A 950 SQUARE FOOT BOUTIQUE ON FASHIONABLE MADISON AVENUE IN NEW YORK. "THE NEW BOUTIQUE REPRESENTS THE CONVERGENCE OF THE RICH LEGACIES AND CREATIVE VISIONS OF LALIQUE AND HAVILAND", SAYS MAZ ZOUHAIRI, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF LALIQUE AND HAVILAND, NORTH AMERICA. THE NEW BOUTIQUE WILL HIGHLIGHT AND SHOWCASE LALIQUE CRISTAL CREATIONS AND HAVILAND PORCELAIN SIDE BY SIDE, AS WELL AS INTRODUCE THE NEW LALIQUE BY HAVILAND PORCELAIN COLLECTION, WHICH WILL BE EXCLUSIVE TO THE BOUTIQUE. THE COLLECTION WILL ENCOMPASS THREE DESIGNS; THE HIRONDELLES AND THE PERLES DESIGNS ARE BOTH OFFERED IN FULL TABLE SETTINGS WITH COORDINATING SERVICE SETS. A THIRD DESIGN, BASED ON THE HISTORIC AND ICONIC LALIQUE MASQUE DE FEMME, INCLUDES SEVERAL NEW ACCENT PIECES. THERE WILL BE SEVERAL NEW AND CLASSIC LALIQUE PRODUCTS DISPLAYED INCLUDING JEWELRY, DECORATIVE PIECES, ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS AND TABLETOP AND BOUDOIR ITEMS. A SPECIAL EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON LALIQUE'S ARCHITECTURAL OFFERINGS, SHOWCASING THEIR ABILITY TO CUSTOMIZE ITEMS, INCLUDING WATER FOUNTAINS. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LALIQUE AND HAVILAND BEGAN OVER 90 YEARS AGO WITH THE MARRIAGE OF RENE LALIQUE'S DAUGHTER, SUZANNE, TO PAUL HAVILAND, HEAD OF THE FAMOUS LIMOGES PORCELAIN LINE AT THE TIME. SINCE JUNE, LALIQUE AND HAVILAND HAVE BEEN LINKED THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP OF THEIR AMERICAN OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS THROUGH A MUTUAL OPERATIONAL PARTNERSHIP WITH DAUM, WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED IN AUGUST. THE NEW LALIQUE AND HAVILAND BOUTIQUE IS LOCATED AT 609 MADISON AVENUE AT 58th STREET. A SECOND LALIQUE AND HAVILAND BOUTIQUE WILL OPEN IN DECEMBER IN CHICAGO.

4.11.09

CHRISTIE'S TO OFFER LARGE SELECTION OF HERMES BAGS AT 19.NOVEMBER SALE


ON 19.NOVEMBER, CHRISTIE'S SOUTH KENSINGTON WILL HOLD THEIR ANNUAL 'VINTAGE AND MODERN JEWELS' SALE, BUT THIS STUNNING SALE WILL ALSO INCLUDE AN INCREDIBLE COLLECTION OF ICONIC HERMES HANDBAGS. AN AMAZING SELECTION OF OVER 60 UNIQUE AND STYLISH HANDBAGS WILL BE ON OFFER, INCLUDING THE HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER 'KELLY BAG' AND 'BIRKIN BAG', WHICH HAVE A REPUTED SIX-YEAR WAITING LIST TO PURCHASE, AND ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE HANDBAGS CREATED BY HERMES A BLACK CROCODILE 'HAUTE A COURROIES' BAG WHICH RETAILS FOR AN ESTIMATED $60,000. THE AUCTION HOUSE WILL ALSO BE OFFERING A LARGE SELECTION OF VINTAGE AND MODERN JEWELRY, FROM SUCH JEWELERS AS CARTIER, BULGARI, AND CHOPARD. BUT THE TRUE HIGHLIGHT OF THE EVENING WILL BE THE HERMES HANDBAG COLLECTION.


QUEEN VISITS LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC PARK SITE


QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITED THE NEW OLYMPIC PARK SITE IN LONDON RECENTLY TO INSPECT THE ONGOING PREPARATIONS FOR THE UPCOMING 2012 GAMES. THE QUEEN TOURED THE AREA IN EAST LONDON FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE THE CAPITAL CITY WAS AWARDED THE RIGHTS TO HOST THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN 2005. SHE VIEWED THE MAIN OLYMPIC STADIUM AND WALKED ALONG A SECTION OF THE 100-METER TRACK AREA. HER ESCORT FOR THE OCCASION WAS TWO-TIME OLYMPIC 1,500-METER CHAMPION SEBASTIAN COLE, WHO ALSO HEAD THE LONDON OLYMPIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE. "WE ARE THRILLED TO WELCOME HER MAJESTY BACK TO SHOW THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE", COLE SAID. "THE SKYLINE IN THIS PART OF LONDON IS BEING CHANGED AND THE OLYMPIC PARK WILL BECOME THE HOME TO WORLD CLASS SPORTS IN 2012 AND HOME TO A NEW COMMUNITY AFTER WARDS." THE QUEEN WAS SHOWN WHERE THE SPECIAL ROYAL BOX WILL BE LOCATED IN THE 80,000 CAPACITY STADIUM, AND SHE PLANTED THE FIRST OF 4,000 TREES TO BE CULTIVATED AT THE PARK SITE. THE QUEEN IS EXPECTED TO OPEN THE OLYMPICS IN 2012, WHEN SHE WILL ALSO BE CELEBRATING HER 60th YEAR AS MONARCH. THE VISIT CAME THREE DAYS AFTER LONDON MARKED THE 1,000 DAY COUNTDOWN UNTIL LONDON'S 2012 OPENING CEREMONY. THE 1 SQUARE MILE OLYMPIC PARK ALSO WILL INCLUDE THE VELODROME, AQUATICS CENTER, BASKETBALL ARENA AND MAIN MEDIA CENTER, IT IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE ATHLETES' VILLAGE. THE VISIT COMES AMID DEBATE OVER WHETHER THE SITE SHOULD BE NAMED 'ELIZABETH PARK' AFTER THE QUEEN. THE BRITISH OLYMPIC ASSOCIATION WANTS TO KEEP OLYMPIC IN THE NAME.

3.11.09

BRONZE GARDEN SCULPTURE SELLS FOR $118,000 AT AUCTION


THE INNOCENT LOOKING BRONZE FIGURE, 4 FOOT TALL AND TURNING GREEN, WAS ALREADY IN THE GARDEN WHEN THE HOME, CONTENTS AND ALL, ON CLEVELAND'S NEAR WEST SIDE NEARLY FOUR DECADES AGO. THERE IT STAYED UNTIL 25.OCTOBER, WHEN THE PIECE WAS SOLD THROUGH A CLEVELAND AUCTION HOUSE. THE LITTLE GARDEN STATUE FETCHED $118,000. THE PIECE, A WOMAN CARRYING A WATER VESSEL, WAS CREATED IN PARIS IN 1931 BY EGYPTIAN SCULPTOR MAHMOUD MOKHTAR, KNOWN AS THE FATHER OF MODERN EGYPTIAN ART FOR WHOM A MUSEUM WAS DEDICATED IN CAIRO. MOKHTAR (1891-1934) STUDIED IN PARIS. HOW THE UNIQUE SCULPTURE ENDED UP HIDDEN IN AN OBSCURE CLEVELAND GARDEN REMAINS A MYSTERY. "IF THESE PIECES COULD ONLY TELL US THEIR STORIES", SAID A SPOKESPERSON FROM THE AUCTION HOUSE. THE SELLER, A CLEVELAND ARTIST WHO ATTENDED THE AUCTION, AND THE BUYER, A COLLECTOR WHO BID BY PHONE, BOTH ASKED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS. THE AUCTION HOUSE WAS THRILLED WITH THE SALE, WHICH WAS THE MOST EVER PAID AT AUCTION FOR A MOKHTAR BRONZE, AND SAID WHAT'S MORE AMAZING IS THAT THE SELLER ALMOST SETTLED FOR $3,000 FROM AN ANTIQUE DEALER A FEW YEARS AGO, BUT DECIDED NOT TO SELL THEN.

LOUIS VUITTON OPEN NEW BOUTIQUE AT NORTHPARK CENTER, DALLAS


LOUIS VUITTON RECENTLY OPENED ITS LATEST BOUTIQUE AT NORTHPARK CENTER, DALLAS, TEXAS. THE SPACIOUS NEW STORE CARRIES LEATHER GOODS AND ACCESSORIES, SHOES, JEWELRY, SUNGLASSES, AND THE FIRST STORE IN THE STORE TO CARRY THE LOUIS VUITTON WATCH COLLECTION. IT IS ALSO ONE OF THREE AMERICAN BOUTIQUES THAT DISPLAYS A SIGNIFICANT WORK OF ART, A BRONZE SCULPTURE CALLED 'SUITCASE IN EXILE' COMMISSIONED FROM FRENCH ARTIST VINCENT DUBORG. LOUIS VUITTON IS TRULY MAKING A GRAND STATEMENT WITH ITS NEW FLAGSHIP STORE, AND NOT BECAUSE IT'S THE BRAND'S LARGEST BOUTIQUE IN THE CITY OF DALLAS AND THE FIRST TO CARRY WATCHES. THE AIRY SPACE FEATURES A TWO-STORY GLASS WALL THAT FACES THE SERENE FORMAL GARDEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SHOPPING CENTER. IT'S THE FIRST STORE TO MAKE THE MOST OF ITS PROXIMITY TO THE 1.4 ACRE PARK, WHICH TRANSFORMED A FORMER PARKING LOT WHEN THE SHOPPING CENTER EXPANDED THREE YEARS AGO. VUITTON'S FACADE ALONG THE INTERIOR HALLWAY OF THE CENTER IS A STRIKING WORK OF OP-ART, WHICH PLAYS ON THE POPULAR DAMIER PATTERN FEATURING A WALL OF CHECKERBOARD GLASS POSITIONED INCHES AWAY FROM A MATCHING BLACK AND WHITE CHECKED WALL. AS THE VIEWER WALKS PAST THE STORE, THE PATTERN APPEARS TO MOVE AND SWIRL. THE TWO-STORY ATRIUM AT THE REAR OF THE STORE TOWERS OVER A SHOE AND BAG SALON. A PROMINENT HANDBAG BAR AND SUN-GLASS WALL ARE AT THE FRONT, ALONG WITH THE SMALL LEATHER GOODS, JEWELRY, AND MEN'S ACCESSORIES. A BOUTIQUE LEADING TO THE REAR ATRIUM DISPLAYS WATCHES, INCLUDING ANTIQUE VINTAGE VUITTON TRUNKS.



LOUIS VUITTON WATCH CASE



THE PERFECT TRAVEL CASE FOR YOUR TIMEPIECES HAS FINALLY ARRIVED. LUXURY BRAND LOUIS VUITTON HAS RECENTLY UNVEILED TWO STUNNING WATCH CASES THAT WILL SURELY APPEAL TO EVERY LUXURY LOVER. THE TWO CASES, ONE A SUMPTUOUS 8 WATCH AND THE OTHER A 3 WATCH SOFT CASE. THE LOUIS VUITTON 8 WATCH CASE IS CRAFTED LIKE THE VUITTON SIGNATURE TRAVEL TRUNK AND COVERED IN THE CLASSIC MONOGRAM CANVAS. THE LUSH INTERIOR IS LINED WITH A MICROFIBER FABRIC AND COMPRISES EIGHT REMOVABLE PADS THAT CAN HOLD 8 TIMEPIECES. THE CASE CAN BE TURNED INTO A SMALL TRAVEL CASE AND HAS A REMOVABLE TRAY TO HIDE OTHER VALUABLES. THE LOUIS VUITTON 3 WATCH CASE IS A CHIC HOME FOR YOUR ACCESSORIES AND IS CRAFTED IN THE ICONIC MONOGRAM CANVAS, WITH A SOFT AND LUXURIOUS LINING. THE 8 WATCH CASE IS PRICED AT $4,070 WHILE THE 3 WATCH CASE IS PRICED AT $620, AND IS AVAILABLE AT LOUIS VUITTON BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE.

2.11.09

INDIAN STATE BANQUET AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE

'TALK TO ME HARRY WINSTON' SNOWFLAKE WATCH


HARRY WINSTON WAS VERY YOUNG WHEN HE FELL IN LOVE WITH THE BRILLIANCE AND BEAUTY OF DIAMONDS. THE EPONYMOUS BRAND IS NOW PAYING A GLITTERING TRIBUTE TO ITS CREATOR WITH A NEW AND FASCINATING TIMEPIECE: 'THE HARRY WINSTON SNOWFLAKE WATCH', WHICH IS SET WITH 454 PRECIOUS STONES FOR 4.10 CARATS. SCULPTURAL AND ELEGANT, THE OVAL CASE IS SET WITH 290 BRILLIANT-CUT DIAMONDS AND HAS A RING ON ITS SIDES THAT CAN BE SPUN BETWEEN THE FINGERS, JUST AS THE MASTER DID WITH THE PRECIOUS STONES WHEN IN SEARCH OF INSPIRATION, LUCK AND HAPPINESS. AND TO INVEST THIS STUNNING JEWELERY PIECE WITH EVEN GREATER TIMELESSNESS, 111 WHITE DIAMONDS HAVE BEEN SPRINKLED LIKE SNOWFLAKES OVER ITS BLACK MOTHER OF PEARL DIAL.

MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS OF FRANKFURT PRESENTS ANDRE-CHARLES BOULLE AND THE ART OF HIS TIME


THE FIRST EVER RETROSPECTIVE ABOUT ANDRE-CHARLES BOULLE, THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS CABINETMAKER OF ALL TIME, OPENED ON 28.OCTOBER. WITH A SCENOGRAPHY BY DESIGNER JUAN PABLO MOLYNEAUX, IT TAKES PLACE IN THE MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS OF FRANKFURT, THE STUNNING EMBLEMATIC BUILDING CREATED BY RICHARD MEIER. THE EXHIBITION 'ANDRE-CHARLES BOULLE AND THE ART OF HIS TIME, A NEW STYLE FOR EUROPE' IS THE FRUIT OF THE COMBINED EXPERTISE OF A FRENCH GROUP, THE ASSOCIATION ANDRE-CHARLES BOULLE AND THE MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS FRANKFURT. MOST OF THE WORKS ARE SHOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND SOME HAVE NEVER BEFORE LEFT THE COUNTRIES WHERE THEY ARE CONSERVED -- THIS IS THE CASE FOR THE LOANS FROM THE STATE HEMITAGE MUSEUM IN SAINT PETERSBURG, THE MOBILIER NATIONAL IN PARIS, THE CHATEAU OF VERSAILLES ET TRIANONS, THE MUSEUM OF FINE ART IN BOSTON AND OTHER MAJOR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS. IN ALL, NEARLY 30 INTERNATIONAL MUSEUMS WHOSE NAMES BRING TO MIND THE TREASURES OF THE WESTERN CIVILIZATION, AND A FEW EMINENT PRIVATE COLLECTIONS FROM SEVEN COUNTRIES WILL HAVE PERMITTED THE COMING OF THE AMAZING MASTERPIECES. THE EXHIBITION ASSEMBLES SOME 60 EXCEPTIONAL PIECES IN FLORAL MARQUETRY, IN TORTOISESHELL AND BRASS MARQUETRY OR GILT BRONZE, TAPESTRIES AND PAINTINGS, THEY ILLUSTRATE THE CULTURAL BEACON THAT WAS PARIS AT THE TIME, AND THE GENESIS OF A NEW EUROPEAN AESTHETIC. A RARE COLLECTION OF ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY ANDRE-CHARLES BOULLE'S CONTEMPORARIES FROM THE MUSEUM OF DECORATIVE ARTS IN PARIS AND BERLIN WILL COMPLETE THE INCREDIBLE ENSEMBLE.
EVEN BEFORE HE WAS 30 YEARS OLD, THE NAME OF ANDRE-CHARLES BOULLE (1642-1732), FOUNDER, CHASER, GILDER, SCULPTOR AND 'MARQUETER ORDINARY' TO THE KING, WAS FAMOUS THROUGHOUT EUROPE. IN 1672 LOUIS XIV GRANTED HIM A WORKSHOP INSIDE THE LOUVRE PALACE. HIS TOTALLY INNOVATIVE GENIUS IN THE CONCEPT OF FORMS WAS PAIRED WITH AN UNHEARD OF VIRTUOSITY IN THE USE OF GILT BRONZE, WHICH HE WAS THE FIRST TO UNITE WITH MARQUETRY ON THE BACKGROUND OF TORTOISESHELL. HIS CREATIONS WERE THE ABSOLUTE SUMMIT OF OPULENCE AND ELEGANCE, COMBINING EXTRAORDINARY FORMS WITH MATERIALS VERGING ON THE PRECIOUS, AND THE TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE NEVER ACHIEVED AGAIN SINCE. DISPLAYED TODAY IN THE GREATEST MUSEUMS OF THE WORLD, AND SYMBOLS OF THREE CENTURIES OF FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL SUCCESS.

MARCUS SCHENKENBERG RELEASES 'YOU ROCK' JEWELRY COLLECTION FOR MEN


MALE MODEL AND REALITY TELEVISION CELEBRITY MARCUS SCHENKENBERG HAS RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH GERMAN PEARL SPECIALIST ON THE NEW YOU ROCK BY MARCUS SCHENKENBERG JEWELRY COLLECTION, A LINE OF PEARL JEWELRY SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MEN. DESIGNER MAYK HOLLANDER CREATED THE BLACK SILVER COLLECTION WITH BLACK BRILLIANT-CUT DIAMONDS, HIGHLIGHTED BY VIVIDLY COLOURED FIJI CULTURED PEARLS. BLACK CHOKERS ARE MADDE FROM LEATHER, SILVER, KNOTTED SILK OR STINGRAY LEATHER ARE COMBINED WITH PENDENTS THAT REPRESENT AN ANCHOR, A CROSS OR A SKULL AND HIGHLIGHT A SINGLE PEARL. MATCHING BRACELETS MADE OF BLACK KNOTTED SILK ARE ALSO ADORNED WITH BRILLIANT-CUT DIAMONDS AND FIJI CULTURED PEARLS.


FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.gellner.com

1.11.09

PRINCE CHARLES OPENS BURBERRY'S GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS IN LONDON


HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES OFFICIALLY OPENED BURBERRY'S GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS, HORSEFERRY HOUSE IN WESTMINSTER RECENTLY. PRINCE CHARLES WAS WELCOMED BY BURBERRY CREATIVE DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER BAILY, CEO ANGELA AHRENDTS AND THE REST OF THE BURBERRY TEAM FOR A TOUR OF THE NEW 160,000 SQUARE FOOT, EIGHT FLOOR PREMISES. "WE ARE DELIGHTED TO WELCOME THE PRINCE OF WALES TO HORSEFERRY HOUSE, PARTICULARLY AS THE ROYAL FAMILY HAVE SUCH A LONG ASSOCIATION WITH BURBERRY", AHRENDTS SAID BEFORE THE ROYAL VISIT. PRINCE CHARLES WAS GIVEN A PREVIEW OF THE LARGEST BURBERRY COLLECTIONS AND WATCHED A DEMONSTRATION OF THE LABEL'S NEW WEBSITE ARTOFTHETRENCH.COM. HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS ALSO MET WITH SEVERAL BURBERRY EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN WITH THE COMPANY FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS, BEFORE BURBERRY ANNOUNCED A GRANT TO THE PRINCE'S FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN AND THE ARTS. IT WILL SUPPORT DESIGNQUEST WHICH WILL LINK WITH KENSINGTON PALACE, THE FASHION AND TEXTILE MUSEUM, THE V&A, AND THE MUSEUM OF LONDON WITH SEVERAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN LONDON. "WE ARE ALSO THRILLED THAT THE BURBERRY FOUNDATION IS ABLE TO PRESENT THE PRINCE'S FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN AND THE ARTS WITH A DONATION", AHRENDTS REVEALED. "THESE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS SHARE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE BE AWAKENED AND INSPIRED BY THE ARTS, ALLOWING THEM TO FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS. THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY GIVES THE BURBERRY FOUNDATION THE CHANCE TO PARTNER WITH ANOTHER EXCELLENT AND HIGHLY RESPECTED BRITISH CHARITY.'

BETTE MIDLER'S ANNUAL 'HULAWEEN BALL' RAISES OVER A MILLION DOLLARS FOR CHARITY



FRIDAY NIGHT, AT THE STUNNING WALDORF-ASTORIA HOTEL, NEW YORK, BETTE MIDLER ENTERTAINED A PACKED BALLROOM OF GHOSTLY AND MACABRE GUESTS DRESSED IN COSTUME FOR HER ANNUAL 'HULAWEEN' BALL, RAISING OVER A MILLION DOLLARS, AND COUNTING, FOR ONE OF HER FAVORITE CHARITIES THE NEW YORK RESTORATION PROJECT. DRESSED AS A MOULIN ROUGE MADAME, MIDLER AND COMEDIENNE/GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST, JUDY GOLD WORKED THE CROWD, SHAKING PEOPLE FOR $2,500 DONATIONS. "EVERYWHERE I TURN I SEE HIPPIE BAGS AND BEADS, IT'S FANTASTIC", AS SHE CRUISED BY THE TABLE OF MICHAEL KORS, DRESSED AS A MUSICIAN HITCHHIKING TO WOODSTOCK. PEACE SIGNS, PROTESTING HIPPIES WERE IN ABUNDANCE, POSSIBLY A NOD TO THE GROWING QUAGMIRE IN AFGHANISTAN.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG, WEARING BLACK FAIRY WINGS, GAVE THE OPENING REMARKS, "I LOVE ME SOME MAYOR BLOOMBERG, BUT BETTE IS CLEANING UP THE CITY." (NYRP) HAS TURNED 55 VACANT LOTS INTO COMMUNITY GARDENS AND PLANTED OVER 250,000 TREES, ON ITS WAY TO A MILLION BY 2017). "WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT ONE TREE COULD MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE . . . I HAVE A CAT SO I DON'T F--- WITH TREES", SAID GOLDBERG. LATER IN THE EVENING, MAYOR BLOOMBERG, DRESSED IN ORANGE SLACKS AND A BLACK SWEATER, RECEIVED MIDLER'S "WINGS BENEATH MY WINGS" AWARD, FOR HIS SUPPORT IN TEAMING UP WITH NYRP TO GREEN NEW YORK. NOTABLE COSTUMES OF THE EVENING INCLUDED NYRP'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DREW BECHER, AS A RENAISSANCE LORD, TIGHTS AND ALL, KATIE COURIC AS KATE GOSSELIN, MARTHA STEWART AS A ROOT VEGETABLE (DON'T ASK), GLORIA GAYNOR AS A PIRATE, AND THE B52's KATE PIERSON WENT DRESSED AS ANNIE OAKLEY.