3.4.10

ARMANI/DOLCI CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS


THIS EASTER, ARMANI/DOLCI WILL BE OFFERING DELICIOUS, SCRUMPTIOUS EASTER EGGS CREATED FROM THE FINEST CHOCOLATE. MOREOVER, EACH DELIGHTFUL EGG CONTAINS AN ELEGANT SURPRISE FROM ARMANI/DOLCI, AN ITEM WHICH CAN EVEN BE CHOSEN BY THE CLIENT IF ORDERED IN ADVANCE. THE EGGS ARE AVAILABLE IN THREE FALVOURS, DARK, MILK AND WHITE CHOCOLATE AND COME IN TWO SIZES, WHICH ARE ALL STAMPED WITH THE ICONIC 'A'. THE SUMPTUOUS AND REFINED PACKAGING IS INSPIRED BY HANAMI, THE JAPANESE CELEBRATION OF THE CHERRY BLOSSOM. LIKE A PRECIOUS SILK KIMONO, THE BLUE COLOURED WRAPPING IS ENHANCED BY AN ELEGANT FUCHSIA SATIN RIBBON WITH A STYLIZED METAL FLOWER CHARM. THE CHOCOLATE EGGS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE GIORGIO ARMANI/DOLCI STORE ON 5th AVENUE IN NEW YORK UNTIL THE END OF MAY AND CAN BE DELIVERED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

CHANEL BOCCE BALL SET


WITH SUMMER QUICKLY APPROACHING, LUXURY FASHION HOUSE CHANEL IS OFFERING A UNIQUE VINTAGE-INSPIRED BOCCE BALL SET, HOUSED IN A SUMMER THEMED BRAIDED WICKER AND LEATHER TRAVEL CASE WHICH CAN DOUBLE AS A PICNIC BASKET. THE SET, PRICED AT AROUND $2,800, INCLUDES 8 STAINLESS STEEL BOCCE BALLS ENGRAVED WITH THE ICONIC CHANEL LOGO AND A WOODEN 'JACK' OR TARGET BALL. THE CASE IS FINISHED IN TWO-TONE BROWN AND NATURAL WOVEN WICKER WITH CHANEL'S TRADEMARK INTERLOCKING C's DONE IN THE BRAIDED ROPE ON THE COVER, AND BROWN SADDLE LEATHER STRAPS AND HANDLE.

ROBERTO CAVALLI CHOCOLATE EASTER EGGS


JUST IN TIME FOR SPRING CAFE GIACOSA HAS CREATED A LUSCIOUSLY DELECTABLE COLLECTION OF MILK, DARK AND WHITE CHOCOLATE EGGS. THE CHOCOLATE EGGS FEATURE GIRAFFE, ZEBRA AND TIGER PRINTS SHELLS FOR A UNIQUE DESSERT EXPERIENCE. CAFE GIACOSA ONE OF THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN FLORENCE, OWNED BY FAMED ITALIAN FASHION DESIGNER ROBERTO CAVALLI, WHO IS MOST NOTABLY RECOGNIZED FOR HIS TRADEMARK EXOTIC ANIMAL PRINTS, FEMININE FLORALS AND OVERTLY PROVOCATIVE LOOKS, IS SITUATED NEST TO THE LUSHLY APPOINTED CAVALLI BOUTIQUE WHICH FEATURES THE DECADENT PLUSH WORLD OF ROBERTO CAVALLI. THE CAVALLI CHOCOLATE EGGS ARE PRICED AROUND $66 AND ARE AVAILABLE AT caffegiacosa.com

MARILYN MONROE COSTUME TEST

CHRISTIE'S TO SELL MICHAEL CRICHTON COLLECTION


BEST-SELLING AUTHOR MICHAEL CRICHTON APPROACHED ART IN THE SAME WAY HE DID HIS WRITING, THROUGH EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, BUT ALSO BY DEVELOPING CLOSE FRIENDSHIPS WITH MANY OF THE ARTISTS WHOSE WORKS HE COLLECTED. THE POPULAR THRILLER WRITER DIED IN 2008 LEAVING BEHIND SUCH BLOCKBUSTERS AS 'JURASSIC PARK', 'THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN' AND THE TV SERIES 'ER'. BUT HE ALSO LEFT A 20th CENTURY ART COLLECTION THAT FEATURES SOME OF POP ART'S BEST KNOWN ARTIST'S, INCLUDING JASPER JOHNS, ROY LICHTENSTEIN AND CLAES OLDENBURG. CRICHTON'S FAMILY IS SELLING OFF ABOUT 80% OF THE COLLECTION AT CHRISTIE'S AUCTION HOUSE IN NEW YORK ON 11-12.MAY. AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS IS JASPER JOHNS' 'FLAG', A RENDITION OF THE AMERICAN FLAG THAT CRICHTON BOUGHT FROM THE ARTIST IN 1974, AND WHICH DECORATED THE WRITER'S BEVERLY HILLS BEDROOM. IT WAS LAST EXHIBITED IN 1992-93 AT THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS IN LONDON. ABOUT 70 OF THE 100 WORKS FROM THE COLLECTION, INCLUDING PAINTINGS BY JEFF KOONS, PABLO PICASSO AND ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG, WILL BE DISPLAYED AT CHRISTIE'S ROCKEFELLER CENTER GALLERIES UNTIL 13.APRIL. A SPOKESPERSON FOR CHRISTIE'S SAID THAT CRICHTON WAS GENEROUS IN LENDING WORKS FROM HIS COLLECTION FOR EXHIBITION, BUT WAS POSSESSIVE ABOUT THE 'FLAG'. 'WITH THE FLAG IT WAS SUCH A PERSONAL THING BECAUSE OF HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH JOHN', HE ADDED. THE 'FLAG' HAS A PRE-SALE ESTIMATE OF $10 MILLION TO $15 MILLION, BUT CHRISTIE'S BELIEVES IT WILL SET A NEW WORLD RECORD FOR THE ARTIST. THE CURRENT JOHNS RECORD STANDS AT $18 MILLION FOR 'FIGURE 4', SET AT CHRISTIE'S IN 2007. A LARGER 'FLAG' OF THE ARTIST'S SEMINAL IMAGE WAS PURCHASED PRIVATELY LAST MONTH FOR $110 MILLION BY HEDGE FUND BILLIONAIRE STEVE COHEN.

2.4.10

TWO BROTHERS RE-CREATE HISTORIC ROMAN MOSAIC



TWO BROTHERS RECENTLY UNVEILED A PAINSTAKING RECONSTRUCTION OF BRITAIN'S LARGEST ROMAN MOSAIC THAT TOOK THEM OVER TEN YEARS TO COMPLETE. BOB AND JOHN WOODWARD USED 1.6 MILLION TINY PIECES TO PRODUCE THEIR COPY OF THE ORPHEUS PAVEMENT. NOW THE 47ft SQUARE PAVEMENT IS BEING AUCTIONED AND IT IS EXPECTED TO FETCH AN ESTIMATED £25,000. THE MOSAIC DEPICTS THE ANCIENT GREEK MUSIC MASTER ORPHEUS WITH A LYRE RESTING ON HIS LEFT KNEE, HIS HUNTING DOG ALONGSIDE HIM AND A MYRIAD OF BEASTS ALL AROUND HIM. THE ANIMALS INCLUDE A TIGER, LEOPARD, LION, ELEPHANT, BEAR, GRYPHON, STAG AND BIRDS SUCH AS PHEASANTS, PEACOCKS AND DOVES. THE STUNNING WORK IS CURRENTLY ON DISPLAY AT PRINKNASH ABBEY, NEAR STROUD, BUT THE LEASE HAS COME TO AN END AND ITS OWNER HAS DECIDED TO SELL. IONA SALE, WHO IS PUBLICIZING THE EVENT FOR AUCTIONEERS CHORLEY'S, SAID IT HAD BEEN CHALLENGING PUTTING AN ESTIMATE SALE PRICE ON THE MOSAIC, BECAUSE ON ONE HAD EVER ATTEMPTED SUCH A FEAT BEFORE. SHE SAID: 'WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF INTEREST IN THE MOSAIC ALREADY. A GUESSTIMATE IS THAT IT WILL SELL FOR APPROXIMATELY £15,000 TO £25,000. BUT IT'S SO HARD TO DETERMINE WHAT IT WILL SELL FOR BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A ONE-OFF.' THE ORIGINAL MOSAIC, WHICH DATES BACK TO 325 AD, WAS FIRST FULLY EXCAVATED IN 1793 AT WOODCHESTER, GLOUSTERSHIRE. ALTHOUGH IT IS MISSING MANY PIECES, IT STILL SHOWS A FULL PICTURE. IT HAS ONLY OCCASIONALLY BEEN EXPOSED SINCE THEN BEFORE BEING RE-COVERED WITH EARTH. DURING ITS MOST RECENT UNCOVERING IN 1973, WHEN THE BROTHERS FIRST FELL IN LOVE WITH IT, MORE THAN 150,000 VISITORS CAUSED CHAOS WHEN THEY DESCENDED ON THE VILLAGE. REALIZING THAT ANOTHER DISPLAY MIGHT NEVER TAKE PLACE THEY DECIDED TO MAKE A FULL-SCALE RECONSTRUCTION. THE REPLICA THEY CREATED IS NOW RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECTS OF RECENT TIMES. THE ROMAN VILLA AT WOODCHESTER, NEAR STROUD, IS THOUGHT TO HAVE BELONGED TO SOMEONE OF WEALTH AND INFLUENCE. BOB WOODWARD TURNED FROM BUILDER INTO RESEARCH SCHOLAR AS HE TRIED TO DISCOVER WHAT THE MISSING PARTS MUST HAVE LOOKED LIKE. THE EARLIEST REPORT HE FOUND DATED BACK TO 1693, WHEN CELTIC SCHOLAR EDWARD LLWYD RECORDED HAVING SEEN 'BIRDS AND BEASTS ON THE FLOOR'. HE CONDUCTED CAREFUL RESEARCH INTO OTHER ORPHEUS MOSAICS TO HELP REPLACE THE MISSING SECTIONS ACCURATELY AS POSSIBLE. A REPLICA IN THE ORIGINAL LIMESTONE WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO HEAVY AND EXPENSIVE SO INSTEAD THE WOODWARDS SCOURED THE COUNTRY TO FIND CLAYS WITH SUITABLE NATURAL COLOURS. THE WORK WILL BE SOLD AT CHORLEY'S IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE.

'WORLD'S SMALLEST HOUSE' FOR SALE


WHAT IS BEING BILLED AS THE 'WORLD'S SMALLEST HOUSE' HAS RECENTLY BEEN PUT UP FOR SALE. AT JUST OVER 7 FEET WIDE AND 47 FEET LONG, THE TINY BUILDING IS ONE OF THE SMALLEST FUNCTIONING HOMES IN THE WORLD. THE 312 SQUARE FOOT 'LITTLE HOUSE' OF TORONTO, CANADA, HAS DEVELOPED A CULT FOLLOWING AND EVEN HAS ITS OWN WEBSITE. BACK ON THE PROPERTY MARKET FOR £110,000, THE COMFORTABLE HOME SURPRISINGLY COMES WITH THREE ROOMS, INCLUDING A NORMAL SIZED BATHTUB, AND COMES WITH ALL THE AMENITIES OF A REGULAR SIZED HOME. SITUATED ON DAY STREET IN TORONTO'S HISTORIC LITTLE ITALY, IT IS DESCRIBED IN THE ESTATE AGENT'S GUIDE AS A 'UNIQUE HOME IN GOOD CONDITION OVERALL AND HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED'. AS WELL AS ITS AMPLE 2.36m-HIGH CEILINGS, THE LITTLE HOUSE ALSO HAS A DECENT SIZED BASEMENT FOR STORAGE SPACE. 'THE INTERIOR OF THE HOUSE SEEMS MUCH MORE EXPANSIVE THAN THE SMALL EXTERIOR', SAID ESTATE AGENT ANTONIO NARDI. 'IT HAS A FULL BATHROOM, A KITCHEN AND A DECENT SIZED BEDROOM WITH A FOLD UP BED THAT GIVES MORE ROOM WHEN UP. THIS IS A GREAT AND HISTORIC PURCHASE.' BUILT IN 1912, THE LITTLE HOME HAS BECOME A CELEBRITY IN ITS OWN RIGHT OVER THE PAST 98 YEARS. TALK SHOW HOST ELLEN DEGENERES HAS EVEN EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN ONE DAY OWNING THE LITTLE HOUSE.



CHOPARD'S ANIMAL WORLD JEWELRY COLLECTION


HAUTE JOAILLERIE CHOPARD IS CELEBRATING ITS 150th BIRTHDAY WITH A STUNNING NEW ANIMAL COLLECTION OF 150 GLORIOUS ANIMAL-INSPIRED PIECES, WHICH ALSO HAPPENS TO BE THE LARGEST COLLECTION CHOPARD HAS EVER MADE DEVOTED TO A SINGLE THEME. THE COLLECTION REQUIRED A TOTAL OF 20,000 HOURS OF HOURS TO COMPLETE AND INVOLVED SETTING OVER 250,000 PRECIOUS AND SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES. 'I REALLY WANTED TO MAKE THEM LIKE SCULPTURES', CHOPARD CO-PRESIDENT AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR CAROLINE GRUOSI-SCHEUFELE TOLD WWD OF THE PIECES. 'IF PEOPLE WANT TO BUY ONE, THEY WILL HAVE TO RESERVE IT AND GET IT AT THE END OF NOVEMBER.' AND LIKE SMALL DELICATE SCULPTURES THEY ARE, ALL REPRESENTING DIFFERENT WILD CREATURES AND SHOWING A DEFINITE BEND TO THE COULOURFUL AND WHIMSICAL SIDE OF CHOPARD. THE COLLECTION INCLUDES BOTH JEWELRY AND WATCHES IN AN AMAZING ARRAY OF STYLES, SIZES AND SHAPES TO SATISFY THE TASTES OF ANY DISCERNING COLLECTOR.




H STERN AND DISNEY LAUNCH NEW ALICE IN WONDERLAND COLLECTION


LUXURY JEWELER H STERN HAS RECENTLY TEAMED UP WITH DISNEY FOR A STUNNING NEW RING COLLECTION INSPIRED BY THE 3-D FILM ALICE IN WONDERLAND. SCENES FROM THE TIM BURTON FILM, WHICH HAS ALREADY SPAWNED A SLEW IF BEAUTY PRODUCTS AND DESIGNS FROM THE STELLA MCCARTNEY AND SWAROVSKI, ARE BROUGHT TO LIFE WITH A GLITTERING RANGE OF GOLD AND DIAMOND SCULPTURE-RINGS, ACCORDING TO THE JEWELER'S PRESS RELEASE. THE COLLECTION OF FIVE RINGS WERE INFLUENCED BY THE 'UNDERLAND' SCENE IN THE MOVIE WITH WONDROUS ILLUSTRATIONS OF CHESHIRE CAT, LIVING FLOWERS, MUSHROOM FOREST, JABBERWOCKY DRAGON AND TOPIARY GARDEN. THE UNIQUE QUIRKINESS DOESN'T STOP THERE. THE RINGS FROM THE COLLECTION ARE AVAILABLE BY SPECIAL ORDER ONLY IN TWO SIZES: 'HUMAN DIMENSION' AND 'EXTRAORDINARY DIMENSION', WITH SIZING MEASURING UP TO 10cm.

1.4.10

TAKASHIMAYA TO CLOSE FIFTH AVENUE STORE


THE ERA OF THE FAMED ICONIC JAPANESE LUXURY RETAILER TAKASHIMAYA ON MANHATTAN'S FIFTH AVENUE IS COMING TO A CLOSE. THIS JUNE, THE COMPANY WILL SHUTTER ITS NEW YORK FLAGSHIP AT 693 FIFTH AVENUE, BETWEEN 54th AND EAST 55th STREETS. IT HAS BEEN AT THE LOCATION, WHICH IT OWNS AND PLANS TO SELL, SINCE 1993, BUT HAS BEEN ON FIFTH AVENUE SINCE 1958. TAKASHIMAYA CO, WHOSE STUNNING MULTI-LEVEL STORE SELLS EVERYTHING FROM HOME DECOR TO DESIGNER CLOTHES AND JEWELRY TO HAVING A FLORAL BOUTIQUE AND SPA. TRADITIONAL BENTO BOX LUNCHES AND OTHER DELICACIES ARE SERVED AT THE FAMOUS TEABOX RESTAURANT. THE COMPANY WILL NO LONGER BE MERGING WITH H2O RETAILING CORP PARENT COMPANY OF HANKYU AND HANSHIN DEPARTMENT STORES, ACCORDING TO WOMEN'S WEAR DAILY, WHICH FIRST REPORTED THE NEWS. A TAKASHIMAYA SPOKESPERSON MENTIONED THAT SIX ADDITIONAL STORES IN JAPAN HAVE ALREADY BEEN CLOSED. LIKE MANY JAPANESE RETAILERS, THE COMPANY HAS STRUGGLED WITH DECLINING SALES DUE TO THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. THE ANNOUNCEMENT LEFT MANY WONDERING ABOUT THE UPCOMING RETAIL VACANCY ON THAT STRETCH OF FIFTH AVENUE, AN UPSCALE STRIP WHERE RENTS ARE THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN THE WORLD, RANGING FROM $1,800 A SQUARE FOOT TO OVER $2,500 A SQUARE FOOT. TAKASHIMAYA CURRENTLY USES MORE THAN 37,000 SQUARE FEET FOR RETAIL AND OFFICE SPACE, WHICH INCLUDES OPERATIONS IN THE BASEMENT, UP THROUGH THE EIGHTH FLOORS. BROKERS SAY THE RETAIL PORTION OF THE SITE HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET SINCE OCTOBER. THE GROUND FLOOR IS ABOUT 3,000 SQUARE FEET, AND INDUSTRY INSIDERS EXPECT THE NEW TENANT TO TAKE AT LEAST THE FIRST THREE FLOORS FOR RETAIL, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE ABOUT 12,000 SQUARE FEET.

DESIGN UNVEILED FOR LONDON'S OLYMPIC GAMES VISITOR ATTRACTION


THE MAYOR OF LONDON BORIS JOHNSON AND LAKSHMI MITTAL, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF ARCELORMITTAL, UNVEILED THE ARTIST AND DESIGN CHOSEN TO CREATE A SPECTACULAR NEW VISITOR ATTRACTION IN THE OLYMPIC PARK. AWARD WINNING LONDON-BASED ARTIST ANISH KAPOOR HAS BEEN GIVEN THE COMMISSION OF A LIFETIME TO DESIGN THE SPECTACULAR NEW PUBLIC ATTRACTION. THE STUNNING ARTWORK, TO BE ENTITLED 'THE ARCELORMITTAL ORBIT', WILL ENSURE THE PARK REMAINS AN UNRIVALED VISITOR DESTINATION FOLLOWING THE 2012 GAMES, PROVIDING THE KEY OLYMPIC LEGACY THE MAYOR OF LONDON ENVISAGED FOR THE EAST END. THE BREATHTAKING SCULPTURE, THOUGHT TO BE THE TALLEST IN THE UK, WILL CONSIST OF A CONTINUOUS LOOPING LATTICE OF TUBULAR STEEL. STANDING AT A GIGANTIC 115m, IT WILL BE 22m TALLER THAN THE STATUE OF LIBERTY IN NEW YORK AND OFFER UNPARALLELED VIEWS OF THE ENTIRE 250 ACRES OF THE OLYMPIC PARK AND LONDON'S SKYLINE FROM A SPECIAL VIEWING PLATFORM. VISITORS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE A TRIP UP THE STRUCTURE IN A HUGE LIFT AND WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF WALKING DOWN THE SPIRALING STAIRCASE. THE ATTRACTION WILL STAND IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE OLYMPIC PARK BETWEEN THE STADIUM AND AQUATICS CENTER AND WILL OPEN IN TIME FOR THE 2012 GAMES. AFTER COMPLETION, THE OLYMPIC PARK LEGACY COMPANY WILL TAKE OWNERSHIP AND RUN THE VISITOR ATTRACTION.

DIESEL FRAGRANCE RECEIVES 'IRON MAN' MAKEOVER



WANT TO SMELL LIKE A SUPERHERO? IN A UNIQUE COMIC BOOK TURNED MOVIE TIE-IN, DIESEL IS GIVING THEIR ICONIC FRAGRANCE 'ONLY THE BRAVE', AN IRON MAN MAKEOVER HOPING FOR A BOOST FROM THE UPCOMING ACTION ADVENTURE FILM 'IRON MAN 2' WHICH OPENS 7.MAY. THE SCENT IS THE SAME BUT THE CLEAR, FLACON-GRIPPING HAND HAS BEEN RENDERED IN THE SAME RES AND GLOSSY GOLD SHADES AS THE FILM'S HERO'S EXO-SKELETON SUIT. THE SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION WILL BE PACKAGED IN BOXES BEARING REPRINTS FROM THE MARVEL HERO'S EARLY COMIC BOOK APPEARANCES. THE SCENT IS DESCRIBED AS HAVING A TOP NOTE OF LEMON BLOSSOM, MANDARIN AND CORIANDER LEAVES, A HEART OF LABDANUM, BLACK ROSE AND LAVENDER, AND A DRY DOWN OF AMBER, TOLU WOOD AND EBONY WOOD. THE 2.5oz SIZE WILL SELL FOR AN ESTIMATED $67.50 AND WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MID APRIL.

CEILING COLLAPES AT NERO'S FABLED GOLDEN PALACE


A HUGE CHUNK OF A 2,000 YEAR OLD GALLERY IN THE COMPLEX THAT INCLUDES THE INFAMOUS EMPEROR NERO'S FABLED GOLDEN PALACE COLLAPSED TUESDAY, ROME'S ART OFFICIALS SAID. OFFICIALS SAID THEY BELIEVED NOBODY WAS INSIDE WHEN THE COLLAPSE TOOK PLACE AT AROUND 10a, BRINGING DOWN PART OF THE GARDEN ABOVE, BUT FIREFIGHTERS CORDONED OFF THE AREA AS THEY CHECKED NO ONE WAS TRAPPED. NERO'S PALACE HAD BEEN CLOSED AS WORKERS WERE DOING REPAIRS. BUILT BY ROMAN EMPEROR NERO IN THE FIRST CENTURY AD, THE SUMPTUOUS PALACE IS KNOWN TO MANY BY ITS LATIN NAME DOMUS AUREA. WITH ITS FRESCOED HALLS AND GOLD-ENCRUSTED CEILINGS, IT WAS MEANT AS A FABLED RESIDENCE FOR ONE OF ROME'S MOST DEPRAVED EMPERORS. UMBERTO BROCCOLI OF ROME'S ARTISTIC SUPERINTENDENCY SAID THE VAULTED CEILING COLLAPSED BECAUSE OF SEVERE WATER DAMAGE. 'THINK 2,000 YEARS OF HISTORY, THINK OF ALL THE RAIN OF THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS', BROCCOLI TOLD REPORTERS AT THE SCENE. THE SITE WAS REOPENED IN 1999 FOLLOWING 18 YEARS OF CLOSURE BECAUSE OF STRUCTURAL CONCERNS, AND IT SOON BECAME ONE OF THE CAPITAL'S MOST POPULAR TOURIST SITES. BUT THE MONUMENT REMAINS PLAGUED BY STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS AND WATER INFILTRATION, WHICH HAVE FORCED THE SITE TO CLOSE AT VARIOUS TIMES DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. THE PALACE ORIGINALLY SPRAWLED ACROSS NEARLY 200 ACRES, OCCUPYING PARTS OF FOUR OF ROME'S SEVEN ANCIENT HILLS. THE COMPLEX LAY UNDERNEATH TONS OF DIRT IN THE BOWELS OF A HILL FOR CENTURIES, BEFORE COMING TO LIGHT 500 YEARS AGO WHEN RENAISSANCE SCHOLARS BEGAN RESEARCHING THE IMPERIAL PERIOD.

31.3.10

ELIZABETH TAYLOR REFUSES ANY MORE SURGERY


AFTER MORE THAN 100 OPERATIONS IN THE LAST QUARTER OF A CENTURY, ELIZABETH TAYLOR HAS FINALLY HAD ENOUGH. THE ICONIC HOLLYWOOD LEGEND, 78, HAS REPORTEDLY TOLD FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GO UNDER THE KNIFE ANYMORE, DESPITE SUFFERING FROM CRIPPLING BACK AND NECK PAIN. TAYLOR HAS STRUGGLED WITH HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR MOST OF HER LIFE AND HAS ALREADY BEEN ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL IN LOS ANGELES THREE TIMES THIS YEAR. NOW VIRTUALLY CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR, SHE IS SAID TO FEEL 'TO TIRED AND WEAK' TO UNDERGO ANY FURTHER SURGERY. THE LONDON-BORN ACTRESS HAS SURVIVED NUMEROUS BRUSHES WITH DEATH AND DEFIED MORTALITY PREDICTIONS ABOUT HER FUTURE ON COUNTLESS TIMES. SHE WAS ONCE QUOTED AS SAYING: 'I ENTER HOSPITALS AS OFTEN AS OTHERS ENTER TAXI CABS.' SHE HAS HAD BOTH HIPS REPLACED AND FIVE OPERATIONS ON HER BACK. HER LONG LIST OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS ALSO INCLUDE A BRAIN TUMOR, SKIN CANCER, DIABETES, PNEUMONIA, SEIZURES AND A STROKE. SHE HAD A RISKY HEART PROCEDURE LAST OCTOBER TO TREAT HER CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE, A PROGRESSIVE CONDITION IN WHICH THE HEART IS TOO WEAK TO PIMP SUFFICIENT BLOOD AROUND THE BODY. SHE IS SAID TO BE CRIPPLED WITH OSTEOPOROSIS, A DISEASE THAT LEAVES BONES WEAK AND EASILY BROKEN. AND FRIENDS SAT SHE IS STILL SUFFERING EXCRUCIATING NECK PAIN AS A RESULT OF HER LIFELONG BATTLE WITH SCOLIOSIS, OR CURVATURE OF THE SPINE. 'SOME MORNINGS HER NECK IS IN SUCH ACUTE PAIN SHE IS BARELY ABLE TO LIFT HER HEAD', SAID ONE REPORT. DESPITE THE AGONY, HOWEVER, SHE IS SAID THIS WEEK TO HAVE SPURNED DOCTORS' PLEAS TO HAVE CORRECTIVE SURGERY. THE ACTRESS, WHO HAS BEEN MARRIED EIGHT TIMES, LIVES ALONE IN LOS ANGELES. SOURCES CLAIMED THAT TAYLOR WAS SO DEPRESSED SHE SPENT HER 78th BIRTHDAY ALONE LAST MONTH WITH HER STAFF AT HER PLANTATION-STYLE MANSION. THE OSCAR-WINNER FOUND FAME AT JUST 12 IN NATIONAL VELVET. ALTHOUGH THE FILM WAS THE SPRINGBOARD OF HER CAREER, IT WAS ALSO THE START OF HER CHRONIC BACK PAIN AFTER SHE FELL OF A HORSE DURING FILMING. SHE WENT ON TO STAR IN CLASSICS SUCH AS TAMING OF THE SHREW, CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF AND CLEOPATRA. UNTIL NOW, SHE HAS MANAGED TO BOUNCE BACK FROM HER HEALTH PROBLEMS. AND AFTER A TRIP TO HOSPITAL IN LOS ANGELES LAST JULY, SOON AFTER THE DEATH OF HER CLOSE FRIEND MICHAEL JACKSON SHE REPORTED ON HER TWITTER PAGE: 'I'M HOME FROM HOSPITAL SORE, BUT INTACT. OF COURSE, I'M STILL GRIEVING FOR MICHAEL. I ALWAYS WILL. BUT AS I SAID BEFORE I WENT INTO HOSPITAL, 'I AM A SURVIVOR'

CHRISTIE'S TO OFFER RARE IMPERIAL PRESENTATION CHARGER DURING RUSSIAN ARTS SALE


OFFERING RARE WORKS OF EXCEPTIONAL PROVENANCE AND HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE, CHRISTIE'S 23.APRIL AUCTION OF RUSSIAN ART WILL PRESENT THE FINEST RUSSIAN WORKS OF ART TO RECENTLY COME TO MARKET. AMONG THE MAJOR SALE HIGHLIGHTS IS AN EXTRAORDINARY SILVER AND ENAMELED IMPERIAL PRESENTATION CHARGER BY SAZIKOZ, WHICH IS ESTIMATED AT $400,000 TO $600,000. THE SALE BE PRECEDED BY A PUBLIC EXHIBITION AT CHRISTIE'S ROCKEFELLER CENTER, NEW YORK, FROM 17-22.APRIL. A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE AUCTION HOUSE SAID: 'IMPERIAL PRESENTATION CHARGERS RARELY APPEAR ON THE AUCTION MARKET AND IT IS OUR PRIVILEGE TO OFFER A WORK OF SUCH HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE.' SUCH LARGE CHARGERS, OR BREAD AND SALT DISHES, WERE OFFERED ON CORONATION DAY DURING THE REIGNS OF EMPERORS ALEXANDER II, ALEXANDER III AND NICHOLAS II BY VISITING PROVINCIAL DIGNITARIES WHO PRESENTED THE EMPEROR WITH BREAD AND SALT IN AN ELABORATE CEREMONY HELD IN THE KREMLIN PALACE. OF TRADITIONAL CIRCULAR FORM, THE CHARGERS VARY IN DESIGN AND WERE EXECUTED BY THE LEADING SILVERSMITHS AND JEWELERS OF MOSCOW AND ST PETERSBURG. OFFERED FOR THE FIRST AT AUCTION, THE CHARGER HAS BELONGED TO THE SAME FAMILY SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED BY A DIPLOMAT IN EUROPE IN THE EARLY 1930s. EXHIBITING EXQUISITE CRAFTSMANSHIP, THE PRESENT LOT WAS LIKELY PRESENTED ON THE CORONATION DAY OF EMPEROR ALEXANDER III AND EMPRESS MARIA FEODOROVNA IN MOSCOW IN 1883. THE CENTER OF THE STUNNING WORK BEARS AN ENAMEL PLAQUE DEPICTING THE ROMANOV GRIFFIN, SURMOUNTED BY A CROWN AND FLANKED BY TWO IMPERIAL DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLES. AN INSCRIPTION IN RUSSIAN READS: 'TO HIS MAJESTY EMPEROR ALEXANDER III ALEXANDROVICH AUTOCRAT TO ALL RUSSIA, GRAND DUKE OF SMOLENSK, ETC, ETC, AND THE CONSORT OF HIS MAJESTY, EMPRESS MARIA FEODOROVNA / AN EARNEST GIFT FROM THE LOYAL SUBJECTS OF THE SMOLENSK NOBILITY 1883'. THE BORDERS OF THE CIRCULAR CHARGER ARE ENGRAVED WITH FOLIATE SCROLLS IN THE OLD RUSSIAN STYLE AND SAT AT INTERVALS WITH ENAMEL ROUNDELS DEPICTING CITIES AND VILLAGES OF THE SMOLENSK REGION. ADDITIONAL HIGHLIGHTS OF RUSSIAN WORKS OF ART INCLUDE A LARGE AND IMPORTANT TWO HANDLED PORCELAIN VASE, BY THE IMPERIAL PORCELAIN FACTORY IN ST PETERSBURG, DATED 1843, AND IS ESTIMATED AT $700,000 TO $900,000, AND A WIDE SELECTION OF CLOISONNE ENAMELS AND MORE THAN 60 WORKS BY FABERGE.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH DOOR TO THE AFTERLIFE


Door to Afterlife from Ancient Egyptian Tomb Found by Archaeologists
ARCHAEOLOGISTS HAVE UNEARTHED A 3,500 YEAR OLD DOOR TO THE AFTERLIFE FROM THE TOMB OF A HIGH-RANKING EGYPTIAN OFFICIAL NEAR KARNAK TEMPLE IN LUXOR, THE EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES AUTHORITY SAID MONDAY. THESE RECESSED NICHES FOUND IN NEARLY ALL ANCIENT EGYPTIAN TOMBS WERE MEANT TO TAKE THE SPIRITS OF THE DEAD TO AND FROM THE AFTERWORLD. THE NEARLY SIX FOOT TALL SLAB OF PINK GRANITE WAS COVERED WITH RELIGIOUS TEXTS. THE DOOR CAME FROM THE TOMB OF USHER, THE CHIEF MINISTER OF QUEEN HATSHEPSUT, A POWERFUL, LONG RULING 15th CENTURY BC QUEEN FROM THE NEW KINGDOM WITH A FAMOUS MORTUARY TEMPLE NEAR LUXOR IN SOUTHERN EGYPT. USHER HELD THE POSITION OF VIZIER FOR 20 YEARS, ALSO ACQUIRING THE TITLES OF PRINCE AND MAYOR OF THE CITY, ACCORDING TO THE INSCRIPTIONS. HE MAY HAVE INHERITED HIS POSITION FROM HIS FATHER. VIZIERS IN ANCIENT EGYPT WERE POWERFUL OFFICIALS TASKED WITH THE DAY TO DAY RUNNING OF THE KINGDOM'S COMPLEX BUREAUCRACY. AS A TESTAMENT TO HIS IMPORTANCE, USHER HAD HIS OWN TOMB ON THE WEST BANK OF THE NILE IN LUXOR, WHERE ROYAL KINGS AND QUEENS WERE ALSO BURIED. A CHAPEL DEDICATED TO HIM HAS ALSO BEEN DISCOVERED FURTHER SOUTH IN THE HILLS NEAR ASWAN. THE STONE ITSELF WAS LONG WAY FROM ITS TOMB AND HAD APPARENTLY BEEN REMOVED FROM THE GRAVE AND THEN INCORPORATED INTO THE WALL OF A ROMAN-ERA BUILDING, MORE THAN A THOUSAND YEARS LATER. FALSE DOORS WERE PLACED IN THE WEST WALLS OF TOMBS AND FACED OFFERING TABLES WHERE FOOD AND DRINK WERE LEFT FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE DECEASED.

BRUCE LEE'S WIFE AND DAUGHTER OPEN EXHIBITION IN HONG KONG


BRUCE LEE'S WIFE AND DAUGHTER RECENTLY UNVEILED AM EXHIBITION OF THE LATE KUNG FU STAR'S PERSONAL ITEMS, PHOTOS AND MOVIE POSTERS IN HONG KONG. THE EXHIBIT, WHICH INCLUDES A BOXING HEAD GUARD AND A PAIR OF SUNGLASSES USED BY LEE, IS A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE ACTOR AT THE 34th HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. THE FESTIVAL IS ALSO HOSTING A SEMINAR ON HIS WORK AND SCREENING NINE OF HIS MOVIES IN HUMOR OF WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS 70th BIRTHDAY LATER THIS YEAR. 'I THINK THAT HE WOULD BE THRILLED TO KNOW THAT HIS LEGACY HAS GONE ON AND ON FOR AS LONG AS IT HAS AND THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO GO ON AND INSPIRE PEOPLE FOR MANY, MANY MORE YEARS TO COME', SAID LEE'S DAUGHTER, SHANNON LEE KEASLER, WHO ATTENDED THE OPENING CEREMONY WITH HER MOTHER, LINDA LEE CADWELL. LEE BECAME A SOURCE OF CHINESE PRIDE BY PORTRAYING CHARACTERS THAT DEFENDED THE CHINESE AND THE WORKING CLASS FROM OPPRESSORS IN FILMS LIKE 'RETURN OF THE DRAGON'. HE DIED IN HONG KONG IN 1973 FROM SWELLING OF THE BRAIN. 'I THINK MY FATHER CONTINUES TO BE REALLY INFLUENTIAL BECAUSE HE WAS SO UNIQUE. THERE HASN'T REALLY BEEN ANYONE LIKE HIM', LEE KEASLER SAID. LEE'S DAUGHTER SAID EARLIER THAT PLANS TO CONVERT HER FATHER'S OLD HOUSE IN HONG KONG, NOW USED AS AN HOURLY LOVE MOTEL, INTO A MUSEUM AND TO BUILD A NEW MUSEUM IN SEATTLE, WHERE LEE STUDIED AND TAUGHT MARTIAL ARTS, ARE IN THE FUND-RAISING STAGE.

30.3.10

QUEEN'S VISIT TO CANADA WILL NOT INCLUDE SEEING TATTOO


THE QUEEN HAS CANCELED AN APPEARANCE AT THE NOVA SCOTIA MILITARY TATTOO AFTER ORGANIZERS IN CANADA SUGGESTED SHE WOULD BE TOO OLD TO MANAGE A STAIRCASE AT THE EVENT VENUE. THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH HAD BEEN DUE TO ATTEND THE TATTOO, THE WORLD'S LARGEST INDOOR GATHERING OF ITS KIND, IN HALIFAX IN JULY AS PART OF AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO CANADA. BUT THE PLAN REPORTEDLY FELL APART AFTER ORGANIZERS DEEMED THE ARENA'S 17 STEPS TOO DANGEROUS FOR THE ELDERLY ROYAL COUPLE. THE OFFENDING LEAD UP TO THE 12ft HIGH STAGE WHERE, IT WAS SUGGESTED, THE QUEEN SHOULD ADDRESS THE TATTOO, THE TIMES REPORTS. IN A REPORT ON THE EVENT, ORGANIZERS SAID THE STEPS 'WERE TOO RISKY' FOR THE QUEEN AND THE DUKE. THE PALACE RETORTED THAT THE PAIR WAS PERFECTLY FIT AND THAT THE QUEEN REGULARLY CLIMBED THE 47 STEPS OF THE GRAND STAIRCASE AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE. IF SHE COULD NOT ADDRESS THE TATTOO FROM THE PLATFORM THEN SHE WOULD NOT BE APPEARING AR ALL, IT SAID. THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT HAS REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE ISSUE, SAYING THAT IT HAS YET TO PUBLISH DETAILS OF THE QUEEN'S VISIT. BUCKINGHAM PALACE CONFIRMED THAT THE TATTOO WAS NOT ON HER ITINERARY OF SCHEDULED EVENTS. 'MANY DIFFERENT EVENTS ARE INITIALLY CONSIDERED FOR AN OVERSEAS VISIT, BUT THE TATTOO IS NOT IN THE QUEEN'S PROGRAM', A SPOKESPERSON SAID.

CHRISTIE'S TO OFFER SPENCER ART COLLECTION ESTIMATED AT £30 MILLION


THE FAMILY OF DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, WILL AUCTION A PAINTING BY FLEMISH MASTER PETER PAUL RUBENS AS PART OF A CLEAR-OUT SALE VALUED AT £30 MILLION DESIGNED TO ENSURE THE FINANCIAL FUTURE OF THE ALTHROP ESTATE. EARL SPENCER, DIANA'S BROTHER, IS HEAD OF THE ESTATE, AND PLANS TO MARRY FOR THE THIRD TIME LATER THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO NEWS REPORTS. THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ALTHROP COLLECTION UP FOR BID, INCLUDE HISTORIC MASTERPIECES, FURNITURE, PORCELAINS AND HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES ALONG WITH WORKS BY RUBENS AND THE 17th CENTURY ITALIAN MASTER IL GUERCINO. THE RUBENS, 'A COMMANDER BEING ARMED FOR BATTLE', WAS PAINTED IN 1613 OR 1614 AND IS EXPECTED TO FETCH £8-12 MILLION POUNDS. THE BEARDED MAN GAZING TOWARD THE VIEWER HAS BEEN NAMED BY SOME EXPERTS AS EMPEROR CHARLES V. THE PAINTING HAS BEEN AT THE LATE PRINCESS'S FAMILY HOME FOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS, AND WAS ORIGINALLY DESCRIBED AS THE 'SCHOOL OF RUBENS' IN THE 1802 INVENTORY. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS A RUBENS ORIGINAL BY LEADING SCHOLARS, CHRISTIE'S SAID. 'THIS MAGNIFICENT WORK BY RUBENS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORKS BY THE ARTIST TO REMAIN IN PRIVATE HANDS IN THE UK', SAID A SPOKESPERSON FOR CHRISTIE'S. 'IT IS A MUSEUM QUALITY MASTERPIECE AND WILL HAVE INTERNATIONAL APPEAL', HE ADDED. ANOTHER WORK BU RUBENS, 'THE MASSACRE OF THE INNOCENTS', SOLD FOR £49 MILLION AT SOTHEBY'S IN LONDON IN 2002, A WORLD RECORD FOR AN OLD MASTER. ALSO BEING SOLD BY THE SPENCER FAMILY IS 'KING DAVID' BY BAROQUE ARTIST IL GUERCINO, WHICH WAS BOUGHT TO HANG IN THE GREAT ROOM AT THE SPENCER HOUSE IN LONDON. IT IS EXPECTED TO RAISE £5-8 MILLION WHEN BOTH WORKS GO UNDER THE HAMMER AS PART OF THE OLD MASTERS SALE IN LONDON ON 6.JULY. ALTHROP IS UNDERGOING A £10 MILLION RESTORATION, AND THE TRUSTEES OF THE ESTATE SAID THEY HAD DECIDED TO SELL ITEMS WHICH WERE 'NOT CORE' TO THE COLLECTION. 'THEIR AIM IS TO HELP THE ALTHROP ESTATE TO THRIVE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME', THE TRUSTEES SAID IN A STATEMENT. CHRISTIE'S MAIN RIVAL SOTHEBY'S ALSO ANNOUNCED AN IMPORTANT SALE LAST WEEK, WITH JMW TURNER'S 'MODERN ROME - CAMPO VACCINO' SET TO SELL FOR AN ESTIMATED £12-18 MILLION AT THEIR SALE IN LONDON ALSO ON 7.JULY.

29.3.10

LOLLICAKES: GOURMET CUPCAKE POPS BY DIANA SPROVERI



IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE TOOK THE ICONIC CUPCAKE TO A NEW LEVEL OF CULINARY MASTERY. WITH THE PERFECT JOINING OF LUSCIOUS CAKE AND LOLLIPOP YOU GET THE UNIQUE AND DELICIOUS LOLLICAKES BY PASTRY CHEF DIANA SPROVERI. EACH STUNNING LITTLE CREATION IS COMPRISED OF FOUR BITES OF DENSE CAKE THAT'S DIPPED IN CHOCOLATE BEFORE BEING SPRINKLED WITH 'FLAIR', IT'S COMMONLY KNOWN AS A CAKE BALL ON A STICK. SPROVERI SAYS: 'THEY'RE LIKE CREATING LITTLE WORKS OF ART. I HAVE SO MUCH FUN COMING UP WITH NEW FLAVOURS AND BEING CREATIVE.' ORIGINALLY ONLY AVAILABLE IN LARGE BATCHES, LOLLIBAKES ARE NOW SOLD IN GROUPS AS SMALL AS 4 OR 6, OR YOU CAN ORDER BY THE DOZEN. PRICES VARY, AS DO AVAILABLE FLAVOURS EVERY WEEK, BUT THEY CAN BE ORDERED ONLINE AT lollibakes.com OR VISIT THE CULVER CITY LOCATION OF KAKE BY DIANA SPROVERI.

DIANA SPROVERI HAS SPENT HOURS IN A SMALL KITCHEN BAKING HER MOTHER'S AND GRANDMOTHER'S TREATS AND SHARING THEM WITH EVERYONE IN HER HOMETOWN. AFTER YEARS OF PERFECTING THE RECIPES AND HONING HER CRAFT, SHE SET OUT FOR LOS ANGELES, BRINGING AN ARTISTIC TWIST TO BAKING. RECENTLY, HAVING GRACED THE PAGES OF SUNSET MAGAZINE, PEOPLE MAGAZINE, EVERYDAY WITH RACHAEL RAY AND OTHERS, DIANA HAS TAKEN HOLLYWOOD BY STORM WITH HER LAVISH DESSERT PARTIES. HER LOLLICAKES HAVE MADE APPEARANCES IN PRINT AND TELEVISION AND WERE SERVED AT THIS YEAR'S GRAMMY AWARDS AND AT THE OSCARS. CONTINUING TO WORK AS A DESIGNER PASTRY CHEF, DIANA STRIVES TO BRING HER WONDERFUL RECIPES, ARTISANAL INGREDIENTS AND HANDCRAFTED BAKED GOODS IN A PERSONALIZED WAY TO EACH OF HER CLIENTS. WHETHER YOU ARE SENDING A GIFT OR LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOUR NEXT GET-TOGETHER, DIANA HOPES THAT YOU WILL ENJOY HER SWEETS AS MUCH AS SHE LOVES MAKING THEM.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT dianasproveri.com/

CHOPARD 150th ANNIVERSARY ANIMAL COLLECTION


LUXURY TIMEPIECES WITH ANIMALS ON THEM APPEARS TO BE ONE OF THE HOTTEST TRENDS AT THE MOMENT AND LUXURY JEWELER CHOPARD IS TAKING FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE TREND WITH A STUNNING NEW COLLECTION THAT HAS BEEN CREATED TO COMMEMORATE THE 150th ANNIVERSARY OF CHOPARD. THE TIMEPIECES FEATURES VARIOUS BEJEWELED DESIGNS OF ANIMALS ON THE DIAL INCLUDING A POLAR BEAR ON AN ICE FLOW, A MONKEY SWINGING THROUGH LUSH JUNGLE BRANCHES AND A PENGUIN AMIDST HIS COMPANIONS. PRESENTED IN 18 CARAT GOLD, THESE UNIQUE ANIMAL THEMES MODELS FEATURE DIAMOND-SET BEZELS, SPECIALLY DESIGNED MOTHER OF PEARL DIAL BACKGROUNDS THAT FUNCTION AS A 'HABITAT' FOR THE VARIOUS CREATURES, AND THE FAMOUS FLOATING DIAMONDS. EACH ANIMAL IS MADE FROM 18 CARAT GOLD AND DISPLAYS A FULL PAVE-DIAMOND SETTING. A COMBINATION OF BLACK AND WHITE DIAMONDS HAS BEEN USED TO DRESS THE PENGUINS. SURE TO BE A DISTRACTION, THE TIMEPIECES HAVE LARGE SKELETONIZED HANDS THAT REMIND THE WEARER OF THE TRUE FUNCTION OF THE BEJEWELED WATCH. FINELY GRAINED SATIN OF VARIOUS COLOURS PERFECTLY COMPLEMENT AND MATCH EACH TIMEPIECE IN THE COLLECTION.


VANITY CLUB AT HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO


VANITY IS THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED NEW NIGHTCLUB AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO, LAS VEGAS, WHICH IS CREATED TO STELLAR PROPORTIONS BY THE NIGHTLIFE GROUP. VANITY IS DESIGNED TO CHANGE YOUR CONCEPT OF UPSCALE NIGHTLIFE FOCUSING THE EXPERIENCE ON THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE ROOM . . . YOU. A STUNNING ECLECTIC JEWEL BOX, VANITY IS ADORNED WITH PEARLS AND HAND CUT CRYSTALS FUSED WITH BRONZE AND GOLD METALLIC SURROUNDED BY ANTIQUE MIRRORS, RUBBED BRASS AND BLACK CHROME. THE ORGANIZED CHAOS OF VELVETS, DEEP SATINS AND RICH TAPESTRIES ADD TO THE GLEAMING TEXTURES THROUGHOUT THE CLUB CREATING THE PERFECT BACKDROP OF REFLECTIVE BRILLIANCE. THE HEARTBEAT OF THE CLUB IS A CYCLONE CHANDELIER OF OVER 20 THOUSAND LIT CRYSTALS BRINGING THE DANCE FLOOR TO LIFE. THE 14,000 SQUARE FOOT VENUE FEATURES TWO MARBLE BARS, A SUNKEN DANCE FLOOR, 50 INTIMATE VIP BOOTHS, AN OUTDOOR TERRACE INCLUDING FIVE CABANAS WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO TO SKY BAR AND A WOMEN'S LOUNGE THAT WILL TRULY IMPRESS. VANITY SPOILS YOUR EVERY WIN. SIMPLY PUT, VANITY IS A SENSUALIST'S PLAYGROUND. . . IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU.





EARL SPENCER TO MARRY FOR A THIRD TIME


EARL SPENCER, THE BROTHER OF DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, IS TO MARRY FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE 45 YEAR OLD WILL MARRY LADY BIANCA ELIOT POSSIBLY AS EARLY AS SEPTEMBER. A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE COUPLE SAID: 'WE CAN CONFIRM THAT EARL SPENCER AND LADY ELIOT ARE INDEED ENGAGED AND THAT THEY ARE BOTH VERY HAPPY. THEY ARE POSSIBLY SETTING A DATE IN SEPTEMBER.' EARL SPENCER, WHOSE FAMILY SEAT IS LOCATED AT ALTHROP, NORTHHAMPTONSHIRE, AND LADY ELIOT HAVE BEEN DATING FOR THE PAST 18 MONTHS. IT WILL BE THE EARL'S THIRD MARRIAGE. IN 1989 HE MARRIED VICTORIA LOCKWOOD BEFORE THEY SPLIT IN 1997. HE THEN MARRIED CAROLINE FREUD IN 2001 BEFORE THE MARRIAGE ENDED LAST YEAR. LADY ELIOT, A MOTHER OF THREE, WAS LEFT GRIEF-STRICKEN AFTER HER HUSBAND JAGO DIED IN 2006. HE WAS ONLY 40 WHEN HE SUFFERED AN EPILEPTIC FIT WHILE TAKING A BATH. JAGO ELIOT WAS HEIR TO EARL ST GERMANS. HIS 6,000 ACRE PORT ELIOT ESTATE IN CORNWALL WILL NOW BE INHERITED BY THEIR FIVE YEAR OLD SON, ALBIE. THE LITTLE BOY WILL ALSO INHERIT THE TITLE.

FENIMORE ART MUSEUM TO PRESENT EXHIBITION OF JOHN SINGER SARGENT'S WOMEN


THE FENIMORE ART MUSEUM IN COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK, WILL BE EXHIBITING PORTRAITS OF WOMEN BY AMERICAN ARTIST JOHN SINGER SARGENT STARTING IN MAY IN WHAT CURATORS SAY IS THE FIRST MAJOR EXHIBITION OF ITS KIND. 'PORTRAITS IN PRAISE OF WOMEN' WILL BE THE FIRST LARGE-SCALE EXHIBITION THAT DRAWS TOGETHER A SUBSTANTIAL SELECTION OF SARGENT'S PORTRAITS OF WOMEN, A CENTRAL BODY OF HIS WORK THAT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED, ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF CURATOR AT THE FENIMORE. THE EXHIBITION WILL SHOW 25 OF SARGENT'S WOMEN FROM 29.MAY TO THE END OF THE YEAR. THE EXHIBITION WILL APPEAR ALONGSIDE THE FENIMORE'S PERMANENT COLLECTION OF AMERICAN ART HOUSED IN A SCENIC COUNTRY HOUSE IN COOPERSTOWN, A SMALL TOWN ABOUT 20 MILES NORTH OF NEW YORK CITY. ON DISPLAY WILL BE PREPARATORY FOR THE FAMOUS MADAME X, A PROVOCATIVE PORTRAIT MODELED ON PARISAIN SOCIALITE MADAME PIERRE GAUTREAU. THE PAINTING CAUSED A SCANDAL WHEN IT WAS UNVEILED IN PARIS IN 1884, WHICH EVENTUALLY COMPELLED SARGENT TO LEAVE THE CITY FOR LONDON, WHERE HE WENT ON TO SET UP HIS MAIN STUDIO. OTHER PAINTINGS IN THE EXHIBITION DEMONSTRATE SARGENT'S MASTERY OF STYLES, THROUGH THE GRAND TRADITION OF CLASSIC PORTRAITURE TO LATE 19th CENTURY IMPRESSIONISM, A STYLE DEVELOPED THROUGH CONTACT WITH FRENCH PAINTERS LIKE CLAUDE MONET. TEH FENIMORE WILL ALSO HOST A COMPLEMENTARY EXHIBITION OF WOMEN'S CLOTHING CALLED 'EMPIRE WAISTS, BUSTLES AND LACE: A CENTURY OF NEW YORK FASHION'. THE EXHIBITION WILL INCLUDE THE OLDEST KNOWN EXAMPLE OF A DRESS WITH A LABEL, AS WELL AS EXAMPLES OF EMPIRE, ROMANTIC AND CIVIL WAR-ERA DRESSES. THE FENIMORE'S COLLECTIONS OF AMERICANA INCLUDES FOLK ART, 18th AND 19th CENTURY PAINTINGS, AMERICAN INDIAN ART, DECORATIVE ARTS, HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHY, AS WELL AS MEMORABILIA BELONGING TO 19th CENTURY AMERICAN WRITER JAMES FENIMORE COOPER, WHO LIVED IN THE BUILDING WITH HIS FAMILY.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.fenimoreartmuseum.org

28.3.10

DESIGNER FERNANDO ALTAMIRANO CREATES ACQUA DI CRISTALLO 'TRIBUTE A MODIGLIANO'




DESIGNER FERNANDO ALTAMIRANO, WHO PREVIOUSLY DRESSES A BOTTLE OF COGNAC DUDOGON HERITAGE HENRI IV IN THE MOST EXPENSIVE COGNAC BOTTLE IN THE WORLD, RECENTLY SOLD HIS NEWEST STUNNING CREATION A LUXURY WATER BOTTLE FOR $60,000, WINNING HIS SECOND GUINNESS RECORD FOR THE HIGHEST PRICED PAID FOR A BOTTLE SOLD AT AUCTION. PROCEEDS FOR THE SALE WENT TO CHARITY. THE MOST EXPENSIVE WATER BOTTLE IN THE WORLD CONTAINS WATER FROM SPRINGS IN FRANCE, FIJI, AND A GLACIER IN ICELAND -- THEN THERE IS THE 5 MILLIGRAMS OF 23 CARAT GOLD DUST SPRINKLED IN THE WATER. THE ACQUA DI CRISTALLO 'TRIBUTE A MODIGLIANO' IS A STUNNING MODIGLIANI-LIKE SCULPTURED BOTTLE AND A $60,000 PRICE TAG WAS RESERVED FOR ITS SOLID GOLD VERSION. THE BOTTLES ARE MADE IN GOLD, GOLD MATTE, SILVER, SILVER MATTE, CRYSTAL AND A VARIETY OF COMPOSITIONS, THE REGULAR PRICE IS NORMALLY $3,500, BUT THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE ACQUA DI CRISTALLO IS AVAILABLE TO THE WEALTHY. THE ACQUA DI CRISTALLO BOTTLE IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN AN ICE BLUE VERSION FOR $285. THE GOOD THING IS 15% OF ALL SALES PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO GLOBAL WARMING CAUSES.

CHOCOLEE CHOCOLATES REOPENS IN BOSTON


THE CITY OF BOSTON IS KNOWN FOR ITS HISTORY, CULTURE, JOIE DE VIVRE AND GOURMET OFFERINGS, BUT, HIDDEN IN ITS SOUTH END NEIGHBORHOOD AT THE INTERSECTION OF MONTGOMERY AND DARTMOUTH STREETS IS AN AMAZING CHOCOLATE SHOP OFFERING SOME OF THE BEST CHOCOLATE CREATIONS IN THE CITY. LEE WORKED IN VARIOUS RESTAURANT CAPACITIES FROM SERVER TO BARTENDER, FROM MANAGER TO CATERER, AND SEGUED INTO THE WORLD OF SWEETS AS A PASTRY CHEF AT ICARUS, ONE OF BOSTON'S MOST LEGENDARY FINE DINING RESTAURANTS, IN 1989. SINCE THEN, LEE HAS WORKED AT OR CONSULTED FOR COUNTLESS TOP-RATED RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY, INCLUDING MAISON ROBERT, GRILLE 23, ANAGO, METRO, BRICCO, THE BUTTERY AND SANDRINE'S BISTRO. IN THE EARLY 1990s, LEE ESTABLISHED NEW ENGLAND'S FIRST AND ONLY ASSOCIATION FOR PASTRY PROFESSIONAL'S AND STILL MAINTAINS AN ACTIVE ROLE. SHE IS ALSO PROUD OF HAVING COOKED AT NEW YORK'S JAMES BEARD HOUSE FOUR TIMES. WHILE WINNING CAKE AWARDS, CONSTRUCTING GINGERBREAD HOUSES, AND TURNING OUT THOUSANDS OF PERFECT COOKIES, TARTS, PIES AND PASTRIES, LEE BEGAN MAKING TRUFFLES IN HER DOWNTIME, SOLD WITHOUT FANFARE AT A SELECT FEW RETAIL VENUES. SHE ACHIEVED HER DREAM OF OPENING AN ARTISANAL CHOCOLATE SHOP OF HER OWN IN 2007 AND HAS NEVER LOOKED BACK.

AT CHOCOLEE'S RECENT GRAND REOPENING ON 20.MARCH, MADELEINE MARTINO OF MARBLEHEAD SAID: 'NOBODY MAKES CHOCOLATES LIKE LEE. WHEN YOU WALK INTO THE STORE, YOU CAN SEE HOW PASSIONATELY SHE LOVES CHOCOLATE! I ABSOLUTELY CRAVE THE SALTED CARMEL.' 'LEE DESIGNS AND MAKES THE CHOCOLATE HERE', SAID KAREN JANE OF BOSTON. 'SHE ISN'T BUYING SOMEONE ELSE'S DESIGNS, SHE ISN'T A GLOBAL FRANCHISE, AND SHE ISN'T COLLECTING THE WORLD OF OTHER ARTISANS. AFTER I FOUND THIS CHOCOLATE, I NEVER PREFERRED ANOTHER.' THE NEW SPACE, FORMALLY THE HALEY HOUSE BAKERY, SHOULD MAKE BUYING CHOCOLATES FROM CHOCOLEE EASIER FOR MORE CUSTOMERS. 'I'VE BEEN A PASTRY CHEF IN THE BOSTON AREA FOR ABOUT 30 YEARS. . . THE NAME OF THE SHOP IS THE WORD, CHOCOLATE, AND MY NAME, LEE . . . I MAKE ALL THE CHOCOLATE MYSELF AND THEY ARE MADE FRESH DAILY. WE OFFER A WIDE VARIETY OF HANDMADE TRUFFLES WHICH WE HAND SCOOP, HAND ROLL AND DIP', EXPLAINS LEE NAPOLI. 'WE CREATE NEW VARIETIES EVERY WEEK.'
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.chocoleechocolates.com

DE GRISOGONO EMERALD-CUT DIAMOND RING


GENEVA BASED LUXURY JEWELER DE GRISOGONO HAVE CREATED A STUNNING AND UNIQUE RING FROM AN EXTRAORDINARY DIAMOND THEY RECENTLY ACQUIRED. THE EMERALD CUT DIAMOND WEIGHS ALMOST 34 CARATS AND IS COMPLETELY FLAWLESS WITH NOT A SINGLE INCLUSION. THE DIAMOND IS MOUNTED ON AN 18 CARAT WHITE GOLD SETTING WITH ALMOST 9 CARATS OF BLACK DIAMONDS ARRANGED AS A PAVE SHANK HOLDING IT IN PLACE. TRULY A UNIQUE ONE OF A KIND COLLECTORS ITEM.