4.9.10

MB WATCHES LAUNCHES NEW 7 SINS COLLECTION


AFTER MORE THAN 10 YEARS OF FREELANCE ACTIVITIES WITH THE MAJOR SWISS WATCH BRANDS, MIKAEL BOURGEOIS LAUNCHED THE MB WATCHES IN 2008 AND NOW, THE LUXURY WATCH BRAND HAS INTRODUCED ITS FIRST COLLECTION DUBBED '7 SINS'. THE LIMITED EDITION SERIES OF SEVEN UNIQUE TIMEPIECES CREATED ON THE THEME OF THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS. EACH ONE PICTURES, WITH ITS SHAPE, DESIGN, COLOURS OR FUNCTIONS, ONE OF THE SEVEN SINS. THE STUNNING WATCHES FEATURE SWISS MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS, EMBODY ENVY, SLOTH, GLUTTONY, WRATH, LUST, PRIDE AND GREED. CRAFTED WITH PRECIOUS METALS AND WITH QUALITY AND THE KNOW-HOW OF MASTER WATCHMAKERS IN WATCH VALLEYS BETWEEN SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE, THE 7 SINS WATCHES ARE MADE TO SPECIAL ORDER. INTERESTED BUYERS CAN EVEN VISIT THE WORKSHOP AND SEE THEIR WATCH IN THE WORKS. PRICING FOR THE 7 SINS LUXURY WATCHES STARTS AT $65,000 AND GOES AS HIGH AS $156,000.
www.mb-watches.com

PRINCE PHILIP REVEALS TALENT FOR PAINTING


SHE HAS SAT FOR MANY AN ARTIST AND HER IMAGE HAS BEEN CAPTURED ON CANVAS COUNTLESS TIMES. BUT RARELY HAS THE QUEEN BEEN CAPTURED IN QUITE SO INFORMAL A POSE. SITTING AS A BEAUTIFULLY-LAID TABLE, READING A PAPER, WITH A FRESH LOAF OF BREAD AND A POT OF MARMALADE IN FRONT OF HER, SHE INDULGES IN A LEISURELY BREAKFAST. WHO, MAY YOU ASK, HAS HAD SUCH INTIMATE ACCESS TO THE MONARCH AT HER BREAKFAST TABLE? HER HUSBAND OF COURSE, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH. THE DUKE IS WELL KNOWN FOR HIS APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS, BUT LESS WELL KNOWN IS HIS OWN TALENT FOR APPLYING OILS TO CANVAS. HE PAINTED THE IMAGE, ENTITLED THE QUEEN AT BREAKFAST, WINDSOR CASTLE, BACK IN 1965, AND IT HAS BEEN PART OF HIS PRIVATE COLLECTION EVER SINCE. NOW IT FEATURES AS ONE OF THE MOST SURPRISING IMAGES IN A NEW BOOK, THE ROYAL PORTRAIT IMAGE AND IMPACT, TO BE PUBLISHED BY THE ROYAL COLLECTIONS. THE PAINTING OFFERS AN INTIMATE GLIMPSE OF THE QUEEN OFF DUTY, A SECOND PLACE SETTING AT HER SIDE PRESUMABLY THE ARTISTS'. THE TABLE IS COVERED WITH A CRISP WHITE TABLECLOTH, THE PLATES, CUPS AND SAUCERS ARE WHITE CHINA. PRINCE PHILIP HIMSELF AGREED TO ALLOW THE ROYAL COLLECTION TO USE THE IMPRESSIONISTIC STUDY IN THE NEW BOOK. AUTHOR JENNIFER SCOTT, ASSISTANT CURATOR OF PAINTINGS AT THE ROYAL COLLECTION, SAID SHE WAS DELIGHTED WHEN SHE CAME ACROSS THE PAINTING AS SHE RESEARCHED THE BOOK. 'I THINK GENERALLY PEOPLE DON'T KNOWN THAT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH PAINTS, IT'S QUITE A PRIVATE PURSUIT. I THINK IT'S A REALLY GOOD PAINTING, IT'S GOT A REAL QUALITY TO IT, IT SEEMS SUCH A PRIVATE MOMENT, THE QUEEN SITTING HAVING BREAKFAST, SHE COULD BE ANYBODY.'

3.9.10

LANVIN AND H&M COLLABORATE ON WINTER COLLECTION


HIGH-STREET CHEAP CHIC RETAILER H&M ON THURSDAY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO COLLABORATE WITH FRENCH LUXURY LABEL LANVIN. THE COLLECTION WILL BE DESIGNED BY LANVIN'S ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ALBER ELBAZ, AND MENSWEAR DESIGNER LUCAS OSSENDRIJVER. THE EXCLUSIVE WINTER COLLECTION WILL GO ON SALE BEGINNING 23.NOVEMBER AT 200 H&M STORES WORLDWIDE. 'H&M APPROACHED US TO COLLABORATE, AND TO SEE IF WE COULD TRANSLATE THE DREAM WE CREATED WITH LANVIN TO A WIDER AUDIENCE, NOT JUST A DRESS FOR LESS', SAYS ELBAZ. 'I HAVE SAID IN THE PAST THAT I WOULD NEVER DO A MASS-MARKET COLLECTION, BUT WHAT INTRIGUED ME WAS THE IDEA OF H&M GOING LUXURY RATHER THAN LANVIN GOING PUBLIC. THIS HAS BEEN AN EXCEPTIONAL EXERCISE, WHERE TWO COMPANIES AT OPPOSITE POLES CAN WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE WE SHARE THE SAME PHILOSOPHY OF BRINGING JOY AND BEAUTY TO MEN AND WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD.' PREVIOUS DESIGNER COLLABORATION FOR THE SWEDISH FASHION GIANT HAVE INCLUDED KARL LAGERFELD, SONIA RYKIEL AND STELLA MCCARTNEY.

KOFFMANN'S OPENS AT THE BERKELEY LONDON


THE BERKELY, LONDON'S LUXURIOUS AND BELOVED FIVE STAR KNIGHTSBRIDGE HOTEL, HAS RECENTLY OPENED KOFFMANN'S, A STUNNING NEW RESTAURANT FROM LEGENDARY FRENCH CHEF PIERRE KOFFMANN. OVERLOOKING HYDE PARK, THE HISTORIC HOTEL HAS LONG BEEN THE DESTINATION OF CHOICE FOR STYLISH TRAVELERS INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY MADONNA AND GWYNTH PALTROW. CHEF KOFFMANN, WHOSE NAME HAS BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH SOME OF THE UK'S FINEST FRENCH CUISINE FOR OVER 35 YEARS, COUNTS GORDON RAMSAY AMONG HIS PROTEGES. THE OPENING OF KOFFMANN'S MARKS THE CHEF'S RETURN TO THE BERKELEY, WHERE HE WAS AS THE HELM OF THE CELEBRATED LA TANTA CLAIRE UNTIL ITS CLOSING IN 2003. THE KOFFMANN'S MENU FEATURES SEVERAL OF THE CITY'S SIGNATURE ITEMS, SUCH AS BRAISED PIG'S TROTTER WITH MORELS, WHICH GUESTS MAY RECOGNIZE FROM LA TANTE CLAIRE, BUT ON THE WHOLE KOFFMANN HAS MOVED INTO A MORE RELAXED, INFORMAL STYLE WHILE STILL EMBRACING HIS CLASSICAL, PROVINCIAL, FRENCH CULINARY ROOTS. THE MENU OFFERS HEARTY, ROBUST, SEASONAL DISHES, MANY INFLUENCED BY HIS GASCON HERITAGE, WHICH CAN BE ENJOYED SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FOR BOTH LUNCH AND DINNER.

GOGASIAN GALLERY TO OPEN IN PARIS


ON 20.OCTOBER GAGOSIAN WILL INAUGURATE A NEW GALLERY IN PARIS. GAGOSIAN GALLERY OF PARIS IS LOCATED IN THE 8tH ARRONDISSEMENT, BETWEEN AVENUE MATIGNON AND THE CHAMPS ELYSEES, IN WHAT IN KNOWN AS THE 'TRIANGLE D'OR'. OCCUPYING 900 SQUARE METERS ON FOUR LEVELS, IT HAS OVER 350 SQUARE METERS DEDICATED TO PUBLIC EXHIBITION SPACE ON TWO FLOORS. THE SECOND FLOOR WILL BE USED AS A 'PROJECT SPACE' WHERE SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS AND COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS WILL BE PRESENTED. ONE OF THE GALLERY'S OUTSTANDING FEATURES IT ITS RECTANGULAR MAIN GALLERY MEASURING 12 METERS BY 9 METERS WITH A CIRCA 5 METERS HIGH AND A SKYLIGHT OF 6.50 BY 3.50 METERS. THE GALLERY WAS DESIGNED BY THE PARIS BASED ARCHITECT JEAN-FRANCOIS BODIN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE LONDON BASED PRACTICE CARUSO ST JOHN. THE RENOVATION OS THE FORMER HOTEL PARTICULAR HAS TRANSFORMED THE SPACE INTO A STATE OF THE ART CONTEMPORARY GALLERY WHILE RETAINING ITS DISTINCTIVE PARISIAN CHARACTER. LARRY GAGOSIAN SAID: 'I LOVE THE CITY OF PARIS AND AM DELIGHTED TO BE OPENING A GALLERY HERE. IT IS AN HISTORICAL CAPITAL OF ART AND IS RECLAIMING ITS POSITION WITHIN THE INTERNATIONAL ART CIRCUIT THROUGH ITS HIGH QUALITY MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS AND A GROWING ART MARKET.' OPENED IN 1979 IN LOS ANGELES BY LARRY GAGOSIAN, GAGOSIAN GALLERY IS CONSIDERED AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S FOREMOST MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERIES. WITH THE ADDITION OF THE PARIS GALLERY, THERE ARE NOW NINE GALLERIES WORLDWIDE, INCLUDING THREE IN NEW YORK, ONE IN BEVERLY HILLS, TWO IN LONDON, ONE IN ROME AND ONE IN ATHENS.

SIX MONTH RESTORATION OF VEN GOGH'S 'THE BEDROOM' COMPLETED



VINCENT VAN GOGH MUST HAVE BEEN HORRIFIED WHEN HE RETURNED FROM THE HOSPITAL TO HIS STUDIO IN ARLES EARLY IN 1889 TO FIND ONE OF HIS FAVORITE PAINTINGS DAMAGED BY MOISTURE. HE PRESSED NEWSPAPER TO THE CANVAS TO PROTECT IT FROM FURTHER DETERIORATION, AND LATER ROLLED IT UP AND SENT IT TO HIS BROTHER THEO IN PARIS. ELLA HENDRICKS COULD STILL SEE TRACES OF NEWSPRINT WHEN SHE LOOKED AT 'THE BEDROOM' UNDER A MICROSCOPE, AS SHE PICKED AND SCRAPED AT EARLIER RESTORATIONS OF THE CANVAS AND REMOVED YELLOWING VARNISH THAT HAD BEEN BRUSHED ON 80 YEARS AGO. HENDRICKS HAS COMPLETED A PAINSTAKING SIX-MONTH RESTORATION OF THE MASTERPIECE, WHICH RETURNS TO ITS PLACE ON THE WALL OF THE VAN GOGH MUSEUM ON FRIDAY. THE BEDROOM IS A FAMILIAR IMAGE. IT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED IN COUNTLESS HOTEL ROOMS, ON CALENDERS AND COFFEE MUGS, AND IN ART BOOKS ON THE POST-IMPRESSIONIST PERIOD OF THE LATE 19th CENTURY. VAN GOGH LIKED IT SO MUCH HE PAINTED TWO COPIES. ONE NOW HANGS IN THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO. A SMALLER VERSION THAT HE MADE FOR HIS MOTHER AND SISTER IS IN THE MUSEE D'ORSAY IN PARIS. 'WHEN I SAW MY CANVASES AGAIN AFTER MY ILLNESS, WHAT SEEMED TO ME THE BEST WAS THE BEDROOM', THE DUTCH ARTIST WROTE HIS BROTHER IN PARIS AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS IN THE HOSPITAL. BUT HE FOUND PAINT WAS FLAKING FROM DAMPNESS FOLLOWING FLOODING IN THE STREET OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE WHILE HE WAS GONE. MOISTURE ALSO CAUSED THE CANVAS TO SHRINK, PULLING APART SOME OF THE PAINT AT THE EDGES AS IT DRIED. 'IT LOOKS MUCH FRESHER AND BRIGHTER NOW', SAID CURATOR LEO JANSEN. 'IT'S MORE. . . AS VAN GOGH INTENDED IT TO BE. IT'S MORE PEACEFUL.' VAN GOGH PAINTED HIS OWN BEDROOM IN WHAT HE CALLED THE YELLOW HOUSE IN THE SOUTHERN FRENCH TOWN OF ARLES, WHERE HE HAD FLED FROM THE SQUABBLING ARTIST COMMUNITY OF PARIS. IT WAS OCTOBER 1888, IN THE MIDST OF A CRITICAL SIX MONTHS THAT DEFINED HIM AS A PAINTER, A PERIOD IN WHICH HE ALSO PAINTED 'SUNFLOWERS'. AT THE END OF 1888 VAN GOGH BEGAN SUFFERING A SERIES OF PSYCHOTIC BREAKDOWNS. IN 1889 HE CHECKED HIMSELF INTO AN ASYLUM IN SAINT-REMY WHERE HE STAYED A YEAR, PRODUCING 150 PAINTINGS, AMONG THEM SOME OF HIS MOST STUNNING WORKS. AFTER HE LEFT, DESPAIR CONTINUED TO STALK HIM, HE DIED IN 1890 FROM A SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND. HE WAS 37, AND HIS CAREER SPANNED JUST 10 YEARS. THE BEDROOM HAS BEEN RESTORED SEVERAL TIMES, MOST RECENTLY IN 1931 AND RETOUCHED BY THE SAME MAN 27 YEARS LATER. SUCCESSIVE RESTORERS TRIED TO RETOUCH THE CRACKS, EACH TIME COVERING UP A BIT MORE OF THE ORIGINAL PAINT, HENDRICKS SAID. AFTER VAN GOGH'S DEATH, A LAYER OF GLUE-PASTE AND CANVAS WAS IRONED ONTO THE BACK OF THE ORIGINAL CANVAS TO MAKE IT MORE FIRM, VAN GOGH SUGGESTED IT HIMSELF, AND IN 1931 THE PROCESS WAS REPEATED WITH A WAX-RESIN ADHESIVE. A LAYER OF VARNISH WAS APPLIED TO THE PAINTED SURFACE FOR THE FIRST TIME. OVER TIME, THESE ACTIONS SERVED TO DULL THE VIBRANCY OF COLOUR AND FLATTEN THE SPECIAL APPEARANCE. HENDRICKS CLEANED OFF MOST OF THE VARNISH WITH SOLVENTS. SHE DISCOVERED TWO WHITE POINTS OF LIGHT THAT HAD BEEN PAINTED OVER, APPARENTLY BECAUSE THE EARLIER RESTORER HAD MISUNDERSTOOD VAN GOGH'S INTENTION TO SHOW PINPOINTS OF REFLECTED SUNLIGHT FROM PARTIALLY OPENED SHUTTERS. THERE WAS NO AMBITION TO MAKE THE PAINTING EXACTLY AS VAN GOGH HAD PAINTED IT. 'WE DON'T WANT TO RETOUCH EVERYTHING. WE WANT TO SHOW THAT THE PAINTING HAS A HISTORY AND ACHIEVE MUCH MORE OF A BALANCE', HENDRICKS SAID. 'WE DON'T HAVE THE ILLUSION THAT WE SHOULD RETURN THE PICTURE TO AN UNDAMAGED PRISTINE STATE.'

2.9.10

MINI LUGGAGE COLLECTION


UNTIL RECENTLY, ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS A MINI OWNER FACES WAS HOW TO FIND A RANGE OF LUGGAGE THAT'S AS INSOUCIANT AND BRASH WITH A SMIRK AS THE CAR THEY STOW IT IN. MINI HAS FINALLY ADDRESSED THE NEEDS OF THE HORDES OF HIP QUIRKY MINI TRAVELERS BY COMING UP WITH THREE LUGGAGE COLLECTIONS CALLED SHOUT, BLACK JACK AND ROOFTOP. THE ROOFTOP SET COMPRISES TWO ROLLING HARDSHELL CASES CALLED CABIN TROLLEY AND PILOT. THE CABIN TROLLEY COMES IN UNION JACK OR BLACK WITH WHITE RACING STRIPES MOTIFS, AND BEARS A TELESCOPING HANDLE AND TWO CARRY HANDLES, A NAMEPLATE AND INTEGRATED LOCK. INSIDE IS A MAIN COMPARTMENT FITTED WITH PACKING BELTS, A NET DIVIDER AND TWO POCKETS. THE PILOT IS A SMALLER AFFAIR WITH COMPARTMENTS FOR CLOTHES, DOCUMENTS AND GADGETS, AND IT SWALLOWS A MINI LAPTOP CASE PERFECTLY. THE BLACK JACK COLLECTION IS DRESSED IN ALL BLACK AND ADORNED WITH THE UNION JACK. THERE ARE SEVEN OPTIONS IN THE RANGE: TROLLEY, CABIN TROLLEY, DUFFLE BAG, BRIEFCASE, MESSENGER BAG, WALLET AND TOILETRIES BAG. THE SHOUT DOES JUST THAT BY BEARING LARGE VINTAGE PRINTS OF THE ORIGINAL MINI AND THE SLOGAN: 'SWINGING LONDON'. THE MINI LUGGAGE COLLECTIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE MINI SHOP AND SELECT DEALERS IN OCTOBER.

MEXICAN BILLIONAIRE TO OPEN RODIN MUSEUM


CARLOS SLIM, THE WORLD'S RICHEST MAN, WILL SOON OPEN A NEW MUSEUM IN ONE OF THE POOREST AREAS OF HIS NATIVE MEXICO TO HOUSE HIS COLLECTION OF ARTWORK FY FRENCH SCULPTOR AUGUSTE RODIN, CONSIDERED THE LARGEST OUTSIDE FRANCE. THE NEW BRANCH OF SLIM'S SOUMAYA MUSEUM, NAMED FOR HIS LATE WIFE, IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN NOVEMBER. IT WILL BE THE SECOND MUSEUM BY SLIM, WHOSE OVER $50 BILLION EMPIRE INCLUDES LATIN AMERICA'S LEADING CELL PHONE SERVICES PROVIDER, ADDING TO AN INITIAL PUBLIC COLLECTION IN THE MEXICAN CAPITAL FEATURING WORKS BY PAINTERS SALVADOR DALI, PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR AND OTHERS. THE MUSEUM, DESIGNED BY SON IN LAW FERNANDO ROMERO, IS A SIX-STORY, CHIMNEY-SHAPED STRUCTURE COVERED IN SHINY PANELS. IT WILL BE AN ANCHOR OF THE NEW DEVELOPMENT, INCLUDING OFFICES, APARTMENTS AND RETAIL, THAT SLIM IS BUILDING IN WESTERN MEXICO CITY WITH AN INITIAL INVESTMENT OF $750 MILLION. LEADING A TOUR OF THE NEW MUSEUM RECENTLY FOR REPORTERS, SLIM SAID THE MUSEUM'S LOBBY WOULD FEATURE A PIECE BY RUFINO TAMAVO, ONE OF MEXICO'S BEST KNOWN PAINTERS. ENTRY INTO THE MUSEUM WILL BE FREE.

ART COURIER SUED AFTER LOSING $1.3 MILLION PAINTING


A NEW YORK ART COURIER IS BEING SUED AFTER HE LOST A $1.3 MILLION PAINTING FOLLOWING A DRUNKEN NIGHT OUT. JAMES HAGGERTY TOOK THE JEAN-BAPTISTE-CAMILLE COROT MASTERPIECE, 'PORTRAIT OF A GIRL', TO A MANHATTAN HOTEL ON 28.JULY SO THAT A POTENTIAL BUYER FROM LONDON COULD EXAMINE IT. BUT AFTER THE DEAL FELL THROUGH, HAGGERTY HIT THE BAR AT THE MARK HOTEL ON NEW YORK'S UPPER EAST SIDE. HE WAS LATER CAPTURED ON CCTV LEAVING THE HOTEL WITH THE PAINTING IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF 29.JULY. BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF THE PORTRAIT ON CAMERAS AT HIS MANHATTAN APARTMENT BUILDING WHEN HE GOT HOME NEARLY TWO HOURS LATER. AND THE NEXT MORNING, HAGGERTY TOLD THE PAINTING'S CO-OWNER THOMAS DOYLE HE COULD NOT RECALL THE WHEREABOUTS BECAUSE HE'D HAD TO MUCH TO DRINK. BUT DOYLE'S FELLOW OWNER KRISTYN TRUDGEON DOESN'T BELIEVE HIM AND NOW SHE HAS DECIDED TO SUE. 'I THINK HE'S A COMPLETE FUMBLING IDIOT', SHE TOLD THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS. TRUDGEON IS SEEKING WHAT SHE SAYS IS ROUGHLY £840,000 VALUE OF THE PAINTING, WHICH SPENT YEARS IN THE COLLECTION OF THE HAMMER MUSEUM ON LOS ANGELES, ACCORDING TO A MUSEUM SPOKESMAN. THE OWNERS HAD HIRED HAGGERTY TO HELP WITH THE SALE OF THE PAINTING TO LONDON GALLERY OWNER OFFER WATERMAN. AN INITIAL APPOINTMENT ON 28.JULY FELL THROUGH, SO HAGGERTY TOOK THE PAINTING TO THE MARK, WHERE WATERMAN WAS STAYING SO HE COULD HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT IT. ACCORDING TO PAPERS FILED AT MANHATTAN STATE COURT, HAGGERTY AND WATERMAN WENT TO THE CAR THEN RETURNED TO THE LOBBY. THEY RETRIEVED THE PAINTING FROM THE HOTEL'S FRONT DESK AND AFTER,A SHORT CONVERSATION, WATERMAN LEFT. THE GALLERY OWNER TOLD THE NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: 'SOMETHING JUST DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT AND I DIDN'T WANT TO BE INVOLVED. SO I SAID NO, AND I SAD GOODBYE.' HAGGERTY RETURNED TO THE BAR AND ONCE MORE DEPOSITED THE PAINTING AT THE FRONT DESK. HE RESURFACED 90 MINUTES LATER, WHEN HE STUMBLED OUT WITH THE PAINTING AND A DOORMAN ASKED IF HE NEEDED A TAXI. 'NO', HAGGERTY ALLEGEDLY SLURRED, 'I HAVE A CAR.' TWO HOURS LATER, THE PAINTING HAD DISAPPEARED.

1.9.10

EUROPA GALLERY PRESENTS 'A CENTURY OF OLYMPIC POSTER'


'A CENTURY OF OLYMPIC POSTER', WHICH FEATURES MORE THAN 100 POSTERS CHARTING THE HISTORY OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES, WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN THE EUROPA GALLERY IN SUTTON'S CENTRAL LIBRARY DURING SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER. DRAWN FROM THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM'S INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED COLLECTION OF POSTERS, THE EXHIBITION INCLUDES MANY RARE AND BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLES, MOST OF WHICH ARE DISPLAYED TOGETHER FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE FREE EXHIBITION, WHICH HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN DISPLAYED IN BEIJING AND WILL BE MOVING ON TO OTHER INTERNATIONAL VENUES, WILL ALSO FEATURE OLYMPIC MEMORABILIA, INCLUDING THE OLYMPIC TORCH FROM THE 1948 GAMES IN LONDON. IT IS BEING HELD TO COINCIDE WITH THE BUILD UP TO LONDON 2012. HIGHLIGHTS WILL INCLUDE THE PIONEERING OFFICIAL OLYMPIC POSTER PRODUCED FOR THE 1912 STOCKHOLM OLYMPICS, AND IMPORTANT WORKS BY DAVID HOCKNEY, R B KITAJ, ANDY WARHOL AND VICTOR VASARELY. ALSO FEATURED IS FRANZ WURBEL'S DESIGN FOR THE BERLIN OLYMPICS IN 1936, WHERE JESSE OWENS WON FOUR GOLD MEDALS AND A SOVIET ERA DESIGN FOR THE 1980 MOSCOW GAMES. AS WELL AS THE DESIGNS FOR THE SUMMER GAMES, THERE WILL BE WINTER OLYMPIC POSTERS AND PROTEST POSTERS AND DESIGNS USED BY CITIES TO SUPPORT THEIR BIDS TO HOST THE GAMES. THE POSTERS' BROAD POPULAR APPEAL AND ABILITY TO RELAY MESSAGES THROUGH EYE-CATCHING AND MEMORABLE IMAGERY MEANS THAT MANY OF THEM ARE NOW PRIZED SOUVENIRS OR COLLECTIBLE WORKS OF ART AND DESIGN.

OVAL OFFICE REDECORATED FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA


WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA ADDRESSED THE NATION TUESDAY NIGHT HIS OVAL OFFICE WAS SPORTING A NEW LOOK, ONE THAT PAYS HOMAGE TO MARTIN LUTHER KING JR AND FOUR PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS. WHILE THE PRESIDENT AND HIS FAMILY WERE AWAY ON HOLIDAY IN MARTHA'S VINEYARD, WORKERS INSTALLED NEW WALLPAPER, A NEW RUG, NEW SOFAS, LAMPS AND A COFFEE TABLE. THE RUG, AN OVAL-SHAPED WHEAT, CREAM AND BLUE CARPET WOVEN BY THE SCOTT GROUP OF GRAND RAPIDS MICH, WAS MADE WITH 25% RECYCLED WOOL, THE WHITE HOUSE SAID. OFFICIALS SAID IT WAS DONATED BY THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH ALSO MADE BILL CLINTON'S OVAL OFFICE RUG. THE EXCERPTS ON THE RUG INCLUDE SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS WORDS EVER SPOKEN BY AMERICANS: 'GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE' FROM ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S GETTYSBURG ADDRESS; 'NO PROBLEM OF HUMAN DESTINY IS BEYOND HUMAN BEINGS', FROM JFK'S AMERICAN UNIVERSITY SPEECH OF 10.JUNE.1963; 'THE WELFARE OF EACH OF US IS DIFFERENT FUNDAMENTALLY ON THE WELFARE OF ALL OF US', FROM A SPEECH TEDDY ROOSEVELT GAVE ON 7.SEPTEMBER.1903; 'THE ONLY THING WE HAVE TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF', FROM FDR'S INAUGURAL SPEECH OF 4.MARCH.1933; AND 'THE ARC OF THE MORAL UNIVERSE IS LONG, BUT IT BENDS TOWARD JUSTICE', ARE THE WORDS FROM KING'S ADDRESS TO THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 16.AUGUST.1967. THE WHITE HOUSE DECLINED TO REVEAL THE OVERALL COST OF THE NEW LOOK, BUT A STATEMENT SAID IT WAS 'IN LINE WITH THE AMOUNT SPENT BY PRESIDENTS CLINTON AND GEORGE W BUSH ON THE REDESIGNS OF THEIR OVAL OFFICE. THE STATEMENT SAID FUNDS WOULD COME FROM OBAMA'S INAUGURAL COMMITTEE AND THE NONPROFIT WHITE HOUSE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION. PRESIDENTS TYPICALLY PUT THEIR OWN TOUCHES ON THE OVAL OFFICE EARLY IN THEIR TERMS, BUSH BROUGHT IN A RUG DESIGNED BY HIS WIFE, LAURA. IT INCLUDED RADIATING STRIPES, WHICH HE OFTEN SUGGESTED TO HIM THE OPTIMISM OF A SUNRISE. IN OBAMA'S MAKEOVER, THE EMBROIDERED WING-BACK CHAIRS THAT BUSH AND VISITING LEADERS SAT ON IN FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE HAVE BEEN REUPHOLSTERED, AND COVERED IN CARMEL-COLOURED LEATHER. THE SOFAS FLANKING THE FIREPLACE ARE NEW, AND COVERED WITH A LIGHT-BROWN COTTON FABRIC. THERE'S ALSO A NEW COFFEE TABLE. AGAIN, IT HAS AN UP TO DATE LOOK, RECTANGULAR, AND COVERED WITH MARBLE-LOOK TILES MADE OF WALNUT AND MICA. AND FINALLY, OBAMA HAS A NEW BROWN-LEATHER CHAIR BEHIND HIS DESK. MANY ITEMS, THOUGH HAVE NOT CHANGED. THEY RANGE FROM THE PAINTING OF GEORGE WASHINGTON OVER THE FIREPLACE TO THE RESOLUTE DESK, BUILT FROM THE TIMBERS OF A BRITISH WARSHIP. A GIFT TO PRESIDENT RUTHERFORD B HAYES, THE DESK WAS INSTALLED IN THE OVAL OFFICE BY JOHN F KENNEDY, AND SINCE HAS BEEN USED BY PRESIDENTS CLINTON, CARTER, REAGAN AND GEORGE W BUSH.

31.8.10

NEW LOUIS VUITTON AD FEATURE BONO AND HIS WIFE


THE LATEST IN THE BEAUTIFUL LOUIS VUITTON AD CAMPAIGN SHOT BY ANNIE LEIBIVITZ FEATURES U2 FRONTMAN BONO (AKA PAUL HEWSON) AND HIS WIFE, ALI HEWSON. WWD SAYS THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT BONO HAS APPEARED IN AN AD WITHOUT HIS U2 BANDMATES. IT'S ALSO THE FIRST TIME THAT A LABEL OTHER THAN VUITTON IS GETTING A FASHION CREDIT, THE PAIR ARE WEARING THEIR OWN CLOTHING LINE, EDUN, A LINE OF ETHICAL FASHION. VUITTON PARENT COMPANY OWNS 49% STAKE IN THE COMPANY. IN THE NEW AD, ALI HEWSON CARRIES A NEW HANDBAG THAT WAS A JOINT PROJECT BETWEEN EDUN AND VUITTON AND HAS A SPECIAL CHARM THAT IS THE FRENCH LUXURY FIRM'S FIRST MADE IN AFRICA PRODUCT. PROCEEDS FROM THE BAG WILL GO TO TECHNOSERVE, A NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION, WHICH SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE FARMING IN AFRICA. THE AD SHOWS THE PAIR LEAVING A PLANE WITH A SOUTH AFRICAN LANDSCAPE AS A BACKDROP AND CARRIES THE TAGLINE 'EVERY JOURNEY BEGAN IN AFRICA'. THEY DONATED THEIR FEES TO TECHNOSERVE, CONSERVATION COTTON INITIATIVE AND CHERNOBYL CHILDREN'S PROJECT INTERNATIONAL. PREVIOUS ADS HAVE FEATURED MIKHAIL GORBACHEV, KEITH RICHARDS, JOHN GLENN, SALLY RIDE AND CATHERINE DENUEVE AMONG OTHERS.

LINDT CHOCOLATES CREATES MOONCAKES FOR MIRA HONG KONG



COCO, THE CAFE-PATISSERIE AT THE MIRA HONG KONG, IS COLLABORATING WITH WORLD FAMOUS LINDT CHOCOLATES TO CREATE THIS YEAR'S MOONCAKES FOR THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL. TEH CHOCOLATE MOONCAKES COME IN FOUR SOPHISTICATED FLAVOURS: SOUR, WHICH CONSISTS OF LIME GANACHE,DRIED MANDARIN WITH LEMON CREAM; SWEET, A LUSCIOUS BLEND OF CARAMEL TOFFEE, CARAMELIZED HAZELNUT WITH MANJARI GANACHE; BITTER, A SUBTLE BLEND OF COFFEE GANACHE, 99% DARK CHOCOLATE WITH COFFEE BEAN; AND SPICY, WHICH IS A UNIQUE BLEND OF CRISPY RASPBERRY, RASPBERRY MILK CHOCOLATE GELEE WITH CHILI GANACHE. PRICED AT HK$288 PER BOX OF 4, TEH LINDT MOONCAKES ARE AVAILABLE FROM NOW UNTIL 23.SEPTEMBER.

Priced at HK$88 per piece and HK$288 per box of 4, the Lindt Mooncakes are available from now until 23 September 2010.

BOND NO.9 NEW YORK


THE BOND NO.9 NEW YORK IS BACK, THIS TIME IN A STUNNING 42oz AMPHORA VITRINE BOTTLE STUDDED IN CRYSTALLIZED SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS. THE CHINATOWN DRAMMING UNIT BOTTLE HAS BEEN FINISHED WITH AN ELLIPTICAL MIRROR ON TOP WITH A HONEYCOMB BASE. IT ALSO COMES WITH THE BOND NO.9 SIGNATURE AND A GOLDEN SPIGOT. AS FOR THE CONTENTS YOU CAN PICK FROM ANY OF THE 32 BOND LISTED FRAGRANCES. THE SET, PRICED AT $3,500, WILL BE PRESENTED TO YOU IN A WHITE PATENT LEATHER GIFT CASE, WHICH IS ALSO STUDDED WITH SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS.

TITIAN MASTERPIECE SUFFERS WATER DAMAGE


A PAINTING BY RENAISSANCE MASTER TITIAN IN ONE OF VENICE'S MOST PICTURESQUE BASILICAS HAS SUFFERED WATER DAMAGE AFTER FIREFIGHTERS DOUSED THE BASILICA WHILE BATTLING A NEARBY FIRE. VENICE'S MUSEUM SUPERINTENDENT, VITTORIA SGARBI, SAYS THE DAMAGE ISN'T SERIOUS. THE FIRE BROKE OUT SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE SEMINARY NEXT TO THE SANTA MARIA DELLA SALUTE BASILICA, A 17th CENTURY OCTAGONAL-SHAPED CHURCH THAT DOMINATES THE VIEW OF THE GRAND CANAL. SGARBI SAID FIRE FIGHTERS DOUSED THE BASILICA AS WELL AND THAT WATER SEEPED THROUGH THE ROOF, DAMAGING TITIAN'S 'DAVID AND GOLIATH'. THE MASTERPIECE IS ONE OF THREE TITIANS THAT LINE THE CEILING OF THE SACRISTY. THE OTHER TWO WEREN'T DAMAGED; SGARBI ORDERED 'DAVID AND GOLIATH' REMOVED FOR REPAIRS.

30.8.10

LA CAILLE IS UP FOR SALE


ONE OF UTAH'S FANCIEST RESTAURANTS, LA CAILLE IN SANDY UTAH HAS RECENTLY BEEN LISTED FOR SALE. THE FRENCH RESTAURANT HAS A CHATEAU-LIKE FEEL. IT SITS NEAR A STREAM ON LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON WITH BEAUTIFUL VIEWS AND A LOCATION JUST 10 MINUTES FROM SNOWBIRD AND ALTA SKI RESORTS AND 20 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN SALT LAKE CITY. THE RESTAURANT HAS FOUR FORMAL DINING ROOMS, FIVE OPEN AIR PATIOS AND A LARGE GRAND SALON. GIVEN THE DECOR AND THE 20 ACRES WHICH ARE HOME TO PEACOCKS, SWANS AND MORE, IT'S NO SURPRISE THAT IT IS A POPULAR SITE FOR LAVISH STELLAR WEDDINGS. THE INCREDIBLE DESTINATION RESTAURANT IS LISTED FOR $19.9 MILLION WITH SOTHEBY'S REALITY.

JACK VETTRIANO'S BLUEBIRD COLLECTION


SCOTTISH ARTIST JACK VETTRIANO, BEST KNOWN FOR HIS ICONIC PAINTING 'THE SINGING BUTLER' THAT SOLD AT SOTHEBY'S IN 2004 FOR £750,000, IS NOW OFFERING A LIMITED EDITION ARTWORK TO COMMEMORATE THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF MALCOLM CAMPBELL'S FINAL WORLD LAND SPEED RECORD BROKEN AT BONNEVILLE WITH A TIMING OF 301.129mph IN SEPTEMBER 1935. THE LIMITED EDITION BOXED-SET OF ALL SEVEN IMAGES FROM 'THE BLUEBIRD COLLECTION' OF PAINTINGS WILL BE RELEASED ON 3.SEPTEMBER. THE COLLECTION INCLUDES SEVEN PRINTS SIGNED AND NUMBERED BY JACK VETTRIANO, A BROCHURE TELLING THE STORY BEHIND THE BLUEBIRD PAINTINGS WITH A FORWARD BY DONALD WALES, A 12-PACK SET OF BLUEBIRD COLLECTION CARDS AND A SIGNED COPY OF THE A MAN'S WORLD BOOK. THE PAINTINGS INCLUDE BLUEBIRD AT BONNEVILLE, BIRTH OF A DREAM, PENDINE BEACH, THE BRITISH ARE COMING, DAYTONA DINER, BLUEBIRD AND 301.129. THE BOX COMES COVERED IN NAVY BLUE BRILLIANTA CLOTH WITH AN ART DECO STYLE SILVER FOILED LOGO AND TEXT ON THE FRONT AND SPINE. ONLY 75 NUMBERED EDITIONS OF THE BOX SET WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE, WITH EACH COSTING £2,500.

HERMES LES 4 MONDES COLOURING BOOK


THE LES 4 MONDES COLOURING BOOK FROM LEGENDARY LUXURY DESIGN HOUSE HERMES IS WITHOUT A DOUBT ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE COLOURING BOOKS EVER. PRICED AT $130, THE BOOK CONTAINS 12 PAGES OF 24 DESIGNS FOR YOU TO FILL WITH COLOUR, WHICH MEANS EACH PAGE YOUR CHILD WILL DRAW IS GOING TO COST MORE THAN $10. HERMES SAYS THAT THE LUXE COLOURING BOOK IS FOR BOTH KIDS AND ADULTS. WHILE THE PRICE MAY SEEM SIMPLY OUTRAGEOUS FOR A COLOURING BOOK, IT'S ABOUT THE BRAND. . . IT'S ABOUT HERMES.