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The history of Bvlgari is inseparable from that of Rome, the city where the Maison was created. Since 2014 the iconic high jewelry house has been actively engaged in different projects to preserve the cultural and architectural heritage of the Eternal City.

Following the restoration of the Spanish Steps, completed in 2016, Bvlgari has announced a new project to restore the “Area Sacra” archeological site at Largo Argentina square.

Rome and its unparalleled cultural heritage have always been an integral part of Bvlgari’s history. These intimate ties date back to 1884, the year the Maison was created, opening its first store at the top of the majestic Spanish Steps. To celebrate its 130th anniversary, in 2014 Bvlgari funded the renovation of this emblematic Roman monument, beginning an ambitious patronage initiative to help preserve Rome’s architectural heritage.

Following the successful completion of this first project in 2016, Bvlgari this year announced a major new initiative, the restoration of the “Area Sacra”, a seminal archeological site at the Largo di Torre Argentina square in the historic Campo Marzio neighborhood. The complex counts four Roman temples dating from the 4th to the 2nd centuries BC.

Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of the Bvlgari Group, added:

“We are very proud of this new gift to the Eternal City. Following the restoration of the Spanish Steps, which have always been a meeting point for Romans and tourists alike, we will enhance another site at the center of the social and spiritual life of the ancient capital.”

Sources: Website LVMH

Pictures: ©Bulgari

Step into the Daydream Vivier, where the dreams of women become a reality through the imagination of Creative Director Gherardo Felloni. The Daydream Vivier takes you on a daring trip through the desires, passions and the most foolish dreams of women.

In this dreamscape, one finds inspiration, fantasy and a unique place where everything is possible. “Dreams are a meta- phor for reality,” says Felloni. “For the launch of the Fall/Winter 19-20 collection, my inspiration comes from what I think women imagine when they dream.”

In this fantasy house, 6 rooms are inhabited by different characters, representing 6 marvelous dreams that can sometimes turn into beautiful nightmares – a haunted forest, a hall of mirrors, a room full of unicorns, Madame Freud’s chambers, a cinema room showing “Belle de Jour” and a mysterious jungle. Eclectic characters inhabit each room, such as country singers, a dream analyst with her patient and a woman lost in the woods. They are sometimes hidden to visitors who must find their way, like walking through a daydream, to discover the collection.

This season, Felloni continues the evolution of the Maison with new styles, still inspired by the archives, but reinterpreted in his own design aesthetic. The Polichinelle, a Vivier icon created in 1960 by Monsieur Vivier and inspired by 18th cen- tury pumps, makes its reappearance in this collection. The archive heel is reborn as the Courbette, designed by Felloni as a bicolor, chunky heel with a curved interior. Featuring prominently on pumps with an opulent bow, the Courbette is the absolute signature heel of the season.

At the same time, Fall/Winter 19-20 sees Roger Vivier with new interpretations of classically masculine styles, such as the Viv Tex boots, but made in soft materials like satin and velvet, and accessorized with a bejeweled buckle – keeping one of the Maison’s most important codes as relevant as ever, and giving the shoes an unmistakable feminine touch.

Likewise, taking center stage is the new Beau Vivier bag. Finely crafted in leather, it comes in both rich colors, such as magenta, cognac and navy blue, and of course, black. A completely new creation, the Beau Vivier features a rectangular buckle on a structured shape given by the Italian artisans, using craftsmanship techniques passed on from generations, and a top handle with a removable shoulder strap, making it a versatile accessory for the independent Vivier woman of today. A perfect fusion of substance and style, the Beau Vivier is another icon in the making for Roger Vivier.

Sources: Press release Roger Vivier

Pictures: ©Studio Paura

More than a year ago Patrick Pailler, Executive Pastry Chef, created the “Nathalie”, an embodiment of Café Pouchkine legend.

This pastry macaron, available since March the 5th, is a true gem presented in five different flavours, and a variety of new flavours will be developed in future.

@svend_andersen_photographie

The “Nathalie” celebrates the great classics such as Dark Chocolate or Nut-Milk Chocolate, together with subtle combinations such as Raspberry-Banana, Lime-Wasabi and Cranberry Morse-Rose.

The “Nathalie” always consists of two vertical shells of macarons that contain in its heart crispy biscuit, cream, confit or ganache, all delicately frosted.

@cafepouchkine

The inscription ‘Café Pouchkine’ on the top of this creation, which is assorted to the colours of the “Nathalie”, brings the final touch, as a pearl crowning the perfect jewel.

Sources: Website Café Pouchkine

Cover picture : ©Café Pouchkine

Tomorrow, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day, Girard-Perregaux brings forth a creation more dazzling than ever, the Cat’s Eye High Jewellery.

An exceptional timepiece, an ode to the beautiful, to the precious and to the feminine that combines several artistic techniques for a unique expression of refinement.

Here, the famous ellipse – hallmark of the Maison’s feminine collection – becomes a scintillating work of art, rendered all the more sublime by diamonds and sapphires in their most precious expression.

Creating this masterpiece demanded no fewer than 316 diamonds and 94 blue sapphires. The precious and exceptional character of this timekeeper is further enhanced by the case set with 23 baguette diamonds and 54 blue sapphires that reach till the lugs, creating contours that also beckon the sense of touch.

At its centre, a sumptuously paved dial where every single one of the precious stones – 286 diamonds and 40 baguette sapphires – commanded the highest level of artisanal artistry. Once it has passed muster, each stone is individually shaped into its assigned cut.

Finally, to make this masterpiece of Fine Jewellery come alive, Girard-Perregaux inserted a self- winding movement, entirely conceived and produced at the manufacture Girard- Perregaux.

Sources: Press release Girard-Perregaux

Pictures: ©Girard-Perregaux

In celebration of its partnership with Swiss luxury watch company TAG Heuer, Aston Martin has launched the striking Aston Martin DBS Superleggera TAG Heuer Edition.

Just 50 of these stunning sports cars, finished in Monaco Black paint with red accents, will be available globally and built to a luxurious fixed specification.

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera TAG Heuer Edition is priced at £295,000.

Each of the 50 cars will be accompanied with a limited edition TAG Heuer watch, the DBS Edition Carrera Heuer 02. Powered by a Calibre HEUER 02 Automatic manufacture movement

TAG Heuer Vice President Brand and Communication, Minna Philipson commented:

“With the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera TAG Heuer Edition, we reach a new milestone in our collaboration, and we are proud to see it wearing the TAG Heuer logo.”

The DBS Superleggera was the perfect choice for this collaboration with TAG Heuer. Aston Martin’s Super GT with its 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine is the ultimate combination of style and power .

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera TAG Heuer Edition is presented in Monaco Black paint with a satin black tinted carbon fibre roof.

Inside, the DBS boasts pure black leather and alcantra seats with red stitching and bespoke TAG Heuer quilting, each displaying the TAG Heuer logo, and carbon fibre and dark chrome has been used throughout to accentuate the clean lines of the cockpit.

Aston Martin Vice President & Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman said:

“Both brands understand the importance of meticulous craftsmanship and creating beautifully designed and engineered products and the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera TAG Heuer Edition reflects those values beautifully.”

Sources: Press release Aston Martin

Pictures: ©Aston Martin

Sotheby’s is set to open a window onto the finest wines that France produces with the sale of the Cartier Wine Collection, as part of its auction in London on 20 March.

For the first time, Cartier is offering a selection of wines from its secret cellar, with each bottle bearing a specially designed sticker. The collection will present 250 lots comprising approximately 2,000 bottles.

The scope and range of Bordeaux from legendary châteaux is outstanding, with vintages such as 1914, 1916, 1919 or 1929.

There will be also Rhône and Burgundy wines, Champagne and Cognac, etc.

The entire proceeds from the sale are to benefit the Cartier Philanthropy Foundation, the company’s grant-making foundation that works to improve the livehoods of the most vulnerable, particularly women and children, living in the least developed regions.

Frédéric Guyot du Repaire, Director, Sotheby’s Wine, London, said:

“The extraordinary provenance of this collection will appeal not only to wine connoisseurs but also to lovers of Cartier. From early 20th-century Sauternes to rare Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, the sale is a very exciting opportunity to acquire fine wines drawn from what is ultimately a unique collection.”

Cartier’s links with the world of fine wine can be traced back to the company’s history. Cartier created the ‘taste-vin bordelais’, made of solid silver and three-coloured gold, and engraved with the coat of arms of the city of Bordeaux, which was presented by the mayor of Bordeaux, Jacques Chaban-Delmas to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1992.

Cyrille Vigneron, CEO of Cartier International, said:

“We thought that, in our time, it was more meaningful to share this amazing wine collection with a larger audience of inspired connoisseurs all over the world, and we are thankful to Sotheby’s for making this possible.”

Sources: Press release Sotheby’s

Pictures: ©Sotheby’s

Marco Godinho was selected to represent Luxembourg at the 58th International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia with his project Written by Water.

In line with the main themes that guide his artistic approach, Marco Godinho’s work for the Luxembourg Pavilion looks at the relationships that mankind entertains with the sea.

In the spring of 2018, a jury unanimously selected Marco Godinho to represent Luxembourg at the Biennale Arte 2019. With their choice, the jury wished to “honour the prolific work of Marco Godinho and his remarkable presence on the national and international artistic stage for the last decade.

Throughout the centuries, the sea has fascinated humans and given birth to countless legends and projections, prompting men and women to embark on daring exploratory journeys that have durably changed and defined our perception of the world.

In the eponymous subproject, composed of notebooks that the artist has temporarily submerged in the water of the Mediterranean sea, the traditional form of the written travel accounts makes way for a flowing narrative charged with evocative potential.

Its author is the sea itself, whose recollections are left to naturally ‘inscribe’ themselves onto the pages of the artist’s notebooks. Only the sea knows what each of these soaked, undulating pages suffused with a distinctive individuality contains.

Written by Water is an odyssey that takes the reverse path of today’s migratory routes across the Mediterranean. It invites viewers into a kind of analogue deep-learning experience. It is through their introspection and immersion in these volatile ‘living memories’ assembled by the artist himself that these seemingly lost stories will be perpetually rewritten.

Sources: Press release Fouchard Filippi Communications

Pictures: ©Marco Godinho

From February 20 to June 17, 2019, the Fondation Louis Vuitton will present more than 110 Impressionist masterpieces, including some of the most famous French paintings from the late 19th to early 20th century.

The exhibition presents the collection of the British entrepreneur and art patron Samuel Courtauld.

©Samuel Courtauld Trust, The Courtauld Gallery, London

In under ten years, the captain of industry and avid francophile used his immense wealth to acquire one of the most stunning collections of Impressionist art ever seen and played a decisive role in gaining recognition for Impressionism in the United Kingdom.

These works include “Un bar aux Folies Bergère” by Manet or “Les Joueurs de cartes” by Cézanne.

©Samuel Courtauld Trust, The Courtauld Gallery, London

Arranged in chronological order, the exhibition spans three galleries and showcases also a set of ten watercolours by  J.M.W. Turner.

The exhibition of the Courtauld Collection embodies the Fondation’s aim to showcase the role of emblematic collectors from the history of art, following on from previous exhibitions.

Sources: Press release Fondation Louis Vuitton

Cover picture: ©Fondation Louis Vuitton / Iwan Baan

The Galeries Lafayette group, which has an exclusive franchise agreement to operate the Eataly brand in France, will open its first Italian marketplace in the heart of the Marais district in Paris, on Friday, April 12th, 2019.

Located at 37 rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, Eataly Paris Marais will offer the best of Italian gastronomy in the capital.

©Eataly

Following the company’s philosophy, the vibrant Italian marketplace combines restaurant, food counters and a cooking class, offering customers the opportunity to taste, buy and learn about Italian products and gastronomy.

Eataly was founded in Turin in 2007 by Oscar Farinetti. By 2018, Eataly’s philosophy has spread to more than 12 countries across the world with 37 unique locations and a global revenue in excess of €465 million.

@eatalyflatiron

Located in a unique and singular environment, the Galeries Lafayette group is taking part in the transition towards healthier and more sustainable food.

Sources : Press release Groupe Galeries Lafayette

Cover picture : ©Groupe Galeries Lafayette

Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, one of the world’s most iconic palace hotels, is writing a new page in its history, with the creation of an ultra-exclusive showcase for luxury jewellery brands, and the launch of ÔMER, the new Alain Ducasse restaurant. The crown jewel of the hotel’s metamorphosis is the creation of Suite Prince Rainier III, the largest suite in Hôtel de Paris.

This exceptional suite pays tribute to the “Prince builder” to whom Monaco owes its transformation into a leading luxury destination. Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo held a special place in the life of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace. In 1956, their wedding breakfast was served at the hotel; 20 years later, they celebrated their wedding anniversary there; and in 1974, Prince Rainier celebrated the 25th year of his reign at the hotel with great pomp.

Designed by Richard Martinet, the Suite has been created using the best in French and Italian craftsmanship: straw marquetry; leather headboards; textured paints and decorative elements.

The 525 m² Suite Prince Rainier III includes two bedrooms, a large main lounge with a bar area, a smaller lounge and a library, a dining room and an office space. It can be extended to 600 m² with a third connecting room. Each bedroom has a private bathroom.

The Suite opens onto a superb 135 m² split-level terrace overlooking Place du Casino. The first level is home to a heated infinity edge swimming pool.

The pool is framed on either side by a staircase that leads to the lower level terrace offering unrivalled views over Place du Casino and from where guests can enjoy the permanent show that is the vibrant heart of Monaco.

The Suite offers a set of tailor-made luxury services provided by a dedicated team of private Clefs d’Or concierges at the entire disposal of guests of the Suite.

Suite Princesse Grace, launched in 2017, inspired by the timeless elegance of Grace of Monaco, is now joined by Suite Prince Rainier III.

Sources: Press release MONTE-CARLO Société des Bains de Mer

Pictures: ©MONTE-CARLO Société des Bains de Mer

Louvre Abu Dhabi’s first 2019 international exhibition, Rembrandt, Vermeer & the Dutch Golden Age: Masterpieces from The Leiden Collection and the Musée du Louvre, will bring together paintings and drawings by Dutch masters Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer and their contemporaries.

The exhibition runs from 14 February to 18 May 2019 and will unfold throughout six sections.

©The Leiden Collection, New-York

HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, commented:

“The exhibition illustrates not only the importance of cross border cultural collaborations, but also how artistic creativity has always been at the heart of great historic moments.”

95 artworks, including paintings, drawings and objects, primarily drawn from The Leiden Collection, highlighted with the Musée du Louvre exceptional collections. Loans from the Rijksmuseum and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France will complete the presentation.

@LouvreAbuDhabi

During the Golden Age, the Dutch Republic established itself as a world leader in trade, science, and the arts. Set against this backdrop of cultural exchange, exploration and discovery, the show will explore the artistic traditions that flourished in Leiden and the wider Netherlands in this period, including the development of a new school of artists, called the fijnschilders.

The exhibition will survey Rembrandt’s artistic journey in Leiden and Amsterdam and his relationships with rivals and peers, including Johannes Vermeer, Jan Lievens, Ferdinand Bol, Carel Fabritius, and many others.

©RMN-Grand Palais Gérard Blot

True masterpieces will be exhibited like Self-Portrait with Shaded Eyes (by Rembrandt) or The Lacemaker (by Vermeer).

Jean-Luc Martinez President-Director of the Musée du Louvre, shared:

“In Abu Dhabi, visitors will be able to contemplate many works by Rembrandt and his artistic circle, numerous incredible examples of ‘fine painting’ by the Leiden School, as well as two Vermeers; enabling visitors to grasp the contribution of Dutch culture to the history of European and international painting.”

Sources: Press release Louvre Abu Dhabi

Cover Picture: ©Louvre Abu Dabhi

Marc Jacobs International and Bedrock Manufacturing announce an agreement to design, produce and launch a new collection of Marc Jacobs watches.

Parent company to the Shinola and Filson brands, Bedrock will work with the American designer on a new collection of watches launching Fall 2019.

©Courtesy Marc Jacobs

Eric Marechalle, CEO of Marc Jacobs International, commented:

“We are excited to partner with a company that shares our commitment to detail and quality. Through Marc’s unique design lens and Bedrock’s well-established expertise in craftsmanship, we look forward to a new chapter of Marc Jacobs Watches.”

Sources: Press release Bedrock Manufacturing

Cover picture: @marcjacobs