Tag Archives: luxury

Reviews

Technology Pushing 10,000$ Loudspeaker

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Just in time for audiophile Christmas~
PS Audio Introduces Its aspen FR10 Loudspeaker, Ideal for a Wide Variety of Listening Rooms and Systems — New FR10 floorstanding speaker delivers the sonic magic of the aspen series in a smaller, more affordable form factor —
Boulder, Colorado, December, 2023 – PS Audio today announced the introduction of its aspen FR10 loudspeaker, an elegant, slim 3-way floorstanding tower that brings the extraordinary sound quality and innovative driver design of the aspen series to a wider range of listening environments, systems, and budgets.

The new FR10 (SRP: $9,999 usd / $13,300 cad per pair, available now) features PS Audio’s acclaimed push-pull planar magnetic midrange and high-frequency driver technologies, complemented by ultra-low-distortion, linear-magnet woofers, high-excursion passive radiators, and a host of additional refinements. Like all the models in the aspen series, the FR10 has a sleek, refined appearance.

Paul McGowan, PS Audio CEO noted, “The aspen FR10 embodies more than 50 years of experience in audio in learning what works in a loudspeaker, and what it takes for a speaker to ‘disappear’ in a listening room and deliver a magical musical experience. Our goal with the aspen FR10 was to offer no-compromise full-range loudspeaker performance in a smaller, more affordable form factor that fits easily into smaller and medium-sized rooms.”

All the drivers in the FR10 are custom-designed from the ground up. The 8-inch planar ribbon midrange and 2.5-inch planar ribbon tweeter employ a push-pull design with an identical symmetrical motor structure on either side of their driver diaphragms. This inherently linear configuration provides lower distortion than conventional single-sided magnet structures, along with higher efficiency.

The midrange and high-frequency drivers employ high-strength magnets and diaphragms made from Teonex® film, a thin, highly stable material that provides exceptional transient response and resolution, with a fast, clean decay. The drivers are housed in a sealed sub-enclosure to ensure maximum clarity and freedom from internal cabinet colorations.

The PS Audio aspen FR10 utilizes dual 6.5-inch cast-frame woofers with a non-woven carbon fiber PMI foam sandwich cone, for an articulate response that complements the speed and transparency of the planar-magnetic midrange and high-frequency drivers. The woofers utilize a split magnetic gap with dual copper shorting rings, and have a large 3/4-inch peak-to-peak linear excursion for low distortion and a dynamically responsive bass output. The woofers are augmented by three flat-piston carbon fiber passive radiators. The FR10 offers wide range frequency response from 32 Hz – 20 kHz (- 6 dB, half-space; 25 Hz – 6 dB in-room).

The FR10’s slim enclosure measures 41.5 inches high by 8 inches wide (11.75 inches wide with its stand) by 16.25 inches deep. It’s available in a striking new matte finish in either black or white, and comes with magnetically detachable grilles. The aspen FR10’s room-friendly design makes it easy to set up and enjoy, and the FR10 comes with a handy setup booklet and CD to get the most out of the speaker. The FR10 has a visually distinctive “floating” appearance, with a curved bottom and an anodized aluminum base that is supplied with mounting feet that can be used with either removable stainless-steel spikes, or a soft rubber foot underneath.

The aspen FR10 delivers remarkable loudspeaker performance in every respect, with authoritative bass, an inviting midrange, smooth, extended highs, wide dynamic range, and palpable imaging on a wide and deep soundstage. It’s sure to thrill even the most demanding audiophiles and music aficionados.aspen FR10 Features at a Glance:
Enclosure type: sealed upper midrange/tweeter module and lower cabinet for the woofers and passive radiatorsHigh-frequency transducer: 2.5-inch planar magnetic ribbon tweeter with Teonex diaphragm Mid-frequency transducer: 8-inch planar magnetic ribbon midrange with Teonex diaphragm Passive radiator: three 6 by nine inch flat-piston carbon fiber Woofer: dual 6.5-inch cast-frame, non-woven carbon fiber PMI foam sandwich cone Thermoset resin fiberglass-composite woofer baffle Magnetically-attached grille Computer-optimized custom crossover with premium film capacitors and air-core inductors Polished stainless-steel spikes with soft rubber feet enable a variety of mounting options Frequency Response: 32 Hz – 20 kHz (- 6 dB, half-space; 25 Hz – 6 dB in-room)Crossover Frequency: 550 Hz, 1,750 Hz Sensitivity: 86.5 dB Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms (3.3 ohms minimum)Recommended Amplifier Power: 50 – 125 watts Dimensions: 41.5 x 11.75 x 16.25 inches with base Weight: 75 lbs. (34.1 kg)Teonex is a registered trademark of DuPont Teijin Films.
Travel

Largest Luxury Picnic in Secret Location Returns to Palm Beach

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Le Diner en Blanc returns to West Palm Beach for its 2023 edition.

This elegant and secret affair has become THE foodie & dancing holiday event of the year and on Saturday, December 16, 2023, a new secret location will be revealed and guests will dine and dance under the stars. 

Le Diner en Blanc is an event that transports guests into another world while celebrating the local community. The sea of people adorned in white is Instagrammable while meeting new people or reuniting with longtime friends. The theme this year is “From Paris, With Love,”   with dinner à la française will be the centerpiece – conversation and champagne will flow with French-inspired entertainment. Then the night will be closed with one of the best DJs, dancing shoes are a must.

Le Diner en Blanc in West Palm Beach is hosted by Modernique & Co. Project Management with over 12 years of experience in Hospitality Management and Event Production.  Fabie Reid, Project Director and Co-host of Le Diner En Blanc says, “We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing this spectacular event to picturesque Palm Beach County. Over the years, we’ve taken this event to various stunning locations, from Boca, and Riviera to downtown West Palm Beach, and each time, it’s been a captivating experience to witness our community come together at our carefully guarded secret venue. This event serves as a remarkable opportunity to not only unite our residents but also to showcase the splendor of this region to those from beyond our county borders.”

“Very excited for this year’s theme ‘From Paris With Love’ where the guests will be transported to a Parisian adventure without leaving Palm Beach County,” Jessica Palmer, head leader of Le Diner En Blanc West Palm Beach.

Le Diner en Blanc wants to help boost the local economy by encouraging attendees to shop locally and discover some of the most spectacular event venues served by local vendors such as but not limited to Ganache Bakery Absolute Party Rentals, Trindy Gourmet, and Epic Catering that get transformed with the picnic setting.

To maintain the uniqueness of Le Diner en Blanc, every guest observes certain requirements such as: 

  • Dress code: head-to-toe in white only. Elegance and Originality are key! 
  • Jewelry and shoes  can be silver gold, or nude
  • Table setting & picnic items: all white! 
  • French-influenced event where only wine and/or Champagne are served.
  • As per the county of Palm Beach in the state of Florida, USA, guests cannot bring their own alcohol. Guests wishing to enjoy some wine or Champagne must reserve online through Le Diner en Blanc’s e-store. However, guests are welcome to bring their own non-alcoholic beverages.   
  • To ensure that the location secret is kept undisclosed until the last minute, guests meet at the assigned departure location and are escorted by a Diner en Blanc volunteer table leader for bus departures or pedestrian groups.
  • So, the event location is left as clean as when guests arrive, they are required to leave with all their belongings, leftovers, and litter.

Guests are to bring:

  • A small picnic basket or white cooler comprised of fine food, white tablecloth, and serviettes as well as proper stemware and white dinnerware.  (Tables & chairs are provided at the event)
    • A catered meal option can be pre-ordered online and picked up on-site, for those who do not wish to pack their own. Guests wishing to do so must reserve online through Le Diner en Blanc’s e-store.

Le Diner en Blanc – West Palm Beach gratefully acknowledges Champagne Pommery as national partner and, Vie de Rêve and City of Wellington as official local partners of the 2023 edition of Le Diner en Blanc. 

To get the opportunity to be part of the experience, people can sign up now by visiting westpalmbeach.dinerenblanc.com/register adding your email then click Validate to enter your name. Once on the list, an invitation will be sent to you by the end of the day.

About the Hosts of Le Diner en Blanc – West Palm Beach

Le Diner en Blanc – West Palm Beach is hosted by Modernique & Co Project Management Firm with a specialty in Hospitality Management & Event Production. The visionary team brings over a decade of expertise to amplify brands and creative ventures. With an unwavering commitment to client success, we offer innovative solutions from project inception to completion. Our multifaceted experience spans diverse industries, providing tailored strategies, trend-spotting, and cost-effective operational support.

For the Silo, Kat Fleischman.

About Le Diner en Blanc 

Le Diner en Blanc is so much more than an event. It’s a unique cultural movement that empowers friends of friends to gather and celebrate their shared passions for life, food, fashion, and community, year after year, with a pinch of mystery and a large serving of spontaneity. Elegantly dressed all in white, guests arrive at a secret location for a chic picnic en masse. They bring their own tables, chairs, picnic baskets—all the trimmings—to sit down with friends and make new connections in one of their city’s most beautiful public spaces. The location remains secret up until the very moment of arrival. Over the course of the evening, guests from all backgrounds eat, dance, and reconnect with the finer things in life, as they appreciate the night’s magical experience. 

To this day, over 120 cities in 40 countries have joined the ever-growing and international network to celebrate gourmet cuisine, offer extraordinary entertainment, and bring together vibrant individuals and bon vivant around the world. While Diner en Blanc International is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, every event in every city is hosted by passionate local organizers who fell in love with the original Parisian concept and wanted to bring it home and dress it up with local flair. For more info, photos, and videos of Le Diner en Blanc events from around the world, visit dinerenblanc.com.

To keep up to date on event announcements, visit westpalmbeach.dinerenblanc.com or

Icon Description automatically generatedDinerEnBlanc.WestPalmBeach A black x symbol with white background Description automatically generated DinerEnBlancWPB Icon Description automatically generateddinerenblancwestpalmbeach

#dinerenblanc #debwestpalmbeach2023 #debWPB2023 #dinerenblancwpb203

Featured image- Shanghai Diner et blanc

Culture

9 Suggestions For Light And Delicious Desserts

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Craving a dessert that won’t weigh you down? The struggle is real. But fear not, as this guide will unveil the art of crafting desserts that are both light and delectable.

The struggle is real, but the solution is incredibly sweet. In a world where indulgence often comes with guilt, these dessert ideas offer a refreshing change. They’re the epitome of culinary elegance, balancing flavor and lightness in a harmonious blend.

The Magic of Fruit-Based Treats

Fruit serves as nature’s candy, offering sweetness. Consider a mango sorbet, a dish that dances on the palate while being kind to the waistline. A chilled grapefruit brûlée can also be a revelation, its tartness mellowed by a thin layer of caramelized sugar.

The Tasty Note: Strawberry Sour Candy

In a realm of endless possibilities, let’s not forget the simple joys like strawberry sour candy. Sometimes, a single piece can offer a burst of flavor and nostalgia, encapsulating the essence of light and delicious desserts.

The Allure of Dairy Alternatives

Dairy often contributes to the heaviness of desserts. However, alternatives like almond milk and coconut cream can work wonders. Imagine a chocolate mousse made with avocado and coconut cream. It’s a luxurious experience that leaves you satisfied, not stuffed.

The Charm of Miniature Portions

Sometimes, less truly is more. Opt for desserts that are small but big on flavor. A single chocolate truffle infused with lavender can be more satisfying than a whole bar of milk chocolate. Similarly, a small serving of panna cotta flavored with a hint of vanilla and lemon zest can be a heavenly experience.

The Elegance of Herbal Infusions

Herbs aren’t just for savory dishes; they can elevate desserts too. A basil and peach compote can be a game-changer, offering a complex flavor profile that’s both unexpected and delightful. Rosemary can also be a surprising ally, especially when paired with citrus flavors in a light sorbet.

The Sophistication of Sugar Alternatives

Sugar is often the culprit behind heavy, overly sweet desserts. But alternatives like stevia, monk fruit, and honey can offer a different kind of sweetness. Picture a lemon tart sweetened with honey, its tanginess perfectly balanced, making each bite a small celebration.

The Enigma of Unconventional Ingredients

Ever thought of incorporating vegetables into dessert? A beetroot and chocolate cake can be moist, rich, and surprisingly low in calories. Another intriguing option is a zucchini bread made with almond flour, a treat that’s both nutritious and indulgent.

The Craftsmanship of Technique

The way a dessert is prepared can significantly impact its lightness. Techniques like folding and whisking can introduce air into the mixture, making it lighter. A well-whisked aquafaba can replace heavy cream in many recipes, offering a vegan and lighter alternative.

The Grand Finale: A Symphony of Choices

The world of light and delicious desserts is vast and inviting. It beckons with the promise of guilt-free indulgence, a symphony of choices that cater to every palate and preference. So go ahead, take a culinary leap, and discover the myriad ways to satisfy your sweet tooth without the weight of regret.

In this guide, each suggestion serves as a note in a grand symphony, creating a melody of flavors that’s both light and irresistibly delicious. The struggle is real, but the rewards are sweet—literally and figuratively. For the Silo, Bill Gordon.

Art

Biometric Sensory Art Experiences Inspired By Four Cities

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PURPLE are now working on a multi-city arts project in China and Hong Kong with The House Collective, a collection of uniquely intimate luxury hotels that includes Upper House in Hong Kong that was just listed as part of World’s 50 Best.

‘Encounters Across Cultures’ will be an immersive journey that travels across four dynamic cities: Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Beijing with The House Collective taking a stance on the importance of creativity within Chinese tourism.

The projects will feature singer-songwriter Vicky Fung, music producer TJoe, erhuist Chu Wan Pin, and the visionary new media artist, Keith Lam. Together, their work will harness the power of biometric data to craft mesmerizing musical compositions and awe-inspiring data sculptures that capture the very soul of each city. Below is a quick snapshot of the key elements of ‘Encounters Across Cultures’:

·        Vicky Fung and Keith Lam have created a series of multi-sensory data sculptures that follow four traveling artists – TJoe, Chu Wan Pin, and themselves – as they tour each city.

Data sculpture rendering

·        Creating a tangible journey for audiences, ‘Encounters Across Cultures’ will weave together these stories to create four musical pieces and data sculptures, designed with soundscape recordings of the musicians’ movements and biometric data, such as pulse and skin resistance.

Graphic Notation Keith’s Biometric data

·        The process includes Lam’s representation of this biometric data into emotive graphics, which Fung reshapes into musical tracks; the biometric data is then transformed into data sculptures that embody each traveller’s visceral sense of the city.

·        The House Collective’s four Houses will host the installations, capturing these private journeys into one shared experience for visitors.

This journey begins in October and continues until January, with specific dates for each location as follows:

• The Upper House in Hong Kong: October 9th to October 23rd

• The Middle House in Shanghai: October 30th to November 13th

• The Temple House in Chengdu: November 20th to December 6th

• The Opposite House in Beijing: December 14th to January 15th, 2024

THE HOUSE COLLECTIVE UNVEILS ‘BIOMETRIC’ SENSORY ART EXPERIENCES INSPIRED BY FOUR CITIES FOR THIS YEAR’S ‘ENCOUNTERS ACROSS CULTURES’

Artists and travelers collaborate to capture the heartbeat of four cities, inviting viewers to experience their emotive journeys across each city soundscapes through art, music, and technological forms.

The multi-sensory installations combine numerous art mediums to question whether technology is always a force disconnecting us from one another, or if it can reveal our innermost emotions.

October , 2023 – The House Collective, a collection of intimate luxury hotels, announces the third iteration of its biennial program ‘Encounters Across Cultures’ , which celebrates the immeasurable creativity fostered through multicultural and multidisciplinary collaboration. This year’s program explores the intersection of technology and the creative arts through four multi-sensory data sculptures and music tracks, inspired by biometric data captured during journeys across four cities — ‘Encounters Across Cultures’ will open at The Upper House in Hong Kong, travelling to The Middle House in Shanghai, The Temple House in Chengdu, and The Opposite House in Beijing.

“Art and culture are part of The House Collective’s core DNA and values. Since the launch of Encounters Across Cultures in 2019, we’ve worked with global artists to stimulate creativity and showcase the power of collaboration across borders. This program is not only an extension of The House Collective’s values, but we also hope to invite our guests to explore the beauty of cross-cultural connections, and to be immersed in this unique and sensory art experience together.” – Teresa Muk, Head of Brand and Strategic Marketing at Swire Hotels.

In their first ever collaboration, Hong Kong-based artist and music producer Vicky Fung and media artist Keith Lam have created a series of multi-sensory data sculptures that follow four travelers – guitarist TJoe, erhuist Chu Wan Pin, and themselves – as they tour the four cities. Creating a tangible journey for audiences, ‘Encounters Across Cultures’ weaves together all of these stories to create four musical pieces and data sculptures, designed with soundscape recordings of the musicians’ movements and biometric data, such as pulse and skin resistance. The process includes Lam’s representation of this biometric data into emotive graphics, which Fung reshapes into musical tracks; the biometric data is then transformed into data sculptures that embody each traveler’s visceral sense of the city. The four Houses will host the installations, capturing these private journeys into one shared experience for visitors. 

“I do not see the biometric data that we have collected as cold and lifeless data points – instead, each biometric moment is a representation of the traveler’s thoughts and feelings through their movements, and their changing reactions as they enter new environments. We wanted to share our heartbeats, our senses of touch and sight, with everyone through this immersive installation so that they could really feel exactly as we did in each city.” – Keith Lam, Program Artist.

“While we may come from very different backgrounds and live in different places, when I studied the biometric data, I instead found that we were all experiencing many of the same feelings and emotional journeys. The installation brought us closer together, as I felt totally connected to the person on the other side.” – Vicky Fung, Program Artist.

“Earlier this year, we celebrated the brand’s expansion in Tokyo through a cross-disciplinary dance performance that tells the story of honored tradition, modernity, harmony and new possibilities. For this year’s Encounters Across Cultures, The House Collective continues to tell cross-disciplinary stories, pushing the boundaries of innovation and delving into the dynamic realm of Art Meets Tech. Through these programs, we aim to share unforgettable experiences with our guests and expose them to locally curated artistic flavors, where we offer the comfort of being Houses not Hotels.” – Dean Winter, Managing Director of Swire Hotels

Viewers are invited to take a seat on the multi-sensory data sculptures, where they can be immersed in the music created from the biometric data. The result allows viewers to interact with their sense of touch, sight, and sound as they explore the installation.

Spread across the four Houses, ‘Encounters Across Cultures’ will run at The House Collective throughout October, until the beginning of next year. For more details, please visit the website at https://www.thehousecollective.com/en/art-and-culture/encounters-across-cultures-2023/.

The Upper House Hong Kong

The Middle House Shanghai

The Temple House Chengdu

The Opposite House Beijing

Keith Lam Programme Artist

Vicky Fung Programme Artist

About The House Collective

The House Collective by Swire Hotels is a group of refined, highly individual properties that defy comparison. Each uniquely imagined, The Opposite House in Beijing, The Upper House in Hong Kong, The Temple House in Chengdu and The Middle House in Shanghai were designed for seasoned travelers who seek a different, intimate and personalised experience in luxury travel. Each House is a sophisticated, singular piece of design, created by talented architects and designers, that reflect the unique qualities of their surroundings.

Program Creators

Keith Lam – Media Artist

Media Artist and Co-founder and Artistic Director of Art & Technology studio Dimension Plus. His works have won awards at international art festivals, including Prix Ars Electronica and Japan Media Arts Festival. His works have been shown around the world at top museums and art festivals including Hong Kong Museum of Arts, The National Art Centre at Tokyo, OK Center for Contemporary Art, Ars Electronica Festival, The New Technological Art Award Biennial at Belgium, FILE, ISEA, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, National Taichung Performing Arts Center and Hong Kong Art Festival.  

Vicky Fung – Artist and Music Producer

Artist, music producer, singer-songwriter and curator, Vicky has always presented uniqueness and novelty in her works with a strong sense of emotional synchronicity. A Clore Fellow of 2023, she has worked with many prominent music artists in Hong Kong with an impressive list of music awards from media and professional associations and seeks to develop her interest in socially engaged art projects. In recent years, she has ventured into multi-media creation, including “Utopia…Momentarily” (2016) in the New Vision Media Festival, interactive virtual reality experience “Silili and The Tree” (2021) and immersive art and music performance “Soul Walk” (2022). 

Joel Kwong – Media Art Curator

Joel Kwong is a media art curator, writer, producer and educator based in Hong Kong. She is currently the Program Director for Microwave International New Media Arts Festival, and the founder of SIBYLS – a creative Arts x Tech consultation and production agency. Most recent produced and curated projects include Reimagines Heritage (online portal) (2023), Out of Thin Air – HK Film Arts & Costumes Exhibition at Hong Kong Heritage Museum (2023). Juried around Asia include VH Award (South Korea) (2022), and Siggraph Asia 2020 (South Korea) etc. She has given lectures in many Hong Kong tertiary institutions and universities and has also given talks at international art festivals including Ars Electronica in Linz, Transmediale in Berlin, and ACT Festival in Gwangju, South Korea. 

Tjoe Man Cheung – Guitarist

Tjoe Man Cheung, London-based musician and producer working across with artists across UK and Europe, including Brown Penny and PYJÆN, and in different festivals across the world. Alongside, Tjoe also initiated his own solo music projects and has founded NTBM (a jazz collective formed by emerging musicians from around the world) and his solo music projects. A graduate from the Musicians Institute, Tjoe was inspired and nurtured under the tutorship of Scott Henderson, Allen Hinds, Brad Rabuchin and Daniel Gilbert, with influences of jazz, funk, blues and pop. 

Wan Pin Chu – Erhuist

Wan Pin CHU is an international award-winning Erhuist and film composer based in Hong Kong. Wan is recognized as a versatile performer with rich emotions and limitless virtuosity in his music. In the UK, he is the first Chinese instrumentalist to perform in The Duke’s Hall in Royal Academy of Music and have performed in over hundreds of concerts all over the world including UK, US, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and won an impressive list of national and international music competitions. Chu is is also a dedicated composer and have participated in the scoring of many films, televisions, games and commercials. 

15th Anniversary of Audiocosm

Culture

Sir Elton John Lists Atlanta Condo

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I bet you did not know these facts from our friends at toptenrealestatedeals.com : British singer-pianist-composer Elton John is the most successful solo artist in the history of the Billboard charts, with more than 50 number-one hits, seven number-one albums, and over 300 million in record sales. 

He has received two Oscars, a Tony, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. The revered artist has recently completed his final tour, Farewell Yellow Brick Road, which became the highest-grossing concert series of all time.

Now moving permanently to his Windsor, England estate, he is offering the Atlanta condo that has been his US base for thirty years for sale at $4,995,000 usd / $6,744,249 cad.



John originally purchased a duplex on the 36th floor of the luxurious Park Place high-rise tower in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood for $925,000 usd/ $1,248,935 cad, then added five neighboring units over the years to construct his 13,300 square-foot, four-bed, seven-bath residence spanning two floors.

The meticulously designed home features stunning wood walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and 360 degrees of city skyline and western canopy views. 

Art

Superb Watch From Raketa Uses Vintage Metal From Ekranoplan Landing Craft

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The Raketa Watch Factory launches a new tool watch dedicated to the Lun-class Ekranoplan: a Soviet era hybrid machine — half ship, half plane — unlike anything else in the world.

Legendary soviet achievement

Part ship & part plane, the Lun-class Ekranoplan was built in the early 80s by the Soviet Union as an experimental coastal defence vehicle. It can claim to be one of the most extraordinary machines ever built by mankind. It combined the best characteristics of a ship and that of a plane: it could carry as much cargo as a ship and fly as fast as an airplane at speeds of up to 500 km/h. It flew over distances of up to 2,000 km using lift generated by the “ground effect” acting on its large wings when about 4 metres above the surface of the water. This enabled the Ekranoplan to fly undetected by radars. 

The name “Lun” was chosen because it comes from the Russian word for “harrier”, a bird which characteristically hunts by flying silently low over open ground.

A remnant of the past 

The only Lun-class Ekranoplan ever built lies today on a beach of the Caspian sea near the city of Derbent (Russia) as a lonely reminder of past achievements. With its gigantic size, unique hybrid characteristics and quirky design, the Ekranoplan is a testimony to the incredible originality of Soviet-era engineering. Even now, after almost half a century, it looks incredibly futuristic.

A watch as testimony to the Ekranoplan Lun

The Raketa Watch Factory has always been inspired by incredible human technical achievements. It has therefore designed and manufactured a tool watch as testimony to the Ekranoplan. Raketa also hopes this will attract more attention to the Ekranoplan, and thus contribute to saving it. 

Especially for this model, Raketa developed a new stainless steel case and metal band: its sturdy design corresponds to the looks and spirit of the Soviet-era Ekranoplan. The Raketa “Ekranoplan” watch is directly linked to the Lun-class Ekranoplan:

– The insert of the rotating bezel is made from a piece of metal from the Lun-class Ekranoplan, officially given by the city of Derbent which is in charge of safeguarding the Ekranoplan;

– The design of the compass markings on the bezel is directly inspired by the design of the compass on the control panel in the cockpit of the Ekranoplan;

– An embossed image of the Ekranoplan is printed on the dial.

The back of the watch reveals the beautifully decorated 24-hour automatic movement which is entirely produced by the Raketa Watch Factory in Saint-Petersburg.

The Raketa “Ekranoplan” watch model is limited to 500 pieces. 

Each watch model is complemented with a leather strap. The model is also available as part of a Gift set which includes the Raketa “Ekranoplan” watch model with stainless steel bracelet, an additional leather strap and a 1:400 scale model of the Lun-class Ekranoplan.  

The price

The cost of the watch is 1.667 EUR (without VAT) $2,410.08 CAD at time of writing. The cost of the Gift set is 2083 EUR (without VAT) $3,011.52 CAD at time of writing. For the comfort of customers, Raketa watches are delivered worldwide free of charge by DHL directly up to their front door.

The insert of the rotating bezel is made from a piece of metal from the Lun-class Ekranoplan.

Specifications

Factory:Raketa Watch Factory (Saint-Petersburg)
Movement:
Calibre:2624
Functions:Automatic
Number of jewels:24
Testing positions:4
Average rate (s/d):-10+20
Average running time (h):40
Frequency/hour:18.000 / 2.5Hz
Bi-directional automatic windingYes
Decoration:Nanocoating
Neva waves
Print
Case:
Material:Stainless steel
Material of the bezel insert:Metal from the Lun-class Ekranoplan
Size:41,6 mm
Front glass:Sapphire 
Back glass:Mineral 
Water resistance:20 АТМ
Hands:Superluminova
Dial:Superluminova
Strap/bracelet:
Material:Stainless steel
Genuine leather
Width:22 mm
Sex:Male

For the Silo, Lera Komolova. Photos: Lera Komolova

RAKETA “EKRANOPLAN”

Entre ciel et mer !

La Manufacture horlogère Raketa lance une nouvelle montre spécialisée qui est dédiée à l’Ekranoplan Lun : un appareil hybride de l’ère soviétique – mi-avion, mi-bateau  – absolument unique en son genre.

Un exploit légendaire de l’époque soviétique

Construit par l’Union soviétique au début des années 1980 en tant qu’engin expérimental de défense côtière – mi-avion, mi-bateau – l’Ekranoplan peut être considéré comme l’une des machines les plus extraordinaires jamais créées par l’homme. L’Ekranoplan réunissait les meilleures qualités d’un navire et d’un avion : il pouvait déplacer autant de cargaison qu’un bateau et pouvait voler aussi vite qu’un avion en atteignant une vitesse de 500 km/h. Il volait à des distances allant jusqu’à 2 000 km grâce à “l’effet d’écran” qui se formait sous ses immenses ailes à environ 4 mètres au-dessus de la surface de la mer. Ceci lui permettait de se déplacer sans être repéré par les radars. 

Son nom « Lun » se traduit du russe comme « le busard », et non sans raison, car cet oiseau de proie est connu pour sa chasse en vol silencieux à basse altitude.

Un témoin du passé

Le seul Ekranoplan Lun jamais construit se trouve aujourd’hui sur une plage de la mer Caspienne près de la ville de Derbent (Russie), comme un rappel solitaire des exploits passés. Sa taille gigantesque, ses caractéristiques uniques et son étrange design témoignent de la force et de l’originalité de l’ingénierie soviétique. Encore aujourd’hui, presque cinquante ans après sa conception, il a l’air extrêmement futuriste.

Une montre en hommage à l’Ekranoplan Lun

La Manufacture horlogère Raketa a toujours été inspirée par les plus grands exploits techniques humains. Elle a donc produit une montre spécialisée en hommage à l’Ekranoplan Lun. Raketa souhaite aussi attirer l’attention sur l’Ekranoplan Lun et contribuer ainsi à sa préservation.

Un nouveau boîtier et bracelet en acier ont spécialement été conçus pour ce modèle :  leur design rugueux et viril correspond à l’esprit de l’Ekranoplan soviétique. Le modèle Raketa “Ekranoplan” a plusieurs liens avec l’Ekranoplan Lun :

– l’insert de la lunette tournante est fabriqué à partir d’un morceau de métal de l’Ekranoplan Lun, officiellement transmis à la Manufacture Raketa par la ville de Derbent (qui est en charge de la préservation de l’Ekranoplan) ;

– le design des signes de boussole sur la lunette est inspiré de la boussole du tableau de commande situé dans le cockpit de l’Ekranoplan ;

– une image embossée de l’Ekranoplan est imprimée sur le cadran.

Le fond du boîtier permet de contempler un mouvement automatique à 24 heures Raketa, magnifiquement décoré et entièrement créé par la manufacture horlogère Raketa de Saint-Pétersbourg.

Raketa “Ekranoplan” est une édition limitée à 500 pièces.

Chaque montre est livrée avec un bracelet en cuir supplémentaire. Le modèle est également disponible dans un coffret cadeau comprenant la montre Raketa  “Ekranoplan” et son bracelet en acier, un bracelet cuir supplémentaire et la maquette de l’Ekranoplan Lun à une échelle de 1:400.

Prix

Le prix est de 1 667 EUR HT pour la montre seule et de 2 083 EUR HT pour le coffret cadeau. Pour le confort de nos clients, les montres Raketa sont livrées gratuitement dans le monde entier par DHL jusqu’à leur porte d’entrée.

Spécifications

Manufacture :Manufacture de montres Raketa (Saint-Pétersbourg)
Mouvement :
Calibre:2624
Fonctions :Automatique, 24 heures
Nombre de rubis :24
Positions de reglages :4
Marche moyenne (s/j) :-10+20
Réserve de marche moyenne (h) :40
Fréquence/heure :18.000 / 2.5Hz
Remontage automatique bidirectionnel :Oui 
Décoration :Nanorevêtement Côtes de NevaImpression
Boitier :
Matériau :Acier inoxydable 
Matériau de l’insert de la lunette :Métal de l’Ekranoplan “Lun”
Diamètre :41,6 mm
Glace côté cadran :Sapphire 
Glace arrière :Minéral 
Etanchéité :20 АТМ
Aiguilles :Superluminova 
Cadran :Superluminova
Bracelet :
Matériau :Acier inoxydableCuir véritable
Largeur :22 mm
Sexe :Masculin 
Fashion

Canada’s Jim Carrey Lists L.A. Brentwood Mansion

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Jim Carrey’s prolific career includes marquee comedy roles such as The Riddler,  The Mask and Ace Ventura and critically acclaimed dramas Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, for which he won two golden globes and eleven MTV awards.

In 2022, he announced that he was taking a break from acting and was considering retirement. The prolific star has relocated to his vacation property in Maui and put the Brentwood estate where he has lived for the last 30 years up for sale. 



Now listed for $26.5 million USD/ $35.2 CAD, reduced from $28.9 million USD/ $38.4 million CAD, the sprawling ranch-style mansion is nestled behind huge hedges and private red-brick gates.

The 12,700-square-foot home features five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and three half baths. The stylish residence’s pitched high-beam ceilings offer tons of airflow, while skylights let in plenty of natural light to bathe the bright white walls and Jim’s extensive art collection, including his own impressive creations. The living, dining, and family rooms flow together with hardwood and polished stone floors, fireplaces and ample windows with views of the lushly landscaped grounds. The well-appointed chef’s kitchen offers an indoor BBQ. A circular breakfast nook looks out onto flowering pear trees. Multiple sliding glass doors open onto a central courtyard that provides space for entertaining or lounging in the classic California indoor/outdoor living style. 

Jim’s primary bedroom suite includes its own private patio, plus a stunning wood-paneled bathroom with a copper-hooded fireplace, leaded glass windows, and a soaking tub. An Art Deco-style home theater pays homage to the movie palaces of old, with mohair-covered sofas, burl wood columns, and a lavish marble bathroom. The spacious gym and home office are perfect for the modern remote-work lifestyle. The massive two-acre grounds are a rarity in LA and include a full-size tennis court, a waterfall swimming pool, a pool house with bar, a sauna/steam room, vegetable gardens, and numerous mature trees. Walking paths wind through the serene environment, leading to the yoga and meditation platform. Carrey called the home “a place of enchantment and inspiration” and hopes it will continue to be “a magical sanctuary” for its next occupant.

One of LA’s most sought-after neighborhoods, Brentwood is right next to the hustle and bustle of Santa Monica but retains a community feel. Known for its tree-lined streets, unique mansions, and one of the best farmer’s markets in Los Angeles, Brentwood is home to numerous celebrities, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, LeBron James, and Tobey Maguire. Options for entertainment include the world-class Getty Museum, the Brentwood Golf Club, and the upscale shops and restaurants on San Vicente Blvd. 

The listing is held by Janelle Friedman of Sotheby’s International. 

The 12,700-square-foot home features five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and three half baths, plus tennis courts, a waterfall pool, and an enormous two-acre lot. 




For the Silo, Bob Walsh. Photos: Daniel Dahler for Sotheby’s International Realty

Travel

Hotel Bayerischer Hof: Iconic Bavarian Gem Has Historic & Legendary Design Collaboration 

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While choosing popular cities to travel, the obvious choices are always Rome, Berlin, Barcelona and London, but how about those ‘alternative’ cities you may have never thought of or come across? That is where Munich, Germany comes in. 

Nestled in the heart of Munich, Hotel Bayerischer Hof is one of Germany’s most historically important hotels, renowned for its timeless elegance and world-renowned design partnerships.

The aura of royalty is imminent as soon as one steps foot into the hotel. The property’s renowned collaboration with Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt, a global tastemaker, is designed with full picturesque and captivating minimalist interiors.

The unveiling of the art dealer, curator, designer, and antiquary Vervoordt’s latest revamp has transformed a section of the hotel into an artistic wonder– harmoniously mixing old and new, creating a design aesthetic that is hugely influential in Germany. He counts royalty within his clientele, with a nod to celebrities like Kanye West, Robert De Niro, and Calvin Klein.

Vervoordt’s collaboration with Hotel Bayerischer Hof is nothing short of incredible.

The Penthouse Garden Suite, Atelier, Garden restaurant, Cinema Lounge, and Palaishalle all bear the designer’s characteristic artistic touch. The new wing embodies a captivating minimalist design that is both modern and timeless in the same beat. Vervoordt’s talent helps the property keep in step with the ever-changing expectations of the hotel industry and attracts discerning guests who appreciate design that cleverly combines the present and the past.

Founded by female entrepreneur and owner Innegrit Volkhardt, who is dubbed “one of the most renowned hoteliers in the world,” her family has owned the Hotel Bayerischer Hof for over four generations, so the blood runs deep. The hotel recently celebrated 125 years of ownership. Volkhardt, a true Bavarian local, has immaculately maintained the hotel’s legacy while successfully integrating new design collaborations like that of Vervoordt.

Tucked away within the elegant shopping district, the hotel is near the city’s must-see attractions, including the Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, and the Hofbrauhaus, a fun and traditional beer house with live music (apparently it’s where the Nazis used to meet).

One can even say that you don’t need to leave the hotel, with a full service spa, a tiki bar underground, a glorious dome-shaped bar and networking area, a ballroom, and best of all, dinner at The Garden. The restaurant offers fan favorites like a goat cheese, fig and cottage cheese salad, as well as filet mignon with a side of spinach and potatoes. A sweet finish with a trio of sorbets to cleanse the palate and keep it light.

Hotel Bayerischer Hof boasts over 300 luxurious rooms and suites that capture its deep history, blending luxury with design.

The collaborative designs of Axel Vervoordt have played an immensely significant role in helping the hotel innovate and evolve without losing the essence that has made it a Bavarian favorite for 125 years. If you’re looking to indulge in an unforgettable experience, Hotel Bayerischer Hof is undoubtedly one of the best options in Munich. For The Silo, Ellie Ross.

Fashion

Raketa Watches Russia Launch Model Dedicated to Love

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RAKETA BIG LOVE
Everything starts with love!

To mark the International Women’s Day on 8th March, Raketa releases a watch for ladies dedicated to the most beautiful feeling: Love.

Raketa “Big Love” offers a new interpretation of femininity. A watch as a mood, as a feeling, as love.

This model symbolizes the essence of Raketa’s “Big Zero” model: everything starts from 0. The hands of Raketa “Big Love” turn in a circle designating the word “LOVE” and each time the hour hand passes by the big “0” (or in this case the big letter “O”) everything restarts with LOVE!

The dial of Raketa “Big Love” embodies a minimalist design which is nevertheless full of feelings: a black and white dial with big letters L, O, V, E, crowned with the letter “O” (or with a zero – as you prefer).

With its classic black and white dial design and its four different color leather straps, Raketa “Big Love”  will match any style and mood. The white, bright reddish-orange as well as pastel shades of pink and blue straps will emphasize your personality in both casual and classic styles. The quick-change strap system allows you to easily change the straps depending on your current outfit or mood.

Through the case-back of the watch, you can see the beautifully decorated Raketa automatic movement, fully manufactured in Saint-Petersburg by the Raketa Watch Factory.

Raketa “Big Love” is produced this year in a limited quantity of 200 models. 

The price

The cost of the watch is 1333 EUR (without VAT) $1,413 USD / $1,906 CAD. For the comfort of customers, Raketa watches are delivered worldwide free of charge by DHL directly up to the front door.

Specifications

Factory:Raketa Watch Factory (Saint-Petersburg)
Movement:
Calibre:2615
Functions:Automatic
Number of jewels:24
Testing positions:4
Average rate (s/d):-10+20
Average running time (h):40
Frequency/hour:18.000 / 2.5Hz
Bi-directional automatic windingYes
Stopper of self-winding unit activated during manual winding:Yes 
Decoration:Laser engraving
Neva wavesRed rotor
Case:
Material:Stainless steel
Size:40 mm
Front glass:Sapphire 
Back glass:Mineral 
Crown:Ruby stone ​​inside the crown
Water resistance:10 АТМ
Strap/bracelet:
Material:Genuine leather
Width:20 mm
Sex:Unisex
Version Française

RAKETA BIG LOVE


Tout commence par l’amour !

En l’honneur de la Journée internationale des femmes, le 8 mars, la Manufacture horlogère Raketa propose le modèle Raketa “Big Love”, une montre pour dames dédiée au plus beau sentiment qui soit : l’amour.

Raketa “Big Love” est une nouvelle interprétation de la féminité. Une montre comme un état d’esprit, comme un sentiment, comme l’amour.

Ce modèle reprend le concept de Raketa “Big Zero” : tout part de zéro. Les aiguilles tournent autour du cadran en indiquant le mot “LOVE” et à chaque fois que l’aiguille des heures passe par le grand « 0 » (ou dans ce cas la grande lettre « O ») tout recommence par l’amour – par LOVE !

Le cadran de Raketa “Big Love” est inspiré de l’esthétique classique du minimalisme, tout en étant imprégné de sentiment : noir et blanc, avec les grandes lettres L, O, V, E, et  couronné d’un zéro (ou de la lettre “O” – à vous de choisir). 

La montre Raketa “Big Love” s’acorde avec tous les styles et toutes les humeurs grâce à son cadran classique noir et blanc et à ses quatre bracelets de couleurs différentes. Leurs tons – blanc, rouge-orange vif et pastel rose et bleu -, mettront en valeur votre personnalité, que vous adoptiez un style décontracté ou plus classique. Tous les bracelets sont munis d’un système “quick change” qui vous permet de facilement les changer en fonction de votre tenue ou de votre humeur du moment.

Le fond de la montre laisse voir le mouvement automatique Raketa minutieusement décoré et entièrement fabriqué à la Manufacture horlogère Raketa à Saint-Pétersbourg.

La montre Raketa “Big Love” est produite cette année en quantité limitée à 200 modèles. 

Prix

Le prix est de 1333 Euros (hors TVA). Pour le confort de nos clients, les montres sont livrées gratuitement jusqu’à leur porte par DHL.

Spécifications

Manufacture :Manufacture de montres Raketa (Saint-Pétersbourg)
Mouvement :
Calibre:2615
Fonctions :Automatique
Nombre de rubis :24
Positions de reglages :4
Marche moyenne (s/j) :-10+20
Réserve de marche moyenne (h) :40
Fréquence/heure :18.000 / 2.5Hz
Remontage automatique bidirectionnel :Oui 
Système de débrayage du module automatique lors du remontage manuel:Oui
Décoration :Gravage laserCôtes de NevaMasse oscillante rouge
Boitier :
Matériau :Acier inoxydable 
Diamètre :40 mm
Glace côté cadran :Sapphire 
Glace arrière :Minéral 
Couronne :Rubis à l’intérieur de la couronne
Etanchéité :10 АТМ
Bracelet :
Matériau :Cuir véritable
Largeur :20 mm
Sexe :Unisexe 
Transportation

Thrilling Test Drive Of Rolls Royce Wraith

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Now THAT'S how you launch a new Rolls....and especially one called Wraith- smoke, vapor, mist, theatrics and a spooky performer. All images A. Maughan/The Silo
Now THAT’S how you launch a new Rolls….and especially one called Wraith- smoke, vapor, mist, theatrics and a spooky performer. All images A. Maughan/The Silo

A Silo look back article 🙂

It’s Fall 2013 and the “now brand new” Wraith from the Rolls-Royce car company is not something I get exposed to often. Let’s face it,  I’m a mid size car guy. Not high-end luxury.  I rationalize my affordability factor by saying that high end’s are too ‘heavy’ and shee-shee poo-poo. Up until now, that may have been as true.

Rolls had an unveiling of their new car The Wraith the other week here in beautiful Vancouver. And well, like the locale, the car itself did stand out even beyond the scenery. The Silo was invited to attend and I earned the assignment. Life is hard 😉

After entering the front doors of the party where a silver painted goddess of sorts and a sleek feather black wraith slowly and elegantly moved around the scene, one can only be sure to expect nothing short of the best attention to these prospective buyers.

There was jewelry set to the tone of $425,000 (Canada’s biggest pink Diamond); a price tag similar to the cars standing right next to them. The food was excellent and the company certainly discerning.

"Emily" or the Flying Lady is the venerable hood ornament for Rolls-Royce automobiles. The live actress seen here on the right captured the mystery and drama behind the creation of the emblem.
“Emily” or the Flying Lady is the venerable hood ornament for Rolls-Royce automobiles. The live actress seen here on the right captured the mystery and drama behind the creation of the emblem.

There was not shortage of demonstration of other models and those with mostly older not only in lineage but also in style, heralding a tradition one has come to know of Rolls Royce. Which is why when the time came for the unveiling of the new car, there was nothing short of a surprise. The car looked sleek and modern while maintaining the more discernable feature Rolls is known for. It looked like, well, not quite a Rolls. It seemed sporty even.

For those who wanted performance but still the luxury that comes with expectations. People actually gasped and well, they should have.

Once the shock settled opera singers belted out a song of elegance that matched the vehicle’s looks and appearance. I became transported and wanted to change careers all of sudden.

On hand for the North American launch of the Wraith? Only, the largest pink Diamond in Canada.
On hand for the North American launch of the Wraith? Only, the largest pink Diamond in Canada.

The show was a success, so now came the long shot that I would get to test-drive one of them. I am not a buyer, no sir.

 

“So when can I test drive one, ahahaha”

 

“Are you free tomorrow at 3pm?”

 

Ummm….yeah maybe sure….oh look at that I am free. Perfect” Gulp.

 

So on to the test drive.

I show up at the Rolls dealership in Vancouver and was met with nothing but interest and enthusiasm for someone who clearly was not in the market for such a car. That didn’t matter much as they were very excited to show off their new marvel. Ha! I thought. No way this thing can actually drive as cool as it looks. Well, my dear readers, was I wrong.

0-100 in 4.4 seconds. Quite. Handles like a dream. Smooth. Great suspension. 14 speaker sound system. Crazy navigation. Just crazy. The holographic road map was floating next to a virtual speedometer in/on (?) the windshield. Touch sensitive screen for drawing on. I mean the whole thing was about performance from interior to engine.

"There she is!" My first look at the Wraith and I'm getting ready to test drive this gorgeous machine. It looks fast.
“There she is!” My first look at the Wraith and I’m getting ready to test drive this gorgeous machine. It looks fast.

The camera system is a cool feature, however at the end of the experience I didn’t really know how to use them. What happens is a 5-camera system captures unique perspectives and through an algorithm creates a bird eyes view of the car. Very cool. However, I just used my mirrors and the over–the-shoulder-one-arm-on-the-back –of-the-passenger-seat to look behind me for the approach in backing up. Technology is great but it has to actually be effective or helpful. Give the user a certain level of confidence that she or he would never have alone otherwise.

And boy did I check my mirrors often when driving. I didn’t want to risk a dent or a scratch.

Just pulling out for the first time was nerve racking, but once you got the feel for it, which happens quick, you are instantly spoiled as a driver which is of course the point when dealing with luxury cars. And it seems Rolls still has been able to retain the  ability to spoil its driver no matter what. The wraith delivers. For the Silo,  Arthur Maughan.

Yes it was rainy and a bit wet that day. Yes, the Wraith had a secret umbrella compartment. Now where is that machinegun button ?
Yes it was rainy and a bit wet that day. Yes, the Wraith had a secret umbrella compartment. Now where is that machinegun button ?

Click to view on I-tunes
Click to view on I-tunes

Culture

Yankee Candle Founder’s Estate: “like having Disneyland in the backyard”

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Michael Kittredge started making candles as a teenager and selling them to friends and family. One of his first products was a Christmas candle he made for his mother on the family stove out of his melted crayons and a wick from a shoelace. Within a few years, he had opened his first Yankee Candle Shop in his hometown of South Hadley, Massachusetts. The business expanded to become the wildly successful Yankee Candle Company whos candles are sold all over America.

In a 1986 interview with New England Business, Mr. Kittredge recalled that a visiting machinery salesman from Germany had declared him crazy for not investing in automation at his plant in Deerfield. “Then,” Mr. Kittredge said, “I went out to my Porsche and got my tennis racket to go out and play on my tennis courts, and I said, ’Yeah, I’m crazy. What are you driving?’” The Wall Street Journal
A long time guitarist, Michael Kittredge switched to the drums after having a stroke. He died in 2019 at the age of 67.

Kittredge cashed out in 1998, selling 90% of his company for $500 million USD/ $683 million CAD. He used the money to jet around the world, collect luxury sports cars, drink $20,000 USD/ $27,000 CAD bottles of wine, and construct a fantastic compound on over 60 acres of parkland in idyllic Western Massachusetts. With the entrepreneur’s passing in 2019, the estate his son described as “like having Disneyland in the backyard” has been listed for $23 million USD/ $31.4 million CAD .

Generous with friends, family, and employees, Kittredge designed his compound to entertain his guests in the utmost luxury. Sparing no expense, the eight Colonial-style structures on the property were constructed with the finest materials from all over the world. The main house includes five bedrooms, six full bathrooms and five half baths, and over 25,0000 square feet of living space.

The home features 11 fireplaces spread across multiple levels, a solarium, an oval office with glass walls, a pine-paneled living room with built-ins, and a stunning two-story great room with a balcony and an atrium-like ceiling. Two commercial-grade kitchens, one with five islands, and a wine grotto allow for large-scale entertaining.

The 9 hole golf course is just beyond….

Meandering paths on the property wander past ponds, fountains, waterfalls, and gardens to connect the main home with the estate’s many amenities. Several guest homes and staff quarters bring the bedroom total up to sixteen.

Three tennis courts, a T-shaped pool with expansive deck and fully equipped cabana, and a nine-hole golf course offer hours of athletic fun. For relaxation, the compound includes an epic 55,000-square-foot spa complex complete with multiple gyms and massage areas, saunas, a steam room, and an indoor tennis court with stadium seating.

The state-of-the-art, 4,000-square-foot outdoor stage has hosted such bands as Hall & Oates, The Doobie Brothers, KC and The Sunshine Band, and Eric Burdon & The Animals. A two-story arcade features pinball, slots, arcade games, and a three-lane bowling alley.

Two huge garages offer plenty of space for high-end toys while a full-sized auditorium offers another venue for concerts and shows. A truly spectacular indoor water park, modeled after the Bellagio in Las Vegas, with palm trees, water slides, and pools, completes the one-of-a-kind entertainment pavilion.

A sleepy town with less than 2,000 residents founded in 1750, Leverett, Massachusetts is best known for the Buddhist monument New England Peace Pagoda, historic churches, and a scenic chasm called Rattlesnake Gutter. It is close to the five-college area of Amherst, Hampshire, Smith, Mt. Holyoke, and the University of Massachusetts.

The listing is held by Johnny Hatem Jr. of The Sarkis Team at Douglas Elliman. For the Silo by Terry Walsh /TopTenRealEstateDeals.com

Fashion

Globetrotting CEO Develops Ready To Wear Line For Female Business Execs

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Introducing Lindsay Nicholas New York, an empowering female RTW line, created out of necessity for power women, by none other than a power woman.

Nicholas, the designer, found a gap in the market for stylish pieces that were instantly put together and effortless to wear. Female executives and powerhouses’ closets craved comfort, while their lifestyles demanded convenience. Their careers dictate professionalism, but personalities insisted on creativity. Lindsay developed a priceless solution that could fit any career, any season and any woman who wants to wear confidence while she takes on the world, simultaneously paying attention to detail, cut and quality of fabric.

While having a career in marketing, Lindsay Nicholas traveled extensively and craved clothing that would take her from work-to-play, day-to-night, between coasts and hemispheres, all while offering effortless-cool style. Lindsay knew she wasn’t alone in requiring modern basics that live outside of the seasons to suit this global lifestyle. It was this, coupled with an obsession for fashion, which inspired her to begin Lindsay Nicholas New York.

Nicholas states, “I needed clothes that would take me from summer to winter by simply changing out a strappy sandal for a knee boot and adding a jacket to a sleeveless shell. I might also have work meetings all day, but also a weekend where I needed to stay over for the next week of work. I wanted clothes that were simple and created a palette for me to create super stylish outfits. I wanted to be that woman I would see in the airport lounge that just had it all going on. Incredible style that could go from the boardroom to being comfortable enough to travel in.

I created Lindsay Nicholas New York to address the wardrobe needs of the creative professional who, like me, insists on defining her own dress code.

We want to reinvigorate the definition of modern dress. Our pieces are meant to be loved and not thrown away at the end of the season. These are pieces that stay in your wardrobe year after year, and while the way you style them may change, the pieces themselves are timeless.”

Interestingly enough, Lindsay is also an image consultant, and purposely built the collection to be flattering and solve problems. Nicholas also has a team of mostly women at the company. Two of the signature pieces are The Perfect Dress, which comes in two lengths, so you can wear it right away. The other signature piece is the M.I.N.Y. Pants ™ shorts (MINY stands for Made in New York). They come in a Boxer Fit and a Trouser Fit (including a Skinny MINY, which is great for women with svelte thighs).

More about Lindsay Nicholas:

Lindsay Nicholas

Lindsay holds certificate degrees from Parsons School of Design in Fashion Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology in Image Consulting. Every piece she designs incorporates her understanding of quality fabrics, fit and construction. Lindsay is a former board member of the Association of Image Consultants International and also was the Executive Director of Marketing for The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, one of the top luxury malls in the world. Lindsay’s appreciation for luxury craftsmanship is evident in her designs.

Her clothes aren’t fast-fashion; they are timeless pieces you’ll covet for years to come.

Now living between NYC and Melbourne, with regular stops in Singapore, Boston and Sydney, Lindsay still embodies the global lifestyle and her perspective certainly impacts not just logistics, but also her eye for design and ability to anticipate what women may be missing in their closets. She has a team of mostly women who are experts in their field and an all-female production team in NYC who bring her designs to life, with insightful input from a seasoned fit model.

Travel

Bieber’s Hawaii Vacation Hangout Going To Auction

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One of Hawaii’s most photographed and celebrity-popular homes with postcard views of a 240-foot natural waterfall, a sports stadium with seating for 450 people, a nine-tee golf course, an aquatic center, a two-story water slide, and some of Hawaii’s best ocean views is going to auction. Read more about this stunning slice of Hawaii. Shout out to our friends at TopTenRealestateDeals.com for this feature.

With a secluded location on the Big Island’s northeastern shore, Waterfalling Estate made gossip-mag headlines in 2016 when Canada’s own- Justin Bieber rented the home for two weeks at $10,000 USD / $12,875 CAD per night for his entourage, which included six skimpy-bikini-wearing models.

Located a few miles north of Hilo on eight acres overlooking where the jungle meets the ocean and the Hamakua coastline, the home has five bedrooms, ten bathrooms and two third-floor master suites with lanai. The main living area, including chef’s kitchen and dining has spectacular waterfall and ocean views. On the aquatic level are two guest suites, a game room, media area, two whirlpools, sauna, shower, outdoor kitchen and dining area. There is a one-bedroom guest house, four-car garage, helipad, plus an outdoor bar.

The Big Island offers a big number of activities and entertainment from stunning beaches such as Laupāhoehoe, Waikiki, and Waipi’o, hiking in the Hilo Forest Preserves or Akaka Falls State Park, zip lining over KoleKole Falls, Volcano National Park, whale watching, jungle jaunts, farmer’s markets, world-class fishing, and unforgettable sunsets.

Laupāhoehoe Beach

Even more adventure is just a 50-minute plane trip away to Honolulu for less than $100 USD/ $129 CAD.

Taking the plane from Honolulu to Waterfalling Estate.

Currently listed for $9.95 million USD / $12.82 million CAD, the property will be going to auction August 15th with a $5.99 million USD/ $7.6 million CAD reserve.

Fashion

Lingerie From Colombia Combats Industry Control

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Building a business is one of the hardest things to do, especially when one is trying to build a business bigger than Victoria’s Secret, who owns 50 percent of the lingerie industry.

But, Catalina Girald, founder of Naja Lingerie is setting out to do just that.

Going for Soul Not Sex - changing the lingerie industry one pair at a time : Inside Naja Lingerie by Catalina Girald
Going for Soul Not Sex – changing the lingerie industry one pair at a time : Inside Naja Lingerie by Catalina Girald

Headquartered in Medellin, Colombia, with offices in San Francisco and New York, Catalina found a niche in the already dominated lingerie industry. Having worn Victoria’s Secret for most of her life it was when she became a professional that she started to see that the highly popular brand overly sexualized women. As a business woman, Catalina no longer felt comfortable wearing such lingerie and decided to design her own. “My aim is beyond making high-quality bras and panties. I want to create a lifestyle brand. I see it as the Athleta of what happens in your bedroom and bath.”

Her mission to create an alternative lingerie brand for women has a long journey ahead, but Catalina remains focused.

Seeing beyond the needs of women and staying in tune with the digital force of today’s society, Ms. Girald’s small yet powerful brand, Naja Lingerie is changing the game in more ways than one. With quotes printed inside each of the panties, designed to empower women and the brand going completely e commerce, Naja lingerie is for women who want to be radically different. Never forgetting the core of her mission, the company’s Underwear for Hope program donates a percentage of purchases to the Golondrinas Foundation in Medellin, where Girald was born. The foundation teaches impoverished women, skills such as sewing which allows them to support their families. They sew the wash-bags that come with each Naja purchase.

Each collection is inspired by the founder’s travels around the world.

From living with nomads in Mongolia to learning about the weaving process in Indonesia and living among the Hmong people in Vietnam, Catalina’s 18 month spiritual journey throughout Asia brought ideas and life to Naja lingerie. It wasn’t always that way for Catalina who was once at the top of her career as an attorney over at Skadden Arps, one of the most prestigious law firms in the country. Looking to create something greater, Catalina Girald started attending the acclaimed New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology–literally sneaking off to classes in between meetings at Skadden.  Ultimately, she left Skadden to pursue her MBA at Stanford University where the Colombian born entrepreneur founded one of the first venture-funded fashion sites (MOXSIE) for independent designers which was later acquired.

Catalina Lingerie

Introducing Naja, the inventive online lingerie brand that speaks volumes

Naja, a digitally driven, forward-thinking innovator in the lingerie industry, has officially launched to rave reviews. Naja, billed as the “radically different, thoughtful lingerie brand for smart, courageous and sexy women”, was pioneered by Colombian-born CEO, Catalina Girald. No stranger to the fashion and technology industries, Catalina founded MOXSIE, one of the first venture-funded fashion sites for independent designers which was later sold to Fab.com. Naja is a breath of fresh air in an industry that hasn’t changed appreciably in decades. When asked about the direction of the new firm, Founder Catalina Girald answered, “We celebrate strong women. We’ve done away with fans blowing fake wind into our models’ hair, and old, dated lingerie designs. Our fresh designs, pricing and mission to empower women are challenging the industry, and we’re building the first billion-dollar online lingerie brand for the next generation woman.”

Today, women looking for fashionable bras under $80USD [$103CAD]  have limited choices, including Victoria’s Secret.

However, a growing number of shoppers have expressed dissatisfaction with the mass retailer, citing a lack of innovative designs, low construction quality, and environmental impact amongst their concerns. Naja changes all of that.   The company offers exclusive designs paired with the highest quality of fabrics, placing significant focus on structural changes and better product design. Features reserved almost exclusively for luxury lingerie, such as breathable memory foam cups and ultrasonic sealed straps, are now being brought to consumers at fair prices.

Naja uses Peruvian sourced Pima cotton for the softest feel and intelligent fabrics with odor and sweat wicking properties for real women with performance needs, all while remaining health and eco-conscious by using no phthalate materials and water based dyes.

The capsule collection, inspired by Tattoos and Japanese Shunga, consists of a basic line and three groups including “The Secret Lives of Sparrows”, “One Night in Cashmere”, and “Miyoko Loves a Dragon”. The collection is characterized by innovative and surprising prints on the interior of all the bra cups, so that every woman can carry her own little secret. All of the fabrics are exclusively designed for Naja by a local San Francisco Tattoo artist and are individually hand printed making each piece slightly unique. In keeping with Catalina’s vision of making great design accessible, the collection is fairly priced with bras ranging from $45USD to $70USD [$56CAD to $90CAD] and panties ranging from $12USD to $22USD [$15CAD to $28CAD].

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Naja is the company’s dedication to changing women’s lives.

Through Naja’s Underwear for Hope program, the company donates a percentage of profits to training women in the poorest and most violent areas of the world to sew. Naja then employs them so that they can help themselves and their children. With each purchase of Naja, consumers can feel good knowing that they are contributing to changing a woman’s life.   To learn more about the company’s lingerie, social mission or what sets Naja apart from others in the industry, visit http://www.Naja.co .

Sci-Tech

Battery Show Europe Showcasing Latest Batteries, Exotic Racers And Cars

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Grove, Oxfordshire, England. June/July 2022 Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) showcases industry-leading high performance battery technology at The Battery Show Europe 

  • Innovative Adaptive Multi-Chem technology on display at Stuttgart show alongside first real-world application: Triumph Motorcycles’ TE-1 electric motorbike prototype
     
  • Adaptive Multi-Chem combines power and energy in one advanced battery system and can be tailored for individual customer requirements 
     
  • Technology delivers step-change in performance, efficiency, range and charging time when applied to the TE-1 prototype demonstrator
     
  • Deus Vayanne EV hypercar, a collaboration between Deus Automobiles, Italdesign and WAE also on display at the event
     
  • The Battery Show Europe, Stuttgart, Germany will be held from 28-30 June 2022, with WAE located in Hall 8 on stand F50.
     
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Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) will showcase its industry-leading high performance battery technology at The Battery Show Europe from 28-30 June, in Stuttgart. 

Visitors to the WAE stand in Hall 8, stand F50, will have the opportunity to examine an example of the company’s innovative Adaptive Multi-Chem advanced battery pack, together with the Triumph Motorcycles TE-1 prototype demonstrator.

Combining power and energy in one advanced battery system, Adaptive Multi-Chem sets new standards for performance and efficiency, with the advantage of being totally customizable for individual customer requirements.

Triumph’s first zero emission prototype demonstrator motorcycle – the battery pack for which delivers a peak power of 130kW and continuous power of 90kW, with a capacity of 15kWh – will also be on display. With the optimum balance of power and energy, TE-1’s battery gives the rider access to greater electric power for longer, regardless of battery charge, and matches exhilarating acceleration with exceptional range. The 360-volt system also enables a fast-charging time of under 20mins (0-80%).  

WAE developed the technology to support the TE-1 prototype demonstrator, a unique collaboration between Triumph Motorcycles, Integral Powertrain Ltd, and WMG at the University of Warwick funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles through Innovate UK. 

In addition, the stunning 2200 horsepower Deus Vayanne electric hypercar, brought to life by WAE’s collaboration with Deus Automobiles and Italdesign, is on display on the Deus Automobiles stand Hall 8, Stand D-30.

This customer project demonstrates WAE’s sector-leading partnership with ItalDesign, which sees WAE provide a highly sophisticated composite EV platform and powertrain, with ItalDesign contributing the body design, safety systems and electric architecture.

The partnership provides a unique offering for established car companies and start-ups who want a luxury, high-performance EV, without having to spend many years – and billions of dollars – developing a proprietary EV skateboard and associated technology. 

Taking place from 28 – 30 June 2022 in Stuttgart, Germany, The Battery Show Europe is Europe’s largest battery technology showcase and conference. With more than 480 suppliers in attendance, The Battery Show Europe provides an ideal opportunity for WAE to showcase its motorsport-derived, zero-emission mobility solutions. 

On day one of the conference, Tim Engstrom, WAE Manager – Advanced Battery Technologies, will also deliver the keynote presentation, ‘Examining the Role of Motorsport as a Platform to Accelerate Battery Technology, And Why It Matters’.

Dyrr Ardash, Head of Strategic Partnerships, WAE said: “The Battery Show Europe is an ideal event for WAE to showcase its high-performance battery and EV platform technology. As the world electrifies, motorsport developments act as a springboard to bring world-class technical innovation for a decarbonised and sustainable future. WAE’s role in electric motorsport has significantly accelerated the development of the lightweight battery and e-powertrain technology we can offer our customers today. We continue to learn valuable lessons from our motorsport involvement that will deliver further transformative benefits to the users of EVs in terms of power, performance, efficiency, and sustainability.” 

For the Silo, by Ben Lewis.

Travel

Top 10 European Ski Destinations

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Fancy staying on a home exchange this wintry Spring and stretching your skiing budget?

Here are the top 10 European ski destinations chosen by HomeExchange Members. Stay near or in a resort, borrow ski accessories for kids and save on accommodation costs. There’s really something for everyone, from Jacuzzis to sledges and beautiful views to hundreds of mountain chalets and apartments.

Val d’Isere, France

val-disere-franceThere’s a reason why Val d’Isere, at 1,850 meters, continues to be the top choice of European skiers each winter. It offers the perfect blend of challenging ski terrain for advanced skiers and learner-friendly beginners zones for those new to the snow. The resort center is lined with high-end shops, lively après-ski bars and fantastic restaurants, all housed within beautiful, stone-clad buildings.

Chamonix Les Houches, France

chamonix-les-houches-franceThe diversity on offer in Chamonix these days makes it impossible to review the whole resort as one destination. At 950 meters, Les Houches is one of the closest resorts to Geneva Airport and offers kilometer after kilometer of tree-lined skiing, making it the perfect destination for families and beginners. The resort center has a village feel and is an outstanding spot from which to take in the incredible views.

Cosy chalet near Mont Blanc, Les Houches – 10 minutes from Chamonix

Klosters, Switzerland

klosters-switzerlandWhile the ski area between Klosters (at 1,179 meters) and Davos offers lots to explore, Klosters is without doubt the more attractive base for your ski holiday. The village center is charming and affluent, but with a relaxed vibe, while the trails are popular with advanced skiers enjoying an abundance of easily accessible off-piste in the area.

Cosy chalet just 10 minutes from the ski lifts at Klosters

Les Gets, France

les-gets-franceA resort that’s been quietly minding its own business for years, Les Gets, at 1,200 meters, is now developing into a chic, family-orientated resort that offers quick and easy access to the 650-kilometer Portes du Soleil ski area. Several piste-side restaurants offer views of Mont Blanc so it’s easy to find a sunny spot on which to enjoy an après tipple or two.

Luxury mountain ski chalet – Exceptional view

Crans-Montana, Switzerland

crans-montana-swizterlandThere’s one thing that makes these two interconnected resorts stand out, and it may not be for everyone. Crans, at 1,500 meters, and its neighbour Montana are not villages; although right on the edge of a great ski area, they’re most definitely towns with a very urban feel. This is a very sunny spot in which to base yourself and there’s varied terrain to suit all ability levels.

Farm with beautiful views 10 minutes from Crans Montana

La Rosière, France

la-rosiere-franceWe love La Rosière, at 1,850 meters, not just because of its high elevation and snow certainty. The ski area offers two great experiences for the price of one when you cross over the Petit St Bernard pass into Italy. Wide pistes descend for kilometers into La Thuile over the border and getting back is no hassle at all. The main village is quiet but well stocked, and the views are exceptional.

Madonna di Campiglio, Italy

madonna-di-campiglio-italyItalian ski resorts are always authentic, traditional and charming, and Campiglio, at 1,550 meters, is no different. The car-free resort huddles on the valley floor and the center is stylish with several chic shops. The ski area spreads over 150 kilometers, and there have been several lift upgrades over recent years, making it quick and easy for you to cover a considerable distance on skis each day.

Luxurious apartment 5 minutes from ski lifts with fantastic view over the Dolomites

Courchevel Moriond 1650, France

courchevel-moriond-1650-franceRebranded back in 2011 to recognise the differences between its more blingy neighbour higher up the valley, Courchevel 1650 is now an attractive, unpretentious resort with a stack of new facilities, including Aquamotion, a huge center for water sports that opened in December 2015. And let’s not forget: On your doorstep you’ll find the largest linked ski area in the world. The 600 kilometers of the 3 Valleys network never disappoint.

Selva, Val Gardena, Italy

selva-val-gardena-italySeasoned skiers, this one’s for you. At 1,563 meters, Selva serves up challenging ski terrain on both sides of a valley, accessed by both gondolas and quick chair lifts. The village center is packed with charm and character and there’s also a collection of well-maintained beginner slopes and progressive tree-lined runs enjoyed by families.

Geilo, Norway

geilo-norwayNo list of top 10 ski resorts is complete without mentioning Norway and the town of Geilo, at 800 meters. It is one of the country’s most popular resorts. It’s a small, well-equipped town that’s currently investing heavily in new runs, new lifts and new facilities. Between January and April you can also ski until 8pm on flood-lit slopes. Photo Credit: Geilo, Norway

For the Silo and HomeExchange, Alexandra Origet du Cluzeau.

About HomeExchange

Founded by Ed Kushins, a pioneer of the “collaborative consumption” movement, HomeExchange has facilitated over one million home swaps since 1992. It was featured in 2006 in the cult movie “The Holiday” starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet and Jude Law. In 2015, 65,000 HomeExchange members made 130,000 home swaps across 150 countries. The revolutionary Passport™ program now makes home swapping even easier. Members earn a ‘balloon’ by hosting another Member and redeem their ‘balloon’ for a one-way stay anywhere in the world. HomeExchange makes it easy to plan and enjoy a home exchange vacation and offers a memorable, authentic experience while giving travel real meaning. It was voted “Best Site for Booking Your Stay 2016” by readers of USA TODAY and 10Best.

Culture

Silicon Valley Mansion May Set New Sales Record

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California’s San Francisco Bay area is the United States’ most expensive real estate market, with a median home-sale price of USD$1.3 million (CAD$1.7 million). Toronto and the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is Canada’s most expensive real estate market, with a median home-sale price of CAD$1.3 million (USD just under $1 million).

Unlike its southern neighbor Los Angeles, the pricey San Francisco mansions belong not to movie and TV stars but to the movers and shakers of the technology industry. The Bay Area boasts the country’s highest concentration of tech companies and tech jobs, earning the region the nickname “Silicon Valley” after the material used to make computer chips.

A home in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood sold for USD$43.5 million (CAD$55.8 million) in 2021, which is the current record for the area’s biggest sticker price, but a new listing in the ultra-exclusive town of Woodside aims to shatter that record. Styled like an Italian villa, the spectacular compound has been listed for USD$110 million (CAD$141 million).

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65 foot pool.

Sitting on over three acres of some of the most sought-after real estate in the world, the grounds feature a 65-foot pool with spa, an entertainment zone with an outdoor kitchen and fire pit, landscaped gardens that include fountains, a vineyard with more than forty olive trees and a rose garden with over one hundred roses as well as a private hiking trail. Nestled behind high-tech gates, the compound offers a 14,000-square-foot main home as well as a separate executive office and conference center, a fitness center/massage/hair salon building, and a two-bedroom guesthouse. 

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Golf simulator? Check.

Retractable glass walls, French oak floors, and hand plastering on every surface complement rare Italian marbles inside the luxurious mansion. Crystal chandeliers and marble fireplaces feature throughout. The enormous main kitchen features two waterfall-wrapped islands, marble counters, top-of-the-line Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, and custom-built-steel-and-glass cabinetry, while a separate chef’s kitchen offers extensive storage space plus a BlueStar range with two ovens. 

890 Mountain Home Rd-307-HDR-Edit LR
Master suite.

The primary suite is a work of art featuring a barrel-vaulted foyer with leather-front and glass-display cabinets that conceal a refrigerator and Miele laundry and a cathedral-beamed ceiling with chandelier. The sectionalized wardrobe room is couture-worthy. A two-sided Davinci fireplace is shared with the bathroom, which also has heated limestone floors and a marble bath for two. Each additional bedroom includes a customized walk-in closet, outside entrance, and en-suite marble bath.

890 Mountain Home Rd-683-HDR-Edit LR

Designed for the high-tech lifestyle, the home is controlled by state-of-the-art automated systems that take care of every need for comfort, convenience, and security from behind the scenes. The home’s fantastic amenities include an Atmos Dolby screening room, a golf simulator, indoor-and-outdoor lounges, and an epic wine salon for 6,000 bottles. 

890 Mountain Home Rd-354-HDR-Edit LR

Woodside is a small town with only 5,000 residents and a median home price above USD$5 million (CAD$6.4 million). Most residents are tech investors and innovators. Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle Corporation and the world’s tenth-richest man, lives down the street from the villa in a 23-acre, Japanese-themed estate. 

Known as an equestrian community, Woodside retains a rural residential character despite being only a short commute to Silicon Valley and Stanford University.

The town is ringed with nature preserves, including the Purisima Open Space and Skaggs Point. Options for entertainment include the Michelin-starred Village Pub and Bucks of Woodside, a famed hotspot for Silicon Valley’s most powerful, where many important venture capital deals have been signed.  The real estate listing is held by Scott Danser of Compass.  For the Silo, Genelle Brown/Top Ten Real Estate Deals dot com.

Photos : Paul Rollins

Transportation

Tesla Is Fastest Growing Auto Brand Over Course Of Pandemic

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Tesla has been the fastest growing automobile brand over the course of the pandemic with astounding brand value growth of 271% in the last two years, according to the latest report by leading brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance. Tesla’s impressive growth continued this year with its brand value up by 44% to US$46.0 billion ( CAD$58.55 billion) which saw it move from 6th to 3rd in the Brand Finance Automobile 100 2022 ranking.

Tesla was the only brand in the Top 10 of the ranking to see significant growth this year.

Every year, Brand Finance puts 5,000 of the biggest brands to the test, and publishes nearly 100 reports, ranking brands across all sectors and countries. The report ranks the world’s top 100 most valuable and strongest automobile brands, the top 20 auto component brands, the top 15 tire brands and the top 10 car rental service brands.

Musk at Tesla event in China.

Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, has played a huge part in the growth of the brand with his charismatic, and at times controversial, behaviour keeping it firmly in the limelight. Tesla’s transformation into a household name has seen other brands try to connect themselves to the brand to benefit from the Tesla effect.

2021 saw Tesla increase its footprint in China, to ensure it continues to compete in the booming Chinese market.

It opened a new research and development centre, its first outside of America, in addition to a data centre at its Gigafactory in Shanghai. The brand also built a second delivery centre in the city, which incorporates sales, test driving and delivery of Tesla vehicles. Looking to this year 2022, Tesla announced it would launch no new models this year due to the global chip shortage, as doing so would reduce its overall output. Instead, the brand will focus on its full self-driving software as well as scaling up its production capabilities.

Electric revolution sees Chinese brands surge

Chinese brands account for eight of the top 10 fastest-growing brands in the ranking . The increasing popularity and adoption of electric vehicles in China has been a key driver behind the impressive growth for these brands, with China accounting for most electric vehicles sold globally. Several Chinese brands are looking to capitalise on the momentum by expanding their global footprints, with several of these brands launching in Europe in 2021.

While Tesla has seen the fastest growth over the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Great Wall is the fastest-growing brand in the ranking this year, with its brand value increasing by an impressive 109% to US$2.6 billion (CAD$3.3 billion). As well as launching in Europe last year, Great Wall announced it will be launching nine electric vehicle models in Thailand over the next three years, where demand is expected to grow considerably. Great Wall plans to use Thailand as a base to launch its expansion into the ASEAN region. The auto marque’s CEO, Jianjun Wei, was also the top ranked automobile CEO in the Brand index, which ranks the world’s top 250 Chief Executives according to how well they manage and grow their company’s brand, and placed 3rd overall across all industries.

Everything you need to know about the BYD EA1 (BYD Dolphin)
The BYD EA1 Dolphin.

BYD was the second fastest-growing brand in the automotive ranking with its brand value doubling to US$6.4 billion (CAD$8.15 billion), an increase which saw it overtake Haval (brand value up 55% to US$6.1 billion or CAD$7.76 billion) to become China’s most valuable car brand. BYD, which specialises in electric vehicles, saw sales accelerating 232% in 2021 with 603,783 models sold – making it the best-selling new energy vehicle manufacturer in China for the ninth year.

Joining Great Wall and BYD in the Top 10 fastest-growing brands is Song (brand value up 90% to US$1.7 billion or CAD$2.16 billion), Qin (up 89% to US$475 million or CAD$604 million), Tang (up 88% to US$630 million or CAD$802 million), NIO (up 79% to US$2.6 billion or CAD$3.3 billion), Dongfeng (up 67% to US$1.4 billion or CAN$1.78 billion), and WEY (up 56% to US$613 million or CAN$780 million).

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Toyota holds on to pole position as most valuable automobile brand

Although Chinese auto brands have seen impressive growth, Japan’s Toyota has held on to the top spot in the Brand ranking with a brand value of US$64.3 billion (CAN$81.9 billion).

Whilst the Japanese brand wasn’t immune to the global chip shortage that ravaged the industry, Toyota was better placed than most to weather the storm thanks to its contingency stockpiling.

The foresight allowed the brand to keep production levels high when others faltered and resulted in Toyota outselling General Motors in North America in Q1 2021 – the first time any brand has outsold General Motors in the region since 1998. Toyota remains the world’s top-selling automaker, the only manufacturer selling over 10 million vehicles globally.

Toyota was one of the early adopters of hybrid technology, with its Prius model dominating the hybrid segment for years, but it has fallen behind in the increasingly competitive electric vehicle arena in recent years. To regain ground, last year it announced it would be investing US$35 billion (CAD$44.6 billion) in electric vehicles, focusing on both battery technology and car development. The investment forms part of Toyota’s ambition to sell 3.5 million electric vehicles a year by 2030.

Fellow Japanese brands Honda (brand value US$28.2 billion or CAD$35.9 billion)and Nissan (US$14.6 billion or CAD$18.6 billion) join Toyota in the Top 10 of the ranking, though both brands saw a 10% decrease in brand value this year. Honda held onto its position in 7th, and despite the loss in brand value Nissan actually climbed two spots from 11th to 9th, as it fared better than Sweden’s Volvo (down 20% to US$14.2 billion or CAD$18 billion) and Germany’s Audi (down 20% to US$13.8 billion or CAD$17.6 billion).

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Mercedes-Benz remains most valuable European brand

Sitting behind Toyota, Mercedes-Benz remains the second most valuable brand in the ranking, and the most valuable European brand, with a 4% increase in brand value year-on-year to US$60.7 billion (CAD$77.3 billion). Amid challenging market conditions due to the pandemic and an industrywide semiconductor shortage, the brand prioritized electromobility and has seen great results from it. The German automobile giant confirmed that their electric vehicles sales saw a 90% increase this year.

In 2021, Mercedes-Benz launched the sixth generation of the C-class series with a new interior design and is planning to implement autonomous driving features. At the same time, an industry-wide trend to make a transition to electric vehicles and a sustainable approach to production and distribution is on the rise.

2022 Mercedes C-Class Debuts With S-Class Design Inspiration And Tech
2022 Mercedes C class.

A key development to strengthen the Mercedes-Benz brand is the rebrand of Daimler AG to Mercedes-Benz Group AG. The focus of the rebrand is to enhance passenger cars and vans in the luxury segment. The strategic move to rebrand was to fulfil the brand’s objective to focus on financial and mobility services by offering insurance and rental subscriptions and digital fleet management systems.

Other German brands did not fare so well in the ranking this year, with Volkswagen (brand value down 13% to US$41.0 billion or CAD$52 billion), BMW (brand value down 6% to US$37.9 billion or CAD$48.2 billion), and Audi (brand value down 20% to US$13.8 billion or CAD$17.6 billion) all seeing losses in brand value. With lockdowns, network contractions in production and the ongoing semiconductor shortage, the industry has been faced with many challenges. Apart from sector wide disruptions, the German automakers who were reliant on diesel-powered vehicles have had to deal with regulatory challenges and the transition to electric mobility and electric production methods, resulting in rolling back on production to meet industry trends.

Porsche most valuable among luxury and premium, but Ferrari strongest across the whole table

Porsche is the most valuable luxury and premium automobile brand in the world with a brand value of US$33.7 billion (CAD$42.9 billion). The automobile giant celebrated the 50th anniversary of the iconic Porsche Design with a limited-edition sale of 750 cars to pay tribute to the iconic design by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche.

The brand’s aim to transform into an agile company has led to leveraging digital transformation by enhancing online sales. To adapt to new formats of sale in the automobile sector, Porsche has invested in e-commerce for 100 markets globally to adopt an omnichannel strategy to connect digital services and retail sales.

While Porsche is the most valuable brand in the luxury and premium segment, Ferrari was named the strongest automobile brand in the world with a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 90.9 out of 100 and a corresponding AAA+ rating. Apart from calculating brand value, Brand Finance also determines the relative strength of brands through a balanced scorecard of metrics evaluating marketing investment, stakeholder equity, and business performance. Certified by ISO 20671, Brand Finance’s assessment of stakeholder equity incorporates original market research data from over 100,000 respondents in more than 35 countries and across nearly 30 sectors. 

2021 was Ferrari’s best-ever year in terms of sales, with the company paying bonuses to all employees as a result, and the projected growth for 2022 remains high. The automotive brand’s historic pursuit of controlled growth has helped to preserve its exclusivity within its sector, however, last year Ferrari expanded its target market to a younger demographic by launching a new high-end fashion line. The aim of creating a brand that can cater to Italian luxury lifestyle in the high-end category will help expand and strengthen its brand portfolio into new avenues, whilst enhancing brand awareness amongst the younger generation.

Denso most valuable auto components brand

Car sales picked up following the loosening of lockdown restrictions, and auto component brands saw demand rise in turn. It has been far from clear sailing for the industry with the global chip shortage disrupting production, but the overall outlook is positive, evidenced by the vast majority of brands seeing good growth.

Denso has retained the title of most valuable auto components brand in the world for the 5th consecutive year, with brand value up 12% to US$4.2 billion (CAD$5.4 billion). The brand continued to play its part in combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, creating respirator components in collaboration with Ford, as well as hosting over 50 vaccination clinics for employees across North America. Looking forward, the ever-increasing adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles is good news for Denso, which has over two decades worth of experience in the manufacturing of hybrid car parts.

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Michelin most valuable and strongest tyres brand

As the world opened back up and travel increased throughout 2021 the tyre sector regained traction, with almost every brand in the ranking now more valuable than they were pre-pandemic.

Michelin has retained the title of the world’s most valuable and strongest tires brand, with a brand value of US$7.7 billion (CAD$9.8 billion) and a brand strength index score of 85.8 out of 100.

Despite continued disruption within the industry, Michelin saw a 15.6% year-on-year increase in consolidated sales in the first nine months of 2021 and exceeded expectations in the third quarter of the year thanks to a rebound in demand for tires for agricultural machinery. The brand also announced an extension of its partnership with the MotoGP World Championship, remaining the exclusive tire supplier for the competition until 2026.

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SIXT is fastest-growing car rental services brand

The car rental brands have gained momentum in 2021 after a steep decline in brand value at the start of the pandemic. As the demand for vehicle hires increases, brands in this industry are presented with the opportunity to innovate and capture a high market share.

SIXT is the world’s fastest-growing car rental brand of 2022 with a 115% increase in brand value over the year to US$1.3 billion (CAN$1.7 billion), according to the Brand Finance ranking.  This year’s increase is the continuation of an impressive growth trend for SIXT, which has seen its brand value increase 265% over the past five years. The brand has built a strong international growth strategy, expanding rapidly in the United States and entering new markets, such as Australia.

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Enterprise has retained the position of the world’s most valuable car rental brand with a brand value of US$7.1 billion (CAN$9 billion) with a 6% increase in brand value over the year. Despite COVID-induced travel restrictions, the brand has performed well by launching new mobility hubs and undertaking fleet electrification, but it remains below its pre-pandemic brand value of US$7.4 billion (CAD$9.4 billion). For the Silo, James Haggis.

Featured image: Great Wall Ora Concept Electric Car Made In China

Culture

NORTH AMERICAS MOST EXPENSIVE HOME FOR SALE

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Once projected to list for $500 million USD, this LA home is for sale at a still staggering $295 million USD.

“America’s Most Expensive Home – Twice As Big as the White House”

One of the world’s most expensive homes, appropriately named “The One,” has just hit the market. Construction ran several years late causing financial issues for the developer. If The One sells anywhere near the $295 million USD ask, it would be the most expensive home ever sold in California, well over the $177 million USD that venture-capitalist Marc Andreessen paid for his Malibu mansion in 2021 and the $165 million USD that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos paid in 2020 for his Beverly Hills estate.

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Perched on a promontory with 360-degree panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, downtown Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Mountains, the Bel Air mansion is surrounded on three sides by a moat and measures in at a mind-boggling 105,000 square feet – almost twice as big as the White House. Located on 3.8 acres, the house, which was actually raised during construction to further optimize the views, includes 21 bedrooms and 49 baths.

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Highlights of The One include five outdoor and indoor swimming pools with the moat encircling three quarters of the exterior, a massive nightclub, full-service beauty salon, wellness spa, 10,000-square-foot sky deck, 400-foot private outdoor running track with a glass-walled view of the city, and a private theater with seating for over 40.

In addition to ownership of one of the world’s most spectacular homes, the property also includes butterfly artwork by Stephen Wilson, an Oto Murano chandelier by Vistosi, a rotating statue by Mike Fields, and a glass sculpture by Italian artist Simone Cenedese. There is also a two-story library/office with a balcony and water features touching three windowed walls, and parquet flooring. Add in a custom bar with a smoked-mirror backsplash and marble countertops, a cigar lounge,  four-lane bowling alley, putting green, wellness center, gym, a 64-foot (19.5 Meter) indoor pool with juice bar, tennis court, 10,000-bottle wine cellar, and a 30-plus car garage with two car-display turntables.

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Entertaining in such unique luxury might draw some interesting Bel Air neighbors such as Jennifer Lawrence, who moved there last year, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Liam Hemsworth, Miley Cyrus and Kylie Jenner to name just a few.

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The property is listed by Aaron Kirman of Compass, Beverly Hills and Branden and Rayni Williams of The Beverly Hills Estates, Beverly Hills, and will go to Concierge Auctions, which if not sold prior, will be held online on February 28th. For The Silo, Terry Walsh/Top Ten Real Estate Deals.com.

Fashion

French-born DELPHINE LEYMARIE designs luxe & modern eponymous fine jewelry line in NYC

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Drawing inspiration from the blissful beaches of her childhood in the South of France & the invigorating energy of the modern urban architecture surrounding her for the last two decades, she creates jewels that are timeless, romantic yet edgy, and playfully convertible.

Confetti Lune bracelet- 14 K gold, hand made and exquisite.

Delphine’s collection is centered around the many uses of her Boheme Clickers, her versatile modular charm holders that can be used in many combinations, making her jewels as unique as the wearer. She favors empowering and protective symbols paired with carefully and responsibly selected gems to create uplifting & colorful jewelry. She dreams up her pieces as powerful talismans and modern heirlooms to be cherished for generations.

Confetti Lune bleu chain and sequin.

Delphine uses recycled fine metals whenever possible, primarily 14 & 18k gold, working to source her gems ethically and satisfy a craving for a kind of luxury that is respectful of the magnificent resources of our planet. She believes that mindful and edgy luxury is possible and aims to create sparkly sculptures that can adorn your body and help elevate your soul.

An avid and classically trained dancer, she also has a natural affinity with numbers that first led her to Business School.

Confetti Lune Sequin dangle cut-out showcasing elemental design and stunningly executed.

She originally moved to NYC to pursue an MBA in Corporate finance, a field where she had a successful career for more than a decade. In search of a new creative outlet, she fell in love with jewelry making after taking classes at the 92nd street Y in Manhattan. She first trained in metalsmithing, enameling, and chain making, but really found her medium once she started learning wax carving, as it better suited her love of volumes and sculptural shapes. She has not stopped hand-sculpting jewelry since, and happily left behind the drab world of corporate finance for the sparkly one of jewelry when she started her fine jewelry line in the summer of 2011.

Delphine Laymarie.

This year marks the 10 year anniversary of Delphine Leymarie Fine Jewelry and a Fairmined gold capsule collection is in the works to mark the milestone and reaffirm Delphine’s commitment to responsible jewelry crafting. For the Silo, Olga Gonzalez.

Featured image: Confetti Lune Bracelet Onyx Inlay 14K Gold.

Finance

Why Everyone Should Strive To Pay Off Their Mortgage Quicker

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Lots of people struggle to get a mortgage in the first place. It’s especially hard now because homes are so expensive. You start to think you’ll be paying off your mortgage for the rest of your life. 

Luckily, your finances will probably improve considerably over time. When they go up you should look into paying your mortgage early. Let’s look at some of the top reasons why it’s something you should aim for in the future. 

Extra Money To Enjoy Yourself 

Get It on Credit - Wikipedia

If people need to take out bad credit loans in Toronto, ON, they won’t have lots of disposable income. When you don’t have great credit you can’t enjoy yourself, but that’s not the case when you’re older. 

When you have more disposable income after paying off a mortgage, you’ll have much more money to spend on luxuries. If you need to keep paying a huge chunk of your income towards a mortgage your life won’t be as fun. 

Saving Lots Of Money In Interest 

Once you walk into Clover Mortgage Brokers in Toronto & GTA, they’ll let you know how much you can spend on a home. But it’s going to be a lot more over the lifetime of the mortgage due to interest payments. 

When you pay interest on a loan, it makes up a big chunk of your monthly payments in the beginning. The amount of interest you pay drops over time, but if you pay off the mortgage early you’ll no longer have to pay it.

 

Why Choose a Mortgage Broker in Canada? | Hatch Mortgages

It Eats Into Any Debts You Have 

Over the course of a lifetime, couples can generate a huge amount of debt. College tuition, car payments, and credit cards can sometimes be quite high. These debts won’t disappear once you pay your mortgage. 

Fortunately, once your mortgage is gone you’ll be able to focus 100% of your efforts on your other debts. It will take you one step closer to becoming debt-free, so you’ll have one less thing to worry about. 

A Mortgage Is A Secured Loan 

When you take out a mortgage it’s classified as a secure loan, which means when you don’t pay the loan they’ll be able to take your home away. In a perfect world, you’ll have as few secured loans as possible. 

You could pay a credit card instead of a mortgage, but it would mean they could take your home. Even though you won’t miss your credit card payments, they couldn’t take your home even if you did completely ignore them because a credit card isn’t classified as a secure loan. 

It’s Easier To Enjoy Retirement 

Nobody should have to pay debts when they’re retired. Sadly, so many people are struggling now, so it’s much more common than you think. It will eventually start to hurt your mental and physical health. 

How can you enjoy retirement if you’re always worrying? Maybe you’ll even have to stay on at work because you can’t afford to retire. Pay off your mortgage to ensure you don’t have any stress when you retire. 

Debt Isn't About Right Or Wrong - It's About Freedom

Don’t Leave It Too Late 

Nobody is saying you should try to pay off your mortgage as soon as possible, but it’s something you’ve got to start considering as the years go by. 

Transportation

Porsche Tower Condos Allows Owners To Take Cars Up In Elevator

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 New York City is home to over 70 of the world’s billionaires, but when they want to get away to decompress, many shed their suit and tie for a guayabera, white slacks and boat shoes and head to South Florida for the white sand beaches, fine dining, yachting and golfing. Some have been heading to Sunny Isles, Florida where, according to the developer, over 20 billionaires have purchased a home at Porsche Design Tower.

What a space! What a view!
What a space! What a view!

New owners at the Porsche building were the first in North America to be able to take their cars up an elevator to their personal sky garage, including the $USD 32.5 million penthouse. Three patented Dezervators, a glass drive-in elevator rising at 600-feet per minute, will enable residents to keep an eye on their Ferraris, Porsches and Rolls Royces while sitting in their living rooms reading the Wall Street Journal and checking out the Atlantic Ocean views.

The 60th-floor Porsche penthouse comes with a huge living and dining area, state-of-the-art kitchen, family room and four ensuite bedrooms with a total of seven baths, floor-to-ceiling glass walls, 20-foot ceilings and a private people elevator. The outdoor living areas are equally impressive with a private terrace pool and roof pool, two balconies and two summer kitchens. It has two sky garages and a separate 3,000-square-foot car gallery. The gallery can be customized by the owner for fewer cars to substitute a game room or extra living space.

Porsche Tower Interior1Building amenities include a three-story lobby with glass car elevator observatory, movie theater, game room, oceanside restaurant with indoor/outdoor dining, private wine lockers, oceanside bar and lounge with fireplace and large-screen TVs, oceanfront pool with food and beverage service, Intracoastal Waterway sunset deck, virtual golf simulator, virtual car-race game, ballroom with bar and catering kitchen, oceanfront gym and yoga room, spa, sauna, steam rooms, hair salon and a car concierge available to give the luxury cars a wash and maintenance.

Porsche Tower Interior2Having broken ground in 2014, the tower is now sold out.

The penthouse is priced at $32.5 million; other units when remaining were listed for sale starting at $6.2 million. Porsche is located in Sunny Isles – a ritzy part of the Atlantic Ocean stretch of Miami Beach to Fort Lauderdale condos. The developer is Dezer Development in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.

In Other Real Estate News- “San Francisco Clock Tower Penthouse”.  Few can say that they start off their dinner parties with cocktails inside a century old clock. That is to say, no one except the new owners of this historic three-level landmark loft apartment gleaned from the clock tower of a factory in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood that was converted into live-work spaces in 1992 by architect David Baker.

The historic clock tower was constructed in 1907 and the large building complex that supported it became the West Coast’s largest printing company by 1921. The owner of the business, Max Schmidt, decided to construct a penthouse level in the clock tower where natural light poured in from all four sides of the clock faces so that his lithographers would find it easier to work. In 1930, the plan for the new Bay Bridge was solidified, which would require tearing down a portion of the printing buildings, including the clock tower. Schmidt would have none of that and used his clout, threatening to move his business to the other side of the bay. The city, unwilling to lose one of their largest businesses, gave in and agreed to take the highway around Schmidt’s complex and the tower was saved. In 1992, the old factory was repurposed into 127 contemporary live/work lofts and offices. Commuters have come to depend on the clock as they travel to and from work each day.

Now for the first time in almost a quarter of a century, the penthouse is for sale. The sleek contemporary condo with spectacular city views measures in at a spacious 3,000 square feet of living space, including a room inside the clock itself and has large wrap-around terraces providing outdoor space for lounging and entertaining. The two-bedroom, two-bath residence has been designed to optimize the loft’s spaciousness with an expansive living-dining room divided by a double-sided glass fireplace with French doors opening to the terrace. Original brick walls, hardwood and polished concrete floors and built-in bookcases following the lines of the beams are highlights of the structure. Included are a gourmet kitchen with top-end appliances and space for a table, office, game room, library, large master suite and the clock room.

San Francisco’s historic registered Landmark Clock Tower four-story penthouse loft apartment with conversation piece furnished room inside the clock is listed at $8.5 million.

Visit TopTenRealEstateDeals.com for more celebrity homes and real estate news. For the Silo, Terry Walsh.

Fashion

State of fluidity behind latest luxury handbags

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 Our friends at Aranyani, the luxury handbag brand from India, are debuting their stunning SS2021 ‘Fluidity Collection’. 

Founder’s Inspiration

Aranyani founder and creative director, Haresh Mirpuri, was inspired by the paradoxical experiences that we all lived through this past year, when creating Aranyani’s new collection. “Fluidity to me implies a state of continuous allowance. In the past year we all have had to be open to fluidity in order to live our lives,” says Haresh of his inspiration behind the collection.

Haresh Mirpuri,

Vibrant Colors

Aranyani depicts this balance through two vibrant new colors which are featured in this collection. The blue hue reflects the tranquil or meditative state, while the orange reflects the living creativity that surrounds us all.

evening clutch in black is $1,050 usd.

2020 presented everyone with unforeseen challenges on a global scale.

While there was loss and heartache, there was also the opportunity for reflection, reinvention and ultimately for renewal. Aranyani founder and creative director, Haresh Mirpuri, was inspired by the paradoxical experiences that we all experienced over the last year, when creating Aranyani’s new collection. 

“Fluidity is by definition a dichotomy. It can mean to flow easily or the state of being unsettled. We have experienced both throughout the last year. This is why fluidity was the inspiration for the collection. Through the imposed tranquility of quarantine, being unsettled in our daily routine, and subtle bursts of inspiration and creativity, we have all been brought together,” says Haresh of the collection.  

Minitop handle in white Combo $1,120 usd.

In addition to Aranyani’s existing collections, the Kesuda, named for the exotic flower, and the Stone Drops, named for the semi-precious stones that are used in detailing, Fluidity will introduce the Fragrant Trails Collection. This collection combines ancient gold leafing techniques to create a motif that is inspired by one of the most well-known flowers in India, often used for worship. The gold leaf painting is an ancient Indian craft that has been introduced as an art in luxury leather bags for the first time, and has been mastered by Aranyani’s craftsmen and women in their atelier.

Mini Top Handle in Dusty Pink Taupe Combo $1,250 usd.

India’s natural beauty is handcrafted into each Aranyani bag.

“Artistry and craftsmanship provide a foundation for all we do. The beauty of India is the inspiration for all Aranyani bags. Using stones, embroidery or hand painting, our artists imbue each bag with its own exquisite piece of India,” says Haresh.

The Fluidity Story is available for purchase at www.aranyani.com

Travel

Marriage Proposals While Orbiting Moon By 2022

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Starting in 2022 it will be possible to ask for the beloved’s hand in marriage while flying over the lunar surface to the sound of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon”. The one-week interplanetary flight will be carried out using a self-contained and autonomous spacecraft allowing the two lovers to travel alone.

The ApoteoSurprise agency, a French marriage proposal planner specialized in creating extravagant proposals, introduces a whole new service for 145 million dollars which will allow 21st century handsome princes to propose while flying around the Moon. Reaching for the Moon in the name of love is about to become a reality, the ultimate goal of the Paris-based agency being to “stage the craziest and most outstanding marriage proposal of the last 13.8 billion years“.

Apoteo Marriage Proposals France

From March 2022, elite lovers will be able to book the all-included service on the site www.proposeinparis.com and five months later find themselves enjoying the following program:
– Twelve weeks of pre-requisite technical and physical training.
– Takeoff on D-Day from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
– Richard Strauss’s “Thus spoke Zarathustra, Op.30” (Theme from 2001 Space Odyssey) resounding in the two space tourists’ helmets when the first effects of weightlessness are felt.
– Arrival in lunar orbit, three days later, flying over the satellite’s grayish surface at only 200/300 kilometers altitude.

Earthrise Apollo 8
The famous ‘Earthrise’ photo from Apollo 8, the first manned mission to the moon. The crew entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1968. That evening, the astronauts held a live broadcast, showing pictures of the Earth and moon as seen from their spacecraft. photo:NASA

– Cut-off of all communication with Earth for around thirty minutes while the capsule flies over the dark side of the Moon.
– The Frank Sinatra song “Fly Me to the Moon” played halfway through the orbital flight, allowing the suitor to make his marriage proposal far from any form of human life (engagement ring secretly hidden in his spacesuit).
– A spectacular Earth-rise seen from behind the lunar craters and return trip of nearly four days before atmospheric re-entry and final touchdown.

The flight-plan followed by the space capsule will mirror that of the mythical Apollo 8 mission in 1968. The spacecraft, traveling at a speed of up to 38,000 km/h, will be equipped with eight cameras allowing the couple to immortalize their entry into the history of the conquest of space and the conquest… of love! For the Silo, Nicolas Garreau.

Transportation

How Great Are Today’s Vehicles? Look At Lincoln’s Luxurious Aviator

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C:\Users\user001\Desktop\SEO pics\Colony Lincoln\How Great are Todays Vehicles Look at Lincolns Luxurious Aviator - image.jpg

Lincoln is one of America’s all-time classic luxury automakers, but the manufacturer has also been praised for making vehicles which respond to the needs of today. So it’s natural, then, that anybody who wants a glimpse into the best cars on today’s markets takes a look at Lincoln. 

Let’s see what’s going on with the 2020 Lincoln Aviator, a mid-size luxury SUV that shuttles everybody around in safety and unmatched style.

Under the Hood

The Lincoln Aviator lets you choose from different powertrain options, so it’s easy to get all the power you need or want. The standard Twin-Turbocharged 3.0L V6 engine generates 400 horsepower and is good for 415 lb.-ft of torque. This should be more than enough, but in case it isn’t, the Grand Touring Aviator utilizes a battery-powered electric motor paired with the Twin-Turbocharged engine for a total of 494 horsepower and a killer 630 lb.-ft. of torque.

If you drive into Colony Lincoln today and find the Aviator you need, you’ll drive out with a much more powerful vehicle!

Sumptuously Appointed

One look at the Lincoln Aviator is enough to know you’re not looking at a normal SUV. This luxury mid-size SUV has even more trimmings than other comparable vehicles — this is a three-row SUV designed to indulge everyone inside the car, both drivers and passengers.

Rich features like Savannah leather, premium suede cloth and special woods communicate to everybody that this is a very special vehicle. The level of detail combined with an attitude that never cuts corners on luxury will genuinely thrill everybody who comes across it.

Technology For Comfort, Safety And Entertainment

Whether you’re carpooling all the kids or you’d like to keep yourself comfortable, connected and entertained on a solo drive, the Aviator has everything you need. The available Perfect Position Seat with Active Motion conforms to your back, and takes comfort to another level.

Advanced safety features are bundled together in the available Co-Pilot360™ Plus package, which includes Evasive Steering Assist, Reverse Brake Assist, Active Park Assist Plus and Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist, and too many more to name.

The Heads-Up Display puts essential information the driver needs right on the windshield, so you don’t need to take your eyes off the road. There are even features to take all the stress and worry out of parking.

Lincoln and the sound engineers at Revel Audio teamed up to create a 28-speaker system that will make your favourite music sound better than ever. The car itself is a 4G LGE Wi-Fi hotspot, which makes it possible for you and all your passengers to keep connected to friends and family, as well as remain occupied during long drives.

If you’re looking for some of the highest accomplishments in luxury vehicle manufacturing, check out the latest Lincoln Aviator. For a beautiful ride that keeps you, your passengers and everybody on the road safer, comfortable, and even entertained, the Lincoln Aviator is representative of the best vehicles made today. 

Fashion

The Royal Ontario Museum Publishes Cloth That Changed The World: The Art And Fashion Of Indian Chintz

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New book explores the story of India’s richly coloured textiles ahead of ROM original exhibition

Photography by Tina Weltz

TORONTO — The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is pleased to announce the publication of Cloth that Changed the World: The Art and Fashion of Indian Chintz on December 2, 2019. The collection of essays explores the far-reaching influence this vividly printed and painted cotton cloth has had on the world, from its origins 5,000 years ago to its place in fashion and home décor today. The volume is the official companion to the ROM-original exhibition The Cloth that Changed the World: India’s Painted and Printed Cottons, which runs from April 4 to September 27, 2020 in Toronto.

The scholarly and beautifully illustrated publication draws from the Royal Ontario Museum’s own Indian chintz collection, which ranks as one of the best in the world. Featuring extensive new research, this multidisciplinary book traces the story of chintz and the indelible footprint it has left on the world. The publication combines vivid field photography of artisans at work with striking images from the ROM’s world-class collection, as well as images from India’s fashion runways and the work of top designers embracing this heritage textile today.

“The world would be a drab place without India,” says Sarah Fee, editor, Cloth that Changed the World and ROM Senior Curator of Eastern Hemisphere Fashion and Textiles. “Our blue jeans and printed T-shirts trace much of their lineage back to the ingenuity of India’s cotton printers and dyers. This exhibition and companion book celebrate how India ‘clothed the world’ in exuberantly coloured cottons for thousands of years. It explores the art’s resiliency in the face of modern industrial imitation and shares the exciting stories of reviving natural dyes and hand skills in India today.”

Contributing writers include leading experts Ruth Barnes, Rosemary Crill, Steven Cohen, Deepali Dewan, Max Dionisio, Eiluned Edwards, Sarah Fee, Maria João Ferreira, Sylvia Houghteling, Peter Lee, Hanna Martinsen, Deborah A. Metsger, Alexandra Palmer, Divia Patel, Giorgio Riello, Rajarshi Sengupta, Philip Sykas, and João Teles e Cunha, and a preface by Sven Beckert, Harvard University’s Laird Bell Professor of History.

Next spring, the book comes to life in the ROM’s Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles and Costumes, where ROM-original exhibition The Cloth that Changed the World: India’s Painted and Printed Cottons will take visitors on a journey through the ROM’s world-renowned collection of chintz, on public display for the first time in over 50 years.

The striking exhibition will explore thought-provoking themes, including the ingenuity, skill and technique of Indian artisans; the adaptation of chintz for international markets; and the environmental impact of the global textile industry over time. With a focus on attire and home furnishings, the exhibition features 80 objects spanning 10 centuries and four continents. Religious and court banners for India, monumental gilded wall hangings for elite homes in Europe and Thailand, and luxury women’s dress for England showcase the versatility and far-reaching desire for Indian Chintz.

About Sarah Fee (Curator and Editor)

Dr. Sarah Fee is Senior Curator of Eastern Hemisphere fashion and textiles at the Royal Ontario Museum. She has degrees in Anthropology and African studies from Oxford University and the School of Oriental Studies, Paris, and in 2002, guest-curated an exhibition on Madagascar for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art. Today, she continues to focus on Malagasy historic textiles and fashions, in addition to those of Zanzibar and Western India. A research associate at the Musée du Quai Branly, Paris, and the Indian Ocean World Centre at McGill University, Fee also teaches at the University of Toronto’s Department of Art. Fee is a past Board Member of the Textile Society of America, and currently sits on the editorial board of the Textile Museum Journal (TMJ).

About the Publication

Cloth that Changed the World: The Art and Fashion of Indian Chintz
Editor: Sarah Fee
Available at the ROM store starting December 2, 2019.
9 x 12, 272 pages, 300 colour illustrations.
$50.00.
Royal Ontario Museum and Yale University Press.

ROM SOCIAL MEDIA 

Join the Conversation: @ROMtoronto
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Watch: ROM YouTube

Sarah Fee
@aTextilesCurator

ABOUT THE ROM

Founded in 1914, the Royal Ontario Museum showcases art, culture and nature from around the world and across the ages. Among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America, Canada’s largest and most comprehensive museum is home to a world-class collection of 13 million art objects and natural history specimens, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. As the country’s preeminent field research institute and an international leader in new and original findings, the ROM plays a vital role in advancing our understanding of the artistic, cultural and natural world. Combining its original heritage architecture with the contemporary Daniel Libeskind-designed Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, the ROM serves as a national landmark, and a dynamic cultural destination in the heart of Toronto for all to enjoy.

ON NOW


It’s Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection
Gods in My Home: Chinese New Year with Ancestor Portraits and Deity Prints

COMING SOON


November 16, 2019 | Bloodsuckers: Legends to Leeches
March 7, 2020 | Egyptian Mummies: Exploring Ancient Lives

À L’AFFICHE


Sauve qui peut! L’art des grands films d’horreur et de science-fiction de la collection de Kirk Hammett
Accueillir les divinités : Portraits d’ancêtres et estampes de dieux pour le nouvel an chinois

À VENIR


Le 16 novembre 2019 | Soif de sang
Le 7 mars 2020 | Les momies égyptiennes : À la rencontre des Anciens

Culture, Travel

5 Most Famous Hotels In London England

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London's Most Famous Hotels

Luxurious living, money and fame are things that spring to mind when thinking about hotels London. Many of them have stood the test of time and built a sterling reputation all over the world attracting many of the rich and famous.

Here we’ve compiled a list of the most renowned hotels in London.

Claridge’s, London

Claridge's London- 5 Star Hotel. Address: 49 Brook St, London, Greater London W1K 4HR, United Kingdom
Claridge’s London- 5 Star Hotel. Address: 49 Brook St, London, Greater London W1K 4HR, United Kingdom

Opened in 1854 Claridges London is one of the oldest hotels in the city. Located in London’s infamous Mayfair, Its clientele are among the rich and famous with celebrities such as Brad Pitt and Mick Jagger no stranger to its doors. TV favorite Gordon Ramsay also had his own restaurant there for a time.

Its décor and facilities boast the best in fine dining and luxury living unrivalled in London and has over its long lifespan attracted royalty from all over the world. The hotel was also the feature of a 3 part documentary series for the BBC entitled ‘Inside Claridges’.

The Connaught, London

The Connaught London. Five star Hotel. Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL, United Kingdom
The Connaught London. Five star Hotel. Carlos Pl, London W1K 2AL, United Kingdom

Residing in Mayfair, the Connaught first opened its doors in 1815. The hotel allows both traditional British and contemporary design to co-exist by maintaining its Victorian exterior and completing a 70 million pound internal refurbishment by lead designer Guy Oliver.

This hotel and its staff have won many prestigious awards over its lifespan including its spa winning first prize in the spa category in the Hotel & Lodge Awards 2012 and it’s very own bartender Agostino Perrone winning International Bartender of the Year 2010.

Brown’s, London

Brown's Hotel London. Five star Hotel. 33 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP, United Kingdom
Brown’s Hotel London. Five star Hotel. 33 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP, United Kingdom

One of London’s most established hotels is Browns. Opening its doors in 1837, it celebrated its 175th anniversary in 2012 and has consistently attracted guests of wealth and fame, most notably President Theodore Roosevelt and Oscar Wilde.

Not only does this Mayfair hotel boast a stunning Victorian 5 star setting it is also within walking distance to some of London’s busiest attractions such as Hyde Park, Bond Street, Regent Street and some of its most famous landmarks.

The Great Northern Hotel

First opened in 1854, London's Great Northern Hotel is "an exquisitely designed luxury boutique hotel with an extraordinary location, literally within King's Cross Station and just 25 metres from the Eurostar terminus at St Pancras International."
First opened in 1854, London’s Great Northern Hotel is “an exquisitely designed luxury boutique hotel with an extraordinary location, literally within King’s Cross Station and just 25 metres from the Eurostar terminus at St Pancras International.”

Dubbed as ‘The World’s First Great Railway Hotel’ , The Great Northern is a stunning boutique hotel with rail connections to Europe and beyond via the Eurostar. It stands tall above the areas surrounding buildings and it’s a significant point of interest for all arriving into Kings Cross St Pancras station.

Designed by infamous architect Lewis Cubitt stood as the centrepiece for the steam revolution.

The Berkeley

The Berkeley Hotel London is a five star Hotel. Wilton Pl, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL, United Kingdom
The Berkeley Hotel London is a five star Hotel. Wilton Pl, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 7RL, United Kingdom

The Berkeley is a five star deluxe hotel, located in Knightsbridge, London. Its history spans well over a 100 years and has even moved buildings. The infamous hotel began its life at Berkeley Street and served as accommodation for mail coach drivers travelling to the West Country.

In 1972 it moved to its current location, incorporating an entirely new refurbishment to include London’s only rooftop swimming pool. Aside from its unique facilities and décor the Berkleley has attracted numerous Michelin star chefs including Pierre Koffmann and more recently Gordon Ramsay and his Boxwood Café. For the Silo, Susan Varano.

Culture

Luxury Villas Offering Guests Oil Paintings of Themselves

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Nobilified and Villa de Campo have partnered up to offer their customers a unique art and hospitality experience. A selection of luxurious villas offered by Villa de Campo for rent come with hand-painted portraits of each guest, which are hung throughout the Villa during their stay.

Located in La Romana, Dominican Republic; Casa de Campo is no stranger to luxury. This prestigious Resort spreads over 7,000 acres, featuring three award-winning golf courses, a clay pigeon shooting center, an equestrian center, tennis courts, pools, and restaurants, as well as 1,700 private villas populating the resort, some of which are available for rent. Villa de Campo specializes in giving customers prompt and personalized service for vacation rentals in the resort. Whether it’s understanding your needs and recommending homes to stay in or helping you book a personal chef or schedule your activities, Villa de Campo is stepping up the meaning of the saying “the customer is king”.

With this partnership with Nobilified, Villa de Campo adds an extra touch of personalization to one’s holiday—and we aren’t talking about personal chefs or yacht rentals. Nobilified, which creates hand-painted oil portraits of its customers as royalty will be using its inspiration to paint memories of holidays for guests to keep. The paintings will be inspired by the nature of the trip, whether a romantic couple retreat, a golf trip with boys, or a family holiday; Nobilified’s classically trained artists will paint the guests prior to their arrival, according a certain theme, and have the pieces hung throughout the villa during their stay. Guest then get to take the pieces home after their stay.

The Nobilified special aims capture memories in the world of art.  Chris Jensen, the founder of Nobilified, says, “Our aim is to capture one’s memories in art. We want guests of the villas to remember all the small things that made their holiday one to remember. When they get home, they will hang the piece, and each time they look at the piece, they will remember their holiday. We think that is special.”

Villa de Campo

Villa de Campo offers a selection of luxury villas in which to spend your next activity-filled holiday in the Dominican Republic. Spread over 7000 acres, the Casa de Campo resort is home to over 1700 private villas of which around 100 are available for rent on villadecampo.com.

Punta Aguila #57 is true Casa de Campo villa. The beautiful five bedroom villa was built right in the middle of a beautiful bamboo forest, palms and Embauba trees in a five thousand square meter homesite.

Booking a Villa has become the perfect way to spend a holiday whether with family, friends or as a couple. Our selection of luxury villas are located throughout the entire resort and cater to various tastes and needs. Villa de Campo also includes additional amenities such as complimentary golf carts, private chefs and a holiday concierge to help you book and plan your dream stay. Casa de Campo possesses a variety of restaurants, private beach clubs, a Marina, 3 golf courses, a tennis center, an equestrian center, a spa, and much more.

Nobilified

Nobilified is dedicated to revolutionizing the art world. Nobilified believes that while not everyone may have the artistic skills required to paint a masterpiece, everyone possesses an intuitively creative mind. At Nobilified, customer dreams and fantasies are transformed into actual works of art, which can proudly displayed in any home, dorm, office, cabin, yacht, or even a swanky Chateau. Everyone has an artistic side, and everyone sees the world in their own unique way. Nobilified wants this diversity to make an imprint on the course of art history by immortalizing customers’ wildest dreams.

In addition to providing high quality oil paintings, Nobilified wants to change the way people perceive art, by making it fun and accessible, thus giving customers the opportunity to share or gift a unique custom made oil painting with friends and family. No longer will having an oil painting of oneself hanging above the chimney be out-of-reach. This privilege used to be reserved for the upper tiers of society, but, now, it is shared with everyone, even if they are not knighted. A unique, hand-painted, oil-on-canvas work of art can add a touch of grandeur to any living quarters.

Featured image: Cupid and Psyche by Jacques Louis David