Thursday, June 30, 2011

A Watch Story

I came across these stunning images..... Titled "A Matter of Time," the advertisement campaign  was created for the July 2011 edition of Numero China. A sensual and provocative concept, showcasing luxury watches such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Rolex and Chanel, and beautifully shot by up and coming photographer Charles Guo.









Model: Alina
Photo: Charles Guo
For Numero China July 2011
To view more


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The Pan Dei Palais, an Indian getaway in Saint-Tropez

If you plan to spend the summer in the South of France, visit the Pan Dei Palais. This little gem is located in the heart of the famous seaside resort of Saint-tropez. The discreet facade on Avenue Gambetta gives nothing away about the three story palace it conceals. Listed by the French architectural heritage association "Batiments de France," the luxury boutique hotel has the distinctive style of a colonial era Indian family house.

With a collection of objects d'art found in the land of the Maharadjas, the hotel became the Palais, thanks to the inspiration of interior designer Francoise Piault. Anatolian Kilim rugs are displayed, Indian fabric and glass paintings decorate the building's solid walls. A series of cabinets stand in the heart of the Palais, housing antique pieces from Kashmir to Jodhpur and Rajasthan: water pitchers, elephant statues, saris, rare fabrics and jewelry.

Everything in the Pan Dei Palais, from the paintings and mirrors to the lounge areas alcoves and reclining sofas set against white walls symbolize peace and silence, an invocation to the peaceful Indian way of life.

The Pan Dei Palais is a new member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux group.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Precious Edibles, a Literary Feast

The ingredients are diamonds, garnets, gold, silver, copper, jade, and sapphires, and they are shaped in the forms of green peas, cauliflower, aubergine, corn, carrots, radishes, and other vegetables.

To celebrate their new line of jewelry, Hemmerle, one of the world's foremost creators of haute joaillerie, is releasing a unique and stunning book. Produced in collaboration with British chef Tamasin Day-Lewis, Delicious Jewels is a feast for the eyes and senses.
" An exploration of the gastronomic splendors of the garden and the beauty of jewels, each page is a visual treat and each recipe an indulgence for the palate."
~~The Hemmerle Family

Like a master chef channeling an innate creativity through a clever combination of flavors, Hemmerle remains true to two basic principles of fine jewellery-making: only the best ingredients and the highest craftsmanship.

In her cookery Tamasin Day-Lewis explores the panoply of tastes, textures, shapes and colors of nature's bounty in much same way that Hemmerle has made nature its muse.
From their symbiotic collaboration is born an original collection of jewels and recipes that are simply exquisite.

The Hemmerle vegetable collection, consisting of eleven brooches and a pair of earrings, is a rich parade of luscious shapes and bold colors, striking in their realistic expression and stirring in their delicacy.



Peas
Silver, white gold, demantoide garnets, jade

Cauliflower
Copper, white gold, cream colored diamonds

Radish
Siver, copper, white gold, red sapphires, white diamond

Sweetcorn
Silver, yellow gold, pearls, white and cream colored diamonds

Aubergine
Silver, white gold, purple colored spirels

Artichoke
Copper, white gold, purple colored sapphire

Onion
Silver, copper, white gold, brown diamonds

Carrot earrings
Copper, white gold, orange sapphires

Chard
Brass, white gold, brown diamonds


Courtesy Hemmerle
Delicious Jewels is published by Prestel 

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Hats vs Wigs, Florian Dovillez's Hat Collection

These are not the Mad hats worn at the Royal Ascot 2011, but are the outstanding work of French hair stylist Florian Dovillez. As a fashion lover Dovillez made his way towards hairdressing with the only objective of unleashing all the creativity within him.

In 2011, Florian Dovillez launched his first hat collection in collaboration with stylist Anna Note, whose  clothes were created out of synthetic hair, fine fabrics and wool. The hats are made of 100% human hair, some dyed black, others bleached blonde. The idea was to be able to curl, flat iron or style the hat as it was part of your own hair. Dovillez's goal is to create various volumes of the wearer's actual hair, blurring the lines between what is real and what isn't.

With weight and body, as well as flowing silhouettes, the results are of a timeless beauty. Photographer Riki Tinoza captures the striking Hat Collection in a series of beautiful and ethereal images.

Florian Dovillez lives and works in Montreal.










Photos @Riki Tinoza
Stylist, Anna Note

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk

Dubbed fashion's enfant terrible by the press from the time of his first runway shows in the 1970s, Jean Paul Gaultier is indisputably one of the most important fashion designers of recent decades. Currently on view at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA), The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk is the first international exhibition devoted to the French couturier.

Very early, Gaultier's avant-garde fashion reflected an understanding of a multicultural society's issues, shaking up - with invariable good humor - established societal and aesthetic codes. Through twists, transformations, transgressions and reinterpretations, he not only erases the boundaries between cultures but also the sexes, creating a new androgyny or playing with subverting hyper sexualized fashion codes.

The exhibition features approximately 140 ensembles, mainly from the designer's couture collections, but also from his pret-a-porter line, along with their accessories. Created between the early 1970s and 2010, these pieces have, for the most part, never before been exhibited. Many other pieces are also being presented for the first time such as sketches, stage costumes, excerpts from films, runway shows, dance performances and more.

" I think the way people dress today is a form of artistic expression. Saint Laurent, for instance, has made great art. Art lies in the way the whole outfit is put together. Take Jean Paul Gaultier, what he does is really art."
~~ Andy Warhol (Mondo Uomo, 1984)


"Barbes" collection / Pret-a-Porter F/W 1984-1985
@Patrice Stable / Jean Paul Gaultier

"Les Indes galantes" collection / Lascar dress / Haute Couture S/S 2000
@Patrice Stable / Jean Paul Gaultier

"Les Actrices" collection / Barbarella corset / Haute Couture F/W 2009-2010
@Patrice Stable / Jean Paul Gaultier

"Les Vierges"(Virgins) collection / Apparitions dress / Haute Couture S/S 2007
@Patrice Stable / Jean Paul Gaultier

"Les Surrealistes" collection / Hecate coat-dress / Haute Couture F/W 2006-2007
@Patrice Stable / Jean Paul Gaultier

"Hommage a l'Afrique"(Tribute to Africa) collection / La Mariee dress (wedding dress)/ Haute Couture S/S 2005
@Patrice Stable / Jean Paul Gaultier

"Les Vierges" collection / Immaculata dress / Haute Couture S/S 2007
@Patrice Stable / Jean Paul Gaultier


"Belles des champs"(Countryside Babes) collection / Pret-a-porter S/S 2006
@Patrice Stable / Jean Paul Gaultier

"Les Cages" collection / Calligraphie dress / Haute Couture F/W 2008-2009
@Patrice Stable / Jean Paul Gaultier

"Les Vierges" collection / Laudes ensemble / Haute Couture S/S 2007
@Patrice Stable / Jean Paul Gaultier

Photo: Jerry Pigeon (Studio JPG)

Photo: Jerry Pigeon (Studio JPG)

Photo: Jerry Pigeon (Studio JPG)

"French Cancan" collection / Pret-a-porter F/W 1991-1992
@Patrice Stable / Jean Paul Gaultier



The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk
June 17 - October 2, 2011


This post is also featured on The Huffington Post