Italy - Gucci announces its new limited-edition book, Hortus Sanitatis

The Italian luxury label Gucci has announced the launch of the latest in its occasional series of limited-edition publications titled Hortus Sanitatis (Latin for ‘The Garden of Health’). The name is inspired by the first natural history encyclopaedia that was published in 1948 in Mainz, Germany.Priced at £75, ¥12,500, $95 and € 85, the title will be sold as of 5th July, and will be launched at the Comme des Garçons Trading Museum at 54 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris with a book signing event that evening.

Predominantly a pictorial showcase of the Gucci pre-fall 2017 collection, it is shot by one of London’s most influential club and street photographers, Derek Ridgers. The book takes the form of a series of informal pictures of models accompanied by animals such as cats and snakes. The shooting took place in Rome, and its historical spaces that have remained untouched for centuries, such as the old apothecary Antica Spezieria di Santa Maria dellaScala; a beautiful library Biblioteca Angelica,which is filled with rare, ancient manuscripts, and Antica Libreria Cascianelli, a sprawling archive of books and pieces of art. 

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/gucci-announces-new-limited-edition-book-hortus-sanitatis

Switzerland – Chopard launches RIHANNA ♥ CHOPARD Joaillerie collection

The Barbadian pop-icon Rihana has expanded her talent showcase by collaborating with the Swiss luxury jewelry and watch Maison, Chopard to create the RIHANNA ♥ CHOPARD Joaillerie collection. Already well known globally in her various avatars as a Singer, songwriter, fashion designer, model and actress, Chopard found Rihana the right fit for their latest RIHANNA ♥ CHOPARD Joaillerie collection, which captures her unique vision and spirit.

Rihanna and Chopard Co-President and Creative Director, Caroline Scheufele, worked closely together to combine their creativity and passion to develop the RIHANNA ♥ CHOPARD Joaillerie collection. The outcome is a blend of both their personalities of urban chic with classic glamour.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/chopard-launches-rihanna-chopard-joaillerie-collection

Why is Wendell Sizing up Indians?

by Meher Castelino

Wendell Rodricks is doing what should have been undertaken by the leading Fashion bodies like FDCI or a Fashion Institute such as NIFT. And that is creating a size chart specific to Indian body type. We are already familiar with the problematic issues when buying a US or UK brand of clothing, where the Indian hip size or arm and collar sizes never sit perfectly in proportion.

The globetrotting designer who sits ensconced in Goa, hit the right note and for a first in India, has created the Indian Women’s Size Chart, which is being launched at the upcoming Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2016. In a Q & A exclusively with The Luxury Chronicle, Wendell Rodricks shares the details of his long years of research. (scroll down to see chart)

Please tell us when this idea occurred to you?I have had this concept in my head for decades. But it needed honing. When Lakmé agreed to spread the word, I went ahead this season

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/why-is-wendell-sizing-up-indians

IWC Schaffhausen’s ode to French pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Let’s first talk about the IWC Schaffhausen’s tradition of watch families, such as the Pilot’s Watches, Portuguese, Ingenieur, Aquatimer, Da Vinci and Portofino. The latest addition to the Pilot’s watches family is the special edition watch to honour the French pilot and author Antoine de Saint- Exupery, a World War 2 veteran and the author of many books, who lived to for just 44 years and wrote the classic story ‘The Little Prince’.

The new pilot’s family watch has a tobacco brown dial and a brown calfskin strap with decorative white stitching: these are the most important distinguishing features of the watch. Now, two classics from the Pilot’s Watch family are available in the distinctive Saint Exupéry look for the first time: the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph and the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII. IWC is also unveiling a new model of the Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 with a brown dial.

Antoine de Saint- Exupery flights. The numerals and hands on the clearly structured dial feature luminous coatings to ensure good legibility, even at night-time. And with the second innovation, the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Antoine de Saint  Exupéry”, the Saint Exupéry family is gaining another new member in the form of the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/schaffhausens-ode-to-french-pilot-antoine-de-saint-exupery

Anti-fit: The Hottest Silhouette trend on Runways

The silhouette that has been all the rage on fashion runways, this season and several previous seasons, is the anti-fit look. No marks for guessing why, particularly for the denizens of this warm sub-continent. A lose outfit that drapes gently, quietly accommodates the fluctuating sizes and bulges, has room for air to circulate and breath, sans the pinch and cinch of a fitted outfit, lends itself to be the hottest look of the season.

The history of fashion, as was recorded in Europe, never took into account the discomfort quotient. At the time when women chose to be smothered in impossible body crushing bodices and men wore tights in the pre-lycra era, traditional Indian apparel was all about anti-fit, with stylish drapes and breathable natural fabrics. The fashion scape globally is more mature now. Dress-to-please-yourself is the thing to be rather than the need to adhere to anything that is about body-shaming or that which is uncomfortable.We bring Meher Castelino’s pick of anti-fit designs from Lakme Fashion Week’s Spring-Summer 2017 and select looks from Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2017. Meher points out that in the 90’s the anti-fit wave was very strong in western fashion thanks to the rise of the Japanese designers who flooded the fashion world with their Zen like silhouettes but India did not follow them so strongly although a few designers like Wendell Rodricks moved into the anti-fit zone with his Goaninspired  resort wear, which suited this look.

Lakme Fashion Week Spring-Summer 2017

India – Lodi and Glenfiddich pair Walk-in-the-Park with Whisky Tastings

A whisky-walk sounds like a contradiction in terms that the propensity to walk the straight line is indirectly proportional to the quantum of Patiala pegs down the hatch. In sum, it was actually Walk first Whisky later kind of evening. Organized by India City Walks,it was first encounter for many in the group, with the heritage tombs of Muhammed Shah and Sikander Lodi in the beautiful namesake garden. A very engaging concept, where the first part was cut short in view of the late hours and dusk having descended a tad early.

The more relaxing segment dedicated to Glenfiddich single malts was led by Anchal Kaushal from Liquid Sunshine, who introduced the Glenfiddich 12-year old, 15-year old and 18-year old whisky. Lodi – The Garden Restaurant paired with a few rounds of canapés.

The interactive session had the audience paying more attention to the golden liquid than the conversation, which progressively got more animated. Anchal talked and quizzed, tasting notes, peaty? Woody? ‘Guess this scent’, clove? Fun. Last round of votes – my personal favourite was the Glenfiddich 18YO Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Full bodies, nutty, fruity, sherry aftertaste. Anchal recommended a splash of water to release the other more complex flavours. Hmm, I am happier without the H2O.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/lodi-and-glenfiddich-pair-walk-in-the-park-with-whisky-tastings

Poet and Chef – Abhishek Gupta

Creativity is sans borders, encompassing unusual realms. For instance take the plating at a restaurant, where Chefs have taken the culinary craft beyond the masala box and secret recipes. Each plate is a work of art, an installation where the medium is of the edible variety.

Juggling the emotions of an artist and the panache of a magician who caters to the primary most evocative sensory experience – food, is Chef Abhishek Gupta, who is also a poet. So deep is his involvement with his dishes, that he describes them in short verses on the menu.

Many a poets have gone lyrical over their dinner or kitchen garden. Virgil, the ancient Roman poet (70 BC – 19 BC), penned an ode to his‘Salads’. But Chef Abhishek’s work is reminiscent of Haiku, such as the one by Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/poet-and-chef-abhishek-gupta

Report – Global Affluence: The Emerging Luxury Consumer

The new emerging luxury consumer has redefined the luxury market. This group’s influence on modern consumerism is highlighted by their sensibility and affinity for exclusive brands, proving that luxury transcends income levels – it is about quality, uniqueness, and ultimately achieving a certain lifestyle. Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC has presented this luxury report, “Global Affluence: The Emerging Luxury Consumer,” which examines the confidence, spending habits and purchasing interests of emerging luxury consumers from around the world.The report, which is based on a survey that focused on luxury consumers in the United States, United Kingdom, India, United Arab Emirates and China, found that this emerging luxury consumer demographic is confident when it comes to their personal economy and the economy of their respective countries.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
Emerging luxury consumers are defined as those with $250K USD – $1M USD in investable assets; they are on the cusp of attaining traditional wealth status.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/global-affluence-the-emerging-luxury-consumer

England –Sotheby’s hosts event with KOH -I-NOOR authors William Dalrymple & Anita Anand

Anything relating to an extraordinary gem, especially one such as the Koh-I-Noor diamond, would certainly be of interest to Sotheby’s. On Thursday, 1st  June, 2017, Sotheby’s hosted a reception and talk by William Dalrymple & Anita Anand, the authors of the book ‘KOH -I-NOOR, The History of the World’s Most Infamous Diamond’,  in London. The authors have traced the Kohinoor’s back story spanning several centuries, and what emerges is not just the tale of a very valuable gem but a narrative of greed, and of ambition. Of men who coveted, and of men who caved in.

For the occasion Sotheby’s had a replica of the original uncut Koh-I-Noor diamond on display, the receipt for the formal transfer of the diamond from the royal Sikh treasury to the governor general of India along with a selection of related paintings as well as a display of jewelry from their forthcoming sales.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/sothebys-hosts-event-with-koh-i-noor-authors-william-dalrymple-anita-anand

India – DLF Cyber Hub Gurgaon to host festival 809-Drink and Dine from 14th to 18th June

The popular food destination for the NCR region, DLF Cyber Hub located in Gurgaon is creating the right buzz in the hot summer months by hosting a five day festival 809-Drink and Dine. A must for food aficionados, 809 offers perfectly paired dishes and cocktails, curated by chefs of in house outlets at the price of Rs.809/-(all inclusive).

This five day festival will witness fabulous deals from 22 outlets within the hub such as Zizo, People & Co, Olive Bistro, Dhaba, Nooba, Oh Calcutta, Café Delhi Height, Indigo, Imperfecto, Circus, Chumbak, Soda Bottle Openerwala, Delifrance, Twist, Soi 7, Pier 38, Sutra, Raasta, Smaaash,The Wine Company, The Grill Mill and Italiano.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/dlf-cyber-hub-gurgaon-to-host-festival-809-drink-and-dine-from-14th-to-18th-june

Bhutan – 8th Mountain Echoes Literary Festival announced in Thimphu from 25th – 27th August

Bhutan is all set to host the 8th edition of the Mountain Echoes Literary Festival in Thimphu, for three days from 25th to 27th August, 2017, with a special inaugural ceremony on 24th August. This festival was established under the patronage of Her Majesty the Royal Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wang chuck, and the eighth edition of the festival aims to provide a collaborative platform for cultural dialogue and encourage the exchange of ideas, stories and experiences. The festival is an initiative of India-Bhutan Foundation and will be held in association with India’s literary consultancy, Siyahi.

The three-day festival will celebrate the Untouched Beauty, Unexplored Ideas and Unstoppable Voices from the heart of the happiest country in the world.Headline names set to appear at the festival this year include Markus Zusak, an Australian author known for his international best-sellers such as The Book Thief; Francesca Beard, a London-based writer and performance poet who is appreciated around the world; American television host and author Padma Lakshmi and India’s national treasure, author Ashwin Sanghi.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/mountain-echoes-literary-festival-announced-in-thimphu-from-25th-27th-august

UK / India –Forevermark inscribed its two millionth diamond at its Diamond Institute in Surat

Forevermark, the diamond brand from the De Beers Group announced that it has inscribed its two millionth diamonds at the Forevermark Diamond Institute in Surat. The 3.48 carat round brilliant stone has been inscribed with a unique ‘2,000,000’ serial number. The milestone follows the announcement in February this year of Forevermark being available in more than 2,000 retail outlets worldwide.

The US$10 million Surat facility is one of the most technically advanced diamond inscription and grading centres in the world, employing around 100 highly skilled diamond workers. The Forevermark Diamond Institute provides an accurate and reliable grading service for each Forevermark diamond, selecting and inscribing Forevermark diamonds with a unique identification number. The two millionth diamond will be set in a piece of jewellery at the Forevermark Design and Innovation Centre in Milan, Italy, and will ultimately become part of the brand’s exclusive red carpet collection.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/forevermark-inscribed-its-two-millionth-diamond-at-its-diamond-institute-in-surat

Christian Louboutin’s ‘Aurelien’ sneakers for Pitti Uomo at Hardcourt Bike Polo

On Tuesday, June 13, 2017, French designer Christian Louboutin staged a day-long Bike Polo tournament, known as the Hardcourt Bike Polo, in the historic Piazza Santa Maria Novella in Florence. This was part of his strategy to introduce his men’s collection, the ‘Aurelien’ sneaker at the 92nd edition of Pitti Immagine Uomo fair, which is regarded as a pivotal menswear moment in the fashion calendar. This unique sporting event of polo on bikes took place with eight teams of competitors from countries including France, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, UK and USA. The champion was crowned by Christian Louboutin himself at the close. Having shown pre-collection to great success during Milan Moda Uomo in both 2015 and 2016, Louboutin is thrilled to be hosted this year as a special project by Pitti Immagine Uomo.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/christian-louboutin-sneakers-pittiuomo-s-bike-polo