Switzerland – Chopard launches jewellery on Net-a-Porter

Another luxury brand joins the e-commerce bandwagon. Today, on October 11th, the luxury jeweller and watchmaker Chopard will launch on Net-a-Porter, the global luxury online retailer.

NET-A-PORTER is to launch timeless creations from Chopard’s iconic Happy Diamonds collection. This will comprise jewellery ranging from 18ct rose and white gold pieces including the must-have Happy Hearts collection. The online retailer will also propose the Happy Dreams collection. Inspired by clouds and born upon the gentle wings of fanciful reveries. Also included is the iconic Happy Sport watch, one of the best sellers of Chopard. This model combines steel and moving diamonds in a modern and elegant design.

“We are delighted and excited to be partnering with NET-A-PORTER. Chopard is proud to work alongside such an influential retailer and looks forward to what will no doubt be a great success!” Caroline Scheufele, Co-President Chopard.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/switzerland-chopard-launches-jewellery-on-net-a-porter

India/Switzerland – Favre-Leuba launches iconic Raider Bivouac 9000 in India

Switzerland’s second oldest watch brand, Favre-Leuba celebrated its 280^th anniversary in India with the launch of its iconic timepiece – the Raider Bivouac 9000 on the 12^th October, 2017 at the Trident Hotel, BKC in Mumbai. The Raider Bivouac 9000 is indeed the ultimate instrument for all altitudes. It is the first mechanical wristwatch capable of measuring altitudes of upto 9000 meters above sea level. Until recently, this was thought to be technically impossible.

In 1962, when Favre-Leuba launched the world’s first mechanical wristwatch capable of measuring air pressure and altitudes of upto 3000 meters above sea level, the reliability and precision of this watch, and the fact that it was easy to use and read, quickly made it popular with mountain climbers, pilots, explorers. The Raider Bivouac 9000 is an homage to its legendary 1962 namesake, and still measures altitude with the aid of an aneroid barometer.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/favre-leuba-launches-iconic-raider

India – Top7 gifts to give this festive season

Much of the joy of the festival flows from exchanging beautiful gifts. Here are a few great special packages for the Diwali season from these mega brands.

Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old limited edition pack

A great gift for the spirited season is the Glenfiddich 12-Year-Old.Carefully matured in the finest American oak and European oak sherry casks for at least 12 years, it is mellowed in oak marrying tuns to create its sweet and subtle oak flavours. With a unique freshness from the same Highland spring water used since 1887, its distinctive fruitiness comes from the high cut point William Grant always insisted upon. Creamy with a long, smooth and mellow finish, 12-Year-Old is the perfect example of Glenfiddich’s unique Speyside style and is widely proclaimed the best dram in the valley.When it comes to finding the perfect gift, there’s nothing better than bonding over a bottle of Glenfiddich 12-year-old, the world’s most awarded single malt!

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/top-7-gifts-to-give-this-festive-season

India/Italy –‘Garini Immagina’ showcases Italian lux weddings at Vivanta by Taj Ambassador

Italy is the ultimate wedding destination, and Indians are more ready than ever to get married in romantic Italian vistas. In a bid to inform the denizens of Delhi about how it could be done, Angelo Garini, a bespoke wedding planner, travelled all the way from Milan to New Delhi. At an event organized by Madhavi Advani for ‘Garini Immagina’ at the Vivanta by Taj-Ambassador, New Delhi, Angelo met with the members of the Indian wedding industry and some media.. In keeping with the adage of ‘When in Rome’, Angelo showed up elegantly dressed in Kurta and Pajama, looking every bit an Indian.

He interacted with the audience, and gave a detailed presentation about the logistics of hosting high-end weddings efficiently. Angelo has organized several prestigious events too for celebrities like David Guetta, Naomi Cambell, Duchess of York and more. The videos of past wedding events organized by ‘Garini Immagina’ were truly impressive.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/gariniimmagina-showcases-italian-lux-weddings-at-vivanta-by-taj

Italy – Fendi celebrates its bond with Cinema with exhibition FENDI STUDIO in Rome

Italian fashion house Fendi, which is internationally known for its fur, ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, fragrances, eyewear, timepieces  et al, has decided to celebrate its long-lasting bond with the world of Cinema through an exhibition which explores in a digitally and immersive way the relationship between FENDI and the Cinema. Entitled FENDI STUDIOS, the exhibition will be held at Fendi’s new headquarters in Rome, Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana. The exhibition will be open to the public with free admission from 27 October 2017 to 25 March 2018.

For the occasion of the exhibition, the Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana will be turned into different cinema studios composed by a series of interactive movie stages including also a real cinema. Speaking on the occasion Silvia Venturini Fendi, Creative Director for Accessories, Menswear and Kidswear at FENDI said, “Cinema has always been an important part of our family life and of our brand. Indeed, FENDI has always had a deep bond with Cinecittà. As part of the creative and artistic side of Rome, the Fendi sisters have been involved in collaborations which today can be considered groundbreaking. Approached by world famous costume designers, such as Piero Tosi and Milena Canonero, they created furs and costumes for memorable cinema productions. We have worked alongside the greatest directors of yesterday and today, from Luchino Visconti to Wes Anderson, from Martin Scorsese to Giuseppe Tornatore, and we still continue to do so. This exhibition is a way of celebrating in a very innovative way a relationship based on affinities and nourished by the desire to experiment, to tell stories and to make dreams come true.”

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/fendi-celebrates-its-bond-with-cinema-with-exhibition

Myanmar – Kandawgyi Palace Hotel in Yangon destroyed by fire

The luxury hotel Kandawgyi Palace Hotel in Yangon was engulfed in flames in the wee hours on 19^th October. The cause of the fire is being attributed to electrical sparks. As per reports, one person was killed and several injured.

The beautiful Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, located on the banks of the Kandawgyi Lake in Myanmar, was previously the site of the Rangoon Rowing Club. Having lived out its various avataars, in 1993 it was designed in the spirit of golden-teak Thai architecture. It is being operated by Htoo Group of Companies. Burmese business tycoon TayZa is the Chairman of Htoo Group of Companies, Myanmar.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/kandawgyi-palace-hotel-in-yangon-destroyed-by-fire

India – PVR Cinema’s launch PVR PRIVELGE

The film exhibition company PVR Cinemas is celebrating its 20^th year in business by introducing a digital loyalty program, PVR Privilege. The plan was unveiled at PVR Director’s Cut at Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj in New Delhi. At present PVR Cinemas dominates the movie hall segment with a user base of 75 million, at its 600 screens in 131 properties across India. Under this loyalty program, members earn an array of first class redemption opportunities and enhanced benefits. To support the launch of PVR Privilege, PVR is offering Food & Beverage vouchers of the same value as the activation fee, so that the membership is at zero cost to new members pan India.

The PVR Privilege program is supposedly India’s first fully digital cinema loyalty program and offers the following consumer privileges and benefits:

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/pvr-cinemas-launch-pvr-privelge

KHEER - at Roseate House, Aerocity

By Neelima Agrawal with Keerat Bawa

“Food, glorious Food” is the ditty playing in one’s head at Kheer, the newly opened Indian fine-dining restaurant at Roseate House in Aerocity. Good wholesome fare, served in ample portions sans mist and fog and whistles. We were happy to note that the Chefs at Kheer have steered clear of the current fad of artistic gastronomy, designed to entertain the visual rather than feed a hungry diner. Kheer offers north Indian cuisines, including popular street food from around Delhi.

The interiors of Kheer are strikingly beautiful, with stone carved geometric and floral panels on walls. Ankur Bhatia commissioned the well-known Japanese designer Noriyoshi Muramatsu, founder of Studio Glitt to do up the interiors for this new fine dining destination. Muramatsu has also designed the beautiful interiors of Zuma in New York and all its nine international locations. The large spaces in Kheer can accommodate 224 seats, which are divided in three distinctive areas, separate private dining area and a live kitchen. Suitably bedazzled by the décor, we looked forward to experiencing what the chef had to offer. And happily, were not disappointed at all. There is something really comforting about having a meal that flows with the clarity of the familiar, yet tantalizing in that it notches up the flavors to perfection. This was all about something as simple as mixing great food with great service, which often gets entangled in other parameters and misses the bus – so to speak...

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/kheer-roseate-house

Taj Palace Hotel now renamed as Taj Diplomatic Enclave

As part of the initiative to refresh the  brand architecture for Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris, the Taj Palace, New Delhi will now be rechristened as Taj Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi. This change became effective from 1st September, 2017.

The hotel has undergone a huge renovation exercise and renewed not just its name but also, the rooms and suites that reflect the ageless elegance of Lutyens. Expect to find authentic and exciting food concepts served at the Spicy Duck and the nostalgic flavors of Capital Kitchen.

A new Tajness ritual has been introduced alongside, which we are yet to discover.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/taj-palace-hotel-now-renamed-as-taj-diplomatic-enclave

Carl F. Bucherer Opens its First Boutique in home town Lucerne

The town of Lucerne was abuzz with much fanfare when the global watch brand Carl F. Bucherer decided to honour its roots, and open its first T Boutique here. It was in Lucerne that the founder Carl Friedrich Bucherer first set up shop in 1888, nearly 130 years ago. The interior exudes understated luxury, accentuated by the golden elements of the brand logo, launched in 2016, and the brand imagery that also reflects the cosmopolitan nature of the city of Lucerne.

The new boutique is located in one of Lucerne’s historic buildings. At the inauguration of the boutique, just for one night the traditional facade was transformed into a vertical stage for the opening ceremony. The building was draped in golden curtains, concealing it from view, until a group of musicians, also positioned behind the curtains on the balcony, began playing the opening notes of a classical score. The musicians’ increasing fanfare was the cue for the curtains to be drawn back, revealing the boutique in all its glory. Owner Jörg G. Bucherer,representing the third generation of the Bucherer family at the helm of the company, CEO Sascha Moeri and Global Ambassador Li Bingbing then stepped forward to cut the ribbon and declare the boutique officially open.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/carl-f-bucherer-opens-its-first-boutique

France –Maison Hennessy anoints Renaud Fillioux De Gironde as 8th Master Blender

The Cognac house Jas Hennessy & Co, which is based in Cognac in France,marked an important milestone in its history. Its 7th Master Blender, Yann Fillioux, has passed the torch of know-how and cognac creation to his nephew, Renaud Fillioux de Gironde, the 8th generation in a lineage that has remained unbroken for more than two centuries.

A 39 year-old Cognac native, Renaud Fillioux de Gironde has already completed a comprehensive journey at Hennessy. Previously the Winegrower Relations Manager, a key position for ensuring raw material supply, he has been groomed for the role of Master Blender by his uncle for more than fifteen years.

Chairman and CEO of Hennessy Bernard Peillon said, “As CEO and President of Hennessy, my obsession is to guarantee the excellence of Hennessy cognacs just as my predecessors have done. After 15 years of preparation, Renaud, with the support of the experts of the Tasting Committee, is now a part of the Maison Hennessy’s future.” 

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/maison-hennessy-anoints-renaud-fillioux-de-gironde-as-8th-master-blender

Wendell Rodricks Lakme Fashion Week(LFW)

It takes a lot of creativity to stay in the fashion business for nearly three decades and keep designing collections that are not only hot sellers but are different each season with a new angle and interesting inspirations. Wendell Rodricks who started his career in 1988 has made media headlines every time he has sent a collection out on the ramp. The reason being – he designs with great thought and care keeping the man and woman who is his buyer in mind and has always aimed to present timeless garments that can be in fashion season after season.

I have a garment designed by him in 2001 and when I wear it in 2017 it looks just right for the season and the year.  But Wendell is a very democratic designer. He may dress the reed thin models on the ramp but he has made his buyers who could be teens, their mothers/fathers, and even senior citizens all suddenly turn into fashionistas when they step into Wendell’s garments.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/a-plus-for-wendell-rodricks

London – Harrods’ show windows to display Gucci’s enchanted garden through August

The Italian fashion house Gucci and the iconic London store Harrods, have entered into a collaboration, where through the entire month of August, Gucci will bring its botanical bounty to Harrods, taking over windows, display areas and digital channels.

The brand partnership will be evident both inside and outside the store. The sixteen windows facing the Brompton Road, as well as interior installations, will bring two exclusive Gucci stories to life – the launch of the first fragrance under the new creative direction, Gucci Bloom, and the arrival of the innovative House DIY programme. Visually, the window displays will be connected through the memorable motifs associated with the Gucci Garden.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/harrods-show-windows-to-display-guccis-enchanted

Rich Heritage of Silver Filigree & Depleting Craftsman Count

‘To harness a silvery moonbeam and weave it into a delicate lace of intricate patterns’ – comes close to describing the beauty of a filigree artifact. Created with only the purest silver or gold, the magician is the craftsman, whose nimble fingers, guided by his heritage handed down father to son, brings to life ethereal creations coveted by the kings and nobility.

Indian’s wealth lies in its rich heritage of crafts that rests in the hands of the few who inherited the secrets and techniques whispered into their ears even before they left the cradle.
http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/rich-heritage-of-silver

Rich Heritage of Silver Filigree & Depleting Craftsman Count

‘To harness a silvery moonbeam and weave it into a delicate lace of intricate patterns’ – comes close to describing the beauty of a filigree artifact. Created with only the purest silver or gold, the magician is the craftsman, whose nimble fingers, guided by his heritage handed down father to son, brings to life ethereal creations coveted by the kings and nobility.

Indian’s wealth lies in its rich heritage of crafts that rests in the hands of the few who inherited the secrets and techniques whispered into their ears even before they left the cradle.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/rich-heritage-of-silver

Ferns N Petals opens its first exclusive wedding hotel UDMAN

The premium Indian florist brand of yore, Ferns N Petals (FNP), has launched its first wedding hotel and retreat complex UDMAN. Located on NH-8, the 14 acre property has taken into account the requirements of a traditional Indian wedding. Spacious and well-appointed zones for each ceremony, such as air-conditioned banquet hall, a poolside lawn, a glass-house with a distinct European feel, well landscaped exterior facade give a one-stop solution. The F & B solutions are provided by the Seasons Group, who has aligned with the wedding hotel.

A grand launch was organized at the venue, where the UDMAN presented its classic-royal-vintage theme wedding ambiance and glamour, along with the catering by Season’s Group.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/ferns-n-petals-opens-its-first-exclusive-wedding

The Oberoi, New Delhi to open ahead of schedule in January 2018

Much awaited and much missed, The Oberoi, New Delhi, which had closed down for renovation in April, 2016, is ready to open its doors to public in January 2018, a full three months ahead of schedule. In a statement made at the 67^th Annual General Meeting of EIH Limited (the flagship Company of The Oberoi Group) held in Kolkata on 2^nd August, 2017, Mr. P.R.S. Oberoi, the Executive Chairman said, “The Oberoi, New Delhi was originally scheduled to open in early April, 2018 after complete renovation. The progress on site has been very satisfactory and the new hotel is likely to open in January, 2018.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/oberoi-new-delhi-to-open-ahead-of-schedule-in-january 

ANAHATA - Bringing the Sheen Back to Filigree

It seems a wonder that something as beautiful as a Filigree object d’ art or jewelry should have faded from the collective psyche of the connoisseurs. It is a rare craft,honed and refined for millennia by a tribe of craftsman, who generations after generation have been doing nothing else but just this. The outcome is this beautiful dancing peacock, every single feather of its tail detailed in delicate silver wires of different thickness, curled and twisted in perfect symmetry, the wings and torso, the long neck covered in a lattice of leaves, floral motifs. This heirloom may belie its age, for it is not from the collection of a Royal of yore. This work of fine craftsmanship is from Anahata’s eclectic filigree offerings.

In a bid to revive the ancient heritage and its keepers, the craftsman, Anahata has brought the spot light back on filigree. Positioned as an ubér luxury brand,Anahata is bringing back the excellence in design and finish, so that the end product is of the same standard and beauty as that which was once coveted by kings and Nizams. For instance the Silver and Gold Ladies Clutch, with its expansive latticework, took 112 hours to finish. Two master artisans worked relentlessly to create this beautiful design and lace in silver and gold.

to view full news : http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/anahata

India – YFLO hosts interactive session with actor Jackie Shroff at The Lalit New Delhi

The Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO) organized a very entertaining afternoon with the Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff at The Lalit New Delhi.The interactive session, ‘Up, Close and Personal’ was very capably anchored by Aanchal Sethi, Chairperson of YFLO, who was in her elements as she engaged in easy banter and next asked penetrating questions, ending it up with a rapid fire round.

Actor Jackie Shroff, aka Jai KishanShroff, has a career span of over three decades, with a repertoire of 207 films. Watching the man in action up close, we are not surprised that he has continued to remain the heart-throb and continues to have a huge fan following. The most endearing feature of any well-known person who has tasted success and wealth, is his humility, and never forgetting his roots.MrShroff won more hearts when he got off the dais to go up to a member of the audience who was not audible enough.  He spoke at length about his journey from his humble beginnings at Teen Batti to the heights of stardom, his mother, his wife, his star son Tiger Shroff and more.

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/yflo-hosts-interactive-session-with-jackie-shrof

Rich Heritage of Silver Filigree

&

Depleting Craftsman Count

‘To harness a silvery moonbeam and weave it into a delicate lace of intricate patterns’ – comes close to describing the beauty of a filigree artifact. Created with only the purest silver or gold, the magician is the craftsman, whose nimble fingers, guided by his heritage handed down father to son, brings to life ethereal creations coveted by the kings and nobility.

Indian’s wealth lies in its rich heritage of crafts that rests in the hands of the few who inherited the secrets and techniques whispered into their ears even before they left the cradle.

ANTIQUITY

Historians have attributed the advancement and mastery of the filigree craft to Egyptians, Greeks and Etruscans around 6 BC to 3 BC. In Mesopotamia, filigree workmanship in silver and gold, is prevalent to day and their ‘Telkari’ jewellery is known for its delicate designs.

However, archaeologists have dug up interesting evidence of a highly evolved filigree making technique dating 2 BC to 2 AD, from Peddabunkur, Kotlingala, Dhulikata and Kondapur in Andhra Pradesh. Over the years, outside influences played into the designs. The Portuguese, who produce fine filigree objects d’ art, may have swapped ideas, and exchanged influences with the Karimnagar craftsmen. The silver filigree work of Cuttack in Orissa is known as ‘Tarakashi’, and shares similarities with Indonesian silver art. The early trade links between the regions could have led to the swap in ideas. South Indonesia’s Kandari Filigree is likely to have been influenced by the Arab, Persian and Indian traders sailing into the ports. It’s a round world...

http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/rich-heritage-of-silver