Happy New Year 2012

Dora Daar

Looks like My Soul x

DI∆MOND ST∆R

Photography by Xuebing Du

Instagram: xuebing.du

Chinese Splendor

Raise The Red Lantern via National Ballet of China

Yellow Chinoiserie Wallpaper via NSR Handcrafts Co.

Wedgewood Jasper Conran Chinoiserie Green via Matching China

Raise the Red Lantern Film by Zhang Yimou

Midnight Blue Chinoiserie Wallpaper via Made in China

Mint Green Chinoiserie Wallpaper via de Gournay

House of Flying Daggers Bamboo Forest

Ralph Lauren's seems to have China on his mind, this is my favorite  collection in years.

I see some influence from Bernardo Bertolucci's wonderful 9 Academy Award winning film The Last Emperor which had incredible costumes, music and set design.

Also the colours in this collection made me think of Director Zhang Yimou films, The stunningly visual House of Flying Daggers with its incredible vibrant Jade Green Bamboo scene, the reds and blacks from both Hero and Raise The Red Lantern which was also made into a Ballet by China's National Ballet.

On 8.8.2008 Zhang Yimou directed the unforgettable Beijing Olympics opening Ceremony. So wish I could have been there.

Here are some links to view clips of these wonderful movies,

The Last Emperor www.criterion.com/films/254-the-last-emperor

House Of Flying Daggers www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLkedDMb8vI

Raise The Red Lantern www.youtube.com/watch?v=vivaoPZhIH8&feature=related

Hero www.youtube.com/watch?v=srFhXDZhUZI

http://www.ballet.org.cn/en/home.htm

www.ralphlauren.com

INTERMISSION

CHANEL

PARIS ÉDIMBOURG MÉTIERS D'ART 2012/13

Linlithgow Palace, KIrkgate Linlithgow, West Lothian Scotland

Gorgeous clothes and setting but shame about the music.

A Wally Of A Dream

"A man is never Lost at Sea " Ernest Hemingway

Darkness has set in here in England, and am craving the sun and the sea like crazy, for me there is nothing like that first dip in the ocean after cold winter months. As I live in London I try and escape by looking at images of islands , beaches and boats. I stumbled on this incredible image of  the sea and in it this unique beauty of a  power boat, what was it? The razor sharp perfect lines looked it had come from the future , am usually more old school but this boat has soul and spectacular craftsmanship.

Luca Bassani Antivari  a man with 40 years of sailing experience created his masterpiece when he could not find a boat that fit into all his requirements, so he decided to craft his dream into a reality. Combining his passion for design, performence and his passion for the sea Wally Boats was born. Whether its a speed power boat, a sailing boat or a yacht the Wally World of boats are innovative and intriguing.

Wally has a project in collaboration with Hermes called the WHY, is it boat, an island, a house on the sea? I think its all of them, what genius!!  The Wally Company are also famous for their phenomenal racing engineering , in the summer they stage more than 30 races called FT Wally Grand Prix Series. At the moment some of their boats are taking part in the Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Regatta from Tenerife to Virgin Gorda.

Wally Designs are the two time winners of The Compasso D'Oro the world's most prestigious prize fro industrial design.  

Luca Bassani Antivari followed his vision and turned into a reality and boy am I glad he did, Would be perfect in a Bond movie. 

Have a look at the website there are so many choices to look at, more technical information for those who want it and a lot of interesting projects.

Ship Ahoy! xo    

All Images via  www.wally.com                 

Master Illustrator Antonio Lopez

  This is the hot book of the month of the Master Fashion Illustrator Antonio Lopez.

He was born in Puerto Rico on Feb 11th 1943 but raised in Harlem. His mother a seamstress would ask him to draw flowers for her embroideries and he also helped his father who made mannequins to apply make up and stitch their wigs. At the age of 12 Antonio was awarded a scholarship to the Traphagen School of Fashion that had children's programmes, then in high school he was encouraged to attend the High School of Art & Design. His studies continued at The Fashion Institute of Technology. His career as a fashion Illustrator was born, and his talent was immense.

In the early 60's he began free lancing after working in newspapers for fashion Magazines such as Vogue, Harper Bazaar, Elle and Andy Warhol's Interview. In the 70's he moved to Paris with his creative partner Juan Ramos , the duo became a dynamic force in the world of Fashion. With their innovative rich Illustrations ,  Karl Lagerfeld, Gianni Versace and Yves Saint Laurent were just some of the designers who collaborated with them. Lopez launched the careers of models Jerry Hall, Jessica Lange, Grace Jones and others.

This is just a small round up of the talents of Antonio Lopez, this book is filled with his illustrations, paintings, mixed media journals and more. He lived a very creative , fun, and full life, and charmed so many. His legend is encapsulated in this wonderful book,Well done to the Authors Mauricio & Roger Padilha and Rizzoli publishing house who  reignited his mastery for all of us who did not get a chance to know him.

Hope they do an exhibition London of all his work. The book can be ordered on Amazon, not yet released in England.

What an Illustrious Life  xo

Images via

www.theantoniolopezbook.com

"DEMON CHEF" ALVIN LEUNG'S X-TREME CHINESE CUISINE..

HIS TWO MICHELIN STAR HONG KONG RESTAURANT BO IS OPENING IN LONDON'S MAYFAIR IN DECEMBER. NOW THAT WILL BE AN EXPERIENCE!

VIDEO BY RYAN HOPKINSON ON NOWNESS

Cabin Fever II

Winter Glow photo by Pawel Kucharski

Yellowstone Club Montana

Chalet Angora Megeve

Chalet La Tene Val D'Isere

Chalet Atlantique Courchevel

Drinks at Fire Pit via Tumblr

Cosy Cabin via Tumblr

Chalet Grande Corniche Les Gets

Chalet Shatoosh Megeve

Chalet Savana Megeve

Chalet Cyanella Megeve

All aboard the Snow Train via Pinterest

Chalet Tigre Megeve

Chalet Floralie Saint Martin Belleville

Chalet Brickell Megeve

Chalet Bellevue Courchevel

Vintage skies via Pinterest

Chalet Les Anges Zermatt

Chalet Tigre Megeve

Chalet Angora Megeve

Boston Cream Pie via Pinterest

Chalet  Maldeghem Klosters

Chalet Cyanella Megeve

Chalet Shatoosh Megeve

Majestic Snow Leopard via Tumblr

Chalet Maldeghem Klosters

Chalet Silk Megeve

Chalet Savana Megeve

Chalet Lampas Megeve

Swiss Chalet via Pinterest

Heavenly Snow via Pinterest

Hurricane Ridge Sunrise Photo by Kevin McNeal

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." Albert Camus

Its that time of year again, tomorrow is the Winter Solstice and the end of the Mayan Calendar, fear not as it is just the dawning of a new era and beginning of a new world. Wipe your slate clean and plant magical seeds, watch them grow with the wonder of all that is newborn and pure. Celebrate using your imagination that you are walking in this mystical snow covered mountains on your way to a nice cosy drink in your chalet with a roaring fire. If you could jump into one of these images which one would you chose?

Have a Happy 21.12.12 xo

Sources via

Ultimate Luxury Chalets

Evason Megeve

Steel Vision Maria Pergay

Moldovian born Maria Pergay's first collection of stainless steel furniture, including the 'Ring' chair and the 'Flying Carpet' daybed was exhibited in 1968 at Galerie Maison Jardin, under the direction of decorator Jean Dive. Her success was instant, and Maria was quickly sought after by sophisticated collectors for private commissions. In the 1970's Pergay went on to work in Saudi Arabia where she designed palace interiors for the Royal family. In the late 80s thru 1990s, Pergay worked on several important commissions in Russia. Throughout these years, she continued to pursue her innovative work in stainless steel. Since her groundbreaking show of new work in 2006, Pergay has exhibited internationally, including Paris, Korea and London. She has also focused on private commissions and is working with Demisch Danant on her catalogue raisonné which will be released in 2011. In her 80th year, after a half century of creation, Pergay continues to surprise both herself and her collectors. She resides in Paris.

Text by Suzanne Demisch

Photos sourced

www.demischdanant.com

www.admagazine.fr

www.nytimes.com