Intermission : Alice Temperley For Filofax.

Cordoba, Spain (by etoma)

I Loewe You

Clockwise: Founder, Enrique Loewe Roessberg (1844-1929); Enrique Loewe Hilton (1879-1934), charmed high society to Loewe; Enrique Loewe Knappe (1912) pioneered international expansion; Enrique Loewe Lynch (1941) launched ready-to- wear in the 60’s, and created the Loewe Foundation, 1988.

Most people when they see the name Espagana , they think of Flamenco, bullfights, passion, paella, sangria, tortilla and Ibiza.

Let us not forget the incredible history of this country that brought these worldwide famous painters like Velazquez, Picasso, Goya and Dali and the legendary story of Don Quixote de la Mancha written by Miguel de Cervantes to name a few of the top of my head. The other well known Spanish expertise comes from craftsmanship and leather.

This is where the House of Loewe (lo-ay-ve) comes in, in 1846 a leather goods workshop was created  by  a group pf craftsmen on the year of two royal marriages, that of Her Majesty Isabel II of Bourbon to the Duke of Cadiz and that of Princess Maria Luisa Fernanda to the Duke of Montpensier. In 1872 Enrique Loewe Roessberg, a German craftsman specializing in leather working arrived in Madrid and decided to join forces with the these craftsmen and established the Loewe brand. With the precision and technique of Enrique Loewe and the creativity, leather and sensuality of Spain the house of Loewe rose in popularity becoming the Official Supplier to the Spanish Royal Crown in 1905. Famous stars such as Ava Gardner, Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, Maria Callas and Ernest Hemingway would all purchase from the Gran Via store in Madrid.

Loewe started expanding all over Spain and in 1963 opened its first boutique in London's New Bond Street. Loewe then branched out into the Fashion Industry, Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani and Laura Biagiotti were behind the first Women's Ready to Wear Collections. From there they created perfumes, Men's ready to wear and opened shops all over the world, in 1988 the Loewe Foundation was created including the Annual International Poetry Prize . In 1996 on the 150th Anniversary of the House of Loewe  LVMH took over the ownership of the brand, now with by Stuart Vevers as the Artistic Director of the brand.

What wonderful history this brand has, and if you ever get a chance to pass by their store go and view their collection "Clothing as Light as Air, as Soft as Silk", the leather is so so soft you can't believe it , the quality is just perfection.

Ole! xo

All photos via,

www.loewe.com

Research via,

www.wikipedia.org

Happy New Year 2013

May your blessings be bountiful, your health sparkling and your love contagious.

2013 is the Magic Number, just believe. xo

Oh Papi!

Are you in need of some unique earrings? Are you in to Renaissance and Roman Baroque styles? Or do you have a jewellery obsession like me?

Here comes a Roman Gentleman named Diego Percossi Papi, well actually his creations have been around since 1968 when his little atelier opened next to Rome's Pantheon. Where else could you imagine him to be! 

Originally trained as an architect Signor Papi taught himself how to make jewellery and enamelling. With a keen eye for colour and historical vintage jewellery his pieces have been used in many movies, including the superbly costumed movie Elizabeth:The Golden Age starring Cate Blanchett(first image). There is a hint of Faberge in his use of colours and the magnificent jewellery that I saw on my trip to St Petersburg. 

You can order pieces online or when in Rome stop by his atelier and be transported to another era. 

Stupendo xo 

  ATELIER PERCOSSI PAPI

Via S. Eustachio 16

00186 Roma

Tel +39 06 68801466

Mail: percossipapi@percossipapi.com

  All images via, 

Percossi Papi

Some pieces are available on Net-a-Porter

Based Upon ~ Metal Storytelling

 Set up by twin brothers Ian & Richard Abell Based Upon is a team of incredible craftsmen, metalworkers and artist that create spectacular designs out of liquid metals and resins. Personalized large scale Artwork, Sculpture and Furniture is painstakingly made with outstanding results. We all have a story or a memory that we want to have with us always, Based Upon can manifest this for you in an unforgettable way. 

Browse their website which is full of interesting information on what they can create for you.

Storytelling in Liquid metal, now that is unique. xo

Images sourced via their site,

Based Upon

Based Upon Unit A121 / Faircharm 8-12 Creekside London SE8 3DX UK

Tel: +44 (0)20 83202122 info@basedupon.com

Le Smoking

YSL AD

YSL Cigarettes

Classic S T Dupont Lighter

Michael Caine via Like a Doll

Vintage St. Moritz Cigarettes

Delfina Delettrez Apartment via Harper's Bazaar

YSL Smoking via Helmut Newton

Love this photo but can't find the credit!

Carmen Kass via Vogue Espagna

Continental via Vintage Cigarettes

Jean-loup Sieff

YSL Vintage Cigarettes

Pierre Cardin Smoking set via Talisman

Josh Brolin by Hedi Slimane

Black and Gold S T Dupont Lighter

Nat Sherman Cigarillos

Paul Newman

Jennifer Connelly

Cartier 18Carat Gold Cigarette Case via Christies

Marlon Brando via Getty Images

The Stork Club 1950's Smoking , Elegance and fun allowed.

www.christies.com

www.ysl.com

www.helmutnewton.com

Cuixmala

This stunning and vast estate of 25,000 acres of land, beaches , lagoons was the private home of the late Sir James Goldsmith. Set on the Mexican Pacific coast near Careyes Cuixmala is a special place. The land is dotted with  villas , casitas and bungalows all in different locations and sizes.

With an incredible range of activities from horse riding, mountain biking , tennis , volley ball , kayaking, fishing , surfing to name just a few. The most interesting is that Cuixmala is set on nature reserve , home to 270 types of birds, wild boar , deer , foxes , crocodiles and the endangered Jaguar. Not to leave out the Zebras and the Turtle Protection Programme, the giant sea turtle comes to lay their eggs every year were the staff gathered them to protect them from predators and poachers until they hatch and then are returned to the sea. Guests are able to assist with the guidance of biologists, have look at the wonderful Eco Cuixmala Foundation Website for more information.

There is also a club house and a boutique and of course spa services. At Cuixmala you can rent individual rooms at the various locations or rent the whole estate for a big party or wedding. How amazing would that be.

So wish I was there right now, missing the sun and nature.

Que padre x

www.cuixmala.com

www.ecocuixmala.org

All photos via Cuixmala

Midnight at The Oasis

Sunrise on The Great Sand Sea

Meet the Flintstones 21st Century

Bedroom Adrere Amellal

Siwi Man Photo by C. Stamba-Badial 

Drinks by the Salt lake 

This was were I stayed in Adrere Amellal view of the lake all around

Drinks at the Fire pit 

i

Temple Amon

Adrere Amellal Bedroom

Dunes of The Great Sand Sea

Date Palms at Siwa

One of the many lounging nooks in Adrere Amellal

Locally  handmade Kaftans by the Siwi Women

The natural spring pool at Adrere Amellal

Illuminated "Kershef " Wall  a mix of rock salt & mud

Dinning under the palms Adrere Amelall

Sweet water oasis in the middle of the desert

Riding the dunes in the Great Sand Sea

Dinner in the middle of the desert

Dusk at Adrere Amelall

Magic dinning locations dotted around the property

Candle lit bed time

Sun setting over the dunes

“Oh that the desert were my dwelling place,

With only one fair spirit for my minster.

That I might forget the human race,

And hating no one, love her only.”

Lord Byron

In the  magical Great Sand Sea of Egypt's western Sahara on the boarder to Libya lies a diamond named Siwa. An Oasis filled with history and legends,such as the Temple  of the Oracle of Amun~ RA. Were Alexander The Great consulted the oracle in order to seek confirmation that he was the son of Zeus and the rightful ruler of Egypt. Or something like that.

I was invited  about 8 years ago to a wedding in Cairo by dear friends of mine. Included was a trip to Siwa a couple of days  before the wedding, staying at the amazing eco lodge Adrere Amellal. The love project of  visionary Dr Mounir Neamatalla a very elegant egyptian environmentalist. The words eco lodge dont always make me jump with joy, but a trip to the Egyptian desert I could not miss . 

When we arrived we all had a big smile on our faces as we took in the scene before us. The sacred white mountain towers over the property with views on  a vast salt lake , date palms  and in the distance the dunes of the great sand sea. Dotted around this setting are traditional buildings made by combining rock salt and mud called "Kershef", 40 rooms all furnished in locally artisanal furnishing, beds made out of palm with Egyptian cotton sheets and fluffy pillows. Bedouin carpets and beeswax candles everywhere  there is no electricity, no phones, no air conditioning or wifi.

Really a place to give in to the mystical call of the desert, at night they light up all the pathways with candles and dinner is served in the most amazing locations all over the property with the light of the stars as company. Date souffle served on silver plates and wine drank out of crystal glasses, the food was amazing, all the staff are local Siwi whose origins are Berber. On one night they came and played traditional Bedouin music , they danced like mad and so did we! When ready to retire, A member of staff would accompany you with a lantern to your room that glowed with candles, I would slip myself into the soft sheets with the breeze of the desert lulling me to sleep. 

Morning starts with a delicious breakfast over looking the lake and then preparation for a ride on 4 X 4 in to the Sand Sea so called because it was actually a sea, you can see fossils everywhere, as you ride over the dunes driven to mad perfection by the charming and hilarious locals its an exhilarating experience. They would stop and give you a board to surf the dunes if you wished or just sit and take in the unforgettable experience, everyday they planned a new surprise in the desert, which I would not give away as these surprises are truly special.

Once back at the lodge there are many more things to do, you can float on the lake or swim in the natural green pool under the palms, or for some you can go riding in the desert. There was also a trip into town to meet the local women whose embroidery is magnificent all supported by  Mounir Neamatalla and his also very elegant sister Laila, they produce kaftans, home furnishings and jewellery done by the local community. There is also a lot of history in the area and again I will not divulge too much here as to make you want to go and see for yourself but one of things is have swim in Cleopatra's Bath. 

 Thank you Dr Mounir for creating such a wonderful place and thank you my dear friends for letting be part of such an amazing journey. When are we going back?

  Adrere Amellal

Siwa

Photos via above websites & Flickr.

Bvlgari Hotels & Restaurants

Bvlgari Hotel Uluwatu Bali Indonesia

Bvlgari Ginza  Shop and Restaurant Tokyo Japan

Bvlgari Hotel Milano Italy

Bvlgari Hotel London Opening Spring 2012 in Knightsbridge .

I had a lovely dinner in the Bvlgari Mialno's gorgeous garden, and I have visited the spectacular one in Bali. Seems that Bvlgari are doing a very good job with their hotels.

Shame they can't have an outdoor garden restaurant in London, Hyde Park is only across the street. Maybe they will do a roof terrace , the views would be beautiful.

All Photos Via http://www.bulgarihotels.com

The Wapping Project

All Pictures taken by Vision Of Splendor on an Iphone.

Last night to celebrate a friends birthday I finally got to go dinner to The Wapping Project based in an old Hydraulic Power Station with constantly changing Art Exhibitions.

We were luckily to have booked on  a night that "Yohji Making Waves" Installation was on, by Yohji Yamamoto. Set in the 1890's Boiler Room filled with water you are taken around in a small wooden boat by their version of a Gondoliere as Yohji's Wedding dress Installation hangs Illuminated from the ceiling.There is such an ethereal ambiance that you feel enveloped in its cocoon, we so enjoyed that little trip.

Even if you are having dinner in a industrial space they manage to make you feel at home with their very warm service and the visual feast of architecture meets art. On old Tv's dotted around the vast dinning space Yohji Yamamoto's catwalk show video's were shown to tie in with Exhibition.

Outside there in a little patch of green sits a Garden Shed turned Bookshop where every Thursday evening an artist, author or poet is invited to give a reading or a performance.

There were other areas to explore but wanted to save it for a next time, where am sure it will be different again.

I loved every minute of it and will certainly return.

http://www.thewappingproject.com/

http://thewappingprojectbookshop.com/

http://www.yohjiyamamoto.co.jp/