A new Champagne for Easter

Green and pleasant:
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte

With Christmas still a few days away already retailers of thinking about Easter. In particular luxury customers are looking for new ways to celebrate – and the champagne industry is keener than ever to help them. This means the launch and promotion of champagne houses that relatively new and unknown to the UK audience.

  Against completion from centuries-old Champagne Houses, in just 35 years, Nicolas Feuillatte has climbed through the ranks. Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte’s Grand Cru Chardonnay Vintage 2004 which is being promoted for Easter comes from the best terroirs in Champagne and is aged in the Feuillatte cellars for at least eight years, making it one of their most notable Champagne.

   With its unusual colour and fresh, light style, the Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Grand Cru Chardonnay 2004 works with many dishes which are ideal for an alternative Easter feast such as scallops poached in verjuice, Peking crayfish with pineapple, white truffle risotto or an American Maine lobster salad. For the more adventurous this Easter, this cuvée also pairs well with Asian dishes such as chicken drumsticks with lemon and Thai basil.

  Also, perfect for an aperitif, the Grand Cru Chardonnay 2004 is rounded and soft on the attack and elegant on the palate with a more pronounced richness and a delicately honeyed, floral finish. The incredibly delicate bead complements this cuvee with generous finesse.

  The Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Grand Cru Chardonnay Vintage 2004 is available at John Lewis online http://www.johnlewis.com/ 

RRP £36, 750ml 

Tiffany to open flagship store in Paris

A Girl's Best Friend:
Tiffany is to open a flagship store in Paris

Tiffany & Co. today announced plans to open an important European flagship store in Paris. The approximately 976-square-metre (approximately 10,000 square feet) multi-level store will be located at 62, Avenue des Champs Elysées and is expected to open in 2014.

“This is a significant development and sales opportunity for Tiffany & Co. While we have been successful in operating three smaller stores in Paris, establishing this store on the Champs Elysées will be the ultimate symbol of Tiffany as a truly global luxury brand,” said Frederic Cumenal, executive vice president, Tiffany & Co. “This is a preeminent location that firmly places Tiffany & Co. on an international stage, in the heart of a city where people from all over the world come to visit and shop.”

The opening on the Champs Elysées will mark a new milestone in Tiffany’s connection to Paris which began in 1850 when the company established its first store. At the Paris World’s Fair in 1867, Tiffany & Co. became the first American firm to win an award for the excellence of its silverware. In 1999, Tiffany returned to Paris with a store on rue de la Paix.  Charles Lewis Tiffany founded the company with a vision to offer the world the finest diamond jewelry, and this year, Tiffany is celebrating 175 years of design excellence. 

Perrier-Jouet announces installation for Design Miami

Perrier-Jouët announces it has commissioned London-based designers Glithero to create an installation and exhibition space to be unveiled at Design Miami/ 2012 this December.

The toast of Design Miami:
Glithero are to create a new design for Perrier-Jouët

As part of its partnership with Design Miami/, Perrier-Jouët invited Glithero to create a new design in honour of the House’s Art Nouveau heritage. The result will be a unique piece presented in an experiential environment inspired by the curvilinear forms and natural motifs of Art Nouveau, a prominent theme at this year’s Design Miami/ fair.

Earlier this year, Tim Simpson and Sarah van Gameren of Glithero visited the exclusive Maison Belle Epoque, the historic Perrier-Jouët house, in Epernay France which houses no fewer than 200 original works by some of the greatest Art Nouveau masters. It was there that the design duo sought inspiration for a new piece which will debut in Miami.

“Going beneath Perrier-Jouët’s Maison Belle Époque in Epernay you are struck by a sudden change in atmosphere, of ultimate stillness, like entering a parallel world,” explains Tim Simpson, co-founder of Glithero. “We are aiming to bring this feeling of disorientation and timelessness to Design Miami/, to evoke the sense of being so deeply lost in reflection that you question which version of orientation is the truth.”

Light fantastic:
Design duo Glithero at work

This marks the first com-mission-ed piece by Perrier-Jouët as part of its ongoing partnership with Design Miami/. In addition to the commissioned work, Perrier-Jouët will be the official champagne sponsor of Design Miami/ serving its exclusive prestige Belle Epoque cuvee champagne within the Design Miami/ Collectors Lounge and select VIP events during the week of the fair.

“As part of our new partnership with Design Miami/, we are delighted to be also an active exhibitor with the launch of a unique piece of design exclusively commissioned for the fair and for Perrier-Jouët,” says Charles Armand de Belenet, International Marketing Director for Martell Mumm Perrier-Jouët.
“Our long standing relationship with arts and crafts makes
Design Miami/ an ideal forum to showcase our artistic heritage in a contemporary way.”

Following Miami, Glithero’s work will become part of the permanent collection of contemporary and historic Art Nouveau-inspired pieces in the Maison Belle Epoque. Since its very first artistic collaboration in 1902 with renowned French Art Nouveau artist Emile Gallé, who created the anemone design of its iconic Belle Époque cuvée, the house has continued to commission a roster of established and emerging designers and artists including Daniel Arsham, Noé Duchaufour Lawrance and most recently Makoto Azuma.

“Design Miami/ and Perrier-Jouët share a passion for creativity and excellence,” says Marianne Goebl, Director of Design Miami/. “We are pleased to welcome them as a partner and thrilled that they will present a new commission that introduces the Art Nouveau movement in a modern design context.”

Beautiful furniture: Lapaloosa let loose

Let there be light:
Lampshade by Paul Smith

Lapaloosa, meaning a beautiful object or thing, is a luxe online homeware emporium for delivering a mix of British bespoke design to your door. 
  It was founded by the journalist Melanie Cable-Alexander after she realised how many British making skills were dying out thanks to a magazine series she ran for Country Life magazine which took her round the country interviewing people who made beautiful objects for beautiful houses. Often, she found that many of these were the last in several generations before them.

Hot of the bench press:
Lapaloosa's relaxed but elegant style

  


Each item on apaloosa is hand-picked and curated by Melanie. Her aim is to select items that aren't just functional, they are art.

  Cable-Alexander has also founded the Slow Furniture Movement, inspired by the slow food movement, to create a general sense of awareness for the need to support and maintain British skills. Champions are Guy Salter from the Walpole Committee and Lulu Lytle of Soane Britain. 

Mustique - the muse for Theo Fennell

The mystique of Mustique:
 Theo Fennell's Tortoise bracelet

When he was looking for inspiration for his next jewellery piece, celebrated British designer Theo Fennell chose the island of Mustique - a dream destination that encapsulates the elegance, sophistication and quirky laid-back nature of Theo’s hugely popular ALIAS Silver Jewellery collection. Using Mustique as his muse, Theo created the beautiful ‘Mustique Tortoise’ bracelet.

   “The ALIAS collection has allowed us the freedom to explore new designs and techniques and appeal to a much wider audience from young to old in both price and feel.  With Mustique I wanted to produce a piece that reflects our ethos as well as Mustique as a destination – stylish yet relaxed and with a sense of fun”, says Fennell.

   With a commitment to conservation and an abundance of flora and fauna; the red footed tortoise, African Baobab trees, iguanas, hummingbirds and southern sting rays, Mustique is a protected conservation area as well as an architectural gem. The island has 74 privately-owned, individually designed villas available to rent, many of which were built by the late British stage designer and architect Oliver Messel. Villa rentals start from US$4,300 (c.£2,700) per week

  The charming sterling silver tortoise is hand-made by Theo Fennell’s talented craftsman.  Its beauty is in its simplicity, and with attractive black enamel finishing. Retailing at £95, the exclusive Mustique Tortoise will be available for one month in December 2012 at the Theo Fennell flagship store on the Fulham Road in London. From January 2013 it will be available to purchase online via www.theofennell.com and in-store at The Pink House, Mustique

 www.mustique-island.com

The Breitling Dragon Tour 2012

The Breitling Jet Team, Breitling Wingwalkers and Yves “Jetman” Rossy are flying East for winter, to bring Breitling’s passions for aviation to new audiences in what is being collectively called “The Breitling Dragon Tour”.

Sky High: the Breitling Jet Team

  All three teams are heading to Asia to participate in Airshow China 2012, held in Zhuhai, Guangdong province. Although the 1940’s Stearmans of the wingwalking team and Yves Rossy’s Jetwings can all be shipped there in containers, the Breitling Jet Team will have to get there with their own wings. Leaving from Dijon this Tuesday, they will fly through Eastern Europe, into Russia passing through Siberia, then on to Mongolia and down through China to reach their destination by mid-October.

  Breitling Aviation Director, Nigel Lamb flew the first civilian aerobatic team in China in 1996: “There is such an incredible fascination and enthusiasm for aviation in China, the team is well remembered even to this day. I’m looking forward to going back with all three teams and entirely different spectacles from Europe. Hopefully, this is just the start of the adventure. We’re looking into keeping the Breitling Jet Team in Asia for 2013 and organizing a series of tours in the region.”

  Breitling Jet Team leader, Jacques Bothelin says: “While we are there we want to make the most of our opportunities, we will miss the European 2013 season, but it will be exciting to explore new countries and display to new crowds. We’ll be back in Europe early 2014 with some great experiences to relay.”

Christie's announces Riahi Collection sale

Christie’s announces the second part of Masterpieces Formerly in The Collection of Monsieur and Madame Riahi will be auctioned in London on the evening of Thursday December 6, 2012; following the record breaking first sale in 2000, which realised $40 million. The name Riahi is synonymous with French 18^th century furniture and works of art; collecting and connoisseurship of the highest level; patronage and dedication to 'l'art français'. Comprising approximately 50 lots, the collection was formed over half a century by M. and Mme. Riahi with love, passion, a discerning eye and the belief that “l’amour n’a pas de prix.”

Cabinet of wonders: the Riahi Collection

  M. Riahi believes that 18^th century French decorative arts are one of the summits of human achievement; a moment of balance and perfection in design, materials and execution. Presenting the very best mid-18^th century marquetry and lacquer furniture, unsurpassed both in quality and rarity, many items have Royal and illustrious provenances. The collection is expected to realise in excess of £20 million/$32 million.

Charles Cator, Chairman, Furniture & Decorative Arts Department, Christie’s International said:  “We are thrilled to be entrusted with offering the second part of the Riahi Collection, which holds a legendary position among the great collections of French furniture. Assembled by a dedicated and passionate collector with an extraordinary vision and an instinctive understanding - who has inspired my admiration and respect over nearly 40 years of friendship and shared enthusiasm - I have never failed to be amazed by his unceasing quest for the most perfect examples of 18^th century French decorative arts. Presenting the market with unique opportunities to acquire exceptionally rare pieces which are timeless, by master makers from Bernard II van Risenburgh and Joseph Baumhauer to Jean François Oeben and Robert-Joseph Auguste, it continues Christie’s unrivalled tradition of being the auction house of choice for landmark sales of French decorative arts, including the Givenchy, Lagerfeld, Ojjeh, Rothschild, Wildenstein and Champalimaud collections. Monsieur Riahi recognised the power of these perfect works; this power will enable them to speak to an international audience, inspiring both traditional and new collectors who appreciate masterpieces. Both the 2000 and 2012 auctions will be remembered as landmark sales of the early 21^st century and in the history of collecting.”