Tom Aikens – Top 10 Restaurants Around The World

25 September 2008

Industry Expert Rachel Lampen asks high profile chef Tom Aikens where he chooses to dine.

Tom Aikens is one of the UK’s most exciting chefs, with three restaurants under his belt and one Michelin star. For further information visit www.tomaikens.co.uk

1. Como Shambhala (Bali)
COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri, Ubud, Gianyar 80571 Bali, Indonesia.
Tel: + 62 361 978 888
http://www.cse.como.bz/
For the most healthy, tasty, light food that you could wish for if you want to detox.

2. Prés d’Eugénie (France)
40320 Eugénie les Bains, France
Tel : + 05 58 05 06 07
www.michelguerard.com
Located in southwest France; go for blow out gastronomic food or you can have Michel G’s lighter menu.

3. Le Ferme de Mon Pere (France)
367 route du Crêt, 74120 Megève
Tel: + 00 33 4 5021 0101
www.marcveyrat.fr
Mixing world class food with world class skiing.

4. Per Se (New York)
10, Columbus Circus, New York,
Tel: + 212 8123 9335
http://www.perseny.com/
Thomas Keller’s cooking is very, very special.

5. Pierre Gagnaire (France)
6, Rue Balzac, 8th Arrondissement, Paris
Tel: 33-1/58-36-12-50
www.pierre-gagnaire.com
Amazing food and the added bonus of being open on a Sunday night.

6. The Wolseley (London)
160, Piccadilly, Mayfair, London W1J 9EB
Tel: +44 (0)20 7499 6996
http://www.thewolseley.com/
Great food, great service, great atmosphere.

7. Balthazar (New York)
80, Spring Street, New York, 10012
Tel: +212 965 1414
http://www.balthazarny.com/
The NYC equivalent of The Wolseley.

8. Hegia (France)
Chemin de Curutcheta, Quartier Celhai, 64240 Hasparren
Tel: (33) 5-59-29-67-86
http://www.hegia.com/
Just 22 miles south east of Biarritz and run by Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Daguin and his wife.

9. Martin Berasategui (Spain)
Restaurante Martín Berasategui, Loidi Kalea nº 4 20160 Lasarte-Oria Gipuzkoa
Tel: +34 943 366 471 94
www.martinberasategui.com
In San Sebastien, with 3 stars, the cooking is light, imaginative, fresh, quick and made with precious technique.

10. L’Arpege (France)
84 rue de Varenne, 7e 7th Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower), Paris
Tel: 01-47-05-09-06
www.alain-passard.com
Paris is fantastic and with the new speedier trains you could go for a day trip.

The Top 10 Cult Beauty Products

30 August 2008

By Cult Beauty’s creative director Jessica Gearhart

1. Kirsty Mcleod Clarifying Clay Exfoliator

This exfoliator has the finest grain so it exfoliates without stripping the skin. It leaves skin feeling squeaky clean and it doubles as a mask and blemish treatment.

2. Sophyto Polyphenol and 3. Mega Serum Ampules

Skin looks better after the first use. I use them daily now and can see an immediate improvement in the texture and tone every day. Redness has subsided and it’s the perfect addition to any skincare routine for prevention, anti-ageing and clearing up skin congestion.

www.sophytoorganics.com

4. Invisible Zinc Tinted Moisturizer

I have literally used this every day this summer. It is made with natural sunscreens and is tinted so that you don’t need any other concealer or foundation. It makes your skin look dewy and even comes in a handy brush-on formula if you want to carry it in your purse. The best tinted moisturizer I’ve found yet.

www.ganehill.com/au

5. Ormonde Jayne perfume in Frangipani or Ormonde Woman

I love them. They both smell fresh, especially the Frangipani, and classic at the same time. The Ormonde woman has notes of Black Hemlock, making it super exotic and really unique.

http://www.ormondejayne.com

6. A homemade mixture of olive oil and fine caster sugar

Use 2 parts oil to 1 part sugar and use as a body exfoliator on dry skin before you shower. It leaves your skin glowing. Don’t wash with soap, just rinse and pat dry (and be sure to wash out the bottom of the tub so that the next person to bathe doesn’t break their neck). Your skin will be so soft, smooth and moisturized for the entire day.

7. Daniel Galvin Junior King of Colour Shampoo

I use the red one and my hair was shinier, bouncier and softer than it had ever been before. Natural with an aloe-base and no sodium laurel sulphate.

www.danielgalvinjr.co.uk

8. Mac lipstick in ruby Woo

This is the original matte red lipstick with which I fell in love. You can wear it with nothing but a touch of blusher, or a wing of liquid liner. It always looks good and makes you feel dangerously glamorous. You can even dab a teeny bit on the apples of your cheeks for blush too.

www.maccosmetics.co.uk

9. Old-fashioned hair combs

When I want to look put together, I sweep up the sides of my hair with hair combs, it instantly lifts my face and makes me look like I’ve spent a lot of time on my hair. Let your fringe curve at the front and indulge in old Hollywood style.

www.butlerandwilson.co.uk

LB LIKES…

10. INA Crystals White Gold Detoxifying Crystal Salts

These miracle crystals are the equivalent of a 3-day detox! Simply add to a hot bath and relax while the salts work their magic. It also adds a lovely luminosity to the skin.

www.spacenk.com

WWW.CULTBEAUTY.CO.UK

The Top 10 Experiences in the World

14 August 2008

1. Take a bath with a monkey in a hot spring, Hokkaido, Japan
Ever since the first Japanese macaque ventured into a hot spring to pick out some nuts around 40 years ago, the baths of Jigokudani (literally Hell Valley), Nagano, have been popular with monkeys keen to keep out of the winter cold. There’s nothing quite like sharing a soak with a simian, and the most astonishing aspect is just how human they are, closing their eyes with pleasure as they relax in the heat, and having snowball fights in the surrounding snow.
The hotsprings are part of the Korakukan Ryokan located in Jigokudani, Nagano, Hokkaido. http://www.jigokudani-yaenkoen.co.jp

2. A cycle ride from Le Paz, Bolivia
There’s no denying it’s dangerous, but it’s hard to see what could possibly beat the exhilaration. The 64km cycle ride from the snowy peaks of La Cumbre to the steaming depths of Yolosa in the Amazonian Jungle descends a spectacular 3.6km, and careers down the dramatic ‘World’s Most Dangerous Road’ (which alone descends 2000m) cut into the side of the mountain with sheer drops of over a mile on one side, and thundering waterfalls and stately rock overhangs on the other.
http://www.gravitybolivia.com

3. Swim with dolphins in Kaikoura, New Zealand
Dozens of wild dolphins swim circles around you, so close you could put out a hand and touch their slippery backs. If you can get over feeling a little self-conscious, mimic their calls through your mask and they’ll come even closer, ducking and diving and playing Unbeatable.
http://www.dolphin.co.nz

4. Sitting by Pushkar Lake during the Camel Festival, Rajasthan, India
Even in its calmest moments, the holy city of Pushkar is a sensory feast of colours, fragrances and sound – during the camel festival (the world’s largest), the panoply is incredible. Traders, performers and pilgrims from all over India and beyond travel to Pushkar for the five-day mela, which sees fantastically decorated camels and other livestock raced and paraded, stall holders setting up in every cranny of the village and fairground rides, competitions and music filling the air with sound. Enjoying a moment of peace in the midst of this madness, sitting by Pushkar Lake, surrounded by the devotional candles, the panorama of the Himalayas and the pilgrims bathing in the holy waters, is a unique experience.
http://www.pushkar-camel-fair.com

5. Camping in the Western United States
For the sheer scale of its breathtaking beauty, the landscape of the Western United States is (very) hard to beat. A trip through the numerous national parks here, taking in scenery from the rugged religious-looking spires of the Bryce Canyon to the thundering waterfalls and elysian fields of Yosemite, sleeping under the stars with the threat of bears always present, is an exhilarating and unforgettable experience.
http://www.yellowstonenationalpark.com – Wyoming, Montana and Idaho
http://www.yosemitepark.com – California
http://www.grand.canyon.national-park.com – Arizona
http://www.glacier.national-park.com – Montana

6. Sunset on a secluded beach, Perhentian Islands, Malaysia
Of course it’s a cliché – but clichés exist for a reason. And when you’re sitting on a totally secluded beach in an island inlet looking out at a turquoise blue sea, with the sunset colouring the sky a thousand shades of orange, pink and red, do you really care if you’re living a cliché or not?
http://www.perhentianislands.com

7. The Palio, Siena, Italy
This heart-thumpingly fast and furious spectacle lasts only an average of 90 seconds, as jockeys and horses career around the Campo, Siena’s stunning central square, described by Gabriel Garcia Marquez as ‘the most beautiful square in the world’. The excitement and jubilation surrounding the frenetic mania of the race is totally infectious.
http://www.ilpalio.org

8. A day of urban fun in London, UK
Be awed by the ceiling of St Paul’s cathedral, enticed by the avenues and formal gardens of Regent’s Park and stunned by the architecture of the London skyline from one of the many bridges. Portobello Road will make you dizzy with colour and sound, the art in the Tate will make your soul sing and the street artists and boutiques of Covent Garden, and the bars and restaurants of Soho ensure a sensory overload. Sure, maybe we walk through it every day, but don’t forget – for art, culture, gastronomy, city greenery and an unbeatable ambiance, London really is up there with the very best.
http://www.visitlondon.com

9. Skydiving over Mission Beach, Cairns, Australia
Freefalling from 14,000 feet is, obviously, an almost unparalleled adrenaline rush. When the elation of freefall is combined with parachuting down over palm-fringed golden beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, lush rainforest and perfectly formed tropical islands . . . wow.
http://www.jumpthebeach.com.au

10. Watching gorillas in Uganda
Coming face to face with a giant silverback gorilla in its natural habitat, completely unperturbed by your presence, is one of the most humbling and incredible experiences on earth. There are less than 700 mountain gorillas left in the wild, and it takes several days of intense trekking through the dense jungle of northern Rwanda and south west Uganda, punctuated by looming volcanoes, to reach them.
http://www.gorillatours.com

Compiled by Emily Paine

The Top 10 Film Locations in the World

07 August 2008

1.    Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City, Mexico
Featured in William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, 1996, dir. Baz Luhrmann
Baz Luhrmann sought to evoke a place where religion mixed with politics, a country where the people’s passionate energy and sense of history was so strong that it would produce an intoxicating atmosphere able to penetrate the camera lens – thus Mexico city became the ideal situ for the modern version of ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ The Chapultepec Castle, on the hill of the same name, features in key scenes in the film namely all scenes filmed in Juliet’s bedroom and the ‘elevator scene.’ The environs of ‘Verona Beach’, the fictional, surrealistic suburb show Mexico’s darker qualities where the conflict between rich and poor is still very much alive.

2.    Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China
Featured in Hero, 2002, dir. Zhang Yimou
The breathtaking flying fight scene between Nameless (Jet Li) and Broken Sword (Tony Leung) was filmed above the waters of Arrow Bamboo Lake in Jiuzhaigou Valley, in northern Sichuan. The pagoda where they occasionally alight, and where Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung) is laid, was built specifically for the shoot, but the rest of the stately, tranquil scenery can be enjoyed at any time. Arrow Bamboo Lake is the first of the deep lakes in the UNESCO World Heritage Nature Reserve. Jiuzhaigou is most easily reached from Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan.

3.    Tozeur, Tunisia
Featured in The English Patient, 1996, dir. Anthony Minghella
Anthony Minghella’s film deservedly received the Oscar for Best Cinematography. Desolate yet dramatic desert landscapes give the film its scope and gravitas. Filmed in Tozeur, Tunisia, the dry salt lake Chott el Jerid serves as Almasy (Ralph Fiennes) expedition camp. While the ‘Cave of Swimmers’ where Katherine (Kristin Scott-Thomas) dies and is carried out by Almasy is located at the summit of a hill outside the desert town of Degache. The area is inaccessible by ground vehicles and takes 25 minutes on foot.

4.    Karekare Beach, Waitakere, Auckland, New Zealand
Featured in The Piano, 1993, dir. Jane Campion
This powerful expanse of black volcanic sand is the beach where Ada (Holly Hunter) and her daughter Flora (Anna Paquin) first arrive and where her piano is left. Much of the rest of the film is shot around the area. Fortunately, due to the fierce protection of locals, Karekare lacks any sort of urbanisation, and retains its vast, eerie beauty.

5.    Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, UK
Featured in the Harry Potter films, various
Locations around the UK have become famous as settings for the antics of the magical Hogwarts students. Among the most impressive are Alnwick Castle, which is the building that is now known as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and against the backdrop of which the broom training scenes and the Quidditch matches are both shot. The stunning viaduct bridge over which the Hogwart’s Express hurtles is the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the West Highland Line in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. It connects Fort William and Mallaic and in the summer, the Jacobite steam train crosses over it.

6.    Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
Featured in Octopussy, 1983, dir. John Glen
India still remembers Bond’s visit to Udaipur and posters and the movie itself often play in the cafes and bars in the area. The palace that Octopussy (Maud Adams) inhabited was the spectacular Lake Palace Hotel on Jagniwas Island in the middle of Lake Pichola. The retreat of Kamal Khan where Bond is held captive is the Summer Palace, set upon a hill and overlooking the beautiful white city. Bond himself (Roger Moore) stays in the spectacularly lavish Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel, which is part of the City Palace. All three palaces are owned by the Mewar Royalty, and still regularly used for royal events. The high-speed rickshaw chase also takes place through Udaipur’s tiny winding streets, and featured several oblivious passers-by!

7.    Little Italy, New York and Palermo, Italy
Featured in The Godfather Trilogy, 1972, 1974 & 1990, dir. Francis Ford Coppola
The baptism of Connie and Carlos’s child, during which the murder of all the enemies of the Corleone family are carried out, interspersed with scenes of the baptism and close-ups of Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) is filmed at  Old St Patrick’s Cathedral, at 264 Mulberry Street in Little Italy, New York. In Part III, the tragic operatic climax to the trilogy, when his daughter (Sofia Coppola) is shot, is filmed on the steps to the Teatro Massimo on the Piazza Verdi in Palermo, Italy.

8.    Brasov County, Transylvania, Romania
Featured in Cold Mountain, 2002, dir. Anthony Minghella
The North Carolina community of Cold Mountain Town was built (entirely of logs) in a mountain valley near the small town of Zarnesti, against the stunning mountain backdrop. Shots including Inman (Jude Law) and his first encounter with Ada (Nicole Kidman) and Ada and Ruby (Renee Zellweger) meeting for the first time were shot here. The location was particularly perfect for filming as it is completely isolated from noise and modern life, with locals living in the beautiful Transylvanian villages leading an old-fashioned, rural lifestyle completely in keeping with the lifestyle depicted in the film.

9.    Belchite, Zaragoza province, Spain
Featured in Pan’s Labyrinth, 2006, dir. Guillermo del Toro
The opening sequence of this gothic fairy tale is shot in the ruined ghost town of Belchite, which was destroyed in the Spanish Civil War’s Battle of Belchite, between August 24 and September 7, 1937. The verdant green mountain settings are actually in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range outside Madrid – to recreate their lushness, the film crew had to hand-craft grass and moss-covered trees from green wood and thread.

10.    Raby Castle, Durham, UK
Featured in Elizabeth, 1998, dir. Shekhar Kapur
York Minster Cathedral was used to depict the Elizabeth I (Cate Blanchett) coronation. This is the only film ever to have been given the permission to film in the actual cathedral.  Raby Castle in County Durham, which dates from the Middle Ages, was used for the Midsummer Eve Pageant, with its impressive and colourful flotilla of barges. This is the scene in which an assassination attempt is made on Elizabeth’s life, just as she and Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes) are enjoying a rare moment of relative privacy.

The Top 10 Adrenalin-Fuelled Holidays

31 July 2008

It’s only a select few holidays that can claim to be this exciting and exclusive. Adrenalin experts Black Tomato profile ten luxury holidays that feature not only exceptional accommodation in some of the world’s most spectacular settings, but offer activities so extreme and audacious that only the most intrepid of travellers need apply.

1. Everest Skydive, Nepal
For years, conquering Everest has represented the pinnacle in human achievement but now the Everest skydive tests the limits of human endurance even further. This experience allows you to jump out of a plane at the height of Mount Everest, with the majestic mountain by your side, and land in the highest drop zone on earth. A once-in-a-lifetime experience guaranteed to leave you breathless.

2. Heli-surfing, New Zealand
This is the ultimate indulgence for adrenalin junkies – explore New Zealand’s incredible terrain and unparalleled surfing spots by helicopter. Using up-to-the-second meteorological reports you’ll chase the country’s best surf and leave the crowds behind by accessing stunning inlets and secret coves that remain inaccessible to everyone else. Surf’s up!

3. Goldeneye Jump, Switzerland
There’s no bigger thrill seeker than James Bond and if you’re eager to emulate him look no further than the Goldeneye Jump in Switzerland. Famed since its inclusion in the eponymous film’s title sequence, this daring 220 metre free fall bungee jump will see you hurtle to the ground and snap back to safety milliseconds before impact.

4. Night-time Grand Prix, Singapore
Few events offer the glamour and exhilaration of Formula One and none can boast all this excitement combined with the darkness of night…until now. The world’s first night-time Grand Prix takes place this September in Singapore. The historic event will be lit by floodlights and the city’s dazzling skyline and promises to be the most exciting and glamorous race yet.

5. Volcano-surfing, Nicaragua
Nicaragua’s incredible Masaya range is the site of this daredevil activity: volcano surfing. Surf down active volcanoes and slice through still-warm ashes as smoke billows beneath you – definitely not for the faint-hearted.

6. Extreme Ice-climbing, Chamonix
The panoramic backdrop of soaring mountains in Chamonix makes this a spectacular spot to indulge in one of the world’s most daring activities: ice-climbing. There are climbs for a variety of levels but for a real surge of adrenalin scale sheer walls of deathly-smooth ice as infinite abysses stretch beneath you.

7. Shark Diving, South Africa
The wildlife sanctuary of Gansbaai, near Cape Town, is regarded as the world’s best shark-watching site and provides you with the tantalising opportunity to observe the great predator. Barricaded within a cage, you’ll sink to the depths of the water as ravenous sharks encircle you.

8. Tectonic Diving, Iceland
Few places lend themselves better to exploration than Iceland, but few people know its most thrilling adventure lies underwater. Hidden away in a lake near Reykjavik you’ll find the point where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and it’s now possible to dive between the crevice that separates the earth’s crust. Sink through the astoundingly clear waters and place a hand against each continent for a truly bracing holiday experience.

9. Discovering Antarctica
Antarctica is one of the world’s last great wildernesses and exploring this ethereal landscape is a truly invigorating experience. Fly from South Africa to 24 hour daylight and an otherworldly terrain devoid of people but blessed with superlative climbing and abseiling plus some awfully cool penguins.

10. Muay Thai Boxing, Bangkok
Muay Thai is an ancient and brutal style of boxing that enjoys fervent support in Thailand. Make your way to Bangkok to join the raucous crowds as two lithe competitors engage in ferocious combat. This is prize fighting like you’ve never seen it before.

http://www.blacktomato.co.uk/

The Top 10 Most Memorable Wines

23 July 2008

By Valentino Monticello
Valentino Monticello was the head sommelier at the 21 Club and wine consultant to Mark Birley at Harry’s Bar London. His passion and knowledge for wine, opera and art makes Valentino one of Lifestyle Boutique’s most treasured experts.

http://www.valentinomonticello.com/

1. Chateau Lafite Bordeaux, Rothschild 1945
Tasted in 1979 at the 21 Club.

The 1945 Chateau Lafite is generally agreed to be the epitomy of elegance, balance and harmony. A marked triumph considering, the German garrison occupation of the Chateau throughout World War II. However, Chateau Lafite has long been legendary, in 1755 it won the high approval of Louis XV, who found it invigorating (it was thought to have anti-ageing properties), and Madame de Pompadour who served it at her evening receptions.

2. Petrus 1966 – Bordeaux, 1990 at Avery’s

Chateau Petrus is the most celebrated wine of Pomerol; its wine is distinctive from those of surrounding properties in that although it has their richness, it also has a particular depth of colour and a clearer definition of flavor and bouquet. The wine is rich, full-bodied and decadent, with thick, earthy, berry flavours that ensure its longevity.

3. Romanée-Conti 1985 – Bourgogne, 2000 Mark’s Club

La Romanée Conti comes from the village of Vosne Romanée, one of the smallest wine villages in Burgundy. The ’85 has been highly praised, as having a nose of fresh-cut flowers and cherries and a particularly silky palate, with a good balance between acidity and tannin.
Romanee Conti, 1 Rue Derriere le Four, Vosne-Romanee 21700, France
Mark’s Club – 46 Charles Street, London W1, +44 (0) 2074912762

4. Chateau d’ Yquem – 1967 Bordeaux, 1999 Mark Birley

The great secret of d’Yquem is that the grapes are picked one by one at exactly the right moment, when their sugar content is extremely high. The wine is universally praised – it was described by Andre Simon as ‘distilled dew and honey with the fragrance of all of the fresh wild flowers of the field greeting the dawn.’ The 1979 is a classic – intense and unabashedly sweet with orange, vanilla, apricot and caramel flavours and a long finish.

33210 Sauternes, +33 (0) 5 57 98 07 07,
www.chateau-yquem.fr

5. Avize Grand Cru 1995 – Jacquesson, Champagne 2008, National Gallery

Jacquesson’s three vineyards, planted between 1962 and 1983, lie in the village of Avize, at the heart of the Côte des Blancs on the lower slopes of the Grand Cru. The 1995 is a pale, aromatic wine with nutty notes and a clean, nettly finish, that is greatly celebrated.
Rue du Colonel Fabien, 51530 Dizy, +33 (0) 3 26 55 68 11,
The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DN, 020 7747 2885
www.champagnejacquesson.com

6. Clos du Val – Stag’s Leap D. Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001 – Napa Valley 2008

This wine receives consistently excellent reviews, and is arguably the best Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley. It has a brilliant violet-red colour, and is a medium-full wine with powerful aromas and fruity flavours. It ages excellently.
6150 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA 94558, (+1) 800 640 5327

7. Sassicaia 1975 Tuscany – 1999 The Lanesborough

Sassicaia was created by the Marquis Mario Incisa della Rocchetta in Italy. 75’ was an excellent year all over Tuscany but this vintage Sassicaia with its mature bouquet, aromas of tar, mushrooms and dried fruit is in a class of its own.
The Lanesborough, Hyde Park Corner, London, SW1X 7TA, +44 (0) 20 7259 5599
57020 Bolgheri, Tuscany, +39 0565 762003, www.sassicaia.com

8. Il Margone 2001 Il Molino di Grace – Tuscany

The Villa Castagnoli and its Il Molino di Grace vineyard are located in the heart of Tuscany’s prestigious Chianti Classico region. In just a few years (the current owner has only been there since 1996), the wines have reached a very high level of quality and have attracted widespread attention. In 2004, Il Molino di Grace was the “2004 Gambero Rosso Emerging Vineyard of the Year”.
Localita Il Volano – Lucarelli, 50020, Panzano in Chianti, +39 (0) 55 856 10 10, www.ilmolinodigrace.com

9. Vega Sicilia 1981 – Spain 2008 – Mark Birley

This vineyard has been making bottled wine since 1915. The 1981 is a very dark wine, black at the center, with black cherry and mineral scents, full but elusive.
Carretera N122, Km 323, 47359 Valbuena de Duero, +34 (0) 983 680 147, www.vega-sicilia.com

10. Satrapezo Saperavi 2004 – Telavi, Georgia

A Georgian dry red. The 2004 has a very soft palate with soft, easy red fruits and cherry fruit on the nose. The wine is usually deep garnet coloured, with notes of black fruit and ripe tannins, and is suitable for extended aging.
Telavi Wine Cellar, Kurdgelauri, Telavi 2311 656 27, 2200 Telavi, Georgia, +995 (0) 350 50555

The Top 10 Artists to Buy Now

07 July 2008

By the Helium Foundation; the high end art dealers (acquisitions and commissions)

http://www.heliumfoundation.com/

American of Cuban decent, creates stunning canvases influenced by memories of urban migrations, street writing and calligraphy. Each piece has hidden somewhere in it a reference to the time and place it reminds him of. Incredibly rare and hard to get hold of and set to be one of the most collectable artists over the next years.

Adaptation and Translation, 10th October – 10th November; Elms Lesters represents Jose’ Parla’ exclusively in UK

http://www.joseparla.com/
http://elmslesters.com

2. Takashi Murakami

Influenced by Anime and Manga, Murakami uses flat, bold planes of colour and graphics in the ‘Super Flat’ style he is largely credited with starting. Currently enjoying a worldwide retrospective you can catch him in Germany at the end of July.
http://www.heliumfoundation.com/artist.php?id=19

3. Banksy

The man who brought stencil graffiti art to the forefront of public consciousness. Stark, satirical and often humorous comments on society. The set up of ‘Pest Control’, a company set up purely to authenticate works currently in circulation, is a definite sign of this artist taking firm control of the future with a strong sense of maturity.
http://www.banksy.co.uk/

4. Nick Walker

Another product of the amazing creative hub that is Bristol, England, Nick Walker combines stencils with photography, graphic design and his free hand drawings. Out shining old school artists in recent auctions and having people queuing for 2 days to get into his exhibitions has proven to the world that its time to sit up and pay attention to increasing popularity of Walker.
http://www.heliumfoundation.com/artist.php?id=3

5. Zhang Xiaogang

The next time you are in Hong Kong go to the China Club and take a look at the vast collection of art on the walls filling every possible inch. Among them you will find Zhang Xiaogang the leader of the Chinese contemporary scene. His Bloodline series of paintings are the haunting portraits with large black eyes that have a waiting list of at least 2 years before you get a commission by him. So any time his paintings do become available they are snapped up in an instant.
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/zhang_xiaogang.htm

6. Damien Hirst

Arguably the most infamous member of the Young British Artists of the 1990′s, Hirst’s clinical, stark style is instantly recognisable. The British Icon has commanded a strong mastery over the etching discipline and his limited editions have become more collectable than ever before.
http://www.heliumfoundation.com/artist.php?id=18

7. Francis Bacon

He made the news this month for breaking auction records with the sale of his 1976 Triptych selling for $86.3m. It then turned out that Roman Abramovich who was previously not known to be an art collector is apparently now the proud owner. This is yet another sign that the art market is being seen as a very stable alternative investment for many people.
http://www.theartnewspaper.com/article.asp?id=7951

8. Faile

A melting pot of American, Japanese and Canadian ideas, New York based collective Faile are heavily influenced by pulp fiction and comic books. Currently adorning the front face of the Tate Modern Building in London the collaboration between the museum and the art collective has planted them firmly in the forefront of the contemporary art scene.

9. Os Gemeos

Identical twin brothers from São Paulo, Brazil, whose real names are Otavio and Gustavo Pandolfo. They started painting graffiti in 1987 and gradually became a main influence in the local scene, helping to define Brazil’s own style. Their work often features yellow-skinned characters, and subjects range from family portraits to commentary on São Paulo’s social and political circumstances, as well as Brazilian folklore. The best place to see them right now is also on the front of the Tate building.
http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/streetart/artists.shtm

10. Bridget Riley

Bridget Riley is one of Britain’s best-known artists. Since the mid-1960s she has been celebrated for her distinctive, optically vibrant paintings which actively engage the viewer’s sensations and perceptions, producing visual experiences that are complex and challenging, subtle and arresting. Popularity for her work has never waned over the decades and she is selling as strongly as ever with fantastic auction results the whole year through.
http://www.bridgetriley.com/

The Helium Foundation was founded by Jennifer McCormick

The Top 10 Martinis and where to drink them

25 June 2008

Where in the world can you find a half decent Martini? Jason Fendick, Managing Director at ‘Pintxo People’ and qualified mixologist discloses his personal, favourite venues. Jason’s is no stranger to cocktails, his expertise spans from years ago when he co-founded popular London bars such as Hakkasan and Zeta.
1. Boadas (Barcelona)
Tallers 1, Barcelona 08001, Espana
Tel: +34 9 33 18 95 92
‘Amazing little corner bar of La Ramblas that has been throwing drinks since the 20s’

2. Dry Martini (Barcelona)
Aribau 162-166, Barcelona 08036, Espana
Tel: +34 9 32 17 50 72
http://www.drymartinibcn.com
‘Virtually a museum; some of the oldest bottles of spirit line glass cabinets in the room and the martini is the hero. Can only be made by one person, the martini master on shift.’

3. Vertigo (Bangkok)
21/100 South Sathon Rd, Sathon, Bangkok
Tel: +66 (2)6 79 12 00
http://www.vertigo42.co.uk
‘The views, the breeze, the company, all very, very romantic.’

4. Milk and Honey (New York City)
134, Eldridge Street, New York, NY, 10002 nr Broome Street
Tel: +1 212 625 3897
http://www.mlkhny.com/
‘Everything you would expect from a secret Chinatown boozer’

5. Harry’s Bar (Venice)
San Marco 1323, 30124 Venezia
Tel: +39 041 528 5777
http://www.cipriani.com
‘A must during your life time; take a boat taxi from the airport and head straight to there’

6. Four Seasons George V (Paris)
31, avenue George-V, 8th
Tel: + 33 1 49 52 70 00
http://www.fourseasons.com/paris/dining/le_bar.html
‘This is a very old fashioned bar and leaves you speechless – in a good way’

7. The Experimental Cocktail Club (Paris)
37 Rue St-Sauveur, Paris, 75002
Tel: +33 1 45 08 88 09
‘A secretive and underground progressive cocktail experimentation club, you need to dress in 20s attire or you won’t get in, and you need THE password!’

8. Zeta Bar (Sydney)
Level 4, 488 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Tel: +61 02 9265 6070
http://www.zetabar.com.au/
‘Masses of hype but same concept as the Zeta bar which opened in The London Hilton in 1999…’

9. Pintxo People (Brighton)
95-99 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2LB
Tel: +44 (0)1273 732 323
http://www.pintxopeople.co.uk
‘Observer Food Monthly Best UK Bar 2007’

10. The Bar at the Dorchester (London)
Park Lane, London W1K 1QA, England
Tel: +44 20 7629 8888
http://www.thedorchester.com
‘Glamorous and intimate with excellent martinis’

The Top 10 Schools in the World

20 May 2008

1. American Embassy School (Delhi)
Chandagupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
Department of State/AES
9000 New Delhi Place
Washington DC
Tel: +91 11 2688 8854
http://www.aes.ac.in/web/AES/index.htm
American curriculum (High School Diploma), IB Diploma, Advanced Placement courses; co-ed, day school. 1,200 pupils total in pre K-12 (ages 3-18). Est 1952. High level of expectation and results, demanding academics often combining IB and AP courses; outstanding sports and extracurricular offerings.

2. Eton College (UK)
Windsor, Berkshire SL4 6DW
Tel: +44 1753 671 249
http://www.etoncollege.com/
English National Curriculum (A levels, GCSEs); boys; ages 13-18; Church of England; boarding and day; legendary English public school est. 1440 by Henry VI, on the Thames in the shadow of Windsor Castle; highly selective; still worthy of global reputation for strong academics, wide-ranging sports, high-performing peers. Old boys include 19 Prime Ministers, Boris Johnson, David Cameron. Students mostly go on to top UK universities (Oxbridge etc).

3. Dulwich College Shanghai (China)
266 LanAn Road
Jinqiao, Pudong
Shanghai 201206
Tel: +86 21 5899 9910
http://www.dulwichcollege.cn
English National Curriculum; co-ed; ages 3-18; non-denominational; students work towards IGCSEs at 16 and the IB Diploma at 18. Excellent facilities located in the expat suburb of Jinqiao in Pudong. Operate a selective admissions policy. Wide range of sporting and extra-curricular offerings, house system places students into teams, named after famous Dulwich College (UK) old boys: Anand, Wing, Shackelton, and Howard.

4. Geelong Grammar School (Australia)
50 Biddlecombe Avenue, Corio, Victoria 3214
Australia
Tel: +61 3 52739200
http://www.ggscorio.vic.edu.au
Australian curriculum (Victoria Certificate of Education) and IB; co-ed, Anglican, Early Learning Centre to Year 12. Private Australian boarding and day school covering four campuses. Both its principal and vice principal are English; very high- calibre teaching staff. Extensive academic subjects and sports, arts (14 music options, 44 sporting activities, 29 other clubs or activities etc); Attractive campus settings.

5. The Hotchkiss School (USA)
PO Box 800, 11 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, Connecticut 06039-0800 USA
Tel: +1 860 435 3102
http://www.hotchkiss.org/
American curriculum (High School Diploma, college prep), Advanced Placement (AP); co-ed; grades 9-12, PG (approx ages 14-18); about 570 students; non-denominational; very selective independent school, mostly boarding, some day; est. 1891; excellent academics (over 220 courses); outstanding extra-curricular activities especially music, writing, athletic programmes; first rate facilities on large, beautiful campus. Famous graduates include Henry Luce, Thomas Hoving, Robert Bork. Students go on to colleges and universities in US (many to Ivies) and abroad.

6. International School of Geneva (Switzerland)
(Ecole International de Genève)
Tel: +41 22 787 26 30
http://www.ecolint.ch

La Châtaignerie Campus
Chemin de la Ferme 2, 1267 Founex, Vaud
Tel: +41 22 960 91 11
Twenty minutes from Geneva in the Canton of Vaud, offers French and English programmes for around 1,200 students aged 5-19. All programmes lead toward the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or the Maturité Suisse; also available are GCSE for Anglophones and the Diplôme National du Brevet for Francophones.

La Grande Boissière Campus
Route de Chêne 62, 1208 Genêve
Tel: +41 22 787 24 00
The oldest and largest of the three campuses (housing around 1,900 students), is located in the centre of Geneva. It offers French, English and bi-lingual programmes for children aged 3-19 leading to the IB or High School Diploma.

Campus des Nations
Primary & Secondary: Route des Morillons 11, 1218 Grand-Saconnex, Genève
Tel: +41 22 770 47 00
Early Years: Route de Pregny 14, 1292 Chambésy, Genève
Tel: +41 22 748 14 50
With around 3,900 students, Ecolint is a non-denominational school comprised of three co-educational campuses in different locations and following slightly different curricula. The school has two sites located near the UN and around 900 students who follow the English speaking IB Organisation’s primary, middle and diploma programmes. Children aged 3-7 are accommodated at the Pregny site, while those in primary year 3 and above are at the Grand-Saconnex site. Both sites have learning centres for children with moderate to severe learning support needs, unique to the Anglophone community.

7. Phillips Exeter Academy (USA)
20 Main Street, Exeter, New Hampshire 03833 USA
Tel: +1 603 777 3437
www.exeter.edu
American curriculum (High School Diploma, college prep); co-ed; grades 9-12, PG (approx ages 14-18); 1,000 students; non-denominational; est. 1781; highly selective independent day/boarding; extensive, state-of-the art facilities; classes taught using Exeter-originated Harkness method (max 12 students and one teacher around a table; student participation rather than teacher-led lectures); extremely rigorous academics (450 courses in 19 study areas); fields 60 athletic teams, wide-ranging extra-curricular activities. Famous graduates include John Irving, John Knowles, Dan Brown, Daniel Webster, Gore Vidal. Students go on to colleges and universities across the US, high proportion to Ivy League universities, some abroad.

8. Tanglin Trust School (Singapore)
Portsdown Road, Singapore 139299
Tel: +65 6778 0771
http://www.tts.edu.sg

English National Curriculum (GCSE, A Levels); co-ed; ages 3 to 18; 745 students; non-denominational; large, modern day school with an impressive campus (new sports and drama centre and administrative building planned), predominantly staffed by British teachers. The majority of students are British, as a matter of policy, and the remainder are largely drawn from commonwealth countries. A rapidly expanding school with a thriving parent body. Students go on to UK universities, Oxbridge, Imperial College (London), London School of Economics, among others.

9. United World College of South East Asia (Singapore)
(UWCSEA) 1207 Dover Road, Singapore 139654
Tel: +65 6775 5344
http://www.uwcsea.edu.sg
IB Primary Years Programme, English National Curriculum (IGCSEs), IB Diploma; co-ed; 3,000 students; ages 4-18; Mostly day, some boarding, the school is part of the UWC movement; broad cultural mix of students and staff, but there is usually a waiting list; selective at the IB level. Although many of the students are not native English speakers, UWC’s good academic record and impressive facilities make it a popular option for British expats. Graduates go on to UK and US universities (Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, Princeton and Harvard in the US) and McGill in Canada. Robust gap year service programme: graduates can work in Kenya and Cambodia; some regional placements with NGOs (with future plans to increase those in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Nepal and Ladakh).

10. Westminster School (UK)
17 Dean’s Yard, London SW1P 3PB
Tel: +44 20 7963 1003
http://www.westminster.org.uk/
English National Curriculum (GCSE, A levels); 620 boys, 115 girls (6th form); ages 13-18; Church of England; day students and boarding, most of whom go home at weekends; outstanding selective independent school, est. 1179; within environs of Westminster Abbey (which serves as the school chapel). Excellent academics, broad extra-curricular activities. Old Boys include Ben Jonson, Christopher Wren, Charles Wesley, AA Milne, John Gielgud, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Helena Bonham-Carter. Students go on to a range of universities, Oxbridge as well as other top UK universities and some US Ivies.

For further information about these and other schools in the UK and abroad,
LB recommends:

The Good Schools Guide http://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/
The Good Schools Guide International http://www.goodschoolsguideinternational.com/

Disclaimer:
This is an unscientific sampling of schools, since this is a vast subject area.
*these are not ranked in any order
*there are many more schools that could have featured on this list
*these are only from the pool of schools catering to English speakers worldwide

The Top 10 Plastic Surgeons in the World

20 May 2008

1. Doctor Ivo Pitanguy
Ivo Pitanguy Clinic,
Santa Casa da Misericórdia da Lourinhã,
Rua da Misericórdia, 2530-120, Brazil
Tel: +351 261 410 127

Pioneer in aesthetic surgery and reconstructive plastic surgery

2. Dr Olivier H. de Frahan
15, rue de l’Amiral d’ Estaing, 75116, Paris
+33 1 47 27 08 04
ohf@olivierdefrahan.com

Plastic and cosmetic surgery including botox, fillers and lipostructure. Dr. Olivier H. de Frahan specialises in and is renowned for his natural looking techniques for both eyelids and facelifts.

3. Sydney Coleman
44, Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013
Tel: 212 571 5200
http://www.drscoleman.net/

Specialises in lipostructure, a fat grafting technique used to restore the fullness lost during ageing
4. Sherrell Aston
728 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021
212-249-6000
http://www.draston.com/sa-aston.html

Renowned for development of FAME (finger-assisted malor elevation) technique for facelifts)

5. Dr Michel Pfulg
LaClinic
Ave de Collonge 43
1820 Montreux-Territet
Switzerland
+41 21 966 70 00
http://www.laclinic-montreux.com

Facelifts, rhinoplasty, breast surgery, liposuction, abdominal plasty, lipostructure: all the surgical techniques used at LACLINIC are innovative.

6. Jorge Herrera
Universiddo Del Salvador, Plastic Surgery Division
J. E. Urivuru 1346, Buenos Aires, Argentina
+54 11 48 22 20 14
jherrera@sminter.com.ar

Plastic and reconstructive surgery

7. Dr Des Fernandes
Level 3,
Renaissance Body Science Institute,
183 Bree Street,
Cape Town, 8001, SA
+27 21 424 4868

Developed the ‘Suture Suspension’ technique for restoring dropped tissues back to their original youthful place.

8. Woffles Wu
1 Orchard Boulevard
Suite #09-02
Singapore 249615
Tel: (65) 6733 9771
http://www.woffleswu.com/profile.asp

One of the most sought after speakers around the world demonstrating his knowledge of BOTOX, Fillers, IPL Photo rejuvenation and his invention, the WOFFLES LIFT to achieve facial rejuvenation without downtime.

9. Dr Raj Kanodia, M.D
414 North Camden
Beverly Hills, California, 90210, USA
(310) 276-3106
http://www.drkanodia.com

Specialising in Rhinoplasty, Botox, fillers and facial contouring

10. Dr José Juri
info@clinicajuri.com.ar
http://clinicajuri.com.ar/dr_juri.htm

Argentina’s leading plastic surgeon, specialising in everything but specifically breast implants.

The Top 10 Spas in the World

20 May 2008

Las Ventanas al Paraiso
KM 19.5 Carretera Transpeninsular
San Jose del Cabo
Baja California
Sur 23400
Mexico
Tel: +52 624 144 2800
http://www.lasventanas.com/
Translated into English, Las Ventanas al Paraiso means ‘windows to paradise’ and with its ultra-luxurious accommodation, blisteringly beautiful views and exotic, but sophisticated spa, it certainly lives up to its billing.
Best for: honeymoons

COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri
P.O Box 54
Ubud, Gianyat 80571
Bali
Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 978 888
http://www.cse.como.bz/
The combination of aesthetic excellence, along with both spiritual and physical healing makes this spa one of the most memorable retreats in the world; for those who like to mix pampering with adventure there is rock climbing, a jungle gym and martial arts on offer.
Best for: spiritual rejuvenation

Lanserhof
A-6072 Lans bei Innsbruck
Kochholzweg 153
Austria
Tel: +43 (0)512 386660
http://www.lanserhof.at/
A space-age, minimalist interior provides a feeling of otherworldliness at this wellness spa where rejuvenation and physical restoration are the watchwords; guests with private jets can park them at nearby Innsbruck airport.
Best for: chic healing

Clinique la Prairie
1815 Clarens-Montreux
Switzerland
Tel: +41 (0)21 989 33 11
http://www.laprairie.ch/
Clinique La Prairie specializes in melding specialist medical services, from cosmetic surgery through to heart procedures, with state-of-the-art spa treatments including a unique form of thalassotherapy.
Best for: creating the body beautiful

Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
Baa Atoll
Republic of Maldives
Tel: +(960) 66 00 800
http://www.fourseasons.com/maldiveslg
The Maldives positively groans under the weight of luxury spa resorts, but this retreat stands out beyond most thanks to its sheer excellence of service, attention to detail and sensual delights of its Ayurvedic spa.
Best for: hedonists in search of sensual overload

The Chedi, Muscat
North Ghubra 232
Way No 3215
Street No 46
Muscat
Sultanate of Oman
Tel: +968 2452 4400
http://www.lhw.com/TheChedi
The cheerful friendliness and charm of the staff at The Chedi is fabulous – nowhere else could make you feel more welcome or cared for. Its private villas provide the last word in luxury, while the restaurant is surely the best in Oman, if not the whole of the Middle East. There is an overriding sense of Zen-like calm, at its most powerful in the spa.
Best for: getting away from it all

The Oberoi Amarvilas
Taj East Gate Road
Agra 282001
India
Tel: +91 562 223 1515
http://www.oberoiamarvilas.com/
You open the curtains of your bedroom and there before you stands the Taj Mahal, a mere 600 metres away – there are few other views from a hotel window to rival such a sight. After a long day of sightseeing, unwinding in the Ayurvedic/Thai inspired spa proves the apex of relaxation.
Best for: culture vultures in need of pampering

Les Prés d’Eugénie – Michel Guérard
40320 Eugénie les Bains
Landes, France
Tel : + 33 5 58 05 05 05 / +05 58 05 06 07
http://www.michelguerard.com/
Rural Aquitaine provides an unparalleled setting for this elegant retreat where the scent of garden roses pervades the atmosphere. After having relaxed in a white thermal clay bath, you can expect to be swept away on a tide of gastronomic indulgence.
Best for: gastronomes

Pangkor Laut Resort
Pangkor Laut Island
Lumut, Perak
32200, Malaysia
Tel: +605 699 1100
http://www.pangkorlautresort.com/
If you were asked to create your ideal fantasy island, Pangkor Laut would be it. Pearl white beaches, azure sea and sunsets that look like CGI special effects are the backdrop to this spa heaven, where there are more treatments than there are weeks of the year.
Best for: spa addicts

The Hay Barn
Daylesford
Gloucestershire
GL56 0YG
Tel: +44 (0)1608 731 703
http://www.daylesfordorganic.com/
The ultimate day spa, situated in rolling Gloucestershire countryside, with massages that are second-to-none.
Best for: the perfect day out

Eloise Napier is Editor in Chief at Elite Life and Travel magazine. She has written and contributed to a number of major publications including The Times,The FT’s ‘How To Spend It,’ The Guardian andThe Observer.

Eloise is the author of Spas Exceptional Destinations Around the World, A Place to Spa, Walking the World’s Most Exceptional Trails and A Place to Walk.

http://www.amazon.co.uk

The Top 10 Private Islands in the World

20 May 2008

Original Travel, experts at creating bespoke itineraries and ensuring experiences of a lifetime give the Secret Insider their list of the most extraordinary and beautiful private islands in the world

1. Isla de Sa Ferradura, Ibiza
This island is just off the coast of the mainland and is the perfect destination for the Jade Jaggers among you. The 14 acre private island has evolved over the past ten years into an exclusive resort, combining stunning scenery with deluxe designer digs. A former pirate safe-haven, the island is glorious and such a treat to find in central Europe.

2. Cayo Espanto, Belize
Three miles from San Pedro, just off the coast of Belize, Cayo Espanto  is a truly private retreat. Surrounded by a network of coral cays; tropical fish and manatee bring colour and life to the turquoise ocean. Island guests can enjoy the ancient monuments of Altun Ha, whilst the romantic vista of the Mopan Valley charms all who get the chance to see it.

3. Mnemba, Zanzibar
Mnemba Island Lodge is situated on an exclusive island just 4.5 kilometres off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar in the azure Indian Ocean. A coral atoll island, this extremely private retreat brings new meaning to the term ‘barefoot luxury’.

4. Quilalea, Mozambique
This Indian Ocean island offers the ultimate in seclusion and privacy, with only nine private villas on the island and their discrete staff. Recently rediscovered, this haven offers its guests the opportunity for complete relaxation, tranquility and self-discovery.

5. Woodwark Bay Private Estate, Whitsunday, Australia
Woodwark Bay is an incredible 4,000 acre Queensland property located in the heart of the Whitsundays. Although, not strictly an island, the estate benefits from large amounts of private space on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. The resort is extremely exclusive and therefore perfect for a couple in love or a small group of family and friends.

6. Cavalli Beach House, New Zealand
Located on a tiny island off The Bay of Islands, the Cavalli Beach House Retreat, enjoys a reputation as one of the very few ‘absolute beachfront’ exclusive retreats in New Zealand. The island overlooks both the Rapaki Bay and the Mahinepua Peninsula scenic reserve.

7. Necker Island, British Virgin Islands
Owned by Richard Branson, this is a favourite with royalty, rock stars, and movie stars. Necker Island is the ultimate private tropical vacation getaway in the Caribbean. A great mix of rustic glamour and Balinese architecture.

8. Dhoni Mighili, Maldives
Although a hotel, it is set on its own island with only six rooms to roam around in. Arrive by seaplane or by speed boat. The epitome of elegance with personalized butlers, private diving lessons and all your heart could wish for. 

9. North Island, Seychelles 
This island has only 11 guest villas and can be rented out in its entirety. The whole island is a conservation area for protecting the endangered land and wildlife of the Seychelles.

10. Sindabezi Island, Zambia
Sindabezi Island is unique, an idyllic bush camp located on the Zambezi River. It is the only luxury camp in the Victoria Falls region and in 2008 was selected by The Sunday Times, London as one of the most remote and idyllic places to stay in the world.

www.originaltravel.co.uk

The Top 10 Most Expensive Items Ever Sold at Auction (Christie’s Worldwide)

20 May 2008

Revered auction house CHRISTIE’S reveals the top price record-breaking itens ever
to go under the hammer

1. Warhol’s Green Car Crash (Green Burning Car I), 1963
This piece broke world auction records in the post-war and contemporary category.  Warhol’s art is a prudent and desirable investment and he anticipated as much.  ‘New art is bad for a while and that’s the risk – that’s the pain you have for fame.’ (from The Philosophy of Andy Warhol). His print was sold 40 years later on May 16th 2007 for $71,720,000.

2. Raffaello Sanzio’s Portrait of Lorenzo de’Medici (1492-1519)
Raffaello’s oil on canvas was sold on the 5thJuly 2007 for $37,277,500.  The artist was one part of the High Renaissance Trinity, standing alongside other Old Masters such as Leonardo and Michelangelo.

3. Claude Monet’s Waterloo Bridge, Temps Couvert (1904)
A romantic painting by the pioneer of the Impressionist style, this was sold on the 18th June 2007 for $35,539,140.

4. Henri Matisse’s L’ Odalisque, Harmonie Bleue (1937)
Matisse’s L’ Odalisque, Harmonie Bleue is typical of the colour, verve and passion that came to characterise the artist and his work.  One of the great founders of modern art; his painting was sold in New York on the 8th November 2007 for $33,641,000.

5.  Cloisonné and champlevé enamel figures (circa 1736-1795)
The allure of the Orient is demonstrated with these imperial gilt bronze figures with their original wooden stands.  They were auctioned in Paris on the 13th June, 2007, and bought for $8,732,460.
6. Boucheron’s Polar Star Diamond
Boucheron’s Polar Star Diamond is a cushion-cut ring of 41.28 carats. The classification system used – developed on the basis of the diamond’s international currency – has ensured that this diamond is a cut above all others.  The jewel was sold on the 20th November, 1980, for $5,086,705.

7. The Qur’an
This Qur’an (from Mesopotamia) circa 1203 AD was signed ‘Yahya ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Umar’.  Bids were made on the 23rd October 2007 and this Qur’an was sold for $2,320,917.

8. Achaemenid stone relief fragment
The Persepolis of ancient Iran (5th century BC), housed some of the world’s most beautiful architecture. This stone relief fragment sold for $1,188,284 in London, on the 25th October 2007.

9. Audrey Hepburn’s black dress
Hubert de Givenchy knew how to dress his beloved Audrey Hepburn; and this iconic dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of the most recognisable in Hollywood history. The dress was sold in London on 5th December 2007 for $467,2000. The price paid marks a record for a dress made for a movie.

10. A 50-case lot of Château Mouton-Rothschild
An important 50-case lot of Château Mouton-Rothschild (1982) in its original wooded case; it was sold in New York on the 25th April 1997 for $420,500, making it the most expensive wine ever sold in America.

www.christies.com

The Top 10 Product Designers

20 May 2008

1. Ron Arad
One of the most widely respected names in international design, Ron Arad has created work for companies including Vitra, Moroso, Fiam and Swarovski. He has exhibited at many major museums and galleries world wide including the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, the Metropolitan Museum of Art New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
http://www.ronarad.co.uk/

2. Yves Behar
The founder of design studio Fuseproject produces a diverse range of work. San
Francisco’s Museum of Modern Art showcased a ‘futurespective’ of Behar’s creations in 2005, while his 4.5m Swarovski chandelier entitled Voyage hangs in New York’s JFK airport.
http://www.fuseproject.com/

3. Tord Boontje
At this year’s Milan Furniture Fair the industry was set abuzz by Dutch designer Boontje’s elaborate Fig Leaf wardrobe. Commissioned by Meta, the modern design branch of antiques house Mallett, the wardrobe’s 616 hand-painted enamelled copper leaves surround a bronze tree. Finished with a woven-silk lining the designer’s intricate creation harks back to an age when artists and craftspeople competed to attract patrons.
http://www.tordboontje.com/

4. The Campana Brothers
Drawing inspiration from Brazilian carnival culture, brothers Fernando and Umberto Campana create items ranging from costumes for the Ballet Nationale de Marseille to their sometimes tongue-in-cheek chair designs. They have exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Design Museum and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
http://www.campanas.com.br/

5. Thomas Heatherwick
Thomas Heatherwick has an eclectic style, which embraces design, architecture and engineering. Projects include a range of bags for Longchamp and the 56m high B of the Bang – the UK’s tallest sculpture.
http://www.thomasheatherwick.com/

6. Ross Lovegrove
A true innovator whose search for a pure form has led to the creation of a DNA spiral staircase in his Notting Hill studio and the curved Muon speakers which caused a stir at last year’s Milan Furniture Fair. He was commissioned to create 2007’s London Design Embassy, the central hub for the London Design Festival.
http://www.rosslovegrove.com/

7. Marc Newson
Known for his futuristic and technically rigorous approach to design, Australian Newson is inspired by the notion of ‘figuring out ways of doing it (design) better’. Projects include designing the cabin and livery of a Falcon 900B long-range jet, creating the Lockheed Lounge (the most expensive piece of furniture to ever sell at auction by a living designer) and the Lever House Restaurant in New York.
http://www.marc-newson.com/

8. Christopher Pearson
Relatively new to the design scene, this promising young designer creates animated wallpapers depicting a series of 3D repeating patterns. He has already completed works for British Airways First Club lounge at Terminal 5, Alexander McQueen, Burberry and the BBC.
http://www.christopherpearson.com/

9. Karim Rashid
One of the foremost figures in design, Rashid’s creativity has produced a broad repertoire of work from product design to fashion, from art to interior design. Clients include Prada, Ralph Lauren, Coca Cola and Deutsche Bank.
http://www.karimrashid.com/

10. Sebastian Wrong
British furniture designer Sebastian Wrong has created the Wrong Woods collection with artist Richard Woods for the UK design and manufacturing company Established & Sons. His work is expressed through architecture, art and design and has won praise from critics across the design world.
http://www.establishedandsons.com/

Design Week

http://www.designweek.co.uk/Home/Default.aspx