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Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrates Japanese designer in “Rei Kawakubo/Comme de Garçons: Art of the In-Between”

Culture

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May 2, 2017

The glitz and glamour of the annual Met Gala is upon us! This year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art honours Japanese fashion designer— and founder of Comme des Garçon — Rei Kawakubo with its spring exhibition. Opening to the public on 4 May, a sneak peek of the show is available in a video featuring curator Andrew Bolton. The designer is also the inspiration and theme of this year’s Met Gala.

“Rei Kawakubo/Comme de Garçons: Art of the In-Between” is the subject of the Costume Institute’s spring exhibition at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibition will be split into different themes: Absence/Presence, High/Low, Fashion/Antifashion and Object/Subject. Featuring nearly 150 examples of Kawakubo’s womenswear created for the label Comme des Garçons from the early 1980s to her most recent collection, the exhibit attests to the richness of Kawakubo’s body of work. The show will be the Met’s first monographic exhibition devoted to a living designer in more than three decades.

In a video shared by the Met in early April, Andrew Bolton, Curator in Charge of the Costume Institute, discusses the exhibition, while footage shows some of the many creations set to go on display. “Rei is all about creativity,” says Bolton. “She’s about innovation; she forces you to rethink notions of beauty, notions of the body, notions of fashion, notions of wearability — breaking down these barriers by creating hybrid identities.”

The video also reveals behind-the-scenes clips from the photo shoot for the exhibition catalogue, which features live models wearing Kawakubo’s designs. “There’s a myth about how Rei’s clothes are unwearable, so seeing them on live models is a way of, in a way, dispelling that mythology,” says Bolton. Kawabuko is the first artist after Yves Saint Laurent whose works are to be celebrated by the museum while alive.

“Rei Kawakubo/Comme de Garçons: Art of the In-Between” runs May 4 – September 4. On May 1, the annual star-studded Met Gala will celebrate the opening of the exhibition.

For more information, visit The Met.

Riva Yachts presence in Asia grows, with imports to Japan and Hong Kong

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May 2, 2017

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Riva Yachts presence in Asia grows, with imports to Japan and Hong Kong

The Riva 76 Perseo picked up a trophy in Boat of the Year Awards at the Japan International Boat Show in Yokohama in March. The famous coupé is one of the biggest vessels currently imported into Japan and marks what some observers see as a gradual boating market turn-around in the world’s third-largest economy after nearly three decades in the doldrums. Maria Beatrice Baraldini and Fabio Massimo Discoli, executives of Ferretti Asia-Pacific, received the award.

Meanwhile, the first Riva 100 Corsaro left the Ligurian Sea aboard a freighter and reached Hong Kong in April, where Riva held the first-ever world launch of a model outside Europe or North America, adding emphasis to the growing importance of the region.

Unveiled in March too was the new 50 metre Riva, “first born of the Riva Superyachts Division” at Ancona, where Ferretti brands CRN, Pershing and Custom Line build in light alloy, steel and fibreglass.

Describing this as “turning a dream of Carlo Riva into something tangible”, Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, said that the steel-hulled yacht would be a naval masterpiece offering comfort, elegance and naval art values that had been a hallmark of the brand for the last 175 years.

For more information, visit Riva Yacht and Ferretti.

New restaurants in Italy: Mario Batali joining Jeremiah Tower to open dining option in Amalfi Coast

Dining
Life

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May 1, 2017

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New restaurants in Italy: Mario Batali joining Jeremiah Tower to open dining option in Amalfi Coast

Celebrity chefs Mario Batali and Jeremiah Tower are teaming up to open a restaurant on the Amalfi Coast in Italy together. The project seems to have been borne from what sounded like an off-hand statement from Tower during an interview with Bon Appetit magazine published this week.

Buried at the very bottom of the story, Tower says there’s one thing that could lure him back into the kitchen. “If Mario Batali would like to open a restaurant on the Amalfi Coast with me, I would do it. Until then, he’ll be eating tacos.”

It seems his taco-eating days in Mexico where he currently lives, may be fewer and far between after Batali took to Twitter to confirm that the project is a go. In reply to a tweet that links to the story, Batali wrote “We are in the planning phase. Stay tuned!!”

Tower has been doing the media circuit recently to promote a new documentary produced by Anthony Bourdain, that chronicles his career as a rising chef at Chez Panisse in California, and one of the most influential figures in American gastronomy.

Food blog Eater.com confirmed the news with Batali’s spokesperson, who said the chefs are looking for beach-front properties between Atrani and Vietri along the Amalfi Coast.

F1 Grand Prix, Sochi: Mercedes AMG’s Valtteri Bottas, celebrates first trophy win

F1
Motoring

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May 1, 2017

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F1 Grand Prix, Sochi: Mercedes AMG’s Valtteri Bottas, celebrates first trophy win

Image courtesy of Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile

The beautiful resort town of Sochi hosted the fourth round of the Formula 1 Grand Prix and what a stellar race it was! Valtteri Bottas won his first ever Grand Prix against the backdrop of the Russian resort town, located on the coast of the Black Sea. Bottas managed to keep his calm, even under immense pressure from four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, to lead his number 77 Silver Arrow to victory.

Vettel, who is frequently more active than other drivers in letting his opinions fly on team radio during the race, was heard complaining about Felipe Massa’s delay in letting him pass on the penultimate lap of the Russian Grand Prix, alluding to the fact that it might have made the former less competitive in overtaking Bottas. Massa later expertly — albeit sarcastically — handled Vettel’s comments adding that he was genuinely happy for his former teammate, Bottas.

Valtteri, however, was definitely the man of the hour and showed immense potential by emerging as a real challenger to Lewis Hamilton and the Ferrari’s of Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.

The night undoubtedly brought great cause for celebration among Finnish racing fans as it was the first time in a long time there was not one but two Finns on the podium. It was a long-awaited victory, that certainly left many fans with a reason to celebrate. ‘The Ice Man’ who came in third said he was “very happy” for his compatriot and is looking forward to the season.

Lewis Hamilton showed his more mature and gentlemanly side, by congratulating Bottas on almost every platform from on camera to social media, reflecting how far Hamilton has come in racing. This was truly fantastic sportsmanship from the Brit, all while taking his fourth place finish on the chin.

The race started in dramatic style with Fernando Alonso causing an extra formation lap, after being unable to get his Honda-powered McLaren through the initial formation lap. For those curious, he is now four for four in not completing a single race in the 2017 season. It’s no wonder he decided to chase his triple crown, skipping the Monaco Grand Prix to race in the Indy 500. It would be truly impressive if Jenson Button is able to complete a race in the same car when he fills in for Alonso in Monaco.

Valtteri Bottas celebrating his win. Image courtesy of Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile

Elsewhere during the race, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived during lap 36 of the 52 lap race and was greeted with a warm handshake by both Mr Chase Carey and Mr Bernie Ecclestone. Later, the three men were seen in the drivers cool-down room with the podium finishers where they shared a conversation. President Putin, through his interpreter, stated proudly that the Formula 1 and its fan base has grown significantly in Russia and all the hotels in Sochi were fully booked. A good end to a great weekend of racing.

Another piece of big news from Sochi is that the Singapore Grand Prix is set to go ahead past 2017. With Malaysia confirmed to be dropping out at the end of this season, this could only work in the Republic’s favour both in terms of ticket sales and viewership. Singapore hosts one of the most beautiful races on the calendar under the night sky and it has been referred to as the “Crown Jewel” by Mr Ecclestone.

Yacht charters around Indonesia and Philippines with Azimut Grande’s Antonia II

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May 1, 2017

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Yacht charters around Indonesia and Philippines with Azimut Grande’s Antonia II

The world’s two largest archipelagos, Indonesia with 14,000 islands and another stunning 7,000 in the Philippines, have had chequered charter histories. Bali and the Nusa Tenggara to its East, plus Borneo, Sulawesi, Maluku and the Spice Islands, have gradually opened up, with more charter yachts available. The Philippines, however, has remained as remote as before and, apart from a few passing superyachts, charter vessels are few and far between.

Now the Dutch owner of a well-kept 32 metre Azimut Grande, Antonia II, hopes to offer a series of itineraries that will surely attract more charter guests. Based between Subic Bay and sometimes Manila Yacht Club, he plans to highlight the Hundred Islands and Lingayan Gulf north of Manila, Manila Bay to Puerto Galera in Mindoro, striking El Nido and Palawan, and various parts of the lovely Visayas, including Boracay, the latter basing from Philippines second city Cebu.

Helping to bring this venture to reality from last month are highly experienced charter agents Sytske Kimman in Hong Kong and Lies Sol in Phuket, both now part of the fast-growing Northrop and Johnson Asia sales and charter network.

Lies advises that Antonia II had one prior American owner from her launch in 2007. He took extremely good care of the vessel,and sailed her mostly in Florida and the Caribbean. The present owner shipped her to Hong Kong, then with a new captain and crew motored across the South China Sea to Subic Bay.

Antonia II has a four-stateroom layout, with the master suite on the principal deck, plus two more doubles and a twin cabin. For an attractive US$75,000-US$85,000 a week plus all expenses, this set-up seems perfect for a family with children, or three or four couples looking for an out-of-the-ordinary boating vacation.

Recent upgrades include a complete respray of the hull and superstructure, and the addition of cleaner and quieter underwater exhausts. Mechanical, electrical and electronic systems have been similarly treated, and the interior has been updated. Other “small things”, says the owner, include new furniture, best quality bed linen and Versace chinaware.

Features, apart from the highly reputable Azimut build, are a relatively wide beam which increases interior volume, fairly shallow draft, Trac stabilisers, newer style profiling, and high-powered halogen lights underwater and aft.

Antonia II is powered by twin 2000 HP MTUs, and she consumes about 150 litres an hour at 12 knots, more fuel-efficient than her cruising speed of 24 knots. She is Cook Islands-flagged, built in GRP with a planning hull, and has air-conditioning , a jacuzzi, and stabilisers for both under way and at anchor. A captain, engineer, chef and two stewardesses trained in the South of France are the usual crew on board for charters.

Tenders and toys include a 4.5 metre Riva with Weber inboard, Seadoo jetski, sundry inflatables, and full fishing and snorkelling gear. Rendezvous diving can be arranged on request.

“Antonia II is ready to showcase some of the Philippines’ best cruising waters, and guests will be voyaging in style”, says Lies, whom we first met in the Asian charter market some 30 years ago.

For more information, visit Northrop and Johnson Asia.

Limited edition luxury watches: Omega Trilogy L.E. 557 Boxed Set 2017 Anniversary Edition

Sasiwimon S.

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May 1, 2017

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Limited edition luxury watches: Omega Trilogy L.E. 557 Boxed Set 2017 Anniversary Edition

Jubilant best describes the state of feeling shared by Omega and its most devoted followers in this momentous year of 2017. This is the 60th anniversary of a very special moment when the Swiss watchmaker introduced to the world three of its professional watches: the Seamaster 300, the Railmaster and the Speedmaster. Everyone was expectant and Omega delivered.

Here, we are presented with three limited edition watches created on the basis of digital scans and original drawings. As such, their sizes and dimensions are very close to the original; the look is unmistakably retro with exposed crown and vintage lume, but still they benefit from contemporary technology in a subtle way.

The two three-handers are powered by the self-winding Calibre 8806 – making them anti-magnetic – and protected by sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on the inside. The chronograph, on the other hand, is equipped with the hand-winding Calibre 1861 and the only watch to have hesalite crystal. Each watch comes with a stainless steel bracelet, a leather strap and a NATO strap.

The trilogy: The Seamaster, Railmaster and Speedmaster by Omega

You have two choices now. You can buy one or two out of these three commemorative watches as they are produced in an edition of 3,557 units each. The presentation boxes resemble the originals from 1957. Alternatively, you could go all the way by purchasing them as a trio, of which 557 sets are produced. We heard at BaselWorld that allocations for various markets are already full so if you want to seriously pursue this option, don’t wait!

The dial of the watches bought as a set bears the extra printing “Trilogy” and the limited edition number over two short lines between the logo and the hands. Some will like this while some will not. We would argue that this is trivial compared with the extra goodies which come with the set such as the oak wood box and the leather watch roll. Of course, the set is far more limited than the individual pieces. If you buy all three separately, it will cost S$29,200 while the boxed set is S$30,000…

Of course, you can wear these watches in your daily life without a problem, as they only look dated but are in fact very new and intact. The Seamaster 300 is water resistant to 300 metres. The Railmaster is anti-magnetic as per the original design objective. The Speedmaster is downright handsome. Alternatively, you may keep them in pristine condition for one reason or another, and proceed with your everyday routine with other Omega watches instead. That is one dilemma we cannot help you with.

Specifications

Seamaster / Railmaster / Speedmaster

Movement: Self-winding Calibre 8806 / self-winding Calibre 8806 / hand-winding Calibre 1861

Case: 39 mm / 38 mm / 38.6 mm in stainless steel

Strap: Bracelet plus leather and NATO straps in the set

Price: S$30,000