|
Part -II
Jewelry Heritage - Van Cleef & Arpels and the Indian royalty 
We bring for our readers an exclusive reportage on the legendry Parisian jewelers, Van Cleef & Arpels. Estelle Arielle Bouchet, not only researched the history of the jewelery house but also interviewed Benjamin Vuchot, Managing Director of Van Cleef & Arpels for Asia in Paris, exclusively for Newsvision.
For Occidentals, India suggests beauty, dream, deep spirituality and ancient knowledge. Today, in a world full of conflicts and wars, one wants to dream. That is one of the reasons why people from the western countries are so fascinated by India.
From the times past to current, Van Cleef & Arpels have embodied perfect beauty and excellence. Here is a page from history about their retail interactions with Indian Royality of yore, which the great jewellery House dug out of its archives for Newsvision.
By Estelle Arielle Bouchet
History
Let’s discover India’s ties with Van Cleef & Arpels.
Royal Jewellery
 Once rulers of regal empires steeped in splendor, Indian maharajahs have always adored the exquisiteness of fine jewellery. At the turn of the century, a number of Maharajas, Maharanis and Indian princesses commissioned Van Cleef & Arpels to create bespoke jewellery for them, often supplying their own precious stones. It was the time when Europe was setting the standards for fashions throughout the world and they wanted to have their ancestral jewellery transformed to reflect European styles.
Among these were the Maharaja of Indore, Hyderabad, Jaipur and Gwalior. The Maharaja of Morvi bought a green, cushion-shaped diamond of about nine carats.  As for the Maharaja of Kapurthala, the great friend of Clémenceau, who greatly admired France and even had a replica of the Château of Versailles built in 1909, bought a myriad of jewellery pieces from Van Cleef & Arpels from the 1920s to the 1950s and placed many special orders, including an enameled Art Deco wallet and a signet ring set with an emerald-cut sapphire.
Her Highness Seeta Devi, the Maharani of Baroda, and her husband, head of one of the most prestigious Indian royal families, asked Julien, one of the first founders of Van Cleef & Arpels, and later his sons, Jacques and Pierre Arpels, to create new settings for precious stones in their family collection. 
Among the hundred pieces the House created for the couple beginning in 1943, was a Nœud clip that included four pear-shaped diamonds totaling 55.64 carats; a Hindu-style necklace and bracelet set with diamonds, rubies and faceted cabochon emeralds; a platinum ring set with a navette sapphire of 34.77 carats; and a "Eugénie and her Ladies-in-Waiting" cigarette case in yellow gold set with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, in a design from a painting by Wintherhalter.
The Maharani of Baroda, in addition to being a renowned Indian royal in love with the inspirational creations made by the House, was indeed an instigator of some of the most fabulous pieces of Van Cleef & Arpels, recalling the splendor of Indian jewellery of the past.
Source of the Exquisite
 Van Cleef & Arpels , born of the marriage of Estelle Arpels, the daughter of a dealer in precious stones, and Alfred Van Cleef, lapidary and son of a long line of master gem-cutters, is known for its endless search for and selection of incomparable gemstones. Early since the 1950s, Claude and Pierre Arpels, the two successors of the founder, have traveled around the world looking for the most distinguishing and finest precious stones to merge with the House’s unique designs. They finally set foot in India, one of the origins of the world’s most exceptional and prominent stones.
 From the ancient mines in Golconda, India, have been discovered the most magnificent and beautiful gemstones in the realm of jewellery throughout the centuries. One such was a marvelous pink diamond of 34.64 carats with incomparable brilliance, rare color and clarity that made it a part of India’s state treasure, which was, by tradition, handed down from generation to generation to the first male heir. Van Cleef & Arpels set about acquiring this exceptional stone at any cost, at an auction sale that took place at Sotheby’s in 1960. During a gala hosted on the Place Vendôme by the Prince of Baroda, the diamond was baptized the “Princie Diamond”, for the nickname given to the Prince by his mother, the Maharani of Baroda. This diamond was immortalized by Zizi Jeanmaire in a scene from the ballet “La croqueuse de diamants” (“The Diamond-Eater”), directed by Terence Young that same year. 
Apart from the Princie Diamond, during its trip in India in 1956, Van Cleef & Arpels acquired the legendary “Blue Heart” or “Neela Rance”, a 30.82-carat blue diamond cut in the shape of a heart whose purity and clarity were incomparable. The House set the diamond in a necklace that caused a sensation when Zizi Jeanmaire wore it at a ball held at the Orangerie of the Chateau de Versailles. The stunning stone was suspended from a necklace that also contained a rectangular blue diamond of 3.81 carats set off by diamond brilliants, and a pink pear-shaped diamond of 2.05 carats. Sold shortly after the occasion, in 1960, the House bought back the Blue Heart and sold it four years later to Harry Winston, who set it in a ring. The “Blue Heart” is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.
 The influence of Hindu Art
Prompted by the numerous visits to India made by Van Cleef & Arpels, many creations at the time exhibited the House’s spirit along with much inspiration from the Hindu culture. This could be the result of the special orders and requests made by the many maharajahs that inspired the House to transcribe the royals’ ancestral jewellery in the western mode. Abandoned since the 1930s, Sautoirs and cluster pendant earrings were revived in the 1970s, together with transformable medallions which could be worn as clips or hung from the Sautoirs. Stylized flowers, rose-windows and the star motifs of Hindu inspiration were suggested in detail in their design and color, like a gold necklace set with brilliants and turquoise beads created in 1964 that echoed with the features of Hindu Art.
Interview
For Newsvision, Benjamin Vuchot, managing Director of Van Cleef & Arpels for Asia tells Estelle Arielle Bouchet about Van Cleef ‘s position in this region of the world.
EAB: Benjamin Vuchot, what is your duty as managing Director of Van Cleef & Arpels Asia and which territories does the mission cover?
B.V: Appointed the Managing Director for Asia Pacific since 2002, I take up the task of establishing a new platform to develop the brand in the region. The core mission is to raise brand interest and awareness among regional trade partners, media and consumers through building a qualitative retail network and implementing strategic marketing campaigns. The market in Asia Pacific has enjoyed unprecedented growth in the last 5 years, and it has been really exciting developing the brand in this part of the world.
EAB: Tell me about the kind of difficulties you have had to grapple with in these countries (culturally for instance)and what are the advantages for Van Cleef to be based in Asia?
B.V : Difficulties arise in ensuring that the locations selected to open our Boutiques are the best. A lot of Asian cities are newly developed and ever changing and it is crucial to be at the right place at the right time. Our objective remains to offer in each Asian capital city, the same and unique level of excellence and requirement as the one offered in our Paris boutiques. In China for example, clients are reassured when they know the brands next to our boutiques. In India, high-end retail is not easily available, and the choice to set up a store is limited to 5 star hotel shopping arcades, or new shopping malls sometimes not easily reachable because there are located in new parts of the cities.
Setting up Asian headquarters in the Hong Kong facilitates us to recruit the most relevant staff and have an operation team closer to the activity. When entering into new markets, staying close to leading operators and associates is crucial.
EAB: What is the distinctiveness of this market? How is it different from one country to another and specially the Indian market?
B.V : India has a strong tradition and the people have their own and very rich values. The luxury jewellery and watch industry is very fragmented. End-consumers are used to sourcing their own diamonds directly from dealers, and the country offers very skilled jewelers. In other words, it is like for some of the traditional styles, the consumer will go to a tailor’s shop and bring their own fabrics for a custom-made suit/dress. 
Another specificity is the local tradition and impressive style of Indian Jewellery, which is very much associated with local fashion and customs (weddings, etc..).
However, things are changing, and when walking through the trendy restaurants of Mumbai or Delhi, it is not rare to notice the latest models of Jewellery Timepieces or elegant international jewellery designs.
What we aim to do at Van Cleef & Arpels, is to offer a full experience. A luxury experience, that includes the complete concept of jewellery-making, such as demanding a stone selection, exceptional creativity and craftsmanship as well as the professional customer service provided at the boutiques.
The truth is Indian people have a good sense of aesthetics and identifying codes. The current consumer base of luxury products is growing thanks to the local booming fashion industry. It helps inspire the people to enjoy the same kind of retail luxury experience Van Cleef & Arpels is offering as a jewellery house.
Since 2005, we are offering our jewellery and timepieces creations at “Thanks” in Mumbai.
EAB : What are the clients' tastes and are they so different from European customer's approach?
 B.V : We treat every client based on his/her own preference and taste. Despite different cultures and traditions, we do not segment our product offer on the basis of where our clients are from. Instead, we aim to offer our clients the products and experience in line with the House’s heritage and spirit consistently. There is a Van Cleef & Arpels style, which is timeless and strong of over 100 years of experience. We believe that our customers are looking for that unique style when walking into our store.
EAB: What are your goals for 2009 and how do you perceive the economical crisis in this region of the world?
B.V : As one of our founders Jacques Arpels said, “Our aim is to offer excellence in all that we do.” This quest for excellence has been the House’s aim since its inception and we still strive for the same goal at all times. For the Asian market, I believe the key to success is our attention to details and highly-selective locations and partnerships.
| Estelle Arielle Bouchet can be contacted at |
EAB Press & Image consulting
contact@estellearielle.com
eabcom@yahoo.com
Tel : 0033(0)667919179
0033 (0)490661481 |
|
|
"Luxury is a necessity that begins where necessity ends."
- Coco Chanel
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Rolls-Royce India has new Prez
Anil Shrikhande has been appointed as the President of Rolls-Royce India and will assume leadership of all Rolls-Royce operations and activities in India and South Asia. Anil has moved from Boeing where he held several executive positions including vice-president, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, and president, Boeing India. |
Bottega Veneta comes to Delhi
Bottega Veneta, the leading Italian manufacturer of luxury leather goods, is opening its store in New Delhi’s Emporio Mall, which is home to many other global luxury brands. This will be the brand’s second store, the first already operating in Mumbai. The new store, measuring 1560 sqft, will have on offer most of Bottega Veneta’s product range including small leather goods, handbags, luggage, and shoes. The Brand is best known for its hand-woven leather goods all handcrafted in Italy. Bottega Veneta was bought by Gucci in 2001. |
C for Cartier and C for Cricket
Cartier, the renowned French jeweler, has been selected to craft the Twenty20 Champions League trophy for the matches which are now postponed until next year in view of the terrorist strikes in Mumbai. The trophy, which was to be unveiled before the inaugural match, is 41cm high, with a diameter of 31 cm and weighs almost 7 kgs. Lalit Modi, Chairman of the Champions League, said, "Cartier has created some truly exquisite and stunning works of art be it in jewellery design, watches and accessories, that have adorned Hollywood beauties and Royalty alike. It was then an obvious choice for us to commission Cartier for creating a truly distinct and exquisite work of art, one befitting the stature of crowning the Champion of Champions in domestic club cricket.” Bernard Fornas, President and CEO Cartier International, said "C for Cartier, C for Cricket are two simple seven-letter words that encapsulate passion and a union between elegance and style. These adjectives also, in a nutshell, capture the very essence of the trophy's design."
|
Gianni Versace going ahead with launch at Trident Mumbai
Versace, the Italian luxury apparel and accessory brand, has not been scared off by the recent terror attacks in Mumbai at the Trident and is going ahead with the launch of its store. The launch schedule is delayed only by a mere few weeks to December end, following which will be the Delhi launch of the brand's store. Abhay Gupta, executive director Blues Clothing, which has an exclusive franchisee agreement with Versace mainline and Versace Jeans Couture (VJC), has disclosed that the flagship Gianni Versace store is to be launched at the Emporio Mall in Delhi in February 2009.
|
TAG Heuer mobile phones launch put off until next year
TAG Heuer, the Swiss watchmaker now part of the French luxury group Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, has postponed the launch of its mobile phones in India to March 2009. The launch was originally planned for the first half of FY 2008-09 and pushed to December 2008 and subsequently has been shifted further. The price of the phones has also been increased from Rs 2,20,000 to Rs 2,70,000. Post launch, the new phones will be available exclusively at Tag Heuer boutiques and select stores in India.
|
|
|
Christian Dior inspires Chinese art in Beijing
Christian Dior was the inspiration for 22 contemporary Chinese artists who were specially commissioned to create works for the exhibition ‘Christian Dior + Chinese Artists’ held at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing. The exhibition, which is currently running in Beijing, features specially created Dior-themed pieces. The show area is a 32,000-square-foot space designed around an indoor Chinese garden and on display are Dior vintage dresses along with such art pieces as Zhang Dali's AK-47-composed portrait of Dior designer John Galliano and Zhang Xiaogang's interpretation of Dior Homme, among others. |
Hermès unveils tiny Smart Car
Hermès celebrated the tenth anniversary of its Smart Car vehicle range with the unveiling of the specially designed tiny Smart car at the Grand Palais. The buyer can opt for any of its range of ten colours including the trademark Hermès orange and gold and indigo as well. The Como group manufactures these Fortwo édition Toile cars for Hermès, which then fits it out with leather-covered steering wheels and gear levers in various colors like fuchsia and lemon, along with the brand’s original canvas toile H. The price range starts at a modest €38,000 or $48,564. |
Louis Vuitton lowers prices in Japan
LVMH, the world’s largest luxury goods manufacturer, has had to lower its prices in Japan in order to increase sales. As per reports in Nikkei English News, the prices will be reduced by 7% on all items like bags, watches, apparel and shoes. The discounted prices will be applicable across all its 56 stores in Japan. |
 Royal Wittelsbach Diamond auctioned at Christies for £16.4 mil
A Historic and rare, grayish-blue European Wittelsbach diamond weighing 35.56 carats, was auctioned at Christies on10th December for a whooping £16.4 mil ($24.2mil). This Indian origin diamond was chosen as a dowry by King Philip IV of Spain (1605-1665) for his daughter, the Infanta Margarita Teresa, who married Emperor Leopold I of Austria and was subsequently passed on to the Bavarian royal house of Wittelsbach in 1722 as part of another marriage dowry. Since 1964 it was with a private collector. Leading international jeweller Laurence Graff, acquired this beauty on Wednesday against fierce bidding from Aleks Paul of Essex Global Trading, a businessman of Russian origin from New York. Did someone mention meltdown? |
Vuitton pays homage to Sprouse
The late designer and artist Stephen Sprouse, whose Day-Glo clothes and graffiti prints found great popularity in the eighties, is seeing a revival of sorts. Sprouse had collaborated with Vuitton in 2001 and Mark Jacobs and Vuitton are commemorating the designer by bringing out a limited edition collection of accessories and ready-to-wear. The graffiti and rose are two iconic Sprouse motifs, which Jacobs has interpreted in the Day-Glo shades of pink, green and orange over the Monogram print. Vuitton’s Keepall, Speedy and Neverfull bag styles, as well as basketball sneaker boots, pumps, sunglasses, headbands and wristbands, and small leather goods like wallets and coin purses have the motif featured on them. The ready-to-wear collection has a mackintosh raincoat with graffiti and monogram lining, graffiti leggings and a long-sleeve neon mini dress featuring the rose design.
A retrospective on Sprouse called “Rock on Mars” is on from Jan 8-Feb 28, 2009 at Deitch Projects’ 18 Wooster Street gallery and also ready for release on February 1, 2009 is a book from Rizzoli, New York, “The Stephen Sprouse Book,” by Roger Padilha and Mauricio Padilha. |
Chanel to introduce new skin repair products in early 2009
Chanel is introducing in January 2009, its latest discovery in skincare treatments, featured in the new collection called Ultra Correction Line Repair. The collection focuses on anti aging issues and Chanel has applied a different technique to prevent and fight signs of aging. Chanel experts have deduced that hardening collagen in the skin cells causes wrinkles and brought out Cedar Bay FPA to fight this. Prices for the five-product line will range from $77 to $135
|
Chanel pre-fall 2009 collection for the Czars
Kart Lagerfeld has taken inspiration from the Russian folklore and the Czars to create a stunning fall line for 2009. A10 minute movie clip about Gabrielle Channels interactions with emigrant Russian aristocrats, back in 1910-1920, was shown before the start of the fashion show, which was held at the Théâtre le Ranelagh in Paris. Lagerfeld predicted that the meltdown would not be relevant by next fall and the line was opulent with gold hints, embroideries, constructions, knitted gowns, golden tiaras and all. In view of the current economic pall, he did have plain jersey dresses. Karl Lagerfeld was quoted to have said, “There are three things I like about Russia... I love Imperial Russia, from Catherine the Great to Fabergé. I love constructivism, of course. And I love Russian folklore, which is very special. What was fun was to mix it all.”
|
The ‘platinum bijoux’ from Japan
A slew of new luxury bags encrusted with precious stones and metals, have blurred the line between jewelry and the hand bag. One such over the top example comes from Japan’s Tanaka Kikinzoku Jewelry, which has an evening bag ‘platinum bijoux’, studded with 208 carats diamonds. It weighs 800 gms and took almost a year to craft and comes with a price tag of ¥200 mil ($2 mil). The jewelers are planning an entire line of similar bags, albeit at lower costs. |
|
|
|
|
|
INTERVIEW
 We bring for you an exclusive interview with Estelle Arielle Bouchet, who has written for us insightful features on French jewellers Boucheron and Van Cleef & Arpels (Inside Luxury - November and current issue) and has interviewed Benjamin Vuchot, MD Van Cleef & Arpels exclusively for Newsvision, featured in this issue.
Estelle Arielle Bouchet is a woman of many accomplishments. An expert on art, costume and fashion, she was also a successful model and an actress. She was the Director of public relations for the Fondation Calvet, one of France’s largest art foundation and owner of Avignon and Cavaillon museums. She is the French editor of the TJF Magazine and collaborates with international editorial group Conde Nast and writes for Uomo Vogue, Vogue Italia, and Architectural Digest. Printed below are the well thought out answers by her, to all questions asked by Newsvision’s Neelima Mishra Agrawal.
Estelle’s long association with India and the Taj, Mumbai has prompted her to respond strongly to the recent terror attacks in Mumbai. Her message for our readers is given below.
Estelle Arielle Bouchet: First and foremost, I will take this opportunity to express to India and all my Indian friends, the feeling of deep solidarity and wishes for peace, unity and serenity in this extraordinary country. The great Indian intelligence and creativity will surely be able to find the wisest solutions towards building a new balance, which will be an example for the entire world.
How do you perceive the role of Indian art and heritage in the works of designers globally?
EAB: Indian culture and heritage is impressive, and we westerners have much to learn from your country. India is a country of knowledge, its ethnic and religious makeup constitutes one of its key strength, although its people are not always aware of this. In other words, India is a country where traditional craftsmanship has excelled and survived the test of time, something that hasn’t happened in the West.
I’ve always been fascinated by Indian ingenuity which manifests itself in its capacity to adapt whilst still respecting tradition. We witnessed this in the last decade in the field of new technologies. I believe India is a source of inspiration for the French and Italian luxury industry.
A few top fashion and luxury houses have claimed India as inspiration for their perfumes and accessories. Hermès’ Rajasthani art inspired bag. “Danse du cheval Marwari” being a case in point. Do you see this as a passing trend or does this region have a deeper role in western sensibilities?
EAB: In the 70’s, Yves Saint Laurent, the undisputed master of French Haute Couture, chose Kirat as his muse, an Indian beauty, to embody his collections. The interest for India is not new. Hermès, whose symbol is the God of travels, always looked for inspiration in poetic lands, full of dreams and romance. It’s therefore natural that Hermès’ choice of colours this year is heavily influenced by Indian civilization. The selection of Indian supermodel Lakshmi Menon is not a coincidence, it highlights Hermès eastward shift, both on an artistic and economic level. Similarly, we see John Galliano flirting with heights of Rajasthan. In Italy, Roberto Cavalli finds inspiration in baroque Indian style and Etro chose cashmere as the symbol of its bags and collections. Observing Franco-Italian fashion, we can see the omnipresent influence of India, and this has been so since the last forty years. I don’t think it’s a passing trend.
You have interviewed heads of the two top French jewellery Houses, Marie Girardot, CEO Europe of Van Cleef & Arpels and Jean-Christophe Bedos, President of Boucheron. How would you compare Indian heritage jewellery which predates these two?
EAB: My choice to work with Van Cleef & Arpels and Boucheron expresses my deep attachment to excellence, which perfectly embodies these two very grand houses. It’s difficult to neglect the vast contribution of India in terms of gems and “savoir-faire”. Besides, India possesses an ‘initiated’ knowledge of the stones, which occidentals do not have. Aristocrats of the “Grand Tour”, whether Indian or European, vastly contributed to high jewellery’s expansion at the turn of XIXth century. I don’t like to play the game of competition, which opposes two completely different markets, because my purpose is not the one of an economic journalist but one of an art critic and observer. I can just reaffirm my great respect for Indian contemporary and antique jewellery.
Indian gem and jewellery industry is trying to emerge from its crafts status and create an international brand akin to Cartier. How do you perceive Indian jewellery designs and which of the Indian jewellery houses would you rate as on par?
EAB: I am now working with top jewellery designers in the east and west, focusing on export strategies. My company EAB has identified new needs. It’s difficult to resume in a few words what the appropriate strategy would be. I believe it would need to reunite the past with today’s faith and fantasy.
It’s not easy to create an international brand as Cartier which is the fruit of historical circumstances and opportunities, mixed with French tradition and “savoir-faire”. But I am optimistic for the future of Indian jewellery Houses, some of them are absolutely ready for the big jump. There are plenty of Indian jewellery designers I appreciate and most of them are extremely talented and gifted.
As you are aware India held its first Couture week in September. Do you think Haute-Couture is dying out in Europe?
 EAB : I am very glad Couture Week has started in India. After years of experiments and successes in Prêt, it is now time for India to venture into Haute Couture. I say this because Haute Couture is absolutely adapted to Asian and eastern markets. JJ Valaya, Tarun Tahiliani, Shantanu & Nikhil, Krishna Mehta, Sabhyasachi and many others have the ability to project themselves in Haute Couture spirit and requirements.
As for Europe, I would not be so pessimistic! In France Haute Couture, thank God, still exists and is an object of worldwide inspiration and desire. To give you an example, Stéphane Rolland has just opened a new Maison de Couture which opened on avenue Georges V last September. Stéphane was the designer of Scherrer and Givenchy. What about Chanel ? Karl Lagerfeld brings a world of beauty with him. And all our beloved great masters Christian Lacroix, Dior, Givenchy…
If it did not work people would not still be investing in this industry.
There has been a surge of International Couture houses opening in India. What would you say is the reason for this?
EAB: Obviously India is very adapted to Haute Couture creation. Your country has always been very gifted in Couture “Savoir-faire”, embroideries and pearls, your materials are absolutely extraordinary and your labour is more adapted to long terms elaborations.
So you have all the ingredients for a great Indian Haute-Couture, which will travel the world and make women dream in the process!
Which of the Indian designers do you think would make for an international couturier ?
EAB : Most of them are now ready. Belonging to Haute Couture does not mean to follow western patterns. There is place for everybody in the kingdom of creativity and excellence!
You wear many hats, fashion writer, art expert. You are also currently associated with Fondation Calvet in Avignon. How did this come about?
 EAB: My love of writing started at a young age and I knew that I’d become a journalist. I studied at l’Ecole Normale Supérieure Lettres, whose alumni include Georges Pompidou and Jean-Paul Sartre. It was, in my eyes, the surest way to immerse myself in French academic culture.
Through my journalistic career, I had the privilege to meet some of the great minds of this century. Some of the more famous ones are : César, Fernando Botero, Fabrizio Plessi … as for Art, visionary writers such as Albert Cossery, in fashion field, Franca Sozzani (Italian Vogue editor), Gianfranco Ferré, Nicola Trussardi, Paul Marciano owner of Guess and responsible for discovering some of the greatest models of our time (Claudia Schiffer, Carla Bruni, Laetitia Casta...), the Italian designer Matteo Thun or the very talented Chief architect & restorer of historic monuments, Didier Repellin. the art editor Franco Maria Ricci for whom I worked for many years, my friend Baroness Cécile Franchetti, former art director of Pucci and specialist of colours. Through all these great people, I have learnt the true sense of Beauty. My love for museums and art did the rest.
Today my agency EAB COM, Press & Image consulting aims to refine the aesthetics of a company, improve its image and style, position it on the international scene through targeted PR : articles, websites, lobbying, press campaigns, shootings, conferences, seminars and international partnerships.
For example we helped Tarun Tahiliani several years ago to penetrate the italian market through an effective press campaign and lobbying. For the Calvet Foundation, which owns the major museums of Avignon in Provence, we managed in a 6 months period, to create a web presence www.fondation-calvet.org, re-invent the Musée juif of Cavaillon www.cavaillon.org , and find new trustees for the foundation.
Considering you have lived so many roles, a beauty queen, model, journalist, even fashion designer and now Press & Image Consultant. Which one of these roles truly signifies you?
EAB: To be an honest women, which is not so easy in today’s world, and a good mother.
What does Estelle Arielle Bouchet do when she is not at work?
EAB: I follow the education of my sons Nazem and Leonardo and try to live a quiet and simple life focusing on my loves.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mumbai blasts lead to postponement of IHT Luxury Conference
In view of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which left more than a 100 dead and a luxury hotel in flames, the annual luxury conference due to be held by the Paris based International Herald Tribune in the Imperial Hotel, New Delhi, from December 3-4, has been postponed. The event has been rescheduled for early next year. The event is to be hosted by IHT’s fashion editor, Suzy Menkes and will see such speakers as PPR chief Francois-Henri Pinault and Richemont director Alain Dominique Perrin, along with the designers Nicolas Ghesquiere, Stella McCartney, Roberto Cavalli, Tomas Maier, Dries Van Noten and the Dutch duo Viktor & Rolf. Hollywood diva Elizabeth Hurley and Indian designer Manish Arora and a few more are also on the list of speakers.
 World class Volvo Ocean Race arrives in Kochi
The Volvo Ocean Race, one of the most expensive events in the world, is docking at Kochi, which is a first time for India. The race started in Alicante in Spain on October 4 and will end at St Petersburg on June 27. The teams will cover 39,000 nautical miles and touch 11 ports. The terror attacks in Mumbai overshadowed the reportage of the classic sporting event’s first arrival on the Indian shores. The participants braved bad weather and received hourly updates of the piracy by Somalian pirates and the terror attacks in Mumbai. The boats are headed for Singapore and next to Qingdao, site of the 2008 Olympic sailing events in China. The event will finish in St. Petersburg in Russia.
|
|
|
|
Jewellers getting inspired by wild things
It would seem that Discovery Channel and National Geographic have inspired this new range of jewels, which have elements of nature and the animal kingdom all bejeweled. The beautifully crafted lizards, spiders, dragonflies, snakes, exotic flora etc are all quiet irresistible on brooches, bangles, rings, clutch bags etc |
|
Elegant Fiber Optic Cuff Links
Tateossian of London have a huge range of jewelry on offer for both men and women and have simplified the job of looking for elegant cufflinks for men. They have on offer, classy Tateossian Fiber Optic Cuff Links, which are rhodium-plated and feature inlaid tonal pieces of diamond-cut fiber optic glass.
|
|
|
|
 |
Targeting Luxury
 The recent Mumbai terror attacks are despicable and the wilfull death and destruction caused can only have been done by a convoluted and criminal mind. The details that emerge are that the hit was pre-planned months earlier in great detail. The targets no doubt were chosen to cause the maximum loss of life while catching the complete attention of the media to communicate a warped cause. A special effort was also made to target icons to unnerve the staunchest members of society. It is interesting to note that besides the Victoria Terminus, the terrorists considered luxury destinations – the Taj and Oberoi – in their A list of targets. Also in their minds, the wanton destruction and fires which they started in the hotels was meant to add insult and pain. No doubt the terrorists were overwhelmed with the aspirational aspect of luxury as much as the lay person on the street. This brings to mind Coco Channels words quoted above:
"Luxury is a necessity that begins where necessity ends."
Luxury, no doubt has a place for all of us. It is for us individually to give it definition and shape.
|
EDITOR
IN CHIEF : VINOD KAUL |
EDITOR
: NEELIMA MISHRA AGRAWAL
|
|
