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The Weekender: Bruce Webber and the 2012 Summer Olympic Games

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

The long-awaited 2012 Summer Olympics is finally upon us! And we’re very excited about that and with all the buzz surrounding it. Obviously, we cannot wait for the opening ceremony which will take place this evening. So I couldn’t imagine not having the Olympics as a center story for Friday’s post. The latest series of photographs that Bruce Weber took for Vanity Fair in order to mark the occasion are simply magnificent. I love great photography and he’s certainly a top tier professional – just like the athletes pictured here. Thinking back, I wanted to do a short post on Brigitte Lacombe’s Stunning Portraits of Arab Lady Athletes called the “Hey’Ya: Arab Women in Sport”.

Photo via Vanity Fair

This brilliant series of photographs will be first shown at Sotheby’s in London, then moved to the Qatar Museums Authority Gallery in Doha in early 2013. Both stories are just great, but at the end, Weber’s flawless photography won me over.

“Try to have some fun, try to breathe and take it in but also WIN! – Michelle Obama to the American Team.”

Michelle Obama

Misty May and Kerri Walsh

Beach Volleyball

Chris Kappler

Equestrian Sports

Serina Williams

Tennis

Justin and Troy Dumais

Diving

Mary Sanders

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Dain Blanton

Beach Volleyball

Images via Vanity Fair

Classic Cars Fit for a Prince

Owning a piece of history has never been easier than it is right now. Over 38 vehicles out of more than 100 from the Royal family of Monaco are up for grabs during an auction from Heritage which takes place today, July 26. You may be wondering why are these irreplaceable rides are on the auction block ….

High Retro: This Porsche 928 is considered the high-lights of the sale, with a reported estimate of $317,000

According to Prince Albert – a huge collector of classic cars – he’s simply ready to “add some new models to a collection which is so very dear to my heart”. What’s great about this sale is that while there are a number of classic cars among the lot, overall, the vehicles on offer are what they call ‘real world’ models which are affordable to the man on the street. The 1925 Citroën (pictured below) is estimated between $15,500 to $19,000. Heritage described the sale as a ‘unique opportunity to acquire a motor car from one of the most well known collections, from the most famous and prestigious Principalities’.

True Provenance: 1925 Citroën 5 HP torpédo Trèfle, Super-culasse from Prince Albert II of Monaco

Photos via Daily Mail UK

Designed initially as a replacement for the Porsche 911, the 928 S has a 4.7-litre V8 engine which Heritage Auctions described as a ‘very fine tourer’. Prince Albert II was quoted as saying: ‘The Princes of Monaco have always been passionate about motor cars. Prince Pierre initiated the Grand Prix in 1929, and competed in it, in a Torpedo. My father, Prince Rainier, took over the development of the race, which has today become one of the most prestigious events in the world.”

Who is Raf Simons?

The New Kid In Town

At the start of this month, a 44 year old Belgian fashion designer made a smashing debut at Paris’ Fashion Week Haute Couture for the Fall/Winter 2013. His name? Raf Simons. Sure, John Galliano was sorely missed by his followers because of his fierce creativity, but certainly not for his drunken, anti-Semitic tirade.

Above: Grand Entrance: Princess Charlene of Monaco, Bernard Arnault, Delphine Arnault and Isabelle Huppert looked on as the first model made a striking entrance wearing a Dior classic dress with a dyed pattern that reminded me of darkness, and poetry.

2012 seemed a light-year away from 1997, and the ghost of Galliano was nowhere in site during the fashion show which took place at a grand residence in a series of intimate rooms filled with white orchids in one room, deep purple delphiniums in another, along with a mixture of roses. So once the lights came on, the audience was captured by Raf Simons’ vision for Dior, and ultimately witnessed a rebirth of the fashion house’s lustrous history. Instead of his usual runway shows which often find the models parading up and down train stations, and parking lots, the fashion designer showed some finesse by taking the reigns with passion and a little bit of old school drama.

DIOR’S NOD

TO THE 1940s

Raf Simons

Woking that old Dior magic: The detailed, and decorated embroidered top is so charming and romantic. The lean cigarette pants wasn’t bad either!

Raf Simons does have his own menswear collection, but before taking this job as the director of Dior, he’s worked for Jil Sanders as their creative designer in 2005. He was given high praise for his variety of highly coveted pantsuits which were a staple for TV personality Ellen DeGeneres. The New York Times Fashion Writer Cathy Horyn had this to say about his Fall 2007 collection, “On Tuesday a little-known Belgian designer named Raf Simons had the full attention of the fashion world. Mr. Simons’s collection for Jil Sander, his third since becoming creative director 18 months ago, was perfect. It will make everything else, I bet, seem a little contrived, a little clunky, a little silly.” She also considered his talents to be up to par with the likes Azzedine Alaia and Karl Lagerfeld!

Gold Rush: Out of control exquisite pencil skirt and gold weaved top.

So Haute!

Throughout the entire collection, Raf Simons managed to honor the original Dior designs by combining the delicate and complexed textures for a glamorous and smooth look.

Cape town: The audience was clearly mesmerized (not just by the beautiful flowers) and payed rapt attention to the perfection and great details of the garbs. I wondered what Anna Wintour,

and her daughter Bee Shaffer thought of them all…

Magnificent finale!

Raf Simons made the collection all his own – thread by thread.

La Vie En Rose

This was the entrance to the runway show earlier this month in Paris.

A little over one million flowers were used. How extravagant. How delightful. How brilliant!

Images courtesy of Benoit Tessier for Reuters via The Guardian

From Cover Girl to Raising Babies

Out and About

HBO’s new documentary about face will debut on July 30th, but last week, I attended the premier at the Paily Center for Media near Rockefeller Center. This vivacious and enticing documentary gathered former glamazons of the 70s and 80s to reveal several behind-the-scenes, candid moments into the dark side of their supermodel lives.

Pictured: Carol Alt, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Beverly Johnson, Kim Alexis

The film covers drug overdoses, rampant sexual harassment and blatant racism – all of which have become the staples of the modeling industry. About Face: Supermodels, Then and Now, follows era-defining names like Jerry Hall, Beverly Johnson, Isabella Rossellini, Paulina Porizko, and a few other household names divas as they expose the industry’s ugly truths. It is directed by renowned photographer and filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders.

Beverly Johnson, Kim Alexis

Models of Yore

Carol Alt, Beverly Johnson, Kim Alexis

Images via Zimbio

Rosie Pope hosted a launch party at Destination Maternity’s New York Flagship

Late last month, hundreds of current and expecting moms eagerly gathered inside Destination Maternity’s New York Flagship to meet Rosie Pope, star of Bravo’s Pregnant in Heels, designer and expert on all things maternity. Rosie brought business partner and husband Daron to the personal appearance held to celebrate Rosie Pope for A Pea in the Pod™, an exclusive capsule collection available at A Pea in the Pod® and Destination Maternity stores nationwide.

Rosie Pope with husband Daron Pope (left) and Chris Daniel, President of Destination Maternity Corporation (right) Rosie Pope, Star of Bravo Pregnant in Heels

Rosie Pope

Images courtesy Rosie Pope

Chef Grant Achatz of Alinea restaurant charmed guests signing books at the Bernardaud Chicago boutique to salute the James Beard Foundation’s book “The Best of the Best”

Grant Achatz

Arianne Nardo (Editor in Chief) and and James Barra (Creative Director) of INTERIORS Magazine

Guests Wendy and Geoffry Dixon with authographed

Corinne Oats (Vp Sales, Bernardaud), Grant Achatz (chef), Susan Ungaro (President, James Beard Foundation). Alexandra Phillips (Bernardaud Chicago boutique director)

Images courtesy Bernardaud

America’s New Living Room

House Beautiful 5th Annual Kitchen of the Year Design by Mick De Giulio

July 16 – 20, 2012 at Rockefeller Center

One of the best part of House Beautiful’s latest event is its location. It must have been very exciting for them to construct a kitchen in the middle of Rockefeller Center – which happens to be a Mecca for Art Deco.

From Left: Sean Sullivan, Newell Turner, Kate Kelly Smith, and Mick De Giulio

This year’s honor for Kitchen of the Year went to Chicago-based kitchen designer Mick De Giulio (www.degiulio.org) for his experience and for the style and flair that he continues to display throughout all his projects.

I find it amazing that in the middle of a sidewalk in NYC, one can be transported to an open, modern, and inviting kitchen. The varieties of counter tops and materials that Mick has chosen gave me plenty of inspirations. The overall feel of this “fisherman cottage kitchen” is comfort, and charm. House Beautiful declared that the kitchen is America’s new living room, and judging from the looks of this one, I say they’re right on target.

House Beautiful editor in chief Newell Turner, with Kate Kelly Smith, SPV of Publishing

Mick De Giulio is known nationwide for his “dream kitchens”

Designer of House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year

From July 16th through the 20th, Rockefeller Plaza has become the prime spot for innovative presentations on the most influential design trends, interactive programs with designers, craftsmen and lifestyle leaders, and up-close culinary demonstrations from an incredible array of celebrated and innovative chefs who have been invited to take this kitchen for a spin. Daily cooking shows are conducted now until Friday, July 20th. When asked to describe his design philosophy, De Giulio responded, “I believe a great kitchen has a magic to it that transforms the physical room into a feeling. People are drawn to that kitchen, and they may not know why. The kitchen sings. It is my job to write the music. I may call myself a kitchen designer, but what I really do is orchestrate and conduct the dreaming process.”

Dinning Area of The Kitchen of the Year

This spot is my favorite section of the kitchen – I loved the Ralph Lauren Light Fixture!

Michael Aram Vases

Meet The Press

Gabrielle Hamilton, Chef/owner of Prune

House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year is located at Rockefeller Center, 51 Street

Between 5th & 6th Avenue. For more images, visit us at www.facebook.com/highendweekly

All images courtesy House Beautiful

Picasso’s Madoura Years

Christie’s London June Sale

The fortunate few had their last chance of owning Picasso’s Madoura Collection last month at Christie’s June 25th Sale. Over 550 ceramic works were presented and they spanned a total of 24 years, between 1947 and 1971. Those were the years that the master spent with his second wife, Jacqueline Roque at the Madoura Pottery in Valluris. According to Christie’s, this coveted collection was the last opportunity for collectors to purchase them directly from where they were made.

Pictured: Pablo Picasso at the Madoura Pottery in Vallauris, France

Madoura Ceramic

Pablo Picasso with his wife, Jacqueline Roque (directly from his left)

Madoura Ceramic from Picasso

Fantastical Form and Shape

Rare Bird
Madoura Ceramics from Christie’s June 2012 Sale

Pablo Picasso at work on one of his Madoura Ceramics

Picasso was a lover of nature, animals, and of people too

Madoura Ceramics

Pablo Picasso

Form As Fantasy

The conventional shapes and faces of the figures formed a fantasy. This was Picasso at one of his best periods. Experimenting with a new medium and making it work – his way, of course.

Photos courtesy Christie’s

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Public Interest

SO CHIC!

Summer travels means staying at chic hotels all over the globe. I’ve always had a deep fondness for the ultra chic ones. At present, I’m thoroughly impressed with PUBLIC Chicago and finds it extraordinarily grand. As an interior designer, I often scrutinized the decor of the hotels I visit or happen to be staying – even down to the silverware. How about you?

Stately Presence

Ian Schrager’s PUBLIC Hotel in Chicago

Hotelier/perfectionist, Ian Schrager’s PUBLIC hotel is located in a landmark building of Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. Despite its name the hotel is discreet and has a very private feel. In truth, this is a home away from home with cool lighting, decorative art deco door knobs, attentive service, “non-colors” decorations which provide a serene, elegant, and non-sterile look. But there’s nothing colorless about the hotel’s ambiance, especially the Pump Room, once home to the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra. The various times that I stayed there, I’ve always set aside some time to come down and experience their beautiful and energetic bar/restaurant. PUBLIC Chicago is the sort of hotel that suits my design aesthetics to a T. If I was to design a hotel, it would come up pretty close to PUBLIC. And it will be simply splendid.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s lively Pump Room Waiting Area

The Library Bar

Pump Room

The Screening Room

Penthouse Suite

Minimalist Glamor

And so to bed…

Anyone For Tennis?

The Importance of Being SERENA

She’s Grand!

Serena Williams after winning her 5th Women Title at Wimbledon 2012

Can you believe that the genesis of tennis was such that players use to hit the ball with their hands? Soon after leather gloves follow, and eventually (four hundred years later – the 16th century to be exact) those gloves were replaced with an adaptive handle for effective hitting and serving of the ball. Oh my.

Photo via Getty Images

If the first technique was still true today, there’s no doubt that Anna Wintour would be the most efficient female player when it comes to serving with her back hand. Agreed? But I’m not here today to talk about the history of tennis. Instead, let’s talk about four of the greatest players around.

Center Court

Fashionista Central: Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour made a show of support for Serena during the women’s final match

Photo via EPA

Vogue magazine contributing editor Andre Leon Talley, Serena Williams, Vogue magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour at Rodarte – Front Row – Spring 2011

Photo via Zimbio

She is unstoppable. And that’s a good thing. How wonderful it is to see that Serena Williams has fully checked in, after two long years of illness. Over the weekend at Wimbledon, she silenced her critics, and defeated her opponents by winning her 5th Wimbledon Title. Her career report card goes something like this: 14 Grand Slam singles titles. She is the sixth on the all-time list. Serena now ranks fourth in Grand Slam women’s singles titles, which she won during the open era, behind Steffi Graf (22 titles) and Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova (18 titles each). Among active players, male or female, she holds the most Major titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Welcome back Serena!

Five times Wimbledon winner Serena Williams at the Wimbledon Championships 2012 Winners Ball

Source: Bethany Clarke/Getty Images Europe), via Zimbio

RAFA

Widely regarding as one of the greatest players of all time, for me, Rafa IS the greatest player ever. At 26 years of age, Nadal has the records to prove it. He has won eleven Grand Slam singles titles, including a record seven French Open titles, the 2008 Olympic gold medal in singles, a record 21 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments, and was also part of the Spain Davis Cup team that won the finals in 2004, 2008, 2009 and 2011. And so on, and so forth. Rafael Nadal was sorely missed at Wimbledon the last couple of days.

The King Of Clay, Rafael Nadal

The Big Guns: Rafael Nadal showing his toned, athletic body while playing at

the beach of his native country, Majorca, Spain

The Perfectionist: Rafael Nadal

All images via Getty Images Europe

STEFFI

Steffi Graf

Steffi Graf was the reason why I became interested in tennis. I remembered the first time I saw her on the court. I was mesmerized. Her game was flawless, and she was very much in charge. During her years as a tennis star, Steffi Graf accumulated a total of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, second among male and female players only to Margaret Court’s 24. HIGH NOTE: In 1988, Steffi became the first and only tennis player (male or female) to achieve the Calendar Year Golden Slam by winning all four Grand Slam singles titles and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year. How swashing!

Picture Perfect

Ex Tennis Star, Steffi Graf

A New Game

Steffi Graf and her husband, eight-time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi

Photo via Sports Illustrated

ROGER

Leading Man

7th time Wimbledon winner, and 17th Grand Slam title winner, Roger Federer lifts the coveted trophy.

Photo via Getty Images

“You’re the reason we love it!” That’s what someone shouted at the champ during yesterday’s match. And how true that was. Roger Federer continues to break all kinds of records. As the world already knows by now, he took home the big gun on Sunday, his 7th Wimbledon Grand Slam title, by digging deeper and deeper into his game as he terribly upset the people of Great Britain when he defeating their favorite son, Andy Murray. Roger, or as he is sometimes called, the Federer Express, has had a stellar career. He has amassed a staggering numbers of trophies and countless of accolades.

Roger Federer, 2011

The King Is Back

Roger Federer at the Wimbledon Championships 2012 Winners Ball

Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe) via Zimbio

The Weekender: The Most Beautiful Châteaux in Provence

Le Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & Spa

There are some places where you come only once in your life and you will never forget them. For me, Provence is that special spot. It is a place where time seems to have stood still and history can be felt everywhere you look: the Roman architecture, the smell and sound of the provincial markets, the extraordinary gastronomy, the energetic and down to earth locals, and of course, the omni presence of lavender fields all across its charming countryside. Some feelings are hard to describe, and sometimes, you just have to go and experience them. When it comes to Provence, I suggest you do just that.

Le Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & Spa

Oustau de Baumanière

Oustau de Baumanière: 13520 Les Baux-de-Provence. Tel. +33.490.54.3308. Located in the countryside. St. Remy-de-Provence. Affiliation: Relaix & Châteaux, Relais Gourmand. www.oustaudebaumaniere.com.

Château de Montcaud

Château de Montcaud: Hameau de Combe. Route d’Ales. Tel. +33.466.89.6060. Affiliation: Relais et Châteaux. www.chateau-de-montcaud.com.

Auberge de Cassagne

Auberge de Cassagne: 450 Allee de Cassagene. T. +33.490.31.0418. Affiliation: Romantik Hotel, Relaix du Silence, Châteaux et Hotels Independants. www.aubergedecassagne.com.

Château d’Arpaillargues

Château d’Arpaillargues: Rue du Château. 30700 Arpaillargues. T. +33 (0)4 66 22 14 48. Affiliation: Les Hotels Particuliers/Groupe Savry

ALSO HIGH ON OUR LIST

Villa Gallici: Avenue de la Violette, 13100 Aix-en-Provence. T. +33.442.23.2923. www.villagallici.com. (Relais et Châteaux)
Domaine de Chateauneuf: Départementale 560. 83860 Nans-les-Pins (Var). T. + 33 (0)4 94 78 90 06. www.relaischateaux.com/chateauneuf. (Relais et Châteaux)
La Bastide De Moustiers: La Bastide de Moustiers Chemin de Quinson

04360 • Moustiers-Sainte-Marie • France. (Alain Ducasse)

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