Audi has just developed a process for the partial matting of painted surfaces. A special powder roughens the clear lacquer on the surface to a depth of a few thousandths of a millimeter so that individual markings become visible. With this process, the Audi exclusive program offers personalized design of the side blades for all R8 customers. Owners can choose designs of their own liking and have them imprinted on their beloved machines with ease. The unique weather resistant individualizations are currently available in the Audi RB Coupe and open Spyder versions, with plans to extend the offer to other models in the time to come.
Fantasy lovers can now dine in Walt and Lilian Disney’s own apartment, as Disney will soon open the place’s doors to visitors. Situated in New Orlean’s Square, Disneyland, the apartment was designed by Dorothea Redmond, an Imagineer who’s known to have worked with Alfred Hitchcock. Boasting Renaissance architecture, the place is replete with baroque ceilings and embellished chandeliers, and also has a balcony that would offer you a panoramic view of the park’s renowned fireworks. Should you ever have fantasised about this, now’s your chance to book yourself an evening that begins with cocktails in the lantern-lit courtyard followed by a seven course bespoke meal prepared by Golden Foodie Award winner Chef Andrew Sutton, and ends with dessert and coffee, all with stories and antiques about the Disneys. But for all of this, you need deep pockets— because the price tag says $15,000—or Rs 10 lakh to be precise. Every dream comes at a price, now doesn’t it?
BLEEDING BRANDS | Several luxe brands have shut shop at the DLF Emporio in the last year, while many others are winding up multicity operations to focus on single location
The luxury market in India, for all the talk of expansion and growth, has also been witnessing a slow exit of luxe brands, or of franchises closing down. As per the Goldman Sachs research report — The Asian Consumer — India Consumer Close-up – the growth of luxury and high-end, in general, will be limited as, culturally, India’s affluent consumers tend to shy away from ostentatious display of wealth, and the urban masses tend to go for brands offering incremental value, and not so much aspirational. While reports stated that the luxury market in India has been growing at a CAGR of 25 per cent over the last couple of years and has been estimated at $14.7 billion, the complex consumer psyche is a force to reckon with, in itself. Because even as the number of high net worth individuals increases, and Indian business men find their place in the global big league, the sentiment towards spending on premium goods might hold sway but when it comes to luxury goods, priced more here than offshores, the mindset changes as value luxury and discounts become crucial to the scheme of things, also taking down the instances of repeat purchasing, even among the HNIs.
PUCCI | With its bold display of prints in the store window catching the passing shopper’s eye, this boutique is now conspicuous by its absence in DLF Emporio
So, even as there is a positive curve witnessed by upscale designer brands working out market entry into India, there’s also the corresponding trend of boutiques shutting operation or reducing the number of stores and square metres. Taking the case in point of DLF Emporio, in Delhi NCR, the region which is leading luxury good consumption in India, followed by the cities of Mumbai, Bengaluru and others like Chandigarh and Ahmedabad, we have had brands exiting with one such being Alfred Dunhill, which shut all its three outlets in India, run through a franchise deal with Brand House Retail.
A slowdown in the economic climate, and low consumption, both led to this decision
A slowdown in the economic climate, and low consumption, both led to this decision. While this is one such, there’s also the case of coming across boutiques, which could have been functioning a week back, now witnessing closed shutters or construction inside. One such instance is that of the Pucci boutique, situated near one of the entrances on the ground floor of DLF Emporio, which has folded up operations, and the store space to be occupied then by an existing brand, shifting shops within the mall.
CHOPARD | Luxury watch and jewellery are touted to be one of the highest selling luxury items, still Chopard has had to wind up its store in the leading Delhi luxe mall
Reports suggest fragrance, jewellery, and watch brands being the top tier grossers, but then there are three cases of brand exits which go contrary to this. International luxury watch brands like Piaget, Chopard, and Vacheron Constantin have all closed their respective boutiques in DLF Emporio, over a period of some months, within the last year.
Notable names like Murjani Group are exiting the luxury space to focus on premium brands, so that Jimmy Choo is now part of Genesis Colours
Following close is also the change of hands between brands and franchises, with notable names like Murjani Group exiting the luxury space to focus on premium brands, so that Jimmy Choo is now part of Genesis Colours. And then there’s also the case of luxury brands winding up multi city operations and staying invested in only one location, thereby curtailing expansion plans, for example, Bottega Veneta, which shut shop in Mumbai and opened in Delhi within the same month.
LONGCHAMP | Has set up shop in DLF Emporio recently and has witnessed a steady line of response despite demonetisation, keeping up hopes in the growth of luxury consumption
With the above predicating a somewhat grim sentiment in the luxury landscape, there’s also a silver lining to consider, which pertains to recent FDI regulations allowing for brands like Hermes and Longchamp to open shop in India. Also, poised for market entry are brands like Kate Spade which have found DLF Emporio to be their natural launchpad.
There’s also a silver lining to consider, which pertains to recent FDI regulations allowing for brands like Hermes and Longchamp to open shop in India
But even with luxury brands testing waters, DLF’s own retail arm, DLF Brands has exited the luxury fashion business, parting ways with Salvatore Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani and even shutting down couple of DKNY stores, to focus on the mass apparel market in India, thereby setting a tone which could be the defining one in times that are beset with shifting trends and consumer sentiments, especially when it comes to high end luxury.
2017 marks Angela Missoni’s 20th year as the Creative Director of Italian fashion label Missoni, and the luxe brand is celebrating the occasion with a ‘home’ campaign shot in the Mediterranean. The brands Spring/Summer 2017 campaign has been shot at the designer’s own summer home in Puntaldia, Sardegna, displaying the spirit of the Mediterranean. Family is central to Missoni’s heritage, making the intimate setting of this campaign a way to invite consumers into a piece of the brand lifestyle. Starring Irina Shayk and Tim Dibble, the campaign has been shot by Harley Weir, using a vividly graphic backdrop of ocean life figurines, shells, artisanal and modern art, paintings and tapestries for the models’ pictures.
Close on the heels of the hardtop facelifted Mustang comes the convertible version, recently released by Ford in the United States. The facelifted Mustang reveals a revised design and an engine update, with Ford offering a 2.3-litre EcoBoost as well as the massive 5.0-litre supercharged V8. The car can be had with a manual gearbox or a brand new 10-speed AT which is expected to aid in fuel efficiency. The American market will also get pre-collision assist and a suspension system that adjusts on the go to improve quality and dynamics. The latest Mustang is expected to hit the Indian market sometime next year, 2018 and we might just get the convertible version as well—in the top of the line GT variant.
Great news for car enthusiasts: the awesomest new theme park is all set to open doors in Spain this April— Ferrari Land at Port Aventura. Tickets to the park have begun to be sold starting today. The park, which boasts of having the tallest and fastest roller coaster in all of Europe, is located about an hour and a half outside Barcelona and spread across 70,000 square meters at a price tag of $100 million euros. Designed for both race car lovers and adrenaline junkies alike, the park allows visitors to get up close and personal with the luxury Italian car brand and experience the heart-pumping sensations of driving a Formula 1 race car. The show-stealer of course, is the vertical accelerator that rockets riders up 112 meters at speeds of up to 180 km/hr in just five seconds. Now that’s a real adrenaline-pumping shot! Other attractions include Ferrari Land Gallery, an interactive exhibit that takes visitors through the history of the legendary Italian car maker, racetrack, free fall tower and bounce-back tower, F1 simulators, pit stop, and speedway for kids. Visitors will also be entertained by three different shows. Ferrari Land at Port Aventura is the younger sister to Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi which opened in 2010. At 86,000 square meters, Ferrari World can fit seven football fields. A Ferrari theme park is also set to open in China, while a fourth is being eyed for North America.
It’s time for us to behold the brand new Aston Martin Vanquish S Volante, a gorgeous convertible manifested from the design cues of the brand’s standard Volante and the Vanquish Coupe. This ravishing vehicle holds inside the same 6.0-litre V12 motor that’s now a norm with the entire Aston Martin line-up, but the engine’s been tweaked to make more than 600bhp for the European market, unlike the 580bhp that the rest of the markets will get. Reports claim that the car can hit 100kmph from standstill in less than 3.5sec, before going on to post a staggering top speed of 323kmph.
The Orange County Resort exquisitely brings to life the historic elements of Hampi, which was the capital of Vijayanagar Empire and now a UNESCO World Heritage site (Photo: Anuj Nigam)
As I entered the massive gates, modeled on the city gates of Hampi, I got the impression that this was the perfect antidote to the urban madness I left behind. A royal welcome with a refreshing coconut based drink and then I was led to my princely room. I was staying in one of the nine private villas, luxuriously spacious with a pool stretched across the length of the room. The villas have been named ‘Jal Mahal’ (palace on water) as they stand like an island on a pool of water, filled with lotus to charm you. Though I hardly spent 10 minutes in the lobby, my gaze had travelled over the expansive artefacts and the detailing in design of the interiors. Breaking away from the traditional reception and lobby styles, the resort had artsy interiors, with the reds, greens, blues and magentas adroitly thrown in over commanding whites, to immerse you in the royal affair. The overall look and feel is of ornate luxury, where elements and arches and corners stand as reminiscence of the royalty of Vijayanagar. It stands as a dazzling epitome of legendary tales with a bold cultural heritage, nestled midst unparalleled natural beauty.
One of the nine private villas, luxuriously spacious with a pool stretched across the length of the room (Photo: Anuj Nigam)
The amalgam of the multiple influences that Vijayanagar kingdom had seen is evident in the interiors of the resort. Open courtyards where peacocks parade, galleries with curved arches that lead from one section to the other, the parapets, a fine mix of earthy elements, the chandeliers modelled on the Vijayanagar design and the wall murals present a good mix of Indo-Islamic fusion in the design, very reminiscent of that bygone era. And then there is a conspicuous over-use of water and the buildings shaped like lotus petals. I was later explained by my host that the entire design has been inspired from the Lotus Mahal in Hampi, and hence water and lotus mix.
The room is full of comfortable corners and spots to spread out in: a mélange of old and new, with dusky wooden beds carved from Mexican ebony, the switches and knobs reminding you of old colonial era, the ornate arches giving a masculine touch to the earthly coloured painted walls, furniture that looks more like taken from some Italian antique shop and a bathroom as big as a living room, with every modern amenity you can list. The lotus motif, which pervades in the ruins of royal enclosures in Hampi, finds its subtle presence everywhere from the façade of the bar to the arches in the living room.
Hampi is steeped in history and though the lessons start from the resort itself, there is always more to know here (Photo: Anuj Nigam)
My host Abhishek, the resort manager, was nice enough to show me around. Perhaps this was also a great work up for the sumptuous lunch that was to follow. “You will find one thing very clear in the design of the resort, an attempt to make you feel you are in Vijayanagar Empire,” he said, as he took me from one section to the other. Inside the rooms you can see the alchemy of Indian royalty and the Victorian influence. While the detailing in the room gives you a feel of the bygone era, the design is very contemporary with stylish bathrooms, Jacuzzi, a spacious living space, hard wood furniture and balcony to offer you breath-taking views. We walked to the Lotus Mahal which houses a Mughlai restaurant, a shop to buy artifacts designed by locals, a reading room with a great view and laden with books on Indian culture and Hampi (do spare an evening for reading there, with some insanely awesome brewed coffee and a view to take back with you) and a spa.
Back in the main building and next to the Tuluva restaurant is the infinity pool, insanely huge with a special corner tucked on one side of it—where a romantic candle-night dinner is laid. The entire side of the pool is often doubled up as space for an open sky dinner, spent in gazing at the stars in the clear sky.
The Tuluva restaurant, next to which sits the infinity pool (Photo: Anuj Nigam)
And now it was lunch time. Over these years of travelling, I have developed a notion that lunch tables are the best place to review a hotel. Nothing can make your stay more memorable than good food. And when Abhishek told me that the head chef has been experimenting with local cuisines from Hospet, Raichur and Belgaum, it raised my expectations. Like so many regional cuisines, the real flavours are hard to find unless one is invited to a local home. Having spent months in Karnataka, I am fairly acquainted with the regional flavours. That doesn’t make me a connoisseur but that certainly makes me a little more discerning than others. The aroma of tempered red chillies and curry leaves hit me as the buffet was spread and I gleefully lifted each cloche to discover the culinary sojourn I was led to. It was a feast, to be modest with my words – the earthy flavor of country chicken in a thick gravy (saru), the palle (vegetable of water melon), the unique flavour of sambhar, beans served with authentic local breads bajra and akki (rice flour) roti. And what gives you a far greater personal touch is the pampering you get, right from the time of entering the hotel, keeping the tables, escorting you to your room to delightful conversations at the dinner table. Orange County ensures you leave the resort with a smile on your face.
The Hampi Trails – Hampi is steeped in history and though the lessons start from the resort itself, there is always more to know here.
About Hampi: Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagar Empire and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The empire reached its zenith under the reign of Krishna Deva Raya and hosted a population second only to Beijing, making it one of the largest and wealthiest kingdoms of India. Eminent historian Robert Swell has compared Hampi to Western cultures in terms of monetary and cultural wealth. The kingdom was completely devastated when Bahamani forces of Bidar, Birar, Raichur, Gulbarga and Golconda attached and vanquished the Vijayanagar forces and laid the city to waste. Not much is documented about the empire in history and it was so sordidly ignored, that it won the sobriquet ‘The forgotten empire’.
Aakash is a freelance travel writer blogging at handofcolors.me
Dubai always seems to be the destination for large-scale glammed up construction projects, an so the nest in line is a new marina that will be the biggest in the MENA region, along with a spectacular lighthouse that will also include a luxury hotel and an observation tower. The Marina, part of the 20 million sq ft Dubai Harbour Project developed by Meraas Holding, is expected to be able to handle up to 1,400 vessels. The Harbour will also feature a 150,000 sq ft cruise liner terminal capable of handling 6,000 passengers, as well as entertainment and retail space, a yacht club, shopping mall, hotels and residences. The Harbour will be located in Mina Seyahi, between Jumeirah Beach Residence and Palm Jumeirah.
Lalique’s delicate exquisite crystal-ware will now be offered to first class passengers aboard Singapore Airlines’ new Airbus A380s, for a highly refined, ultra-luxe experience. The airline will start receiving the co-branded glassware in the second half of 2017, and it will be provided to first clss passengers along with their amenity kits, toiletries, loungewear and bedding. Lalique items will also be available for purchase at the airline’s Krisshop Magazine.
