BEASTLY ALLURE | A hardtop version of Rezvani’s two seater roadster, the Beast Alpha is heavier by 150 kg and pumps out 500bhp with a 3.2 second sprint
BEASTLY ALLURE | A hardtop version of Rezvani’s two seater roadster, the Beast Alpha is heavier by 150 kg and pumps out 500bhp with a 3.2 second sprint

Among the breed of sleek and jawdroppingly stylish denizens of the road, here’s one that’s truly eye-catching: the Rezvani Beast Alpha, unveiled last month by California-based supercar builder Rezvani. A hardtop version of their two-seat roadster Beast, the Beast Alpha comes with a removable Targa-style top.

What’s the most arresting feature, visually speaking, of the positively seductive Beast Alpha are its unique ‘SideWinder’ doors that swing out and slide forward, subverting the vertical-opening wing feature of your previous favourite supercar.

The SideWinder doors swing outward and slide forward, easily the most arresting feature of this powerful creature
The SideWinder doors swing outward and slide forward, easily the most arresting feature of this powerful creature

On the outside, the fascia is quite the same as the standard Beast. But the Beast Alpha makes use of Lotus-derived aluminium monocoque chassis, instead of the Ariel Atom underpinnings of the Beast. Even with the lightweight 19-inch forged alloy wheels, the Alpha is heavier by 150kg than the Beast, as it tips the weight of 884kg. The Alpha uses the same 2.4-liter K24 four-cylinder engine from Honda as the Beast, however, the Beast uses a Rotrex supercharger, whereas the Alpha is turbocharged with intercooler and pumps out 500bhp. With a 6-Speed manual or the optional sequential automatic transmission, the Beast Alpha can do a 0-100kmph sprint in 3.2 seconds before hitting a top speed of 280kmph. Ironically though, this is still slower than the 2.7second sprint of the standard Beast.

The interiors are polished and relatively bare, with an Alcantara and leather finish. The instrument cluster stacks an LCD screen, like the ones you would usually find in a race car, along with a drive mode selector. Air conditioning and airbags come as standard in the Beast Alpha. There are optional carbon fibre fitments for the interior as well. Also, present in the infotainment system is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Beast Alpha uses Lotus-derived aluminium monocoque chassis instead of the Ariel Atom underpinnings of the Beast
Beast Alpha uses Lotus-derived aluminium monocoque chassis instead of the Ariel Atom underpinnings of the Beast

The shift lights on the instrument cluster can be pre-programmed according to the driver’s needs to shift for maximum engine horsepower and torque bands. The Beast Alpha also has an economy driving mode.

The Beast Alpha is quite decidedly the beast of choice for those wishing to stand out amid the host of Lamborghinis and Ferraris. Rezvani says they are also working on introducing eco-friendly fuel choices, which makes it even better, we say.

But if you’re beginning to think this Beast is too hot to handle, fear not, there’s a less powerful and tamed 300bhp version on its way. As for the price of the Alpha, you’d have to shell out upwards of $200,000 (approx.  Rs 1.35 crore). Nothing too much for a splendid beast with raw, brute power!

To possess the Alpha you’d have to shell out upward of Rs 1.35 crore
To possess the Alpha you’d have to shell out upward of Rs 1.35 crore
atlantis resort

The very first Atlantis Resort in the United States is all set to open in the ocean paradise of Hawaii. China Oceanwide, together with its subsidiary, Oceanwide Resort Paradise has entered into a management agreement with subsidiaries of Kerzner International, a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts for the new Atlantis resort in Ko Olina,  a 642 acre development on the white sand beaches of the island of O’ahu in Hawaii.  This new destination will offer ocean views accented with lush green spaces and endless water experiences, encapsulated in Hawaii-inspired iconic architecture and themed programming. Overlooking both the stunning Honu and Kohola Lagoons, Atlantis will offer a sense of discovery, encompassing over 26 acres of unparalleled excitement and larger than life experiences, revolutionary water play in Aquaventure Waterpark, The Ambassador Lagoon and The Lost Chambers Aquarium and incredible dining experiences.  Already a leading holiday destination, the addition of Atlantis to Ko’Olina will continue the area’s transformation as the new centre for entertainment in Hawaii with the addition of this new trailblazing landmark. With approximately 800 luxurious guest rooms and suites, as well as approximately 524 residences, Atlantis Ko’Olina promises to be quite spectacular

best ski resort

Europe’s highest ski resort, Val Thorens in France, has been named the world’s best ski resort for the third time, just a week before its official opening of the season. It is a big boost for Val Thorens, which was momentarily knocked off its perch last year when the title went to Austrian ski resort Kitzbuehel.  But at the fourth edition of the World Ski Awards which was held over the weekend, the mythic ski destination reclaimed its crown thanks to continued efforts to innovate and diversify their offerings, organizers say. In 2011, for example, the French resort was the first to equip the ski area with free wifi. Winners of the awards are determined by votes cast by leaders in the ski industry such as senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators, agents, the media and the general public. For the 2016 edition, about 1.6 million votes were cast online from 85 different countries. While Val Thorens took the biggest award of the night, resorts across Europe, Canada, Japan and the Middle East took a few world awards as well this year.

atlantis resort

With everything else already having travelled the bling-bling path—from your closet to your living room decor, why should that most intimate of living spaces not have its own fair share of glitter and glow? Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the £100,000, 24-carat gold bath complete with over 250,000 clear and topaz crystals, the ultimate luxe experience for the one that already has it all. Designed by Celia Sawyer, who reportedly described her own creation as ‘opulence gone mad’, this tub was commissioned by a buyer from the Middle East, and features what looks uncannily like a city skyline etched out through crystals. However, the designer describes it is as ‘foam of crystals’ apparently cascading over the sides of the tub. You don’t get more tempting than that! Sawyer worked in collaboration with Robert Grace, who specialises in gold leaf mosaics for luxury sanitary ware. And if you’re already in love with this blingy bath, you can order one for your special Christmas next year. Nothing tops this gift!

polo tourbillon relatif

Transforming the signs of the Chinese zodiac into vibrant works of art has become Piaget’s tradition ringing in the Chinese New Year. Every year since 2012, the Maison has staged that year’s zodiac sign on the dial of one of its ultra-thin Altiplano watches, masterfully handcrafted in the great Grand Feu cloisonné enamelling tradition. In 2017 the rooster joins the limited edition collection, creatively interpreted, enamelled and engraved, within the confines of the Altiplano’s extremely thin 38mm case. The handcrafted enamel is further enhanced by the beauty of 78 brilliant-cut diamonds set on the watch’s white gold case. Limited to just 38 pieces, this collector’s edition is truly a work of art. But this isn’t all. Piaget has further raised a toast to the Chinese New Year by celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Tourbillon Relatif movement through a piece unique in itself. The Polo Tourbillon Relatif, brings together white gold and black enamel, with the numbers on its dial replaced by the 12 zodiac signs and the back bearing the Chinese symbol of longevity.  The dial of the Piaget Polo timepiece combines champlevé Grand Feu enamelling with delicate hand engravings of each of the animals. The champlevé technique consists in eliminating the excess material to reveal the desired design rather than simply etching the design into the metal. From its dial to the back and the sides of the case, this model can be entirely personalized. All we can say is, your New Year isn’t complete without this very Piaget tribute to Asia.

RUNWAY RADAR | From perky pink to played up khakis, the New York Fashion Week had much inspiration to offer for the fashionably inclined
RUNWAY RADAR | From perky pink to played up khakis, the New York Fashion Week had much inspiration to offer for the fashionably inclined

Each year as it comes, brings with it some of the old and a lot of the new. 2016, making way for 2017, might be no different, except for the excitement that gathers around all the trend forecasts. Talking fashion, we have had the international runways ablaze with some retro, a tad revealing and rather edgy looks which are inspiration for our 2017 style and shopping guides. And even though springs seems a little far out, given we are in the throes of merry winter, its time to get a move on, and get in sync with the bright and bold runway trends from Paris, Milan and New York, with the following preview to take you through a trendspotter’s guide to the most wearable fashion trends of Spring/Summer 2017

STRIPED GLORY | Stripes turned playful as seen during the NYFW in the runway collections of Proenza Schouler, Rosie Assoulin, Altuzarra. Photos: Imaxtree 
STRIPED GLORY | Stripes turned playful as seen during the NYFW in the runway collections of Proenza Schouler, Rosie Assoulin, Altuzarra. Photos: Imaxtree

STRIPES 

While this may not seem very original, it did look promising as the flamboyance of stripes was at its max, as spotted in the imaginative mixed and matched stripes from Fendi, to Rosie Assoulin’s sparkly sequined striped dress, to the bright multi-coloured stripes of Adam Selman, and on to the bold stripes in Altuzarra’s knit dresses. It seemed that even the banker/oxford stripes had gone in for a style overhaul, as the staidness was gone and in its place there were details like ruffles, flounces, skin-showing cuts and sporty silhouettes. But most of the drama was with the story of stripes itself, which seemed to be not just a play of clashing colours and patterns, but in some cases also inspired by the beach umbrellas and lounge chairs, veritably displayed in the designs from the house of Valentino, and fitting right into the scheme of summer.

PINK PERFECT | The runways were flush with blush as seen in the Spring 2017 collections of Jason Wu, Delpozo and Michael Kors
PINK PERFECT | The runways were flush with blush as seen in the Spring 2017 collections of Jason Wu, Delpozo and Michael Kors

PINK

Who’d have thought that the colour of love would also become one for the fashionable lot to fall in love with, but so it seemed this year at the Paris fashion week runway which seemed awash with this pretty colour when three designers – Balenciaga, Céline, and Valentino – went all the way in doing it up in hot pink. While Nina Ricci’s opening number was an eye-catching ensemble comprising a statement pink blouse with purple pants, there were also those in soft, rosy hues, to charm their way into your closet.

TRENCH CENTRAL | The runways turned green with military and safari inspired trenches, as exemplified here with designs from Prada, Burberry and Marc Jacob
TRENCH CENTRAL | The runways turned green with military and safari inspired trenches, as exemplified here with designs from Prada, Burberry and Marc Jacob

KHAKI

The utilitarian nature of khaki was in for an overhaul as popping up on the international runways you had military style, or safari style designs in khaki. So, March Jacob glammed up military greens with some swish satin, and Ralph Lauren added in soe feminine flair to his safari-inspired palette. Also, the trend of khaki trenches will be coming up big as designers like Dion Lee transformed the classic trench into something more edgy with slit shoulder jackets and belted skirt-pants, and there were others adding in nips and details to make.

BOLD BLOOMS | The floral obsession takes on a daring turn as seen in the collections from PatBo, Chloe and Valentino
BOLD BLOOMS | The floral obsession takes on a daring turn as seen in the collections from PatBo, Chloe and Valentino

FLORALS

While this is not a new story, but there’s a twist on this tale. The blooms are taking over the runway, standing out in their freshness and femininity, as they grace the skirts, the dresses and jumpsuits. Also, novel is the bold and bright graphic take on florals as seen with Balenciaga, Gucci, while the flirty take on florals was apparent in Michael Kors collection, and Tory Burch took the hippie fix to the runway with maxi dresses and kaftans embellished with blooms.

CROPPED CONFIDENCE | Being brief was never this sexy as seen with the bra tops gracing designer collections from Alexander Wang and Victoria Beckham 
CROPPED CONFIDENCE | Being brief was never this sexy as seen with the bra tops gracing designer collections from Alexander Wang and Victoria Beckham

BUSTIER

While althleisure continues to be spotted on the runways, a take off from this is the bralet, or bustier, which founds its favour with the couture clique, and was seen in many designer collections, in all its cropped glory. So one saw the variety of bra tops, in various combinations, gracing the spring/summer looks, and being paired with skirts, suits and pants at Alexander Wang, Tory Burch shows. And then there were bustier style tops worn over shorts as seen with Tome and Tibi, while Victoria Beckham had sculptural bra tops peeping out of velvet blazers for another brazenly glam look.

SHOULDER UP | Cold shoulder tops continue their stint on the runway with design houses keeping up with the play on the shoulder flash
SHOULDER UP | Cold shoulder tops continue their stint on the runway with design houses keeping up with the play on the shoulder flash

SINGLE SHOULDER CUTOUT

While shoulder blades are sexy, this one part of our anatomy continues to be the favourite of designers who played around with the one-shoulder cutouts, strategically slashed, for the maximum benefit. From shirts to dresses and sweaters, from Saint Laurent to Monse and Self Portrait, the one shoulder style has kept going strong.

India’s newest spa resort is none other than the uber luxe Oberoi Sukhvilas, located just thirty minutes outside Chandigarh. Surrounded by more than 8,000 acres of protected forest in the foothills of the Himalayas, It has 60 guest accommodations that range from rooms to villas to luxury tents, the last two offering a private swimming pool for each abode. Visitors are treated to two restaurants—one with international cuisine and one with local cuisine—and a bar, but the pièce de résistance is the hotel’s spa. The spa offers a custom-designed program of ayurvedic therapies, and facilities include a steam sauna, an infrared sauna, a vitality pool, a Turkish hammam, and a Roman tepidarium. The Oberoi Sukhvilas is open for guests now, with the launch of the spa scheduled for early 2017. Well, that’s quite a new year gift, if we may say so!

compact utility vehicle

Even as you read this, the BMW X2 is being tested under cold weather conditions in Sweden. As the X2 is based on the X1, it is expected to share the same motors too. So, while the European market may get both petrol and diesel powerplants in three and four cylinder iterations, the US market will get the petrol versions. Visually, the nose of the X2 highlights a wide kidney grille with the head lamps aggressively angled towards it, along with wider intakes on the bumper. The German brand is expected to equip the X2 with both FWD and AWD variants, and also plans to have electric versions added to the line-up. The X2 is expected to hit showrooms internationally in 2018, and will be targeted at young buyers who will be lured to the sleek shape of this CUV.  According to several reports, the prices for the BMW X2 should be slightly higher than a top end X1, and bearing in mind the manner in which this segment is flourishing the world over, BMW India will hopefully also rope this model for the Indian market.

museum of modern art

The Museum of Modern Art, New York is attempting bringing to attention a pressing global issue: the refugee crisis. In an ongoing exhibition, the museum tries to define the term “home” which in recent time has become an ambiguous—and even temporary—concept for over 60 million people. That is a humongous figure, but it reveals the extent of the crisis that is upon the world as people seek refuge from violence and disasters. In Insecurities: Tracing Displacement and Shelter, MOMA brings together works of architects, designers, and artists whose works respond to the situations brought about by forced displacement. Mumbai-based artist Reena Kallat’s site specific installation—Woven Chronicle—a giant world map held together by a tangle of multi-coloured wires which trace the movement of migrants across the world, brings an artful new way of understanding the problem. The installation is also a source of an unsettling milieu of sounds: phone signals, electrical pulses, and bird chirps.

premium home lighting

Tisva, a premium home decorative lighting brand from Usha International Limited inaugurated its flagship studio in New Delhi on Dec 16. Located in the shopping hub of interior designers and architects, this studio in Ghitorni is spread over 2500 sqft over 2 floors is and is a tribute to the ‘art of illumination’. Well-known interior designer Gauri Khan, wife  of Shahrukh Khan, is associated with the brand. The Tisva lighting studio has a customised experience zone which showcases automated lighting concepts like new age down lighters which work on bluetooth technology and elyisian lights featuring Japanese technology that creates light in a choice of color selection from warm white to cool daylight, to help customers choose the best lighting narrative for their home. Additionally, consumers can also avail lighting consultancy services from experts at the studio. Tisva lights come with additions such as tunability (colour control) and dimmability (intensity control) . Products from Tisva include Ambient lighting concepts, LED designer range, Chandeliers, Table and Floor Lamps, Wall Lights, Pendants, Outdoor lighting and utility lighting products.