Sonam Wangchuk, 50 year old Ladakhi engineer and teacher, is the only Indian laureates to win the Rolex Awards for Enterprise this year. The awards that took place on Nov 15 in LA, support exceptional, passionate individuals committed to improving life on the planet, and have just completed 40 years of existence. Wangchuk’s winning project is the creation of an artificial glacier or ‘Ice-Stupa’ as he calls it, which has been solving the problem of lack of water for agriculture in the desert landscapes of the western Himalayas. Named after Buddhist monuments, these conical ice mounds behave like mini artificial glaciers, slowly releasing water in the growing season. Sonam intends to build up to 20 such ice stupas, each 30 metres high and capable of supplying millions of litres of water. The long-term aim is to build an alternative university and engage youth in the environment. This project is among the 5 winners this year at the Rolex Awards for Enterprise.
It just keeps getting better and better for Potterheads, for the magic never ends. A handwritten and illustrated copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard by JK Rowling is all set to be auctioned off at Sotheby’s in London, with estimates ranging between £300,000 to £500,000. The book isn’t just a reader’s wonder, it’s a delight to behold too. Bound in brown Moroccan leather and adorned with seven rhodochrosites, the book features sterling silver ornaments centred around a skull and you can feast your eyes on this latest Rowling marvel from December 9th to 13th at the Sotheby’s London centre. To be auctioned on the last day as a part of the English Literature, History, Children’s Books, and Illustrations sale, this original manuscript was presented by Rowling to British publisher Barry Cunningham almost a decade ago. It is one of the only seven created by the author, and bears a personal dedication. A true treasure for fans of Harry Potter’s creator.
All those who love the supple feel of leather goods by Hidesign, you can now delve into the history of the brand and the processes employed by it at a special exhibit being held at Delhi’s Select City Walk Mall. You’ll find out how the historic East India (E.I) leather is the secret of Hidesign. The rare East India leather tanned with vegetable dyes was discovered by the East India Company in the early 1800s. Primarily crafted in Tamil Nadu, this unique leather was re-discovered in the 1970s by Dilip Kapur, Hidesign’s Founder and President, who made good use of this knowledge that had been the force behind luxury bags and footwear in the past. The rest, of course, is history, and Hidesign has held onto innovative, ecological methods of tanning for over 38 years. The method produces strong, luminous, hide that has a unique natural grain and is known for a beautiful blonde sheen that glows through any colour that is hand rubbed onto it. Besides the unique sheen and shade, this is the only sustainable and ecological process of tanning leather anywhere in the world. The pieces from East India collection by Hidesign are all exclusively handcrafted and strictly limited edition. The line for women includes 12 bags and seven wallets, while for men the brand has four bags and three wallets. Available at all Hidesign stores and on Hidesign.com, this one’s a must-have for the closet.
Gucci has introduced their latest line of bags and leather accessories featuring regional embroideries and decorations inspired by the local arts and crafts of different countries. So, for a Gucci bag purchased in China, you’d find sacred hearts and roses adorning it, and in America, slogans ‘Blind for Love’ meticulously embroidered. The Indian offerings, of course include the grand elephant and traditional floral motifs. What’s more, you can get any of these bags customised according to your preferences. The collection is available at all Gucci stores across the country, and also online at Gucci.com.
ONE HAND WONDER | Jen Qun Hong aka Queen, founder of Onehandmade, creates fabulous customized bikes with just one good hand
Onehandmade. That’s what you call a masterpiece customized bike that springs from pure passion and is moulded into reality with the help of just a single good hand. Meet Jen Qun Hong aka Queen, the Taipei-based creator of fabulous customized bikes that leave you gasping for more. For Queen, the ultimate dream was to be a bike racer, for which he trained in a bike shop and opened his own small studio too, learning the ins and outs of motorcycles. But the car accident that severed his right arm nerve plexus leaving the arm paralysed, shattered his dream to bits. Jut 22 at the time, Queen found it difficult even to eat with his left hand, so handling bikes was out of the question. But his girlfriend—now wife—supported his dream throughout, telling him that her hands would be “his right hand.” And so, undeterred, he slowly built upon his dream, finally opening a customizing studio in Taipei. The results are here for the world to see.
From entirely handmade aluminium body and fuel tank to bespoke seat, headlight assembly, exhaust system and tailsection, Queen does it all himself
From BMW R Nine T to the Triumph Thruxton, he works on all kinds and creates drool-worthy pieces. The Super Ten, The R Nine T Paranoia and the quirky Snickers Super 7 are excellent examples of his craft. From entirely handmade aluminium bodies and customized fuel tank to bespoke seat, headlight assembly, exhaust system and tailsection, Queen does it all himself. And no, he doesn’t make a design on paper first, but works straight from the designs churning in his mind— redoing and rebuilding the entire model until it is perfect.
He now finds it easier to move his right arm, even riding bikes with his son. What’s more, he flaunts his now-tattooed right arm with aplomb making it his USP— talk about passion and precision with panache! And that is why when you come to Queen, you get a masterpiece that isn’t just handmade. It’s One-hand made.
The Luxe Café: How did the label Onehandmade come into being? Please tell us about your life-altering accident, too. A1: The name “Onehandmade” was derived from my own situation. My right arm became paralyzed because of a car accident about ten years ago. The surgery and rehabilitation only helped a little, and I could only work by my left arm after the accident. So I changed my shop’s name to “Onehandmade”, which means working by a single hand, instead of emphasizing “handmade”.
Triumph Thruxton Super TenThe Beast Awakens
Are there specific kinds of motorcycles that are customised by Onehandmade? I do not focus on a single style in customizing bikes. Anything that is fun or interesting would attract me. What I care about most is the completion of my work. Every piece should be of a high quality as if it was made by the original factory, instead of looking like a kit vehicle.
What are clients looking for when they approach you for customisation? Normally, my clients are not sure what exactly they are looking for when they come to me. So I introduce some common styles to them. Some of the clients I have had were special. They simply wanted to possess a bike that I made and allow me to express whatever I wanted on their bikes.
“Every piece should be as if it was made by the original factory”
What changes do you usually make in your work? I usually start by deciding the main style of the bike. There is a general orientation in styling bikes, and it’s not easy to create a brand new style. I would add some special concepts or details based on the general thing, or even mix two or more different styles on the bike to make it more fun. What I care about the most is that the owners are happy to have this bike, and that I enjoyed every second of customizing this bike. It doesn’t matter what other people think or say. And I will never work on something I don’t like, even though it might be loved by the whole world. Another thing is that I never criticize others’ works on the Internet or in person. Their works might not flatter me, but they did work hard to complete the bikes that they like.
Conquering Adversity: Queen flaunts his tattooed hand with aplomb
What are the prices of these bikes? The price depends on the client’s budget. The pieces and the customized parts they pick also affect the price. The R Nine T Paranoia, for instance, went for $18750.
I will never work on something I don’t like, even though it might be loved by the whole world
Your love for candy bars helped customize a BMW R Nine T into the Snickers-inspired Super 7! Tell us more about that design. I actually came up with the SNICKERS plan a long time ago. I like SNICKERS a lot, and the brown color on the package of the chocolate bar also seemed fit for the surface of a bike. I decided to make it happen. The client left me to my own devices, and I have already tried the Cafe Racer style on this type of bike. I challenged myself by “Scrambler”, and the color of chocolate goes perfectly with it. That’s how Snickers Super 7 came into being.
Chocolate on Wheels: Queen’s love for candy bars inspired the Snickers Super 7Queen’s Quirks: The chocolate-coloured BMW R Nine T
Which are your favourite works of craftsmanship till date? I put in great effort in designing and customizing every bike. So I cherish every one of them.
I never criticize others’ works on the Internet or in person. They did work hard
Globally, where do most of your clients come from? Most of my clients are from Taiwan. And my works have been highly inquired about overseas. However, I don’t have many clients from abroad yet. This may also be the result of high taxes in Taiwan and the problems in delivering.
Mind Maps: Queen doesn’t make a design on paper first, but repeatedly rebuilds the model until it is perfect
Have you had an Indian client yet? Any plans for reaching out to the Indian motorbike aficionado? I don’t have any clients from India so far. The main reason might be the difficulties in delivering the bikes overseas. I don’t have specific plans for India or any other country yet. However, I would be really glad if anyone from abroad is interested in my work, or wants me to customize bikes for him.
Masterpiece Machine: The R Nine T Paranoia that Queen customized for $18750
What are your plans for expanding the label? Right now, I have a mass production plan of customized kits in progress. When I gain more recognition in the global market, I will start working on expanding my brand.
Destiny’s Child: Queen now finds it easier to use his right hand and loves to ride with his sonTaking on the world
Breitling’s electronic Chronospace Evo Night Mission appears with a sturdy and light black titanium case framing a blue dial with tone-on-tone counters, giving an original touch to this sterling instrument for professionals. The spirit of performance is immediately perceptible in the sheer power of black satin-brushed titanium, achieved by a high-resistance carbon-based treatment, combined with the original note struck by a deep blue dial. Like all Breitling ‘instrument panels’, the indications are distinguished by their optimal legibility, with large square numerals and hands accentuated by a luminescent coating. The unidirectional rotating bezel ensures an excellent grip thanks to its four rider tabs – a Breitling signature – serving to mark off times. The case is water-resistant to 100 m (330 ft) and equipped with protective reinforcements for its screw-lock crown. Beneath its exclusively analog displays, a notable exception in the Breitling Professional range, the Chronospace Evo Night Mission conceals the best of high-tech capabilities, with a SuperQuartz™ movement ten times more accurate than standard quartz. Chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), this Caliber 73 combines several functions that are useful to pilots and adventurers. The chronograph notably features a split-seconds function with an additional central hand serving to measure intermediate times, while the fast timezone adjustment system ensures uninterrupted precision of the minutes and seconds displays. The intrepid and sporty nature of this model is accentuated by a rubber strap embossed with the Breitling signature.
The second edition of the Taj Balloon festival is on in full swing in the glorious historic city of Agra. The lively display of Hot Air Balloons against the backdrop of the iconic Taj Mahal has been on since Nov 25 and shall continue till Nov 30, conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Government in association with E-Factor Adventure Tourism— a prominent company that operates commercial hot air ballooning flights in the name of SkyWaltz, along with promoting and hosting various Hot Air Balloon related events. The line-up comprises 15 balloons from different countries including India, the USA, UK, Canada, Spain, UAE, Netherland, Turkey, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland, and Malaysia. These include three “special shape” balloons featuring iconic characters Happy Egg, Bob the Lobster & Smurf, an exciting new addition to last year’s festival. The highlights of the festival include night glows & tethered flights at the PAC parade grounds. Night glows are a visual delight wherein the massive balloons stacked up close to each other provide a colorful symphony of sound and light, in sync with accompanying music. The eye grabbing Night Glow is open to the general public, and is being held every evening, 6:30 PM onwards, from 25th to 30th November 2016.
Louis Vuitton’s Objets Nomades, a collection of furniture that reinvents the House’s Art of Travel, just got enriched as two new items adding to the collection will be presented as a preview during Design Miami 2016: the Blossom Stool by Tokujin Yoshioka and the Fur Cocoon by the Campana Brothers. The Objets Nomades range now includes 18 items– from a hammock to a foldable stool– all in noble materials and sold in limited editions or experimental prototypes. Conceived in collaboration with some extremely creative designers: Atelier Oï, Maarten Baas, Barber and Osgerby, the Campana Brothers, Damien Langlois-Meurinne, Nendo, Gwenaël Nicolas, Raw Edges, Patricia Urquiola, Marcel Wanders and Tokujin Yoshioka, the collection pays homage to the House’s special orders of the past – such as the iconic Bed Trunk or Wardrobe Trunk – and adds a defiantly contemporary spirit. Louis Vuitton will officially be part of Design Miami, beginning November 30th and going on till December 4th, where an entire exhibition will be entirely devoted to the Objets Nomades collection, including an installation featuring a selection of the collection presented at the Louis Vuitton Design District store.
CHANEL POP UP AT HEATHROW | Offering the whole range of Chanel’s bespoke beauty experience, the pop up store at London’s Heathrow airport adds to Chanel’s existing beauty boutiques and pop-ups, also in India, exemplifying the trend of luxury brands diversifying their retail touchpoints, across airports and malls
As the retail landscape evolves to match up with the mercurial moods of the consumer economy, luxury retail is also stepping out from under the arched doorways of exclusive, elaborate boutiques tucked away into the posh corners of a city, and coming out in the bold, on the high streets of fashion, and fast-paced consumerism with their beautifully designed pop-up stores and beauty boutiques making their presence felt in the malls and markets. When Chanel came up with their pop-up store in London’s Covent Garden Piazza in 2012, the brand waited with bated breath to see the response which was so encouraging that Dior and Burberry also followed suit, with pop-up stores and beauty boutiques making the Piazza area the #BeautyQuarter for luxe brands. Similarly, the Hermes Silk Bar with its bright orange exterior caused quite a stir among the shoppers at Causeway Bay in Hong Kong, and in other cities as well.
HERMESMATIC POP UP | Innovatively designed as a Laundromat, this store in Munich offered a whole range of Hermès classics silk creations like the scarves, mini bowties, twillys
Designed as feasible alternatives to traditional boutique spaces, which are an expensive affair to maintain given the rising real estate prices, pop-up stores and mini boutiques with their focus on specific , fast-moving, relatively price-friendlier product lines like fragrance/cosmetics and accessories, are gaining popularity among the younger fashion enthusiasts who might find it daunting walking into the exclusive luxury boutiques, but prefer the ease of shopping at the more accessible high street malls with myriad offerings, and will find a luxe brand’s presence there to be adding a refreshing touch to their retail experience. With a niche selection of products stocked and displayed at these concept stores, the emphasis is also a lot on the design and décor of the interiors to drive home the ‘luxe’ feel and distinguish their presence. Some stunning retail architecture has been seen by way of these niche structures, whether it was the diner-style Hermès pop-up in NYC in 2013 or Hublot’s crystal-inspired installation in Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, also in 2013.
CHANEL POP UP DELHI | Introducing to the high-street mall visitors a guide to luxury skincare, bespoke fragrances and customised make-up, this pop up store remains the cynosure of all eyes
Closer home, in India, we have had Chanel open its stand alone beauty and fragrance pop-up store at DLF Promenade in March this year, where the store’s modern design is a winner with its signature gold, white and black colours catching eyeballs just as you enter the mall. Going beyond the store-in-store format of pop-ups, this 300sqft outlet offers a limited period but real luxe experience with their latest skincare, make-up collections, complimenting Indian skin tones, and the range of their classic and new fragrances, in stock. What sets it apart are the services offered like the in-house specialist to help you try on a look. Also, on offer are bridal services by appointment, including a customised skincare routine. With such differentiators in place, pop up stores are here to stay even as they become the star attractions of high street malls which are opening up to housing their luxe guests in their innovative avatars.
DIOR BEAUTY BOUTIQUE | Inciting the fashion and beauty enthusiasts with its chic interiors, the boutique offers the latest in Dior’s makeup and fragrances which now makes luxury accessible, with a little help from the personalised consultations of course
Moving on from the pop-up store trend, we come to another – the beauty boutiques. As beauty products make for entry level luxury, being both accessible and desirable, it is a great idea and initiative on the part of upscale brands like Chanel and Dior to cut in with an alternative store experience while on the brand-busy high street and in the regular malls with their robust footfall and rising numbers of brand conscious buyers. These niche stores are also ways for the brands to put out new products to test, as the local customer response guides them further. A case in point is India’s very first Christian Dior Fragrances and Beauty boutique which opened this year in South Delhi’s Select Citywalk mall with Dior’s exclusive range of fragrance, makeup and skincare products. All black lacquer and fluorescent neon shades, the 90m2 space store is a stand out with different stations dedicated to makeup, skincare and fragrance and separated by lines of ceiling to floor lights for that dramatic effect. Adding on to this is excellent service by the trained personal attendants, imparting the exact feel of a full fledged fashion boutique, and the private consultation room where there is an array of services to indulge in with help of trained fragrance specialists, makeup experts and skincare specialists. And giving company to this Dior outlet is Chanel’s Beauty Boutique, the third in the country, with 550 sq. feet space designed by the brand’s Parisian creative department and offering the complete catalogue of Chanel’s fragrances, skincare and cosmetics accompanied by the in-house stylist consultations.
With leading names like Chanel and Dior pioneering the trend in India, we are looking at more luxury pop-up stores and beauty bars opening up in our vicinity to create a whole different level of buzz and breakthrough on the Indian retail scene.
The Diwali-inspired luxuriant wallpaper from Pierre Frey. Width 137 cm. Cost: 160 euros per meter
French luxury design house Pierre Frey recently launched their range of India-inspired exquisite wallpapers. Specifically drawing inspiration from the festival of lights Diwali, these wallpapers are a symbiosis of Indo-French aesthetics and a veritable visual feast—a gift of subtle brilliance for those designer homes. The wallpapers feature panels and paintings from the 19th century, bringing together Persian art and Indian colours in a feast of gloriousness.
Pierre Frey has been known to produce exquisite and luxuriant fabrics and wallpapers that draw inspiration from the artistic traditions of countries all over the world—from China to Africa to India. Established in 1935, Pierre Frey is now one of the most respected textile houses in France, associated with several renowned projects including the refurnishing of Ritz Hotel in Paris. And this isn’t their first India association; last year in December boutique store Le Mill hosted an exclusive Pierre Frey pop-up in Mumbai. Incidentally, Le Mill is the only brand to stock Pierre Frey in India.
We’re definitely excited by this Indo-French range of wall adornments, so we’ve got the lot for you to feast your eyes on:
JARDINS DE MYSORE
This one is a reproduction of the exotic charm of an archival document from the end of the 19th century. The elephants, camels, lions, peacocks and vividly depicted blooms all evoke Persia’s cultural and natural abundance, and it’s deep links with India.
Width 137 cm. Cost 160 euros per meter
GAYA
Ceremonial costumes from Rajasthan to liven up the walls
This wallpaper is resplendent with the exuberance of ceremonial costumes from Rajasthan. This ensemble of designs were bought from a painter’s workshop located in the historical center of Jaipur to create this print.
Width 136 cm. Cost 160 euros per meter
GINGER
A painted panel from the 19th century discovered by Patrick Frey
This print reproduces an artistic discovery of Patrick Frey himself: a painted panel from the end of the 19th century that he chanced upon while in Dallas, America. The design is composed of a multitude of traditional, daily or ritual Persian scenes.
Width 136 cm. Cost about 160 euros per meter
EN FILE INDIENNE
The paintings featured in this panel were originally made on silk rectangles and represent joyous parades
The souvenir of a trip to India, these four Indian scenes represent joyous parades. Originally made on silk rectangles, the paintings featured in this wallpaper are superimposed to enrich the story. A paneled composition allows using this wallpaper as a decorative touch in a single panel or, on the contrary, to plunge into the story by repeating the panels to obtain a rhythmic repetition of contrasting colors. Straw wallcovering. Cost: 100 euros per panel
