The result of a joint venture between Volkswagen’s German and China design teams, the Volkswagen Phideon is the new flagship model of the company that will be going for sale at the end of 2016. Unfortunately, despite being shown at the Geneva Motor Show, it will only be available in China. Don’t fret, though since the Phideon provides an inkling of what might be behind VW’s next global flagship model, the second-generation Phaeton…when it launches before the end of the decade. For the exterior, the car’s front grille aims to be a new design used to distinguish all future flagship VW sedans. Whereas the interior, with the car being over five meters long, has plenty of room for back-seat passengers. The dashboard and interior architecture is sporty and elegant, including electrically adjustable seats, integrated seat ventilation and heating as well as a massage function. A wrap around ambient light strips that can switch between three colors creates a permeating and cool atmosphere. But this one is all about the tech. It happens to be the first VW to use a night-vision camera and to get HUD (projecting information onto the windscreen) as standard. Probably out of consideration for humongously crowded megacities like Shanghai, the Phideon allows the driver to have a 360-degree view of his or her surroundings for maneuvering. All this is on top of active driver safety systems including lane departure warning. Infotainment features that support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. As for the rest, Volkswagen hasn’t provided any figures but the car on display in Geneva, the range-topping 3.0TSI, boasts a 300PS turbo-charged V6 engine and permanent all-wheel drive. Milder, two-wheel drive gas-powered models plus a plug-hybrid version are also planned. It also uses the same air-suspension set up found in Bentleys.
Sahachari Foundation Events has launched Design One 2016, the sixth edition of its annual shopping fest being hosted in Delhi. The 2-day event exhibits a curated list of top notch designers, showcasing their unique collection that you can treat yourself to. Held in the sprawling lawns of The Grand, the event is offering a personalised shopping experience with a designer catalogue featuring famed couturieres Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla, Akaaro by Gaurav Jai Gupta, Nidhi Tholia, Vogue Fashion Fund winner Pero By Aneeth Arora and a couple of other renowned fashion maestros of the industry. Excited about this event, Sandeep Khosla said “Having worked with the Sahachari Foundation over the last few years, being a part of Design One is our way to help the foundation and encourage them to continue to do the all the wonderful work that they are doing in the field of education, healthcare, socio-economic upliftment of women and promotion of culture.” Echoing his sentiments over the fiesta, designer Aneeth Arora also added, “Design One offers a great platform to showcase our work to a wide set of people in a very short duration alongside many good brands.” While the event is all about indulging in beautiful outfits and treating your summer wardrobe to some artisanal handwork; the core team of the exhibition has tied up with an NGO called Shine Home for Women to which the proceeds from this event will be donated.
A QUIET GRANDEUR | Paris combines the best of both the worlds with its picturesque cityscape and a cosmopolitan centre (Pic courtesy - Siddharth Dasgupta)
Paris lies ravaged; Paris too shall rise. In the wake of all that occurred this past November, my mind is consumed by thoughts of a city abounding with lyrical flirtations, from no more than a few months ago. Amidst fleeting glimpses of familiarity on the television, it had dawned on me that perhaps the best way to remember, love and strengthen Paris is to celebrate everything that the capital itself cherishes with a deep passion.
All of these and the intangible romance that the city holds is perhaps never more keenly felt than when you’re in the laidback throes of the Latin Quarter. Spanning the 5th and some of the 6th Arrondissements, this fabled neighbourhood shimmers with legends of the past while charming its way through present-day Paris. From being a hunting-ground for authors of the Voltaire and Sartre vintage to being the Left Bank’s enduring intellectual centre, Quartier Latin has owned it all. There’s nothing more to be done save for throwing away those tour guides and getting lost.
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QUARTIER LATIN | Home to France’s oldest university, La Sorbonne, this bohemian neighborhood owes its name to Latin being the then common language of students, who continue to throng it today (Pic courtesy – Siddharth Dasgupta)
A BISTRO & CAFÉ AFFAIR: You can’t walk a couple of steps in the Latin Quarter without bumping into a stylish café or a bistro brimming with character. For the cream of the crop, save the Quarter’s two never-ending, bisecting avenues – Boulevard Saint-Michel and Boulevard Saint-Germain – for later, and duck into the hundreds of arterial alleyways flowing out from them. Give the tourist-clogged rue de la Huchette a wide berth and let your instincts guide you toward something a touch more special. Eric Kayser (14 rue Monge) delivers note-perfect coffee, croissants, pastries, and al fresco bar-stool seating, and is your window into a decidedly Parisian way of life. For an all-in-one affair, Place St. André des Arts (right next to Place Saint-Michel) is a sheltered enclave filled with bistros where time and tide appear to have frozen in the wake of centuries-old stories and Quartier Latin’s Roman aesthetic.
LES BOUQUINISTES AND THE SEINE: Snug in its address on Paris’ fabled Left Bank, Quartier Latin always gives you the impression that the Seine is no more than a whisper away. Which is about right. Quai de la Tournelles runs along the Seine, bringing with it Les Bouquinistes – the riverside booksellers who line up every day from around 10 in the morning and bring with them a treat of secondhand books, rare French editions, original scribbles and paintings, posters, curios, and an inescapable roguish charm. This quintessential experience demands that you take your time as you amble along from stall to stall along the quays beginning from Pont Marie, open Parisian skies at your disposal.
GASTRONOMISTS’ DELIGHT | Dotted with cheerful cafés, bars, and shops, The Latin Quarters spoils one with choices of delectable bistro fare (Pic courtesy – Siddharth Dasgupta)
FOOD, LEGENDARY FOOD: In this neighbourhood, every great meal is aromatic of the past. And across one holy trifecta of unforgettable brasseries, you’re reminded just why. At Les Deux Magots (6 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés), ghosts of Hemingway, Picasso and James Joyce mingle carelessly over sumptuous wild burgundy snails and roasted duck with figs. Literally a skip away meanwhile, the fashionable Café de Flore (172 Boulevard Saint-Germain) counts de Beauvoir and Sartre as its lingering patrons, best savoured over duck confit and French champagne. Hop across the road, and Brasserie Lipp (151 Boulevard Saint-Germain) brings you a sophisticated peek into conversations that Chagall and Camus might once have engaged in over traditional French roasts and soufflés. Finally, walk into 1686 and Paris’ oldest restaurant for dinner at Le Procope (13 Rue de l’Ancienne Comédie), a stunning remnant of old-world charm. [Tip: If looking for a romantic dinner for two, then look no further than the vaulted basement dining-rooms of the charming Parisian bistro with a changing ‘adroise’ menu, Le Réminet, located across from Notre Dame and just down the street from Saint-Michel. AmEx cardmembers can call to book and avail 20% off on the food bill here].
CHEESE AND CHOCOLATE HUNTING: This is Paris, and indulgence is a virtue no less. It feels at times that there are more fromageries and boulangeries than people in this area, so choose wisely. For cheeses, Rue Mouffetard is the only street you need. While Androuet (androuet.com) offers up a gorgeous selection including Bethmale du chèvre and Le Bambois, it’s Mouffetard’s blissful al freso Sunday market that gives you a large selection of charcuterie, runny cheeses, and an experience worth savouring. Also, Laurent Dubois (www.fromageslaurentdubois.fr) brings you treasures such as the Camembert stuffed with Calvodos-soaked apples, but make sure you’re loaded with Euros! To sate your sweet tooth, Marie-Hélène Gantois’ Mococha (89 rue Mouffetard) packs flavours from three master chocolatiers.
TRYST WITH TREATS | Biting into legend and intrigue at the crémerie-restaurant Polidor, a historic establishment serving authentic recipes (Pic courtesy – Siddharth Dasgupta)
SPIRITED ESCAPADES: Given the heady vibe and the large student presence, it’s but natural that the Quarter would be overflowing with bars and wine shops. Its throbbing heart lies in the quadrant between La Sorbonne and the Panthèon, with a celebratory atmosphere pervading rue de la Montagne-Sainte-Geneviève, rue Mouffetard, and the crowded, student-heavy terraces on place de la Contrescarpe. Rock up at Bar Tabac (7 place de la Sorbonne) for its sun-kissed terrace and a 19th Century spirit; la Closerie des Lilas (171 Boulevard du Montparnasse) is your address for classic cocktails and a piano-bar setting with memories of Trotsky, Picasso and Hemingway floating around; dalliances and drinks mingle well at the candlelit, jazz-infused Le Petit Café (6 rue Descartes); but if it’s rock that your heart craves, Le Piano Vache (8 rue Leplace) throbs with a wild heart and loud hedonists; leaving you with Le Bistrot des Artistes (6 rue de Anglais) for an exuberant collage of Afro-Cuban sounds and the best mojitos in all of Paris.
BONJOUR SHAKESPEARE: I’ve saved the best for last. Lying all raggedy and romantic on the cobblestoned half-road that is rue de la Bûcherie, Shakespeare & Company welcomes the free-spirited soul with a wealth of second-hand editions, rare books, French classics in English, and an abundance of folklores. This is, in my rather biased opinion, the most charming little bookstore in the world. As ghosts of the Lost Generation and oft-repeated stories of Allen Ginsberg and the Beat Generation mingle through the ceiling-high bookshelves, an intellectual clientele, an air of poignancy, and that fabled green and yellow visage, life and literature appear as willing bedfellows in an enduring love affair.
LITERARY LOVE | Once the haunt of luminaries like Voltaire, Rousseau and Verlaine, this legendary independent bookstore is a treasure trove for the bibliophile (Pic courtesy – Siddharth Dasgupta)
Later, having a glass of deep red on a houseboat flanking the Seine, I reflect on Quartier Latin with fondness. I’ve spent quality time with legendary sidewalk cafés, I’ve immersed myself in the intellectual ambience pervading these spaces, I’ve waded through atmospheric bookshops; I’ve dived headfirst into all the bohemian lure on offer, and I’ve flirted with a romance that could only ever be Parisian. A few months hence, I still know with surging certainty that the devastation is but temporary. For this is a city that revels in its identity and rises on the wings of its audacious beauty. I remember that as I’d taken that last sip by the Seine, I was certain that the phrase I was going to leave Paris with wasn’t “Adieu” but “Au Revoir’. Switch to now, and it’s a thought that rings true with even deeper conviction.
Siddharth Dasgupta is an Indian novelist who also articulates travel for the likes of Conde Nast Traveller and Travel+Leisure.
Hot on the heels of being crowned the best restaurant in Asia, Gaggan’s chef Gaggan Anand has announced that he will close the gourmet restaurant in 2020. Far from it being a failure, the decision to set the best-by date on Gaggan in Bangkok, has more to do with re-invention and looking ahead to future plans. The restaurant snagged the title of World’s Best Restaurant five times and is widely credited for popularizing molecular gastronomy. “I think in five years I could be getting to that point where I will become a person who gets grumpy, arrogant and pisses off the customers if I keep doing the same thing without any change,” he told Fine Dining Lovers. While the closure of the restaurant is not for another six years, the chef is already talking about his next venture that is likely to be set in Japan. If all goes according to plan, we may see a new concept by the chef in 2022, which will seat less than 10 diners. The move to shutter at the peak of the restaurant’s popularity takes a page directly from the playbook of one of the world’s most legendary chefs. Anand is a disciple of elBulli chef Ferran Adrià, who did the unthinkable and closed the Catalan restaurant in 2011 when it was receiving two million reservation requests for 8,000 seats. Part of the problem for Adria of course was that the restaurant did not have enough capacity to meet his ambitious agenda or to cover his costs so in that way at least, the Gaggan issue is different. Likewise, another Adria disciple, Danish celebrity chef Rene Redzepi, announced plans to raze his world famous Copenhagen restaurant Noma and resurrect it as an ‘urban farm,’ serving farm-to-table cuisine in the heart of the city thanks to a rooftop greenhouse. Those looking to savor Noma’s cuisine, can do so till New Year’s Eve in 2016, though there is no word yet on Gaggan, which is ok since the expiry date is only in 2020.
British boutique carmaker Morgan presented a vehicle for the Geneva Motor Show that would put a smile on anyone’s face. The EV3 is based on the company’s existing three-wheeled retro model but touched-up with a couple of modern twists. This version of the 1930s and 40s design happens to be Morgan’s first plug-in electric vehicle with an electric motor driving the two front wheels and a set of lithium ion batteries. “What if an all-electric vehicle was bespoke, hand-crafted and exhilarating to drive?” asked the company’s managing director Steve Morris. The EV3 happens to be the environmentally friendly answer. Who needs windows, or even a roof for that matter? Just don on an aviator hat and a pair of goggles and you’ll be the envy of the road with your gallant steampunk style. Even with all the baggage from electric motors and battery packs, the EV3 manages its weight by looking to the present with carbon fiber. The car can hit 100km/h in under 9 seconds and has a top speed of 90mph (144km/h). This enables the car to travel 150 miles on a single charge, just like a Nissan Leaf. Installed into the EV3, albeit tastefully surrounded with hand-cut wood, hand-formed aluminum and polished brass elements, is a basic infotainment system with a proper screen. Just set up those old jazz standards and you’ll be driving straight back into the past. The EV3 is expected to cost around £27,000 (about $37,500). A small price to pay really for doing your part to save the planet and bringing some character back to the streets.
Kahla, one of the oldest manufacturers of modern yet sustainable porcelain products offers a range that will have you yearning for your own set of exquisite pieces. With a rich legacy of 170 years, the German family-owned enterprise speaks of not only award-winning designs that are durable, but also innovative, with a focus on intelligent and sustainable environment-friendly concepts in tableware. Some of their more fascinating creations include Tao, a collection of natural and concentric patterns comprising teapots, creamers, sugar bowls and so much more. Inspired by pebbles smoothened by water, the collection celebrates clean silhouettes and organic surfaces to successfully deliver on both fronts: aesthetics and function. Then there’s the Elixyr range of bowls and plates with flowing contours that have handles with wonderfully comfortable grips, inviting you to lift them and then never let go! If you enjoy eating and cooking with all your senses, there’s the Five Senses collection of ingenious shapes that are thoughtfully designed-saucers with extra space for essentials like sugar and biscuits and sugar bowls that accommodate a spoon under the lid (better known as the Sugar Loaf ). It’s sensible and beautiful and will elevate your cooking and dining experience. The Opus Collection is futuristic, different and for those who like an extra smidgen of extravagance on their tables. Not to forget, the Update collection, consisting of 24 basic pieces that are multipurpose, with no predefined intended use: so you can let your imagination run free.
For four days in October, Raffles Marina will not only be Singapore’s premier mega yacht club but also the venue of the Singapore Rendezvous, the first event of its kind on the island. The inaugural regional luxury lifestyle experience will run from October 20 to 23 in a family-friendly environment. With tropical surroundings, calm waters and plenty of room, the event will showcase expertly curated art displays; design/ furniture and deco; upscale property showcases; timepieces and high jewelry; fine foods, wines and spirits; vintage and supercar convoy displays; and “Live” musical performances as entertainment. The waterfront will bring you up-close with some of the biggest names in the region’s yachting industry with the help of tall ships, cruisers, mega yachts and even an amphibious vehicle. Executive Director for the Singapore Rendezvous, Olivier Burlot adds, “Singapore has been long awaiting a lifestyle event that showcases all the finest things in life in the spectacular environs of Raffles Marina. The event will also highlight Singapore’s strategic position as a regional hub, for yachting in particular. Expect to be enchanted”.
Robert Pattinson’s swooning fans have some great news to rejoice over. The Twilight sensation has signed up as the newest celebrity face for Dior Homme’s ready-to-wear collection. Rewriting Dior’s campaign history, he will be the first ever a celebrity to pose for Dior Homme’s fashion campaign, which will launch worldwide 1st April, 2016, onwards. This is the second time Pattinson has associated with the brand; back in 2012 he was the face of Dior Homme fragrances. What excites us about this upcoming fashion campaign is the person who has captured Pattinson for Dior Homme. After shooting Pattinson’s ex-flame Kristen Stewart for Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld now has Pattinson posing for him for the Dior Homme shoot. Karmic vampire coincidence, anyone?
The uber luxury resort group Aman, renowned for its meticulously designed properties, on March 1 opened ‘Amanemu’, a hot spring resort located within the Ise Shima National Park on the shores of Ago Bay. This is the group’s second property in Japan (after Aman Tokyo), and here the new Amanemu adopts a classic Japanese aesthetic echoing the ryokan tradition with each of the 24 suites and four two-bedroom villas featuring their own onsen. Promising to be a relaxed, peaceful and contemplative destination, Amanemu embraces ‘omotenashi’, the Japanese welcoming spirit blending with warmth and respect, together with one of the most important Japanese traditions relating to ryokan hospitality – which is that it is run by an ‘okami’, a female manager, whose role is central to the carefully honed art of Japanese hospitality which pays close attention to detail and is committed to anticipating the needs of the guest.
Elite Abode | Embassy One residences provide not just luxe home amenities but also 24x7 concierge with in-house chef and valet parking, among others
For those global citizens who live out of a suitcase, being home with family is a luxury that they long for. To cater to a select few elites and well-travelled people across the world, a luxurious housing option is being developed by Embassy Group in partnership with global hospitality giants Four Seasons in Bengaluru. The project named as “Embassy ONE” is currently in the last leg of completion; and, according to the developers, by 2017 approximately the first tower integrated with Four Seasons Hotel and Private Homes would be up and running.
The flagship luxury project has been re-launched after seven years under the Embassy Group umbrella in August 2015, and is coming up at the upscale neighborhood of North Bengaluru across a sprawling 1.5 million sq ft area. Currently, the private residences (one to four bedrooms) start from INR 5.8 crores with units priced at INR 22,000 per sq ft upwards depending on the unit. Jitu Virwani, Chairman and MD, Embassy Group mentions, “Embassy ONE, the new member in the Embassy Group’s family of avant-garde properties is a beautiful harmony between Embassy Group and Four Seasons. It seeks to surpass global expectations and is the emergence of an elevated integrated lifestyle.”
The project will see development of three towers, two of which will be home to Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences. The two residential towers – North and South towers – will be 30 storey high rise buildings, along with a third tower that will be designed as a commercial space. The South Tower building will have the Four Seasons Hotel with 230 guest rooms (including 31 executive suites and a lavish Presidential Suite) as well as the one and two bedroom residences. The North Tower will house the larger three and four bedroom Four Seasons Private Residences. The 195,000 sq ft commercial tower, Pinnacle at Embassy ONE will be complemented by the 56,000 sq ft retail space, Central Plaza at Embassy ONE.
The real estate and hospitality group aims to offer a premium lifestyle to the residents with their A-class services and private spaces designed by renowned architect Yabu Pushelberg , landscaping by P landscape. Consultants like Studio u+a and HKS will be providing luxe details to these boutique properties. Speaking about the luxury aspects of these private homes, Sartaj S. Singh, President, Embassy Hospitality Business, mentions, “The private residences come with integrated luxuries such as centralised air-conditioning, timber wood floorings, an optional bar area, a master bedroom with an attached bathroom and walk-in-closet, a study space, dining area and contemporary style dry and wet kitchen with pre-installed appliances by Miele and an inbuilt electric chimney. Apart from these, an exceptionally thoughtful amenity that will be provided by the Four Season hospitality will be a 24×7 concierge that will include an in-house chef, valet parking, housekeeping service of common areas, property-wide Wi-Fi, security, restricted private elevator access to the residences and other personalized services.”
Now it won’t be an exaggeration if we say that living in these luxurious private homes will be the ideal “suite life”!
