Gear up for the 10th edition of St Moritz Art Masters

At the end of August, St. Moritz Art Masters will launch its 10th edition, the St Moritz Art Masters 2017: A retrospective. The annual art festival will be the highlight of the summer program in St. Moritz, not only offering an extensive art program, but also providing a multifaceted platform for creative and business encounters. St. Moritz Art Masters will feature a fine selection of international art – famed artists as well as new talents – for its 10th anniversary. Highlights include the Paracelsus Forum, where selected paintings and video works by Serbian-born artist Vladimir Veličković will be shown. Another highlight will be a solo show with 12 works by British painter David Hockney, on view at the renowned gallery Robilant + Voena. Representing the “Best of St. Moritz Art Masters” a poignant group exhibition of 10 outstanding works, also curated by Robilant + Voena, will be shown at the Protestant Church of St. Moritz. Also presented at the Art Masters will be the works of celebrated fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh. The German-born will showcase a selection of his iconic work created in cooperation with Pirelli at Hotel Kempinski Grand Hotel Les Bains. At the same time, Galerie Karsten Greve will reintroduce the haunting black and white photographs of New York-born, South Africa-based artist Roger Ballen. In addition to all this, Yugoslavian sculptor Dušan Džamonja will be honored for his lifetime achievement with the Cartier Award on the opening weekend of St. Moritz Art Masters. His works will be staged in front of the luxurious Hotel Kulm.

Limited-time New York exhibit of Michelangelo's iconic art from Sistine Chapel

Up Close: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel is a limited time exhibit of Michelangelo’s most iconic creations, and recreates the awe and wonder of one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements. The exhibit also ‘allows its visitors to experience this art from a new perspective’—as the ceiling paintings from the Sistine Chapel have been reproduced using state-of-the-art technology, with special expertise and care. In order for the observer to fully engage and comprehend the artwork, the paintings have been reproduced in their original sizes. The overwhelming impression for the observer will be the dimensions of the art, the closeness to the picture, and the modern style of the exhibit. As a result, the visitor can explore the artwork up close at a distance impossible to achieve in the Sistine Chapel. The exhibit is being held at the Westfield World Trade Center New York, till July 23.

Patek Philippe’s latest World Time Minute Repeater Special Edition watch

Swiss master watchmakers Patek Philipe have created their latest World Time Minute Repeater Special Edition watch, which is the world’s first watch that chimes the time for any location on the planet—wherever you would be at the moment. Featuring an extremely rare combination of minute repeater and world time complications, the Patek Philippe Ref. 5531R World Time Minute Repeater New York 2017 Special Edition comes in two versions, each in a series of just five pieces. The very first watch to bring these two complications under a single Patek Philippe case, this incredible masterpiece was unveiled at ‘The Art Of Watches Grand Exhibition’ in New York and costs a whopping $561,341.

This spaceship-shaped Star Wars Hotel will give guests their very own storyline!

Now this is as good as it gets—a Star Wars Hotel that gives each of its guests their own distinct storyline, which will continue throughout their stay and apparently ‘touch every single minute’ of their stay. This ‘immersive’ Star Wars hotel will be created by none other than Disney themselves, who made this announcement at the D23 expo in Los Angeles. The hotel will apparently be fashioned like a spaceship from the Star Wars universe, with only fake windows displaying views of ‘outer space’ and the staff would be in costume and in character at all times! The guest-specific storyline will play out over a period of two days in the course of one stay. Now that is what we call truly living in the fantasy universe.

Tyler, The Creator’s extremely limited edition Converse One Star Sneaker

American rap artist/producer/music video director Tyler, the Creator has revealed his extremely Limited Edition version of the Converse One Star Sneaker. Created by him in collaboration with Converse, the sneaker sports the classic silhouette in very summery pale-blue ‘Clearwater’ with a white midsole and an orange outsole, complete with orange or white laces. The One Star branding at the heel has been whited out, while the sock liner features exclusive Scum Fuck Flower Boy Graphics. The highly limited edition sneakers were priced at $100 but would probably all be claimed by the time you read this.

Selfie taker accidentally destroys $200,000 artwork!

Selfies have been known to wreak havoc in the most unbelievable of ways—leading to the most tragic accidents and even death. But this time, the selfie craze has crashed an artwork worth $200,000 at an art exhibit in Los Angeles. At an art exhibit at the 14th Factory in Los Angeles, a visitor was attempting to take a selfie while sitting next to one of the art pieces, but lost her balance and toppled over a series of art pieces in an incredible domino effect. While most pieces suffered only minor cracks, three sculptures are reportedly broken beyond repair—which includes some very precious crowns and metals. Now that’s one selfie with a huge price tag.

Sweden’s unique floating hotel and spa
The Arctic Bath is a haven to relax and soak up the local Arctic ambience and experience the Northern Lights

Sweden is all set to offer a very unique luxe vacation option: a hotel with a spa that floats on the Lule River— a collaborative venture between Off the Map Travel and the design firm behind the famed Treehotel in Sweden. Plans for the hotel have just been launched, and it’s named ‘The Artic Bath Hotel and Spa’—a floating hotel, but only in the summer, because winter freezes the river and the hotel would be fixed in one place.

A floating hotel, but only in the summer
A floating hotel, but only in the summer

Located in a prime spot to experience the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights, the circular shape of Arctic Bath is supposed to create a protected environment, sheltering guests and creating a haven to relax and soak up the local Arctic ambience. Its exterior is crafted from an artful array of local timber logs.

A bone-chilling bath right in the center of the circular hotel complex—‘heated’ to a formidable four degrees
A bone-chilling bath right in the center of the circular hotel complex—‘heated’ to a formidable four degrees

In case you’re wondering about the name though, the ‘Arctic Bath’ comes from a crazy, innovative feature this hotel offers its guests—a bone-chilling bath right in the center of the circular hotel complex. The bath is ‘heated’ of course—but only to a formidable four degrees! If you’re brave enough to venture in there, you’ve got a great adventure to look forward to. If, however, you’d rather not test your body’s limits with an icy dip, there are those spas and saunas that pamper you in every way possible.

Crafted from an artful array of local timber logs, the hotel freezes in place during winter
Crafted from an artful array of local timber logs, the hotel freezes in place during winter

The hotel’s appearance is unusual, to say the least, with six minimalistic cabins all created out of logs—which can either float individually or stand still depending on the season—while the decks offer a delightful observation area for the Northern lights and the Swedish landscape. The cabins created in a typically Nordic style also have skylights to enable you to gaze at the Aurora Borealis right from your bed.

Off the Map Travel plans to run expeditions to the Arctic Bath starting early 2018.

Cabins float individually or stand still depending on the season
Cabins float individually or stand still depending on the season
Minimalistic, Nordic style cabins have skylights to gaze at the Aurora Borealis right from your bed
Minimalistic, Nordic style cabins have skylights to gaze at the Aurora Borealis right from your bed
Reebok’s revolutionary Space Boot, concept racer with Floatride Foam tech

Reebok has introduced a revolutionary new space boot that incorporates the brand’s Floatride Foam tech, which decreases its overall weight, provides added comfort and all the support of a running shoe delivered with sleekness and style. Created in partnership with aerospace branch David Clark Company, the Reebok Floatride Space Boot SB-01 is currently being tested by astronauts and developed for an upcoming mission to the International Space Station. This has also led to the creation of a new racer concept, the Floatride 100g racer — designed specifically with speed and function in mind. Comprised of a single layer engineered mesh upper, the racer features a feather-lite midsole (weighing under an ounce).

The 2018 Mercedes Benz X-Class Pickup with 190 hp

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz X-Class has finally debuted in the international market, a product of a team up between Nissan and Mercedes Benz. Featuring a more subtle design, a range of gas and diesel engine options, and a proven chassis, the X-Class mostly borrows its exterior from other Mercedes vehicles. The front fascia, most notably the grille, draws a number of distinctive similarities to the GLS SUV. A few extra add-ons can be had on the exterior, including features like a side step, a “Styling Bar,” and even a choice of bed cover. In the cabin, many of the same Mercedes design elements carry over. A standard 5.4-inch, or optional 8.4-inch, infotainment screen sits front and centre, while amenities like electric seats with lumbar support, Bluetooth connectivity, a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, and rear seats with room enough for three passengers are offered. Leather seats can be had at an extra cost. As for the engine, you have a choice of three options: a diesel engine, available in either X220d or X250d trims, belting out 163 hp and 190 hp, respectively and a comparable gas engine producing 165 hp. Both will come paired to either a six-speed manual, or a seven-speed automatic transmission. A more powerful X350d option will be available mid-2018 with as much as 258 hp and 405 pound-feet of torque on tap. Mercedes says that, when its more powerful model is introduced, it will be the “leader of the segment,” and include five different driving options: Comfort, Eco, Sport, Manual, and Off-road.

Check out this Vintage ‘LBD’ auction at Sotheby’s Paris

Here’s an auction featuring the classic Little Black Dress and its variations over the years.  Sotheby’s Paris is holding this auction on October 3 that features vintage dresses from French fashion antiquarian Didier Ludot’s private collection. A follow up to the initial sale in 2015, the collection includes designer pieces from Chanel, Jean Patou, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent and more.