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Friday, 22 March 2013

Gucci Women’s Autumn/Winter Collection


The Gucci woman seduces with a dangerous femininity.  Juxtaposing a demure silhouette inspired by couture, with a subversive undertone. Elegant shapes, outlined in strong, signature Gucci materials, are contrasted with accessories inspired by the fetish aesthetics of Allen Jones. A noir atmosphere saturated by colour, envisioned on exclusive textiles and details.


“She is steely yet sexy – defining her discipline with femme fatale vices.” explains Creative Director Frida Giannini. “She wears sculpted dresses with pure graphics, all the while alluding to devious touches.” The models and makeup are reminiscent of Luc Besson's The Fifth Element complementing Gucci's extraordinary accessories in an out of this world collection.


The silhouette is constructed, while the perfection of couture lines is applied to ready-to-wear. Powerful and body conscious, the new tailleur with skirt was introduced. Jackets are caban style or small, either with softly egg-shaped shoulders or definition. The pencil skirt is meticulously below the knee but reveals an unexpected slit. Worn high for a new, delicate take on the waistline.

The little black dress inspires new interpretations, up to the neck or open to show the collar bone. Either embracing the body and employing strategic leather inserts or cut on the bias for languid lines in shiny satin. The coat takes on the form-fitting shapes of a bustier, recalling a robe-manteau.


The oversized overcoat is the only nod to the male wardrobe in a self-indulgingly ladylike collection. Even pants are feminine with tapering and short lengths. Sexy, irreverent touches finish each look: from t-shirts in leather and python to gloves and the collection’s leitmotif, fishnet tights with a back seam on every look.

The colour palette is purple wine, rust, moss green and cerulean blue tainting black. A wise and novel use of materials and treatments makes each piece precious; leather, both smooth and cracklé, patent, python, pony skin, Astrakhan, silk, bouclé, lace and wool, reworkings of pied de poule and Prince of Wales with shading and even lurex threading.


Evoking chinoiserie, tapestry effects with three-dimensional fern leaves see woven metallics interrupting the black dresses, tailleur and outerwear. A cape in goat hair with shading from black to green embellishes an Astrakhan skirt suit.

Every facet of evening, from the t-shirt and skirt to the pairing of pants and tops, through to cocktail dresses and evening gowns are cinematic. A black-out of lace followed by an outburst of color. Ethereal looks with netting and satin, embroidered with feathers, studding, and sequins – intersecting punk with couture.

The accessories are femme fatale. Shiny calfskin and exotic skins. Python and crocodile. Black or monochromatic. Structured bags with archival luggage locks for a retro hint. The iconic Bamboo handle characterizes a new style in two proportions. Booties, boots and sandals, all with sharp high heels, for a touch of fetish. By day, necklaces recalling willow leaves, along with leather lock cuffs. For evening, cuffs adorned with colorful stones evoking the nuances of the embroideries.


Gucci is available exclusively at GUCCI Boutiques in Cape Town and Johannesburg in Southern Africa. For further information please contact their stores on 021-421 8800 (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town) or 011-784 2597 (Nelson Mandela Square, Johannesburg) or visit www.gucci.com



Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Emirates - Hello Tomorrow



One of the fastest growing airlines in the world, now has even more affordable economy fares from South Africa creating the perfect excuse for that well deserved holiday to that dream destination. The fares will apply from all Emirates gateways in the country i.e. Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.


The attractive fares see return economy class tickets to Mumbai starting from R5720, to Amsterdam from R6,857, from R6,971 to London and Paris from R7,226. The fares apply to all 132 destinations across the Emirates network, making your dream destination a lot more affordable with value for money fares all year round.

Enjoy Premium Travel with Emirates Boeing 777-300ER 
 


Emirates’ new global brand platform called “Hello Tomorrow” offers a new brand promise – connecting people and cultures to create meaningful experiences. Emirates’ extensive network offers travellers connectivity to some of the world’s best cities through the main travel hub of Dubai. “Hello” is a universal greeting and Emirates is extending an invitation to all travellers, business or leisure, to a new place where Tomorrow holds the promise of a new experience, memories and destination.


Through making travel more affordable with these value for money fares, Emirates hopes to quench the South African thirst for travel, taking South Africans to exciting destinations in Europe, the Far East, Americas and Australia, that will create new conversations and memories.

Explore more with Emirates Holidays - A World of Choice

Airline travel lost much of its allure in recent years as recessionary pressures dictated the direction airlines took in terms of in-flight services, fares and the overall experience. Fouad Caunhye, Emirates' Regional Manager, Southern Africa says, “Our year-round low fares are about freedom, about giving our customers an opportunity to choose their holiday destinations at a time convenient to them.”
Mr Caunhye adds, “Travellers on Emirates are already used to our award-winning service and passenger comforts, offering up to 1,400 channels of movies, television programmes, music and games, the ability to send and receive emails and text messages, meals prepared by gourmet chefs and superior service from the airline’s international cabin crew recruited from over 130 countries.” Emirates also takes the worry out of doing a little shopping by offering Economy Class passengers a generous luggage allowance of 30kg.


“The value of flying Emirates is obvious; with our affordable fares we are bringing back the excitement of holidays and air travel.” The airline currently has a fleet of 198 aircraft, including the world’s largest Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 fleet, and flies to 132 destinations.

Please visit www.emirates.com/za for details.


About Emirates


Emirates is one of the world’s fastest growing airlines. With a fleet of nearly 200 fuel efficient aircraft, the multi-award winning carrier flies to 132 destinations. In 2012, Emirates launched a host of exciting new destinations; Dublin, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Dallas Fort Worth, Seattle, Lusaka, Harare, Ho Chi Minh City, Barcelona, Lisbon, Erbil, Washington DC, Adelaide, Lyon and Phuket. Warsaw and Algiers also recently joined the Emirates’ network. In February this year, Emirates’ ambitious expansion plans are being supported by the opening of the world’s first purpose-built A380 concourse at Dubai International Airport.

Monday, 18 March 2013

The First Ever International Luxury Travel Market Africa


The launch of the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Africa, Cape Town, the first event of its kind on the African continent kicks off with the ILTM Africa Opening Forum – a live debate led by some of Africa’s leading industry figures who will discuss the rise of luxury travel, the issues that this has brought to the continent, and how safari tourism has moved upmarket.


With overwhelming support from luxury travel experiences across the African continent and fully booked with 70 participants, all of whom represent the most authentic and diverse range of elite travel products and services. Many of these participants will be exhibiting at a trade show for the first time and will join Hosted Buyers who also have not attended an event of this kind in Africa before – 37% of these will attend an ILTM event for the first time.

Visit Africa Travel Week in 2014


The Forum, facilitated by international African Travel Writer, Graham Boynton will take place before the show opens on Monday 8th April at the Mount Nelson Hotel, the venue for the ILTM Africa showcase. The first day of ILTM Africa 2013 culminates in a Gala Dinner hosted by the Cellars Hohenort.

The forum will be in two parts and starts with Minister Alan Winde, Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism for the Western Cape Government, who will give an insight into the infrastructure and tourism assets of his region and beyond. Followed by South African author Clem Sunter, focusing on Africa’s economic and political health.

Boynton will then facilitate a lively debate on “The Issues Facing The Luxury Travel Market” looking at perception vs reality – how the outside world sees Africa - and the impact of recent changes that have taken place in the market, plus how the luxury African product has evolved and the key issue of intra-country air connections. Taking part will be Tony Romer Lee – CEO, The Collection by Liz McGrath; Adrian Gardiner – Founder & CEO, Mantis Group and Beks Ndlovu – CEO, African Bush Camps.

ILTM’s Exhibition Director, Alison Gilmore commented: “The point of the ILTM forum concept is to kick off an event with some content and debate that gives all our participants – exhibitors and hosted buyers – real insights into trends, issues and successes of the host country as well as some thought provoking take-aways to begin their two days of business.

We are delighted to welcome Minister Alan Winde and of course such an influential line up of speakers for what is bound to be a lively and enlightening debate that will also give the audience the opportunity to ask their own questions from those that are directly involved in the industry luxury tourism”.

The inaugural ILTM Africa 2013 the first invitation only event in Africa to showcase 70 exclusively African travel experiences who will meet with 70 international Hosted Buyers, dedicated to creating and planning luxury travel inbound to Africa.


Business appointments are pre-scheduled, matching mutual requests from buyers and exhibitors alike to meet on a strict one-to-one ratio. Following the traditional ILTM format, both buyers and exhibitors must follow a strict accreditation process in order to participate.

For further information, please visit www.iltm.net/africa

 



ILTM Africa will host international VIP buyers from major markets including the USA, Europe and Brazil, each with a specialism in Africa, personally invited and verified to ensure their luxury travel credentials are of the highest standard. The event matches mutual requests from both buyers and exhibitors to meet on a one-to-one basis to build business opportunities and communities.

Muriel Minnell Falck, CEO & Executive Director of Argentina’s Sundance Tours, a specialist in Africa’s exotic destinations commented: “There are Africa luxury specialists all over the world who have long needed a dedicated forum at which to meet solely high end African product, from the established to the smaller, lesser-known brands. ILTM Africa is extremely promising and we are very much looking forward to being part of its launch in April and meet with exhibitors who would mutually benefit from forging new relationships.”

Like all other ILTM events, ILTM Africa will feature a detailed programme of social networking opportunities. In addition, the ILTM Africa Opening Forum will reflect both regional and global key luxury travel trends and issues, in a series of live interviews and debates.


Alison Gilmore, ILTM Exhibition Director said: “Our pre-event research was clearly extremely accurate - the overwhelming interest in ILTM Africa since we launched such a short time ago, shows just how much demand there is for an event that focuses exclusively on the high-end market.The global portfolio of ILTM events are about addressing the needs of both the buyers and suppliers and the response we have received will help ILTM Africa to grow in 2014.”

About ILTM

International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) and ILTM Asia are the leading annual business to business events for the global luxury travel community, bringing together the world’s most sought after destinations, ultra-luxurious accommodation, elite transportation and unique travel experiences showcased for the most discerning luxury travel buyer via an unrivalled pre-scheduled appointment system and effective networking and information opportunities.

ILTM – which invites only the most discerning buyers from across the world – takes place in Cannes, 2 - 5 December 2013; ILTM Asia – which selects buyers from across the Asia Pacific – takes place in Shanghai, 3 - 6 June 2013 and ILTM Americas – a one-to-one summit for travel agents from North, Central and South America – takes place at Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico, 30 September - 3 October 2013. A similar niche event ILTM Japan – inviting both Japanese and international buyers - launched 11 – 13 March 2013 in Kyoto; ILTM Africa will launch 8-9 April 2013 in Cape Town, South Africa profiling African product and inviting international buyers and ILTM Spa will take place in London from 30th September – 2nd October 2013.


Friday, 15 March 2013

Hennessy VSOP Kyrios


MEET A LEGEND

This year, Hennessy Cognac is proud to announce the launch of the new collector edition bottle, Kyrios, the key to unlock the codes of the legendary world of Hennessy V.SO.P. As a tribute to the brands history and origin in 1817, the V.S.O.P bottle is presented with a stylish new matte carbon covering and unique codes which tell its rich story.


Every aspect of this exceptional collector’s bottle has a significant connotation – starting with the 3D label, adorned with 1817, giving the impression that the date is inside the bottle, an integral component of its beginning. A beginning which dates back centuries when a request was made by the future king of England, George IV for ‘Very Superior Old Pale Cognac’.

The codes extend to the grapes, a symbol of the vineyards and grandeur of the House of Hennessy – clearly illustrating the ancestral savoir-faire, elaborate craftsmanship and the extreme care which is taken in the creation of this high-quality product.

Along with the new silhouette, launched last year by esteemed automobile designer, Chris Bangle, the appearance of this limited edition bottle takes on two dimensions with its startling carbon-grey colour. First of which is the technical dimension, currently used in the automobile industry for fast concept cars and secondly an artistic dimension.


The copper appearance used in the label design is a reminder of the pot stills, a deep tint which evokes centuries of distillation, adding more elegance and style to the carafe. Lastly, the emblematic ‘bras armé’ reflects the long history of Hennessy, an essential part of the seal for more than two centuries. Now engraved in the glass, it highlights the constant search of quality.

Within the sophisticated Kyrios bottle, the Hennessy V.S.O.P Cognac has remained unchanged. Recognised for its harmonious and well-structured blend, it is characterised by its gradual blend of about 60 eaux-de-vie taken from the four best growing areas in the Cognac region, slowly matured in old barrels from which most of the tannin has been extracted.

With well-loved aromas, balance and long lasting finish, Hennessy V.S.O.P easily matches every tasting occasion, either enjoyed neat, on the rocks or in a refined cocktail. 

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