Author: José Amorim
The Montreux Jazz Festival, key numbers.
Reading Time: 4 minutesEvery year summer is pulsing around Lake Geneva in Switzerland thanks to the Montreux Jazz Festival. This very special Festival was founded in 1967 by Claude Nobs, Géo Voumard and René Langel with considerable help from Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegün of Atlantic Records. The festival was first held at Montreux Casino. It lasted for three days and featured almost exclusively jazz artists. The highlights of this era were Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette, Bill Evans, Soft Machine, Weather Report, The Fourth Way, Nina Simone, Jan Garbarek, and Ella Fitzgerald. Originally a pure jazz festival, it opened up in the 1970s and today presents artists of nearly every imaginable music style. Jazz remains an important part of the festival. Part of the festival’s expansion was due to coproduction by Quincy Jones who brought many international artists in the early 1990s. Here is a great video with Mr Quincy Jones talking about the early…
Gaby Machado, the next super model – exclusive interview.
Reading Time: 5 minutesShe is Brazilian, beautiful and young. Gabriela “Gaby” Machado is definitely the next it-girl in fashion modelling. With only 15 years old she has already 7 years of experience in modelling. She started at the age of 8. If you think she was discovered in the street, in a party or on the beach, you are wrong. She was discovered in… social media. At the age of 8 she was discovered by a Brazilian modelling agency in ORKUT, the brazilian Google social network at that time. This is an interesting fact as more and more models are discovered via their social media presence. Gaby Machado has already a very solid experience and all Brazilian fashion press already know her. She is definitely the next super model. She knows what is required to become a model without compromising who she is. She is photogenic, she “grabs light” like no one at her…
Gaby Machado, entrevista exclusiva para LuxuryActivist.com
Reading Time: 4 minutesPara ler o articulo completo (en inglés), clique aquí. LuxuryActivist (LA): Vocé começou sua carreira em 2009. Verdade? O qué vocé acha da aventura até agora? Gaby Machado (GM): Sim comecei em 2009,acho que até agora está sendo uma boa experiencia, pois conheço pessoas e lugares diferentes. LA: O que motivou vocé para ser modelo? GM: Começou sendo querer, uma agencia viu meu perfil numa rede social em 2009 e convidou para fazer um agenciamento sem custos e meus pais aceitaram. Com 8 anos eu nem me ligava nesse mundo da moda. LA: Que typo de trabalho você prefere? Desfilar ou fotografia ? Porquê ? GM: Gosto dos dois não tenho um preferido. LA: Qual foi o trabalho que você mais gostou até hoje ? GM: Foi de uma marca de moda praia que viajamos para Pernambuco ficamos 4 dias foi maravilhoso , Porto de Galinhas é lindo. Os meus trabalhos preferidos são…
Wireless internet in airplanes: the end of an el dorado of peace.
Reading Time: 7 minutesWe are always connected. Is there any place in this world where we cannot receive any SMS, email or even a phone call? Even in a desert or in the middle of a sub-tropical jungle things are possible. But there was one place in which we were forced to be off-line. There was one magical place that phones, smartphones, tablets and other laptops were out of the grid. One place in which for once you could just relax and enjoy some hours only for yourself. This place is called a plane. While traveling in a plane you could not take any calls, responde to any SMS or browse the internet and answer emails. It was forbidden as this could short-cut the aircraft technology. If you were traveling for business or for lesure this was a moment in your life that you could use to sleep, relax, have creative thoughts or…
Inside Claude Nobs’ chalet in Montreux, a beautiful place for passionate people.
Reading Time: 5 minutesMontreux Jazz festival is pulsing and LuxuryActivist got to visit one of the most VIP places of all: the Claude Nobs chalet called Le Picotin. This is a very special place in the highs of Montreux, where Claude Nobs used to live and share his passion for music. 2 years after his death, his spirit has never been so strong and his home became a place for people sharing the same intense passion for music. Only some happy few have the chance to visit the place and enjoy the amazing hospitality. It is a place for memories and a place for hope in terms of the future of music. The review here. The Montreux Jazz Festival, the entire world of music meets in Montreux The Montreux Jazz festival is probably one of the most incredible music festivals in the world. From the edgy program, to the location, period of the…
Breaking news: Olivier Saillard becomes the new Artistic Director of JM Weston
Reading Time: 4 minutesThere is always something interesting going on with JM Weston. This week, the luxury French House released the news that Olivier Saillard becomes the new Artistic Director of JM Weston. This is definitely big news. Olivier Saillard, a man of Arts. Olivier Saillard was born in France in 1967. He studied History of Arts and since his young age, he was interested by fashion, design and arts in general. At 28 year old he became the curator of the Marseille Museum of Fashion. Olivier Saillard runs this museum for five years; He then changes radically the usual codes of fashion in museums. It is there that he meets for the first time the one who will become a good friend, Azzedine Alaïa. Following Marseille, he became curator and responsible for the programming of “fashion shows” at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris and a time resident at Villa Kujoyama. He is…
Friday Chronicles #27 – Top 4 luxury trends that you better watch out.
Reading Time: 10 minutesThe luxury industry is completely redefining its scope right now. From the explosion of internet and specially Social Media, Millennials being so radical in terms of choices and a new luxury culture being established… all these elements bring luxury brands to develop new strategies. The time during which luxury brands would arrogantly dictate what people should wear or do is over. Here are 4 luxury trends that you better watch out if you wish to keep ahead of the luxury game. luxury [ luhk-shuh-ree, luhg-zhuh- ] Main Entry: luxury Part of Speech: noun Definition: great pleasure, indulgence Synonyms: affluence, bliss, comfort, delight, enjoyment, exorbitance, extravagance, frill, gratification, hedonism, high living, immoderation, intemperance, leisure, luxuriousness, opulence, rarity, richness, satisfaction, splendor, sumptuousness, treat, well-being Antonyms: austerity, economy, frugality The Luxury Market, big money for a worldwide business We estimate the global luxury market in 2017 up to $289 Billion (source: Worldwide Luxury Market…
Exclusive Interview – Nadja Axarlis, Founder of FUZZ
Reading Time: 4 minutesThe brand FUZZ is created in 2016 by Nadja Axarlis. She works first as a buyer for the famous Swiss department store Bongenie Grieder, which is why she knows the needs of modern customers. Like Nadja Axarlis, many of her friends wanted to take advantage of the fur assets, but they gave it up for ethical reasons. The mission of Nadja Axarlis is then clear; FUZZ had just been born. Quality, good conscience and fair production are at the heart of the concerns. The first collection is therefore in production and includes jackets, coats and waistcoats both trendy and timeless. They are made in Paris, the capital of fashion. Here is an exclusive interview from Nadja Axarlis for LuxuryActivist.com. Luxury Activist (LA) – How did you get to the idea of launching Fuzz? Nadja Axarlis (NA): The idea was born last autumn within a small circle of girlfriends where we discussed different…
Aura Mugler… only Mugler would dare. Full Review.
Reading Time: 16 minutesThere are brands who have shaped the history of fragrances and there are brands shaping the future. Thierry Mugler has since 1992 shaped the future of the fragrance market by bringing new standards. 25 years after the launch of Angel, the launch of Alien and Womanity, Mugler is back with a new strong female purpose: AURA MUGLER. By reinventing itself like no other brand and by daring to go where most would not even dream of, Mugler is back with a striking new fragrance. Here is the review. It all started with a lucky star… 1992 is a date in which all professionals in the fragrance industry remember. The year that Angel Eau de Parfum was launched. From a true ground-breaking fragrance to the ultimate icon of glamour, Angel was defined as a trend-setter. It has defined what are the gustative notes in modern fragrances. It also set the Mugler…
Fuzz (and not Fur) – Luxury with ethics.
Reading Time: 4 minutesWearing fur is nowadays a very sulfurous topic to talk about. Animal rights defenders will make you feel guilty to buy a fur coat as you might not have thought about the animal suffering that goes with the coat manufacturing. Well, a fur coat is made… of fur, meaning animal skin. Nevertheless, if you like the cosy, warm and stylish look of a fur coat, you need to discover FUZZ. A Swiss company designing their non-fur coats in Geneva and produce them in Paris. It is all false fur and they work very hard to give you the impression that it is as good as a true fur coat. Yet, it is all ethical as there is no animal involved. So FUZZ (and not Fur) will definitely conquer your heart of winter lover. While Fur consumption has increased since 2008, many names in the fashion industry as well in politics…
Roland Garros – Key numbers and new projects
Reading Time: 4 minutesRoland Garros is starting this weekend. The Tennis French Open is one of the most prestigious world tournaments. It is part of the major 4 grand slams: Australian Open Us Open Roland Garros Wimbledon The 21-acre (8.5-hectare) complex contains twenty courts, including three large-capacity stadiums; Les Jardins de Roland-Garros, a large restaurant and bar complex; Le Village, the press and VIP area; France’s National Training Centre (CNE); and the Tenniseum, a bilingual, multimedia museum of the history of tennis. As each year, while we wonder who is going to win the French Open, hundreds of professionals start preparing every single detail to make the 126 year tournament as sharp as never before. In order to give you an idea on how important the French open is, please see here below some key numbers and facts that will blow your mind. The Roland Garros Staff 250 Ball boys and girls between 12…
EMYUN, the elegant sport outfit designed in Switzerland.
Reading Time: 4 minutesIn general when you are a sportsmen, you do not have much choice in terms of outfit. Either you want to be classy and comfortable and buy Lacoste, or you wish to be very technical and you might be tempted to buy Nike, Sorel, Moncler or even Napapijiri. Obviously an accomplished sportive gentleman should be able to find other qualitative choices. Here is when EMYUN plays an interesting role. Designed in Switzerland and produced in Italy, EMYUN is the first technical sportswear line inspired by the fashion world. Having teamed up with active wear studios, designers and Italy’s finest textile manufacturers, EMYUN is ready to go wherever you do. All with style and comfort. The aim for EMYUN is to remain classy and stylish while being comfortable and performing the best possible during a running or a workout session. With a very specific fabric, no more smells that permeate the fabric,…
Emmanuel Macron: en Marche but with the right shoes!
Reading Time: 4 minutesIt has been only a few weeks that the new French President, Emmanuel Macron, was elected. His movement is called “En Marche” which means in French “On the Move”. Mr Macron seems very dynamic and he wishes to bring back a certain dynamics to France. If Emmanuel Macron is stepping into the President’s shoes, he is literally following the longtime tradition of French Presidents to wear JM Weston. JM Weston, a long tradition of Presidents. When JM Weston was founded at the end of the 19th Century, everything was already gathered to propose the ultimate elegance for men. Their philosophy is to proudly claim the “Made in France” and the perfect “Excellence at work”. The beginning of the 20th century was also an important time that set a lot of principles in masculine elegance. The development of elegant sports and also the development of worldwide business men, set the legend…
MP3 is dead for good. A chapter of electronic freedom ends.
Reading Time: 6 minutesFriends from the 90’s and the early years 2000 be aware that MP3 is dead. In a world in which music streaming erased the “format” debate, it was just announced that the MP3 format is over by stopping its licensing. An entire chapter of digital freedom has concluded. What a ride ! The explosion of digital and specifically the world wide web allowed the dissemination of MP3. It liberated the audio format and made easier the sharing. Multi-device, multi player, multi OS system, the MP3 was a true revolution supporting the development of several businesses and digital usages. Before 1993, the MP3 had a scientific background The interest of MP3 was based on the fact that the human hearing has a certain limitation. This is what is called Auditory masking. So the audio data compression could be applied without a perceived loss of quality because we can get rid of…
Cannes Film festival, when stars “reveal” themselves.
Reading Time: 6 minutesThe Cannes Film festival is the place where new stars are born and accomplished stars get the ultimate honors. In any case, stars attend to the French film festival to be seen and in some cases they end up showing off more than they would have thought. Here is our best review on Wardrobe malfunctions at Cannes film festival, since 1955!