Summer in Switzerland brings back amazing music festivals and one very special has its location in the heart of Swiss Alps for more than 25 years: the Verbier Festival. Last year it was an amazing edition and the 2019 edition is starting. It will take place in Verbier from July 18th to August 3rd 2019.
Verbier Festival 2018, An Anniversary to be remembered
The Verbier Festival is a classical music festival which encourages encounters and sharing between great musicians and young aspiring artists from around the world. With its different orchestral programmes, the Festival strives towards excellence in music education. The audience is invited to live a special experience at the heart of the Swiss Alps by attending prestigious concerts, witnessing unique encounters and participating in a wide range of free activities. Every summer, the best artists meet in Switzerland, in the heart of Swiss Alps, to share their passion for music.
The 2018 edition has been an extraordinary one supported by the thrilling programme as well as the surreal emotion that prevailed in the resort. The result was extremely positive and this anniversary edition positions itself as a founding step. A promise for new exciting challenges to come. Thanks to the Festival, Verbier got known worldwide (65’954 spectators, +39% compared to 2017).
It was also the launch of an extraordinary art book. This publication is aimed at connoisseurs as well as those who would discover the festival for the first time. Published by Éditions Noir sur Blanc, the anniversary book was published on 8 November 2018, available in all bookstores in Switzerland, France and on the Festival website.
The 2019 Verbier Festival Edition: 26 Years And still Innovating For The Pleasure Of Music Fans
The Verbier Festival announces its 26th edition that will take place from July 18th to August 3rd 2019. It will be 17 days of celebration that means:
56 concerts on the main stage
75 international artists
200 affordable and free events
220 young musicians
Kristóf Bárati
This new year’s edition will be punctuated by many surprises. Tremendous and intimist works will take place across the 17 days. The opening concert sets the tone by featuring violinist Kristóf Bárati, who will perform with the orchestra for the first time under the baton of Valery Gergiev. The Music Director will conduct an iconic work of the repertoire: Strauss’ Die Frau one Schatten. This challenging production – the most ambitious for a single concert, according to Martin T:son Engstroem, Founder of the Festival – features a prestigious cast including Brandon Jovanovich, Camilla Nylund, Matthias Goerne or Nina Stemme.
Fabio LuisiValery GergievDaniel Hope
Outside the scope of classical music, two exceptional evenings will give the chance to listen to other kinds of music: electro tango nuevo with Plaza Francia Orchestra (Müller and Markarov from Gotan Project) and Brazilian music with legendary Gilberto Gil. Few South American musicians have reached the rarefied level of Gilberto Gil, pioneer of the Afro-Brazilian style and greatly-loved musical innovator. Swiss National Day comes to life with his captivating blend of bossa nova, samba and pop.
Gilberto Gil
The Verbier Festival opens the scene to education as well. Verbier Festival Artist Training and Development Programmes are life-changing. They offer opportunities to learn, to be inspired, to make life-long connections and friendships. An unequalled roster of mentors, coaches, conductors and Festival artists work directly with and alongside musicians of the Verbier Festival Academy and Orchestras to develop their musical skills while challenging them to explore engaging and meaningful ways to reach audiences in and beyond the concert hall. Academy masterclasses and most Academy and Junior Orchestra concerts are free to the public as are Verbier Festival Orchestra general rehearsals.
Martin T:son Engstroem
Let’s highlight the work of Martin T:son Engstroem, the Festival Founder and Director. In 1991, he created the Verbier Festival and Academy whose first edition took place in 1994. In 2000 and 2005 he founded the Verbier Festival Orchestra and the Verbier Festival Chamber Orchestra respectively. In 2013 a new initiative was accomplished with the creation of a new educational project: the Verbier Festival Music Camp, currently the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra.
The Verbier Festival never stopped its evolution, always trying to rejuvenate, reenergize and consolidate classical music for the pleasure of all passionate people in Switzerland and around the world.
The closing day will be the culmination of nearly three weeks of interaction with the great artists of the musical world. On that occasion, the young talents of the Training Programmes will perform in the Academy’s chamber music concerts, the performance of Die Zauberflöte with singers of the Academy and the Verbier Festival Junior Orchestra, and in Mahler’s titanic Symphony N° 2 with the Verbier Festival Orchestra conducted by Fabio Luisi.
The Verbier festival is a mandatory appointment for all music fans and every year brings know-how together with unique performances. Every summer, the best artists meet in Switzerland, in the heart of Swiss Alps, to share their passion for music.
José Amorim Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
I must confess I was quite shocked when I heard the news. First I could not believe it was true and second, everything I knew (or I thought I knew) vanished with just a little piece of news: Mugler and Azzaro were sold to L’Oréal. This news was like a bomb for all fragrance aficionados around the world. It sounded like in a movie if the bad guys would win at the end. Everything that Mugler and Azzaro stand for was philosophical against what L’Oréal would do generally.
After I while, especially when emotions went down (it took me a while), I realized that finally, it was not such a bad thing after all. It might sound crazy but maybe it was the right move for Mugler and Azzaro. These are the three main reasons why it is probably a good thing.
1- Clarins Did Not Have The Financial Power Anymore To Play In Fragrance First League
With more than a thousand fragrance launches every year, the market is crowded and perfumery shelves are full. According to Euromonitor, last year, there were at least one hundred new fragrances launched from luxury brands in the main market place. When you look to the list of best sellers, there were barely any changes to the list. We know that a brand has generally two years to establish its new product in the market and if it takes longer than that you surely end into a niche. The fragrance industry became the entry door to luxury and the market is a global one. Launches are happening every day and seasonality is an urban legend now. Therefore, the game became more intense, the scale much wider and to impose your fragrance in such a crowded area, you need a lot of money.
According to Bloomberg, the fragrance industry spent USD 800 million in advertising and we consider that a global important launch would cost to the brand around USD 20 to 40 million. It is a lot of money to “bet” blindly. I say blindly because you can spend all the money in the world, you will never be 100% of longterm success.
What is also interesting to note is that overall the fragrance market is growing. According to NPD, the fragrance market in the prestige segment grew by 4% in 2018. The top 5 prestige brands had even a double-digit increase thanks to certain regions like South America. Indeed, Brazil rose by 20% and Argentina improve sales by 30%. Another interesting fact to note: Online sales are growing by 7 to 10% year on year which helps to consolidate the market. Not so many industries are operating with sustainable growth. Obviously, there is an entry price to pay and the ticket is getting more and more expensive.
When you are an independent group like Clarins, you look like David fighting against the Goliath of beauty. The fragrance business is a very competitive market and it requires more and more money to stand out. In this sense, I believe it is not a bad thing that Clarins sold Mugler and Azzaro to L’Oréal. For the last 5 years, we could see these two amazing brands trying hard to exist in this very crowded market. Angel by Mugler and Azzaro pour Homme are two amazing iconic best-selling fragrances but they are not sufficient to build a future sustainable business for both brands. Meanwhile, giants like Dior will smash the market with their Joy and other commercial blockbusters.
Mugler has been struggling to launch a new fragrance franchise. Instead, they have been capitalizing on their existing main pillars: Angel, Alien and A*Men. From lighter versions to olfactory variations, Mugler made good success in the past couple of years. Last big launch was Womanity in 2010 and the latest feminine fragrance struggled to find its place in the market. In a market populated by mainstream blockbusters, it is harder and harder to find room for more complex and sophisticated launches.
Azzaro was a sleeping beauty for a while. The brand would comfortably live on Azzaro pour Homme and Chrome. But recently they launched Azzaro Wanted for him and for her, which was supposed to rejuvenate the brand and bring more energy into the fragrance portfolio. They did a very successful launch but compared to brands like Armani, Dior, Saint Laurent or even more mastige brands like Diesel, the competition was very tough.
In today’s perfumery world, a couple of groups became driving forces in the launch mechanics. P&G, L’Oréal, LVMH or Unilever created huge worldwide machinery to launch blockbusters at the world scale. L’Oréal might be the most interesting one for a fragrance brand because they have strong know-how in fragrances but also in cosmetics, which is a strong added value to a fragrance line. Clarins, as an independent group, would struggle to maintain Mugler and Azzaro in the top level and the two brands would have potentially slide towards a more niche dimension.
2- Distribution Is The Key Element For Success And L’Oréal Has Nailed It.
You might have the best fragrance in the world, if you cannot distribute it properly, it will remain a nice project on a shelf. Distribution is key for good success. If you cannot reach a certain scale in terms of distribution, it means you might not have the means to develop your product line as it should be. The challenge is huge and mastering your distribution represents an important portion of your business. L’Oréal is a powerful global player with a five-digit retailers list. What many brands can accomplish in several years of sales, L’Oréal can do it in one year. Although they do not own distribution (like LVMH owns Sephora), L’Oréal group owns an important number of brands which give them a lot of negotiation power. Here are the full list of all the fragrance brands owned by L’Oréal:
Lancôme
Giorgio Armani
Yves Saint Laurent
Biotherm
Kiehl’s
Ralph Lauren
Shu Uemura
Cacharel
Clarisonic
Diesel
Viktor & Rolf
Urban Decay
Guy Laroche
Paloma Picasso
Roger & Gallet
We can imagine that Mugler and Azzaro will benefit from the group economy of scale to obtain better prices and also to manage better their launches timings. Thanks to the power of L’Oréal, it might bring a certain acceleration to Mugler and Azzaro, helping them to achieve scale much faster. Joining distribution forces, it will also benefit other L’Oréal brands like Yves Saint Laurent or Viktor & Rolf.
3- The Fragrance Battlefield Is Full of Giants, Better Play On Their Side To Survive
In the past five years, small and medium brands (from a sales point of view) were pretty much seduced by selling their companies to big groups. This has helped them to achieve a better scale and to insure a comfortable business stability.
Estée Lauder purchased Le Labo and Frédéric Malle in 2014, later they also took over By Killian.
Puig acquired Penhaligon’s and L’Artisan Parfumeur in 2015
L’Oréal purchased Atelier Cologne in 2016
LVMH acquired Maison Francis Kurkdjian in 2017 and Jean Patou in 2018
They were wise strategic moves. The latest 2019 financial results from these companies reveal that not only are luxury artisanal brands experiencing some of the strongest growth in their portfolios. According to Cosmeticbusiness.com, L’Oréal’s first quarter 2019 results picked out notable growth from Atelier Cologne, which it says “continues to attract new consumers”, and Puig’s 2018 results reported that L’Artisan Parfumeur has “shown through its excellent performance in its owned stores and in large department stores that it is ready to be scaled up to the international market”. Meanwhile, Penhaligon’s enjoyed double-digit growth above the market rate.
While sales numbers and finance seem to show positive trends, another important aspect of such acquisitions is the key area of attracting talents. By belonging to wider groups, talented people will find themselves in a strong positive trend with important means and scale. Their talents can be deployed in order to create great launches. Many often when brands lack scale, talented people might feel a bit limited in their choices and actions. When Tom ford joined the Estée Lauder group, it has guaranteed his freedom of creation within his brand and a worldwide distribution network to spread his talent.
When L’Oréal announced the purchase of Mugler and Azzaro, it might be good news. If the French group intention is to develop the two brands within the respect of their true natures, it can only be a success. Mugler and Azzaro will have a new dynamics and potentially better means to achieve new launches. Let’s bet and hope this audacious acquisition is therefore a good thing. Only the future will tell.
José Amorim Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available Images are for illustration purposes only.
Although backpacking and interrailing are fashionable among young people at the moment, there is no reason why you shouldn’t think about indulging in some hard-earned luxury on your vacation. Going on vacation should be the reward for months of hard work, making time to recharge and de-stress before you return to daily life, and going on a luxury vacation can help you to achieve this.
Find a Room with a View
The type of accommodation that you choose to stay in on vacation can drastically change your experience. For instance, if you don’t mind roughing it and want to get to know other travelers, then staying in hostels is a good option. However, if you are looking for luxury, you should look for other options, such as going on an all-inclusive vacation where all of your needs can be provided for you without the worry of arranging these yourself. Alternatively, when looking for luxury, you might find that a little bit of privacy is what you need. You can book a self-catered vacation cottage in a beautiful location, as this can help you to feel as if you are staying in a home away from home.
Not only will
they have great facilities for you to indulge in, but vacation cottages allow
you to go at your own pace and have a relaxing vacation that will leave you
returning to work fully recharged. Amberley
House Holiday Cottages are in a beautiful natural location on the Sussex coastline, meaning
that you can immerse yourself in the natural world and escape from reality.
Pick Good Transport Arrangements
Choosing the right transport arrangements can also sway the success of your vacation, and you should think through each of these options before you decide. Although public transport such as sleeper trains and buses can be convenient, they often take longer than other forms of transport and can be uncomfortable. Taking transport such as a boat or cruise can be exciting and fun, allowing you to see more of the country that you are visiting, and even some marine life during the trip. Many boats also have luxury facilities such as pools and bars. If you are taking a flight, you should also consider upgrading it from economy to first class as this will help you to feel instantly ready to go when you land, after a refreshing flight with more legroom, better food, and a more relaxing experience than the basic tickets provide for you.
Book Dinner at a 5-Star Restaurant
You should also think about booking dinner at a 5-star restaurant for the ultimate luxurious experience. Perfect for the foodies in your life, Michelin starred restaurants enable you to live the high life with delicious and indulgent food that makes for a once in a lifetime experience which can reward you for your hard work throughout the year. This is also a great option if you are going on vacation to celebrate a special occasion, or for a last night treat for the family.
Carol Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
Planning on travelling to Australia? You are probably bubbling with anticipation as you think about all the things you could see or do. A mixture of excitement and anxiety engulfs you as you scour the Internet looking for useful tips.
Yet,
nothing can truly prepare you for Australia. The incredible sights and sounds
are something you are unlikely to forget for years to come. Nevertheless,
certain mistakes can make your trip regrettable. We look at some of these
below.
1.
Underestimating the Size
For
reasons that are difficult to understand, many first-time visitors to Australia
imagine it to be a small island that one could easily cover by road in a week.
That is, however, improbable given that Australia is almost
the same size as the contiguous United States.
Even if
you just want to see the key cities in the East and South East such as
Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra, the driving distances are
substantial. If you are pressed for time, identify a couple of destinations
that you can realistically cover.
2.
Not Understanding the Seasons
Australia
is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons occur at opposite times as they
do in regions in the Northern Hemisphere such as the United States. Summer in
Australia occurs coincidentally with winter in North America. The actual
weather conditions, however, vary across different parts of Australia.
Around Cairns and other areas up north, summers are dominated by rain, while winters are dry and mild. In southern regions like New South Wales, winters are cooler. If you were planning on hitting Sydney’s beaches in June, you’d be in for an unpleasant surprise.
3.
Failure to Book in Advance
One of the
things that makes travel exciting is spontaneity. But there’s a thin line
between spontaneity and poor planning. You don’t want to leave things to chance
when you are going to Australia, especially when it comes to the top sights and
sounds on your bucket list.
Remember,
Australia is halfway around the world from North America and Western Europe. It
goes without saying that the flight is quite expensive. So if you plan to do
some snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, book your place in advance to avoid
disappointment.
4.
Not Budgeting Adequately
Australia
is expensive. Visitors, including those from wealthy countries, often
experience sticker shock when they are confronted with the prices of virtually
anything Down Under. Part of the reason is – Australia’s
cities are regularly ranked as having some of the
highest quality of life in the world. So the prices are in some respects a
reflection of this.
If you
don’t budget to spend at least twice as much for anything as you would back
home, you could find your travel fund depleted pretty fast, and well before
your departure date. You shouldn’t just save up for what you think you’ll spend
but also have some extra cash with you to cater for the unexpected expenses
that could throw your budget off the rails.
5.
Not Acquiring Travel Insurance
Few things
can disrupt your travel budget when visiting Australia more than unforeseen
medical expenses. Australia is expensive as it is, but the healthcare costs are
a whole different ball game. Ergo, do not board your flight to Australia if you
don’t have travel insurance.
The
insurance covers not just medical emergencies but also the cost of lost
luggage, bad weather and travel delays. No matter how extensively you plan your
Australia trip, there’s never a guarantee that everything will go according to
plan. Travel insurance provides a financial cushion when what can go wrong does go wrong.
6.
Fearing the Wildlife
Australia has a fearsome reputation for dangerous creatures. It’s indeed true that some of the most venomous fauna on earth can be found here. However, you are more likely to be hurt by a horse than you would by a venomous critter.
What’s
more, there’s an extremely low probability of running into these dangerous
creatures outside the carefully controlled environment of zoos and parks. You
almost certainly won’t encounter a deadly snake or giant spider in your Sydney
hotel room, luxury villa or vacation rental. If you’re still undecided about
your accommodation plans, here is where you can click
to find out more on vacation rentals.
A trip to Australia can be memorable for all the right reasons if you steer clear of these mistakes.
Emily John Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
Most of us will have stared dreamily into a store window at something we really want but is beyond our immediate budget. Be it those designer shoes or the latest Gucci handbag, the sleek wristwatch, or perhaps it is an adventure trip abroad, it somehow all seems out of reach. Well, the good news is that there are some easy ways to save money and put it aside for a dream purchase, and this guide gives you some tips.
Shop for Bank Account Deals
There are many different types of bank account that can help you save
money for something special. You could set aside some cash every month to put
into a savings account, or you could swap to a high interest checking
account to make the most of your daily money. Some bans will offer you a monetary
reward for swapping your account to their bank. It is amazing how much extra
you can save each month after you shop around for the best deals and offers on
bank accounts, so it is worth taking the time to do so.
Start a Side-Hustle
As well as earning money from your regular job, you may be able to make some extra cash by running a side-hustle. A side hustle is a home business that you do in your spare time. To get started, you need to think about what skill you have that you could make money from. For example, you might be a whizz on a sewing machine, so could start making handmade items to sell online. Or, your expertise in grammar could get you some jobs proofreading student essays. No matter what you already do for a living, there are ways you can make some extra cash with a side-business.
Sell Unused Items
We all have stuff in our homes that we no longer want or use. Having a
clear out of your closets and selling things that you no longer need is a great
way to get some extra cash quickly. You can use online auction websites, or
local adverts. Once you are paid, you can add those funds to your savings.
Stop Spending
Stop spending
money on things you don’t need. You can save up quite a lot in a short amount
of time by only buying essentials. For instance, you might like a frothy coffee
from your favorite store every morning, but over the week that can add up. You
could brew a coffee at home instead, and take it out with you in a reusable
coffee cup. Even if you don’t want to stop having treats completely, cutting
down on them will save you lots of money.
By shopping around for the best deals, selling unused items and cutting down on overall spending, you are going to save money. Once you begin saving, you might find that you enjoy getting into the habit. Once you reach your savings goal and buy your luxury item, it will feel even more special because you have saved for it.
Carol Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
Are you running a fashion business or planning to start one? Are financial needs becoming unbearable? Are you considering applying for a business loan? Well, applying for a business loan and getting it is not a difficult task. You have it all in plan and make sure that the plan is flawless.
There are numerous measures that you
can take that will get you closer to securing a loan for your business. Are you
passionate about fashion and want to start your own line? Read more to find out
how to get a business loan for initial funding.
First Things First, Understand the Types of Business Loans
There are different types of
business loans in the market provided by financial companies. The loans vary in
terms of the repayment period, the nature of your business needs and the terms
of the loan. A fashion company requires a constant flow of cash flow to run
smoothly.
The fashion market is versatile and
you’ll need to take a lot of considerations into mind before settling for the
type of loan. A loan with a short repayment period means huge repayment amounts.
This loan would be ideal for your fashion business if you cash in loads and in
stable amounts monthly or annually.
The loans with long repayment
periods have small repayment amount. Such loans would be the most suitable if
your business is not picking as fast as anticipated. Understanding your fashion
business and all the applicable loans suitable for your business will help you
on how to get a business loan.
Carefully Do Research on Different Lenders
The lending market has many players
which mean a high level of competition. For the lending institution, this high
number of players is a problem. The high level of competition makes it impossible
for the lender to make a killing out of their business at a constant rate.
On the side of borrowers, this is an
advantage. The price wars between the lenders make them reduce their lending
rates in an attempt to lure more borrowers. The lenders also make their terms
irresistible to boost their gains. There are many good business loan providers.
A good example is Bonsai finance.
While researching on the lender to
request a loan from, make sure to go for the one with the lowest interest rates
possible, lenient repayment periods and little or no restrictions. By selecting
such a lender, you may not have difficulties in repaying the amounts borrowed
or taking up another loan.
Proper research on lenders is
critical.
Come Up with an Anticipation On Lender’s View On Your Repayment Capabilities
All lenders focus on making sure
that the loans they issue fall in the correct hands. Correct hands basically
refer to customers who can promptly honor their repayment obligations. For you
to get an approval for the loan amounts you are seeking, you’ll need to come up
with anticipation of the factors that the lender will consider.
By coming up with the anticipation
of the factors, you’ll prepare yourself will answers and proof of how able you
are in meeting the obligation. It’s better having the right answers than having
nothing. To increase your chances of securing the loan, come up with the
anticipations as soon as you can.
Ensure That Your Financials Are in Order
The financial statements of your
fashion business will be on the spotlight when you go requesting for a business
loan. The reasons behind the lenders focusing on your financial statement are
that the financial statement shows your business’ performance, position and
ability to generate cash flows.
A good performance, financial
position, and positive cash flow over the years increase your chances of
getting the loan. To make sure that you get an approval on the loan request,
you need to prepare your financial statements in the best way possible. Make
them understandable, relevant and have a faithful representation.
Good financial statements are the
gateway to limitless funding. Still wondering on how to get a business loan? Go
ahead and make the best financial statements you’ve ever made. You won’t live
to regret.
Make Sure You Gather All the Necessary Requirements
Getting a loan is not an easy task
for every business. Handing in a loan application is not a guarantee that
you’ll secure the loan. There are possibilities of securing the requested loan
or failing. There are many ways through which you can enhance your chances of
getting the loan.
One of the easiest ways is making
sure that you have all the requirements necessary and supporting documentation.
Prior to applying for business loans, you may need to have tax clearances,
credit rating documentation and present loan obligations among others.
Making plans early in advance for
getting all these documents in order will significantly increase your chances
of securing the loan. When lenders notice any of the documents missing, you
lower your chances of getting the loan.
Make Preparations On Your Pitch
Many financial companies may want
you to give a pitch for them to understand why you need a business loan. Most
of the times, this pitch plays an important part in you getting the funds. If
the pitch is convincing, high chances you’ll get the loan. If the pitch is not
convincing, then getting the loan will be a problem.
To make sure you give the best
pitch, plan to specify the specific amount that your business needs and how
you’ll use the money if the loan request gets accepted.
Offer to Give Security for Amounts Borrowed
Many financial institutions are
risk-averse. This means that they try as much as possible to avoid customers
who have any indications of defaulting on payments. Lenders give loans to
individuals and businesses that have a strong credit rating, promise growth and enjoy positive cash inflows.
If your business lacks in any of
these areas, don’t give up on getting a loan. You can substitute for your
shortcomings using through offering some of the business assets as security for
the loan. The financial institution would feel much safer issuing you with a
loan if there is security covering the loan.
Analyze the Terms of the Proposed Business Loan
The terms of the loan are the most
important part of the loan. When the terms of the loan are realistic, the
lender will issue the loan. However, when the terms don’t make any sense to the
financial institution, chances are you won’t get a business loan.
Make sure you review the terms that
you propose. Try aligning them with the concerns of the financial institution.
Still Not Sure About How to Get a Business Loan?
Getting a business loan is one of
the easiest things for most business people. Quit asking yourself the question
of how to get a business loan for your fashion company and put the points
listed above in practice. The points above are some of the most important steps
you’ll need to take to get a business loan.
Follow this diligently and you’ll succeed. Read more on our blog on how to get a business loan and more insights on fashion topics such as watches, fragrances, and interviews among others.
Carol Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
The south of France has some of the finest beaches in the world, making this region of the country a perennial playground of the rich and famous. With azure waters, powder white sand, tranquil sailboats bobbing in the distance, and the occasional celebrity cameo, Côte d’Azur has been a staple destination of choice in the itinerary of jet set tourists since the middle of the twentieth century. While once bucolic hamlets having grown into affluent international holiday capitals, most of the pristine beaches of the region remain untouched by time, attracting well-heeled tourists from every corner of the globe. With plenty of glorious golden sunshine, the finest seafront cuisine and cocktails, and extravagant beach parties at night, the bounteous beaches of the French Riviera present a vacation opportunity of a lifetime.
Plage Pampelonne
near St. Tropez, perhaps the most iconic beach in southern France, has retained
its status as a bona fide paradise on Earth since Brigitte Bardot’s original
visit in 1955. The shoreline stretches on for five kilometres, uniting
immaculate white sand with the tranquil, aquamarine waters of the Mediterranean
Bay. Lined with deck chairs and sun loungers, Pampelonne offers rare pleasures
in the form of delectable apéros, world-renowned DJs, and the company of
billionaires. Tourists can step into the famous Club 55 to try out a range of
unique cocktails and seafood platters while rubbing shoulders with
international celebrities. Water sports enthusiasts may enjoy paddle boarding,
jet skiing, and windsurfing activities on the beach by contacting one of the
many beachfront kiosks dotting the shore.
For travellers
who wish to steer clear of the paparazzi, Palm Beach in Cannes may be a
preferred option for a week of unadulterated leisure. With a plethora of informal
beach bars, live music, and laidback BBQ counters lining the coastline, Palm
Beach is the ideal setting for a lively trip with friends. Medusa, a nearby
concept restaurant and cabaret club, puts together a night of unforgettable
entertainment with a sensual show by Gabriele Rizzi’s dance company Nu’Art. The
beachside casino provides the perfect finale to any day on Palm Beach and
offers stunning views of the Cannes peninsula and the Lérins Islands.
Larvotto Beach in the heart of Monaco
presents a world of opulence for the luxury traveller. Visitors may choose to
park their yacht next to this pebble beach and take in the sights and sounds of
Avenue Princesse Grace in Monte Carlo—the most expensive residential street in
the world. In the evening, travellers may wish to sail into the sunset with a
flute of sparkling champagne to cool one’s lips—an experience that eludes
words. At night, the scene is set for an enchanting al fresco dinner at La Note
Bleue, an immensely prestigious beachside jazz bar with an extensive wine and
game meat menu.
To soak in the sun in Cannes, Monaco, or St. Tropez, beau monde beachgoers may wish to rent a villa in the south of France, away from the hubbub of these tourist capitals. One Authentic Properties offers many attractive short and long let villas near each of these spectacular locations. Bayview, La Gabbia, and Mas De La Rube are luxury villas near Cannes, which have been constructed and designed to appeal to the who’s who of today. These magnificent properties are less than an hour away from Monaco and present guests with the option of making a day trip to the exquisite beaches of Monte Carlo at their leisure. Villa Canoubwestand Villa Water’s Edge is situated in the ritziest locations in St. Tropez and each property offer direct access to the sea. Guests may wish to moor their yacht by the villa and sail down to the tantalizing local beaches for a spot of recreation. Each property presents a bespoke hospitality experience tailor-made to serve the needs of guests. A number of à la carte services are available on demand including food and beverages, supercar rental and chauffeur services, helicopter transfer, massage therapy, and beauty treatment.
Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
Two distinctive idealisms are currently in a struggle and one is not necessary for helping the other. In one side, we can see the failure of capitalism and how the economic model founded in the 17th century is reaching its own limits. The usage of the planet resources are getting to extremes and many people are calling for an economic slowdown. In the other side, many people tend to think that technology and human ingenuity can fix everything and that we will survive the menace of the 6th massive extinction this planet would see. Can Technology fix everything or is this a modern mirage?
1- From Prometheus To The Founding Mythology Of Technological-Fix.
When Prometheus stole the fire from the gods to give it to humanity, it was done with the purposes of enabling progress and civilization. To do so, Prometheus tricked the gods and Zeus himself to steal the fire and to offer it to all men. For this, he would be punished eternally. The interesting aspect of this myth is the fact that technology (here the fire) would bring a considerable improvement to people’s lives. It is also a certain idea of rebellion against despotism as Prometheus gave power to the people rather than keeping it to the exclusive usage of the Olympian gods. This is not new as men tend to think his ingenuity would always get him rid of problems. This myth is for sure the founding element of the belief that progress is a good thing. It helped men see further, dream big and probably go from the dark caves to the moon. But is it all worth it?
From Darkness To Enlightenment – Progress In The Making
Progress became a strong engine to make humanity do steps forward. This is what brought men out of the Middle Ages. This period in time was by far one of the darkest moments in history. From human living conditions to science and knowledge, things did not advance much during this time. It was also the time of many battles and many diseases. In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages lasted from the 5th to the 15th century. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire and merged into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. During this dark period, the world and humanity did a step back on its evolution:
Population declined
Counterurbanisation
The collapse of centralized authority
Invasions and mass migrations of tribes
High mortality due to epidemics (Black Plague)
Short Life expectancy age (<40 years old)
With the arrival of printing (technology), knowledge could spread and communications developed. It set the premises of the discovery era during which the world would see a new light. That is why we say that after this dark moment, came the enlightenment and with this amazing period came progress at all levels. The Renaissance was a fervent period of European cultural, artistic, political and economic “rebirth” following the Middle Ages. Generally described as taking place from the 14th century to the 17th century, the Renaissance promoted the rediscovery of classical philosophy, literature and art. It was also an interesting moment for Science and innovation. Another important development was in the process for discovery, the scientific method, focusing on empirical evidence and the importance of mathematics while discarding Aristotelian science. Early and influential proponents of these ideas included Copernicus, Galileo, and Francis Bacon. The idea of progress as a main positive thing for society started planting its seeds.
The Idea Of Technical Progress, As A Step forward for Civilization
When Francis Bacon wrote The New Atlantis in the 17th century, he was probably bringing interesting critics of society and especially Christianism. But he also introduced the idea of technological and scientific progress as an important tool to push society into a better future. Francis Bacon proposes a vision of future human discovery and knowledge, which is a very aspirational vision of humankind. In the book, there is Salomon’s house, a sort of utopic university where experiments are conducted to understand and conquer nature. All these in order to collect knowledge to the betterment of society.
Two centuries later, the world would see a massive change thanks to the Industrial Revolution that started during the second half of the 18th century until the end of the 19th century. The Industrial Revolution was a period during which predominantly agrarian, rural societies in Europe and America became industrial and urban. The Industrial Revolution marks a major turning point in history; almost every aspect of daily life was influenced in some way. Technological progress helped to shift from manual work to industrialization. This helped to increase consistently the standard of living for the general population which has never happened before in the history of the world in such a large scale. The industrial revolution became the anti-chamber of modern thinking and the culture of progress. The 20th century started with the promise that mankind will grow and evolve thanks to its ingenuity.
Technological-Fix, The Birth Of A New Religion
In 1923, Dr Alvin Weinberg, the Director of Tennessee’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, asked a very interesting question: will technology solve all our social problems? For sure his speech was clearly to say YES and he would go even further by affirming that engineers could eventually supplant scientists, policy-makers, lawmakers and even religious leaders. Technology would become the new god. To be honest I do not think Alvin Weinberg invented the concept but for sure he was the first one to employ the words “Technological Fix” as the main ideology.
Alvin Weinberg
Another interesting fact on the arrival of the Technological-fix ideology is the fact that society embraced a new era of consumerism and this new problem-solving philosophy matches perfectly this new era. Our attraction to innovative and technological solutions is a key feature to improve our daily life. It goes along with other strong concepts like entrepreneurship, self-confidence and dynamism. Being a problem-solver thanks to technology reflects a very positive image, good for the business and for your own self-esteem. Technological-fix is a strong belief in which technology and innovation will solve all our problems, otherwise nothing will.
Humanity has come a long way since the appearance of modern man. Giant steps were done generally thanks to the introduction of progress and innovation. From the moment men found fire and started building tools to the moment men put a step in the moon, the feeling of technology advancement became a strong pillar of civilization evolution and hope.
2- Technology Made Miracles And Became The New God
Let’s not see the devil everywhere. Technology has a great utility and it is very inspiring. It can also motivate investors and capital to develop new solutions that create jobs, wealth and allow to maintain a certain constant evolution of humanity. Not all is bad, at the contrary. When technology gets at the service of a cause, it can be very powerful.
Renewable Energy “Bought Us” Some Extra Time And Is Forcing A Certain Habits Change.
From the Oil crisis in the ’70s to the pollution levels our planet are experiencing, technology helped to maintain a strong economic development thanks to renewable energy. Solar panels, wind turbines or the usage of tidal power, technology brought available new sources of energy to help manage the demand. Solar power is anticipated to become the world’s largest source of electricity by 2050, with solar photovoltaics and concentrated solar power contributing 16 and 11 per cent to the global overall consumption, respectively. Is this a good thing? We know that anything related to photo-cells, batteries and other clean energy options might also request other efforts in terms of production. We know for example that an electric car, like Tesla or a hybrid from Toyota, will need to drive for at least 8 years in order to absorb its carbon footprint (from production and extraction of rare metals). So if you change to a new car every three to four years, it is not worth it.
Food Engineering Trying To Feed The World
According to UNICEF, there are 356’000 new babies born each day in the planet. This is bringing the world population to reach soon 10 Billion people by 2100. There is a certain preoccupation to feed the planet with limited resources. Technology tried to bring solutions and alternatives to normal agriculture. Two main important and interesting development in this field: hydraponics and Genetically modified organisms (GMO).
Hydroponics is a method of food production to increase productivity, in an “artificial environment.” The soil is replaced by a mineral solution that is left around the plant roots. Removing the soil allows a greater crop yield, as there is less chance of soil-borne diseases, as well as being able to monitor plant growth and mineral concentrations. This innovative technology to yield more food reflects the ability for humans to develop their way out of a problem, portraying a technological fix. We can also say that we miss the connection to nature, the contact with the land as we dematerialize the natural environment in order to play god and master the elements. All these with one single purpose: productivity.
GMO crops can create many advantages, such as higher food fields, added vitamins and increased farm profits. Depending on the modifications, they may also introduce the problem of increasing resistance to pesticides and herbicides, which may inevitably precipitate the need for further fixes in the future. Since the invention of GMO and its claim to exterminate starvation around the world, we can say that it is far from achieving the main mission. The industry of GMO has never been so advanced and still, people are starving. Every second there is one person in the world dying of starvation and the United Nations considers that there are one billion people suffering from hunger in the world. So we are far from the mission given initially to GMO crops and food.
Technology As A Health Guardian
Another major improvement in the past 100 years is health and the fact that modern medicine has increased people’s life range and facilitated the cure of several diseases. Today, technocrats believe technology can improve medicine by better management of big data. Individuals being more and more monitored can provide better information to doctors who can give a better diagnostic. We start talking about personalized medicine and targetted pharmaceuticals (made to act on a person’s own DNA). The quality of the data is still low and considerations are complex as by utilizing big data, you forget to consider the individual from multiple angles (social, contextual, educational, etc.).
The Engineer Is The New Demigod
With technocrats being the new hype, they would need new heroes. While pop culture always finds a new type of hero to adore, tech people would place engineers at the top of the pyramid as the new living gods. Elon Musk, Michael Dell, Marc Benioff or Sundar Pichai are the new hype who leads the world with technology (or at least they try to…). This new type of heroes blends business and technology. Therefore we might wonder their true motivations: a greater good for humankind or a very profitable business? Probably they might say both but when it comes to making humanity do a step forward in terms of evolution, there are always limitations aspects driven by business economics. When Louis Pasteur found a vaccine against rabies, when Marie Curie discovered the principles of radioactivity, when Thomas Edison invented the phonograph, the light bulb, electricity or the motion picture camera, I am not sure they had a business plan in mind.
Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk
Gods need a place to be. While ancient mythology would talk about Sigh, Asgard or Olympus, today’s modern gods have their own place as well. This is Silicon Valley. This part of the world, being on the west coast of the United States, became in the last 15 years the cradle for the world biggest and most innovative tech companies. From Apple, to Google, Facebook or Tesla motors, Silicon Valley is the new Mecque for tech people. The Silicon Valley legend started in 1891 with the creation of Stanford University. Then came the mythology of starting your business in a garage. In 1939, in the suburbs of Palo Alto, William Hewlett and David Packard started their activity by hacking their radio oscillators in the carport. Forty years later, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built their first computer in their garage. The HP original garage is today a museum that you can visit.
These men have the power to change the world by creating new products and service that can shape your lifestyle. They can also put pressure on governments in order to make them accept new laws. Are they true philanthropists? Not really. If we take the example of Bill Gates. After being considered the devil by many people around the world (mainly people fans of Apple), he moved his center of interest into finding solutions to improve people’s lives. By creating the Melissa and Bill Gates Foundation, Bill Gates decided to eradicate certain diseases through major improvements in terms of vaccination. He invests more money into health than most of the important governments of this world and his fight against malaria is an important one. Nevertheless, there are several critics of his model. The foundation often chooses collaborators like Coca-Cola, Goldman & Sachs, Monsanto or Rupert Murdock. In the matter of Health, several scientists criticize Gates foundation by the choices they make, generally quick wins rather than long term investments.
Bill Gates
The world went from standard consumerism to a certain extreme situation in which mankind looks more like cancer for the planet than a specially chosen species. While man represents merely 0.01% of all life present on this planet, he managed to terminate around 80% of the total wildlife ever lived during his time. This means we are reaching an extreme peak that requires massive changes.
3- We Do Not Need God’s Fire Anymore, We Need A Purpose!
What can we say today? First of all, Prometheus might be disappointed but we do not really need Gods’ fire. What we need is to define a purpose for humanity and a mission for a better life. Humanity went through a lot as well as this planet evolved in the past 1000 years. Now, we are facing the biggest threat of massive extinction by unbalancing our ecosystem. Can technology save us all? Definitely not. The only savior of humanity is humanity itself.
We Cannot Just Keep Living The Way We Do
Right now, a great majority of people think we can still continue living the way we live. Travelling became the cheapest ever, we can buy food from all over the world and we can keep using technology the way we want without thinking that it might be consequences to it. Today we can travel 1000km on a plane for less than 100USD. This is not normal. By hard discounting plane travel, we have multiplied the carbon footprint of humanity. According to IATA, currently, there are more than 8 million people flying every day. This is almost 3 billion passengers a year. Climate change is not necessary to influence people’s choices in terms of travel yet. The New York Times analysed that today there are around 20’000 planes operating around the world and when we look to travel forecasts, we will need around 50’000 planes in circulation by 2040. This projection does represent a tremendous ecological disaster. To this point there is one interesting question to be answered: Should we fly less or should we count on technology to help those 50’000 planes to fly without polluting? Probably the answer is BOTH. Nevertheless, by changing our habits, we will provide a much higher improvement to the planet as technology might fix one problem and generate another one.
When we understand how fast we are draining the planet from its natural resources, we can see that something is wrong in the way we have been living and technology or not, we need to change things dramatically.
Major Change Can Happen At All Levels, From The Smallest To The Highest.
Most of the time we hear things like “what can I do?” or even “I have no power to influence the world’s evolution”. Actually, we have this kind of power by adopting responsible behaviour. Fly much less, eat less, buy things with a certain moderation and make sure of doing the right choices from a logical way are basic things anyone could do in the western and non-western world. By deciding not to buy something that was produced thousands of miles away from you, you make an impact. By taking holidays not far away from home and privilege trains becomes a responsible choice. By generating less garbage and making sure you ban single-usage plastics from your daily life can make an impact. And if we make a list of little things you can do everyday to save the planet, the list is quite long: pay attention to how you use water, leave your car in the garage more often, recycle your garbage, walk or ride your bike to work, turn off lights when not using it, change your light bulbs or make your home more energy efficient.
In conclusion, Prometheus was our future and our curse at the same time. By providing gods power, men have been playing god for a while without being annoyed too much by collateral damages. By the time men got the power of fire, there were maybe 55’500 homo-erectus individuals on the planet. We will be around 10 billion people by 2100. We need to reconnect to the planet and to our natural habitat in order to understand our place in this world and maybe to have a chance of survival. Technology is not the answer to everything. We can see it as even if men invented aeroplanes, we still dream of flying.
José Amorim Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
They say staying simple is the best way to look sophisticated. And that’s
why the cowboy boot is here to stay. First things first, these boots often have
the most uncomplicated look. For some reason, it is quite natural for the
luxurious ones to go from regular to outstanding as soon as they step outside.
These boots come in many colors, designs, and materials which provides everyone with variety, meaning they can tickle everyone’s fancy since different people come with different tastes. Below are the reasons why the men’s square toe cowboy boots have not only taken the fashion industry by storm but aren’t going out of fashion any time soon.
Boots are Versatile
Cowboy boots don’t have a specific occasion like it’s often the case with
most other shoes. For instance, most sports sneakers are best suited for casual
occasions or for working out. Formal shoes are for, well, formal occasions.
However, when it comes to cowboy boots, they can be worn on just about any
event irrespective of whether it’s formal or informal. Also, as hinted earlier,
you can expect it to look terrific on the wearer, especially if the color of
the boots complement those of the outfits they are wearing.
Most Cowboy Boots Look Designer
Having cowboy boots is one of the easiest ways to add luxury
to your style without spending too much. If you pay close attention, the
first thing you’ll realize is that both designer cowboy boots and the ones
considered regulars don’t have many distinct characteristics. Therefore, buying
a regular one can still give you that expensive designer looks that everyone
always wants.
They Don’t Need Much Attention
Unlike most designer or comfortable footwear, cowboy boots need the least
amount of effort as far as taking care of them is concerned. Whether you’ve
been out in the rain or a dry and dusty environment, you can always count on
your boots to come through for you. So afterward, only a clean rag and some
water will do the trick. You can then air them out to dry in the sun. However,
just because they don’t need that much attention doesn’t mean you can neglect
them entirely.
Cowboy Boots Are Convenient
The very few men who don’t like cowboy boots have never found themselves in a sticky situation where they had to walk in mud or water or snow for that matter. Well, cowboy boots have been designed to keep your feet protected and looking incredible on your feet even when walking on the unkindest surfaces. The latter is owing to the sturdy, waterproof soles than ends in raised heels. You can think of them as gumboots that you can walk with into a boardroom and still not look like you’re losing your mind.
They Are Unisex
If you thought that cowboy boots were meant for tough guys alone, then you
thought wrong. Living in a world where gender equality is in full force, it is
essential to note that girls can also wear cowboy boots and look extremely
fabulous. There are those that are unisex and then those that are made for
separate genders.
Those that are meant for girls are often smaller and come in cute feminine
colors such as white and pink while those that are made for men are usually
bigger and mostly have masculine colors such as black and brown. Unisex boots
can also come in white, brown, and black, all depending on personal
preferences.
Cowboy
boots come with their fair share of advantages, some of which have been
listed above. It is therefore not surprising that most men love their cowboy
boots more than their other shoes. For starters, nothing screams toughness more
than a pair of badass cowboy boots. These boots are also very durable, as
earlier mentioned, and will likely outlive any other shoes in their closet.
Another reason why most men love their cowboy boots is that they are mostly
affordable.
Instead of spending hundreds, and in some cases even thousands of dollars for a designer pair of shoes, they can quickly get that laidback yet luxurious look for less than a hundred dollars. Lastly, if you are looking to invest in some cowboy boots, feel free to do your research online since there is much information you can use to find the boots of your dreams.
Liz Becker Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
When Dom Pérignon releases a new vintage, this becomes headlines! As you may know, Dom Pérignon only works with vintage champagne which means it will never release a “weak year”. Since 1921, the Champagne brand has been produced only in 42 vintages. The first Rosé was released in 1959 and since then only 26 Rosé vintages were produced. In 1971, the Shah of Iran ordered several bottles of the first vintage of Dom Pérignon Rosé (the 1959) for the 2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire. A bottle of that champagne, from that order, was sold at auction for €24,758 in 2008.
This year Dom Pérignon is releasing the Rosé 2006 Vintage. The result is purely magnetic, playing with the different natural aspects of that year.
Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2006: A True Mastery of Champagne making
Each vintage at Dom Pérignon is a piece of art. The different natural elements of a given year become different colours in the Maitre de Chais palette. To understand the 2006 vintage edition, we need to remember how was the weather conditions that year. Overall, the weather that year was pretty warm and dry. Nevertheless, there were some contrasts that helped to build the foundations of exceptional champagne. Europe was hit by an intense heat wave in July while August was strangely 2,500-year and damp. This would have been complete chaos if September would not have been better. September turned temperatures up again, extending the summer until late September. It saved the year by drying out the few places where botrytis was developing and leading to fruit ripeness.
These weather conditions elevate the challenge to work with Pinot Noir grapes. The amplitude of such temperatures creates a true tension in the Pinot Noir which can result in an unpleasant result. Dom Pérignon became a true expert in this cepage which allows and it required all the know-how from Vincent Chaperon, Dom Pérignon Chef de Cave, to take 2006 to the level of an exceptional year. Mr Chaperon joined Dom Pérignon in 2018 and have collaborated with the former Chef de Cave Richard Geoffroy in the latest vintage editions. Vincent Chaperon officially succeeds from Richard Geoffroy on January 1, 2019. He will take responsibility for the material legacy of the existing vintages, embody the vision and heritage of Dom Pérignon, and carry on the commitment to vintages that defines the “raison d’être” of Dom Pérignon champagne.
According to Dom Pérignon, the Rosé Vintage 2006 has a complex yet mesmerizing bouquet. The first notes will strike by the interesting blend of dark spices and cocoa. It will then develop very quickly into fruit aromas with roasted fig, apricot and candied orange. The whole structure will be wrapped into smoky and warm accents.
On the palate, its intensity will be striking and will set the tone through the sweetness and crisp punch of the flavours. This new vintage expresses an appealing brininess and saline character. That is why each Dom Pérignon is a unique experience that will appeal to all your senses.
Dom Pérignon And The Art Of Vintage Champagne
Dom Pérignon has a strong and absolute commitment to vintages. Each edition is created only from the best grapes grown in one single year. This is a true challenge because the Chef de Cave needs to reinvent and interpret the seasons. It embodies the total faith in the power of creation that is constantly renewed by Chef de Cave Vincent Chaperon.
The first vintage of Dom Pérignon was 1921 and was only released for sale in 1936, sailing to New York in the liner Normandie. Forty-two vintages later, the luxury Champagne French house is still surprising and amazing us with beautiful creations. It perpetuates a secular tradition and know-how, introduced by Dom Pérignon, a monk and cellar master who lived in the 17th century in Hautvillers. He pionneered a number of winemaking techniques:
The first to blend grapes in such a way as to improve the quality of wines
Perfecting the art of producing clear white wines from black grapes by clever manipulation of the presses
Enhancing the tendency of Champagne wines to retain their natural sugar in order to naturally induce secondary fermentation in the spring
Introduction of corks (instead of wood)
Usage of thicker glass in order to strengthen the bottles
If you have the chance to appreciate the Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2006, you will feel yourself onboard of a unique journey into a thousand wonders. From a true Champenois tradition to the exquisite delight to your palate.
José Amorim Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
