Ultimate Guide for Top 2017 Nail Art Trends – Color is Beautiful

José Amorim
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Reading Time: 8 minutes

2016 was another year in which the Nail Polish market had a strong growth. This beauty segment grew by 6% showing for the 5th year in a row a consistent development (source: Kline). Here are some key insights from 2016 and 5 biggest trends for the 2017 nail art market.

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2016, key take aways from the Nail Polish Market

2016 was another outstanding year. The Nail polish industry has evolved in a solid manner, providing to all customers several new opportunities. From basics to pure innovative products, everybody could find its way. What should we keep from this segment?

Long Lasting Nail Polish
One of the biggest focus in the past 12 month was the aptitude for brands to propose long lasting nail polish, that could be used at work and during party time. The Long-wear nail polish category has been growing by triple-digit since 2015 and it was still a big focus in 2016.

Nail Treatment, beauty and health aligned
This is a background trend growing little by little and with a strong relevancy in 2016. Women are no longer looking for beautiful nails if this means they are not treating them well. Customers have taken full consciousness of their wellbeing and health. Nail polish can be considered something intrusive in your body and you want to make sure you apply a safe product. Moreover we realize that the beauty of your nails is not only the color, it is also their shape, thickness and resistance to the conditions of your daily life. Brands like Sisley who are one of the pioneers in Nail treatment offers interesting formulas to treat your nails while they look beautiful. This segments represents one of the strongest growth for the French beauty brand. People are also looking more and more for Organic nail polish or at least “low synthetic fuel-driven substances” that pay attention to environment and health. So far it is not always easy to find efficiency and beauty on this but at least customers are keen to buy responsable brands.

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Nail Polish Removal options – Innovation at stake.
This is an interesting trend for this year, that concerns more the beauty salons and professionals. Some personal or private people solutions are also in development. Nail polish removal is an area of growing concern for salon professionals and their customers, due to the increased use of gel and long wear polish. New removal options range from peel-off base coats to steamers making the Removal category the most innovative right now, in the entire nail care market. Brands are creating unique removal techniques that won’t damage nails like the use of acetone or filing often does. They will use steam for example thanks to a steamer machine. The steam that is created helps to remove gels and acrylics more easily. New types of removal products include The Painted Nail’s Steam Off and Gel II’s Steam Gel-Polish Removal System.

Being one of the most dynamic beauty segments, Innovation is always at stake. Color is for sure something key, not only from a personal perspective but also from a trend choice. In order to help you navigate next year, here are top 5 trends in Nail Art for 2017.

Top 5 Trends of Nail Art for 2017

What can we say about next year trends on nail polish and nail art? After several years of complete fantasy and destructuration, the new deal next year will drive us through a direction of sharpness and precision. Shapes, lines and colors will be impeccable. Precision of a line, a nail shape or a dual color will be respected at the millimeter. Less is more but always glamourous.

1- Accurate nails is a must

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Weird shapes and blurring colors are over. 2017 will propose accurate nails. The shape and look of your nails will be perfect, almost with a scientific precision. All edges require great attention for the perfect result. The main idea is to minimize the elements and the design which allows to play with plain colors and also to highlight the shape of your nails. Obviously you will need to have impeccable healthy nails. This trend comes directly from the idea of precision, quality and “all things driven by design” that helps in architecture, interior design and fashion. You can play with soft colors but also with different colors in each nail. By allowing a certain fantasy you will find an interesting contrast.

2- Delicacy and Poetry for your eyes

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While the world goes tuff, people goes soft. Life is already sometimes hard so people wishes to find a better balance and surround themselves with beauty. In the 18th century artists rediscovered nature as a main source of inspiration. More than 300 years later, nature is still a strong aspirational idea to showcase. In 2017, nail art will keep exploring this trend with a hint of poetry, delicacy and cleverness. Flowers, birds, natural impressions will take over your nails. Patterns will be small but present. it might be a small detail, or a floral signature but in all cases it will be done with good taste and a certain set of colors.

3- Almond is the new shape

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Square, round, claws-like shape…. your nails can take different shapes and different aspects. In 2017 the mainstream shape will be almond. This specific shape allows to align femininity with  a natural softness. You can be sexy without being over-sexual. You can be feminine and still keep it simple. You can go to work with it and still party in the evening. The almond shape nails also allow to extend the fingers by giving them a long, fine and elegant look.

4- Soft colors, skin colors, organic colors

Every year, or every season, Pantone company releases the new color trends and here are the 10 top colors for 2017 Spring-Summer. From colors that are bright and vivid to those that convey a sense of earthiness, Pantone top 10 colors for spring summer 2017 are reminiscent of the hues that surround us in nature. In conjunction with New York Fashion Week, the PANTONE Fashion Color Report provides a comprehensive overview of fashion designers’ use of color in their spring 2017 collections. Featuring the top 10 shades seen on the runway, the PANTONE Fashion Color Report is an open window to future trends.

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In terms of nail polish, earth tone colors will be translated in order to bring a natural feeling and still keep the interest of colors. Here is a color trend nail polish palette, showing how the nail polish industry would translate the seasonal colors into their product.

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It is interesting to carefully analyse the new 2017 Pantone notes. Why this coming back to natural, organic, earthy-linked color palette?  People are looking to find meaning to who they are and to what they do. We want to reconnect with nature and to our own nature. After a fast start of the years 2000 in which speed, efficiency and immediate satisfaction were important, now people are looking for a more relaxing tempo. We want to be surrounded by certain elements that would help us to not-forget our human nature and the fact that we are part of this planet. So the main focus are on colors that are less blatant and more subtle. Nature is a true inspiration because it allows to find this interesting subtlety that is required.

5- Red is the new Red

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Certain things are strong elements in a girl wardrobe. When it comes to nail polish the star of the stars is RED. The red color is the ultimate icon of femininity and red nails will always bring an effect. Now the all question is which red? Well in 2017, RED can be multiple but in all cases you will choose a deep red. Red with substance in which richness will be at ease. Red will not be bling-bling or “fluo-over-the-top”. You will always choose a certain elegance. 2017 Reds will be playing with light, texture, always with an impeccable result.

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As we can see, 2017 will be a beautiful year for nail art and nail polish. Trends are rich, facetted, yummy and elegant. Women will express themselves in a natural yet feminine way. It will allow a soft approach of life and overtime you will look to your hands you will remind of our beautiful inner-nature. Life is beautiful.

José Amorim

Info sourced at Pantone, International New York Tines, Harpers bazaar, Elle.com, Refinery29.com, Lacquerbuzz.com and mailartmania.com. Images are for illustration purposes only. Some pictures used came from http://www.lacquerbuzz.com, http://www.nailsartmania.com, http://nailzcraze.com 

The Very Best of Vaudois Wine at Lausanne Palace – Every Monday!

José Amorim
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Reading Time: 2 minutes

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The Office des Vins Vaudois have the pleasure to invite you to an exceptional journey in which you will be able to taste and discover the best Grands Crus of the Vaud region. Exceptional wines that can be tasted only in exceptional places and in Lausanne only one place would honor this exceptional experience: The Lausanne Palace and Spa.

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During one month, you will be able to be charmed by the enchanting power and richness of Vaudois wines. It will give you a taste of the Christmas magic. Every Monday, discover 2 Grands Crus from Vaud and enjoy a relaxing start of the week.

Monday 21st of November 2016
– Château La Bâtie 1er Grand Cru – Vinzel, Cave de la Côte
– Château de Montagny 1er Grand Cru Villette, J. & M. Dizerens

Monday 28th of November 2016
– Château de Châtagneréaz 1er Grand Cru, Mont-sur-Rolle
– Les Roches Plates 1er Grand Cru, Saint-Saphorin, Ville de Lausanne

Monday 5th of December 2016
– Domaine Es Cordelières 1er Grand Cru, Mont-sur-Rolle V. Graenicher
– Domaine de Autecour 1er Grand Cru, Mont-sur-Rolle Obrist SA

Monday 12th of December 2016
– L’Ovaille 1584 1er Grand Cru, Yvorne Hammel SA
– Au Fosseau 1er Grand Cru, Begnins Domaine La Capitaine

Monday 19th of December 2016
– Au Brez 1er Grand Cru, Féchy Kursner Vins
– L’Ovaille 1er Grand Cru, Yvorne, Domaine de l’Ovaille

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Six regions, as heterogeneous as they are radiant, reflect the diversity of the Vaudois vineyards. Generous and infinite is their decor. And what about atmospheres? Dominated by the rocky ridges of the Alps or reflected in the mirror of Leman, they are striking. We always marvel at these six regions. Six climates, six atmospheres, six tourist destinations, six unique discoveries, six different receptions and six attractions, all incomparable.

  • Bonvillars
  • Calamin
  • Chablais
  • Côte d’Orbe
  • Dézaley
  • La Côte
  • Lavaux
  • Vully

Every Monday, starting today you are more than invited to join this amazing Afterwork from 17h30 to 19h30 at the 1915 Bar of the Lausanne Palace.

Lausanne Palace and Spa – Bar 1915
7—9 Rue du Grand Chêne 1002 Lausanne
Tél. 021 331 31 31

José Amorim

Info sourced at the Lausanne Palace and Office du Vin Vaudois official communication. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. 

Scarlett Johansson is Major in Ghost in the Shell

José Amorim
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0
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Ghost in the Shell is an upcoming American science fiction action film directed by Rupert Sanders and written by Jonathan Herman and Jamie Moss, based on the Japanese manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Pilou Asbæk, Takeshi Kitano, Juliette Binoche, and Michael Pitt. It will be released on March 31, 2017.

Ghost in the Shell, a great story

Cyborg counter-cyberterrorist field commander The Major (Scarlett Johansson), and her task force Section 9 thwart cyber criminals and hackers. Now, they must face a new enemy who will stop at nothing to sabotage Hanka Robotic’s artificial intelligence technology. Masamune Shirow’s manga and anime series Ghost in the Shell takes place in a cyberpunk version of Earth in the near future. The series focuses on Japan, but several other nations figure prominently in some stories. The world of Ghost in the Shell features significant advances in technology, the most significant of which is the cyberbrain, a mechanical casing for the human brain that allows mental interface with the Internet and other networks. The ambiance reminds us of Blade Runner that by the way is also having its new version in 2017. So 2017 will be the year of cyberpunk. This sub-culture has strongly rising and keep its fans from Blade Runner through The Matrix Trilogy and now Ghost in the Shell.

The film adaptation project started in 2008 when Stephen Spielberg acquired the rights to adapt the story into a movie. Dreamwork’s have been distributing the animation films in the US for a while, so they could see the number of fans that existed. This film series (2 films) became cult because it explored the interaction of human and artificial intelligence and how in a near future boundaries would be blurred.

Scarlett Johansson as the Major – Robotics sexiness

By choosing Scarlett Johansson as the main character in the movie, Rupert Sanders brought a instinctual femininity to the screen.  The character of Major becomes so real and so “carnal” that we almost forget she is a cyborg. Obviously the name of Scarlett Johansson will bring a lot of her fans to watch the movie, which might enlarge the series fans. Many people have been following her since her first appearance as the Black Widow in the avengers and Captain America. Recently she played the science-function character of Lucy in the film of the same name. She is definitely the hottest actress in SF movies currently and this will be a strong addition to the Ghost in the Shell franchise.

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Major Motoko Kusanagi is the main protagonist in Masamune Shirow’s Ghost in the Shell animeand manga series. She is a “full-body prosthesis” augmented-cybernetic human employed as the field commander of Public Security Section 9, a fictional law-enforcement division of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission. Being strong-willed, physically powerful, and highly intellectual, she is well known for her skills in deduction and hacking. Scarlett Johansson brings an extra layer of humanity to this cyborg. Somehow the blend works and it is an amazing proposal of Motoko Kusanagi. She is unquestionably human and  it adds a more dramatic look to the character.

To learn more about the incoming Ghost in the Shell, please refer to the official website here:
http://www.ghostintheshellmovie.com 

If March 2017 seem far away, you can still watch the 2 animation films produced but you will definitely be looking for the new cinema adaptation.

José Amorim

Info sourced in wikipedia, Ghost in the Shell official communication release, website and Facebook page. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. 

Louis Moinet is officially the inventor of the Chronograph.

Arsene Wargas
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0
Reading Time: 9 minutes

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After the best part of six months of procedures and thorough investigations, Louis Moinet has become the official holder of the title of “First Chronograph”, awarded by the official Guinness World Records organisation.
In bestowing its Guinness World Records award, the worldwide authority brings further recognition of a fact already widely acknowledged in the world of watchmaking: the chronograph was first invented by Mr Louis Moinet in 1816, with his “Compteur de Tierces”.

Chronometer versus Chronograph: What is the difference?

According to Thesaurus, a watch is an apparatus fo measuring and recording the progress of time. Obviously in the past 300 years watches have become more than just timekeeper objects. Several watchmaking complications joined the field of possibilities.
Chronometer: A name that is given to only watches with the highest precision standards. These watches have passed rigorous testing of the Swiss Official Chronometer Control which consists of 15 days under various conditions like exposure to different temperatures, positions or water levels. Obviously only watches made in Switzerland are controlled in terms of the Chronometer usage. All watches that have been produced abroad cannot be controlled.
Chronograph: A watch that has a stopwatch capability. It is a watch complication. Timepiece capable of measuring extremely brief intervals of time accurately, as a stopwatch able to record fractions of a second as well as elapsed time. Its counter can measure elapsed time in seconds, minutes and hours. The term, Chronograph comes from the Greek word for time, “chronos”, combined with the Greek word for writing, “graph”. It was Nicolas Mathieu Rieussec who developed the first marketed chronograph at the behest of King Louis XVIII in 1821. The King greatly enjoyed watching horse races, but wanted to know exactly how long each race lasted, so Rieussec was commissioned to invent a contraption that would do the job: as a result he developed the first ever commercialized chronograph. Rieussec was considered the inventor of the chronograph until the Louis Moinet pocket chronograph discovery in 2013 when history was rewritten.
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Louis Moinet, father of the first Chronograph

Louis Moinet’s profile is an outstanding one. Son of a French prosper family of farmers, Louis Moinet decided to do studies in Arts and Architecture. After living a couple of years in Italy, he got back to Paris and became a teacher in Fine Arts at Le Louvre. In parallel, he also began his theoretical and practical studies of watch making, an art which he already loved most passionately. He reestablished contact with his former master watchmaker and, within less than ten years, the master was to find himself in the position of student to Moinet. Watch making soon engrossed all of Moinet’s time and its tools brought him frequently to Switzerland where he spent extended periods of time.

Quite fast, Louis Moinet became the President of Chronometry Society of Paris which allowed him to meet several influent people at that time. One of them was Abraham-Louis Breguet. Breguet recognized that Moinet had a lot of talent and decided to work closely with him and in 1811 he became Breguet’s personal advisor. Among his many technical accomplishments, Moinet re-made a Ferdinand Berthoud regulator almost in its entirety. He also invented a counter that, even today, is unequalled. The same can be said for another regulator and an astronomical watch. In terms of watch making techniques, Moinet was a genius and he improved upon many existing methods. He was so inventive that he wrote a new treated about watchmaking – Nouveau Traité Général d’Horlogerie.
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Louis Moinet is in particularly renowned for his famous Traité d’Horlogerie, published in 1848 and widely reputed to be the finest book on horology of the century. Comprising descriptions of the finest watchmaking techniques, it was appreciated by the great watchmakers of his era such as Frodsham, Perrelet, Saunier and Winnerl, as well as by several other scholars and connoisseurs such as HRH Prince Alexander of Orange – all of whom appear on the list of the numerous subscribers to a book that was reprinted three times and circulated as far afield as Russia.
In the 19th century, watchmakers sought to increase the precision with which they could measure time by increasing the frequency of their watches. By 1820 the generally accepted limit was time measurement to the tenth of a second. Moinet’s compteur de tierces (“thirds timer”) was thus by far the most precise instrument of its period, measuring time six times more closely than the norm. Moinet’s division of time into sixtieths of a second is another historical achievement that places him among the great contributors to modern watchmaking. The chronograph’s balance beats at 216,000 vibrations an hour or at the then unimaginable frequency of 30Hz. To put that into perspective, the usual balance frequency in a modern wristwatch is 28,800 v/h or 4Hz. Louis Moinet is thus the father of high-frequency time measurement, although it was not until exactly a century later that a watch was made to beat his record.
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Technical specifications:

  • Full plates between four pillars, barrel and fusee
  • Ruby and steel cylinder escapement
  • Foliot balance with platinum adjustment weights
  • 30-tooth escape-wheel
  • Flat balance spring with seven coils
  • Six pierced ruby bearings with endstones making a total of 13 jewels with the ruby cylinder
  • Made in gilt and frosted brass
  • 216,000 vibrations an hour, 30Hz
  • Diameter 57.7mm
  • Height: 9mm
  • Signed on the upper plate: Louis Moinet
  • Power reserve: More than 30 hours
    State of wind indicator visible through an aperture in the dust cover
  • Silver Case with a rim around the bezel and caseback
  • Bezel with a bayonet fixture
  • Hinged dust cover, locked by a threaded stud
  • Four-part semi-bassine case with flat caseband
  • Silvered and frosted metal dial, signed Louis Moinet
    Three subdials on the face:
    Top left: 60-minute counter
    Top right: 60-second counter
    Bottom centre: 24-hour counter
  • Hands: Slender, counterpoised centre hand for the 60ths of a second
    Two identical hands for the seconds and minutes counters
    An open-tip hand for the hours
    All the hands are in blued steel
  • Four hallmarks on the dust cover: 1. Association des Orfèvres de Paris (goldsmith’s guild); 2. Master’s mark; 3. Second rooster (Ag 900); 4. Guarantee No 815.
  • Controls: At 12 o’clock: button to start and stop the chronograph
    At 11 o’clock: button to return the 1/60 seconds hand to zero.

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Louis Moinet, the heritage of Chronograph into the modern world

Louis Moinet pursuits its path of greatness and loyal to the spirit of the founder, the Swiss brand perpetuates the legacy of exceptional timepieces. Here are 2 best picks from our editor that will show you how amazing this watchmaker is.

Louis Moinet Memoris Chronograph

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Memoris, the first chronograph-watch, lights up the stars. This limited edition marks the start of a series of commemorative pieces dedicated to the bicentenary of the invention of the chronograph. Here the 147 different pieces of the chronograph function is displayed in the dial. It is an amazing celebration of the chronograph by Louis Moinet.

  • Monopusher chronograph with column wheel
  • Chronograph mechanism visible on dial
  • Hours and Minutes (at 6 o’clock)
  • Seconds (at 9 o’clock)
  • 60-second chronograph (central hand)
  • 30-minute chronograph counter (at 3 o’clock)
  • Chronograph hand
  • Hour & Minute “Gouttes de Rosée”® dew-drop hands, blue-tinted with luminous coating
  • Rounded lacquered dial, diamond cut bead
  • Enamel dial (200th Anniversary collection)
  • Automatic click movement with chronograph function on dial; hours and minutes off-centre at 6 o’clock.
  • 302-component LM54 caliber, designed and manufactured by Louis Moinet
  • Winding: Automatic, bi-directional
  • Oscillations: 28,800 vibrations per hour
  • Frequency: 4Hz
  • Balance wheel: Glucydur, chronometer quality
  • 5 position settings
  • Lines: 13 ¼
  • Power reserve: 48 hours
  • Jewels: 34
  • Diameter: 30.40 mm
  • Height: 8.90 mm
  • Decoration: Côtes de Genève, diamond-polished facets, diamond-cut chamfers and circular gears with 5N colour finish and straight-line steel.
  • Pawl winding mechanism
  • Pawl winding system: comprises a baseplate and two jewelled pawls
  • ‘Crab claw’ spring mechanism
  • Gearing: automatic wolf-teeth gear
  • Ball bearing: 7 Myrox balls (ceramic), diameter: 0.397 mm
  • Oscillating weight: Dual material, with concentric “Clous de Paris” and “Fleur-de-lis” pattern
  • Case: Original Louis Moinet®, composed of 52 pieces, design with two-part bezel and 6 screws, assembled at a 17° angle
  • Monopusher: “Clous de Paris” pattern
  • Material: 18K gold
  • Diameter: 46 mm
  • Thickness: 15.75 mm
  • Water resistance: 50 meters
  • Case back: Fitted with 7 screws, engraved with individual number and Louis Moinet symbols
  • Lugs: Screwed settings (1 black zircon jewel and 3 screws per lug)
  • Crystals: Two convex sapphire crystals with non-reflective coating on both faces
  • Crown protection: Patent pending
  • Distance between lugs: 24 mm
  • Strap: Hand-sewn Louisiana alligator leather with alligator lining
  • Buckle: 18K gold folding clasp with “Fleur-de-lis” motif, two-strand, black DLC-treated steel

Louis Moinet 20 Second Tempograph

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Technical, architectural, fun, and above all unprecedented: the 20 Second Tempograph breaks down the barriers between traditional and contemporary watchmaking, and offers a vibrant tribute to the genius of Louis Moinet. The Tempograph’s expansive dial showcases a twenty-second retrograde mechanism, developed by Ateliers Louis Moinet in collaboration with Concepto. This is much more than just another three-hand watch. The timepiece features a large central retrograde second hand. With a continuous twenty-second sweep, it brings the dial to life in a unique manner – a direct nod to the automatons from the Enlightenment era of watchmaking, when Louis Moinet himself was creating his finest timepieces and grandest clocks.

  • Hours & Minutes
  • 20-second retrograde mechanism
  • “Gouttes de Rosée”® (dewdrop) hands, blued steel
  • Mechanical self-winding
  • Calibre LM39 developed and manufacture-made by Louis Moinet and Concepto
  • Winding: Self-winding
  • Oscillations: 28,800 vph (8 V/S, 8 vibrations per second)
  • Frequency: 4 Hz
  • Lines: 14 ½
  • Power reserve: 48 hours at maximum wind
  • Jewels: 36
  • Decoration: Circular Côtes de Genève pattern, jewels with diamond-cut chamfers, and circular satin-finish gears with 5N gold-toned finish
  • Case: Original Louis Moinet® design featuring six-screw bezel
  • Materials: Grade 5 titanium with polished and matt finishing
  • 18K rose gold
  • Diameter: 43.50 mm (titanium) ; 44 mm (18K gold)
  • Thickness: 15.60 mm (titanium) ; 16.10 mm (18K gold)
  • Water resistance: 50 metres
  • Case-back: Equipped with 7 screws, engraved with individual number and Louis Moinet symbols
  • Crystals: Two sapphire crystals with anti-glare treatment on both sides
  • Crown guard: Patent pending
  • Width between lugs: 24mm
  • Strap: Hand-sewn Louisiana alligator leather with alligator leather lining
  • Buckle: Double folding clasp in 316L stainless steel
  • Pin buckle in 18K gold

As you can see, Louis Moinet excels in the art of watchmaking. We are happy that the Guinness Book of records have certified the fact that Louis Moinet has invented the Chronograph. You can see more about this amazing brand by connecting to the official website here:http://www.louismoinet.com

Tic Tac Tic Tac, the chronograph is counting…

Arsene Wargas

Info sourced by the author for LuxuryActivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

Church’s – A British Jewel in the Art of shoe-making. 

José Amorim
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0
Reading Time: 6 minutes

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Church’s story in shoe-making starts officially in 1873 with the foundation of the company by Thomas Church and his 3 sons. But the shoe-making heritage was already in the Church’s family since the 17th century. In deed, Stone Church, the Church’s great grand-father of Thomas was born in 1676 in Northampton. This British city had a long and solid heritage in shoe-making. So this specific know-how was written in the family’s DNA for several generations. It was natural that several decades later Thomas Church founded his company in Northampton where they still have the main factory.

The business remained within the founding family until 1999, year that Prada Group took over. Thanks to this acquisition, the British company had enough resources to expand overseas. Today the company produces around 5’000 pairs of shoes every week and 70% of total production is dedicated to exportation.

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Besides products sold to resellers and individual customers, the company also has several of its own retail stores, including ones in Jermyn Street, London, George Street, Edinburgh, and Pacific Place, Hong Kong. It has 50 stores across central and northern Europe, America, Hong Kong, China, Singapore and Japan.
In terms of collections for men:

  • Classic Collection
  • Country
  • Loafers
  • Shanghai
  • Triple sole
  • Slippers
  • Contemporary collection
  • Office Collection
  • Weekend
  • Office collection
  • Flex Collection
  • Easewelt
  • Sneakers
  • Casual

Why Church’s shoes are well known worldwide? Definitely it is because of their superior quality and amazing durability. Durability is what we all wish to get from the perfect pair of shoes. A good Church’s shoes would last even beyond your on lifetime. It takes up to 8 weeks and more than 250 manual steps to craft a single pair. The secret? It is all in the construction. The Goodyear method is applied at its best. The artisan will take a strip of leather, known as the welt, and sew it around the bottom of the upper and the insole. That same welt is then sewn onto the sole. This particular composition bestows every pair with an unparalleled level of resistance and allows for future refurbishments, lengthening its lifespan by years or even decades.

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With Church’s creative universe, we saw the birth of several icons in terms of masculine elegance. A true icon is defined not only by the impact that it makes at the moment of its revealing, but the lasting relevance it enjoys more than half a century later.

No later than 1929, Church’s presented one of the most iconic men’s shoes ever: the Shanghai. It was a completely innovative style that was designed for Englishmen living abroad and from that specific need, the British brand redefined elegance in the masculine wardrobe. In 2009, after finding an original model at the Northampton factory, the brand decided to re-issue an identical version with an intentionally vintage feel, a move that successfully resonated with clients, retailers and the fashion industry. The Shanghai takes an average of 500 steps to create and its defining characteristic is a special rubber sole built to resist wear and tear, with the logo, “CHURCH CO”, artfully designed on it.

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The Shanghai’s aesthetic, which was considered avant-garde as much in 1929 as it is now, combines tradition with modernity, successfully achieving that ever-fickle balancing act between sophisticated and sporty. The Shanghai’s most defining characteristic is the original rubber sole, which features an artfully designed “CHURCH CO” logo across the bottom and took an entire year to reproduce. This remarkable sole has appeared periodically throughout the brand’s style repertoire and was created to resist wear and tear, offering up the added benefit of versatility to an already exemplary shoe.

The contemporary rendition, which is constructed exactly as it was in 1929, features yet another element of distinction – the shoes are intentionally broken in and weathered by hand to fully evoke the vintage spirit of the original. Church’s is part of British heritage and we can see in their institutional campaign that they emphasize this in a modern way. There is also another interesting component in this brand which is value for money. Here are our top 3 Church’s shoes, our Chief Editor’s choice.

Church’s Milltown Betis Black leather sole

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Definitely one of the great classics in masculine elegance, the Milltown Betis Black unites a virile design with timeless qualitative allure. The Milltown is double monk strap from the Premier Collection that features nickel/silver colour buckles on the black leather version and gold colour buckles on the brown and chestnut versions as well as sophisticated double stitching along the toe cap and the upper. The shoe was constructed with the world-renowned Goodyear method, ensuring a durability that is as good as its design. Recommended Retail price: GBP 545 (USD680).

Church’s Dubai Polished Binder

church-dubai-polished-binder

The Dubai, made from Last 136, is an Oxford with a lining made entirely of soft cowhide while the soles are made of premium grade leather. This contemporary lace-up features subtle double stitching along the toe cap and upper for an elegant decorative touch. The shoe was constructed with the world-renowned Goodyear method, ensuring a durability that is as good as its design. Recommended Retail Price: GBP360 (USD450)

 

Church’s Burwood Triple sole

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Burwood is a classic full brogue Oxford, a style that historically was constructed using untanned hide whose perforations allowed water to drain from the shoes when the wearer crossed wet terrains. The unique polished binder finish is applied to full grain leather, giving the shoes a beautiful, deep shine. The size, fit, last, quality control number, date and style name are all written by hand on the inside of the upper in a special calligraphy. The thick triple sole, made of leather or Dainite, features a storm welt with bead around the top, which helps keep water out. Recommended Retail Price: GBP450 (USD562)

If you wish to learn more about Church’s, please do not hesitate to connect to the official website here:
http://www.church-footwear.com 

When heritage and history meet design and quality the result is a timeless outstanding piece of elegance.

José Amorim

Info sourced at the brand official website, WWD, Wikipedia and Vogue. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. images are for illustration purposes only. 

10 Festive Fashion Trends to Wear at This Year’s Holiday Party

LuxuryActivist
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Reading Time: 4 minutes

This year, make a grand entrance to your holiday parties with a festive look that’s sure to have you feeling confident and ready to celebrate. Whether you’re planning to attend a large company Christmas gala or a small gathering for New Year’s, there are many different looks that can instantly transform your ensemble into something that spreads more cheer. Here are 10 festive fashion trends to add to your outfit this year at your holiday parties.

1. Sequins

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There’s no better time of year than the holidays to add a little bit of shimmer to your dress. Try wearing something adorned with sequins this season. A shimmery top or a short skirt that sparkles could be a great way to add a little bit of fun to your outfit for a party. There are a few rules to follow when wearing sequins, such as less is more. Head to toe sparkles is not as stunning as one signature piece that shines.

2. Tulle

Next, try incorporating something romantic in your look this year. One easy way to add the romance to your getup is with gorgeous tulle. This elegant material is most often associated with weddings and formal dances, but you can also wear a shorter, more casual tulle skirt to this year’s holiday gathering. Pair your skirt with a simple top to complete your look.

3. Plaid

Another great choice for your holiday parties this year is a festive plaid. A rich plaid in dark colors, like red, black, green, or gray, can give your look a classic elegance. Plaid works best for holiday parties when you use it in your skirt pattern or have a dress with this look. The cut of your dress or skirt is also important, so be sure to choose something smart and chic.

4. Gold

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There’s no better time of year to bring out your best golden accessories and clothing choices than Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Wearing gold is a smart choice as long as you do it right. Choose your gold pieces carefully, and partner something like a gold blouse with a simple, neutral skirt or pair of pants. Knowing how to wear gold can help you understand what it takes to give yourself that golden glow during the big event.

5. Red

Red is another big color that is a great choice during this time of year. Red can make anyone’s outfit instantly upscale and festive. Try a gorgeous red dress that matches the beautiful poinsettia flower that is so popular this season.

6. Velvet

Fabric is another important thing to consider when planning your holiday outfit. Velvet is something that is difficult to wear during other times of the year, but it’s smooth and lush texture is perfect for the holidays. Consider wearing a velvet blazer over a simple pair of slacks and a sleeveless top to give it some instant holiday spirit.

7. Feathers

A few feathered accessories can truly give your look some new dimension this holiday season. Choose something tasteful and simple, like a purse adorned with black feathers or a skirt lined with silky plumes to get the most from this fashion choice.

8. Silver

Continue your quest to sparkle with pieces in a silver hue. You can pair a fashionable black dress with silver accessories, like pumps, a purse, and jewelry, or you can choose to theme your entire look in silver. A shimmery silver dress could be the perfect choice for you to stand out at your company’s gathering this season.

9. Straps

Even though it’s chilly this time of year, you should still consider wearing something with straps to increase your look’s sophisticated style. You could try a chic strappy dress for ultimate elegance, or you could dress up your usual blouse and slacks with some smart strappy-heels from online fashion store Tobi.

10. Pearls

Finally, look for pieces that use pearls to put yourself in the mood for a festive celebration. That could mean picking some pretty pearl accessories, like necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to finalize your look, or you could look for dresses and shirts that are lined with pearls in the fabric. Either way, you’ll have something that is bright and merry for your big event.

Holiday parties are a great excuse to get together and show off your greatest fashions. Choose bright, bold, and festive looks to bring more of the holiday spirit to your friends, family members, and co-workers this year.

Daniel Clark

Info sourced by the author for LuxuryActivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. 

Manufacture Royale: A Ray of Light in Swiss Watchmaking.

Arsene Wargas
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0
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Sometimes we feel that we have seen it all, especially in Watchmaking. Well you are wrong. In Switzerland you can discover true marvels, small treasures in the serious business of Watchmaking. When it comes to Luxury watches, Manufacture Royale is like a ray of light providing bright, luxurious watches aligned with a strong heritage. Thank you very much Mr Voltaire!

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It was all about Voltaire and his free spirit

François-Marie Arouet, also known as Voltaire (his writer name), was a French writer, historian and famous philosopher of the 18th century. He believed in freedom of religion, freedom of speech and separation of church and state. Definitely not an easy position to maintain, especially in France. Voltaire was a versatile writer, producing works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. He wrote more than 20,000 letters and more than 2,000 books and pamphlets. He was an outspoken advocate of civil liberties, despite the risk this placed him in under the strict censorship laws of the time.

The 18th century is marked by an extreme liberation of arts. This was due to the weakness of Royal power at that time. Painters, sculptors and even architects wave on a new flow of freedom, sometimes covered by the usage of classic codes revamped. Philosophers like Diderot or Voltaire, protectors of Arts, helped to establish the “free thinking” in Europe and a new way for Men to reconsider what surround them as well as their own existence. Welcome to a new era that was considered as one of the most progressivist decade of the classic period. It was also called the Era of Enlightenment.

While returning from a journey in Prussia, Voltaire got banned from Paris by king Louis XV himself. So instead of returning home, he decided to go to Geneva, which seemed to be an interesting idea at that time. He bought a large estate (Les Délices) in 1755 and after a few tensions with Genevan (who banned theatrical performances and publications), he decided to purchase a larger property at Ferney 3 years later. This is on the French side of the Swiss border. In the following year he published Candide ou l’Optimisme. One of my preferred books ever. In 1764 he published one of his masterpieces the “Dictionnaire Philosophique”. His life in Savoy inspired Voltaire for many things and one of the most outstanding one is the foundation of Manufacture Royale, a watchmaking brand and manufacturer.

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And Manufacture Royale was born

In 1770, philosopher Voltaire supports the establishment of watchmaking workshops in Ferney-Voltaire near Geneva and Manufacture Royale is established. It is then an important producer of timepieces and the famous Jean-Antoine Lépine, clockmaker to the king, is one of its watchmakers. Manufacture Royale also made objets d’art such as table watches. The Manufacture gently disappeared from the news but was revived recently in 2010. In its modern era, Manufacture Royale produces modern watches with great Haute Horlogerie complications, manufactured in-house. The first models were tourbillon watches and a minute repeater. It was followed by the Androgine, 1770 and voltige collections.

What remains from Voltaire foundations? Manufacture Royale has followed in his footsteps and has learned to cultivate Voltaire’s free spirit. Manufacture Royale opened a modern workshop in Vallorbe in the heart of the Swiss Jura, the cradle of Swiss watchmaking. Combining tradition with modernity, manufacture royale perpetrates traditional values of swiss watchmaking while integrating the latest industrial advancements. Always pushing the limits of innovation, the manufacture has in-house research & development, and production departments that creates high complicated mechanical movements.

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For David Gouten, co-founder of the rebirth of Manufacture Royale, the company’s mantra is Excellence without arrogance. The brand has 4 pillars from which all creation is born:

  • Heritage
  • Technic
  • Family business
  • Value for Money

According to Alexis Gouten, the other co-founder of the company, Manufacture Royale has a great partnership with a “sister company” called Tec Ebauches. Thanks to this partnership, Manufacture Royale has access to more than 25 industrial machines allowing all technical challenges become reality. It brings flexibility and agility in order to create distinctive products.

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Manufacture Royale dedicates its creations to a small an very exclusive audience, most of them true admirers of the brand. The Swiss manufacturer continues its legacy by providing bold, contemporary and technically accomplished watches.

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manufacture-royale-movements

The current collections are:

  • Opera
  • Androgyne
  • Androgyne Origine & Royale
  • 1770 Flying Tourbillon
  • 1770 Voltige
  • 1770 Haute Voltige
  • 1770 Micromegas
  • 1770 Micromegas Revolution

What is different about a Manufacture Royale watch? Well first is the design. Manufacture Royale dedicates a lot of time in crafting all their watches look and construction. For example, the Opera watch has a distinctive case that becomes a resonance chamber for the Minute Repeater.

manufacture-royale-opera-watch

But Manufacture Royale is not only about Design. It is also about Watchmaking complications that you can only find in their brand. For example they have a watch model called 1770 Micromegas with a double Tourbillon. One cage turning in 6 seconds and the other in 60 seconds. The system works in harmony thanks to a clever patented system of torques stabilizers.

manufacture-royale-1770-micromegas

You can see more about Manufacture Royale by visiting the official website:
http://www.manufacture-royale.com

What can we say more? When Arts and technology meet at this level of execution, only greatness can be found. Manufacture Royale has a strong and bold style with the subtle elegance that makes a true high end watchmaking creation.

Feel free.

Arsène Wargas

Info sourced by the author for LuxuryActivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. 

Aesop Holiday Season launches – treat yourself good.

José Amorim
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0
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Every Holiday season, Aesop delight us with the very best of its product collection. Either with new amazing launches or with great giftsets, Aesop is definitely one of the stars of the season. Here are their recent launches. You will be amazed.

Parsley Seed Anti-oxydant facial cream & Lucent Facial Concentrate

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The new Parsley Seed Antioxydant is a richly emollient cream offering exceptional anti-oxidant fortification for the skin. Potent, soothing moisturiser formulated with emollient botanicals and anti-oxidant rich ingredients to fortify the skin and leave it feeling soft, supple and thoroughly hydrated. Suited to most skin types, other than sensitive. 3 main ingredients:

  • White Tea
  • Tocopherol
  • Rock Rose

This fresh, herbaceous scented cream will delight you with a  moment of pure pleasure. Your skin will feel and look hydrated. It is the perfect care to start the holiday season with.

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The new Lucent Facial Concentrate by Aesop is a vitamin-rich hydrating serum for most skin types. A lightweight serum to soothe, replenish and balance the skin, and to impart a matte finish. Ideal as a stand-alone hydrator for those with combination to oily skin, and as a daily vitamin booster for normal to dry skin types. The 3 main ingredients are:

  • Rose Petal
  • Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate
  • Niacinamide 

This Serum will provide you with the best skincare can offer and will rebalance your skin for the perfect result. The subtle yet present Rose scent is very pleasant and provides an extra sensation of richness.

aesop-lucent-facial-concentrate

Pursuits of Passion – Festive treats for venturous spirits

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This year’s Gift Kits honor six naturalists long revered for their writing, illustrations, boundless curiosity and history-making discoveries. Six gift sets with the very best of the brand at your service.

Minakata Kumagusu – The Constant Gatherer
The Constant Gatherer references brilliant, eccentric Japanese naturalist Minakata Kumagusu, an expert on lichens and fungi, who studied and worked around the globe. He often foraged for specimens wearing only a loincloth.

John Muir – The Impassioned Wanderer
The Impassioned Wanderer kit honours John Muir, who migrated from his Scottish birthplace to Wisconsin with his family while still a child. He inadvertently found his way to Yosemite (or Ahwahnee, to original Native American residents) in 1868, and lived there intermittently until 1874; his love of the area made him instrumental in the establishment of Yosemite National Park in 1890.

Andrew Leith Adams – The Intrepid Gent
The Intrepid Gent takes its title from Scottish army physician Andrew Leith Adams, who spent much of his spare time studying the natural history of the places in which he worked between 1848 and 1873 – India, Kashmir, Egypt, Malta, Gibraltar and Canada.

Maria Sibylla Merian – The Avid Explorer
The Avid Explorer kit is named for German-born naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian, who in 1699 sailed with her daughter Dorothea to the then colony of Surinam in South America to study its indigenous fauna and flora, particularly its insects. Her journey has been described as the first expedition devoted solely to science; it was certainly the first of its kind for any woman.

Etheldred Benett – The Persistent Collector
The Persistent Collector pays homage to Etheldred Benett, active in late 18th and early 19th centuries and widely regarded as the first female geologist. Benett studied natural history from an early age, acquiring a significant collection of fossils by the time she was 30; independently wealthy, she was able to follow her passion at leisure. At LuxuryActivist.com we received this giftset which allowed us to test the products and see by ourselves.

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Leonard Jenyns – The Intent Observer
The Intent Observer pays respects to Leonard Jenyns, who famously refused the role of HMS Beagle’s on-board naturalist for Charles Darwin’s 1831 voyage, choosing to remain in Cambridgeshire on account of his health and parish responsibilities (he was also a parson).

Aesop has a rich universe in which every single product is crafted very carefully. From natural ingredients, cosmetology and poetry, the Australian brand has endless possibilities, so still several year ahead with great products. You can learn more by visiting the brand website: http://www.aesop.com 

José Amorim

Info sourced at Aesop official communication release and product testing. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. 

5 Ways to Turn Any Space Into a Luxury Apartment

LuxuryActivist
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0
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Regardless of what type of budget you may have, the whole concept of turning any space into a luxury apartment is not as expensive as you may assume. By making a few adjustments, you could completely transform the look of your apartment and add a sense of panache and elegance to any room. In this post, we’re going to take a look at several things you can do to transform your space, no matter how small or large it is, into a luxury themed apartment.

1) Lavish Bedroom

A lavish bedroom is at the centre of every luxury apartment. In fact, if you have ever been in a VIP suite at a hotel, you more than likely have noticed how the suites always contain a bedroom that is well-designed with matching curtains, pillows and bedding.

The first thing you’ll need to do is to ensure that you get a supportive mattress and to subsequently layer it with plump down pillows, Egyptian made cotton sheets and a comforter. The bed itself should be a King or Queen size and it should have a headboard that you can lay against. The bedroom should also contain two side tables complemented with side lamps, a couple of cosy chairs along with side tables and an armoire for clothing. The television itself should be hidden inside the armoire or a cabinet.

egyptian-cotton

2) Turn Your Bathroom Into a Spa

When you go from the bedroom to the bathroom, you should be entering a space that contains an equally posh and serene decor. When you think of all the luxury styled hotels you’ve been to, you may have noticed a glass walk-in shower, which contains full-body jets and a powerful shower head. Your bathroom should replicate that scenery. It should also have a Jacuzzi tub, with large mirrors and a double set of sinks. As far as the flooring goes, you should go for heated marble or tile flooring.

3) Climate Control

If you want to transform your space into a luxury apartment, you can’t forget the fact that a luxury apartment can never be too cold or hot. The temperature needs to be just right at all times. As such, you need to invest in a climate control system. The concept of achieving this can be as simple as to install a programmable thermostat in your apartment. In fact, there are several smart thermostats on the market which can read your temperature preferences and mimic them automatically.

nest-thermostat

4) Install a More Modern Light Fixture

When you look at the lighting situation in your apartment, do you like it? Is it modern? Is the light somewhat harsh? Well consider the possibility of changing old overhead lights to a more modern solution. Ideally you should get sculptural light fixtures which resonate with your decor. In addition to that, you should install a dimmer which can help to establish mood lighting.

If your budget allows it, you should also consider the possibility of hiring an electrician to install wall sconces as well as lights over any artworks that you may have propped up. If you’re looking for electricians, you can always find specialist-tradesmen on Plentific, which is a huge directory of tradesman and independent contractors in your area.

5) Create an Entryway That Resembles a High Class Hotel

Think about the last luxury hotel you walked into, chances are that the lobby was filled with glitzy mirrors, dim lighting, fabulous artwork and various orchards. But, how can you achieve this with the small entryway of your apartment? Well, it’s quite simple. What you’ll need to do is to guide your guests’ eyes to a certain centrepiece which will welcome them to your home. This centrepiece should basically speak to the rest of the apartment’s style. When it comes to establishing this niche or centrepiece, you should start with a small sized entryway table.

The table itself can either be wood, marble or even shiny lacquer. Then once you have acquired that, you can add a lamp, maybe some books and other things that appeal to your distinctive tastes in addition to some floral arrangements. If the table itself is placed against the wall, place a mirror or artwork above said table.

Even though the whole concept of turning any space into a luxury apartment may seem expensive and complicated, by making a few subtle adjustments, as well as adding elegant decor in addition to some technologically advanced features, you can easily accomplish this with a small budget.

Carol

Info sourced by the author for LuxuryActivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. 

High Culture and Desirable Living: Art in Mayfair, London

LuxuryActivist
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Reading Time: 4 minutes

Since the 18th century, Mayfair in London has been associated with a revered aesthetical appeal thanks to the area’s popularity with people from the higher echelons of society, who have invested in the architecture and design of their prime property. In fact, when Grosvenor Square was built in 1721, titled buyers bought 177 of the 277 houses. As Rev. Sydney Smith, the canon of St Paul’s Cathedral in the mid-19th century, said: “The area contains more intelligence and human ability – to say nothing of wealth and beauty – than the world has ever collected in one space before.”

So, it may come as no surprise that Mayfair is now a melting pot of exquisite art galleries and auction houses, housed in a range of architecturally fascinating buildings, from townhouses to modern designs. As well as being home to well-known names, such as Sotheby’s and The Wallace Collection, the area also hosts many smaller sized galleries, art dealerships and exhibition spaces that characterizes the London art scene.

© The Wallace Collection

Annely Juda Fine Art

Celebrated at the Mayfair Awards 2016 as the best exhibition in Mayfair this year, The Yosemite Suite exhibition by David Hockney has put the Annely Juda Fine Art gallery on the map. As well as exhibiting contemporary artworks from European and international artists, the gallery also displays avante-garde pieces from the 20th Century.

The Maddox Gallery

The Maddox Gallery is a contemporary gallery in the heart of Mayfair and is home to an eclectic collection of art, which is displayed over the converted townhouse’s 4 floors. The exhibition space is flooded with natural light from the attractive glass atrium. The new Maddox Gallery opened its doors only last year and has already received exceptionally good reviews. Currently, the Maddox Gallery is displaying an exhibition called, Disseverance, which features two highly acclaimed British artists, Chris Moon and Robi Walters.

© Maddox Gallery

It’s Art Call

Also currently on display in Mayfair is an interesting exhibition of 15 emerging, contemporary artists, thanks to collaboration between D-Contemporary and The Cult House. Called It’s Art Call and situated on 23, Grafton Street, Mayfair, this exhibition showcases some of the rising stars of the art world and cements the region’s reputation as a hub for artistic talent. These artists include the winner of the Cass Art Commission (Somerset House, 2014), Jean-Luc Almond – an artist that Saatchi Gallery labelled “one to watch” last year. The list also includes the winner of the 2016 Emerald Winter Pride Art award – an artist called Rosso Emerald who is celebrated for her incredible self-portrait, entitled Madame Moustache. Overall, the exhibition displays a varied mix of profound artwork, from ceramics to digital art, which offers a blend of colour, media and aesthetical pleasures.

©It’s Art Call

Blain|Southern

The innovative brainchild of former House of Venison founders, Harry Blain and Graham Southern, Blain|Southern is quickly establishing itself as one of London’s premier independent art galleries. The celebrated gallery in Hannover Square was opened in 2010 and has exhibited the work of Mat Collishaw, Bosco Sodi, Chiharu Shiota and Bill Viola. In 2012, the gallery displayed the drawings of Lucian Freud; in 2013, Damien Hirst’s work was presented in collaboration with Felix Gonzales-Torres. In 2011, Blain|Southern opened a sister gallery on Potsdamer Strasse in Berlin. The contemporary gallery featured in an article by the Telegraph that outlined the ten best independent art galleries in London.

Artists and collectors residing in the desirable district of Mayfair find inspiration around each corner, and are able to fill their properties with masterpieces from each cultural epoch. From Romantic oil paintings to contemporary sculptures, artistic form is varied and alluring in the independent galleries of London’s Mayfair. Some Mayfair residences resemble the galleries next to which they are positioned.

Info sourced by the author for LuxuryActivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.

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