Rosie Huntington-Whiteley by LuxuryActivist

LuxuryActivist
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0
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley by LuxuryActivist
Reading Time: < 1


Burberry is launching in September a new Fragrance for women, Burberry Body. We do not know much but what we know is that the advertising features Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the it-girl. She already collaborated with the english brand, especially for the Beauty line. Until we get more information about the launch of this product, check here a little remix by LuxuryActivist about Ms Huntington-Whiteley. We can see some images of the Burberry new advertising.

Burberry gets then, “the” Body. Stay stuned, more to come.

LA

Prada Color blocking new fragrance: Prada Candy

José Amorim
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7
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Prada is launching a new fragrance, totally inspired by Color blocking, in my opinion. Its name: Prada Candy. We can see that after the minimalistic approach of perfumery, the italian house decided to change directions and be more…. bold.

We can see that this summer a wind of wildness is blowing on fashion as Color blocking becomes the code. I already wrote an article about this when Louis Vuitton launched its new bags collection. And we can see that some brands took this trend as mainstream, like Gucci, Prada or Fendi. Here we can see that Prada definitely is playing bold as the new fragrance, Prada Candy is so color blocking. Here is some images of the last fashion collection and you will see what I mean.

prada colour blocking fashion collection prada candyprada nappa clutch bag color blocking prada candy

prada summer 2011 color blocking

On the Fragrance side, Prada Candy is launched this summer in the USA and then in September in Europe. The Fragrance is also in a totally different way. Miuccia Prada explains that Prada is always about surprising women who seeks freedom and lightness. With this new fragrance, Prada explores a over the top sexyness and they built the fragrance with olfactive big blocks. Notes like Benzoin or Caramel are used in overdose for an astonishing result. In perfumery the Prada style was always a journey into the heart of raw materials, a modernized perfume tradition. The perfumer is Daniela Andrier from Givaudan. She could be considered as almost a Prada in-house perfumer as she created at least 18 different fragrances among the Infusions and Prada N°. She totally understands the brand and the creation teams at Puig (the group has Prada fragrance license).

jose manuel albesaJosé Manuel Albesa, the chief brand office at Puig explains: ““Prada has the ability to reinvent itself when it wants to and Miuccia [Prada] wanted to make a bold statement with this launch. This scent is more feminine and more excessive than past launches. It has an explosion of joie de vivre that is quite unique for us, and uses a lot more color, including an outer packaging with a drawing,” while another rep added, “Up until now, we have explored the more traditional and classic side of Prada, but the brand is much more than that. With Prada Candy, there is a wish to explore the more daring facets of Prada fashion: the modernist, creative and colorful sides.”

In terms of Flacon, a geometrical cilinder shape glass wears color blocking tones like if the flacon wasprada candy heating up the “juice”. The outer packaging shows a cartoon blond girl, very “Sex in the City” like. We spot out a hint of nostalgia vintage, a so 50’s touch in the name logo and in the colors used. Some people see it as a young fragrance but I think it is because of the color blocking usage. Is it going to be a success? Not sure but I think that Prada aim is to build step by step a Fragrance house name and for the moment it is going on the right direction.

The Advertising features french actress Léa Seydoux. She played in Inglorious Bastards of Tarantino, Midnight in Paris of Woody Allen and Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol. She is young, modern and represents a generation of free young women. Perfect for the Prada Candy advertisement. On the TV spot she will play the role of a piano student that will try to seduce her teacher thanks to a sexy dance. Cannot wait to see it.

Prada-Candy

The range will be quite short to start and will probable capitalize on the 3 different sizes of flacon.
Prada Candy range

So, this summer, be bold.

LA

 

All Prada pictures – copyright reserved.
information sourced: http://mistergolightly.blogspot.com, http://thegloss.com/, http://www.nstperfume.com, http://graindemusc.blogspot.com,
http://www.wwd.com

Cour du Corbeau hotel, elegance is an Art.

LuxuryActivist
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0
Reading Time: 5 minutes

hotel cour du corbeau logo
2 weeks ago I was in Strasbourg and I discovered a beautiful hotel called Cour du Corbeau. It is a magnificent 4 stars hotel. It is one of the oldest hotels in Europe, its first construction took place in 1538. The Cour du Corbeau, litterally Raven Court, is located in the historical heart of Strasbourg, just a few steps away from the big central Cathedral.
Cour Du Corbeau hotel

I was lucky to have some minutes with Ms Anne Gerber, the Hotel Director. She is a delightful person, very passionate and we feel that she enjoys to share her passion for this place. She explained to me the story of the Cour du Corbeau and the “spirit of the house”. She spend her time watching carefully for her guests comfort and well-being. She rhythms the place but always in a very discreet manner. The star is the guest.

The Cour du Corbeau was at the beginning already an hotel for travellers. During its history, several famous guests stayed at this amazing address:

cour du corbeau hotel
www.archi-strasbourg.org

– 1570: the Duke of Deux-Ponts Jacques
– 1631: Duke Charles of Lorraine
– 1632: Swedish general Gustav Horn
– 1634: Chancellor Swedish Ochsentiern
– 1647: Marshal Turenne
– 1650: the Elector of Heidelberg
– 1657: Marshal Duke Antoine de Gramont
– 1664: the Duke of Chevreuse
– 1740: Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, incognito as the Count Dufou
– 1777: Austrian Emperor Joseph II, incognito as the Count of Falkenstein
– 1838: Alexandre Dumas

All these personalities were for sure touched by the special ambiance of this place. From the end of the 19th century, the hotel stopped working and did not welcome any more guests. Until 1982, the building was the headquarters and workshops of the Glass makers OTT Brothers. Then, for many years the building remained empty and it is only in 2007 that life was brought back to the Cour du Corbeau. Today, Strasbourg is a big european capital. The economic activities and tourism make it one of the most visited cities in France.

The first minutes at the Cour du Corbeau Hotel are striking. We discover a very elegant place where every single detail is made to give you a feeling of well-being and comfort. All the personnel is smiling and honestly welcoming you to this beautiful place.
Cour Du Corbeau hotel

According to Ms Gerber, the place is owned by 2 important families, one from Strasbourg and another one from Paris. They rebuild entirely the building in 2007-2009 and since then it became one of the it-places to go in Strasbourg. The architect is Benoit Peaucelle, parisian based, he likes the link between architecture and history. So he was the perfect person to make this incredible place reborn. The atmosphere is cosy, elegant and all elements were chosen with very good taste.
Cour Du Corbeau
Cour Du Corbeau hotel
Cour Du Corbeau hotel

The hotel is affiliated to M-Gallery, the top luxury branch of Accor Group (one of the leaders in the hotel business in France). They choose the best hotels with a luxury lifestyle spirit  and gather them in a portrait gallery. Kristin Scott thomas is by the way the amabassador for MGallery.

Cour du Corbeau Hotel successfully blended a contemporary vision of traveling with the respect of the historical background. So you can see beautiful contemporary furniture that highlights the curves and the shapes of a traditional Alsacian-Renaissance style. The interior court brings you directly to a 16th century paradise. You can find a perfect small cosy corner where you can read a book, taste a great glass of white wine or have a comfortable chat with a friend.
Cour Du Corbeau hotel

The clientele is international. I spoke with a brazilian couple staying in the hotel for a long weekend. They feel they were in a magical place, timeless. 57 rooms were decorated with attention and each one had its own personality. 6 different types of rooms exist.

Classique
cour du corbeau standard room
The 23m² classic rooms have a combination of elegant Louis XV furniture and sophisticated parquette made of massive oakwood. The Sealy beds from the “Palace” range and the flatscreen TV’s show the contemporary influences.

Superior
cour du corbeau superior room
28m² Superior rooms offer enough space to work or to relax your mind. Profit from room amenitieslike the 26 inches flatscreen TV with cable and satellite connection, wireless lan and the Sealy beds from the “Palace” range.
Deluxe
cour du corbeau deluxe room
Deluxe rooms have a combination of elegant Louis XV furniture and sophisticated parquett made of massive oakwood. The Sealy beds from the “Palace”” range and the 32 inches flatscreen TV’s with cable and satellite connection as well as the wireless lan access show the contemporary influences.

Junior Suite
cour du corbeau hotel junior suite room
The spacious Junior Suites, with their 36m², offer enough space for families and business travellers. These elegant Suites include room amenities like flatscreen TV’s with 32 inches, cable and satellite connection as well as the wireless lan access.

Suite
cour du corbeau suite room
Suites have two separated rooms for more intimity and comfort (40 sqm),flatscreen TV,cable and satellite connection and wireless lan access.

Authentic
cour du corbeau authentic room
The authentic Suites are the ideal place to enjoy your stay in the alsatian capital. You will have the feeling to go back in the history meanwhile the furniture and luxury will remind you the recent times.

 

The breakfast is of very good quality and it highlights the cultural richness of the area. You can taste the delicious black cherries jam or the grape juice from local vineyards. The cappuccino? Amazing.
Cour Du Corbeau capuccino
Cour Du Corbeau fresh juices 

The hotel organize original activities that reflects the spirit of the place and the state of mind of the owners. That weekend I could participate to a Perfumery workshop in one of the Hotel cosy saloons. The workshop was given by Atelier Evanessence, a natural partnership for the hotel that reflects a high-end culture.

Check the hotel official website for more information and do not hesitate to go there if you are staying in Strasbourg. Your senses will be amazed.
LA

All room images are courtesy of Cour du Corbeau. All rights reserved.

Atelier Evanessence, a journey in the heart of perfumes…

José Amorim
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6
Atelier Evanessence, a journey in the heart of perfumes…
Reading Time: 3 minutes

France is the land of perfumery. Historically speaking, the Egyptians invented perfumery but French leveled it up to an Art. In Strasbourg, capital of Europe, I discovered a passionate experience proposed by Atelier Evanessence. It is a journey into the heart of perfumes.

Atelier Evanessence
photo: David Chantoiseau

Agnès Azario-Bouyé is the owner and founder of Atelier Evanessence. She used to work for a fragrance house for many years. Years in which she had the chance to work with great perfumers and magnificent brands. She discovered the world of fragrance creation and became passionated about it. Today, she wants to share this passion for perfumery, for pure creation and, for the precious raw materials used to create these masterpieces called fragrances. She created Atelier Evanessence, based in Strasbourg. Going to thisAtelier Evanessence true adventurous journey you can discover a beautiful city, Strasbourg, the historical center and secrets from the perfumer’s desk.

The workshop took place in a beautiful 16th century hotel in Strasbourg called Cour du Corbeau. It is just a few minutes away from the High Cathedral. During 3 hours Ms Azario-Bouyé introduced us to the mysteries of fragrance creation. We learnt how Chanel n°5 was created, how incredible natural ingredients are, how synthetic ingredients transform a fragrance from a “nature morte” into an impressionist creation.

With delicacy and elegance, we get closer and closer to the spirit of creation and understand better how the perfumer, the “nose”, creates.

atelier Evanessence intimité du parfum

We can also discover young creator’s fragrance brands proposed by the Atelier, some of them in exclusivity. One of them is called Egofacto.

Egofacto is an alternative fragrance brand created by Pierre Aulas. He has been creating together with famous brands, part of the most beautiful fragrances on the past 10 years. He decided finally to launch his own brand. Egofacto proposes an original collection of 7 fragrances supposed to match one’s personality.
atelier Evanessence Egofacto

Before coming to the workshop, Ms Azario-Bouyé asked our preferred fragrances in general. We did not know why, until the moment she showed our personal olfactive profile. Thanks to this we could better explore new fragrances and she could then recommend some of the fragrances she displayed. Basically I got in 5 minutes what I dream to have in a perfumery shop for the past 5 years: personalized advice.
atelier Evanessence olfactive profiles

I enjoyed this experience. It was a pleasure to smell again raw materials, describe what we smell and learn so many stories in a very light and playful way. I made a short movie that, hopefully, captures the elegant ambiance in that place.

So, if you are visiting Strasbourg for a couple of days, do not hesitate to book an “atelier de parfums”. So chic. They also have a formula for Company events. You can personalize your workshop, be alone for a real exclusive rendez-vous.

When fragrances interact with cultural architecture, the result is just exquisite.
LA

Victorinox Tomo – the unboxing by LuxuryActivist

LuxuryActivist
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12
Victorinox Tomo – the unboxing by LuxuryActivist
Reading Time: < 1

Hi, this month the Makers of the Swiss Army knife, Victorinox, is launching a new product called Victorinox Tomo. It is the result of a beautiful collaboration between the Swiss brand and the Japanese design studio Abitax. We can really say that Swiss Precision meets Japanese Design for a cutting edge product. I have already made an article about it a few month ago, before the launch. You can find it here. There is more information about Mr Yamaguchi work and the collaboration. Now, here below you will find a video of the unboxing I made of the Victorinox Tomo. It gives you a good idea on how great this product is. You will like to collect them all!

 

According to Mr. Yamaguchi: “for Japanese people, Simple is beautiful”… check here an exclusive interview from the Designer:

Victorinox Tomo is definitely a beautiful product with a beautiful story. Visit the official mini-website to learn more about it and especially where can you find them:
http://victorinoxtomo.victorinox.com

LA

You can also check the unboxing video on my Youtube channel here:

 

 

Victorinox Swiss Unlimited – the unboxing

José Amorim
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1
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Hi,
victorinox swiss unlimitedthis week I am revealing the unboxing of a fragrance for men called Victorinox Swiss Unlimited. It was created by the famous swiss company, Victorinox, the makers of the original Swiss Army Knife.  This fragrance has the swissness attitude. In deed, Victorinox took the best Switzerland can offer and put it into a fragrance. First of all, it reflects a new icon for the swiss brand. And as a new icon, it follows the 4 key values:

QUALITY
Victorinox Swiss Unlimited is swissmade and for that it has the best quality materials ever. The aim is to be outstanding with a longterm legitimacy.
INNOVATION
Victorinox Swiss Unlimited is a focus on innovation. Victorinox got the International fragrance foundation prize. In 2010, it got the Original Technological Breakthrought of the year.
MULTI-FONCTIONALITY
With the ON-OFF cap system and the rubber case, Victorinox Swiss Unlimited reveals a masculine functionality without loosing glamor!
ICONIC DESIGN
For the past 127 years, Victorinox became iconic in the world thanks to its outstanding designed products. The Swiss Army pocket knife is an universal symbol that you can recognize everywhere. With its new fragrance, Victorinox captures the spirit of swiss design.

The fragrance reveals the swiss heritage thanks to Genepi liquor, Absinth and Silver fur. It represents a good blend of originality and reassuring masculinity. It was created in 2009 by the french perfumer called Jean-Christophe Herault with the help of swiss perfumer Christine Nagel.

victorinox swiss unlimitedConcerning the key visual, we can see the american top model Ned Shatzer. He has a unusual look, as gentle as powerful, as elegant as raw… It was the first time the brand has a spokesperson on an advertising. The photographer was Liz Collins. She is a London-based fashion photographer, who studied at the University of Surrey under leading documentary photographers including Martin Parr. Since graduating, she has worked on numerous editorial features at high-profile publications such as Italian Vogue, Vogue Nippon, Vogues Hommes International, Pop and Numéro. She was the perfect photographer for this special photo as she succeeded to capture the energy behind the concept.

Discover now the video of my unboxing. Do not hesitate to have a look and let me know what do you think.

no borders. no boundaries. no barriers

LA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dufour 34E, luxury, design and performance.

Arsene Wargas
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1
Dufour 34E, luxury, design and performance.
Reading Time: 3 minutes

dufour 34E performanceThis month I spend 2 days in a beautiful boat, a Dufour 34E. It is a 10m from Dufour yatching company. The french company spent the last 40 years in the cutting edge boat construction, designed to race. The Dufour 34 E Performance was the very first in the Dufour Performance range. It was named Yatch of the year in 2003, the Dufour 34E won lot of prestigious sea races, like the “Copa del Rey” in 2004, the “Spi Ouest France” 2008 across all classes, and the “Voiles de Saint Tropez” 2009.

Mr Michel Dufour had the sea on his blood. This engineer-designer founded his sailboat manufacture in 1964 at La Rochelle, France. Since his first collection called Sylpie on the same date, Dufour never stopped innovating and bringing into the sailboat industry new materials, new building techniques and always a perfect design.

The Dufour 34E is typically the brilliant result of the company heritage. True to their roots and their passion for sailing, all the company managers, designers and of course employees have a deep vocation for sailing. According to them it is the only assurance of perfection. And this kind of personal investment is also shared with specialists around the world that distributes Dufour yachts. I think this enthusiasm is kept on the boats and once you buy a Dufour, well….. you want to be on board all the time !

About the boat itself. The Dufour 34 E has 2 cabins and 1 bathroom with toilets and shower. The E is for Evolution as it has a more roomy cockpit with large opening aft, lightening the boat, and the completely redesigned cabin and internal fittings make this a whole new boat — even more enjoyable and better-performing, yet still just as seaworthy.

dufour 34E performancedufour 34E performancedufour 34E performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Length overall :10.60 m

Hull length :10.28 m
Length waterline :9.13 m
Displacement :5 400 kg
Draft :1,50 m / 1,90 m
Mainsail surface :65 m²
Water capacity :285 L
Fuel tank capacity :90L
CE Certification: category A

If you want to download the full documentation, just click here and you will get a PDF file directly in your computer.

All computerized devices are available, so you can either navigate with your compass and maps, or you can basically program your on board computer and get all the assistance needed: wind speed, depth, boat speed or the course to follow. It is very impressive to see how many tools can help the modern skipper.

dufour 34E performancedufour 34E Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One big important issue can also be the place to locate the boat in a Marina. In deed free places are rare and sometimes you need to subscribe to a 3 years waiting list. Dufour developped some packages so that you get your boat and the place. Of course you do not really has the choice, so to start you need to be patient.

Here is a small video I made while cruising with the Dufour 34E somewhere at large in France.

Looking for adventure? Here is the right place.
LA

 

« Je valide l’inscription de ce blog au service Paperblog sous le pseudo luxuryactivist ».

Paperblog

Sisley Eau d’Ikar, new fragrance for men

José Amorim
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5
Reading Time: 3 minutes

eau d'Ikar SisleySisley just announced the launch of Eau d’Ikar, its new fragrance. It is the brand first fragrance for men. Most of people say that Sisley waited 40 years to launch a masculine fragrance. Well, do not forget that some of Sisley fragrances are also used by men. 1976 Eau de Campagne, a beautiful creation by Jean Claude Ellena, conquered the heart and the noses of many men around the world (including me). It’s distinctive green note and the elegant freshness is a real masterpiece.

With Eau d’Ikar, Sisley got inspired by the wild and sparkling nature of Mediterranean shores, especially Corsica and some of Greek islands. It seems the idea of Eau d’Ikar exists at Sisley for a while and finally the creation got birth for our pleasure.

One main ingredient is highlighted through-out the entire fragrance: Mastic. Mastic is a typical mediterranean tree that also grows in Corsica. Pistacia lentiscus. The aromatic, ivory coloured resin, also known asmastic resin mastic, is harvested as a spice from the cultivated mastic trees grown in the south of the Greek island of Chios in the Aegean Sea, where it is also known by the name “Chios Tears”. Originally liquid, it is sun dried into drops of hard, brittle, translucent resin. The resin is collected by bleeding the trees from small cuts made in the bark of the main branches, and allowing the sap to drip onto the specially prepared ground below. The harvesting is done during the summer months between June and September. After the mastic is collected it is washed manually and spread in the sun to dry. Mastic resin is a relatively expensive kind of spice that has been used principally as a chewing gum for at least 2,400 years. The flavour can be described as a strong, slightly smoky, resiny aroma and can be an exquisite taste.

Eau d’Ikar inspires freedom, skylight and of course a link into the greek mythology by the link of this man’s name who tried to fly and got his handcrafted wings burned by the sun.

eau d'ikar sisleyThe Fragrance flacon was made by Polish sculptor Bronislaw Krzysztof. He explored sculpture, designed objects and drawings. Mr and Ms D’Ornano own some of the artist creations and naturally they asked Mr Krzysztof to create the fragrance flacon. A massive, masculine and yet elegant glass flacon. We can see the glass is engraved with the name Ikar. It is an amazing glass work. The fragrance advertisement packshot shows the massive glass flacon infront of a beautiful summer sky. I think we are getting a smell of holidays. hummm….

sisley eau d'ikar

The fragrance will be available in the markets by september 2011. 2 flacon versions: 50ML and 100ML.
After the launch of Sisleÿum, the first Global skincare for men, we can say that Sisley is investing the brand territory towards men. Let’s wish they will succeed as the products look brillant.

LA

 

information sourced at:
http://parfum-homme.prime-beaute.com, http://www.basenotes.net, http://www.sisley-cosmetics.com

Elie Saab Le Parfum, pure elegance.

José Amorim
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3
Reading Time: 6 minutes

Hi there,
elie saab le parfumwe have this month the launch of the first fragrance of the beautiful brand Elie Saab. It is called Elie Saab Le Parfum (the fragrance in french). And we can say that this fragrance crystallizes all the outstanding beauty of the Couture House. Elie Saab was born in Beyrut, Lebanon in 1964 and his vocation to fashion started very young as at the age of 9 he already started making dresses for her sister. Once teenager he started selling dresses to the women of his neighborhood. So, yes Elie Saab was made for fashion before he started making fashion. After his studies on fashion in Paris he got back to Lebanon and founded his own fashion house in 1982. He is self-trained and had since the beginning an exquisite way to highlight a woman’s femininity. In 1997 Saab was the first non-Italian designer to become a member of the Italian Camera Nazionale della Moda and to show his first collection outside of Lebanon. His show took place in Rome. In May 2003, the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture invited him to become a member, and he showed his first haute couture collection in Paris in July 2003. His first ready-to-wear collection in Paris was the Spring-Summer 2006 collection, and Paris is now his permanent ready-to-wear runway.Stars like Halle Berry, Christina Aguilera or Catherine Zeta-Jones, Queen Rania of Jordan and Angelina Jolie made Elie Saab famous in the USA.

The Creator underline femininity by working the finest materials, often with high quality embroidery. Magic is in the air thanks to simple designs and precious fabrics. Elie Saab dazzles with his small details that enhances his sense of Beauty, bewitching all women.
elie saab couture fashion house

The Creator got an agreement with the international group Beauté Prestige International (BPI) in order to develop, launch and distribute his first fragrance. BPI has a large experience on developping creators fragrances thanks to the other brands they have:

– Jean Paul Gaultier
– Issey Miyaké
– Narciso Rodriguez

Now they added a fourth mousquetaire to the group and it is definitely one of the prettiest brands in the market.

Elie Saab has always wanted to create his own perfume, from the beginning of his career. But he had first to install ELIE SAAB as a worldwide brand: from Haute Couture gowns worn by princesses or celebrities to Ready to Wear collection and accessories… Launching a perfume was a natural next step, to share the ELIE SAAB brand’s femininity with more women over the world.

The fragrance was created by the great talented master perfumer Francis Kurdjian:
francis kurdjian elie saab perfumer

“What I found fascinating in working for Elie Saab, was the idea of interpreting light; I didn’t have any specific images in mind, just sensations: the whiteness of the sun at its zenith, radiant femininity, a modern interpretation of voluptuousness”, the perfumer explains.

It is a very elegant white floral with a soft wood-oriental sensuality. Main ingredients are Orange blossom, Jasmine Grandiflorum (the majestic one) Sambac Jasmine (the wild one), Patchouli, Cedarwood and a white honey note called honey rose. When I smelt the fragrance for the first time I got a feeling of a natural and warm-hearted femininity, very elegant, sexy and yet comfortable and clean. On skin it is a real wonder.

Concerning the Ad campaign, Elie Saab has always admired the work of Mert & Marcus. He was convinced of their ability to understand the ELIE SAAB house and translate his vision of femininity. Strongly known for their portraits of sophisticated, powerful women, their photos lend an air of grace and unmistakable perfection to advertising.
elie saab advertising le parfum

“The difference between us and other photographers is that we care a lot about appearance. We spend most of the time in the make-up and hairstyling rooms”.

The team works today for magazines such as Vogue USA, Vogue Italia, W Magazine, Pop Magazine, Numero and Arena Homme Plus. Some of their major clients are top fashion labels such as Louis Vuitton, Missoni, Giorgio Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Fendi, Kenzo and Miu Miu. They created the images for perfume houses such as Gucci, Yves St Laurent, Givenchy and Lancôme. Alas and Piggott have also worked with celebrities of the caliber of Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Linda Evangelista, Gisele Bündchen, Björk, Lindsay Lohan, Scarlett Johansson, Charlotte Rampling, Kylie Minogue, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and most recently Victoria Beckham for a Giorgio Armani shoot.

Anja Rubik was chosen as the face of ELIE SAAB Le Parfum because the designer feels she represents both the strong and delicate woman: embodied with confidence and aware of her beauty. She is featured in the 2011 Pirelli Calendar photographed by Karl Lagerfeld. She was one of the models to star in Lacoste’s “new look” campaign in January, a different advertising concept for 2011 under the new tagline, “Unconventional Chic”. The ads were shot by Mert and Marcus, showing models wearing the iconic white Lacoste polo shirts worn over fancy black evening wear.

The Elie Saab Ad Campaign was shot in Los Angeles in aim to express the modernity of a universal city that could be found in the U.S, Europe or Asia.

elie saab fragrance flacon and packaging

The fragrance flacon was designed by french designer Sylvie de France. She is used to work for the Fragrance industry and especially with creators fragrances like Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Lolita Lempicka, Chantal Thomass, Jean-Paul Gaultier or Issey Miyake. The Elie Saab flacon represents a baroque style yet with simple shapes and a beautiful classic cap. 3 sizes will be available: 30ML, 50ML and 90ML. Also you will be able to find a short and essential body line: Shower gel, Body lotion and cream, and  a perfumed deodorant spray.
elie saab le parfum body line

Available this summer, do not hesitate to go to your preferred perfumery store and try. Your femininity will be underlined with grace and sensuality. Love it.

The Fragrance brand is doing a facebook revelation where you can discover different facets of the fragrance project, the perfumr, the bottle designer and more. You can also participate in an online contest directly in Facebook. Check it out by clicking on the image here below:
elie saab facebook fan page

Purelly a moment of elegant beauty.

LA

all images rights reserved Elie Saab, Francis Kudjian, Sylvie de France, BPI.

Ellen Von Unwerth – a woman’s story…

Arsene Wargas
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3
Ellen Von Unwerth – a woman’s story…
Reading Time: 2 minutes


If you like Helmut Newton, you will love Ellen Von Unwerth. She was considered for a longtime as Newton’s Alter Ego but Ellen von Unwerth is much more than that. She goes further in the exploration of women fantasies and phantasms. Some websites try to define her style like “erotic feminine” but the work of Ellen Von Unwerth displays something more deep. We could describe it as  a sort of subversive women world where men are non-existent. While Newton often revealed a man’s eye on a woman’s body, Von Unwerth reveals a feminine world where men are not invited! Of course their work are both very sexy but we can see that this little difference makes a huge gap.

She was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1954. Her career started as a circus assistant to the knife thrower and then worked as a model for 10 years. Afterwards, she became a photographer and also film director. She is one of the most influent fashion photographers today and her work is timeless. Between outrageous sexiness and playful naiveness, Ellen Von Unwerth photos have a singular modernity. She got her first big success when she shooted the Guess jeans campaign with Claudia Schiffer.

Her work is published in all big fashion magazines like Vogue, The Face, Vanity-Fair or I-D. She also worked with several music artists into their album covers and inside pictures.

Duran Duran Liberty  – 1990
Janet Jackson Velvet Rope – 1997
Dido Life for Rent – 2003
Rihanna Rated R. – 2008

She directed several music clics for international singers like Christina Aguilera or Salt-N-Pepa. The last clip was made for Kenneth Bager on his song Fragment one in 2010. Have a look here below on the video clip. You can recognize the eye of Von Unwerth.

And finally here are some of my preferred photographs of Ellen Von Unwerth. Enjoy.
Cheers,

LA

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