Victorinox, the makers of the Original Swiss Army Knife is finally opening a visitors center in Brunnen – Switzerland. Just a few miles away from the historical factory and by the beautiful Lake of 4 cantons, the Visitor center will open its doors on the 21st of May this year.
Each year, thousands of people come from all parts of the world to visit the historical Swiss knife valley. There, they can find Victorinox historical factory and factory shop. For safety reasons, tourists cannot visit the factory (knives are everywhere) and the making of a Swiss Army knife is one of the most kept secrets too 🙂
In order to share the passion for great products and also for a 127 years success story, Victorinox will welcome all visitors on his new center in Brunnen. The location is great. Brunnen is a beautiful lake city. It is just by the famous 4 cantons lake. you may find a store in the ground floor and the first floor will have a place for exhibitions and to welcome all visitors.
Check here the first pictures of the new visitors center in Brunnen:
If you are looking for great holidays in Switzerland, you need to go there. If you are looking for a hotel around, try the famous Waldstätterhof. It is an incredible hotel built in 1870. The hotel is just a few meters from the Victorinox visitors center and it dominates the lakeshore. For more information, you can check the hotel website here.
I discovered a new Art gallery. Its name is galerie mor . charpentier. It was founded by Alex Mor and Philippe Charpentier, and it opened its doors the 14th of October 2010. We could ask ourselves, why another Art gallery? Well, why not? But moreover, because the mor. charpentier gallery supports the contemporary Latin American Art. And this is rare, almost unique. They are based in Paris, in the 3rd District. They say from themselves: “Constantly exploring new trends and accompanying the emergence of new territories, our program is structured around contemporary Latin American art, in order to generate a stimulating and dynamic dialogue between local and global realities.”
Todays exhibition is called “The Fourth Cordillera”. It is the first exhibition in France of Colombian artists Rodrigo Facundo, Luz Angela Lizarazo and Rosario Lopez. Far away from the colombian clichés, these 3 artists express different and complementary vision of their culture heritage at the service of contemporary art. We can consider these exhibition as a celebration of the “other” Colombia, away from drug dealers or Shakira 🙂
Rodrigo Facundo explores time and space thanks to a series of photographies. The nostalgic vision of the artist blended with specific scenes makes us travel into times we would like to share a few moments…
Menosunomasuno by Rodrigo Facundes – Inkjet on cotton paper. 100×235
The second artist is Luz Angela Lizarazo. Under the work around Panseys flowers, the artist expresses a poetic yet dramatic vision of our own human condition. A feminine and soft touch under a strange feeling that this work reflects.
Porcelaine – 35 x 29 x 29 cm
Last but not least, Rosario Lopez is a multi-talented artist. Different expression channels are used and the artist tries to express a singular world where the object is as important as its role. Rosario Lòpez, through his ” wind traps,” is trying to capture the movement and precarious brightness of the wind. It aims to capture the ephemeral and imperceptible dimension of things. An ode to the hidden track of things. Bombas BN8 – inkjet pigment print 42×49 cms
The exhibition started already and will stay until the 7th of june. For more information, please check the gallery website: http://www.mor-charpentier.com
Other exhibitions will come and will talk about it here… LA
Everybody knows Starbucks. Last month, on the 8th of March, the Coffee brand celebrated their 40th anniversary. To mark that date, they decided to revamp the Mermaid logo. When brands dare to change their logo, it is not an easy matter. It is almost like if a person would slightly change his name.
But it is not the first time! And that is the key of longterm success: evolution and not revolution. Did you know that Starbucks was founded in 1971 in Seattle-USA? 3 partners joined to create the biggest Coffee company in the world. The English teacher Jerry Baldwin, the history teacher Zev Siegl, and the writer Gordon Bowker. A noble foundation :-). The name is taken from one of the main characters of the novel Moby-Dick. Starbuck was the name of the Chief officer, of the whale boat Pequod.
The logo has been significantly streamlined over the years. In the first version, which was based on a 17th-century “Norse” woodcut, the Starbucks siren was topless and had a fully visible double fish tail. The image also had a rough visual texture and has been likened to a melusine. In the second version, which was used from 1987–92, her breasts were covered by her flowing hair, but her navel was still visible, and the fish tail was cropped slightly. In the third version, used between 1992 and 2011, her navel and breasts are not visible at all, and only vestiges remain of the fish tails.
Entrepreneur Howard Schultz joined the company in 1982 as Director of Retail Operations and Marketing, and after a trip to Milan, Italy, advised that the company should sell coffee and espresso drinks as well as beans. In 1987, they sold the Starbucks chain to Schultz’s Il Giornale, which rebranded the Il Giornale outlets as Starbucks and quickly began to expand. Starbucks opened its first locations outside Seattle at Waterfront Station in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Chicago, Illinois, that same year. At the time of its initial public offering on the stock market in 1992, Starbucks had grown to 165 outlets. Since then, Starbucks became the biggest Coffee company in the world. They have more than 17,009 stores in 50 countries, including over 11,000 in the United States, over 1,000 in Canada, and over 700 in the United Kingdom. Lately, they started expansion in France and Switzerland.
Recently they have developed an interesting partnership with Apple. Starbucks has agreed to a partnership with Apple to collaborate on selling music as part of the “coffeehouse experience”. In October 2006, Apple added a Starbucks Entertainment area to the iTunes Store, selling music similar to that played in Starbucks stores. In September 2007 Apple announced that customers would be able to browse the iTunes Store at Starbucks via Wi-Fi in the US (with no requirement to login to the Wi-Fi network), targeted at iPhone, iPod touch, and MacBook users. The iTunes Store will automatically detect recent songs playing in a Starbucks and offer users the opportunity to download the tracks. Some stores feature LCD screens with the artist name, song, and album information of the current song playing. This feature has been rolled out in Seattle, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area, and was offered in limited markets during 2007–2008. During the fall of 2007, Starbucks also began to sell digital downloads of certain albums through iTunes. Starbucks gave away 37 different songs for free download through iTunes as part of the “Song of the Day” promotion in 2007, and a “Pick of the Week” card is now available at Starbucks for a free song download. A Starbucks app is available in the iPhone App Store. (source: wikipedia and Starbucks.com).
Check the video of Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz explaining how Starbucks starts this year the first steps of their next 40 years.
Some people preferred the previous logo and others like the new one. And what about you?
LA
It is in 1994 that Bulgari launches one of the most elegant fragrances for women: Bulgari Femme. A beautiful Rose and Jasmine bouquet enlightened by the sparkling freshness of a green tea note. This beautiful floral bouquet installed itself into womens décoltés for more than 10 years. Then in 2006, Bulgari get into the heart of perfumery creation by spliting the 2 flower queens with Rose Essentielle and Voile de Jasmin. As simple as beautiful. 2008 reveals Jasmin Noir. Gardenia and Tonka beans dress up the beautiful Jasmin Sambac highlighted in this sophisticated note. For a woman that you shall remember.
This year, Bulgari is launching a variant of Jasmin Noir called Mon Jasmin Noir. It is a more bright and lively version of the originalJasmin Noir. While in the first version, the Sambac Jasmine was playing its standing alone role, here it is another story. Sophie Labbé and Olivier Polges, added a crystalline Jasmine Angel wings – Jasminum nitidum. It is a beautiful and delicate quality of Jasmine. It has a star shaped flower with thin petals. Originally from Saudi Arabia, it kept all brightness and freshness of a elegant white flower. the perfumery work here facetted the main structure to play different contrasts. Powerful yet delicate, Bright yet deep, Fresh and yet sensual. To wrap this exquisite creation, Bulgari proposes a new reinterpretation of the original jasmin Noir Flacon which allows a new transparency. The delicate black ribbon remind us of the black original flacon.
In order to illustrate this sophisticated creation, Bulgari chosed the american actress Kirsten Dunst. She is put on stage with a majestic and wise Lion. Both, are in a total harmony in this beautiful and fantastic scene made possible thanks to the talent of Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. Kirsten Dunst reveals a natural yet very sophisticated femininity and moreover a true young modernity. Kate Moss almost looked old… :-). She is wearing beautiful Bulgari jewelry masterpieces, especially the Serpenti Watch-bracelet. Bulgari always built its identity between the most strict jewelry art and the fantasy of an unique Maison.
Their work and style is heavily influenced and shaped by the photography of Guy Bourdin and also the use of digital manipulation which they have pioneered the use of. They have defined the look of the past decade and as a duo are one of the most respected and acclaimed photographers working today.
Mert and Marcus, both born in 1971 in Turkey and Wales, respectively, met for the first time in England in 1994 after having worked for a brief period in completely different areas, the first in classical music and the second in graphic design. Marcus was an assistant photographer and Mert was a fashion photo modeler. After working together in the photography business, they decided to create a team. When they showed their first photos to “Dazed and Confused”, the London fashion magazine, they immediately made the cover.
Strongly known for their portraits of sophisticated, powerful women, Alas and Piggott’s photos lend an air of grace and unmistakable perfection to advertising. “The difference between us and other photographers is that we care a lot about appearance,” says Alas. “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 (source: wikipedia).
It is as beautiful as a classic masterpiece and at the same time it reflects a true modernity. So the launch in perfumery stores is planned on the 18th of April in 600 doors. Very selective.
Reveal the instinct seduction you have in you.
Check here my preferred photos of the Making of. Ms Dunst is simply divine.
Hi,
this week I could try the new BOSE Bluetooth headset. I was looking for a new bluetooth headset for my iPhone 4. I wanted a compact, comfortable, discreet and yet high performant bluetooth headset.
I already tried Plantronics or even Sony-Ericsson. But there was always something wrong after a while. So I took the decision to explore a more high-end product with the BOSE Bluetooth headset.
According to the Brand, this new headset was designed for:
– High quality voice communication, even if the noise levels change.
– Noise-rejecting microphone
– Comfort in your hear thanks to the StayHear technology
– Simple controls.
When I got the package, I could see a very qualitative box. It made me remind the iPhone boxes: black, soft-touch like and compact.
When you open the box, you get the most compact, small bluetooth headset ever. It is very discret and definitely gives you a James Bond touch or a Will Smith, Men in Black thing. 2 different electric plug adaptors are proposed and a USB charger too (this one is a clever one).
The first time you wonder how you place it in your hear as it has this very impressive technology. But once you understand how it works, this is just amazing. The Stayhear technology from BOSE, allows you to keep the headset in place and keep you comfortable. This is appreciated, especially if your conversation lasts for hours. 3 sizes for your hear: S, M, L. Personally I took the small one as I have small hears 🙂
The BOSE bluetooth technology is very performant. You can basically let your iPhone somewhere in your office and walk around with no problems. A special black pouch is delivered with the product, so you can keep your device safe. In terms of batteries autonomy, the BOSE headset accepts 4,5 hours in communication and according to the constructor 1 week of standby. I would say that 4,5 hours conversation is not so much as this can easily go down in a business mobile day. But it is the price to pay for such a slick and compact product. If you are driving, you can always recharge batteries with a special USB car charger (bought separately).
Hi,
this week I tried the new Sisley Cosmetic product for men: SISLEŸUM. As I explained in a previous post, Sisley is launching their first Global Revitalizer to fight skin aging process.
So I kindly got the product this week in order to try it. I would start by saying Sisley is an incredible brand. They manage to keep a great luxury, high end sophistication with the natural beauty of ingredients.
And Sisleÿum is definitely about capitalizing on Sisley Know-how into a great cosmetic product for men. The message is simple as striking. If you, Men, are looking for one single product, that you can use in the morning and in the evening or even as an Aftershave, here is what you need.
Let’s start with the most important thing, the FORMULA. Sisleÿum formula is a cream (there is also a Gel version) with an interesting Plant natural complex blended with key minerals. When Reading the INCI formula we can spot out the following main ingredients.
In terms of plants we can spot out the White Horehound, Sunflower extract, Shea Butter, Olive extract, Rose, Physalis, Pansy, Sea Alga, White Willow, Rosemary and Sage. This natural complex is a beautiful state of art in the mastery of essential oils and natural extracts. It is the perfect balanced between anti-oxydant, anti-aging and revitalizing the skin. Sisley added 4 minerals: Copper, Zinc, Manganese and Magnesium. Brilliant formula, rich and complete.
In terms of SCENT, it is very modern and “cosmetic” at the same time. Most of Men’s products always have these oldy men’s scent, very aromatic and green… here we have a sparkling bright and fresh spicy note, like Ginger, blended with some citrus notes and a hint of Rosemary and Sage. Very, elegant, masculine and gives you the “feeling good-smelling good” effect.
The FEELING in your skin is very pleasant. It softens your skin, unify the skin texture and helps you with the small rinkles. If you shave, and trust me this is sometimes a tricky point, you can use it as an Aftershave. Brillant.
In terms of PACKAGING, it is a beautiful product, that could make your partner purely jealous. It is very qualitative, masculine and also with clever features. the outer box reveals a beautiful white gold colour. When you open the box, you see the Armors of the Ornanofamily, so classy. Then, you get a beautiful, handy flacon, very masculine with a very interesting feature : a cream level window on the side, so you know how much you still have in it. If I may bring a small critic, I would say the “mirror” effect on the flacon takes all fingerprints on it, special if you are using the cream. So, after a while it gets a little dirty. So perhaps a less shiny aspect would keep it from doing that. But you can definitely be proud to have in on a shelf in your bathroom or bedroom.
In terms of price. In deed it is a high price but frankly it deserves it. The formula and the packaging bring this product as one of the best male grooming product in the market today.
Would i buy it personally? Yes. What do you think? Check the dedicated website for more information: http://sisleyumformen.com
At the Musée de l’Elysée in Lausanne – Switzerland, there is a very interesting exhibition about Hans Steiner. He is one of the most important swiss photographers of the golden era of Photo journalism.
Hans Steiner was born in 1907 in Bern, Switzerland. He was one of the most influent photographers in the 30’s and the 40’s. Thanks to his work, we have a beautiful testimonial of Switzerland economic and social development since the beginning of the 20th Century. Different themes are presented, from the arrival of the first automobiles to the creation of different PowerPlants. Hans Steiner is interested by all themes and particularly outdoor activities. He got worldwide famous with the coverage of the Eiger mountain climbing in 1937. Different expeditions died or failed trying to climb this swiss mountain.
He also got interested into Politics and made several portraits of General Guisan. He also illustrated different themes of the modern life. Machines, industries, the Swiss Army and also fashion. He made several advertising for magazines and special articles.
At Musée de l’Elysee, there is a complete collection of different photographs, most of them presented thanks to a great work of restoration made by swiss experts.
Here are some of my prefered photos from the exhibition.
Hans Steiner worked for many magazines like Die Woche or Schweizer Illustreirt. His great work shows the social evolution of Swiss society. Most of his photographs can have a double reading. Are they an information support or an Art support? The aesthetics of his shots, the decoration and the highlight of daily scenes gives to the visitor the freedom of interpretation.
Musée de l’Elysée
18, avenue de l’Elysée
1014 Lausanne – Switzerland
Tél. ++41 21 316 99 11
The french Phytocosmetology House Sisley launches this month Sisleÿum for Men.
Philippe d’Ornano, General Manager of Sisley explains they made a lot of studies about Men’s skin specifications. He explains on the brand website that Sisleÿum is a very global product. Of course men can use any skincare product from Sisley but if you want to have only one product, this one is THE ONE. It is the ideal product for the busy modern man. One single product for day and night. He also explains that lot of men have the “shiny skin” issue and Sisleÿum fights this inconvenient.
Jose Ginestar, Scientific Director of Sisley Laboratories explains on the brand website the specificities of the new product. I know very well José Ginestar as we worked together at Clarins in France. He has a great experience and the perfect knowledge about plants and essential oils. He has been working with these complex ingredients for many years.
He explains that Men suffer of Skin aging much later than women. This means that when the skin start getting old, wrinkles and skin problems are much more visible on a masculine skin. Sisleÿum is the answer for this problem. The product formula contains a clever natural cocktail of Vegetal extracts and essential oils. 4 minerals were introduced into the formula in order to bring Energy and anti-stress properties: Copper, Zinc, Manganese and Magnesium. The formula brings 3 main actions:
– Anti Aging
– Anti stress and relaxing
– Repairing
One single formula and 2 textures : A cream for dry skin and a Gel base for normal and combined skin.
50ML for 250 US$.
About the company. Sisley was founded in 1976 by Count Hubert d’Ornano. After Law studies at La Sorbonne university in Paris, Hubert d’Ornano founded with his father and brother Michel, a cosmetic factory called Jean d’Albret-Orlane. In the 70’s he was the CEO of the company and he also performed the same job at Jean-Louis Scherrer SA.
In July 6, 1963 in Deauville, Hubert d’Ornano married Isabella, daughter of Joseph Potocki and KrystynaRadziwill (daughter of famed Janusz Radziwill). They have five children: Philip(b. 1964), Mark (b. 1966), Elizabeth (b. 1968), Maria-LAETITIA (b. 1970) and Christine (born 1973). Countess Isabella is considered one of the finest women in the world and represent excellency in the fields of Arts and Culture.
In 1975, Hubert and Mrs Isabelle d’Ornano established its own factory under the name of exclusive cosmetics Sisley SA, employing 3 000 people in 90 countries. Sales figures are over the half billion dollar and growth is very intense each year.
Sisley highlights 2 specific know-hows: Phytotherapy and Aromatherapy (natural extracts vs essential oils). They have skincare, make up and Fragrances. Eau du Soir or Eau de Campagne became Must have during the years. And Sisleÿa became one of the best global Anti-aging product in the market today.
So, gentlemen now you have a quick, elegant and efficient solution to your skin issues and, Ladies, please do not hesitate to offer this for father’s day 🙂
LA
In Switzerland I discovered a wonderful Spa in the heart of Swiss Alps. It is called Ferien Art and it is located in the city of Saas-Fees. Ferien Art is a 5 star Spa-Chalet. The Valais is one of the beautiful Alpin swiss region. Valais is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the southwestern part of the country, around the valley of the Rhône from its headwaters to Lake Leman, separating the Pennine Alps from the Bernese Alps. The canton is one of the drier parts of Switzerland in its central Rhône valley. Paradoxically it is also one of most well-watered parts, having large amounts of snow and rain up on the highest peaks found in Switzerland. The canton of Valais is probably best known for the Matterhorn and ski resorts such as Zermatt or Verbier. Saas Fee is a beautiful small mountain village. It is the main village in the Saastal or the Saas Valley and is a municipality in the district of Visp. The villages in its neighborhood are Saas-Almagell, Saas-Grund and Saas-Balen.
The Ferien Art Hotel is composed of 71 rooms meaning suites, standard rooms and family apartments. Between rustic cosy ambiance and luxurious baroque style, Ferien Art is not a Chalet like any other.
Concerning the top rooms, four Suites are proposed:
– Junior Suite
– Alpin Suite
– Adlerhorst-Wellness-Suite
– Panorama-Wellness-Suite
I stayed at the Adlerhorst suite. It was amazing. Here below some pictures of the suite. Cosy, luxury and good taste.
The 1,200 m2 Spa is amazing. The Swiming pool has a beautiful architecture. Steam bath, Jacuzzi and Sauna completes the water wellness. Also a specific choice of Massage and beauty treatments are available. Personally I tried the full body relaxing massage and the amazing Lomi-Lomi massage.
The ambiance in the Chalet reflects the nice welcome feeling we see among all employees. Everything is prepared to get you the best experience possible. If you are looking for a romantic weekend or a family ski week, you can go there.
For more details, check the official website: http://www.ferienart.ch
Tonight, all fashionistas had an appointment with the stars… In deed, it was the Fall/Winter2011 ready to wear MUGLER show. All over the world, fans could watch the entire event live in streaming. You could use your laptop, your iPhone or your iPad.
Personally, I watched it with my iPad comfortable installed in my sofa…
The show was incredible, Nicolas Formichetti presented his first women collection for the Fashion house under the theme “Anatomy of Change”. The show took place in a improvised built shape like Cathedral under the eyes and the cameras of happy few.
What can we say about the work of Nicolas Formichetti? Well, first we can congratulate him to have accepted several cameras live during his show. In deed several fixed cameras and mobile too covered the entire show. God knows how intense and stressful the “big day” can be, it needs a lot of courage and self-confidence to accept this extra-challenge.
Bringing High-tech and live streaming into the heart of french fashion couture… I love it !!!
Ok, about his work. Over the decades, the Mugler style became timeless. This style brings attitude, sexiness and a hint of wild into the french glamour. Women are then totally “satelized” into an universe of Power, elegance and dare… It is known from the Mugler style that it gives personality and charisma to the ones who might miss some…
Nicolas Formichetti brought all of these into a powerful prisma. Each model had an attitude, a strong representation of todays women. The shapes, the colours, the signature was Mugler but the panache and the energy given by Formichetti’s work fireworked the brand into a new galaxy of stars… and talking about stars, the huge event of tonight was the appearence of Lady Gaga herself. She is the Music Artistic Director of the Brand and she revealed an exclusive single “Government Hooker”
This single is part of her new amazing album, “BORN THIS WAY” coming in next May. Not only the pop singer created the entire sound band for the show but she also played the topmodels for one night by catwalking for her good friend Nicolas. She announced yesterday her plans for tonight’s event and definitely all the “little monsters” would be in one single place tonight: in front of their laptops, iPhones and iPads.
Check here in exclusivity the show, streamed live and kindly borrowed by luxuryactivist. All rights reserved Thierry Mugler.
