LuxuryActivist (LA): Liebe Martina, du wurdest in der Tschechischen Republik geboren und lebst seit vielen Jahren in der Schweiz. Was sind die Unterschiede zwischen diesen beiden Kulturen? Irgendwelche ähnlichen Aspekte? Martina Faron (MF): Tschechen sind spontaner aber weniger organisiert als die Schweizer. Nach aussen wirken Tschechen verschlossener aber innen sind sie freundlich, verfügen über grosse Gastfreundschaft. Schweizer dagegen wirken nach aussen offener aber innen sind sie mehr emotional kontrolliert und vorsichtig. Beide Nationen sind sehr kulturell orientiert, die Grundwerte der Erziehung, der sozialen & gesellschaftlichen Einstellung sind gleich.
LA: Du Hast eine wahre Liebe zur Mode. Wie wurde Deine Leidenschaft für Mode geboren? MF: Fashion hat mir schon immer Spass gemacht. Mein Performance auf Instagram hat ein gutes Feedback bekommen und dies hat mich motiviert meinen Fashionblog zu gründen. Die Mode ist eine Art der non-verbalen Kommunikation. Mittels Kleidung kann ohne Worte ausdrucken, wer man ist. Das ist faszinierend, nur Schade, dass viele sich es nicht bewusst sind.
LA: Als Blogger und Influencer Du eine solide Online-Community aufgebaut hast. Warum glaubst Du, sind die Leute glücklich, Ihnen zu folgen?
Despite being something that everyone does every day, getting dressed can be the tricky and a really frustrating part of getting ready. How many times have you stood in front of a mirror and thought “I have nothing to wear” or “I need a new style.” You are not alone in this. Here are a few fashion tips from the experts to help to make getting dressed and looking good a breeze, getting rid of the stress of choosing an outfit once and for all.
Balance proportions
Obviously, you want to show off the aspects of your body that you’re proud of. It’s the downplaying of the bits you like less that’s tricky. Add the opposite volume to balance your proportions. Wearing wide-leg trousers to offset a bigger upper half that’s wearing something fitted will look very appealing. The idea is to even yourself out, so you should avoid anything too oversized that will make you look a lot bigger. Another tactic is that of distraction. Wear plain black pants, that bring the focus upwards, and consider wearing something bold up-top.
Something a lot of people don’t take into consideration is the role jewelry can play in your outfit. The right pair of earrings can really flatter your face shape, making it look skinnier, or more rounded. For instance, long earrings make your face look skinnier, and short, chunky earrings, like oversize studs, will draw focus outward making your face look more rounded.
If you have a large chest, a necklace should hit an inch above the cleavage or higher, look at chokers. Longer strands or necklaces with a pendant will look better on people with a smaller bust. Lastly, choose earrings in lighter colors to make your face look radiant. Pearls are always a classic, elegant choice.
Show skin selectively
Don’t give people too many things to look at all at once. For example, focus on the cleavage if you’re wearing a low-cut dress. You don’t need to show arms and legs, too. Keep it classy. Look at Thread Curve for a guide to different clothing. This applies to fit, too. A skin-tight dress is better with a more sensible and higher neckline and low hem. A dress or skirt that fits a few inches above the knee also looks extremely classy if it’s a little bit flared rather than tight.
Wear trends in an age-appropriate way.
Odds are, there’s a grown-up version of the style you wore when you were younger, but have grown out of. Let’s look at the crop top. To avoid revealing skin, pair a crop top with a high-waisted item. You could also pair it with a longer top underneath it. It gives a similar look but you won’t look like you’re uncomfortable with your age and trying to look younger.
The position of your breasts on your chest makes a big difference in how your clothes look and fit. If you are wearing shapewear or a bra that fits correctly, you won’t have sagging or bulging which means your silhouette will look tidier from every angle. The target is somewhere around midway between your elbows and shoulders, but somewhere that is comfortable to you.
The front center panel of the bra should lie flat, with no wrinkling or gapping in either of the cups. The bra should not be hiking up or creating bulges.
Don’t be too matchy-matchy.
Wear colors that compliment each other rather than just match. For an easy hack look at the color wheel for the colors that are opposite each other as they complement each other. Diversifying your accessories, in both color and texture, is another great tip.
Spend as much as you can afford on staples pieces
There’s no need to break the bank on things like basic tees, button-downs, and jeans. There are plenty of good and quality options available at low prices. Rather, if you can, spend your money on the types of items that aren’t considered a steal even when they are the cheaper option. For example, cashmere on sale will still set you back around $100.
The cheaper option will stretch out quickly, and you’ll end up having to blow another $100 to replace it. Rather spending a little more once for something that will last a good while longer. It’s important to invest in better quality fabrics that have longevity and will hold up better over time. Perhaps try calculating the price per wear. This will help you stop shopping sales and stave off sticker shock.
Now that you have a better idea of how to approach style, get experimenting and see what works for you.
Anyone who suffers from anxiety will already know what a negative impact it can have on all aspects of life. Some people suffer from mild anxiety which they can manage without any huge issues. However, many others suffer from severe anxiety that can become debilitating. When you have anxiety to this degree, it canaffect your sleep, work life, relationships, finances, mental wellbeing, and physical health.
Tackling anxiety can be a challenge for some people, and there are many that do not want to pump themselves full of pills and drugs. Instead, they want a natural solution to help ease their anxiety symptoms, and one very effective option is to useCBD gummies for anxiety. This provides a simple, safe, and affordable solution that has helped many people to improve their quality of life by reducing anxiety symptoms. In this article, we will learn more about this.
A Very Effective Solution for Many
While CBD products such as gummies have become known for providing a wide range of benefits, one of the most popular uses is to deal with anxiety. When you have severe anxiety, it can have such a huge negative impact on your life that it becomes vital to take action. With CBD gummies, you can look forward to a very simple yet highly effective way of tackling and managing the symptoms of anxiety, which will then have a knock-on effect on other areas of your life.
CBD products help to boost serotonin levels, and this is a chemical that is responsible for regulating many bodily functions such as sleepand mood. So, when you use CBD gummies, it can help to lift your mood, which will also help to ease anxiety. In addition, it will help you to enjoy better quality sleep, which can also help to ease anxiety as well as positively impact many other areas of your health.
CBD gets to work on the body’s endocannabinoid system, and this is how it can help to reduce the anxiety symptoms being experienced. In addition, it is known to aid relaxation and promote calmness, and this can also help when it comes to reducing anxiety levels. The great news is that CBD gummies are so simple to use, and they enable users to enjoy a tasty treat while also getting the benefits of CBD.
One thing you do have to be mindful of is the importance of buying high-quality CBD products to ensure they are both safe and effective. You should always ensure you purchase these products from a reputable retailer and manufacturer, and that you buy products that are lab-tested to ensure compliance and safety.
For those who want a natural and convenient solution to tackling anxiety, this provides an ideal solution. It has become a very popular way of dealing with anxiety symptoms and has proven effective in many studies and research trials. This means that people can ease anxiety with far greater ease and without turning to drug-based medication.
Carol Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. Featured Photo by Nora Topicals from Pexels
This year, Sisley is launching a new episode under the Izia story. The olfactory journey leads us on night mode and highlights the story of an amazing flower theme: the Rose. Izia la Nuit is an ode to the night, another tribute to a mysterious and unique rose found in Isabelle d’Ornano’s garden that only blooms once a year for a short time.
Inspired by the original Izia, a bright, airy floral scent, Izia La Nuit offers a renewed intensity combined with the warmth brought by vanilla and amber blends with the sensuality of the rose. Izia la Nuit is a sophisticated and modern scent that combines fruity and colourful notes with deep woody and leathery facets for an elegant, long-lasting trail. Here is more about this sophisticated fragrance by Isabella d’Ornano in person:
The sculptural bottle created by artist Bronislaw Krzysztof is adorned with a mysterious, glossy lacquer. Its deep black shade contrasts with the delicate golden film that reflects the luminous juice.
top notes: Fresh and vibrant (Blackcurrant, Mandarin, Cardamom)
Middle notes: Floral and luminous (d’Ornano Rose, Freesia, Magnolia)
Base notes: Woody and sensual (Ambrox, Patchouli, Vanilla)
Izia la Nuit, an hypnotic fragrance
Rose is the queen of flowers, and in the perfumer’s garden, it is an exquisite natural element to work with. There is still a part of mystery within all the 300 different natural chemical components of the rose scent. Certain components do not smell, but if they are missing, they will change the final result. Call it the hand of God, the mystery of nature or the limits of science; there is a magical beauty in the rose scent. In Madame d’Ornano’s garden, there is one rose that smells very different from the others, and Sisley just found a way to bring us this magical moment encapsulated in the Izia la Nuit flacon.
Photo: courtesy of Sisley ParisPhoto: Courtesy of Sisley Paris
A lot was already said about the Rose theme, but Sisley unveils a mysterious Rose, a woody floral fragrance as a modern chypre. Fragrance lovers will fall in love with this new fragrance as it is written in gold letters within the magnificent perfumery heritage. From the original Izia Rose, Izia la Nuit reveals a new aspect, more deep and facetted. Modern woods and a touch of vanilla make the spell. The fragrance on your skin becomes very addictive, so you cannot stop smelling it. It creates a comfortable and sensual aura around you and leaves the perfect trail behind.
Izia la Nuit: one flacon, two sculptures
At Sisley, the scent itself is not only the main important aspect of a fragrance. The flacon and the outer-packaging generally represent true challenges for professionals and amazing results to please the customers. Herewith Izia la Nuit, we can see the flacon and the carton packaging have amazing features that you do not want to miss. And when it comes to the flacon, the bottle and the cap are two amazing art-work.
The flacon
Sisley and the Ornano family are friends of the arts. For several years now, Sisley has successfully collaborated with Polish artist Bronislaw Krzysztof. He makes from each Sisley flacon a true piece of art (or the contrary!). With Izia la Nuit, the artist capitalizes on the original Izia flacon, but it dresses a black nightdress for this new creation. The beautiful black lacker accentuates the mystery and the beautiful glasswork. Such a surface treatment show the perfection and the quality of the glass. There are some open apertures within the flacon to the fragrance, and a gold effect inside reveals the majestuous beauty of the fragrance.
The cap is not left for granted. Bronislaw Krzysztof made a subtle and nice sculptural work on the cap that is glass made (most the brands would have chosen plastic but not Sisley). Therefore it is not one but two pieces of art that you acquire with this fragrance.
Photo: Courtesy of SisleyPhoto: Courtesy of Sisley
The outer-packaging
Like all Sisley products, all details are taken good care of to provide you with a true luxury experience. There is nothing by default or by chance. Here, this fragrance’s carton-packaging is an amazing work providing a beautifully crafted protection to the precious jewel.
Photo: LuxuryActivist.com
The work of embossing and gilding on the cardboard is remarkable. All the details are treated with great delicacy. When the packaging opens, we discover mysterious eyes looking at us, like an invitation to go further and see what it has on the other side of the mirror!
The packaging of Izia la Nuit follows the heritage of a wonderful cardboard work that we find in all Sisley perfumes. The sensory journey already begins with the eyes and the touch of the packaging.
Izia la Nuit pursuit the Izia quest for extraordinary within a sophisticated garden. The rose unveils its mystery and invites you to a multi-sensorial experience. Henri Matisse used to say that there is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose because before he can do so, he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted. With Iziia and Izia la Nuit, the perfumer’s creative work was to create a unique rose away from all the other roses he knew. This is what makes it unique, and this is what makes it Sisley.
José Amorim Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
There are anniversaries to be remembered. This year CHANEL is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its iconic fragrance CHANEL N°5. From its inception in 1921, it became the ultimate icon of the modern fragrance, a true revolution at its launch. While the perfumery market lives on life-cycles of 2 years, true creations with a soul cross decades and still represent a leading voice to the industry. CHANEL N°5 shattered uses and conventions from its creation. In the early 1920s, Gabrielle Chanel had already changed fashion outlook by offering a new allure. Her first fragrance is in line with her innovative creations of highly studied simplicity. Revolutionary in its composition, CHANEL N°5 is also the first perfume imagined by a woman for women.
CHANEL N°5: A true revolution
When Gabrielle Chanel met with Ernest Beaux, master perfumer to the Tsars, she knew she has found the right artist to translate her modern ideas of revolution into a fragrance. A lot of myths are told about how CHANEL N°5 was created. But what is important to highlight is that it was a true revolution at its launch and opened a new era of modernity for the entire fragrance industry.
Away from a traditional figurative perfumery, CHANEL N°5 introduced what you see in art with Cubism, Dadaïsm and Surrealism. It was a different way to interpret nature. There was an artistic intention. We have a dazzling bouquet. Mademoiselle boosted the jasmine, the ylang-ylang, and the rose, yet no single identifiable note is left in my wake. Thanks to the aldehydes’ magical alchemy, CHANEL N°5 throw people off the scent, not evoking any one flower, to become “a woman’s fragrance with the woman scent”.
CHANEL N°5 defined a new departure in the world of perfumery, which at a stroke made all the fashionable fragrances of the period seem old hat. Gabrielle Chanel came up with a perfume as no one had ever before imagined. It sublimed women, their look and above all their personality.
CHANEL N°5 is the very essence of femininity. An aldehyde floral bouquet housed in an iconic bottle with a minimalist design. A timeless, legendary fragrance. An abstract fragrance that reveals a delectably powdered bouquet, the N°5 Parfum is the quintessence of femininity. Top notes of Neroli from Grasse blend into the sensual, floral notes of two exceptional raw materials, May Rose and Jasmine from Grasse. Aldehydes provide airy freshness and lend an abstract effect to the fragrance. CHANEL is also a rare fragrance house to keep the whole range from Parfum to Eau de Parfum and Eau de Toilette. The Parfum version is divine. Mademoiselle Chanel would advise women to wear the fragrance wherever they would like to be kissed: neck, wrist or decolleté.
CHANEL N°5: A Modern Myth And An Icon
When Marilyn Monroe declared that she only wore a few drops of N°5 in bed, it set the myth of CHANEL N°5 forever, a coming together of absolute femininity and absolute perfume. No fragrance would reach such an ultimate connection with femininity and it would become a social reference.
Whether it be Marilyn Monroe turning it into a myth by confessing she only wore a few drops in bed or Andy Warhol screen printing it as a pop art icon, over time, CHANEL N°5 has acquired the status of a global cultural phenomenon. The first perfume to be advertised on TV has inspired some of the greatest image masters — Helmut Newton, Irving Penn, Ridley Scott, Jean-Paul Goude, or Baz Luhrmann — and become a visual symbol that has never lost touch with the contemporary creative scene. Because the world’s most popular perfume of all time needs adequate representation, it has chosen muses who, throughout the world, embody elegance and seduction without undermining their own personality: Catherine Deneuve, Carole Bouquet, Nicole Kidman or currently Marion Cotillard are among the ambassadresses who, by their spirit and modernity, lift CHANEL N°5 into the eternal feminine pantheon for posterity.
Mythological status has never consigned CHANEL N°5 to museum shelves, even though its box was exhibited at the MoMA, New York in 1959. Through its history, its image and its very essence N°5 remains the backdrop to countless stories, even the most intimate. CHANEL N°5 is made for those who, like Mademoiselle Chanel, choose who they want to be, and become it. It is a perfume that, like a coat of invisible armour, gives the strength to face life. Backed with its 100 years of celebrity, N°5 will always be one step ahead.
Wishing CHANEL N°5 a beautiful 100th anniversary and a fantastic incoming more 100 years of celebrity.
José Amorim Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only and courtesy of CHANEL.
Digging yourself out of debt is stressful, particularly when you have multiple bills to pay-off. Trying to juggle everything at once can get you nowhere.
A debt consolidation loan can be a good way to go instances such as this. However, a number of factors must line up perfectly in order to benefit from this strategy. If a traditional consolidation loan won’t work for you, here are some smart debt consolidation alternatives to consider.
1. Transfer your Balance
This is a great option if you can get a balance transfer card that has a credit limit, which can accommodate the current balance you’re transferring over. It should also have an annual percentage rate (APR) that’s reasonable enough for the transfer to be worth it. Search for a balance transfer card that has a beneficial interest rate.
A good transfer card should come with a very low interest rate for up to 18 months. you are lucky, you may even find a company that offers a zero-interest rate for a certain period.
This is a great debt consolidation option; however, you should try to pay off the balance before the introductory rate expires on the new card. This can prevent you from building up a heavier debt on your name. Search for a great credit card balance transfer calculator to help you plan your payments accordingly.
2. The Home Equity Loan
Your home equity represents the difference between the assessed value of your house and the amount you’re indebted to on your mortgage. If you happen to be a homeowner with sufficient equity and a healthy credit record, you will be able to use some of that equity at an affordable price.
Many home equity borrowers make use of this money so that they can pay off debt with a steeper interest rate like credit cards.Home equity loans provide you with a lump sum at a fixed rate. It can be your ticket to freedom with debt consolidation.
There are quite a few platforms that support something called peer-to-peer loans. Like every other loan, there is a limit on the amount you are allowed to borrow (for instance, they can range from $30000 to $50000). Peer-to-peer loans are unsecured, so you must ensure that your credit history looks okay. This will determine your interest rate, limits and other fees you may incur. If you have a good credit score, then you are likely to pay a lower rate on interest.
Alternatively, you can borrow the money from an actual peer or family member. If you can find someone who is generous enough, it could save you lots of time and extra money.
In a Nutshell
When borrowing money for debt consolidation, avoid lenders that specialize in borrowers with lower credit ratings. These lenders often have hidden fees, offer higher interest rates and less than desirable loan terms. Research the debt consolidation options thoroughly. Ensure that your lender runs a genuine company. Look for the relevant certifications or check the reviews online. This will prevent you from getting into unnecessary trouble.
Carol Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. Featured Photo by Dziana Hasanbekava from Pexels
Are you a fashionista at heart and want to keep up with the latest fashion industry trends? The clothing industry is continually changing, and you’ll see hints of trends as you scroll through your Instagram or Facebook feed. Social media platforms like Facebook broadcast to a billion users with brands finding ways to get your attention, but there is often more to the story.
You might need more information to take the best approach to adopt the hottest fashion trends and make them your own. Here are four top trends in fashion to keep your eye on right now.
1. Cardigan Sweaters Are Making a Comeback
Cardigans are perennial classics and often make comebacks every so often with a slight twist. Right now, the trend focuses on cropped cardigans. In November 2020, Glamour reported that high-end brands like LoveShackFancy and Alessandra Rich kicked off this vintage-inspired trend. Fortunately, this adorable and truly timeless trend trickles down to the masses with brands like Forever 21. When you adopt this trend for yourself, you can make it your own, wearing it with your favorite skirt, jeans, dress, or casual-but-stylish sweatpants. Wear a camisole or light blouse underneath to complete this wholesome look.
2. Bold Color Patterns That Mimic the Digital World
Some refer to this emerging trend as Gamescape fashion, inspired by a combination of real and virtual fashion. Forward-fashion often takes inspiration from trends in other industries, and this is a perfect example of that phenomenon. This new fashion trend takes fashion lovers to new and exciting spaces, using bold and metallic colors and sleek lines to pay tribute to the virtual world.
3. Delicate Floral Prints
Delicate floral prints, like cardigans, never go out of style. They might go into a dormant period, but they make their way back around because sometimes you want to wear something light and dainty, whether in spring or autumn. One of the primary reasons these designs are so beloved is that the patterns and colors usually reflect the respective season. Keep in mind that not all floral prints are dainty and delicate with tiny flowers. Some are daring with large, bold floral designs. The material is light as a feather and moves gently with the breeze. What’s not to love about florals?
4. Sexy Lingerie
These days, with ongoing lockdowns and remote work orders, couples have a unique opportunity to spend more time together than ever in decades. Even if people have gone back to work, restaurants remain closed or have limited seating capacity, movie theaters largely remain closed, and there isn’t much to do outside of the home. Couples are rekindling special feelings, and women are exploring sexy lingerie from shops such as 3Wishes to fuel their romance and this ongoing fashion trend.
During 2020, lingerie became a hot trend on Instagram, with influencers wearing lacy bras as tops under blazers, casual-but-sexy rompers, short-and-top pajama sets, and delicate chemise in everyday scenarios. If you think about it, wearing these items casually around the house while you submit your spreadsheet to your employer might raise a pair of familiar eyebrows.
Explore These Trends to See What Works for You
Now that you have an idea of some of the latest fashion trends, you might see that it’s not too difficult to add a piece here and there that brings you up to speed. You can even combine your favourite elements of each trend, wearing a cardigan with a floral print or a metallic babydoll teddy nightgown. The beauty of these trends is that they offer a lot of freedom to show off your smart, sweet, and sexy side—sometimes all at once.
Carol Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
According to Nielsen, the Luxury industry is supposed to grow by 6.4% in the incoming five years. While global brands will make their way through the current crisis, luxury experiences are growing every year. Indeed, luxury customers are willing to pay the price, but they want something unique, something that will take them away from their daily lives. While people think this is just a matter of money, true talents are at work to make each second a truly perfect moment. Meet Chris Adams, founder and CEO of the Ellis Adams Group. For years, Mr Adams has developed a true passion and know-how for luxury hospitality, and today he is a leading voice in his domain. Here is his exclusive interview for LuxuryActivist.com.
LuxuryActivist (LA): Dear Mr Adams, you have developed a true passion for luxury, not for a single product or brand but a true lifestyle. Where this passion came from? What were your initial inspirations? Chris Adams (CA): Working for Ritz Carlton was my introduction to luxury and my introduction to hospitality in general. They did such a phenomenal job of really helping you understand the culture of what luxury was and what Ritz Carlton stood for. It just resonated with me. I think growing up in a household, and I didn’t realize it at the time, but looking back, I had families on both my mom’s and my dad’s side who were some of the most welcoming people you’d ever meet. I can’t ever remember a time being at their homes where there weren’t multiple people. Sometimes we didn’t know half of them staying there, on long road trips, having dinner- they were just unbelievably welcoming.
I realized, later on, that’s really who taught me hospitality. As time went on, and I spent more time in the luxury segment of hospitality, I understood that luxury was a feeling. It all came back to how you made people feel. That’s what true luxury is. There have been several studies on understanding consumers’ behaviour patterns in that luxury space and how you feel different. You start to stand differently; you walk differently from being in that luxury segment because that’s how it makes you feel. I preach to my team, and it’s a huge focus for us. Never forget how we make people feel because that is the true essence of what luxury actually is. It’s the combination of growing up in that environment and Ritz Carlton being my initiation into a luxury that is the foundation that established who I am and who our brand is today.
LA: Why luxury hospitality became something so important for luxury customers? What makes your approach so unique? CA: I think luxury hospitality goes back to what I was talking about – it’s about how people feel. When you talk about luxury hospitality and the hotel segment, establishing a hotel was to take care of people and give them a place away from home while travelling on journeys in-between stop points. We can’t forget that it’s the people business. It’s not all about spreadsheets, but it’s still a business, and we have to ensure we’re fiscally responsible and good stewards. But at the end of the day, it’s still a people business, and we have to make sure of that, especially in the luxury segment where people are paying a higher price point to obtain that luxury feel.
That perceived value is beyond important, especially now in a post-Covid environment (and I’m calling it a post-Covid environment now that things are trying to get back to normal). The price point that people are paying has to be equivalent to the experience that we’re delivering. When you’re talking about a luxury experience that people are paying, sometimes an astronomical amount of money to stay in luxury branded hotel, we have to ensure that what we’re delivering to them is equivalent to that price point.
When a consumer checks in to this amazing resort, they walk into the guest room and around the different outlets, such as the property’s amenities. The details that go into that space and how our team members make those consumers feel are so important because their feeling gives value to the dollar they are spending. That’s what luxury hospitality is. People walk away feeling that the dollars they spent are equivalent to the experience that they are getting.
LA: The Ellis Adams Group current project list is dynamic and constantly growing, with over 100 active ventures underway worldwide. What is the secret of such success? CA: We’ve never forgotten why we do what we do, and that is to impact people, whether it’s a guest going to a hotel or eating at a restaurant we’ve designed or had a cocktail at a bar or a menu. It’s about how we’re making them feel. Are we really thinking about their experience?
Our clients know how passionate we are about thinking through those details and making sure that we deliver a space for them that is equivalent to the experience they’re charging for. We are adamant about storytelling and ensuring everything we do, from the branding before arrival, the arrival experience. Then once you’re on sight, all of those have to work together and tell the same story. That story has to make you feel something amazing. No matter who the client is or what the price point is, our focus is always on making sure that our client and their consumers feel exactly the story we’re telling.
LA: When a customer comes with a project, what arethe key first questions you will ask and what makes a great project? CA: The first questions we ask are really trying to get inside their head to figure out their long-term vision and expectations. A lot of times, people fail because there are different interpretations of what you call success. If my version of success is reaching the number ten, and your version is reaching the number twelve, then there’s a huge disconnect of what we both feel is a success. In designing a project or developing something, I need to know where you are and exactly what your interpretation is of what your vision is supposed to be to make sure we can exceed those expectations.
I never want to assume what your goals are or your intent because that’s a recipe for disaster- what we think you want vs what you actually want are two different things. I used to say all the time hypothetically, someone would ask me to grab them a colour, and I would grab them the most beautiful red you could find. And I come back, and they look at me and go, “Yeah, that’s nice, but I really wanted blue.” And I say, “Well then, just tell me you want blue, don’t tell me you want a colour.” And I think in this situation, it’s my job to get inside my client’s head and really figure out what their expectations and visions are so we can come back and exceed what they were hoping to see.
LA: What is the project you are most proud of? And Why? CA: I’m most proud of what our team has established within our organization. I say that it has nothing to do with me and has everything to do with them. Over the course of the past few years, the evolution of our brand- with everything that has occurred globally with the pandemic, with how the consumer is changing at a rapid rate, with the technology being introduced- the fact that our team continues to be so malleable and allows themselves to be fluid with every project we do as a brand by looking for new opportunities as we continue to evolve and change.
It has been so refreshing and humbling and exhilarating to watch our team grow and look for those opportunities to continue to evolve our brand. Literally, every single day is something new and exciting that they’re pushing the envelope on. For somebody who is leading the organization that can sit back like a proud parent as the team continues to flourish, there’s nothing better than watching them exceed expectations and push past goals they had for themselves and create things out of nothing that they didn’t see before. Giving them that whiteboard open palette to do what they do and be creative is amazing to watch and experience, and makes it very easy to get up every day and look forward to what’s to come.
LA: What kind of project you dream to have in the future? CA: We are in the works right now in developing our own hotel brand that’s going to hopefully pretty soon launch and break ground. We couldn’t be more excited for that opportunity that we’re getting to do that. We believe that with everything inside of us, everything that we’ve been able to do and create for our clients, we’re now going to be able to do on another level, internally within our own team and continue to expand within the market and in that area. Launching this hotel is exciting. If there’s not an element of fear in what you’re doing as an entrepreneur, then you’re not pushing the envelope enough. So there’s a piece of it that always has you on the edge of making sure you’re always dotting your i’s and crossing your t’s to minimize your mistakes. It’s a big jump, and we’re super excited about all of that.
It’s crazy. We’ve had 20 years of opening hotels globally, being a part of the design process, and then operating, especially in the food and beverages space. This is our chance to basically take everything that we’ve learned- the good, the bad, and the ugly – and put it in one single project that we think is exactly where the luxury lifestyle is today and where it’s going. It’s fun right now, that’s for sure.
LA: Tell us something about yourself that not so many people know, and it would be worth mentioning? CA: I grew up in the entertainment industry. That was my lifeblood and what I thought I always was going to do. I was on the music side. Up until my late teens, early 20s, that’s all I knew. When I transitioned into hospitality and design, I found the hospitality industry was the closest thing to the entertainment industry. You have your ultra-creative, and it’s a lot of showmanship. You’re on stage. If you’re a bartender, you’re literally a performer. You’re there to engage people and make them feel things and have them excited for their experience, and it’s really no different than being an artist on stage. Whether you’re having a good day or a bad day, you have to put on a show for those who are in your space. If you’re in the hotel business, it’s the same thing. You can’t take off good and bad days.
It was an effortless transition for me on the creative side. The same way you would write music or songs or whatever it be, you start to fall in love with that process long before anyone else gets to. In hospitality, creating concepts, designs, menus, it’s the same process. You start to fall in love with something during that creation phase before anyone else gets to see it or experience it. It’s been an exciting but easy transition going from one to the other.
LA: What can we wish you for in the future? CA: I’m very grateful for any wishes thrown our way. I would say continued passion for what we do and the opportunities to let us do it. As long as we’re holding our end of the bargain, that’s all we can ask for. The opportunity that we’re about to embark on with this hotel development, that’s a big wish right there. People’s good wishes, feelings, and thoughts being pushed our way as we go through that process are welcomed, that’s for sure.
We wish Mr Adams all the best for the future and that his incoming projects continue to bring memorable moments to customers worldwide.
José Amorim Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. Images are courtesy of the Ellis Adams Group.
In modern society, many people lead very busy lives and havehectic lifestyles and schedules to cope with. This can naturally be draining and exhausting, particularly for those who are juggling work, family, social life, and other commitments. As such, we often need a helping hand to keep us on track, and one of the solutions that many people consider is CBD.
There are many CBD products you can choose from at places such asCBD Planet UK, and this makes it easy to use this as a viable solution to help with your busy lifestyle. CBD offers a host of benefits that can prove invaluable for those who have busy lifestyles, and many people now use these products for this very reason. In this article, we will look at how CBD helps with a busy lifestyle.
Some of the Key Benefits
There are lots of important benefits that CBD can offer those who lead busy lives. Some of the main benefits include:
You Will Get More Sleep
One of the things to keep in mind when you use CBD is that you will be able to enjoy more sleep, which is ideal for those who struggle to get to sleep on a regular basis. By increasing the release of serotonin, CBD is able to help regulate sleep patterns. Obviously, getting the right amount of sleep is vital when it comes to having the energyand stamina to get on with your daily tasks, and this is where CBD can really help.
Energy Levels Are Boosted
When you have a hectic lifestyle and schedule, you need to have the right amount of energy to get you through the day. Pumping yourself full of energy drinks is not the best idea because it can cause spikes and falls. However, using CBD in small doses over the course of the day can help you to achieve and maintain the energy you need to get through your day with greater ease. This means that you can be more productive and get everything done without ending up feeling completely drained.
Relieving Stress and Anxiety
Anyone who suffers from stress and anxiety will know that it can affect your ability to get on with day-to-day life and tasks. So, if you want to be productive, you need to find a way of tackling stress and anxiety levels. Fortunately, CBD is known for its positive impact when it comes to matters such as reducing the symptoms of anxiety. By reducing your symptoms, you will be far more productive and can handle your busy schedule with far greater ease. So, this is another way in which CBD can help you with your busy schedule and lifestyle.
As you can see, CBD can provide a lot of help for those who have busy lives. You can benefit from the satisfaction of being able to get things done with greater ease, and you can enjoy the variety of benefits that CBD can offer.
Carol Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only. Featured image by Tree of Life Seeds from Pexels
At LuxuryActivist, we like to see things from different angles. While spending some time in history books, I realized how strong the parallel between Fashion and Automotive design was. It is a story about trends, lifestyle and taste. Both activities have evolved a lot in the past 100 years, and I thought it interesting to tell this story for the pleasure of connecting the dots. Here is a retrospective comparison between the Automotive design evolution and Fashion, from a turning point in the 1920s to nowadays. Start your engine, fasten your sit-belt: we are ready to race.
1920’s: The “Roaring Twenties” As A Turning point in Automobile And Fashion
World War I is gone and the 1920s represents a very wealthy period where society could finally breathe. French speakers refer to the period as the “Années Folles” (“Crazy Years”), emphasizing the era’s social, artistic, and cultural dynamism. The 1920s marked the beginning of the new age of fashion. It was the decade in which women started to abandon the more restrictive fashions of previous decades in favour of more casual attire (such as short skirts or trousers). Men also started to wear athletic clothes for the first time, abandoning their highly formal everyday wardrobe. We can say that fashion entered the modern era.
In the 1920s, the Automobile industry reached saturation. With the launch of the famous Ford T at the beginning of the 20th century, mass production started, and standardization helped democratize cars. But once you have a car, why should you change and buy a new one? This is the turning point in the automobile industry where the annual series arrived. Like Fashion, Cars would also have different series, limited editions and other “fashionable” design details. Automotive brands would start thinking about trends and how to convince customers to buy the “car of the year”.
General Motors CEO Alfred P. Sloan Jr. convinced the company’s board to showcase annual model-year design changes to convince car owners that they needed to buy a new replacement each year. This was also a way to kill competition as smaller carmakers would not compete with such a creative and intense development plan.
While men fashion started dressing with more athletic clothes, automobile design becomes more aerodynamics. In the following years, true innovation in terms of design were accomplished and the streamlining was born.
1930’s: From the Hollywood Glamour To the Highway
Films, especially Hollywood, had a huge impact on fashion in the 1930s. Men’s, women’s, and children’s fashions were inspired by celebrities such as Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, and Shirley Temple, who were among the many who directly influenced fashion. During this period, a return to populism after the Roaring Twenties was also fashionable. A slim, elongated body with spreading shoulders and a neat head with softly waved short hair” became the trendy female silhouette. On the men’s side, the cinema photos shattered a centuries-old fashion trend, giving birth to the blue-collar style pioneer. All previous fashion had been produced by a social elite whose main statements were exclusivity and privilege, with a few exceptions.
The automobile also became more glamorous thanks to the innovations like the Chrisler Airflow. Considered a major innovation in design, brands also realized the challenges of integrating such change levels in the main consumer lines. Not all consumers were early adopters during this decade which was a counterbalance of the 20s.
1940’s: A NewLook
The period of World War II was not a fantastic period for fashion as all trends stoped and all creation was focusing on manufacturing uniforms. Fashion became useful and efficient as the automobiles were utility vehicles to go from a point A to a point B. Nevertheless, the end of the war started a new era. Christian Dior started in Paris a new chapter in fashion called the New Look. While maintaining an active look, Women’s fashion get more feminine and new lines are designed.
At the same time, in automotive design, Cadillac sets the glamour with the famous tailfin that marked the brand signature and a whole new era of modern design. the tailfin crossed decades to get its apogee early 50’s. Cadillac started exporting abroad and the myth got in place.
The 50s was an interesting shift moment in automotive design. So far, most of the car’s bodywork was done by engineers and in the 50s big companies decided to give this job to designers. One of the most well-known car designers was Virgil Max “Ex” Exner Sr. After joining Chrysler, a new era of automotive design started by adding new aerodynamic elements and even the first tests in a wind tunnel were accomplished.
movie studio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
In Fashion, menswear became more dynamic for an active modern urban man. Since the rise of the suit in the 18th century, men’s fashion had seen little dramatic change until the rise of the Teddy Boys in Britain and the rebellious youths who looked to Hollywood stars Marlon Brando and James Dean the fifties. Significantly, both of these styles were adopted or inspired by working-class men rather than coming from the elite.
1960’s: A Matter Of Elegance And Good Taste
By far one of my preferred decade in fashion and automobile, many myths and legends were born in both industries during the 60’s. In the 1960s, fashion became more relaxed for both genders and ages. Three wide trends emerged in womenswear: a continuation of the previous decade’s ladylike sophistication, Mary Quant’s youthful looks and the Space Age influence, and the late 1960s “hippie” look. Men’s fashion saw a rise in color and design, as well as military influence and new fashion symbols in the form of rock stars.
Talking about rock stars, the automotive industry saw the rise of their own legends like the Ford Mustang and the ultimate icon of modern sport and luxury car: The iconic Porsche 911. Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany, first introduced the car in September 1964. It has a torsion bar suspension and a rear-mounted flat-six engine. The car has been improved over time, but the fundamental principle has remained the same. The engines were air-cooled until the 996 series was introduced much later. The 911 myth was born and here to stay until now.
The seventies saw the rise of bold colours and strong patterns. On the women’s side, there was a certain look back to the 1940s. Men could finally choose from several suit styles with nice colours. It was what we called the Peacock revolution. Wide belts with wide buckles drew attention to the centre of the torso, making larger bodies look slimmer. A sleeveless waistcoat or jerkin, a single-breasted sports jacket in tweed, denim, or corduroy, or a blouson jacket in leather or synthetic fabric were commonly worn over the top. Women liberated the mini-skirt. It was the start of body sexualization and freedom of living.
On the Car industry side, Italian designers dominated the entire decade like the inception of the Alfa Romeo Montreal and The Lancia Stratos in 1970, the Lamborghini Countach in 1973, the Maserati Merak in 1974 or the Alfa Romeo Giuletta in 1977. These cars became signature cars for the seventies as well for these amazing brands. Cars became more futuristic and lines would be sharper. All these automotive designs and car engineering built a strong base for the next decade: The 80’s.
The 80s hit the world; there was an appetite for bing larger than life. People wanted more, more and more. Fashion adopted this attitude, and bigger became the synonym of better. We could see it on women’s shoulders pads to men’s power suits shaping the look like if we were all superheroes. As we can see here, there was nothing about understatement in the 80s. It was also a moment in time when many renowned fashion houses embraced menswear like Thierry Mugler or Karl Lagerfeld.
https://youtu.be/dF5_hPVTUyc
So as fashion would treat people as superheroes, the automobile industry would do the same. Cars became bigger, faster, bolder, true companions for superhero day adventures. DMC would launch its Delorean, BMW launched the M6, Ferrari would set the legend of the Testarossa in 1984 and the F40 in 1987. All power cars that remained true icons of this decade. The length of the cars has increased, the fenders of the vehicles have widened and the engines are over-vitaminized. Remember the Renault 5 Turbo? Well, welcome to the eighties. A last important point was the rise of Pininfarina. The Italian car designer was founded in 1930 in Milan and the 80s really expanded their business across most of the popular Italian brands from Ferrari to Alfa Romeo and Maserati but also other European and Asian companies. The iconic signature of Pininfarina on the side of your car-body was the symbol of cutting edge design, performance and engineering.
The nineties was a nostalgic moment for the automobile industry. It was a true look back to the past and trying to remember what built the industry. Car manufacturers started getting back to basics and bringing the true essence to their brands. Lamborghini would launch the Diablo, McLaren would launch its F1, and Ferrari built the F50. Let’s also underline the arrival of the American ultimate power car: The Hummer H1.
The last decade of the 20th century saw fashion go rogue. Grunge culture arrived and had a tremendous influence on fashion. It was all about oversized clothing and talking about jeans… staples! Thankfully, the more this decade would progress, the more fashion would become minimalistic. Grunge started to decline in prominence in the mid-nineties, but the informal approach to fashion persisted. During this time, other types of music, such as hip-hop and rap, continued to have an impact on fashion. Sportswear, such as baseball caps and jackets, basketball shorts, tracksuits, and hoodies, were among the most common styles to emerge from this.
The new century started with the rise of a new consciousness. We realized that our planet could not survive humanity if we would continue polluting the air, killing wild fauna and burning our forests. Oil became a massive challenge as not only it is a limited resource in this planet, but contributes a lot to the pollution in the air. The automobile industry had to adapt and evolve. It was the same for fashion. Consumers would start openly criticizing certain companies, called fast-fashion, to push the system to the limits. People understood that whatever choice they would make about their cars or their clothing, would generate an important consequence to the planet. So both industries had to adapt and to evolve. They became more eco-responsible and try now to evolve towards a more sustainable approach.
The car industry started developing hybrid and electric cars. Simultaneously, modern engines aim to save gasoline and reduce as much as possible the emissions of CO2. Toyota became a leading brand with its Prius, but other car builders arrived to boost the party. It was the inception of Tesla that hit the luxury cars’ market very strongly, making brands like BMW, Porsche, and even Ferrari bring their answer about electric. After the Tesla Model S launch, the traditional car manufacturers had to reply with equivalent projects. BMW started the electric project with the i3 and the i8. The idea was not just about an electric battery. iBMW is the whole concept. Porsche launched hybrid versions for the Cayenne and, lately, the entire electric Porsche Taycan (considered the Tesla killer). Ferrari has not left aside from the electric story. Rumours are talking about a fully electric Ferrari by 2025. It would be a GT based model with two seats as the battery would occupy the back seat space. In the meantime, the Italian supercar manufacturer launched its SF90 Stradale and its hybrid engine, reaching up to 1000hp.
Fashion got a change of direction because consumers willing to have a more responsible purchase action. Brands that have democratized fashion have unfortunately entered a fast pace cycle bringing serious damage to the planet. It is what we call “Fast Fashion”. This term refers to a highly efficient business model that includes mass-producing catwalk trends and high-fashion designs at a low cost. Therefore, local labels, responsible labels and the usage of recycled and sustainable materials are important today. In a way, this new approach to fashion is a much better one for the planet and the fashion industry itself. A more responsible fashion industry will pay attention to craftsmanship, natural materials, details and best fit (vs a mass-production approach). Brands like Stella McCartney have a high ethos related to the way they create and produce their collections.
I hope you have enjoyed the ride. Automobile and Fashion are two witnesses of their time. Society evolved in the past 100 years and we do hope the road was worth it.
José Amorim Information sourced by the author for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted with no reproduction rights available. Images are for illustration purposes only.
