2019-02-28

LONGCHAMP SS2019 Collection Hong Kong Presentation


Longchamp SS2019 showcases the brand’s fresh-new collection, including women’s RTW, handbags, shoes, accessories, scarves & sunglasses, together with men’s leather goods.


For this SS2019 collection, Longchamp’s creative director, Sophie Delafontaine, was inspired by vibrant silhouettes of 70s glamour, the Californian spirit and an audacious sense of Parisian elegance.


For her first runway show, Sophie makes a tribute to life-long admired aesthetics of inimitable tastemakers Anita Pallenberg and Veruschka seamlessly blended with the style of the universal Longchamp woman.



The mixed and contrasted layering makes the styles incomparable. Ikat becomes a signature motif throughout the collection, printed on leather fringe and embroidered on delicate tulle fabrics.


Bringing out the silhouettes’ uniqueness and sensuality, brand new bag lines like the “Amazone” are adorned with stones, twisted with contrasting colorful materials while the “Cavalcade” in envisioned in vivid colors and animal prints.


The color palette is influenced by the vibrancy of bright summer days. Sophie takes us on a journey to the very core of independent and cosmopolitan women who appreciates French luxury.


2019-02-27

MICHAEL Michael Kors X Yang Mi Spring 2019 Advertising Campaign

Michael Kors announces the release of a new Spring 2019 MICHAEL Michael Kors campaign featuring brand ambassador Yang Mi. The images, starring Yang Mi alongside models Luna Bijl and Don Lee, convey a spirit of optimism and a sense of movement. They were shot by photographer Columbine Goldsmith against sunny blue skies in Malibu, California. Yang Mi wears pieces from our MICHAEL Michael Kors “Peace and Love” edit, including a Whitney bag in denim logo. In another image, she sports a look from our second spring delivery, which focuses on urban romance and highlights our Cece bag. 

“I've been working with Michael Kors for a long time and it is an honor to be their global brand ambassador,” says Yang Mi. “I enjoy sharing the new products with my fans every season. Michael Kors is the perfect combination of casual and elegant, and personally I am a huge fan of the brand’s style, which is perfect for my always-on-the-go, jet set lifestyle.”




2019-02-26

GIVENCHY Spring 2019 Collection - Mylifestylenews' Top 10 Pick


GIVENCHY Spring 2019 Collection


Mirroring the Seventies modernist mood of Artistic Director Clare Waight Keller’s GIVENCHY Spring 2019 pre-collection further highlights the relationship between clothes and their architectural surroundings.


Produced under the direction of Clare Waight Keller, the collection creates a multi-layered connection between GIVENCHY’s aesthetic and its surroundings.


An insightful study in contrasts.


The looks and settings are by turns sleek and smooth or textured and undulating.


The style brings together formal rigor of line and complementary shapes, compositions, movements and characters.


A series of living tableaux seems all the more real thanks to the use of retro-inspired filming techniques that pick up on the raw, rough energy of vintage Super-8 films.


Color and motion are spliced together with seemingly random crops and close-ups. An urban, modular beat fragmented by the silence of nature or the sound of footsteps creates a sense of tension and presence, inviting closer observation.


Placing this season’s GIVENCHY pre-collection in the context of a graphic, urban and sometimes brutalist environment serves to further heighten the materiality and sensual attitude of Clare Waight Keller’s designs for Spring 2019.



2019-02-25

Celebrities In Dior @ The 91st Annual Academy Awards & Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Charlize Theron a wore Dior haute couture wool and silk form-fitting ice-blue backless gown by Maria Grazia Chiuri on the red carpet while attending The 91st Annual Academy Awards.

Letitia Wright wore a Dior haute couture FW2018/19 cocktail dress with palm canopy embroidery in gold, dulled silver and old rose thread on the red carpet.

Natalie Portman wore a Dior haute couture SS2019 black wool and silk jumpsuit and Dior shoes to the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Shailene Woodley wore a Dior haute couture by Maria Grazia Chiuri to the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Celebrities In PRADA @ The 91st Annual Academy Awards

Olivia Colman, winner of ‘Best Actress’ in a Leading Role’ for <The Favourite>, wore PRADA emerald green radzmir gown. A smoky grey silk organza cape, embellished all over by Swarovski crystal flower pattern, with a long train and a bow on the back, enriches the gown.

Alfonso Cuarón, winner of ‘Best Cinematography’, ‘Best Director’, ‘Best Foreign Language Film’, for <Roma>, chose a PRADA black kid mohair shawl lapel tuxedo and a white smoking popeline shirt.

James McAvoy chose a PRADA black kid mohair notch lapel tuxedo and a white smoking popeline shirt. 

Rami Malek In Saint Laurent @ The 91st Annual Academy Awards

Rami Malek in a Saint Laurent custom peaked lapel tuxedo jacket in grain de poudre, custom vest in grain de poudre, custom pique plastron, Yves collar shirt in white cotton poplin custom bow tie in black silk satin, custom tuxedo pant in grain de poudre and smoking Derby in black patent leather on the red carpet while attending The 91st Annual Academy Awards.

Celebrities In GIVENCHY @ The 91st Annual Academy Awards

Rachel Weisz wore a Givenchy Haute Couture SS2019 outfit designed by Clare Waight Keller and short latex vermillion t-shirt and long vermillion dress with peplum in silk cady and tulle embroidered with 3D flowers, worn with vermillion platform patent leather sandals and vermillion patent leather clutch on the red carpet while attending The 91st Annual Academy Awards.

Chadwick Boseman wore a Givenchy Haute Couture FW2018 outfit designed by Clare Waight Keller with tail jacket in black Japanese grain de poudre, fully embroidered with black and blue beads, bugles and sequins, worn with black jersey silk lavaliere top, slim trousers in black Japanese grain de poudre and black leather ankle boots with metallic heel on the red carpet while attending The 91st Annual Academy Awards.

Lady Gaga Shines Bight In Tiffany Diamond @ The 91st Annual Academy Awards

Lady Gaga wore the stunning Tiffany diamond necklace is comprised of 16 cushion-cut diamonds of over 80 total carats and 46 round brilliant diamonds of over 15 total carats on the red carpet while attending The 91st Annual Academy Awards.


THE TIFFANY DIAMOND

One of the largest and finest Fancy Yellow diamonds in the world, the Tiffany Diamond has become a symbol of the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship established with the founding of Tiffany & Co. over eight generations ago. Discovered in the Kimberley diamond mine in South Africa in 1877, the 287.42-carat stone was purchased the next year by founder Charles Lewis Tiffany for $18,000. The stone’s acquisition solidified Mr. Tiffany’s reputation as the “King of Diamonds” and made his enterprise the world’s diamond authority. The rough stone was brought to Paris, where Tiffany’s chief gemologist, Dr. George Frederick Kunz, supervised the cutting of the diamond into a modified cushion-cut brilliant weighing 128.54 carats with an unprecedented 82 facets - 24 more facets than the traditional 58-facet brilliant cut. The stone is just over an inch wide and seven-eighths of an inch from top to bottom. Cut to enhance its beauty and radiant color rather than size, the diamond sparkles as if lit by an inner flame.

The Tiffany Diamond was the highlight of the jeweler’s award-winning exhibits at the great world’s fairs, including the 1893 World’s Colombian Exposition in Chicago; the 1901 Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York; the 1933–34 Century of Progress in Chicago; and the 1939–40 World’s Fair in New York City. Later appearances included De Beers’ 100th anniversary celebration in Kimberley, South Africa in 1971; the re-opening of Tiffany’s stores in London in 1986 and Tokyo in 1996; and the 2006 Bejewelled by Tiffany exhibition at Somerset House in London. 

The Tiffany Diamond has appeared in the windows of the Fifth Avenue flagship store on three occasions. Tiffany’s renowned window designer Gene Moore placed the diamond in the hands of a floating gold wire angel for a 1955 holiday display. Passersby were amazed to see that the diamond was clearly visible from across the street. Many people have asked if the Tiffany Diamond is for sale. Indeed, it once was. Tiffany’s November 17, 1972 advertisement in The New York Times wittily announced the un-set stone could be purchased for $5,000,000. The offer, however, was good for 24 hours and whether for reasons of thrift or disbelief, there were no buyers. Only two women have ever worn the Tiffany Diamond. Mrs. Mary Whitehouse wore a lavish necklace set with the diamond for the 1957 Tiffany Ball in Newport, Rhode Island; and Audrey Hepburn wore a Jean Schlumberger necklace of diamond ribbons surrounding the diamond in publicity photographs for the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Schlumberger also designed the now famous Bird on a Rock setting in which the diamond was mounted for the 1995 Schlumberger retrospective at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. 

For Tiffany’s 175th anniversary in 2012, this priceless gem was reset in a magnificent necklace of dazzling white diamonds, totaling over 100 carats. The necklace was a year in the making, and became the centerpiece of anniversary celebrations in Tokyo, Beijing, Dubai and New York City. Returning to its permanent place of honor on the main floor of Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue store, the necklace ushered the Tiffany Diamond into a brilliant new era, with utmost respect for the stone and its great legacy. 

For the 91st Academy Awards, the white diamond necklace that showcases the legendary Tiffany Diamond was fitted specially for Lady Gaga. The dazzling necklace is comprised of 16 cushion-cut diamonds of over 80 total carats and 46 round brilliant diamonds of over 15 total carats.

Christian Bale In Brioni @ The 91st Annual Academy Awards

Christian Bale wore a black cashmere and silk three-piece Brioni Bespoke tuxedo, black cotton shirt and a black silk tie on the red carpet while attending The 91st Annual Academy awards.

Celebrities In VALENTINO @ The 91st Annual Academy Awards

Gemma Chan in Valentino SS2019 Haute Couture dress on the red carpet while attending The 91st Annual Academy Awards.

Frances McDormand in Valentino SS2019 Haute Couture dress on the red carpet while attending The 91st Annual Academy Awards

Image by:
GettyImages

CHRISTIAN DIOR: Designer of Dream At The V&A

 The V&A opens the largest and most comprehensive exhibition ever staged in the UK on the House of Dior – the museum’s biggest fashion exhibition since Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty in 2015. From 1947 to the present day, Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams traces the history and impact of one of the 20th century’s most influential couturiers, and the six artistic directors who have succeeded him, to explore the enduring influence of the fashion house.


Based on the major exhibition Christian Dior: Couturier du Rêve, organised by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, the exhibition is reimagined for the V&A. A brand-new section explores, for the first time, the designer’s fascination with British culture. Dior admired the grandeur of the great houses and gardens of Britain, as well as British-designed ocean liners, including the Queen Mary. He also had a preference for Savile Row suits. His first UK fashion show took place at London’s Savoy Hotel, and in 1952 he established Christian Dior London.


The exhibition investigates Dior’s creative collaborations with British manufacturers, including Dents (gloves), Rayne (shoes) Lyle & Scott (knitwear) and Mitchel Maer (costume jewellery). It also focuses on his most notable early British clients, from author Nancy Mitford to ballet dancer Margot Fonteyn. A highlight is the Christian Dior dress worn by Princess Margaret for her 21st birthday celebrations, on loan from the Museum of London following conservation work. The exhibition also brings to life Dior’s spectacular fashion shows staged in the UK’s most luxurious stately homes, including Blenheim Palace in 1954, of which several ensembles are now in the V&A’s collection.


Drawn from the extensive Dior Archives, the exhibition presents over 500 objects, with over 200 rare Haute Couture garments shown alongside accessories, fashion photography, film, vintage perfume, original make-up, illustrations, magazines, and Christian Dior’s personal possessions. It also showcases highlights from the V&A’s world-class Couture collections, including the iconic Bar Suit, gifted to the museum by the House of Dior in 1960 with the help of Cecil Beaton.


The exhibition highlights Christian Dior’s total design vision, encompassing garments, accessories and fragrances. Flowers are emblematic of the Couture House and have inspired silhouettes, embroidery and prints, but also the launch of Miss Dior in 1947, the first fragrance created alongside the very first show.


From horticulture to global travel and historicism, the show reveals the sources of inspiration that defined the House of Dior’s aesthetic. From the daring designs of Yves Saint Laurent to the rational style of Marc Bohan, the flamboyance of Gianfranco Ferré, the exuberance of John Galliano, the minimalism of Raf Simons, and Maria Grazia Chiuri’s feminist vision of fashion, the exhibition shows how each successive artistic director has stayed true to Dior’s vision of Haute Couture, while bringing their own creative sensibilities to the House.


Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams brings to the V&A an in-depth and wide-ranging study of the unique Haute Couture garments since 1947. Across 11 sections, the exhibition showcases the exquisite skill and craftsmanship of the ateliers and successive designers from the House of Dior. Christian Dior offers an extended biography on Christian Dior (1905–57), from family life to his early career as a gallery owner and the founding of the House of Dior in 1946. It encompasses Dior’s extensive travel, the global success of his Couture House and the development of Dior perfumes.


The New Look focuses on Dior’s famed Bar Suit from his ground-breaking first collection in 1947 and considers how subsequent Dior designers have reinterpreted it over the years. The Dior Line showcases ten defining looks made between 1947 and 1957, Christian Dior’s own tenure at the House. Dior in Britain uncovers Christian Dior’s personal love of England and his British client’s reciprocal love for his fashion. Focusing mostly on Dior’s lifetime, it highlights early Dior fashion shows staged in country houses and grand hotels around Britain, the Dior London company and British clients. Historicism examines the influence of historic dress and decorative arts in the House of Dior’s designs from 1947 to today, encompassing Dior’s love of the 18th century, and the Belle Époque fashions worn by his mother, Madeleine Dior. Travels explores how travel and different countries and cultures have consistently inspired the various designers at the House of Dior. The Garden highlights the importance of flowers and gardens as a source of inspiration to the House, from garments to perfume.


Designers for Dior spotlights the work of the subsequent six key artistic directors since Christian Dior’s death in 1957. The Ateliers showcases toiles from the Dior Ateliers in a stunning ‘cabinet of curiosity’ style installation.


Diorama examines the breadth of the House of Dior, from accessories including costume jewellery, hats, shoes and bags, to illustrations, miniature dresses and archive lipstick and perfume, bottles, collected in a kaleidoscopic display. This section spotlights the key creative partners of the House from the past 70 years, including Roger Vivier Stephen Jones, René Gruau, Serge Lutens and Swarovski, Christian Dior’s first choice to embellish his creations.


The Ballroom celebrates the fantasy of the Ball, evoking the lavish interiors of the great houses of Britain. Showcasing 70 years of stunning formal evening wear, this section reveals the incredible skill of the Haute Couture ateliers.


“There is no other country in the world, besides my own, whose way of life I like so much. I love English traditions, English politeness, English architecture. I even love English cooking.” Christian Dior


Oriole Cullen, Fashion and Textiles Curator at the V&A, said: “In 1947, Christian Dior changed the face of fashion with his New Look, which redefined the female silhouette and reinvigorated the post-War Parisian fashion industry. The V&A recognised Dior’s important contribution to design history early-on in his career, acquiring his sketches and garments from the 1950s onwards. The influence of Christian Dior’s design was all-pervasive and helped to define an era. In their own individual ways, each of the House’s successive artistic directors have referenced and reinterpreted Dior’s own designs and continued the legacy of the founder, ensuring that the House of Christian Dior is at the forefront of fashion today. More than seventy years after its founding, the V&A’s exhibition celebrates the enduring influence of the House of Dior and reveals new research about Dior’s relationship with Britain.”

  
Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board, said: “We are delighted to support the V&A’s staging of this spectacular Dior exhibition, following our support for the shows in Paris and Denver, Colorado. The histories of Swarovski and Dior have been intertwined since the 1950s, when my grandfather worked alongside Monsieur Dior himself to develop the Aurora Borealis crystal. It is wonderful to honor the incredible heritage of the House of Dior and to celebrate its enduring influence, which is beautifully captured in this breathtaking show.”


Christian Dior: 
Designer of Dreams

Supported by SWAROVSKI
With further support from American Express

The Sainsbury Gallery
2 February – 14 July 2019


2019-02-22

Arva Aman Tokyo - Sublime Culinary In Perfection

Named after from the Latin word of ‘cultivated land’, Arva brings the heart of Italian cuisine to Aman Tokyo from its artisanal gastronomy heritage with a distinct Japanese flair and a bespoke twist. mylifestylenews writes.


For those who know and appreciate fine Italian gastronomy where the freshest of ingredients are used combined with the contemporary culinary technique by bringing only the best to the table for your enjoyment, Arva at Aman Tokyo’s vision is to use a chef’s instinctive understanding of flavor and creativity of necessity to prepare bold and heart-warming dishes to its diners and connoisseurs alike.


Arva is a new a new dining concept conceived by two Executive Chefs Stefano Artosin and Andrea Torre. Now open at Aman Tokyo and headed by Japanese Executive Chef Masakazu Hiraki, the story continues with Arva’s Italian spirit in inventive Italian cooking techniques by utilizing simple, locally-sourced ingredients infused with a sense of destination in harmony.


Staying true to its Italian heritage, Arva at Aman Tokyo incorporates the finest local ingredients from different prefectures in Japan through established relationships with local farmers, fishermen, market traders that uniquely specialize in seasonal and sustainable freshest produce from its cultural and geographical setting. These niche suppliers had gained recognition from around for what they do best from their produce and Chef Hiraki and his culinary teams concoct dishes solely from what is available in the richly varied landscapes around them by bringing the local flavors in keeping with Aman’s philosophy of seamless integration. Produce such as Sagamihara eggs and Yamanashi Nakamura Farm guinea fowl are some of the produce regularly used among the finest.


Set in a sleek design rooted in ritual to a perfect balance of urban dynamism and cultural sensibility on top of the Ometachi Tower, Arva is located on the lobby floor on the 33rd level of the hotel with views over Tokyo and such an understated dining room that abuts the lobby, so it is not exactly enclosed, but can easily be seen through the lobby. Subsequently, any sounds from the lobby punctuate your dining experience. The contemporary and harmonious minimalistic design and décor at Arva creates a sophisticated and welcoming ambiance.The sense of space and breadth of venues are the social hub and serene escape as well as an inspiration addition to the Tokyo skyline.


It has a direction of the west side of Tokyo skyline where Shinjuku high rises are seen clearly from the Giant floor to ceiling windows as well as the Imperial Royal garden which gives a good oasis contrast to the parallel city scrapers. When the sky is crystal clear, Fuji San appears at its finest and with the lobby lounge adjacent to Arva is popular by the locals and guests flock in during happy hour to watch the perfect sunset while sipping the house signature cocktails.


We were welcomed with a glass of Gosset Grand reserve Champagne, which was paired with an Amuse Bouche of Pea Bread with a mousse of ricotta and speck (cured ham) and this was delicate, but definitely piqued our palate for a taste of what was to follow. The host, Niccolo Brachelente, is an Italian native that warmly welcomes you in softly spoken tones. The tabletops are simply set, allowing the food to shine. We opted for a wine pairing set menu to see what magic Niccolo could create to highlight the flavors of each course with a few more dishes to get more of a sense about the menu.


<Insalata Di Radicchio>
The radicchio tardivo is flown in fresh from Italy and grape juice is used as a dressing (a salad only composed of root vegetables) and topped with parmigiano reggiano and vincotto. This was delicious and enlivened the palate with some acidity, so the perfect start to our lunch.


<Bigoli>
This chicken ragout wheat pasta dish with porcini is not a regular pasta dish that you are used to having. The Chicken came from the Yamanashi Hootoshi prefecture in Japan and within 24 month old. The wheat pasta was cooked to ‘al dente’ perfection and topped with shaved parmesan cheese. The whole dish was bursting with flavor and perfectly paired with an Italian Traminer white wine from Friuli, offering a sharp and spicy note to the palate which was the perfect foil for this dish.


<Agnolotti>
A ravioli with cheese, pecorino romano and cracked pepper. This is a simple vegetarian dish that was utterly delicious and could not be faulted. It was perfectly paired with a refreshing southern Italian Sauvignon Blanc.


<Dentice>
 A fillet of sautéed red sea bream served with Chinese cabbage, mussel and saffron sauce. Lightly grilled on the skin and the fish was easily cut through. A light and palatable texture well balanced by the rich saffron sauce and the sweetness of the seasonal cabbage as well as the freshness of the sea from the juicy mussels.


<Piccione>
Roasted pigeon breast with stuffed Awaji onion with sauce composed of cooking juices from the pigeon and an accompanying ragout of pigeon, onion and cheese. Bellissimo! An outstanding and memorable dish and was best paired with a 2014 Vosne Romanee pinot noir and surprised us with its spice notes and depth of flavor making it the wine of the lunch.


<Maiale Caramellato>
 The Niigata pork belly served with Kitaakari mashed potato from Hokkaido and romaine lettuce with caramelized balsamic is simply delicious. Another superb dish that erred on the side of less is more, as this is a rich dish. This also paired beautifully with the 2014 Vosne Romanee pinot noir.


<Grigliata Di Wagyu T Bone>
Grilled Kagoshima wagyu T bone with salt flakes and roasted root vegetables. A special knife was placed with each diner for this dish, but the meat is so tender that no special knife was needed. This is a memorable dish and this redefined for us how Wagyu can be. This was paired with a Super Tuscan, Rocca di Montemassi which was another superb wine that was perfectly chosen for this beef.


A generous and good quality selection of wine pairing.


<Basil Sherbet>
An unbelievable distillation of basil leaves that is absolutely divine, not to mention a stunning choice for a plate cleanser and was one of the stars of the lunch for its intensity of flavor. It was temping to ask for an encore as it was that good!


<Torta Di Yuzu>
This tart has that wonderful intensity of the yuzu fruit as its main ingredient, which is then accompanied with seared meringue, strawberries and yoghurt ice cream. Can’t fault this!  It was a perfect finish to our lunch and another stunning palate cleanser after all the rich meats.


Service was spot on and we felt privileged to have been looked after so intently, but in an understated manner. Niccolo was kind enough to give us so much information about the provenance of each ingredient where it mattered. His generosity in his wine pairings was beyond of expectations and we were blown away by such warmth and stunningly delicious food. We always believe that Italian food speaks volumes when it is approached with simplicity to let each ingredient speak and this was handled to perfection by the culinary team who had a knack of knowing what ingredients and produce to be used and paired to what extent presentation should be taken, so nothing was overwhelming nor too fussy, but seemingly perfectly judged.


The quality of Japanese produce and food is overwhelming and while one should immerse oneself in all things Japanese, you do need to have a palate change every so often. By paying tribute to Italy’s rich culinary heritage, Arva at Aman Tokyo takes you on a culinary experience that celebrates the shared enjoyment of uncomplicated yet bold flavors in a warm and classy welcoming atmosphere. This restaurant should be on every itinerary and Arva is truly a hidden gem in the Tokyo dining scene.

Tried & Tested:
Location: 4/5
Design & Decor: 4.5/5
Food & Beverage: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Value For Money: 4.5/5
Experience: 5/5

Highlights:
Artisanal Culinary

The Otemachi Tower,
1-5-6 Otemachi,
Chitoda-ku Tokyo
Japan
Tel: +81 3 5224 3339

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.