6 Minutes @ ANDREW GN

 Andrew Gn's AW2020/21 runway collection with inspiration comes from a 1976 cult movie <The Blue Bird> by George Cukor where Medieval tales meets mythologies from all around the world that fascinated Gn's phenomenal creation. Gn talks to mylifestylenews the making of his invariable and remarkable couture-like aesthetically crafted prêt à porté collection.

Look 38 - Liquid silver plissé gown with crystal-encrusted bib

Why "the blue bird" by George Cukor and medieval theme is this season's inspiration? I wanted to be inspired by the fairy tales and folklore I read when I was a child. In fact the stories themselves were captivating, but the illustrations in the books even more. I have always been a very visual person. I saw “The Blue Bird” movie years ago. I was totally fascinated by Elizabeth Taylor playing The Queen of Light, along with Jane Fonda as Night, and last but not least Ava Gardner as Luxury. The story is based on “L’Oiseau Bleu” by Maurice Maeterlinck, a symbolist writer of the late 19th century. This is why “The Blue Bird” absolutely fits into the repertoire of my Fairy Tales theme. The costumes worn by the three leading actresses were absolutely gorgeous and sumptuously whimsical.

Look 27 - “Pivoine” silk satin plissé gown with jewel neckline

Which material and color you use the most in this collection? Why? Tons of metallic tones such as Gold, Bronze, Copper and Platinum, playing against Black. Also loads of jewel tones such as Emerald, Sapphire and Quartz.

Look 49 - “Griffin” embroidered cape & flannel mini shorts

Which look required the most attention to detail in this collection? Why? The finale look, a cape trimmed with crystals and hand-embroidered griffins in metallic thread and gold beading. A tour de force of my Atelier.

Look 47 - Griffin” embroidered jacket. Flannel mini shorts

What kind of object or design element that you never part with in every collection?I love embroideries. This is something I would develop in depth in many of my collections. I’m a maximalist and embroidery expresses a lot of the way I design.

Look 42 - Quilted “Medieval” brocade coat with velvet details and “Byzantine” jewel appliqué. Chunky turtleneck sweater. 

Black flannel mini shorts

What is the signature Andrew GN's look? My luxurious embellished coats. My clients keeps them like heirloom pieces.

Look 30 - Emerald green satin blouse with slashed draped sleeves. Purple crepe midi skirt with jewel buttons

How shall Andrew Gn's Women shall look or be like? They are strong, bold women who will not enter a room unnoticed, all decked up in Andrew Gn.

Look 35 -  “Bukhara” print silk dress with slashed draped sleeves and “Byzantine” jewel belt

Is there a particular reason why the total of 49 looks in this collection? Not really. Number of looks vary from season to season.

Look 1 - White crepe mini dress with slashed draped sleeves

Why did you want to open your show with look #1 - white draped dress - look and finish with the embroidered cape? I wanted to build up the appetite by starting the show with something quite pure and minimal, and pump up the volume crescendo, finishing with total sumptuousness.

Look 25 - Purple silk satin plissé gown with draped sash

How do you define Andrew Gn's aesthetic? My motto is beauty and luxury, so are my aesthetics.

Look 41 - “Phoenix” oversize tweed coat with passementerie trimmings. Liquid silver plissé skirt

What is the must-have (item) in this collection? One of the embroidered coats. They are absolute show-stoppers.

Look 45 - Embroidered “Cosmic” kaftan with jewel choker

Who is your style icon & who do you look up to? Coco Chanel! My Dad!

6 Minutes @ Hervé Deschamps

Underneath the layers of opulence and luxury of superior Champagne lies an need foa balance between the finest natural ingredients and expert knowledge. Perrier-Jouët's 7th Cellar Master in two centuries, Hervé Deschamps born into a family from the Champagne region has the know-how  of the art of blending the various Champagne wines while retaining the hallmark charm and elegance of Perrier-Jouët’s cuvées. Deschamps talks to mylifestylenews over a <Taste of Belle Epoque> pairing lunch at Inagiku prepared by Executive Chef Shigeru Tangigawa......

I was born in 1956 into a family from the Champagne region and I studied agriculture and oenology at Dijon and went on to earn degrees in both agronomy and oenology.

I completed my studies with work on nutrition and food sciences before joining Perrier-Jouët

in 1983 as oenologist in charge of the fermentation process and the cellar ageing of wines. I was soon appointed as assistant to Cellar Master André Bavaret, the guardian of the Perrier-Jouët house style for almost 30 years. 

During that time, I learned much about the art of blending the various Champagne wines while retaining the hallmark charm and elegance of Perrier-Jouët’s cuvées.

In 1993, I succeeded André to become only the seventh Cellar Master in Perrier-Jouët’s two-hundred-year history. Since then I have been in charge of producing the entire Perrier-Jouët range, including Grand Brut (vintage and non-vintage), Blason Rosé and the legendary Belle Epoque and Belle Epoque Rosé cuvées. 

I went straight to the blending stage, rather like an artist, trusting in an inexplicable fusion of intuition, sensitivity and skill. Emile Gallé, the master glassmaker of the Art Nouveau movement who created the anemone design on the Belle Epoque bottle in 1902, would doubtless approve.

The Perrier family already has a long history of cultivating vine yards to draw from and benefited from owning land in the best areas of Champagne region including some of the grand Crus and the vineyards of Montagne de Reims and Cote Du Blancs commonly knows as the "Champs Elysees of Champagne".

Today, Perrier-Jouët expresses fine champagne as an art form not only in the produce by also the bottle, every Belle Epoque bottle is decorated with flower patterns designed by Ecole de Nancy, a leading artist from the At Noveau movement.

The <Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut> is build on the structure and depths of the Pinot Nior grape from the Premiers and grand Crus of Mailly, Verzy, Ay and Rilly la Montagne. 

The delicate flavaour brings out the appealling, rounded fruit style of Pinoty Meunier. Light yellow in colour, its vibrancy in the glass suggests refreshment and the aroma is defined by notes of perfume and spice.

The taste is smooth and harmonious with plenty of character, lending the wine charm and elegance that are  Perrier-Jouët hallmark.

The <Blason Rose cuvee> contains the highest proportion of Pinot grapes in the company range, comprising almost 75% Pinot, half of which is Pinot Noir. 

This is a rich cuvee; rose in colour with a light orange tint, with a lifted bouquet aroma dominated by ripe red fruits, such as raspberry and wild strawberry. 

Full, textured and rich in mouth, the wine delivers structure and substance, yet with a pleasant freshness.

<Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque> is aesthetics and pleasure combined in classic cuvee, this is the hallmark Champagne of the house. The epitome of pleasure,  Perrier-Jouët's Belle Epoque is the product of a two-hundred-year old house and its superlative vineyard.

The wine has a light yellow shade tinged with vibrant green, given the presence of Chardonnay. The nose opens with white flower aromas, moving to reveal honeyed notes and biscuity, brioche finish.

The Pinot Noir influence lends masking its suppleness, preserving the cuvee appealing lightness, This is a delicate wine with discernable charm, and long, soft finish.

<Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rose> is a rare cuvee, first and foremost the expression of a delicate, elegant wine style, inspired by two centuries of winemaking heritage.

The year 2002 yielded some superb Chardonnays, distinctive and concentrated, full of freshness, depth and maturity. These are ripe, luxuriant wines that retain their lightness, structure and long finish. This is a Champagne of great finesse with good potential for ageing.

There's a dash of seductive charm in addition to Belle Epoque's customary elegance.

<Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs> is the rarest champagne of the House. This stems from the fruit of a single vineyard, a single grape variety, a single year. Only two plots are used in the blend, and only during the most exceptional years.

This leads to a very limited production which is sought after by connoisseurs and collections alike.

The selected plots of Champagne nestle in the heart of the most famous Champagne grands Crus, the village of Cramant, considered to be the purist expression of Champagne chalk soil.

In the mouth, the wine is initially unabashed, upright and lively. This is followed by more feminine and sensual impressions full of finesses and elegance, and the taste finishes with a roundness and charm which ensure a long and persistent memory.

<Fresh Tomato stuffed with Sesame bean Curd served with White asparagus & Caviar> 

paired with Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Blanc de Blancs

<Pink Somen Noodle with Hot Spring Egg Yolk> 

&

 <Snapper marinated in Konbu Kelp served with Sake & Plum Sauce>  

paired with Perrier-Jouët Cuvee Belle Epoque Blanc 2004

<Simmered Sakura Shrimp with Lily Root Beancurd> 

&

 <Japanese Wagyu Beef Steak> 

paired with Perrier-Jouët Cuvee Belle Epoque Rose 2004

<Kama Steamed Rice with Sakura Shrimp>

&

<Champagne Yuzu Sherbet served Japanese Melon>

paired with Perrier-Jouët Cuvee Belle Epoque Rose 2004

mylifestylenews in conversation @ Hervé Deschamps

6 Minutes @ Daryl Haldane

Daryl Haldane, the first ever Global Brand Advocate for Highland Park since Jan 2012 bringing an extensive range of experience from across the hospitality and drinks industry and focuses on driving brand awareness and distribution across the globe and reinforces the ongoing commitment to brand education in key markets. Edinburgh based Haldane brought with him the prestigious and sensational Highland Park Single Malts ranging from 12, 18, 21 and 25 years, along with <THOR> the first coming for Highland Park's stunning Valhalla Collection to Hong Kong to meet the whiskies enthusiasts and spoke to mylifestylenews how this unique whiskey release annually......

I worked with Diageo’s Reserve Brands as a brand ambassador for over four years, specifically focused on cross category training around the UK. This covered a variety of functions from brand education to product development predominantly in the UK before I joined Highland Park's team in January 2012

I was a seasoned bartender and competitive mixologist and understanding of the dynamic trade environment as well as a strong appreciation of bar operations.

My role now with Highland Park is the Global Brand Advocate for Highland Park and focuses on driving brand awareness and distribution across the globe and reinforces the ongoing commitment to brand education in key markets.

Highland Park is Scotland’s most northern whisky distillery established in 1798 on Orkney. For over 200 years, the distillery has combined age old tradition and the very best craftsmanship to achieve perfection.  Its range of 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 30, 40 and 50 year old single malts is consistently acclaimed by connoisseurs and experts. 

The brand has gained its reputation by giving uncompromising dedication to combining traditional methods of abiding care and attention to produce single malts with solid reverence from around the globe.  

Highland Park manifests their outstanding single malt through top quality craftsmanship, and has therefore inspired passion in whisky enthusiasts everywhere and kept their tradition and commitment in producing the best tasting Scotch based on the five keystone tenets.  

While every Sherry Oak cask contributes to the exceptional richness and multi-dimensional complexity to their whisky, the even-paced process of their Cool Maturation enhances the smooth character of the whisky. 

Finally, Cask Harmonisation ensures consistency and balance in Highland Park Single Malt Scotch whisky.  In addition, it allows filtration to take place at 4°C, which makes certain that maximum mouth feel is retained.

Highland Park has recently added to its family the highly collectible Valhalla Series, with Thor and Loki being the first two Norse gods expressions coming to stage, which build on the connection of the brand with its provenance and Nordic culture.

<THOR> represents the first coming for Highland Park;s stunning Valhalla Collection; a range of four unique whiskies, released annually, taking inspiration from the legendary Nordic gods of old. Not for the faint hearted, only for those brave enough to accept the challenge of <THOR> shall be rewarded with the ultimate experience; a whisky of divine power.

In honour of this great warrior and in celebration of its own unwavering Norse heritage, with a natural strength like its namesake, drawing influence from the environment unique to Orkney and made a truly elemental spirit.

Distilled where sea turns to ocean, this 16 year-old single malt is a meeting point of nature's forces, exuding a dunamic and bold character on the surface, but with an unexpected softer side at its heart.

Hand-turned Malt adds the deliciously luscious, balanced layers of aromatic character, while the Aromatic Peat gives the distinctive and seductive floral smokiness to Highland Park.  

It is bottled at a robust 52.1% ABV, this limited edition whisky comes housed in a unique wooden frame, which echoes the fearsome contours of a traditional Viking long ship.

It is rich in amber colour with an iron ore glow. It is concentrated and forceful with an explosion of aromatic smoker, pungent fresh ginger, antique copper, stew plums and golden syrup.

With water, earthy notes emerge, like a garden after a heavy rain shower, <THOR>'s high strength grabs the palate and refuses to let go.

It is initially dry, with fiery gingerbread then vanilla, blackberries, fresh mango, peach and hints of cinnamon. As its big flavours swirl around the mouth, some softer, sweeter notes develop, giving <THOR> and unexpected layer of complexity and depth.

The finish thunders on, leaving behind lingering notes of sweet vanilla and an intense spiciness.

Highland Park has refined expertise in making outstanding single malts. This exceptional whisky has earned the titles of “Best Spirit in the World” for the third time and was awarded the first ever 100-point score, along with the Chairman’s Trophy for Best of Category across their rich, succulent and complex collection.

Highland Park has won a string of prestigious awards across its portfolio, most recently including category winner at the 2011 World Whisky Awards for its 25-year-old single malt and ‘Best Whisky in the World 2009’ for its 21-year-old expression in the World Whisky Awards, as well as four double gold awards in the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2009.

Highland Park 18 year old was named Best Spirit in the World by American drinks expert Paul Pacult in Top 115 Spirits, Spirit Journal 2009 and 2005.