MULBERRY @ AW2014 A Breath of Fresh Air Ad Campaign

MULBERRY returned to its roots in the British countryside with a blast of fresh air to invigorate the brand’s new and very British AW2014 collection with a campaign shot by Tim Walker and starring Cara Delevingne. Mulberry has designed a beautifully classic and very elegant collection for AW2014 with argyle and arran-inspired knitwear and iconic Houndstooth and check, all influenced by traditional British tailoring, textures and prints. Even the footwear references two key British styles, the all-purpose Rain Boot, beloved by country-dwellers and city-commuters alike, and the quintessential lace-up brogue.

The AW2014 bags were inspired by the brand’s interpretation of how to make everyday life feel more beautiful, and how to make beautiful things practical. The new Tessie embodies the mood of simple, unfussy elegance and the Bayswater Buckle evokes memories of Mulberry bags past, as if resurrected from the archives. The Cara Delevingne Collection, infused with Cara’s own cool style, was designed to fit in with whatever the day brings, whether that day is spent in town or country. In fact, Cara and her eponymous bag look as completely at home in a countryside campaign as they did at the London launch at Claridge’s.  

Tim Walker and Ronnie Cooke Newhouse chose the Scottish Highlands as the location for the campaign shoot, where the far-reaching views and sense of immense scale were quite literally breath-taking. Chosen for its dense beauty, the landscape represents the rolling hills and magnificence of the British Isles, Mulberry’s home and the inspiration for so many seasons.

The team stayed in a Scottish lodge and woke up every day to early morning mists, huge breakfasts, homemade shortbread and wild Land Rover rides across rushing rivers and up off the beaten track, arriving to a place of serenity and calm at the location for the shoot, with no phone signal, miles from anywhere and with not a soul in sight apart from the local gamekeepers’ dogs and a flock of sheep.

‘The thing I most like about our new Mulberry campaign shot by Tim Walker and starring Cara Delevingne is the sheer Mulberry of it! Big space, fresh air, wind in the hair, away from it all…Mulberry is a brand that is at home in town and country and we wanted to capture that feeling. When we arrived in Scotland it was pouring with rain, but once Tim arrived this golden sun appeared , he really has the magic touch!’ Says Anne-Marie Verdin, Brand Director, Mulberry

Credits:

Photographer

Tim Walker

Model

Cara Delevingne

Campaign Creative Direction

Ronnie Cooke Newhouse and Stephen Wolstenholme at House and Holme

Stylist

Edward Enninful

Hair

Malcolm Edwards

Make-up

Val Garland

Video Music

Desired Effect by Atom Tree (featuring Fergus Cook), courtesy of Hotgem Tunes.

Steve Madden Opens Asia’s first Digitized Flagship in Hong Kong

Steve Madden opens Asia’s first digitized flagship at ifc mall in Hong Kong recently. With pop of creative surprises and colors in store, the new flagship is an electrifying play on the brand’s cool personality to offer an engaging shopping experience, where must-have objects of desire are deliciously displayed. To celebrate its grand opening, the ifc concept store will feature exclusively the limited edition Graffiti slip-on. The 1,000 square-feet store will rock the spot with a wealth of the most sought-after styles by Steve Madden, some of which are crossover collectibles. Platforms, sandals, ankle boots, flats and slip-on casuals are among the highlights of the season. 

The eclectic collection jumps off the wall in a customized space that makes a shout-out to the rock-inspired street vibes of New York. The store is hemmed in on all sides by the imagery of the Big Apple’s subway map. The vibrant atmosphere is offset by quiet, rustic materials such as raw wood and stone bricks. The result is a modernized interplay of Urban Art elements punctuated by versatile retro chairs and vintage chandeliers, which designed by famous British designer, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec.

The heat is on with the innovative 3D Virtual Animated Mannequin with real-life facial expressions. Besides popsicle-cool styles we’ve also got you covered in free Wi-Fi connection and iPads frenzy, throwing in an integrated, hyper-personalized shopping experience as you soak up Steve Madden’s hottest tips and share them via Facebook, Instagram and other social media while purchasing your favorite footwear and accessories in the beat handpicked by Steve Madden.

Jaeger-LeCoultre @ Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication

With the new Grande Complication watch in the Haute Joaillerie line, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents an unprecedented blend of design, technical construction, watchmaking art and exquisite craftsmanship, striking a fine balance that provides a spectacular demonstration of the Manufacture's mastery and style. The watch incorporates three complications: a minute repeater, a flying tourbillon and a zodiacal calendar. Each is regarded as extremely complicated in its own right and all of them are built according to the latest watchmaking standards, bound together by the romantic soul conferred on them by true artists working together at Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre. This Master Grande Tradition Grande Complication will be produced in an 8-piece white gold limited edition, honouring the exclusivity of the movement and the splendour of its gem-setting. The essence of the watch lies in its interpretation of astronomical timekeeping for the wrist. And there could be no driving force more suited to this task than the pulsing heart of a flying tourbillon orbiting the dial, depicting a sky-chart of the northern hemisphere. A sun performs a full revolution in 24 hours around the rim of this exceptional creation, thereby displaying a 24- hour indication, zodiac signs, as well as the days and months appearing on a circular scale surrounding the dial. Its precision is based on advanced technology, with a flying tourbillon setting the pace within an ultra-light titanium cage.

Additionally, the watch incorporates a minute repeater in which the sound is generated by two crystal gongs directly fixed to the sapphire crystal. Equipped with ‘trébuchet hammers’, the Grande Complication watch offers a sound of unprecedented clarity and fullness, at a simple push of the dedicated slide. Its classically shaped white gold case, along with the decoration of the movement parts in keeping with the finest horological traditions, testify to the prodigious sum of techniques and knowledge acquired by the Manufacture in the field of Haute Horlogerie throughout its 181 years of existence. The gem-setting motif conceived by designers accentuates the distinctive architecture of the Master Grande Tradition case. The crown is meticulously set with baguette cut diamonds, while two rows of baguette-cut diamonds extend to the right and left of the crown to adorn the convex-shaped side of the case, and descend to the lugs. A day is basically defined as one rotation of the earth around its own axis. Depending on which point of reference is used, astronomy distinguishes between a solar day and a sidereal day. The former is measured with the sun as reference, while the latter uses other, more distant fixed stars. Since the earth orbits around the sun as well as upon its own axis, the solar day is slightly longer than the sidereal day, differing by about one degree, meaning almost four minutes. To underline these celestial ambitions that make the watch a perfect instrument for astronomical observations, the sky disc performs a rotation in 23 hours and 56 minutes, meaning one sidereal day. Moreover, a zodiac calendar is placed around the rim of the dial together with a month indication to further depict the position of the constellations at any given time of the year, with a perpetual calendar regulating the timing system.

The technical nature of the dial is heightened by subtle aesthetic touches that lend it an air of nobility and distinction. The dark blue aventurine sky disc illuminated with diamond stars is surrounded by two crescents of baguette-cut sapphires in lighter shades of blue. The blue becomes even lighter on the hand-guilloché lacquered disc bearing the indications of the month and zodiac signs. These subtly graded shades create a depth effect on the multi-layered watch dial testifying to the masterful skills of the in-house designers and artisans. The diamond hourmarkers echo the stars, while the radiant bezel creates a splendidly luminous glow for this

Grande Complication.

BVLGARI Unveils The New MVSA High Jewellery Creations

BVLGARI unveiled the new MVSA High Jewellery creations in the presence of its muse Carla Bruni during Paris Haute Couture and  this year the event was held at the sophisticated restaurant Apicius. VIPs, international fashion editors and trendsetters discovered the new collection during a model show in a refined and intimate atmosphere.

The Academy Award winner Jared Leto, Eric Bana, Luke Evans, Alexander Ludwig, HRH the Princess of Venice, Clotilde Courau, HSH the Princess Lilly zu Sayn Wittgenstein Berleburg, Poppy Delevigne, Nina Dobrev, Jon Kortajarena, Qin Shu Pei, Yao Xingtong, Bao Bao Wan, Zachary Quinto, Arizona Muse, Miles McMillan, David Jarre, Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis, Naty Abascal, Tommy Dunn, Johannes Huebl, Caroline Sieber and Olivia Palermo were amongst guests. MVSA jewellery creations are an eclectic mosaic playing on the beauty of the stone. A modern collection of strong colours combinations, unusual shapes, dramatic volumes as well as extraordinary manufacture, they are characterized by a timeless beauty as were the muses, the daughters of the Greek gods that inspired them. 

Reinventing the myth, Bulgari’s contemporary muse is embodied by Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. She is a muse representing the women of her era, with multiple facets to her bold personality. She is sensual and mysterious, her many talents lead her to live many lives. She possesses a multi-faceted femininity that plays with archetypes through jewellery. Bulgari has captured the special, ineffable aura of this daring and talented woman in the new advertising campaign that will be on air starting from September. After discovering the new MVSA High-Jewellery creations and a preview of the new DIVA medium-high collection, guests were invited  to enjoy the cocktail dînatoire and an enthralling set by Marjorie Gubelmann aka DJ Mad Marj.

PRADA @ SS2014 Eyewear Collection

PRADA SS2014 Eyewear for women features two entirely different stylistic approaches. The Prada Voice special collection is all about thick profiles, bold shapes, strong hues and colorful irregular cut stones, which define women at the heart of the “multitudes”. Vintage-inspired silhouettes and bold volumes define the Prada women’s sunglasses collection. With their skillfully manufactured bold acetate frames and sinuous lines, the new glasses assert a strong, forthright personality but convey an undeniably feminine appeal.

Gone are the thick profiles, replaced by a clean, simple design and an ultra-lightweight feel; the profiles soften, lending a delicate, understated note to the new Prada optical frames for women.

The collection for men flaunts sophisticated finishes. An inspired blend of acetate and metal gives life to recherché, harmonious shapes in the Prada Society special collection. The double bridge, presented in a unique “upside down” version, is a key theme replicated throughout the entire collection that reflects the brand’s great attention to detail.

The pursuit of simplicity and essentialism is a common thread in the Prada men’s optical frames collection. The new ultra-lightweight models feature bold lines and fine metal details on the temples, conveying the brand’s intention to blend a classic flair with signature detailing.

MICHAEL KORS @ FALL 2014 Ad Campaign

MICHAEL KORS FALL 2014 Ad Campaign is a balance of high glamour and laid-back ease. The Michael Kors and Michael Michael Kors campaign was shot by Mario Testino in Southern California and features Karmen Pedaru together with the new face of Michael Kors Mens, Benjamin Eidem. “Benjamin has the rugged elegance that perfectly captures the essence of the Michael Kors man,” says Michael Kors. The campaign imagery encompasses two scenarios. In one, Pedaru and Eidem were shot as a couple in a cinematic jet set arrival. The other centers on Pedaru and Eidem traveling on a private plane with a group of friends including models Cindy Bruna, Tian Yi, Corey Baptiste and Ian Sharp. “This season, I was influenced by the easy lifestyle of California, and I wanted the images to express my jet set sensibility but with a relaxed attitude,” Kors continues.

Marc by Marc Jacobs…A Character @ After Party in Hong Kong

Recreating the spirit of New York's FW2014 runway show, the “Marc by Marc Jacobs…A Character” fashion meets art installation by Marc by Marc Jacobs' Creative Director, Katie Hillier brought a whole new energy to Hong Kong and held a presentation and after party in Hong Kong recently.

“Marc girl is rebellious above all. She wants to be part of a cultural scene and in on the nuance without looking predictable. An individual within the tribe. Part manga ninja, part motocross rider, part Japanese culture junkie, part cute utilitarian girl. Her look and energy are infectious and charming. She has an attitude and a bravery with the way she dresses and an inherent contrariness that goes against existing trends. Fashion is important to her but once she has sufficient knowledge she can start to mess with its values, have fun with it. Music and art and culture and sharp wit are also integral to her existence.”Said Katie Hillier.

An intimate after party was held with Katie’s good friend DJ Nathan G. Wilkens from UK who spun the deck. An array of fashion influencers like Korean pop-artiste Chaelin (CL) and Taiwanese actor Sunny Wang also flew in from the region.

PRADA @ Made To Order Lace-Up Shoes

PRADA Made to Order lace-up shoes project offers a wide range of options to create a truly personal, customised shoe. Each model can be made in 32 different colour variations in order to have a single shade shoe in cobalt blue, scarlet, mango, soleil, white etc, or in one of the two-tone combinations, such as scarlet and black, mercury and white, and black and white, to name but a few.

The five different coloured Micro soles complete the colour palette. In addition to the brushed calfskin, fine leathers such as crocodile and python are also available. The resulting product is a shoe that embodies the client's personal preferences and specific choices. Once the colour and material have been selected, the customer's initials can be branded in a gold colour on the sole.

This exclusive Prada Made to Order lace-up shoes service will be available at Prada Alexandra House store from now on. The shoes are ready for delivery approximately 60 days after the order.

La Vivana @ DELICATE CARE Moisturizer & BRILLIANCE Neck and Decolleté Cream SPF15

For generations the people behind the brand La Vivana have seen their mission in emphasiszing the beauty of women with valuable and precious accessories. Convinced by the unique qualities of the alpine edelweiss, La Vivana uses its vegetal active components as basis for the extensive line of skin care products. In conjunction with highly effective ingredients the organically grown edelweiss counteracts as active ingredient complex AATC® the aging of the skin. Due to the thoroughly selected ingredients this exclusively developed formula is La Vivana’s basis for a premium skin care. The <DELICATE CARE Moisturizer> refreshes the skin and gives smoothing care and invigorating moisture. It combines high quality edelweiss extract, shea butter and grape seed oil with hyaluronic acid, amino acids and sucrose. The active ingredient complex will leave you looking beautifully refreshed and radiant, your skin is vitalized and moisturized. The <BRILLIANCE Neck and Decolleté Cream> offers protection against these signs of aging. An immediately noticeable firming effect and reduced wrinkle depth leave the skin looking younger while the highly active decolleté booster prevents the loss of elasticity. Skin is proven to be firmer, smoother and softer. The integrated light protection provides extended preservation of these effects.It combines luxurious diamond particles, edelweiss and red algae extract with newly developed anti-wrinkle polymers, resveratrol and dipeptides.

THOMAS SABO @ Charm Up Your Summer

Between 11 and 24 of August, THOMAS SABO will be wowing all fashionistas with the perfect companion for summer, the trendy Charm Club Shopper. When purchasing Charm Club articles worth more than HKD$2,000, This exclusive tote bag will be yours as an exclusive Charm Club Shopper for free. The en-vogue design in black-and-white with golden butterflies make this stylish accessory a veritable summer eye-catcher.

The Italian Opera House Bristot by Alberto Alboreggia

In 2008, the year of the Olympic Game in Beijing, Alberto Alboreggia started his Italian Restaurant, Tavola in Beijing. The restaurant became a popular restaurant for the Italian Olympic Team, and also AC Milan Football Team. Chinese celebrities like Gong Li, Jiang Wen and Jacky Chen spoke highly of Alberto and his restaurant. While filming “Karate kid”, Will Smith celebrated his son Jaden birthday party Tavola. After his expansion of Tavola to Shanghai and now brought his culinary skill to Hong Kong and opened Opera House Italian Restaurant & Bistrot. The Como born Chef Alboreggia has a rich experience working in renowned hotels and restaurants around the world and started early his professional way. Coming from a cooking family, his first experience was working in a family restaurant in the south cost of Spain, Puerto Banus. Alboreggia was then started with Conca Bella - a gourmet restaurant awarded with one Michelin star and 16 Gault points. Alboreggia joined Kempinski Group and worked in Greece and Jordan (where he had an honor to cook for her Royal Highness Queen Rania) and received the title of the Youngest Executive Chef in the group. In 2006, he moved from Europe to China to create his first Italian restaurant in Beijing to continue sharing his authentic and sophisticated Italian cuisine to many others. The Italian Opera House Bristot in Hong Kong design concept is not minimal, not cosmopolitan, not cold, but with a cozy sophisticated, warm heart-touching to create comfortable atmosphere. It is a place that looks like has always been there, a place to be, to feel home. The ground floor's ambience red brick walls are aged with time, the Venetian chandelier, old hexagonal tiles play with the mood of an Italian house in the countryside. The next level up is with proper dining tables and setting in a more classy and contemporary way. It is indeed the prefer choice but yet we still can't help but wonder how is the name The Italian Opera House Bristot is related to the decor and ambience. mylifestylenews went for a tasting......

<Goose Liver Combination: Porto Wine Terrine & Pan-fried with Blueberry>

Hot and cold French goose liver creates the perfect balance of creamy richness and tart Italian blueberries. Only the top class foie gras from France make the cut. The pan-fried liver is paired with a sauce of sweet, plump berries, while its delicately steamed and chilled partner is served with refreshing homemade mint jelly.

<Pan-fried Hokkaido Sea Scallops, Porcini Mushrooms, Taleggio Cheese & Truffle Oil>

Hokkaido scallops are undoubtedly Japan’s best, and here at the Opera House, only the best will do. These plump and tender scallops are paired with earthy porcini mushrooms, taleggio cheese and a hint of truffle oil, all authentically sourced from Italy. Crispy beetroot adds a final textural, rustic touch.

<Iberico Pork Cheek Risotto, Pan-Fried Goose Liver & Blue Berry Sauce>

Iberico pork cheeks are marinated with rosemary and red wine for 16 hours, preserving the meat’s intense juiciness, tender bite and mesmerising taste. The cuts are then slow cooked at 84 degree Celsius to perfectly balance the meat and fat, served with French foie gras in tart blueberry sauce. The underlying risotto captures the full sensation of creamy, lightly sweet and sour accents in this dish, imbued throughout with cheesy truffle flavour.

<Schiaffoni, Asparagus Sauce, Cherry Tomato & Taggiasca Olives>

Al dente Italian pasta marries the tart sweetness of organic cherry tomatoes, with the added savouriness of black Taggiasca olives, capers and fresh onion and parsley. The base for this light, invigorating entree is a velvety green Spanish asparagus sauce that complements the sunny flavours with creamy smoothness.

<Baked Seafood Skewer & Grilled Vegetables "OperaHouse">

Italian sea bass and prawns are the ideal companions for Norwegian salmon, capturing the crisp, savoury juiciness of the finest seafood to highlight their natural flavour. Four different organic Italian vegetables are lightly charred on the grill for a delicately sweet base, while a squeeze of lemon and pure Italian olive oil enhance the overall dish’s clean, fresh taste.

<Calzone>

The chewy crescent of crust ins made from imported Caputo "00" flour and Italian mineral water, and left to rise for at least 36 hours. This results in a crisp outside that gives way to a soft middle, wrapped around fragrant buffalo mozzarella cheese, sweet basil and San Marzano tomato spread considered the finest paste tomatoes in the world. Rocotta, mushroom and ham round out the simple goodness of rustic baked bread.

<Prosciutto e Rucola Piza>

Prepared with our authentic imported Caputo “00” flour and Italian mineral water with at least 36 hours of rising process, this freshly baked pizza is bursting with rustic flavour. Homemade San Marzano tomato sauce is layered with salty prosciutto, creamy smoked buffalo cheese and cherry tomatoes, given extra bite with arugula.

<Grilled Wagyu Rib Eye Steak>

Choice of: Roasted or Mashed Potatoe or Grilled Vegetables.

The 700 gram steak is suitable for sharing among 2 to 3 people. Top quality Austrian Wagyu beef is slow cooked over a charcoal grill at 450 degree Celsius, maintaining its essential tenderness and juiciness. Seasoned lightly with a hint of sea salt, diners get the full impact of Wagyu’s rich, meaty flavour. A choice of grilled organic vegetables or mashed potato complements this dish.

<Opera House Chef Selection> (6 Pieces) 

Six individually handcrafted desserts are offered to match your every desire. The full, traditional taste of each cup stands on its own without too much sugar. Sample bites of fresh cream vanilla gelato, chocolate lava cake, tiramisu, creme brulee, chocolate mousse and panna cotta, six different desserts to match your every desire. This dish is a good choice to share between 3-4 people.

Ambience : 3/5

Food : 3/5

Service: 3/5

The Italian Opera House Bristrot

109-111 Queen's Road East

Wan Chai, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2520 6677 / 6678