Fortuny Splendor

London Culture Galore Autumn 2012

I love London in September & October the sun is shinning, no really it is! The city is really having an amazing year, Jubilee and Olympics and now Art, Design, Theatre and anything in between take centre court. This is just a very small selection of many upcoming exhibitions.  

For more information on and to purchase tickets click on the links below .

Let the Culture Games Begin! xo

www.somersethouse.org.uk

Valentino:Master of Couture

www.tate.org.uk

Pre Raphaelites Victorian Avant Garde

www.hamiltons.com

Murray Fredericks Hector

www.halcyongallery.com

Pedro Paricio Diary of An artist and Other Stories 2007-2012

Carribbean Chic

New Designer Alert!

Haitian -Italian Stella Jean has truly marinaded both of her unique cultures to create a very individual collection. The Italian blood shows in masculine pinstripe and jean shirts and the Creole side comes in the choice of fabrics and patterns. Then these are taken to another level with the impeccable tailoring and the fun and elegant accessories which include the hair scarf's (would love to wear them like that) topped off with hats and  some fun jewellery that was also created by Stella Jean. The formula works wonders, so could wear this in the summer but this is last years collection. But I loved it so much that I had to share who cares what season it is or what year it is.

In the meantime enjoy the Caribbean via Italia! xo

Moda Operandi had a trunk  show of her pieces , I think Matches  London will be stocking her this year too. Browse her site for stockists and video of the show.

All images via,

STELLA JEAN

Midnight at The Oasis

Sunrise on The Great Sand Sea

Meet the Flintstones 21st Century

Bedroom Adrere Amellal

Siwi Man Photo by C. Stamba-Badial 

Drinks by the Salt lake 

This was were I stayed in Adrere Amellal view of the lake all around

Drinks at the Fire pit 

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Temple Amon

Adrere Amellal Bedroom

Dunes of The Great Sand Sea

Date Palms at Siwa

One of the many lounging nooks in Adrere Amellal

Locally  handmade Kaftans by the Siwi Women

The natural spring pool at Adrere Amellal

Illuminated "Kershef " Wall  a mix of rock salt & mud

Dinning under the palms Adrere Amelall

Sweet water oasis in the middle of the desert

Riding the dunes in the Great Sand Sea

Dinner in the middle of the desert

Dusk at Adrere Amelall

Magic dinning locations dotted around the property

Candle lit bed time

Sun setting over the dunes

“Oh that the desert were my dwelling place,

With only one fair spirit for my minster.

That I might forget the human race,

And hating no one, love her only.”

Lord Byron

In the  magical Great Sand Sea of Egypt's western Sahara on the boarder to Libya lies a diamond named Siwa. An Oasis filled with history and legends,such as the Temple  of the Oracle of Amun~ RA. Were Alexander The Great consulted the oracle in order to seek confirmation that he was the son of Zeus and the rightful ruler of Egypt. Or something like that.

I was invited  about 8 years ago to a wedding in Cairo by dear friends of mine. Included was a trip to Siwa a couple of days  before the wedding, staying at the amazing eco lodge Adrere Amellal. The love project of  visionary Dr Mounir Neamatalla a very elegant egyptian environmentalist. The words eco lodge dont always make me jump with joy, but a trip to the Egyptian desert I could not miss . 

When we arrived we all had a big smile on our faces as we took in the scene before us. The sacred white mountain towers over the property with views on  a vast salt lake , date palms  and in the distance the dunes of the great sand sea. Dotted around this setting are traditional buildings made by combining rock salt and mud called "Kershef", 40 rooms all furnished in locally artisanal furnishing, beds made out of palm with Egyptian cotton sheets and fluffy pillows. Bedouin carpets and beeswax candles everywhere  there is no electricity, no phones, no air conditioning or wifi.

Really a place to give in to the mystical call of the desert, at night they light up all the pathways with candles and dinner is served in the most amazing locations all over the property with the light of the stars as company. Date souffle served on silver plates and wine drank out of crystal glasses, the food was amazing, all the staff are local Siwi whose origins are Berber. On one night they came and played traditional Bedouin music , they danced like mad and so did we! When ready to retire, A member of staff would accompany you with a lantern to your room that glowed with candles, I would slip myself into the soft sheets with the breeze of the desert lulling me to sleep. 

Morning starts with a delicious breakfast over looking the lake and then preparation for a ride on 4 X 4 in to the Sand Sea so called because it was actually a sea, you can see fossils everywhere, as you ride over the dunes driven to mad perfection by the charming and hilarious locals its an exhilarating experience. They would stop and give you a board to surf the dunes if you wished or just sit and take in the unforgettable experience, everyday they planned a new surprise in the desert, which I would not give away as these surprises are truly special.

Once back at the lodge there are many more things to do, you can float on the lake or swim in the natural green pool under the palms, or for some you can go riding in the desert. There was also a trip into town to meet the local women whose embroidery is magnificent all supported by  Mounir Neamatalla and his also very elegant sister Laila, they produce kaftans, home furnishings and jewellery done by the local community. There is also a lot of history in the area and again I will not divulge too much here as to make you want to go and see for yourself but one of things is have swim in Cleopatra's Bath. 

 Thank you Dr Mounir for creating such a wonderful place and thank you my dear friends for letting be part of such an amazing journey. When are we going back?

  Adrere Amellal

Siwa

Photos via above websites & Flickr.

East is East

Last Saturday a dear friend of mine organized a fantastic tour of East London Street Art. The Sun was shinning and temperatures high, we started our day by meeting up at Shoreditch House for some brunch, good friends and family from London and two friends from Spain who are not all familiar with East London our group in its self is a melting pot of nationalities as none of us are born in London.

Once fed and energized we strolled to Liverpool station to meet our Street Art knowledge bank and off we went to discover the vast art that is spread out over parts of East London. Concentrating around the Brick Lane area, which is filled with history, like the legend of Jack the Ripper and many layers of cultures, religions and famous artists.  I knew the area well enough having lived in London for more than 20 years but did not know much about street art and how big it has become in the East and around London.

It was a enriching day, sun, art, history and great friends. I recommend this to everyone, yet another thing that makes London so special is that its always filled with surprises.

I love you London xo

All pictures taken by Vision of Splendor with my iPhone.

Here is the link to book your tour,

http://www.insider-london.co.uk/london-graffiti-artists-walking-tours/

Swimming Pools

Hotel Caruso Amalfi Coast Italy

Anantara Hotel Thailand

Tirta Ening Como Shambhala Estate Bali

Sol de Occidente Costa Careyes Mexico

Sol de Oriente Costa Careyes Mexico

Tuscany House via Architectural Digest

Wakanasa Como Shambhala Estate Bali

Pantai Lima Estate Bali

Villa in Key West Florida via Architectural Digest

Sonoma Valley California via Elle Decor

Ibiza House via Elle Decor

Venezuelan Villa via Elle Decor

Las Ventanas al Paraiso Cabo San Lucas

Source Unknown

Inspired by the rainy June day here in London , wishing I was swimming in one of these pools on a hot summers day.

http://www.careyes.com

http://www.hotelcaruso.com

http://www.pantailima.com/

http://www.cse.como.bz/

http://www.lasventanas.com/

http://www.anantara.com/

http://www.architecturaldigest.com

http://www.elledecor.com/

Native Americans at at Glacier National Park, Montana c.1910

via reddit

Photography by Xuebing Du

Instagram: xuebing.du

The Great David Hockney

The Royal Academy of Arts in London presents David Hockney's The Bigger Picture, featuring very Large scale paintings inspired by the East Yorkshire Landscape, these works were made especially for the galleries of The Royal Academy. What a lovely marriage, I cannot wait to see David Hockney's brilliance in such a way.

Am not going to compete with Art Critics in writing something very clever and intellectual, for me his work visually says it all, so here are some resources if you want to know more on David Hockney...

Cheerio xo

Click on the video on Royal Academy link below

http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/hockney/

http://www.vintageseekers.com/vantage-point/vs-reviews-hockney-at-the-royal-academy?image=5

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/exhibition-in-focus/9026080/Exhibition-in-focus-David-Hockney-RA-A-Bigger-Picture-Royal-Academy-of-Arts.html

Cathleen Naundorf

Hamiltons Gallery in London is Exhibiting for the first time the works by German Cathleen Naundorf. Her Haute Couture series titled  "Un Rêve de Mode", Cathleen had the incredible opportunity to work with the greatest couture houses, Dior, Chanel, Valentino, Elie Saab, Lacroix & Gaultier. her work is so outstanding that the she was given complete access to choose gowns from their archives for her production of this series.

Her attention to detail is obvious as she researches her work thoroughly , cataloging her journey in handmade journals that develop into her storyboard. Including text, sketches, composition, everything carefully thought of, the models, hair, makeup, locations. Would love to see that journal, there will be a book published on her work sometime this year.

I have seen two of her images at Hamiltons stand in the PAD Fair London and they were breathtaking , they really are from another era, I believe that Cathleen Naundorf is going to rise as fast as a Shooting Star.

Dast ist Wunderbar xo

Exhibition is on from 1-31 March 2012

Hamiltons Gallery

13 Carlos Place

London

W1K 2EU

Images via ,

www.cathleennaundorf.com

www.hamiltonsgallery.com

I Loewe You

Clockwise: Founder, Enrique Loewe Roessberg (1844-1929); Enrique Loewe Hilton (1879-1934), charmed high society to Loewe; Enrique Loewe Knappe (1912) pioneered international expansion; Enrique Loewe Lynch (1941) launched ready-to- wear in the 60’s, and created the Loewe Foundation, 1988.

Most people when they see the name Espagana , they think of Flamenco, bullfights, passion, paella, sangria, tortilla and Ibiza.

Let us not forget the incredible history of this country that brought these worldwide famous painters like Velazquez, Picasso, Goya and Dali and the legendary story of Don Quixote de la Mancha written by Miguel de Cervantes to name a few of the top of my head. The other well known Spanish expertise comes from craftsmanship and leather.

This is where the House of Loewe (lo-ay-ve) comes in, in 1846 a leather goods workshop was created  by  a group pf craftsmen on the year of two royal marriages, that of Her Majesty Isabel II of Bourbon to the Duke of Cadiz and that of Princess Maria Luisa Fernanda to the Duke of Montpensier. In 1872 Enrique Loewe Roessberg, a German craftsman specializing in leather working arrived in Madrid and decided to join forces with the these craftsmen and established the Loewe brand. With the precision and technique of Enrique Loewe and the creativity, leather and sensuality of Spain the house of Loewe rose in popularity becoming the Official Supplier to the Spanish Royal Crown in 1905. Famous stars such as Ava Gardner, Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, Maria Callas and Ernest Hemingway would all purchase from the Gran Via store in Madrid.

Loewe started expanding all over Spain and in 1963 opened its first boutique in London's New Bond Street. Loewe then branched out into the Fashion Industry, Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani and Laura Biagiotti were behind the first Women's Ready to Wear Collections. From there they created perfumes, Men's ready to wear and opened shops all over the world, in 1988 the Loewe Foundation was created including the Annual International Poetry Prize . In 1996 on the 150th Anniversary of the House of Loewe  LVMH took over the ownership of the brand, now with by Stuart Vevers as the Artistic Director of the brand.

What wonderful history this brand has, and if you ever get a chance to pass by their store go and view their collection "Clothing as Light as Air, as Soft as Silk", the leather is so so soft you can't believe it , the quality is just perfection.

Ole! xo

All photos via,

www.loewe.com

Research via,

www.wikipedia.org