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230 - Connoisseurship - 11/03/2010The dictionary defines a connoisseur as someone who has an expert knowledge of the arts or who is a discerning judge in matters of taste. But, how to achieve this status? Diligent study, visits to the world’s leading cultural institutions, and exposure to the most sophisticated artists, do not guarantee a cultivated eye. The answer in part lies in natural instinct and in the guidance of mentors. At Luxuryculture.com, we don’t claim to be connoisseurs but we do aim to direct you to what we appreciate as the finest in art, design, fashion and travel. WINDOW SHOPPING - 18 Accessories for LifeThe most beautiful objects are not only visually striking but also have inherent purpose. From an elegant Fox umbrella to an exquisite Kevy K dog feeder, our selection this week combines fabulousness with functionality. CITY GUIDE - Let Us Show You the WayFollow the directions of our insider guides and discover a city through the eyes of one of its stylish inhabitants. Fashion designer Michael Kors show us his New York, Hermès designer Gabriele Pezzini reveals his Paris, designer Carlo Brandelli tours Milan, art patron Abdullah Al-Turki shares his tips for London, architect Diego Gronda invites us to Madrid, and designer Marcelo Lucini unlocks Buenos Aires. 
Gabriele Pezzini - ParisThe interior of a helicopter, a digital radio, an ultra lightweight suitcase, and a yacht that is nearly as wide as it is long, are just some of the varied projects that the designer Gabriele Pezzini has worked on in the last year. Born in Belgium, Pezzini studied at the Institute of Industrial Design in Florence before opening his own studio in Milan in 1999. As head of his own practice, he researches problems relating to the process of production, creating objects that often use innovative materials, including a stool that looks like a bucket and an outdoor bench that should seat three but only has space for one. 
Michael Kors - New YorkMichael Kors is at once a man, a brand and a by-word for chic, luxurious American sportswear. Founded in 1981, the Michael Kors label now spans both womenswear and menswear, as well as accessories and diffusion lines. Cashmere sweaters, crocodile bags, and fur trims are typical of the Michael Kors collection, which, it is said, is something of a uniform for the jet set. 
Carlo Brandelli - MilanFrom retail to design, Carlo Brandelli has been a pioneer across the fashion industry. Born in London and now based in Parma, Italy, Brandelli’s first project of note was founding the Squire concept store in 1992, which for the first time (Colette in Paris did not open until 1997) combined art, fashion and design in one boutique. There, he collaborated with the photographer Nick Knight and the art director Peter Saville, both with whom he still works today. 
Diego Gronda - MadridDiego Gronda arrived in Madrid by way of Buenos Aires, where he grew up, and New York, where he made his mark in the world of architecture and design. A graduate of the Parsons School of Design, where he received his Masters of Architecture, Gronda joined the Rockwell Group New York in 2000, where he worked with clients including The Millennium Dome, Cirque du Soleil Hong Kong, and Canyon Ranch, as well as with various Nobu restaurants. 
Abdullah Al-Turki - LondonAbdullah Al-Turki is at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s little known contemporary art scene. Not only is he a collector, but he is also Creative Director of Edge of Arabia, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and support contemporary artists from Saudi Arabia. 
Marcelo Lucini - Buenos AiresMarcelo Lucini is a designer of homeware and fashion accessories crafted from the natural resources of his home country of Argentina. He uses rare woods, bamboo cane, cactus, cow and horsehide to create a range of objects, and finishes them with his signature use of naturally shed horn and bone. Lucini’s collection of homeware can be bought at Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys and Neiman Marcus, among other luxury stores around the world, as well as at his own boutique, Airedelsur, in the Palermo Hollywood neighborhood of Buenos Aires. LUXURY TRAVELER - CARIBBEAN CASTAWAYSNow is the time to hit the beaches of the Caribbean, from the former estate of James Bond's creator in Jamaica to exquisite Antigua and majestic Mustique. ARTS PORTFOLIO - TEFAF: The Best of The European Fine Art FairThe art world descends on Maastricht this week for The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF), which showcases Old Master paintings and antiques alongside modern art and 20th-century design. But it is the remarkable quality of the objects on display that makes TEFAF so unique, as seen in our selection of the best of the fair. |
