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‘Cruzing onboard Emirates’ – Emirates a new brand ambassador, Penelope Cruz

“Estoy encantado de asociarme con Emirates después de años de viajar con ellos en algunos de los viajes más especiales de mi vida”.

Penélope Cruz

Dubái, Emiratos Árabes Unidos, 2023: A partir de mediados del verano de 2023, Emirates puede revelar que su última campaña publicitaria y colaboración de marca contará con Penélope Cruz.

El actor y filántropo ganador del Premio de la Academia ya es fanático de la marca Emirates y un viajero frecuente que ha visitado Dubai varias veces. En imágenes exclusivas detrás de escena filmadas a bordo de un avión A380 exclusivo de Emirates, Cruz reveló su pasión por Emirates y la asociación positiva que tiene con la marca, afirmando que estaba encantada de asociarse con Emirates después de años de viajar con la aerolínea, en algunos de los viajes más especiales de su vida.

Los nuevos anuncios de televisión comenzarán a transmitirse a nivel mundial a partir de junio de 2023, tanto en inglés como en español, la lengua nativa de Penélope. Con un tema que invita a la reflexión: “viajar no se trata solo del destino final; ​También se trata de cómo llegar allí», los anuncios cortos muestran a Cruz probando todos los lujos exclusivos que los clientes de Primera y Business Class de Emirates experimentan mientras vuelan mejor, desde una bebida artesanal en la sala VIP a bordo del A380 hasta una placentera ducha sobre las nubes. , animando un partido de fútbol retransmitido por televisión en directo, hasta saborear generosas raciones de caviar de lujo. En otros lugares, disfruta de los espaciosos asientos de la nueva Clase Turista Premium de Emirates.

Interactúa con la tripulación de cabina de Emirates en varios idiomas y disfruta de la amplia variedad de películas y contenidos del galardonado sistema de entretenimiento a bordo Ice de Emirates, visto en una enorme pantalla LCD Full HD de 32 pulgadas, la más grande de la industria de la aviación. Cruz también es filmada usando los controles de temperatura personales en su suite privada de primera clase, usando binoculares hechos a medida para disfrutar de las vistas desde lo alto del cielo y usando el pijama humectante hidra-activo de Emirates para prepararse para una siesta en su cama, rodeada de por una variedad de comodidades de lujo, asegurando que su viaje sea espectacular desde el principio.

Cada uno de los nuevos anuncios de televisión fue dirigido y dado vida por Robert Stromberg, un director de Hollywood ganador de dos premios Oscar, con 21 premios y 30 nominaciones a premios por películas, series de televisión y comerciales a lo largo de su ilustre carrera. Stromberg trabajó en estrecha colaboración con el equipo de la marca Emirates para garantizar que los anuncios de televisión transmitieran el lujo reflexivo de la experiencia Fly Better, manteniendo al mismo tiempo una nota del descarado sentido del humor de Cruz. La estimada productora Ridley Scott Associates también apoyó la serie de anuncios de televisión y Framestore, el estudio creativo de efectos especiales ganador de múltiples premios.

Richard Billington, vicepresidente senior de marca y publicidad de Emirates, comentó; “Emirates se trata de Volar Mejor, donde el viaje a su destino importa tanto como el lugar en sí. Cuidamos cada detalle de la experiencia de Emirates y queríamos un embajador de la marca que reflejara la marca Emirates; tenía que ser alguien elegante, con estilo y que tuviera un atractivo global moderno. Penélope encajaba perfectamente.

Siguiendo los pasos de otros anuncios de éxito mundial, como Burj Girl, Jennifer Aniston a bordo de Emirates y Gerry the Goose, Penélope Cruz se asociará en la serie de anuncios que se transmitirá a nivel mundial en canales de noticias de televisión y se presentará en los propios canales digitales de Emirates, con Se anunciarán más actividades conjuntas durante el próximo año.

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Sotheby’s to offer Bowmore ARC-52: The ‘Mokume Edition’

Sotheby’s to offer Bowmore ARC-52: The ‘Mokume Edition’

By Sotheby’s

A unique decanter specially designed by Aston Martin featuring a unique 52-year-old vintage whisky from the Bowmore Distillery
*A unique bottle, a unique whisky
Auction in London on 26 May 2023

LONDON, 25 April 2023 – Operating as leaders of industry in their respective fields, the partnership between Bowmore® Single Malt Whisky and Aston Martin has already proved to be the perfect marriage of innovation and craftsmanship. The iconic and critically acclaimed Bowmore® has long been an object of desire for whisky afficionados, while the cars produced by ultra-luxury British brand Aston Martin are renowned for both their performance and their style, and exclusivity.

This spring, the two brands will once again unite to produce a unique bottle of one of the distillery’s oldest ever whiskies, the precious spirit housed within a ground-breaking Aston Martin design. A single decanter containing a special assemblage of the 52-year-old vintage whisky has been created as a totally unique objet d’art which will never again be repeated. Like the vessel within which it lies, the whisky is also a one-off – a spectacular marriage of some of the oldest Bowmore vintages from the 1960s, an iconic era of Bowmore distilling, created by Ron Welsh, Master Blender.

Bowmore® ARC-52 Mokume Edition will be offered at auction by Sotheby’s in London on 26 May 2023, with an estimate of £140,000-220,000 ($175,000-275,000). The winning bidder will also have an opportunity to enjoy an experience at Bowmore Distillery and on Islay, experiencing the limited-edition Aston Martin DBX Bowmore Edition, the brand’s first luxury SUV. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to a long-term, dedicated fund to support the people of Islay across a range of vital initiatives with the key goal of supporting and futureproof Islay’s distilling industry for tomorrow by investing in today.

The concept for this one of one Edition takes its name from the Japanese metalworking technique ‘Mokume-Gane’ which produces a mixed-metal laminate with distinctive layered patterns. The carbon fibre top of the decanter has been created using a unique process which mirrors the mokume texture and mimics a natural aesthetic, much like wood grain or layered natural rock. The finish achieved can be said to imitate both the black rocks in the bay of Loch Indaal, home to the Bowmore Distillery, and also the inside of the charred cask where special 52-year-old whisky was aged. A truly multi-dimensional single malt, this masterpiece has been crafted from spectacular marriage of some of the oldest Bowmore vintages from the 1960s, an iconic era of Bowmore distilling.

“Bowmore’s Mokume encapsulates all the hallmarks of a collector’s perfect whisky: a collaborative venture with Aston Martin to create an exceptional vessel containing a unique liquid of exceptional quality, never to be bottled again. Bowmore consistently push boundaries with their design concepts and their whiskies are truly world beating. Partnering with them once again to offer this one-off opportunity to whisky enthusiasts represents an exciting moment for Sotheby’s and the market for rare spirits.”

JONNY FOWLE, SOTHEBY’S HEAD OF WHISKY & SPIRITS, NORTH AMERICA AND EMEA

“As makers of bespoke and beautiful objects, proportion, shape, and form, along with careful selection of colours and materials, are incredibly important to us at Aston Martin. And sometimes, nature can be the best of all designers. So, for inspiration of the decanter for this ingenious and special one-off ARC-52 Mokume Edition, we turned to the black rocks in the bay of Loch Indaal, home to the Bowmore Distillery. We imagined walking those picturesque shores, at magic light, and discovering this wonderous treasure, shaped over eons of time by the elements, suddenly appearing at your feet. We think the vessel containing this magnificent whiskey reflects the rarity and distinctiveness of the precious spirit found inside.”

MAREK REICHMAN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, ASTON MARTIN

“The very concept of ARC is itself spectacular in both form and contents, but this one-off creation adds even greater depth, intrigue, and inspiration to the story of ARC. By creating this unique Mokume edition, we can also fulfil our ambition to ‘give back’ to our homeplace through The Bowmore Legacy, by offering collectors and Bowmore lovers something truly special and desirable. As one of my last projects for Bowmore, this one is exceptionally close to my heart and is the perfect climax to an incredibly rewarding and exciting career.”

RON WELSH, MASTER BLENDER AT BOWMORE

In 2022, Bowmore® and Aston Martin unveiled ARC-52, a striking decanter unlike anything ever seen before. The cutting-edge engineering of Aston Martin and the unfaltering attention to detail and craftsmanship of Bowmore® came together to produce only 100 of these futuristic vessels housing a complex, exceptionally rare 52-year-old single malt.

The idea for the Bowmore® ARC-52 decanter was to chart a journey from past to present – the arc of time – with a futuristic take on a whisky vessel. The design seamlessly merges natural and man-made contours, its form appearing to be almost weightless as it balances on two points. The starting point was grounded in the principles of Aston Martin design, to create proportions that look stable, yet refined and light – an equilibrium that is one of the driving imperatives in car design. The vessel’s design incorporates the latest 3D printing and hand-crafted clay modelling in realising its form. Calling on the exacting principles of achieving balance and optimal form that is intrinsic to Aston Martin’s design DNA, the result is a timelessly beautiful piece of art that is a true coming together of heritage and innovation.

Notes to editors

In February 2021, Sotheby’s sold a bottle of Black Bowmore Aston Martin DB5 for $118,750. Launched by Bowmore in 2020, of the 27 bottles produced, 25 were released, with the two remaining bottles destined for Bowmore Distillery’s archive. Of all Aston Martin’s models, the DB5 reigns supreme as its most iconic, since its rise to stardom in the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger.

Sotheby’s has set records for both Bowmore and Aston Martin in recent years. In December 2021, a bottle of Bowmore Onyx 51-Year-Old 1970 – presented in a hand-blown, 1.4l black glass vessel taking its inspiration from the terroir of its island home – sold for £400,000 / $532,340. In 2017 a DB1/1 sold at RM Sotheby’s Californian auction for $22.5 million, making it the most valuable British car ever sold at auction.

Bowmore ARC-52 Mokume Edition tasting notes:

CASK TYPES: European oak Sherry seasoned and American oak Hogshead
AGE: 52 Years Old, 1968
ABV: 43.5%

Tasting notes

ON THE EYE: Deep burnished gold.
BREATHE IN: Fresh and fruity notes with a nod to the rich sweetness of Creme Brulé, sees the emergence aromas of apricots, green apples, orange zest and guava. Herbal notes of fresh menthol, eucalyptus and liquorice root provide a contrasting yet balanced character
TASTE: Honey sweet, fruity, and citric characters from flavours of green apple, apricot and tangerine are seamlessly merged with the nutty notes of macadamia and walnuts. Oaky notes unite with light peat for a mouth warming delight.
SAVOUR: Long and mouth drying with a touch of marine minerality.

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FOUR SEASONS marks the start of 2023 with new leadership brand extensions and strategic portfolio growth

FOUR SEASONS

marca el comienzo de 2023 con nuevas extensiones de marca de liderazgo y crecimiento de cartera estratégica

Bajo el liderazgo del nuevo presidente y director ejecutivo, Alejandro Reynal, la icónica marca de lujo continúa impulsando el crecimiento global y el desarrollo estratégico en líneas de negocios nuevas y existentes.
24 de enero de 2023,

La empresa líder en hospitalidad de lujo,  Four Seasons ,  continúa ampliando su canal de desarrollo, elevando sus ofertas experienciales y acelerando nuevas y audaces empresas que capitalizan la sólida base comercial de la empresa y su singular enfoque en el segmento de lujo.

A través de la lente de la inigualable atención al cliente y la personalización, Four Seasons está invirtiendo en una sólida estrategia comercial, mejorando su capacidad para satisfacer la creciente demanda de viajes y experiencias de lujo.

En octubre, la compañía nombró  a Alejandro Reynal  como presidente y director ejecutivo, marcando un nuevo capítulo que se basa en el renombrado legado y la posición de liderazgo de Four Seasons dentro de la industria hotelera de lujo.

“Desde que me uní a Four Seasons, he visto de primera mano la clara ventaja competitiva de la compañía: excelencia en el servicio incomparable, una marca reconocida y una cultura corporativa impulsada por el corazón genuino de su gente”, dice Reynal. “El negocio de Four Seasons es más fuerte que nunca. Nuestro experimentado equipo de liderazgo está bien posicionado para aprovechar las innumerables oportunidades que se avecinan, centrándose en una estrategia de crecimiento evolucionada que continúa generando valor para los propietarios, empleados, huéspedes y residentes de nuestros hoteles”.

Reynal continúa: “El verdadero lujo siempre debe representar la expresión auténtica de la personalización. En Four Seasons, esta siempre ha sido nuestra promesa de marca e inspira a nuestra gente en cada interacción. Continuamos invirtiendo en nuestras capacidades, capacitando a nuestros equipos con las herramientas que necesitan para mejorar la experiencia del huésped y elevar el servicio genuino que siempre ha sido nuestro sello distintivo”.

Una cartera creciente de propiedades de lujo galardonadas

Durante más de 60 años, Four Seasons ha definido el arte de la hospitalidad de lujo, con una cartera global envidiable de 126 hoteles y resorts de lujo y 53 residencias de marca. En 2022, Four Seasons inauguró siete nuevas propiedades excepcionales, incluidos nuevos hoteles y residencias en  Fort Lauderdale ,  Minneapolis  y  Nashville , así como dos nuevas experiencias de resort en México, en  Tamarindo , y con la apertura de su primer tented-resort en América del Norte. en  Naviva, Punta Mita, un Four Seasons Resort . La empresa también amplió su creciente colección de residencias privadas independientes con nuevas ofertas en  Marrakech  y  Dubái., brindando a los propietarios más exigentes la oportunidad de vivir con Four Seasons fuera de un hotel o resort.

Four Seasons tiene más de 50 nuevos proyectos en planificación o desarrollo, incluso en Italia, España , China, Japón, Arabia Saudita, Colombia, Belice y muchos más, ampliando y fortaleciendo las relaciones con socios propietarios nuevos y existentes con cada nueva propiedad que abre. En el próximo año, la compañía ampliará su oferta con dos nuevas aperturas de hoteles planificadas en China en  Suzhou  y  Dalian ; y proyectos en el Medio Oriente que incluyen nuevas residencias en  Bahrain Bay , una segunda propiedad en  Doha y un nuevo hotel en  Rabat , Marruecos.

Four Seasons anunció recientemente los próximos proyectos que distinguirán aún más su cartera global, desde una leyenda histórica en  Venecia  hasta nuevas torres altísimas en  Melbourne  y  Xi’an . Además, Oriente Medio sigue siendo un mercado de crecimiento clave, con próximos proyectos en  Jeddah en Corniche ,  Diriyah ,  New Cairo Capital en Madinaty ,  Luxor  y  Muscat .

El negocio residencial de Four Seasons impulsa el crecimiento estratégico

Four Seasons Private Residences ha sido una extensión natural de la marca desde 1985, cuando se inauguró el primer proyecto residencial de la compañía en Boston. Casi 40 años después, Four Seasons logró un hito con la apertura de la 50.° Four Seasons Private Residences en Fort Lauderdale, con más adiciones bienvenidas a la cartera para fines de 2022.

Residencial sigue siendo un importante motor para el crecimiento estratégico de Four Seasons , con una sólida cartera de proyectos de cinco años que comprende más de 30 proyectos en todo el mundo.

El centro de la estrategia de crecimiento residencial de Four Seasons es la expansión de sus ofertas independientes. Desde la primera apertura independiente en  Londres  en 2018, la oferta se ha expandido a  Los Ángeles ,  San Francisco ,  Marrakech y  Dubai , este último se agotó antes de salir a la venta pública. Las próximas aperturas están programadas en  Lake Austin  y más allá.

Surcando los cielos, los mares y las carreteras con Four Seasons

Además de las aperturas de nuevos hoteles y residencias, Four Seasons ha ampliado sus ofertas experienciales para brindar a los huéspedes formas nuevas y distintivas de relacionarse con la marca, incluida la  experiencia Four Seasons Private Jet ,  At Home Collection y los recientemente anunciados  Four Seasons Yachts . Una colección de casi 600 restaurantes y bares en todo el mundo y 126 spas también amplía la experiencia Four Seasons y da la bienvenida a un segmento cada vez mayor de huéspedes locales habituales. Los restaurantes y bares Four Seasons se basan en los mejores conceptos innovadores de su clase que cobran vida gracias a los artesanos que comparten la pasión por el servicio increíble y las ofertas culinarias excepcionales.

En los cielos, los huéspedes pueden experimentar el legendario servicio de la marca a bordo del Four Seasons Private Jet Experience. A fines del año pasado, un jet completamente nuevo, diseñado con el aporte de huéspedes anteriores, despegó y llevó a los huéspedes en viajes personalizados por todo el mundo. Con los itinerarios para 2023 casi agotados y un calendario completo de viajes para 2024 recién anunciado, el programa continúa creciendo.

En septiembre de 2022, Four Seasons anunció la introducción de Four Seasons Yachts. Se espera que el primer barco se embarque en 2025, el yate de 207 metros (679 pies) ofrecerá un nivel de servicio personalizado sin precedentes, con una proporción de 1: 1 de huéspedes por personal, y amplias suites de estilo residencial entre muchos otros en -Servicios a bordo.

Tras el éxito del viaje de conducción inaugural  de Beyond by Four Seasons  en la Toscana en 2022, a finales de este año se darán a conocer nuevos y emocionantes itinerarios que brindarán a los viajeros la oportunidad de explorar destinos excepcionales al volante de un automóvil deportivo de lujo clásico o moderno.

En todos los puntos de contacto, en tierra, en el cielo y pronto en el mar, los huéspedes disfrutarán del servicio y la atención genuinos y personalizados que brinda Four Seasons, más de 50 000 empleados en todo el mundo, y por los cuales la marca ha sido reconocida durante más de 60 años. .

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Grant Dalton, Emirates Team New Zealand CEO
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Italian brand SLAM becomes Official Apparel Supplier to America’s Cup Defender Emirates Team New Zealand

La marca italiana SLAM se convierte en proveedor oficial de indumentaria de America’s Cup Defender Emirates Team New Zealand

La marca italiana de ropa de navegación de alto rendimiento SLAM ha unido fuerzas con el cuatro veces ganador de la America’s Cup, el Emirates Team New Zealand, en la preparación de la 37.ª edición del icónico evento en Barcelona el próximo año.

Grant Dalton, Emirates Team New Zealand CEO

Grant Dalton, Emirates Team New Zealand CEO

SLAM, una marca global que se fundó en Génova en 1979, se sumará a la campaña de Nueva Zelanda como proveedor oficial de indumentaria mientras el equipo prepara su defensa de la America’s Cup en octubre de 2024.

Emirates Team New Zealand defendió con éxito la America’s Cup en Auckland en 2021 después de haber ganado previamente la competencia deportiva internacional más antigua del mundo en 1995, 2000 y luego nuevamente en 2017.

SLAM cambió de manos en 2021, fue comprada por VAM Investment Group y se embarcó en un nuevo viaje de alto perfil con el regatista campeón del mundo Enrico Chieffi a la cabeza como director ejecutivo y un fuerte enfoque en ropa de navegación de clase mundial técnicamente innovadora y de alto rendimiento.

El Emirates Team New Zealand defenderá la America’s Cup contra los ganadores de la Challenger Series, que será disputada por cinco equipos ultracompetitivos: el INEOS Britannia del Reino Unido dirigido por el multicampeón olímpico Sir Ben Ainslie; los dos veces ganadores de la Copa de Suiza Alinghi Red Bull Racing; el equipo italiano Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli dirigido por Max Sirena como director y patrón del equipo; American Magic dirigido por Terry Hutchinson con los ganadores de la medalla de oro olímpica Tom Slingsby y Paul Goodison; y el K-Challenge francés liderado por Stephan Kandler.

Enrico Chieffi, director ejecutivo de SLAM
El CEO de Emirates Team New Zealand, Grant Dalton, dijo: “SLAM ha demostrado su estrategia clara y positiva al trabajar para convertirse en una de las mejores marcas de ropa de navegación de alto rendimiento del mundo y todos nosotros en Emirates Team New Zealand esperamos trabajar junto a ellos en eso”. misión.

“Somos un equipo de más de 100 personas en una amplia gama de roles vitales, desde ingeniería hasta construcción de barcos y navegación, que deben trabajar juntos para ganar la Copa América. Esta filosofía se extiende a todos nuestros socios y SLAM y su compromiso con su indumentaria de calidad”.

El acuerdo hará que SLAM suministre ropa técnica al Emirates Team New Zealand luego de una colaboración en el desarrollo de materiales y diseño de productos. Se comercializará a nivel mundial una versión réplica de la indumentaria que viste el equipo con las mismas características técnicas.

Enrico Chieffi dijo: “Es un verdadero honor firmar este acuerdo y unirme a la campaña del Emirates Team New Zealand. Haremos todo lo posible para contribuir a su defensa de la America’s Cup. Grant Dalton y yo nos conocemos desde hace muchos años. Siempre ha existido una sintonía y un profundo respeto entre nosotros, incluso cuando a menudo fuimos protagonistas en los eventos más importantes de la vela mundial, primero como atletas y luego como gerentes.

“SLAM ha desempeñado un papel central en el mundo de la navegación durante más de 40 años y nuestro objetivo es establecer su lugar entre las mejores marcas de navegación de alto rendimiento del mundo. Esta asociación es un paso importante en ese camino”. The Emirates Team New Zealand la ropa técnica es el resultado de una estrecha colaboración en el desarrollo de materiales y diseño de productos”, agregó Chieffi, quien fue campeón mundial en las clases 470 y Star, doble regatista olímpico y táctico en el retador de la Copa América de Italia Il Moro di Venezia. en 1992.

Acerca de Slam
Slam S.p.A. es una reconocida marca italiana de ropa de navegación de alto rendimiento fundada en Génova en 1979. La empresa es propiedad de VAM Investment Group desde 2021, y Enrico Chieffi, campeón mundial, atleta olímpico, táctico de la Copa América y exitoso hombre de negocios, es el director ejecutivo. Con el apoyo clave del nuevo socio financiero y estratégico de la empresa, Chieffi se encarga de llevar adelante la misión de gestionar la nueva fase de desarrollo de SLAM, con el objetivo de desbloquear todo el potencial de la marca y establecer a SLAM entre las mejores marcas de navegación de alto rendimiento del mundo.

Acerca de VAM Investment Group spa
VAM es una sociedad de cartera de capital privado dirigida por el consejero delegado y accionista Marco Piana, controlada por el presidente Francesco Trapani y participada por Tages, una sociedad internacional de gestión de activos activa en fondos alternativos, infraestructura y, a través de sus accionistas, deuda en dificultades/NPL, con Umberto Quadrino como presidente y Panfilo Tarantelli como director general. VAM realiza inversiones de capital privado junto con empresarios y gerentes, proporcionando una combinación exclusiva en el mercado de conjuntos de habilidades comerciales, administrativas y financieras. A los socios de VAM se une un grupo cercano de oficinas familiares italianas e internacionales de alto perfil que conforman el VAM Investments Club. Recientemente, VAM ha llevado a cabo operaciones de inversión clave, incluida la del Grupo Florence, nombre líder en la cadena de suministro textil de Italia, y la cotización de un SPAC valorado en 210 millones en la bolsa de valores de Ámsterdam.

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BENTLEY MOTORS APPOINTS NEW MULLINER AND MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR IN BESPOKE DIVISION REORGANISATION

BENTLEY MOTORS APPOINTS NEW MULLINER AND MOTORSPORT DIRECTOR IN BESPOKE DIVISION REORGANISATION

  • Ansar Ali joins Bentley as Mulliner and Motorsport Director from McLaren Special Operations
  • Paul Williams becomes Mulliner Chief Technical Officer with Bob Martin appointed Chief Operating Officer
  • Reorganisation follows record levels of demand for bespoke services, increasing fivefold in the past five years 

(Crewe, 13 January 2023) Bentley Motors today announced the appointment of Ansar Ali as the new Mulliner and Motorsport Director, reporting directly to Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and CEO. Ali will lead the reorganised Mulliner division as customer personalisation reaches record levels of demand.

Ali, who has a 30 year career in the automotive industry, joins from McLaren Special Operations where he was Managing Director. Before this, Ali held senior management roles at Ford, Lotus, Caterham and co-founded Zenos Cars.

Ali’s dual responsibilities at Bentley cover Motorsport activities, working closely with the GT3 race teams currently competing, and a focus on Bentley’s personal commissioning division, Mulliner, the oldest coachbuilder in the world and now with three distinct classifications; Classics, Collections and Coachbuilt.  Commenting on Ali’s appointment, Adrian Hallmark said:

“Mulliner represents the very pinnacle of automotive design and expertise and Ansar joins at a time when we are experiencing record levels of demand across our features, collections, coachbuilt and classics possibilities. Ansar’s considerable industry experience, particularly leading low-volume, highly bespoke customer-led divisions will offer valuable insights that will reinforce Mulliner as the leading personal commissioning division and generate significant contributions to the wider Bentley business.”

Ali will lead a reorganised Mulliner bespoke division in which Paul Williams becomes Chief Technical Officer, having held a number of senior positions in a 15 year career at Bentley, and Bob Martin, formerly Head of Final Assembly at Bentley, becomes Chief Operating Officer. All positions are effective immediately.

Mulliner has been building bespoke bodies and cabins since 1923 and today handcrafts exquisite, personalised cars that epitomise luxury, performance, exclusivity and individuality. Mulliner’s portfolio includes coachbuilt cars such as the Batur, heritage limited editions including the Blower, and a wide variety of stunning and unique customer projects.

The high level of customer demand for bespoke services, reaching record numbers in 2022, helped push Bentley to its third consecutive record sales year, announcing earlier this week a sales success of 15,174 in 2022, a four per cent increase on 2021.

Bentley Motors
Bentley Motors is the most sought after luxury car brand in the world. The company’s headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production of the company’s five model lines, Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible, Flying Spur, Bentayga and Bentayga EWB. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury car brands such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley employs around 4,000 people at Crewe.

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UDesign | Luxury Home Design – Manhattan Suite Apartment

UDesign | Luxury Home Design – Manhattan Suite Apartment

Eclectic, sophisticated, mature, classical and modern. These are all words that fit the description of the Manhattan Suite Apartment.

The bold colours, the dark wooden floors, the four metre high wooden ceilings and the funky old school style comes together to create an inspiring environment. Based on the principles of simplicity and symmetry the design choices in the living area hint at Neo-classicism.

The artworks carry a theme of faces and add splashes of colour and a sensual mood to the room. The striking (and very realistic) Cavalli wallpaper in the hallway turns a normally boring place into a really interesting space.

The master bedroom has shades of the baroque, especially in the wallpapered panels on both sides of the fireplace and the circular mirror, a little Art Nouveau in the hanging brass lamp and four armchairs, and the rest as minimalist as possible to make the whole thing work.



Luxury Home Design

The minimalist/baroque style carries through to the bathroom, where a full-size statue of Venus de Milo stands beside the window looking in. She likes what she sees: a free-standing bath, a small round table to place the champagne glass, a simple but elegant towel rack and a wine-red stool, all overlooking the wonderful view of the city. The details speak volumes in this superlative bedroom suite.

 

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Mercedes-AMG Vision AMG Ev Concept

Vision AMG show car offers glimpse of all-electric future of Mercedes-AMG

Dedicated AMG.EA architecture for all-electric AMG models forms basis for extraordinary study

Affalterbach/Nice.  Spectacular proportions defined by a long wheelbase and emphasised by short overhangs, powerful shoulders, large wheels, a distinctive rear spoiler and star-shaped headlamp signature – the Vision AMG makes an emotional statement from every perspective.

Design Essentials IV – The Art of Creating Desire, 2022, Nice: Vision AMG

This extraordinary show car from Mercedes-AMG offers a glimpse of the all-electric future of AMG Driving Performance. Beneath the breath‑taking exterior design of the four-door coupé is the equally extraordinary dedicated AMG.EA platform, which is currently under development in Affalterbach for all-electric performance models.

“AMG is reinventing itself. As was once the case with our founding fathers, there has been an amazing feeling of new beginnings here in Affalterbach for quite some time now. The course has been well and truly set for an electrified future, and we’ve set the bar high. That’s because our customers expect something very special from all-electric cars. We have already well and truly proven our expertise in this regard with the SLS AMG Electric Drive, our own E PERFORMANCE hybrid technology and the first Mercedes-EQ derivatives. With this study, we are now offering a first glimpse of how we are transferring the AMG DNA into the all‑electric future, starting in 2025. Gorden and his team are pointing the way from a visual perspective with this extraordinary design. At AMG, we have always stood for that extra shot of emotion, driving fun, handling, ingenious aerodynamic features and other innovative solutions. And that’s what we continue to stand for with our first BEV developed entirely in Affalterbach. We’re developing everything from scratch, from the dedicated AMG.EA platform to the revolutionary drivetrain technology with which we will take performance electric mobility to a whole new level,” says Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

Design Essentials IV – The Art of Creating Desire, 2022, Nice: Vision AMG

“The Vision AMG shows in spectacular style what electrification could look like at Mercedes-AMG, while staying true to the brand aesthetic. The study’s extreme proportions create fascination and passion for performance – that’s what AMG is all about. The Vision AMG is an impressive embodiment of the brand’s dual polarity – the interplay of beauty and the extraordinary.

Design Essentials IV – The Art of Creating Desire, 2022, Nizza: Vision AMG

At the same time, elements from the future, such as the light signatures with the illuminated high-tech grille, underscore the progressive evolution of our design language of Sensual Purity,” says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “With its contrasting modern surfacing and radical proportions, this car showcases the next design step, building on the VISION EQXX and moving further towards performance luxury. The seamless flow of beautifully formed surfaces and the monolithic sculpture complete the powerful aesthetic of the Vision AMG. The result is an electric supercar, a style icon that stimulates desire – and that’s exactly what sets a luxury sports car apart.”

Design Essentials IV – The Art of Creating Desire, 2022, Nizza: Vision AMG

Monolithic sculpture and radical proportions

The concept car is characterised by flowing, beautifully formed surfaces. Joints and shut lines are reduced to a minimum, and the rear and side windows are painted in the same Alubeam silver as the car itself. The result is an overall look that reinforces the impression of a monolithic sculpture.

Design Essentials IV – The Art of Creating Desire, 2022, Nice: Vision AMG

The sporty proportions are particularly evident from the side, and are defined by the technical layout – long wheelbase, sharply raked A-pillar positioned far forward, short front overhang and slightly longer, aerodynamically optimised rear overhang. It clearly expresses the design language of Sensual Purity with distinctive sports car cues such as the widely flared wheel arches and broad, muscular shoulders at the rear.

Design Essentials IV – The Art of Creating Desire, 2022, Nice: Vision AMG

The graceful greenhouse is integrated into the flowing overall form and blends seamlessly into the low-lying silhouette. The roof tapers as its line drops elegantly towards the rear, flowing directly into the rear spoiler. The overall effect is a visually fascinating and aerodynamically advantageous teardrop form, not unlike that of the VISION EQXX. The sensual surfacing and the powerfully defined sculpture are representative of the hallmark Mercedes design language. Similarly, the brand’s aspiration to the extraordinary is realised through the radical proportions and sharply chiselled shark nose. The Vision AMG is thus an impressive example of the dual polarity of the brand’s design approach embracing “Beauty & the Extraordinary”.

Design Essentials IV – The Art of Creating Desire, 2022, Nice: Vision AMG

The sharply angled tear-off edge at the rear incorporates an active spoiler, elongating the side view while at the same time improving the aerodynamics. It is framed by a precisely cut band of light that accommodates a variety of different light installations, providing an effective contrast with the large black AMG logo on the rear of the car.

Design Essentials IV – The Art of Creating Desire, 2022, Nizza: Vision AMG
Design Essentials IV – The Art of Creating Desire, 2022, Nice: Vision AMG

Breathtaking technology for hallmark performance

The technology of the Vision AMG tributes the spectacular design in many ways. All of its drivetrain components are developed entirely from scratch: not only the AMG.EA platform itself, but also the dedicated high-performance high-voltage battery and the revolutionary drive technology. The powerful heart of the Vision AMG is its innovative Axial Flux Motor developed by Mercedes-Benz’ wholly owned subsidiary YASA. With its compact and lightweight design it delivers substantially more power than conventional electric motors.

Closed-off AMG grille with illuminated bars

The AMG-specific grille with vertical bars is retained as a distinctive brand feature – despite the fact that an all-electric drivetrain does not require a classic radiator at the front. The high-tech development of the grille is therefore closed off, painted in body colour and fully integrated into the front end. As the visual focal point, the grille emphasises the futuristic look of the Vision AMG with its illuminated bars and three-dimensional exterior contour. The three-pointed star is positioned prominently on the bonnet – as on the Mercedes‑AMG Project ONE.

Design Essentials IV – The Art of Creating Desire, 2022, Nizza: Vision AMG

Extraordinary star-shaped light signature

The headlamp light signature points directly into the future. Three LED elements form a stylised, three‑dimensional Mercedes star, ensuring the Mercedes and AMG branding is immediately apparent and unmistakable by night and day. The two headlamps are visually connected via the horizontal band of light above the grille. This light band can display a variety of animations – ranging from a welcome signature to constant light.

The round lights at the rear have a light design that is new yet familiar. On each side, three LED rings are positioned in cylindrical tubes. Here, too, small stars offer a nod to the Mercedes brand. By way of contrast, the expressive rear diffuser is painted deep black.

Design Essentials IV – The Art of Creating Desire, 2022, Nizza: Vision AMG

Connection to Formula 1 through form and colour cues

The direct connection to the successful Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team is evident in further visual details. These include the silver paintwork with a large-format star pattern across the shoulders and rear wings, functional elements in exposed carbon-fibre, the aerodynamic design of the 22-inch wheels with aero claddings, the AMG logo and elements on the sills and diffuser in the Petronas colours.

The sporty high-tech seamless design and the breath-taking proportions give the Vision AMG a futuristic character. The four-door configuration also makes clear that the show car offers a taste of a functional all‑electric sports car of the future. Despite the battery pack in the floor of the car between the axles, the study sits considerably lower than the EQS and, thanks to its intelligently designed interior floor, offers plenty of space for four.

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La Reserva Club Sotogrande - Less than a month to go until you can enjoy paradise once again!
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La Reserva Club Sotogrande – Less than a month to go until you can enjoy paradise once again!

 

 

Less than a month to go until you can enjoy paradise once again!

The Beach is Back! – 1st April 2022

 

 

We’re counting down to the reopening of The Beach at La Reserva Club Sotogrande for the 2022 season.

There are some exciting new developments for the new season. These include the new Island Chambao, where a group of 12 can have their own private island, new VIP packages and a massage area from the team of the spa at SO/ Sotogrande. Join us for water sports on the lagoon and look out for our special gourmet nights at The Beach’s restaurant from the 11th of July to the 4th of September, featuring guest chefs and cuisine from around the world.

This year, booking is even easier, with online and WhatsApp booking options. Simply clic the button below to be taken to the online booking engine and reserve your sundebs in just a few clicks. Alternatively, send a WhatsApp to +34 677 58 58 58 to book your sunbed or table at the restaurant easily and quickly.

 

Tennis and Padel Activities

 

 

Take to the courts with your kids the Father’s Day and compete against other parent and child teams in a Doubles Tournament. Places are limited to just 16 pairs of under 10s and their parents. Starting at 4pm on the 19th of March and finishing on the 20th of March at 12.00, this will be a great way to get active with your kids and bond over your love for tennis. There will be tapas and paella in the Racquet Centre bar for all the participants on Sunday and entry is 40€ per pair.

Join us for padel and tennis Mix-Ins on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings. It’s a great way to practice, improve your skills and make new friends. What’s more, a new padel pro – Pernille Bossy – has recently joined our team and she will take your game to another level!

Alternatively, our young players can also compete on the 27th of March in our Junior Tennis Tournament and there’s a padel Mix-In for their parents at the same time.

Please reserve your place by emailing lareserva.tenis@sotogrande.com or sending a WhatsApp to +34 670 98 00 93.

Celebrate Spring with us!

LRC Workshop- 26th March

 

 

To celebrate the start of Spring, we’re organising a blooming marvellous workshop on the 26th of March. Attendees will be creating a stunning flower centrepiece alongside the experts from Areka florists, followed by a delicious afternoon tea on the terrace at the Club House. The workshop starts at 11.30 and costs 20€ per person including both the workshop and the afternoon tea.

Easter at La Reserva Club!

 

 

 

Easter Holiday Camps

From the 10th to the 17th of April, children from 6 to 12 years old are invited to make the most of their time off at La Reserva Club. There’s a packed programme of activities over the week, from golf and tennis to riding and watersports, all led by an amazing teaching team. Kids can join in for just a day, or the full week, and there are half day and full day options. See the prices by clicking here.

Easter Sunday Family Fun

There are some fantastic family activities taking place at Racque Centre for Easter Sunday (17th April). From 11am the little ones can take part on workshops to paint Easter eggs and design and make bags to use for collecting Easter eggs. Once they have their bags, they can take part in a fun Easter Egg Hunt around the Racquet Centre and see how many yummy eggs they can find. Last but not least, there’s a sports day with lots of great activities including sack races or archery to enjoy.

 

 

 

Our agenda offers a full program of sports and activities for adventure lovers, luxury travellers, golf enthusiasts and sun worshippers. From weekly themed brunches, tours of Sotogrande and dining under the stars, to challenging golf, paddle tennis and tennis tournaments, there’s something for everyone. Make the most of your year at La Reserva Club!
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This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron
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This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

It instantly brings back memories of the legendary Audi Sport quattro S1 with which the four rings used to charge to the summit in the famous Pikes Peak Hill Climb event, aka the “Race To The Clouds:” Audi is presenting the Audi S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron that has been exclusively and uniquely developed for American drift artist Ken Block. The all-electric one-of-a-kind car will be the protagonist in a new video that Block is producing together with his team for release in the next few months.

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

“The S1 Hoonitron combines a lot of what Audi was already famous for in the nineteen-eighties,” says Ken Block, whose enthusiasm for Audi’s rally cars was sparked at an early age. “For instance, the car’s spectacular aerodynamics have now been translated into a totally modern form. I think it’s cool that the Audi designers have been inspired by their own past and uniquely transferred the car’s technologies and appearance into the present.” 

Two electric motors, all-wheel drive, power galore, a carbon fiber chassis, and the full safety standards as prescribed by motorsport’s top governing body, the FIA – these are merely the S1 Hoonitron’s statistics. In November, the driver got to know the car for the first time. “Audi gave me the opportunity to test it for a few days in Germany,” says Ken Block.

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

“I’m familiar with a wide variety of cars using internal combustion engines and transmissions, but there were a lot of new things for me to learn here. Spinning into a donut at 150 km/h directly from standstill – just using my right foot – is an all-new experience for me. Our work was focused on getting the car and I used to each other. My thanks go to the whole Audi Sport squad for their outstanding teamwork.”

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

The entire development, including the technology, of the S1 Hoonitron was conducted by Audi Sport at the Neckarsulm location – a perfect fit for the project, because that’s also where the Audi RS e-tron GT1 is produced. Audi Design in Ingolstadt was responsible for the styling, which has been anything but a run-of-the-mill job for Marc Lichte and his team. “When we first heard about this project, the whole team was thrilled immediately: we had the opportunity to develop a car that combines an icon of our brand with the future,” says Audi’s chief designer. The challenges were tremendous: “It was about creating a modern, all-electric interpretation of the S1 Pikes Peak. The timeline was extremely tight: while our design process normally takes one to one-and-a-half years, we only had four weeks from the first drawing to the final design. We were constantly in touch with Ken Block and his team and engaged in intensive exchanges.”

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron
This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron
This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron
This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

Fans will soon be able to see the US star’s success with the project for themselves: under the working title Elektrikhana, Ken Block and his team are going to produce the next video of his famous Gymkhana series featuring the S1 Hoonitron. “The collaboration with Audi is a very special partnership for me. The brand and its passion for motorsport motivated me to get into rallying,” says Ken Block. “That Audi has now developed this car for me and my team, and has joined us in our next project, has made a dream come true for me. The Hoonitron is writing the next chapter in our history and taking our Gymkhana story into the future.”

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

This is Ken Block’s Audi S1 Hoonitron

A story of the future that everyone at Audi is also looking forward to: “Knowing that we’re developing a car for a video with Ken Block that millions of people around the world are going to watch has provided our team with additional motivation,” says Marc Lichte. “These new inspirations are also immensely important for our daily work. The development of this car will encourage us to approach future projects with an even more open and progressive mindset.”

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2021 actresses Léa Seydoux and Ana de Armas attended the world premiere of No Time To Die wearing jewelry by Chopard

On Tuesday September 28th, 2021 actresses Léa Seydoux and Ana de Armas attended the world premiere of No Time To Die wearing jewelry by Chopard

Léa selected to wear a pair of “Nuage”  earrings featuring brilliant-cut diamonds (totalling 3.77cts) Lea also selected an exquisite butterfly ring featuring pear shaped diamonds (totaling 14.5cts) in 18-carat white gold from The Haute Joaillerie collection and Precious Lace collections.

Ana selected to wear a pair of earrings featuring brilliant pear cut diamonds (totaling 26.78cts) a ring featuring a marquise brilliant cut diamond (totaling 9ct) with further brilliant cut diamonds set in 18-carat white gold, another ring featuring emerald cut diamonds (7.45ct) set in FairMined white gold, a pair of round brilliant solitaire earrings and lastly a ring featuring diamonds in 18-carat white gold.

 

 

 

 

 

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