The Quail: A Paradise For Automotive Enthusiasts

On August 16th the 17th annual The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering welcomed 6,000 enthusiasts into a world that can only be described as an automotive paradise. Whether you are a automotive executive, Motorsports legend, celebrity, or just someone who loves cars, the Quail is the place to be every August during Monterey Car Week.

The unique thing about the Quail is that the atmosphere is chic yet completely conducive to pleasant conversation with perfect strangers. Most of the attendees at the Quail are always ready to jump at the opportunity to indulge in a conversation on just about anything automotive. We imagine that hundreds of great cars, wonderful gourmet cuisine, and the warm California sun brings out the best in all of us.

Philip Kadoorie with Mark Webber
Hannah Elliott with Alex Hirschi

The Peninsula Signature Events team, who are responsible for the event, put together several “Fireside Chat panels” to entertain guests. The most notable panel was a discussion between Philip Kadoorie and two-time Monaco Grand Prix winner and 2015 FIA World Endurance Champion Mark Webber. Additionally, Alex Hirschi (AKA Supercar Blondie) was interviewed by automotive journalist Hannah Elliott.

Laid out across the greens of the Quail Lodge & Golf Club, this year’s festivities highlighted three particularly special classes. Most importantly was the “100 Years of Bentley Motors” class which honored the marque with the the North American unveiling of the EXP 100 GT concept car and the new Flying Spur sedan. Secondly was the “The 25th Anniversary of the McLaren F1,” which was honored with the presence of an iconic one-of-10 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail. Finally, the third class was “A Tribute to the Electric Car Movement” which highlighted electric vehicles over the decades with a very special 1965 Volkswagen Beetle Zelectric Sedan electric car prototype.

“Our 17th annual event has been an incredible success,” said Gordon McCall, Director of Motorsports for The Peninsula Signature Events. “Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, the world-class guests at our panels, the beautiful atmosphere and, most of all, the enthusiasm and love of our amazing automotive community, this event has continued to grow and improve year after year. We already can’t wait to see what 2020 brings!”

Several major anniversaries and vehicle debuts were celebrated at this year’s event for the likes of Lotus Cars, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Bentley Motors, Acura, Pagani Automobili, Singer Vehicle Design and Drako Motors. Some the most noteworthy was the debut of the all new and highly limited Centodieci from Bugatti, the 1200 horsepower Drako Motors sedan, and the EXP 100 GT concept car from Bentley. Outside of the typical automotive sponsors, was Burgess Yachts with some stunning small scale models of Oceanco like M.Y. Barbara which is currently available for sale. On the aviation side of things, Pagani showcased their unique take on the design interior of an Airbus A320 Corporate Jet in a virtual reality simulation by KIP Creating.

Centodieci
Centodieci
EXP 100 GT concept
EXP 100 GT concept
The GTE Drako Motors sedan

The 1931 Bentley 4-Litre
The 1931 Stutz DV 32 Convertible Victoria by Le Baron

Capturing the highly coveted “Best of Show” award was a 1931 Stutz DV 32 Convertible Victoria by Le Baron owned by Joseph and Margie Cassini of New Jersey. The Stutz competed against nearly 300 entrants for the prestigious title. The Spirit of The Quail was awarded to a 1957 Ferrari 335S owned by Cavallino Investments of Ohio; whereas the Octane Choice was awarded to a 1952 Nash Healey Le Mans Prototype Racer owned by Jose Fernandez of Connecticut. The FIVA award was bestowed upon a 1931 Bentley 4-Litre owned by Terry & Darlene Larson of Arizona.

However, one of our favorite awards is one which does not take itself too seriously. The Car Park Concours de Quailegance award presented by Philip Kadoorie is selected based on the most interesting vehicle in the event’s car park. This year the winner was a well loved 1953 Aston Martin DB2 DHC owned by Jeffrey Long of Hawaii.

The 1957 Ferrari 335S

The 18th Annual The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering is scheduled for Friday, August 14, 2020. For more information please visit the Peninsula Signature Events website.

Photos Courtesy of: Kahn Media

Image Credit: Photographer Adam Swords

The McCall’s Wow Their Guests yet again in Gatsby Like Fashion at the 28th Annual McCall’s Motorworks Revival

McCall’s Motorworks Revival, the unofficial kick-off party of famed Monterey Car Week wowed guests again with debuts from exceptional automotive marques and aviation manufacturers.

Now in its 28th year the McCall’s Motorworks Revival at the Monterey Jet Center only seems to become more ingenious with each passing year. Husband and wife team Gordon and Molly McCall hosted a crowd of over 3,000 guests at this year’s exclusive event. As always, particular attention was taken when curating the nearly four acre display of legendary motors and aircraft. Stunning sculptures crafted by artist Mark Russo of the Foundry Michelangelo were also a sight to behold.

“The 28th Annual McCall’s Motorworks Revival was one of the most memorable we’ve ever hosted,” said Gordon McCall, founder of the McCall’s Motorworks Revival. “The California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation had a hugely successful night and variety of automobiles and aircraft, along with these unique displays have made 2019 one of our most successful events to date. We hope we can continue to grow McCall’s Motorworks Revival as one of Monterey’s must-see events in 2020 and beyond.”

Guest enjoyed epicurean delights as they sampled wines from Ben Pon’s Bernardus Winery, Peter Mullin’s Mullin Estate Wines, and Kevin Buckler’s Adobe Road, to name just a few. Some particular highlights of this year’s displays were a group of Ford GTs, a one-of-two 1978 BMW 320 Turbo lightweight race car, and a replica of the 1935 Bugatti Aerolithe that was constructed on an original Bugatti Type 57. North American vehicle launches were also plentiful with the debut of the production model RUF CTR Anniversary super-car and the Ford GT Mk II track-only version.

Aircrafts displays stole the show as always, with the iconic B-25 bomber and P-51 Mustang taking center stage, both have graced the event with their presence for some years now. More modern aviation displays included business jets like a Dassault Falcon 900 LX, which is available for charter by Clay Lacy. Embraer showcased their Legacy 500 as well as their Phenom 300E, and last but certainly not least Gulfstream showed the recently launched Gulfstream G500.

Unique additions to the event’s 28th incarnation included a wide variety of horological manufacturers and jewelry boutiques. Prominent displays from watchmakers and jewelers, such as Bremont, Eberhard & Co., H. Moser & Cie., Kerbedanz, Reservoir Watch SA, ORIS, Chronoswiss A.G. and Winston’s Estate Jewelers, added a fun new dimension to this year’s event. As guests dined on delights such as caviar, paella, and duck, they were treated to a beautiful display of Bentleys, Rolls Royces, and Lamborghinis from Los Gatos Luxury Cars as well as a selection of extravagantly restored Ford Broncos from Gateway Bronco.

For more information on Gordon McCall’s Motorworks Revival check out the website and follow the event on Instagram.

The 69th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Best of Show Champion

On Sunday the 69th Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance began filling the competition grounds with classic cars as far as the eye can see. As a total of 216 cars, withstanding the test of time and retaining a beauty from bygone eras, cruise in on renowned Monterey Car Week they grace the lawn this year to compete against one another for the chance of being titled the Best of Show winner. With cars hailing from 17 countries and 31 states, the day was overflowing with automobiles from all over the world as well as being a paradise for the classic automobile enthusiast.

Out of the many challengers this year who participated in the prominent competition, only one car will be dubbed the 69th Best of Show champion. However, the car that stood out the most and won the respect and appreciation of those in attendance was none other than the 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Gurney Nutting Sports Tourer owned by the Honorable Sir Michael Kadoorie. It was announced on Sunday that this 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Gurney Nutting Sports Tourer was named the champion of the Best of Show award, which embodied a traditional class of elegance with a sense of refined might and vigor.

“This Bentley exudes strength and confidence, and that translates into elegance,” said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. “Yes, this is a fast, strong, sturdy car, but it also has perfect proportions, a stunning stance, and a boldness that draws you to it. When you drive it, it does everything you ask of it.”

The 69th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Best of Show Champion — *The 1931 Bentley 8 Litre Gurney Nutting Sports Tourer from the Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie*

Following the announcement, a gold coloured ribbon, marking the 1931 Bentley as this year’s Best of Show winner, was adorned on the windshield right by other ribbons awarded for the automobile’s class win and completion of the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance. At this time Sir Michael Kadoorie conveyed his gratefulness for the car and the award that was bestowed upon it: “The Centennial of Bentley may have played a role in this award,” he said, “but the 8 Litre is the ultimate W. O. Bentley–era automobile. This is the car that represents Bentley at its finest, and I have been very fortunate to have a car that has this elegance and finish, and that the Pebble Beach Concours feels is worthy.”

With that said, Sir Michael Kadoorie believes and envisions W.O. Bentley is watching the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach from beyond and is overwhelmed with a sense of pride and joy for both his company’s long standing centennial celebration and his recognized accomplishments in the present automotive world. “Sir Michael Kadoorie said, “This is a high I have not known before.”

If this year’s competition had to be put into only one word, it would be ‘fierce’ to say the least. The number of tough to beat contenders were not small, which even included Richard and Melanie Lundquist’s 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Figoni & Falaschi Teardrop Cabriolet; David F. MacNeil’s 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Coupé; and The Keller Collection at The Pyramids’ 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Erdmann & Rossi Special Cabriolet.

In addition to these three Best of Show nominees, four Elegance Award winners were also named: Gwenn Graham Most Elegant Convertible, Richard & Melanie Lundquist’s 1938 Talbot-Lago T150C-SS Figoni & Falaschi Teardrop Cabriolet; J. B. & Dorothy Nethercutt Most Elegant Closed Car, Jonathan & Wendy Segal’s 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Ghia Supergioiello Coupé; Jules Heumann Most Elegant Open Car, 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Brewster York Roadster from the Lehrman Collection; Strother MacMinn Most Elegant Sports Car, David & Ginny Sydorick’s 1956 Ferrari 250 GT Zagato Berlinetta Speciale

The charitable donations that were raised throughout the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance amounts to 2 million USD this year. As the primary charitable partner of the Concours, the reputable Pebble Beach Company Foundation directs these funds in order to benefit over 80 local charities, which results in helping more than 10,000 children annually in Monterey County

Comedian, actor and producer Jay Leno, who manages the charity drawing for the Concours Awards Ceremony, raied over 100,000 USD towards the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County. As the host of Jay Leno’s Garage, he raised the aforementioned amount by providing tours of his garage. Furthermore, he has accumulated 800,000 USD in funds for Concours Charities.

Serving as the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Gooding & Company netted over 76 million USD over the weekend throughout the annual Pebble Beach Auctions. The 1958 Ferrari 250 GT LWB California Spider that was realized for 9,905,000 USD and the 1975 Ferrari 312T which sold for 6 million USD were the two shining stars of the Friday’s auctions. As for Saturday’s auctions, the two most prominent sales happened to be the 1931 Studebaker Special Indy Car, which broke a new auction world record when it was bought for 1,105,000 USD, and the 1939 Alfa Romeo Tipo 256 Coupe that was acquired at 2,755,000 USD.

Next year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, which would mark 70 years since its inception in 1950, will take place Sunday, August 16, 2020. Next year is going to commemorate not only the 70th Pebble Beach Concours Best of Show winner, but also Pininfarina and Porsche 917s.

For more information visit: PebbleBeachConcours.net

Featured Image Courtesy of: Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

Serata Dubai: The Definitive Desert Lamborghini Experience

Taking place from November 21st to the 26th in Dubai, UAE is the Lamborghini Club America’s first debut of international events.

“I want to congratulate Lamborghini Club America for creating an event that is really top notch, ” said Stefano Domenicali, Chairman & CEO of Automobili Lamborghini Spa. “I see everything around and it’s beautiful. Thank you to Lamborghini Club America for the dedication and the passion that you give.”

For those of you that were captivated by our story on the Lamborghini Avventura event, you can now indulge in an even more luxurious Lamborghini rally. Racing a Lamborghini across the desert, where fast roads complement the extreme speeds Lamborghini is famous for, opens a whole new perspective on the Italian marque’s superlative performance and powerful horsepower. Set to take place in the United Arab Emirates, enthusiasts are now being offered the exclusive privilege of participating in one of the world’s grandest Lamborghini parades. The highly exclusive experience is limited to just 50 guests, who will be pampered in absolute extravagance spanning the five day event.

The adventure includes drives across the arabian desert to the highest elevations in the United Arab Emirates. Attendees will lunch at a restaurant located on one of the highest floors of the Burj Khalifa. Additional highlights of the event include a desert safari, private Autodrome track day, an underwater 7-course dining experience on the Palm Jumeriah, and dinning on a superyacht. Serata Dubai is even providing every guest with their own Lamborghini to experience Dubai in the most exhilarating manner possible. To learn more check out the itinerary below.

Day 1 (Thursday 21st November 2019)

Experience a champagne reception with hors d’oeuvres at the Waldorf Astoria Palm Jumeirah Royal Suite. The Royal Suite, at nearly 17,000 square feet, is one the largest hotel suites in the world and features opulent woods and Italian marble, along with 360-degree views of the Persian Gulf and the Palm Jumeirah Island.

Day 2 (Friday 22nd November 2019)

Day 2 begins at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club were guests will be able to indulge in the polo culture of the Middle East. Here you will enjoy playing polo against fellow guests from the back of a camel as a professional rider sits upfront. Awards will be given over lunch at the Polo Club. Your day will continue with a luxurious desert safari with a camel ride to a Bedouin camp. Drinks, traditional Arabic cuisine, and entertainment will follow as you become engrossed in stars above the desert skies.

Day 3 (Saturday 23rd November 2019)

On day 3 the Lamborghini Dubai dealership driving experience takes guests across the United Arab Emirates most spectacular roads to Jebel Jais mountain, which at over 5,000 feet above sea level is the highest point in the U.A.E. The drive, which carries guests around 2 hours outside of Dubai, allows passionate drivers to enjoy stunning scenery and engaging roads that pass through ancient villages and deep canyons.

Serata Dubai: The Definitive Desert Lamborghini Experience

Day 4 (Sunday 24th November 2019)

Sunday focuses on the cultural vibrancy of Dubai by indulging in a visit to the old town, souks, and traditional restaurants. A guided Lamborghini city drive provides guests with the ability to absorb the best of modern Dubai. Lunch at the Burj Khakifa and a seven course underwater dinner with wine pairing at the Ossiano Atlantis The Palm completes Day 4.

Day 5 (Monday 25th November 2019)

The main attraction of Day 5 is the world renowned Dubai Autodrome. This motorsports facility offers unrivaled integration with facility designed to enhance your driving experience to the utmost extent. Guests will partake in a full day of driving activities around the track. Monday comes to a close with an evening dinner cruise aboard a luxurious superyacht around Palm Island.

The Serata Dubai experience is priced at $27,550 per person (based on double occupancy). A single supplement fee applies ($7,950) for a single occupancy room. For those who’d desire to extend their stay and experience the Formula One Abud Habi Grand Prix (from November 29th to December 1st, 2019), Lamborghini Club America is offering an extended experience with details available upon request.

For more information please visit: LamborghiniClubAmerica.com/

Images courtesy of: Lamborghini Club America

De Tomaso Unveils the P72 to Commemorate their 60th Anniversary at The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

For those that are unfamiliar with the De Tomaso brand, the Italian marque was founded by race-car driver Alejandro de Tomaso in 1959. Mr. de Tomaso is well regarded for his pioneering work in the development of mid-engine road cars, with his most notable vehicle being the De Tomaso Pantera (produced from 1971 to 1993). De Tomaso gained additional fame for their production of Formula One cars and their nearly two decade long ownership of Maserati. All of this heritage nearly vanished with the passing of Alejandro in 2003, however in 2014 when the brand was purchased by Hong Kong based Ideal Team Ventures, De Tomaso was given a new chance at life.

In advance of the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the newly revived De Tomaso Automobili celebrated the brand’s 60th anniversary with the unveiling of the mind numbingly beautiful P72. The design of the P72 harkens back to the De Tomaso prototype vehicles of the mid 20th century such as the sport 1000, sport 2000 and P70. The endless lines of the all new P72 are the product of a collaboration between De Tomaso and Wyn Design. Both the interior and exterior design created a model that is utterly timeless with proportions that are without fault and ideal for superior performance. The De Tomaso team has titled the P72 as a ‘Modern-Day Time Machine’.

On the subject of the P72 paying homage to the original P70, Peter Brock, the P70’s designer, stated, “When I was told this new De Tomaso is an “homage” to my P70 Sports racer I was honored. I had no idea my concept from the mid ‘60s would in any way be influential to a car being presented today. My first impressions of the new DeTomaso are all so positive I hardly know where to begin. The exterior form is so well done it invites you to keep walking around, admiring every subtle detail. In this day of modern super GT’s it’s difficult to stand out for more than a short time. With its design, engineering and technical specifications I think this De Tomaso P72 will set a new standard.”

De Tomaso has stated that the P72 will be limited to just 72 examples. The manual transmission pays tribute to past De Tomasos and promises owners a more engaged driving experience that is fresh, exhilarating, and nostalgic. The P72’s chassis is based off an all-carbon fibre chassis featured on the Apollo IE. Full technical details are yet to be released, however we have heard rumors of an 8 litre petrol engine.

“We took our time, we digested, we read, we studied. We learned more and more about Alejandro and the incredible achievements that he had attained. In reality, when most people hear the word De Tomaso, the only thing that comes to mind is the Pantera. This is a true icon and the most successful car of the brand. However, our approach is not solely product driven, it is driven by history and the brand.” stated Norman Choi, Chairman of De Tomaso

De Tomaso is now accepting registrations of interest via soft deposits in advance of the release of additional technical details. We still are curious to know of the cars final technical details, however, based on what we’ve already seen, the forecasted base price of 750,000 euros may be the steal of the decade.

The De Tomaso Automobili dealer network is planned to consist of Miller Motorcars in North America, Joe Macari Performance for the U.K. and the Middle East market, Louwman Exclusive for Europe, and SPS Automotive for Asia.

Images courtesy of: De Tomaso Automobili

Image Credit: G.F. Williams

The Art of Lamborghini Matched with Skyler Grey’s Pop Art Creates An Extraordinary Masterpiece

What defines an extraordinary artist and a masterpiece he brings to life? In the era belonging to the young and bold, accomplishing something that is both innovative and awe-inspiring is no easy task. For an artist there are his colours and his canvas, and well the skill and creativity to make his art a true masterpiece. However, though artist are well versed in the types of colours at their disposal, what can be done about the canvas? Street artists, for example, can envision their art anywhere, thereby opening the door to infinite number of possibilities for the so-called ‘canvas’. But let’s take a young and talented artist teeming with an unlimited level of creativity with a canvas that is already irrefutably deserving the title of masterpiece? There is no need to wait in order to find out because famed American street artist Skyler Grey has revealed the answer to this question during renowned Monterey Car Week at a private party in a stunning villa overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Automobili Lamborghini provided the perfect canvas, which is widely regarded as a work of art in of itself: the Aventador S. What soon took place is plain to see as a one of a kind Lamborghini was born originating from a fusion between the beauty of automobiles and the empowering yet expressive street art of Skyler Grey. One one side sits a dynamic silhouette defined by taut lines, three-dimensional volumes, geometric components and advanced technology application; while the other side stands a man who has been referred to as the “Fresh Prince of Street Art” at the young age of 19. The one off Aventador S was officially unveiled at The Lamborghini Lounge on thursday in a villa resting at the 18th hole of Pebble Beach Golf Course in Monterey.

American Pop Artist, Skyler Grey states right before the big unveiling: “When we were making this car, Lamborghini thrives off of making the most perfect car. Skyler Grey, the artist that you are seeing now, I thought about the imperfections of my painting. So, when I was thinking about how I would make the car, I was sitting and thinking how are we going to make the most perfect imperfect car. And when I went to Sant’Agata and I [headed] to the new paint shop, I looked at my team, which is like my family – I love those people down there. And that’s exactly what we did, we made the most perfect imperfect car.”

Skyler Grey, one of the youngest and highest influencial figures in the art world, transformed the Lamborghini Aventador S, a car which is the epitome of perfection, into something completely new: Grey likes to call this latest piece perfectly imperfect. Making a work of art that is already perfect, then taking it and adding the transcendent style of Skyler Grey into the picture resulted in a transformation that brims with originality reflecting the personification of the artist and the superlative nature that is Lamborghini.

Katia Bassi, Chief Marketing & Communication Officer of Automobili Lamborghini, commented: “Because of the affinity we feel with the world of art, we wanted to experiment with a new creative approach, entrusting Skyler Grey with the interpretation of a car that is already itself a work of art. It is a project connected with our new paint shop in Sant’Agata Bolognese, a place where technology and art meet and where our specialists are tasked with turning our customers’ dreams into reality, in the search for aesthetic perfection.”

With an exceptional iconographic pop art style of painting that has been closely related to legendary artists such as Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat; Grey has undoubtedly lived up to such great names in the art community with his latest work. Being the youngest artist to have his pieces showcased in museums and art fairs across the globe, not to mention his name in the 2017 Forbes “30 under 30” list of the most influential artists worldwide, the rising star’s creativeness knows no bounds.

“If I had to have my own personal Lamborghini,” says Skyler Green. “I just thought what is more bold and more innovative than most colors. You know when you see the entertainment side of one of my painting series, in which I took success and bottled up that success and I took what Lamborghini was and I bottled up what Lamborghini was. Then I took the bull and interpreted it in my own personal way [as] you see the bull is hopping out of the can.”

When the car was delivered to the artist, it came painted in the new Lamborghini paint shop that was recently opened in Sant’Agata Bolognese. Roughly a year long creative process took place, not including an additional three weeks in the paint shop, which was handled by partnering up with an interfunctional team highly capable technologists and experts in paints, logistics assembly and quality as they worked throughout the feasibility phase and right down to the production process. Undeterred by the high level of intricate tasks need for its completion, the artist along with the assistance of the team has developed the first ever four wheeled street-legal work of art.

Utilizing a range of principal techniques for street art, Grey applied airbrushes, spray guns, rollers and stencils in order to characterize the vehicle in his personal pop art colours of orange and yellow. Grey chose the use of orange, Arancio Atlas (orange), as the base colour for which he expresses his vision of what is translated by the Lamborghini trademark. Yellow, dark orange and white colours make the exterior pop in unusual brushstrokes with splashes of colour and paint dripped atop the surface area via the drip painting technique. These three colours scatter and conjoin to create depictions of bulls rampaging across the side of the body having been released from air intakes in a race from the famous Campbell’s soup can that is a reference to Warhol’s “32 Campbell’s Soup Cans”.

Like any great work of art, the artwork isn’t finished until the artist signs his name at the bottom of the canvas, and Skyler Grey’s signature prominently appears on the bodywork with a lightning bolt above it, which guarantees the authenticity of the work. The interiors, which are in a Nero Ade (black) leather alongside conflicting orange stitching, are stylized on the rear panel with an embellished image of an animated bull located right in between blots of colour paint accompanied by a splash effect. The artist’s vigorous design of the bull was handed over to the artistic embroidery skills of Lamborghini’s upholstery specialists.

This all-new Aventador S by Skyler Grey, having already been purchased by an art collector, will be the first Lamborghini to be certified through contemporary blockchain technology. Furthermore, the car belongs to the pilot project “Lamborghini Sicura”, having been launched in concert with Salesforce and focuses on preserving the car as a work of art. To make this possible a process of verifying the authenticity certification is needed, which also requires Salesforce Blockchain technology so as to ensure data security and incorruptibility. This type of protection system is used to block and shut off any possibility of counterfeiting as the system traces and certifies all the information regarding the model whilst boosting the value for all stakeholders.

The private villa is modelled to reflect that of an art collector and Lamborghini fan’s home where guests are welcomed into a world of Lamborghini art and design merge to create a sanctuary for art and automotive enthusiasts. The space is the culmination of various forms of art and was designed with one motto in mind “Created to Inspire”.

Lamborghini’s newest models were on display throughout the party with interactive spaces that take guests through the creative process of their design and to their personalization, within a warm, inviting and informal ambience. Amongst the lively artists in attendance at the lounge, aside from Skyler Grey alongside the Lamborghini he has individualized and some of his most memorable artwork, Italian artist Alfredo Sannoner, who’s a master calligrapher with his italic art and pursuit of both elegance and precision in writing, also made an appearance.

Maria Kochetkova Begs the Audience to “Catch Her if You Can” in Her Most Recent Project Since Leaving the San Francisco Ballet

In a series of dizzyingly graceful pirouettes, leaps, and arabesques, a stunned audience watched as 35-year-old ballerina Maria Kochetkova impressed in her performance of Catch Her if You Can in an intimate showing at the Joyce Theater in New York City. Displaying both artistry and strength through her movements, the former principal ballerina of the world-renowned San Francisco Ballet, was accompanied by four of her friends in the highly anticipated hour and a half long showcase, which was composed of eight distinctly unique pieces.

Kochetkova, who was born in Moscow, grew up studying at the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy, but most recently she drew attention after announcing her departure from the San Francisco Ballet at the end of the 2018 season and after 11 years as a principal dancer with the company. Her reason: to pursue her own projects, the first of which being Catch Her if You Can.

“I had the most amazing career at San Francisco Ballet and dancing at American Ballet Theater at the same time for a few years, but it’s never enough time to do everything that you want,” explained Kochetkova in a YouTube video posted by the Joyce Theater. “Leaving San Francisco Ballet gave me the opportunity to finally be able to do my own project.”

In the YouTube video, of which was posted leading up to the performance’s New York City debut, Kochetkova also discussed wanting to expand the perceptions that people typically have about what ballet is through showing what ballet is like now. “I love ballet, it’s part of our history. Ballet is not just Swan Lake and it’s not just Sleeping Beauty. Ballet can be different, ballet can be contemporary, ballet can be exciting, ballet can be theater,” explained Kochetkova in the three-minute-long video.

Having become accustomed to dancing classical ballet roles while performing as Aurora in Sleeping Beauty and Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, throughout her and her friends’ performances in Catch Her if You Can, Kochetkova and crew entranced the audience as they swiftly moved between different styles of ballet. Almost as if to ease the audience into what was to come later in the night’s performance, to start off the show, Kochetkova along with former soloist of The Royal Danish Ballet, Sebastian Kloborg, danced a classically inspired and technically impressive duet to the tune of J. S. Bach. But from piece to piece, Catch Her if You Can revealed a wide-array of ballet styles that gradually pushed past the boundaries of classical ballet by incorporating contemporary ballet choreography by Myles Thatcher, as well as choreography with a more modern twist.

The first piece of the night to truly showcase Kochetkova’s versatility as a ballerina was a performance titled Degunino and choreographed by Marcus Morau. Dressed in a sheer black long-sleeved bodysuit (that she can be seen wearing in the photo above), Kochetkova masterfully showcased her strength and fluidity by dancing a mix of sharp gestures and elongated body movements all while wearing her pointe shoes. Although only 5-feet tall, Kochetkova easily appeared as if she were two feet taller, deceiving the audience and causing some surprise when she later took the stage with Drew Jacoby, who is 5-feet-11-inches, in a piece titled Rachel, Nevada.

Maria Kochetkova and Drew Jacoby dance side-by-side in Catch Her if You Can.

Ditching the point shoes and instead opting for a pair of ballet slippers, Jacoby and Kochetkova danced side-by-side wearing unapologetically pink, skin-tight bodysuits to the tune of percussion music in this avant-garde performance choreographed by Jacoby. With the black and white illusionary background in constant flux, Rachel, Nevada was definitely the most fun and the most experimental piece of the showcase.

To end the night and right before Kochetkova took the stage for the last time, a Facebook Messenger conversation between her and choreographer Jérôme Bel was illuminated onto the backdrop of the stage. In the silly, yet thoughtful discussion shown between the two, Kochetkova and Bel joked about their friend, Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied, while also delving into Kochetkova’s ballet training at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, her future career ambitions, and her thoughts about her own funeral.

Answering the question that has plagued the ballet world since her departure from the San Francisco Ballet, Kochetkova explained her desire to direct a ballet company one day, but also admitted that she doesn’t have the patience to teach ballet. Each of these questions asked by Bel were meant to provide inspiration for his choreography in the final piece danced by Kochetkova titled Masha Machine.

After the conversation came to an end, Kochetkova walked onto the stage wearing baggy pants and a black shirt. Her hair was even in a ponytail, instead of the traditional ballet bun that she had worn the rest of the performance.

With no music to accompany her, Kochetkova danced very minimal, sharp, and technical movements while speaking into a microphone. “I never look out into the audience, I never look at anyone on stage directly. I don’t think anyone has taught me this,” said Kochetkova to the silent audience.

Catch Her if You Can ran between July 16 and July 21 at the Joyce Theater in New York City.

Featured Photo and third photo by Rachel Neville Photography, first photo by Annabel Mehran, and second photo by Magus Unnar.

All photographs Provided by Kornberg PR Press Materials.

THE SEVEN LAMBORGHINIS THAT TRAVELED THE ARTIC CIRCLE

Following excursions to Andalusia, Transylvania, the Norwegian fjords and Iceland, the summer 2019 Lamborghini expedition enjoyed the stunning roads and incomparable landscapes of the Lofoten Islands in Norway. The Lamborghini Avventura event, as it is dubbed by the Italian automaker, is a private rally organized by Lamborghini to visit the most interesting roads around the world. This new and interesting locale has allowed for the all new Huracán EVO to be put through its paces and have its dynamics wonders utilized to their full potential.

After departing Harstad, the motorcade of seven Lamborghinis transverse through virgin landscapes as they made their way to the archipelago. The journey, which saw the five Huracáns and two Urus cross an archipelago of islands by tunnels and roads that appeared to float on water, ended up providing vistas of some of the oldest mountains in Europe. Incredible changes in scenery offered a glimpse into coastal plains and stunningly picturesque bridges.

Most importantly of all, the location was a celebration of quiet roads embedded in the natural habitat of countless flora and fauna. The Lofoten Islands are home to ample amounts of wildlife, such as sea eagles, whales, orcas and codfish. One of the motorcade’s original stops was in the village of Henningsvær, famous for it’s location at the base of a cliff overhanging the sea.

As the Huracáns traveled south they encountered landscapes covered with ‘pyramid-shaped wooden racks’ which are utilized by inhabitants to dry fish from winter through the early weeks of summer. The first day of travel came to an end in the historical village of Nusfjord, which is well preserved in an authentic manner. A prominent characteristic of this particular village are the sea-front Rorbu, which are red daytime dwellings used by fishermen when they are not at sea.

On day two, the motorcade traveled to the beach side village of Ramberg on the island of Flakstadøya. The island is well regarded for its large, white, sandy beach that enjoys crystal clear water. As the Lamborghinis continue along coastal roads they reach the relatively large town of Svolvær, which is home to nearly 5,000 people and is considered to be ‘the oldest town in the Arctic Circle’. After about 400 miles of driving the convoy of Huracáns ended their journey back in Harstad, where they enjoyed the vista from the summit of Mount Keipen.

Images & Video courtesy of: Lamborghini

277 Fifth Avenue, the Newest and Most Luxurious Residential Building on New York City’s Iconic Fifth Avenue

With floor to ceiling windows stretching across each room, as well as an array of amenities that make it feel like you’re living in a high-end resort, 277 Fifth Avenue is not only the tallest residential building on Fifth Avenue, with 55 stories, but it is also one of the most luxurious.

Located in Manhattan’s lively NoMad neighborhood, just north of Madison Square Park, the building itself is hard to miss. Aside from standing out for its height, the building’s exterior, which was designed by internationally acclaimed architect Rafael Viñoly, is absolutely eye-catching with its delicate mix of glass and indigo colored concrete paneling.

But the allure doesn’t end there. Rather, the building’s interior architecture is what makes it truly special.

Designed by Jeffrey Beers and Jeffrey Beers International, the inside of 277 Fifth Avenue is both stylish and modern, bringing together a cohesive blend of incredible architecture and artistry – aspects which are made apparent immediately upon coming into the building’s lobby.

Home to a beautiful floor-to-ceiling bookshelf curated by Assouline Publishing, stepping into the lobby feels as if you are entering an atmosphere of sophistication and warmth. These key features are what welcome you in after a long day away from home, cultivated by Beers to create a residential living experience focused on hospitality.

Leading you from the lobby to the residences, the hallways are composed of dark grey carpet, bordered by a dark flame finished granite, and a cream wallpaper lining the walls – all together creating a dramatic yet elegant contrast in colors.

“[Dale Chihuly] taught me about color, warmth, and the importance of emotion in design,” explains Beers in an interview with The Extravagant. Chihuly, a master glassblower and artist, mentored Beers while he was a student at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design.

But in addition to gaining both inspiration and industry knowledge from Chihuly, Beers also attributes his aptitude for understanding proportion, the use of space, and the importance of clean, modern lines to I.M. Pei and Oscar Niemeyer, who he says are two of the best in their field.

Once in the apartment, it is nearly impossible to decide which is more stunning, the view of the New York City skyline (highlighted by the fact that with a maximum of four rooms per floor, every apartment is a corner room) or the interior architecture itself. Fortunately, as a result of Beers’ design choices, the two complement each other incredibly well, neither one overpowering the other – an incredible feat considering the iconic view of the Empire State Building that the rooms on the north side of the building share, in addition to the impressive views of downtown and the One World Trade Center that the rooms on the south side of the building look out to.

“The floor to ceiling windows and their incredible views drove our design to be handsome and inviting,” explains Beers. “Our intention was to design around the views, and therefore, the accents, materiality and furnishings are, in essence, a backdrop to New York’s cityscape.”

This intention by Beers to create a balance between the building’s view of New York City and the interior architecture extends from the bedrooms, to the kitchen and the bathroom as well, allowing for a completely stylish and contemporary living space.

But perhaps the space where Beers’ focus on creating sleek and modern lines is most apparent throughout the apartment, is the kitchen.

The open-layout space, which extends out into the living room, features Calacatta Sachelo polished marble slab countertops and backsplash, white oak cabinets, as well as an island countertop with waterfall edges. “In essence, the kitchen design is suited for the city resident looking for ease, comfort, space, and efficiency,” says Beers.

Aside from the architectural design of the individual apartments, the residential living experience at 277 Fifth Avenue is rounded out by the amenity floors and everything they have to offer.

Connected by a beautiful white staircase that can be seen in the photo below, the amenity spaces consist of a fitness center, with a training/yoga studio, a men’s and women’s spa, with a sauna and steam room, access to a private dining room, a furnished outdoor terrace, a media lounge, and a kids’ space – all coming together to create a comfortable living and family environment.

Spiral staircase connecting the amenities floors at 277 Fifth Avenue

“Your home is your oasis from the madness of the city; your space to be yourself and to connect with your family and friends,” says Beers. “As a hospitality designer, I want to create spaces that feel like escape or theater. While I want the guests to feel relaxed and welcome, I also want them to feel transported away from their day to day lives.”

Having officially launched the ambitious project in 2017, the lavish residential apartment building is in the final stages of construction and has opened its doors to New York City residents.

Currently, there is a wide-range of apartments available including one-bedroom, one-bathroom units starting at $1,875,000, two-bedroom, two-bathroom units starting at $3,465,000, three-bedroom, three-bathroom units starting at $4,725,000, as well as a four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom penthouse priced at $27,000,000.

The units themselves range in size from 828 square feet to 4,520 square feet, and each apartment has an incredible corner view of the New York City skyline, with the lowest available room being on the 17^th floor, and the highest on the 55^th floor.

The building’s factsheet can be found here, where it is also possible to see the floorplans of each available residence and what makes the spaces so special.

“I love this project so much that my wife and I have decided to move into one of the residences this fall,” admits Beers.

Featured photo, photo two, and photo three, all provided by THREE MARKS

4 Organizations Fighting for Our Oceans

As the threat of climate change continues to worsen with each passing day, it’s important now more than ever to take action and spread awareness towards issues of environmental conservation and sustainability. While there are many aspects of the ecosystem that need tending to during this time of environmental crisis, the ocean is a major one to focus on seeing as it makes up nearly three-quarters of the Earth’s surface. Luckily, several organizations have recently been developed entirely around this issue of aquatic conservation to help lessen the detrimental effects of global climate change.

One of these organizations, the Save Our Seas Foundation, stands as a fine example of just how much of an impact can be made with determined, hard-working people banding together in an effort to solve a major issue. Primarily, this philanthropic organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, functions as a means of funding for scientific projects being conducted by passionate researchers, educators, and conservationists all over the world, regardless of location. While of course the Save Our Seas Foundation is concerned with the overall wellbeing of the ocean, they have a specific focus on protecting the lives of oceanic creatures like sharks and rays. However, this specific shark and ray research is managed by the Save Our Seas Foundation at their research and education centers located in the USA, South Africa, and the Seychelles.

In an interview with the Save Our Seas Foundation CEO Michael Scholl, I inquired further about the foundation itself and why saving the ocean is important in our day and age. As a man of scientific background himself, Scholl explained to me that sharks and rays represent one of the ancient groups of vertebrates with them having drifted through our ocean for 400 million years. This enduring presence coupled by their significant level of value in the marine food chain has made these members of marine life essential in the balance of the ocean’s ecosystem. For the continuance of our beloved ocean, funding, supporting research, and conservation projects on the most endangered or threatened species or populations of sharks and rays are necessary. “There’s a lot of interesting projects, but I would say a stand-out one is working to try to find a solution to the interaction between human and shark,” Scholl said of the Shark Spotters founded projects in Cape Town, South Africa, “It tries to find a new solution to an old problem, but a solution that’s not harmful to the environment or for sharks, so that’s an interesting project we’ve been funding for the past eight years now. On the other hand, in 2019, we supported around 40 projects in 50 countries with a specific focus on sawfish, wedgefish and guitarfish, which as some of the most threatened species in our oceans. Surprisingly, little is known about these shark-like rays…”

Another organization that works intimately with aquatic issues is Ocean Conservancy. This group tends to focus on long-term effects of their efforts to help sustain the ocean through tactics that “promote a healthy ocean, abundant wildlife and thriving coastal communities.” Although based in Washington DC, Ocean Conservancy is a global organization that aims to reach every location possible so that there is maximum effort being put towards this current vital issue. Ocean Conservancy strives to help create policies in advocacy for the ocean at state government levels as well as the federal level. Like the Save Our Seas Foundation, Ocean Conservancy also relies on heavy scientific research and aims to protect the oceanic wildlife that are struggling to adapt to the constantly growing effects of climate change.

Additionally, Ocean Conservancy has a lot of internal programs within the organization that deal with even more specific issues rather than just the entire ocean in general. Some of these include programs like Trash Free Seas, Restoring the Gulf of Mexico, Sustainable Fisheries, and Confronting Ocean Acidification, just to name a few. Their program entitled “Protecting the Arctic” serves to tackle the rapid warming of the Arctic since it’s now heating twice as quickly as the rest of the world. To help solve this issue, Ocean Conservancy has come up with a multitude of solutions. For example, to fight dangerous offshore drilling in the Arctic waters, Ocean Conservancy works to oppose new leases for oil and gas companies to expand this harmful practice. In addition, they are also working to make Arctic Ocean protection an international issue by writing up treaties, developing marine-protected networks, and ensuring “the best scientific information available to cultivate management plans for this remote and rapidly changing region.”

A smaller, yet just as thorough organization that also handles issues of ocean conservation and sustainability is the Surfrider Foundation. Founded in Malibu, California in 1984, The Surfrider Foundation has since grown from a small advocacy group to a large-scale activist organization that currently holds over 50,000 members and almost 100 chapters around the world. Unlike the previous two organizations I have just discussed, Surfrider tends to focus more on the ocean itself, like improving water quality, beach preservation, and beach access, rather than devoting most of their resources to aquatic wildlife. However, they do also work to maintain marine ecosystems, as well.

While Surfrider offers several programs to participate in, Rise Above Plastics stands as an extremely relevant project to undertake in our modern day and age. Although most people don’t think much of their personal plastic consumption, it’s estimated that the average person in North America uses at least 220 pounds of plastic each year, according to The Globalist. To combat this striking epidemic of un-biodegradable waste, the program Rise Above Plastics works to protect the marine environment by advocating for more recycling, reduction of one-time use plastics, and generally raising more awareness on the issue. And, in addition to working internally within the Surfrider Foundation on plastic pollution, Surfrider provides easily accessible tips and guides online that practically anyone could follow. It’s with this type of thoughtfulness and thoroughness that has allowed Surfrider to blossom into the foundation that it is today.

Finally, the more online-based organization, eco-nnect, works diligently to engage and educate users on the environment around them. The website is filled with articles, videos, and quizzes, as well as petitions pertaining to certain issues that anyone could support directly online through the use of external sites like Change.org. For example, the current petition listed on the organization’s site has 1,550 supporters as of now and is entitled “Ban Shark Fishing in the EU #bansharkmeat.” This petition listed by eco-nnect, like the other ocean conservation organizations previously mentioned, aims to protect the wildlife of the sea; more specifically, sharks. “Currently no EU country has any shark fishing regulation, or legislation advocating for transparency in regards to fish meat! So we started a petition,” as noted in the petition’s mission statement.

Although eco-nnect isn’t as well-known or as well-populated as some of the other organizations already mentioned, it serves as a great stepping stone for those who wish to gain more education on the environment before deciding to make any big moves. The articles on the site pertain to interesting and relevant topics for a young audience, which is essential to propel this conservation and sustainability movement forward. Additionally, the eco-nnect quizzes allow for an online interaction between the user and their thirst for environmental knowledge in a fun, light-hearted manner.

While of course there are a countless number of other organizations that could have made this list, it’s important to recognize a few in particular for their dedicated and passionate drive that has led to their fantastic environmental contributions. From the 300 projects supported by the Save Our Seas Foundation since its inception in 2003 to the programs led by Ocean Conservancy and Surfrider to the online presence of econnect, people all over the world can learn and participate in efforts to help protect the oceans and its ecosystems all thanks to devoted organizations like these.

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