Davidoff’s Seventh Chinese New Year Cigar: Year of the Pig

In what officially marks the seventh time Davidoff Cigars has celebrated the Chinese New Year by crafting a one of a kind cigar, Davidoff offers exclusive Limited Edition cigars and accessories commemorating the Year of the Pig. 2019 kicks off with the Year of the Pig, which is the zodiac sign symbolizing luck and wealth as well as compassion and generosity. It is said that those who are born on the Year of the Pig are gifted with a knack for success and the people around them have both luck in fortune and strength in spirit. It can also be said that when a person possessing this zodiac sign steps into a room, the mood immediately becomes brighter – much like the lighting of a savory Davidoff cigar.

This exclusive Davidoff cigar, which is an intense pigtailed Gran Toro, reflects the Pig’s nearly “pig-headed” determination of concentrating on nothing but the prize. When a Pig chooses its path to take, it will never fail in completing its mission. The Pig is a good representation of friendship and undying loyalty. If you manage to befriend a Pig, it might just share with you its luck, a fine bottle of spirit, or a palatable Limited Edition Davidoff cigar if your luck is high enough.

Sheltered in a polished and lustrous wrapper from the Yamasá area, the Gran Toro 6 x 56 format with its pigtail evokes silky notes of pepper and wood once lit-up. The cigar’s finespun, balanced, and aromatic blend is the result of the Sumatra binder from Mexico in tandem with an oily Habano 2000 leaf wrapper from Ecuador and the finely-aged filler tobaccos (San Vicente Ligero, San Vicente Mejorados Visus, Piloto Visus, Piloto Volado and Yamasá Visus tobaccos) from the Dominican Republic. Brimming with flavor, as soon as the cigar touches your lip you are welcomed by notes of liquorice, vanilla, cream, leather and spice.

The number of these limited edition cigars ($39 each/$390 per box) are in short supply with only a total of 9,300 boxes internationally, wherein each box accommodates just ten Gran Toro cigars. The prominent, lavishly lacquered Asian-inspired red box is also a masterpiece in of itself as it proudly serves as a sanctuary for the cigars within as well as a quick collectable. A simple Pig is depicted in gold on the cover of the box; while inside the box there is another identical depiction of the Pig as well as a paper insert that tells the story of the Year of the Pig.

In addition to the cigars and their boxes, Davidoff is also offering its special edition Year of the Pig ashtray and double-blade cutter. The Italian made round aluminium ashtray ($395) is encased with dynamic red leather to create a stunning contrast between it and the ashtray’s deep mocha colour. To honour the Year of the Pig, the ashtray portrays the generous nature of the Pig by having a stable holder for two cigars. Additionally, the Davidoff logo is engraved on it and is limited to 300 pieces.

On the other hand, the double-bladed cutter is a german made, lightweight cutter that is engraved with an elegant design. The cutter’s surface is made up of impermeable, stainless steel – allowing for an easy clean and protection against corrosion. A perfect cut on both sides of the cigar is guaranteed thanks to its double-blade, while the interspersed spring system imparts a balanced blade movement. Another key feature is that the blades lock when it is not being used, which is an excellent safety precaution for the owner. Limited to only 300 pieces, the cutter is capable of trimming anything from a 22 to a 58 ring gauge.

For More Information Please Visit: US.DavidoffGeneva.com

Surgeon General Warning: Cigar Smoking Can Cause Cancers of the Mouth And Throat, Even If You Do Not Inhale.

Oceanco’s 109 Metre MY “Bravo Eugenia”

The 109 Metre (357ft) “Bravo Eugenia”, rumored to be owned by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, was one of the most remarkable 100+ metre launches of 2018. Built by celebrated Dutch Shipyard Oceanco, Bravo Eugenia marks a milestone for the Omani owned shipyard; whose ever increasing fleet of remarkable yachts has made the firm one of the most sought after builders.

“Project Bravo” as the yacht was then known while under construction, is characterized by her LIFE Design; that stands for Lengthened, Innovative, Fuel efficient and Eco-friendly. All of which characteristics stand at the forefront of cutting edge Giga Yacht design.

Bravo Eugenia’s particular standout features include a unique slim hull design with a 16.3 metre (53’6ft) beam, which still benefits guest accommodations by offering generously proportioned living areas. The vessel also enjoys a single level, yet very long engine room that is a result of the yacht’s slender hull. This hull design allows for superior propulsion and reduced power demand.

With a sharp exterior design by the world class team at Nuvolari Lenard, Bravo Eugenia is certain to turn heads around some of the world’s most prestigious ports. Naval Architecture and engineering for the vessel was completed by Lateral. Bravo Eugenia completed sea trials with flying colors in rough Winter conditions back in November, and was delivered to her owner over the holiday season.

“The excellent sea keeping and performance demonstrated during Bravo’s sea trials confirmed that the LIFE Design qualities are indeed embedded in Bravo’s DNA,” stated James Roy, Managing Director of Lateral. “Coupled with her hybrid propulsion system, Bravo delivers exceptional performance and is configured to offer multiple operational modes, each matched to the variable operating profile of a yacht designed to adventure autonomously across the world’s oceans.”

Although Bravo Eugenia is massive in size, Nuvolari Lenard has created a stunning yacht with proportions that remind us of the firm’s work with Palmer Johnson. The sharp aggressive lines and low profile standout in a segment of yachts that typically consist of massive width and height. “This new style will certainly create a new design stream,” said Carlo Nuvolari of Nuvolari Lenard.

Little is known of Bravo Eugenia’s Reymond Langton designed interior, however, we do know that the yacht’s modern and sophisticated interior showcases ample use of light maple wood, white pearl lacquer, and contrasting accents of walnut and ebony throughout. Bravo Eugenia’s lower deck offers guests a luxurious beach club, gym, and spa that includes a massage room, steam room, sauna, and plunge pool with rain shower.

“We worked very closely with the Owner to find the perfect artisans and craftsmen in creating bespoke artworks, fabrics and signature furniture pieces that reflect the Owner’s style and essence and combine to create a warm, inviting environment for all on board,” said Pascale Reymond of Reymond Langton Design. 

Additional stand out features of Bravo Eugenia include two helicopter landing platforms fitted to both the foredeck and the aft deck, as well as an over sized tender garage to accommodate a large collection of water toys.

“Oceanco credits the success of this extraordinay new benchmark yacht to the dedicated team effort of all individuals at Oceanco, Lateral, both design studios, Burgess, and the Owner’s team”, said Project Director Edske Smit of Oceanco.

Image credit: Francisco Martinez, courtesy of: Oceanco

Video courtesy of: Oceanco

Most Prestigious Car in the World: 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta

Earlier this month the iconic 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta was dubbed the most prestigious car in the world at the fourth annual The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award Ceremony at The Peninsula Paris hotel. The event, which has become one of the most well respected in the automotive community, was founded in 2015 by the Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of the Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited.

This exciting development comes just months after this Alfa Romeo was named “Best of Show” at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Eight different “Best of Show” champions from the most respected concours competed for the award. Judges remarked that “the Alfa Romeo was the stand-out choice”.

“The winning Alfa Romeo is a perfect example of the type of car that inspired us to create this award,” said William E. (Chip) Connor, Chairman and CEO of William E. Connor & Associates Ltd, and co-founder of The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award. “To provide an opportunity for car lovers to pause a moment and celebrate flawless design and engineering of this calibre is truly an honour each year.”

The vehicle was unveiled using a ‘Shutter-Effect’, which allowed individual slats to be turned in sync to reveal the Alfa Romeo resting prominently on a bespoke up-lit pedestal.

The winning 1937 Alfa Romeo belongs to David and Ginny Sydorick, who are based in Southern California. In response to the car’s award, David Sydorick stated: “As an avid auto-collector, having two cars in the running for this year’s award was truly remarkable. It goes without saying that Ginny and I are ecstatic at the result – a proud moment for us both.” 

For many years regarded as the quickest grand tourer, the vehicle in racing trim was engineered to perfection by Ingegner Vittorio Jano. The initial intention for the 8C 2900 was to compete in the Mille Miglia, which it captured first place in during the 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1947 competitions.

The winning car, which is build number 412020 is regarded as the first of only five known Berlinettas crafted on the Lungo chassis, marking the beginning of the Superleggera model. The Milanese coach-builder, Carrozzeria Touring, was founded in 1925; it was unique in the fact that they initially contracted Charles Weymann’s system of fabric-covered lightweight bodies and then conceived their own ‘Superleggera’ construction. The Superleggera’s frame is constructed from small-diameter steel tubes covered by thin alloy body panels that fit perfectly within the automobile body’s shape.

Well known personalities who attended the Peninsula Classics Best of the Best event included On-Camera Personality, Hannah Bronfman along with her DJ husband, Brendan Fallis; as well as actor Luke Evans of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘The Alienist,’ and ‘Girl on a Train’.

Image credit: @janacallmej provided by JMPR Public Relations

Benetti’s 2nd 100 Metre Giga Yacht

On February 5^th, less than two months after launching the massive FB277, historic Italian Shipyard Benetti launched the second of three recent 100+ metre projects that their yard has been commissioned to undertake. The 107 metre long “FB272” as it is currently known, is unique in the fact that it benefits from Hybrid propulsion. The FB272 has been crafted from a conventional combination of an aluminium superstructure and steel hull, thereby making the yacht suitable for “Passenger Yacht Code” compliance. The advanced hybrid propulsion system is made up of two diesel electric engines and two Azipods propulsion units powered via a custom battery pack that’s designed by the owner to ensure complete silence while cruising.

The Mega Yacht was designed through a collaboration between the owner and designer Zaniz Jakubowski. Zaniz, who is more famous as an architect and interior designer than a superyacht designer, is a relative newcomer compared to more established names, such as Tim Heywood, Andrew Winch, and Terence Disdale. Regardless of Zaniz’s new entry to the superyacht industry, the designer has truly created a noteworthy yacht not solely due to the ship’s sheer size, but also on the account of her remarkable amount of stunning glass windows and large volume.

The volume of FB272 is significant to say the least, with a displacement of 5,500 gross tons, a beam of 17 metres, and an overall length which crosses the 100 metre threshold. The yacht is also noteworthy for her technology, which includes a cutting edge Lutron domotic system.

Before the contract was signed for the build of the FB272, the owner spent a significant amount of time in the preliminary design phase. The owner began work on the yacht’s design with Hugo van Wieringen at Azure Naval Architects, and then with the help of Reymond Langton Design and Zaniz Jakubowski of Zaniz Interiors. However, the yacht’s design was continually refined following the contract signature by Benetti’s in-house designers.

FB272’s sharp exterior lines cross six decks and include a straight bow for superior ocean going ability. The yacht also benefits from a massive forward facing deck area where guests can enjoy a privileged view of what lay ahead. Social and dining spaces are ample across the yacht’s main deck, which is gracefully covered by the upper deck’s massive overhang that provides significant shade. Located on the upper deck is the wheelhouse, located above the wheelhouse is a private deck, and further above is a deck with a large certified helipad fully capable of providing refuelling and defueling.

The interior of FB272 was a collaborative effort of Zaniz Interiors and Benetti’s in-house designer, Giorgio M. Cassetta, who was also responsible for assisting in the yacht’s exterior design. The yacht’s voluminous interior is flooded with natural light thanks to an impressive amount of 3-metre high windows lining the superstructure, which amounts to a surface of 800 square metres of glass. Of particular note are the windows on the upper deck that are characterized by their uninterrupted structure, which makes the deck look like it is floating.

FB272’s highly experienced owner was responsible from inception for guiding the exterior design, deck plan, and demanding build specifications of the yacht. The owner’s representatives consisted of the Burgess Technical Services team on a full time basis to ensure exceptional engineering, build quality, and experienced uncompromising project management.

The yacht is equipped with six generators, which each produce 1,000 KW; the electricity produced by these generators is managed by an advanced system to power the two Azipods propulsion units of 2,200 KW each. Extra energy produced by the generators can charge over 30 tons of on-board batteries, which are capable of operating the yacht for twelve hours without any engine use.

The propulsion systems have been made by Caterpillar, Seastema, and ABB under the coordination of Benetti’s Technical Department with an intention of creating a vibration free yacht that will offer owner and guests “soundless cruising”. This technology allows for a more intimate communion with nature, such as when cruising on a large sailing yacht.

Another stand-out feature of the yacht is an impressive air conditioning system, which would allow FB272 to cruise in some of the world’s most challenging climates, such as the Persian Gulf. The air-conditioning system and chiller units were provided by H&H to meet the owner’s exacting requirements. The system is one of the most impressive ever installed on a yacht with a total cooling capacity of around 3,000KW.

Last, but surely not least, the yacht is fitted with an environmentally friendly waste heat recovery system, which is capable of feeding the yacht’s power requirements and eliminating electrical waste.

At the launch event, Azimut Benetti President Paolo Vitelli stated, “On this auspicious day, I could not be prouder to stand here among Benetti’s family, friends and colleagues to witness the launch of our latest enthralling creation. This iconic project has had a huge impact on local industry and, after more than 2 million hours of skilled work from over 100 suppliers, we can truly pronounce her as a wonderful achievement for Livorno and the “Made In Italy” ethos as a whole. The use of such a large number of suppliers is integral to the Benetti superyacht building philosophy: the perfect balance between the best “Made in Italy” craftsmanship with the most advanced technological and innovative solutions available on the international market.”

Following the launch, guests at the event were treated to lunch in the shed where FB272 was crafted. Throughout lunch, guests remarked at the exceptional meal and epic proportions of the shed.

Benetti’s recent surge in construction of large yachts has been stated as the product of the shipyards significant investment in their facilities to the necessary level of infrastructure to create massive world class yachts. Benetti has assembled a team of experts to ensure success in what they call their “Giga Yacht Program”. This effort includes the addition of industrial experts and improved steel sheds with a “roof as high as a cathedral”. According to Benetti, these additions have promoted quality and increased productivity at the yard to meet the needs of the most demanding owners.

For more information on Benetti please visit: www.benettiyachts.it

Images courtesy of: Azimut Benetti

Bang & Olufsen Unveil The New Beoplay E8 2.0

The global luxury lifestyle brand, Bang & Olufsen, have announced yet another brilliant product: The Beoplay E8 2.0. In what was publicly revealed in Copenhagen on January 3rd, 2019, the new Beoplay E8 2.0 comes with a wireless charging case and is the perfect set of earphones to use on the go or when relaxing at home. The aesthetically pleasing design coupled with its superior sound and visceral touch control capabilities grants the user full control over music, phone calls and voice commands. These Beoplay E8, which mark the first true wireless earphones for the brand, were created for those who don’t wish to compromise sound and design in favor of a wireless lifestyle .

Since Bang & Olufsen was founded in 1925 by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen, there has been a firm pursuit in creating products that break through boundaries of audio technology of which place them as the vanguard of audio innovation. Their products have been defined by a unique style that integrates extraordinary sound, timeless motif, and remarkable craftsmanship. The release of the new Beoplay E8 2.0 not only reflects Bang & Olufsen’s unique style, but also showcases their technological advances by upgrading the original Beoplay E8 model.
Beoplay E8 2.0 is far superior to its original version as it now includes both better design improvements and some newly added features.

A premium leather charging case with a new, exclusive form factor and wireless charging feature offers the Beoplay E8 2.0 user a genuinely wireless experience. These earphones can be charged just about anywhere by keeping them in their case on a wireless charging pad. The wireless charging case can hold a max of three full charges that would provide 16 hours of continuous sound time for its user. This aspect only reveals the superior features of the 2.0 over the original, which could only offer 12 hours of play time. The extended time can provide users with a full day of jamming to tunes without any fear of loss of battery life. On the front of the case there is an LED light that displays the state of charging, while on the back of the case there are three LED lights, of which each signify the number of full charges left. Crafted using cowhide leather and single or double brushed anodized aluminium, the wireless charging pad, which supports regular charging (5W) and fast charging (10W), pairs perfectly with the Beoplay E8 2.0 as well as your smartphone.

Owners of the original Beoplay E8 earphones can also benefit from the newer model. Because the previous version also fit perfectly into the new wireless charging case, Bang & Olufsen has made it possible for them to revel in the benefits of wireless charging. They now have the opportunity to own the new wireless charging case. Not only is the charging case going to be sold separately, you can also purchase the left and right earphones individually as well.

Bang & Olufsen’s adept sound engineers have similarly tuned the new earphones, much like how the original Beoplay E8 were. The sound engineers have used their expertise in configuring the new earphones audio tunage to offer an unrivaled listening experience for your ears. The specifications surrounding the audio functions are very meticulous: each earpiece shelters a 5.7mm dynamic speaker, a small electromagnetic transducer, NFMI technology (Near Field Magnetic Induction) and a Bluetooth 4.2 chip with Digital Sound Processing that accounts for dynamic sound tuning and uninterrupted sound. In addition, you can tune the sound of the earphones yourself by using the Bang & Olufsen app for Android and iPhone devices.

Overall, the Beoplay E8 2.0 comes with a premium leather wireless charging case, five ear tips, and USB-C charging cable. Available in Black, Indigo Blue, Natural and Limestone, the earphones retail for 350 EUR/USD. All colour offerings are available at Bang & Olufsen stores and selected third party retailers from 14 February 2019. As for the colour options for the wireless charging pad, it will be available in the same colours as the earphones. Though the retail price for the charging pad has yet to be made public, the wireless charging case will retail for 200 EUR/USD and the separate left and right Beoplay E8 2.0 earphones retail for 125 EUR/USD. The wireless charging pad, wireless charging case and separate Beoplay E8 2.0 earphones will be available from April 2019.

Images courtesy of: Bang & Olufsen

For more information, visit: Bang-Olufsen.com

For additional information, visit and follow the conversation at @bangolufsen on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube using #BeoplayE8

Feadship Launches The 58 Metre M.Y. “Najiba”

The Immensely refined and customized 58 Metre Najiba Superyacht has just been launched by Feadship earlier this month after years of construction to an experienced owner. Najiba fulfilled the dream of a family, which had long desired the opportunity to bring to life a purely bespoke built Feadship.

“We are exceptionally proud of our contribution to this stunning 58-metre vessel. Najiba has a beautiful, complex interior with numerous unique features. The clients are big fans of architecture and design, and took great pride in what they were creating. They were also determined to provide a comfortable environment for their families both at sea and when moored. They have certainly succeeded in this and it has been an honour to work with them.” Stated Henk de Vries, Director of Feadship.

The Najiba, who’s Arabic name means noble represents her name well with long distinguished graceful timeless lines alongside a highly outfitted luxury interior. We can clearly identify the influence that Phillippe Starck’s M.Y. Venus had on Phillippe Briand when he designed the Najiba.

This 58 metre vessel was the very first partnership of designer Phillippe Briand and Feadship. “The owners understood very well that a perfect yacht requires a strong scientific and architectural approach to support the exterior design,” said Philippe Briand. And continued by adding: “At Vitruvius Ltd we believe that architecture is the link between art and science. Art is also present in the clean and pure exterior lines and the way the interior design by Christian Liaigre plays dramatically with the wood and immaculate white surfaces to transport you into what feels like a whitewashed villa on the beach. There is an almost scientific approach in the concept behind the construction. Najiba is the second largest Feadship to be built in aluminium to date and features an extremely efficient hull. The result of the meticulously planned architecture keeps fuel consumption as low as eleven litres per nautical mile at twelve knots, enhancing the yacht’s sustainability.”

Najiba’s owner worked in closely with Designer Phillippe Briand of Vitruvius Yachts and naval architect Claudio Cicconetti who conceived Najiba’s well thought-out General Arrangement. The interior of the superyacht was placed in the respected hands of Guillaume Rolland of Studio Christian Liaigre.

The interior layout of Najiba which offers sailing yacht vibes and smooth angles has been described by the shipyard as having a highly original layout. However, some unique standout features are the inclusion of two master staterooms and the absence of a central staircase on the main deck which open views forward when doors are left unclosed. Najiba’s layout boasts accommodation for 12 guests in six staterooms.

Najiba was a highly passionate project, which brought together a close relationship between the owner, the owner’s Project Manager Peter Wilson from MCM, the Designers, Naval Architect, and Feadship’s experienced team, who boasted about the joys of this collaboration from pre-inception to completion.

“Najiba is a truly remarkable superyacht and the family are thrilled with what [Feadship & The Team] have created for them. [Najiba’s owners] had seen Feadship quality in other yachts, hence the longheld dream to develop one of their own. Even so, the owners and their extended family could not believe their eyes when the final result was revealed to them this morning.”Stated the owner’s Project Manager, Peter Wilson of MCM , speaking on behalf of the owners to Najiba’s team members who were present at the launch. Mr. Wilson continued: “My clients are delighted by the way [the team] bridged the gap between dream and reality as well as the excellent cooperation throughout the design and construction process. From my standpoint, too, the professional relationships developed through this four-year journey – helped by the client’s clear direction and swift decision-making – have made it an absolute pleasure. Najiba is a wonderful accomplishment and a testament to the family’s vision and determination.”

Images & Video Courtesy and Copyright of: Feadship

Space For Giants: The Conservation of African Elephants

Safeguarding the natural habitat of the Elephant and protecting them from poachers and other potential threats is a mission that Space For Giants dedicate themselves toward. Serving as an international conservation organization, with a Global Headquarters in Kenya, Space For Giants is unwaveringly stuck to their mission for 2019.

Space For Giants was founded in 2011 by Dr. Max Graham, who spent over a decade prior to the organization’s creation in the field researching the behavior of Elephants and their conservation with the University of Cambridge. He received his PhD from Cambridge University and has published an extensive collection of research papers that touched upon conservation, Elephant behavior and human wildlife conflict.

Speaking on the organizations initiatives for 2019, Dr. Max Graham, CEO of Space for Giants stated: “We’re finding ourselves on an extraordinary trajectory as we enter 2019. We’ve spent the last decade trialling a toolkit of activities that we’ve proven works to protect Africa’s last huge biodiverse landscapes, and the elephants and wildlife that thrive there. Now, we’re working hard to export that approach to many new areas. There’s a perception that wildlife crime, especially poaching for elephant ivory, is reducing in Africa. In some places it is, after a great deal of work by the Governments of those countries – Kenya and Tanzania spring to mind. But in other places it’s not, and we have to move urgently to get to places like Angola before the poachers do. Our theory is that the fastest way to ensure landscapes remain economically productive in ways that are not ecologically destructive is to demonstrate the value that conservation can bring. Through tourism, especially, that’s a case that we’re going to be making very powerfully this year.”  

Data collected by Space For Giants’ Annual Impact Report, reveal to us that the area where the Elephants live as well as their overall population are being majorly affect by human involvement. Space For Giants want to help the Elephants live without the fear of being hunted for their ivory or losing more of the territory in which they reside. One of Space For Giants goals is to build a more harmonic relationship with the Elephants in order for both sides to co-exist. This demonstrates that peaceful solutions to many problems concerning the Elephant are being researched.

The Elephant Poaching Crisis caused immense damage to the Elephant population. Before the first Elephant Poaching Crisis in 1979, the Elephant population was flourishing at 1.3 million. After the first Elephant Poaching Crisis, the population was down to just 600,000. The latest Elephant Poaching Crisis which occurred in 2016, cut down the Elephant population to 415,000. The Elephants that once roamed much of Africa, are diminishing in size. If it were not for the unyielding efforts of organizations like Space For Giants, then who knows what state the Elephant population would be in now.

The dwindling Elephant population have suffered much decline due to poachers and the thinning out of their wildlife landscapes in Africa. The organization has been deeply concerned with how they are being treated, and are trying their hardest to allow these unbelievably majestic creatures a life free from the exploitation of avaricious poachers.

No matter where Space For Giants operate, they deliver the same message and activities that express how protecting Elephants and their native habitats can bring value. They train rangers to protect Elephants, assist in allowing farmers to coexist with Elephants, and use the rule of law to prosecute criminals like poachers, who are a threat to the wildlife. In addition, they campaign and spread stories to gather more support, help improve economies by introducing new conservation investment, and contribute science & research to inform others about their mission directive.

The organization has come up with many innovative approaches that would protect the habitat of the Elephants, such as delivering new investments to the conservation landscape. This method serves as a sustainable source of revenue for Space For Giants that not only benefits the local people, but also allows for more research to be generated and campaigns to go around. These are values that greatly raise awareness, which help the organization to gather support for the Elephants.

The aforementioned approach was tested in a certain part of Kenya and the results were exceptionally good. Elephant poaching decreased by 84%, wildlife crime convictions went up by 250%, over half a million acres of land was protected for conservation, human & wildlife conflict was lessened significantly and stories of conservation were widely spread to people in the millions. Space For Giants have obviously been making great strides in their mission of saving the Elephants and protecting wildlife landscapes from ruin.

Space For Giants plans to use this tried-and-true conservation approach on as many Elephant ranges they can throughout Africa. The organization intends to achieve this with the platform contributed from the Giants Club, which is a forum for driving political, technical, social and financial capital in the direction of protecting at least half of the Elephants in Africa and the territory they inhabit.

The level of Elephant poaching has seen a significant decrease in East Africa (specifically Kenya and Tanzania) as of 2019; however, that does not mean frontline protection in wilderness areas should slacken- it must persist. New technology is being applied to the landscapes, such as Laikipia in Kenya, to transfer ranger patrol data electronically to objective resources in a more timely and methodical way. Space For Giants predicts that this kind of programme will at least triple from the current 56,000 acres to 153,000 acres.

Sadly, Elephant poaching is a growing object of concern in Southern Africa, particularly the regions around Angola northern Botswana. The team at Space For Giants are working on ways to substantially boost the deployment of their integrated toolkit of which aims on strengthening court cases against suspected poachers. This will both convict a greater number of poachers as well as make the law a stronger deterrent to other poachers, which is likely to lower the degree of Elephant poaching significantly in Africa. Additionally, the organization will continue strengthening intelligence-led anti-poaching through a range of methods, such as bringing in a British former counter-terrorism expert to train law enforcement in some of the following: run informant networks, disrupt/hack comms, and interview arrested people for information.

The leading drive of Space For Giants is to demonstrate the economical and ecological value of conserved landscapes to the locals and national governments. That said, the primary focus is likely an extensive research piece on conservation investment that’s to be presented as the main feature of a first-ever pan-African president-led Conservation Investment Summit scheduled to take place in Zimbabwe sometime in May, which will be co-hosted by Space For Giants

For more information about Space For Giants, visit: SpaceForGiants.org

Rolls Royce Unveils The ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg

Meticulously crafted and ostentatiously designed, the Fabergé Egg has long since been a prominent object for many affluent collectors. Taking into consideration that only 50 pre-1917 Imperial Fabergé Eggs are in existence, the Fabergé Egg has become one of the most sought after ornaments to add to one’s collection since the 20th century. Things only got more exciting with the announcement of two leading, luxury houses’ partnership to shape an ultra modern Fabergé Egg: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Fabergé come together to introduce to the public the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg.

This moment marks an auspicious day because the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg is officially the second commissioned of the Imperial Class after 1917. The Imperial Class is meant for only the finest masterpieces by Fabergé, so the creation of the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg is a testament to both Rolls-Royce and Fabergé’s heritage and legacy spanning over the last century.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, “’The Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg was born from an intrinsic desire to further the realms of Bespoke personalisation. Responding to the continuing demands of patrons in search of unique and cherished possessions, a designer at the House of Rolls-Royce sketched an Egg, igniting a fascination that will undoubtedly become one of the most collectable items of modern times.”

Since 1911, the Spirit of Ecstasy has been seen as an iconic symbol of every Rolls-Royce automobile. Therefore, it being encased in a Fabergé Egg provides Rolls-Royce patrons with a familiar feeling that’s reminiscent of the time they first acquired their Rolls-Royce motor car. This Fabergé Egg’s complicated and radiant appearance is contributed to Rolls-Royce Designers Stefan Monro and Alex Innes, as well as Fabergé Lead Designer Liisa Tallgren, who carried out the crafting process. In addition, the Egg is birthed with a sense of vigor and spirit thanks to the efforts of Fabergé workmaster Paul Jones, who has brought the prestige of the Fabergé Egg back in an innovated, new way.

Fabergé put together a team of seven skilled craftsmen and used the finest of materials paired with the craftsmens’ top notch abilities as artist jewelers to build the Egg. In addition, its elaborate design pays homage to Fabergé’s longstanding heritage and is very reminiscent of the well known Imperial Eggs commissioned by Fabergé.

The Egg, which is 160mm tall and weighs 400g, stands on top of an engine-turned, hand engraved, purple enamel guilloché base of 18 karat white gold. Illuminated by arms of rose gold, its body is explicitly delineated with the arms working as a protective casing for the interior of the Egg. Festooned with approximately 10 carats of spherical white diamonds, the rose gold vanes conjoin together to become sheathes of amethyst with a heft of 390 carats.

Attached to the base of the Egg, a lever can be used to operate the mechanics that, when switched, begins to put on a show by slowly opening up to reveal the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ encased inside, of which is hand-sculptured in frost rock crystal. The purplish tone of the enamel and amethyst pay homage to the Imperial Fabregé Eggs, which are well known for their vivid and whimsical hues.

Josina von dem Bussche-Kessell, Business Development and Global Sales Director, Fabergé added, “Two years in the making, we are very excited to unveil this special piece to our clients and partners across the globe together with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and are proud to continue making history by creating bespoke and unique pieces such as this. The ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Egg marks a demonstration of the reputation that Fabergé proudly carries today.”

This new ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg does not only look exemplary, but is also a technological wonder. It Boasts an advanced operating mechanism, which underwent computer assisted design and animation, as well as cultivated with micro engineering. All said, it’s an extremely innovative type of Fabergé Egg that both embodies the past and the future, alike. Without the assistance of the goldsmiths’ use of aesthetics and skill to blend it with mechanics, the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Fabergé Egg would not have been such a success. The craftsmanship of this innovative creation with its complex and meticulous opening mechanism can be labeled the most intricate opening ever crafted for a Fabergé Egg.

Spanning from 1885 to 1916, Imperial Fabergé Eggs were crafted with close ties to the Russian Imperial family. What makes this class of Fabergé Eggs so prominent, aside from their extravagant appearance; limited number; and complex inner mechanisms; is the cultural significance and history they shared with the Russian Imperial family. Throughout Emperor Alexander III’s reign, there was a total of 10 commissioned Eggs. As for the remaining 40 Eggs, they were crafted at the time of Alexander III’s son, Nicholas II. He had two Eggs made for each year of his reign to honor his mother the dowager and his wife, respectively. Furthermore, if we take a look into Rolls-Royce’s extensive archives, it will reveal that Nicholas II also happened to be a patron of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. These facts only further highlight the cultural value the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Egg embodies to both Fabergé and Rolls-Royce patrons across the globe.

Sean Gilbertson, Chief Executive Officer, Fabergé said, “A unique moment in both our companies’ history, the creation of the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Egg represents the meeting of two masters of unrivalled quality and design, showcasing two globally recognised symbols – the Fabergé Egg and the Spirit of Ecstasy.”

Though its premiered day at the House of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex, England, has already past. Art and Motor aficionados will still have the opportunity to enjoy a public exhibition in Fabergé’s London location this Christmastide.

Images Courtesy of: Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

A Blanket Life: Aessai has you Covered

It is a bright autumn day with perfect crisp weather, as I find myself walking in Notting Hill, passed the explosion of petunias on the facade of the Churchill Arms, passed the riot of pastels down Portobello market and passed curved street after curved street of the stern white townhouses endemic to this area. My destination is Westbourne Grove, where in between Daylesford and a Goop pop-up shop I am meeting Rebecca Kramer to discuss her lifestyle brand Aessai. Kramer wears a stunning houndstooth poncho in bone ivory and indigo-navy merino, a bestseller from her first collection. Kramer, as it becomes readily apparent, is something of a modern renaissance women. Born in La Rioja, Argentina to Austrian and Welsh parents, medical school brought her to Paris. While pursuing a PhD in infectious diseases, she modeled on the side for the likes of Jean-Paul Gaultier, Calvin Klein and Phillip Morris. Although Kramer did not focus on modeling, she describes her modeling career as ‘very 90’s’ with an easy laugh. In 2006 she found herself in the U.K. working with HIV/AIDS charity ‘The Food Change’ and as a consulting nutritionist addressing eating disorders in patients.

Aessai is a phonetic play on ‘Essay’, Kramer explains. Essay is a word more likely encountered in not so fond recollections of school days, and not a word one would normally associate with a lifestyle brand. And yet as we consider the graphic rendering of interwoven threads that make up the Aessai logo, it is clear that no word is better to describe her vision of the brand. We understand an essay to be a short piece of writing offering a theme or a critique of a theme. Essay owes its entomological lineage to the Latin word ‘exigere’ which means to ascertain or to weigh. Through Aessai, Kramer asks what should the modern lifestyle brand be? Her argument is that it should be a blanket, a story of many interwoven threads that are greater than the sum of their parts.

‘Blankets are a way of life, actually,’ Kramer says with a grin, sincerity radiates from her along with the calm assurance that she will bring you around to this way of thinking, too. The brand is just celebrating its first birthday. Kramer founded the brand in 2017, after a Eureka moment in a Los Angeles hotel room. There she encountered a throw blanket that triggered a whole host of childhood memories of Argentine nights spent by the seaside. ‘The beaches are cold so you have to wear a poncho or blanket over your bikini’, she recalls. As avid fans of seasonally inappropriate trips to the beach, we know the type. On the back of the throw blanket was a label proudly stating Manos del Uruguay.

The Uruguayan collective, Manos del Uruguay was founded in 1968. It is considered one of the pioneers of Fair Trade. Specializing in yarn production, Manos del Uruguay works to preserve local artisanal craftsmanship and bolsters the economic independence of the women engaged in these crafts whose skills are undervalued and under-marketed in the production of these goods. Manos del Uruguay is no stranger to working with fashion labels having worked with Chanel and Stella McCartney among others who value the heritage and quality of skilled, traditional crafts. For Kramer, integrating the collective into her value chain highlights the social consciousness she wants Aessai to embody. While her featherweight chic knits hold up on their own design merits, the Aessai Woman she describes as someone who really cares about community and prioritizes well-made and socially sustainable products. She explains that despite living abroad for many years, her own roots are in Latin America in the small native community of La Rioja, Argentina. It is her intention and vision to hold onto those roots.

Kramer regularly visits the collectives, drawing inspiration and feedback from them. Maintaining these lines of communication open between production and consumer is another pillar Kramer strives for in her goal of total brand transparency. We ask her what the collectives think of us: the consumers, after all rural South America is miles away from West London. Do they have walls of press clippings from French and British vogue in their ateliers like their counterparts in the fashion capitals of the world?

‘Yes, they are very proud of their work,’ she tells us.

Aessai’s first collection of blankets and wraps share the same easy glamour of its founder. The muted neutrals of Uruguay and flat patterns echo tribal looms. Rather than looking anthropological or like they belong in the closet of your favourite but decidedly alternative spinster aunt, they recombine in an appealing and contemporary way that suits the urban citizen of the world. The next collection is more colourful drawing from more of a UK aesthetic.

‘There is something about the UK that brings the eccentric out of you. You can be bold. I feel entitled to be myself, and you need colours.’ For Aessai being comfortable and being chic are not exclusively mutual concepts. The market would agree. As we see more of a backlash against the age old adage that to suffer is to be beautiful heels are ceding ground to designer sneakers or recycled plastic flats and athleisure becomes paramount. Kramer proves that wearing a poncho or blanket can be a very chic process indeed.

Alongside the ponchos and blankets, Aessai also works with an indigenous tribe to produce a small range of handbags that include a messenger, and a supermarket shopper net. The Wichi tribe is a hunter-gatherer group that calls the Chaco region of Argentina home. The women of this group traditionally weave and produce chaguar textiles, from the fine but sturdy fibres of chaguar plants (Bromelia Hieronymi is a plant of the Bromeliad family for those greenhouse enthusiasts amongst you). These flat weaves often incorporate tribal geometries that hold shamanic powers. These abstract patterns are composed through the observation of animal markings in the earth. Like many other unique communities and ecosystems the Wichi are threatened by the ecological damages sustained through deforestation and commercial farming.

We discuss the future of Aessai. The brand is available at a number of prominent retailers, such as London’s impossibly fashionable Browns, The Conran Shop and chic Chelsea concept store-restaurant Blue Bird. Internationally, affectionados can find Aessai at the Beijing annex of Galeries Lafayette and Peri A in Los Angeles. In keeping pace with the increasingly mobile client, Aessai also built out an e-commerce platform (with everyone’s favourite feature: free international shipping!) and has readily adapted the Instagram shopping model. Kramer is excited to expand the brand’s awareness, and mentions discussions with Carl Hansen and Son for an upcoming collaboration.

‘I love collaborations. It’s great to share a mutual inspiration and help each other do something great together.’ The 110 year old Danish furniture company has always done architectural and designer collaborations with a knack for picking rising stars, showcasing the works of seminal Danish modern designers J. Wegner and Kaare Klint. Denmark is also the country that has brought us ‘hygge’ the Danish concept of contentment through cosines that has been making its trendy rounds at all levels of the design world since 2015. Far from showing market saturation, we see signs of hygge less as a micro-trend and more as evidence of real societal shift. After all, why shouldn’t life be like a blanket?

U.S. Première of The Fourth Fast 125’ Superyacht: Lejos3

Benetti announced their arrival at Fort Lauderdale to participate in the 2018 International Boat Show from October 31st to November 4th, and accompanying the shipyard is an awe-inspiring US première: the 125-foot superyacht “Lejos3”. This new superyacht is the fourth unit in Benetti’s triumphant Fast 125′ model and thus had its debut in Florida alongside “Mr Loui”, which is the second Mediterraneo 116′ model from the shipbuilder. It is undeniably one of the most exciting event on the Gold Coast this year with Benetti’s 38.1-meter “Lejos3” and the 35.5-meter “Mr Loui” together side-by-side.

The eye-catching exterior of “Lejos3” is by Stefano Righini, who is a seasoned collaborator for the Italian shipyard. On the other hand, the interior design concept was brought from the drawing boards of British studio RWD, who teamed up with Benetti’s Interior Style Department to actualize the stylish interior layout of  “Lejos3”. “Lejos3’s” interior is configured to embody the word “Air”, which is the most ultra-modern Benetti interior decor variant offering of the “Air”, “Land” and “Sea” selection.

The recently premiered “Lejos3” represents more than just the fourth unit of the Fast 125′ model, it is a symbol of Benetti’s unending pursuit of leading-edge breakthroughs in yachting. In addition, “Lejos3” embraces more advanced technological innovations by sheltering the D2P Displacement to Planing® hull and the (AZP C65) Azipull Carbon 65 propulsion system that was perfected with the joint effort of Rolls Royce Holdings for all the Benetti Fast 125′ models.

The superyacht’s D2P hull was built hand-in-hand with the Azimut Benetti Research & Development centre and designer Pierluigi Ausonio. It features a wave piercer function that grants “Lejos3” the capability to use both displacement and planing modes, which results in less consumption at reduced speed standards. As for the AZP C65 propulsion system, it is a high performance, lightweight, steerable thruster that avails itself in carbon fibre. Additionally, the AZP C65 provides “Lejos3” with excellent handling and considerably reduced sound and oscillation volume. The “Lejos3” has a max speed of 22 knots and a range of 1,750 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots.

From the start to the end of the show, “Lejos3” was docked right alongside “Mr Loui” in the Superyacht Avenue 6. “Mr Loui” was made known to the public in 2016 and first made its debut in February during the 2018 Miami Yacht Show. This Mediterraneo 116′ model is a very fitting yacht to be partnered with “Lejos3”, its exterior is by Italian designer Giorgio M. Casetta and the interior design is by Ezequiel Farca, who was personally chosen by the yacht’s owner, with the collaboration of Benetti’s Interior Style Department.

The curtains are about to be drawn, ending the exciting Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show; however, don’t miss next year’s show because if it’s anything like this year’s then it is definitely an event to see.