Price Cut on Harry Styles’ Hollywood Hills Home

Just last month, Harry Styles reduced the asking price of his 4,100-square foot Hollywood Hills Bachelor Pad to $7,995,000 USD; Hilton & Hyland, an affiliate of Christies International Real Estate, is representing the property, which carried an initial asking price of $8.45 million when it was first listed by Mr. Styles in May of 2017.

Situated in the hills above the Sunset Strip with stunning city and ocean views, the 1960’s era residence is accessed via a long tree-lined gated drive, offering the pen-ultimate in privacy. The home which can be most notably characterized by sleek modern lines, features a three bedroom, five bathroom lay out with 10’ ceilings. Standout features include a gourmet kitchen, formal dining room, media room, gym, master suite with sprawling views, as well as a pool with a cabana and hot tub.

Styles, who is best known for his time serving as a member of the band “One Direction” and for his recent acting debut in Dunkirk, purchased the three-story contemporary home, just under 2 years ago, in June 2016. Subsequently after purchasing the property, Styles commissioned multiple modifications including the addition of silver travertine floors to stretch beyond the interior living areas out onto the terraces, allowing for a perfect blending of the residence’s indoor and outdoor living spaces. Additional updates consisted of a more modern open-air rooftop entertaining area, which now offers an enlarged seating area as well as a fire pit.

For more information visit:  HiltonHyland.com

Images courtesy of:  Christies International Real Estate and HiltonHyland.com

Living With A Panoramic View: Miami’s Panorama Tower

What would it be like to live on top of the world, high above everything and everyone else?  Imagine waking up every morning and going to bed every night with an unparalleled view of the Miami skyline. The new residents of Panorama Tower in Miami, Florida don’t have to imagine these delights, they can live them. Designed and developed by Florida East Coast Realty, LLC (FECR), Panorama Tower dominates 868 feet over the Miami skyline. Thus, labeling the tower the tallest residential building south of New York is no understatement. Panorama Tower boast 85 stories and 821 rental apartments (including a penthouse), as well as more than 200 hotel rooms; 90% of these residences also boast the most breathtaking views of the bay.

The construction of this extraordinary tower has been a long time in the making. Plans were first made for construction in 2006, but were postponed due to financial complications resulting from the Great Recession. Plans were rebooted in 2012-2013 and development began in 2014. Construction concluded in late 2017, and resident move-in begins early 2018. FECR has also owned and developed the Rivergate Plaza Complex, 888 Brickell, One Bayfront Plaza, and two US Treasury buildings, among many others. FECR, undoubtedly, has set a precedent for extravagance and the Panorama, it seems, will be no different.

Building amenities include yoga and pilates studios, private dining and wine tasting rooms, pet grooming and boarding facilities, three private movie theaters and “muse rooms” for jam sessions and recordings. Additionally, the center has kept the environment in mind and offers $1,000 in annual reduced rent for residents without cars, as well as car charging stations for hybrids and electric vehicles. Panorama certainly boasts an amenity for every character desiring to live the high life.

Panorama Tower is located in the Brickell District of Miami, which is also known as South Florida’s major financial district. Residents of Panorama are granted access to the best of Miami: the finest restaurants and stores in the Brickell district. In addition, Brickell offers public transportation to all popular Miami attractions, such as Frost Museum of Science, Perez Art Museum Miami and The Miami Heat. Panorama Tower itself accommodates over 50,000 square feet of high end retail space. Panorama boasts having the best address in all of Miami and that its residents have not only the most extravagant, but the highest level of living.

Panorama’s floor units start at around 1,100 square feet for a one bedroom (the average one bedroom Miami apartment is 720 square feet), and sizes increase by room size; two bedrooms start at 1,600 square feet and three bedrooms start at 2,100 square feet. Monthly rent starts at approximately $3,000 per month, which may seem steep, but with all that Panorama has to offer, surely it’s worth the price to pay. Panorama living includes nine foot ceilings and floor to ceiling windows, which are absolutely perfect for taking in the Miami bay views. Move in for these stellar apartment homes starts in March 2018, and spaces are filling up fast – obviously. Who wouldn’t want to live in this sky-high paradise?

For more information visit:  PanoramaTower.com

Images courtesy of Florida East Coast Reality/Levy Public Relations & Events

Jaguar Classic Relaunches the Iconic D-type Race Car

Jaguar’s vision throughout its 80 year history has been relatively simple and straightforward: To produce beautiful, fast cars that are desired the world over.  And as such, the automobiles produced by Jaguar have been simplistic yet classical.  Demonstrating this very approach, Jaguar Classic has just re-launched the iconic D-type race car in Coventry, which marks 62 years after the last model was built in 1956.

This vintage D-type race car, which has been brought back from the past, will be re-introduced with only 25 new examples that were meticulously hand-assembled at Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Warwickshire, UK.  The first prototype Jaguar D-type to be assembled by Jaguar Classics made its official debut at the Salon Retromobile show in Paris on February 7.  The original Jaguar D-type was set to have 100 examples in 1955, but only 75 were ever completed.  Jaguar Classic has now fulfilled the company’s past aspiration by assembling the missing 25 models and releasing them as all-new, but period-accurate, sports cars.

“The Jaguar D-type is one of the most iconic and beautiful competition cars of all time, with an outstanding record in the world’s toughest motor races. And it’s just as spectacular today,” Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic Director, said. “The opportunity to continue the D-type model’s success story, by completing its planned production run in Coventry, is one of those once-in-a-lifetime projects that our world-class experts at Jaguar Land Rover Classic are proud to fulfil.”

As the champion of the Le Mans 24 Hours race that won three times between 1955 and 1957, the Jaguar D-type has proven itself in the racing world with its six-cylinder XK engine.  Leaving the car in the exact same condition as the original models, the D-type is built for the clients of 2018 with authentic specifications to give them a traditional Jaguar D-type experience.  This re-launch is the third continuation from Jaguar Classic with the six missing Lightweight E-type models completed in 2014-15 and the nine XKSS models built in 2017-18 being the first two.

Kev Riches, Jaguar Classic Engineering Manager, said, “Recreating the nine D-type-derived XKSS models was hugely satisfying, and an even bigger technical challenge than the six missing Lightweight E-type models, but lessons learned from the XKSS project have given us a head start on the final 25 D-type models. Each one will be absolutely correct, down to the very last detail, just as Jaguar’s Competitions Department intended.”

The experts at Jaguar Classic used the original Jaguar engineering drawings and records in order to make the D-type as authentic as possible to the original model.  The new D-type is a blast from the past that evokes a sense of nostalgia to its clients, who also have the option of either choosing the 1955-specification Shortnose or 1956-spec Longnose bodywork.

The 2018 prototype of the D-type series is the 1956 Longnose specification, which is evident by  its extended hood, broadly-inclined cylinder head, quick-change brake calipers and distinctive tail fin behind the driver’s head

For more information, visit the official Jaguar website at:  JaguarUSA.com.

All enquiries from prospective Jaguar Land Rover Classic customers should be directed to:  info@classic.jaguar.co.uk / +44 (0) 203 601 1255 / www.jaguar.com/about-jaguar/jaguar-classic

A Luxurious Montana Lake Home Lists for $6.2 Million

Situated along the shore of Flatehead Lake, and surrounded by a majestic forest of Ponderosa pines is a modern wooden five bedroom 8,100 square-foot retreat featuring walls of glass, which showcase both lake and mountain views, in addition to a private beach and dock.

The estate set across over an acre is located one mile from the city of Lakeside in exclusive Conrad Point, only 30 minutes from Glacier Park International Airport. Just recently the property was listed for sale by Christies International Real Estate’s affiliate, Pure West Real Estate for $6,250,000 USD.

The property is characterized by grass lawns, a 200 foot long private pebble-beach, and a main home with a luxurious deck, allowing you to enjoy the seemingly endless views of Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort and the peaks of Glacier National Park.

“The lifestyle this home offers is beyond compare,” said Rick Moeser, Executive Director of Christie’s International Real Estate. “It is perfect to accommodate extended families and also grand entertaining. There is no lack of outdoor activities – snow in winter and water in summer, plus hiking or horseback riding, among others. Parks and wilderness areas surround the lake, so the abundance of wildlife never ceases to amaze. This is a rare opportunity be part of a nature sanctuary with modern conveniences a short drive away.”

Laid out at the end of a gated drive way is a rock fountain situated in-front of the main residence.  Stepping through the massive wood front doors, visitors will immediately notice the home’s open floor-plan and high ceilings, boasting gracious entertaining areas; the living room includes a bar and a two story double sided river rock fireplace that also heats the formal dinning room. Directly off of the dinning room is a gourmet kitchen with custom wood cabinetry, marble countertops, and top of the line appliances by Viking. Other highlights of the home include a first floor master suite with radiant heat floors and magnificent views across Flathead Lake.

David Fetveit of Pure West added: “The home is just as exquisite as its location. The main water source of Flathead Lake comes directly from Glacier National Park some 30 miles to the north, which is why the water is so pristine and so blue. There are no large resorts in the area, the land is either privately owned or protected. You can boat all day and might only see one or two others. The usage is so low you feel like this amazing natural resort is almost all yours.”

The main home’s lower level includes a 1,500 bottle wine cellar, cinema, game room, sauna, gym as well as an additional bedroom for guests or staff. However, our favorite feature of the lower level is the expansive entreating patio with it’s meticulously designed landscaping.

A two bedroom guesthouse completes the estate offering two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a wood burning fire place for those chilly nights. Heading towards the lake, the property’s dock is oversized and makes for convenient access to all types of water sporting activities; and includes covered hydraulic and electric lifts.

For the security conscious buyer, the property’s surveillance system includes multiple cameras and a gated driveway. The home is topped of with several smart house features such as a sophisticated light and sound system, which can be operated from a mobile device.

For additional information please visit:  christiesrealestate.com

Images courtesy of: Christies International Real Estate

A Look Into the Islands Made By Man

The world we live in is more unique than ever before, and this unprecedented level of individuality is emphasized by man’s ability to create anything and everything. One example of this extraordinary artistry is the Ocean Reef Islands, located of the coast of Panama City, Panama. The Ocean Reef Islands are a pair of man-made, artificial, real estate islands designed by real estate developer Grupo Los Pueblos. Grupo Los Pueblos has a thirty-year history focusing on innovation in architecture; their involvement in the construction of these islands ensures the highest degrees of excellence and luxury. The islands have a land area of 46 acres and are connected to Panama City by a 500 foot long bridge.

These anomalous islands have been under construction since 2009. The first island, which has already been completed, had astounding success in home sales. It’s One Of A Kind residences, Waterfront Residences, and Lot 65 are all completely full. The Garden Apartments, however, are only at 85% capacity; these apartments start at $1.3 million. Residents here have access to a swimming pool, a mini-golf course, and a rooftop infinity pool. The island’s close adjacency to the Panama Canal also highlights gorgeous views of ocean liners and sailing yachts as well as the connection of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The second island is still in construction, although it will feature 65 ocean front properties, starting at $3.7 million. These properties range anywhere from 9,000 to 13,000 square feet. Ocean front properties, condos, and penthouses (which range from $1 million to $2 million) are accented by 360 degree views of the ocean as well as the city skyline. The real estate developer is promising that you would be able to move in to all properties on both islands by 2019.

Living on these islands is not for the faint of heart, the amenities on the island certainly have a “go big or go home” attitude, so residents should be prepared to live and spend lavishly. The islands feature tennis courts, a private yacht club, full-service spas, and complete gym facilities- these are available to all residents of the islands. More information on the services and amenities offered by the islands, as well as residential opportunities, can be found on their website: Ocean Reef Islands.

Man’s ability to create islands from scratch opens up numerous possibilities for the future. These islands are designed to be the perfect place to live and are absolutely an incredible engineering feat. The Ocean Reef Islands were designed with only the best in mind, and, when they open for residency in 2019, the world is sure to appreciate this great level of innovation.

The 250 Million USD Bel Air Mega Mansion

Built in 2017 by famed real estate developer Bruce Makowsky, this luxury home located on 924 Bel Air Rd. Los Angeles, California was placed on the market for a groundbreaking $250,000,000USD.  This piece of real estate may very well be Bruce Makowsky’s greatest masterpiece, as it even set the record for the most expensive home listed in the United States.  Situated in the ultra-exclusive Bel Air Enclave, the home offers 38,000 square-feet as well as an additional 17,000 square-feet of entertainment decks.

This extravagant Los Angeles home features 2 master suites, 10 over-sized VIP guest suites, 21 deluxe bathrooms, 3 gourmet kitchens and the most cutting-edge home tech system ever created.  In addition, it also includes a 85-foot glass tile infinity swimming pool, an impressive wellness spa/massage studio, a state-of-the-art fitness center, 5 bars, a 40-seat 4K Dolby Atmos Theater, 4 lane bowling alley/lounge, 2 fully-stocked champagne & wine cellars, outdoor pop-up theater, a grand candy dispenser wall, 7 round-the-clock staff personnel and an auto showroom.

The house’s auto showroom is particularly extravagant as it harbors $30 million worth of avant garde motorcycles and automobiles, which will also be included when sold.  The home has a total of four levels with an array of bespoke items throughout as well as  indoor & outdoor nirvana complemented by 270-degree unobstructed views that stretch from the mountains all the way to the ocean & the incredible Los Angeles skyline in-between.

Its decor offers hand-cut stone & marble as well as a collection of over 100 curated art installations; this consists of  Lamborghini wall clocks, vintage gas cans & fire extinguishers, Gale Hart-designed chrome sculptures and a pair of Rock Royalty Custom guitars.  Being the gem that it is, the property presents wondrous views, matchless stone work, water features all around the house and one of a kind audio-visual elements.

Bruce Makowsky envisions the same explicit feeling one would find on a yacht in each of his homes.  He wishes to stimulate your senses by introducing you to a house that is the manifestation of luxury as well as being in immaculate condition with flawless attention to detail. Bruce Makowsky figured, why should a person spend only seven to eight weeks a year on their yacht, when you can experience a similar luxury in the comforts of your own home the whole year round.

On top of the home’s helicopter pad there sits the original Airwolf helicopter, which is a deactivated Bell 222A helicopter that was the main character on the TV series “Airwolf”.  The show’s plot was centered around the military helicopter, codenamed Airwolf, and her crew as they engaged in all sorts of precarious missions.  The helicopter was later restored with luxurious elements as well as outfitted with a new modern instrument panel in order to be a permanent installation for the house.  The property does not permit any helicopter use, so this Bell 222A helicopter will sadly remain just for aesthetic purposes, such as jumping into the cockpit and watching the sun set beyond the horizon.

For further inquiry visit:  HiltonHyland.com

Photography by: Tri-Blend Media

We think Tyler Ellis is Pretty Clutch

Fashion is in the DNA. Tyler Ellis, daughter of late American design legend Perry Ellis, talks with The Extravagant about her accessories label. Tyler Ellis which launched in 2011, has grown a steady celebrity following through a commitment to luxury materials, branding details and thoughtful design. Available worldwide, we ask about the design process behind Tyler Ellis and what’s next for the brand.

You have stated in previous interviews that you wanted to carve out a niche away from sportswear, but what draws you specifically to handbag design?

“I have always been an accessories girl—bags, shoes and jewels! I’m from Los Angeles, so my actual wardrobe tends to be rather casual. I usually stick to the basics: black, white, grey and denim. But I like to have a little more fun with my handbags.

I love designing bags that can be dressed up or down depending on the outfit and the wearer’s mood. I will carry my velvet Lee Pouchet (one of the most popular bags on the red carpet) with a pair of distressed jeans and a t-shirt all day, and then use the same bag for a gala event that night. My Kelly Box, typically considered a day bag because of its size and shape; looks killer when worn with a great cocktail dress and some statement jewelry. I want people to not only have fun with their Tyler Ellis bags, but also use them day and night, and not feel confined that a “clutch” is solely for evening and a “handbag” is strictly for day.”

Do you have any plans to expand your brand into other accessories aside from handbags?

“I tend to design things close to my heart. I have three Maltese puppies, so a dog bag is an obvious necessity. The Josh Dog Bag, named after my father’s favorite dog, is sold exclusively on my website and is designed specifically for canine lovers who want to carry their babies in discrete and chic comfort.

My husband and I are also big wine lovers so wine bags were a must! My two styles, David and Dennis are sold exclusively on tylerellis.com

Each hold two bottles apiece, are lined with my signature “Thayer” blue and have an exterior pocket for a wine opener.

Recently I started playing golf, and if my mother and mother in-law have a say in it, children are up next, so those are two new areas for me to explore!”

Candy Clutch, SS18. Tyler Ellis, 2018.

How have your travels all around the globe inspired your collection?

“One of the main reasons I started my company was because of my passion for travel, which has taken me all over the world.

I found women in Jakarta carrying the same luxury handbag brands as women in Singapore, Tokyo, London and New York. This made me realize that there was a niche in the market to create an independent accessory brand with the design and quality to compete against established fashion houses by offering luxury consumers a product that is unique, detail orientated and also focused on functionality.”

Your brand works with many exotic materials such as ostrich, lizard and python. What would you say draws you to these unique materials? What are the challenges of working with them?

“The beauty of working with exotic leathers is that you will never find two skins that are exactly the same. The natural textures are stunning.

I work with more classically used exotic skins like alligator, python and lizard. I also love to use more unusual combinations like ostrich leg, fish, red jungle fowl and toad, because of how unexpectedly beautiful they are.

The main challenge of working with exotics is shipping, because of all of the regulations associated with the skins and what state or country they are being shipped to. All of the bags I create have CITIES documents, which are certificates stating that the animal was humanely treated in accordance with fish and wildlife protocol.”

Walk us through your design process. What’s your favourite part? Where do you draw the most inspiration from?

“My inspiration usually comes from people watching. I’m constantly on a plane, a train or seated at a cafe somewhere around the world surrounded by eclectic groups of people, whose styles are very often wildly different from mine. A small detail will catch my eye and I’ll jot down a quick sketch on a cocktail napkin, or whatever is near and revisit it later when I’m on my own.

Next, I will expand on the idea, flush out all of the intricate details and then send the final sketch and notes in an email to my factory in Italy. Usually the factory has very few questions and they start the process of creating the first prototype of the design.

Now comes the really exciting part and perhaps my favorite part of the process! When the bag is finished, the artisan sends it to me alongside my original, little sketch. There is nothing more gratifying than seeing that sketch, which came from some chance detail on a person I will most likely never see again turn into reality! Well, aside from Oprah Winfrey’s team reaching out and saying that she was interested in carrying one of my bags to the Global Globes— that happened too!”

Python Backpack, Tyler Ellis, SS2018

More and more young brands are confronted early on with managing both global production and global clientele, what was your strategy for managing these obstacles?

“I have had my company for six years and it took me three of those six years to find my current factory, which was game changing. I feel so honored to work with true artisans that have the same eye for detail and take as much pride in Tyler Ellis bags as I do. This incredible relationship enables Tyler Ellis to customize bags for clients all over the world in a timely manner.”

Who is the Tyler Ellis client? Is it the same person you imagined it would be when you first started designing?

“My clients tend to be worldly, strong and whimsical women who appreciate luxury and functionality. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is traveling all over and getting to meet incredibly interesting women, many of whom have become close friends and avid collectors of my bags. To answer your question I would say, yes; when I initially started the brand I had the same vision for the Tyler Ellis woman, but it has taken a lot of growing, life lessons and hard work!”

How does celebrity styling play into your communications strategy? Do you have a celebrity you’re dying to see with one of your bags? Which bag do you think would suit them?

“As an independent luxury brand, my marketing budget can’t even compare to the big fashion conglomerates, so I have to look for other ways to get my name out there.

Celebrities have played a major role, not only in sales but also in brand legitimization. Before most people are willing to spend on a luxury item they have to believe in the brand and what it represents. And what better way to build trust than by having strong and inspirational women like Oprah Winfrey, Meryl Streep, Reese Witherspoon, Salma Hayek, Gigi Hadid and Kaia Gerber choosing to carry my bags, when they have access to anything and everything that the world has to offer?

It has been incredibly humbling to watch these women on the red carpets or spotted on the streets with their Tyler Ellis designs. I work very hard to create functional luxury bags that cater to what women want; whether it be a phone charger in a tote, an extra-long key fob (for easy access) or a detachable cross-body. I’m always looking to tweak and improve my designs, as they are all representations of both my lifestyle and myself. I strive for the best.

I have been very fortunate to have many of today’s most influential celebrities carry my bags, but looking back, I would have loved for Diana, Princess of Wales, to have carried Tyler Ellis. She represented what I like to think is the ethos of my brand: worldly, timeless and honorable. I could imagine her carrying my Lee Pouchet to events and my Jamie Doctor around town. That being said, in today’s world, I would love to see the Duchess of Cambridge carry my Kelly Box. It’s hard, rectangular shape finished off with my spear-lock closure is a classic design combined with a modern twist— perfect for a future Queen of England.”

LJ Tote, Tyler Ellis, SS2018

What has been the greatest challenge in sourcing and incorporating exotic materials in the Tyler Ellis line?

“The language barrier has created issues with tanneries. Misunderstandings on front cut vs. back cut of a skin can really change a design. I’ve also received wrong quantities and colors, and in a couple of instances nothing at all. But, I do work with an incredible father/son owned factory outside of Florence. Their close relationships with the tanneries that I source from helps make the sourcing process as seamless as possible. I pride myself on quality, so I source from only the most highly regarded tanneries like Paris-based HCP– Hermes Cuirs Precieux, owned by Hermes and the Tuscan based Caravel, owned by Kering.”

Tell us about the Perry Ellis archives: Are there plans to make the Perry Ellis archives accessible to the public in the future? Do you have a favourite piece within your father’s archive?

“I personally don’t control the Perry Ellis archives. The company was sold in 1999 to the Miami-based Feldenkreis family.

I do have vintage pieces of my father’s designs that were given to me by family and friends, which are very special to me. Recently, I was at a dinner party at the home of Lisa Eisner, the incredible Los Angeles photographer and jewelry designer. She told me that she had a gift for me, and asked me to close my eyes. She quickly returned and placed what felt like a coat on my shoulders—I opened my eyes and found the most incredible cropped shearling jacket, in perfect condition, finished off with my dad’s signature dimpled shoulder. He had given it to her in the ‘70s and it couldn’t be more relevant today.

My father’s pieces were so revolutionary at the time because he created women’s wear that looked super chic, but was also wearable and comfortable. He made fashion happy and fun, which inspires me every day.”

Where do you see your brand in the next five years?

“I’d love my brand to become a household name, but one that still creates unique, exclusive and exciting designs, and always strives to find ways to create the best products out there.”

Where can we follow you? And where can we check out your line?

“You can follow my brand on Instagram at @TylerEllisOfficial and check out the collection on TylerEllis.com. If you happen to be in London, please stop by Harvey Nichols to check out some of my special pieces in person!”

In their clutches! Hollywood’s showing off their Tyler Ellis’

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 07: Actors Salma Hayek (L) and Ashley Judd attend The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 7, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Reese Witherspoon and her Tyler Ellis Lee Pouchet alongside Eva Longoria

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 07: Actor Meryl Streep (L) and NDWA Director Ai-jen Poo attend The 75th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 7, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

SANTA MONICA, CA – JANUARY 11: Actor Kate Bosworth attends The 23rd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 11, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Critics’ Choice Awards )

SANTA MONICA, CA – JANUARY 11: Actor Jessica Biel attends The 23rd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 11, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Critics’ Choice Awards)

LOS ANGELES, CA. Jan 21: Actor Allison Williams attends the 24th  Screen Actors Guild Awards at Shrine Auditorium on January 21st, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images)

France Has Won: The Book of Hours of King Francois I Returns to France

The Book of Hours of King Francois I has been put on exhibit at the Louvre. Celebrate this momentous occasion at the Louvre while giving a special thanks to the great LVMH. The French have won! It all took place on Feb 15^th, when France was able to accumulate 10 Million Euros to acquire the fabled book, which could be said to be a priceless heirloom of the past king.

The Louvre happens to be the owner of one of the biggest art collections. You can expect to see everything from every era that has long since been etched into the records of ages passed. Being a former royal palace, the minimum you await to find is but an abundance of historical artifacts and antiquities, however, it was missing one important piece to complete the grand collection.

We now tell you the story of how The Book of Hours of King Francois I began:

An old Englishman from the 18^th century got his hands on this book and was able to keep it in England’s collection for decades. The French wept, wanting to have back their “unique vestige of the treasures of the House of Valois” as the Louvre say. Their dream came true on Oct. 2017, when its current London owner decided to put it on sale. As for the ending of this story, it isn’t as simple as it appears to be. The deal for the Louvre to have it back was to acquire 10 million euros before Feb. 15^th.

How did they do that, you ask? Well on Oct. 15^th Musée de Louvre launched a campaign “Tous Mécènes!” to help raise the money. This campaign is the crowdfunding type to help enrich the Louvre’s collection.

However, the money collected wasn’t just based on “Tous Mécènes!”. LVMH was generous enough to donate 5 million euros, thereby securing half the acquisition. So, with the help of both, the Louvre was able to pay the full amount and add The Book of Hours of King Francois I to its sizable collection

And this ends the story of how France was able to retrieve back what she considers to be a historical treasure.

Image credit:  Louvre Museum

Pierre Hermé Presents Macarons for Valentine’s Day

French chef Pierre Hermé, who is also called a Macaron king in the gastronomy world, made his debut in America to present his praised macarons stateside just in the nick of time for Valentine’s Day.  Travelers going to or from the John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminal 4 will be able to procure the Pierre Hermé macarons with either their miles or credit card.

The reputation Hermé built up is not just for show; in 2016 he was given the title of “world’s best pastry chef” by organizers of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.  Hermé has boutiques all across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, but has yet to establish an official boutique in the United States.  He will be bringing the macarons in a variety of flavors that include salted caramel, milk chocolate & passion fruit, hazelnut praline, chocolate and his signature Ispahan, with  litchi, rose and raspberry.

Bugatti Type 57SC Coupé Wins The Third Annual The Peninsula Classics Best of The Best Award in Paris

On February 8th, the rare 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Coupé Atlantic was declared the winner of the prestigious The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award at the The Peninsula Paris Hotel.  Celebrating its third year, The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award gathered eight of the world’s most refined classic cars (the best of show winners from the top international concours) to clash against each other for the title of most outstanding car in the world.  In the end, it was of course the Bugatti that triumphed over the other motor cars.  The Bugatti Type 57SC Coupé Atlantic is co-owned by the Mullin Automotive Museum and Rob & Melani Walton, located in California, USA.  In addition, the car was also named “Best of Show Concours d’Etat” at the 2017 Chantilly Arts & Elegance.

According to Bruce Meyer, “For the third year, the ultimate standard for judging The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award was that of uncompromised quality and design. Of course, this made the selection process most challenging for the esteemed group of panellists.” He continued: “In the end, the 1936 Bugatti Type 57 SC Coupé Atlantic emerged victorious, with its exceptional, bespoke design making it a marvellous combination of art and technology.” 

This legendary Bugatti is powered by a supercharged engine and is recognized by many as the first supercar ever produced; the most significant thing about the Bugatti is that it is one of only four Type 57 Atlantic models ever created, with just three still in existence.  The car was designed by Jean Bugatti, Ettore Bugatti’s son, during the peak of the Art Deco movement.  Jean gathered inspiration for the Type 57 Atlantic from another of his designs, the 1935 Aérolithe concept car, which was well known for its riveted exterior that was installed to protect the car’s magnesium-alloy body parts from catching on fire.  Jean utilized this signature riveted seam on the all-aluminum body of the Atlantic, thereby bringing this classic look to life.

“The Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic is the crown jewel of the automotive circuit,” said Bugatti Head of Tradition Julius Kruta. “This car was Jean Bugatti’s masterpiece with its beautiful and breath-taking lines, plus its unmatched performance for the time. Today, it remains the ultimate expression of the Bugatti legacy: unparalleled power and beautiful design.”

This exact model, chassis number 57374, was the first Type 57 Atlantic to be produced as well as the sole surviving “Aéro Coupé,” which is a moniker given exclusively to the first two cars that shared a mechanical similarity to the Aérolithe.  When the car was brand new in 1936, it was delivered to Britain’s Nathaniel Mayer Victor Rothschild, also known as third Baron Rothschild, and since then it has passed through the hands of quite a few owners throughout its 82-year history.  The Type 57SC Atlantic Coupé has been on display around the globe a fair number of times, most recently being when it was on display at the Los Angeles-based Petersen Automotive Museum for the “Art of Bugatti” exhibit.

“The Atlantic represents the pinnacle of everything I adore about French automotive styling and is widely described as the Mona Lisa of the automobile collector world,” said Peter Mullin, Founder and CEO of the Mullin Automotive Museum. “From its signature curves to its aviation-inspired rivets, to the Jean Bugatti designed sleek all-aluminium body, the car is truly a remarkable piece of art. I’m very honoured to have shared it with the world amongst other worthy ‘Best of the Best’ contenders.”

“I second Peter’s thoughts – the other seven nominees were simply stunning, which makes winning the award feel even more special,” said Rob Walton, co-owner of the Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupé. “What this award does is allow us to take a step back and admire the quality and beauty of the greatest classic cars in existence today. For an automotive fan like myself, it’s a joy.”

The third annual The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award was previously presented during Monterey Car Week, but the award was relocated to Paris this year to be in-attendance during the acclaimed Rétromobile event.  The extraordinary automobile was presented at an exclusive reveal party at The Peninsula Paris’ subterranean garage, following a private dinner, which was briefly stated in an earlier article that also listed the finalists.

Speaking of the award’s legacy, The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited and co-founder of the award said, “My great hope is that we not only succeed in thrilling long-term car enthusiasts, but that this award will also ignite a new-found passion for those just discovering the world of motoring.”

For more information visit:  Peninsula.com