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Phoenix International Magazine Column - Adventures in Luxury
1. P H O E N I X
MERCEDES UNLEASHES
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
THE 2014 S63 AMG
賓士2014新款S63 AMG 馬力全開
THE YACHTING LIFE
WORLD’S BEST PORTS OF CALL
奢華之最 - 全球頂級遊艇碼頭
DINING IN
HIGH FASHION
•
時髦餐飲 - 頂尖時尚餐廳介紹
FA L L
CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
I S S U E
DEREK LAM
高以翔
DEREK LAM 歡慶十週年
ISSN 1930-5540
2 0 1 3
雙棲動物
www.phoenixintlmag.com
GODFREY GAO
HIGH FASHION TO HOLLYWOOD
FA L L I S S U E 2 0 1 3
CHINESE LUXURY AND LIFESTYLE
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2. ADVENTURES IN LUXURY
WORLD’S MOST LUXURIOUS PORTS OF CALL
ADVENTURES in
By David Christopher Lee with additional reporting by Setorii Pond
Contributing Editor-at-large David Christopher Lee shares his
adventures as he traverses the globe capturing luxurious properties and intriguing figures along the way.
特派編輯David Christopher Lee足跡踏遍世界各地,探訪奢華生
活以及非常人物的同時,也大方與我們分享他的奢華冒險經歷。
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3. WORLD’S MOST LUXURIOUS PORTS OF CALL
ADVENTURES IN LUXURY
Ł ưxưry
奢華冒險
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5. ADVENTURES IN LUXURY
Private home in Malibu
Diner en blanc
八月二十一日,儘管正值豔陽高照的夏季,位於洛杉磯羅
迪歐大道(Rodeo Drive)上舉辦的「純白晚宴Diner en Blanc」
卻宛如冬季提早降臨。由French Tuesdays舉辦的「純白晚宴
Diner en Blanc」在歐陸已經行之有年,今年第一次到美國舉
辦。超過一千名賓客穿著純白,聚集在集結香奈爾(Channel)、路易威登(Louis Vuitton)、湯姆福特(Tom Ford)
、Roberto Cavalli等一線國際精品的羅迪歐大道上。
這場活動可說是比佛利山一帶前所未有的獨特活動。事實
上,「純白晚宴」在二十五年前於法國開始,每每以當地
最華美、最具指標性的地點舉辦年度活動,包括艾菲爾鐵
塔、凡爾賽宮、聖母院、香榭麗舍大道以及羅浮宮前的金
字塔等等。除了純白服裝,我更為活動細節的規劃、品味
以及創意感到驚艷。
活動現場宛如當代版的電影窈窕淑女(My Fair Lady)…映
著月光與現場的音樂,大家享受各自帶來的精緻餐點。然
後,音樂節奏轉變,應和著DJ Lady Splash與薩克斯風手Natty
Rico的音樂與節拍,人們紛紛起身舞蹈,不一會就有上百人
聚集在舞池裡。
融合趣味、華麗、優雅與群眾的「純白晚宴」無疑是場
讓人回味良久的精彩活動。幕後的French Tuesdays對於活動
的規劃功力更是毋庸置疑。活動如此精彩,讓我不禁納悶
他們在未來還會有什麼樣的突破,更對來年的活動充滿期
待!
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6. ADVENTURES IN LUXURY
Extreme Wow Suite at the W Hollywood
L
ast month, my good friend Alan Greenberg invited me to an
exclusive Louis XIII tasting event at his house in Beverly Hills.
What better place for tasting the world’s finest cognac than
the highest house in Beverly Hills. Alan’s house is a 20,000
square foot French Chateau that sits on top of Benedict Canyon. Louis
XIII is the most exquisitely divine cognac in the world and has been
toasted at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth and numerous historical events. This rare cognac comes in a Baccarat decanter made
of eleven pounds of blown crystal. A 750 mL bottle of Louis can cost
as much as $34,000! Pierrette Trichet serves as the cellar master of
Remy Martin and designed this delicious taste of rich ambers, aromas
of delicate flowers and a dash of cinnamon and ginger. It was such a
privilege to taste this smooth savory drink amongst one of the original
barrels in which Louis XIII was aged, transported all the way from the
Cognac region of France!
Robb Report hosted an event at actor Jeremy Renner’s beautiful art
deco home in the Holmby Hills, the Reserve. The property features 14
square foot ceilings, an open floor plan, intimate theatre and magnicifent 4 column façade. This 10,000 square foot single-story mansion
sits on two acres of land and was designed by renown architect Phillip
Vertoch. The estate which was purchased in 2010 for $7 million has
been flipped by Renner and his partner Kristoffer Winters – currently
on the market for a cool $25 million. “One of the best houses I have
seen in LA in a while [is the Reserve], totally turnkey and a blend of
classic design with today’s modern touches. Although Holmby Hills is
not well known in the mainstream media, it is beyond a shadow of a
doubt the best neighborhood in Los Angeles with some of the finest
properties on the West Coast. Certainly my first choice for a luxury
buyer,” says Beverly Hills Realtor Christophe Choo. Guests sipped
on Art Decotinis (Stolichnaya & dry vermouth) and Scottish Haciendas
(Glenfiddich Cocktails). Notable guests included Beverly Hills realtor
Barry Peele, Duchess Von Schoeneberg Gabrielle Choo and Designer
Yotom Solomon.
During my birthday party themed “Shanghai 1930”, the W Hollywood
was gracious enough to give me their spectacular Extreme Wow Suite,
the best room in the hotel. This expansive 1,660 square foot suite
features stunning views of the Hollywood Hills and floor to ceiling windows. One of the highlights of the room includes a circular alcove that
is surrounded by grey carpeted seating areas, enough to seat 20! I
loved the dark paneled wooden floors with white and red pillows for
accents. The Extreme Wow suite is definitely a must-try for lovers of
modern luxury.
My company, Destination Luxury, hosted a fabulous evening at the
Antebi Estate in Bel Air featuring Jamah Handbags. Jamah specializes
in made-to-order bags, including custom pieces. Known for its exotic
skins and unique dying techniques, Jamah bags come in a plethora of
shapes and sizes. Guests were treated to an evening of live classical
music and an exclusive pairing of bags and wine by Lone Madrone.
Delectable hors d’oeuvres were passed by Beverly Hills Italian Restaurant Caffe Roma. The event was hosted by Celebrity Stylist Colin
Megaro and Goodtastela.com founder Barbara Bishop.
One of my favorite houses in Malibu might not be a huge mega-mansion but it is unquestionably luxurious when it comes to beachside living. Malibu-realtor Chris Cortazzo opened up his beach-front 3,300
square foot home for a Destination Luxury fashion shoot. This attractive
Harry Gesner masterpiece is situated on 100 feet of pristine white
sandy beach amongst the secret coves of Malibu. Our crew enjoyed
clean modern décor and gazed upon the crystal clear blue water of the
Pacific Ocean through floor to ceiling windows. With access to your
own private beach, it doesn’t get any better than this! Chris Cortazzo’s
house is available for rent for $40,000 a month (offpeak) or $55,000
a month during summer.
When you are ready to get away from the mainland, take a voyage
to the Hawaiian islands and be sure to charter a yacht with Hawaii
Yachts. I took the Elyatt 75 out for a sunset cruise awhile back. This
75-foot predator is built by Sunseeker Yachts of England and lives up to
its name “The World’s Finest Luxury Motor Yacht.” With a fine interior
featuring cherry wood and plush designer elements, no detail is left
unfinished. My favorite part of the boat was the incredible sundeck
which was perfect for laying out beneath the blazing sun while gazing
out on 180 degree views of the Pacific Ocean. We were treated to
a feast by Executive Chef Andrew Stone paired with Veuve Cliquot to
go with it. Hawaii Yachts caters to the dignitaries of the world from
the Clintons to European princes and it’s no wonder, with such a grand
fleet of stunning yachts.
After my voyage, I retreated to the 11,000 square foot Paul Mitchell
Estate in Lanikai, Hawaii located on the windward side of Oahu. The
estate sits on 2 acres of land and is comprised of seven structures which
each have their own private bedrooms, five of which have ocean
views. When you enter the estate, you are treated to a magnificent
view of a koi pond filled with lilies and buddhas. My favorite part of
the property was the outdoor shower which has a view of the Pacific
and the Mokoluas, a set of twin islands that sit offshore Lanikai Beach.
Lanikai has been listed as one of the top 10 beaches in the world with
its gorgeous white sand beaches and waters that range from emerald
green to turquoise blue. If I didn’t have other plans already on my calendar, I would have loved to extend my stay here indefinitely...
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7. ADVENTURES IN LUXURY
“Diner en Blanc” Rodeo Drive
Despite the heat of the summer, it was as if a winter wonderland adorned Rodeo Drive on August 21st. Over 1,000
people dressed in white covered the famous street to dine between fashion’s finest names: Channel, Louis Vuitton, Roberto
Cavalli and Tom Ford to name a few. “Diner en Blanc” hosted
by French Tuesdays is a coveted experience and made its first
U.S. debut in Los Angeles.
It was one of the most unique pop-up dining experiences to
date in Beverly Hills. Created over 25 years ago in France,
this now worldwide gathering of friends and food lovers always finds the most beautiful and unattainable places in the
world to host the annual dinner. The Eiffel Tower, Château de
Versailles, Esplanade de Notre-Dame, Champs-Élysées, and
Le Louvre Pyramid are just a few places Diner en Blanc has
chosen as its backdrop over the years. I was impressed at the
attention to detail, style and creative pizazz despite the all
white attire.
It felt like a modern version of the movie “My Fair Lady”...
under the moonlight, diners enjoyed an array of beautiful and
decadent foods they had brought with them while enjoying live
music to compliment the experience. Later in the evening, a
change of tempo enticed people to get up and dance; within
moments a flash mob of hundreds crowded the dance floor.
Smiling and grooving party goers danced to the beats of DJ
Lady Splash while saxophonist Natty Rico jammed for the inspired crowd.
It was a night to remember and I must say Diner en Blanc and
French Tuesdays did an amazing job at creating an unforgettably unique evening filled with fun, new friends, glamour, and
elegance. I wonder how they could top this with year’s event.
Guess we will just have to wait and see.
- Setorii Pond (Creative Director for Destination Luxury)
On the Elyatt 75
Louis XIII private tasting
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