Month: July 2016

Cessna Denali single engine turboprop debuts at Oshkosh

by

Textron Aviation debuts Cessna Denali. Textron Aviation unveiled the Cessna Denali, the single engine turboprop announced as as a future leader in the high-performance single engine turboprop market. A mockup of the aircraft’s cabin alongside a mockup of GE Aviation’s all new advanced turboprop engine were presented at Textron Aviation’s chalet during the Experimental Aircraft … Read more

Hoshinoya, Tokyo’s tower ryokan now open

by

The Japanese “ryokan” concept was recontextualized for the city Staying in a “ryokan” is one of the most popular experiences for tourists to enjoy the authentic Japan. A ryokan is a traditional Japanese style inn where you can relax in a tatami-floored room with hot spring baths and seasonal cuisine. Ryokans, however, are hard to … Read more

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join Pope Francis at 2016 World UnPlugNPlay Festival in Vatican City

by

Experiences marketplace IfOnly unveiled a new bucket list experience: “Meet Pope Francis at the Vatican.”

Pope Francis Vatican

IfOnly, the leader in one-of-a-kind experiences that benefit charitable causes, and Killerspin, the world’s only luxury table tennis experience brand, has partnered to create an exclusive package offering the opportunity to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican as part of the World UnPlugNPlay Festival August 29 -31st, a celebration to encourage people to play table tennis with loved ones and unplug from electronic devices for 15 minutes a day.

In addition to a meeting with His Holiness, the IfOnly/Killerspin Package includes table tennis tournaments, several exclusive gatherings including the Connect21 Ping Pong cocktail reception, gala dinner and panel with thought leaders discussing “digitization and humanity.” In addition, the excursion includes private VIP tours of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Palazzo Colonna, a two-night stay at a luxurious Sardinian resort and a host of limited edition memorabilia and products from Killerspin.

Pope Francis with Killerspin CEO Robert Blackwell Jr.

Two packages are offered and start at $15,000. In keeping with Pope Francis’ lifelong dedication to public welfare, this experience will benefit Best Buddies, a nonprofit dedicated to providing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

UnPlugNPlay Day on August 29, 2016 was created by Killerspin in partnership with the Italian Table Tennis Federation to encourage family and friends to put away their computers and mobile phones – unplug in order to have fun, and connect with those they love and who need their love. The event will launch in Vatican City attended by the Pope, along with a series of other grassroots events in major cities around the world.

According to Killerspin CEO Robert Blackwell Jr., the idea behind UnPlugNPlay grew out of a conversation he had with Pope Francis earlier this year about the growing alienation of humanity caused by an increasingly digitized society. As he explains, “The Pope and I spoke about how technology is changing the way we communicate, to the detriment of our relationships with others and our health. For at least this one day, we hope people will put away their devices in order to have fun, and connect with those they love.”

table tennis luxury table - Meet Pope Francis at the Vatican via IfOnly - Killerspin Package

‎Bugatti‬ is reopening the showroom in Mayfair, London with the eye-catching ‪‎Chiron‬

by

Bugatti is celebrating the reopening of its London showroom. Bugatti unveiled the only place in the UK to view and order the new Bugatti Chiron. Bugatti is celebrating the reopening of its London showroom in Mayfair, now completed by H.R. Owen, Bugatti’s long-term partner in the United Kingdom, in the new Bugatti brand design. The … Read more

“Reflexion” And “No.6” complete The Macallan 1824 Masters Series

by

They say all good things come in threes. The Macallan released not one, but two stunning new whiskies, Reflexion and No.6.

The Macallan 1824 Series
Wood sits at the very heart of what Macallan does. The Macallan 1824 Masters Series is increasing in scarcity and rarity through each expression. Reflexion And No.6, the latest addition in the exclusive luxury range, further demonstrates the vital role of Macallan’s casks in the production of the whiskies.

ll of the whiskies in the The Macallan 1824 Masters Series range are painstakingly hand selected by The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno. First-fill, 100% sherry-seasoned casks showcase the beautiful spectrum of the 100% natural color in The Macallan, bringing to life the interaction of the peerless spirit and exceptional oak casks.

Named to commemorate the year The Macallan was established, the 1824 Masters Series celebrates whiskies that are increasingly darker and richer in flavor as one progresses up through the range. With each expression, the whisky complexity increases, as does its hue of natural color, as well as the intricacy of the decanter. The desire to celebrate the peerless spirit and the whiskies’ natural colors is evident in the exquisite style of each decanter, custom designed to better display each individual hue. Inspiration is also taken from The Macallan’s iconic triangle with light-reflecting angular facets and asymmetrical influences.

the macallan casks

“The 1824 Masters Series has been an extremely exciting ongoing development for The Macallan. The stunning designs and overall imprint of this collection are not only worthy of some of our most complex and precious single malt whiskies but, they celebrate the very foundations that make The Macallan so special – our glorious range of natural color and the outstanding quality of our sherry casks,” commented Raul Gonzalez, VP of The Macallan (Edrington Americas).

The Macallan’s Master of Wood, Stuart MacPherson, notes: “Our commitment to sherry seasoned oak casks is unquestionable and the 1824 Masters Series showcases The Macallan at its very best.”

In honor of the holiday, the range, which previously featured Rare Cask (43% ABV, RRP $300) and M (44.7% ABV, RRP $5,000) in the United States, is now joined by Reflexion (43% ABV, RRP $1,400) and No. 6 (43% ABV, RRP $4,000), all of which contain some of the finest single malt whiskies released by the distillery. These striking decanters, each one magnificent in status and appearance, carry whisky connoisseurs through the range starting with Rare to the crescendo of M, the halo of the entire series and the world’s most valuable whisky.

No.6 brings together two Masters, our whisky maker and masters of crystal, Lalique, to create a piece of timeless elegance. The angular decanter with six facets holds a complex single malt using only first fill Spanish sherry seasoned oak casks. Heavy and sumptuous, No. 6 tastes like a rich fruit cake with raisin, dates and figs before offering silky smooth oaky notes and boasts a rich dark walnut colour.

 

The Gucci wife and the hitman: fashion’s darkest tale

by

When Patrizia Reggiani married Maurizio Gucci, they became one of Italy’s first celebrity power couples. But then he left her – and she had him murdered. Abigail Haworth unpicks an incredible tale of glamour, sex, betrayal, death and prison in the dizzying world of high fashion