3 things to consider when investing in overseas property

    Investing in a property abroad can be very exciting. Most people dream about having their own home abroad - a place far away, somewhere to escape to, but still call your own. Once you’re done with the calculations and have decided you can afford to invest in your dream vacation home, there are … Read more

Slow Travel: The best of the France’s countryside enjoyed on a luxury barge

  Luxury leisure and hotel company Belmond creates luxury barge adventures in rural France. Belmond Afloat is visiting the verdant and picturesque regions of Champagne, Burgundy, Alsace, and Provence. In 1966 Richard Parsons, a Reuter’s news reporter, had the idea to convert an old coal barge into a passenger ship accommodating 20 guests to travel … Read more

“My invisible tattoo, My Fragrance, Mon Guerlain” – Angelina Jolie

Mon Guerlain is characterized by the freshness of Lavender Carla, an exceptional variety cultivated in Provence, which contrasts with the voluptuousness of the Sambac jasmine from India and the Australian Album Sandalwood, associated with the sensual Vanilla Tahitensis of Papua New Guinea.

Thierry Wasser and Angelina Jolie for Mon Guerlain perfume 2017 edition

“We always create a fragrance for a woman we admire” – Jacques Guerlain.

A perfumer tells a story or paints a portrait and in the case of the new Mon Guerlain perfume, it is the portrait of a woman. Thierry Wasser, Guerlain’s Master Perfumer, offers a tribute to feminity, to free and sensual women. This dreamed-up fantasy embodied by muse Angelina Jolie has a heart of Tahitensis vanilla – also present in Jicky, Shalimar and Habit Rouge. Vanilla is joined by lavender, Sambac jasmine and sandalwood. Melding fresh and sensual feminine and masculine notes, this audacious accord gives Mon Guerlain its power and modernity.

Notes of a Woman, the Mon Guerlain advertising film, was shot in France’s Provence region with Terrence Malick and Angelina Jolie. The film recounts the story of how the fragrance was created, focusing the spotlight for the first time on the perfumer.

My invisible tattoo, My Fragrance, Mon Guerlain Thierry Wasser and Angelina Jolie for Mon Guerlain 2017

The bottle for the new fragrance revisits the celebrated quadrilobe bottle, inspired by an alchemist’s flacon, designed by Gabriel Guerlain and crafted by Baccarat in 1908. The sleek and sober graphic lines celebrate a modern femininity, sincere and authentic.

Thierry Wasser has created many notable perfumes including: Addict for Christian Dior, Diesel Fuel for Life for Her, Guerlain Quand Vient La Pluie, Lancôme Hypnose, Guerlain Idylle, Guerlain Aqua Allegoria, Guerlain Flora Nymphea, Jil Sander Man absolute, Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire, Guerlain L’Homme Ideal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rLAFX68854

Thierry Wasser and Angelina Jolie for Mon Guerlain

 

Château de la Colle Noire in Grasse, Christian Dior’s Provençal dream is alive again

Christian Dior’s House, Le Château de la Colle Noire, is once again opening its doors, in Grasse (South of France). 

Dior Chateau de la Colle Noire Grasse France--2016 opening

French luxury house Dior renovated Christian Dior’s historic castle in Grasse (France), a region considered the world capital of perfumes and the land of flowers used in perfumery. Dior’s founder lived in La Colle Noire until his death in 1957. The 51 hectares of the land were cultivated for flowers like May roses and Grasse jasmine and fruit trees. The property is now populated also with lily of the valley, tulips, along with apricot, almond, cherry, and olive trees. Le Château de la Colle Noire includes a field of 1000 rose bushes. For now the castle is closed to the public, but it will host special events for the luxury maison.

Château de La Colle Noire had been Christian Dior’s final dream,” explained Claude Martinez, the chief executive of Dior Parfums.

the Chateau de la Colle Noire Grasse France Dior at Grasse Dior Chateau de la Colle Noire Grasse France--

“He had turned it into a Pharaonic project, with painstaking attention paid to every detail of the décor, a heavenly garden, and hectares of land planted with trees, vines and fragrance flowers. We were lucky that the last owner hadn’t made any changes. The château was there, intact, just waiting for us to wake it up from a long sleep.”

Miss Dior perfume had been inspired by an evening in Provence

“The wheel has come full circle,” added Martinez. “The Dior perfumes of tomorrow will be created there, where nature inspired the founding house fragrances of Miss Dior, Eau Fraîche, Diorama and Eau Sauvage, using Dior flowers.”

Dior La Colle Noir Perfume 2016

The holiday estate of the couturier inspired a new addition to Dior’s La Collection Privée Christian Dior. François Demarchy’s new perfume called ‘La Colle Noire‘ is focused on May rose, Madagascan clove, Sri Lankan sandalwood, amber, and musk.

the Chateau de la Colle Noire the Chateau de la Colle Noire Grasse France- Christian Dior Dior Castle Grasse Dior Chateau de la Colle Noire

 

The perfect motivation for a future voyage. Five new Small Luxury Hotels of the World

New gems in the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection: 5 new hospitality heavens to visit. Enjoy private Jacuzzi’s in Thailand, meditation classes in China, organic Michelin-starred dining in Provence, feel like a local in Greece or explore a UNESCO World Heritage site in Sri Lanka. From a Buddhist sanctuary to a secluded Greek getaway, these … Read more

Check out the best of the best – Small Luxury Hotels Awards 2015

Small Luxury Hotels Awards 2015 recognise and honour SLH member hotels that have gone above and beyond to provide the ultimate guest experience and exemplify the luxury brand’s ‘independently minded’ philosophy, a new brand strapline that was unveiled alongside a new logo device at last week’s SLH International Conference in Marbella. Seven hotels received awards … Read more