A R O U N D T H E W O R L D / R U S S I A

E D I T O R ' S L E T T E R

GABRIELE SALVADORI!"#$%&'()(*%+,"'-+$-./+&0

Dear friends,

Welcome to the Christmas Cercle edition of !"#$. %e coming

of a New Year is a time when we all re&ect - a time when we are in

a mood to look both forwards and backwards. So here are some

of my reminiscences of the outgoing year and a few observations

about what lies ahead. I really enjoyed my year travelling to various

locations and events around the world, renewing my acquaintance

with so many of you. After spending Christmas in St. Moritz and

Gstaad, I had a very pleasant start to the year, attending the annual

L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.Cape Town at this time of the year is a

wonderful place to relax from crowded, over glittering St. Barths

– making the L’Ormarins gathering a glamorous place to start the

social international calendar. Ten years ago when I attended for the

'rst time, it was just horse racing with a picnic attached. But now

it has developed into a must-go event that attracts an international,

beautiful crowd. In recognition of Asia’s immense importance for

the luxury world, I was in China twice – First in the months

of April and then later in October. %is presented me with the

opportunity to see for myself what the luxury industry means to

my friends living in the Far East. Most of all, it signals Cercle’s

intention to remain connected at a global level.

In addition, there are a number of events we always attend.

%e Oscars in Los Angeles was a glamorous a(air full of celebri-

ties. %en Cannes Film Festival, of course... I love the excitement

of waiting to hear who will get the Palme D’Or, but 'nd the pace

a little frenetic. In the face of which Eden Roc Hotel is an oasis

of calm, one of the most civilized places on earth.

Attending the Grand Prix in Monaco, Singapore and

Abu Dhabi was also exciting. Paris and Milan fashion weeks pro-

duced some of the most stunning fashion collections on record.

July was about St. Tropez and Ibiza with exclusive parties. Come

August, Cala di Volpe and Gstaad are my preferred places for

meeting up with my Qatari and Russian friends.

End of August was Venice Film Festival. Venice is always more

than 'lms, it's a heady mix of glamorous people played out within

the calle and Venice's palaces. Moran Atlas, looked stunning at the

Closing Ceremony wearing a Dolce&Gabbana long polka-dot dress.

I loved to spend my days at the pool at the secluded Hotel Cipriani.

All these rendezvous have helped me shape the pages of Cercle

magazine, making it so much more than just a publication, but

rather a worldwide community of creativity, business, trend setters

who can interact with each other in a relaxed, exclusive setting.

I see Cercle as a platform to bring both new and existing mem-

bers together. It’s also an opportunity for brands and luxury world-

wide sophisticated consumers to be directly involved with the con-

tent that 'lls our pages. %is sixth edition takes us to Moscow,

with Russian Cercle member Ksenia Mezentseva gracing the cover

and sharing her favourite things in life. Ksenia has beauty and

exudes optimism in every facet of her life. She is the de'nition of

someone who has the ability to excel at what she does; doing this

with infectious enthusiasm.

Hopefully that similar enthusiasm and love of life shines through

in this edition of Cercle and for many future editions. Undoubtedly,

!"#) will spark new adventures for all of us and hope that Cercle will

be there to comment. Who can predict what next year will bring?

%e possibilities are endless. But while I sit and wait with anticipa-

tion, I will use this time to say thank you to our old friends, and a

Happy New Year to you all.

CONTENT 0 8 A R T F O C U S 1 2 A R T E V E N T S

1 4 A U C T I O N S

1 6 B E A U T Y E S S E N T I A L S 2 0 W I S H L I S T 2 2 I C O N I C M A I S O N M O R E A U

2 4 F A S H I O N S T O R I E S V E L S V O I R

2 8 H I D D E N G E M S M O N S I E U R F O X

3 2 M Y F A V O R I T E S K S E N I A M E Z E N T S E V A

3 8 C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E M O S C O W

4 4 I N T E R I O R S M A X K A S Y M O V

5 2 I N T H E M O O D F O R M A R G A R I T A K A R E V A

5 6 W A T C H S T O R I E S S I H H | S A L O N Q P

6 2 E C O N O M I C S R A I H A M I L T O N

6 6 H U N T I N G T O P W I N G S H O O T I N G D E S T I N A T I O N S

7 0 O P I N I O N R A I H A M I L T O N

7 4 A I R P L A N E S T R A N S A E R O

7 6 E S S A Y : A W F U L B E A U T Y A N D R E I N A V R O Z O V

8 2 A R O U N D T H E W O R L D 9 2 I N C O N V E R S A T I O N W I T H L U C Y D O U G H T Y

9 6 P L A C E S D R A K E N S T E I N S T U D F A R M

1 0 2 P L A C E S T O S T A Y 1 0 4 C O N N E C T I N G C I R C L E S H A R R Y ' S B A R

1 0 6 S O C I A L S E A S O N 1 1 2 S H O P P I N G L I S T

!"#$%&'()*+(),$(*-./*0*1*2%34*5.)((.6*789:8%)6*-4;/4;6*<=5*>?@6*AB

+(),$(*%&*8*0*C(3%&.()(/*D)8/(E8)FGH*!)%;.%;3*%;*I'4$(*4)*%;*J8).*%&*(KJ)(&&$9*:4)#%//(;*I%.'4".*I)%..(;*J()E%&&%4;*:)4E*.'(*J"#$%&'()G*D'(*J"#$%&'()*/(,$%;(&*8;9*

)(&J4;&8#%$%.9*:4)*E8;"&,)%J.&*8;/*J'4.4&*&(;.*/%)(,.$9G*D'(*L%(I&*(KJ)(&&(/*%;*.'(*E838M%;(*8)(*.'4&(*4:*.'(*,4;.)%#".4)&*8;/*8)(*;4.*;(,(&&8)%$9*&'8)(/*#9*.'(*E838M%;(G*

N*OP=Q*R*+(),$(*-./*0GH*S$$*)%3'.*)(&()L(/G

A R T F O C U S

Bienna l e d e sA N T IQUA IR E S

2014!"#$%&'$()&*$+,%&%"-.$&*+$/0-,%12&$32&%"-24$,+'$5-&%672%#+'$%-8%&+,$92167+'$:#2-;+.$

"-+$"<$&*+$="'&$#+-">+,$,+1"#2&"#'$"<$"7#$+#2.$&"$#+%-&+#?#+&$&*+$;2#,+-'$"<$&*+$@*A&+27$,+$B+#'2%44+'$2-,$&*+$C#%2-"-$>*%1*$4%+'$%-$&*+$-"#&*D>+'&+#-$?2#&$"<$B+#'2%44+'E

For more than six decades, the Biennial has been one of

the key meetings on the art market calender. It is basical-

ly a pop-up museum where the best antique dealers are able

to exhibit their favourite works of art and craftsmanship.

!e Biennial event of Antique Dealers and Haute Jewellery

of "#$% – recorded a peak of &# ### visitors, consisting of

professional collectors and those passionate in their appreci-

ation of art. !e exhibitors also remarked on the increase of

clients travelling from Asia, Russia, and South America to

attend the event. !e sales tally was very successful indeed:

with modern painting, the decorative arts and architecture

of the XIXth and archaeology outperforming other sectors.

Jean-Gabriel Peyre, the president of the Syndicat National

des Antiquaires, makes the observation that the buyers who

attend this biennial event are true collectors and connois-

seurs. !e economic activity generated by the Biennial event

extends well beyond the boundaries of the Grand Palais: Ar-

chitects, restorers, decorators, carriers, insurers, hotels, and

restaurants all throw themselves into ensuring the event is

a success. In fact, around $## ### people are thought to

bene't economically from it’s presence. Not only that, over

(## people work on the site daily throughout the period.

8 | F ' ' 7 + $3G

H%1*2#,$:%-"#%$I%&&"#%2$,%$J"11%21 9 2 5 ! P O R C E L A I N

!#2-K"%'DL28%+#$M242--+1 9 8 0 ! C O P P E R

1 0 | F ' ' 7 + $3G

@*+'&$"<$,#2>+#'$N0$92167+'$J7N"%'$C I R C A 1 7 4 5 ! 1 7 4 9

F ' ' 7 + $3G | ! 1 1

A R T E V E N T S

R A N H W A N G : B E C O M I N G A G A I N ! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . # "

In a tribute to the in!nite cycle of nature, Ran Hwang trans-

formed the "ird Floor into a private garden. "ousands of

elements combine in Korean artist Ran Hwang’s large-scale

installation: a #owery landscape re#ecting the fragility of life.

"is exhibition invites us to contemplate and re#ect on the

transient nature of existence of the world around us.

N O V E M B E R / 2 0 1 4 T O J A N U A R Y / 2 0 1 5

P E D E R B A L K E/ , 0 ) . * , 1 ' 2 , 1 1 " # 3'

Peder Balke ($%&'–$%%() is one of the most

original painters of $)th-century Scandinavia.

"is exhibition showcases this Norwegian artist

who was both ahead of his time and who is

only now being rediscovered and recognised

as one of the forerunners of modernism. In

collaboration with the Northern Norway Art

Museum in Tromsø, art lovers will see around *&

paintings that represent every facet of the artist’s

career. "e collection has been curated from

private and public collections across Europe.

N O V E M B E R / 2 0 1 4 T O

A P R I L / 2 0 1 5 , L O N D O N

1 2 | 4 & & 5 " '/6

R O D C H E N K O A N D S T E P A N O V A7 8 " ' 9 5 & 8 : ) * ' ( 0 , 0 "'; 5 & " 5 $ ' . < ' = ) * " ' > # 0 &

"e work of these leading artists of the Russian avant-

garde ( who also exercised a huge in#uence on sub-

sequent generations ) is revealed in this exhibition.

It includes more than +*& exhibits: paintings, works

on paper, photographs and personal e,ects from the

Rodchenko and Stepanova Archive. It allows us to

observe the development of the artists’ work from

symbolism through to their seizure of abstract-ge-

ometrical painting and drawing before their embrace

of constructivism. Both Rodchenko and Stepanova

proclaimed: “"e future is our only goal.”

N O V E M B E R / 2 0 1 4 T O

M A R C H / 2 0 1 5 , M O S C O W

T H E P A R I S O F T O U L O U S E - L A U T R E C : P R I N T S A N D P O S T E R S;?; >

"is exhibition dedicated to Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec ($%.'–$)&$) is drawn almost exclusively from MoMA’s collection of posters,

lithographs, printed ephemera, and illustrated books. "e works of this preeminent artist of the Belle Époque Paris movement, a,ords

insights into many facets of Parisian life, from politics to the rise of popular entertainment in the form of cabarets and café-concerts.

J U L Y / 2 0 1 4 T O M A R C H / 2 0 1 5 , N E W Y O R K

4 & & 5 " '/6 | ! 1 3

A U C T I O N S

M I C H E L E O K A D O N E R : T H E S H A M A N ’ S H U T ! " # $ % & ' ( # ) & * + & , - . - / 0 - 1 2 & 3 4 '5

!is private selling exhibition features the work of artist Michele

Doner: !e Shaman’s Hut – "# Years of Objects from a Ceremonial

Life. !e objects - all of them dating from the past "# years - have

been selected from Oka Doner’s own personal collection. It invites

people to follow the evolution and the development of her philosoph-

ical journey through life. !e work of Oka Doner is in$uenced by the

forms and textures of ecology. She draws on the natural world and

infuses their form into her work - giving them a permanent presence

by, for example, casting them in bronze.

C H R I S T I E ' S P R I V A T E

S A L E S G A L L E R Y 2 0 T H F L O O R

1 2 3 0 A V E N U E O F T H E A M E R I C A S

N E W Y O R K

1 4 | 6 7 7 8 - &9:

Age l e s s Body, Mind a nd Spi r it

!"#$%&'(#)**+*()&,(-&+($+.+./+$*(-&+0*(%&&-1+&1+2("3..+$(#)**+*()&,(-&+(($+.+./+$*(-&+4*(+53/+$)&1+2(6373.&(#)**+*()&,(-&+($+.+./+$*(-&+4*($+8+$+&1+2((

When Nature created us, it could not have suspected that we

would feed on preservatives, drink pills, and breathe products of

the incomplete combustion of fuel. !e result is that we are all

overloaded with toxins. So how do we get rid of them in a regular

domestic situation?

!ere are a lot of reasons as to why toxins accumulate in the

body: Poor diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of sleep,

and more. !e medicines that we take – such as antibiotics, anti-

in"ammatory drugs and anti-depressants are on the one hand

helping us #ght disease but on the other, a$ecting the liver and the

kidneys. So problems with the stomach, sensitive skin, "uctuating

body weight, sleep disorders, headaches and feeling sick in general,

have all become constant companions for humans.

So can we somehow combat all of this? We all need to detoxify –

meaning do a regular cleansing of the body. Usually, procedures of

this kind are performed in specialized health centres, where we have

to spend a solid two weeks or so. And even that is not enough to get

rid of all the toxins that have been accumulated over many years.

I discussed with the Director of the Centre for Integrated

Medicine and personal physician to the British royal family,

Mosaraf Ali, about his health improvement system and his views

on ageless living by detoxing…

“Today detox is a vital necessity. We cannot fully keep toxins out of

our body, however, what we can do is to arrange for their regular

removal from the body, with natural methods and on a daily basis.

We can start our mornings with lemon and water.”

Doctor Ali, we have heard so much about your health-

improvement system. Please tell us more about it. What is

the mechanism of self-recovery of the human body based on?

Inside each of us, there is a system of self-healing. For

instance, you cut your #nger, the blood stops "owing and it

heals – even if you do nothing to treat it. So how is this done?

Hippocrates and other physicians of ancient times, created a

health-improvement system using diet, herbal teas, massage,

various exercises and visits to the spa – where patients restored

their sense of wellbeing with the help of water. All of this aids

the force of self-healing the human body.

Massage is very important, especially for the neck; I practice this

on a daily basis. It is the cervical spine that su$ers the greatest

number of injuries, starting from the process of childbirth, to

sitting too long at a computer, writing desk or car wheel. Dry

brush exfoliation helps promote circulation and feels great. It is

easy to do it yourself at home, but if you want to splurge, it is

great as a part of an Ayurvedic massage. !ere are many spas

o$ering this now. Yoga gives energy to the body. I devised a

system of yoga therapy for the entire body. It is needed to control

the breathing and to reduce stress.

9:(;+<+&+(=)./)3,

B E A U T Y E S S E N T I A L S

1 6 | > * * 3 + (?@

A T T H E E N D O F T H E D A Y , E V E R Y O N E W A N T S T O L I V E F O R A L O N G T I M E ! W H A T

M A N Y D O N ’ T R E A L I Z E T H O U G H , I S T H A T W E A L L H A V E T H E P O W E R T O M A K E

C H O I C E S T H A T W I L L H E L P U S L I V E A L O N G A N D H E A L T H Y L I F E . B O O S T I N G

L O N G E V I T Y A N D B E I N G F I T A N D V I B R A N T A T A N Y A G E I S A R E A L P O S S I B I L I T Y .

E R N O L A S Z L O A B - $ . 3 < ) ( C D E(= + # ) % $ ( " + $ 3 .

!is daily radiance-boosting serum contains everything

your skin needs to #ght dullness and fatigue.

Collagen and elastin production is boosted, resulting

in greater elasticity, hydration and evenness of skin

tone. Rich in nutrients that improve overall brightness,

texture and glow, this is the ultimate skin elixir.

E V E L O M > & 7 + & * +(; : , $ ) 7 % - &(" + $ 3 .

!e most important thing that

the skin needs is moisture. It’s

amazing what an extra drop

of hydration can do, and we

believe that this Eve Lom serum

is one of the masters. Clinically

proven to increase your skin’s

moisture levels by up to %&'

in just two hours, concentrated

hyaluronic acid helps to smooth,

plump, replenish and protect

your complexion in one, easy

step. Getting beautiful skin

can really be as simple as that.

1 1 1 S K I N

Each (((SKIN product contains a unique, patented formula

containing an antioxidant that is taken by astronauts when in space –

proven to delay ageing and stimulate the body’s natural repair system.

!e cream utilizes an innovative delivery system of rare, diamond parti-

cles, believed to have formed in space. !is is one of the most advanced,

medically researched, anti-ageing creams currently on the market.

1 8 | > * * 3 + (?@

A R T I S B R U S H E S F B + ( G < % 7 + ( H - < < + 1 7 % - &

As the saying goes, ‘a craftsman is only as good as

his tools’ right? Well then, welcome to the evolution

of the makeup brush. !e elite collection brushes

come in all sizes for the face and body, becoming

the perfect tool for eye shadow creases, all the way

to the shoulders and chest area. A modern, yet clas-

sic, shape that includes a curved, "at handle to #t

the contours of the hand, maximizing and perfecting

makeup application. Artis brushes have )-(& times

more individual #bres than conventional brushes,

and more #bres do more work! Made using the best,

high tech machines, you can rely on each brush

being consistent and identical. !e ultimate makeup

experience can start from the basic essentials –

Pure luxury and performance. Shouldn’t a makeup

brush, that is a tool to create beauty, be beautiful itself?

V E R S O S K I N C A R E F B + ( F $ ) 8 + < ( " + $ % + *

When travelling, stripping back to the

basics really is essential. !at’s why we

love that our much-loved Verso products

are available in travel size. Verso skincare

is eight times more potent than other

retinol based products on the market, yet

gentle enough on the skin to suit all skin

types. Containing no colorants, parabens,

mineral oils or other harmful substances,

these no-fuss products cleanse, hydrate and

protect, in the most purifying way. Just like

the packaging suggests, it’s as easy as (-%-).

> * * 3 + (?@ | ! 1 9

W I S H L I S T

R E N É C A O V I L L A! " # $ % & ' (

E T H A N K) * + , - . " ( - /

P I A G E T 0 * ' & , % & 1 # $ 1 (

A V R O N E 2 3 4 3 ( & # , 5 # 3 ( 3 * 1 , 6 " 1 7 . $ ' ' & '

8 * 9H E R

M A I S O N M I C H E L: 3 9 7 3 1 3 & , ) & $ ( / & 9 ' , ; 3 1 <

B U L G A R I2 = - & $ , > > 4 4

2 0 | ? ' ' " & ,@A

C E R R U T I B & $ " = 3 . . & 8 * 9

H I M

M A R I A G E F R È R E SC & $ , ; $ 9 ( D

T A I T T I N G E R E * 4 ( & ',,

# & , E / $ 4 % $ 7 1 &,! . $ 1 - , # & , ! . $ 1 - '

G O Y A R D F 3 1 3 , F $ . . & , > G H , ! . & " , E 3 & .

A R T I S A N D E L A T R U F F E I - $ - 3 $ J ' , / * 1 & D , K 3 ( / , ' " 4 4 & 9 , ( 9 " 8 8 . &

? ' ' " & ,@A | ! 2 1

I C O N I C

A N O U T S T A N D I N G B E G I N N I N G

!e story of the Moreau-Paris, a former French manufacturer

of luxury leather goods, travel cases and trunks began two hun-

dred years ago. In "##$, following in the footsteps of master cab-

inetmaker for Napoleon the "st, Martin-Guillaume Biennais,

as well as of a succession of artisans, layetiers and trunk makers;

the Maison Moreau moved to the prestigious address of $#%,

rue Saint-Honoré. It remained there until the early $&th cen-

tury before it ceased trading. Only in $&"", Veronika Rovno',

founder of the House of Rovno', opened the «Moreau-Par-

is» boutique at (, rue de Miromesnil in the French capital.

In June $&"%, one year after the boutique’s opening, they made

a stateside debut at Barneys New York. «It happened through

a rather unorthodox referral,» said Daniella Vitale, C.O.O. and

executive vice president of Barneys. «Narciso Rodriguez was in

Paris on holidays and walked past a tiny shop. He had sent me

FOLLOW ING A HER ITAGE

!"#$%&'()*+,&-(%.$/&0121%3&*+/14#%3&*+)$+#*5+4&(+/&+$6&7%5/18#49&(&05#&5"&*-75%#(+#&0121%3&&:%(+/4&'()$&:$$+&401,,*4';&<'(+.4&#5&(&'(+/"10&5"&)*4*5+(%*$49&45-$&5"&#'$4$&'514$4&'()$&%$)*)$/#'$*%&8%("#4-(+4'*79&45&351&8510/&(0-54#&*-(,*+$&#'(#&#'$3&'(/&+$)$%&8$(4$/&#'$*%&(8#*)*#*$4;&

"1%+*#1%$&6'5&'()$&-(/$&=(*45+&=5%$(1&4'*+$&$)$+&:%*,'#$%&#'(+&*+&#'$&$(%03&>?#'&8$+#1%3;

@3&<5+*(&A5)+5)(

an e-mail saying that I should take a look at it next time we

were in Paris.» Today the number of stores all over the world

is quiet impressive — you can buy a Moreau leather goods

in New York, Tokyo, Kiev, Kaliningrad, Hong Kong, Seoul,

Taipei, Manila, Los-Angeles, Stockholm, Milan and Monaco.

Fedor Georges Savchenko, design graduate of the Textile

Academy of Kiev and Studio BERÇOT in Paris, joined his

sister Veronika Rovno' as an artistic director and released a

new collection of sophisticated luggage and bags «signifying

the love of French pro)ciency and traditions». !e philosophy

of the brand de)nitely stands out: there are no seasonal piec-

es, just items that you’ll keep for your entire life. !ese bags

are passed down from generation to generation, as a part of

French tradition and culture.

Always passionate for beautiful and resistant things in life, Fe-

2 2 | B 4 4 1 $ &CD

dor digests his handbags in direct relationship to the house herit-

age. «I started with a historic base to create contemporary, up to

date pieces by imagining the models I’d like to carry, rather than

favoring a commercial style», Fedor explained.

He is convinced that the best bags are the ones that speak for

themselves. «I imagine pieces for enthusiasts of quality and

connoisseur’s of traditional handmade )nishing. To some ex-

tent, our brand is a custodian of an exceptional French tradi-

tion, both for the manufacturing processes and in the materials

we use. Buying a Moreau bag is like investing in a unique piece

of jewelry- Owned by few, desired by many.

Veronika Rovno' fully shares his view: «At some point, I just real-

ized how much I was tired of casual bags. I ended up carrying the

same bags as my friends did. I wanted to have something unique.

Something that would be fresh, exclusive, personal. Very me.»

Fedor still has loads and loads of projects in mind. «My source

of inspiration?» said Fedor smiling. « I guess it comes from our

clients. Everyone is unique with their own sense of style and re-

quirements for the bag. For us it is such an engrossing experience

to work with people who are not tuned the standard, mass luxury

way. We are all about customizing and can make special orders in

original colors or materials.»

B A G S S E C R E T S

!e Breganson bag, named after Fort de Brégançon is a blend

of tradition and modernism, craftsmanship and modern style.

Each bag is partly hand-stitched in one of the ateliers in central

France. It is also reversible with a royal blue skin interior — A

distinctive feature of the Moreau Paris brand.

Since the end of the "*th century, the Moreau Diligence trunk has

been one of the +agship models. Today the brand has re-introduced

traditional leather savoir-faire to create the ultra chic and feminine

trunk. Incorporating leather into old trunks revives the pieces. Ap-

plied with delicate precision gives great strength and durability. It is

also has a clasp, identical to those used in the trunks of old. If you

are looking for a smaller bag, the Miromesnil bag is a perfect one.

Named after the Parisian address, this is a perfect blend of femi-

ninity, high quality materials and a beautiful bevelled design, sewn

entirely by hand. !e unique design of the steel chain has been in-

spired by pieces produced by the jewelers of the "*th century. Finally,

the unique design of the steel chain and the lockable clasp are the

brand insignias.

For those who seek the best and demand exclusivity, there

can be no other treasured possession than a Moreau bespoke

personalized initials bag.

B 4 4 1 $ &CD | ! 2 3

F A S H I O N S T O R I E S

And the dog s !FROM SI X TO SI X T Y.

2 4 | ! " " # $ %&'

W H A T D O E S V E L S V O I R S T A N D F O R ?

Talha: Velsvoir is a completely made-up word. When we came

up with it, we put it into Google. It returned no results so we

trademarked it. For us, it consists of four elements: “Vel” stands

for the word velvet, because our !rst collection was made out of

velvet; “Soir” means night and “Voir” means to see. So if you

put it all together it means “to see velvet in the night”. "at’s

the origins of the word but in terms of the meaning, it’s very

#exible. Our customers normally associate it with sophistication

and luxury. Something that is not unobtainable but aspirational.

S O Y O U A R E S A Y I N G V E L S V O I R

M E A N S A S P I R A T I O N ? No, because that would

be pigeonholing it (laughing).

W H A T I S A G O O D E X A M P L E O F W H A T

I S V E L S V O I R ? Talha: Bow ties (laughing). Feeling

that you are wearing something of personal value. When

people wear it, they feel that they are empowered and wear-

ing the statement piece. Zak: A bow tie is like a piece of jew-

elry. Talha: When they are wearing a bow tie it means they

are ready to step out.

W H A T I S T H E M A J O R I N F L U E N C E O F

T H I S S P E C I F I C S T Y L E O F T H E B O W

T I E S T H A T Y O U A R E P R O D U C I N G ? A

B I T O V E R ! S I Z E D , A B I T T H E A T R I !

C A L ? Talha: "e story began two years ago when our old-

er brother was getting married and being bit natty dressers, we

wanted to make sure we are absolutely dressed for the night. We

planned shoes, shirts, suits and we were looking for decent black

bow ties. Believe it or not, we could not !nd any! We are quite

lucky that our mother used to be a fashion designer and she is

quiet pragmatic, so she o$ered make those for us two. We never

thought it would lead us to where we are now. We went through

a series of shapes, fabrics, and !nishings to get the right one.

So our tie is squarer, longer— It is not the classic butter#y style

shape. It’s distinguishable and it stands out. Following the wed-

ding, we had been constantly wearing those bow ties until one

day, we became known as the “bow tie boys”. Final con!rma-

tion came when later that year, during London Fashion week,

we were photographed by Facehunter. He was the guy you want

to be photographed by. He asked where he could buy it. So we

developed our !rst !ve bow ties.

! " " # $ %&' | ! 2 5

N O R M A L L Y W H E N Y O U P R O D U C E

B O W T I E S , A R E Y O U T R Y I N G T O

S E N D O U T A M E S S A G E O R A T H E M E

A C R O S S T H E C O L L E C T I O N ? Zak: "e !rst

collection is our signature, and what we are most known for are

our velvet bow ties. We started with !ve and now have %& col-

ours in velvet. For the S*uce boutique in Dubai, we made a more

colorful, bright, and funky collection with patterns.

"en we did a collection with October House for London

Men’s Collections, which is a bit more quintessentially British.

It was a modern take on the classic British look, a sort of mod-

ern, dandy approach. We also did metallic pieces, using foil or

lamb’s leather, or a stingray rainbow tie that looked like cavi-

ar. We can work with any fabric. We are not season driven, but

there is geographical di$erence: In London people go for thick-

er tweed-like fabrics, where as in Dubai it’s something lighter.

W H A T S O R T O F C U S T O M E R S D O Y O U

N O R M A L L Y D E S I G N F O R ? Talha: From '

years of age up to '&. Rock up in a bow tie and people will

think you’re a smart guy with a twinkle in your eye. A roguish

professor-type, with sartorial standards and a sense of fun.

Zak: We even have designed a bow tie for a dog!

I S W E A R I N G O N E E V E R W O R T H P U R !

S U I N G A S A G R O W N M A N , O R W I L L

Y O U J U S T L O O K L I K E A F I V E ! Y E A R !

O L D O N Y O U R W A Y T O A P I A N O R E !

C I T A L . W H E N I S A B O W T I E T H E

R I G H T C A L L ? Zak: You can wear it anytime. When you

wear it, the whole out!t comes up. It’s a small touch but a big state-

ment. "e beauty of the bow tie is that it allows you to mix it up and

have some fun, without losing your level of formality. It always looks

a bit disheveled. "ey let you get some individuality in a sea of guys

wearing your standard straight tie. You can wear a wool bow tie with

a tweed suit and look like Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones, or you

can rock a matching seersucker jacket and bow tie on top of some

tattoos, like fashion veteran Nick Wooster. If you say no to bow ties,

you're just cutting yourself o$ to some great styling options.

W O U L D Y O U P L E A S E T E L L A B I T

M O R E A B O U T Y O U R V E R T E A N D N O I R

S E R I E S ? Talha: Noir is for those looking for the ultimate

Velsvoir experience. It o$ers a bespoke service, by appointment

only. With this exclusive service, you will be able to create your

very own unique, one-o$ design. Zak: We dressed the Presi-

dent of Island Fund with a royal blue velvet tie when he was

talking to Prince Albert ll of Monaco.

A N D V E R T E S E R I E S ? Talha: We like to be re-

sponsible in business. "is is an ethical line that utilizes or-

ganic and recycled, sustainable fabrics. "e packaging will

also use %&&( recycled materials. For us, it is a way to say

thank you to the environment and the economy we work in.

Zak: It forms a completely separate line in itself. "at’s why we

work with a series of suppliers who create esthetically pleasing

products. For us it’s important not to be plain and boring about

it. Everything we do, we want to do it properly, rather than

rushing and making an old-fashioned, environmentally friend-

ly collection, we want to make it provocative the right way.

D O Y O U T H I N K W E A R I N G A B O W T I E

Q U E S T I O N S T H E M A S C U L I N I T Y O F

A N O U T F I T ? Talha: People have fun with how they

style it and how adventurous they get. It’s down to the individ-

ual out!t and how people see it.

W H A T A R E Y O U R M O S T E X C I T I N G

C O L L A B O R A T I O N S ? Zak: We have launched a

special wacky collection of accessories for Sketch London

uniforms, where no tie is the same. Your accessories tell your

ranking at work. And recently we have collaborated with ME

hotel London, done by Norman Foster. We are excited to

work on a project of that scale.

B Y T H E W A Y , D O Y O U H A V E A F A S H !

I O N I C O N ? Talha: We are both big fans of Tom Ford.

He is the embodiment of his brand. "e way he speaks, the way

he dresses. It’s all about him. "ere are not many brands that

have this power. He is the complete package.

! " " # $ %&' | ! 2 7

H I D D E N G E M S

Oui , monsieur,

ou i

!"#$%&'()%*$(+&,-'$(."&"/$+(*,(',("0,-&1(*$+()$,2+(3,0+#*4($+(5-#*(6%'$*(7+(*$+(6,#*(+8/%*%&'("&1(1"0%&'(3,8(%&(*$+(),0219(:,&#%+-0(;,8(%#(*$+("22+',0%/"2("&%6"2(*$"*(0+.0+#+&*#(*$+(#-"<+("//+##,0%+#(70"&1(7=(*$+(#"6+(&"6+9(>%#(2%?+&+##("&1(2%67#("0+(+<+0(.0+#+&*(%&(*$+(70"&1@#(#*+02%&'(#%2<+0(

1+<%2()$"*(6"?+#($%6(#,(1"..+09(A+(',*("()$,2+(2,*(,3()%#1,6(7"/?(30,6(*$+(6"&(7+$%&1(*$%#(70"&14(B10%"&(BC,1%9

7=(D<"(E"0"#,<"

2 8 | F # # - + (GH

Adrian is a budding entrepreneur with a lot of imagination,

a visionary with limited resources and a believer in a bright,

bright future. Originally from California, but grew up in the

Northeast, he had always wanted to create something within

the world of fashion. After various roles in restaurants, sales,

and marketing, he moved to Dubai for a job within the oil

and gas industry. While in Dubai, he started working on his

concept of a new men's brand, centered around luxury acces-

sories with a twist, something that was informal and formal,

that could lend a certain panache and fun elegance to an out!t.

Y O U S E E M T O H A V E L I V E D A F U L L

L I F E . W H A T ’ S Y O U R A D V I C E F O R

M E N L O O K I N G T O G E T T H E M O S T

O U T O F T H E I R L I F E A N D L O O K S ? Ah,

well thank you, to be honest, for me the secret is serendipity.

Time and time again I’ve found that had I not done things of

my own accord, acted on my wishes, life would dull. Many peo-

ple get into the “I can’t because…” trap. All we need to do is

to think: “Would I want to re-watch this life being lived?” If

the answer is no, it’s time to go out and do something about it.

S O F I R S T T H I N G S F I R S T . . . W H Y C U F !

F L I N K S ? I T S E E M S L I K E A N I C H E

I N T E R E S T . First, I tried to do everything at once. Shirts,

jackets, suits, ties, leather goods... However, I soon realized it

was too overwhelming and there was so much I didn't know, in

order to get it all right. So I started focusing on accessories be-

cause, for me, they really de!ne a wardrobe. "ey can easily lend

character to an out!t, and generally, can !t anyone, meaning

there is no sizing involved. I had also had a hard time !nding

unique cu#inks that were reasonably priced for the materials

and design they gave me. I'm not the type of person who wants a

plain disk of metal on my cu$, where's the character, the design?

I get simplicity, but I felt there was something missing there. So,

I wanted to create pieces that had the elegance of simple pieces

but the character of more designed ones.

H O W A N D W H E R E W A S Y O U R B R A N D

F I R S T I N T R O D U C E D ? We had our soft launch

in %&'( at the Abu Dhabi Formula ' Gran Prix. It was a really

great event and a perfect venue to launch a men's brand, as

men are most of the audience of the F'. Plus, it really puts you

into the luxury market and high - end crowd, allowing a new

brand to show the quality of its collection !rst and foremost.

Currently, the best place to buy us is on our site, www.mon-

sieurfox.com. We are carried in London at Wolf and Badger on

Dover St. too, but this year we'll be adding a few more retailers.

W H A T ’ S T H E M A J O R I N F L U E N C E B E !

H I N D Y O U R S T Y L E A N D Y O U R L A T !

E S T C O L L E C T I O N ? Our !rst collection was cen-

tered around the fox. I wanted to use the animal as a reference,

and show the elegance of his form throughout each piece. "e

latest collection, which we have just launched in January, is all

focused on the cabaret, but as it was at the beginning of the %&th

century, when it was still a new sort of place, and it was one of

the few areas where the working class and the last aristocrats of

Europe could be in the same room together, while remaining

relatively anonymous and adhere to the social rules of the time

period. It was the beginning of the Western worlds progression

into a "democratic" cultures, rather than the previous monarchical

systems. It also represented a time of major change in many other

aspects of life; the telegraph had connected the continents, rail-

roads stitched together countries and created vast new opportuni-

ties, industrialization was under full steam ahead, and the cabaret

played a major role in the rise of the "star", that we see now culmi-

nated in Hollywood and gossip/fashion mags all over the world.

W H A T D O E S S T Y L E M E A N T O M E N I N

G E N E R A L ? I think style for men has meant many things

as generations have come and gone. In the Victorian and Ed-

wardian eras, it was all about the man as a dandy, from the )&'s

to *&'s it was the dark suited corporate man, then transitioned

to the jeans and t-shirt rebel or the long hair hippy. Men of in-

trigue are rare these days, although there seems to be resurgence

in the past few years. "ese days, we've seen a resurgence of the

dandy aesthetic, mixed with portions of the styles from the past,

which has created an interesting blend for the present. Moreover,

I think style for men will always represent a wardrobe they can

wear day in and day out and look "right" with in any given situa-

tion; whether at the o+ce, the bar, nice restaurant, on the week-

F # # - + (GH | ! 2 9

end, etc. Men are about utility and about the ease with which

something can be used/worn. We're seeing that change now, but

I think that will always be part of the foundation for mens' style.

H O W C A N M E N C O N N E C T W I T H T H E I R

F A S H I O N A B L E S I D E I N A M A S C U !

L I N E W A Y ? So this has been a key thing for me actually,

as I want to ensure that my pieces/collections are pieces that both

are enjoyable to wear and don't come across as kitsch, like I think

many cu#inks do. It's been a little easier in the past few years

to make men's accessories, as it's becoming more acceptable and

standard for a man to be wearing bracelets, rings, necklaces, etc.

And with the rise of interest in vintage watches, dandyism and

',&'s styling, tie clips, pocket squares, and cu#inks have come

back into the limelight, too.

C A N Y O U G I V E A N E X A M P L E O F

W H A T I S “ V E R Y M O N S I E U R F O X ” ?

Monsieur Fox is natural in any situation. Monsieur Fox embod-

ies the elegant, modem rounder. Sophisticated, yet relaxed, he

is wordy with humility. Suave, yet without ostentatious display,

just touches of charming whimsy throughout his attire and de-

meanor. Adventurous and a bit of a rogue, creating stories that

become legends told and re-told by all those who know him.

Understated, retaining a lost aristocratic air, and tempered by

empathy, just by his presence he gives others a feeling of eleva-

tion and good will. A smashing good time with the ladies and a

humble legend with the gents, he is equally at home in opulent

ballrooms and seedy back alley pubs. Considered the prince of

sundries, Monsieur Fox presents the best of form and function,

with a dash of subtle irreverence for good measure.

For me personally, I would rather have a few well - made things

than many poorly made ones. And being well made doesn't neces-

sarily mean "expensive", it just means that there was attention, care

and expertise that went into the making of something, more than

just the thought of reducing cost or increasing volumes. In light of

that, my wardrobe is relatively small, but with quality staple pieces:

handmade shirts from a Neapolitan tailors, hand stitched pants

made by excellent tailors here in Dubai, wonderful shoes made by

the venerable Mr. Hare, mod black jackets by Julius, etc. I !lter in

my own pieces where they make sense, but to me an out!t should

be elegant, and subtly surprising, instead of hitting you over the

head with labels or price tags or loud colors.

W H A T S O R T O F C U S T O M E R S D O Y O U

D E S I G N F O R ? Our customer can be almost any-

one, which is one of the really exciting things about doing this.

Whether it's a rakish !nancier in London, a marketing execu-

tive in NYC, a creative blogger/designer in Bangkok or a grand-

mother in Michigan, so many people connect with the brand

and the collections that it's amazing to see the connections!

I S M O N S I E U R F O X W I T H I T S D E !

S I G N S A S O R T O F R E B E L L I O N ? To be

honest, not really! Although one thing I try to maintain is to

keep the aesthetic of each piece classic in the sense of not using

enamel colors, etc. so that the piece can maintain a certain lux-

ury and professionalism. We are essentially trying to make more

interesting versions of what many people do already. We do rebel

in terms of how our pieces are made; they are all handmade in

Dubai, by really talented local artisans. With our revenues we

help them get o+cial certi!cations for their skills and expertise,

enabling them to get better salaries and lead better quality lives

for themselves and their families.

W H E R E D O T H E C U F F L I N K S G E T

T H E I R N A M E S ? Our !rst collection got all our

names from French men who were either real (they played

some major/minor role in the history of France) or a real

French name but with a !ctional story behind it. I wanted to

create a story about the pieces so that people would feel a con-

nection with the inspiration behind the piece and the design

would make more sense to them.

N A M E O N E O F Y O U R F A S H I O N I C O N S .

"e style eras I consider iconic are the ’,&s Italian Riviera, and the

early, roaring %&s in the U.S. Both of these periods were !lled with

wonder and excitement over future possibilities and an exuberance

that I think we have yet to match, and both occurred very short-

ly after World Wars. Oscar Wilde is another favorite (arguably

the !rst “dandy”, and quite the dresser), so I’d say he’s an icon.

3 0 | F # # - + (GH

M Y F A V O R I T E S

K senia Mezent s eva

!"#$%&"'(#()&*"+,"#-&".+$/01"23&*(4".43"5+$*"(*"6%33(41""7$&."%8"(*"9%$+8&"4*0".43"&0%'4#&0"(*"#-&":;1"$&'&(<(*7"-&$"/4#&3#"

0&7$&&",$+=">+/%=5(4"?%3(*&33";'-++/"&4$/(&$"#-(3"@&4$A"B+04@"3-&"(3"543&0"(*"C+3'+."4*0"(3"#-&">9D"+,"#-&"/4$7&3#"/+@4/#@"8$+7$4="(*"6%33(4A"E(#-"4"54'F7$+%*0"(*",43-(+*"4*0"/(,&3#@/&"

(*0%3#$(&31"3-&"(3"*+"3#$4*7&$"#+"#-&".+$/0"+,"/%G%$@A

H-+#+7$48-@"5@"I('#+$(4"24'-4/+<4

3 2 | J 3 3 % & "KL

Dress Michael Kors, Jewelry: Piaget ring and

necklace, Cartier bangles

C @ C O U N T R YToday I live in Moscow with my husband and my puppy, Charlie.

But my true love and the country that I absolutely adore is Italy. In

!"#", Yevgeny and I had a beautiful wedding just outside of Flor-

ence – a four-day party at Villa Mangiacane, with about !"" of our

closest friends and family. Since then, we go to Italy throughout the

whole year – weekends in Rome with dear friends, summer concerts

by Andrea Bocelli in Porto$no, Capri and Positano for some sun

and great shopping, and Venice for the Carnival and the Biennale.

C @ " F A M I L YFamily is everything to me. We all live in di%erent parts of the

world. My parents and my youngest brother are in New York and

Greenwich CT, my other brother is in school in Boston, Yevge-

ny’s parents are in California, and now we are based in Moscow.

We keep family traditions of never missing birthdays and New

Years. It is important to me to always be close to your loved ones.

C @ " T R A V E LTravel is my passion (And my biggest weakness!) Being brought

up between Moscow, Paris, London and New York, I think it

became a part of my DNA to constantly move. I love discovering

new places and cultures.

My ideal trip would never be to a spa or a quiet beach. It would

be the complete opposite – full of daily activities, changing cities

and places. A constant movement!

I love Latin America – Argentina the most. &is January, we

are going to spend #" days in Peru. I cannot wait to be back to

Machu Pichu, feeding the llamas and having the world’s most

amazing ceviche.

C @ " O B S E S S I O NEducation is my obsession. I love to study and learn new things. I

have just completed my dual MBA at Columbia Business School

and London Business School. Now suddenly, I have a full time job

to manage! My friends are all laughing that. I urgently need some-

thing else to put my energy into – either another school or a baby.

I am also thinking about learning Italian and getting a law degree.

Helmut Lang leather pants, Gucci leopard print top, Jimmy Choo shoes (all)

3 4 | J 3 3 % & "KL

C @ " S H O E SJimmy Choo is an absolute winner for me. I buy almost every

pair of Gilbert ever made. &ey are so comfortable and stylish.

J 3 3 % & "KL | ! 3 5

Jacket: Gucci, Skir t: BCBGMaxazria,

Shoes: Sergio Rossi, Earrings and ring: Piaget

M + + 0 1 " = @W E A K N E S SFood is a very important part of my life. I live to eat. It’s

not about the quantity – for me it’s the delicacy of tastes,

combined with beautiful sparkles of red wines or rose cham-

pagnes. All over the world, I have favorite restaurants. &ey

are Marea in New York, Otto & Mezzo Bombana in Hong

Kong, Amis Louis in Paris, Brasserie at Arts Club in London,

Sushi Mizutani in Tokyo, Cabana las Lilas in Buenos Aires,

Michellangelo in Antibes, Bontempi in Moscow… and yes, a

lot of them are Italian!

C @ W A T C H E SWhen I was younger, my parents gave me a few Chopard piec-

es. &ey are stunning and very dear to me. I also own beautiful

Rolex, Jacob and Cartier watches. My absolute favorite watch

is the Breguet Reine de Naples that I believe is one of the most

beautiful watches ever made.

D E S I G N E R SI don’t have one favorite brand. I love to wear pencil skirts and dresses

to work and I love what Victoria Beckham, Alexander McQueen and

Roland Mouret are making, for working women like myself. I often

custom make dresses for work. It is extremely convenient – you get ex-

actly the design you want. On weekends, during the day, I wear leath-

er pants. Helmut Lang makes the best ones, combined with comforta-

ble sweaters and shirts or jeans. I love long skirts by modern American

and Russian designers. For events, I love Marchesa, Herve Leger,

Gucci and Oscar De La Renta (Who designed my wedding dress).

B O O K SI don’t read e-books. I am old-fashioned and love the feel of paper.

Marking my thoughts on the sidelines of the book is a part of the

experience for me. During my two years of studying for an Execu-

tive MBA, all I had time to read were hundreds of pages of business

books and case studies for homework. On the way back home, after

the Columbia Business School graduation in New York, I bought

nine non-business related books that I so missed reading! I am

now $nishing “#"" years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marques.

Clockwise: Bir thday in Venice - September 2012 - Ksenia hosted a 2 day Venetian Carnival party for 30 of her closest friends; Ksenia and her husband Yevgeny; Jacob and Co Five Timezone World Map watch and Evil Eye bracelet

Columbia Business School, her Global

Executive MBA graduation (top);

With her friend Nino's dog Gosha

J 3 3 % & "KL | ! 3 7

C I T Y L I F E S T Y L E

MOSCOWEvolut ion o f Lu xu r y

!"#$%&'(#)*+,--.(

/01#23''&(,#!"#!&+456#7+-,85#&,#1"#5-(9#(,9#(#: ";'"#&,#1"#'*3%<###

/#5(.-#(%=("'#5(9#45&'#&,'(4&(!%-#9-'&+-#4*#->;%*+-#,-=#;%(8-'6#1--4#,-=#

#

A L I S A K O R N E E V A

3 8 |

“Moscow is amazing for business and entertainment, but abso-

lutely impossible to live" – I read this once in a business magazine

and it seemed to me a true story of this city. A megalopolis, (With

a population of about !" million), has proved itself as the Mecca of

luxury entertainment, dining out and shopping. #ree words best

describe Moscow - speed, choice and change. No wonder this city

caught up with (and even outstripped) such cities as Milan, Paris,

and New York. Maybe not in terms of fashion, but in terms of

entertainment and social life, it has for sure! Over the last twenty

$ve years, Moscow has transcended all main stages of luxury evo-

lution - from subjugation, when there was nothing after the USSR

collapsed, to the point where people have the money to show o%

- a fancy car, a big brand statement on their clothes and handbags.

#e change has been particularly remarkable over the last $ve

years. I well remember how it happened. Back then it was an

era of oligarchs, surrounded by pretty models. #ese were years

of uncontrolled expenses, of Champagne magnums and & digit

sums spent in the nightclubs. I once heard that one businessman

was so intent on impressing the young models who were with him

that he spent almost '! million just for the Champagne and black

caviar in the club. Of course, when money is simply an expres-

sion of vulgarity, the quality of the o%er is very low. Restaurants

for example, while being very expensive, often o%ered very poor

quality. #ey could have overcooked your St.Jaques or run out of

all of the expensive wine that they pretended they had, but which

only appeared on the wine list and had never been in the cellar.

#en came the $nancial crash, and a period of slowing down

and less conspicuous consumption followed. Now, in ()!*,

Moscow is more in line with the great European cities. #e

correlation between money and quality is much more evident.

Instead, there are discrete private bars; restaurants have become

more authentic, with re$ned menus and excellent food. Many world

renowned hotel chains have located in Moscow – with high–end spas,

restaurants and shops. #e Russian Fashion industry is awake from

its long sleep and now nurtures very talented designers who are well-

known, not only in Russia, but in such fashionable cities. Russian

bloggers have thrown o% the shadow of ‘#e Iron Curtain’ and com-

pete with the best journalists and photographers of the fashion world.

So let me reveal you some secrets of a new Moscow...

W H E R E T O S T A Y

F O U R S E A S O N S!"#$%&'()*#+*,-#.(/00( Just opened ! month ago, it has the best views of the Red Square,

the best location facing the Bolshoy #eater and the Russian

Duma guaranteed.

R I T Z C A R L T O N1"#230/4%,*,#.(/00(#Very trendy, frequented by celebrities and A-listers coming to

Moscow and a great location. #e Espa is an added bonus.

| # 3 9

W H E R E T O E A T

U I L L I A M S !5,"#6,7,*,#8/')),*,#.(/00(#is place is loved for the New York atmosphere, great food and

cool crowd. #e best time to visit is late spring or summer, when

the windows are open and there are people drinking in the street.

B L A C K T H A I 9"#8'74&'*#:;(<)%'34%<*#.(/00(A new baby of the lawyer Alexander Rappoport, Black #ai

features a pure, authentic #ai cuisine, an excellent cocktail list

and is said to be a gastronomic restaurant, open until the late.

W H I T E R A B B I T 1"#.='70)4%,*,#.>;,/0##e place to see and be seen. But don't forget about the food - it's excellent there. #e chef, Vladimir Mukhin, is considered to be one of

the most talented young chefs in the world. #e restaurant was ranked amongst the World's !)) Best restaurants by S.Pellegrino.

4 0 |

W H A T T O S E E

T H E S T A T E T R E T Y A K O V G A L L E R Y ?5"#@,3/;4&<)4%*#.(/00(A Gallery with the richest collection of Russian fine art in

the world.

V O R O B I E V Y G O R Y @0)<)4%<*0#A'/*An observation deck on the hill in the west of Moscow. Come

during the sunset when there is still light and get a great pano-

ramic view of Moscow and Lomonosov Moscow State University.

B O L S H O I T H E A T E R 1"#:0(/'3%,#.(/00(For Opera or ballet, or just to see the Russian main cultural institute reopened after a +-year renovation and $nished in ()!!. #e Bolshoi building,

which for many years now has been regarded as one of Moscow’s main sights, was opened on () October !,"-, on Tsar Alexander II’s coronation day.

| # 4 1

W H E R E T O G O O U T

C H A I N A Y A B A R ?#230/4%,*,BC,=4%,*,"#!D#E7-F?Very di.cult to $nd and even more di.cult to get in (Better to come

in groups of (-/). #e place is tiny but they are known for the excellent

Chinese cuisine and best teas and cocktails in town.

M E N D E L E E V B A R !5"#:0(/'3%,#.(/00(A hidden bar. To enter, you have to pass the Chinese noodle shop.

#ere is a strict face control here as well, but the best electro music in

town and cocktails are worth a try! #e noodles are great by the way .

S I M A C H E V B A R ?!"#.('704&)<%'3#.(/00(##is used to be a bar and boutique of a Russian designer, Denis Simachev. When he stopped his career as a designer, he decided to keep

the bar in one of the most luxurious streets in Moscow. #e bar is known for its’ strict face control - you have to be cool to pass the door!

4 2 |

M Y F A V O R I T E E X P E R I E N C E S

G O R K Y P A R KD"#G7<(4,#H/*=4%<*#I,7In summer or on any warm days, go to Gorky Park. A completely renovated, !() hectare, city space, accommodating an open-air cinema

center, di%erent sporting grounds, a skate park, a couple of lakes with various water attractions, the gallery of contemporary art and many

nice restaurants. My tip is to take roller blades in the morning, stroll along the embankment when it is not that crowded, then have lunch

at one of the restaurants overlooking the river or one of the lakes – I like Pryanosti I Radosti or Oyster Bar. After lunch, you can check

the expo at Garage center of contemporary art, or go and dance salsa in one of the free salsa classes by the river, next to Andreevsky Most.

K R A S N I Y O C T Y A B R0 R E D O C T O B E R 1J"#80/40)034%,*,#),EPreviously known as the chocolate factory and now the home for

artists, designers, architects, new media professionals and other

creative minds. Here you can not only visit galleries for cool pho-

tography expos (like The Lumiere Brothers photo gallery), or do

some shopping at Suit Supple, but also you can "stay by night"-

The best cocktails and sunset terrace is still at bar Strelka. The

best wine and snacks are at Primitivo wine bar. You will f ind re-

fined Italian food at Bontempi. And and if you get lucky enough

to know the member, you can end partying at the closest mem-

bers-only club in Moscow, Chateau de Fantomas. Their shows are

awesome and became legendary in Moscow!

| # 4 3

I N T E R I O R S

MaxKasymov

!"#$"%&'("#)&*&+$,-#&#".)/&0*1&2*+3.,45+&6-,7)8#+&$*4)&-)8)"4)9&*&8,%+"9)-*:;)&9)<-))&,=&-)8,<%"#",%&"%&6-,=)++",%*;&8"-8;)+/&*+&>);;&*+&

*.,%<&8,%%,"++)(-+&,=&9)+"<%/&:,#$&"%&?(++"*&*%9&*:-,*9@&A$"+&3)*-/&$)&8);):-*#)9&4"8#,-3&:3&>"%%"%<&,%)&,=&#$)&.,+#&6,6(;*-&8,.6)#"#",%+&=,-&*-8$"#)8#+&*%9&9)+"<%)-+&"%&?(++"*&B&C"%!"%@&D"+&6-,7)8#&5E))6&D,(+)5&

>,%&#$)&.*"%&6-"F)&"%&#$)&8*#)<,-3&5G)+#&H6*-#.)%#&E)+"<%5@H;,%<&>"#$&#$)&9)4);,6.)%#&*%9&9)+"<%&,=&"%#)-",-+/&$"+&+#(9",&"+&*8#"4);3&9)4);,6"%<&*%,#$)-&*-)*&,=&=,8(+&I#$)&8-)*#",%&,=&9)+"<%)-&=(-%"#(-)@

G3&0*1&2*+3.,4

4 4 | J + + ( ) &KL

! " " # $ %&' | ! 4 5

Floor lamp, chairs by OKHA interiors

P R O J E C T D E E P H O U S E , M O S C O W!e aim of Project Deep House was to create a comfortable, modern, interior, with a proper bed and dressing room. !e multilevel lighting

(built-in lamps, chandeliers, "oor lamps) that we used created a special ambience, depending on the time of day. Mood contour LED

lighting emphasized the ""oating" ceiling. !e apartment is dominated by warm, rich, colours and almost all the furniture, trim elements

(all wall panels) were created speci#cally for this project. Suspended cabinets and lower lying cabinets and surfaces have facilitated the

general form of the kitchen. !e bed, kitchen, shelves and chest of drawers in the room were manufactured under the Max Kasymov

Design brand. !e styling direction combined a modern mix, which harmoniously created a variety of textures, materials and furniture.

!e features of the apartment’s architecture were constructed in the mid-$%th century and were built on the combination of minor

amounts of rectangular volumes, with domination of large areas of the bearing walls and partitions. To give momentum and space, we

used #nishing materials with di&erent contrasting textures: Large format porcelain tiles and clear glass.

One of the di'culties encountered in the process of construction was a concrete girder (design feature of the building). I cleaned o& layers

of wallpaper and plaster, and left it in its original form. It is very impressively etched traces of formwork boards. It was washed out and

covered with a special compound, which adds a strong urban contrast to the luxury interior. Project Deep House demonstrates how you

can create a stylish space with maximum functionality and aesthetic design. Now studio Max Kasymov interior / design are undertaking

several new and interesting projects of residential spaces, as well as designing pieces of furniture that will soon be presented to the public.

4 6 | ! " " # $ %&'

A fragment of the bedrooms. Behind the concrete girder concealed

air conditioning. Mirror door in the hallway lead into the dressing room

Glass sliding door separates the bedroom from the kitchen and dining area. Relief wood panel

made in designer's manufacture

Yellow chair and lamp, OKHA Interiors. Coffee tables,

Max Kasymov Design

5 0 | ! " " # $ %&'

I N T H E M O O D F O R

F A I R YT A L E SM a r g a r i t a K a r e v a! " # $ # % & ' ( " ) * + , -

5 2 | ! " " # $ %&'

($%)*#+,-./%0$+1$2$%*#3%$4$"%56$-%5$%"/#70+$,%%8)3*""%/6$%7891)8+%:*3/;*+1*%*;%<839831/8%=83$28>

%?$3%"/4+$%1"%#-1@#$A%,831-9%8-,%9+87*#3*#">%%B$34%7#)6%:83/%*;%/6$%828-/C983,$A%6$3%5*3D%%1"%5*-,$3;#++4%9+87*3*#">%E-$%)8-./%6$+:%0#/%%/61-D%/68/%/6$%*+,%"*21$/%9#83,%"*%1-"1"/$-/%#:*-%%3$8+1"7%7#"/%0$%/#3-1-9%1-%/6$13%9382$">

%?$3%:1)/#3$"%83$%$2*)8/12$%*;%8%74/61)8+%F#""18G%%!-%6$3%*5-%5*3,"A%"6$%/31$"%/*%912$%8%7*,$3-%1-/$3:3$/8/1*-%/*%/6$%;*+D+*3$%8-,%74/6"%%/68/%83$%8%"/8:+$%*;%F#""18-%)#+/#3$>

%!%3$8++4%+1D$%/*%"/89$%#-#"#8+%"/*31$"%8-,%/*%%$7:68"1H$%)*-/38"/1-9%)*+*#3">%I*3%$J87:+$%%

%K%"*7$/61-9%/6$%913+%,3$87"%80*#/%1-%6$3%"+$$:>

%L6$%"/89$"%6$3%"6*/%#"1-9%7*,$+"%56*%,*71-8/$%%/6$%)*7:*"1/1*-%0#/%"$$7%8/%/6$%"87$%/17$%/*%0$%%*-%/6$%:*1-/%*;%,1"8::$831-9%1-/*%/6$%71"/%*3%$/6$3>

%M-*/6$3%3$)*9-1"80+$%8":$)/%*;%6$3%5*3D%1"%/6$%%#/1+1"8/1*-%*;%8-178+"%56$/6$3%8"%:3*:"%*3%%

8"%D$4%:+84$3">%N6$%68#-/1-9%:1)/#3$%*;%8%F#""18-%%

/61"%:$3;$)/+4>%(1/6*#/%8-4%,*#0/%1/%+$82$"%8-%1-,$+10+$%783D%1-%/6$%17891-8/1*->

%M-,%:$368:"%/6$%7*"/%878H1-9%%/61-9%*;%8++A%1"%/68/%<839831/8%%

*-+4%:1)D$,%#:%8%)87$38%/63$$%4$83"%89*>

5 4 | ! " " # $ %&'

W A T C H S T O R I E S

!"#$%&'#()**+#&,#-.#"/0#1-2"#314-5"67"#89:95;#<6"=/#>567?2#<388#<388#>0#-7#/67?#"-#"68@#"-#50"638052A#

B;#C6>53080#(68D6?-53

SIHHGene va's Sa lon Inte rna t iona l de l a Haute Hor loge r ie

T H E FE M A L E TOUC H

R IC H A R DM IL L E

!e "rst person ever to wear a wrist voice was Elizabeth #st of England in #$%#. Despite this, the watch industry has generally concentrated most

of its e&orts on the preferences and needs of men. !e Salon of '(#), however, signalled that this bias was becoming a thing of the past with

almost every major company creating pieces that appeal to women’s love of beauty. '(#$ SIHH, con"rms this trend is here to stay. !e watches

mentioned here are often concept watches and therefore at the very top end of the premium market. De"nitely only for the crème de la crème.

Tourbillon RM #*-(# Natalie Portman. Apparently the

spider was Portman’s choice because it is a symbol of "fem-

inine energy and creativity. A mistress of fate and weaver

of reality, the spider is the symbol of the soul but also free-

dom." The face portrays a diamond-encrusted spider that

appears trapped in a tonneau-shaped, diamond-covered

case. The abdomen of the spider supports the bridges of

the tourbillon, and its legs support the two winding bar-

rels. Craftsmanship like this has catapulted this company

into the top league of Haute Horlogerie.

Baume & Mercier has “clocked” the fact that women need to colour code their wardrobe

much more than men, it’s interchangeable coloured

strap system is hugely popular. They are also very

exquisite: the range has a snailed finish, mother-of-pearl dial with riveted indices and has a hand-

woven lambskin bracelet. For 2015, they’re promoting

a new timewatch called Promesse. Purchasers

of Promesse can have any message they

choose engraved on the back of the watch.

Piaget have returned to the 60s and 70s

for inspiration – calling their thirty-seven item collection:

Extremely Piaget. As the name

suggests, these are not for everyday

wear or – for that matter – everyday

women. They all have a signature gemstone dial with silver-toned

dials and claw-set diamond bezels.

Each of the brilliant 24-cut

diamonds is individually handcut.

5 6 | ) 2 2 9 0 #E,

NOS TA L GI A

CARTIER

Having time to spare is now a statement about status. As we hurtle through life at ever-increasing speed, cramming more and more into

the same daily span of twenty-four hours, many in the watch world are in a nostalgic mood.

Some of the most striking designs signalled for !"#$, are timepieces that reference a more leisured age.

It has developed an astonishingly looking watch which looks like

one of Dali’s surreal twisted clocks.

%e dial is completely skeletonised, covered with oversized Roman

numerals that reveal the movement beneath: the hand-wound cal-

ibre &'#( MC beating at !(,("" vibrations per hours and o)ering a

remarkable power reserve of * days.

%e aesthetic association with Dali is coincidental. In fact, it was

+rst produced in #&', to commemorate the death of Vice President

of Cartier London following a car accident. %e twisted shape ref-

erences the melted watch found on the dead man’s wrist.

Given the beauty of the piece, it’s unlikely that many will be put

o) by this tragic backstory. If so, this watch will likely become a

prized collector’s piece.

Another particularly wonderful timepiece is that by Roger Dubuis - named: The Hommage Minute

Repeater Tourbillon Automatic.This exclusive timepiece features a minute repeater with

centrifugal sound dissipator, a flying tourbillon, and double micro-rotors. The minute repeater

mechanism chimes three different sounds: the hours on a low tone, minutes on a high tone, and quarter

hours on alternating high and low tones.

Parmigiani brings thenew Tonda

1950 Squelette men’s watch comes in a 39 mm x 7.8 mm white

gold case and is powered by

automatic manufacture caliber PF 705.

Piaget, after consulting its archives from half a century, is presenting

its oval Black Tie Vintage. The case is

white gold, with a finely stepped bezel that

builds upwards to a flat, radially!brushed bezel.

! " " # $ %&' | ! 5 7

SP ORTS WATC H E S

T H E F U T U R E

!e mood of nostalgia has even impacted the development and design of sport watches – either by the revival of old models or by evoking

the memory of a particular moment in sporting history. Car racing and aviation are particularly popular in this respect.

!e world of watches combines precision engineering with artistic

imagination. A sign of the health of the sector is that there are also

some amazing concept pieces in this year’s line-up. In this regard,

the most notable illustration of verve and imagination comes from

Audemar Piguet with an extraordinary chiming watch. !e work

into this launch has taken no less than eight years. To get the acous-

tics right, a stringed instrument maker, an academic from Geneva’s

conservatory and an engineer from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale

de Lausanne were all drafted in. So much more than a sporting

watch, it is a remarkable indication of the imaginative verve and

craftsmenship that the top watchmakers lavish on their creations.

Audemars Piguet has produced a legacy

collection for today’s luxury sport-watch aficionados adding

in a few contemporary notes to ensure the best

of both worlds.The Royal Oak Offshore

has always enjoyed iconic status. As many know the design theme

was inspired by a diver's brass helmet.

Ralph Lauren, himself a well-known

car collector, has used the luxurious

1938 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic Coupe as

a starting off point for the aptly named Automotive

Chronograph. To have superior movement performance, Ralph Lauren collaborated

with Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Richard Mille the RM 33-01 Timepiece.

The company loves to align the performance

and aesthetics of their timepieces with

contemporary racecars. One manifestation

of this aesthetic is the materials used in the timepieces:

aluminum-lithium, orthorhombic titanium

aluminide, carbon fiber.

Piaget has unveiled!something

remarkable: The Piaget Altiplano Chronograph.

This makes it the world's thinnest

hand-wound flyback chronograph.

The in-house!883P hand-wound chronograph calibre is the true

highlight of this timepiece. 14 of the 25 operational

movements within.

5 8 | ! " " # $ %&'

S A LON QP T he f i ne watch e x h ibit ion

(66"=/3#C68805;A#F/32#;065#26<#6#50=-5?#791>05#-.#D323"-52+#<3"/#1-50#"/67#G+%%%#40-480#6""07?37H#

A highlight of the event was the Gems of Time exhibition. !is is

the "rst time that SalonQP has included this, and with the exhi-

bition dedicated to jewellery watches, it added an extra hint of

glamour and variety. Fine pieces from Cartier, De Beers, Piaget

and Bulgari were all magni"cently on show.

A particular favourite of ours was Harry Winston’s Histoire de

Tourbillon $ – part of a sophisticated collection of limited edition

pieces. !e watch reveals the exceptional mechanisms behind the

tri-axial tourbillon and is limited to only '( pieces around the

world… a collectors dream! It is also the "rst model in the series

to be available in #+k rose gold. It de"nitely stole the show.

!is was also the "rst year that SalonQP partnered up with the

Grand Prix D’Horlogerie de Geneve, with the ‘Oscars of the

watch industry.’ On display were the winners of the GPHG –

less than a week after they were announced!

!ere was a real sense of excitement at this year’s event. Guests

had the chance to interact in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s sound lab,

which gave them the opportunity to learn about the exquisite

minute repeater. Tag Heuer had a Batak machine on their

stand – the very same machine that is used to test the reaction

times of Formula one racing drivers.

The atmosphere was dynamic, engaging audiences and cre-

ating the ultimate luxury experience in the most exciting

way possible. We now wait with anticipation to see what

SalonQP '(#$ will entail.

B O H E M E J E W E L L E R Y M O N T B L A N C

H I G H J E W E L L E R Y C A R T I E R

S E R P E N T I W A T C HB U L G A R I

H I S T O I R E D E T O U R B I L L O N 5

H A R R Y W I N S T O N

6 0 | ) 2 2 9 0 #E,

T he f i ne watch e x h ibit ion

Ever y thing i s a r ranged!"#$%&'$%(!')!&*%!*+,-./0+,-.!#1!23,&'%(!3)4!(*#22')5!6%!$3.!1#,5%&1+--.!

6#)4%,!6*3&!'(!$#,%!'$2#,&3)&7!8.!5,3)413&*%,!3)(6%,%4!&*3&!9+%(&'#)!3(!:!;#')%4!*'$!('&&')5!+)4%,!3!<==!.%3,!#-4!>%03)%(%!

?%43,@!3&!&*%!%45%!#1!*'(!&6%-A%!3?,%!1,#)&!-36)7!B%!$#A%4!*'(!1##&!')!&*%!)%%4-%(!3)4!(3'4!&#!$%@!C8.!4%3,!0#.@!'1!.#+,!?*'-4,%)!($'-%!6*%)!&*%.!

*%3,!.#+,!)3$%!.#+!6'--!D)#6!.#+,!-'1%!63(!6#,&*!3!?3,,#&7E!

0.!F3'!B3$'-&#)

E C O N O M I C S

6 2 | : ( ( + % !GH

We were all sad to see the ‘Virgin on the impossible’ spacecraft

and it’s pilot blown up after those good wishes for the project

coming out of the summer edition of this magazine. Dickie

Planes is unlikely to take that lying down so Brad and Ange-

lina can relax while their !ve minute weightless photo-shoot

is still on. It was also a tragedy at the same time that the boss

of Total, Christophe de Margerie, whose bravery I wrote

about in this column last time round, had his jet rammed by

a reversing bulldozer in Moscow. "e children of two !ne men

who broke the mould will smile when they are remembered.

Marc Rich was a man who broke the mould whose remaining chil-

dren are still smiling, despite a #$ count indictment against their

father brought on by vengeful U.S. power brokers under RICO.

Marc was no ordinary man and the undermining of his business

was a punitive and inappropriate campaign started as a tax case.

"e accusations moved on to illegal trading with Iran just as

the U.S. Government became aware and even awe struck by the

commercial possibilities coming to light in that vast part of cen-

tral Asia called Kazakhstan. Marc was forced to leave the USA for

Switzerland in %&'( and he became very big in that, as the last of

the Soviet Republics to declare independence. By %&&% he was best

friends with Cremov Turtlebroth, the leader of the nomadic tribes

who (because he was already the Soviet choice) became president

of the Republic of Kazakhstan. "e Soviets had used his country

as a dustbin for people like Dostoyevsky and Solzhenitsyn and

ten million more, but that stopped when they realised these tur-

co-mongoles and their goats were sitting on various minerals and

massive crude oil and natural gas basins. Marc had already prom-

ised Cremov Turtleboth stability, opportunity and untold wealth.

Mark was already known as a titan dealing in strategic quantities

of the world’s raw materials and other natural resources and com-

pounds. In fact he controlled the economies of at least )* countries

alongside oil reserves in Soviet Russia, precious metal mines in Peru,

re!neries in Romania and smelters in Australia, Iran, Sardinia and

West Virginia. At any given time he could manipulate the price of

aluminium, sugar, soy, nickel, lead, zinc, tin, chrome, magnesium,

copper and even coal. Marc Rich was probably the only true busi-

nessman who deserved the title ‘Master of the universe’. He used his

connections to provide the CIA and Mossad with intelligence about

what rogue governments were planning on a day to day basis. It was

only a matter of time before the secret police in those governments

wanted a larger piece of his +,$ billion pro!ts a year. In that pur-

suit, they persuaded the US government power brokers to think that

his business ethics were suspect and he must be money laundering.

As many readers of this magazine know, it’s impossible not to go

to the laundry when you’re shifting +,$ billion a year. But Mark

never succumbed to a threat in his whole life, so the tactics became

crude. With Mark refusing to pay extra, those with no names in

government mounted the campaign to sabotage his trading plat-

forms throughout Europe and worldwide.

Considering the stakes, it was hardly surprising that business

rivals would stoop to any tactics in an e-ort to replace him, in-

cluding deals with secret police forces. "e pressure exerted on

the American government to discredit him was signi!cant and

RICO was used against him unlawfully and later abandoned,

as everyone now knows. Bill Clintoris (A like minded entrepre-

neur before becoming President of the United States), consid-

ered Marc Rich blameless and despite savage phone calls from

the former attorney general’s o.ce, granted him a presidential

pardon on his last day of o.ce. It was delivered to one of the

world’s most spectacular mansions in Switzerland and made

Marc the only man in history to have received such a pardon

for his crimes, without having !rst been convicted of them.

"ere had been no power struggle in Kazakhstan and Cremov

Turtlebro- and his three daughters – "e beautiful Doggi, the

gentle Moggi and the sexually-aggressive Soggi enjoyed private

jets and !tted intelligently into any conversation throughout the

capitals of Europe. It was quite like the English Christmas pan-

tomime with the evil male Kazakh power brokers aspiring to run

the country because they were relatives of government minis-

ters. "ey opened doors for a /ood of incoming investment and

amongst those eager to be involved were none other than the Amer-

ican banks ready to !ll the hole left by the besieged Marc Rich.

Yung Dolli-Bird (A Kazakh by birth but divorced as soon as

she could get away) made up some stories about her connec-

tions back home and found herself in charge of the out/ow of

investment from private high net worth US banking customers

into Kazakh projects. "e private jets headed for Almaty, the

: ( ( + % !GH | ! 6 3

capital of Kazakhstan, on the basis that those inside would de-

posit money in her bank if she secured a favourable way into

the juciest Kazakh deals. Yung Dolli-Bird was very close to

Emir Bagatelle, who was inviting investment in hotels and also

his cousin, Wanna Kashitin, who was creating partnerships to

extract the oil and gas. "ey had both been behind the merci-

less discrediting of Mark Rich and the take-over of his + mul-

ti-billion commodity trading activities by the cancellation of

his supply contracts. Either of them, if not both, were also a

good prize for any girl, if you like that sort of herdsman thing.

‘Emir has a sizeable wedge’ she said to me at the party to wel-

come the incoming American ambassador.

‘A successful man is one who makes more money than his girl-

friend can spend’ I replied.

Since there was enough scope for everyone in the supply structure

and Cremov Turtlebro- ’s country needed everything, from basic

infrastructure to all kinds of luxury goods, it would have been

an easy matter to teach these simple people the generous possi-

bilities in capitalism in such an investor paradise. But the power

brokers who broke Marc Rich thought they had a clear play-

ing !eld. "ey should have been mindful that the Islamics were

planning building mosques as fast as they could make the bricks.

I had the surprise of Marc Rich’s daughter Gabrielle auditioning

for a part in a !lm I was making in London. She was unaware of

my friendship with Marc but during !lming we spent an afternoon

at my grandfather’s house and sat under that great Lebanese cedar.

‘Your father is a great man’ I assured her.

‘You do not have to be rich to be great’ she smiled. ‘"e people

who tore my father’s life to pieces are mistaken to think money

buys you greatness.’

Afterwards, inside the US Gabrielle died. "e FBI had more

agents at the funeral than mourners in the hope that Marc was

there in disguise. "ey had also announced that Marc couldn’t

be bothered to attend his daughter’s funeral.

Cremov Turtlebro- had a clean sheet of paper and one of those

rare opportunities to break the mould before the essence of his

government became armed robbery. Irrespective of democracy

where the voters are allowed to fantasize that they set the course,

it is always the power brokers behind the scenes who drive the

ship. "e votes simply attest that the winning candidate does the

best hoodwinking job. All the while, the power brokers have that

one constant occupation which is to use the power of the State to

transfer wealth from the voters to themselves.

In the old days, they were unapologetic about it. Even as late as

the %&th century, Napoleon’s army stomped over Europe with

Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity on their lips but with larceny in

their hearts. "e soldiers of the Grande Armée stole everything

they could cart away. Now, modern government demands more

fraud than force. Capitalism depends on complex, trusting rela-

tionships and long-term !xed investments. Stealing outright dis-

rupts progress and threatens output. "is in turn weakens econo-

mies. Weak economies, like Ukraine, can’t a-ord much !repower.

"at was what led China and Russia to abandon their creeds in the

late )$th Century. Command economies are weak economies and

weak economies can’t compete militarily. "ey had learned from the

French Revolution that major countries needed to make the common

people feel that they were in charge of the government. Similarly, af-

ter Bismarck, political parties found they needed to o-er the voters

some form of social welfare bene!ts to avoid the revolt of the masses.

"ese realisations have turned today’s governments into huge

kleptocratic insurance companies, running grossly ine.cient

health care and pension programmes. "e power brokers steal

a large part of the cash-/ow, making the outrages of the banks

and bailouts go unpunished because the people have been led

into a trap. "ey have become absorbed in demanding more

leisure time and more healthcare so they can pay for more in-

surance programmes and pension contributions.

In Europe and America, substantial real income gains ended in the

‘0$s. "e old Fords and Rockefellers were gone. "e new capitalists

were so fettered with taxes, rules and regulations that they found it

hard to move ahead. People wanted more bene!ts. "ey looked to

the government and the credit industry to supply them. "e dol-

6 4 | : ( ( + % !GH

lar was cut loose from gold in %&,', making them go deeper into

real debt than ever before. As bene!t levels rose, the more impor-

tant they became to the people receiving them but also the more

costly they became to the governments. Taxes could not be cut nor

could be bene!ts, so all they could do was borrow more money.

In America social welfare expenses could still be !nanced by cut-

ting military spending. However with the power brokers con-

trolling the defence and security industries they had made it into

a giant part of the insurance complex, with more millions of jobs,

more health care and retirement bene!ts. "ey also fed them-

selves with control of US+ trillions of contracts to interfere in

every part of the planet where horrible people were going about

their own power broking in their own back yards.

"e good news is that life expectancy is on the rise so more of us

have a good chance of living long enough to see greying popula-

tions, heavy debt and slow growth. "e last time I looked, the US

was already so far underwater that it was sure to get the bends.

"e Fed only owes some +)%) trillion and if we are going to live

01 longer in these healthy years then that’s, let me see, +%*.'

trillion more in pensions and health care bene!ts.

My friend Marc Rich died last year. Before I decide whether to

go back and live in Kazakhstan, I want Cremov Turtlebro- to

learn a lesson from another Marc. "is time it’s Marc Duvivier,

the mayor of Ath in Belgium who refused a demand from par-

ents that pork be abolished in all the school canteens. "e town

clerk sent a note to all parents to explain why.

Lucretius, writing about a hundred years before the birth of Christ,

knew a few things. In Erectus Natura he described the world very

di-erently. "e world emerging from the calm, orderly and con-

trollable world of Nature. ‘It is world of atoms’, he said. ‘"ey are

constantly colliding with each other, like mating themselves, full

of hu.ng and pu.ng, sweating in a chaos of conjunction.’

Sounds like the power brokers to me!

I8+(-'$(!$+(&!+)4%,(&3)4!&*3&!&*%.!*3A%!&#!3432&!&#!J%-5'+$@!'&(!?+(&#$(@!'&(!&,34'&'#)(@!'&(!63.!#1!-'1%@!0%?3+(%!&*3&K(!6*%,%!&*%.!?*#(%!&#!'$$'5,3&%7!L*%.!$+(&!+)4%,(&3)4!&*3&!&*%.!*3A%!&#!')&%5,3&%!3)4!-%3,)!&#!-'A%!')!J%-5'+$7!L*%.!$+(&!+)4%,(&3)4!&*3&!'&!'(!1#,!&*%$!&#!?*3)5%!

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

J%-5'+$!&*3)!%-(%6*%,%7!"#!3(D!.#+,(%-1!3!9+%(&'#)@!;+(&!#)?%@!CU*.!'(!'&!0%&&%,!*%,%!')!J%-5'+$!&*3)!6*%,%!.#+!?#$%!1,#$VE!CM!?3)&%%)!6'&*!2#,D!'(!23,&!#1!&*%!3)(6%,7E

: ( ( + % !GH | ! 6 5

H U N T I N G

6 6 | ! " " # $ %&'

T O PW I N G S H O O T I N GD E S T I N A T I O N S

Having traded the concrete jungle of investment banking for an

“o!ce“ in the great outdoors, I’m often asked if I would go back

my previous life. "ose who have spent nights listening to the

lions roar, or who have seen the sun rise in the most dramatically

wild locations, will understand why the answer to that question

is always an emphatic “NO!”

Now, (well into my second decade of travelling the world with

my guns), there is a wealth of lessons learnt that have made it

possible to open new destinations for the travelling sportsman-

Especially if you want to ensure that when on location, you have

that little bit of luxury that makes everything comfortable. For

most people, a hunt is about living a dream. So it is important

to know that there is more to the deal than the hunting itself.

Just because you are in “the bush” does not mean that you need

to go without. "e luxuries of Wi-Fi, highly accomplished chefs

and some spectacular accommodations mean that even though

you are in the #eld through the day, you can get back at night to

a relaxing evening of browsing the web, with a glass of your fa-

vourite scotch in hand. Believe it or not, when you are in darkest

depths of Africa, o$ the power grid, our people are working hard

to ensure you have ice in that whiskey!

So lets look at some of the destinations that I think rank highest

in the world for quality and adventure. It’s not just about the

luxury, but also about the quality of the hunt experience itself.

()%*+,+%*)-.,$/-+"

! " " # $ %&' | ! 6 7

"ere are few places in the world where hunting is as intrinsically

part of the fabric of a country's DNA, as Scotland. Home to

over %&' of the worlds heather moorland, it is also the only place

you go to shoot the famous Red Grouse - "is bird has earned its

reputation as king of the game birds.

Traditionally, the moors are set out with lines of “butts”, (the

source of innumerable jokes for our foreign visitors), which are

sunken into the ground. With most grouse skimming the tops of

the heather, they appear in front of you so suddenly that you are

relying on your nerves and re(exes to pull o$ a successful shot.

Given that Scotland was the sporting playground of the rich

and royal in the )*&&’s, there is a legacy of some of the #nest

hunting lodges and castles that you could ask to stay in. But-

lers, house sta$ and all modern amenities are on hand. A pre

ordered wine list and menu can be approved using the #nest

ingredients available locally or speci#cally imported.

When done well, modern sport in Scotland brings the bygone

days of the Edwardian shooting party to life, in a manner that

today’s sportsman can appreciate.

"e tradition of shooting driven partridges in Spain goes to the

core of the wing shooting history of this country. To my mind,

the Catalan mountains close to Barcelona o$er one of the #nest

settings in which you could ask to be shown Partridges.

"e dramatic steep sided terrain allows the game to be shown as

high fast crossers and the Spanish take pleasure in displaying a

variety of targets and an adaptive shooting skill. As such, your day

will be made up of a number of drives, each one demonstrating a

di$erent style of shot opportunity.

Each hunter will be accompanied by his Secretario, whose job it

is to ensure that all of your equipment is conveyed to the stands.

Beyond of the #eld, the Spanish tradition of #ne food and

hospitality is beyond reproach. Traditional dishes prepared to

a very high standard are the norm. "e freshest seafood and

excellent meats are typical of even the most rustic restaurants.

Accommodation is generally a boutique hotel close to the

hunting grounds, although for the more “Royal “ experience

the castles o$er unrivalled opulence and are available to the

traveller seeking a truly grand experience.

S C O T L A N D ’ S S H O O T I N G H E R I T A G E

T H E C A T A L A N P A R T R I D G E

E X P E R I E N C E

6 8 | ! " " # $ %&'

"is is the place to go for high volume shooting. Due to a variety of

ecological factors including a rise in agriculture, dove populations

have exploded to what can only be described as plague proportions.

In addition to dove hunting, a wide variety of duck species,

pigeons and perdiz, (Argentina’s indigenous type of partridge)

add variety to the sport.

Accommodation is typically in one of the old Estancias- Many

of which have been renovated to a very high standard and make

for the local equivalent of a rural boutique hotel. Rooms range

from comfortable to luxurious, but always with a rustic charm that

harks back to an era of wealth and opulence.

With a myriad of beef cuts featuring on the menu, the Argentine-

ans really do know how to prepare a steak. You will enjoy this with

a variety of the countries #ne wines, whist canapés of traditional

charcuterie and cheeses will precede most meals.

Argentina is without doubt a carnivore’s dream destination,

and if you think your waistline might shrink on location, you

are very much mistaken!

Hunting in Africa is, and always has been, synonymous with

the big game hunters. Even today, much of Sub-Saharan Africa’s

hunting revolves around the pursuit of big game with a ri(e. It

was on such a journey twelve years ago that I found myself fol-

lowing a tracker through the bush, and getting distracted by the

sheer volume of game birds that were present.

Africa has over thirty di$erent species of game bird and wildfowl

to pursue, with many of them being unique to speci#c regions.

"is allows for not only many varied styles of shooting, but also

the chance to travel to di$ering regions in order to experience a

wide range of habitats that Africa exhibits. Shooting styles vary

between (ighting ducks, geese, pigeons and doves.

Although always comfortably rustic, an African wing shooting trip

is not ostentatious in the way that some of the other destinations

are. "e reason it features here is because I consider it to be some

of the #nest sport anywhere in the world and alongside my grouse

shooting, it is the one destination that stays in my diary year in, year

out. "e rustic charm always adds to the atmosphere of such a trip so

sitting round a #re, cooking steaks in the evening with a cold beer in

your hand is much of what makes such a trip memorable.

A R G E N T I N A V O L U M E

E X P E R I E N C EH U N T I N G

I N T H E D A R K C O N T I N E N T

! " " # $ %&' | ! 6 9

O P I N I O N

Merr y Chr i s tma s

and a Happy

New Yea r!!

7 0 | " # # $ % !&'

!ere are thousands of stories of courage and determination in

war and all of them attest to one thing only – the bravery of indi-

viduals who "ght for a cause because they are loyal to that cause.

Millions of lives have been lost in horrendous circumstances and

in massacres of innocent civilians. All these atrocities are occa-

sioned by loyalty. It is our leaders who cause extremism and it is

the power brokers whose greed and control pours the oil on the

"re. Without their oil, the machine does not run.

So what now? How do we look for a Happy New Year now?

‘Now’ lasts only as long as we have to live. However, how long

could that ‘Now’ be? For the youngest it is not too young to die

and for the oldest it is not too old to live. !e eleventh hour may

well be ticking along, for me anyway, but there may be a few

minutes left. All those hours lost. Bygones must be bygones. !e

time left is precious like never before. Suppose you’ve been giv-

en a bag of diamonds in your life worth some fortune. Without

knowing their value you had given them nearly all away. When

only a few of your diamonds were left in the bag, someone told

you how precious they were. Although you had given away a

fortune, you still had more than enough to secure your life and

that of your family forever. Would you hand out the rest of your

diamonds after the others? ‘Now’ is the reason you would keep

them all to yourself. ‘Now’ is not so much that you’ve got to do

something but rather that it is not possible to keep from doing

something. So you might as well plan it and use your remaining

diamonds purposefully.

Happy New Year is what we are about to say to all our friends. It

is a hearty, cheery, greeting that we like to get and to give to all

those close to us because we would like to give them all some-

thing before the close of the year. However, I would prefer to say

Happy New YEARS. !is is the longer part of the same wish but

in reality it should be Happy New ETERNITY. !is means that

we are all part of the same family and every religion acknowledg-

es that they share somehow in this eternity.

Happy New Eternity to all our readers. Why don’t make that

new start with a few of those resolutions? !ose diamonds left

mean the same as if we are gardening and planting a new tree.

We don’t plant a tree and say ‘It’s no good planting this tree if

it never has any fruit.’ !e tree has to be rooted and watered

to bear fruit so “Let’s make those New Year resolutions to start

the ball rolling”. We have our remaining diamonds for a revived

meaning in our lives and for new work. None of us would think

of planting a dismal dead thing in the hope of a new and bold

beginning. We all know there is no work, no device, no knowl-

edge, no possession that means anything after we are gone. To

make a di#erence we have to do what we have to do right here,

right NOW. !is is why we make New Year resolutions to build

on whatever good we hope to leave behind.

Whatever war we have fought for whatever loyalties, whatever med-

als we have won, whatever victories we have secured in the name

of our leaders, what have we bene"tted from? !e power brokers

make good money from warmongering and our leaders have always

followed them. !us armaments are exported, many with faked

routing and forged export licences to breed every kind of extremism

from a few madmen to a bonding of lunatics globally. Our leaders

created the backlash of al-Qaeda and Islamic State of Iraq and the

Levant (Isil) joining together. It was in our doing that a crisis ever

existed in Iraq and Afghanistan and Syria. We interfered while pay-

ing lip service to that useless group of unaccountable non-entities at

the United Nations and for their type of manipulated resolutions.

More recently, they were arguing about their salaries when Ebola

got a grip. !e way forward is a simple matter of isolation. Shut up

the maniacs who mutilate women and children. Shut their borders.

Cut their communication. Seize all their assets abroad. Lock up any

power broker who breaks that mould. I do not mean reacting to

one o# incidents. I mean a proper and e#ective response to any re-

gime that mass murders its’ own people. Shut down the lunatics

who hoard the wealth of a nation and in the process starve, rape

and mutilate their citizens. Don’t trade with them and take away

all their ill-gotten gains that their families and cohorts enjoy in our

own countries. Stop Grace Mugabe going shopping while her hus-

band builds a seventy bedroom ninth home on Lake Geneva. Shut

them o# by stopping the media cover they crave. Tell Anna Pouring

to stop pouring out her self-important diatribe of publicity for these

people. !e same goes for all the SKYE team ducking explosions in

their helmets and $ak jackets. Stop publicising their excesses. With-

out that publicity, they are backwater nothingness. !ere is no point

to chopping people up because there is no gain to be had.

" # # $ % !&' | ! 7 1

!ese multi-mass-murderers won’t slaughter their own people

without a safe place to store their wealth. It’s di%cult to buy

so much as even a decent towel in Central Africa, so how will

they spend their money whilst imprisoned in their own countries

surrounded by the carnage they wrought? Stop every interface

and that means construction as well as any banking. !eir own

people will su#er for a little while longer but they were going to

su#er anyway. !is will at least bring reason to their life of de-

spair. !eir demise will be the end of that tyranny. Bob Gelding

provides a bandage but not a solution.

!ere are no half measures on this issue. It’s just a matter of our lead-

ers having the balls to make that resolution and stop the $im-$am-

ming bullshit of bombing one truck at a time. Just stop them talking

to anyone or travelling anywhere. !is is not an expensive response

as it can be paid for with their own money. And when the lavatory

paper in the palace runs out, still don’t talk to them.

What is democracy if it hosts a virus of evil associations that sends

a signal to mankind that we have lost track of our values? If de-

mocracy has any validity, it is in the right of the people to have

a proper voice in decisions about freedom and con$ict. If Scots

deserve a vote, so do the Russians in Ukraine. If the EU wants

their oil and gas to stick one up Vladimir Putrid, let them buy it

on commercial terms. Do not pre-organise the pro"t for the power

brokers with back-handers for Petrol Potty just to add to his &'((

million stashed away in Monaco. !e power brokers are the ar-

chitects of corruption, who for political rubber-stamping of this

nonsense, deposit & billions in back-handers in Switzerland and

Monaco and Luxembourg. Before criticising Boko Haram, im-

agine that the combined wealth of the former regimes in Nigeria is

&'(( billion in diamonds, commodities, gold and real estate. !eir

name means ‘Western education is forbidden’. We wonder why?

!e way we stand up for our values is a re$ection of how we

honour our dead. !e decisions that shape a nation should be de-

cided at grass roots level. !at is the true value of an open society

where freedom of speech is accompanied by respect for all. Let us

acknowledge the courage of all those who died in wars over )((

years by demanding the same level of courage and determination

from our leaders in peace. Instead of watching the herding of

millions of oppressed people into vast cages far away from their

7 2 | " # # $ % !&'

CHRISTMAS QUIZ

QUESTION 1If you knew a woman who was pregnant, who had 8 kids already, three of whom were deaf, two who were blind, one mentally retarded, and she had syphilis, would you recommend that she has an abortion?Read the next question before looking at the response for this one.QUESTION 2It is time to elect a new world leader, and only your vote counts. Here are the facts about the three candidates:Which of these candidates would be our choice?

CANDIDATE AAssociates with crooked

politicians, and consults with astrologists. He also chain smokes

and drinks 8 to 10 Martinis a day.

CANDIDATE BHe was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in

college and drinks a quart of whisky every evening.

CANDIDATE CHe is a decorated war hero.

He's a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and

never committed adultery.

Decide before peeking below.

Now look down:Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt, candidate B is Winston Churchill and candidate C is Adolf Hitler.

And, by the way, on your answer to the abortion question: You just killed Beethoven.

homes, let the United Nations resolve to isolate those maniacs in

their palaces. Take away the assets of those who perpetrate atroc-

ities and keep the media right out of the way. Let those who lead

our civilisation in every aspect of politics and commerce start

thinking in a new way. In a way that refuses to send our youth to

die for some cause that cannot be won with "repower. Let them

consider the long-term well-being of a greater community. We

demand a little more depth of thought than they all presently ex-

ercise. If you harbour those who "nance terror, the same penalty

of isolation must occur even if you are Sheikh Notsturd bin Jab-

bering al-Nite (Who is presently keeping safe in Doha the likes

of Terri bul-Breth and Robin Khums Bob bin-Along). Both of

them live freely in Doha although they are at the top of a United

Nations terrorist sanctions list.

It is the personality of a man that animates the body of his $esh

which comes from the chemicals provided by parental proto-

plasm. !rough life it evolves as limbs for locomotion, a trunk to

accommodate the functions necessary for our upkeep and a brain

to transmit the dictation of the mind. In this life we are mostly

concerned with matters of the $esh and mortality. We do not

concern ourselves too much with matters of the soul and survival

or matters of the spirit and immortality. However, in the "rst

instance, we have the gifts of reason, sensation and animation

to determine what we do with our mortality. Our leaders who

are commanding the puppet show animate us as the puppets but

they, the leaders, do not function within us. !ey do not lead us

where we want to go but rather where we are obliged to follow.

Nature has provided a solution for the survival of ants and bees

and even wildebeest who have no individual intelligence but

communication skills that cause them to swarm and act together

for their common good. Now we have the worldwide web and

the Internet sophistication that allows us the potential of acting

together, causing herd like pressure. Roll on the times when we

can all act in unison by communicating the end of the horrors

of war. In the meantime let us recognise that all leaders need to

know that we are mindful of their corruption and manipulation.

So on January )st, let us all resolve to press for immediacy by

activating their conscience that is hidden in their soul and their

spirit. Let the maniacs and the power brokers who fuel them,

know that they are earmarked for isolation from civilisation.

" # # $ % !&' | ! 7 3

A I R P L A N E S

!e "rst six months of this year saw the company’s net pro"t up

by #$%. Given this continual success, new routes and services

are quickly developing, ensuring a worldwide presence as big as

the airline’s major competitors. A programme of direct &ights

from Russia’s regions to international leisure destinations is cur-

rently under development and the winter '($)/'($* season will

see Transaero o+er ), routes from $- Russian cities.

On October '# '($), Transaero launched a twice-weekly ser-

vice between St Petersburg and London, and is the only Rus-

sian airline to serve this route. !e continuous development of

direct &ights is creating more travel options for world business

leaders and entrepreneurs; thus, a demand for premier, "rst

class services has sparked.

TR A NSA EROFrom commer c ia l t o impe r ia l!"#$%&'()&%#*+,'-./%#

With major names such as Virgin, Singapore Airlines, and British

Airways dominating the skies, it’s a rare occurrence for a Russian

airline to make an impact worthy of worldwide recognition. But

Russian based Transaero Airlines has been climbing up the rank-

ings, one award at a time.

'($' saw Transaero named as !e Best Airline in Eastern Europe

at the Skytrax World Airline Awards – one of the most prestig-

ious titles in global commercial aviation. !is success was then

followed up a year later, winning Most Improved Airline and

becoming the "rst Russian based charter to not only receive

an award in this category, but also becoming the only Russian

name to be in the top thirty safest airlines in the world. I think

it’s safe to say that Transaero is quickly making its mark.

7 4 | 0 , , 1 ' #$2

!e food onboard will not disappoint. !is month, Transaero launched

a new Imperial Class menu, inspired by the history of the world’s great

empires – Chinese, Japanese, Ottoman, British, and German. Qual-

ity and variety have been meticulous planned. Dishes range from

smoked eel with seaweed (the health secret of longevity for Japanese

Emperors), to Eisben (the crown jewel of German cuisine). Each dish

is ensured to satisfy both the pickiest and adventurous of passengers.

!ere is no denying that Transaero’s rise to the top (no pun intended)

has shone a spotlight on Russia’s commercial developments. Catering to

a global demand, with an emphasis on luxury, competes with the "nest

of international airlines. Providing travel to a worldwide, elite, market

makes possibilities endless. So my advice is to watch this space (and

the skies) because Transaero is quickly advancing, one &ight at a time.

Catering to this demand, Transaero became the only Russian

airline to o+er a "rst class service. In '((., the two existing elite

classes (Premium and Business) saw yet another extension, with

the launch of the Imperial Class – targeted at those who appreci-

ate luxury and exclusiveness.

!e Imperial Class combines both today’s modern service tech-

nologies with the best traditions of hospitality, inspired by the

Russian Imperial Court (Hence the Imperial name). Expect

divine chinaware, delicately plated with gold emblems and

embossed, leather food menus that exude the ultimate attention

to detail. On &ight amenities include plush, red, leather seats

that convert into a full, &at bed and meals from ultra-luxe Café

Pushkin, served on &ights from Moscow.

0 , , 1 ' #$2 | ! 7 5

E S S A Y

A!"#$ B%&#'(!"#$%&'()*+(,-*$*.,/'01

Andrei Navrozov

7 6 | 2 ) ) 3 ' *45

God how they lied to us, how they all lied to us, how they lied

and lied all those years on end. German professors, pince-nez

and aquiline glance subjacent, preening in front of the rather

more common kind of gilt-framed mirror, squeezing the luxu-

riant Fraulein’s dimpled buttock, dictating a tract on feeling to

this or that quietly greying mouse. Russian idealists, beard goat-

ee-neat or else broom-bushy, waving their arms in the air against

a landscape of anachronism veiled in gun smoke, ransoming

conscripts in time for the )nal harvest, stu*ng winter overcoats

with explosives, kissing each other on the lips with a loud smack.

French bon viveurs, they also had a few words to say on the

matter, for eloquence is but elegance pursued by other means,

desperately smitten, simply awash with sentiment, yet with an

eye to the love-struck suitor’s annuity all the same, or else where

would the camellias of the title keep coming from, you little sil-

likins, camellias don’t grow on trees, you know. Italian conti,

which rhymes with racconti and just about everything else in

the dictionary, scrimmaging behind sensuously undulating bro-

cades, dripping potions into Venetian goblets, eviscerating rivals

in duels, always coming back to Mary Mother of God and the

Heavenly Host, but have these Casanovas not misled us too, if

only by never saying anything worth remembering? English gen-

tlemen with rusty iron whiskers, dreadnought sideburns, mut-

ton dressed as lamb don’t you think, delighted you could join

us this evening – but that’s the funniest lot of all, really, though

they lied much less than the others, for the houndstooth-check,

wet-rot, broom-cupboard, oilcloth-plain reason that they had

been thrashed as children and had come to fear the introspective

forever after. Hence the willow’s suppleness in our sentimental

gu+, hence the presumptive mother’s milk of all that codswallop,

hence the gun-room’s grammar book: bunkum!

But now a winter rain beats against the windowpanes, and a win-

ter wind weeps and roars over the skylight of the roof, very Crys-

tal Palace that skylight, always makes me think of Dostoevsky’s

Notes from the Underground, though what has he, even he, had to

say on the subject that is life-saving, what cure has he bequeathed

to me personally, what recipe for salvation from anguish, what

salve for the all-but-bleeding heart? Don’t laugh, Signori Conti,

don’t laugh, gentlemen with whiskers. Vi giuro, non sapete niente

di me. Nor can you possibly have been where I am now, apparent-

ly in a small ,at with a large cast-iron skylight handed down to

the previous owner by the England of con)dent rationalism and

great expectations, but in reality deep within the sacred heart of a

possible ancestor of yours, one who fought in the -ird Crusade,

one who, in the confusion of battle, was left bleeding, vermilion

rose after vermilion rose, into the thirsty roadside dust of Arsuf

after the defeat of Saladin at the hands of the uncircumcised. You

haven’t been there. You’ve never been burnt by the desert sun.

-is is a fact, do you understand me? A noble fact. You can

twist it this way and that, you can spit on it, you can heat it

to ./// degrees Centigrade, or dry-freeze it and have a go at it

with a hammer, you can try to dissolve it in aqua regia, but a

noble fact is an imperiously stainless substance, possessed of

the hardness of diamond and the elasticity of rubber, and it will

never change. Besides, is it really all that shocking, this inert,

immutable, adamantine fact I’ve adduced here? Suppose I said

that not one of you people out there has ever had an original

thought. Would anybody )ght back? Would anyone argue?

No, you would probably answer something like, “You’re quite

right. But let me tell you, I don’t mind. I’m )ne just the way I

am. Now look at the time.”

Or suppose I said, now listen you fellows, I bet you 0./// you’ve

never been in the same room with a woman of awful beauty.

What would you say? You would object, but mildly, groping

for words, hemming and hawing, loosening the neckties, very

much doubting that the bet could ever be won, what with the

vagueness and the little bit of an oxymoron in there, you can’t be

serious, such an infantile thing to say, and what can it possibly

mean awful beauty for God’s sake, and how can anybody ever

agree on a de)nition? Sure, one man in a thousand would go for

it, perhaps, naming some selectively carnivorous ,ytrap or prom-

inently macrobiotic vedette, deciding to stick to his guns, to ride

out the argument to the end, but what then? Being 0./// to the

good is no substitute for inner conviction. And all I can hear you

saying with any kind of aplomb is that roses are red.

I don’t want to be harsh on people, but the emotional life of our

epoch reminds me of central Moscow in the old Soviet days, a

7 8 | 2 ) ) 3 ' *45

time when there was everything. -ere were billboards advertis-

ing cigarettes and the national lottery, there were competent doc-

tors and crooked lawyers, there were chau+eur-driven limousines

and children’s mud-spattered bicycles, there were girl Fridays and

thoughtful academics who knew their Hegel, there were men’s

double-breasted suits with impressively large lapels and dinner

jackets with shiny satin ones, there were smooth-talking men

and hard-to-charm, capricious women, there were eccentric art-

ists and their intriguingly cavernous studios, there were shops

selling seasonal game and live )sh, farmers’ markets, dry cleaners

and delicatessens... -ere was even a kind of praline torte with

three chocolate bears on top, one big and two small ones, called

“-e -ree Bears.” And guess what? It was all a sham.

I don’t mean, of course, that it was a sham for those participat-

ing in it, for all the stage extras in the centrally-planned, centu-

ry-long political production. It was their life-saving duty, after all,

to convince themselves and each other that their experiences were

perfectly real, and hence perfectly deserving of the real emotions

that went with them. Yet knowing what one does, now and then

one cannot suppress a rueful chuckle: “Ah, Grandpa! I can’t believe

how you drooled over those military decorations! And you, Dad!

How you fussed over those three bears on my birthday! Come on,

admit it. You’ve been had, all of you, haven’t you?”

Man lives by caprices, thought Dostoevsky. Yet the entire thrust

of the epoch, which has now reached its culminating point, is

against these insubstantial urges of the soul. None the less, out-

wardly the epoch still bows to them, it still feels the need to dis-

semble, it still cannot proclaim its materialism to be universally

valid, obligatory, and inescapable. As the Muscovites had that

trio of bears, cast in the )nest dark soy mass by the omnipotent

hand of the state, so too does the epoch feel obliged to o+er its

inmates a modicum of respiratory, gustatory illusion.

Hence we have bookshops, and books that resemble bricks of

pressed straw. Hence we have music, which makes the young

dance their Saturday nights away in communal ecstasy. (No,

we have serious music too, of course, we have Covent Garden

and divas with voluptuous bosoms and everything!) Hence we

have struggling painters in quaintly unadorned studios, and )ne

doctors, and crooked lawyers... Hence the photographs of unap-

proachably blond actresses, of dietetically irreproachable models,

of society women said to be beautiful on the covers of popular

magazines, though what does it matter, from the vantage point

of totalitarian rationalism which is the guiding spirit of the ep-

och, whether these women are very beautiful, or just beautiful

enough, or plug-ugly? Like the chocolate bears made of Com-

munist soybeans, they are there to represent human caprice, and

by implication the epoch’s covenant with mankind for tolerating

it. Otherwise there could be panic. Otherwise people might bolt.

Well, I did bolt.

-ere is something I want to say here, but obviously it eludes

me. Is that because I am still distraught and cannot see straight

for the tears? Yes, but also because there is a pall of impotence

that invariably comes to lie on each and every one of my reso-

lutions, no matter how urgent or desperate they are for me as a

writer. Wishing though I do that the prospect of action could be

somehow less daunting, I am not ashamed of this weakness of

mine. No, I recognize that it is in the very nature of art, which,

since the beginning of time, set itself impossible tasks and then

wrung its hands bemoaning its glorious failures. I say glorious,

of course, because our kind of impotence is capable of moving

mountains – provided they are made out of molehills – at the

speed of thought, and of sowing epochal confusion among en-

tire populations more e+ectively than the guillotine. But it is

impotence none the less, because the object of our striving, after

all’s said and done and the resin dust from ballet slippers has

settled on the boards, is not to create but to describe. And this

we cannot do.

Ah, it is a pang of recognition painful enough to make the artist

weep from frustration. Why, of course you can be a god! It is

easy enough to create a world of one’s own, as children make

people and animals from potatoes and matchsticks, as Van Gogh

fashioned his universes and Tolstoy his resurrections. But in the

)nal analysis, that’s just stu+, you see. Stu+ for sale. On the

other hand, try being an adult, try being a man under the om-

nipotent God you believe in, try to stand there, on your puny,

buckling legs, while holding up that massive Rococo mirror – a

2 ) ) 3 ' *45 | ! 7 9

hundredweight of opulent carving and ponderous gilt – in which

the unconfessable re,ects the incontestable. It is thus that the

artist comes to know the sublime weakness of which I speak.

I want to describe a moment. A single moment and a woman’s

face. -at is all, I swear it. But no sooner do I put pen to pa-

per than the weakness comes over me like a viscous dream, and

I begin drowning, su+ocating in its varicoloured possibilities,

sweating at the prospect of getting lost in its endless, labyrin-

thine corridors. -e eyelid of my mind’s eye grows heavier, as

though from a draught of some sopori)c infusion, and a gen-

eral feeling of wooziness, as though one is wading through

cotton wool, makes it di*cult to choose words, to distinguish

colours, to tell left from right and right from wrong, to in-

quire, to explain, to remember. I feel like a traveller freezing

to death – like a man dying of exposure – complete with the

chill, the stupor and the letting go. I see clearly the object I’m

dying to describe, like a ,eshless hologram suspended against

a background of velvet blackness, but my parched lips can-

not move except to mutter, like Dostoevsky’s Prince Myshkin

upon seeing the portrait of Nastasya Filippovna: “Perfection!”

I know I have to write a book, this book, and when it is )nished

I will probably have to tear up the anaemic and barren manu-

script, or burn it, howling with utterly undeserved humiliation.

I don’t want any stu+, you see, any stu+ for sale. I just want the

truth. I want the awful, inner, ultimate truth about that moment

and about that face. I want to )nd the strength to lift up that

heavy mirror, if only for a few seconds, and tilt it towards the

past in such a way that all the phantasms of my own creation

should vanish and God’s own truth should be glimpsed where

now there are only shadows and guile and invention, in other

words, where now there is only art.

Art has already been done. In my native tongue I have written

a cycle of poems with the same title as this book of prose, and

I know that my name, and my reputation as an artist, is now

inseparable from those quixotic spasms. Hence it pains me to

think that the narrative in the pages that follow may be regarded

as a work of )ction, a word which, honestly, is simply too labile

to have ever gained a foothold in literary Russian. Why on earth

should I want, in an inferior medium and in a language other

than that of my childhood, to go over the same fearful ground?

No, this book is not )ction. It isn’t even a novel, really, except

perhaps by association with those essays in lachrymose malev-

olence that Dostoevsky dictated o+ the fraying cu+ in order to

gouge the next bit of gambling money from his ever mistrustful

publishers. Yet in those ravings of his I have seen the natural

illuminations, the re,ections of God’s truth, strong and vivid

enough to displace art in the ornate mirror.

Now, I want you to notice something. -e symptoms of im-

potence – helplessness, numbness, prostration, torpor, voice-

lessness, ataxia – evident in the psychosomatic behaviour of

the artist who has chosen to forsake his art in the cause of

truth are identical to those of what is called love at )rst sight.

Remember Marlowe’s

Where both deliberate, the love is slight;

Who ever loved, that loved not at )rst sight?

Because once the artist has found the courage to look it straight

in the face, the splendour of naked reality – God’s reality, not the

sequined blouse of one’s own preposterous design draped over

the wax shoulders of one’s most recent invention – is immolating

and immobilising. And so he stares and stammers.

Cat got his tongue.

Olga, do you recognize me? Let me try saying it now without

using my tongue.

“How much energy you expend to appear soulless,” I chided her

one day. “No more,” she replied with a glance at the disordered

dressing table, taking her time between lines of coke, con)dent

and elegant like eyebrows pencilled in by an ageing movie star,

“than do you to discover whether or not you have a soul.”

8 0 | 2 ) ) 3 ' *45

When I think of what separated us, oddly enough this is the

)rst logical obstacle I see in my mind. God, who advanced

the doctrine of the categorical imperative many centuries be-

fore Immanuel Kant, did not suppose that sadism and mas-

ochism – as these two of the myriad human caprices came to

be known, initially in clinical literature and later in common

parlance – were mainstream enough to warrant a footnote in

the Scripture. Yet the commandment to do unto others as you

would have them do unto you is absurd without the underly-

ing assumption that a uni)ed ethical system, which predates

the commandment, has long been in place. -us the idea that

God so loved the world that he sacri)ced his only son for its

sake falls ,at if one supposes that God loved his son no more

than did Russia’s Ivan IV, called Grozny, “-e Terrible Man,”

or Iosif Dzhugashvili, called Stalin, “-e Man of Steel,” both

of whom sent their sole-begotten sons to certain death, not for

the world’s sake, but simply because they did not love them

very much. -e belief that Christ’s own parent, Who Art in

Heaven, was di+erent, is what makes a Christian a Christian.

Both were Christians, of course, Ivan the reigning tsar and Sta-

lin the runaway priest. But, albeit for dissimilar reasons, the

fashion for love – in other words, for sentiment de)ned by a

system of values that could just as easily apply to the relation-

ship between man and woman as to the bond of father and son

– touched neither. One was a local brute who reigned on the

outskirts of Europe, far removed from the world of European

fashion. -e other was a totalitarian ruler who jettisoned Eu-

ropean fashion, together with all its sentiments and pieties, in

order to conquer Europe. Unlike Abraham, whose sole-begot-

ten Isaac was a late and greatly beloved child, neither thought

love was all that important in the general scheme of things.

If the father did not truly love the son, then the story told

in the Gospels is either religious propaganda or worse,

a global political provocation. Without that truth, there

is no Christianity. Yet what is subject to proof in fairy-

tales about princes and frogs is left unproven here, as if

the mere assertion that God so loved the world were su*-

cient. Well, Shakespeare based the whole tragedy of King

Lear on the inability of a love that is proven to give ex-

pression to itself. What, then, of a love that is not proven?

-e miracles worked by Christ are witnessed and attested to in

the Gospels with the exhaustive precision of a juridical proof,

yet at the centre of it all, where the cornerstone of the Christian

world view ought to be, there is nothing. Like Cordelia, God

will not heave his heart into his mouth. But why should a believ-

er have more trouble believing that the loaves fed the thousands,

or that the lame took up their pallets and walked, than that the

God who made such things possible was a loving father?

Well, nobody would ever doubt a mother’s love. -e fashion for

love must have begun with veneration of the woman whom I

addressed in my prayers, or else why would our most miraculous

icons, for nearly a millennium the holy images of the Ortho-

dox confession, be images of her? As I said, I had bolted. -en

a year passed, then a month, then another, and this is what I

found myself saying one day, as the rain came down and the

wind beat on the windowpanes, while kneeling before the small

icon on which, in faint Cyrillic ochre, was the appellation,

HOLY: MOTHER OF GOD: JOY OF ALL THAT SORROW.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

"#$%&'!()*%+,+*Born in Moscow, educated in the United States, and now living

in Italy, for the past eight years has been working on a trilogy of

novels. !e "rst part, Awful Beauty: Confessions of a Coward,

he likens to Dante’s Inferno. Earthly Love: A Day in the Life of a

Hypocrite is, consequently, his Purgatorio, while Incredible Trust:

When the Liar Falls Silent is the Paradiso of the trilogy. An exclu-

sive for the readers of Ccercle, the excerpt here is from the opening

pages of Awful Beauty.

2 ) ) 3 ' *45 | ! 8 1

f r om Un ite d St a te s

A R O U N D T H E W O R L D

!"#$%&'&()*#+'),$-().''/),)01&-2)3$'4'$,5*6),)717%*,$)1.'!()&,6&),$-#&-)

Jame s Hof f , SKYWIPER

C A L L I C O O N F I N E A R T S G A L L E R Y

1 2 4 F O R S Y T H S T , L O W E R E A S T S I D E , N Y C

8 2 | 8 & & % ' )9:

D R A P E D C O T T O N ! P O P L I N T O P

A modern twist on a classic white shirt, this draped cotton-poplin top by New

York based designer Prabal Gurung will instantly refresh your favourite essentials.

Fully lined in smooth silk adds to the luxury. Gurung was chosen by the fash-

ion industry’s leading editors, retailers, designers and business experts for one of

the highly coveted design studios at the CFDA Fashion Incubator for "#$#-"#$".

N E W Y O R K A R T L O F T ! " # $ % & ' % (

An abundance of art worth %"# million &lled into one luxurious, New York loft apartment. 'e building itself dates back to $(#(, with

ceiling-high Corinthian columns and a $)th century stone &replace. 'e art consists of works by master artisans such as Ramon Canet,

George Nakashimi and Emilio Sanchez – –making this the perfect example of where the modern art world meets tradition and history.

Evan Joseph is the premiere luxury architectural and lifestyle

photographer in New York City and beyond. He works closely with the

world's most elite brands in real estate and interior design to create

images of exquisite spaces and places which evoke drama and pique desire

! ( ( ) $ *+, | ! 8 3

Belmond Grand HOT EL EU ROPE

f r om Rus s ia

8 4 | ! " " # $ %&'

I V A N G O R S C H K O V

!is month, Moscow has it’s Annual Art Fair rounding of this

year’s diary of key events for art buyers and sellers alike. How-

ever, those touching down at Domodedovo missed one of the

most interesting art installations Russians have ever seen.

With his "air for causing controversy, Ivan Gorshkov has just

mocked those who like to store their art for centuries. !e artist,

who like Tracey Emin, has built his reputation by deploying

one shock tactic after another, has just held a one day edible art

exhibition, entitled King Pate.

As a result, the phrase “ gorge on art” acquires a new cult status.

!e idea behind the exhibition was that every art piece was to

be devoured during the show. Here are some of the weird and

wonderful sculptures he created. !e sell-out show was held at the

famous restaurant. To achieve the looks he wanted the artist col-

laborated with one of the capital’s top chefs. Vladimir Schetinin,

the head chef of “O’Hara” restaurant. Here are some of the con-

coctions and sculpture… My favourite is the vodka fountain.

D R A P E D C O T T O N # P O P L I N T O P

Ulyano Seegeenko has an unusual background. Her $rst experience of the Paris fashion show was as a photographer. She turned up in

her own creations and the rest is history. She now counts the likes of Lady Gaga, Dita Von Teese and Beyonce among her customers..

Every single one of Sergeenko’s collections comes with its own romantic story — train travel, fairy tales, American literature — and exquisite

craftsmanship. Her eponymous label employs hundreds of Russian artisans who hand-stitch her bespoke creations. When you consider her

$rst introduction to “fashion” was the Soviet Union’s Feminine Worker and Countryside Woman, her ascendancy is all the more remarkable.

! " " # $ %&' | ! 8 5

f r om Europe

Buck led up!

N E N I

If you want to experience Zurich beyond banking, chocolate and watches the NENI restaurant at !"hours Hotel Zurich West can

o#er a stylish and lively alternative. With their so called tongue-in-cheek humour they attract people longing for a new experience

when visiting switzerland's biggest city. $e israel inspired dishes are lovingly put together by star cook Haya Molcho whose pas-

sion for cooking comes primarily from preparing meals for her four sons. $is also re%ects in the restaurants name as their initials

(Nuriel, Elior, Nadiv and Ilan) serve as the four letters.

S E N S U A L W I N T E R

$e french perfume house Dyptique has come out with

this seasons Holiday collection - much to the satisfac-

tion of our olfactory senses. $e elaborate design is a

result of the collaboration with french artist collective

“Qubo Gas”. As usual three full sized candles and a

mini-set will be available. $e scents include Résine,

Hiver and Épice. A hommage to the unforgettable win-

ters from our childhood memories.

2 5 H O U R S H O T E L Z Ü R I C H W E S T , P F I N G S T W E I D S T R A S S E 1 0 2 ! Z Ü R I C H

! " " # $ %&' | ! 8 7

JETSETTING

!!

f r om Ch i na

A I W E I W E I

Chinese contemporary artist AI WEI WEI will give his !rst

major show in the UK after being unable to leave China since

"#$$. It is con!rmed that he will !ll the main Burlington

House galleries of London’s Royal Academy next autumn.

%e size of the exhibition won’t be unlike the current Anselm

Kiefer and past David Hockney or Anish Kapoor show. Tim

Marlow tells the Guardian: “He has claim to be amongst the

most famous, if not the most famous artist in the world, but

his art is not as widely seen as one might think”.

It is sure the exhibition will be an absolute must see for art

fanatics all around the world and will keep us curiously wait-

ing on our toes until coming autumn.

R O Y A L A C A D E M Y O F A R T S

B U R L I N G T O N H O U S E

P I C C A D I L L Y ! L O N D O N

I S O L A

Located in the IFC tower, Isola will stun you with its chic inte-

riors and expanded view of Hong Kong’s Harbour. %e con-

cept is described as “a stylish Italian restaurant” and also o&ers

outdoor dining on a large terrace. Although Isola is certainly a

luxury restaurant it manages to keep a rustic feel, by preparing

their food on the grill in an open kitchen.

I F C M A L L , 1 H A R B O U R V I E W S T

H O N G K O N G

! " " # $ %&' | ! 8 9

T H E L A K E Pala ce Udaipur

f rom I nd ia

2 1 S E T T I N G S U N S B Y S U B O D H K E R K A R

Installation art is becoming increasingly popular on the Indian art scene the last few years, bursting with dynamism, color and chaos that are so

distinctive. Gone are the days when art spoke softly in moderated tones, and India is fast becoming globally recognized as the master of bold art.

S I K K I M T E M I T E A

Sikkim Temi is acclaimed as one of the best tea

producers in India, and the Temi Tea Garden is

the only estate in the tiny Himalayan Kingdom of

Sikkim — Making this a truly treasured !nd. "e

tea garden produces rare, high-grown teas, loved

around the world for it’s re!ned golden colour and

sweet taste. "e First Flush Black tea is a sophis-

ticated, fragrant aroma of summer peaches, with

subtle taste hints of citrus. Refreshingly smooth.

! " " # $ %&' | ! 9 1

I N C O N V E R S A T I O N W I T H

LUCY Dought y

!"#$%%&##'$()"&*+,-+./((0"1/(/.%&2"*/33-/4&"/.2",5&."#$22&.(0"1&%/*&"6-2+6&2)"*0"6+3(2"/.2"/((",5/,"7"8.&6"%3$*1(&2"-."/"5&/3,1&/,9"!',&3",5-#",3/4&20)"7"5/2"/"#&.#&"+'"&*:,-.&##"-.#-2&"+'"*&;"!,"*0"2/38&#,"5+$3)"7"5&/32",5-#"<+-%&"%+.#,/.,(0"-."*0"5&/2)"3&/##$3-.4"*&",5/,"7"6/#".+,"/(+.&"/.2",5/,"7"2-2"*/,,&3;"7,"8&:,"#/0-.4)"=0+$"/3&",5&":+##-1-(-,0"+'"65/,"%/."1&)"&*13/%&",5&"5/::-.&##"0+$"#5/3&2)"/#"*/.0"6-((".&<&3"3&/%5"-."/"(-'&,-*&"65/,"0+$"5/<&;"

*0":3-+3-,-&#"/.2".+,"1&"/:+(+4&,-%;"7><&"#&,"*0":3-+3-,-&#"?"*0"%5-(23&.)"*0"'/*-(0)"*0"3&#:+.#-1-(-,-&#"/.2"*0"'+3&<&3"#:-3-,$/("2-<-.&"4$-2/.%&;"!#"7"3&:&/,&2(0"/#8",5&"@$&#,-+.)""

=7"8.+6",5-.4#"2+.>,"5/::&.",+"*&)",5&0"5/::&."'+3"*&;"A5&0"&.(-45,&."*&;""B+)"65/,"-#",5&":$3:+#&CD"7,"*/0"#&&*"(-8&"/."+22"@$&#,-+.)"1$,"/#"7"4+",53+$45"(-'&)"7".&<&3"

6/.,",+"(++#&"#-45,"+'",5&",3$,5"+'"*0"&E-#,&.%&"?"#+"7"2/3&2",+"#-*:(0"1&"*0#&('9

9 2 | 7 # # $ & "FG

Y O U S A Y T H E W O R D ‘ D A R E ’ . W H A T

M A K E S A D A R I N G W O M A N ? A daring wom-

an has vision, commitment, strength, compassion, and a total

lack of fear. Because at one point, she has been blind, weak and

afraid. She's aware of her !aws and knows that she's no greater

than the thoughts she thinks.

T E L L U S A B O U T T H E D O U G H T Y F A M !

I L Y F O U N D A T I O N … Six years ago, my belated hus-

band (Nigel Doughty RIP) and I founded "e Doughty Family

Foundation, with the aim of supporting community projects,

through health and education.

We help the most vulnerable of children to have a better

start in life. We empower women to realize their greatest po-

tential. We support small and large projects that contribute

to a better world. To name a few:

In the UK: Mercia Doughty pre-operative and Endoscopy wing

in Nottinghamshire UK and Doughty Centre for Childline.org

(the NSPCC's child's voice appeal calling centre). In the Domin-

! " " # $ %&' | ! 9 3

ican Republic: Mercia Doughty Paediatric Oncology Wing and

Nigel Doughty Paediatric Oncology Intensive Care Unit.

As a trustee of !eirworld and an advocate for A World at School,

I'm incredibly proud of the journey that all of our projects takes us.

A World at School is rapidly expanding, with a new digital plat-

form for youth activism and online campaigning for universal

education. It o"ers co-ordination to a movement of global youth

and concerned citizens who want to see the #$ million out-of-

school children in education and learning.

!e Global Business Coalition for Education, leaded by for-

mer UK Prime Minister RHT Gordon Brown, and UN Spe-

cial Envoy for Global Education bring together some of the

world’s largest businesses and brands, to help ensure all chil-

dren are in school and learning. We believe that education is

a birthright of every child and the key to expanding opportu-

nity and future employment.

H O W D O Y O U E M P O W E R Y O U N G W O M !

E N ? !roughout history, women have done things di"erently.

When we need to get something done, we do it together. With each

generation, our story has spread wider, our voices braver and more

powerful. But the journey is far from over! A child born to a literate

mother is #%& more likely to survive past age #. Educated moth-

ers are twice as likely to send their child to school and girls with

eight years of education are less likely to be married as children.

!anks to technology, women across the world have the abili-

ty to connect in ways unimaginable. !eirworld, Girl Rising,

Up for School and !e Doughty Foundation via Umbrella

Fund connect a growing movement of many who want to see

change. Millions of voices call for girl’s empowerment. I be-

lieve that the root of our world issues, social injustice, domes-

tic violence, child abuse and, subsequently, child labor, all

start with the lack of education.

Education should not be a privilege. It is a Birthright. And

together, through the acts of daring women around the

world, we can make this possible.

9 4 | ! " " # $ %&'

WALTON CASTLE

!"#$%&'(")$#*'+)'"',-$.'(*&$/01'20"3*'44'#+)$*3'50%5*0$1'+&'6%0$.'7%8*0)*$'9+$.':#%0+%/)';<='3*:0**'>+*9)'%>*0'<'?%/&$+*)'"&3'"?0%))'$.*'@0+)$%#'(."&&*#'$%'!"#*)

!"#$%&'"#()*%"&$"&$)+)%,)-%,%*.$'"#$/011%&234$0+0&*34$3056#0$/0070&1$-#0)73$"#$0+0&$)$*0&)&5.8$#)%305392()%,:5"(

A.*'/#$+8"$*'B*)$+>*'5"0 $1'.%/)*C;<=0$>6&1).$<0,02#)?=@

P L A C E S

DR A K ENSTEIN ST UD FA R M!"#$%&'(%)&*+(,-*./01")'%'*234*5%.(#"%'*/6*7#&-8*')(,#(%-*/&*(5%*7/9%"*'7/1%'*/6*(5%*

:;<"0#")&'*=)&%*>'(#(%?*@&*2ABB*C%#&*D/)8*#*E,F,%&/(*6"/0*:/,"0#")&8*G"/H%&.%8*

*

*

*

*

9 6 | @ ' ' , % *IA

Trippi – Champion Sire in Florida and Champion First

Crop Sire in South Africa. The leading South African sire

by International Earnings

@ ' ' , % *IA | ! 9 7

What A Winter – Twice Champion Sprinter of South

Africa running in his paddock

D R A K E N S T E I N S T A L L I O N SDrakenstein Stud is home to !ve internationally

recognised stallions – Duke of Marmalade, Trippi,

What a Winter, Horse Chestnut and Philanthropist.

Trippi was the !rst stallion to stand at Drakenstein

and currently commands the highest fee.

Duke of Marmalade was European Champion

Older Horse and the winner of " Group #

races in England, Ireland and France.

Horse Chestnut is considered one of the

greatest racehorses ever to race locally

and he, along with What a Winter, were

crowned Champions in South Africa.

Finally, Philanthropist who raced in the USA,

was successful in Canada, before Drakenstein

Stud purchased a controlling interest in him.

9 8 | @ ' ' , % *IA

@ ' ' , % *IA | ! 9 9

VILLA MANGIACANE

Located just !"km south of Florence, Mangiacane

is set within #$$ acres of f lourishing vineyards

and olive groves. The private estate produces

award winning wines and a distinctive olive oil,

which you can taste and enjoy during your stay.

The classic beauty of Mangiacane combined

with its history, art, and idyllic countryside

setting creates the perfect backdrop for a Tuscan

wedding, unforgettable holiday or exclusive

rental. Luxurious facilities complement the

private villa, two swimming pools, unique

sculpture gardens and breathtaking Tuscan views

of the Duomo in Florence.

A stay at Mangiacane allows for easy exploration

to Florence, San Gimignano, or the magnificent

city of Siena. Come and experience our warm

hospitality where you will experience the joy of

modern day convenience, seamlessly combined

with the splendour of the Renaissance.

!"#$%&#%&'($#)*#$%&#+,"&-'.,"/#(&/,)"#)*#0%,'"$,#01'22,3)4#5,11'#

67$%#3&"$8(9#:,11'#;8,1$#;9#$%&#<'3%,':&11,#*'-,194#;&'(,"/#$%&#8"-,2$'.';1&#%'"=#)*#$%&#>&"',22'"3&#-'2$&(4#<,3%&1'"/&1)?

1 0 0 | ! 2 2 8 & #@A

! 2 2 8 & #@A | ! 1 0 1

P L A C E S T O S T A Y

1 0 2 | ! " " # $ %&'

T H E M A Y F A I R( ) * + ) *

T H E S A V O Y( ) * + ) *

B U L G A R I H O T E L( ) * + ) *

T H E B E A U M O N T( ) * + ) *

G R A N D H O T E L S A V O I A , ) - . / * 0 % + 123 4 $ 5 5 )

C R I S T A L L O H O T E L S P A & G O L F / , ) - . / * 0 % + 123 4 $ 5 5 )

F O U R S E A S O N S H O T E L6 7 ) - $ * 8 $

H O T E L H E L V E T I A & B R I S T O L / 6 7 ) - $ * 8 $

A L P E S D U P R A L O N G , ) # - 8 9 $ : $ 7

T H E C O N N A U G H T( ) * + ) *

S O F I T E L S T J A M E S( ) * + ) *

T H E P E N I N S U L A; 0 - / "

L E M E U R I C E; 0 - / "

H Y A T T P A R I S M A D E L E I N E ; 0 - / "

H O T E L M A N A L I , ) # - 8 9 $ : $ 7

L ' A P O G E E, ) # - 8 9 $ : $ 7

H O T E L D E V E N D O M E; 0 - / "

G R A N D H Y A T T H O T E LM A R T I N E Z / , 0 * * $ "

H O T E L C O S T E S; 0 - / "

J W M A R R I O T T, 0 * * $ "

P A R K H Y A T T P A R I S V E N D O M E / ; 0 - / "

H O T E L S A N R E G I S; 0 - / "

L E M E T R O P O L E < ) * . $ % , 0 - 7 )

F A I R M O N T< ) * . $ % , 0 - 7 )

M O N T E C A R L O B A Y< ) * . $ % , 0 - 7 )

B U L G A R I H O T E L < / 7 0 *

H O T E L S A V O Y6 7 ) - $ * 8 $

W E S T I N E X C E L S I O R

6 7 ) - $ * 8 $

! " " # $ %&' | ! 1 0 3

C A R L T O N H O T E L= . > % < ) - / . 5

T H E A L P I N A? " . 0 0 +

K U L M H O T E L= . > % < ) - / . 5

C H E D I H O T E L2 * + $ - 3 0 . .

K E M P I N S K I G R A N D H O T E L D E S B A I N S / = . > % < ) - / . 5

W H O T E L@ $ - A / $ -

B A D R U T T ’ S P A L A C E= . > % < ) - / . 5

F O U R S E A S O N S H O T E L D E S B E R G U E S / ? $ * $ : 0

L E R I C H E M O N D? $ * $ : 0

P A L A C E? " . 0 0 +

L A R E S E R V E? $ * $ : 0

G R A N D H O T E L P A R K? " . 0 0 +

W E S T I N H O T E L E U R O P A & R E G I N A / @ $ * / 8 $

P R I N C I P E D I S A V O I A< / 7 0 *

H O T E L M O N A C O & G R A N D C A N A L / @ $ * / 8 $

B A U E R H O T E L@ $ * / 8 $

B E A U ! R I V A G E? $ * $ : 0

A R M A N I H O T E L< / 7 0 *

G R A N D H O T E L E T D E M I L A N / < / 7 0 *

F O U R S E A S O N S H O T E L< / 7 0 *

P A R K H Y A T T < / 7 0 *

H I L T O N M O L I N O S T U C K Y@ $ * / 8 $

E X C E L S I O R H O T E L G A L L I A< / 7 0 *

H O T E L D ’ A N G L E T E R R E? $ * $ : 0

M A N D A R I N O R I E N T A L ? $ * $ : 0

G I A R D I N O M O U N T A I N= . > % < ) - / . 5

I N T E R C O N T I N E N T A L? $ * $ : 0

L E G R A N D B E L L E V U E? " . 0 0 +

C O N N E C T I N G C I R C L E S

!""#$%&"'()*"+#"'*(,"+'*"-#,."/(,,&01"2(,"($."!03"1-*4+"5(67"+-#".*6(.*18"9*+"%##1*"#$"+'*"-#,%.:"3&"4(,*$+1"5##7*."3*";$"#$"+'*"+-*$+;*+'<)*,1;#$"*=>;)(%*$+"#?"+'*"!+(%;($"@#>,8"@#A*+'*,"-;+'"#+'*,"*B6;+(5%*"-;%."C#>$A"

ALLUREHARRY'S BAR

The of

1 0 4 | ! 1 1 > * "DE

In Venice we made a night visit to St.Mark’s to view the rich art

collection of Count Vittorio Cini. A week later, we squelched

the night away at the Venice Carnival, chortling at the elabo-

rate costumes and masks of local Venetians.

To our astonishment, the more acrobatic inclined maneouvred

their way around on stilts to avoid the toe-wetting and drench-

ing that is part of the Venice experience.

Moving South down to Florence, we visited the U!zi and Acca-

demia before descending in a gaggle on Via de’ Tornabuoni. Here

in a mixture of frustration and admiration, we gazed at the sensa-

tional window displays of - amongst others - Gucci, Emilio Pucci,

Versace, Pomellato, Roberto Cavalli, Ti"any & Co, and Cartier.

In Rome we imagined ourselves wearing togas in the Collosseum

(I was a student of the Classics) and were shown around the Borgh-

ese Gallery, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s Stanze.

Despite all these visual feasts however, the real draw was the

boundless opportunities presented us to visit the iconic hotels and

bars in Venice and beyond. And, for us, that meant two places -

either the magic of Cipriani or the legendary Harry’s Bar.

And so to Harry’s Bar. Harry’s Bar has enjoyed a legendary sta-

tus for generations. In #$%& Giuseppi Cipriani created the drink,

inspired by the #'th-century Venetian painter Giovanni Bellini.

We were no di"erent... Like many others, we were drawn in by

the air of intrigue created by habituees such as Hemingway and

Orson Welles.

We spent all that we could on our Bellinis - simply to be able to

say: “We came here. We were there” and, of course, so as we

could claim that we had tasted the cocktail in its birthplace.

Fittingly, given the love people attach to Harry’s Bar, the Bellini and

its atmosphere is no longer just to be found in Venice. (e name

went cosmopolitan, choosing other prime locations such as London

and Paris. (ese pictures are from the London Bar which is now a

private members club. (is of course only adds to the allure.

(e idea was that their beloved elder daughter should not wander

the dark alleys of Europe or Asia unaccompanied, prone to every

temptation imaginable. Hence the chaperoning and the promise

to turn teenagers into art connoisseurs.

Over the next few months, with various stops on the way, we clat-

tered and chattered our way round Venice, Florence and Rome.

We were culture vultures during the day and then left to our own

devices in the evening. ( Which of course is when I )rst got to

know about Harry’s Bar.)

! 1 1 > * "DE | ! 1 0 5

S O C I A L S E A S O N

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz

Ludacris and Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx, Bethenny Frankel, Jeff Gordon and Ingrid Vanderbosch

Star Jones, Ethan Zohn, Ivana Trump and Denise Rich

Lauren Roberts,!Elias Sacal, Lucia Hwong Gordon and Hormoz Sabet

Alisa Roever, Brent Nicklas

and Tina Storper

Loraine Schwartz and Blake Lively

Nile RogersTommy Hilfiger and Dee Ocleppo Peter Cervinka and Denise Rich

Sofia Vergara and Ofira Sandberg

The Denise Rich Black Tie Angel Ball benefit was held at the Cipriani Wall Street, all in the name of fighting cancer. An evening to not forget.

A NGE L BA L L! " # $ % & ' ( % # ) ' * +

Sofia Vergara

1 0 6 | , ( ( - % #./

Tina Knowles and Richard Lawson

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds

Josh lucasBrittany Daniel

Kris Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Hailey Baldwin Deborah Hung and Alisa Roever

Star Jones, Kris Jenner and Donna De Cruz

Michelle Rodriguez

Loraine Schwartz and kids survived cancer

Laura Nicklas, Alisa Roever, Dovile Drizyte and Michelle Rella

Paris and Nicky Hilton

Selenis Leyva, Denise Rich and friend

! " " # $ %&' | ! 1 0 7

Hublot in partnership with Haute Living hosted an intimate dinner followed by a party at the famed Casa de Suenos Estate in Miami Beach, the home of JR and Loren Ridinger.

H U BLOT! " # " $ % & ' " ( ) & % ' * ( ' ) + % , ) - % & * . / & ( 0 ) & ' ) 1 % ' ) - & ( " # ) + * & 2 *

Usain Bolt

Abrima Erwiah, Edoardo Francia and Rosario Dawson

Mr Brainwash and Eva Longoria

Mr Brainwash and Ricardo Guadalupe

Miley Cyrus, Eva Longoria and friends JR and Loren Ridinger

Eugenio Lopez and Erica Pelosini

Eva Longoria

Rick DeLaCroix, Kamal Hotchandani, Mr Brainwash, Eva Longoria and Ricardo Guadalupe

1 0 8 | 3 ( ( 4 " )56

Jean Todt, Veronica Chou-Klyuchareva, guest and Charles Zhang

Rebecca Fang, Ted Veners, Kara Carscaden and Surinder Singh Thatthi

Veronica Chou-Klyuchareva and Evgeny Klyucharev

Rafael Serrano, Evgeny Klyucharev, Jean Todt, Ana Aznar Botella, Alejandro Agag and Jay Penske

Veronica Chou-Klyuchareva,Bao Bao Wan, Inno Xie, Roksana Ciurysek, Formula E drivers and guests

Rafael Serrano, Jay Penske, Alejandro Agag and Evgeny Klyucharev

!e best sporting day to be a part of this year — the morning consisted of spectating the Formula E, followed by Ccercle cover girl hosting an after party at her home in Pangu, Beijing.

FOR M U L A E! " # $ % & ' ( ) * + # , - ' .

/0 0 . % #12 | ! 1 0 9

Ravishing and regal, La Mamounia hotel is set in royal gardens, styles with Moorish opulence. !is den of decadence became the perfect venue for the lavish party of the Bohbot family.

M A R R A K ECH! " # $ % & ' ( % # ) & * ! & +

Katy Bohbot and Souad Hmicha

Maria Pistelli, Carol Asscher, Eda Akbay and friends

Mady Abaida and Souad Hmicha

Monique Hollinger, Katy Bohbot and Andrea Dibellius

Patricia Malka, Ruth Nevesny, Katy Bohbot, Monique Hollinger and Thomas Hollinger

Makram Azar, Andrea Dibellius and Georges Bohbot Olivier Bizon, Carol Asscher and friend

Sandra Decaux, Orlando and Nicole Weimberg

George Bohbot, Olivier Bizon and OrlandoCarol Asscher and Olivier Bizon

Vittorio Colombo, Eva Potel and Mady Abaida

Paola Alcolei, Claude Ott and Elizabeth Hirschman

George Bohbot, Anne Marie Graft and Isabelle Getreide

Bourake and Eda Narin Akbay

Stephane Ruffier Mercay, Sebastian Peiffert and Isabelle Getreide

1 1 0 | , - - . % #/0

!e 1930’s House and Garden on the !ompson Miami Beach proved to be the perfect backdrop to the luxurious event, a stunning setting designed to evoke the spirit of the Roger Dubuis Diva.

ROGE R DU BU IS! " # " $ % & ' " ( ) * % ' ) + & ( " # ) , - & . -

DJ Hannah Bronfman

Jean-Marc Pontroue, CEO of RogerDubuis and Stephanie Seymour

Stephanie Seymour

Karolina Kurkova and Gerard Butler

Alvaro Maggini and Elena Barmakova

Jean-Marc Pontroue, Gerard Butler and the Bald Eagle man

Peter Brant and Russell SimmonsDaphne Guinnessand Karolina Kurkova

Eva Longoria and the Bald Eagle man

/ ( ( 0 " )12 | ! 1 1 1

SHOPPING!"#$%

&&&$'#()*+,

-.%#$/.0$1)*+,

,#2-(+34(%0(+)*+,

/025-.#)*+,

*4..0%#)*+,

%-#%%#(54.)*+,

4.(+2-$62+)*+,

4%1-(7')*+,

4342+,)*+,

5+8-.9)*+,

10/2+%)*+,

,-.#-54:.4.4$)*+,

,-;'-$8,+3)*+,

<-(4.-#)*+,

.4(4*-+3#22-)*+,

.#*1-.9,#224)*+,

.+54.90/0#$)*+,

$#11)+.5

342$3+#.)*+,

34.$+$'#(*-.4)*+,

!!!skin

Artis Elite

Artisan de la Tru"e

Avrone Sunglasses & Eyewear

Bulgari

Cerruti

Champagne Taittinger

Erno Laszlo

Ethan K

Eve Lom

Goyard

Hublot

Maison Michel

Maison Moreau

Mariage Frères

Max Kasymov

Panerai

Piaget

René Caovilla

Richard Mille

Roger Dubuis

SIHH

Van Cleef & Arpels

Velsvoir

Verso Skincare

1 1 2 | = $ $ 0 4 !>?