L'Apartement De Monsieur Lagerfeld

The Splendor of Motu Tane

" Never before had I seen waters the color of the rainbow or like fireworks, springing right out of some maddened imagination, or from Gaugin's own palette. Waters the color of bronze, of copper, gold, silver, mother-of-pearl, pearl, jade, emeralds, moonlight or the aurora borealis. The stars themselves seemed to have fallen to the sea, scintillating brilliantly on the lagoon's surface, in bright sunlight, who could find the right words,what poet images,what painter even colors , to describe the scene? I give up."

Paul Emile Victor, a French Explorer's impression on seeing Bora Bora for the first time from the cockpit of an airplane in 1958. He retired to Bora Bora and lived in Motu Tane.

Motu Tane island lies across the channel from Bora Bora, owned by renowned french make-up artist François Nars with interiors by Christian Liagre. This stunning island can accommodate up to 20 guests and is rented to only one party of guests at a time.

The island has all that you would expect, a chef to cook divine and fresh meals, in the garden under hundreds of coconut tress, beach barbeque's, torch-lit dinners and Tahitian feasts with those incredible dance groups. Snorkeling the crystal clear waters to discover the phenomenal array of colors, local massages with the unforgettable fragrance of Monoi oil, paddle board, windsurf and even for those who can't bear to live without there is a gym and flat screen tv's in the rooms.

From the pictures you can just use your imagination on how unforgettable this place would be. I would just stare at the the beauty all day long, swim,eat, sleep and have a big perma smile all day and night. One on my list of places to see, still have not done Polynesia and this would be just perfect, anyone interested in renting it? The only shock is the price but understandably, its a trip of a lifetime, see the website for more info.

Bon Voyage xo

Resources,

www.motutaneisland.com

www.narscosmetics.com

www.vogue.com

Master Illustrator Antonio Lopez

  This is the hot book of the month of the Master Fashion Illustrator Antonio Lopez.

He was born in Puerto Rico on Feb 11th 1943 but raised in Harlem. His mother a seamstress would ask him to draw flowers for her embroideries and he also helped his father who made mannequins to apply make up and stitch their wigs. At the age of 12 Antonio was awarded a scholarship to the Traphagen School of Fashion that had children's programmes, then in high school he was encouraged to attend the High School of Art & Design. His studies continued at The Fashion Institute of Technology. His career as a fashion Illustrator was born, and his talent was immense.

In the early 60's he began free lancing after working in newspapers for fashion Magazines such as Vogue, Harper Bazaar, Elle and Andy Warhol's Interview. In the 70's he moved to Paris with his creative partner Juan Ramos , the duo became a dynamic force in the world of Fashion. With their innovative rich Illustrations ,  Karl Lagerfeld, Gianni Versace and Yves Saint Laurent were just some of the designers who collaborated with them. Lopez launched the careers of models Jerry Hall, Jessica Lange, Grace Jones and others.

This is just a small round up of the talents of Antonio Lopez, this book is filled with his illustrations, paintings, mixed media journals and more. He lived a very creative , fun, and full life, and charmed so many. His legend is encapsulated in this wonderful book,Well done to the Authors Mauricio & Roger Padilha and Rizzoli publishing house who  reignited his mastery for all of us who did not get a chance to know him.

Hope they do an exhibition London of all his work. The book can be ordered on Amazon, not yet released in England.

What an Illustrious Life  xo

Images via

www.theantoniolopezbook.com

The Light Aquatic

Aqua Creations Lighting & Furniture Atelier was founded in 1994 by designer-artist Ayala Serfaty who completed her degrees in Fine Arts at the Bezalel Academy of art in Design in Jerusalem and then at Middlesex Polytechic in London. Well known for her art creations Ayala and her husband Photographer Albi Sefaty collaborated to evolve their talents to develop Aqua Creations a Lighting & Furniture Atelier.

Based out of Tel Aviv where their pieces are all handmade by their team of skilled artisans who use their craft to create such unique pieces. They create, manufacture and design all out of these headquarters.

I am especially fascinated by the Light designs, there is something so modern but yet so soft to each piece, for some reason I see them as creatures from the universe both below in the depths of our oceans and above in our galaxies. They make me dream and escape into these worlds.. These magnetic pieces can be commissioned for a home, apartment, hotel, restaurant  I imagine they would blend in well with any type of lanscape sea, mountain, desert or snow. Fun to play around with and use your imagination with various colour and shape choices you will be surely transported to their world. 

I am floating xo

To commission a piece, Aqua Creations can be contacted in their offices in Tel Aviv or their Showroom in New york City,

Aqua Creations Head Offices

29 Ben Zvi road, Tel Aviv 68103, Israel

Telephone. +972 3 5151 222

Fax. +972 3 5151 223

Aqua Creations USA

200 Lexington Avenue, Suite #427

New York, NY 10016, USA

Telephone. +1 212 219 9922

Fax. +1 212 219 4042

All images via 

Aqua Gallery

Cabin Fever II

Winter Glow photo by Pawel Kucharski

Yellowstone Club Montana

Chalet Angora Megeve

Chalet La Tene Val D'Isere

Chalet Atlantique Courchevel

Drinks at Fire Pit via Tumblr

Cosy Cabin via Tumblr

Chalet Grande Corniche Les Gets

Chalet Shatoosh Megeve

Chalet Savana Megeve

Chalet Cyanella Megeve

All aboard the Snow Train via Pinterest

Chalet Tigre Megeve

Chalet Floralie Saint Martin Belleville

Chalet Brickell Megeve

Chalet Bellevue Courchevel

Vintage skies via Pinterest

Chalet Les Anges Zermatt

Chalet Tigre Megeve

Chalet Angora Megeve

Boston Cream Pie via Pinterest

Chalet  Maldeghem Klosters

Chalet Cyanella Megeve

Chalet Shatoosh Megeve

Majestic Snow Leopard via Tumblr

Chalet Maldeghem Klosters

Chalet Silk Megeve

Chalet Savana Megeve

Chalet Lampas Megeve

Swiss Chalet via Pinterest

Heavenly Snow via Pinterest

Hurricane Ridge Sunrise Photo by Kevin McNeal

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." Albert Camus

Its that time of year again, tomorrow is the Winter Solstice and the end of the Mayan Calendar, fear not as it is just the dawning of a new era and beginning of a new world. Wipe your slate clean and plant magical seeds, watch them grow with the wonder of all that is newborn and pure. Celebrate using your imagination that you are walking in this mystical snow covered mountains on your way to a nice cosy drink in your chalet with a roaring fire. If you could jump into one of these images which one would you chose?

Have a Happy 21.12.12 xo

Sources via

Ultimate Luxury Chalets

Evason Megeve

INTERMISSION

Nomadic Airstream

This wonderful 1969's Airstream trailer owned by Designer Rachel Horn and her husband  Justin Kreizel , who were inspired when they deiced to attend the Burning Man Festival.

Found on Craig's List fro $5000 , they gutted and totally renovated the trailer into this beautiful Moorish Inspired design. Beautiful Kitchen with stainless steel appliances and Corian counter tops. Living area with a day bed using luxurious fabrics from Nobilis, Donghia, Larsen , tribal inspired rugs in shades of blue and grey. The bedroom is separated by curtains and Moorish arches and clever storage under the beds.

What a beautiful and well designed Trailer, in this small space they thought of everything, there is even air conditioning and a Cappucino maker. I would not mind going anywhere in one of these! They should be the official designers of Trailer Chic or  Nomadic Trailer Hotel were you can rent them and have room service and depending the season be in different locations....

Happy Trails! xo

All photos via www.nytimes.com

Murray Fredericks

" The Photography is not a documentary, I don't even call it landscapes as such. It's about space, it's about the mind's relationship to emptiness and a visual representations of that" Murray Fredericks

 Australian born Murray Fredericks is no ordinary photographer, he sets of on solo journeys to remote locations for weeks at a time, with only the horizon line as his point of reference, using time-lapse sequences to shoot these surreal and magical images.

He deliberately avoids any animal, natural or human features that would give his work a sense of scale to his pictures. His work connects you to earth and draws your vision to infinity, solitude and fortitude, it is yet very human and otherworldly at the same time.

Whether shooting in Lake Eyre Australia or a remote glacial vastness of Greenland, both with constantly changing weather, storms, rain, Aurora Borelis , the Sun, the Stars and the Moon are what keeps him company.

Watch the Salt Documentary a fascinating look into his journey that the final product speaks volumes of. I encountered his work in London Hamilton's Gallery Murray's where owner Tim Jeffrey's had hosted his first solo UK exhibition, I was so enchanted that I bought a piece on the spot, not something I have ever done, but oh so worth it, I stare at the beautiful horizon everyday and it brings me a sense of peace and lightness.

Click on the Short TimeLapse sequence called Iridium it is mesmerizing, he also has been featured in National Geographic and his works sit in the private collection of Elton John,Valentino and National Portrait Gallery amongst many others.

www.murrayfredericks.com.au/projects/salt/video/Iridium_733.webm

www.murrayfredericks.com.au

To buy or view his work contact Hamiltons Gallery his representative in London,

www.hamiltonsgallery.com

Baitil Aman, Lamu Island, Kenya. Photo Sandy B

Intermission : Alice Temperley for Filofax.

Video Direction & Production by Vanessa Scott