Pierre Hardy's latest creations for Hermes fine jewelry are a huge departure for the brand. He used black jade and black spinels, combined with rose gold, to make an incredibly cool collection that will appeal to a whole new audience, yours truly included....
Alan Faena is the owner of the Faena hotels in Buenos Aires and Miami, and an avid collector. I got a peek at his Miami home, which was a cover story in Elle Decor, for an admittedly smaller story about his collection of hundreds of crystals - ranging from quartz to amethyst to agate and pyrite - that date to the 1700s. A very unusual and super-cool collection that had been in the same family for generations....
Cirque du Soleil co-founder Guy Laliberte bought Nukutepipi, an island in the middle of the South Pacific, originally as a refuge for himself, his family and close friends. Ever the businessman, he later realized it would make the perfect, all-inclusive escape for those who value privacy and discretion. It can be rented for about $1 million a week for up to 50 people. You are in the middle of nowhere, but won't be bored - cinemas, archery, tennis, basketball, a game room (house, actually), every water sport imaginable, and an observatory. Full details can be found here....
I was asked to take an architect, an interior designer, and a chef shopping for kitchen systems as part of a story for Departures magazine's current Home & Design issue. As you can imagine, these three -- Brian Messana of Messana O'Rorke, Young Huh and Angie Mar of The Beatrice Inn -- had very distinct tastes and preferences. I learned a lot...
JCK is one of the oldest continuously published magazines in America. For the 150th anniversary cover, we pulled pieces representing every decade, era and movement, setting them in and around a paper sculpture by Jo Lynn Alcorn. This was shot by Kenji Toma, and includes pieces ranging from vintage Victorian to David Webb, Martin Katz and Anna Khouri. The whole issue is an amazing journey through the eras of adornment. I highly recommend a read...
We put together a selection of vases that look as good (if not better) empty than when filled with flowers and/or greener. Note: the newspaper shows more vases than are shown online, but online you'll find pieces by Amber Cowan, Tung Chiang of Heath Ceramics, Esque Studio, Tracey Glover, BZippy, Wyatt Little, Mica DeMarquez, and Eric Astoul....
The first piece he ever designed was made by a woman who owned a curtain shop. How far he's come. Read more here....
I do not know why Vilnius/Lithuania isn't getting more press, but trust me, it is a city on the rise. I'm glad I got there before the place explodes (figuratively), and was able to get a last minute, same day reservation at Ertlio Namas. Incredible meal a la chef Tomas Rimydis, with everything served having roots in history. Read all about it here....
There are rules about shaking versus stirring a cocktail, but they vary. It would take too long to go into all the intricacies but should you find yourself about to prepare a stirred situation and not wanting that cut glass thing everybody is using. check out Felicia Ferrone's Revolution cocktail mixer instead. Details here....
John Derian, the master of decoupage, has for the first time lent his designs to shoes. 6 velvet slipper styles by Stubbs and Wooton are now embroidered with his designs. Read all about it here, and see the whole range here....