QUINTESSENTIALLY | Insider | 2009 October

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Archive for October, 2009

Oxygen Boutique, London – a Mecca for trendsetters

Friday, October 30th, 2009

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Offering an experience above and beyond the usual harried trip to London’s Oxford Street, this recently opened gallery-cum-boutique clothes retailer combines fresh artistic talent with a range of unusual (and sometimes exclusive) designers largely from the US. Oxygen stocks clothes ranging from jeans and leggings to cocktail dresses; the ranges are a mix of well established names such as Herve Leger, as well as up and coming designers already gaining popularity on the other side of the pond.

The artwork is available to purchase, often at promotional prices, and the edgy pieces displayed provide far more than a mere backdrop for the clothes rails. This original concept is the brain child of a mother-daughter team with firmly established roots in the fashion world- Helen and Joanna Nicola- having worked with high street chains Zara and New Look. If current form is anything to go by their expertise has set this quirky space on the path to success.

38 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8DS

Aubin & Wills – Second To None?

Friday, October 30th, 2009

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Set to open its 3rd London store by the end of November, Aubin & Wills is the sister company of the highly successful student outfitters Jack Wills. The spin off brand is under two years old and, offering a more grown up range of clothing and home ware for the same sort of discerning customer, seems set for success. With its tagline, ‘Second to None’, the brand is establishing itself amongst its discerning customer base as far more than just a clothes line.

The brand offers a range of lifestyle suggestions, giving restaurant, travel and cultural ideas in a blog format on its website, as well as hosting an online forum where like minded supporters can share their thoughts. This exciting new opening, only the fifth in the UK, will be located on Marylebone High Street, an already popular shopping destination with a range of high end shops already in situ including Links of London jewellers and The Conran Shop.

www.aubinandwills.com

A touch of class in Brisbane

Friday, October 30th, 2009

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The world’s first six star fashion-branded resort, the Palazzo Versace Brisbane, was designed by Italian fashion queen Donatella Versace and reflects the elegance, beauty and opulence of the Versace brand. The hotel is located in the Australian Gold Coast and features 205 rooms, a health spa, three restaurants, two bars, gigantic swimming-pools and shops. Its architecture follows the style of the European palaces during the Renaissance period.  It is a tribute to Donatella’s brother, Gianni, and everything is furnished with Versace gear. The decor is luxurious with the finest Italian marble, gold hand detail in the ceilings, Versace fashion portraits and all the rooms have home ware from Versace.  This hotel will sweep you into a dream world of luxury, excess and exceptional comfort.

Palazzo Versace, Sea World Gold Coast, Brisbane www.palazzoversace.com

Switch – The Hippest Eaterie in Dubai?

Friday, October 30th, 2009

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Despite Dubai’s rocky progress during the credit-crunch, restaurants seem thoroughly undeterred by the situation and are (naturally) reporting business as usual. If the new Karim Rashid designed restaurant Switch is anything to go by, Dubai’s discerning residents should get their reservations in quick.

With a futuristic interior in place, the restaurant is wrapped by a wavy wall which Rashid says was inspired by the letter S in the Arabic alphabet. The effect? A Manga comic feel illustrated by the almost hallucinogenic colour palette. Look up and you’ll notice a metallic strip with Arabic calligraphy which bisects the entire restaurant which serves ‘Meditteranean fusion’ cusion.

Head there fast before Dubai’s hipsters nab the reservations.

Dubai Mall, Downtown Burj Dubai, Dubai

The Chocolate Research Facility, Singapore

Friday, October 30th, 2009

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If you’re in Singapore anytime soon, head to the Chocolate Research Facility. According to the boutique, it’s the only place in the world to offer 100 flavours of chocolate. The store is a sort of lovechild of Willy Wonka and an ultra-hip Parisian cafe with chocolate served in the coolest packaging we’ve seen around for sometime. Sweet tooths beware.

Chocolate Research Facility, 9 Raffles Boulevard, Millenia Walk, Singapore

Hotel Kempinski – Bruges’ first five star hotel

Friday, October 30th, 2009

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The awe-inspiringly beautiful city of Bruges (indeed, so much so that it’s UNESCO rated) has a wide number of high-class hotels, but it’s the historic Kempinski Duke’s Palace that has been turned into the most impressive place in town. Recently opened to much fanfare, the hotel has taken the original building, one of the grandest and most impressive in Bruges, and made sympathetic and intelligent refurbishments that simultaneously keep the original features intact and offer all the mod cons that you would expect, including flatscreen TVs, marble bathrooms, decadently comfortable beds and stunning views over the city.

The suites, in particular, are something quite spectacular. Visitors are also advised to dine at Manuscript, the hotel’s restaurant, which offers haute cuisine with French and Belgian accents.

Prisenhof 8, 8000 Bruges www.kempinski-bruges.com

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