QUINTESSENTIALLY | Insider | Newsletters

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new city guide application for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch – providing an exclusive opportunity to connect to the world of Quintessentially while on the move. From Paris to Panama, Delhi to Dubai, the Quintessentially iPhone application offers free and easy access to a wealth of must-have travel information, and with 44 offices around the world and researchers and fixers in every other major city, Quintessentially's expert team have the world's best travel secrets at our fingertips.

The Quintessentially iPhone application is available for download from the App Store on your iPhone or from iTunes. Click here to download or simply search for Quintessentially City Guides in the App Store.

If you don't already have iTunes installed, clicking on the above link will send you to the iTunes homepage where you will be prompted to download iTunes before downloading the application.

Following the success of global installations in London, New York, Hong Kong and Barcelona, the Chivas Studio will be launched in Sydney and is strictly by invitation only. The Chivas Studio is a component in the launch of the ‘Live with Chivalry’ campaign, a new direction for the Chivas brand that focuses on the contemporary definition of luxury - not just having more, but being more.

The Chivas Studio will showcase the finest in gastronomy, mixology and music. Global mixologist for Chivas Regal, Max Warner, will be flown in from London to prepare the cocktails and the food menu has been designed by Sean Connolly of Astral. This event will take place at an exclusive location at The Rocks on Tuesday 1st April.

To RSVP, please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com.

The L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival is Australia’s largest consumer and retail driven fashion event that will launch the latest Autumn/Winter designs into its 13th year. The 2009 Festival will offers the latest in local and international fashion, including Donna Karan, Narciso Rodriguez and Collette Dinnigan.

Global fashion experts Yasmin Sewell (creative consultant of Liberty of London) and Pippa Holt (UK Vogue features editor) will be addressing the key steps to establishing a label within a competitive global environment. Quintessentially has access to several shows and we would be delighted to arrange tickets for you to attend the Runway Deluxe Event on Saturday 21st March.

If fashion is your passion be sure to RSVP to qaustralia@quintessentially.com.

For an indulgent weekend away with the girls or perhaps a romantic escape, look no further than the La Prairie luxurious two night getaway at Lillianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa that is taking place this weekend Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd March. Experience pure relaxation, indulgence and invigoration while also learning insider secrets on the best in skincare and beauty advice from La Prairie experts.

This getaway includes two nights’ accommodation in a deluxe room, a 90 minute caviar treatment at The Spa, a seven-course degustation dinner in Darley’s on the first evening with matching wines, and the La Prairie Workshop. If a slightly more masculine regime is more your style, bring your golf clubs and have a round at one of the many golf courses in the area.

Be sure to contact Quintessentially at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment. Already got plans for this weekend? Book in for the next La Prairie luxury escape on October 16th.  Please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com to RSVP to this escape weekend.

If you live to pursue the ultimate in adrenaline fixes, the most luxurious accommodation and the best in world-class food and wine, we have exactly the package for you: Boomrock Pure Incentive.

Discover the surrounding mountains and beautiful landscape that New Zealand has to offer in this three day package based in and around Wellington. This experience includes exhilarating helicopter flights, accommodation at the luxury lodge Wharekauhau, accommodation in Wellington at the Bolton Hotel, a degustation dinner at restaurant of the year, Martin Bosley’s, and a full day at Boomrock on the Mercedes-Benz driver experience, where you can get involved in some real adrenaline-filled activities including clay-target shooting, skirting the cliffs in a rally car and even flying your own helicopter!

This package is tailored for groups and is perfect for corporate packages. Please contact Quintessentially at qaustralia@quintessentially.com to book in your Pure Incentive tour.

If your idea of fun is driving a Ferrari or Aston Martin for the day then look no further. In affiliation with The Supercar Club, Quintessentially is offering our members the thrill of driving five exciting supercars in the Supercar Drive Days. This exclusive club boasts a collection of the most modern and desirable supercars available, covering all facets of the sports and luxury car market from the iconic Ford GT to the majestic Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead.

Enjoy some of the country’s most beautiful roads in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland in some extraordinary cars. The price for this special Drive Day event is AUD 1,320 and it includes the opportunity to drive five different cars including a Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe, a Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale, an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, an Audi RS4 Avant and a Lotus Exige S2.

Sydney’s next Drive Days: 24th, 26th, 28th March
Melbourne’s next Drive Days: 21st, 23rd, 25th April.

Please contact Quintessentially at qaustralia@quintessentially.com for further information.

Easter is fast approaching with Good Friday falling this year on April 10th. To celebrate in the age old tradition of giving an Easter Egg, this year allow Quintessentially to arrange a deluxe chocolate package from Boon Chocolate store in Darlinghurst.

Boon ‘The Chocolate Experience’ is offering Quintessentially members a beautifully packaged and creatively designed Easter Egg that can be hand delivered to your friends, colleagues or partners. Choose between the specially designed ‘Easter Chocolate Pots’ offering either white chocolate panache infused with lemon and poppy flower or almond praline with caramelised almond nougat.

Please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com to arrange a delivery.

Quintessentially members are cordially invited to the Yayoi Kusama: Mirrored Years Corporate Cocktail Party at the Museum of Contemporary Art. On Thursday 26th March, from 6-8pm, a select crowd will gather to take in the stylish surroundings of the MCA's grand art-deco Foundation Hall. This is an exclusive, invitation-only event and will be attended by a cross section of key figures in the arts, fashion, design and business worlds.

Enjoy champagne and canapés while inspecting the selected work from the past forty years of the internationally acclaimed Japanese artist. The Director of the MCA, Elizabeth Ann Macgregor - who is the current Veuve Clicquot Businesswoman of the Year - will welcome you at the iconic Circular Quay in the striking architecturally significant building.

Email qaustralia@quintessentially.com to RSVP to this event.

Quintessentially Escape is pleased to bring you the thrill and glamour of the Melbourne Grand Prix.  This fast paced four night experience to the stunning city of Melbourne incorporates fabulous accommodation and dining options, VIP passes to the exclusive Paddock Club at the Grand Prix for the four days of the event as well as exclusive access to the official Grand Prix Ball.

For more information or to make a booking, please contact a Quintessentially Escape Advisor on +852 3752 2087 or email asiaenquiries@quintessentiallyescape.com.

An outrageously sexy modern take on a traditional Roman trattoria, Giuseppe Arnaldo and Sons is one of the hottest restaurants to hit Melbourne. Beyond the dark and mysterious glossy design lies the heart and soul of Giuseppe Arnaldo and Sons - great food derived from the simple, quality Italian produce. The restaurant features a polished glass Salumi cabinet where you will find several different kinds of cured meats which they slice and serve to order.

Giuseppe Arnaldo and Sons are playing host to this year's key foodie party to celebrate the closing of the 2009 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival on March 22nd. Food and drinks will be prepared by some of Australia’s top chefs including Robert Marchetti from Icebergs and Giuseppe Arnaldo and Sons, Neil Perry head chef at Rockpool Bar & Grill, and Shannon Bennett from the highly acclaimed Vue de Monde. Drinks will be prepared by Icebergs’ Alex Marchetti.

Tickets are priced at AUD 95 so to purchase yours and get involved in this fabulous food and wine event please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com.

The Great Ocean Road is famously one of the world’s most scenic roads, and there is no better way to discover this area of immense natural beauty than in your own luxury super car. During this five night escape, you will experience all of the wondrous sights of The Great Ocean Road, including the incredible Twelve Apostles. The final two nights will be spent in Melbourne where you will be treated to a vast array of culinary delights.

For more information on this unforgettable experience please call +852 3752 2087 or email asiaenquiries@quintessentiallyescape.com.

After the huge success of ART HK 08, anticipation is sky-high for ART HK 09, Hong Kong’s International Art Fair running from Thursday 14th – Sunday 17th May at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. In just one year, ART HK has positioned itself as a key fixture on the international art calendar, and this year it will reassert its position as the leading art fair in Asia with 110 exhibiting galleries from 25 countries, including new participants Tomio Koyama, Scai The Bathhouse, Galleria Continua, Lisson Gallery, White Cube and Gagosian. The event will start on Wednesday 13th May with a Collector’s Preview from 4-6pm, and Vernissage, the glamorous opening, from 6-9pm.

For more information, please check out www.hongkongartfair.com or contact askqhk@quintessentially.com.

Cufflinks have long been seen as a statement of personality, status and tradition.  Concealed yet revered, Fairfax & Roberts have selected Deakin and Francis as masters of their craft to produce a comprehensive collection of some 300 hand-made cufflinks housed in a sumptuous private showroom. The newly launched Cufflink Bar will house collections that include many facets of bespoke jewellery ranging from silver and enamel to fabulous jewel encrusted cufflinks – as pictured. True to its couture service, bespoke work can be undertaken to personalise cufflinks for Quintessentially members allowing for the ultimate statement of style.

Please contact qaustralia@quintessentially.com if you are interested in gaining more information about the Deakin & Francis Room, or wish to arrange a private viewing.

The Fray Music Concert
Palace Theatre, Melbourne - 20th March
The Tivoli, Brisbane - 21st March
Hordern Pavilion, Sydney - 24th March 
Powerstation, Auckland – 26th March.

A Day On The Green - Jimmy Barnes 
Centennial Vineyards, Bowral, NSW– 21st March
Rochford Wines, Coldstream, VIC – 28th March

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Melbourne 
Until 23rd March

The Removalists
Sydney Theatre - 25th March

V Festival
Centennial Park, Sydney –28th March
Avica Resort, Gold Coast –29th March
Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne – 4th April
Claremont Showgrounds, Perth – 5th April

Buddy, the Buddy Holly Musical
Lyric Theatre - until 29th March

Windsor Polo International Test March - Australia v England 
Windsor Polo Club, Old Kurrajong Rd, Richmond - 29th March

Windsor Polo - Morton Cup
Windsor Polo Club, Old Kurrajong Rd, Richmond - 3rd, 4th and 5th April

Nutcracker Ballet Sydney
28th April - 18th May
Sydney Opera House

Stomp ’09
Princess Theatre, Melbourne – 14th to 19th April
Theatre Royal, Sydney – 21st to 26th April
Burswood Theatre, Perth - 28th April to 3rd May

Ultimate Track Day
Thursday 9 April 2009
Phillip Island Circuit
AUD 5,494.50 (Inc GST) per person
The lineup of vehicles on the day will include: Aston Martin DBS  Ford GT, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, Radical SR3, Ferrari F430, Porsche GT3 or Porsche 997 Turbo, Audi R8, Ariel Atom 2.

Jerry Springer The Opera
Sydney Opera House - 21st  – 25th April

Wicked - The Broadway Musical
Regent Theatre, Melbourne - until 26th April

Sotheby’s Preview Cocktail Party
Important Australian Paintings Preview including the Ken and Rona Eastaugh Collection
Sotheby’s Gallery, Level 1, 118-122 Queen Street, Woollahra - 23rd April 6-8pm

Pink Floyd Concert
Sydney Opera House - 8th May

Guys and Dolls
Capitol Theatre, Haymarket, Sydney – until 31st May

E-mail qaustralia@quintessentially.com for premium tickets to sold-out concerts, sporting events, theatre shows and more.

Classically trained at a bespoke tailor on Jermyn Street, London, an area synonymous with the finest bespoke tailors in the world, Patrick Johnson has brought his tailoring brand Suit Shop home from England. Patrick’s service is carried out with the upmost of efficiency and expertise – the personal tailoring service takes place in a relaxed consultation where Patrick will take measurements from 35 different points on the body. Quintessentially members will receive a 20% discount. For more on Suit Shop, please see Benefits/Shops/Australia/Suit Shop.

At the Paris end of Collins Street lies Georgina Weir’s boutique Le Louvre – a shop so incredibly chic that no clothes are actually on show! Each season, Le Louvre offers the best pieces from top international collections that include YSL, Lagerfeld, Alaia and Stella McCartney. Part of the Le Louvre appeal is the high level of service - appointments are recommended and clothes are then presented to tailor to each individual’s desires whilst you can relax in comfort while sipping champagne -the perfect way to shop. Quintessentially members will receive a 10% discount.  For more information on Le Louvre, please see Benefits/Shops/Australia/Melbourne - LeLouvre.

The ‘It Bag’ has officially been taken over by the ‘It Shoe’ and luckily for Sydneysiders you will find the best range of designer women’s shoes and bags in Australia at Cosmopolitan Shoes in Double Bay. Shop like Sydney’s society girls in this sumptuous boutique and pick up a pair of sky-high va va voom heels from brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Sergio Rossi and many more. Quintessentially members will receive a 15% discount. For more information on Cosmopolitan Shoes, please see Benefits/Shop/Australia/Sydney - Cosmopolitan Shoes.