MCM rocks in Munich Disco Days campaign

Luxury leathergoods brand MCM goes retro in its new Spring/Summer 2016 campaign, capturing the psychedelic spirit of disco and the creative rebellion that defined Munich’s 1970s heyday.

Munich Disco Days captures renowned lensman Alasdair McLellan, and features a special guest voiceover by the legendary disco queen Amanda Lear. 

Starring top models Estella Boersma and Niels Trispel, the #MunichDisco campaign celebrates the rock royalty and subversive creatives who defined a revolutionary era of progressivism and innovation.

Leading cinematographer John Mathiesen captures an exclusive vignette, featuring Amanda Lear’s voiceover.

Check out the stunning new visuals below:

MCM's Spring/Summer 16 ad campaign

Christopher Ward: It’s hip to be square

UK watch maker Christopher Ward reckons it’s hip to be square following its first new launch of 2016 - the C5 Malvern Slimline Square. The streamlined, unisex style option is the company's thinnest-ever mechanical model and expands the popular Malvern range. 

At 37mm square, the new Swiss-made timepiece has been proportioned to sit on almost every size of wrist and, with a height of only 8.25mm, it is designed to slide elegantly under a sharply tailored shirt or blouse cuff. The refined diamond-polished nickel hands are dual faceted, aiming to blend sophisticated style with ease of reading. The Sellita 210-1 movement is housed in a newly re-engineered case and the Côtes de Genève finish on the bridge enhances the pleasure of viewing the power unit through the transparent case-back. The two initial dial colour options offer a sunray effect one-piece dial in blue or a matt white, creating two different looks.

Christopher Ward C5 Malvern Slimline Square

Old-school style with a dynamic, modern edge

Designing the perfectly proportioned square watch had become something of an obsession for the design team at Christopher Ward, as Mike France, co-founder of the brand, explains: “The square format has long been a design classic that presents a particularly strong challenge to the watch designer to get it exactly right. With the right proportions it is a shape that can be used to blend retro elements with a contemporary tone to create a truly stand-out design. However, for a square watch to achieve that unique balance between classic and contemporary, modern yet retro, the proportions have to be absolutely spot on - and I think we really hit that mark with this design."

He continued: “The square shape is sometimes overlooked by watch aficionados but I hope that our C5 Malvern Slimline Square shows that the shape is not only eminently practical but that this design also projects a blend of discreet old-school style with a dynamic, modern edge. The leather strap option helps to dial-up the classical character, while the fine-knit Milanese bracelet delivers a stunning modern expression to our Malvern collection.”

The C5 Malvern Slimline Square is offered in white and blue dial options with a choice of an embossed alligator pattern Italian leather with CW-motif clasp (retailing at £399) or a fine-knit stainless steel Milanese bracelet (£475). The model will be launched in early February, exclusively from www.christopherward.co.uk

Chivas Regal's mindful travel retail exclusive

Chivas Regal has launched the first in a series of ultra-premium Scotch whiskies finished in a variety of first fill wooden casks, created exclusively for the global travel retail channel. To mark the new series, which kicks off with Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection First Fill American Oak, Chivas Regal has enlisted the expertise of experimental chef Jozef Youssef.

Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection First Fill American Oak

A more mindful experience

Inspired by the depth of character from the first of the series, Youssef has explored a series of techniques that can be tailored to indulge in a more mindful experience of this blend, according to the brand owner, Pernod Ricard. This exploration has led to the creation of a sensory guide to enjoying the Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection, including tips that can be shared by whisky fans across the world. 

The special edition was rolled out across travel retail stores in time for the festive gifting season, with in-airport consumer activations including pop-up exhibitions, tastings and high-visibility campaigns.

Chivas 18 Ultimate Cask Collection First Fill American Oak is available at 48%abv, retailing at $125 for a one-litre bottle.

Visit www.chivas.com

Martell launches glow-in-the-dark bottles

Pernod Ricard has launched two limited-edition Cognacs designed by a French DJ famous for his electronic music. The bottles feature glow-in-the-dark, UV-effect designs to bring to life the essence of French art de vivre. Martell VSOP and Martell Noblige La French Touch Limited Edition bottles by DJ Etienne de Crécy have been introduced across all markets, with a particular focus on key destination airports in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand. They were designed by de Crécy, a pioneer and emblematic figure of the cult French Touch music movement. 

Top and above: Martell VSOP La French Touch Limited Edition Cognac

Gift for the young generation

The French Touch movement was one of the biggest musical revolutions of the 20th century through its unique contemporary and planetary sound, while widening its spheres of expression into art, graphics, video and fashion.

The two limited-edition bottles, Martell VSOP La French Touch (one-litre, retailing at $83) and Martell Noblige La French Touch (70cl, priced at $70) have made their debut in Asian travel retail stores, designed to be the perfect gift for the younger generation, according to Pernod Ricard.