Baron Otard’s golden rule for Chinese New Year

Bacardi is viewing the Chinese New Year of the Pig as a golden opportunity with the launch of a Baron Otard XO Gold Cognac limited-edition gift box. 

The elegant drop-shaped bottle is topped with a dimple-patterned gold stopper and housed in a luxurious golden tin. 

Baron Otard XO Gold Cognac

Royal heritage

Stamped with a plain mosaic-style pattern and minimalistic black embossed branding, the gift box includes a booklet sharing the royal story of Baron Otard. 

The one-liter and 70cl versions will hit the shelves from January, 2019. They will be available at key travel retail locations across Asia in partnership with 17 leading retailers.

They are: Anway (Lok Ma Chau and Lo Wu border store locations), Delhi Duty Free (Delhi), DFS (Singapore), Dubai Duty Free (Dubai), Dufry (Bangalore), Eraman (Kuala Lumpur), Flemingo (Chennai and Kolkata), Hyderabad Duty Free (Hyderabad), King Power (Bangkok), Lagardère (Hong Kong), Lotte (Seoul), Maldives Airport (Maldives), Mumbai Duty Free (Mumbai), Shenzhen Duty Free (Shenzhen), Shilla (Seoul), Sunrise (Shanghai and Beijing), Zhuhai Duty Free (Zhuhai).

Vinay Golikeri, Senior Commercial Director, Bacardi Global Travel Retail, emphasized the need for innovation to fully exploit this regional gifting opportunity: “Chinese New Year is one of the biggest retail opportunities globally, with the largest human migration on the planet in a short period. It is Asia’s top seasonal gifting opportunity, making it more critical than ever that we present the customer with exceptional quality gifting solutions.

“Backed by its outstanding quality and remarkable heritage since 1795, Baron Otard has exceptional resonance among Asian consumers at the second stage of luxury, looking for brands and products that are rooted in luxury, quality and discernment.

“This new Baron Otard XO Gold gift presentation highlights Bacardi’s commitment to innovation and to creating travel retail exclusives that drive channel differentiation. We are delighted to partner with such a powerful array of retail partners who share our commitment to deliver compelling shopper experiences.”

Baron Otard XO Gold is aged in the historic cellars of Château de Cognac, birthplace of a French king and the home of Baron Otard since the founding of the brand in 1795.

With notes of black truffle and sandalwood, the Cognac offers hints of leather, damson, honey and the lightest touch of violets. Years of maturation yield balanced eaux-de-vie and give a prolonged, smooth finish.

Martell highlights the art of generosity

Pernod Ricard has collaborated with a French artist to launch a new Martell Cordon Bleu Limited Edition “infused with the spirit of generosity, curiosity and creativity that has defined the House of Martell since it was founded in 1715”.

Designed to be a gift to celebrate Chinese New Year, the bottle and box design was created in collaboration with French artist Mathilde de l'Ecotais to express the uniqueness of the Cognac, the company said. The design seeks to reflect the spirit and character of Martell.

Martell's The Art of Generosity campaign for Chinese New Year

A contemporary artist and photographer, de l'Ecotais’ partnership with Martell was formed on their shared values: a profound attachment to nature and the terroir, and the use of traditional craft of the bold and modern. Exploring the Cognac’s aromas and key character, she used cyanotype, a photographic printing process that involves a cyan solution applied to paper with a brush in order to create images revealed through exposure to sunlight. 

With its blue and gold coating, the bottle includes images of grapes and vine leaves overlaid with sweeping circular brush strokes to evoke the round, generous flavours of this Cognac. 

The new launch is built around the art of generosity. The gift can be kept on display for years to come with a pedestal included in the pack. To reveal the treasure within, the gift receiver must pull the blue ribbons on the side of the box to unveil the bottle and trigger their curiosity.

To mark the launch, an "exciting and innovative consumer experience set to ignite travellers’ imaginations and generosity" will launch on January 1, 2019 in key Martell airport stores.

Martell Cordon Bleu Limited Edition (one litre) is available in global travel retail, Asia, the US and the Pacific from December 2018. In parity with Martell Cordon Bleu standard, the retail price is $229.

Grey Goose unwraps holiday pop-up store

This holiday season, Grey Goose vodka is transforming New York JFK’s Terminal 4 into an immersive cocktail and shopping experience with drinks from New York’s top bartenders.

Bacardi Global Travel, in partnership with DFS Group, is bringing festive cheer to JFK T4 with a Grey Goose vodka pop-up, offering a selection of holiday offerings and innovative cocktails made for travellers in the terminal by several of New York’s most talented bartenders. They include Jillian Vose of Dead Rabbit, Evan Hawkins of Broken Shaker, Liana Oster of Dante and Channing Centeno of Otis. 

A Ferris wheel dominates the Grey Goose pop-up at New York JFK T4

Tailored messages

In product news, the new Grey Goose Holiday Tin features letter magnets that allow gift-givers to craft tailored messages. Alongside JFK, it is available exclusively in travel retail shops, priced at $45. 

The central feature of the JFK T4 space is an interactive illuminated Ferris wheel, prominently sited on the terminal concourse. The wheel features mini “chalets” that contain Grey Goose holiday cocktail recipes. Travellers are invited to discover the recipes by pulling a lever that opens the door to the chalet of their choice, allowing them to take a snap of the recipes to recreate at home. Those who purchase the Holiday Tin will be handed a key that opens a hidden compartment in the chalet, revealing a gift.

Mike Birch, Managing Director and Vice President - Global Travel Retail and Commercial Development, Bacardi, said: “The creativity in this engagement helps people get to know what makes Grey Goose the most recommended premium-plus vodka by bartenders, and will inspire them in their own cocktail-making. A bottle of Grey Goose is sold every 13 seconds in global travel retail, and we believe that global travel retail is an important brand-building channel. Key to that is giving consumers fantastic brand experiences on their travels that they’ll remember long after they’ve left the airport, influencing future purchase decisions as well as increasing airport sales.”

Indian travellers celebrate Diwali with Dewar’s

Dewar's Scotch whisky lit up the Diwali festival period in November with a high-profile campaign spanning 12 airports in eight countries across Asia and the Middle East.

The gifting campaign centred on a Diwali-themed gift tin for Dewar’s 18yo blended Scotch whisky. 

The two-month promotion during October and November targeted the significant surge in traffic driven by Diwali, the Hindu festival of light. With support from nine leading travel retail partners, the campaign celebrated Diwali at a dozen airports across India and South East Asia.

Dewar's celebrates the festival of light at 12 airports

Powerful reputation in Indian market

The in-store and online campaign was built on the theme of Celebrate With the Most Celebrated, reflecting the position of Dewar’s as the world’s most-awarded whisky and its powerful reputation in the Indian market.

Echoing the design of the Dewar’s 18yo limited-edition presentation box, the in-store promotion adopted the use of copper tones and the beautiful intricacy of traditional Jaali and Rangoli patterns and motifs. The displays incorporated concealed light fittings to signal Diwali greetings, including glow boxes atop the gondola displays, back-illuminated displays and product presentation box shells fitted with LED lights.  

Using the symbolism of India’s national bird, the in-store centrepiece was a peacock display where shoppers were provided with frames and selfie sticks and invited to share their photos online using the campaign’s hashtag #CELEBRATEDIWALIWITHDEWARS. Shoppers could also light an LED diya to place on the display, signifying the small oil lamp traditionally lit to mark the festival period, and make a wish. 

The promotion’s key gwp was a set of four copper-toned metallic coasters, stored in the 18yo presentation tin. The circular coasters were created in an intriguing wire design that transformed into tealight candleholders, further reflecting the traditional lighting of the diya.

Vinay Golikeri, Senior Commercial Director, Bacardi Global Travel Retail, said: “The scale and quality of this Dewar’s campaign provides an engaging shopper experience and a powerful expression of partnership between Bacardi and our retail partners. We are delighted to have the support of ARI, Delhi Duty Free, DFS, Dubai Duty Free, Dufry, Eraman, Flemingo, King Power International Group and Qatar Duty Free.”

The 12 airport locations and retail partners hosting the activation were: Changi (DFS), Kuala Lumpur (Eraman), Bangkok (King Power), Delhi (Delhi Duty Free), Mumbai (Flemingo), Bangalore (Dufry), Chennai (Flemingo), Kolkata (Flemingo), Dubai (Dubai Duty Free), Muscat (ARI), Qatar (Qatar Duty Free), and Bahrain (ARI).

Davidoff sports a pigtail for Chinese New Year

Davidoff is marking the Chinese Year of the Pig with limited-edition cigars and accessories.

The Gran Toro cigar with its proud pigtail is wrapped in a shiny and oily Dominican wrapper from the Yamasá area and develops smooth notes of pepper and wood once lit. 

Davidoff's Year of the Pig limited edition

Collectible Asian-inspired box

The Sumatra binder from Mexico and the well-aged filler tobaccos from the Dominican Republic create a refined and balanced blend. Notes of liquorice, cream, vanilla, leather and spice were developed to please the big-hearted, determined personality of the pig, according to Davidoff.

The special edition is limited to 9,300 boxes worldwide, and comprises 10 Gran Toro cigars presented in a prestigious, lacquered Asian-inspired red box, designed to be collectible. 

The pig is represented by a simple and elegant graphic icon executed in gold, and the box contains a paper insert with the Year of the Pig story.

Davidoff has also introduced a special-edition Year of the Pig ashtray and double-blade cutter.

Inspired by the pig’s shape, the Italian-made round aluminum ashtray is enclosed with vibrant, grained, red leather to strikingly contrast the ashtray’s rich mocha color. 

In keeping with the pig’s generous nature, the ashtray has a holder for two cigars. The Davidoff logo is engraved on the metal and it comes in a limited numbered edition of 300 pieces.

The lightweight, German-made slim cutter is engraved with the elegant pattern. It will cut from a 22 to a 58 ring gauge and is made available in a limited number of 300 pieces.

The cigars and accessories were available at selected Davidoff appointed merchants and flagship stores from November 2018.

Top bartenders compete in Bacardi cruise contest

Five bartenders are set to compete in the 2019 Bacardi Legacy Cruise Competition finals in Puerto Rico in February 2019. 

The competition recognises the best mixology talent among bartenders from cruiselines and ferry companies.  

Velvet Fashionista by Holland America Line's Narciso 'Archie' Mariano Jr

Promoting the recipes to guests

Bacardi created the global competition to test the world’s most passionate, innovative and inspiring bartenders and challenge them to create a Bacardi rum cocktail with the potential to become a classic, alongside the Mojito, Daiquirí and Old Cuban. 

Contestants must create their own original cocktail featuring either Bacardi Superior, Bacardi Gold or Bacardi Ocho (8) Años. 

Zachary Sulkes, International Key Account Manager Cruise, Bacardi Global Travel Retail, said the finalists are required to build on their recipe development skills and develop their prowess in sales and marketing.  

“A fundamentally important phase of the competition is the measurement of how well the bartenders get behind their creation and demonstrate its potential to become established in the drinks industry as a true classic,” he said. “This can only be achieved by securing trial, consumer and trade awareness and distribution. So our five finalists are now busy promoting their recipe direct to guests and sharing it with fellow bartenders in their company so as to get it listed and served across the fleet. These are incredibly useful business skills that we help them to develop but are theirs to keep enabling them to further develop commercial acumen.”

From over 1,200 recipe entries, the final five and their cocktails are: Sanja Cvijetic, Carnival Cruise Line, with Purple Sunset; Narciso ‘Archie’ Mariano Jr – Holland America Line, Velvet Fashionista; Marc MacArthur, Norwegian Cruise Line, Up, up and Away; Siddhant Naik, P&O Cruises Australia,

Bitter Blanca; and Mattias Nilsson, Tallink Silja Line, Bring Back The Summer.

All five finalists receive $1,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to the finals in Puerto Rico. The 2019 Bacardi Legacy Cruise Bartender of the Year will go on to compete in the finals against 41 other finalists from different markets, in Amsterdam in May 2019 with $4,000 prize money on offer. 

Diageo unveils ‘irreplaceable’ special edition

Diageo has launched into travel retail Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen, the second in a series of special-edition Blue Label whiskies. It contains what the company calls “irreplaceable ‘ghost’ whiskies and other incredibly rare whiskies” from the Johnnie Walker Blue Label reserves.

At the heart of this limited edition lies the highly sought-after Islay single malt, Port Ellen – a ghost distillery that shut its doors in 1983.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen

Eye-catching holographic and lighting displays

Anna MacDonald, Marketing and Innovation Director, Diageo Global Travel, said: “As a limited edition, this is a unique and rare offering for the travellers who enjoy the finer things in life. Consequently, we anticipate that the addition of highly sought-after Port Ellen stocks will mean this exceptional whisky won’t be available for long.”

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen follows the exciting release of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Brora last year. Each edition in the series offers a fleeting opportunity to savour the depth of character of whiskies from distilleries whose spirit lives on in their dwindling stocks.

For Johnnie Walker Master Blender Jim Beveridge and his small team of expert blenders, the Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare series is an exciting exploration of flavour. “These whiskies deliver a fascinating glimpse into another world, exploring the unique, inimitable character of whiskies from a small number of iconic, closed distilleries that lend something very special to every drop of Johnnie Walker Blue Label,” Beveridge said. “It’s really interesting to be able to put a spotlight on the character of these whiskies.”

Even though the Port Ellen distillery is now silent, Beveridge recaptured the memory of the precious cargo of smoky Island single malts that was once carried on ships sailing from this famous distillery by balancing its unique character with other rare whiskies.

In selected airports, interactive retail activations are set to inspire and educate travellers on the origins of Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen.  Eye-catching holographic and lighting displays will capture and showcase the ghostly spirit, and a personalised gift wrapping service will include a calligraphy style hand-written note inspired by the scripted ghost distillery names found on the bottle.

Johnnie Walker Blue Label Ghost and Rare Port Ellen (43.8%abv) is available globally and in selected airports at £300 (US$399) for a one-litre bottle. Each bottle is individually numbered.

New Dewar’s bar opens at Kuala Lumpur Airport

Bacardi has introduced Bar Metropole, a new destination bar for Dewar’s Scotch whisky at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2), Malaysia, adapting the creative themes of the successful John Dewar & Sons Fine Scotch Whisky Emporium.

Working in close partnership with duty free operator Eraman (owned by Malaysia Airports), Bacardi sponsored the design and build of the bar, featuring natural woods and contemporary copper fixtures, in-bar displays and wall fixtures to share elements of the Dewar’s story, giving customers a taste of the brand’s heritage and production process. 

Bar Metropole at Kuala Lumpur International Airport celebrates Dewar's Scotch

An engaging and entertaining space

A contemporary edge is added with intriguing on-bar, glass-domed vapour machines that transform Dewar’s premium blends and single malts into liquid vapour to provide a multi-sensory experience, enabling customers discover the aromatic personality of the Dewar’s range. The menu includes cocktails and is complemented by additional brands from the Bacardi portfolio, including Bombay Sapphire, Grey Goose, Patron and Bacardi.  

Gaurav Joshi, Director, Asia Pacific – Bacardi Global Travel Retail, said: “klia2 is an important location for us in the highly important Malaysian market for Bacardi, so we were determined to work closely with Eraman to create something out of the ordinary with this new bar to engage new whisky consumers. The design blends the character and quirky personality of the Dewar’s brand with the solid authenticity of its heritage, creating an engaging and entertaining space. It’s a great way for us to create deeper shopper engagement through the main duty free store and in the bar. We look forward to working closely with Eraman to drive performance.”

Zulhikam Ahmad, General Manager of Malaysia Airports (Niaga), added: “We are delighted to host the world’s first Dewar’s bar at klia2. Celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, we are determined to offer travellers exciting new experiences across the airport, and this innovative bar will attract passengers to spend more time at the airport, giving them an original and memorable place to enjoy a Dewar’s whisky before they fly.”

Davidoff holidays in style with new travel humidors

Swiss cigar specialist Davidoff has introduced two new travel humidors – a Business version and a “Davidoff of Geneva since 1911” Stores Exclusive.

The humidors feature lightweight materials, a smart tray engineered exclusively for keeping cigars protected as well as innovative welding techniques designed to lock in humidity. They include a two-way humidity device by Boveda to ensure cigars are kept at their best for up to 45 days.

Davidoff's new travel humidor features a smart tray and locks in humidity

Stylish and elegant look

Claire Richert, Product Innovation Manager Accessories at Oettinger Davidoff AG, said: “With the Davidoff travel humidor, we not only reinvent the way cigar aficionados can bring cigars on their travels, we also do it with Davidoff’s iconic elegance and style. By expanding the line and partnering with Boveda, we offer aficionados the best, most convenient and protective solution for travelling with cigars.”

The Business model features knitted jacquard fabric in a reinterpretation of modern tweed for a stylish and elegant look. Equipped with a handy, black leather strap, it aims to exude the formal elegance of a business suit.

The “Davidoff of Geneva since 1911” Stores Exclusive humidor is a tribute to the Davidoff of Geneva stores and cigar lounges. It is inspired by the “cosy, sophisticated and modern atmosphere aficionados experience in these destinations of choice”, the company said.

The beige Tuscany fabric and the brown, recycled bonded leather are designed to evoke the comfortable lounge chairs, while the orange fabric accents add a stylish twist.

These limited and numbered travel humidors are only available in Davidoff of Geneva stores across the world. Both models were launched globally starting in October 2018.

MCM celebrates German heritage in AW18 campaign

German luxury brand MCM has turned to the world of music for its Autumn/Winter 2018 Avatar Campaign.

Shot in Berlin by German photographer Thomas Lohr and styled by 032C magazine’s Marc Goehring, the campaign is a celebration of next-generation creativity, and a tribute to the bold, free and creative, according to the brand.

US rapper Rich the Kid stars in MCM's AW18 campaign 

The hip hop-inspired alternative reality features US rapper/producer Rich the Kid and techno DJ and Instagram star Sita Abellan. 

The collections span leopard print and music themes. With branded silhouettes that include soft calf hair, crystals and metallics, the MCM Leopard Collection celebrates individuality and confidence.

DJ and Instagram star Sita Abellan rocks the MCM Cassette Collection

In celebration of MCM’s legendary relationship with music, the Cassette series features iconic images of cassettes, vinyl records and old-school mixing boards. Vibrant, youthful, and musically inspired, the collection celebrates the creativity, boldness and attitude of rock stars and creative vanguards alike.

Introducing MCM Leopard AW18

Using classic Bauhaus typography with vibrant colours, Das Ist MCM (This Is MCM) is described as a proud statement of MCM’s German heritage and a tribute to its design ethos of form and function.

MCM AW18 celebrates creativity and confidence

Ricola chief focuses on authentic brand story

Few brands have the fascinating and authentic backstory enjoyed by Swiss herbal drop specialist Ricola. This 88-year-old company, helmed by Chairman and CEO Felix Richterich and based in the Swiss rural town of Laufen, manages to tap into many of today’s major consumer trends, in a quiet, unassuming Swiss manner.

Take, for example, Richterich’s belief that all Ricola products must relate to its Swiss mountain setting. Thanks to its research and development team, the company develops recipes and ingredients that stay quite close to consumer trends, but do not slavishly follow them.

“Most of our ingredients are natural, and all products are made with natural flavorings and colorings. We have a cranberry flavour, for example, which is a power fruit. We want to be as unique as possible but we don’t want to be too exotic,” explains Richterich, speaking at the company's headquarters.

Ricola CEO Felix Richterich

Today's informed consumer

Ricola introduced elderflower herb drops more than 10 years ago, so you could argue that the company actually helps set the ingredient trends.

The company follows the sugar debate, and has introduced the plant-based stevia sweetener to some products, making it a sugar-free, no-calorie consumer choice. Also, the company uses real honey as a natural sweetener in some products.

Richterich believes market positioning at point of sale is crucial. He wants to communicate to the consumer that its Swiss herbal drops provide a wellbeing benefit and aren’t just another candy. In travel retail, as in the domestic market, the brand insists on attractive displays. Ricola has undertaken sampling in Business Class lounges, notably with Swiss and Singapore Airlines, with great success. Dufry is currently hosting a sampling activity in Zurich Airport.

Ricola has embraced digitalisation, which Richterich believes is an opportunity for smaller brands, and uses social media to leverage its backstory.

And what a story it is. Take, for example, the fact that Ricola’s herb farmers grow the brand’s proprietary 13-herb blend in gardens specially selected for their herb-growing properties.

“Today’s consumer wants to know who is behind the product and brand and how a company is behaving. This is more and more important for today’s informed consumer. We will soon have 90 years of history in the Swiss valleys,” asserts Richterich.

Ricola herb drops

 Swiss herbs cultivated by hand

Ricola has a sustainability policy and tries to improve it “constantly”, he says. “Our factory is energy-consuming, but we try to adapt it with solar cells on the roof and we use water tanks to store and reuse hot water. So we try to improve our footprint every year.”

Ricola’s authentic ‘Swissness’ even goes as far as its buildings. The company has a long-standing relationship with the world-famous Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, who designed Beijing’s National Stadium (known as the Bird’s Nest), among many other notable structures. Seven Ricola buildings were designed by these globally renowned architects between 1983 and 2014, including Ricola’s Herb Center in Laufen, which is the biggest clay building in Europe.

Another example of authenticity is the herb growing and production process. Simon Duppenthaler has grown herbs for Ricola on his idyllic farm in the Swiss mountains for 12 years. He farms 16 hectares of land for milk production, cattle- and pig-rearing, of which 1.5 hectares is given over to nurturing – by hand – Ricola’s 13-herb blend, all to Bio Swiss certification standards. This “magic” blend was created in 1940 by Felix Richterich’s grandfather, Emil Richterich.

Once the herbs are dried, they are taken to the Herb Center in Laufen, where both traditional and modern production processes are employed. Workers still use a pitchfork to turn the herbs as they dry, while state-of-the-art conveyor belts and machinery help transform the herbs into herb extracts for the end product. All Ricola herbal drops contain the 13-herb blend, to which is added the particular “lead herb” for the final product.

Another element of Swissness is in the contemporary artworks created by Swiss artists that are scattered throughout the Laufen headquarters so that the staff can enjoy them. And the Ricola Foundation, established in 2010 by Felix and his brother Lukas Richterich, seeks to promote and develop projects that study and enhance understanding of the natural and cultural foundations of human life. A worthy cause indeed.

*This article first appeared in Duty Free & Travel Retailing Magazine.

MCM showcases first ready-to-wear and lifestyle collection at prestigious Pitti Uomo event

MCM has presented its Spring/Summer 2019 Luft Collection as part of the prestigious Pitti Uomo event in Florence.

The contemporary luxury brand debuted its first full ready-to-wear and accessories collection, designed by a newly appointed in-house team.

MCM SS19

Expanding on heritage

This season the German-born label, founded in Munich in 1976, has expanded on its heritage in travel accessories to become an all-encompassing lifestyle brand. A full men’s and women’s ready-to-wear collection sits alongside the signature backpacks, leather goods, eyewear and footwear.

Designed for the 21st-Century global nomad, the multi-functional, modular and genderless collection allows the wearer to move and travel freely 24/7, whether that is cross-city or country-to-country, MCM said.

MCM SS19

Powerful and immersive show

The Spring/Summer 19 collection is a vibrant, youthful and utilitarian offer, designed with both statement and functionality in mind and presented via a powerful and immersive show full of Instagrammable moments. Mrs Sung-Joo Kim, Sungjoo Group and MCM Holding Chairperson and Chief Visionary Officer, was present at this milestone event for the brand.

Inspired by air-based sports such as skydiving, both key to the collection itself, guests experienced a multi-sensory runway that took them on a journey through the clouds.

MCM SS19

MCM x Pitti Uomo Presentation Credits:

Creative Direction: Andrew Tomlinson

Music: Frederic Sanchez

Hair: Larry King

Make Up: Jenny Combs

Styling: David Bradshaw

Show Production: Karla Otto.

MCM SS19

MCM is sold in 500 stores in 39 countries, including major cities such as Munich, Berlin, Zurich, London, Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo. Visit www.mcmworldwide.com and Instagram: @mcmworldwide.

Ateliers deMonaco unveils new bespoke timepiece

As the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix gets under way, Ateliers deMonaco has revealed details of its spectacular new watch based on the 1968 Monaco Grand Prix.

Fifty years ago, British driver Graham Hill won the Monaco Grand Prix in his Lotus Ford Cosworth, and this year is the 10th anniversary of Ateliers deMonaco. To celebrate, the watch manufacturer has created a unique piece inspired by the official poster of the event, signed by Michael Turner.

Ateliers deMonaco's Grand Prix de Monaco 1968 watch

Impressive relief effect on the dial

The most outstanding part of the Grand Prix de Monaco 1968 timepiece is its dial, which is hand-engraved by master-engraver Bernard Ditzoff. The dial consists of three different plates made of 18ct white gold. Applied on each other, this construction allows for an impressive relief effect. 

The first plate represents the 1967 Monaco Grand Prix winner Denny Hulme driving his Babham-Repco, closely followed by Graham Hill and his Lotus turning the hairpin bend. The second plate depicts Monaco’s harbour and surrounding buildings, while the third is dedicated to the French Riviera’s partly cloudy speckled sky. On the dial, dauphine-shaped hands sweep by small lozenge indexes, the emblem of Ateliers deMonaco. 

The movement is enveloped in a hand-brushed, hand-polished and hand-assembled 18ct white gold 44mm diameter case. The sapphire case-back showcases the dMc 700 Ateliers deMonaco manufacture movement. This self-winding mechanical movement includes 26 rubies, has a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, and a 40-hour power reserve. The delicate finishing includes a 22ct hand-engraved gold rotor representing the crown of the Principality of Monaco, and hand-decorated bridges. 

The hand-stitched alligator leather strap features a 18ct white gold folding buckle. I love it!

MCM celebrates classic Puma Suede sneaker

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its iconic Puma Suede sneaker, the German sportswear maker has teamed up with luxury brand MCM for a footwear and apparel capsule collection. 

The exciting collaboration also highlights the history of the German-born luxury brand, featuring the monogram created for its launch in 1976.

Pictured above and below: The Puma x MCM collaboration

Drawing on hip-hop heritage

MCM’s version of the Suede sneaker draws on its hip-hop heritage, creating streetwear-inspired footwear and apparel.

The capsule spans three pairs of sneakers in shades of Cognac, white, and a red and blue combination, and two tracksuits.  

The collection is available at Puma and MCM stores from May 24, 2018.

Global art nomads flock to the seaside

Design and art expo NOMAD Monaco brought together leading collectible design and contemporary art galleries for the second time in the splendid seaside setting of Villa La Vigie.

The historic villa was transformed in April with standout presentations including a whimsical lounge created by Vincent Darré, and pieces by talented French designer Mathieu Lehanneur, who also displayed his work at Monaco’s Musée Océanographique. Lehanneur showcased MJ Rabbit’s favourite furniture piece of the whole show – his amazing pink Elephant chair – perfect for storing my ever-growing magazine mountain (courtesy of Monocle, Shoes Up et al).

Mathieu Lehanneur's Elephant chair on show at NOMAD Monaco, Villa La Vigie

International roster of art galleries

Throughout the four-day event, visitors enjoyed a series of NOMAD talks featuring Parley for the Oceans’ founder Cyrill Gutsch, Pin-Up editor-in-chief Felix Burrichter and Brooklyn-based architect Rafael de Cárdenas. MJ Rabbit loves the American architect’s charity book, which celebrates his 10-year career in the business of residential and retail design, among many other projects. (He was formerly a Calvin Klein menswear designer.) Prince Albert II of Monaco visited the fair, highlighting its importance in Monaco’s event calendar. 

Galleries showcasing their work included David Gill Gallery, London; Etage Projects, Copenhagen; Friedman Benda, New York; Gallery FUMI, London & Louise Alexander Gallery, Porto Cervo; Galleria Luisa Delle Piane, Milan; Gian Enzo Sperone, New York; Massimo De Carlo, Hong Kong, London, Milan; Nilufar, Milan; and Sarah Myerscough Gallery, London.

Special projects featured the work of Charles Burnand; Lizworks by Liz Swig; Mathieu Lehanneur & Christie's Paris; and Parley for the Oceans.

MCM taps artist Eddie Kang for fashion collaboration

MCM has enlisted Korean artist Eddie Kang for its latest limited-edition capsule collection, dubbed MCM x Eddie Kang. The artist's signature animal motifs – including his cute dog Loveless – are channelled into the German luxury brand's exclusive collection. 

Kang, who attended the Rhode Island School of Design, lends his whimsical designs to MCM’s accessories, including phone charms, card cases, handbags and wristlets. 

Korean artist Eddie Kang's rescue dog Loveless appears on a reversible shopper

Making art accessible

“I have always dreamed about collaborating with a global brand such as MCM, in part because I greatly admire its design heritage, but mostly because [these types of] partnerships help make art accessible,” Kang told WWD. “By bringing my art to bear on much-loved MCM pieces, I can share my stories, philosophy and message are with a much wider audience, and in so doing hopefully inspire a positive change in the world.”

The reversible shopper brings together MCM’s signature coated canvas and two of Kang's original prints: Big City on one side, and Ilsoilso on the other. It is also accessorized with the adorable Loveless charm - the artist's symbol for love, hope and fearlessness, inspired by the heartwarming story of his own rescue pet.

The MCM x Eddie Kang Gray charm

Customise your favourite bag

Meanwhile, the cute Gray charm lets you customise your favourite bag or a set of keys. A canine friend of Loveless, Gray was created by Kang based on three of his family's adopted pet dogs: Jae Dong, Bok Dong and Lulu.

To mark the collection, MCM hosted a party at Vanderpump Dogs in Los Angeles.

This collection truly showcases the power of pets in fashion today.

On track for a cleaner world

Brands’ CSR strategies are a crucial point of difference in today’s fast-moving retail market. And sustainability is one area where brands can make a real difference to the world and society at large. It’s not just about installing super-efficient LED light bulbs in stores.

With this in mind, MJ Rabbit had the privilege to attend a key event centred on sustainability – specifically clean energy. During the event, Prince Albert unveiled a new award for sustainability with the Nobel Sustainability Trust and a new Global Green Investment Bank, which will seed-fund tech start-up companies.

Mungo Park, the dynamic Chairman of Innovator Capital, which organised the Monaco event, presented Prince Albert with a 2018 CleanEquity Monaco Award. The green sculpture, designed by American artist Darren Bader, complemented the Prince’s green tie perfectly.

Prince Albert and the CleanEquity Monaco 2018 award winners (Picture: CleanEquity Monaco)

A cleaner, safer and more sustainable future

Referring to CleanEquity Monaco, which he co-founded with Mungo Park in 2007, the Prince said he was proud that the conference had become an important part of the sustainability landscape. He noted that some 300 companies had presented their business plans to more than 1,600 invitation-only attendees.

“These companies have gone on to raise nearly US$2bn, friendships have been forged, and greater strides have been made towards a cleaner, safer and more sustainable future,” the Prince told the audience.

The Prince wants the Principality of Monaco to be a country that respects the environment and aims to be carbon neutral by 2050.

Prince Albert presented three CleanEquity awards: Superdielectrics for Excellence in the Field of Environmental Technology Research; NanoSpun Technologies for Excellence in the Field of Environmental Technology Development; and BBOXX for Excellence in the Field of Environmental Technology Commercialisation. (BBOXX is a wonderful UK-based company that brings electricity to poor rural communities.)

Event highlights

During the two-day event, 27 companies presented their business plans to investors. Here are MJ Rabbit’s speaker highlights:

Katsuhiko Hirose: This Toyota executive, now a Professional Partner, was part of the team that launched the hybrid-electric Toyota Prius. He is betting on hydrogen technology – not batteries – for the new generation of Toyota cars. His aim is to add value to hydrogen, just like the Swiss do when they turn milk into “precious cheese”. A marvellous and charismatic speaker.

John Rhee: A Korean-American former investment banker who spoke passionately about the need for everyone to work together to leave the planet a better place for generations to come. Rhee, now resident in Hong Kong, founded Stratis Impact, an impact investment firm. A company to watch.

Miriam Maes: This dynamic executive is Co-Chairman of the Energy Transition Forum, working to transform the Port of Rotterdam into a clean-energy facility. She said there needs to be a “radical shift” in the speed we move to fossil fuel reduction, including finding alternative ways of heating. (Note: Maes’ colleague at the Energy Transition Forum is Jean Pierre Houri, the former Chairman of IFRA, which was founded in 1973 by the fragrance industry to ensure the safety of its materials.)

In conclusion, an event that provided lots of food for thought – and excellent speakers.

Philanthropy, purpose and passion

Some of the world’s leading philanthropists gathered in Monaco for the first International Philanthropy Summit in February.

Founded by Alexey Antropov of the Antropov Foundation, the event highlighted the social responsibility of wealthy individuals and luxury brands. Speakers included the Director of the Prince Albert II Foundation, Olivier Wenden, and Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannu, founder of the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation.

Alexey Antropov (second from right), Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannu with his award, Aya Glagoleva, Ambassador of the Antropov Foundation, and Summit organiser Vladimir Lyaporov (Picture: International Philanthropy Summit Monaco)

An emotional moment

Cypriot-born Sir Stelios spoke passionately of his work to bring food aid to struggling Greeks in Athens, where he spent his youth. He is proud to have signed up to the Giving Pledge, the global initiative that encourages high net worth individuals and their families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy.

An emotional moment came from Monaco-based Luc Pettavino, founder of OnlyWatch, a charity auction of unique timepieces for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research. He told delegates how his life’s mission is to bring people together for charitable endeavours. His OnlyWatch event – which tours the world with its spectacular, one-of-a-kind timepieces from the world’s top brands  –  was sparked after his teenage son died of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. “I didn’t want to get up every morning without a purpose – I wanted to look forward to each day by bringing people together for a good cause.” He has certainly achieved his goal.

Three speakers were presented with trophies, designed by Monaco-based artist Marcos Marin. The first trophy – an eye-catching silhouette of the late rock star Prince, who was a notable philanthropist – was given to Dr Rupert Graf Strachwitz. He founded the Maecenata Institute for Philanthropy and Civil Society in Berlin, whose involvement with not-profit organisations for over 30 years has earned him acclaim as one of Germany’s key philanthropists.

Philanthropy trends

Strachwitz spoke of the latest philanthropy trends, namely that philanthropists are getting younger and are starting their Foundations as their life’s work – not towards the end of their lives, as has often happened in the past. A notable example in this regard is Mrs Sung-Joo Kim, a Korean businesswoman and passionate philanthropist who supports women’s empowerment, among other issues.

The second prize was awarded to Sir Stelios, whose Foundation is committed to supporting entrepreneurship.

Daniel Gros, director of the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels, also received an award. Gros, a speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos, previously worked for the International Monetary Fund.

Grey Goose shakes up a storm in trendy Toronto

Grey Goose vodka’s Winter Wonderland took over Toronto Pearson Airport Terminal 3 during the New Year holiday period, shaking up a storm in a snow-globe.

In the first of its kind at the airport, located in one of the world's trendiest destinations, Bacardi invited travellers to step inside a giant snow-globe. They were given a selfie opportunity to share the fun with friends, via instant printing into a seasonal greetings card or to share digitally as an animated gif.

Inside Bacardi's giant snow-globe at Toronto Pearson Airport

Strong visual impact

Cocktail sampling of Grey Goose Le Fizz at the Alpine chalet-themed bar delivered a double-digit conversion uplift in sales of the Grey Goose range versus the same period in 2016. The campaign reached more than 340,000 travellers, delivered over 100,000 Snapchat impressions via a personalised Snapchat filter, sampled over 15,000 Le Fizz cocktails, with almost 5,000 selfies taken via Sharingbox.

Geoff Biggs, Regional Director Americas, Bacardi Global Travel Retail, said: “We’re really pleased with the results from Toronto Pearson Airport; we set the bar high, challenging ourselves to create something to go beyond brilliant engagement and entertainment for travellers that would drive a noticeable upturn in conversion. The strong visual impact of the Grey Goose Winter Wonderland caught people’s eye to come and explore the distinct seasonal atmosphere, enjoy a cocktail in the Alpine bar and create their own photo moment in the snow-globe."

Travellers taking selfies at the airport

Bacardi welcomes the Year of the Dog

In other news, Bacardi’s travel retail team is helping shoppers celebrate the Year of the Dog for Chinese New Year 2018 at 10 airport and railway locations in Asia Pacific in January and February, with a focus on Dewar’s premium Scotch, Baron Otard Cognac and a limited-edition Benedictine Dom gift tin.

The campaign includes prize draw incentives with the purchase of specific products in different locations. Shoppers are given a scratch card which reveals their prize from a range. They include: an Apple iPhone 8, Grey Goose vodka 5cl and 20cl bottles, Benedictine Dom 5cl, Dewar’s 12yo 5cl, and Bacardi branded playing cards.

The 10 locations in the campaign are: Singapore Changi – DFS; Haikou – China Duty Free Group; Hong Kong Border Lo Wu – Anway; Hong Kong Border Lok Ma Chau – Anway; Kuala Lumpur - Eraman and Heinemann Malaysia; Lo Wu – Shenzhen Duty Free; Shenzhen Airport – Shenzhen Duty Free; Sydney – Gebr Heinemann; Taipei - Tasa Meng; and Zhuhai – Zhuhai Duty Free.