Kotur » OUT AND ABOUT http://www.koturltd.com/blog Blog Fri, 22 Sep 2017 09:23:53 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 KOTUR joins Vogue China’s 10th Anniversary Party in Shanghai http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2015/10/kotur-joins-vogue-chinas-10th-anniversary-party-in-shanghai/ http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2015/10/kotur-joins-vogue-chinas-10th-anniversary-party-in-shanghai/#comments Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:48:32 +0000 admin http://www.koturltd.com/blog/?p=22656 ]]> This week in Shanghai, starlets and bright young things joined Vogue China’s Editor-in-Chief, and our KOTUR MUSE Angelica Cheung, in celebrating the magazine’s 10th year anniversary. We were delighted to have made our way into the party and on the arms of actresses Xulu, Lin Peng, and supermodels Jing Wen, Emma Pei, Sayo Akasaka and Sasha Pivovarova. 

Sending our congratulations to Vogue China

]]> http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2015/10/kotur-joins-vogue-chinas-10th-anniversary-party-in-shanghai/feed/ 0 The World of KOTUR: Gemma’s Wedding in Vogue http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/the-world-of-kotur-presents-gemmas-wedding-in-vogue/ http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/the-world-of-kotur-presents-gemmas-wedding-in-vogue/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2014 03:38:08 +0000 kotur http://www.koturltd.com/blog/?p=17045 ]]> KOTUR’s dear friend Gemma Soames’ wedding is now featured on Vogue.com. You may remember a sneak peak from this previous post, where Olivia Buckingham shared some of her personal pictures from attending this celebration. Gemma even brought our KOTUR Espey Embossed Stripe on her honeymoon in the Aeolian Islands.

——

Journalist Gemma Soames and commodities trader Andrew Ferguson met four years ago at a mutual friend’s wedding outside of Aix-en-Provence. They were seated next to each other during dinner and hit it off immediately. At the time, Gemma was living in London, and Andrew was in Hong Kong though—so two weeks later, they met in the middle, and each flew to Dubai for their first date. “He asked me to keep the weekend free and just sent a ticket,” says Gemma. “It was really quite romantic.” From then on, the couple took turns visiting each other, meeting up in Thailand and Vietnam—and then six months later, Gemma flew to Hong Kong for good, and the two have been there ever since.

After dating for a little more than a year, the jet-setters boarded a plane to Sydney to celebrate Christmas 2012, and Andrew proposed after lunch at one of his favorite restaurants, Catalina in Rose Bay, on Christmas Day. Post-proposal, they went to stay with friends on the West Coast of Australia to properly toast their engagement in wine country. Once they returned from the trip, they found out Gemma was pregnant with a baby boy and decided to delay their wedding date until 2014.

While the wedding date was a bit of a moving target, the location was always set. “There was only one place we were ever going to get married,” says Gemma. “And that was at my family home in the deepest darkest Norfolk. There is a tiny Norman church there that my great-grandparents restored with a gate that leads directly into our garden. And even though the church normally only houses a congregation of around ten people and ours was going to be around 270, we were always determined to make it work.”

The ceremony was very traditional. “It was a family affair,” says Gemma. “But we had to remove all the pews to fit everyone in, hanging most of the flowers from the ceiling to save room. Our sisters gave readings, and our son was right there too, stealing the show.”

Given the tiny church, Gemma knew her dress needed to be light, but still wanted a romantic look that was sure to make an impact. “Alice Temperley is a good friend, and when she offered to make my dress, I was thrilled,” says Gemma. “I always knew the silhouette I wanted, and Alice created a beautiful off-the-shoulder design in a soft Chantilly lace for six months, with me flying back to London from Hong Kong for fittings.”

Guests walked across the lawn from the church to the reception at Gemma’s parents’ house following the ceremony. “We had canapés, drinks, and speeches there before moving to another tent for dinner and dancing,” explains Gemma of the evening’s timeline. The Soul Jets—the house band from the Dover Street Arts Club—performed, and then they were followed by a DJ. “The next day, we had family and the guests who had flown in from all over the world back for lunch,” says Gemma.

After the wedding weekend, the newlyweds took off for the Aeolian Islands off the coast of Sicily for a honeymoon sans baby, staying first on Salina and then at the Hotel Raya in Panarea.

 

 

]]> http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/the-world-of-kotur-presents-gemmas-wedding-in-vogue/feed/ 1 The World of KOTUR: Where To.. Eat.. Shop.. Play.. Around the World http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/the-world-of-kotur-presents-eat-shop-play-around-the-world/ http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/the-world-of-kotur-presents-eat-shop-play-around-the-world/#comments Thu, 11 Dec 2014 01:00:15 +0000 kotur http://www.koturltd.com/blog/?p=16841 ]]> When travelling to far and fabulous places, it is always a bit of game changer to have some handy tips at hand from those best friends in the know who always seem to be able to unearth the most incredible places. At KOTUR, we like to pick the brains of some particularly fabulous women before we travel, getting tips on where to Eat, Shop and Play when abroad. Recently on our Blog, we have travelled to Istanbul, Madrid and Palm Beach with the jewelry designer Jennifer Creel, been to the Bahamas, Rio and Cartagena with Film Art Creator Fanny Pereire and journeyed to Saigon, Shanghai and Hanoi with fragrance maven Kate Crofton Atkins, all of whom have imparted their extremely individual and stylish advice on what to do when in some of their very favorite destinations.

]]> http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/the-world-of-kotur-presents-eat-shop-play-around-the-world/feed/ 0 The World of KOTUR: Eat.. Shop.. Play.. With Kate Crofton http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/eat-shop-play-with-kate-crofton/ http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/eat-shop-play-with-kate-crofton/#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2014 09:39:01 +0000 kotur http://www.koturltd.com/blog/?p=16824 ]]> Kate Crofton Atkins, founder of Cochine, a range of luxury home fragrances inspired by Saigon has lived abroad for almost a decade. With a business based partly in Vietnam, she is our go to person for top tips on South East Asia. Here, she shares her favorite finds.

Saigon

Eat
Whenever I go to Saigon I head straight for dinner at The Deck. This beautifully designed restaurant sits right on the banks of the Saigon river and serves delicious Asian-fusion food. There’s not much better than a Lemongrass and Ginger Martini and some Chili Salt Squid here to kick your night off perfectly. Or, if I’m feeling like really good Vietnamese, I head to Cuc Gach Quan, also known as The Brick. Housed in an old villa in District 1, you climb up a ladder to dine in the rafters. The soft shell crab and Thien Ly flower are amazing.

Shop
L’Usine is a café and concept store tucked away off the main drag of Dong Khoi in an old garment factory. Great for a lunch stop, they stock all sorts of Australian and South East Asian brands. I always find something there I didn’t know I wanted.

Play
I’m a sucker for a market – and Ben Thanh market in the centre of Saigon is one of the best Southeast Asia has to offer. Great for rattan, ceramics, lovely mother of pearl knick knacks and linen napkins, it makes for a brilliant Christmas shop up! I like to recover from my shopping frenzy with a massage at the Park Hyatt nearby afterwards.

Hanoi

Eat
La Verticale is a French restaurant that applies Vietnamese techniques to traditional French food with really unusual and delicious effect. Set in a four story 1930’s villa, it’s got a spice shop on the ground floor which is well worth a visit, and make sure you have a pre dinner drink on the roof terrace.

Shop
I love to head out of Hanoi to the Van Phuc silk village about 20 km away. They sell amazing quality handmade silk in beautiful traditional patterns.

Play
The Metropole Hotel in Hanoi is my oasis of calm in a very busy city. Walking into their Bamboo Bar is a bit like stepping back in time, and there’s even a lovely vintage Citroen on hand to ferry guests around after a cocktail or two.

Shanghai

Eat
I’d always start my evening with drinks on the rooftop of the Peninsula for one of the best views down The Bund.  Mercato by Jean Georges at Three on the Bund is a new Italian restaurant that does great sharing dishes. I just ate there on a trip with my husband and would go back for their lobster and shrimp ravioli any day.

Shop
My friend Qing Gu has a shop called Luxe Vintage in Xinle Road that sells vintage clothes, fabulous sunglasses and these incredible umbrellas in a peacock print that are mad and rather wonderful.

Play
Ferguson Lane in the French Concession is a little tucked away leafy street with a courtyard at the end of it packed with art galleries, delis and fantastic shops. Base yourself at the French café Franck for a coffee and croissant before having a wander.


]]> http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/eat-shop-play-with-kate-crofton/feed/ 1 The World of KOTUR: Blue Carreon – Conversations. Up Close and Personal with Icons of Fashion, Interior Design and Art http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/the-world-of-kotur-presents-blue-carreon-conversations-up-close-and-personal-with-icons-of-fashion-interior-design-and-art/ http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/the-world-of-kotur-presents-blue-carreon-conversations-up-close-and-personal-with-icons-of-fashion-interior-design-and-art/#comments Tue, 02 Dec 2014 07:36:29 +0000 kotur http://www.koturltd.com/blog/?p=16711 ]]> My good friend Blue Carreon’s book Conversations: Up Close and Personal with Icons of Fashion, Interior Design and Art, has just been published. A bit of a polymath himself, Blue is a style writer, interior designer, boutique owner and blogger, and his series of interviews that featured initially in the Huffington Post and form the basis of the book make for fascinating insights into the minds and processes of some of our leading design talents. I was extremely honored to be asked to write the introduction for it. With contributions from Kelly Wearstler, John Varvatos, Jonathan Adler, Peter Som, Diane von Furstenberg, Paul Smith and so many more it is a treasure trove of takeaway thoughts.

What’s interesting about Blue’s book is that whilst his questionnaire, with it’s prompters such as “Happiness…” and “Women should always…” leaves a blank canvas for his interviewees, there are certain themes that shine through their answers. Botox proves one of the most divisive issues, with answers ranging from the direct, “it’s pretty fabulous,” to the rather more oblique, “it’s optional,” but in other realms there are clear themes that emerge. For several, confidence and the bravery to be exactly who you want to be are the key things a woman should always try to have. “My mother was a holocaust survivor who taught me that fear is not an option. I have never forgotten it. I have lived by it,” says Diane von Fursteberg, whilst Donna Karan encourages women to, “take care of themselves first. It makes you more equipped to take care of others.” Other advice is more prescriptive. We shall be taking away Karolina Kurkova’s tip of a hot water and lemon every morning (if it works for her…) and make a mental note of Ines de la Fressange’s beauty regimen of, “Dior nail cream and Revitalift from L’Oreal. This is a religion.”

What really strikes us most, however, is the hard work and dedication these talented people display – alongside an understanding that you have to make it happen. “Happiness… needs to be lived, as well as remembered and anticipated. Now is what counts,” says David Downton, the fashion illustrator. As inspiration for seizing the moment and indeed making it count, Conversations gives some very good starting points.

Conversations: Up Close and Personal with Icons of Fashion, Interiors, Design and Art is out now: http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-Personal-Fashion-Interior-Design/dp/1629145475

Read Blue’s blog at http://www.styleintel.com

]]> http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/12/the-world-of-kotur-presents-blue-carreon-conversations-up-close-and-personal-with-icons-of-fashion-interior-design-and-art/feed/ 1 The World of KOTUR: Eat.. Shop.. Play.. With Jennifer Creel http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/eat-shop-play-with-jennifer-creel/ http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/eat-shop-play-with-jennifer-creel/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2014 09:41:44 +0000 kotur http://www.koturltd.com/blog/?p=16414 ]]> Jennifer was our perfect choice for Eat Shop Play – Along with her jewelry collection. Jennifer is known for her incredible style, and for the way she creatively incorporates couture with other elements: a family heirloom or  a piece found at an exotic bazaar, Jennifer writes her own script, and her style reflects her curiosity and adventure, and her personal journeys. We are thrilled to have a sliver of insight into Jennifer’s world

Istanbul
Eat
Ulus 29, you see the whole landscape of Istanbul.

Shop
I spend hours roaming in the Grand Bazaar scouring for the perfect finds. Sevan Bicakci also has unbelievable one of a kind jewelry pieces.

Play
Keminski Palace is my favorite place to sleep and play. Reina is the place for night owls. The Blue Mosque for endless inspiration from its architecture.

Madrid

Eat
Lunch at the Ritz.

Shop
Miguel Palacio is one of my favorite local designers. I also love to restock on cotton linens when in town. I love Jorge Juan from Serrano to Velazquez, and on the dead end road where the restaurant Alkalde is, there are some gorgeous designer stores. Ekseption is one of my go-to boutiques.


Play
A visit to the Prado Museum is a must.

Palm Beach

Eat
Dover Sole at Chez Jean Pierre. Café Boulud at the Brazilian Court for the Burger and Truffle Fries. The yummiest chopped salad at the Palm Beach B&T, and dinners at the Everglade courtyard.

Shop
Worth Avenue – where else.

Play
Jewelry Fairs to look for antique jewelry for inspiration for my own line.  It’s such a melting pot of people.  Strolling through the Four Arts, especially in its sculpture gardens.  

 

]]> http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/eat-shop-play-with-jennifer-creel/feed/ 0 The World of KOTUR: Toss the Gloss by Andrea Robinson http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/the-world-of-kotur-presents-toss-the-gloss-by-andrea-robinson/ http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/the-world-of-kotur-presents-toss-the-gloss-by-andrea-robinson/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2014 01:30:06 +0000 kotur http://www.koturltd.com/blog/?p=16285 ]]> Every now and then a woman comes across our radar with a point of view that is so refreshingly up front and honest that it’s practically impossible not to sit up and listen. Right now, that woman is Andrea Robinson, a beauty executive with several decades worth of high profile, high powered career behind her and the author of, “Toss the Gloss: Beauty Tips, Tricks and Truths for Women 50+”, a book dedicated to debunking the myths of her industry and helping women feel and look the best their natural selves can be.

From her beginnings as a graduate making coffee at Conde Nast, she spent over a decade as a Beauty Editor, first at Mademoiselle, then Vogue before becoming President of Ralph Lauren fragrances and Tom Ford Beauty alongside several other starring roles. Her newfound mission is to show women her age a way through the minefield that is the beauty industry to a regime that proves as rewarding as it is uplifting – in every sense of the word.

Her book is a very good start. Launched at a party thrown by Ralph Lauren at his Madison Avenue store, its advice focuses on shifting our ambitions from chasing youth to celebrating whom we are with mantras that include, “Love your lines, you’ve earned them.” Robinson wants to restructure our entire approach to beauty. She wants us to throw out all the useless products that clutter up our make up bags, and focus only on the ones that really work: “think of Primer as Spanx for the face!” she shouts out, before proclaiming that, “there are more anti-aging products out there than George Clooney has ex-girlfriends. The problem? Few of them actually deliver.”

And the best part? That beyond this rather liberating point of view, she gives a whole host of real, takeaway tips from diagrams to product recommendations that genuinely could help revamp our regimes. As full of humor as it is candor, this book is part feisty call to action, part celebration of real women with real lives and faces, part rebellion against the one-size-fits-all ideal of perfection, and its approach and opinions make not only for a brilliant read for also for a brilliant fresh start. Here’s to you, Mrs Robinson.

Toss the Gloss is out now and available at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Toss-Gloss-Beauty-Tricks-Truths/dp/1580054900

www.tossthegloss.com

 

]]> http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/the-world-of-kotur-presents-toss-the-gloss-by-andrea-robinson/feed/ 0 The World of KOTUR: L’Appartement Louis Vuitton – Silent Auction http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/the-world-of-kotur-presents-lappartement-louis-vuitton-silent-auction/ http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/the-world-of-kotur-presents-lappartement-louis-vuitton-silent-auction/#comments Mon, 10 Nov 2014 08:49:56 +0000 kotur http://www.koturltd.com/blog/?p=16275 ]]> Recently, Hong Kong has been home to a secret and extremely glamorous spot, L’Appartement Louis Vuitton. Installed at one of my favorite private clubs, The Kee Club, this six week pop-up saw acclaimed interior designer André Fu transform some of the club’s rooms into a fully furnished apartment complete with dining room, sitting room and boudoir, all designed to reflect the sumptuous luxury of the French fashion house. I attended a good friend’s birthday lunch there, and the lavish furnishing and clever décor made me feel like I was in Paris.

Some of those bespoke furnishings including onyx marble coffee tables, a blue lacquer dressing table and a specially designed shoe cabinet now form part of a silent auction being held in aid of the extremely worthwhile Hong Kong Cancer Fund. Bids need to be in by 15th November, with information available from this email address lappartement@hk.vuitton.com. Extremely chic and a great cause – surely worth a look!

www.cancer-fund.org

]]> http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/the-world-of-kotur-presents-lappartement-louis-vuitton-silent-auction/feed/ 0 The World of KOTUR: The World of KOTUR celebrate #toryburchshanghai http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/the-world-of-kotur-celebrate-toryburchshanghai/ http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/the-world-of-kotur-celebrate-toryburchshanghai/#comments Wed, 05 Nov 2014 05:05:48 +0000 kotur http://www.koturltd.com/blog/?p=16371 ]]> Last Wednesday, I was thrilled to join my dear friend, Tory Burch, in Shanghai for the celebration of her new flagship store opening.

The dinner that followed the store event was the most surreal and glamorous interpretation of “New York to Shanghai” imaginable,  as elements from Tory’s apartment and Southampton NY house were recreated  on the roof of Shanghai’s Peninsula Hotel. The large windows overlooked spectacular Manhattan views of Central Park,  and dinner was  catered by Fat Radish with a performance by Lil Buck. Best of all New York imports were the other friends who flew in to  celebrate with Tory, and to toast the best of both worlds.

]]> http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/the-world-of-kotur-celebrate-toryburchshanghai/feed/ 0 The World of KOTUR: Eat.. Shop.. Play.. With Fanny Pereire http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/eat-shop-play-with-fanny-pereire/ http://www.koturltd.com/blog/2014/11/eat-shop-play-with-fanny-pereire/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2014 07:30:32 +0000 kotur http://www.koturltd.com/blog/?p=16186 ]]> Known to her friends as “Fannypedia”, film art curator Fanny Pereire is the go-to source for anything and everything. Having just wrapped up films like, Annie, Top Five, Selfless and The Intern, Fanny shares some of her favorite insider places.

Rio de Janeiro

Eat
When I go to A Gentil Carioca Gallery, I always stop by Colombo Confiserie for a sweet fix. For steak, Churrascaria Majorica is the place to go. I also order Limonada Suica everywhere I go.

Shop
Lenny Niemeyer for the best swimsuits – best fit, dries the fastest and great prints. They also have coordinating wraps and covers, and also have the best attitude. Alexia Niedzielski & Bianca Brandolini for Osklen is also amazing – I love their palm tree inspired collection. Francesca Romana Diana for cool earrings made of local stones. Maria Oiticica Biojoias for one of a kind jewelry made of vegetable. Custom made Havainas are also a must.

Play
 The best beach is Copacabana in Ipanema and on Sundays, I go to Feira Hippie. I also love roaming around A Gentil Carioca Gallery downtown, and Galeria Nara Roesler in Ipanema for contemporary finds. Real Gabinete Portugues de Leitura is also the coolest place – a must see. I also love Instituto Moreira Salles.

Bahamas

Eat
Café Matisse has the best Italian food on the island. When we shot “The Other Woman” outside of Compass Point, I always went for their Conch Salad. The Poop Deck at Sandy Port for Conch Fritters is always satisfying.

Shop
Cole’s of Nassau and Bahama Handprints are the places to stock up – there is something for everyone. You cannot go to Bahamas without going to these two stores.

Play
Rose Island and the Beach at Old Fort Bay in Nassau is where you will find me.

Cartagena
Eat
La Vitrola in the old centre for local Colombian with a fusion twist. Rooftop of Hotel Santa Teresa for drinks and people watching and dinner outside at Piazza Santo Domingo.

Shop
I shop for El Dorado Pre-Colombian reproduction jewelry from Museo del Oro at Galeria Cano.

Play
Day trip boat hopping around Isla del Rosario, and jumping from one friend’s house to another.

More about Fanny Pereire.

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