le style edition 12 paris - preview

LE STYLE

ParisA photography magazine

edition 12www.lestyle.org

CHANEL ET SILS MARIA . CHANEL AND SILS MARIA

CHANEL ET LES ACTRICES . CHANEL AND THE ACTRESSES

Kristen Stewart en CHANEL au défilé CHANEL Haute-Couture Automne/Hiver 2013-14 © Photo par Olivier Borde Kristen Stewart wearing CHANEL at Haute - Couture CHANEL show Fall/Winter 2013-14 © Picture by Olivier Borde

Juliette Binoche portant une robe noire CHANEL Haute-Couture. Festival International du Film à Toronto le 7 septembre 2013 © Getty Images - Alberto E. Rodriguez Juliette Binoche wearing a black CHANEL Haute-Couture dress. Toronto International Film Festival on 7th September 2013 © Getty Images - Alberto E. Rodriguez

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© 2014 Le Style Magazine

All Rights reserved. No Part of this publication may be reproduced, distrib-uted or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permis-sion of the editor, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright laws.

For permission requests, write to the editor at the address below.

[email protected]

Le Style2501/50 Albert Road

South Melbourne VIC 3205 Australia

Telephone: 61-450 545 564www.lestyle.org

ISSN 2203-4978Published in Australia in 2014

by Le StyleABN: 59298662491

EDITOR IN CHIEFSha Anderson

CREATIVE DIRECTIONAnthony Anderson

WRITERS, CONTRIBUTING JOURNALISTSAND PHOTOGRAPHERS

Akil Wingate (US)Terry Check (UK)

Shanon Quinn (AU)Le Secret d’Audrey (FR)Juliane Berry (LA/FR)

Andre Elhay (AU)Sabine Naider Batko (AU/FR)

Charles Znaty (FR)

STOCKISTSemail to [email protected]

Quarterly published

ADVERTISINGEmail to [email protected]

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WELCOMEEditor’s Letter

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SOCIALIZE Modern stylish Parisian chic -

Longchamp opens new flagship store in world’s most livable citySurvival of the chicest with Survival Chic

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition14

PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEAEditorial:

Le Secret d’AudreyJuliane Berry Photography

The Anguished Bride22

BEST OF LUXE TRAVELBest of French luxe in Bali - Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua

L’heure du The event - Sofitel SO Singapore A blacktie L’heure du Thé Melbourne

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ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGEParis 4ème arrondissement

Hôtel de VilleOpéra Garnier

Cirque d’Hiver BouglioneMoulin Rouge

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ZODIACForecasts for the year of sheep: 2015

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Magazine coverby Le Secret d’Audrey Paris

Gown by Paolo Corona Paris www.paolo-corona.comMore details on www.lescretdaudrey.com

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CONTENTS

love the end of year and beginning of a brand new one. It’s celebration time for many things - the past, present and the

future. It takes time for a woman to know her identity, who she is and what she wants. That’s the beauty with time is we have plenty of it to make mistakes, learn and travel. No matter what your situation is, today’s strong new media generation will tell you that now is the time to do what you love (and Instagram it!). That is the Style that molds you. When you do what you love, you automatically develop your own style in what you wear, who your friends are - new and inspiring ones, you start on your dreams - new and big dreams, and most of all, you become a force to be reckoned with! That is the Style. It’s today’s Style. To be what you are meant to be. No matter what you look like, where you come from and what the society think of you. The Style is always to be true to who you are and the rest will follow. If you’re meant to break the stereotypes, then do it.

In this final issue of the year, I chose the theme, Paris for many rea-sons. There isn’t a better way in summing up the year of Le Style’s photography series in 2014 with the city that inspired many of us. I love how there is now a much better understanding about Paris and Parisians, the most talked about Parisian chic, and the politics. Despite the buzz on Europe’s economy downslide in the last couple of years (although improving), there are more travellers than ever who hasn’t given up on Paris in their bucket list to live, experience and be inspired. It remains to be one of the top places to be today.

Le Style team and I got to meet the CEO of Longchamp, Jean Cassegrain who was such a humble and well groomed man. His quiet success speaks volume in the Le Pliage collection. The new flagship store of Longchamp in Melbourne is definitely one to go to for the urban luxe lifestyle. We also met Parisian fashion designer, Jean Paul Gaultier who had an amazing energy! He understands the diversity of women and is fun and fabulous! As part of connecting with my readers, I met sev-eral beautiful ladies at this year’s L’heure du The fundraiser event we produced in Melbourne and Singapore. How amazing

it was to meet many people from across the globe in celebration of our common interests - Parisian style, gastronomy and France!

I’m very pleased to be sharing with you the one year old Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua resort that tops the best of Bali luxury stays you can find. A private space, fantastic food, the most helpful staff and a gorgeous blend of French and Balinese style with divine products by Lanvin and Clarins in the rooms and spa. Absolutely heavenly!

I have been a big fan of Sofitel luxury hotels and am thrilled on their newly opened Sofitel SO Singapore, a Karl Lagerfeld collaboration where its emblem was designed by the icon himself. La BiblioteK is one library that you must go to for that petite escape in the bustling city, emersed in books that Karl Lagerfeld selected for the shelves pe-riodically.

Thank you for reading Le Style, engaging with us on social media, on email and supporting us at L’heure du The events. May you have many travels. Power to you.

Sha AndersonEditor in Chief

EDITOR’S LETTER

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17 October 2014 – 8 February 2015

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The Fashion World of JEAN PAUL GAULTIER From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk

French luxury House Longchamp was found-ed in Paris in 1948 by Jean Cassegrain, is still owned and run by the Cassegrain family today. Longchamp’s luggage, handbags and accessories have a worldwide reputation for craftsmanship, quality, which now extends to shoes and ready-to-wear collections.

Longchamp is an international brand that has maintained momentum and energy across the decades. It epitomizes French flair, fresh and inspiring creativity, as well as sharing the active lives of women across the world who enjoy a touch of luxury every day. Refreshing advertising campaigns and exciting collaborations with artists underline the contempo-rary and sometimes playful spirit of Longchamp, which owns more than 270 exclusive boutiques worldwide.

REVEALING THE NEW LONGCHAMP ICON FOR AUTUMN 2014

More than 65 years of savoir-faire are the perfect standpoint from which to focus on the future, as Longchamp proves once again with the launch of LE PLIAGE® HÉRI-TAGE. Drawing on the authentic leather craftsmanship for which the Longchamp workshops are renowned, this desirable new city bag pays homage to the legendary Le Pliage®, yet is surely destined to become an icon in its own right – the fashion statement of the season and beyond.

With its unique mix of contemporary style and artisan tradition, LE PLIAGE® HÉRITAGE clearly has all it takes to become Long- champ’s next it-bag. From the original Le Pliage®, it borrows its distinctive trapezoidal structure, which – interpreted in firm, finely grained cowhide leather – becomes graphic and modern. This striking, instantly identifiable shape is offset by minimalist detailing: the emblematic flap of Le Pliage® is transformed into an elegant trompe-l’oeil, highlighted by contrast

edges, while the Longchamp signature in pale gold sets the seal on the under-stated luxury of LE PLIAGE® HÉRITAGE.

The essence of up-to-the-minute urban chic, LE PLIAGE® HÉRITAGE is also su-premely versatile. A removable strap, in addition to its slender handles, means it can be carried in several ways: in the hand, on the arm, on the shoulder or – for maximum fashion kudos – across the body. Each time, the effect is different, spanning the style spectrum from classic to cutting-edge.

Five deep, rich shades complement the graphic shape and refined leather of LE PLIAGE® HÉRITAGE: Black and Amber are time- lessly elegant, Carmine, Bilberry and Ecru intriguing or eye-catching.The bag’s pure lines also lend themselves to more extravagant interpretations. For out-and-out glamour, look no further than LE PLIAGE® HÉRITAGE LUXE in baby calf hair printed with a panther motif in Camel, Carmine, Mint or Iron. Alternatively, a subtle ombré print in shades of grey and beige nails the sophisticated less-is-more look.

SOCIALIZEModern stylish Parisian chic

Longchamp opens new flagship store in world’s most livable city, Melbourne

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LE STYLE had the opportunity to interview Mr Cassegrain – CEO of Longchamp at the opening event of its flagship boutique on 119 Collins Street in Melbourne. An exclusive interview about Longchamp brand values, the launch of LE PLIAGE® HÉRITAGE and how Longchamp stands out in the luxury market of Melbourne. We thank our Contributing Editor, Sabine Naider Batko from Paris and photographer Andre Elhay (www.elhay.co) for conducting this interview.

LS: What is the secret behind Longchamp’s longevity? JC: What’s most important to us is the product. There are many brands that sell bags but how many of them make the bags themselves? We are a family busi-ness and a very French one, which gives a certain honesty and authenticity to our product. Our factories are located in the west of France in the region of Maine-et-Loire, Mayenne, Vendee. Even though today we are selling all over the world, a French, or more precisely Parisian outlook toward our designs persist, because it’s a kind of model for the women of the world. Some brands try primarily to satisfy an overseas market. Our brand is one of the most preferred brands among French women because we continue to give great importance to our French clientele. The family based side to our business also gives us a lot of stability and more time to work in our own rhythm.

LS: So here we are in Melbourne, Australia! How did you first arrive on the inter-national scene? JC: The international dimension has actually always existed. Originally Longc-hamp sold pipes and leather accessories for pipes - beautiful objects. Our first international clients were Australian and American soldiers present in Paris after the war. When they returned home to their countries we followed them. As a result, very quickly my grandfather sold overseas to retail outlets like Georges in

Melbourne. Everything was done from Paris and exported. Today we are physical-ly present in many different countries, thanks to our boutiques and our partners like the Hunt family in Australia.

LS: How do you think Longchamp stands out in the luxury market of Melbourne?JC: The Longchamp bag is first and foremost a Parisian woman’s product par excellence with all that it represents. Also, our brand is in constant movement, as depicted by the image of our logo, a galloping horse in perpetual movement. Our products are designed to be functional, for travel or for everyday use. Longc-hamp stands out in Melbourne because we are fundamentally French.

LS: Who is the Longchamp woman? Can we still say that she is Parisian? JC: In spirit yes, but she is international. We have a very diverse clientele. The Pliage bag is universal, it can be appreciated both by young girls as well as their mothers and grandmothers but also to men. It’s a bag that is worn by all social classes, which is quite unique for a luxury brand.


Interview special with CEO of Longchamp, Jean Cassegrain

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by Contributing Editor, Sabine Naider Batko and photographer Andre Elhay


Interview special with CEO of Longchamp, Jean Cassegrain

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by Contributing Editor, Sabine Naider Batko and photographer Andre Elhay

LS: You are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the iconic Le Pliage this year and you have created Le Pliage Heritage. Where did the idea for this design come from?JC: To stay iconic you sometimes have to reinvent yourself. It’s a non-stop process of renewal. We have respected the original blueprint of the famous Pliage, it’s trapezoidal form, but reinvented it, resulting in a more developed product with a refined design which supersedes the original.

LS: Recently this year we have seen you surrounded by some of the most beauti-ful women such as Kate Moss, Coco Rocha or Alexa Chung. What do they repre-sent for Longchamp?JC: Indeed, these women symbolise the dynamic, energetic side of our brand. They also help to internationalise the brand.

LS: What are your thoughts on the relationship between digital and luxury?JC: Digital comunication is increasingly important even though the product re-mains the centre of our preoccupations. No-one wants to be the best kept secret of our time. Digital media gives a visibility. Our website has proven to be very successful and we have started selling online. In 2003 we launched the concept of personalising bags. In fact it has been 40 years that we have been partners with the Hunt family and our products are available on their website,

www.huntleather.com.

LS: Longchamp is a brand increasingly in demand with luxury products that one dreams about and are actually attainable. How have you managed to keep your prices reasonable within this luxury market?JC: The goal is to have a sensible price that reflects reality. There is a lot of inflation in the luxury sector. Our ambition is to manufacture products of high quality with beautiful materials, fine finishes, and a fair price. It’s a subtle balance unique to our brand where the product is the centre piece.

LS: What does luxury mean to you ?JC: Everyone has their own definition. Luxury could simply be having time for oneself. With respect to Longchamp, it’s le luxe optimiste, the possibility to create a fresh, colorful and energetic image for oneself. This approach has perhaps more warmth to it as opposed to other brands that sometimes tend to lean toward the cold and distant.

Regional Managers of Longchamp Oceania with Jean Cassegrain (centre), Director of Le Style, Sha Anderson and Contributing Editor Sabine Naider Batko


Opening party of Longchamp’s new flagship store

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Photography by Andre Elhay www.elhay.co

French luxury House Longchamp was founded in Paris in 1948 by Jean Cassegrain, is still owned and run by the Cassegrain family today. Longchamp’s luggage, handbags and accessories have a worldwide reputation for craftsmanship, quality, which now ex-tends to shoes and ready-to-wear collections.Longchamp is an international brand that has maintained momen-tum and energy across the decades. It epitomizes French flair, fresh and inspiring creativity, as well as sharing the active lives of women across the world who enjoy a touch of luxury every day. Refreshing advertising campaigns and exciting collaborations with artists underline the contemporary and sometimes playful spirit of Longchamp, which owns more than 270 exclusive boutiques worldwide.

L O N G C H A M P

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urvival Chic (SC), Singapore’s first & premier Lifestyle Membership & Dining Program, was created in 2009 to help busy executives & ex-

pats get the best of the city in their precious leisure time. SC Members enjoy two main benefits: 1) 30% off the bill at 50 top restaurants, including alcohol & guests, and 2) complimentary and VIP invites, every day, to the city’s most sought-after private events.

Having travelled, worked and traipsed across 6 continents collectively (no win-eries in Antarctica), founders Christophe (C)and Virginia (V) know the time and effort it takes to discover the best lifestyle experiences in a city. For over a decade, their inboxes overflowed with requests from friends-of-friends moving to one of the cities they had called home. These friends by association were looking for an authentic Scandinavian brunch in Buenos Aires, a funky Filipino art gallery in Singapore, or the shadiest terrace in Delhi or Paris for drinking a glass of bubbly.

C & V always took time to write back - but they found the more suggestions they gave, the more requests they got. It seemed that smart cosmopolitans everywhere were looking for a chic “Survival kit” -- a list of insider tips -- a shortcut to the city’s best food, wine, art, branding, & cultural events. And thus Survival Chic was born.

C & V chose to start with Singapore, where the steep prices, and overwhelming amount of restaurants, make choosing a restaurant a daunting (and expensive) affair. Many foodies are reluctant to try new restaurants, due to their lack of trust in Singapore restaurant reviews (99% have been paid for), and the frustrating effect of spend-ing a huge amount on a lacklustre meal. So, SC’s first priority was to give Members a list of Restaurants they could trust (SC doesn’t accept money from its Restaurant Partners, choosing purely on quality), and a strong incentive (the 30% off) to go out and discover new dining experiences.

Survival Chic’s list of 50+ handpicked Restaurant Partners, where Members enjoy 30% off with no annoying conditions (even brunch & sets are included!) features a range of cuisines, locations and atmospheres. From sumptuous Ital-ian fare at Senso, Forlino and Burlamacco to breathtaking views of Marina Bay at ME@OUE, from dining with the friends or family at Greek Favorite Blu Kouzina, to a night out with colleagues at cool Kinki or trendy Skirt, from tapas at Sabio, to an intimate al fresco moment at Latteria Mozzarella, to bubbly brunches at il Lido, O Batignolles, and Edge.

Via a weekly Newsletter, SC also extends to its Members Complimentary & VIP invitations to SC invitations to the city’s top private events (from the hottest F1 afterparties, to private champagne events, from fashion launches to whisky tast-ings, from luxury car test drives to theatre at Esplanade) These are a unique way to meet interesting people, and/or network with targeted clients & business partners.

Survival Chic members can save up to $25,000+ a year (50+ restaurant Part-ners, max savings at each of $500). So, Membership fees - $350 for the Dining Program, and $450 for the Full Membership (which includes Dining Program + Complimentary & VIP invites) - are reimbursed within 3-4 uses. SC Members often use the card for both personal and business entertainment.

SOCIALIZESurvival of the chicest with Survival Chic

Survival Chic: Spicing up ‘Sing City’s’ Dining and Events SceneHoliday Perk for Le Style readers: Join or gift Survival Chic by 25 December and enjoy a complimentary bottle of bubbly, worth $90, at classy Senso on Club Street , Singapore! Contact: [email protected].

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ith a no-advertising policy, and no financial relationships with suppliers, the SC strategy is simple, explains Director Christophe, “Quality over quantity, and word-of-mouth. We decided to spend our time and money on the service we deliver, rather than on advertising.”

Over time, this has created a strong sense of trust between SC and its members. “Members frequently ask our Team to suggest the best Restaurant to wow a date, to please demanding clients, or to delight visiting family or friends. It’s that level of trust that allows us to connect with them continuously”, co-director Virginia says.

It’s also probably why over 50% of new Members come from referral by existing Members, creating a real sense of community within SC. “It’s statistics like those that make me truly happy,” Virginia continued. “Because I can see that in some small way, we’ve helped our Members discover a new side of Singapore.”

With Restaurant, Branding, & Event partners from Robert Parker to Guy Savoy, from Amber Lounge to Tippling Club, from Aerosmith in Concert to the Ambas-sador’s Sailing Club, and from Veuve Clicquot at the Polo Club to VIP passes to Art Stage, Survival Chic continues its mission to bring Members instant insider

access to the best ‘Sing City’ has to offer. Members like Gray B. say it best:

“The SC Membership has literally changed my life.”Website: www.survivalchic.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SurvivalChicContact: [email protected]

SOCIALIZESurvival of the chicest with Survival Chic

Survival Chic: Spicing up ‘Sing City’s’ Dining and Events Scene

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he exhibition will feature more than 140 intricate and highly-detailed garments spanning his creative output, from the first dress created in 1971 and the launch of his prêt-à-porter collection in 1976 to his most recent haute couture collections. The highly contemporary exhibition, featuring 32 custom ‘talking’ mannequins, is curated by Thierry-Maxime Loriot and organised by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in collaboration with Maison Jean Paul Gaultier, Paris.

This spectacular overview of Gaultier’s extensive oeuvre will include exclusive material not exhibited in previ-ous venues of the tour, such as pieces from his recent haute couture, ready-to-wear collections and pieces created for Australian muses such as Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, Andreja Pejić and Gemma Ward. More than a million visitors have already flocked to see the exhibition on its worldwide tour that includes Montre-al, New York and London.

Gaultier’s rich collaborations with renowned contem-porary artists and photographers such as Andy Warhol, Peter Lindbergh, Richard Avedon, David LaChapelle, Pierre et Gilles, Herb Ritts, Cindy Sherman, Stéphane Sednaoui and Mario Testino among others, are also explored throughout the exhibtiion.

Minister for the Arts Heidi Victoria MP said, ‘The Nation-al Gallery of Victoria is the only Australian venue and, indeed, the only venue in the region, to stage this extraordinary exhibition celebrating the creative talent of one of the world’s most influential fashion designers. The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier promises to be show-stopping and I look forward to welcoming it to Melbourne.’

Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV, said, ‘Jean Paul Gaultier’s radical designs break down stereotypes and clichés, questioning preconceived standards of beauty and chal-lenging societal, gender and aesthetic ‘norms’. The results are exquisite works of art; exuberant, witty, surprising and dramatic. This is a unique chance for our visitors

to experience the world of Jean Paul Gaultier; a world that extends beyond the catwalk into the realms of art, music and film.’

Initiated, developed, produced and circulated by the Mon-treal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) under the direction of Nathalie Bondil, the MMFA’s Director and Chief Curator, the exhibition is organised around seven themes tracing the influences, passions and obsessions of Jean Paul Gaultier; from the streets of Paris and London to his impact on world cinema. A major feature of the exhibition is the 32 custom mannequins utilising high-definition audio-visual projec-tions. A dozen celebrities lent their faces and voices to realise this project, among them Gaultier himself but also muses Ève Salvail and Smashing Pumpkins/Hole bass player Melis-sa Auf der Maur. Many of the mannequins wear remarkable wigs and headdresses created by renowned hairstylist Odile Gilbert and her Atelier 68 team.


The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition in Melbourne

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Ground-breaking French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier’s superbly crafted haute couture, ready-to-wear and red carpet fashion will be on show in the Asia-Pacific exclusive exhibition The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk at the National Gallery of Victoria from 17 October 2014 to 8 February 2015. All images: The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk The National Gallery of Victoria Photo: Brooke Holm

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he production and staging of this dynamic audio-visual element is the work of Denis Marleau and Stéphanie Jasmin of UBU/Compagnie de création of Montreal.

Jolicoeur International, one of Canada’s leading designers and manufacturers of display man-nequins for retail chains, created all the mannequins in the exhibition. They are presented in innovative poses and in skin tones that reflect the various ethnicities of Gaultier’s runway mod-els. Accessories, sketches, stage costumes and excerpts and footage from films, runway shows, concerts and dance performances will help illustrate the intriguing story of this unrivalled fash-ion designer.

The exhibition is accompanied by the first major monograph on the French designer, The Fash-ion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Catwalk to the Sidewalk, as well as a special pub-lication The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Catwalk to Australia highlighting Gaultier’s work with his many Australian muses.

A special program of events have been created including a series of Opening Weekend Talks, the return of the popular Friday Nights series with a huge line-up of fourteen acts including JD Samson, Cibo Matto and the Bombay Royale and a lecture series, A Colourful History of the Stripe, which will detail the historical and societal significance of one of Gaultier’s signature de-sign elements. Later in the season visitors can enjoy Drop-by Drawing: Fashion, Dressed by Jean Paul Gaultier: Movie Marathon and a ten day NGV Children’s Festival which will give kids and families the opportunity to immerse themselves in the exhibition and children’s commission Express Yourself: Romance Was Born for Kids.

The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk is on display at the National Gallery of Victoria from 17 October 2014 until 8 February 2015. Admission fees apply.


The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition in Melbourne

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The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the CatwalkThe National Gallery of Victoria Photo: Brooke Holm

EDITORIAL

Paris is always a good ideaby Le Secret d’Audrey

Photo: Audrey Neracoulis Dress: Paolo Corona Paris www.paolo-corona.com

More details on www.lesecretdaudrey.com

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EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL

If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris, then wherever you go for the rest of

your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.

- Ernest Hemingwayby Juliane Berry Photography

Photo: Juliane BerryMore details on www.julianeberry.com

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EDITORIAL

EDITORIAL

The Anguished BridePhotographer: Lesley Pedraza

Photographer Assistant: Simon VenatorModel: Jacqueline Depaul

Hair & Make-up: Tony YnotPostProduction: Argiris Maipas

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t is a lavish and sophisticated beachfront retreat offering the height of tropical luxury. Boasting superior views of the shim-mering sea, Sofitel’s 415 exquisite rooms and suites offer true

five-star comfort. Hotel facilities include innovative conference rooms and event spaces, two restaurants, one bar and a lobby lounge.

A chic Parisian pied-à-terre

Experience a fusion of French luxury and genuine Balinese opu-lence at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, located in the posh tourist area of Nusa Dua, Bali.

Acclaimed design firms of WATG Architects together with Wilson As-sociates Interior Designers artfully blend elegant French style and traditional Balinese touches throughout the hotel, celebrating and integrating the local culture.

Upon entering the hotel, guests are welcomed with lavish ornaments and scores of traditional Balinese relief carvings along the walls, doors and ceilings hinting at the rich Balinese culture. Each detail emphasizes the elegance and refinement of a Parisian pied-à-terre uniquely blending with the concept of a luxurious beach resort. The resort is a hidden haven with vast open areas, stunning views, yet maintaining a beach resort ambiance and attention to each guest’s comfort, making it a home away from home. Life is Magnifique at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort!

Sofitel Luxury Hotels unveils a spectacular new architectural landmark for Nusa Dua with Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort.

The idea for the lobby design was to create a complete Bali experience within the site. Guests entering the lobby will encounter large timber columns that support the roof. The columns symbolize a banyan tree, which in Balinese villages are the center of social life, whilst traditional Balinese relief carvings adorning the walls, doors and ceilings tell stories about reincarnation.

The vast open space accommodates the lobby bar in an in-timate corner, perfect for brief meetings. Adjacent to the en-trance is a lounge area where guests can take in the soothing ocean breeze and get a glimpse of the shimmering ocean from afar.

The design and construction upholds the principles of maintaining cultural authenticity and environmental sensitivity. The combination of world-class design and Indonesian quality resulted in more than just another unique luxury complex, it has created a landmark.

BEST OF LUXE TRAVELBest of Bali: Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua

A magnifique experience at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort With a strategic location in Bali’s Nusa Dua, Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort offers luxurious facilities and quality service that reflect the brand’s combination of French elegance and flair with warm Balinese hospitality, rich culture and fine arts.

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he Guestrooms

Surrounded by swaying palms and tropical vistas, the guestrooms, suites and villas at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua combine French elegance with scenic sea views to create a chic beach escape.

The resort comprises of 415 rooms consisting of 17 private villas (including one Presidential Suite) and 398 Luxury Rooms. Experience true serenity in ambient sur-roundings, where the Indian Ocean breeze blows away the stress of the outside world and sophisticated amenities take care of every need.

The rooms are lavish beachfront retreats offering the height of trop-ical luxury. Boasting superior views of the clear blue sea, Sofitel’s exquisite rooms and suites offer true five-star comfort.

Enhancing the luxurious experience, all rooms and suites feature flat-screen TVs, DVD players, complimentary broadband Internet access and a fully stocked mini-bar. The room also has 24/7 room services, international newspapers, nightly turndown services and French luxurious bathroom amenities.

Guests can indulge themselves in chic, world- class facilities, blend-ing French elegance and authentic Balinese charm.

Each and every room offers delicate French minimalist designs and infuses earthy, warm colours with exquisite Indonesia batik touches.Alongside expansive marble bathrooms providing Hermès and Lanvin products with breathtaking ocean views, the signature My-BedTM concept ensures nights of total relaxation.

Club Millésime

Sofitel is renowned for its French luxury touches, sophistication and its “cousu main” tailor-made services. Guest can especially experience this ultimate exclusivity at Sofitel’s Club Millésime. Located at the Mezzanine level, this executive floor is designed to meet guests’ every expectation.

At Club Millésime every detail is personalised and every moment exceptional, whether it is a quick meeting with col-leagues, lounging in a comfortable leather armchair reading a book, or simply playing some board games with the kids.

Check with the staff for the special daily agenda, such as a wine or cocktail tasting. Club Millésime offers special guests the height of resort living with world-class facilities.

The Restaurant Kwee Zeen

Elegantly swaged cupboards and live interactive displays are the focal point of the Kwee Zeen restaurant. With fabrics boasting woody tones and exquisite stoneware by Kevala Ce-ramics, the crockery is exclusively hand-made and designed by local Sanur craftsmen which exude an authentic market feel. It further introduces a “market dining” concept with an open live cooking station.

Overall, the effect of its ceiling is to ground the curved planes in the room and expand the notion of splendour and high style. KWEE ZEEN’s concept is simple – presenting the best flavours of Asia, whether from China, Singapore, Malaysia or Japan. This Pan-Asian restaurant is inspired by street food market, elevated to 5-star level through a dynamic and interactive dining experience with visible preparation in its front kitchen called “Atelier” – meaning “workshop” in French. KWEE ZEEN restaurant has a 160-seating capacity, making it the perfect space to host special events.


A magnifique experience at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort

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ut Catch Cucina

Come to CCC (CUT CATCH CUCINA) for a luxurious dining experience. Enjoy unique dining experiences at its multi-outlets, which includes a steakhouse, sea grill section and Italian Osteria.

CUT, the first part of the CCC, is a steakhouse. CUT offers premium meat cuts, whether its wagyu, angus, kurobuta and organic poultry. These quality meats are pro-cessed by the best Diamond Wood fired oven with broiler and antique rotisserie.

CATCH represents the sea grill section that features a fish market with the best selection of local seafood and fish grilled on a magic grill or snacked a la plancha resulting in juicy and tender dishes that will tantalize taste buds.

CUCINA is an Italian Osteria, famous from Tuscany and Emilia Ro-magna, which serves fine dining, modern Italian dishes matching with the perfect wine.

The Bar, L’Oh Bar

For a spectacular evening sunset amidst pristine beachfront land-scapes complimented by world-class cocktails, we proudly welcome you to visit Sofitel’s Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort’s very own L’Oh Bar.The concept is simple - unpretentious service, exquisite deco and the blending of the freshest ingredients with the finest spirits to offer exceptional cocktails or glasses of wine perfectly chilled. With the arrangement of these elements, the L’Oh Bar creates a relaxed experience and a memorable mélange.

Guest can also enjoy light-bites and hors d‘oeuvres while enjoying the beautiful azure-blue tiled pool. In the evening hours, Sofitel’s L’Oh Bar thrives as a sanctuary for the fashionable crowd. It offers a late night hangout, a place to see and be seen.

The So SPA

So SPA is a temple of well-being on the shores of Nusa Dua Beach, both spacious and intimate. Sofitel’s So SPA is the ide-al place for business travelers looking to unwind themselves after a long meeting, or leisure travelers searching for a place to relax and pamper themselves over the weekend.

So SPA creates an exhilarating and rejuvenating experience by combining ancient traditions from around the world with the refinement and skills of the French luxury cosmetics - Cla-rins. Guests can experience blissful massages by the beach or in the comfort of their own rooms. Delicate fragrances, en-trancing music and enchanting décor at So SPA complete the picture of total relaxation by attending to all of the senses.

The gentleness of the aromatic flower bath along with a per-fect massage will make the visit to So SPA an unforgettable experience. Dedicated to well-being, So SPA celebrates the perfect harmony of mind and body.



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ids Club

Sofitel Kids Club, managed by Cheeky Monkeys, is located near the beachfront. The fun and colourful facility dedicated to little guests offers a multitude of features that will appeal to children, such as an outdoor kids’ pool, a reading room stocked with enjoyable and educational material, and also a sleeping room where they can relax and slumber before enjoying the series of fun and games again.

The Kids Club is designed with pleasant colorful themes and decoration. While safety for kids of all ages is the main priority, the room is spacious enough for them to get creative. A host of engaging and stimulating activities awaits our little patrons from indoor activities comprising of storytelling, reading sessions and video

games featuring the latest consoles, to outdoor fun where they can get close to nature.

Activities include outdoor gardening, hone some basic skills through cooking classes, become a “princess” for a day, participate in yoga for kids, splashing about in the outdoor kids’ pool behind the facility or head out on the sand for various beach games. Our Kids Club provides full supervision by a trained, professional team to ensure the utmost safety and security of the children.

“My experience at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua is definitely one I will keep forever.

It was truly a rejuvenating time with that perfect blend of French luxury and the authenticity of Bali culture. It has a large area on the beach with no crowds which is perfect for that private time or special

events. I cannot forget how kind and hospitable all of the staff were, which is what quality French and Balinese customer service is all about. So Spa is one to experience on anyone’s next stop to Bali. Thank you to all for making my experience a magnifique one!” - Director of Le Style, Sha Anderson.



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n November 15, Le Style magazine, Melbourne-based online publication on French luxury and photography, led by Sha Anderson hosted its first annual high tea fundraiser event, L’heure du Thé at Xperience restaurant

of Sofitel SO Singapore to create awareness for the Breast Cancer Foundation of Singapore while sharing the love for France, food and fashion. The Parisian chic themed event brought together sup-porters, clients and readers for a modern French afternoon which included an entertainment program, best-dressed, lucky prize give-aways and donations.

L’heure du Thé (translating tea time in French) event was a luxury high tea styled in a Karl Lagerfeld designed interior of Sofitel SO Singapore presented with an exclusive menu by Executive Chef Anne-Cécile Degenne served with luxury tea company, TWG Tea who hosted a hot tea buffet for guests. Renown fashion illustrator Kerrie Hess who has illustrated for various recognized internation-al names such as Ladurée and Chanel, was the special guest with an autograph special on complimentary L’heure du Thé illustration

post- ers as part of the gift bags given out on the day.

Guests attended in a Parisian chic dresscode from a good mix of Asian fashion professionals, international expats and foodies with a common interest on France and luxury. The best-dressed and lucky prizes was a bouquet of flowers donated by Blissfulthots. A breast cancer foundation merchandise and donation booth was set up at the event for donations and information. Executive Director of Alliance Francaise Singapore, Claire-Lise Dautry made a speech on French language in today’s modern society, a ballet performance was performed by graduates of School of Performing Arts, La Salle SIA and renown beauty company, Luxola offered guests a complimentary beauty advice at a pop- up salon at L’heure du Thé event.

Karri Nicholas, a model and presenter emceed the entertain-ment program. Also in attendance were Mr Vincent Lelay, Cluster General Manager of the Singapore Resort & Spa Sentosa and Sofitel SO Singapore, Mr David Perlon, Area Manager of TWG Tea and Ms Jacinta Rowe, Marketing and Communications Director at Fragrance Du Bois. “We are truly blessed. The generosity of our guests is absolutely amazing. The support of all of our sponsors and the dedication of our volunteers is what makes this event such a success,” said Sha Anderson. “We feel fortunate to be able to make this contribu-tion to the Breast Cancer Foundation of Singapore.” L’heure du Thé Singapore was made possible by principal sponsor, Sofitel SO Singapore and the following partners: Laduree Singapore, TWG Tea, Sonata Dancewear, Survival Chic, Alliance Francaise de Singapour, Honeycombers, Le Petit Journal de Singapour, Zurina Bryant Photography, Skipping Stones Media, Le Petit Depot, Luxola Singapore, KOSE, Blissfulthots, Fragrance du Bois and Uber SIngapore.

Le Style promotes inspirations to travel to France and French luxury through photography and L’heure du Thé events. Based in Melbourne Australia, the online magazine and events started in 2011 and have been raising funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation ever since. Le Style will bring L’heure du Thé events to its international audience from the end of 2014 to raise funds and awareness for the local Breast Cancer Organizations and connects with French and Francophile community. To learn more, visit www.lestyle.org or call (61) 0450 545 564.

BEST OF LUXE TRAVELA Le Style event

Love for France, food and fashion at L’heure du Thé Singapore and Melbourne events Le Style connects with readers and Francophiles in first annual luxury charity event at Sofitel SO Singapore and 4th annual luxury charity event at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins featuring renown fashion illustrator, Kerrie Hess as special guest. Photography by Zurina Bryant (www.zurinabryant.com).

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L’heure du Thé Singapore event at Sofitel SO SingaporeThank you to principal sponsor, Sofitel SO Singapore and all supporting partners and guests who support the breast cancer awareness event. Photography by Zurina Bryant (www.zurinabryant.com).

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n July 12, Le Style hosted its fourth annual high tea fund-raiser event, L’heure du Thé at West Tower Suite on level 35 of Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.

L’heure du Thé (meaning tea time in French) event was a luxury high tea styled in an elegant monochro- matic black and white inte-rior styled by Little Big Company and The Eleventh Flower Designs. Couture laced macarons and meringue drops by Macarahrah, flo-ral-art cupcakes by Studio Cake, demitasse sugar sticks by Little Big Company and silver leafed petits choux by Executive Chef Pierrick Boyer from Le Petit Gateau added to the luxurious elements of the event, all handmade in black and white in sync with the overall opu- lence accompanied with Parisian tea house, Mariage Frères in Paris who has sponsored their famous Marco Polo teas at the event.

Renown fashion illustrator Kerrie Hess who has illustrated for var-ious recognized international names such as Le Meurice hotel in

Paris and Ladurée, was the special guest with a book-signing special meeting fans and autographing her featured illustrations on Le Style magazines which was part of the goody bags given out on the day.

Guests attended in a black and white - black tie dresscode from a good mix of Australian fashion professionals, French expats and Melbourne foodies with a common interest on France and luxury. The best- dressed prizes, selected by presenter, Colette Werden were a bouquet of flowers by The Eleventh Flower Designs, a Kerrie Hess illustrated iPhone case from The Dairy and a large cake from Le Petit Gateau. A La Petite Robe Noire (The Little Black Dress) fashion installation by Creative Director and Stylist Dean Hewitt from Madam Virtue & Co included eight looks by Elsa Schiaparelli, Tom Ford for Gucci, Roksanda Ilincic, John Rocha and JC Lloyd-Southwell d’Anvers for Madam Virtue.

Deputy Director & Manager of Cultural Events of Alliance Francaise Melbourne, Francoise Libotte made a speech on French language in today’s modern society, French Designer and Stylist JC Lloyd-Southwell d’An- vers from Madam Virtue & Co shared his perspectives on the little black dress concept in Australia and Paris, a neoclassical ballet was performed by The Jane Moore Academy of Ballet and comedienne Kate Hanley performed her stand-up comedy as the hilarious ‘Parisian pop icon’ Fanny Bouffante.

Colette Werden, a TV presenter, Style & Image Specialist and Alfa Romeo ambassador emceed the event. Also in attendance were Creative Director and Stylist DEAN HEWITT from Madam Virtue & CO, Executive Chef PIERRICK BOYER of Le Petit Gateau, Melbourne’s socialite SHIVA SINGAM and fashion stylist REUBEN CHEOK.

This year’s L’heure du Thé Melbourne was made possible by the following partners and sponsors: Little Big Company, Eleventh Flower Designs, Kerrie Hess Illustration, Colette Werden, Madam Virtue & CO, mei+pic- chi, Fanny Bouffante, Le Petit Gateau, Mariage Frères Paris, Alliance Francaise Mel-bourne, The Jane Moore Academy of Ballet, Andre Elhay Photography, Popcorn Films Melbourne, entertainmentone, Collins Place, Deitea and Uber Melbourne.


4th annual L’heure du Thé Melbourne event atSofitel Melbourne on CollinsOur favourite thing to do - to connect with readers and Francophiles at our 4th annual luxury charity event at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins featuring renown fashion illustrator, Kerrie Hess’s book signing special. Photography by Andre Elhay (www.elhay.co).

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A blacktie L’heure du Thé Melbourne event atSofitel Melbourne on CollinsOur special thanks to all supporting partners and loyal guests who came to celebrate our common interests - France, food and fashion. Photography by Andre Elhay (www.elhay.co).

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his year, the Paris Île-de-France Regional Tourism Committee and the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau have decided to combine their analyses of tourist numbers. In view of the various initiatives involved in the Greater

Paris plan (which should reach completion by January 2016), and the fact that visitors travel beyond administrative boundaries, the new scope under investigation includes “Greater Paris”1 and all other destinations in the Paris Île-de-France region.

High numbers of tourists, slightly down on 2013

High numbers of tourists continued to visit Greater Paris and its sur-rounding region in the first half of 2014: there were a total of 1.1 million (-1.1%) and 15.7 million (-1.6%) hotel check-ins, respec-tively. The numbers of international visitors, with 5.4 million hotel check-ins in Greater Paris (down 0.9% on 2013) and 7.3 million in the Île-de-France (a 0.1% increase) were close to the record levels seen in 2013 for both zones. The fall in the numbers of hotel check-ins over the first half of 2014 (-1.3% in Greater Paris and -3.1% in the Île-de-France region) was less dramatic than in the first half of 2013 (-9.2% in Greater Paris and -5.6% in the Île-de-France region). This hints at a possible return to growth towards the end of this year.

“The numbers of tourists visiting Paris from elsewhere in France are continuing to fall, although this decline is slowing. I would therefore like to ap-peal to the SNCF. The train fares that these visitors have to pay are too high – they are a disincentive, and prevent them from coming to our region. People working in the tourism sector are prepared to do what it takes to win back French visitors. However, the SNCF has to play its part”, says François Navarro, Managing director of the Paris Île-de- France Regional Tourism Committee.

This stagnation in the numbers of people staying in hotels explains the very slight change in hotel occupancy rates (OR): a 0.3% increase in Île-de-France, with an OR of 73.5% and a 0.2% fall in Greater Paris, with an OR of 75.8%; a 0.4% fall in Paris, with an OR of 77.6%. The significant fall in the numbers of nights spent in hotels for business purposes right across the region (11.7%) is one of the symp-toms of the economic slowdown. However, the modest recovery that the IMF has forecast (1% growth in GDP in the last quarter of 2014) and the various profes-sional events scheduled for autumn could help business tourism. The number of visitors to various museums and monuments in the Paris region is actually on the increase, particularly to the Grand Palais, the Montparnasse Tower, the Petit Palais, Versailles, Fontainebleau Castle and its museum and the Bourget air and space museum.

Variations in growth among international visitors

The first half of 2014 showed some variation in tourist numbers depending on nationality and country. There was a 3.8% increase (847,000) in hotel check-ins from the country from which most visitors to Greater Paris originate – the US. However, total stays tended to be shorter (2.7 nights) than they were in 2013

(down 4.1%). There were more visitors from the UK to the region as a whole than from anywhere else (987,000 hotel check-ins, down 3.5% on 2013). More peo-ple from the UK than from any other country visit Disneyland© Paris – a destina-

tion which has definite appeal for the British.

As far as visitors from the rest of Europe are concerned, numbers have been steadily falling for nearly 10 years. But surprisingly, there has been a return to growth from the Spanish: a 2.4% increase in the number of Spanish people visit-ing Greater Paris (259,000 hotel check-ins) and a 3.5% increase in the numbers visiting Ile-de France (403,000 hotel check-ins). There has also been an increase in the numbers of Italian tourists, who generally prefer central Paris (359,000 hotel check-ins in Greater Paris, a 1.4% increase). Disneyland© Paris has a great deal of appeal for them as well – 115,000 stayed in the outlying areas of Greater Paris (an 18.5% increase).

Across all markets, the countries in the Near and Middle East saw the highest growth in numbers over the first half of 2014: a 26.2% increase in hotel check-ins in central Paris which attracts the most visitors from these countries. Breaking with tradition, 2014 has seen visitors from China refocusing their attention on central Paris (8.2% increase in hotel check-ins by Chinese visitors, a 4.5% fall in visitors to the inner suburbs and a 15% fall in visitors to Greater Paris). There has been a fall in the number of visitors from Russia and Japan to the whole region (8.1% and 4.8% fall in hotel check-ins, respectively) and to the capital (a 5.1% fall and a 2.2% fall in hotel check-ins). This can be attributed to the difficult economic situation affecting these countries: their currencies have been depreciated and the outlook for growth is poor. And as far as Europe is concerned, there has been a more significant decrease in the numbers of people visiting Paris than Île-de-France from Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands (falls of 10.8%, 13.1% and 10% in hotel check-ins).

BEST OF LUXE TRAVEL

Tourism picks up in Paris and Ile-de-France region, despite the challenging economic situation

Paris Tourism

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Four Seasons George V Paris Hotel

he in-f l u e n c e that Paris

and its surrounding region have, together with the buoyancy of overseas markets, go some way towards offsetting the impact that the European eco-nomic crisis is having on tourist numbers. This reinforces what the Bureau has been doing in relation to loyal markets, such as the US, Japan and Australia, as well as with high-potential markets, such as Chi-na, south-east Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. It will continue with these initiatives, work-ing closely alongside the Paris Île-de-France Regional Tourism Committee”, says Nicolas Lefebvre, managing director of the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau.

July-August: tourist numbers hold steady. The various monitoring systems that the Paris Île-de-France Regional Tourism Committee and Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau have all suggest that numbers held steady in July. 53% of 300 tourism professionals in the Paris region who were polled by the Paris Île-de-France Regional Tourism Committee described the tourist business for July as “good”, while 39% described it as “average”. Only 8% of them described it as “poor” or “very poor”.

For August, the situation regarding tourist numbers in Paris and the Île-de-France region has been more mixed: it has been considered “average” by 42% of tour-ism professionals polled by the Paris Île-de-France Regional Tourism Committee, “good” by 41% and “poor” by 17%. These results are still better than they have been over the last few years. According to data supplied by MKG Hospitality about levels of hotel business in Paris during the first half of August, Paris hotel occu-pancy rates have been at 85% – a 6.4% increase on the same period last year. Occupancy rates exceeded 90% on Saturday 9 and Friday 15 August.

Encouraging outlook for September. More than half (52%) of tourism profession-als polled by the Paris Île-de-France Regional Tourism Committee have described the situation regarding advanced bookings for September as “good” or “very good”. 36% have described it as “average”, while 12% have described it as “poor” or “very poor”. For the medium term, tourism professionals remain optimistic – two thirds of them (66%) are forecasting an improvement in their business, 25% see current business levels holding steady and 9% are predicting a decline.A glittering programme for the end of the year.

Starting in September, Paris and its surrounding area will be playing host to an

impressive array of events. These include “Ratatouille” – a new attraction at Disne-yland© Paris which opened this summer. And September will see a plethora of new exhibitions opening: “Sunrise impression: the dawn of Im-pressionism” at the Marmottan Monet gallery; “The Maya peoples – 3000 years of civilisation”, the most extensive Mayan exhibition ever staged anywhere in the world at the Musée du quai Branly.

The week beginning 25 October will be dedicated to modern art in Paris with three major venues opening (or reopening): the Picasso Museum, the LVMH Foundation for Contemporary Art and completion of the first phase of works on the Monnaie de Paris (Paris Mint).

A month later, a major retrospective of Jeff Koons’ work at the Centre Pompidou and an exhibition dedicated to Hokusaï at the Grand Palais should prove very popular.

As far as business tourism is concerned, a number of major professional trade fairs are scheduled for the second half of this year which should boost figures. These include the Paris Motor Show, SIAL and Equip’hôtel.

And the conference programme is not to be overlooked either. Major events include the IEEE Visualization Conference 2014 (this year celebrating its 25th anniversary), the ICIP (International Conference on Image Processing) and the 89th annual “SOFCOT” conference (French Orthopaedic Association).

1 Greater Paris: Paris and the départements that make up its suburbs (Paris, Seine-Saint-Denis, Val-de-Marne and Hauts-de- Seine)

For more information, go to www.parisinfo.com.

Photo by Juliane Berry (www.julianeberry.com).

BEST OF LUXE TRAVEL

Tourism picks up in Paris and Ile-de-France region, despite the challenging economic situationParis Tourism

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e is often asked where and how he gets his ideas for taste, texture and flavour combinations, these tasty creations that make up his brand and are recognizable among a thousand. He willingly answers... in-

spiration comes from his weakness for sweets, pleasure, sensations, encounters, fragrances and textures. Pierre Hermé is curious about everything and everything inspires him. It seems so easy! He travels while we are carried away by his cre-ations. Many things have been written about Pierre Hermé: that he is “the Picas-so of pastry-making; a Virtuoso of sweets; an Architect of emotions; the Dior of desserts”... but comparisons sidestep the issue. Various explanations have been sought, such as the lineage of pastry chefs he comes from, his training with the master Gaston Lenôtre, or his Alsatian heritage. Pierre Hermé admits that he owes his “passion for the profession” and his excessive taste for “work well done” to all of the above. To these criteria, he immediately adds “his eye for detail” and his “mental imagery”. These images let us catch a glimpse of his inner imag-inary landscape, a sort of Zen garden where each stone contains an emotion, which Pierre Hermé, tirelessly and with patience, arranges with his delicate touch and that special tenderness of his which at times is visible in his eyes. A “mental landscape” where he finds his inspiration, cultivates, composes, imagines, looks, weighs and invents what our pleasures of tomorrow will be.

Yet, after my fifteen years and more spent working by his side, navigating the mysteries of his creative repertoire, it seems as if the heart of the matter is still to be unveiled. Let us look at his past. Speaking of know-how, it is a heritage handed down by our predecessors, which we have a duty to transmit to each generation. At Pierre Hermé, the pastry chefs come from all over the world yet all of them speak the same language. As for technique, it lies in an ironclad discipline that has to be perfectly mastered to contain it within ancillary limits only to be released when the moment to create arrives. No creation of his yields to the temptation of a technical feat and if his peers admire Pierre Hermé, it is also because he imple-ments techniques with such mastery – or even invents them, if necessary – and subjugates them to the pleasure of eating and sharing, rather than contenting himself with the appreciative remarks that an elite on the look-out for technical feats and dazzling gestures would easily have granted him. Regarding ingredi-ents, they are “faux-amis” whose facets he manages to tame before giving them a place in the recipe. Obviously, not all pistachio nuts or chocolates are alike ... and vanilla or rose can exhale very different aromas. As for sugar, it is sometimes a “backdrop”, sometimes “a seasoning, a condiment” which contributes to the balance of the composition without ever seeking the leading role. Because Pierre Hermé considers the end of the meal as “a grand finale”, he has brushed aside pastries in which sugar, a sycophantic cover, flattened the flavours and masked the lack of nobility of the composition.

As for childhood tastes, Pierre Hermé’s contribution has proven to be iconoclastic. Not being satisfied with depriving his pastries of all of the mannerisms, embel-lishments, useless decors that prevail in the field, he also relegated to the rank of gadgets the references to the world of childhood. By showing in his creations that sweets are not the prerogative of youth, Pierre Hermé opened wide the doors of the Gastronomy circles to admit pastry chefs once and for all. Although connois-seurs might like to think so, Pierre Hermé does not rely on Proustian madeleine effects or “kiddie cartoon” mixtures, the reason being that nostalgia will always taste the same.

In 1986, when he began to seek inspiration from the cycle of the seasons to invent new sweet pleasures, Pierre Hermé chose the path of Nature. The freshness of the seasonal fruits, the climate, the fluctuations of his cravings commanded new recipes, new creations. This was not the simplest avenue of exploration. About a thousand recipes and several pâtisserie windows still testify to that era. It is said that no man is a prophet in his own land. Is this the reason why we had to go all the way to Japan to open the first “Pierre Hermé Paris Pâtisserie” boutique in 1998? By inventing the “Pâtisserie Haute Couture” concept and by making this “Collection” idea popular, we only tried to show a well-informed and novelty-ea-ger Japanese public that we were different. And it was a big success.

Visit www.pierreherme.com.

GASTRONOMY

Pierre Hermé, a mysteryby Charles Znaty

Pierre Hermé, a mystrery

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