Unlimited Potential
Right now it’s an interesting time up at the top of the market – whether you are talking about supercars, private jets, luxury properties, investments or anything else on the radar of the super rich. Everywhere you look people are shouting out about the explosion of wealth, and how there are more people with more money than ever before.
London Hen Nights
As the years pass my bridesmaid CV is unfortunately becoming more and more extensive, each year though the level of difficulty increases with an advancement in responsibility. I found myself this December a Chief bridesmaid to my cousin Zara and in the tricky position of organising a ‘Hen Party’ for some pretty trendy girls about town and so the challenge began of organizing a ‘Luxury Hen’.
Eugene Onegin
Oligarchs and Kossacks unite, for the Royal Opera House has a treat in store for all those with a penchant for exquisite Russian music. Pyotr Tchaikosvky, renowned for his fine symphonies and ballets (Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and The Sleeping Beauty – currently showing at the Royal Opera House), was a composer of great depth and variety.
The Barber of Seville
February may be over (as is the Ides of March and Easter too), but romance is still in the (Arctic!) air for Vanessa Threapleton-Horrocks, who left London behind for the heady heights of the Big Apple in order to bring Lusso readers the next operatic review in the series, (in what is fast becoming a global cultural mission!), direct from the stalls at the Met…
The Maltese Falcon
The first time anyone lays eyes on the Maltese Falcon, you know they are going to be impressed, regardless of whether they are fans of big boats or not. Immediately you can see that there is something fundamentally different about it, but exactly what that is might not be so clear.
Southern Grace
There are two great things about South Africa. One is that it is in the southern hemisphere, and so it is one half of the perfect life – summer in England (OK, well maybe not this year), and winter 7000 miles further south. The second is that, unlike almost any other non-European travel hotspot, it is only one or two hours forward of GMT, so no jetlag. Get on the plane at night, go to sleep, and get off at the other end with no bizarre body clock malfunctions.
In Search of Perfection
As the sun rises a cacophony of bells ring throughout the whole of Florence, it was time to check out of our hotel set deep within the centre of the city. This first stage of our journey would be undoubtedly the most challenging, as my F430 and the other two cars accompanying us (a Ferrari 599 and a 430 Spider) had to navigate through busy, central Florence to the nearest petrol station.
Felix Dennis
Felix Dennis has a lot of everything. He has a lot of money (so much, in fact, he can’t count it, but let’s say £700M, give or take the odd £50M), from a lot of publications (more than 50 magazines and websites in UK and America), earned over the last 30 years with a lot of backstory (the crack cocaine addiction isn’t the interesting bit, it’s the fact he got himself off it, cold turkey, on his own, in 6 weeks, flat).
Serenity in the Seychelles
Meditating upon the madness that is flying today, it’s hard to recall the beautiful things in life when withstanding the relatively restricted comforts of a 12-hour flight. But all this dissipates into thin air once the airbus begins its decent down towards the Indian Ocean, and glancing wistfully into the aeroplane’s familiarly meagre oval window, one proceeds to stare across into the heavens mid-flight or to smile smugly in childish awe at the Lilliputian-sized toy towns that seem to reside so peacefully beneath the wings.
La Cenerentola
What better time is there than the festive season to embark upon a pilgrimage to London’s finest opera institution, where lofty tones and intricately-crafted songs are uttered with exacting dexterity and harmony, amidst the dramatic dome-like backdrop where audiences meet operatic stars in all their vocal glory.
The Coast of Dreams
Looking out from the balcony of Noriega’s Punta Paloma show apartment in Manilva at the glass like Mediterranean Sea, you would almost think that the scene had been retouched in Photoshop. The sky is clear blue, matching the sea with its colour saturation, and with the sun burning at a very nice 75 degrees Fahrenheit, you would be mistaken for believing it was the height of summer.
Sugar Suite London
A few issues ago we wrote briefly about a new development right on the edge of the City of London called City Quarter. At that point only the first stage of the project had been completed; a new build block which offered a great location in a well designed building.
Did Russian billionaire buy 496 million euro property?
Recently, it was reported that Villa Leopolda was sold to a Russian billionaire for just under 500 million euros. It soon revealed that Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov was behind the sale. As is the habit with Russian oligarchs, Prokhorov made his billions in precious metals. In 2007 he launched a $17 billion private investment fund, so he was definitely wealthy enough to purchase the property.
AirDrives earphones are perfect for the runner or cyclist
Personal headphones have developed a lot in the last few years since the expansion of the MP3 industry. Most companies have been furthering the sound quality, but Mad Catz have looked at a different market, the user who wants to hear the surroundings. So if you're a runner, a cyclist or just someone who doesn't want to immerse themselves in music... read on.
New Lord Norman Foster designed yacht launches next month
YachtPlus are a company specialising in fractional ownership of yachts. In conjunction with designer Lord Norman Foster, they will be releasing their 'Signature Series' craft in September. The total cost is $16m and with 8 owners of each vessel, the cost is $2m for ownership.
Review – Jabra Titanium Bluetooth headset
Lets be honest, no-one fancies losing their driving license and the recent crackdown on driving with mobile phones has made alternatives such as bluetooth headsets a much better option. Most of these are ugly plastic devices, so its refreshing to see Jabra taking the headsets up market.
Issue 13, Available June 2008.
Jet Special
We investigate the new class of light jet and investigate whether personal is the smart way to travel. We find out how you can own and operate an ex-military jet so you can spend the rest of your weekends going supersonic.
Helicopter Group Test
We put the most popular helicopters to the test and find out which one you should be living with! We even explore the new world of tilt-rotors.
And the regulars...
Brian Ebbesen, Arash Farboud, Nick English and others all share their views
Raising the Stakes
“Thinking of selling 16th century farmhouse in conservation area 4/5 bdrooms, 3 acres - do not wish...” By P. Whyte 22 August 2008
Buying a Bugatti Veyron
“Cars like this are only so stylish because not everyone can have them-- that is precisely the poin...” By Pablo Hudson 16 August 2008
Gary Rhodes opens new restaurant at Grosvenor House, Dubai
“As chairman of Northern Region Variety Club, it is my job to try and raise funds for the benefit o...” By Peter Johnson Chairman of Variety Club Northern Region UK 12 August 2008
