Through A Glass Brightly Directed By William Snieg For Nowness.

Arrivederci Capri

Caesar Augustus Hotel Anacapri, what a view!

And another view from my hotel

Charming Saints protecting the houses

Hats off Capri Tiberio Hotel

La Terraza of a Private home

Via Tagara

Colour Burst

Back streets of Capri

Beware Jewellery Galore Everywhere..love all the gold on tanned skin.

Leaving La Fontinella with the little yacht called Rising Sun in the background..

Crisp and fresh Italian Rosé

Caesar Augustus Anacapri gorgeous hotel .

Carthusia Parfumeria di Capri, great gifts .

Beautiful staircase at The Capri Tiberio Palace decorated by Giampiero Panepinto

Sunset drinks at la Piazzetta

Love Poems by Pablo Neruda on the Arco Naturale Trail

The view from Punta Tagara

Il Riccio Dessert Room..heaven

Yumm

Full moon view from my balcony

Wonderful invite for the opening of Faraone Mennella’s jewellery shop in Capri.

Now back home , am feeling blue after the magical time that I had in the Isole delle Sirene called Capri. I can hear their call, myth or not, just as Roman Emperors Caesar Augustus and Tiberius did amongst many many others.

You are hypnotized to eat like you have never eaten before thinking you will not eat again after your last amazing meal in one of the wonderful restaurants, and guess what? Hours later you are hungry again and running to another restaurant...so Capri is a lot about its delicious and fresh food , but the good thing is that you have to walk everywhere there are no cars on the island, as its a maze of narrow paths.

There are amazing walks like the Arco Naturale trail, but make sure you wear comfortable shoes on this one, we didn't it thanks to my spacey local friend who forgot how long the trail was. Should have paid attention to the receptionist of the hotel when she looked at us in horror when we left the hotel, we climbed over 400 really huge and steps on our hands and knees after having all ready walked 45 minutes in espadrilles and wedges for her, oh and I was wearing a dress ...wanted to kill her by the end we were soaked in sweat with makeup running down our faces, branches in our hair and it was dark by the time we got the to the restaurant Il Grotelle, but don't let that put you off...its spectacular the walk in running shoes and shorts. We did laugh and almost cry too... and then I had a huge plate of spaghetti Aglio e olio and lots of wine to calm my self.

 Yes eating is the favourite sport here and crazy romantic or challenging walks...but the best walks are done around the shops, Linen shops, handmade sandals, jewellery galore, cashmere, scents and more. You know you are in Italy when the men's shops are better than the women's ones..

At sunset there is always amazing outdoor concerts, classical, Neapolitan, or even Kazakhstani , you can hear the music flow all over Capri, it is so beautiful, or the outdoor cinema to watch old Italian movies. Also visiting or staying in Anacapri is essential, very different to Capri, the air is cooler, crispier and the views are spectacular. Its like being in the countryside of Capri. My favourite thing to do there is go to the Caesare Augustus hotel for sunset drinks, just heaven..I will stay there for a few days next time, want to get know this part of the island better and with that view!

Or if lazy just hire a boat to take you around the island stopping off to swim in beautiful bays, look at incredible boats anchored of the island or got to one of the beach clubs to hangout and yes eat again and even day excursions to Positano or Nerano.

I could go on and on, obviously I love Capri as do many others. Thank you my friend for giving me a wonderful holiday in your childhood island. Can't wait to go back, I can hear the Siren's call..

Till we meet again xo

All Pictures taken by Vision of Splendor.

L'Apartement de Monsieur Lagerfeld

«Je voulais un appartement avec du verre et de la transparence partout …

Ici, pas de couleur, car je suis entouré de couleur en permanence. Je préfère vivre dans un environnement neutre.»-KL

 I wanted an apartment with glass and transparency everywhere … And there is no colour here, because I am constantly surrounded by colour. I prefer to live in a neutral environment.

Photos by Karl Lagefeld

www.admagazine.fr

www.karl.com/fr

  INTERMISSION

David Bowie is back, and cool as ever! My previous post I mentioned his Exhibition at the V&A  here is his first single since 10 years. 

David Bowie's The Stars (Are out Tonight)

Starring no other than Tilda Swinton, perfect casting. 

Gem Palace

Gem Palace Showroom

Diamond, Emerald and Gold Bib Necklace Magnifique

Mughal Sarpesh. 72 Carats of Emeralds, 110 Carats of Diamonds with a cluster of South Sea Pearls.

The back view of the Sarpesh is just as incredible as the front. Gold-Silver Lacework pattern with little diamond flowers.

Gold and Gem set Flower Bracelet Gem Palace via Harry Fane

Ancient Egyptian Inlaid Lotus Earrings with Turquoise Drops and Lapis Lotus Blossoms , with handcarved Carnelian Cabochon stones.

Gold and Rose Cut Diamond Bib Necklace Gem Palace Via Harry Fane.

Cabochon Spinel  ring mounted on Platinum and Diamonds. Gem Palace Via Harry Fane.

Diamond, Emerald and Pearl Lariat Necklace Circa 1930's

Indian Jewellery is one my greatest passions. These are from Gem Palace in Jaipur that was established by the Kasliwal Family in 1852. I hope never to be let loose in there as I may never leave.

http://www.gempalacejaipur.com

http://www.harryfane.com

Pad London 2018.

Le Smoking

YSL AD

YSL Cigarettes

Classic S T Dupont Lighter

Michael Caine via Like a Doll

Vintage St. Moritz Cigarettes

Delfina Delettrez Apartment via Harper's Bazaar

YSL Smoking via Helmut Newton

Love this photo but can't find the credit!

Carmen Kass via Vogue Espagna

Continental via Vintage Cigarettes

Jean-loup Sieff

YSL Vintage Cigarettes

Pierre Cardin Smoking set via Talisman

Josh Brolin by Hedi Slimane

Black and Gold S T Dupont Lighter

Nat Sherman Cigarillos

Paul Newman

Jennifer Connelly

Cartier 18Carat Gold Cigarette Case via Christies

Marlon Brando via Getty Images

The Stork Club 1950's Smoking , Elegance and fun allowed.

www.christies.com

www.ysl.com

www.helmutnewton.com

Dashi Namdakov: A Nomad's Universe Exhibition II

Last night I was invited to the opening of A Nomad's Universe , I know I just did a post on this, but I had not even seen the exhibition but had a feeling it was going to be spectacular.

I was not wrong , Dashi Namdakov is an out of this world artist as you can see from the hundreds of pictures I took there was not one piece I did not like. I was like a mad woman with a camera. I had to edit from hundreds , it was hard to take great pictures as the Halcyon Gallery was packed with people in awe. For me this is the greatest, most moving exhibition I have ever seen, If money was no object I would buy almost his whole collection and create my own museum to look at it everyday. Words fail to describe the excellence in craftsmanship, you can feel the soul in every piece as they have really lived.

Thank you to the Halcyon Gallery for sharing with us a true Alchemist and Dashi Namdakov for bringing us your spirit and gift to the world.

Run now to see this you will never forget it.

16th of May-7 July 2012

Halcyon Gallery

144-146 New Bond Street

London

England

www.halcyongallery.com

www.dashi-art.com

All pictures taken by Vision of Splendor,

London Culture Spring 2013

  Am so looking forward to this Spring round up of amazing exhibitions in my city of London. x

David Bowie Is

23rd of March-11th of August 2013

The Victoria & Albert Museum

David Bowie at The V & A

Becoming Picasso 1901

February 14th-26th of May 2013 

The Courtlauld Gallery

Becoming Picasso

Man Ray

February 7th- 27th of May 2013 

The National Portrait Gallery

Man Ray Portraits

Lichtenstein: A Retrospective

Tate Modern: Exhibition

21 February – 27 May 2013

Lichtenstein A Retrospective

Ciao Italia

Photo Via Persol

Photo Marcello Mastroianni Via Persol

Photo Via Garance Dore

1938 Alfa Romeo Touring Berlinetta via Sportscardigest

Photo Anna del Russo Via Garance Dore

Photo Via Bvlgari

Photo Via The Sartorialist

Photo via Garance Dore

Photo Via the Sartorialist

Source unknown

Photo via Pasticceria Marchesi

En route to Milano for some Mangiare , Sole  e Shopping.

Arrivederci xo

I Loewe You

Clockwise: Founder, Enrique Loewe Roessberg (1844-1929); Enrique Loewe Hilton (1879-1934), charmed high society to Loewe; Enrique Loewe Knappe (1912) pioneered international expansion; Enrique Loewe Lynch (1941) launched ready-to- wear in the 60’s, and created the Loewe Foundation, 1988.

Most people when they see the name Espagana , they think of Flamenco, bullfights, passion, paella, sangria, tortilla and Ibiza.

Let us not forget the incredible history of this country that brought these worldwide famous painters like Velazquez, Picasso, Goya and Dali and the legendary story of Don Quixote de la Mancha written by Miguel de Cervantes to name a few of the top of my head. The other well known Spanish expertise comes from craftsmanship and leather.

This is where the House of Loewe (lo-ay-ve) comes in, in 1846 a leather goods workshop was created  by  a group pf craftsmen on the year of two royal marriages, that of Her Majesty Isabel II of Bourbon to the Duke of Cadiz and that of Princess Maria Luisa Fernanda to the Duke of Montpensier. In 1872 Enrique Loewe Roessberg, a German craftsman specializing in leather working arrived in Madrid and decided to join forces with the these craftsmen and established the Loewe brand. With the precision and technique of Enrique Loewe and the creativity, leather and sensuality of Spain the house of Loewe rose in popularity becoming the Official Supplier to the Spanish Royal Crown in 1905. Famous stars such as Ava Gardner, Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, Maria Callas and Ernest Hemingway would all purchase from the Gran Via store in Madrid.

Loewe started expanding all over Spain and in 1963 opened its first boutique in London's New Bond Street. Loewe then branched out into the Fashion Industry, Karl Lagerfeld, Giorgio Armani and Laura Biagiotti were behind the first Women's Ready to Wear Collections. From there they created perfumes, Men's ready to wear and opened shops all over the world, in 1988 the Loewe Foundation was created including the Annual International Poetry Prize . In 1996 on the 150th Anniversary of the House of Loewe  LVMH took over the ownership of the brand, now with by Stuart Vevers as the Artistic Director of the brand.

What wonderful history this brand has, and if you ever get a chance to pass by their store go and view their collection "Clothing as Light as Air, as Soft as Silk", the leather is so so soft you can't believe it , the quality is just perfection.

Ole! xo

All photos via,

www.loewe.com

Research via,

www.wikipedia.org