The stage is set: Florence in late spring. When I first received the exquisitely illustrated invitation box from Cartier, and opened it to discover that the rendezvous point for Le Voyage Recommencé was Florence, the capital city of Tuscany, I thought it was sheer genius. Apart from the ancient city being my favourite in the whole wide world, it is the birthplace of the Renaissance.
Botticelli, Michelangelo, Dante, the revival of Greek and Roman philosophies, the Brunelleschi Dome, the innovation of techniques like perspective and chiaroscuro in art, the Gates of Paradise - all had come from the wellspring that is 15th to 16th century Firenze. Then a wealthy independent city-state, it became the seat of modern European thought and worldview, and where the Medici empire was a pioneer in modern banking, and in my opinion, tastemaking.
Florence was where it all began, and now, finally when the world is moving in full swing again, we will be recommencing our journey of beauty in this glorious city.
NO BETTER PLACE
The sun is high, and the weather perfect, when we set off from Florence into the Tuscan countryside. The previous evening had officially marked the start of our adventure, of the vino kind, at the stunningly contemporary Antinori Chanti Classico Winery an hour's drive from the city.
This morning's destination - the historic Villa Reale di Marlia dating back to the 9th century just outside the city of Lucca - will show off another side of the region's charms. Upon our arrival, a glow is radiating from the newly restored national monument, which used to be the home of Elisa Bonaparte, the French emperor's sister, during her reign as Princess of Lucca from 1806 to 1814. Later owned by socialite Countess Mimi PecciBlunt, the property had seen guests the likes of Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Kennedy, Jean Cocteau and the Duke of Windsor.
Bu hikaye Prestige Singapore dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye Prestige Singapore dergisinin August 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
LA LA LAND
ALL'S WELL IN THE REALM OF HAUTE COUTURE, WHERE QUESTIONS OF WEARABILITY ARE HARDLY THE MOST PRESSING. JANUARY'S REALITY-SUSPENDING SPRING/SUMMER 2025 COLLECTIONS COMBINED OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD TECHNIQUES TO PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF THE HANDMADE EVEN FURTHER. PRESTIGE REPORTS FROM THE FRONT ROW.
A Modern Monument
With the RM 16-02, Richard Mille's quintessential rectangular watch embraces sharp, unyielding lines for an architectural masterpiece for the wrist.
FAMILY VALUES
HRnetGroup's chief corporate officer joined the family business through a stroke of fate, but as she discovered, her father had prepared her for the role even before she assumed the mantle.
STROKES OF CREATIVITY
The fine watchmaking world can be a very serious one. But as these recent collaborations show, putting artists and designers in charge can lead to some very inspired – and very covetable – creations.
GENERATION NEXT
After more than a decade in production, Porsche has produced an entirely new Macan SUV only this time it's electric powered. Prestige drives it.
Museum Quality
Four must-see art destinations around the world debuting in 2025.
THAILAND RISING
Does this Southeast Asian kingdom have what it takes to become Asia's next big art hub? Patron MARISA CHEARAVANONT and curator STEFANO RABOLLI PANSERA certainly think so.
TAKING SHAPE
It might not be as instantly recognisable as the Tank or Santos, but the petite oval Baignoire is swiftly coming into its own as a Cartier horological icon.
ARTISTS TO WATCH 2025
As the Prestige team geared up for Hong Kong's annual art-athon, we also set ourselves the task of identifying the emerging talents from eight East Asian countries, who should all be registering on your cultural radar this year. The following 16 virtuosi made our final cut.
CALL HER BY HER NAME
Defying convention in 1995, DOMAINE ANNE GROS was one of the first eponymous female wine estates in Burgundy. And freedom is still the winemaker's mantra when it comes to her venture in the south of France.
