Dilmah Tea New Zealand

Dilmah Tea hosted a series of high teas around New Zealand, promoting its socially responsible message along with the rising interest in tea mixology.
   Its Wellington stop on Tuesday, hosted by Dilmah founder Merrill J. Fernando and his son, Dilhan C. Fernando, the company’s chief marketing officer, and in the presence of Her Excellency Zodwa Lallie, South African High Commissioner, was a particular treat, with a menu designed by Dilmah Real High Tea Gold Medallist Laurent Loudeac, executive chef of the Museum Art Hotel.
   Held at the hotel’s famed Hippopotamus restaurant, guests were treated to everything from ora king salmon sashimi—which we would label as our favourite of the afternoon—to lap sang souchong yoghurt panna cotta and a lychee-infused jasmine tea and rosewater caviar, complemented by various Dilmah teas.
   The selection included Dilmah’s Ran Watte Single Region Ceylon tea, its green tea with jasmine flowers, and its rose tea with French vanilla.
   The highlight was the address given my Merrill J. Fernando, after a video looking back through the history of Dilmah and how his famed catchphrase, ‘Do try it,’ was created by a New Zealand agency.
   He spoke of how Dilmah goes beyond the requirements of Fair Trade with its ethically made tea, because those who grow the tea share in the equity. The value-added components of Dilmah are not done by international traders, but by Sri Lankans, and the company constantly puts money back into the community, funding education, health care, cultural and even business activities.
   Some rivals force down the prices that tea farmers can sell at, keeping them poor, while profiting from the value-added components in the marketing and production chain.
   Mr Fernando also stressed that Ceylon tea is the finest, and that Dilmah, to preserve that integrity, does not mix its teas with those from other countries.
   Through a Trade Me auction, the Merrill J. Fernando Charitable Foundation is also raising money for a culinary centre in Sri Lanka which will train people living with disabilities or have been disadvantaged, so that they can find employment to support themselves.
   They can be found on Trade Me, with the auctions closing on July 27. Items include Parawa Estate Ingalalla Grand Reserve 2007 wine, valued at over NZ$1,250; an individually numbered caddy of a very rare tea, FBOP 1, from the Dilmah Opapa Estate in Sri Lanka; a night for two at the Langham Hotel in Auckland; and two nights for two at the Museum Art Hotel in Wellington.
   In other New Zealand news, new label Trish Peng is running a Fresh Face modelling competition as part of her New Zealand Fashion Week début next month, with the help of L’Oréal Professionnel and Vanity Walk.
   New Zealand women are invited to enter via the Trish Peng Facebook page. Peng and Vanity Walk, a modelling agency, will judge from the uploaded photo and details.
   Entries close August 2. The winner becomes the face of the next Trish Peng campaign, opens Peng’s fashion week show, receives a modelling contract with Vanity Walk, and wins a year’s supply of L’Oréal Professionnel products.—Jack Yan, Publisher, with Lucire staff

Felicity Anderson/Trio Communications

Dilmah

Top Dilmah founder Merrill J. Fernando with Lucire publisher Jack Yan. Centre Dilmah chief marketing officer Dilhan C. Fernando and South African High Commissioner, HE Zodwa Lallie. Above Museum Art Hotel proprietor Chris Parkin with HE Zodwa Lallie.

Selena Gomez has begun previewing and teasing Adidas Neo Label’s spring–summer 2014 collection, in which she has had a hand as a guest designer. The full collection launches February 12, but its teaser campaign launched today.
   Hashtagged #neosneakpeek, Gomez has ‘hidden’ preview films across the web, according to Adidas. ‘Each film will offer an exclusive preview of key pieces from her Neo spring–summer 2014 collection.’
   A new film was released today, to be found by netizens, and a new one will follow each day till the 12th. Each will be live for only 24 hours. The films show off the behind-the-scenes development of the line and Gomez’s involvement and inspirations.
   Those who uncover the films in the online competition, run via the web and social networks, have a chance of winning items from the Adidas Neo Label range.
   A one-hour, global Twitter contest takes place on the 12th, where one fan will win a chance to meet Gomez in person.
   The Neo Twitter account can be found at twitter.com/adidasNEOLabel. Adidas Neo is available via Adidas’ website, and Neo stores internationally.

’Stangers—diehard fans of the Ford Mustang—will have already seen it due to leaks of the official photographs half a day ago. Lucire ran the leaked photos on our Facebook page. But now, we can officially talk about the unveiling, in six cities around the world—New York, Dearborn, Michigan, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Sydney and Barcelona—of the 2015 Mustang, codenamed S550, which commemorates the model line’s 50th anniversary.
   Executive chairman Bill Ford was present at the Barcelona event, in front of an audience of 2,500 journalists, dealers and Ford employees.
   While the Mustang has officially been on sale in Europe and other markets before since the original model was released in New York on April 17, 1964, the 2015 model is the first which will be sold as a “world car”, as part of Ford’s core range.
   Ford notes that the Mustang is its most iconic range, and that it is the world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook. Nine million have been built since the original’s launch.
   Stephen Odell, executive vice-president for Ford in Europe, Middle East and Africa, said in a release, ‘The Mustang’s formidable reputation for performance and its iconic status as a symbol of freedom and optimism precedes it even in those parts of the world where the car has never been sold. The new Mustang epitomizes Ford’s aggressive product acceleration; technologically advanced and forward-looking, but without forgetting the heritage that has inspired Ford customers for generations.’
   The new model certainly lives up to the promise. It has the classic Mustang proportions and blends them with Ford’s present design language.
   The design language has been seen on other global products such as the facelifted B299 Ford Fiesta and the CD391 Ford Fusion, which will be sold in Europe and other markets as the Ford Mondeo. It is an evolution of some of Ford’s earlier design principles.
   The grille opening apes that of the Fiesta and Fusion, but appears in a more exaggerated form, with the Mustang horse placed in the centre, as with the original, the Mustang II, and the models dating from the 1994.
   There are also shades of the ItalDesign Ford Mustang concept of 2006, which brought some Italianate touches, such as a tapering cabin.
   The rear lights also reflect the classic Mustang ideas, with the tri-bar design that also harks back to the original.
   Ford has also injected the rear-wheel-drive Mustang with the latest technologies, equipping the pony car for the 2010s and beyond.
   Technologies include Ford’s Sync with voice control and eight-inch touchscreen (in Europe), and drivers can adjust between driving modes.
   The convertible has an insulated cloth top, which has a sleek profile when folded, according to Ford.
   Moray Callum, Ford’s executive director of design for the Americas, said, ‘You only get one chance to make a first impression and when you see this car, you immediately see a Mustang strong and true.’
   Inside, the Mustang has an aviation-inspired cockpit, designed for the driver, and there is more space, thanks to a wider cabin and an all-new rear suspension. The cockpit again blends modern and classic: the two large dials hark back to the original, but the look is more geometric and structured.
   The boot can now accommodate two golf bags, thanks to the new platform.
   The suspension brings Mustang bang up to date. The front has double ball-joint Macpherson struts, while the rear gets rid of its agricultural live rear axle in front of an integral-link independent suspension. The Mustang promises to be a far better drive than the models of old, suiting worldwide markets. Ford’s stability control includes torque vectoring.
   Engines are the classic five-litre V8 (with 426 PS and 529 Nm of torque) and a new EcoBoost 2·3-litre four delivering 309 PS and 407 Nm. The automatic model has steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.—Jack Yan, Publisher

Hennes & Mauritz says it will open a store in the Philippines, its first foray into the southeast Asian region. The flagship store will open in 2014 inside SM Megamall, Manila. The company has already inked the deal.
   Another 2014 event is Women Expo Switzerland (WES), the only creative women’s exhibition in Switzerland, will take place on May 25 at the Messe Zürich.
   With 700 m² space, it will be dedicated to the fashion industry (both B2B and B2C) with direct sales, fashion shows and workshops, say organizers.
   The previous edition saw over 100 exhibitors and attracted 1,000 visitors from Switzerland, the UK, Germany and France. Organizers presently seek exhibitors and visitors. Their website is at www.womenexpo.ch, and a video from the 2013 event (in German and English) is below.

   Almost on the opposite side of the spectrum, publisher Jack Yan has a humorous look at the late Lewis Collins, whose passing was reported yesterday in the media, in Lucire Men. The actor was best known for his role in The Professionals, arguably the most macho TV show in 1970s Britain.
   Finally, Victoria’s Secret says it has opened a beauty and accessories’ store at the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport, focusing on ‘iconic, fashion-forward range of beauty products and accessories designed for the modern jet-setter.’
   Items include fragrances such as Victoria’s Secret Bombshell, Sexy Little Things Noir Tease, Victoria, and VS Fantasies, and lip glosses and body care products.

Thomas Salme

Shooting in Milano with beautiful Italian model Fiorella Dominici, wearing a Basler Fashion dress from Germany designed by Scot Brian Rennie, by me, Thomas Salme from Sweden. A big international mix.
   Dominici is 22, a graduate in economics, Russian and English at Cattolica University. She is still studying in order to graduate in international management. Her slogan is: ‘positive thinking and … believe in your own skills and capabilities more than in social connections.’
   The designer of this beautiful yellow dress is Brian Rennie. He has been called the ‘designer with the Hollywood gene’ and the ‘king of couture’ by some. He outfitted Kim Basinger for the Academy Awards, designed a wedding dress for Jennifer López and counted Princess Diana among his clients, according to his official bio.
   Rennie studied fashion at the Royal College of Art, and joined Escada after completing his studies. He was there for over 20 years, and rose to the rank of head designer.
   As creative director of Basler Fashion, his clothes carry what the company calls a ‘distinctive design signature. Æsthetically outstanding and consistently feminine, they are primarily created to flatter women and to beautify them. Passion and originality characterize the designs of Brian Rennie.’—Thomas Salme

Thomas Salme

Panos Emporio has announced that one of the contestants in next week’s Top Model Sverige will become its new model for 2013.
   In next week’s episode on Sweden’s TV3, the 10 models will be photographed by Nigel Barker, with one winner being adopted by the swimwear label for a future campaign.
   Filmed at the end of last year, Panos Emporio boss Panos Papadopoulos flew to Los Angeles for the show. It is the sixth season of the Swedish licensed version of the programme.
   Staying with Swedish companies: in another nod to corporate social responsibility, Hennes & Mauritz has announced it has developed a water strategy in association with WWF.
   As part of a three-year global partnership, H&M says it will build water into its corporate planning, including ‘being a good neighbour and good steward of shared resources,’ says WWF International’s director-general, Jim Leape.
   WWF had evaluated H&M’s water usage and challenges through 2012 to form the basis of the strategy. In 2013, the company plans to implement it globally, working with public policy-makers, NGOs, water institutions and other companies, to support better management of river basins in China and Bangladesh, it says. It will also support WWF conservation projects in the Yangtze River basin.
   Internally, staff will receive training on the water impact on raw material production and its value chain. It will also improve its water efficiency and minimize its suppliers’ impact on water. The company is targeting all 48 national markets and reaching all 750 direct suppliers, with all its 94,000 employees receiving education on water issues.
   Finally, the Peninsula Hotels has announced a new campaign for all its properties, called Peninsula Moments. The campaign shows what is distinctive about each one of its properties, from stunning architecture, authenticity, design, to insight. Unsurprisingly, the clip from Hong Kong—arguably the most famous Peninsula property—features its fleet of green Rolls-Royces, while Bangkok shows off its nearby temple and Shanghai its aviation lounge.

Above The Peninsula Hong Kong Rolls-Royce fleet and its pool.

Above The Peninsula Shanghai Aviation Lounge. The Peninsula Manila’s lobby. A temple in Bangkok, near the property.

H&M brand & Other Stories—the ampersand is part of the official name—will launch its first collections this spring in ten European countries.
   There will be seven bricks-and-mortar boutiques in Barcelona, Berlin, København, London, Milano, Paris and Stockholm, while Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK will see online shops at stories.com.
   & Other Stories will offer shoes, bags, accessories, beauty and ready-to-wear items. According to the company, ‘The aim is to design lasting wardrobe treasures within a wide price range. In the creative ateliers in Paris and Stockholm diversified fashion collections are designed with great attention to detail and quality at an affordable price.’
   The physical stores are located at: Passeig de Gràcia 8–10, Barcelona; Neue Schönhauser Straße 15, Berlin; Amagertorv 29, København; 256–8 Regent Street, London; Corso Vittorio Emanuele 1, Milano; 277 rue Saint-Honoré, Paris; and Biblioteksgatan 11, Stockholm.
   Online, & Other Stories is at www.stories.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tumblr.

Danjaq LLC/United Artists Corp.

Above Instead of Switzerland, it’s Scotland, and Daniel Craig pays homage to Sean Connery in a Skyfall publicity photo.

The 85th Academy Awards—the Oscars—will pay tribute to 50 years of the James Bond films, it was announced Friday.
   Show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron said in a statement that there will be a special sequence ‘saluting the Bond films on their 50th birthday.
   ‘Starting with Dr No back in 1962, the 007 movies have become the longest-running motion picture franchise in history and a beloved global phenomenon.’
   The six actors who have portrayed Bond in the official franchise—Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig—will feature in the sequence.
   The Oscars telecast will take place on February 24. Nominations will be announced on January 10 in Los Angeles.
   The latest entry in the Eon Productions franchise, Skyfall, has taken over US$1,000 million, with the film still yet to open in China.
   The film, directed by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes, has overtaken 1965’s Thunderball as the highest-grossing Bond film adjusted for inflation.
   Since the “reboot” of the franchise in 2006 with Casino Royale, the Bond films have had more critical nods than their predecessors, which were generally acclaimed on their technical merit. In the mid-1960s, Goldfinger won an Oscar for sound effects, while Thunderball won for special visual effects.
   Daniel Craig had a BAFTA nomination for Casino Royale, the first Bond actor to achieve this, while Skyfall’s Javier Bardem received a best supporting actor nomination by the Screen Actors’ Guild.
   Skyfall is on the shortlist of the Producers’ Guild of America’s best film nominees, alongside Lincoln and Argo.
   The theme song, by Adele and Paul Epworth, could take home a best song Oscar.
   The British Academy Awards, the BAFTAs, paid tribute to 50 years of the Bond films last year, with Tom Jones singing the theme song from Thunderball.