In our brand new weekly series, we bring you the latest in luxury news from around the world. This week’s highlights: The new Anantara in Spain, Hermès’ Arceau Grands Fonds watch and Burberry Bespoke’s first standalone store
Bentley’s 2020 Flying Spur First Edition sells for €700,000 (S$1.07 million)
Why you should care: The first of this series fetched a pretty penny at the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s inaugural ball (the Midsummer Party) in Cap d’Antibes, with all proceeds going to the foundation. Also designed to celebrate Bentley’s 100th anniversary, the First Edition is set to begin production by the end of 2019 and will be available for just 12 months. It will feature a unique exterior badge, a Union Jack flag, fancy embroidered headrests and 22-inch Mulliner alloy wheels.
Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort opens in Spain
Why you should care: Love your art? Then you’ll love it here. The first Anantara resort in Spain, surrounded by the views of Tuscan lawns and high mountains, has quite a collection. Home to more than 1,200 original pieces of Italian and Andalusian art, you’d find an eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures and artefacts displayed throughout the grounds and gardens. The hotel itself is also equally a work of art. Designed by architect Ed Gilbert to resemble a Tuscan palace, it is nestled within Andalusia’s ‘Golden Triangle’ (in the hills above Marbella and Puerto Banus), and is home to private villas, a Paco Roncero restaurant and three award-winning 18-hole golf courses.
Hermès releases the six-piece limited edition Arceau Grands Fonds
Why you should care: The glass micro-mosaic dial references the Grands Fonds scarf designed by French artist Annie Faivre in 1992. It may not look like much from afar, but those who appreciate the brand for its dedication to craftsmanship would know that this is far from simple. The dial, which features the self-winding Manufacture Hermès H1837 movement, takes more than a month to complete. Various tiles of coloured glass tesserae are selected, cut and melted at a high temperature of 700 degrees celsius. Each tile is then assembled by hand to make up the iconic aquatic motif.
LG’s beauty series, LG Pra.L, is finally here in Singapore
Why you should care: The LG Pra.L marks the electronic brand’s foray into the beauty segment, which made its debut in Korea back in September 2017. It’s finally made its way here to Singapore, which would be the third country to see this series. Four different devices will be offered, including the Dual Cleanser ($499) and the Derma LED Mask ($1,349). The cleaner comes with two brush heads; a silicon brush for everyday gentle cleansing, and a fine fibre brush for your weekly deep pore cleansing. The mask, on the other hand, tones and brightens your skin with the help of 160 red and infrared LED lights.
The Hillside Suite at Singita Sasakwa Lodge in Tanzania is ready
Why you should care: Here’s one for the honeymooners. This duplex suite offers plenty of romance, seclusion and a contemporary wilderness experience like none other. Think extended outdoor wooden decks, a private pool, in-room spa treatments and a butler waiting on you hand and foot. You’ll also have your own private game vehicle that will take you through the 141,640-hectare private Singita Grumeti Reserve.
Burberry expands its repertoire with the Burberry Bespoke collection
Why you should care: Suitable for both men and women, this new collection comprises nine new fragrances inspired by all things British and the country’s great outdoors. Each scent is available in either one, two or three varying concentrations – the Antique Oak is full of oud and leathery notes – and you can personalise yours with your initials engraved on the flacon and by pairing the cap with a coloured leather ribbon of your choice. Now available at Burberry, Takashimaya.
