Global Give: Sustainable Fashion
SURevolution is a direct line to artisans native to the planet's most exotic and intriguing locales. The brand works toward conservation, sustainability and increasing social awareness. The result is not merely the success of these missions, but the availability of hand-made goods that would otherwise elude your grasp. Sustainability is all about a perfect balance between the past, the present and the future, a humble look at tradition, a deep...
Read MoreMumbai: Foreign Food, Laddoo
A rich saffron ball comprised mostly of greatness, some sugar, milk and semolina, rolled in chopped almonds and pistachios then garnished with rose water and edible silver foil. We?re salivating already.A rich saffron ball comprised mostly of greatness, some sugar, milk and semolina, rolled in chopped almonds and pistachios then garnished with rose water and edible silver foil. We?re salivating already.
This guilt-laden Indian sweet or mithai, the Motichoor laddoo, is a favorite all-year round but gets especially ubiquitous around December, an auspicious month for the great Indian wedding. Traditionally, a nuptial invite announces its arrival with four enormous laddoos in an Indian fabric-wrapped box tied with golden thread. Receiving a minimum of ten invites during the wedding season is common, so there?s nothing you can do to keep those great balls of fire from rolling in and ruining your diet. Unless you?re willing to settle for the less tasty, tampered with sugar-free ones, the real ones are absolutely the way to go.
Almost every Indian sweet shop in Mumbai stocks laddoo, but the best Motichoor laddoos are labored over by a confectioner named Nathumaharaj, and sold at Amrit Bhog, a South Mumbai mecca of mithai. Sweet lovers over in the US, UK or Canada can even order some online on mithaimate.com, or use celebrated chef Tarla Dalal?s complicated recipe.
It?s no coincidence we think, that laddoos are also preferred by the cute and rotund Lord Ganesha (the Hindu Elephant God). Not a body type you?ll want to visit during the holidays, but a sweet blessing you should willingly accept.
Amrit Bhog confectioner, 89 / B, 4, Shantinagar, Chandralok, Napean Sea Road, Mumbai, +9122 23622556, 8 USD for one kilogram.
New York: Shopping Under the Influence
Shopping with a glass of champagne in hand is hardly a new idea, but previously the luxury was saved for designer stores and individuals with unlimited credit cards. In New York City, where time is always of the essence and multi-tasking skills are always quite necessary,there?s a new trend in town. As boozy brunches lead to lazy afternoons of shopping, also known as ?dropping,? the brilliant idea to combine the two finally surfaced. Here are three of New York City?s emerging stores quick to realize the future?s possibilities.Shopping with a glass of champagne in hand is hardly a new idea, but previously the luxury was saved for designer stores and individuals with unlimited credit cards. In New York City, where time is always of the essence and multi-tasking skills are always quite necessary,there?s a new trend in town. As boozy brunches lead to lazy afternoons of shopping, also known as ?dropping,? the brilliant idea to combine the two finally surfaced. Here are three of New York City?s emerging stores quick to realize the future?s possibilities.
The Dressing Room
The best of oh-so-many-worlds converge at The Dressing Room: vintage shopping, clothing exchanging, and cocktail sipping. Fashion designer and stylist Nikki Fontanella created The Dressing Room with Alexandra Adame and Paul Frazier with the intention to showcase new designer talent as well as vintage styles in a boutique that boasts a bar, event space, and the opportunity to sell and exchange clothes.
75A Orchard St
New York, NY 10002
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
(212) 966-7330
Kingdom
With two previous lives in the bar world, this Brooklyn outpost has only sort of strayed from its beginnings, as Kingdom claims to be the very first bar/boutique in Williamsburg. The combo services the multitude of hipster residents with creations from designers from within the neighborhood as the roster of talent includes 15 Brooklyn designers.
170 North 4th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Beau Brummel
For the male fashion enthusiasts, fear not. The old world manners of cigars and martinis are far from antiquated at this brick and mortar. Though the front of the store displays suits, cufflinks, and suit jackets upon arrival, in the back it?s all about sports, scotch and stiff drinks.
347 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013
(212) 219-2666
Globe-Trotter: Antony Todd
Antony Todd made a name for himself as a sought after floral and event designer. His chic creations come in the form of dinner parties, destination weddings and fundraising events. Todd travels the globe searching for rare vintage furniture and enhances each and every find, adding his own creative finishes. His meticulously edited lifestyle collection is sold in his New York and Istanbul boutiques. Todd enlightened us on everything from his favorite international shops to how to throw a fabulous soiree.
Antony Todd made a name for himself as a sought after floral and event designer. His chic creations come in the form of dinner parties, destination weddings and fundraising events. Todd travels the globe searching for rare vintage furniture and enhances each and every find, adding his own creative finishes. His meticulously edited lifestyle collection is sold in his New York and Istanbul boutiques. Todd enlightened us on everything from his favorite international shops to how to throw a fabulous soiree.
L-Atitude: What made you decide to have a store in New York and Istanbul?
Antony Todd: I?ve lived and worked in New York City for many years. The showroom here is a natural extension of my growing interior design and event design business. The second location, Istanbul, was an interesting move and a great challenge in an emerging market.
L: Where are your favorite design stores in Istanbul?
AT: Midnight Express for furniture, objects, clothing and jewelry.
Day of Design for fabrics and textiles
Ceremony for flowers
L: Word on the street is you know how to throw quite the soiree! What are your secrets to a successful fete?
AT: Spoil your guests.
L: Where's your favorite place to travel to?
AT: I don?t have only one favorite place but Cartagena, Columbia springs into my mind right now. I like vacation destinations away from crowds.
L: What is your favorite international purchase and why? What do you hope to purchase on future travels?
AT: A 1950?s beautiful horse torso from ARBUS. I will purchase whatever strikes my fantasy next.
King of throwing parties, Antony Todd really showed us how it?s done when we visited Istanbul recently. Todd, along with Alphan Eseli (Turkish Film director) and Demet Muftuoglu (creative director of Vakko, who you?ll be reading more about on our site shortly!), hosted a cocktail party to introduce L-atitude to Istanbul's fashion-set & magazine editors. Todd along with Eseli have created a parent company to the Antony Todd Istanbul store, called Istanbul 74. The company focuses on every detail of event planning and decorating. Todd opened up his retail store in Nisantasi for us, which was the perfect venue for entertaining.
Mumbai: Inspirational City
Take advantage of Mumbai in December, and partake in cultural affairs, shopping excursions and dining at the newest restaurants and bars.To Survive Street Shopping: A big chunk of Mumbai?s baubles can be unearthed from the city?s street shops and circuitous flea markets. These, as you may have heard,are not for the faint-hearted. That is why you should shop Mumbai in winter, when the city?s benign sun makes scouring the stalls of Colaba Causeway and antique Thieves Market stores far easier, a feat that is almost unthinkable during other seasons, even for a local shopper.
To Attend an India Wedding:During the winter, you can?t swing a garland of marigolds in Mumbaiwithout hitting a couple that?s about to be married. November to January is an auspicious season for the Indian wedding ?a colourfullychaotic celebration of song, dance, rituals and super indulgent food - that can be quite entertaining to an outsider. If you?re visiting friends in Mumbai, chances are, they?re invited to at least five, so tag along. You can also locate a tour operator that includes wedding visits in itineraries or more spontaneously, just dance along with a street marriage procession of groom on a horse surrounded by inebriated friends and family, a common sighting on Mumbai?s roads this time of the year.
To Go Beyond Cliches: India isn?t all elephants and snake charmers, and the best way to discover this is to visit Mumbai inDecember. All the new uber-cool bars and restaurants open pre-Christmas, and are buzzing with beautiful people and interesting talk. This December, visit Trilogy, Veda and Chez Vous.
To Run off to Goa and Jaipur: Escape Mumbai?s commotion for a weekend in Goa, where you can lie on sunny beaches, drink long island iced teas, meet a ton of tourists from back home and basically do nothing at all. There are also a bunch of new restaurants opening in Goa this season ? see Gaia and Mezcal. For a slightly more productive getaway pick Jaipur, the Pink City that not just plays host to the prettiest shops, palaces and forts, but also the Jaipur Literature Fest that takes place very January from 21 to 25. 2011?s visiting luminaries include Orhan, Pamuk, Kiran Desai, Fatima Bhutto, Candace Bushnell and others. Something to read and write home about!
Mumbai: Latest Shopping Spots- Good Earth & Sabyasachi
Good Earth: Lotus BlossomThe Good Earth flagship re-opened after a summer of renovations, boasting a new mezzanine section, extended product range and an outpost of the hottest new bakery in town: Le 15 Patisserie. Already a must-shop destination for international tourists, the new store offers a wider range of portable products, including lotus-printed posters, diaphanous scarves, sequined totes and kitschy cushion covers. Definitely visit when you have a couple of hours free so that you can browse through all of the merchandise, and make sure you stop at the Le 15 Patisserie for a passion fruit macaroon or raspberry tart for a sweet ending.
Good Earth: Lotus Blossom
The Good Earth flagship re-opened after a summer of renovations, boasting a new mezzanine section, extended product range and an outpost of the hottest new bakery in town: Le 15 Patisserie. Already a must-shop destination for international tourists, the new store offers a wider range of portable products, including lotus-printed posters, diaphanous scarves, sequined totes and kitschy cushion covers. Definitely visit when you have a couple of hours free so that you can browse through all of the merchandise, and make sure you stop at the Le 15 Patisserie for a passion fruit macaroon or raspberry tart for a sweet ending.
Sabyasachi: Where Time Stands Still
Sprawling rooms and moss green walls, countless clocks and vintage photographs, old armoires and dusty chandeliers: even without the gorgeous merchandise, this store is worth a visit for the d?cor alone. Set up by SabyasachiMukherjee, arguably India?s most popular designer, this flagship is a perfect backdrop for the clothes and accessories it houses. Items range from heavily embroidered bridal saris and precious jewelry, to cool cotton fabrics sourced from indigenous weavers and embroidered ballet flats. The price tags (a pair of cotton shoes cost $450) might give you a pause, but these are pieces you?ll covet forever.
New York: Warm Up with Winter Drinks
It?s that time of year ? the temperature starts to drop and the buzz of the holidays begin. The sidewalks are even more jam-packed as people rush from store to store picking up gifts for giving, and preparations for holiday dinners and parties.It?s that time of year ? the temperature starts to drop and the buzz of the holidays begin. The sidewalks are even more jam-packed as people rush from store to store picking up gifts for giving, and preparations for holiday dinners and parties. Thankfully, there are more than a few ways to unwind and actually enjoy the season-- one of them being the warm and utterly delicious drink selection throughout the city, both with or without alcohol.
Hot Chocolate with Handmade Marshmallows at City Bakery
The line wraps around the spacious bakery for the city?s best cocoa the second it gets chilly ? but trust me, it?s worth the wait. The hot chocolate is the perfect balance ? rich and chocolatey but without that overwhelming sweetness that keeps some hot chocolates from being drinkable. Adding the large, dense marshmallows that are made in-house is a must.
City Bakery is at 3 West 18th Street near Fifth Avenue
The Perfect Hot Toddy and More at Fort Defiance
Cozy, welcoming bars like Fort Defiance is the type of place you want to be in the winter, curled up at a table with friends and season-celebratory drinks. Fort Defiance is known for making a must-try Hot Toddy ? a Hot Apple drink spiked with amaretto. Next, try the Kentucky Nightcap, a bourbon milk punch spun with an espresso machine wand. These drinks will warm your bones and set the tone for a perfect cold-weather evening.
Fort Defiance is at 365 Van Brunt Street near Dikeman Street in Red Hook
Hot Buttered Pisco at PDT
You can?t forget Irish coffee when you think of body-warming tipples ? and East Village bar PDT offers up a refreshing take on the tried and true classic. This drink fuses elements like hot buttered rum, Peruvian pisco, and vanilla H?agen-Dazs, among other winter favorites. It seems like the only way to unwind after a day of fighting crowds and searching for the perfect gifts.
PDT is at 113 St. Mark?s Place near First Avenue
Sexy Space- Bungalow 8
Bathed in pearly light and scented with jasmine ? table linens have never looked this good. Hence the charm of Bungalow 8, a hauntingly romantic home and fashion store that can make even the most pedestrian products seem exceedingly sexy. Sprawled over three floors in an old, decaying downtown building, Bungalow 8 is like the secret love nest of a young Ms Haversham, full of grandeur,eroticism and old world charm. There are wide, arching windows, a dusty staircase, and a decidedly sexy glass floor through which you can look down at the lower level.Bathed in pearly light and scented with jasmine ? table linens have never looked this good. Hence the charm of Bungalow 8, a hauntingly romantic home and fashion store that can make even the most pedestrian products seem exceedingly sexy. Sprawled over three floors in an old, decaying downtown building, Bungalow 8 is like the secret love nest of a young Ms Haversham, full of grandeur,eroticism and old world charm. There are wide, arching windows, a dusty staircase, and a decidedly sexy glass floor through which you can look down at the lower level.
The spaces unfurlthemselves lazily, revealing items from claw-footed bathtubs and old rocking chairs, to jewelry and art books. The merchandise is displayed with calculated carelessness, and it?s all ? discretely, of course ? priced to sell.
Not everything that Bungalow 8 carries, however, is worth your attention and the sometimes hefty price tags. But keep your eyes open and you?ll hit your retail sweet-spot, especially with the housewares and jewelry. Just last week we hit the jackpot at Bungalow 8. We bought a necklace made up of silve and gold silk threads ropes that undulates around the neck?guaranteed to elevate the most pedestrian outfit to straight up sexy.
Getting there: Bungalow 8, Grants Building, 1st, 2nd & 3rd floors, 17 Arthur Bunder Road, Colaba (Near Radio Club), Mumbai ? 400005, call 91 22 22819880/1/2 or visit www.bungaloweight.com.
Globetrotter: Tom Marchant
Tom Marchant defines jetsetter ? having lived in such varying locales as London, Moscow and Johannesburg, he?s spent time in practically every other destination the world has to offer. With a never-ending thirst to be truly immersed in other cultures and to find unique experiences off the beaten path in new locations, Marchant helped found cutting edge travel agency, Black Tomato, in 2005 to help others do the same. Creating bespoke vacation experiences for a luxury audience looking for the roads less traveled, Black Tomato ? and Marchant ? is arguably the last word in travel expertise. We sat down with Marchant to give us a taste of the world as he sees it.Tom Marchant defines jetsetter ? having lived in such varying locales as London, Moscow and Johannesburg, he?s spent time in practically every other destination the world has to offer. With a never-ending thirst to be truly immersed in other cultures and to find unique experiences off the beaten path in new locations, Marchant helped found cutting edge travel agency, Black Tomato, in 2005 to help others do the same. Creating bespoke vacation experiences for a luxury audience looking for the roads less traveled, Black Tomato ? and Marchant ? is arguably the last word in travel expertise. We sat down with Marchan to give us a taste of the world as he sees it.
L-atitude: How did you develop the concept of Black Tomato?
Tom Marchant: The idea was hatched deep in the Australian outback when three like-minded travellers met and realized that there was no company catering for the thirst for hip, authentic and off-the-beaten path travel experiences that was coming from a discerning, metropolitan market. Over the next 4 years, we shaped our business plan in every spare hour we found. One day (in 2005) we decided to take the plunge and do what we love the most in the world: create travel experiences that we can share and organize for other like-minded people.
L: What is your all-time favorite destination in the world and why?
TM: An almost impossible question to answer as, given my job, I am lucky enough to see many, many inspirational destinations that all mean a great deal to me in their own unique way. However, if push came to shove, I would ask if I could list two. For landscapes that blow your mind and an escape like nowhere else on the earth, then it would be Namibia and specifically the Skeleton Coast in the North East of the country. For a city whose culture and social side are both on a par in terms of decadence, then it would be Moscow. I lived there for a year when I was 22 and never has a place left such an impression on me.
L: What are three things you never leave home without?
TM: Notebook. And it needs to be old school. Love gadgets but nothing beats the end of a day when you scribble your thoughts and findings from that day into the book.
I-pod ? travelling without music makes the whole experience only half complete
A novel by an author from the place I am visiting (or if not possible, to source a book on the place ? but not a guide book. A story that relates to the place is better). I find literature is the best way of putting places in context and also evokes a strong sense of connection to a place.
L: What music do you listen to on your iPod while traveling?
TM: Depends on the trip and often what part of the trip. On a plane I like to listen to music that lulls me to sleep and removes me from the journey and to another place. When I?m in a place it is always good to dig out music from local artists, as it produces a great local flavor and connects you with a key aspect of what comprises the cultural side of a place. That aside, current bands making up my travel play lists include, The National, Port O?Brien. The Acorn, Jamie T and Delorean.
L: What is one place you are dying to visit but haven?t yet?
TM: The country of Cameroon. I have heard it is the most incredible country. It combines a stunning coast with jungle, desert and mountains. People talk about it as the best of Africa in one gorgeous country, and it has yet to be un-ravaged by excessive development.
The city of Bucharest. Romania?s capital is by all accounts a stunning destination with great culture, nightlife, cuisine and a rich history to be explored.
L: What is the most popular destination on Black Tomato?s site?
TM: It varies by season and we add many over the year, but to reflect on 2010, the following are the top 5 destinations from our site: Brazil, Indonesia, Tanzania, Syria, Iceland.
L: What is the perfect day spent in Istanbul?
TM: Start the day? at the Spice Market. The rich scents of spices and the bustle of the people haggling prices will sure get you on your toes. Fill your sweet cravings with flavored tea and delicious Turkish Delights.
Best View? from down below. Head to Hagia Sophia, an ancient mosque where you can head underground to find a gorgeous ancient water pool lit up by the flicker of candles.
Lunch? Make your way to the suburb of Ortak?y, a chic suburb brimming boutiques and atmospheric coffee houses and tea terraces. Be there on a Sunday and expect an electric artsy market to pick up some great finds.
End the day? on an island between two continents. Catch a boat to the Suada Club sitting on Galatasaray Island in the middle of the Bosphrous, this club boats an Olympic size swimming pool, restaurants and bars for a hedonistic night.
L: Which nightlife spots in New York do you make sure to visit when you?re there?
TM: I always like to combine the rough with the smooth, but tend to start with smooth first. In my case this manifests itself in a hotel bar, such as the Gramercy Park Rose Bar. Then I?ll head to a superb bar, be it Death and Company, Angel Share, Milk and Honey or a current favorite, Painkiller. The thing I love about NYC is that there is always a dive bar to hole up in and keep the evening going.
Globe-Trotter | Fiona Kotur Marin
New York native, now Hong Kong based designer, Fiona Kotur Marin founded her eponymous line in 2004. The line began with one-of-a-kind limited edition vintage brocade clutches and soon expanded to include materials such as exotics, shells, lucite and metals. The line?s evolution also included new silhouettes such as minaudieres, totes and larger handbags. We sat down with the fabulous Fiona to get a glimpse into her design inspirations and her must-see spots in Hong Kong.
New York native, now Hong Kong based designer, Fiona Kotur Marin founded her eponymous line in 2004. The line began with one-of-a-kind limited edition vintage brocade clutches and soon expanded to include materials such as exotics, shells, lucite and metals. The line?s evolution also included new silhouettes such as minaudieres, totes and larger handbags. We sat down with the fabulous Fiona to get a glimpse into her design inspirations and her must-see spots in Hong Kong.
L-atitude: What was your design inspiration for KOTUR's collection?
Fiona Kotur Marin: For the Fall and Holiday collection I was feeling the 1940s and its sharp silhouettes, military themes and sense of glamour. By coincidence, I ended up on a film-noir spree, watching "Gilda" and "Maltese Falcon" among others. Their influence really styled the season. I created two color stories; one bold, comprising Campari red leather, leopard hair calf, and espresso snakeskin- the femme fatale. The other color palette is smokey tones and moody hues, mysterious textures and evocative shadings, referencing more the visual and abstract cinematic styling.
L: As a native New Yorker, what was the biggest change for you when you moved to Hong Kong? What about Hong Kong took the longest time to get used to?
FKM: We New Yorkers walk everywhere. In Hong Kong that is impossible. Though living on the side of Mount Victoria is stunning, with city views surrounded by lush greenery,I need to drive everywhere. That was the biggest shocker for me. Now I have to plan exercise into my routine, it doesn't naturally occur. The upside is that there?s no need for flats! The higher the better and completely manageable for the dash from car door to front door.
L: Can you please share your Hong Kong city secrets with our readers? What is your favorite restaurant, hotel bar and under the radar store in Hong Kong?
FKM: There are so many great places. My favorite district is SheungWan, near my office. It's the former Chinese "Central" district, so it has history and is very convenient. Fortunately, as the district becomes more developed, it remains interesting and diverse. A few of my favorite places in the area are Classified on Hollywood Road for the best espresso and cheese plate, 208 for the best pizza, Tazmania Ballroom has great after dinner drinks, Happy Foot for the best reflexolog, Cat Street market for great antiques, XTC on Ice for gelato, Kee Club for dim sum, Tim's Kitchen for dinner and Youmna in Baskerville House for her incredible jewelry designs.
L: On your trips abroad, what would you never leave home without packing?
FKM: All of my gadgets, their chargers and converters, photos of my four boys, my Hermes diary and journal (I write daily and have kept them for the past 8 years).
L: What is the coolest travel find in your closet?
FKM: My clutches in my closet made from Tinalak material. I sourced the material from the Tiboli tribe in the Southern Philippines and worked with them to make the patterns in custom colors like coral and teal, instead of their traditional black and browns.
To shop the Kotur Collection on L-atitude please here.
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