As the countdown to the royal wedding nears its end, London’s iconic Harrods department store commemorates the event with a lavish display of 18 extravagant, multi-tiered wedding cakes in their famous Brompton Road windows. With illustrious names from the worlds of fashion, fine jewelry, food, and interiors such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Montblanc, Estée Lauder, Escada, Lalique, Jo Malone, and more, the stunning confectionaries will be displayed until Saturday, April 30.

The cakes each stand a meter high and their designers had been specially commissioned by Harrods to create their ultimate royal wedding cake. Each of the elaborate cakes will be housed in their own window display surrounded by ornate blue and silver framing. From Van Cleef & Arpels’ stunning, crystal-studded fairytale cake to Laduree’s tower of their famous macaroons, the extraordinary display is a unique and beautiful tribute to the imminent royal nuptials.

Since the cakes’ unveiling on April 26, huge crowds of people have gone to the already famed window shopping destination to catch a glimpse of the magnificent creations before they are dismantled on April 30. Additional to the cakes, the windows also feature installments of photographs of previous royal weddings from Queen Victoria’s marriage to Prince Albert in 1840 to Prince Andrew’s wedding to Sarah Ferguson in 1986.

Flying Lesson (2010) by Hani-Zurob

Opening next Monday at Artspace is an exhibition featuring works by various artists from the Middle East including Kamel Yahiaoui, Hani Zurob, George Bahgory, Ayad Alkhadi, and photographer Harriet Logan. The exhibit takes place in conjunction with Art Night, the an evening of art-related events in DIFC’s Gate Village.

The Prayer of the Absent (2003) by Kamel Yahiaoui

The show highlights a group of artists who consistently reveal the intricacies of cultural frontiers between the East and the West. They grapple with issues of displacement as well as political and ideological ideas within their subject matter.

Algerian-born Kamel Yahiaoui (b. 1966) currently lives and works in Paris. He expresses himself through various mediums such as everyday found objects, painting and sculpture and consistently portrays subject matter revolving around colonization, extremism and injustice in his work.

The Prayer of the Absent (2003) by Kamel Yahiaoui

“What I try to do when I paint is to rewrite my life; I try to place myself as a witness of the situations and the events I experience…when painting displacement becomes a matter of exploring the state of Waiting, Absense, Halt and Deferral, I wonder if I can still talk about the particularity of the bodies I paint by relating them to some local conditions or to any specific dates,” says Gaza-born artist Hani Zurob (b. 1976). Zurob’s work depicts real-life situations and events he has faced which lead him to blur the boundaries between the political and the personal within his art.

The Prayer of the Absent (2003) by Kamel Yahiaoui

Egyptian artist George Bahgory (b. 1935) works mainly as a cartoonist. He’s fascinated by the power of caricature to depict reality and became the first Egyptian cartoonist to be recognized for his commentary.

Iraqi artist Ayad Alkhadi was born in Baghdad but grew up in the United Kingdom. Arabic calligraphy forms the crux of his work whereby he uses the “caligrams” of the Arabic script to comment on the contemporary interactions between Eastern and Western culture.

The only western artist in the exhibit, British photographer Harriet Logan (b. 1967) has worked as a photojournalist throughout the globe. She won great acclaim for her assignment “Women in Afghanistan” shot for the Sunday Times Magazine in 1997. In 2002 she published “Unveiled”, a book in which she revisits Afghanistan to meet with the women she worked in 1997.

Through sensitive and powerful subject matter, these artists’ work seek to understand the increasing culture of change and development which characterizes the Middle East today.

A cocktail reception will be held at Artspace from 7:00 pm

04 3230820

Dietmar Sawyere

Some of the biggest names in gourmet cooking – from three-starred Michelin chef Bruno Menard to Korea’s first celebrity chef Edward Kwon – have gathered for Singapore’s annual World Gourmet Summit, which runs from April 25 to May 8, with events held at some of the city’s most prestigious addresses, including the Marina Bay Sands and the Capella Hotel.

The event showcases the skills of top chefs via master classes and also hosts a series of vintner and celebrity dinners for attendees who want to taste rather than learn. The World Gourmet Summit also has its own awards, the Asian Gastronomic Awards of Excellence, with the Nespresso Restaurant of the Year going to Absinthe, a Singapore-based restaurant, this year.

Tonight, the summit will hold a charity dinner at the St. Regis Singapore for the Community Chest project with Edward Kwon and Michelin-starred chefs David Munoz and Ramon Freixia manning the kitchens, and there are plenty more events to look forward to, including the World Gourmet Summit 15th Anniversary Gala Dinner on April 30 with Dietmar Sawyere of the Berowra Waters Inn in Sydney. There is also a champagne dinner on May 5 with Michael Ginor, co-founder of Hudson Valley Foie Gras and owner of Lola in New York and an evening of British gastronomy with chef Andrew Turner of Wilton’s on May 6.

For more information on the event, visit www.worldgourmetsummit.com

The inimitable luxury of the House of Dior was recreated within the halls the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow. The retrospective of Dior history is set out to bring back the fashion house’s magic after John Galliano debacle.

The display dwells on the very beginning, when on February 12, 1947 Paris witnessed a legendary event – the debut fashion show of the young Christian Dior. That day marked the birth of the “new look”, that made the fashion house and its founder a celebrity worldwide.

In sake of navigation in this recreated world of luxuriousness, the halls are themed. Therefore, one hall is devoted to flowers, which Dior adored since childhood. Alongside the frogs and gowns there are canvasses by Van Gogh, Renoir and Klimt.

A separate part of the exhibition is devoted to photographs and the work process. The exposition is complete with the celebrated Dior perfumes and statement accessories.

The launch of the exhibition was attended by all Russia major A-listers (including supermodel Natalia Vodyanova and actresses Svetlana Metkina), who came to witness the historic moment when so many Dior dresses and pieces are all put together for the very first time.

Christian Dior Chief Executive Sidney Toledano and Bernard Arnault, Chief Executive of LVMH–the world’s largest luxury brand and owner of Dior–jetted into Moscow for the exhibit.

THe Dior dresses exposition is opened for public access until 24 June.

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He is widely known for his sartorial t-shirts emblazoned with naughty phrases and now, he can add the title of ‘Awards Show Host’ to his resume. Fashion designer Henry Holland has been confirmed as this year’s guest host for the highly anticipated Grazia Style Awards taking place at the new Ritz-Carlton in DIFC on May 4, 2011.

The Grazia Style Awards celebrate local talent, international retailers, designers and brands serving as barometer for what’s hot in the region for 2011. By giving the readers an opportunity to vote for the best shopping destination, favourite department store or best local designer, the awards ceremony can greatly increase the profile of not just the winner, but the nominees who can proudly encourage their followers to vote.

Some of the home favorites this year are DAS Collection; Emirati sisters Reem and Hind Beljafla have enjoyed popularity with their cutting edge designs for the traditional Abaya, now stocked in high end retail outlets including Harrods. Stylish shopping destinations such as Symphony and Marami, both owned by young entrepreneur Salama Alabaar, are also up for nomination in the Best Boutique category. By opening her multi-brand luxury boutiques, Alabaar has created two cult shopping destinations for those looking for unique design with an international flavour.

The larger department stores will also be going head to head – Saks Fifth Avenue and Galleries Layafette will contend with local retailer Boutique One for Best Department Store, who are also nominated in the online a category with their shopping website, boutiqe1.com. Also new this year – Best Style Blogger. Style blogs have become increasingly prevalent in the region; 17 nominees have been listed showing the new found influence of a blogger on predicting trends or simply identifying coveted products.

Grazia Middle East has cleverly positioned themselves as a publication that covers ‘News and Shoes’ which resonates well with the female population, ensuring the Grazia Style Awards is one of the most highly anticipated events of the year.

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We checked out Ray’s and Stark Bar over at LACMA the other night. Ray’s, named after the late movie producer Ray Stark, is the Patina Groups latest endeavor. The restaurant appears to be a large concrete box framed in glass, and as you would expect, there are lots of colorful Herman Miller chairs tucked under thin tables, Bertoia chairs out in the bar and other “designy” touches. Well, this is LACMA is it not?

The restaurant has a subdued and relaxed feel in which to sample Executive Chef Kris Morningstar’s Mediterranean farm-to-table inspired menu prepared in their wood-burning oven and grill. Morningstar is a veteran of AOC, Patina, Blue Velvet and most recently District and Mercantile. Stark Bar serves drinks crafted by Neve Ice founder and famed LA bar smith Michel Dozois. There’s plenty of seating outside in the Stark bar and on a warm night it’s a pretty nice place to grab a “handcrafted drink.”

The Menu is quite inventive and contains a dizzying array of ingredients to support the Octopus, Trotters Scallop Sashimi, Pork belly, Lamb, Duck and Pigeon that are featured. The food is quite nice if not spectacular; I had a hanger steak and a Risotto with ramps that was a bit runny and overcooked but still had a fresh flavor. I’d say the standout for me was this sinful coffee pudding I had for desert. Nice. Truthfully I think Ray’s and Stark Bar are more about the surroundings. It’s a large open space with compelling modern design elements and you are quite aware that you are “in the Museum.” Hey, maybe some culture will rub off.

It’s still rather new and we’ll have to wait and see if they develop a crowd beyond those who were at an exhibit earlier. We’d certainly recommend a visit if you’re at LACMA, and if you’re in the mood for something stylish and different, give it a try. After all, what better way to sit and enjoy artist Chris Burden’s Urban Light, which is on display and visible from your table.

To read more from Project Lena, check out their blog at projectlena.com or visit their Facebook page.

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"Patricia Wells and Chef Roland Passot"

The Bay Area’s favorite bookstore, Book Passage, teamed up with Left Bank, the fabulous French brasserie in Larkspur, to celebrate prolific cookbook author and James Beard Award Winner Patricia Wells as she dished about her brand new cookbook Salad As A Meal.

About 75 guests enjoyed a scrumptious 4-course menu using recipes from the book, prepared by the talented team at Left Bank, under the leadership of Chef Roland Passot, proprietor of the Larkspur hot spot. Chef Passot is also top toque at San Francisco’s other favorite French restaurant La Folie, a respected mainstay on the City’s culinary scene since 1988. Chef Passot has recently opened La Folie Lounge, a sexy  boite where silky smooth French cocktails and champagne are de rigueur. Joie de vivre is free of charge.

But back to Patricia and her scrumptious new book. The table company was stellar–I had the pleasure of sharing my meal with Patricia, her charming husband Walter Wells, as well as Chef Passot and his wife Jamie. The menu was brought to life by the Left Bank team and included one of my favorites, Flammenkuchen, a pizza like tarte with steamed onions and bacon on perfectly flakey pastry. We also nibbled at a tongue teasing hummus that Patricia assured tastes best using home cooked chick peas rather than canned.  The asparagus, ham and poached egg salad was also divine. Though the recipe calls for white asparagus, Left Bank used green. They also soft boiled the egg instead of poaching, per the recipe. No worries though–the outcome was perfect and even hatched (yes, I punned) a question from a guest: “How does one get the egg so perfectly cooked?”

Chef Passot had the answer, “Fresh eggs from local farmers markets, placed in salted boiling water for half the time you’d cook for hard boiled.” So about 5 minutes. Egg-cellent advice.  (I just can’t stop my egg-sagerated desire to egg pun)

"Me with Salad As A Meal"

Kimberley Lovato is a freelance writer and, now, excellent egg poacher .

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Although it may feel like another hot, steamy South Florida summer outside, it is still technically spring. Rik Rak Salon and Gilt City Miami have teamed up to provide South Florida’s ladies with a personal spring awakening at the SPRING INTO BEAUTY event.  The blissful pampering will take place on Thursday, May 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Rik Rak Salon’s newest location at the new JW Marriot Marquis.

Miniature luxury services will be available including eyelash applications, manicures and neck & hand massages as well as cocktails (of course) and decadent delights from Buttercream Cupcakes & Coffee.

Gilt City Miami is kicking off the event with a special offer giving  members the opportunity to purchase one of two select Rik Rak salon packages including a tropical body polish and manicure or a Women’s cut, style and blow dry each including a VIP invitation to the Spring into Beauty event.

If you are not yet familiar with Gilt or Gilt City, becoming a member means receiving an array of addictive deals on designer wares for men, women, children and home and Gilt City Miami brings it to our backyard by showcasing the best of Miami’s luxury offerings from dining, beauty, entertainment and more.

The Gilt City Miami sale will be live starting today through May 4.

If you are not a member of Gilt but would still like to attend the Spring into Beauty event RSVP by calling 305 534 0081 or emailing jwrikrak@thepattongroupinc.com.

For more information on Rik Rak Salon visit www.rikrak.com.

For more information on Gilt City visit www.giltcity.com.

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The New York International Auto show wraps up this Sunday, concluding another round of the World Car Awards.  While the World Car of 2011 and the World Green Car of 2011 respectively went to the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt, the luxury market was represented with victories by the Ferrari 458 Italia (2011 World Sports Car) and the Aston Martin Rapide (2011 World Design Car).  In other words, no brand new concept or production debuts won any of the top awards, begging me to determine my own winner – the Saab PhoeniX concept car.

OK, just to be clear, the PhoeniX actually made its world debut last month at the Geneva Motor Show.  But the New York show marked the car’s North American debut, and with little else new on display worthy of accolades (a downmarket rally car of a Mercedes?  A hybrid-powered Porsche Panamera?), my nod has to go to the PhoeniX.

Saab hired Jason Castriota last June to breathe new life into the Swedish company’s design, and the onetime Pininfarina and Bertone stylist has obviously taken the task to heart.  With a resume that includes cars like the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, the Maserati GranTurismo, and last fall’s SSC Ultimate Aero II, there’s no doubt that Castriota has the potential to reinvigorate Saab’s aging design language.  But did anyone suspect that he would produce a car as sporty as the PhoeniX?

In recent years, automotive designers have frequently coined a term to describe their styling philosophy (think Chris Bangle’s controversial “flame surfacing” with BMW), and Castriota has followed this trend with his concept of “aeromotional design.”  Though the term doesn’t explain anything specific beyond a general concept of emotional content within aerodynamic packaging (and what self-respecting automotive designer doesn’t strive to do that?), the evocation of aeronautic concepts is particularly relevant with Saab, a company that cut its teeth in jet fighter design.

There’s no denying that the PhoeniX is the most aerodynamic and sporty car from Saab since the short-lived Sonett coupes of the early 70s, even if it is just a concept that will likely never reach production.  The sports car-worthy body features scissor doors as well as unique roof-based “winglets” that run between the front and rear pillars and theoretically manage airflow to reduce lift and improve stability without adding drag.  Under the hood, the PhoeniX features an efficient turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline engine that distributes power to a rear-axle electric drivetrain.  The electric motor’s battery is also replenished by regenerative braking that feeds charge back to the unit.  As one would expect from these specs, performance figures are not the car’s primary selling point, with the engine developing just 200 hp and enabling the car to reach 60 mph from standstill in 5.9 seconds.

From an interior ergonomic standpoint, the PhoeniX is not visually marred by any mirrors, and instead utilizes back-up cameras for rear view.  The scissor doors allow easier ingress and egress for the 2+2 seating configuration, and the driver is greeted by an 8” touchscreen interface that automatically syncs with the internet when the car is started and lies as close to the driver’s fingertips as the steering wheel, itself.  Castriota has clarified that we can expect some of the car’s features, such as the new grille and hood forms, to find their way to future production models.

Saab’s development of an attractive sports coupe (albeit a concept) ironically highlights its yet-to-be-finalized relationship with Spyker, the Dutch supercar manufacturer that landed a well-publicized winning bid to acquire the Swedish company late last year.  Since then, Spyker has spun off production of its signature low–volume exotic cars to an English firm, suggesting that the company never figured out how to produce its own cars at a profit.  Furthermore, a recent Spyker press release announced that at least two of Europe’s financial institutions with fingers in the Saab pie may yet hold up the final execution of the sale.  But it’s nice to know that if the deal falls through, Saab has given some thought to in-house notions of a new sports car, and the ever challenging paradigm of rising from one’s ashes – like a PhoeniX!

Haute Secrets Phoenix

Name: Kunal Naik

The stats: Born in Dubai; lived in Phoenix now for 25 years; currently resides in Gilbert.

Why he loves Phoenix: Nature and the great outdoors.

Kunal Naik is the managing director of Zee’s International Inc. and CEO and lead designer of luxury Swiss-made watch brand Swisstek. His intricately designed timepieces are renowned for their precision, performance and craftsmanship, as well as their bold and vibrant styles, which incorporate rare stones and other unique elements. And each collection is inspired by Naik’s world travels — everything from architectural and cultural values to the latest jewelry and design trends across the continents. Having grown the Swisstek brand to a presence in 100 retail outlets worldwide, with an increasingly high-profile following across Europe and the Middle East, Naik expanded his portfolio in 2010 with the launch of his second watch brand, Brillier. Debuted at the renowned BaselWorld international watch and jewelry show in Switzerland, the Brillier brand was created by Naik for a younger generation of timepiece collectors, to include collections that focus on fashion and affordability. Naik, 32, resides in Gilbert, Ariz., with his wife and daughter.

Check out Kunal Naik’s favorite haute spots in Phoenix at Haute Secrets.

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