Tuscany: Villa Mangiacane

August 12, 2013February 2, 2015 | Design & Culture by Ed

Derived from its ancient name meaning “great dog”, the Mangiacane Estate has been producing wine for centuries, and making the visitors feel like in paradise for years! Here I am for some vacations in warm Tuscany in Italy! The Villa Mangiacane is located in a small town 20 minutes away from Florence, in an amazing place, from where you see even the Basilica of St. Peter! From my huge, huge, huge balcony I see a large Italian forest, whole olive farm and grape orchard, that are used everyday in producing best quality olive oil and wine! Of course the very local wine can be tasted in the Villa’s restaurant and I assure you- it’s delicious.
This magnificent hotel has two beautiful pools, one in a Byzantine style, and other much more modern; there is the main building and the second, one much more beautiful and luxurious, the Villa, that contains of around 10 suites and few penthouses… It’s all a real Dolce Vita, having in mind that you have Portofino, Sienna, Florence and Bologna all in your are!

Berlin: Grosz

July 27, 2013January 6, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

The Grosz Restaurant is the hottest place in Berlin recently, with it’s majestic interior of a renovated old building on Kudammstarsse. The food here is a mix of European and Asian- you can try here the shrimps, octopuses and clumps in Tempura and also roasted veal with thyme sauce and seasonal vegetables! Maybe the service is rude, but the atmosphere is really beautiful and relaxing after a exhausting shopping day. All cutlery is by Meisel, so pretty exclusive, and on Summer you may sunbathe with some champagne and beef carpaccio in their elegant garden. What more, there is a cute patisserie next to… This restaurant beats all other ones in Berlin with it’s classic, a bit Art Deco design, and delightful cuisine!

Berlin: Hotel Das Stue

July 25, 2013July 25, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

Here I am in Berlin, in a new found hotel called Das Stue- one of the most prestigious Design Hotels in the world! And I should say I am pleased. It’s really hard to find a good, hot spot in Berlin. But this one, just few steps from the Berlin Zoo. There are two Spanish restaurants by mister Paco Perez- The Casual and Cinco. Not really good, but the design upinterior here is mind blowing! You will find here the coolest furniture by famous designers kept in strong colours!
The rooms are really luxurious- the shampoos are by Diptique, and all rooms have Led TV/computers. And it’s all accompanied with Jan Kath floors and Arne Jacobsen armchairs…the biggest feature of the hotel is the view of zoo and the localisation. It’s just next to Kadewe and the most expensive stores! Definetly, Das Stue is the moments hottest spot in Berlin!

Globe Trotter. Chanel AW13

March 5, 2013August 7, 2013 | Design & Culture by Ed

“I’ve got my feet on the ground, but this collection is up-to-earth, not down-to-earth.” said Karl Lagerfeld about his recent Chanel collection that was presented this morning traditionally in Grand Palais, Paris. As always Karl, made us all stunned before the collection- a huge Earth globe and around a massive grey carpet with continents on it. As always, shocking!
Lagerfeld thought this time about luxury travelling- silk, gold, silver, but still it should be comfortable and useful. So the collection was like! The new muse Ashleigh Good opened the collection in a revisted tweed jacket, with glam punk boots and a cool bag. And when I saw the hats… So great! These were like fake hair, made from fur, in pink and blue colour.

The show was full of signature colours by Chanel- indigo, black and grey. And do you remember this clutch box for 17’000€ with Chanel logo from SS season? It’s back! But now in warmer, knitted version. And I really loved all knits! Karl Lagerfeld always keep them elegant and cool.
Loved also all golden ornaments on tops. It was like a small reminder of Chanel’s trip to Bombay! And of course black and white flowers. Without them, there is no Chanel!

The end was full of gowns and Stella Tennant. Black evening gowns were mixed up with punk like styled pearl bracelets. And the boots I wrote about before. Chanel, is as always ruling, but for me definetly not best. And what’s always good about Chanel is that it’s always changing, never stays the same. And that’s thanks to genius of Karl Lagerfeld, who by the way opened his first boutique of his label “Karl”!