Netherlands - House Of Coco Magazine

Antigua and Barbuda November 9, 2023

Success Worldwide : Weathering The Storm to Come out on Top with RumJava

Mindy and Brian are the founders of RumJava, a brand that has a story to tell. With their love story being the inspiration to launching the business, its hard not to fall in love with them as much as you will with their product.

Here, we spent some time with Brian finding out more about how they overcame adversity, came out of a life threatening hurricane stronger than ever and what their plans are for the future…

Tell us about the journey that lead to you launching Rum Java?
Our story is a bit of a love story. Mindy and I love to travel, share experiences and make memories. Early in our relationship, in 2002, Mindy and I went on holiday together to the island of St John in the U.S. Virgin Islands. As we were falling in love with each other, we also started falling in love with St. John and its Caribbean culture. In 2003, we were engaged on a sailboat just off St. John and in 2004, we were married on St. John’s idyllic Turtle Bay Point.

St. John is a very special place to us. Two thirds of the island is reserved national park and, at that time, there weren’t any cell phone towers which made it a perfect place for us to truly escape from cell phones, laptops, and our very busy corporate lives. It became our special respite where we could completely relax and focus on one another.

Over the next nine years, our love affair with St John continued as we invested in property and found more and more reasons to spend time on the island. Ultimately, we decided to put down roots and we created a boutique gift and gourmet shop that also offered personalized concierge services and our very own Java’Mon coffee.Our goal was to help island visitors create memories and fall in love with St. John just as we had.

What inspired us to create our own coffee company?
During our many visits to St John, Mindy who loves her coffee, could never find a good cup of coffee on the island. To address this challenge, when we opened our store we decided to also open a coffee shop. It was a perfect opportunity to solve Mindy’s problem and we thought if she missed her coffee so much, other people would as well.

When we couldn’t find good beans to use in our coffee shop, we decided to learn how the coffee business works which resulted in us sourcing our own beans, creating our own unique coffee blends and creating our very own Java’Mon Coffee!

Java’Mon Coffee represents the combination of three passions, my love for Reggae music, our love for the Caribbean and Mindy’s love for coffee. On the island, Java’Mon Coffee was a run-away success, immediately.Given our goal to help people curate lifelong memories, we created and named coffee blends after our favourite places on the island. Soon, our coffee could be found in our shop, in hotel rooms, in local grocery stores, in local bars and restaurants and online.

So how did Java’Mon Coffee lead to RumJava?
Ironically, though Mindy has this amazing passion for coffee, I don’t drink coffee. I do however love rum. Mindy loves coffee but doesn’t drink rum.

The quest to find a way to create a cocktail we could actually enjoy together began.

We started with a vanilla rum-based espresso martini we call Mahtini’Mon. We partnered with local St. John bars and restaurants who served our Java’Mon coffee and were all too happy to serve a cocktail recipe we crafted using our Java’Mon Coffee Espresso. We cross promoted our coffee shop with the local bars and restaurants and it was a huge success. As we enjoyed our cocktail however, we noticed how much inconsistency there was in terms of both ingredient supply and in some cases the ability of bars to execute the cocktail.

One day in August 2016, we were sitting on the beach discussing the success of Java’Mon Coffee, the popularity of our cocktail, and the supply chain issues faced on an island such as St. John. We really wanted a consistent, high quality spirit which we could enjoy together and knew if we created one, our partner bars and restaurants would serve it, we could sell it in our store and we could certainly enjoy drinking it ourselves.

We began the process of learning about how to create a spirit.

We knew it had to be rum, we knew it had to have coffee, and we knew, coming from an island that is two-thirds reserved National Park, it had to be as sustainable as possible and made with all-natural ingredients. We also knew it needed to be well balanced. We wanted our rum to taste like rum so I would enjoy drinking it neat or on the rocks, but it also couldn’t be too strong or Mindy wouldn’t enjoy it. We wanted the coffee flavour to come through for Mindy but couldn’t be too strong or I would not enjoy drinking it. We set off to create the perfect balance.

We started the process by filling mason jars with a base rum and infused Java’Mon Coffee beans. We experimented with the number of beans and the length of time they sat in the rum and then added other natural flavours to achieve just the right balance.

We use high quality molasses from sugarcane grown in the Florida Everglades. After fermentation, our rum is distilled twice in a pot still with a copper column. A reclaimed, ionized water is used to lower the proof and we add freshly roasted coffee beans for at least 30 days to extract both colour and flavour. We use a different blend of beans depending on the flavour profile of the rum we are producing. The beans once extracted are dried and used for other things like making dark chocolate bars. We add other natural flavours, filter, hand bottle and hand seal. The end result is an extremely quaffable spirit appealing to a very wide demographic. RumJava is enjoyed neat, on the rocks, shaken and stirred in amazing, unique cocktails.

Another way to look at our quest to create RumJava; we wanted to create a spirit we could enjoy together while extending the range of cocktails on island by creating a one or two ingredient cocktail with a consistent supply chain and the ability to execute consistently. While we helped bars and restaurant introduce Espresso Martini’s, we also made it possible for them to offer a two ingredient Espresso Martini shot at speed bars.

And we crafted the perfect balanced spirit Mindy and I can enjoy together.

Your Instagram account is really fun, how much does social media play a part in your success?
We are so happy you find it fun, rum is fun. We want our RumJava brand to convey a certain level of sophistication yet be playful.

Our social media is purposely managed to reflect who we are, where we are from, and most importantly, the people who enjoy our RumJava. We try to build our content around our customers’ experiences, reflecting the people, places, and feelings our brand emotes.

Social media is a very important component of our strategy not just for followership or eyeballs on the brand but to help us build a culture around our brand. Many of our followers not only follow us on social media but they come see us wherever we are. The relationships, the real friendships we have built while building our brand will be with us forever. We believe it is more important to be authentic and convey the customer experience than to have refined, over-edited pictures of our bottles – its rum, it’s supposed to be fun!

You’ve overcome a lot to be where you are, most recently the devastation that Hurricane Irma caused. Can you tell us more about this and how you overcame it?
It is often said the things that don’t kill you make you stronger. Mindy and I survived 5 ½ hours of 265 mile per hour (mph) winds and it didn’t kill us, it made us stronger. Hurricane Irma really was a life changing event.

In the days leading up to the storm, we kept a close eye on the forecast and up until about 36 hours before Hurricane Irma hit St. John, she had a northerly track with winds of 135 mph. The storm track then dropped in a more westerly direction and we learned she was headed for a direct hit to the Virgin Islands.By this time it was too late to leave island, the ports, both land and sea, were closed; we boarded up our business, collected hurricane supplies and hunkered down for the storm. In the few hours leading up to landfall, the winds quickly accelerated from 135 to over 185 mph and they went up in strength from there.

Mindy and I have matching necklaces engraved with our wedding date and the coordinates of St. John.Just before Irma made landfall we were watching the news while the reporters showed the projected path of the storm.They announced the current location of the storm and it was within less than 10 degrees of the coordinates on our necklaces. Irma was headed for a direct hit on St. John and was forecast to make a turn, heading straight up through Florida where our Fort Lauderdale home would be in the most dangerous part of the storm and more importantly, two of our four daughters were also in the path of the storm.

And then it all started. We lost power, the wind, the rain, the falling trees, the flying debris, the water coming through the lights and electric sockets, the water building on the first floor, then the cracking windows and a piece of the roof breaking away. We created a safe room but couldn’t use it. The pressure was too much, the room was too hot and the unforgettable smell of the shredded trees coming in through the exhaust vents was too much.We moved a sofa near the front door, re-recorded our will, and placed our passports, phones, and some cash in a plastic bag and waited.

When it was all over, it was sheer devastation as far as the eye could see. There was not a leaf left on a tree, no green grass, and hillsides once lined with homes and thick with foliage, were barren. We didn’t have cell service and without communication we didn’t know where the storm was, where it was headed, and we feared it was on a direct path to Florida. Incredibly, we discovered a neighbour’s working cell phone with a random (but rapidly disappearing) signal and were able to get a call out to one of our daughters to let them know we had survived Irma and make sure they had appropriate plans given the severity of the storm.

We then made our way outside and walked two “island miles” over downed powerlines, telephone poles, through the shell-shocked community to our store. We climbed under the telephone pole on our roof and opened our store. Looking around we could see doors in trees, the collapsed structures, the vegetation-less hillsides and the mounds and mounds of debris where structures once stood. It was 24 hours before we saw the first helicopter pass over the island and days before we could find a reliable cell phone signal to communicate. Over the five days following the storm, we kept our store open when curfew allowed – we were all in shock and the store offered a place for people to share their stories, share hugs, let others know they were okay and simply decompress. Because of power issues, we gave away a lot of our inventory that required refrigeration. We assisted tourists in efforts to evacuate the island and finally were evacuated ourselves to Puerto Rico.

While we felt guilty leaving the island, as the next hurricane, Hurricane Jose, turned north and passed St. John, we boarded a boat bound through rough seas to Puerto Rico. The people of Puerto Rico were amazing. They rescued countless people, delivered much needed supplies, and lent a shoulder to cry on for so very many people. We left Puerto Rico three days later and with an overnight stay in Antigua, we made our way back to Florida safely but emotionally drained and sorely bruised from the experience.

Though Florida was spared from the same kind of storm we saw in the US Virgin Islands, tornadoes from the storm damaged a ceiling and five walls in our home in Fort Lauderdale – they had to be gutted. Within days of returning home Mindy’s Aunt passed away and, shortly thereafter, Hurricane Maria destroyed most of what the previous storms had not in the Atlantic/Caribbean basin, including Puerto Rico.

It was a tough month, we were shattered and felt helpless as it related to the condition of our beloved island. We lost our business and our home on St. John, and there was little we could do to help repair the island and those in need.

We set out to find a way to heal and raise money for Hurricane relief.

We decided to create a blend of coffee and named it “Love City Strong” in honor of St. John (known as “Love City”).In short order, we sold 600 pounds of Love City Strong online with all proceeds sent back to St. John through two foundations established to provide disaster recovery and hurricane relief.

As part of our plan for RumJava, we wanted to get to the UK to participate in UK RumFest and see if the market would respond positively to our range of rums. We had our stand booked before Hurricane Irma and were well past the point of cancelling our participation in the event. Mindy suggested she would support the event, but I had to figure out how to make it happen, she was simply spent. It felt like this event was the only thing we had left, the only thing connecting us to our beloved St. John. We were preparing for a Caribbean festival in the UK and we needed it to heal, we needed it to help us move on, and we needed to see if anyone in the UK loved our rum as we did. We airfreighted our rum to the UK via Rotterdam, flew to London, and hosted a launch party at the rooftop Bar Elba with Caribbean Carnival Dancers and about 75 guests. It was just what we needed. Given supply chain challenges, our rum arrived at the venue an hour before the party started and had to be carried up five flights of stairs. We were so grateful for the opportunity to be there, we picked up the rum and started up the stairs! We brought our own brand of Caribbean Culture, Rum, and Coffee to London and had an amazing kickoff event thanks to the team at Bar Elba.

We are not afraid of hard work and Hurricane Irma made us realize how strong we truly are.

We had airfreighted our rum as well as marketing banners, merchandise and everything we could muster to pull together a stand at UK RumFest to our hotel.We carried rum, banners, coffee, chocolate, t-shirts etc. back and forth from our hotel to the RumFest location. We were the first ones to arrive onsite and the last to leave. Throughout the UK RumFest weekend, we poured everything we had into interacting with consumers, telling our story, and introducing them to our version of a Virgin Islands party in the UK. As it turned out, the UK loved us as much as we loved them. We made some lifelong friends and became the highest selling brand in the history of UK RumFest (a record we continue to hold.)

When we launched RumJava in April 2017 at Miami RumFest, we won three gold medals and became the highest selling rum in the history of Miami RumFest. In July 2017, we had our first distribution order which went to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Within two months, our entire world came crashing down. Pressing on and having the experience we did at UK RumFest not only gave us confidence and energy related to the UK Market, it gave us the confidence and energy to continue the pursue our dream.

RumJava is now in 8 states within the U.S., the Virgin Islands, and broadly across the UK. We are the highest selling rum in the history of the Miami RumFest, UK RumFest, and Poland’s Rum Love Festival by an order of magnitude.

Hurricane Irma changed our lives. She reminded us how important we are to each other, how important our family, friends, and pets are, how important our health is, how big our responsibility is to our environment and future generations, and how to crystalize our thoughts, muster all our energy to press on, and fight for our dreams together. She made us more appreciative and more resilient because she showed us how easily she could take it all away.The UK RumFest will always have a special place in our hearts and minds. The friendships, the mentorship from people like Global Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell, the guidance, the well wishes, and the cultural revolution that has joined RumJava has given us the confidence and energy to pursue this passion; we will be forever grateful.

Who is behind the company and what roles do you all play?
Mindy and I (Brian) are RumJava’s co-founders. While we make all our investment and implementation decisions together, I am the company’s Chief Executive Officer and focused on production, operations, and market strategy. I also spend a lot of time in market working with bars, restaurants, and retailers to help position RumJava, create cocktails, menus and conduct training. Mindy is our Chief Creative Officer and is focused on design, styling, and brand imagery. Niki and Dustin Skartved lead our distillation, Nick Krasniqi is our UK market manager and Corey Siegel is our graphic designer. Mindy and I collaborate and make all decisions together from brand to flavour profile, design, aesthetic, market strategy, and investments.

What sets Rum Java apart from other rum brands on the market?
RumJava Artisan Crafted Rums are premium, coffee infused, and 100% all-natural. We have an authentic story and created a very quaffable and versatile spirit unlike anything on the market. Consumers and experts alike respect our authenticity, our packaging, and the quality and taste of our rum.

RumJava is sophisticated yet playful. And we passionately celebrate the experience of Caribbean culture, rum and coffee in every sip.

Talk us through a day in your life?
Hold hands, watch the sunrise (preferably while walking the dogs), go to the gym and at least get in some cardio and stretching and/or some hot yoga. The work day usually starts with a review of social media, primarily Instagram. We typically look at social media in the first hour of the day and this continues throughout the day, periodically, until we go to sleep. Mornings are then spent reviewing and responding to email, mostly those coming in late night from a different time zone, then it’s off into the market at around 10am. When in the UK, Nick and I make full use of the tube but walk at least 12 miles a day when we are in market. We meet with bars, restaurants, and retail partners, working to position RumJava with new clients. Typically, we are interested in how business and consumer culture meet. We spend time determining if and how RumJava fits in the environment. We also support clients who have already made a commitment to RumJava by working on drinks, menus and business metrics while conducting consumer tastings to ensure the brand is activated properly and will be successful for everyone. There are a lot of cocktails to try, photos to take and little time to eat. We are back in the hotel at the end of our day in market, most nights after 10 or 11 in the evening, and then it’s time to catch up on email related to the operation of the business…then we get ready to start all over in the morning.

What advice would you offer for anyone that is considering launching a business in your arena?
It is a tough business, do your research, and make sure you understand why you want to be in the business, your tolerance for risk, and how your product will get in the hands of the consumers. Is there something innovative about your idea or different than potential competitors? If you choose to go forward and don’t have any experience in the industry (like us), ask a lot of questions, be humble, listen to everyone wiling to give you advice but, in the end, follow sound business principles and listen to your gut.

The last piece of advice we would offer is that it is hard work and the real secret to success is a willingness to work hard.It all looks glamourous and we love every minute but it’s hard work and if you aren’t prepared, physically and mentally, it will be difficult to be successful and to develop a real understanding of the business, your consumer, and the industry.

Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
We love to travel and have been around the world three times. We enjoy fitness, especially hot yoga, we love to clear our minds, walk our dogs, play backgammon, and do a little limin’ anywhere there is a beach, especially on St. John or Fort Lauderdale Beach. We also enjoy getting out on the water in the US and British Virgin Islands. There is always time for a spin on the Ducati or a Chelsea Football match.

What does 2020 look like for you?
2020 is an extremely exciting year for RumJava! We have learned a great deal in the past 24 months, and you will see us very focused in 2020. We are currently sold broadly across the UK, in 8 states within the US, and the Virgin Islands. While we will continue to look opportunistically for great partners in Europe, the US, and Asia, we will be strategically focused on activation in three key markets; the UK, Florida, and the Virgin Islands. We will continue to build on relationships we have built with UK RumFest, Coca-Cola, our on and off-trade partners and wholesalers while bringing Caribbean Culture, Rum, and Coffee to some exciting new activations in London for 2020.

What does self care mean to you?
For us, self-care is about being thankful and nurturing what is most important to us – our four daughters, two dogs, and each other. It all has to start with how we take care of ourselves, what we put in our bodies, how we stay fit physically and mentally. Cutting carbs, hitting the gym at least 6 days a week, hot yoga, walking the dogs, watching the sunrise every morning we are home, and while difficult, having the courage to say no are all important to keeping us centered and the energy positive so we prepared to support each other, our family, and our businesses. We have learned the hard way not to take anything for granted and we hold each other accountable for self-care.

For our UK readers, where can they get their hands on a bottle of Rum Java?
We are in relatively broad distribution in the UK. You can find RumJava in retail both online and in some of the finest shops from Edinburgh to Cornwall as well as on-trade throughout the country. If you are shopping for a bottle online or in a shop, you can pick up RumJava at Harvey Nichols, Whisky Exchange, Master of Malt, 23 Wine & Whisky, Twisted Cellar, Gerry’s Soho, Great Western Wine in Bath, Harper Wells in Norwich, Virgin Wines, Slurp Wine in Banbury, and Amazon to mention a few outlets carrying RumJava.

Where can people find out more?
Come see and follow us at www.rumjava.com, on Instagram @Rum_Java, on Twitter @rumjava, on Facebook @rumjava on Channel 4 Sunday Brunch from time to time and on the pages of some of your favourite online and print media such as The House of Coco.

Germany November 9, 2023

Meat Puns Aside, Leeds Newest Steakhouse is set to cause a sizzle

It would be a missed steak not to have Leeds newest eatery on your radar. Chophaus, a stylish steakhouse heading to Oakwood and launching this weekend is excited to meat you. Ok, our meat puns might be bad but their offering is very exciting!

The leafy North Leeds suburb of Oakwood continues its transformation into one of the city’s most essential districts as it prepares for the arrival of Chophaus. Perched on the edge of Roundhay Park just behind the historic Oakwood Clock, the contemporary steakhouse and grill is shaping up to be a major player in the thriving Leeds food scene.

Offering an enticing mix of premium steaks, chops and seafood, Chophaus will also offer a range of signature dishes designed to keep the city’s most discerning of foodies coming back for more. Housed in the striking wooden building formerly occupied by Café Sylva, the two-floor venue has undergone an impressive facelift created by award-winning interior designers Nanu Soda that will include a lively cocktail bar and private dining area.

Innovative modern flourishes

The mixture of deep colours, sleek finishes, brushed brass accents and vine wrapped beams has resulted in a dark and seductive interior design that perfectly sets the mood. By day, the floor to ceiling windows will help create a brighter space that takes full advantage of the natural light and park views.

The talented team of chef’s tasked with bringing the Chophaus menu to life have a long-list of globe-spanning credentials including the Batu Karang Resort on the island of Nusa Lembongan, Odysseia in Pacific Palace Jakarta and Aiden Byrne’s Church Green in Cheshire.

The menu has been carefully crafted to include a diverse range of both small and large plates that blends beloved traditional dishes with Innovative modern flourishes. Standout small plates include Seared King Scallops with wild mushroom ragout and winter truffle, Mussels in Beer Broth with grilled cheese croissant and Game Terrine with beetroot ketchup and shallot rings.

And, if the prime cuts of steak cooked over a charcoal grill don’t pique your interest with their distinctively smoky flavour, the signature large plates will. Highlights on offer include the Texel Lamb Rump with shepherd’s pie, Braised Duck Leg with smoked foie gras, and Old Spot Belly Pork with tiger prawns.

Sumptuous starters

The small yet well edited selection of seafood dishes range from Whole Baked Dover Sole with celeriac, grapes and walnuts to Wild Bass with braised leaks and potato salad. Chophaus have also gone all out on their Sunday menu, with traditional beef, chicken and pork roasts complemented with a range of sumptuous starters and sides, including Rarebit Profiteroles.

The divine dessert menu is also full of temptation and includes the showstopping Black Forest Cheesecake with cherries and tuille and the palate-cleansing Citrus Tart with fennel and basil salad. The upmarket downstairs bar is also destined to become a destination in its own right, with flawlessly made cocktails spanning stone-cold classics to more unfamiliar and exotic concoctions.

The Rosemary Paloma blends Patron Silver Tequila shaken with fresh lime and grapefruit juice, and is finished with a sweet, homemade rosemary syrup. Life’s a Peach is a balanced mix of Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Briotett peach liqueur, cinnamon syrup, Angostura and peach bitters.

A trio of Chophaus Espresso Martinis will make for the perfect post-meal pick me up and include crème brulee or honeycomb syrup mixed with Belvedere vodka, Kahlua and fresh pulled espresso. A classic version will also be available for traditionalists.

A vibrant suburb

General Manager Matt Kerrywood, previously of Iberica, Rare and Malmaison, had this to say ahead of the opening:

‘’Oakwood is one of the most vibrant suburbs in the city and we couldn’t think of a better place to make Chophaus a reality. The area has really come into its own in recent years, with some of the city’s best bars and independents thriving of late. We’re confident that our restaurant will be a go-to destination for both locals and those from wider Leeds and beyond looking for exceptional steak in a lively, modern venue.’’

Chophaus will create 15 new jobs and is pencilled in for an early December launch. The 70-cover restaurant will be sourcing its steaks and other prime cuts from Ripon’s coveted R&J Meats, who have been supplying Yorkshire’s best restaurants since 1978.

www.chophaus.co.uk

Kosovo November 9, 2023

DUA LIPA AND JAGUAR CREATE MUSIC TRACK EVERY FAN CAN REMIX

Here at House of Coco we are a sucker for a killer collaboration, so of course when we heard that Jaguar had teamed up with Dua Lipa, we were all ears!

British/Kosovan singer-songwriter Dua Lipa has collaborated with Jaguar to make music in a completely new way. Using Jaguar’s custom-made software, she created an exclusive remix of her latest track, ‘Want To’ and empowered fans all over the world to create personalised remixes using their own data – from the way they drive, the songs they listen to, or by tapping a rhythm on a mobile.

Over a million different remixes are possible, with multiple tempos and versions based on a range of music genres from hip-hop and dance, to orchestral, pop music and drum and bass.

The track has already become the most remixed song in history following its launch at an exclusive gig at Sugar City in Amsterdam, where music fans and stars from across Europe, including supermodel Doutzen Kroes and actress Alix Benezech, drove the all-electric I-PACE to create their own versions.

To create her own remix of ‘Want To’, Dua Lipa drove the Jaguar I-PACE, and her style of driving was captured by the car’s intelligent sensors. From the amount of electrical energy consumed, to the way Dua Lipa accelerated and braked, the data captured was used to influence the track; from the tempo to the arrangement and the overall feel.

The Dua Lipa x Jaguar version of ‘Want To’ appears on the album ‘Dua Lipa The Complete Collection’, released this Friday, 7 September.

Speaking at the track’s launch in Amsterdam, Dua Lipa said: “I’m so excited to collaborate with Jaguar and push the boundaries of music and technology for my fans. It’s pretty mind-blowing that anyone can create their own unique version of my single ‘Want To’ based on the way they drive a Jaguar, or what music they listen to.

“It’s crazy to think that the data from my drive in the electric I-PACE can alter the energy of my music to create a totally new and incredible sound.”

It’s not only drivers who can remix the track, music fans across the globe will also be able to create their own versions of the Dua Lipa song by using Jaguar’s clever remix software at https://remix.jointhepace.com. This innovative app allows users to remix the Dua Lipa track using their Spotify streaming history – taking data from the music they listen to and rearranging elements of the track to create a personalised version. From the average tempo of your playlists, to the mood and energy of the music you stream most often, the data is used to conduct a remix just for you. Those without a Spotify account can also create a remix in the app by tapping their mobile to ‘set the pace’ of a new version of the song.

All remixes can then be shared via the user’s social channels.

JAGUAR AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATIONS

This collaboration of music and technology is the latest example of Jaguar creating a more connected experience between a driver and their car. In-car Jaguar technology such as InControl and Smart Settings, monitors the driver’s style and preferences, and adjusts the settings to improve their experience.

Connected Car engineer, Matt Peirce, explains: “Thousands of intelligent sensors are fitted to all Jaguar PACE cars and respond to the driver, their driving style and the surroundings to personalise the driving experience and excite the senses. Capturing data from inside and outside the car during every drive allows us to customise the car to every driver.

“We could see this type of music technology built into every Jaguar in the future, so the in-car entertainment moves, evolves and adapts to you – creating an even more connected experience. This would mean working with more music artists in the future to create similar tracks that can respond to the way you drive.

“We already use InControl data to continuously improve vehicles over time, and with the advent of over-the-air software updates, it means we will be able to enhance customer cars and even fix issues remotely, without the customer needing to visit to a dealer.”

CAPTURING DATA: HOW THE TECHNOLOGY WORKS

Every Jaguar E-PACE, F-PACE and I-PACE has thousands of intelligent sensors that collect data designed to improve the driving experience. Everything from the driving style to the chosen settings are captured.

Six different data sets are collected from each journey using Jaguar’s InControl infotainment system. This can include information on braking and accelerating, energy captured through regenerative braking and electrical energy consumption, to average vehicle speed and direction.

This information is sent by the car remotely to the cloud using its 4G connectivity. The ‘Dua Lipa x Jaguar’ track uses this data from the car, together with state-of-the-art software, to give you a personalised remix.

From the web-based app, there is the option for Spotify users to remix the track using streaming history data: the music styles you most often listen to, the average tempo of those songs etc. This information is used to rearrange and remix the Dua Lipa song, to personalise it for every user.

Those who do not have a Spotify account can create a remix by tapping the screen of their mobile device to set a pace and the app will generate a version of the song that is matched to the speed and rhythm of their taps.

CREATING THE MOST REMIXED SONG IN HISTORY

To make it possible for everyone to remix the Dua Lipa x Jaguar track, a specialist music production team deconstructed Dua’s master version, taking the core essence of the track and stripping it down into its component parts, exploring how the song could be rearranged by adjusting mood and style, instrumentation and tempo.

Over 3,500 audio stems were created through this process and these are the ingredients for every remix – the components that sit within a state-of-the-art intelligent piece of software, ready to be arranged by data from the car, Spotify streaming history or a pace set by the user.

“The six data sets captured from each drive in a Jaguar I-PACE are used to conduct the track,” says Tor Castensson, from software technology partner, Plan8. “Every driver’s data ‘fingerprint’ from their journey specifically selects the mood, tempo, intensity and complexity of the remix – and chooses melodies, sounds and drum beats from a palette of instruments. The track effectively responds to the pace and style of your drive.”

Ben Sumner, from Jaguar’s music production partners, Feel for Music, explains: “It works like a combination lock: there are five sections of every track, like five reels of a lock. The data from different parts of driver’s journeys selects the mood and style in a number of different ways; effectively turning every reel, to select a different combination. The software seamlessly blends the music together so it works as one cohesive remix. Each reel has hundreds of different possible audio stems, so there is the potential for millions of versions of the track.”

THE PACE – SEASON ONE

The Dua Lipa and Jaguar collaboration kicks-off a series of Jaguar events and activities across Europe, called The PACE: Season One – which celebrates the company’s popular SUV models, the E-PACE, F-PACE and I-PACE.

Following the Amsterdam launch, drivers in other countries throughout the region will be given the chance to create their own bespoke remixes from test drives in Jaguar PACE cars at special events being held through the remainder of 2018 and into 2019.

The Pace – Season Two will follow in Summer 2019.

#thepace#jaguar

Belgium November 9, 2023

How to achieve a good work-life balance

With almost a third of UK workers feeling that they have a poor work-life balance, it’s becoming an important issue to address. Not only does it affect our relationships and home life happiness, but it can also take its toll on our mental health. Read on as we investigate the best way to manage a good work-life balance and take some tips from other countries.

The current situation

The general consensus appears to be the adults in the UK are overworked. Maintaining a healthy balance between home and work life seems to become more difficult as we get older, with statistics showing that the younger the employee, the less likely they are to identify work-life balance as an important part of their job. The task of juggling a family alongside a job is also difficult for many to manage with statistics revealing that 75% of working parents suffer stress and anxiety as a result of their work-life balance management.

Although some businesses aim to operate at maximum capacity, this can take its toll. Research found that as a person’s weekly hours increase, so do their feelings of unhappiness. Of course, this is no surprise. Even for those who don’t work long hours, there is still the issue of ‘switching off’ and disconnecting from what’s happened at the office. In fact, one third of European workers said that a bad day at work affected their personal life.

As we work more, we find that we have less time to spend with those we love, less time to focus on accomplishing goals that aren’t work-related and less time to pursue our hobbies and dreams. But, many of us feel as though there’s nothing we can do about it.

How do people manage in other countries?

In comparison to our western European counterparts, Britain has the worst work-life balance. What can we learn from our foreign neighbours?

It seems as though workers in other countries have more free time to spend outside of work. In Belgium, employees have an average of 8.6 hours of free time per day compared to their 7.4-hour work days, and Netherlands are enjoying the shortest working week at only 30.3 hours. Denmark only spend 6.6 hours at work each day with 8.8 hours each day to spend how they wish, and Austrians are encouraged to start the weekend early with 3pm finishes implemented around the country. Many Germans are able to relax on a Sunday too, as stores are regulated so that they close on Sundays. All of these extra hours add up it seems, with Britons working 325 hours more per year than workers in Germany.

Unlike UK workers who often work with only half an hour to an hour break per day, foreign employees are encouraged to take multiple breaks throughout the day. The Spanish are famous for their midday siestas which began as an effort to sleep through the hottest period of the day in warmer climates. Although new laws mean that shops have to remain open without a break for naps, some workers still follow the siesta tradition. Or, they take long coffee and lunch breaks with colleagues — something that is widely accepted by employers. Finland also take on the approach that long breaks are good for everyone, and their workers enjoy extra-long lunch breaks that are one to two hours long! If you visited Sweden on business, you’d probably be invited to join them for ‘fika’ — this is a late morning coffee that offices pause to enjoy at around 11am.

Other regulations that help maintain a healthy work-life balance include:

Belgians are able to take a full month off work to coincide with school breaks.
Spanish workers have a holiday allowance of 30 days.
France introduced a law in 2017 that gave workers the ‘right to disconnect’ from after-work emails.
Swedish workers enjoy 16 months of paid family leave

What can we do?

Although we can’t change the regulations of our workplace, there are some things that we can do to help manage our work-life balance.

Enquire with your employer about splitting up your break. Research has proven that taking regular breaks can improve your productivity, and it therefore could be something that they will support. Split your hour break up into half an hour and two 15-minute breaks to decrease the amount of time spent at your desk at one time. Get some fresh air or spend time talking to family on the phone, taking a small action like this could reduce your stress levels.

A long commute can lead to stress and depression according to one study. This is one reason to propose flexi-time at your office, where you can skip the traffic at each side of your day and do something more productive. Of course, this isn’t an option for everyone. You could make your commute feel more productive though, by listening to a podcast or audio book that can reduce the stress of rush-hour traffic. Alternatively, going to a gym class near to your work can mean that you miss the bulk of the busy traffic and allows you to fit some exercise into your day as well!

Although it can be difficult, restrict yourself on checking emails when you’ve finished work. Think of the long-term issues that mixing home and work life can have and aim to check your emails only for ten minutes on an evening instead of an hour. This is the same for working overtime, unless entirely necessary, make sure you are sticking to the number of hours that you’re contracted to. This can not only affect your mental health but can lead to employers expecting this behaviour at all times.

Make sure you’re using your annual holidays to recharge and spend time with family. We’re all guilty of using our holidays to run errands or do something that we’ve been putting off, but this isn’t always helpful for our work-life balance. Although we need to do this now and then, annual leave should be used to recuperate, relax and enjoy time away from the office so try to focus on this.

As we can see, the current situation is not great for UK workers. But, there are some small changes that you can make. From splitting up your break to making the most of your holidays, being conscious of finding a good split between the office and spare time is the first step to improving your work-life balance.

This article was brought to you by CT Shirts, retailers of men’s dress shirts.

Sources

https://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/third-workers-poor-work-life-balance/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/w/work-life-balance

https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/countries-with-best-work-life-balance-in-europe

https://www.cityam.com/268119/eat-sleep-work-repeat-why-uk-has-worst-work-life-balance

Mexico November 9, 2023

11 Must Dos in Marfa, Texas

I’m sure Marfa has hit your insta feed at some point over the past few years. A media darling hangout, everyone from Beyoncé to Jake Gyllenhaal has been lured to this tiny town in the high Chihuahuan desert – 6.5 hours travel away from the nearest major city (Austin).

Luckily, once you make it there, you may never want to leave.

For more on the mythical West Texas, pick up our Boss Babe print volume out at the end of June 2019.

One: Prada, Marfa

Ok, let’s get this out of the way at the start. This art installation of a Prada store isn’t in Marfa, but 10 minutes drive out, in the adorably named Valentine. Sadly, this is one of those instances where – if you didn’t get a shot in front of the store, did you even go to Marfa? So tick this one off the list by going early in the day and off season, if you can, to avoid the hordes.

Two: Breakfast Tacos with a side of sass at Boyz2Men

Boyz2Men serve up great Mexican food and burgers, often with some sass and tourist tax for out-of-towners. They aren’t going to apologise and you’ll just have to get over it.

Three: Gem Shopping at Moonlight Gemstones

Just across the way from Food Shark (see below) is this unassuming gemstore. Look past the small shopfront into the jam packed front and back yards and discover a treasure trove of local gem stones (include Agate that only exists in the Marfa area) and Mexican silver bangles, sold by weight.

Four: Food Shark: Good enough for Queen Bey, good enough for you

One of the classics of the Marfa food truck scene, Food Shark is the shot for the ‘gram and also a great spot to enjoy their Mediterranean X West Texas fare.

Five: Toast James Dean & Elizabeth Taylor at Paisano Hotel

The stunning Paisano Hotel played home to James and Elizabeth when they were in town filming Giant with Rock Hudson. Grab a drink in the courtyard at Jett’s Grill or cosy down in a delightfully historic room for the night.

Six: See the Marfa Lights. Yes, Really.

This rather peculiar structure is set out of town, past the ‘Welcome to Marfa’ state sign. Even more peculiarly, it was built in 2003 expressively so people could marvel at one of the towns ‘must-sees’; the Marfa Lights. No-one knows exactly what they are. But I can tell you that all the video we took that night came out completely blank – audio of us getting a little hysterical was fine – but we have no record of the eerie sight we all saw with our own eyes….

Seven: View Donald Judd’s Work

Taking photos within the museums / studios preserved by the Judd foundation isn’t allowed so instead you can view us marching along to view ‘The Block’ behind the compound wall ahead., artist Donald Judd’s residence in Marfa.

Eight : Explore the Wes Anderson candy coloured Presidio County Courthouse

This building probably wasn’t what you had in mind, in the middle of the desert. Pass through the main entrance and climb the wooden staircases, to the top dome, for a unique vista of the town and the land surrounding it.

Nine : Get your souvenirs from a vending machine

One of the best things to do in town is to get lost. With the main part of the city only a few blocks in each direction, keep wandering until something takes your fancy. Se Vende is a unique concept of a 24h vending machine full of locally made products; the perfect spot for a souvenir.

Ten: Spend the night in a retro caravan at El Cosmico

El Cosmico is a unique spot brought to live by the Bunkhouse Group of boutique hotels. Chose between vintage caravans, teepees or safari tents for a stay to remember under Marfa’s open skies. Be sure to book a spot in their open air dutch hot tubs to really drink in those starry nights.

Eleven: Cocktails and small plates at Boss Babe run, Cochineal

Cochineal opened in 2003, run by a wife and husband team. Since then they have been bringing the town exquisitely curated seasonal menus with killer cocktails alongside. Full disclosure; we went to see the Marfa Lights after a few of those.

For information on Texas go to www.traveltexas.com

The world’s largest airline, American Airlines, operates daily flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Lubbock (LBB) and Midland (MAF) via its hub in Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). Fly from £829 in Basic Economy, from £889 in the Main Cabin, from £1,218 in American’s new Premium Economy product and from £3,841 in Business Class, all prices are based on return flights, per person, and include taxes. americanairlines.co.uk

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

Coco Kitchen Weekend Bakes: Toffee Apple Dutch Baby

Toffee and apple, synonymous with autumn, golds and reds in all their glory. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be enjoyed as a winter warmer too. There used to be a greengrocer close to my home that sold teeth shattering toffee apples as soon as the first leaves fell from the trees. Although the coating was frightfully hard, it was worth nibbling through the caramel to get to the crisp, fresh apple encased within. This recipe exemplifies the beauty of these two flavours, but without the risk of an expensive visit to the dentist.

A Dutch Baby is a large, puffed up pancake that differs from a Yorkshire pudding in that it uses more eggs and is cooked in butter rather than dripping. The sweet, lightly spiced batter envelopes the chopped apple, allowing it to soften and mellow whilst supported by the fluffy pillow of pancake. If you’re hankering after a savoury version, omit the cinnamon, lemon, and apples, and fill the cooked pancake with bacon, spinach, and a freshly poached egg. The perfect weekend recipe.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

Pancake:
75g plain flour
150ml whole milk
20g butter
2 eggs
2tbsp caster sugar
½tsp cinnamon
Pinch salt
Zest of one lemon
2 eating apples, cored and chopped into segments
Caramel sauce:
115g granulated sugar
45g butter
65ml double cream
65ml water
Pinch of salt
Vanilla ice cream, to serve

Method:

1. Sift together the flour, sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the eggs and milk, whisking to create a smooth, runny batter. Leave to rest for 20 minutes whilst you chop the apples into segments.
2. Preheat your oven on its highest setting (it needs to be incredibly hot for the pancake to puff up). Warm an iron skillet or other oven safe pan on the hob. Add the butter and heat until it’s frothy and bubbling.
3. Add the batter to the pan and scatter the sliced apple around the centre. Reduce the oven temperature to 220C/200C(fan)/gas mark 7 and bake for 15 minutes. You must resist the urge to open the oven door during the bake or else you won’t get the fluffy, pillowy texture that we’re after.
4. Whilst the pancake is in the oven, make the caramel sauce by combing the sugar and water in a saucepan set over a medium heat. Rather than stirring, swirl the saucepan around until the sugar and water have turned a light amber colour. Carefully add the butter and whisk until fully melted. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in the cream and sea salt before setting aside to cool.
5. When the 15 minutes are up, remove the pancake from the oven and leave it for 30 seconds to deflate. Drizzle with fresh caramel sauce and serve with a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream.

Coco Couples November 9, 2023

Lanzerac: A wine-lovers dream honeymoon in Stellenbosch, South Africa

If like me, you love a glass of wine almost as much as your husband or wife to be, South Africa’s Cape Winelands are an easy choice when it comes to planning your honeymoon. With its vine-striped valleys and white-walled Cape Dutch architecture, it has enough vineyards and restaurants to keep even the most seasoned wine-loving couple happy.
Just 40 minutes from Cape Town, this is the country’s wine capital and while you could (and absolutely should) spend days dotting between the top-class wineries, nothing feels quite as indulgent as staying on one – which is why we headed to luxury hotel and working vineyard Lanzerac Wine Estate in Stellenbosch to beat our post-wedding blues.

Dating back to 1692, Lanzerac Wine Estate is of the oldest and most luxurious estates in the area, combining all the pedigree you’d expect of a 326-year-old working winery with the sumptuous surrounds of a five-star hotel and spa. Perhaps most famously, it is also the birthplace of the first bottled Pinotage – a cross between a Pinot Noir and Hermitage and South Africa’s first unique, indigenous wine grape variety.
Tucked away in the foothills of theJonkershoek valley, you’re just a few kilometres outside of leafy Stellenbosch town, yet the estate feels like another world entirely. Driving down the oak-lined dappled driveway is like taking a step back in time.

With its Dutch gabled exterior stark white against a bright blue sky and dramatic mountain backdrop, this is one special corner of the Cape. Having been preserved for decades (and now designated as a Provincial Heritage site) the iconic Manor House and Werf buildings make up the centre of the estate, while a series of white-washed cottages make up the 53 rooms and suites.
Sadly, a fire in 2017 caused extensive damage to the property, causing it to close its doors for a year. While it may have been a tragedy, the new interiors are astounding – fusing the period grandeur of the previous property, with its rough stone walls and exposed beams with contemporary elements like the walls in the grand dining room. You can practically see the history as you step from one type of flooring to the next, across different generations.
The estate is expansive, and we get lost several times, but it’s a joy to uncover all the different corners. The fountains, the courtyard rose gardens shaded by ancient oaks – one of many pools flanked by white loungers and backed by plane trees.

The gardens are immaculate, enveloping you in blooms and different scents as you walk to your room. While the rest of the estate may be beautiful, it’s just a warm-up for the rooms – which are the real show stoppers here. No two are the same, with four different categories ranging from classic to a suite, but all offering huge ceilings, chandeliers and romantic bathtubs.

Our pool suite is really more like a house – with an entrance hall and study leading onto the bedroom and living room. To one side, a marble-clad bathroom with steamy rain shower and rolltop bath stand next to shuttered white french windows that pull back completely to reveal a garden full of pink roses. Even the toiletries are in keeping, with Merlot bath gel and Sauvignon Blanc shampoo which smell so good I stash a couple away to take home.

Sliding doors from the living room opens up onto the prettiest courtyard, with a white gazebo and private pool and loungers for two, with a view right onto the vines and mountains beyond. Breakfast is included in our stay, so naturally, we order it to the Gazebo, where we eat in contented silence as the morning mist burns off the slopes. The mini-bar is also included, which, given that it is stocked with plenty of the estate’s own wines, means we’re a little loathe to leave this haven of a hideaway.

Unless of course, it’s to check out the Lanzerac Estate Winery – of which a cellar tour and wine tasting come included in our stay. The cellar tour is informative – our guide Nyameka giving everyone from the more expert to beginners a chance to learn about both the wines and the historic estate, whose rich winemaking history can be traced back to the early 1900s, when the first Lanzerac wine was bottled from grapes harvested on the farm.

After the tour, we’re given a choice of 5 wines to taste on the terrace upstairs, accompanied by a huge platter of cured meats, cheeses and chutney from Lanzerac’s deli. One of our favourites is the Mrs English Chardonnay – named after one of the property’s most influential owners, Elizabeth ‘Kitty’ English, who bought the estate in 1920, changing its name to Lanzerac, rumoured to be after Charles Lanrezac – a French General, after whom the red blend Le Général is also named. Mrs English passed away in 1929, but not before transforming the estate into one of the most modern wineries in the Cape, laying the foundations for Stellenbosch’s world-renowned wines, which continues today under the leadership of Cellar Master Wynand Lategan and Viticulturist Danie Malherbe.

For dinner, the more formal setting of the Manor Kitchen offers multiple courses of classical, contemporary dishes – from pan-fried scallops to venison loin. But wanting to enjoy the mild weather, we opt for a seat under the stars on a pretty corner table on the terrace at Taphuis, one of the property’s most historic spots whose wood-panelled walls have been housing thirsty guests since the 1960s. The pub-style tapas menu champions home-grown ingredients from local suppliers, with options like Smoked Snoek Mousse with Cape gooseberry compote and the Braai Broodjie (a South African BBQ sandwich) with Huguenot cheese. After dinner, cocktails in the Craven Cigar lounge are the order of the day, reminiscent of an old-boys club with its roaring fireplace, stags horns and selection of whisky and cigars which keeps my husband particularly happy.

The next day, with the use of the spa facilities also included in our stay, we head down to for an afternoon pamper session. The whole spa is bliss – a wellness retreat in its own right, with a glass-ceilinged heated indoor pool which leads right out onto sunbeds facing the vines, where I channel Ab Fab while waiting for my other half, cocooned in a dressing gown and sunglasses. A calming palette of white walls and tropical plants, there is also a bubbling jacuzzi, full gym and therapy rooms where you can choose from a range of treatments from facials to pedicures. We opt for the AromaVine Pinotage Massage – which uses antioxidant blends containing pure grapeseed oil and natural botanicals to help relieve stress and muscle tension.

Despite Lanzerac’s hideaway feel, the restaurants and bars of the lively yet leafy university town of Stellenbosch are just 5 minutes away via complimentary transfer. Yet in truth, we barely leave the estate – with all we could seemingly want for right here on our doorstep.

Hopping over the fence at the bottom of our garden, we take a sunset walk through the vines, with a bottle of our favourite wine from our tasting. It’s a rare feat, but Lanzerac Wine Estate is a place where old meets new, not in a collision but in a complement – contemporary, five-star facilities coupled with an extraordinarily rich Cape heritage that leaves us hoping for another visit.

To book, visit Lanzerac www.lanzerac.co.za

France November 9, 2023

Women Worldwide : From IT To Interiors with Esther Müller-Schmidt

Esther Müller-Schmidt is a woman on a mission. Following her pivot from IT to interiors, Esther has really honed in on her craft and made a name for herself in the industry. Whilst leaving a lucrative career in IT would be hard for anyone, Esther felt a real desire to follow her passion and has never looked back since.

Here, we chat to Esther about her plans for the brand, juggling life and career and what 2020 looks like for her…

Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your own brand?

Already as a young girl, I discovered my affinity towards textiles. At the age of 11, I was learning the basics on my mother’s sewing machine, and soon, I was creating my first interior and fashion items. With the years, I complimented my talent and sense of aesthetics with solid interior design training. Permanent presence at international design fairs and fashion shows keep inspiring my creativity. Apart from my evolution as an interior designer, I completed economic and language studies and worked for several years in the IT industry. Today, I solely focus on my passion for interiors.

You take inspiration from your African roots, can you tell us more about your heritage and life growing up?

Despite my completely German imprint and culture, I have always been interested in everything international and studiedEnglish, Spanish & French as foreign languages, as well as international business administration. After a career in the IT industry, my first daughter was born. But with my extraordinary interest in interiors and textiles, I went back to my passion, and as a result of that, somewhat accidentally, to conventional fashion wax printing materials. Very quickly, I decided to work with the Dutch textile company VLISCO. A textile giant for over 165 years, with an unbelievably large production volume for the most luxurious and high-quality wax print fabrics in the world! However, its primary market is West Africa, ours is Europe.

How did you pivot from working in IT to have your own interiors brand?

After having worked in the IT industry for big players such as IBM for more than 10 years, having previously worked for big companies such as L’Oréal, Renault, Mercedes and many more while studying business administration, having supported countless exciting VIP supports in my 4 years as an EXPO2000 ambassador, as well as major music bands such as the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and many more, it was my turn to start the family. At the age of 30, I had my first beautiful daughter, soon after, my second. After that, it became clear to me that I wanted to pursue my textile passion.

Describe your ideal client…

There are, of course, different ideal clients and business partners! On the one hand, the selective project customers who equip restaurants, hotels, or luxury holiday homes. In addition, there are enthusiastic end customers, who show an enormous enthusiasm for very specific designs. Then, there are our business partnerships with interior stylists & set stylists, who repeatedly place our FASHION PILLOWS in very creative photoshoots and productions. Europe’s largest interior fair “Maison & Objet Paris” is something very special for me personally, as I was already obsessed with the dream of doing something professional in Paris as a teenager. My stepfather had been often at the fair, and that’s why I also wanted exactly THAT! My dream has really come true! Our interior label was one of the most clicked online brands presented by the “Maison & Objet” Paris, whereby we were presented with the popular FASHION PILLOWS at a very large exhibition stand together with other interior labels, right at the main entrance area. What a dream, crazy!!

With three daughters and a husband, how do you create a work-life balance?

With my three girls, they are now 12, nearly 10 and 2 years old, it’s a real rush hour. With my business experience, my natural talent for organisation, which basically stems from the desire for simplification, I even manage to find time for myself by strictly planning family, work, child and couple time. I then travel, or just meet friends, take time out at thehotel, etc. My husband has been so successful for 30 years with his hip-hop band “Die fantastischen Vier” that he, despitebeing a 5-time judge of “The Voice of Germany”, with several tours, TV engagements and advertising deals, still manages to pursue his passion of racing cars on the legendary Nordschleife at the Nürburgring, as well as private aviation. As you can see, our life is very turbulent, and this can only be managed with planning and steady nerves because our 3 girls always!! come first for us.

To date, what has been your biggest achievement?

Definitely the success at the Maison & Objet Paris! But also numerous appearances in interior magazines AND the great feeling of having sold out the first collection immediately after the presentation phase. Of course, we still have the patterns from the collection, which we lend exclusively for styling productions. These are very precious to us!

Working exclusively on your passion for interiors, what do you like to do to switch off from work?

I enjoy the smile of my children and holding their faces in my hands, spending time alone with my husband, eating cheese fondue every week and drinking exclusive wines, partyingwith friends. In that order..!

What does 2020 look like for you?

For me personally, it is always wonderful to have a new year! I love new things! Every beginning of the year is like a pardon. I feel like I can just rate everything once more and decide. I can also leave the old and anything heavy behind and try to remember all the gifts of life.

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?

Oh, yes, of course! This is very easy! I say it with the words of my very loving grandma from northern Germany, “Estherchen, enjoy your life, enjoy it!” And that concerns above all, the little joys and moments! So, of course, enjoy everything even more, even in the job! Everything else often results from this!

For an inspiring interior designer, what advice would you offer?

For the private interior sector, I always recommend omitting as much as possible, to stay in a neutral colour world and then to style according to taste with usual accessories such as pillows, decorative objects, etc. The pillow can thus, for example, become very much a focal point. “FASHION PILLOWS – as a character of the room”!

To view the FASHION PILLOWS COLLECTION visit www.mueller-schmidt.com or follow on Instagram @muellerschmidtinteriortextiles

Arts November 9, 2023

#CocoStyle Celebrating 25 years of iconic fashion from Viktor&Rolf

Love fashion and travel? A trip to Rotterdam to visit the hottest exhibition in town – Viktor&Rolf: Fashion Artists 25 Years’ is an absolute must.

This incredible exhibition celebrates the wonderful collaboration between Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren, who together over the last 25 years have captured the imagination of the fashion world whilst pushing the boundaries between fashion and art.

Curated by Thierry-Maxime Loriot, the exhibition of uncompromising beauty, takes place at the renowned Kunsthal in the heart of Rotterdam. Viktor&Rolf: Fashion Artists 25 Years’ shows Viktor&Rolf’s radical conception of ‘wearable art’ and explores the elements that has made their designs truly unique in the contemporary fashion world.

Visitors can expect to see around sixty works from Viktor&Rolf’s haute couture collections on display, many of which are on rotating dummies. The exhibition provides a true insight into their unconventional and conceptual approach, their creativity and interplay of lines, volumes, bows, collars, ruffles and more.

Highlights include creations from some of their most iconic collections such as Van Gogh Girls, Wearable Art, Bedtime Story, The Fashion Show and Cutting Edge Couture. There are also some amazing never-seen-before pieces from their latest collection on display too – Boulevard of Broken Dreams (2017), Action Dolls (2017/18) and Surreal Satin (2018).

Fans of Madonna will be thrilled to see the outfit that Viktor&Rolf designed for her 2016 benefit concert at the Miami Art Basel. You can also see the wedding gown that Viktor&Rolf designed for Princess Mabel van Oranje-Nassau in 2004.

The exhibition also includes 25 handmade examples from Viktor&Rolf’s ‘Dolls’ series which consists of replicas of antique dolls dressed in some of the fashion artists’ most iconic designs. Each porcelain doll is dressed in an haute couture creation that was exactly scaled-down based on the original patterns, a meticulous and extremely labour-intensive process. Even the fabrics have been woven to scale, and the miniature model’s hair and make-up are exact copies of the runway styles.

Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren (Viktor&Rolf) graduated in 1992 from ArtEz Institute in Arnhem (The Netherlands). In 1993 they won the first three prizes of the most important fashion competition in the world: Le Salon Européen des Jeunes Stylistes in Hyères (France). From 1994, they started to present their haute couture collections as installations, mainly in art galleries, until 1998 when they presented their first haute couture collection. In 2000, they launched their ready-to-wear line for women, until 2013, to focus only on haute couture since then.

In 2005 they developed their first perfume called ‘Flowerbomb’; the following years they successfully introduced the additional fragrances ‘Bonbon’,’Spicebomb’ and ‘Magic’. Their work is included in numerous Dutch and international museum collections and is worn by famous artists such as Tilda Swinton, Tori Amos and Rufus Wainwright. In 2016- 17, the exhibition titled ‘Viktor&Rolf: Fashion Artists’ was presented at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne followed in 2018 by its adaptation to celebrate the duo’s 25th anniversary exhibition at Kunsthal Rotterdam.

#TeamCoco had the pleasure of being invited to the press preview yesterday (Friday 25th May) and we can confirm that it is spectacular and a truly fitting tribute to Viktor&Rolf. Take a look at some of the wonderful pieces from the exhibition below.

Viktor&Rolf: Fashion Artists 25 Years opens to the public today and closes on 30th September.

Behind the bar November 9, 2023

Behind the Bar: Londons Winter Terraces

Half the fun of Christmas is the weeks leading up to it, gallivanting around London’s twinkling winter terraces indulging in a mulled wine or two and warming the cockles with Christmas spirit. Experience the magic of Londons Winter Terraces.

Each year, more and more are springing up, transforming bars into magical winter wonderlands and bringing with them menus of festive cocktails and tasty treats. If you’re in the capital over the next few weeks, be sure to check out a few of these…

Rosé on the Roof at Sea Containers

Inspired by the arctic lights, Sea Containers London is lighting up pink this winter. Follow the light over Blackfriars Bridge and along the Thames towards 112th Knot, where the rooftop is transforming into a cosy arctic winter terrace in association with Champagne Laurent-Perrier. Full of twinkling lights, and splashes of pink and with a true wintery feel, the Arctic-inspired terrace is prepared with blankets and cushions to keep you extra cosy, ready to take in the panoramic views of the city. Expect Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé, along with a selection of cocktails inspired by the innovative Laurent-Perrier range.

www.seacontainerslondon.com

LIDO at The Curtain

Head down to The Curtain before 23rd December, because for the first time non-members will be able to access the exclusive member’s rooftop LIDO for the first time. Experience the magic of Christmas with its eclectic mix of festive events – 12 Days of Christmas – transforming LIDO into an enchanted winter garden, adorned with seasonal foliage, fairy light canopies, feathers and faux fur. There’s a Christmas rooftop cinema sponsored by Veuve Cliquot, a cabaret performance and a special afternoon tea collaboration with Penhaligons, alongside craft workshops ranging from lino printing and wreath masterclasses to Christmas card-making hosted by cult illustrator and ceramist Charlotte Mei.

www.thecurtain.com

Double Dutch at The Cinnamon Club

If a hot spiced gin punch and a tasty filled naan are up your street, head to the Double Dutch Winter Bar at The Cinnamon Club. The award-winning premium tonic and mixer brand, Double Dutch, has taken up residency in the iconic Old Westminster Library to celebrate the arrival of its new limited-edition seasonal flavour, ‘Rhubarb & Pineneedle’. Until the end of January, this exclusive pop-up will spice up your festive gatherings; the subterranean winter grotto is complete with frost-covered pine foliage and white winter florals lush faux fur soft furnishings, alpine forest installations and lounge seating. The talented bar team at The Cinnamon Club have collaborated with Double Dutch to create a bespoke menu of cocktails and non-alcoholic winter warmers all using Double Dutch’s award-winning mixers, alongside a bar menu featuring Bombay-inspired bar bites designed by The Cinnamon Club’s Executive Chef and CEO Vivek Singh.

www.cinnamonclub.com

Discover the captivating journey of Don Papa’s latest masterpiece, the Sevillana Cask Finish Rum, exclusively unveiled in our feature on House of Coco.

Sheraton Grand London Park Lane – Chocolate Box Winter Terrace

The Sheraton Grand London Park Lane has teamed up with French pâtissier and celebrity chef, Eric Lanlard, to bring the ‘Chocolate Box Winter Terrace’ to its five-star London hotel this festive season, transforming the terrace into an indulgent chocolate wonderland with opulent décor and bespoke chocolate bars, paired with decadent cocktails. Taking inspiration from the traditional treats you would usually find in a Christmas selection box, the ‘Chocolate Box Winter Terrace’ will offer five never-before-seen chocolate bars, crafted using Eric Lanlard’s exclusive recipes for the hotel. Made using the finest chocolate and premium ingredients – from a salted butter caramel bar, a dark chocolate shell encasing an oozing rich and buttery salted toffee, to a luxury white chocolate bar with a cardamom ganache decorated with edible jewels and 23-carat gold – each bar will also be paired with a delicious festive cocktail.

www.marriott.com

Duck & Waffle’s Nordic Wonderland

This Christmas, winter enchantment takes hold of Duck & Waffle, offering an immersive experience full of fun and festivity that revellers will never forget. Snow-covered trees, glistening icicles and other winter trimmings welcome Duck & Waffle guests to the 40th floor, whisking them away to a whimsical winter fairy tale.

The journey starts at the bar, where guests will be surrounded by an artistic take on the season’s magical winter trimmings, while in the dining room, a chalet-style getaway will add warmth and wonder, inviting guests to an ambience akin to a cosy Alpine getaway. Add the restaurant’s heritage of playful British fare to the mix and the charming space becomes a sumptuous seasonal refuge from the season’s hustle and bustle below. Executive Chef Elliott Grover’s festive specials, available throughout the season, and specially curated Christmas Day menu is chock full of traditional ingredients like pumpkin, truffle and cranberry, all reinterpreted with signature culinary creativity.

www.duckandwaffle.com

Sushisamba’s Amazonia Rainforest Celebration

This Christmas season, SUSHISAMBA is transformed into SAMBAZONIA, a magical rainforest full of spirit and surprise. Always pushing culinary and cultural boundaries with unbridled creativity, SUSHISAMBA will honour the beauty and bounty of the Amazonian rainforest in an all-season-long experience unlike any other.

An unexpected holiday expedition, SAMBAZONIA is offering guests an immersive, mystical celebration ignited by music, colour and bespoke design, with the installation featuring 500 LED lights throughout the restaurant, changing colour every 30 seconds. Open until January, SUSHISAMBA will also be supporting its long-standing charity partner throughout, Cool Earth, and its efforts to help halt rainforest deforestation in the Amazon.

www.sushisamba.com