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Month: May 2019

Monaco Life talks to Victoria Silvstedt

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/05/2019

Television personality, entrepreneur and model Victoria Silvstedt took time out of her busy schedule to talk to Monaco Life about Monte Carlo Fashion Week, which begins Wednesday 15th May, and her favourite moments as host of the MCFW Awards.

Victoria, tell us when and why you decided to get involved with Monte Carlo Fashion Week?

I have been involved in Monte Carlo Fashion Week since the beginning when it was launched in 2013. I was presenting my swimwear and lingerie collection that first year and since then I haven’t missed a year.

What are some of the highlights you have experienced as host of the awards? 

Highlight years for me include 2016 when Princess Charlene gave the International MCFW Award to German fashion designer Philipp Plein.

Another standout is 2017 when Andrea Casiraghi awarded British model, actress, producer and businesswoman Naomi Campbell with the International Fashion Award.

What can we expect to see from the event this year?

This year we are honouring the very talented Italian designer Alberta Ferretti, who will be presenting her Resort 2020 collection. It will also be a momentous occasion for the Chambre Monegasque de la Mode, which will be celebrating its 10th anniversary.

For the fashion show this year, there is a great mix of local brands and Italian designers, and it’s amazing that Alberta Ferretti will be presenting her fashion show at the Yacht Club of Monaco on Saturday 18th May.

Also, I am honoured to say that this year I will be receiving my own Fashion Glamour Award on Friday 17th May.

Why is Monte Carlo Fashion Week an important date in the global fashion calendar?

It is very important to have Monaco on the map for fashion, considering the whole world comes here!

Read also: Monte Carlo Fashion Week launches 7th edition

 

E Prix: Monaco community comes together to merge speed and sustainability

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/05/2019

The weekend’s Formula E-Prix has been deemed a huge success and as Lauren Coles discovered, Monaco has once again delivered a sustainable, fun and educational event that was accessible to all.

Zoom! Whiz! It sounded like something out of the Jetsons. Speeding by like spaceships were today’s fastest electric vehicles. But unless you were right up next to the tracks, you didn’t hear a thing.

“You can’t hear the engines!  During Formula One Grand Prix you need to wear earplugs sometimes because it’s so loud,” said Beausoleil resident Victoria Mikhaltsova. “These race cars are so quiet!”

There was even a rumour that companies added sound effects to the vehicles because they were so quiet, as crowds expected more sound from such a grand racing event.

Monaco’s community came together in welcoming and educating the world about how speed and sustainability can go hand in hand. A highlight of the event was the Allianz eVillage, which was free and open to the public. There were exhibitors showing electric vehicles, paper helmets for kids to enjoy, and even a video game space where people could try an electric racing vehicle simulator.

Friends with Monaco Life’s Lauren Coles (far right), with Formula-E mascots at Allianz eVillage

With the eVillage giving many local universities a stock of free tickets to give away, this area was especially welcoming for students. Drivers gave autographs twice during the day and families enjoyed exploring the amazing scenery, all while learning about the latest electric vehicle technology. There were even Formula-E mascots, happy to give hugs and take pictures.

In the grandstands, people of all ages donned their best Monaco memorabilia as they cheered on the drivers. It was not a close race, as winner Jean-Eric Vergne was about 50 seconds ahead of other drivers for the whole of the competition. Monaco resident Felipe Massa, driving for Venturi, came in third place for his first Formula E podium. Prince Albert awarded the winning drivers.

After the race, the Allianz eVillage was filled with joy and music. In front of the Heineken bar and food stand, run by Star’n’Bars, was a large stage where English band The Boy Racers played until dark. Then a DJ took the stage. The crowd was dancing, waving flags, and celebrating.

The event was evidence of Monaco’s continued effort to promote sustainability and change for our environment. But more importantly, it showcased the Principality’s welcoming nature and commitment to providing accessible family fun for all.

Read also: Jean Eric Vergne wins Monaco E Prix

 

Monaco unveils new supercharger

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/05/2019

A new supercharger for electric vehicles has been inaugurated in Monaco and it is 50 times faster than a conventional power outlet.  The station at Monte Carlo Bay will allow drivers to “fill up” in less than 20 minutes.

Monte Carlo Bay resort features the first ever supercharger, powered via solar panels

The Principality’s first 160kW supercharger was officially opened by SMEG and Monte-Carlo Bay on Thursday 9th May. It follows the inauguration of the most powerful solar power station in Monaco last April, as the Principality pushes ahead with its transition towards sustainable energy.

According to Thomas Battaglione, SMEG chief executive officer, the new station, called ‘Power zone’, is unique in its kind: “In the middle of the city, an electric vehicle driver will be able to fill up in a matter of minutes, whereas a conventional socket requires so many more hours. These units are normally located on motorway areas or in industrial zones.”

“The station is a technical feat, as liquid-cooled DC cables and control algorithms are optimised according to the batteries of vehicles, not to mention the green power supply of the terminal,” explained Frédéric Darnet, CEO of Monte-Carlo Bay, “which is produced locally during the day by photovoltaic panels located on the roof of the hotel.”

The ‘Power Zone’ is provided, installed, operated and supervised by SMEG and is made available to customers and visitors of the Monte-Carlo Bay, a pioneering institution and reference of the eco-friendly approach of the SBM.

 

Jean-Eric Vergne wins Monaco E-Prix

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/05/2019

Jean-Eric Vergne became the first man to win twice in the 2018-19 Formula E season as he took the Monaco E-Prix to move top of the drivers’ championship.

There had been eight different winners from the first eight races before Vergne, who also won in China, finished ahead of Britain’s Oliver Rowland.

Ex-Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa came third for his first Formula E podium.

With four races of the season left, France’s Vergne has 87 points, with Andre Lotterer on 82 points.

Dutchman Robin Frijns is third on 81 points and he won the previous race of the campaign, the Paris E-Prix, two weeks ago, but lost his championship lead after he crashed late on with Alexander Sims.

“I’ve never won this one before so I’m happy,” said Vergne. “It’s been a difficult season, lots of ups and downs but these kind of wins make it all worth it.”

Rowland had qualified in first but dropped down to fourth because of a three-place grid penalty picked up from the Paris E-Prix, meaning Vergne started the race in pole and he held off Rowland.

“I got pole, then had a penalty but came back to come second and I’m very pleased,” said Rowland.

“It’s the first really good race and I’ve struggled in a lot of races.”

There was disappointment for another British driver, Sam Bird, who battled up from 13th and was sixth on the final lap, but a late collision dropped him down to 17th.

The next race takes place in Berlin, Germany, on 25th May, before a race in Bern, Switzerland, and then the season-ending double-header in New York.

First package delivered by drone

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/05/2019

The first package has been delivered by drone in Monaco as part of the Ever expo. Inside was a precious cargo: the beloved Monegasque speciality, barbajuan.

HSH Prince Albert II, Bernard Fautrier, Vice-President of the Prince Albert II Foundation and Jean-Luc Delcroix, Director of La Poste Monaco, were present during the momentous occasion on Thursday 9th May.

The aircraft, commissioned by Mc Clic, took off from the post office at Place du Campanin in Fontvieille and travelled to the forecourt of the Grimaldi Forum carrying Monaco’s favourite pastry, barbajuan.

“I am satisfied that this first ‘postal flight’ went perfectly well,” Delcroix said at the end of the demonstration, signalling that La Poste Monaco would like to eventually use the service in the Principality.

 

Jardin Exotique development on track

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/05/2019

The Monaco government has visited the Jardin Exotique construction site at the entrance to the Principality.

© Direction de la communication – Manuel Vitali – Marie-Pierre Gramaglia and the managers of the FPMC / ENGECO operators

On Friday 10th May, Minister of Equipment, Environment and Urbanism Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, together with the Director of Public Works Jean-Luc Nguyen, visited the site of the operation ‘Entrance of the city’ at Boulevard Jardin Exotique.

Accompanied by the FPMC / ENGECO operators, Mrs. Gramaglia noted the progress of the private-public operation consisting of 50 residential housing units and a 1,820-space public car park including dozens of places for coaches, a logistics platform for the processing of up to 5,000 small parcels per day, as well as around 5,000 m² of office space.

The work is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023.