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Day: 7 December 2021

MAC Christmas gala unites ambassadors for magical evening

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/12/2021

The Hôtel de Paris came alive with the spirit of Christmas on Saturday night as the Monaco Ambassadors Club, in partnership with Monaco Life, hosted the annual Christmas gala for members and guests.
The Monaco Ambassadors Club (MAC) set the festive scene with sparkling firs, a “snow covered” love seat, candles, and giant decorations, transporting guests to a winter wonderland complete with gospel singers.

The Shiny Gospels performing on Saturday evening at the Hôtel de Paris

As Christmas carols filled the magical Salle Empire of the Hôtel de Paris, around 100 MAC members and guests enjoyed a seated dinner and entertainment, adhering to all current health restrictions, with the beautiful, illuminated Casino Square as a backdrop.
Atop a golden music box, a ballerina moved to the sounds of Alexandra Miller.
A giant music box featuring a real ballerina was a highlight of the night

“It is at this time of year when coming together as a club is so important, reflecting on the year past and spreading good cheer and season spirit for the year to come,” says MAC President Christian Moore.
“We aimed to create a magical evening as an end-of-year party and I believe we accomplished just that, despite the current situation the world finds itself in. With this year ending, the MAC is coming back stronger than ever next year with many new events in the calendar, and we look forward to welcoming new members and new horizons.”
Monaco Life Publisher Eric Brundage (left) with MAC President Christian Moore and Board member Mark Sandel. Photo by Yvan Grubski

“It is a privilege to be a member and media partner of the Monaco Ambassador’s Club, and we had a great time being part of an evening that brought some holiday cheer to the members,” adds Monaco Life Publisher Eric Brundage. “The room was beautifully styled, and the music was perfect. The MAC team truly outdid themselves.”
The magical Salle Empire at the Hôtel de Paris overlooking Casino Square

The Monaco Ambassadors Club was founded in 1973 with the encouragement of Princess Grace of Monaco. Today, its Honorary President is HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, and the club brings together those who wish to actively promote Monaco’s international reputation. Members come from various sectors of the Principality, including government, the diplomatic and consular corps, as well as renowned public figures, multinationals and HNWIs.
 
Click on the gallery below to see more images from the Monaco Ambassadors Club Christmas party…
 

 
All photos by Yvan Grubski 
 
 

Karl Lagerfeld fans battle it out in “explosive” Monaco auction

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/12/2021

The atmosphere was “electric” at the Karl Lagerfeld estate auction hosted in Monaco this past weekend, where a total of €12 million was realised, far above the pre-sale high estimate of €3 million.

It was Part One of three auctions to be held by Sotheby’s and it featured 582 lots of 1,000-plus items, an anthology of Karl Lagerfeld’s personal taste as well as his life and career.

The possessions of the iconic designer, who spearheaded the collections of Chanel, Fendi and his own label, came from his homes in Paris, near the French capital, and Monaco.

After months of anticipation, the auction in Monaco and online attracted the attention of more than 1,400 bidders from 58 countries and, according to Vice-President of Sotheby’s France Pierre Mothes, the energy at One-Monte Carlo was infectious.

“This incredible first sale took place in an electric atmosphere throughout the weekend,” said the lead auctioneer. “The explosive auctions are a nod to the global recognition of this designer. The bidders fought to obtain the graphic works of Karl Lagerfeld but also those with which he had chosen to surround himself, as well as many of his memorabilia.”

This set of three Karl Lagerfeld figurines had a high estimate €150, and sold for €1,134. Photo by Monaco Life

Three Rolls Royces, displayed at the Hotel Fairmont Monte-Carlo, soared past their high estimates, selling for a total of €1.18 million. The artworks owned by Lagerfeld were also some of the highest selling items, particularly a portrait of the designer by Takashi Murakami which secured €289,800 – more than double its €120,000 high estimate.

Another portrait by designer Gianni Versace sold for €94,500, while works by Georges Lepape far exceeded expectations, including two drawings estimated at €800, that sold for €56,700.

Salon, circa 1930, attributed to Bruno Paul, high estimate €4,000, sold for €81,900. Photo by Monaco Life

Overall, 96% of lots sold for well above their estimate, like three inspirational scrapbooks Lagerfeld created in the mid-1980s that sold for €151,200 (high estimate €5,000), a 1986 self portrait for €107,250 (high estimate 3,000€) and Choupette’s cat scratcher that sold for more than 10X its €80 high estimate.

Not a single item was left unsold.

Three inspirational “scrapbook”notebooks from the mid-1980s had a high estimate of €5,000, but attracted a top bid of €151,200 on auction day. Photo by Monaco Life

As Pierre Mothes told Monaco Life on Friday, the 2 to 3 million euro auction estimate was a tentative figure and the end result was expected to be higher, but perhaps not this high.

Sotheby’s will hold the Karl Lagerfeld Estate Part II live auction from 14th to 15th December in Paris, while Part III will be online from 6th to 16th December.

Top photo: the Chanel Cruise Trophy, 2010, had a high estimate of €3,000 and sold for €78,120. Photo by Monaco Life 

SEE ALSO:

Video: Karl Lagerfeld estate auction

 

Monaco team secures podium in powerboating championship

by: Luke Entwistle
07/12/2021

Powerboat racers Tomaso Polli and Matteo Nicolini, representing the Principality of Monaco, have piloted ‘Six’ to a well-earned third place in the first round of this season’s XCAT (Extreme Catamaran) series.
The five-day event on the east coast Emirate of Fujairah, held from 30th November to 4th December, marked a significant comeback for Monegasque pilot Polli and Italian Nicolini, as they competed in the powerboat series for the first time since they secured a 12th place finish in 2016. Their high classification was decided over the course of three races, where ‘Six’ picked up fifth, third and second place finishes.
The ‘Six’ team had a shot at victory in the final race on Saturday having qualified on pole, but the Dubai Police team held the inside line going into the first corner and, having pulled off the overtake, went on to control the race in what was a flawless performance from the local team.
Speaking to local media after the third and final race, Polli gave a positive appraisal of his performance: “It was a challenging race. We got pole position and we were very hopeful for the win. We had a great start. But to get second place we are very happy – new team, new boat, so very satisfied.”

Team Six, photo by Flavio Grementieri

Polli, of course, has had a longer break than most, but the series was also heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic – last week’s event was the first since 2019. “It is extremely exciting to be back racing. We have come back into the swing of things very quickly,” he said.
The return of XCAT, the flagship event of one of the most exciting nautical sports with boats surpassing 200 km/h, will bring renewed, global interest in the sport, and hopefully inspire a new generation of drivers.
Monaco, in particular, is not renowned for producing elite level motonautique drivers, but Polli’s brilliant performance for the Monaco based ‘Six’ team, as well as his continued participation in the XCAT series, is sure to heighten the profile of the sport within the Principality.
The final round of this year’s XCAT series begins in Dubai on Thursday, with Polli, Nicolini and all of those involved in the ‘Six’ team hoping to take another step, or two, up the podium.
 
 
 

Silver Nova: Silversea’s first luxury hybrid cruise ship

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/12/2021

Monaco-based Silversea Cruises has announced the name of its first hybrid ship, Silver Nova, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in-port by an impressive 40%.

Silversea Cruises recently revealed that Silver Nova will be the first in its innovative Project Evolution scheme, and construction has begun in Papenburg, Germany.

The vessel, which is set to be delivered in summer 2023, will be the first luxury hybrid cruise ship boasting a no-emission status whilst in port. The ship will have dual power sources – fuel cells and batteries – which will be used in port, and natural liquefied gas as its primary fuel source.

The new concept allows the ship to enter ports, protecting the local areas and helping to preserve the beauty of the places it visits.

The hybrid technology is not good for the ports, it also gives Silver Nova a sustainability edge by reducing emissions 40% overall over the company’s previous Muse class.

“Our Nova class ships represent a significant investment in unprecedented technological solutions,” says Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises. “They support our mission to preserve the planet without compromising on comfort or luxury. Silver Nova is the manifestation of Silversea and Royal Caribbean Group’s long-term commitment to sustainability.”

Some of the sustainable features of the Silver Nova are a micro auto gasification system which reduces onboard waste volume and lowers incineration discharge. The ship is predicted to achieve an Energy Efficiency Design Index rating 25% better than the current International Maritime Organisation requirements. Shore power allows the ship to cut its main generators at certain ports and plug into onshore energy supplies, reducing onboard local emissions to zero. To top it off, the ship’s hydrodynamic design will lessen the vessel’s impact on the environment.

“Sustainability is the future of luxury travel and the name Silver Nova is representative of the incredible innovation of Silversea’s luxury,” added Barbara Muckermann, Chief Commercial Officer. “Silversea is already a leader in environmentally conscious travel and now, with Silver Nova, we will go even further to meet the expectations of both today’s and tomorrow’s luxury traveller.”

 
 
Photo of Jan Meyer and Roberto Martinoli, source Silversea
 
 
 

Alpes-Maritimes ramps up Covid rules for kids

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/12/2021

As the circulation of Covid among school students continues its upward trend, France’s government has announced the return of some restrictions.

The incidence rate is significantly on the rise in Monaco’s neighbouring regions of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Var, hitting nearly 500 cases per 100,000 people, according to the latest figures.

As a result, France’s Health Defence Council brought its Wednesday meeting forward to Monday, and later imposed new restrictions to slow the advance of the virus’s fifth wave.

In a press conference Monday night, Prime Minister Jean Castex and Health Minisiter Olivier Véran announced that the latest restrictions will primarily centre around children.

“We will maintain our policy of systematic screening of all students if there is a positive case in the class and of closing the class after three positive cases,” said Jean Castex.

As the spread of the virus has risen sharply amongst children under 12 years of age, the rules will affect them most. Mask-wearing, indoors and out, has been reintroduced for staff and students. Mixing will be limited during meal breaks and in class, and cleaning measures will be increased in cafeterias, classrooms, and in the common areas.

In addition, physical and sporting activities will generally take place outdoors. However, when indoor practice is essential, only low-intensity activities compatible with wearing a mask and distancing of two metres are allowed.

Meanwhile, vaccines for 350,000 at-risk children could take place as soon as 15th December, with a view of extending it to all children in the near future. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi also made an appeal to those eligible to come forward for a booster shot as soon as possible.

So far, new curfews or confinement periods are not being considered, as the vaccination rate is high enough to keep those wolves at bay, but nightclubs are being shuttered from 10th December for four weeks. The idea of moving forward the Christmas school holiday was also considered but rejected in the end.

Incidence rates in the Var have hit 471 per 100,000 people and the Alpes-Maritimes has slightly worse numbers with 486 per 100,000.
 
 
Photo by Marcus Spiske on Unsplash