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Premium Japanese brand Decorté targets Monaco luxury market with new spa pop-up

by: Cassandra Tanti
08/05/2023

Monaco continues to raise the stakes in luxury wellbeing with high-end Japanese skincare brand Decorté setting up shop in the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo spa this summer.

It’s a winning formula that began in 2022, when Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo launched the concept of pop-ups for guests: Paoma, MyBlend and Barbara Sturm… All high-end wellbeing brands available for a short time only.

For this summer season, the flagship spa of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer has teamed up with Japanese brand Decorté, part of the Kosé group and a market leader in Asia but lesser known in Europe.

“In a small place like Monaco, we have to make new opportunities and events,” says Vanessa Lunghi, General Deputy Director at Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo. “We have clients who come for each new pop-up to try the brands.”

It will be one of three premium brands hosted by the spa this year.

AQM Emulsion by Decorté

Skincare linking nature and traditional science

The brand statement of Decorté, created in 1970, is “undeniable elegance born from uncompromising Japanese craftsmanship”.

In 1992, Decorté revolutionised the world of cosmetics with the first liposomes, which are micro-capsules designed to protect and transport cosmetic active ingredients to the heart of the skin.

The brand uses regenerative medicine and neuroscience in the making of its skincare products, as well as rare ingredients, often from the plant world.

It is this harmony – between art and science, tradition and innovation – that made the brand attractive to Vanessa Lunghi who, together with her team, makes the careful selection of brands to feature in the spa.

“We choose brands that have a rich history and are not currently present in Monaco or the surrounding area,” says Lunghi. “The staff are very happy because with every new brand, they learn new protocols and techniques. They were trained for 10 days with a Decorté specialist.”

Kosé Group is one of Asia’s top three cosmetics companies and has more than 30 brands, 200 scientists and 800 patents.

The Thermes Marins spa, linked by direct access to the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo and the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, will be hosting the Decorté brand until 10th September 2023.

 

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Photo source: Monte-Carlo SBM

 

 

Monaco news round-up

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/05/2023
monaco news

Monaco Life rounds up the latest news and announcements from the Monegasque government and local entities, from environmental discussions and food security to a new ambassador to China.  

Meetings, conferences and momentous occasions: here’s a rundown of the important local stories and events to happen in the Principality in recent days.  

ECO-RESPONSIBLE POLICIES 

The Department of Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning met on 18th April to discuss the present and future ways the country is approaching sustainable and environmentally responsible town planning, notably on the coast.

99% of Monaco’s coastline is artificial and the government is looking particularly hard at ways to limit impact whilst contributing to positive economic development. Among the measures discussed: limiting the size of cruise ships in the port, new tools for preserving marine biodiversity with tidepools and biohuts, and a tourism white paper to be distributed by the Tourist and Convention Authority. Future plans include building regulated mooring areas that will protect fragile seabeds. 

MONACO’S NEW AMBASSADOR IN CHINA 

Marie-Pascale Boisson, Monaco’s new Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, presented her Letters of Credence to President XI Jinping on 24th April in a ceremony at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. During his speech to the number of incoming ambassadors present, the Chinese Head of State stressed his country’s commitment to peaceful development and willingness to work with the international community to address global challenges as well as promote world security.  

Marie-Pascale Boisson and President Xi Jinping, photo source Government of Monaco

FOOD SECURITY CHALLENGES AT UN COUNCIL 

From 24th to 28th April, Monaco sent representatives to the 172nd session of the United Nations Council of Food and Agriculture in Rome. Ambassador Anne Eastwood met with many other diplomats and government representatives who had gathered to listen to expert reports about how wars, economic disruptions and climate change are jeopardising food security. Monaco aligned itself with European Union declarations to continue contributing to the positive contributions being made to deal with the crisis.  

SAINT BART’S COMES TO MONACO  

Thomas Gréaux and associates from the Multi-Professional Economic Chamber (CEM) of Saint Barthélemy visited the Principality from 24th to 28th April to meet with local players in the tourism, transportation and environmental sectors. They were welcomed by the Monaco Economic Board and key Monegasque companies, with whom they exchanged views on the socio-economic particularities of the Principality while discussing the similarities between the two states. One leading topic of conversation was how Monegasque systems could be applied to the Caribbean island nation.  

ISRAEL CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY 

The State of Israel has turned 75 and Minister of State Pierre Dartout used the occasion to receive Haïm Waxman, Business Manager at the Israeli Embassy in France, to the Principality on 4th May to congratulate the nation on its landmark anniversary.  

 

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Photo of the Department of Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning meeting supplied by the Monaco Communications Department

 

 

Monte-Carlo Television Festival: Golden Nymph nominees revealed

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/05/2023
MONTE-CARLO TELEVISION FESTIVAL

The Golden Nymph Award nominees for the Monte-Carlo Television Festival have been revealed, with 18 international competitors going for the gold.  

The Monte-Carlo Television Festival will be back at the Grimaldi Forum from 16th to 20th June. Preparations are well underway for this 62nd edition and the nominees for the Golden Nymph Awards, the festival’s highest honours, have now been announced. 

This year, 18 programmes from 12 countries have been chosen. These include three world premieres, seven international debuts and two premieres from France. The entrants’ genres range from fiction to news and documentaries, and the winners will be selected by an equally diverse jury, which will include the well-known American actor John Goodman as President of the Panel.  

“Having a nomination for a Golden Nymph Award means true international recognition for a production,” says Laurent Puons, CEO of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. “We have a really strong line-up this year and are extremely pleased to see so many programmes from all parts of the world. The superb quality of the programming chosen for the 2023 Official Selection demonstrates just how our competition continues to grow in both size and global importance.” 

The prizes to be given for Fiction include Best Film, Best Series, Best Creation, Best Actress, Best Actor and a Special Jury Prize. In the News & Documentaries category, they will go to the Best News Programme and Best Documentary. There will also be a Special Jury Prize. 

Anglophone nominees for a Golden Nymph

The English-speaking productions in the running for a Golden Nymph include: Ten Pound Poms, a UK-Australian project from Eleven Film; The Man Who Played With Fire from the UK’s RAW; Nazanin also from the UK’s 649 Media and Channel 4; First To Stand: The Cases and Causes of Irwin Cotler from Canada’s DLI Productions; and Poker Face from the USA’s T-Street, MRC Television and Paramount.

It has been announced that the writer for hit series such as The X Files and Homeland, Howard Gordon, will be given an honorary prize presented by Princess Charlene. 

In addition, this year sees the return of the Public Prize. For the second year, this award, given in partnership with BetaSeries, gives fans a chance to participate in the festival by voting for their favourite series or show, earning a prize for the one with the most votes.  

The event, which celebrates the best of TV from around the world, as well as offering marketing and public relations opportunities to producers and distributors, was created by Prince Rainier III and is now under the Honorary Presidency of Prince Albert II.  

For more information on the event, please click here. 

 

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.  

 

Photo source: Monte-Carlo Television Festival 

 

What you need to know about the 2023 Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina event

by: Elsa Carpenter
08/05/2023
Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina

Now is the time for interested exhibitors to register in the pre-selection process for this year’s Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina event. 

Set to take place on 24th and 25th September, just a few days before the Monaco Yacht Show kicks off on 27th September, this year’s edition of the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina will unite hundreds of decision makers, business leaders, investors and designers under the roof of the Yacht Club de Monaco for two days of conferences, roundtables and networking opportunities. 

The objective is simple: to encourage innovation and investment in solutions to build the ports and marinas of tomorrow that will make them “efficient, attractive, practical and, above all, sustainable”.  

Organised by consulting firm Monaco Marina Management and supported by Crédit Suisse, MB92 Group, Xerjoff and the Yacht Club de Monaco, representatives from 20 marinas and port builders attended last year’s event as well as around 50 start-ups in the sector and numerous yacht owners and shipyards.  

Given that many of the biggest companies in the industry will likely already be in town ahead of the Monaco Yacht Show, the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina event is a great opportunity to meet those in the know in a more intimate setting.  

The pre-selection stage for exhibitors is now open and further information can be found here. Those interested in attending, but not as an exhibitor, can also use the link to submit their details. 

To find out more about the event in general, please click here. 

 

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Photo supplied

The islands of the French Riviera that you might not have heard of

by: Elsa Carpenter
07/05/2023
islands french riviera

Whether by private yacht, sailboat or ferry, these islands off the coast of the French Riviera all deserve a visit. 

From the historic Îles des Lérins near Cannes to the protected cluster in the Port Cros National Park, the islands of the south of France have long attracted visitors and even life-long residents, but not all are well-known. Some lie metres from the mainland and can be accessed by foot or bridge, while others glimmer and glitter on the horizon, reachable only by boat. 

Cannes’ Îles des Lérins are perhaps the most famous islands. Île Sainte-Marguerite is the largest and most visible from shore. It was once the “home” of the Man in the Iron Mask, a still unknown figure who was imprisoned on the island in the late 1600s. Today, it is a popular day-tripping destination for its beaches and restaurant, La Guérite.  

 

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A post shared by Cannes, France (@cannesfrance)

Across a small stretch of water lies Île Saint-Honorat, which has been the site of a monastery since the fifth century. Around 20 monks still live within the walls of the Abbaye de Lérins. The island is also home to a respected vineyard that can be visited several times a year. 

A handful of small îlots are to be found in the waters around these two bigger islands, and can be circumnavigated by canoe, kayak or paddle board for the more adventurous.  

A little further down the coast and just to the east of Saint-Raphaël is the Île d’Or with its magnificent stone tower. It’s a small rocky outcrop that is privately owned, meaning you can’t climb ashore, but this emblematic symbol of the Estérel is worth cruising by.  

The Île de Galeotti can also be found in this area. It’s a popular diving spot that also goes by the name Lion de Mer and can be enjoyed by divers of all skill sets. There are two statues just below the water line that are easy to reach for amateurs.  

Although not actually an island, the Cap Taillat near Ramatuelle is an absolute must-see. It’s well removed from the pomp and glamour of Saint Tropez; the peninsular is raw and natural in its beauty, with gleaming sand and crystal-clear waters. Did you know it was the backdrop for the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang beach scene in 1968? 

The Îles d’Hyères, namely Porquerolles, Port-Cros and the Île du Levant, are the ultimate island-hopping destinations. They form part of the protected Port-Cros National Park, making them a real treat to experience for their lush native vegetation and teeming waters. Hiking, swimming, diving and even a spot of nudist sunbathing on the Île du Levant… There are countless ways to enjoy these special islands. 

The Embiez archipelago, which is made up of the Île du Petit Gaou, Île du Grand Gaou and Embiez, was developed by local businessman Paul Ricard of pastis fame. After millennia as little more than rocky outposts off the coast of Six-Fours-les-Plages, the 1950s saw Ricard snap up the collection of islands, along with nearby Bendor, and transform them into high-end holiday destinations. Today there are several great restaurants, a vineyard, an aquarium and museum, sports facilities and plenty of natural hiking and biking trails to explore.  

The final stops on our tour are the handful of islands found between La Ciotat and Marseille, starting with the Île Verte in the east, a place where trees met the sea, and continuing through to the Île Riou and its neighbours off the coast of Cassis and the Calanques, then on to the Îles du Frioul of Marseille. Boat trips frequently visit these islands, making them the ideal choice for a day out with family and friends. Much of the sea falls into a protected Natura 2000 zone and dolphins and whales are regularly spotted out to sea.  

 

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Photo source: Benjamin Lecomte for Unsplash

 

Christie’s auction to spotlight 20th and 21st century photographers

by: Stephanie Horsman
05/05/2023
christie's photography

Christie’s upcoming auction will offer works by some of the best-known names in the worlds of fashion, conceptual and documentary photography, including Robert Mapplethorpe and Helmut Newton.  

If a picture speaks a thousand words, then this upcoming auction, Photographies, could fill an entire book.  

Works from some of the most famous photographers of this century and the last are being brought together for one sale by respected auction house Christie’s between 23rd May to 6th June.  

Pieces from the likes of Helmut Newton, Cindy Sherman, Nan Goldin and Robert Mapplethorpe will all be up for grabs, with previews of the works available at Christie’s Paris site on two sets of dates: 22nd to 26th May and 1st to 6th June.  

STAND OUT WORKS 

Helmut Newton’s 1975 Roselyne, Château d’Arcangues, is one of the big highlights of the sale. The photo features a technical process not often seen called tin-typed silver printing. The image has a glamourous 1940s look, though the subject matter is decidedly more modern. It is an aerial bird’s eye view of a partially nude woman leaning casually against a mantle in an elegantly overstuffed parlour. The overall effect is spellbinding, and the estimate sale price of €80,000 to €100,000 reflects that.  

Also of interest is fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh’s photograph Amber Valletta, Harper’s Bazaar, Times Square, N.Y., 1993. In 1996, he published his first book entitled 10 Women, which featured shots of top models who had marked his career. This is one such image: the 1990s supermodel sports a costume of an angel with immaculate wings, creating a poetic parenthesis far from the hustle-bustle of Times Square. It is anticipated to go for between €18,000 and €25,000.  

Robert Mapplethorpe was best known for his rebellious and erotic images, but here the American photographer is put in a completely different light. Self-portrait, 1985 offers an introspective and intimate appeal that differs from his most famous shots, evocative of the later self-portraits he produced at the end of his life, whilst suffering from AIDS. This piece is estimated to sell for between €60,000 and 80,000. 

 

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.  

 

Photo source: Christie’s