The countdown is on for the Grimaldi Forum’s highly-anticipated 2022 summer exhibition, dedicated to the wonderful world of fashion designer Christian Louboutin.
After the success of the Alberto Giacometti exhibit last year, the Grimaldi Forum is following up with another sure-fire hit for summer 2022, entitled Christian Louboutin, L’Exhibition[niste].
Curator Olivier Gabet, Director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, has redesigned the show from its Palais de la Porte Dorée version of 2020, giving it a new perspective for the Principality.
The exhibit will encompass 2,000m2 and unveil some new works as yet unseen by the public, which are tied to inspirations drawn specifically from Monaco, including a project in development with British artist Allen Jones.
Monaco’s ties to Louboutin go far back. Princess Caroline was Louboutin’s very first customer when he opened the doors to his Paris shoe salon in 1991.
Photo by Jean-Vincent Simonet for Christian Louboutin, source Grimaldi Forum
The summer exhibition will bring together pieces from Louboutin’s personal collections as well as artistic and historic works on loan from private and public collections, including some from the Principality, in what is being called the Musée Imaginaire room.
Meanwhile, themes that were cherished by the designer will be explored such as his love of dance, the legacy of the Ballets Russes, his adoration of African and Asian art, Andy Warhol’s Pop Art influence, the genius of photographer Helmut Newton, and his fascination with oceanography.
Shoes, naturally, will take centre stage, but visitors will also be treated to a selection of unique pieces that inspired his creations.
“Far from a classic retrospective, the exhibition path was designed as a joyful odyssey through three decades of abundant creativity infused with curiosity for all cultures and arts,” say the organisers of the event.
The exhibition will also present exclusive collaborations by Louboutin such as stained glass created by Maison du Vitrail, a silver Sevillian palanquin, and a cabaret sculpted in Bhutan.
Visitors will also discover the designer’s various projects with artists including the titillating photography collaboration with director David Lynch, multimedia work with Lisa Reihana, the leather sculptures of English designer duo Whitaker Malem, the choreography of Blanca Li, and the work of Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi, as well as an immersive space dedicated to sculptor and painter Allen Jones created especially with him for this exhibition.
Note: This article was originally published on 5th January
Photo by Jean-Vincent Simonet for Christian Louboutin, source Grimaldi Forum
“We want people to come together, Latin American style!”
Daniela Spanier is on a mission to create and strengthen links between the people of Monaco and Latin America. She tells us more about the root of her ambition in life, and reveals exciting details about the upcoming Mystical Bolivia AMLA gala in September.
The Monaco Latin American Association (AMLA) is a non-governmental organisation designed to promote cultural dialogue, solidarity and cooperation, and exchange of ideas and “dreams” between the Principality of Monaco and the countries of Latin America.
AMLA’s focus is on providing a platform and a community for Monaco residents to discover Latin American sociocultural heritage and lifestyle, through a series of charity events ranging from galas and workshops to music auditions and conferences.
Monaco Life: Can you tell us about yourself and where it all began?
Daniela Spanier: I’ve been very international since a very early age. I was born and grew up in Bolivia. I had a diplomat father and a mother who always worked with international organisations. In Bolivia and in Latin America in general, we’re very social, but especially in Santa Cruz where I grew up. Since it’s a small place in a poor country, the society was quite small and the social engagements were quite important.
My grandmother was always in Rotary, and I grew up with charity fashion events where even I had to parade when I was seven or eight. My grandfather was also in the Rotary and the Lion’s Club. My grandmother was also a co-founder of the university and a director, so I grew up like this… in an academic family where mainly the women were academic and socially engaged.
I always say that if I’m ambitious and if I have the capacity to dream, that it’s never too late, and this is thanks to my mother who allowed me to take every possible private lesson in everything I wanted, from gymnastics to piano, and this led me to think that there is always more I can go for, that there is more that I can do.
If I have to define myself, I am very forward-looking. I have a vision and I never think it’s too late to change things. I think every day is a starting point. I believe you don’t have to look at what’s before to actually set a new trend because it’s all a sequence. You can choose to use the sequence from yesterday or choose to start one from today. I believe the sky’s the limit.
On the other hand, growing up like that makes you feel like you are missing something, because if there’s always more you can have, it means you’re never full. That’s something I’ve had to work on the last 15 years. Now my ambition is coming from a place of wholeness.
What brought you to Monaco? What was your vision coming here?
I grew up in Bolivia and went to German school, then when I was around 11, my mum got a job at the UN in New York, so we moved to New York until I was about 13. We then went back to Bolivia and I started at the international school in Santa Cruz, before moving onto La Paz (capital of Bolivia). At 18, I went to study in Germany, as I speak German.
I then moved to Switzerland where I was working in private banking, then as a head-hunter, and back to private banking. This is where I met my husband… and he brought me to Monaco, though our first dates were not ideal. We didn’t really match. But after six months, he proposed and we moved to Monaco.
I did know Monaco because my dad lived in Nice and he brought me here where I saw the cathedral, the palace, the aquarium… so I knew Monaco, but I didn’t come looking for Monaco. I’ve made my life here and made amazing friends. It also slowed me down being here. I wasn’t constantly running after the next big position. I have three kids, I had to settle down, but I must say, I found myself in Monaco.
Daniela Spanier (centre) at the ‘A Story of consciousness, connection and balance’ gala in 2021
It must have been difficult to go from a very academic, female-driven family, and the banking industry in Zurich, to a place like Monaco where your focus was being a mum. How have you managed to balance that innate drive to succeed with the reality of what is here in Monaco?
It was difficult for me to find value as a female, because I always competed with men. I took on men’s roles, but I still am quite feminine and sensitive and emotional… so it has been a release, though at the beginning it was difficult. When I first arrived, there wasn’t anything for children, either, they didn’t have ‘Munchkins’.
It was liberating, but it took years. At the beginning, I didn’t speak a word of French. With nothing to do for children, it was boring and quite shocking because when I walked down the street I didn’t see any men. I saw only women with babies at the park.
After a few years, I learned French and ‘Munchkins’ opened and I started making friends and it was nice. I accepted my role. My husband was always travelling so it wasn’t easy.
In 2017, I met these three Latina girls and we were like, ‘Why don’t we open an association?’ For me, after five years in Monaco, I felt like I was going to have a chance to “be” professionally something.
Can you tell us about the Mystical Bolivia gala?
The AMLA Gala events honour a different Latin American country every year. This year in 2022 we will immerse Monegasque and international guests in the unique DNA of the Bolivian cultural melting pot.
We are bringing No Finish Line (NFL) to Bolivia next year, so we’re exporting Monaco to Latin America at the gala so people can see what Bolivia is really like.
The gala will be held on 17th September at the emblematic Monaco Yacht Club, starting with a sunset cocktail with Bolivian drinks, traditional cocktails and live cooking by Bolivian barmen and chefs who will be happy to tell our guests the stories behind them, just as the artists attending the auction will do.
We will also connect by Zoom to the No Finish Line organisers in Santa Cruz, who will be launching the NFL during the international exhibition Expo 2022. It will be an opportunity to introduce our iconic NFL Ambassadors living in different parts of the world.
Cocktails will be followed by a dinner animated with folkloric dances (los Tinkus, la Diablada, los Caporales, los Tobas), a fashion show, unique music performances, more storytelllng by our celebrities and lots of fun discovering and sharing culture.
Voyage to Colombia gala in 2019
Why did you create the AMLA association?
I am privileged to have been able to study and have parents who pushed me to try things and grow. So, I wanted to give something back. I’m a proud Latina and I’m also aware there are some cliches. Even though in Monaco it is much less, you do experience a little bit of racism and categorisation being Latina. I had to clarify that there are Latinos in good positions all over thew world. I wanted to be a door between Latin America and Monaco.
We originally wanted to help local charity organisations because we thought it was a good way to make sure the money got to where we wanted it to go. We chose organisations we knew personally, or that had contact with people we knew locally. This means we can hand-pick the little projects we are interested in.
Long term, I hope to one day explore economic options. A dream is to send a Monaco delegation to Bolivia, like they did with Brazil; to look at us as access to Latin America.
How are you building the profile of AMLA?
Building a community through an association is difficult. AMLA has been successful because of the quality of the events we do. Our events don’t make people feel like they are there to impress or to be seen. People are literally there to have fun. We want to be open to everyone! We want people to experience the Latin American way… being amongst friends, listening to nice music, with good cocktails, decorations and other nice people. The idea is to awaken interest in Latin America. We do need to position ourselves as more than just parties though, and this is the next challenge.
Moving forward?
I see myself as a window to an association with a proven track record. I want to build membership, anyone can join, you don’t have to be from Latin America. The idea is to say ‘you come to AMLA, and AMLA hooks you up with the world’.
By Cassandra Tanti & Stephanie Horsman
Nice airport cuts waste by donating confiscated items
For the last three months, banned items confiscated from passengers at security checkpoints at Nice Airport have been handed over to the charity Restos du Coeur rather than being binned as waste.
Since 2006, airline passengers attempting to go through security with containers holding liquid of more than 100 millilitres have been confiscated, whether it be water, perfumes, toiletries or alcohol, as well as certain foodstuffs and items such as knives and aerosol cans. This leads to tons of perfectly good, brand new products being put into landfills or otherwise destroyed, a waste by any standard.
In an attempt to stop this practice, Nice Airport has agreed with charity Restos du Coeur to donate suitable unused items. Teams from the charity come to the airport twice a week to collect between 70 and 100 kilos of products which are then redistributed.
“In normal years, Terminal 2 alone removes 120,000 items and groceries from baggage. Half could be donated to charity instead of being destroyed.” Aymeric Staub, an airport spokesman for the Cote d’Azur, said.
The system is only currently up and running in Terminal 2, though negotiations are underway with the security company who manages Terminal 1 to incorporate the practice also. If an agreement is settled on, it is estimated that the collection volume would double.
This redistribution system is the first for France airports, though if successful, it is hoped that it will catch on in other places as well.
Photo source: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport
CHPG gifted with CaliNange device for hospitalised newborns
The CHPG has been given a new device designed to maintain the connection between parents and hospitalised newborns, easing the worries of parents and the stresses on fragile babies.
Every year, 8% of babies are born prematurely. These tiny infants are usually hospitalised, with stays ranging on average from two weeks to three months – a period that is difficult for both parents and the child, who requires contact in order to thrive.
Though parents are allowed to stay nearby, and there are methods such as “kangaroo care” whereby the baby and parent share skin to skin contact for short periods, it is no substitute for the interactions that would normally take place in a non-hospital setting.
This problem was brought to light for Aurore Saintigny when her baby was born prematurely. It inspired her to create a new way of ensuring that preemies get the most possible contact from parents and loved ones, even when circumstances prevent actual contact.
Called CaliNange, the system, which works without screens or waves, comes in the form of a small heart-shaped device that is personalised for each child. It allows the baby to hear its parents’ voices and the heartbeat of a loved one, to smell its mother’s scent on a cloth cover that encapsulates the device, and provides a soft and light environment.
This approach has many benefits including the improvement of a child’s well-being when close proximity isn’t an option, prolonging the bonding time through the presence of one or both parents, as well as being a source of comfort to those children who are hospitalised for long periods for other illnesses.
“It seemed to me completely in line with what Princess Grace achieved and carried out, to propose the CaliNange to the team of Dr Haas at the CPHG to maintain the parent-child bond,” said Carla Shechter-Fadoul, President of Monaco Liver Disorder-MLD, who brought the system to the Princess Grace Hospital Centre on Monday 13th June. “Family is essential for the improvement of the development and the follow-up of the child.
“Giving additional means of comfort and relief to caregivers during painful care is also one of our strongest wishes. It is not always possible to take your child in your arms when they need it, which is why discovering and supporting a solution that allows the parent to be as close as possible to their baby, even in an incubator, even in a sterile bubble, even in the operating room or for paediatric services, immediately spoke to us.”
CaliNange is produced in France, with 98% of the pieces sourced in a radius of less than 100 kilometres. The components are all washable and sterilisable and are compatible for use in an incubator. Safety has been tested in independent labs for both medical and home use and the lighting is suitable for a newborn, using comparable radiation to the baby’s belly exposed to full sun. Sounds are emitted at frequencies that are soothing to the child and are created according to algorithms. For more info, visit the website at www.calinescence.fr.
Top photo: Presentation of the CalinAnge by Carla Shechter, President of Monaco Liver Disorder-MLD, to Dr Hervé Haas, head of the Paediatric department of the CHPG, by Clement Martinez
Photos: John Christodoulou awarded Goodwill Ambassador 2022
There was plenty of festive plate smashing on Saturday night as the Monaco Ambassador’s Club, under the high patronage of Prince Albert II, honoured Monaco resident and Cypriot businessman John Christodoulou with the Goodwill Ambassador’s Award at a lavish ceremony at the Hôtel Hermitage.
John Christodoulou is a low-profile, self-made Cypriot billionaire who has forged an international, privately held real estate empire with a portfolio of residential, hotel, retail and leisure properties in the United Kingdom and Europe. His 74-metre yacht Zeus is a mainstay on the Monaco horizon.
But John Christodoulou is also a well-known philanthropist, backing numerous projects that help improve the lives of vulnerable children through his John Christodoulou Foundation. Most recently, he also supported many projects during the Covid-19 pandemic, funded a new gym facility for staff at Monaco’s Princess Grace Hospital Centre, and offered two of his UK hotels for free to home 750 Ukrainian refugees.
Born in Nicosia, Cyprus, in 1965, Christodoulou has been a Monaco resident for a number of years. On Saturday night, during a gala on the beautiful terraces of the Hermitage Hotel, Prince Albert II and Monaco Ambassadors Club President Christian Moore awarded John Christodoulou with the Goodwill Ambassador’s Award for his achievements and his “unquestionable loyalty to Cyprus”, said Christian Moore.
“It gives me great pleasure to present this year’s Goodwill Ambassador’s Award to John,” said Prince Albert II of Monaco. “He is a great friend, and a great supporter of Monaco and everything that we do here. Thank you so much for that, for all of your philanthropic activities, and for your kindness and outstanding generosity not only to your friends but to all those in need.”
Prince Albert was presented with an award from Cyprus, while Christodoulou was also presented with the Holy Humanitarian Cross by Ieronymos Pyliotis, a representative of the church of Cyprus.
“One of the things we have in common with the church is they are the biggest landlords in the world,” said Christodoulou, laughing. “As a real estate guy, we are trying to get there.”
Privileged guests of the MAC gala were transported to the islands for an evening thanks to a delicious Greek-inspired menu, traditional music and, of course, some celebratory plate smashing.
Upon receiving the Goodwill Ambassador’s Award, John Christodoulou said, “When you live in Monaco, we sometimes take it for granted, but this is the best place to live in Europe. Our Prince is doing an incredible job.”
The Goodwill Ambassador’s Gala was organised by the staff of the Monaco Ambassadors Club including General Secretary Alessandra Sparaco, Club Manager Catherine Bernaz and Event Manager Manon Delpont. It was sponsored by Borsalino and Benedetta Bizzini, with limited edition Monte Cristo hats being been offered to Prince Albert, MAC President Christian Moore, MAC Vice President Mike Powers and John Christodoulou, Goodwill Ambassador 2022.
The Monaco Ambassadors Club will next year be celebrating its 50th anniversary. It was established in 1973 by HSH Princess Grace of Monaco to assemble the rich blend of cultures in the Principality, with each member bringing a particular dynamic to the club and becoming an emissary of Monaco. The next big MAC event on the calendar is the Summer Party, to be held at the stunning La Vigie villa, on 6th July.
AS Monaco Women bounced back from last weekend’s first-leg defeat against Bourges to progress to a play-off final against Toulouse, the first leg of which will take place in Beausoleil next weekend.
On a sweltering Sunday on the Riviera, fans packed into the Stade du Prince Héréditaire Jacques to spur on a side that have rarely tasted defeat this season, but did so in the first leg of the crucial play-off tie. Coming in with a one goal deficit against Bourges, the home side needed to score at least twice to progress.
The Ultras were in attendance at the match and provided a great atmosphere throughout, as the start of the match was accompanied by a smokey pyrotechnic display from their corner. Only minutes later, Monaco took the lead. Through on goal, Laura Domecq’s cut back was neatly converted by Kenza Chircop to level the scores on aggregate.
Monaco got a scare just seconds later as Bourges had the ball in the net, only for the Bourges attacker to be adjudged to be in an offside position.
The pivotal moment in the game came midway through the first-half. Through on goal, Domecq was tripped by Bourges’ Meta Camara, leaving the referee no choice but to brandish a red card. A player up and a goal up, Monaco were now firm favourites to grab the goal that would see them progress.
But they would have to wait for it. As Monaco midfielder Maddie Weston told Monaco Life, “You have to be patient, sometimes the easiest goals won’t go in, but then the craziest ones do go in. When we do have those chances, I think we have to work harder and better to make sure they are finished because as we advance further into the playoffs, perhaps those chances don’t come as often.”
Domecq hit the bar from just six yards out, before Chircop’s poorly hit strike from within the six yard box hit the post before dribbling agonisingly across the line and hitting the other post.
Monaco did eventually get their second mid-way through the second-half. As the 10 players of Bourges tired in the heat, the Principality side profited from their numerical advantage to create overloads. Domecq got on the scoresheet, converting Bree Fuller’s cutback before Moeko Morse added a third to give the home side margin for error.
They would be grateful for it, as Monaco had to endure a nervy finish. Christelle Léger’s long-range effort beat the goalkeeper and left Monaco hanging on in the dying seconds of the tie. But hold on they did, and victory leaves them within two games of promotion to D2.
Post-match manager Stéphane Guigo reflected on their comeback victory. He told Monaco Life, “We don’t have the habit of losing. That gave them a shot in the arm, we got our heads right again this week and we worked hard to get the result today.” AS Monaco Women’s development manager Thomas Martini added, “It was a logical defeat in the first leg, we have to be honest. Today we saw more of what we’ve seen since the start of the season: effort and efficiency. We found a collective and that’s what we lacked in the first match.”
Weston added, “Losing isn’t a known feeling to us, but as great as that is, it lit a fire in us. It’s okay that it happens and we learn from it. It taught us to be more patient in this game and not force the ball over the top.”
She continued, “We got the job done today, but we’re not finished. We have two more games to win to get to our ultimate goal of getting up to D2.”
Guigo is expecting a tough match against Toulouse, stating, “I think we’re the underdog. It’s a former professional side. They have an ambitious project. We’ll welcome next week with a lot of humility. On the play-off final, Martini added, “Toulouse will be a level up. They are a team that likes to play from the back. It will be a very different scenario. In terms of quality, I think it will be 50/50. It will be the team that approaches the game the best that will go up to D2.”
The fixture seems finely poised, and Monaco will be hoping to get off to a good start when they host Toulouse in Beausoleil next weekend.
Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life
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