Luxury

Designer Graham McCallum is 70 this week, and a retrospective of his iconic design work opens at Kemistry Gallery on Saturday.
Graham is the designer behind some of the best known TV branding, and was the first person to redesign the BBC 2 logo to reflect the changing schedule.
 

The UN-backed World Forum on Natural Capital will be the first major global conference devoted to understanding the economic value of natural capital.
Alex Salmond, Scotland’s First Minister, will join the prestigious line-up of speakers on the first day of the inaugural World Forum on Natural Capital in Edinburgh this November.
The UN-backed event will help business and sustainability leaders to identify the economic value of natural capital – the world’s natural resources such as water, forests and biodiversity, on which we rely for our economic and social wellbeing.

International eXcellence Interviews David Henault Oenologist at Nicolas Feuillate Champagne
Some of the questions were answered in French and we have provided a translation, but we have also left the original French as it just lovely to read.
How and when did Feuillate start and who runs it today?

IX Favourite Luxury Shows
 
Baselworld
This luxury show is the world's most important event for the watch and jewellery industry and is held each spring in the city of Basel, Switzerland. It is a unique success story, with over 100,000 people from more than 100 different counties visiting the show. Products and brands are showcased at a sophisticated level in an exclusive atmosphere, with high quality personal contacts and business deals ensured.
baselworld.com
Masterpiece London

International eXcellence interviews Laurence Dickie, founder of Vivid Audio.
Where did you grow up?
Facing the countryside of Derbyshire UK on one side and the coal fields and slag heaps on the other. The Derwent valley, where I went to school, is the birthplace of industry and that had a powerful effect on my childhood.
 
How did you start in the industry?
I’d been building speakers and sound systems since school days but it really got serious when I was appointed by B&W to design active loudspeakers.
 

Champagne Piper-Heidsieck announced the launch of its new Piper-Heidsieck 2006 Vintage Brut, which was introduced during an exclusive tasting. Hosted by Piper-Heidsieck Head Winemaker Régis Camus, guests had the opportunity to taste the full Piper-Heidsieck range including their Cuvée Brut, Rare 2002, Rosé Sauvage, Cuvée Sublime, and the winner of this year’s IWC Sparkling Wine of the Year: Piper- Heidsieck Rare 1998. The tasting finished with the introduction of the new 2006 Vintage Brut, a balanced and elegant wine

 For almost 100 years, E. Marinella has been specialised in beautiful accessories for man and women. The classic brand, steeped in history and tradition, is still today renowned for its collection of handmade ties, which are the epitome of Italian elegance.   These exquisite ties can be made in what is known as the 5-fold, 7-fold or 9-fold pattern, which is a reassuring luxury the wearer can either disclose or keep as his bespoke secret.   All the ties are unique and handmade, and the silks used for each tie is different and cut to make just one tie.

 
Sir David Attenborough will launch a global crowdfunding campaign this week to save mountain gorillas.
The Indiegogo crowdfund, launched to coincide with the first ever UK Crowdfunding Day, aims to raise £110,000 by December 11 to support Fauna & Flora International’s work with mountain gorillas. 
This work fosters cooperation across national borders and empowers communities to monitor, protect and benefit from maintaining a healthy population of mountain gorillas.

 
International eXcellence looks at FITZ Partners Ltd a London-based fund research company specialising in the detailed calculations of fund fees and expenses and the delivery of Pan-European fund fee benchmarks.
 
 
FITZ Partners founder Hugues Gillibert feels lucky; at 45 years old and after 4 very successful years as Head of New ventures for a large financial data provider, he is back in the world of entrepreneurs where hard work, team effort, client focus and business partnering are a way of life!
 

Roasted Pepper, Red Onion and Rosemary Soup
Keep warm and healthy with this delicious and satisfying soup. Simple to make, lovely to look at and tasty to eat. Be nice to yourself this November and treat yourself to a bowl of this divine soup.
Serves 4
6 red peppers, de-seeded and cut into large pieces
3 red onions, peeled and quartered
3 tomatoes, halved
1tbls olive oil
1 sprig of rosemary plus 1tbls chopped needles
900 ml vegetable stock
4tsp crème fraiche
1 Preheat the oven to gas mark 6/200C/180fan