Rigaud Candles

I was reading the life of late Diana Vreeland, who was a legendary fashion editor for magazines Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. While I was reading something caught my eye, a brand which I had not heard of before, Rigaud Candles. Vreeland's husband Thomas Reed Vreeland was working in banking but also for Rigaud Candles.

Apparently, Parfums Rigaud is one of the oldest perfumers and dates back to the early 19th century. What's so special about Rigaud is that the candle is hand-poured, which insures a premium quality as opposed to being machine-made. The candle burns evenly, doesn't leave any residue unlike hard wax candles. I think the biggest advantage is that Rigaud Candles last very long- the Standard burns upto 50 hours and the Mini burns for 12 hours. The success starts by King Louis XVIII of France giving the sole rights to the Rigaud family for the manufacturing of a scented Macassar oil. The candles were created in 1950 by Madame Rigaud. What's more interesting is that Rigaud Candles were recalled in the 1990 because of the problem in the combustion but thankfully no deaths or injuries were reported!

The candles are being sold again, check out their website http://www.rigaud-paris.com/

Enjoy!

Hello again after 2 years

Hello to all my readers,

I have decided to continue my blog, which I had launched 2 years ago for my graduation thesis project. The reason why I'm back is simple, I love to explore anything that has come out of the precious hands of skilled artisans. And if you feel the same then I would be more than happy to share my posts with you.

Nice to be back!

With all my best,

M.

Fulco di Verdura, master of jewels

Elegant and distinctly original, Verdura jewelry has been coveted by royalty and high society for nearly 70 years. More than any other designer of the 20th century, Duke Fulco di Verdura elevated jewelry to the status of an art form. His creation were inspired by classical patterns and natural forms, brightened with intense colors and infused with a sophisticated wit that Verdura displayed throughout his intensely creative life. 

Louvre buys Empress Eugénie's brooch

The Louvre museum in Paris has bought the diamond brooch that is among the few exquisite pieces of the French crown jewels. The diamond-encrusted brooch was made in 19th century by Parisian jeweler Francois Kramer, who designed it specially for the Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III. Shaped like a bow, the elegant brooch features two dangling tassels and 2,634 pink and white diamonds, weighing more than 140 carats. The piece will be soon displayed in Louvre's Apollon Gallery.

Ilias Lalaounis - 5 generations of joaillerie

Ilias Lalaounis has a jewelry tradition that spans five generations. Lalaounis creations represent a synthesis of past and present, a unique interpretation of ancient civilization. Influences as diverse as the Neolithic Age, Mycenaean Art, the Byzantine as well as the nature have all inspired the Lalaounis collections. Age-old techniques such as granulation, filigree, hand-hammering and repousse are used in creating the exquisite and distinctive hand-crafted Lalaounis jewelry.

William Yeoward - the tradition of handcrafting

The design inspiration of William Yeoward is drawn from antique pieces originally made in England and Ireland during the 18th-19th centuries. Each piece is entirely made by hand using the same traditional methods employed over 100 years ago. Unusual hand cutting and engraving are distinctive elements of William Yeoward. This fabulous Isadora Pineapple centerpiece is a true masterpiece made of crystal.

Bebek Badem Ezmecisi - Istanbul's sweetest tradition

Founded in 1904, Bebek Badem Ezmecisi is recognized for being the one and only name in marzipan. The store is located in Istanbul, the state of Bebek and has a historical ambience inside where you feel like you've entered a room belonging to an Ottoman pasha. There are two delicious flavours the store specializes in, almond and pistachio marzipan. The boutique has only one location, which they intend to keep it that way because the production process of the marzipan is very detailed, requiring great care and talent. The prices range from $200 for 2lbs of marzipan to more, according to the weight. 

Chocolat de H. in Tokyo

Chocolat-pencils as seen above, is the product of a collaboration pairing Japanese architect and designer Oki Sato and Tsujiguchi Hironobu the man behind Tokyo's boutique dessert show Mont St. Claire and Chocolate de H. Subtle tableware effectively displays the gourmet chocolate and includes a special pencil sharpener for grating over dessert. Chocolate-pencils come in a number of different blends with varying levels of cocoa. 

Jean Boggio for Franz

A talented artists, Jean Boggio is best known in France for his fantastical, magical jewelry creations. Originally trained as a gold and silversmith, Boggio has been working for prestigious tableware names like Baccarat and Les Hèritiers. Now Boggio has joined forces with the porcelain manufacturer Franz to create a thoroughly modern collection at the very forefront of the latest trends. The ambiance at the Paris showroom is divided into two different inspirations; pop art where the power of bold colors is visible and black+white, a pairing that is as tieless as it is resolutely fashionable. 

Da Vinci of Cannes

Da Vinci is a place for those who appreciate the finer things in life. As the name suggests Leonardo Da Vinci was the primary inspiration for this fien store. Customers are able to try the variety of pens from prominent brands as MontBlanc, Montegrappa and Visonti. Pens, ink, and special paper of the finest quality are kept in the intriguing pen cellars. Fine leather goods, cigars and cigar accessories are also available in this chic store located on 8, rue d' Antibes, Cannes. 

Le Caviar Volga from Cannes

Le Caviar Volga is an elite shop offering a selection of the finest caviar; from osetra to sevruga and beluga. Luxe serving dishes, mother of pearl spoons - to preserve the fragile flavor of the caviar, and blinis, which are small Russian pancakes,  are also available. Located on, 5, rue Marjof, Cannes.

Rondini - sandales Tropéziennes

Since 1927, Rondini has forged a well-earned reputation for its mastery of the classic Saint Tropez sandal. In a small workshop at the back of the store, a craftsman still makes each of the sandal by hand using only the finest leather and the best sewing techniques. 

La Campanina of Alberto e Lina - jewelers of Capri

Founded in 1950, La Campanina follows a tradition which had been passed down from father to son. The boutique located in Capri is famous for its interesting window displays where beautiful jewelry pieces decorate the windows in the most unique and exciting way. La Campanina of Alberto and Lina still remains the preferred venue where the Italian and International jet set choose to meet, constituting a veritable symbol of Caprian savoir faire.

Carthusia Profumi

Legend has it that in 1380 the father prior of the Carthusian Monastery of St. Giacomo made a flower arrangement to Queen Giovanna D'Angio' s arrival to Capri , Italy with the most beautiful flowers available. After three days, while throwing the flowers away, the prior noticed that the water had a distinct smell to it. That smell or the water then became the 1st perfume of Capri. The tradition is now being continued and the limited production means being able to use the same methods as the Carthusian monks. The essence derived from rosemary picked on Monte Solaro is used in men's products, while the essence of Capri wild carnation is used in women's fragrances. All the preparations are made from genuine products of high quality where even the end product is hand-wrapped. 

Boucheron' s 150th anniversary

To commemorate its 150th anniversary, the mastermind of fine jewelry Boucheron has designed a beautiful collection. The Gourmand necklace, as shown above, depicts the glimmer of coloring and the fine geometry of fruits. The white-gold piece is composed of shiny sapphires, which play the lead role in the necklace, and is accompanied with a mix of pink, mauve, yellow-orange stones that add more glamour to the fabulous necklace.

Repossi - jewelry for the royalty

Founded in 1920 by G. Pietro Repossi, Repossi Joailliers is known as the official supplier for the Prince Rainier III of Monaco. The Italian atelier uses the traditional techniques of the goldsmith's trade of Renaissance in order to preserve the majesty of the pieces. As well as designing truly spectacular and glamorous pieces geared towards the royalty, Repossi also provides a more younger and trendy line designed by Gaia Repossi, the 4th generation of the jewelry house. The collection Ere Repossi, designed by Gaia Repossi and Eugénie Niarchos, has a more younger taste when compared to Repossi's traditional designs of haute jewelry. Prices for these eclectic pieces of hand-made jewelry range from $500 for gold lace studs to $50,000 for a gold and rose-cut diamond bracelet.

Antica Farmacista - luxury fragrances

Antica Farmacista captures old-world European charm and mystery with its collection of unique signature scents of the Mediteranean Sea and Tuscany. Each fragrance is formulated with only the world's finest essential oils and natural ingredients, and every product is meticulously produced and presented in an antique inspired apothecary bottle. Antica Farmacista's standard are unmatched and represent luxury fragrance at its best.

D.R. Harris & Co - the British court's chemists and perfumers

D.R. Harris&Co is one of London's oldest pharmacies, which has been in London's James street for over 200 years. They are renowned for their high quality products, soaps, colognes, skin care and oils. Still being packaged exquisitely in their London premises, products are being crafted by traditional methods, hand-made. The pharmacy has been serving the Queen of England and the British court since their foundation.

Potter & Moore of England

John Potter and William Moore founded Potter&Moore in 1749. They were known at that time as physic gardeners where their daily tasks included cultivation of herbs and flowers. Taking their knowledge and expertise in working with natural ingredients they apply it to creating fine bath, body and beauty products. 

Borsalino - luxury hats since 1857

Founded in 1857, Borsalino is famous for its fedora style hat, which is associated with an elegance and style that is purely southern European. The story of the company's success started in Alessandria when Giuseppe Borsalino (1834-1900), a true pioneer of the hat industry, after visiting Italy and France to learn the secrets of the trade, set up the first artisan workshop for the production of felt hats. Relying in old techniques has worked for Borsalino, which has made hats for people from Emperors and Sephardic Jews to Canadian Mounties. Wood-encased tools from the 19th century cranks out fluffy sheets of beaver and rabbit-felt and artisans use antique wooden forms to shape crowns the same way their predecessors did for headgear that has graced Kings and Popes.