The Luxe Chronicles

Well Said Indeed Olympia Le Tan!

Paris-based accessories designer Olympia Le Tan has been designing whimsical handbags in the shape of classic novels, milk cartons and other unusual shapes favored by discerning Parisians for years. Hand beaded by Ms. Le Tan herself, a single bag can require up to thirty hours of meticulous stitching and fetch upwards of £1000 GBP. The outspoken Ms. Le Tan was recently asked about her bags' hefty pricetags to which she rightly retorted:

Martell: The Art of Marketing A Heritage Brand.

One of the aspects I value most about my recent trip to Cognac for the House of Martell is the opportunity to learn more about the cognac industry. Too often, luxury brands shroud themselves in mystery. Cultivating a certain reserve can obviously be a useful way of managing a brand's image and in some instances can even enhance it. As a consumer however, I find that my affection or admiration for a brand is often enhanced by being offered a glimpse behind the scenes.

Luxury: Introducing Martell's "Chanteloup Perspective".

Imagine a cold, crisp winter's night. The stars are twinkling overhead and the deer are gently grazing on the grounds of the Chateau de Chanteloup, once the home of the Martell family and now the heart and soul of the historic cognac house. As our lively little group of bloggers and writers are led up a softly lit path to the belvedere overlooking Chanteloup's graceful grounds, the excitement is palpable.

Gastronomy: The House Of Martell Embarks Upon An Audacious Culinary Adventure.

It takes a certain audacity to cast aside generations of tradition and plot a radically new course.  Cognac, a drink long associated with the antiquated post-dinner ritual where men withdrew to the library for cigars and serious discussion while women stayed amongst themselves for coffee and light banter, is being rebranded as a total culinary experience.  The move is all the more audacious when you consider that it is the work of France's oldest cognac house, Martell, founded in 1715.

It Was A Wonderful Week ...

Every once in a while, life offers you a rare opportunity to experience something truly special. As a guest of historic cognac house Martell, I had just such an opportunity this week. Comfortably esconced in the enchanting Chateau de Chanteloup just outside of Cognac, I was offered, along with a small group of food and spirits bloggers, a taste of French art de vivre and gastronomy at its very best. We toured, we ate and we drank. Alas, you'll have to wait until next week to hear all about it because simply put, I'm exhausted! But happily so.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

Catch Me If You Can!

I'm in another one of those travel cycles where I effectively unpack my bags only to repack them again. I just got back from Paris and I'm now off to the Cognac region of France as a guest of historic French cognac house Martell. Of course, given where I'm going, who in their right mind could possibly complain? Moi? Certainement pas!

Cut At 45 Park Lane: A Mecca For Carnivores.

I have always loved and always will love red meat (especially when paired with a fine red wine). For this reason, I respect vegans, vegetarians and pescetarians but I will never understand them. I would also probably never invite them to London's newly opened upscale eatery Cut for the menu would most likely not go over well. It's not that there are no vegetarian or pescetarian options but the real emphasis is placed firmly on the meat. To put it bluntly, Cut is nothing short of a mecca for carnivores.

Raymond Blanc: Flying The Flag For French Gastronomy.

Much has been written recently about the decline of French gastronomy both in France and abroad. As an unabashed Francophile, I've read with dismay about the challenges faced by many chefs and restaurant owners and while I don't deny that there is indeed a malaise of sorts in the French gastronomical community, I for one refuse to believe that traditions which have been refined and nurtured for centuries can simply be allowed to wither away and die. Luckily, I'm not alone to hold this belief. I had the immense privilege of dining with chef Raymond Blanc at an intimate dinner he co-hosted with historic French cognac brand Martell earlier this week. The dinner, which took place in the windows of Harrods, was designed to showcase (both figuratively and literally) various facets of French gastronomy and craftsmanship.

Sorry. No Post Today.

First we had some lovely champagne. Then we had some more lovely champagne. Then we had some lovely white wine followed by red wine and lots and lots of lovely cognac. As a result, there is no post today. I trust you understand.

Sincerely,

The Luxe Chronicles

P.S. Vive la France!

Luxury: A Showcase For French Gastronomy & Craftsmanship.

I'm honored to be attending this evening a very special dinner hosted by French-born, U.K.-based chef Raymond Blanc and historic French cognac brand Martell. The dinner, which will take place in the windows of Harrods on Brompton Road, is quite literally and figuratively meant to be a showcase for France's long tradition of craftsmanship and gastronomy.