Crystal Named ‘Best Luxury Cruise Line’ by Readers of Travel Weekly Asia

Travel Industry Experts Recognize Crystal In 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards

The travel savvy readers of Travel Weekly Asia have voted Crystal Cruises as the Best Luxury Cruise Line for the annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The publication’s 2016 Awards included input from esteemed travel professionals throughout Asia, each experts in various specialties across the industry. Now in its second year, the awards recognize the “best of the best” in 12 select categories, including Airline, Airport, Cruise Line, Hotel, Resort, Serviced Residence, Travel Agency, GDS, Travel Insurance, Attraction and Destination. Crystal earned the accolade with Travel Weekly Asia’s recognition of the company’s demonstrated standard of excellence and dedicated loyalty to professional partners and peers.

Crystal Symphony in Hong Kong (Photo: Business Wire)

“We are honored to earn such recognition from some of our most valued partners and colleagues,” says Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez. “It is our commitment to maintain and nurture the relationships we enjoy with travel experts in Asia and worldwide, so that together, we can continue to offer the world’s most discerning travelers the world’s best travel experiences.”

In the past year, the company has embarked on a tremendous brand expansion that has thus far seen the launch of Crystal Yacht Cruises’ Crystal Esprit, Crystal River Cruises’ Crystal Mozart and Crystal Luxury Air, a private jet charter service. Crystal Esprit, the boutique yacht, sails just 62 guests to exotic locales throughout Cosmopolitan Emirates, Dalmatian Coast and Seychelles, while the reimagined river ship sails quintessential itineraries to Europe’s most charming locales along the Danube River.

Adds Rodriguez, “As the individual travel styles of guests throughout the world continue to diversify, we will continue to expand in our offerings and our efforts to accommodate virtually any luxury traveler’s wish.

The Business of Fashion: Caerus Sends Constructive Letter to Kate Spade Board

Kate Spade Under Fire From Outside Investor Group

Caerus Investors, a New York City-based asset management firm focused on investing in consumer-related equities has sent a constructive letter to Nancy Karch, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kate Spade (NYSE:KATE) urging the Board to take steps to realize shareholder value by pursuing a sale of the company. The full text of the letter follows:

Nancy Karch, Chairman of the Board

(Kate Spade & Co, 2 Park Ave, New York, NY 100016)

cc: Kate Spade Board of Directors

Dear Nancy,

We are deeply concerned about the precipitous decline in the share price of Kate Spade over the last two and a half years brought about by management’s inability to meet their own stated goals. The stock has now fully retraced the entire gains from when the former Fifth and Pacific first announced its intention to isolate Kate Spade as a stand-alone entity in early 2013. While we have long admired the growth prospects for the Kate Spade brand, we have become increasingly frustrated by management’s inability to achieve profit margins comparable to industry peers. Given the market’s lack of faith in the current management team, as evidenced by the 63% decline in the shares since the intraday high on August 11th, 2014, we believe the best path for enhancing shareholder value is to pursue a sale of the company. We strongly believe that a strategic, industry player would be willing to pay a substantial premium to add this growth business to their portfolio.

Over $3bn in equity value destroyed in the last two and a half years

Kate Spade Stock Performance (Graphic: Business Wire)

We first invested in Kate Spade back in 2009 under parent company Liz Claiborne solely on the basis that the stand alone value of Kate Spade was grossly mispriced inside an apparel conglomerate with other poor performing assets and high levels of debt. We argued back then for the break-up of the company and were gratified when the Board finally made the decision to act in 2013. Shareholders were rewarded as the stock surged above $40 over the following year. Since those successful moves, material shareholder value has been destroyed by wasting time, energy and money on the former sub brand Kate Spade Saturday and management has missed interim sales and margin targets on 3 different occasions.

We are writing to you and the Board to let you know that real change is needed at Kate Spade. The equity market is grossly under-valuing the future growth opportunity of the business and the Board must act in the best interest of shareholders to maximize value for the company.

EBITDA Margins are woefully below peers

Kate Spade EBIDTA: Company filings and Bloomberg Consensus estimates. Kate Spade 2016 estimates are Caerus estimates. (Graphic: Business Wire)

EBITDA margins at Kate Spade are 400-1000bps below peers. Management has simply not delivered on stated margin targets resulting in the market doubting the prospects for the business.

Current Valuation Reflects little to no growth despite a 20% revenue and 42%

EBITDA CAGR

Kate Spade CAGR: CY2013-2015 are non GAAP actuals. 2016 estimates are Caerus estimates. (Graphic: Business Wire)

At one point during calendar year 2014, Kate shares traded at over 35x consensus EBITDA. Today, Kate Spade shares now trade at

Management and the Board have both stated on multiple occasions they see a path to $4bn in retail sales for Kate Spade, double the current run rate.

Barneys New York Launches Holiday 2016: Love Peace Joy Project

Featuring Exclusive Installations From Nick Cave, Rob Pruitt, Studio Job, Ebony G. Patterson, And Trey Parker And Matt Stone Of Comedy Central’s South Park

Barneys New York, the luxury specialty retailer, announces the launch of its 2016 holiday: Love Peace Joy Project. In the world’s current climate of increasing chaos and divisiveness, Barneys New York brings back the ever-needed presence of Love, Peace and Joy at a time when it is most necessary.

Celebrated artists has partnered with the retailer to create inventive interpretations of Love, Peace, and Joy, themes that continue to bring people together, especially during the holidays. The artists, who represent a wide range of styles and ideals, include visual and performance artist Nick Cave, contemporary artist Rob Pruitt, artist collective Studio Job, mixed media artist Ebony G. Patterson, and Trey Parker and Matt Stone of Comedy Central‘s South Park.

Barneys New York’s #LovePeaceJoyProject Holiday Graphic (PRNewsFoto/Barneys New York)

MEET THE ARTISTS

Barneys New York Madison Avenue Holiday Window – Nick Cave

Nick Cave is an internationally celebrated visual and performance artist based in Chicago. He is best-known for his sculptural works called Soundsuits that are performed in as well as exhibited. These mixed-media works include myriad materials and found objects to create visually and audibly dynamic experiences. Cave has received many prestigious awards including the Americans for the Arts Public Art Network Year in Review Award, the Joan Mitchell Foundation Award, and Joyce Award. He also has recently opened the massive and fully immersive installation Until at MASS MoCA.

Barneys New York Madison Avenue Holiday Window – Rob Pruitt

Rob Pruitt is an American post-conceptual artist based in New York City. Pruitt was born in 1964 in Washington, D.C. He studied at the Corcoran College of Art and Design in Washington, D.C. and Parsons School of Design in New York. His work has been featured in numerous solo-exhibitions including at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Detroit (2015); The Brant Foundation (2015); the Aspen Art Museum (2013); Dallas Contemporary (2011); Freiburg Kunstverein (2012); Le Consortium, Dijon (2002); and group exhibitions at the Tate Modern and Punta Della Dogana/Palazzo Grassi, Venice (both 2009), as well as performance-based projects at the Tate Modern (2009), Guggenheim Museum, New York (2009), and the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (2013). Pruitt is represented by Gavin Brown’s enterprise and {MDC} Massimo De Carlo. Pruitt has collaborated with Barneys New York previously on a custom bespoke degrade denim event with J Brand jeans and a site-specific mural for the Freds at Barneys New York in Beverly Hills.

Barneys New York Madison Avenue Holiday Window – Studio Job

Led by designers Job Smeets and Nynke Tynagel, the Antwerp and Amsterdam-based design and art atelier is known for their fantastical creations which balance the line of art and design. Works by Studio Job have been exhibited internationally at museums such as the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the MAD Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

Barneys New York Downtown Window – Ebony G. Patterson

Ebony G. Patterson is a Jamaican-born artist that creates highly entrancing, colorful paintings and installations that analyze larger societal issues. Patterson’s work revolves around questions of identity and the body, and takes the form of mixed media paintings, drawings and collages. This season, Patterson’s work is included in the 32nd Bienal de São Paolo, Brazil and her solo exhibition Dead Treez at the Boston University Art Galleries, which travels to the University of Buffalo Gallery in Spring 2017. Patterson is the recipient of many prestigious fellowships, awards and grants, most recently receiving the the 2016 Joan Mitchell Fellowship. Patterson currently lives and works in Kingston, Jamaica, and Lexington, Kentucky.

Barneys New York Madison Avenue Holiday Window – Trey Parker and Matt Stone of Comedy Central’s South Park

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are American writers, directors, producers and songwriters that are best known for co-creating the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning television series, South Park. Now in its 20th Season, South Park remains one of the most powerful forces of social satire on the air today. Parker and Stone are also the co-writers of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical, The Book of Mormon.

We Are Prism Featuring Honnda (Downtown)

Barneys New York Downtown Holiday Window – We Are Prism Featuring Honnda

For the southern downtown window, Barneys New York has partnered with We Are Prism, Elliot Kealoha Blanchard‘s award-winning design and animation studio, to create a custom video representing Love, Peace, and Joy. Bright kaleidoscopic colors, animation and abstracted video footage will be incorporated to create a visual style piece representative of the joyful holiday season using Barneys New York’s signature whimsical tone. The video will be displayed on two 80 inch screens playing the film on a staggered loop, accompanied by an original track by Honnda, a Brooklyn-based video and audio artist.

Evocative of the positive spirit found in Love, Peace and Joy, each artist interprets these themes in a unique and compelling manner. The windows encompass the core aesthetic of each respective artist as the base, but then add another level of innovation that is unique to the Barneys New York partnership, entertaining the viewers with a dynamic viewpoint on Love, Peace and Joy. Products from Studio Job and Nick Cave will also be available starting November 17th, with items ranging from custom lollipops for $18, to silk scarves for $240, and a bronzed stamp mirror for $5,595. This marks the fourth year that Christie® has collaborated on the Barneys New York Holiday Window Displays, helping to actualize the creative concepts and bring the windows to life with advanced visual technology. Christie is a global visual and audio technologies company that is a leader in providing the world’s most advanced projectors, complete system displays, and cinema audio solutions.

In addition to embracing the joyful holiday season at its Madison Avenue flagship, Barneys New York also brings its famed sense of wit and surprise to holiday window culture downtown for the first time in nearly two decades at the new downtown flagship in Chelsea. To further spread Love, Peace, and Joy, the retailer’s newly launched Barneys New York Foundation is debuting the #LovePeaceJoyProject, a crowdsourced social campaign to encourage audiences to share in the seasonal festivities while supporting charitable causes.

The Reef by CuisinArt Officially Opens on Merrywing Bay in Anguilla

Anguilla’s Newest Luxury Destination Opens with 80 Guestrooms, Exceptional Cuisine and Wellness Programming

The Reef by CuisinArt, a contemporary beachside Caribbean hotel, officially opens today. A sister property to CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, The Reef by CuisinArt features 80 state-of-the-art accommodations, a dramatic lobby entry and bar with sweeping ocean views, fitness center, boutique, two restaurants, and a spectacular pool.

The Lobby at The Reef by CuisinArt, Anguilla

“We are delighted to celebrate the launch of The Reef and welcome guests to Anguilla’s newest luxury and experiential beachfront destination,” said Stephane Zaharia, Vice President & General Manager of The Reef. “With its sister property, CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, we were able to tap into over a decade of hospitality expertise and seamlessly provide guests with the best that both properties have to offer.”

The Lobby Staircase at The reef by CuisinArt, Anguilla (Photo – Business Wire)

Located on Merrywing Bay on the Caribbean coast of Anguilla, The Reef by CuisinArt is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which selects only independently-minded properties with one thing in common: excellence. The Reef is a contemporary beachfront oasis of luxury that will feature stunning accommodations, world-class dining, cutting-edge technology and a plethora of activities including unique watersports, tennis with hardcourt play and preferred rates and tee times at CuisinArt Golf Club. Guests will also have access to the award-winning Venus Spa and additional culinary outlets offered at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa.

Lobby Bar at The Reef by CuisinArt, Anguilla

Lobby Fireplace at The Reef by CuisinArt, Anguilla

A member of Small Luxury Hotels of The World, The Reef features 80 accommodations that include 25 Golfview Junior Suites and 25 Seaview Junior Suites in the main building. Four additional beachfront buildings house 30 accommodations ranging from Beachfront Junior Suites to Corner Beachfront Junior Suites, Superior Beachfront Junior Suites and Deluxe Beachfront Junior Suites. The hotel’s open-air lobby affords a stunning view of the Caribbean Sea and is designed to evoke a yacht on land. Design accents including Italian ceramic tile floors, limestone walling fabricated in Bali, Royal Botania furniture and a dramatic spiral staircase leading to the restaurants and pool reveal a chic juxtaposition of relaxed Caribbean luxury and urban flair within moments of stepping foot on property.

Deluxe Beachfront Junior Suite

Main Building Suite View at The Reef by CuisinArt, Anguilla

Corner Beachfront Junior Suite at The Reef

Beachfront Junior Suite Bath

Deluxe Beachfront Junior Suite Master Bath

Deluxe Beachfront Junior Suite Outdoor Shower

The Reef offers a true gastronomic journey, using a farm-to-table approach that includes locally-sourced fish such as snapper, grouper and lobster, and fresh produce from CuisinArt’s on-site Hydroponic Farm, in addition to some of the most coveted global ingredients handpicked by Executive Chef Jasper Schneider. The Yacht Club, serving breakfast and dinner, offers a menu of sophisticated fare and extensive raw bar selections, with a brilliantly nautical design, including porthole inspired doors, sails draping down from the ceiling, and sailing photography that adorn the walls.

Suite detail at The Reef by CuisinArt, Anguilla

The Reef is also home to Breezes, a dazzling beachfront lunch restaurant and bar ideal for those craving a relaxed Caribbean experience. The restaurant’s Argentinian-style grill and wood fire allow for roasted fish and vegetables to be served directly from the oven. A poolside menu and light bites in the lobby lounge will be served. Guests at The Reef can also easily enjoy the exceptional cuisine that CuisinArt has to offer, including four restaurants, an intimate Chef’s Table experience that is unmatched in the Caribbean, cooking lessons and more, along with signing privileges at all of CuisinArt’s dining venues and complimentary transportation provided throughout the estate.

Adrianna Papell Announces New Exclusive Platinum Bridal Collection

Adrianna Papell, the brand that prides itself on making every moment and every woman feel special, is excited to announce an all new bridal collection licensed through special occasion dress manufacturer, House of Wu. The Adrianna Papell Platinum Collection will combine the elegance, sophistication, and exclusivity of Adrianna Papell with the reputation of House of Wu. Beginning in Spring 2017, brides worldwide will be thrilled to discover Adrianna Papell Platinum—a brand she has trusted for many other milestone occasions—as an option for her wedding day.

Adrianna Papell announces new exclusive Platinum Bridal Collection (PRNewsFoto-Adrianna Papell)

For 37 years, the Adrianna Papell Group has focused on a single mission: to make every woman feel beautiful. With an artisanal attention to detail, the Adrianna Papell collections are known for an elegance and flair that empowers women of all ages and silhouettes to feel their very best. Over the years, the Adrianna Papell Group has expanded its business across 15 countries through various channels, including free standing stores globally, and is fast growing its brand recognition in other apparel and fashion categories.

Jaynee Berkman, Adrianna Papell’s President and Chief Merchandising Officer, states, “We are excited about this opportunity to expand our product line to include true bridal gowns and reach this new channel of distribution. Brides brought us into the wedding business 2 years ago by wearing our evening dresses as bridesmaid, destination wedding, rehearsal dinner and reception dresses.”

House of Wu is renowned as the company that retailers worldwide trust for superior design, on-time performance, and retailer profitability. The House of Wu has paved its way in the bridal and formal wear industry for over two decades, standing behind their vision and brand tagline of providing “a dress for every dream“.

“I am excited to have this opportunity to partner with the designers of Adrianna Papell to develop this romantic styling of wedding gowns,” said Wen Wu, House of Wu’s President.

“House of Wu has developed retail partnerships which span over 26 years, and wedding salons trust them for their service and quality. We couldn’t ask for a better company to exclusively distribute this collection to their retail partners,” said Berkman.

The new collection can be seen at AdriannaPapellPlatinum.com

UBS celebrates Art Basel Miami Beach 2016

First Major Publication About UBS’s Renowned Art Collection In Nearly A Decade – UBS Art Collection: To Art Its Freedom, Published By Hatje Cantz – Debuts At Art Basel In Miami Beach

Accompanying Display In UBS Lounge Will Showcase Seminal Works Featured In The New Ubs Publication Including Those By Artists Cy Twombly, Alex Katz, Ed Ruscha, Tracey Emin, Sarah Morris And Doug Aitken

UBS will celebrate the opening of Art Basel Miami Beach 2016 by releasing its first major print publication on the UBS Art Collection in nearly a decade. UBS Art Collection: To Art its Freedom is a 274-page, deluxe hardback overview of the UBS Art Collection that includes a text on the history of the collection written by Mary Rozell, Global Head UBS Art Collection, as well as an essay by noted scholar Dieter Buchhart. The volume features more than 200 color illustrations of works by acknowledged masters such as Cy Twombly, Alighiero Boetti, Mary Heilmann, Ed Ruscha and Christopher Wool alongside a number of the collection’s recent acquisitions and works by emerging artists.

© 2016, ProLitteris, Zurich Alex Katz, Good Morning I, 1974 (Photo: Business Wire)

This publication, which will be launched at Art Basel Miami Beach 2016, provides the inspiration for the selection of artworks on view within the UBS lounge. UBS Art Collection: To Art its Freedom will feature more than 200 color illustrations and includes the text: “UBS Art Collection: A History and a Moment” written by Mary Rozell, Global Head UBS Art Collection, which presents a history of the Collection, as well as a view to its future. The central essay by noted art historian and curator Dieter Buchhart entitled “To Art its Freedom: A Collection as Emblem of Post-postmodern Polyphony” which contextualizes the Collection within the framework of art history and makes connections among the various featured works. The title of the publication is a quotation from the famous words above the entrance to the Secession Building in Vienna, “To Every Age its Art, to Art its Freedom,” which, according to Buchhart, reflects the spirit of the UBS Art Collection – one that endures and remains relevant, independent of changing circumstances or frameworks.

UBS And Contemporary Art

UBS’s long and substantial record of patronage in contemporary art enables clients and audiences to participate in the international conversation about art and the global art world through the firm’s global art platform. In addition to the UBS Art Collection, considered one of the world’s largest and most important corporate collections of contemporary art, UBS has an extensive roster of contemporary art programs that include the firm’s long-term support for the premier international Art Basel shows in Basel, Miami Beach and Hong Kong, for which UBS serves as global Lead Partner; the Guggenheim UBS MAP Global Art Initiative with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum; and a global exhibition tour of WOMEN: New Portraits, an exhibition of newly commissioned photographs by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz. These activities are complemented by a number of regional partnerships with fine art institutions including the Fondation Beyeler in Switzerland, Galleria d’Arte Moderna in Milan, the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark, the Deichtorhallen in Hamburg and the Art Gallery of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia. UBS also provides its clients with insight into the contemporary art world through the free art news app UBS Planet Art, collaborations with the Swiss Institute, and the online resource Artsy, as well as through the UBS Arts Forum. (For more information about UBS’s commitment to contemporary art, visit www.ubs.com/art.)

Today the UBS Art Collection is considered one of the largest and most important corporate collections of contemporary art in the world. Comprised of various individual art collections with unique attributes that have been integrated over time through a series of mergers and acquisitions – notably between Union Bank of Switzerland, Swiss Bank Corporation and PaineWebber Inc. – the UBS Art Collection currently includes more than 30,000 paintings, works on paper, photography, sculpture, video and installations by artists from 73 countries. The vast majority of these works are displayed in more than 800 UBS offices around the world, serving as an inspiration for employees and a platform for dialogue with clients and the public.

Lord & Taylor Unveil 2016 “Enchanted Forest” Holiday Windows

The iconic Lord & Taylor flagship store on New York City’s Fifth Avenue unveiled its 79th annual world-renowned holiday windows on Thursday, November 10 with a grand event in partnership with Save the Children and an exciting performance by breakout musician Daya.

Lord & Taylor 2016 Holiday Windows. Photo credits: Dia Dipasupil & Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Lord & Taylor introduced its first-ever animated holiday windows in 1937. Considered a gift to the city, the retailer never includes commercial products in its animated holiday window displays on Fifth Avenue. The windows are created by a team of nearly 75 craftsmen, artists and engineers who have spent more than 35,000 hours perfecting every detail over the course of nine months. The vignettes are initially constructed off-site, then installed and finished in the basement of the Fifth Avenue flagship. In the days leading up to the unveiling, they are raised into the street-level windows on hydraulics—a unique feature of the 102-year-old landmarked building.

Mother owl perched on her treetop nest, protecting her new-born babies: Lord & Taylor 2016 Holiday Windows. Photo credits: Dia Dipasupil & Cindy Ord, Getty Images

This year, Lord & Taylor’s Enchanted Forest Holiday Windows take customers on a whimsical winter journey. The five windows flanking Fifth Avenue have been transformed, portraying scenes of a winter wonderland filled with 34 hand-sculpted spirited holiday animals. Over 350 square feet of LED walls enhance each vignette. The flagship’s façade features more than 9,000 feet of mixed garland, foliage, twinkling lights and cheerful holiday music, completing the magical display.

Wrapped in a wreath, a gaggle of geese snow-shoe through the forest: Lord & Taylor 2016 Holiday Windows. Photo credits – Dia Dipasupil & Cindy Ord, Getty Images

Peaceful foxes slumbering underground, while dancing raccoons try to wake them: Lord & Taylor 2016 Holiday Windows. Photo credits – Dia Dipasupil & Cindy Ord, Getty Images 

The five animated scenes feature:

• Bunnies ice-skating on a forest pond, while squirrels play above play
• Mice frolicking merrily with their bear friend, who’s covered in snow
• Mother owl perched on her treetop nest, protecting her new-born babies
• Peaceful foxes slumbering underground, while dancing raccoons try to wake them
• Wrapped in a wreath, a gaggle of geese snow-shoe through the forest
  

  Bunnies ice-skating on a forest pond, while squirrels play above play: Lord & Taylor 2016 Holiday Windows. Photo credits: Dia Dipasupil & Cindy Ord, Getty Images

  

  Mice frolicking merrily with their bear friend, who’s covered in snow: Lord & Taylor 2016 Holiday Windows. Photo credits: Dia Dipasupil & Cindy Ord, Getty Images 

Start Your Holiday Gift Shopping Early At Couture and Cosmetics

The Best Gifts of the Season Starts with Paula Hian Designs and Laini Cosmetics

While Black Friday is just around the corner, why wait until then to start buying that special gift for yourself and your loved ones, the ones both you and they will love and cherish long after the last drop of celebratory champagne has been consumed on New Year’s Eve?

Couture and Cosmetics, a Holiday Pop-Up Shop Collaboration between Paula Hian Designs and Laini Cosmetics, will take place Thursday, November 17th at 6-9PM at the Paula Hian Designs Showroom located at 106 Gay Street, Manayunk, PA, 19127. There you will be able to indulge in your love for luxury knitwear, accessories and winter outerwear, while perusing and purchasing versatile and quality makeup products that will perfectly compliment your new clothes. If you are lucky—and you will be – you will also find some holiday treasures for your friends and family as well. Remember the rule: “One gift for them, Two for me”

Laini Cosmetics is a labor of love collection curated by Style and Beauty Expert, Laini Bianculli. Her company’s objective is to restore light to your complexion and overall makeup look in every category of the brand’s ready to wear products. Chief Creative & Image Director of www.StyleWithLaini.com, Miss Bianculli understands the need for versatile quality cosmetics that complement your fashion choices and your 24/7 lifestyle; the products in the Laini Cosmetics product lines confidently take you in minutes from boardroom to boudoir.

Laini Cosmetics’ Curated Collections will be of special interest to prospective guests at Couture and Cosmetics (Red Carpet Lip Palette, $30.00; Ink Jet Eyeliner, $25.00; Brow Kit, $25.00; and Starlight Lashes, $12.00 – $95.00).

The RSVP Ready Laini Cosmetics Holiday Collection is highly complimentary to the pieces in the Paula Hian 2016 Fall/Winter Collection and especially when paired with the Paula Hian Patricia/Renee embroidered suit.

Miss Hian herself describes the collection, manufactured exclusively in France in knitted in viscose-Lycra Italian yarns, as “graphic, bold and textured; either toned down in tailored form or jazzed up for more dramatic fashion.”

For Fall/Winter 2016, her knit tweeds and abstract plaids are intended to look crisp and soft at the same time “to reflect the feminine/menswear vibe I am looking to portray.”

The colors run the spectrum from black and navy to azure blue, poppy and electric blue into tonal greys. “I see these colors and the mixtures of them as ‘Paula neutrals’… to cleanse the palate. I am not a beige person- ever. Rarely pastels. These colors feel Fall 2016 to me rather than the browns and more traditional autumn-looking shades. The touches of grey I feel gives it the fall edge, and adding white for highlights.” (The Paula Hian 2016 Fall/Winter Collection is presently available online at www.paulahian.com.)

As you sip the complimentary champagne and/or wine at this special event, the Paula Hian 2016 Fall/Winter Collection, accessories and more, will be on display in the showroom and Miss Bianculli will be available to do mini makeovers and teach guests new makeup application techniques using the Laini Cosmetics makeup line. She will also help guests match their Paula Hian purchases with the proper makeup, all of which will be available for ordering during the evening. Think of this as an upscale designer trunk show with all the extra trimmings. Is there a better way to start the holiday?

Guests attending Couture and Cosmetics will receive an EXCLUSIVE discount code that will last one week (November 17th-24th) for purchases on both www.lainicosmetics.com and www.paulahian.com.

“Our Couture & Cosmetics holiday shopping event is the perfect time to shop, sip and sample Paula’s stunning designs paired seamlessly with my rich in color pigment and texture cosmetics designed to complement your fashion choices all while recognizing and supporting local women in business. To celebrate our collaboration and the start of the holiday season we will be offering 25% off your purchases at our in-showroom event on Thursday, November 17th and on-line shopping through Cyber Monday,” says Bianculli.

Adds Miss Hian, “It was a pleasure working with Laini and her team at our last event. I am very much looking forward to working with her again and helping our guests to look their absolute best for the upcoming holiday party season. It should be a lot of fun for everyone.”

For more information on Couture and Cosmetics, email showroom@paulahian.com, call 215-487-3067, www.paulahian.com, or Laini Bianculli at lainicosmetics@gmail.com.

Harlem Fine Arts Show Returns to Chicago December 9-11

The Harlem Fine Arts Show (HFAS) the largest traveling African Diasporic art show and sale in the United States, will return to Chicago Dec. 9–11 at a new venue, Life Creative, 1655 W. Walnut, in the city’s trendy West Loop. The show debuted in Chicago in 2014, as one stop on a multi-city tour, that includes New York, Atlanta, Martha’s Vineyard, and Washington, D.C.

First held in February 2010 in New York City, the Harlem Fine Arts Show has attracted more than 80,000 visitors, including collectors, art enthusiasts, educators, students, and professionals. Over 80 nationally- and internationally-known artists, including Leroy Campbell, Paul Goodnight, Michael Escoffery, Frank Frazier, Woodrow Nash, Dane Tilghman, Brenda Joysmith, and Glenn Tunstull have been a part of the show. In addition, highly-regarded arts establishments, including Louisville’s E&S Gallery, Water Kolours Fine Art in Memphis and New York’s Savacou Gallery have also contributed works to the show.

The mission of the HFAS is to rekindle the creativity of the renaissance in arts and culture that swept through both Harlem and Bronzeville in the early part of the 20^th Century. With noted national and international fine artists and the show will be a sought-after destination for both seasoned and beginning collectors.

“Chicago continues to be one of the most important stops for our show, and we are particularly pleased to return as the city celebrates the centennial of the Great Migration,” says Dion Clarke, founder of the Harlem Fine Art Show. “We are excited to bring our nationally-recognized artists to this new venue, and welcome the many partners who are participating in the show this year.“

The Show’s schedule is as follows:

Friday, Dec. 9th is designated as Youth Empowerment Day, when students from public, private and charter schools are invited to participate in complimentary tours of the show, and seminars with artists from 9am – 1pm. The show opens to the public at 6 p.m. Friday evening with an Opening Night Reception benefiting the North Shore (IL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

Crystal Elevates Global Luxury Travel to New Heights with Crystal AirCruises Innovative Itineraries for 2017 & 2018

Lavish, Specialized Itineraries Now Available For Booking, Opening A World Of Options For Luxury Travelers

On the heels of the landmark announcement of Crystal AirCruises’ inaugural journey, Crystal revealed more of its 2017 and 2018 global itineraries for its privately owned Boeing 777-209LR, which are now open for booking.

Each innovative Crystal AirCruises itinerary is based on four curated all-inclusive destination experiences from which guests can choose, as well as mix and match to create their ideal vacation: “Exhilarating Adventures,” “Personal Connections,” “Cultural Discoveries,” and “Tantalizing Gastronomy.” For the ultimate custom Crystal AirCruises voyage, Crystal’s Designed by You option offers travelers the services of the Crystal AirCruises Director, the expert concierge who hosts the entire AirCruise and land experience, attending to guests’ individual needs and wishes throughout. Designed by You goes beyond the extensive selection of curated experiences, allowing guests to create unstructured programs customized to their wishes.

The luxuriously appointed jet will transport travelers on all-inclusive journeys of 15 to 29 days, visiting the world’s most coveted destinations, both exotic and remote. Along the way, guests will enjoy five-star accommodations in each destination. Crystal AirCruises’ itineraries focus on luxury travelers’ interests, with options curated for culinary enthusiasts, history buffs, adrenaline seekers and exotic explorers. Guests will spend an average of 2 to 3 nights in each destination, staying at the finest hotels, resorts, safari lodges and eco-villages, chosen for their ideal location, luxury service and unique connection to the culture of the surrounding landscapes.

The luxuriously designed aircraft is larger and newer than any global jet tour travel option, appointed with features rarely found in even the most luxurious private jets. The Crystal Exclusive Class seats are designed for maximum personal space and ergonomic comfort, and convert to 180-degree lie-flat beds. The expansive social lounge with stand-up bar and dedicated table seating fosters friendly camaraderie among luxury travelers. Cuisine will be prepared by a dedicated executive chef in two state-of-the-art galleys and paired with an elegant premium wine list.

Crystal AirCruises-Boeing 777-209LR (Photo – Business Wire)

The itineraries set for fall 2017, and spring and fall 2018 include:

August 31, 2017: The Peninsula Grand Inaugural Crystal AirCruise

(Round-trip New York, 27 days) – Visiting New York, Chicago, Los Angeles; Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, China; Manila, Philippines; Bangkok, Thailand; and Paris, France

October 21, 2017: Around the World: Iconic Sites & Legendary Locales

(Round-trip Los Angeles, 29 days) – Visiting Los Angeles; Lima, Peru; Easter Island, Polynesia; Uluru (Ayers Rock), Australia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Lhasa, Tibet; Jaipur, India; Mauritius, East Africa; Victoria Falls, Zambia; and Prague, Czech Republic

June 1, 2018: Savoring the Winelands

(Round-trip San Francisco, 16 days) – Visiting San Francisco; Santiago, Chile; Mendoza, Argentina; Cape Town, South Africa; Tuscany, Italy; Bordeaux and Champagne/Paris, France

June 24, 2018: Sacred Sites, Seashells & Safaris

(Round-trip New York City, 22 days) – Visiting New York City; Tokyo, Japan; Yangon, Myanmar; Gan Island, Maldives; Agra, India; Victoria Falls, Zambia; Cape Town, South Africa; and Vienna, Austria

September 8, 2018: Exotic Adventures

(Round-trip New York City, 22 days) – Visiting New York City; Lima, Peru; Easter Island, Polynesia; Cairns, Australia; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Lhasa, China; Agra, India; Cape Town, South Africa; and Abu Dhabi, UAE

October 13, 2018: South Pacific Explorer

(Round-trip Los Angeles, 15 days) – Visiting Los Angeles; Easter Island, Polynesia; Bali, Indonesia; Cairns, Australia; Queenstown, New Zealand; and Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Three, Two, One…Holiday! Amazon.com Launches Black Friday Deals Store and Curated Holiday Gift Guides

This Holiday Season, Customers Can Enjoy More Deals Than Ever Before On Everything From Hd Tvs To Stylish Kitchen Staples To Some Of The Most Popular Toys Of The Year

To Help Customers Find The Perfect Gift For Everyone On Their Shopping List, Amazon Offers Curated Holiday Gift Guides For Electronics, Home, Handmade, And Other Categories

Alexa, What Are Your Deals? New This Year, Prime Members Can Use Alexa Voice Shopping To Shop For Almost Anything, Including Exclusive Deals For Customers With An Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, Amazon Fire Tv, Or Fire Tablet

Amazon.com has announced the launch of its Black Friday Deals Store and more than a dozen curated holiday gift guides, officially marking the start of the holiday countdown. Customers can enjoy tens of thousands of deals this holiday season on Amazon.com, with new deals as often as every five minutes on everything from HD TVs to stylish kitchen staples to some of the most popular toys of the year. In addition, Amazon offers curated holiday gift guides to help take the guesswork out of shopping for loved ones and make it easier for customers to find the perfect gift for everyone on their list.

“Customers love discovering the best deals on the most sought-after products, and our Black Friday Deals Store and curated Holiday Gift Guides offer them a place to do just that – plus enjoy the most convenient shopping experience with tons of super-fast shipping options,” said Doug Herrington, Senior Vice President of North American Retail at Amazon. “This holiday season, we’re offering more deals than ever before and – for the first time ever – giving Prime members an opportunity to use Alexa voice shopping for purchasing their holiday gifts hands-free. They can make purchases simply by asking Alexa-enabled devices, like the new Echo Dot, while relaxing at home with family and friends.”

Black Friday Deals Store

Available at www.amazon.com/blackfriday, the Black Friday Deals Store is the leading deals destination for customers with tens of thousands of deals, and new deals as often as every five minutes, now through December 22. Customers can enjoy more deals than ever before this holiday season, including low prices on top gifts such as electronics, toys, clothing, jewelry, kitchen items, and more. In fact, Amazon is offering up to 20 compelling Deals of the Day in a single day. Some examples of the great deals Amazon customers can take advantage of this holiday season include: $20 off the Kindle Paperwhite, savings on an LG 55” 1080p Curved Smart OLED TV, and up to 40% off select Magformers toys.

Electronics Gift Guide

Available at www.amazon.com/electronicsgiftguide, the 2016 Amazon Electronics Gift Guide features more than 500 of this year’s hottest technology products all in one convenient location. Enthusiasts can explore new releases such as 360-degree cameras and buzz-worthy gifts like virtual reality headsets and 3D printers. The Electronics Gift Guide also features innovations from up-and-coming startups in the Amazon Launchpad program. Customers can browse more than 10 categories, including smart home, home entertainment, music, wearables, photography, gaming, gadgets and gizmos, and more. The Electronics Gift Guide also includes expert reviews and product demonstration videos to help customers find the perfect gift. And shoppers looking for budget-friendly gift ideas can find top gifts under $100.

Home Gift Guide

Available at www.amazon.com/homegiftguide, the 2016 Amazon Home Gift Guide is a curated list of more than a thousand of this season’s must-have products for the home. Filled with gift ideas for indoors and outdoors, customers can easily discover presents for everyone on their list, including cooks, bakers, home decorators, arts and crafters, smart home tech lovers, pets, backyard enthusiasts, kids and more, curated by experts in the industry such as Smitten Kitchen and Design*Sponge. Holiday decorators and party planners will find everything they need to set a festive scene at home. Customers can also shop the latest trends in the Home Gift Guide, including copper appliances, rose gold cutlery, and handmade ceramics, as well as browse products that are new this holiday season, including the KitchenAid Mini, NEST Fragrances Classic Candle (Hearth), Petcube Play Wi-Fi Pet Camera, and Bissell 1650A Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum.

Handmade at Amazon Holiday Gift Guide

Available at www.amazon.com/handmade, the Handmade at Amazon Holiday Gift Guide offers customers curated lists of genuinely handcrafted items sold directly by artisans. Featuring products for her, for him, and for kids, as well as handcrafted stocking stuffers for friends and family, the Gift Guide makes finding the perfect holiday present easier than ever. Heading into this holiday season, Amazon customers visiting the Handmade at Amazon store will see hundreds of thousands more handcrafted items, thousands of which are eligible for Free Two-Day Shipping with Amazon Prime. For shoppers looking for a personal touch, over half of the items listed on Handmade have options for customer personalization. With handcrafted items in categories from toys and games, to home décor, handbags and accessories and kitchen and dining, Handmade at Amazon is a one-stop-shop for artisan-crafted gifts this holiday season.