C H I N E S E L U X U R Y A N D L I F E S T Y L E

SUMMER ISSUE 2014

www.phoenixintlmag.com

ISSN

193

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40

MING DAOSOARING UP AND ABOVE

MCLAREN 650S勁車發表 邁凱倫650S

FINE DINING ON THELAS VEGAS STRIP賭城精緻美食

明道大眾情人

BALIESCAPE TO PARADISE

漫遊仙境 巴里島

35PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL • FALL 2013

CHRONICLESof

By David Christopher Lee with additional reporting by Setorii Pond

The

LUXURY

奢 華 紀 事

3534 PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL • SUMMER 2014PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL • SUMMER 2014

ADVENTURES IN LUXURY

比佛利山貝萊爾（Bel-Air）豪宅

座落於比佛利山以西的貝萊爾（Bel-Air）是洛杉磯最矜貴的區域之ㄧ。企業家伊隆馬斯克（Elon Musk）、前第一夫人南西雷根（Nancy Reagan）、金卡達珊以及無數其他名人都住在這裡。

這裡有如茵的綠草、居高臨下的海景、山谷間的公園等等，是暫離洛杉磯擁塞的交通與喧囂的臨近選擇。當然，價格也很高昂。最近，位於貝萊爾的豪宅百合之花（Fleur de Lys es-tate）以一億零四百萬美元的價格售出，同時創下洛杉磯房產的最高銷售記錄！

最近，我有機會參觀豪宅「鷹眼（Falconview）」。甫抵達十五呎高的鐵門柵欄，我就感覺自己即將進入一個許多人夢寐以求，卻只有少數人足以一探究竟的豪華世界。鑄鐵柵欄豪華壯觀，威嚴、也同時優雅可親。

進入鐵門，是長達三分之一哩的車道，沿途，經過一個漂亮寬闊的公園 - 面積達一英畝的私人公園，上面還有兩層樓高的遊戲屋以及人造草皮！再來，透過兩側蓊鬱林木的樹梢，我瞥見洛杉磯市區，然後是豪宅的一小部分，讓我越發期待。終於，抵達位於山頂，佔地三點五英畝的豪宅「鷹眼」。一望無垠、完全沒有其他房屋阻隔的視線，讓人馬上體會主人將這棟豪宅命名為「鷹眼」的緣故。

四周滿是綠草如茵，放眼望去，洛杉磯市區、海灣盡收眼底，甚至可遠眺凱特利那島（Catalina Island）。頂端，我們 穿過另一座柵欄，來到中央鋪滿鵝卵石的庭院，中央還有噴泉。視線穿過中庭，可以看到豪宅正面、各種花卉形成的愛心圖案。主建築採地中海建築風格; 內部面積八千七百平方呎，共有七個臥室，八個浴室，雖然寬敞卻顯得十分溫暖。同時，制高點的地理位置也讓他能躲過媒體與大眾的窺探，具有絕佳的隱私性。

波多黎哥叢林之旅

為了參加MINI Cooper的全球媒體發表會，我來到位於波多黎哥艾爾朵拉多海灘（El Dorado Beach）、全球僅有兩間（另一間在泰國）的麗思卡爾頓精品度假村（Ritz Carlton Reserve）。這個保留區原是洛克斐勒家族所有，佔地一千兩百英畝，裡面有高爾夫球場、水公園、知名餐廳Jose Andres Restaurant，以及絕美的海灘。開幕僅一年，就已經吸引瑪麗亞凱莉、碧昂絲等名人前來。

在試駕活動開始之前，MINI先在沙灘、襯著湛藍的加勒比海與彩虹，舉辦了一場別開生面的新車發表餐會。然後，試駕活動期間，我們得依照指示開往波多黎哥各地標，拍下照片，完成這尋寶遊戲。叢林道路崎嶇而蜿蜒，有時僅夠一台MINI駛過。駕馭感超乎想像：不僅加速極快、過彎靈活快速; 車體雖小巧，內部空間卻比想像中更寬敞、更舒適。對出沒於大都會的車主來說，MINI無疑是很理想的選擇。不但找車位容易，強大的馬力也足夠在車陣裡呼嘯而過。

加州棕櫚沙漠市（Palm Desert）的忙碌週末

為了阿斯頓馬丁（Aston Martin ）的賽事、時裝秀以及馬球賽，我在距離洛杉磯兩小時半車程的加州棕櫚沙漠市度過忙碌的週末。棕櫚泉時尚生活誌（Palm Springs Life Magazine）與六位設計師共同舉辦一場服裝秀，其中包括新近竄紅的設計師Michael Costello。從我為Michael Costell拍攝時裝錄影以來，我與他認識已超過七年之久。最近，他因為設計碧昂絲出席葛萊美獎的禮服而聲名大噪（超級性感的晚禮服向來是Michael Costell的招牌），我也深深為他感到驕傲。

服裝秀在購物中心El Paseo舉行，以Costello的MT Costello line展開序幕，然後是決戰時裝伸展台的設計師 Uli Herzner、Viktor Luna、Ari for Andy South、Irina Shabayeva 以及Helen Castillo等人的系列。席間，有 Double Cross Vodka、Campari、Wild Turkey等雞尾酒與Cambria紅酒。El Paseo可說是棕櫚泉一帶時尚業的中心，為期七天的時尚週針對貴客展出一系列晚禮服、彩妝、潮流生活等，甚至有多位知名設計師展出首次發表的系列：來自馬來西亞的設計師冼書瀛（Zang Toi）展出亮眼的翡翠綠系列，旗艦店甫於當地開幕的JM Couture也發表包括禮服、比基尼以及小禮服等設計服裝。

服裝秀之後，我與友人 Setorii Pond 前往位於蘭裘米拉基市（Rancho Mirage）的Flemings餐廳，參加比佛利山的阿斯頓馬丁（Aston Mar t in）舉辦的晚宴。席間，路易十三干邑白蘭 地讓我驚豔，也讓晚餐更為豐美。經銷商O’Gara Coach邀請貴賓參加週末的試駕活動，包括新款V12 Vantage S、V8 Vantage、DB9、Rapide S，以及旗艦車款Vanquish Coupe與Volan-te。車迷Setorii對經典車款到最摩登的新進車款都非常喜歡，自然是試駕的最好拍檔。我們乘車來到位於知名賽車場Ther-mal Club。這個僅開放給會員的車場有長達四哩半的賽道，以及湛藍天空、沙漠與山丘的寬闊視野。 我們首先試駕V12 Vantage S，這讓第一次試駕V12 Vantage S的我有點緊張。踏緊油門，在三點七秒內我就從零加速到時速六十哩，然後再到時速九十哩。接著，我們來到狹窄蜿蜒的車道嘗試V8 Vantage，強勁的風讓我幾乎有點招架不住，這下我知道賽車手可不是份輕鬆的工作。試駕時，經銷商O’Gara Coach的教練會透過無線電對講機指導我們如何操控，好像身旁就有私人教練一樣。其中，我最喜歡的部分是學習如何在溼滑的車道上轉向。教練教我們踩緊油門，將車轉向左，然後煞車。霎時就能感受到車體強大的力量，有機會我一定要來嘗試。

此外，Thermal Club就在機場的隔壁，同時附近更有私人別墅正在興建當中。許多擁有迷人賽車的車主只要搭乘私人飛機到這裡，無需舟車勞頓，就可以輕鬆駕駛把玩他們的阿斯頓馬丁、法拉利等珍貴名車，然後到家好好休息。回程時，機場更近在咫尺。

我參加過許多馬球賽，其中當然不外乎名人、香檳與豪華的排場...當然這次也不例外。最大的差別就是，以往觀賽的我這次成了選手！在阿斯頓馬丁的試駕活動結束後，我來到Indio的馬球俱樂部Empire Polo Club參加馬球賽。打馬球的感覺如何？恩，想像你騎在馬上，一面得保持平衡，一面還得帶個球棍，當然是非常地刺激又有趣！

在教練 Ebe Sievwright 詳細的解說示範之後，我們在馬球場油亮的草地上享用了一頓豐盛的餐點與香檳，直到夜幕升起，也為這個為時尚、奢華、極速與友人包圍的繁忙週末畫下美好句點。另外，這次體驗之後，我們都成了馬球迷，我甚至已經報名參加加州馬球會未來一季的馬球課！

37PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL • SUMMER 2014

THE CHRONICLES OF LUXURY

with the Aston Martin Racing Experience, we played polo at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. So, what is it like to play polo? Imagine galloping on a horse while balancing and carrying a mallet across a field. It was exhilarating!

After being instructed by our knowledgeable coach Ebe Sievwright, we enjoyed a decadent spread of food and champagne amongst the lush rolling polo greens organized by Katty Wong. We stayed until the stars came out and it was a spectacular ending to an en-thralling weekend filled with fashion, luxury, speed, and friends. We are definitely hooked on polo now; I have already signed up for a season of polo classes at the California Polo Club.

A Majestic Estate in Bel-Air

Just west of Beverly Hills, Bel-Air is the wealthiest and most exclusive neighborhood in all of Los Angeles. Home to presidents, billionaires, and celebrities, Bel-Air’s residents include tech billionaire Elon Musk, former First Lady Nancy Reagan, musician Kanye West and wife Kim Kardashian, and countless other household names.

With ocean views from the hills, and an oasis of green trees, plants and gardens nestled in its canyons, Bel-Air is a breath of fresh air for LA’s residents who want to live away from the traffic and chaos of the city. But, living in such an oasis comes at a price – a very high price. Recently, the Fleur de Lys estate in Bel-Air sold for $104 million – a record for the city of Los Angeles!

I recently had the pleasure of touring the Falconview Estate (www.FalconviewBelAir.com), the ultimate entertainment compound. Arriv-ing at the lower gates of Falconview, it felt like I was about to enter a very private and exclusive world – a world that many aspire to have, yet few attain. The gates, nearly 15 feet tall of magnificent yet impos-ing iron, somehow seem to deter and welcome me at the same time.

Once approved for entry I began my ascent on a third of a mile long driveway, up and around and up some more. I passed a beautiful expanse of green and realized that what looks like a park is actually just that, but it’s a private park, nearly one acre and complete with a two-story playhouse and putting greens. Onward as the ascent con-tinued, I caught a glimpse of the city below. Through the trees – and there were literally hundreds of trees – I saw the villa towering above and the anticipation continued to build. As I approached the highest

point of the 3.5-acre property, the sheer majesty of the Falconview Estate presented itself and it was obvious how it attained its name.

The views from the top of the hillside are unsurpassed by any estate in Bel-Air. Canopies of green erupt all around, eventually pointing to the city below and out to the ocean and Catalina Island beyond. At the top of the estate, a second set of iron gates awaited and pass-ing through, a cobblestone courtyard welcomed me with a stunning fountain at its center.

Overlooking the courtyard and looking down to the front entrance of the home was a large, red heart formed by an array of vibrant flow-ers. Even on such a grand scale, this 8,770 square foot, 7-bedroom and 8-bath Mediterranean villa was a warm and loving home. The Falconview Estate proved perfect for a business executive or celeb-rity to be at home high above the prying eyes of the paparazzi and general public.

ADVENTURES IN LUXURY

Voyage to the Jungles of Puerto Rico

I ventured off to El Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico to the Ritz Carlton Reserve for the MINI Cooper International Press Launch. As one of the two Ritz Carlton Reserves (the other is in Thailand), it is home to the original Rockefeller Estate. The 1,200-acre property includes a golf course, water park, a Jose Andres Restaurant, and gorgeous beach. The property is only about a year old, but it has al-ready hosted a number of A-list celebrities, including Mariah Carey and Beyonce.

Before taking the car out for a drive, MINI hosted a fabulous break-fast by the beach with a breathtaking show. MINIs were strategically displayed on the sand in front of the ocean with a gorgeous rainbow backdrop over the Caribbean Sea. After breakfast we were sent out on a wild scavenger hunt to take pictures of landmarks throughout Puerto Rico. The jungle roads were windy and so narrow at times that only one MINI could drive through at a time! The driving experi-ence was incredible. The car accelerates extremely fast and can turn on a dime. Despite its compact size, the interior was surprisingly very spacious and comfortable. The MINI Cooper is the perfect car if you live in the big city; It’s small enough to find parking anywhere and powerful enough to zoom through traffic.

An Action Packed Weekend in Palm Desert, California

I took a trip to the desert for an action packed weekend of Aston Martin Racing, glamorous fashion shows, and a day of polo! The festivities were centered in the Palm Desert just two and a half hours outside of Los Angeles. Palm Springs Life Magazine presented an exciting evening with six Project Runway designers including break-out star Michael Costello. I’ve known Michael Costello for more than seven years now; we’ve kept in touch since I directed his first fashion video. I’m so proud of him for designing Beyonce’s Grammy dress and finally getting the notoriety he truly deserves (drop dead sexy evening gowns have always been his staple). The event took place under a posh tent in El Paseo, Palm Desert; the evening opened with Costello’s MT Costello line. The show was followed by a fashion show featuring Project Runway All Stars: Uli Herzner, Viktor Luna, Ari for Andy South, Irina Shabayeva and Helen Castillo.

Guests sipped on cocktails by Double Cross Vodka, Campari, Wild Turkey, and wine by Cambria. El Paseo is the epicenter of luxury retail in the greater Palm Springs area. Fashion Week is a consum-er/industry driven event for shoppers who are looking to purchase gowns after viewing them live on the runway. The seven-day fashion, beauty, and lifestyle extravaganza is a celebration of art, talent, and the latest creations by some of the best designers in the world. Malaysian designer Zang Toi premiered an Emerald City inspired collection while JM Couture premiered its first major collection filled

with evening gowns, bikinis, and cocktail dresses.

Following the fashion show, Setorii Pond and I attended a dinner at Flemings in Rancho Mirage hosted by Aston Martin of Beverly Hills. No luxurious meal would be complete without Louis XIII and I was definitely impressed to see the bottle when it was presented to our table! O’Gara Coach (Aston Martin Dealership) invited their clients out to a weekend of racing lessons to test out the stunning new V12 Vantage S, the V8 Vantage, DB9, Rapide S, and of course the flag-ship Vanquish Coupe and Volante. Setorii was the perfect teammate since she is an avid car collector and loves driving cars ranging from classic to modern. We raced the cars at the Thermal Club located in the city of Thermal which is known for being the premiere private motorsports facility in the world. The 4.5 miles of members-only race-track has views of the desert mountains and gleaming blue skies, and houses some of the fastest cars in the world.

Our first exercise was putting the pedal to the metal on the V12 Vantage S. This was my first time on the racetrack so I was a bit nervous since I had no idea what to expect. I was instructed to floor the pedal and crush the brake at the first orange cone. OK, well, simple enough, that’s exactly what I did. In 3.7 seconds, I went from 0 mph to 60 mph and eventually, got up to 90 mph. When I crushed the brake, I could smell the brake pads--those are some great brakes! We tested the V8 Vantage on a smaller track with swerving turns and narrow paths. Now, that was intense! After my first run, let’s just say I had the wind knocked out of me. I now know that being a race-car driver is definitely a lot of hard work. While we were driving, we were given instructions by the team at O’Gara Coach via walkie-talkie. It was like having your own personal driving coach next to you. My favorite track experience was learning how to swerve the car over a wet track. We were instructed to tap the accelerator to the floor, turn the car all the way to the left, and then brake. You could really feel the power of the vehicle; this was definitely something on my bucket list that I could check off.

The Thermal Club is located strategically next to the Thermal Airport. While many sports car owners have drop-dead gorgeous, speedy, sexy cars, they rarely get to drive them to their full potential. Private villas are currently being built around the track so that owners will eventually be able to fly into the Thermal airport, race their Aston Martins and Ferraris, hang out at their homes, and when they are finished, they won’t have to travel far to fly out. Throw in some amaz-ing amenities, jet chartering, and personal assistant services and you’re all set!

I’ve been to many polo matches and I love everything about them -- the glitz, the glam, the people, the champagne— it doesn’t get any better than that...or can it? Usually, I’m a spectator but this time, I was the one on the horse and in the game. After our wild adventure

A

38 PHOENIX INTERNATIONAL • SUMMER 2014

THE CHRONICLES OF LUXURY