Here, the art of living is given pride of place. Artists' portraits, contemporary furnishings, decorative items, beauty products and restaurants meet everypossible desire.
After Cannes, the Carmen Steffens brand blending luxury and glamour is inaugurating a boutique in Nice this month. On the agenda, dizzy high-heeled shoes and sandals, jewelled tongs and a plethora of matching accessories, including flamboyant leather purses and bags. For spring 2014, Carmen Steffens proposes daring solar and fluorescent colours. 4 rue de la Liberté, Nice.
The iconic “Lady Dior” bag has opted for colour to announce the imminent arrival of the spring. This audacious version in satin with floral incrustations is a real work of art demonstrating the expertise of the workshops of the renowned “maison de couture”. Always carried by hand, for an allure so Dior ! 38 boulevard de la Croisette, Cannes (04 92 98 98 00).
Giving a cool start to the new year, charismatic chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa has chosen the Principality to complete his collection of “Nobu” restaurants. After Beverly-Hills, New York, Milan, London, Honolulu, Peking, Moscow and Dubai, it is now at the Fairmont Hotel that the signature dishes which have made his reputation can now be relished : black cod yuzu miso, Wagyu beef tartare and snow crab in spicy sauce. The ambiance ? Lend an ear to Madonna : “You can always tell that a town is fun if Nobu has opened a restaurant there”. 12 avenue des Spéluges, Monaco (00 377 93 50 65 00)
After inaugurating the concept on the Series 6, the Bavarian manufacturer has applied the Gran Coupé principle to the Series 4, thus retaining the coupé’s low silhouette but endowing it with 4 doors and a tailgate. And this, given that the Series 4 Coupé is a dynamised 2-door version of the Series 3. Confused ? Just bear in mind that this Gran Coupé Series 4 combines a profile with sleek lines with enhanced comfort for the passengers at the rear while promising performance giving priority to thrilling sensations. As from the launch, buyers have a choice between 2 petrol engines (four 245hp cylinders or six 306hp cylinders) and 2 diesel engines (418d with 143hp or 420d with 184hp). From 37 700 €. BMW Premium Motors, Contre-allée RN 202, Nice (04 93 18 22 00).
Deriving precious new fragrances from the queen of all flowers - the rose -, Rosine perfumes are synonymous with luxury and exclusiveness. Values shared by the Taizo perfumery, sole distributor for the brand. Among its latest creations, “Glam Rose” is an exquisite floral-fruity fragrance, blending roses with violets against a background of cedar, raspberry and musk. 365 €. 120 rue d’Antibes, Cannes (04 93 39 57 58).
Villeroy & Boch has just inaugurated a prestigious showcase in Monaco. Designed as an apartment with lots of character, the premises of 300 m2 are comprised of a lounge, bar, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. In each room, the porcelain manufacturer has staged its collections : tableware, glasses, bathroom accessories, decorative objects, lighting, mirrors, linen... 3 rue Grimaldi, Monaco.
Optical eyewear and sun-glasses signed Thom Browne, Linda Farrow, Garret Leight, Dita, Masunaga, Peter & May Walk, Mykita and Thierry Lasry can be seen, often in exclusivity, in the new temple of elitist optician Marc Lebihan. In the wake of Paris and Nice, this pioneer for designer brands opened a boutique last February at the heart of the Riviera’s movie city. 6 rue du Commandant André, Cannes.
After its winter closing period, the Cat and Rose showroom is re-opening its doors in March. Rose and Catherine have brought back from their travels precious artisanal creations from Morocco, Rajasthan, Jaipur... This unclassable boutique-house contains exclusive treasures. Jewellery, kilims, contemporary furnishings and precious textiles are displayed with an eye for harmony and gaiety. 10 route de Vence, Tourrettes-sur-Loup (04 93 58 15 38).
This luxury Italian brand for refined gentlemen has just opened a showcase in Monaco. In over 100 m2, the fashion and accessories collections are revealed in an ultra-sophisticated ambiance. Magnificent skins are given a place of honour : crocodile, glazed lambskin, reindeer, stag, peccary, ostrich... As for the precious bejewelled accessories, they embody ultimate refinement, as in the 34 new models of cuff-links combining precious stones with yellow, white or rose gold. 27 avenue de la Costa, Monaco. (00 377 93 25 61 05)
Proposed by the Swedish trio of designers Sofia Lagerkvist, Charlotte Von Der Lancken and Anna Lindgren, this cabinet made of ashwood is the new hit selected by Marie Delaire for the Musae concept store in Cannes. Edited by Porro, Mikado guarantees an elegant, graphic allure for home interiors and contemporary offices. 3900 €. On sales at Musae, 11 rue Notre Dame, Cannes (07 62 45 62 62).
Nicolas Bianco, creator of the Caffé Bianco, a well-known address on the Riviera, has inaugurated his new establishment called “Gusto”. In a bright dining-room decorated with talent, diners are treated to dishes with southern accents. The ingredients have been carefully selected : the ravioli with truffles come from Barale, the fillet of sea-bass comes from the day’s catch... As for desserts, there’s no resisting the “pain perdu”, “tarte tatin” with its pot of cream, or Tatie Lola’s chocolate cake ! 12 rue Lascaris, Nice (04 93 07 28 68).
The niche perfume manufacturer Atelier Cologne has launched a new fragrance, “Cédrat Enivrant”, which completes the “Collection Originale” already composed of six neo-colognes based on citrus notes. Intended for both men and women, “Cédrat Enivrant” offers a delicate scent, both fresh and lemony. On sales at Tanagra, 5 bis rue Alphonse Karr, Nice (04 93 87 95 00).
Situated in La Celle-en-Provence in the Var, L’Hostellerie de l’Abbaye is one of Alain Ducasse’s fine establishments. He has transformed this ancient abbey into an elegant address dispensing warm hospitality at the heart of “Green Provence”. Next to the Romanesque Benedictine abbey in the midst of a wooded 7.5-acre park, this well-hidden 5-star cocoon is the ideal address for a romantic getaway. The restaurant has three private salons and the hotel consists of 10 suites and rooms, all tastefully decorated. For Valentine’s Day, a stay for two is proposed at 500 € : it includes a gastronomic dinner and a romantic atmosphere in your room (roses, gourmet gifts, homemade candies and champagne). 10 place du Général de Gaulle, La celle-en-provence (04 98 05 14 14).
This bracelet in rose gold set with diamonds is the star feature of the LOVE collection sculpted by Italian jeweller Roberto Coin for Valentine’s Day. An elegant talisman, it hides a small ruby in its heart, the designer’s signature in the guise of a lucky charm. On sales at Doux Joaillier, 1 rue François Sibili, Saint-Tropez (04 94 97 04 00).
Séverine Pillot, a well-known interior decorator on the Côte d’Azur, has just opened her new showroom. Designed as a vast apartment, it serves as a backdrop for objects and furnishings unearthed in all four corners of the globe. The style is uncluttered and flirts with ethnic chic. Priority is given to noble and natural materials : tables made of untreated wood, ample linen sofas, vases made of recycled glass, natural baskets... A world to be discovered. 6 rue Defly, Nice (04 89 74 62 35).
Nordic Temptations in Antibes proposes a wide choice of tempting groceries and other delicacies, fine books, designer objects and tableware. The entire selection comes from Sweden and Finland, just like the famous Kastehelmi collection of chinaware signed Iittala, also on sale in the store. 25 rue Vauban, Antibes (04 89 02 72 60).
In 2018, the Sporting d’Hiver in Monaco will be replaced by three buildings accommodating shops, luxury residences, offices and premises for leisure and culture. The project has been entrusted to the Cabinet Lord Richard Rogers (winner at the Venice Biennale in 2006, Pritzker Prize in 2007). During the four years of construction, an ephemeral ensemble in the Boulingrins Gardens on the Place du Casino will become a new shopping zone. In five immaculate pavilions with rounded shapes, luxury boutiques (Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fred, Bulgari…) have just moved in, creating an address unique throughout the world : “Les Pavillons des Merveilles”. Monaco, place du Casino.
With close on 300 boutiques in 17 countries, Carmen Steffens embodies Brazilian luxury. It is here in Cannes that this brand of glamorous shoes and bags has just opened a new showcase, before its arrival in Nice scheduled for March next year. This N° 1 of luxury shoes “made in Brazil” blends audacious and ultra-feminine designs. Dizzy high-heels, trendy boots and girly ballerinas are proposed in vivid colours with sexy details (studs, strass, fur...). Carmen Steffens, 97 rue d’Antibes, Cannes.
Chaumet has unveiled a new watch in its Liens collection. Designed for elegant women for whom simplicity is a virtue, this timepiece available in 6 models has opted for a round case (33 mm in diametre, 9.9 mm thick) whose pure design is enhanced by steel, rose gold, or a row of diamonds. The two attachments are adorned by an alligator skin strap or metal bracelet. From 3750 €. Chaumet, 9 La Croisette, Cannes (04 93 99 50 71).
“My World” : such is the name of the new creation signed Philippe Starck for Cassina. Presented exclusively on the Côte d’Azur in the new J. Bonet showroom in Nice, this lounge sofa takes up the challenge of adapting to the needs and habits of a world in which work and play take precedence. “My World” is comprised of a multitude of elements assembled and completed by accessories (screens, tablets, charging stations...). Very cool ! J.Bonet, Place Arson, Nice (04 92 00 36 66).
