ABSOLUT vodka has gone all arty on us with it’s new collaboration with visionary American filmmaker, Spike Jonze and the first ever ABSOLUT Art Award.

Since its inception 30 years ago, ABSOLUT VODKA has always been known for its creative advertising campaigns and frequent collaborations with cutting-edge artists, designers, musicians and photographers.

“Jonze is one of the most influential shapers of our generation, and together we are working on a project that goes far beyond traditional advertising,” says Mark Hamilton, Head of Marketing for Vodka at Pernod Ricard UK.

With this latest collaboration comes news that ABSOLUT has also found a permanent home for its Art Collection.  Comprising of more than 800 pieces, including works by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Helmut Newton, Damien Hirst, Louise Bourgeois, David Shrigley, Douglas Gordon, Sylvie Fleury, Dan Wolgers, Hung Tung-Lu and hundreds of other cutting edge creatives, the collection will be gathered together in Stockholm, Sweden where it will be permanently homed at the Historical Museum of Wine and Spirits.

ABSOLUT has also announced the winner of its first ever annual Art Award. Chosen by a panel of judges headed by the high profile Swedish art curator Daniel Birnbaum, and coming with a grant of €15,000 for the winner, the inaugural award will be presented to Israeli conceptual artist Keren Cytter at a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden.

As Christmas looms on the horizon, escape the hoards of shoppers at the London Home of Alfred Dunhill.  Dive into Dunhill’s oasis of calm and luxury, set amid the hullabaloo of Mayfair.  The London Home of Alfred Dunhill houses a compendium of seasonal delights, from shopping to the Dunhill festive advent activity calendar.  Once inside meander through the exclusive objects available, such as; tailoring, menswear, leather pieces to games – satisfying all your festive shopping woes.

The Dunhill advent calender will reveal a different seasonal activity throughout December.  You can learn how to cook the perfect turkey and stuffing (a necessity at this time of year),  sing along to carol singers in the courtyard or munch on a ginger bread Santa Claus in aid of The Prostate Cancer Charity.

The Spa at Alfred Dunhill is on hand this festive season, whether you are preparing for the Christmas indulgences or in need of a gift for others.   The pre-party package combines three mini-express treatments, choose from a relaxing foot massage, bespoke massage, mini facial or mini manicure.  Gents can add on a wet shave or a hair cut by the in-house barbers ensuring they look sleek ahead of the party season.

Enjoy the delicious traditional festive food on offer this December in The Cellar Bar, recline in the courtyard with a scrumptious Norfolk turkey sandwich and a sneaky glass of mulled wine.  Alternatively, take your tasty treats into The Screening Room to watch a showing of It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas.

The London Home of Alfred Dunhill is the perfect place to make the man (or men) in your life happy this Christmas.

The London Home of Alfred Dunhill

2 Davies Street

Mayfair

London

W1K 3DJ

As Halloween is almost upon us, you’ll be out to enhance your spooky style. The Nars Holiday collection 2009 is celebrating 15 years of colour, and for instant vampish appeal look no further than their spellbinding nail varnish and lip pencils.

For full pouts, “Pop Life” and “Toudra” are the lip pencils that should be fixed in every girl’s handbag. Pop Life, a nod to 80s King, Prince, is bright, bold holly red, while Toudra has a wine red hue to it. Long lasting, with a velvet texture and matte results, the soft pencils add a rich and strong finish to all lips.

Another make-up necessity to add to the dark allure this Saturday, is Nars Rouge Andalou, which in keeping with the shimmering glamour of the season is a classic and sultry red lacquer with a hint of shine and glitter. Although both can be worn all year round, Nars’ nail varnish and lip pencils are the essential to bedevil and bewitch this Halloween.

The whole collection is filled with eye pencils in gold, pink and copper shimmer, along with eye shadows and a new multiple called Luxor, which highlights face, cheekbones and body with a soft pink glimmer. Nars founder and creative director, Francois Nars, confesses, “makeup never defines a woman; it emphasizes her mood, an attitude or a look,” and the dynamic and loud red and scarlet hues this season are sure to emphasize the party mood for Halloween.

Nars Holiday Collection 2009 is available online now and on counters in November.

www.narscosmetics.co.uk

It’s that time of the year again and Grey Goose is launching its 2009 Character & Cocktails Bar for in aid of The Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Participating celebrities who have turned their hands to home bar design not to mention each concocting their own cocktails to match, include the multi-talented Roland Mouret, Lily Allen, Lily Cole, Theo Fennell, Patrick Cox and Christopher Bailey. 

Here’s an artist’s impression of Mouret’s Origami Bar which promises to be as much of a feat of  engineering as his super-flattering dresses but if you want to check out the real thing you’ll just have to beg, borrow or steal youselves tickets for the Grey Goose exhibition at The Hospital Club. 

We’re especially excited to see Christopher Bailey’s Stud Bar, which is, he tells us, his own interpretation of British punk – well, if it’s good enough for Mulberry then it’s certainly good enough for us.  Lily Cole is bound to bring some intellectual spin to the proceedings and as for Lily Allen, we reckon the famous party girl has propped up enough bars in her time to acquit herself admirably of the task in hand. 

The Grey Goose hosted exhibition and parties will showcase the celebrity bars at London’s Hospital Club on November 12 and 13 when the space will be transformed into a decadent hybrid of Las Vegas’ Old Flamingo Hotel and New York’s Studio 54 of back in the day.  This year, the event will open its doors to the public for the very first time – it was previously the preserve of invited celebrity guests. 

Ours is one of Mouret’s Japanese influenced green tea cocktails, created with a little help from mixology maestro, Tony Conigliaro. 

Roland Mouret Miracle

Glass: Small coupette
Method: Stir 25 times
Garnish: Folded paper napkin infused with Shiso essence
Ingredients:
40ml Grey Goose vodka (infused with green tea and mint)
25ml Shochu

Or actually, perhaps it’s Christopher Bailey and Peter Dorelli’s effort

Flaming Black Stud

Glass:  Chilled highball
Method:  Place ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake ice. Strain into glass.  Take a small piece of orange skin and flame ils over the surface of the drink.
Garnish with a single floating blackberry
Ingredients:�
50ml Grey Goose Original
25ml blackberry puree
10ml cognac-based orange liqueur
10ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon balsamic sugar syrup (half sugar syrup, half aged
balsamic vinegar)

Oh dear we really can’t decide.  Best have all of them.  It’s in a good cause. 

www.greygoose.com
www.thehospitalclub.com

London’s hotel haunt of choice, The Dorchester, has recently reopened the legendary Krug Room, the original chef’s table, following a full facelift which promises to bring new life to this landmark venue.

The design of The Krug Room pays homage to its heritage, selling itself with its elegant luxury minus the luxe flashiness that too often parades itself in London clubs. Rich woods and soft lighting combine to make a chilled atmosphere offset by pieces of contemporary design and lighting – take note of the state-of-the-art liquid crystal glass wall which separates your party from a direct view of the kitchens, where your breakfast, lunch or dinner is being prepared by the finest chefs. Under Exec Chef Henry Brosi you will find menus carefully designed to make the most of the full Krug portfolio, from Cuvee through to vintages.

Furthermore, Brosi will also lead a calendar of new culinary masterclasses in the Krug Room, offering a selection of the finest pairings of wine and seasonal food. The relaxed lunches offer patrons the chance to have culinary input, playing with exquisite ingredients, from oysters and truffles to English wild strawberries.  The Krug Room is available for private parties of up to 12 foodies, with the masterclasses priced at £150 per head. The Krug Room is also available for private hire for £850, not including food and wine costs. For more information and to make your reservation, call 0207 319 7311 or contact bbreese@thedorchester.com

www.thedorchester.com