April 12, 2015

Shop the City by Conrad: Conrad Miami Debuts Inspired Luxury Shopping Experience

April 12, 2015/ E. Vincent Martinez

Conrad Miami announced the launch of Shop the City by Conrad, a guest package providing extraordinary VIP shopping experiences. Conrad Hotels & Resorts understands that its guests are looking for a unique and immersive stay in the cities they visit, and Shop the City by Conrad provides a customizable shopping experience complete with local boutiques and sightseeing. Beginning April 1 through May 21, Conrad Miami will serve as the backdrop for the Shop the City by Conrad experience.

Guests will delight in this bespoke shopping experience, which includes a 2-night stay in the hotel’s Deluxe City View or Premium View Rooms, breakfast-for-two each morning with Miami’s famous Cuban coffee before embarking on a full day of shopping at the city’s chicest boutiques - all from the comfort of their own chauffeured vehicle.

Conrad Miami has teamed up with some of the most exclusive retail brands in the city including Burberry in Miami’s Design District, Saint Laurent at Bal Harbour Shops, Tourneau in the Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables, and The Webster – a locally inspired multi-brand boutique on Miami Beach. The hotel’s knowledgeable concierge is happy to offer personalized recommendations for cultural destinations based on the guests’ preferences.

“Miami is known worldwide for its shopping, and Conrad Miami is perfectly located near all the best shopping hot spots in the city,” said Stephane Mercier, general manager, Conrad Miami. “The Shop the City by Conrad package is part of our ongoing commitment to connect our guests with the local culture and excitement of Miami. This experience allows our guests to explore the best of what Miami has to offer from luxury shopping to beaches, great dining, and much more.”

Situated in the heart of the city’s financial district and vibrant city center, Conrad Miami offers contemporary luxury with soaring views of the city and Biscayne Bay. Guests will enjoy the rooftop poolside oasis, gourmet dining at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Atrio, the newly renovated rooftop tennis courts, and the personalized service for a warm weather getaway. In addition to Conrad Miami, the brand will offer limited-time Shop the City by Conrad stays in select cities throughout 2015, including: Conrad Dubai, Conrad Istanbul, Conrad Tokyo, Conrad Beijing, Conrad Hong Kong, and Conrad New York.

The Shop the City by Conrad package for Conrad Miami starts at $405 per night for a two-night minimum.

For more information on Shop the City by Conrad and details on participating properties and retailers, please visit shopthecitybyconrad.com.

For more information about Conrad Hotels & Resorts please visit www.conradhotels.com or http://news.conradhotels.com.

fashionado

January 05, 2015

Italian Couturier designs sophisticated uniforms for Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi

January 05, 2015/ E. Vincent Martinez

etihad airlines

Created by Italian Haute Couturier Ettore Bilotta at his atelier in Milan, the new uniform exudes a classic elegance seldom seen in the aisles of modern airliners, and cleverly merges dramatic elements of old world haute couture from 1960s Paris and Rome, with the more contemporary fashions evident on the runways of London, New York, Milan and Tokyo.

The beautiful collection possesses a style which has come to characterize the Etihad Airways brand and which will enhance the airline’s reputation as the standard-bearer of superlative customer service.

Peter Baumgartner, Chief Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways said: “Ettore, working with our teams, has once again delivered a new uniform which will showcase our brand with characteristic flair at every city on our ever-growing network. The world has been paying very close attention to us this year and our new collection will not disappoint. It is the embodiment of the Etihad Airways brand, service ethos and unshakeable commitment to excellence, marking our arrival as a leader of sophisticated flying.”

Stylishly cut and fitted, each ensemble is easy to wear, flexible and practical, allowing cabin and ground personnel ease of movement as they carry out their duties.

Ettore Bilotta said: “Since the launch of Etihad in 2003, I have come to know the airline, its teams and management, very intimately, and have developed a style which has evolved as the airline has grown. For me it has essentially been about dressing a brand and an ethos.”

The brief given to Bilotta by the airline was for a design which would represent timeless sophistication, glamour and elegance. The designer has succeeded in realizing the airline’s aspiration to reimagine flying by creating clothing which captures the understated style and innovation of Etihad Airways.

Key points about the new uniforms:

· Made from 100 per cent Italian wool, the uniforms feature an intricate jacquard design

· Uniquely, approximately 30 per cent of the outfits were handmade or hand-stitched

· The design merges dramatic elements of old world haute couture from 1960s Paris and Rome, with the more contemporary fashions evident on the runways

· A warm chocolate brown has been chosen as the base colour for the uniform, with a deep purple accent for cabin crew and lounge teams, and a burnt orange accent for ground crews and Special Services teams

· Hats worn by the crew are now more aerodynamic and ‘retro’, inspired by the iconic stars of the Hollywood Silver Screen and the sweeping formations of the Emirati desert sand dunes

· Bilotta has also taken the unusual step of breaking up the main primary shades by introducing all the secondary colors as accents on blouses and accessories

Etihad Airways commissioned renowned fashion photographer Norman Jean Roy to shoot the campaign.

fashionado

December 18, 2014

Classic Cars & Photos of My Trip to Cuba

December 18, 2014/ E. Vincent Martinez

el morro havana cuba

havana cuba

el parque central havana cuba

la iglesia de los pacionistas, la vibora

old havana cuba

vincent martinez havana cuba

havana cuba

havana cuba capital

el malecon

varadero cuba

havana cuba

el hotel nacional cuba

I was a little boy when I left Cuba to come to the USA. Even at the young age of five, I already new that my family and I would never return. (So I thought.) Like so many Cubans, I grew up with that mindset. After months of planning, permission from OFAC in D.C. and a temporary Cuban visa, I traveled back to Cuba after more than four decades last April. My mission: to reunite with my 80 year old father who I hadn't seen since 1970. The outcome: a beautiful, life-changing experience. With the proposed changes to US / Cuba Policy this means that I will continue to enjoy visiting with dad. For me and for many many others, this change is the beginning of hopes, dreams and familial unification. Something that my generation and that of my parents' have longed for... for over 50 years.

In October, I premiered the film I made with Gil Guillama called Finding Dad: Mira... tu Papa. This is a documentary about my first trip back to Cuba and the reunion with my father. Dad is 81 now and every time we speak on the phone he asks when am I going to come see him again. Now I can say, "soon, very soon!"

fashionado

February 27, 2014

Take a Trip through Miami's Calle Ocho in Little Havana

February 27, 2014/ E. Vincent Martinez

Welcome to Calle Ocho in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood! Join me while we take in an authentic Cuban experience complete with cigars and coconuts... AND on your next visit to South Florida, make sure you take in some 'salsa' and cafecito Cubano ... have fun! We did!

fashionadoTV

January 06, 2014

Vizcaya Splendor

January 06, 2014/ E. Vincent Martinez

On your next visit to Miami, discover the splendor that is the Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. The estate, modeled after an Italian villa, took ten years to build and was home to millionaire James Deering. A bachelor with impeccable taste, Deering lavished Vizcaya with exquisite European antiques. He kept his thirty person staff busy by entertaining guests and hosting elaborate parties. The interior and exterior architecture, including the gardens are absolutely breathtaking. I am not exaggerating and I can't wait to get back to South Florida to re-visit the grandeur that is Vizcaya!

*Enjoy my photo gallery of the property and grounds...

fashionado

December 15, 2013

"Welcome to Little Havana USA"

December 15, 2013/ E. Vincent Martinez

little-havana-calle-ocho-miami-fashionado

Little Havana is growing up! When I was a kid in Miami, we'd drive past Calle Ocho simply to get to our destination.

NOW, you can actually stop & shop. You can still get your Cuban cafecito, but you're also surrounded by restaurants, lounges and souvenir shops. WE spent part of the day, filming at Calle Ocho yesterday, met wonderful, friendly people, from business owners who welcomed our cameras to honeymooning tourists. [A far better experience than the God-awful Midtown Miami district where we were treated poorly.] Look for our feature on fashionadoTV in January and discover [or like me, re-discover] the gem that is Little Havana.

fashionado

September 12, 2011

澳門 Macau Baby!

September 12, 2011/ E. Vincent Martinez

VEGAS

No, Macau baby!

Macau, a former Portuguese colony, thrives on a booming economy of gambling and tourism. Its one of two "special administrative regions" in China - Hong Kong being the other.

The "turbojet" was a speedy one hour ride from Hong Kong to Macau. Riding in "super-class" had its perks, like snack service and being the first passengers to exit upon docking. You still need to go through customs and unfortunately that was a timely, crowded mess.