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LET THERE BE LIGHT
FROM BEADS AND BAUBLES TO BAROQUE, THESE CHANDELIERS OFFER A DAZZLING WAY TO LIGHT ANY ROOM DURING THE DARK DAYS OF WINTER. BY WILLIAM KISSEL
 Clockwise from center: New York artist JEFF ZIMMERMAN’s illuminated vertical leaf chandelier features individual hand-blown glass leaves clustered around a wire frame. The one-of-a-kind work of art is available through the r20th Century gallery in New York. $60,000. (212) 343-7979, www.r20thcentury.com
Austrian light maker LOBMEYR’s Chinese Pavilion chandelier was created by architect Carl Witzmann for a small cabaret theater in Vienna in the 1930s, but the traditional hand-cut, lead-free crystal light fixture has a thoroughly modern look even for today. $49,510. Available at www.mossonline.com.
BACCARAT’s 12-light plume chandelier is a contemporary full-lead crystal masterpiece that comes with one ruby crystal pendant, dangling from the center, and 24 additional pendants in the color of your choice to match your décor. $9,600. (800) 777-0100, www.baccarat.com
LA MURRINA’s Murano glass chandelier, called Ca’Rezzonico, is in the noble tradition of those created more than a century ago by Venice’s most renowned glassblowers. Richly detailed and elaborate, it comes in a wide range of colors and is intended for those who entertain on a grand scale. Price on request. (310) 858-7080, www.lamurrina.us
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WINTER STYLE
Carry On
YOU
ARE WHAT YOU WEAR, AND WHAT YOU CARRY AS WELL. EXTEND YOUR STYLE TO
YOUR SUITCASES WITH ONE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL, LUXURIOUS BAGS. -- W.K.
 A British luggage maker GLOBE-TROTTER
went to the Far East to get the inspiration for its Orient collection
of premium trunks, priced from $1,475 (vanity case) to $4,035
(trolley). As with travel trunks of long ago, each case is
hand-lacquered in Japan following the tradition of Urushi. (212)
450-0312, www.globe-trotterltd.com
B Even if you go unnoticed, everyone will recognize FERRAGAMO’s
famous Gancini horse bit signature, which is printed on the Italian
luxury goods maker’s new coated PVC large trolley. The sturdy bag is
sized to fit in most overhead compartments, even though it’s clearly
much too handsome to hide. $2,700. (800) 628-8916, www.ferragamo.com
C In a sea of black bags, this orange ostrich travel collection from French luxury goods maker ZILLI
is sure to stand out from all the rest. Each piece is constructed by
hand and features spacious interior pockets to hold all your personal
possessions in lavish style. $13,500 to $19,000. 011-33-1-53-23-9096, www.zilli.fr
LORO PIANA’s
“My Soft Weekend Bag” is made of soft-yet-durable Delon leather and
features special buckles that expand or contract depending on the
capacity of your load. Meanwhile, multiple inside pockets allow for
personal electronics while an easy-access outside pocket can safely
stow a 15-inch laptop computer. $4,710. (212)980-7961, www.loropiana.com
TARDINI’s
precision-made garment bags, trolleys, weekenders, and travel trunks
are handcrafted from American alligator hides. Plus, the Italian
leather goods maker returns 16 percent of the original alligator eggs
picked up from the wild back to their native habitat. $20,900 to
$39,900. Through Bergdorf Goodman, (888) 774-2424, www.tardini-accessories.it
Jacket Required
This
season’s jackets do more than keep you warm in inclement weather
conditions; they also look really cool. New technologically advanced
fabrics are designed to keep your body temperature constant from snow
to ski lodge, while added high-tech features allow you to harness the
power of the sun. -- W.K.
 Heat is the secret ingredient in SPYDER’s
new women’s Royalty Heat Jacket, which features a battery-powered heat
pack embedded in the jacket’s water-repellent nylon coating. For added
warmth, the ski jacket has Thinsulate Supreme insulation and a
removable fur collar. $1,200. (303)544-4000, www.spyder.com
MONCLER’s
famous down-filled ski jacket was initially created in 1952 to provide
incredible warmth for the first Himalayan mountain climbing expedition.
Now, more than a half-century later, the company that built its name on
the puffy coat has created a sleek new lightweight version especially
for Barneys New York. $1,050. (888) 822-7639 or (212) 826-8900, www.barneys.com
ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA’s
sporty new Solar Ski Jacket represents another technical milestone for
the Italian menswear label. The weather-tight Microtene jacket has a
solar panel built into its (removable) collar to allow you to charge
your iPod, cell phone, or other personal electronics without ever
leaving the slopes. $1,350. (888) 880-3462, www.zegna.com
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SKI AND SPORT
THE BIG CHILL
Versatility
is the word when it comes to the new crop of winter gear available this
season. No matter the terrain, your skis, boots, and even goggles will
keep you in peak performance, thanks to innovative new technology being
introduced by some of the top names in snow sports. BY LARRY OLMSTED
 JAKE BURTON
was one of the original innovators of snowboarding, and three decades
later he’s still perfecting the sport’s gear. The company’s latest
creation is the FIX, made
specially to meet the huge recent surge in slopeside terrain parks.
Extra-strength Park Edges and Rail Ready base stand up to the abuse of
ramps and rails, while the soft flex, twin tips, and convex tail and
nose make it easier to land off-balance jumps. $470. www.burton.com
More and more skiers are spending their days both in-bounds and backcountry, but thanks to venerable Italian bootmaker SCARPA,
you only need one pair of boots. Scarpa offers the world’s only boots
that can be used with both normal downhill ski bindings and free-heeled
Alpine Touring equipment, without changing the soles. This versatile
boot comes in both men’s and women’s specific versions, Typhoon and
Domina. Each $699. www.scarpa.com
Sunglasses with interchangeable lenses have become an outdoor sports rage, so why not goggles? The KAMALEON’s quick-change system uses three clips to swap lenses for the best possible visibility in any light conditions. Made by MARKER,
they come with three highly scratch-resistant, double-pane lenses for
flat light and night skiing, mixed sun and clouds, and bright shiny
days. $229. The goggles are designed to be perfectly compatible with
Marker’s full line of men’s and women’s helmets. $80 to $129. (800)264-
4579, www.markerusa.com
All-mountain skis have become the rage because they promise to work well in every condition, but, unfortunately, many don’t. THE GRIZZLY does, thanks in large part to VOLKL’s
exclusive Power Switch technology. With a turn of the dial, springs and
carbon-fiber rods within the ski increase or decrease the ski’s power
to match bumps, groomers, or deep powder. The skis come with Marker’s
new integrated iPT Wide Ride binding, which is connected inside, not on
top of, the ski for greater control. $1,575. (800)264-4579, www.volkl.com
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CELEBRATED TRAVELER
 EMMA THOMPSON is the only person in history to earn Academy Awards for both acting and writing (Best Actress, Howards End; Best Screenplay Adaptation, Sense And Sensibility). The Cambridge grad’s latest effort, Last Chance Harvey
(pictured left), a romantic drama set in her hometown of London, will
be released exclusively in New York and Los Angeles on December 26, and
across the country January 23. Between her movie work and volunteer
efforts -- she works tirelessly for various philanthropic organizations
-- she spends a lot of time on the road.
AROUND THE WORLD
My favorite destination is Scotland. There is a town called Dunoon
where I spend vast quantities of time -- mostly in The Tudor Tea Shop,
where you can buy a delicious bowl of homemade soup and a French fancy
for under a fiver. My favorite restaurant is The Wolseley in London.
The staff are brilliant; the feeling is bistro but the setting is Grand
Hotel. They do a damn fine martini and excellent snails.
In Los
Angeles I always stay at the Hotel Bel-Air, which I secretly regard as
my home. I’ve brought both Oscars back to that hotel late at night and
demanded a burger -- and what’s more, I got it. In New York I stay at
The Lowell. It is heaven -- open fires and all that jazz. I eat at the
Gramercy Tavern where I always have the pork belly. I can taste it now…
One of my favorite places was Egypt. We filmed a BBC series there called The Fortunes of War.
The Cairenes are the warmest, most wonderful people. ... I climbed the
pyramids at dawn, galloped round them at sunset, and even took Arabic
lessons. There’s nothing more satisfying than traveling in places where
you can speak the language.
CHEF’S SECRETS
I adore cooking. I buy the best local meat and fish from the Loch Fyne
Oyster Bar, one of the first sustainable agriculture undertakings in
the U.K. It started as a wee stall by the side of the road which sold a
pot of prawns for a shilling. Now, it’s a hugely successful and
world-famous business.
LENDING A HAND
As for my work with [philanthropic organizations] … it’s a wide range
of issues, but they are all connected. Action- Aid International works
in a rights-based way with the poorest people in the world. The Helen
Bamber Foundation, which works with victims of gross human cruelty, is
more local -- but again, connected to the general imbalance in the
world, the breaking down of borders, the migration of peoples, the
buying and selling of people. It would be absolutely great if the
willingness that entertainers show to support and get vocal about
painful issues were matched by the business community. -- L.O.
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GOLF
Golf’s Full Spectrum
 THINK GREEN: As in eco-friendly green, with manufacturing processes that produce fewer greenhouse gases. AHEAD’s
Cocona line of polos for men and (in the Kate Lord line) women, uses an
all-natural fabric derived from coconut shells. $48 to $70. www.aheadweb.com. VERTERRA SPORT has five solid-color men’s polos in a high-performance fabric made from 52 percent corn fiber. $44. www.verterrasport.com. The DIXON EARTH BALL is made from 100 percent renewable materials. $40 a dozen. www.dixongolf.com
THINK BLACK:
In this year’s U.S. Women’s Open, LPGA player Nicole Castrale made a
strong showing (she tied for sixth), and a striking showing in ASHWORTH’s
rendition of golf’s Little Black Dress. Castrale decided to go to the
dark side each Sunday she makes the cut, and Ashworth created a version
that will be available in the fall. $120 to $160. www.ashworthinc.com
THINK RED: In this case, think ways to avoid the red of sunburn. The GREG NORMAN COLLECTION
2-Below microfiber polo not only cools the body by two degrees, but
offers a UPF sun-blocking factor of 40+. Available in five different
colors, including red. $85. www.shark.com/gregnormancollection
THINK SILVER: Using the same forging process and craftsmanship that makes its iron sets works of art as well as play, MIURA GOLF
has fashioned two toe-weighted offset putters. The Series 1957 putters
have milled faces and oiled-chrome finishes and are available in a
Classic design (which comes in two weights) and a Blade putter. $390. www.miuragolf.com -- THOMAS BEDELL
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SHOPPING
RETAIL REPORT
FROM
HAUTE COUTURE TO HAUTE CUISINE, THESE FOUR SHOPPING DESTINATIONS HAVE
IT ALL. HERE’S WHAT’S NEW AT SOME OF AMERICA’S MOST SOPHISTICATED URBAN
MARKETPLACES. BY NICOLE ALPER
 DALLAS, TEXAS
A HIGHLAND PARK VILLAGE
-- a veritable who’s-who of luxury, from Frédéric Fekkai’s first Dallas
salon to Carolina Herrera’s first Texas boutique -- now has a new
ultra-luxe shop: Judith Ripka boutique, chock-full of high-end designer
jewelry including a new 18k gold and diamond-studded collection. Also
new: Molto Formaggio (www.moltoformaggio.com) and LAFCO NY (www.lafcony.com). (214) 559-2740, www.hpvillage.com
B GALLERIA DALLAS,
the area’s best-in-show urban marketplace, with more than 200 exclusive
shops, is welcoming the first North Texas location of TOUS, the Spanish
jewelry and accessories retailer, as well as Via Montenapoleon,
featuring the designs of Christian Audigier (who dresses the likes of
Madonna and Jamie Foxx). (972)702-7100, www.galleriadallas.com
NORTHPARK CENTER
-- During a major renovation two years ago Northpark Center, which
boasts an interior 1.4-acre park where winter shoppers can get a taste
of the outdoors while staying toasty, got a serious luxury infusion,
including flagship Barneys New York. This winter, it welcomes Bulgari,
Versace, and Louis Vuitton. (214) 363-7441, www.northparkcenter.com
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Something
is sparkling in sun-drenched Southern California. On the heels of the
opening of Rolex in April and Harry Winston in August, Orange County’s
premier shopping destination, SOUTH COAST PLAZA, will soon be welcoming legendary jeweler De Beers to its collection of chic boutiques. (800) 782-8888, www.southcoastplaza.com
CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA
C THE MIRACLE MILE,
downtown Coral Gables, a one-stop shop for sophisticated urbanites, is
adding an art cinema to its collection of exclusive boutiques,
galleries, and restaurants. Drivers overloaded with shopping bags will
love the centralized valet parking system: Drop off your car at any
valet station on the map and pick it up at the most convenient
location. (305) 569-0311, www.shopcoralgables.com
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA
Joining the ranks of Rodeo Drive and SoHo, SOUTHBRIDGE
-- a three-acre retail dining and cultural center along Scottsdale’s
Arizona Canal -- is developer Fred Unger’s vision of a “one-of-a-kind
urban village.” Mixing and matching the very best in high-end
boutiques, cuisine, and cultural festivals along a waterfront park,
open-air European- style courtyards will showcase the best of the best,
from Stella McCartney to Chloé. So far five new restaurants and 12
shops are open, with more on the way. (480) 970-7890, www.southbridgescottsdale.com
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GREAT FINDS
 RITZ REVELATIONS
You
need only walk through the front door of a Ritz-Carlton property to
experience the company’s excellent customer service. Without a doubt,
you’ll be warmly greeted and your needs attended to. Bestselling
business author Dr. Joseph A. Michelli (The Starbucks Experience) was given a warm welcome and insider access from the company for his latest business tome, The
New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary
Customer Experience Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company
(McGraw-Hill). Dr. Michelli interviewed senior management and even
attended the famous Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center to determine the
five principles that have led to the Ritz- Carlton’s success. The book
is a must-read for customer-service driven companies … and shouldn’t
that be every company? -- LORI STACY
FAITHFUL JOURNEYS With images that will move your spirit, Sacred Places of A Lifetime: 500 of the World’s Most Peaceful and Powerful Destinations
(National Geographic Books) visually documents sites at which people of
the world connect with their beliefs. The book takes you from Israel’s
Western Wall to Australia’s Ayers Rock, and explores festivals such as
Canada’s Kamploopa Powwow and Jamaica’s Rastafarian Nyabinghi. Plus,
readers can amass detailed tips on planning a spiritual vacation to one
of these 500 destinations. -- L.S.
Collector’s Editions
This
time of year, artful packaging adorns most every gift item, often
making the gift box as valuable as the present inside. That’s certainly
the “case” with two very special offerings from the wine and spirits
world. DOM PÉRIGNON, always a
welcome gift, paired up with legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld to
create a one-of-a-kind “Guitar Case” which houses six bottles of rare
Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintages, each cellared between 11 and 41 years. The
handmade cases are covered in perch skin and lined with lambskin, and
come with three champagne flutes. By special order. www.domperignon.com. For cognac enthusiasts, LE VOYAGE,
a blend of Grande Champagne cognacs from the Delamain cellars, gets the
grand treatment itself in a collector’s Baccarat crystal decanter and a
classic dove tail leather traveling box. $7,000. www.delamain-cognac.com -- L.S.
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