thailand’s beach lifestyle magazine

volume 1 / No 2 / APRIL-June 2014 Your complete hospitality solution By Alessandro Frau www.skyline.co.th an Italian experience…

Alessandro Frau Chef/Patron

324/15 Prabaramee Road – Kalim Bay - Patong - Phuket Tel 076 618127 email: [email protected] www.acquarestaurantphuket.com

Skyline Thailand (Phuket Showroom) by DAYOT PROPERTY CO., LTD. 8/67 Moo 3, Cherngtalay, Talang, Phuket 83110 Tel/Fax: 076 386 506, Email: [email protected], Website: www.skyline.co.th Meet the locals!Meet the Surin beach, Phuket

100% Pure World Sound

Cover photo © CHIO Di Stefania D catchfmphuket.com CATCH PHUKET FM asia design consult in Thailand. trade marksare theproperty oftheirrespective owners.Printed © /phuketbikinismartinis AsiaDesignConsultantsLtd.Allrightsreserved. Allother photos, and Send usyourextraordinary, funandsexy illustrations! We willchoosethebestones Contribute! V Make sure youmentionyourname. specifications andadvertisingrates Advertise! isit articles, Email [email protected] phuketbikinismartinis.com for and publishthemforfree. ideas, opinions, short ants stories

Phuket’s Most Fashionable Play at Day into Sunset Dance Beach Club International DJs, Easy Food & Drinks, Beach Volley Surin Beach-Phuket, +66 (0)76 316 580, bimibeachclub.com Surin Beach, 076 316 567, catchbeachclub.com 6 CHIO di Stefania D is a Italian line exclusively designed and manufactured in Italy by two sisters Maria Cristina and Stefania Di Simone. The goal was to create a collection of swimwear that contained a strong measure of high fashion and introduce the concept of "haute couture" to beach wear. The collection is sold at luxury boutiques, department stores and hotels around the world.

Only premium fabrics are ever used in the Chio line, and are then coupled with ultra-modern production techniques. Swarovski crystals, laser cut-outs and delicate pailletes are hand stitched by artisans to add final touches.

Italian glamour with American style creating refined pieces, illustrating a refreshingly modern and chic perspective on swimwear.

The last word in pool-side glamour, Chio’s chic bikinis are must haves for a jet setter lifestyle. The label creations have since become the hot- test swimwear to be seen on A-listers such as Eva Longoria, Paris and Nikki Hilton, Carmen Electra, Super model Bar Rafaeli, Molly Sims, Valeria Mazza, Brooke Hogan, Miss. Universe Natalie Glebova, Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez and Rockstar Nelly Furtado. Chio has made several editorial debuts in Sport‘s Illustrated Swimwear Edition, Vogue, Elle, Lucky Magazine, In Style, Flare and Victoria‘s Secret. chio-online.com [email protected]

Surin Beach, Phuket bimibeachclub.com

20 RELAX, EAT AND PARTY IN STYLE AT XANA WITH ATTICA

With its stunning beachfront location, 35 metre pool, state of the art sound system and cocktail and food menu to die bacon and served with lemongrass saffron nage and crispy beetroot. for, XANA with Attica, Phuket’s most stylish beach club, is the For the mains, there is a variety of tantalis- ultimate venue to enjoy Phuket ing dishes to choose from. The Salmon Lovers will delight with a moist and tender at its best – day or night. grilled salmon steak served with home-made smoked salmon ravioli and lemon-dill sauce; A brainchild of the renowned Singapore for the meat and seafood fanatic, the Surf club Attica, XANA was launched in Laguna & Turf Wagyu beef fillet mignon and Phuket Beach Resort, Bang Tao, in 2012. It is a lobster tail (in lemongrass skewer with beach venue that offers a lot more than just blueberry béarnaise nage) serves up a clas- beautiful surroundings, delicious food and sic combination of perfectly prepared and perfectly mixed drinks. As one leading event exquisitely tasting dishes. company put it, ‘XANA is Phuket’s first REAL beach club’.

Its bespoke cocktail list features a selection of signature Mojitos, all the classics that of delicious light meals - from fresh salads to From the evening menu, try some of the one expects from the leading beach on the the famous XANA ‘No Rules’ burger - and in delicious starters: the Alaskan King Crab island and some XANA specials including the evening, XANA boasts modern seafood ‘Tacos’ with cilantro, lime, sour cream and the The King Cobra and Bangtao Breeze. international club cuisine, with a fine selec- corn salsa or the ‘Hokkaido’ Sea Scallops, During the day, the menu includes an array tion of wine from all over the world. wrapped in Applewood home-smoked

And don’t forget about dessert... indulge in The perfect place for couples, singles or XANA also recently partnered up with the some delicious Key Lime Pie, Classic Red families in the day, XANA also comes alive at world’s biggest party brand, Ministry of Velvet Cake or XANA’s uber-lush Brownie night. Since opening it has seen the world’s Sound, to host three exclusive parties right Sundae. Every Friday night, XANA also biggest DJs, including Paul Oakenfold, on Bangtao Bay. holds its weekly seafood BBQ buffet – which Dennis Ferrer and the Black Eyed Peas’ apl. is a destination event across the island. de.ap, take to the decks and play out to the With a picture-perfect backdrop by the sea, Phuket party crowd. beach loungers, poolside day beds and VIP cabanas that accommodate up to 10 people, XANA also lends itself perfectly for events of all kinds from private gatherings to launches and weddings for hundreds of your guests, with the added bonus of onsite accommodation at Angsana Laguna Phuket Hotel......

For more information on XANA please visit www.xanabeachclub.com or Like Us on Facebook: XANA beach club with Attica. For queries and bookings please email: info@ xanabeachclub.com or call 076 324 101.

22 23 without any compromise G abriel C ardona

I have never thought about forwarding company in Bangkok. I opted for You name it, I did it. From the secretary the public sector first, as I thought Beijing (no skirt though!), the merchandiser, the writing my own success story – was somehow more out of reach. I was salesman, the delivery boy, and the quality I’ve never thought about what feeling adventurous, and wanted to be a controller. When you’re working solo you exactly equals success, or what pioneer before working a few years later in have to do everything, and there were no Taiwan for the same freight forwarder who tasks I did not do. is meant by it. offered me the post in Bangkok earlier. I re- alised right away that the private sector was A definition of what modern society would offering a lot more opportunities. call a successful businessman – I think – is someone who is their own boss, and lives So there I was, in the early ‘90s in Taiwan, the life they want, without any compromise. shipping tons and tons of pins. Taiwan was For me, this is the life I am living. My life is a the main pins producer worldwide, and full, balanced one of work, leisure and pleas- France was one of its largest markets. Those ure, with the privilege of having an amazing were my discovery years – when I learnt partner and loving family and friends. about the promotional products industry. The Taiwan office became a very profitable PSI Fair, 2013 Dusseldorf office that shipped pins, but also items like keychains and electronics. It’s easy to forget the times I spent getting my hands dirty and making many sacrifices. Although I had never really thought about I remember typing hundreds of long Thai working for myself, the fact that I had a names on letters for a mail shot, or writing less-than-decent boss in Taipei and the fact faxes at 2am to reply right away to clients that I fell in love with someone in Bangkok in Europe. Then there were the very early meant I decided to leave and set up my own morning visits to factories up country. Every- company in Thailand. thing was possible and the latest technolo- gies were not available yet. I was having to It was a bold decision to make as I had a be superman and I loved it. very good salary and benefits, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to manage to set up a However, unfortunately, Thailand was not business in a foreign country. the right source of promotional products, and thanks to one of my best clients in the I found myself in Bangkok at the end of freight business, I got to visit Dhaka, Bang- 1992, starting my new company which ladesh. Here I implemented quality control would be officially open a few months later. on a full container of white T-shirts, during I have such fond memories of that time. the same year my company was set up. This Although working alone wasn’t easy, it was was the beginning of my textile years, and PSI Fair, 2012 Dusseldorf exciting at age 27 to not only be the boss, above all, the beginning of my success story. but to do any other job that had to be done I hired a secretary, then an assistant as the I was born in Marseille, France, in 1965. too. business started to grow. I am a business school graduate. I first discovered Asia – Bangkok in particular – in 1986 as a backpacker and realised then that it was a place I wanted to live. Don’t ask me why, but it was love at first sight. I remember looking at a farang (foreigner) driving a nice car in Bangkok and I viewed myself doing the same one day. So from that day forward, I did everything I could to follow my dream of arriving in Asia and driving my own car there too.

French men of my generation had to do military service, so I studied Mandarin to give myself a better chance of getting a job in a French Embassy or a French company in Asia. I didn’t want to be a stupid soldier in the middle of nowhere. This paid off as I got not only one job, but two – both in Asia.

The first was as a commercial attaché at the French embassy in Beijing, and the sec- ond was as an office manager of a freight Joy Thai incentive trip 2013, Phuket 24 25 Our residence: Villa Mayavee

By the year 2000, the company had more certainly have no regrets. But even so, noth- than 50 staff, an extended client portfolio ing would be possible without luck, and fate throughout Europe, and was a multinational has been kind to me. Twenty years after my with offices in Hong Kong, China, Bangla- company was first started, I decided to work desh and Thailand. New offices in Europe less and enjoy the fruits of my labour. were under way, and the future looked bright. The rest of course is history. Where better to do this than in Phuket, which was, and still is, the perfect place to But what was the magic ingredient? It was keep on dreaming while enjoying the best that dream I had of that car in Bangkok, things in life. When I look back at my won- back in 1986, and the ongoing dreams derful life, I say thank you. Thank you to my afterward. You need to keep on dreaming to parents and friends who believed in me for Joy Thai Incentive trip 2012, Bali move forward and be successful. Money has all those years. I love life – my life – and that I decided to move to Dhaka in mid-1996, never been the reason why I was passionate in itself is success enough. as the business was growing too fast – I about my work; I found the whole experi- ...... could no longer manage it from Thailand. ence fun and exciting. Hard work is a must, The first quality control was a success, and and is critical to success, particularly in the joythai.com I got along rather well with the first factory. I early years. Hiring and keeping the right staff ended up buying from them and selling more was important too. and more T-shirts, plus I added other items like polos, sweatshirts and knitwear items.

In late 1996, I met a young Frenchman who became my ‘right hand man’. He allowed me to travel and make sales while he took care of the back office. I discovered I was a talented salesman. Orders poured in, and quantities were getting bigger and bigger – the promotional business was booming and textiles were a large part of it. Everyone was talking about Bangladesh as ‘the’ place Cruising the Med with my life partner to do business. It was the cheapest place to produce knitwear – what else could one At the end of the day, for me, it’s been a wish for? win-win situation. When you give – and I gave a lot – you get a lot back. What an ad- venture it has been, and looking back now, I 26 Building the easy way Precast In Denmark, prefabricated time, and subsequently everything must be polished and retrimmed.At SPCE everything concrete has been produced is done in one single process. Easy to Build on assembly lines for the past 35 years. The pioneer of this Is it possible for everyone to purchase field was Bøje Nielsen, a great and utilize pre-engineered concrete Easy to Own elements? source of inspiration for many Yes, at SPCE we don’t say no to anyone. companies, including Settler We will help you through the entire process, since we see it as cooperation as well as Pre-engineered concrete ele- trade. ments (SPCE). Is it true that that pre-engineered bathrooms Is it difficult to build with Settler pre- are inserted directly into the building? engineered concrete elements (SPCE)? YES. The pre-engineered bathroom is Not really. Once the house has been drawn completed entirely in advance, so that you up by the architect, we split the house into only need to connect water, electricity and elements/LEGO blocks, and reconnect it. sewage. It even includes toilet paper on the dispenser. Ready to use. The complete pre- How come pre-engineered concrete engineered bathroom is hoisted in according elements do not tilt? to the mark of the surveyor. The reason is that the different elements are supported until the entire structure has How can SPCE help? been assembled. The elements are ”glued” With EVERYTHING. We take pleasure in together with concrete and are ”sown” drawing up, evaluating, casting and uplifting together with steel, before being ”glued” your project. In short, EVERYTHING.If you together with concrete. only need delivery of elements, we will be happy to help you with this process. The cli- Does it take long to uplift houses/ ent determines the parts of the project that buildings with SPCE? need assistance. No, planning takes time and logistics may be challenging. With good planning the process Can we obtain set terms of delivery? of uplifting a building can be very quick. At SPCE we keep our promises! However, in order to ensure that both parties feel secure, What is the cost of an SPCE construction? an order confirmation will be prepared for Many people calculate their construc- all elements including a set price, delivery tion costs based on price per m2, but not schedule and drawing number. This provides on work hours. At SPCE both entities are us with a precise idea of the construction equally important, since time equals money. and of the construction schedule. And good planning equals a lot of money! At SPCE the elements are cast while the foun- Is SPCE an environmentally friendly dation is cast by the client himself. Craning company? in takes approximately 1 hour per element. SPCE elements can be ordered including A raw structure of 150m2 therefore can be insulation. This causes the temperature uplifted in only 2 days. That is quick – and inside the house/building to be much more Your future house in thailand time is money. For example, a raw structure constant and less energy is required in order Phuket – Bangkok – Chiang Mai of 150m2 will cost approximately 70 Euro to keep the house cold or warm. per m2, including elements and assembly. • Unique designs Can we build without our own • Perfect quality with pre-engineered Is it possible to draw installations inside foundation? concrete houses the elements? Yes, with our foundation system and pillar • Fast building time YES! Anything can be drawn inside the ele- programme, the client can save a substan- ment. The architect will draw up the units to tial amount of time, and uplift industrial and In cooperation with celebrity architects: be inserted into the element; ANYTHING can corporate buildings in record time. be included. Kim Utzon Architect, Denmark Is it possible to fit factory applied Schmidt, Hammer & Lassen, Denmark Why is it so cheap and so quick? windows? Henrik Pryter, Denmark All elements are cast in a factory; entire walls Yes, in order to save time, windows etc. are S can be cast at once. It is a quick process fitted while the element is still at the factory. Call Peter Jensen for details P with a minimum workload. With traditional on 080 527 1838 ...... constructions materials must be picked Facebook: SPCE Co Ltd. C up and hoisted, concrete must be mixed, carried and trimmed, etc. All of this takes pryter.com E www.pryter.com Pre-engineered Concrete Elements 28 Me, My wife and my mia noi B ill arnett

Between the lines and between Eventually I snapped, and while I won’t bore the sheets. A fictional tale by you with the details, let’s just say it was a Bill Barnett. fiasco of epic proportions when I somehow managed to parade down the aisle of the mall and introduce my mia noi to my wife. There lives in the land of Nod, a thin line The scars and bite marks are still fresh even between the realms of infatuation and stark, three days later, and here I find myself sitting before Dr. Who. brutal hatred. And yet the strange bedfel- A minute or two turned into an hour or more, lows that unfold from sweat-stained sheets and the pale complexion of day turned into The prognosis is in, and a term which I’ve of love, lust, or whatever the hell you want to a stunning red sunset while time passed in never heard before – prosopagnosia, or call the nocturnal craving that has no name; front of my eyes, and the previously im- facial blindness – is what ails my inner these remain frozen at the best of times. agined clothes on the floor became real. demons. The doctor named a celebrity A-list Grasping long strands of hair and fueled by of others who suffer a similar fate, including lust, the thin line was soon forgotten. Oliver Sacks, author of the book ‘The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat’. Clandestine meetings followed at the odd- est of times. Accessories of the crime – be I realise I am not alone. My fear of becoming they bikinis or martinis – only acted as stage delusional was waxed over by the doctor, props for a man hell-bent for doom. Dusky who said another patient who showed simi- lingerie and smoky jazz played on, providing lar symptoms actually believed his wife was Let me take a step backwards for just a endless hours of delight. moment, with a visit to the doctor just a few an impostor. Bells suddenly started ringing in months ago. What had instigated my mis- my head and a plan was hatched. sion to seek professional care while bizarrely growing worse by the day, was a mounting concern that I kept forgetting my wife.

I am not talking about a drop off at Central Festival mall and then losing track of time, but more distinctly, intimate things such as those lines on her face, or once familiar gestures. As my condition advanced, even her name escaped me and I was left face to Some nights I woke up at home and turned face over dinner with a total stranger. over to hear the whispering sounds of my wife’s sleep, and wondered who this stran- ger was next to me. Other times, her name came up with my lovely shop girl and the name game of who was who drove me to complete silence. Confusion entered my life On the way out the door, I took a moment through emails, texts – just about any means and asked the receptionist for a doctor’s of communication. certificate which mentioned prosopagnosia in big bold print. As I slowly edged the car It was during one of those lapses, and while My shop girl had captured my imagination, out of the parking space, my mind hit the I was suffering from a severe case of retail as the once-clear identity of my wife faded wall again – was I headed home or to the therapy, that I met the lady who was to into a black pool of impenetrable depth. mall? It still remains a mystery where the become my mia noi. One of the great joys of Once you dipped a hand in, there was no long, thin line leads to, or, if when you cross my life is such moments when I can escape going back. A solid crash could be heard the line, there is a way to find your way back into the secret life of people-watching, and with the dropping of the forbidden apple to the other side. where better to do this than at the mall? after just one bite. But for me, one bite was never enough and the magnetic draw of the ...... As I sat sipping a double espresso at a small garden was ever-present. cafe, an attractive shop girl sat nearby and caught my eye. Those legs, those eyes; my Bill Barnett is Managing Director of C9 mind undressed her one piece of clothing at Hotelworks, a Phuket based hospitality a time until there was nothing. I found myself consulting firm. He also writes the popular standing in the hot, arid desert, staring up online blog www.thephuketinsider.com. at the sharp rays of the sun, blinded by lust. Over the past decade he has amassed an A woman’s voice brought me back to reality extensive wardrobe of shorts, and flip-flops. and it was the same shop girl asking to use my iPhone charger for just a minute or two.

31 Everyone has to look good Acqua Restaurant: Looking back

Alessandro Baldieri, an Italian After twenty years of interior design, Ales- Acqua Restaurant’s five year sandro was ready to fulfill his ambition to architect and designer to start a new venture. His creative flair, love anniversary: Chef and owner watch designer, the “Creator of of luxury and keen eye for details have led Alessandro Frau talks about Timeless Watches”, a mighty him into the world of watches, setting up the key to his success. offices in London and Singapore. His goal leap for anyone to make, a man has always been to create a line of watches What makes Acqua Restaurant so that reflected his own persona: international, whose international upbringing special? stylish, contemporary and uncompromising and love of travelling the world In my opinion our customers mostly like the in quality. In 2006, the first BALDIERI SEA- passion and attention to detail we put into over have provided inspiration MONSTER collection was born. since he was a child, a natural our food creations and our hospitality. Thanks to the Alessandro team and the progression. I constantly search for the best ingredients growing network of distributors, the BALDIE- from all over the world; this is particularly RI Collection is quickly becoming a global challenging and expensive but is one of the Born in Italy and educated in Rome and success, selling in Europe, America, the best ways to create unique and sensational California, Alessandro who is fluent in 4 lan- Middle East and Asia, with a presence in dishes. guages, studied at the College of Design in many top international stores. California and quickly became the Designer of the most prestigious villas of the Califor- ...... What have been your most satisfying nian coast. He designed the homes of fa- moments? mous movie stars and high profile business alessandrobaldieri.com The first was to see my restaurant design people. Leaving the US in 1999 Alessandro in reality on the first day of opening. An- moved to London where he made his base other great moment was to be selected for and continued his creations with his new inclusion in the Miele Guide to Asia’s Finest team by working much closer with his Italian Restaurants as one of Thailand’s top five, based design plant. and being in the guide next to the top Chefs and Restaurateurs in the world, such as Joel Robuchon and others, was a big moment.

Which of your customers have you most enjoyed cooking for? I have had many chefs and celebrities here at Acqua, but the most satisfying moment was when I cooked for some Michelin starred chefs and after the meal they were so excited about the food they asked for a copy of my menu.

What are your plans for the future? I am looking at a few opportunities to open our restaurant in some of the top cities in Asia, so I am evaluating which one will be best.

How do you cook and what is your philosophy? I always think I am lucky to be gifted with this passion for food and cooking, creativity and a sense of art, because in a way you have to be an artist to create unique combi- nations and present them in the same way a painter creates unique pieces of art; match- ing colors, senses, meaning and history. The same happens with food.

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acquarestaurantphuket.com

32 33 symbiosis between man and nature

Jason deCaires Taylor is an internationally acclaimed eco- sculptor who creates underwater living sculptures, offering viewers mysterious, ephemeral encounters and fleeting glimmers of another world where art and life develop from the effects of nature on the efforts of man.

His site-specific, permanent installations are designed to act as artificial reefs, attract- ing corals, increasing marine biomass and aggregating fish species, while crucially diverting tourists away from fragile natural reefs and thus providing space for natural rejuvenation. Subject to the abstract meta- morphosis of the underwater environment, his works symbolize a striking symbiosis between man and nature, balancing mes- sages of hope and loss.

Since 2006 he has created and founded two large scale underwater Museums, one on the island of Grenada in the West Indies, which has subsequently been documented as a “Wonder of the World” by National Geo- graphic and a monumental collection of over 412 pieces in Mexico called MUSA (Museo Subaquático de Arte),now listed by Forbes as one of the world’s most unique travel destinations.

Over the past few decades we have lost over 40% of our natural coral reefs and scientists predict a demise of 80% by 2050. Only about 10 – 15% of the seabed has a solid enough substratum to allow reefs to form naturally. In order to increase the num- ber of reefs in these areas, artificial reefs 34 35 beaches they haunt as more than sunny slices of heaven but living and breathing ecosystems.

Some of his sculptures are propagated with live coral cuttings rescued from areas of the reef system damaged by storms and human activity. This technique, a well-established procedure in reef conservation, rescues damaged coral fragments by providing a suitable new substrate. All sculpture are made from inert pH neutral environmen- tally friendly marine cement.

All of Taylor’s work sites are located in clear shallow waters to afford easy viewing by divers, snorkelers and those in glass-bot- tomed boats.

“Taking art off of the white walls of a gallery offers the viewer a sense of discovery, a sense of participation and the opportunity to detach your imagination from the confines of the terrestrial world.”

The experience of being underwater is vastly different from that of being on land. There are physical and optical considerations that must be taken into account. Objects appear twenty five percent larger underwater, and as a consequence they also appear closer. Colours alter as light is absorbed and re- flected at different rates, with the depth of the water affecting this further.

The light source in water is from the surface, this produces kaleidoscopic effects gov- erned by water movement, currents and turbulence. Water is a malleable me- dium in which to travel, enabling the viewer to become active in their engagement with the work.

The large number of angles and perspec- tives from which the sculptures can be viewed increase dramatically the unique experience of encountering the works.

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jasondecairestaylor.com

36

46 Surin Beach, Phuket catchbeachclub.com

48 a man of many colours

Many years ago, a wise old couple told Paul Ropp that if you take two minuses and combine them, you can create a positive. Thus was born the latest projection of the man of many colours; Paul Ropp.

Branching into home furnishing as an art form,was an epiphany of sorts for the crea- tive who still struggles with discipline and focus despite having built an internationally recognized brand.

Famously, he describes his label as clothing for those who prefer to go naked but that belies the fact that there is a lot more to it. His clothes begin life in homes in India where each piece of fabric may pass through five hands, in five different villages, before it ar- rives to be sewn in Bali. Despite a life that has had more ups and He’s excited about this latest venture as not “These pieces may well end up in muse- downs than a roller coaster, Paul Ropp has only does it cut down on his waste it also ums, the craft is a dying art. The fabrics are managed to build an empire and a brand provides employment in the homes. All of woven, dyed, embroidered or beaded in that is recognized internationally. Paul Ropp’s designs are created by hand, homes, which allows the workers to stay at it is labour-intensive work that can be done home, care for their families, this is some- Growing up on the streets of New York in the homes, in villages, and this is impor- thing that is dying out, young people don’t helped to form him. Being a creative has tant to him as it keeps families together and want to do it anymore,” he explains. meant that discipline and focus are not provides an income at the same time. things that come naturally. However to spy In Bali, his latest venture, creating home fur- him in his factory cum office, is to see a man This side of Paul Ropp isn’t surprising nishing fabrics, also employs local workers, who is used to being in control; of his life, when you learn that he believes his greatest supporting home industry in Bali as well. his business and his colourful collections. success is his two daughters. Business is business and he is filled with creative ideas, “Previously I was paying people to take but bridging the gap between creative ideas the off cuts of fabric away, it seemed such and commercial viability requires practical a waste. Then I had the idea to sew them applications. together, creating rugs, pillows, wall hanging and upholstery for chairs and sofas. It cuts “As a creative, the ideas are always com- my carbon footprint, gives people new jobs ing but finding an idea that has commercial and it was the beginnings of a new line for possibilities helps me to focus, that gets me Paul Ropp,” he explains. excited,” he says.

A few years ago, Paul recognised that Change is part of life, evolution is essen- Phuket was a sister island to Bali, filled with tial; playing to his strengths, Thailand has travellers who shared a common sensibil- given him a new audience. Beyond borders, ity with his Bali customers; educated, well beyond fashion, Paul Ropp continues to travelled clients who take a global view to While continuing to watch over his Bali create, inspire and entertain, in his own fashion, freedom and their homes. He shuns stores and galleries from his factory in Ker- individual style. the “hippy” label and instead refers to his obokan, Bali, including his new Paul Ropp clients as those who love clothes that give Home Gallery in Jimbaran, he now works ...... them freedom, float on the body, glow with with many of the leading five star resorts in sunshine and positivity. It is a unique ap- Thailand, including Four Seasons, Anantara, paulropp.com proach to fashion, one he shares himself. He Six Senses and Ritz Carlton. Seventeen is his own best client. outlets in all.

His latest passion takes him into our homes. With a range of recycled object art designed for the home.

“One thing leads to another. I had an idea for an art hotel. I began with a two-bedroom prototype, which serves as a gallery as well as a home base for me. This way I get to see how it feels and how it works. We plan to go ahead with it in Phuket in the near future,” he says. 50 Oriental Living

Oriental Living Interiors is including teak, mahogany, acacia and rattan exude natural beauty and warmth. where art, design and fine For soft furnishings, cushions and pillows craftsmanship come together choose from vivid silks, cottons and linens to create beautiful living from Jim Thompson and other quality fabric makers, as well as synthetic fabrics that are spaces. both durable and stylish.

Since its start as a boutique shop on Koh Art, antiques and home décor Samui in 1991, Oriental Living has been at Art and décor items are more than the forefront in creating customised, quality simply decorative accents. They are interior designs for luxury villas and resorts what completes the room and gives it life across Thailand and beyond. A second and energy. Many of the art pieces have shop and showroom in Phuket opened in been personally selected from Oriental 2011. Living’s in-house designers on their travels throughout Asia, sourced directly from the Furniture artists themselves. Select from an enticing Working with only top-quality materials and array of Buddhist images, lacquerware, craftsmen, Oriental Living has developed original artifacts, reproductions, wooden a collection of more than 1000 designer statues and more. furniture items, available to order direct from its factories in Indonesia for export Design services around the world. Oriental Living’s founder Michael Dietvorst said, “The beauty of our company is that Oriental Living’s furniture collections – no job is the same.” Each project offers Asian Contemporary, Modern, Oriental and a unique challenge and joy, reflecting the Scandinavian Retro – each offer a distinct client’s individual tastes and lifestyle. But aesthetic flavour that encompasses a broad the common thread for all Oriental Living range of styles and tastes. Choose from the work is the attention to detail, commitment company’s original designs or bring your to quality and the dedication of its team. ideas and drawings for furniture custom- made to your taste and specifications. Whether you’re seeking simply a new table or sofa to brighten up a living space or a Each piece of furniture is artfully crafted complete turnkey design for a new project, using a wide range of materials, colours, Oriental Living’s friendly, professional team fabrics and finishes. Material choices will be happy to offer a consultation. Recent projects include the award-winning Malaiwana luxury villa residences on Naithon Beach, Phuket, and Samujana luxury villas on Samui.

......

Koh Samui -- 9/18 Moo 1 Maenam on the north coast of Samui Tel: 077-247-675

Phuket -- Srisoonthorn Road, next to the Tesco-Lotus plaza near the west-coast beaches of Bangtao and Surin Tel: 076- 325-419

www.oriental-living.net

52 53 sothebys: Buying & Selling privately

Buying Privately ARE PRIVATE SALES CONDUCTED IN ALL WHAT DOES SOTHEBY’S SELL SOTHEBY’S LOCATIONS? PRIVATELY? HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT IS Yes. Sotheby’s specialists are engaged with Sotheby’s offers private sales in all the cat- CURRENTLY FOR SALE? clients worldwide and will utilise our global egories in which we also conduct auctions. Selling exhibitions are held regularly through- network to assist you in acquiring the finest These include Impressionist & modern art, NEW Azimut 55S. out Sotheby’s worldwide locations. View our objects specific to your needs. old master paintings, contemporary art, online schedule of upcoming sales. jewellery, furniture, antiquities, African art Get ready to experience a revolution in boating. Sotheby’s Diamonds offers pieces from its HOW QUICKLY COULD YOU IDENTIFY and watches. collection as well as custom-made jewellery PROPERTY THAT CLOSELY MATCHES MY Bathed in natural light thanks to unique new window designs. and access to important stones. SPECIFICATIONS? HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHETHER A Sotheby’s Wine can be purchased either We will do our utmost to quickly locate the PRIVATE SALE OR AN AUCTION IS THE Best in class new maindeck concept. through our retail store located in our New item or items that best meet your needs, but MOST SUITABLE METHOD FOR SELLING Innovative hinged transom-bathing platform system creating your own ‘private beach at sea’. York headquarters or on the Sothey’s Wine depending on the rarity and uniqueness of MY PROPERTY? website. the object, the timing may vary. Our special- After Sotheby’s specialists examine and Sotheby’s is able to source items specifically ists will continue to identify possible private appraise your property, they will assess for you, as described in the question below. sale opportunities until your requirements the best method for offering your work and have been met. achieving your goals. Our specialists will WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR HELP IN work with you to develop a personalised ACQUIRING AN OBJECT OR WORK HOW DO I PAY FOR MY PURCHASE? sale strategy that will be the most benefi- OF ART? As soon as the sale has been processed, cial for your specific needs based on their Contact the Sotheby’s specialist most rel- the post-sale service team will send you an unique market access and global insights. evant for the property you wish to acquire. invoice and a shipping quote based on your All private sale enquiries are treated with the For a full listing of Sotheby’s specialists, view shipping preferences. You can pay by bank utmost privacy and confidentiality. our contacts page. If you aren’t sure which transfer, cheque or cash (subject to certain category to select, or if you have a general restrictions and legal limits). Certain credit HOW WILL YOU FIND A BUYER FOR MY enquiry about buying privately, email us at cards are accepted at select Sotheby’s PROPERTY? [email protected]. locations. Payment must be sent from the When you consign a work to Sotheby’s for invoiced party and not from a third party. We private sale, we will present you with an Although Sotheby’s endeavors to accommo- will also assist you through the paperwork agreement outlining our exclusive right to date all requests, please note that bespoke and shipping processes, and other logistical offer the work for a specified period of time. services are generally provided for transac- details needed to finalise your purchase. Sotheby’s will then begin to discreetly offer tions of $50,000 or greater. your property to individual potential pur- HOW CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT SOTHE- chasers, one at a time, while keeping you HOW WILL YOU FIND THE OBJECT OR BY’S PRIVATE SALES? informed of our progress. WORK I AM LOOKING TO ACQUIRE? Email us at [email protected]. Sotheby’s close relationships with the most HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO SELL MY important collectors and collections gives us PROPERTY? unparalleled access to procure exceptional Selling Privately We will do our utmost to quickly find a objects and works of art on your behalf. buyer for your property, but the timing may Flexibility, immediacy and discretion are the vary depending on market demand for your HOW DOES THE LEVEL OF DISCRETION IN hallmarks of selling important works of art object. A PRIVATE SALE DIFFER FROM THAT OF through Sotheby’s Private Sales. AN AUCTION? WHO CAN I CONTACT ABOUT A We never disclose the identity of a buyer HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT MY POTENTIAL SALE OF MY PROPERTY? unless it is the express wish of the client PROPERTY IS WORTH? Contact the Sotheby’s specialist most to publicise their identity. While Sotheby’s We will gladly evaluate the work you are relevant for your property. For a full listing releases auction prices to the public, all considering selling privately. For general of Sotheby’s specialists, view our contacts aspects of a private sale are kept in the enquiries about the value of your property, page. If you are not sure which category to strictest confidence. please complete an estimate request form select, or if you have a general enquiry about according to the directions provided, which selling privately, email our Private Sales De- CAN I BUY WORKS DIRECTLY FROM A includes submitting clear colour photo- partment at [email protected]. azimutyachts.com SELLING EXHIBITION? graphs and images of details such as signa- Yes. Each selling exhibition has a list of tures, maker’s marks and areas of damage...... Sotheby’s contacts who can provide pricing For other enquiries specific to private (non- and confirm the availability of works. On the auction) sales, email us at privatesales@ sothebys.com selling exhibitions page, click on the relevant sothebys.com. COLLECTION exhibition to find contact details. Please note that Sotheby’s minimum con- 40S - 55S - 62S ITALIA - 72S - 86S signment value for private sale is $50,000.

Bangkok: 10th Floor RSU Tower, Phuket: Yacht Haven Marina Pattaya: 167/3 Moo4, Sukhumvit Road, 571 Sukhumvit Road, Klongton-Nua, Wattana, #C3, 141/2 Moo2, Mai Khao, Thalang, Km. 157, Na-Jomtien, Sattahip, Bangkok 10110 Thailand Phuket 83110 Thailand Chonburi 20250 Thailand T: +66 (0) 85 783-2201 F: +66 (0) 2 662-3417 T: +66 (0) 85 783-2201 F: +66 (0) 2 662-3417 T: +66 (0) 85 783-2201 F: +66 (0) 2 662-3417 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] 54 www.azimutthailand.com Island Hopping around phuket

Phuket Archipelago. One of the unspoiled beauties in this area. It is easy to find desert- ed places throughout the island. Still, there are plenty of places where there are beautiful beaches for miles on end. Recognized for breathtaking sunsets.

Phi Phi Islands Racha Island The group of 6 islands are breathtaking in The Racha (or Raya) island, 12 km south of every sense of the word. It offers many ac- Phuket, reveals itself in splendid manner. Ao tivities such as: walking, climbing, kayaking, Tawan Tok or Ao Bungalow is the U-shaped snorkeling, deep sea fishing or scuba diving. main bay of this island. The water here is Water skiing, windsurfing and parasail- clear and perfect for snorkeling. The other ing can be done as well. It features steep large bay, Ao Siam, is a pretty place where limestone mountains, surrounded by classic lonely strolls in solitude are possible. Further Monkey Island beaches, shallow bays, outstanding rock to the south is the smaller sister island Characterized by sandy beaches, crystal formations, coral reefs, and vibrant looking Racha Noi, an uninhabited destination but clear water, and mature palms all over the turquoise waters with an interesting marine popular among more experienced divers. island, this natural gem is home to dozens life making it a best destination to enjoy a of monkeys. Tourist can feed them a few ba- memorable vacation. The island came to nanas, after a good time of snorkeling. This be known worldwide when it was used as remote place is a delight of flora and fauna the major spot to shoot the famous British- all over its terrain. American movie “The Beach”.

Kai Nok Island Khai Nok has a beautiful snow-white sandy beach surrounded by crystal clear emerald green water, perfect for swimming, and known as one of the top destinations for Hong Island (Phang Nga) snorkeling. If you are lucky enough, you Ao Nang - Krabi One of 42 islands located in the National have the chance to see a group of dolphins Ao Nang is a central point of the coastal Park in Phang-Nga Bay. The island of swimming near the island. province of Krabi in the Andaman Sea, ap- “rooms”, (Hong literally means room) is a prox. 20 minutes from Krabi Town. This tourist breathtaking beauty, characterized by shal- center mixes the delights of the famous beach low coral reefs and fine, sandy beaches. resort, modern comforts, and the atmosphere This beautiful island consists of small and of a characteristics of a small friendly town. big hills situated in a mixed-up manner form- The most acclaimed beaches are Fossil Shell ing stunning scenery like the stage partitions Beach and Nopparat Thara Beach. of a theatre. In the middle of the half-circle shaped island lays the ‘secret’ lagoon, where you can find the purest of nature. Similan Islands The Similan Islands National Park is known for white coral sand beaches, crystal blue waters, warm tropical nights and cool- ing breezes coming off the Andaman Sea. Nine uninhabited islands with some of the best scenery in Thailand. Home to the best Rang Yai Island diving and snorkeling in Thailand featuring Koh Rang Yai is a small island in Phang Nga a huge variety of marine life and incredible Bay just a short distance from Phuket. It has Maiton Island opportunities to see rare and endangered a sister island - Koh Rang Noi. Koh Rang Situated just 9km southeast of Phuket, species. Yai is the epitome of a tropical island with surrounded by the tranquility of Andaman its beautiful beach lined with palm trees. Sea. This tiny island is highly prized for its Seventy years ago the little Jewel of an still perfect natural environment, including island covered with coconut, and pine trees fine white beaches and crystal waters. A real and a white sandy beach was without a paradise for swimming, diving, or fishing. name. Over time it became a favorite fishing destination of the local fisherman because of the plentiful “Pla Lang” or “Lang Fish”. The locals then started referring to the island as Lanta Island Luxury Yacht Charter - Phuket “Rang Island “. Andaman Lanta island is located just south of the CRUISES Visit andaman-cruises.com or call +66(0)76 316 562, +66(0)85 116 9056 57 A Coastal Living Style

Diamond Condominium Bang Tao: “I want to build something I would love to buy myself.”

These are the words of Mr. Jo D’Hondt at the 6 rai (or 9,600 Sq.meter). Diamond Con- Pre-sales have started for the 150 new condo recent soft opening at the Diamond Condo- dominium contains four separate buildings units in buildings B and C with prices ranging minium sales office in Bang Tao describing surrounding a central swimming pool and from 2.6 MB – 5.9MB equating to an average his vision: “We want to make something landscaped community recreation area. In all, of 79,000 baht per square meter. Construc- in Bang Toa that people can buy, that has the four buildings will contain 388 units with a tion is expected to start in June this year, with good quality and good value in a good loca- total building size of 8,200sq.m. You certainly a projected 1.5 years completion date. tion for a correct and affordable price.” can immerse in the relaxed lifestyle of comfort at Diamond Condominium Bang Tao. On top of this, the developers are also of- Diamond Condominium Bang Tao is the fering an excellent rental return of 7% per brainchild of Belgium-born business partners This is coastal living at its best. annum, which will be guaranteed for three Jo D’Hondt and Rudy Maes, who were also Diamond Condominium is located within years for people purchasing a single unit; involved in the development of the nearby walking distance of amenities such as Villa four years for those purchasing two; and five Diamond Beach Club at Surin beach. Market, a local Thai market, several mini- years for those purchasing three. Rental ar- marts, beach clubs and restaurants on Bang rangements will be operated with a hotel-like A large communal park, luxury waterfront Tao beach. There are full car parking facilities. management style to ensure that tenancy living with pool access, eco-friendly archi- The communal park and a hillside rock gar- rates remain high. tecture, a historic setting and a picturesque den surround the building with native plants downtown just a stroll away. To pull all four and trees to enhance the park-like feel. For more information about the project, you elements together in one location requires a can visit the Diamond Condominium sales of- leap of imagination. Diamond Condominium There is a range of floor plan configurations fice on the main road in Bang Tao or the sales gives you just that, and so much more… available for both one and two-bedroom con- booth at Central Festival. dos. Room type A, at 33.8 sq.m. is the entry The Best Selling Condo Project in Phuket Here at Diamond Condominium, every unit is level one-bedroom offers a bathroom/toilet, www.diamondcondominium.com 7% GUARANTEED RETURN ON INVESTMENT a luxuriously-designed work of art where you kitchen and dining area, as well as a bed- /Diamondcondo can actually open up to breathe in fresh and room and living area. Also the two-bedroom, gentle breezes, as well as appreciate the lush room type AA, at 67.6 sq.m. Contact number: +66(0) 81 423 2777 tropical landscape that covers approximately +66(0) 76 270 399

59 Night time paddling

Paddling and outdoor or requiring modifications to existing equip- ment. The NOCQUA Spectrum includes: two enthusiasts around the world waterproof LED lighting tracks; an adjustable have embraced the thrill harness; a 12V lithium ion rechargeable bat- and excitement of night time tery pack and charger; an in-line switch; a “Y” connecter to power both light bars with paddling with the NOCQUA one battery; and two extension straps to 2000 and now have the ensure flexibility in use. added capability of color. “NOCQUA Spectrum is only the latest prod- The NOCQUA Spectrum, from uct from NOCQUA Adventure Gear”, added NOCQUA Adventure Gear, is Rossini, whose mission is to make water- now available as the latest sports and outdoor activities more accessi- ble and enjoyable to everyone. The NOC- addition to the company’s QUA team hopes customers will use their family of waterproof LED products as a means to connect with the lighting systems. Like the environment around them and create new NOCQUA 2000, the NOCQUA shared experiences with family and friends. Spectrum attaches to any ...... stand up paddleboard, kayak or nocqua.com canoe to light the water for a unique on the water experience that is now easier than ever… in a spectrum of colors.

The multi-purpose waterproof LED lighting system is flexible and durable which allows the lights to be used however, wherever and whenever. Whether lighting the water under a SUP or kayak or illuminating a campsite or worksite, the NOCQUA Adventure Gear’s innovative harness will detach and trans- fer to brighten any application. NOCQUA Spectrum offers the choice of 7 different colors including; low white, bright white, red, blue, green, purple, teal, or orange in one complete system. By the press of a button one can choose their color or experience, such as, party mode (disco strobe), 5 sec- ond color scroll or S.O.S safety strobe. The system includes an in-line switch which, in addition to allowing one to choose a color or mode, features a battery power indicator.

“From the moment we introduced the NOC- QUA 2000, we have had customers asking for a version that features colors,” said Billy Rossini, company founder and inventor. “This was especially the case with anglers who love to debate which color works best for fishing and with paddleboard yoga enthusiasts who see this as a great way to grow the practice on the water. Plus the cool experience of night paddling just got cooler with color.”

The easy-to-assemble kit takes just min- utes to attach to a board, kayak or canoe. Because of the proprietary harness system it can be removed without causing damage 60 Sourcing a World of foods case hannon

Imagine being charged with the After realigning commercial departments and When it comes to sourcing specialty gour- organizational fundamentals, I was promoted met foods and cuisine, two of the most opportunity and responsibility to V.P. Global Sourcing & Import Supply prolific countries and food traditions that are to source the top international Chain to focus upon my expertise in global at the top of my list are Italy and France. It is brands, and the best foods, sourcing, international procurement, sup- a true joy to travel, experience and discover plier negotiation, brand management, and these diverse food cultures and growing beverages, and specialty import supply chain functions to establish regions, and to map brand, product and gourmet foods from around the one of the businesses most vital, vertically category sourcing targets. World … integrated and strategic sustainable busi- ness units. In this capacity, I was charged Whether it is sourcing Parmigiano-Reggiano with redefining the DNA of Villa Market’s direct from dairy and cheese producers to build a differentiated and exclusive matrix global import strategy to align with modern in the villages surrounding Parma, Italy, of imported grocery products, while deliv- trade best-practices, factoring the diverse or negotiating with specialty producers of ering the best possible value to the Thai expat, foreigner and overseas exposed Thai artisan cheese and fresh Herbs de Provence market to satisfy discriminating and hungry customer bases to build the category matrix in Rungis, France, the largest fresh whole- customers from around the globe … this and imported product and country sourcing sale market in the World, the joy of engaging is the brief I was given upon joining Villa strategy. with the people, lands and traditions of the Market. cultures that produce these savory delica- In establishing Villa Market as a ‘World of cies and bounty from the lands is a powerful Villa Market originated in 1973 with the vi- Foods’ destination supermarket shopping experience. sion of the Chairman, Khun Surapong. Khun experience in Thailand, I have adhered to Surapong had previously run the U.S. Com- international supermarket retailing bench- It is a true reward to be able to transfer this missary in Bangkok during the Vietnam War. marks, best-practices and FMCG trends as specialty gourmet food, regional specializa- At that time, there were no supermarkets in guidelines in mapping business process, tion and traditional cross-cultural knowledge Thailand per se, food and grocery shop- product range and key market sourcing to our commercial and operational teams, ping was done primarily at open air fresh objectives, underpinned by Thailand’s top and ultimately make a positive impact to the markets. Imported products then were few ranking expat and tourist catchment stats. end-consumer in Thailand. and far between, yet there was an increasing number of foreign MNC companies, expats A key trend that I am truly passionate about As a leading supermarket retailer, the more and foreign visitors coming to Thailand, shaping has been the defining, sourc- we expand sourcing objectives direct to pro- more with each passing year. Herein lies the ing and delivering of healthy foods to Villa ducing regions and commit to collaborating convergence of elements that has forged the Market shelves from international markets. direct with brand principals internationally, vision and DNA for retailing high quality im- The health food trend is a profound global the more competitively we are able to deliver ported grocery products to satisfy a steadily movement, new product innovations are the top international foods, beverages, pre- increasing market demand. everywhere in the market from the USA, mium specialty gourmet foods and organic to Europe, to Australia. We now collabo- produce to the market and end-consumer. The Villa Market retail brand and busi- rate with and import direct from some of ness developed steadily over the next two the World’s top organic produce shippers This not only establishes Villa Market as a decades with minimal competition. However, and health brand principals internationally destination for international imported foods, with the onset of the 1990’s, and particularly across allergen ‘free-from’ foods, non-GMO, but evolves Thai modern trade supermarket after the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis and organic, natural, anti-oxidant, ‘power’ fruits, retail, and positions us as a central partici- influx of international modern trade super- seeds and grains, vegan, cleanse and detox, pant in Thailand’s international food culture market retailers, Villa Market’s family owned RAW foods and so on. In validating the conversation, experience and development and operated business culture was in need positive impact of healthy foods and organic moving forward. Let’s hope the vision, com- of an outside infusion of vision, strategy and produce on the environment, customers, mitment, customer-centric advocacy and expertise to deliver world-class standards, families and society, we are embracing and value proposition of strategic international professional business fundamentals, and stepping into the next phase of the health sourcing initiatives remains and progresses modern trade retailing expertise to con- trend with eco-friendly HBA and household along this encouraging and diligent path into tend with increasing market competition, products with ‘no-nasty chemicals’. the future, as the Thai market and end-con- and deliver the business fundamentals and sumer are the ultimate beneficiaries. strategic sustainable roadmap to compete in Villa Market is now a Thai market leader the future. and primary direct importer from some of Case Hannon the World’s most prolific and innovative Email: [email protected] In 2011, the Villa Market family recruited healthy foods, beverages, HBA and house- me as the first foreign executive brought hold brands and organic produce shippers. into the family business to deliver organiza- Healthy and eco-friendly products are in high tional change management and professional demand by expat and Thai consumers alike, development. In my initial role as Director of and Villa Market is quickly becoming the Commercial and Marketing, I was responsi- one-stop destination and purveyor of healthy ble to restructure commercial procurement, foods, organic produce and eco-friendly import, supply chain and marketing func- products for adults, children and babies. tions, establishing world-class, best-practice based protocols, category management and organizational standardization. 63

understatement, and progressivism. The to command. Imagine a distillation of your- “I dream of things that never were, The American Way machine is lean, skeletal, and transparent. self and your machine aging with continuous Robert F. Kennedy It is a showcase for the individualist crafts- grace over infinite generations, everlasting. and ask why not?” man’s sacred vow: Never compromise truth The answer to Kennedy’s query lives in the and take away nothing. This vow illuminates This holistic contextual man-machine inter- dark energy of negative space, between the limitless effort committed to the highest form face is the hoped for result of our ideologi- torso and the rear limb of the beast, leaving of handmade craftsmanship. cally and philosophically inspired approach. the vital epicenter of motoring veritas, the large diameter chassis/powertrain engineer, and build a new unitized V-Twin floating perch, from which you experience Twenty one years ago a JOURNEY mounting system, informed by twenty one power plant. The result of this partnership the ultimate distillation of man and machine. The Hellcat is not targeted at a market. It is relentless romantic passion years of Hellcat design. A strategic partner- has yielded the X132 Copperhead Motor. The belief is that each pulse of the mas- the void, an empty vessel. From this quiet ship between S&S Cycle and our team The X132 Copperhead represents a new sive hand-balanced flywheels will result in a for the American Way inspired state, materialism is laid to rest, judgment of has yielded a new motor providing maxi- pinnacle for powertrain performance and du- deeper and more connected interface with the formation of Confederate others is diffused, self illumination is clarified mum off-idle broadband torque delivery. To rability. With this new motor, we proudly offer what is and what can be. This belief fuels and supreme inner confidence of cause and Motorcycles in Baton Rouge, deploy such massive low RPM torque, we you the world’s first street legal cannon. our hope that each owner will determine purpose is made knowable. Louisiana. fuse our patented powertrain system to the to live with his motorcycle from now on, as new motor. This proven drag racing-derived TRUE something to grow old with. system is designed, specified and built to An honest machine expresses authenticity. The first nine months of existence were “Being shot out of a cannon will maintain perfect crankshaft to output shaft Actual passion, real romance, unconditional always be better than being squeezed PRIORITIES entirely conceptual. It was determined APPROACH Hunter S. Thompson alignment irrespective of the suddenness or love, and genuine emotion live within the out of a tube” • The stiffest powertrain and chassis that the effort would be design driven and A singularity of line, wrote Oscar Wilde, the volume of torque application. From these vital essence of an honest machine. Many • The most fatigue resistant powertrain product focused. The creative approach fusing the power, strength and beauty line, core architectural elements flows a Hellcat men and women have poured their hearts and chassis would be organic. Our products would be is a mandate of effective industrial design. that we believe is the toughest motorcycle into the challenge of making the Confeder- • The truest neck to swingarm pivot the most exclusive, small-batch handcrafted “A little rebellion, now and then, is a good ever made. ate Hellcat series of machines iconic and centered perpendicularity thoroughbred motorcycles ever produced. thing,” wrote the father of the American Way, • The truest vertically and horizontally The singularity of line memorialized by Oscar President Thomas Jefferson, “as neces- centered flywheel Wilde’s commentary concerning effective sary in the political world as storms in the • The stiffest most fatigue resistant one industrial design would inform joinder of the physical.” We believe the cornerstone of piece forged crank and flywheel power, strength and beauty line in the form his way, non-materialism, detonates what • The perfectly hand-balanced high mass of American drag race industrial design ar- Albert Camus describes as the cornerstone 56” flywheel effect chitecture, which was benchmarked as our of rebellion, superabundant energy. Thusly, • The biggest, longest lasting max-torque core competency. Our cultural cornerstone to saddle, spark and cane the purest most The soul of the machine, the massive fly- air-cooled V-Twin would be non-materialism. Our execu- undiluted American rebellion (i.e. the motor- wheels at the vertical and horizontal per- • The perfect American road bike tive approach would emphasize principled cycle as rebellion) has informed our 21 year pendicular axis, is housed within a shrine geometry individualism. Our goal would be to nurture body of work. specified and carved from the finest materi- • The perfect American road bike diverse actualized creativity. als for the purpose, crafted to preserve this ergonomics most vital life force in its most desirable • The perfect long travel multi-speed PRINCIPLES state, permanently. This soul, no bigger than precision damped moderately sprung • Never compromise passion, intensity, a couple of salad plates, accounts for over suspension time or money 10% of the weight of the entire machine. • The most effortless broadband raw • Specify only the finest materials, com- Under all foreseeable owner intentions and power ponents and methologies circumstances front and rear axles maintain • The most contextual aesthetic • Create an American way industrial and perfect parallelism relative to each other and mechanical design culture perfect perpendicularity relative to the center ...... • Perfect a balance of technology and the of the motorcycle, accomplished using the primitive most transparent and minimalist approach, confederate.com • Celebrate American hand-craftsmanship Logically, the singularity of line on two paying homage to the singularity of line wheels is the world’s best motorcycle drag designed into all the greatest American drag • Promote heirloom quality LEAN sustainable. The inspiration and ideas race architecture. The stiffest, most fatigue race motorcycles that have come before. • De-emphasize volume We believe in absolute transparency. This behind this effort have never changed in resistant chassis and powertrain architec- • No takeaway means that we focus 100% of our design our twenty one year history. The machine ture it is possible to design and perfectly moxie on industrial and mechanical truth, initiates a return to true to concept American handcraft is specified to be machined and/ DOCTRINE not on contrived plastic or chrome pieces Way industrial and mechanical design. or tig fabricated from the finest solid stock The motorcycle must be... that simply mask the core of a machine. We billet materials stripped of every ounce of • Ironclad believe contrivance in motorcycle design is weight without compromising the core value • Pure substance fundamentally insincere. One doesn’t have of absolute structural holistic permanence. • Surpremely confident to look far to find companies whose brand The uber-coolness of minimalism is fused • 100% true to concept identity is largely a component of some with the yang hotness of primitivism in a raw • 100% in context conjured, cheaply derived coverage system. harmonious muscularity that screams not Principled lean design showcases the best status or material lust, but 100% supreme TOUGH effort of the craftsman. We challenge each confidence. Dark negative spatial energy, With the X132 Hellcat, we set out to build component to serve as many functions as it symbolizing the existential rebellion of humili- the toughest motorcycle ever made. This can. The result is a remarkably elegant ma- ties defeat of pride, informed by Caravag- mandated absolute chassis and chine whose form is dictated by function. gism illuminates “letting go”, the cornerstone powertrain rigidity along with maximum The Hellcat name is derived from the F6F of principled individualism. resistance to core fatigue. To do this, we FAST Hellcat fighter planes that beat back the developed a new unitized powertrain For us, fast means immediate, effortless, Zeros in the Pacific Theatre of World War II. Piloting this aesthetic expression of undi- casing, which is precision carved from a 400 prodigious torque available just off idle. This The Hellcat is inspired by history’s rebel anti- luted American rebellion, you float within the pound block of 6061 aircraft grade alu- power must be capable of pushing tall gear- establishmentarian artists, Caravaggism, Re- epicenter of what, in order to be motoring minum. The result is superior structural ing over an extremely broad RPM range. To alism, Constructivism, Minimalism, Primitiv- veritas, must ride like rebellion itself. Your integrity, weighing in at only 40 pounds. achieve this mission, we formed a strate- ism, and Bauhaus School scrupulous clarity. thoroughbred motorcycle is entirely and Within the new casing lives a big-boned, gic partnership with S&S Cycle to design, The Hellcat aesthetic communicates purity, completely obedient, smooth and effortless 66 67 Social media & immortality

Men have been haunted by These are names that lift us up when we you were, and who you were with, what you speak of their deeds, their greatness… Their were doing and be able to generate a proba- the promise of the fountain of tenacity and sacrifices to achieve something bility algorithm to determine what you would youth (in one form or another) greater than the sum of their individual parts. have done next. for most of recorded history. They also are forever etched into the spoken history of Earth. So, it is with tremendous regret that I de- Nearly every book on the his- clare the search for immortality over. tory of man has a few chapters But Paris Hilton? Kanye West? Cory Monti- Immortality was found by geeks, whose ad- dedicated to it. eth? ventures in binary codes and programming brought us to where we are today. Ponce De Leon crossed uncharted oceans Please. from Spain in search of it, and ended up They are adventurers in the only realm avail- in Florida (Now, that’s just for people from If not for contrast they would never be able to them… exploring new ways to create Cuba). Staggering numbers of adventur- mentioned in the same space as the names a world where boredom was the only true ers, both nameless and famous, from every above them. enemy, and any idea or design that could corner of the planet have tried their hand to possibly give us an excuse to avoid eye find the elusive elixir of immortality. Like the And yet… contact with another human being was to lost city of gold, Eldorado… the promise of be embraced and embellished and honed to immortality drives men to risk everything, It is conceivable that in 100 years, every perfection…right up until the moment when frequently having to pay exactly that price. single person on the planet will have access another, better, faster, sexier way to accom- to every random thought, childhood picture, plish the same task could be dreamed up Currently women spend billions of dollars Facebook post and kissy-faced “selfie” that by another pale-skinned, blotchy-faced Hot- per year, trying to shave a few years off their Kim Kardashian ever posted. Pocket-muncher in his parents basement. appearance, through make ups, creams and tonics, or more directly through any of the Will future generations think that Ford is Today we have the ability to not only ensure hundreds of medical procedures currently just a name thought up by Don Draper, with that we live beyond our years as a human available to people of means. Men spend no actual knowledge of the great man that being, but (other than that Hasslehoff- thousands on hair tonics or replacement Henry Ford was? drunken-cheeseburger video and a few surgery. other mass media missteps) we get to put Is it really possible that simply because the best part of ourselves out there forever. However, none of this makes you younger… someone was important before the inter- Pictures with friends in faraway places that it only makes you LOOK younger. Your net was pervasive in society that they will now seem so mundane and average. Words bones still creak, your muscle still fades, and ultimately be nothing more than a footnote in of encouragement from siblings who some- your eyes still weaken. the archives of global history? how knew the job wasn’t going so well, and offered a random word of encouragement. Immortality… I am sad (or perhaps not) to say, It’s a troubling thought. But it’s realistic to Dozens of ex-lovers who’s private mes- is beyond our reach as human beings. Cells assume that nothing can or will be done to sages kept you warm when distance was die. Organisms decay. It is a natural part of stop it. As relevant as those people were in great, but passion was greater. Memes that every system on the plant…indeed a crucial their time, they lived and died by the same made us laugh or cry or think deeply for a part of many things. The power to live forev- rules of technology that we do… From cave second. I imagine that most of the stuff that er… the power of the gods to laugh at death, etching to oil paintings to grainy black and we display in our digital life will equate to and continue with your grocery shopping, as if white pictures to color to black and white everything we see in that last second, when nothing ever happened, has always been the movies and Technicolor and sound and “your life flashes before your eyes”. stuff of legend, but never the stuff of fact. video and so on and so on until we arrive at the terrifying conglomeration of madness You can say that it’s no fountain of youth, Until now. and memes that pounds our psyches day in and you’d be right- partially. But in the pic- and day out in 2014. ture below, I’m 32, rich, happy and still have Now, almost everyone I know has a digital my hair. And when this gets published it version of themselves that will indeed live Think about it… every single digital piece will be the only picture most of you will ever forever. of everyone with an online profile, whether see of me. And in your eyes I’ll be young. it’s Facebook, Twitter, Weibo, Instagram, Forever. Until 20 years ago there were very few Pinterwhoopie or whatever new, hip thing- household names that transcended genera- site just came out while I was typing this, will tional or geographic boundaries, and many be catalogued and available for the rest of were whispered for the terrible things they’d recorded history, from this point forward. done. Lenin, Hitler, Stalin… these stains cannot be washed out of Earth’s history Speculation will disappear, too. Deathbed books. However, there are many others- digital confessions will undo secrets long Mother Teresa, Neal Armstrong, Yuri Ga- kept. There will be no more “where were you garin, Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, on the night of Jan 16th?” Because we’ll Jonas Salk, Henry Ford. know your phone GPS, cameras with facial recognition software and lifestyle algorithms Pele. Sinatra. Shakespeare. will tell everyone in the future exactly where Fountain of youth, indeed. 69 “Always do what you are afraid to do”

Ralph Waldo Emerson language does not need The 100 Most Common Written The 100 Most Common SPOKEN to be complicated Words in English Words in English 1. the 51. will 1. a, an 51. often 2. of 52. up 2. after 52. on 3. and 53. other 3. again 53. one By Tim Ferris you persist with the material and method following words would deliver the great- 4. a 54. about 4. all 54. only ...... you’ve chosen? If not, less effective materi- est ROI per hour invested for the initial 1-3 5. to 55. out 5. almost 55. or als or methods will still be better. The best weeks of study: Principles of cognitive 6. in 56. many 6. also 56. other approach means nothing if you don’t use it. 7. is 57. then 7. always 57. our neuroscience and time 8. you 58. them 8. and 58. out management can be applied By analogy, if sprinting uphill with bowling If necessary, the most closely related 9. that 59. these 9. because 59. over balls in each hand were the most effective rephrasing would be “What do I currently to attain conversational 10. it 60. so 10. before 60. people way to lose body fat, how long would the spend my time doing?” It bears repeating: 11. he 61. some 11. big 61. place fluency (here defined as 95%+ average person adhere to such a program? do not read about something that you would 12. was 62. her 12. but 62. please comprehension and 100% not read about in your native language. Use 13. for 63. would 13. (I) can 63. same If you have no interest in politics, will you the target language as a vehicle for learning expressive abilities) in 1-3 14. on 64. make 14. (I) come 64. (I) see adhere to a language course that focuses on more about a subject, skill, or cultural area 15. are 65. like 15. either/or 65. she months. this material? Ask yourself: Can I study this of interest. Poor material never produces 16. as 66. him 16. (I) find 66. so material every day and adhere until I reach good language. 17. with 67. into 17. first 67. some From the academic environments of Prince- my fluency goals? If you have any doubt, 18. his 68. time 18. for 68. sometimes ton University (Chinese, Japanese, Ko- change your selection. Oftentimes, it is best Feed your language ability foods you like, or 19. they 69. has 19. friend 69. still rean, Italian) and the Middlebury Language to select content that matches your inter- you will quit your “diet” and cease study long 20. I 70. look 20. from 70. such Schools (Japanese), to the disappointing ests in your native language. Do not read before you achieve any measurable level of 21. at 71. two 21. (I) go 71. (I) tell results observed as a curriculum designer about something that you would not read proficiency. 22. be 72. more 22. good 72. thank you at Berlitz International (Japanese, English), about in English, if English is your native 23. this 73. write 23. goodbye 73. that I have sought for more than 10 years to language (e.g. don’t read Asahi Shimbun if As a personal example, I used martial arts 24. have 74. go 24. happy 74. the answer a simple question: why do most you don’t read newspapers in English). Use instructional manuals to compete effectively 25. from 75. see 25. (I) have 75. their language classes simply not work? the target language as a vehicle for learning in judo while a student in Japan. My primary 26. or 76. number 26. he 76. them more about a subject, skill, or cultural area goal was to learn throws and apply them in 27. one 77. no 27. hello 77. then The ideal system — and progression — is of interest. tournaments. To avoid pain and embarrass- 28. had 78. way 28. here 78. there is based on three elements in this order… ment, I had tremendous motivation to learn 29. by 79. could 29. how 79. they Do not use material incongruent with your the captions of the step-by-step diagrams in 30. word 80. people 30. I 80. thing 1. Effectiveness (Priority) interests as a vehicle for learning a language each instructional manual. Language devel- 31. but 81. my 31. (I) am 81. (I) think 2. Adherence (Interest) – it will not work. opment was a far secondary priority. 32. not 82. than 32. if 82. this 3. Efficiency (Process) 33. what 83. first 33. in 83. time Efficiency: It matters little if you have the One might assume the crossover of material 34. all 84. water 34. (I) know 84. to Effectiveness, adherence, and efficiency best material and adherence if time-to- to other subjects would be minimal, but the 35. were 85. been 35. last 85. under refer to the “what”, “why”, and “how” of fluency is 20 years. The ROI won’t compel grammar is, in fact, identical. The vocabulary 36. we 86. call 36. (I) like 86. up learning a target language, respectively. In you. Ask yourself: Will this method allow me may be highly specialized, but I eclipsed the 37. when 87. who 37. little 87. us simple terms, you first decide what to learn, to reach accurate recognition and recall with grammatical ability of 4 and 5-year students 38. your 88. oil 38. (I) love 88. (I) use based on usage frequency (priority); you the fewest number of exposures, within the of Japanese within 2 months of studying and 39. can 89. its 39. (I) make 89. very then filter materials based on your likelihood shortest period of time? If the answer is no, applying sports-specific instruction manuals. 40. said 90. now 40. many 90. we of continued study and review, or adherence your method must be refined or replaced. 41. there 91. find 41. one 91. what (interest); lastly, you determine how to learn The specialization of my vocabulary didn’t 42. use 92. long 42. more 92. when the material most efficiently (process). Pareto’s Principle of 80/20 dictates that 80% present a single problem in communication, 43. an 93. down 43. most 93. where of the results in any endeavor come from it is important to note, as I was spending 44. each 94. day 44. much 94. which Let’s cover each in turn. These pages will 20% of the input, material, or effort. 80% of my free time training with peo- 45. which 95. did 45. my 95. who focus on vocabulary and subject matter. For ple who also used judo-speak and other 46. she 96. get 46. new 96. why learning grammar, I suggest you read this We can adapt this principle and prioritize vocabulary unique to sports training and 47. do 97. come 47. no 97. with short article. For “reactivating” forgotten lan- material based on its recorded likelihood and athletic development. 48. how 98. made 48. not 98. yes guages — like high school Spanish — this frequency of usage. To understand 95% of a 49. their 99. may 49. now 99. you sequence will do the trick. language and become conversational fluent Once the framework of grammar has been 50. if 100. part 50. of 100. your may require 3 months of applied learning; transferred to long-term memory, acquiring Effectiveness: If you select the wrong mate- to reach the 98% threshold could require vocabulary is a simple process of proper rial, it does not matter how you study or if 10 years. There is a point of diminishing spaced repetition. you study – practical fluency is impossible returns where, for most people, it makes The first 25 of the above words make up about 1/3 of all printed Individual word frequency will vary between languages (espe- without the proper tools (material). Teachers more sense to acquire more languages (or In the meantime, don’t let languages scare material in English. The first 100 comprise 1/2 of all written ma- cially pronouns, articles, and possessives), but differences are are subordinate to materials, just as cooks other skills) vs. add a 1% improvement per you off. It’s a checklist and a process of find- terial, and the first 300 make up about 65% percent of all writ- generally related to frequency rank, rather than complete omis- are subordinate to recipes. 5 years. ing material you enjoy with a good frequency ten material in English. Articles and tense conjugations that can sion or replacement with a different term. The above two lists ROI. often be omitted in some languages or learned for recognition are surprisingly applicable to most popular languages. Adherence: Review, and multiple exposures To see exactly how I deconstruct the gram- (understanding) but not recall (production). to the same material, will always present mar of new languages, I suggest you read Ganbare! Content and vocabulary selection beyond the most common an element of monotony, which must be “How to Learn (But Not Master) Any Lan- Most frequency lists are erroneously presented as the “most 300-500 words should be dictated by subject matter interest...... countered by an interest in the material. guage in 1 Hour”. Now, on to the meat and common words” in English, with no distinction made between The most pertinent questions will be “What will you spend your Even if you select the most effective mate- potatoes of communication: words. written and spoken vocabulary. The 100 most common words time doing with this language?” Timothy Ferriss is an American author, entre- rial and efficient method, if you don’t adhere as used in speech are considerably different, and this distinction preneur, angel investor, and public speaker. with repeated study, effectiveness and ef- If you were a student of English (though the applies to any target language. fourhourworkweek.com ficiency mean nothing. In other words: can list can be adapted to most languages), the 72 73 Bikini Bridge is a slang term used to describe a horizontal line that is formed on a woman’s bikini bottoms as a result of the suspended gap between the bikini and the lower abdomen. BIKINI BRIDGE I steal a blank tile from the letter Charlie Fish The fly could have been there anyway. bag when she's not looking, and throw back a V from my rack. She gives me a I need to play something unambiguous. suspicious look. She sits back down with Something that cannot be misinterpreted. her cup of tea, making a cup-ring on Something absolute and final. Something the table, as I play an 8-letter word: death terminal. Something murderous. CHEATING, using the A of READY. 64 points, including the 50-point bonus, My wife plays CAUTION, using a which means I'm beating her now. blank tile for the N. 18 points. by < 3 > My rack is AQWEUK, plus the B She asks me if I cheated. in my mouth. I am awed by the power of the letters, and frustrated that I cannot I really, really hate her. wield it. Maybe I should cheat again, and pick out the letters I need to spell scrabble She plays IGNORE on the triple- SLASH or SLAY. word for 21 points. The score is 153 to her, 155 to me. Then it hits me. The perfect word. A The heat of the sun is pushing at me The steam rising from her cup of powerful, through the window. I can hear buzzing tea makes me feel hotter. I try to make It’s a hot day and I dangerous, insects outside. I hope they're not bees. murderous words with the letters on my terrible word. hate my wife. My cousin Harold swallowed a bee when he rack, but the best I can do is SLEEP. was nine, his throat swelled up and he I play We’re playing Scrabble. That’s how bad it died. I hope that if they are bees, they My wife sleeps all the time. She QUAKE for 19 is. I’m 42 years old, it’s a blistering fly into my wife's throat. slept through an argument our next-door points. hot Sunday afternoon and all I can think neighbours had that resulted in a broken of to do with my life is to play Scrabble. She plays SWEATIER, using all door, a smashed TV and a Teletubby Lala

her letters. 24 points plus a 50 point doll with all the stuffing coming out. I I should be out, doing exercise, bonus. If it wasn't too hot to move I And then she bitched at me for being spending money, meeting people. I don't would strangle her right now. moody the next day from lack of sleep. think I've spoken to anyone except my wife since Thursday morning. On Thursday I am getting sweatier. It needs to If only there was some way for me morning I spoke to the milkman. rain, to clear the air. As soon as that to get rid of her. thought crosses my mind, I find a good My letters are crap. word. HUMID on a double-word score, I spot a chance to use all my using the D of JINXED. The U makes letters. EXPLODES, using the X of I play, appropriately, begin. With a little splash of saliva when I put it JINXED. 72 points. That'll show her. the n on the little pink star. Twenty-two down. Another 22 points. I hope she has points. lousy letters. As I put the last letter down, there is a deafening bang and the air I watch my wife's smug expression as She tells me she has lousy letters. conditioning unit fails. she rearranges her letters. Clack, clack, For some reason, I hate her more. wonder clack. I hate her. If she wasn't around, My heart is racing, but not from if the I'd be doing something interesting right She plays FAN, with the F on a the shock of the bang. I don't believe strength now. I'd be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. double-letter, and gets up to fill the it - but it can't be a coincidence. The of the I'd be starring in the latest Hollywood kettle and turn on the air conditioning. letters made it happen. I played the word quake blockbuster. I'd be sailing the Vendee EXPLODES, and it happened - the air will Globe on a 60-foot clipper called the New It's the hottest day for ten years conditioning unit exploded. And before, be Horizons - I don't know, but I'd be doing and my wife is turning on the kettle. This I played the word CHEATING when I something. is why I hate my wife. I play ZAPS, cheated. And ZAP when my wife got the with the Z doubled, and she gets a static electric shock. The words are coming true. She plays jinxed, with the J on shock off the air conditioning unit. I The letters are choosing their future. The proportionate a double-letter score. 30 points. She's find this remarkably satisfying. whole game is - JINXED. beating me already. Maybe I should kill to how many points it scored. I can feel her. She sits back down with a heavy sigh My wife plays SIGN, with the N on the trembling energy and starts fiddling with her letters a triple-letter, for 10 points. If only I had a D, then I could play again. Clack clack. Clack clack. I feel of potential in my veins. I am commanding fate. I am manipulating murder. That would be a sign. That a terrible rage build up inside me. Some I have to test this. would be permission. inner poison slowly spreading through my destiny. limbs, and when it gets to my fingertips I I have to play something and see if My wife plays DEATH for 34 points, I start chewing on my u. It's a bad am going to jump out of my chair, spilling it happens. Something unlikely, to prove just as the room starts to shake. habit, I know. All the letters are frayed. the Scrabble tiles over the floor, and I that the letters are making it happen. I play warmer for 22 points, mainly am going to start hitting her again and My rack is ABQYFWE. That doesn't I gasp with surprise and vindication so I can keep chewing on my u. again and again. leave me with a lot of options. I start - and the B that I was chewing on gets frantically chewing on the B. lodged in my throat. I try to cough. As I'm picking new letters from the The rage gets to my fingertips and My face goes red, then blue. My throat bag, I find myself thinking - the letters passes. My heart is beating. I'm sweating. I play FLY, using the L of swells. I draw blood clawing at my neck. will tell me what to do. If they spell I think my face actually twitches. Then EXPLODES. I sit back in my chair and The earthquake builds to a climax. out KILL, or STAB, or her name, or I sigh, deeply, and sit back into my close my eyes, waiting for the sensation anything, I'll do it right now. I'll chair. The kettle starts whistling. As the of rising up from my chair. Waiting to I fall to the floor. My wife just finish her off. whistle builds it makes me feel hotter. fly. sits there, watching. My rack spells MIHZPA. Plus the U She plays READY on a double-word Stupid. I open my eyes, and there's ...... in my mouth. Damn. for 18 points, then goes to pour herself a a fly. An insect, buzzing around above the cup of tea. No I do not want one. Scrabble board, surfing the thermals from charliefish.com the tepid cup of tea. That proves nothing. international pole championship

The International PoleChampionship (IPC) is a competition organized annually by the International Pole Dance Fitness Association (IPDFA).

It is the brainchild of renowned performer and instructor Ania/Anna Przeplasko (pro- nounced pshe plaz ko). It is the one the pioneering international pole dance fitness championship where winners are credited solely for their dance skills, trick techniques and overall showmanship. The IPC is the first pole competition to introduce both men and disabled divisions. Winners of national championships are granted entry to this championship. Undiscovered talents are en- couraged to submit a video entry via the IPC website. All semi finalists stand a chance to gain online votes and win the title Pole Idol, along with sponsorship to the Grand Finals.

The Competition Pole Art focuses on the artistic aspect of 2008 – Manila Competitors compete in two categories: the routine. In this category, competitors are The first International Pole Dance Fitness Pole Fit and Pole Art. The competitor with given higher points for the originality and Championship was held in Manila. Finalists the highest total score from both categories choreography of the pole dance routine. for this competition were chosen solely via wins the title of Ultimate Pole Champion. video entries. Ten finalists from nine differ- There are four divisions: men’s, women’s, To receive the maximum amount of points, ent countries competed for the title. The first disabled and doubles. performances have to be well executed with Ultimate Pole Champion title was won by Anamarie Garbo from the Philippines. The Pole Art title was won by Marsha Yuan from USA and Pole Fit title by Yuko Hasimoto from Japan.

2009 – Tokyo In 2009 International Pole Dance Fitness Championship was rebranded as the Inter- national Pole Championship (IPC). Respond- ing to a demand by both men and women, IPC opened a category for men – the world’s

Pole Fit focuses on the fitness aspect of the careful attention paid to the synchroniza- first. The new category received worldwide routine. Competitors in this category are tion of dance moves to the music. Move- media attention, refuting the claim that pole given higher points for technical difficulty ments have to be precise, clear and easy to dance is designed for the amusement of and execution of the tricks. recognize, and movements relevant to their men. Competitors this year were also sub- discipline of greater difficulty and complex- mitted applications via video entries. Judges ity will receive higher scores. Transitions from around the world from various sport between moves should be smooth and and dance disciplines judged the entries and orderly. Individual confidence is recognized, picked the finalists. Fan participated and with stress placed on energy, enthusiasm, voted online for their favorite competitor via and strong stage presence. Creative open- the IPC website. The winner Sarah Cretul ings and endings to performances as well from USA won the title of Pole Idol. The Ulti- as theme and story also receive high scores. mate Pole Champion Women`s title was won Choreography is judged on level of difficulty, by Mai Sato from Japan. The first Ultimate use of relevant movements, transitions, and Pole Champion Men`s title was won by Dave synchronization with music. Kahl from Australia. 79 dylan young: the journey to formula 1

If you’ve ever been to a as one of their young development driv- ers competing in their junior team. He and Formula 1 Grand Prix, his team of investors are currently working especially at glamorous behind the scenes to make it happen but the locations such as Monaco and clock is ticking. Singapore, it’s easy to see And whilst Young can’t reveal the full details how the Bikinis and Martinis of the 2014 contract offer, it’s hard for him lifestyle goes hand in hand with to hide his excitement at just what might be around the corner. “Until anything is signed, the fastest cars on earth. I can’t divulge much, but what I can say is that it would involve a full time European for himself, but also equally for his team of Luxurious yachts are aligned trackside and campaign in a junior team for one of the cur- supporters to see the rewards they deserve movers and shakers from across the globe rent F1 teams, all at F1 Grand Prix events, come their way. wine and dine in style where seemingly the and the deal could involve a Formula 1 test. glamour of Formula 1 is as important as the The investment would be structured in a way “For me, it’s a full on team effort and I’m racing itself. Here in Phuket we continu- that would give me a huge opportunity to one piece of the puzzle of a great group of ally boast about the island being a global break into Formula 1 full time very soon.” people. It’s about everyone joining in the hotspot for this kind of lifestyle, and soon we celebrations of a goal that has not only been could also be laying claim to one of our local It’s the lavish financial returns of Formula 1 mine since a young age but also that of my residents, Dylan Young, breaking into the that has allowed Dylan to build a team of investors who are backing me to reach the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1. Here’s vital investors around him who also wish top. I’m striving to deliver on their belief in the story of a young man who is on a mis- to share in the success of the Formula 1 me because for me to reach Formula 1 will sion to ride the rollercoaster journey all the lifestyle. Whilst many drivers that rise to the be just as rewarding for them in a big, big way to the top into Formula 1. top do so via the extreme wealth of family way.” 2010 – Tokyo 2013 – Singapore Another world first – a new division for the The dramatic spectacle of theatre, meets It’s easy to see why Dylan is attracting an disabled was introduced, inspired by sight the anti-gravity and death-defying stunts of affluent group of investors given his dedica- impaired pole dancer Marie Dunot from the circus arts, all topped with a bit of Vegas tion to providing them with an extravagant France who had entered IPC 2009. The magnificence. There is literally no other per- return on their investment and the manner in competition housed a live audience of 2000 formance art or sport quite like pole dance which he handles himself. No one is going to fans. National champions from different fitness, and the global elite heated it up for support someone who they can’t present to countries competed, alongside competitors one truly international extravaganza on the their key client groups or who makes a fool who submitted their video entry. same stage for a night of strong competi- of themselves in front of the media. Howev- tion. The winners are... Fans from all over the world traveled to er, Young’s individuality and humorous side Tokyo to support their favorite competitor. Women’s Division: Natasha Wang – Ultimate is strongly evident which will put him in good The event received accolade for being the Champion, Rafaela Montanaro – Pole Art stead to keep standing out from the crowd ‘Most Media Attended Event 2011’ and ‘The Champion, Pink Puma (Polina Volchek) – in an environment where many racing drivers Best International Pole Event 2011’ awarded Pole Fit Champion have become mundane PR robots. by International Pole Dance Magazine. The Ultimate Pole Champion Women`s title was Men’s Division: Derick Pierson – Ultimate Combine Dylan’s marketing attributes with won by Mai Sato from Japan. The Ultimate Champion, Oleksandr Shchukin – Pole Fit the lure of hefty financial returns, F1 pit Pole Champion Men`s title was won by Dun- Champion, Steven Retchless – Pole Art access, exclusive Formula 1 Paddock Club can West from Australia. The first Ultimate Champion Pole Champion Disabled title was won by Eri 2012 – Hong Kong Hospitality and being a central part of the Kamimoto from Japan. The IPC 2012 was held at Hong Kong Doubles Division: Enchanted – Ultimate team where no one else usually has the right Jockey Club Amphitheatre (1 Gloucester Champions, Mina and Nadia – Pole Fit to set foot, then it’s easy to see how the Road Wan Chai, Hong Kong) on Thursday Champion, Suzie Q and Toby J – Pole Art temptation to join Dylan’s team is too much 15 March 2012. The championship boasts Champion Many of you in Phuket would be familiar backing, Young has instead been structuring to pass up on for some prosperous investors. an additional new doubles division and was with Dylan Young, an Australian racing driver a consortium of backers ever since the start inaugurated by Hong Kong celebrity Marsha Masters Division: Joanna Littlewood-John- hailing from Melbourne who has been based of his career. His ability to do so says much But to be tempted, one must know what it Yuan and Jenyne Butterfly. son – Ultimate Champion, Greta Pontarelli on the island since 2010 whilst competing for the credibility of his marketing platform truly involves. And that’s where Young opens – Pole Art Champion, Joanna Derybowska – across Asia and the Middle East. Young has and leads one to see the potential for him his arms for people on the island to contact For the first time, the event was accom- Pole Fit Champion panied by a series of conferences for Pole been racing in some of the most competitive to land a future Formula 1 drive, where driv- him and find out what really is on offer for Dance Fitness professionals and national Disabled Division Eri Kamimoto – Ultimate junior open wheeler categories across the ers are required to be moving billboards for the 2014 season deal and beyond which associations. The Ultimate Pole Champion Champion, Deb Roach – Silver Champion region, including numerous F1 GP events powerhouse international corporations. would see him contracted to an F1 team Women`s title was won by OONA KIVELA. where he is featured in the curtain raiser from the get go of this season. The Ultimate Pole Champion Men`s title was ...... races to the Formula 1 Grand Prix’s at iconic Young emphasizes that much of the cur- 2011 won by CHRIS MEASDAY. The Ultimate Pole venues such as the Singapore F1 Grand Prix. rent offering for his 2014 campaign and “People at the moment have been quite IPC underwent restructure and included as Champion Doubles title was won by CAR- ipdfa.com beyond revolves around lifestyle investing, surprised, as it’s much more than just a tra- LIE & TRAVIS. The Ultimate Pole Champion part of their championship process, estab- polechampionship.com As the 2014 season dawns, Young’s journey something that fully aligns with the people ditional sponsorship offering. When they see Disabled title was won by DEB ROACH. The lishment of relationships with national Pole Official Partner:cecibcbg.com is approaching crunch time with the most that tend to mingle in Phuket and the sur- what it could mean for them in terms of the Dance Fitness competitions and organiza- Pole Idol title was won by WILSON ALEX- breathtaking offer of his career coming his rounding Asia Pacific region. Dylan explains financial returns in conjunction with the usual tions. This was in preparation for a planned ANDER. sponsorship branding activities, it adds up in conference component in the upcoming IPC. way from a current Formula 1 team to act that he is driven to reach Formula 1 not only 80 81 a massive way. As I said, it’s a hugely excit- ing offer from a current F1 team to be a part of their junior team but I can’t discuss what’s involved publicly just yet. I’m always keen to have the team grow so if anyone’s curiosity is tickling them, then give me a call and you can see what’s truly in store.”

With all the excitement of Dylan’s F1 junior role offering and his career over the past few years seeing him racing directly under the F1 spotlight at numerous Formula 1 Grand Prix’s, it would be easy to think he’s a young guy who’s had it all come his way, but that’s far from the truth. His journey has required enormous sacrifices, both mentally and physically, but he’s the kind of driven indi- vidual who hasn’t let anything get in his way.

“It’s been a rollercoaster journey but I’m ab- solutely loving the ride. You get out of it what Young smiles when he explains, “there are in the not too distant future, but if you want you put in and we’ve worked tremendously no weekends, there’s always something to a piece of that pie, then make sure you jump hard behind the scenes for years now.” be done and it’s a different lifestyle but it’s onboard with him now and share one wild all worth it for the moments when I’m in the ride to Formula 1. Whilst part of Young’s time does include car, in my own world and at one with the car ...... the Phuket lifestyle that has become syn- and on a knife’s edge in terms of dancing on onymous with the Hollywood style circus the limit!” Dylan Young surrounding Formula 1, he still dedicates +66 (0)81 089 0665 himself fully to his Formula 1 aspiration, even So upon going to print, we can’t yet an- [email protected] if that means a 12:30am run on the Phuket nounce the plans for our local Phuket racer’s dylanyoungracing.com streets to keep up his supreme fitness international campaign, but we are crossing routine. His racing comes first and foremost our fingers for a the young man that is lead- and he’s devoted the larger part of his life ing the way for Phuket to be thrust into the to climbing the ladder and the rewards are Formula 1 limelight. We’re sure the Bikinis starting to come to fruition. and Martinis lifestyle will be surrounding him

82 COOL RARE NATURAL PHENOMENA ON EARTH

Bioluminescence Snow Donuts Auroras Sun Dogs Columnar Basalt Morning Glory Clouds

The spooky light is created by a chemical These rare shapes are formed when a mass Auroras or polar lights are mesmerizing nat- They are massive halos in the sky as a result The unique formations are a result of lava Morning Glory clouds are very rare types of reaction called “bioluminescence”, which of snow either falls or is blown by the wind. ural light display in the skies of high latitude of light refraction—though in this case, they flows cracking as they cool, in a perpendic- clouds. They can stretch 1,000 kilometers happens when tiny organisms in the water If it manages to catch on to some other regions. They are caused when energetic appear to actually encircle the sun. Sun ular direction to the original flow. Colum- long and occur at altitudes of up to 2 km. are disturbed. The photographer put his snow, and gravity or the wind is in its favor, electrically charged particles from solar wind dogs can be recognized by the two distinc- nar basalt clusters can be found all over Although similar clouds are seen in many camera on a very slow shutter speed and then the new snowball will roll itself in the accelerate along the magnetic field lines into tive bright spots on either side of the halo— the world—and then, naturally, climbed. / places worldwide, the ones over Burketown, threw sand and stones into the water to exact same way we all used to. In this case, the upper atmosphere, where they collide if these blips are bright enough, it can even listverse.com Queensland in Australia occur predictably cause the reaction and capture as much of though, the middles tend to collapse to cre- with gas atoms, causing the atoms to give look like there are three suns in the sky, all every spring. / quora.com the blue haze as possible. / philhart.com ate a donut shape. / npr.org off light. / travelization.net side by side. / en.wikipedia.org

Supercells Fire Rainbows Fire Whirls Skypunch Penitentes Brinicles

A supercell is basically a stronger, more These colorful offshoots are a large halo of The fire whirls or fire tornado, occurs when A fallstreak hole is a large circular or ellipti- These spiky fields of ice are called peni- When the surface of the sea freezes it does tornado-enabled version of a regular storm refracted light, and despite their nickname, a fire, combined by certain air temperature cal gap, that can appear in cirrocumulous or tentes, and each individual shard can be up so in a way that forces pockets of especially cell. This is because—much like torna- they have nothing to do with either fire or and currents, forms a whirl that rises into altocumulous clouds. Such holes are formed to a whopping 4 m high. These intimidating cold and salty seawater to gather on the does—supercells have the tendency to spin rainbows. They only occur when the sun is the air like a tornado. They can be actual when the water temperature in the clouds is snow structures are formed in high-altitude underside of the ice. Because it’s so cold, around a lot, but also—and more important- at least 58 degrees above the horizon, when whirlwinds that disengage from the flames, below freezing but the water has not frozen areas with low humidity, such as the glaciers the fresher water below the brine actually ly—because supercells can actually create there are cirrus clouds in the sky that are or else can become a vortex of flame. The yet due to the lack of icenucleation parti- of the Andes mountains. / en.wikipedia.org freezes around it as it falls, which results in a tornadoes. / someinterestingfacts.net filled with plate-shaped ice crystals. fire whirl usually occurs during bush fires. cles. / pinterest.com giant icicle under the surface. / listverse.com

Volcanic Lightning Lenticular Clouds Finnish Lapland Frost Flowers Light Poles Mammatus Clouds

This cool picture depicts a lightning storm They are stationary lens-shaped and some- The picture was taken last winter in Finnish They’re buildups of ice particles around the This phenomenon is known as ‘light poles’ Mammatus clouds are cellular pattern of that takes place in the middle of a volcanic times multi-layered clouds that form at high Lapland where weather can include sub- base of certain plants and types of wood. and it can be seen at nights over the large pouches hanging underneath the base eruption. Scientists aren’t 100% sure why altitudes. They are formed when moist air freezing temperatures and driving snow. When the temperature outside the plant is cities with different colored lights. They can of a cloud. They are formed in sinking air this happens, but the primary theory goes is forced to flow upward around mountain Surreal landscapes sometimes result, where below freezing and the temperature within only be seen during very cold weather (the contrary to any other form of clouds that that when a volcano erupts, it projects tops. Due to their shape, they have been common trees become cloaked in white and them is not, then water is pulled to the temperature of -20 Celsius degrees or lower are formed in rising air. There are various positively-charged debris into the atmos- offered as an explanation for some UFO so appear, to some, as watchful aliens or surface in a process similar to transpira- is required). Also the wind must not blow hypotheses offered behind the mechanism phere. These charges then react with nega- sightings. / crystalinks.com bizarre statues. / nownews.com tion. This leads to a fragile chain of ice fast and there has to be a plenty of tiny of its formation. / indiaonrent.com tive charges already present, which results being pushed outward, which ends up ice crystals in the atmosphere. / planete- in 1) a bolt of lightning, and 2) a really cool forming sprawling, delicate formations. / revelations.com picture. / listverse.com en.wikipedia.org 84 85 tions from scratch, using samplers, synthe- he worked into his sets. Farley Jackmaster HIstory of house music sizers, sequencers, and drum machines. Funk was quoted as saying “In 1982, I was DJing at a club called The Playground and Charanjit Singh’s Synthesizing: Ten Ragas to there was this kid named Leonard ‘Remix’ a Disco Beat (1982) anticipated the sounds Roy who was a DJ at a rival club called The of acid house music, but is not known to Rink. He came over to my club one night, have had any influence on the genre prior to and into the DJ booth and said to me, ‘I’ve its rediscovery in the 21st century. got the gimmick that’s gonna take all the people out of your club and into mine – it’s House music is a genre of Origins of the term called House music.’ Now, where he got electronic dance music that The term “house music” is widely cited to that name from or what made him think of it have originated as a reference to a Chicago I don’t know, so the answer lies with him.” originated in the American city nightclub called The Warehouse which of Chicago in the early 1980s. existed from 1977 to 1983. The Warehouse Chip E.’s 1985 recording “It’s House” may was patronized primarily by black and Latino also have helped to define this new form of It was initially popularized circa 1984 in men, who came to dance to music played electronic music. However, Chip E. himself Chicago but beginning in 1985 fanned out by the club’s resident DJ Frankie Knuckles. lends credence to the Knuckles association, Juan Atkins, an originator of Detroit techno to other major cities such as marshall_ claiming the name came from methods of music, claims the term “house” reflected jefferson_1986Detroit, Toronto, New York labelling records at the Importes Etc. record the exclusive association of particular tracks City, Boston, Montreal, Manchester, Miami, store, where he worked in the early 1980s: with particular clubs and DJs; those records London, and Paris. It then began to influence bins of music that DJ Knuckles played at the helped differentiate the clubs and DJs, and popular music in Europe, with songs such as Warehouse nightclub were labelled in the thus were considered to be their “house” “House Nation” by House Master Boyz and store “As Heard At The Warehouse”, which records. In an effort to maintain such exclu- the Rude Boy Of House (1987) and “Doctor- was shortened to simply “House”. Patrons sives, the DJs were inspired to create their in’ The House” by Coldcut (1988) in the pop later asked for new music for the bins, which own “house” records charts. Since the early to mid-1990s, house Chip E. implies was a demand the shop tried music has been infused in mainstream pop to meet by stocking newer local club hits. Lyrical themes and dance music worldwide. House also had an influence of relaying In a 1986 interview, Rocky Jones, the former political messages to people who were Early house music was generally dance- After enjoying significant success in the early notes and would span greater ranges. Some club DJ who ran the D.J. International record considered to be outcasts of society. based music characterized by repetitive to mid-90s, house music grew even larger early house productions used parts of bass Knuckles became a popular DJ at the club. label, doesn’t mention Importes Etc., Frankie maestroIt appealed to those who didn’t fit 4/4 beats, rhythms centered around drum during the second wave of progressive lines from earlier disco tracks. For example, After the Warehouse closed in 1983, the Knuckles, or the Warehouse by name, but into mainstream American society and was machines, off-beat hi-hat cymbals, and syn- house (1999–2001). The genre has re- producer Mark “Hot Rod” Trollan copied crowds went to his new club, The Power agrees that “house” was a regional catch-all especially celebrated by many black males. thesized basslines. While house displayed mained popular and fused into other popular bass-line sections from the 1983 Italo disco Plant. In the Channel 4 documentary Pump term for dance music, and that it was once Frankie Knuckles made a good comparison several characteristics similar to disco mu- subgenres, as the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll song “Feels Good (Carrots & Beets)” (by Up The Volume, Knuckles remarks that the synonymous with older disco music. of house saying it was like “church for peo- sic, it was more electronic and minimalistic, has been dominated by house DJs since the Electra featuring Tara Butler) to form the ba- first time he heard the term “house music” ple who have fallen from grace” and Marshall and the structured music’s focus around a beginning of the polls. Today, house music sis of his 1986 production of “Your Love” by was upon seeing “we play house music” on Larry Heard, a.k.a. “Mr. Fingers”, claims that Jefferson compared it to “old-time religion repetitive rhythm was more important than remains popular in both clubs and in the Jamie Principle. Frankie Knuckles used the a sign in the window of a bar on Chicago’s the term “house” reflected the fact that many in the way that people just get happy and the song itself. House music today, while mainstream pop scene while still maintaining same notes in his more famous 1987 version South Side. One of the people in the car early DJs created music in their own homes, screamin’”. Deep house was similar to many keeping several of these core elements, a strong foothold on underground scenes of “Your Love”, which also featured Principle with him joked, “you know, that’s the kind using synthesizers and drum machines, in- of the messages of freedom for the black notably the prominent kick drum on every across the globe. on vocals. of music you play down at the Warehouse!”, cluding the Roland TR-808, TR-909, and the community. beat, varies a lot in style and influence, rang- and then everybody laughed. South-Side TB 303 Bassline synthesizer-sequencer. TR- ing from the soulful and atmospheric deep Musical elements Electronically generated sounds and sam- Chicago DJ Leonard “Remix” Roy, in self- 808-with-Real-World-Interfaces-mods-4L- from Wikipedia house to the more minimalistic microhouse. House is uptempo music for dancing, al- ples of recordings from genres such as jazz, published statements, claims he put such Accent-MemThese synthesizers were used House music has also fused with several though by modern dance-music standards blues, disco, funk, soul and synth pop are a sign in a tavern window because it was to create a house subgenre called acid other genres creating fusion subgenres, it is mid-tempo, generally ranging between often added to the foundation of the drum where he played music that one might find house. such as Euro house, tech house, and electro 118 and 135 bpm. Tempos tended to be beat and synth bass line. House songs may in one’s home; in his case, it referred to house. slower in the early years of house. also include disco, soul, or gospel vocals his mother’s soul & disco records, which and additional percussion such as tam- House music, after enjoying significant The common element of house is a promi- bourine. Many house mixes also include underground and club-based success in nent kick drum on every beat (also known as repeating, short, syncopated, staccato Chicago from the early 1980s onwards, a four-on-the-floor beat), usually generated chord-loops that are usually composed of emerged into the UK mainstream pop mar- by a drum machine or sampler. 5-7 chords in a 4-beat measure. ket in the mid-to-late 80s. Popularity quickly followed in the rest of Europe, and it became The kick drum sound is augmented by vari- Influences and precursors a global phenomenon from the early-to-mid ous kick fills and extended dropouts. The Some disco songs incorporated sounds 90s onwards. It proved to be a commercially drum track is filled out with hi-hat cymbal- produced with synthesizers and drum successful genre and a more mainstream patterns that nearly always include a hi-hat machines, and some compositions were pop-based variation grew increasingly popu- on quaver off-beats between each kick, and entirely electronic; examples include Giorgio lar. Artists and groups such as Madonna, a snare drum or clap sound on beats two Moroder’s late 1970s productions such as Janet Jackson, Björk, and C+C Music Fac- and four of every bar. This pattern derives Donna Summer’s hit single “I Feel Love” tory incorporated the genre into their work. from the so-called “four-on-the-floor” dance from 1977, Cerrone’s Supernature (1977), drumbeats of the 1960s which impacted Yellow Magic Orchestra’s synth-disco-pop on 1980s house music via the 1970s disco productions from their self-titled album drummers. (1978), Solid State Survivor (1979), and several early 1980s disco-pop productions Producers use many different sound-sources by the Hi-NRG group Lime. for bass sounds in house, from continu- ous, repeating electronically generated lines Disco was an influence on house music, sequenced on a synthesizer, such as a which was also influenced by mixing and Korg M1, Roland SH-101, or TB-303, to editing techniques earlier explored by disco studio recordings or samples of live electric DJs, producers, and audio engineers like bassists, or simply filtered-down samples Walter Gibbons, Tom Moulton, Jim Burgess, from whole stereo recordings of classic funk Larry Levan, Ron Hardy, M & M and oth- tracks or any other songs. House bass-lines ers who produced longer, more repetitive tend to favor notes that fall within a single- and percussive arrangements of existing octave range, whereas disco bass-lines disco recordings. Early house producers like often alternated between octave-separated Frankie Knuckles created similar composi- 86 87 “My dream has always been to do something that makes ​​me happy as well as pleases others.

When I had the opportunity to open a nice little beach bar on Bang Tao Beach (Phuket), I had no doubt it would be an adventure.

Previously, for a period of about a year, I had gathered driftwood, floating timber, fishing buoys, and other items which washed up on the beach. With these beautiful decorative things ‘The Red Sun Bar’ became alive with its own natural character.

Now, our guests visit us for the cozy and relaxed atmosphere, an increasingly rare sight. We are away from the main stream venues catering to those who enjoy the quiet moments.

In addition, because we have no electricity supply, it truly feels being set back 25 years feeling the sand between your toes while enjoying a refreshing drink.”

Khun Nest 88 Owner of The Red Sun Bar 89 B E A C T H E K C L U U

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S O C I E T Y CRAFTED LIVING SPACES

PHUKET

Phuket Samui 0 5 10 km 424 Srisoonthorn Rd. Cherngtalay 9/18 Moo1 Maenam

B E A CH C L U B AT B O AT HOU S E Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 76 325 419 Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 77 247 675 THE HOME OF INSPIRED INTERIORS phuketbeachclubsociety.com [email protected] www.oriental-living.net