The new cellar door at Devil's Corner Vineyard on the East Coast of Tasmania. Photography courtesy East Coast Tasmania. From 131 carat gemstones to absinthe to wine trails, here are some of the things T Australia is excited about this month.
This month, Bulgari unveiled its new MAGNIFICA High Jewellery and High-End Watches collection at a week-long event in Sydney. It was the first time that MAGNIFICA – the most extraordinary combination of rare gems, unrivalled craftsmanship and bold design from the Roman Maison – has ever travelled to Australia. Comprising over 150 stunning pieces, it was also the most precious showcase of high jewellery in the brand’s history to be exhibited locally.
The star of the collection, the incredible Imperial Spinel necklace, features a staggering 131.24 carat spinel gemstone, the fourth largest in the world by carat weight. These unparalleled gifts of nature are elevated by the incredible craftsmanship of the Bulgari artisans, working from Bulgari High Jewellery atelier in Rome under the inspired vision of Creative Director Lucia Silvestri. With their skilled, intelligent hands, they transform creative ideas and bi-dimensional sketches into amazing high jewellery artworks, some of which require up to 2,500 hours of handwork. Learn more at bulgari.com
Australia’s most highly-awarded spirit producers, Never Never Distilling Co. have released Australian Absinthe, a distinctive interpretation of the legendary green spirit. The limited-edition Dark Series bottle was developed for Van Gogh Alive to kick off their collaboration at the most visited multi-sensory art experience in the world.
The Never Never Distilling Co Australian Absinthe uses a unique blend of contemporary and traditional botanicals, including the ‘Holy Trinity’ of absinthe: wormwood, sweet fennel, and green anise, as well as lemon balm, aniseed, and hyssop. The 55% ABV spirit will be served exclusively over the bar at the exhibition, served traditionally using antique Absinthe fountains. There is also an extremely limited supply available online. The Never Never Australian Absinthe will sell for $95 RRP. Learn more at neverneverdistilling.com.au
East Coast Tasmania Tourism has unveiled the program for this year’s Great Eastern Wine Week, set along 221km of Tasmania’s pristine eastern coastline. The festival will come alive from September 9-18, with over 60 food and wine events created in collaboration with the region’s best producers.
Highlights include the Black Tie and Blundstone cocktail party at the new Devil’s Corner Cellar Door, The Battle of the Vineyards at Furneaux Restaurant, and the Wild Abundance cooking with game workshop at Twamley Farm. There will also be a selection of masterclasses on offer, such as Flavours of the East Coast Wine masterclasses at Freycinet Lodge, Plumm Glassware masterclasses at Craigie Knowe Vineyard, and VIP Whisky and Gin masterclasses at Spring Bay Distillery. Learn more and book tickets at eastcoasttasmania.com
Girard-Perregaux has worked with the Aston Martin F1 Team to create a new timepiece: the Laureato Absolute Chronograph AM F1 Edition. Blending titanium powder and carbon elements taken from two F1 race cars used during the 2021 season, the watch represents a first in the industry. The dial on the watch is presented in sunray ‘Aston Martin Racing Green’ and is adorned with cross-hatching, a motif that can be traced back to the Aston Martin ‘AM’ badge of 1921.
Limited to 306 pieces – the distance drivers Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel will aim to cover on race day at the 2022 British Grand Prix – the model is now available worldwide in all authorised Girard-Perregaux retailers. Learn more at girard-perregaux.com
British-born singer-songwriter and supermodel Karen Elson will headline Semi Permanent, a festival of creativity and design in Sydney. On the festival main stage, Elson will give a talk about her career and creative process. Earlier this month, Elson released her third full-length album, “Green”, off the back of the critically acclaimed “Ghost Who Walks” and “Double Roses”. The combination signals a new direction and era for Elson and has resulted in a stunning piece of work, both in song-writing and sound.
Elson rose to fame as a model in her teens, having walked runways for Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Valentino and Gucci, and been the face of countless campaigns and graced magazine covers around the globe. She released a book, “The Red Flame”, with Rizzoli Publishing in 2020, a moving coming-of-age story chronicling her professional and personal metamorphosis. Following her decades-long success in the fashion industry, Elson has been a leading advocate for model rights in the workplace, campaigning for historic reform legislation that will protect models and other industry creatives. Find tickets to the event here.
