Haute Events: Summer 2015

George Clooney Hosts An Omega Space Exploration Dinner In Houston
HOUSTON, TEXAS — MAY 12 —, Omega brand ambassador George Clooney hosted a special evening celebrating the brand’s fervent dedication to space travel. Omega’s ties to lunar discover run deep, ever since Omega Speedmaster watches were strapped to the wrists of the first astronauts to step on the moon. In 1962, after a number of astronauts selected the Omega Speedmaster as their personal timepiece of choice, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) put the chronograph through its paces, subjecting it to a volley of extreme tests and eventually declaring it “flight qualified” for the boldest expeditions. Since then the Speedmaster has accompanied astronauts on all six lunar landings. On stage, George Clooney shared his deep appreciation for NASA’s astronauts. “This was a time for us in our country when we needed these people to dream,” said Clooney. “You gentlemen are an inspiration to all of us here and I have to tell you what an honor it is to be standing up here with you.” The event coincided with the release of a new generation of Speedmasters for 2015. The new collection includes the new Speedmaster ‘57, the Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award, and the radiant White Side of the Moon, inspired by the lunar glow that we see from Earth. Additionally, four new designs were also added to the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon series.

Chopard Throws Huge Bash For The Cannes Film Festival
CANNES, FRANCE — MAY 18 — One of the most anticipated events of the entire Cannes Film Festival, Chopard held its annual grand soirée in a marquee specially set up for the occasion at Port Pierre Canto on “La Croisette.” In honor of the 60th anniversary of Cannes’ Palme d’Or, the jewelry house retained a theme of gold across all of its events during this year’s festival, and the grand soirée was no different. Guests found themselves immersed in a stunning recreation of an actual gold mine. The venue featured gold “nugget-style” chairs, verdant vegetation and a bridge built across the space with mine wagons featuring the word “gold.” During the event, singer-songwriter Kirsty Bertarelli performed a few select tracks before Robbie Williams hit the stage to perform some of his greatest hits for more than 700 guests. Uma Thurman, Fan Bing Bing, Poppy Delevingne, Elettra Wiedemann, Sonam Kapoor, Irina Shayk, Adriana Lima, Petra Němcová, Toni Garrn, Ana Beatriz Barros, Michelle Rodriguez, Isabeli Fontana, Daniela Braga, Catrinel Menghia and Julie Ordon were all in attendance. Guests of the party enjoyed Boizel Champagne and a gold-themed cocktail specifically created for the event by Grey Goose. The special drink was made with gold leaves. After the performances, DJ Nathalie Duchêne, resident DJ at the Nuba and Silencio in Paris, kept guests entertained with the help of DJ Cassidy, a world-renowned performer famous for mixing styles and genres.

Richard Mille RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur Blooms In London
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — JULY 6 — For the entire month of July, watch aficionados had the pleasure of admiring a unique selection of Richard Mille timepieces on display at British luxury department store Harrods. The seasonal pop-up exhibition in Harrods showcased the brand’s ultra-chic and iconic timepieces and a line- up of elite ambassadors such as Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake and Formula 1 commentator Martin Brundle. Indeed, the collection included the newly-launched RM 19-02 Tourbillon Fleur, which features a hand-decorated magnolia at 7 o’clock that blooms to reveal a flying tourbillon with a gemstone-set bud. Other pieces on display included men’s sporting watches and limited-edition timepieces. “We are delighted to be part of the exhibition windows at Harrods this summer. This prestigious and historic department store has been a cherished partner for a very long time,” said Peter Harrison, CEO Richard Mille Europe, Middle East and Africa. “More than a pop-up exhibition, this space is an immersive experience enabling visitors to discover the technical brilliance, innovation and cutting-edge design of our timepieces.” The exhibition showcased the brand’s technical mastery and the unique feminine beauty, flair and grace of haute horlogerie combined with the “tough love” of contemporary materials.

Audemars Piguet Says “Bienvenue” to Freida Pinto  In Paris
PARIS, FRANCE — JULY 6 — In Paris, during Haute Couture week for the official launch of the Lady Millenary, Audemars Piguet CEO François-Henry Bennahmias presented Freida Pinto as the brand’s latest female ambassador. Flying in from New Delhi, where she had met with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi to discuss gender equality within the framework of the United Nations, the actress and producer joined Audemars Piguet to celebrate the partnership with the official release of the Lady Millenary. CEO Bennahmias and Pinto met at Art Basel in Miami last year, where his approach corresponded to her own concerns. Instead of asking her about watches and what she knew about the different brands, he asked her about girl-rising and non-profit work, explaining that these concerns are also important for Audemars Piguet. With the company for 21 years, CEO for the past three-and-a-half, François-Hen- ry Bennahmias is conducting “an evolution, not a revolution,” he said. “When I became CEO, Audemars Piguet was already in a good place. I wanted to look beneath, see what was good and what was maybe not as good. The important thing was to have ‘fewer, bigger, and better’—not too many models, with an aim to consolidate. Our sales at the end of June this year were up 14% for the first semester compared to last year, so we must be doing something right.” Oval-shaped, stylish and technical with a strong feminine identity, powered by the 5201 hand-wound manufacture movement, the Lady Millenary targets independent women with its subtle balance between haute horlogerie and haute jewelry.

Haute Living Hosts VIP Soirees For Magic Mike XXL Stars
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — JUNE 18 — Haute Time’s sister magazine, Haute Living, partnered with Westime, Dior Timepieces and Perrier-Jouët Champagne to celebrate Jada Pinkett Smith and her June/July cover of Haute Living New York with an intimate soirée at Craig’s in LA. The stunning star arrived wearing a slinky Balmain dress straight from a press junket for Magic Mike XXL, a film in which she plays a brothel madam named Rome alongside Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer and Adam Rodriguez. Haute Living publisher Kamal Hotchandani toasted Jada Pinkett Smith with a glass of Perrier-Jouët Champagne. She then gave a brief and gracious speech about how pleased she was to take part in the issue. On her way out she perused the Dior watches on display from Westime. Guests left the soirée with gift bags that included bottles of J’adore by Dior Perfume.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — JULY 14 — Partnering with Hublot watches, Haute Living Magazine also celebrated Joe Manganiello and his July/ August cover of Haute Living Los Angeles with an intimate, VIP dinner party for 40 guests at Nobu Malibu. Manganiello, 38, arrived with fiancée Sofía Vergara, wearing an incredible two- piece white ensemble, and her son, Manolo Gonzalez, as well as brother Nick and sister-in-law Lana. Guests at the event were welcomed with a flute of Perrier-Jouët Champagne at sunset before sitting down for a three- course dinner outside on Nobu’s patio. As the sky went dark, Haute Living publisher Kamal Hotchandani stood to raise a glass to Joe, honoring him on the success of the issue’s release as well as his star-making turn in Magic Mike XXL.