Louis Vuitton celebrates the Festival of Lights

When Louis Vuitton Philippines celebrated the Indian Diwali or “festival of lights,” it illuminated its temporary store in Greenbelt 5 with over 200 beautifully stenciled LED candles. I had to take a second look at the lights because the “candles,” which were actually electronic lights in containers of different sizes, looked so real to me.

The private cocktail at LV’s temporary store (the Greenbelt 4 store is currently under renovation) was done in the spirit of the Diwali, which served as the inspiration for Louis Vuitton’s holiday displays all over the world.

Louis Vuitton GM for Micronesia and the Philippines Edouard Faure and Louis Vuitton Philippines brand director Rhea De Vera-Aguirre were on hand to welcome guests who were already handed a glass of champagne the minute they entered the store. It was a visual feast of exotic floral arrangements of orange-colored iris, roses and carnations. Chef Avanish of The Peninsula Manila created sumptuous canapés infused with Indian spices such as cardamom, pepper, cumin and curry. DJ Arvin Pessumal was the perfect choice to play Bollywood fusion lounge music, setting the perfect tone for the night.

The evening also showcased the launch of a limited display of Louis Vuitton high-end watches and jewelry that were flown in especially for the event. Most guests were impressed with the Tambour in Black watches and the Empreinte jewelry collection. Indian models also showcased Louis Vuitton’s new evening bags and the new Monogram Empreinte line. This is the newest collection of high-end leather bags, handcrafted using the softest monogrammed calfskin.

The cocktail only lasted for three hours but it was an evening of pure pleasure and luxury.

 (Louis Vuitton offers free mail order service to key cities in the Philippines. For more information, check www.louisvuitton.com)

Beatrice, Butch and Joy Campos and their families with Mercury Drug’s Mariano Que and Vivan Que-Azcona.

The future of cosmopolitan living

Come 2014, the future of fiber-to-the-home technology will be completed on an 11-hectare property in Mandaluyong City. It will be called Twin Oaks Place and its developer is Greenfield Development Corp. The property will soon be the location of a smart and connected satellite city with modern commercial and residential buildings where 40 percent of the entire district will be dedicated to green areas and tree-lined roads.

In a launch recently, host Sarah Meier transported guests to the future as they were given a preview of what’s in store for them when the project is completed. Greenfield Development Corp. president and chairman Jeffrey Campos and EVP and GM Duane Santos showed how fiber-to-the-home technology works at Twin Oaks Place — from unlocking the door, to changing the mood lights, fixing curtains and even videoconferencing with just a click from a phone or any WiFi device. As these features where being demonstrated, guests enjoyed cocktails by Cibo as they were serenaded by saxophonist Michael Young during the morning press launch. During the buyer’s night, guests enjoyed the music by DJ Nicky Jurado.

Campos said, “The Greenfield District is geared to remake this part of the metropolis into the first smart and connected city in the country. Built on twin foundations of technologically-advanced infrastructure and environmentally-aware planning, the Greenfield District aims to provide the cosmopolitan culture and convenience of modern living. The 43-story Twin Oaks Place brings together the convenience of a well-designed structure with top-of-the-line amenities and technological advances tied in with a community that is built to facilitate and enhance such development. Twin Oaks Place showcases how nature and science can work hand-in-hand for a future-ready home.”

The showroom model units and actual Twin Oaks Place units were designed by Dan Lichauco. The showroom building and interior design was by Jonathan Gan while Recio+Casas Architects developed the Twin Oaks building design.

 (Check out www.greenfield.com.ph or contact 02-53GREEN and 0917-53GREEN.)

Happy New Year to everyone! May all of us have a better 2011! Please be safe when you welcome the New Year.