The Dapper Report

Paris. The city of lights.
For a lot of the people Paris is one of the most beautiful places of the world. The architecture, the art, the good food and the atmosphere walking through the old palaces which where important locations during the French Revolution. Paris was the cradle of art, fashion & the idea of the modern democracy  and will always be a very expressive place for the Western world.
So like you could have already noticed I had some wonderful days in Berlin & Paris because of the Fashion Weeks.
Berlin was very familiar to me because I knew quite a lot of people and met some very cool new ones. Its was a fantastic experience to be part of it. (there will be a blogpost about Berlin a little later)
Afterwards I took my flight to Paris to take part in several Fashion Shows.
One of my favorite looks of my Fashion Week seasion can be seen above. I decided to shoot this look at the Palais Royal. It's such an inspiring and lively location. Especially the last picture really shows what no word could describe.
This place is like an island of recovery in the heart of a big, loud city.


Like Thomas Jefferson said: ´A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty, and in the point of life.

Cheers,
Marc

Like you could have already noticed it's Fashion Week Season again. All fashion freaks (included me) are crawling out of their dark cavities back to the runways to pick up the bread crumbs the designers are going to throw.
At the moment the fashion circus stopped in Milano, next stop Paris. In Paris I'm going to jump on the train and try to inhale the genius of the big designers, the atmosphere & the spirit of this fantastic city.
But now I like to talk about what we have seen in London this time. I'm not thinking about the big labels like Burberry, Alexander McQueen or Belstaff, today I like to present some very special pieces by super talented young designers to you.


- Agi & Sam -

Sometimes it is very useful to look apart the mainstream. So I did and decided not to have a look at the shows of the big fashion houses but rather to watch those that I've never tried to notice (shame on me).
We often suffer  from tunnel-type vision on the established brands but the new ones are more exciting, fresh and cool. It can be compared to a new crush: You never thought to get over the pain that your last relationship left at the place your heart should be but this new crush is giving something to you that you haven't expected. Exactly this feeling I had while clicking through the newest collection of the duo Agi Mdumulla & Sam Cotton. Especially the cuts, fabrics & colors of their pieces fuse into a wonderful piece of art. I know a lot of people are thinking that fashion can't be compared with art. But I and a huge number of other people would disagree because we are carrying fashion our whole life, fashion emphasizes our character & gives us the opportunity to reach for the stars.
For me Fashion is the most important way of commercial art, because everybody is always confronted by it. So be quick to get some of these great pieces by Agi & Sam before they turn into a Van Gogh.
You can feel all of their heart in this collection.

Cheers,
Marc

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Sometimes there are places you feel connected to because of the good vibes, the safety, a warm atmosphere or simply because of the people who surround you.
All these things are true when you step through the doors of Munichs one and only luxury hotel 'Kempinski Vier Jahreszeiten'.
Located on one of Europes most exclusives boulevards there is nothing a luxury lover would miss. All the big fishes of the high-fashion industry are located on Maximilianstraße as well as the most famous jewelers of world like Bulgari, Chopard, Cartier and many more.
Since 1858, guests from all over the world enjoyed the special atmosphere & the ageless elegance of the hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. The hotel & the Maximilianstraße were built for King Maximilian II who wanted to creat a boulevard within the city called after himself. Designed by Rudolf Gottgetreu the hotel became an innovative elegant building with electricity, running water and paternoster lifts.
Until 2015 a few things had changed!
After the second world war the lobby was redesigned. Before war there were marble stairs going up from the lobby to the floors. Today the lobby captivates through it's warm and cosy interior and the beautiful glass dome showing the 4 seasons. It's well known as one of Europes most beautiful saloons and especially for Munich's it is 'the cities nicest livingroom' to meet, to have afternoon tea and some fantastic pastries by Ian Baker (Patissier of the year 2015). His little art works can't be compared to ordinary cake. The taste and the looks form an explosion of senses and afterwards you always want more! I have never had a pastry like this before. There is such an incredible balance of the flavors! You also can have his pieces for takeaway, called Baker in a Box. I gave them to very close friend of mine and they were completely fascinated! Ian Baker is a genius!
In Feburary 2015 the restaurant was restructured with a new gastronomic concept and a new name Schwarzreiter Tagesbar & Restaurant. (side note: At the moment the Schwarzreiter Tagesbar offers different sorts of the finest Beluga caviar. Especially in combination with a cold glass of champagne the best way to end the day with beloved people.)
The Schwarzreiter is also the location in the morning for having breakfast. You can choose between a lot of typical bavarian delicacies like Weißwürste & Leberkäs and a lot of other international products.
There is a huge assortment of cheese, ham, different sorts of self-made jams, honey directly out of a comb, fresh fruits & juices, english breakfast included bacon and sausages and of course several types of breads, buns, croissants and muesli.
Today Vier Jahreszeiten belongs to the Leading Hotels of the World with a lot of famous international guests like Jennifer Lopez, Cindy Crawford, Elton John, Sean Connery just to name a few stars.
The reason of more than 150 years of success is the excellent service, the politeness of the staff and their credo 'there is no no'.
Especially the concierge service and the spa are making your stay even more comfortable. There is a 24 hour concierge service to fulfill all of your wishes and the small but fine spa helps you to relax.
There are several types of massages you can book, besides they have a steam sauna and a finish wood sauna with a breathtaking view over Munich.
I simply enjoyed my stay and I have to say that I've rarely felt so welcomed at any other luxury hotel like at the Vier Jahreszeiten. Even if it's sounds a little bizarre but it felt like coming home.
Well perhaps I'm feeling connected to this hotel because my grandparents have stayed there for more than 20 years every time during Oktoberfest on their way back home from the Côte d'Azur. That is also the reason why I had to have a drink at the Jahreszeiten Bar. It was the favorite spot of my grandparents and it also became one of mine because of the live piano music while having a good drink.

All in all the Vier Jahreszeiten is always worth a visit! Pure perfection in combination with hospitality, luxury and a high class service. I can't wait to come back!

Special thanks to Julia to make all this happen!


Ps.: If you should be in Munich during the advent time you should reserve one of the winter gondolas in front of the hotel! It's an unique Christmas feeling that you don't want to miss.



The Lobby




Baker in a Box




Jahreszeiten Bar




Schwarzreiter Tagesbar & Restaurant