Breakaway – Frieze Art Fair in London

Haute-flying culture vultures and art lovers, flock to the Frieze Art Fair in London (14-17 October) this year and bask in contemporary art overload! Focusing on contemporary art and living artists, the fair at Regent’s Park will feature exhibitions from 173 contemporary art galleries from all over the world, showing works by over 1,000 of the world’s most innovative artists. There’ll also be talks, music and art education programmes for kids and adults.

If your interests are haute, might as well go all the way. During this period, Claridge’s and The Connaught are offering Frieze Art Special deals from 11-17 October, which include stays in a deluxe junior suite, two tickets to Frieze Art Fair and welcome bottle of champagne on arrival. This costs from £950 per night at Claridge’s and from £900 per night at The Connaught.

The Connaught

Claridge's

Bookings can be made at through www.maybourne.com and quote “Frieze Art Special". For more information on the fair, head to http://www.frieze.com/

(Art Fair images from Frieze Art Fair)

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Breakaway - Diane von Furstenberg makeover for Claridge's London

If you ever get a chance to check into Claridge’s, one of the world’s most famous and glamorous hotels in London, make sure you ask to see or stay in one of the 20 DVF styled rooms that the hotel has collaborated on with the Queen of the wrap dress, Diane von Furstenberg.

Before looking at the pictures, I kept imagining what her signature style would translate into. My guess: loud prints and a beautifully but tightly wrapped arm chair???. My guess was not too off!

Unveiled on June 23 this year, the Art Deco jewel of Mayfair, the legendary Claridge’s has stood as an emblem of timeless elegance in London and is also the hotel where Diane von Furstenberg has been a loyal guest for the past three decades. I wonder if this was how she volunteered to settle her hotel bill? Snigger!

Designed in collaboration with longtime friend and interior decorator Olivier Gelbsmann, each guestroom features contemporary prints, some with Chinese florals in big, bold scale and some with animal patterns. Each bedroom will have a Diane von Furstenberg custom designed cashmere blanket in sumptuous colour combinations with four star pieces including a dressing table, travelling trunk, desk and cocktail bar, all inspired by Diane von Furstenberg’s travels. Complementing this is furniture handmade by British craftsmen with light fixtures that have been created in the UK and Paris using Murano glass. The rooms will also display photographs taken by Diane von Furstenberg on her travels through Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. DVF’s exclusive textile collection which will be available to interior designers and consumers in September 2010 will be the choice fabric through each room's drapery and overlays. Check out: www.claridges.co.uk

- Elaine

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