APxMusic and Keinemusik Return

Welcome to the 53rd edition of Maximalist! Dive into the ultimate guide, filled with insider insights into the world of fashion, art, real estate, travel, jewelry, and horology.

The world of luxury is never boring, and this week is no exception. Let’s dive in!

Markets

On this week’s agenda:

1. APxMusic and Keinemusik Return For 1 Day Only

2. Armani’s Passione Party - Venice Film Festival

3. Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Returns to LA

4. Into the Second Week of the US Open

5. The 30th Anniversary of the Armory Show

APxMusic and Keinemusik Return For 1 Day Only

Audemars Piguet has been a lifelong partner to the music industry. Earlier this summer, Audemars Piguet lit up the Montreux Jazz Festival with its electrifying event series, Audemars Piguet Parallel. For the third consecutive year, the Swiss watchmaker has enriched the festival with this free and collaborative initiative, infusing it with a vibrant electronic flair.

From July 5th to 20th, the Audemars Piguet Parallel treated attendees to an alternate musical realm, featuring a lineup of top-tier electronic music talents known for their innovative and genre-defying approaches.

The initiative is part of Audemars Piguet’s APxMusic program, aimed at celebrating musical creativity and its potential to stretch artistic limits. The “Parallel” provides a stage for emerging electronic artists at unexpected spots throughout the Montreux Riviera, enhancing the festival's surprise and intrigue. Attendees were kept guessing as the precise locations of the events were disclosed only moments before they began, adding an exclusive, immersive twist to their experience.

The 2024 lineup was entirely electronic, highlighting performances from Turkish DJ Carlita, British ensemble Metronomy, and Berlin’s Keinemusik (Rampa and &ME), each bringing their distinctive sound to the festival. The diverse electronic styles ranged from Carlita’s energetic techno to Metronomy’s catchy synth-pop and Keinemusik’s deep house tunes, offering something for every electronic music enthusiast.

Now at the end of this week and for one day only, APxMusic returns in collaboration with Keinemusik for a special daytime show. This exciting event will take place in Lucerne, Switzerland on September 6th.

Beyond the music, the Audemars Piguet Parallel nurtured a communal spirit and discovery, allowing for intimate interactions between artists and fans in unique venues. This collaboration between Audemars Piguet and the Montreux Jazz Festival exemplifies how luxury watchmaking and avant-garde electronic music can merge to craft a memorable and innovative festival experience.

Armani’s Passione Party - Venice Film Festival

It’s that time of year again and the Venice Film Festival is back and more glamorous than ever. Armani stole the show this year with their black tie event at the Arsenale di Venezia, aptly named the Passione Party. Celebrities like Richard Gere, Cate Blanchett, Sydney Sweeney, Zac Efron, Sadie Sink, and Chase Stokes were all in attendance. The event celebrated Armani's continued role as the official beauty sponsor of the festival, a title they have held for seven years.

The festival, which began on August 28 and runs until September 7, has become a platform for stars to showcase Armani’s beauty products, notably the Luminous Silk foundation and the yet-to-launch Luminous Silk Acqua highlighter. These products are part of a pre-launch exclusive to the festival, designed to enhance complexions and add a radiant glow. The Prisma Glass lip gloss, featuring oil-in-glass technology, was also highlighted for creating a voluminous, multi-dimensional shine.

During the party, guests were treated to performances by The Blaze and Victoria De Angelis, and encouraged to explore the theme "what makes your heart beat." The event not only reflected Giorgio Armani's deep affection for Venice and its cinematic heritage but also his longstanding connection to the film industry. Armani, who has designed costumes for iconic films like "American Gigolo" and "The Dark Knight Rises," showcased his dual passion for fashion and film.

Additionally, this year Armani Beauty will present the Armani Beauty Audience Award – Orizzonti Extra at the festival. This award is part of the Orizzonti section, which is dedicated to recognizing innovative and original trends in global cinema.

Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic Returns to LA

After a three-year hiatus, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is set to dazzle Los Angeles once again. Taking place on October 5, the event promises a refreshed format featuring specially curated tickets, exclusive experiences, and the introduction of new champagne varieties.

This renowned gathering, which draws an elite Hollywood crowd, will take place at the Will Rogers State Historic Park. Ticket sales began on August 23 at 9 a.m. PT/ noon ET, with proceeds benefiting the park.

The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic combines a lively polo match with a French Riviera-themed afternoon soiree. Attendees can enjoy polo, gourmet food, dance music, and an abundance of Veuve Clicquot champagne. Highlights include champagne bars, limited-edition merchandise, and photo opportunities. This year’s event will also mark the debut of the champagne house’s latest offerings, Rich and Rich Rosé.

Center stage at the event is a polo match featuring celebrated player Nacho Figueras, leading Team Veuve Clicquot against Team Will Rogers, starting at 2 p.m. with doors opening at 11 a.m.

There are various ticket packages available, with the Garden Party Sun Deck providing the most exclusive experience. For $8,750, up to 10 guests can enjoy lounge-style seating with unobstructed views of the match, a gourmet lunch, white-glove service, and access to both the Garden Party and Picnic Lawn areas. Each package also includes ten 750mL bottles of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, ten glasses of Veuve Clicquot Rich, and branded champagne flutes.

Into the Second Week of the US Open

The U.S. Open has once again confirmed its status as a pivotal event on New York's social calendar, especially with the spotlight on young American tennis stars, eye-catching social scenes, and a vibrant atmosphere that captivates both local and visiting attendees.

This year's U.S. Open, hosted at Arthur Ashe Stadium, diverged from the usual quiet tennis spectating, instead buzzing with a social vibrancy as fans engaged more with each other than the on-court action. The tournament, running from August 28 to September 10, has become a hotbed for celebrities and influencers, making it a prime venue for both witnessing and participating in the glamor of New York’s late summer.

Stacey Allaster, the tournament director, emphasizes that the event is much more than just tennis; it's an entertainment spectacle centered around the fans. This sentiment is echoed by the U.S. head of Moët & Chandon, the official champagne sponsor, highlighting the tournament's dual appeal as both a sporting and social event.

The U.S. Open has significantly grown in popularity, driven by factors like the post-pandemic surge in demand for in-person experiences and the increasing integration of tennis into mainstream culture. Influencers like Paige Lorenze and sports figures like Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz have contributed to this trend, with Lorenze noting the unique and enduring allure of the tournament held annually in Queens.

This year's event is already making waves with record-breaking attendance figures during the first week, and the USTA anticipates surpassing one million visitors. Early ticket sales have far exceeded those of previous years, reflecting a burgeoning interest that spans beyond just the matches to encompass the entire experience.

The U.S. Open is leveraging this popularity, with brands like Maestro Dobel Tequila increasing their presence and celebrity engagements to amplify their visibility. The tournament is not only a sports event but a cultural phenomenon, drawing attention from various sectors and showcasing the expansive influence of tennis both in and beyond the sports arena.

The 30th Anniversary of the Armory Show

As the summer season winds down, the art community eagerly anticipates the 2024 Armory Show, marking a significant milestone with its 30th anniversary. This renowned art fair, set to unfold at the Javits Center in Manhattan from September 6-8, with a special VIP preview on September 5, promises to be a pivotal event in New York's bustling art scene.

This year's show, under the fresh leadership of Kyla McMillan, who recently took over from Nicole Berry, introduces a new chapter for the fair, now owned by Frieze. McMillan, with her extensive background in the art world, including roles at prestigious galleries and her own Saint George Projects, aims to elevate the fair's impact by empowering collectors and diversifying the voices represented.

The 2024 lineup is notable for its breadth and depth, featuring significant contributions from both established and emerging artists. Highlights include Victoria Miro's presentation of Isaac Julien’s major video work which delves into the historical narrative of U.S. African art collector Dr. Albert C. Barnes and philosopher Alain Locke. Marianne Ibrahim Gallery will showcase a series of captivating paintings by Yukimasa Ida, which blur the lines between abstraction and figuration, continuing the momentum from his recent museum exhibitions.

A standout presentation by Blue Velvet features a comprehensive solo showcase of works by Chryssa Vardea, marking her first ever solo exhibition at an international fair, spanning multiple artistic periods.

Emerging talents such as Jordan Ann Craig at Hales Gallery, and innovative works by Gwen O’Neil at Almine Rech, highlight the fair’s commitment to fresh, dynamic artistic expressions. The Platform section, curated this year by Eugenie Tsai, will focus on collective memory with impressive installations like Joana Vasconcelos’s Valkyrie Liberty, a large-scale work blending cultural and mythological symbols.

Additionally, the Presents section offers a glimpse into the future of art with galleries showcasing emerging artists like Diana Sofia Loza’s horticultural sculptures at Proxyco and Camila Falquez’s photography at Hannah Traore Gallery, documenting significant cultural moments.

The 2024 Armory Show not only celebrates three decades of artistic innovation but also ushers in a new era of inclusivity and diversity in the art world, making it a key destination for art lovers and collectors alike.

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