CLIP OF THE DAY: Popping up

This one is easy, and if you have worked in the night industry you too, saw it coming....I guess we're all heard of pop-up stores, but now the latest trend turned into hot concept is pop-up clubs. So, open your diaries and start getting familiar with the short-term usage of unique spaces, and get on board with its destinations for the summer, because where the CLIP minded and well connect crowd travels, the clubs now will follow - literally. 

Boom Boom Room - Istanbul: All the way from the concrete jungle and the busy lights of New York City to tiki lights and dramatic views of Asia and the Bosphorus River and only for one night...If you made the cut (think CONNECT) you were as amazed as we were by the 3000 gold balloons, bartenders and waitresses in Boom Boom Room uniforms and DJ Jamal spinning on the dance floor. It all happened last week during the annual International Arts & Culture Festival. SO you probably also heard whispers for more to come, so stay clipped...

Le Baron - Cannes: Last month, Andre Saraiva brought Le Baron (New York, Paris, London and Tokyo), to the south of France only for a few nights...and he is prepping some more.

Nicky Beach - Mallorca: 2012 welcomes St. Tropez finest in Spain, expect all day VIP line-up similar Zodiac tenders to and from Yachts for its beach based club-land circus including a roster of star DJ's and their legendary summer parties like its Champagne World Tour and Moonlihgt dinner extravaganzas... from June (11:00 -20:00) July, August, September-October 7th (11:00 - 1:00). 

r Extravaganzas.

Mahiki - Ibiza: One of London's most acclaimed and long lasting fun night clubs, is debuting on spanish sands too. Difference is 'we' are no strangers to pop-up clubs....after the smashing consecutive success of Mahiki's pop-up at the annual Royal Regatta, and one I got to be privileged enough to take part in - my relationship with night moguls, founders (and long time friends) Nick House and Piers Adam - still stands strong and CONNECT will be landing a helping hand making sure Brazil is well represented across the Atlantic, by flying  some of their hottest Ambassadors to party-join all summer long....(not bad) - Well, now you know: there will be more news to follow on Ibiza's most antecipated new neighbour. xx I.  (16th July-September) 

CLIP OF THE DAY: Food Lovers Only

Happy Monday Clippers! (yes yes I am well aware that my Clips haven't exactly made it to the 'every day' slogan mark...) but I will say in advance that these upcoming 2 weeks will be  very challenging work wise (a lot of good CONNECT news coming soon)...so bare with me! Now, on to something that is far from being difficult and rather one of the main reasons why living is so good in the first place: FOOD. So, if you are one of us....(the food lovers that is) than today's CLIP is definitely worth marking. Last week I was invited to Pret-A-Dinner at St James Palace N50, a quite breath-taking classic venue which has been totally revamped with crazy graffiti and contemporary art specially for the occasion. So you are in the now,  Pret-a-Dinner is an international  exquisite dinning experience concept in the format of "pop-up" dinner parties taking place in different cities worldwide such as New York, London, Berlin, Milan, Rio, Monaco...To celebrate its London opening a few and very privileged guests (think CONNECT) gathered to catch up with the latest in town over cocktails created by the maestro mixologist Tony Conigliaro from himself while enjoying the views of the  exhibition of contemporary Italian artists from Gazelli art house. 

As per promised to all of the beloved true Clippers, I have taken my own shots,  on  your right hand side DETAIL: My beautiful friend Cleyenne holing her napkin - with each name stamped personally on a linen kitchen towel that served as napkin (original ideia for hosting a dinner party ourselves). Well, I have to say, that I personally really enjoyed it, and I just couldn't miss out clipping about it to you, as any of the above cities its probably where you are reading CLIP from....so look out for their dates and try a unique dinning experience night out with friends, family or your better half...CLIPPING: LONDON - 9th May -30th June. Go online and sign up (as its by invitation only) to make your reservation. For more pictures you can follow me on Instagram under ines4connect. Hope you can make it...! xx I.

CLIP OF THE DAY: Living and learning

Inspired by my mother I read "A tour around Heathrow airport" and soon after that I became a great admirer of author and philosopher Alain de Botton, founder of The School of Life. Situated in the heart of bohemian surroundings of Bloomsbury area in London, The School of Life describes itself as "the chemist for the mind, a place where you can try out a variety of cultural solutions to everyday ailments. We sell books, artworks, courses, holidays and therapeutic services." Yes - we are talking about courses on: "How to be a better friend", "How to stay calm", Why are relationships so complicated?" or "How to find a job you love" --- To many this probably sounds silly, others their biggest fear but maybe if we take prejudgement out of the equation this may be the ultimate bibliotheraphy service for your soul....

CLIP-IT: Check out their Meals Sessions calendar - fun dinners with unique guests, TSL Shop & the original gift certificates.

CLIP OF THE DAY: Good Will Greeding

Le Fooding is back in town! Get ready for two surreal weekends of festive dinning.

This year, Le Fooding (the french gastro pub company behind France’s anti-Michelin food guides and festivals) is back in New York (as well as Milan) and is bringing an outdoor event at the Elizabeth Street Garden exploring "the relationship between food and music. Le Fooding kicks off on September 17 with its Campfire Session, happening at a semi-hidden spot at Nolita neighbourhood.  Super-chefs (such as Iñaki Aizpitarte of Le Chateaubriand) and mixologists like aclaimed Sasha Petraske will prepar signature cocktails, together with the sounds of DJ Nancy Whang  (including LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy) will all prepare a five-star feast for 250 guests.  

The second event: Exquisite Corpse runs from September 23-25 and it will be a 52-hour pop-up restaurant at the Honey Space in Chelsea "run by a different chef every four hours" a version of the game of the same name which became popular by French Surrealistsin: "each chef will use a bit of stock from his predecessor's meal in the creation of his own dishes." The space will remain open continuously for 52 hours. The star chefs include Andrew Carmellini and Adeline Grattard of Yam’Tcha, Brooks Headley (Del Posto). 

CLIP-IT: good atmoshphere, good music, good wine; great food, can't wait.... 

This CLIP is dedicated to talented Parisian hip-hop DJ Mehdi who was set to play at Le Fooding event in New York this week but saddly passed away today. Thank you for the gift of your music.

***R.I.P***

CLIP OF THE DAY: Fashioned by what we love

You know how much I like to CLIP about people that are close to my heart, as they are essentially  the ones who make CONNECT the growing force its becoming. Despite being in New York trying to keep up with all social fashion soireés happening this week, my words today are dedicated to special friend Betina de Luca, recently pointed as Marketing director for Fashion Mall, Rio's chic mall in Brazil. Giving prestige to "Vogue Fashion Night out" Betina has manage to gather the "carioca who is who" from socialites, to fashion designers, upcoming artists and hot musicians; all in one night (way to go Be). The event starts tomorrow Sept 13th at 6pm and it will be hosted by Daslu founder Donata Meirelles (world's biggest fashion store) and  Bruno Astuto who will be raffling beautiful unique pieces by jewellery designers Jack Vartanian (who I clipped about before) and Antonio Bernardo. Another favorite on my CLIP's  is Copacabana Club band (featured on yesterday,'s clip of the day)  who will actually be performing Jazz tunes alongside DJ Nepal, DJ Marcelo and DJ Dudu Garcia throughout the event. De Luca has also made sure that film lovers and fashionistas would be well entertained and Fashion Mall's movie theaters will feature:"Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky" at 18h / "Crazy love by Yves Saint Laurent" at 20h20  / "The September Issue" –at 22h20.

CLIP-IT: Marcelo Ment - A pioneer in the graffiti scene in Rio de Janeiro, who is among those who take their work to the streets and places where it is normally not seen, exchanging experiences with a extraordinary talent and rich pallete. (Ment will be at Fashion Mall tomorrow).

*Endorsements will revert to NGO Rio Eu Amo Eu Cuido, whose one of the main founders is my long time friend and connect ambassador Eduardo Juaçaba.

CLIP OF THE DAY: September Issue

Here I am back "home" in New York, 'town that is famous as the place of movie scenes, concrete jungle where big dreams are made of; there is nothing you can't do'. On that note Clippers, get your calendars ready for: music, cinema,  books, food, fashion....Paris, Rio, New York, Shanghai, San Francisco, you name it, afterall its a "September issue". 

New York 29th Aug-11th September: US Open Tennis (book to see the final with GR8 miami)

Shanghai 5-11th September: Summer edition of Shaghai Restaurant Week

Lisbon/ New York/ Milan/ London Sao Paulo and more: Fashions Night Out

San Francisco 8-11th: San Francisco Electronic Music Festival (upcoming and popular artists will play between Brava Theater Center and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art).

Brooklyn 15-18th: Brooklyn Book Festival (over 260 Authors - New York's biggest book event).

San Sebastian 16-24th: San Sebastian Film Festival (193 movies from 47 different countries).

Rio de Janeiro - 23, 24, 25, 29, 30 / 1& 2nd October: Rock in Rio (Red Hot Chili Pepers, Shakira, Coldplay, Jamiroquai, Metallica, Stevie Wonder).

Paris - 27th Sept - 5th October: Paris Fashion Week (at Carrousel Du Louvre).

CLIP OF THE DAY: A 'novel' way of networking...

Two weeks ago a dear friend of mine from school invited me for a "Book Swap Party" - at first I was intrigued, but closer to the day my feelings unfold into pure curiosity and as for most of my life, eargerness and interest always seem to get the best of me, there I went... and quoting him "out of my confort zone" all the way to Hackney, in East London. As we were walking while cathing up on what we have been doing lately, we sudently crossed a vague and somewhat remote street , went through a what seemed to be secret yellow door that lead to the basement of a private members club where I was quickly introduced to Jolyon Varley.  Jolyon is a quite impressive mix of a smart elegant British young men meets bohemian and free spirit character, he is also one of the creative forces behind A Tale of Three Cities project - a very first printed arts journal to be simultaneiosly represented in Berlin, London and Paris that showcases works of established and the new emerging writers and artists in each city. The Book Swap Party? "Just" and probably one of the best excuses and absolutely briliant way of promoting this outstanding project that has turned into a series of very sucessful and (as far as I'm concerned) really fun parties to go to. Look out for their next event, bring a book (I obviously brought my "One Day" and swapped by "The Day of the Triffids"). And as I wait for their next big event, my CLIP of the day goes to anybody who would be interested in sponsoring Tale of Three, writing about it or daring to learn more about if for their own city: Clip this Connection in mind, as R.D. Cumming said: A good book has no ending. 

And this fantastic group is definetely just getting started...

CLIP OF THE DAY: La Vie en Rose

La vie en Rose, that famous french expression when everything goes well, according to plan and life is just breezy - well that is exactly how your next trip to London or future big event should be....Meet Rosa Mello Rego, a special connect ambassador who is about to - simply - make your life easier. Portuguese buoyant and charmer, Rosa has been living in London for over a decade now and her experience working for some of the prestigious art galleries in town allowed her to gain access  to otherwise impossible to get in venues (let alone host an event there) kind-of-places.  As  dynamic and distinctive as the city she now calls her own, Rosa has become quite the cultural little black book disguised on her blond locks and pretty smile; owning the trust of not only many visitors that are looking for a unique time in London but for a great part of us Londoners who so wrongly think we have seen it all.....So thanks for proving us wrong Rosa.

CLIP-IT: Simply Rosa next time fun, doing something different or London comes to your mind.

CLIP OF THE DAY: Preppy Paris

We are all familiar with Paris’s elan vital, creativity and efervescent cultural environment; those  carecteristics make it a one-of-a-kind city and now an international focal point for global talents in search of development and innovation opportunities in the design and lifestyle sectors. For the very first time, the city of light is aiming to bring together unique talents from all over the world and showcase them to you in just one week. From September 12th to the 18th, Paris Design Week will inspire you to experience an international-scale event both cultural and professional, bringing together hundred of events, including the MAISON&OBJET international trade show and the master minds behind it all: writers, editors, graphic designers, fashion designers and arquitects amongst others . Whether you’re looking to learn, look or work, mark this week on your calendar and make sure to pop by if you have the chance, after all: Paris is always a good idea.

CLIP OF THE DAY: Hot Spot

The much antecipated MEO SPOT Summer Club will officially open this Friday, 22nd July. Get ready for 26 phenomenal nights where international DJ's like Dennis Ferrer, Gui Boratto, Dimitri from Paris, DJ Vibe amongst others will make a pit stop specially for the occasion. So you are in the know MEO SPOT faces "Praia da Rocha" beach in Portimao, beautiful spot south of Portugal by the seaside. Luckly for all CONNECT MEMBERS  you get special treatment and VIP area acess!! Make sure to log in into your account and request your connect Meo Spot entry. This friday I'm heading south with long term friends RIP CURL director Francisco Spinola and lovely Catarina Jardim (both pictured above). She is not only GQ cover girl and one of Connect Ambassadors but also the beautiful face and marketing force behind this summer's hot spot!

See you there....

CLIP OF THE DAY: Just do IT.

Some pursue happiness - others create it.

Wherever you are reading this from: seat back, think about your happiness and just it: feed it, read it, breath it and never fear it: it will be the most powerful instrument you will ever own in your life.

Sometimes we get lost along the way and get influenced by external factors, media being one of them. On another great atempt to market all that is around us, media seemed to have created sereval drive through happy meal packages in which we should find "happy" to go; but from where I'm standing that's just far from what happiness really is to me. We do live on an artificial advertising world, idealized by stereotypes of happiness, which do not correspond to our daily reality, but on the 2nd of july you get to change that and prove them wrong making it right through your own photographs, no touch up's, insted: the real deal. How? Wallpeople, an urban collaborative art project that incentivates people to create a unique moment in an urbarn space, presents this year's project: The Wall Mural of Happiness. This Saturday, over 20 cities simultaneously get to be the real protagonist of a unique exhibition: a wall turned into a improvised open-air museum where everyone can share and show their pictures of their true and personal vision of happiness. This time I won't advise you to CLIP-it, but insted dare you to go out and look for where it will be happening in your own town:  Happiness: just do it.

HAPPY CONNECT and my newest friend crush: Mariana Duarte Silva, a force of nature who's purpose on this earth is making it a better place by developing some of the most interesting musical and artistic projects around the globe and bringing them closer to us. She is also responsible for Clipping WALLPEOPLE in Portugal.

CLIP OF THE DAY: Royal Rowing

Hooray is Henley day!

Today starts one of my favorite british events of the year: Henley Royal Regatta.

The first Henley Regatta was held in 1839, staged by the mayor and people of Henley. Since then it has been held every year (except during the First and Second World Wars) and it gained royal patronage in 1851 from Prince Albert, changing its name to Henley Royal Regatta. The regatta lasts for 5 days - Wednesday to Sunday - always on the first weekend in July. Competitors race over a course of 1 mile (2,112 m). As the regatta pre-dates any national or international rowing organisation, it has its own rules and for most of its existence has only been open to male competitors, but in 1975 women participated for the first time. With picnics in the sunshine, cool brits and international viewers are often seen wearing panama hats and participants (when not rowing) wearing matching college blazers from their rowing club or University. It's a very classic british day out, where tradition meets fun and an event that attracts over 750,000 visitors each year...! Last year I went with my friends and co-workers. Luckly for me the events company where I was marketing director is resposible for the Royal Regatta's popular afterparty every year at Mahiki's Pop-up Club.

How to get there? Take the train from London Paddington station

Dress code? Only if you go to Stewards' Enclosure

Party? Mahiki Tent - get your VIP wristband with my dear friend shrinka@mahiki.com

CONNECTION - one I would really like to thank: Alice-Maud Apponyi for being such a generous host and showing me to her beautiful home town. Lovely Guy Schwarzenbach for inviting me to his incredible boat where we all watched the fire works at night and carried on partying for another 2 memorable days with his friends! So you know Guy's father Urs Schcwarzenbach is also Henley's River and Rowing Museum's patron and The Rowing gallery is named after him and worth visiting.

CLIP- IT on your diary and make sure you go once in your life...or twice...! (Think Connect).

 

CLIP OF THE DAY: It's Glastonbury day today!

Today is Glastonbury day!!

If you lived in England or are remontely interested in music and summer festivals (I'm a suspect as I stand for the previous 3...) you know that this means putting on your best pair of Hunters, mini dresses or ripped jeans and Ray Ban sunglasses en route to madness. It all started as a series of concerts, lectures and recitals called the Glastonbury Festivals established by a summer school in the town of Glastonbury between 1914 and 1926 by classical composer Rutland Boughton and with their location attracted a bohemian audience by the standards of the time. The first festival at Worthy Farm was the Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival  in September 1970, attended by 1.500 people for £1 (including free milk from the farm)! The following year, Glastonbury Fayre of 1971 was organised with help from Arabella Churchill, Thomas Crimble and MPB Brazilian legend and former Minister of Brazilian Culture: Gilberto Gil.
Over the last 30 decades the “word got around” and today Glastonbury is one of the most important festivals in the world with over 130.000 people and tickets are almost £200 (and trust me: these ones don't include 'milk from the farm...'); but you get to watch Coldplay, The Chemical Brothers, the Kills, Beyoncé, Plan B, The vaccines, Two Door Cinema Club and U2 among others. In fact, this year UK Music published a report stating that Glastonbury Festival contributes over £100 million annually to the UK economy.

MUSIC CONNECT? Well, two years ago, Brit's upcoming badboy star King Charles debut at Glastonbury with the hit "We didn't start the fire". 2009 is precisely the year I also became familiar and quite addicted to G Festival. Last year while I directed The Brompton Club Marketing in London, a friend of mine Alex Potter suggested I invited them to come and play for a breast cancer charity night I was organising to help raise funds. The charity is called "Too Many Woman" founded by another dear acquaintance Harry Becher. So you know this is a briliant foundation that I take pride on having contributed and TMWambassadors include Gwyneth Paltrow, Pippa Middleton, Sienna Miller and Scarllet Johansson. Needles to say the night was a sucess: loud, complete crazyness (I mean have you seen him)?! blended with generosity and class. We became pals and his other hit LOVE LUST never left my playlist since the day we met. For the ones who are going to make it this year (yes, that includes my gals Emma Shenkman, Ana C Rosa, Diana Ztp) Enjoy it! For us who are not in UK ground... King Charles on your i-pods Connect Clippers!