polo

The Classicist: Ralph Lauren Re-Launches Famed Rhinelander Mansion in NYC

Filed under: Apparel, Timepieces / Watches, Men's Style, The Classicist, Architecture & Design, Luxury Shopping

Ralph Lauren has relaunched his famed flagship in the historic Rhinelander Mansion on Madison Avenue in New York, transforming it into the world's foremost mecca of men's style. Spanning nearly 16,000 square feet, the Mansion, originally converted into an opulent retail palace by Lauren in 1986, now exclusively houses the designer's various men's collections with the company's first Women's and Home flagships due to open across the avenue later this fall. Originally designed in the 1890s by Kimball & Thompson, the the large French Renaissance Revival Mansion is an architectural treasure as well with a classic Beaux Arts façade exemplary of the the Upper East Side's grand architecture.

The new space showcases the Purple Label, Black Label, Polo, RRL and RLX Ralph Lauren collections of men's apparel and accessories, with an emphasis on the most luxurious elements. Service has been stepped up as well, with butlers to serve snacks and drinks on silver trays and a fleet of Mercedes-Benzes to chauffer important clients on shopping trips. The store features a full range of impeccably crafted made-to-measure suits, dress shirts, trousers, topcoats, sport coats and formalwear customized to exacting measurements, and made-to-order accessories and leather goods. Every room in the Mansion has been updated with cinematic decor in keeping with the neoclassical style of the original grand residence, from antiques and fixtures to furniture and art, including 18th- and 19th-century oil portraits and noteworthy photographs from Ralph Lauren's personal collection.

Gallery: The New Rhinelander Mansion

Tags: antiques, architecture, Beaux Arts, boutique, decor, designer, furniture, Gilded Age, Harvard, interior design, Ivy League, leather goods, luggage, luxury shopping, Madison Avenue, mansion, New York, photographs, Polo, Princeton, Purple Label, Ralph Lauren, retail, Rhinelander Mansion, store, suits, Upper East Side

Continue reading “The Classicist: Ralph Lauren Re-Launches Famed Rhinelander Mansion in NYC”

Classic '70s Country Club Polos by Boast Reborn

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style

Boast, the iconic, exclusive polo shirt brand founded in 1973 by Bill St. John, the tennis pro at Greenwich, Connecticut's famed Field Club, is being relaunched this month with a modern spin. Boast polos, featuring the notorious Japanese Maple leaf logo which many assumed to be a pot leaf, were originally sold only by Saint John from the back of his station wagon at country clubs across the Northeast. He designed the shirts in homage to the rebellious tennis stars of the day like John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors, the intentional pot leaf confusion adding a subversive touch.

Now John Dowling and Alexander Tiger, major racquet sports devotees and longtime fans of Boast, have revived the brand and updated the fabric and fit of the shirts, and are making them available outside country club pro shops for the first time. Dowling and Tiger have brought in Jack Spade designer Andy Spade's creative studio Partners & Spade to help breathe new life into the brand. The super soft and durable Boast pique cotton polo, offered in a range of colors in a classic ﬁt, is now available for $68 via BoastUSA.com. There's also a beautifully hand-tailored navy blazer with eye-catching details for $1,200.

Gallery: Boast Reborn

Tags: Andy Spade, Connecticut, country club, Field Club, Greenwich, Jack Spade, John McEnroe, mens style, Partners Spade, polo, polo shirt, shirts, sports, tennis

The Classicist: Historic British Polo Estate Cowdray Park for Sale at $38 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Sports, The Classicist

Cowdray Park, the country sporting estate famed as the home of British polo, has been listed for sale at £25 million, or about $38 million, in what UK estate agents are calling "the landmark property sale of the decade." The 19th century estate, centered on a 13-bedroom, 44,000-sq.-ft. manor house (above) built circa 1874, is set in 110 acres of parkland with horse paddocks and stables, two lakes, landscaped gardens and a cricket pitch, as well as its own a hamlet of cottages. It also includes the original practice ground where polo was first played in England 100 years ago.

"For anyone keen on polo, this has to be the ultimate property as it literally adjoins the polo club which is the British home of the sport," Edward de Mallet Morgan, of Knight Frank, the agency handling the sale, tells the London Telegraph. The property, situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in West Sussex, does not include the estate's famous Cowdray Park Polo Club, which hosts 450 matches a year including the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup featuring the world's top players including Prince Harry, however. The mansion features both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, wine cellars, tennis courts, and a bowling alley.

The estate's architectural merit matches its illustrious sporting heritage. Stained glass windows, oak, stone and marble fireplaces, ornate cornices, mouldings and period paneling abound. The spectacular great hall has a barrel vaulted ceiling, minstrel's gallery and massive fireplace. The estate's owner, Viscount Cowdray, considered turning it into a luxury hotel, spa and conference center before deciding to sell the historic property after failing to find a suitable business partner for the venture. He is retaining ownership of most of the 16,000 acres of land surrounding the mansion, which includes a ruined castle, a golf club, holiday cottages, farmland and the polo club, however, and plans to move to a smaller house on the property.

Gallery: Cowdray Park, Home of British Polo

De Mallet Morgan has said that there has already been considerable interest in the estate from wealthy Russian, Middle Eastern and Indian prospective buyers. Cowdray Park has been owned by the Cowdray family since 1909 when it was purchased by the engineer and oil industrialist Sir Weetman Dickinson Pearson. The first competitive polo tournaments were recorded at Cowdray in 1910, and by the 1920s a series of competitions with dedicated cups and trophies was firmly established, such as the Coronation Cup, first presented in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of King George V.

Source

Tags: country house, Cowdray Park, Cowdray Park Polo Club, England, equestrian, estate, horses, polo, Prince Harry, sporting, UK, Veuve Clicquot

Exclusive Polo Excursions at Argentina's Estancia El Venado

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports

The luxurious 2,500-acre Estancia El Venado, one of the most historic and beautiful guest ranches in Argentina, is offering an exclusive polo excursion for high-end equestrians who want to brush up on the sport of kings. The luxurious Estancia, founded in the mid-1800s and located about 100 miles south of Buenos Aires, is owned by professional polo player Federico Cendoya, whose family has owned El Vendado for four generations. Cendoya has been training and coaching international polo players ranging beginners to experienced players for over 30 years. Available from mid-April through October, El Venado's polo excursion is an excellent introduction for new players to the sport or an opportunity for experienced players to gain expertise. The package includes stick and ball sessions in the morning and practice chukkers in the evening. During the morning sessions guests will work on horsemanship and swing mechanics, while the practice chukkers focus on rules, game strategy, field positioning – and fun. Surprisingly affordable, rates begin at just $300 per person per night.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Argentina, Buenos Aires, equestrian, Estancia El Venado, horses, polo, sporting

Hublot Big Bang Polo de Paris Limited Edition Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

I am amazed at just how many events the Big Bang watch can have a special, limited edition version of, and still seem to make sense. Whether it is music, culture, auto racing, or here, Polo, the Big Bang collection has a limited edition watch for the occasion. While no design is that versatile, Hublot seems to pull it off with their ability to be everywhere, all the time from a brand image standpoint.

The watch here started as a record, where a game of Polo had a team getting 80 goals, in an event sponsored by Hublot. Called the "Hublot, Perfect Polo Match," this statement is placed on the back of the as an image on the sapphire exhibition crystal. The "Paris" part of the watch name has to do with the fact that the commemorative match took place in Paris. Hublot is a sponsor of the Swiss Polo team, as part of the Polo Gold Cup Gstaad, and reaffirms their dedication to the sport. This makes polo fans happy I am sure, as well as players on the Swiss team who are pretty happy to each be getting on of these limited edition watches.

It has a 44.5mm case made of titanium and ceramic in all black tones that Hublot is famous for as well as a vertically textured rubber strap. Movement is the HUB44 automatic chronograph. One thing confuses me, so don't let it confuse you. There are two versions of the images of this watch. One with a subsidiary seconds dial at 9 o'clock, and one as seen here without. Another curio of the watch world... Look out for more Hublot polo themed limited edition watches in the future.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: big bang, hublot, paris, polo, swiss, watch

British Polo Players to Take Breathalyzer Tests - Prince Harry, This Means You

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits, Sports

Champagne is the perfect accompaniment to the aristocratic sport of polo, but if you're playing rather than merely watching it at Britain's most prestigious fields you'll have to do your quaffing after the match. The game's regulatory body in the UK, the Hurlingham Polo Association, is introducing random alcohol testing for players in a bid to promote professionalism. Yes, that includes polo and party-loving royal Prince Harry (above). The limit will be set at half the amount considered unsafe for driving a car. Failing a breathalyzer test will not get a player banned for the season, the Guardian notes, but they will be prevented in playing in the day's match.

Many polo pros have welcomed the move, pointing out that a "good lunch", i.e. one accompanied by plenty of bubbly, never improves performance or safety. "It's always been in our regulations that alcohol and drugs aren't acceptable," notes HPA's chief executive David Woodd, "but now we have the machines which we didn't have before and a doctor or official on hand to use them....At the country club I wouldn't argue that there are players who will have a decent lunch and play afterward. But at the top end of the sport, most of them won't even eat, never mind drink, before they play."

Tags: alcohol, Champagne, country club, drinking, equestrian, horses, polo, Prince Harry, royalty, spirits, sporting, sports, UK

Playing Polo On Top of the World in Himalayan India

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events, Sports

Polo isn't just for the cushy confines of Palm Beach and the Hamptons. In far-northern India they've been playing a more rough-and-tumble version of the sport, called "the ancestors' game", for hundreds of years. In September the annual Ladakh Festival Polo Cup will take place in the mountainous town of Leh, 11,500 feet above sea level. Against the majestic backdrop of the Himalayas, local civilian and Army teams "battle it out in a haphazard, no-rules display of sportsmanship," the Christian Science Monitor notes. Grueling games last for an hour, with one 10-minute break at halftime, and the condition of the players' horses often determines the outcome. The championship is sponsored by the State Tourism Office of the Indian government, and hundreds of villagers, city dwellers, and foreign tourists turn out to watch "at their own risk".

Tags: Asia, equestrian, Himalayas, horses, India, Polo, sports

Prince Charles Presides at Cartier International Polo

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports

HRH Prince Charles presided over the Royal Box at the 26th annual Cartier International Polo Day at the UK's Guards Polo Club in Great Windsor Park the other day. The celebrated event, previewed in The Classicist's column on the English summer social season, is the sport's most prestigious. The bands of the Welsh and Irish Guards and the Light Cavalry of the Honourable Artillery Company performed prior to the contest. The Prince, who arrived in his vintage Aston Martin, was joined by the likes of Tommy Lee Jones and Sir Ben Kingsley to watch as England triumphed over New Zealand to capture the coveted Coronation Cup. VIP guests were served a luncheon by chef Anton Mosimann of champagne, Scottish lobster and Chateaubriand followed by Grand Marnier parfait with raspberry coulis. James Beim, captain of the New Zealand team, was awarded the trophy for Most Valuable Player.

Gallery: Cartier International Polo 2010

Tags: Aston Martin, Cartier, equestrian, New Zealand, Polo, Prince Charles, royalty, sporting, sports, Tommy Lee Jones, UK

Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge Kicks Off in the Hamptons

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Charity, Sports

The annual Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge kicked off in the Hamptons last weekend as the sport's greatest athletes competed for one of polo's most treasured prizes. The 2010 Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge at Blue Star Jets Field will run for six weeks and as always is expected to attract a great crowd of celebs and VIPs. In addition to Mercedes and Blue Star Jets this season's partners and sponsors include Patron tequila, Stella Artois, Zino Platinum Cigars, Crumbs Cupcakes and Bakery, the Financial Times, Susan Foster Jewelry and Hamptons Magazine. Those with access to the coveted VIP tent this year can preview SWAGG, an upcoming mobile application allowing consumers to purchase, exchange and redeem gift cards from their phone. Ralph Lauren returned as the exclusive apparel retailer with an onsite shop at the matches, and is also staging a contest for a polo lesson with Lauren-sponsored Black Watch team member Nacho Figueras. A portion of proceeds from this year's events will go to the South Fork Breast Cancer Coalition.

Tags: Blue Star Jets, Hamptons, Mercedes-Benz, Nacho Figueras, Patron, polo, Ralph Lauren

Belstaff Bests Prince Harry at Asprey Polo Cup

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Celebrity Shopping, Charity, Sports

Famed London luxury goods house Asprey's polo team captained by Prince Harry (above, far right) was soundly thrashed by Belstaff's squad at the UK's prestigious Asprey World Class Polo Cup the other day. The Prince played well during the thrilling contest at the Hurtwood Park Polo & Country Club in Surrey, but accepted defeat gracefully, especially as his pet charity Sentebale received part of the proceeds from the match. Belstaff, famed for its leather jackets, also unveiled their brand new polo inspired collection at the event, allowing guests an exclusive first look at the chic and sporty clothes. Some VIPS including the Prince were gifted with items from the new line. Also in attendance at the event were Prince Albert of Monaco, his fiancée Charlene Wittstock, the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood and several stunning supermodels. Belstaff, founded in the UK in 1924 and known for outfitting stars like Tom Cruise, George Clooney and Will Smith for their action-packed blockbusters, also recently furnished longtime fans Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with complete wardrobes.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Asprey, Belstaff, Brad Pitt, leather, London, Polo, Prince Albert of Monaco, Prince Harry, Rolling Stones, Sentebale, UK

Ralph Lauren Launches Big Pony Fragrances

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance, Men's Style

Ralph Lauren has launched a new line of men's fragrances dubbed the Big Pony collection, derived from the supersized polo player logos the designer featured on some of his sportswear. The four fragrances in bold and colorful bottles are Sporty, with lime and grapefruit notes; Seductive, with dark chocolate and musk; Adventurous, with pine and ginger root; and Stylish, with notes of mandarin and kyara wood. Each is priced at $50. To launch the new line, Lauren commissioned a "soundtrack song" by One Republic called Secrets along with a promo video; on the Big Pony fragrances website fans can also mix and match clips characterizing the different scents to create their own videos peopled by beautiful, stylish, sexually available and apparently somewhat accident-prone Ralph Lauren models.

Gallery: Ralph Lauren Big Pony Fragrances

Tags: cologne, fragrance, mens style, polo, Ralph Lauren, video

Ltd. Edition Piaget Presented to Veuve Clicquot Polo Champs

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Events, Sports

As you no doubt recall from my colleague Jeffrey Slonim's RSVIP column the other day, luxury Swiss watchmaker Piaget was the official timekeeper of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic in New York City last weekend where Prince Harry joined the sport. In celebration of this year's event, Piaget created a limited edition version of its Piaget Polo FortyFive Chronograph to be awarded as the prize for the winning team. Inspired by the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, the specially designed timepiece features the iconic "Clicquot Yellow" on its signature sub-dials and is designated "New York." Only 10 examples have been produced.

While Piaget ambassador and captain of Prince Harry's team, Nick Roldan, debuted the new watch to press at the event, the prize ultimately went to Team Blackwatch who won in a 6–5 victory. Team captain Nacho Figueras graciously accepted the award (above) and then promised to auction it off to raise money for American Friends of Sentebale, Prince Harry's charity. "Piaget has a long history with polo, so we are proud to commemorate our partnership with the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic by creating this very special timepiece," noted Larry Boland, President of Piaget North America. "It's certain to become a collector's item."

Tags: champagne, Chronograph, Nacho Figueras, New York, Piaget, Piaget Polo, Polo, Prince Harry, Sentebale, sports, Veuve Clicquot, Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

Prince Harry Celebrates at the St. Regis New York

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Events, Charity, Sports

While in New York to play in the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, England's Prince Harry stopped in at the storied St. Regis hotel on June 25th for an event honoring Sentebale, the charity he co-founded in 2006. The soirée was hosted by Paul James, Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Paul Nash, General Manager at the St. Regis New York and Nacho Figueras (above left with the Prince), renowned polo player, St. Regis Connoisseur and friend of Sentebale. The event celebrated the charity's connection with New York City at one of its most iconic locations, amidst Prince Harry's much anticipated second visit to the city. Noted chef de cuisine Didier Elena, of Adour Alain Ducasse at the St. Regis New York, created an exquisite menu in honor of the occasion. Sentebale's mission is to transform the lives of African nation Lesotho's orphans and vulnerable children. The charity was founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso from the Lesotho royal family.

Tags: Africa, Alain Ducasse, charity, Nacho Figueras, New York, polo, Prince Harry, Sentebale, St. Regis, St. Regis New York

Chicago Beach Polo Kicks Off in September

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports

Back in May we reported that the organizers of the annual Miami Beach Polo World Cup were planning to bring the sandy sport to Chicago for the first time ever. Now it's becoming a reality, with the first Chicago Beach Polo World Cup set to take place Sept. 10 – 12th at North Ave. Beach in a new custom-built outdoor arena. Given the time of year it may not be bikini weather so don't look for the Chicago version to pack Miami's sex appeal, but there are still plenty of opportunities for conspicuous consumption and ostentatious fun. Polo itself is not new to Chicago; the first Chicago Polo Club was formed in 1895, though interest had waned in recent decades. "When speaking with friends and fellow players, I knew Chicago was going to be a great place to bring polo," the event's co-founder Marcos Lopez says. "It's really been here for a while, just hibernating. The City of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs used to have a lot of competitive players, games, and fans. We just want to bring that back."

Tags: beach, beach polo, Chicago, Chicago Beach Polo, equestrian, horses, illinois, Miami Beach, Midwest, polo

Creed Debuts New Fragrance With Its Own Polo Team

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Sports, Men's Style

Creed of Paris, supplier of bespoke fragrances to royalty and aristocracy since 1760, has named a polo team after its newest scent for men. Called Aventus and inspired by Napoleon, the luxurious cologne was created by hand from ingredients sourced from important locations in the great emperor's life. The classic Creed "flask" design of the black leather-wrapped bottle also dates to the Napoleonic era. The newest addition to Creed's prestigious Permanent Collection, Aventus will debut this fall at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and the Creed boutique in New York City.

The newly-minted Creed Aventus polo team meanwhile will play at high-profile matches this summer in England and France. Aventus contains blackcurrant from Corsica, where Napoleon was born; bergamot from Italy, site of victories that made him famous; Calville Blanc apples from France, where he rose to be emperor; Napoleon Roses, named in his honor; Louisana birch, the wood of his throne; Jasmine from Egypt, where his empire reached; and oak moss from Spain, which he conquered, among other ingredients. Part of the proceeds from U.S. sales benefits American Rivers, protecting U.S. waterways from harm.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Bergdorf Goodman, bespoke, cologne, Creed, equestrian, fragrance, France, leather, mens style, Napoleon, Neiman Marcus, Paris, perfume, polo

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