Three quintessentially British brands were featured during a heritage and modern car rally and Concours d'Elegance in Monaco on 25th October, hosted by Nicole de Chambrun and Mr Jean Henri Tamenne. The event saw luxury sustainable London-based fashion label SAFIRO feature amongst the rally which included 11 prestige classic cars, including the British handcrafted David Brown Speedback GT and accompanied by exquisite music on a Stradivarius violin by Andrew Bernardi from England.

The rally started from the Place du Casino in Monaco in the morning, passing through the picturesque French Alps to the historic factory of Florian Chocolate at Pont sur Loup, where breakfast was served against the breathtaking mountain view, and finishing at the Marquise de Chambrun's estate which featured a car and participant competition of elegance, followed by lunch to celebrate the occasion.

The exquisite outfits from SAFIRO - a new sustainable luxury womenswear brand with a timelessly elegant aesthetic, founded by Yulia Shirokova in London in 2020, embellished the event. Whilst the launch of SAFIRO planned for spring was negatively impacted by COVID, Yulia is using her communication and marketing expertise to market the brand internationally through small exclusive events. Further similar events are being planned in the UK in spring next year.

The London couture Milliner Edwina Ibbotson created bespoke headpieces to match SAFIRO outfits.

The Marquise de Chambrun trophy winner was Salmson Grand Sport model from July 1924 skiff Henri Labourdette body followed by the Zepter trophy awarded to a Rolls-Royce Silver cloud from 1956, a car which previously belonged to Marcel Boussac. A special trophy for a modern classic car was presented by the Florian Chocolate and awarded to the Speedback GT - the fabulous realisation by British coachbuilder, David Brown Automotive, of a design inspired from icons of the Sixties and taking over 8,000 hours to meticulously hand-build by artisans and skilled technicians in Silverstone, Great Britain.

The Marquise Nicole de Chambrun strongly believes in preserving the automotive and cultural heritage and offered an opportunity for all guests to reconnect with the tradition of prestige and elegance on the French Riviera and it was fantastic to see innovative, luxury brands come together to offer an experience of heritage, beauty and craftsmanship.

The event was made COVID-secure for all participants by Zepter who deployed their device THERAPY AIR ION. Mr. Frederic Fuchs, the owner of the Florian Chocolate house, offered a delicate chocolate tasting for all guests. Also, noteworthy, is the support of the Lamborghini family who offered a collector's box set to the first prize, won by Steve Bernaud Heyd happy owner of the Salmson 1924.

The anti-plastic activist from Japan - Green Samourai - also attended as a special guest.

Article featured by Club Vivanova Platinum Partner SAFIRO

“Our role is to reveal the purity of the terroir through the wines. Sometimes the less we do the best it is. The idea behind each cuvée Champagne Forget-Brimont is to share, to spread spontaneous pleasure which combines both sincerity and conviviality.” Such is the vision of this incredible Champagne producing family.

Join Club Vivanova on Wednesday 16th December 2020 for the Grand Degustation in Beaulieu-sur-Mer . Link to event and tickets

Sustainable viticulture
Cultivating excellence in cohesion with environment to ensure the best possible expression of our terroir in our cuvées, we have adopted viticulture methods which are respectful of the soil and the vine. No anti-rot treatments or insecticides, with the elimination of anti-botrytis treatments since 2000, using of pheromones against grape worms and organic fertilizers and soil conditioners. Treatments are targeted and kept to a minimum.

We only intervene where absolutely necessary to keep our vines strong and healthy. The care we take in cultivating the vine is extended to the vinification of our wines, for which we use a process as most natural as possible. We have adopted a non-interventionist approach to allow full expression to our terroirs and grape varieties. Our wines contain: no enzymes, no fining agent the lowest sulphite amount. Our thermoregulated tanks are only washed with hot water (no use of acids).

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