COEVAL by gatrium

COEVAL is a lifestyle trends journal, being digitally published since 2008 by my design company Gatrium. It gives inside about some of the upcoming issues to be discussed in fashion, brand design and travel all through the year. It is an annual publication, released in every September. And this year is no exception.

It all started as an informative trends report, accessible only to Gatrium clients. It was designed as a value add-on to the brand design and consulting services we provide. A fresh outlook of the market and consumer trends that shape the upcoming year from business perspective. In 2010, we decided to make it public and since then we publish the journal annually in September. Unlike previous years, this September issue will be much more comprehensive in terms of content in fields of luxury travel, gourmet tastes, brand design case studies, technology and global events. So we are excited about delivering the news.

COEVAL September 2015 issue will be available for download on August 24th from the Gatrium website and the link provided on my blog. Have a great summer!

New Code of Luxury

Located atop the Uchisar Valley, Ariana Lodge offers
 a completely unique perspective of Cappadocia; lands that witnessed the rise of the first civilizations in world history. As my latest brand design project, Ariana changes the rules of luxury travel in Cappadocia.

Cappadocia lies in the heart of Ancient Anatolia, one of the cradles of human civilization. Here, the earliest cities in world history appeared, about 5000 BC. Today, new archeological discoveries suggest the ancient civilized cities date back to 
12.000 BC. Eastern Anatolia hosts some of the most important archaeological digs currently being undertaken anywhere
 in the world; representing a major shift in our
 understanding of man's early history. Along with Ancient Mesopotamia and Anatolia, many cultures around the world have interesting myths about the Sun and the Moon, reflecting its importance in all our lives. Arinna was one of the most important solar deities of the Hittite pantheon. She was perceived to be a paramount chthonic or earth goddess. This was my initial inspiration while creating the brand concept and corporate identity.

Ariana luxury suites are exquisitely decorated with
 an inviting ambience to transform your stay into a one of a kind experience. All of our suites offer the perfect blend of contemporary comfort and luxuriously appointed style.

Diva Exclusive: June 2014

This month Diva Magazine releases an exclusive issue celebrating its 11th anniversary. As one of the most read lifestyle magazines of society, Diva has many successful milestones. And on this exclusive issue, I am very honored to be photographing the VIP interviews.

The first interview was with Haluk Ozyavuz, the successful businessman with a very distinctive gourmet taste. We had the photo-shoot in his mansion along with magnificent sea-food specialties cooked by him. It was a great pleasure to meet him and his lovely family. Our second interview was with talented Mahru Gürel, the member of famous Gürel Family. Besides her very busy schedule, she took her time off for the photo-shoot we held in Swissotel. Her sincerity and attractiveness was one of a kind. I feel very lucky to know her. And our final interview was with Basar Karcioglu, the owner of Kar Construction Group. He was very warm and welcoming at the photo-shoot which took place in Kar Residence.

Once again, I would like to thank the Diva Magazine for providing me this unique opportunity of incredibly joyful experience in their exclusive issue. Diva Exclusive will be available in stores on June 20th.

On Fashion & Style with Stylicious

This week on Stylicious, I have an interview with Yosi Levi on style and fashion. I've never acclaimed myself as a fashion evangelist, yet prefer basic casual style for almost every occasion. On the other hand, accessories and shoes of certain brands have always been a special interest of mine. In that sense, I would like to thank Yosi for asking me the face of his spotlight column for this week.

Prada is my initial choice for tote bags and shoes, while Louis Vuitton for holdalls along with belts. Louis Vuitton taiga belts are usually what I prefer for both casual and business outfit choices. I believe I am a big fan of Hermes belts. Their double sided use and minimalistic design gives me the flexibility to match them with almost every outfit. When it comes to pants, Levis 501 and Diesel jeans are my top choices. In time, I figured out that the shape and cut of 501 exactly fits my figure along with variety of color options. Another accessory that I usually have on me is a watch. Cerrutti, Calvin Klein and Swatch Classic series are my favorite design brands in this category. Cesare Paciotti for smart casual, while New Balance for sporty occasions are my top choices for shoes.

I believe that fashion is what we make out of it. Finding out the best style for yourself is the secret to look at your best for all occasions.

Exhibition Conception & Design

Getting ready for an exhibition is like working on a world-tour. The only difference is that you meet your audience once, and all the effort you spend becomes a relief on the opening night.

Revelation is my fourth exhibition; and unlike the previous ones, this time it's in Istanbul. This journey began with my visit to Ishtar Gate, located in the holly lands of Antu. By some ancient era theorists, it is assumed to be the place where humanity began. The secrets of our being and mysterious Anunnaki connection is said to lie over these lands. So, this was the inspiration for the concept of my new exhibition. Everything starts with a concept. A story with integrity, which outlines the nature and tonality of your work. Then comes working on details, like the cast, costumes, accessories, hair and make-up styles reflecting the concept. I usually sketch the frames on my mind before grabbing my camera for the photo-shoot. I believe this works well to discuss the above contents with different members of the crew, in order to get the right reflection for the final output. 

PPMs are important milestones for the exhibition. I usually have 3 major meetings; first one with the costume designer and stylist. In this one, I share the concept on my mind, and decide on the right kind of garments and accessories. Then comes the cast selection. I usually choose among the faces and bodies, that I believe best fits the story that I want to reflect. Then I search for the right spots, indoor or outdoor, for the photo-shoot. And the final meeting is with the whole team, preparing the line-up and discussing photo-shoot details. It's an exciting journey that keeps you busy for almost a month or more, depending on the complexity of the project.

Purgatorio by Cigdem Akın

Purgatorio Collection, designed by Cigdem Akın is the second episode of her trilogy, which will be presented on MBFW Istanbul on March 13th, 2014. Her whole concept is inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy, and her journey continues with purgatory, somewhere between hell and heaven.

Love, a theme throughout the Divine Comedy, is particularly important for the framing of the sin on the Mountain of Purgatory. While the love that flows from God is pure, it can become sinful as it flows through humanity. Souls arrive escorted by an angel, Dante explains that this reference to Israel leaving Egypt refers both to the redemption of Christ and to the conversion of the soul from the sorrow and misery of sin to the state of grace. Appropriately, therefore, it is Easter Sunday when Dante and Virgil arrive. 

Purgatorio is notable for demonstrating the medieval knowledge of a spherical Earth. During the poem, Dante discusses the different stars visible in the southern hemisphere, the altered position of the sun, and the various timezones of the Earth. At this stage it is, Dante says, sunset at Jerusalem, midnight on the River Ganges, and sunrise in Purgatory. All pieces of Akın's Purgatorio collection reflects heavy fabrics supported with hand-made vignettes contrasted by contemporary accessories.

Purgatorio by Cigdem Akın will debut in MBFW Istanbul at Antrepo 3 on March 13th, 2014.

Aperture Magazine on Orhan Gonen

This year has been an amazing one from both personal and business perspective. I had the opportunity to meet with wonderful people dedicated to their cause and have a great heart. For me, the year started with long distance travels on multinational projects along with getting ready for my first retroperspective exhibition, Variations. There's been an intense press interest on the exhibition; from local to international media.

Aperture is one of the few favorite magazines of mine representing latest design and photography trends. When Jules Moore contacted me for an interview request, I was so excited. But when I learned that they want to use this interview as a cover story, it was even more flattering. What a wonderful way of closing a year, filled with unique emotions and acclaimed business success.

This month on Aperture, you can have a look at my exclusive interview by Jules Moore on conceptual design and photography.

Variations Press Review

The opening night was amazing. I would like to thank all who attended and shared their valuable comments with me. Coffeeco team was also wonderful with their support and delicious catering. Dilek, you are the best!

As the cafe setting provides an opportunity to interact with guests visiting the exhibition, it was also a distinctive experience for me as well. I've been at Coffeeco almost every day both for their wonderful meal and to check the atmosphere for the exhibition. I met wonderful people, who had questions about the pieces, sharing their own interpretation of my photos, or just came by to meet me. There's been also an intense media interest on the exhibition and opening event. It's been news on all major newspapers and lifestyle magazines. Variations exhibition will be hosted at Coffeeco until November 30th.

Creativity Workshop @ Coffeeco

Following the Variations exhibition, Coffeeco workshop series will kick off with Orhan Gonen's Creativity & Brand Design session on November 26th. In this one-hour meeting, various aspects of creativity and brand design will be discussed.

The session includes abstracts from Orhan Gonen's upcoming book Creative Thinking along with his MBA MasterClass lectures at Izmir University of Economics and Bilgi University on Innovation & Creativity.

An Urban Love Memoir

An urban love memoir by Ahmet Sabancı; Concept & Cover Design by Orhan Gonen

Some stories are never told; yet never meant to be shared with the One. But you can share it with the world. "Nothing, as you don't know" is an urban love memoir, a kind of reflection of what has actually happened while you are apart from your so-called soul mate. 

The book contains 6 sections, stories traveling back and forth in time, while the main character struggles to overcome the feeling of being abandoned by the One, he loves. In his first memoir, Ahmet Sabanci opens up the doors of his secret garden with an intimate; yet touching genre. When I first read the initial draft, I was so moved with the story and how well it reflected a part in each and every one of us. When Ahmet offered me to work on the concept design of the book, I was so honored. I read each section over and over again, in order to find the right visual tonality and express his emotions with a distinctive sensual touch.

"Nothing, as you don't know" will be available in stores in June, while the launch party will be at GaleriBu, Galata on June 7th.

INFLUENCERS: Trends & Creativity

INFLUENCERS is a short documentary that explores what it means to be an influencer and how trends and creativity become contagious today in music, fashion and entertainment. The film attempts to understand the essence of influence, what makes a person influential without taking a statistical or metric approach.

Written and Directed by Paul Rojanathara and Davis Johnson, the film is a Polaroid snapshot of New York influential creatives - advertising, design, fashion and entertainment - who are shaping today's pop culture. INFLUENCERS belongs to the new generation of short films, webdocs, which combine the documentary style and the online experience.

Vogue: September Issue

Vogue is the most powerful and best-respected fashion magazine in the world, and each year the journal devotes a fall issue to the designs and designers that the editors feel will be influential in the coming year.

Anna Wintour as she visits the annual Fashion Week shows, accepts or dismisses the latest creations of the biggest names in fashion, works with the models, photographers, and writers who help bring her vision to the page, and labors with her staff to determine what the world's fashionistas will be wearing for the next 12 months. Creative Director Grace Coddington is also a revelation and her ability to tell stories through still images is inspiring.

The September Issue documentary reflects the process how one of the most anticipated issues of the year reveals in details.

Robb Report: December 2012 Issue

Orhan Gonen
Robb Report December 2012 Issue 
On Branding & Beyond

Building a brand with an integrated-communication approach is critical in today’s marketplace. More channels today, more noise, more competition between products, more products crossing borders, more competitors coming out of more places. Add to that, there is less sustainable differentiation between products. Brands are the only sustainable difference – that is why they are so invaluable, and every client is riveted. Every touchpoint that you interact your potential customer should be designed as an integral part of your brand strategy.

This month on Robb Report, Orhan Gonen talks about branding and beyond.

Maison Française: December 2012 Issue

Orhan Gonen & Oytun Berktan
Maison Française December 2012 Issue 
On Brand Design & Architecture

Brands have souls, and that unique existence is mainly attached to a visual identity. There are various forms of visuality. Graphic communication and architecture are the main components of a well-defined brand identity. But the starting point is the core strategy. This month on Maison Française, Orhan Gonen and Oytun Berktan talk about brand design and its integrated perspective.

Vogue Italia: Photography by Orhan Gonen

Vogue is an iconic publication known as the trendsetter in fashion and lifestyle. My first encounter with this legendary magazine dates back to my college years. I remember how excited I was every time going to the magazine store to get the latest issue. I've been finding some kind of salvation and inspiration through the pages, dreaming about a future career certainly in graphic design and trend-watching.

I've never thought of having one of my pieces to be published on Vogue one day. And that dream came true. I am working on various photography projects since 2009, starting with the Casa de la passe exhibition in London. I never call myself a photographer, but rather position myself as a visual artist. Photography is certainly an integral part of graphic design, and my perception of various things lead me to concentrate more on reflecting how I see the world around me. I first started by photographing close-up objects, then found more interest in portraits. Then came the concepting of lifestyle perspective. I used some of my pieces in various advertising campaigns I generated for my clients. Branding is principally related to visual aspects in design phase, so actually what I do has always attendantly involved photography.

Istanbul Series reflect my view of Istanbul. From Beyoglu to the Historical Peninsula, this authentic city must have been photographed by many artists from different perspectives. In this collection, I mainly focused on the illusion related to one's own perception, and used my lens in order to reflect manipulation of how I perceive Istanbul. The whole journey was like Alice in Wonderland, playing around to catch each monument, place or symbolic figure related with this city. One of the pieces from the series, "Harem" is published on Vogue Italia.

Redefining Urban Luxury

Luxury can be stated as great comfort and extravagant living. It may well be said that luxury is a basic human need – a way of winning something back against the cruelty of life. And the urge appears to have been there from the beginning. Man has aspired to better things since he first glimpsed the stars. The primitive impulses behind our desire for luxury also nudge us towards a clearer definition of this slippery word. Luxury is often associated with the realm of the senses: voluptuous images, tastes, odours and sensations. Indeed, sensuality is a key component of many luxury brands.

As Coco Chanel once said "luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it's not luxury". Berry submits the idea in another perspective and suggests that a luxury is a refinement on something that already exists. It is not superfluous, but it is substitutable. In other words, any car will get you from A to B, but driving a Bentley provides an additional sensual pleasure. That's the exact start point of my latest project, Urban Suites Istanbul.

Luxury accommodation is a rising trend in Istanbul, one of the biggest urban areas of the ancient world. From the golden ages of Greek and Macedonian era, to Roman and Ottoman period, the city has always reflected spark of the noble and wealthy. In realm of contemporary Istanbul, Urban Suites redefine the sense of luxury accommodation by combining the authentic with the current. It offers a unique Istanbul experience along with urban temptations of the Cihangir district, famous for its gourmet tastes and entertaining night life. Seven of the open-plan luxury suites feel more like loft apartments than standard hotel rooms. All suites are minimum 50 square meters and designed with various accessories and equipment for ultimate pleasure. Gatrium Brand Design team worked on developing a very well defined unique business model for the brand before design phase, and every detail is considered to reflect the ultimate sense of luxury accommodation. 

The VIP opening event will be on November 7th, hosting business executives, lifestyle magazine editors, artists and faces of high society.

Minimalism as the New Purity

Minimalism is a field of design associated with lifestyle, be it architecture, interiors or fashion, which in its purest form should apply to all aspects of the practitioner's life. "To be unaffected by the unnecessary or the chaotic, or to be ' so disciplined and immerse yourself in a beautifully simplistic state is hard to execute in today's society," says Rob Phillips in Harriet Walker's interview.

New Minimalists: a sect of young talent, who saw the impact of design purity during the late 1980s and early 1990s understood that the economic principles tightening our belts and purse-strings might also be the ones governing our wardrobes. "Minimalism is more relevant than ever," continues Rob Phillips, creative director of the school of design at London College of Fashion, "and on so many levels: environmentally and stylishly. A non-definable outfit has more longevity than a seasonal trend. If you define yourself as a minimalist in the fashion sense, you could go through decades wearing the same thing, looking great. Though," he adds cautiously, "if we all did that, well... bang goes the whole fashion business."

How does simple differ from minimalist? Are they totally two different concepts? When you simplify your life, you’re cutting back on the complexity of what you do and what you own. Minimalism is about the same things. Each concept is really a striking back against the growing complexity of the modern world, against consumerism, against the mindset that we need to buy to solve our problems, that we need more and bigger. So in the millennium era of complexity, how is minimalism different? It’s basically an extension of simplicity - not only do you take things from complex to simple, but you try to get rid of anything that’s unnecessary. All but the essential.

Contemporary Istanbul

A great number of art lovers, collectors and members of foreign and domestic press gathered at the only international contemporary art fair in Turkey, Contemporary Istanbul. This one was the 6th exhibition and opened on 23rd November. The fair has been visited by 62,000 art lovers and 2,100 collectors in 5 days. As the most extensive modern and contemporary art event in Turkey, Contemporary Istanbul hosted national and international galleries, artists from all over the world. The exhibition was to showcase contemporary art through different media like painting, sculpture, photography, performance, installation and video. But among all forms, I was more attracted by large scale sculptures and motion based installations.

Compared to previous years, it took more time to visit all pieces as the participation was enormous. My favorite pieces were various from sculpture to installation; however one that took my attention in the first place was the moving sculpture of Server Demirtas. I spent almost 5 minutes watching the sculpture with spontaneous movements back and forth hanging in deep perspective background. Another tempting corner was by Soda Art Gallery having a dominant scene with Derrick Santini's lenticular lightbox pieces. I like Soda exhibitions, as the gallery focuses on artists and designers using different materials and medias from various disciplines. They also support contemporary art jewellery, which is a globally rising trend. Jan Fabre's bronze statues represented by AD Gallery were stunning. The gallery was established in Athens, exhibiting avant-garde Greek and international art for more than a decade. Every exhibition by AD is organized according to its own criteria and with no reference to any previous shows.

6th Contemporary Istanbul will be welcoming guests at Istanbul Congress Center by November 25th.

Istanbul Biennial

Long awaited 12th Istanbul Biennial takes place at Antrepo 3 and 5 since September. Having hosted many biennials, starting with the fourth edition, these venues have also witnessed important transformations in terms of architectural design. This time, Hoffmann and Pedrosa invited the Office of Ryue Nishizawa to create the environment, the architectural reflection of the ideas they were developing. With our belief in art’s power to understand and change the world, it is possible to say that “Untitled” exhibition is organized with an effort to transform the world we live in into a better place.

Among various, my favorite piece of the whole exhibition is Giant (Gigante) by Portuguese artist Francisco Tropa. The artist believes that death is the matrix that emanates from all and any artistic construction. "It perhaps lies at art's primeval origin, as a mark of this secret threshold or celebration of this passage, to which was later added a sense of religiosity that has forever impregnated the artistic object as a mediator between two worlds" says Tropa about this compelling piece. In Giant, beyond an evident irony, the title involves an allusion to the use of scale in sculpture. The artist presents two identical skeletons arranged on the floor, molded in bronze, based on the same absent original. These two bodies are accompanied with a projection of a feather, of a magnified image of it, of a breath of air, allusions that evince a certain melancholy. The entire image is offered to whoever passes by. And whoever looks at it also observes the observer. I believe this remarkable piece of work is one of the most compelling yet touching installations of the "Untitled" exhibition.

12th Istanbul Biennial will be welcoming guests at Antrepo, Istanbul Modern Museum of Art by November 13th.

Green Living & Sustainability

Global warming has brought two issues, discussed only by a minority of business people and scientists, to the attention of masses: Sustainability and Green Living. Although the two terms are used interchangeably or as equivalent, they are actually two separate concepts that feed each other.

Sustainability has been a widely acclaimed issue by many Fortune 500 companies. In ecology, sustainability describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. In business environment, sustainability is the potential for long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of stewardship, the responsible planning and management of resources. Green Living concept is adopted in thesustainability strategy usually by promoting widespread commitments to green behaviors and personal health through business activities.

By 2050, there could be two billion cars on the road - twice as many as there are today. Energy demand is expected to be 35 percent higher in 2030 than in 2005; and pollution of drinking water is becoming the prior environmental concern as indicated by Wall Street Journal article. Our world economy faces unprecedented challenges; from soaring population growth to resource constraints, warming climate to myopic financial markets. Some companies see opportunity from these challenges and are pursuing bold projects that take sustainability to a new level.

Carbon-neutral organizations and zero-emission products are only initial steps to create a sustainable world - yet business environment. However, what many companies are missing is totality. Business innovation to scale sustainable solutions exponentially is what we need to put our global economy on a sustainable path. Scattered shoots of sustainability will not do the job. Businesses that are managing these risks and developing opportunities for green living will survive in the second decade of the Millennium.

Homemade Trend

Homemade nourishment has been a trend among intellectuals and riches for quiet some time. However with the right equipment and totally natural ingredients, it has become a new trend among young urban professionals.

In today's world, fast consumption and quick fix products are life savers for many who race against time. Meetings, business occasions, social engagements and allocating time for friends/family along with creating an agenda for self-care are only some of the contemporary challenges in urban living. It is interesting to note that the budget we reserve on what we eat is far less than the money we desire to spend on fitness and self-care treatment. And majority of this limited budget is usually spread between our daily Starbucks pleasure, weekend occasions and ready food and beverages. Preparing your own bread, jam and espresso with coffee beans you grind fresh sounds like an idealistic concept; even cooking at home itself is difficult enough. However, you can create your own Michelin-starred kitchen by investing in a few affordable equipment along with fresh ingredients you buy regularly from open markets. With timer function, you can take control of these devices and let them do majority of the work before you arrive home. All you have to do is enjoying your freshly brewed filter coffee and homemade bread along with a delicious salad you can fix in minutes.

A growing legion of persnickety chefs also use the term housemade instead of homemade to emphasize their own special cuisine. In Brooklyn, restaurants such as the Michelin-starred Dressler rarely deign to serve dishes not described as housemade. Housemade breads, jam and even cheese are important side dishes that differ a restaurant from the rest; and effect the choice of many diners looking for delicious and healthy dining experience.

Escape from Reality

The downtown art scene is electrifying, but frankly it's heaven when my friend Allen kidnaps me away to his family's house in Alacati, a tiny village off Cesme. Before we catch the ferry that will take us from Karsiyaka to Goztepe, a stop at Reci's for a piece of Charlotte cake is a must. Allen is quite the host, planning our trip; however this is the city that I was born and raised since I left to build my future abroad.

Alacati has evolved so rapidly in the last couple of years - from being an international windsurf spot into a fine dining & wine area. The village has been renovated in line with its origins, and you can feel the common Greek aura of the Aegean coast while you walk through the stone houses with blue wooden doors. The village is covered in pine trees and surrounded by freezing cold water - it doesn't prevent us from wind surfing though. Back on the main island, there's a lot of wild life - rabbits and goats. Ilica is known for its golden sandy beach beaten by rough-and-tumble waves which reminds me of my childhood as I used to spend majority of the day here, next to our summer house.

Unlike the other side of the coast, Alacati is quiet, and the calming ebb of the tide is the very definition of escape. Here nothing is prepared or planned. All you have to do is to close your eyes, and listen to the wind harmonized by the waves as the sun above bathes you with its rays of joy.

Smart Living & Cloud

Imagine your laptop and all of your mobile devices being in sync all the time. Imagine being able to access all of your personal data at any given moment. Imagine having the ability to organize and mine data from any online source. Imagine being able to share that data - photos, movies, contacts, e-mail, documents - with your friends, family, and coworkers in an instant. This is what personal cloud computing promises to deliver.

Whether you realize it or not, you're probably already using cloud-based services. Pretty much everyone with a computer has been. Gmail and Google Docs are two prime examples; we just don't think of those services in those terms. In essence, personal cloud computing means having every piece of data you need for every aspect of your life at your fingertips and ready for use. Data must be mobile, transferable, and instantly accessible. The key to enabling the portable and interactive you is the ability to synch up your data among your devices, as well as access to shared data.

Ultimately, your personal cloud which includes everything from your address book and music collection to your reports and documents for work will connect to the public cloud and other personal clouds. Everything connects. That means every place on the Internet you interact with, as well as every person you interact with can be connected. This includes your social networks, bank, university, workplace, family, friends and more. Of course, you will determine what you show the public and what you keep private. Clusters of personal clouds will form new social networks that will likely have a lot more privacy settings than Facebook, especially if these clusters are family or business oriented. Privacy will be a huge issue as personal clouds hit critical mass.

Eventually, in the smart living era, your devices will learn about you and eventually intuit what you are doing, where you are going, and what you intend to do when you get there. This might all sound a bit like science fiction, but this is exactly where we're headed with cloud computing. We're not quite there yet, though. We're all still creating our personal clouds.

The Last Sitting

In 1962, photographer Bert Stern shot a series of photos of Marilyn Monroe for Vogue magazine that have collectively come to be known as The Last Sitting. Taken during several boozy sessions in Suite 261 at the Hotel Bel-Air in June, photographs are arguably the most famous images ever captured of Monroe, sleepy-eyed and naked, sips from a Champagne glass, enacts a fan dance of sorts with various diaphanous scarves, romps with erotic playfulness on a bed of white linens.

The three-day session yielded nearly 2,600 pictures - fashion, portrait, and nude studies - of indescribable sensual and human vibrancy, of which no more than 20 were published. And yet these few photographs ineradicably shaped our image of Marilyn Monroe. The complete collection of photographs is displayed within the book Marilyn Monroe: The Complete Last Sitting. Showing many of the photographs that were never released and an insight of Bert Stern’s memories of the sitting where he saw a vulnerable, confused woman who although at the apex of her career, had relinquished control of her life.

Six weeks after she had posed for Stern, Monroe was found dead of an apparent barbiturate overdose. The Last Sitting produced extraordinarily beautiful and unique images of Marilyn.

Culinary Explorations

A very niche area for those who are really into traveling around the globe is local cuisine and high quality wine. From adventure seekers to romantic destination travelers, variety of options along with an authentic presentation of the food in its own traditional way sounds exciting; and yet adds value to your vacation by transforming it into a journey experience.

Spain…on the road Again is an American food and travel series produced by PBS. The show features Iron Chef Mario Batali, actress Gwyneth Paltrow, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman, and Spanish actress Claudia Bassols. Each episode covers a different region of Spain as the foursome explore the country's culinary traditions and history. What I like most about the show is that it is not focused on a specific subject as many of the similar shows do. It takes the city (or an area) as its base point and reflects every aspect that makes that spot special in an explorer mindset.

Among the various food and travel shows that I like comes No Reservations featuring top chef Anthony Bourdain. As he continues to explore every corner of the globe on his Emmy Award winning Travel Channel series, Anthony Bourdain encounters the weird, wild and downright outrageous personalities and places that help define the international cultural landscape.