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Ongoing Restoration Works At Villa Frere And Its Gardens

Ongoing Restoration Works At Villa Frere And Its Gardens
Jul 27 2023 Share

Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici visited the ongoing restoration works at Villa Frere and its gardens. During the visit, the Minister was shown around by Heritage Malta’s management and members of the NGO Friends of Villa Frere.

During the past months, restoration works have focused on the Gardeners’ Cottage and Villa Hay, the latter being one of the buildings in the gardens which was used as a retreat for John Hookham Frere’s wife. The restoration and rebuilding of a boundary wall with a neighbouring property are also underway.

Minister Bonnici thanked Heritage Malta and Friends of Villa Frere for the work that is being carried out, whereby they are continuing to strengthen our country’s cultural heritage and its history.

“This restoration project is leading to a new meaning for accessibility to our heritage, as well as a new meaning to heritage itself, which should not just be admired but lived and experienced because it is what forms us as a nation,” concluded Dr Bonnici.

Built in the early 19th century in Tal-Pietà, Villa Frere became the residence of British diplomat, poet, scholar and philanthropist John Hookham Frere. After his wife’s demise in 1831, he built extensive terraced gardens at the rear of the property, from where he enjoyed wide open views spanning from Mdina to Valletta. He could also look out at the Msida Bastion Cemetery, where his wife reposed.

Among the distinguished people who visited the gardens were Queen Mary of England in 1912 and Queen Marie of Romania in 1924. The beauty and charm of this place led to the publication in 1930 of a long article, accompanied by beautiful photographs of Villa Frere and its gardens, in the prestigious British publication Country Life.

Nowadays, Heritage Malta is the official owner of Villa Frere and following the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2019, the Agency handed over the administration to Friends of Villa Frere whilst directly helping to protect the place. In addition, a Grade 1 scheduling for Villa Frere and its gardens was also carried out by the Planning Authority in 2020. These, together with the opening of the gardens to the public from time to time, have helped to raise awareness of the historical and cultural importance of Villa Frere.

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Five Ridiculously-Priced Fashion Pieces That Actually Exist

Five Ridiculously-Priced Fashion Pieces That Actually Exist
Jul 27 2023 Share

The world of fashion has always been associated with luxury, elegance, and extravagance. Designers often push the boundaries of creativity and uniqueness to create one-of-a-kind pieces that can be considered works of art. However, there are some fashion items that seem to take luxury to a whole new level, leaving us in awe and disbelief at their outrageous price tags. In this article, we’ll explore five ridiculously-priced fashion pieces that actually exist, ranging from shoes to handbags and even household appliances.

Balenciaga’s ‘Retooled’ Distressed Paris Sneaker – $1,850

When it comes to high-end sneakers, Balenciaga has become a force to be reckoned with. Their iconic ‘Triple S’ sneakers set off a trend of chunky, oversized footwear that took the fashion world by storm. However, their ‘Retooled’ Distressed Paris Sneaker truly takes the cake for both style and price. Priced at a staggering $1,850, these sneakers feature a deliberately distressed look that is both unconventional and trendy. Despite the eyebrow-raising price, these sneakers are highly sought after by fashion enthusiasts looking to make a bold statement with their footwear.

Dolce & Gabbana x Smeg’s Hand-Painted Fridge – $34,000

Combining the worlds of fashion and home appliances, Dolce & Gabbana partnered with luxury appliance brand Smeg to create a jaw-droppingly expensive hand-painted fridge. Adorned with intricate Sicilian-inspired artwork, the Dolce & Gabbana x Smeg fridge is a visual masterpiece that will undoubtedly elevate the aesthetics of any kitchen. However, with a staggering price tag of $34,000, this fridge is far from an affordable addition to your home décor. It’s undoubtedly a status symbol that caters to the most affluent and style-conscious homeowners.

 

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Louis Vuitton’s Airplane Bag – $39,000

Known for their opulent and prestigious creations, Louis Vuitton has crafted a bag that takes luxury to new heights – the Ebene Monogram Coated Canvas Airplane Bag. Retailing at an astonishing $39,000, this bag is designed for jet-setting fashionistas who wish to travel in unparalleled style. Crafted with the finest materials and adorned with the iconic LV monogram, the Airplane Bag exudes exclusivity and sophistication. However, it begs the question: Is it worth the price of a luxury car just to carry your belongings while traveling?

 

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MSCHF’s Microscopic Handbag – Sold for Over $63,000

Sometimes, fashion’s eccentricity knows no bounds, and MSCHF’s Microscopic Handbag is a testament to that. Touted as the world’s smallest handbag, it’s so tiny that it can only hold a couple of grains of sand or maybe a single ant-sized trinket. Selling for over $63,000, this microscopic marvel may be more of a conversation starter or collector’s item rather than a practical accessory. Nonetheless, its limited production and peculiar concept have managed to attract fashion enthusiasts with deep pockets.

 

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Nike Moon Shoe – $150,000

Sneakerheads worldwide are familiar with Nike’s legendary Air Jordan and Air Max lines, but the Swoosh brand once released a sneaker that skyrocketed in value – the Moon Shoe. Originally designed in 1972, this shoe featured a waffle-like sole and was handmade by Nike’s co-founder, Bill Bowerman. In 2019, one pair of these vintage shoes was sold at auction for an astonishing $150,000, making it one of the most expensive sneakers ever sold. This astronomical price is a testament to the allure of rare and iconic footwear among collectors and aficionados.

 

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The fashion industry has always been a playground for creativity and innovation, and these five ridiculously-priced fashion pieces demonstrate just how far designers are willing to go in the pursuit of luxury and uniqueness. While these items may be out of reach for most of us, they serve as a testament to the power of high-end fashion as a status symbol and a reflection of one’s wealth and taste.

Whether it’s a pair of distressed sneakers or a microscopic handbag, these pieces have carved a niche for themselves in the world of ultra-luxury fashion. And while we may gawk at their price tags, they remind us of the endless possibilities and boundless imagination that the world of fashion has to offer.

Would you cop one of these pieces?

#MaltaDaily

Nas Daily Describes Malta As His Favourite European Country

Nas Daily Describes Malta As His Favourite European Country
Jul 27 2023 Share

Popular social media star Nas Daily has just described Malta as his favourite European country, as he launches his new NasTravels venture. 

Nas Daily, real name Nuseir Yassin from Israel, described the Mediterranean island as his favourite country out of a total of 50. 

 

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Going on to share some of the reasons why he loves the island so much – from the culture to the island of Comino’s sole inhabitant – Nas Daily wishes to share the island with as many people as possible. 

‘Malta is my favourite country in Europe because everyday I spent there I was surrounded with beauty and positive energy, from bot nature, buildings and people’, says Nas. 

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Malta’s July Maximum Heat Soared to 42.7°C Last Monday

Malta's July Maximum Heat Soared to 42.7°C Last Monday
Jul 27 2023 Share

The Maltese Islands experienced relief from the scorching heat as the Meteorological Office downgraded the red weather warning, which had been in effect since 18th July, to a milder yellow warning. 

During the recent 10-day heatwave, temperatures surpassed 40°C on six occasions, with the first four days already reaching the high 30s.

On the peak day of 24th July, the mercury soared to 42.7°C, surpassing the month’s normal maximum temperature by a staggering 11°C. 

While it didn’t set a new record, historical data from the Meteorological Office indicates that the same temperature was previously recorded in 1988 during another four-day heatwave.

This relentless heatwave was caused by a region of weak atmospheric conditions that extended from the Sahara Desert and settled over the central Mediterranean. 

The lack of strong winds allowed the hot air mass to remain stationary for an extended period, leading to the buildup of high temperatures.

Thankfully, the weather outlook now appears more favourable, with the Meteorological Office forecasting temperatures closer to the July norm until the start of August. The arrival of Northwesterly winds, reaching Force 6 by Wednesday evening, will trigger a change in the air mass, bringing relief. 

Over the next days, maximum temperatures are expected to range from 30°C to 34°C, while the minimum temperature will hover around 26°C.

#MaltaDaily