Showing posts with label New York City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York City. Show all posts

WW: Indonesia’s Presidency for United Nations Security Council


May is indeed super special this year.

This is the month when the holy mont of Ramadhan starts, as well as Indonesia’s Presidency for United Nations Security Council.
Yes, Indonesia is the President of the United Nations Security Council for the month of May.

As you might know, Indonesia is elected as one of the Non-Permanent Members of the UN Security Council for 2019 - 2020. As stipulated in the rules of procedures, we are becoming the President of  UN Security Council in May, based on the alphabetical order rotation of all 15 Permanent and Non-Permanent members of this august body. Starting from the first of May, we took over the presidency.


Our Minister for Foreign Affairs, H. E. Retno Marsudi, chaired the series of first meeting during our presidency.

And you know why it's even more special?



We have delegations as well the UN Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, wore Batik and Tenun, the traditional fabrics of Indonesia.
Coming in varieties of patterns and colors, all those classic Batik are perfectly donned by ambassadors and head of delegations at the Security Council that day. 


As an Indonesian myself and avid lover of Wastra Nusantara or Indonesian traditional fabrics, I am super proud to see Batik was elegantly worn by Head of Delegations at the Security Council during the signature event of Indonesia on Peacekeeping, headed by H.E. Retno Marsudi, our one and only Foreign Minister.

The UN Security Council was chaired by Indonesian FM

Series of meetings and activities have been and will be conducted, including open debates on Peacekeeping and later on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict; Investing in Peace Photo Exhibition; and Arria Formula meeting on Palestine. I will be joining the meeting   in NYC on the third week of May as well


The photo exhibition
This is Indonesia for the world ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ .
all pictures are taken by my colleague ๐Ÿ“ท : @hpra76 .

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun linking up 


WW: Harry Potter - A History of Magic Exhibition

Helloooo, Harry Potter lovers!
Raise your hands if you think  you should be back to Hogwards and live among the Boy who lives, Hermione, Ron and the gank.
Or remember all those handy charms and spells like Wingardium Laviousa or Lumos or Accio or even the lethal one, avada kadabra?

Join me then!

I just came to Harry Potter - A History of Magic Exhibition in the Big Apple :)



I literally sneaked out of my meeting in order to get the ticket of the last entry of the day at 5.15 PM.
Considering the traffic from UN Headquarters in Midtown Manhattan to New York Historical Society in Central park West, I asked permission to go at 4.45.
I arrived just in time and had less than an hour to actually see and enjoy the exhibition.
Well, it's better than  nothing at all, right?

The exhibition is quite compact and not too crowded when I went there.
But for sure, it's interesting and as the exhibition of conducted in collaboration with the famous British Library as well as Harry Potter Wizarding World.
That's why I couldn't miss it for the world!
Too bad we can not take pictures of the exhibition itself but I took some from the public display outside.
Here are a few photos from Harry Potter - A History of Magic Exhibition is held in New York Historical Society. 
Will be back with more story for sure, so just stick around!




do you like my new glasses?

the cute postcard with Fawkes, Dumbledore's Phoenix :)


Do you like Harry Potter as well?
Which house do you think you will be? Gryffindor, Slyterin, Ravenclaw or Hupplepuff?

Join us on (almost) Wonderful Wednesday and link up for more fun

Under the Blue Sky

Going back to New York City is wonderful.
Although I spend most of my time at the UN Headquarters and my previous office, Permanent Mission of Indonesia to the United Nations, I was blessed to be able to breath its fresh (and cold) air and enjoy the clear blue.
Well, although technically it's Fall, but the weather has dropped to single digit Celsius when I'm here. 
Looks like my plan to escape Jakarta's soaring heat works really well. 
Too well, as a matter of fact :)
It's not that easy to adjust from 39 degrees Celsius or 110 degree Fahrenheit to just 8 degree Celsius or 48 degree Fahrenheit, in just a week!


Mini me and I before the meeting 

Here are a few snaps that I took in between my meetings.
And tell you what...no matter how many photos I have taken (perhaps thousands of them), I can never get enough of the beauty of the sky.
Those clouds... never fail to amaze me!
Do you like watching the sky as well?









Mini me and I have been working too hard :)

one fine day..

UN Headquarters

Join us on Skywatch Friday and enjoy the beautiful sky from all over the world

WW: Heavenly Bodies at the Met Cloister

Heavenly Bodies at the Met Cloister

Have you been to the museum lately?

Weeks before I go back home to Indonesia, I spent so much time strolling around the museums at NYC.

One of the most outstanding exhibitions I have enjoyed so far is Heavenly Bodies, Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.


heavenly bodies, Cloister Museum, NYC

This top-notch exhibition is beautifully showcased at the Met Fifth Avenue and the Met Cloisters museums.


the angel...

Curated by one and only Anna Wintour (for sure you have heard of her or her version at the Devil wears Prada :)), you will see how incredible the exhibition is.

Those fascinating dresses are beautifully positioned among the permanent collection of the Cloister. Beautiful, religious, yet extravagant.

Check out some of the photos I took I there.








the Lady in red by John Galliano for the House of Dior

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the linky party :)

One Lovely Day at the Governors's Island, New York City



Governor's Island NYC
Welcome to Governor's Island

Governor’s Island is indeed a piece of world of its own. With interesting history, dating back pre-dutch settlements era around the 15th century, this island was called ‘Pagganuck’ (or the nut island) before by the Native Americans of the Manhattan region.



Located not far from Brooklyn as well as Lower Manhattan, this lovely island has been used as venues of many events, including the recent #jazzagelawnparty we attended. 



It was a cool party indeed and we had so much fun.
Wearing 1920s-inspired costumes, dancing around with jazz age music, and having a picnic under the sun is indeed awesome.







Overlooking Manhattan and Brooklyn, this 172-acre island is well connected with NYC ferries. You have plenty of choices indeed in terms of transportation to reach the island.

When we went there, it was one fine day with perfect weather.

A bit hot but manageable.
And we managed to take pictures here and there, including at the Fort Jay and the lawns.


Obi at Fort Jay


Make sure you don’t miss the Governor's Island while you’re around the Big Apple.
Such a lovely island where we can relax, have a picnic and just enjoy the leisure time with your kids, family, and loved ones.




Join us on Skywatch Friday and enjoy the beauty of the skies from all over the world


Louis Vuitton New York Volez, Voguez, Voyagez Exhibition

"Welcome to Louis Vuitton New York Volez, Voguez, Voyagez Exhibition" 
"Hope you enjoy it!"
The lady with auburn hair sweetly smiled to me while handing the booklet of the exhibition to me and my mom. Using my lunch break, I sneaked out to downtown Manhattan to see the exhibition I have been waiting for together with my mom, while she's still in NYC.
On the wall, a huge screen (or probably screens) showed a non-stop NYC subway adorned with Louis Vuitton stickers and the sign where the exhibition begins.
"This is going to be great!" I told my mom as we stepped into the room and enjoyed the first look of the famous Luis Vuitton. 

It might be a bit too late as the event has already concluded, but Louis Vuitton New York Volez, Voguez, Voyagez Exhibition is indeed one of the most amazing exhibitions I have ever attended to.


Well, I am not exaggerating.


I have been enjoying Louis Vuitton's wonderful art works and creativity since I was assigned in Geneva. Well, obviously, Louis Vuitton products are not cheap at all for its exquisite designs, high quality leather, and durability. It's famous for its exclusive collections and I am more than eager to get them. So I can only acquire them after I have saved enough money.

I remember vividly my first LV bag, Montorguell, that I bought in August 2008, for my 31st birthday! I still have it with me and it's one of my favorites, although I then have acquired more bags and wallets after I fell in love with its classic designs.

So, back to the Exhibition.


Volez Voguez Voyagez, - or literally means Fly, Sail, and Travel - Louis Vuitton NYC exhibition was held in American Stock Exchange Building, from October 27, 2017, to December 7th, 2018. The exhibition is free of charge but you have to register for the ticket at LV's website. You could definitely walk in directly to the venue but pre-registration is highly recommended in order to ensure you get the ticket. The show was professionally managed so they made sure that not too many people were flocking at the same time.


As we stepped into the alley, we saw the non-stop animation movie on a huge screen showing the specially adorned with LV stickers and ornaments subway symbolically taking you to this place.
On the opposite wall, a familiar ceramic mosaics, which we see in almost every subway station in this city, bore the famous name.
So NYC!


indahnuria.com


The exhibition was curated by Olivier Saillard, with Gaรซl Mamine as the Associate Curator and Robert Carsen as the Artistic Director and Set Designer as well as Alexis Coussement as the Lighting Designer.  The Exhibition is also supported by so many top-notch museums, individuals  and institutions, including Musรฉe de la Mode de la Ville de Paris, Chattering Deneuve, Christian Dior Couture, and Museo Salvatore Ferragamo. 

They are indeed doing an amazing job!


Louis Vuitton NYC Volez, Voguez, Voyagez Exhibition
Let's fly with me..

The historical story of the House of Louis Vuitton, started by the late Louis Vuitton in 1854 and successfully continued by Georges, his son, and Gaston-Louis Vuitton, the grandson, is beautifully displayed in a breathtaking, colorful journey. 


You will be surprised to learn how the House of Louis Vuitton, which is now famous for its exquisite and luxury lines, started by a super talented box-maker/packer.
14-year-old Louis Vuitton had to walk (yes, walk) from his hometown near the Swiss Border, at the Jura Mountain (which is close to Meyrin, Geneve, where we used to live back in 2007 - 2011), to Paris. 
Let me repeat. 
Walk to Paris.
And it took him 2 years to reach Paris.
Such a determined young man!



Young Louis, Louis Vuitton NYC Volez, Voguez, Voyagez
Young Louis...

The Exhibition itself was divided into 10 different parts, starting from the very beginning of this House business, the great contribution of Louis Vuitton to the global art of traveling, to various creations, collaborations, and Louis Vuitton loves America. 

It took me and my mom almost 2 hours to finish enjoying all those displays.
I took all the photos using my iPhone 7 plus, so excuse me if some of the photos, particularly those taken in low-light rooms, are not that sharp.

Now, let's take a closer look at the Exhibition, shall we?.

Part I: The Trunk of 1906

Louis Vuitton NYC Volez, Voguez, Voyagez indahnuria.com
The introduction..
The Family Tree

The famous trunk

Here in this part, we were taken to the very first part of the history of the House of Louis Vuitton, looking at various traveling trunks, - in different model, functions, and colors- which made LV become one of the most wanted trunk-maker at that time.
Can you imagine back then when you have to bring trunks wherever you go?
I saw some specimens as well when we visited Ellis Island, next to Liberty island, when those coming from outside of NYC were firstly landed.

Why the trunk of 1906?
Because it was the year where the works of Louis Vuitton was formally listed in a reference catalogue, complete with its distinct designs and details.

What impressed me most is the elegant look of those trunks and their efficient functionalities. From dresses to gloves, to hats and books. All are safely and neatly saved inside those trunks.

PART 2: Wood and Part 3: Classic Trunks

This is like an extension of the incredible trunks of Louis Vuitton.
At that time, woods had been extensively used and transformed into great artworks.
And obviously, woods have a special place in young Louis' heart, as it was considered as the lovely reminder of his forest hometown as well as his initial expertise in box making.

I have to admit young Louis had magically transformed those woods into a special piece of functional and elegant item.


Louis Vuitton NYC Volez, Voguez, Voyagez Exhibition
Nice ensemble!



Part 4 : The invention of  Traveling



Imagine this.
You would be traveling across the dessert, sailing high seas, driving along the scenic routes and flying over beautiful lands and islands.
And you wanted to do it in style, bringing your favorite dress !
I guess this is where Louis Vuitton's works are stepping into the pictures.



We were enjoying another beautiful phase of Vuitton's invention and great contribution in the art of traveling. We saw colorful traveling trunks made of different materials and the evolution of steamer bag, which is believed to be the origin of hand luggage.
Interesting!



I have to admit that this part is what interest us most, with yachting, aviation, automobile and trains elegantly displayed.


Louis Vuitton Exhibition


The replica of  the Orient Express is what I really love!


Welcome to the Orient Express

It felt like we were there in one of the cars of the famous Orient Express with all its posh passengers (it was obviously expensive to travel with it, especially as you stopped in those exotic places in Europe!) and their luggages. 


The loop video showing different sceneries from the passengers seats giving a more real touch to this section.

And on the wall, they put so many photos from private collection showing those who were traveling with the Orient Express with their sturdy trunks and trendy fashions!


Look at all these gorgeous ladies!


Plus some stickers from famous hotels around the world where the train stopped and passengers could stay overnight to explore the cities.

Paris, Bucharest, Milan, Munchen, Strasbourg, Venezia, Zagreb, Vienna, Laussane, are a few examples of those incredible places they visited. 





I instantly remember Agatha Christie's novel, Murder at the Orient Express. No wonder we had some robberies and even murder during its trip, considering all those valuable items the passengers brought along with them!

Now you see why I love this section so much!
Being a traveler myself, I hope I do have the privilege to travel in style to those gorgeous cities around the world.

Part 5: Writing and Part 6: The Painting Trunk

More customized trunks were displayed here and this time, we have various trunks specially designed for prolific writers and prominent painters. 




Part 7: Curio Trunks

Welcome to one of the finest and the most exquisite collection of trunks and boxes from different parts of the world!
I love seeing those wonderful old, antique trunks collected from different parts of the world, courtesy of Gaston-Louis private collection.
Some of them have amazing details indeed!
Me want one :).




Part 8: The Beauty of Fashion 

It's about time!
Louis Vuitton and fashion are an item indeed. And super stars, actors, and celebrities obviously showed their affections to Vuitton's line. 
Mine! Said Elizabeth Taylor :)

Here we were enjoying more handcrafted items for the super stars, including Lauren Bacall, Katherine Hepburn, Greta Garbo, and Elizabeth Taylor, to name a few.

Katharine Hepburn's trunk.

I know they may belong to a generation before us now but they sure were the divas at their time.
We saw bags, luggages, jewelry boxes and sequined evening gowns and dresses belonged to those stars from many walks of life.

Looks familiar? Christian Dior it is :)

Here was where we read the history of the first parfumerie launched by Gaston-Louis back in 1927, fast forward to 2016 when the House of Louis Vuitton relaunched the fragrance line, including Apogรฉe, my favorite!

Louis Vuitton exhibition NYC
Apogรฉe is not pictured here but here are 3 of 6 fragrance launched by LV in 2016

Part 9: The Music Room

Too bad I kinda miss taking pictures in this section, but I did remember seeing more trunks and specialized bags for musicians and music lovers.


Part 10: Louis Vuitton loves America



This is probably the most hip and colorful sections, showing another incredible journey as Louis Vuitton was introduced to to the US public in 1893 during the Chicago World Fair up until now. 
Expanding to America, since the beginning, Louis Vuitton has won the heart and attention from many prominent Americans, including J.P. Morgan family. 


Louis Vuitton has been collaborating with so many famous and exceptional individuals along the way. While Marc Jacobs was the Artistic Director, he indeed came up with interesting collaborations and guest artists to design the limited edition  for the House. What I really like are the ones from Stephen Sprouse and  Yayoi Kusama, as you have seen on the picture above.

And then, more fashion items are designed, including those fabulous dresses, worn by the red-carpeter, if I may say :).

Louis Vuitton NYC Volez, Voguez, Voyagez Exhibition


I have nothing else to add at this point and let's see them in pictures, shall we?


indahnuria.com


So ..that's pretty much it.
What do you think about the Exhibition?
I didn't realize it has been a long post indeed. 
But again as I said in the beginning, this is more than just a showcase of high-end products chosen and loved by many, but labors of love, passion and historic endeavors involving hard work, endless creativity, and exquisite taste.


indahnuria.com


Do you like the exhibition?
What's you favorite part?
Now I feel like traveling in style with my favorite luggages :).
Bon voyage, mes amis!