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Simon News, Articles, Info - Part 1
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| Hayseed |
Date: Friday, 21-Jun-13, 4:10 PM | Message # 976 |
 Bee's Knees
Messages: 549
Status: Offline |
A 1964 Ambassador may not be an "expensive" ride, but it will flat out get out of town. It has a V-8 and a three speed shift overdrive that'll get a quarter mile in <16 seconds. Yeehawww! Bet those curls are laid back when he lets that baby roll.
Maybe that was a car he always wanted as a kid or something? |
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| Fran |
Date: Monday, 24-Jun-13, 11:25 PM | Message # 977 |
 Fair Dinkum
Messages: 4127
Status: Offline |
Thanks very much to McBabsi for the link and translation of this 'Die Welt' article.
THOROUGHBREDS AND HATS JOIN THE RACE
The horse racing season was opened with expensive horses and crazy hats – but the real star of the Prix Diane at Chantilly was the “The Mentalist”.
(article by lifestyle journalist Siems Luckwaltdt)
"As a child I was terrified of horses" he confesses to me in the morning interview. A certain respect is still there, but in the meantime the Australian actor Simon Baker feels secure in the saddle.
After all, he was trained 4 hours a day for a film by the legendary Rudy Ugland a couple of years ago. And Ugland has taught the likes of Marlon Brando, Mel Gibson or Jack Nicholson to gallop through western settings.
“These incredible powerful animals are full of energy and are constantly under current. They are incredibly sexy” gushes Baker.
It is a pity that the star of the hit series “The Mentalist” is spared an appearance on horseback today. Instead, professional jockeys (category below 60 kilos) risk their necks in nine races. With up to 70km/h these “little big men” in their brightly coloured jerseys dash around the course of the traditional Hippodrome of Chantilly for the “Prix de Diane Longines”.
The grass that’s shining in the sunlight absorbs the thundering hoofbeats.
But if you come close to the rails of the barrier you can hear the thoroughbreds wheezing.
Only for a second, and then the aerodynamic man-horse hybrids race on towards the finish line of the two-kilometre course.
During such moments, even the guests in the VIP tent of the sponsor Longines forget to sip from their champagne flutes.
The owners of the horses and those placing bets on them stare motionless through their binoculars. Fathers hold on firmly to their kids, who are watching from their shoulders.
Even Simon Baker, appointed “ambassador of elegance” by the Swiss watch brand Longines, loses sight of his fans for a moment.
The beau with the surfer complexion, who has lent his face to the current campaign of Givenchy’s perfume “Gentlemen only”, is here for the second consecutive year, as the star guest in France’s horse capital, however, he remains calm.
The son of a teacher and a caretaker has long been accustomed to this VIP treatment.
Afterwards, when jockey Thierry Jarnet on his horse “Treve” has won the prix de Diane Longines with a new track record and about 570.000 Euros prize money, the dream of all the elegantly clothed teenage girls comes true.
“The Mentalist” casually walks a couple of hundred metres around the track, which was opened in 1834, and waves in the direction of the grandstand and the picnic blankets (crusty baguettes, chilled champagne and sometimes a noodle salad). Then, the “Baker Mania” begins. Everyone is running towards him, keeping their smartphones ready, digicams in position, programmes and felt tip pens within reach. No one is even looking at the breathless winner of the highly paid fourth race, who – on a giant screen – can be seen so euphoric, he is lost for words. Instead, the only thing you hear all around is “Siiiiimon”.
It is this mixture of stylish folk-festival for everyone, a test of strength for the people in the horse circuit and a well-tempered thrill together with equally tempered gourmet dishes, which make this afternoon in Chantilly a short trip to another world. Especially for someone like me who has never read “Wendy” or “Billie and Zottel” (children’s comics/row of books about horses, aimed mainly at girls). There is no stiff small talk here, no sign saying “Rich people only”. It is simply wonderful here!
“Elegance is a balance between the effort that you yourself put into your appearance and the appreciation of others for your effort”. – that is how Simon Baker explains his rule of style. This fits the fashion highlight of the day: the hats. Whether there are plastic horses on them or QR codes on the wide brims, silk flower potpourris or brightly coloured fascinators, daring static designs like a protruding Eiffel Tower or creations of conservative fashion designers in pale pink.
From time to time I react to a new gigantic headdress “monster” seen from the corner of my eye, some brightly yellow buildings made from woven straw, wrapped fabric or papier maché Some men caught my attention by wearing Panama models, a boater, a burgundy top hat and a brightly coloured fedora, which was bought on location. Connoisseurs come naturally prepared. In the Longines sponsors tent, a rose model worn by a lady dressed in Chanel, was awarded with a watch. Whether it was the latest model of the “Conquest Classic” – series? Oh, never mind, I’ll just take another pistachio macaroon.
Now back to the ladies´ favourite, Simon Baker. Asked if he has ever seen an episode of his successful TV series? – in a mixture of French, English and Swiss-German, the wonderfully eccentric President of Longines, Walter von Känel, answered: “ I had to. My co-workers have been out of their minds because of this man for weeks!” And how did he like the crime show about an ex-medium? “It is like making a good mayonnaise. It takes time”.
With plain language and the military virtues of his army days (which he ended as a brigadier), von Känel has turned Longines into the leading brand of top-priced watches, with prices between 600 and 3500 Euros. There are also some more expensive versions in the repertoire. “Keep it stupid simple” – is an important motto for his story of success. Combined with his understanding of human nature, concentration on a core business and his vision of his brand. La mission est atteinte! (The mission is achieved).
The racing course of the Hippodrome is particularly appealing: in the background you can always see the castle, which was built by the Montmorency family in 1560. And above the stately park with its water canals, fountains, symmetrical flowerbeds, a gigantic fireworks lit up the sky the night before. As a crowning finale of the dinner at the fine painting room of the museum Conté, which is located in the castle. It contains the second largest collection of paintings after the Louvre. During the gala dinner, you feel as if cherubs, equestrian companies and scarcely clad ladies look down on the guests’ plates from their golden frames.
After lobster, there is veal filets, followed by red fruits for dessert, which are decorated with a (sugar) hat. Simon Baker had two of the winning ladies of the first Longines Award at his table: the enchanting Sophie Thalmann – a presenter, Miss France 1996, and married to a jockey- as well as the very modest Princess Aga Khan. That evening, Baker, who last year left the event with a winning sum of 5 Euros (!), asked both ladies for inside tips for the race of the following day.
The third prize winner, show jumping champion Athina Onassis de Miranda. was only present via video message, because she was away on a tournament.
Checking out at the reception desk of his hotel, Simon Baker is wearing his self-tinting glasses, a checkered shirt, worn outside of his jeans, and a worn leather briefcase over his shoulder. “How´ya going, mate?. The Australian is shining through now. And before my inner eye I can see Longines´ ambassador of elegance, running along the beach with his kids or throwing basket balls in front of his garage. “G’day”.
http://www.welt.de/print....en.html |
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| Mossibecca |
Date: Tuesday, 25-Jun-13, 2:20 PM | Message # 978 |
Bee's Knees
Messages: 540
Status: Offline |
Thanks for the translation McBabsi...loving these articles. |
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| DS_Pallas |
Date: Tuesday, 25-Jun-13, 4:49 PM | Message # 979 |
 Fair Dinkum
Messages: 1979
Status: Offline |
Thank you for this translation! Nice article. |
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| sylvia5993 |
Date: Tuesday, 25-Jun-13, 4:55 PM | Message # 980 |
Bee's Knees
Messages: 538
Status: Offline |
I especially liked the ambassador of elegance in jeans and untucked checkered shirt doing the Cinderella after the ball. Still charming but always our Baker Boy. |
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| Evy |
Date: Tuesday, 25-Jun-13, 6:41 PM | Message # 981 |
 Fair Dinkum
Messages: 1233
Status: Offline |
Thank you for the translation McBabsi ! long work ! |
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| Lena |
Date: Wednesday, 26-Jun-13, 9:07 AM | Message # 982 |
 Dinkie-Di
Messages: 185
Status: Offline |
Nice article. McBabsi, thanks for the translation. |
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| Fran |
Date: Thursday, 04-Jul-13, 11:11 AM | Message # 983 |
Fair Dinkum
Messages: 4127
Status: Offline |
Esquire Latinoamerica 'El renacimiento de los caballeros'
Spanish article and short interview from the 'Gentlemen Only' Los Angeles launch. Very similar to other articles/interviews from the launch, so not really anything new. I didn't think the google translation was very good, so I've tried to do a slightly better translation of the interview part of it.
http://www.esquirelat.com/estilo-....alleros
Excerpt - Translation of interview:
Esquire: With a great career in progress, what responsibility do you assume to be the face of a fragrance as important as Givenchy?
Simon Baker: Now I can’t go out and get drunk in the first bar I come to, those days are long gone (laughs). At first, when the proposal was made to me, I had doubts, because I felt I couldn’t be the ideal representation of the modern gentleman. I think when you admit to being a gentleman, it proves otherwise. But Gentlemen Only is more about highlighting the behaviour and attitudes to being a gentleman, or having the aspiration to be.
Esq: What do you identify as the qualities of Givenchy?
SB: It has aristocratic roots, a daring and refined sense of humour. Like a classic and elegant man making fun of himself in a relaxed manner.
Esq: Chivalry is hard to find today, what would you say makes a man a gentleman?
SB: Chivalry is not lost completely, but it does need a revival. In the commercial for the fragrance campaign that was led by photographer Peter Lindbergh, when I hold my umbrella to the woman who appears on the scene, I do it without waiting for a reply. I think a gentleman is defined by selfless acts performed in their day to day life, by considerate treatment of others, but many times we see it more as an exchange.
Esq: Do you have any specific grooming routine that we can share?
SB: The truth is that I am not very careful about my personal grooming, at most it takes me 15 minutes. My work requires much time in makeup, so moisturizing and facial cleanser are needed. It’s always important to appear presentable, more for oneself than for others.
Esq: With regard to your personal style, what are the clothes that make you feel most comfortable?
SB: I love surfing, but I don’t feel the need to dress like a surfer. I like to choose well-cut suits and things I find aesthetically pleasing where you can see the design and quality. Practicality and design should go hand in hand.
Esq: What do you consider are the worst style mistakes a man can commit?
SB: I have never liked the jeans with wide seams or torn legs. The worst style mistake I committed, was when I bought a Quicksilver brand leather surfer jacket. I always wanted one when I was young and when I was grown up and had the money, I bought it for nostalgia. My wife never liked it and so it remained in my closet, and I didn’t wear it.
Esq: What is the most valuable thing you've learned in the world of acting?
SB: It's a very fleeting world, where one moment you can be the centre of attention and then you can disappear. For me it’s very important to understand that and know that if my career stalls, I can always go home with my family and pursue other interests. |
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| DS_Pallas |
Date: Thursday, 04-Jul-13, 11:23 AM | Message # 984 |
Fair Dinkum
Messages: 1979
Status: Offline |
Thanks for your extra effort Fran, it surely improves the machine translation… |
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| bee |
Date: Thursday, 04-Jul-13, 11:48 AM | Message # 985 |
 Fair Dinkum
Messages: 1525
Status: Offline |
Thanks Fran..much appreciated...it's always nice to know Simon's views on different things even though we already know what his answers will be and will never tire of hearing them!!!!  |
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| Evy |
Date: Thursday, 04-Jul-13, 11:31 PM | Message # 986 |
Fair Dinkum
Messages: 1233
Status: Offline |
Thank you Fran!
Yes Bee, we had read the story about the jacket in another article ! But it's always a pleasure to read something about Simon  |
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| 258pce |
Date: Friday, 05-Jul-13, 6:04 AM | Message # 987 |
 Cobber
Messages: 119
Status: Offline |
Fran--improved translation much appreciated. Thanks. |
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| Lena |
Date: Friday, 05-Jul-13, 8:34 AM | Message # 988 |
Dinkie-Di
Messages: 185
Status: Offline |
Thank you so much Fran for the translation. It's a lovely interview especially his last answer. |
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| Tina |
Date: Friday, 05-Jul-13, 9:00 AM | Message # 989 |
 Fair Dinkum
Messages: 2066
Status: Offline |
Message edited by tinamarianne - Friday, 05-Jul-13, 9:00 AM |
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| Tina |
Date: Friday, 05-Jul-13, 9:10 AM | Message # 990 |
Fair Dinkum
Messages: 2066
Status: Offline |
An article in the German gossip magazine BUNTE. I was so surprised to see this yesterday. It's not often I find articles in German magazines!
I'm not happy with the text, they again only write about Simon being a womanzizer and hansome guy. Nothing about why all the women love him and that he's not only a good looking man.
I try to make the translation, but it's early and I'm tired and don't have much time, so please excuse the bad English.
Translation:
The horses were minor matter. At Prix de Diane Longines in the idyllic Chantilly Simon Baker was in the middle: Some women was galopping over the grass to get an autograph of the beau - some rival was pushed aside. For those who tought that was too rough, they tried to get attention with fancy hats. The Mentalist Stars seems to be flattered. In good mood he took photos with fans and complimented: At no other event you see such elegant women, I like that.
As ambassador of the watch label Longines Baker was also in the jury of the Ladies Award and gave a price to Princess Zahra Aga Khan and Sophie Thalmann. If there was an award for biggest womanizer, he would have earned it! |
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