Innholdsfortegnelse for July/August 2023 i Maxim

We look forward to the annual ranking of The World’s 50 Best Bars much in the way some people do the Oscars, our tastes running more to the intoxicating than the theatrical. And while we eagerly parse the list for the wealth of insights and indicators of where the planet is headed, drinks-wise, it also inspires us to scour the globe for the kind of bars we ourselves like to frequent on our wide-ranging travels—i.e. those where the surroundings and interior design are as compelling as the cocktails. In the end we found that while the ranking of the world’s best bars doesn’t always overlap with what we consider to be the world’s most beautiful ones, when it does happen it’s as sublime an act of synergy as gin meeting…

In an enchanting convergence of high society and adrenaline-fueled anticipation, Maxim’s second annual big race weekend took center stage on May 5th in the vibrant city of Miami. Bathed in the opulent vibe of the renowned SLS South Beach hotel’s Hyde Beach, the event presented with an exquisite fusion of music, beauty and celebrity allure. As the evening unfolded, the sounds of DJ Cruz’s’ opening set reverberated through the venue, casting an enchanting spell upon the attendees. Their anticipation grew with every beat setting the stage for the headlining performance by the incomparable Ruckus. Under the watchful gaze of a star-studded sky, the stage at Hyde Beach became a sanctuary of sonic enchantment, with Ruckus commanding the crowd’s attention and effortlessly bridging the gap between reality and musical euphoria. The…

“For the longest time motorcycles were the second-class citizens of the collector car world. When they did come up for auction, it was usually as an afterthought in most of the big auction houses and they’d be stuck in between some premium collector cars in the hope that some of the sheen would rub off.” So says no less an authority than Jay Leno in the foreword to Ultimate Collector Motorcycles, the definitive work for classic motorbike enthusiasts, newly published in an oversized, double-volume format by Taschen. The beautifully photographed and meticulously researched book by Charlotte and Peter Fiell features 100 of the most exceptional bikes ever built, photographed as lovingly as supermodels. The couple, who have penned over 60 design-centric books including Taschen’s double-volume Ultimate Collector Cars, were…

Pick up any newspaper these days and there is a decent chance that on the front page you’ll be able to find an article about Artificial Intelligence, Elon Musk or both. In fact, right now perhaps no two topics garner more attention, passion and debate than the South African-born billionaire and the technology that’s on the verge of reshaping society in ways we still have yet to fathom. This uncertainty was likely behind Musk’s recent request, along with dozens of other technology thought leaders, to pause advanced AI projects for at least six months while the industry, and society at large, has a chance to better understand the potential risks—along with the rewards—and ways to mitigate any issues that may arise. After all, Artificial Intelligence is supposed to help society…

Founded by notorious supermarket heir Huntington Hartford in 1962, this Bahamian resort has played host to Slim Aarons and his jet-set crew, Europe’s most glamorous princes and princesses, a Beatles music video, and two James Bond movies.” For anyone familiar with the world’s most exclusive beach destinations, there can be little doubt that the author is referring to the famous Ocean Club on Paradise Island. The words come from a beautiful new book with text by James Reginato from French luxury house Assouline, published to coincide with 60th anniversary of the iconic property, which has been part of the blue-chip Four Seasons portfolio since 2017. Fittingly, the Ocean Club just unveiled numerous renovations and upgrades to its guest experience, while the legendary locale has just been named as the final…

In the 2022 season of Formula One the apex motorsport ushered in the most extensive vehicle changes in its history, revolutionizing the sport with a hard spending cap ($140-million per team for 2022, with various adjustments for 2023), and ostensibly leveling the field for parity. This goal of equalization was largely realized as one of the most exciting, down-to-the-wire seasons created shifts across the grid—with Ferrari edging itself above Mercedes-AMG Petronas for the first time in a decade, Alpine Renault finally cracking the top four, and Alfa Romeo moving up three slots thanks partly to the addition of AMG veteran Valtteri Bottas jumping in the driver’s seat. For 2023 the rule changes are much more subtle, meaning constructors can add to last year’s machines instead of reimagining them from the…

In 1990, Davis and Dean Factor, the great-grandsons of Hollywood cosmetics legend Max Factor, founded Smashbox Studios in Los Angeles. The brothers—Davis, a photographer, and Dean, a businessman—would soon help to define the glamour of the era, which ushered in the age of the supermodel and so much more, with the Smashbox brand. Now for the very first time, more than three decades of portraits taken by Davis at Smashbox Studios in L.A.—including Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz, Willem Dafoe, Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Idris Elba, and Angelina Jolie—have been collected in coffee-table book form. Make Sh#!t Happen is the cheeky title of the stylish book from Rizzoli which is sure to gain a place in every style lover’s library. The legendary Leonard Lauder, Chairman Emeritus of the Estée…

A new generation of superyacht clientele, with ever-evolving priorities and pastimes, is challenging the industry to freshen up. For such a discerning cohort, decadent scale and unparalleled sense of space is a key driver. High concept, future-forward design is winning out over ostentatious glamour for its own sake. Case in point, one only has to look to the winners of the 2023 BOAT International Design & Innovation Awards to see evidence of ambitious forms heralding higher functionality than ever before. Held in Cortina d’Ampezzo on the first day of the Superyacht Design Festival in February, the dazzling ceremony celebrated yacht design and toasts the studios behind them. Attended by preeminent designers, naval architects and shipbuilders, the evening is a who’s who of industry mavericks, not least because BOAT International has…

Just three years ago Sergio Perez was on the cusp of losing his seat on the Formula One grid. Beloved in Mexico, and most fervently in his hometown of Guadalajara, the world whispered that 2020 could be his last in the apex motorsport. Then came the Sakhir Grand Prix, where “Checo” miraculously climbed from last place on the grid to first, securing his first checkered flag for Racing Point—and also breaking the record for the most F1 starts (190) before notching a win. It was the stuff of Disney movies and schoolboy dreams. Steadiness, determination, patience and a fiery passion to win are what defines the career of Sergio Perez. That off-season Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner announced they were picking him up to match with Max Verstappen, and the…

The 12-cylinder engine is something of an endangered species; by 2025 it may even be extinct. This is nothing short of a tragedy for performance-oriented automotive enthusiasts, as 12-cylinders have long represented the pinnacle of sports and luxury motoring. This dates back to 1913 when they first helped set several world speed records, a legacy that eventually led to dominance in Formula One amongst other motorsports milestones; while the 12-cylinder engine came to be associated with the top marques worldwide including Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, and Lamborghini. In the modern era perhaps no one has done more for the big 12 than Bentley, which debuted its W12 version in 2003 with the grand return of the Bentley Continental GT, declaring it the most advanced 12-cylinder engine in history. And an era has…

If I wasn’t here witnessing this scene with my own eyes I would not believe it possible. We’ve dipped into a small cove at Pitt Point, swimming deeper into the warm equatorial water till we’re encircled by the Galápagos’ famed black volcanic rock. Splashing in the tropical Pacific a group of sea-lion pups wrestle nearby, honing fighting skills they’ll lean on when they mature and need to protect their turf. An adult swims disturbingly close and circles us in the clear aqua-marine water, curious and utterly unafraid. Giant crimson crabs crawl up from behind rocks, their bright teal- and gold-patterned scarabs glistening in the sun. Then a marine iguana, as black as the lava he sunbathes on, makes his debut. Or has the miniature Godzilla been there the entire time,…