INTERVIEW: 15 minutes with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan – “Elegance is an attitude”
Time is a funny thing. The PR schedule was fast and furious when Longines Ambassador of Elegance Aishwarya Rai Bachchan held court at her Four Seasons suite during the afternoon prior to the Sydney opening of Longines’ flagship boutique. But sitting in front of the world’s most famous grey-green eyes, as they surveyed the harbour far below, time slowed. Mixing regal bearing with warmth, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan speaks in a considered, melodious flow. Most of the Australian pack wanted, of course, to ask for her thoughts on the #MeToo movement, a topic she politely addressed, but we felt we had to find out how she balances her international schedule. Evidently, hers is a demanding life. Bollywood icon, a mother to a young daughter, committed to various charity roles, and maintaining some very special brand relationships, like her 18-year Longines role. She laughed when the balancing act was raised, sitting perfectly poised in a sea foam-hued ball gown. “Someone was asking me earlier if I had to choose a Commonwealth Games sport, what would I choose. I said I think [I’d be] a gymnast. It’s very graceful and a beautiful sport, but every working woman would see herself as that.” Her…
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One of the last people I saw before I left Australia for SIHH in January was James Marsden. He was on television, in dusty dungarees, with a vest, boots and a cowboy hat. His face was etched with pain. He’d just been shot by Ed Harris. Again. The television show is Westworld, the character is Teddy, and my wife and I remain obsessed with both. We’d binged our way through the first season in a matter of days, and then, a 27-hour flight and a broken night of sleep later, there I was with that very same character (Teddy) in real life. Reassuringly for you, dear reader, my interview questions extend well beyond his role on the incredible series, quickly focusing on watches. We also discuss how his obsession with timepieces began, and how he’s now seeking to pass the passion on to his son. But given the circumstances, the conversation does have to start with Westworld. T+T: This is freaking me out. The last time I saw you was only a day or so ago. You were having a hard time in the Wild West… JM: So is it freaking you out that I’m here and alive and there are no bullet…
The 2017 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race kicks off tomorrow in earnest, with men’s and women’s elite races, as well as a more laidback People’s Ride planned for the weekend, against the backdrop of some of Australia’s most stunning roads. In the lead-up to the action, we caught up with the man himself – and the only Aussie to ever win the Tour de France – Cadel Evans. Sitting down with him at TAG Heuer’s flagship boutique in Melbourne (the brand is the official timekeeping partner for the race), we chatted, naturally, about all things time-related. Time+Tide: What do you like about watches? Cadel Evans: Well, I’m always travelling, so it can be a bit hard to treat yourself at times – you can’t take a nice car or a swimming pool around the world with you. A nice watch is a different story – you strap it on and it’s always there. Plus, I’ve lived in Switzerland for the past 20 years, so I’ve really had no choice but to become a watch lover. There’s two great vintage stores near me in Lugano with some incredible pieces – I was really tempted by a German military issue Autavia the other…
A few weeks ago, on a wet and gloomy morning, I made my way to the 2016 Motorclassica, held at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building – jostling through the crowds of people who were out in force despite the rain to see a superb assortment of new and vintage cars and motorcycles. They may have been excited, but I was even more on edge, because thanks to TAG Heuer I was about to meet the McQueen family – specifically the son of the late Steve McQueen, Chad McQueen, and his own son, Chase. At first, I wasn’t sure why I was nervous. Then it hit me; I was about to meet the King of Cool’s son (the Prince of Cool) who shared genetics, and therefore scientifically, his ultra-coolness too. Having always appreciated Steve McQueen as an actor, anti-hero and style god – it was about to get very real. As Chad approached with his entourage, he lit up the room, metaphorically as well as literally thanks to his bright Porsche racing jacket. His son, Chase, gave off more of an inconspicuous vibe – blending in with the rest of us as he sat with watchmaker Shalen Gokoolparsadh, inspecting the inner workings of…
