Extra: core-dispatch from NYC, NY
Bombay Sapphire Unveils Martini Glasses
October 20, 2000 - New York City, NY

This just in from Core's special Manhattan core-e-spondent:

The premium British gin distillery, Bombay Sapphire, along with partners TOTEM and DIFFA, showed off three new (and untouchable) martini glasses by the designers Karim Rashid, Peter Crisp and Dan Daily last night in the new trendy party studio, Studio 450 (subliminal suggestion of the famous studio numbers?), overlooking the western edge of Manhattan.

What an irresistible temptation for any gin hound, a party not only sponsored by an upper-shelf gin brand, but centered around a delivery device for the classic martini!

With trick bartenders juggling shakers, bottles and olives to the beats of DJ Sevigny at one end, the three Glasses stood all lit up at the other:

The design by Dan Dailey seems driven by the medieval. Three wrought medal legs curve from the bottom up to cradle the large, rounded cup of crystal at the top. Along the legs, small sapphires stand out. Looks like it would be equally fitting in old King Hal's hand as in the gin mistress of your local dungeon of decadent adult pleasures.
(See image)

Peter Crisp's chalice also seems reminiscent of another age or land. His intricate latticework makes you think of something like the Eiffel Tower or the old Edwardian crown. Angular bronze legs, woven into tiny patterns and shapes, stand firm and criss-cross to hold the sharp, trapezoidal glass at the top. This would be Queen Elizabeth's cocktail holder.
(See image)

Finally, Karim Rashid's goblet features fine form, yet is faithful to functionality. Of the three, his seems most to have been designed while drinking, or thinking about drinking, a martini. Not only is his cup size proper for one classic served straight up, but he styled the crystal stem back up within itself, sticking up through the glass as an olive spear! Glass is his only material and he shapes a large hoop skirt of it down around the stem as a sort of handy handle, making it easy to handle even after your fourth or fifth drink.
(See image)

Nice drinking release party, complete with the views of the Hudson, Traveler's umbrella and Trade Towers. Guests were plied with provocative top shelf drinks. Even the door gifts were thoughtful: stylish sapphire toned shopping bags filled with, among other press items, a martini shaker, generic Bombay martini glass, and bottles of gin and vermouth.

Cheers!
Reported by A. G. Memnus

:: back to core!