Cuyana + Bali Water



Ok, so we ARE on an island, where the main attraction is always and always and always the beach. I’ve seen so many beautiful beaches I’ve had the joy to share here with you, from the secluded Cumberland Island to the spectacular Virgin Islands and super popular beaches of Brazil… but this was new. Bali served up my first black sand beach. I couldn’t believe it, not a soul was there to witness the glory of a perfect sunrise. Golden light, black sands, colorful fishing boats, it’s so idyllic I still can’t believe it’s true… and I got to photograph it! So let’s start the week with the rise the of sun, with all the possibilities of the world washing over our toes…

 

Above and below: Anastasia wears Cuyana’s silk sleeveless dress in stone with Bali-crafted gold asymmetrical earrings and oval cuff

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Cuyana + Bali Nature

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So, why did we go all the way to Bali to shoot the summer campaign? The answer is simple if you look at the product. Cuyana is a fashion brand producing a limited, curated collection that aims to be timeless. They source manufacturers from all over the world – not because they want to find a way to be less expensive, but because they want to hire the best of the best. If you want to make a cashmere sweater, why not have the experts in Scotland, with their knowledge going back hundreds of years, create it? Or the perfect leather tote…who is amazing with leather? The artisans of Argentina.

Cuyana searches the world to find and support the creators, cutting out the middle man and selling the designs themselves in order to keep costs down and quality high. So to answer the question above – why did you go all the way to Bali to shoot this summer Cuyana campaign? Because all their new gold jewelry is handmade in Bali and what a place to be!

Yesterday we unlocked the key to Bali culture but that is only a fraction of the story…arguably many people come here for the awe of the island’s nature scene which is as lush and beautiful as the people themselves. I was awestruck by the endless vistas of rice paddies wrapping around the island’s mainland. The air is damp and thick, and in the early evening light, the view fills with mysterious blueish smoke from farmers’ fires, turning the look into a cinematic movie scene. It’s serene and beautiful and it’s only the beginning of Bali’s natural wonder…

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Of course Bali has amazing resorts (remember the dreamy Amandari & serene Como Shambala?!…because I do!) but you can also rent awesome Bali homes like we did with the team from Cuyana. Just around the house, we found perfect rice fields and coconut trees. Our first morning there all we could do was wander around in awe of the early morning light.

Below: Anastasia wears Cuyana’s classic white oxford dress.

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Amandari

Photographer Jamie Beck visits the resort Amandari in Ubud, Bali on vacation.

An Aman in Paradise… the last time I stayed at an Aman resort it totally changed my idea of what resort hospitality could be. The attention to detail and service, design and quality are exceptional in a way you typically only find in private residences. Maybe that is because Aman resorts make themselves at home in the communities they inhabit – winners of the Global Green Award, they maintain the importance of looking at their social and environmental responsibility of taking care of the community where you conduct business. Their foundation is built on the relationship with the local community, from hiring to supporting local issues.

It makes sense that John Hardy, who also has such a huge community impact on Bali and focuses their company on social and environmental issues, would be a natural partner with the Aman resorts in Bali where their products are now sold. An inspiring approach leads to a beautiful property where you start the day on your patio overlooking rice fields and end it with a glass of wine in your private outdoor bathtub…

From snow capped mountains now to damp warm rice fields, here is the experience that is Amandari~

Photographer Jamie Beck visits the resort Amandari in Ubud, Bali on vacation.

Above, taking a closer look at the beautiful rice fields outside our door in a 90s linen flax dress I bought off eBay and ballerina body suit with silver John Hardy bamboo double coil bracelet

Photographer Jamie Beck visits the resort Amandari in Ubud, Bali on vacation. Photographer Jamie Beck visits the resort Amandari in Ubud, Bali on vacation. Photographer Jamie Beck visits the resort Amandari in Ubud, Bali on vacation. Continue reading “Amandari”

Como Shambhala

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After the thirty-something hours and three flights it took to get to Bali, perfectly 12 hours ahead of New York (and my natural body clock), we needed a resort just like Como Shambhala. Tucked away at the end of a very local road is this explosion of natural wonder. On the edge of a jungle vista descending down to the rapid Ayung River (Ayung meaning beautiful) there are endless ways to pass the day, from hiking the 250 stone steps down to the stunning natural spring pools to yoga and spa treatments to wonderful afternoon naps on outdoor beds. The juice menu put all my favorite New York haunts to shame. Everything was amazingly fresh and organic, light and natural, mirroring the environment this special place was nestled in. My mind and body were healed being here and for once in a very long time I felt as though I could simply breathe

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