So what exactly is drawing more and more Britains to the island of Majorca? Besides the bright, warm sunshine, sandy beaches and the warm waters of the Mediterranean? What more could anyone ask for? How about the fact that the largest island in the Balearic Islands is just a couple of hours flight from the land of fog and mist that, while green most of the year, can wear on even the staunchest English personalities.
Besides that, Majorca, or Mallorca as many people call it, is an island that beckons travelers and then induces them to stay. The island groups, whose immediate neighbors include the islands of Menorca and Ibiza, have been drawing tourists and vacationers since the 1960s. It has, and continues, to promise ports of call for ocean liners, as well as major airports located near Palma de Mallorca, is destination for those seeking a glimpse into a rich history that still exists on the island despite its popularity with travelers. A blend of ancient and modern lives side by side, and visitors and residents can enjoy the history found in the 14th century Gothic cathedral near Palma, while those seeking a little more life may find plenty of excitement on streets filled with shops, taxis and beaches calling their names.
British expatriates living in Spain, and the Islands of Majorca and Menorca especially, are finding true homes away from home in the southern climes as they attempt to reclaim little bits of calm amid growing populations, political machinations and the good old rat race. Nearly one million Britains have made their desires known that they will be moving to southern destinations this year alone, for extended vacations or permanently, and the growing number of those Britains who have registered to vote in Spain has risen by about 20 percent every year.
The trend toward expatriates becoming more involved with their new local governments and politics is also growing. Not only are Britains moving toward southern destinations, but other countrymen as well, including Romanians and immigrants from South America, Morocco and the Guineas. Spain seems to be the new frontier for many weary inhabitants of the crowded towns and cities of not only Great Britain and Europe, but for those on the other side of the globe as well. While this trend bodes well for the Spanish economy, no one yet knows what sort of impact the influx of expatriates will do for Spain's political destiny.
Today, in 2007, nearly one million former British citizens call Spain their new home, and nearly a quarter of those are eligible to vote in Spanish elections. While they are allowed to vote on national issues, they are still curtailed from voting in local or regional elections, but that may change in the near future as more immigrants arrive on the sun-soaked sands of islands like Majorca, where British voting trends have decided the results of some elections already.
The San Fulgencio area, located in the Alicante province of Spain, currently heads the lead in foreigners calling Spain home now, with three quarters of them being British. Majorca and Menorca continue to be the most popular destinations for many Britains looking for new homes, new horizons and new destinies, and only time will tell what this means overall for Spaniards.
London designer, Allegra Hicks the Queen of Kaftans opened her first flagship store in the U.S. earlier this year on upper Madison Avenue. Known for her bohemian-chic, luxury style Allegra Hicks presents a luxury lifestyle brand that includes timeless resort attire, bold feminine prints and sophisticated interior collections. As part of the company's global expansion, Allegra decided to launch the full range lifestyle collection in her first freestanding store in the United States. Inspired by the sea with a fusion of classic and contemporary styles, the interior design is a combined creative vision between Allegra and acclaimed husband Ashley Hicks, son of the late British interior designer David Hicks.
Born in Turin, Italy, Allegra studied design in Milan and Fine Art in Brussels before moving to New York where she worked for the Artist Donald Baechler. Returning to Europe to pursue her career Allegra moved to London where she married architect and furniture designer Ashley Hicks and continued her professional career specializing in textile design. With an established name in the world of interiors, and a passion for style, fashion and textiles, Allegra decided to launch her own ready-to-wear collection in 1998.
Allegra Hicks, a luxury lifestyle company is now comprised of two ready-to-wear and accessory collections, a cruise wear line and home furnishings including beds, baths, table linens, rugs and cushions. Featured globally in fashion and lifestyle magazines around the world and presenting her collections at London Fashion week twice a year, Allegra Hicks designs reflect her city boho-chic and beach wear style. The Autumn Winter 2007 collection emulates her signature prints, rich velvets and kaftans in true Allegra style. The collection is available online at AllegraHicks.com for phone orders, or if you are visiting Manhattan, stop by the store at: 1007 Madison Avenue and Seventy Seventh Street. As yet, Allegra Hicks is not available in Dallas, but that's part of the invasion tactics!
Australian born entrepreneur Nicole Bremmer and founder of Brittique.com based in London has created one of the hottest online boutiques to recently hit cyber world. Move over net-a-porter.com, if all you crave is upcoming British talent then Brittique.com has got you well and truly covered, with designers such as, Camilla Staerk, Emma Cook, Erdem, Gil Carvalho, Peter Jensen and Basso and Brooke to name but a few, and who are some of the designers featured for Autumn Winter 2007/2008.
With a business degree from Queensland in Australia, Nicole embarked on a career in the corporate world and became a young success story within the stock broking industry. Known as the girl who "never wore the same outfit twice", Nicole decided to pursue her dream and launch an online boutique. In 2006 having gained financial success and with the confidence to go it alone, Nicole quit the financial world and embarked on the launch of Brittique.com.
Believing that online shoppers possessed a penchant for the latest fashion and with the desire to support new designers, Nicole combined the appreciation of individuality without compromising quality. Offering the latest fashion, shoes and accessories from the best British designers, these carefully selected collections reflect the key looks of the season. Nicole's hot favorites for Fall include the ankle boot, the perfect dress with an accentuated waist worn with opaque hose and signature bold prints. Don't worry about orders and shipping, Brittique.com caters to the global customer with prices listed in US dollars and shipping available via UPS.
The Autumn Winter 2007/2008 collections will be available online from the middle of August. So if you can't make it to London on a shopping trip, and South Molton Street, Kings Road and New Bond Street are calling your name. Stop at Brittique.com and get your British designer fix online.
Both Roger Munns & Maxine Trowbridge are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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