Chilling with Shillings at Huvafen Fushi Maldives

Get ready for a night of eclectic aural pleasure on the 2nd of August 2008 at the luxury 5 star Huvafen Fushi hotel in the Maldives, where Charles Shillings treats us to a second dose of his magic. After a journey spanning nearly two decades Charles has played at the cream of clubs worldwide and is regarded as one of the most wanted French DJs today. Expect to be moved through a range of melodic beats, electro funk, soul, groove, touches of rock and 70s tunes.

As an icon for Huvafen Fushi’s Dream Calendar which has now evolved to become a one of its kind experience in the Maldives, Charles and guests experience an amazing night completely tuned in to music with their sandals kicked off, toes buried in fine, white sand and sipping Champagne. The string of events are centered around visiting DJs, Spa Guru’s, Artists, Winemakers and Chef’s and to date, the resort has hosted music makers including Claude Challé and Ravin (the movers behind the Buddha-bar album series) as well as José Padilla from the sunset- charged Café Del Mar albums.

With Charles, his African origins and Belgian culture that inspired him to ‘tune in’ since he was 10 when he was mostly inspired by the Jackson Five, hence his 70s influence. In 1989, his contact with the likes of Moby and Step got him into the world of electronica, and he made his trademark in the French electro culture. He took his music to the clubs in Paris (such as Rex and Queen), Le Café d'Anvers in Belgium, Lotus in New York and Jet Set in Moscow, including playing in front of an audience of 18,000 people in Paris, Tokyo, Jakarta and London.

In 1996 he signed on to Pschent Records the label behind the Hôtel Costes series and mixed the Overground House compilations as well as Club Pride and Elite Models’ Attitude. He released his first album called ‘It's About’ in 2002 and ‘Not Correct’ in 2004, melding powerful electro to his usual rock influences. ‘Not Correct’ received very favourable feedback, supported by the hit single ‘Spin It Right!’ and its video. Charles is a true musician, composing, recording and producing his own sound, one of which was recently listed in Hôtel Costes Vol. 10 – Sunday Drive where he collaborated with Stéphane Pompougnac.

When not producing, Charles hits the town and plays at some of the world’s best parties. Most recently, as the Sound Designer to Karl Lagerfeld, Charles played at the 2007 Dom Pérignon party hosted by Karl Lagerfeld and Claudia Schiffer to unveil the new image of Dom Pérignon Œnothèque 1993. Guests included Jude Law, Salma Hayek with her fiancé François-Henri Pinault, Ralph Fiennes and Zhang Zi Yi. Definitely the favourite man with fashion creators, he also recently mixed for the haute couture shows of FENDI and CELINE during the Parisian Fashion Week held in the historical Tuileries garden and the Carrousel du Louvre.

Not stopping there, he designed the musical ambience for all CELINE boutiques worldwide. “Stepping into any place nowadays will never be the same again”, he says, “Music is becoming more and more the inspiration for many places, from designer stores to hotels and I am very proud that Huvafen Fushi is embracing this new phenomenon in perfect style”.

The future looks very busy for Charles as he chases his dream to produce a soundtrack for a sci-fi movie, buy a vineyard, produce his own wine and open music studios all over the world.

To hear Charles laying down the catwalk beats, email info@huvafenfushi.com.