Monthly Archives: August 2008

Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque in Luxury Casket

To commemorate the 41st anniversary of their luxurious oasis, the folks at Hotel Byblos, (a four-star hotel located in Saint-Tropez – South of France) have combined champagne, leather and wood to offer a limited edition treasure chest worth 100,000 Euros ($150,000).

This exclusive handcrafted leather and wood casket boasts of the Salmanazar of Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque 1999, four hand-decorated cups and a jewelry set signed by Van Cleef & Arpels.

The nine-liter Salmanazar bottle, signed by one of the greatest masters of Art Nouveau, is a genuine work of art.

The blend Belle Epoque 1999 resulting from the finest Cru Champagne provides delicate taste fragrance of a bouquet of white flowers that is further improved by remarks of sweet almond and nougat.
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Louis Vuitton Tambour Watch Collection

Louis Vuitton has recently enriched its Tambour watch collection with the Louis Vuitton Tambour Forever black.

This Swiss-made Tambour Forever timepiece is made of round polished steel case with logo-etched sides and adorning the front is a diamond monogram flower and horns resting on a sun-ray effect charcoal gray face.

This background makes the monogram flower even more eye-catching. Within the flower are 122 0.56 carats brilliant-cut white diamonds.

Quartz movement, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and waterproof to 100m – Such excellent timepiece comes with a corresponding great price of $6,950.

pricey…but lovely !

Below are other great (and expensve!) watches from Tambour Watch Collection :

Tambour 18 Fizz – 6.45 Karat, 18K Platinum Diamond Wrist Watch, about $136,000

Tambour 18 Chamallow – 1.14 Karat, 18K Platinum Diamond Wrist Watch, about $24,000

Tambour 18 Berlingot – 18K Gold Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald Wrist Watch, about $21,000

Tambour 18 Dragee – 18K Gold Wrist Watch, about $14,000

Tambour Forever LV 277 – Limited to 20 Worldwide – 6.73 Karat Diamond, 18K Platinum, Black Crocodile Skin Strap, about $75,000

Tambour Bijou Taipei – Limited to 88 Worldwide – 0.84 Karat Diamond, 0.31 Karat Pink/Sapphire Diamond Monogram Logo with Pink Mink Strap, about $8,000

Tambour Lovely Cup – 0.74 Karat Diamond, 18K Gold Wrist Watch, about $19,000

Versace For Your Home

Donatella Versace designs more than just clothing nowadays.

You can bring the luxury of Versace into your home in a new and exciting way with their Versace Home line of black and white furniture.

Simple, modern lines make this furniture line sleek, elegant and one of Donatella’s best creations.

No word on pricing yet. On request the Interior Design Service at Versace Home can also plan and oversee “tailor made” interior designer projects for private homes.

Ziggurat – Dubai : the pyramid of the future

Dubai is building another masterpiece structure shaped like a pyramid and like the pyramids of the Mayans and Egyptians, this new structure in Dubai is a giant : it will cover 2.3 square kilometers (0.88 square miles).

The structure called Ziggurat will house nearly one million people and will be self-sustainable with all natural-energy sources. It is named after the temple towers of the ancient Mesopotamian valley, a terraced pyramid structure with successively receding stories.

The main purpose of the Ziggurat is to ensure a better quality of life with almost zero-carbon emissions ; the structure will be powered by solar, wind and natural sources and capable of running completely off the grid, according to Timelinks, Dubai-based environmental design firm who is in charge of the project.

Also, there will be no cars thanks to the complex transportation system that runs both horizontally and vertically. Biometrics would provide security with facial recognition technology.

Timelinks has already patented the design and technology incorporated into the project and has applied to the European Union for a grant for technical projects. The intriguing mixed use concept will be unveiled at Cityscape Dubai which takes place at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from 6-9 October 2008

Apartment over Central Park

Just before the week end, I wanted to show you guys one of my dream apartment :

Located on the 73rd floor of a Manhattan building, the apartment is a pied-a-terre overlooking Central Park designed by E Benqué for a private client in 2006.

The interior design is primarily structured by different relations to the view and the urban landscape.

The furniture elements can be moved around on the window frames and allow to sit right against the floor to ceiling windows and experiment the thrill of altitude.

The design principle throughout the apartment is to imagine the reflections of the objects in the windows. Everything is designed and chosen according to the image it will create, day or night, mixed with lights of the city.

Tom Ford Computer Bag

Tom Ford has become one of fashion’s great icons. In the past decade, he transformed Gucci from a moribund accessories label into one of the sexiest fashion brands in the world.

Following his departure from Gucci in 2004, Ford created his own eponymous brand, Tom Ford.

Ford began with accessories; his line of eyewear was the first to become successful. The Tom Ford line now covers Menswear, Beauty, Eyewear, and both Men and Women’s Accessories.
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Louis Vuitton 1001 Nuits Jewelry Collection

Louis Vuitton recently released their latest jewelry collection called 1001 Nuits, or 1001 Nights.


One of the pieces I like best in the collection is the Louis Vuitton 1001 Nights Bracelet -$725.00.


There are also other items included in the 1001 Nights Collection that are worth checking out like the earrings, necklace, ring and the hair barrette. All the pieces are made of Gold finished brass with Swarovski crystals.

1001 nights earrings – $515

1001 nights necklace – $560

1001 nights ring – $355

1001 Nights Hair Barrette – $355

All of the items are available for purchase online (eluxury.com)

A Priceless Lucian Freud Painting Destroyed

Lucian Freud is universally acclaimed as Britain’s most famous and expensive living artist.

A Freud painting when it goes on the market is now guaranteed a seven figure reserve price and in May, the portrait “Benefits Supervisor Sleeping” sold to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for $33 million, setting a new world record for a living artist !

However, the 85-year-old artist was recently informed that one of his subjects, Bernard Breslauer, a famous New York antiques book dealer – who once bought a Gutenberg Bible – had wrecked his portrait.
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Pininfarina Rolls-Royce Hyperion Officially Revealed

The Rolls Royce Hyperion, that we introduced to you two montgs ago, made its world debut last week at the Concours d’Elegance at Pebble Beach.

The car was designed and built by Pininfarina, commissioned by car collector Roland Hall who wanted a unique Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe.

The private client who already owned a Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, asked them to create a custom-built car that would evoke the appeal of the sumptuous cars of the 1930s.
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Liliane Bettencourt is the world’s richest woman

liliane bettencourt

Liliane Bettencourt, daughter of Eugene Schueller, the man who founded cosmetics giant L’Oréal, tops Forbes’ just-released list of the richest women in Europe with a fortune of $22.9 billion.

That also makes her the world’s richest woman and the 17th richest person on earth, according to Forbes. She is also the second richest person in France, after Bernard Arnault who has an estimated wealth of $26.0 billion.

Following Bettencourt on Europe’s female rich list is a Swedish citizen Birgit Rausing, a packaging heiress with an estimated fortune of $14 billion, while No. 3 is BMW and pharmaceuticals heiress Susanne Klatten, with $13.2 billion.
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Futuristic Ferrari


This futuristic Ferrari Monza was designed by Iman Maghsoudi and it looks more like a spaceship than a car.

The future cars will be capable of travelling speeds of 300 km/hour, too fast for a human to operate manually as they lack “sufficient concentration” and dexterity. As a result, computers will have to be programmed to drive them.

With the Monza, at slower speeds, the “pilot” sits in a cockpit similar to straddling a motorcycle and has full control. Once the vehicle reaches a predetermined speed, the vehicle changes its shape to become more aerodynamic, and control is taken over by a computer.

It is designed to speed with tail fins that make sure that your Ferrari doesn’t take to the skies at high speeds and it also has a friction reducing technology.
The original Ferrari Monza was one of a series of cars built by the Italian manufacturers in the early 1950s.

Karl Lagerfeld’s Luxury Bear

“When the famous toy brand, Margarete Steiff, allows itself to produce the first ever “couture” teddy bear, it’s with the master of today’s luxury Karl Lagerfeld.

A unique and unusual collaboration that shows us, one more time, how Lagerfeld is always on the avant garde. Steiff keeps on the innovation and brings you the first teddy bear made for older kids.” Via Colette.

The teddy bear comes wearing the famous black suit and sunglasses, an outfit by the designer that one got used to over the years. And of course the famous button in the ear, that all Steiff plush toys carry, is also present. You can expect this to be a collectors item.
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Luxury-Interactive 2009 – A Luxury Branding and eBusiness conference

Luxuo is pleased to introduce Luxury Interactive 2009, a corporate event taking place on 16 – 18 March 2009 at Le Meridien Hotel – Piccadilly in London. On this occasion, we are glad to offer a 25% discount code to all the Luxury Retailers.

The event will bring together leading luxury brands to advance the use of interactive media and the online channels to create exceptional interactive customer experiences and drive luxury e-business through interactive learning.

Luxury Interactive helps luxury brands to attract new customers and increase profit margins by learning e-commerce strategies that have already been implemented and have succeeded.
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Rare 3.69 carat ruby sold for $19,600 on eBay

An American has purchased a rare intense red 3.69 carat ruby on eBay India for Rs. 8,20,000 ($19,600) making it one of the most expensive jewelry items sold on the country-specific Web auction site.

Arvind Juneja, a Jaipur resident has a family business of Jewellery and registered on eBay in October 2007. He has sold more than 90 pieces of jewelry and gems since October, 2007 on the Web site. His eBay id is “Jewelsafari.”

“I am an avid collector of precious gemstones,” he said. “I wanted to trade my collection with the buyers who really understand the worth of these priceless and unique gemstones.
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The world’s richest royal sovereign

Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the world’s richest royal, with a fortune estimated at $US35 billion, according to a Forbes magazine list dominated by Middle Eastern monarchs riding high on surging oil prices.

King Bhumibol, 80 years old and the world’s longest-reigning monarch after six decades on the throne, is regarded as semi-divine by many Thais.

Forbes called it a good year for monarchies, investment-wise. “As a group, the world’s 15 richest royals have increased their total wealth to 131 billion dollars, up from 95 billion last year”. With oil prices soaring, the monarchs of the petro-kingdoms of the Middle East and Asia dominate the list.


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Summers Macarons at Pierre Herme

Recently, I discovered an incredible pastry-shop in Paris, Pierre Hermé, where you can try some interesting flavored macarons, such as caramel with fleur de sel , passion fruit with chocolate or even rose petal cream.

(Macarons are French, meringue-like cookies made with almond flour – sometimes called luxembourgers – while Macaroons are cookies made with coconut)

Pierre Herm̩ is an artist Рan artist of pastry making Рand he is known for his innovative recipes. He began his apprenticeship at Gaston Len̫tre at the age of 14, where he discovered his passion for pastry making.
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100 Superlative Rolex Watches

In 1908 Rolex, the world’s leading luxury watch brand, was established. It has been the leading name in luxury watches and the symbol of exemplary performance and prestige for more than a century and to celebrate it, John Goldberger has collected the most beautiful and renowned designs for his book “100 Superlative Rolex Watches”

He has spent many happy hours browsing through watch shops, flea markets, conventions and auctions around the world for the past 35 years, collecting and studying vintage watches.

In this well-appointed volume he presents comprehensive descriptions of 100 of the finest Rolex watches ever made and provides an extensive overview of Rolex’s production, demonstrating the company’s innovation in the technical and aesthetic evolution of watch design with over 600 images and 400 descriptions illustrating

Edited by John Goldberger. Text by Giampiero Negretti. Each copy of 100 Superlative Rolex Watches is bound in green leather, with embossed gold lettering and comes in a slip case.

Speedo Aquabeat Waterproof MP3 Player

So you want to have the same body as Michael Phelps and you plan to work out ? The problem is swimming on a daily basis can be boring and sometimes you would love to listen to your favorite music while swimming laps… but you never dare not to ask the swimming instructor to turn the music on…

Here is something that you may need: this is Aquabeat, a waterproof MP3 music player, from the famous swimsuit maker, Speedo.
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Wembley Stadium is the Worlds Most Expensive One

Although Chinese olympics were the most expensive ones ever, the stadium nicknamed the “Bird’s Nest” for its distinctive, sweeping exterior support structure, is not the most expensive one ever built. In fact the stadium “only” cost $500 million to build.

So, what is the most expensive stadium in the world? The title goes to London’s new and improved Wembley Stadium and cost over $1.5 billion to build.

Completed in March 2007, the most expensive stadium was built on the site of the original Wembley stadium, which was also known as the “Home of Football.”

One of the most impressive features of the stadium is its structural design and the Wembley Arch, which spans 1040 feet and provides the structural support of the entire building, thus eliminating the need for pillars obscuring fans’ views.

The stadium is home to the English national men’s football team and can hold 90,000 rowdy spectators (all covered from rain) for any given match. The stadium has hosted not only football but also musicians like George Michael, Madonna, Metallica, Muse and the Foo Fighters.

In 2012, Wembley will also host the Olympic soccer tournament :)


Pilot Your Own Sub

U.S. Submarines, has developed a 2-person model submarine called the Triton 1000.

It is always great to own a yacht and have those parties by the deck. However, after a while, you may need something more exciting : the small submersible is lightweight and engineered specifically for deployment from medium-to-large yachts.

With an overall height of 1.85 meters and an overall length of only 3.2 meters the Triton fits on many mid-level boat decks and at 3.3 tons it can be launched using existing equipment from most yachts (and if you still don’t own a yacht, you can attach the sub behind a truck or a SUV).

Its design provides for excellent visibility and high levels of comfort, while luxury leather seating and full air conditioning offer the pilot as much comfort as possible in such a small space.

The operations are easy : the unit’s controls include intuitive joystick controls and touch screen monitors. In addition, U.S. Submarines provide piloting and maintenance training to the owner or crew with no additional cost, so you don’t kill yourself and make manufacturer U.S. Submarines look bad.

Triton pricing begins at $1.69 million and if you are wealthy enough, you can also have a look at some of the most luxurious private submarines you could own.

For more information on the Triton 1000, see the sub’s website – Source : TFOT

Tiffany Playing Cards

For just $30 you can play your own Tiffany & Co cards!

This two-deck boxed set is made in shades of pink and Tiffany’s distinctive light blue. Want to make the gift more special? Get the cards monogrammed for an additional $10.

Though, I guess it’s just a matter of time until we’ll have the Louis Vuitton playing cards too, as they are really good at making plastic stuffs !