Monthly Archives: December 2008

Visa Launches The Visa Black Card

In case you haven’t heard already, Visa has launched their own Black Card.This card will be made from carbon graphite, sport a $450 annual fee , offer a 24hr concierge like the Amex Platinum and Centurion, and has allows access to Travel Lounge Priority Pass.

The Visa Black Card has a unique feel because it is made out of carbon graphite. This higher-end construction makes the card feel elite and distinct.

The Visa Black Card will be limited to less than 1% of the US population, meaning that you will probably have to do over a million dollars in purchases per year, though the specific terms have not been released.

Outdoor Recessed Bathtub from Teuco

Teuco’s latest bath innovation brings the experience outdoors with the new Teuco Hydrospa Seaside 640 outdoor recessed bathtub.

The minimal, recessed design blends into any surroundings. The bath incorporates a lower-body massage via 16 integrated jets, while relaxing in a comfortable seated position.

Ambient lighting surrounds the tub perimeter, while two underwater lights and a lit waterfall complete the illuminated water experience.
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Tia Moana Yacht For Sale

Built by Austal Shipbuilders in Australia and launched in 2003, Tia Moana has commercial pedigree with the finish and style of a luxury yacht. Accommodating up to 50 guests in 25 staterooms, the interior by Tillberg Design is that of a 5 star boutique hotel.

The ship has five decks including two Jacuzzis and an on-deck movie screen. It includes a library, fitness area, ample dining area and has a la carte full service spa and massage service.

With 40 crew and a 2000nm range Tia Moana is the ultimate mini cruise ship. The ship charters for 260,000 euros a week or can be all yours for 30 million euros.

Emir of Qatar buys Hotel Lambert

Dropping $111 million on a Paris pied-à-terre may seem excessive to some, but not to Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. The Emir of Qatar has recently purchased one of France’s most mythic private homes, the Hôtel Lambert.

Designed by Louis Le Vau in 1640, the property, which sits at the tip of the Ile Saint-Louis, had been the Paris residence of Baron Guy de Rothschild and his late second wife, society queen Marie-Hélène, since 1975, reports W Magazine.

Emir plans a huge overhaul of the building

Lego Lamp By Tzuwei Tai

Lego Lamp by Taiwan designer, Tzuwei Tai. This clever desk lamp get their inspiration from the popular block game playthings.

Everyone has the experience of playing with Lego as kids. “Lego Lamp” lamp remind us of the creative spirit we used to have and enlighten us with the unlimited possibilities of building with blocks

Diamond-studded VISA card

A bank in Kazakhstan, an oil-rich Caspian nation, has unveiled a new VISA card encrusted with a shiny 0.02 carat diamond and laced with an elaborate gold pattern.

“It’s (designed) for a private club of VIP clients,” said Dmitry Nikolin, executive director of Kazakhstan’s mid-size Eurasian Bank which released the card on Tuesday.

The card will be issued for clients with an annual income of at least $300,000, targeting a thin layer of affluent consumers in a vast nation where the average monthly wage is about $500. The diamond-encrusted credit card will be offered to clients beyond Kazakhstan as well. Via Reuters

Faralli & Mazzanti present new Vulca S

Faralli & Mazzanti are well known for their Antas V8 GT that was based on the Maserati Quattroporte. The Coach builder has now unveiled its recent creation called the Vulca S with a V10 which is the first Faralli & Mazzanti car entirely designed and developed in-house.

The name, as per Faralli & Mazzanti tradition, is inspired by the Etruscan world.
Vulca da Veio is the most famous Etruscan sculptor, responsible for some of the most well known artistical expressions of this great and mysterious ancient population, including the “Apollo di Veio”.

The interior features diamond stitched leather and luxe wood trim. Possible pricing ranges from 280,000 euro to 340,000 euro with optional extras for the 10 units to be manufactured.
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Ferragamo Goes Green

In an effort to preserve the Earth, the luxury brand has created a line of eco-friendly handbags named Eco Ferragamo.

What makes this collection special is that the bags are made from a nontoxic tanning technique, are lined in handwoven hemp, and use dyes from natural elements such as tree bark.

The results are luxurious, biodegradable, and water-resistant bags that retail from $1,190 to $1,890.

Hilton Launches Conrad In Bahrain

Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced that it has signed a management agreement with Diyar Al Bahrain, to open the first Conrad hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2011.

The Conrad Bahrain, will be located in one of Bahrain’s most luxurious developments, the newly-built Reef Island off Bahrain’s capital city Manama and will feature 250 guest rooms and 50 apartments.

The Conrad will also offer its business guests unparalleled meeting facilities, including a business centre incorporating the latest technology, six sizeable meeting rooms, two banquet rooms and an impressive ballroom.

To wind down, guests will be able to enjoy the hotel’s shopping arcade or utilise the fitness facilities, including a tennis court, squash court, swimming pool and health club. Reef Island’s features will also include, among other attractions, open parks, an Aquarium, a luxury shopping mall, a marina and a Yacht club.

Moët & Chandon Marquee by PTW Architects

PTW Architects designed the Moët & Chandon marquee for the Melbourne Cup Carnival in 2005.

Using the latest digital technologies from concept to realization of the design, they created a sparkling and surreal atmosphere in the name of the “bubble-ism”.

Through the use of daylight and a tensioned Lycra material that is digitally patterned and custom-tailored for the space that the press described as an “avant-garde environment not of this earth”.
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Louis Vuitton Caviar Box in Taiga Leather

Over the years Louis Vuitton has created specially designed suitcases and travel accessories to hold everything from games and gadgets to wines, watches, and whiskey. Its latest ingenious travel accessory is a special-edition caviar case for properly storing and toting caviar.

The red leather-lined LV monogram box is outfitted with a dish to hold up to 500 grams of caviar, a plate for crushed ice, and engraved crystal vodka glasses, plus drawers to hold four caviar spoons made of mother-of-pearl, a non-reactive material designed to preserve the caviar’s fragile flavor.

Because the box is made to order, it can be customized in larger or smaller dimensions and is available in a range of leathers and exotic skins in almost any color.

Smythson iPhone Cover

British stationers Smythson have created a unique case for the iPhone designed to complement their diaries and other items.

Part of the Smythson Autumn Winter 2008 Raspberry Collection, the case is made in luxurious Raspberry leather and lined in leather. It comes presented in a Nile blue tissue-lined gift box.

The Smythson iPhone case fits both the first generation iPhone and the new iPhone 3G, it is available exclusively from Smythson stores worldwide. Price: £80.00 ($ 120)

The World’s Leading Hotel Suite

Earlier in the year, The Monarch Dubai was named Middle East’s leading new business hotel and its exclusive Monarch Suite was named as the Middle East’s leading suite, before going on to be named the leading suite in the world.

At 1,130 Sqm, the Monarch Suite, conceptually designed and a project managed by Roya International Hospitality Consultants, is the largest suite available to the public in the Middle East and is The Monarch Dubai’s crowning glory.
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$2.5 Million iPhones

Following the trend the Austrian designer and jeweller Peter Aloisson has rolled out the $176,400 Princess Plus iPhone and now its turn for the new Apple iPhone 3G “Kings Button” that is constructed of 18 carat yellow gold, white gold and rose gold.

The white gold line is encrusted with a total of 138 brilliant cut diamonds of the best quality. But the most prominent feature of this one-of-a-kind phone is its home button that features a rare 6.6 carat diamond.

This stunning diamond-encrusted iPhone comes for a whopping €1,790,000 (US $2,517,345). For the price, it steals the crown of the world’s most expensive iPhone.

Maserati Unveils Quattroporte Sport GT S

At the 2009 North American International Auto Show next month in Detroit, Maserati will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of its first Indianapolis 500 win.

To celebrate the occasion Maserati will unveil a special-edition 2009 Quattroporte Sport GT S, a model that is a “real driving machine in the guise of a luxury sedan”.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S sees an upgrade to 433 horsepower, a tuned suspension, a sports exhaust and styling modifications.
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Nokia E51 with yellow gold and gems

Peter Aloisson has decked out the Nokia E51, and there are two models available: the Nokia E51 “Blossoms of the Eight” and the Nokia E51 “Terezzo”.

The Blossoms of the Eight (pictured below) is made of solid 18-carat yellow gold. It is hand engraved with a design of lotus blossoms and the lucky number “8.”

On the other hand, the Nokia E51 “Terezzo” (above) is made of solid 18 carat yellow gold. The handset is encrusted with a variety of individually hand cut citrines, amethysts and/or tourmalines. Each gem is being specially hand cut and polished to fit the design of this fantastic piece.
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BagTV

Bagtv is range of handbags featuring an integrated 7″ DVD/MP3 player and digital photo viewer. Available in range of colours and finishes, Bagtv ensures you’re never without stylish accompaniment and entertainment anywhere you go.

It has 2.5 hours of battery life and you can connect it to a PC for uploading your pics and videos or plug in an SD card and the screen is behind a a protective transparent shield (a flap covers the screen when it is not in use).

The bag sells for £295 ($430) and they do offer international shipping if you need to get your hands on one.