Monthly Archives: January 2009

Salvatore Ferragamo Timepieces Collection 2009

Salvatore Ferragamo in a partnership with Timex introduces a group of luxury watches called the Salvatore Ferragamo Timespieces collection.

Each Ferragamo Timepiece has been Swiss made and features clean lines which reflect the Ferragamo signature design.

“We have 4 main watch families at the moment – F80 inspired by Ferragamo’s eightieth anniversary, Vara inspired by our horseshoe buckle, Gancino inspired by the fastening on our handbags and Salvatore, the name of the brand.”
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Wiesmann Celebrates 20th Birthday with Special Edition GT MF4-S

Retro-style automaker Wiesmann is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a limited-edition GT MF4-S.

The closed two-seater is powered by a BMW-sourced 4.8L V8 engine but output has been lifted to 420hp (309kW) – the standard GT MF4 produces 367hp (270kW).

This pretty coupe comes with the option of six-speed manual or dual-clutch auto transmission, and unique upholstery and instrumentation.

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Starbucks’ new jet is up for sale

Starbucks is trying to sell the $45 million corporate jet it bought last month.

Starbucks’ new jet – a Gulfstream 550 – has made only 15 flights, according to Avpro’s online sales pitch.

Several of those landings were in Honolulu and Kona, Hawaii, during a two-week trip apparently taken by CEO Howard Schultz.

A Starbucks spokeswoman said the company ordered the 19-seat plane three years ago and determined that canceling delivery would be too expensive.

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Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2009 Couture Collection

While the Chanel couture collection was inspired by paper, it was calligraphy that inspired the new Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2009 Haute Couture collection.

Set to a huge screen with calligraphy images in motion, Gaultier introduced his dreamy couture creations that featured see-through fabrics, fishnets, embroideries, and high-waisted skirts and pants that illustrated the mastery of his craftsmanship.

Lace and embroidery were just some of the exclusive, meticulous details which came in black and white, like ink on paper.

Trousers turned into corsets, and silhouettes took on an 80s look with dresses, some of which were inspired by swimsuits.


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Antonio Lupi Unveils Entertaining MP3 Mirror

Bathroom is definitely a place prepared for music listening, but music players usually installed there are not always compliant with safety standards.

If so far we’ve seen all sorts of shower cabins and bathtubs incorporating entertainment systems, or speakers and TV sets designed especially to fit in the bathroom, why not an MP3 mirror?

Antonio Lupi (who earlier won us over with his “bibilo” bookcase bathtub) offers an innovative system of mirror equipped with a music diffusion system with the incorporated base for the MP3 reader.
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Couple pays $155,000 to clone dog

clone dog

A couple from Boca Raton, Florida, have this week welcomed the first commercially cloned dog into their home – at the eye-watering cost of $155,000.

The Ottos were one of five families to bid and win a BioArts auction for a chance to clone their family dog, according to a BioArts statement.

Amazingly the couple had the foresight to store samples of Sir Lancelot’s DNA five years ago in the hope that cloning technology would one day be readily available to those willing to pay.
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Peri 29 Luxury Yacht

The Peri 29 is a V planing motor yacht with a glass-reinforced epoxy sandwich hull. Her tough, light composite construction makes her a high-performance, exceptionally spacious yacht

The Peri 29 is decorated in a minimalist style that emphasises the spaciousness of the yacht and the high quality of craftsmanship.

All furniture is on a generous scale, in simple shapes and luxurious textures. The atmosphere inside is serene and inviting, owing to the colours, textures and lighting.

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Hublot Big Bang Saint-Valentin

Hublot unveils a new version of its iconic Big Bang devoted to all those in love – Hublot Big Bang Saint-Valentin.

The extremely elegant and feminine chronograph watch reveals the full range of pink tones symbolizing warmth and purity of love.

The gold case of the watch is presented on an alligator strap in vivid pink. The bezel is paved with sparkling sapphires.

Kazuhiko Kawahara

Mesmerizing images by the Japanese architect and photographer Kawahara… Via digital manipulation, he morphs and transforms buildings into kaleidoscope-like sights that explore the limits of form.

Audi A’KIMONO LS2.0 Concept

This incredible looking concept vehicle for Audi is called the A’KIMONO LS2.0.

It is designed by Teodor Kyuchukov and features lighting design elements borrowed from traditional interior lighting practices seen in monuments, sports facilities, and architectural buildings.

The concept was based around the idea that most car designers design the exterior of the car in such a way that makes it virtually invisible at night.

The project is based on the original A’kimono Concept which received the third prize at the Desire Design Contest 2007 organized by Domus Academy & Stile Bertone. Via Doobybrain

Hermes Crocodile Pippa Chair

Hermes is one of the few international luxury labels to have furniture. In 1987, it introduced the Pippa chair in pear wood.

The chair was created by the architect and designer Rena Dumas, the wife of the Hermes chairman Jean-Louis Dumas. The Pippa collection has since evolved into a line of foldable indoor and outdoor furniture.

Recently, Hermes has come out with an ultra-luxe update on its classic Pippa folding chair, finished in the world’s finest matte black crocodile skin.
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Madonna for Louis Vuitton 2009 (Making Of)

Following his acclaimed Spring/Summer 2009 ready-to-wear show for Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs knew exactly who he wanted to embody the spirit of the season: Madonna should be the face of Louis Vuitton’s Spring/Summer fashion campaign.

The iconic pop star was photographed by her long-time creative collaborator Steven Meisel, the first time the influential fashion photographer has shot a campaign for Louis Vuitton.


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Mandalay Coral Gardens up for sale

Today’s estate Mandalay Coral Gardens, in north Queensland, was voted Australia’s House of the Year by the Australian Master Builders Association in 2007-2008

Exquisitely situated on a peninsula with Pioneer Bay on one side and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park on the other, this stunning Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired estate represents the best of tropical north Queensland, Australia.

Designed by architect Peter Connelly, Mandalay Coral Gardens was constructed in 2005 by owner Bill Sharpe, whose firm was the continent’s 2007–2008 “builder of the year” in Australia.

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Citigroup buys $50 million corporate jet

The New York Post’s Jennifer Keil and Chuck Bennett reported in Monday’s paper that Citigroup is about to upgrade to a new $50 million, twelve-seat corporate jet.

The New York Post, citing “a source familiar with the deal,” reported today that Citigroup executives authorized the purchase of a new Dassault Falcon 7X, which seats 12 in leather seats and sofas and includes a custom entertainment center.

Citigroup received $45 billion from the government last year, including a $20 billion emergency infusion in November.


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W Barcelona

In late 2009, visitors flying into Barcelona will see what looks to be a giant windsail on the coast right next to the entrance to the Port of Barcelona.

Except this windsail is actually the W Hotel Barcelona scheduled to open on October 1, 2009.

The W Hotel Barcelona will be the second W to open in Europe (W Istanbul was the first). But like all Ws it will debut with a bang due to its location right at the foot of the Mediterranean Sea in a building designed by Spain’s most famous architect Ricardo Bofill.


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Cartier Rotonde Central Chronograph Watch

One of the most interesting Cartier watches presented at this year’s Salon International de Haute Horlogerie, was the Rotonde Central Chronograph, which uses Cartier’s new in-house manually-wound 9907 MC caliber movement built in La Chaux de Fonds.

Crafted from 18-karat pink gold, the round case of the Rotonde Central Chronograph timepiece measures 42mm in diameter; the grandeur of this form is enhanced by such distinguished Cartier signatures as the beaded crown with its blue sapphire cabochon.

The timepiece is completed by an alligator leather strap, and an adjustable folding buckle in 18-karat pink gold.
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Moët and Chandon to sponsor Oscars

Academy Award

Moet & Chandon has been doing a big push with the awards ceremonies lately.

They had a red carpet presence at the Golden Globes and now they been designated the exclusive champagne of the 81st Annual Academy Awards.

Moet & Chandon’s flagship champagne, Moet & Chandon White Star, will be showcased along with other qualities from the maison, including Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage, Moet & Chandon Nectar Imperial and Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial, at the Academy’s premiere events.

moet chandon

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