Monthly Archives: February 2011

BMW i launch in Munich

BMW confirms new EV brand coming 2013

BMW i launch in Munich

BMW has unveiled a new brand for its electric vehicles, confirming the first models at a press conference February 21.

BMW i was announced in BMW’s home town of Munich with the promise that the first two models would be launched from 2013, with the names i3 and i8.

The i3 concept was previously referred to as the Mega City Vehicle and has been designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle, according to BMW, making use of an aluminium chassis and lightweight carbon-fiber reinforced plastic.
Continue reading →

Quebec Ice Hotel photo

Canada’s coolest hotel warms hearts

Quebec Ice Hotel photo

Guests huddle for warmth in sleeping bags on beds of ice, bonnets pulled over their ears to prevent frostbite, while sipping cocktails in glasses also made of ice.

This winter wonderland on the outskirts of Quebec City has become one of Canada’s hottest attractions and most sought out accommodations.

A cool place to host a memorable wedding or for a romantic getaway, the Quebec Ice Hotel has attracted 600,000 curious tourists, including 30,000 who stayed overnight, since opening seasonally 11 years ago.
Continue reading →

Cigarette Racing Ducati Edition

Cigarette Racing 42X Ducati Edition

Cigarette Racing Ducati Edition

Ducati in collaboration to Cigarette Racing Team has unveiled at the Miami International Boat Show the new Cigarette Racing 42X Ducati Edition.

The new boat is powered by two 1,100hp Mercury Racing engines that will sprint it to a top speed of 120 mph.

The 42X is painted in white with a Ducati Red racing stripe, while the interior features red accents and a specially designed stereo from JL Audio.
Continue reading →

Hermes Arceau Grand Lune watch

Hermès Arceau Grand Lune

Hermes Arceau Grand Lune watch

Here’s a sophisticated new watch from Hermes that will be hitting the market later this year- the Grand Arceau Moon Phase.

Known for its saddle/leather goods and uber-expensive silk ties and scarves, Hermes has really stepped up its watch game the past few years.

Available in black or silver dial, the Arceau Grande Lune watch is a complete calendar watch featuring day and month apertures.
Continue reading →

starbuck logo

Half Million Hotel Rooms Getting Starbucks Coffee

starbuck logo

Starbucks Corp. announced this week that it will be providing single-serve coffee to half a million hotels across the US.

The latest deal will see Starbucks coffee delivered via Courtesy Products’ CVI one-cup brewing machine systems in 500,000 luxury hotels.

Starbucks has been making a string of announcements in the last few weeks indicating a strong interest in expanding their reach into the one-cup brewing market, currently dominated by machine-makers Keurig and Tassimo in the US.
Continue reading →

paris hilton lexus

Paris Hilton receives Lexus LFA for 30th birthday

paris hilton lexus

Paris Hilton turned 30 and for her birthday, her boyfriend Cy Waits bought her a bright yellow $375k Lexus LFA, TMZ.com reports.

Her new Lexus LFA is built using an advanced, lightweight composite construction and powered by a 552bhp mid-mounted V10 engine.

Boasting firecracker performance, it will reach 62mph in just 3.7 seconds and race on to a top speed beyond 200mph.
Continue reading →

self-portrait Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol self-portrait fetches $17 million

self-portrait Andy Warhol

A colossal self-portrait by “pope of pop” Andy Warhol has sold for $17.4 million at Christie’s in London, doubling pre-auction expectations.

The recently discovered 1967 piece, which measures 1.8 metres square, depicts Warhol with a hand to his mouth in what the auction house called “one of the most representative and iconic images of the artist”.

“It has been an incredibly exciting journey to work with a previously unknown work by Andy Warhol, particularly one with such historic importance,” Francis Outred, head of Post-War and Contemporary Art, Christie’s Europe said.
Continue reading →

marc jacobs twitter

Marc Jacobs wants you as social media pro

marc jacobs twitter

US designer Marc Jacobs‘s CEO Robert Duffy has become a popular Twitter fixture and maybe even a too popular one at that.

With more than 90,000 fans following, the brand is now looking for someone to replace Duffy — via Twitter, of course.

“Were looking for someone to come on and take a job heading our twitter acct and social media. Send something clever for a chance at the job!” he tweeted alongside a Valentine’s Day goodbye picture showing him and Jacobs with puckered lips.
Continue reading →

seoul incheon airport

Asian airports are the world’s best… again

seoul incheon airport

Seoul’s Incheon Airport has been named the best in the world for the sixth straight year by the Airports Council International (ACI).

ACI announced the winners of its Airport Service Quality awards February 15, noting that Asia-Pacific airports made a clean sweep of the world’s best airports for customer service and “set the bar in service excellence.”

Seoul’s Incheon International held top spot for the sixth straight year, followed by Singapore Changi, Hong Kong International, Beijing Capital International and Shanghai Pudong International airports.
Continue reading →

Carlson Conference Logo

Carlson launches new loyalty program

Carlson Conference Logo

International hotel chain Carlson is to relaunch its loyalty club with new rewards and perks for guests.

The firm announced February 14 that Club Carlson will replace its old Goldpoints Plus program from March 31 as it aims to compete with similar programs such as InterContinental’s Priority Club and Hilton’s HHonors.

Members will be able to redeem their points at an expanded number of Carlson properties, which includes Radisson, Country Inns & Suites and Park Inn hotels, as well as 80 Club Med resorts for members that join in the US and Canada and Carlson Wagonlit vacations for US members.
Continue reading →

geneva lamborghini murcielago

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Heading to Geneva

geneva lamborghini murcielago

Italian luxury car brand Lamborghini is set to unveil a flagship supercar at the Geneva Motor Show next month, according to reports from the US.

The top-end automaker, which makes some of the world’s most iconic performance cars, is planning to take the wraps off the Aventador at the show.

It will be the brand’s most powerful production model ever, boasting a 700 hp V12 engine which can manage 0 – 100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, making it faster than its predecessor, the Murcielago.
Continue reading →

Ritz-Carlton Toronto bedroom

The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto Opens Today

Ritz-Carlton Toronto bedroom

Ritz-Carlton has opened its latest hotel in the Canadian city of Toronto, adding another high-rise property to the city’s booming luxury market.

The 267-room property rises 53 storeys into the Toronto skyline, within walking distance of the city’s other landmarks such as the CN Tower, the Design Exchange and the Toronto Centre for the Arts.

It promises a minimum room size of 450 square feet (42 square meters), one of the largest in Toronto, although the enormous Ritz-Carlton Suite on the 20th floor is 2,415 square feet (nearly 200 square meters) and offers a view of Lake Ontario.
Continue reading →

Infiniti Etherea

Infiniti Etherea concept revealed

Infiniti Etherea

Infiniti has released the first pictures of the Etherea, the concept which it will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Believed to hint at a future model aimed at younger buyers from the Nissan-owned luxury brand, Nissan says that the Etherea brings together elements of coupé, sedan hatchback and even crossover in one highly sculptural, near-mono volume form.

Infiniti currently lacks an entry-level model with direct appeal to the younger market such as the Lexus CT 200h or BMW 1-Series which have both proved popular, successfully widening the appeal of their top-end brands from a traditional audience.
Continue reading →

business jets hainan RV

HRV To Fly In 250 Business Elites On Private Jets

business jets hainan RV

Organisers of the second edition of Hainan Rendez-Vous, Asia’s first and only private aviation lifestyle exhibition, announced today that some 250 of the region’s business elites will be flown by private jet to their April 1-4 show in Hainan, a tropical island that is fast developing into China’s version of the French Riviera.

Showcasing the world’s finest private jets, Hainan Rendez-Vous 2011 provides an ideal communication platform for manufacturers and buyers of business aircraft.

It is the only Business-to-VIP-Customer aircraft exhibition in the whole of Asia, and the region’s only show where exhibiting private jet manufacturers actually fly in such a large number of show attendees from their city of origin and back.

In total the event, which also includes a yacht exhibit and luxury property and brands shows, is expected to draw some 8,000 high net worth individuals this year.
Continue reading →

JPG Gaultier Bebe Collection

John Paul Gaultier launches Gaultier Bebe

JPG Gaultier Bebe Collection

French designer, Jean-Paul Gaultier has launched a babywear collection, Gaultier Bebe, for newborn babies and children up to two years.

This isn’t the first time Gaultier has gone in the children direction, he already has Junior Gaultier.

Gaultier Bebe will follow in the same direction with his signature palette of red, white and blue on denim, tulle skits and bodysuits.
Continue reading →

Prada Lettering Service

Prada Made To Order Luggage Lettering Service

Prada Lettering Service

Just some weeks ago we presented the Prada customizable sunglasses, allowing you to put two initials on the Prada Private sunglasses.

Now the Italian luxury brand takes the concept further and introduces the Made To Order “Lettering” Service exclusively online and in select Prada boutiques.

Backpacks, trolleys and tote bags can be customised with letters that come in pop art-tastic colours and prints.
Continue reading →

Dolce Gabbana sunglass Naomi Campbell

Dolce&Gabbana Animalier 2011 eyewear collection

Dolce Gabbana sunglass Naomi Campbell

Having become a signature of the Dolce&Gabbana brand over the years, the Animalier print sets the tone for the new S/S 2011 sunglass and optical collections.

The sunglasses collection includes three models ranging from a more masculine, aviator style to Sixties-inspired and rounded silhouettes, all expressed through a color palette of poppy red, slate blue, purple orchid, yellow ochre and sapphire.

The ad campaign features Naomi Campbell shot against a balmy Mediterranean backdrop by photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.
Continue reading →