Monthly Archives: April 2011

absolut vodka andy warhol

Absolut Art comes to Seoul

absolut vodka andy warhol

Sweden Absolut Art Collection is displayed for the first time in Korea at Gallery Yeh, Garosugil, Sinsa-dong from 12 to 25 April, 2011.

The vodka brand’s Art Collection, a series of interpretations of the Absolut bottle, has been growing since the 80s and feature works by artists including Damien Hirst, Louise Bourgeois and Francesco Clemente.

The Absolut Art Collection has a portfolio of over 800 original collaborations, the first of which was commissioned from Warhol (above) in 1985.
Continue reading

Chevrolet Camaro

Anniversary edition Camaro unveiled

Chevrolet Camaro

Chevrolet has released details of the 45th anniversary edition of its Camaro sports car, set to be unveiled at a Camaro fan event April 15.

The enhancements for the Camaro, the most popular sports car in the US, cover both performance and design and coincide with the birthday celebrations for the vehicle, first launched in 1966.

The 2012 Camaro will feature an improved version of the current model’s 3.6 liter V-6 engine, which adds an increase of 11 hp (8kW) to bring the total to 323 hp (241 kW).
Continue reading

Richard Branson flight attendant

AirAsia opens sales for Branson’s latest stunt

Richard Branson flight attendant

AirAsia has opened ticket sales for a charity flight with Virgin supremo Sir Richard Branson among the cabin crew, set to take off May 1.

The Asia-based low-cost carrier announced that tickets for the much-publicized stunt, a result of a Formula 1 bet made between Branson and AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes, will be available from April 13 through April 24.

The 13-hour flight, from London to Sri Lanka, will feature Branson serving with AirAsia’s cabin crew, while a host of other celebrities will also be on board the flight to entertain passengers who snap up the 160 tickets available.

The man to whom Sir Richard lost the bet, Tony Fernandes, will join the flight, while Formula 1 celebrity Eddie Jordan will perform with a band and British comedian James Cordon will also be providing entertainment.

Guests will also be entertained at a pre-departure event at London Stansted and welcomed by a cocktail reception and charity auction in Kuala Lumpur on May 2.

Guests will have to dig deep — tickets for the flight cost £4,500 (€5,050) — but all of the proceeds will go to beneficiaries chosen by the two airline bosses.

Richard Branson Tony Fernandes f1

It’s the second time the flight has been scheduled as the initial event on February 21 was postponed after Branson ruptured a ligament in a skiing accident, and it’s the latest in a long line of publicity stunts masterminded by Britain’s most famous businessman — not always successfully.

In 2007, the grinning tycoon had to be gently lowered to the ground in front of crowds in Las Vegas after an abseiling stunt to promote Virgin America went wrong, leaving him with slight injuries, ripped pants and a red face.

In fact, it seems Las Vegas is an unlucky spot for Branson — last year he misjudged a jet ski turn during a stunt for Virgin Atlantic at the Bellagio, soaking himself and a Virgin stewardess in front of the waiting cameras.

Source: AFPrelaxnews

British entrepreneur Richard Branson

Audi Q3

Audi’s little SUV previewed ahead of Shanghai show

Audi Q3

Audi has released the first pictures and details of the compact new Audi Q3 ahead of the model’s official debut at the Shanghai Motor Show next week.

The compact SUV, set to be delivered late this year, is Audi’s attempt to compete with other urban SUVs such as the BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque and is described by the German automaker as “city-friendly.”

The initial images show a design that’s unmistakably Audi, with a chrome-framed grille, trapezoidal running lights and a high shoulder line, giving the model a familiar look that will be popular with the brand’s enthusiasts.
Continue reading

Cacciatore di Stelle

Piaggio P180 Exhibited As Art In Milan

Cacciatore di Stelle

Renowned Italian sculptor, painter and printmaker Mimmo Paladino has become perhaps the first to turn a private jet into a work of art with the installation of a painted Piaggio P.180 Avanti II aircraft at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan.

Dubbed the “Cacciatore di Stelle” (Star Hunter), Paladino’s plane will be on display in the famed centre through April 28.

Paladino decorated the turboprop with ancestral symbols, constellations and geometrical designs in homage to the skies in which it travels.
Continue reading

SilverZwei

World’s Fastest Superyacht for Sale

SilverZwei

The 73.5-metre Silver Zwei, the world’s fastest long-range superyacht built by Hanseatic Marine, has been listed for sale via Burgess for €59 million.

Krass actually established Hanseatic in Australia specifically to build the sleek yacht to his exacting specifications.

Silver Zwei claims to be the fastest long distance cruising yacht in the world with trans-Atlantic range at 22 knots.
Continue reading

Gucci 1921 bamboo

Gucci celebrates 90th anniversary

Gucci 1921 bamboo

To celebrate 90 years in business, the Italian fashion house will release its ‘1921’ collection this summer.

Referring to Gucci‘s founding year, the 1921 label will be attached to a number of the brand’s best-known classics including the Bamboo, Jackie and Horsebit bags, which will all be made over in new fabrics and colors.

Other accessories such as shoes, probably including Gucci’s signature moccasins, riding boots, and loafers, as well as special-edition watches, bracelets, wallets, and sunglasses will also be part of the collection.
Continue reading

katy perry ghd

Katy Perry shot by David LaChapelle for GHD

katy perry ghd

Katy Perry has been signed up as a brand ambassador for GHD’s popular range of hair straighteners and appears in a glamourous ad campaign.

In what is a match made in over-the-top glamour heaven, LaChapelle had Perry, known for her wacky fashion and beauty choices, pose in a beauty wonderland.

Styled in a Sleeping Beauty-inspired set-up, she wakes up in a different era in each of the three images, wearing hairstyles from either the 1950s, ’60s, or ’70s.
Continue reading

Audi A8 interior

TOP 10 Best Vehicle Interiors

Audi A8 interior

While most people are worried about what the exterior of a car looks like, it makes sense as a driver to pay at least a little attention to the interior.

Ten cars were honored last week in the prestigious “10 Best Interiors” list from US publication Ward’s Auto, ahead of the magazine’s Interiors Conference next month.

Those selected for recognition were an eclectic mix, with economy vehicles sitting alongside luxury models from the likes of Audi and BMW.

The lesson for automakers seems to be that while a good interior needn’t be hand-stitched leather, it should be well thought out, functional and comfortable.

audi a8 interior photo

“The Cruze illustrates clearly how the growing market for economy cars has convinced automakers that cutting corners in the passenger compartment no longer works,” Ward’s said in a statement.

Ward’s received 51 entries for the awards, and gave scores based on materials, ergonomics, safety, the human-machine interface, comfort, fit and finish, overall value and aesthetics.

For consumers who want to get an idea of what makes an industry-leading interior, Ward’s has uploaded the video reviews to its website.

BMW X3 xDrive35i Interior

Ward’s 10 Best Interiors of 2011

Audi A8
BMW X3 xDrive35i
Chevy Cruze 2LT RS
Dodge Charger Rallye Plus
Ford Focus Titanium
Honda Odyssey Elite
Hyundai Elantra Limited
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit
Kia Optima EX
Volvo S60

BMW X3 xDrive35i Interior photo

Lebron James Audemars Piguet

Lebron James Partners With Audemars Piguet

Lebron James Audemars Piguet

Audemars Piguet has just announced the appointment of NBA basketball player LeBron James as the new global brand ambassador.

In addition to representing the brand on the international stage, LeBron will collaborate with Audemars Piguet to create a special limited-edition watch.

LeBron has decided to donate the proceeds from any future auctions of his timepieces to his namesake charity, the LeBron James Family Foundation and its children’s related activities.
Continue reading

Pullman Lijiang

New hotel opens up China’s ‘wild’ west

Pullman Lijiang

Hotel brand Accor opened a new property in the Western Chinese city of Lijiang this month, as travelers seek to widen their experience of the once-unknown country.

Accor said that it was opening the Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa in Yunnan province as China’s “wild west” becomes increasingly popular with experienced Australian travelers, who are now looking for lesser-known spots.

The resort offers a mixture of rooms and villas, with a 2000 square meter spa, lakeside bars and two restaurants serving international and Chinese cuisine.
Continue reading

Holograms Burberry show

Burberry’s Beijing show to be the brand’s biggest ever

British fashion house Burberry  is taking its runway presentations to new heights in Beijing April 13.

The fashion-meets-technology extravaganza staged at the Beijing Television Center will feature British band Keane’s first performance in China, “life-like” holograms, and of course lots of coats on lots of top models.

A teaser released on YouTube also states that the event will be a celebration of British weather, which probably means that there will be artificial rain or snow involved, as seen at Burberry‘s show during London’s past fashion week.

The event will be broadcast live all around the world at burberry.com and many other international fashion sites at 1.30 pm London time.

Burberry also just opened a new Chinese flagship at Beijing’s Sparkle Roll Plaza.

Elizabeth Taylor Krupp Diamond ring

Christie’s to Auction Elizabeth Taylor’s Jewelry

Elizabeth Taylor Krupp Diamond ring

AFP has confirmed rumors that the late actress’s collection of baubles, estimated to be worth $150 million, will hit the auction block later this year.

“Film icon Elizabeth Taylor’s collection of jewelry, artwork, clothing, and memorabilia will be sold at auction, according to Christie’s auction house“.

A series of auctions will officially be announced this spring, with highlights including her famous 69-carat Taylor-Burton diamond.
Continue reading

Dianevonfurstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg announces new Fragrance

Dianevonfurstenberg

US designer Diane von Furstenberg’s first perfume since 1975 will become available in October, Women’s Wear Daily reports.

Not much is known of the scent other than its launch date, but fans hope it will be just as easily wearable as von Furstenberg’s first and so far only fragrance, Tatiana.

America’s first lady in fashion had inked a deal with small cosmetics firm ID Beauty last year, which will license the fragrance as well as a beauty line and skincare.
Continue reading

Anne-Sophie Pic

French chef named World’s Best Female Chef

Anne-Sophie Pic

A French chef already festooned with awards and accolades, including three Michelin stars, has been recognized as World’s Best Female Chef.

Anne-Sophie Pic, who helms the restaurant Maison Pic in Valence, France, beat out Elena Arzak of Spain and Nadia Santini of Italy to snag the coveted title.

The category was introduced for the first time this year from the S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards.
Continue reading

Christian Louboutin heels

Louboutin sees red, sues YSL over soles in US

Christian Louboutin heels

French footwear star Christian Louboutin has filed suit against rival Yves Saint-Laurent in New York, alleging a deceitful use of red soles on YSL‘s women’s shoes.

The million-dollar suit for “trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin” filed on Thursday in Manhattan claims Louboutin was the first to come up with the idea of a scarlet sole on its luxury heels.

Louboutin — whose glam footwear was a focus of conversation on the TV series “Sex and the City” — charges that YSL’s use of red soles amounts to deception.
Continue reading

monaco most expensive city

Monaco is World’s Most Expensive Home Market

monaco most expensive city

Monaco remains the world’s most expensive residential location, followed by London, according to Knight Frank and Citi Private Bank.

According the report’s global index of luxury home prices, $US65,600 per square metre is the average host of a house or apartment in the tiny European microstate.

Monaco’s biggest deal last year was the purchase of La Belle Epoque, a 17,500-square-foot (1,600-square-meter) penthouse, for 240 million euros ($340 million) from Christian and Nick Candy in September
Continue reading

Mercedes Concept AClass

Mercedes-Benz reveals new A-Class concept

Mercedes Concept AClass

Mercedes-Benz looks set to go head-to-head with Audi in the young, urban market, revealing a dramatic redesign concept of its A-Class series.

The new Concept A-Class will go on display at the Shanghai and New York auto shows and is a significant departure from the current, rather boxy A-Class model.

Images released by the automakershow a far lower, swept design with pronounced nose which hints strongly that Mercedes is targeting the Audi A1, which has proved very popular since its launch last year, and the BMW 1 Series.
Continue reading

Jennifer Lopez TOUS Jewelry ad

Jennifer Lopez’s TOUS Jewlery Ad Campaign

Jennifer Lopez TOUS Jewelry ad

The star is on a roll: following gigs for Gucci’s kids range, Gillette, and L’Oréal, the entertainer and owner of her own fashion brand is starring in new TOUS Jewelry ads.

Using chopsticks, umbrellas, and fans as props, Jennifer Lopez was shot by star photographer Ellen von Unwerth for the Spanish brand’s oriental-inspired campaign.

The visuals echo the spring/summer collection that consists of Indian rubies and mother-of-pearl arranged in lotus flower shapes.
Continue reading

Clicq Up veuve cliquot

Clicq’Up by Veuve Clicquot

Clicq Up veuve cliquot

This year at the Salone del Mobile, Veuve Clicquot will debut “Clicq’Up”, an origami inspired design object by Belgian designer Mathias van de Walle.

Clicq’Up is the first foldable Champagne bucket and is based on a concept of origami on ice, marrying form and function to create a contemporary, reusable design object that can be folded for easy transportation, set up, and storage.
Continue reading