Monthly Archives: May 2011

Lamborghini Estoque

The ‘everyday’ Lamborghini

Lamborghini Estoque

Lamborghini announced this week that it is considering adding an “everyday” car to its portfolio, raising figurative eyebrows across the internet.

For a brand long associated with the most expensive things in life, Lamborghini’s announcement at a Reuters summit seemed a little out of character.

But, argued Lamborghini boss Stephen Winkelmann, the brand wants to have something that can be used on a daily basis.

It will be the third model line from Lamborghini, which currently offers the €145,000 Gallardo and €225,000 Aventador.
Continue reading

Seoul floating island

Floating island now open in Seoul

Seoul floating island

The world’s largest artificial floating island has finished its first week as a major new tourism attraction in Seoul, South Korea.

Seoul‘s Han River will eventually be home to a floating archipelago of three man-made “islets”, but the first island, Viva, opened to the public last week.

At 3,271 square meters, it is the second-largest of the three and is home to a three-storey structure housing a 700-seat convention hall and several other attractions such as restaurants and video games.
Continue reading

diane von furstenberg photo

More details on von Furstenberg fragrance released

diane von furstenberg photo

US designer Diane von Furstenberg‘s first perfume since 1975 will simply be called Diane and is to hit stores in October.

According to Women’s Wear Daily, the woody floral scent is described as “powerful and seductive, without being aggressive.”

Developed by perfumer Aurélien Guichard, Diane, available in 50 and 100 ml Eau de Parfum as well as matching body products, will include notes of frangipani and violet.
Continue reading

crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean

What to do in the Seychelles

crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean

A touch of royalty, it turns out, can do wonders for a destination.

That seems to be the experience of the Seychelles, basking this month in the glory of being chosen as the honeymoon spot for the world’s most watched couple, Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Since the first reports of the honeymoon surfaced, the Seychelles has been blessed with the sort of press coverage most places can only dream of — something which authorities hope will turn readers into visitors in the coming months.
Continue reading

Hong Kong Fine Chinese Paintings auction

Hong Kong kicks off big-money auction series

Hong Kong Fine Chinese Paintings auction

A series of auctions of high-end goods from fine wine to Imperial Chinese ceramics goes into full swing this weekend in Hong Kong, as the city challenges the dominance of New York and London.

The multi-million-dollar auctions are looking to cash in on the vast wealth of China’s growing number of millionaires keen to show off their newly-made cash.

Christie’s six-day Spring sale kicks off Friday with more than 2,700 lots, including a rare Patek Philippe watch and several pieces of contemporary art, that the house expects to rake in about HK$2.4 billion ($308 million).
Continue reading

Ferrari 458 india

Ferrari launches in India

Ferrari 458 india

Ferrari launched its first dealership in India on Thursday, seven years after it entered China but with the same aim of satisfying demand for flashy cars from the growing class of Asia’s super-rich.

The full range of sports cars from the Italian manufacturer will be on sale, with the cheapest model, the California, priced at 22 million rupees (485,000 US dollars) after punitive import tariffs of more than 100 percent are applied.

“We decided that after 2010 India was ready for Ferrari,” group chief executive Amedeo Felisa told reporters at the launch of the dealership in central New Delhi.
Continue reading

Public hotel room

Ian Schrager reveals new hotel brand: ‘PUBLIC’

Public hotel room

Luxury hotelier Ian Schrager has launched a new hotel chain in Chicago, promising a “revitalization of the hotel industry.”

Ian Schrager, credited by some as the creator of the boutique hotel with the launch of Morgans Hotel New York in 1984, is already working on his new brand ‘Edition’ with Marriott but launched ‘Public’ May 23.

As the name suggests, Public is designed to be inclusive, rather than exclusive, with the new company saying that it combines elements of luxury and boutique properties with the best of the “limited service” model.
Continue reading

Chanel Boy range

Chanel Launches New Boy Bag Collection

Chanel Boy range

It takes a lot of time and dedication for a luxury brand to establish an ‘it’ bag along the lines of a Mulberry Alexa or a Hermès Kelly bag, but when Chanel launches a whole new handbag range, you can be almost certain, they will be instant classics.

The new collection will draw inspiration from an androgynous style based on a hunter’s cartridge that founder Coco Chanel used to wear herself.

“Chanel used men’s underwear to make dresses,” the house’s creative director Karl Lagerfeld explained. “She had this boyish attitude, in fact it is the very spirit of Chanel. She got it from Boy Capel, the great love of her life…”
Continue reading

NewMax Ferrari helmet

Ferrari Style Helmet by NewMax

NewMax Ferrari helmet

Fans of the prancing horse who prefer two wheels have traditionally been rather hard done by, but a new Ferrari helmet means that need no longer be the case.

The new motorcycle helmet, made by NewMax under license from Ferrari, costs €249 and is available from the Italian luxury marque’s online store, the latest addition to a licensing empire which spans clothes, mugs, wallets and even a €1,208 chess set.

The helmet is finished in a high gloss cover lined with satin-finished aluminium, but afficioniados will be most pleased with the leather trim and embossed Ferrari logo.
Continue reading

Radiance of the Seas

Royal Caribbean tentatively embraces singles cruises

Radiance of the Seas

Royal Caribbean is to become the latest cruise line to add single cabins to its ships, according to reports from the US.

USA Today reports that the cruise line, which operates the world’s largest passenger vessels, will install its first single cabins on Radiance of the Seas, which is currently undergoing renovation in Canada.

Radiance of the Seas, which can carry 2,114 passengers, is seeing the addition of 15 new cabins, three of which will be single cabins on the inside of the ship.
Continue reading

golf Sanya

Illegal Golf Courses In China Flourish

China golf

China seems to be caught in a conundrum. While the country has over the past decade actively encouraged the rapid rise of its middle class, it now seems quite unsure of how to handle the trappings that go with their newfound wealth.

First the hammer came down on billboards advertising luxury brands — from March they were banned in Beijing and Shanghai, as well more regional cities such as Chongqing, for promoting a lifestyle that was both “unhealthy” and “foreign.”

And now the authorities have again turned their attention to the pastime that was at one stage banned for being too “bourgeois” — golf.
Continue reading

Hotel Missoni Kuwait

Hotel Missoni Opens in Kuwait

Hotel Missoni Kuwait

The new Missoni Hotel in Kuwait held its official launch party this week, a timely reminder that when it comes to fashion hotels, travelers just can’t get enough.

Guests have been able to check in at Missoni since the hotel opened its doors in February, but this week’s star-studded launch saw three generations of the Missoni family on hand to launch their second property — and confirm that properties in Oman, Brazil and Turkey are in the pipeline.

The Kuwait property now features the 18th floor Luna restaurant with views of the Gulf, although it’s still not quite complete as the 1,500 Six Senses Spa still isn’t open.
Continue reading

Audemars Piguet Big wall clock

Audemars Piguet x Four Seasons

Audemars Piguet Big wall clock

Audemars Piguet, the industry-leading manufacturer of high-end timepieces, will now be the official timekeeper at all Four Seasons hotels and resorts in the Americas.

Beginning immediately at locations in Buenos Aires, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Mexico City, and New York City, Audemars Piguet’s iconic Royal Oak clocks will be displayed prominently through the properties.

Each hotel will feature multiple clocks in a variety of high-profile locations including the main entrance, concierge desk, spa or business center.
Continue reading

mercedes bike

Mercedes Releases New Bike Collection

mercedes bike

We’ve seen Maserati, Audi, McLaren, Range Rover, Lexus, and even Shelby come out with their own bicycles in the past few months.

And now German automaker Mercedes is getting ready to jump on the bandwagon. In its Bike Selection 2011, Mercedes-Benz combines uniquely attractive and innovative frames with dedicated, up-to-date components.

For those racing on the road, Benz has a carbon fiber bike weighing 6.8 kgs. And for those doing terrain biking, Mercedes-Benz has a mountain bike that is powered with Fox Racing F32 RL suspension fork with a DT suspension strut on the rear.
Continue reading

BMW 328 Hommage

BMW 328 Hommage concept photo

BMW revealed the 328 Hommage concept just before its show debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este near Lake Como, Italy last weekend.

Based on the Vision Connected Drive Concept revealed in Geneva, the 328 Hommage is a modern interpretation of the classic sports car from the 1930s.

Bathed in that distinctive diagonal carbon fiber weave, the 328 Hommage focuses on lightweight construction through carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP).
Continue reading

1945 Romainee-Conti

Most Expensive Bottle of Red Wine

1945 Romainee-Conti

One of 600 bottles of Romanée-Conti Wine from 1945 that were produced during the end of World War II, set a new world record price for a 750ml bottle of red burgundy at Christie’s auction sale in Geneva on May 17.

The legendary vintage of the bottle was estimated between $56,000 to $78,000, and was sold to a private U.S. collector for a whopping $123,919.
Continue reading

Save Japan Uniqlo Blake Lively

Uniqlo teams up with Gaga and Lagerfeld

Save Japan Uniqlo Blake Lively

Japan’s biggest clothes retailer continues to take the lead in relief efforts following the country’s earthquake and tsunami disaster, partnering with a star-studded cast of designers for a new t-shirt collection.

Uniqlo, whose CEO Tadashi Yanai already donated $12 million of his own money and a lot more in clothes, will release a range of ten new designs June 25.

Prints will consist of drawings and scripts, crafted by the likes of Lady Gaga, Karl Lagerfeld, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman, Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz, Blake Lively, Charlize Theron, Cyndi Lauper, Victoria Beckham, and Orlando Bloom.
Continue reading

ducati tumi travel case collection

TUMI Ducati Inspired Range of Luggage Bags

ducati tumi travel case collection

Tumi partners with Ducati to launch a new collection of bold, performance-driven travel and lifestyle accessories for Autumn 2011.

The new collection launches this fall with three sporty red travel cases, two duffels, and one backpack and crossbody bag.

Designed with Tumi’s signature multi-layered ABS polycarbonate blend, the cases feature nylon front panels, add-a-bag straps and aircraft grade aluminum handles.
Continue reading

Retna VistaJet

Retna For VistaJet

Retna VistaJet

As part of a partnership between private jet charter and ownership firm VistaJet and Bombardier Aerospace, acclaimed street artist RETNA has hand-painted a unique work of art on the tail of a VistaJet Global Express XRS.

The $60 million luxury aircraft, an ultra long range corporate and VIP high speed wonder, will be the new star of VistaJet’s fleet of 31 private jets.

Drawing from a wide array of influences including gang graffiti, Asian calligraphy, Incan and Egyptian hieroglyphics, and Hebrew and Arabic script, RETNA’s vision is designed to be a new and unique “international visual language”.
Continue reading

dsquared2 Mini cooper

Dsquared2 unveils latest Life Ball Mini

dsquared2 Mini cooper

The brothers behind Canadian fashion label Dsquared2 have unveiled a fashion project of a rather different kind, dressing up a Mini Cooper S in aid of charity.

Dean and Dan Caten, familiar fixtures on the global fashion circuit, unveiled the exclusive Life Ball Mini 2011 in Vienna, the latest in a series of designers to have added their touch to the iconic car.

The twins’ model has been “armed for adventures of all kinds,” with a large front guard, rally-style headlamps and a spare tire mounted to the tailgate.
Continue reading