Monthly Archives: July 2011

Zurich Airport

Zurich’s airport most pleasant in Europe

Zurich Airport

A report released last week by the French airports group Aeroports de Paris has suggested that Zurich’s airport boasts the highest customer satisfaction in Europe.

Nearly 90 percent of travelers said that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their travel experience through Zurich International in Switzerland, by far the highest score of the 16 airports surveyed by BVA on behalf of Aeroports de Paris.

In second place, with 87 percent, was Paris Orly, the smaller of the French capital’s airports, while Schiphol in Amsterdam took third place with 86 percent.
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Oyster Box infinity pool

Albert and Charlene’s luxurious honeymoon party

Oyster Box infinity pool

The Oyster Box, one of South Africa’s most lavish hotels, will host a reception for Prince Albert II of Monaco and his new bride, Charlene Wittstock, as they visit the eastern port city of Durban this week.

The five-star hotel is famous for sweeping views of the Indian Ocean and a presidential suite that lists for 50,000 rand ($7,400) a night.

The royal newlyweds, who are in town for a meeting of the International Olympic Committee will be throwing a party at the seaside hotel for 400 guests on Thursday.
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Loewe Amazona bags

Loewe Autumn Winter 2011 Advertising Campaign

Loewe Amazona bags

For its advertising campaign for autumn/winter 2011, Loewe’s strong, sensual, passionate woman returns in the form of Mariacarla Boscono.

But this season the visuals provide a gentler, more intimate context for Loewe’s ready to wear and leather accessories.

The campaign was shot by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott  in the Ritz Hotel in Madrid, a century-old landmark.
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Concierge desk Le Meridien

Le Meridien Unveils New Lobby Concept

Concierge desk Le Meridien

Le Meridien has become the latest hotel brand to announce a revamp of its lobby areas, introducing a new concept called “Le Meridien Hub.”

At a June 23 launch event, the brand unveiled several new amenities to be rolled out worldwide as part of a program designed to transform lobbies into a “place for creative minds.”

Over the past year, both Hilton and Holiday Inn have embarked on similar large projects to freshen the public face of their properties.
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Breguet Reveil Musical Only Watch 2011

Breguet Réveil Musical Watch for Only Watch 2011

Breguet Reveil Musical Only Watch 2011

Breguet has unveiled a new one-of-a-kind Reveil Musical watch, created specially for Only Watch 2011. It enchants the audience with a unique tune, “Castle in the sky”, played on demand or at a pre-set time.

The new Breguet watch boasts a round-shaped 48mm case in 18-carat white gold. The case-band is engraved with a musical stave.

The model reveals rounded and soldered lugs as well as screw-secured spring-bars. Its back side is engraved with the “Piece Unique” inscription.
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Cartier de lune

New Fragrance: Cartier de Lune

Cartier de lune

Cartier have released a new fragrance for women named Cartier De Lune, a “floral fragrance full of moonlight” inspired by the moon and the night sky.

Perfumer Mathilde Laurent created this delicate scent with notes of pink pepper, juniper berries, honeysuckle, lily of the valley and some musky/woody base notes.

The blue moonstone-tinted glass bottle features a silver-plated metal top, echoing a reflection of the moon on the water.
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mercedes benz sl class roadster amg

Mercedes-Benz posts record sales

mercedes benz sl class roadster amg

Luxury cars are in demand more than ever, according to statistics released this week by some of Germany’s top automakers.

Mercedes-Benz, one of the world’s best known luxury auto brands, has sold more vehicles around the world in the first half of 2011 than in any previous year, with 610,531 drivers splashing out on a car between January and June.

It says that by the end of this year, it has its sights on selling 1.3 million Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, setting an all-time sales record.
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Girard Perregaux Perpetual Calendar Moon Phase

PPR acquires Swiss watch manufacturer Sowind

Girard Perregaux Perpetual Calendar Moon Phase

French retailer and luxury goods giant PPR announced Monday the launch of a capital increase reserved for Group Sowind after which it will become the majority shareholder of the company with 50.1% of the capital.

Sowind Group, one of the few independent Swiss watch manufacturers with a presence in 60 countries including the brands Girard-Perregaux and JeanRichard.

PPR, which already held 23% stake in the company did not specify the amount of the transaction.
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Ducati store Rome Fiumicino airport

Ducati Opens Shop in Rome Airport

Ducati store Rome Fiumicino airport

Travelers are set to see more of the famous Ducati motorcycle brand in airports, following the opening of a pilot store in Italy.

Passengers passing through Rome Fiumicino can now stop off at a new Ducati store in Terminal 3, the first outpost of a new partnership between the motorcycle maker and airport retailer Meridian Duty Free which opened July 4.

With the first branch open, Ducati is pushing to extend its stores to more European and non-European airports, giving travelers around the world an opportunity to pick up branded merchandise on their journey.
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montblanc wedding pen monaco

Montblanc celebrates Monaco’s Royal Wedding

montblanc wedding pen monaco

Montblanc has created a one-of-a-kind writing instrument for the Monaco royal wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock.

The unique Montblanc Wedding Pen is inspired by the architectural elements of the Palais Princier and the Principality Flag, embellished with the monogram of the Princely Couple and precious stones.

128 diamonds and 161 rubies that refer to the colours of the Monégasque State have been artistically rendered into the skeleton of the solid white gold fountain pen.
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Miu Miu Fall Winter 2011 2012

Hailee Steinfeld for Miu Miu

Miu Miu Fall Winter 2011 2012

The Italian fashion house Miu Miu has released its fall/winter campaign starring the just 14-year-old actress, shot by star photographer Bruce Weber.

Hailee Steinfeld, who bagged an Oscar nomination for her role in True Grit, was one of the past award season’s red carpet favorites, wearing everything from Prabal Gurung to Alberta Ferretti, but mostly opting for Prada‘s younger sister label Miu Miu.

When she made a front row appearance at the brand’s runway show in March, many were already speculating about her becoming its new face.
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Goyard Scarf blue

Goyard Presents New Scarf Collection

Goyard Scarf blue

French luggage maker Goyard have released a selection of scarves in their first foray outside of luggage and travel accessories.

The scarves are made of fine silk and are hand printed with an artisitc interpretation on Goyard’s signature “Y” chevron pattern.

There are 4 scarves in blue, orange, white, and pink colorways that match pieces from the Goyard luggage line.
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galliano

Dior taking its time to find Galliano successor

Dior Fall Winter 2012 Haute Couture show

Christian Dior is in no hurry to name a successor to the disgraced John Galliano as creative director, its chief executive Sidney Toledano said on Monday.

“You know when you ask young girls all the time when they are going to get married, they reply: When I find the right man,” he told AFP as the Paris fashion house sent out its first post-Galliano haute couture collection.

Dior will “take all its time” in finding “a long-term solution”, Toledano said, adding: “All options are open for the future.”
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bugatti veyron grand sport l'or blanc photo

Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport L’Or Blanc

bugatti veyron grand sport l'or blanc photo

Bugatti in collaboration with Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur has released unique version of Bugatti Veyron – Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport L’Or Blanc.

The ‘L’Or Blanc’ was unveiled on Thursday in Berlin, German. It’s the world’s first vehicle with porcelain elements in exterior and interior design.

Porcelain is used in seven locations on the L’Or Blanc, including the wheel centers, fuel and oil filler caps, and the large “EB” badge on the back.
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2011 Mercedes AMG documents case

2011 Mercedes AMG Accessories Collection

2011 Mercedes AMG documents case

High functionality, fine materials and impressive style characterise the new AMG Selection 2011 of first-class accessories.

The products are available in a business line for the office and commercial environment and a casual range for sport and leisure.

The collection includes items such as a functional laptop trolley suitcase in leather/nylon with variable interior compartments for clothes, a laptop and cable compartment plus wheels with AMG styling.
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Haute Cuisine Paris

Haute couture meets haute cuisine in Paris

Haute Cuisine Paris

Paris will be hosting the first combined culinary and couture show next week in which some iconic fashion and pastry houses collaborate for an outdoor, sensory exhibit.

In the grandeur of the city’s Palais Royal, fashion houses like Christian Dior and French celebrity chefs like Jean-Francois Piège and Jean-Georges Vongerichten will exhibit their interpretations of how haute cuisine and haute couture merge.

Artisans in both trades must master techniques, a “savoir-faire” and possess a vision to reach the height of their craft, organizers point out.
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McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren MP4-12C GT3

McLaren has unveiled the latest iteration of its MP4-12C performance car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The British automotive brand unveiled the MP4-12C GT3 to the public June 30, after showcasing it to prospective team owners over the past couple of months.

The new model, a modified version of the MP4-12C, is being developed for GT3 racing next year — it is the first car McLaren has manufactured for racing outside of Formula 1 since the McLaren F1 GTR, which was produced until 2005.
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Airport Security

Pay a fee to speed through security with Jetblue

Airport Security

Flyers with US budget carrier JetBlue can now buy themselves speedy access through security lines, an idea which could catch on further afield.

At select airports, passengers who purchase the “even more speed” package will be able to use dedicated lanes, or those reserved for premium passengers, to ensure they pass through security checkpoints faster than the rest.

Although many airports around the world offer a premium security package sold by a third party, such as Privium at Schiphol and London Heathrow‘s “Fast Track” program, an airline bundling the service with a flight is an interesting development.
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