Monthly Archives: February 2013

HM4 Final Edition

MB&F Reveals HM4 Final Edition Watch

HM4 Final Edition watch

In 2010, MB&F launched the aviation-inspired Horological Machine No. 4. This year, the Swiss watchmaker is updating the HM4 series with the “HM4 Final Edition”.

The HM4 Final Edition watch is also designed after a plane, but this watch takes its design inspirations from a stealth fighter. Like the iconic F-117, HM4 Final Edition features square angular panels, dark surfaces and high-tech titanium.

The HM4 Final Edition is based on the same architecture as the HM4 Thunderbolt and is powered by the same automatic movement with 72 hour power reserve.

This 2013 ‘Final Edition’ case blends high-tech titanium for its lightweight and strength with a sapphire centre section offering a view into the engine.

Black PVD provides the titanium with its shadowy cloak of concealment without blocking the light playing off the contrasting matte and highly polished surfaces.

HM4 Final Edition Front

The striking transparent sapphire section of the case requires over 185 hours of machining and polishing to transform an opaque solid block of crystal into a complex, exquisitely curved panel allowing the light to come in and the beauty of the HM4 engine to stand out.

Every component and form has a technical purpose; nothing is superfluous and every line and curve is in poetic harmony. Articulated lugs ensure supreme comfort.

The HM4 Final Edition watch is an extremely limited edition watch, only 8 pieces will be produced at a price of $230,000.

Only five stores worldwide will be retailing the Final Edition – The Hour Glass in Singapore, Westime in Los Angeles, Chronopassion in Paris, Chronometryx in Gstaad, and MB&F’s M.A.D.Gallery in Geneva.

www.mbandf.com

HM4 Final Edition

Heidi Klum for New Balance

Heidi Klum launches New Balance collection

Heidi Klum for New Balance

Supermodel Heidi Klum just launched a new active wear collection with New Balance that will be sold exclusively at Lady Foot Locker locations in the US.

“I live an active lifestyle and love running around whether it’s outside on the streets of New York City or in the canyons with my dogs,” says Klum.

“I’ve created pieces in my collection that are functional and flattering with a fashionable twist. I want women to feel their best and look good in their clothes even when they are working up a sweat.”

The line includes a cowl neck cover-up, cap sleeve tee, skinny tights and capri pants, as well as a racer back tank, shorts and hoodie. The line will retail from $35-$95.

As Klum’s third collaboration with New Balance, following the launch of the line in fall 2010, this will be the first collection sold in brick and morter retail outlets.

Female Hotel Guest

What do women want from hotels?

Female Hotel Guest

After asking female globetrotters how hotels can anticipate their needs in research carried out over 18 months, Hyatt introduced a new service they call “Hyatt Has It”.

The new ‘Hyatt Has It’ service will offer phone charger, hair curlers and steamers, yoga mats, make-up remover wipes and razors to female guests.

In response to their female respondents’ desire to eat healthily while traveling and on the road, the hotel chain has also launched new menu items that include fresh juices, smoothies, more balanced portions, and customizable meal options.

Hyatt properties will also provide an upgraded range of bath and skincare products from companies such as Le Labo, June Jacobs and Aromapothecary.

fendi peplum film

Fendi ‘Peplum People’ Film by Karl Lagerfeld

German designer Karl Lagerfeld has stepped behind the camera to shoot “Peplum People,” a Spring-Summer 2013 video for Italian brand Fendi.

Titled “Peplum People,” the film was produced on the set of the brand’s latest print advertising shoot. Supermodels Kati Nescher and Saskia de Brauw, looking slick in sunglasses and gelled hair, trot around town in the brand’s summer styles.

A pair of gladiator-outfit-clad male models, Joseph Dolce and Willy Cartier, strip off for some splash-about fun in the pool before the foursome unite for an evening out.

The boys are dressed up in Fendi tuxedos while Nescher and de Brauw show off the brand’s golden red carpet outfits.

fendi peplum movie

Pyongyang tourism

North Korea says tourism ‘booming’

Ryugyong Hotel Pyongyang

Foreign tourism is “booming” in North Korea, state media said Tuesday a week after the country triggered global outrage by conducting its third nuclear test.

The number of foreign visitors to the North has grown steadily since 2000 and witnessed a surge after 2009, especially in the number of European visitors, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.

“The global popularity of tourism to (North Korea) is booming,” the agency said, without providing any breakdown on the number of visitors.

A range of “shining, socialist accomplishments” made under the leadership of the ruling Kim family have elevated North Korea’s status and sparked interest in travelling to the country, KCNA said.

“Most tourists gave positive reviews about their experiences in (North Korea) on the Internet and other media … and the range of travel routes is expanding,” KCNA said.

North Korea’s direct air links with other countries are extremely limited, with China the main conduit for most travellers heading to Pyongyang.

The state carrier, Air Koryo, also flies to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Malaysia, Switzerland, Russia and Thailand, according to its website.

North Korea is not a cheap tourist destination, as the hard currency-strapped nation charges high prices for everything from beer to accommodation.

Elsa Zylberstein Mauboussin

Mauboussin’s first bag will be available from March

Elsa Zylberstein Mauboussin

Famous jeweler Mauboussin is launching its first handbag. This will be a new venture for the brand which has only sold jewelry and perfume up until now.

The beige and brown canvas and leather handbag will come in one size. Mauboussin will unveil an ad campaign for this exclusive piece with the slogan “Simplement pour Elle” (“Simply for Her”).

The shots taken by photographer Sylvie Lancrenon show an almost naked Elsa Zylberstein covering up with the Mauboussin handbag. The bag will be available from March and will retail for €500.

jennifer lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence poses for Dior

Jennifer Lawrence Miss Dior handbags

Luxury French fashion house Dior has unveiled the shots and the making-of of its Miss Dior Spring 2013 Campaign with Jennifer Lawrence.

Jennifer Lawrence Miss Dior handbags campaign

In the campaign by Willy Vanderperre, she appears dressed in refined outfits posing against a white background. In some shots, she has netting over her face.

Miss Dior handbags Spring 2013

Lawrence is very much in-demand at the moment. The lead actress of “The Hunger Games” franchise was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy as well as the Best Actress Oscar for “Silver Linings Playbook.”

aston martin bertone

Bertone Aston Martin Jet 2+2

bertone aston martin

Italian coachbuilder and car styling company Bertone has created a one-off Aston Martin Rapide shooting brake known as the Jet 2+2.

The Jet 2+2 is a followup to the Italian design house’s previous Jet 2 shooting-brake concept unveiled in 2004 and based on the first-generation Aston Martin Vanquish.

As the car’s name suggests, the interior features two rows of seats that come lined in plush, perforated leather and feature a two-tone design.

The car’s 2+2 designation refers to the four individual seats inside; the rear seats fold flat to create even more luggage room. The interior is also dressed in polished wood and aluminum trim.

Aston Martin Rapide shooting brake interior

Power comes from a 470bhp version of Aston’s 5.9-litre V12 taken from the current Rapide, rather than the more potent 550bhp version from the upcoming Rapide S.

Only one example will be built. The stunning concept was commissioned as “a strict one-off” by a collector and the project has the full approval of Aston Martin.

Look for both the new Bertone Jet 2+2 shooting brake concept and 2014 Aston Martin Rapide range at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, which kicks off March 5.

Aston Martin Rapide shooting brake

Harry Winston Histoire de Tourbillon 4

harry winston histoire tourbillon 4

Here’s a first look at Harry Winston’s latest “Histoire de Tourbillon”, the fourth such piece in a series that began in 2009.

This main feature of the watch is an interesting tri-axial tourbillon positioned at 6 o’clock — envision a tourbillon cage fitted inside a tourbillon cage fitted inside a tourbillon cage, each rotating at different rates per minute.

This timepiece with its 47mm wide cushion-shaped case is made from a mix of Zalium (a Harry Winston alloy similar to titanium) and 18k gold.​ Inside the watch is their new caliber HW4501 that is manually wound with a 50 hour power reserve.

Harry Winston will produce only 20 pieces of Histoire de Tourbillon 4, as penultimate watch of its Histoire de Tourbillon watch collection.

Chloé celebrates 60 years

Chloe boutique SoHo NYC

Chloé is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and has opened its second NYC boutique. Located in SoHo at 93 Greene Street, it is the brand’s seventh store in the U.S.

“Today’s women choose Chloé for the attitude of the collections and the atmosphere in the boutiques; both are natural, totally effortless but extremely sophisticated; the aim is to make the experience like a fun day out with friends,” said Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye, Chloé’s Chief Executive Officer.

Customers can relax in the vintage 1920’s Eileen Gray Bibendum chairs set in the 2,100-square-foot space containing the ready-to-wear, handbag, shoe, jewelry and small leather goods lines.

Chloe boutique SoHo interior

The store also stocks an exclusive version of the Spring/ Summer 2013 Amelia bag in luxurious ostrich leg & calfskin in chianti red and brown ($4,400).

A percentage of sales will go towards the victims of NYC’s recent Hurricane Sandy, with money headed for both short-term relief and long-term restoration projects.

The brand is also launching a ‘greatest hits’ capsule collection, featuring designs from previous creative directors including Phoebe Philo and Stella McCartney.

Chloe Amelia Bag

Andy Warhol Campbell Soup

Christie’s to auction Andy Warhol works online

Campbell Chicken with Rice Soup

Christie’s auction house will put 125 works of art by the American pop icon Andy Warhol under the hammer in an online-only sale starting next week.

The auction, which will start Tuesday and run through March 25, will be the first time that Warhol’s art is sold strictly online, Christie’s said Thursday.

Sales “will feature works representing a wide array of media spanning the artist’s career,” the auction house said in a statement.

Estimates range from $600 to $70,000, Christie’s said, offering buyers “extraordinary global access to Warhol’s work. “The timed online format allows clients to browse, bid, receive instant updates by email or phone if another bid exceeds theirs, organize shipping, and pay from anywhere in the world.”

The online sale “will greatly expand access to Andy Warhol’s work, in a fundamentally democratic manner that is entirely consistent with his art,” said Joel Wachs, president of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.

The proceeds will benefit the Foundation, which in turn offers financial support to artists and non-profit artist associations. The Foundation, created in accordance with Warhol’s will following his death in 1987, is dedicated to advancing the visual arts.

jimmy choo tea set

Mandarin Oriental to Serve Jimmy Choo Snacks

jimmy choo tea set

Designer Jimmy Choo has teamed up with the luxurious Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong for a fashionably delicious offering.

From April onwards, tourists will be able to eat pastries created by Jimmy Choo as well as leave with a pair of his 24/7 collection shoes.

Through May 5, clients at the hotel will be able to discover trays of small cakes inspired by Jimmy Choo’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection (€25 per person).

Guests will be able to enjoy milk chocolate high heels stuffed with lemon, small bags wrapped in white chocolate, raspberry mousse and rose dessert and macaroon lollipops stuffed with mango and passion fruit cream, among others.

From April 2-7, women can also choose the “Jimmy Choo L900” offer ($11,800 HKD per person for the night). Apart from the pastries and a luxurious room, tourists will be able to choose a pair of the designer’s shoes from his 24/7 collection (worth $5,000 HKD/€487) from the hotel boutique.

Information and reservations: www.mandarinoriental.com/landmark

Mandarin Oriental Jimmy Choo

CHANEL HongKong Collection

Chanel unveils Hong Kong beauty collection

CHANEL Hong Kong Collection

French luxury house Chanel has released a new line of metallic beauty products inspired by the one of Asia’s financial and cultural hotspots.

To celebrate the new Chanel store at Hysan Place, the brand’s largest boutique in Hong Kong, Chanel has released an exclusive new capsule collection inspired by the city’s contrasts from deep browns to brilliant whites.

“Exclusive creations for eyes and nails are infused with a metallic glow, evoking the lights of the city as they reflect in the waters of the China Sea,” say the brand.

A deep chocolate and red nail varnish with a metallic shimmer was named Western Light and will retail at $30. The second nail shade, Eastern Light, “evokes the modernity of Hong Kong with a bold shade of opaque white,” according to Chanel.

For $80 you can get five golden blendable eyeshadows designed to replicate the colors of the city. The Pearl River tones ranges through gold, beige, intense peach and deep brown, with a silver white highlight tone to open the eye and brighten the face. The collection is available online.

Mila Kunis for Gemfields

Mila Kunis Named Ambassador Of Emerald Company

Mila Kunis for Gemfields

Mila Kunis, star of “Black Swan” and “Ted,” has signed a new deal as global brand ambassador for precious stone specialist Gemfields.

As the company’s new brand ambassador, the Hollywood actress has added her face to Gemfields’s latest advertising campaign, photographed by Italian fashion legend Mario Sorrenti and styled by Anastasia Barbieri.

In her new ad campaign, Mila sports one-of-a-kind emerald and ruby accessories created in partnership with Fabergé, which was acquired by Gemfields last year.

Kunis recently toured Gemfields’ Zambian mine, Kagem, which produces approximately 20 percent of the world’s emeralds. “Mila has blown me away with her energy, enthusiasm and dedication,” said Gemfields CEO Ian Harebottle.

London-based Gemfields is the world’s leading colored gemstone producer, but this is the first time the company has hired a brand ambassador. The adverts are set to run around the world in publications including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Bazaar and W.

Romain Jerome Spacecraft

The RJ-Romain Jerome Spacecraft Watch

Romain Jerome Spacecraft

Luxury watchmakers RJ-Romain Jerome have unveiled their first ever pilot’s watch, a timepiece aptly named the Spacecraft.

The timepiece was created in partnership with RJ’s Manuel Emch and watch designers Eric Giroud and Jean-Marc Wiederrecht.

The angular timepiece features a self-winding complication manufactured specially for Romain Jerome at Wiederrecht’s Geneva-based manufacturing facility Agenhor.

The titanium case is an unusual trapeze-shape with black PVD-coating and a rectilinear profile that has a faceted surface.

The minutes are showcased by a black rotating disc with a red indicator on the sapphire crystal on the top of the case, while the linear hour display is read off laterally, making it easy to read with a glance at the wrist.

The movement features a type of spring-driven carriage that drives the hour display visible on the side of the watch by means of a red-lacquered cursor moving beneath the metallised sapphire crystal every 60 minutes.

Time-setting is done via a screw-lock crown at 12 o’clock, with the Spacecraft timepiece finished with a black polyamide mesh strap.

The RJ-Romain Jerome Spacecraft watch is available for $33,400 in the limited edition of 99 pieces.

free wifi

Free WiFi tops the list of favorite hotel amenities

wifi hotel

Whether it be traveling for business or pleasure, the ability to connect to Wi-Fi for free is the most important priority for globetrotters.

In a polled carried out by Hotels.com, 34 percent of respondents identified free Wi-Fi as the most important factor when choosing a hotel, trumping other perks like free breakfast, or free parking.

For business travelers, that figure spiked to 56%, who said the ability to connect was their number one priority. Only 11% of travelers said they would be ‘happy’ to pay for Wi-Fi when staying in a hotel.

And among luxury properties, the favorite amenity is the high-end fitness center and spa, as well as designer toiletries.

Audi RS Q3

Audi RS Q3 unveiled

RS Q3

At the next Geneva Motor Show, Audi will unveil the RS Q3, a sports version of its luxury SUV, which boasts 310 hp and the brand’s latest driver assistance systems.

Its 2.5l TFSI engine, which has been awarded the “engine of the year” prize three times in its class, produces a maximum output of 310 hp. It is the same as the one in the Audi TT RS and the RS 3 Sportback, paired with a Start/Stop system and a seven-speed S tronic dual clutch gearbox.

The driver has a choice of three driving modes: auto, comfort and dynamic.

And with this engine, the Audi RS Q3 boasts some impressive specs: it can go from 0 to 100km/h in a mere 5.5 seconds and has a top speed limited to 250 km/h. It consumes an average of 8.8l/100km.

Many sports touches have been added to the original SUV. The RS sports chassis has been lowered by 25 mm. The wheels have been fitted with ventilated perforated brake discs. The RSQ3 comes with roof rails, aluminum pedals and footrest, a black honeycomb front grille and unique front and rear bumpers

Drivers can bring up information about the car such as the boost pressure and oil temperature by using the dashboard computer menu.

The series equipment also includes the Audi Parking System Plus, the Audi ten-speaker 180W sound system, xenon headlights and LED tail lights.

The Audi RS Q3 will be available from fall 2013. Although its exact price is not yet known, it is expected to retail for about €55,000.

kingdom tower

Saudis Set to Build Kingdom Tower

kingdom tower

The record for the world’s tallest tower is set to be broken yet again… The new skyscraper will measure one kilometre high and will be located in Saudi Arabia.

Mace, the firm behind London’s now famous Shard, will build the skyscraper in a joint venture with construction company EC Harris in Jeddah.

Plans for the tower, known as the Kingdom Tower, were announced 18 months ago, but Mace, the builders of the Shard and construction company EC Harris were only named as the firms behind the tower’s construction on February 21.

The tower will reach a height of 1,000 meters, nearly 3 times the height of the Shard and would overtake the Burj Khalifa in Dubai as the world’s tallest skyscraper.

The Kingdom Tower will be the centerpiece of the $20bn Kingdom City urban re-development project taking place in the north of Jeddah by the Red Sea.

According to Mace, the Kingdom Tower will serve as “a mixed-use building featuring a five-star luxury Four Seasons hotel, Four Seasons serviced apartments, first class office space, luxury condominiums and an observatory that will be higher than the world’s current highest observation deck.”

Construction will take five years and is expected to begin by the middle of this year.

highest towers

mcq autumn 2013

McQ by Alexander McQueen Fall Winter 2013-14

The Autumn-Winter 2013 collection for the second line from Alexander McQueen has been unveiled via a video released by the brand.

The video, released this week, shows the latest collection from McQ, the diffusion label created by the Alexander McQueen brand.

“We wanted to try different ideas of introducing McQ each season so for autumn/ winter 2013-14, we’ve integrated a fashion film with a series of mood images and lookbook to launch the men’s and womenswear collection,” McQueen’s CEO Jonathan Ackroyd told Vogue.

Shot in London, the film plays with black & white and visual effects, with Maria Bradley and Botond Cseke superimposed onto grass, concrete and other textures.

The brand has previously show collections on the runway in London. Earlier this month McQ won the Contemporary Brand of the Year award at the Elle Style awards.

Chef Wolfgang Puck

What the stars will be eating on Oscar night

Chef Wolfgang Puck

For the 19th year in a row, caterer to the stars Wolfgang Puck will be at the helm of arguably the most glamorous event in the world when he feeds the Hollywood glitterati foods like mini Kobe burgers and chicken pot pie with shaved black truffles.

The menu for the Governor’s Ball, the post-Oscar celebration, sticks to Puck’s tried and true repertoire, diverging little from last year’s selection of eats.

Like last year, Puck will be serving a souped-up version of chicken pot pie topped with generous black truffles for the 1,500 guests expected to attend.

As guests mix under a 37-meter crystal chandelier and mingle around a 5-meter tall golden Oscar in the center of the ballroom floor, servers will offer smoked salmon Oscar hors d’oeuvres, mini Kobe sliders with aged cheddar and remoulade, Japanese peach salad, steamed red snapper with Thai spice, and tuna Niçoise with green olives.

Vegan options include kale salad with grilled artichoke and lemon vinaigrette, beluga lentils with cauliflower and baby vegetables, and farro with apple, beet and spiced walnuts. For dessert, Puck is offering shaved ice cream and Concorde grape.

The 85th annual Academy Awards airs Sunday, February 24 on US network ABC at 7 pm EST (12 am GMT) and will be televised live in countries around the world.

Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal gets new superlight watch

Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal

The latest watch produced by Richard Mille for Rafael Nadal is the lightest on the wrist, and the heaviest on the pocket so far.

Weighing just 19 grams (including velcro strap), the Tourbillon RM 27-01 Rafael Nadal watch is the latest in sports watch technology and is now being used by the Spanish ace in all of his matches.

Extremely light, the watch can also resist accelerations of over 5,000 G with no repercussions, and is housed in a scratch- and shock-resistant antracite casing, rich in carbon nanotubes.

The watch movement, which weighs just 3.5 grams, is suspended in the casing by four braided steel cables (just 0.35mm in diameter).

The movement uses LITAL®, a lithium alloy containing aluminium, copper, magnesium and zirconium, which is used on the Airbus A380, helicopters, rockets and satellites as well as in Formula 1 cars.

This isn’t the first watch Richard Mille has produced for Nadal; the first model, named the RM 27 had a chequered past, with the tennis player once leaving it behing in a locker room and once having it stolen from his hotel while he was sleeping.

The RM 27-01, is currently available in a limited edition of 50 timepieces via official Richard Mille stockists and will be priced at $690,000.

Nadal is not the only major tennis player with a nice watch. Roger Federer has a deal with Rolex, which, alongside agreements with Wilson and Nike, sees the Swiss player net over €20 million per year in sponsorships.

Three-in-a-row Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic is an ambassador for Swiss luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet.

Rafael Nadal and Richard Mille