Monthly Archives: June 2013

Los Angeles Airport Gets Swanky New Terminal

When the Los Angeles International Airport opens its newly renovated terminal in August, passengers will travel through one of the most technologically advanced and splashiest airports in North America.

During a recent preview of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, 10,000 Angelenos got a taste of the $1.9 billion overhaul which includes interactive multimedia experiences splashed on giant LCD screens, monumental art installations, fine dining restaurants helmed by local celebrity chefs like Michael Voltaggio and Suzanne Goin, and strips of luxury retail shops inspired by Rodeo Drive.

The new terminal was designed by Fentress Architects, the same firm behind the multi award-winning Incheon International Airport in South Korea.

Tom Bradley International Terminal

Greeting inbound passengers arriving at LAX will be a giant 80-foot tall Welcome Wall created to ‘refresh’ tired passengers’ senses with visual displays of flowing cloudscapes and the LA shoreline.

In the Great Hall, a Story Board measuring 120 feet (37 meters) will feature a variety of ‘ambient narratives’ including visuals that take passengers on virtual tours through destination cities, panoramic images of Los Angeles and evocative still images of nature.

Multimedia experience LAX

The centerpiece of the terminal, meanwhile, will be the 72-foot (22-meter) tall digital Time Tower, an interactive motion-sensitive structure that reacts to passenger movements. Though designed to tell time as a world clock, it’s also meant to “reveal time” as part of the travel experience.

The newly renovated terminal will also offer passengers substantially more dining and retail options than its previous incarnation.

Bon Voyage Wall

With 31 dining outlets — three times more than before — the new terminal will provide a mix of local and global flavors including gourmet sandwich creations by LA celebrity Michael Voltaggio (winner of US reality TV series “Top Chef”) and and James Beard Award winner Suzanne Goin.

High flyers can also sip on bubbly and nibble on caviar at a new champagne bar.

And in a nod to one of the most famous shopping strips in the US, Rodeo Drive, the new terminal is also billed as a premier retail destination, with 36 outlets including LA brands like Fred Segal and Kitson.

Time Tower LAX

Adidas by Raf Simons shoes

Raf Simons designs futuristic sneakers for Adidas

Adidas by Raf Simons shoes

After collaborating on a collection of running shoes, Adidas and fashion designer Raf Simons now envision a range of unisex shoes with a futuristic look, directly inspired by the world of comic books.

Raf Simons, who is now in Paris to present his men’s collection during the current program of fashion shows, is fashioning a line of very colourful unisex sneakers for the summer/spring 2014 season.

The collection comprises eight models, which come in yellow, green, blue and sundry other colors, and in various fabrics, too, including nylon, leather and embroidered textiles. Fans of the famous Adidas Stan Smith tennis shoe can look forward to a new version revamped by the designer.

Raf Simons’s designs for Adidas will be available from February, at prices between €270 and €350.

adidas by Raf Simons spring 2014

Dom Pérignon x Jeff Koons

DomPerignon Jeff Koons

Dom Pérignon has struck a collaboration with contemporary American artist Jeff Koons to help the champagne house launch its Rosé Vintage 2003.

Adapted from his existing life-sized version of “The Balloon Venus,” Koons created smaller replicas of the metallic magenta art pieces to house bottles of the pink bubbly and designed the labels. Bespoke Balloon Venus replicas are made-to-order and will be available for one year.

SEE ALSO: DOM PERIGNON X IRIS VAN HERPEN

On September 10, a limited-edition signed gift set will launch and offer two vintages: Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004, and the Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2003.

The Balloon Venus jeff Koons

The 2003 rosé, meanwhile, is being launched with much fanfare and described in sweeping terms for having been the earliest harvest since 1822 and for having survived extreme weather conditions including severe spring frost and an unparalleled heat wave.

The result is a rosé that bursts with the aromas of ripe fruit, figs, and strawberries on the nose, before unfolding into hints of guava, violet and vanilla as the wine breathes and grows, says Dom Pérignon.

Last year, Perrier-Jouet commissioned Japanese artist Makoto Azuma to reinvent the brand’s signature floral motif for its Belle Epoque Florale Edition 2004 —  the first time the motif has been tinkered with since it was first created by Emile Gallé in 1902.

Dom Pérignon also tapped David Lynch to design the bottles for a 2003 vintage champagne, while Japanese duo Erotyka also created an origami-style foldable champagne bucket for Veuve Clicquot.

Dom Perignon Jeff Koons

Marc Jacobs Paris store graffiti

Marc Jacobs turns graffiti into T-shirt

Marc Jacobs Paris store graffiti

American fashion designer Marc Jacobs has turned a graffiti campaign by an anti-fashion activist into a pricey t-shirt. Marc Jacobs’s Paris store was the target of an attack by graffiti activist-artist Kidult.

The self-styled “visual dictator” took to Twitter to post an image of the freshly painted giant green “$686” and dollar signs he sprayed on the storefront, along with the commentary – “680? 689?…686?! How much are you going to sell this for? #kidultarmyparis #thisisnotart”.

Marc Jacobs reacted, of course, with a tongue-in-cheek endorsement: “Come by Paris Collection for the opening night installation of the new @therealkidult. We proudly support the arts,” they tweeted.

Cleary disagreeing with Kidult’s pronouncement that the tag wasn’t art, the brand posted an album on Facebook showing off the ‘collaboration’, and advertised the shirts with a photo of the tag, which have gone on sale in store for, you guessed it: $686.

It’s not the first time they’ve pulled the trick: back in 2011 Kidult sprayed the Marc Jacobs store in SoHO New York City with a giant pink ‘ART’ tag, which the designer prompty turned into a designer t-shirt that sold for the princely (and seemingly magic) sum of $686.

Marc Jacobs T-shirts graffiti

JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Thumb

GQ magazine to open restaurant and bar in Dubai

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai Photo

Men’s lifestyle magazine GQ is poised to open a new restaurant inside the world’s tallest hotel in Dubai.

After opening the Vogue Cafe at The Dubai Mall — The largest shopping center in the world — in May, Condé Nast International has set its sights on planting another flag at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai.

The 994-square-meter GQ Bar will span two floors and serve contemporary cuisine. The new restaurant is set to open in October and, in GQ style, is expected to be a sleek, sophisticated space that attracts the world’s high society.

The opening of the JW Marriott Marquis in February was attended by British singer Leona Lewis, fashion designer Donna Karan, and Dubai TV personality DJ Bliss.

Dior les journees particulieres 2013

Dior: Les Journées Particulières [VIDEO]

Dior les journees particulieres 2013

As part of the LVMH ‘Journées Particulières,’ Dior opened up the brand’s salons at 30 Avenue Montaigne in Paris to show off the historic artisan techniques that go into their products. This short film explores some of the action in the haute couture, shoemaking and leatherworking ateliers.

9OH2O water

Beverly Hills 9OH2O is the champagne of bottled water

9OH2O

It’s being pitched as the “champagne of water,” developed by water sommeliers to be sipped, sniffed and rolled around the mouth like a fine wine during a fancy meal. The PR pitch for Beverly Hills 90H20 borrows heavily on the wine and spirits vernacular to sell the “best tasting water in the world.”

Sourced from the mountain springs of northern California, the premium water claims to be crafted with natural minerals using a “proprietary patent-pending formula” that results in a 7.5 pH alkalinity for a “silky smooth,” crisp, fresh taste profile that’s supposed to appeal to the broad consumer spectrum.

It’s these unique characteristics, meanwhile, which are likewise supposed to make Beverly Hills 90H20 the ideal water pairing for fine foods and wines, reads the sales pitch.

The water blend is bottled in a diamond-like, hand finished decanter triple-sealed for freshness.

Each of the limited-edition 10,000 bottles also features a unique custom art design and is available at fine restaurants, luxury hotels, gourmet markets and fashion boutiques. Bottles retail for $14.

The product has been launched in the US at outlets like the Montage Beverly Hills, Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel, Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Markets and Bulgari on Rodeo Drive.

Saint Laurent Cruise 2014

Saint Laurent unveils Cruise 2014 collection

Saint Laurent Cruise 2014

French designer Hedi Slimane picked artist and model Sasha Pivovarova as his muse for the latest Saint Laurent collection for Cruise 2014.

Showing off the latest range of ready-to-wear and accessories, Pivovarova strikes poses in a new set of black and white shots for Saint Laurent which were shot in New York City.

The collection follows in the wake of Slimane’s grungy Fall 2013 womenswear offering, and arrives just ahead of the next men’s collection, which is the last show on the schedule at men’s fashion week in Paris, set to take place from June 26 to 30.

Born in Moscow, 28-year-old Pivovarova made her acting debut alongside Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried in the 2011 science-fiction thriller “In Time;” she is also a part-time artist.

Sasha Pivovarova Saint Laurent Cruise 2014

KLM Aviation Empire

KLM plans airline game

KLM Aviation Empire

Along with phone bills, traffic and the weather, airlines likewise rank high on the ‘favorite things to complain about’ list. Now Dutch carrier KLM is handing over the reins to consumers who think they can do a better job of managing an airline in a new 3D video game for mobile devices.

After a beta test earlier this year, KLM will launch tomorrow Aviation Empire, a simulation game in which the mission is to run a successful and profitable airline.

Players can add strategic destinations, build a fleet, invest in airplanes and upgrade airports according to the technologies available at the time.

The game starts in 1919 — the year KLM was founded —  challenging players to grow the business as pioneering entrepreneurs and see it through periodically turbulent times in aviation history.

Players can sign up to be among the first to receive a notice when the game — which is available on both iOS and Android — goes live. The KLM game is based on the same principle as “Airline Simulation” for PC, which likewise allows players to run their own airline.

Likewise, in 2011 the Marriott hotel chain launched a Facebook game which allows fans to run their own virtual hotel in a bid to attract new staff for its properties.

Kate Moss strips off for Versace

Versace Fall Winter 2013

Supermodel Kate Moss appears in a new Versace campaign shot by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott.

Shot in London in March this year, a chestnut-haired Kate Moss stripped off for the famous Italian luxury brand in a new campaign for the Versace Fall-Winter 2013 collection.

Stylist Melanie Ward evidently decided that less was more, using three Versace leather handbags in red, black and yellow to cover the 39-year-old model up in one shot, while Kate appears in nothing but a bright animal print fur in another image.

Donatella Versace said she wanted the photos “stripped back to the raw power of the clothes and models”. She added: “There’s no set, no distraction, just the provocation, glamour and attitude of our fashion. Mert & Marcus genius transformed Kate and Saskia into these strong Versace characters.”

Dutch model and artist Saskia de Brauw also stars in the women’s campaign, while David Bradshaw styled models Travis Smith, Dominik Bauer and Matt Trethe for the menswear images.

Versace Fall Winter 2013 Kate Moss Versace Fall Winter 2013 Saskia de Brauw Versace Fall 2013 Saskia de Brauw Versace Fall Winter 2013 campaign Versace Fall Winter 2013 ad campaign

‘Downton Abbey’ fans to get their own wine

Downton Abbey

“Downton Abbey” fans can now watch their favorite TV show while sipping on a wine inspired by the British period drama that has gained cult-like popularity among audiences around the world.

The same firm that produces wines in homage to the Grateful Dead, the Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd is harnessing the popularity of “Downton Abbey” to release a new wine that evokes the clarets that were imported to Britain from France and were at the height of popularity during the 1900s.

Wines That Rock has teamed up with Dulong Grands Vins de Bordeaux to produce the new range of Bordeaux Clarets and Bordeaux Blancs, which will be sold as single bottles and gift sets.

Elie Saab Pre-Fall 2013

Elie Saab unveils Pre-Fall 2013 film

Elie Saab Pre-Fall 2013

The Lebanese couturier and red-carpet gown specialist has released a stunning new film celebrating the arrival of the brand’s pre-fall collection in stores.

The new short film, titled “Reflections,” shows a range of embroidered gowns, silk jumpsuits and beautiful dresses from the pre-fall 2013 collection, paired with mirrored and metallic accessories.

Soundtracked by Berlin dance duo Lexy & K-Paul’s “Your Name,” a model moves through the abandoned rooms facing the reflections of her reality and fantasy in the mirrors.

According to the brand, “the seductive play between her delicateness and her confidence contrasts like day and night, a hidden spirit captured within the lucid reflections of endless mirrors”.

We think it’s a stunning bit of escapism from Elie Saab who will be showing their next haute couture collection in Paris on Wednesday July 3 at the Palais Brogniart.

couturier jean paul gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier’s new streetwear line

couturier jean paul gaultier

Jean Paul Gaultier will unveil his first Gaultier² collection in June. JPG has had a series of diffusion lines over the years including ‘Gaultier Jeans’, ‘Junior Gaultier’ and the puntastic ‘Jeans Paul Gaultier’.

The latest offshoot from the prodigious designer, ‘Gaultier²’, shares a name with the label’s 2005 fragrance, which was concocted by famed luxury perfumier Francis Kurkdjian.

The latest incarnation of Gaultier² is a new Spring 2014 streetwear line for men and woman, produced under a licence by Italian firm Ittierre (who also produce clothes for John Galliano and Karl Lagerfeld).

Set to appear for buyers on June 30 in Paris, the collection will also travel to Milan, Berlin, New York, Hong Kong among other cities, before hitting stores early next year.

Busy as ever, after showing a couture collection on July 3 as part of the Paris haute couture program (June 30-July 5), Gaultier is set to show a ‘La Parisienne’ couture collection in Rome on July 7 as part of the city’s AltaRoma AltaModa fashion event which runs from July 6-10.

my world sofa

MyWorld Sofa by Philippe Starck for Cassina

my world sofa

Designer Philippe Starck has created the ‘My World’ sofa to enable people to incorporate use of their mobile devices into the time they spend relaxing.

myworld sofa

Created in partnership with the Italian furniture company Cassina, the sofa is equipped with privacy dividers, a side table with hidden power outlets, and a Powermat to charge gadgets discreetly.

MyWorld Sofa by Philippe Starck

My World is available to buy as a whole piece or in sections to fit in with people’s individual needs. It comes in a variety of colors and two-seater or three-seater versions. Via psfk.com.

MyWorld Sofa by Philippe Starck

Bowers and Wilkins 805 Maserati Edition Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins 805 Maserati Edition Speakers

Bowers and Wilkins 805 Maserati Edition Speakers

Bowers and Wilkins is set to introduce the 805 Maserati Edition loudspeaker to celebrate its relationship with the Italian luxury car manufacturer.

The limited-edition product combines the performance of B&W’s 800 Diamond Series speakers with the aesthetics of Maserati’s famous interiors, according to the British speaker maker.

Bowers Wilkins 805 Maserati Speakers

The speaker features a two-way design with a Diamond Dome Tweeter and 6.5-inch Kevlar midrange driver. An advanced crossover network controls the drivers. The drivers are housed in a ported enclosure that incorporates B&W’s Flowport technology which is said to minimize port distortion.

B&W wraps the speaker in polished wood veneers including bird’s eye maple, along with Maserati’s famous leathers. The speaker also bears Maserati’s Trident symbol.

Bowers Wilkins 805 Maserati Edition Speakers

The 88dB sensitive 805 Maserati Edition is an 8-ohm speaker that has a stated frequency response of 49Hz to 28kHz. B&W recommends amplifiers rated between 50 watts to 120 watts.

Bowers and Wilkins 805 Maserati Speakers

Bowers & Wilkins expects the 805 Maserati to go on sale sometime during Q4 of this year, as a limited edition piece. Pricing has yet to be determined. Via Cepro.

Stuart Vevers

Stuart Vevers to leave Loewe for Coach

Stuart Vevers

Reed Krakoff’s successor as creative director of Coach has just been announced, and the prestigious position goes to Stuart Vevers reports WWD.

Something of a leather goods specialist, Vevers was formerly in the top job at Spanish luxury brand Loewe, where he has helped to revitalize the traditional house codes, and has recently led a collaboration with Junya Watanabe.

“Stuart is recognized as one of the world’s leading accessories designers. His passion, leadership skills, and broad luxury brand experience, focused on leathergoods, uniquely qualify him to lead the next chapter of Coach,” said Coach’s President and Chief Commercial Officer, Victor Luis.

Vevers joined Loewe in 2008, moving from London brand Mulberry where he served as Creative Director from 2005 to 2008. He’s certainly got luxury pedigree — prior to this, the 39-year-old designer held positions at Louis Vuitton, Bottega Veneta, Givenchy and Calvin Klein.

“Coach is an exceptional brand and company that I’ve long admired for its rich heritage,” said Vevers in a statement. “I am excited to drive Coach’s next stage of transformation.”

We can’t wait to see his first work for the label. But the excitement doesn’t end there: Loewe owners LVMH will also be looking to replace him — cue much fevered speculation…

Cambridge Satchel Company bags

Cambridge Satchel Company unveils new bags

Cambridge Satchel Company bags

The famed bag company which has seen its satchels become a global phenomenon has launched a new line of ‘Batchels’ at London fashion week.

If you’ve ever wondered who’s behind the bright neon leather satchels hanging off the shoulders of style icons like Alexa Chung and young Hollywood star Elle Fanning then you’ve been admiring the work of the Cambridge Satchel Company.

Based in the famous university town, the so called ‘Brit It Bag’ makers have launched a new lune of ‘batchels’ (briefcase-satchel hybrids) inspired by the latest trends in men’s footwear.

Formerly at Mulberry, the company’s new product developer Rose McNamara added details from men’s shoes like rouging and fringing for a launch at the London Collections: Men.

“I have drawn on the incomparable beauty and timelessness of the Cinque Terre region,” Cambridge Satchel Company founder Julie Deane told WWD, explaining the masculine Italian colors.

The new color block batchels retail at $267. The company was founded by Deane back in 2007 with only £600 and has now grown into a household name, which makes over 900 bags every day.

RunWESTIN Concierge

Westin Hotels creates jobs for ‘running’ concierge

RunWESTIN Concierge

Westin Hotels has launched a nationwide search across the US for its first resident running concierge who will hit the pavement leading run groups for guests.

Passionate runners with an appetite for travel are being invited to apply for the RunWestin Concierge position to act as an on-site running expert traveling across the country to help guests prepare for a series of Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons throughout the year.

As personal running coach for the North American races, the concierge will engage with fellow runners, share training and race advice, lead warm-up runs and helm social media accounts for the service.

In partnership with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathons, the Westin is also offering VIP Marathon packages to its running guests that offer bib pick-up, pre-race pasta dinners, access to the post-race VIP Recovery Tent, and ice bags delivered to their hotel rooms.

The packages are available in race markets including Montreal, Las Vegas and Los Angeles with additional races for 2014. Deadline for the running concierge position is June 30.

burberry kiss

Send a Burberry Kiss with Google

burberry kisses

As part of a new advertising partnership, Google and Burberry teamed up to create “Burberry Kisses,” a digital platform that allows users to send virtual kisses to anyone in the world.

If you visit kisses.burberry.com, you’ll be able to pucker up in front of your webcam, as the site detects the outline of your lips (It can only be accessed on Google Chrome and on mobile devices).

A print of your kiss can be customized in different shades of Burberry lipstick, and sent on a letter through a series of animations to people in other cities. When they receive it, they’ll be greeted with a visualisation of how far the message has traveled and be given an opportunity to send a kiss in return.

All the kisses are private unless you choose to share them via Twitter, Facebook or Google + and all the public kisses can be seen whizzing across the globe on a giant world map.

“We’re constantly thinking about how we translate the emotion of what we create and experience in the real world into the digital space,” said Christopher Bailey in a statement.

“Burberry Kisses began with the idea of giving technology a bit of a heart and soul, and using it to unite the Burberry family across the world – by telling a story that makes the digital personal.”