Monthly Archives: September 2008

contact lens jewelry

Contact lens jewellery: The Eye Jewellery Project by Eric Klarenbeek lets you dangle diamonds from your eyeball

For those who are bored with ordinary contact lenses, an artist-designer in the Netherlands named Eric Klarenbeek has created what he calls The Eye Jewellery Project, for people who have been dying to dangle diamonds from their eyeballs.

 

The Swarovski ‘Sparkle’ product that we introduced last week, looked okay, but just looking at this contact lenses jewelry gives me the creeps. I don’t know about you, but feeling a thread between my eyelids every time I blink would take some getting used to.


Also, blinging in this manner may pose some problems : besides having to figure out what to wear with it, some pain may be involved.

Klarenbeek was asked on a video he posted on the project what would happen if someone tugged on the line, the artist responded, “It just falls out, or in worst case, the wire might break.” At least you won’t watching your eyeball fall out.

Dr. Brian Boxer-Wachler, an ophthalmologist based in Beverly Hills, warns that potential bleeding may occur as the string scratches against sensitive skin layers. “It looks like it would rub against the bottom of your eyelid as it swings around,” he said. “And so I would expect it to cause some irritation if it were to be worn for a prolonged length of time.”

Limited Edition Bugatti Faubourg Watch

“For a timepiece with a difference, look no further than the latest edition of the Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti”, which brings together three ultra luxurious brands that are Bugatti, Hermes and the distinguished Swiss watch maker in a unique partnership.

All this is done to compliment Bugatti’s new Veyron Faubourg Par Hermes car. You will see this in the design on the watch, with its tubular body and Hermes leather strap.

A very convenient feature of the unisex watch is that the face sits on the side of the body, which means drivers don’t have to twist their wrist to check the time.

Presented in 18-carat rose or brushed white gold version, the watch can even be customized for its owner with pave diamonds.

With only 20 pieces available, this Limited Edition Bugatti Faubourg Watch By Parmigiani carries a weighty price tag of $233,900 ^_^

The Stylish W Doha makes a debut in 2009

w hotel doha

W Hotels, the fastest growing luxury hotel brand in the world, is set to open the region’s first W hotel in Doha in March 2009.

Designed by UK-based firm United Designers The W Doha is owned by J&A Jaidah, principals of J&A Jaidah Holdings, one of the most well known and well respected private companies in the Middle East.

The luxury hotel is located in the West Bay area of Doha, and features 291 guest rooms and suites, 154 residences, several restaurants including La Maison du Caviar and Spice Market, a poolside shisha lounge, champagne bar, 1,000sqm of meeting and events space, and luxury retail outlets.

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Airplane Cabins by Etihad Airlines

The Middle East have provided with comfortable air voyages for decades now. Starting with the brilliance in luxurious aviation experiences with Emirates, we have come to a point where a first class air traveler can have just about all his wishes fulfilled while in the air.

With more than six feet space for a passenger to stretch himself, sexy 23inch LCD monitors to feast their eyes, the power to charge their cell phones, media players and other gadgets via two USB points and a RCA socket, Etihad Airlines, the United Arab Emirates’ national airline, make a promising entry into the list of exotic fliers.

In addition Etihad Airways has been voted “airline with the best cabin staff” at this year’s Business Traveller Middle East awards, based on the opinions of thousands of readers of Business Traveller magazine.

The Abu Dhabi based carrier also won for “airline with the best economy class.”

$300,000 Bottles of Champagne at the Ritz

One of the most exclusive champagnes you’ll ever find has been reserved in cold sea water and rocked by currents.

Indeed, over two hundred bottles of champagne matured by the ocean tides and the waves in the dark for over 80 years are being sold at the Carlton Ritz in Moscow for $300,000 a bottle.

According to Russian newspaper Komersant, the 1907 vintage bubbly had been sent to the Russian Royal Family in 1916 from the Heidsieck vineyard but the ship carrying them sank off the Finnish coast.

The wreck was only discovered in 1997 when divers found the undamaged bottles which were later bought by the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Moscow, which charges over $20,000 per night for a room.

Swiss man sells back tattoo to gallery

A man has sold an elaborate tattoo of the Virgin Mary, which is still on his back, to an art collector who plans to ‘exhibit’ him three times a year.

The extraordinary transaction – which Zurich gallery owner Jutta Nexdorf claims is the first of its kind, earned the vendor, Tim Steiner, 150,000 euros ($218,000).

The tattoo was designed by Belgian artist Wim Dalvoye and took 35 hours to create. In return Steiner is required to exhibit the work three times a year in public and private shows.
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Cristiano Ronaldo is world’s most expensive soccer player

Manchester City’s new billionaire owner, Sulaiman Al-Fahim, has revealed that the club will be bidding £140 million ($250million) for Cristiano Ronaldo when the January transfer window opens.

He told The Guardian: “Ronaldo has said he wants to play for the biggest club in the world, so we will see in January if he is serious.”

“Real Madrid were estimating his value at $160million but for a player like that, to actually get him, will cost a lot more; I would think $240million, three times the world transfer record, set in 2001 when Zinedine Zidane moved from Juventus to Real Madrid. But why not? We are going to be the biggest club in the world, bigger than both Real Madrid and Manchester United.”

Al-Fahim also re-iterated that he would investigate the potential availability of the former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, Valencia’s David Villa and the former Brazil international Ronaldo to join Robinho in a “dream team” that would be able to challenge for the Champions League within two or three years.

Porsche Design goes into luxury yacht business

Porsche Design Group on Wednesday announced the signing of a design and marketing agreement with Singapore-based yacht builder, Royal Falcon Fleet.

Under this agreement Porsche Design will design luxury catamarans and mega-yachts for Royal Falcon Fleet on an exclusive basis in addition to developing a marketing concept for the yachts.

The first project is what you see in the photo above, a motor catamaran that is over 40 meters (135 feet) long. Porsche Design will design both the hull exterior and interior of the catamaran.
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Sink with horizontal drain


These sinks with patented ‘Horizontal Integrated Siphon’ technology (basically a horizontal drain) were introduced by Italian company Axolute at FuoriSalone 2008 and will revolutionise your bathroom design.

The stunning polished stainless sink features the HIS system, which replaces the traditional drain pipe usually visible underneath basins. Instead, the water flows along the slot of the front of the basin and back into the wall connection.

The lack of pipes underneath makes these designs particularly effective when mounted by themselves, as well as highly convenient to be fitted over a vanity unit.

They are available now at Axolute’s website

WX-1 Luxury Watch from De Witt

If you are a watch lover, then it is time for you to pay visit to DeWitt to see this masterpiece !

Created by two masters of genius Jerome de Witt and Jean-Michel Wilmotte,WX-1 is both a watch Concept and an objet d’art, highlighting the creativity of the House of DeWitt which is celebrating its 5th anniversary in 2008.

The mechanism of WX-1 is equipped with a vertical “flying” tourbillon, which carriage makes one turn per minute. The watch power reserve is quite impressive – about 21-day (approximately 504-hour).

Time is reflected in a very original way – with two rotating disks. The first disk indicates minutes and rotates clockwise, the second indicates hours counterclockwise. The wheel system fulfills transmission function and transfers the information of time measuring to minute and hour disks.

Moving aside a cover, the whole mechanism located under a transparent plate can be seen. The DeWitt masters have used high-tech materials to create the watch: titanium-vanadium alloy and allocated aluminium, the case is covered with a thin layer of pink gold.

On the back side there are two cylindrical reservoirs having a shape of reactors. One of them contains the tourbillon’s mechanism; another one has the wind system WX-1. A thin rod provides the wind of 5 barrels for a few seconds.

This device controlled by electronics and powered by a lithium battery, performs 60 turns per minute and its torque force can achieve 10 H/mm. It provides the wind of all 5 barrels WX-1 within a few seconds using a switch. The tool is charged through a socket or via USB-port placed in its rear part. WX-1 can be also winded manually using the second device.

This masterpiece is produced exclusively in limited edition and it probably costs more than your house. Yes, you heard it right. WX-1 concept watches are designed at price 400,000 Euros ($590,000).

Veuve Cliquot Ice cube

Veuve Clicquot Ice Cube

Now you no longer need ice to keep your Champagne cold thanks to the Veuve Cliquot Ice Cube.

The Ice cube is made of yellow polycarbonate and has space for a bottle and two champagne flutes.

Inside the Icecube are two chemicals that react together when you snap the seal and form an ice like substance which can quickly chill the champagne allowing one to enjoy a chilled bottle of Champagne anywhere.
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LV : The World’s Most Counterfeited Fashion Brand

Internationally renowned and highly regarded for name recognition in the fashion world, as a result LV has become one of the most counterfeited contemporary luxury brands. In fact, according to LV, just over 1% of the items bearing the trademark LV monogram would be authentic (Wikipedia) !!!

Ironically, the signature Monogram Canvas was created to prevent counterfeiting. In 2004, Louis Vuitton fakes accounted for 18% of counterfeit accessories seized in the European Union.

LV takes a serious view of all counterfeiting, employing a team of lawyers and special investigation agencies, actively pursuing offenders through the courts worldwide, and allocating about half of its budget of communications to counteract piracy of its goods.

Interestingly, the logo also makes its way to goods that would never, ever be associated with the Louis Vuitton brand. The ‘Design You Trust’ blogs collected several great examples; Here are a few of our favorites:

See the World in Your Own Luxury Cruise Ship Condo

Imagine touring the world, 300 ports in 150 countries, from the comfort of your own exclusive, floating home. The new ultimate in luxury is purchasing a condo on the world’s largest private residential cruise ship, the Magellan.

The 860-foot long ship features 210 units, including 16 penthouses, to keep up the tradition of exploration in the modern world aboard a 76,000-tonne, 15-deck residential cruise ship. Life will become one long, leisurely dream for the Magellan’s 1100 passengers who will be pampered by 350 crew and backed up by four restaurants.

Residences start at $2.34 million for full ownership and the two best suites, each with four bedrooms, cost $17.3 million apiece. In addition to the purchase price of each apartment, owners pay a hefty maintenance fee amounting to between 5 and 6 percent of the purchase price. Magellan also offers the unique opportunity to buy fractional ownership of one month or two weeks per year, starting at $140,000.

For many owners this is a third home and one that most use for just weeks in any given year, choosing the part of the world they want to visit or for some special occasion, including family get-togethers.

The Magellan will operate much like a cruise ship with most of the amenities one would expect to find on a luxury vessel, such as tennis court, retractable marina that goes into action as soon as the ship berths, two putting greens, an observatory, four fine dining restaurants, an all-weather heliport, Aqua Spa, casino, gourmet marketplace, microbrewery, 430-seat Broadway-style theatre, two pools and more… Owners can reach the Magellan via the ship’s two executive jet helicopters, Venetian tenders or at ports.

The Magellan will circumnavigate the globe every two years. Scheduled ports include Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Istanbul, Stockholm, New York, Miami, Rio de Janeiro, Acapulco, Vancouver, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Sydney, Bali, Honolulu and Alexandria.

The ship will be built at Aker Yards in France and is scheduled to set sail in 2010.

Swarovski studded contact lenses

Looking for an extra sparkle in your eyes? According to Mami Magazine, designer Anthony Mallier from India has created ‘Sparkle’ contact lenses to make your eyes “Sparkle like they’ve never sparkled before.” The ‘Sparkle’ contact lenses are fused with tiny Swarovski crystals in a circle around the edges of the lenses.

The ‘Sparkle’ contact lenses are the second place winner in the ‘Crystal Vision’ competition co-organized by designboom and Swarovski.

Mallier took the ‘Crystal Vision’ theme literally when he designed the crystal eye ‘bling’. The designer was inspired by Swarovski’s ability to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary through their sheer brilliance.

However, I am not too sure about the comfort level of your eyes with such bejeweled lenses…

New York City – Modern building

These pictures are from a wonderful New York City penthouse apartment designed by UnStudio. This building features a series of metal bands at different sizes that creates a unique shape for the building and provides a little character for each floor.

These some pictures of this building, the wide living area with modern fireplace, modern bar stool table, the bathroom with an awesome views.

The building is Five Franklin Place in TriBeCa.


Via momoy

Dunhill creates luggage for Bentley

Dunhill, the English leather goods maker, have collaborated with Bentley to create a 5-piece set of luggage, designed specifically for Bentley cars. (Dunhill already make a luggage set for Maybach)

The Bentley Collection by Dunhill is to fit perfectly into the trunk of any Bentley : The luggage set is made of the finest leather and is reminiscent of fluted designs of Bentley seats and can be ordered in any color to match the interior of a Bentley.

The entire set consists of a briefcase, large and small suitcases, a washbag, and a weekend bag. You can expect to pay about $8600, before options.

Designer Yacht

Pictured above: Guilty, a 115-foot yacht designed by Jeff Koons and commissioned by Greek billionaire Dakis Joannou, who owns one of the world’s finest collections of contemporary art.

The exterior design was created by international art star Jeff Koons, famous for his basketball in perspex case, three-storey high “Puppy” made of flowers, and the “Made in Heaven” erotic series of photographs with Italian ex-wife and porn-star-member-of-parliament La Cicciolina.

Koons based his design on a WWI camouflage pattern. complemented by architect Ivana Porfiri’s jagged shapes.

Guilty is likely to appear in next month’s Italian Vogue.

Zimbabwe : A nation of billionaires

Thanks to Gideon Gono, the present Governor of the Reserve Bank and President Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe now has the highest percentage of Billionaires per capita than any other country in the world.

Once dubbed the “bread basket” of Africa, Zimbabwe has been struggling with the world’s highest rate of inflation – 12,500,000% – and years of economic mismanagement under President Robert Mugabe.

Try looking at the numbers: 1.00 USD = 54,000,000,000 ZWD. (Live rates at 2008.07.29) But remember that Zimbabwe slashed three zeros off the currency in August 2006, so based on the pre-2006 Zimbabawe dollar, the numbers are even worse: : 1.00 USD = 54,000,000,000,000 ZWD
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Volkswagen Caddy Topos Sail Design Concept

Among the display of leisure vehicles and campers on the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles stand at Europe’s largest recreational vehicle show that starts in Düsseldorf, Germany this weekend will be an interesting Caddy Topos Sail design concept which takes its nautical theme to the extreme of having a wooden boat deck on its roof.

The Caddy Topos Sail design concept, based on the smallest model in the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle van range, uses design cues from classic yachts and has its multi-functional roof covered with wooden decking surrounded by aluminium roof rails.

The deck also turns up to make a lounge chair over the Caddy, but the most appealing component of this concept would be the wooden ladder built into the glass that makes the roof accessible, and to complete the design theme there are wooden inserts along the side of the vehicle and in the rear bumper.

volkswagen

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles created the design study as part of the celebrations of 20 years of the California camper.

It’s perfect for all you guys who like chill out by the deck after a long drive !

The $2,500 Cognac Shot

The World’s Billionaires can now raise the world’s most expensive toast for signing a billion dollar dealby sipping on to $2,500 shot of the Louis XIII Black Pearl Magnum – Limited Edition.

Exclusively being offered at Rose Club at The Plaza hotel, the price for a single shot is equivalent to average monthly rent for an apartment in New York, according to Daily News journalist who reported the news.

The exclusivity of this Remy Martin-produced spirit is raised further by the fact that it cannot be sampled anywhere else in the State of New York.

Designed by Baccarat and hand-blown from black crystal, this bottle has not yet been uncorked since it was introduced in June.

There are about 32 pours in the 1.75 liter bottle, meaning that the stylish decanter contains $80,000 worth of booze. However the bottle as whole, one of oncly 358 in the world, is not up for sale.

Each drink will be poured by a white gloved-manager and accompanied by a selection of dried fruits and nuts.

Luxurious Victorinox USB Drive

Swissbit – a Flash memory company – and Victorinox – the maker of Swiss Army knives – have teamed up and joined forces with Bonfort- the popular penknife company – to create their Prestige line of USB drives.

The exquisite, limited edition executive present memory sticks come in white or yellow gold and are finished with over 600 brilliant-cut diamonds and finished to the highest level of quality. The USB key can be switched out if you decide to upgrade to a higher capacity drive.

Swissbit’s Prestige Swiss Army USB keys start at around €980 ($1,450), which we imagine will be for a silver version. Expect that price to climb considerably for the gold units and the diamond-encrusted ones.

Bonfort also offers an engraving service, in case you want your Prestige to be just that bit more exclusive ^_^