Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s new $400 million, 555-ft. Eclipse, designed to be the world’s biggest (and so named because Abramovich desires that it overshadow all other boats at sea) will have a military-grade missile defense system to keep the oligarch safe.
Abramovich owns three other megayachts already: the 377 ft. Pelorus, the 282 ft. Ecstasea and the 160 ft. Sussurro but the Eclipse will be 25 ft. longer than Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s 530-ft. Platinum, currently ranked as the biggest yacht in the world. Continue reading →
Some of you may already know Petrossian, the Paris-based caviar specialist. There are Petrossian boutiques in Paris, Monaco, New-York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles but until now, you could only order caviar from their French website (petrossian.fr).
Demand for the top end of the luxury hotel market has been unaffected by the credit crunch, keeping prices for the best rooms at very high levels : the superrich are still willing to spend huge sums on staying at the best hotel rooms in the world, paying as much as $34,000 a night to lodge at the most luxurious suites, according Wealth-Bulletin’s survey of the Top Ten Most Expensive Hotel Rooms in the World.
Also worth noting is the appearance of Dubai (the Burj Al Arab’s Royal Suite, above) and Moscow hotels on the list, which would have been unheard of just a couple years ago. Here are the Top 10:
1. The Warner PentHouse, Four Seasons; New York, $34,000 per night. 2. Royal Penthouse suite, President Wilson Hotel, Geneva, $33,000 per night. 3. The Presidential Suite, Hotel Cala Di Volpe, Costa Smeralda, Italy $21,000 per night. 4. Royal Suite, Burj-Al-Arab, $18,000 per night. 5. Royal Armleder Suite, Le Richmond, Geneva, $17,500 per night.
6. The Ritz Carlton Suite, The Ritz Carlton, Moscow; 16,500 per night 7. The Royal Suite, Four Seasons George V, Paris; $15,500 per night 8. The Imperial Suite, Park Hyatt Vendome, Paris; 15,500 per night 9. Brook Penthouse, Claridges, London, $10,000 per night 10. Penthouse Suite, Hotel Martinez, Cannes, $9,300 per night(During the Cannes film festival week in May the price rockets to $48,000 a night).
The Hawker 450XP is the latest jet from Hawker Beechcraft and is the successor to the highly acclaimed Hawker 400XP. Based on the interior of the 900XP, it’s the most comfortable, most elegant and best equipped cabin ever offered in a light jet !
The Hawker 450XP also features significant improvements over the 400XP including a completely redesigned cabin and infotainment system, the Cabin Management System Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21, allowing individual passengers to utilize their personal electronic device of choice to catch up on work or enjoy a customized in-flight entertainment system.
The plane uses the new Pratt & Whitney PW535D turbofan engines which provide ten percent better fuel efficiency and a longer range. Continue reading →
This is a call to all champagne lovers! Rarest 19Th century Baccarat Champagne Glasses are up for sale.
These are the extraordinarily rare pristine set of 12 Baccarat champagne glasses made in a pattern designed for the Imperial Russian court; slight variation on the Tsar pattern for the Russian Royal family’s exclusive use.
What makes these glasses so precious is that they are now only seen in museums and private collections. These have been authenticated by very experienced crystal specialists in both France and Italy but as Baccarat only started signing in 1934, there are no markings on the glasses.
However, it is said that only Baccarat made this size and design. The amazing glasses are 12 inches and the saucer that holds them is 4″ plus in diameter. If you have the money, you would be delighted to know that you will have to spend 1400 euros ($2,000) for each Baccarat champagne glass. They can be purchased at malleries.com.
Now all you need to do is choose the right bubbly…
The German design genius Karl Lagerfeld has created what will be one of the most sought after bags next season, and he didn’t even have to try that hard !
At the Paris Fashion Week, Lagerfeld presented an interactive bag with his face printed on the front. Models held the bag over their faces as they strutted down the catwalk.
The Lusso Collection portfolio of multi-million dollar residences in the world’s most desirable vacation spots (such as Cabo San Lucas, Aspen, Miami, Hawaii and the Bahamas) has acquired its first European property, a $5 million villa in Tuscany – its first European estate.
Located on the outskirts of picturesque Cortona, La Ripa (picture above) is a 500-year-old, 4,000-sq.-ft. fully-restored stone farmhouse with five bedroom suites, stone fireplaces, terracotta floors and brick archways , enhanced by luxurious modern amenities : the estate’s 27 landscaped acres include a privately situated swimming pool, lush gardens and olive and cypress groves.
The ancient city of Cortona is nearby and Florence and Sienna are about 50 miles away. Cortona has a large number of restaurants, festivals and regular open air markets where you can become a true local. Continue reading →
Booming global demand for new business jets is expected to continue through the end of 2009 despite recent oil-price shocks and economic turmoil, according to the latest forecast by aerospace supplier Honeywell International Inc.
Lately it seems that the private jet revolution is bigger in Europe than in the U.S. The latest new fractional ownership and charter brand Jet Republic, a new company set to take on the European leader NetJets Europe.
Jet Republic has bought 110 Bombardier Learjet 60XRs which is a full 25 orders and 85 options valued at $1.5 billion which is said to be the largest single business jet order in European aircraft history.
The venture recently launched and will sell a Jet card at 130,000 euros ($190,000) for 25 hours of flying time. Jet Republic has arrangements with 30 business aircraft operators throughout Europe to provide charters for their customers.
This little “Le Corbusier” styled bed or sofa (below) is available in vinyl or leather and with chrome or black powder coated accents.
A take off on the LC2 collection, it’s pretty reasonable priced compared to some of the other “luxury dog beds” out there. The company also makes models under request.
Celebrity Solstice is a cruise ship for Celebrity Cruises. She is the largest cruise ship built in Germany and she left the Meyer Werft on September 28, 2008. This colossal ship can house as many as nearly 3,000 passengers !
The 315m-long ship is so wide it barely squeezed out of the Papenberg watergates, but ably helped by two tug-boats it escaped on it’s to the North sea, where it will head to Denmark.
Onboard amenities will include a large theater, multiple restaurant dining options, The Patio on the Lawn, numerous bars and clubs, Solstice Deck, youth facilities, Online@Celebrity, and many other common and unique features. Some new innovations that have been revealed include glass-blowing classes/demonstrations as well as The Lawn Club, a live grass lawn between the ship’s funnels on the upper deck. This U.S. cruise ship will have four sister ships, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse, and two as-of-yet unnamed ships. The sisters will enter service in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively.
Celebrity Solstice will be officially launched some time in November this year, giving a huge challenge to other liners that have suddenly become so puny in comparison to this giant.
A close friend of Louis Vuitton’s creative director Marc Jacobs, filmmaker Sofia Coppola is collaborating with the brand to design a one-off collection of handbags and shoes.
Little else is known about the collaboration at this stage. It is expected that the new collection will initially only be available in Japan before being available at Louis Vuitton stores worldwide.
China now has more super rich than Japan, mostly entrepreneurs benefiting from the country’s surging economic growth. According to a survey released by Capgemini and Merrill Lynch on Sept. 25, at the end of 2007 China boasted more than 6,000 people worth more than $30 million a piece, excluding their principal residence. Japan only had about 5,300.
Japan however is still home to 56 percent of high net worth individuals in the Asia-Pacific region, or 1.5 million Japanese with US$1 million or more in investible assets excluding their primary residence.
India and Vietnam are also seeing a fast expanding pool of wealthy residents. Like China, they saw the number of millionaires increase by more than 20 percent last year, according to this year’s Asia-Pacific Wealth Report.
Japan’s millionaires have mostly inherited wealth, making them far more risk-averse than the rich in emerging economies like China and Vietnam, who tend to be first-generation wealthy and far more willing to take chances with their money, Capgemini said.
Hong Kong’s 95,000 millionaires, led by a clutch of property tycoons, have the highest average net worth in the region at U$5.4 million, compared with a global average of US$4 million.
The region’s 2.8 million high net worth individuals account for nearly a third of the world’s millionaire population. In addition, Asia’s still solid economic growth should continue to boost the number of high net worth individuals by 8 percent this year and for each of the next four years. By 2012 their wealth should reach US$13.9 trillion, up from US$9.5 trillion in 2007, the survey predicted.
Last week, at the Seibu Department Store in Tokyo, Tomy Toys, a toy company from Japan unveiled a diamond doll.
The specially produced doll with the name “Licca–chan” (The Licca-chan doll is a widely popular Japanese version of the Barbie doll) comes clad in a tiara and gown studded with 881 diamonds, a total of 51.4 karat.
This diamond doll was part of an exhibition called “Girlish Culture” geared toward what they describe as, “happy adult by fashion”. Continue reading →
Catamarans have become increasingly popular over the last year or so. This one is the creation of Swedish design and engineering firm Vizualtech (designer : Bo Zolland), which was contacted by a customer from Dubai who was seeking a new design for a race boat. Starting with an R8 as its inspiration, Vizualtech set about creating what it is now named the Biocat R8 racing catamaran.
According to the Swedish designer, the 8.8 meter long R8 speedboat has been designed to use a V10 biodiesel marine engine or two smaller 320 HP diesel units helping it to achieve a theoretical top speed of 110 MPH.
The R8 Catamaran has an Audi inspired design and equally impressive technology that goes with it. The boat comes in a number of cool colors like metallic gray, black and red.
Vizualtech exec Bo Zolland is yet to confirm whether the Biocat will be produced but states that the original customer that commissioned the design is very happy with the initial concept.
If you’re in the market for a different kind of laptop system – check out the Singulum laptop system.
Each Singulum system is crafted out of a single block of wood and features a keyboard made out of either ivory of 24 carat solid gold (be careful if you select the ivory as many countries including the US have a strict ban on ivory imports).
Now some of their product pictures on their website seem to infer that there’s a single piece of diamond used like a trackpoint pointer.. Continue reading →
1. Voted one of the top five resorts in Thailand, and situated high above the Andaman sea, Sri panwa comprises of 22 luxurious tropical contemporary private pool villas scattered throughout more than 30 acres of lush, tropical surroundings.
2. Sri panwa’s signature restaurant Baba offers relaxed dining with spectacular sea views, and is renowned on the island for both its authentic Andaman specialties, high-quality western cuisine, seafood and fresh grills.
3. A private fleet of boats and cars ensures that no destination in southern Thailand is out of reach. Stunning Islands are just minutes away from Sri panwa.
4. Experienced estate hosts will help custom-tailor excursions and adventures by both land and sea to suit your wishes.
5. Fans of Sri panwa include Gordon Ramsey, Bob Burns, P.R.S. Oberoi, Kenny G, Paula Taylor, Janesude Parnto, Michele Waagaard and Charina Sirisinha.
6. Personalized service with experienced and friendly staff. Highest quality products and maximum privacy.
7. All villas have private terraces, decks and salas, infinity-edge swimming pools and outdoor bathing areas overlooking the breath-taking Andaman Sea and outlying islands
8. At Sri panwa’s Sai Spa & Wellness Retreat, traditional techniques are offered alongside modern treatments such as sport massages, refreshing herbal exfoliations and soothing full body wraps, which can be enjoyed either in professional treatment rooms or in the comfort and privacy of your own villa.
9. The resort has a private beach with a swimming pool, beach club, water sports, and a swimming pontoon. Cooking classes, Thai lessons and other authentic Thai learning experiences are also available on request.
10. Sri panwa IS the Ultimate Resort experience!
Price range from: 25,500 to 159,800 Baht (Approx $750 to $4,700)
The men’s wardrobe does not offer a wide spectrum of refinements. Especially masculine accessories are limited… So I was happy when I discovered a new company that produces beautifully designed men’s cufflinks called ARMREVOLUTION.
The London based company company has elevated cufflink design and function, to the level of watches and cars, which go through constant innovation ! Each style of ARMREVOLUTION cufflinks are a unique and considered “Arm architectureâ€.
“The brief to our London design team was to completely rethink the way that a French cuff shirt is attached at the wrist and I’m very proud of what they came up with. Our goal from the start was for our designs to be so innovative that we would be able to patent them….Innovation is key to every aspect of ARMREVOLUTION-through our products, packaging, events and customers service we aim to be different.†states founder and chairman Anthony Hayward.
Recently, the design team at ARMREVOLUTION has launched a six piece collection entitled “Perpetual seriesâ€. These unique cufflinks are inspired by the intriguing Bauhaus movement and are made from the finest Japanese stainless steel.
Each pair of cufflinks comes uniquely engraved with an identification number and a guarantee certificate, which, when registered on the ARMREVOLUTION website, provides access to the events surrounding the membership of this exciting brand.
The “perpetual collection†is available by appointment only at www.armrevolution.com. Each pair comes with a nicely designed reusable magnetic acrylic box and lovely leather traveling case. Prices ranging from $695 to $750.
If you’ve got money to burn and the gold dipped iPhone, or the white gold iPhone were just too cheap, why not check out the Apple iPhone limited Diamond deluxe Platin Edition.
This time it’s not Goldstriker but Sayn Design that has come up with a platinum edition of the iPhone. Topping it off with diamond studded crown, Sayn has placed the dazzling cherries on the precious icing.
Coated with pure platinum, the only significant change about this gilded iPhone is that the iPhone button on the front is replaced by the Sayn Design crown. Continue reading →
By international convention, a superyacht is any private vessel more than 30 metres (98ft) in length. A few years ago, there were only a handful but today, there are thousands of them and, amazingly, demand is on the up.
After a few years, the owner of a 30-metre yacht wants 40 or 50 metres of yacht and, right now, there are not enough quality shipyards in the world to cope with the demand.
Every year, buyers and sellers congregate in Monaco, and this year was busier than ever. At the Monaco Yacht Show this past weekend in Monte Carlo, there was an estimated $4.5 billion worth of yachts on display, and none of the 98 craft on exhibit were under 100 ft. !
Interesting Ferrari motorcycle concept by Israeli industrial designer Amir Glinik based on the engine of a Ferrari Enzo car.
Using drive-by-wire technology, the V4 superbike features hand controls adapted from an F-16 fighter jet and buttons nbased on those found on the steering wheel of Ferrari’s Formula 1 racecars.
Other controls for the soud system and trip computer are located on an all weather touchscreen. Continue reading →
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich’s new $400 million, 555-ft. Eclipse, designed to be the world’s biggest (and so named because Abramovich desires that it overshadow all other boats at sea) will have a military-grade missile defense system to keep the oligarch safe.
