Monthly Archives: April 2010

Hong Kong boasts world’s least affordable homes

Bad times are getting even worse for Hong Kong‘s homemakers with a comparative survey showing it is now harder to own an apartment here than in other major cities of the world.

The report released Wednesday claims that your average Hongkonger has to spend 10 times their annual income to buy an apartment — the worst rating of 272 metropolitan cities around the world which were surveyed.
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Burberry launches new ‘April Showers’ collection

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Burberry re-imagines their trenchcoats and jackets for the change of weather.

Their “April Showers” collection for Spring 2010 – under their Burberry Brit label – features new colorways on their classic cuts.

The collection, for both men and women, includes fitted trench coats, polo shirts and dresses, padded jackets, “stowaway” windbreakers and accessories.
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Michelin covers three more Japanese cities

After exploring the finest eateries of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, the Michelin Guide has set its sights on three more Japanese cities.

Yokohama and Kamakura will be added to the 2011 edition of the Michelin Guide Tokyo, while Kobe will be added to the Kyoto-Osaka guide.

“Yokohama, Kamakura and Kobe each offer very interesting culinary characteristics,” said Jean-Luc Naret, director of Michelin guides.

Bernard Delmas, director of Michelin Japan, said inspectors based in the country had visited the three cities since mid-2009.
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Want-Want Group buys a Sunseeker 80 Yacht

Sunseeker China has sold a sublime Sunseeker 80 Yacht to Chinese snack food giant Want-Want Group (whose Chinese characters signify prosperity).

The purchase reflects the exceptional quality of lifestyle associated with the blossoming Chinese yachting industry.

Recognised by Forbes Global as one of the finest companies in the world with a revenue stream below $500 million, in its 40-year plus history, Want-Want has become a household name in China.

The company already possesses two private jets so it was a logical step for the group’s chairman to purchase this 24.44-metre behemoth of pure luxury.
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Hotel prices “up 90 percent” during volcano chaos

travelers airport

Hotel prices soared during the air travel lockdown prompted by volcanic ash last week, as thousands of people scrabbled to find accommodation in crowded hotels

Research by price comparison site Trivago revealed that prices in cities such as Milan jumped by 90 percent during the week of April 15-22, leaving stranded travelers to shell out €230 a night for accommodation in the city.

Although Milan was also hosting the Football Championship League Semi-Finals on April 20, the hikes were widespread across the affected area, suggests Trivago.
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maybach photo

Maybach unveils updated range for 2011

At the Beijing Motor Show, Daimler unveiled the new facelift 2011 Maybach which includes both 57 and 62 standard models, as well as top 57S and 62S variants

The new luxury sedans feature styling tweaks inside and out, as well as a more powerful – and more fuel efficient – 12-cylinder engine.

Although subtle, the Maybach’s restyled front end features a larger radiator grille, sporting a new arrow-shape.
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Madonna Shoots A New Ad Campaign For D&G

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Earlier this week it was reported that Madonna was rumored to be teaming up with Dolce & Gabbana again to appear in their next promo ad campaign.

And today we have the photographic proof that Madonna will be returning as D&G’s celebrity spokesmodel…

Madonna was spotted on the streets of Harlem, NY yesterday with a very young male model posing for famed photographer Steven Klein.
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Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Break Concept

Mercedes-Benz and Citroen have released pictures of new concept cars, days ahead of the models’ debut at Auto China.

The Concept Shooting Break is a continuation of Mercedes-Benz’s exploration of the possibilities of the coupe and gives some indication of the direction the firm is likely to take in future design.

The concept follows Mercedes’ current design visions of four-door coupes and is clearly reminiscent of the pioneering four-door CLS Coupe, which preceded similar ideas from other manufacturers such as the Jaguar XJ and VW Passat CC.

However, it also takes cues from the recently unveiled SLS AMG, with a large radiator grill (complete with oversized Mercedes-Benz star).
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Las Vegas luxury comes to Macau

Las Vegas impresario Steve Wynn has opened an all-suite hotel and casino adjacent to the Wynn Macau, mirroring his firm’s properties in Las Vegas.

Encore at Wynn Macau, which opened on April 21, consists of 414 suites and villas which Wynn describes at the “loveliest hotel in the world.”

The property includes a 205,000 square foot casino, six restaurants, 46,000 square feet of retail space, a health club and pool.

It also hosts Spa at Encore, which offers eight private therapy suites, each with their own steamroom, sauna and aromatherapy bath and shower.
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Laptops are the new clutches!

HP Computers have announced their partnership with the upcoming Sex and the City movie sequel, whose star Sarah Jessica Parker will sport one of the company’s ‘digital clutches.’

Designed by Vivienne Tam — her Butterfly Lovers netbook premiered on her runway in 2008 — the handbag-sized mini computer will star as the columnist’s steady companion.

The electronics brand’s move follows several other attempts made by its rivals recently to lure fashion fans into the world of gadgets.
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The Oberoi Mumbai Reopens

The Oberoi Mumbai is to reopen April 24 for the first time since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

The hotel, which was the location of a three day siege in which 32 people died, has been extensively renovated and refurbished over the past year.

All of the 73 suites and 214 guest rooms have been renovated to include dark oak wood floors, hand tufted rugs, iPod docking stations, high definition televisions and marble bathrooms.
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Romain Jerome Eyjafjallajökull – DNA Watch

As the smoke barely clears one brand is already seeking to capitalize on all the chaos and disruption caused by Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull.

Romain Jerome introduces the Eyjafjallajökull-DNA, a unique-piece memento of the eruption that tortured air travelers and newsreaders the world over.

Like the other pieces in the DNA series the Eyjafjallajökull-DNA incorporates an element of the event it is celebrating in its design.

Just as the Moondust-DNA featured actual dust from the moon on the dial, so too does the Eyjafjallajökull feature actual ash and rock from the volcano.
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Cannes Film Festival luxury yacht charter

Although it is just the beginning of the charter season, the Cannes Film Festival brought together many superyachts and big cruise ship.

Formerly named Constellation, this yacht was renovated in 2008; Lauren L is 90 metres (296ft) amd was originally built in Germany by Cassens Werft in 2004.

Owner Andreas Liveras invested millions into the new design and fitted the luxury liner with a spa, beauty salon, and even a helipad.
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BMW designs interiors for Embraer jets

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BMW DesignworksUSA have teamed up with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, to present a new generation of the company’s executive jets.

This interior is intended for the company’s line of medium-range jets. Featured on the Phenom 100 and 300, the cabin blends modern styling with futuristic design.

It features a full galley and lavatory and a very Teutonic, tech-heavy lounge-style cabin with lay-flat seats, deployable tables, and muted lighting.
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Lamborghini Concept Yacht

Italian designer Mauro Lecchi has developed a new design concept that could help to shape the future of the Lamborghini brand.

Dubbed Lamborghini yacht, the design comes from the analysis of Lamborghini car and is as exotic and luxurious as the car itself.

The yacht has big intakes, and starting from the Lamborghini Reventon’s side view, the designer changed the intake behind the door in a huge window, to characterize the boat with a single large element.
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Shanghai’s new luxury hotels

2010 has seen a flurry of new hotels opening in Shanghai ahead of the start of the World Expo, which runs for six months from May 1.

Marriott, Peninsula, InterContinental and Fairmont are amongst the brands joining Shanghai’s luxury market.

InterContinental has opened the new Shanghai Expo hotel as the city completes its final preparations for Expo 2010 which begins on May 1.

It opened April 19 as the only luxury hotel on the Shanghai Expo site, offering 400 rooms with views of the pavilions, the Huangpu river and Shanghai skyline.
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Jimmy Choo launching trainers

Luxury shoemaker Jimmy Choo has unveiled its first range of trainers.

Made from exotic purple snakeskin, patent leather and silver suede, these sneakers combine a hint of old school trainer style with a glamorous cool look.

The 8 designs are being snapped up so quickly, however, that a lengthy waiting list has been set up in advance of their arrival next month on jimmychoo.com.
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Video: Hermes’ New Scent Inspires Travel

Hermés are releasing their new perfume, Voyage D´Hermés, in April. It’s one of their Romans fragrances, a line designed to reinterpret the brand’s essence.

Created by in-house perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena, Voyage d’Hermès is an accentuated composition of fresh wood and musk.

The bottle, designed by Philippe Mouquet, is modeled after a portable vintage magnifying glass, its aluminum part swings on an axis to cover the atomizer.

But it is the film and advertising campaign that takes the fantasy of travel and Hermès’s style to their most beautiful extreme.
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Citroen Metropolis Concept inspired by China

The French carmaker has just unveiled today the Citroen Metropolis concept which will be premiered at the Shanghai World Fair from 1st of May 2010.

Created by Citroën‘s international design team – based in Shanghai since 2008 – Citroën Metropolis will be on show in the French Pavilion at the Shanghai World Fair from 1st May to 31st October, 2010.

The Citroen Metropolis is a big luxury sedan with a wheelbase bigger than both the Audi A8 or Mercedes S-Class and it just so happens to follow the debut of the BMW long-wheelbase 5 series at the Beijing Motor Show.
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