Monthly Archives: April 2010

Montblanc Personal Code Ink

Montblanc recently launched in Dubai a personal code ink that features a botanical ingredient which prevents falsification of signatures.

Jean Marc Pontrue, Mont Blanc executive vice president for product strategies and development, said the personal code ink is comprised of components containing an invisible, inimitable botanical code which is similar to the human DNA code.

“Only one person will own this ink – you,” said Pontrue, adding that the ink is “matchless” and as “individual” as a fingerprint.

The authenticity of Personal Code Ink will be verified by Montblanc, upon the presentation of a document, letter or memento bearing the owner’s handwriting.
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President Obama wants hybrid limo

President Obama said last week that contrary to his requests and due to security reasons, his presidential limousine could not be a hybrid vehicle.

“I asked can we make these cars hybrids,” Obama said at a town hall in Charlotte, North Carolina last friday.

“Secret Service said no. Now, the reason is not because Secret Service are bad guys. It’s because the cars that I’m in are like tanks.”
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North Korea leader sets world fashion trend

The trademark suit sported by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il is now in fashion worldwide thanks to his greatness, Pyongyang’s official website said Wednesday.

Uriminzokkiri, quoting an article in communist party newspaper Rodong Sinmun, said the modest-looking suits have gripped people’s imagination and become a global vogue.

“The reason is that the august image of the Great General, who is always wearing the modest suit while working, leaves a deep impression on people’s mind in the world. To sum it up, that is because his image as a great man is so outstanding.”

The article quoted an unidentified French fashion expert as saying world fashion follows Kim Jong-Il‘s style.
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Trump SoHo New York Set to Open April 9

The Trump SoHo New York is set to open April 9, signaling the Trump group’s determination to continue building a name for itself with ultra-luxury travelers.

The collection, run by Donald Trump and three of his children, currently boasts just four properties in New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and Waikiki.

The Trump SoHo, a 46-storey, 391-room glass tower in the center of downtown Manhattan, may be the most impressive property in the portfolio so far.

And the group isn’t finished yet ! Later this year, it will open a new property in Panama, before expanding into Canada in 2011.
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Rare blue diamond fetches $6.4M in Hong Kong

A rare 5.16-carat blue diamond sold at auction for $6.4 million in Hong Kong on Wednesday, confirming Asia’s fast-growing taste for the precious stone.

London’s famed Moussaieff Jewellers paid more than the $5.9 million expected price tag for the pear-shaped stone, the first blue diamond from the celebrated De Beers Millennium Jewels Collection to appear at auction.

The De Beers Millennium Collection, displayed in London’s Millennium Dome in 2000, comprised 12 rare gems and took decades to assemble.

“It’s a bargain and I got it at this price because everyone was asleep,” Moussaieff said in an interview.

Her London-based boutique will change the gem’s mounting and offer the stone “to discerning clients, possibly in Asia,” she said.
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The Macallan 64 in Lalique

Iconic luxury brands The Macallan and Lalique have produced a one-of-a-kind decanter, created by the ancient “cire perdue” or “lost wax” method.

The Macallan in Lalique Cire Perdue decanter, created to celebrate the 150th René Lalique’s birth, contains a 64 years old Macallan single malt whisky.

The decanter has been designed at Lalique’s Design Studio in Paris, based upon a ship’s decanter of the 1820’s, the decade in which The Macallan was founded.
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Givori Calypso Luxury Phones

Inspired by the Greek nymph of the sea, luxury accessorizor Givori has created a luxurious new Fine Jewellery collection aptly named Calypso.

Handcrafted in England, the Calypso collection is available on 18 karat gold-plated Nokia 8800 handsets.

It is also embellished with mother of pearl, arranged in a beautiful fish-scale design stuck to gold pin embellishments.

The Givori Calypso collection is available in a Classic edition retailing at $2,400, and an Exclusive edition retailing at $4,100.
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Jeff Koons paints BMW for Le Mans

Talk about pimping your ride. US pop artist Jeff Koons’ latest work is a BMW M3 GT2 decorated with exploding, multi-colored rays.

Unveiled by Koons in New York on Tuesday, the car will compete this June at the Le Mans 24 Hours road race in France.

The garish work is number 17 in a series dating back to 1975 in which famous contemporary artists, including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and David Hockney, have painted BMWs ahead of Le Mans.
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Design-Led Hullett House Debuts In Hong Kong

The design-led, all suite heritage hotel that occupies the upper floors of Hullett House offers guests a refined and elegant experience that is reminiscent of Hong Kong’s vibrant past.

Hullett House is conveniently located on Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, in a magnificent white-stucco colonial building dating from 1881.

The hotel provides a collection of bespoke, individually hand-crafted suites that join the property’s five popular dining and entertainment venues in this elegant celebration of old Hong Kong.

The suites, which range in size from 800 to 1,100 square feet, feature spacious private terraced balconies and breathtaking views of Hong Kong’s famous skyline, with sweeping lawns and gardens below.
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Rie Rasmussen is the New Muse of Perrier-Jouet

Champagne brand Perrier-Jouët has invited Rie Rasmussen, a fashion model, designer and artist, to become its new muse.

In a campaign for the house’s Cuvée Belle Epoque champagne dubbed “Beauty Is A Form Of Genius” (Oscar Wilde), Ms. Rasmussen’s face appears in the famous anemone which graces Perrier-Jouët’s Émile Gallé-designed Art Nouveau bottle.

The Danish actress, who first shot to fame as the worldwide face of Gucci, was photographed for the campaign by Ben Hassett.
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Jetlev Flyer – Watered Powered Jet Pack

The Jetlev Flyer is a personal flying machine with an engine that drives two jet streams of water to achieve stable and controlled flight.

A standard water powered jet pack can reach an altitude of 10m, top speed of 65km/h and has a cruising duration of 1 – 2 hours

This amazing new machine was designed by Canadian Raymond Li and built by MS Watersports in Germany.

There are three unique sensations when you fly the Jetlev. The most intriguing sensation is the feeling of weightlessness.
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Tanzaru Limited Edition Nespresso Coffee

Nestlé Nespresso has introduced the variety Tanzaru Limited Edition 2010.

Tanzaru Limited Edition 2010 features the flavors of Tanzanian Arabic coffees and the delicate and balanced taste of Peruvian Arabic coffees.

The coffee has bright citrus notes alongside a slight tartness of green tones adding unlimited freshness to the rich espresso.

Also for Tanzaru lineup, Nespresso introduces a collection of art cups sets designed by Christian Ghion and then developed by design group Onze Dixieme.
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Hermes Launches Fine Jewelry

French luxury goods firm Hermes has announced that it will be launching a collection of fine jewelry with accessories designer Pierre Hardy.

The 14 piece collection of “haute bijouterie” was inspired by the shape of a horse’s hoof to keep with the fashion house’s equestrian roots.

Prices range from $23,675 for a pair of rose gold and black jade earrings to $880,000 for a diamond necklace.
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Karl lagerfeld coca cola light bottles

Karl Lagerfeld X Coca-Cola Light Ad Campaign

Not only has Karl Lagerfeld designed the latest Coca-Cola Light bottle but he has also shot the ad campaign.

The campaign features Coco Rocha and Baptiste Giabiconi sipping/holding the limited edition aluminum bottle that he designed.

According to WWD – “Lagerfeld has long been a fan of diet cola, and says he prefers to drink it in a delicate crystal goblet to accentuate the taste”
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Fairmont Home to Canine Ambassadors

Hotels are always claiming they offer all the comforts of home — and a little bit more besides.

But the people at Fairmont Hotels &Resorts have been taking things a step further by introducing “Canine Ambassadors” at select establishments around the world.

If you miss the pampered pooch you had to leave behind on your travels, meet the likes of Zeus, a “handsome Chocolate Labrador” who has in the past month taken up residence at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa in California.
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Seychelles up in arms over Emirati palace

A village in the Seychelles called La Misere is demanding millions in damages for pollution caused by the construction of a huge palace for the United Arab Emirates president, residents said Thursday.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, also the prince of Abu Dhabi, is building a lavish compound on the highest spot of the Indian Ocean nation’s main island, on the site of a former US tracking station.
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Sharp unveils 3D displays that require no glasses

Japanese electronics giant Sharp unveiled Friday a liquid crystal display (LCD) touchscreen that shows 3D images without requiring special glasses, as the race to market such products intensifies.

Although Sharp has not given specific plans, there is speculation that it will equip video game giant Nintendo’s upcoming DS console due out next spring, which will feature games in 3D. Both companies have commercial ties.

A user can see three-dimensional images at a distance of 30 centimetres (12 inches) from the Sharp screen without having to wear special glasses that are currently required when watching 3D movies.
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Chinese interest rules the auction world

In a bold recognition of the world’s fastest-growing auction market, Sotheby’s recently hoisted China‘s flag at the most conspicuous spot outside its New York headquarters.

The flag now flies between those of the US, UK, France, and Switzerland, where the auction house has established its core client base.

“We proposed it. To my great surprise, not only was the Chinese flag hoisted, it was hoisted in the middle,” Kevin Ching, chief executive officer of Sotheby’s in Asia, told AFP.

Hong Kong has become the world’s third largest auction hub after New York and London, thanks to the rising political and economic prowess of China.
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Manafiafy Beach and Rainforest Lodge

A new luxury beach and rainforest lodge opened last week on the south east coast of Madagascar.

Offering “barefoot luxury in a remote location,” the solar-powered Manafiafy Lodge offers a glimpse at the best of Madagascar’s stunning wildlife.

Manafiafy fishing village was one of the first places the Portugese laid anchor in 1613 as the calm waters were protected by several small islands.

There are six bungalows on the edge of the forest, only a few feet from the bay.

The lodge is powered by solar energy and the bungalows have been built using local materials of wood, stone and ravinala thatch.
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