Monthly Archives: June 2010

Luxury Apartment Deals Collapse in Hong Kong

Hong Kong officials said Wednesday they will look into the controversial sale of a luxury flat that fell through months after its developer said it had snatched world-record price.

Property giant Henderson Land Development revealed on Tuesday that sales of as many as 20 out of the 24 units at “39 Conduit Road” had been cancelled.

The scrapped deals included what was supposed to be the world’s most expensive apartment, a 6,158-square-foot duplex sold for $56.6 million in October.
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Von Teese helps Virgin celebrate

Virgin Atlantic airways celebrated their 10th anniversary of non-stop flights to Las Vegas from London at McCarran International Airport yesterday.

Dita Von Teese and President Sir Richard Branson posed for photos with the image of Von Teese emblazoned on the aircraft behind them.

She wore red Christian Louboutin heels, fishnet stockings and a red corset bodysuit with a Union Jack flag cape.
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LV Mon Monogram for the private jet traveler

In celebration of Father’s Day, Louis Vuitton has selected four different styles of men’s luggage to showcase the Mon Monogram program for the private jet traveler.

On offer are the Pégase 45 ($2,800) and 55 ($3,270) wheeled cabin cases (top row), designed as the perfect accompaniment to private air travel.

The iconic Speedy 40 (bottom left, $1,030) and classic Keepall 55 (bottom right, $1,370) meanwhile make the perfect carry-ons.
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British Airways Launches New Private Jet Service

The UK flag-carrier is launching an exclusive private jet service for British Airways passengers flying within North America and the Caribbean.

The airline is establishing the service, designated PrivateConnect, in partnership with Cessna division CitationAir.

Unlike some other private jet services, BA will not force customers into signing a long-term contract and will not ask for fees upfront.
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Green for Gucci

Italian fashion house Gucci has revealed a series of eco-friendly initiatives with the aim of reducing the company’s impact on the environment.

The main focus of the proposals is to cut paper consumption and reduce Carbon dioxide omissions.

The Italian luxury brand has redesigned their packaging using only FSC Certified 100 per cent recyclable paper.

The new shopping bags will featured a de-bossed logo with both ribbon and garment bags have been changed from polyester to ribbon.
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Murcielago Is the Least Green Car of the Year 2010

According to the Environmental Transport Association, Lamborghini Murcielago is the least ‘green-friendly’ car and sports car in the United Kingdom.

The Luxury car emits a CO2 amount equivalent to ‘a football pitch-sized forest of trees’, which brought it the Least Green Car of the Year 2010 title.

According to The Sun, the two-seat Murcielago produces five times more carbon dioxide per mile than the greenest car of the year – the Toyota iQ.
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World’s largest gold coin set for auction

largest gold coin auction

On June 25, 2010, the world’s largest gold coin, a 2007 Canadian $ 1,000.000 Maple Leaf is to be auctioned at Vienna’s Dorotheum.

This monetary item is twenty inches (53 cm) in diameter and one inch thick. It’s made of 99.999 percent gold bullion and weighs 220 pounds (100 kilograms).

The world record-breaking coin, which is also listed in the current edition of the Guinness Book of Records, bears the image of Elisabeth II.
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Modigliani sculpture sets records in Paris

A sculpted stone head by artist Amedeo Modigliani sold at Christie’s in Paris on Monday for euro 43.2 million, breaking the record for a work by the Italian artist.

The sculpture dated from between 1910 and 1912 and had been estimated at between four and six million euros.

“It’s a record for a work by the artist in any category”, including paintings and sculptures, said Christie’s, which organised the sale.
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Ferretti Group unveils Summer Line

The Ferretti Group has unveiled Summer Line, the new telephone service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, established to solve any technical problems Ferretti Group’s clients may have.

The service is provided by Easea Yaching, the Group’s Service Division, developed to bring together the After Sales resources of all Group brands.

The aim is to guarantee owners of all Ferretti Group yachts a better and increased range of services.
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Cristiano Ronaldo Armani Ad Campaign F/W 2010-11

Giorgio Armani has unveiled its latest underwear campaign featuring a rather muscular-looking Cristiano Ronaldo.

The football star is appearing for his second season as the face of Armani’s autumn/winter 2010- 11 adverts.

The ads were shot on location in Madrid by acclaimed snapping duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot.

The campaigns will roll out starting from July around the world on signature billboards in major cities such as New York, London, Paris and Tokyo.
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Vertu Opens first Beverly Hills Boutique

Leading luxury mobile phone manufacturer Vertu opened their latest U.S. boutique on Beverly Hills’ famous Rodeo Drive last week.

The Rodeo Drive location was strategically chosen for its reputation as one of the world’s most exclusive shopping destinations.

The LA Times reported that at the grand opening there were more than a few enthusiasts in attendance including music producer Quincy Jones and singer Seal.
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Minogue sisters set to auction Mercedes

Kylie Minogue’s car, which was given to her by her sister Dannii, is to be sold by British auction house Bonhams next month.

The black 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK230 will be sold as part of the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed sale on July 2.

“We are delighted to have been appointed by the Minogue family to offer the Mercedes-Benz,” said James Knight, head of Bonhams Motoring Department.
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Azimut Leonardo 100

Azimut’s latest yacht is the Leonardo 100 which has been specified to be much larger and wider than its previous designs.

Like a Leonardo da Vinci painting, Azimut achieved the right balance of proportion, color, and design to make this a masterpiece.

The main deck of the new Leonardo 100, which measures 30 metres from bow to stern, is shrouded in elegance and is dedicated to comfort.


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Selfridges is best department store

The Intercontinental Group of Department Stores (IGDS) and the International Association of Department Stores (IADS) have named London shopping temple Selfridges the Best Department Store in the world.

Prestigious contestants including Bloomingdales in the US and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong were left behind when both groups announced the winner during the Global Department Store Summit in New York on June 13.
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Delta Expanding First Class on Domestic Flights

US carrier Delta is to buck the airline trend of shrinking premium cabins by increasing first class capacity on its domestic flights, perhaps hinting that a recovery in luxury travel may be on the cards.

The airline announced last week that from this fall it is to offer first class on all internal US flights longer than two and a half hours, an increase of some 50 routes from the current first class availability.
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Buffett Lunch Auction Fetches Record $2.6 Million

Warren Buffett’s lunch auction rose to a record of $2.63 million in the 11th annual charity fundraiser.

That’s about 24 percent higher than the previous record, set in 2008 when hedge-fund manager Zhao Danyang of Hong Kong paid $2.11 million.

The chance to have lunch with the celebrated billionaire investor drew nine bidders and 77 bids, according to Ebay.
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