Monthly Archives: October 2010

Madonna opens Hard Candy fitness centers

madonna fitness

Pop singer Madonna is opening a chain of fitness centers around the world to be known as Hard Candy Fitness global gyms.

The first gym opens in Mexico City on November 29, with Madonna planning to attend the launch.

The first Hard Candy Fitness center is “a beautiful and uniquely designed 30,000 square foot space” (9,100 square meters) in the Bosque de las Lomas area of Mexico City, states the release.
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Mumbai luxury hotels booked for Obama’s visit

Taj Mahal hotel

Barack Obama and his travelling delegation have book at least 800 rooms for the president’s trip to Mumbai including the entire Taj Mahal hotel.

Barack Obama will make the hotel his home for two days—most likely November 5 and 6—during his brief visit to Mumbai.

At least 150 administration staff will accompany the President, the official said adding that they were also going to be accompanied by a special chef.
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England team show French connection

The England rugby team today announced a long-term partnership with the French sports label, Eden Park, as their official formal-wear provider.

Tailoring an exclusive collection of bespoke formal-wear for all 215 members of the England squad, it’s the first French brand to dress the England team.

The six-year deal will cover the next two rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015.
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Diamond saucepan is hot item at Moscow fair

A diamond-studded saucepan is attracting plenty of interest at Moscow’s top annual luxury fair, where a vast array of sparkly bling, fast cars and enormous price tags is on offer.

The saucepan has a handle and lid encrusted with 270 diamonds and is decorated with 18-carat gold, brand manager Natalya Oreshkina said.

Made by German cookware brand Fissler, the utensil is not really suitable for cooking, Oreshkina added, shuddering at the idea of putting it in an oven.

“It is for serving food beautifully,” she explained as crowds packed the Manezh exhibition centre in central Moscow on opening night Friday.
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Girard-Perregaux for Boucheron

Girard-Perregaux has created a new exclusive limited edition timepiece to celebrate its friendly cooperation with Boucheron.

The case is made of either eighteen karat rose or white gold along with double sapphire crystal displays and is water resistant up to thirty meters.

The heart of the watch is the brand’s in-house self-winding mechanical movement, GP03300-45 Calibre.

Besides hours, minutes and a small seconds register, it has an annual calendar with an indicator for date and month.
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LVMH Takes Minority Stake in Hermès

Luxury conglomerate LVMH said Saturday it had taken a 14.2 percent stake in Hermes but denied it wanted to take over the French luxury goods firm.

The company controlled by French businessman Bernard Arnault said it wanted to boost the stake to 17.1 percent at a total cost of 1.45 billion euros (two billion dollars) but was not seeking even representation on the Hermes board.

The move makes LVMH the largest Hermes shareholder after the heirs to the family share of around 70 percent.

There has been speculation about the future of Hermes, known for its fine leather goods and silk scarves, since the death of its charismatic head Jean-Louis Dumas.
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Runway unveiled for world’s first ‘tourist’ spaceship

The world’s first commercial passenger spaceship moved a step closer to takeoff, as Richard Branson unveiled a new runway at a remote New Mexico spaceport.

Branson and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson on Friday hosted a ceremony marking the completion of the main runway at Spaceport America, near the town of Las Cruces where the Virgin Galactic project is based.

“This is the beginning of the second space age and we are proud to have been supporters of this part of the story.

“From here we will see, perhaps daily flights into space, but also scientists, explorers of new opportunities beyond our planet,” he told reporters.
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Hilton launches Eforea spa

Global hotel chain Hilton has announced that it is to follow competitor Sheraton in revamping its global spas.

The brand, which operates 123 spas around the world and has another 80 under construction, says that its new “eforea” spas will “bring balance and wellness to the body and take guests on a transformative journey of the senses.”

In an attempt to broaden the appeal of the spas, Hilton has opted to add a “Men’s Journey,” which comprises “goal driven treatments” such as body repair and a heated bamboo massage, as one of three signature offerings.
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Burberry reaches two million fans on Facebook

Burberry crossed a social media threshold this week: earning two million fans on Facebook.

The British company has invested heavily in its online platforms and digital marketing strategy and has quickly risen to become luxury’s digital darling.

Burberry regularly posts product announcements, photos, and even acoustic performances on the social networking site.
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The Miele Guide Ranks Asia’s Top 20 Restaurants

Singapore and Hong Kong dominated a list of Asia’s best restaurants, but Malaysia made it into the elite ranks for the first time, an annual survey showed.

Singapore restaurant Iggy’s moved to the top spot from being #2 last year, according to this year’s ranking of Asia’s top 20 restaurants by The Miele Guide.

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Hong Kong slid to second place from being number one last year.
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Lanvin for H&M Collection Sneak Peak

H&M continues to build anticipation around its latest designer collaboration with storied French couture house Lanvin.

Over the past several weeks, H&M has been posting videos of designer Alber Elbaz discussing his inspiration for the new line on its YouTube channel.

And a sneak peak of the collection will also be available online at H&M’s website on November 2, three weeks before the clothes hit stores.

Finally, Lanvin will be staging a fashion show in New York on November 18 at the Pierre Hotel to showcase looks from its “Lanvin loves H&M” collection.
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World’s most expensive Barbie auctioned

The most expensive Barbie in the world, with jewels designed by Australia’s Stefano Caturi, has been sold at Christie’s in New York for $302,500.

Mattel commissioned Canturi to create the finger-wide neckpiece and tiny matching ring to promote its new Barbie collection.

The jewellery set features a necklace made from three carats of white diamonds set around a one carat, square emerald-cut pink diamond.

Jeweller Stefano Canturi also designed the doll’s black strapless party dress, peep-toe stilettos and tumbling blonde hair.
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Blue diamond sets auction record

A rare, two-stone ring set a new record price per carat for a blue diamond at auction when it sold for $15.7 million to an Asian collector.

The ring features a 9.87 carat colorless triangular-shaped diamond paired with a triangular 10.95 carat “Fancy Vivid” blue diamond, the largest such blue diamond of this cut ever offered at auction.

The jewel had been bought in Rome in 1972 for $1 million, which is the equivalent of about $5 million today, Christie’s auction house said.
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Peugeot RCZ Asphalt special edition

French automaker Peugeot had just revealed a second special edition for the 2010 model year based on their latest RCZ sports car.

Dubbed Asphalt, it follows the RCZ Limited Edition that was launched in September 2009. This version will too be produced in a limited number of units.

The Peugeot RCZ features various styling updates, including a dark gray / black matte exterior paint finish.

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Jennifer Lopez’s Twins Appear in Ad for Gucci

Jennifer Lopez, along with darling twins Max and Emme, are the faces of Gucci’s new children’s collection, available in stores this November.

The images were taken by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott in Malibu, California, three months ago according to WWD.

Talking about the ad, Lopez said, “It’s the first time I have worked with my kids in this way. It was totally a special experience.”

The children’s collection, including clothing, accessories and shoes, is available for tots ranging in age from infant to 8 years.
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White truffle season is here

Economic woes have not lessoned the demand for the swine sniffing white truffles from Alba, Italy as well as parts of Croatia and France.

The ‘white gold’ peak season begins at the end of October with an expected price tag of €4,300 per kilogram.

According to The Sunday Times, “White truffles are cheaper this year, by as much as 40 per cent compared to last year’s peak prices.”

Chefs in Singapore including Luca Pezzera of Bonta have declared 2010 a very good year for white truffles and not just in price.
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Lady Dior in Grey London

The fourth and final episode of the Marion Cotillard’s Lady Dior story for Christian Dior is now complete with Shades of Grey.

The French actress is standing atop the London Eye Ferris Wheel, carrying the Lady Dior bag in grey.

This represents the fourth and final episode of the handbag saga, which has also seen Cotillard pictured in Paris (on the Eiffel Tower), Shanghai and New York.
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Claydon Reeves debuts 80m ‘Remora’ superyacht

UK-based design consultancy Claydon Reeves has unveiled an 80m superyacht christened ‘Remora’ at the 2010 Monaco Yacht Show.

The sleek craft is characterized by a narrow plumb bow, highly resolved, dynamic, taut surfaces and concave glass angling to its tapering stern.

The elaborate structure of the sundeck is a nod to Spanish Modernisme architect Antonio Gaudi and an indication of Claydon Reeves’ aesthetic ambitions.
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Adriana Lima models $2 million bra in New York

Adriana Lima has debuted the US$2 million diamond-encrusted bra she will wear at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show during an instore appearance.

Designed in collaboration with Italian jeweller Damiani, and containing more than 3,000 jewels, the piece took six craftsmen 1,500 hours of work to complete.

Adriana needed a security team just for her bra costs $2 million with its incredible 142 carats of white diamonds, topazes and sapphires.
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Jeep Wrangler Call Of Duty

Jeep is to produce a special edition of its 2011 Wrangler model themed around the forthcoming Call of Duty computer game, it confirmed October 19.

The Chrysler owned-brand has partnered with Activision to produce a limited edition Wrangler which will incorporate features inspired by the new Call of Duty: Black Ops computer game.

The vehicle will include “aggressive 32-inch tires”, military style graphics from the computer game on the roof and front quarter panels and taillamp guards. It’s also equipped with a durable Jeep Wrangler bumper to reduce physical damage to the front and rear of the vehicle. Continue reading