Azerbaijan is planning to build the world’s tallest building – taller than both the Burj Khalifa and the upcoming Kingdom Tower to be built in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Azerbaijan Tower, which is set to break ground in 2015, will rise more than a kilometer in height, or 3,444 feet, upon its completion in 2018 or 2019,
The Azerbaijan Tower is being built on a series of artificial islands, called the Khazar Islands, constructed in the Caspian Sea off Garadag, southwest of Baku.
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Diane von Furstenberg and Diet Coke have come together to create this chic set of iconic bottles featuring classic DVF prints.
Following in the footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld – who designed a series of bottles last last year – Fürstenberg’s collector’s edition comes with four bottles.
The limited-edition bottles are $30 for a set of four, with 100% of proceeds going to support of The Heart Truth program for women’s heart health research.
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Tsumori Chisato has teamed up with French macaron boutique Ladurée, art-directing a special cherry-blossom-themed set for the brand’s 150th anniversary.
The Paris-based tea salon, which has outlets across Europe, Asia and the US selling its coveted pastel-colored macarons, decided to honor its landmark birthday by partnering with Japanese creator Chisato.
The designer’s trademark colorful style is seen in the packaging she designed for the cherry-blossom-themed set, scheduled to go on sale March 1.
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French luxury group Hermes has posted record sales of 2.8 billion euros ($3.8 billion) in 2011, highlighting the resilience of luxury brands in the face of the weakening global economy.
The group’s sales were up 18.3 percent last year, beating the target of 15-16 percent growth, it said in a statement, and its operating margin was up more than 30 percent.
The famed maker of luxury bags and silk scarves said revenue growth had been led in non-Japan Asia, where sales were up 29 percent, and in the United States, where they were up 26 percent.
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British Airways have announced a charity auction that will allow a pair of high-flying romantics to enjoy the ultimate Valentines dinner date.
The airline is inviting couples to bid in the auction for the chance to be wined and dined on board the world’s most iconic aircraft – without even leaving the ground.
The highest bidder will win a romantic dinner for two on board the British Airways flagship Concorde G-BOAC at Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park on Feb. 14.
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French luxury goods conglomerate LVMH – Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy has paid US$200 million for a 10 per cent stake in Chinese fashion brand Ochirly.
The buyout gives L Capital, LVMH’s private equity arm, to hold a direct stake in the family-owned Ochirly which has total value of US$2 billion.
The investment gives L Capital an opportunity to break into China’s strong fashion industry while Ochirly gains recognition through having a global investor.
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Dubbed “Bancs d’Hiver,” the temporary winter menu at the Hotel Plaza Athénée will serve a multi-course meal themed around seasonal winter ingredients.
The menu includes dishes like cream of chestnut soup, roasted pears, with cream and Savoie biscuits, and raclette, a traditional, hearty French dish that involves melting cheese over boiled potatoes, ham and pickles.
The wintry dining experience is to be served in the hotel’s courtyard which is frozen over every year to serve as a miniature skating rink for guests.
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Since its release on Facebook the Sofia Coppola-directed ad promoting Marni for H&M line has caused a huge buzz among fans.
The ad stars British actress Imogen Poots and was shot in Morocco — with Bryan Ferry’s “Avalon” as the soundtrack.
It was announced in November that the Italian fashion house would be following in the footsteps of Versace by creating a line for the high street retailer.
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Volkswagen Accessories has announced the GTI Crazy Bob sled and the traditional wooden folding sled for their Lifestyle range.
The GTI Crazy Bob’s design is influenced by the Volkswagen GTI and is made from high quality, cold-resistant plastic.
The ergonomic design allows for front and rear footrests within the glide runners. Its light weight makes for easy carrying and a pull rope with handle is also attached.
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Italian luxury car maker Maserati will recall 222 vehicles in China due to a defective rear light, China’s quality watchdog said Wednesday.
Maserati sold more than 780 cars in China last year, nearly twice as many as in 2010, making the Asian country its second largest market in the world after the United States, according to the company’s website.
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Qantas has kept its reputation sky high in the annual competition to determine the best wines served aboard the world’s airlines.
The Cellars in the Sky Awards, organized by Business Traveller Magazine UK, were announced at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on Monday, with Qantas triumphing in no fewer than six categories. Delta, Jetstar, LAN, Qatar Airways, TAM, Emirates, Air France and Cathay Pacific also won awards.
Some 250 wines were entered by a total of 32 carriers, with the awards recognizing excellence in wines served in business and first class.
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An extremely rare Ferrari 250 GTO which had a £6,000 price tag when it was manufactured in 1963 has been sold for more than £20m ($31m).
This 1963 model – number 5095 – is believed to have been sold by British businessman Jon Hunt, who bought it in 2008 for a then world record £15.7million.
This makes the Ferrari classic sportscar, second most expensive car in the world today, and definitely the most expensive in Great Britain.
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Christian Louboutin has launched a Capsule collection to celebrate the brands 20th anniversary. The collection includes twenty pairs of shoes and six bags.
The French creator has shown his sense of humor by including a “Pilule” bag shaped as an actual capsule.
Giving a new meaning to the term doctor’s bag, the shiny blue and white pill capsule even has “500 mg” stamped in red on the side.
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In 2012, the Blancpain Villeret collection welcomes its first model featuring a beautiful flinqué lacquered dial.
Several layers of translucent blue lacquer applied to the dial create a rich depth effect, while preserving the pure lines of its most classic collection.
The watch is housed in a 40mm white gold case, powered by the ultra-slim Blancpain Calibre 7663Q, a new self-winding movement.
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The growing power of the Chinese consumer might have the world in its thrall but it seems it won’t be too long before their lust for luxury is more satisfied a little closer to home.
Traditionally, Chinese shoppers have had to head overseas to pick up the latest fashions or other luxury items, due mainly to steep taxes on such items back home.
A recent survey by the World Luxury Association claimed that 72 percent of Chinese consumers believed that luxury goods were cheaper overseas than at home, while 69 percent of those polled traveled simply because they had a wider choice of goods available to them when they did.
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Aston Martin, has announced that it will debut its China-focused “Dragon88″ line at the upcoming Beijing Auto Show, to celebrate the Year of the Dragon.
Available only for the Chinese market, 88 special “Dragon88″ models of the V8 Vantage S, Virage, and DBS will be made featuring some Chinese cultural references and iconography.
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Transporting your technology is chicer than ever with Yves Saint Laurent’s red leather iPad sleeve. With a stitched designer motif and handy pull tab, this sleek style is a sophisticated take on bold color.
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At the Baselworld 2012, Bulgari will be presenting the new Serpenti watches that will perpetuate the Bulgari legend with unrivalled intensity.
Forming a natural extension of the bracelet, the case shaped like a snake’s head houses a Swiss quartz movement specifically personalised for Bulgari.
It is set on either side with 6 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.6 cts) framing the black sapphire or white mother-of-pearl dial (depending on the version) graced with 12 diamond-set hour-markers.
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Breitling presents the Chronomat GMT in a new 44 mm diameter, ready to conquer wrists at the four corners of the globe.
In addition to its slightly smaller size, this new version stands out for the rotating bezel which displays a third time zone over 24 hours.
The Breitling 04 calibre – COSC-certified and developed and manufactured entirely by Breitling – ensures unprecedented ease of use.
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Brazil’s leading planemaker Embraer is eyeing the large Chinese market, and on Friday presented a Legacy 650 executive jet to martial arts star Jackie Chan to help build its brand there.
Embraer said that Chan would help the company promote “its entire line of executive aircraft, not only in the rapidly growing greater China market, but globally.”
“This delivery is a moment of historical importance to Embraer because it solidifies an already long and successful relationship between China and Embraer,” said Ernest Edwards, president of Embraer’s Executive Jets unit.
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Westin is to roll out a global revamp of its health and fitness centers around the world, it confirmed January 31.
The luxury hotel brand will make over gyms and fitness centers at all of its 186 properties this year, it said, as part of an attempt to tackle upscale competitors such as Crowne Plaza.
Westin will become the first hotel chain to use ActiViva lighting, fluorescent tube designed by lighting giant Philips which contains a high percentage of blue light and is claimed to result in an increase of performance of ten percent or more.
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