Monthly Archives: July 2013

Nicole Kidman for Jimmy Choo [VIDEO]

The first images of Nicole Kidman as the sexy, chic and glamorous heroine of the 2013 Autumn Winter Jimmy Choo campaign have been revealed.

Shot by photographer Mikael Jansson, the luxury shoe brand’s new campaign presents a seductive, mysterious side of the 46-year-old redhead, who was announced as the new face of the brand in May.

Nicole Kidman for Jimmy Choo

The pictures present Nicole Kidman with a shorter hairstyle, a tousled and windblown bob that adds to the campaign’s sexy, film noir mood.

Kidman is seen wearing an open white shirt, a femme fatale little black dress — the neutral tones of the clothing highlight the sumptuous textures and rich materials of the leather accessories.

Nicole Kidman for Jimmy Choo ad campaign

“Nicole has perfectly captured the mood of our Autumn/Winter 2013-14 collection; her character portrays the multifaceted qualities of theJimmy Choo woman for this season — strong, sexy with a beguiling sense of mystery,” outlined Sandra Choi, the brand’s creative director.

Nicole Kidman Jimmy Choo

Groupon Reserve

Groupon Reserve targets richer diners

Groupon Reserve

Daily online deals site Groupon has launched a new restaurant reservation platform that will offer diners deep discounts at popular addresses across the US.

Developed to help restaurants fill tables for last-minute no-shows and cancellations, Groupon Reserve will offer discounts of up to 40 percent without requiring pre-payment or vouchers.

Participating restaurants include popular dining destinations such as Le Cirque in New York, Chaya Brasserie in Los Angeles and Daniel Boulud’s db Bistro Moderne in Miami.

Because the goal is to bring in customers during slow periods and to fill in for no-shows, however, the service is likely best used among flexible diners.

Reserve is being rolled out for restaurants for now, but plans are also afoot for premium deals on beauty products, travel, entertainment, spas, salons and hotels, the company says.

The platform is currently live in cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington DC with plans to expand across the US and key international markets by the end of the year.

The new service is the result of Groupon’s acquisition of Savored last year, which operated on the same principle: offering discounts to customers who occupied unfilled tables.

Sienna Miller, Tom Sturridge ‘trench kiss’ for Burberry

Sienna Miller and Tom Sturridge

Real-life acting couple Tom Sturridge and Sienna Miller have been confirmed as the stars of the latest campaign for London luxury brand Burberry.

Shot by Mario Testino under the creative direction of Burberry Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey, the loved-up pair kiss and canoodle in black and white, dressed in the label’s famed trench coats, leather biker jackets and animal-print slippers.

Burberry has also released a short video from the shoot soundtracked by Tom Odell’s “Hold Me.” The young UK singer-songwriter has first performed for the brand at an event in Taiwan. He then played a live set during the recent Fall-Winter 2013 Womenswear show in London’s Hyde Park.

Kate Moss Carphone Warehouse collection

Kate Moss to design phone accessories

Kate Moss Carphone Warehouse collection

British supermodel Kate Moss has inked a deal with the Carphone Warehouse to design a range of fashionable smartphone and tablet accessories. Thirty-nine-year-old Moss will present two collections every year designed to work with a range of smartphones and other high-tech gadgets.

It might seem a funny move for a high-fashion star like Moss, who has just starred in the latest Versace advertising campaign, but fashion and tech are continuing to converge:

“My phone’s as much a part of my look as my bag or shoes, and yet there’s so little choice out there,” explained Moss. “My whole approach was to treat this as any other fashion collaboration; I was heavily involved in the design process and loved seeing my vision come to life in the final product. From the quality of materials to design, I wanted the best for my range that reflected my personal style.”

Kate Moss for Carphone Warehouse

Plaza Athenee exterior

Paris’s Plaza Athenee hotel to close for renovation

Plaza Athenee exterior

The Plaza Athenee hotel near the Champs-Elysees in Paris, one of the top hotels in the French capital, said Wednesday it is to close for seven months starting from October for large-scale renovations.

The 100-year-old five-star establishment joins two other luxury hotels in Paris, the Ritz and the Crillon, that have temporary closed for major repairs amid stiff competition from new Asian-run hotels.

The Plaza Athenee, part of the UK-registered Dorchester Collection group, said the works would focus on expanding into four neighbouring buildings it recently acquired and that it would re-open with 14 new rooms and suites, as well as new conference facilities.

Beautified app launches for appointments on the go

Beautified application

Launching in New York City with around 40 partners, new iOS (iPhone and iPad) app Beautified allows users to book exclusive appointments at high-end spas and salons in the Big Apple.

Whether you’re in need of a haircut, blowout, manicure, pedicure, wax, facial or massage, the team behind the product aims to have your spontaneous beauty sessions covered, and hair specialists the John Barrett Salon and the Shibui Spa at the luxury Greenwich Hotel in TriBeCa are already onboard.

Co-founders Hannah Bronfman, Annie Evans and Peter Hananel also aim to roll out the service in Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, and Chicago later in the year.

However, Beautified isn’t the first kid on the block. Lifebooker, founded in 2006 as an online concierge service, is also available on iOS.

The service allows you to book beauty, health, and fitness appointments, as well as grab savings on the move, and Lifebooker is available in 23 cities in the United States and Canada.

KFC founder’s suit auctioned for nearly $22,000

kfc suit

The president and CEO of Kentucky Fried Chicken Japan purchased the trademark white suit worn by company founder “Colonel” Harland Sanders at auction Saturday for $21,510.

The new owner, Masao Watanabe, also bought a mini-collection of Sanders’ memorabilia — including his 1973 Kentucky driver’s license — for $1,912.

KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) is a fast food restaurant chain headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, which specializes in fried chicken. It is the world’s second largest restaurant chain after McDonald’s.

Sanders, who began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, during the Great Depression, identified the potential of the restaurant franchising concept and the first KFC franchise opened in Utah in 1952.

Gucci Opens Men’s Flagship in Milan

Gucci men flagship store Milan

Italian fashion house Gucci has opened its first men’s flagship in Europe in the heart of Milan, the historic Brera district, in front of the internationally renowned museum Pinacoteca di Brera.

Gucci men flagship store Milan

The new shopping destination is surrounded by the Milanese art district’s prestigious galleries, design boutiques, and antique shops.

Gucci men flagship store Milan

Boasting a design concept by Creative Director Frida Giannini, the Gucci men’s store spans more than 500 square meters across three floors and features a dedicated area for the Made to Measure program: a personalized, luxury sartorial offering for the modern day gentleman.

Gucci men flagship store Milan

A series of backlit panels with the House’s Diamante pattern lead the way inside the store. Signature Gucci materials of rosewood and ebony are enhanced with the introduction of new elements such as matt light grey marble – exclusively used in Gucci men’s stores – fluted glass, warm brushed bronze, smoked mirror and smoked bronze glass, recalling the elegance and richness of the Art Deco era.

Gucci men flagship store Milan

The flagship features a full range of menswear including ready-to-wear, shoes, luggage & lifestyle accessories, small leather goods, sunglasses, watches, jewellery and fragrances at the ground floor.

Gucci men flagship store Milan

On the upper floor, a dedicated space complete with a VIP fitting area showcases the Made To Measure program together with Made To Order service for men’s shoes. The lower level hosts a further selection of the men’s ready-to-wear collections along with shoes, silks, an assortment of sunglasses and belts.

Gucci men flagship store Milan

Gucci’s Brera store will be the first to offer the capsule collection designed by Creative Director Frida Giannini and Lapo Elkann, conceived as “Lapo’s Wardrobe.”

Milan Brera district

eau de toilette by Repetto

First Repetto perfume to be released on July 1

eau de toilette by Repetto

Announced at the end of 2011, the first fragrance by Repetto will be in stores on Monday, July 1. This precious scent is inspired by the movements, curves and elegance of ballerinas.

After revealing its first ready-to-wear collection in 2012, the brand — originally specialized in ballet shoes — is releasing this fragrance created by nose Olivier Polge.

The Repetto Eau de Toilette is based on a rose scent, mixed with pear, cherry tree flowers and orange blossom. This floral alliance ends with vanilla pod and a touch of amber wood.

“My goal was to create a handmade effect and bring together luxurious and authentic bases, such as powdery musky rose, which is the spirit of femininity. The result is a purified formula with essence of rose and vanilla,” explains the perfume maker.

This Eau de Toilette also comes with a body lotion. It will be available for a starting price of €39 (30ml).

Repetto perfume ad campaign