quarta-feira, 23 de março de 2011
segunda-feira, 21 de março de 2011
sábado, 19 de março de 2011
sexta-feira, 18 de março de 2011
Roberto Capucci Exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Roberto Capucci was born in Rome in 1929 and sold his first design at age 18 to the wife of film director Roberto Rossellini. The "Art Into Fashion" exhibit runs through June 5, 2011.
quarta-feira, 16 de março de 2011
Diamond 44 by Lamborghini Yacht Designer Mauro Lecchi for Sale
terça-feira, 15 de março de 2011
The Fashion Statement: The Rise of Flatforms
After a long run, the precarious platform shoes we've seen for much of the last decade are giving a new, flatter platform. Or, as I'm calling them-flatforms.
If fashion soothsayers have names like Marc Jacobs, Fendi and Derek Lam, platforms here to stay-in fact, we can expect to see them through fall 2011 (Issey Miyake, above)-but gone are the high arches and their impossible heights. In their place are gentle graduated slopes full of the promise of easy promenades that don't give up much of the stature of their predecessors. That's not to say, these flatter versions are without danger. A fall show in New York featured flatform combat boots that made at least two female models and one male model fall flat on their faces.
By and large, though, this spring designers are delivering walkable wedges with no shortage of style. Marc Jacobs' platforms bring us back to the '70s with their rainbow colors adorning the arches of the shoe. Fendi confounds modern architectural rules with platforms that seem to come in three separate sections-a heel in emerald green, a mid-shoe in brown and a toe in natural wood with a bright blue strap. Derek Lam is probably the most traditional-basic Maryjanes in camel opened-toe or off-white closed toe upon natural-grained wood.
If fashion soothsayers have names like Marc Jacobs, Fendi and Derek Lam, platforms here to stay-in fact, we can expect to see them through fall 2011 (Issey Miyake, above)-but gone are the high arches and their impossible heights. In their place are gentle graduated slopes full of the promise of easy promenades that don't give up much of the stature of their predecessors. That's not to say, these flatter versions are without danger. A fall show in New York featured flatform combat boots that made at least two female models and one male model fall flat on their faces.
By and large, though, this spring designers are delivering walkable wedges with no shortage of style. Marc Jacobs' platforms bring us back to the '70s with their rainbow colors adorning the arches of the shoe. Fendi confounds modern architectural rules with platforms that seem to come in three separate sections-a heel in emerald green, a mid-shoe in brown and a toe in natural wood with a bright blue strap. Derek Lam is probably the most traditional-basic Maryjanes in camel opened-toe or off-white closed toe upon natural-grained wood.
Luxury Truffle Purveyor To Open Boston Shop
Boston's luxury shopping destination, Newbury Street will have a new treat come March 24. Sabatino North America, the largest importer and manufacturer of gourmet truffle products in the U.S. is opening their first flagship retail store, Sabatino&Co. Roma in Boston on Newbury Street on March 24th right around the time that the Italian company celebrates its centennial. The store will introduce a wide range of products including gourmet foods and condiments, cookbooks and home accessories to add a little luxe to your life.
terça-feira, 8 de março de 2011
Flexjet Partners with Abercrombie & Kent
Luxury travel enthusiasts will be pleased to hear about a new partnership between adventure travel company Abercrombie & Kent and jet share leader Flexjet. Flexjet customers will now have complimentary access to Abercrombie & Kent's travel experts to plan dream vacations, and Abercrombie & Kent's travelers will receive generous benefits when purchasing Flexjet options. Marco Polo Club members, Abercrombie & Kent's most frequent travelers, will receive benefits on Flexjet fractional purchases or jet cards, while Flexjet fractional customers will be treated to a three-year Marco Polo Club membership and customized itineraries to coincide with the use of their private jet.
"We continue to seek and pioneer new ways of exploring the globe and admire this same ambition in Flexjet," said Geoffrey Kent, Founder and Executive Chairman, Abercrombie & Kent. "We're pleased to be forging this relationship with a top aviation solutions provider that is also known for setting industry standards and look forward to introducing its customers to some of our favorite hidden corners of the world." Born as a safari outfitter in 1962, Abercrombie & Kent's unparalleled travel services now extend around the globe to more than 100 countries on all seven continents, bringing unexpected comforts and amenities to remote destinations.
"We continue to seek and pioneer new ways of exploring the globe and admire this same ambition in Flexjet," said Geoffrey Kent, Founder and Executive Chairman, Abercrombie & Kent. "We're pleased to be forging this relationship with a top aviation solutions provider that is also known for setting industry standards and look forward to introducing its customers to some of our favorite hidden corners of the world." Born as a safari outfitter in 1962, Abercrombie & Kent's unparalleled travel services now extend around the globe to more than 100 countries on all seven continents, bringing unexpected comforts and amenities to remote destinations.
domingo, 6 de março de 2011
Charlotte Olympia Lais Pumps
With unpredictable weather, who knows when Spring will make its arrival. But whenever it comes, you'll be prepared with Charlotte Olympia's Lais ($780) candy colored heels. These almond toed satin heels uniquely combine vibrant colors that the average person would shy away from. Who would of guessed that turquoise, gold and red could complement each other so well? But they do. And it's this wild color palette that makes Olympia's vibrantly hued heels such show stoppers. The Lais Pumps feature piping along the trim, small cutouts on either side and a 1 1/4" platform.
Viktor&Rolf Fall 2011 Paris Show
Viktor Horsting & Rolf Snoeren
Black Patent and Red Suede Boot
Images from Vogue Italia/GoRunway.com/Gianni Pucci
sábado, 5 de março de 2011
Rare Purple-Pink Diamond Up For Sale At Christie's
Sales for pink diamonds have been rising and rising over the past few years. The larger rare stones aren't just beautiful to look at, they are considered money in the bank for investors. The market gets another test next month when Christie's brings a 10.09 Fancy Vivid purplish-pink diamond up for sale as part of its Magnificent Jewels sale in New York April 12. JCK Online reports that the diamond is estimated at $12 million to $15 million. The record for pink diamonds belongs to a 24.78 carat stone which sold for $46 million at Sotheby's last year.
Rare 1920s Louis Vuitton Shoe Trunk for Sale at $68,500
A rare and highly sought-after piece of vintage Louis Vuitton luggage, the renowned "Malle Chaussures" shoe trunk (above) from the 1920s, is being offered for sale by London's Pullman Gallery for $68,500. The trunk "embodies the glamour and sophistication of a more elegant era, when such items were de rigeur for wealthy travelers." Featuring the iconic LV monogram on its canvas-upholstered frame, the trunk is fully outfitted for most meticulous fashion plate. It contains compartments for 30 pairs of shoes in individual shoe boxes with ancillary drawers and trays for a shoe-cleaning kit. Each of the padded drawers features a leather pull tab and nameplate. The trunk easily rivals the examples to be found in Vuitton's own archives, and is nearly identical to one featured in the amazing Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks book we wrote about in January.
quinta-feira, 3 de março de 2011
quarta-feira, 2 de março de 2011
A Look Inside The World's Richest Man's New Museum
Last fall we saw video renderings of the plans for the new Soumaya museum planned by Mexico's richest man Carlos Slim. The new branch of the museum named for his late wife is the the second one that he has created. The six-story museum was designed by his son-in-law Fernando Romero. The modern and shiny aluminum structure is composed of over 16,000 tiles. The building has five stories of exhibition space totaling 183,000 square feet with six halls. The AP shot some photos as the museum prepared for its inauguration on March 1 by Mexico's President Felipe Calderon.
terça-feira, 1 de março de 2011
segunda-feira, 28 de fevereiro de 2011
Anne Hathaway's Oscar Night Outfits
Anne Hathaway proved she's quite the quick change artist. She began Oscar night by walking the red carpet in a vintage red Valentino but by the time she hit the stage she was already in another outfit, a cream Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci gown accented by Tiffany jewelry. And that was just the beginning. Entertainment Weekly chronicled Hathaway's many gorgeous outfits.
domingo, 27 de fevereiro de 2011
sábado, 26 de fevereiro de 2011
sexta-feira, 25 de fevereiro de 2011
The New Yorker Art Deco Keyboard
A keyboard's just a keyboard, right? Some may have extra features or a more ergonomic design, but what if you're looking for a little bit of extra style? This could be your answer, but only if you've got $2,800 to spend on a computer peripheral.
Inspired by the Chrysler Building in Manhattan, the New Yorker Art Deco keyboard is a modern celebration of classic New York style. It's made of aluminum and polished brass, with keys that look like they'd be at home in a classic skyscraper's elevator. It could be that perfect touch for a richly decorated office where the usual array of sleek or just plain boxy keyboards would look out of place.
quinta-feira, 24 de fevereiro de 2011
East 80th Street, Estate of the Day
The words "indoor waterfall" immediately brought my attention to this townhouse at 170th East 80 Street in Manhattan. After all, those aren't words you hear too often in New York real estate. This 19 century townhouse has been reinvented over the last three years into a modern mansion by Kate Shin, president of WEmi:t LLC. "We have spared no expense to renovate this classic townhouse into a modern home with impeccable design sensibility and unsurpassed amenities," stated Shin. "Over the past three years, we have poured our heart and soul into this project.
The one-of-a-kind 20-foot wide and 22-foot high indoor cascading waterfall, pond and sculpture garden add a calming note to the home which also has an art gallery on the first floor that can be put to private or commercial use (the walls are reinforced and pre-lit to handle art installations). An indulgent 2,300-square-foot private spa lounge pampers with a jacuzzi, spa, sauna, massage room and a 1,000-bottle wine cellar.
The 13,000-square-foot home designed by Toshiko Mori Architects spans five levels. The parlor entertaining level has a grand living room, kitchen, pantry and dining room with a wall of Bendheim glass overlooking the waterfall and reflecting pool below. The third floor master suite includes a powder room, full bath, Dornbracht steam shower, Kohler "tea for two" bathtub, a large library or office in front and a serene bedroom space in the rear. Off the master suite is a grand terrace with planted grass, wood decking, and a skylight looking down onto the waterfall. Floors four, five, and six offer four bedrooms and the roof garden is a planted, green space. This incredible property is listed for $35 million through exclusive broker Paula Del Nunzio of Brown Harris Stevens. All images shown here are renderings.
The one-of-a-kind 20-foot wide and 22-foot high indoor cascading waterfall, pond and sculpture garden add a calming note to the home which also has an art gallery on the first floor that can be put to private or commercial use (the walls are reinforced and pre-lit to handle art installations). An indulgent 2,300-square-foot private spa lounge pampers with a jacuzzi, spa, sauna, massage room and a 1,000-bottle wine cellar.
The 13,000-square-foot home designed by Toshiko Mori Architects spans five levels. The parlor entertaining level has a grand living room, kitchen, pantry and dining room with a wall of Bendheim glass overlooking the waterfall and reflecting pool below. The third floor master suite includes a powder room, full bath, Dornbracht steam shower, Kohler "tea for two" bathtub, a large library or office in front and a serene bedroom space in the rear. Off the master suite is a grand terrace with planted grass, wood decking, and a skylight looking down onto the waterfall. Floors four, five, and six offer four bedrooms and the roof garden is a planted, green space. This incredible property is listed for $35 million through exclusive broker Paula Del Nunzio of Brown Harris Stevens. All images shown here are renderings.
quarta-feira, 23 de fevereiro de 2011
segunda-feira, 21 de fevereiro de 2011
The Classicist: Is the Royal Warrant Losing Its Lustre?
A recent decision by two venerable British brands to drop the Royal Warrants from their packaging has occasioned some hand-wringing in the UK over whether the much-coveted distinction has lost its lustre. The Classicist calls it a tempest in a Royal Doulton teacup; read on to find out why. Only three royals are entitled to grant warrants – the Queen of England, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales – to firms who supply their royal requisites for at least five years, though most warrant holders have ties to Britain's royal family dating back several decades or more.
Holders of the Royal Warrant include many of our favorite luxury brands – Asprey, Aston Martin,Bentley, Barbour, Burberry, Fortnum & Mason, Gieves & Hawkes, Holland & Holland, Hunter Boots,Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, Laphroaig, Lock & Co., Swaine Adeney Brigg,Smythson, Tanqueray and Turnbull & Asser – along with a host of lesser names, such as After Eight mints and Jacob's Cream Crackers. It is the latter two that have now decided to do without their warrants – though no insult is intended to the royal family, as it was when former Harrods ownerMohamed al Fayed burned his last year. That coupled with the results of a new survey showing that only 13% of respondents thought that warrants make any difference have called their usefulness into question, the London Guardian reports.
However, "It's hard to say that interest in royal warrants is conclusively on the wane," Vicky Bullen, chief executive of Coley Porter Bell, tells the paper, "because there is no existing data with which to make a comparison. However, consumers' apparent indifference to the royal warrants has surprised us. We can only surmise there could be a number of factors at play." Said factors, Bullen says, include "that we live in a less deferential society in which the royal family enjoys less prestige and political support." That of course is not exactly new. [cont'd]
Holders of the Royal Warrant include many of our favorite luxury brands – Asprey, Aston Martin,Bentley, Barbour, Burberry, Fortnum & Mason, Gieves & Hawkes, Holland & Holland, Hunter Boots,Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, Laphroaig, Lock & Co., Swaine Adeney Brigg,Smythson, Tanqueray and Turnbull & Asser – along with a host of lesser names, such as After Eight mints and Jacob's Cream Crackers. It is the latter two that have now decided to do without their warrants – though no insult is intended to the royal family, as it was when former Harrods ownerMohamed al Fayed burned his last year. That coupled with the results of a new survey showing that only 13% of respondents thought that warrants make any difference have called their usefulness into question, the London Guardian reports.
However, "It's hard to say that interest in royal warrants is conclusively on the wane," Vicky Bullen, chief executive of Coley Porter Bell, tells the paper, "because there is no existing data with which to make a comparison. However, consumers' apparent indifference to the royal warrants has surprised us. We can only surmise there could be a number of factors at play." Said factors, Bullen says, include "that we live in a less deferential society in which the royal family enjoys less prestige and political support." That of course is not exactly new. [cont'd]
