6.09.2008

Bill Amberg ‘Shuttle’ briefcase


Since the foundation of the brand in 1984, the name of Bill Amberg, the Notting Hill-based leather designer and specialist has become synonymous with effortless, authentic British style. Known for the highest standards of craftsmanship and ingenious, intuitive design, he has created some of the industry’s most iconic pieces – and this exquisite ‘Shuttle’ briefcase promises to be another. Quite apart from its impeccably-crafted alligator exterior, its plush padded suede interior and its super-light single caste aluminium handle – each with 2 Swarovski crystals embedded in them, it has a unique ball plunger closing mechanism that took 18 months to finesse. Every concertina opening of the ‘Shuttle’ is a joyous event.. Only 10 editions will ever be made.

16th or 17th century silk Persian rug


A silk Persian rug, from the 16th or 17th century has sold at Christie's in New York for a record $4.45 million at auction, ( $729.87 per square inch). The rug was sold by Christie's auction house on behalf of the Newport Restoration Foundation. It was expected to fetch up to $1.5 million. The rug, which measures 7 feet, 7 inches by 5 feet, 7 inches, had been purchased by the late tobacco heiress Doris Duke in 1990. She left it to the foundation when she died.

Elisabeth Parker, head of Christie's rugs and carpets department, calls it an "amazing work of art" and says it has an intricate floral design and an unusually large number of colors, at 17.

Ladurée beauty products


Ladurée has launched a small line of beauty products. The collection comprises six products and the boxes are decorated with the guardian angels from the Ladurée universe.

ASI Tetsu GTR


Japan's ASI (Accuracy.Spirit.Imagination), has released a tuning package for the Bentley Continental GT. The modified ASI Tetsu GTR features Japanese cherry blossoms paintwork based on the original Japanese artwork by Nakamura Tetsuei. ASI’s Tetsu GTR is priced at $800,000 and will be manufactured in a limited edition of just 29 units.

Thornton, Temple of Flora


Thornton, Temple of Flora by Taschen features a complete reprint of all color plates from Robert John Thornton's monumental work The Temple of Flora, first published in London in 1799. Presented as 35 loose-leaf Elephant folio-sized color prints as well as a booklet including an introduction and the original texts of the 31 botanical plates

Hermès Special Edition Kelly Bag


Hermès has created a limited edition Kelly bag for Artcurial’s annual Hermès vintage sale featuring a portrait of Grace Kelly printed on canvas on the side. All proceeds from the sale of the bag will benefit Princess Grace’s daughter Princess Stéphanie’s charity Fight Aids Monaco.

Piaget Magic Gardens collectio


The inspiration for Piaget's Magic Gardens collection is nature. Piaget's Magic Gardens collection features the necklace (pictured) made of eighteen karat yellow gold and features hexagonal citrines, rhodolites, amethysts and diamonds. The necklace features a bee as a clasp which is made of gold and encrusted with diamonds and allows the necklaces length to be adjusted.

Louis XIII Black Pearl Cognac


The Rémy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl Cognac is an exlusive limited edition of Louis XIII Cognac. The Louis XIII Black Pearl Cognac comes in a crystal decanter made by Baccarat. Only seven hundred and eighty six decanters will be made.

White


White takes you on a visual journey, proving that white is not just a color but also an aesthetic and moral value. From snow-topped glaciers to virginal conception. From Duchamp’s porcelain urinal to the shrouds of the dead. From peaceful white Zen gardens to the luminous white of Robert Morris. From the pure white of Fontana, Manzoni, LeWitt, Ryman or Twombly to the stained glass of Soulages. White explores the multiple facets of the color and its relation to religion, the moon, flesh, emptiness and light. White can be perceived in many ways, as negative or positive space, as a background or foreground. A non-color, like the blank page itself, it remains elusive.

Porsche Design 'The Essence'


Porsche Design has launched their first fragrance named The Essence. The Essence for men was developed by the Clarins group and features a firm metallic scent with hints of myrtle, Juniper, Siberian Pine, balsim fir, and frankincense. The Essence is available as a eau de toilette, aftershave lotion and balm, hair and body gel, and a stick and spray deodorant.

S. T. Dupont MiniJet lighters


S. T. Dupont has launched the new MiniJet lighter collection. The MiniJet lighters functions uses an electrical discharge to ignite it. The flame is strong and wind resistant. The S. T. Dupont Minijet lighters are made steel with a lacquer finish which is available in a wide range of colors.

Christofle Kawali Glasses


The Christofle Kawali collection named after Sufi music are made of crystal with a bubbly circle motif. The glasses are available as tumblers or as goblets in red, blue, light green, dark green, purple, or amber colors.

"Densuke" watermelon auctions for US$6,100


A "Densuke" watermelon, grown on the northern island of Hokkaido was auctioned in northern Japan for US$6,100. The black jumbo watermelon was purchased by a marine products dealer who said he wanted to support local agriculture. The watermelon was the first of 65 sold as part of the season's initial harvest and one of 9,000 expected for the entire year.

Nokia 8800 Diamond


Jeweler Thomas Heyerdahl has added his touch to the Nokia 8800 Arte. Thomas Heyerdahl adds 112 diamonds dotted all over, the Nokia 8800 Diamond. Only 100 numbered pieces will be available for sale. The Nokia 8800 Diamond features 3G capabilities, a 3.2 megapixel auto focus camera, and 1GB built-in memory space. The Nokia 8800 Diamond will be available in Heyerdahl's stores and selected Nokia outlets for $ 6,000.

Jawbone Bluetooth headset


Jawbone has launched a new Bluetooth headset 50% smaller than the original Jawbone design. The new headset features an "invisible button" system that allows users to activate controls by touching the headset's outer surface. Available in gold, silver, and black for $129.99

Charlotte Thomas Bespoke Sheets


Charlotte Thomas is an English luxury brand of bed linens. The Charlotte Thomas' "Bespoke" bedding collection is the world's finest bedding. 22 carat gold is woven into 150's merino wool, and complemented with Indian hand-loom silk jacquard, and thousand count Egyptian cotton sheeting. Charlotte Thomas Bespoke is made to order, and available only through a selection of hand picked partners worldwide.

Charlotte Thomas offers another four collections: Joanna, Amelia, Lucy and Kristina.

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