Fresh on the luxe block is a black limited edition version of the Contintental GT V8S developed by Bentley with a little help from its Mulliner bespoke projects department. The new luxe vehicle brings a gloss black treatment to the external trim elements usually done in polished metal. Even the headlamps and taillights have been given a darker tint. This makes the the body kit package really stand out in the four tantalising colours on offer: Beluga, St James’ Red, Hallmark or Cyber Yellow. Yes, this baby takes eye-catching to another level. Plus, under the hood you get a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 520bhp and a 502 lb.ft of torque with sprint time of 4.5 seconds and top speed of 309km/h. The insides feature GT Design seats by Mulliner with the body kit colour reflected in the headliner’s stitching. And of course, this is supposed to be a bespoke experience, so you can add an assortment of features of choice: unique book-matched veneers, carbon fiber or even stone elements.
The great quest for beauty leads to strange shores. Among all the exotic rejuvenation treatments you’d have heard of, this one surely features up top: snail facial treatment. Provided by Ci:z.Labo spa in Tokyo, the treatment involves a therapist placing the little creatures directly over your face, where they crawl freely, leaving behind the mucus that apparently works wonders. The mucus, it is claimed, contains proteins, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid, which help skin retain moisture, reduce inflammation and remove dead skin. The spa, in the Ebisu district of Tokyo, is home to five resident snails, kept in a small clear container where they are fed organic vegetables, including carrots, Japanese “komatsuna” greens, spinach and Swiss chard. As part of the salon’s ‘Celebrity Escargot Course’ customers get a 60-minute treatment costing £161.We don’t really fancy the creepy-crawlies on our face, but it sure is worth a try.
This month, Tesla just opened its largest European showroom in London—Tesla Chiswick. Stark and uncluttered, this is Tesla’s largest standalone car store in Europe, designed to maximise display for the cars with its sweeping white interiors. Customers also get a design studio that helps them pick from a range of body colors and material, enabling the creation of their own special vehicle. The store also helps customers learn about electric vehicles, the technology and the supporting services, and gently educates them about the company’s promotion of a sustainable lifestyle. Tesla sure has a point, which you get with just one look at the luxe vehicles that are more than just a joy to behold and drive; they’re joy for the environment too.
Luxe air travel is just about to get another boost, now that private aviation company XOJET is partnering with Etihad Airways to create a better experience for elite travellers. The partnership will allow current members of XOJET’s Preferred Access and Elite Access program to receive instant Gold Status when flying Etihad Airways and booking The Residence for the first time. The Residence is a private three-room cabin featuring a living room, double bedroom with queen-sized bed, private bathroom with ensuite shower, dedicated Savoy-trained Butler, and onboard Chef. What’s more, you get the added benefit of chauffeur and concierge services even off the plane, and don’t forget the exclusive lounge access. As part of the newly cemented partnership, Etihad guests, upon landing in the US, will be able to access XOJET’s dedicated charter desk with 24/7 support and complimentary catering, along with access to XOJET’s extensive fleet of Challenger 300 and Citation X jets, which incidentally are North America’s largest. You also get access to the Preferred Partner Network of over 1,100 jets, and promotional $2000 flight credit thrown in for first-time flyers. Flying in style just got better and better.
Bang & Olufsen’s stylish offerings have had us drooling each time. And this time the brand has celebrated its 91st anniversary with the ‘brassy’ Cool Modern collection. The permanent collection features some of the company’s newest innovations, which also include the Beovision 14 TV, BeoRemote One, BeoSound 35 speakers, and the BeoLab speakers, reworking the entire collection in brass. The striking appearance of Brass Patinas, with their classic earthy hues, takes inspiration from Art Deco or Style Moderne combining ‘Principles of modernism’ with ‘a reverence for fine craftsmanship and elegant materials,’ as the brand puts it— ‘ a kind of elegance that’s cutting edge and accessible.’ The Cool Modern collection is available at select Bang & Olufsen outlets as well as online.
We’re talking a gym that floats on the River Sienne, and actually uses power from the workouts inside to stay afloat! Italian architects Carlo Ratti Associati, have designed the 20-meter-long Paris Navigating Gym which would be equipped with Technogym‘s ARTIS exercise machines that floats—p using the energy of the people exercising inside. A collaboration between Technogym, Terreform ONE and URBEM, the gym will use ARTIS bikes and cross trainers that capture the energy created through workouts. The gym is designed as a transparent glass bubble, taking inspiration from the Bateaux Mouches ferry boats that have carried tourists across the river since the early 20th century. So you enjoy the sights of the River Sienne even as you shed those kilos. Now that’s what we call having fun while working out!
New Balance has just come up with the latest Luxe Version of their 247 silhouette sneakers. Labeled as a “lifestyle” sneaker, the 247 Luxe is constructed with full grain leather. Inside is a stretch synthetic nubuck sock construction taking the comfort level to new heights, and its available in three color option: orange, black and white. They also offer you perforated toe vamps to maintain ventilation to the feet. Fitting into both formal and casual settings, these shoes are great news indeed.
PRESENT PERFECT | Michael Kors Access smartwatches blend luxury with utility and make for a thoughtful, stylish gift, this festive season
As the season of merry making and mirth continues, this holiday gifting guide will keep you in the good books of your near and dear ones, as we suggest some novelties, off the beaten track, catering not to ‘him’ and ‘her’, but to the personalities that we espouse. So, it could be a friend who is a corporate jetsetter but a gadget lover at heart, or a home maker who loves to read, or a traveller friend who wants to keep up with style, we have all fronts covered with the selection of fine giftables.
A BIGGER BOOK | Taschen’s limited edition offering, this book is one for the library of the avid collectors and art lovers alike
We will start with the TASCHEN’s SUMO-sized David Hockney monograph, A Bigger Book, which is as spectacular in format as it is in scope and the perfect present for the book lovers and curio collectors. Comprising of a repertoire of the artits’works over 60 years, it includes a range of his works, from drawings, photo-composites, multi-perspective collages, stage designs, multi-camera video works, to iPad drawings, and text based on the artist’s own writings and other reviews. The book is a masterpiece as it unfurls across each colourful page, charting the artist’s astounding growth story from his teenage days at the Bradford School of Art, through his breakthrough in 1960s Swinging London, life by Los Angeles pools in the 1970s, up to his recent extensive series of portraits, iPad drawings, and Yorkshire landscapes. The limited collector’s edition comprises 9,000 signed copies, each with a Marc Newson bookstand, while the four Art Editions, each limited to 250 signed copies, are accompanied by an iPad drawing and a Marc Newson bookstand. Price – US$ 2,500, available from taschen.com
MAN RAY CHESS SET | This is one item which will occupy place of pride as the centrepiece of one’s table set up
For those who love to play, and not just in the boardroom, here’s a gift which is sure to win their mind and then the heart. Inspired by the American visual artist, Man Ray’s, abiding friendship with avid chess player and fellow artist, Marcel Duchamp, is this specially designed chess set, a re-edition of the 1920s Wooden Chess Set, which is a singular piece of beauty and design, with abstract geometric chess pieces designed by Man Ray himself and the matching board later created by a specialty game manufacturer. The pieces are made of beechwood and carefully finished by hand, while the board, also in beech, is carefully crafted and finished to match the pieces. Price – $590, available from dwr.com
TICINO 8D BIKE | For the sporty spirits, this sleek beauty in a lovely shade of green matches precision with looks when it comes to bikes
And for the adventurer at heart is the Ticino 8D in Racing Green is packed with bike brand Electra’s superb design details, like the vintage, hammered-finish alloy fenders, classically-styled alloy crankset, touring pedals and a brilliant chrome-plated stem. With unique reverse-hinged bar-end levers operating retro-style brakes, it has cantilevers on the men’s and center-pulls on the ladies’ bike. A bike lovers’ dream, this looks every bit fashionable on the road and in your backyard. Price – $930, available from electrabike.com
MICHAEL KORS | The Access Smartwatch is a way of life for those who believe in mixing functionality with design
As wearable tech becomes all the rage, we have the Michael Kors Access smartwatches making Android Wear totally glam. While Bradshaw is the more feminine model which comes with eight different bezel designs and straps to choose from, there’s also the additional options of switching between thousands of watch faces, access applications and more. A truly good looking accessory for the wrist, this wearable watch is a multitasking beauty. Price – $395, available from michaelkors.com
You heard that right: Aston Martin’s brand new waterfront residences in Miami will sell at the steep price of $2,865 a square foot for even the smallest units. Since this is the first such luxe real estate step by the super car maker, the buzz and glam around the residences is obvious. Units will range in size from 698 square feet to 18,811 square feet (this latter floor space will belong to the building’s penthouses) and while prices for conventional units range from $2 million to $8.5 million, the penthouses could cost as much as $50 million. But construction is yet to begin on the residences, and they are expected to be ready only by 2021. The asking price for these condos is supposedly around double the list price of the most expensive condos in Miami. But we’d still advise you to go in fast before the others, for we’re talking Aston Martin after all!
Among the most far-fetched combinations possible, the skateboard guitar sounds the most bizarre. But here it is, a different kind of music for those that like to gel multiple loves. Self-taught woodworker and industrial design student Nick Pourfard has created Prisma Skateboard Guitars as a perfect medium for expressing that combination of his interests. Each Prisma guitar has been built from old used, broken, and destroyed skateboard decks and all the work is done inhouse in their San Francisco workshop. The recycled boards provide a unique look to each instrument but you can go even further in the uniqueness by getting a custom ordered guitar made of your own old skateboard decks! Now is that cool or what? Each guitar is made to heirloom standards so it will stand up to even professional expectations for its sound. MONO Creators provides a TSA approved gig bag for each of these beautiful handmade instruments. For the price of $4,000 a completely unique gadget becomes all your own. We absolutely love this one !
