sky blue diamond

Will the allure of the blue diamond ever cease? The latest ethereal Sky Blue Diamond, graded Fancy Vivid Blue by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), weighing 8.01 carats and carrying an estimated price tag of $15 to 25 million (Rs100 to 166 crores) is up for auction at Sotheby’s this month. Gracing the countenance of a Cartier ring and framed by white diamonds, this rock carries the highest possible colour grade, conferred upon only one per cent of blue stones by the GIA. Another unique feature is that it’s a Type IIb rock, which means it is the purest form of diamond—one among just 0.5 per cent of stones across the globe. The stone will be the centrepiece of the Magnificent and Noble Jewels auction at the Beau-Rivage Hotel in Geneva on November 16th. This is going to be one helluva collector’s pride!

designer clutch

A clutch created from two signature pumps—how’s that for an art piece in your closet? Christian Louboutin has repurposed his reputed high heels into the ShoePeaks minaudière, which is part of the Spring/Summer 2017 collection and crafted from the fusion of two signature So Kate pumps, with the unmissable red soles framing the design. Carrying a sculpted silhouette, the clutch is lined with nude lambskin inside, the same as any of the designer’s actual shoes and even features an embossed logo. The finishing touches are a discreet clasp on the back and a removable gold chain which you can use to wear the bag across the body or on your shoulder. Priced at $3,500, the Shoepeaks clutch is available in gold metal and black lacquered metal on the Louboutin website. The gold version is currently sold out, but you can still pre-order the black variant that carries an equally classy and artsy air!

DLF EMPORIO | Pallor of gloom has been cast over this haven of luxury retail in India
DLF EMPORIO | Pallor of gloom has been cast over this haven of luxury retail in India

Prime Minister Narender Modi’s surgical strike on Black money had an immediate impact on luxury shopping. A Senior official associated with DLF Emporio told The Luxe Cafe that footfall in the mall has taken an 80 per cent hit from the usual working day crowd in the mall. Sales have taken an even worse hit to the tune of 90-95 per cent.

A visit to Emporio, the Mecca of luxury retail in India, was enough to reflect the gloom. The Luxe Café correspondents visited the mall and interacted with a few shop attendants on Wednesday. Some of them on the request of anonymity said the mall has faced a major hit because of the abolition of higher denomination currency notes.

PARADISE LOST | It is no secret that a lot of luxury purchases are cash transactions and much of it is money that’s undeclared in tax filings
PARADISE LOST | It is no secret that a lot of luxury purchases are cash transactions and much of it is money that’s undeclared in tax filings

One of the attendants at Paul Smith said “Sales have fallen majorly today as compared to the other days.” Other shops including Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Paul & Shark, Fendi have also faced the jolt because of the surgical strike against black money.

Indian luxury market is currently estimated to be worth around $15 billion growing at 25 per cent annual. According to an Assocham 2016 study, “With the increase in brand awareness and purchasing power of the upper class in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, Indian luxury market is expected to cross $18.3 billion by 2016.”Abolition of higher denomination notes will certainly impact the sales of branded luxury items. It is no secret that a lot of luxury purchases are cash transactions and much of it is ‘black money’ or undeclared in tax filings.

LUXE AHEAD | Assocham reports for 2016 had predicted Indian luxury market crossing $18.3 billion this year
LUXE AHEAD | Assocham reports for 2016 had predicted Indian luxury market crossing $18.3 billion this year
indian businessman

When you’ve got oodles of money, all you need is an expensive obsession. This has been proved time and again by the luxe-worthy, but the most recent acquisition of a $9 million number plate by Dubai based Indian businessman Balwinder Sahni figures way up on that list. The man who has a fleet of super expensive cars, recently won the plate at a government auction, to grace one among his two prized Rolls-Royce vehicles. Sahni runs a successful property development business in the Emirati land and displayed exuberance at winning the plate that carries the single digit- 5. While single numbered plates are known to catch the fancy of the affluent, Sahni seems to be particularly smitten by them, as he had spent $6.7 million to obtain a number ‘9’ plate in a similar auction last year. In another such instance in 2008, an Abu Dabi based entrepreneur spent $14 million to obtain a rare number plate that bore the coveted number ‘1’. Well, all we can say is, this takes the love of autos and numbers to another level altogether.

pininfarina design

Wondering whether this one’s for real? Well, wonder no more. The Forever Pininfarina AERO is an ethereal writing instrument that neither requires ink nor refill. Crafted by NAPKIN in collaboration with Pininfarina Design and recently premiered in the Pininfarina Wind Tunnel, the AERO boasts a hollow body with an understated blue interior made of aerospace aluminum (Ergal) with the tip made of Ethergraf. At the premiere, a 5:1 scale model of the stylus was tested, showcasing how the product was created. Resting on a unique rough concrete base, the stylus design draws inspiration from the future and appears to look like the symbol of eternity. The Ethergraf used in making the stylus tip is an innovative, graphite and ink free metal alloy conceived and produced by NAPKIN, drawing inspiration from Leonardo Da Vinci’s research on the silver tip. The AERO costs €120 and will be available for purchase in 600+ points of sales in Italy 20 other countries worldwide. AERO can also be purchased from the Pininfarina online store.

zoyas krsna collection

The Krsna Collection from Zoya achieves quite the feat of technology-meets-tradition, combining aesthetics with spirituality, craftsmanship with forward-thinking—and features the entire Bhagwat Gita on Nano chip. Launched by The Exquisite Diamond Boutique from the House of Tata in collaboration with Sunaina Anand, Director, Art Alive Gallery at at The Taj Mahal Hotel, the collection features fusion at its heart. The craft palette features the technique of painting enamel along with Champlevé enamel in the Meenakari tradition and partaj engraving along with polki in 24 carat kundan setting. Each technology spectrum entails intricate painting—first designed on a tablet with a stylus—computer aided manufacturing, rapid proto typing, gold casting and modern diamond setting, executed by master craftsmen at Zoya. The colours, too are Krishna-inspired: turquoise, hues of blue and emerald greens. Statement pieces from the collection feature the picturesque images of the Crown of Krishna – the peacock feather, the matki, bansuri, iconic chariots, Govardhan Parvat; his adolescent years with Radha, Sudarshan Chakra and the Geeta Updesh; crafted in gorgeous enamel work with brilliant cuts.

new luxury scent

Here’s the latest in fragrant allures for the hair—a limited edition perfume from Balmain. Launched as part of their ultra-luxe haircare line, the product is a fine and pure hair mist that is infused with a mixture of silk protein and argan elixir supposed to nourish, repair and protect those tresses, even as it bestows upon them a tantalising scent. The fragrance carries notes of star anise, tarragon, pinewood, peach blossom, raspberry, gardenia, orange blossom, cloves, jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang, apricot, lilac amber, vanilla, sandalwood, cedar wood, balsamic and white musk—quite literally leave you blooming like a flower. The fragrance, as the company explains, would be subtly diffused throughout the day, amplified by the natural movement of the hair. To use it, all you need to do is use the French style vaporiser to spray directly into your hair or spray on a hairbrush before brushing through your mane. The 100 ml vaporiser bottle is priced at €80.

jimmy choos custom

If you just can’t have enough bling in your life, Jimmy Choo’s Custom Bejewelled Collection is a blessing of bedazzlement for you. The collection brings a wide range of brooch-likeshoe accessories that totally transform the appearance of a simple pair of pumps, and includes Faux fur pompoms along with brooches and buttons adorned with lustrous pearls and shimmering crystals. There’s also a positively glamorous range of shoe clips that can be attached to your favourite shoes, but the additional series of smaller buttons are compatible only with the special pumps and platform sandals that are offered within the collection. The Bejewelled Collection offers purses that are compatible with the shoe buttons along with a stylish decorative strap that instantly ups the glam quotient. The shoe buttons can be purchased at prices upward of at $165, the shoe clip pairs start at $395 and the special pumps in the collection start at $1195. The collection is available online.

ferrari inspired footwear

Get set for zippy footwear from Tod’s, as the Italian fashion house joins hands with Ferrari to create a special work of craftsmanship that’s inspired by the iconic cars. The collection takes on race-car designs, through the iconice Gommino moccasin shoes in quintessential Ferrari hues: red, black, blue and yes—the yellow too. You can take your pick from patent and suede options with rubber soles, sporting contrasting stitiching along with, you guessed it, the great prancing horse on the straps and the soles. You gotta flaunt it in style, right? The shoes, sneakers and boots, are all available at Tod’s boutiques and Ferrari’s online store. We wonder if they’d add speed to your gait too, eh?

christian louboutins

A trio of perfume oils from Christian Louboutin is here to seduce us this winter. Water and alcohol-free, these fragrant oils are highly concentrated sequels to the perfumes launched by the brand earlier, featuring the same ingredients—Bikini Questa Sera, Tornade Blonde, and Trouble in Heaven. Bringing along a glass dabber for smooth application, these exquisite oils can also be used during massages or layered with the perfumes to make them stay throughout the day. The artisitically designed containers have been created in collaboration with the London-based Heatherwick Studio, known for its designer projects across theUK. Available at the brand’s stores globally, each of the perfume oils is priced at $320 (approx. ₹21,371). A whiff of luxury, did we hear you say?