pune fashion week

The Pune Fashion Week in its sixth edition promises to put up a brilliant exhibit of the spirit of fashion with signature runway shows along with plethora of events fit for a ‘Festival of Fashion’. The fashion is scheduled on 23-24- 25 September 2016 at The Westin, Pune. Other than the presentation of celebrated designer labels’ latest collections, the highlights of the show include The Luxe Expo, which gives a sneak peek into the highly adorned ‘signature pieces’ curated by renowned brands; Fashion Knowledge Series where you can hear the most influential speakers and educate yourself on fashion and style; Genesis, where design students design showcase their talent through their collections; Hair and Makeup Show, which features the ‘Creative Fantasy Makeup Fashion Show’ by makeup artists and hairstyling students along with a Smile Foundation Charity event, where the city’s 20 power couples walk the ramp and lend valuable support to girl child empowerment through education. A diverse platter indeed.

collection draws inspiratio

A classy range of premium speakers and headphones, including the trendy wireless ones, in colours of the untouched beauty of Nordic lands—what else could a music lover ask for? Danish audio company Bang & Olufsen, famous for its high-end consumer electronics, has just announced its Beoplay Autumn/Winter 2016 Collection, which draws inspiration from the colours sprinkled all over the pristine beauty of Nordic nations— moss green, lava stone black, deep clay red, cocoa brown, that represent the textured soil and grass in Nordic Nature: shifting streams, birch trees, mineral clay, lush moss, lava stones and black sand beaches. You can get your hands on the Beoplay Autumn/Winter 2016 Collection online on the brand’s official website or at selected Bang & Olufsen stores across the globe.

flying spur

Breaking the 321 km barrier is quite a feat for the Flying Spur, because the vehicle in question is a huge and lavishly appointed saloon. This car comes with an extra 10bhp and 20Nm of torque that gets the bi-turbo 6.0-litre W12 motor to deliver 626bhp and 820Nm of torque. This acts as a catalyst to take the luxe saloon to 325kmph, and also despatch the 0-100kmph run in a quicker 4.5sec.  Along with the extra power—and an extra ‘S’ in the badging— Bentley offers the W12 S with an optional carbon ceramic brake kit that comes in either black or red callipers. Exterior updates include glossy black on a few bits like the front grille and the 21-inch wheels. Both the head lamps and tail lamps get a sporty black tint treatment, and the new ‘W12 S’ badge is proudly displayed on the D-pillar. Inside the cabin is the brand new three-spoke steering wheel with the new gearshift paddles, the different stitching with ‘W12 S’ emblem on the headrest, and the new two-tone theme with contrast stitching and diamond quilting. Bentley India is yet to reveal any details about introducing the Flying Spur W12 S here, but deliveries worldwide will begin before the end of 2016.

mechanical pencil

Nicholas Hemingway created the Mark II Everlasting Mechanical Pencil, because he was fed up the waste produced by ‘disposable culture’. Knowing that cheap materials create waste and pollution, he set out to create a long lasting alternative, that you might even want to keep forever. The Mark II Everlasting Mechanical Pencils are sleek and minimalist, and available in aluminum, brass and stainless steel. This is actually the second range of such pencils from Hemi Wear (Hemingway’s company) and features design improvements such as an almost seamless contour blending of barrels and nibs. The beautiful pencils are handmade and you can get one by backing Hemingway’s Kickstarter project which is collecting funds to create and distribute his creations. Each pencil is made to order , in accordance with his policy of no waste or excess, and you can choose the lead thickness you would like— from 0.3 mm to 0.9 mm. Pencils can be purchased at a reduced rate now as part of the fundraising campaign, or later from the Hemi Wear website. For now, you can pledge £54 for a pencil in a metal of your choice with your desired lead thickness and have it sent to you in November. An exclusive pencil, customised and handmade— all for you. How’s that for luxe writing?

the new TT RS

Audi had showcased the new TT RS at the 2016 Beijing Motor Show. The premium luxury carmaker has now revealed that they will be introducing the TT RS supercar in the UK before the end of September. Customers will have an option to choose between Coupe and Roadster variants which are priced at £51,800 (Approx. Rs 46 lakh) and £53,550 (Aprrox. Rs 47.5 lakh) respectively. This new model is powered by a 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine which puts out 389bhp of power and 480Nm of torque unlike the older one which generated 331bhp of power and 450Nm of torque. It sprints from 0 to 100kmph in just about 3.7 seconds and its top speed is electronically limited to 250kmph. Customers opting for the Dynamic Package Plus can expect a top speed of up to 280kmph. The vehicle also comes equipped with Audi Drive Select adaptive dynamics system, offering Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual modes. The interior features fine Nappa leather combined with the TT RS sport leather and Alcantara steering wheel. Along with a sporty exterior, for the very first time the company has also offered Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) rear lights in the Audi TT RS.

apple watch

Apple and Hermes have brought to the market new styles and colours for the Apple Watch Hermès, which was first launched last year. The collection is a blend of Apple innovation and Hermes craftsmanship, with colours that even have tantalising names: Rose Jaipur, Bleu Agate, Anémone, Étoupe and the iconic Hermes orange. The watches are available in two sizes, 38 mm and 42 mm, and now you can have them in three different styles: the Double Buckle Cuff in Swift and Epsom Calfskin,  Double Tour, and the reinvented Single Tour Deployment Buckle Band. You can sift through the styles and looks of the Apple Watch Hermès online or in selected Apple retail stores or Hermès boutiques, specialty stores and department stores. This is one for the look-book!

With its four doors and sloping roofline, the Audi A5 Sportback presents a sleek image and occupies the beautiful middle ground between coupe and sedan
With its four doors and sloping roofline, the Audi A5 Sportback presents a sleek image and occupies the beautiful middle ground between coupe and sedan

Tired of having to choose between a coupe and a sedan? Well, fret not. The Audi A5 Sportback is here to end your woes. With four doors it’s technically not a coupe, and that sloping roofline means it’s definitely not a sedan, but the Audi A5 Sportback proves there’s a beautiful middle ground to be found between the two.

The A5 Sportback looks nearly identical to the brand’s new coupes, save for the fastback-like design at its rear, which softens the usual chiselled façade a notch. This means that you get a whole lot of sportiness in the front and then some luxury at the back. The original Sportback launched seven years ago, blazing a niche trail alongside cars like the Mercedes CLS and BMW X6. Rather than looking awkward, the hatchback and extra doors feel like they belong on the A5.

190 horsepower

Besides a facelift, more interior space and more doors, this new beast on the block packs a whole lot of punch with its engine options. Besides a 2.0-liter inline-four that delivers 190 horsepower, a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 version will provide 286 horsepower. You can then choose between a six-speed manual transmission, seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox or eight-speed tiptronic unit. Front-wheel drive comes as standard, with all-wheel drive an option unless you choose the more powerful engines. Fuel efficiency is now possible with Audi’s new Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive system, which disconnects rear wheels.

technologically superior

Technologically superior to its namesake, the Audi A5 Sportback sees the latest generation infotainment system with Audi Connect smartphone app operation and updated driving aids. These include adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, collision avoidance and even adjustments in throttle and gears via GPS. High-end models will include an 8.3-inch screen with MMI touch besides the 12.3-inch TFT monitor.

Adaptive cruise control, along with automatic emergency braking, and camera-based speed sign recognition and the full range of parking assistance systems are all available.

regular a5 coupe

Power comes from the same range of downsized petrol and diesel engines as the regular A5 Coupe. Outputs range from 140 kW (190 hp) to 210 kW (286 hp) in the regular range. There’s even a bivalent natural gas/petrol model on offer, with 125 kW (170 hp) on tap. Meanwhile, the 260 kW (349 hp) turbocharged V6 in the new S5 Sportback punches it to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.7 seconds.

Pricing for the A5 Sportback kicks off at €37,800 (about US$42,570), while jumping up to the more powerful S5 Sportback pushes the price up considerably to €62,500. Go check them both out at the Paris Motor Show this month!

Roland Mourethas just announce the opening of their new flagship store on 1006 Madison Avenue, New York City. The store interiors reflect an aura of 1970’s Parisian chic.Partnering with Jerome Dodd, frequent collaborator of the brand, Roland Mouret has curated pieces which display his appreciation of art and sculpture. Porcelain sculpture ‘Gorilla’ by James Webster from his Trophies collection, is presented alongside ‘UnknownPose by Roseate Spoonbill’ by the artist Darwin Sinke and Van Tongeren, which overlooks the whole store from the mezzanine level. Echoing the importance of art and fashion, two convex mirrors sit side-by-side. Measuring 1.6m they have been specially commissioned for the store, underscoring the brand’s dedication to not only fashion but to art.In celebration of the Flagship, Roland Mouret will introduce the Tilson jumpsuit in Dark Red, which will be exclusively available at NYC. Other colours of the jumpsuit will be available at both the UK flagship and the digital flagship www.rolandmouret.com.

Opened by Singapore watch retailer Cortina Watch the past week,the largest Rolex store in Singapore is a 513-sqm place at Marina Square. Part of this space is dedicated to a permanent exhibit called the Rolex Exhibition, which showcases the passion, heritage and commitment to excellence that characterize Rolex, along with favorites like Sky-Dweller and Air-King. And this one’s also one of the largest Rolex boutiques in the world.

Celebrate Diwali with MasterChef 2 Winner at One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai

This year celebrate the Festival of Lights at One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai at the chic Indo-European restaurant Nina and experience a selection of contemporary signature dishes from the MasterChef India 2 winner Chef ShipraKhanna, on 30 and 31 October 2016. You also get to discover the combination between exotic spices and flavours with a special sharing experience menu, complemented by a selection of Indian beverages and live entertainment by resident DJ and a table player.Entrance AED 450 (INR 8,500 approx.) per person. Additionally, you can also go for the 1001 Arabian Nights experience at One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai including dinner for two at Tagine, Sundowner Dune Dinner Safari, Oriental Hammam, and more. Rates start from AED 1,640 (INR 30,000 approx.) per night.