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.

The latest Boy Chanel Flab bag with handle is a take on the brand’s Boy bag, part of the Chanel’s Metiers d’Art Paris in Rome 2016 collection. This beauty combines ladylike quilted leather and a traditional boxy shape with edgy chains.The bag is available in three variants, black calfskin with ruthenium metal details, silver metallic effect calfskin with ruthenium metal hardware and a combination of lambskin and python skin in dark red with bronze metal details. The black and silver versions are priced at $5,300 while the smaller red version costs $7,200.

Glenn McGrath to launchnew Hardyswines with Sula Selections in India

Wines from the house of Sula are available extensively outside India, but Sula Vineyardsalso aim at giving Indian consumers exposure to some of the best international wines through their imports arm – Sula Selections.As the exclusive importer and sole distributer of Australia’s legendary wines since 2007, Hardys in India, Sula Selections along with renowned wine clan, Hardys, are all set to announce the launch of two wines – William Hardy Limestone Coast Chardonnay and William Hardy Langhorne Creek Shiraz.For over 160 years, the Hardy family have been experts in winemaking across the world. Pioneered in the family by William Hardy’s great grandfather, Thomas Hardy, 5 generations ago, Hardys Wines was established with the vision of ‘creating wines that will be prized in the markets of the world’.On the occasion of the launch, Glenn McGrath, Australia’s celebrated cricketer and brand ambassador of Hardys Wines will tour India and launch the wines across Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.

Porsche Macan Turbo enters Indian market at 1.4 cr

Porsche has launched the Macan Turbo with Performance Package in India priced at Rs 1.4 crore (ex-showroom, Mumbai). The vehicle offers enhanced performance and better braking capability than the regular variant and comes in the top-spec in  theMacan Turbo lineup in the country. Powered by a 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6 engine which puts out about 428bhp of power and 600Nm of torque, this variant generates an additional 39bhp of power and 50Nm of torque compared to the regular version. The vehicle clocks 0 – 100kmph in an impressive 4.4 seconds and can reach topspeeds of 272kmph. For effective braking, it comes with larger 390mm disc brakes and red coloured six-piston brake calipers.For superior handling and delivering impressive performance, the vehicle gets a lowered body, Sport Chrono Package, sports chassis and sports exhaust system as standard. The new version also gets Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and air suspension with self-levelling function and height adjustment.