Just outside Tonbridge, Kent lies an unusual property: Hadlow Tower, which has earned the moniker of the ‘Rapunzel’ tower due to its unsettling history. The tower was initially constructed in 1838 at the request of Walter May, a wealthy tycoon, who suspected his wife of having an affair with a local farmer and wanted to keep her under lock and key in proper Gothic style. If you can get past the tower’s creepy conception, it is a truly beautiful piece of architecture with a rich history. One of the tallest single properties in Britain standing at 175 feet tall, during WWII it was used as an observation post so that the Home Guard could spot and report incoming Luftwaffe. After falling into disrepair, the tower was fully restored with funding from English Heritage groups who wanted to see the historic building returned to its 19th century glory. Now Hadlow Tower is on the market as a luxury home, though there is no published price available. Apparently the building is too ‘unusual’ to fit any standard price guides. A steel spiral staircase leads up to the top of the tower where three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a drawing room, and a dining room are located. Unsurprisingly, there are beautiful views of the surrounding countryside that can be seen from the tower’s many lovingly restored Gothic-arched windows. Currently it is assumed that an investor will purchase the property and turn it into an unusual but memorable holiday destination.

After posing as the face of Dior for the label’s Secret Garden IV ad campaign, Rihanna is once again partnering with the French house, this time as a designer. As part of the singer’s brand ambassadorship with the label, she’s designed a line of sunglasses with futuristic detailing and metallic colors inspired by the Star Trek character Geordi La Forge, played by LeVar Burton. Rihanna said that she’s always been “obsessed” with his space-age eyewear, and the idea came to her after playing with the materials on-hand in a Dior meeting. The line, simply called Rihanna, is expected to arrive exclusively to Dior boutiques in early June. And because RiRi is always ahead of the curve, she’s been sporting the shades on her Instagram account, giving us a stylish taste of what’s to come. There is one frame available in six different styles: the silver, pink, blue, green and red versions will be priced at $840, while a deluxe 24-karat gold-plated edition will retail for $1,950.

(Source: www.justluxe.com)

At Sotheby’s Geneva, this 15.38-carat vivid pink diamond, affectionately dubbed “Unique Pink” was sold for an eye-watering total of $31.56 million, making it the most expensive fancy vivid pink diamond ever to sell at auction. The stone is about the size of the human eye. Set in a simple ring, it was sold to an Asian private buyer who was bidding via phone. “Exactly one year after having set the world record for a jewelry sale, Sotheby’s Geneva has raised the bar once again with a great sale and a great result for the Unique Pink,” said David Bennett, Worldwide Chairman of Sotheby’s International Jewellery Division. Sotheby’s, who valued the gem at $28 – $38 million, revealed that the Unique Pink was discovered less than five years ago in a South African mine. “It is difficult to imagine a diamond that better illustrates the term Vivid Pink than this outstanding stone. The color is simply astonishing and, for its size, it is in my experience truly unique,” Bennett added.

(Source: www.luxuo.com)

Founded in 1873, Church’s has long since established itself as one of Britain’s premier shoe brands. Just in time for summer, the venerable company has introduced the lightest Goodyear-welted shoe to the market. Known as Church’s 450 collection, the innovative shoes are crafted by a unique manufacturing process that reduces the weight of the sole while maintaining the superior technical characteristics of the Goodyear construction—a method of attaching the upper part of the shoe to the sole. Whereas previous Church’s Goodyear shoes weighed at least 540 grams, the 450 collection weighs—fittingly—450 grams. Lightweight and breathable, the stylish shoes are ideal for summer. The footwear is available in a wide range of colors, each distinguished with a feather stamped into the sole of the shoe. Prices are available upon request.

(Source: www.robbreport.com)

It’s raining rare stones. Rio Tinto, the operator of Canada’s Diavik mine, recently announced the sale of their newly-uncovered, 187.7 carat diamond. Buried in the Northwest Territories roughly 130 miles south of the Arctic Circle, larger stones are a rarity, and the diamond would have been destroyed had its elongated shape not caused it to slip sideways through a filtering screen. The stone was (thankfully) recovered and dubbed Foxfire, named after the aboriginal description of the Northern Lights that are so frequent to the skies over where it was discovered. The Diavik Diamond mine where Foxfire was uncovered has unearthed over 90 million carats since it first began operating in 2003. This rare diamond though has a slight yellow tone to it, making it slightly less valuable than the perfectly colorless stones used for jewelry and engagement rings. Currently the stone is being put on display around the world for potential bidders to see up close. It was showcased in New York’s Langham Place Hotel and Kensington Palace in London; next it will make stops in Antwerp and Tel Aviv. Due to the stone’s unusual story, color and shape, some suggest the stone may not be cut into pieces at all, but will likely be kept in its original rough form, possibly stored in a museum or personal collection. David Shara, CEO of Optimum Diamonds and prospective buyer, has other plans for the stone if he’s the lucky winner. He’s considering shaping it into a 100-carat maple leaf to celebrate its Canadian roots.

(Source: www.justluxe.com)

Whether you’re training for the Ironman Triathlon or you’re more of a casual swimmer, the Ameo Powerbreather ($150) promises to improve your experience and performance by a whole lot. Designed to provide a natural way to breathe underwater (in both swimming pools & open waters), the clever snorkeling mask features what they call “patented valve technology.”  So, you get a pair of tubes that allow you to inhale more air, connected to a flexible mouthpiece with an exhale valve for minimizing the carbon dioxide you breathe.  Sounds good, right?  Even better, the ventilation system & diffusers ensure no water can enter the snorkels while you take a turn, and an adjusting head strap keeps it all in place.  Perfect for technique, endurance and respiratory muscle training, the Ameo Powerbreather puts regular snorkels to shame and raises the bar for future swimming gear.  Made in Germany.

(Source: www.mensgear.net)

Designed for everyday use and for your wildest outdoor adventures, the Scout Dual Time by Filson ($900) is a handsome timepiece with rugged, military flair.  It draws inspiration from the classic pilot watches, with an easy to read layout (black dial and Super-LumiNova hands & index), and is powered by Shinola’s Argonite 4220 quartz movement. The brushed stainless steel 45.5mm case features matte black PVD plating and anti-fingerprint coating, while the curved sapphire crystal is scratch-resistant and anti-reflective. Water-resistant up to 20 ATM, the watch also sports a bi-directional rotating top ring, and is complete with a Horween leather strap in army green & a 4-piece, bolt-reinforced roller buckle style closure.  Built to last and hand assembled in Detroit, Michigan.

(Source: www.mensgear.net)

“International in spirit, but Asian at heart” – that’s what Genting Hong Kong’s latest initiative, Dream Cruises, promises its passengers. And the first ever Asian-luxury cruise line keeps true to its word, starting with its exterior. The hull of the massive 335 meter Genting Dream is adorned by an art piece by Chinese pop-artist Jacky Tsai. Titled “Voyage of a Lover’s Dream”, the ethereal image is that of a journey of love between a mermaid and an astronaut. The 2,000-strong crew on deck accommodate up to 3,400 guests, leading the crew-to-guest ratio in Asia-based cruising with stellar Asian hospitality. The room options are more than impressive – more than 70 percent of cabins feature balconies, and the 100 connecting rooms make the journey more enjoyable for large groups and families. For a little decadence, the ‘Dream Mansion’ is a two-floor suite that comes with special guest privileges, European-style butler service and your very own grand piano. Within Genting Dream lie 35 restaurants and bar concepts, each capturing the flavors of Asia and the world. A 610-meter wraparound promenade allows for sea-side dining and an unadulterated view of the ocean during sunset. The pool features six exhilarating water slides, alongside a rock-climbing wall, while there are dedicated play rooms for toddlers. A unique ‘retail-tainment’ concept will also be introduced, providing highly personalized shopping experiences such as trunk shows, personal shoppers and in-cabin services throughout the journey.

(Source: www.luxuo.com)

“Live Irrésistible” – Givenchy’s latest fragrance is a flirtatious mix of floral, fruity and spicy. This Eau de Toilette opens with a juicy burst of pear and juicy raspberry for a refreshing zing; in the heart, romantic rose notes add sensuality, before a base of Jamaican allspice, blonde wood and musk creates a mesmerizing dry down. In various shades of candy pink, the slender, textured bottle encapsulates the scent’s uplifting joie de vivre. Amanda Seyfried lends her face to the “Live Irrésistible” campaign once again, sporting her charming personality in a TV ad filmed by Matthew Frost and a magazine ad by Matt Irwin. Like its Eau de Parfum predecessor, this Eau de Toilette version was developed by famed perfumer Dominique Ropion – the nose behind Lancôme’s “La Vie est Belle”, Paco Rabanne’s “Invictus”, Dior’s “Pure Poison” and Givenchy’s “Amarige” – and will be available in 40ml and 75ml options.

(Source: www.luxuo.com)

W Hotels worldwide has unveiled their latest music initiative—the first-ever W Sound Suite at W Bali – Seminyak. This private music studio and writer’s room will be the place for professional recording artists, studio musicians and producers, in addition to hotel guests, to record in style while on the road. Additional studios in music meccas around the world will be unveiled later this year at W Hollywood, W Barcelona and W Seattle, with more to come. “W has a long history of musicians staying, playing, and celebrating at our hotels,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “We know that inspiration can strike at any moment, so the W Sound Suite is today’s tech-savvy version of scribbling lyrics on a cocktail napkin. Bali, called ‘the alternative Ibiza’, is the perfect setting for our first music studio, with Hollywood, Barcelona and Seattle to follow. After all, who can’t find inspiration in paradise?” W Sound Suites are in part the brainchild of the W brand’s North American Music Director, DJ White Shadow, the Chicago-based producer best known for his work with Lady Gaga. He has been working with W to identify the best sound equipment and studio layout to ensure the suites are optimal for professional use. The first W Sound Suite at W Bali offers a stylishly sound-proof space featuring a lounge big enough for a proper entourage. The main mixing room includes professional equipment from industry favourites Native Instruments, Pioneer and Moog, as well as a private vocal booth overlooking a tropical garden.

(Source: www.the luxuryeditor.com)