James Bond inspired store in London for skincare brand Aseop

Australia-based premium skincare brand Aesop just opened its flagship store in London and it has none other than the glamorous and mysterious James Bond as its inspiration. Located in the swanky Chelsea neighbourhood, the 100 sqm store has been designed by renowned interior design firm Snohetta, which has collaborated with Aesop for several other projects as well. Aesop’s in-house architect Jean-Phillipe Bonnefoi has reportedly used James Bond movies’ scenography as a base for the store’s design.

A hand engraved Urwerk watch honouring Dubai

A unique watch made its debut at the Dubai Watch Week, a timepiece that honours Dubai in all the spellbinding grandeur of the “tantalizing megacity.” Created by Geneva-based independent watchmaker Urwerk, known for its iconic satellite system for displaying the time, this watch is christened the UR-210 Dubai and engraved by Florian Güllert. The watch is inspired by the paradoxes of Dubai, the extreme lavishness set against extreme aridity to its east and the Persian Gulf to its west. Therefore the engraving on the watch tries to capture the character of the city through its intricate patterns and mosaic found on ancient middle-eastern places of worship and royal palaces. The watch that took more than 300 hours to complete, is engraved from case to bracelet tip and runs on caliber UR-7.10 that has the patented revolving satellite complication with wandering hours and three-dimensional retrograde minute’s hand.  The power reserve lasts 39 hours.

Feast your eyes on the bespoke Zenith Black McLaren 720S Coupé

British supercar maker McLaren is unveiling a bespoke Zenith Black 720S Coupe to mark the opening of Dubai International Motor Show 2017, running from Nov 14 to 18. The Zenith Black 720S coupe is most distinguishable by its special satin finish, offset by the gold-coloured alloy wheels and not to be forgotten—the genuine 24-carat gold engine heatshield! Interestingly, this car is inspired by the meaning and beauty of words: words once spoken by the New Zealand-born racing driver, Bruce McLaren who laid the foundation for the F1 racing team. Illustrated in gold detailing across the spoiler, a condensed version of the quote written in Arabic script reads “Life is measured in achievement, not in years alone”. Painted in Zenith Black and completed with special satin finish, the bespoke 720S coupe features gold-coloured alloy wheels, incorporated with the genuine 24-carat gold engine heatshield that has a gold-lined engine bay for optimum cooling. The car’s rear wing took 30 hours of craftsmanship to complete. As for under the hood, it retains the standard 4-litre, twin-turbo V8 powerplant and drivetrain of the previous McLaren F1 hypercar model. The touches of gold extend to the interiors as well, and there is also a dashboard-mounted plaque that terms the car a “1 of 1 MSO commission”.

Omega, Porsche join hands for limited edition Speedmaster watch

Omega has teamed up with Porsche to create the ultra-limited Speedmaster “Porsche Club of America” watch for sports car aficionados. Sporting colours that go with the sport car theme, the timepiece features a plasma-treated 44.25 mm case made from polished and brushed grey ceramic resembling high-performance brake disks, while the hands and other details appear in yellow just like the visible brake calipers we see in modern Porsches. The movement is a selfwinding Omega Co-Axial Calibre 9300 with an officially certified chronometer, wheel chronograph mechanism, time zone function, and a 60-hour power reserve. The sapphire-crystal caseback comes engraved with the inscription “Grey Side of the Moon”—a reference to the dial crafted from ceramised Grade 5 titanium, a material interestingly found in the exhaust design of the 911 Turbo, as well as on the moon! The watch comes with a driver-style grey leather strap with yellow rubber interior, and is limited to 99 pieces only.

Uber-luxe, solar powered floating homes for $2million

Floating homes are the future of housing, with a number of concepts already in the pipeline. And now, here’s a new concept by Floridian company Arkup: a home that will hover over the ocean on hydraulic legs! The 4,350 square-foot structure will be solar-powered and capable of collecting rainwater to meet the residents’ freshwater needs as well. The home will be a four bedroom structure, with a kitchen and a laundry room all outfitted with high-end finishes and floor-to-ceiling windows offering the most breathtaking views –and not just that, but possibly unlimited mobility. And that’s not even the best part yet. This customisable floating home is actually designed to withstand a category 4 hurricane. Additonally, the hydraulic legs can lift the home above the waves if you desire solid ground beneath the feet—so to speak. Of course, the uber luxe homes also come with communications like 4G, satellite TV, Wi-Fi, and VHF radio with a 1000 kWh lithium battery as a backup power source.

Huntsman Savile Row brings Autumn Winter 2017 Ready to Wear collection

Huntsman’s Autumn Winter 2017 Ready to Wear Collection celebrates a heritage that spans three centuries, drawing inspiration from the house’s extensive archives and from Creative Director Campbell Carey’s experience in bespoke tailoring. At the heart of the collection is the house’s iconic single-button jacket, with its slim silhouette and tapered waist, while the standout design is the Cashmere Sports Jacket, available in two colours, Green Dorset and Blue Sussex. Sourced from inner and outer Mongolia, the cloth is made up of eight yarns, twisted together to create a luxurious finish and remarkable depth of colour. Another fine fabric making its first appearance in ready-to- wear is cashmere doeskin, which is used to create a luxury version of the classic Navy Blazer. Doeskin has a soft, lustrous finish achieved through a tight weave, giving it a luxuriant sheen when light falls on its surface. The blazer pairs beautifully with another classic: dark grey flannel trousers, a flat-fronted style this season. One of the collection’s highlights is the Midnight Blue Evening Suit, inspired in part by Daniel Craig’s rule-breaking midnight blue tuxedo in Skyfall. A further highlight is the one-button Fresco Suit in a dark grey hopsack, with an open weave that makes it ideal for travel.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s—for real, at The Blue Box Café

Now you can actually partake in the pleasures of a breakfast at Tiffany’s, for the jeweller’s flagship store on New York’s Fifth Avenue just opened a new Tiffany’s café. Created by Paris-based design duo Ronon and Erwan Bouroullec, the café features captivatingly elegant interiors, featuring a colour palette in the iconic Tiffany blue. The café will operate during regular store hours. The Truman Capote novel Breakfast at Tiffany’s , which was later turned into an eponymous Hollywood movie starring Audrey Hepburn, is the inspiration behind this first ever dining concept for the brand. Christened The Blue Box Café it mirrors the 1961 film segment where actress Audrey Hepburn was snacking on a pastry near the storefront on Fifth Avenue, while looking through the shop window with rapt attention. The café will serve up breakfast using Tiffany china and silverware and American classics made with regionally sourced ingredients while the menu will change seasonally to cater to the diverse palates.

Hublot partners with Maldives resort for ocean-inspired limited edition watches

Hublot has partnered with Cheval Blanc Randheli resort in the Maldives to create a special edition timepiece called the Classic Fusion Special Edition, which tries to capture the serene, glorious shades of blue in the ocean—undoubtedly the best part of a Maldivian vacation. The dial is truly unique for it has been created using sand—by Parisian artist Vincent Beaurin, who designed the signature works of art at the Cheval Blanc Maison in the Maldives. The smaller version of the watch features a halo of crystalline stones on the bezel as well. The Classic Fusion Cheval Blanc Randheli Special Edition is available in 45mm and 38mm versions with brushed metal cases and blue crocodile straps. The limited edition watches can only be purchased at the Cheval Blanc Randheli Concept Store, in the dedicated Hublot area.

MW60 Wireless over-ear headphones from Master & Dynamic

Sleek stylish and built to last, the new industrial-looking MW60 over-ear headphones from Master & Dynamic are part of a trio of high quality audio equipment released by the brand. The MW60 includes such technical intricacies as patent-pending stainless steel componentry, exposed all-aluminum antenna delivering 4 times more signal range than the industry average, and a 16-hour rechargeable battery. The earpads are soft lambskin, and house 45mm Neodymium drivers providing a rich, warm sound. The heavy grain premium cowhide on the headband & ear cups and stainless steel foldable hinges add durability and style. The headphones are available in six different color combinations, including a cool black metal/camo model.

Critterati, India’s first five star hotel for pets

Critterati, India’s very first five-star hotel for pets offers the real life of luxury for your pooch. Situated in DLF Phase IV, the six-floor, 12000 sq ft hotel is the perfect place for submerging your pet in oodles of indulgence. Accommodations ranging from Standard to Deluxe to Balcony Suites, TV sets in each room, a swimming pool, a TV lounge, a saloon, a spa with Spanish perfumes and—hold you breath—even a cafeteria for weddings and birthday parties! Now that’s the kind of luxury we’re talking about. Deepak Chawla, chief executive officer, Critterati, wanted this idea to be a turning point for redefining pet culture in India—much like the US. Right now Critterati caters only to dogs, with facilities including day-care, boarding, a clinic, and a shop that sells everything from pet food to toys and accessories and also a live camera in the rooms so that owners can check on their pets. Next up—boarding and luxury services for cats as well.