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The renowned Japanese casual wear manufacturer and retailer, Uniqlo has announced its collaboration with a leading global fashion icon and designer, Carine Roitfeld for the spring 2016 collection, which will hit the stores in February next year. The range will exclusively run around the theme–working girl chic and includes pieces made from high-performance, wrinkle-resistant fabrics, mainly for the wearer to discover a modern sense of style. A military motif runs through the collection, with appearances from the sexy snakeskin textures and leopard prints that are staples in Roitfeld’s own wardrobe.

In the world of fashion, a fresh face oozing with confidence, grace and elegance could only stand tall among the less extraordinary. Anna Ewers, a 22- year-old German Vogue cover model captivated the industry’s imagination, and secured the model of the year 2015 award. She gave a good run for money to besties–Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, who dominated the 2015 runways. Model of the Year, Models.com Industry Awards are the voice of over 250 voters, representing a wide range of the industry’s top professionals including stylists, designers, photographers, editors, hair and makeup artists and casting directors.

Located amidst natural vegetation and lush landscape in Phang Nga Bay, the Six Senses Yao Noi resort has announced to host internationally acclaimed Michelin starred celebrity chef Juan Amador, and his protégé, Christophe Lerouy for three exciting gourmet events. Scheduled for January 9, 11, and 13, 2016, guests shall make reservations in advance, or upon arrival. A maximum of 20 guests will be welcomed at each dinner event. The first will be a three-course pool side dinner including an open selection of wine priced at USD 100 per guest, the two dinners are special four-course degustation dinner at USD 85 per person, excluding wine or USD 125 with paired wine.

Dressing well is a form of good manners but without much of a hassle. A new subscription service introduced by 8/Omakase, a made-to-measure luxury clothing service for men offers, a professional online stylist and tailor to pick, design and source the fabrics to create individual pieces for your size and preference and then have it delivered at the doorsteps. The company derives its name Omakase, a Japanese phrase, often used in sushi restaurants, which means the customer entrusts the chef to relieve the burden of choice from the novice and let expert do the job. The 8/Omakase service is available online and priced at $300 per quarter.

INNOVATION DRIVEN | Steer the wheels to map undiscovered terrains

Recently unveiled, the world’s first luxury compact SUV convertible, Range Rover Evoque symbolises refinement, luxury and creative design. Due to hit roads in spring 2016, the Range Rover Evoque’s capability, performance and comfort is tested to Land Rover’s rigorous standards. This convertible SUV has a four-cylinder engine that offers 240 hp and a nine-speed automatic transmission. It can accommodate four passengers and includes a spacious trunk and a neat ski hatch for hitting the slopes.

This convertible offers some new technology in the car, starting with the latest InControl Touch Pro system with super-wide 10.2-inch touchscreen and 3G internet connectivity. The Evoque convertible can also cope with 45-degree gradients and 35-degree tilts, and wade through water 500mm deep. The rising beltline gives it distinctiveness, while helping to disguise the hood mechanism and allowing decent boot space.

Range Rover has also come up with a unique underground testing film, which was shot forty metres below the streets in front of the Central Saint Martins, Granary Square, Kings Cross in London. Murray Dietsch, Director of Land Rover Programmes said, “The tunnels are still under construction, so we had a unique opportunity to explore the vehicle’s all-terrain ability in unchartered territory.”

The short film begins with the highly-capable convertible being lowered by a crane into the 26-mile (42km), 6.2 meters diameter of crossrail tunnels for a development test. Engineers were allowed the opportunity to drive the new Evoque Convertible with its roof lowered in complete privacy.

Priced at $50,000, Evoque luxury credentials boasts of leather seats on all models and personalisation options such as ability to inscribe names on the treadplates. This much awaited car signals a new dawn for luxury SUVs.

PRICED REVERIE | William Robinson, Auctioneer and International Head of World Art, selling Vasudeo S. Gaitonde ‘Untitled’ painting for INR 29,30,25,000 ($4,416,502), in Mumbai

The third Christie’s sale held at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai, grossed INR 97,69,90,000 / $14.7million, much above the pre-sale high estimate of INR 75,06,30,000, becoming the highest total for any auction in India. The bidding was seen across all price points from clients on the telephone, and in the room, who battled for ‘Untitled’, an oil painting by one of India’s most respected artists, Vasudeo Santu Gaitonde. The painting was made in 1995, and is one of the last works completed in Nizamuddin, before the artist moved to Gurgaon in 1996. The painting soared above its pre-sale estimate to sell for INR 29,30,25,000 ($4,416,502), breaking the previous world auction record (INR 23,70,25,000 / $3.7 million) for the artist and the category set by Christie’s at the inaugural India sale in 2013.

With a strong global presence of 54 offices in 32 countries and 12 salerooms around the world including London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zürich, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Mumbai, Christie’s offers around 450 auctions annually in more than 80 categories, in all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewelry, photographs, collectibles and wine. Christie’s hold the world auction records for works by F.N. Souza, Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, TyebMetha, S. H. Raza, M. F. Hussain and many other artists.

“With each sale, our collectors here increase in number and appetite. The Gaitonde canvas achieved a world record for any Indian artwork sold at auction in the country,” said William Robinson, Christie’s International Head of World Art.

The 4th annual Luxury First look: Strategy 2016 is scheduled to take place on January 20, in New York. The event is organised by leading trade publication, which covers luxury marketing across all mediums and channels, Luxury Daily. Senior executives and decision-makers of the luxury industry from the companies such as Boston Consulting Group, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Van Cleef & Arpels, Breguet, Shullman Research Center, would discuss various topics—new growth drivers in the luxury industry, how luxury brands and retailers should consider reaching and communicating with luxury buyers in 2016.

The field of luxury brands in India is breaking wide open and shooting upwards. The recently opened BCBG Max Azria’s fashion boutique on the second floor of the plush Palladium Mall in Mumbai is one such example. The store displays Fall/Winter and Holiday 15 collection, along with the runway line seen at the New York Fashion Week 2015. With its floor-to-ceiling glass window displays, concrete floors, warm amber lighting and ivory walls, the interiors of the store proclaim a sophisticated-chic look. The brand has opened its first store at Emporio in New Delhi, earlier this year.

To counter the competition with other luxury cruise lines, the Monacan-Italian, Silversea cruises and the brand consultancy firm, The Partners, have come together to recreate a differentiated identity for the Sliversea cruise line. With some of the highest space and service ratios in cruising, the intimate ships of are distinguished for their elegant, refined interiors, stellar service, superb dining, and gracious hospitality. Focusing on its new theme, ‘adventure with style,’ Silversea has released brochures and other marketing materials and also updated its web site, cabin interiors and merchandise, along with creating a coffee table book and a navigation app.

The brand of luxury Swiss watches, Richard Mille, has added one more masterpiece to their collection of ultra-luxurious time-pieces for women, the RM 07-02, an automatic watch encased in pink sapphire. It is one of the most expensive watches available today, priced at whopping $980,000. The bezel, case band and case back of the RM 07-02 are made from solid blocks of pink sapphire. A smokey mother of pearl is placed in the central dial section with small diamonds set around the dial and into the winding rotor on the back. The entire movement is made from solid red gold. Other features include, hand-polished beveling, micro blasted milled sections and diamond polished angles, making it an accomplished watch.