Yves Saint Laurent celebrates 40th anniversary with special edition fragrance

Yves Saint Laurent is celebrating 4 decades of luxury with the unveiling of a special edition of the iconic ‘Opium’ fragrance. Twenty hand-numbered transformed bottles of Opium Extrait de Parfum were created by artist and gilder Manuela Paul-Cavallier into a contemporary expression of the luxury brand. Paul-Cavallier reworked on the bottle using various meticulous techniques, and added touches of striking gold as a symbol of the metal cherished by Yves Saint Laurent at that time. The fragrance combines top notes of mandarin with middle floral notes of jasmine and miniature carnation, and a base comprising amber and patchouli—all of this housed in a bottle with a black silk tassel and attached bead, inspired by small Japanese lacquered cases called inrō.

Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas gets humanoid robot ambassador ‘Pepper’

Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas has recently announced the appointment of humanoid robot Pepper as the hotel’s Technical Ambassador. Based in the Sky Lobby on the 23rd floor, the robot will greet guests and complement hotel services through playful entertainment. Pepper the humanoid bot apparently actually acts as a colleague to the team. Featuring large expressive eyes and lifelike movements and gestures, the four-foot (1.2-metre) tall Pepper can discern a guest’s gender, approximate age and mood. Interacting in natural and intuitive ways, Pepper provides personalized communication by detecting facial, body and voice cues. It can provide answers to property-specific questions, give directions, tell stories, dance and even pose for a selfie.

One&Only Le Saint Geran unveils transformed, reimagined spa

One&Only Le Saint Geran has unveiled a new, reimagined spa that covers over 1,000 square metres and offers an incredible panorama overlooking the lap pool and lagoon, surrounded by serene water and lush vegetation as well as secluded outdoor gardens for blissful open-air therapy. The spa features new heat facilities including a steam room and sauna, and day beds around the infinity pool. The thirteen newly designed treatment rooms surround the pool, with some opening onto their own private garden with outdoor showers. The One&Only Spa will continue its partnership with the award-winning ESPA brand, offering experiences ranging from pure relaxation to unique and signature wellness journeys, utilising indigenous and authentic techniques. Also being unveiled is a new Bridal Suite, a secret hideaway that boasts a private entrance, a mini hair and make-up studio, a changing room with a large mirror for fitting the dress, to a manicure/pedicure station and a private garden with outdoor shower. Guests will also have the option of taking their wellness journey out to sea on board a beautiful vintage boat, Lady Lisbeth, for a full day experience cruising the lagoon, coast and neighbouring islands with a private skipper, butler and spa therapist. Guests will begin the day with a romantic breakfast at the resort and then be transferred to the boat where they will set sail for the day and enjoy a tailor-made massage on-board, a champagne picnic, be able to swim and snorkel in the Mauritian azure waters and enjoy watching the sun set as they sail back to the resort.

1966 Jaguar E Type Roadster to be auctioned at Sotheby’s

RM Sotheby’s will soon be auctioning a magnificent 1996 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster,  powered by a 4.2 litre inline 6 cylinder engine, with a known ownership record from new and boasting a numbers-matching powertrain. The beast of the road also had a fresh restoration that included a new Opalescent Grey paint to contrast with the leather Cinnamon interior. The engine was extensively rebuilt by Scottsdale Auto Machine of Arizona, and the Roadster comes with a matching removable hardtop as well. Most interestingly, the Jaguar E Type is the vehicle for which Enzo Ferrari reportedly claimed that it was the most beautiful car he had ever seen. The Jaguar E Type was originally introduced in 1961, but improved on itself just a few years later with the introduction of the upgraded 4.2-liter powerplant in 1965. Besides the powerful engine that took the E-Type to its 150 mph top speed, the sleek rounded curves of the Jaguar gave it an unquestioning grace on the road. Not for nothing was this the most beautiful car according to Enzo Ferrari!

Taste of an artist: Ladurée brings Marina Abramovic macarons

In the world of all that is metaphorical and sensuous, Ladurée is now bringing macarons that are supposed to ‘taste like’ Marina Abramović. Ladurée has partnered with the sugar artists at NYC-based studio, Kreëmart, to create ‘Marina Abramović’s Taste’, a set of three macarons that evoke the memories, fragrances and scents from the life of the artist. From the scent of early morning coffee made by her grandma, to herbs and spices like thyme, basil, cardamom seeds, and exotic smells from trips round the world are some of the experiences incorporated into these macarons. Abramovic adds to this her memories of exploring volcanoes and waterfalls and watching the line of ocean meeting the sky. “All of this,” says Abramovic, “in this macaron of me.” That’s some serious ‘food for thought’, for it attempts to capture the intangible to create the tangible. As for the more visible, earthy aspects of the macarons, they come dyed blue and covered with gold leaf, bearing the Abramović family’s coat of arms. Each set of three is priced at €85 ($100 approximately), and they’re available at Harrods in London. The macaron set will be available later at Ladurée cafes in New York City, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Milan as well.

The $2 million Victoria Secret Fantasy Bra studded with 6000 gems

Ever dreamed of owning $2 million lingerie, gem-studded, no less? Well feast your eyes on this year’s celebrated Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra. Dubbed the Champagne Nights Bra, this creation by Mouwad weighs over 600 carats and is made from 18k gold handset with diamonds, yellow sapphires, and blue topaz, with two large, mesmerising teardrop sapphires—one placed between the cups of the bra and the other hanging from the necklace. Featuring a gorgeous intricate floral design, the bra is studded with 6,000 precious stones in all, and took 350 hours to complete. The fantasy bra also incorporates a necklace and comes with a matching belt. Lais Ribeiro will be the VS angel donning the scintillating Fantasy Bra this year. But if you think this is mind-bogglingly over the top, let’s just remind you that last year’s Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra was a $3 million dollar diamond and emerald creation modeled by Jasmine Tookes! If that doesn’t define breath-taking, we don’t know what will!

Europe’s second One&Only Resort to come up in Greece

One&Only Kéa Island resort is all set to open in Greece, becoming only the second One&Only resort located in Europe.  Situated in a 65-hectare beachfront site on the west side of Kea island of the Cyclades, this ultimate ultra-luxury lifestyle experience will include 75 resort villas, as well as One&Only Private Homes available for purchase. A collaboration between Kerzner International Holdings Limited, Dolphin Capital Partners and Dolphin Capital Investors, this resort is part of the brand’s portfolio expansion, through which the brand now includes One&Only Nature Resorts, One&Only Urban Resorts and One&Only Private Homes, adding to the existing collection of award-winning Beach Resorts.  “Kea is such an incredible island and our partners, Dolphin Capital Partners are leaders in development of luxury mixed-use resorts,”commented Philippe Zuber, President and Chief Operating Officer, One&Only Resorts.  “Our goal is to introduce the finest resort in the Mediterranean and I am confident that One&OnlyKéa Island will deliver on the One&Only promise.” The resort will become a culinary destination for the intimate island, offering 3 restaurants and two bars, bringing the story of Kea to life through all senses. This will include a Greek piazza experience, offering fresh cuisine from morning to night, as well as the ultimate restaurant for the catch of the day, expertly grilled over open flames.  One&Only Beach Resorts also offer an iconic international beach club. Arrivals via private luxury yacht or through the exclusive resort helicopter. In addition, One&Only Kéa Island will be home to a cantilevered lounge built into the cliffside, offering the perfect place to watch approaching mega-yachts as the sun dips below the horizon.

Singapore Airlines' new uber-luxe suites are bedrooms in the air

Singapore Airlines is all set to take the definition of swanky, plush and ultra luxe even further, with the upcoming debut of their new ‘bedroom suites’ on the Singapore-Sydney route in December. The extravagant, lavishly furnished suites include a separate full-flat bed with adjustable recline and adjustable leather upholstered seats that offer 45 degrees reclining and swivel capability, maneuvered through an electronic control side panel. The new Suites also boast a 32-inch full HD monitor, a full-sized personal wardrobe, customized handbag stowage compartment, amenity box lined with soft leather, specially designed carpet and–as if all of this weren’t quite luxe enough–there’s a wall with mood lighting as well. Two lavatories are available for the suites with one of them featuring a sit down vanity counter.

New Delhi gets its second Nirav Modi boutique

Luxury diamond jewelry brand Nirav Modi recently launched its second boutique in the capital. Spread across an area of 1,600 sq ft, the swanky boutique has been designed by acclaimed French luxury interior design specialist Atelier Marioka Chaumet and is housed inside DLF Emprio Chanakya–arguably the most coveted retail space in the capital and one of its most luxurious destinations. The new boutique will house a selection from across various Nirav Modi collections, including jewels from the iconic Jasmine Collection, Embrace Bangles, high jewels launched at the La Biennale, Paris, and the new bridal Sakura collection. With the launch of this new boutique, the all India count of Nirav Modi boutiques just went up to three–two in New Delhi and one in Mumbai–with a fourth slated to open in Bengaluru.

Lexus NX300h to make India debut on November 17

Toyota’s luxury arm Lexus is all set to debut the Lexus NX 300h in India on Nov 17, taking the total number in the Indian fleet to four. The NX300h SUV will be the brand new, face-lifted version of the brand’s smallest crossover offering globally, revealed at the Shanghai Motor show earlier this year. Also set to be the brand’s most affordable model yet, the NX 300h will be priced lower than the ES Sedan. The India-bound NX300h comes with a powerful 2.5-litre petrol engine that boasts a hybrid configuration. The futuristic exterior the latest version of the Lexus corporate ‘spindle’ grille flanked by triple projector beam headlights, and the tick mark shaped LED DRLs right below that. The roof slides smoothly into the rear end which features stylish wraparound tail lights . The leather interiors feature a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment with a host of advanced systems. Expect to find Ambient lighting and a panoramic roof as well.