Mandarin Oriental Tokyo launches Christian Louboutin Nail Colours and Treatments

Mandarin Oriental Tokyo has officially partnered with Christian Louboutin to offer their Nail Colour range along with four luxurious manicure and pedicure treatments. Guests can enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city from the 37th floor Spa Studio during these treatments which pair the Loubi Nail Primer and Loubi Nail Gloss with any Christian Louboutin Nail Colour for a flawless finish. While relaxing in barbershop-style chairs, guests choose from 22 Nail Colours, including the iconic Rouge Louboutin and, for the underside of nails, Loubi Under Red. Also available are hues selected from The Nudes, The Noirs and The Pops collections. The spa also offers special treatments along with these. Two of the treatments last 60minutes and begin with a luxurious foot or hand bath scented with drops of the guest’s chosen Christian Louboutin Perfume Oil. These Perfume Oils introduce the designer’s three signature women’s perfumes: Bikini Questa Sera, Tornade Blonde and Trouble in Heaven. Nail shaping, cuticle care and a rejuvenating hand or foot exfoliation follow, preparing guests for the delicate application of stylish, long-lasting Christian Louboutin Nail Colours. Six Spa Studio therapies, such as a head or back and shoulder massage, can be arranged to extend the experience and complement these sumptuous treatments. Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo, is the only hotel in Japan to have been awarded Five Star ratings for both hotel and spa in the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide for the last three years.

Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge finale winners

Hallowe’en (Big Boats) Linnet (Vintage Yachts) and Ganbare (Classic Yachts) emerged as the winners on September 30 of the three season trophies for the 13th Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge at the end of the 39th Régates Royales de Cannes. The winners of the four main categories in the Régates de Cannes were also presented with prestige Panerai watches. The leading international classic sailing circuit has been sponsored by the prestigious Florentine luxury sports watch maker since 2005.

Ralph Lauren Home showcases entire collection at New Delhi

Ralph Lauren Home has finally established their presence in India with the presentation of their complete collection under Seetu Kohli Home. The retail store located across the Qutub Minar in Mehrauli at New Delhi is a 4,700-square-foot space displaying the Ralph Lauren Home signature furniture and lighting, elegant decorative accessories, luxurious bed and bath linens, and distinctive fabric and wall coverings.

Audi A5 launched in India at Rs 54.02 lakh

Audi India has just unveiled the Audi A5 at Rs 54.02 (Ex-showroom Delhi). Also making their debut alongside are the A5 Cabriolet and the S5 Sportback versions under the A5 lineup. The A5 sedan and Cabriolet both feature a chiselled bonnet with the signature hexagonal grille at the front, along with LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights (DRLs). The S5 Sportback of course is the sportier version with power dome hood and wave-design shoulder line to set it apart from its siblings. The A5 Sedan and Cabriolet are powered a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine producing 197bhp and 400Nm of torque, with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox sending power to the front wheels. The S5 Sportback is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine producing 349bhp and 500Nm, with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox which sends power to all four wheels through Audi’s Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system complete with a self-locking centre differential. The 0-100kph sprint is covered by the Sportback in 4.7 seconds, while the A5 Cabriolet and Sedan take 7.9 seconds. As for the interiors,  the Audi A5 sports a new three-spoke steering wheel, black wood-trim in the cabin (faux aluminium in the S5), MMI Touch infotainment system, and the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster. Additionally, there is Audi’s smartphone integration suite with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected to a 755W Bang and Olufsen sound system. The Sportback version also gets a sunroof.

Hilton Group in talks to bring Waldorf Astoria to India

Hilton Group is looking to bring its luxury brand Waldorf Astoria to India, and is in discussions with potential partners and investors for the same. Along with Waldorf Astoria, the international hotel chain also intend to bring the Hilton Curio – A Collection by Hilton brand into the country. Hilton opened their first Conrad property in India at Pune, while the second one will be opening its gates in Bengaluru by December. Hilton Garden Inn Lucknow is also set to open by this year. The group has defined India as a ‘key market’ for investment and expansion.

Hermes opens new store in Delhi

French luxury brand Hermès just opened a brand new store in Delhi, at luxury mall The Chanakya. The 207sqmt store has been designed by French architecture agency RDAI under the leadership of Denis Montel and the interiors are inspired by the peacock, sparkling with iridescent metallic finishes. The store offers menswear, womenswear and leather goods along with a private room for VIP clientele as well as a salon for the jewellery and watch collections. The store is now open to the public.

Luxury footwear brand Harrys of London set for India debut

British luxury men’s footwear and accessories brand Harrys of London is all set to make its India debut by early 2018. The designer leather brand, whose products are designed in the UK and manufactured in Italy, is planning to open its first outlet in Delhi, followed by Mumbai, and is on the lookout for franchise partners in the country. Founded in 2001, Harrys of London is present in more than 20 countries, with a collection that ranges from contemporary London and formal footwear to sneakers and casual footwear, along with travel bags, wallets, shoe-care products, scarves and belts.

According to reports, Harrys of London is planning to open five to six stores in India over the next five years.

Grace Kennedy launches signature brand The Luxurious Destination Collection

The latest signature luxe brand of Grace Kennedy Events, ‘The Luxurious Destination Collection’ was officially launched recently. A partnership bringing together the finest destinations in the world handpicked by Grace, its existing members include the likes of Blenheim Palace, the Mandarin Oriental, the Royal Mansour and several very discreet private islands. The Luxurious Destination Collection gives clients exclusive personal and bespoke options over and above what’s on offer at the luxury marketplace, in three different kinds of destinations—By The Sea, In The City or In The Country . Destinations By The Sea include exclusive private islands, Antigua, Bahamas, the Caribbean Islands and more. Destinations In the City offer peaceful havens in the heart of some of the world’s most important cities such as Morocco, Dubai, mainland Europe, across the UK or further afield. Destinations In The Country include palaces, stately homes and exclusive residences set in Britain, as well as wonderful options from the French Riviera, Lake Como Italy, the Spanish mountains and beyond.

AccorHotels to introduce ultra-luxe brand Raffles in India

French multinational hotel group AccorHotels is all set to introduce its ultra luxuey brand Raffles in India. Accor, which has brands like Ibis, Mercure, Sofitel and Pullman in its portfolio, will launch first Raffles hotel in Udaipur, according to reports. The ultra-luxury brand is currently present in Paris, Singapore and Istanbul. Reports also state that AccorHotels will also launch the second Fairmont hotel in India, to be located close to the Mumbai airport.

900 year old Chinese bowl auctioned for $37.68 million

A 900 year old Chinese bowl from the Song dynasty has been auctioned a Sotheby’s for $37.68 million. The bowl is a small, blue-green piece of tableware about 5 inches wide, identifiable by its colour along with ‘ice crackle’ pattern. Still in pristine condition despite its age, the Song dynasty bowl has set a new record in the category of Chinese Ceramics auctions. Nicolas Chow, deputy chairman of Sotheby’s Asia explained that it belonged to the category of wares produced at the imperial Ru kilns and made exclusively for the Northern Song court. Ru ware is supposed to be the most celebrated ware in the history of Chinese ceramics.