Harley Davidson just opened their first concept store in India—the Warrior Harley Davidson. The store that is located in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, is part of the American motorcycle brand’s effort to reach out to its existing customer base in Tier III cities. The store houses a bike display, PA and GM display, a customer lounge and service set-up – all within an area of 3,000 square feet. It’s designed to improve convenience for sales and service requirements of Harley-Davidson customers living in tier III cities and enable them to be a part of H.O.G.events. The new concept store also offers an opportunity for Harley Davidson enthusiasts to band together and interact.
Yes, we did say ‘Stilleto Roller Skates’ –the latest innovation from Yves Saint Laurent that makes you gasp in disbelief. Part of YSL’s 2017 fall collection, they are the brainchild of creative director Anthony Vaccarello. This impossible to imagine combination of heels and wheels brings together shades of pink, gold and blue against a jet-black canvas, in a brilliant play of colours and patterns. The roller wheels are incredibly attached right below the heel and sole, making you wonder if they’d really ever be put to their intended use. Priced at $2600¸these Stilleto Rollers a marvel for sure but their wear-ability is definitely questionable! Fear not, though, if you’d like an actual, practical pair of YSL wonders with skates, there’s an alternative version available in sneakers and they cost $1195.
Samsung’s newest Galaxy S8 Active boasts a shatter-resistant screen that can withstand even a 5-foot fall. With thicker glass and enlarged bezel, the Active still provides a full 5.8″ Quad HD display at a tall 18.5:9 aspect ratio as the Galaxy 8. The fingerprint sensor is situated at the back near the rear camera rather than in the glass. And lest you forget—this phone has been tested to military standards, boasting enhanced water, dust, and shatter resistance owing to thicker metal frame and shock-resistant bumpers along with a plastic – not glass – back. Add to that the capability to withstand submersion in 5ft of water for up to a half hour, and you have a real winner on your hands. Priced at $850, this baby comes with a catch though—it is available only in the USA.
The new Land Rover Discovery SUV has made its debut in India at Rs 68.05 lakhs (ex-showroom). The seven-seater premium SUV in its third generation for the Indian market has been made available in five variants with petrol and diesel powertrain options, prices going all the way up to Rs 1.03 crore for the top-spec diesel-powered variant. Based on the brand’s latest light full-size SUV architecture, this next-generation Discovery is 480kg lighter than the previous model and sits on an aluminium monocoque chassis. So it’s expected to be more comfortable, faster and even more capable than its predecessor. Petrol variants of the new Land Rover Discovery are powered by a 3.0-litre, V6, turbo-petrol engine belting out 335bhp and a peak torque of 450Nm. The diesel-engine variants are powered by a 3.0-litre, V6 turbo-diesel engine that spews 255bhp of power and 600Nm of torque. Both engines are part of Land Rover’s new Ingenium engine family. The standard features in the SUV include the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, a 14-speaker Meridian digital surround system and four 12V charging points amongst others. The central touchscreen can be controlled through a smartphone app which is part of the InControl Touch Pro Services. The main highlight here is the Intelligent Seat Fold technology, which allows passengers to reconfigure the second- and the third-row seats.
Generation Shift: The brand new Phantom flaunts an all-new aluminum architecture, which will now form the body of every future Rolls-Royce
The recently unveiled next generation of the Rolls-Royce Phantom is the most silent and luxurious car you’d have set eyes upon. Importantly, it is the ultra luxe automaker’s first update of the Phantom in 14 years. The previous, seventh-generation Phantom was launched in 2003, which was the first model introduced after BMW took ownership of Rolls Royce. The Phantom VIII, which was in development for six years, marks an important shift in the ultra luxe automaker: the brand new Phantom flaunts an all-new aluminum architecture, which will now form the body of every future Rolls-Royce. It’s a notable change that will mean the same underlying architecture will be used on Rolls Royce vehicles of varying size and weight as well as with different propulsion, traction, and control systems. The purpose of the new aluminium architecture is to produce a lighter and 30% stiffer vehicle, which makes the ride more comfortable.
The exterior displays several changes, such as the front grille, raised higher than previous generations and integrated into the bodywork
Powering the Phantom VIII is the new 6.75-liter V12 engine that belts out 563 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. The power is put down to the tarmac through the rear wheels with the help of a ZF eight-speed transmission. Additionally, the engine is 10% quieter than its predecessor, and Rolls-Royce tells you that the Phantom VIII is the quietest car in the world, thanks to 286 pounds of sound deadening material lining the cabin. If you take their word for it, this is also a literal “flying carpet” owing to the new self-leveling air suspension that uses a camera to “proactively” make ride adjustments up to 62 mph.
286 pounds of sound deadening material lining the cabin make this ‘the most silent car in the world’
The Phantom VIII’s exterior displays several changes, such as the front grille, which is raised higher than previous generations and has been integrated into the bodywork to produce a cleaner look. Inside, the seats are new and wood paneling across the back of the front seats are a nod to the Eames Lounge Chair of 1956. Theater monitors adorn the backs of the front seats, and the center console in the back has been upgraded as well.
The Phantom’s dashboard and instrument panel area, termed ‘The Gallery’ can be customised with art works or even a gold-plated 3D-printed map of the owner’s DNA
One of the most interesting features of the new Phantom is the car’s dashboard and instrument panel area, termed ‘The Gallery’ by Rolls Royce. All the elements, which include the instrument digital dials, are enclosed in a single piece of glass. Instruments show speed, power reserve, fuel and temperature levels and the displays also indicate changes in settings like cruise control, navigation instructions, and driver assistance systems. But interestingly, Rolls Royce is offering the option to turn the typically blank area that generally hides components into a piece of art. Customers get the option to choose an artist or designer to work with and let their creativity roam free, making anything from an oil painting to a gold-plated 3D-printed map of the owner’s DNA!
The Phantom VIII comes full loaded with remarkable tech features
But that’s not all the Phantom VIII offers. This most silent and most luxurious vehicle comes fully loaded with the power of technology. So you get advanced driver assistance system that includes four cameras that provide better visibility such as helicopter view, active cruise control, collision warning, pedestrian warning, cross-traffic warning, lane departure and lane change warning. The vehicle also has a high-resolution head-up display, WiFi hotspot, and navigation and entertainment systems.
The price, you ask? Well it’s yet to be announced, but speculations and conjecture peg it around $450,000 (£340,000). The Phantom VIII goes on sale in late 2017, so just be prepared!
An exclusive paisley woven wool and silk shawl worth Rs 1.5 crore is all set to be displayed at the first edition of the Global Luxury Pashmina Dialogue. The luxury pashmina shawl was once part of the Mughal collection and features an intricate design from the 18th-19th century, woven in gold thread. The objective of the dialogues is to walk the audience through Pashmina’s journey right from Changthang to luxury stores in Europe. Besides the pashmina collection from Mughal times, two dozen pashmina works made from pashmina goat hair, cotton and vegetable dyes will be showcased, with prices ranging from Rs 20 Lakh to Rs 50 Lakh. Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Udaipur, Kolkata and New Delhi will host this first edition of the Global Luxury Pashmina Dialogue, which would be partnered and funded by brands in the luxury sector. With Global Luxury Pashmina Dialogue, pashmina artist Babar Afzal intends to join hands with the likes of German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld to bring back the lost sheen of the fabric once worn by royalty.
The very first Curio Collection by Hilton property has opened in Rome, and it is the Aleph Rome Hotel in the heart of Rome, which has reopened post an extensive restoration. It is now a part of the exclusive Curio Collection by Hilton, a global portfolio of upper upscale, independent hotels and resorts. This is an 88-room hotel based a short distance away from the legendary Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Villa Borghese and many other key attractions. The 1930s-built property is the first in Rome and the second in Italy for the rapidly growing Curio Collection by Hilton of locally authentic hotels. Curio Collection by Hilton offers owners the chance to become part of Hilton and the benefits of its global network, while maintaining the unique identities of their individual properties.
Selena Gomez has partnered with Coach for an exclusive limited edition collection of small leather goods and accessories. Jointly created by Coach Creative Director Stuart Vevers and Gomez herself, this collection consists of bags, wristlets and cardholders. The bags come in three shades: Selena Red, Selena Black Cherry and Selena White. But the highlight of the collection is the Selena Grace bag that’s a versatile, double-handled carryall built for any occasion, a stunner in the brilliant Selena Red shade. The bag also includes some personal touches from the star herself, such as the special hang tag featuring her signature, a story patch with the words ‘To be you is to be strong’ and the phrase ‘Love yourself first’, embossed on the base. What’s more, the bag can also be personalised by buyers with myriad charms from the Coach X Selena collection. The collection will be available Sept 1 onwards in Coach boutiques worldwide and on the official Coach website. Limited quantities of the exclusive Selena Grace bag can also be pre-ordered at Coach Stores in Singapore, from August 24.
The Ritz Carlton, Macau has teamed up with Italian luxe brand Bulgari and will be serving luxurious Bulgari themed high tea as part of their Edible Fashion Campaign. The entire experience consists of tea in an opulent tea set inspired by the history and culture of Rome accompanied by an array of scrumptious delicacies: Tomato Polenta, Burrata with Balsamic, Scallop Tartare, Honey with Vanilla, Blue Curacau Macaroon with Duck Foie Gras, Marinated Beets with Crab Meat Salad and Iberico Ham, Mascarpone with sweets including Pistachio and Raspberry Delight, Traditional Tropical Touch, Blackberry Supreme Disc, Tonka Chocolate and Salted Caramel and 3 Kinds of Scones ! Now that’s one table of temptations!
As classic car lovers gather at Pebble Beach in California in late August this year, BMW will be showing off its upcoming brand new creation at the Concours d’Elegance 2017, and it may actually go into production post the reveal on August 17. A silhouette of a two-seater sports car was posted on BMW’s official Twitter account recently. The new model is expected to be a drop top with cowls behind the front seats, most likely a two seater roadster. The length of the bonnet suggests that this car could feature a front-engine format and perhaps even be the successor to the BMW Z4. Speculations are also on that this could be a convertible version of the upcoming 8 series flagship coupe that is just about to be released. Well, you just have to wait and watch.
