Momist : Luxury Guide

Louis Vuitton Aquarelle Bag

2008-05-16T11:46:00.002-04:00

Louis Vuitton's Aquarelle bag designed Marc Jacobs and artist Richard Prince features a Multicolore monogram print that looks like it was painted using watercolor paints. The bag is based on the Speedy bag and has lizard skin handles with a wooden frame. The price on this bag is said to be around $3,600.

Limited edition Victorian F-style Mandolin

2008-05-16T11:35:00.001-04:00

Gibson Original, has announced the introduction of the Limited Edition Gibson Victorian F-style Mandolin with only 15 available in the world.

The Gibson Victorian Mandolin has each of the time-proven features that mandolin players demand while combining the best attributes of the F5 and the F4 mandolin. It is constructed of figured maple back, sides and neck, and a red spruce top with f-holes, all held together with a hot hide glue. As a special touch, the limited edition instruments are made with a one-piece figured maple back, stunningly accentuated in an early teens Victorian Era Red Sunburst finish.

The limited edition model is a result of a decade of innovation and craftsmanship and can only be owned by 15 fortunate players. Gibson will only produce 15 of these models. Dealer locations can be found on www.gibson.com. Each instrument will come with complete with a hardshell case and a certificate of authenticity.

Per Se

2008-05-16T11:34:00.001-04:00

As the internationally acclaimed chef of the French Laundry, Thomas Keller has earned a reputation as a perfectionist. At Per Se diners benefit from the first taste--miniature sesame cones topped with a scoop of buttery salmon tartare, which arrive as a gift from the kitchen--to the last, gracious nibbles of homemade truffles. In between, dishes like "liver and onions," buttery, tender ramps with lush duck liver pâté; Keller's signature "oysters and pearls" made with tapioca, just-warm oysters, sweet butter and a wealth of caviar; and the genius combination of foie gras, peach jelly and--unexpectedly--young cilantro leaves, sweep diners off their feet.

Per SE Restaurant Review
www.perseny.com

10 Columbus Cir
New York, NY 10019
(212) 823-9335

Ferrari Leggenda e Passione Auction

2008-05-16T11:30:00.001-04:00

RM Auctions in collaboration with Sotheby’s has announced the “Ferrari Leggenda e Passione” (Ferrari - Legend and Passion) set for June 18. LiveAuctioneers.com has opened bidding online, and will also carry streaming audio/video of the event.

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE HAMPTONS

2008-05-16T11:25:00.002-04:00

Take an unparalleled photographic journey through the Hamptons. The best-known residents of this exclusive cluster of towns open their personal albums and invite you to see the Hamptons—their way. Calvin Klein, Julian Schnabel, Patrick Demarchelier and Peter Beard are just a few of the people who share their visions of one of the most unusual getaway spots in the country. More than a playground for the rich and famous, the Hamptons has an incredibly diverse community. Fishermen and year-round locals have coexisted for more than a century with artists, writers and actors, making this small piece of Long Island so alluring.Combining photo archives and beautiful shots from famous vacationers, In the Spirit of the Hamptons captures the past and present, the mix of culture, stunning beaches, exclusive homes, day-to-day small-town life and the people who have made the Hamptons such a unique place.

Double Cross Vodka

2008-05-16T11:20:00.000-04:00

Double Cross, is a new luxury vodka with great packaging. The Double Cross Luxury Vodka out of Slovak Republic was awarded a Gold at the 2008 Packaging Design Awards.

Bottega Veneta Cosmetics Case

2008-05-16T11:19:00.001-04:00

Bottega Veneta's Matte/Shine Cosmetic Case - Patent and matte woven leather give this classic woven leather a chic shade

Dior - Extreme Gladiator Platforms

2008-05-16T11:17:00.002-04:00

Dior's Extreme Gladiator Platforms is touted as the next it shoe. The shoe featured in sex and the city is built from Smooth grained leather and features an Open toe, Contoured bands over vamp, top of foot, and around ankle, Round silver metal studs throughout connect bands in patch-like construction, Ankle band secured to top of stiletto heel with round stud, Adjustable ankle strap with logo-engraved buckle, Smooth grained leather lining and insole and a Leather sole with rubber heel pad

Ferrari California

2008-05-16T11:14:00.001-04:00

Ferrari’s California - named after the 250 GT California from the 1960’s - uses a 4.3 liter engine which allows it to go to from 0 to 100 kilometers an hour in four seconds. The Ferrari California will be available towards the end of this year after its official launch at the Paris motor show in September.

Strata Tower

2008-05-16T11:01:00.001-04:00

Strata Tower is a new luxury residential building in Abu Dhabi. The building designed by New York-based architects Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture of Asymptote is scheduled for completion in early 2011. Asymptote used state-of-the-art, advanced computer modeling tools to create the tower’s curvaceous and innovative design, including a cantilevered exoskeleton structure that allows generous amounts of light to bathe the building’s interiors.

Arper Leaf, Aston & CATIFA 60

2008-05-14T12:05:00.002-04:00

Arper continues to distinguish itself in the furniture sector with consistency , creativity, original product lines, elegance and versatility. Arper will present new luxurious products of 2008, Catifa 60 (design by Lievore, Altherr, Molina) and new variations on the existing collections designed by their and Jean-Marie Massaud’s studios at the ICFF in New York. (17/20 May)

CATIFA 60 (top image) (Lievore, Altherr, Molina)
New from Arper for 2008. Further enriches the already extensive Catifa range. The same sinuous, soft lines that already give Catifa chairs their distinctive look, but with a new shell that make them even more practical. The Catifa 60, conceived by the Lievore, Altherr, Molina studio, is available in three heights (low, medium and high) and has been designed for executive rooms, offices and conference rooms. The Catifa 60 chair is available in soft polyurethane with leather or fabric covering, in a choice of colours, and can be fitted with covered armrests. The base is available in 5-star version on castors, swivel or with tilt mechanism, or in 4-star aluminium version, swivel or with repositioning mechanism.

ASTON (Jean-Marie Massaud)
The Conference version of the chair presented in 2006 and designed by the Jean-Marie Massaud studio is now available in more variants. The version of Aston with low backrest is in fact now also available with four-legs steel base, more suitable for the home, or with cantilever frame, also in steel, which is ideal for offices. Available with a wide choice of leather or fabric coverings, the Aston shell (in three heights: low, medium and high) is padded with polyurethane, providing comfortable support for the whole body with its wrap-around forms. The base is available with central swivel structure in shiny aluminium, or painted aluminium for the version with low shell, as well as in cantilever and four-legs version.

LEAF (Lievore, Altherr, Molina)
The Leaf range is complemented by a comfortable polyurethane cushion, available for all versions: chair, stackable chair, lounge chair and, from this year, also available for the chaise longue. Even more comfort and originality for a seat that stands out due to its natural inspiration and its adaptability to every type of space. Produced in steel with painted finish suitable for outdoor use, in white, mocha or green, Leaf is also available with a choice of two types of cushion, depending on the seating: polyurethane for outdoor use, with a decorative effect that echoes the motif of the metal structure, or in soft leather for indoor use. The chair also comes with a chrome finish. From today, the cushion is also available for the chaise longue.

re-design Yaz's iconic birth control case

2008-05-14T11:16:00.001-04:00

Yaz the oral contraceptive has launched an exciting contest to redesign their iconic birth control case and is looking for aspiring designers to carry out this redesign. About the Contest:

Launched by Nina Garcia, Project Runway judge and fashion guru, along with Step Up Women's Network and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, the contest gives aspiring designers the chance to put their talent to the test.

"The design challenge we're posing is a fashion transformation unlike any other," said Garcia. "We're taking an iconic accessory—the birth control case—and asking aspiring designers to take a shot at redesigning it into a chic, more sophisticated carrying case that they could slip into their purses."

Design submissions will be accepted until June 30, 2008. On behalf of Garcia, Step Up Women's Network, and Bayer HealthCare, one lucky winner will receive a $10,000 prize to invest in his or her career dreams, via enrollment in design classes or for the purchase of special design materials and software. The contest winners will be announced around the time of Fashion Week in fall 2008.

Kundalini “Ecstatic” lamps

2008-05-12T17:55:00.002-04:00

Kundalini will showcase their “Ecstatic” lamps at Water Air Exhibition in New York from 17 to 20 May 2008. Kundalini is an Italian company founded in 1996 defines its lamps as “Objects of Inner Light."

Kundalini will exhibit:

- Bokka table lamp designed by Karim Rashid

- Sama table lamp designed by Gregorio Spini

- Atomium floor lamp designed by Hopf & Wortmann

- Abyss table lamp designed by Osko & Deichmann (pictured)

Study for a Woman in Blue makes $39M at auction

2008-05-12T16:38:00.003-04:00

The cubist oil painting by Fernand Leger sold in New York for more than $39 million Sotheby’s reports.

The auction house says the 1912-1913 painting, “Study for a Woman in Blue,” sold Wednesday for $39.2 million, a record for the 20th-century French artist. The painting’s pre-auction estimate was $35 million to $45 million. The abstract geometric painting shows a woman in a blue dress seated at a table with her hands in her lap.

Chanel vintage shoulder bag in black crocodile

2008-05-12T16:35:00.002-04:00

Chanel vintage shoulder bag in black crocodile. Closes with a zipper on top. Lined in black leather. Zipper pocket against the back. Two outside pockets, one on each side. Pre owned, in like new condition. Comes with dust bag.

Munk Bogballe Workstation

2008-05-12T16:28:00.002-04:00

The Munk Bogballe Workstation combines beauty, quality, and simplicity. David Munk Bogballe set out to create a station with one clear objective, namely to fuse functionality, technology and sheer beauty into an inviting and coherent, high quality tool of work. In stead of focusing purely on technological computing capabilities David Munk Bogballe wanted to bring factors such as feel, non-technical functionality and appearance to the forefront of the process. Built around and powered by Mac hardware the Munk Bogballe Workstations are delivered with a very powerful configuration in order to give You the power You require at work, at home or on the go.

The Workstation specifications at a glance:

* 13,3 inch widescreen display (1280 * 800 resolution)
* 2,4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
* 4 GB memory
* 160 GB hard drive
* 8x Super Drive
* built-in webcam, microphone and stereo speakers

911 Racing and Swarovski Collection

2008-05-12T16:24:00.002-04:00

Porsche Design has launched the elegant 911 Swarovski ladies' collection and the 911 Racing men's collection. Both collections are aimed at Porsche drivers and Porsche fans.

R4 Integrated Music System

2008-05-12T16:21:00.002-04:00

Vita's R4 Integrated Music System produces a scale and quality of sound that you simply will not expect from such an attractive and compact design. R4 features a multi format CD player, integrated iPod dock, USB playback port, DAB/FM tuner and auxiliary inputs. The R4 comes with warm, real wood veneers or piano lacquer finishes, complemented by pressed steel panels . The R4 will be available from June starting at £499 ($1000).

L’Artisan Parfumeur Jatamansi Candle

2008-05-12T16:19:00.002-04:00

L’Artisan Parfumeur has launched the Jatamansi candle scented with the Himalayan Nard flower , citrus, ylang ylang and woody notes. The candle is fully organic and is made with scentless vegetable wax which gives makes the Jatamansi scent cleaner. The L’Artisan Parfumeur Jatamansi candle is available from L’Artisan Parfumeur stores worldwide.

Bond No. 9 Swarovski Stars Bryant Park

2008-05-12T16:13:00.002-04:00

Bryant Park is the inspiration for and name of Bond No. 9's most fashion-forward eau de parfum. This spicy rose-patchouli concoction, with pink pepper added for dissonance, is reflective of the fashionistas and urban renewalists who give the park a cachet to match its sublime scenery. Bryant Park is now chic and shimmering in a limited-edition crystallized flacon adorned with 5,280 Swarovski crystals. 1.7 oz.

The Touch Diamond

2008-05-12T16:10:00.002-04:00

HTC has launched, The Touch Diamond, mobile device their new luxury smartphone. Specifications on the quad-band HSDPA 7.2 smartphone are a 2.8-inch VGA touch screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4GB of internal flash memory, an orientation sensor or accelerometer and a 3.2 megapixel camera.

Christopher Brosiu's I Hate Perfume

2008-05-12T16:05:00.003-04:00

Christopher Brosiu's I Hate Perfume is a line of unique and hand blended perfumes created to reflect both fun, individuality and his own scent memories. The perfumes all have a story to tell and are extremely evocative, calling to mind specific times and places in the perfumer’s life that you’ll find you share.

The Circus, 1870-1950

2008-05-12T15:37:00.002-04:00

With 670 pages and nearly 900 color and black-and-white illustrations, The Circus, 1870-1950 brings to life the grit and glamour behind the circus phenomenon. Images include photographic gems by key early circus photographers such as Frederick Whitman Glasier and Edward Kelty, about 180 of the earliest color photographs ever taken of the circus from the 1940s and 1950s, 200 posters by the famous Strobridge lithographers, iconic circus photographs by Mathew Brady, Cornell Capa, Walker Evans, Weegee, Lisette Model, and little-known circus images by Stanley Kubrick and Charles and Ray Eames; also included are rare color and black-and-white lithographs and engravings from the 16th–19th centuries illustrating the worldwide roots of the circus, as well as original sideshow banners by legendary sideshow banner artists Nieman Eisman, Fred G. Johnson, and David “Snap” Wyatt.

LA CAMISA

2008-05-12T15:15:00.001-04:00

Wendy Stevens's LA CAMISA is made of etched and perforated stainless steel with leather gussets, double handles and a spring hinge closure. This piece will accommodate a wallet, keys, glasses, cell phone and some cosmetics.

Antipodes

2008-05-07T13:46:00.000-04:00

Antipodes touted for its purity, . comes to the surface from a deep aquifer and is bottled at source in Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

To quote the authoritative Geohydrological Assessment of the BOPRC Technical Publication No.2, 1998:

"The groundwater of the Aquifer is of very high quality.
It has been recognized as the deepest, highest quality groundwater in New Zealand".

Antipodes is pure and simple in every way