The cool design and home blog Apartment Therapy (AT) always has a fresh idea. I've been reading it periodically for a few years, and every time I do, I vow to completely redo my space. Anyway ... The site recently featured a summertime-appropriate post on the Disk Chair, designed by Karim Rashid and made by Ferlea to look like a "spoon folded." AT noted it would be great for poolside or patio, as it's made of fiberglass over a steel frame, but AT commenters had a good point: seems like a sweatfest waiting to happen on a hot day. I think it looks fun and comfortable, albeit maybe with a cushier seat or a towel. Available in black, yellow or white; includes a single foam and polyester cushion. Owo Italia has it for a bit more than $2,000 (European pricing).
The Wall Street Journalreported that Visionaire magazine -- a publication where design, marketing, style, trends and art intersect -- is charging $50,000 for a special Goyard trunk designed for its collectors. The handmade trunk will house the magazine's first 50 issues. This summer, Visionaire also will offer 10 complete sets of its first 50 issues in the Goyard trunks for $150,000. The customized steamer trunks, assembled by hand, will have shelves and insets designed for all 50 issues. Collectors also can buy an empty trunks for €34,500 ($54,000).
From its premiere issue in April 1991 (now up to 54 issues, with each issue typically priced between $150 - $350), Visionaire "challenged notions of what it meant to be an art and fashion publication and was conceived of as a venue for artists such as Mario Testino and Steven Meisel to publish personal work," WSJ stated. It has morphed into something more like a design challenge for its many contributors.
Each issue (which can take between nine months and three years to complete) is typically a mixed-media riff on a theme, posing an ongoing set of challenges to a small crew of designers. For example, White began with the question: How do you publish without using ink? Answer: a combination of Braille, embossing, varnish and paper-cut illustrations. Scent came with perfume capsules, Taste had specially-designed flavor-strips and Sound featured a Mini Cooper toy car that played record albums.
Sometimes I think the word "luxury" gets batted around a bit too much ("luxury water"), but I was curious when I saw a small ad for String, a luxury knitting boutique in NYC, in an NYC lifestyle magazine. While the Web site isn't the most refined, it seems the store itself has everything the serious knitter would want, and gets its luxury reputation for selling cashmere and other refined fibers (more than 80 kinds of yarn); needles; patterns for high-end, expensive projects, including clothing, accessories and even home decor; and perhaps its Upper East Side location. You can shop online for anything knit-necessary, including the store's new book, Luxury Knitting, by owner Linda Morse, or visit at 130 E. 82nd St. Also check out String's blog for store happenings, and the gallery below for a few of the items the store sells.
Since 1986, Rails to Trails Conservancy has been repurposing old railroad tracks into hiking and biking trails with its goal to create "nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people."
I'd heard about this group, but forgot about it until a few days ago, when taking a different route home, I noticed two nearby streets had dedicated bicycle lanes, and my memory was sparked. I think this group has more significance than ever, as more and more people are going green, and walking and biking more. The conservancy even has a pledge you can sign to "Burn Calories, Not Carbon!" I like that this group was ahead of its time, and isn't just jumping on the green bandwagon, or "greenwashing" its claims.
The conservancy has a strong political arm, defending the federal railbanking statute in Congress and the courts as an essential tool to preserve unused rail corridors. Read about how you can get involved.
Last month we reported that there was to be an auction of apparel from The Sopranos. The results from the June 25 event are in: Twenty-five outfits worn by James Gandolfini's alter ego raised $187,750 and benefited the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit that aids wounded soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Gandolfini attended part of the Christie's auction with a soldier from the project.
The highest bid was for a faux-bloodstained outfit that Gandolfini wore in a scene when Tony is shot by a demented Uncle Junior: the black and beige short-sleeve polo shirt, a tank top and black pants brought in $43,750. The next highest bid was $21,250 for a four-piece costume that included a blue, red and yellow striped robe and boxer shorts that the actor wore in numerous episodes. Other top-selling outfits included a tan cotton bathrobe with lavender trim and 'S' insignia on the breast pocket that was featured in the pilot when Tony fetched the morning paper and fed the ducks in his pool, which raised $13,750.
All of the outfits were authenticated by Gandolfini, and many had the original production tags attached. See a sampling of the auctioned items in the gallery. See the entire lot and prices realized here.
Busy socialite (and possible Hugh Grant ex -- the jury's still out) Jemima Khan has been named as Parisian label Azzaro's latest guest designer, creating a collection of ready-to-wear and accessories that will be presented at its showroom during the early July couture shows, according to WWD. Khan was named by Vogue in December as the epitome of modern glamour and is just one of the latest group of A-listers joining the design studio: young socialista Eugenie Niarchos collaborated with Azzaro designer Vanessa Seward on an accessories collection last year, and Janet Jackson announced at a recent Versace menswear show that she is working on a lingerie line.
The New York Times periodically picks a price and then does a "What You Get for ... $xxx,xxx" piece in its Real Estate section, comparing homes in three cities. I've never seen a "What You Get for ... $35,000,000," article so here it is, at least in one city: This estate in Montauk (no direct link, so go here, and enter Web ID H34007) is set on 35.5 acres between the Atlantic Ocean, a freshwater pond and fields and meadows, with 400 feet of ocean frontage. The house is 7,000 square feet and has a tiled roof, plus there's 50% more living space than the house itself, thanks to the 3,500 square feet of mahogany decking. Built in 1994, there are three levels, comprising five bedrooms, five baths, living and dining rooms with 16-foot ceilings and walls of glass that overlook the ocean and grounds. For cooking (or, more likely, where your staff will be doing the cooking), there's a chef's kitchen. Also: a breakfast room, an office, a screening room with a state-of-the-art JBL system, and a garage. A path leads through private gates to the beach.
The 46664 Foundation, named after the number former South African President Nelson Mandela wore while imprisoned for 27 tears, aims to raise awareness and to educate people about the global HIV/AIDS crisis. The campaign began in 2003, when Mandela realized that to reach the youth of the world he needed to engage the support of the people who most appeal to them. Mandela, supported by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, and Bono (natch), persuaded more than 30 of the world's top artists to come together to perform at a global awareness concert for HIV/AIDS in Cape Town.
Mandela will be 90 this year, and to celebrate, as well as to raise funds for 46664, there will be a global launch of limited-edition 46664 wrist bangles during the birthday celebrations in London on June 27. The goal is to create jobs as well as bring at least R1-billion (R=South African Rand, equal to $0.12587 on June 23) to the fight against HIV/Aids. Offered will be 90 platinum bangles (at the cost of R135 660 each), 90 24-carat gold bangles (R67 260), 466 18-carat gold bangles (R54 948) and 46,664 silver bangles (R1 995). The initiative will be a South African effort using metals from local suppliers, the skills of local craftsman and domestic suppliers from the tooling, machining and packaging industries. At least 60 percent of revenues from the sale of bangles will go to the 46664 HIV/Aids prevention campaign.
Situated on the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns, Reef Encounter, Australia's exclusive floating luxury boutique hotel, offers "the ultimate reef experience." Its Top Deck Club offers a relaxed ambiance and is designed for discerning of guests: Guests are cared for by a crew and stay in modern, spacious staterooms with A/C, a private ensuite and plenty of space for clothes and luggage. Sleep on crisp Australian bed linen, silk doona, cotton sheets and feather down pillows. Naturellement, soft fluffy robes, plush bath sheets and Australian beauty products are replenished daily. All gourmet meals are freshly prepared onboard with local Australian and exotic ingredients accompanied by Australian wines and beers.
Calling itself a "reef resort" (and sounding suspiciously like what I would call a cruise, but with a smaller ship and fewer passengers), Reef Encounter takes place on a 35-meter luxury catamaran that has A/C throughout, spacious decks, roomy dining and recreation areas, and a heated spa. Off the ship, scuba divers can interact with a Green Sea Turtle colony at Breaking Patches or the friendly resident giant Maori Wrasse, "Frank." Transfers to the ship, on the new luxury vessel Reef Experience, are available via a 1-hour boat ride from Hastings Point and a 1.5-hour ride from Norman. Or, use the Reef Encounter's heli pad. Prices vary by length of trip. Get more info here.
The clothes in Sex and the City: The Movie are apparently as much characters as the four friends. Sarah Jessica Parker noted in a recent TV interview that she had 81 costume changes! One of her favorite accessories was a belt that she said was around so much that she named it Roger. Die-hard SATC fans and Carrie wannabes can get the "Roger" belt at Streets Ahead. There are four "Roger" styles that range from $180-$250, and there's a "Charlotte" belt too, for $118. These prices sure are higher than SJP's Bitten line. It also seems that Miranda and Samantha aren't cool enough to get their own belts. See the gallery for photos and prices of all five styles.
Gentlemen, save the date: From Thursday, October 16 - Sunday, October 19, The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix is offering the ultimate guy getaway: the Stogies & Sticks Foursome Mancation. Brace yourselves for a long weekend of lighting up fine cigars, sipping premium bourbon, dining on delectable American Lodge Cuisine and teeing off on two of Phoenix's best golf courses.
The three-night/four-day vacation package for four kicks off at with a Bourbon & Cigar Dinner in the resort's signature restaurant, Wright's at The Biltmore. An array of top-brand cigars will be offered and selections from the Jim Beam Small Batch Bourbon Collection will be poured. Friday and Saturday will be golf days on the Arizona Biltmore's two outstanding courses, with 18-hole Adobe one day and 18-hole Links the next.
The mancation package includes accommodations for three nights, the Bourbon & Cigar Dinner, and two rounds of golf with daily breakfast: $450 per person, double occupancy, per night. Add three days of golf and a total of 54 holes with an instructional option at the Hilton Golf Academy:$300 per person.
We at Luxist love Manolo and Jimmy and Stuart -- their shoes are to die for. And sometimes the pain from a beauty like this makes toes feel like dying too. Here's a solution: YogaToes. Basically YogaToes promises to give toes and feet a good stretch after they've been squashed in shoes all day and at the same time prevent icky and unattractive toe and bunion problems, something that's important at this time of year if feet are to be sandal-ready!
While I certainly wouldn't put this product in the luxury goods category, its seems like something every girl should have if she wants to keep wearing luxury shoes. But I do wonder if an inexpensive set of toes spacers, like used during a pedicure, would have a similar effect ... YogaToes come in small and medium, and in eight colors. $49.95; two pairs: $39.95 each; three pairs: $33 each.
The Grand Mauritian, a Luxury Collection resort and spa from Starwood Hotels & Resorts, "invites you to experience the magic of Mauritian hospitality in a truly luxurious setting." (I accept!) Located on the northwest coast of the island of Mauritius on Turtle Bay, on the Indian Ocean, the resort is set to open on July 1 and is the the Luxury Collection's first foray into the Indian Ocean and Africa.
The resort will offer 193 guest rooms and suites, all of which offer ocean views (some have private terraces and tropical outdoor showers); a kids' club; a 1,500 sqm Mandara spa with 11 treatment rooms; and a selection of upscale restaurants and bars. Spread over 10 hectares, the resort is bordered by the reef and ocean nature park on the coast with sugar cane fields behind. You'll find water sports and diving in the two swimming pools and on the natural sandy beach.
For business travelers, the resort has plug-and-play high-speed Internet access in the guest rooms; wireless high-speed Internet access in public areas; a business center; and venues for conferences, meetings and social events.
Using the best of old and new world winemaking techniques, Jim Fetzer introduces award-winning, Biodynamic growing practices that go beyond organic standards. The Opulent Vintner's Collection contains a 2002 Ceago Camp Masut Cabernet Sauvignon, a 2006 Ceago Del Lago Chardonnay and Ceago Vinegarden's estate-grown, cold-pressed, certified organic and Biodynamic olive oil. To complement the wine, included are 10 pieces of fresh, seasonal fruit, 4 oz. each of roasted and salted organic cashews, almonds and pistachios, and 4 oz. of organic chocolate caramel pecan clusters.
This collection is Biodynamic certified by The Demeter Association: no pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers; organic methods with astronomy; humane animal practices; and ecosystem protection.
A nice Father's Day idea for the gourmet, eco-concerned dad. $174.95
NYC socialite Tinsley Mortimer (at left in photo, with her sister, Dabney Mercer) is pretty busy these days: a handbag line (Samantha Thavasa by Tinsley Mortimer), a clothing line (Riccimie by Tinsley Mortimer, sold exclusively in Japan), a design consultancy and the ambassadorship of her favorite fashion house, Dior. But "Tins" isn't too busy for a makeup launch with a purpose -- last month she debuted her namesake "Tinsley Pink" ultra-gloss for Dior Beauty ($24.50) at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store in New York. A portion of the sales of this limited edition lip gloss will benefit Mortimer's charity of choice, Operation Smile.
[Thanks to my friend Rose for this tip. We love Tins!]
