U*tique: vending machine de luxo para mulheres

A empresa norte-americana U*tique deve lançar até o final do mês seu produto-emblema: uma vending machine abastecida com uma seleção de 50 ítens mais sofisticados.

A máquina apresenta uma interface touch-screen e um design condizente aos produtos que traz dentro e ao nicho que deseja ocupar. Mais detalhes aqui. Via UoD/ Luxury Insider

Stella Artois: Último Pedido

É um filme antigo, mas vale a pena ver de novo.



"Last Orders was directed by Jonathan Glazer in 1998. He is responsible for some of the most impressive commercials and music videos to come out of the UK in the last ten years.

Last Orders was shot on two different locations -- camera equipment was sinking during shooting due to the thunderstorm at the first location so a couple of weeks later the crew had to continue filming at another location in the South of France.

Jonathan Glazer liked the French actor that played the part of the son of the dying father so much that he later cast him for one of his music videos."

Escada Head Office - Munich

Via TheCoolHunter

Projeto do Studio Carbondale.

Pretty Beach House - Sydney

Pretty Beach House

Algumas luminárias mais criativas

My House Nightclub

Nightlife visionary David Judaken teamed up with design guru Dodd Mitchell on his latest project to create My House, a world-class nightclub set against the stunning backdrop of a contemporary, luxury home. The collaboration seeks to revolutionize Hollywood nightlife by perfectly balancing the intimacy and comforts of a lounge with the hedonistic pleasures of a club.

For decor, in addition to luxurious furniture supplied by Mogul of L.A., the space nods to 1960s architecture with notable design features including crocodile bars, a nickel-scaled ceiling, fire-breathing sculptures and stunning chandeliers. When a DJ wants to take over the party, they'll do so on a custom steel table, resembling the chopped branches of a tree. Via CoolHunting

A. Le Coq Special - Estônia

A. Le Coq Special is quality beer which has been brewed especially to mark the 200. anniversary of the Brewery. Its luxurious taste, perfect color together with perfect aroma and heavy foam are the proof of top-class brewing. Special is a beer for all your senses.

Gelo de luxo

As esferas de gelo da Gläce Luxury Ice é de uma empresa que é a líder no setor de gelo premium e suas bolinhas escavadas à mão possuem exatos 6,35 cm de diâmetro. Elas não possuem nenhum componente mineral ou qualquer outro aditivo. Isto significa uma pureza absoluta que não modificará o sabor dos caríssimos drinks nos quais elas serão mergulhadas. Cada bolinha custa 8 dólares e elas são vendidas em embalagens com 5 (U$ 40), 10 (U$ 80), 240 (U$ 1.440,00) ou acima disto, com preço a combinar.

Agent Provocateur: Love me tender…or else…

Mais um vídeo ousado da Agent Provocateur (www.agentprovocateur.com). A marca normalmente aposta em vídeos virais e ficou conhecida por ser a marca usada por celebridades como Paris Hilton, Christina Aguilera e Carmen Electra. Teve aparição no filme “Diário de Bridge Jones” e apresentou celebridades em algumas campanhas em 2001 Kylie Minogle e 2008 Kate Moss, que ja tinha aparecido em anúncios para marca em 2006. Sem dúvida essa marca do Reino Unido é uma das maiores concorrentes da Victoria’s Secret e mais ousada em suas campanhas.



Via UoD

Wellness Sky

Many of the brutalist forms of architecture constructed under the watchful eyes of the Soviet regime in the latter half of the twentieth century sit unused or abandoned throughout various eastern European cities. The ‘Danube Flower,’ a Belgrade landmark sited along the river’s foreshore was no exception. Originally opened as a restaurant in the 1970s, the triangular structure built 15 metres above the river sat empty for fifteen years after the fall of Communism and during the civil war in what was then Yugoslavia and now is Serbia.



The Belgrade design studio, 4of7 partnered with London-based Superfusionlab to adaptively reuse the space as a high-end gym and spa in city’s center. From the ground-level pedestrian esplanade, visitors enter the Wellness Sky through the central core, the sole support for the entire structure, which contains two elevator shafts and a double spiral staircase.



Once inside the facilities, its namesake genuinely takes meaning. Fitness gurus and gym junkies are immediately awash with sweeping city and river views from the uninterrupted ribbon window, which wraps entirely around the building. During the day, light glows through the widows onto the reflective resin floor. The faceted ceiling comprised of backlit semi translucent triangular panels allows visitors to feel as if they are exercising within a cloud. The openness and loftiness of the design of the Wellness Sky allows members to feel nearly weightless in the very environment where burning away the excess is the ultimate achievement. - Andrew J Wiener.

Saída criativa para a proibição da publicidade de cigarro

Desde 2004, o governo indiano começou a dar sinais de que a proibição da publicidade de cigarros estava nos seus planos. E essa decisão tornou-se realidade na Índia há muito pouco tempo. Desde outubro passado, ou seja, há menos de um mês, a propaganda de tabaco foi banida da mídia indiana. Assim como no Brasil - cuja proibição de publicidade de cigarros está em vigor desde 2001 - por aqui, agências e fabricantes já vinham se preparando para esse cenário. A British American Tobacco (BAT), que na Índia atua por meio da ITC (da mesma forma que no Brasil está presente por meio da Souza Cruz), também é líder absoluta do mercado local com quase 80% de participação e é cliente da JWT Índia.



Uma de suas marcas, no entanto, a Wills, encontrou uma saída criativa e inteligente para driblar a restrição à propaganda de cigarros. Em 2003, a ITC criou uma divisão de varejo com a marca Wills Lifestyle, que começou com uma loja de moda jovem e roupas casuais e hoje possui diversas submarcas: Wills Classic (moda para o dia-a- dia), Wills Sport, Wills Clublife (acessórios e underwear), Essenza Di Wills (linha de fragrâncias) e Fiama De Wills (produtos para o cabelo).



A moda passou a ser uma extensão da Wills, desvinculando a marca de seu produto original - o cigarro. Desde 2006, o maior evento de moda da Índia leva a assinatura da marca, o Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. A marca hoje é uma das mais desejadas do país em um processo inovador de redirecionamento de core business.

Interactive touch-bar

We wrote recently about the interactive wine bar at Adour in New York City's St. Regis Hotel, and since then we've spotted several mentions of iBar, a related innovation by UK-based Mindstorm.

Unveiled in 2006, the iBar is a customisable surface technology that turns any bar into a giant version of an interactive, touch-sensitive screen. Integrated video projectors can display any content on the bar's milky surface, while built-in intelligent tracking software continually maps the position of every object touching its surface. That input is then used to let the projected content interact dynamically with the movements on the counter, allowing coloured lights, for example, to illuminate, link and follow every movement of hands, bottles and glasses. Multiple people can interact with the iBar at once, and virtual objects can be "touched" with the fingers, enabling a game of pinball where players shoot with their thumbs, for example. Content that can be displayed on the iBar includes internet content, interactive games and advertising; bars can also be fitted with Bluetooth technology to allow consumers to download their own content. The iBar is a stand-alone system comprising modules 2m long, and it can be networked wirelessly to allow interaction between two or more separate units.

The iBar has already been used in events, exhibitions, product launches and top night spots all over the world, Mindstorm says, including BMW's head office in Munich, Geneva's Pimp Club and a gala dinner at Google. Such technologies certainly have the potential to transform the consumer experience at bars, restaurants and other venues, as well as providing a wealth of new advertising and point-of-sale opportunities. One to try out early! Via Springwise

W Hong Kong

Thanks to the jet-set generation, demand for boutique hotels is increasing around the world. The first boutique "chain," W, started the trend for a network of branded urbane-style properties and has just launched its latest edition - W Hong Kong.



Located in West Kowloon, the hub of the buzzing financial district of Hong Kong, the new W brings a large dose of New York style to this cosmopolitan Asian business capital.





The area is right on the commercial waterfront, so instead of luxury yachts you are more likely to look out onto imposingly large freight and cargo ships. It works though, juxtaposing the designer, luxury environment with the gritty, functional realism of the hotel's location.

Overall the hotel's design is pitch-perfect for the W brand – New-York- style interiors with the W signature quirk in the form of butterflies (butterfly motifs everywhere, we loved it) and surprising contemporary art works such as a fiberglass seal holding up a grand piano (yes, a seal holding up a grand piano, it's for real and a feat of creativity and engineering).



Other standouts include the spectacular rooftop pool, featuring an incredible mega-scale mosaic of a butterfly graphic created by Australian designer Fabio Ongarato. The pool looks out over the whole island - one of the most breathtaking in the city.

The rooms, designed by Australian interior desiger, Nicholas Graham and Japanese designer, Yasumichi Morita, are comfortable and welcoming. Each designer was assigned a specific floor to design, so each floor has its own personality, countering the cookie-cutter feel of most large hotels.



As for the suites - let's just say that they're apty titled - "Wow" and "Extreme" - and are suitably enticing. Enough to turn a short stay in long one....- Laura Demasi The Cool Hunter

I-Way Speed Racers

Big boys who like toys head to I-Way, a luxe, mega venue dedicated to motor sports racing simulations. I-Way provides aspiring speed racers with an opportunity to experience the adrenalin rush that comes from being behind the wheel of a Formula 1, Endurance or Rally car. The high-tech simulators offer real "piloting" sensations, mounted into a real car, which is experienced through several screens which surround the driver's field of vision.



The venue is pitched at corporate groups, who, presumably can bond over high speed racing sessions - and all without creasing their polo-necks. To enhance the experience created by the simulators drivers suit up in race outfits, helmets and gloves.





I-Way's modern design hits its target market perfectly with wide open spaces, industrial finishes and futuristic reflective surfaces. It's boys playing with expense toys - luxe style. Located in Lyon, France, the venue also houses a bar, a shop (which sells cool motoring accessories) and bizarrely, a gym and spa.

Exclusive Private Residential Estate, Abu Dhabi

There’s a new planet in the solar system and it’s called Luxury. Actually, it is here on earth, on a little-known island called Nurai, located northeast of Abu Dhabi city.

The 130,000-square-meter island is about to be transformed into an achingly glamorous and luxurious resort and exclusive private residential estate, comprised of one boutique luxury hotel resort with 60 suites, 31 beachfront estates and 36 water villas.







As for the private Seaside residences (which are sure to be snapped up by Saudi Princes and oil sheiks because they will probably be the only ones who can afford them), the five-bedroom, six bathroom estates span between 3,000 and 6,050 square meters.

Each Seaside estate will include a private beach and garden, rooftop garden with spa pool, infinity swimming pool, indoor reflecting pools, concealed service quarters, entertainment patios, outdoor dining areas, chef and show kitchens, and outdoor showers.

The resort is due to open in 2010 and the prices for the residences start at €20 million. Fonte: CoolHunter

Belvedere Ice Dagger par Jade Jagger

Dévoilée ce soir lors de la soirée Belvédère du festival de Cannes, voici l’Ice Dagger designée par Jade Jagger.
Cette dague composéee de 12 carats de diamants, de 42 saphirs et d’un manche en or blanc de dix-huit carats symbolise l’action de briser la glace, pour mieux aprécier la vodka Belvedere (issue d’une tradition de 500 ans tout de même !). Cinq exemplaires, 200 000€ l’unité, cela fait beaucoup de chiffres pour un paragraphe !
Lors de la soirée, la dague fût plantée dans un énorme bloc de glace, laissant apparaître un jeroboam de vodka, offert ensuite en dégustation aux invités. La fille de Mike a donc bel et bien quitté les catwalks pour le design et la création, le tout immortalisé par le talent d’un certain Terry Richardson… on ne pouvait rester indifférent ! Font: blographic

Armas de Luxo

Artista Peter Gronquist
Gallerie 1988
7020 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323.937.7088

AMC TÊXTIL se torna o maior grupo de moda do Brasil

Na última terça-feira, o grupo AMC Têxtil - dono das marcas Colcci, Sommer, Coca-Cola Clothing, Carmelitas e Malharia Menegotti - comprou as grifes Forum, Triton, Forum Tufi Duek e Tufi Duek, do consagrado estilista carioca Tufi Duek. O negócio, fundado em 1980 pela família Menegotti, possui a sua sede na aprazível cidade catarinense de Brusque.

A grife Forum, criada em 1981, é uma das mais antigas do mercado brasileiro, tendo surgido na mesma época de duas outras grandes marcas de jeans, a Zoomp (do estilista Renato Kherlakian, e vendida em 2006 para o grupo I'M) e a M. Officer, de Carlos Miele. Estima-es que o faturamento da Forum é de aproximadamente R$ 200 milhões anuais, e que esta se encontra em boa saúde financeira.

A Forum tem 22 lojas próprias - em São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro e em mais 6 outras capitais -, 25 lojas franqueadas, e a marca também está presente em outras 600 lojas multimarcas espalhadas pelo Brasil.

Apesar de não revelar os números ao mercado, estima-se que o faturamento anual da AMC Têxtil é de aproximadamente R$ 500 milhões. Com a aquisição, além de se tornar a líder do mercado brasileiro, o faturamento do grupo pula para R$ 725 milhões, com base nos dados auditados de 2007.

Atualmente, a receita do grupo está assim dividida pelas suas respectivas marcas: 70% da Colcci, 18% da Coca-Cola Clothing, 12% da Sommer e 2% das Carmelitas. Com a aquisição das marcas do grupo TD, a expectativa é que essas tornem-se responsáveis por cerca de 45% a 50% do faturamento do grupo em 2009. Via Pragma

Chanel Móvel Arte

A primeira vista, a gente pensa que é uma nave espacial, mas por dentro dessas curvas, encontra-se uma exposição de Arte Moderna criada para marca CHANEL.



A exposição chama-se "Chanel Móvel Arte", é intinerante e atualmente está em Hong-Kong. Em breve, no período de 2 anos, vai dar a volta ao mundo passando por Tóquio, Londres, Moscou, Nova York, Los Angeles e por último Paris em fevereiro de 2010.

Vários artistas contemporâneos foram convidados, como Daniel Buren, David Levinthal, Pedra & Gilles, Stephen Margem, Wim Delvoye, Yoko Ono, Nobuyoshi Araki e muitos novos talentos como Leandro Erlich, Lee Bul, Sylvie Fleury.



O projeto arquitetônico é de autoria da grande arquiteta Zaha Hadid, com mais 700m2. O museu acolhe instalações, esculturas, pinturas, fotografias e som. Cada visitante recebe um MP3 player que difunde a música e algumas explicações sobre as obras.

É uma exposição aberta ao público e gratuita. O Brasil infelizmente não faz parte do intinerário.