"PAROLE DE LUXE"

'La, tout n'est qu'ordre et beauté, Luxe, Calme et Volupté'. Baudelaire

  • 11th April
    2013
  • 11

iPhone App of the month: Houzz

Even if you are not really into the homy stuff, architecture and decorations, this app will blow you away. Its a data base of photos, which are uploaded  by architects, or decorators or even amateurs. You can browse through, compile you own deco book and even buy stuff. You redecorating your home yet? 

P.S. Thanks goes to my special someone who gave me the tip to download this app!

  • 11th April
    2013
  • 11

Karl Lagerfeld to open a store in Amsterdam

image

The first thing that comes to mind when one looks to buy Karl Lagerfeld’s clothing is Net-A-Porter. The designer first launched his line with the number one luxury on line retailer not so long ago, yet he is taking further steps to expand the distribution.

After launching his first concept store in Paris this spring, the German designer is set to open his second boutique in Amsterdam.

The store is set not to only have the clothing lines but a range of art objects. More iPads will be available with a special ‘digital guestbook’ to let them surf the web, take photos in the store, and even leave personal messages for the designer.

Fitting booths will also be kitted out with touch screens which will allow shoppers to photograph their own look and apply a set of ‘Karl-inspired’ filters, before sharing the images via Facebook, Twitter and email.

Located in the hip 9 Straatjes (’9 streets’) area of the Jordaan district, and set to open early May, Karl Lagerfeld’s second concept store is part of a global roll-out which will see the fashion brand appearing in additional European locations throughout 2013.

“I’m delighted we are expanding our retail presence in such an up‐and‐coming location as the ‘9 straatjes’ in Amsterdam,” said Lagerfeld CEO Pier Paolo Righi. “The area fits perfectly the cool and vibrant feel of our brand. We will be able to equally interact with fashion interested locals as well as international travelers.”

German-born Paris-based designer Karl Lagerfeld is design chief of his namesake label, as well as creative director at luxury brand Chanel and Italian label Fendi.

  • 4th April
    2013
  • 04

LV hikes its bag prices!

It is almost in human nature to want to own luxury objects. We all strive for better, for more exclusive and unique lifestyle. 

Take for instance Louis Vuitton bags. I can bet with you 1 in 5 girls on the street owns one. It has become somewhat an essential. But how does the brand feel about it?

Clearly concerned. Louis Vuitton no doubt is a victim of its own success. Although this is good news for the brand in terms of its sales and revenue, it is bad news for the exclusivity aspect of the brand. 

To tackle this issue, the french luxury house has taken a similar passage to that of Chanel, who increased the price of its bags to avoid mass buying from the Chinese clients, who later resell the bags back in their home country.

Louis Vuitton, which last month raised prices by 12% in Japan, has imposed similar increases on non-leather handbags in its main markets since the start of the year.

LV lifted prices on bags such as the Speedy and NeverFull by about 10% in the euro region. Vuitton raised prices by at least 10% in the U.K. and U.S., and by 5%t to 10% in Asian markets including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore.

The decision will probably weigh on the number of items sold, though it’s “the right thing for brand equity longer term.”

Survival of the fittest.

  • 2nd April
    2013
  • 02
  • 2nd April
    2013
  • 02

Monaco’s unusual expansion

Monaco is well-known for its tiny perimeter and the numerous number of people who wish to reside there but can’t because it is either too expensive or there is not enough space. Yet the principauté seems to have found a solution.

Monaco plans to expand its territory by building a 6 hectare peninsula into the Mediterranean, the city-state’s monarch Prince Albert announced Friday.

“I have decided to launch an extension into the sea to the east of the principality after having studied various proposals since 2008,” Albert said.

The affluent city-state of 2 square kilometers has already extensively used land reclamation as its casino and its policy of no income tax on individuals has attracted the world’s wealthy. The project is to be located near the Grimaldi Forum congress centre would add 3% to the city-state’s territory.

At the end of 2008 Monaco abandoned plans for a 12 hectare land reclamation project that would have provided residential space for 3,000 people. The global financial crisis was the reason cited behind the move, but it would have also likely faced fierce opposition from environmental groups due to its proximity to a marine reserve.

“I will pay particular attention to ensure the project respects the strict environmental rules that I will impose, during the construction as well as during the use of the new surfaces created,” said Albert. But what is going to happen to the real estate prices once that project is in place?

  • 23rd March
    2013
  • 23

From PPR to Kering

image

PPR, the owner of Gucci, YSL, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen and many more, is rebranding. From June 18, the business formerly known as PPR (originally Pinault-Printemps-Redoute) will be called Kering.

Kering (the word has its origins in the Breton language, meaning ‘house’ or ‘foyer’), also unveiled a visual identity includuing an owl logo with a heart-shaped face, and a new tagline “Empowering Imagination.”

Founded in 1963 by businessman François Pinault, the company is now run by his son François-Henri Pinault and has been a publicly-traded entity since 1988.

The transition to a luxury holding began with an investment in 1999 in the Italian leather goods specialist and fashion brand Gucci Group.

Kering also own sports brand Puma, and in January this year purchased a 51 percent stake in emerging London design talent Christopher Kane.

Shocker! 

  • 22nd March
    2013
  • 22
  • 17th March
    2013
  • 17