Objects of Desire
Little Luxuries Wrapped With Love - for every possible occasion and gift-giving scenario
The latest newcomer to make it on to the Luxury Services scene is an online luxury gift hamper company, aptly named “Little Luxuries Wrapped With Love.” Their website is visually stunning, incredibly easy to use and comes with a unique twist to take it on the very ho hum hamper market. Lisa Seymour says…
“All great success stories start with a simple idea. That simple idea fills a need and a fresh outlook on how to fulfil that need. Everywhere I looked there was a dearth of dull, staid and simply boring websites and companies offering hampers at ridiculous prices. There was no way to alter what the contents were, the goods had no visual impact nor were they special enough. For years I would put together my own little cornucopia of delightful goodies to give to my friends and loved ones on various occasions. I would also put together little gift bags to take home after the end of a dinner party, these were always received with flattering comments of appreciation.”
Little Luxuries Wrapped With Love is indeed a unique company. Every possible occasion and gift-giving scenario is covered. We have had a peek and there are some gorgeous hampers that would make any dad truly happy. Father’s Day is one of those very tricky occasions where it is damned difficult to come up with something different. Thus the plethora of greeting cards on the stands saying “Not another tie, socks, etc.” Now that Little Luxuries has bounded its way to your fingertips, finding a gift for the man in your life will never be difficult.
Is Dad in to gardening? The Gardener Hampers is very good value. There is a unique reclaimed leather gardening pouch with mini tools, chocolates, wines, soaps, biscuits, tea…the list goes on. Is your father a gourmet cook? The Epicurean foodie is delicious perfection. Everything for an Italian feast is there including a Brunello di Montalcino that will make Dad swoon. Golfing dad? Little Luxuries has that covered too. Shooting? Racing? Sports Enthusiast? Father with a chocolate obsession? You cannot go wrong with this company. They have something for absolutely everybody.
You won’t find another online company that gives you what L & L offers you. They hand pick every single product for its beauty, lushness, uniqueness, packaging and overall appeal. They don’t offer you anything that they wouldn’t want to receive themselves. L & L take those products, hand wrap every single one with beautiful tissue paper and ribbon, and place them very carefully in their bespoke round gift boxes. An enormous amount of thought and attention to detail has gone in to every aspect of the gift you are buying. What sets them apart from other ‘gift hamper’ companies, is not only their fabulous packaging, but the ability of you, the customer, to make your gift unique and personal for the recipient.
With over 22 mugs designed with different themes to suit all occasions, they have looked high and low for unique candles, plants and other gifts that contain little messages like ‘Good Luck”, ‘Baby Girl’ or just ‘Be Happy’. L & L also give you a choice of numerous notecards that are included in each hamper and your choice of notecard will personalise your gift even further.”
Website: www.littleluxurieswrappedwithlove.com
Facebook: facebook.com/Little-Luxuries-Wrapped-with-Love
Twitter: twitter.com/Littleluxuries4
Heavy Metal Series: Metal Heels from Bryan Oknyansky for Shoes By Bryan
Newcomer on the design scene, Bryan Oknyansky has bridged the gap between fashion and architecture with his otherworldly luxury high-heels. Read more
CDCLifestyle round up of the top 10 Swiss Watchmakers in the World
If you even know the slightest thing about luxury timepieces, then you’ll be only too aware that the vast majority of the world’s high-end watches herald from the small, neutral country of Switzerland. It is amazing that so many of the planet’s most prized watchmaking brands originate in Switzerland and it is testament to the craft, skill and dedication of Swiss watchmakers that they remain amongst the most sought after on the market amongst aficionados of luxury men’s and ladies watches.
It goes without saying that with such a vast array of spectacular watchmakers in the world (and Switzerland in particular) narrowing our choice down to 10 has been a tricky one but the fantastic timepieces listed below have staked their claim through the immense quality they possess:
Breitling:
This breath taking Breitling Navitimer watch signifies everything that is great about this luxury Swiss watchmaker. Style, brawn and luxury rolled into one. Price - £7,300 Approx.
Maurice Lacroix:
Maurice Lacroix are a relative newcomer to the luxury watch industry but they’re now firmly established as one of the leading Swiss watchmakers in the world – courtesy of timepieces such as the Jours Retrogrades Tonneau pictured. Price - £4,300 Approx.
Audemars Piguet:
Undoubtedly one of the most luxurious brands in our top –Audemars Piguet watches typically don’t come any cheaper than five figures and the Royal Oak Offshore Chrono pictured is no exception! Price - £18,500 Approx.
IWC:
IWC watches are incredibly distinctive and stylish and none more so than that of their Pilot collection – such as the timepiece pictured. A watch of unparalleled luxury. Price - £10,000 Approx.
Longines:
Longines have a rich and illustrious history in the world of high-end watchmaking and this is something that is reflected in all the spectacular watches that they produce. The Longines Heritage watch pictured is unquestionably one of the most elegant in their collection. Price - £800 Approx.
Hublot:
Hublot watches are amongst the most expensive in the world and their distinctive look and design certainly sets them apart from the crowd in the highly competitive world of Swiss watchmaking. The King Power watch pictured belongs to one of their most sought after collections. Price - £18,000 Approx.
TAG Heuer:
TAG Heuer watches are a world famous luxury watch brand and they are famed for the quality and diversity of their collections. The Monaco timepiece pictured is perfect for adrenaline lovers who are after a vintage looking, high-profile timepiece! Price - £4,500 Approx.
Jaeger LeCoultre:
If it’s the ultimate in sophisticated timepiece that you’re after, Jaeger LeCoultre is the ideal Swiss watchmaker for you – just take a look at their Master Reserve timepiece pictured and you’ll see why this is the case. Price - £6,500 Approx.
Baume & Mercier:
One of the most traditional and well-respected Swiss watchmakers in the world – Baume & Mercier have crafted some of the most eye-catching and sought after timepieces and the Capeland watch pictured is one of the cornerstones of their watchmaking endeavours. Price - £3,000 Approx.
Zenith:
Zenith watches are very appropriately named as there are few watchmakers that come close to offering the sort of impeccable timepieces that this Swiss brand routinely produces. Their Heritage collection (such as the pictured watch) positively oozes style and class. Price - £9,000 Approx.
So, there you have it – if you had a hankering for Swiss watches, hopefully you’ve found something that fits the bill in this list of top 10 Swiss watch brands. There are so many fantastic luxury watches to choose from and it goes without saying that there were some notable absentees from our list but if it’s immense Swiss luxury that you’re after, you will find something that fits the bit within the 10 brands listed above. All watch images used courtesy of www.thewatchgallery.co.uk
Diamonds for the Diamond Jubilee as Harrods displays the De Beers Talisman Crown
In celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee world-renowned diamond jewellers, De Beers have unveiled a sublime creation showcasing its diamond mastery and unique artistry. Read more
Interior design firm Muralto team up with audio-visual specialists RSAV Solutions
Exclusive interior design firm Muralto have teamed up audio-visual specialists RSAV Solutions to provide a superb home entertainment showroom in Marylebone, illustrating the potential for clients’ homes.
Muralto’s furniture provides the perfect setting for Meridian audio hardware; Meridian Soolos control hub and the revolutionary amBX intelligent lighting system, all installed by RSAV.
Controlled by Soolos, Meridian’s amplifier and speaker systems fill the space with a remarkable sound and their sleek modern design is certainly complimented by Muralto’s interior. Soolos allows for wireless audio streaming throughout one’s home from its 17 inch touchscreen hub (the Control 15), a feature which is easily demonstrated on Muralto’s two floors: both the downstairs home cinema set-up and the audio lounge upstairs are controlled by the Soolos system.
Soolos also controls visual and networking features. Using it, one can summon a whole spectrum of media from the Meridian Media Core 200 as well as other sources: from presentations stored wirelessly on a laptop, to the Internet, to film and television libraries. It can even access a games console! All of which is displayed in brilliant high definition on a beautiful Loewe flat screen or on a retractable cinema screen via a Meridian projector.
One of the most impressive aspects of the home cinema demonstration is its concealed-fitting amBX lighting. amBX’s main function is to provide ambient lighting to enhance a viewing experience: it registers the average colour for what is being displayed on-screen, and displays said colour.
When installed in full, as it is at Muralto, it also offers directional lighting: for instance, were the left hand side of the screen displaying a fire, and the right hand side darkness, there would be a transition of orange to black within the room. It truly adds another visual dimension by enveloping one’s field of view in colour, especially with film.
In combining all of these features, RSAV and Muralto have created a stellar presentation space and entertainment showcase, which must be experienced to be truly appreciated.
Muralto, 6 Seymour Place,
Portman Village,
London W1H 7NA.
Tel: 0207 724 3750
Email:info@muralto.co.uk
Monday-Friday 10am-6pm
Weekends by appointment.
Written by: Jérôme A M Kamm - 10/5/12
British based brand Dunhill launch eyewear for the ‘executive man’
The brand that boasts appearances of their very own accessories in James Bond films could not epitmoise the modern British gentleman anymore. Read more
With the 2012 Olympics round the corner here's a selection of luxury merchandise
The London 2012 range features a whole host of luxury items from crystal glasses and Wedgwood china, to cushions and one of the collector’s favourites Read more
Porsche Design celebrates 40 years by launching an exclusive sunglasses collectors box
As a luxury brand with a special focus on technically inspired products, Porsche Design was founded in 1972 by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, whose products have stood for functional, timeless and purist design since then. The product range consists of classical men’s accessories, a sport and fashion collection, electronic products, a men’s cologne line as well as a spectacles collection for women. The products are sold worldwide in their own shops, shop-in-shops, high-quality department stores as well as in exclusive specialised retail shops
Porsche Design celebrates 40 years of engineered luxury with the launch of an exclusive ‘40Y of Innovation’ collector’s box featuring four of their most iconic sunglasses since inception in 1972. Each individual pair clearly demonstrates the brand’s unique commitment to passion, performance, purism and precision. The sunglasses are presented in a beautiful black, wooden box, and each is marked with a unique number to show it is one of only 1,972 worldwide to commemorate the founding year of Porsche Design.
This striking set includes the 40Y edition of the iconic heritage piece from 1978 – model P’8478 – whose design has remained unchanged to this day and was the first of its kind to feature interchangeable lenses. The full collector’s box includes the following:
Model P’8478 (1978) – the first of its kind to feature interchangeable lenses (40Y version)
Model P’8480 (1980) – the first foldable aviator sunglasses
Model P’8418 (2006) – the first sunglasses with self-attaching interchangeable lenses
Model P’8494 (2010) – the first sunglasses pressed from one piece of titanium
The Porsche Design range is made by Rodenstock – Germany’s leading manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses and spectacle frames founded in 1877. Based in Munich, Rodenstock has a worldwide workforce of approximately 4,000 and is represented in more than 80 countries with sales subsidiaries and distribution partners. It maintains production sites at a total of 14 locations in 12 countries. Rodenstock is a licensed partner for Porsche Design, dunhill, uvex, ALPINA and Wimbledon Eyewear.
The selected models are exclusive to the collector’s box, and with limited numbers available in the UK, fans of the brand must move quickly.
The ‘40Y of Innovation’ collector’s box retails at £1,700.
For details of stockists call
0845 600 8995.
Burberry launches new eyewear collection with help from great British music acts.
An innovative new marketing campaign for their stunning new collection of eyewear. Read more
The Definitive Luxury Lifestyle Event 'Concours d'Elegance' returns 5-6 July
Concours d’Elegance has quickly established itself as one of the highlights in the social calendar, and it is fast approaching. Inspired by the salons of the 18th century, the event celebrates everything that epitomises prestige design and style. Concours d’Elegance sets out to create the ultimate shopping experience, celebrating the exclusive line-up of luxury brands amongst other like-minded connoisseurs.
Guests at the salon are invited to sip champagne and dine in style, whilst viewing the zenith of design in timepieces, cars, yachts, interior design, jewellery, property and aviation. The intimate style of the gathering makes room for plenty of socialising and time to find out about the history behind the exquisite goods. Guests also have the inimitable opportunity to attend lectures from some of the world’s leading style authorities.
Concours d”Elegance is hosted in the spectacular grounds of The Hurlingham Club, close to the River Thames. As an exclusive garden party, it provides the ultimate hospitality opportunity for business clients and friends alike. The gardens founded in 1869, stretch an impressive 42-acre estate of lavish gardens, lawns and sporting facilities, the ideal setting for this unique event.
Test the glamour, sample the lifestyle and enjoy the exclusivity of this exceptional experience, whist being treated to the very finest in hospitality.
Not only will CDC be on hand capture all the magic for you on camera, but we have also managed to secure a very inclusive VIP package to ensure you make the most out of the experience:
- Entry to the lavish grounds and Concours d’Elegance for the day (11am-7pm)
- Private or shared table of 10 in The Hurlingham Club
- Champagne reception
- Selection of luxury canapés
- Summer grill lunch with seafood and meats from the UK’s best suppliers
- Mediterranean selection of salads
- Complimentary fine wine, beer and soft drinks (over lunch)
- Coffee and petit fours
- Afternoon Tea
- Complimentary souvenir programme (one per two guests)
These VIP packages are available to our members on 3 individual days
- Preview day: Wednesday 4th July 2012
- Ladies day: Thursday 5th July 2012
- Judging day: Friday 6th July 2012
Purchase your tickets now … CLICK HERE!
Basic ‘entry-only’ ticket to Concours d’Elegance is available at £65+vat per person per day.
Last year celebrity guests included Jade Ewen, Beverley Knight, Nancy Dell’Olio, Elen Rives, Eddie Jordan, Liz McClarnon, Blake etc.
Dress code: Summer smart, elegant
Limited edition Breitling for Bentley GMT ‘V8’ chronograph
To coincide with their new Continental GT V8 launch, here is the first glimpse of of Breitling new limited edition watch which wasn’t meant to make its public debut until the Geneva International Salon d’Auto on March 5. Anyway, I’m sorry but we just couldn’t wait that long and simply had to break the news the moment we got it. Breitling has also only created a 250-piece limited edition of its Bentley GMT chronograph, featuring a second time-zone display. Its most distinctive feature is a metallic red inner bezel bearing the names of 24 global locations. The original and daring design of the steel case characterised by asymmetrical lugs is teamed with a bracelet or a rubber strap reserved exclusively for this model.
This tribute to the new Continental GT V8 marks a further strengthening of the common ground between Bentley and Breitling. The two renowned global manufacturers share the same passion for fine mechanisms, the same alliance of prestige and performance, the same heritage of excellence aligned with the same thrust towards the future, symbolised by a winged B signature.
Dedicated to the world of the automobile, the Breitling for Bentley line marries the best of two worlds. Elegance and performance. Class and expertise. British chic and Swiss tradition. All the instruments are endowed with exclusive technical features and movements that are chronometer-certified by the COSC, the official Swiss watch certification body.
To strengthen the ties with Bentley, designers have drawn inspiration from the characteristic features of the superlative British carmaker, including the knurled finish of the control buttons and the typography of the dashboard instruments. Embodying the perfect blend of technique and aesthetics, the Breitling for Bentley line is designed to appeal to connoisseurs – and to all those with a love of rare and exclusive watches.
The CDCLifestyle roundup of top men & ladies luxury watches for 2012
For all the timepiece magpies and chrono-connoisseurs, if you’re a fan of luxury watches like us, then chances are you’ll be keen to find out which brands are set to big in 2012. Well, you’ll be glad to hear that it’s going to be rich pickings for both men’s and ladies watches as leading names such as Tag Heuer and Bremont release new collections onto the market. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at which luxury watches will be vying for your attention in 2012:
10 – Bremont Watches
Designed by British watchmaking brothers, Nick and Giles English, Bremont watches are certainly one of the most luxurious and stylish ladies and mens watches on the market. Typically costing between $2000-5000, they’re not cheap but they’re certainly money well spent. Check out the Bremont watch below:
9 – IWC Watches
Heralding from North West Switzerland, IWC watches are amongst the most revered on the market and understandably so when you consider their effortlessly stylish design and incredible precision. IWC watches boast numerous stunning collections and typically cost around the $5000 mark – check out the IWC from the Portofino collection below:
8 – Chronoswiss Watches
Not one of the more well-known brands of luxury timepiece but Chronoswiss watches are all set to make a name for themselves into 2012. A relative new-comer to the market, founded in 1981, the German watchmaker only makes a certain amount of watches each year, so if you’re after a Chronoswiss in 2012, act fast! See a watch from their Pacific collection below:
7 – U-Boat Watches
These breath-taking watches were crafted for the Italian navy during the Second World War and their naval feel continues to this day. U-Boat watches are famed for their oversized faces and unique design and typically cost around $2000-5000. One of the most sought after collections from the U-Boat stable are the Flightdeck – check one out below:
6 – Graham Watches
Another luxury watch brand that is set for a big 2012 is Graham Watches, designed and developed by British inventor, George Graham in the 18th Century. Crafted from the finish Swiss components and with a highly striking design, Graham watches are definitely one to keep an eye on over the next 12 months – see one of their eye-catching timepieces below:
5 – BRM Watches
One of the few watchmakers to herald from France, BRM watches are a little out of the ordinary and offer an incredible level of mechanical sophistication. With only 2000 timepieces emerging from the BRM factory each year, you’ll have to act fast to get your hands on one in 2012. Take a look at one of the most popular BRM watches below:
4 – Baume & Mercier Watches
Another Swiss watchmaker with a rich history, established in 1834 and continuing to make beautiful watches to this day. There is an understated elegance to Baume and Mercier watches which makes them incredibly popular with fashion conscious types who don’t want to be overly showy with their choice of timepiece. Take a look at the Baume and Mercier watch from the Hampton collection below:
3 – Bell & Ross Watches
Designed by aerospace engineers, you know you’re not getting any ordinary watch when you choose a Bell and Ross and this is something that is set to make them increasingly popular in 2012. With an oversized face and distinct aviation feel, they are ideally suited to action-loving men but you’ll need deep pockets as most Bell & Ross watches cost over $2000 – including the one from their Vintage collection below:
2 – Tag Heuer Watches
If you’ve even the slightest knowledge of the luxury timepiece market, chances are you will have heard of Tag Heuer watches. If you haven’t then you’re in for a treat in 2012 as the Swiss watchmaker releases more stunning collections onto the market. They already offer numerous highly sought after collections, such as the Monaco, Carrera and Aquaracer and you can expect to pay between $1000-5000 for most Tag Heuer watches, such as the Monza below:
1 – Panerai Watches
Taking the top spot for which luxury watches to look out for in 2012 is Panerai watches. A relatively low-key brand but one that is famed for the incredible craftsmanship that goes into all their timepieces. They boast the best of both worlds as they are Italian designed with Swiss components and craftsmanship – something that produces some truly stunning results. Check out the beautiful Panerai Luminor watch below:
Feature written by: Leo Parker 8/2/12
