Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1869

A new record was broken for the world’s most expensive wine ever sold at an auction.

At the recent Sotheby’s auction in Hong Kong, three bottles of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild 1869 vintage wine were each sold for a new all-time record of $232,692 (HK$1.8 million).

The Asian wine market continues to be strong for very expensive, top label wines.

The total of the entire Chateau Lafite collection auctioned off at Sotheby’s brought in an astonishing total of $8.4 million.

The Sotheby’s auction was held at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong ballroom. The announcement of the winning bid drew a thunderous applause from the other auction participants.

The Chateau Lafite collection consisted of 284 lots of Lafite, in addition to other chateaux that were owned by Domaines Baron de Rothschild.

The entire wine collection had been exclusively stored in cellars after being bottled, before their shipment to Hong Kong for the Sotheby’s auction.

Lafite reached the top of the first, official quality-based classification of Medoc wines back in 1855.

In 1868, the chateau was purchased by Baron James de Rothschild. Since that time the wine bottles have been proudly labeled as Lafite-Rothschild.

Chloe Dao for Nuo™™ Clutch Style Netbook Envelope

Today’s fashion conscience consumers, particularly women, are searching for more stylish options while both organizing and protecting their mobile gadgets and accessories.

Nuo Tech, LLC, is a well-known designer of technology cases for today’s fashionistas and mobile professionals.

As the 2010 Fall/Holiday season quickly approaches, Nuo Tech recently announced their designer laptop case collections will be available at Staples stores.

Nuo Laptop bags range from classic messengers and protective sleeves to women’s totes and exclusive designer collections that will definitely stand out in crowd.

For busy fashionista’s always on the go, Nuo Laptop offers stylish and eco-friendly Nuo Canvas Collection, as well as their Dao Chloe Dao for Nuo Collection.

The Nuo Laptop bag collection features three top designer brands and includes an ultra-protective 15.6” slim laptop brief, a stylish 16” laptop sleeve and an envelope style clutch and canvas sleeve that fits 11.6” screen and smaller netbooks, the iPad and the Kindle/Kindle DX.

Pictured above is the Chloe Dao for Nuo™™ Clutch Style Netbook Envelope, from Project Runway winner Chloe Dao. This modern and stylish clutch inspired netbook envelope features an ani-static velvet interior and a stylish, bold print.

Staples will carry the following Nuo Laptop Bags:
o Chloe Dao for Nuo Envelope Clutch 11.6”, Abstract Floral and Pinstripe prints
o Chloe Dao for Nuo Slim Laptop Brief 15.6”, Abstract Floral and Pinstripe prints
o Nuo Laptop Sleeve 16”, Black on Black Circles and Pinstripe prints
o Kailo Chic by Nuo Slim Sleeve 11.6”, Mod Circles and Hexagon prints

These luxury laptop cases start at only $24.99.

You can view the entire Nuo Laptop collection at www.shopnuo.com in addition to other select fashion and technology online stores.

Photo: Gemvara

A growing trend in the fashion industry is catering to people who are blind or visually impaired.

By wearing braille jewelry, it provides a unique means to communicate one’s message or feelings.

Gemvara.com has recently launched several new jewelry pieces that include Braille messaging.

Although a few lower-end jewelry makers and other online jewelry companies also offer braille inspired jewelry, Gemvara.com is a high-end, custom jewelry design website and has incorporated Braille into their high-end designs that provide its jewelry wearers a “hidden message” of sorts.

This new jewelry line from Gemvara offers several wonderful designs with Braille.

If you don’t see something you perfectly like, no problem.  Gemvara is totally customizable.

You can request your perfect creation by combining the designs in another precious metal or gemstone combination.

To view the Gemvara braille jewelry collection, please visit – www.gemvara.com

This video is an interview with fourth generation Patek Philippe watchmaker and Vice President of the company, Thierry Stern.

The interview is conducted by Jessica Michault of the International Herald Tribune in Basel, Switzerland.

Thierry Stern provides some background on the family-run business. He also discusses Patek Philippe’s classic designs and comments on the luxury watch trend of more complications seen in women’s watches.

Photo: John Hardy

A new interpretation of a classic John Hardy design this fall has arrived – Dot Deco Collection.

The Fall 2010 Dot Deco collection is elegant and the luxury jewelry presents the expression of the classic, elegant lines of the 1920s Jazz age and Art Deco period.

Dot Deco Collection by John Hardy was inspired from Creative Director, Guy Bedarida’s recent trip to France. The stylish jewelry was generated by the traditional method of flattening and smoothing small metal balls.

Now in 2010, the dot is rendered in a larger, more impactful format of sterling silver and 18K gold alongside details of finely Carved Chain. The Dot Deco Gold and Silver Flexible Cuff is individually carved in wax first, then cast and threaded on to titanium wire by a master artisan.

This piece showcases strong geometry, rhythmic patterns and highly polished surfaces that echo the controlled elegance of the Art Deco movement.

Photo: Götti Switzerland

Fashion eyewear by götti Switzerland is not only stylish but distinguished by a modern and quiet design.

Götti Switzerland frames are designed according to the company’s motto “the beauty of simplicity.”

The eyewear from götti Switzerland come in various colors and the materials are top quality, which combines a harmoniously balanced final product in both shape and color palette.

The shapes are not only clear and trendy, but sophisticated, unique and meticulously designed. The high quality of the götti Switzerland eyeglasses truly truly speaks for themselves.

The luxury glasses are fashioned with titanium, acetate and genuine horn. They are valuable and long-lived objects that make the wearer look and feel great.

Since 1993, the Swiss company’’s philosophy has remained constant – designing eyewear that is simple and elegant, yet made of the highest-quality materials.

Owner and creator Sven Götti designs every item in the eyewear collection and götti Switzerland is sold in almost 40 countries.

Prices for the luxurious line of eye glasses range from $298 – $2470.

For additional information, please visit – www.gotti.ch

Courtesy of: Dominique Mosley

Are you always struggling how to wear your scarf in style?

Well luxury scarf designer Dominique Mosley, of the prestigious Central St. Martins, has some helpful scarf fashion tips.

Dominique Mosley launched her own luxury scarf label in 2009 and recently unveiled her brand new AW10 scarf collection.

These over-sized silk scarves are the perfect fashion accessory and can be worn along any on-trend outfit this sea­son.

Dominique Mosley’s eclectic collection of luxury scarves encapsulate boudoir chic, and feature glamorous retro prints in flamboyant shades.

Leather up!
Glam up your biker look with an elegant square scarf to refine one of the most en­during wardrobe items: the leather jacket.

Winter Warmer
Personalize a classic winter coat with a suitably ladylike scarf.
Autumnal shades can be enhanced with super-bright accent colours to give an edge to your outer­wear.

Get Layered!
Cosy up in Autumns slouchy knits and jersey tops with layered scarves for maximum “snuggle” factor. Contrast a flamboy­ant silk scarf with mono­chrome oversized wraps in luxe fabrics.

Blouse it!
Go for tailored chic by finishing off one of au­tumns oh-so grown up blouses with an ultra-delicate printed scarf tied and arranged to expose a detailed collar.

Dress Code
Inject a splash of print into this seasons knitted dresses. Complement bold colour blocking with striking pattern and for added “va va voom” wear your scarf longer than your hemline!

Caped Crusader
Add a feminine touch to one of Autumn’s hottest stars; the cape.
Work the utility chic look with an anorak cape and style it up with super-chic neck­wear.

For additional information, please visit: http://www.dominiquemosley.com/

Courtesy of: Seventeen.com

Who needs to go to a retail store to try on clothes and then gaze into a carnival fun-house mirror?  Now you can do if from the privacy of your own home.

There’s a new shopping application, sponsored exclusively by JCPenney, that enables consumers to try on clothes and buy them right from home.

This new “virtual dressing room” gives shoppers the ability to try on clothes and link to JCPenney’s jcp.com to purchase their favorite clothing selections right from their home.

Hearst Magazines Digital Media and metaio, a leader in augmented reality applications, recently announced the world’s first markerless augmented reality online shopping experience on Seventeen.com

Kristine Welker, vice president of sales and marketing for Hearst Magazines Digital Media states, “The application is a true breakthrough in online product visualization, as clothes are automatically overlaid on the consumer`s real-time video image through their webcam. With the help of our exclusive retail partner JCPenney, the virtual dressing room makes online shopping easy and viral: with a simple wave of a hand, shoppers can select, rate and share their top picks with friends via Facebook or email, and even purchase the items directly from jcp.com.”

The new simple to use, online shopping application was created in Adobe Flash, and combines four popular technologies: augmented reality, motion capture, social media and eCommerce.

Here is how it works:
(1) the application detects the shopper in front of his or her webcam at home
(2) the shopper selects the piece of clothing
(3) it overlays the selected piece of clothing to see its style
(4) users can then link to jcp.com to purchase their selections or send to friends via e-mail or Facebook.

This is the first instant online dressing room, where the fitting of the clothing happens automatically and within the live-video stream.

The advantage of this new shopping application is that shoppers don’t need a marker or an upload of a still image.

Shoppers can quickly try various outfits by simply pointing at the icons within the app to scan through the digital catalog of
clothing pieces, enabled by motion capture technology.

For additional information, please visit Seventeen.com

In recent years, there has been a subtle but important trend occurring in the retail shopping industry.

The demographics of Americans who use coupons has definitely evolved. Money saving coupons are no longer being only used by scissor-happy elderly women, who commence their snipping when the Sunday newspaper finally arrives on their doorstep.

A recent study by Inmar Inc. has revealed that coupon usage has actually increased by 17 percent in 2009. This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, based on the lingering global recession.

But one fact that was intriguing, affluent as well as younger buyers, are using more coupons that any segment of the population.

Recognizing the increased popularity of couponing, the founders of the popular coupon website and iphone application Coupon Sherpa, are promoting Coupon Month, which is set for September.

To celebrate Coupon Month, Coupon Sherpa has created a new website www.ilovecouponmonth.com.

Even though the traditional Sunday newspaper is currently the most common method of finding coupons, they are no longer limited to just paper alone.

There are currently numerous online coupons with codes for Internet purchases and mobile coupons that can be scanned directly from a phone.

The ILoveCouponMonth.com site offers shoppers helpful, money saving tips about getting the most out of coupons, information about couponing trends and the history of coupons, and resources of places to find different types of coupons.

In addition, the new web site also has a section called 30 Days of Savings Tips, offering informative nuggets like How to Effectively Use a Coupon Binder System, Rules for Pairing Coupons with Sales and The Anatomy of a Coupon.

Co-founder of Coupon Sherpa – Luke Knowles was quoted, “The idea of National Coupon Month is to spread the word about the different types of coupons and inform consumers on the many ways they can save money with coupons.”

Knowles believes that coupons can not only help the average family save from $500-$1000 each year, but they can also help shoppers become smarter by being aware of their favorite products’ prices, and encourage consumers to watch for sales and get double and triple value from coupons.

Happy shopping!

Courtesy of: Bolivares

The cardigan sweater has made a big come back and are as popular as ever. Cardigans are this season’s most popular item and a staple in every man’s closet.

A cardigan is basically a type of sweater (or jumper) that buttons, zips or even ties down the front.

Cardigan sweaters are a classic alternative to a standard blazer or sports coat. You can also mix and match cardigans with tees for a hot look – perfect for any occasion.

Knitted cardigans were named after the 7th Earl of Cardigan. During the Crimean war, he was the first British officer to cross the Russian lines in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade.

the 7th Earl of CardiganHe and his officers wore fur-trimmed or braided woollen jackets to keep them warm in the harsh Crimean winter – they actually looked very different from today’s knitted cardigans.

The garment we now call the cardigan was worn in the British Isles and France by the 17th century.

Bolivars is a NYC-based luxe knitwear line, that was created by leading designer Lucho A. Bolivars.

Lucho hails from New York City and has worked diligently in creating his hand-made Latin infused collection over the years.

By infusing his culture into his designs, Lucho has created a clothing line that is both versatile and offers comfort.

Each fine cardigan sweater is handmade with alpaca, wool and/or acrylic.

According to Lucho, “Bolivars if for the progressive, self-made individual who consistently pursues his own destiny, lives by his own rules, and never compromises for mediocrity. Lucho A. Bolivars craves comfortable clothing that looks good and fits even better.”

cardigan sweaters by Bolivares are great for your all-around style, comfort and wardrobe. Bolivares Cardigans start retailing at $219.

In addition, Bolivares is currently working on expanding its fashion line, and planning to add pants, jackets and t-shirts for Spring 2011!

For additional information on all Bolivares products, please visit: http://bolivares.com/main.html

Courtesy of: Loren Jewels

According to People, Kim Kardashian is about to launch a new luxury jewelry line, named “Kim Kollection.”

This isn’t Kim Kardashian’s first attempt at introducing a new line of jewelry. Kim initially co-designed an Armenian-inspired collection for L.A. label Virgins.

She next collaborated with famous sisters Khloe and Kourtney to launch Saints and Angels, and Kim Kardashian finally partnered with celebrity jeweler Pascal Mouawad for two new lines.

The new jewelry line will showcase luxury earrings and partner Kardashian with Loren Jewels creator Loren Ridinger.

The luxurious “Kim Kollection” will be a stunning 20-piece range collection that was inspired by the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle that Kim Kardashian lives.

The “Kim Kollection” earrings will incorporate a variety of precious stones, including diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and others.

The official luxury jewelry collection is planned to launch on September 1.

To view a sample of  the “Kim Kollection”, please visit www. lorenjewels.com