Shoes are definitely a fashion statement for women. Well these four pairs of high-heeled slippers, three of them by Stuart Weitzman, are also the most expensive shoes in the world.

Stuart Weitzman’s Ruby Slippers
$1.2 million

Based on their namesake footwear from The Wizard of Oz, these extravagant slippers were designed for the 2003 Oscars. Unfortunately, they were never worn due to the solemn mood of the times. They are studded with 642 Burma rubies weighing in at 123.33 carats. The settings are made of half a pound of platinum. These shoes were made with the help of Oscar Heyman Bros.

Stuart Weitzman’s Cinderella Slippers
$2 million

Worn by singer Alison Krauss at the 2004 Academy Awards, these shoes were Weitzman’s next pair of fantasy-themed slippers. They are studded with 565 Kwiat diamonds—55 carats of clear diamonds and a single 5-carat gem. Unfortunately, they’re probably not made of glass. They are currently on display in Beverly Hills, California.

Stuart Weitzman and Le Vian evening shoes
$2 million

Made in conjunction between Stuart Weitzman and the 500-year-old tradition of the Le Vian name, these stunning slippers are made of silver leather set with over 200 carats of precious stones. There are over 185 carats of museum-quality tanzanite gemstones along the ankle bracelets, including the two 16-carat gems hanging from each. Additionally, there are 28 carats of diamonds along the front straps.

Harry Winston’s Ruby Slippers
$3 million

While the original ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland were made with sequins, these spectacular slippers designed by Ronald Winston of the House of Harry Winston to mark the classic movie’s fiftieth anniversary used real rubies. The slippers include 4,600 rubies totaling 1,350 carats (as well as 50 carats of diamonds) which took craftsman Javiar Barerra two months to set. Made in 1989, the world’s most expensive shoes were still on sale in 2000. Source: http://most-expensive.net/

The women’s Baume Mercier Diamant series provides a sleek fit and is ideal for any dress occasion.  Although it certainly can be worn at any event, the class and style definitely make it a valuable authentic piece of jewelry.  With its polished stainless steel and the sparkling diamonds, this series is ideal for every woman to have.

It can be difficult looking past the expensive price tag, but this is one series that offers a reasonable price for what you get.  There is one style that stands out from the collection and it just so happens to be the cheapest as well.  With a blue lizard skin strap and a beautiful silver steel case, this watch offers more of a casual look.  It is perfect for wearing around the town and can equally be worn during business meetings as well.

If the blue lizard skin strap does not quite appeal to you, it is not much of a price increase to get to stainless steel.  For just $300 more at $1,450, this style within the collection has a stainless steel bracelet and a stainless steel case to fancy over.  The three hands have a quartz movement that flows over an attractive light pink dial.  This too can be worn in almost any occasion or circumstance.

The next big price increase in the women’s Baume and Mercier Diamant series jumps to $2,250 because of the steel gold.  The band is a two tone bracelet with silver links on the outside and silver and gold links that run down the center of the bracelet.  The case is steel 18k gold that fits the dial perfectly.  And with a smooth quartz movement, it is easy to read the time.

Lastly, the top watch within this women’s Baume et Mercier series runs at $4,500.  It has a glistening stainless steel bracelet that is accompanied by a stainless steel case.  What separates this watch from the rest of the series is the diamonds that line the outside of the case.  The dial is mother of pearl and has roman numerals to easily identify the time on your watch.

While you can certainly wear all of the watches within the women’s Baume et Mercier Diamant series for any occasion, the last two in particular are ideal for dress occasions.  With a sparkling effect and shiny stainless steel, this Baume et Mercier series has more to offer than what the watches are priced at.  Finally, a case in which you get more in return than what you pay for.   Source: http://www.watchesonnet.com/luxurywatches/

So where do you go to find the world’s best designer shoes – New York, Paris, Tokyo… ?  A good bet is jolly old London.

Some of the world’s most famous designer shoe brands have a home in London–the city that is a fashion capital in its own right–and it continues to draw swarms of shopaholics from across the globe.

When you’re hunt for the perfect pair of shoes, the designer boutiques and department stores can help you find the ideal match.

From distinct stilettos from Jimmy Choo to Italian leather loafers from Franchetti Bond, here are just eight great places to find designer shoes in London:

1. Rupert Sanderson. This is the place to pick up a few of the latest trends and step into some glossy patent leather heels, sandals, and unique shoe designs in eye-popping colors. Rupert Sanderson shoes carries a range of handmade designers shoes that are perfectfor adding to your eclectic collection. You’ll find the store at 33 Bruton Place in Mayfair, London.

2. Franchetti Bond, Ltd.This legendary English shoe shop will help you create a distinct and refined look in rich leather and authentic fabrics. The shoe shop offers plenty of distinct European designs to make your wardrobe stand apart from the rest, and you can also explore a diverse selection of handbags. Franchetti Bond, Ltd. Is located at 12 Symons Street in Chelsea, London.

3. Manolo Blahnik. The world-famous shoeshave a discret location in London, and you can pick out your favorite too-tall stiletto from the showcase of shoes and accessories filling the shelves here. The shoe shop has become a famous spot for finding last-minute partyitems, and you’ll easily find the right fit with the expert staff in-house. The Manolo Blahnik store is located at 49 Old Church Street in Chelsea, London.

4. Poste Mistress. From snakeskin leather boots to patent leather pumps, this shoe shop will delight your senses and make it difficult to ward off a shopping spree. The shoe collections offers something for everyone, and the associates will gladly help you find something truly unique for that upcoming event. Browse away in the seemingly endless shelves and display of designer shoeshere, it’s one of London’s best! Post Mistress is located at 61 Monmouth Street in Covent Garden, London.

5. Jimmy Choo. Fresh off the runways, the collection here features all the latest trends and plenty of eye-catching shoe displays to keep you interested for hours. The store offers plenty of browsing opportunities where you can pick out your own pair of extra-tall stilettos and practice trotting in them before the final decision. Jimmy Choo is located at 32 Sloane Street in Knightsbridge, London.

6. Patrick Cox. When disco fever hits your closet, or you just want to add a little retro design to your look, head to Patrick Cox shoe store for a giant collection of trendy boots, shoes, and sandals. It doesn’t take long to discover British trends and tastes here, and at the very least, you’ll find a ’70s-inspired gift or accessory. Patrick Cox is located at 129 Sloane Street in Chelsea, London.

7. Anello and Davide.You can’t leave London without a good pair of dancing shoes, and Anello and Davide will happily bring you only the highest quality of leather shoesthat will last you for your years to come-both on and off the dancefloor. This shoe shop prides itself on personal customer service, so be prepared to have your feet measured and analyzed before settling for the perfectmatch. Anello and Davide is located at 20 St. Christopher’s Place in Marylebone, London.

8. Shellys. When you want a pair of shoesthat demand attention, Shellys is the place to go. It’s the shop where drag queens in Soho enjoy their weekly shoppingspree, and you’ll easily find a few extreme designs and platform heels to round out your closet. Shellys is located at 266 Regent Street in Soho, London.

You’ll be overwhelmed with the assortment of designer shoes and brands available throughout London’s shopping districts, so it’s a good idea to work with a plan on each trip! Be sure to stop in at any of these top shoe shops on your next visit for the best that London has to offer.  Article by: Sabah Karimi

Looking for cool timepiece? Ever wanted to live in the undercover spy world, like James Bond? Well then, you may want to check out the Veldini Q wristwatch inspired by 007.

Designed by Taylor Welden, the Q ‘Bond-inspired’ luxury wrist watch has been inspired by the gadgets, luxury, class, character, and darker side of James Bond.

The design team really wanted to avoid Pierce Brosnan and the laser cutting watch, but instead provide the customer with a beautiful masculine watch, equipped with ’spy tools’ that they can actually use.

The plans are for three modular card designs – outdoor, spy, and everyday. Each of the wristwatchs has its own set of tools. Currently the ‘Q’ wristwatch is in pre-production, and the company owner plans to release at least 3 models.

Sterling silver will likely sell for $2-3k, Gold or Rose Gold will be in the $5-7k price range, and the Platinum version will be priced in the $10-15k range.

The spy tools include a set of pick locks, a glass cutter, a blade, and much more. For everyday use, this 007 watch features a mirror, a blade, bottle opener, and more. The watch also echoes the design of the hammer mechanism of 007’s Walther PPK pistol, which releases the previously mentioned card.

You never know, but the ‘Q’ may be appearing on 007’s wrist on the big screen some day soon.

This superbly crafted Elliott Lucca handbag is pure luxury. It’s made of opulent Italian leather cinched at the top for a cool casual look.

The two bold buckled front pockets don’t just look stylish. They’re also very functional, with magnetic snap closures to keep your goodies safe. There’s even more storage inside, with clever compartments designed to store your PDA and cell phone.

The interior is lined with a durable canvas fabric, so spills just wipe away without damaging your bag. This is perfect for girls who love to carry water bottles or messy hand creams!

Tote this purse with the dual handles, or attach the long strap to sling it over your shoulder. That gives you two great looks from this one beautiful bag!

The Estella is available in a range of colors, but I can’t go past this metallic gray graphite variety. It’s got a real space age, futuristic look about it that should out you light years ahead of the current fashion trends!

More Features of This Elliot Lucca Luxury Tote Bag

• Signature “EL” logo medallion on a leather hang tag
• Top zip closure with leather pulls
• Graphite variety has gun metal hardware, while other colors have gold hardware
• An interior zippered pocket
• Detachable shoulder strap with lobster claw clasps and a 16 inch drop
• Dual carry handles with a 5 inch drop
• Measures 15 x 12 x 4 Written by: www.bagbunch.com

For as long as I can recall, I have been completely obsessed with designer handbags. I spent the majority of my youth dreaming of the day when I could afford to buy my favorite designer handbags. Here I am, some ten years later, still looking forward to that day. While I have been known to skip out on my bills to buy the latest trendy handbag, I have yet to spend more than $1000.00 on an individual bag. A girl can still dream, can’t she?

I was leafing through some catalogs over the weekend, and I was amazed at how incredibly expensive some of the high-end designer handbags really are. I knew they were expensive, but I had no clue how very expensive. Oh…the innocence of youth! I decided that it would be useful for our legion of faithful readers to have a handy reference of the most expensive designer handbags on the planet.

So here goes… It has been written about countless times in the press and in the blogosphere, but I simply cannot resist this little gem! If I had to name an all-time favorite design house, Fendi would be the one. I don’t know how they manage to do it, but they are consistently able to strike an incredible balance between innovation and classic design in all of their creations. Fendi designs some of the most exciting handbags in the fashion industry, and the “B.Bag” is one of the most sought-after handbags in the world. One might think that the $30,000 price tag might be a deterrent, but not for those with the means to support their addiction!

Another bag that has given me far too many sleepless nights is the Hermes “Birkin” bag! These bags were named after Jane Birkin, the oh-so-fabulous British actress and fashion icon. These bags are often duplicated, but never truly replicated. With a price tag of over $20,000, it is easy to understand why they are a favorite of vendors of cheap, imitation handbags. As you are likely aware, these bags are available by special order only.

Furthermore, the final costs will very much be dependent on the materials and hardware used in their construction. Wow! Do I need a Sugar Daddy, or what? If there was one other bag that creeps into my dreams with any regularity, it would be the “Muse” from Yves Saint Laurent. It is very much like a traditional bowling bag in shape and design. The first time I saw her was at Saks on Fifth Ave in NYC, and from that moment I knew one day she would be mine. If I had my way, I would choose the oh-so-supple white crocodile version. I cannot think of anything I would rather spend $20,000 on…aside from the “Birkin” bag mentioned above. Wouldn’t I make the perfect girlfriend? Wanna go shopping sometime?

Gucci is the flagship brand of the French luxury group – PPR. It is the world’s most coveted luxury brand according to a global luxury brands survey by The Nielsen Company.

In the latest survey, one in five global consumers said they would choose to buy Gucci (over any other luxury brand) if money was no option, making the Italian fashion brand that was revived by Tom Ford in the 1990’s the most coveted and aspirational luxury brand in the world today.

Chanel and Calvin Klein tied for second place in Nielsen’s 48-country global online survey, that was conducted in November 2007. In fourth place came Louis Vuitton, followed by Giorgio Armani, Christian Dior and Versace.

Two years ago in the same survey, Gucci also shared top honours in the survey with Giorgio Armani. But Armani has since slipped to fourth place in current global rankings.

Still trying to impress with your Chloe Paddington for $2,100? That’s nothing these days. How about a Chloe Paddington bag for $3,300? That’s chump change.

For the ultra-serious shopper, seeking the ultimate status symbol, nothing compares to the white alligator and diamond Chanel. Price is a staggering $260,150. If you want to save a few bucks, then try the $42,500 Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork tote. Don’t you feel better now?

Barbara Atkins, who’s the fashion director of Holt Renfrew Canada, says the “it” bag craze started when Hermes designed the “Kelly bag” for Grace Kelly. It became quite famous in 1956, when the princess appeared in Life magazine, hanging from her arm.  Full article

For hundreds of years now, luxury watches have been regarded as symbols of wealth, success and meticulous engineering. The fine artisanship of luxury watches such as Rolex, Cartier, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Patek Philippe and others, has made them more than just timepieces. That is why for most people, owning a luxury watch is a symbol of having arrived, of success and triumph.

Luxury watches can quickly represent a status upon their wearers. Wearing a Rolex or Cartier watch signifies great class and wealth of the bearer. When buying luxury watches, there are several pointers that one should know before buying and investing in an expensive timepiece.
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Late last year, I mentioned that that Tiffany & Co, will be opening smaller concept stores. Now it turns out the first one will open up in the new Americana at Brand shopping center in Glendale, California. The space will be approximately 2,600-square feet, which is quite small compared to the existing stores which average 7,100 square feet.

The smaller stores are meant to appeal to women and more entry-level shoppers. No engagement rings or “statement jewelry” here and there will be an emphasis of sterling silver pieces, the types of things that women might buy for themselves as a treat. If the smaller store concept succeeds it will allow Tiffany to more than triple the amount of stores they have currently.

In analyzing how this will turn out I can see how it could go either way. On the one hand, Tiffany will be able to extend to many more people who thought they couldn’t afford Tiffany pieces and will provide more brand visibility. On the other hand, the decline in the luxury market right now is mostly hitting the lower tier of the high-end, precisely where Tiffany is aiming these stores.

There is also the possibility that these stores might further dilute the power of the Tiffany brand. In fact, CNN reports that LVMH which was mulling over a bid for the company, fears that the jeweler may be too “mid-market” for their portfolio.

Many times in Hollywood or the overall entertainment business, good looks means few brain cells. In the case of supermodel Tyra Banks, that is certainly not the case. Underneath that glamourous exterior lies a fiercely determined businesswoman. Tyra has two hit shows: ”America’s Next Top Model” and ”The Tyra Banks Show”.

But Tyra Banks is not satisfied and has lofty goals. She has designs on building a multimedia empire.  Tyra says, “”Oprah Winfrey is a mogul. Martha Stewart is a mogul. I’m probably a mogul in the making. I’m almost there”

After her unbelievable modeling career wound down, her second life was just starting. The May 2003 debut of her creation America’s Next Top Model, which has grown into a worldwide hit and is embarking upon its 10th cycle (premiering Feb. 20 on The CW) began modestly. The most recent edition was the network’s top-rated series, averaging 5.2 million viewers weekly.

And The Tyra Banks Show — a broad mix of women’s issues and frothy fare — is now a talk-show force to be reckoned with: 4.3 million adult female viewers tuned in weekly this past November sweeps, and, with a median age of 40.

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