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Brooks Brothers & Levi's Launch Exclusive Denim Collection


Two of America's best known menswear brands, Brooks Brothers and Levi's, have collaborated on a new denim collection. Levi's Jeans, Made in the USA for Brooks Brothers, will be available at Brooks Brothers stores nationwide, online and in Brooks Brothers catalogs as of this week, affirming the two companies' shared commitment to products that are "made in America". The collection features a carefully crafted assortment of sophisticated and classic jeans designed specifically for Brooks Brothers' customers. Offered in a range of timeless finishes and washes, the line consists of versions of Levi's original and iconic 501 jean, the zip-fly 505, and the modern and streamlined 514 Slim Straight jean. Each pair is crafted in a factory in Los Angeles using imported materials and will retail for $148.

Sultan of Brunei's Custom Ferrari F50 for Sale


The other day we told you about the Sultan of Brunei's incredible 7,000-strong, multi-billion dollar car collection, boasting among other things some 450 Ferraris. Apparently the collection has been reduced by at least one – the filthy rich ruler's custom 1996 Ferrari F50 has just been listed for sale via global online luxury marketplace JamesList. The price is undisclosed but we expect the rare auto, one of only two right hand drive factory-built F50's in existence, to be worth at least $1 million. Custom made for the Sultan, one of only 359 F50s ever produced, it has 5,000 miles on it. The F50's V12 engine kicks out 513 hp at 8,500 rpm with a torque of 470 nM. It does 0–60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 202 mph. Don't worry too much about the Sultan losing one the prize pieces from his collection, however; according to reports he should still have two more F50s in the garage – not to mention the 600 Rolls-Royces....

Did the Sultan of Brunei Buy 10 Aston Martin One-77s for His Billion-Dollar Car Collection?


Back in February we reported on the mysterious filthy rich individual who purchased 10 Aston Martin One-77 supercars, limited to just 77 examples, for $1.7 million apiece or $23 million in total including fees. Now educated insiders are speculating that the Sultan of Brunei bought the cars to add to his multi-billion-dollar, 7,000-strong car collection, the world's most expensive auto hoard. According to Guinness World Records the Sultan's collection includes over 600 Rolls-Royces, more than 450 Ferraris, 570 Mercedes-Benzes, 380 Bentleys, 170 Porsches, dozens of Koenigseggs, and 20 Lamborghinis to name a few. He owns several rare custom, one-off and concept cars, some worth tens of millions apiece, including a Ferrari Mythos, a Jaguar XJ220 by Pininfarina, a Bentley Java, a Bentley Dominator SUV, bespoke Rolls-Royce and Ferrari station wagons, a Porsche Carma and a Koenigsegg Agera. Known for buying multiple models of supercars in order to have one in every color, he owns several McLaren F1s, six Ferrari FXXs, four Ferrari F40s and three Ferrari F50s. The Sultan, who's worth an estimated $20 billion, stores the collection in five heavily-guarded airplane hangars and employs a team of mechanics and specialists to keep the cars in perfect working condition.

Tequila Avion, New for the Private Jet Set


Ken Austin, Executive Vice Chairman of Marquis Jet, is launching a new ultra premium spirit called Tequila Avion for the private jet set. Austin attracted several million dollars in funding from investors including notables from the worlds of art and culture, business, technology, sports, lifestyle and luxury goods to get the new venture off the ground. Produced by fifth generation agave growers from among the finest Blue Weber agave found in the highest regions of Jalisco, Mexico, the tequila's distinct flavors are achieved through a combination of slow-roasting at lower temperatures to protect the natural flavors of the agave and an ultra-slow filtration process which creates an ultra-smooth taste profile. It's available in Silver, Reposado and Anejo varietals.

"I've always experimented and searched for a tequila that is smooth and has great character, whether I drink it neat or in a cocktail," Austin notes. "Over the years, close friends and business associates who were also passionate about tequila have joined me in this pursuit. We came to realize that if we wanted the ideal tequila – balancing exceptional taste, character and smoothness - we would have to create it ourselves. With the help of experts that understood our quest, that is exactly what we have achieved in Tequila Avion, a distinctive and defining new standard of quality and taste in tequila, or 'Taste Elevated' as we refer to it." Tequila Avion is now available at select locations including New York's Park Avenue Liquor Shop.

Prince Charles Presides at Cartier International Polo


HRH Prince Charles presided over the Royal Box at the 26th annual Cartier International Polo Day at the UK's Guards Polo Club in Great Windsor Park the other day. The celebrated event, previewed in The Classicist's column on the English summer social season, is the sport's most prestigious. The bands of the Welsh and Irish Guards and the Light Cavalry of the Honourable Artillery Company performed prior to the contest. The Prince, who arrived in his vintage Aston Martin, was joined by the likes of Tommy Lee Jones and Sir Ben Kingsley to watch as England triumphed over New Zealand to capture the coveted Coronation Cup. VIP guests were served a luncheon by chef Anton Mosimann of champagne, Scottish lobster and Chateaubriand followed by Grand Marnier parfait with raspberry coulis. James Beim, captain of the New Zealand team, was awarded the trophy for Most Valuable Player.

World's Richest Man Buys Duke-Semans Mansion for $44 Million


Mexican telecommunications mogul Carlos Slim, who beat out Warren Buffet and Bill Gates to capture the title of World's Richest Man earlier this year with an astonishing net worth of $53.5 billion, has purchased the stunning Duke-Semans Mansion in New York for a cool $44 million. As we reported back in January, cab driver-turned-fertilizer king Tamir Sapir had listed the palatial townhouse, said to be the only private mansion left on Fifth Avenue, for $50 million. According to the Wall St. Journal, Slim cut the deal to snag it for $6 million less with Sapir directly. Sapir bought the historic seven-story Beaux Arts mansion located across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art from relatives of Doris Duke for $40 million in 2006. The 20,000-square-foot mansion, built in 1901, currently has a doctor's office in the basement, a five-story main residence, a penthouse duplex on top, 12 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, and 11 wood-burning fireplaces.

Oracle's Larry Ellison Is World's Highest Paid CEO


Oracle's Larry Ellison received a whopping $1.84 billion in compensation over the past decade, making him the world's highest paid CEO according to a new Wall Street Journal survey of public companies. The founder and chief executive of software maker Oracle Corp. beat out rival Barry Diller, chairman of IAC/InterActive, for the top spot; Diller received roughly $1.14 billion in compensation. Following Diller are Occidental Petroleum Corp. CEO Ray Irani at $857 million, Apple Inc.'s Steve Jobs with $749 million and, in fifth place, Capital One Financial Corp. CEO Richard Fairbank at $569 million. Ellison, the sixth richest person in the world with a personal fortune of $28 billion, is known for his passion for high-tech sailing yachts and owns a Woodside, California estate estimated to be worth $200 million. He's also said to have recently paid $10.5 million for Beechwood, the historic Astor family mansion in Newport, RI that was our estate of the day back in May 2007.

Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge Kicks Off in the Hamptons


The annual Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge kicked off in the Hamptons last weekend as the sport's greatest athletes competed for one of polo's most treasured prizes. The 2010 Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge at Blue Star Jets Field will run for six weeks and as always is expected to attract a great crowd of celebs and VIPs. In addition to Mercedes and Blue Star Jets this season's partners and sponsors include Patron tequila, Stella Artois, Zino Platinum Cigars, Crumbs Cupcakes and Bakery, the Financial Times, Susan Foster Jewelry and Hamptons Magazine. Those with access to the coveted VIP tent this year can preview SWAGG, an upcoming mobile application allowing consumers to purchase, exchange and redeem gift cards from their phone. Ralph Lauren returned as the exclusive apparel retailer with an onsite shop at the matches, and is also staging a contest for a polo lesson with Lauren-sponsored Black Watch team member Nacho Figueras. A portion of proceeds from this year's events will go to the South Fork Breast Cancer Coalition.

Belstaff Bests Prince Harry at Asprey Polo Cup


Famed London luxury goods house Asprey's polo team captained by Prince Harry (above, far right) was soundly thrashed by Belstaff's squad at the UK's prestigious Asprey World Class Polo Cup the other day. The Prince played well during the thrilling contest at the Hurtwood Park Polo & Country Club in Surrey, but accepted defeat gracefully, especially as his pet charity Sentebale received part of the proceeds from the match. Belstaff, famed for its leather jackets, also unveiled their brand new polo inspired collection at the event, allowing guests an exclusive first look at the chic and sporty clothes. Some VIPS including the Prince were gifted with items from the new line. Also in attendance at the event were Prince Albert of Monaco, his fiancée Charlene Wittstock, the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood and several stunning supermodels. Belstaff, founded in the UK in 1924 and known for outfitting stars like Tom Cruise, George Clooney and Will Smith for their action-packed blockbusters, also recently furnished longtime fans Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with complete wardrobes.

[via JustLuxe]

Epicures Rejoice - UN Lifts Beluga Caviar Ban


The world's finest beluga caviar will be available once again following an agreement by five producer countries on export quotas for the luxe delicacy, the United Nations' watchdog on endangered species has announced. Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan agreed at a meeting in Tehran on new quotas which will be in effect through February 2011, the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species said in a statement. A temporary ban on wild caviar was imposed in 2001 due to a depletion of stocks amid high levels of poaching and illegal trade in the Caspian Sea. In 2002, countries sharing a stock of sturgeon automatically had zero quotas unless they reached a consensus on a sustainable level of exports. Trade in beluga was halted last year as the countries failed to agree on quotas. Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan still have zero quotas, but Iran can now produce 800 kg, Kazakhstan 1,500 kg, and Russia 700 kg. Expect it to cost a small fortune if you're lucky enough to get your hands on some.
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