Events

Watch The Royal Wedding In Style At The New York Palace

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 23rd 2011 at 11:02PM

The invitations for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton have gone out. If your name was left off the list you can still celebrate. The New York Palace hotel is offering a Royal Wedding Sunrise Breakfast on Friday, April 29, 2011, the date of the wedding.

If you want to participate prepare to wake up early. The event, priced at $150 per person inclusive, begins at 5:30 am with coffee and tea service in The Drawing Room at The New York Palace. At 6 am, breakfast service will begin to correspond with the 11 am wedding start time in London, and will conclude at 8 am with a champagne toast. Guests will view the ceremony on flat-screen TVs while enjoying traditional English morning meal favorites, including scones with marmalade, scrambled eggs with Devonshire cream, and breakfast bangers.

Tags: prince william, royal wedding

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Pope's Mercedes 600 Limousine Comes to the U.S.

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 23rd 2011 at 10:02AM

As part of the 125th anniversary celebrations for Mercedes-Benz, a 1965 Mercedes 600 Pullman landaulet (above) custom built for Pope Paul VI will be on display at the 16th Annual Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance in Florida on March 11–13. The historic vehicle is making its first appearance on U.S. soil as part of a featured Class of Mercedes-Benz 600s at the prestigious event. The 600 Pullman was originally presented in September 1963 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show and quickly became the vehicle of choice among the world's wealthy elite; in addition to the Pope, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Hugh Hefner and Coco Chanel owned one. The luxe limousine was equipped with Mercedes' first ever V-8 able to reach 0-62 mph in 10 seconds.

This vehicle built for the Pope was specially constructed with an individual seat for the pontiff that could be raised and lowered during the car's procession through crowded streets. An elevated roof, extended rear doors, and raised floor were also fitted along with other special equipment such as bulletproof glass. Over two decades, the car was used by three popes including John Paul I and John Paul II and was returned to Mercedes-Benz's Stuttgart, Germany headquarters in 1985. It comes to Amelia courtesy of the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart where it is one of many famous and priceless cars in its collection.

Tags: Amelia Island Concours dElegance, celebrity cars, classic cars, Coco Chanel, Elvis Presley, Hugh Hefner, John Lennon, John Paul II, limousine, Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Benz 600, Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman, Mercedes-Benz Museum, Pope, Pope John Paul II, Pope Paul VI, The Pope

Jaguar to Launch Fastest Production Model Ever in Geneva

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 23rd 2011 at 9:02AM

On March 1, Jaguar will launch the new Jaguar XKR-S in conjunction with the legendary E-Type's 50th anniversary at the Geneva Motor Show. With a higher output supercharged V8 engine, revised suspension, and a new aerodynamically-driven design, the Jaguar XKR-S is designed to be a true luxury GT with eye-popping performance – the fastest production Jag ever built. "The XKR-S is a bold and exciting new model for Jaguar," says Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar's new Global Brand Director. "We expect to attract both loyal and new Jaguar driving enthusiasts who still want the comfort, opulence and class only a Jaguar can offer, combined with inspirational performance."

The Jaguar XKR-S produces 550 hp with 502 lb/ft of torque, offers a top speed of 186 mph (300km/h), and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds. In addition to the debut, Jaguar will be marking the 50th anniversary of the E-Type with the first in a series of celebrations. The famed British marque will host an E-Type fête at the Restaurant Hotel du Parc des Eaux-Vives in Geneva, where the original car was introduced by Jaguar's founder Sir William Lyons half a century ago. "It is impossible to overstate the impact the E-Type had," notes Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director.

Tags: car design, Geneva, Geneva Motor Show, Geneva Motor Show 2011, Jaguar, Jaguar E-Type, luxury cars

Classic Works Of Art To Go On Display In Oscars Greenroom

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 22nd 2011 at 11:01PM

The Academy Awards take place on Sunday February 27 and once again Architectural Digest is hosting a well-appointed "greenroom" for the celebrity attendees. Fine art dealer Questroyal Fine Art of New York City has announced that six of its painting are part of the Architectural Digest greenroom at the Oscars. Designer Michael S. Smith, who was tapped by the Obamas to create the look for their family quarters at the White House, went for a classic American look inspired by luxe, tailored 1940s Hollywood style. He used furnishings from his personal line with Baker Furniture and handpicked six paintings from the Questroyal collection to decorate the room.

Tags: architectural digest, michael s smith

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Jason Statham Arrives at 'Mechanic' Premiere in Iconic Jaguar E-type

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 22nd 2011 at 9:02PM

Jason Stratham Arrives at 'Mechanic' Premiere in Iconic Jaguar E-type

British action star Jason Statham, leading man of new thriller The Mechanic, arrived at the movie's Las Vegas premiere (above) the other night in an iconic Jaguar E-Type. One of the world's sexiest sports cars, the E-Type just celebrated its 50th anniversary (see Autoblog's coverage here). Stratham, who's dating the delectable Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, plays an elite assassin in the film. For the premiere at the Las Vegas Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, Stratham took a spin down the Strip before pulling up under the marquee. The Series II E-Type Coupe he borrowed for the event, owned by Jaguar Clubs of North America member Bill Streitenberger, was there to represent the Series I E-Type that appears in the movie – which meets with a rather unfortunate end on the big screen.

Tags: casino, celebrity, classic cars, entertainment, Jaguar, Jaguar E-Type, Jason Stratham, Las Vegas, movie star, movies, Planet Hollywood, premiere, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, The Mechanic

Land Rover & Range Rover Make the Scene at NY Fashion Week

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 22nd 2011 at 8:02PM

Land Rover and Range Rover added an extra dose of style to two of Fashion Week's hottest shows with a fleet of vehicles for VIPs. The new Land Rover LR4 was the starring attraction at the Rag & Bone show in Soho, sponsored by the famed UK SUV marque, where beauties like model Jessica Stam (above) and Mad Men's Jon Hamm made the scene. And at the presentation by Marchesa, designed by Georgina Chapman, Range Rovers and Range Rover Sports provided luxe transportation for the likes of actresses Vanessa Hudgens and Michele Trachtenberg, musician Eve, socialite and TV personality Olivia Palermo, and model Irina Lazareanu. At both venues the vehicles sported the designer's logos, and when lined up impressively outside got nearly as much attention as the scenesters themselves.

"Land Rover is expanding its marketing profile with, for the first time, supporting a fashion house, Rag & Bone, during New York Fashion Week," noted Stuart Schorr, vice president of communications and public affairs, Jaguar Land Rover North America. "The Rag & Bone brand, led by Marcus Wainwright and David Neville, is admired for its refined and versatile aesthetic. Both Land Rover and Rag & Bone were born in England and enjoy massive global appeal. The Land Rover LR4 has evolved a distinct design heritage that is rooted in both authentic luxury and rugged capability. Similarly, through Rag & Bone, Marcus and David have established a legacy through high levels of skill and craftsmanship." Might we dare to hope for a Ltd. Rag & Bone Edition LR4 edition in the near future....?

Gallery: Land Rover & Range Rover at Fashion Week

Tags: celebrity, celebrity cars, fashion shows, Fashion Week, Jaguar, Jessica Stam, Land Rover, Land Rover LR4, Mad Men, Marchesa, models, New York Fashion Week, Olivia Palermo, Rag Bone, Rag and Bone, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, SUV, Vanessa Hudgens

RSVIP: Notes from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week--Part II

by Jeffrey Slonim (RSS feed) — Feb 22nd 2011 at 8:00AM

Parties, if one has the energy to attend them after viewing collections all day, are a mainstay of New York Fashion Week. On Valentine's Day, Victoria Beckham, right, feted Allure magazine's 20th anniversary at a tony bistro called Minetta Tavern. She unexpectedly showed up with David Beckham, her husband, who had on a dark plaid suit and wide tie. "He looks like he just stepped out of an ad," offered a reveler in the bar area, jammed with well-known faces.

Kiefer Sutherland and his delightful gal pal, Siobhan Bonnouvrier, a fashion editor at Allure, were squeezed into one corner. Author Simon Doonan and his boyfriend, Jonathan Adler, the interior designer, chatted with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelo. Iman, looking as youthful as the first day she arrived in New York, stood catty-corner beside designer Tory Burch.

Linda Wells, Allure's alluring Editor in Chief, later seated beside the Beckhams at dinner, dinged her glass and made a speech about "loving" her 20th-anniversary cover girl, Victoria Beckham. Did RSVIP mention that the steaks were enormous and delicious? Fun fete.

Tags: betsey johnson, calvin klein, georgina chapman, gwen stefani, isaac mizrahi, marchesa, michael kors, Monique lhuillier, naeem khan, new york fashion week fall 2011, Oliver Theyskens, rsvip

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Prince William and Kate's Royal Wedding Invitation Revealed

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 21st 2011 at 7:01PM

1,900 people just received their invitations (above) to the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton at London's Westminster Abbey on April 29. The heavy card bearing the engraved gold insignia of the Queen of England was delivered to various VIPs from kings to charity leaders, close family and university friends, old schoolmates and prime ministers around the world, People reports. The edges of the card, which is about 10 in. by 6 in., are beveled and then gilded. The simple wording reads that the Lord Chamberlain has been "commanded by the Queen" to invite the holder to the ceremony. Guests are asked to wear military uniform, a morning coat or a "lounge" (business) suit. 600 of the 1,900 invitees have also been invited by the Queen to a reception immediately following the ceremony, and 300 of those are also invited to a dinner hosted by William's father, Prince Charles, later that evening at Buckingham Palace.

Tags: British royalty, Buckingham Palace, Kate Middleton, London, Prince Charles, Prince William, Queen of England, royal family, Royal Wedding, royalty, UK, wedding

RSVIP: Notes from the Tents at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week--Part I

by Jeffrey Slonim (RSS feed) — Feb 21st 2011 at 10:01AM

There are tents within tents during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, curtained-off rooms backstage and in secret hallways, where models whip their clothes off and change into their first look; where they have their hair snipped and sprayed and teased; where Gwen Stefani's two little boys, Kingston and Zuma, were able to play in private; and, of course, the Diane von Furstenberg-designed "Star Room," where Mercedes-Benz served miniature cupcakes, fresh sushi, and fine cheese to swells.

The sexiest scene RSVIP noted was backstage at the Tommy Hilfiger show on Sunday, right, where the well-known new youth models, Arizona and Jordan, among many others, had their hair wetted as jugs of water were poured over their heads into a large plastic trash can backstage before they began drying their own tresses.

Tags: calvin klein, charlotte ronson, derek lam, diane von furstenberg, g-star raw, lela rose, new york fashion week fall 2011, peter som, rosario dawson, rsvip, tommy hilfiger

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Naples, Florida Gets New Art Fair

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 20th 2011 at 10:01AM

Each year we mention Naples, Florida for its annual luxury wine festival but the tony warm weather enclave will have a new annual event to draw the rich, the first Naples Premier Art and Antique Fair, which takes place from Feb. 24 to March 1 at the Naples International Pavilion. The event is being put on by David and Lee Ann Lester, founders of International Fine Art Expositions which also organizes the Miami International Art Fair, Art Palm Beach, American International Fine Art Fair, The London International Fine Art Fair and SeaFair – the floating art fair.

The new fair brings over 60 art, antique, and jewelry dealers to Southwest Florida in a newly renovated 55,000 square foot facility. The fair features old master paintings, impressionist paintings, modern and contemporary art and sculpture, furniture, decorative arts, silver, ancient arts, haute couture and period jewelry, and rare books. Luxury jeweler Graff will be showcasing some of its fine diamond and colored gemstone jewelry. A painting by Renoir will also be on display and a historically significant portrait of President Abraham Lincoln will be presented by the 19th Century Shop.

Tags: antique fair, antiques roadshow, art fair, art fairs, naples, naples art and antique fair, naples florida

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World Race 2011 Recreates Historic 1908 New York To Paris Race

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 20th 2011 at 8:00AM

Imagine the scene, Times Square, February 12, 1908 over 250,000 people cheering the start of the race to circle the globe from New York to Paris by automobile. The historic event become the longest auto competition in history, a perilous adventure with uncertain roads and no friendly gas stations at every turn. The Great Auto Race covered 22,000 miles in 169 days as teams from Italy, Germany, France and the United States proved that the newfangled "horseless carriages" were more than just a mechanical curiosity. When he returned to the U.S., the winner of the event, George Schuster, driver of the American built Thomas Flyer, received a hero's welcome.

Tags: car race, great auto race, new york to paris race, race, world race 2011

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Home Team Wins Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Feb 19th 2011 at 7:01PM

The home team emerged victorious for the second year running at the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge on Friday. Four pro-am polo teams competed in the prestigious event at the Desert Palm Polo Club under the patronage of Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Desert Palm team edged out Cartier's own team to capture the top prize. The other two teams were fielded by Swiss bank (and Wikileaks target) Julius Baer and the UK's Guards Polo Club. Desert Palm patrons Clive Reid and Tariq Albwardy received the impressive trophy from Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the son of Dubai's ruler. Cartier suffered a setback early in the final when their best player, Salvador Ulloa, was injured though another Cartier team member, Nico Petracchi, was named Most Valuable Player.

Tags: Cartier, cartier+international+dubai+polo+challenge, cartier+international+dubai+polo+challenge+2011, cartier+polo+dubai, cartierinternationaldubaipolochallenge, cartierinternationaldubaipolochallenge2011, cartierpolodubai, Dubai, equestrian, horses, Julius Baer, polo, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE, wealth

Opera Rises Again In Baltimore

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 18th 2011 at 7:04PM

In 2009, I wrote about the problems befalling opera companies around the country. The recession doomed the expensive art form in many towns as donors scaled back their patronage. One that didn't make it was the old Baltimore Opera Company but the Baltimore Sun delivers the happy news that opera is making its way back to the city.

Lyric Opera Baltimore is a new opera company that will have a stage at the Lyric Opera House, recently renamed the Patricia and Arthur Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric. The inaugural 2011-2012 season follows the expansion and modernization of the stage-house and technical systems and will begin in November with Verdi's La Traviata. Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro will be performed in March 2012 and Gounod's Faust completes the season in April 2012. Members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Concert Artists of Baltimore ensemble will be in the pit for the first three productions. The first season will be limited to just two performances each of the three productions planned, staged for a very modest budget of around $1.5 million. Subscriptions can be bought online.

Tags: baltimore, baltimore opera, lyric opera house, opera, opera companies, opera house

Russian Billionaire To Bring His Faberge Eggs To The Vatican

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 17th 2011 at 11:00PM

Through his Link of Times Foundation, Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg has made it his personal mission to repatriate cultural and historical objects taken out from Russia in the 20th century. Toward that mission, Vekselberg has amassed a large collection of Faberge eggs made by Pyotr Karlovich Faberge and brought them back to Russia. Now he's sending them back out into the world. RIA Novosti reports that Vekselberg has worked with the Vatican to bring the Faberge eggs to the Holy See Museum for a new exhibition.

Before the Russian Revolution in 1917, Faberge's jewelry company in St. Petersburg manufactured some of the world's most beautiful jewels and objects for the Russia's imperial family. The most famous of his works are the intricate Easter eggs which have become some of the world's most collectible bejeweled items.

Vekselberg worked for over a year to arrange the exhibit which begins on April 14. There will be a total of 180 exhibit pieces which show the history of Russia and tsar's family. The House of Faberge created a total of 54 Imperial eggs for Alexander III and Nicholas II as gifts for their wives and family and 42 of these eggs remain today. Vekselberg purchased Faberge works from the Forbes family in 2004. Malcolm Forbes was a famous collector of Faberge eggs. That collection included nine Imperial Easter eggs and another 190 items, including brooches, inkwells and smoking accessories. Vekselberg said he paid over $90 million for the collection.

Tags: faberge eggs, holy see museum, vatican, viktor vekselberg

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Classic Car Club Of Manhattan To Open A Second New York Branch

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Feb 17th 2011 at 9:01PM

It could well be taken as a sign that luxury is back (well, we say it never left) as the Classic Car Club of Manhattan opens a new location, taking over a turn-of-the-century carriage house on East 73rd Street in Manhattan. We first mentioned the club way back in 2005 when it opened its first location, shown above, handing over the keys to a fleet of vintage and modern classic automobiles to members.

Tags: Car Clubs, Classic Car Club, Classic Car Club Of Manhattan

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