Luxist http://www.luxist.com Luxist http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Luxist http://www.luxist.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Classicist: Celebrating the Best of the Season]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/21/the-classicist-celebrating-the-best-of-the-season/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/21/the-classicist-celebrating-the-best-of-the-season/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/21/the-classicist-celebrating-the-best-of-the-season/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


As we head inexorably into winter here on the East Coast, it's time for The Classicist to take a look back, raise a glass and celebrate the best of the season. Perhaps you're looking for a last-minute gift for the holidays or just want to treat yourself once the dust settles. Here's our rundown of seasonal favorites, some we've mentioned before and others appearing for the first time. See the gallery for full pix:

1. Barbour Dunelm jacket: A slimmed down version of the classic foul weather parka style jacket in signature waxed cotton with an attached hood, utility pockets and a two way zip under a studded-front storm flap, from the classic British outerwear company. Founded in 1894 and holders of the Royal Warrant, they've opened a new chapter in classic sporting style with updated designs.

2. LINCS by David Chu cardigan: From Chu's new collection of clothing for the "gentleman adventurer", a weighty cashmere cardigan in a heathery loden weave with a leather buckle at the collar and suede trim under the placket. The epitome of Chu's classic and rugged yet elegant ethos.

3. Ralph Lauren tartan duffel: Part of Lauren's luxe new Holiday Collection, rooted in the spirit of 1930's Sun Valley, the famous Idaho ski resort frequented by socialites and celebrities. Tartan plaid wool with saddle leather trim embodies wintry sophistication.

4. Wolverine Gentry Upland boots: From the 125-year-old company's new vintage-inspired 1000 Mile Collection, finished in rough full-grain leather with loden Pendleton wool inserts and lug soles. Equally at home in the field or on the town.

5. Caesar Guerini Apex shotgun: The rich heritage of fine Italian shotgun makers meets British lines and classic style in the Apex field and sporting models, blending beauty - Oiled Turkish Circassian walnut stock and intricate engraving - with performance and lasting value.

Gallery: The Classicist: Best of Fall / Winter '09

Barbour DunelmRalph Lauren Tartan DuffelCeasar Guerini ApexThe English Country HouseLaphroaig 18

Continue reading The Classicist: Celebrating the Best of the Season

LuxistThe Classicist: Celebrating the Best of the Season originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BarbourCaesar GueriniCaesarGueriniDavid ChuDavidChuLand RoverLandRoverlaphroaigLINCSProject XProjectXRalph LaurenRalphLaurenRange RoverRangeRoverRolexScotchshotgunsportingThe ClassicistThe EquinoxTheClassicistTheEquinoxWolverineMon, 21 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Bespoke British Luxury from the Fine English Company]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/14/the-classicist-bespoke-british-luxury-from-the-fine-english-com/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/14/the-classicist-bespoke-british-luxury-from-the-fine-english-com/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/14/the-classicist-bespoke-british-luxury-from-the-fine-english-com/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The Fine English Company is a recently launched line of luxurious furniture, luggage and lifestyle accessories reminiscent of Britain's colonial past with a contemporary flair. Founded by former financial consultant Benedict Wormald, the company was born out of a desire to trade in his city lifestyle in London and turn a lifelong passion for classic British design and antiquities into a business. The Fine English Company's products combine traditional craftsmanship with its detailing of exotic animal skins, rare and native woods and veneers to create a range of collectible and desirable objects betokening the best of bespoke British luxury,

With 15 years of experience sourcing unusual items and commissioning bespoke products, Benedict worked tirelessly to create the Fine English Company's first collection, a selection of which is now available at Holland & Holland, the famous London gunmaker established in 1835 and holder of the Royal Warrant. The core range includes steamer trunks finished with exquisite detailing and exotic zebra and giraffe skins, for £2,750 - £5,750. Larger furniture pieces include traditional leather armchairs, sofas and footstools, and club-style fireplace fenders upholstered in tweed, zebra and giraffe skin giving them a contemporary flair.

Fine English also has range of smaller items for sporting gentlemen including traditional handmade slippers with leather soles in a range of animal skins, bold tweed, and for the pocket pirate, a skull and crossbones. Also available are a number of iconic humidors for the busy plutocrat with rich wood finishes such as ebony, macassar and walnut, some decorated with the skull and bones (£2,500) or iconic Union Jack. Also a collection of stunning bespoke pocket knives featuring William Morris acanthus engraving, 18k pink gold with gold lipped pearl details, Damascus steel blades and ivory from the woolly mammoth, rivaling creations from the world's finest gun and watch makers.

Gallery: The Fine English Company



A well-curated collection of fine antiques is also on offer, drawn from military, architecture, automotive, aeronautical and sporting pursuits and restored to perfection. Of course the company offers a complete bespoke service as well; if you can conceive of it, Wormald promises to make it happen - he claims to have never turned down any client's request. From unique taxidermy - one recent example being the finest Van Ingen Tiger to be seen in Europe - to whole games rooms, gun rooms, dramatic architectural statement pieces and even a mahogany WC seat with the skull and bones motif, Fine English will furnish it to your requirements.

LuxistThe Classicist: Bespoke British Luxury from the Fine English Company originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antiquesbespokeexotic animalsExoticAnimalsFine English CompanyFineEnglishCompanyfurnitureHolland HollandHollandHollandhumidorhuntingLondonluggageRoyal WarrantRoyalWarrantshotgunsportingtrunkUKzebraMon, 14 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Rambling in the 2010 Range Rover Sport]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/07/the-classisict-rambling-in-the-2010-range-rover-sport/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/07/the-classisict-rambling-in-the-2010-range-rover-sport/http://www.luxist.com/2009/12/07/the-classisict-rambling-in-the-2010-range-rover-sport/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Range Rover is the automotive embodiment of a distinctly upper class British sporting aesthetic, as quintessentially English and aristocratic as the country houses dotting the verdant landscape. The luxe SUV was introduced in 1970, expanding upon the utilitarian Land Rover first designed by the Wilks Brothers in 1948. The preferred country conveyance of Prince Charles and his kin, the marque continues to dominate the upper end of the SUV spectrum in the UK and abroad despite having passed out of British hands.

For 2010 the Range Rover and its rakish younger sibling, the Range Rover Sport, were treated to a makeover encompassing several significant engineering and design upgrades. We had a chance to ramble 'round the scenic byways of Vermont recently in the latter. At 375 hp, the normally aspirated Sport model has nearly the same power as the previous year's supercharged version, capable of 0 - 60 mph in 7.2 seconds (just 0.1 seconds off the pace of the outgoing supercharged unit).

The Sport's smooth, refined, responsive performance and good looks mark it as a thoroughbred in all respects. For 2010 the exterior has a somewhat cleaner, more sculpted appearance. LED headlamps combine with a new two-bar grille, front bumpers and fenders to create a more sporting, aerodynamic, low-slung stance. At the rear, new light clusters and a revised bumper design mirror the smoother front-end. The interior has been comprehensively redesigned as well, using higher quality materials and finishes.

Gallery: 2010 Range Rover Sport



Leather is used extensively on major surfaces, in a wider choice of colors. To create a more sporting feel, rich dark shades "sandwich" narrow sections in lighter tones, completed by a generous selection of stylish wood finishes. There are luxurious new seats front and rear, which feature a deeper, more sculpted shape. A new adaptive sport mode provides more aggressive shift points and "learns" an individual driver's style to provide more appropriate responses to throttle inputs. The supercharged model now comes with F1-style paddle shifters on the steering wheel as well.

The fascia-mounted touch-screen system houses a new hard-drive navigation system while a new portable audio interface also allows connectivity to an array of personal audio storage devices, USB sticks and iPods. A new Surround Camera System features five digital cameras which relay a near 360-degree view to the touch-screen display. You can even zoom in. And one of our favorite new features is the automatic High Beam Assist technology, which turns them on and off as needed, detecting preceding and approaching traffic. Perfect for those country roads at night.

LuxistThe Classicist: Rambling in the 2010 Range Rover Sport originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>British royaltyBritishRoyaltyLand RoverLandRoverPrince CharlesPrinceCharlesRange RoverRangeRoversportingSUVUKMon, 07 Dec 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: The Equinox, Updating An American Icon in Vermont]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/30/the-classicist-the-equinox-updating-an-american-icon-in-vermon/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/30/the-classicist-the-equinox-updating-an-american-icon-in-vermon/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/30/the-classicist-the-equinox-updating-an-american-icon-in-vermon/#commentsFiled under: ,


Presiding over the picturesque Vermont village of Manchester, The Equinox has played host to the well-heeled and well-traveled for nearly 250 years. Established in 1769, the archetypal grand old New England hotel has served as a meeting place for the fathers of the American Revolution and hosted American presidents including Taft, Grant, Harrison and Teddy Roosevelt. Now part of the Luxury Collection, the iconic 195-room resort recently underwent a $20 million restoration, adding luxury amenities, luxe accommodations, and a new restaurant and bar to update an American icon and uphold its legacy going forward.

Designer Geoffrey Bradfield was put in charge of the redecoration, and fitted out the new guestrooms with a muted palette of slate blue, dark brown and beige accented with hand-carved furniture. One wall of each guest room features a large black and white photograph of The Equinox from the early 1900's. Custom-made beds, marble vanities, dramatic floor length curtains and plush leather armchairs add the finishing touches. The lobby seating areas and library, both with fireplaces, have also been spruced up.

The Falcon Bar and Chop House are the new additions to the drinking and dining scene. The Falcon Bar features French doors opening onto a terrace with incredible mountain vistas and an open-air fire pit. Inside there's dark wood paneling and plush leather chairs, as well as an extensive collection of single malt Scotch and a comprehensive wine list. There's also a menu of locally sourced cheeses and gourmet chocolates. The Chop House, located at the original site of The Equinox House Hotel built by Franklin Orvis in 1853, features the original stone hearth and is designed in the manner of a refined hunter's lodge complementing the gourmet steak house fare. Leather banquettes and rugged palette are accented by old hardwood floors.

Gallery: The Equinox, Manchester

The Chop HouseFalcon BarGolf CoursePoolCupola Suite


The adjacent Marsh Tavern, which has been the favorite watering hole of presidents since 1769, has been given a new menu of sophisticated, New England-style cuisine full of nostalgic flavors and simple, farm fresh ingredients. The bar specializes in an extensive selection of beers and ales and features snacks such as pretzels served with Raye's Mustard from Maine, the last stone ground mustard mill in the country. And of course there's lots to do besides eating and drinking: the indoor pool and spa, for starters.

The Equinox also offers the ultimate outdoor Vermont adventure experience with a variety of activities such as golf, falconry, archery, fly-fishing, shooting and Land Rover off-road driving. You can spend your morning maneuvering a Land Rover on rough terrain, midday practice your aim with recurve bows on the archery field, play golf on the lush course, and in the afternoon try field hunting alongside a majestic hawk, with some of the country's most scenic vistas as a backdrop.

LuxistThe Classicist: The Equinox, Updating An American Icon in Vermont originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Geoffrey BradfieldGeoffreyBradfieldhotelLand RoverLandRoverLuxury CollectionLuxuryCollectionNew EnglandNewEnglandThe EquinoxTheEquinoxVermontMon, 30 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Caesar Guerini, Fine Italian Shotguns for the American Sportsman]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/the-classicist-caesar-guerini-fine-italian-shotguns-for-the-am/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/the-classicist-caesar-guerini-fine-italian-shotguns-for-the-am/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/23/the-classicist-caesar-guerini-fine-italian-shotguns-for-the-am/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Building fine shotguns that blend beauty, performance and value is the key to gunmaker Caesar Guerini. Imported from Brescia, Italy, their over / under models combine craftsmanship, precision, and premium materials in a stylish package. The quality of the wood, the spot-on fit and finish and the intricate engraving are matched by the kind of perfect ergonomics and handling Italian gun makers are famous for the world over. Each Guerini gun is a work of art that is perfectly functional for sportsmen. The company now makes shotguns for legendary sporting outfitters Orvis, a testament to their worth.

Their newest and most stunning model, the Apex, put in an appearance in our recent Fall Sporting Style feature. It has distinctly British lines with a classic Prince of Wales grip on oiled Turkish Circassian walnut and a trim, rounded fore-end, with a revolutionary new full-length trigger guard. The action is embellished with full-coverage engraving that incorporates no fewer than four different techniques; the hand work and design are from the studios of the world renowned Italian engraving house Bottega Incisioni C. Giovanelli. And most importantly it shoots like a dream. Small wonder the gun was named Outdoor Life Magazine's Editors Choice. Not bad for a company started from the ground up in 2002.

Another much-lauded Guerini model is the Maxum, a true collector grade shotgun featuring deep relief floral scroll hand finished engraving on the receiver, side plates, and forearm assembly. An elegant coin finish complements the strikingly detailed classic style engraving. A deluxe grade of Turkish walnut, featuring precision cut, fines 26 lines-per-inch checkering and a natural oil finish, is hand rubbed to a stunning sheen. You can see both the Apex and Maxum in the gallery. The company also now has a custom shop in its Cambridge, Maryland, headquarters, offering services such as gun fittings and custom stock finishing.

Gallery: Caesar Guerini Shotguns

Target modelsApexApex in the fieldMaxum


We had the pleasure of meeting Wes Lang, president of Guerini U.S.A., at the recent Orvis Cup sporting event sponsored by Barbour at the Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds in Millbrook, New York. "We are like you, avid shooters and hunters," Wes says. "The passion for fine shotguns and the related activities influences many of our decisions. Our goal is to produce the very best shotguns possible at a price that makes your purchase a good investment. We constantly strive to manufacture shotguns that we enjoy shooting and we want to share the results of our passion for finely crafted and highly functional shotguns with all of our customers. Providing exemplary customer service to anyone who owns a Caesar Guerini is our mandate as well. When you own one of our shotguns you become part of a family - our family - and it's our goal to treat you that way."

LuxistThe Classicist: Caesar Guerini, Fine Italian Shotguns for the American Sportsman originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BarbourCaesar GueriniCaesarGuerinigunItalyOrvisshotgunsportingMon, 23 Nov 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Cognac and Armagnac from Classic & Vintage]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/16/the-classicist-cognac-and-armagnac-from-classic-and-vintage/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/16/the-classicist-cognac-and-armagnac-from-classic-and-vintage/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/16/the-classicist-cognac-and-armagnac-from-classic-and-vintage/#commentsFiled under: ,

Founded in 1832 under Napoleon III, The House of Castarède is the oldest Armagnac house in the world, and has remained in the hands of the same family for six generations. Jean Grosperrin founded Grosperrin, one of the last independent Cognac houses, 160 years later in 1992. As a broker, Jean had developed an elaborate network of growers who opened their cellar doors for him and allowed him to buy some of their most precious stocks.

Both of the elixirs are now available in the U.S. from Classic & Vintage Artisanal Spirits, a collection of boutique spirits founded by Domaine Select Wine Estates (DSWE) earlier this year (my colleague Alison Wellner wrote about their launch party).

Rich, smooth and mellow, Armagnac Castarède is crafted from the best grapes of the Bas Armagnac region and matured in cellars that are more than 100 years old. Today, Florence Castarède is responsible for this family heritage, combining know-how acquired over 175 years with new initiatives. The distillation and aging process in hand made oak barrels takes place in the Château de Maniban, situated in the heart of the Bas-Armagnac and dating back to the 16th century.

Castarède is also celebrated for its exceptional collection of vintage Armagnacs, with more than 80 authenticated vintages, the oldest dating from 1881. Vintage Armagnacs from 1893 - 1987 are available, with prices on request; the Castarède portfolio in the U.S. also consists of Armagnac Selection (SRP $64), Armagnac Réserve de la Famille, aged for over 20 years (SRP $124) and Armagnac VSOP (right), aged 10 years, (SRP $74). All are in 750 ml bottles.

Grosperrin's philosophy is to maintain small-batch integrity, without blending, leaving all varietals in individual batches in their original barrels or glass demi-johns, producing a wide array of distinctive products from all of the appellations of Cognac. The result is an impressive selection of single vintage, single barrel, and single estate Cognacs, each with a unique personality and history.

Gallery: Classic & Vintage Cognac & Armagnac

Grosperrin CognacsPetite ChampagneFins BoisCastarede SélectionReserve de la Famille


Today, the family-owned company is exclusively dedicated to the selection, aging, and distribution of rare, aged Cognac dating from 1991 all the way back to World War II, carrying all of the necessary guarantees of quality and authenticity. Classic & Vintage will import selected products from the expansive Grosperrin Portfolio at various prices; the next shipment is due to arrive in the U.S. in March.

Many people wonder about the differences between Armagnac and Cognac. Armagnac brandy is crafted from white wines produced from white grapes with high acidity and a low alcohol content. Armagnac is distinguished by the region's sunnier climate, sandy and clay soil rich in iron and four grape varieties as opposed to Cognac's two; the main difference is in the distillation process, however: single and continuous distillation for Armagnac that gives more fragrance and flavors. You can read more here.

LuxistThe Classicist: Cognac and Armagnac from Classic & Vintage originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ArmagnacbrandyClassic Vintage Artisanal SpiritsClassicVintageArtisanalSpiritsCognacDomaine SelectDomaineSelectFranceGrosperrinNapoleonMon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Celebrating the English Country House]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/09/the-classicist-celebrating-the-english-country-house/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/09/the-classicist-celebrating-the-english-country-house/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/09/the-classicist-celebrating-the-english-country-house/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We have always been entranced by the history, both cultural and architectural, of the grand country houses of England. The London-based magazine Country Life has long been the essential chronicle of these iconic estates, having featured a different country house in each weekly issue since it was founded back in 1897 and advertised many hundreds more in its property pages. A stunning new book, The English Country House, by Mary Miers from Rizzoli is sourced from the magazine's incredible archives. More than 400 images, mostly in color, highlight 62 houses encompassing a range of architectural styles spanning seven centuries beginning with the medieval Stokesay Castle and also examining the decoration, gardens, and landscapes, settings that inspire a continuing tradition of sporting style via country pursuits pursued with panache such as hunting and shooting, as well as whole schools of interior design.

As a result of its famous series of beautifully illustrated and authoritative articles, Country Life amassed an "astonishing library of photography and scholarship that provides a fascinating record of changing tastes and approaches to the country house and its garden over the past century," Miers notes. The book is illustrated almost entirely with images from its famous picture library, many of them by leading photographers of their day. The focus is not on the world-famous palaces that have now become museums, but rather the sort of houses to which Country Life has had privileged access over the years, many of which are still private homes often occupied by descendants of the families that built them. In the gallery you can preview photos from the book of Parnham House in Dorset, Honington Hall in Warwickshire, Claydon House in Buckinghamshire, and Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire.

Gallery: The English Country House

Parnham House, DorsetHonington Hall, WarwickshireHonington Hall, WarwickshireClaydon House, BuckinghamshireRenishaw Hall, Derbyshire


Spanning more than seven centuries, these houses were nearly all built as an "expression of status at the center of a landed estate, many interpreting the mainstream architectural trends of the day with their own distinctive provincial character," Miers notes. "They celebrate that rich seam of English domestic architecture that reflects, through a variety of material and design, the diversity of the English landscape and its regional traditions of craftsmanship." Punctuating the book at intervals in the form of booklet inserts on rich, uncoated paper are six essays by leading British architectural historians that set the English country house into its social context and chart "the changing tastes in decorating and collecting, the development of ancillary buildings, gardens and landscapes, and finally, its influence in the United States" in our own magnates' mansions.

LuxistThe Classicist: Celebrating the English Country House originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>architecturecastlecountry houseCountry LifeCountryHouseCountryLifeEnglandgardenphotographyUKMon, 09 Nov 2009 09:05:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: LINCS by David Chu for the Gentleman Explorer]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/02/the-classicist-lincs-by-david-chu-for-the-gentleman-explorer/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/02/the-classicist-lincs-by-david-chu-for-the-gentleman-explorer/http://www.luxist.com/2009/11/02/the-classicist-lincs-by-david-chu-for-the-gentleman-explorer/#commentsFiled under: , ,


One of our favorite menswear collections for fall is from preternaturally stylish Nautica founder David Chu's LINCS line, which he relaunched earlier this year as a full sportswear collection. The name is of course derived from golf, but Chu has expanded its horizons considerably this season. He aptly describes it as "a modern expression of style inspired by a life in and out of the country club - of travel, of sport, of classic chic." The theme of the fall collection is a modern take on the "gentleman explorer," characterized by classic rugged yet elegant styling in a color palette of loden, navy, and charcoal, with fabrics like waxed cotton, cashmere, wool and flannel.

"LINCS is grounded in authentic, classic style, but updated with details and textures men can relate to," Chu notes. "Many of our shirts for example have a contrast color / pattern detail that's subtle. You'll find a surprising detail or color at the cuff, on a collar, or the inside liner. Part of the LINCS concept is the fusion of sporty, easy authentic looks together with performance fabrics and the technical. In outerwear, you'll see a classic piece like a blazer, but designed with quilted nylon and stuffed with down for a look that's rugged and elegant." Also worth noting are the very reasonable price points. Outerwear is between $199 - $399, sweaters are about $119 - $129, shirts are $89 - $99, pants are $79 - $89, available at select Nordstrom, Dillard's and specialty stores.

Key looks include a military style parka in waxed cotton with a sheared rabbit collar (above), a blazer-style coat made of quilted waxed cloth, a loden cashmere cardigan with a leather buckle at the collar, a tan safari-style parka with a removable navy liner, and a quilted navy nylon rip-stop down-filled blazer with suede detailing under the collar. "When I named it LINCS, people automatically thought it was a golf line, but it's not," Chu notes. "LINCS is about sport, about design, and more importantly, this person's lifestyle and an extension of it, which includes easy pieces that can be tailored and elegant, but mixed in with more casual elements for a dressy, but sporty look."

Gallery: LINCS by David Chu Fall '09



Chu also has his eponymous David Chu Bespoke line, featured in The Classicist's "Best of Men's Style" roundup, a custom-clothing atelier located on the penthouse floor of his "Townhouse" HQ in New York that embodies the deisgner's "ultimate statement on style, sophistication, and the well-lived life," blending the best of Savile Row and Neapolitan tailoring. In addition to Bespoke, Chu is also working on a new project with famed golfer Jack Nicklaus to develop the Nicklaus brands worldwide under a unified creative direction and make it more of a lifestyle brand with a distinct point of view. More on that later.

LuxistThe Classicist: LINCS by David Chu for the Gentleman Explorer originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cashmereDavid ChuDavidChugolfJack NicklausJackNicklausLINCSLINCS by David ChuLincsByDavidChumenswearMon, 02 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Le Chameau, Rubber Boots Fit For Royalty]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/26/the-classicist-le-chameau-rubber-boots-fit-for-royalty/http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/26/the-classicist-le-chameau-rubber-boots-fit-for-royalty/http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/26/the-classicist-le-chameau-rubber-boots-fit-for-royalty/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


What makes a pair of rubber boots worth over $400? The ones from France's Le Chameau are not your ordinary wellies. For one thing, each pair is handmade by a single boot maker from start to finish using only 100% natural rubber, which provides superior resilience and elasticity compared to synthetic rubber. Besides forming an excellent barrier to water, natural rubber offers a high resistance to wear, cutting and tearing, and results in a much better fit and a more comfortable boot all around. They're also lined with the highest quality full-grain, glove-soft calf leather which prevents that clammy feeling and heat buildup other rubber boots are prone to. Many models also feature a full-length proprietary waterproof zipper making them extremely easy to put on and take off, while the soft but aggressive tread grips almost any surface.

Of course Le Chameaus are also damned stylish; they recently appeared in our Fall Sporting Style feature starring the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and while gaining popularity with connoisseurs here, in Europe they're the hunting boot of choice for everyone from royalty to gamekeepers and as much a part of estate shooting as a bespoke shotgun. In 1927, M. Claude Chamot hand-crafted the first pair of Le Chameau boots in his factory in Northern France. It takes nine months of intense training to become a Le Chameau boot maker. Unique skills and techniques are passed down through generations, from master boot maker to apprentice, ensuring that each pair of boots is created with the same care, quality and craftsmanship as in M. Chamot's day, with the benefit of modern technology of course. Under normal conditions a pair of Le Chameaus will last for decades, making the best boot money can buy well worth the price.

Gallery: Le Chameau



The classic olive green Chasseur hunting boots are our favorite, but a range of models is available for both men and women. There are special versions for cold weather and even some fur trimmed ladies' models in interesting colors. On a historical note, these type of boots are known as Wellingtons or wellies after a softer, closer-fitting style of cavalry boot originally designed by the first Duke of Wellington, who had the first ones made of leather in the early 1800s. They were not made of rubber until the 1850s when Charles Goodyear invented the vulcanization process for natural rubber. You can check out a video of Le Chameau boots being made here.

LuxistThe Classicist: Le Chameau, Rubber Boots Fit For Royalty originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bootsFrancehuntingLe ChameauLeChameaurubber bootsRubberBootsshotgunMon, 26 Oct 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Daniel Craig's Custom Rolex by Project X Designs]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/19/the-classicist-daniel-craigs-custom-rolex-from-project-x-desig/http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/19/the-classicist-daniel-craigs-custom-rolex-from-project-x-desig/http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/19/the-classicist-daniel-craigs-custom-rolex-from-project-x-desig/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Project X Designs, a new London-based Rolex customizer, has already won some high-profile fans including James Bond himself - Daniel Craig. Project X, which also produces its own Limited Edition Rolex designs in small runs, began with a custom Submariner and Daytona a few months ago which have nearly all sold out. Two new Daytona models have just been released. Founder Daniel Bourn, 37, also launched the London Watch Company in 2003 which specializes in building collections of vintage "investment grade" Rolexes for private clients. Bourn is actually a former investment banker who developed an "obsessive compulsion" for collecting rare, modern and vintage luxury watches and decided to change careers.

Bourn launched Project X Designs (PXD), which has offices in Hanover Square, London W1, out of a desire to "provide a service to clients who appreciate the history and allure of original manufacturers' brand name - guaranteeing maximum performance with minimal maintenance - but who seek the individuality that contemporary high volume production does not offer." It's an aesthetic that appeals to celebs like Kanye West - The Classicist reported on his blacked-out Rolex earlier this year - and Craig, a diehard Rolex enthusiast as we noted last year, who owns PXD's custom Submariner.

PXD offers two distinct services via its website: the first, a bespoke service which, like a bespoke suit, tailors a new luxury wristwatch with unique features to the clients' own personal specification. For example, a leading Formula One Racing Team have commissioned a special Daytona - carrying the company logo on the reverse together with the details of the race victory - for each of its Grand Prix winning drivers. Ex Bond actor Roger Moore also has a bespoke watch in development from PXD. The second element of PXD is the introduction of collectible limited edition (runs of 24) customized Rolex watches inspired by the retro styling of the classic Rolex models from the past.

Gallery: Rolex by Project X



The bespoke customization service offered by Project X Designs is the 'backbone' of the site whereby watches can be tailored to suit the clients' demands. At present there are 18 Rolex models to choose from and 19 options ranging from different straps to DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) blacked-out watch cases at £1,650. Clients may choose as many of the bespoke options as they wish - more options are in development and will be added to the site in the future. The super-cool DLC Daytona pictured above from the new series is priced at £10,750 or about $17,500.

LuxistThe Classicist: Daniel Craig's Custom Rolex by Project X Designs originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Daniel CraigDanielCraigJames BondJamesBondKanye WestKanyeWestProject XProject X DesignsProjectXProjectXDesignsRolexRolex DaytonaRolex SubmarinerRolexDaytonaRolexSubmarinerMon, 19 Oct 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Keeping Warm With Cognac Ferrand]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/12/the-classicist-keeping-warm-with-pierre-ferrand/http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/12/the-classicist-keeping-warm-with-pierre-ferrand/http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/12/the-classicist-keeping-warm-with-pierre-ferrand/#commentsFiled under: ,


When fall and cooler weather arrive we look for something special to sip by the fire; this season we'll be reaching for a bottle of fine Cognac from Pierre Ferrand. Ferrand, considered "Premier Cru du Cognac", is lauded as a Grande Champagne specialist and is one of only a handful of Cognac houses in France that specializes in old Cognacs from the coveted Grande Champagne region that are not blended with lesser varieties. It is also quite a small house by most standards; as Ferrand President and Owner Alexandre Gabriel notes, "We are the jewelers of Cognac. It takes us a year to produce what the biggest company produces in a day." A core belief at Ferrand is the that to produce an exceptional Cognac you must first create an exceptional wine. To that end, Cognac Ferrand is perhaps the only house that has a full-time oenologist trained in making premium wine in Bordeaux.

Cognac Ferrand is very vested in the vines and the vineyards and the wines used in the distillation of its Cognac come from the heart of the Grande Champagne, long considered the finest growing area. "To produce an exceptional Cognac, we treasure our grapes and treat the vineyard as a great vintner would," Gabriel says. "Then we distill it right, age it well and blend it with precision. Only then are we ready to bottle it. Quality cannot be rushed." The award-winning result is a complex, yet subtle, aromatic spirit reflecting a unique history and great attention to every detail of production. Pierre Ferrand Cognac is double distilled in small copper pot stills according to the traditional Cognac method - one cask at a time. It takes them 12 hours to produce just one cask with each pot still. At Ferrand's estate, dating from 1776, it then takes several years for the Cognac to reach perfection in Limousin oak barrels.

Gallery: Cognac Ferrand



Ferrand (which also makes Citadelle Gin in the off season) offers a wide variety of bottlings, including Ambre, Reserve, Reserve des Dieux, Selection des Anges, Abel, Ancestrale and the Collection Privée Vintages, limited edition rare Cognacs of outstanding quality, including the 1914, 1970, 1971 and 1973. They recently unveiled the Pierre Ferrand Vintage 1972 Cask Strength Cognac, one of the only cask strength Cognacs available in the United States, which sells for $600 a bottle. Only two casks of this precious Cognac remained at the historic Ferrand estate, enough to fill a mere 600 bottles. We highly suggested getting hold of one if you can.

LuxistThe Classicist: Keeping Warm With Cognac Ferrand originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brandycognacFrancePierre FerrandPierre Ferrand CognacPierreFerrandPierreFerrandCognacvineyardwineMon, 12 Oct 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Making Tracks in the 2010 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/05/the-classicist-making-tracks-in-the-2010-mercedes-benz-g55-amg/http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/05/the-classicist-making-tracks-in-the-2010-mercedes-benz-g55-amg/http://www.luxist.com/2009/10/05/the-classicist-making-tracks-in-the-2010-mercedes-benz-g55-amg/#commentsFiled under: ,


Since its debut back in 1979, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class has been an automotive design icon known as much for rugged good looks as versatility; what other vehicle after all can lay claim both to having won the famous Paris-Dakar Rally and being deemed a worthy means of transport for the Pope? It not only constitutes the gene pool for a Mercedes-Benz SUV family that now numbers four model series in all, but with its 30th anniversary it's also the longest-serving passenger car model series there has been since Mercedes-Benz came into existence in 1886. Meticulously handcrafted at a special manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria, it can climb grades up to 36 degrees (80% slopes), and remain stable on lateral inclines up to 24 degrees (54% slopes) - and it rivals anything on the road for luxury finishes.

Only a few thousand G-Class models are sold here per year - perhaps not surprising given the $100,000-plus pricetag but certainly appealing to those who can afford it - making it the most exclusive SUV on the road, bar none. There are two versions: the G550 (the 2009 model of which my colleague Jonathon Ramsey wrote about earlier this year) and the supercharged G55 AMG, which delivers supercar-type performance. It's the one Abu Dhabi's royal family recently used to create an unrivaled bespoke offroad vehicle, and of course it's the one The Classicist chose to go cruising in. With its AMG-built 5.5-liter supercharged V8 engine kicking out 500 hp and 515 lb-ft of torque, it can do 0 - 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. Externally the G55 AMG is set apart from the G550 by exclusive chrome trim and "V8 Kompressor" badging as well as new 19-inch five-spoke wheels.

So yes it's a mean machine, but far from flashy; the utilitarian design conceals the sexy beast lurking within. Some find it too boxy, but we happen to love the retro military-inspired, no-nonsense styling; so damn many SUVs look like half-melted minivans. The only other thing that comes close to being as pedigreed, good-looking and tough-as-nails is the Land Rover Defender, and those haven't been sold in this country since the mid-90's. Moving on to the enticing interior, the G55 AMG features an exclusive Designo charcoal Nappa leather interior, natural maple wood trim and special AMG gauges to remind you what's going to happen when your foot hits the floor. A heated wood and leather steering wheel, power windows, and 10-way heated and ventilated multi-contour front seats round out the list of creature comforts. Added to solid axles front and rear and three electronically locking differentials to handle anything the terrain can throw at you, it gives new meaning to the phrase "best of both worlds."

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz G55



A new COMAND infotainment system features a large color display screen with a standard in-dash, six-disc DVD / CD changer and a Bluetooth interface that allows a cell phone still in a pocket or purse to be operated through the car's audio system. It's also equipped with an iPod/MP3 interface, SIRIUS satellite radio, HD radio, and enhanced voice control system, as well as a 610-watt digital Harmon/Kardon Logic7 audio system that can play tracks stored on a data CD, DVD or SD memory card. It also displays maps and directions for the hard-drive navigation system, which are set up for SIRIUS real-time traffic info and Zagat restaurant ratings as well. If there's a five-star eatery on top of that mountain, you'll get there. To truly appreciate the G55 you need to head into the countryside and let it lead you off on some adventures: we visited Kaaterskill Falls, the Orvis Cup and the Vanderbilt Mansion to name a few. Sadly the G55 had to go back home, but we still have the memories - and some pictures, which we might show you if you're lucky.

LuxistThe Classicist: Making Tracks in the 2010 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AMGAustriaDakar RallyDakarRallyG-ClassHarmonKardonMercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz G-ClassMercedes-benzG-classoff-roadSUVMon, 05 Oct 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: What Makes a Scotch Worth $15,000?]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/28/the-classicist-what-makes-a-scotch-worth-15-000/http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/28/the-classicist-what-makes-a-scotch-worth-15-000/http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/28/the-classicist-what-makes-a-scotch-worth-15-000/#commentsFiled under: ,


In this case the answer to the question is an extremely rare single malt in a limited edition decanter: The Macallan 57 Lalique "Finest Cut". Containing an exceptionally rare 57 year old single malt whisky from the famed Speyside distillery founded in 1824, the Finest Cut crystal decanter is valued at $15,000 and will be available by special order beginning in October. The precious bottling comes on the heels of the recent record-breaking £11,750 ($19,000) sale of one of The Macallan's 50th anniversary bottles at an auction in Scotland that my colleague Deirdre Woollard reported on.

The Finest Cut is inspired by the fraction of the new make spirit which is filled into casks for maturation. At The Macallan, this fraction is a mere 16%; the best of the best, it's delivered at a very slow rate of distillation to maximize flavor and produce a distinctively rich, fruity, viscous character. Designed exclusively for The Macallan by the legendary French crystal house Lalique, The Finest Cut decanters are individually numbered and produced in a very limited quantity - only 72 of the 400 launched worldwide will be available in the U.S.

"In homage to the beauty of Lalique's Finest Cut decanter, we chose a particularly rare 57 years old Macallan single malt whisky," says David Cox, Director of Fine & Rare Whiskies for The Macallan. "It is the second oldest The Macallan whisky ever released, only surpassed in age by the legendary 1926, a 60 year old bottled in 1986." The 57 follows in the footsteps of its two predecessors in the Six Pillars series, a 50 year old Macallan celebrating the exceptional oak casks and a 55 year old inspired by the distillery's insistence on natural color, both coveted collector's items.

Gallery: Macallan 57 Lalique "Finest Cut"



The 57 year old has been vatted together from six casks made from two different species of oak; the first, a 1950 American oak sherry butt, and the second, a vatting of Macallan from first fill Spanish oak sherry butts originally filled in 1949, 1951 and 1952. The result is a sumptuous single malt, showing off the classic dried fruits, spice and hints of peat redolent of The Macallan house style of the early 1950's. The age statement of 57 years old is determined by the youngest cask which was filled in 1952.

The decanter features the 'stilligoutte' of a perfume bottle, the long piece of pure crystal flowing down to a point from the base of the bottle stopper. A portion of the stopper has been left completely clear and not "satinee," running from the top down to the point. This clear portion represents the 16% "finest cut". Crafted at Lalique's crystal making facility in Wingen-sur-Moder, Alsace, each piece was worked on by up to 15 craftsmen.

LuxistThe Classicist: What Makes a Scotch Worth $15,000? originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crystaldecanterLaliqueMcallanScotchScotlandsingle maltSingleMaltThe MacallanTheMacallanwhiskyMon, 28 Sep 2009 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Exploring the Wide World of Polo]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/21/the-classicist-exploring-the-wide-world-of-polo/http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/21/the-classicist-exploring-the-wide-world-of-polo/http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/21/the-classicist-exploring-the-wide-world-of-polo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Contrary to popular belief in certain quarters, polo is not just a rich people's pastime confined to the Hamptons and Palm Beach; nor is it merely an extremely lucrative clothing empire founded by Ralph Lauren. In fact, it's an ancient and noble game, as well as the world's oldest team sport, that has evolved into an entire way of life. In her upcoming book Polo: The Nomadic Tribe (available for pre-order on Amazon), photographer Aline Coquelle chronicles all aspects of the ultimate equestrian pursuit, tracing polo from its nomadic origins to the incomparably chic lifestyle it encompasses today. Coquelle, who studied art and anthropology, traveled around the world for five years photographing and writing about each significant place along the route of polo's evolution, capturing all its courage, strength, speed, style, beauty, elegance and allure.

Polo was first played in Persia well before the 1st century AD. Warlike tribesmen played it with as many as 100 to a side in what was essentially a miniature battle. Later on it was passed from Persia to other parts of Asia including the Indian subcontinent and China, where it was very popular during the Tang Dynasty. The name polo is said to have been derived from the Tibetan word "pulu", meaning ball. The first polo club was established in the town of Silchar in Assam, India, in 1834. The British, who are seen as the main proponents of the sport today, picked it up in India and the classic style of the colonial era with its overtones of aristocrats and army officers gives polo much of its current cachet, cleverly marketed by the aforementioned Mr. Lauren and others.

Divided into geographic sections, Coquelle's book presents the sport on a global scale. At locations around the world, "the vibrant green carpeted fields, the carefully ornamented players, the brilliant sheen of their horses, and the deep brown leather of their saddles" provides an aesthetic link between polo's devotees - the "nomadic tribe" of the title. She reveals the essence of what has historically been called the "Sport of Kings" and the passion of its players from across the globe. Designed to be "the ultimate book on the sport of polo," Coquelle offers "an homage to beauty in pursuit of a modern perspective" while maintaining the spirit and sophistication of this centuries-old game. See the gallery for a preview of some stunning images from this incredible book.

Gallery: Polo: The Nomadic Tribe

LuxistThe Classicist: Exploring the Wide World of Polo originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aline CoquelleAlineCoquelleAssoulineequestrianhorsesIndiaPersiaphotographypoloRalph LaurenRalphLaurensportingMon, 21 Sep 2009 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: At the Fairmont Algonquin]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/14/the-classicist-at-the-fairmont-algonquin/http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/14/the-classicist-at-the-fairmont-algonquin/http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/14/the-classicist-at-the-fairmont-algonquin/#commentsFiled under: ,


On our way back from a summer sojourn to Nova Scotia a few weeks ago we had to seek refuge from Hurricane Bill, and wound up at a luxurious, historic seaside resort in New Brunswick that turned out to be the highlight of the trip. Built in the 1880s, the Tudor-style Fairmont Algonquin, in picturesque St. Andrews overlooking the Passamaquoddy Bay, is a veritable castle by the sea. A Canadian Maritime tradition in its second century of impeccable hospitality, the hotel has played host to many notable personages over the years including the first Prime Minister of Canada, Sir John A. Macdonald, President Theodore Roosevelt and Diana, the Princess of Wales.

The hotel was originally the enterprise of the St. Andrews Land Company, established in 1883 by wealthy American businessmen who found the town to be the ideal vacation spot; a 1902 brochure described it as '"an incomparable resting-place and retreat from the cares of business and the heat and dust and bustle of the city." During this period most guests arrived by train and so it was only fitting that the Canadian Pacific Railway Company took over ownership in 1903. The hotel was sold to local interests in 1970 and the Province of New Brunswick leased the property in 1973. The Province eventually purchased The Fairmont Algonquin along with two golf courses and a private beach in 1984, and it is now run by the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts luxury group.

The hotel now has 234 impeccably-appointed guest rooms and suites retaining the resort's classic style, updated with modern amenities. Many rooms have ocean views and look over the lush gardens, swimming pool and tennis courts. The public spaces are elegant and inviting, with fireplaces for cooler weather and plenty of spots to relax indoors and out, while the charming town of St. Andrews is only a few minutes walk. The nearby Bay of Fundy lays claim to the highest tides in the world with rising and falling water levels nearing 55 ft. in some areas twice daily. That provides the scenic backdrop for the award-winning seaside Algonquin Golf Course and Academy, home to two of the top ten golf tees in Canada, while others may choose to go on whale-watching excursions or explore the scenic surroundings.

Gallery: The Fairmont Algonquin

Aerial viewPoolGolf courseLobbyExecutive suite

Continue reading The Classicist: At the Fairmont Algonquin

LuxistThe Classicist: At the Fairmont Algonquin originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Canadadog friendly hotelsDogFriendlyHotelsdogsFairmontFairmont HotelsFairmontHotelsgolfhistoric hotelsHistoricHotelshotelMaritimeNew BrunswickNewBrunswickNova ScotiaNovaScotiapetsresortseasideTheodore RooseveltTheodoreRooseveltMon, 14 Sep 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Cruise like J.P. Morgan in the Corsair <i>Nero</i> for $105 Million]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/07/the-classicist-cruise-like-j-p-morgan-in-the-corsair-i-nero/http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/07/the-classicist-cruise-like-j-p-morgan-in-the-corsair-i-nero/http://www.luxist.com/2009/09/07/the-classicist-cruise-like-j-p-morgan-in-the-corsair-i-nero/#commentsFiled under: ,


The 296-ft. Corsair Nero, built in homage to financier J.P. Morgan's famous yacht, is one of the most beautiful, elegant megayachts ever launched, made all the more striking by its vintage lines. The design is so successful it's hard to imagine this is a brand new boat. In fact, its owner, London-born entrepreneur Neil Taylor, initially set out to restore a motor yacht from Morgan's era, but could not find one that met his requirements. Morgan actually owned four Corsairs; the last, launched in 1930, was 343 feet, cost $2.5 million to build at the time and was later converted into a cruise ship.

Having decided to build the yacht of his dreams and unwilling to compromise, Taylor found that to get it done properly he actually had to create a whole new yachtbuilding facility. This he did within the Yantai Raffles shipyard on China's Shangdong Peninsula, where the Corsair Yachts brand was born. After Taylor spent two years designing the steel-hulled Nero and its furnishings, down to two 656-piece place settings, over 400 craftsmen worked for three-and-a-half years to complete the project, which was kept top secret.

Taylor is now quietly offering the Nero for sale at $105 million (asked once how much his Corsair cost, Morgan snapped, "Sir, if you have to ask you can't afford it"). The yacht, which just made the cover of ShowBoats International, is as stylish in its way as the supermodern sailing yacht Maltese Falcon which recently sold for $100 million. In the meantime, the Nero is also available for charter at a base rate of about $450,000 a week. The Nero accommodates 12 in total luxury. The technology of course is state-of-the-art; her eye-catching smokestack, designed to echo the ones on classic ocean liners, actually houses an emergency generator and electrical switchboards.

Gallery: Corsair Nero



Acres of Burmese teak decking, oak paneling, oil lamps replicated from the Orient Express, coffered ceilings, marble fireplaces, a library, swimming pool on the foredeck, and a skylight in the aft lounge modeled on the one on Errol Flynn's famous yacht Zaca are just some of the highlights. The Nero can do 17 knots with her twin 2,333 hp Caterpillar diesel engines. Noise reduction, stabilizer systems and watermakers are as modern as the most high tech megayacht. The elegant interior is classic of course but features plasma TVs, iPod docks, Wi-Fi, an indoor and outdoor cinema, and ocean-liner style promenade, boat, main and accommodations decks. Check it out in the gallery.

LuxistThe Classicist: Cruise like J.P. Morgan in the Corsair Nero for $105 Million originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Corsair NeroCorsair YachtsCorsairNeroCorsairYachtsJ.P. MorganJ.p.MorganmegayachtNeil TaylorNeilTaylorsuperyachtyachtMon, 07 Sep 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: True Brit - Barbour's Best for Fall]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/31/the-classicist-true-brit-barbours-best-for-fall/http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/31/the-classicist-true-brit-barbours-best-for-fall/http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/31/the-classicist-true-brit-barbours-best-for-fall/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Classic British outerwear company Barbour has come out with a brilliant collection for fall building on the brand's heritage while updating traditional designs and adding subtle new takes on sporting classics. Inspired by the best of British varsity wear and Barbour's own rich lineage - the firm, founded in 1894, holds Royal Warrants from HM Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and HRH The Prince of Wales - there are new additions to each of Barbour's collections: Heritage, Contemporary, Classic, and Sporting.

Fall ushers in a bold, visually appealing and tactile re-interpretation of Barbour's authentic style. This season sees an expansion in new styles in the company's outerwear, knitwear and shirts ranges, as well as a brand new, full trouser collection with formal, casual and jeans options for both men and women. One standout is the Union Jack International motorcycle jacket (above left) with a super cool British flag lining. Key items feature Union Jack patches and Barbour badges as well, such as the Durelli International jacket with an integral waistcoat. Other trends in the autumn/winter '09 collection include: (continued after the jump)

Gallery: Barbour Fall '09

Durelli International jacketOutrider jacket

Continue reading The Classicist: True Brit - Barbour's Best for Fall

LuxistThe Classicist: True Brit - Barbour's Best for Fall originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BarbourBritish RoyaltyBritish styleBritishRoyaltyBritishStylehuntingmotorcyclePrince of WalesPrinceOfWalesRoyal WarrantRoyalWarrantsportingtweedUKMon, 31 Aug 2009 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: The Best of Luxe Books]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/24/the-classicist-the-best-of-luxe-books/http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/24/the-classicist-the-best-of-luxe-books/http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/24/the-classicist-the-best-of-luxe-books/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


For your reading and viewing pleasure we present the second in a series looking back at highlights from the first year of The Classicist, the weekly column devoted to timeless style, enduring elegance, and true, built-to-last luxury as opposed to mere extravagance. For our second installment we sum up the best in luxe books, featuring our favorite subjects ranging from high equestrian style to classic architecture, historic estates, high society, jetsetters, megayachts and more. No truly luxurious library is complete without these volumes.

Gallery: Best of the Best: Books 2009

Equestrian StyleLegendary Estates of Beverly HillsGreat EstatesStanford White, ArchitectHigh Society

1. Equestrian Style: Home Design, Couture, and Collections from the Eclectic to the Elegant by Vicky Moon (Clarkson Potter)

Moon divides her volume into different facts of the equestrian experience: In the Field, On the Farm, At the Track, In the Ring, On the Move, and Down the Road, focusing on all facets of horsiness and everything that goes along with it. The emphasis is on authenticity, not affectation; she notes all that's really required is a "basic love of horses" but opines that actually riding them gives one a much stronger connection. True equestrian style, she writes, is "more than a feisty, wet Jack Russell terrier, a pair of Wellington boots and a tweed jacket. It goes beyond hanging a hunting print in the dining room wall to actually leaping over a stone wall on your favorite hunter. An unspoken equestrian philosophy surpasses wearing an Hermes scarf; it celebrates riding over jumps in an Hermes saddle."

Gallery: Equestrian Style

An equestrian interiorBridgehampton Polo.An equestrienne prepped for dressage.John Lobb riding boot.Racing tropy from Bonhams Sporting Sale.

2. The Legendary Estates of Beverly Hills by Jeffrey Hyland (Rizzoli)

A meticulously researched and lavishly illustrated history of 50 magnificent estates in three world-famous enclaves of the ultra-wealthy - Beverly Hills, Bel-Air, and Holmby Hills - this is a definitive history of the area's most famous estates, "the architecturally spectacular homes and lavish grounds that have been home to countless celebrities and the world's richest families for almost a century." Aside from the purely visual pleasure of the photographs both old and new, Hyland explains the history and architectural importance of each estate, and tells the fascinating stories of the many famed owners, from their "passionate involvement in the design of these costly properties, to their intrigues, triumphs, calamities, and romances."

Gallery: Legendary Estates of Beverly Hills

The book's coverBeverly HouseCasa EncantadaBellagio RoadSt. Cloud Road

3. Great Estates: The Lifestyles & Homes of American Magnates by William G. Scheller (Universe)

This oversized, lavishly illustrated volume celebrates the history of 40 of America's true barons of business, from the 1700s through this year's Forbes list, and opens the door into their private palaces along the way. Great Estates follows the "restless careers of our most brilliant and driven merchants, industrialists, and financiers as they mastered a new economic world of textiles, railroads, oil, and steel." Men of great fortune erected massive monuments to their success, inclduing Henry Clay Frick's Manhattan mansion, now a magnificent museum; William Randolph Hearst's San Simeon in California, aka Hearst Castle; and one of our personal favorites, railroad magnate Jay Gould's gothic castle on the Hudson River, Lyndhurst and more.

Gallery: Magnates' Great Estates

Hearst CastleHearst Castle interiorCooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (former Carnegie Mansion)Frick CollectionLyndhurst

4. Luxury Toys: Mega Yachts from teNeues

In the rarefied world of mega yachts, the ultimate achievement is to have one designed by a certain Norwegian genius named Espen Oeino. The world's top star in naval architecture, Oeino's megabucks creations "combine the precision of fine machinery with indulgent finishes and the high-end amenities of a palace." When German luxury publisher teNeues opted to focus a volume in its amazing Luxury Toys series to the world's greatest yachts, it was quickly decided to dedicated the entire book to Oeino. The book showcases 20 of his stellar creations, including Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's 413-ft. Octopus, the 8th largest yacht in the world and the second largest superyacht that is not owned by a head of state.

Gallery: Luxury Toys: Mega Yachts

All images courtesy teNeues

Continued after the jump.

Continue reading The Classicist: The Best of Luxe Books

LuxistThe Classicist: The Best of Luxe Books originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For your reading and viewing pleasure we present the first in a series looking back at highlights from the first year of The Classicist, the weekly column devoted to timeless style, enduring elegance, and true, built-to-last luxury as opposed to mere extravagance. For our first installment we present the best of Men's Style, from Savile Row to Italy and New York and back again, with suits, jackets, cashmere, shoes, accessories and everything in between. These are not the sort of things that ever really go out of fashion, so if you haven't already added to your wardrobe with some of these staples it's not too late.

Gallery: Best of the Best: Men's Style 2009

Anderson & SheppardDavid Chu Bespoke suitDunhill store NYCLoro Piana cashmereA killer look from Duncan Quinn


1. Anderson & Sheppard of Savile Row

Savile Row stalwart Anderson & Sheppard, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, is steeped in tradition, to say the least. Yet while other old-fashioned bastions of upper-class masculine British taste have been sold off or hideously modernized, A&S has managed to adapt and survive. The firm not only outfitted the great Fred Astaire - perhaps the best dressed man the modern world has ever known - but also Rudolph Valentino, Charlie Chaplin, authors Evelyn Waugh and Somerset Maugham, Gary Cooper, Noel Coward, Sir Laurence Olivier, Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Duke Ellington.

Gallery: Anderson & Sheppard: Savile Row Style

A&S exteriorA&S interiorA&S chalkstripeA&S cutting roomA&S client Fred Astaire


2. David Chu Bespoke

In New York City, David Chu, founder of the Nautica brand, operates an ultra-chic Bespoke shop at his gorgeous Townhouse in Gramercy Park. "The bespoke experience is about understated elegance," Chu told The Classicist. David Chu Bespoke "blends the best of Savile Row and Neapolitan tailoring, marrying craftsmanship with modernity." Garments are hand-cut and stitched by a master tailor based in Naples. A gentleman can order anything he requires to be custom made, from suits, overcoats, tuxedos, and sport jackets to trousers, shoes, scarves, and 12-fold ties.

Gallery: David Chu Bespoke

The Bespoke shopBespoke suitBespoke in the makingDavid ChuChu's Townhouse Collection for Tumi


3. Dunhill's Timeless Classics

In times of economic uncertainty luxury consumers looks to timeless classics they know will hold their value and last for years as opposed to flash-in-the-pan trends and glitzy impulse buys. We think that London-based men's clothier and luxury goods firm Dunhill, which dates back to the 1890s, is well situated to weather the storm in similar style thanks to their espousal of these same values. That's a very good thing as the company recently opened two new flagship stores, in New York City and London. The 7,000-sq.-ft. NYC store (above), on the corner of Madison and 55th, replaces the old shop at 711 Fifth Avenue.

Gallery: Dunhill Store & More

NYC store main floorNYC store lower levelNYC store displayLeather briefcaseDiamond steering wheel cufflink


4. Duncan Quinn - The Coolest

Quinn , who makes some of the world's coolest suits, isn't exactly a tailor, though "designer" doesn't really capture it either. So how would he put it? "I simply have a strong view and an aesthetic to go with that view," he told The Classicist, "which encompasses the cars, wine, sailboats, cocktails and croquet." Sounds good to us. The dashing London-born former lawyer makes Savile Row-style clothes "constructed to celebrate days of glory and nights of excess." He opened his first shop in New York in 2003, and along the way he's attracted quite a following of well-dressed fellows, "gentleman rogues" who ascribe to the Quinn aesthetic.

Gallery: Duncan Quinn Designs

Duncan Quinn himselfAdrien Grenier in a Quinn suitQuinn's NY storeA killer Spring lookInterior of Quinn's Dallas store


5. Loro Piana Luxe

Italian luxury label Loro Piana makes the most comfortable, classic, stylish and subtly luxurious clothes we've ever had the pleasure of putting on. World-famous for their cashmere, the 200-year-old company, which began as a textile merchant, has also branched out into other areas (including accessories and women's clothing) in more recent years with equal success. Loro Piana's motto has it that true luxury is "knowing, not showing," i.e. dressing for yourself, not to impress others. It's "an inner satisfaction that comes from an aesthetic, intellectual, tactile pleasure, stemming from tradition, research and genuine quality." What could be better than that?

Gallery: Loro Piana Luxe

The Bal Harbour store.City Pad cashmere jacket.Maine cashmere cardigan and Baby Cashmere turtleneck.Castiglia cashmere jacket.Double face baby cashmere Vassar cape from Women's Fall/Winter '08.


Continued after the jump.

Continue reading The Classicist: The Best of Men's Style

LuxistThe Classicist: The Best of Men's Style originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Anderson SheppardAndersonSheppardbespokecashmereChurchsDavid ChuDavidChuDuncan QuinnDuncanQuinnDunhillGary CooperGaryCooperHaspelItalyLondonLoro PianaLoroPianaNew YorkNewYorkSavile RowSavileRowsuitsThe ClassicistTheClassicistMon, 17 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Classicist: Steal a Classic Ferrari & More at Monterey Sale]]>http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/03/the-classicist-steal-a-classic-ferrari-and-more-at-monterey-sale/http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/03/the-classicist-steal-a-classic-ferrari-and-more-at-monterey-sale/http://www.luxist.com/2009/08/03/the-classicist-steal-a-classic-ferrari-and-more-at-monterey-sale/#commentsFiled under: , ,


On August 13th - 15th Russo & Steele will stage their Monterey Sports & Muscle sale in California, offering some incredible deals on classic Ferraris and more. We've written plenty about the multimillion-dollar auctions taking place but the R&S sale looks like a great place to grab a bargain. On the high end is this 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, with an estimate of $1 million - $1.1 million. As we noted earlier this year, this model is widely considered to be one of the world's most beautiful Ferraris. Formerly in the collection of racing legend Skip Barber, the car has not only been impeccably restored but tuned up for maximum driving pleasure.

Somewhat less expensive but no less appealing is a 1960 Ferrari 250GT Series II Cabriolet finished in a deep maroon over tan hides and a black cloth convertible top. It was imported when new by Vilem B. Haan, one of the pioneers of the American sports car aftermarket and known to readers of period automotive magazines for his catchy advertising and unique offerings. The car remains in show-quality condition, most recently on display just this past fall at the Palos Verdes Concours d'Elegance. It's estimated at only $550,000 - $650,000.

For a real steal, how about the 1970 Ferrari 365 GT2+2? Estimated at only $125,000 - $150,000, it sports a fresh full-leather interior and contains all the period correct items including the vintage Blaupunkt radio, owner's manual with pouch and warranty card and a completely-correct and authentic tool kit. It even has period-correct Michelin XWX tires on the gorgeous Borrani wire wheels. The car has won several Ferrari Club of American Concours Class Awards. Read on for more great cars after the jump.

Gallery: Russo & Steele Monterey '09

1960 Ferrari 250GT Series II Cabriolet1970 Ferrari 365 GT2+21967 Ferrari 275 GTB/41970 Lamborghini Miura S1967 Aston Martin DB-6 Coupe

Continue reading The Classicist: Steal a Classic Ferrari & More at Monterey Sale

LuxistThe Classicist: Steal a Classic Ferrari & More at Monterey Sale originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Aston MartinAstonMartinBMWCaliforniaclassic carsClassicCarsFerrariLamborghiniLamborghini MiuraLamborghiniMiuraRusso SteeleRussoSteeleMon, 03 Aug 2009 09:02:00 EST