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Strand Craft Yacht & Supercar for Sale at $27.5 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Oct 11th 2010 11:02AM

The Strand Craft 122 superyacht / supercar combo we first told you about back in May has moved beyond the concept stage into a production-ready rocketship. The first example has just been listed for sale by Sweden's Gray Design via global online luxury marketplace JamesList for about $27.5 million, with a slated delivery date of October 2013. The sleek 125-ft. craft will be able to reach a top speed of 55 knots with the use of her optional Rolls-Royce KaMeWa boosters kicking out over 14,000 hp. High gloss mahogany inlays on the foredeck and all-glass atrium covering the cockpit deliver the best facets of both open and closed yachting in one razor sharp high-tech package.

The retro-futuristic Art Deco interior features four large, bedrooms, reception and leather-upholstered salon areas alongside comfortable crew cabins. Elliptical bulletproof windows that stretch halfway across the hull and enough Greek marble to recreate Athens round out the fancy finishes. The specially handcrafted carbon fiber supercar that comes with it is a completely one-off design closely resembling the genetic form and fashion of the mothership. With a rear mounted, 880hp twin-turbo V12 engine it has an estimated 375 km/h top speed and a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds. A hydraulic garage door raises upwards and deploys a retractable ramp to become a dockside driveway.

Gallery: Strand Craft 122 by Gray Design

Luxist Giveaway: Rustic Elegance by Ralph Kylloe

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Oct 11th 2010 10:01AM

The cover of "Rustic Elegance" the new book by rustic furniture expert Ralph Kylloe seems to invite the reader to sit down and stay a while. The lavish photo-centric book features 13 handcrafted log homes homes from around the country, focusing on the work of Larry Pearson, AIA, a recognized leader in rustic design. Pearson designs both massive luxury homes and smaller properties and the book shows off 8,000-square-foot mansions as well as 450-square-foot cabins. Rough hewn logs, wrought iron details and stone fireplaces dominate. There's often a playful quality at work. These are homes that put comfort first but are still aesthetically pleasing.

If you've liked some of the estate of the day properties that we've featured in Montana, Colorado and other western states this is the book for you. It's full of all sorts of inspiration for lovers of rustic style. Kylloe doesn't just take great pictures he also tells a good story, giving the reader a sense that they are along with him as he tours these homes, camera in hand. In many cases he provides information on the materials and decor. Today we are giving away a copy of Rustic Elegance by Ralph Kylloe (Gibbs Smith, $60).

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before October 18, 2010 at 5:00PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive a copy of Rustic Elegance by Ralph Kylloe, valued at $60.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See complete giveaway rules here.

This contest is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

The Classicist: Win a Private Tour of Ralph Lauren's Car Collection & More

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Oct 11th 2010 9:01AM

From now through Oct. 21, Ralph Lauren is auctioning off a number of extraordinary items and experiences to mark the 10th anniversary of Pink Pony, the designer's global initiative to raise awareness and funds in support of the fight against cancer. The online auction, the first of its kind for the Pink Pony cause, is being produced in partnership with luxury charity auction site charitybuzz. Highlights of the incredible event include several once-in-a-lifetime forays into the private world of the famed fashion designer and his luxury empire, including classic cars, polo, chauffeured Bentleys, sexy models and shopping sprees. You check out full details and register to place bids at www.charitybuzz.com/RalphLauren; meanwhile, here are The Classicist's top picks:

1. A private tour of Lauren's incredible car collection, estimated at $150,000: You and a friend will be shown the cars, including the ultra-rare 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic (above), worth an estimated $40 million, a $28 million Ferrari 250 GTO, Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, McLaren F1LM and more, by Lauren himself at his lavish estate in Bedford, New York. You'll also get a ride in one of these world-class driving machines and take home a signed copy of Speed, Style, and Beauty: Cars from the Ralph Lauren Collection.

2. A weekend at Lauren's private Round Hill Villa in Jamaica, estimated at $150,000: A priceless opportunity to spend four days and three nights for you and up to three guests at the designer's personal Jamaican paradise. The fully staffed villa, which sits on a magnificent, picturesque cliff over the crystal blue Caribbean Sea, has been featured on the covers of House & Garden and Architectural Digest. Enjoy a swim in the villa's infinity pool and private beach access, as well as complimentary tennis lessons and a yoga session.

3. Play polo with Nacho Figueras and stay at The Breakers in Palm Beach, estimated at $15,000: Take a lesson from Nacho Figueras, world class polo player and Ralph Lauren model. You and a guest will refuel afterward during lunch with Nacho, and you'll also spend three nights at the exclusive Breakers hotel in Palm Beach, including a spa treatment for two at the Breakers Spa; a round of golf for two; a $1,000 private shopping experience at the Ralph Lauren store at the Breakers; and VIP access to the U.S. Open at the International Polo Club.

4. Front row seats to the Ralph Lauren fashion show and an outfit from the runway, estimated at $25,000: Bring along a friend when you meet the designer and sit in the elite front row at his Fall 2011 Fashion Show in New York. Then, select your favorite look from the runway to add to your own personal collection. Enjoy two nights at a penthouse suite at The Setai Fifth Avenue hotel, including breakfast for two and one signature spa treatments. [continued]

Gallery: Ralph Lauren Pink Pony Auction

The Story of the World's Most Luxurious Fabric from Loro Piana

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) — Oct 11th 2010 8:02AM

Baby Cashmere may well be the world's most luxurious fabric. As The Classicist noted when it debuted in 2008 courtesy of Italian luxury label Loro Piana, to make it the company first had to spend several years convincing Mongolian tribesmen to comb the fine underfleece of the Hyrcus goat kid when it is 3-12 months old. Each combing yields no more than 30 grams of the rare, precious and incredibly soft fiber and is only done once in the well-cared for animal's life. It takes the fleece of nineteen kids to make just one Baby Cashmere sweater. Now Loro Piana has documented the painstaking process in a lavish new volume from Skira called Baby Cashmere: The Long Journey of Excellence. Traveling through the remote and unspoiled lands where the goats are raised, the epic journey is revealed in over a hundred vibrant full-color photographs, presented in large-scale format.

Tesla Roadsters Recalled

by David Kiley (RSS feed) — Oct 11th 2010 7:02AM

Tesla Motors Inc. will recall 439 of its $100,000-plus 2010 Roadster models over concerns a cable could short-circuit and cause a fire.

The Palo Alto, Calif.-based electric vehicle company, made popular in part by support from celebrity owners such as George Clooney and Brad Pitt, said it received a report Aug. 29 from a customer about a "possible fire behind the right front corner of the vehicle. Last year, Tesla recalled 345 roadsters to check for improperly tightened bolts.

Haunted Hayride Gives Hollywood Chills

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Oct 11th 2010 12:06AM

For Halloween, Hollywood has its own fright ride. The Los Angeles Haunted Hayride debuts in Griffith Park's Old Zoo area this year (last year's event was in Calabasas). The new location takes advantage of Griffith Park's dark woods for added fright factor, taking those ready to be frightened on a rollicking adventure full of plenty of screams and shocks. The ride is part of a fairlike atmosphere with a haunted maze, carnival rides, games and more. On the opening night celebrities including Bridget Marquardt, Thomas Dekker and Emmy Rossum (shown at right) showed up to be scared.

The area does have a spooky legend associated with it. The site of the old zoo was built around 1912 and the old zoo had problems from almost the beginning. Animals died here under the poor conditions (read what the Pet Psychic had to say about the area here). The area just has a weird vibe to it that has also been remarked on by others.

The ride is open for 15 nights. For October 8-17, the general admission is for the hayride is $25, the all attractions pass is $25 and a VIP that lets you skip the line is $50. For October 18-31, general admission is $30, the all attractions pass in $40 and the VIP pass is $60. If you can round up up a bunch of friends in need of a little fright night you can rent a private wagon for up to 40 people ($1,175 until October 17 and $1,275 through October 31).

Photo Tour: Taste TV's Los Angeles Chocolate Salon

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Oct 10th 2010 6:00PM

I swung by Taste TV's Chocolate Salon in Pasadena, California this afternoon. I wrote about this annual event last year but didn't attend so I figured it was time to check it out. While the $25 (at the door) fee was a bit exorbitant, there was at least plenty of chocolate samples to tempt the appetite. After the jump, a few of the most delicious.

Burberry Studded Leather Knight Bag, Handbag of the Day

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) — Oct 10th 2010 5:01PM

It's been awhile since I've picked a studded black leather handbag to feature but the trend is going strong as this Burberry beauty demonstrates. The Studded Leather Knight Bag will bring a strong dose of tough-girl chic to your travel wardrobe. Part of Burberry's "Winter Storms" line that puts a modern twist on classic pieces, this bag features a plethora (love it when I can use that word) of gunmetal studs, an attached buckle-fastening key fob, protective metal feet, double top handles, and an interior that features two large compartments with zip closure and a black and white lining in the signature Burberry check pattern. $2,195

Russian Billionaire Makes A Deal With Stoli And The Nets

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) — Oct 10th 2010 4:02PM

The new owner of the New Jerset Nets, Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, has big plans for his team. Prokhorov is bringing Russian style to his team and to the area, first with his Russian-language luxury magazine Snob and also with a five-year sponsorship deal with Stolichnaya, the Russian vodka producer. The NY Times reports that the deal is worth about $2 million a year and will include Stoli-branded bars at the Barclays Center, the Nets arena being built in Brooklyn. The Nets are overseas right now, first in Moscow and in China. It's all part of Prokhorov's strategy to create what he calls a global team. He's hoping to have the entire country of Russia cheer for the Nets by bringing them to his home country. As the NY Times article points out the Houston Rockets are popular in China because of Yao Ming, an interest that has led to endorsement deals with Chinese companies. Many NBA teams play preseason games overseas increasing worldwide interest in basketball and the NBA.

Piaget Finds A Spot On Bond Street With New Boutique Store

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) — Oct 10th 2010 3:01PM

Piaget luxury watches and jewelry finds a new home for one of its uncommon boutique stores on Bond Street in London. "Go to luxury shopping streets" around the world are filling up with not just watch stores, but brand boutique watch stores (as opposed to multi-brand stores). Richemont Group, who is the parent company of Piaget, is responsible for the majority of these locations in what can be seen as part of a new marketing and sales strategy. For consumers, it helps showcase the brands as a destination versus just one product out of many in a store.

The Piaget boutique on Bond street for example is able to tell the whole story of the brand's current collection - which ranges from sophisticated to sporty men's pieces, as well as extremely artistic high-end jewelry watches for women. From a distribution perspective, such boutiques serve another potential purpose. As Richemont gears up more brands for online sales, boutique stores double as fulfillment centers for shipping product. This way, Piaget has a local distribution center for online sales made in the UK. This would not be possible or as simple with the traditional model that includes selling product to independent third-party retailers. As far as I know, Piaget is not yet a brand that is available for sale online, but given the direction sister Richemont brands are taking - it could very well be a reality sooner than later.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.

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