Asprey

The Classicist: Is the Royal Warrant Losing Its Lustre?

A recent decision by two venerable British brands to drop the Royal Warrants from their packaging has occasioned some hand-wringing in the UK over whether the much-coveted distinction has lost its lustre. The Classicist calls it a tempest in a Royal Doulton teacup; read on to find out why. Only three royals are entitled to grant warrants – the Queen of England, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales – to firms who supply their royal requisites for at least five years, though most warrant holders have ties to Britain's royal family dating back several decades or more. Of course, Prince William will one day be granting his own.

Holders of the Royal Warrant include many of our favorite luxury brands – Asprey, Aston Martin, Bentley, Barbour, Burberry, Fortnum & Mason, Gieves & Hawkes, Holland & Holland, Hunter Boots, Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, Laphroaig, Lock & Co., Swaine Adeney Brigg, Smythson, Tanqueray and Turnbull & Asser – along with a host of lesser names, such as After Eight mints and Jacob's Cream Crackers. It is the latter two that have now decided to do without their warrants – though no insult is intended to the royal family, as it was when former Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed burned his last year. That coupled with the results of a new survey showing that only 13% of respondents thought that warrants make any difference have called their usefulness into question, the London Guardian reports.

However, "It's hard to say that interest in royal warrants is conclusively on the wane," Vicky Bullen, chief executive of Coley Porter Bell, tells the paper, "because there is no existing data with which to make a comparison. However, consumers' apparent indifference to the royal warrants has surprised us. We can only surmise there could be a number of factors at play." Said factors, Bullen says, include "that we live in a less deferential society in which the royal family enjoys less prestige and political support." That of course is not exactly new, though the upcoming Royal Wedding may give them a boost. [cont'd]

Gallery: Holders of the Royal Warrant

Tags: Asprey, Aston Martin, Barbour, Bentley, British royalty, Burberry, Fortnum and Mason, Harrods, Holland Holland, Hunter Boots, Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, luxury brands, Mohamed al Fayed, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Queen of England, royal family, Royal Warrant, Royal Wedding, royalty, Smythson, Swaine Adeney Brigg, Tanqueray, UK

Continue reading “The Classicist: Is the Royal Warrant Losing Its Lustre?”

Jetting Off In Style: 2010 Carry-ons

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) —

Luggage used to be a long-term commitment. But now with new colors, two and four wheelers, high-tech locks, and techno-smart hard sided cases, it's time to upgrade.

The new metallic blue Crown Edition by Heys BioCase has what's dubbed "fingerprint access to locked bags." This means that only the owner's fingerprint will unlock the bag. The shell is sleek, futuristic and nearly indestructible as its made from 100 percent German polycarbonate. The case comes with a U.S.B. cord and power adapter you can use to recharge the lock when necessary. $2,200, www.heyusa.com/crown.

Tags: Asprey, best luggage, four wheel carry on, hard sided luggage, luggage, luggage scales, TAnthony

Continue reading “Jetting Off In Style: 2010 Carry-ons”

Asprey Londoner Luggage by Globe-Trotter

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Men's Style

Famed London luxury goods house Asprey has come out with a luxurious new line of luggage created in collaboration with Globe-Trotter, makers of fine travel cases since 1897. The five-piece Londoner Luggage collection, manufactured by hand in England, was designed by Bruce Hoeksema, Asprey's newly appointed creative director. The luggage comes in Asprey's signature royal purple with purple genuine crocodile handles and trim, and matte black with oxidized metallic corners and black crocodile handles and trim. The cases are lined in durable hemp linen with a leather hand stamped Asprey label and signature Asprey locks. The hand stitched crocodile corners were chosen to complement the classic regimental stripe of the removable webbed luggage straps that secure the suitcases.

Tags: alligator, Asprey, briefcase, crocodile, England, exotic leather, Globe-Trotter, leather, London, luggage, suitcase, UK

Belstaff Bests Prince Harry at Asprey Polo Cup

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Celebrity Shopping, Charity, Sports

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

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Asprey, Belstaff, Brad Pitt, leather, London, Polo, Prince Albert of Monaco, Prince Harry, Rolling Stones, Sentebale, UK

Black Diamond Serpent Cufflinks by Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie for Asprey

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Charity, Men's Style, Celebrity Design

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have designed an $11,000 pair of black diamond, emerald and white gold serpent cufflinks for famed London luxury goods house Asprey to benefit a children's charity. The luxe accessories are the first item for men in the Protector Collection, the line of limited edition fine jewels and silver objects created by the couple in collaboration with Asprey which my colleague Deirdre Woollard reported on last fall. The design of the Protector black diamond serpent links with 18k white gold bases and emerald eyes is based on Jolie's reflection on the serpent as an iconic guardian and cultural symbol of family protection, inspired by a ring she was given while pregnant with the couple's first child Shiloh in 2006. Each piece in Protector Collection is a limited edition, handcrafted at Asprey's London flagship store in New Bond Street. The black diamond serpent cufflinks match rings, earrings and a pendant in the women's collection. All proceeds from the Protector Collection pieces are being donated to the Education Partnership For Children of Conflict (EPCC). Co-founded by Jolie, the organization raises awareness and funds to educate child victims of war, conflict and natural disasters.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Angelina Jolie, Asprey, black diamonds, Brad Pitt, children, cufflinks, diamond, diamonds, emeralds, gems, jewels, London, precious stones, serpent, snake, white gold

Asprey Offers Exclusive Polo Gear to Order Online

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style

You no longer have to visit Asprey's exclusive polo shop at the Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club in the UK in order to purchase its aristocratic apparel and accessories made for the sport of kings. The storied London luxury goods firm, suppliers to the gentry and royalty for 200 years, has now made their polo gear available to order online. The full range (above) is on offer, including their leather and suede saddles ($1,100), Italian leather polo boots ($1,200) and stylish bridle leather polo holdall ($1,200), along with the requisite bridles, whips, mallets, helmets and more. In addition Asprey offers a bespoke trophy making service. Asprey also fields its own polo team, which won the prestigious Queen Mother's Centenary Tournament 15 goal trophy at the Guards Polo Club this year, and sponsors the coveted Prince of Wales Trophy.

[via Duncan Quinn]

Tags: Asprey, London, polo, Prince of Wales, PrinceOfWales, UK

Hermes Vows No Change In Strategy

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

One of the reasons that Hermes seems to thrive where other luxury brands falter is that the brand has always eschewed 'masstige' -- luxury aimed at the masses. While other brands have expanded and then discounted, Hermes has held on to a fine snobbery that has served it well even in the recession. That strategy isn't set to change. The Financial Times recently talked with Patrick Thomas the CEO of the luxury brand who has said the brand has held off on expanding as fast as they could because they don't want to squander the legacy of the company's history. Thomas refers to it as a "capital sin" to use the image of the company to try and make short term money.

The company has made some accommodations to deal with the growing demand for their products. Over the last 20 years the brand has expanded its cadre of artisans from around 300 to over 2,000 but they still can't keep up with the demand for the popular Birkin bags beloved of celebrities and the wealthy including Victoria Beckham, shown at right. Thomas also cleared up the rumor that Hermes might be investing in jewelry brand Asprey after picking up their London store. Thomas insists that the company was only after the prime real estate, not the company within.

Source

Tags: asprey, birkin, handbag, hermes, luxury

William & Son Granted Royal Warrant

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Jewelry, Timepieces / Watches, Celebrity Shopping

William & Son, the luxury goods emporium located in London's elegant Mayfair district founded by William Asprey after his family's business, Asprey of London, was sold off back in the '90s, was recently granted a Royal Warrant to HM Queen Elizabeth II. The firm (which we wrote about last year), offers high-end jewelry, silver, watches, leathergoods, china and crystal, as well as custom-made shotguns and other bespoke services. The Royal Warrant is awarded as a mark of recognition to companies who have regularly supplied goods or services for at least five years to members of the Royal Family. Warrants have always been regarded as a mark of excellence and quality, and are highly prized. Other firms holding the Royal Warrant include Asprey, Swaine Adeney Brigg, Barbour and Laphroaig.

Tags: alligator, Asprey, Barbour, jewelry, Laphroaig, London, luxury goods, LuxuryGoods, Queen Elizabeth, Queen of England, QueenElizabeth, QueenOfEngland, Royal Warrant, RoyalWarrant, shotgun

Hermes Buys Asprey's Bond Street Store

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Luxury jewelry and accessories brand Asprey commands an enviable corner of Bond Street in London and now it looks like that property will have a new name over the door. The Observer reports that Hermès will buy the building and may buy the entire Asprey business. Hermès will purchase the building from Quinlan Private run by Derek Quinlan. Reportedly Hermès beat Chanel to the store.

In a challenging luxury market, Hermès has continued to shine posting profits at a time when most other brands are wrestling with deep losses. The same can't be said for Asprey which has struggled recently and had two consecutive loss-making years with sales dropping from £17 million to £13 million. For the most part Hermès hasn't been in the acquisitions business, choosing to expand modestly and focus on their strengths but Asprey does have the kind of history and tradition that might appeal to Hermès.

The Observer speculates that the sale might provide a much-needed cash infusion for Derek Quinlan, whose portfolio has taken a deep in the past year or so. He is divesting himself of a lot of his property portfolio and has moved to Switzerland. The Asprey store sale could bring him as much as £25 million.

Source

Tags: asprey, bond street, BondStreet, derek quinlan, DerekQuinlan, hermes, london

Asprey Crocodile Skin Poker Set

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Men's Style

200-year-old London luxury goods firm Asprey has been making some of the world's most exquisite games for decades, of the sort that wouldn't look out of place in a palace. One of their latest offerings is a beautiful handmade gentleman's poker set in black polished genuine crocodile skin with ceramic poker chips and royal purple Asprey playing cards (above). Priced at about $8,000 it certainly brings new meaning to "poker night". Asprey, founded in 1781, holds a Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales, one of several granted by the British Royal Family over the years. As we reported last year, Asprey decided to return to its roots and focus on its core business of luxury goods representing a high-water mark of taste, refinement and quality after having branched out into clothing and footwear.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: Asprey, British royalty, BritishRoyalty, crocodile, gambling, games, London, poker, Prince of Wales, PrinceOfWales, Royal Warrant, royalty, RoyalWarrant, UK

Lanesborough London's Asprey & Verdura Experiences

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Jewelry, Luxury Travel & Hotels

London's luxe Lanesborough Hotel (above) has partnered with famed luxury goods brands Asprey and Verdura on a pair of exclusive "design experience" packages through March 31st. The packages available at the 5-star Regency-style St. Regis property on London's Hyde Park Corner in Knightsbridge include an opportunity to personally design a one-of-a-kind Asprey leather bag, and a private appointment and estate consultation at Verdura, one of the world's foremost jewelers. The Asprey experience at their Bond Street flagship is focused on a creative session with one of their in-house designers to create a bespoke leather handbag or briefcase from an extensive selection of exotic skins, including alligator, crocodile, python and ostrich.

The Verdura experience involves viewing the jewels of the house's legendary founder, Duke Fulco di Verdura, as well as a consultation to evaluate your collection and advise you on key "estate" additions. Verdura designed jewels for legendary figures from Coco Chanel to Babe Paley and Princess Di. The Asprey experience includes accommodation in an Aspley suite and costs about $1,600 per night with a three night minimum stay; the Verdura package includes accommodation in a Junior Suite and costs about $1,000 per night with a three night minimum. Back in November we reported that the Lanesborough's posh library bar was offering the world's oldest cognac at $6,000 a shot.

[via JustLuxe]

Gallery: Lanesborough x Asprey x Verdura

Tags: Asprey, Coco Chanel, CocoChanel, Hotel, Lanesborough Hotel, LanesboroughHotel, London, St. Regis, St.Regis, Verdura

Angelina Jolie's Lost and Found Earrings

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Celebrity Shopping

Those who travel a lot know how easy it is to accidentally leave something behind. It must be exponentially more difficult for always-travelling Angelina Jolie to keep track of things. Small wonder then that the star left behind a pair of Asprey earrings. According to the Daily Mirror, Jolie wore the diamond earrings with her Armani Prive dress at the Bafta awards but left them in her suite at the Dorchester hotel before taking off. The Mirror reports that she realized that she had forgotten the earrings before leaving the country and called the hotel which found them and sent them on to Los Angeles. Better to leave the diamonds behind than one of the children.

Gallery: Jewels Gone Missing

Source

Tags: angelina jolie, AngelinaJolie, asprey, diamonds, earrings

Asprey's Clic Clac Travel Alarm

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

What does your travel alarm clock look like? Do you even have one? I've gotten into the habit of using my cell phone's alarm but I'd feel so much classier if I had a little beauty like one of these Clic Clac travel clocks from Asprey to sit on my hotel nightstand instead. Available in a rainbow of colors and your choice of alligator, lizard, calf, or steel finishes I think they're even stylish enough to leave out year round, in a guest room or something. $775

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Tags: alarm, alarm clock, AlarmClock, asprey, timepiece

William & Son Gets a Makeover

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry, Men's Style

Last spring I wrote about William & Son (above), the boutique London luxury goods firm founded by William Asprey after Asprey of London, the family business, was sold off back in the '90s. While William & Son hearkened back to the traditions established by Asprey in days gone by, including a bespoke gun department taking the place of Asprey's own which was closed down, William has conceded to a bit of modernization. His firm's Mayfair premises have just been revamped while the business as a whole has been "re-branded." The store's interior has been redone in an "elegantly modern" style, wihtout detracting from the classic and timeless nature of the firm's beautiful offerings, from diamond rings to 12-gauges. See the gallery for pix.

Gallery: William & Son

Tags: Asprey, London, Mayfair, William Asprey, William Son, WilliamAsprey, WilliamSon

The 2008 Asprey Chirstmas Cracker

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

British jeweler Asprey has unveiled their annual Christmas Cracker. The classic British Christmas accompaniment comes with the traditional paper crown, a quotation, balloon and one gift item. This years items in sterling silver and lizard skin include a yoyo, deco cufflinks, silver pen, lizard book mark, silver and lizard skin tape measure, mini clock, silver heart bracelet, pencil sharpener, table magnifier, poker dice set, compass key ring and salt and pepper set. The crackers are wrapped in purple and silver and each one sells for $230 or a box of 12 for $2,635.

For the crafty and thrifty, here's a mini tutorial on making your own Christmas crackers.

Source

Tags: asprey, christmas cracker, ChristmasCracker, gfits, holidays

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