exclusive

The Rania Experience is one of the most exclusive, luxury vacations you can take, set around a private resort that only accommodates nine guests at a time. Rania is the name of and 86-foot yacht that carries guests smoothly through the waters of the Maldives to the 7-acre Water Garden Island. It is also used to provide cruises to nearby islands, taking guests through some of the most pristine waters and beautiful beaches in the world. Vacationers can divide their time between land and sea and there is plenty to occupy the time, and though complete relaxation is an option, there are myriad activities offered.

Forbes has put out a list of their top ways to shop like a VIP. By VIP, they don't just mean the ultra rich in this case. Forbes is referring to celebrities, people who are "in the know" and people who are known, like fashion editors and personal shoppers. It's not as simple as just buying the things you want, though VIPs can usually afford to do so, because VIPs are often given products at steep discounts or solicited by designers to wear and promote their products. So what are some of the things that mark you as a VIP shopper?

• Free gifts a.k.a. schwag
• Having your clothes custom made by designers like Henry Poole or labels like Dior, rather that having to buy off the rack
• Getting on the guest list for exclusive events, like the Billion Dollar Babes pre-sale. VIPs should have a good PR firm to assist them.
• Hiring personal shoppers, so you don't actually have to shop. Of course, some VIPs don't have to go this far and will automatically have designs sent to them straight from showrooms.
• Spending your way into an exclusive credit card, like an American Express Centurion (the Black card), which can get you designers on call and after-hours private shopping.

The Maybach Tourbillion watch is but to the same high standards as each car in the brand that it represents, and, as a spokesman for the company said, "it captivates like one of [their] vehicles." The watches are finely tuned for the highest degree of style and reliability possible. Each is enclosed in an 18-karat gold case and has a matching gold clasp on the supple crocodile band. The clock's hands are also made of gold. There are 17 rubies that ensure the precision of the timepiece within its German silver interior. A unique grill design, hand-engraved and gives the origin, year of manufacturer and the numbering of the piece, makes the back of the watch. Only 12 watches will be made, one for each cylinder of the Maybach's engine. The watches are priced around 120,000€.

[via Luxury Launches]

Once little girls are old enough to accompany their parents on shopping trips and start having an input in what they want to wear, it is not a big leap for them to want to design their own outfits. Most girls don't get the opportunity to do this, but with the Custom Couture Kit they can make their dream a reality. The design portfolio that is included has fabric swatches, pencils, sketchpad, and a questionnaire, which will help determine the final design. The design will then be made by a professional designer in New York, who will consult on color, fabric and fit, before completing the garment and sewing in a custom label bearing the designer's own name. Price: $800.