Hermes Carré H Watch
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.
hermes
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch reviews site aBlogtoRead.com.
The Fashion Statement: It Bags are Back to Basic
Filed under: Handbags, The Fashion Statement
Toss your roomy totes, slim clutches and bohemian bags with hardware and fringe to the back of the closet.
The It bags for fall are small and basic; ladylike, almost to the point of prim; and minimalist. Square-shaped or rectangular, the handbags often have long shoulder straps and feature a very simple fold-over envelope style flap with a simple clasp. Color schemes are fairly basic, too, with most in solid brown and tan leather and black.
These bags resemble the "pocket books" you once plucked from your mother's or grandmother's closet to play dress-up. They are ultra understated and have a conservative '80s power suit feel. With long shoulder straps the bags rest at the hip.
Hermès has resurrected the Constance, a model with an H clasp that can be worn over the shoulder or messenger style.
Phoebe Philo introduced Celine's Classic Box, a small bag with compartments, closed by a square gold clasp. The fashion flock has been seen with the bag in black, brown and red leather.
Ralph Lauren has one in shiny brown croc with a gleaming round gold clasp. Fendi has also brought back a classic: the Logo Square bag emblazoned with Fs.
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Hemispheres Watch
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
Inside the watch is a Parmigiani calibre PF337.01 automatic movement that features the two times and the date. The beautiful open dial is still legible, and nicely decorated. Case is 42mm wide and in steel with Parmigiani's standard, good looking lugs and high polish. Still, it has looks that you either love or hate. At least reading it and operating it are going to be easy enough. Parmigiani pairs the Tonda Hemisphere with an Hermes blue alligator strap. Look out for it soon.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
The Fashion Statement: Luxury in Flux
Filed under: The Fashion Statement
You can blame plenty of things on the recession, but luxury fashion may never be the same.
Houses are way past worrying whether the haute couture segment of their business will live or die. Now the industry is lowering the prices of their ready-to-wear collections, investing more in cheaper secondary lines and producing small collections for cheap chic retailers like H&M. More people probably know Zac Posen from his capsule line for Target than for his self-named ready-to-wear collection that hangs at Saks or Neiman Marcus.
Is this the end of luxury-largely defined by exclusivity-as we know it?
The house of Valentino caused a dust up at a Reuters Global Luxury Summit late last week. Never having sold an evening gown for less than 2,000 euros, Valentino is offering cocktail dresses for half that and T-shirts priced at about $300. The main question at the summit: How can Valentino be more accessible without losing its luxury appeal?
"Being more affordable means you are trying to get new customers on board," Valentino's CEO Stefano Sassi told the summit. "We are not stretching down the brand. We are trying to say that you can be both couture and contemporary."
Tell Us Everything, Travel Entrepreneur Katrina A. Garnett
Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Tell Us Everything
Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor Katrina Garnett recently launched My Little Swans, a luxury family travel web site for adventurous families looking for one-of-a-kind adventures that involve things like lunch at a Bedoin camp in Jordan and sailing Alaska's Inside Passage on a private yacht. Unlike her previous, very-techie businesses, this one was born out of Garnett's hobby: She's originally from Australia and she and her husband regularly take their three children on ambitious trips across the globe. Garnett's not intimidated by traveling with kids, instead she's passionate about the advantages of exposing children to world cultures. MyLittleSwans.com aims to cut out the travel agent by featuring itineraries from her many trips with restaurant, hotel, shopping and other suggestions of places she and her concierge partners have personally vetted. Plus, the site's selected list of tour operators in each of those destinations can arrange for custom adventures from a backstage tour of a Chinese opera to a hiking trip with the Maasai tribe in Tanzania.
Garnett – and by extension her site – is like that in-the-know friend always up on the newest, hottest and best. But she also shares the little-known, like her personal watchmaker in Switzerland and jeweler in Paris. She spent two years and more than $2 million of her own money developing the site and made sure it included a social media aspect, which she believes is essential for web 2.0 success. We chatted with this firecracker over drinks at New York's Gramercy Tavern and asked her to Tell Us Everything.
Why did you decide to go into travel?
I've been planning world adventures for my family for 15 years, from the time my firstborn was less than a year old. Over the years, numerous friends and acquaintances have sought me out for travel advice, so I've shared my itineraries and photos with them, and they've taken the same or similar trips and loved them.
But as the number of requests grew – and the Web became increasingly difficult to navigate from a discerning point of view – I saw there was need for a comprehensive trustworthy online resource that makes it easy for families to plan extraordinary journeys and to go straight to the source for the best guides and insider experiences.
My Little Swans is not just a bunch of pretty pictures and opinions. There are, of course, countless travel websites and online sources, but I think few that are developed with an eye to the future and a deep understanding of the tech underbelly; I'm a total tech nerd. And as most of my friends know, I'm also a bit of a perfectionist and can be a nut when it comes to research, so the MLS content reflects this 150 percent and always will – nothing is "pay for play" or ad-driven.
The Fashion Statement: Who is Christophe Lemaire?
Filed under: Apparel, The Fashion Statement
If you don't know who Christophe Lemaire is, you're not alone. Last week, French couturier Hermès made the announcement that by fall of next year, creative director Jean-Paul Gaultier will be out and Christophe Lemaire will be in. See my colleague Deidre Woollard's post.
So who is Christophe Lemaire? Even people in fashion industry, who tend to be aware of any and all up-and-comers, were scratching their heads. Sure, Lemaire has been at Lacoste for the last decade and breathed new life into the brand. And, yes, he's had his own line since 1991. But haute couture houses at the level of Hermès is usually the stomping ground of well-established and well-known designers. Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton and Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, to name a few. Surely, Michelle Obama's inauguration gown designer Jason Wu has gotten more ink of late.
Which is why we're all the more intrigued by this choice. "I think the appointment of Christophe is very ambitious," Hermès' general artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas told The New York Times. "Maybe in five years I will look back and think it was a terrible mistake-or a wonderful surprise. I like that. I think we need that. Hermès is really born out of movement. It's not that we were avoiding a famous name. What comes first now is talent."
The Nominees for Best in Beauty
Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance
Best Men's Skincare Line
The first nominee has a straightforward name as well as no-nonsense naming and simple packaging, while the second nominee was launched high in the mountains of France nearly 50 years ago by an intrepid biologist. The third nominee offers one of the most extensive lines for men while the fourth is known for its longevity and expertise in men's skincare. The final nominee lives by its logo that says "be healthy and look great".
Anthony Logistics for Men
Biotherm Homme
Clinique Skin Supplies for Men
Lab Series Skincare for Men
MenScience Androceuticals
Best Cosmetics Line
The first nominee was created by a makeup artist who wanted to create a natural-looking makeup line that would allow a person's true beauty to shine through while the second one was started by a painter who later became a celebrity makeup artist. The third nominee is a favorite of runway artists and film stars alike while the fourth is an eponymous beauty brand known for highly pigmented products, cleverly slim and sleek compacts, and a fearless selection of shades for people of all colors. The final nominee first became famous for its revolutionary makeup brushes, followed by its innovative cosmetics.
Bobbi Brown
Laura Mercier
M·A·C Cosmetics
NARS
Trish McEvoy
Best Fragrance
The first nominee has been the scent of choice for sophisticates worldwide since the 1930's, while the second nominee has been synonymous with opulence for generations. The third nominee is an elegant and sophisticated octogenarian while the fourth nominee is a unisex newcomer that is packaged in perhaps the most innovative vessel ever created for a fragrance. The final nominee is immediately recognizable due to its famous logo.
Acqua di Parma Colonia
Bulgari's Eau Parfumée au Thé Blanc
Chanel No. 5
Voyage d'Hermès
Polo Ralph Lauren
Best Bodycare Line
The first nominee is a Japanese line that was developed with the knowledge of Oriental herbal medicine while the second one has been concocting beautifying elixirs in New York City since 1851. The third nominee takes a scientific approach to beauty and the fourth makes distinctively aromatic concoctions that are handcrafted from fresh and organic fruits and vegetables. The final nominee is an upbeat, uplifting company with a product line that attempts to inspire its customers to live a better life by being better to themselves.
Kanebo's Sensai
Kiehl's
La Prairie
Lush
Philosophy
Best Skin Cream
The first nominee is made from a combination of natural ingredients including special sea kelp harvested twice a year off the coast of California, while the second nominee focuses on the inner balance and harmony of the body and soul. The third nominee uses two key ingredients: a natural extract derived from the root of the Shilan orchid as well as Koishumaru silk extract. The fourth nominee prides itself on understatement while the final nominee was launched by a Harvard-trained, board-certified dermatologist who's single product contains all the necessary ingredients to fight anti-aging.
Creme de la Mer
Darphin
Kanebo's Sensai Skin Care
Philosophy
37 Extreme Actives
Gaultier Officially Out At Hermes
Filed under: Apparel
Another fashion world shake-up. WWD has reported that French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier will be leaving his job as the creative director of Hermes' women's ready-to-wear division. Gaultier, who had the job for seven years, was brought in by Jean-Louis Dumas, former president and chief executive officer of Hermes who died earlier this month.Replacing Gaultier will be Christophe Lemaire, the man lauded for reinvigorating the Lacoste brand. He has served as that company's artistic director since 2001,Businessweek reveals that the spring-summer 2011 collection in October will be the last one created by Gaultier for Hermes. Hermes will retain its 45 percent share in Gaultier's eponymous brand.
The Classicist: The Mystery of Out of Africa Author Karen Blixen's Hermès Luggage
Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, The Classicist
Hermès has uncovered a couple of remarkable pieces of bespoke luggage in its archives, made for famed Danish Out of Africa author Karen Blixen, aka Isak Dineson, in the 1930s. The Art Deco tobacco-colored crocodile skin cases, one ordered in 1930 and the other in 1935, contain every conceivable article an aristocratic author could need on an arduous journey to Africa. The famed Parisian luxury goods house notes that the more complex of the two took its craftsmen 368 hours to make; both feature fine inlays and engraving, with most pieces adorned with a baroness' crown and the author's DBF monogram for Dineson Blixen-Finecke, a combination of her maiden and married names (her full title was Baroness Karen von Blixen-Finecke).
The cases feature myriad compartments and leather boxes for spirits, smoking accessories, writing instruments, notepaper, perfume bottles, cosmetics, playing cards, jewelry, small tools, sewing items, brushes and more, with some items finished in sterling silver and tortoiseshell. However, Hermès notes the the items appear to be unused and probably never made it to Kenya, where Blixen established a coffee plantation at the foot of the N'gong Hills; and therein lies something of a mystery. Noting that by December of 1930, when the first case was ordered, Blixen was somewhat down on her luck and preparing to leave Africa, Hermès thinks it unlikely she ordered it for herself and the archives are unclear. Could it perhaps have been intended as a gift from her lover, dashing big game hunter and pilot Denys Finch Hatton?
Hermès Leather & Scarf Print Origami Set
Filed under: Apparel
Hermès has come out with a witty tribute to its iconic scarf designs in the form of a chic origami set. The famed French fashion and luxury goods house's twist on the traditional Japanese folk art pastime features several sheets of origami paper in bright colors, adorned with scarf prints in various motifs on one side, and deep-hued Rothko-like color blocks on the other. Encased in a handstitched black saddle leather envelope and presented in a black lacquer box, the set is priced at about $750. The envelope itself is designed in the style of a piece of folded origami paper, and echoes that of leather clutches Hermès has offered in the past. Hermès made its first scarf in 1937, and the eye-catching accessories were an immediate hit, since sported by worn by style icons such as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Catherine Deneuve, and Jackie Kennedy.
[via JustLuxe]
Voyage d'Hermes: A Unisex Fragrance that Takes You to Another Place
Filed under: Cosmetics and Fragrance
Hermès may best be known for its leathergoods and fashion, but it is also a powerhouse in the fragrance world. Its newest scent, Voyage d'Hermès, is a nominee for a Luxist Awards Readers' Choice Award for Best Fragrance.
Voyage d'Hermès was created by its exclusive perfumer, Jean-Claude Ellena, who joined Hermès in 2004. Ellena's hope was to develop a perfume that would take people to another place---a scent that would represent the most beautiful of all journeys. His desire was that people would smell the perfume and not say "It reminds me..." but "It's calling to me."
Ellena created a fragrance that is both familiar and surprising as well as masculine and feminine. Voyage d'Hermès is a unisex fragrance that is woody, fresh and musky.
Former Hermes Leader Dead At 72
The former head of the luxury brand Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas, died on May 1 at the age of 72. Dumas ran Hermès from 1978 to 2006 and was responsible for transforming the brand from a small and well-respected maker of leather goods to an internationally known luxury brand. Dumas was the great-great grandson of Thierry Hermès, who founded the company in 1837. Dumas helped give the world the intensely craved Birkin bag and brought fashion designer Jean-Paul Gaultier to the brand. Known to be a charismatic man of great style, he also published a book of photographs. The family still owns over 70 percent of the Hermès group and Dumas' son Pierre-Alexis works as an artistic director for the company.According to a story in the Telegraph, the Birkin bag came about after Dumas and actress Jane Birkin sat next to each other on a flight from Paris to London. She told Dumas that she could never find a decent handbag and so he invited her to the Hermès workshop to help create one. The bag remains a status symbol known around the world and it can take years to get your own.
World's Most Valuable Luxury Brands
Filed under: Apparel, Handbags
What is the world's most valuable luxury brand? According to a study released today compiled by market research firm Millward Brown Optimor, the most valuable brand is France's Louis Vuitton with a brand value of nearly $19.8 billion.
Hermes, with a brand value of $8.45 billion, landed in the second spot, followed by Gucci ($7.58 billion), Chanel ($5.54 billion) and Hennessy ($5.36 billion).
Millward Brown used an economic use approach to the valuation, with brand values based on the intrinsic value of the brand derived from its ability to generate demand. The values reflect the sum of all future earnings a brand is forecasted to generate, discounted to present-day value.
"The big takeaway is that brands that focused on heritage are the ones that topped the list," says Lauren Sherman, editor of Fashionista, a fashion news website. "Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Gucci all focused this year on heritage."
According to Sherman, Louis Vuitton's advertising campaigns focused on travel, which ties to its history of being a maker of steamer trunks, while Hermes began to again market their saddles and also sponsored a horse show in Paris, which they haven't done in years. "They are going back to the basics."
Gucci, on the other hand, is focusing on its vintage bags. The company recently formed a partnership with Christie's in which the auction house will provide appraisal services for owners of vintage Gucci leathergoods. "Gucci Collector: Presented by Christie's" provides auction estimates for vintage Gucci items that are of a type and value typically sold at Christie's. The service is provided free of charge.
"Gucci wants to bring back the company from mass luxury which it had become," says Sherman.
Millward Brown used the BrandZ database of its parent company, WPP, which owns several marketing, advertising and public relations firms, among others. BrandZ tracked sales and marketing for more than 1,000 brands over the course of a year to come up with the list.
The brand that saw the most growth on the list this year was Hermes, with an increase of 8%.
Perhaps most surprising about the list this year were the brands that didn't fare well. The brands that are more closely associated with trends and high fashion, such as Prada and Burberry, did not rank high on the list---in fact, Prada was knocked off the top ten list altogether.
Chanel's ranking dropped from where it was a year ago and lost 11% of its brand value. "Chanel will always sell perfume and leather goods which are classic products, but compared to Gucci and Louis Vuitton, they are more associated with high fashion," says Sherman. "Any brand where the runway is more important than the boutique, suffered a bit."
See Fashionista's report to view the rest of the top ten list of the world's most valuable brands.
Hermes Tie Pattern Watches
Filed under: Timepieces / Watches
I was shown a handful of limited edition high-end watches with what I believe are enamel dials. Hermes is known for creating repeating patterns using graphical images as opposed to mere abstract shaped. They do this so well, that the majority of their men's ties have such patterns on them. Most men with any taste have at least one Hermes tie in their collection given their charm and popularity. Finally, these great designs are finding there way to watches dials. If successful, this experiment should lead to more permanent watches like this.
The patterns needed to be enlarged a bit. No point in having the design be so small that you can't see what you are looking at. So Hermes wisely places a few of the major shapes in the watches, but you get the idea of how well they work as a repeating pattern. Give Hermes' equestrian origins, the first of these watches all have horse head patterns. The above watch is placed in an Hermes men's Arceau watch case and has small, repeating horse heads in various blue tones. Click below to "READ MORE" and you can see two more watch in Hermes men's Cape Cod cases that have larger, more distinct horse head patterns. I understand that each is taken from actual Hermes ties. These luxury watches are likely in gold, and highly limited. Priced accordingly, and available in very limited quantities soon.
Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.
Hermès Haute Bijouterie Jewelry Collection
Filed under: Jewelry
Hermès has launched an exquisite 14 piece jewelry collection designed by Pierre Hardy called Haute Bijouterie. Inspired by the brand's equestrian roots, all the pieces in the collection are inspired by horses -- namely the hoof and the whip. In explaining how the collection came about Hardy told WWD that he looked to Hermès' history and started by "taking the roughest, strongest, almost radical element and giving it the most feminine, the most modern interpretation."
The collection features rose gold, white gold, black jade, diamonds, aventurine and pink opal, and seeks to blur the lines between femininity and masculinity. Prices start at $23,675 for a pair of rose gold clip-on earrings and top out at $880,000 for the diamond necklace.
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