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Sir Richard Branson Launches World's First Digital Magazine for the iPad

Filed under: Gadgets, By Design

Sir Richard Branson launches the world's first digital magazine exclusively for the iPad.Our friends at AOL Small Business are reporting that Sir Richard Branson has applied his well-known ingenuity to the publishing world. Yesterday, Branson launched Project, the world's first digital magazine of its kind designed exclusively for Apple's iPad (watch a video interview with Branson here).

Branson, the founder and chairman of Virgin Group and a member of the AOL Small Business Board of Directors, officially introduced Project at New York's Crosby Street Hotel.

The Classicist: Bespoke Leathergoods from Norton MacCullough & Locke

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


Norton MacCullough & Locke, the new London firm committed to producing the finest custom-made trunks, jewelry boxes and homeware in the essence of 1920s bespoke British luxury which The Classicist first wrote about earlier this year, is introducing a new collection of custom-made small leathergoods. Founded by veterans of Hermès, Claridge's and Patek Philippe, Norton MacCullough & Locke creates only individual, hand-crafted pieces. NML's Head of Design Lester Ng and CFO David Manchee developed the collection to incorporate both function and practicality whilst retaining the Norton MacCullough & Locke aesthetic and principles. Ranging from iPhone and iPad cases to card holders, document wallets and passport covers, each piece in the new collection is hand-crafted in England by specialist leatherworking artisans, utilizing the finest materials and traditional techniques.

The firm offers a range of leathers, colors, finishes and personalization options to ensure that each bespoke piece is both unique and exclusive, giving the consummate bespoke experience. There's no need to travel to London to commission them however; the luxe accessories can be purchased by downloading the bespoke order form from the Norton MacCullough & Locke website. Following approval of a visual sample (and payment confirmation), the pieces will be created and delivered within 4-8 weeks. In addition to the styles, materials and personalization options offered via the site, Norton MacCullough & Locke will source specific leather types and colors for your piece upon request, specializing in exotics ranging from ostrich, crocodile and lizard skin.

Design your own Custom Shirts on the go with the Blank Label iPad App

Filed under: Gadgets, Men's Style



We were in on the ground floor of the Blank Label launch last year, and this custom-shirt juggernaut has been busy! Not only is the company's website spiffy and easy to use, they've continued innovating beyond the idea that you can order a shirt that's exactly what you want without a visit to the tailor.
Just as Blank Label offers you the modern way to design your own shirt, it keeps moving its user experience forward to stay on the tip of the personalized shopping experience spear. The latest development is the company's first mobile initiative, the Design-Your-Own Dress Shirts experience for the iPad. The app is available now and features an easy to use interface that can even save and duplicate the shirts you dream up. Being an on-the-go experience, the mobile shirt-design app quenches your thirst for clothing design at the very moment inspiration hits by allowing you to whip up a shirt anywhere, even in the store where you're about to buy a pair of perfectly-cut pants or a natty jacket. One warning, however, becoming your own shirt designer is an addictive avocation. Check it out for yourself by downloading the free app or watching the video overview.

Luxury Trends for 2011: The Latest From The Luxury Institute

The Luxury Institute conducts independent research with wealthy consumers about their behaviors and attitudes on customer experience best practices. Their white papers on luxury trends and consumer attitude change emerge consistently throughout the year. The most recent was published on October 10, 2011, on emerging luxury trends for 2011..

The Institute states, " As the luxury industry enters the last quarter of 2010 and prepares for 2011, executives are grateful for what could have been a worse year considering the state of the world's economy. The truly global top-tier luxury brands are surging in China, while holding their own in the US, Japan, and Europe. Leading public companies have done much better than privately-owned brands by using their heritage, innovation, and resources to gain market share. Many family-owned European brands, rich with history but lacking innovation, have suffered and are desperately looking for capital. Overall, the industry has seen tepid growth; this trend is likely to continue for the next three years unless some unforeseen, and highly unlikely, positive event occurs and saves the global economy."

Temple iPad Cases and Bags

Filed under: Gadgets, Handbags

Temple Leather iPad Case
Temple is really going crazy with the iPad products, making everything from iPad bags to iPad portfolios to more traditional (if that word can apply to technology-related products) iPad cases and sleeves. Temple finds inspiration in vintage military pieces, often actually salvaging and repurposing old WWI era materials and products, resulting in stylish, sturdy, and environmentally friendly pieces that can enhance both your wardrobe and your lifestyle. The Leather iPad Case shown here is made of oiled leather and canvas and features both horizontal and vertical viewing options, a padded leather shoulder strap, one internal pocket and sells for $186. See more in the gallery below.

Via Acquire

Tod's Launches World's Most Expensive iPad Cases, Plus an App

Filed under: Gadgets, Handbags


Back in May we told you about the world's most expensive iPad, a ludicrous solid gold version priced at $188,000. Now famed Italian luxury goods firm Tod's is offering world's most expensive iPad case, which in this case is actually in excellent taste. The luxurious case, finished in genuine alligator, is priced at $4,900 - almost ten times the cost of Apple's un-embellished 16GB iPad itself. The one-of-a-kind accessory is handmade in Italy from the world's finest grade alligator skin, and will be available in brown, blue and tan from Tod's boutiques worldwide beginning in November. If that's a little too rich for your blood, there's also a version in buff colored calfskin for $495. Meanwhile Tod's has also launched its first iPad app, called My Life Is In This Bag.

The app allows users to enter and experience the world of Tod's and browse the brand's collections, and also showcases virtual themed lifestyles. The app reveals the contents of six stylish and sophisticated women's 'D' bags, the famed Tod's model favored by the likes of Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Garner and Jessica Alba. Along with snapshots of each bag's contents, users can journey into the different lifestyles and personalities, including that of sexy socialite Lauren Remington Platt, and discover tips such as the most spectacular destinations around the globe with an insider's guide to art and entertainment. See more images of the luxe cases and the app after the jump.

Parabellum Bison and Kevlar Laptop and iPad Cases

Filed under: Gadgets, Men's Style


Parabellum
, makers of hand-crafted leather goods with a military flair in Los Angeles, have come out with a new line of bison hide and Kevlar laptop and iPad cases. The CPU Portfolio for $980 is designed for safe and luxurious storage and transit of either a 15" or 17" laptop. That's not just hype - the case is lined in pure cashmere – vintage 1940s dead stock cashmere from the UK, to be precise. It's made of deep textured Reservation Bison with leather and Kevlar reinforcements and features a carrying strap, super smooth zipper and a ceramic covered snap lock. Each piece is individually numbered for authenticity.

The iPad case for $600 is also made of deep textured Reservation Bison with a lambskin liner, dual ceramic covered snap locks, Kevlar reinforcements and reinforced, elastic and leather corner holders on the back. Each one is also individually numbered for authenticity. Prabellum's deep textured Bison hide comes from free-range American ranches, and is tanned domestically in small batches using age old techniques. Their ceramic hardware is military grade for the ultimate in durability. The cases are available at Maxfield and Union in Los Angeles, The Webster in Miami and Colette in Paris.

Booq Taipan Spacesuit XS iPad Sleeve Case Review

Filed under: Gadgets

I wish my clothes felt this protective. Booq's new Taipan Spacesuit XS iPad sleeve style case is a seriously nice sleeve to protect your "precious." An iPad never felt this nice. It is a good mix between protection and portability though. Probably as good as you get can get without going to a hard case solution. The Taipan Spacesuit XS features a 3mm thick neoprene shell that is water resistant against light spills and liquid drops, and can absorb a good deal of abuse. The exterior comes in a few colors (berry, silver, and black), and has a nice sheen as well as texture. It feels very soft on the skin. Like all Booq products (the Mercedes of bags and cases for the tech crowd), it has a very good zipper with double zipper pulls. The zipper pulls are even cushioned to ensure that if they brush against your iPad or other things, the zippers won't scratch them.

Inside the case is a silky soft plush interior that reassuringly feels as though it wont damage or scratch your iPad in any way - no matter how many times you put it in, and take it out. In the scheme of iPad cases, the Booq Taipan Spacesuit XS is pretty nice. While no sleeve type iPad case seems to have this feature, why doesn't anyone add a strap or something? Only complaint I have is that the zipper ends bulge just a little bit that disturbs the streamlined shape, but that is minor if anything. Price is $29.95, and you can get it online at Booq's website or other Booq retailers.

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

Thanks to Booq for the review unit. Opinions are 100% independent.


Sunseeker App Finally Gives You Something to do with Your iPad

Filed under: Gadgets, Yachts & Sailing



As much as we love big cats and bush dogs, our favorite kind of predator is still made by Sunseeker. The Predator 108, to be exact, is the one with all the teeth and claws to get our attention. More precisely, it's the Sunseeker with the stowed Caterham 7 that kills us. that However, you probably didn't know there are two larger Predators and a surprisingly complete range of other Sunseeker motor yachts and cruisers from which to choose. To remedy those regrettable oversights, Sunseeker has released an app for your iPad that will get you caught up on all the latest. And Sunseeker itself says that this is the first step toward making one of its sailing yachts and motor yachts yours. That means you can't consider yourself wasting time with this app. You're planning for the future.

Haute Guide: New Fashion Phone App

Filed under: Gadgets

haute guideManhattan's Twitter world will love it. And so will every other smart shopper who doesn't have the time to do her own fashion research. The Haute Guide, a shoppers must-have, is available on iTunes for a one-time only $4.99. It is compatible with the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and the iPad. Just launched, this new app is the brainchild of Abbey Samet, Fashion Director at Macy's. "Our guide is like a personal shopper who edits the vast shopping environment in Manhattan and provides users with fashion-forward suggestions," says Samet.

Don't think a "Zagat for fashion" as Samet has taken a totally different tack. Her guide is organized by categories----Blue Jean Baby, Knock em Dead Accessories, Hamptons Weekend, Great Outdoors and much more. Within each shopping category, the App lists stores alphabetically. Another way to use the guide is by neighborhood. Let's say you find yourself in the Meatpacking District with a little free time,"the Haute Guide will direct you to the most exciting and inviting shopping environments in that area, along with a snippet of a trend or designer information," says Samet.

Another innovation, aside from up-to-the-second fashion info, is a cost-rating system so you can shop within your price range. You will need this as Samet likes top designers. Some of her fave places to shop "at the moment" are Balenciaga, new-ish Isabel Marant, All Saints, and Aloha Rag. A direct link to download is http://itunes:apple.com/us/app/haute-guide-new-york-city/id37683330?mt=8. Once you download from iTunes, you will automatically receive regular updates, seasonal finds, and announcements of store closings and new store openings,

Fancy a Saab 9-5? Then Get to Know it with Saab's iPhone App

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos



Saab wants you to like its new 9-5. Based on the reviews the brand-new-and-free-of-GM sedan is getting, that shouldn't be such a hard thing to do. But until you're actually in the showroom singing on the dotted, Saab believes a little persuasion in its favor wouldn't hurt things, and portable persuasion would hurt things even less. That's how we get the Saab 9-5 app for iPods and iPads and iPhones.

As per usual, you can watch videos, admire the plentiful photos Saab has taken of the car, or dress one up yourself and spin it around just like you do with your significant other at Saks. When it goes on sale it will start around $38,000 and climb all the way up to nearly $50,000 for a loaded Aero model. So if you want to save time at the dealership figuring out how much quirkiness you really want to buy, the iTunes app store is where you should be headed.

Like the iPad: Love de la Renta's Clutch

Filed under: Gadgets


So what were the models in the Oscar de la Renta Resort Collection holding in their properly poised hands? An embroidered lambskin iPad clutch which is definitely in tune with the latest fashions. The designer sent this little surprise down the runway because, as he says, "there is so much happening in technology and we wanted to create a limited edition clutch to complement the device." Smart enough for evening, the clutch is available in four colors: carnation, white, marigold, and stone --- a pale gray. The clutch is only available online at www.oscardelarenta.com for $290.

Personal Assistant Service Puts Virtual Assistants Within iPad Reach

Filed under: Gadgets, Services

Your Personal Assistant LLC (YPA), a global on-demand personal assistant service, is sweetening the deal for new clients, providing a free iPad with YPA technology for all new annual retainer clients. The company is also offering a free iPhone, Blackberry or Droid should you not be quiet ready to jump on the iPad bandwagon quite yet.

The YPA application uses "State of the Smart" GPS mapping and instant messaging for communication and coordination between a client and their YPA Emissary. Annual retainers begin at $100 per month, or $1200 for the year, and may be applied to any of over 100 YPA services that including basically anything that can be delegated, from reservations for services to helping with computer upgrades and event planning.

YPA Emissaries are on the ground in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York City, Washington DC, London, Zurich, Geneva, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai and the on-demand assistants promise a higher level of service, expertise, and attention to detail than concierge services, call centers, agencies, or other virtual assistant services. Services come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Element Case Joule Custom iPad Stand Review + Giveaway

Filed under: Gadgets

Above is the new Joule by Element Case iPad stand, today we are giving two people an opportunity to win their very own customized Joule iPad stand. See below for more details. I previously wrote about the Joule iPad stand here when announcing it.

With a dizzying amount of iPads already sold, I think it is safe to safe to say that tablets are going to the real computer companion in the years to come, in contrast to netbooks - which gained popularity quickly due to price and size, but have a seriously diminishing level of return given their limited functionality. So with tablets and iPads definitely in, we are all going to be hungry for accessories. Lots and lots of accessories. Unlike laptops screens that naturally stand up, the iPad turns into an iSlab without support to stand it up. In fact, the beauty of the iPad should be balanced by the fact that it doesn't have any handles or feet. So if you want to watch movies, read an e-book, or anything else that involves looking at the screen for long period of time, you are going to want a stand.

Sure Apple offers a stand, even one with a built-in keyboard, but it is pretty flimsy. Start touching the iPad like it is meant to be touched, and you run the risk of it toppling over. The Joule solves this issue by having an adjustable metal leg in the back that seems strong enough to support the iPad if it weighted 50 pounds. The Joule is solid metal - no plastic here. You can adjust the stand to three levels of height. A nice touch is that the leg is secure in the unit magnetically, which also makes it easy to remove. When on the the go, Element Case throws in a carrying bag as well.

The Joule might not have as much adjustability and features (like a built in charger) as other stands, but the Joule will last you, probably forever. Formed out of strong and nice to the touch aluminum, this iPad stand defines luxury because it is made well (in California) and won't break. The bottom of the stand has rubber pads for traction, while the inside of the stand is velvet lined. Actually, I was impressed by how the Joule stand firmly held the iPad (in horizontal or vertical positions), and at the same time didn't make me fear that it was going to scratch it. The stand is formed in a way to give easy access to the home button, and includes a cutaway for sound from the speaker to travel freely. One thing that the Joule lacks, is a space for the power cable to go if you want it to charge or sync. Then again, you can just orient your iPad in the stand in a different direction, so that the charging port isn't facing down - easy enough.

See that cool Luxist logo on the stand? Joule custom prints their stands with whatever you like. The stand is available in a few colors including black, polished aluminum, anodized silver, and more coming soon. Overall a solid and satisfying iPad stand that functions simply, and will continue to do when you are on your 4th, 5th, and 6th generation iPad. Average price is $129 - $139.

Now for the fun stuff. Enter below to win your own choice of Joule iPad stand complete with custom name or logo printing by Element Case. To enter, leave a comment on this post sharing why you'd like to win a high-end Joule iPad stand by Element Case. The giveaway ends on June 3rd at 8:00pm PST. See additional rules below.

THANKS FOR ENTERING, THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed before June 3rd, 2010 at 8:00PM Pacific Time.
* You may only enter once.
* Two winners will be selected in a random drawing.
* Two winners will receive one Joule iPad stand valued at about $129 - $139 each.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, and the District of Columbia, who are 18 and older.

See full giveaway rules here.

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

Thanks to Element Case for the review unit. Opinions are 100% independent.

Solid Gold iPad by Stuart Hughes

Filed under: Gadgets

Solid Gold iPad
We knew it was only a matter of time and now we have it: a solid gold iPad from Stuart Hughes. The iPad is getting blinged up just like every other Apple gadget and this version of the famed tablet, called the iPad Supreme Edition, gets the royal treatment of 53 individually set flawless diamonds (totaling 25.5cts) and a back and side housing of a single solid piece of 22k gold. The iPad Supreme Edition also features Wi-Fi, 3G, and 64 GB capacity and is available in a limited edition of only 10 for just over $188,000 each.

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