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Petra Nemcova Honors Vivienne Tam at NY Fashion Week Fall 2011

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Shopping

Petra Nemcova honors Vivienne Tam at NY Fashion Week Fall 2011

Czech Republic-born Supermodel Petra Nemcova, and one of the newest castmembers of Dancing with the Stars, honored Vivienne Tam at her Fall 2011 Collection show at NY Fashion Week this afternoon by wearing an elegant Chinese-themed dress designed by Tam. The dress is symbolic in red, which is the color of happiness and prosperity.

After the Vivienne Tam show, Nemcova met with Luxist to discuss what she thought of the collection.

"There were three things that I loved," the stunningly beautiful Nemcova told Luxist. "The clothes are very, very structured, which I love. You can see the quality of it. So the structure and quality, and I love the sparkles. They were just amazing. I also liked the fringe on some of the dresses. The structure, the quality, and the sparkles were really standing out. It was beautiful."

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Annabelle Dexter-Jones Models at Half-Sister Charlotte Ronson's Fall 2011 Show (with video)

Filed under: Apparel

Annabelle Dexter-Jones models at Charlotte Ronson Fall 2011 Show at Fashion WeekCharlotte Ronson's Fall 2011 Fashion Show this evening at the Mercedes-Benz-sponsored Fashion Week in New York was a family affair.

Sister and deejay Samantha Ronson mixed the music for the show, while half-sister Annabelle Dexter-Jones, served as one of the models (see video below).

Annabelle (seen at right) was gorgeous in a stunning military herringbone suede trim riding jacket that was paired with a military silk Caspian dot print romper completed with black lace-up wedge booties.

Ronson's younger sibling has quite a bit of modeling experience. According to her bio, she has modeled in campaigns for Louis Vuitton and Hogan, besides being the face of Charlotte's clothing line.

Ronson's show was superb. The collection is very wearable in mostly sedated colors, including black, coffee and charcoal.

NY Fashion Week 2011: Jason Wu's Fall/Winter 2011 Collection (Exclusive with Video)

Filed under: Apparel

Designer Jason Wu's Fall 2011 Collection during New York Fashion Week

A highlight of Fashion Week is the Fall/Winter 2011 Collection created by Fashion Designer Jason Wu before a packed house during New York's Fashion Week this afternoon. Anna Wintour, the British-born Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, was seated in the front row along with Hamish Bowles, the European Editor at Large for Vogue (see photo gallery below). Jason Wu was the designer of the white ballgown worn by Michelle Obama to the inauguration festivities.

"I aim to make clothes that look great on women and make them feel beautiful," Wu told Luxist. "They are timeless. These are wardrobe pieces. These are pieces that can be kept for a lifetime. And that is always the way I have done it. I have never been the trendy person. I really want to make clothes that are truly desirable for women."

For his Fall/Winter 2011 Collection, Wu told Luxist he was inspired by the beautiful photos taken by Robert Polidori in his book, "Parcours Museologique Revister", which documented the detailed restoration process of Versailles over a period of 25 years. The theme of contrast runs through the photos and the collection.

Wu explained to Luxist (see video below) that the juxtaposition between the rough undersurface revealed during renovation and the opulence of the decor inspired a mixture of luxuriously embellished fabrics with his signature American sportswear elements. The collection included sharp tailored pants, ascot shirts and charcoal flannel coats. Accents included colorful embroidered Swarovski elements, burned out features and lace detailing. The color palette was restrained with lots of black, white and nude throughput the collection highlighted by shots of bold colors including cerise pink, chartreuse, ultra violet and antique gold.

"This season the color choices was really about working with a restrained color palette," Wu told Luxist. "It is an austere mood that is brightened up by these embroideries and the embellishments and details that were so delightful to me and such a joy to work on."

NY Fashion Week 2011: Luca Luca Fall Winter 2011 (with Video)

Filed under: Apparel

Raul Melgoza, the Creative Director at Luca Luca whose Fall/Winter 2011 Collection debuted at New York Fashion Week at Lincoln Center featured designs that were inspired by the adventures to be discovered in the deep woods-the beauty, the color, the fantasy. A bevy of supermodels sat in the front row of the show, from Carol Alt and Petra Nemcova to Irina Pantaeva (see photo gallery below). New York socialites were also in attendance including Tinsley Mortimer and Valesca Guerrand-Hermes.

Carol Alt talked to Luxist about her devotion to the fashion house. "When I was out of the fashion industry because I was doing movies for 10 years and I really wasn't around they immediately invited me back to the front row, "says Carol Alt. "They were really mensches. When someone is good to me, I am loyal for the rest of my life. You really have to slap me in the face for me not to come back here."

Melgoza's told Luxist his inspiration for the Fall 2011 collection is the story of a woman who is a running through the woods as she discovers the beauty, the color and the sanity that exists in the woods. The collection was presented at Fashion Week on Thursday, February 10 at Lincoln Center in New York. (See video for a backstage interview with Melgoza).

"As she starts her journey, she is in very tailored, equestrian-inspired silhouettes," he told Luxist. "She is wearing a lot of laces and transparent and sheer fabric as if she is shedding her very layered looks as she ends her journey."

Auberge du Soleil Celebrates its Anniversary with Getaway Package

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley celebrates 30 year anniversary with special getaway package

Auberge du Soleil, the iconic Michelin-starred restaurant (and winner of the Luxist Readers' Choice Award for Most Romantic Restaurant) and premier luxury resort is celebrating its 25th anniversary as a resort (30 years for the restaurant). Auberge du Soleil, which is Napa Valley's first fine-dining venue, helped transform the area into the must-see destination it is today for food, wine, and the beauty of wine country. In honor of this milestone, Auberge du Soleil will celebrate with a year of culinary offerings and experiences in addition to a fresh new look unveiled this month.

The first culinary offering features a "30-Year Journey Through Wine" list featuring 30 consecutive vintages from around the world as well as from the Napa Valley that was compiled by Wine Director Kris Margerum. This special list will be available through 2011 in addition to the more than 1,300 selections that are featured on Auberge du Soleil's standard comprehensive wine list.

The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2011 Fashion Show (Exclusive with Video)

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Design

Patti LaBelle, dressed in Zang Toi, walks down the runway at The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2011 fashion show in New York.

The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2011 Fashion Show kicked off Fashion Week at Lincoln Center in New York last evening. The celebrity-studded affair celebrated the national awareness campaign for women about heart disease. Celebrity models included Ann Curry, Audrina Patridge, Camila Alves, Denise Richards, Dita Von Teese, Eve, Gayle King, Giuliana Rancic, Julianne Hough, Laila Ali, Linda Gray, Natasha Bedingfield, Patti LaBelle (see photo above and video below), Suzanne Somers (see photo below) and several others (featured in slideshow below). Watch the full video of the show on MyDaily.

There were plenty of celebrities in the audience to watch the presentation, including actor Matthew McConaughey and Apprentice-winning Bill Rancic, who were both there to cheer on their significant others (Camila Alves and Giuliana Rancic, respectively).

Many of the participants have a personal connection to heart disease, which motivated them to become involved in the show. "It turned out to be a lot of fun---now that it is over," The Today Show's Ann Curry, who was stunning in Carmen Marc Valvo (see slideshow below), told Luxist. "It wasn't so much fun leading up to it because I was kind of nervous. I have never done anything like this before."

Macy's Culinary Council's Celebrity Chefs Offer Valentine's Day Recipes

Filed under: Dining

Macy's Culinary Council's Wolfgang Puck offers favorite recipe for Valentine's Day

Macy's Culinary Council, which includes some of the best known chefs in the world from Wolfgang Puck (above) to Nancy Silverton, have offered us some of their favorite recipes for celebrating Valentine's Day. From a goat cheese fondue to a butterscotch budino with caramel sauce, these recipes are bound to make your Valentine's Day entertaining a special one.

Chef Rick Bayless suggests serving his famous "Red Hot Margaritas". The recipe calls for Ferrara Red Hots, which provide the kick. The chef's recipe for the limeade can be used for other types of margaritas as well. "We were trying to come up with a margarita for our winter bar menu at Frontera Grill," says Bayless. "So we were thinking mulling spices...bright red color... and then someone said it: 'The drink should taste like a liquid version of those Red Hot candies.' Bingo."

Chef Takashi Yagihashi, proprietor of Takashi Restaurant in Chicago, suggests making his intensely flavorful Curry Kaffir Lime Soup recipe, which is best served to guests in little cupfuls. It can be passed as an appetizer, with colorful garnishes on toothpicks for a complete dipping and sipping experience. Kaffir lime leaves gives this soup its floral aroma and flavor.

Raul Melgoza Shares his Inspiration for Luca Luca's Fall Collection at Fashion Week (Exclusive)

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Design

Raul Melgoza Shares his Inspiration for Luca Luca's Fall Collection to Debut at Fashion Week

Raul Melgoza, the Creative Director at Luca Luca whose Fall 2011 Collection will debut at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York next week, is not your run-of-the-mill fashion designer. Not by a long shot.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Melgoza has a resume that would likely impress the suits on Wall Street just as much as the creative types in the fashion industry.

After earning a degree in finance from University of Southern California, Melgoza worked for American Express's financial advisory division before taking a position with the U.S. Treasury. But he has known since he was a young boy that he would one day end up in fashion.

"When I was seven or so, I remember watching an episode of the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous with Robin Leach that featured Oscar de la Renta," Melgoza told Luxist. "Being of Latin descent, I immediately felt connected to this man and to this world that I did not know existed."

Later on, while attending business school, Melgoza took a marketing class and became aware that he could converge his interest in art and design and his knowledge of commerce. "That led me to research design schools," he recalls. "I knew that business was just a foundation and that I didn't want to do it for the rest of my life."

The Plaza in New York Offers iPads in all Guest Rooms and Suites (with Video)

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Plaza in New York Offers iPads in all Guest Rooms and Suites

The Plaza is offering iPads in each of its guest rooms and suites. The program, which launched in January, makes the landmark hotel on Central Park South the first hotel in the world to provide guests services and room controls using iPads and Intelity's ICE (Interactive Customer Experience) software to all of its guests.

The Plaza's iPads feature a multimedia video welcome and provide guests easy, touch screen access to control their entire hotel experience. At the touch of a screen, guests are able to order room service, make restaurant reservations, communicate directly with the concierge, request wake-up calls, explore NYC destination guides, and even check airline schedules and print boarding passes (which are promptly delivered to their room). Guests can even use the iPad to control the lights in their room as well as the heat and air conditioning systems.

"Before in the guest rooms, we had another digital panel that controlled the lights, the temperature and some guest services," Shane Krige, general manager of The Plaza explained to Luxist. "But it wasn't sophisticated enough for what we wanted to do. So we teamed up with Intelity to devise the software for the program."

Alain Ducasse's Benoit New York Featuring Truffles Throughout February

Filed under: Dining, Wine

Alain Ducasse's Benoit New York Featuring Truffles in February

Benoit New York, the highly acclaimed French bistro that is part of the Alain Ducasse restaurant empire, is offering fresh black Périgord truffles throughout the month of February. The truffles can be shaved over any dish offered on the menu that features classic French bistro cuisine for a supplemental cost of $9 for 5 grams, which is the actual cost to the restaurant. The truffle pairing will be available through the end of February.

Benoit Executive Chef Philippe Bertineau suggests enjoying the truffle garnish atop a selection of dishes. In addition to the Maine Lobster Salad and Tarte Flambée, the truffle shavings work well with the Filet Mignon and Hand-chopped Beef Tartare.

"One of the dishes I recommended serving with truffles is our Seasonal Local Vegetable Cookpot," says Chef Philippe Bertineau told Luxist. "The Cookpot is an oven-to-table porcelain dish that Alain Ducasse created with designer Pierre Tachon specifically for cooking and serving vegetables. It's a modern adaptation of the traditional cooking pot used in France's rural regions, and all of Chef Ducasse's restaurants around the world offer a seasonal vegetable Cookpot dish that's composed of local vegetables."

"For the Cookpot at Benoit, we wanted to create a vegetarian dish using root vegetables---our version includes parsnips, carrots, potatoes, sunchokes, rutabaga, celery root, butternut squash and chestnuts layered over a mushroom duxelles and finished with fresh black truffle," adds Chef Bertineau, the former Executive Chef of Balthazar who joined Benoit in October. "All of the vegetables are cooked together and served in the Cookpot, and it's a wonderful dish for the wintertime."

Valentine's Day Gifts for Men by David Yurman

Filed under: Jewelry, Men's Style, Luxury Shopping

Valentine's Day Gifts for Men by David Yurman
Valentine's Day is a romantic occasion for both men and women. So why is it that men have always gotten short-changed when it comes to special gifts, especially jewelry? We think the time has come to honor the men in our lives.

Luxist asked David Yurman, creator of elegant jewelry (and the genius behind the iconic cable bracelet), to suggest a few pieces from his extensive men's collection, all of which would make wonderful gifts on Valentine's Day, in addition to any other special occasion.

"I've always felt that jewelry is one of the most personal and emotional gifts you can give your loved one," says designer David Yurman. "Perhaps one of the first pieces I created was a gift for my then girlfriend, now wife and muse Sybil, over thirty years ago. For this Valentine's Day I have designed a unique assortment for men that embody the spirit of the holiday."

If a bracelet is what you are looking for, Yurman offers a unique sterling silver and 18K yellow gold curb chain, which is part of the Exotic Stone Collection. The bracelet is available in a variety of stones, from black onyx ($1,800) to malachite ($2,100) and lapis ($2,500), which can be seen in the gallery below. The bracelets are 6 1/2" in length. The Rubber Weave Bracelet comes in gray, brown and blue, and retails for $295. From the Naturals Collection, the bracelet has a sterling silver sea urchin-texture clasp on a braided rubber bracelet. The bracelets are 8" in length and 8 mm in width.

Chocolate, Wine and Romance Weekends at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Waldorf Astoria's Chocolate, Wine & Romance Weekend
The Waldorf Astoria Orlando in Florida is offering weekend packages featuring chocolate, wine and romance, that provides the perfect opportunity for anyone wanting to celebrate Valentine's Day by escaping the cold winter weather.

These inaugural "Waldorf Astoria Chocolate, Wine & Romance Weekends," will be offered exclusively for overnight guests at the Orlando resort, during the weekends before and after Valentine's Day, including February 12-13 and February 19-20, 2011. During these weekends, where luscious chocolate and spicy wines take center stage, accommodations are available at rates starting at $289 on Feb. 12-13 and $309 on Feb. 19-20.

Guests who visit during the 'Chocolate, Wine & Romance Weekends' will enjoy several surprises and decadent diversions including:

• Bar du Chocolat: A Chocolate Extravaganza in which guests enjoy a nightly opportunity to experience nearly 30 a la carte chocolate treats from Waldorf Astoria's display of decadence. Peacock Alley will be transformed into a chocolate boudoir, offering an evening of self indulgence. Guests can choose from a selection of chocolate treats from the hotel's talented pastry team, including handmade chocolate truffles, exotic chocolate cakes, pillows of chocolate mousse, and bowls of beautiful bon-bons. Desserts will be priced by the piece.

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth's Maiden Call to New York (with Video)

Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth has her maiden call to New York on January 13, 2011.
Yesterday, New York was host to all three of Cunard Line's magnificent ships including the recently commissioned Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2. In honor of the historic occasion, the day was proclaimed "Cunard Royal Rendezvous Day" by Mayor Michael Bloomberg. The highlight of the historic event was a grand fireworks display, produced by Grucci, as the trio sailed past the Statue of Liberty as they began their respective journeys around the world (see video below).

Cunard has a long history with New York. "The great city of New York and Cunard Line have a history that is interwoven," says Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. "Our ships have called at New York more than any other port---with the first call being made by Cunard's Hibernia in 1845. Today marks another historic day, as our newest ship, Queen Elizabeth, marks her maiden call into New York, and we continue the legacy we have built with this city."

The ship's captain, Julian Burgess, has more than 30 years of experience at sea and nearly seven years of experience as captain. Burgess was most recently a captain with Princess Cruises. "This is my first Cunard ship and I am honored to be captain of Queen Elizabeth," Burgess told Luxist. "So many people have wonderful memories of the QE2 and there is such an interest in coming on the new Queen. She is very elegant and a great successor."

Luxist had the opportunity to tour the grand ship and found it to be beautiful, much like that of its slightly older sisters, Queen Mary 2 (winner of Luxist's Readers' Choice Award for Best Caribbean Cruise) and Queen Victoria. Remarkably, although Cunard is one of the oldest names in shipping, it operates the youngest fleet in the industry. Queen Elizabeth is the third new ocean liner to be introduced by Cunard in six years and it is the second largest Cunard ship ever built.

Bathe in Milk Chocolate for Valentine's Day at Auberge du Soleil

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley offers milk chocolate bath for Valentine's Day
Auberge du Soleil, California wine country's most luxurious country inn, has created the ultimate indulgence for its guests who also happen to be chocolate lovers.

During the month of February, its 7,000 square foot spa, which was built for the exclusive use of the inn's guests, is offering a milk chocolate bath for two in a private outdoor garden---of course while eating sumptuous desserts and sipping on a specially paired wine.

This antioxidant rich body treatment is supposed to stimulate the senses, soothe the mind, and rejuvenate the soul, according to Auberge du Soleil. The treatment begins with a delectable cacao and grape seed exfoliation. Guests then slip into a milk chocolate bath for two in a private outdoor garden while indulging in dessert and specially paired wine. Finally, the couple is given a full body massage using a decadent massage oil of chocolate and spice.

The cost of the treatment varies depending on the length of the massage. The treatment with a 90 minute massage costs $570 per couple, while a 90 minute long massage costs $760 per couple. The treatment is available throughout the entire month of February.

Cocoa di Vine chocolate wine

Cocoa di Vine chocolate wine
Planning on spending Valentines' Day with a chocoholic? Be sure to serve a chilled bottle of chocolate wine, which just hit the shelves and is the ultimate indulgence. Cocoa di Vine is a blend of velvety-smooth chocolate and luscious grape wine. The wine's chocolatey taste has undertones of vanilla and caramel and a silky finish.

The wine is an all-American indulgence. The wine's grapes and cocoa beans are from South America while the making of the chocolate is done at one of the top creameries in the United States. The wine is a blend of Torrontes, Pedro Ximenez, and Moscato. When poured, it resembles creamy chocolate milk with a kick, and is best served chilled. Its alcohol content is 14%.

Cocoa di Vine works well as a dessert wine and can be paired with cakes, cookies, and ice cream. It is also served as a cocktail and is growing in popularity among cocktail lounges across the country. It shouldn't be confused with Adult Chocolate Milk, which is made with actual chocolate milk that is combined with 40-proof vodka (covered by Luxist earlier this week).

Cocoa di Vine should be served within nine to twelve months if kept refrigerated, or within six months of stored at room temperature. It is produced by Opici Wines and distributed nationally with a suggested retail price of $11.99.

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