milan

Lamborghini Insecta Carbon Fiber Concept

The other day we told you about the eye-catching Audi Shark hovercar concept. Now here's an equally alluring Lamborghini design based on an insect. The carbon fiber-bodied Lamborghini Insecta concept (above) was created by Iulian Bumbu, a Romanian designer and graduate of the Alfa Romeo-sponsored Transportation Design Master Course at Milan's Scuola Politecnica di Design (SPD). As the name suggests, the Insecta concept was inspired by the world of insects, particularly the armored casings which protect beetles.

The Insecta's resemblance to a beetle's sheath is especially apparent viewed from the side and above. The Insecta is similar in dimension to Lamborghini's Gallardo, though it is lower and wider with a slightly longer wheelbase. It gets its power from the same 5.0 liter V10 engine and drivetrain found in the Gallardo, but the design enhancements and use of carbon fiber make it lighter and faster. A glass engine cover seamlessly blends into the glass roof providing a clear view of the mid-mounted engine for optimum visual appeal.

[Diseno-art via Luxuo]

Gallery: Lamborghini Insecta Concept

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Tags: Alfa Romeo, AlfaRomeo, Concept car, ConceptCar, Iulian Bumbu, IulianBumbu, Lamborghini, Lamborghini Gallardo, LamborghiniGallardo, Milan

Amid Financial Turmoil, Ferre Showcases Fierce Fashion

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

There was a lot of drama going on this week in Milan and the clothes were just part of it. First there was the Roberto Cavalli's announcement that the Just Cavalli show was canceled. Then rumors swirled that luxury brand Gianfranco Ferré, which is owned by the same company Itierre, which has filed for bankruptcy, might also not show. But show they did and Roberto Rimondi and Tommaso Aquilano, the creative directors of the line, put on a hard-edged show of serious fashion. The models strode the runway with high poufs of hair, thickly drawn black brows and not a smile in the line up as they showcased velvet and satin at their least frivolous. Sculpted suits nipped in tightly at the waist with gleaming metal belts and the shoulders were pulled out into hard points. Even the ruffles looked dangerous. If the Marc Jacobs show at New York Fashion Week brought back the colorful fun side of the 1980s, this show showcased another side, a new version of Dynasty chic.

Gallery: Ferre for Fall 09

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Tags: fashion, gianfranco fere, GianfrancoFere, milan

Beckhams Borrow Clooney's Lake Como Villa

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Sports

George Clooney is quite a pal. According to Hello magazine, the movie star just lent his lavish $6 million villa on Italy's famed Lake Como (above) to soccer superstar David Beckham and his wife Victoria. Beckham, whose taste for the finer things in life has been often noted here, is being fought over by two soccer teams, the LA Galaxy and Italy's AC Milan. The Beckhams will take some relaxing time out at the villa while waiting to see the if LA Galaxy will release him from his contract and allow a transfer to AC Milan, the magazine reports. "George has really taken David under his wing since the transfer trouble started," they note.

The luxurious villa, which has played host to many of Clooney's superstar pals, is just half an hour away from the Beckhams' base in Milan. Clooney, 47, and Beckham, 33, became friends after being introduced by Giorgio Armani, (whose underwear ads the Beckhams star in), at the Met Ball in New York last May. Luxe Lake Como, where scenes from the last two James Bond movies were shot, has long been a favorite retreat for Italy's rich and famous and the international jetset. As we mentioned last month, the contents of late designer Gianni Versace's villa there are being auctioned off by Sotheby's in March.

Tags: Celebrity, David Beckham, DavidBeckham, George Clooney, GeorgeClooney, Gianni Versace, GianniVersace, Giorgio Armani, GiorgioArmani, Italy, James Bond, JamesBond, Lake Como, LakeComo, Milan, Soccer, Victoria Beckham, VictoriaBeckham

Just Cavalli Fashion Show Canceled

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

The economy just might be getting to Roberto Cavalli. He convened a press conference in Milan, Italy to cancel the show for his secondary line Just Cavalli, a press conference that the Guardian referred to as a temper tantrum. The Just Cavalli line is controlled by IT Holdings, a company which sought bankruptcy protection from its creditors Thursday.

Roberto Cavalli expressed his displeasure at not being able to have the show. He seemed very frustrated by the fact that the company was making 240 million euros in annual turnover over a year ago but was now in trouble. He stated that he felt very emotionally attached to the line. IT Holding owns several other Italian labels including Gianfranco Ferré, C'N'C Costume National and Versace Sport. Just Cavalli was a sexier line aimed at younger women and featured Kate Moss in one of its advertising campaigns. The main line Roberto Cavalli will show at the end of the week. Check out the designs from the last Just Cavalli show in the gallery below.

Gallery: Just Cavalli

Scenes from last fall's Just Cavalli Show

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Tags: fashion show, FashionShow, just cavalli, JustCavalli, milan, roberto cavalli, RobertoCavalli

Milan's Luxury Shopping Blues

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

The economic crisis has reached the streets of Milan where the AFP reports that sales in the posh shopping area surrounding Montenapoleone street are way down. The Italian shops are discounting merchandising, launching more affordable lines and scaling back new store openings. Even at Prada, discounts are up to 40 percent. Part of the problem is that Russian buyers have cut off their orders for Italian goods. Knitwear maker Lineapiu sought bankruptcy protection early this month and other companies are seeking new deals and investors to help them stay afloat in the changing world of Italian luxury.

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Tags: fashion, italy, luxury, milan, prada

Milan's Poor Get Caviar For Christmas

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Milan's poor citizens are getting a special treat this year, caviar for Christmas. Officials in Milan seized 88 pounds of contraband beluga caviar from smugglers recently Instead of destroying the haul worth over $550,000, they are donating it to the Red Cross, Franciscan monks, care homes and organizations which prepare Christmas food for the homeless and poor around Milan. The Daily Mail reports that the banned beluga caviar is being served in portions more generous than those in fancy restaurants. The caviar was found in the refrigerator of a private house and several people have been arrested in the case.

Tags: beluga, caviar, milan

Armani to Open Hotel in Milan

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Back in September my colleague Deirdre Woollard reported that the largest Giorgio Armani boutique in the world was opening in the designer's hometown of Milan. Now Armani has begun construction on a hotel there as well, located in an historic building designed by architect Enrico A. Griffini in 1937 that also houses an Armani store. "I feel a very special involvement in the project for the Armani Hotel Milano as it is located here, in my hometown," Armani tells Vogue UK.

"Every aspect of the hotel is a reflection of my aesthetic philosophy, and its position, above the Manzoni 31 concept store, will offer my guests the chance to experience a complete Armani lifestyle. I believe the hotel's design will perfectly fit the spirit of Milan as a capital of style, whilst offering a new experience of hospitality within its fashion district." The world's first Armani hotel is slated for Dubai, and plans are also underway for a London branch.

Tags: Armani, Giorgio Armani, GiorgioArmani, Hotel, Milan

World's Finest Rolex Collection Up for Auction

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches, Auctions

One of the world's finest collections of rare vintage and classic Rolex watches will take place in Milan in March. The collection, amassed by Italian Rolex enthusiast Davide Blei, is not the largest Rolex collection in the world but may well be the finest, on account of its unprecedented level of quality and exclusivity.

Blei acquired only "exquisite, rare and unique" examples of Rolex models, stressing quality over quantity and buying only the very best. The auction will be conducted by the newly formed Patrizzi auction house, and a preview is being held at Asprey in London next week.

The highlight of the sale is a pink gold "Stelline" Oyster Perpetual Chronometer with star indexes, estimated at $ 260,000 – $320,000.
Another standout is this stainless steel "Paul Newman" Cosmograph Daytona with white dial, black subdials and applied gold indexes, estimated at $58,000 – $87,000.

[Patrizzi via Hodinkee]

Tags: Milan, Rolex, Rolex Daytona, RolexDaytona

Moschino's Milan Hotel

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The latest designer to have a hotel concept will be Moschino. The Maison Moschino will be located in Milan, Italy in the old neoclassical railway station on Viale Monte Grappa. The four-story building will hold 54 rooms and 15 suites each with its own unique look. Rossella Jardini and the Moschino creatives are designing the space themselves with whimsical fairy-tale rooms like the petal bedroom shown at right. The hotel will also have a bar, restaurant, gym and spa. Opening is planned for 2009.

[via Vogue UK]

Gallery: Designer Hotels

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Tags: designer, hotel, italy, milan, moschino

Armani Opens Largest Boutique In Milan

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

It's a good time to go shopping in Milan, Italy. Not only did Tom Ford open a store over the summer but Via Montenapoleone is now home to the biggest Giorgio Armani boutique in the world. The new store is in the Palazzo Taverna the historic home of Milanese poet Carlo Porta.

Sfilate gives us a peek inside Armani's new domain. The store is over 21,000 square feet and has three floors. The ground floor houses accessories and clothing for women, Giorgio Armani Privé fragrances and Crema Nera and Skin Minerals skincare products. Armani Casa objects have been designed exclusively for the store and will only be sold in this location.

The first floor is the men's emporium featuring clothing and accessories with special spaces reserve for the Classic Giorgio Armani and Made to Measure lines. The second floor is devoted to evening wear and accessories for women and luxury goods including Giorgio Armani Privé precious jewels and Giorgio Armani Borgo 21 watches. The store is done up in sleek black lacquer and dove gray fabric. The post on Sfilate has a few pictures which show small racks of clothing dramtically placed against pale backdrops surrounded by black.

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Tags: armani, entertainment-awards, fashion, italy, milan

Versace Ltd. Edition Lamborghini to be Available in Fall

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos

The limited-edition Lamborghini by Versace which we first wrote about plans for in 2006 is finally going into production for fall. The car, which will be a convertible in contrast to the coupe originally developed, will be a bright pastel white with a black-and-white leather interior. The price of the special-order Murciélago LP 640 Roadster Versace has yet to be named, but expect to pay a healthy premium above the model's already hefty base price of $358,000. The V12 roadster, designed by Donatella Versace and just unveiled in Milan during Men's Fashion Week, will feature a see-through engine bay cover and the fashion house's signature Greek key motif on the doors, front fascia and nappa leather seats. Versace has also designed an accompanying line of black calfskin accessories including luggage, wallet, gloves, driving shoes, hat and even a pair of leather jeans all bearing an engraved metal Lamborghini Versace tag.

[via Kempt & Autoblog]

Gallery: Lamborghini MurciÃ©lago by Versace

Tags: Donatella Versace, DonatellaVersace, Italian design, Italian fashion, ItalianDesign, ItalianFashion, Lamborghini, Milan, Supercars, Versace

Donatella Versace Inspired By Barack Obama

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Fashion designer Donatella Versace took a timely inspiration for her latest fashion show. The woman who once said she wanted to dress Hillary Clinton in more feminine outfits and less pantsuits has turned her attention to Barack Obama. Versace dedicated her Spring-Summer 2009 collection presented Saturday evening to Obama. Of course she had some fashion tips for the Presidential candidate as well, she urged him to shed the tie and "jazz up the shirt." Her collection was certainly short on ties and long on jazzy colors, offering suit jackets with double lapels or no lapels at all, slim shiny trousers and shirts in summery pastel shades of pale blue, lemon yellow and lavender.

[Thanks, Lana]

Gallery: Versace Men's Spring/Summer 09

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Tags: barack obama, donatella versace, DonatellaVersace, fashion, italy, menswear, milan, runway show, RunwayShow

Versace Opens Milan Furniture Boutique

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

At the start of Milan's Furniture Salon fair, Versace returned to home turf showing their new furniture collection at the the Italian designer's show apartment in a 15th century palazzo. Reuters reports that the apartment was divided into theme rooms devoted to cities such as Tokyo, Rome and Los Angeles. They've even stretched away from the classic Versace black and white with silver or gold accents by adding other colors to the collections. The Versace Medusa's head logo is still integrated into many of the designs. The new Versace Home boutique opened in Milan on Wednesday. The gallery below features a couple pictures from the Gianni Versace Cocktail and Boutique Opening including what just might be my favorite picture of Donatella Versace ever.

Gallery: Versace Furniture Show Milan

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Tags: decor, decor-awards, designer, expire-images2009-4-18, furniture, milan, versace

Clever Jewel Theives Tunnel Their Way To Millions in Milan

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

It's not as impressive as the Harry Winston job last year but the thieves who raided Damiani jewelry's showroom in Milan on Sunday earn points for ingenuity. BBC News reports that the thieves dug an underground tunnel to a Milan showroom and then seven men, dressed as police, came through a cellar wall, tied up the staff and stole several million euros of jewelry in just a few minutes. Many of the showroom's best items weren't there they were in Los Angeles getting their red carpet moment at the Oscars. The men were reportedly unarmed. They tied up the staff up with plastic cable and sticky tape, locked everyone in the bathroom except the manager, who was forced to empty the lockers. The thieves left few traces of their crime behind and it appears to be a very professional job.

Gallery: Jewels Gone Missing

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Tags: damiani, diamonds, italy, jewels, milan, theft

Designer Fly Swatters

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

If you're looking for a unique and humorous stocking stuffer gift for a loved one that's still somewhat useful, perhaps a designer fly swatter would fit the bill? These swatters available from Charles & Marie are pretty basic in material (being made of typical plastic) but the unique angle is noticed when you look closer: the design of the swatter is modeled after a mini street map of Milan, Italy. Created by designer Nicoletta as part of her Pandora Design line these would make a great gift for someone crazy into fashion, crazy into European travel, or just crazy into killing flies. $15

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Tags: fly, holidash, italian, italy, milan, Nicoletta, swat, swatter, swatters