president obama

Tumi Launches 'Accent Your Alpha' Customization Program

Tumi Launches 'Accent Your Alfa' Customization Program

When President Obama selected a black leather Tumi laptop bag as his briefcase of choice, it merely confirmed that the brand has become the leader in premium business and travel accessories, a fact long known by serious sojourners. The company, which recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, has launched a personalization program for its flagship Alpha line of luggage in super-tough ballistic nylon, so your case really stands out in a crowd. The new "Accent Your Alpha" service lets road warriors and holiday travelers alike personalize their classic carriers by adding striking pops of color to monogram patches, luggage tags, zipper pulls, and more. The chic palette not only adds a dose of style but sets the personalized cases apart from the many Tumi imitators.

Tags: Barack Obama, briefcase, luggage, nylon luggage, Obama style, President Obama, suitcase, Tumi, Tumi Alpha

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel's Presidential Suite Revealed

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Last week, President Obama was the first guest in the newly renovated 13 room presidential suite at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai and the hotel has released an image of the suite. The visit was part of the President's Asian tour. The Presidential suite had been damaged in the terrorist attacks two years ago on November 26. Since those events much of the hotel had been under repair and renovation. The 15,000-square-foot-suite includes the dramatic domed living room shown above which has a gold stenciled ceiling and a dramatic crystal chandelier. The suite also has a gym, a business center and a 10-seat dining room.

In the hotel guest book, the President wrote that the United States "stands in solidarity with all of Mumbai and all of India in working to eradicate the scourge of terrorism, and we affirm our lasting friendship with the Indian people."

The hotel has 560 rooms including 44 suites. The hotel first opened in 1903 and has been host to royalty, celebrities and heads of state. The hotel combines Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles and offers views of the Arabian Sea. The decor melds Indian influences with luxurious touches including alabaster ceilings, onyx columns, silk carpets, crystal chandeliers and a multi-cultural art collection.

Tags: Barack Obama, mumbai, president obama, taj hotel, taj hotels, taj mahal, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Taj Mahal Palace Tower

The Fashion Statement: Indonesian Designer Meets First Lady

by Kristin Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: The Fashion Statement

This was a big week for Indonesian fashion designers. Not only did the President Obama make a stop in Jakarta, but he touched down right in the middle of Jakarta's fashion week. While the President was praising the ideals of democracy and development at the University of Indonesia, local designers were sending a parade of pieces down the runways hoping to establish Jakarta as a fashion hub in Asia. Backed by the Indonesian Fashion Designers Association, the goal is to catapult Indonesian designers to the international stage. So far they've mostly had success at home. Until now...

The Jakarta Globe reported this week that one designer hit the jackpot. Priyo Oktaviano snagged a chance to present the U.S. First Lady with one of his designs, a face-to-face meeting most stateside designers would KILL for! Oktaviano, who worked for Balenciaga early on in his career and is known for quirky and edgy designs, said he was contacted only six days prior to the meeting. He had one day to make a dress and a coat and he looked up Mrs. Obama's size on the Internet.

Tags: Indonesia, Jakarta Fashion Week, Mrs. Obama, President Obama, Priyo Oktaviano, Rihanna, Victoria Beckham Dresses

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Value of the White House Drops by $15.5 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Even the White House isn't immune to the nationwide housing slump - the famed presidential mansion in Washington D.C. plummeted in value by $15.5 million to $292.5 million over the past year, according to a new study by real estate site Zillow. This marks the second year in a row that the landmark's value has fallen, making for a total loss of $39.5 million since 2008, meaning it was once worth $332 million. Designed by Irish architect James Hoban, built in 1792 and much improved and expanded since, the gated residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue now stands at 55,000 square feet and sits on 18 landscaped acres. It also has 132 rooms including 16 bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, three kitchens, three elevators, 28 fireplaces and an underground bunker. Don't get to thinking that the loss is purely President Obama's, however - we the taxpayers actually own what is increasingly looking like a white elephant.

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Tags: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, 1600PennsylvaniaAvenue, President Obama, PresidentObama, Washington D.C., WashingtonD.c., White House, WhiteHouse

Rothko, Diebenkorn and Degas join Obama in the White House

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art, Celebrity Design

The world's latest Nobel Peace Prize winner also has excellent taste in art. President Barack Obama has skipped the staid portraits that are usually pulled to adorn White House walls and instead opted for three dozen pieces with a bit more of an edge. Works have been pulled from the National Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the Smithsonian American Art Museum to decorate the building the symbolizes executive authority in the United States.

The Obama family is definitely leaning modern, with Rothko, Degas and Diebenkorn among the artists represented. They've also included a word painting by Ed Ruscha. Not wanting to deprive the public of the opportunity to view works on display, the Obamas limited their choices to artwork in museum storage.

There's now a lot of money hanging from those White House walls. "Red Band" by Rothko, "Berkeley No. 52" by Diebenkorn and "White Line" by Sam Francis together are estimated to be worth between $20 million and $30 million. Throw a piece by Jasper Johns into the mix – specifically "Numerals, 0 through 9" – and you get a sense of the collection the Obamas have assembled.

Even with access to a collection of that caliber, though, I'd still never take Obama's job. And, there aren't enough Rothkos out there to change my mind.

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President Obama Checks In To The Beverly Hills Hilton

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Celebrity Shopping

Every President from John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton stayed in The Beverly Hilton's Presidential Suite and the tradition continues now that President Obama has spent the night there. The President is in Los Angeles as part of a tour of southern California that includes appearing on "The Tonight Show."

The Presidential Suite is a three-room suite that measures 1,870 square feet. It includes a master bedroom and living room and has views of Wilshire Boulevard. Amenities include two 42-inch plasma televisions and a 13-inch LCD screen in the spa bathroom as well as a patio, fireplace and library area. The suite is said to rent for $4,000 a night.

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Tags: barack obama, BarackObama, beverly hills hilton, BeverlyHillsHilton, president obama, PresidentObama

Miami Cigar Manufacturers Brace for SCHIP

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Cigars

President Obama wants to create jobs, yet he isn't too worried about some that already exist. Miami's cigar manufacturers are watching April 1, 2009 with grave concern. The new State Children's Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP) takes effect on that date, resulting in a 900 percent tax increase on every cigar made in the United States – or imported here.

What's at stake?

For Miami, it's the many people responsible for rolling 75 percent of the 272 million cigars rolled in this country. Manufacturers and retailers alike are bracing themselves. A tax that takes the surcharge on hecho a mano sticks from 4 cents to 40.26 cents is cause for alarm.

So, as my sergeant used to say, "Smoke if you got 'em." At this rate, you may not have 'em much longer ... or at least not as many.

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