richard branson

Miranda Kerr, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley & More Go Nude at Necker Island

Filed under: Books

The world's sexiest new supermodels pose sans clothes at Richard Branson's Necker Island paradise in a massive new monograph from famed photographer Russell James. V2 from uber-luxe publisher teNeues showcases the girls James believes will be the superstars of the new era, including Miranda Kerr, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Candice Swanepoel and Brooklyn Decker (on the cover, above). The Australian lensman, a connoisseur of the female form, has shot numerous ad campaigns for Victoria's Secret as well as sizzling spreads for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue. In V2 he presents the gifted goddesses in the natural splendor of Necker Island, Vrigin mogul Richard Branson's luxe tropical retreat. We're sure Branson was only too happy to play host to the bevy of naked beauties. See the gallery for an SFW preview (you'll have to buy the book to get the full treatment).

Gallery: Russell James: V2

Tags: books, Brooklyn Decker, Candice Swanepoel, coffee table books, Island, Miranda Kerr, models, Necker Island, nude, photography, Richard Branson, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Russell James, supermodels, teNeues, Victorias Secret

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

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

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.

Tags: AOL Small Business, AOL small business features, Crosby Street Hotel, iPad, Jeff Bridges, Oscar, Project, Richard Branson, Rod Kurtz, Virgin Group

Continue reading “Sir Richard Branson Launches World's First Digital Magazine for the iPad”

Sir Richard Branson to Serve as an Air Asia Stewardess

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings, Charity, Men's Style, Wealth

t may not be what everyone would call a good time, but if your sense of adventure includes being served cocktails by one of the world's richest men dressed in a skirt, then head on over to Air Asia. Because in short order, they'll have none other than Sir Richard Branson serving as a stewardess aboard one of their flights.

The development resulted from a friendly bet between two Formula One team owners: Branson and his Virgin Racing team on one hand, and Tony Fernandes and his Lotus Racing team on the other. Both are newcomers to the sport, and both own their own airlines (Virgin Atlantic and Air Asia, respectively). So they made a little wager: whoever's team fared worse in this, their first season on the grid, would have to serve as a flight attendant – in drag – on the other's airline.

Having won the bet, Fernandes plans to place Branson on a long-haul flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to London, England – a flight for which he'll be selling tickets to raise money for charity.

Source

Tags: air asia, branson, flight attendant, richard branson, sir richard branson, stewardess, tony fernandes, virgin

Who Should Play Sir Richard Branson In New Movie?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Variety is reporting that David Mirkin who wrote "The Simpsons Movie" is the person who will handle film adaptation of billionaire Sir Richard Branson's memoir "Losing My Virginity." Steven Paul acquired the rights from Branson and is producing the through Junction Films along with Mirkin. Acording to the article in Variety, Branson has already been cooperating with interviews for the movie which centers around his autobiography which was published in 1998 and updated in 2005.

Who should play Branson in the movie? Whoever it is should be willing to recreate some of Branson's most infamous stunts and be equally comfortable in drag as riding in hot-air balloons. My choice, British actor Paul Bettany. He's got the look and the athleticism and I think he could capture Branson's brilliant wackiness. That's not Branson's choice though. In an interview recently when answering the question of who should play him in a movie of his life he choose "Twilight" star Robert Pattinson because "he's English ... and he's young!"

Branson meanwhile has entered the world of film production with his new company Virgin Produced. His first project is with McG, a "300-style" movie based on the voyages of Christopher Columbus.

Tags: richard branson, sir richard branson, virgin

Richard Branson Dedicates Spaceport America's First Runway

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wings

Sir Richard Branson was all smiles in New Mexico on October 22 as he and Governor Bill Richardson were on hand to open the world's first commercial spaceport in New Mexico. Spaceport America will be used by Virgin Galactic, Branson's space tourism company. The first commercial flights from the spaceport are planned to happen within the next 18 months.

The event included a fly by with an aircraft carrying SpaceShip Two, the spacecraft which recently had its first solo test flight. For Branson, this is the realization of a long-held dream and Richardson proclaimed the event "a great day for the state of New Mexico." Tickets for the suborbital space rides aboard SpaceShipTwo cost $200,000 and the 150-minute flights will give space tourists around five minutes of weightlessness. Virgin Galactic has said that it already has more than $50 million in reservations for the flights.

One downside is that, as AOL News reported, a recent study shows that space travel could ramp up the speed of global warming. The engines on these ships produce more black carbon than normal engines and if the company launches regular, frequent space trips, the ships could deposit a layer of soot high in the stratosphere. The effects of regular space travel on ozone production could be seen in just 10 years.

Check out video of the dedication featuring Governor Richardson and Sir Richard Branson after the jump.

Tags: bill richardson, Richard Branson, sir richard branson, spaceport america, Virgin Galactic

Continue reading “Richard Branson Dedicates Spaceport America's First Runway”

Richard Branson's Kasbah Tamadot: Tacky or Fabulous?

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

There is such a fine line between tacky and spectacular -- sometimes over-designed is over-the-top and sometimes it just makes you feel, well, over it.

I was musing on this distinction as I toured Kasbah Tamadot, Sir Richard Branson's Moroccan hotel, a few weeks ago.

The setting, it has to be said, is uncontroversially spectacular. It's about an hour from Marrakech in a town called Asni. This is in the Atlas Mountains, and it's not a well-developed area for luxury travelers. (Most of whom stay in plush accommodations in the city and make Atlas Mountain forays -- which in fact is what I was doing, at the decidedly fabulous La Mamounia.) If you want to stay in style in the Atlas Mountains, this is your hotel. But you've really got to like it, because once you're there, you're really there. If you want other high-end dining, spa or shopping options, you're driving the winding road to Marrakech.

Kasbah Tamadot offers suites of the traditional variety, and then there are the Berber Tent suites, which have their own private decks and plunge pools. "Restrained" would still not be the word I'd use for the décor, but the color palette is more towards the khaki and cream, and the tents skip some of the touches in the other rooms that set my tacky-o-meter aquiver -- like pillows upholstered in pinkish-purplish feathers. Yes, a tent's what I'd book if I were to stay here. But do check out the gallery and see what you think.

Gallery: Kasbah Tamadot: Tacky or Fabulous?

But It's Hard to Argue With This View...

Tags: la mamounia, marrakech, MarrakechHotel, Morocco, Richard Branson

Branson Bails On Kitesurfing Attempt, Plans To Try Again

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Few people embody the saying "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again" more than British entrepreneur Richard Branson. Branson is as famous for his daredevil stunts as for his Virgin branded companies including Virgin Galactic and Virgin America. But often his record-setting feats take a few attempts. The AP reports that Branson had to give up his attempt to kitesurf across the English Channel on Tuesday because of rough seas and high winds.

The stunt was an event to celebrate Branson's 60th birthday last month. He was five miles out to sea when his support boats were forced to turn back. Branson and his his fellow kite-surfers, including his children, Holly and Sam and nephew Ivo along with a support team, relatives and friends, were over an hour into the four-hour journey. They were headed for northern French port of Boulogne. According to the AP story, Branson said that while it was great conditions for kitesurfing it was bad conditions for the boats and too dangerous for them to continue. Writing on Twitter Branson said that he plans to try again on Wednesday adding that "I don't think I've ever done an adventure where I've succeeded the first time. I'm looking forward to getting the job done tomorrow." Should he succeed he will be the oldest person to cross the Channel by kitesurfing. He's also hoping to set a record for the fastest crossing by a kitesurf team. Kitesurfing is a sport that has risen rapidly in popularity during recent years. It is similar to windsurfing but with a smaller board and instead of mast and sail, there is a large kite which can be steered.

Tags: KiteBoarding, KiteSurfing, richard branson

Branson Debuts New Submarine

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wings

You'd think Richard Branson might be busy conquering space but he's got plans to explore the sea as well. His Virgin Limited Edition has unveiled the Necker Nymph, a DeepFlight three-person aero submarine. The craft was built by Graham Hawkes, of Hawkes Ocean Technologies. The open cockpit winged sub is bit like an underwater airplane. Unlike conventional subs which use ballast to sink, the Necker Nymph (named after Branson's Necker Island) uses downward 'lift' perhaps a bit similar to the way an airplane uses its wings to sustain loft. The Nymph is available to those staying on Necker Island or chartering the 105-foot catamaran Necker Belle. Dives can last up to two hours. Guests will be trained/accompanied by a certified Necker Nymph pilot. It was was designed specifically for Necker Belle, but can also be launched from shore. When taking Necker Belle for 7-nights' exclusive hire, the sub is available at a weekly rate of $25,000.

[via Engadget]

Tags: NeckarNymph, necker island, necker nymph, NeckerIsland, NeckerNymph, richard branson, RichardBranson

Victoria's Secret Girls Invade Necker Island

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

When the new Victoria's Secret swim catalog shows up in your mailbox you may recognize the exotic locale - it was shot at Virgin mogul Richard Branson's Necker Island luxury retreat in the British Virgin Islands. Then again if you're not actually in the market for a bikini you may be transfixed by the bathing beauties, especially cover model Lindsay Ellingson (far left). Of the experience, the quintessential California girl avowed, "It's the most beautiful place I've ever been. We shot the cover in the evening during sunset. It was really a magical setting." Of course you can book your own stay at Necker Island, part of Virgin's Limited Edition collection of luxurious escapes, but don't expect a gaggle of half-naked supermodels to be permanently in residence.

Tags: beach, British Virgin Islands, BritishVirginIslands, catalog, Lindsay Ellingson, LindsayEllingson, model, Necker Island, NeckerIsland, Richard Branson, RichardBranson, swimsuit, Victorias Secret, VictoriasSecret, Virgin

Richard Branson's Luxe New Retreat Near NYC

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Sir Richard Branson's plans for a luxe new retreat in New Jersey, which we first wrote about back in 2005, are finally coming to fruition. When completed the complex will consist of a culinary center, resort, spa and private club called Natirar 45 minutes from New York City. Situated on a beautiful 500-acre estate that was once the King of Morocco's summer home, and centered on a historic 40-room 1912 mansion (above), the first phase of the property is the just-opened Ninety Acres at Natirar Culinary Center, housing a restaurant, bar / lounge, cooking school, wine school and working farm. The resort will open this summer with guest cottages, a media room, a 4,000-square foot swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness facility, croquet pitch and greenhouses. Horseback riding and fly-fishing will be among the activities on offer. The invitation-only Club at Natirar will give members unfettered access to all the property's delights. The plan is for Natirar to eventually be the first U.S. outpost of Branson's Virgin Limited Edition Collection of luxury retreats.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: club, historic houses, HistoricHouses, Morocco, Natirar, New Jersey, New York, NewJersey, NewYork, Richard Branson, RichardBranson, Virgin

Charter Richard Branson's Carbon Fiber Catamaran

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Wealth

Want to go cruising in the Caribbean like a fun-loving mega-mogul? Starting next month you can now charter Virgin founder Richard Branson's 105-ft. catamaran, the Necker Belle (above), for $88,000 per week. The carbon fiber craft, which just underwent a two-year refit at Australia's Azzura Marine, is capable of over 20 knots while under sail and 18 knots under power. The yacht can accomodate up to 10 guests in four en suite staterooms and the main cabin's lounge area, which can be converted to a double cabin, as well as a crew of seven. The modern, beach-house style interior modeled on Branson's Necker Island retreat in the British Virgin Islands features a wine cellar and there's an open-air cinema as well.

[via JamesList]

Tags: carbon fiber, CarbonFiber, Caribbean, catamaran, Necker Island, NeckerIsland, Richard Branson, RichardBranson, yacht

Will Richard Branson Buy Playboy?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Can Richard Branson be the new Hugh Hefner? Rumors are flying that the VIrgin Media tycoon is interested in the Playboy empire. The company has been allegedly shopped around for $300 million even though the market value is perceived to less than $100 million. Part of the reason for wide difference in figures is because the company wants to make sure that any deal will help Playboy's 83-year-old founder maintain his lavish lifestyle. Although one of Hugh Hefner's homes is on the market for nearly $28 million there is still main Playboy mansion and its tremendous upkeep to consider. He remains the editor of Playboy magazine and has said he wants to pass down his interest in the company to his teenage sons Marston and Cooper.

While Hefner's lifestyle has burdened the company his public recognition has also been a major part of keeping interest in Playboy Enterprises. The good thing about Branson in charge versus some faceless equity company is that you would have another charismatic man at the helm. Branson also excels at using his lifestyle and his appearances to further his businesses and he also has a wide variety of businesses which could partner with Playboy.

UPDATE: Looks like the Playboy/Virgin empire will forever exist only in our minds.

Source

Tags: hugh hefner, HughHefner, playboy, richard branson, RichardBranson

The World's Hottest Billion-Heiresses

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

Forbes has just taken a look at the world's most promising billion-heiresses, introducing us to our new favorite filthy rich twins, Kathrine and Cecilie Fredriksen (above). The 25-year-old blonde daughters of Norwegian shipping magnate John Fredriksen, who's worth $4 billion, each have a seat on the board of directors of their father's companies. Kathrine became a board member of oil trading company Arcadia Petroleum earlier this year.

Cecilie has been on the board of Aktiv Kapital since 2006. The twins, based in London, have worked on various parts of their father's oil and shipping empire for several years. Others featured in Forbes' survey of 25 well-heeled hotties include Marta Ortega Perez, daughter of Spain's richest man - featured in our billion-heiresses post from last year (pictures here), Sir Richard Branson's daughter Holly and of course Ivanka Trump. Click here for a slideshow.

Tags: billionaires, Forbes, heiress, Ivanka Trump, IvankaTrump, John Fredriksen, JohnFredriksen, Richard Branson, RichardBranson

F1 Drivers Line Up for Virgin Galactic Space Flight

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Wings

You'd figure that after winning grands prix and driving the fastest cars on the planet, an accomplished F1 driver would have had his fill of extreme Gs and rapid acceleration, but these are speed junkies, and they're always looking for a new adventure. That could be why two seasoned F1 pros are lining up, among the myriad celebrities and billionaires, to experience a low-orbit space flight with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic.

Sponsoring the winning Brawn GP car at this past weekend's race in Bahrain, Virgin Galactic announced their two latest recruits: Rubens Barrichello and Niki Lauda. Barrichello, who is second in the standings for the F1 world championship this year, has already paid the $200,000 for his ticket on one of Virgin's space flights, which Branson delivered in person at the race. Three-time world champion Niki Lauda, however, is planning to take it even further by undertaking training, at age 60, to pilot the Virgin spacecraft and take other paying tourists up into space. Lauda already owns his own airline and sometimes pilots the flights himself, but even for the driver who's been to hell and back, this should be a new adventure altogether.

Source

Tags: branson, brawn gp, BrawnGp, f1, f1 drivers, F1Drivers, formula one, FormulaOne, lauda, niki lauda, NikiLauda, richard branson, RichardBranson, rubens barrichello, RubensBarrichello, virgin, virgin brawn, virgin galactic, VirginBrawn, VirginGalactic

Christian Slater Stays At Richard Branson's South African Resort

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Charity

Actor Christian Slater was recently given the honor of the inaugural stay at the latest lodge to open at Richard Branson's Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa. Cliff Lodge is located at Ulusaba's Rock Lodge and has two one-bedroom suites. The larger of the two suites is a one-bedroom with two additional small pull-out beds, an en-suite bathroom, separate kitchen, private dining area, a bar, a spacious lounge, outdoor deck with a braai area and a large swimming pool. It also has a smaller second bedroom/study which can accommodate one adult or two small children. The second suite has a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, lounge area with fireplace and an outdoor deck with Jacuzzi. Access to the Cliff Lodge is via a wooden walkway from the main house of Rock Lodge giving guests who stay in Cliff Lodge added privacy. The two suites in Cliff Lodge can be booked exclusively accommodating a maximum of five adults and four children. Exclusive use includes the use of both suites, a private game drive vehicle and a chef. Rates start at around $1.350 a night for this unique getaway.

Slater's stay wasn't all pleasure, he was there in support of Virgin Unite, the nonprofit foundation of the Virgin Group, to visit a new classroom built at the Jeremiah Creche, which he, Branson and guests of Ulusaba and Leopard Hill's Lodge jointly funded. The creche is supported by Pride 'n Purpose, the charity arm of Ulusaba, and will benefit over 60 disadvantaged children living in the communities adjacent to the reserve. Ulusaba offers a 'Day in the Life' village tour for guests, which looks into some of the charitable projects Ulusaba supports.

Source

Tags: richard branson, RichardBranson, south africa, SouthAfrica, ulusaba

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