uk

The Classicist: Is the Royal Warrant Losing Its Lustre?

A recent decision by two venerable British brands to drop the Royal Warrants from their packaging has occasioned some hand-wringing in the UK over whether the much-coveted distinction has lost its lustre. The Classicist calls it a tempest in a Royal Doulton teacup; read on to find out why. Only three royals are entitled to grant warrants – the Queen of England, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales – to firms who supply their royal requisites for at least five years, though most warrant holders have ties to Britain's royal family dating back several decades or more. Of course, Prince William will one day be granting his own.

Holders of the Royal Warrant include many of our favorite luxury brands – Asprey, Aston Martin, Bentley, Barbour, Burberry, Fortnum & Mason, Gieves & Hawkes, Holland & Holland, Hunter Boots, Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, Laphroaig, Lock & Co., Swaine Adeney Brigg, Smythson, Tanqueray and Turnbull & Asser – along with a host of lesser names, such as After Eight mints and Jacob's Cream Crackers. It is the latter two that have now decided to do without their warrants – though no insult is intended to the royal family, as it was when former Harrods owner Mohamed al Fayed burned his last year. That coupled with the results of a new survey showing that only 13% of respondents thought that warrants make any difference have called their usefulness into question, the London Guardian reports.

However, "It's hard to say that interest in royal warrants is conclusively on the wane," Vicky Bullen, chief executive of Coley Porter Bell, tells the paper, "because there is no existing data with which to make a comparison. However, consumers' apparent indifference to the royal warrants has surprised us. We can only surmise there could be a number of factors at play." Said factors, Bullen says, include "that we live in a less deferential society in which the royal family enjoys less prestige and political support." That of course is not exactly new, though the upcoming Royal Wedding may give them a boost. [cont'd]

Gallery: Holders of the Royal Warrant

Tags: Asprey, Aston Martin, Barbour, Bentley, British royalty, Burberry, Fortnum and Mason, Harrods, Holland Holland, Hunter Boots, Jaguar, John Lobb, Johnnie Walker, Land Rover, luxury brands, Mohamed al Fayed, Prince of Wales, Prince William, Queen of England, royal family, Royal Warrant, Royal Wedding, royalty, Smythson, Swaine Adeney Brigg, Tanqueray, UK

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Dunhill Carbon Fiber Games Compendium

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Men's Style

London luxury goods firm Dunhill has come out with the ultimate gentleman sports car enthusiast's accessory, a carbon fiber games compendium for $4,000. A masterpiece of understated, elegant design, at first glance its merely a sleek black box made of carbon fiber, resembling a type used in the latest supercars. The compendium is handmade by expert artisans exclusively for Alfred Dunhill and is inspired by some of the finest pieces in the firm's archive, originally made of saddle leather. Inside the box you'll find all the requisites for playing two traditional and well loved games: chess and backgammon. A folding two-sided playing board is also finished in carbon fiber, with stainless steel playing surfaces, a steel dice cup and anodized aluminum counters and pieces.

[via JustLuxe]

Tags: carbon fiber, Dunhill, games, London, UK

Josephine de la Baume is New Agent Provocateur Star

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Josephine de la Baume is New Agent Provocateur Star

With Valentine's Day in the offing luxe British lingerie brand Agent Provocateur has unveiled its new ad campaign for spring starring sultry French sexpot Josephine de la Baume. Set in a seedy hotel room, the images were shot by Swedish photographer Johan Renck. De la Baume, an actress and singer, is the girlfriend of musician Mark Ronson, who was recently seen partying the night away with Kate Moss at the Ritz in Paris. "Johan Renck takes a collection and an idea, and combines the two in an explosion of sexuality, playfulness and sense of humour," Agent Provovateur creative director Sarah Shotton tells Vogue UK. "Renck translates our desires into a campaign that shows our lingerie in a fantasy of real life. Josephine de la Baume is the ultimate Agent Provocateur woman: witty, gorgeous and confident. She is a natural femme fatale, a quality which effortlessly translates on screen." Check out the gallery for more pix and click here to watch a voyeuristic video.

Gallery: Josephine de la Baume for Agent Provocateur

Tags: ad campaigns, Agent Provocateur, fashion, lingerie, models, sex, UK, Valentines Day

Four Seasons London Reborn on Park Lane

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Architecture & Design

Four Seasons London Reborn on Park Lane
41 years ago this month Four Seasons opened the Inn on the Park in London's Mayfair, its first European property and one that would come to help define the brand as it expanded around the world. Now after a more than two-year hiatus during which time an entire new hotel was constructed on the existing site, the storied property has just been reborn as the Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane. The stylish new hotel, designed by Eric Parry, features larger rooms, more suites, a new restaurant / lounge concept, and meeting spaces. The hotel, which now has 192 rooms, including 45 one, two and three bedroom suites – the most lavish of which, the Presidential Suite, costs about $14,000 per night – is designed to feature every luxury amenity whilst retaining the intimate feel of a private residence.

The restaurant / lounge, Amaranto, is a series of three flow-through spaces wherein guests can choose when and where they want to dine, without restriction on seating times or particular menus. With its own entrance in Hamilton Place as well as direct lobby access, Amaranto offers an airy conservatory space and private garden for outdoor seating, a more clubby lounge area including an innovative peek-through wine wall that allows guests to follow sommeliers in action, and a soaring atrium highlighted by a hand-moulded sculpture wall with motifs inspired by nearby Hyde Park. In the next phase of the project the hotel plans to open a spa, fitness and lounge area on the top floor, with sweeping views across London.

Gallery: Four Seasons London at Park Lane

Tags: Four Seasons, hotel, Hyde Park, London, luxury hotel, Mayfair, spa, suites, UK

Mystery of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's New Victoria's Secret Ad Solved

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel

Mystery of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's New Victoria's Secret Campaign Solved

The British press has been rife with reports about stunning supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's sizzling new ad campaign for Victoria's Secret (above). The eye-popping shots have been making the rounds of the tabloid press as Huntington-Whiteley's stature grows in anticipation of her role in the upcoming flick Transformers 3; she also just landed on the cover of British Vogue. Not having heard of the new ads we did some research and discovered that the pix are in fact from a Body By Victoria campaign that she shot back in March 2010 with fellow Victoria's Secret Angels Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Chanel Iman and Lindsay Ellingson that somehow slipped under the radar. Of course, Huntington-Whiteley, who's said to be a cousin of the Queen of England, wasn't as famous then, though we were among the first to recognize her potential starting with this post back in 2008. You can thank us later; meanwhile feast your eyes on the rediscovered snaps from the famed lingerie firm.

Gallery: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley & Co. for Body By Victoria

Tags: ad campaign, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, celebrity, lingerie, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, supermodels, UK, Victorias Secret

The Classicist: Barbour Launches the Ltd. Edition Steve McQueen Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Sports, Men's Style, The Classicist

EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: Two icons of authentic sporting style come together in classic British outerwear brand Barbour's cool new limited edition collection designed in homage to the great Steve McQueen, set to launch this fall. In celebration of the 75th anniversary of their iconic International clothing range, which the King of Cool wore while motorcycle racing in the 1960s, the capsule collection of 19 pieces features several new jackets, shirts and sweaters inspired by archival photos of the actor racing motorbikes and driving his collection of classic sports cars. McQueen first donned a Barbour International jacket when he represented the United States team in the 1964 International Six Day Trials (ISDT) motorcycle race in East Germany. The ISDT (now known as the International Six Days Enduro), one of the most challenging moto racing events in the world, requires each rider to cover 200 miles a day over hellish terrain.

Prior to the event in '64 Steve McQueen and other members of U.S. team stopped off in London and bought six-pocket Barbour Internationals, derived from a one-piece racing suit first offered by the firm in 1936, as a defence against the vagaries of European weather. McQueen quickly became enamored of the International's weather-defying qualities and rugged utility, wearing it in several grueling moto races over the years. Classic images of McQueen in his Barbour grace the linings of the jackets in the new collection. Standout pieces include the Penton (above, $799) and Baker ($599) waxed cotton jackets featuring stars and stripes linings and U.S. flags on the left chest, faithfully recreating the jacket that McQueen wore in the '64 ISDT. Two other wax cotton jackets, the Trophy ($429) and the Greenham ($399), reflect McQueen's effortless style on and off the racecourse. [cont'd]

Gallery: Barbour Steve McQueen Collection

Tags: apparel, Barbour, Barbour International, celebrity, ISDT, jacket, London, mens style, motor racing, motorcycle, racing, Steve McQueen, UK

Continue reading “The Classicist: Barbour Launches the Ltd. Edition Steve McQueen Collection”

Kate Moss Moves Into Her New $12 Million Mansion

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Celebrity Shopping

Who buys the eye-popping properties that make the grade as our Estate of the Day? Kate Moss just snapped one up for a cool $12 million – London's historic The Grove, which we featured back in April – and is spending millions more on renovations. The luxe brick and timber property in Highgate, built way back in 1688 with additions in 1930, has a literary pedigree; author Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived there for a number of years. These days the likes of Sting, Jude Law and Sienna Miller live next door. The nine-bedroom, four-story residence has 6,700-sq.-ft. of living space, wood paneling, seven fireplaces, a wine cellar and a large landscaped garden. [cont'd]

Gallery: The Grove

Tags: celebrity, celebrity real estate, estates, historic houses, Kate Moss, London, mansion, supermodels, UK

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Lotus to Launch Lotus Originals Lifestyle Brand

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Luxury Cars & Autos, Men's Style, The Classicist

Famed British sports car marque Lotus has a super-stylish history, with the likes of James Bond and Steve McQueen among its best known enthusiasts. Now the storied firm, founded in 1952 by Colin Chapman, is looking to reclaims some of that former glory with a new lifestyle brand set to launch in February. Dubbed Lotus Originals, the diverse offerings will include everything from leather jackets and blue blazers to bags and backgammon sets. The company's motor racing and sports car heritage were used as inspiration for the collection, with tire tread patterns, vintage Lotus logos, racing stripes, car silhouettes and numbers relating to the dates of famous Lotus racing victories of the 1960s and 70s appearing on certain items.

"Our goal with the Lotus Originals concept was to create a range of apparel and accessories that really capture the true spirit of our iconic British brand," notes Lotus' Wiebke Bauer. "Lotus Originals isn't just for traditional car enthusiasts, on some of the pieces the branding is very subtle allowing the style and quality to shine, so we hope that it will appeal to a much broader audience. We have developed a collection that is luxurious in a classic, understated way so it is easy to wear every day yet still make you feel part of our very special brand." The Lotus Originals collection will be launched exclusively online at www.lotusoriginals.com on February 23 during London Fashion Week with a London flagship store slated to open later in the year. Check out the gallery for a preview.

Gallery: Lotus Originals

Source

Tags: James Bond, London, Lotus, luxury cars, mens style, motor racing, sports car, Steve McQueen, UK

EXCLUSIVE: Former Harrods Owner Mohamed al Fayed Sells Off His Rolls & Ferrari Collection

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Auctions, The Classicist, Wealth

Last summer we reported that Mohamed al Fayed had sold famed London department store Harrods to Qatar's royal family for $2.2 billion. Now the ultra-rich businessman, equally well known as the father of the late Princess Diana's lover Dodi Fayed, is selling off his incredible car collection, featuring stunning custom classic Rolls-Royces, Ferraris and more. There are ten cars in all from al Fayed's collection starring in Bonhams' Paris sale of Motor Cars at the Grand Palais on Feb. 5 - chief among them being the 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 originally owned by John Lennon, expected to fetch up to $220,000, which we can now exclusively reveal comes from al Fayed's collection and was in fact owned by Dodi Fayed.

Next up are a remarkable pair of classic Rolls-Royce motorcars which al Fayed has refinished in custom Harrods Green livery, one with a royal pedigree. The 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V Limousine (above) was the property of H.R.H. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent until al Fayed acquired it in 1996, and is expected to fetch up to $200,000. The Duke of Kent's Rolls, which was originally painted black, still has its blue bullet lamp on the roof signifying Royal ownership. There's also a matching Harrods Green 1969 Rolls-Royce Phantom VI Limousine, estimated at up to $240,000. Read on for the full list of al Fayed's cars being offered for sale, including several other Ferraris:

Gallery: Mohamed al Fayed's Car Collection at Bonhams

Ex-Duke of Kent 1963 Rolls-Royce Phantom V

Tags: auctions, Bonhams, British royalty, classic cars, department store, Dodi Fayed, Ferrari, Harrods, London, mohamed+al+fayed, mohamedalfayed, Mohammed al Fayed, Paris, Princess Diana, Rolls-Royce, royalty, UK

Continue reading “EXCLUSIVE: Former Harrods Owner Mohamed al Fayed Sells Off His Rolls & Ferrari Collection”

Gwyneth's Favorite Female Chef Snags a Second Michelin Star

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Celebrity Shopping

Hélène Darroze (above), who runs the chic eatery in her name at London's posh Connaught hotel, has just been awarded a second Michelin star making her the only female chef in the UK with two of the coveted étoiles under her toque. Gwyneth Paltrow, who lived at the Connaught for a month and was a regular visitor to the restaurant while renovating her house in London, is one of Darroze's biggest fans. Reinforcing the legendary Mayfair hotel's 114 year old legacy of fine dining, Darroze, a protegé of Alain Ducasse, has established a loyal following among other notables and gourmets as well with traditional dishes from her native Southwest France combined with the best seasonal ingredients from the British Isles.

Gallery: Helene Darroze at The Connaught

Tags: Alain Ducasse, chef, Connaught, France, Gordon Ramsay, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hélène Darroze, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught, London, luxury hotel, Mayfair, Michelin, UK

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Le Mans-Winning Aston Martin That Inspired Bond's DBS for Sale at $1.5 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

The incredible Aston Martin DBR9 race car (above) that was the 2008 Le Mans GT1 class winner and fifth vehicle overall is a pretty mean piece of machinery in its own right. But the car, which was built in 2006, has an even more impressive item on its resumé: the DBR9's styling lead to the ultra-cool Aston Martin DBS driven by Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale. Now the iconic DBR9 has been listed for sale in the UK for about $1.5 million. Based on the DB9 road car, the name DBR9 is derived from the original 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning DBR1 car which not only won the 24 Hour race in 1959 but also the World Sportscar title. The DBR9 features custom carbon fiber composite body panels for racing to help make the most of the 600 hp engine along with some other modifications built for speed. The racing history of the car with its famed blue and orange Gulf livery is varied and successful with 3 wins and 2 second places in the 2006 American Le Mans Series, and a win in the FIA GT1 Championship at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps as well.

Tags: Aston Martin, Aston Martin DBR9, Aston Martin DBS, carbon fiber, Casino Royale, Daniel Craig, James Bond, Le Mans, race car, supercar, UK

The Classicist: The Stylish World of Spirits & Luxury Hotel Guru Martin Miller

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, The Classicist

As befits a Brit who has his very own brand of gin, Martin Miller is more than just an entrepreneur; he's a bon viveur and connoisseur of everything from antiques and historic houses to leggy women, fine spirits and elaborately coiffed canines. The self-described "gypsy who never settled" began building an empire as a schoolboy in England which led to an estimated $40 million fortune and the birth of Martin Miller's Gin. Having sold his antiques guide business for a tidy sum, in 1999 Miller hit on the idea of creating a super premium gin better than anything else available at the time; developing the perfect gin regardless of "practical, fiscal or even geographic limitations" became something of a fixation, hence the spirit's slogan: "born of love, obsession and some degree of madness."

Miller's is a top drawer London dry gin made from ten carefully balanced botanicals that's transported 1,500 miles to Iceland following traditional copper pot still distillation to be mixed with the purest spring water on the globe. The result is a potent spirit with a strong citrus nose and taste, notes of juniper and a clean, soft finish. A Westbourne Strength variation ups the ABV from 40% to 45.2%, bringing the juniper to the forefront along with spicier notes and the same soft finish. Both bottles are stunning. That degree of good taste and craftsmanship extends to Miller's small empire of boutique luxury hotels in renovated historic structures, the first of which he opened to house his burgeoning collection of antiques.

Miller's four UK properties echo the eccentricity and artistic sensibility of their creator; showcasing his "maximalistic" approach to decor, they're positively overflowing with antiques and finds from his lifelong adventures. Here's a rundown [cont'd]:

Gallery: The World of Martin Miller

Tags: antiques, England, entrepreneur, gin, hotel, Iceland, London, luxury hotels, Martin Miller, Martin Millers Gin, spirits, UK

Continue reading “The Classicist: The Stylish World of Spirits & Luxury Hotel Guru Martin Miller”

Damien Hirst Draws Fire for $50 Million Diamond and Platinum Baby Skull

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

Art world provocateur Damien Hirst's latest work, an authentic baby's skull covered in platinum and diamonds, is causing controversy in the UK. The sculpture (above), entitled For Heaven's Sake, is a follow-up to the Brit artist's astounding $100 million diamond covered skull which he debuted in 2007. The new work is based on an infant's skull believed to be that of a newborn less than two weeks old from a 19th-century pathology collection that Hirst has acquired, the London Telegraph reports. Cast in platinum and set with more than 8,000 white and pink diamonds by royal jewelers Bentley & Skinner, the skull will be exhibited later this month at the Gagosian Gallery's new space in Hong Kong and will be shown in London later this year.

The gallery has not named a price for the new work but we expect it to fetch at least $50 million if not more. The work has angered parenting groups who claim that it is offensive to those who have suffered the bereavement of a child, the newspaper reports, raising the specter of protests. That of course is only likely to increase its value. "When you look at a skull, you think it represents the end, but when you see the end so beautiful, it gives you hope," Hirst commented regarding his earlier skull work. "Diamonds are about perfection and clarity and wealth and sex and death and immortality. They are a symbol of everything that's eternal, but then they have a dark side as well."

Tags: art, Bentley Skinner, Damien Hirst, diamond, diamonds, Gagosian Gallery, gemstones, jewelry, platinum, skull, UK

Ltd. Edition Barbour x Rockport Boots

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Shoes, Men's Style

Classic British outerwear brand Barbour has collaborated with Massachusetts-based footwear firm Rockport on a new limited edition capsule collection of men's boots. The boots, which come in three styles ranging from a Chukka to a tall cap toe boot blend Barbour's iconic waxed cotton found in its classic jackets with Rockport's famously comfortable construction. The Rockport x Barbour collection also features Barbour heritage tartans and Barbour hardware as well as an integrated adiPRENE by Adidas footbed, which provides superior shock absorption at the heel strike. Throughout the collection Rockport has paid considerable attention to details including hand stitched linings, fine pull up leathers, and rawhide laces. In addition Rockport has used its patented Walkability outsole, which helps mimic the natural walking stride by assuring a smooth strike and an efficient roll and flex of the foot throughout the walking motion. Prices for the collection range from $180 – $220 per pair.

Tags: Barbour, boots, footwear, leather, Massachusetts, mens style, outerwear, Rockport, shoes, UK

France, Germany, UK & Switzerland to Battle for Snow Polo Cup in St. Moritz

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Events, Sports

France, Germany, Switzerland and the UK will battle it out for the top prize at the 27th St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow on January 27–30 in the posh Swiss ski resort. Apparently due to some sort of snafu over sponsorship, unlike previous years when teams competed for the world-famous polo trophy on the frozen Lake St. Moritz under famous names like Cartier, Maserati and Brioni, this year's tournament will be a Nations Cup in which each team represents its patron's country of origin. This year's team patrons are Philipp Maeder for Switzerland, Vivek Rawal for Great Britain, Thomas Wolfensberger representing Germany and François Le Barazer, playing for France. The 2011 St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow will be staged as a high-goal polo tournament, ensuring the action is as fast-paced as ever. We're sure the big brand names will be back next year.

Tags: equestrian, France, Germany, horses, polo, ski resort, snow polo, sports, St. Moritz, Switzerland, UK

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