June 2019: Luxury News
May 2019: Luxury News
June 6, 2019
Favre-Leuba – Reach new depths with Raider collection
July 15, 2019
1. A 60-Foot Azimut Yacht Just Landed in the Middle of Times Square
Times Square is no stranger to a pop-up installation: This year alone we’ve seen a giant carousel, a tiny home, and even a series of surprise proposals. But we’ve never witnessed a megayacht smack-bang in the middle of the city’s busiest intersection. Today, one of the world’s leading yacht builders changed all that.
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Azimut-Benetti has plonked a 60-foot vessel in the heart of Times Square Plaza, which will be on view to public from June 6 to 11.
Article link: https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/megayacht-times-square-2853604/
2. Louis Vuitton sees demand in mainland China picking up steam
PARIS, – Louis Vuitton, LVMH’s biggest sales driver, has beefed up stocks of its handbags and other luxury wares to feed its growing online business in mainland China, as Chinese consumers spend more at home, its management told analysts.
Chinese shoppers are increasingly splurging on high-end fashion and accessories locally rather than overseas, encouraged by a levelling out of prices as import tariffs drop, although that has penalised some brands struggling to capture the shift.
3.Highlights and trends from the Las Vegas Couture jewellery show
Viva, Las Vegas: the capital of all things flash became even glitzier last week as the annual Couture Show rolled into town. More than 200 leading jewellers and up-and-coming designers showcased their latest creations to buyers, editors and influencers from across the world; offering a preview of what you can expect to add to your jewellery collection next season.
Trend-wise, designers are feeling the love with hearts and flowers absolutely everywhere. These traditional motifs are made modern with chunky silhouettes and bold colours.
Article link: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/jewellery/highlights-trends-las-vegas-couture-jewellery-show/
4. This Extremely Rare Patek Philippe Will Lead an Auction at Christie’s Today
On Thursday, Christie’s will auction off a refined selection of 100 timepieces for its latest sale, “An Evening of Exceptional Watches.” The watches include highlights like a rare 18-karat pink gold Patek Philippe watch with a mètiers d’arts enamel tropical dial made in 1950. Another lot, of course, features a Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona—this one originally sold by Dallas retailer Linz Brothers. But it’s also full of surprise gems, like baseball legend Joe DiMaggio’s Longines, an original Audemars Piguet Royal Oak from the ’70s, and an unusual Jaeger-LeCoultre ladies watch, to name just a few.
Article link: https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/christies-to-sell-rare-patek-philippe-and-paul-newman-daytona-linz-2853391/
5. How this 5655-carat, 1,133-gram Zambian emerald came to Delhi
Diacolor, the single-boutique jewellery brand in Delhi, has acquired a 5655-carat, 1,133-gram Zambian emerald, one of the largest in the world, called the Inkalamu (Lion, in Tonga). With a heart of the darkest green, it was mined by Gemfields at the 35-year-old Kagem, the world’s largest emerald mine, and then auctioned in Singapore in November last year.
Article link: https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/luxury/how-this-5655-carat-1133-gram-zambian-emerald-came-to-delhi/article27859586.ece
6. China’s ‘Gen Z’ shoppers fuelling luxury market momentum
Chinese “Gen Z” shoppers in their early 20s are emerging as an increasingly powerful force in the luxury industry as brands try and tap into buoyant demand for high-end goods in the world’s second-biggest economy, consultancy Bain said on Thursday.
Article link: https://in.reuters.com/article/luxury-outlook-bain/chinas-gen-z-shoppers-fuelling-luxury-market-momentum-bain-idINKCN1TE183
7. Givenchy unveils its man of the future in Florence
As a guest of honour at Pitti Uomo, Givenchy was a big hit on Wednesday evening with a punchy show that was immersed in the lush greenery of a huge park, that of the Villa Palmieri. The 14th century edifice stands on the hills of Fiesole, which are planted with olive trees. The villa is not far from Florence and has 25 hectares of gardens. The creative director of LVMH’s Parisian brand, Clare Waight Keller, could not have dreamt of a more evocative setting in which to show her first standalone menswear collection for Givenchy.
Article link: https://in.fashionnetwork.com/news/Givenchy-unveils-its-man-of-the-future-in-Florence,1109235.html#.XRst5dR97Gh
8. Kering looks to build a digital culture
Kering will end its joint venture with YNAP in 2020. The latter has operated e-commerce for most of the brands of the group, except Gucci, since 2012. Grégory Boutté will lead the process of taking back direct control of e-commerce operations. One major challenge for the group is that e-commerce sales (cash outflows) currently represent just 10 percent to the group’s total revenue but are expected to increase significantly over the coming years. The former vice President of eBay, recruited by Kering at the end of 2017, has arrived to optimise the group’s digital integration. Boutté shared the vision with the press and investors for the first time at the end of last week. E-commerce is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the business’ digital innovation plans. Beyond the key business transition with YNAP, Kering will change its actual business model for digital. Kering intends to control this commerce itself moving forward and, perhaps even more importantly in today’s world, access to data.
Article link: https://in.fashionnetwork.com/news/Kering-looks-to-build-a-digital-culture,1109127.html#.XRsuMNR97Gh
9. Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Anita Dongre, and Gaurav Gupta to take part in The Animal Ball 2019
Three prominent Indian designers: Sabyasachi Mukherjee, Anita Dongre, and Gaurav Gupta, have created exclusive masks for the upcoming Animal Ball in London, UK, on June 19.
Three Indian designers will feature in the group of 20 international designers that have been selected to create masks for this year’s Animal Ball. Designer Anita Dongre has created a mask that is her own take on the elephant, a motif that features heavily in her traditional and fusion wear designs. Sabyasachi Mukherjee revealed to Vogue India that he was inspired by the Royal Bengal tiger for his mask. This also happens to be the logo for Mukherjee’s clothing brand.
10. Uber Copter’s Traffic-Beating Trips To JFK Start In July
As it looks towards a new way of transporting people, Uber has launched a helicopter service that it hopes will relieve the notorious road trip from JFK airport to New York City.
Article link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tobyshapshak/2019/06/11/uber-copters-half-hour-trips-to-jfk-start-in-july/#707f79404d8e
11. Zenith Just Dropped a New 50th Anniversary Retro El Primero Model
Zenith has a new El Primero watch on its hands in continuation of the watchmaker’s year-long celebration of the famous movement’s 50th anniversary. At the beginning of the year, Zenith offered a special box set of three watches highlighting the El Primero throughout the years; it swiftly sold out in a limited run of just 50. At this year’s Baselworld watch fair in March, the brand came out with three models based on the retro version in the box set (the A386) in white gold, rose gold, and yellow gold, each limited to 50, that have also already sold out. The good news is that those of you looking to get your hands on a modern, but vintage-looking, Zenith El Primero now have a third chance with the newly released A384 Revival ($7,600)—a remake of the first watch to feature the El Primero movement. Although it is not limited like the previous models, you better act fast if you want one because this will be the last retro El Primero timepiece in the series so they will likely still be hard to get
Article link: https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/zenith-new-50th-anniversary-retro-a384-el-primero-watch-2854424/
12. Experiences over luxury, micro-breaks rather than an annual vacation: How India’s cash-rich, time-poor gen travels
India has grown into a spender’s economy and with travel being leveraged as a clear status symbol, travel and financial services company Thomas Cook said on Wednesday.
As a result, holidays are on the rise. Thomas Cook India said it witnessed a definitive growth of over 25 per cent with today’s cash-rich but time-poor generation opting for travel to bond with their families.
13. Cartier big jewelry winner in Christie’s record $109.3M royal Indian auction
Christie’s “Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence” June 19 auction of Indian jewelry, paintings, arms and objects netted $109,271,875 in total sales including the buyer’s premium – second only to the 2011 jewelry auction of actress Elizabeth Taylor’s nearly $116 million haul.
Article link: https://www.luxurydaily.com/christies-maharajas-mughals-magnificence-jewels-auction-nets-109-3m/
14. Bentley’s latest incarnation of Flying Spur to launch late 2019
Bentley’s third-generation Flying Spur is based on Volkswagen Group’s modular MSB architecture.
The luxury sedan is just 5mm longer than its predecessor at 5,304mm, but its wheelbase has been stretched by 130mm to 3,195mm, creating more rear legroom and stability at speed.
It is the longest wheelbase in its segment after BMW’s 7-series.
The chassis sits on a three-chamber air suspension with 60 per cent more air volume than the previous model’s for a cushier ride.
The new model weighs 38kg less than before, but is still a heavy car at 2,435kg.
It sits lower, with a shorter front end adorned with a slatted grille over a fish-scale matrix. A Flying B mascot sits atop the grille, a feature likely to be applied to other Bentley models in future.
Article link: https://thepeakmagazine.com.sg/lifestyle/bentley-flying-spur-2019/
15. Italy – Gucci and Rome City Council collaborate to restore historic RupeTarpea and Belvedere Gardens
In a commendable initiative to give back to society, Gucci has announced a multi-faceted cultural project in collaboration with Roma Capitale, the council of the city of Rome. The announcement came in the aftermath of the Cruise 2020 fashion show, which took place on 28 May 2019 inside the Capitoline Museums, the oldest museum complex in the world.
Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele chose to continue his dialogue with the ancient world, this time drawing from a place reminiscent of his childhood. Located on the Capitoline Hill, the Museums offer a unique look inside centuries-old history of Ancient Rome through a rich antiquities collection. Through this project, Gucci pays tribute to Rome and its precious treasures, enhancing the beauty of one of the richest historical sites on both the Italian and international stage.
Article link: http://www.theluxurychronicle.com/gucci-restore-historic-rupa-tarpea
16. Vacheron Constantin’s Latest Prototype Watch Is a Sporty Overseas Dual Time
Vacheron Constantin debuted a seriously hot new Overseas Dual Time watch this week in New York City’s Greenwich Village, along with new brand ambassador Cory Richards. The National Geographic photographer and adventurer wore the watch on a recent attempt to summit a new route on Mount Everest—he has already reached the peak twice, once without oxygen in 2016—but Mother Nature proved a formidable opponent when the weather prevented the completion of his ascent.
During his climb, the new Dual Time watch allowed him to tell time both in Tibet and back home in the States, while its über-tough and ultralight case was able to withstand the extreme conditions of the world’s toughest mountain. For the rest of us, it simply offers a beautifully executed sports watch.
17. Fendi to stage haute couture tribute to Karl Lagerfeld in Rome
Italian luxury house Fendi is to stage its haute couture presentation in Rome’s Palatine Hill as a tribute to Karl Lagerfeld.
The catwalk show is to be held on the 4th of July where guests will be greeted on the heights of the historic hill, one of the most ancient places in the city.
Article link: https://fashionunited.uk/news/fashion/fendi-to-stage-haute-couture-tribute-to-karl-lagerfeld-in-rome/2019062543888
18. Bulgari Heads to Westime Beverly Hills to Celebrate its Record-Breaking Watches
In 2014, Bulgari introduced the Octo Finissimo series with two ultra-thin references that firmly established the Italian jeweler in the exclusive world of Swiss watchmaking: One was the thinnest tourbillon in the world, with a 1.95 mm movement and a 5.6 mm case in platinum. The other was the Octo Finissimo Petite Seconds in platinum, which, while not a world record holder, served as proof that Bulgari meant business.
Since then, the Octo series has gone on to set four additional world records for thinness. All five record-setters (and more) will be on display and available for purchase this summer at the first-ever Bulgari Octo Lounge at the new Westime boutique in Beverly Hills.
Article link: https://robbreport.com/style/watch-collector/bulgari-octo-lounge-to-open-at-westime-beverly-hills-this-summer-2855568/
19. BMW’s New Turbocharged Hybrid Concept Wants You to Forget All About Self-Driving Cars
The Ultimate Driving Machine isn’t ready to hand over the future to computers just yet.
As more and more automakers prepare for a future filled with autonomous electric vehicles, BMW’s latest concept, the Vision M Next, is focused squarely on one where people still actually want to drive—but where computers are just there to help. Packed with intelligent technologies, the plug-in hybrid designed to provide careful and targeted assistance to drivers without detracting from the driving experience.
Article link: https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/bmw-vision-m-next-hybrid-concept-2855963/
20. Burberry Plans to Be Carbon Neutral by 2022
Historically speaking, the fashion industry has been a wasteful business, responsible for generating 80 to 100 billion pieces of clothing per year—and plenty of pollution to go with it. Thankfully, times are changing. Now, the latest trend isn’t a new color or cut—it’s the concept of sustainability. And Burberry is the latest high-end fashion house to jump aboard.
Britain’s largest luxury label has announced its “ambitious goals” to become carbon neutral in operational energy use by 2022. According to a statement on its website, the label plans to use 100 percent of energy from renewable sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 95 percent from its direct operations and 30 percent from its extended supply chain.
Article link: https://robbreport.com/style/fashion/burberry-carbon-neutral-by-2856059/
21. A Look Inside the World’s Largest Charter Superyacht, the ‘Flying Fox’
The Flying Fox is not only the world’s largest charter vessel; it’s pretty dang easy on the eyes.
Part of Monaco-based Imperial’s fleet of charter yachts, the mammoth measures a staggering 466 feet in length and nearly 74 feet in width. Built by German yacht maker Lürssen, the vessel lays claim to the 14th largest interior in the world, according to Superyacht Times. That ample space provides room for 22 guests and a crew of 54. It also holds 11 staterooms, including a private master suite on the top deck with its own jacuzzi, and a number of VIP suites with terraces and ensuite bathrooms.
Article link: https://robbreport.com/motors/marine/worlds-largest-charter-superyacht-flying-fox-2856020/
