Sunday, January 15, 2012

World's Most Expensive Business Cards

(Picture source: http://cdn.trendhunterstatic.com/thumbs/black-astrum.jpeg)

Have you ever wondered how much first impressions count in creating business contacts and hence business opportunity? Have you ever put thought into how you do a handshake, how your table manners are, how you dress to impress (and to fit the occasion) or how your face loos like and what a smile can do for you? I am sure you did, because, even if you are not a freelance and even if you don't work for a brand, first of all, you should be your own brand and building "YOU" takes time and effort.

So let's say you have given all the above a thought - and you meet someone really influential or someone you want to do business with...or just someone who you admire a lot and you want to stay in touch with - and you want to introduce yourself - and then you pull out this business card from Black Astrum: a bespoke diamond-encrusted statement business card - which come in sets of 25, 50 and 100 cards, a full set containing around 30 carats of diamonds.

Now this is a card that can say something about you without any words: it is a signature card targeting the ultra high net worth individuals of the world, which you get access to by invitation only (so privileged high net worth people), with an average price of around 1000 pound sterling per card - which the individual just gives to introduce himself - so he puts more accent on other values than money (money is easily spent) but still wants to make a statement. It also tells about the importance the person receiving it has to the owner of the cards.

And it has just been launched in London. So when will you receive it from someone? Or when will you use it to make a statement?

(Picture source: http://www.instablogsimages.com/1/2012/01/12/black_astrum_business_card_qvsbw.png)

Monday, January 9, 2012

Emporio Armani Campaign Spring-Summer 2012


Dear all,
today I present you the Emporio Armani Campaign for the Spring-Summer 2012 season.
Out of all the bands of the Armani Group, Emporio Armani seems to be the best sold one. It is nr 3 most expensive one in the group and it targets young adults with its fresh and sleek design.

For this campaign the pictures were shot in Hong Kong, with Armani himself as the creative director. Alasdair McLellan, a London-based photographer and one of the leading fashion photographers of his generation, took the shots. Alasdair believes that photography should be personal and I believe these pictures reflect just that - they are not just product presentations, no, I believe that Alasdair has captured the models' expressions so well and Armani has made them integral part of the surrounding while still standing out with their personality.

From the Emporio Armani page we read that the photographer has "captured the elegance and the romance of the city, as well as its urban sophistication and the unique cultural mix of Eastern and Western influences". I say he has captured reality, a world full of contrasts which coexist wonderfully, the development towards Eastern countries, the mix of Western attitudes with the Eastern world etc.,...and the choice of models also helps in doing so.

As for the clothes... I just adore them! I am a fan of classical style, and this is modern classical with a twist. The straight lines highlight the sleeknes of Armani's style, while geometrical details make the outfit fresh and bold, in a way making a statement for the wearer: "I am confident - and I feel good!". This architectural design of the clothes and accessories is also made more sophisticated through accents such as a nice cleavage (the cut), a snake print (the material), a heel of a shoe (the concept)...

All in all - this is a campaign I really like and I am sure it will be very successful. What do you think?





(Source of pictures: http://news.armani.com)

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Versace for H&M Cruise Collection 2012


Ok, so the first collection from H&M in collaboration with Versace (or the other way around) was not so great in my opinion. Contrasting very much with what she had created for her own house Versace, Donatella made a great collaboration with H&M in terms of publicity but not so much in terms of quality. I was extremly disappointed, and the fact that even after over a month from the launch I was able to see a huge stock in a H&M shop in Hamburg - in the center of the city and in the biggest shopping area around - was not a good sign.

For the Cruise collection, the Versace house and H&M have approached things differently, it seems. The released pictures show less glitz and glam but more of feel-good factor, a bit of freshness and playfulness. The accessories, even if almost as bold as the ones in the previous collection, seem to be more feminine, while the men clothing seems to be a bit more conservative while still keeping some typical Versace marks.

From panthers (previous) to fruits,...this collection seems like a totally different attitude. It comprises of 24 womenswear items and 14 for men. The collection which also includes beachwear and lingerie will be available only in a very selective network - meaning in the countries where H&M has an E-commerce site: UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway.







(Source for all the pictures: http://lifestyle.malaysia.msn.com/fashion/photoviewer.aspx?cp-documentid=5727383)

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Luxury Events Calendar - January 2012 - Selection

(Picture source: http://www.luxury-insider.com/uploads/news/2012/01/sneak-peak-cartier-for-sihh-2012_4.jpg)


(Picture Source: http://www.europastar.com/local/cache-vignettes/L550xH199/sihh4-4fc13.jpg)

Dear all,
Happy New Year! Hope you have had a great start to the new 2012 and that you are looking forward to a great time a head, a one-day-longer-year - just he best to fit in all the interesting events you might want to write down in your agenda.

I realiza I haven't been active before or around Christmas,...it was a really busy period for me, nevertheless, one of the gifts I received inspired me for today's post. I was lucky enough to receive a really wonderful watch, and my dear friends know that since I have worked at Montblanc I rarely ever wear one because I have become a lover of watches and picky at the same time.

Why am I telling you all this? Well...the watch above is a sneak peak from Cartier which will be presented at this year's SIHH - Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Geneve. The skeleton watch with a hand-wound movement from Cartier is inspired by the brand's pocket watches from the 30's. This and other beauties like these can be seen at the fair (unfortunately only for professionals), but I have picked also other relevant events from the luxury industry for January 2012. Take a moment to check them out and maybe you will go to one of these. Nevertheless, the products shown then will most likely have a great media coverage afterward. But if you want to be amongst the first, here is your chance:

06.01 - 15.01.2012 - London Boat Show - Yachting & Boating - London, UK
15.01 - 20.01.2012 - Geneva Time Exhibition - Watches & Pens - Geneva, Switzerland
16.01. - 20.01.2012 - SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) - 21st International Fine Watchmaking Exhibition - Watches & Pens - Geneva, Switzerland
21.01 - 29.01.2012 - boot Duesseldorf - Duesseldorf Boat Show - Yachting & Boating - Duesseldorf, Germany


(Picture source: http://mby.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/9092|000001073|7ebd_LBS10dt-M9633.jpg)

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy New Year 2012!


Dear friends,
another year has come to an end and I take the opportunity for some last words in 2011:

Have a sparkling evening...

...make a wish...or maybe more...


...send them off...


...but always keep an eye on them...and make them happen...


...and have a blast at the New Year's Eve party... and don't forget about good food...

With love and kisses,
yours,
Inge

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Monte Carlo Casino Christmas 2011
(Picture source: http://itthing.com/wp-content/uploads/montecarlocasinochristmas.jpg)


To all you out there celebrating Christmas, I am wishing you the best time ever with your family and loved ones and may all you wish for come true. Have a luxurious time!
Best regards,
Ingrid

Friday, December 16, 2011

Hamburg - Window Shopping

Hello my dear ones,
A bit of vacation and a lot of work has kept me from posting in this great time of year, December and pre-Christmas-period, but I will try to make up for it.

I am sure you have all done some or most of the gift-shopping already, and are already tired of what is all in those shops and tired of crowds and the same songs everywhere,...so why don't you just sit back and relax while window-shopping with a selection of pictures I took (with my phone - sorry if the quality is not perfect) in Hamburg at the beginning of December.

Louis Vuitton Window Display - Neuer Wall Shop


Ermenegildo Zegna Window Display - Neuer Wall Shop

Christ Window Display - Alsterhaus Einkaufszentrum (AEZ) Shop

Rosenthal Window Display - Alsterhaus Einkaufszentrum (AEZ) Shop

Steiff - Knopf Im Ohr - Window Display - Alsterhaus Einkaufszentrum (AEZ) Shop


Bang & Olufsen Window Display

Bang & Olufsen Window Display

Apple Store Window Display - am Jungfernstieg

Schlemmermarkt am Rathausplatz


Weihnachtsmarkt am Rathausplatz


Christmas Tree - Rathausplatz



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