Why are auction houses booming?

Why are antiques attracting so much interesting these days? Despite the gloomy economic news if anyone asks what luxury consumers are looking for these, antiques has got to be towards the top of the list. No wonder that Christie’s hit $296m, 48% more than last year, while Sotheby’s reported a 54% increase in net income to $127.7m, compared to a year ago.

  Whether it’s the flight to quality, with luxury consumers spending their money on objects which they know have value or whether it’s the desire to find for alternative investments in the current dreadful market conditions or whether it’s buyers from the emerging markets, the auction houses are thriving.

  Personally I think it’s all three. Christie’s has another example of what should be a very successful sale.

Bacchantes vase, no. 997, designed 1927

executed post-1945, René Lalique (1860-1945)

  The upcoming auction An Iberian Private Collection with Part I: Important Gold Boxes & Objects of Vertu on 8 December 2011 and Part II: Furniture, Silver, Jewellery, Paintings, European, Chinese and Islamic Ceramics on 9 December 2011, is an eclectic collection, which spans the 16th to the 21st century. It reflects the exquisite taste of a passionate collector and includes exceptional golden splendors which will appeal to both serious collectors and individuals looking for luxurious gifts in the festive season.

  This superb collection was formed over five decades by a visionary connoisseur, known for his refined taste and expertise and a prominent figure in the art world since the 1960s. The sale is led by precious materials, notably gold which is present in all forms, from raw nuggets, gold leaf and ingots to elegant jewellery, engraved gold boxes and chased ornaments. Nearly 250 gold boxes and objects of vertu form Part I of the sale, with opulent and sophisticated designs, outstanding provenance and craftsmanship by the most renowned goldsmiths. Fine silver pieces, Chinese and European porcelain, Islamic Iznik ceramic and luxurious French and Iberian furniture are amongst the many other highlights of this collection which is remarkable in its breadth, diversity and quality. The two-part sale is estimated to achieve in the region of £2.5 million and comprises over 600 lots, with estimates starting from under £1,000.

  

Around the world in 80 windows (or there about)

Creating window displays that really grab bored – and probably stressed – Christmas shoppers is a challenge that luxury stores face every year.

  This year Chanel has collaborated with Parisian department store Printemps to create a round-the-world theme for its windows.

  Parisians and those on a Paris city break will be able to admire what is entitled The Dreams of Far Away. Curated by Chanel creative supremo Karl Lagerfeld, it features 3D visual merchandising scenes inspired by 11 of the designer’s favourite global locations including London, Moscow, Los Angeles, New York and, of course, Paris.

  When in Paris is it better to experience the city of light through a Chanel window display rather than opt for the real thing? Sounds good to me.

Christmas is coming - how to celebrate it luxury hotel style

If you thought buying a present for your dad was difficult then spare a thought for luxury hotels at Christmas. Finding a new way to celebrate with something special is always a challenge. The celebrated patissiers of Le Meurice in Paris create some of the most astonishing cakes while hotels such as the Savoy and the Ritz offer luxurious Christmas hotel breaks.

The Grand Hotel de Bordeaux & Spa
Sapin Noel

  But one luxury hotel in France has invented an artistically striking celebration of Christmas.  The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa, Bordeaux’s luxury Palace hotel, will be celebrating the upcoming festive season with a unique collaboration with Repetto, France’s original ballet brand and favourite flat to the stars, to design a magical Christmas Tree.

  Reflecting the same values of elegance and synonymous with impeccable style and cultural heritage, The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa are delighted to announce their Repetto Christmas Tree this 2011. Repetto will dress the Christmas Tree in the lobby, at the heart of the hotel, with a beautiful ballet theme to create an enchanting centrepiece for hotel guests and local Bordelais clientele to enjoy.

  An ode to the art and décor of ballet, the impressive Christmas Tree will be sprinkled with enchanting Repetto touches and fairy-tale trinkets including pink and black satin ballet shoes, golden medals and Repetto-wrapped presents! Situated in La Place de La Comédie square overlooking Le Grand Théâtre, The Grand Hotel de Bordeaux & Spa was designed by Victor Louis in the 18th century, the same architect who created the renowned opera house three years earlier. Their neo-classical facades offer a mirror effect across the square. Repetto’s Bordeaux boutique is located a stone’s throw from the hotel on the Cours de L'Intendance.

  Located in France’s South-West region, The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa, overseen by Yan Vacher, is situated in the centre of the city, in La Place de La Comédie square overlooking Le Grand Théâtre. The hotel offers its local and international clientele a gastronomic experience in the Michelin-starred ‘Le Pressoir d’Argent’ fine-dining restaurant headed by Pascal Nibaudeau; the ‘Brasserie L’Europe’ restaurant with outdoor terrace; and ‘L’Orangerie’, a buzzing space in the heart of the hotel. Les Bains de Léa spa, offers treatments by acclaimed French beauty brand NUXE. Bathed with natural light throughout, the spa leads out onto a terrace, offering exceptional views across the rooftops of Bordeaux. Originally designed by Victor Louis in the 18th century, The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa re-opened at the end of 2007, after a full redesign overseen by internationally acclaimed interior designer Jacques Garcia. Bordeaux’s Palace hotel, The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa, boasts an unparalleled level of luxury and elegance in the city, steeped in cultural heritage.

www.ghbordeaux.com/uk/index.php

  Madame Rose Repetto first created her ballet shoe in 1947 for her son in a tiny workshop near to the National Opera of Paris, and her ballet slippers have gone on to be worn by dancing greats from Kirov to Cendrillon, and have become much-loved by glamorous leading ladies, including Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve and Kate Moss. Repetto ballet shoes are displayed in the Selfridges’ shoe galleries.

  Rates for a superior room at The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa start from €464, including daily breakfast. BA flies from London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester to Bordeaux daily.

Would Scarlett Johansson make you want to buy Moet & Chandon?

Celebrity endorsement is such a tricky thing – especially a luxury product such as champagne. I remember spending a day helping a French design house to identify an actor who could be their “ambassador.” They’re still thinking about which guy would be right to sum up their brand of luxury men’s clothes perfectly.

  Marketing history is littered with examples of brands that have been embarrassed after they chose a particular celebrity endorsement. Helena Bonham-Carter was unveiled as the face of Yardley Cosmetics – but then admitted that she never really wore makeup. Jamie Oliver has done great things for Sainsbury’s but shortly after he was signed up his wife was photographed carrying shopping bags from…Waitrose.

  So is Moet, clearly thinking of people buying champagne for Christmas, right to choose Ms Johansson? I’d say that it was a good choice – she’s young and sexy and very much of the moment but her look, her movies and even her name all have a certain sophistication. She’s also been beautifully shot for the campaign – blond hair falling voluptuously around her face, eyes half closed in pleasure, red lipstick on those famous lips which are parted in a half smile.   

  It’s a very nice image and one which will be great for positioning Moet & Chandon as a champagne brand for this Christmas.

  Let’s just hope that she doesn’t get done for drink driving.

Abercrombie & Kent’s New Airport Concierge Service Gives Female Business Travellers the Edge They Need

Luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent has launched a new VIP service called Airport Concierge, now the fastest way for travellers to go from airplane to city centre.

  Calling on nearly 50 years of worldwide travel support and assistance, A&K Airport Concierge is a global service designed to give travellers the smoothest airport transition and get them on their way quickly and with minimum disruption.

   The new service, which operates in over 200 airports worldwide is ideal for female business travellers or those who may require additional knowledge on a location’s customs and business practices. A&K Airport Concierge Meet and Greet includes being met directly from the plane and guided through security, customs and immigration. The service also includes luggage assistance, transfers in executive vehicles from the airport to the traveller’s city destination and vice versa, city guided tours to give the traveller a geographical and cultural insight to a location, and access to airport lounges even if a business or first class ticket is not held.

  Kate Hill, Head of Abercrombie & Kent’s Airport Concierge, said. “Business travel for women can sometimes have a specific set of requirements that are often ignored by traditional services. By providing these travellers with a knowledgeable airside representative to guide them through the airport as well as brief them on local customs, our new Airport Concierge eliminates the insecurity which can be associated with business travel to a foreign country.”

   This new offering is the latest example of how luxury travel, like other areas of the luxury business, is increasingly about service. More than gold bath taps and marble floors, seamless service that makes travel quicker, easier and less exhausting is what luxury travel and luxury hotel customers are looking for now.

   Should travellers require an executive or luxury airport transfer, the airport chauffeur service offers a range of executive vehicles or limousines with professional English-speaking drivers. The guide can take travellers on a driving tour of the city highlights to give them a greater geographical understanding of their destination. Guides can offer city life advice, including where to eat out, tipping and etiquette, so travellers can start their stay well equipped with local knowledge.

  In addition, A&K Airport Concierge provides departures assistance, guiding travellers through check-in and security to get them onto their flights quickly and effortlessly. “The service is designed to add a level of confidence and sense of security when conducting business in an unknown destination,” added Kate Hill. “With A&K Airport Concierge, not only will you be well informed, you’ll be relaxing in the airport lounge or on your flight home in no time.”

  A&K Airport Concierge VIP packages start from £183 for up to 4 passengers and are available for single independent travellers or for groups in over 200 of the world’s largest airports in destinations including; Hong Kong, Beijing, Delhi, Bangkok, London, Istanbul, Nairobi, Cape Town, Dubai,  Cairo, Vienna, Miami, JFK,  and Paris Charles de Gaulle. Call 0845 618 2220 or email enquiries@akairportconcierge.co.uk for a quote. Additional information can be found at www.akairportconcierge.com. 

  All enquiries made to A&K Airport Concierge during November and December 2011 will be entered into a prize draw to win an Apple iPad 2. Five runners up will receive the latest iPod nano. iPad and iPod nano are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.  Full terms & conditions available at www.akairportconcierge.com/airport-concierge-competition.cfm

The Dorchester Hotel Plants Trees to Celebrate its 80th Birthday

 The Dorchester Hotel has planted the first of 80 trees for London as part of its 80^th anniversary tree planting project, in collaboration with international tree charity ‘Trees for Cities’.

  The first tree, a ‘Liriodendron Tulipifera’ or ‘Tulip Tree’ was planted on Curzon Street by entrepreneur Jo Wood.  Roland Mouret, Lily Cole and Anya Hindmarch have also lent their support to the project.  In coming months, an English Oak will be planted in Green Park and an Ash in Hyde Park, while further sites are identified by Trees for Cities.

  Inspiration for the project came from the listed Plane Tree - one of the ‘Great Trees of London’ that marks the entrance to The Dorchester, one of Mayfair's most famous addresses, when the hotel sought to mark its 80^th anniversary by creating a legacy that would benefit the city. Seventy-nine further long living trees will be planted across London in time for the Olympics including 15 in Mayfair and St. James’s to form The Dorchester Anniversary Walk.

  Trees for Cities chief executive, Sharon Johnson, said: “Through this high profile project Trees for Cities hopes to inform the public on the importance of planting a future generation of trees in London wherever possible.  The planting of these 80 long-living trees will provide clean air and help enhance the London cityscape for hundreds of years to come; and thanks to the support of The Dorchester and individuals such as Jo Wood, Roland Mouret, Lily Cole and Anya Hindmarch more people will hear about the importance of planting these essential trees in our cities.”

 “I am extremely proud of the hotel’s green team leading the project,” said the Dorchester's general manager Roland Fasel. “By marking our anniversary this way, we’re not just paying tribute to the past but creating 80 living monuments to be enjoyed far into the future.”

  This tree planting exercise is part of a broader trend among luxury companies including some of the world’s most famous hotels such as Ritz-Carlton to improve their green credentials.

Garrard in Exclusive Partnership with World Match Racing Tour

Garrard, the world’s oldest jewellers, has entered into an exclusive partnership with the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) to become the Official Jeweller and Silversmith.  

  The partnership with the world’s leading professional sailing series will complement Garrard’s rich heritage and association with important sporting events. Its hallmark can be found on internationally renowned trophies including the earliest existing sailing trophy, made by the firm in 1776; ‘Cumberland Cup’, followed by the America's Cup, the Cricket World Cup and the FA Premier League trophy.

  As part of the three-year agreement, the ISAF Match Racing World Championship trophy will join this impressive list when a new Garrard-designed Tour trophy is unveiled at the season finale, the Monsoon Cup, in November.  After which it will be on display at the jeweller’s flagship London store and other Garrard stores throughout the year.

  The WMRT trophy represents a world-class tournament and is inspired by the Tour’s famous double sails logo, which proudly sits at the top of this magnificent piece. The unique design incorporates the power and swell of the ocean; waves spiralling upwards convey the pinnacle of great endeavour, a trophy for champions. Navy blue enamel and nautical rope details echo the sailing world and the sea. Made of sterling silver with partial gilt and enamel and standing at an impressive 60cms high, the trophy is befitting this internationally renowned Tour.

In celebration of the British Jewellery House’s partnership with WMRT, Garrard has created the Nautical Collection. Inspired by the brand’s rich maritime legacy, the collection features a selection of rings, bracelets and cufflinks that encompass various pieces of sailing finery. Designed for men, Garrard presents nautical style bracelets in ocean blue lapis with a sterling silver clasp emulating a sailors’ lanyard knot and double black-roped bracelets simulating the rigging on a traditional sailing boat. Boat cleats are reinterpreted into sterling silver in the white and black patterned rope bracelet, while cufflinks donned with celestial navigational stars, exemplify ancient mapping methods for mariners at sea.

  From Tag Heuer and motor racing to Cartier and Polo as well as Rolex and yachts, luxury brands have long been associated with upmarket sports and this new collaboration makes sense for both parties.

  Jim O’Toole, CEO of the World Match Racing Tour, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Garrard as a new partner to the World Match Racing Tour. Garrard has a rich, individual history with some great sporting associations and we’re delighted to become a part of that family. We’re in an exciting phase of growth on the Tour and we look forward to working closely with Garrard to cement their link to sailing by incorporating their brand into both the Tour and our global fanbase.”

Luxury mobile phones - Vertu launches Constellation

Vertu, the creator of luxury mobile phones, has unveiled its latest smartphone, Constellation. The touchscreen model blends craftsmanship with modern technology offering a range of leading exclusive services.

Vertu has been a pioneer of the delivery of relevant, tailored luxury information and services direct to a mobile handset through Vertu Concierge and this latest development continues to expand its proposition to deliver excellent customer service.

Registering a Vertu handset provides access to an array of exclusive services designed to ensure that arrange a Vertu owner’s life for them. At the heart of these exclusive services is the independent concierge service, designed to meet the needs of Vertu’s discerning customers. Vertu owners will receive expert assistance, recommendations and priority bookings around the clock. Vertu Concierge can arrange anything from bespoke gifts to money-can’t-buy events and experience.

As far as luxury mobile phones go this is destined to be a market leader, I believe. The new phone combines three key elements of modern luxury – craftsmanship, service and customisation.

Vertu's Constellation

Perry Oosting, President of Vertu says: “Vertu has as always applied its values of an authentic, tailored, luxury experience to our latest smartphone, creating a touch screen handset that is as functional as it is beautiful. At Vertu we are continually recognising the needs of our customers through the development of Vertu Concierge.  This is showcased through an exclusive range of carefully curated apps to ensure that the Vertu exclusive services and information are at your fingertips more than ever before.”