Delortae Agency™ | LuxRy ShoPer Blog: December 2012

Monday 31 December 2012

Zara Opens First New UK Retail Concept Store

ZARA has celebrated the opening of its first U.K. store that features the brand’s latest retail concept. Over three floors it occupies 1,500 square meters of retail space at Park House, across the street from Marks & Spencer at the western end of Oxford Street, London W1.

Typical Zara store interior. Almere, The Netherlands

Designed by Elsa Urquijo Architects, the new store is Zara’s fourth branch on the busy shopping strip and its 19th in London. It has been designed so that shoppers can move through the store intuitively.

Zara Lookbook March 2012

“The flow is different from our other stores,” said Zara’s chief communications officer Jesus Echevarria. “You are guided through ‘cubes’ and there are different dialogues with fashion and different trends happening in each of them. It feels more like a boutique space than a warehouse, this is more intimate.”

Zara Menswear

Around 15 stores in Zara’s new retail format are set to open by the end of January in cities including Paris, Utrecht in the Netherlands, Shanghai, Beijing and São José dos Campos in Brazil.

Pic credit: Zara

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Prada Recruits “Leading Men” For New Campaign

PRADA has recruited a line-up of "leading men" for its spring/summer 2013 menswear campaign - which stars actors Harvey Keitel, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Benicio Del Toro and Dane DeHaan.

Harvey Keitel For Prada Spring/Summer 2013

Aaron Taylor-Johnson For Prada Spring/Summer 2013

"Four leading men - two of them iconic stars and two new talents - bring their individual sense of style to the spring/summer 2013 menswear campaign," according to a recent press release from the Italian fashion house. "With a stark minimalism, heightening attention to detail, the perfection of the collection is infused with each of the actors' strong attitudes. Their laid back and playful insouciance mixed with the quiet intensity of the tailoring is a silent revolution in men's styling."

Benicio Del Toro For Prada Spring/Summer 2013

Dane DeHaan For Prada Spring/Summer 2013

I adore black and white shot's and when they are done as well as these by David Sims in London, the series of black-and-white images see each of the four actors modelling alone in a selection of the brand's impeccable tailoring, lightweight coats and jackets and casual daywear shirts.

Prada black leather 'Bandoleer' messenger bag, 2012

Prada mens grained pink calf leather travel bag

Prada mens saffiano calf leather briefcase

"A painterly use of shadow and brightness creates striking silhouettes, the actors at times almost engulfed by darkness, then completely framed in blinding light," said Prada. "In a world filled with white noise, the effect is both modern and timeless."

Prada Men's Rubber & Flowers Lace-Up Shoes Fall/Winter 2012

Prada mens grained blue calf leather travel bag

You may remember, Prada's last autumn/winter 2012-13 menswear campaign starred actors Gary Oldman, Willem Dafoe, Jamie Bell and Garrett Hedlund.

Additional Pic credit:Prada

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Friday 28 December 2012

Ralph Lauren Launches New Vintage Collection

Ralph Lauren

RALPH LAUREN American fashion house Ralph Lauren has unveiled a new vintage line. RL Vintage features pieces hand-picked from the brand's extensive archives and launched with its own e-commerce site, to allow customers to shop - or enquire about - the pieces online.

Ralph Lauren, fashion designer and business executive, best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand has decided to inject a new flavour to the brand line embracing all things vintage.

Ralph Lauren New Vintage Collection

"I am happy to welcome you to RL Vintage, a very personal experience for collectors who share my love of craftsmanship, patina, heritage and personal style," said Ralph Lauren. "Since my childhood, I have been drawn to old things: faded workshirts, weathered jean jackets, military uniforms, Navajo blankets, handcrafted furniture, paintings, photographs and all kinds of vintage vehicles - from a dented pickup to a bold Bugatti. I love their stories, each artist's hand and their enduring style. These are the things that have inspired everything I do."

Each season, the designer will select different rare pieces from the Ralph Lauren archives and curate them within a theme - the first being The Western Collection. The debut range features everything from hand-painted fringed jackets to a patchwork Prairie skirt, or a hand-crafted leather saddle bag - with all prices on application.

Ralph Lauren New Vintage Collection

"Not only will we offer these unique items, but we'll also share with you their individual history," explained the designer. "Because the passion of collectors is always inspiring, we will seek them out and share their journey of discovery with you, as well."

Ralph Lauren New Vintage Collection

The fashion house has also launched the Bring It Back initiative to coincide with the new site, whereby customers can browse a list of iconic Ralph Lauren products - and have their say on which ones should be brought back into production.

Ralph Lauren Vintage Collection available here rlvintage.com

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Victoria Beckham To Launch E-Commerce

Victoria Beckham pic credit GCMD/ WENN

VICTORIA BECKHAM will launch e-commerce for the first time this spring, a venture that could be the prelude to a future standalone store - the label's CEO suggests. The website will sell accessories, eyewear, denim and the designer's Victoria Victoria Beckham line, marking a new stage of growth for the brand.

The most successful female group ever are set to re-form for a new album and tour – but without the reluctant Victoria Beckham.

Beckham, who has forged a more successful solo career than any of her former colleagues, kept her distance from the rest of the Spice Girls at the first night of their musical Viva Forever! on Tuesday 11 December, 2012.

While the foursome arrived at the premiere looking happy, Victoria Beckham met fans alone on the red carpet, Beckham’s publicist said: ‘Victoria respects all of the girls and will always support them all personally and professionally.

Five become four: Melanie Chisholm, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Melanie Brown posed together at the premiere of the Spice girls musical in London, without Posh who turned up separately!

Rumour has it, Victoria snubs Spice Girls reunion, sparking hunt for her replacement. She arrived late, missing a photoshoot with the rest of the group and delaying curtain-up, then left the after-party earlier than the others. The reunion plan is being spearheaded by Halliwell, who was the first to leave the group in 1998, at the height of their fame. She is understood to have been performing private showcases for record executives in a bid to drum up interest.

She is said to have compared the planned reunion with Take That’s hugely successful decision to re-form without Robbie Williams in 2005 (although he later rejoined).

Take That never used a substitute for Williams, but the Spice Girls are considering either a reality TV series to find the ‘new Posh’ – or recruiting a singer with more experience of the music business.

Add to that the real reason rumoured for Victoria's behaviour secretly terrified of upsetting US Vogue editor Anna Wintour.

We've learnt that Anna's finally deemed Victoria 'classy' enough to be the mag's cover star in February.

It's been Posh's ambition for a decade and despite gracing countless other international editions, including UK Vogue, Victoria, 38, has always been refused a US cover by Anna - until now.

A pal says: 'The Spice Girls were on the January 1998 cover of US Vogue and that's the problem.

'Anna still saw Victoria as a former Spice Girl and WAG and said it was the wrong image for the mag.

'Victoria's made great strides changing that, but she fears one wrong step could make Anna have an about-turn. She's sweated blood to get the cover and wasn't going to let Viva Forever! ruin it all.

Victoria Beckham at the first night of the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever!

The band source added: ‘At the moment they’re thinking who, out there, who’s been in a another band, could “be” Victoria. There would be interest in a television series, but I think they’re keen on someone with industry experience rather than discovering a new star.’

Sources say the girls will announce plans to re-form within weeks. They split in 2000, after releasing their farewell studio album Forever, but reunited for a world tour in 2007, which netted them £10 million each.

The move may also trigger commercial wrangles about whether the remaining band members will be able to use the Spice Girls name without Beckham’s involvement and whether the new fifth member with have the right to use the ‘Posh’ title.

In 2002 Beckham attempted to block Peterborough United FC from registering their long-standing nickname, The Posh, as a trademark.

The E-commerce launch is to create it's own environment allegedly, "For us, this is the first step toward creating our own store environment," said Victoria Beckham CEO Zach Duane. "There are obviously already some fantastic digital stores in place, so the bar to entry is very high. But we feel that we've learned a lot from the market and that we are bringing our take on what we believe is ultimately all about customer experience."

VICTORIA BECKHAM, Leather and canvas shoulder bag, £1,650

With art direction from Jonny Lu and Isaac Lock, the website will feature branded content that users will be able to share using social media channels. A holding page has gone live on victoriabeckham.com today, asking shoppers to sign up for brand updates.

"My new website has been in the making for a very long time," said Beckham "It was so important that the concept, tone and look of it were true to me and my aesthetic and that the shopping experience was the very best that it could be for my customer. The site will be ever evolving, featuring never-seen-before insights into my world through the medium of film. I'm incredibly excited with what I have created and the unique access to the brand I am now able to offer."

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Friday 21 December 2012

Karl Lagerfeld and Coty End Their Agreement

Press Release: Coty – Wed, Oct 24, 2012 12:00 PM EDT

Karl Lagerfeld

The Karl Lagerfeld brand will no longer distribute its fragrances with the Coty Group. NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Coty B.V. and Karl Lagerfeld B.V. mutually agreed to end the fragrance license. Under the agreement, Coty has exclusive rights to continue to sell its existing inventory of products within the Karl Lagerfeld fragrance portfolio.

"The working relationship with Karl Lagerfeld and Karl Lagerfeld B.V. has always been built on mutual respect and professionalism," said Jean Mortier, president, Coty Prestige. "It was an honour working with a renowned designer such as Karl Lagerfeld, however, it became increasingly apparent that our companies' respective strategies were no longer a perfect match."

"We have enjoyed an extremely constructive partnership with Coty for many years and do highly appreciate the many achievements during this period. Coty has always been a great partner," said Pier Paolo Righi, president and CEO of Karl Lagerfeld B.V.

About KARL LAGERFELD

Under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld, one of the world's most influential and iconic designers, the Lagerfeld Portfolio represents a modern approach to distribution, an innovative digital strategy and a global 360 degree vision that reflects the designer's own style and soul. The portfolio comprises three labels:

Karl, the new line aimed at a cosmopolitan and digitally-savvy clientele, launched exclusively online.

Karl Lagerfeld Paris, the premium ready-to-wear collection for women and men.

Lagerfeld, the menswear line for every day, urban living.

About COTY
Coty is the new emerging leader in beauty with net revenues of $4.6 billion for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012. Founded in Paris in 1904, Coty is a pure play beauty company with a portfolio of well-known fragrances, colour cosmetics and skin & body care products sold in over 130 countries and territories. Coty's product offerings include such global brands as adidas, Calvin Klein, Chloe, Davidoff, Marc Jacobs, OPI, philosophy, Playboy, Rimmel and Sally Hansen.
For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com

Each line has its own accessories offering including eyewear, bags, shoes, and fragrance.
Located in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres district of Paris, the KARL LAGERFELD Company has been part of the portfolio of the British investment fund, APAX PARTNERS, since 2006.

Located in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres district of Paris, the KARL LAGERFELD Company has been part of the portfolio of the British investment fund, APAX PARTNERS, since 2006.

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Romeo Beckham Leads Burberry’s Spring/Summer 2013 Campaign

ROMEO BECKHAM, The 10-year-old son of David and Victoria Beckham stars in the spring/summer 2013 advertisements, alongside Burberry favourites Edie Campbell and Cara Delevingne.

Burberry's favoured models also appear in the campaign in the guise of Charlotte Wiggins, Alex Dunstan, Charlie France and Max Rendell - but according to chief creative officer Christopher Bailey, it was the middle Beckham boy that "was a joy to work with and really stole the show".

Victoria and David Beckham have three sons - Brooklyn, 13; Romeo, 10; and Cruz, seven - as well as daughter Harper, who was born in July 2011. David and the three boys walked the red carpet at the premiere of the Spice Girls musical Viva Forever last week in support of Victoria - all decked out in bespoke Burberry suits.

Beckhams at the premiere Spice Girls musical "Viva Forever"

"This season's campaign lights up with the infectious energy of an amazing young cast of old and new Burberry family," said Bailey. "We had such fun shooting the campaign and I think that comes through in the images, which really reflect the upbeat spirit of the collection."

Shot by Mario Testino, the campaign features a mixture of Burberry Prorsum, Burberry London and Burberry Brit clothing - with a focus on the brand's iconic trench and heritage outerwear. Further imagery and digital content will be rolled out throughout the season.

Pic credit: Burberry

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Monday 10 December 2012

MiMi's Favourite Luxury Gifts for Christmas 2012

Following on from my previous post MiMi's World's Most Expensive Purchases 2012 I have been asked to list my favourite Luxury Gifts for Christmas 2012 and as an Luxury Authentic Personal Shopper, I was delighted, so here we go;

GnG “Golden Delicious” iPhone Case

GnG “Golden Delicious” iPhone Case:

This one is the most expensive iPhone casing in the world worth $100,000+, it is made up of 140 grams of 18k gold, a carbon inlay and 200 diamonds. 400 diamonds are fixed on the logo. The most expensive I posted MiMi's World's Most Expensive Purchases 2012

GnG “Golden Delicious” iPhone Case is the culmination of a year of development from Munich, Germany-based company, GnG. The case features a 1mm sub shell made with 140 grams of 18k gold, a carbon fiber inlay, and about 200 diamonds. The outer frame features another 400 diamonds in the logo, which may be customised. Prices may vary widely based on the materials requested.

Diamond iPhone Case

Diamond iPhone Case: £20,429 ($40,000)

This is worth $20,000 and has 42 VVS1 diamonds 3.5 carats - Diamond iPhone Case. which has an 18K gold cover that’s studded with over forty diamonds. Price: £10,214 ($20,000).

Ladies Diamond studded Snakeskin iPhone case

Ladies Diamond studded Snakeskin iPhone case: £20,995 ($34,000)

One for the ladies Katherine Hughes luxury diamond & Python case for iPhone 3GS . Designed by Stuart Hughes and Davide De Nizza of Milan for Republica Fashion, this iPhone case is shaped out of python skin. Additionally ornamented with 39 flawless diamonds that total up to 7.8ct. Price £20,995 (about $34,000)

iDiamond iPod Shuffle

iDiamond iPod Shuffle: £20,429 ($40,000)

This iPod shuffle has over 400 diamonds covering its tiny little frame. If that wasn’t enough though; it also has 18K white and pink gold plating on the controls. It’s being auctioned off for charity this year and people are predicting the price to be somewhere around £20,429 ($40,000).

Golden Age Apple Macbook Air

Golden Age Apple Macbook Air: £20,000 ($39,750)

Golden Age Apple Macbook Air. Bling My Thing is the business responsible for this creation which adds a Japanese motif design to the Macbook Air. The design is created from Swarovski crystals that are coated from below with 24K gold. The crystals were hand-applied to this one-of-a-kind only Macbook that went on sale in March for £20,000 ($39,750)

Lanvin Reflex Camera Bag

Lanvin Reflex Camera Bag: £1,227.71 ($1,975)

The Lanvin Reflex Camera Bag is covered in Python-stamped leather. It has three zipper compartments. Also purports to be able to carry your mobile,credit cards and keys.

Mervis 64GB iPad

Mervis 64GB iPad: £12,427.27 ($20,000)

This iPad case comes with an iPad… it better at $20,000. It’s covered in 11.43-carats worth of diamonds hand-set in a micro-pave styling. The diamonds are graded G/H in colour and VS2/SI1 in clarity. Perhaps, slightly more affordable to the one posted earlier as the world's most expensive. To view the Most Expensive iPad in the world is posted MiMi's World's Most Expensive Purchases 2012

A round up of my favourite luxury designer iPad cases for perfect Xmas presents;

Brunello Cucinelli iPad Case

Brunello Cucinelli iPad Case: £453.66 ($730)

This one’s is definitely on of my favourites by the king of cashmere. The Brunello Cucinelli iPad case is £453.66 ($730) The iPad holder from Burnello Cucinelli comes in one gorgeous colour, Dove grey, and is made out of textured leather, with leather lining and an embossed logo detailing.

Chanel iPad Case: £1,242.83 ($2,000)

Designer-branded products are a big deal to some people. Chanel offers up a quilted black lambskin leather “iPad clutch” with the Chanel signature zipper charm for just under £1,242.83.

Hermes iPad Case: £870.053($1,400)

The Hermes iPad case doubles up as your own personal leather work station. You can prop the iPad up effortlessly to view media or work. Made of ebony ever-grain calfskin, this work station/protective case too costs more than the iPad itself. Available in two colours, it is priced at a cool £870.053($1,400.

Jimmy Choo iPad Case

Jimmy Choo iPad Case: £635.137($1,022)

This iPad case is as sexy as Jimmy Choo’s shoes. With its leopard print calf hair and leather cover, it is sumptuously lined in suede. The Jimmy Choo iPad case is also a great substitute for a clutch at business meetings and lunches. Priced at an amazing $1,022, the case is sure to provide the best protection to your iPad.

GnG “Golden Delicious” iPhone Case