What is it that contains the best of the world’s elite fashion brands in one masterpiece? The Luxury Brands Collection launches limited edition books which are touted as works of art. Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Giorgio Armani, De Beers, Boodles, Holland & Holland, Nina Campbell, Fat Duck, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley are just a few from the list of the world’s finest luxury brands covered in this collection. Intended to benefit the brands as well as the consumers, these books are meant to be exhibited and admired by all. Currently, two versions of The Luxury Brands Collection book are offered. The Diamond Collector is bound in exotic lizard leather which is glammed up with a magnificent diamond. Tagged at £8,000 ($12,680/ €8,620), this edition is offered in limited number of three only. It will be printed on demand with the initials of the client. The Gold Collector is also bound in lizard leather cover which is encrusted with gold. Ten of these will be offered for £4,000 ($6,340/ €4,310) with initials of the buyer too. Roll over to read the list of all the brands covered in this collection.
The Luxury Brands Collection launches the names to know in 2010 -

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera

Bentley

Porsche

Fat Duck

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester

Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club

Thermae Spa

Pearl Motor Yacht

Vista Jet

De Beers

Boodles

La Prairie

Lanesborough

Lodgers

Gieves & Hawkes

Giorgio Armani

Chanel

Luis Vuitton

Weston

Hugo Boss

N. Peal

Bahamas

The Maldives

Tahiti & Her Islands

Wentworth Club

Poggen Pohl

Nina Campbell

Bang & Olufsen

Holland & Holland

Courchevel

K Jus

La Perla

Mont Blanc

Sotheby’s

Make do with the image of the logo as the images of the books are a well guarded secret until they land up in the potential buyer’s hands.

Thanks Nicolas
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I am not into antique furniture pieces, so the name François Linke definitely didn’t ring a bell. But if you are an avid antique collector and own some of the most exquisite antique furniture pieces, you probably know that Linke was a master cabinetmaker. And if you wish to expand your antique collection by adding a Linke piece, then here is your chance. The excellent Régulateur Louis XV surmounté du Motif le Temps clock, which was constructed especially for the 1904 St. Louis Exposition by Linke is actually available for sale. The second of only six known to be made by the master, this piece was built form the collaboration between Linke and designer Léon Messagé. A magnificent piece, it stands 10 feet tall and its inlaid tulipwood and fruitwood case is embellished with mythological and natural motifs rendered in cast bronze ormolu.
A bespoke piece, the detailing in the different motifs like the star-studded globe dial surmounted by a scythe-wielding Chronos, or the simple oak branches all leave you mesmerized. What is more, it was reportedly ten years in the making! The clock was based on a design by Messagé and was hailed as the chef-d’oeuvre on his Gold Medal-winning stand by critic Charles Dambreuse at the 1900 Paris Exposition. The mounts of this masterpiece are signed and stamped “LINKE 1803, FL, and LIN,” the clockworks stamped “ETIENNE MAXANT/BREVETE/R DE SAINTONGE PARIS/17965.” The Exquisite creation measures 42″ wide, 23″ deep, and 123″ high. Boasting of a $1,250,000 asking price, this antique creation is available for sale here.
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Looks like splurging is in vogue again! After the economic turndown is finally over and out, the world of luxury is now raining bags and watches. Big fashion brands like Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Puma have set cash registers ringing ensuring big profits for the year 2010. And Asia has played the biggest role in this new turn of fortunes.
As for numbers, PPR’s profit for the first of the year shot up by 113.3 percent to $528 million, while LVMH Moet Hennessy-Louis Vuitton announced a 53 percent to earn a net profit of 1.1 billion euros. Relately smaller brands like Hermes (with a hike of 22.8 percent sales), Burberry and the watch company Luxottica saw green this year. The watch exports at Switzerland, was up by 35 percent in June, with a 40 percent hike in high-end watches.

[AFP]
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The war between the fashion houses has now officially reached new heights or worlds, literally. While the Devil may endorse Prada, the Virgin Mary has decided to flaunt the LV logo. Yes, it’s true guys, at a biennial exhibition of sacred art in Italy; a statue of the Virgin Mary is displayed donning Louis Vuitton. The veil covering the statue’s head features the French luxury brand’s trademark “LV” logo in golden letters. Francesco De Molfetta the brainchild behind this creation said he made this statue to “denounce a society based on the cult of appearance through the use of a brand that represents the search for ephemeral happiness.” The curator of the Giuseppe Bacci further explains this artwork by saying, “This new way of interpreting sacred art is along the lines of the famous work presented (in 1999 in Venice by Maurizio) Cattelan that showed a wax icon depicting Pope John Paul II being crushed by a meteor”.
The main aim of such artworks according to the curator is to hit the visitor’s unconscious. Well that is one thing we are sure this statue will definitely succeed in doing. The biennial is held at Isola del Gran Sasso in the central region of Abruzzo.

[Luxuo]
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Every small detail counts when it comes to looking your bridal best on your special day. From the headpiece to your bridal footwear everything needs to be perfect. So if you have just begun your hunt for all those bridal accessories that add up to turning you into a stunning bride, then you will surely be interested in this. We have for you a headpiece that is sure to make you feel like a princess on your D-Day. Sparkling in crystals and pearls, the Eternal Love headpiece from Louis Mariette is truly a class apart. A bejeweled crown, the silver tone headpiece with clear crystal flower embellishments and glass pearl center stones is sure to leave your beloved and those present for your nuptials bedazzled. The breathtaking headpiece has a designer logo on one side and easily slips on. Classy, elegant and simply divine, this headpiece is a must have for every bride to be. Priced at $1,175, the Eternal Love headpiece is available here.
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Well if you are a fashion lover, then you will soon have to start filling in your closet for the fall. And if you are waiting with baited breath, you can soon heave a sigh of relief as Louis Vuitton is all set to bring out its Fall-Winter 2010-2011 collection. Crafted by Men’s Studio Director Paul Helbers, under the Artistic Direction of Marc Jacobs, the collection is based on the “Bleisure” lifestyle. This gives the right amount of comfort and formality which has been inspired by Vienna’s “artist wardrobe”. Details of the collection after the jump.
The collection which is set to release in mid August will feature three variants of the Shako series in the Reglisse color, namely Shako Sac Voyage ($4370), Shako Cabas XXL ($4370) and the Shako Cabas Bandoliere ($2800). Next up is the Briska series in the Oscuro color Briska Cabas ($3550) and the Briska Messenger GM. And finally, the Monogram Macassar series with Monogram Macassar Sac-a-Dos ($2800) and the Monogram Macassar Messenger GM ($2800).

[ILvoelv]
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Well Louis Vuitton is not the only fashion connect to the FIFA2010 World Cup this year. Apparently the last 11 days of the gala event will ensure that the Hilton sisters (Paris and Nikky) get a dose of the Rainbow Nation, its famed safaris and the beautiful game of course. For the trip she chose, up you guessed it, at least a dozen Louis Vuitton bags (maybe one for each day of stay!) Wonder if they have packed a dozen soccer balls in them?
And how did they reveal their plans? Well they chose the medium of Twitter to tell the world about their next big adventure. With the packing and vaccinations all done, just boarding the flight is left to do!

[Dailymail]
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While brands like Hublot, Louis Vuitton, and FIFA itself are raking the moolah in the FIFA 2010 World Cup season, why would the players lag behind? Here’s a list of the most expensive football players playing at this year’s football extravaganza. Topping the list is the 22-year old star striker from the Argentina, Lionel Messi. A Barcelona club is willing to up their stakes as high as $98.3 million for him. Taking the second spot is Real Madrid midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo. Although the Portugal team captain is in the news for all the wrong reason this season, at $92.2 million, he’s a good player to have in the team. Rounding up the top three is the Spanish captain Xavi. This 30-year old Barcelona mid-fielder is worth $79.9 million. Rest of the list after the jump…
4. Spanish and Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta ($73.8 million).

5. Arsenal and Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas ($67.6 million).

6. Manchester United and English striker Wayne Rooney ($65.1 million).

7. French team captain and Bayern Munich player Franck Ribery ($61.5 million).

8. Liverpool and Spanish striker Fernando Torres (around $61.5 million).

9. Brazil and Real Madrid midfielder Kaka ($61.5 million).

10. English team captain and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerard (close to $61.5 million).

[Rian]
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You need to be at the right place at the right time for opportunity to knock at your door. Apart from making tattoos for Marc Jacobs of Louis Vuitton fame, the New York based artist has also ancient Victorian style tattooed chairs to make them more modern and chic. And now he has been given the responsibility to present the LV SS11 menswear Paris. So impressed were the guys at LV that they let Campbell tattoo the LV logos on the necks of the runway models. Moreover he also customized several leather bags. Talk about talking art across genres!

[Highsnobiety]
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In a market dominated by Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada and the like, another luxury brand, Coach seems to be making its name. A leading U.S. retailer of luxury lifestyle handbags, Coach is all set to eliminate its rivals with unique and exquisite offerings. However if you thought Coach will wash out its competition by sticking to what it sells best, handbags, you are definitely wrong. Coach aims at acquiring a greater share in the accessories market through sales of accessories like belts, wallets and wristlets. Most importantly, Coach hopes to cash in on the growing men’s luxury market. Over the next few years Coach plans to achieve a market share of 14% in the men’s luxury market. To achieve this target, Coach has plans of opening all men’s stores in the near future as well as increase the offerings of accessories.

[Forbes]
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