Pretty As A Picture. The Stunning New Hasselblad Lunar Camera.

Combining traditional skills, the development of special techniques, and a passion for perfection, the Lunar is born from exceptional quality. Lunar is unique because each model is perfected one by one, yet different as only the hand of an artist can make them.




The collection comprises five models, each with their own form and style.  The functionality and specification of each model is identical - choosing your grip and top plate material lets you reflect your individuality.





The Lunar embraces the traditional Hasselblad state-of-the-art image capture combined with stunning Italian design features. For the first time they are using carbon fiber, titanium, wood, leather and precious metals - including gold.

Black leather:

Stylishly durable. The delicately textured, firm leather grip is in a class of its own. The grip recounts a tale of elegance that your fingers can read by covering the countless paths scored by the texture of this extraordinary material.

Brown Tuscan leather:

Centuries of tradition. The peerless class of hand-polished Tuscan leather for a classic look and feel. Designed to last you many years, leather is a natural product and it will change with time, giving each piece its own unique personality.

Carbon Fibre:

High-Tech style.The Carbon Fibre grip combines a decisively high tech look with the exceptional characteristics of resistance and lightness found in this extraordinary material. This is the right choice for those who love minimal and modern style with exclusive detail.

Mahogany:

The warmth of nature. The finest Italian wood with a waxless matt finish to optimise the grip. In addition to its high structural strength, this material retains its original warm tones, while with the passage of time it acquires an aged appearance through the patina that covers it.

Olive Wood:

A hint of opulence. The unmistakable richly-veined Olive Wood provides a tough and durable grip with a matt finish offering a comfortable, smooth hold. The wood will age subtly over time, giving the indelible stamp of the owner.

The Lens shown above:

LF 16mm:
The wide coverage on the LF 16mm f/2.8 makes for comfortable shooting in situations ranging from cramped indoor settings to sweeping landscapes, and the large maximum aperture is ideal for handheld shooting in low light.

LF 18–55mm:
The LF 18–55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS is ideally designed for comfortable framing and capture of most subjects encountered in daily life, and a built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation system makes it possible to produce sharp images even when shooting handheld in low light. The OSS system is so effective that you'll be able to capture blur-free images at shutter speeds up to four steps slower than would be possible without image stabilisation.

LF 18-200mm:
The LF 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS features an extensive 11x zoom range, from wide to telephoto with impressive image quality all the way. The advanced Optical SteadyShot image stabilisation system built-in will not only make it easier to shoot blur-free stills at long focal lengths, but it also has an automatic Active Mode that will help keep your movie images steady as you move around with the camera.

The Hasselblad Lunar launches this month. For all the specs and more information visit Hasselbald Lunar.

New Gorgeous Collaboration From Macallan and Lalique. The Macallan Oscuro Gift Pack.

The Macallan Oscuro and Lalique: (In Asia Only)

Excellence, artistry and the pursuit of perfection come together here with The Macallan Oscuro and Lalique gift pack which is only available in limited quantities in Asia.

A beautiful sculpture with an equally beautiful single malt, it's priced at about $1,000 a set. If you’re traveling through Asia, make it a point to visit the duty free shop or other travel retail outlets and pick one up because they've only made 300.

The Macallan Oscuro and Lalique pack contains a bottle of single malt whisky, which is part of The Macallan 1824 Collection, and a Lalique crystal ‘Cheval Kazak Running Horse’ figurine. Note: some sites including Macallan's own U.S. tumblr site have reported, incorrectly, that the Lalique figurine is a decanter. It is not.).


above: The Crystal Lalique Cheval Kazak that is included in the gift set.

This limited edition - 300 having been made - of the Macallan Oscuro and Lalique gift pack was unveiled at the Hong Kong International Airport with an RSP of US $1,000.

“This is our first local partnership with Lalique (Macallan and Lalique have has several previous collaborations in other parts of the world such as the Cire Perdue) and we are very happy to have developed this exclusive gift pack together,” says Edrington’s Regional Marketing Manager Claren Wong. “The pack provides consumers with a unique and attractive choice for their gifting during festival season.”

“The Macallan Oscuro and Lalique gift pack is a perfect match; both names stand for excellence, artistry and a pursuit of perfection,” adds Lalique General Manager Montiza Tornow-Siu.



The Macallan Oscuro -the name derives from the Spanish word for ‘dark’ – is described as having a rich deep colour and intense flavour. Matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks, many of which were first fill, it is bottled at 46.5% ABV.

The Macallan is one of the most awarded and applauded single malts in the world and its peerless reputation is testament to the skill of the Masters of Spirit and Wood at The Macallan’s home in Scotland who have been responsible for its creation and maturation over the last two centuries.

info and images courtesy The Drinks Report and Macallan

Luxury Pantone! Cashmere Colour Spectrum Shawls, Throws and Cushion Covers.

Luxury home accessories for the designer come in the form of these high-end 100% knitted cashmere cushion covers, throw and shawl from Central London's Oyuna, makers of fine cashmere womenswear, hats, gloves, robes and more woven in Mongolia. The Spektra collection features the Pantone color spectrum in greens, purples and multi-colors.

Pennwick Adds A Sexy Italian Sport Car To Their Luxury & Custom Golf Carts.

For some people, a plain ol' golf cart just won't do. For those, there's Pennwick Golf carts. Built on actual club car chassis, their custom luxury carts have exotic sculpted fiberglass bodies in the shape of various high end automobiles, retro style cars and most recently, an Italian sports car.


above: Pennwick's newest addition to their line of luxury and custom golf carts

Loaded with standard features like headlights, tail lights, turn signals, side mirrors, electric horns, a 48 volt charging system and battery charge and hour meters, the cars reach a speed of 20 mph and can be customized to include such options as a 6-Passenger Upgrade, 15" Rims, a hard top, gas-powered chassis, leather seats, chrome tilt steering column, stereo package and a golf bag holder.

Their newest model is a fiery red sports car that resembles a Ferrari Enzo:





Other models include The Brooklyn, with a base price of $16500:




The Smoothster - with its retro styling and jump seat, has a base price of $15500:




The Shadow, a nod to the stately Rolls Royce, has a base price of $16900:




The '56, with a signature grill, perfectly shaped fenders and real cherry wood bed floor, has a base price of $16500:






They will also create custom utility carts of all types for you.

About Pennwick:
Father and Son, John Southwick & John Pennington have been in the business of building the finest Luxury Golf Carts for over 6 years. Pennwick, LLC was established in March of 2009. Together they created Pennwick with the idea that they would continue with the same quality and workmanship as they had in years past, but with a greater determination to continually improve their product while bringing the latest in luxury design.

They provide the largest selection of custom golf carts, estate vehicles and electric carts in the world, with a commitment to quality and a determination to produce the most luxurious. Ideal for golf courses, private homes and estates, retirement communities, hotels and resorts, their carts are perfect for all occasions.

Their luxury carts and electric vehicles are built on Club Car Chassis with quality fiberglass bodies, OEM paint, marine grade upholstery, working headlights, tail lights, turn signals and hazards.

Pennwick, LLC
457 W 410 S 
Springville, Utah 84663 
801-319-6900


To learn more and to purchase, visit Pennwick.

A Purse With Prestige? Leiber, Hermes & Prada Top The List

Want to impress someone this holiday season?
Then clearly the way to do it is by giving (or sporting) a Judith Leiber, Hermes or Prada handbag.
Can't afford those? Well then there are 23 others on the list. Read on...

NEW YORK, NY--(source: Marketwire) -

High net-worth consumers rated Leiber the most prestigious handbag brand in the 2007 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey from the independent New York-based Luxury Institute (www.LuxuryInstitute.com).




Leiber's handcrafted bejeweled creations --a few of which are shown above (click pn them to enlarge)-- were praised by respondents as perfect show-stopping accessories for that special occasion. The brand scored highly with women over age 45 and those with net worth in excess of $5 million. Hermes and Prada handbags were ranked second and third, respectively.

One of my personal favorites of Leibers' this season: The Karma Buddha Crystal handbag:

Above: Karma Buddah in multi colored Austrian crystals with gold accents. Includes matching satin gold coin purse and double sided mirror. Length: 4.6", Height: 5.4", Depth: 2.6". Imported.
JU-M28541
* Ships within 1 business day (M-F 9-10)
* Made in USA
price: $3895.00
Buy it here.

"Handbags have evolved from utilitarian accessories to coveted collectables. Not only do today's wealthy women want to communicate their sense of style and sophistication, but also their individuality. By carrying a handcrafted handbag, they show they can afford to be uniquely exclusive," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute.

One of the classic and most prestigious handbags of all time is the Hermes Birkin Bag:



Looking for an authentic Hermes Birkin Bag? Look here.
Or at Hermes, of course.

"Individualization and customization is a trend that is popping up in a range of diverse categories and serves to separate the mass-class from the truly wealthy," Pedraza added. "Our 'voice of the high net-worth consumer' surveys from the impartial Luxury Institute provide important endorsements for luxury brands and the consumers they serve."

Following are the 26 handbag brands that were rated in alphabetical order (with links to their sites):
1. Bottega Veneta
2. Brighton
3. Burberry
4. Chanel
5. Chloe
6. Coach
7. Cole Haan
8. Dior
9. Dolce & Gabbana
10. Dooney & Bourke
11. Fendi
12. Ferragamo
13. Furla
14. Gucci
15. Hermes
16. Kate Spade
17. L.A.M.B.
18. Leiber
19. Longchamp
20. Louis Vuitton
21. Marc Jacobs
22. Michael Kors
23. Miu Miu
24. Prada
25. Ralph Lauren
26. Yves Saint Laurent

The proprietary Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey is the only measure of the prestige of leading brands among wealthy Americans. A national sample of 783 wealthy American consumers, with an average income of $305K and average net worth of $2.2 million, was surveyed online. Survey results are weighted to match demographic and net worth profiles of the same audience according to the latest Survey of Consumer Finances from The Federal Reserve.

About the Luxury Institute
The Luxury Institute is the uniquely independent and impartial ratings, reviews and research institution that is the trusted and respected voice of the high net-worth consumer. The Institute provides a portfolio of proprietary publications and research that guides and educates high net-worth individuals and the companies that cater to them on leading edge trends, high net-worth consumer rankings and ratings of luxury brands, and best practices. The Luxury Institute also operates the Luxury Board (www.luxuryboard.com), the world's first global, membership-based online community for luxury goods and services executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. To reach the Luxury Institute, please call 646-792-2669 or go to www.luxuryinstitute.com.

Where to get some of these fabulous handbags without paying full retail?

Try these:
Ebay, of course.
Bluefly
eluxury
Karen Kooper
Euro Bella Collections
Good Cost
am pm fashion
Unusual Threads
smart bargains
Rodeo Drive Resale
efashionhouse

Can afford them even at a discount?
Then rent one here at Bag Borrow or Steal.

Consumers Starting to Tighten Their Belts (especially if they're Coach)

Coach and Nordstrom are among the luxury retailers warning of a slowdown, reports Fortune's Suzanne Kapner.

(Fortune) -- It's not just the Wal-Mart (Charts, Fortune 500) shopper who's feeling pinched.

Worried about the health of the economy, affluent shoppers are increasingly thinking twice before splurging on new handbags or designer clothing, analysts and industry executives say. Their hesitation is sending ripples of concern through the lower rungs of the luxury market once thought impervious to a slowdown.

 

Nordstrom (Charts, Fortune 500) and Coach (Charts) are among the upscale companies that have warned of weaker-than-expected sales in recent weeks, suggesting that the heady growth of recent years may finally be hitting a wall of consumer anxiety tied to a topsy-turvy stock market and a mortgage crisis that is threatening to engulf the middle class.

Pam Danziger, the founder of Unity Marketing who interviews 1,000 consumers every three months for her luxury tracking study, said that the "mass affluent," or those with household incomes $75,000 to $150,000, curtailed luxury purchases by 20 percent in the most recent quarter. "That's the biggest drop we've seen since we started collecting this data in 2004," Danziger said.

If the slowdown continues, luxury retailers could be hard hit. To appeal to a broader demographic, companies from Tiffany to Valentino have courted mass affluent shoppers with new lines at lower prices. The mass affluent account for 23 percent of households, compared to less than 2 percent for those with incomes upwards of $250,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

These households, with incomes of $75,000 to $150,000, make up 23 percent of the population, and it's "the marginally wealthy who are feeling a bit less well off," said Milton Pedraza, chief executive of the Luxury Institute, a research group that studies behavioral habits of the rich.

Even the rosiest scenarios expect luxury sales, which now total $226 billion worldwide, to slow slightly from the torrid pace of recent years. Bain & Co. predicts nominal sales growth of 7 percent to 9 percent, slightly less than the 9 percent growth of 2006. At the same time, much of that growth is now coming from emerging markets in India and China, not from the United States.

"While it would be inaccurate to say there is a major slowdown, the luxury market has cooled a bit from the peak levels we had seen," said Stephen Sadove, chief executive of Saks (Charts).

Sadove pointed to a strong correlation between luxury shoppers and the stock market, particularly among men. "In early September, when there was turmoil in the markets, we saw slower sales in our men's business, though it has since bounced back," he said.

The Age of McLuxury

 

Coach spooked investors on Tuesday when it said it was seeing fewer than expected shoppers in stores in California, Florida and the Northeast. The company is a bellwether for the mass affluent, having helped create the category when it reinvented itself several years ago as a status brand minus the sticker shock.
After years of double-digit sales growth, Coach investors are beginning to worry about a slowdown. The stock is off 32 percent in the past six months. As of midday, the shares were trading at $36.88, near their 52-week low of $36.15.


Above: chart shows COACH stock price history for the past 6 months

Though still priced well below designer handbags, Coach has quietly gotten more expensive, a fact that may make it "less accessible to a certain demographic challenged by higher fuel costs and lower housing values," wrote Todd Slater of Lazard Capital Markets in a research note yesterday. Slater estimates that the average Coach bag has seen a price increase of 30 percent over the last few years, with $400 handbags now accounting for a quarter of the company's overall sales.

Another retailer that has courted the mass affluent shopper is Nordstrom. The company recently cut its third quarter earnings guidance after September sales came in below plan and inventory piled up on store shelves. Michael Boyd, a spokesman, said women's apparel was among the weaker areas, although sales of designer clothing and handbags remained strong. Nordstrom shares are also trading near their 52-week low of $37.80.

Does bling beat the market?

To be sure, not all luxury retailers are feeling the pain. As Danziger noted, the super rich continue to snap up $20,000 Louis Vuitton handbags and $200,000 Cartier watches. And Cartier's parent, Swiss luxury goods firm Compagnie Financiere Richemont, which recently reported a 20 percent sales increase at its specialty watch division, said its biggest concern was not a softening economy, but its ability to keep up with demand.

Above: 2007 Louis Vuitton magazine ad with Scarlett Johanssen & handbag bearing their signature monogram

While there have been signs of softness at the lower end of the luxury spectrum, analysts disagree over how much of it is the result of tighter purse strings versus unusually warm weather, which keep shoppers away from malls.

"I don't see a big change in spending for households with income of $100,000 and above," said Michael Silverstein, a senior vice president with the Boston Consulting Group and co-author of "Trading Up: The New American Luxury," which chronicles how middle class buying habits have shifted to more upscale products.

Silverstein points out that, despite the recent market roller coaster, stocks are still buoyant, unemployment is low and corporate profits are at record levels. All three factors should keep the mass affluent spending, he says.
But other observers warn that those on the cusp of real wealth may not prove quite so resilient.

"To think that this customer is immune to the ups and downs of the economy is simply not correct," said Danziger, of Unity Marketing. "They may not be defaulting on their mortgages, but there's a good chance their homes are not worth as much as they were last year - and as a result they don't feel as rich."

article above By Suzanne Kapner, images and headline were added for your enjoyment