A $977,000 Mac Pro and The Other Top Selling Items At Jony & Marc's RED Auction.

On Saturday night, 44 special design items were auctioned at Sotheby's Jony and Marc's (RED) Auction to raise money to fight AIDS in Africa. Brought to you by Marc Newson, Bono & Jony Ive, the event raised an incredible $12,883,000 USD (more than double that when you add the Gates' Foundation donation) with many items going for far above the estimate.





The 44 items in the auction were a combination of specially designed items by Jony Ive and Marc Newson and their favorite vintage and new design items.

The hugely successful (RED) auction raised $26.2 million to fight against AIDS in Africa. The auction was 100% sold and three lots were sold for more than $1.5 million each. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matched the auction total of just over $13 million.

From Steinway Grand to custom Airstream trailer, here's a look at the 10 (actually there are 11, since a few went for the same price) items that sold for the most money at the auction.

1. $1,925,000:




2. $1,805,000




3. $1,685,000



4. $977,000



5. $845,000



6. $485,000




7. $461,000 (tied with #8)




8. $461,000 (tied with #7)




9. $425,000




10. $365,000 (tied with #11)




11. $365,000 (tied with #10)



Other items worth noting, because I like them and hey, this is my blog, are the following:

George Lucas Signed Stormtrooper Helmet:

A Stormtrooper Helmet from the "Star Wars" Series Signed by George Lucas for the (RED) Auction 2013. ABS. In original cardboard "Star Wars" Stormtrooper box.
Estimate 10,000 - 15,000 USD
LOT SOLD. 245,000 USD

Cosmonaut Suit That Went Into Space:

A "Zvezda" Cosmonaut Suit Worn on a Soviet Space Agency Mission into Space
Fabric with rubber lining
1990, Produced by RD & PE Zvezda, Russia
Estimate 50,000 — 75,000 USD
LOT SOLD. 305,000 USD

Dom Perignon with Special Label and Case:

Dom Pérignon Œnothèque 1966 Magnum in Custom Red Cooler Designed by Jony Ive and Marc Newson. The red cooler is unique to, and created for, the (RED) Auction 2013. The cooler is edition 01/01. Dom Pérignon has created a unique red foil label for the Œnothèque Magnum.
Estimate 15,000 — 20,000 USD
LOT SOLD. 93,750 USD

Christian Louboutin's Custom Boots:

Unique to, and created for, the (RED) Auction 2013. Edition 01/01. The pair of boots will be made to size for the buyer.
Patent leather, 2013
Estimate 20,000 — 30,000 USD
LOT SOLD. 50,000 USD

Quadrophenia Lambretta Scooter Replica:

An Exact Replica of Jimmy's Lambretta from the film "Quadrophenia"
Signed by Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey for the (RED) Auction 2013.
Estimate 30,000 — 50,000 USD
LOT SOLD. 209,000 USD

The star-studded crowd of more than 1,000 guests was treated to a number of surprises throughout the evening including an appearance by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who took to the stage to sing ‘Perfect Day’ and ‘Beautiful Day’ with Bono.


above: Bono and Chris Martin from Coldplay performed at the event

The performance inspired more than a dozen bidders to compete for the Steinway & Sons unique “Red Pops for (RED)” Parlor Grand Piano, which was finally won by philanthropist Stewart Rahr for $1.9 million.

Later in the evening, the Azzedine Alaïa pink couture long ruffle dress was revealed in the salesroom worn by supermodel Christy Turlington before it sold to applause for $149,000. 


above: Christy Turlington models a custom Azzedine Alaïa dress onstage that was sold for $149,000. Next to her is a "Zvezda" Cosmonaut Suit which sold for $305,000.

After the sale, guests made their way to the 10th floor for a private concert with Bono, The Edge, Nile Rodgers, Chic, and Angelique Kidjo:


Jony and Marc's (RED) Auction highlights prior to the auction were shown in this 'teaser' video:

All information and images courtesy of Sotheby's

The Yin Yang Tub For Couples. Sensual Bathing Without Sharing That Pesky Dirty Bathwater.

Bathtubs for couples are growing more and more popular. The Yin Yang tub, named because its compartments emulate the Asian symbol, has a lot of the bells and whistles that other new luxury spa equipment has (led lights, massage bubbles, music, etc.) but the tub is designed with two separate compartments so that friends, family and other 'pairs' can bathe together as well. Plus you don't have to lay around in someone's dirty bathwater (other than your own, of course).





The Yin Yang couple tub allows each individual to control their own water temperature, bubbles, and colored lights.


above: The tub can be used by only one individual as well.

The integrated soundwave massage means the loudspeakers are actually in the tub so one experiences musical vibrations in their body as well as being able to hear the music and each tub has four high performance color spots to create the atmospheric light - you can even have a rainbow lighting effect if you want a disco bathing experience.



The intense bubbly massage is a result of 120 water and air nozzles. The air mixes with the water through the Hydroxeur® principle and stays stored in the water for minutes (this is called the champagne effect).



The bath comes with optional handles and is delivered with a special frame for tiling on-site and can be clad with ceramics or wood. In addition, each tub has a hand shower and thermostat that operate separately.

The shared experience doesn't come cheap, with the tub priced at a whopping $55,619.12 USD

The Yin Yang Couple Tub by Trautwein received an award at the "GOLDEN WAVE 2013" for being one of the most innovate new designs in the Swimspas and Saunas categories.

Cheez Whiz Graffitti and Other Perishable Logos By Dorota Pankowska

Brand logotypes are publicly executed on the streets and surfaces of downtown Brampton by artist Dorota (Dori) Pankowska using the actual product to create the art. From shaving cream to chocolate hazelnut spread, recognizable product names become a sort of graffiti whose time is limited.



The street art series is titled Pro Bono Promo, the name resulting from poking fun at the fact that these can appear as free advertising for the companies. Left up to diminish naturally over time, Dori says of "This has probably been my favourite project I've done so far."

Spray Cheese:



Peanut Butter:




Instant Coffee:



Shaving Cream:



Mayonnaise:


Chocolate Hazelnut spread:



Permanent Marker:


Toothpaste:


Mustard:



Ketchup / Catsup:

all images courtesy of the artist

Special thanks to Scott Rench

Alessi Turns The Nativity Into Cutest Christmas Ornaments Ever.

I must confess I never thought I'd see a baby Jesus ornament that I thought was cute. I was wrong. Italian company Alessi has created a line of 12 new Christmas ornaments, 10 based on the old testament's Nativity scene and 2 decorative ones, that include everything from an adorable Baby Jesus to a darling Donkey.

Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, a ram, a cow, a donkey, the Three Wise Men, an Angel, an Elf, and a Shooting Star and are individually hand decorated blown glass ornaments designed by Marcello Jori for Alessi.













The 12 ornaments are available individually or as the following 4 different sets.

Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, donkey and cow:


The Three Wise Men:


Angel and Shooting Star (or Starlight):


Elf and ram:



buy all 12 of them here

or the 10 Nativity ornaments here