Ok, ya’ll are probably more interested in looking at the sexy Victoria’s Secret models then reading about them. For now here are some pictures to obsess over from the runway show. If you still have no clue, the show was held last Saturday November 15th at the renovated Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida.
The festive lingerie show had a full orchestra, a glitter-flooded runway, 35 supermodels and two performances by Usher. Victoria’s Secret senior Heidi Klum walked the runway just a few times, her mega-glam gift-bow wings were the ave dersane (goodbye). Basically you could put those girls in anything and they would still look good, case and point. The Rynway show turned out to be more of a costume show of girls prancing around in bra’s and wings but we don’t mind. We still have even more to fill you in on from Saturday night before, during and after the show, which is way before the December 3rd airing by CBS so stick around.
Samsonite the 97-year-old luggage firm has a history of partnering with high-end fashion designers. Samsonite’s newest collaboration is with the man who is probably one of the most influential fashion designers ever, Mr. Alexander McQueen. Samsonite Black Label by Alexander McQueen is a useable and revolutionary-looking collection. This season the Black Label collection received two updates by McQueen, the limited edition Hero piece and the Crocodile Skin Travel piece.
The McQueen Hero piece usurps design inspiration from the human rib cage, whatever he’s genius. McQueen used a real male torso mold and worked from there. “The human ribcage protects our vital organs as we move about in the world. Luggage takes on the same role as we travel and pack our worldly possessions inside for safe transport, †said McQueen at the Samsonite new collection launch. The Hero piece has a ribcage and sternum outline in front, and a backbone in back. Sort of sickening and semi-melodramatic for a carry on but that’s what we love about Alexander Mcqueen. The Hero piece comes in bone, black, chocolate brown, and blingtastic silver with a pricetag of $775.
Samsonite Black Label thanks to McQueen’s design flair gives the historic luggage a revamped appeal. The collection is for the sophisticated traveler who has finally decided to give their old Louis Vuitton luggage a rest or a recycle.
We have noted the Setai Hotel on Miami Beach in a number of blogs because the hotel warrants attention. One more reason to check out the lavish beachfront hotel is because of it’s penthouse. The 6,500 square foot Setai penthouse is just $30,000-per-night.
The Setai penthouse is designed in a chic Asian aesthetic with exotic woods and luxe finishes. The penthouse encompasses a double living room that stretches across the entire eastern end of the 40 story glass tower. The living room imbibes full panoramic views of the horizon. There are two master bedrooms with soaking tubs and stunning beach views. Plus, 3,000 square feet of terraces and balconies.
Throughout the Setai penthouse are touch panel LCD screens which give total control over lighting, audio-visual and building systems. There is a private recording studio built in which was designed by Lenny Kravitz himself. One of the things we love most about the penthouse is the private sunken edge stainless steel pool on the terrace. Complete with a very sexy waterfall and coral stone-enclosed hot tub. Take spa services in the penthouse for the weekend or host a posh gathering. Whatever you decide to use the Setai penthouse for, you won’t be sorry. Â
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If you can’t build the World’s tallest building then how do you get into the record books? You pick another less contested category just as the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC) have done in Abu Dhabi, Dubai. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the country’s largest emirate with over 1.6 million residents, an abundance of wealth and prestige. ADNEC is working on a building project called Capital Gate, this building will enter the Guiness Book of World Records as the "World’s most inclined tower."
Capital Gate will put the naturally inclined Tower of Pisa to shame by leaning four times as far, at an 18 degree angle. The intentional lean will require extra steel reinforcements to counteract the gravitational, wind and seismic pressures. The top of the building will be a dense mesh of reinforced steel, which will sit on top of 490 piles, drilled about 32 yards deep into the ground. Plus, Capital Gate will feature 728 custom-made diamond-shaped glass panels, each one fitted in a slightly different angle to adjust with the lean. "Capital Gate will be one of a kind," added David Pringle, CEO, RMJM Asia and the Middle East. "Its graceful, asymmetric diagonal structure, known as a ‘diagrid’, supports the tilting external load of the building and we believe that this is the first building in the world to use a pre-cambered core."
The leaning Capital Gate Tower is part of a $2.2 billion business and residential project that will be part of an entire micro city. Capital Gate will be host to a five-star Hyatt Hotel fittingly named, "Hyatt at Capital Centre." Plus, some of the most coveted office space in all of Abu Dhabi. The concept is kind of stellar and the engineering ingenious but, honestly, staying in a building that leans 18 degrees would probably make us vomit. Vulgar but true, check it out for yourself, though, if that sort of record breaking excites you.
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Haven’t heard of the Yamu yet? Shame on you. The Yamu is a five-star hotel being built and designed by the General Hotel Management (GHM) company. If you aren’t familiar with GHM projects then we don’t know what rock you live under, this company has some of the most outrageous hotels and resorts around the globe. The Setai Hotel on Miami Beach, Florida is the first in America and may give you some bearing on just how insane their establishments are. The Yamu Hotel is on a private peninsula of Phuket’s east coast and will raise the bar on previously held notions of privacy, tranquility and luxury.
There is always some anticipation when hotels of this calibre are set to open but the Yamu is highly anticipated. Hopefully the names Zecha, Gathy and Starck mean something to you. The world renown trio went into collaboration on this project in Phuket. Industry guru Adrian Zecha chairman and director of GHM Hotels and Aman Resorts, acclaimed architect Jean-Michel Gathy and French interior designer Philippe Starck are creating a hotel that is magnificent, we don’t have words.
The Yamu Hotel will not encroach on surrounding natural beauty, thanks to the architectural genius of Jena-Michel Gathy. In keeping true to Thai spirit, Gathy constructed large outdoor living rooms, interconnected open rooms, and functionality between indoor and outdoor spaces. He accomplished his goal of intensifying natural beauty without disrupting existing nature.
The interior 63 rooms overlook the limestone islands of the Andaman Sea. Interior designer Philippe Starck has also taken design cues from surrounding nature. Again he has created stunning accents and opulence that are of another world. Best known for being startling and sumptuous, the Yamu will still be inviting in an elegant yet casual fashion as only Starck can do. We are convinced that the Yamu Hotel, graceful, sophisticated and timeless will breathe new meaning into the word vacation.
Not to mention featured facilities galore. The Yamu has a stunning 160-person restaurant that will serve Thai, Western, and Chinese influenced cuisine. A to die for spa and 100 metre swimming pool. Oh and, five glass cubes within the estate that will serve as a wine room with wine cave below, a cigar lounge, a chocolate room, a private kitchen and a designer boutique.
Around the hotel will be 12 privately owned Villa Estates, operated as part of the hotel when owners are away. Each villa will have master pavilion with a lounge, a master bedroom, kitchen and maids’ quarters. Plus, a 23.5-metre swimming pool, garden and outdoor showers. The Club Complex at the Yamu boasts personal butlers, unsurpassed privacy, and convenient access to facilities, achieving the ultimate luxurious vacation environment.
Plus, Yamu Hotel projects out into Phang Nga Bay and has a private marina with 39 berths. There are 84 islands sparkling across the bay, plus several small private beaches, hidden caves and quiet anchorages. The privileged few who can afford to own and vacation at the Yamu Hotel and Residencies in Phuket, will experience unrivalled tropical beauty and marvelous marine life in sever comfort.
The Hotel, the Villa Estates and Club Complex, are infused with the visionary intellect of Gathy and Starck to achieve an extremely rare synergy of style and than run by the best. The chic Yamu Hotel doors will open next Summer, 2009. Private investment opportunities are available for sale, we recommend you hustle to. We are booking like tomorrow!
For the jetsetter, mega-millionaire in you, the Ty Warner Penthouse in the Four Seasons New York got a serious facelift. Designer Peter Marino and architect I.M. Pei came out of retirement to help Ty Warner put together the most exclusive and expensive hotel room in the World. The 4,300 sq. ft. penthouse, spans the hotel’s 52nd floor.
The nine-room penthouse suite has towering, 25- foot floor-to-ceiling bay windows, with stunning views of Manhattan’s prominent skyline . Possibly the most fantastic city panorama in the world. Plus living room walls inlaid with pieces of mother-of-pearl. An indoor-outdoor Zen garden, a private spa room with a living bamboo screen, and a book filled library, boasting centre piece a grand piano. The penthouse comes with its own private butler and a private chauffeur who will drive you around New York City in a Rolls Royce Phantom or a Mercedes Maybach. For a one night’s stay at the Ty Warner Penthouse in the Four Seasons it’s $34,000. For 34K you get one of the most luxurious pads, if not the most expensive in the World, and crucial bragging rights.    […]
Ya’ll were probably too busy in the action packed James Bond flick, Casino Royale, to notice the Real Bond girl who only got her 5 minute debut. No need to worry, we are about to tell you all about the bodacious Bond girl named Predator. Her size is 108, that is 108 feet and she was birthed by Sunseeker. What kind of girl name is Predator you may ask? it’s a fierce model name for the fiercest of motoryachts.  If you can afford the $10 million Megayacht pricetag then give her any girly name you want, she’ll always be a Predator.
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Her 84 tons half-load weight is hefty but she is no laggerd, the Predator skillfully advances to 40 knots ahead. That may not seem fast to you land lovers, so let us put it into terms you can understand. The Predator 108-foot’s weight is on par with the combined weight of 42 Rolls-Royce Silver Clouds. Now, imagine what it’s like firing up 42 Rolls at once, while casually sitting in a Besenzoni helm chair. One hand on a carbon-fiber wheel, the other on a set of MTU electronic engine controls Then accelerating from 0 to 50 miles per hour in just under one minute, incredible. The Sunseeker Predator 108 has big, Arneson drive-powered, performance engines and was built to Italian classification society RINA’s 100 A-1 specifications. She’s available in twin straight-inboard and triple-Arneson versions, and there are two basic layouts. Strict R& R is the 108’s only raison d’etre, not cheap practicality. The saloon/helm area is gorgeous, the ceiling height is of palatial proportions. Niceties include a dumbwaiter from the galley below; a lofty helm area with four inviting Besenzoni helm chairs; a top-shelf Linn home-theater system with hard-disc music library and 42-inch retractable LCD TV; a dining table for eight; and easy sliding-door access to a BBQ in the cockpit. The Sunseeker Predator 108 is to play and party under the open stars, people buy 108’s for a whale of a time, no pun intended. She is luxurious, highly evolved, elegant and we assure you, in a class all her own.
Grass lounge is a must see and be destination for Miami socialites and celebrities. Since opening their whimsical wooden doors in 2003, Grass lounge has remained memorable and ultimately chic in our hearts. The little lounge that could helped put the unknown Design District on the international map. Grass continues to transition the downtown area into an upscale haven, attracting more and more Miami Beach-ers away from the beach. Seemingly of another world with cushy white banquettes, bamboo trees, warm starry skies, and a bar illuminated with a wall of apothecary, flower filled jars.
Like always we had a fabulous dinner at Grass last Friday night before we went out to party ourselves away. The lounge is an elegant hideaway and well worth the 10 minute drive off Miami Beach, were nothing comparable exists. Grass has quickly become a favorite haunt, perfect for a romantic date, business dinner or to make your tourist friend jealous. The contemporary American and Asian infused menu is light, the drinks are fresh and just sitting in the garden-esque restaurant is preparation enough for a phenomenal night out. Located at 28 NE 40th St, downtown, Grass Lounge is proof enough that life exists pretty perfectly outside the realm that is Miami Beach.
Bigger is better and a 405-foot motor yacht by FMYP is the best. Scheduled to launch in 2009, the P967 yacht has 14 cabins and sleeps 32 comfortably. The Frank Muldur-design features a steel hull and an aluminum deck. Powered by a 9,780-horsepower 3618 Caterpillar engine, she cruises at 16 knots and peaks at 21 knots or 24.2 mph. The bodacious beauty is painted blue and has a beam of nearly 60 feet, plenty of space for you movers and shakers. The triple-deck gigayacht is classed as a fly bridge with a cockpit and the interior is on par with any luxury cruise ship. Boasting an atrium, indoor swimming pool and beach floor, dining areas, decks, cabin interiors, and common areas. The lower deck leads out to a second swimming pool off the rear. Perfect for large business events, parties, meetings or the ultimate business vacation.
This immense luxury-latent gigayacht is being brokered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and is priced at approximately $233,045,000 million (159,500,000 euros).
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Luxury Travel Expo is the most prominent and authoritative luxury event in North America. This year it will be the Expo’s tenth anniversary. Luxury Travel Expo remains to be the only travel event soley loyal to luxury. The Expo provides suppliers and agents with a vast luxury forum with meaningful knowledge and networking opportunities.
The Expo will be in Las Vegas from December 2nd through the 5th. The whole thing is put tgether by Luxury Travel Advisor, Travel Agent magazine and Premier Hotels & Resorts. The Luxury Travel Expo has been so successful because of careful attention to an education program, knowledgeable speakers and ample exhibitors. Below is what the first days schedule looks like and we will keep you posted as more updates surface.
Schedule for Decemeber 2, 2008
8:00AM -Â 6:00PM Â Â Â
Registration Open
8:30AM -Â 12:00PM Â Â Â
Test for your CTA, CTC and CTIE designations
12:00PM -Â 3:00PM Â Â Â
CLIA’s Customer Relations Management
Speaker: Â Â Â Bernie Blomquist, MCC, CTC, Manager of Training Development, CLIA
Want to create the ultimate, top-notch customer service model for your agency?
12:15PM -Â 1:30PM Â Â Â
Creating Buzz for Your Business: Hot Viral Marketing
Speaker: Â Â Â Bruce Tepper, CITE, CTC, Vice President, Joselyn, Tepper & Associates, Inc.
Buzz Marketing, a.k.a. Viral Marketing, is today’s hottest marketing technique. Have a creative flair but a limited budget?
12:30PM -Â 7:00PM Â Â Â
The Travel Institute Conference: Additional Conference Registration required
1:45PM -Â 3:15PM Â Â Â
Aloha! Discover the Islands of Pampering Luxury, by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Speaker: Â Â Â Stacey Alford, CTC, Director of Travel Industry Sales, Oahu Visitors Bureau
Robyn Basso, Regional Director of Travel Trade Marketing, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Maile Horner, Director of Marketing, Kauai Visitors Bureau
Deanna Isbister, Director of Sales, Big Island Visitors Bureau
Chris Kai’aokamalie, Director of Sales, Maui Visitors Bureau
Julie Zadeh, CTC, Managing Director of Travel Trade Marketing, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
We invite you to explore the islands’ hidden gems, cultural experiences, luxurious hotels, and unique activities and attractions, along with the welcoming Aloha spirit.
2:00PM -Â 3:00PM Â Â Â
25 Top Strategies for Selling Niche Cruises
Speaker: Â Â Â Larry Dessler, CTC, Executive Director, Niche Marketing Cruise Alliance
Charles Robertson, President and CEO, American Cruise Lines
Jamie Sales, Managing Director and Co-owner, Uncommon Cruises
Karen Wiseman, Vice President of Marketing, Orion Expedition Line
How can you pamper your clients with intimate niche cruise products?
3:30PM -Â 4:30PM Â Â Â
ID Card – Going, Going, Gone? By IATA
Speaker: Â Â Â Humberto E. Rivero, Regional Director of the Americas, IATA
3:30PM -Â 4:30PM Â Â Â
Yokoso! Japan Welcomes You to the Land of Hospitality by the Visit Japan Campaign
3:30PM -Â 6:30PM Â Â Â
CLIA’s Self Assessment: Explore Your Abilities, Skills and Strengths
Speaker: Â Â Â Dr. Marc Mancini, President, Marc Mancini Seminars and Consulting
"Know Thyself." Knowing your strengths, overcoming your weaknesses and applying the lessons you’ve learned from self-discovery.
