InsideLux – The Luxury News Authority

Luxury jewelry brand Bvlgari has launched a new Serpent Collection to celebrate its 125th birthday; the four latest Serpenti models were unveiled at Bvlgari’s Fifth Avenue flagship in New York City. The collection can be described as an updated version of the initial Serpent collection introduced in late 1940s.

The new collection consists of a white gold set with diamonds, rose gold set with diamonds, rose gold set with onyx and a white gold paved with diamonds.
The collection debuts in October this year with prices starting from $4,000 (for a ring) and $85K for a pavé diamond and platinum watch.

Escada, the German based perfume and fashion company has filed for bankruptcy following more than six months of failed restructuring efforts.  The debt ridden company is the latest luxury brand to fall victim to the recession, despite news that the German economy had reported positive economic growth for this quarter.    Escada employs 2,300 people around the world, including 600 in Germany.

The company’s bondholders gave up on a rescue deal early last week.

The Mercedes CL65 AMG with its 603 horses is no wallflower. Yet where others see plenty of mean machine for the money, German tuner MKB sees an opportunity to create one of the fastest Benzes ever made. Thanks to bigger turbochargers with higher boost levels, bigger intercoolers, custom camshafts, a re-jiggered ECU, new air filters, delimiters and gearbox re-enforcements, the MKB version adds up to a bi-turbo V12 beast kicking out 751 hp at 5100 rpm and 1250 Nm of torque at 1900-4200 rpm. When the dust settles that means 0 -100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of over 350 km/h.

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The Mardan Palace was built in Turkey by billionaire Telman Ismailov and opened earlier this year. To describe the Hotels luxurious worth becomes very analytical but here goes…. It cost $1.4 Billion, it holds over 500 rooms, has a 12,000 ft Spa, 17 Bars, 10 Restaurants, a Crystal Staircase and even possesses it’s own beach, which contains 9,000 tons of unique grains of Egyptian sand. The interior consists of Crystals,  Italian Marble and a heck of a lot of Gold. Phew, Basically, the  definition of Luxury is the breathtaking, Mardan Palace.

Wallpaper that lights up is no longer exclusive to pop-stars  and their music videos. OLED wallpaper has been designed energy efficient and made super thin, and is scheduled to hit stores like B&Q at the end of  2009. The amount of cash you will have to part with to light up your life is yet to be decided, but It’s sure to out-price that floral wallpaper that seems to be everywhere…

Swarovski have managed to luxuriate yet another ordinary product, by collaborating with Maisto and draping this model toy car, with over 7,600 Swarovski crystals. According to toy store Hamley’s this sparkling product is expected to be highly popular this Christmas, and is predicted as being a best seller, even when priced at £1,500. I doubt this beauty will be racing into many children’s stockings, but it’s certain to be waiting, parked up underneath many a Christmas tree this year.

The Artist Damien Hirst, depicts a serious theme when being creative and that is death. Hirst is known for his preserved animals, including a shark, tiger, cow and sheep. Whilst the work he produces struggles to define the stereotypical ‘luxury item’ , it does however, possess that magical and wondorous aura. In terms of wealth, his 14 foot Tiger Shark piece was extremely popular, and it’s sale in 2004 declared him one of the most expensive living artists. Hirst’s most luxurious piece was The Golden Calf which consisted of  gold hooves and horns reaching 18 carats, sold for 10.3 million.  His recent auction of his entire exhibition called Beautiful inside my head forever raised a staggering £111 million. Who would have thought animals soaked in formaldehyde were luxurious items!. Ultimately, his work isn’t for the faint hearted, it is extremely successful and is clearly in demand.

Golden Hoooves and Horns worth 18 Carats.

The well established company Villeroy and Boch are known for their unique stylish cutlery, glassware and tableware. The company have recently launched their new innovative collection Urban Nature, which is a new collection of white china tableware, inspired by nature and everything organic. This aesthetically pleasing collection, successfully creates a modern and luxurious experience when dining, whilst maintaining beautiful simplicity.

Nine West have released these gorgeous Victorian inspired, Jolting mid-tie ankle boots, which are every girls must have item this coming Autumn. They are available in Autumnal colours of dark grey, black or dark brown. The style of this boot is Vintage practical meets  ’cutsie-glam’ with it’s low heel and ability to create that sexy, clicking heel sound whilst you walk. They were priced at $109.95 but are now available for a steal at $86.90 around £66. You wouldn’t be ashamed to strut around town in these suede shoes.

Philip Plein’s courture fashion collection states substantial amounts of glamour and wealth, as does all the products he crafts. The Designer is extending and lauching his Autumn and Winter collection, to provide lucky buyers with that red carpet glamour and captivating bohemian looks. The collection also consists of handmade entho bordures on fur coats and stunning leather jackets.  Pleins collection represents wealth, power and is the height of fashion.