InsideLux – The Luxury News Authority

Designer of  ‘Naked Garden’ at the Anglican Home Improvements exhibit, David Domoney, grew the $637 salad contents soil-free in Holland.  The lettuce and tomatoes were grown in clear containers with a special water solution and a revolutionary “technology of aquatic culture that creates plants with exposed roots”, explained David. The exhibit boasts many different kinds of specially grown plants that carry astounding price tags, for example the $479 dollar lettuce. When asked about the Duchess of Cornwall’s reaction to the plant show and world’s most expensive salad, he responded saying “Camilla was thrilled to see all the plants on display which are incredibly expensive because they are grown hydroponically. They are grown without soil and water and nutrients are sprayed direct to the roots. But this also means that the plants on display are all kept alive right till the point they are put in the salad so this is the freshest green salad you will ever eat.”

When Elizabeth Taylor passed of congestive heart failure on March 23^rd, she left behind not just an estate, but a collection of tangible memories from her iconic 79-year life. Before being sold off at the New York City Christie’s Auction house, the actress’ collections of jewelry, fashion, accessories, memorabilia and art pieces will go on a world tour, beginning in September. Fans around the world will be able to visit Liz’s personal belongings in Paris, Los Angeles, Dubai, Moscow, London, Geneva, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

The auctions will take place at an evening gala on December 13^th, two bidding sessions on December 14^th, and an online-only Christie’s LIVE sale throughout the 10-day exhibition. With her full estate valued between $500 million and $1billion, there is no telling what kind of revenues will be made.

As a new member of the British Royal Family, Kate’s first visits around the globe are crucial in achieving a positive first impression. How else to show support for her Canadian hosts, while still boasting her own country’s pride, other than her famous fashions? Day two of her Canadian tour, Kate highlighted her “regular girl” reputation by re-wearing her engagement photo white ruffle dress, designed by Reiss Nanette. Representing Canadian culture, she used her accessories to boast the Canadian flag’s colors- Red and White, and to go a step further, creatively placed their national symbol, the maple leaf throughout her outfit. Her red hat was adorned with maple leaves and the diamond brooch, adding a hint of sparkle to her white dress, was also in the shape of a maple leaf.  Tying in her British pride was British Royalty’s signature accessory- the hat, designed by Sylvia Fletcher at Lock & Co.

(AP Photo/Newsweek)

As we approach the would be 50th birthday of Princess Diana, Newsweek published a cover story with a computer animated image of what Princess Diana might look like now appearing alongside Kate Middleton.  Newspapers have criticized the cover as being “cheap” and “creepy, while the Huffington Post cites the episode as a ploy to incite unnecessary debate.   The generated image, while flattering is a ghostly resemblance of the princess who died 13 years ago.

As if trying to uncover the magic behind Kate Moss’ legendary ability to produce a beautiful ad campaign and the mental journey of each project, photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, used the fall/winter 2010/2011 Balmain shoot to secretly place video cameras on set. With footage captured, the pair created a 3:17 second short film, enhancing the visual grace and movement of Kate, with artist Jo Ratcliffe’s illustrations.

As every muscle moves strategically frame after frame, a series of unsettling, yet enticing, snakes weave in and around her body, leaving the viewer mesmerized with the film’s direction. “We are fascinated with the different realities going on in one shoot and so the music, animation, Kate’s movement and the camera angle represent these layers of perception..” commented Van Lamsweerde on his motivation for creating the emotionally captivating tell-all.

His layers of reality come to public view through the whimsical horror and seemingly soft evil phenomenon produced by a job, general audiences would presume effortless and shallow. Adorned with co-stars usually used as symbolism for evil, the snakes are illustrated in a child-like manner giving them innocence, while creating the different reality the photographers strived to represent. This 3:17 video shed a new light on the artistic efforts that go into producing a high fashion ad campaign, while taking an interesting leap into to the minds of the world’s top photographers.

View Everglade here

Fashion designers draw inspiration from nature, world events, people, or anything ugly they can twist into something beautiful with an emotional impact.  Rodarte and M.A.C. teamed up to produce a ghostly line of clothing and cosmetics inspired by the overworked women in the factories of Juarez, Mexico.

Most people when asked about Juarez wouldn’t be aware of the city’s criminal make-up, crime rate or political oppressions. Though facing on-going criticism, the Rodarte designers Laura and Kate Mulleavy say the factory women in Juarez inspired their new line with the unfortunate sleepy early morning commutes. Top fashion executives initially raved about the line, calling it spiritual and romantic. As more information surfaced about a systematic killing spree against these women factory workers, critics questioned the morality of the line and alliance with M.A.C. Women began disappearing and bodies began turning up tortured and mutilated, leaving a 2005 calculation at a shocking 800 death count. Capitalizing on deadly corruption may be interpreted as morally wrong with distributing and selling $4,000 dresses and $20 nail polishes, but with the lack of world awareness on the tragedy, the city of Juarez can only benefit from the brightening light shed on the population by the young American designers whether it was intended or not. Building scrutiny from people like Jessica Wakeman of the Frisky has forced Rodarte and M.A.C. to issue a statement apologizing for offending any of their consumers and fans and assuring that some profits will go directly to Juarez.

Inspiration can come from any place, any person or any thing. A photographer could document a village under pillage for sheer ascetically pleasing artwork, share it with the world and do some good for the said village. The designers of Rodarte and collaboration with M.A.C. cosmetics are not making money off unpleasantries associated with the factories of Juarez, but taking a morose anthropological stance and turning it into art while raising attention on the troubled city in hopes to uncover a solution.

Portugal and Real Madrid football star Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed his son’s name as-, wait for it Cristiano. The mini me version of Ronaldo was born on June 17th reportedly through a surrogate mother. The player will bring up the child as a single parent

Following her classy behavior at Shea stadium a few weeks ago, Lady Gaga has been declared the fourth most powerful celebrity on Forbes’ top 100 list. She is by far the most shocking of the top 5, with Oprah being number one (surprise, surprise), Beyonce second, James Cameron third, and Tiger Woods fifth.

Between musical success and advertisement income, the newcomer to the list raked in about $62 million. However, this is about half of what Tiger made, at fifth place. What gives?

Forbes says the ranking is based on:  income over the past 12 months, web references, magazine covers, press clippings and broadcast mentions. Guess Gaga had a lot of those, with her extravagant outfits and catchy pop tunes.

Jerry Seinfeld came in at #37… Just saying.

Madonna sought out the help of her 13-year old daughter, Lourdes Leon, to make her next move in the world of fashion. Rather than designing for herself, she translates her style into a high-maintenance Junior’s collection appropriately named “Material Girl”. From the looks of the first sketches, Madonna and her design team are dressing 13-year-old girls who believe they have skipped youth and woken up the fully developed 21-year-old club-frequenter they see on The Hills reality show. Low-cut printed tops and skirts cut “up to there” are engineered to accentuate and give the wearer a sexy and shapely appearance. The pre-teen Material Girl shoppers are surely not going to be leaving for the first day of school looking “like a virgin.”

Broadway’s Fashion District turns into a “Sidewalk Catwalk” on Thursday as several mannequins from top designers are revealed in a free exhibit. Among them will be Naeem Khan, Donna Karan, Norma Kamali, Tommy Hilfiger, Diane Von Furstenberg, Nanette Lepore, Betsey Johnson plus many more. Macy’s at 34^th street will display six mannequins in its world famous store windows while 26 others take Broadway between 35^th and 41^st streets. The area was chosen because of its centralization of the Fashion District and the amount tourists and offices in that span of Manhattan. The display will be up only until September 3^rd.