To be filed under the ridiculously aspirational: the new Bentley laptop designed by Ego. For the fools who believe that a hood ornament transferred to your leather-bound laptop will lead you any closer to mogul status, please contact me so I can steer your financial missteps in the right direction (philanthropy, real estate, ok, fine, a pair of YSL Tribute sandals). I'm glad Engadget seems to agree on the absurdity of the latest to enter the luxury laptop division, which starting at close to $20K makes my current laptop wishlist (comprised solely of the Macbook Air) look like a trip to the 99 Cent Store. Barneys appeared to drop the line after carrying an earlier design, and this version is sold only at Selfridge's, although Ego is expanding its market in the label-happy UAE. Check out the Ego website for diamond-encrusted laptops and more signs that society isn't on its way to hell in a handbag after all. It's headed that direction via your luxury notebook.The Bentley Laptop
To be filed under the ridiculously aspirational: the new Bentley laptop designed by Ego. For the fools who believe that a hood ornament transferred to your leather-bound laptop will lead you any closer to mogul status, please contact me so I can steer your financial missteps in the right direction (philanthropy, real estate, ok, fine, a pair of YSL Tribute sandals). I'm glad Engadget seems to agree on the absurdity of the latest to enter the luxury laptop division, which starting at close to $20K makes my current laptop wishlist (comprised solely of the Macbook Air) look like a trip to the 99 Cent Store. Barneys appeared to drop the line after carrying an earlier design, and this version is sold only at Selfridge's, although Ego is expanding its market in the label-happy UAE. Check out the Ego website for diamond-encrusted laptops and more signs that society isn't on its way to hell in a handbag after all. It's headed that direction via your luxury notebook.Luxury Leathermans from Adrian Pallarols
Known for his silversmithing across the globe, Adrian Pallarols has created polo championship cups, pens for kings, goblets for stars and even requests from the Pope himself. His latest collection of Argentum Leathermans speak to his exceptional quality and taste even when applied to such a functional object as this. Ranging from $40,000 to $240 the luxury leathermans are crafted from sterling silver and few have 18K gold accents as well. These stylish gadgets would turn even rugged MacGyver into a well-dressed Armani man in seconds! Useful, sexy and one-of-a-kind the luxury leatherman would even fit in the high-class woman's luxury handbag.
Gallery: Argentum Collection
Live Luggage, Battery-Powered Luggage
Tired of dragging your luggage through the airport? The LiveLuggage Power Assisted Suitcase uses an internal rechargeable battery. The suitcase plugs in with an adapter to recharge before a trip. Once charged it can be used for around two hours or close to two miles. It's a little bit heavy, weighing around 24 pounds. The luggage has an anti-gravity handle putting 85% of the weight over the wheels, TSA approved combination locks, the Live Locator™ ID - a unique ID to help locate your suitcase in the event of loss and a unique umbrella storage that includes the umbrella. It sells for $1,365.25.
[via Sphere Trading]
iPhone Pouch Premieres At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin
3G iPhone, check. Mercedes GLK, check. How to merge the two? Enter a new exclusive "pouch" (more like a Birkin for your cell phone), crafted from white napa leather and glittering in Swarovski crystals to stash your phone. Currently even trickier to come by than an iPhone last Friday, the pouch has been released in a group of just 40 limited editions to be raffled off during this week's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. But they'll come to market in October 2008, along with the GLK, the "compact SUV" (oxymoron, anyone?) that made its stylish debut driving Sex and the City star Kim Cattrall to her first Berlin fashion show.Gallery: iPhone Pouch Premieres At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin
Epson Ensemble HD Home Cinema System
With "staycations" becoming popular in this tough economy, you might opt to stay in more often and watch a good movie. But as a Luxist reader, you know that we don't mean using on-demand ... instead, we bring you the cool new Epson Ensemble HD Home Cinema System, via Uncrate. Priced from $5,000 - $7,000, this real home theater in a box includes a 100-inch motorized screen, an Epson PowerLite 3LCD projector with either 720p or 1080p resolution, an Atlantic Technology speaker system with a 150-watt sub, an A/V controller with HDMI handling and an upconverting DVD player and a universal remote. This PDF tells you all you need to know, or go here.
Diamond Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte Phone
While you are waiting for your new diamond-covered iPhone you might want to consider this sparkly gadget. Swiss luxury designer and jeweler Knalihs Athem has recently created a diamond encrusted Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte. This phone is decorated with 1000 finest quality brilliant cut diamonds that weigh 6.75 carats in total. There will only be 20 handsets made and each will be accompanied by a official diamond grading report from a gemological lab. It can also be personalized with your name or whatever you would like. The Nokia 8800 Sapphire Arte by Knalihs Athem has a starting price of $20,000.
Three Door Refrigerator Has Room For Wine
Side-by-side refrigerators are not a new phenomenon but adding a third section just for wine is a bright idea. The AEG-Electrolux Santo 75 598 KG offers just such a sleek design with glassed in sections offering individual temperature controls. There is even an alarm to alert you to temperatures moving outside the desired range per section. One too many drinks won't lead to a fridge full of ruined vino. Elegant, purposeful, and smart this is a fantastic idea for any oenophile. Cuisinart Supreme Ice Cream Maker
Summertime is ice cream time. But for some of us, all year long is ice cream time. So naturally I was excited when I saw this handsome Cuisinart Supreme Commercial Quality Ice Cream Maker on Williams-Sonoma. For not much money and in just a few steps, you can whip up homemade ice cream, gelato, sorbet, frozen yogurt or even a frozen drink. This fully automatic machine can prepare up to 1.5 quarts in less than an hour. It features a built-in compressor freezer, so no prefreezing is required -- just add the ingredients and set the timer. Adding mix-ins is easy, thanks to an ingredient spout in the lid. The lid, paddle and bowl are removable for hand-washing. The brushed stainless steel housing means it's nice enough to match today's renovated kitchens. 150W; 15 1/2" x 10 3/4" x 10 1/2"; $299 on Cuisinart or Williams-Sonoma.
Rejuvenate, a Spa for Power Naps
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently reported on a trend that's already hit some other big cities: the napping spa. An egg-shaped, computerized sleeping pod inside Rejuvenate, an atrium-level storefront spa at one of downtown Atlanta's busiest buildings, provides a haven in which to take a 20-minute, or longer, nap. The spa, which opened in November 2007, offers five snooze suites, each separated by chocolate-colored curtains. Nappers can adjust the temperature, add lavender or citrus aromatherapy and a cool breeze for their necks. Some pods vibrate and calculate the number of calories burned while catching 40 winks.
In NYC, Yelo opened in 2007, promising brief power naps and cashmere blankets. But many spas across the country, especially getaway ones, are introducing sleep treatments, including everything from feather beds and lavender mists to overnight sleep observation. I find the whole "pod" idea claustrophobia-inducing, but the environment at a spa seems so much nicer than what the ladies at my office have -- a sofa in the bathroom. Ick. Pass the lavender, here's my cash and wake me in 20.
Rejuvenate offers timed naps (you're wakened by a gentle chime) at $14 for 20 minutes, $19 for 30 minutes and $35 for an hour. Employers can purchase bulk packages.
Damien Hirst for Vertu?
Prolific and controversial artist Damien Hirst is no stranger to commerce. He has created a line for Levi's and sells his own bracelets, paint kits and other items. But his next rumored collaboration is intriguing. Fashion Week Daily reports that Hirst may be working with Vertu on a new luxury phone. Vertu has created lines with car brands and jewelers but they haven't worked with an artist yet. Certainly Hirst, who once covered a skull in diamonds, is no stranger to bedazzlement so the two should get on perfectly. Gallery: The World of Damien Hirst
The Bottler
If you own a yacht more than likely you have all the luxuries onboard. Planning to enjoy a glass of exceptional champagne? Plan on not spilling a drop when you add the Bottler to your accessories. The extraordinary hand-manufactured piece designed with cardanic suspension (gimballed) with three concentric rings hold the bottle perpendicularly no matter the motion of the boat. Made with watch-making precision and available in three different metals (brass, nickel and gold-plated) to suit the interior of any yacht you'd better plan to spend between €5,000 to €10,000 or more for a customized version. Cheers!
[via Sail World]
Gallery: The Bottler
Amana Gets Stylish
Whirlpool appliances is retooling their Amana brand, offering what they call "affordable luxury." The company feels there is a market for stylish appliances on the market. They've also drafted reality TV show interior designer Thom Filicia as the "brand ambassador" and he stars in videos on using appliances in home decor on the Amana webstie.The company has created a line of top-mount refrigerators in colors like lipstick red, stainless steel kitchen suites and my favorite, the dry erase fridge which lets you write notes right on the door. It starts at $549. Future projects for the company includes a small egg-shaped washer just for your undies and a a top-mount refrigerator with a beverage can dispenser.
[via TWICE]
Bang & Olfusen Forecast Turns Dim
Another purveyor of luxury goods seems to be in trouble. Bang & Olufsen has forecast lower profit and sales for the year for the third time. The Denmark-based company has said that they have seen less of a demand for luxury consumer electronics and they are also facing legal disputes. Bloomberg reports that shares have lost almost two-thirds of its value this year.
Bang & Olufsen is in a tricky spot because their products often cost more double or triple what a similar products would cost from another manufacturer. While Bang & Olfusen products often have really fantastic design and a distinctive look in an economic crunch that might not be be enough to keep customers shopping. Analysts say that Bang & Olufsen may have to find a partner for their electronics business as technology increases and if profits continue to fall. Bang & Olufsen is scheduled to release fiscal 2008 earnings in August and hopes that profit will improve. I'm certainly pulling for them. They've had a few design clunkers over the years (I think their Serene cell phone is a bit of a miss) and their products may be overpriced at times but no other company produces consumer electronics that are quite as distinctive.
Party-A-CarGo
It's a bit bulky but if you your weekends involve a lot of tailgating, the Party-A-CarGo just might be for you. The Party-A-CarGo is a hitch-mountable, self-contained beer kegerator/entertainment system. It can pour up to 160 ice cold beers, play 12 hours of music and TV without having to recharge the battery. It has its own power source, a deep cycle marine battery, and a built-in battery charger. It also includes a five pound CO2 tank, a keg tap D-system, faucet wrench and drain tray. The entertainment package includes 230 watt, 6 X 9 speakers, a 10" subwoofer, 2 or 4-channel amplifier, CD player, satellite radio and a LCD screen with TV tuner. The dimensions are 50 w x 35 h x 26 d with 10" hitch post and it weight 80 pounds empty. It sells for $2,900-$3,800 depending on options.
[via UnCrate]
ICON A5
Getting your own plane is a pretty fantastic purchase but what if you could have one for only $139,000. The Icon A5 is a two-seater sport plane that is an amphibious, retractable and fold-able aircraft with the ability to be towed on a trailer behind your car! It even comes with a plane-sized parachute to help ease the landing in an emergency situation. Small enough for a pair to fly and compact enough to keep in an oversized driveway, the Icon A5 will be a welcome creation come 2010 when its available.
[via Uncrate]
Gallery: ICON A5
