Holiday Luncheon and Fashion Show Attracts a Great Crowd of Shoppers

Ray Negron Surprise Guest at Boys and Girls Club of OB-EN Holiday Luncheon
Ladies dressed for the Holiday Luncheon and Fashion Show to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich arrived early to take advantage of the opportunity to shop at the holiday boutiques before sitting down to lunch at The Metropolitan on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

“Welcome to the Metropolitan Club and Happy Holidays. We are thrilled that we have 170 guests today. Thank you all for coming,” said Lori Bahnik, Boys and Girls Club of OB-EN co-president. She called up to the dais Ewa Litke and Marie Bahnik and thanked them for co-chairing the luncheon and presented them with beautiful bouquets of flowers.

“The Nutcracker ornaments on the tables were prizes for the woman with the closest birthday,” said Ms. Bahnik. They were donated by Ewa and Jim Litke.

“Shop as much as you can. Fifteen percent of all today’s purchases goes to the club,” she added.

Ms. Bahnik said this year’s gala had been a wonderful cruise (at the clubhouse) and that next year, guests should save the date Friday, June 11 for their gala to be held at The Metropolitan. “You have to come to make it a very gala event,” she said. The 2010 gala is called Dancing Under the Stars!

She asked if friends had seen the new playground at the club and credited NYS Senator Carl Marcellino for helping them get it for the children. “The kids love it. They want to go out and play in rain, wind and snow,” she added.

Each guest left with a Christopher Radko ornament donated by Diane and Ray Knight of K-II Home Furnishings of Locust Valley. The table centerpieces were donated by Ewa and Jim Litke. The chocolate snowflakes that were a table gift were donated by Marie and Claude Bahnik.

The elegant Mitchell/Marsh fashion show had outfits from Diane Von Furstenberg, Hugo Boss, Cedrics Fur, Charles Chang Lima, Missoni, Armani Collezioni, Tory Burch, Rivamonti, Etro, Phillip Lim, Ralph Lauren, Hani Y, Theory, Badgley Mischka and Carmen Marc Valvo. It included shoes by Manolo Blahnik, Tory Burch, Prada, Stuart Weitzman, Jimmy Choo, Cole Hann, Sam Edelman, Salvatore Ferragamo and Gucci.

Surprise Guest

As Lori Bahnik called out the winning raffle prize numbers, she stopped to announce a surprise guest, Ray Negron, a supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Mr. Negron currently works with the New York Yankees as a personal consultant to George Steinbrenner. “Mr. Steinbrenner caught me doing graffiti (drawing a Yankee logo on a Yankee Stadium wall) and offered me a job as a bat boy instead,” said Ray. He spent Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Brooks Brothers store in Manhasset Americana encouraging shoppers to spend to support their favorite charity at their 14th annual holiday shopping benefit, Champions for Charity. One of those benefiting was the Boys and Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich, and meeting members at the event prompted this visit he said.

Mr. Negron is the author of several children’s books. Ray’s first book, The Boy of Steel, was #2 on the NY Times Bestseller List and was instrumental in helping numerous charities, little leagues and the Boys & Girls Club to raise funds for their programs. Ray’s second book, The Greatest Story Never Told: The Babe and Jackie has helped juvenile diabetes and the Dewayne Murcer Foundation for cancer research and education.

Ray’s third book One Last Time: Goodbye to Yankee Stadium was released by HarperCollins Publishers on March 17, 2009, and has already reached # 1 on Amazon’s Best Seller List. The foreword was written by Reggie Jackson. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs, the DeWayne Murcer Foundation for Cancer Research and to charities to help the homeless.

Mr. Negron is also director of Community Relations for Spalding, America’s oldest baseball company, where he has been instrumental in supporting baseball in underprivileged areas with equipment donations and volunteer efforts from some of baseball’s biggest stars.


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Dynamic duos aim to be unique

This year's slate of St. Louisans deemed Fashion Originals includes three pairs: husband and wife, best friends and sisters. What's truly unique about this sextuplet is that each of them managed to describe their relationships and their style as something we can express only as yin and yang. These are not opposites, but complementary elements. Each person had signs of drama and pragmatism, color and Stoicism, the abstract and the realist. One of the sisters joked that the other was 60 percent realist but 40 percent abstract as in "I can't even believe she's trying to pull that off."

SARAH KRAMER, 34, MARRIED TO JASSEN JOHNSON, 31, ST. LOUIS

Jassen, owner of Renaissance Development Associates developing Midtown Alley Neighborhood

Describe Sarah's style: She's eclectic. That's the first thing that comes to mind. Whenever she's out shopping with friends, she always amazes people because she'll take something that they think looks awful, but she'll put it on and it looks great. She's confident, too. If she wasn't she wouldn't be able to pull some of her clothes off.


Describe your style: I wear a uniform of jeans and a jacket no matter what the occasion. When I put on khakis I look like a big dork.

What's he wearing: A jacket from Zara, tie and vest from Banana Republic, dress shirt from Brooks Brothers, jeans from the Gap, a Kenneth Cole watch, Ray Ban prescription glasses, his favorite Ferragamo belt with a horse bit buckle and Robert Wayne shoes from Neiman Marcus.


Sarah, director of communications and charitable giving for Pfizer

Describe Jassen's style: Jassen has a uniform, but he loves layers and jackets and cool shoes. And he always dresses up, even on a Saturday afternoon. He never ever likes to look sloppy. I have a few pairs of sweat pants, and he's threatened to burn them. He's actually plans out his outfits every day. He wore a suit to school the first day of first grade, so he's very ... um ... thoughtful about what he wears.

Describe your style: I like to stand out, so I want things that no one else will have. I don't buy outfits, ever. I buy different pieces here and there and put them together. Basically, I wake up and throw stuff on. One time at my junior prom, someone wore the same purple dress as me, and I was devastated. It scarred me.

What's she wearing: Red ruffled coat by Samuel Dong from Anatomy of Style, St. Louis; Max Azria shoes from Saks Fifth Avenue, costume jewelry from Nordstrom and A.G. jeans. Her wedding ring was designed by Jassen; the other ring was a gift from him.


JACOB LAWS, 27, WEST COUNTY, AND BEST FRIEND SYDNEY EISENSTEIN, 22, TOWN AND COUNTRY

Jacob, senior designer for Cure Design Group

Describe Sydney: Bag lady chic ... no, really she's always well put together even when she doesn't try. She's kind of effortlessly striking — 95 percent of the time. When she's in public, she likes to look good for her hubbie (Jacob and Sydney joke that they are gay husband and wife, which only fuels Sydney's grandmother's speculation that Jacob is not really gay).

How long have you known each other: We were Muny kids together, so about 15 years.

Describe your style: Tailoring is everything, even if something is off-the-rack, it can look like $1 million with tailoring.

What's he wearing: Dondup jeans, Etro shirt, Ben Sherman tuxedo jacket, Brooks Brothers pocket square, J. Crew tie, Prada belt, Gucci loafers and his grandfather's vintage gold watch ("I was wearing the big gold watch before the gold watch was cool," he said. Sydney retorts, "And I was friends with Jacob before Jacob was cool.")


Sydney, self-proclaimed vagabond on hiatus from New York fashion internships, she works part-time at Laurie Solet boutique

Describe Jacob's style: I'm thinking eclectically polished. Is that a term? He's always combining something new, and he really takes care of himself. He looks good, which makes me look good.

What's your style philosophy: Don't be boring or predictable and stay true to your own style no matter what the trends are. I don't really care what other people think, and I always have a little black go-to dress, and when it comes to heels, the higher the better. Oh, and it's always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

What's she wearing: As usual, Sydney borrows from her mom's couture closet, wearing a Gucci by Tom Ford dress, Mui Mui shoes trimmed in python, Van Clef vintage pearls and a Chanel bracelet.


SISTERS MARIANNA "MARI" DAVIS, 34, OF FLORISSANT, AND MALENE "LANI" DAVIS, 32, OF ATLANTA

Mari, co-owner and designer of Iram-Inal Designs (the two sister's nicknames backward)

Describe Lani's style: She's fly always ever since she was little. She wanted to wear makeup and heels too early and all that. She's chic and funky and bold. She altered the outfit she's wearing today, like this morning, by attaching those sleeves.

Why did you two become jewelry designers: It was Lani's idea. I graduated with a degree in biology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and she graduated with a degree in law from Syracuse University. We did jewelry as a creative outlet because school was so stressful and one day she was like, "We can do this for real."

So biology inspires some of your jewelry: Yes, the piece Lani is wearing today looks like chlorophyll, but she hates it when I talk science.

What's she wearing: Earrings and recycled jersey necklace from Iram-Inal Designs, Lane Bryant boots and an Old Navy dress.


Lani, co-owner and chief designer of Iram-Inal Designs, iidesigns.com

Describe Mari's style: She's very free with fashion and loves to combine pops of color. We both believe that bigger is better when it comes to jewelry. Our preference is to make a statement and be on the edge of style. Our mother is our inspiration because she always wore big, bold jewelry.

Describe your style: I own a lot of black, and I like to mix thrift items and vintage clothes with artistic pieces.

How do you combine your styles into jewelry: We both fine tune each other, and so far it's been two years in business full-time, and it's good.

What's your style philosophy: We don't believe that you have to spend a lot of money to look good. All of our items are under $100, and we are big believers in eco-friendly and recycled materials.

What's she wearing: An eco-friendly recycled palm wood Cereja necklace from Iram-Inal Designs, a modified dress from Target with new sleeves, boots from Target and plum leggings. And Lani cut her own hair, she says, "I'm a true DIYer."


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Recession, for luxury consumers in india, was psychological not real

The last couple of years have seen a rapid influx of International luxury brands into the Indian market. What started with one or two brands in
five-star hotel locales quickly resulted in a rapid and complete takeover of the consumer’s mindspace. Canali, Zegna, Paul Smith, Ferragamo, Kenzo, Jimmy Choo, Bottega Veneta, Armani, Versace...think of a luxury label and it was here.

However, in the midst of this flurry of activity, the global meltdown happened. Consumer spending plummeted the world over and luxury was in crisis globally. But the story in India was somewhat different. There was no real dent in the luxury consumer’s spending here. The recession was in the mind of this consumer, psychological, not real. And it presented an interesting case for study. So, who then is the luxury consumer in India, defying all logic of global gloom syndrome?

Sample this –second-generation scion of an industrial business family, running a successful family business or a first-generation entrepreneur who has made it big through his sheer business acumen; well traveled, in some cases studied abroad, enjoying the rewards of success – fancy car, plush apartment, trophy wife. The vagaries of economic downturn, which affected global giants, do not seem to ruffle his business enterprise.

Case two – rich businessman’s wife, unaccounted cash stashes in her Burberry clutch, out picking her evening wardrobe for a friend’s store opening soiree. She heads to DLF Emporio and a few happy shopping hours later emerges with four bags – Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Judith Leiber, and slides gracefully into her waiting Bentley.

The world watched this little show from the sidelines and gaped at this extravagant and unabashed spending while they did not know how to hold the show together in their own backyards. The interest levels thus rose and we had the luxury world converging in March this year in Delhi for the International Herald Tribune Luxury conference. While they extolled on sustainability, the picture unraveling outside was quite the contrast. As the evening parties rolled, more of the same surprised faces.

Admittedly, the luxury world had never seen such opulence in their home turfs where private residences hosted dinners for 800 guests or the most spectacular shows were put up at luxury abodes in the heart of the capital. This is a snapshot of the Indian luxury market that defies all logic and does not have an equal anywhere in the world. The luxury goods market in India is one of the world’s most diverse and exciting markets.

China, which has been hitherto extolled as the future of luxury, is a very different story all together. The Chinese consumer comes from the newer generation working population, who saves every yuan to buy that much-coveted new bag from the LV store across the street. It is the numbers of these aspirational luxury buyers that get that economy clicking. We do have a similar consumer emerging in India – the young working population, which is brand aware and has the propensity to buy.

This aspirational class in India, combined with the older business families, makes it the largest emerging luxury market in the world, estimated
to grow at 25% over the next five years. In this bullish scenario for luxury in India, it would be a good idea for global luxury brands gauging the market to understand their consumer better.

The good life is in. Money and consumerism are emerging as the undisputed measures of success. There is considerable disposable income coupled with optimism about the future.

An expanding upper class, creating large peer groups and reference groups for aspiring consumers.

The consumer is well traveled, brand aware, price conscious and shops for his favorite brands overseas. Most luxury brands in India have understood these consumer dynamics and kept prices at par to whatever degree possible, within 10-20% of the European prices at best. This is a fact, which the consumer is now realising and, therefore, preferring to shop at ease in the brand store closer home. Further, the merchandise is the latest season offering from the brand globally and of good quality.

Media has played a pivotal role in creating aspiration. International titles that have entered the country in the last couple of years have taken consumer desire to new levels. As a result, there has been an emergence of a new ‘social hierarchy’, of those who get featured in these glossies vs. those who aspire to get there. The deep-rooted social hierarchy mindset of those who want to make the leap into the higher strata of society imitating the prestige purchases of those they imagine are above them in the social ladder are fuelling the luxury goods market in India.


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Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide, A to Z

You haven’t started yet? Ouch. Well, don’t fret. There is still a week left. You still have time to seek out that "wow" gift. Add a little extra spark to someone's Christmas with one of our selected offerings on the Martiniboys.com Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide, A to Z.

A Day at elBulli Ferran Adria is the closest thing the culinary world has to the Pope. Every year, millions make pilgrimages to eat at his legendary elBulli restaurant on the Costa Brava in Spain. With the new 600 page illustration-heavy A Day at elBulli, you can experience the restaurant even if you can't actually go there. The book includes over 800 photographs, menus, recipes, and itineraries that attempt to give a full picture of the elBulli experience. Available at www.phaidon.com

Black Orchid by Tom Ford Given Ford’s proclivity for chest bearing, one would assume that Tom Ford smells fantastic. Black Orchid cements that reputation. The original fragrance from the uber-designer, Black Orchid's name befits its striking scent. Judiciously and slyly blending black truffle and ylang with earthier tones like patchouli, vetiver, and vanilla, it's a dark and strong scent. Available at www.tomford.com

Cointreau Noir Cointreau Noir is a blend of the original tangy orange Cointreau liqueur, but with an added Remy Martin cognac. The original taste has been refreshed by a blended taste that can be sipped casually or guzzled straight. The added vanilla and nut flavor make the drink truly golden, literally. The Halloween looking bottle, makes me think this daring drink might only be handled by the best of the best (obviously meaning you). Cointreau Noir is $63.99 for a 750ml on liquor store shelves now.

Dita: Stripteese Flip Books This set of three books (each about the size of a deck of cards) are nestled together in a cardboard enclosure and tied shut with a pretty pink ribbon. The first book is the Martini Glass - Dita's most famous show. The second book is the Bird of Paradise - a gorgeous look at Dita in a gilded cage. The last book is the Classic Striptease with those seamed stockings and signature corset. Available at www.amazon.com

Eating The Dinosaur For your hipster roommate or bespectacled "post-ironic" colleague, Chuck Klosterman's latest tome should be ideal. Retreating to the essay collection format that made his name (i.e. 2003's Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs), Eating The Dinosaur examines topics as disparate as Ted Kaczynski, time travel, football, voyeurism, and Nirvana's In Utero, putting them all on equal footing as material for serious intellectual discussion. Available at www.chapters.indigo.com

Ferragamo's Revival Wallet Salvatore Ferragamo's Revival Wallet typifies elite leather goods. Painstakingly crafted, subtly seductive, and utilitarian minded -- multiple compartments always connote utility -- it's refined and suave. Tangentially, I know Father's Day can be hard on the wallet, but this one will hold up, empty or not. It retails for about $250. As always, make sure you have more inside than out. Available at Neiman Marcus, Holt Renfrew.

Gucci Leather Belt For men, Gucci has introduced a subtly elegant must-have: the thin leather belt with antique brass buckle. The antithesis of a shit-kicker's buckle, this Gucci-emblazoned piece has an understated cool. Available in both brown and black, the belt retails for a fair $260, especially considering your presumed seasonal budgetary constraints. Oh, and pull your pants up. Available at www.gucci.com

Henk Stallinga Salt and Pepper Shaker Seeing traditional salt and pepper shakers and saying "not strange enough," Stallinga has created a kitchenware piece that would look great in any household. More than resembling old-school telephone ear and mouth pieces, they actually are old-school telephone ear and mouth pieces, souped up to create salt and pepper shakers. Kitchenware can be a bit of a boring gift, but with the help of Dutch design, that doesn't have to be the case. Available at charlesandmarie.com

iPhone cases Give your honey a little protection for your iPhone, which may be just as precious as the device itself. Help someone hold the phone in style with a shiny gold or silver iPhone case from Incase or a high-end, pink patent leather holder from the British brand, Mulberry. Mulberry "Daria" iPhone case, $250 at www.mulberry.com

John Varvatos striped Henley It's hard to think of a bigger holiday cliché than getting someone a Christmas sweater, but this John Varvatos striped Henley is a superfine Italian spun Merino wool designer fashion piece that just happens to work well as a Christmas present, provided, of course, that you can afford the $600 price tag. Sure, knitting it yourself would be considerably cheaper, but you're not one of the most prestigious menswear designers working today, are you? Yeah, didn't think so. Available at www.johnvarvatos.com

Kindle Although other e-book readers were available previously, Amazon's Kindle is clearly the best, with storage space for 1,500 books in its two gigabytes of memory and millions of selections in its online store. Which means there are tonnes of Tony Danza facts at your disposal. Both Americans and Canadians can now buy the Kindle at Amazon.com. If that's too steep for you, may I suggest a library card? Available at www.amazon.com/

Louis Vuitton Speedy bag The LV label comes with a hefty price tag, but this a high-end bag that never goes out of style. It comes in four sizes, but the Speedy 30 is a nice balance between too small and the slouchy over-sized sacks that seem to swallow your keys and cellphone without fail. $690 at Louis Vuitton

MacBook Air The Macbook Air has everything you've come to expect from Apple, with an even sleeker look and a new 128GB option. The 13.3 inch LED-backlit display paired with a full-size keyboard doesn't leave a whole lot of room for anything else-you would think. Luckily the multi-touch trackpad is pretty grand keeping those fingers happy. Available at Apple Stores.

Nikon D3 Digital SLR Enter the Nikon D3 Digital SLR. It's fast, sensitive, 35mm-aping, ergonomically enticing, and malleable. What more could you want? This is a serious piece of equipment aimed at experienced shooters. Incidentally, beware of disgruntled shutterbugs (I know that doesn't sound menacing, but it is). On shelves now.

OOTS! lunch box Say goodbye to bulky plastic boxes with rotting stickers of the Flinstones and give the little one the gift of cool with the OOTS! lunch box. Made from BPA and phthalate free polypropylene, the brightly coloured, modish boxes feature one rectangular container (6.75" x 3.75") and four square containers (3.5" x 3") that snap into place right inside. Available at www.lunchboxes.com

Psycho Bunny Ettinger Bridle Leather Wallet It’s really saying something for an accessory when it’s adorned with a skull-and-crossbones rabbit right on its front. The bridle leather exterior features both Psycho Bunny and Ettinger's insignias, while the interior features contrasting gold lining. You don't even need to stuff the wallet full of hundreds; it's conspicuous enough to merely suggest the presence of wealth. Available at www.johnvarvatos.com

Queen - Live At Wembley '86 For that true Queen fan. Then this is a must have for any Queen fan. This taken during the Kind of Magic tour. When Queen was at the height of their popularity. From the moment you press play to the moment the DVD finishes. Available at www.amazon.com/

Rock & Republic It’s hard to go wrong with Rock & Republic. Andrea Bernholtz brought this brand to life in ’02, and the jeans world hasn’t been the same since. R&R. Everything is kept simple with a combination of old and new school production methods. Don't expect any gimmickry; if you want that pre-stressed rock star look, you can look elsewhere. Available at Neiman Marcus, Holt Renfrew.

Sonoro Elements W The Sonoro elements W is a unique animal, indeed, as it manages to marry the needs and desires of a very distinct set of music enthusiasts. The curvy, sleek box with an iPod dock extension is small enough for a desk or nightstand, but it still manages to deliver in both FM antenna and WiFi modes, offering access to over 13,000 Internet radio stations. Available at JR.com

Tom Ford’s Black Orchid Given Ford’s proclivity for chest bearing, one would assume that Tom Ford smells fantastic. Black Orchid cements that reputation. The original fragrance from the uber-designer, Black Orchid's name befits its striking scent. Judiciously and slyly blending black truffle and ylang with earthier tones like patchouli, vetiver, and vanilla, it's a dark and strong scent. Available at www.tomford.com

Underwear Mens or ladies Bikini calvin klein underwear is definitely sexier than, say, a toaster oven. Bikini underwear worn under tight fitted clothes leaves no panty lines and for those who dress to impress or undress to impress these are certainly a winner. Bikini styles are snug fitted underwear needed for support, but are a sexier look than a jock strap. Available at www.cku.com

Valentino DVD This behind-the-scenes look at the recently retired couturier's life as a designer, dog owner and fashion legend. Every frame is full of meticulous dress construction, power struggles and the over-the-top production of his 45th anniversary as a designer, held at the Coliseum in Rome. $29.99 at www.barnesandnoble.com.

Wallet Salvatore Ferragamo's Revival Wallet typifies elite leather goods. Painstakingly crafted, subtly seductive, and utilitarian minded -- multiple compartments always connote utility -- it's refined and suave. Tangentially, I know Christmas can be hard on the wallet, but this one will hold up, empty or not. It retails for about $250. As always, make sure you have more inside than out.


X" cuff links from the Graffiti Collection by Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. Inspired by the way Parisian schoolgirls would sign their letters with Xs and Os for kisses and hugs, Picasso developed a line of jewelry containing the letters. Years later the accessories are still popular at Tiffany, where Picasso has been designing jewelry since 1980. Available at Tiffany's.

Yamaha YSP-4000 Like a bat, the YSP bounces sound off your walls, so unless you live in a wall-less structure (i.e. you're a hobo), it will give you surround sound from a single source. Though, with seven different settings, even those living in open-concept lofts, gymnasiums, or caverns, it can shoot its sound at and around you. It has an iPod dock, built-in digital amp, and satellite readiness.

Zipcar Gift Certificate Buy your loved one a Mini Cooper. Well, for a day or so. Or even an hour. With a Zipcar gift certificate you can give the gift of a BMW or a Mini Cooper while cutting down on pollution and car consumption at the same time. It’s easy stuff and involve standing in a line. Make the purchase at Zipcar and they'll email you the gift certificate which you can forward or print it out to give to the lucky friend.


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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Unveils Wax Figure at Madame Tussauds

Sean “Diddy” Combs unveiled his wax figure at Madame Tussauds New York in Times Square.

Diddy spent more than an hour with a team of Madame Tussauds studio artists, who flew from London to Los Angeles to start the figure creation process with him.

He donated a replica of the outfit he wore in an advertisement for his “I Am King” fragrance
– a white dinner jacket by Battistoni; black dinner trousers by Jones, New York; a white tuxedo shirt by Hugo Boss; black shoes by Ferragamo and a black bowtie, cufflinks and shirt studs by Pronto Uomo.

Mr. Combs even provided Madame Tussauds with a bottle of “I Am King” for his figure to wear.


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P. Diddy is Madame Tussaud’s New Best Dressed Wax Figure

Yesterday at Madame Tussaud’s Unveiling of P. Diddy’s Wax Figure the only one looking sharper than Mr. Combs was himself.

Sean “Diddy” Combs unveiled his new wax figure to an intimate audience at Madam Tussaud’s in Times Square. The music mogul was there with his multiple entourages including his Bad Boy employees, Sean Jean employees and his family, including his mother and son Justin.

As in all of P. Diddy’s ventures he took his wax immortalization at Madame Tussaud’s very seriously. His personal barber of years, Curtis “The Barber”, was even consulted in creating the mock-up. During the unveiling Mr. Combs called up Curtis one final time to confirm they had got his “signature hair-style” right.

The statue is clothed in a replica of the outfit for his famous advertisement for the “I Am King” fragrance. A white dinner jacket by Battistoni, black dinner trousers by Jones, New York, a white tuxedo shirt by Hugo Boss, black shoes by Ferragamo and a black bowtie, cufflinks and shirt studs by Pronto Uomo. If you get there early and take a sniff of the figure at Tussaud’s you might even pick up the sent of “I Am King”, which Diddy’s people made sure the museum had.

They’ve got the likeness posed casually in a standing position with left hand in pant pocket. Somehow they gave the figure that air of Diddy swagger, as if to say “I’m not impressed” or “no, you can’t work for me.” The statue is on display now on the second level of the Tussaud’s.


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Korean Shoppers Developing Taste for Bespoke Goods

The latest development in Korea's growing luxury goods market is a trend for custom-made products. Customers are looking to show off their individuality and differentiate themselves from people carrying uniform products. Experts say the luxury goods market is saturated and thus is evolving towards bespoke products.

Samsonite opened a branch in Cheongdam-dong in June where it offers made-to-order luggage and bags. The basic designs are fixed, but customers can choose color, fabrics and other materials to taste. The products are then hand crafted in Europe, taking six to nine weeks to finish.

Men's apparel brand Ermenegildo Zegna allows shoppers to personalize their suits by choosing details like buttons, creases and any of 450 fabrics. Customers can even have their name and the date of manufacture embroidered in the suit. Cheil Industries men's apparel brand Galaxy lets customers select fabrics from about 100 fabrics for their suits.

At Salvatore Ferragamo, men can select the outsole as well as the materials and colors of their shoes. Custom-made Ferragamo shoes are made at the company headquarters in Italy and cost 20 to 30 percent more than ready-made shoes. Demand for Ferragamo custom-made footwear has soared this year, to the point where about 10 percent of its products are custom-made. Two years ago it was just five percent.

Park Si-young from Ferragamo Korea said, "Custom-made products express the wearer's individuality since they can be made with various options, unlike ready-made products. Recently, the number of male customers has grown remarkably."

Experts expect the trend for custom-made products to spread to new areas. Samsung Electronics recently released a new mobile phone and allowed a select few customers to create a custom color for it. Lee Dong-hun of Samsung Economic Research Institute said, "As manufacturing systems become more flexible, custom-made products can be more easily realized. Companies that fail to keep up with these trends will be wiped out."


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30-Something Men Embrace Imported Luxury Products

Thirty-something men are emerging as key customers of imported luxury brands. Until early this year, men in their 30s mostly preferred relatively low-priced luxury goods like neckties and wallets. Now they have increased their consumption of high-end products including clothes and watches, becoming a new cash cow for foreign luxury brands.

The proportion of sales of imported luxury goods to men is growing, doubling from some 20 percent in 2007 to 40 percent this year at department stores like Lotte, Hyundai and Shinsegae, and it is 30-somethings who are leading the trend. Department stores are seeing steep growth in sales of imported designer suits from brands such as Armani, Ferragamo and Hugo Boss. "Sales of imported high-end men's suits are growing fast, although we're seeing a decline in overall sales of men's suits," a department employee said.

A main reason behind the trend is the diversification of customers, experts say. "The main customers of luxury goods used to be rather older professionals such as doctors and lawyers," said Kim Bong-soo, a marketing executive at Shinsegae Department Store. "But now younger ordinary salaried men, first-jobbers, and even job seekers preparing for interviews tend to opt for high-end brands."

Chung Ji-young, a marketing manager at Hyundai Department Store, said, "People in their 30s directly benefited from the nation's rapid economic development. They're used to the culture of consumption, and they have a keener interest in fashion and shopping than older generations."

In the past, men in their 30s tightened their belts to save money to prepare for marriage and to buy a house. Nowadays they prefer to enhance the quality of their lives and enjoy spending for themselves rather than saving for the future.

Experts say the trend is also a result of growing interest in grooming among men. "Personal appearance is becoming just as important for professional success for men as it is for women, so more young men, particularly those in their 30s striving to establish a firm position in their profession, are willing to spend money on grooming themselves," said Ha Ik-sung, a market researcher at Shinsegae. The industry predicts that 30-something men will continue to increase their spending on luxury goods.


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mix@36 - Westin Style

The lounge bar at the Westin, Pune Koregaon Park, lives up to its name offering an ambience that is sure to strike the right chord with everyone- the young and the mature, the corporate executive and the socialite about town.

Pune, Maharashtra, December 9, 2009 /India PRwire/ -- Pune's social circuit has acquired a new sheen - a venue that blends the classic with the contemporary, the opulent with the minimalist, the east with the west. Fittingly named the mix@36, the lounge bar at the Westin, Pune Koregaon Park, lives up to its name offering an ambience that is sure to strike the right chord with everyone- the young and the mature, the corporate executive and the socialite about town. The interiors welcome with a natty melange of browns and deep burgundy and a bar that gleams in burnished copper. The back bar design is minimalist with muted highlights offering a spirited display of the house goodies.

Connoisseurs who know their Glenlivet from their Glenfiddich will feel right at home here with a beverage menu that lists a total of 68 different varieties of whiskies. For the rest of us there is an extensive selection of all kinds of spirits, beers, wines, champagne, classic cocktails, mocktails and Martinis.

However you prefer your drinks mixed - shaken or stirred, Westin is the new toast in town. And adding a note of haute glamour to the mix@36 are two of the hottest brands in the fashion industry SALVATORE FERRAGAMO and ESTEE LAUDER who in collaboration with The Westin Pune Koregaon Park, are hosting a never-done-in-Pune-before fashion workshop to help you step out in style. On the occasion Salvatore Ferragamo known as the "shoemaker to the stars" will showcase a preview of the upcoming Spring Summer collection along with a display of the recent Fall collection. A range of menswear, accessories along with women's accessories like bags, shoes a selection of bijoux will be available. The iconic Varina ballerinas in colourful shades are a must have, the mini vara clutch which is a special tribute to the Vara bow (the brand logo) are the seasons latest trends, the Vara bag will see you from a daywear to an evening out whereas the Lucile heels will make you look chic and fashion forward. Along with these few styles there would be much more that caters to individual taste.

Salvatore Ferragamo also has recently launched a special line of merchandise known as the "PINK COLLECTION" which supports breast cancer awareness globally. In India however Salvatore Ferragamo Pink Collection includes women's bags and shoes, sunglasses and t-shirts: a Varina ballerina shoe, a sports shoe, a T-shirt, a tote bag. An iconic sandal with cage heel swathed in CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements will be available as a limited edition item. The proceeds from the sales of these merchandise will be donated towards Ogaan Cancer Foundation in India for Breast Cancer Awareness.

In association with Salvatore Ferragamo is Estee Lauder which is known for a perfect blend of luxury, heritage and service. It will host make up trials for the invited guests and will introduce the new range of products like the Re-Nutriv luxury skin care line, Time Zone, Perfectionist CP+, Nutritious Vita-Mineral Makeup. Iconic products such as Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, Double Wear long-lasting liquid and powder foundations, Double Wear and Signature Hydra Lustre Lipsticks and fragrances including Estée Lauder classic range of Private Collection perfumes, Pleasures and Pure White Linen from the house.

Estée Lauder is known around the world for its skin care, makeup and fragrance and trusted to deliver technologically advanced, high performance products that are innovative, sophisticated and of superior quality. The event will see highly-trained Beauty Advisors to grant customers their every beauty wish though Estée Lauder's exclusive Signature Services, which will help guests to choose the best skin care, makeup and fragrance to meet their individual needs. For soon-to-be brides, Signature Services are also available which is a perfect way to gain expert color advice on how to make any makeup look their own as well as finding their exact foundation match using Estée Lauder's exclusive iMatch system. Through the Skin Check-up service Estée Lauder can also make it easy to find the perfect skincare regimen, combining the proven repair and moisturizer formulas targeted to their specific needs to achieve radiant skin for their special day.

You could thus experience the ultimate in luxury fashion and make up from the house of Salvatore Ferragamo and Estee Lauder at the newly launched luxury destination; Hotel Westin.


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Luxury back in style as economy recovers

The luxury clothes and accessories market accounts for about 3% of the Rs1,750 crore organized retail market in India, where family-run stores are a dominant feature


Mumbai / New Delhi: Retailers of luxury clothes and accessories are finally seeing signs of a recovery, even as India saw a surprise 7.9% economic growth in the second quarter.

At least 40% of the new Gucci fall-winter collection that arrived in early November at the eponymous store in the Galleria at Mumbai’s Trident-Oberoi hotel was picked up in a week, a sales executive at the store said.

Also, the Rs28,500 apiece perspex (poly fibre) bags in pink and yellow from the Jimmy Choo Pep collection that was unveiled in India a week after its global launch in mid-November are among the fastest selling this winter, a sales representative at the designer’s store in Galleria said.

“The slowdown that started last September has now come full circle with sales picking up early August this year,” says Charu Sachdev, founder and chief executive, TSG International Marketing Pvt. Ltd, which retails and markets brands such as Moschino, Alberta Ferretti, Jean Paul Gaultier and Stella McCartney in India.

Sales staff at luxury stores at Galleria—home to stores such as Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo, Todds and Versace—are upbeat. “We have approximately five-six walk-ins on an average day but the conversion is close to 60% (in the past two months),” said a salesperson at Versace.

Conversions are high at Delhi’s Emporio mall, too, which houses 75 international brands and 111 Indian brands and designer labels under one roof, including heavyweights such as Todd’s, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey (LVMH) and Armani.

The luxury clothes and accessories market accounts for about 3% of the Rs1,750 crore organized retail market in India, where family-run stores are a dominant feature. But reviving sales in the segment is a good indicator of an economy that’s gaining strength, backed broadly by government spending, manufacturing, easy money policies by the central bank, and good farm output.

Consider this: at Hugo Boss, where the least expensive product is a pair of socks at Rs1,000 and suits for men kick in at Rs1 lakh, conversions are as high as 80%, according to Jyoti Chauhan, assistant store manager at the designer’s retail store in Delhi.

Until recently, spooked by a global economic slowdown, luxury brands such as Bottegga Veneta, Chopard, Roberto Cavalli, Givenchy and Davidoff, among others, ran extended sales and discounts as deep as 80%. The Murjani group, which marketed a number of luxury brands, entirely exited the business earlier this year to focus on premium brands, which are a rung lower.

“Last year, people were just being slightly more cautious and there were no impulse buys. Products which promised lasting value were doing much better,” said Sanjay Kapoor, managing director, Genesis Luxury Fashion Pvt. Ltd, which markets brands such as Paul Smith, Canali, Kenzo and Aigner.

Sangeeta Assomall, chief executive, Marigold group, which brought Judith Leiber handbags to India earlier this year, said: “We are meeting our targets of selling 10-14 numbers a month and expect this to increase to 15-20 per month over the next two months.” The bags sell for Rs1-6 lakh.

The luxury market in India is different from that in mature economies, where clothes and accessories are the largest components. In India, jewellery and watches, at 31%, have the largest share of the luxury market, followed by clothes and accessories at 23%, said Neelesh Hundekari, principal at global consulting firm AT Kearney Ltd.

Meanwhile, purveyors of luxury are expanding their presence, even as they woo value-conscious Indian consumers with discreet discounts and gifts. The initiatives include lower inventory and, wherever possible, absorbing the luxury tax to make pricing globally competitive, said industry experts.

For example, the Emporio Armani store in New Delhi’s Emporio mall—the names are a coincidence—last year stocked inventory when it launched but now stores only one piece in each size. “From August till November this year, we have already sold 60 (pieces of) merchandise at the store and in the next two months we expect to sell at least another 20% before we go for sale in February,” says Jawhar Abbas, the Emporio Armani store manager. “The response is very good and we sell about 40 items across categories everyday at the store.”

However, the sales may have had their downside. “Consumers have got spoilt in the last year and ask us for discounts even when there is no sale,” said a salesman at Aigner, while conceding to indulging the occasional regular shopper. He declined to be identified.

And in a mark of optimism that the good times are back, luxury marketeers are looking at expansion. “We are doing trunk shows to explore newer markets in tier-I and tier-II cities and have found a great response,” says Kapoor of Genesis Luxury, who plans to have 50-70 luxury retail stores nationwide over the next four years.

Sachdev has also revived her plans for expansion as rents have fallen by up to 30% from a year ago. “We’ll have over 30 point of sales in the next five years up from the current seven,” she said.

Brands have also started offering globally competitive prices despite a higher luxury tax being levied here. “Our consumers are well travelled and aware of prices… Hence, we, along with the brand, have to compensate for the higher taxes by offering competitive prices,” says Anu Sabu, head marketing at Ethos Summit, a luxury retail watch chain that houses brands such as Cartier and Rolex.


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Ferragamos Convert Crumbling Tuscan Villa Into Winery, Resort

Dec. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Don’t bother going to a wine store and asking for the new line of Ferragamo wines. The Italian brand adorning $1,600 leather boots isn’t on the bottles because the family, being extremely genteel, thinks it in poor taste.

Instead it uses names like Il Borro, a Tuscan estate spread over 700 hectares (175 acres), with 40 dedicated to vineyards. Salvatore Ferragamo, 37, the tall, blue-eyed grandson of the company’s late founder, Neapolitan-born Salvatore, recently introduced the wines to the trade and media at a tasting on the patio of the Ferragamo showroom on New York’s Fifth Avenue.

“The estate dates back to 1760 in the noble Medici- Tornaquinci family,” Ferragamo said at the tasting, “My father Ferruccio used to hunt with Duke Amedeo D’Aosta, who owned the property until 1993, when we bought it and brought it back from almost complete decay.”

The Ferragamos restored the grand villa and country houses on the estate and turned it into a winery and a resort, which Salvatore Ferragamo now manages. Daily rates, now in low season, run from 200 euros ($302) to 1,500 euros per night, with a three-night minimum.

Wines have always been made on the estate and the Ferragamos hired enologist Niccolo D’Afflitto in 1999 to improve the quality. The winery opened in 2007, with four labels under the IGT (indication of geography typical of the region) appellation decreed by Italian wine laws.

With D’Afflitto and enologist Cecilia Leoneschi, Ferragamo also makes wines on estates around Montalcino such as the 4,500- acre Castiglion del Bosco.

Cheese and Chicken

Eight wines were presented at the New York tasting, along with platters of prosciutto, Parmigiano cheese, focaccia and Tuscan crostini toast slathered with chicken liver paste -- the kind of food whose fat content enhances the wines on the palate.

To begin, there was Il Borro Lamelle Chardonnay 2006 ($24), which spends 8 to 10 days in both oak and stainless steel, then two months in oak, followed finally by two months in the bottle before release. At 12.5 percent alcohol, its structure is much closer to the finesse of French Burgundies than the powerful, over-oaked California style. It is ideal with simple seafood and pastas in cream and butter sauces.

Il Borro Pian di Nova 2006 ($24) is made from an unusual blend, for Tuscany, of 75 percent syrah and 25 percent sangiovese. At a reasonable 13 percent alcohol, you don’t get that syrah burn or too much ripeness out of the fruit. It’s a big, thick, chewy wine, however, with the ballast of sangiovese tannins that make it a good match with game dishes.

$15 Dainero

Castiglion del Bosco Dainero 2004 ($15) is 90 percent merlot with 10 percent sangiovese that gives a bit more character to the merlot than northern Italian examples usually show. There isn’t much complexity here, but at $15, it’s pretty wonderful.

Castiglion del Bosco Rosso di Montalcino 2005 ($21) is a more traditional wine of the region, made with 100 percent sangiovese at 13.5 percent alcohol. More and more I am impressed with rosso di Montalcino, the illustrious brunello di Montalcino’s lesser brother, because I find it easy to drink at a younger age.

While not having the same body and complexity as brunellos, rosso di Montalcinos are excellent Tuscan wines on their own. Ferragamo’s had a brilliant ruby color and a gorgeous bouquet. It’s still tannic, but within the next year, should emerge as a very fine example of this increasingly delightful red.

Musty Brunello

Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino 2003 ($50), by law 100 percent sangiovese grosso, with 14 percent alcohol, was swirled in the glass with a slightly musty aroma that dissipated to reveal abundant fruit and a remarkably forward development for a young brunello. You could take great pleasure in it now with a peppered bistecca alla Fiorentina, but wait a year or two, and I think you’ll really be amazed at its power and refinement.

Castiglion del Bosco Campo del Drago 2003 ($80), also a brunello, is a bigger, very tannic wine now, with a powerful nose that bursts from the glass and a blanketing richness as it falls over the palate. This may take a little time to mature fully, but the wait will be worth it.

For the most part, prices for these wines are amazingly reasonable -- the rosso di Montalcino is a steal at $21 -- and just the thing to drink while wearing your $790 tassel loafers.


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Jennifer Aniston is Ferragamo Fierce

Jennifer Aniston and her BFF hairstylist Chris McMillan catch a flight back to Los Angeles via Heathrow airport on Monday (November 30).

The 40-year-old actress spent Thanksgiving weekend with Chris in Morocco. “It’s sad to be away from America on Thanksgiving,” Aniston told People. “But I actually had my meal last week in L.A. with friends. [And] I was last here 10 years ago, so I am happy to be back.”

FYI: Aniston toted around her favorite leather studded bag by Ferragamo, sported a cute striped tank by Splendid and carried around a Love Quotes scarf.


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