Saint Laurent unveils diamond jewelry line

Hedi Slimane is launching a new line of stunning diamond jewelry for the Parisian luxury house.

Titled ‘Saint Laurent Diamond,’ Slimane’s latest jewelry collection features stunning modernist designs in gold, set with brilliant-cut diamond paving.

The hand-crafted jewelry line, which features rings and bracelets for men and women, follows “the tradition and savoir-faire spirit of Parisian joaillerie,” says the brand.

Customers have the choice of 18K gold or 18K white gold set with diamonds and according to Saint Laurent the collection will be “permanent and evolving.”

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Grammy-themed cruise set to launch next year

Music lovers are being wooed to sail the seas with Norwegian Cruise Line, which announced plans to launch a Grammy-themed ship next year.

The Grammy Experience will be located on deck 8 of the latest addition to their fleet, the Norwegian Getaway. In addition to housing artifacts curated from the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, the ship will also feature live performances by past Grammy winners and nominees.

Construction on the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Getaway is currently underway in Germany, and will be the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami when it sets sail in February next year.

Highlights of the ship’s features include an open-air boardwalk, three decks to optimize oceanside viewing, and a seafood restaurant developed by US Food Network celebrity chefGeoffrey Zakarian.

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What families are looking for on their next vacation

When it comes to family travel, eat-free programs, kid-friendly activities and healthy food options are some of the most important priorities for parents when booking their holiday.

That’s according to two separate reports released this week which looked at family travel — the largest segment of the leisure travel industry, says Expedia.com.

In its family travel trends report, Expedia found, for instance, that value-for-money was top of mind for budget-conscious families who are more apt to be persuaded to book a hotel that offers free breakfasts, eat-free programs or free stays for the first child.

A report out of the Holiday Inn chain also found that saving up for a family vacation was the biggest challenge for families — more than trying to coordinate schedules or taking the time off work.

Pools, kids’ suites, and special on-site children’s activities are also important amenities for parents. And while the Holiday Inn report found that nine in 10 parents said their kids’ opinions are influential when choosing their vacation destination, gone are the days when holidays were planned for the exclusive enjoyment of kids, a fact that some hotels have long realized.

Parents are now looking for hotels that offer babysitting services and kids’ activities so that they can escape for a child-free romantic date. Increasingly health-conscious families also appreciate hotels that offer healthy food choices and appropriate portion sizes for kids.

Looking for accommodation ideas for your next family trip? TripAdvisor readers selected the Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel in Ortisei, Italy as the best hotel for families this year.

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Louis Vuitton for Only Watch 2013

Participating for the fourth time, Louis Vuitton has produced a superb piece unique for the upcoming Only Watch charity auction. As in prior years, Louis Vuitton’s piece for Only Watch 2013 is extra special because it was designed in collaboration with young Paul Pettavino.

Paul has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and it is research towards a cure for this disease which proceeds of the event go to support. Paul’s father LUC is president of the Monaco Association against Muscular Dystrophies and a figurehead in the Only Watch event.

This year, Paul designed the enamel and gold sailboat or painted on the dial and the painted Louis Vuitton Damier canvas trunk. A message signed by the young boy is also stuffed inside.

This Tambour Regatta Spin Time has a 45.5mm x 16mm rose gold case, and the regatta timing function uses LV’s novel “spin time” mechanics (the red squares are actually rotating cubes). The “spin time” collection was first introduced by LV in 2010, and then in 2012 it was applied to regatta timing.

The regatta timing is managed by the button on the case at 8 o’clock. Pushing the button sets the watch to regatta timing mode. Note the subdial up top starts at “25″ and counts to “30″ (marking the five minutes preceding the start of the regatta). The red cubes then mark race time in 5 minute increments.

Source: perpetuelle.com

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Splendidly Renovated Italian Castle Displaying Charming Details

Originally built between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the fabulously elegantCastello di Semivicoli in Casacanditella, Italy, is an inspiring travel destination for people worldwide. During 2005 and 2010, the hilltop castle went through  an extensive renovation led by Oriano Associati Architetti. They transformed the charming palace from seriously degraded into an inviting luxury travel destination. Spreading over 2,500 square meters (26,900 square feet), the fantastic property showcases additional 20,000 square meters of parks and gardens overlooking the picturesque surroundings.

An elongated rectangular ground floor houses spaces once used as a mill, a winery and a warehouse, while the main floor shelters a collection of private spaces occupied by the owners, the Masciarelli family and their guests. The rest of the property is divided between fascinatingly remodeled spaces:

“The mezzanine floor and the attic, for a time for the servants and then inaccessible and unused, welcomes now the rooms and ancillary spaces of the accommodation. The last level, soaring above the attic, was originally intended as a barn is now home to the most prestigious accommodation units with a 360 degree view of the Maiella and Gran Sasso, the Adriatic, and the cultivated valleys.”

A minimalist elegance is seen throughout, alongside strictly maintained architectural details. Resulting in an awe-inspiring architectural composition, Castello di Semivicoli is an excellent example of a successful modern upgrade.

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Medieval Castle Turned Into Authentic Hotel in Italy

Located in the mountains of Abruzzo at 1250 meters above sea level, S. Stefano di Sessanio is a picturesque fortified medieval village, just a two-hour ride away from Rome. It is in this scenic part of Italy that the creative team at Oriano Associati Architetti decided to preserve and refresh the historic structure of a medieval castle, turning it into a unique accommodation unit.

By working alongside local organizations, the team converted Sextantio Albergo Diffuso into a traditional village hotel: “To retain Santo Stefano’s local character all modern technology is hidden. We searched out original architectural materials, and our furniture and textiles are authentic items from the Abruzzo mountains. We have preserved traces of bygone countryside life in the fabric of the buildings – symbols of hardship which evoke the spirit of ancient rural life”, explained the architects. The interior arrangements were intentionally reduced to minimalist functionality, yet the hotel’s atmosphere is very welcoming and genuine.

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Tumi’s New York Flagship Opens At Madison Avenue

To make a big statement in the heart of New York city, Tumi has opened its latest flagship store at 610 Madison Avenue.  New Jersey based manufacturer of suitcases and bags for travel has thrown open the doors of this 1,800 sq ft outpost to woo shoppers to with their new appearance.

It is designed by award-winning international designer and architect, Dror Benshetrit to attract visitors to indulge in effortless shopping experience. The brand’s logo, illuminated in signature red color, is installed on the façade of the second floor in an attempt to be visible from far end of the street too.

Clients can step in to come across day bags right at the front of the store. Larger travel cases are placed on pristine white platforms at the rear end and at the center, smaller leather items, like wallets and phone cases, are displayed on white tables. All the products are available to be tried on hand without hesitation. The brand has also brought forth their monogramming station, readily accessible for customers keen to add a personal touch to their shopping.

Designboom explained that the interiors have been done up with emphasis on neutral toned materials to provide suitable backdrop to highlight Tumi’s wide-ranging collection. The 18 ft ceilings rise high to render generously soaring legroom. Other features like walnut-finished wooden fins and highly polished metal fixtures add to the elegant interiors. Also four-paneled 12 ft flat screen run the label’s seasonal marketing campaigns, keeping the shoppers and those accompanying them glued.

Dror Benshetrit shares the same sentiments as the luggage brand, ‘When you look at a TUMI bag, there’s a lot of logic and reasoning behind the design. Whether you’re creating a bag or a store, you’re designing for that same customer. We wanted to add a sense of hierarchy within the space to provide a seamless experience – moments where the consumer is guided towards what they’re looking for. TUMI customers know exactly what they want.’

CEO of Tumi, Jerome Griffith also stated, ‘As a design leader, we seek partners with a shared philosophy who can also bring a fresh perspective. Our relationship with Dror began with a successful product collaboration. Partnering with Dror for the new store design was a natural fit. Together, we developed a space that represents our heritage of design excellence, technical innovation and superior functionality.’

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