Lorre White, The Guru of Luxury

Lorre White "The Luxury Guru" has a UHNW following.

One of the few sites that target the UHNW exclusively and the only luxury site with an identifiable, trusted, and experienced luxury expert personality. www.LuxGuru.Typepad.com

The Luxury Guru, Lorre White website has a wealthy international following.  It is one of the few sites for the already arrived UHNW, not the aspirational consumer.  The Luxury Guru site covers both the business of luxury as well as the newest and best items in the luxury sector.

 

 

Ms White’s years of experience in private aviation from SeaGate Travel (the 10^th largest travel company in the US with a private charter division), one of the creators of the NBA airline (used by the White House staff & reporters off season), head of global marketing for NetJets/Marquis Jets BBJ program and as a luxury marketing consultant to many luxury brands including several private jet companies, has resulted in her having a large private wealthy aviation following. 

 

 

Her fans are predominantly very wealthy.  They have an interest in learning about the best luxuries in every category.  They trust The Luxury Guru, Lorre White to do the collecting of interesting and informational articles about luxury that is specifically relevant to their UHNW wants/needs.  Her luxury blog is unique, as it is the only source of luxury news with a trusted identifiable and qualified luxury professional, Lorre White.  She has the trust factor with the UHNW demographic.  The information targets the already arrived, not the aspirational consumer that most every other site is able to reach. They spend the time to read her blog because they trust that the time will be well spent….and their time has great value.

 

If you know of Martha (Stewart) you are probably part of the 98%....if you know of Lorre (White), you are most likely part of the top 2% financially.

 

www.LuxGuru.Typepad.com   - Sign up on the top left under the black and white photo, to have it sent directly to your email daily.  You will recieve a confirmation emaul and you MUST click on the link in that email to finialize the process.

VALENTINO completes restructuring, returns to profit and proceeds with investments

VALENTINO Spring Summer 2011 campaign

 

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The flagship brand of Valentino Fashion Group directly owned by investment fund Permira, VALENTINO seems to have emerged from the crisis and posts 18,3% increase in sales in 2010, compared to 2009, reaching a total volume of 273,4 million euros. The delegated CEO, Stefano Sassi who took over in 2009 also announced the brand is now clear of any debt and will exeed in 2011 the sales volume of 300 million euros. The younger pret a porter line  Valentino Red which represents 15 to 20% of total sales, will see more dedicated retail locations, while communication for the line will focus mostly on the internet. As for product categories, accessories have seen a 70% increase in 2010 compared to 2009. A new, larger, concept of the flagship store will be launched in Milan by mid 2012.

www.PP_Luxury.com

 

5 Things to Know About China’s 2nd- and 3rd-Tier Cities

Move over, Shanghai, Beijing. Astute global marketers are hustling to second- and third-tier cities as enticing retail expansion opportunities abound. It’s no easy task as the learning curves are steep. There are special consumer dynamics to be considered. Here are five things to know about the retail outlook in China’s 2^nd and 3^rd tier cities.

1. The big-city shift to smaller cities is about a burgeoning, younger, middle class

The growth of middle class in China is dramatic. McKinsey estimates that 75 million urban households will enter the middle class between 2008 and 2015 ($7,500 US to $18,000 US annual household incomes). Says one retail analyst in a Wharton study: “The Chinese love shopping…new shoppers are born every day. We won’t run out of them.” A McKinsey survey notes middle class consumers between the ages of 25 and 34 is a generation that has seen growth and opportunities, is optimistic, and is enjoying a better life than their seniors. Yet, the younger middle class in Tier 1 cities like Beijing are tired of high real estate prices and shrinking job opportunities and are keen to move to Tier 2 And  Tier 3 cities.

2. Think ‘disposable’ incomes

Those with unremarkable incomes are nonetheless driving retail spending right now, says Benjamin Cavender of the China Market Research Group. They are likely to have stayed at home until they married.  That means that, relative to what they earn, their disposable incomes are high.

3. Shopping is about hypermarkets and domestic brands…for now

Consumers in lower-tier cities are loyal to what they know best, which are domestic brands. No international brand waging a campaign, however clever, has a chance in the smaller cities unless it’s “on the ground,” says Kevin Lee of the research firm China Youthology.

4. Consumers are mainstream, not experimental or avant-garde

This is where international brands may stumble, according to Lee. Some outside retail hopefuls don’t bother to understand cultural dynamics of narrow social units with limited exposure to foreign brands showcased at international-type Tier 1 malls.

5. The Internet will be a change agent

The Internet is a powerful bridge builder to exposure to foreign brands that may not yet be found in stores in Tier 2 or Tier 3 cities. Over 87 million Chinese made purchases online during the first half of last year alone. Taobao is China’s most popular e-commerce portal and Lee calls it “a big disruption.”

 

 

www.Red-Luxury.com

CEO Robert Polet leaves GUCCI GROUP and owner Francois Pinault takes over

Gucci store Paris

 

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Francois Pinault, owner and CEO of PPR which owns Gucci Group has embarked on a major restructuring campaign which targets key decision makers within the less performing brands. The shake up set out with the departure of the YSL CEO Valerie Hermann (replaced by Paul Deneve from Lanvin) followed by the Group's CEO Robert Polet who leaves the company from March 1st when owner Francois Pinault will take over as group CEO. Robert Polet joined Gucci Group the in 2004 coming from a senior position within Unilever's icecream division. Under his tenure, the group's fashion brands, Stella Mc Cartney, Alexander Mc Queen and Yves Saint Laurent continued to underperform in comparison with flagship brand Gucci . However, Gucci has not made up for the huge gap to reach its direct rival Louis Vuitton. Of all the group brands, BOTTEGA VENETA has been the star performer, almost doubling its sales volume and retail presence worldwide, under the direction of Tomas Maier. In a statement to media, Francois Pinault announced that PPR posted a net income increase of 56 per cent for 2010. He credited the increase on a "stellar" last quarter, with sales up 39.9 % at Bottega Veneta; 23.3 % Gucci; and 24%at Yves Saint Laurent.

 

www.Cpp-Luxury.com

Gold Infused Olive Oil from Croatia

By William Stolerman

A limited edition, gold infused olive oil from Croatia has gone on the market priced at 600 euros per bottle.

444 bottles will be produced in the series containing extra virgin olive oil from the Croatian island of Hvar.

Infused with edible gold flakes, each one is individually numbered and comes in a wooden case. The buyer also receives an ownership card entitling them to purchase a refill bottle without the wooden packaging.

One unit takes 12 craftsmen and 120 hours to make.

www.goldenoliveoil.com

The staggeringly powerful 777hp MTM Audi R8 will make its public debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

By William Stolerman

The staggeringly powerful 777hp MTM Audi R8 will make its public debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.

To achieve its striking aesthetic, the paint-free, aluminum Audi R8 BiTurbo was polished by MTM for 700 hours, and thanks to its gargantuan engine, it can hit a top speed of 217 mph, making it the fastest R8 around.

MTM will also showcase its 472-hp, 195-mph Audi TT RS (above left).

Via [autoblog]

www.audi.com

Russian Billionaire's Faberge Eggs at the Vatican

By William Stolerman

Viktor Vekselberg has spent his lifetime collecting Russia’s greatest treasures and now the Russian billionaire is to exhibit his collection of Faberge eggs in the Vatican.

Pyotr Karlovich Faberge made 52 eggs for Russia’s Imperial family, and beginning on April 14, a selection of these prized pieces will go on display at the Holy See Museum. The exhibition is an exceptionally rare opportunity to see the eggs in person.

Vekselberg purchased his Faberge eggs as a part of an entire collection from the Forbes family in 2004 - a collection which included nine Imperial Easter eggs and another 190 items, including brooches, inkwells and smoking accessories. He said he paid over $90 million for the collection.

The exhibition in the Vatican will comprise 180 works of art and took Vekselberg over a year to organise.

Via [luxist]

www.vatican.va

Galliano Suspended by Dior after Anti-Semitic Attack

By William Stolerman

John Galliano has been suspended by Christian Dior, his employer of 13 years, after an alleged anti-Semitic attack against a couple in Paris’ Marais district, the traditional home of the city's Jewish community.

Galliano was believed to have been drinking heavily last Thursday when he launched the racist outburst in a busy covered terrace in front of dozens of astonished revellers. Several members of the crowd called the police.

A Police source said: “We arrived extremely quickly and managed to break up the disturbance. The man involved was briefly arrested and then released pending charges for assault.”

“Witnesses said he swore heavily, using anti-Jewish insults, before attacking a couple. Both have provided witness statements, as have a number of other people at the bar, including staff.”

The fashion house said he would be asked to stay away from work pending the outcome of the police investigation: "Dior affirms with the utmost conviction its policy of zero tolerance towards any anti-Semitic or racist words or behaviour," said Dior chief executive, Sidney Toledano. "Pending the results of the inquiry, Christian Dior has suspended John Galliano from his responsibilities."

In turn, Galliano has denied all allegations of racism and anti-Semitism, as well as filed a legal complaint of his own against the couple for defamation, intimidation and slander.

What’s more, it’s since emerged that a video purporting to show Galliano’s racist outburst has been sent to a French newspaper.

In the video, seen by Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD), Galliano is described as "pathetic, with slurred speech" as he spoke to the other customers at the La Perle bar. The newspaper also claims the film shows John Galliano telling neighbouring customers in the Parisian bar that their parents should have been "gassed".

According to Géraldine Bloch, the woman Galliano allegedly insulted, he also shouted: "Shut your mouth, dirty whore" and "you are so ugly you can't bear to look at yourself. You are nothing but a whore, that's plain to see". When she went to complain to bar staff, they are said to have replied: "This guy deserves to be beaten up, but we can't do anything, it's John Galliano."

The incident leaves serious question marks over the Christian Dior fashion show planned for Paris Fashion Week on March 4.

Via [telegraph] & [bloomberg] & [vancouversun]

www.dior.com

Aston Marin Unveils 2012 Virage Coupe and Volante

By William Stolerman

Aston Martin has unveiled its 2012 Virage Coupe and Volante models, both of which are based on the automaker's VH architecture.

Positioned between the DB9 and DBS, they boast bonded aluminum chassis with aluminum, magnesium and composite body panels. They are also equipped with the familiar 6.0-liter V12 which delivers 490 horsepower.

Coupled with the standard six-speed automatic "Touchtronic 2" gearbox, this propels the vehicles from 0-60 mph in about 4.5 seconds and up to a top speed of 186 mph.

The suspension is double-wishbone on all four corners while the wheels are 20-inch alloys mounted over carbon ceramic disc brakes with Pirelli P Zero tires as standard.

Pricing has yet to be disclosed.

Via [autoblog]

www.astonmartin.com

KARL LAGERFELD, a living legend

Karl Lagerfeld and muse Ines de la Fressange

 

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With a career spanning 4 decades in fashion and more recently in photography, German born designer, Karl Lagerfel continues to amaze audiences with new and sometimes even more creative project. His favourite ''past time'' hobbies are directing and photography. He has now made history with the short film on Chanel shot in St Tropez and the suprising ad for Volkswagen cars. Despite rumours of his imminent replacement at Chanel, he continues to deliver amazing collections for the legendary French fashion house. He is not only a genious of creating perfect fashions but also delivering the most impressive fashion shows, of which the 2010 collection present at the Grand Palais in Paris with a huge lion dominating the entire venue, being among the most stunning of the past decade. Along CHANEL, he continues to design for FENDI, mostly known for its leather and fur apparel and accessories. At Fendi he has been delivering successfull collections, the brand being considered the second most dynamic in development after Louis Vuitton, within the LVMH holding company. The only brand which he gave up was PUCCI, probably overwhelmed with his multiple ongoing projects. His collection for H&M made history and marked the debut of such collaborations between a fast fashion company and a well known designer. However, he seems to have always neglected his own line which used to be called Lagerfeld Gallery and now Karl Lagerfeld, producing insignificant sales mainly due to an uninspired choice of partners and investors. Since 1987 he is said to be carrying his camera wherever he travels, photography becoming his favourite artistic expression. He has not only shot memorable campaigns, mostly for CHANEL and many editorials for various Vogue editions but also themed series of photographs. It remains a mystery how he manages to juggle his design work for four pret a porter lines and an haute couture one, while remaining unstoppable in his journeys around the world. His legacy is enormous and his place in the history of fashion is assured among other legends Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent. His understanding of the Coco Chanel DNA will remain unique and no matter how creative or talented, his successor at CHANEL will face a huge task to live up to the levels which he raised. Lagerfeld is quoted in many interviews saying he does not have any intention to retire and that his contract with Chanel is for life.

 

 

 

WWW.CPP-Luxury.com