Affluent Page Luxury Index » Jared Paul Stern

Caballero $12,000 Bulletproof Polo Worn by Princes and Presidents

Jared Paul Stern — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:15:58 +0000

A $12,000 anti-ballistic polo shirt made of ultra-lightweight bulletproof fabric by Colombian designer Miguel Caballero is now available from Harrod’s of London. Caballero has been dubbed the “Armani of armor” by high-profile clients such as Prince Felipe of Spain, President Álvaro Uribe of Colombia and President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela. His proprietary lightweight, removable ballistic panels allow for maximum flexibility and discretion while providing protection from weaponry ranging from a 9mm pistol to an Uzi. Just the thing for riding in the back of your new Maybach Landaulet.

The polo shirt is from Caballero’s high-end Black Label line, virtually indistinguishable from Italian designer garments, which includes various leather jackets and even a bulletproof tuxedo shirt. However, since the linen-covered polo is by necessity quite thin, considerable skill and expense is involved in crafting it. Harrod’s is the first and only retail outlet for Caballero’s line outside of South and Central America, catering to demand to the increasing number of Russian oligarchs who are buying up London’s priciest real estate. However, U.S. residents can order custom-made garments directly from Caballero’s Bogota atelier, should you wish for a bulletproof cashmere topcoat, for instance.

www.miguelcaballero.com

The New $1.4 Million Maybach Landaulet

Jared Paul Stern — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:45:56 +0000

Maybach, the ultimate luxury automobile brand, is adding a new $1.4 million open-topped Landaulet to its range, making five models in all. Maybach debuted a one-off example of the Landaulet, which will be hand-built to order in limited quantities, at the Paris Motor Show. Designed for use as a chauffeur-driven limousine, the new Maybach revives the classic area of elegant cars with open-topped rear compartments used by royalty, popes and dignitaries on parade before fear of snipers relegated them to the history pile. The Landaulet is based on the Maybach 62 S, billed as the world’s most powerful series-produced luxury saloon with its twelve-cylinder biturbo engine.

Reinforcing the fact that the Landaulet is designed as a chauffeured vehicle, the example shown in Paris featured a two-tone Grand Nappa leather interior, white for the passenger compartment and black for the chauffeur. The rear compartment’s folding top, operated from a switch in the center console, retracts in less than 20 seconds and is hidden by a fine leather tonneau cover matching the sumptuous seats. Interior trim elements are offered in glossy piano lacquer and Star Galaxy granite from India, a rare stone deep black flecked with gold. Fully reclining rear seats with a massage function are standard, while as with other Maybach models there are many customizable options available.

www.maybach-manufaktur.com

Rent the Record-Breaking $39 Million St. Barth’s Villa

Jared Paul Stern — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:09:36 +0000

A lavish villa in St. Barth’s which was just sold by Sotheby’s Int’l Realty for $39 million, setting a new record for the chic French West Indies resort, will be available for rent a few weeks out of the year for pre-qualified individuals. Completed late last year, Villa La Grande Maison des Etoiles, located in an exclusive gated mountaintop community in Colombier, is one of the most luxurious homes ever built in St. Barthelemy. Five of the villa’s seven bedrooms are themed after famous designers and decorated in their style, including Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Christian Dior, Yves St. Laurent and Chanel suites.

The estate features panoramic ocean views and multiple in- and outdoor living and dining areas, three pools and gardens and bordered by magnificent stone walls handcrafted from volcanic rock. From the decks and patios there are breathtaking views of the ocean and the neighboring islands of Saba, Statia and St. Maarten, a panorama of the incoming yachts, and glorious sunsets. A glass pyramid rising from the deep end of one of the pools is actually the skylight for a state-of-the-art fitness room underneath. During the peak season, the one-of-a-kind villa is being offered at $193,550 per week, fully staffed.

http://www.stbarths.com/realesate.htm

Lusso Collection Acquires $5 Million Tuscan Villa

Jared Paul Stern — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:57:23 +0000

The Lusso Collection portfolio of multi-million dollar residences in the world’s most desirable vacation spots has acquired its first European property, a stunning $5 million villa in Tuscany. Located just outside the picturesque city of Cortona, La Ripa is a 500-year-old farmhouse that has been restored to preserve its traditional, rustic Tuscan architecture including wooden beams, stone fireplaces, terra cotta floors and brick archways, enhanced by luxurious modern amenities. The impressive 4,000-sq.-ft. five-bedroom villa is nestled on 27 private landscaped acres with a swimming pool, overlooking rolling hills and picturesque views of oak woods, cypress and olive groves.

The Lusso Collection is comprised of 31 luxury properties in 17 destinations, worth an average of $4 million each, located in sought-after spots such as Cabo San Lucas, Aspen, Miami, Hawaii and the Bahamas. The décor is geared towards the affluent gentleman of taste and refinement. They currently offer two membership options: Lusso Unlimited provides members with unlimited use of its properties in some of the most sought-after vacation destinations for a deposit of $425,000 and annual dues of $28,000. Lusso 21, a new membership offering, provides 21 days of access each year for a deposit of $325,000 and annual dues of $21,000. The company plans to increase its portfolio to 39 luxury homes in 21 destinations by year-end, with London and Paris properties expected next.

www.lussocollection.com

Rare 1964 Porsche Racer Could Fetch $1 Million

Jared Paul Stern — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:24:53 +0000

On Sept. 19, Bonhams will auction off this rare and beautiful 1964 Porsche 904 GTS sports racing coupé, one of only 100 made, during the famed Goodwood Revival classic car meet outside London. Estimated at £400,000 - £600,000 (about $715,000 - $1 million), the highly-prized coupé is from the collection of renowned racecar driver Bernard Consten, a five-times Tour de France winner who competed in several Le Mans, Sebring and Targa Florio events. The 904 GTS competed in participated at the 1965 Le Mans, 1964 Tour de Corse, 1965 Coupe des Alpes, 1965 Reims 12 Hours, 1965 Routes du Nord and numerous others, and has since captured concours d’élegance honors.

In addition, Bonhams is also offering Consten’s equally rare 1965 Alfa Romeo TZ1, which competed in the 1965 Rallye de Lorraine, 1966 Cevennes Rallye and the 1966 Tour de Corse, estimated at £240,000 - £280,000 (about $430,000 - $500,000). Costen served as president of the Féderation Française du Sport Automobile (FFSA) from 1968-1973. “This is a rare and possibly unique occasion to purchase these continuous history examples directly [from] such a prestigious custodian,” notes Philip Kantor, Bonhams’ International Director of Business Development.

www.bonhams.com

Terroir Tequila: A New Frontier in Ultra-Premium Spirits

Jared Paul Stern — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:53:04 +0000

The concept of terroir, which forms the basis of France’s Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) system, is familiar in viniculture, but what about other crops used in fermentation? The idea that climate, soil type and topography also affect the individual characteristics of the agave plant is the inspiration behind Ocho, the first ultra-premium, vintage single-estate tequila to be imported into the U.S.

Because the blue agave used to make tequila is harvested in its 12th year, producers use a variety of plants from different plots in their spirit. Ocho however uses only one estate or terroir per batch, making each one unique and of course very limited. This painstaking, artisanal approach runs counter to the poor breeding and cultivation practices which have led to inferior crops in less well-tended areas.

After harvesting, Ocho’s agave is then slowed cooked in stone ovens before undergoing open-air fermentation in wooden casks. Finally, it is aged accordingly for Plata, Reposado, and Añejo offerings. When bottled, each one is numbered by hand and stamped with the estate name of each vintage year. The finished product fittingly resembles a fine cognac.

Plata, Reposado, and Añejo will be sold at $60, $70 and $80 per 750mL bottle.