Affluent Page Luxury Index

Maserati Unveils Quattroporte Sport GT S

Affluent Page Editor — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:14:59 +0000

Maserati plans to debut its beautiful new Quattroporte Sport GT S, its most powerful luxury sedan ever, at next month’s Detroit Auto Show. The ultimate expression of the famed marque’s sportiness in the four-door Quattroporte range, the Sport GT S features four major technical and five significant stylistic improvements. Debuting in time to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Maserati’s first Indianapolis 500 win, the Quattroporte Sport GT S is positioned to give much-hyped new four-door speed demons like the Lamborghini Estoque and Porsche Panamera a run for their money.

On the technical side, the upgrades include increased power for the V8 4.7 liter engine to 433 HP; sportier gearshift management for a 0 – 60 time of less that 5.5 seconds; a re-engineered front and rear suspension system featuring stiffer springs and lower ride height; and a new sports exhaust system controlled by pneumatic valves for a “deep, throaty and captivating sound.” Stylistic changes both exterior and interior include a new black grill with concave vertical fins featuring the Trident logo with red accents; new headlights in metallic titanium finish; black finishing around the doors, body-colored door handles and black twin oval exhaust pipes; new M-design seats with perforated Alcantara® and leather upholstery; and trim finished in Titantex, a “titanium colored” composite material.

www.maserati.com

Holiday Gift Guide 2008

Affluent Page Editor — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:56:59 +0000

Superga by Isaia di Napoli Crocodile Sneakers

Affluent Page Editor — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:26:55 +0000

Two bastions of classic Italian style have teamed up to produce the ultimate in luxurious sport shoes: Isaia, one of the world’s last remaining Neapolitan sartorial brands, and Superga, makers of the iconic rubber-soled sneaker worn by elegant European sportsmen. Part of the IS (Isaia-Superga) collection consists of limited edition footwear that reinterprets Superga’s classic design in a range of luxury fabrics and finishes from Isaia’s atelier. The most desirable of these is made of top-grade crocodile skin (above).The crocodile version is now available in brown and black for $2,000 by special order at Barneys New York. Other luxe variations include ostrich, sharkskin and Aquacashmere, a stain and water repellent cashmere blend exclusive to Isaia. Dozens of Isaia suiting fabrics are available as well. Isaia, which recently celebrated its 50^th anniversary, marries a strong modern aesthetic with the high quality intricacies of old world hand tailoring. “Romanticism and perfection underscore the strong tradition of handcraftmanship that has been handed down in Napoli from generation to generation,” the company states. Superga was founded in 1913 in the northern Italian city of Torino, where Fiat and Lancia are headquartered.

www.isaia.it

$4 Million McLaren F1 Sets New World Record

Affluent Page Editor — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:07:53 +0000

A new world record was set in London last night when a beautiful and rare British-made 1997 McLaren F1 supercar sold for $4 million at RM Auctions’ mega sale. One of only 75 examples made, the car on offer more than doubled its pre-sale estimate to the astonishment of observers who conjectured world economic factors might dampen bidders’ enthusiasm. The F1 on offer (above) was the original Park Lane showroom model in pristine condition, and originally sold for $1 million.

One of the first carbon fiber-bodied production cars, the F1 was the fastest street legal production car in the world for over a decade, the longest period the record has been held by any street legal or production car in the history of automobiles. The record price is good news for collectors such as Ralph Lauren who acquired one of the few original models, and “redefines the market for these superb vehicles” according to Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Auctions European Division. Meanwhile, McLaren recently announced plans to debut a new version of the F1 in 2010, dubbed the P11, but it is expected to cost less than the original.www.rmauctions.com

The Bentley Train – Ultimate Private Rail Service

Affluent Page Editor — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:24:28 +0000

Bentley Motorcars chartered a private first class Pullman train to transport customers and top international dealers between London and its headquarters in Crewe for its recent Worldwide Conference, and the result was such a success the company may institute it as a regular feature. The lavish journey featured onboard dining by chef Anton Mosimann of London’s posh Mosimann’s restaurant. Customers purchasing a new Bentley motorcar could travel onboard to Crewe in high style to select bespoke options and finishes.

The elegant private train has luxury climate-controlled carriages, first-class service and trimmings worthy of the Bentley name. “The Bentley Train with its high-profile passengers and excellent service underlines what we have been saying for over 10 years,” commented Simon Pielow of Train Chartering, which handled the arrangements. “A private train is the best way to travel on Earth.” Luxury train travel is experiencing something of a resurgence lately with the launch of new luxury lines such as the Danube Express and Australia’s Ghan, featuring the Prince of Wales’ private carriage.

www.bentleymotors.com

Ralph Lauren Sterling Silver Equestrian Flask

Affluent Page Editor — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:56:47 +0000

When it comes to the height of equestrian chic, Ralph Lauren has no equal. The American designer built his multi-billion dollar empire on an Americanized vision of sporty elegance and classic style largely inspired by the horsey pursuits of the English upper class. In his newest collection Lauren offers a variation on his iconic polo player logo, rendered as images of 19^th-century jockeys drawn from classic British sporting art by the likes of John Frederick Herring, Sr. and Ben Marshall. And the choicest example is this stunning new sterling silver flask for the holidays.

The vintage-inspired solid silver flask features a beautifully-enameled jockey portrait and a precision-engineered hinged top, and will sell for $2,495. Flasks such as this were originally carried by British aristocrats while foxhunting on their country estates in their red coats or “hunting pinks”. Meanwhile, Lauren, whose company celebrated its 40^th anniversary last year, was just named the most powerful man in men’s fashion by industry bible DNR, which cited the designer’s “killer combination of high-tech innovation plus his claim on classic American style.”

www.ralphlauren.com

Evermay, The Last Great Georgetown Mansion is On The Market

Affluent Page Editor — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:30:16 +0000

One of the very last and certainly the greatest of the historic Washington, D.C. estates still in private hands is being offered for sale for the first time in 85 years at $49 million. Evermay was built on the heights of Georgetown in 1801 by English architect Nicholas King, who was also surveyor for the City of Washington, for Scottish tycoon Samuel Davidson. At one time Davidson owned 150 acres of prime Washington land; today the Evermay estate sits on the remaining 3.5 acres while the rest of Davidson’s property is occupied by the White House, Treasury and Old Executive Building.

The 9-bedroom, 6-bath brick Federal-style mansion is situated in the midst of meticulously landscaped gardens boasting six fountains and a Georgian domed pavilion, and offers sweeping views of the nation’s capital including Rock Creek Park and the Washington Monument. Over the last two centuries Evermay, which features a drawing room with English paneling dating from the early 1700’s, a grand ballroom and gatekeeper’s cottage, has been the setting for many important events and has hosted several American presidents and world-renowned dignitaries.

www.christiesgreatestates.com

Tom Ford’s Fur Boots for the Affluent Man

Affluent Page Editor — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:01:18 +0000

Decadent designer Tom Ford’s vision of winter luxury for today’s gentleman of leisure can perhaps best be summed up by his new collection of natural fur boots - about the most glamorous footgear money can buy. The collection consists of three pairs of boots and a hat, for the ultimate in affluent Eskimo chic: silver and tan natural fur boots ($5,250, above) and chocolate brown kid fur boots ($4,470) both with rawhide leather laces, and ultra-luxe natural brown otter fur boots with a slightly more tailored appearance, which at $9,240 are the jewel in the crown.

The not matching but complementary trapper-style hat is in white badger fur, and costs $4,510. The pieces are of course all handmade in Italy; part of Ford’s mantra is that “True luxury is found in clothing that has been shaped and honed by the human hand.” And if you’re wondering where to wear these warming wonders, Ford has the answer for that as well: “They’re perfect for a weekend in Gstaad or St Moritz - and those are the kinds of weekends our customers have.”

www.tomford.com

Impulsive Group Integrates Yacht Charter with Luxury Hotels

Affluent Page Editor — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:14:11 +0000

Luxury lifestyle hospitality concern Impulsive Group plans to offer integrated vacation packages combining its yacht charter and luxe hotel businesses with the unveiling of its newest property. Patrons will have the option of chartering the firm’s 120-foot Norship, the Impulsive (above), along with helicopter or private jet service to ferry them between the superyacht and the group’s hotels. The Impulsivejust completed a multimillion-dollar refit making it one of the most luxurious pleasure craft plying the waters.

The yacht, which now reaches an impressive 32 knots and features a Michelin-starred chef and a crew of seven, can now be chartered at a weekly rate of $100,000. An 82-foot Sunseeker Predator similar to the one sailed by Daniel Craig in Casino Royaleis also available for charter in the Caribbean at $60,000 weekly. Impulsive’s first integrated package will launch with the debut of the group’s luxe new Sanctuary Hotel in New York City, slated to open in 2009. Guests will be able to cruise the Mediterranean on the Impulsive,then jet to the Sanctuary for a bit of Manhattan highlife in the hotel’s exclusive duplex penthouse suite in one seamless transaction.

www.impulsivegroup.com

Flexjet Launches Ltd. Edition 25 Expert Guide Jet Card Program

Affluent Page Editor — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:38:16 +0000

Top-class fractional private plane service Flexjet has come up with the ultimate pairing of luxury private jet travel and exclusive one-on-one access to world renowned experts in the fields of art collecting, championship poker, fly fishing, philanthropy, haute cuisine and oenology in its new holiday offering. Available from Nov. 1 – Dec. 15, the Flexjet 25 Expert Guide Edition offers 25 - 35 hours of flight time in your choice of aircraft from the Flexjet fleet of Bombardier planes, along with your choice of an Expert Guide package.

Among the options are a two-day trout fishing expedition to the famed Henry’s Fork River in Idaho with master angler Mike Lawson; VIP access to the Pebble Beach Food & Wine event including exclusive chef’s tasting dinners; private lessons from a World Series of Poker winner at the Bellagio in Las Vegas; a consultation with art expert Barbara Guggenheim on how to build a world-class collection; and more. Prices range from $107,900 for 25 hours in a 6-passenger Learjet 40 to $401,520 for 35 hours in a top-of-the-line 12-passenger Challenger 604 (above).www.flexjet.com