Luxe Links

An Eco Friendly Stunner Overlooking Los Angeles - bloomacious.com

Factio Magazine interviews Pierre Colorado, the designer behind Blake Standard . Factio Magazine

Giuseppe Zanotti Platform Wedges - kristopherdukes

Organic Furniture by Urban Hardwoods - Luxist

Runway To Retail discovers a new label from Africa dubbed Suno, now carried at Ikram (where Michelle Obama frequents)! runwaytoretail

GINA

GINA is a new Floor or suspension lamp by Signum studio lab 2009 . Elasticated technical fabric cloth-covered metal structure.

Colori/colors :
White, black, red

Corallo

Corallo is a fluorescent light source family lamp by Studio Lagranja, composed by floor and hanging versions. Many modular elements, done by injection moulded polycarbonate, that remind a see coral branch.

“ We wanted to project a lamp that was articulated and rich at the same time, starting from a simple module, that repeating itself, grows just like natural structures, from simplicity to complexity”

Colors

white, dark grey, bone color , plain or with different color modules put inside to create a contrast.

Crinolina Lamp

Crinolina plays with the expressive abstraction of the hooped skirt fashion from centuries long passed eventually translated into a unique and modern lighting design by Susanne Philippson. The characteristic of the lamp is its outer lampshade which plays with carefully balanced open and closed surfaces. Viewed from various angles the outer shade shows both symmetric and almost deconstructivist asymmetric appearance. Crinolina is made from textile covered PVC and Epoxy Powdercoated steel and comes in a variation of three colors ( antracite, white and a deep purple) always in combination with a golden reflective foil for a warm and ambient light. The lamps will be available with both Halogen and energy saving bulbs .

KUNDALINI Pixel

Pixel is a new lamp by Bakery Group 2009 for KUNDALINI. Wall and ceiling lamp. Roto-moulded polyethylene diffuser fixed to a varnished metal structure.

Colours:
White

Dimensions:
H 51 cm, L 42 cm, W 10 cm

Bulbs:
3 X E14 12W Fluorescent

Feeding:
230V – 120V

Homology Lamp

Homology is a new Kundalini Lamp designed by Giorgio Gurioli 2009. The Floor lamp with compact polyurethane body and steel core is on display at Milan Furniture Fair. Features a Opalescent thermoformed plexiglass shade, laser cut stainless steel polished base.

Colors:
White, black, orange

Dimensions:
H 186 cm, L 30 cm, W 27,5 cm

Bulbs:
1 X 55W 2G11 Fluorescent

Feeding:
230V – 120V

Nokia Passion Fire Edition

Nokia Passion Fire Edition


Designed by Katherine Hughes for Goldstriker based in Liverpool U.K, this elegant handset boasts 40gms of hallmarked 925 Sterling silver handmade veneers struck with 24ct gold complete with Sterling silver dressings again struck with 24ct gold which house 60 beautiful Swarovski crystals.

Available 1st April 09 from www.goldstriker.co.uk Priced at £2,995 as a limited edition of 250 handsets

Cooper Square Hotel

Cooper Square Hotel is a new modern glass and steel New York City hotel located on Manhattan's Bowery in the heart of downtown. The new construction was designed by Carlos Zapata Studio. Noted Italian designer Antonio Citterio designed the interiors and furnishings are by B & B Italia. The Italian design motif extends to the guest rooms where the beds are outfitted with 400-count Italian Anichini-brand linens and comforters and the baths are tiled with Italian glass mosaics. Carlos Zapata says the inspiration for the building was a face starting small at the neck and widening upwards, with the intention of giving the building a very distinctive personality.

The 21-storey, 145-room hotel, dubbed “Downtown Luxury” by its owner/developer, has an open plan with a modern European feel. The main public spaces include a library with a bar and fireplace, an intimate screening room, and a destination restaurant, the first in New York for celebrated Los Angeles-based chef Govind Armstrong. The hotel’s interior organization and circulation plan is inspired by the small courtyards of the East village. There are several small intimate spaces on the back of the building and one can access the second floor bar without having to go into the lobby, forming a continuous loop between the many intimate spaces inside and outside the building.

Regenesi objects of desire

THE BEAUTY OF WASTE - How to turn 100 cans into a designer plate

In these times of un-sustainable consumption, who will be the Wall-e of this millennium? Just like the gentle, hard-working little robot, who will manage to unearth fragments of poetry, life and imagination amongst refuses that we are continuously producing? Using sparkling creative energy, Regenesi is trying to do it, as the first company in post-consumer design. In other words, how do you turn 100 cans into a very elegant plate or how do you fold regenerated leather like origami to produce a tasteful basket for waste paper and create little pieces of poetry, of beauty, style and practicality, out of every sort of scrap and waste. These objects of desire represent a new, viable and recyclable idea of luxury, created with the help of designers of international fame such as Denis Santachiara, matali crasset, Setsu e Shinobu Ito, Giulio Iacchetti and Marco Ferreri in re-using post-consumer materials. In business since March 2009, Regenesi is the first concern in the design and fashion industry to invest 100% in the concept of sustainability. By choice, it uses only post-consumer materials, treated with original processing techniques that ensure quality standards identical to those of virgin raw materials. The range of products goes from furnishing complements to fashion accessories and is for sale exclusively online at www.regenesi.com.

Meridian Sooloos touchscreen - Control 10

Meridian has announced the the first of its new designs with Sooloos, the recently acquired manufacturer of server-based home entertainment systems. The Control 10 integrates Meridian's proprietary connectivity with the award-winning Sooloos touchscreen, the most user-friendly media-access solution yet created.

The Control 10 acts as the controller for the Sooloos system featuring a groundbreaking user interface to connect with a range of modular hardware components, creating an experience of digital media that is unrivalled. The components can be connected in many ways to give the user incredible expandability and flexibility with simple and elegant setup.

The desktop-style Control 10 touchscreen features a razor-sharp 17-inch LCD display with crisp, HD-level imaging, and a resistive touchpanel with outstanding user feedback. Adding to its ease of use, the Control 10 includes a slot-loading CD drive in its low-profile base for convenient, local loading or playback of content without requiring a computer or outboard disc drive.

Meridian SpeakerLink connections transmit digital audio and system control messages via standard Cat5 cables over distances of up to 300 feet. Moving audio over large distances in the home without noise or grounding problem has never been easier.

"Our goal for the first Meridian Sooloos product was to incorporate the SpeakerLink technology as well as legacy-standard Meridian Comms, to provide an integrated system that was incredibly simple yet technically and sonically superior," said Meridian CEO Peter Wellikoff. "Now the Control 10 is not only the perfect complement to a Meridian system, it remains a superb option for any installation that requires the most intuitive media server on the market."

Using the SpeakerLink and legacy Meridian Comms protocols, the Control 10 can seamlessly integrate with Meridian's famed Digital Loudspeakers, preamp/controllers, and music systems, and includes RS-232 for integration with the full spectrum of legacy media and home-control systems. With this system, the storage devices can be placed in a central location, and Ethernet cables can then be used to connect each room in which audio is desired. The result is a device that greatly expands the possibilities of directing digital audio signals to different areas of the home.

The Meridian Sooloos touchscreen uses cleverly integrated heatsinking for a fanless design that renders the Control 10 completely silent, and thus ideal for the most demanding listening environments and customers.


Control 10 Touchpanel
MSRP: $5,000

Luxe Club One

Luxe Club One is a members-only, online fashion club for affluent women and men. Luxe Clube One negotiates with the world's premiere luxury, premium and contemporary brands to create limited-time-only discount offers on current women's and men's apparel, accessories, footwear, jewelry and beauty products for their affluent members. Exclusive discount offers are delivered to you via an easy-to-scan, daily Offer Listing email and you simply click on the offers of interest to you. Your click will link you directly to the fashion brand's site with a special discount code that provides a deep discount to the price then available to the public. We link you directly to the fashion brand's website which insures that you get first quality, in-season, genuine fashion products and a high level of service.

Maggy London

Some of the biggest trends for Spring are bold prints, florals and graphics.

Maggy London dresses are a great way to stay on trend as every collection is an interpretation of what is seen on the runway, but with their own fun, fresh spin. Perhaps the best part about the line is that all dresses are below $150, which makes purchasing one a great investment and easy decision.

Below are some of Maggy London dresses hitting on the 3 trends mentioned - bold prints, florals and graphics.

Victorinox Travel Gear

Victorinox Travel Gear offers a variety of suitcases, totes, cosmetic cases and personal accessories that are a great way to say thank you for everything mom does!

Whether it is a trip to the gym, a business meeting or an every day adventure, Victorinox Travel Gear presents an assortment of styles and colorways that are sure to make the perfect gift for any mom on-the-go!

Surgeries in the Fundación Jiménez Díaz

This tuesday I visited the Fundación Jiménez Díaz, invited by the new head of department, Dra. Carmen González Enguita, to assist them with their first Greenlight HPS cases.



I first operated a patient with a moderate to big prostate, and then Dr. González Enguita operated a patient with a smaller sized prostate with great ease and mastery. I must be a great teacher!! ;-)

A very pleasant morning and a great honour to step in the surgical rooms of a Hospital with such an important urological tradition.

Stephen Sprouse For Chateau Marmont Collection

In 1991, STEPHEN SPROUSE moved into Chateau Marmont (LA) for a month but had no money to pay his bill when he was checking out. Hotel owner Andre Balazs agreed to let him off if he designed some apparel for Chateau Marmont in exchange. After years 6 original sketches by Stephen Sprouse , were found in the archives stored in attic of the hotel.

Some of the Sprouse designed pieces for Chateau Marmont did go into production and few have been re-issued - they're available at the hotel and also online

Stephen Sprouse is synonymous with the Eighties, the Indiana native worked with Deborah Harry and made Day-Glo colors a must.

Mackage Trenches for Spring!

Mackage designs trench coats that are not only classic staples that will be a part of your wardrobe forever, but also offers a range of silhouettes and creative styles that will surely get people saying "I love that - who makes it?"


With amazing leather detailing, flattering belts, and perfect construction, a Mackage trench is the piece women will turn to in her closet, rainy day after sunny day in the coming months.

Pictured are best-sellers from the Spring collection - the short and snazzy Izzy, the pleated (and very femme) Jules, or the more traditional Ebony.

Hollywood's biggest stars are all wearing Mackage days for their perfect fit and sexy silhouettes: Blake Lively, Jessica Biel, Eva Mendes, Rihanna, and many more.

Black harem shorts by Henrik Vibskov

Black harem shorts by Henrik Vibskov. The shorts are knee-length and have a low waist, with an extended crotch in the harem-pants style.

Nespresso CitiZ, Citiz&Co, and CitiZ&Milk

Nespresso has announced a new range of luxury coffee machines , including the new CitiZ machines

This new range of machines – encompassing three different models - has been designed very much for the city dweller who is time poor and does not have the luxury of space for a huge coffee machine. This stylish range of machines is made up of the CitiZ, Citiz&Co, and CitiZ&Milk. The beautifully designed machines, inspired by the urban skylines of cities such as London, New York and Chicago, encompass ‘affordable luxury’, perfect for the busy urbanite who is always ‘on the go’ but refuses to sacrifice quality for convenience. The single CitiZ machine is great for fitting into small apartments and has been really well-received, whereas the CitiZ & Milk can make all manner of coffees from Americano-style ‘lungos’ to cold café frappés, with the attached milk-frothing ‘aeroccinos’ and the grand CitiZ & Co can make two coffees at a time – excellent for larger families and those who love entertaining and having dinner parties.

The Taste : Perrier-Jouët Vintage 1825, Perrier-Jouët Millesime 2002

12 of the world’s top wine and champagne experts flew from all corners of the globe to the boutique Champagne House Perrier-Jouët for the chance to taste 20 historic vintages from the House’s own cellars, including the oldest champagne in the world: Perrier-Jouët Vintage 1825.

The tasting also included the renowned “PJ 1874” – heralded as the most expensive champagne in the world when it was sold at a world famous auction in 1885.

The private event was organized in Epernay – Reims (France) to mark the future release of the House’s inaugural vintage of the 21st Century, Perrier-Jouët Millesime 2002.

thanks materialiste.com

Zanussi EasyWater fridge freezer

Storing large quantities of bottled water can be a real hassle. They take up valuable fridge space and effectively reduce your storage options. The new Zanussi EasyWater fridge freezer eliminates the need to store bulky water bottles in the fridge with its 4 litre ‘in-door’ tank. This model also has another great advantage when compared to the rest of the market. The ingeniously designed lid on the water tank does not require any opening and closing when refilling. Just open the door and fill it up.

Zanussi EasyWater is A+ rated (saves 25% energy compared with equivalent A rated model), frost free and includes climate control amongst its superb features. It uses the latest interior design to improve the internal capacity and frees up more space than a normal fridge without increasing the exterior dimension. In fact is really is the have-it-all fridge freezer! Available from Spring 2009.

Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin Racing at the Le Mans 24 Hours

Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin, two marques bound together for several years in a similar spirit of innovation and an ongoing quest for perfection, are now shifting their cooperation up another gear. Jaeger-LeCoultre is extending its relationship with Aston Martin by becoming the official Watch Partner of Aston Martin Racing within a three year technical partnership. This association between two worlds with shared values reinforces the strong ties between fine watchmaking and fine mechanical engineering.

Electrolux Ultra Silencer Green

Electrolux has just launched the world's most eco-friendly vacuum cleaner in the UK - the Electrolux Ultra Silencer Green (rrp £159.99 – available April 09).

Shredded cars are the raw material for the newest Ultra Silencer vacuum cleaner from Electrolux. When most people think of recycling cars, they think of the steel frames and bodies or the iron and aluminum engines. But cars also contain a great deal of plastic in everything from batteries to bumpers.

Some of this plastic, once recovered, is the main raw material for the Ultra Silencer Green vacuum cleaner from Electrolux, the first vacuum cleaner on the market to be made with reclaimed materials. Making Ultra Silencer Green body with 55% recycled PP saves two litres of crude oil and 80 litres of water per vacuum cleaner. This means a reduction in energy consumption of 90% during manufacturing compared to producing the same components in virgin plastics. Also 90% of this model also recyclable. High performing yet very energy efficient too, it needs 33% LESS energy during use than other equivalent cleaners. It is also the quietest model on the market. For more information please see attached press release. Please let me know if you would like a high res image,

Ford Models - "Inside the Dressing Room"

Ford Models and Kohls have teamed up to build an interactive widget that allows you to create your own fashion looks inside a virtual dressing room with our very own “virtual model.” The Kohls catalogue comes to life. It is the newest online fashion technology to hit the web and we want your feedback. Check it out for yourself and get “Inside the Dressing Room.”

Vincent Cassel interview on Cinémoi

Exclusive! Vincent Cassel interview on Cinémoi this weekend



Sunday 22nd March

Check out Cinémoi (Sky Channel 839) this Sunday at 8pm to see one of France’s best exports, actor Vincent Cassel, in his most frank interview to date. Speaking openly about his marriage to the infamous Monica Belluici and commenting on his iconic roles, the César winning actor flies the flag for French cinema.

In an exclusive interview for Cinémoi, the star of La Haine, Irréversible and Ocean's 12, talks about his latest role in Mesrine, Monica Bellucci and his love of cinema.



The Interview

This hour-long interview offers an exclusive insight into Mesrine, the new two-part film about the infamous French gangster. Jacques Mesrine was a massive media figure in France, his criminal notoriety akin to that of Billy the Kid in the US or The Kray brothers in the UK. The film’s release was highly anticipated and did not disappoint, achieving great success both with critics and at the box office. Mesrine has cemented Cassel’s position as France’s shining star and led to an overdue César for Best Actor.

In addition to his experience on Mesrine, Vincent Cassel discusses his career both in France, from the ground breaking La Haine to the controversial Irréversible, and abroad, with hits such as Ocean’s 12, Eastern Promises and Shrek to his name. Vincent Cassel has given his full support for the launch of Cinémoi and uses the opportunity to reflect on French films in general, including those of his father Jean-Pierre Cassel, as well as Italian cinema and his relationship with actress Monica Belluci.

Nokia Passion Edition

Designed by Stuart Hughes for Goldstriker, the Nokia Passion Edition is an elegant handset boasting 40gms of hallmarked 925 Sterling silver handmade veneers complete with Sterling silver dressings with 60 beautiful Swarovski crystals.

Electrolux Oxygen

The Electrolux Oxygen is a high-performance air cleaner providing up to 313 m3 clean air per hour – more than enough to cope with the larger than average room. Because it is the quietest in the world it is ideal for use in bedrooms as well as sitting rooms or anywhere in the home where you want to improve the quality of the air. The Electrolux Oxygen combines active carbon for smell reduction and washable HEPA filters which remove 99.97% of hazardous particles as small as 0.3 microns. That’s particles up to 150 times thinner than an average human hair. This includes most of the main irritants and asthma triggers, such as mould, pollen, airborne allergens from pets and dust mites as well as tobacco smoke. With an electronic nose, this air cleaner detects when it needs to be switched on or increase its cleaning power. Available from Spring 09 RRP £199.

Deluxe Stratocaster Tables

The Deluxe Stratocaster® Tables are made of hand-selected solid maple and are custom stained and varnished with a slightly tinted finish to resemble the tone and color of a vintage guitar. All specifications are from Fender's very own Custom Shop. The six tuning peg caps are chrome plated steel disks and flush mounted. Lettering is silk screened on first then lacquered over for protection. The three legs are originally designed and chromed plated. Each table is also identified with a metal tag with a stamped serial number.

European Association of Urology - Best video 2008 award

I spent the weekend in Stockholm, Sweden, where the twenty fourth congress of the European Association of Urology was taking place. I had the honour to receive the award to the best video published in European Urology Video Journay in the year 2008.

The video included the recommendations of the IGLU (International Greenlight Laser Users) group on how to perform a Greenlight HPS laser prostatectomy. An important recognition of our work and our efforts to help in the training of new surgeons adopting the greenlight laser for the minimally invasive treatment of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia).

The video was projected in the main hall of the congress.

New video series

We are producing a series of comprehensive videos on urologic diseases. This is the first one we have finished, where Dr. Enrique de la Peña, the pediatric urologist working at the ICUA, explains vesicoureteral reflux, and how it is diagnosed and treated. Fot the time being, only in Spanish, sorry.



We hope to help patients improve their understanding of urological disease processes. I will post the videos here as we publish them.

Experts meeting in Barcelona

I flew again to Barcelona to participate in the first meeting of urology experts. A small meeting organised by Olympus, a manufacturer of high quality surgical devices. A very interesting initiative, that gathered a small group of Spanish opinion leaders and experts to comment the current state of minimally invasive surgery. My partner at the Institute of Advanced Urological Surgery, Dr. Castillón, was also invited as an expert in laparoscopy.

I contributed with a talk on Greenlight laser and there I met again Dr. Placer, who presented his experience with the Holmium laser. The treatment of BPH is rapidly changing and the future is very promising. Companies as OLYMPUS have a fundamental role in the advancement of medicine and surgery, because they constantly improve and refine their products, and the interaction with us, the surgeons, is very important. We are operating every day and we generate new needs and ideas. A fantastic initiative from Olympus!

Surgeries at the Hospital Vall d'Hebrón in Barcelona

Today I spent the morning at the prestigious hospital Vall d'Hebron in Barcelona. The urology department directed by Dr. Morote Robles is one of the leading hospitals in the country. They are setting up a laser unit and they wanted to evaluate the greenlight HPS system.

I performed two operations in two patients and I had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Placer, one of the few experts in Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (in the center of the photo, besides Dr. Carles Raventós, right).


There I met also Dr. Fakiani, whom I had visited recently to help him with his first cases in the Fiatc Hospital, and who told me about his successes with this laser. It has been a great honour to operate in this fantastic hospital, and I was happy to hear from Dr. Placer that both patients did very well postoperatively.

Surgical Marathon in Caracas, Venezuela

Last week I went to Caracas, where I visited five hospitals that have adopted the Greenlight HPS technology for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, to try and help them start their first cases or to improve their surgical technique and optimize clinical results. It has been a very intense week.

Monday 2nd: Hospital General del oeste, "Magallanes"

We started with this public hospital in Caracas, where there were six patients ready to be operated.

First I gave a talk to the members of the urology department directed by Dr. José Aguillón and then we went to the operating room, where we spent the whole day. We did six operations that were uneventful. The following morning I learned that all patients were OK. It as a long and tough day, but very interesting and intense, and the surgical cases were optimal for such a session.

Tuesday 3rd: Hospital Militar "Dr. Carlos Arvelo"

On Tuesday I woke up with a little bit of Jet-Lag, but a pair of coffees helped me through it. I went to the military hospital directed by Dr. Nirka Marcano.

I also gave a talk in the department initially and we did five operations througout the day, with a lot of people attending at the operating room.

Wednesday 4th: Policlínica Metropolitano

Here I met Dr. Nelson Ramírez and Dr. Jaime Czechowitz, who already had some experience with the Greenlight HPS laser for the treatment of BPH. Dr. Juan Carlos Vargas came to visit us, I met him last year in Caracas and now is the most experienced greenlight surgeon in Venezuela.

We did four operations in a very interesting and fun working session. All patients fared very well. Then we went out for dinner and I enjoyed their company thoroughly as well as the wonderful Venezuelan meat cuts...

Thursday 5th: Clínica El Ávila

At this moment in the week the jet-lag was over, and I went to visit the Clínica El Ávila, one of the most important private hospitals in Caracas. I just did a single operation this time.

Other patients who were programmed for surgery today did have some trouble to make it to the hospital and so we used the opportunity to take it easy and went out for lunch after a brief but intense morning.

Friday 6th: Hospital Domingo Luciani "El Llanito"

On Friday, at last, we finished this surgical marathon visiting Hospital Domingo Luciani. I met the head of the department of urology, Dr. Montes, and after giving a talk to the department, I was able to demonstrate the technique operating two patients.

Then I rushed to the airport, where I took my direct flight to Madrid. It has been a very intense week, I did 18 operations and met more than 30 Venezuelan urologists!!!

“SWEETHEART” Teapot

the sweetheart porcelain tea pot by christian ghion synthesizes his organic world with its voluptuos, maternal and feminine curves.

Shopflick Private Sale

Shopflick's Private Sale is going daily starting March 9th! Shopflick leverages the power of video to show you how to wear it and where to get it. Hand-selected from Shopflick merchandisers, members can enjoy must-have fashion brands and unique items for unbelievable discounts of up to 75%. New deals are listed daily and available for 36 hours.

Join

Elton John “Starburst iPod”

Laban Roomes of Goldgenie and Sir Elton John have created the Elton John “Starburst iPod” to raise awareness and funds for the Elton John AIDS foundation.

Each iPod has colour co-ordinated Swarovski crystals embedded into it by advanced laser technology and ONLY 100 are available in each colour with Elton’s signature laser engraved into the back of each one.


You can purchase these online at www.goldgenie.com or in store at Selfridges in London.