Eurocopter unveils Mercedes-Benz Style helicopter

Posted May 11, 2010

If you ask Eurocopter, the skies are clear for billionaires to fly in style once again. The helicopter company, which made headlines a few years ago for releasing an Hermes-outfitted EC 135 helicopter, has just announced the luxury version of its EC 145 model - only this time, it is co-designed by luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz.

The Eurocopter-Mercedez Benz collaboration was meant to revamp the interiors of Eurocopterís twin-engine turbine helicopter, EC145, and make it, well, a bit more in line with a billionaireís taste. Based on the press statement, the ìMercedes-Benz Styleî was conceived in a design project led by the guys at the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Como, Italy.

The proposed interiors of the helicopter will bear ìall the hallmarks and passion of Mercedes-Benz design,î which means it will have sleek, minimalist styling, and a modular cockpit layout ñ said to be inspired by Mercedes-Benzís new R-Class range.

The seat upholstery is equally luxurious. It will be available in high quality calf leather, and in different colors. Thereís also a choice of elegant woods for the underfoot. And if that’s still not first-class enough, the entire cabin is outlined by dark wood panels.

The EC145-Mercedes Benz edition was unveiled early this month at the 2010 European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland. This twin-engine turbine helicopter can accommodate up to eight passengers as well as several pieces of luggage, thanks to its multi-purpose storage zone that provides luggage compartments with numerous attachment points on the floor and walls for baggage, golf clubs and other outsized articles.

It is available for order now with deliveries arriving in 2011.

Kenneth Cole introduces “the most comfortable” four-inch heels

Posted April 29, 2010

Finally, women can wear “killer” heels without actually killing their heels. Kenneth Cole recently launched in the Philippines the 925 Technology Silver Edition Shoes, a new range of women's shoes that promise superior comfort, even for four-inch high heels.

Starting at Php6,000 a pair, the 925 collection features a patented cushioning system that allows women to wear these shoes all day in comfort. The shoes look nothing extraordinary on the outside, but the comfort features layered from within could impress even a podiatrist. Each shoe has a built-in memory foam throughout the sole, a non-synthetic flaxseed pillow to support arches, a flexible rubber sole, and sheepskin lining for comfort and breathability.

The 925 collection features five Silver Edition styles: a pump, a bootie, a pointy flat, a sling-back pump and a logo flat, in several different colors, all with silver heels. Kenneth Cole is reportedly set to introduce a higher heel for next season. The designer also announced in that all his future women's collections will utilize the new technology.

The 925 Technology Silver Edition collection is available at the Kenneth Cole store, located on the Ground Floor of Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati City.

Ulysse Nardin Chairman gets revamped, includes a wooden docking station 

Posted April 29, 2010

Not one to be branded as maker of fancy,feature-deprived phones, SCI Innovations releases the latest version of the Ulysse Nardin Chairman smartphone, which has been revamped to include top-of-the-line features.

The 2010 Chairman has a bigger memory (up to 32Gb) and an expanded 3.2-inch touch-screen.It now runs on the latest Google Android operating system, includes thumb-print recogni.tion, 3G capabilities, and proprietary rotor improvements to increase the phone’s battery life.

The company also redesigned the phone’s docking station resembling the famed Ulysse Nardin Ship Chronometers. Encased in lacquered wood, the docking station was designed to charge the battery and back-up all data to an exterior USB. The package also includes a pair of premium speakers which can be driven by most Bluetooth devices. Of course, the luxurious finishes are still there: hand-finished anodized aerospace grade aluminum alloy, 22K gold, sapphire crystal, carbon fiber and marine grade stainless steel.

As a nod to the brand’s history and founding year, each version of the Chairman will be available to only 1846 clients this year. The three styles of the Chairman include Precious Metals (pictured above), Steel (available with several color choices) and Stealth (which comes either in all-black or with colors).  
 

Noah Barcelona Jewellery

Posted February 2, 2010

Spanish jewelry brand Noah Barcelona is bringing to the Philippines its latest collections of multi-colored diamonds, and the range is worth a look if you’re looking for something understated in these still trying times.

The Barcelona-based jewelry brand, founded by Israeli jewelry designer Yoni Mizrahi, is now offering fine jewelry featuring black diamonds, which are relatively cheaper than white diamonds, but just as elusive.

"It’s very challenging to select [good quality] black diamonds because, for one, you couldn’t see any clarity since it’s black. But a really nice black diamond would have a very shiny surface, and you can see the well-polished [facets]," said Mizrahi in an interview.

Black diamonds are the centerpiece of Noah Barcelona’s Lia collection, which Mizrahi said, was inspired by his daughter’s dark eyes. (Incidentally, the brand was named after his daughter, Noah). The Lia collection consists of earrings, necklaces and cocktail rings that feature 20-carat black diamonds, surrounded by a pave of tiny white diamonds, all set in 18k white gold. Each piece in the collection is said to be hand-made and one of a kind.

"The motive for my designs is to link jewelry with fashion. Like a bag or belt or shoes, my jewelry is a statement of [the latest] trends and colors in the context of classic glamour," Mizrahi said.

Noah Barcelona is exclusively distributed by Rustan Commercial Corporation and is available at Rustan’s Makati and Shangri-la Tower Silver Vault.