Luxury News Wrap 2022: Top 10 luxury updates that made headlines last year
- Automobile Beauty Fashion Featured Jewellery Spirits Travel & Hospitality Trending
Schenelle Dsouza- 15 minutes read
Schenelle Dsouza
And it’s a wrap for 2022!
The year 2022 had a lot going on, especially within the luxury industry. Luxury brands took their survival of the covid pandemic as a win by foraying into newer waters, experimenting with unique collaborations and launches. While Fendi partnered with Versace for a collaborative collection, fashion houses like Gucci and Louis Vuitton ventured into new industries, Gucci with its new collector’s cocktail and LV with its first-ever luxury hotel. Scroll down to take a look at some of the hottest news updates from 2022 below.
A new concept – Sky Cruise
The phrase “the sky is the limit” might not hold true anymore, not with the latest Sky Cruise concept. Originally designed by Tony Holmsten, the Sky Cruise is currently a concept, redesigned by Hashem Al-Ghaili, of a nuclear-powered sky hotel. As per the company, the cruise will be able to accommodate about 5,000 people. Some of its many amenities include restaurants, bars, a shopping mall, gyms, medical centres, swimming pools, and so much more. The plane is powered by 20 electric engines, fueled by small nuclear reactors which allow the plane to fly for several years without touching the ground.
Brad Pitt launches his debut skincare line Le Domaine
Hollywood heartthrob, Brad Pitt announced the debut of his first, genderless skincare line called Le Domaine. The line is vegan and pays special attention to sustainability by using refillable packaging capped with lids of oak wood, upcycled from wine barrels. Currently, the luxury skincare line has three products, including a facial serum (US $385), a daily moisturiser (US $320) and a cleansing foam (US $80). A third product, the fluid cream (US $320) will be available in January 2023. Each of the products are bottled in black glass with lid corks and presented in a chic white and orange box.
Bvlgari releases the thinnest watch
First presented in 2012 with a signature eight-sided case, ten years on, the Octo watch series has a new addition to its portfolio. The new Octo Finissimo Ultra is the eighth watch of the Octo series by Bvlgari. The watch broke a world record for its 1.80mm thickness. From the caseback to the top of the sapphire crystal its thickness is equivalent to that of two credit cards. Unveiled on March 21, the €400,000 watch is available in a limited edition run of only 10 pieces.
Chanel “1932” special jewellery edit
French luxury brand Chanel celebrated 90 years of the launch of its first and only high jewellery collection, Bijoux de Diamants. To celebrate the collection, Chanel launched a “1932” special jewellery edit starting with a necklace called the “Allure Céleste”. The necklace is defined by a crescent moon taking centre stage holding the 55.55-carat sapphire, while the comet is an 8.02-carat pear-shaped diamond. The star has a 2.52-carat circular cut-out at its centre, with another 40 carats raised by 1,031 brilliant-cut diamonds of the design.
Drake’s 42 engagement ring necklace
View this post on Instagram
American rapper Drake has been known for his extravagant, all-out choices. And his latest collaboration with jewellery Alex Moss is right there with extravagant! Together the duo launched a unique neckpiece titled ‘Previous Engagements’ that uses 42 engagement rings purchased by Drake, each time he wanted to propose to his girlfriends. The piece is composed of 351.38 carats mounted on 18k white gold and took almost 14 months to make.
Fendace launches worldwide
One of the biggest fashion collaborations of 2022, luxury fashion houses Fendi and Versace came together for a very unique collaborative collection. The collection, titled Fendace, is a collision of worlds, defined by geometric structure, seductive style, and a legacy of artistry. Staying true to the very Versace concept of more-is-more dressing together with Fendi’s considered approach to accessorizing and craftsmanship, the collection is a force to reckon with. Bold prints, loud, emotive colours, and an overload of monograms and logos characterise the pieces in the collection. From the classic combination of black and yellow to white and pastel pink, the colour palette is borrowed from Versace’s signature style.
Gucci launches a collector’s Cocktail
If there’s one brand that can do it all, its Gucci. Earlier this year, the luxury brand introduced a luxury cocktail on the go titled Elisir d’Elicriso. A collectable pre-mixed cocktail, it was developed by mixology maestro Giorgio Bargiani for Gucci’s Giardino 25 café and cocktail bar in Florence. Presented in an elegant glass bottle, the pretty pink-hued concoction features a blend of botanicals, Mediterranean herbs, vetiver, and essential oil obtained from helichrysum italicum — a plant known for its earthy, spicy scent. The Elisir d’Elicriso is on the menu at Gucci Giardano 25, and can be currently purchased only in Italy for €140.
Jacob & Co. is coming to India
Bringing the best of luxury watches to the Indian market, India’s luxury watch retailer, Ethos Limited has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with Jacob & Co. Talking about the new partnership, Yashovardhan Saboo – Chairman, Ethos Limited, said, “One of the most talked-about watch brands, Jacob & Co. has garnered a lot of attention among watch collectors in recent years, with their high-complication timepieces and dramatic displays. We are happy to be the ones who bring the brand to the Indian audience. We are confident that the brand will resonate with our clientele, as we look forward to a fruitful association with Jacob & Co.”
Louis Vuitton’s first hotel in Paris
Luxury fashion house Louis Vuitton has already entered the hospitality industry with its many restaurants worldwide. Expanding its portfolio further, Louis Vuitton announced its decision to transform its corporate headquarters in Paris into a hotel within the next five years. In an interview CEO Michael Burke explained that the headquarters, located in Paris’ 2nd arrondissement will undergo a massive revamp over the next decade. Further, the sprawling space will also house the world’s largest Louis Vuitton store. Starting December 12, the 400,000-square-foot building will play host to LV Dream, an experiential installation exhibiting Louis Vuitton’s long list of artist collaborations. The attraction will also feature a gift shop, cafe, and chocolate shop run by Maxime Frédéric, head pastry chef at Cheval Blanc Paris.
McLaren opened the first retail store in Mumbai
