Luxury News Wrap: Ferrari, Fall and a li’l bit of New York in Mumbai!

Ismat Tahseen

Fall is here and while it ushers in the whole gamut of gatherings, the season for giving is also here. Case in point Vacheron Constantin and The Met that are launching the ‘One of Not Many Mentorship Program’. Italian luxury sports car manufacturer Ferrari is also doing its bit to give back to society with its signature car at an exclusive charity auction on October 17. And doesn’t it feel a lot like holiday cheer with Dior creating a beautiful white wonderland with Saks in New York? On that note, we’re thrilled that a slice of the Big Apple is in Mumbai! That’s right. Their premium store, Extra Butter is in the city now, giving a taste of the fabulous shopping experience. Also on the home turf, designer Gaurav Gupta’s bridal podcast in just in time for wedding season, along with so many new Autumn bag collections. Whew! Get your shopping game on.

Saks collab with Dior will create a winter wonderland

Here’s some retail opulence news that will foster that cheery, holiday feeling. In a first-of-a-kind move, Saks is teaming up with a legendary fashion house and it’s going to spell one fabulous experience. The retailer is collaborating with Dior, to present Dior’s Carousel of Dreams at Saks. It launches on November 20 and as per reports, the French luxury fashion house will completely transform Saks’ iconic flagship on Fifth Avenue into a beautiful winter wonderland, with an iconic light show.

Ferrari Gala in NY will see auction of its Ferrari812Competizione

Ferrari is definitely about fine engineering and even finer cars, but it’s also about an ingrained belief to invest in the community. The company’s commitment to this will be exemplifies at the Ferrari Gala that takes place in New York City. The three-day exhibition at the city’s Hudson Yards complex will culminate with an exclusive charity auction on October 17, aimed to support the company’s belief in providing education and opportunities for students. For the occasion, a Ferrari tailor-made masterpiece will go home to the highest bidder of the night: a one-of-a-kind Ferrari812 Competizione.

The 812 Competizione in its original guise as a 6.5 litre, 340 km/h V12 was a masterpiece and the bespoke version that will feature at the auction is described as a true one-off. The gala will also bring together highlights from the wider Ferrari universe, including fashion and Formula 1.

Vacheron Constantin X The Met

Swiss luxury watchmaker Vacheron Constantin has announced a new partnership with New York’s prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art. This alliance is based on common values of safeguarding and passing on knowledge dedicated to creativity and innovation. Like Vacheron Constantin, The Met is also involved in a number of educational programs, reflecting both partners’ desire to encourage and support individuals in their projects by surrounding them with experienced mentors. This emphasis on artistic and cultural heritage is intended to encourage the sharing of knowledge in the pursuit of excellence.

With this in mind, The Met and Vacheron Constantin will be developing a series of joint projects designed to showcase their respective rich heritages and their ability to keep cultural legacies alive for future generations. “Establishing a partnership with the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of Art enables us to highlight our shared vocation for transmitting knowledge and preserving the arts,” shared Louis Ferla, Vacheron Constantin CEO, on the company website. Here’s to the collaboration that will celebrate art and knowledge.

Kate Spade’s classy Fall Collection

American fashion house Kate Spade brings its newest Fall collection with elegant and classy styles to create the perfect and most iconic look for every glamorous occasion this season. Kate Spade New York unveils its Fall 2023 collection with a presentation during New York Fashion Week at NYC’s famed landmark, the Whitney Museum of American Art.  Kate Spade New York has been rooted in culture and art since the beginning, and the Fall 2023 collection is an artful expression of how we see the season, all with a Kate Spade twist.

The collection – designed by Tom Mora, SVP and Head of Design, RTW and Lifestyle Categories, and Jennifer Lyu, SVP and Head of Design, Leather Goods and Accessories – highlights the joy of dressing in a way that feels eclectic, colorful and fresh. There’s a focus on heritage design elements – geometric patterns, crisp colors, craft – infused with the unexpected.

Graphic prints are seen across categories – abstract patterns on midi dresses, relaxed skirts and easy tees that bring a modern sensibility to the collection. Vibrant brights play big, too. Satin suits in our newly minted kate spade green and fire engine red; playful pieces in hot pink and lemon—even faux fur outerwear turns up in technicolor. Fluid sequin numbers—shimmery pants suits and shifts—add a unique sense of flair.

“The Fall 2023 narrative evokes the universal feeling of joy that the season brings – a renewed sense of energy. It’s like a blank canvas, the beginning of something new,” shared Tom Mora and Jennifer Lyu. “There’s an excitement about getting back to a routine and getting dressed again…whether meeting friends for drinks, discovering a new restaurant, or stumbling upon an art exhibit, this collection celebrates these moments in everyday life and the unexpected that can happen.”

Ardbeg 25 Years Old named ‘World’s Best Scotch Whisky’

Whisky aficionados have reason to celebrate at an announcement by Moët Hennessy India. Ardbeg 25 Years Old has been crowned the ‘World’s Best Scotch Whisky’ by the 2023 New York World Wine And Spirits Competition. The supreme single malt, aged for quarter of a century and presented in a unique gun metal bottle encased in a beautifully-intricate metal ‘cage’ – a modern take on the classic Ardbeg knotwork. The whisky is smoky and smooth and yields some of the most complex and majestic flavours ever to emerge from the distillery with hints of cream, peppermint, toffee, herbs, fruit, fennel and pine.
The prestige range’s oldest addition Ardbeg 25 Years Old will be exclusively made available in Travel Retail outlets at Delhi International Airport from October 2023 at a price of USD 1,100.

Tamannnaah Bhatia becomes first Indian ambassador of Shiseido

Japanese beauty and cosmetics giant SHISEIDO, the company in collaboration with its India distributor, Baccarose Perfumes & Beauty Products Pvt. Ltd. has appointed Tamannaah Bhatia as its first-ever brand ambassador in India for the brand’s Skincare range.

The beautiful Bollywood actress who’s created a mesmerising on-screen presence along with her ability to adapt to various roles , made her an ideal choice to be the face of the brand. Talking about this she said, “I am absolutely thrilled to be associated with Shiseido, a brand that has consistently set the standard for excellence in beauty for over a century. Shiseido’s commitment to innovation, quality, and celebrating individuality resonates with me on a personal level. I believe that beauty is not just about external appearance, but also about feeling confident and empowered in your own skin.”

Charles & Keith’s new collection is an ode to Modern Reformation

Looking do a little powerplay with your wardrobe. Take a cue and indulge yourself in Charles & Keith’s Fall 2023 collection of shoes and bags, which offer some fabulous choices. Making a stylish impact in the Pixie series are the shoes. You’ll find platform heels translated into three different silhouettes here: a chunky ankle boot, sculptural mule, and Mary-Jane pumps. Like always, bags grab the drama this Fall, too. The Petra Curved Shoulder Bag makes a triumphant return with a new square buckle adding that touch of modernity. It perfectly complements the Pixie shoes with its colour palette – with the two products becoming the quintessential fashion pairing for the season. Han So Han Hee, the brand’s global ambassador has been spotted wearing the Petra bag on multiple occasions and in social media posts, she also revealed her affinity for the design and shared: “I like the Petra bag because it embodies my personality – bold and edgy.”
Other arty choices include the Sculptural Top Handle Moon Bag that is seemingly crafted into a singular form, but has a surprisingly roomy interior as well as Charles & Keith’s iconic Koa bag that gets reintroduced in an East-West top-handle silhouette with a softer, more rounded body. The distinctive square push-lock creates a visual contrast that adds a chic element to the understated style.

The Charles & Keith Fall 2023 campaign collection is available in-store. It is also available here.

Michelin Guide to award world’s best hotels with ‘keys’ from next year

The much-coveted Michelin star rating, that adhered to restaurants so far, will now expand to rate hotels in the coming year. The aim is to seek out the most exceptional hotel and travel experiences to help travellers search and plan their stays. What’s more, those establishments offering exceptional hotel and travel experiences will get ‘keys’ as awards that carry the same prestige as the stars that the guide uses for restaurants. As per reports, more than 5,300 hotels in 120 countries are up for the award, which centres around five criteria: One, how the hotel contributes to the local experience, excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and regularity of service, comfort and maintenance, singularity reflecting the personality of the establishment, its unique character and consistency between the quality of the experience and the price paid.

Like it is for the restaurants, the Michelin Guide intends to independently recommend establishments that constitute true destinations. “The Michelin Key is a clear, reliable indication for travellers. Just as the Michelin Star distinguishes those restaurants that are at the peak of their art, the Michelin Key recognizes the most exceptional hotels throughout the world. It is also an acknowledgment of the teamwork of committed enthusiastic hospitality professionals,” says Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide on the official website.

Gaurav Gupta’s new digital podcast oozes bridal glam
Here’s something we can’t wait to savour. Gaurav Gupta – designer to some of the biggest celebrities like Beyonce, Cardi B, Priyanka Chopra and Lizzo – has a new ace, up his sleeve. He launched his first bridal digital podcast series called ‘The Bride Side’, with the season one out on Instagram and YouTube. The designer took to his Instagram account to give a peek into the podcast and it’s a complete fashion treat. It stars Banita Sandhu and she’s seen in an acid-yellow lehenga elevated with silver and gold bugle beads and crystals— with an effect of an almost meteoric dégradé, paired with a silk crepe embroidered blouse and a tulle cape. In another look, she wears a Gaurav Gupta Electric Blue Gown adorned with fine crystals, paired with a waves like bustle. To sum his new podcast effectively, Gaurav shared alongside: “Introducing the Indian yet global bride, one who explores colours.” On his podcast, when talking about how he defines the bride of today, he added, “I’ve seen the culture shift in front of me over the last 18 years, where the mothers or mothers-in-law tell them, ‘We could not be so experimental, why don’t you do that?’ Today, brides want to celebrate their body and for me, that has been a big process of liberation.” We can’t wait to see more of the designer’s mesmerising looks.

Extra Butter – New York opens flagship store in Mumbai

Extra Butter, New York’s iconic and globally recognised lifestyle and streetwear brand, has opened doors to its Mumbai flagship store. It is the brand’s very first international location outside of the USA. Designed by acclaimed Interior Designer, Sarah Sham of Essajees Atelier, Extra Butter’s Mumbai flagship store retains the DNA of the brand’s NYC stores while taking inspiration from India’s craftsmen and creatives.
With a vision to present a space that elevates product offerings, the tastefully done-up store focuses on experiential. Sharing her design notion for it, Sarah says, “Ankur wanted the space to remain interesting even on one’s 10th visit to the store. He wanted a luxury store which spoke to Extra Butter’s legacy. But since this is their first outpost in India, and it’s this big, beautiful, stand-alone space, we wanted to do something that celebrated India too. So, the challenge was to marry Mumbai and New York, which was achieved by purposefully using Indian materials. But, from an overall look-and-feel point of view, it feels very internationally luxurious.” Post the browsing and shopping, head to Extra Butter’s premium café space. It’s a cozy indoor-outdoor commissary in partnership with celebrated restaurateur, Aditi Dugar’s, TwentySeven Bakehouse.

You may also like:

Luxury news wrap: Dior’s fab runway to Monaco’s superyacht playground for the rich

Sabyasachi unveils his A/W 2023 collection