Porsche Design launches Panamera collection to match the luxury sedan

The latest from Porsche Design is the Panamera collection, which draws inspiration from the in-production four-seater Gran Turismo. The new collection includes luggage, watches, clothing and lifestyle accessories that complement the luxury sedan. The new luggage series has been designed for the Porsche Travel System. The “AluFrame” trolleys will fit perfectly inside the luggage compartment of the Gran Turismo and other Porsche models. The hard-shell luggage pieces are made from a combination of aluminum and polycarbonate. Three models in different sizes are available and are done in the original Porsche exterior colors to match the car. All the trolleys bear the Porsche signature and feature a safety lock system. The watches are available in black and in shades of brown. The Chronograph Panamera for him and her and the Chronograph Panamera Turbo boast a stainless steel case. Other items in the collection include dark-blue outdoor jackets, outdoor soft-shell jackets and Espresso/Yachting blue polo and rugby shirts.

Via: AutoEvolution

Michael Schumacher’s villa available for €19,000 per month

Last year, Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, with his family, moved to his new luxury mansion on Lake Geneva, which has 2200 square meters of living space, a parking garage for 29 cars, a helicopter landing area and a football field. Just 25 kilometers away in the village of Vufflens-le-Château is Schumacher’s old residence, the Villa La Chenai. The luxury house hasn’t yet a found a buyer, so the motor racing legend is offering his villa for a monthly rent equivalent to EUR 19,000 (about $26,700). For this price per month, the tenant will get a chance to live in the legend’s former house. In addition, he/she will get 750 square meters of area, 11 rooms, fitness and indoor swimming pool, four horses and six pit garages, a home cinema, a dressing room, a suite and a kitchen annex. The hefty rent price kept aside, it’s one great opportunity for Schumacher’s fans.

Via: Bild

World’s largest superyacht hotel put on hold, thanks to recession

Plans for the world’s largest luxury yacht hotel have been put on hold. Aquiva, the world’s biggest floating hotel, was due to open in London in time for the 2012 Olympics. The original plans were to moor permanently the 170m Aquiva superyacht at Canary Wharf in London. Rainsford Mann Design (RMD) was appointed in 2003 by Aquiva to design the exterior and interior of the superyacht hotel, which features 158 rooms and suites, an onboard ballroom, a spa, gym, pool, a business center with five meeting suites, bars and several restaurants. Unlike most mega-yachts that feature the captain’s bridge, the Aquiva will have a presidential suite. Every suite on the floating hotel will boast its own Jacuzzi. Steve Tight, the chief executive of Aquiva, said…

With bags worth $2 million, you must call Posh the Bag Lady

She is handbag obsessed and spends money on them like anything. Victoria Beckham, the former Spice Girl, has been reported by The Big Money to own a bag collection worth AU $3,000,000, which comes around to approximately US $2.3 million. Posh’s collection of the classic handbags includes about 100 Hermes Birkin designer bags. Named after actress Jane Birkin, the Birkin has turned out to be a must-have status symbol for the fashionistas. Her bags range from approximately $6,000 to more than $100,000. The exclusive “Silver Himalayan” bag in her collection alone carries a stocky price tag of about $125,000 and it’s festooned with a three carat diamond. With that amount of money, someone could buy a luxury car or a good house, but then, she is the true bag lady.

Via: Ninemsn/Glamour

Rolls-Royce on a roll despite economic downturn

While some automakers are asking for government bailouts amid the financial meltdown, Rolls-Royce, the BMW-owned British brand, is talking about its best sales in 18 years. With Rolls-Royce selling 1212 cars globally last year, we can say that the most affluent are still spending money like anything on lavish rides. For the current year, Rolls-Royce sales are already up and with the arrival of a new model, the company hopes to triple sales next year. The thing that proves the company’s might in the recession is the recently made announcement to increase its manufacturing workforce by 50 percent for the upcoming $700,000 Ghost sedan. More than 150 new jobs will be created to support the Ghost, which will go on sale early next year. The biggest challenge for Rolls-Royce is not the recession but other luxury items. Rolls-Royce chief executive Tom Purves, said…

Jeweled Objects of Desire exhibition calls serious collectors

For the serious collectors who are still very much passionate about discovering one-off objects and works of fine art, the Jeweled Objects of Desire exhibition, which continues through July 31, is the place to be. The exhibition organized at the Headley-Whitney Museum will feature works of art from veteran artists including San Francisco-based jewelry designer Sidney Mobell, who is known for lending his Midas touch to ordinary stuff like mouse traps and turning them into extraordinary works of art. Besides a glittering 14 carat gold and diamond mouse trap, his other outrageous work includes a gold garbage can, gold toilet seat, $2 million monopoly set made in rubies, diamonds, sapphires and gold, a gold-plated mailbox, and an elaborate gold and diamond pacifier. Mobell, who grew up in an orphanage in Denver, Colorado, enthralled the art lovers with his unique perception of art and earned himself a place in the in the Guinness Book of World Records. Jeweled Objects of Desire will be on exhibit at the Headley-Whitney Museum through July 31, 2009.

Via: Examiner/Kentucky