The guide to who's being hired and what's being launched in luxury
Product Launches
Currently the biggest sailing superyacht in the world is the Maltese Falcon which measures a gigantic 289ft. But now its premier position is being challenged by its own builder. Perini Navi are working on a much larger sailing megayacht – a 335ft craft which has been dubbed the C.2157 which is expected to equal if not better the Maltese’s impressive 10 day Atlantic-crossing time. The firm will not disclose who has commissioned this record-breaking vessel.
Tag Heuer are making a bold attempt to capture a slice of the tricky super-luxury phone market with their carefully crafted Meridiist creations. There will be three models of the TAG Heuer Meridiist device, all of which will share the same overall design but offer different finishes using the finest materials, including 18 carat pink gold, lizard leather, 1.34 carat diamonds, African green garnets and python leather. Information related to the availability or pricing has not been released yet.
Bottega Veneta raise the bar in luxury travel accessories with the launch of a $53,000 alligator suitcase.
Honda are branching into the private jet sector and have revealed images of their debut craft, dubbed rather unimaginatively the HondaJet. The factory that will produce the aircraft will be up and running in early 2011, meaning the first planes (priced at $4.5 million) are due to be delivered in the third quarter of 2012.
Porsche have reason to feel very eco-worthy as plans for the 918 Spyder concept car shown at this year’s Geneva Motor Show are given the go-ahead. The 918 is a mid-engined plug-in hybrid that has the potential to deliver CO2 emissions of just 70g/km,. Porsche has already launched a hybrid version of its Cayenne SUV, and a Panamera hybrid will be introduced later this year, but plug-in models such as the planned 918 would obviously make an even bigger dent in carbon emissions. Production volumes, pricing, and the launch date for the 918 have not yet been disclosed.
Kenneth Jay Lane, arguably the father of luxury costume jewellery, is collaborating with Via Spiga on a shoe collection to celebrate the brand’s 25th year anniversary. Much earlier in his career, 80 year-old Lane designed shoes for Delman and Christian Dior.
Appointments
The most important appointment of the week in terms of luxury journalism is Robert Sauerberg who has been named President of Conde Nast. He was previously Consumer Marketing Group President at the highly influential magazine group. Sauerberg replaces Jonathan Newhouse.
Deborah Needleman, formerly of Conde Nast has been appointed Editor in Chief of WSJ Magazine. She replaces Tina Gaudoin who announced in June that she would be moving back to London.
Michelle Kessler Sanders appointed by Sally Singer as Fashion Director at The New York Times Style Magazine. She moves from Donna Karan. Former Editor of V/V Man, Jacob Brown was also appointed by Sally Singer as Features Director at The New York Times Style Magazine.
Victoria Davydova continues her rise in the world of Russian glossy magazines as she is appointed Editor in Chief of Vogue Russia, leaving the same post at Tatler Russia. She replaces the previous, high-profile editor Aliona Doletskaya.
Yet another example of a cross-sector appointment within a conglomerate is that of Daniel Lalonde, President and CEO of Louis Vuitton North America, who has now been named President and CEO of champagne producer Moët & Chandon. Lalonde succeeds Jean-Marc Gallot, who was appointed President, Europe of Louis Vuitton earlier this year
