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Ralph Lauren's Official Olympics Collection


Ralph Lauren's 2008 Olympics Collection from his Polo line, to be worn by American athletes at the summer games in Beijing next month, is now available in stores. Lauren designed the official Opening Ceremony and Closing Ceremony parade outfits as well as an assortment of Olympic "village wear" pieces for the U.S. Teams, which anyone may now purchase. The Summer Olympics in Beijing run from Aug. 8 - 24th. Lauren's patriotic, logo-festooned red, white and blue designs are "inspired by the rich past of the Olympic Games and in keeping with the time-honored tradition of this historic event." Visit Lauren's site here for more and check out the gallery to see athletes modeling the collection.

Gallery: Ralph Lauren for the Olympics

Deontay Wilder (boxing)Deontay Wilder (boxing)Brianna Glenn (sprints, long jump)Giuseppe Lanzone (rowing)Giuseppe Lanzone (rowing)

Warre's Otima Port

Lots of us have been put off by port's connotations of crusty vintages and even crustier connoisseurs. You don't actually need an English country house, a kennel full of fox hounds and a gouty leg to enjoy it, however.

Ironically, it fell to Warre's, the oldest British-owned port producer dating to 1670, to give the storied fortified wine a facelift. With the introduction of their Otima bottlings, Warre's managed to modernize the drink without turning it into some kind of silly snake oil marketed to wannabe rap stars.

Otima is a premium tawny (the best of port's non-vintage iterations) with a "lighter, more contemporary style," available in 10 and 20-year-old versions.

The "contemporary" vibe is admirably captured by the clean, elegant clear glass bottle and minimalist labeling, making for an aesthetically pleasing addition to your bar without sacrificing any of the wine's sophistication. On the palate it presents pleasing notes of honey, raisins, nuts and dried fruit. If you've never tried port before we suggest starting here.

Angela and Isabeli Vamp for Valentino


Mega model Isabeli Fontana is really on a roll this season. As we reported previously, the Brazilian bombshell stars in the new Versace campaign with Natalia Vodianova shot by Mario Testino, as well as the Roberto Cavalli campaign based on Luchino Visconti's 1963 film Il Gattopardo. Now she has also landed the fall Valentino campaign along with fellow stunner Angela Lindvall (at right, above, who also appears for Cavalli), shot by Peter Lindbergh in Paris. Gisele had better watch her back.

Gallery: Angela & Isabeli for Valentino

Campaign scene 1Angela, campaign scene 2Isabeli, campaign scene 3Isabeli FontanaAngela in a Hifiger underwear ad

Skybar Miami's Cool New Cocktails


The poolside Skybar at the luxe Shore Club in Miami Beach (above) has revamped their chic cocktail menu in time for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week swimwear shows (check out a sizzling slideshow of bathing beauties here). The indoor/outdoor oasis, which is comprised of four different settings - the Redroom, Redroom Garden, Sandbar, and the Rumbar, which has 75 different varieties of rum - is intertwined with lush gardens ad secret passageways. Check out the gallery for photos and recipes of the new libations, but you'll have to actually go there to get the special Skybar Bento Box prepared by the Shore Club's own branch of Nobu.

Gallery: Skybar Miami Cocktails

Inside the barSkybar MartiniBrambleCantaloupe DaquiriLemon Spritz

Christy Turlington's Stunning W Magazine Shoot


Photo by Michael Thompson / W magazine

While we're on the subject of the Supermodel Comeback - which we think will be in the news for a while yet - it's worth pointing out Christy Turlington's stunning new shoot in the August issue of W magazine, titled "Champion". The 39-year-old knockout, who as we mentioned has been re-signed as the face of German fashion house Escada, poses as a "Greco-Roman warrior-goddess" for photog Michael Thompson in old-school black-and-white. Talk about classical beauty - obviously all that yoga and being married to Ed Burns agrees with her.

Gallery: Christy Turlington in Aug. W

Photo by Michael Thompson / W magazinePhoto by Michael Thompson / W magazinePhoto by Michael Thompson / W magazinePhoto by Michael Thompson / W magazinePhoto by Michael Thompson / W magazine

The Classicist: Summer of Steve McQueen


Super cool movie star Steve McQueen was without a doubt one of the most stylish men of all time. As we've noted in the past, his rugged sportiness, authentic masculinity and innate good taste have inspired countless fashion designers, not to mention scores of other actors who followed in his wake. McQueen fans of all sorts have a lot to celebrate this summer: there are two major new books on the "King of Cool" coming out, as well as a special McQueen tribute edition Ford Mustang, while the star's famous 1970 Porsche, worth an estimated $2 million, is going up for auction.

The first book just went on sale: Steve McQueen: A Life in Pictures edited by Yann Brice Dherbier (Pavilion, $40). The mix of classic and less well-known images of the style icon is artfully put together, but what struck us most about the book was its large format, showing details that you just don't get in smaller versions (see the gallery for a preview). For instance, in this cover image you can clearly see that McQueen is wearing a classic Baracuta jacket from England - which by the way are still sold here at Ben Silver in Charleston, one of the best men's clothiers in the country.

Equally striking and noticeable due to the impressive scale are the identifiable images which have clearly influenced designers like Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors who have built whole collections and ad campaigns around the King of Cool. Lauren in particular is a well-known McQueen fanatic. The index to Michael Gross' brilliant biography of the designer, Genuine Authentic, contains no less than six separate entries for the actor.

Gross writes that Lauren staged shoots based on McQueen's movies - his favorite film is said to be 1968's The Thomas Crown Affair - sometimes with himself in the starring role, and hung photos of the actor in both his houses and stores. If you look closely enough at the photos in Dherbier's book and compare them to Lauren's designs you can see where he copied sweaters, jackets, details on suits, even the carelessly elegant way McQueen always wore his clothes.

The other book, Unforgettable Steve McQueen hasn't been published yet - we'll update you on that when the time comes - but it features a foreword by another McQueen wannabe: Brad Pitt. We'd say he's making a good start at filling the King of Cool's shoes, but he's got a ways to go yet.

Gallery: Endless McQueen Summer

In his Porsche at the Riverside Raceway, 1959Filming Le Mans, 1971At the racetrack, c.1965At home in Hollywood, 1960At the wheel of his Lotus Eleven, 1961

Résidence Supérieur "Extreme Luxury" Concept


Financial whiz turned "lifestyle designer" Richard Nilsson apparently felt that plain old luxury had lost its luster, so he decided to focus on "extreme luxury." When he was running a business empire Nilsson was only able to take one week off per year, so for his first project he came up with the "Résidence Supérieur" concept as an ultimate retreat where vacationing moguls and movie stars could pack as much luxury and privacy into their vacation as possible, cost be damned.

The first RS is the Villa Oxygene in Cannes on the French Riviera. In addition to ultra-luxe surroundings, it includes exotic sports cars, a private jet and helicopter, yacht, butler, chef, bodyguards and basically anything else you could wish for. Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria recently shot an ice cream commercial there, and Nilsson is now planning other equally outrageous outposts. See the gallery for pix.

Gallery: Residence Superieur

The villa's Lamborghini and Wiesmann roadsterDinner tableEva Logoria at the Villa OxygeneThe villa's pool with ocean viewBeach on the French Riviera

Kate Moss' Latest Starring Role


This is certainly turning out to be a banner season for Kate Moss; it seems every time we turn around she pops up in another fall ad campaign. And we might add that despite all Kate's been through, she's looking more gorgeous than ever. We already told you about her Just Cavalli and David Yurman campaigns, and she re-upped with Donna Karan as well; the latest is for French fashion house Longchamp, for whom she has modeled several seasons running. The cinematic black-and-white ads were shot by photo duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott at the famed Café de Flore in Paris. Kate's co-star is French actor Gaspard Ulliel, who appeared in the last Hannibal Lecter film. Kate's been busy elsewhere as well. She recently posed topless in W magazine and is launching a new fragrance.

Gallery: Kate Moss for Longchamp

Scene 1, Fall '08Scene 2Scene 3Previous Longchamp campaign #1Previous Longchamp campaign #2

Liquor Exec: Top Shelf Sales Will Hold Steady

With the economy in its current state of disrepair, you'd think the premium liquor sector would be getting a little worried wondering whether people will continue to shell out for the good stuff. No doubt it's a big topic of discussion at Tales of the Cocktail, the big industry fest currently taking place in New Orleans. We asked one attendee, Rob Bryans of top-shelf 10 Cane Rum, for his thoughts on the subject. Premium liquor remains a "must-have" for consumers, he insists, despite the added strain on purchasing power.

Bryans, the brand's VP, says that 10 Cane for one insulated itself from market forces to some extent by striving for an excellence that consumers would consider indispensable. The "luxury rum" is made from the first pressing of virgin Trinidadian sugar cane in place of the molasses, a sugar byproduct, used by most others, and the process is overseen by Jean Pinneau, the Master Distiller of Hennessy in France. "Every step of the production process is painstakingly geared towards quality," Bryans tells Luxist. "This is an artisanal approach to rum making."

Instead of worrying about the economy 10 Cane is focusing on new ways of marketing its brand, such as the deluxe Mojito Kit they've come out with for summer, featuring a mixer from our personal favorite, Stirrings. Sounds like good business practice to us; there's nothing like a great drink for a temporary respite from economic pressures.

Gallery: 10 Cane Rum

The bottle10 Cane Mojito Kit10 Cane ad campaign imageExtracting cane juicePot still

Kate Moss Returns as Face of David Yurman


We have always been of the opinion that jeweler David Yurman's designs don't quite live up to his gorgeous advertising campaigns. It's almost as though his own creative team senses this, as the ads seem designed to downplay the ostentatiousness of most of the jewelry, with its two-tone metals, gauche gemstones and clunky styling.

The pictures by contrast are simple, elegant and stunning: some of the world's most beautiful women shot in classic black-and-white by famed photographer Peter Lindbergh. Kate Moss has appeared more than once, and is back for the glamorous new fall campaign, pictured here. Other subjects have included Daria Werbowy, Naomi Watts, Amber Valletta and Natalia Vodianova. No-one could make the baubles look better than that all-star lineup.

Gallery: Yurman by Lindbergh

Daria WerbowyNatalia VodianovaNaomi WattsAmber VallettaKate Moss

San Diego Auto Museum's $75 Million Ferrari Exhibit


To celebrate its 20th anniversary this fall, the San Diego Automotive Museum (SDAM) is staging a a $75 million Ferrari exhibition. Ferrari: Cavallino Rampante will run from October 1st through the end of the year. Over 30 classic Ferraris will be on display, some for the very first time, during the exhibit which is being mounted in partnership with the Ferrari Owners Club of America.

SDAM will host a variety of events during the three-month show, including a two day Autostrada dei Deserto (From Shore to Sands) rally on Oct. 10-11 complete with a lavish party at the chic W Hotel San Diego. The first half of the exhibit will feature historic racing Ferraris, and the second half will focus on classic touring vehicles including a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L "Lusso", valued at over $2.5 million, and the beautiful 1965 275 GTB pictured above. See the gallery for more.

Gallery: San Diego Ferrari Show

1954 500 Mondial S1952 212 Europa 2+2 CabrioletAnother view of the '521981 512 LeMans1963 250 Lusso

Burberry Revenues Soar 26%


Brit fashion brand Burberry has announced that first-quarter revenues have risen by 26 per cent, continuing the upswing we reported on earlier this year. The growth is due to increased business in emerging markets and strong performance in North America, the Times of London reports. The uncertain economy has proved challenging to some luxury brands.

The company, founded in 1856, recently opened new stores have in Cannes, Budapest, Italy, Korea and Spain, and has launched a cool new ad campaign. "Our brand momentum is strong, driven by product innovation and a focused management team," Burberry chief executive Angela Ahrendts told the paper. "This momentum, together with the diversity and balance we have across products, channels and regions, underpins our confidence for the future."

Gallery: The World of Burberry

Spring ad campaign imageNew Fall ad campaign imageFall campaign star Rosie Huntington-WhiteleyBurberry designer Christopher Bailey with Sienna MillerA classic Burberry ad starring Kate Moss.

Fashion Brands Still Sold on Supermodels for Fall


Back in April we commented on the fact that several major fashion houses had chosen to bring back '90s supermodels such as Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell for their spring ad campaigns. We speculated at the time that the revival was no mere flash in the pan and would continue for subsequent seasons; the new crop of fall ad campaigns has now proved our prognostications correct. Top of the heap is Linda Evangelista's new series of ads for Prada shot by Steven Meisel (above), which rates as a major comeback for the ageless beauty.

In addition, both Chanel and Salvatore Ferragamo have kept Schiffer for their new fall campaigns, while Turlington returns for Escada as well. Elsewhere, Naomi Campbell appears for Yves Saint Laurent and Amber Valletta does the honors for DSquared, Iceberg and David Yurman; while as we mentioned previously Eva Herzigova and Kate Moss heat up the new Louis Vuitton and Just Cavalli campaigns respectively. See the gallery for more.

Gallery: More Supermodels for Spring

Amber VallettaClaudia Schiffer on a recent cover of German VogueNaomi Campbell for YSLLinda EvnagelistaAmber Valletta for Iceberg

Benz, Bugatti & Jag at Meadow Brook Auto Auction


On August 2nd, RM Auctions will sell of a stunning selection of classic cars, including a coveted Mercedes-Benz Gullwing (above), at the annual Meadow Brook Concours d'Élegance in Michigan. The event takes place at Meadow Brook Hall, the historic 110-room Tudor Revival mansion built in the 1920s by auto heiress Matilda Dodge Wilson. In May, RM set a world record by selling the 1961 Ferrari formerly owned by James Coburn which we wrote about for $11 million.

The Mercedes, a beautiful black 1956 300SL, is estimated at $575,000 - $675,000. We prefer it to the other, slightly more expensive Mercedes on offer, a 1936 500K three-position drophead coupe by Corsica, est. $600,000 - $750,000. Also included in the stunning sale: a 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Coupe, est. $475,000 - $575,000; a 1930 Isotta-Fraschini 8A Convertible Sedan by Castagna, similar to the one featured in Sunset Boulevard, est. $400,000 - $600,000; and a 1954 Jaguar XK 120SE Roadster, est. $80,000 - $110,000. See the gallery for more.

Gallery: RM Meadow Brook

1930 Isotta-Fraschini 8A Convertible 1954 Jaguar XK 120SE 1961 Chevrolet Corvette 1937 Bugatti Type 57 Ventoux Coupe1936 Mercedes-Benz 500K

Isabeli and Natalia Heat Up Versace for Fall


Versace has tapped two of modeling's most beautiful faces for its new Fall ad campaign shot by famed photographer Mario Testino. Russian knockout Natalia Vodianova (foreground) and Brazilian stunner Isabeli Fontana star in the ads which feature Versace's eye-popping new line of handbags, clothing and accessories. Fontana is having an especially good season campaign-wise. As we reported last month, she also stars in Roberto Cavalli's theatrical new ads as well those of Valentino. See the gallery for more pix from the campaign.

Gallery: Versace's Fall Beauties

Fall campaign image #1Fall campaign image #2Fall campaign image #3Fall campaign image #4Fetching Isabeli Fontana

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