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Personal Bling
Blingy or understated or bespoke, there is something for everybody seeking luxury. Necessity, needless to say, has little to do with it
Guerlain’s KissKiss lipstick in Gold & Diamond
Made in France and available in 15 custo-misable shades, KissKiss contains light reflectors which claim to create a ‘dazzling effect’, and a moisturising complex of vitamin A, alpha- bisabolol and waxes. The case is crafted from solid 18-carat gold and embellished with 199 tiny diamonds of 2.2 carats; it can also be custom engraved. Crea-ted by Hervé Van der Straeten, the refillable lipstick is presented in a black lacquered wood case and comes with a lip brush and protective black suede pouch.
Price: On request
Availability: Maison Guerlain, Paris; by appointment
Diamond Golf ball by Bernard Maquin
Golf is said to be a rich man’s game. This diamond-studded golf ball by designer Bernard Maquin fits that demographic well. Each ball is manufactured in 18-carat gold and encrusted with 11 carats of black and white diamonds. The diamond golf ball is of the same size as a genuine golf ball. The tee has a bit of bling to it as well in order to complement the ball. A perfect present for a golfer who has everything.
Price: On request
Availability: www.charleshollandercollection.com
It took Dutch luxe brand CoverBee almost two years to perfect the world’s most expensive laptop sleeve. Each handcrafted sleeve features 8,800 diamonds and rare Siberian black sable fur. (The fur is extracted from animals which have already died of natural causes.) Inspired by the ‘I Am Rich’ iPhone app that was priced at $999.99 in 2008, Peter van Soldt, CEO of CoverBee, says, “Accessories have been popular across all cultures and ages, and so has fine jewellery.” Shipment is handled by a secure logistics firm.
Price: $11 million
Availability: www.coverbee.com
WHEN EVEN SOAP WAS A LUXURY
During World War II, when soaps were rationed in Britain, Imperial Leather soap was positioned as a luxury item—the best choice since it lasted longer than the others.
What is better than owning an iconic Gucci handbag? One that is customised for you. Gucci introduced its Made-to-Order programme in India in 2012; on offer are the New Bamboo, New Jackie and Stirrup handbags. The process starts with you choosing the leather—options include crocodile or ostrich skin, metallic or matte fi-nishes, and even antique gold and silver dyes. You can also select the colour and metal components. The final touch is added by embossing your initials, and you own a bag no one else can.
Price: Rs 8 lakh onwards for crocodile leather
Availability: Gucci flagship stores in Mumbai and New Delhi
When Swiss luxury house Chopard got together with high-end eyewear company De Rigo SpA for a range of sunglasses, the sky was going to be the limit. The most expensive pair of sunglasses in the world was unveiled in 2012; it features 51 fully cut River diamonds and weighs four carats. With Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Beckinsale and Tom Jones as fans, the brand has no dearth of star appeal either.
Price: On request
Availability: Chopard Boutique, DLF Emporio, New Delhi
Hermes Brides Fleuries Precious Scarf
Grace Kelly used hers as an impossibly elegant sling for her broken arm; Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O wore theirs as headscarves—just a couple of reasons why there are few women’s accessories in the world as iconic as a Hermès scarf. Since 1937, the squares of silk have become the French fashion house’s most famous offering. Launched earlier this year, this 90 cm-by-90 cm scarf features the iconic ‘Brides de Gala’ print. This print, picked from the Hermès archives (it was first launched in 1957), is a throwback to Hermès’s equestrian traditions.
Price: Rs 2 lakh (approx)
Availability: All Hermès stores
Men love their toys and no one knows this better than Swiss designer Roland Iten who founded Roland Iten — Mechanical Luxury for Gentlemen. The RZ8 MK II Ziletto Slyder cufflinks are an evolution of “the original Z-shaped, spring ejection, doubt-bullet cufflinks” created by Iten in 2004. When the bu-llets are concealed, the cufflinks are perfectly suited for business wear. With a simple press of the button on the wing, the bullets are ejected to reveal a more festive look with 30 diamonds. To maintain exclusivity, the company releases each piece in a limited numbered series.
Price: On request
Availability: www.rolanditen.com
When Prince William married Kate Middleton two years ago, Clive Christian was commi-ssioned to bottle a his-and-hers matched pair of Clive Christian No. 1 perfumes with gold etched initials. It is aptly packaged in its iconic hand-cut crystal bottle with the Imperial Crown stopper. Fans include Elton John and Beyoncé Knowles.
Price: No. 1 for Men Pure Perfume (30 ml) £2,700
Availability: Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie, Harrods, London
Between them, the family-owned Goring Hotel of London and Globe-Trotter (the master of hand-crafted luggage) have almost 220 years of experience in looking after travellers. “The Globe-Trotter Goring Hotel edition, resplendent with silk from The Royal Suite, looks wonderful and captures the essence of our two companies,” says Gary Bott, creative director, Globe-Trotter. With prices starting at Rs 40,000 for a suitcase, Globe-Trotter is preferred by the likes of Daniel Craig, Kate Moss and Kylie Minogue.
Price: 26-inch suitcase – Rs 1.48 lakh (approx)
Availability: Globe-trotter store, ITC Maurya Sheraton & Towers, New Delhi
The prices and information have been sourced from the brands featured in this article.
(This story appears in the 18 October, 2013 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
