Manolo once again impresses with his new playful line of Spring 2010 collection.  These heels not only use spring and summer colors and patterns, they also allow the foot to breathe in on those warm Spring and Summer days.    Easily matched with professional and/or casual ensembles, these heels are the perfect complement for every occasion.   The playful colors also add some spruce to the intricate design of the heels.  This collection absolutely shows how the mind of Manolo Blahnik is complete genius when designing fashion forward heels to satisfy the contemporary and classy chic woman.   We have purposely omitted one particular heel due to the overall consensus of how chic and sexy this particular offering from Monolo struck everyone.  It will be featured separately and debuted on our March 16th episode of Luxaholics radio and then posted here on the web blog.  So listen in on Tuesday March 16th at 1p.m. to hear the announcement of the heel as well as the details of our new exclusive contest!

Manolo Blahnik Spring 2010 Collection…definitely Luxaholics Approved!!

KATE MOSS COVER

Purple is a French fashion, art and culture magazine, since 2004 divided into Purple Fashion published by Purple Institute based in Paris and New York, and Purple Journal, published by Les Editions Purple, based in Paris. On February 16th the first installation of Purple Fashion’s new online presence was launched. Purple-diary.com can be considered as the extension of the magazine but as a digital voice that offers immediate access to the world of Purple — including Olivier Zahm’s personal pictures as well as a look into the next issue of the magazine. – Wikipedia

I came across this magazine one day in a Universal News near where I live.  There was a fashion photographer doing a “magazine sweep” (pulling all the latest issues of every fashion magazine off the shelves to purchase) and he pulled of this thick white magazine which looked more like a mini-dictionary.  I asked him more about the magazine and came to find out it was one of the insider’s magazines for photographers, models and everything involving fashion.   So I vowed I would bring the magazine to our audience of Luxaholics!

Enjoy!

- Chris Collie (C.E.O. F1GMedia)

Nicholas Kirkwood Rodarte

Anteprima Estate

Prada

Louise Gold

1st Image (Nicholas Kirkwood) – Usually we like the offerings from this designer but this heel is a little too much of the “brass look” accompanied with a very busy design.  The heel while different does not do enough to save this entire shoe.  The colors can be easily matched which is a positive but we just don’t feel the brass finish is a winner this time around.  Let us know what you think.

2nd Image (Anteprima Estate) – This boot almost had potential, however the elongated bottom of the boot adds a weird shape to this heel.  The two-tone colors also do not help to absorb the shape of the overall shoe.  The delicate stitching meant to be seen lying on the sole of the heel gives off an image of tacky instead of sophistication.   The pointy toe of the heel make the strong personality of the heel a little too over the top.  Let us know what you think.

3rd Image (Prada) – First and foremost, we at Luxaholics are not fans of slip on heels, at all!  Prada really surprised us with this offering.  The crystals add a dainty and very cute touch to an otherwise very lazy heel.  The thick heel is very reminiscent of old school 80′s heels which have a look of a mistress or Vegas showgirl.  Prada usually is very intricate with their designs from the clothing to the footwear, but this heel looks like they didn’t put much thought into them at all…Not a Fan…. Tell us what you think.

4th Image (Louise Gold) – Wrong from start to finish.   If you think otherwise…convince us!

Definitely Not Luxaholics Approved

TMB Art Metal's Limited Edition Aston Martin Cufflings

London-based TMB Art Metal such celebrated autos are more than a source of inspiration; they are a source of materials from which to fabricate cuff links, leather goods, and sculptures. One of their latest creations is a pair of limited-edition DBR1/2 Essence of Form cuff links crafted from an aluminum panel taken from the famous race car when it underwent restoration nearly 20 years ago. The aluminum car sculptures are paired with sculpted tiny drivers and posts made of 18-karat gold. Two versions of the cuff links, each limited to 50 pieces and priced at about $2,950, are accompanied by certificates of authenticity signed by either Sir Stirling Moss or Carroll Shelby.

Now, we aren’t suggesting going out and buying these almost $3,000 cuff links to just say you have them; these gems are collector’s items.  Take time to appreciate the craftsmanship of these accessories that can make or break an outfit.  They are definitely for the automotive enthusiasts and the fashionable who have a collector’s spirit.

Definitely Luxaholics Approved!

We here at Luxaholics never thought we would say this, but Balenciaga did not wow us with these offerings.  They are definitely keeping in line with Balenciaga’s signature of a “little extra”, however we think these were a miss.  We know there are plenty out there that will probably disagree with us so we want to hear from you.  Give us your opinion on them, do you think they uphold the Balenciaga standard in your opinion?  If so, why and how?

For now, Luxaholics Unapproved!

Exclusive T1 Liquor Bottle

Germán González, the longtime master distiller of the cult-favorite Chinaco tequila, has branched out to launch his own tequila brand. Called Tequila Uno (t1), it debuted in North America in November, and for now, features a reposado (aged in wood for six months) and three blanco tequilas. All the varieties are made from mature agave grown in the Mexican highlands of Los Altos, which tend to produce plants with higher concentrations of natural sugar.

The t1 Blanco Unique ($160)—is a limited-edition release of 60 bottles to commemorate the launch of his new brand, and is, at 41-proof, based on the smoothness of his less priced Ultra-Fino brand. It comes packaged in an individually numbered, handblown and etched crystal decanter that resembles a drop of distillate dropping from the still. And finally, the t1 Exceptional Reposado ($50), like its clear siblings, shows notes of roasted agave. With influences from spending six months in casks that once held Scotch whisky, it also reveals accents of vanilla, custard, spiced citrus, apple, and peach. González plans to release more varieties in 2010 and 2011, all with a promise of staying true to the agave.

Definitely, Luxaholics Approved!!!

Attn all Models:

We here at Luxaholics are proud to announce our 1st Portfolio Shoot Giveaway.  In dealing with styling shoots, photographers and models constantly, we have found that when a model wants to seriously build a diverse portfolio there are always some style of shots they are missing.  This can be due to a lack of knowledge in their career or overlooked by the manager.  This is where we come in:

Details of Giveaway

Three models will be selected by our Luxaholics team to be given a free photo shoot where 4 styles of shots will be taken.  2 styles will be portrait style head-to-shoulder and 2 full body…The photographer will be Edward Green and he is shooting this for a book he is writing on multi-race models and how the color line is becoming blurred.  This book will a very hard-hitting book and be distributed nationally.  The models will be used to illustrate how in today’s society the line between races is becoming erased within the modeling world.   All models used will be given all photos as well as a copy of the book when it is released.

Model Requirements

Multi-race females

34 B or C cup, 24-28 wait, 36-40 hips

Ages bet. 21-28

Services Provided

Photography

Make-up assistant (Models should have their make-up semi-done.)

Models Should Bring

Wardrobe

Please send at least 3 photos (1 headshot, two full body) to Luxaholic@F1GMedia.com with your name, measurements including height and weight.

Good luck to all…this is the first of many giveaways that we are happy to bring…

- Definitely Luxaholic Approved!!

PORSCHE DRIVING CLOSE SNEAKER

Three years ago Porsche Design Group collaborated with Adidas to build a premium clothing and accessories line to mimic the  precision engineering of their automobiles.  The new fall collection is both comprehensive and highly functional incorporating all the elements of Water/Snow, Running/Fitness, Driving, Golf, and Tennis.

The new Driving Close sneaker ($360), part of a new collection of driving gear, is made of full-grain leather and features a breathable mesh tongue and driving-specific low-profile out-sole that helps the foot better adhere to the pedals.  This is the new style of sneaker/shoe ladies and gentlemen.  Now the price is not cheap, however, these are not made for everyday wearing.  We will leave the decisions to you.  Would you wear them?  Let us know.

Luxaholics Approved!

2011 Bentley Mulsanne Champagne Color

Classic Bentley Silver

Front view

Side View

Inside View

Inside Dashboard View

Back Seat Luxury

The Mulsanne is expected to be on assembly lines by Spring, and by the fall the car will begin arriving in American showrooms for purchase.  The price: $285,000, which is a bit lower than its big brother the Bentley Azure.

Beneath the Mulsanne’s hood lies a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine producing 505 horsepower and a titanic 752 foot-pounds of torque at only 1,800 rpm. Perhaps no vehicle on the planet offers the Mulsanne’s degree of personalization. Buyers can choose from among 114 colors of paint, a palette that includes special Bentley “heritage colors,” satin and opalescent finishes, and a selection of two-tone combinations.

The interior (which requires 170 worker hours to craft) offers 24 colors of hide, nine wood veneers, and 21 colors of carpeting, with a 20-speaker, 2,200-watt Naim audio system (the most powerful ever fitted to a production vehicle) providing the soundtrack.

Just the brief description given about this powerful vehicle shows why celebrities, royalty and multi-millionaires are salivating over the release of this Bentley.

Do we really have to say it?  Of course this is Luxaholics Approved!

Karl Lagerfeld stepping off the Chanel Private Jet

Karl Lagerfeld is plain and simple fashion royalty.  His signature shades with a slick black suit is more known throughout the industry than the red bottoms on Christian Louboutin’s heels.  With a resume that is too good to be true…he has designed for almost every major designer from his earlier days to now…Currently, he is head of designing for Chanel, Fendi and his own line which mimics his personal style and more.   This man is fashion.  Most of the high fashion trends for the last 20 yrs have come from the mind and hands of this man.  In his earlier days critics scoffed at his fashion forward designs; he even made the Queen of Fashion Anna Wintour walk out of a show with his choice of strippers for models on a runway.  Now, with his newest offering of his signature collection he once again shows why he is regarded as one of the greatest minds ever in fashion.  Karl Lagerfeld truly is Luxaholics approved.

Photos of  some of Karl Lagerfeld’s work:

Karl Lagerfeld Collection Spring Fashion 2010

Karl Lagerfeld 2010 Collection

Pictures from the Chanel Runway Cruise 2010

ON LEFT: FENDI RUNWAY SHOW ON RIGHT: CARL WALKING DOWN THE RUNWAY AFTER THE SHOW

Chanel store in NYC

Fendi store in NYC