Snoopy has been a constant companion with all of us since his birth many decades ago. Believe it or not, but the naughty pooch will be turning 60 next year. And typical to his character, he will do so with a lot of panache and glam. And helping him do that are global fashion brands like Chanel, Hermes, Balenciaga DVF, Givenchy, Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier and Chloé. These were the paticipating members of the Japan Fashion Week which rand in Tokyo Midtown in the month of October. The event which was co-sponsored by the Design Association NPO, United Media, K.K. garnered a lot of interest.

Well, Snoopy was an integral part of the exhibition (and we are not surprised to learn that) and so the designer brands thought he deserved a special treat.
By the way, Snoopy is a huge hit in the one of the fashion districts of the world (of course, we mean Tokyo). In fact, 2004 had a grand Snoopy Fahsion Show in Japan that had the cartoon wearing Chanel and others. So, we just though of preparing you for the grand birthday party next year!

Via ifitshipitshere

The rags (meant only figuratively here) to riches story will have another real life incident added to its list of anecdotes. Latest buzz in the news world tells us that an extremely lucky and ignorant British family had the first edition of Charles Darwin’s the ‘Origin of Species’ eating dust on their bookshelf. Well, they just happened to see a picture of the book’s spine somewhere, which led them pondering, “Don’t we have this at home?”

And they were right. Reuters report that the book was originally purchased for just a few shillings way back in th 60s or 70s (the family does not remember). Since then, it lay undiscovered on a dusty shelf. But now, a rather bright and glamorous future awaits this book that will be auctioned off at Christie’s to celebrate the edition’s 150th anniversary. The estimated price is between $66,000 and $100,000.
So, it’s a lesson learnt that more attention should be paid to the attic and dusty, forgotten areas of the house. After all, you might not have the faintest idea what valuables might be lying there in wait for you!

Via reuters

It has been predicted that perhaps folks  will never be able to get enough of Swarovski the coming festive season. After all, isn’t it then when everything is expected to shine and sparkle! And when you are in New York, you always look forward to see the Rockefeller Center for it has been celebrated as the most popular sparkle in the city during the holidays. Hundreds of locals as well as tourists have gathered at this famous sport to get a glimpse of the glorious Christmas Tree, that has a tradition of being topped with a Swarovski star since 2004.

And this year, we shall witness a star with a diameter of 9 1/2 feet, depth of 1 1/2 feet and a weight of 550 pounds. Believe it or not, but this twinkling star constitutes 25,000 crystals and has some 1,000,000 facets. A very high tech item, the star has been designed as a low cost decoration thanks to its energy-efficient LED bulbs.
A little research told us that the Rockefeller Center started the Tree Lighting Ceremony in 1933. Each year, the Christmas Tree was covered with 700 lights. However, this year will be the first time that a Swarovski star with a dynamic light movement will be featured. The 77th Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, December 2, from 7-9 pm.

Via luxist

Little would you know this but perhaps the largest Disney fans of the world reside in Japan, children and adults. So much so that this country has a special and orignal Disney theme park based next to the sea called Disney Sea. This one is a different venture from the Disneyland in Tokyo that folks just love visiting too. Well, with the involvement of die-hard grown up fans, you can expect a lot of innovation (and we mean big bucks) in the merchandise sector. For instance, a jewelry store in Osaka that goes by the name of Tanaka Kikinzoku has made a beautiful Snow White in pure gold. Accompanying her are the seven dwarfs who also enjoy being cast in the gorgeous yellow metal.

No wonder, this store is gaining a lot of mileage. It is believed that this little Disney team has a total estimated worth of $335,000. That said, it is not for sale. The makers believe that their favorite Disney Princess and her ‘kawaii’ seven friends are priceless.

All the eight gold figurines have been designed by Tanaka Kikinzoku thanks to a collaboration between his brand and Walt Disney (Japan). There is a special occasion too – to mark the Blu-ray disc version of Disney’s 1937 animation film classic.

Via japantoday

Hear hear, Volvos might not just only be boxy anymore. The new 2010 Volvo S60 is the newest answer from Sweden to all the much respected likes of BMW 3 Series and Audi A4. It was almost a year ago that the S60 Concept was first previewed in Detriot, and now the production version of the same will be unveiled with a lot of pomp and show at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show (scheduled for March).

But that is not reason for us to dampen our spirits. The automaker has unveiled a series of pictures in a delicous shade of copper-bronze to keep our imaginations going wild.

This luxury sedan comes equipped with Volvo’s impressive and latest safety technology that also includes a new Pedestrian Detection system that can stop the car from low speeds too. This feature shall come handy if someone jumps out in the front. The panoramic glass roof also has matching ’suicide’ rear doors to go with. The swoopy styling of the car is an instant hit. We are dying to hear more so that we can share more. Read on.

Via mgazette

We like to call her the Queen’s cousin though there are a few who do recognise her as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, the British model who is also believed to be a distant cousin of the Queen of England (and could be more popular for that simple fact than her own natural sexiness). Well leaving the debatable topic aside, let us tell you that the scaldingly hot beauty has recently been anointed as the newest Victoria’s Secret Angel. And that is indeed a feather in the crown for this model who has already worked for big names like Burberry and Agent Provocateur and featured in the Pirellu Calendar.

A li’l birdie tells us that Rosie is the only current British Angel to join the group of Lindsay Ellingson, Emanueal DiPaula, Candice Swanepoel and Chanel Iman.

If you are not familiar with the job profile of a Victoria’s Secret Angel then let us tell you that they are supposed to be the spokesmodels for the brand and enjoy their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Rosie’s predecessors include the likes of Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum and Gisele Bundchen.

Via graziadaily

Music lovers will be happy to know that very soon Moscow will be treated to some delicious musical notes that come from one of the costliest violins in the world. So if you have the time and money, you should very well make it to the Russian captial for the grand event. This violin goes by the name Ex-Vieuxtemps and was made by the venerated Giuseppe Guarneri in 1741.

A little bit of research told us that this violin has a long list of famous owners that also includes the great violinist and composer of the 19th Century, Henri Vieuxtemps maybe that is the reason why the violin is called so.

Well, in 2008 this musical instrument was purchased by a Russian lawyer and businessman, Maxim Viktorov. And since the violin has been so closely associated wit Pagnini, it has been decided to play on it to mark the great composer’s  to honour legendary musician Paganini’s 227th birth anniversary that falls this year. Apparently, it was Pagnini who heard Henri play this same violin at 14 and predicted that the boy would grow to be a great man. Famous Japanese violinist Kyoko Yonemoto will have the honor of playing this violin at a special concert at Moscow’s Conervatorium.

Via russiatoday

The forthcoming 35th anniversary sale from Antiquorum is what the watch collectors and connoisseurs are looking forward to. This event will be held for two days on 14th and 15th of November in Geneva itself. Well, it’s not just the reduced rates but also the exquisite watch pieces which will go on display that is creating all the buzz. We are told that the famous shop brand has decided to keep the most exceptional timepieces aside to mark its special moment.

And the highlight of the sale will be the Calibre 89 timepiece that belongs to the esteemed Matsuda collection, and is designed by none other than Patek Phillipe himself. In fact, this watch is already being touted as the most complicated time teller in the history of the world with not one or two but a sum total of 33 complications!

So far only four models of this intricate timepiece have been created, each in yellow, pink and white gold and one in platinum. We are not told as to which one will it specifically be at the sale in question. But we do have a strong feeling about the same watch, a Calibre 89 cast in yellow gold that Antiquorum sold in 1989. Well as of now, the price range has been estimated between $4,422,430-$ 5,405,574.

Via luxurylaunches

Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary on October 2nd also marked the launch of a new Mont blanc pen that has been ‘dedicated’ to the famous man’s legacy. Now, many people might have obejected to this rather unexpected gesture coming from a luxury brand because Gandhi never really lead a life or believed one with riches. Nonetheless, let us introduce you to this range that was unveiled by one of Gandhi’s grandsons – Tushar. Dubbed Mahatma Gandhi Limited Edition 241, this one has been made in 18 carat gold and has an engraving that depicts Gandhi setting off on the salt march (July 1930).

The price is huge at 17K Euros. And if that is a bit out of range for you, then take a look at the fountain and rollerball versions of the same pen for approximately $3000. This one is a limited edition with only 241 commemorative gold fountain pens. Gnadhi’s signature and a saffron-colored opal adorn each of the pens. Then there is the 26-foot golden thread accompanying the pen to be wound around it, this one recalls the spindle that Gandhi used to weave for a simple cotton cloth.

The pen has been further packaged into a luxury box that has a booklet with Gandhi’s quotes. So much in poor taste because bling is something that you cannot associate the great leader with. But there is a silver lining to the whole effort. We are told that Mont blanc will be donating a part of the sales to support Indian causes.

Via timesofinternet

Hublot is watch brand that always does something special to commemorate events all over the world. Recently, it was the Perfect Polo Match by Hublot that brought it into news. And now, it has decided to launch a limited eidtion timepiece to mark the 100th anniversary of the very famous Yacht Club of Monaco.

Titled Hublot Classic Fusion Yacht Club de Monaco (phew!), this one claims to be quite a class apart. This ultra luxury timepiece has been crafted in 19 carat gold with rubber and titanium frame measuring 45 mm. It has a carbon fiber dial that lends its own sleekness to the watch.

There is a crystal that has been AR-coated with sapphire. The watch is water resistant to 100 meters. The automatic Hublot caliber HUB1100 with 21 jewels powers this classy timepiece. It also boasts of a 42 hours power reserve. So far the brand has decided to make only 100 units.

Via timezone