Louis Vuitton has always stood by its belief in offering a luxurious way of life to its loyalists even when they are on the go. We are talking stylish luggage that is always appreciated by the discerning traveler. And one thing good about LV is that it is constantly working to improve its past products to give you the best in the market today. It was just yesterday that we were telling you about the LV Dog carrier by Marc Jacobs. Well, here is yet another item from the same  “Maîtres du Savoir-Faire” collection for Red Cross. It is called the 95 Secretaire special case and it bears the thumbprint (figuratively, so) of its creator Damien Hirst.

We are told that the inspiration for this rather grand luggage case came from the movie Dead Ringers. Apparently, the rather shiny display of stainless steel surgical instruments caught Hirst’s attention.
As a result, the 95 Secretaire Special ase bear the iconic skull impressions that belong to all Hirst products. There are two silver skulls encrusted on the inside of the lids as well. Black leather has been used to craft the exterior while the inside has a dark blue velvet lining bearing a beautiful butterfly print. Custom pieces also available.

Via ilvoelv

There is nothing like spending this Christmas time over the waves, enjoying the sandy beaches and the warm sunshine. PURE Yachting has unveiled its latest inflatable boat model and the technology incorporated in the inflatable ensures that it is both rigid and yet easy to handle at the same time. Unveiled at the U.S. Sailboat and Powerboats Show and dubbed as the Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs), this modern and stylish inflatable ensures both safety and ergonomic ease in handling. Making it perfect for both rescue operations and enjoying weekends alike, you can carry it with you to the nearest lake without having to use a huge trailer and yet its carbon fiber construction offers better safety than most conventional boats.

PURE yachting reverse engineered the boat in an effort to avoid the need for a larger, heavier davit or lifting system. This has ensured that the RIG gives greater fuel efficiency and hence can go longer without having to refuel. Its speed combined with a sleek, sexy and sturdy design makes it appealing and competent.

Offering a perfect getaway on a lovely weekend, this Christmas gift from PURE Yachting could make its way on to the waves very, very soon. Now if only we can get to know how much it costs…

Ho1designs

For the moment, the cool thing is named the Suter SRT500, the bike’s chassis will be from the Ilmor 2007 MotoGP bike. Suter SRT500, the bike will be powered by a 500cc two-stroke V4 engine that spits out 200 horsepower.

You as a buyer can choose to customize the bike with bits such as carbon fiber wheels, race-spec suspension, titanium exhaust and other accessories. With its amazing torque, and throttle connection, the powerful bike may not need traction control.

You can only dream of owning the bike though, if your pockets are shallow. At 50,000-90,000 Euros, it is meant for the super rich. If you do manage to get the bike for that much an amount, consider yourself, blessed.

Suter Racing officials say that conventional four-stroke MotoGP bikes may end up feeling like tractors, in front of the two-stroke machine. According to them, it fills the dearth of proper 500cc V4 two-stroke engines. It certainly is not for everyone though.
Via: Faster and Faster

The ‘oh so famous’ intersection of Hollywood and Vine is all set to get even more famous thanks to a grand project that goes by the name of W Hollywood Hotel and Residences. This spectacular feat is being designed by HKS and shall include a 300-room hotel as well as 144 luxury condos spread across the sprawling 40,000 square feet streer-level retail. Boy, this one will definitely be something to watch out for!

An MTA transit plaza, an upscale signature restaurant and a nationally recognised bar, spa, roof top pool and fitness facility will be made an intrinsic part of the project. As for the hotel, it will reflect nothing but unadulterated luxury that too Hollywood style. You will be able to spot so to say ‘movie’ elements like the silver screen being reinterpreted as a rather crisp and clean glass facade. Not to mention the red carpet that will practically follow you everywhere you go on this turf.

The W Hollywood Hotel and Residences will open roof top terraces for public and private funcway, you will have several luxury shopping options too. A stay here would easily cost you an arm and a leg.

Via worldarchitecturenews

In the near future, Ducati might not just only be a car for the rest of us? A recent buzz tells us that it is also going to be an electrically-assisted pedal bike manufactured by the same brand mogul in a partnership with Italian company Italwin. Dubbed the City of Pearl, this eco-friendly mode of transportation will be available in both men’s and women’s styles. Come January, and you can lay your hands on this one at most Ducati dealerships across Europe.

And to our surprise, the City of Pearl isn’t the first two-wheeler that Ducati came up with. In fact, its predecessor is known as Cucciolo and very few are aware of its existence. But this one had a small four-stroke engine that was attached to the bicycle frame.

Here are the specs on the City of Pearl. This one is all set to compete with the electric bicycles thaks to its six-volt 9Ah Panasonic lithium ion battery pack. Then there is the front-mounted 250W brishless electric motor that can propel the bike to 24 kilometers per hour. So, go ahead and enjoy being an adveturer the eco-friendly way!

Via ducati

Oceanco is a well known Dutch yachtbuilder and it has recently added another feaher to its superyacht cap. The new vessel in question has a very technical name, read Y708, and is already being touted as one of the most advanced version in the size 283 ft category. This one is still in production and will be ready only by 2012 and will come with a huge price tag of $150 million.

Referred to as a floating palace, this beauty has been designed by Russian Igor Lobanov. The target audience is definitely the oligarch set for who else can afford this mammoth luxury. Among the various amenities, the Y708 yacht features a library, sushi bar and cigar bar that are spread across it four decks along with many others.

Lobanov was guided by motion, elegance and privacy when desiging the superyacht. Perhaps that is why the crew passages are well hidden to ensure privacy. There are four guest cabins, two VIP suites as well as a master suite at your disposal to invite a large group of friends on board. 2 MTU will be powering this vessel, each producing 4,830 hp to allow it a speed of 20 knots.

Via jameslist

It is called 3 Rms, Lk Vu by Michigan-based design firm Jruiter. It is a boat concept that takes your living home to water! Yet, it is not a houseboat one finds in tourist destinations across the world which make up for floating hotels. It is more personalized in nature. You can use it over a day for a picnic on a quite river. You could call it part apartment, or an outdoor living space for its features offer just that.

The pontoon boat houses a kitchen with dining space, a living room with seating, and a basking deck for sun-bathing or just chilling. You can relax and enjoy floating on the water with your family or friends, or move over to the floating kitchen for some quick cooking. All these come with a space heater that is tucked behind a retro style vent.

Its wide open spaces give more freedom to users, as they can mould and use the boat according to their own whims.

The boat has a teak deck to give some open space for sunbathing and swimming. It also allows a view of the sunset and stars in the evening.
Via: ]]> http://elitechoice.org/2009/11/06/picnic-on-the-river-on-floating-home/feed/ 0 http://elitechoice.org/2009/11/06/sleep-while-you-stand-with-vertical-bed/ http://elitechoice.org/2009/11/06/sleep-while-you-stand-with-vertical-bed/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:39:20 +0000 Radhika http://elitechoice.org/?p=20908

The only questions one has with the equipment is, about the safety of surroundings when a person chooses to doze off, as also the embarrassing looks of passersby after a sleep stint.
Via: substitute materials, design launches

Move over Scuba Diving. Just diving into deep waters to experience those underwater thrills is passé. You can now ride in water, not just over it. With a Scubacraft. It is a self-contained submersible and is also a capable surface watercraft. The craft, uses an internal combustion engine to reach a dive site where it can go in deep water of about 100 feet. The Scubacraft is a brainchild of Wales engineers.

Although the water vehicle is submersible, it is not a pressurized submarine. It does not need cranes to lower the craft below water. It does not need boats to carry it into the sea. The underwater thriller vehicle is much less expensive than submarines of similar size. If you dream of owning it though, unofficial figures rate it at $ 164,000.

The craft is sure to boost underwater tourism further, and has reportedly aroused the interest of film-makers. In future, you may even expect Scubacraft to feature a dedicated filming platform, as it is in concept stage now. For the moment, the craft is available in two models – the SC3 that is in prototype form, and the bigger SC6 which is yet to be built. For both, batteries will power electric thrusters under water.

Via: Wired

Cigarette will usher in its 40th anniversary celebrations at the Lauderdale International Boat Show in a rather inimitable style. It will showcase the entire Cigarette powerboat range, a visual treat for powerboat fans.

The Cigarette 50’ Marauder will be its showstopper. This star of a powerboat has triple Mercury Racing engines, from the 850SCi to the thundering 1200’s, and can speed so swift you gape in awe. Visitors at the show can also get to see the iconic 38’ Top Gun. Top Gun is a typical old world kind of design in the Cigarette powerboat range, although the brand has embraced modernity and technology with ease. The model is easy to drive and has low maintenance, and is known for its superb handling characteristics.

Other Cigarette models are great too. The display’s new designs will be spectacular cockpits.

The Cigarette range display for this 40 year old brand established by the late Don Aronow at North Miami Beach, is evidently all about bringing to fore its commitment to quality, be it in the construction, power, rigging, upholstery and paint work of powerboats.

The new Cigarette plant, is now situated further north in the uniquely-named Miami suburb Opa-Locka.
Via: PowerBoatWorld