From Your Personal Shopper in London: TarTie Limited Edition, The perfect Gift for Valentine’s Day

Tar Tie is not a “normal” tie, but the perfect “Travel Tie”. Due to its irregular tip that invokes hemming of classic pocket handkerchiefs, you may transform it into a “pochette”!

TarTie is the result of a reinterpretation of a symbol of elegance, by giving tie new style, new use and, above all, new compactness.

According to the special finishing of pure silk twill, TarTie is the only tie that does not take unstructured creases. It is very light and soft enough to be placed in pocket of jacket, office drawer or personal briefcase. So, you may only use it when needed!

Need for matching different lifestyles has been the source of a unique and useful accessory for every occasion: from the most formal to the most … untied!

TarTie will be launched in February 2013, during Milan Fashion Week and it is available in 6 plain colours. Every colour  is dedicated to a town and it is presented with a different packaging: DUBAI (light blue), LONDON (blue), NEW YORK (brown), HONG KONG (red), MILANO (black) and PARIS (green).

TarTie knows no bounds and  cannot be missed in the trolley of every business man! And, upon arriving at destination, no more wasting time to remove creases!

Valentine’s Limited Edition available on Privilege Lounge  www.privilegelounge.com

From Your Personal Shopper in New York: Tom Ford creates ‘Suit & Tie’ for Justin Timberlake

Tom Ford has teamed up with Justin Timberlake to design outfits for the actor and singer’s new video.

Tom Ford has worked on a series of clothes and accessories designed specifically for the new Timberlake album which are expected to appear in videos and visuals when the record drops in the spring.

Timberlake is no stranger to the world of fashion himself. A designer in his own right, the singer regularly tops best-dressed lists although he doesn’t always wear his own label, William Rast.

The American fashion designer, who also styled Timberlake for the promotional artwork, is famous for his bespoke men’s tailoring.

The new single is Timberlake’s first musical endeavour in nearly six years and is accompanied by a black and white video that sees the singer adopt a suave 50’s suited style.

Tom Ford said: ‘I adore Justin. He has innate style and enormous talent. It has been such a pleasure and honour to work with him throughout this entire creative process.’

The cover shot for Timberlake’s first single from the new record, “Suit & Tie” (featuring an equally style-savvy Jay-Z) , features a Tom Ford tuxedo with satin peak lapels, a white shirt and an oversized satin bow tie.

The 31-year-old singer is also seen in luxury Tom Ford garb in the video, including a three-piece suit and a black lapel two-piece tuxedo.

From Your Personal Shopper in Paris: Excellent performance for LVMH in 2012

LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s leading luxury products group, recorded revenue of €28.1 billion in 2012, an increase of 19% compared to 2011. This includes the integration of Bulgari as of June 30, 2011. Organic revenue growth was 9%. All business groups saw excellent momentum in Europe, Asia and the United States. Louis Vuitton, in particular, once again recorded double-digit revenue growth during the year.

Revenue increased by 12% in the fourth quarter, compared to the same period in 2011, with organic revenue growth of 8%. The last quarter saw a modest increase in growth compared to the third quarter of 2012.

Profit from recurring operations increased by 13% to €5 921 million, a performance which is even more remarkable when compared to the strong growth in 2011. Current operating margin was 21% in 2012. Group share of net profit was €3 424 million, an increase of 12% compared to 2011.

Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, said: “2012 was another remarkable year for LVMH, especially in the context of the economic slowdown in Europe. All of our businesses demonstrated excellent momentum driven by innovation and the quality of their products, thereby strengthening their positions in traditional markets while continuing to develop in new ones. Looking beyond the appeal of our brands, it is the talent of our teams and their motivation that enables us to so effectively execute our strategy. In 2013, LVMH intends to further strengthen its global leadership position in high quality products by relying on its sound, long-term strategy.”

Wines & Spirits: strong growth in vintages and prestige qualities

The Wines & Spirits business group recorded organic revenue growth of 11%. Profit from recurring operations increased by 14%. Continuing the favorable trend for the wines and spirits market in 2011, demand remained strong in 2012. In addition to volume growth, improved product mix and a policy of adjusted price contributed to this excellent performance. Champagne recorded a strong performance in its rosé and prestige vintages. Sparkling and still wines from Estates & Wines experienced strong new growth. Hennessy cognac saw a very good year for all its qualities and in all regions. Belvedere vodka enjoyed good momentum outside the U.S. while the single malt whiskeys Glenmorangie and Ardbeg recorded rapid increases in their key markets. All maisons in this business group thus benefit fully from their value enhancing strategy, based on the image of their brands and the strength of their distribution network.

Fashion & Leather Goods: excellent performance from Louis Vuitton and other brands

The Fashion & Leather Goods business group recorded organic revenue growth of 7% in 2012. Profit from recurring operations increased by 6%. Louis Vuitton, which had another record year, increased its lead over other artisanal brands of leather goods. With double-digit revenue growth, Louis Vuitton maintained its historic strategy based on the extraordinary quality of its products and its excellent distribution. The Maison continues to record an exceptional level of profitability in a context of sustained investment dedicated to strengthening its savoir-faire. The opening of its first dedicated jewelry boutique complete with its first Haute Joaillerie workshop at Place Vendôme in Paris and the reopening of the Maison Louis Vuitton in Shanghai are among the highlights of the year. Fendi continued the qualitative expansion of its distribution network. Its iconic handbag Baguette experienced a record year on its 15th anniversary. As the brand continues to strengthen its identity, Céline showed excellent performance in all its products and in all geographic areas. The performance of the other fashion brands continued to improve.

Perfumes & Cosmetics: excellent momentum

The Perfumes & Cosmetics business group recorded organic revenue growth of 8%. Profit from recurring operations increased by 17%. Parfums Christian Dior saw excellent performance driven by the strength of flagship lines, notably Miss Dior and J’adore. Dior Addict Lipstick confirmed its leadership position in its main markets and the skin care line Prestige continued its sustained growth. Guerlain continued to see strong growth momentum attributed notably to the performance of its new fragrance La Petite Robe Noire. Parfums Givenchy saw strong growth in its makeup line due to broader distribution and the success of its mascara Noir Couture. Benefit, Make Up For Ever and Fresh continued their strong growth.

Watches & Jewelry: strong progress in iconic lines and development of industrial capacity

The Watches & Jewelry business group recorded organic revenue growth of 6% in 2012. Profit from recurring operations rose 26% notably due the performance of Bulgari, consolidated as of 30 June 2011. LVMH watch brands experienced good momentum supported by many innovations and the excellent performance of their iconic models Carrera by TAG Heuer, King Power by Hublot and El Primero by Zenith. In Jewelry, Bulgari confirmed the success of its Serpenti and B.Zerol collections, enriched by new creations, and reinforced the quality of its distribution. Chaumet and Fred continue to develop their star collections.

Selective Retailing: rapid growth thanks to its innovative product and service offering

The Selective Retailing business group recorded organic revenue growth of 14% in 2012. Profit from recurring operations increased by 19%. Due to its strong commitment to the quality of its stores, DFS benefitted from momentum among Asian customers. Three major concessions were won in 2012 at Hong Kong Airport and the concession at Los Angeles Airport was renewed. The opening in Hong Kong of a third Galleria is also a key highlight of the year. Sephora continued to achieve an excellent level of performance and made market share gains across all its regions. Online revenue is growing strongly. In Europe, new stores opened for the first time in Denmark and Sweden. In the United States, the renovation of several flagship stores in New York strengthened the appeal of the brand. Sephora continued its expansion in China while accelerating the renovation of its existing network. Its first stores were opened in the high potential markets of Brazil and India.

Favorable outlook for LVMH in 2013

Despite an uncertain economic environment in Europe, LVMH is well-equipped to continue its growth momentum across all business groups in 2013. The Group will maintain a strategy focused on developing its brands by continuing to build up its savoir-faire, as well as through strong innovation and expansion in fast growing markets.

Driven by the agility of its organization, the balance of its different businesses and geographic diversity, LVMH enters 2013 with confidence and has, once again, set an objective of increasing its global leadership position in luxury goods.

From Your Personal Shopper in London: John Galliano To Return To The Fashion Industry

John Galliano is taking the first steps towards rebuilding his fashion  career by taking up a temporary residency at Oscar de la  Renta’s design studio in New York. “John and I have known each other for many years and I am a great admirer of his  talent,” de la Renta said.  “He has worked long and hard on his recovery and I am happy to give him the  opportunity to reimmerse himself in the world of fashion and reacclimate in an  environment where he has been so creative.”

In turn, Galliano said he was “grateful beyond words” for de la Renta’s support, adding, “(Oscar’s) faith in me is humbling.”

Welcome back Mr Galliano!

From Your Personal Shopper in London: Alain Ducasse enlightens Dorchester Hotel

In the world of glitzy hotel restaurants, Alain Ducasse and his work at Plaza Athene and Le Louis XV at Monaco’s Hotel de Paris reign supreme. Ducasse’s latest undertaking is at London’s prized Dorchester located on Park Lane overlooking Hyde Park.

Alain Ducasse is one of the world’s most decorated chefs. Known not only for his incomparable French cuisine, Alain Ducasse has created innovative dining concepts reflecting international influences, and consequently has earned a reputation for phenomenal cuisine.

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester offers contemporary French cuisine along with a professional bespoke and friendly service.

Experience creativity, generosity and impeccable cuisine at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. Guests are taken on an unrivalled culinary journey starting with beautifully presented amuse-bouche served in a delicate porcelain egg and finishing with classic ‘Chamonix’ cakes gifted at the end of the meal. The restaurant’s four bespoke trolleys provide the perfect ending to an enchanting dining experience with offerings ranging from Mignardises to fresh infusions.

The jewel of the restaurant is the stunning ‘Table Lumière’, a private room surrounded by 4,500 shimmering fiber optics which drop dramatically from the ceiling and adorned with specially selected sets of Hermès china, Puiforcat silverware and Saint-Louis crystal.

Designed by Patrick Jouin (Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel tower) the restaurant draws inspiration from British traditions, Hyde Park and even the cuisine of Alain Ducasse himself. Patrick Jouin has succeeded in merging tradition with modernity. The dining room is contemporary, soft and elegant, showcasing the unadorned beauty of natural fabrics such as leather, wood and cotton to amazing effect, in a palette of tan, cream and taupe. The design includes quirky elements such as walls studded with thousands of silk buttons in different shades of green.

An exceptional selection of tableware has been chosen by Alain Ducasse, in complete harmony with the restaurant. It highlights traditional French craftsmanship and an interesting variety of materials. From Coquet porcelain to hand-made butter dishes in pink marble, to French artist Jean-Paul Gourdon unique vegetable ceramics, the finest tableware has been created exclusively for the restaurant.

From Your Personal Shopper in Cannes: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Exclusivity and Luxury in the South of France

Gracing the southern tip of the Cap d’Antibes, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc belongs to those iconic establishments where time seems to stand still amidst the rustle of the Alep pines, behind which it is hidden.

For the past one hundred years, this elegant Napoleon III hotel first welcomed artists and writers and then later Europe’s elite and aristocracy. Nowadays the property has become the confidential sanctuary for movies stars, especially during the Cannes Film Festival.

A true garden of Eden where privacy, luxury and charm combine with perfection… No words really do justice to the beauty of this place.

For more than 140 years the southern tip of the Cap d’Antibes has been graced by the quintessential symbol of exquisite hospitality… the enigmatic Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc.

Created and maintained by true artisans, this exclusive sanctuary has forever captivated the most discerning of hotel guests… its idyllic charm and incomparable elegance providing the perfect setting for cherished moments and unforgettable memories.

An exclusive heaven of perfection and privacy, it is set amongst twenty-two acres of gardens and pine forest with a pristine coastline and unsurpassed views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Lérins Islands.

The luxury Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc graces the southern tip of the Cap d’Antibes, nestled between Nice and Cannes on the magnificent Côte d’Azur.

The Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc welcomes the opportunity to create truly bespoke private events and hosts a variety of distinguished  restaurants, bars and lounges as well as its own chocolaterie.

In the talented hands of head chef Arnaud Poëtte and pastry chef Lilian Bonnefoi, the celebrated fine dining Eden-Roc Restaurant serves a memorable gastronomic experience complemented by stunning views of the Lérins Islands.

The chic yet informal Eden-Roc Grill & Lounge Bar offers a colourful and vibrant ambience,  it hosts phenomenal sunsets accompanied by exquisite cocktails, sushi and tapas.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

From Your Personal Shopper in Paris: Goyard Releases Short Film ‘Le Rendez-Vous’

Parisian Trunkmaker and accessory brand Goyard brings an exclusive short visual that honours the craftsmanship and history of the brand.

Directed by Samuel Rixon & Raphaël Hache, the short film tells the story of a young woman having a meeting on Rue Saint Honore, at the Goyard flagship store to pick up her latest custom trunk piece.

Since its doors first opened in 1853, Goyard has been a favourite with celebrities, and many illustrious artists, captains of industry, heads of state or royals have sported its creations. The names of the leading personalities of the 19th and 20th century are to be found in Goyard’s filing cabinet, which keeps track of each and every order placed by customers through a system of nominal index cards.

Upon reading the files, one may daydream easily about the extraordinary and not so unlikely encounters that could have taken place at 233, rue Saint-Honore: Pablo Picasso and Sacha Guitry, the Maharadjah of Kapurthala and Jacques Cartier, the Agnellis and the Rockefellers, the Romanovs and the Grimaldis, Barbara Hutton, Mrs Pompidou and the Princess Aga Khan, Coco Chanel and Jeanne Lanvin, Romy Schneider and Sarah Bernhardt, Edith Piaf and Arthur Rubinstein, Cristobal Balenciaga and Karl Lagerfeld¦

The latter, whose account was open in 1972, is highly emblematic of Goyard’s unique ability to build long-term relationships with its clientele, whether they are famous or anonymous. It is not uncommon for Goyard customers to have accounts active for decades: the Duke and Duchess of Windsor opened theirs in 1939, and it was closed only after the demise of the Duchess in 1986.

From Your Personal Shopper in London: The Döttling Guardian, the stunning Travel Safe

Döttling, the  luxury safe manufacturer, has created the Guardian, a travel safe that  provides unique protection for up to six watches, jewelry, cash or  documents.

Weighing a mere 4 kg, the Guardian measures 35 cm long and 13.5 cm wide, and is fitted with a shoulder  strap as well as carrying handle.

This multi-walled safe shaped like a cylinder, as it has been described, features an outer shell covered in leather and a top-secret carbide component which boasts extremely high durability, close to the durability of diamonds. The mobile safe also includes “several layers of highly tear-proof and cut-resistant aramid carbon-fiber fabric”, a material used at the manufacture of bulletproof vests.

The innermost and outermost walls, on the other hand, have been crafted from polycarbonate, a material also used in anti-riot helmet visors and shields. The same aramid carbon-fiber fabric was also used for the door of the safe, which is accessible via a 3-digit code. The lock is, in turn, pretty complex, boasting a mechanism with high-gloss polished steel bars which slides out.

The Guardian is also equipped with a GPS tracking device, and can thus be  precisely located around the globe.

From Your Personal Shopper in Milano: Giorgio Armani Pays Tribute To Gianni Versace

Giorgio Armani has written the preface to a Gianni Versace biography. The retrospective, Gianni Versace: La Biografia, was first published in 2010, but has been reissued this year to commemorate the 15^th anniversary of the designer’s death – featuring the new addition from Armani.

“Fifteen years after his death, what I remember of Gianni Versace? His incredible exuberance, a sense of happiness that mixes everything – ideas, trends, memories, art – with a sort of nonchalant vitality,” he wrote. “He was a great creator.”

“To be honest, we didn’t know each other very well – being so absorbed in our work. Even if we would have never admitted that, we were curious about each other and at the end of each show we used to ask: ‘What did Versace do?’ and ‘What did Armani do?'” he wrote. “The Italian mentality feeds on contradictions: from (cyclists) Coppi/Bartali to (actresses) Gina Lollobrigida/Sophia Loren – Armani and Versace were perfect for this game.”

Gianni Versace: La Biografia, penned by journalist Tony de Corcia, lands in stores on Thursday November 22.