Both the Seamaster Diver and Speedmaster Chronoscope Paris 2024 special edition models share certain similar characteristics. For one, they all feature the colours of the 2024 Olympics which are black, gold and white. Also, the case back on all the models is closed and frosted to showcase the 2024 Paris logo and Olympic rings.

But that is about as similar as both the Seamaster and the Speedmaster will get.

The Seamaster Diver is a 42mm stainless steel affair that contrasts rather nicely with its Moonshine Gold bezel (Moonshine Gold being the proprietory yellow gold alloy of Omega that it says is more resistant to fading and lustre) and blends beautifully with its white ceramic dial that includes polished waves in positive relief and the official Paris 2024 Paris typography in black.

The Speedmaster Chronoscope on the other hand is offered in either Moonshine Gold or in classic stainless steel casebacks. The first, a full Moonshine Gold model affixed to an equally full gold bracelet, features a white opaline dial with black subdials and a contrasting black ceramic bezel. A second version comes affixed to black calfskin leather.

Also in this mini-collection is a stunning stainless steel variant that is very much like its gold cousin, the only difference being its stainless steel case back and bracelet. There is also a calfskin leather version that’s perforated with a white rubber insert.

Both the Seamaster Diver and Speedmaster Chronoscope Paris 2024 edition timepieces come in a rather beautiful white presentation box, complete with Paris 2024 detailing that matches the Omega Countdown Clock at Port de la Bourdonnais. Prices range from $9,800 to $51,400 for the Speedmaster Chronoscope, while the Seamaster Diver costs $8,900. All can be purchased at Omega’s Paris boutiques, so, if you would be at the Games, treating yourself to one is like getting a bonafide souvenir that would last you long after the Olympics has come to an end.

The post Omega is Counting Down to The Olympics with Some of The Most Exquisite Timepieces first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Omega is Counting Down to The Olympics with Some of The Most Exquisite Timepieces appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

How it started

Caroline’s Couture first debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023 with an impressive collection of 50 pieces and was modelled by the likes of Naomi Campbell, Eva Herzigova and Natalia Vodianova.

If you’re wondering, why fashion? Ms Scheufele has a good answer for you.

Normally, she explains, clothes from high fashion brands like Elie Saab, Dolce & Gabbana, Zuhair Murad and others were used to showcase Chopard’s Red Carpet high jewellery line during the Cannes Festival of which the jewellery brand is a sponsor. “But these dresses are often already full of precious ornaments, where the jewels are drowned out. So I started to imagine models that were less rich in the upper part and with just the right necklines to better show off my adornments,” she says.

Teaming up with Maximiliano Modesti who has been developing embroidery workshops in India including the Kalhath Institute in Lucknow, North India, which is where all of Caroline’s Couture embroidery is crafted, and, working with Fridtjov Linde as Design Director, Caroline brought her dream to life.

And to instant acclaim. “The day after the first show, a queue began to form around the models that had remained on display in the showroom, where we were presenting our Red Carpet jewellery collection. We were totally overwhelmed! It didn’t take long for the first orders to come in.” A few months after, Saks opened a dedicated pop-up for the collection in Palm Beach, bringing “us a new clientele who didn’t even know about Chopard.”

Where Caroline’s Couture is now

It’s been a year since the premier Caroline’s Couture show and Ms Scheufele is back with a slightly larger collection of 77 pieces, including a few men’s silhouettes that are slated to make their runway appearance on May 21. She has also expanded her team of creatives to include milliner Philip Treacy who will create six hats and Parisian fashion house Cifonelli who is handling the menswear with five dinner jacket silhouettes embroidered with rhinestones.

And the pieces are not just about showcasing the Maison’s jewellery and accessories in the best light. They are also a reflection of the Swiss brand’s savoir-faire in the world of haute joaillerie. For example, a long strapless sheath in aqua green is entirely embroidered with flowers and tiny stones. And there is a black suit completely covered in black sequins in a hearts motif emblematic of Chopard jewellery.

Most of the fabrics are developed exclusively for Chopard by the Comes Gentili Mosconi silk manufacturer, while the tweed is supplied by the Reggiani wool manufacturer in Piedmont. The shoes, on the other hand, are courtesy of Casadei.

Caroline is confident that the success of her fashion collection last year isn’t just beginner’s luck, as this second edition will prove. And what’s behind her confidence? Well, the fact that it appears that she has done her homework and knows who her target audience is. In her own words, pivoting to haute couture, for Chopard, “ is good business … If we stay small, it can be profitable. There’s a market for it, especially in the Middle East and India.”

So, will Caroline’s Couture by Chopard succeed where most brands have failed? From all indications, it appears that it is on the right path, and maybe other luxury brands looking to pivot can borrow points from its playbook.

The post Caroline’s Couture V2.0: Chopard is Now a full-blown Fashion Brand first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Caroline’s Couture V2.0: Chopard is Now a full-blown Fashion Brand appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Which is why we have our gaze on the new Cartier Libre Polymorph collection. The creativity, savoir-faire, brilliant execution and surprising elements that run through every piece in this truly dazzling drop will not only delight but inspire even the most ardent non-Cartier fan.

Case in point, the Carabiner. Why would anyone want to turn the humble, hardworking shackle into a haute joaillerie piece? To which Cartier’s answer is, why not? And in this spirit, the Polymorph Carabiner is not just another shiny stoned piece in this collection: adorned in diamonds, lapis lazuli, black spinel, onyx, turquoise and chrysoprase beads with a sapphire cabochon, ruby-bordered, diamond-paved lock, the Carabiner doubles as a timepiece which no one who owns it is going to use unless in the most severe situation. And seeing as accessories are beginning to adorn other body parts not considered in their original design – only recently, Rihanna chose to convert the Jacob & Co. Brilliant Flying Tourbillon to a neck piece – who says that this jewellery piece will be confined to a belt loop?

Then there’s the Celestial Encounter ring which ensures that even if you never get to experience a solar eclipse because you cannot be bothered to get the necessary observation tools out when one is taking place, you can at least have a perpetual visual representation of this yearly occurrence. This white gold, onyx and diamond piece mimics the natural phenomenon with its movable discs that can be spread out across the fingers or folded inwards to resemble a cocktail ring.

And if you are forever in awe of the rising of the sun or its setting, then Cartier’s From Sunrise to Sunset bracelet may be the best gift for you. Like the Celestial Encounter Ring, the design of this bracelet is reminiscent of the colours and shape of the sun as it moves from sunrise to sunset. There’s pink chalcedony, orange moonstone, palmeira citrine, Madeira orange citrine, intense fire opal, spessartite garnet, pink and yellow sapphires, diamonds, and an orange rutilated quartz at the tip all sitting on gold just like rays beaming from the sun.

Of course, it would not be a nature-inspired collection without a special appearance from the panther, Cartier’s beloved ‘spirit animal.’ This time, it finds expression in a Claws Out brooch that doubles as a timepiece, you know, just in case you need to surreptitiously check the time.

Other notable pieces in the Cartier Libre Polymorph collection include yet another timepiece brooch — the French brand is either fascinated with the concept of time, or takes the passage of time very seriously; a bracelet inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi (first picture), and sunglasses featuring coral, onyx, diamonds, and emeralds that drop down to look like earrings behind its wearer’s ears.

In the world of high jewellery, Cartier stands out as a big-time player, but not so big that it cannot play, recreate, re-imagine and surprise, as it has done with its Libre Polymorph collection. As the saying goes, All work and no play…

The post The New Cartier Libre Polymorph Collection is Creative … and Very Cheeky first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The New Cartier Libre Polymorph Collection is Creative … and Very Cheeky appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Ask Google, and you’ll quickly realise that everyone has an opinion on what makes a bag a true luxury item and a great investment piece. In the end, it appears that a mix of design, function, scarcity, marketing and who thinks the bag is good enough to carry not just once, but repeatedly is what makes luxury handbags good investment pieces. Hermès makes a lot of fantastic bags, but it is the Birkin and the Kelly that are well-known. Chanel has released viral handbags over the years, but it is the Classic Flap that continues to catch and hold the attention of true fashion lovers over several generations.

No new fashion brand seems to have quite the appeal heritage luxury maisons enjoy in the world of handbags. Of course, a case can be made for the newer brands that they have only arrived and would need years to build a following over generations of fashion enthusiasts. But, with the kind of success the Row’s Margaux has had, not even this argument can hold much weight.

The Margaux: A Brief History

It is impossible to speak of the Margaux without discussing its parent company, The Row. Established by sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (if you’re a 90’s kid, you’d know who they are) in 2006, the logo-less, ‘quiet luxury’ brand has risen over the years to become the go-to luxury brand for celebrities and high-profile individuals seeking high-end, quality fashion pieces that look ordinary yet are anything but.

When the Margaux tote was released in 2018, it carried the brand’s timeless, top-notch quality DNA. Chunky in size but extremely sleek in quality, it quickly and quietly rose through the ranks to become the ‘it’ bag of the very rich.

Deconstructing the Margaux

There isn’t much to break down when you consider how minimalist the design of the Margaux is. It is a leather or suede handbag that features a rounded silhouette with a top handle and comes in four different sizes that are big enough to contain all your essentials including your laptop.

That’s it, No extra accessories featuring rare stones and very precious metals.

And yet, the Margaux continues to sell out at retailers and has been pictured on the arm or in the hands of the who’s who in society. Per Lyst, it was the hottest bag of 2023 Q4, although you wouldn’t guess this going through the brand’s page on Instagram.

Is the Margaux the new Birkin?

No.

This has nothing to do with whether or not one is bigger than the other or one commands a higher price on the resale market than the other. It is just as hard to walk into a retail store and pick up a Birkin as it is as hard to quickly grab a Margaux in-store. And both continue to remain hot on the resale market.

In reality, the Margaux is the Margaux and the Birkin is the Birkin and both are beloved for different reasons. And while the former may surpass the latter in value and status in the future, it takes nothing away from what the Birkin is and stands for. Which, in the end, is exactly what makes the Row’s Margaux handbag so unique.

The post The Row’s Margaux Tote May Be Just as Beloved as The Birkin, But… first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The Row’s Margaux Tote May Be Just as Beloved as The Birkin, But… appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

It is not altogether surprising that Frank Ghery has put his spin on a Louis Vuitton timepiece. The renowned architect has had a longstanding relationship with the lifestyle maison spanning decades. It started back in 2001 when the LVMH chairman, Bernard Arnault and Ghery met, and the former commissioned the architect to design the Foundation Louis Vuitton. Years later, and Ghery has since designed more than buildings for Louis Vuitton: an 11-piece handbag collection was unveiled last year, and now, the Tambour Moon Poinçon de Genève Sapphire.

The Louis Vuitton Tambour Moon Sapphire by Frank Ghery — which is the first ever LV timepiece to get the Poinçon de Genève stamp — is first of all a sapphire timepiece: more than 50% per cent of its parts are sapphire with the entire case and its components made from a single block of sapphire. The dial, its case and its crystal are the most impressive features of this piece aesthetically. Each dial is handmade from start to finish – because it is too thin to stay on a mount – in a process that took 250 hours to complete. It was finished with diamond powder and a diamond-tipped drill that imparts asymmetric patterns and swirls that can be seen at different lighting angles, all inspired by Gehry’s deconstructivist designs.

For movement, Louis Vuitton chose the LFTMM05.01 the delicate, open-work mechanical movement that gives the timepiece 80 hours of power at 21,600 vph. The entire timepiece is attached to white leather straps with a rose gold folding buckle that matches the movement’s base plate.

Limited to just 5 pieces, the Louis Vuitton Tambour Moon Poinçon de Genève Sapphire by Frank Ghery will set you back a whopping 935,000 USD. But, if you’re a lover of fine art, then it is a small price to pay for a truly remarkable, dual-function piece.

The post Frank Ghery’s Take on the Louis Vuitton Tambour is More Art Than Horology first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Frank Ghery’s Take on the Louis Vuitton Tambour is More Art Than Horology appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The Swatch x Blancpain Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection

Like the Swatch x Omega ‘Moonswatch’, elements from the original Fifty Fathoms – the ‘first true diver’s watch’ – were incorporated into this Swatch collaboration. You’d be forgiven if you thought that any of the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms timepieces are the original Fifty Fathoms from afar.

Perhaps its most distinguishing feature is its colours. Arctic Ocean is a gradient beige-coloured dial with red and beige straps, while Antarctic Ocean has different shades of grey. The Indian Ocean, with its green and orange colourway, is every inch as colourful as the orange-and-black Pacific Ocean. Atlantic Ocean, on the other hand, comes in multi-cool blue shades that, like the Pacific and Indian models, feature a date indicator between 4 and 5 o’clock.

Other standout characteristics include nudibranchs unique to each ocean illustrated on the back case of the timepieces and of course, ‘Blancpain x Swatch’ clearly written on the dial just below 12 o’clock.

Swatch and the making of a new kind of timepiece collector

Every collection starts with a reason unique to the collector, but as they grow, all collections, whether they be art or timepieces, begin to have certain common underlying factors: the pieces they contain are timeless; they have and tell a story; they evoke emotion, and, are almost always made of/from quality materials.

It is these qualities that make Rolexes, Omegas, Patek Philippes, Audemars Piguets and Cartiers highly collectible pieces. However, any model from such brands is almost always out of the reach of average individuals because of their high price points.

Swatch has never aimed to compete on this level, not because it cannot make high-priced, complicated pieces, but because the very ethos of its existence is rooted in mass-produced pieces available to just about everyone. But, as this article points out, the Swiss king of quartz has still always somehow managed to make collectible pieces for a different kind of collector that has not always been highly regarded in the world of haute horology.

That is changing. The playful brand that is as Swiss as they come is redefining who a ‘serious timepiece collector’ is with its recent collaborations, first with Omega and now with Blancpain. It is undeniable the kind of disruption it has introduced into the world of horology in the last year. Who would have thought a plastic, quartz watch could ever be elevated to the ranks of mechanical, complicated timepieces? Perhaps there were believers, but it took Swatch to make it a reality.

It is interesting to see what the future of watch collecting would look like. When the Moonswatch was released back in 2022, it caused such long queues that some stores had to beef up their security just to maintain their sanity. People paid thousands of dollars in the early days just to get their hands on one. It is not certain that the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection would cause quite the same frenzy, seeing as Swatch may have learned lessons and resolved the issues that caused the Moonswatch to become unavailable as soon as it hit the stores. (Although Daily Mail and Bloomberg are already reporting long queues that have lasted for hours in Sydney and Tokyo respectively.)

However, one thing looks certain: future ‘serious’ timepiece collectors might no longer be classified as those with an impressive stash of manual watches. Pieces like the Moonswatch and the Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms collection would definitely be considered collectable, although the fact that they are mass-produced may mean that they may never command the same prices or prestige as their manual counterparts.

The post Swatch is Building a New Kind of Timepiece Collector first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Swatch is Building a New Kind of Timepiece Collector appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

What are superfake luxury items?

These are basically counterfeit items that are hard to detect with the naked eye.

Imitation of luxury items, or just about any kind of imitation is not new and has indeed existed for a long time. It is why the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, and, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works were both signed as early as the 1880s to protect the intellectual properties of goods and services.

However, while it was much easier to detect counterfeit luxury items in the past, the rise of technology coupled with the indefatigable spirit of die-hard imitators and increased demand for hard-to-detect fakes has led to the birth and subsequent rise of superfakes, AKA real fakes.

Rise of superfakes in Asia

To date, China remains the home of superfake luxury goods, even though other countries like Bangladesh and Indonesia are catching up quickly. In fact, the latter is leading in superfake handbags, although some sellers say they source from China.

Other countries like Turkey and the Netherlands also have home-based counterfeit factories, but none comes close to China, Hong Kong, and other Asian countries. Different reasons have been cited for this, but the real explanation is that most brands, luxury or otherwise, actively produce in Asia to cut costs.

As this quote attributed to industrial design writer Rain Noe says, “If a human being contracted by Nike can accurately sew a pattern, a human being not contracted by Nike can, too.”

Superfake luxury goods are on the rise beyond Asia too

Only recently, Watchfinder & Co released a report stating that over a million counterfeit luxury timepieces are currently circulating in the UK. This seems like a huge number until you consider the fact that the report also says that at least 40 million counterfeit timepieces are sold annually all over the world.

The rise of e-commerce has worsened the distribution of these real fakes, and in spite of laws and technology, the sale and demand of these items continue to boom.

Do superfake luxury items mean luxury brands are merely selling a feeling instead of quality?

This is usually the excuse those who actively buy counterfeit luxury goods give. However, it is far from the truth.

Anyone who has (un)consciously bought items in this category finds out quickly that they are not built to last, no matter how closely they resemble the real deal. Per the Watchfinder & Co report, 16 per cent of the counterfeit watches broke down after light usage. Those who buy fake luxury purses find out that the stitching unravels after a few uses, or the leather begins to peel after a brief stint outdoors.

In the end, it is imperative to remember that every business exists to make profits, and since manufacturers of these items are promising replicas at cheaper prices, it only makes sense that they would be using cheaper, inferior materials in their construction.

Unfortunately, cheaper does not always mean inexpensive: some of the superfake bags in Jakarta’s Mangga Dua market, dubbed ‘Hong Kong Alley’ by some locals, cost anywhere from $1000 to $10,000, depending on how close to the original they are.

A Kelly crocodile-skin replica could easily cost $10,000, and, on the surface, looks like a steal since the real deal goes for $41,000. That is until you consider that you may have to buy another one just six months later because your superfake has unravelled and peeled badly.

Luxury brands are trying – and failing – to stop this menace

From working with law enforcement to using technology (hello, Aura blockchain consortium anyone?) to curb this menace, luxury brands have tried and are still trying to stem the counterfeit tide. Yet, nothing has worked effectively so far.

This is because at the end of the day, the decision to buy fakes comes down to the individual, and you can only influence a person so much.

Counterfeiters have to be stopped, however, since they end up eliminating the exclusivity and originality that are major characteristics of luxury items. Unfortunately, they cannot be completely eradicated, and all affected brands can continue to do is try and put up a fight every time these superfake manufacturers evolve.

Superfake or real fake luxury goods are sadly here to stay, and while we trust the brands to stay on top of the situation, as individuals, the best we can do is ensure we take all the necessary steps to avoid being victims.

The post The Superfake Luxury Industry is Evolving — and Booming first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The Superfake Luxury Industry is Evolving — and Booming appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Not only has it reported that counterfeits in circulation in the UK have surpassed one million, but its research has also revealed that theft of luxury watches is on the rise. As of last year, the pre-owned luxury watch brand recorded about 6,815 pieces missing, a 60% increase from the previous year.

This is not surprising. Although prices of luxury timepieces continue to fall from their pandemic highs, they are still more expensive than they were pre-pandemic, and resellers will still definitely command a higher price than current retail value should they choose to sell today. For example, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500 model is listed at around $29,000, nearly double its original price, on the luxury watch price tracker, WatchCharts. On the same site, a Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 stainless steel model goes for $103,357 on average, a threefold increase from its retail listing of $34,890.

If you’re looking to add a luxury timepiece to your rotation, here are some useful tips to keep in mind in times like these

1. Avoid making purchases where counterfeit pieces are high in circulation.

Per Watchfinder & Co, the UK is currently one such place. But in reality, counterfeits of luxury items are on the rise everywhere as they continue to prove to be valuable assets in and out of times of economic uncertainties.

Which may make it better to

2. Avoid the secondary market.

Especially if you cannot confirm the authenticity of the reseller or access credible pre-owned luxury watch dealers.

However, getting new models of some luxury timepieces is nearly impossible, since some are limited editions restricted to loyal customers or have been discontinued. If the timepiece you’re looking to buy falls in these categories, then it is best to

3. Employ the services of a trustworthy personal shopper.

Personal shoppers are known to source for deals that are not available to the public, including hard-to-get items. Instead of relying on online/offline secondary markets that may or may not have authentic timepieces on display, a better option would be to leave the sourcing and authentication of your desired timepiece in the hands of an experienced personal shopper.

But remember, theft of luxury timepieces is on the rise, which means you may end up still losing out even if your Rolex is the real deal. To this end, you may want to

4. Get your luxury timepieces from ‘less popular’ luxury brands or indie houses.

Although the value of luxury timepieces has skyrocketed since the pandemic, not all luxury watch houses have enjoyed this hike in value. In fact, it appears as though this ‘windfall’ is restricted to only Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet.

Try timepieces from other luxury brands that are still valuable but without the ‘hype’ associated with the big three. However, if you already own one from any of these labels

5. Be careful of the places you wear your timepieces to.

Keeping them safe includes not taking them to areas that are known to be unsafe and environments whose security you are not sure of.

It is also a good idea to insure your timepieces, so that, in the event they ever get lost, you do not lose both the watch and the money used in getting it.

The post Here’s Why Owning a Luxury Timepiece Now is More Challenging than Ever first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Here’s Why Owning a Luxury Timepiece Now is More Challenging than Ever appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Certainly not, because the 20th century is well, a whole century ago. But, luxury fashion appears to be edging towards the brink of yet another set of novel trends, and the possibilities peaking out from its depths hold the promise of truly exciting times ahead.

Marrying luxury fashion with visual arts and culture: On The Wings of Hermès and Goddess Awakened

Public fashion shows may no longer be considered groundbreaking, but putting up an art show where fashion and performance fuse synergistically is certainly a novel and interesting concept.

On Friday, July 17, Hermès welcomed select guests to On The Wings of Hermès, a cinematic performance that ran from the 15th to the 23rd of July at The Barker Hangar in California. Performing on stage for the first time was a chorus of singing Kelly Bags, pairs of dancing interlacing gloves, scarves and lipsticks from the French house.

According to Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Hermès Artistic Director, “[On The Wings of Hermès] metaphorically illustrates the lightness that is omnipresent at Hermès: in the delicate hands of our craftsmen sewing with two needles at once; in the elegance of materials, and in the subtle notes of a perfume. It is an experience which sparks the imagination, designed by artisans of dreams.”

For Nike however, incorporating art into fashion was less about illustrating the versatility of the products and the skills that bring them to life, and more about showcasing why the products exist in the first place – for the athletes and the people who embody the ethos of the American brand.

Goddess Awakened, Nike’s immersive show which took place at the end of the Haute Couture week in Paris, focused on amplifying sportswomen’s achievements with the help of over 30 Nike partners and athletes. Performers, dressed in existing and yet-to-be-released merch from the brand held the audience’s attention while also subtly drawing their gaze to the products themselves. Athletes Ibtihaj Mohammed and Scout Bassey also made an appearance, cementing the notion that Nike is committed to being a reliable partner in women’s success stories and not just a mere high-end sports apparel brand.

As Nike and Hermès have proven, it is no longer enough for luxury brands to dress up models for a short strut down the walkway. Creatively immersing the audience into how their products are beneficial in real life just might be the 21st century’s version of a fashion show.

Finding new uses for existing luxury items: the Rihanna timepiece necklace and Beyoncé’s Tiffany & Co mesh gown

It is perhaps a wonder that timepieces have managed to remain in existence, in spite of newer technologies that have rendered their primary functions obsolete. Watchmakers like Tag Heuer and Bulgari are elevating these wrist accessories to tech and jewellery pieces that do more than tell the time or calculate speed to keep up with modern needs, but even these might not be enough to keep them on wrists in a new millennium.

Jacob&Co thinks so too, but the American jewellery house, known for its very complicated, non-traditional designs, does not seem to think that this would mean they would be discarded, but more like they would be worn on other body parts. Which is why when Rihanna approached them with the novel concept of designing a timepiece for her neck, founder Jacob Arabo was quick to say yes and sit with the singer to choose an appropriate piece for the purpose.

In the end, they settled for an 18-karat-gold Flying Tourbillon, set with 339 baguette diamonds, on a custom alligator-embossed calfskin strap and powered by a hand-wound movement and 42-hour power reserve.

Perhaps, it was easier for Jacob&Co to transform a timepiece into a neckwear, seeing as they are a jewellery brand, but how does the latter transform into making high-end garments? Tiffany & Co offers a clue, with their custom-designed Elsa Peretti gown for Beyoncé’s ongoing tour.  The garment – which took 200 hours to make, and was created from 150 feet of mesh ribbon woven with 300,000 rings through the mesh, side panels and shoulders – stole the show just as much as her performance.

Luxury fashion is clearly changing, with different items taking on new forms. It is interesting to see what the next re-imagined trend would be: purses that double as time and wrist pieces? Or perhaps footwear that also work as navigators?

The post Luxury Fashion is Finding New and Exciting Expressions first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Luxury Fashion is Finding New and Exciting Expressions appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

And, because Cartier is aware of these reasons, it has revamped this classic and timeless timepiece to make you fall even more in love with the understated yet unique and sensually beautiful style.

The Baignore: inspired by a bathtub or a more exclusive item?

Search for the Baignore, and nine out of ten times, the story is that its name is the French word for bathtub and its oval/elliptical dial and rounded bezel are reminiscent of this bathroom fixture. However, Pierre Rainero, Cartier’s image, style and heritage director is quick to debunk this popular myth.

The word ‘Baignore’ actually refers to VIP seats at the opera. “It was where the wealthy people sat. There were six seats together, with a kind of barrier around them,” he explains.

So, the next time someone tries to convince you that you have a bathtub on your wrist, you know exactly what to say in reply.

The 2023 Cartier Baignoire: more style, more bling

While the Cartier Baignore has undergone several changes to its shape since it first debuted in the early 1900s, its curved elliptical shape we know today only actually came on the scene in 1958. For its 2023 iteration, Cartier is preserving its shape but adding subtle changes to fit modern tastes.

First off, the bezel appears to be somehow more rounded and chunkier, adding a certain sensual voluptuousness to the entire piece, and putting the dial in sharper focus. Cartier chose two options for straps: a bangle that transforms the Mini Baignoire into full-blown jewellery, and leather alligator straps for a more muted look.

The Mini Baignoire Bangle comes in solid yellow or rose gold and a fully pavéd white gold version that is an absolute showstopper with a total of 834 brilliant-cut diamonds. Another version of the mini is attached to the alligator straps and offers the option of a solid gold case with or without diamonds.

The Small, on the other hand (pun intended), comes in six variations with cases in yellow, rose or white gold adorned with or without diamonds.

With prices ranging from $10,100 for the alligator-strapped, solid rose-gold model, to $48,800 for the fully pavéd Mini, the 2023 Cartier Baignoire cements its position as the timepiece for every woman, whether she leans towards more practical, stylish looks, or favours a blinged-out, still stylish piece of jewellery.

The post Love The Cartier Baignoire? You Would Adore its 2023 Iteration first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Love The Cartier Baignoire? You Would Adore its 2023 Iteration appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.