That is a multimillion-dollar question, and one the jury is still out, but Porsche Design thinks it may have provided the answer in its latest collaboration with Honor on the Magic V2 RSR.

Without further ado, let’s break down what its ‘answer’ looks like.

Hardware:

For smartphone companies, the intersection between creating durable yet sleek and not too heavy or bulky ‘outerwear’ for their devices is a slippery slope to navigate. Not to mention, the phones still have to have a modern aesthetic, and for pricey models like the  Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR, they have to also look like they are worth the price.

Using a mix of materials, Porsche Design appears to have navigated this slope excellently. For the screen of its version of the Magic V2 RSR, the team chose to go with a rhinopower nanocrystal glass that it says improves its resistance — up to 10 times more wear-resistant and 10 times more drop-resistant— keeping the screen like brand new even without the aid of a screen protector.

The caseback is made from a mix of plastic, aluminium alloy and stainless steel, amongst other materials, while the back-facing camera is protected by 3D glass framed by titanium. Yet, in all this, the foldable phone manages to weigh a mere 234g. For context, the Samsung Galaxy S204 Ultra weighs 233g while its Galaxy Z fold 5 weighs 253g. It may not be as light as the iPhone 15 Pro which weighs 187gms, but for a fold, the weight of the Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR is impressive.

And of course, it has an IPX4 water resistance rating.

Software:

The last time anyone had the patience to deal with a slow-processing phone was at the height of the Blackberry era, and even then, we were so over it.

The Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR is fitted with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor that increases its maximum main frequency to 3.36GHz. Which, in layman’s terms means that the smartphone responds to actions relatively fast and without using too much battery power and overheating like a 20-year-old ‘metal mobile’ with a cranky radiator.

Camera:

No one is buying a phone with a bad camera these days. Not Gen Z, X, or any other generation alive today.

It is no surprise then that this Porsche-designed smartphone has three lenses: the ultra-wide, the wide angle and the telephoto lens with 50MP, 50MP and 20MP respectively. And its 16 MP wide-angle dual front camera means that whether you’re taking selfies or are on a video call, the camera’s quality is good enough to avoid making you resemble a pixelated cartoon character from 80s in your photos.

Memory, storage operating system and battery:

Most modern smartphones have ditched expandable external memory which means that anything less than 512gb is unacceptable unless you have a robust cloud storage space. And not even then is anything less than 512gb acceptable.

Thankfully, the Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR got the memo and comes with 16gb memory and 1TB storage space. Battery is a 5,000 mAh silicon-carbon that Porsche says can keep you running for the whole day, while its OS is Honor’s MagicOS 7.2, based off on Android 13.

Aesthetics:

Of course, it would not be Porsche-designed if it did not include elements from the Porsche auto.

Borrowed elements include the Porsche-style flyine that runs the length of the phone’s back and immediately brings to mind the 911. It also helps to improve grip and handling so it isn’t just some fancy addition to remind you of a supercar.

Then there is the user interface that is once again reminiscent of the 911. The charging screen looks just like the dashboard of a Porsche auto, while the dark theme is very Porsche. Other Porsche elements appear all around, including in parts that are not immediately visible.

And even if all these were somehow missing, the fact that its accessories include a Porsche Design case, 2 chargers, 2 USB cables, a pen and case is enough proof that this Magic V2 RSR is every bit as Porsche as a Porsche. Because what mobile phone company is including all these very extra accessories?

All of which brings us to the original question: is the Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR a good phone? Or is it a great phone that is a model of what a modern mobile phone should be?

The post The Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR: A Good Phone? Or a Really Great Phone? first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The Porsche Design Magic V2 RSR: A Good Phone? Or a Really Great Phone? appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Even better, modern-day audio appliances are not just committed to giving you studio-quality sounds in the comfort of your personal space: the once-humble speaker has evolved into a stylish device designed to blend beautifully into any space. The Louis Vuitton Horizon is a good example but does not even come close to the chic, accent-like audio systems on the market today.

While the jury is still out on which are the best speakers that meld themselves seamlessly into your decor while grabbing everyone’s attention as soon as they’re put to work, here are five we think fit this description perfectly, and should be on your list ASAP.

The Bose Smart Speaker 500

This speaker may not be the hottest-looking kid on the block, but its simple clean design means it can blend easily with other furniture wherever it is placed. With just one speaker and two drivers, it is not the most powerful audio device you can get. However, what it lacks in sound it more than makes up for in voice recognition with its eight microphones that can pick up your voice above any noise. The Bose app and integrated Bluetooth connectivity also allow you to choose music from wherever including streaming platforms.

For a more powerful, sophisticated device, you may want to take a look at the

Loewe Radio.Frequency

It is interesting that the humble radio would make it to the list of accent audio systems to consider for your home, but the Loewe Radio.Frequency isn’t just any radio.

This grey and brown petite device that immediately reminds you of cassette players from back in the day actually packs a punch with its 28watts sound, double speakers and double drivers. The fact that it is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 means that you can stream your chosen audio from as far as 800ft without any issues.

If these do not impress you, its DAB+ reception, 2.6-inch display that shows the time, radio station and entered settings, in-built alarm clock, Canadian oak wood inlay and soft acoustic fabric just might do it for you. Oh, and did we also mention that its 2200mAh battery means 14 hours of uninterrupted playtime when it is not plugged in?

But, since its lack of online streaming capability might be a dealbreaker, then there’s the

Ruark Audio R810

A radiogram, which begs the question, “Does anything ever really go away?”

Judging by the reception the Ruark Audio R810 has received, that will be a hard no. This audio system from British-based Ruark Audio takes ‘something olde, Something new’ quite literally by bringing a beloved staple from the 20^th century and reimagining it for our modern world.

From streaming music online to playing your favourite tunes from your old discs while looking like a chic side table or standalone console, the R810 does it all.

But, maybe not as well as

Bang and Olufsen

If there is one brand that consistently delivers on premium, aesthetically pleasing audio and electronic devices, it would be Bang and Olufsen. They’re so good, it is near-impossible to choose.

But, choose we must, and, in keeping with the theme of this list, perhaps, one speaker that makes the cut is the Beosound A9. From design to colours to performance, connectivity and sound, The Beosound A9 ticks all the boxes.

For a less pricey, equally audaciously-designed speaker, you should definitely be looking at

iXoost Pirelli P-Zero Sound

If your love transcends tastefully designed accent pieces and audio systems to include autos, then this is the speaker you have been waiting for all your life.

Although it does not boast of all the robust features the other speakers on this list have, it is unique enough to deserve a spot here. Really, how many speakers give you the opportunity to put your love for cars on such beautiful display while simultaneously showing off your audiophilic side?

The post These Audio Systems Deliver Premium Sounds While Disguising As Accent Furniture first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post These Audio Systems Deliver Premium Sounds While Disguising As Accent Furniture appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Digital product passports: a brief explanation

While a dozen definitions may exist for it, a digital product passport is simply a detailed history ‘book’ on a product and may include, among other things, its provenance, the source of origin of the raw materials used in its production, and the authenticity of the product itself.

Early use case suggests that digital passports were geared primarily towards addressing the issues around sustainability, circularity and ethics. Authenticating the product itself was definitely part of the features, and while it did not appear to be a primary concern at first, it is now one that underscores the service.

The rise of digital passports for luxury brands

Panerai is not the first luxury brand to adopt digital passports for its products. Breitling was the first in the horology industry to issue passports on its timepieces, and in 2022, teamed up with Arianee once again, as well as Sourcemap, to make its first fully traceable timepiece, the Super Chronomat Automatic 38 Origins.

Digital product passports however seem to be more commonplace in luxury fashion. The Aura consortium issues a certificate of guarantee for the products in its programme, and Chanel has its own digital passport it gives for its bags. Pangaia and Yoox Net-a-Porter use the Eon Connected Product Platform to issue digital twins for their products, complete with their provenance and other details.

But that seems to be about the scope of usage. Other horology brands like Audemars Piguet, Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin are part of the Arianee consortium but do not have their digital passports out yet. In fact, it appears that a significant reason why fashion brands might perhaps be more inclined to issue them can be linked to government intervention in this regard. The European Union, for example, is looking to set up an EU digital product passport in the Ecodesign for Sustainable Regulation that would legally force EU-based companies to integrate them into their production process. It also has a Circular Economy Action Plan that mandates businesses in the textile, industrial and electric vehicle battery and construction industries to include digital passports in their products by 2024.

Are digital product passports about to become more commonplace?

The short answer? Yes.

Even if government mandates did not happen, the persistent rise and evolution of counterfeit goods would have driven luxury brands to introduce modern technology to fight an ancient, never-ending problem.

As it stands, the push for more transparency in the industry, coupled with superfakes threatening the exclusivity that is one of its pillars, and increasing legal mandates would push luxury brands to integrate digital passports into their processes and products. How well it would solve the challenges that bedevil the industry is another matter entirely.

The post Digital Passports: The Future of Luxury Goods? first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Digital Passports: The Future of Luxury Goods? 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.

From its name, you can easily guess that the Spacruzzi involves some sort of jacuzzi. The product of an eponymous American-based company founded by Alex Kanwetz, this hot tub boat will allow you to enjoy your time in spa-temperature water even as you are surrounded by a body of water.

The Spacruzzi is a teardrop-shaped fibreglass vessel that doubles as a jacuzzi after you fill it with water and comes with a built-in gas fireplace that adds warmth to an experience that has been designed to be as luxurious as possible. It is also equipped with an internal heating and circulation system to keep the water at the right temperature, along with a UV and saltwater filtration system to keep everything clean. A small ladder on the side allows you to get in and out of the tub easily.

Measuring a little under 13 feet and weighing about 550kg when dry – a number which jumps to more than 1,800kg once it’s filled with water – the Spacruzzi can accommodate between five to six passengers comfortably.

So, how do you get this hot tub boat to access and run on water? “Options to access the water include launching with trailer, forklift, gantry, and dockside slip or mooring,” explains Kanwetz. Once on water, it is powered by a fast-charging battery pack that gives you up to five hours of runtime on a single battery. If you’re looking to spend more time at sea, all you have to do is to swap batteries.

The Spacruzzi is certified by the US coast guard and would set you back about US$48,900. However, if you’re looking to add more custom features, it will cost you more. You can visit the brand’s website to learn more.

The post The Spacruzzi is a Hot Tub Boat that promises a Unique Cruise Experience first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The Spacruzzi is a Hot Tub Boat that promises a Unique Cruise Experience appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Rolls Royce is not the first luxury auto brand to have an EV model. BMW has the i-series, and Porsche has the Taycan. But, over the years, the British brand has managed to create truly luxurious and spectacular marques that its entrance onto the EV scene is a big deal, as big as the size of the tyres on the Spectre.

Rolls Royce will have you know that, although it is not the first luxury brand to have a fully-electric model, the idea itself is not s stranger to the brand. In 1900, Rolls-Royce co-founder, Charles Rolls, bought an electric vehicle named The Columbia Electric Carriage. His experience with it caused him to say, “The electric car is perfectly noiseless and clean. There is no smell or vibration. They should become very useful when fixed charging stations can be arranged.” Charging stations have been around now for more than a century – after all, the early electric vehicles had to be charged – so, what stopped Rolls Royce from entering the fully-electric space since?

“The customers always said: it has to be a Rolls-Royce first, electric second,” explains Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Apparently, Rolls-Royce has now found the sweet spot between luxury and sustainable solutions.

From the outside, the Rolls Royce Spectre resembles the image of the yet-to-be-confirmed Droptail, but, until the latter is brought to life, it is safe to say that the Spectre retains the physical structure of a typical Rolls Royce while still being different enough to be a truly unique marque.

For starters, the Rolls Royce Spectre is a sleek coupe, perhaps so designed to make it fast enough in spite of its weight. It retains the Greek Temple grille, but this is wider than any other grille on a Rolls Royce. The reason for its massive width is not to cool the engines but to reduce drag which it achieves with its smoother and flusher vanes.

Like the Phantom, the Spectre has been fitted with split headlights with daylight running lights on top and the main lights below which protrude from darkened chromium housings that give them a smokey, enigmatic look. When it is dark, the grille softly lights up with 22 LEDs illuminating the sandblasted rear side of each of the vanes, further conferring upon the coupe an air of luxury. Its 23-ich wheels take it from a mere luxury EV to a luxury coupe that is not to be messed with.

Inside, the luxury theme continues. For the first time on a series production Rolls-Royce, Spectre is available with Starlight Doors, which incorporate 4,796 softly illuminated ‘stars’. If you would rather not have so many lights in your vehicle, you can go with the option of wood Candel Panelling. Don’t worry, you would not miss out on much: the passenger side of the dashboard is fitted with the Spectre nameplate surrounded by a cluster of over 5,500 stars.

Spectre comes with a digitalised dashboard named Spirit that manages its functions and is seamlessly integrated into the marque’s Whispers application, allowing clients to interact with their auto remotely, and receive live information curated by the marque’s luxury intelligence specialists. Clients can choose to customise the colour of the dials to complement the interior hue of their EV, which includes seats that have a ‘lapel,’ a dart of upholstery that gives another option for contrast detailing.

According to Rolls Royce, the entire design of the Spectre was inspired by different arts including haute couture, modernist sculpture, nautical design, tailoring and contemporary art. In conceiving the principal sketches for Spectre, the marque’s creatives were drawn to modern yacht concepts, specifically the clarity and precision of line, intelligent use of reflection and application of taper to emotionalise silhouettes.

The Rolls Royce Spectre will run on BMW’s latest cell type, uniquely shaped to fit the marque’s floor. The motors too come from BMW, the EESM type that uses no rare earth metals and is efficient at high speeds. It is expected to have a range of 320 miles/520 kilometres and should achieve 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds (0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds). With a four-wheel steering system, adaptive dampers, air springs and a Planar system that enables the wheels of the vehicle to act independently on imperfect roads, owners are assured of a smooth, truly enjoyable ride.

The Rolls Royce Spectre is set to hit the market in Q4 2023, and in spite of its starting price tag of $413,000, Müller-Ötvös has confirmed that more than 300 US buyers have paid the initial deposit even before they saw the EV. Like Müller-Ötvös, it is possibly clear to avid enthusiasts of the brand that “Spectre is the most perfect product that Rolls Royce has ever produced.”

The post The Rolls Royce Spectre, the Luxury Auto Brand’s First-Ever EV, is here! first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The Rolls Royce Spectre, the Luxury Auto Brand’s First-Ever EV, is here! appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

By July, the value of the most popular crypto, Bitcoin, had fallen by at least 70% from its November 2021 high of nearly $69,000. Today, with prices at a little over $19,000, the situation is even direr.

And yet, in spite of these gloomy stats, luxury brands, who appeared hesitant at first, seem to be rushing into the crypto and blockchain tech space. This year alone, Balenciaga, Prada, Tiffany&Co, and Gucci are among the top luxury labels that have dropped NFT projects, created products linked to NFTs or cryptocurrencies, or announced that they would be accepting cryptocurrencies as a form of payment. And no, there is nothing to indicate that this is a passing fad or a one-off trial.

What exactly do luxury brands understand about NFTs, cryptocurrencies and blockchain that the rest of the world does not seem to get?

The virtual cannot exist (forever) without the physical

If there is one thing all luxury brands involved in the NFT/crypto space have in common, it is this: all the projects have physical products that their customers can enjoy in real-time.

For example, Gucci’s NFT project with Superplastic is a 3-part series of limited-edition NFTs that allows its buyers to own 8-inch tall, handcrafted, white ceramic sculptures that are the exact replica of their digital counterparts.

Tiffany&Co launched NFTiff, a made-to-order program for the Cryptopunk community that allows them to turn their avatars into a piece of jewellery upon the purchase of a digital pass from the platform. The passes sold out within 20 minutes of their launch.

In 2021, Dolce&Gabbana partnered with the digital luxury marketplace, UNXD to launch and sell Collezione Genesi, a 9-piece digital collection of NFTs that its buyers could convert to physical couture items. The collection racked in a total of 1885.719 ETH or approximately $5.7million USD, with the highest selling item being the sapphire-and-diamond encrusted Doge Crown purchased for $1.25million USD. The Italian luxury house has since launched DG Family Boxes, another NFT project that will confer unique benefits to its holders while inducting them into the DG family.

Balenciaga’s NFT drop in July followed almost the same format. The Cristóbel Balenciaga: To the Moon NFT collection, which consisted of artwork inspired by former Balenciaga artistic director, Lorenzo Riva’s collection of more than 8,000 of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s drawings from the peak of the couture movement, gave selected minters the chance to win Balenciaga apparel and gift cards. 25 people also received a physical copy of one of Balenciaga’s 70-year-old drawings while other NFT holders got rewarded with whitelist spots for upcoming Animal Concerts NFT drops and access to special giveaways of both live and metaverse concert tickets.

Is the luxury sector the future of NFTs, cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology?

Perhaps it is still too early to make a definitive statement, but, should blockchain tech and every other innovation that flows from it survive and thrive in the future, it would not be amiss to say that the luxury sector helped make it happen and the strategies it adopted served as a viable blueprint for the rest of the world.

The post Do Luxury Brands hold the Keys to the Future of NFTs, Cryptos and Blockchain Tech? first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

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The Macallan Horizon: a design like no other

A little over a year after announcing their partnership, The Macallan and Bentley Motors have unveiled the design and vision of their first product – The Macallan Horizon, a limited-edition single malt whisky that is set to be available in the summer of 2023.

The Macallan Horizon perfectly represents the vision of luxury and sustainability both brands had in mind when they chose to work together. Combining their traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology and innovative materials, the brands designed a bottle that rests horizontally, instead of vertically to reflect the horizontal trajectory of the automotive world.

Whisky experts understand the sheer innovation of this design: whisky bottles, unlike their wine counterparts, must be stored upright to keep the cork from disintegrating which would in turn lead to leaks. That The Macallan Horizon can rest horizontally without affecting the cork is a testament to the skill, innovative tech, research and creativity behind its creation.

Twisting 180 degrees from base to top in a move that reflects motion through space and time (Bentley is the self-acclaimed master of the former and The Macallan, the latter), the bottle has no standing base and therefore, must be stored in its case.

A fine fusion of Luxury and sustainability

Staying true to their original goals, The Macallan and Bentley Motors incorporated six unique upcycled, repurposed or ethically sourced materials in the production of The Macallan Horizon. Among them are recycled copper from the disused curiously small spirit stills which were located within The Macallan’s former distillery; aluminium recovered from the Bentley Motors manufacturing process; recycled wood; recyclable glass and carbon neutral leather, locally sourced, and also used in the recently unveiled Bentley Mulliner grand tourer.

As for the drink itself, its flavour profile was developed by The Macallan Master Whisky Maker Kirsteen Campbell following a visit to Bentley Motors in Crewe, where she observed first-hand their shared passion for creativity, craftsmanship and innovation.

A new era for the drinks industry?

Over time, rare whiskies have proven to be great alternative investment items. Would The Macallan Horizon, with its unusual innovative design based on the pillars of luxury and sustainability open a new chapter in the design and development of whiskies in general, thereby bumping up their value over time?

This is one question only the future can answer.

The post The Macallan x Bentley Horizon is Perhaps the Most Beautiful Decantar You’ll See this Year first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post The Macallan x Bentley Horizon is Perhaps the Most Beautiful Decantar You’ll See this Year appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The just-concluded 51^st couture fashion show by Balenciaga was a star-packed affair with celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman, Naomi Campbell and Dua Lipa walking the runway dressed in pieces designed by Demna Gvasalia. And although every outfit was a showstopper, one piece stood out effortlessly for its bold uncommon concept – the Speaker Bag.

The Balenciaga x Bang & Olufsen Speaker Bag

Designed to resemble the iconic sculptural form of Balenciaga’s handbags, the Speaker Bag is exactly as its name implies: a chic, functional purse that doubles as a portable speaker.

“This innovative device is part bag, part Bluetooth sound system,” says Balenciaga. “It can be used as a portable speaker, a functional purse, or both, as a true hybrid product.”

Crafted from high-quality materials for the best performance

The Speaker Bag is limited to 20 pieces only, and every one of them was milled from a single block of solid aluminium, before being pearl-blasted, anodized and hand-polished at Bang & Olufsen’s Factory 5 in Struer, Denmark over a period of several days to create the perfect satin finish.

Once done, the bag was sent down to Balenciaga’s studio in Italy where its interior was finished with the finest leather and the logos of both brands lasered into the top.

The front of the Speaker Bag features a pattern of speaker holes through which music can be played, and the bag can be opened at the back and used to store personal belongings. Sound can be adjusted via a set of controls under the handle.

The bag comes in black and silver and its speaker offers up to 18 hours of battery life and multipoint connectivity.

There is no word on pricing yet, but the Balenciaga x Bang & Olufsen Speaker Bag is available at select Balenciaga boutiques and at their new couture store in Paris.

So, what do you think? An absolute must-have or a revolutionary concept that isn’t quite there yet?

The post Would You Rock the Balenciaga x Bang & Olufsen Speaker Handbag? first appeared on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

The post Would You Rock the Balenciaga x Bang & Olufsen Speaker Handbag? appeared first on Aspire Luxury Magazine.

Released by Hashem Al-Ghaili, a well-known video producer who specialises in science and tech communication, the video unveils a flying hotel concept thought up by Tony Holmsten, a concept artist and illustrator.

Sky Cruise Hotel

If it ever takes off, Sky Cruise will be one of the most ambitious projects of the 21^st century. The idea is to have a massive electric aircraft powered by a staggering 20 engines and nuclear energy relying on fusion reaction technology, a concept that is yet to become a workable reality.

Point in reference, the world’s largest aeroplane, the Antonov AN-225 has six turbofan engines.

Sky Cruise has been designed to be a floating mini-city in the sky, and would rarely ever come down to earth, thanks to the nuclear energy it plans to use. According to the video, maintenance and supply of goods and passengers would be done by other smaller electric or fuel-powered aircraft taking off from all over the world.

Sky cruise would have a “big hall that offers a 360-degree view of your surroundings; an entertainment deck … perfect for recreational activities [and featuring] shopping malls, sport centres, swimming pools, restaurants, bars, playgrounds for children, theatres and cinemas; a section for organising events and business meetings; wedding halls, and, viewing domes [where] guests can enjoy a wide range of activities including stargazing”

An AI-powered command deck will also ensure that guests are safe from turbulence, while a health facility with the latest medical technology will take care of all health issues that may arise in the course of your stay.

When will bookings commence?

For now, Sky Cruise Hotel is still a concept that does not seem to have even a workable prototype. The number of criticisms that have greeted it since it was revealed might be an indication of how long we might have to wait before it becomes a reality, and, given the fact that the nuclear fusion reaction technology is not yet available, it is safe to say that the ‘flying hotel that never lands’ may well be a project of the 22^nd century.

But who knows? Commercial space travel is set to become mainstream and eVTOLs as well as flying taxis are looking like they may be a part of our reality soon. Who is to say that a floating sky hotel cannot happen in our time?

If floating in the air for an extended period of time suddenly sounds appealing to you, then be on the lookout: you just might get your dream well before you’re set to take up permanent residence in the skies.

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