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MAC is once again partnering with Amsterdam-based, globally renowned, industrial designer Marcel Wanders to bring you the second incarnation of MAC & Marcel Wanders. This limited-edition colour collection features his wonderfully sophisticated, attention-grabbing aesthetic. The Dutch design dynamo’s antique-meets-modern cult-collectible packaging returns an ultra-sleek chrome finish.
Giorgio Armani and Lodha Group, one of India’s largest real estate developers, are pleased to announce their exclusive partnership in the design of the residences and common spaces of the World Towers in Upper Worli, Mumbai.
The World Towers comprise World One, the world’s tallest residential tower* at 117 storeys, and the equally iconic World Crest, one of India’s tallest towers soaring over 700 ft. The World Towers will have exclusive 3 and 4 bedroom World Residences; lavish World Villas, with private pools; and the luxurious duplex World Mansions with private pool, gym and personal elevator.
Since 2003, the Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio has provided complete interior design services to private individuals and property developers, from the conceptual phase through to the management of construction. The studio’s work involves developing creative solutions – under the artistic direction of Giorgio Armani – that are the product of painstaking architectural research and extensive study into the project’s cultural, geographical and architectural context. In this way, the individual designs are developed to be perfectly integrated into their settings in terms of their features and aesthetic values. The Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio’s research impacts on the selection of all materials, colours and finishes involved in the fit-out, as well as on the design of the built-in or custom furnishings; all of this is to ensure each design is unique and in keeping with the client’s requirements.
The World Towers interiors are imbued with the culture and ethos of India; they also reflect the various facets of Giorgio Armani’s aesthetic sensibility and his hallmark sense of comfort and functionality. The goal is the creation of a unique atmosphere where the combination of form, texture and colour is perfectly distributed in each room, and all is enveloped in soft light.
Commenting on his association with The World Towers, Giorgio Armani, President and CEO of the Giorgio Armani Group, says: “The World Towers is an all-encompassing undertaking that transforms our notions of architecture and technology, and is geared to create a new, highest-possible aesthetic experience. It is the result of research with which I have been deeply involved; every solution, from furniture to the finishes, has been designed to provide intimacy and create a sense of relaxation and wellbeing. These are qualities that the culture of the place has demonstrated to me – through a profound exchange of experiences – it prizes highly. So I wanted to give this incredible city the style of Armani/Casa with a special quality: a play of light. After my experience in this extraordinary country, I can say I am leaving changed, somehow.”
Abhisheck Lodha, Managing Director of the Lodha Group, says: “It is a privilege for us to partner with Armani/Casa, famous for its exclusive collaborations with select clientele, for the interior design at The World Towers. We are committed to providing our customers with excellence in luxury living and we intend to ensure that every single element respects the best standards of quality and aesthetics. The Armani/Casa design perfectly expresses the concept of elegance while synergistically and naturally adding elements and values of the Indian culture and referencing the geography of the setting.”
Designed for a demanding niche clientele and combining the highest quality of design with excellence of service, these residences are among the most prestigious in the world.
Moreover, The World Towers will be the first design in Asia by the Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio, with each residential unit exclusively featuring Armani/Roca bathrooms and Armani/Dada kitchens.
The World Towers will offer an exclusive lifestyle experience thanks to the unique curved shape of the buildings, with residents able to enjoy marvellous 360° views of the entire city, including the Bandra Worli Sealink, the Mahalaxmi Race Course, and the Arabian Sea.
The World Towers will be part of Lodha Place, an 18-acre development at Upper Worli Mumbai’s urbane epicentre. Designed to include every comfort, convenience and luxury, Lodha Place will be a blend of the most refined residences, workplaces, cultural attractions, luxury retail, and leisure facilities, with ample outdoor spaces, as well as public parks and cafes; creating a unique destination open to visitors to the city, The World Towers residents and the citizens of Mumbai.
Since the launch of the development in June 2010, The World Towers has received a very favourable response with more than 160 units already booked, making The World Towers one of the most popular and successful projects in the country.
yoo and Century Properties Group have teamed up for a new and exciting residential project in the Philippines. yoo inspired by Starck will define the amenity spaces of the new building and provide interior design inspirations for the living spaces. The project will officially launch the second quarter of 2012.
Set to launch in the second quarter of 2012, the tower will be literally a vertical community. Think a whole village that has levels instead of streets. This is the fourth such project by Century Properties in Manila; others include Trump Tower Manila, The Milano Residences designed by Versace Home and a condominium project designed by Missoni Home.
“This project interests me a lot because it’s about quality of life and the happiness of people who will live in this place, which will be so, so different,” stated Philippe Stark. “After finding the best location for the project, the local architect, and the best developer, Century Properties, we are now starting to work on creating a great and incredible vertical village. You will be proud to be part of this project which I have designed for you in the middle of Manila, Philippines.”
“This project will be the answer to design conscious global citizens who have been looking for a space that will reflect their tastes and express their progressive lifestyles,” said Marco Antonio, Century Properties Managing Director. “We’ve so far encountered the democratic designs of Philippe Starck through products and furniture. Soon, you will experience living in true Starck style here in Manila.”
The tower in Manila will highlight quality of life and happiness that Starck strives for in all of his projects.
An all-time favoured investment of well-heeled Indians, real estate has been witnessing a surprisingly stable growth in the last few years. Not really confined to a single definition, luxury housing is getting more opulent and customer-specific with niche players trying to grab a share of the expanding market.
From providing basic amenities like spa, infinity swimming pool, recreation areas and cigar rooms, builders are now moving to terrace gardens, water-bodies with every apartment, earth-covered villas and smart-homes.
Taking giant leaps to bring luxury closer to the increasingly discerning buyer, biggies like DLF, Unitech, Sahara, Omaxe and Mantri send out invites for luxury villas and apartments in select cities like Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Delhi. “Real estate is a consumer product that requires high involvement and is a prized possession for most buyers, who are not just looking at it as an accommodation or investment but as a new lifestyle statement. These high-end products need to be differentiated since they are for a select audience. They also help the developers in brand building,” says Anand Narayanan, national director (residential agency), Knight Frank, India.
Apart from tie-ups with international architects and designers, which have been the high point of projects, the most defining trend in real estate this year is branded residences. “Priced at over a million dollars, these houses will be developed and managed by five-star hotel chain like brands and will have international standards for maintenance. A few such projects are already underway in Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai and the formal announcement will come within a year,” says Vivek Dhaiya, founder and CEO, GenReal Property.
The trend is driven by corporate honchos, expatriates and high net worth individuals, and about 60 per cent of the total estimated pan-India residential demand is expected to be spread across top seven cities by 2014. According to a report of the realty consultancy Cushman & Wakefield, while NCR and Mumbai are expected to account for 40 per cent of the total demand, tier II cities will also contribute to the surge of luxury real estate.
The most sought-after properties are the designer ones—Panchshil Realty’s yoopune project, which boasts a tie-up with the Philippe Starck and John Hitchcox-owned design studio yoo, to create 228 state-of-the-art homes; Donald Trump’s Trump Tower project in partnership with Rohan Lifescapes in south Mumbai, which includes duplex and triplex flats priced at 040 crore, and Lodha Builders-backed WorldOne, which is being designed by the US-based Pei Cobb Freed & Partners.
For those who can afford, India is not the only place to invest in properties. Owning plush pads in Dubai, London, New York and Singapore is the new craze with billionaires. “Be it for business, leisure or just investment, a lot of Indians are going for apartments and bungalows priced anywhere between 43 and 30 million in Dubai, London, Thailand, Florida, Mauritius and south of France,” says Narayanan. “Education destinations like Sydney and Melbourne are also seeing a lot of Indian buyers.”
This article was originally published in TheWeek
Multi-award winning designer Kelly Hoppen introduces new Womenswear clothing collection for Earth Couture. Following the success of the last two collections, Kelly Hoppen for Earth Couture launches in time for the London Olympics 2012 and adheres to Kelly’s signature minimalist style and ‘East meets West’ aesthetic.
The new contemporary and versatile collection features stylish, super comfortable everyday items in rich black, deep navy blue, grey fleck, soft oatmeal and this season’s vibrant shades of hot neon green and bright tangerine.
Made with soft and stretchy jersey, elegant silk bourette and lyocell, these unique fabrics create a distinct character and add definition to the body. The flattering items are perfect for exercising, shopping, travelling, relaxing at home or for women on the move.
Speaking about the range, Kelly says, “I am excited about this collection! I have always been inspired by the East and wanted this to be strongly reflected in the design by incorporating lots of layers and draping.” Kelly continues, “I cannot wait to start wearing some of the items and I am delighted that the brand will continue to support and improve the lives of children in Africa.”
With every sale of Kelly Hoppen for Earth Couture, a much needed mosquito coil is donated to families in Nigeria helping to protect them from life – threatening malaria.
Meleni Bharwani, Creative Director of Eearth Couture, says “We are thrilled to comtinue working with Kelly and we are very excited to be launching her third and most important range yet. The collection will hit stores nationwide just in time for the London Olympics.”
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