5.3.11

KIRSTEN DUNST NEW SPOKESMODEL FOR BULGARI MON JASMIN NOIR


ITALIAN LUXURY JEWELRY DESIGNER HAS RECENTLY RELEASED STUNNING NEW IMAGES FOR ITS NEW FRAGRANCE, MON JASMIN NOIR, A FLANKER TO THE 2008 PERFUME JASMIN NOIR. ACTRESS KIRSTEN DUNST CAN SEEN COVERED WITH CAREFULLY PLACED SILKEN FABRIC, HOLDING A GIANT FLACON OF THE FRAGRANCE AND SITTING NEXT TO A REAL LION. MON JASMIN NOIR, WHICH FEATURES NOTES OF LILY OF THE VALLEY, SAMBAC JASMINE, MUSKY NOUGATINE AND VIBRANT WOOD, IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE AT NORDSTROM BEFORE BEING RELEASED INTERNATIONALLY NEXT MONTH.

4.3.11

CHRISTIE'S TO SELL 10.09 CARAT FANCY VIVID DIAMOND


PERHAPS NO GREATER PHENOMENON HAS ELECTRIFIED THE GLOBAL JEWELRY MARKET IN THE PAST FEW YEARS THAN THE SKYROCKETING PRICES ACHIEVED FOR LARGE PINK DIAMONDS AT AUCTION. IN THE LAST 15 MONTHS, FOUR PINK DIAMONDS HAVE FETCHED MORE THAN 41 MILLION PER CARAT AT AUCTION, CHRISTIE'S LEADING THE WAY WITH THE VIVID PINK, A 5 CARAT CUSHION-CUT DIAMOND THAT SOLD FOR MORE THAN $2.1 MILLION PER CARAT AT CHRISTIE'S HONG KONG IN DECEMBER 2009, A RECORD PRICE PER CARAT FOR ANY DIAMOND SOLD AT AUCTION. NOW, CHRISTIE'S IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE IT WILL OFFER A 10.09 CARAT FANCY VIVID PURPLISH-PINK DIAMOND AS THE HIGHLIGHT OF ITS 12.APRIL MAGNIFICENT JEWELS SALE IN NEW YORK. THE EXCEPTIONAL DIAMOND, WITH ITS HIGHLY DESIRABLE CUSHION CUT, IS ESTIMATED AT $12-15 MILLION. 'COLLECTOR DEMAND FOR LARGE COLOURED DIAMONDS HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER, ESPECIALLY WHERE PINK DIAMONDS OF THIS SIZE AND QUALITY ARE CONCERNED. FEWER THAN 10% OF ALL PINK DIAMONDS MINED WEIGH MORE THAN 0.20 CARATS, AND EVEN FEWER EXHIBIT THE EXCEPTIONAL COLOUR SATURATION AND BRILLIANCE OF THIS EXCEPTIONAL GEM. IN ALL MY YEARS AT CHRISTIE'S, I HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH A VIVID COLOUR IN A STONE OF THIS SIZE', SAID RAHUL KADAKIA, HEAD OF JEWELRY AT CHRISTIE'S NEW YORK. 'AT CHRISTIE'S NEW YORK THIS PAST DECEMBER, JEWELRY COLLECTORS COMPETED FOR A 6.89 CARAT FANCY VIVID PURPLISH-PINK DIAMOND, WHICH ULTIMATELY SOLD FOR $6.9 MILLION OF $1 MILLION PER CARAT. THIS LARGER STONE, WITH ITS RICHER, DEEPER HUE OF PINK AND ELECTRIFYING PURPLE TONE IS POSITIONED TO BECOME ONE OF THIS SEASON'S TOP SELLING DIAMONDS.'

3.3.11

GUINNESS TO OPEN FIRST US RETAIL SHOP IN LAS VEGAS


THE FIRST OFFICIAL GUINNESS STORE IN THE US WILL HAVE ITS GRAND OPENING INSIDE THE SHOPPES AT MANDALAY PLACE ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP ON ST PATRICK'S DAY, 17.MARCH. IT WILL FEATURE THE LARGEST SELECTION OF GUINNESS MERCHANDISE LOCATED IN A SINGLE VENUE OUTSIDE OF IRELAND. HOME TO A WIDE RANGE OF GUINNESS MERCHANDISE, INCLUDING UNIQUE LAS VEGAS PRODUCTS, THE 1,500sqft GUINNESS STORE LAS VEGAS WILL FEATURE ITEMS RANGING FROM PINT GLASSES TO CLOTHING; ACCESSORIES TO GIFTS, WHICH CELEBRATE MORE THAN 250 YEARS OF THE DRINKS BRAND. EXCLUSIVE LAS VEGAS-THEMED MERCHANDISE WILL INCLUDE MEN'S CLOTHING, WOMEN'S CLOTHING, PINT GLASSES, HATS AND ACCESSORIES. SEVERAL OF THE CLOTHING ITEMS FOR MEN AND WOMEN WILL BE PART OF THE NEW 'GUINNESS ON THE STRIP' CLOTHING LINE. VISITORS TO THE STORE CAN LEARN ABOUT THE BREWING PROCESS AND THE BRAND THROUGH VISUAL EXHIBITION. ANOTHER INTERACTIVE ELEMENT WILL BE A UNIQUE TOUCHSCREEN THROUGH WHICH VISITORS CAN LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BREWERY AND EVEN SEE IF ONE OF THEIR ANCESTORS WORKED THERE.

2.3.11

LOUIS VUITTON MONOGRAM REVELATION KEEPALL


LOUIS VUITTON HAS RECENTLY RELEASED A STUNNING BAG IN COLLABORATION WITH EDUN A CLOTHING HOUSE WHICH FOCUSES ON ENCOURAGING TRADE IN AFRICA. THE LOUIS VUITTON MONOGRAM REVELATION KEEPALL FEATURES A VIBRANT BROWN COLOUR WITH A DEBOSSED MONOGRAM AS ITS MAIN THEME INSPIRED BY THE BEAUTY AND ELEGANCE FROM AFRICA. THE BAG INCLUDES A FAIR TRADE HAND CRAFTED MASAI INSPIRED BAG CHARM WITH A UNIQUE PLAQUE STATING 'EVERY JOURNEY BEGAN IN AFRICA'.

HISTORIC DOCUMENT DISCOVERED IN NEW ZEALAND STATUE


THE NEW ZEALAND EARTHQUAKE HAS EXPOSED POTENTIALLY HISTORIC DOCUMENT HIDDEN INSIDE A 19th CENTURY STATUE THAT TOPPLED IN THE RECENT DISASTER. CHRISTCHURCH MAJOR BOB PARKER SAID TUESDAY THAT A HANDWRITTEN PARCHMENT IN A BOTTLE AND A SEALED COPPER CYLINDER BELIEVED TO CONTAIN DOCUMENTS WERE DISCOVERED INSIDE THE STATUE OF THE CITY'S FOUNDER. THE STATUE IS IN THE CITY'S MAIN SQUARE NEAR ITS HISTORIC CATHEDRAL. IT FELL DURING THE 22.FEBRUARY EARTHQUAKE THAT KILLED AT LEST 155 PEOPLE. MUSEUM EXPERTS WERE EXAMINING THE ITEMS. THEY APPEARED TO CONTAIN A MESSAGE FROM THE CITY'S FOUNDERS EXPRESSING THEIR VISION FOR IT. PARKER SAID: 'IT SEEMS ALMOST PROVIDENTIAL THAT THEY HAVE COME TO LIGHT NOW TO PROVIDE THE INSPIRATION WE NEED IN THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME.'

1.3.11

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES STAR JANE RUSSELL DIED AT 89


GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES STAR JANE RUSSELL HAS DIED AT AGE 89. RUSSELL WAS DISCOVERED BY HOWARD HUGHES AND WENT ON TO BECOME ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC STARS OF THE 1940s AND '50s. HER DAUGHTER IN LAW ETTA WATERFIELD SAID THE ACTRESS DIED MONDAY AT HER HOME IN SANTA MARIA OF A RESPIRATORY-RELATED ILLNESS. SHE ALWAYS SAID 'I'M GOING TO DIE IN THE SADDLE, I'M NOT GOING TO SIT AT HOME AND BECOME AN OLD WOMAN', WATERFIELD SAID. 'AND THAT'S HOW SHE DIED, SHE DIED IN THE SADDLE.' HUGHES, THE ECCENTRIC BILLIONAIRE, CAST RUSSELL IN HIS SEXY, AND CONTROVERSIAL, 1941 WESTERN 'THE OUTLAW', ABOUT BILLY THE KID. THE MOVIE WAS INITIALLY SUBJECT TO STRICT CENSORSHIP LAW BECAUSE OF THE AMPLE CLEAVAGE DISPLAYED BY RUSSELL, BORN ERNESTINE JANE GERALDINE RUSSELL IN JUNE 1921 IN MINNESOTA. WHEN IT WAS RELEASED TWO YEARS LATER IT TURNED HER INTO AN OVERNIGHT STAR. 'THE OUTLAW', ALTHOUGH IT ESTABLISHED HER REPUTATION, WAS BESET WITH TROUBLE FROM THE BEGINNING. DIRECTOR HOWARD HAWKS, ONE OF HOLLYWOOD'S MOST EMINENT AND AUTOCRATIC FILMMAKERS, RANKLED UNDER PRODUCER HUGHES' CONSTANT SUGGESTIONS AND FINALLY WALKED OUT. 'HUGHES DIRECTED THE WHOLE PICTURE, FOR NINE BLOODY MONTHS!', RUSSELL SAID IN 1999. THE FILM'S RAMBLING, FICTIONAL PLOT FEATURED RUSSELL AS A FRIEND OF BILLY THE KID AS HE TUSSLES WITH DOC HOLLIDAY AND SHERIFF PAT GARRETT. THE LOS ANGELES TIMES CALLED IT 'ONE OF THE WEIRDEST WESTERN PICTURES THAT EVER UNREELED BEFORE THE PUBLIC'. WITH HER SULTRY LOOK AND GLOWING SEXUALITY, RUSSELL HAD ALREADY GAINED A LARGE FOLLOWING. THE HUGHES PUBLICITY MILL HAD SENT OUT PHOTOS OF THE BEAUTY IN LOW0CUT COSTUMES AND SWIM SUITS, AND SHE BECAME AN INSTANT PINUP FOR WORLD WAR II SOLDIERS. BUT HUGHES BOUGHT THE AILING RKO STUDIOS IN 1948, AND DEVOTED SPECIAL CARE TO HIS NO.1 STAR, USING HIS ENGINEERING SKILLS TO DESIGN A SPECIAL BRASSIERE (SHE SAID SHE NEVER WORE IT). THAT YEAR SHE MADE HER MOST SUCCESSFUL FILM, A LOAN OUT TO PARAMOUNT FOR 'THE PALEFACE'. BUT AT RKO SHE WAS CAST IN A SERIES OF POTBOILERS SUCH AS 'HIS KIND OF WOMAN', 'DOUBLE DYNAMITE', 'THE LAS VEGAS STORY' AND 'MACAU'. HUGHES REWARDED HER WITH A UNIQUE 20 YEAR CONTRACT PAYING $1,000 A WEEK, THEN HE SOLD RKO AND QUIT MAKING MOVIES. RUSSELL CONTINUED RECEIVING THE WEEKLY FEE, BUT NEVER MADE ANOTHER FILM FOR HUGHES. HER ONLY OTHER NOTABLE FILM WAS GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES', A 1953 MUSICAL BASED ON THE NOVEL BY ANITA LOOS. SHE AND MARILYN MONROE TEAMED UP TO SING 'TWO LITTLE GIRLS FROM LITTLE ROCK' AND 'SEEK ROMANCE IN PARIS'. SHE FOLLOWED THAT UP WITH THE 1954 MUSICAL 'THE FRENCH LINE', WHICH LIKE GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES HAS HER CAVORTING ON AN OCEAN LINER. IN 1955, SHE MADE THE SEQUEL GENTLEMEN MARRY BRUNETTES (WITHOUT MONROE) AND STARRED IN SEVERAL WESTERNS SUCH AS 'THE TALL MAN' AND FOXFIRE'. BUT BY THE 1960s, HER FILM CAREER HAD FADED. 'WHY DID I QUIT MOVIES', SHE REMARKED IN 1999, 'BECAUSE I WAS GETTING TOO OLD! YOU COULDN'T GO ON ACTING IN THOSE YEARS IF YOU WERE AN ACTRESS OVER 30.' ALTHOUGH HER LOOK AND HER HOURGLASS FIGURE MADE HER THE SUBJECT OF NUMEROUS NIGHTCLUB JOKES, UNLIKE MONROE, RITA HAYWORTH AND OTHER PINUP QUEENS OF THE ERA, RUSSELL WAS UNTOUCHED BY SCANDAL IN HER PERSONAL LIFE. RUSSELL REMAINED ACTIVE THROUGHOUT HER LIFE, STAYING BUSY IN HER CHURCH AND WITH CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION UNTIL HER HEALTH BEGAN TO DECLINE JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. IN RECENT YEARS FANS COULD SEE THE HOLLYWOOD LEGEND SINGING AT A HOTEL BAR NEAR HER SANTA MARIA HOME. RUSSELL ADOPTED THREE CHILDREN WHO SURVIVE HER ALONG WITH HER SIX GRANDCHILDREN AND TEN GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. RUSSELL'S HAND AND FOOT PRINTS ARE IMMORTALIZED ON THE FORECOURT OF HOLLYWOOD'S LEGENDARY GRAUMAN'S CHINESE THEATER. SHE ALSO HAS A STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME.

28.2.11

BONHAMS TO SELL RARE 17th CENTURY MUGHAL PORTRAIT


THE LARGEST KNOWN MUGHAL PAINTING IS TO BE OFFERED AT BONHAMS, LONDON, ON 5.APRIL FOR AN ESTIMATED PRICE OF UPWARDS OF £1 MILLION. IT IS IN THE STYLE OF A EUROPEAN PORTRAIT OF THE EARLY 17th CENTURY. THE PORTRAIT WHICH WILL LEAD A SALE OF WORKS OF INDIAN AND ISLAMIC ART IS A UNIQUE PAINTING OF THE MUGHAL EMPEROR JAHANGIR WHO RULED INDIA 1605-27 AND IS ATTRIBUTED TO THE MUGHAL ARTIST ABUL HASAN, NADIR AL-ZAMAN OR 'WONDER OF THE AGE'. PREVIOUSLY SHOWN IN THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY IN AN EXHIBITION ON THE INDIAN PORTRAIT IN 2010, THE EMPEROR IS SHOWN ON A GOLD DECORATED THRONE HOLDING A GLOBE, WEARING ELABORATE ROBES AND JEWELRY. THE SURROUNDING PERSIAN INSCRIPTION STATE IT WAS PAINTED AT MENDU IN THE AH1026/AD1617. ALICE BAILEY, HEAD OF ISLAMIC AND INDIAN ART AT BONHAMS SAID: 'THIS IS ONE OF THE RAREST AND MOST DESIRABLE 17th CENTURY PAINTINGS EVER TO COME TO AUCTION. THERE IS NO OTHER WORK OF ITS KIND AND ITS IMPORTANCE CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED. THE EXTRAORDINARY DETAIL AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PAINTING BOTH FASCINATE AND BEWITCH THE VIEWER.'