Four things we know about China’s luxury consumers: Apple is most desirable but British brands rate among wealthy shoppers February 2, 2015 Chinese spending on luxury goods may be faltering as the economy slows down and the government clamps down on gift-giving of luxury items, but consumer spending is still expected to help carry the country’s economy ahead of the US as the world’s largest over the next decade. The rise of the luxury brand in Asian [...]
Park Lodge, Knightsbridge: The prime central London house that has everything January 29, 2015 If you see no greater reward than looking at the fruits of your labour, then this home in Knightsbridge could be for you. A four bedroom house in the heart of the West End – and, in this case, within sight of Harrods – may sound like reward enough but Park Lodge, on Ennismore Street, [...]
Photo finish December 3, 2014 Stella McCartney’s Linda Bag is a picture perfect hybrid of fashion and photography These days, you’ve only been there and done it if you’ve also taken the picture. So why not combine portable technology with portable fashion in the Linda Bag, created by British designer and Beatles progeny Stella McCartney. She’s teamed up with Canon [...]
Watch News: What’s ticking? November 6, 2014 British brand gets Swiss makeover Strolling up Shoreditch’s recently re-landscaped Leonard Street, City sorts might expect to see yet another gallery or artisan barista through the smoked window of number 83; certainly not a crisp watchmaking atelier, kitted with an array of precision tools and a 3D prototyping printer. But this is all part of [...]
Gimme 3: Startups crowdfunding this month November 17, 2014 Oak and Iron Target: £55,000 for 30 per cent equity The furniture company uses environmentally friendly processes and locally sourced materials. Owner Terry Facey has made furniture for Harrods. Raised: £44,700 www.fundingtree.co.uk Grub Club Target: £250,000 for 15.6 per cent equity A team on a mission to change how we dine by creating pop [...]
Qatar appoints Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani as new chief for sovereign fund December 3, 2014 Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund yesterday appointed a member of the emirate’s royal family to replace its chief executive. The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which manages as much as $300bn (£191bn), including significant stakes in Barclays, Credit Suisse, Sainsbury’s and London department store Harrods, has named Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani as CEO. He will [...]
Qatari hires veteran banker Ken Costa to board of Songbird December 11, 2014 The Qataris have brought in one of the City’s best-known rainmakers to help win control of the Canary Wharf Estate. The Qatar Holding Shareholder Group said it had appointed Ken Costa as a director of Songbird, the owner of the east London financial district, taking its representation on the board back to three. South African-born [...]
Smartest phone October 28, 2014 Vertu, the original and best luxury phonemaker, does it again with the Aster You need to hold the new Vertu Aster to appreciate its quality. Constructed in the UK from titanium and a choice of calf, karung (sea snake) or ostrich leather, it’s a stunning piece of manufacturing. A single 117 carat sheet of solid [...]
Qatar ups its offer for Canary Wharf owner Songbird Estates December 4, 2014 The Qatari sovereign wealth fund has upped its bid for Canary Wharf to 350p per share, after its earlier £2.2bn bid for Songbird Estates, its parent company, was rejected. A joint venture between the Qatar Investment Authority and Brookfield Property Partners originally tabled a bid of 295p per share for Songbird in November, valuing it [...]
High-end firms gather for Walpole British Luxury Awards at the V&A November 3, 2014 Model Jodie Kidd led the fashion pack last night as some of the stars of the British luxury industry slipped into their finest and trotted over to the V&A for the annual Walpole British Luxury Awards. The crowd was certainly eclectic; chef Marcus Wareing was there, along with Olympic rower Sir Matthew Pinsent, ex-footballer Sol [...]