Blingy or understated or bespoke, there is something for everybody seeking luxury. Necessity, needless to say, has little to do with it
Guerlain’s KissKiss lipstick in Gold & Diamond
Made in France and available in 15 custo-misable shades, KissKiss contains light reflectors which claim to create a ‘dazzling effect’, and a moisturising complex of vitamin A, alpha- bisabolol and waxes. The case is crafted from solid 18-carat gold and embellished with 199 tiny diamonds of 2.2 carats; it can also be custom engraved. Crea-ted by Hervé Van der Straeten, the refillable lipstick is presented in a black lacquered wood case and comes with a lip brush and protective black suede pouch.
Price: On request
Availability: Maison Guerlain, Paris; by appointment
Gucci Made-to-Order Handbags
What is better than owning an iconic Gucci handbag? One that is customised for you. Gucci introduced its Made-to-Order programme in India in 2012; on offer are the New Bamboo, New Jackie and Stirrup handbags. The process starts with you choosing the leather—options include crocodile or ostrich skin, metallic or matte fi-nishes, and even antique gold and silver dyes. You can also select the colour and metal components. The final touch is added by embossing your initials, and you own a bag no one else can.
Price: Rs 8 lakh onwards for crocodile leather
Availability: Gucci flagship stores in Mumbai and New Delhi
Chopard — DE Rigo Vision Eyewear
When Swiss luxury house Chopard got together with high-end eyewear company De Rigo SpA for a range of sunglasses, the sky was going to be the limit. The most expensive pair of sunglasses in the world was unveiled in 2012; it features 51 fully cut River diamonds and weighs four carats. With Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Beckinsale and Tom Jones as fans, the brand has no dearth of star appeal either.
Price: On request
Availability: Chopard Boutique, DLF Emporio, New Delhi
Hermes Brides Fleuries Precious Scarf
Grace Kelly used hers as an impossibly elegant sling for her broken arm; Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O wore theirs as headscarves—just a couple of reasons why there are few women’s accessories in the world as iconic as a Hermès scarf. Since 1937, the squares of silk have become the French fashion house’s most famous offering. Launched earlier this year, this 90 cm-by-90 cm scarf features the iconic ‘Brides de Gala’ print. This print, picked from the Hermès archives (it was first launched in 1957), is a throwback to Hermès’s equestrian traditions.
Price: Rs 2 lakh (approx)
Availability: All Hermès stores
Roland Iten’s RZ8 MK II Ziletto Slyder
Men love their toys and no one knows this better than Swiss designer Roland Iten who founded Roland Iten — Mechanical Luxury for Gentlemen. The RZ8 MK II Ziletto Slyder cufflinks are an evolution of “the original Z-shaped, spring ejection, doubt-bullet cufflinks” created by Iten in 2004. When the bu-llets are concealed, the cufflinks are perfectly suited for business wear. With a simple press of the button on the wing, the bullets are ejected to reveal a more festive look with 30 diamonds. To maintain exclusivity, the company releases each piece in a limited numbered series.
Price: On request
Availability: www.rolanditen.com
Clive Christian No. 1 Perfume
When Prince William married Kate Middleton two years ago, Clive Christian was commi-ssioned to bottle a his-and-hers matched pair of Clive Christian No. 1 perfumes with gold etched initials. It is aptly packaged in its iconic hand-cut crystal bottle with the Imperial Crown stopper. Fans include Elton John and Beyoncé Knowles.
Price: No. 1 for Men Pure Perfume (30 ml) £2,700
Availability: Roja Dove Haute Parfumerie, Harrods, London
Globe-Trotter — THE Goring hotel Edition
Between them, the family-owned Goring Hotel of London and Globe-Trotter (the master of hand-crafted luggage) have almost 220 years of experience in looking after travellers. “The Globe-Trotter Goring Hotel edition, resplendent with silk from The Royal Suite, looks wonderful and captures the essence of our two companies,” says Gary Bott, creative director, Globe-Trotter. With prices starting at Rs 40,000 for a suitcase, Globe-Trotter is preferred by the likes of Daniel Craig, Kate Moss and Kylie Minogue.
Price: 26-inch suitcase – Rs 1.48 lakh (approx)
Availability: Globe-trotter store, ITC Maurya Sheraton & Towers, New Delhi
The prices and information have been sourced from the brands featured in this article.
(This story appears in the 30 November, -0001 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)