Singer Lily Allen and sister Sarah Owen have launched their own vintage fashion line.

Singer Lily Allen and sister Sarah Owen have launched their own vintage fashion line.
The 26-year-old star already opened a vintage clothing store, Lucy In Disguise, in Covent Garden, London, with her sister and now they have brought out their own summer clothing collection.
Their store allows shoppers to rent out one of their retro pieces and later return it.
Their new capsule clothing line will be available at Harvey Nichols from June 7 this year and will also have a vintage theme.
Items include jumpsuits and sun dresses as well as mini dresses and maxi-dresses.

'super luxury' hotel at the former Port of London Authority headquarters at 10 Trinity Square

Proposals have been drawn up for a 'super luxury' hotel at the former Port of London Authority headquarters at 10 Trinity Square, the Financial Times reports.

The Grade II* listed building and a three-acre site was bought by KOP Properties and Reignwood Group last year.

Plans have been drawn up for a 120-bedroom hotel with 37 private apartments created by architects and designers the David Collins Studio.

It will also boast an exclusive private members' club, three restaurants and a spa.

KOP hopes to have permission for the scheme by the summer and expects that the project could be completed by 2014.

Back in 2009, sleepermagazine.co.uk reported that US property company Thomas Enterprises and international architects Woods Bagot had plans approved to create a luxury hotel on the site.

San Francisco’s luxury home values dropped in the first quarter to their lowest point since the first quarter of 2004

San Francisco’s luxury home values dropped in the first quarter to their lowest point since the first quarter of 2004, when the region was clawing its way back from the dot-com bust.
San Francisco Bay Area luxury home values lost 4.3 percent from the fourth quarter of 2010 and were down 1.9 percent from the first quarter of 2010, according to a quarterly survey produced by San Francisco-based First Republic Bank. (NYSE: FRC)
“Prices fell as sales activity declined,” said Katherine August-deWilde, president and chief operating officer at First Republic.
Luxury home values also fell in Los Angeles and San Diego.
In Los Angeles, they dipped 0.5 percent from the fourth quarter and were down 0.9 percent from last year’s first quarter.
In San Diego, luxury home values plunged 4.6 percent from the fourth quarter and 5.1 percent from last year’s first quarter.
The First Republic Prestige Home Index is produced quarterly with Fiserv CSW, (NASDAQ: FISV) a provider of property valuation services and home-price data to the nation’s financial institutions. The survey defines luxury homes as those valued at more than $1 million, which typically feature three to six bedrooms and a comparable number of bathrooms in 3,000 to 6,000 square feet.
“First quarter sales reflected the price discounting that took place in the second half of 2010. We had a buyer’s market in the final two quarters of last year,” said Stephen Gomez of Gomez & Patton Real Estate in San Francisco. “Now we’re starting to see the window to the buyer’s market close.”
One factor fueling buyer interest is the flood of capital pouring into the region’s tech sector, generating buying power for those looking to purchase on the Peninsula.
“I see tons of buyers with money, but inventory is the issue,” said Geoffrey Nelson of McGuire Real Estate in Burlingame.
Buyer hesitation was on full display in the East Bay.
“There are actually a few buyers out there, but they are unwilling to commit,” said Sharon Dare of J. Rockliff Realtors in Danville.

Gitanjali USA Introduces the Aston Luxury Group

Jewelry Marketing Company (JMC), a division of Gitanjali USA, a leading diamond jewelry manufacturer and wholesaler and one of the world's largest conglomerates of diamonds, jewelry, and lifestyle brands, will introduce a new corporate brand identity as the Aston Luxury Group (http://www.AstonLuxury.com). JMC is known for its innovation, world-class design and its brands, Affiance, PassionStone, REVV, Canadia, and soon to be launched, Love Universe.
The introduction of Aston will reinforce market leadership, creating a new level of attraction for the consumer through innovations in marketing, e-commerce, philanthropy and unique distribution of its products.
"The Aston Luxury Group will be the umbrella company for all of our current and future brand distribution in the USA," states Jon Mitchell, President of the Aston Luxury Group. "The corporate name change more accurately reflects our mission and focus on fine brands within an ever-changing business environment."
The rebranding effort will be led by Aston's newly appointed creative director, Jamison Ernest. Ernest is the founder of the New York City-based Yellow Fever Creative, an artistic studio with an international focus on art, music, fashion, film and new media in high-end and casual luxury markets. His past roles as creative director have included building and rebuilding brands in art, fashion, architecture, film and also jewelry. Ernest's career includes multiple creative accomplishments and is best known for his ownership of Brooklyn Beat Records and the Yellow Fever fashion label, which has attracted attention from Heidi Klum, Iman, and other celebrities.
"The rebranding is an important strategic move and is aligned with our organizational vision, particularly as we develop new product lines," continues Mitchell, "and as we continue to enjoy the type of significant growth that has been part of Gitanjali's 65-year history."

 

Luxury car business shifts into high gear at Los Gatos dealership

The loss of most of the Los Gatos Boulevard car dealerships in recent years has dealt a blow to the town's sales tax revenues, but there is a bright side to the local automobile business. Los Gatos Luxury Cars is reporting increases in sales that give some indication high-rollers are spending money again.
The luxury car dealership's primary showroom at 66 E. Main St. is operated by the Qvale Auto Group, which took over the Silicon Valley Auto Group's Los Gatos operations in January 2010. "When the downturn came, that company had issues," Jeff Qvale said. "Those times were difficult."
The Qvale Auto Group also operates British Motor Cars in San Francisco. Qvale said the Los Gatos expansion was important to the company "because we were already the Bentley dealer in San Francisco and it gave us a nice tie-in. We like Los Gatos because it's a bedroom community for Silicon Valley. People knew [66 E. Main St.] had been a high-end store for many years, so this is a good place for us."
Operating as Los Gatos Luxury cars, Qvale reports that Bentley sales have increased 21 percent. Aston Martins have been moving, too, with Los Gatos now ranked third in the nation in terms of sales. Lotus sales have pushed that segment of the local dealership into fifth place nationally.
To put that into perspective, last year Los Gatos Luxury Cars sold 18 Rolls Royces. So far this year they've sold seven. According to Ovale, a basic Rolls s $246,000, and theytop out at around $525,000.
"The economy is getting better," Qvale said. "We did all right last year, and we're happy that we're doing OK when the economy isn't on all cylinders yet. It's going up, but it's not consistent every month."
Qvale thinks there has been pent-up demand for luxury cars, but that people who can afford them were being prudent. For one thing, it looks bad for a CEO to be driving a new luxury car and laying off employees at the same time. "We're seeing a lot of people coming out of the woodwork now," Qvale said.
To that end, in January Qvale reopened the 2,000-square-foot showroom at 47 E. Main St. that closed at about the same time the Silicon Valley Auto Group shut down the showroom at the corner of N. Santa Cruz and Bachman avenues. The 47 E. Main St. showroom now houses Lamborghinis, with the 66 Main St. showroom housing Bentleys, Lotuses and Aston Martins. The Rolls Royces are at 620 Blossom Hill Road with the auto group's service center.
The dealership also sells pre-owned luxury vehicles and takes consignments. "Consignments area good way to build business and maybe later the customer will come back and buy something," Qvale said.
Another way the auto group is trying to build business is by becoming involved in the community. In March, it hosted a fundraiser for the Friends of the Library that raised approximately $20,000. "We do a lot of events because event marketing is a good way for people to see the cars," Qvale said. "It helps the community and gets exposure for our cars, so it's a win-win."
Last week the dealer held a customer appreciation dinner at Testarossa Winery, where a few cars were on display. "We're re-establishing contacts with the community and prior customers who we hope will tell their friends and it will mushroom from there."
There are currently 54 cars on the dealership's lots, with two new Aston Martins scheduled to arrive in June. Los Gatos Luxury Cars employs 27 people.