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Ralph Lauren's Cars, Private Parrot Cay Villa & More in Bid to Save the Earth Auction - Part 2

Parrot Cay Villa for auction in Bid to Save the Earth

Last week we reported on the host of international celebrities, creative icons, industry leaders and conservationists joining together with famed auction house Christie's to support the 2011 Green Auction, a momentous live event and companion online auction raising funds and awareness for the preservation and sustainability of the planet.

Christie's has partnered with luxury charity auction site charitybuzz.com to put more than 200 coveted auction packages online from now through April 7 to raise funds for Oceana, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Conservation International and the Central Park Conservancy. Supporters can make a Bid to Save the Earth at www.charitybuzz.com/BidtoSavetheEarth.

A companion invite-only event and live fantasy auction hosted by Seth Meyers will be held at Christie's New York on March 29 in partnership with Vogue's Runway to Green. The event will feature a fashion show sponsored by Tiffany & Co. on the night of the live auction, with designer collection selections available online through Net-A-Porter.com.

In part one of our report on the incredible experiences on offer, we focused on the big ticket items estimated at over $100,000 apiece, including a ride with Harrison Ford on his private plane. Now we're selecting some of our favorite lots across a range of expected prices (N.B.: Lagerfeld and Ducasse are being auctioned off live tonight):

Win a Ride With Harrison Ford in His Private Plane & More in Bid to Save the Earth Auction - Part I

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A host of international celebrities, creative icons, industry leaders and conservationists are joining together with famed auction house Christie's to support the 2011 Green Auction -- a momentous live event and companion online auction raising funds and awareness for the preservation and sustainability of the planet.

Las Vegas To Get A Nobu Hotel

robert deniro nobu
Actor Robert De Niro, chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Tom Jenkin, President, Western Division of Caesar's Entertainment are posed above to celebrate the announcement that Caesars Palace Las Vegas will be creating the world's first Nobu Hotel at the Ceasar's Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. The Nobu Hotel will take over the existing Centurion Tower which will be renovated and redecorated and a 9,500-square-foot Nobu Restaurant and Lounge will open at the base of the tower. There is already an existing Nobu over at the Hard Rock Hotel. The hotel tower will have 180 guest rooms, 16 suites and a penthouse all of which will have an elegant minimalist Japanese makeover similar to the style of existing Nobu restaurants. No date has been given for the the opening of the hotel.

Chazz Palminteri To Open A Restaurant in Baltimore

chazz palminteriChazz Palminteri is famous for his New York style. Now the actor is bringing a taste of the Bronx to Baltimore for a new celebrity restaurant, a venture called Chazz: A Bronx Original.

The Baltimore Sun says that Palminteri's Charm City adventure began when he was in Baltimore's Little Italy in 2009 searching for some good Italian food while in town with his one-man show "A Bronx Tale." He discovered Aldo's, a popular local restaurant. He ordered the linguini with marinara sauce and liked it so much he came back the next 10 nights in a row.

Clearly impressed by the food, he made friends with the owners and found collaborators for a new restaurant. Chazz: A Bronx Original which is described as "a garlicky valentine to the Italian-American table" is set to open this spring in the Harbor East neighborhood. The 160-seat restaurant will have a coal-fired pizza oven and Palminteri says that he will be visiting the restaurant frequently to hang out with the locals. He told the Baltimore Sun he's been getting tips on life as a celebrity restaurateur from his longtime friend actor-turned-hotel-and-restaurant-owner Robert De Niro.

Vivienne Westwood Red Label Show and Collaboration with Chivas Regal Unveiled (exclusive with video)

Vivienne Westwood Red Label Collection and Collaboration with Chivas Regal unveiled during London Fashion Week (exclusive with video)

Vivienne Westwood is a busy Dame. Dame Vivienne, that is. The iconic London-based fashion designer is one of the rare few who shows her collections in various cities, including Milan, London and Paris. When Luxist had the opportunity to experience her work up-close on Sunday evening when she unveiled her Red Label Fall/Winter 2011 collection, it was on the third day of London Fashion Week. Earlier that day, her Austrian-born husband, Andreas Kronthaler, Vivienne Westwood's Creative Director, noted, they did a fitting with Helena Bonham Carter for the Academy Awards. A busy day, indeed.

Vivienne West's show was larger than life (see video below). It was presented at the grand Royal Courts of Justice at London's Strand, a gothic cathedral-like setting that was befitting for a designer of Dame Vivienne's stature. The inspiration behind her "Red Label" collection show was Lewis Carroll's "Alice through the looking glass" which evoked a feeling of British society and change. Models wore tartan prints, dresses with mis-matched seams, fantastic oversized hats (designed by Prudence Millinery, some were crowns), over-the-top makeup (including gold-painted faces) and hair styles that seemed to defy gravity. A video of the entire show can be seen on Vivienne Westwood's website.

Bold face names at the show included Jo Wood (ex-wife of Rolling Stones Ronnie Wood), singer Paloma Faith, Boy George, former tenns pro Boris Becker, Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes, and contemporary artist Tracy Emin. All were wowed by the show which was as magnificient a production as the Red Label Collection itself. "I am a big fan of Vivienne's, so I enjoyed the show," Nick Rhodes told Luxist backstage after the show. "She always has a few surprises. She is remarkably good at cutting things. So it has always reminds me of the Japanese, but I think they took it from Vivienne. I thought some of things were really exquisitely beautiful. There was one skirt and blouse toward the end that was quite classical. It was a black skirt with a white blouse that I thought was just exquisite---beautiful."

Former pro tennis player Boris Becker was equally impressed with the collection. "I thought, as always, she was spectacular with the different designs and the makeup--one girl was golden," Becker told Luxist. "Her creativity never stops. The Royal Court of Justice is a unique location with a very long runway. The girls did have to walk a long time, but nobody faulted and everyone did a good job."

Sylvester Stallone's Artwork Goes On Display In Switzerland


Sylvester Stallone isn't an actor who took up painting on a lark. His commitment to art spans decades and will get its due in a new retrospective exhibit at Galerie Gmurzynska in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The exhibition, Sylvester Stallone. 35 Years of Painting, shows around 30 pieces that Stallone has painted, some of them self portraits. Stallone likes to paint on a grand scale, the pictures are large, colorful and bold and he cites Pablo Picasso and Gerhard Richter among his influences. In his acting, Stallone combines broad gestures and big action with moments of surprising delicacy and vulnerability and that's true in his artwork as well.

The exhibit runs from February 18 to March 15 and is accompanied by a catalogue written by art critics Anthony Haden-Guest and Donald Kuspit. Over the past couple of years, Stallone has been able to command some pretty impressive prices for his art. In 2009 he sold a piece to casino mogul Steve Wynn for $40,000.

How Much Would You Pay For Pete Doherty's Blood Art?

pete dohertyIn the world of celebrity artists, Pete Doherty might be one of the oddest. The notorious musician is part of several bands including The Libertines and Babyshambles but made headlines for his relationship with Kate Moss and his addiction to heroin. Just about everything he does causes controversy and his art is no exception. When he first exhibited his paintings in 2007, they turned heads and stomachs because of his use of human blood, mostly his own.

Paul Fraser Collectibles is selling a painting that Doherty made for a fan last year. The Paul Fraser website says that a fan approached Doherty asking how he could make some money. Doherty said he would create a blood painting and send him £20. The painting was sent a week later (with a drawn £20 note). The canvas measures 32"x32" and the words "For Alistair, love Peter" are scrawled over half the canvas in blood. The self-portrait shows Doherty smoking, wearing his trademark hat, a quick smudge of pencil, pen and blood. It's listed for £25,000.

The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2011 Fashion Show (Exclusive with Video)

Patti LaBelle, dressed in Zang Toi, walks down the runway at The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2011 fashion show in New York.

The Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection 2011 Fashion Show kicked off Fashion Week at Lincoln Center in New York last evening. The celebrity-studded affair celebrated the national awareness campaign for women about heart disease. Celebrity models included Ann Curry, Audrina Patridge, Camila Alves, Denise Richards, Dita Von Teese, Eve, Gayle King, Giuliana Rancic, Julianne Hough, Laila Ali, Linda Gray, Natasha Bedingfield, Patti LaBelle (see photo above and video below), Suzanne Somers (see photo below) and several others (featured in slideshow below). Watch the full video of the show on MyDaily.

There were plenty of celebrities in the audience to watch the presentation, including actor Matthew McConaughey and Apprentice-winning Bill Rancic, who were both there to cheer on their significant others (Camila Alves and Giuliana Rancic, respectively).

Many of the participants have a personal connection to heart disease, which motivated them to become involved in the show. "It turned out to be a lot of fun---now that it is over," The Today Show's Ann Curry, who was stunning in Carmen Marc Valvo (see slideshow below), told Luxist. "It wasn't so much fun leading up to it because I was kind of nervous. I have never done anything like this before."

Soap Star Tracey Bregman Launches Jewelry Line In Canada

tracey bregmanSoap opera actress Tracey Bregman, who plays Lauren Fenmore on CBS' "The Young and the Restless" spent her Super Bowl Sunday in an interesting way, she launched a new jewelry line in Canada. Her line, the Tracey Bregman Collection debuted on The Shopping Channel, Canada's only nationally televised shopping service yesterday. Items range in price from simple silver pieces for less than $100 to fancier items featuring sapphires and diamonds in 14K gold. The items are available online at The Shopping Channel. Check out Tracey's interview on the Marilyn Denis show here. When it comes to celebrity jewelry lines, Bregman joins a packed field that includes everyone from Kim Kardashian to Serena Williams.

Raul Melgoza Shares his Inspiration for Luca Luca's Fall Collection at Fashion Week (Exclusive)

Raul Melgoza Shares his Inspiration for Luca Luca's Fall Collection to Debut at Fashion Week

Raul Melgoza, the Creative Director at Luca Luca whose Fall 2011 Collection will debut at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York next week, is not your run-of-the-mill fashion designer. Not by a long shot.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Melgoza has a resume that would likely impress the suits on Wall Street just as much as the creative types in the fashion industry.

After earning a degree in finance from University of Southern California, Melgoza worked for American Express's financial advisory division before taking a position with the U.S. Treasury. But he has known since he was a young boy that he would one day end up in fashion.

"When I was seven or so, I remember watching an episode of the Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous with Robin Leach that featured Oscar de la Renta," Melgoza told Luxist. "Being of Latin descent, I immediately felt connected to this man and to this world that I did not know existed."

Later on, while attending business school, Melgoza took a marketing class and became aware that he could converge his interest in art and design and his knowledge of commerce. "That led me to research design schools," he recalls. "I knew that business was just a foundation and that I didn't want to do it for the rest of my life."

Fashion Next Designers Celebrated at W Times Square with Music by Alexandra Richards

Fashion Next Designers Celebrated at W Times Square with Music by Alexandra Richards

Last night, W Hotels celebrated what's new and next in fashion with an event at the W Times Square that celebrated the W Hotels Fall 2011 Fashion Next designers Tess Giberson, Michael Angel, Amanda Ross (W Hotels Global Fashion Director), Mandy Coon, Frank Tell, and Mara Hoffman (see photo above).

Alexandra Richards (seen below), daughter of Patti Hansen and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, served as the guest DJ. The statuesque blond, who is an actress and model in addition to being a professional DJ, was a great fit for the event which celebrated the rising stars of the fashion world.

Fashion Next is a program of W Hotels that fosters and supports emerging designers during fashion week and beyond. In addition to partnering with W Hotels during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Fashion Next designers will travel to W Hotels globally for exclusive trunk shoes, design limited-edition pieces for W's next Global Glam fashion and accessories collection, and collaborate with W on other fashion projects through the season.

Luxist had the opportunity to speak with a few of the Fashion Next designers about their Fall 2011 collections, including Mandy Coon, Michael Angel and Tess Giberson. Each described their inspiration, the materials and color schemes they used for their collections and much more.

Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher Create Handcuff Jewelry for Valentine's Day

Nothing says love like handcuffs? Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher are the latest celebrity couple to create a jewelry collection. Moore and Kutcher worked with jeweler Jack Vartanian to create a collection of necklaces in the shape of handcuffs. But the cuffs aren't just meant to be provocative, they are also meant to draw attention to a key issue, child sex slavery. Half of the sales will go to the Demi and Ashton (DNA) Foundation, a non-profit organization, to raise awareness about this issue. Prices range from $710 to $2,140 and come in variations of white, yellow and rose gold. some with black or white diamonds. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie also have a line of jewelry that benefits a children's charity.

[via InStyle]

Jillian Harris, Former Bachelorette Star Turns Railway Car Designer


Reality television star Jillian Harris rode on the Rocky Mountaineer railway during her turn as The Bachelorette, now she she's designing for the brand. Harris, who owns Jillian Harris Design and now appears on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, will redesign Rocky Mountaineer's bi-level glass-domed GoldLeaf coach.

"We're very excited to have Jillian partner with us on this project," says Hubert Wat, Vice President, Global Marketing. "Her extensive design background along with her passion and intimate knowledge of our product and brand make her the ideal designer for this project."

Her finished design will combine modern style with a nod to the luxurious earlier days of railway travel. The project will include a new design concept for the GoldLeaf coach's lower level dining area and upper level seating area.The first coach will be launched during the 2011 season and other cars will be redesigned with the new concept in multiple stages, resulting in a total of 16 GoldLeaf coaches redesigned. Harris says, "You can guarantee I'll be one of the first to take the trip in the newly renovated car - it's going to be stunning!"

Rocky Mountaineer offers 45 Canadian vacation packages and four distinctive rail routes trekking through the natural beauty of British Columbia and Alberta. In 2010, Rocky Mountaineer received its fifth World Travel Award for "World's Leading Travel Experience by Train" and was acknowledged for the first time for "World's Leading Luxury Travel Product of the Year".

Pinot Grigio by Real Housewives' Ramona Singer Available for Pre-Order

Real Housewives of New York City Ramona Singer photo
Planning on watching the premier of Season Four of The Real Housewives of New York City on February 15? Be sure to place your order now for a few bottles or even a case of Ramona Singer Pinot Grigio wine, which is now available for pre-order. The first shipment from Veneto, Italy, which is expected to arrive in February, will sell out quickly. All pre-orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first served basis.

The perky blond cast member's love for Pinot Grigio is well-known to viewers. For three years, fans of The Real Housewives of New York City have been asking Singer the name of her favorite Pinot Grigio. Apparently, Ramona was always hesitant to answer the question, because she jumped from brand to brand, trying to find the Pinot Grigio she liked the best. When you consider that Singer is a serial entrepreneur who operates several successful businesses including True Faith Jewelry, Ramona Singer Jewelry line for HSN, Ramona Singer Collections for Amazon.com and Tru Renewal Skin Care, it is not too surprising that she teamed up Opici Wines to launch her own line of Pinot Grigio that suited her tastes.

The wine is made from 100% Pinot Grigio grown in the picturesque Veneto region of Italy. The wine's label was designed by Ramona herself. The tasting notes describe the wine as having "Expressive citrus aromas with hints of mineral which show on the nose. On the palate you get fresh, clean white fruits and crisp acidity, with a kiss of lemon and stony mineral in the well-balanced finish. It is best enjoyed young and chilled." The wine is best paired with shellfish and other seafood; simple preparations of poultry, pork and veal; pasta salads; vegetarian dishes; mild cheeses; or enjoyed as an aperitif.

With 50 brands in its portfolio from such countries as France, Chile, Italy, Spain, South Africa and the United States, Opici Wines is an experienced and highly reputable player in the wine business, and thus an idea partner for Singer. Ramona Singer Pinot Grigio is priced at around $14.99. It will be represented nationally through Opici's distributor network covering close to 50 states. It can be pre-ordered for delivery in 35 states now, by the bottle ($13.99) or by the case ($167.88) through Bottle King.

Manhattan House Features Signature Residences by Iconic Designers (Exclusive)

Manhattan House features signature residences by iconic designers
Manhattan House, the iconic, landmarked residential condominium on the Upper East Side, has teamed with renowned Interior Designers James (Ford) Huniford, Celerie Kemble and Rita Konig to create three signature residences at the building. All three residences are part of the Manhattan House's newly unveiled "The Modern Collection," which are brand-new units available in the building that were created in response to a growing demand for larger homes in the city.

The Modern9 (seen in the photo above) designed by James (Ford) Huniford is a three-bedroom, three-bath 3,350-square-foot space featuring a library with wet bar, windowed kitchen, breakfast room, and powder room. It is designed in the spirit of Manhattan House's Pritzker Prize-winning architect Gordon Bunshaft. "I designed the space with a client in mind who has a busy life," Huniford told Luxist. "This is for someone who enjoys the luxury of space and a uniqueness of palette. The space is soothing. It is for people who love art and design. It has a practicalness in the way that it is laid out."

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