Diamond-Clad Canturi Barbie Sold At Auction 26/10/10

Canturi is one of our favourite fine jewellery designers, here at the MO Down. We have commented time and time again on the rise of brand-collaboration. We are happy to see this name involved in such a unique style of partnership. Mattel are an empire of mass-production, but they certainly own their share of luxury. Limited edition Barbies are hardly dime-a-dozen. Barbie is one of the world’s most beloved celebrities. So famous, she lives in the league of Madonna, sans last name. Italian designer Stefano Canturi custom-designed a Barbie doll, including a specially designed necklace featuring a one-carat Fancy Vivid pink diamond and three carats of white diamonds (shoes to match, of course).

The Canturi-designed doll was finally sold at a Christies auction, after the completion of her world tour. According to a press release from the auction house, ‘The World’s Most Expensive Barbie’ was sold at auction for an incredible $302, 500– all of which went to charity. Whether her destiny lies as world’s tiniest trophy wife, or some very extravagant plaything, we think she looks a million dollars. It is certainly a further sign of the times and economic recovery. We wonder what Ken would get if he was bejewelled? The other day, Bulgari set a Christie’s record with the sale of its blue diamond… the coloured diamonds are getting a serious workout this week.

Image credit: luxurioustoday.com

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Julianne Moore As The Latest Face of Bulgari 22/10/10

One thing that really fascinates us here at the MO Down, is the way luxury brands use celebrities in their campaigns. Powerhouses like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, resting on carefully constructed reputations for excellence and innovation, time and time again turn to celebrities for a certain something they can’t manufacture. There are too many great celebrity campaigns to count. Nicole Kidman’s Chanel no. 5 ad with Baz Luhrmann, Sean Connery for Louis Vuitton. These campaigns capture everything that makes that person so amazing, and tie it so naturally and so seamlessly to their brand that it’s hard to distinguish whether it’s advertising or art.

The latest campaign to catch our attention is Julianne Moore’s for Bulgari. Approaching 50 and looking not a day over 35, it is wonderful to see her as the brand’s spokeswoman. Swimsuit-clad, she looks fresh from the fountain of youth as she effortlessly epitomises ‘fabulous at fifty.’ As the face and body of the ‘racy’ campaign, she poses nude– a bold move at her age, though one that has already earned her kudos. In her latest film “Chloe” Moore kisses a woman. Glamorous and intriguing as Moore is, it is interesting to us that this sort of potentially controversial activity makes someone so desirable to a brand like Bulgari. Essentially, that’s exactly it. She is glamorous and intriguing and gets away with boldness, and allows Bulgari to be the same without taking any risks. Genius.

All natural and all amazing, Bulgari have broken off a piece for themselves. Definitely worth taking a peek at the campaign.

Image credit: nydailynews.com

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Coco Chanel... Very Much Alive 21/10/10

Justine Picardie’s new biography of Lady Chanel has just been released, and we are joining the rush to get our hands on a copy. While she was indisputably a remarkable woman, we are fascinated by the frenzy that seems to occur every time her name is mentioned. With what seems to be a constant and steady flow of books, films, mini-series, magazine articles, Coco’s legacy is a timeless one. She is in many ways, larger than life– certainly transcending the bounds her own lifespan. It is extraordinary that in three years, with three different films, a new book is still able to generate such enthusiasm.

This all works out very well for the House of Chanel, and the identity of the modern brand. The publicity something like this generates is not only enormous, it is the kind of exposure money can’t buy. Sure, Coco wasn’t perfect and it is certain that such intense scrutiny will reveal some skeletons. It is rumoured that the grandsons of the man who financed the original launch of Chanel No. 5 hold some dark secrets. We are all human after all. If you truly believe there’s no such thing as bad publicity, all this does is add fuel to the ever-growing fire of interest in her story.

Charles-Roux’s biography of Coco Chanel shines as the most accurate to date, at least according to the House of Chanel. We can’t wait to see how Picardie’s stands up, and indulge in another insight into the life of one of the most remarkable women to have ever graced the fashion world. Visit the Wall Street Journal for more info.

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