Rolls Royce Cameo Decor Piece.

We love tasteful home decor pieces, and if they have some touch that makes them unique and stand out from the crowd, we like them all the more.  Roll's Royce's new miniature car sculpture, the Cameo,  definitely falls into this category.

A classic car sculpture always works.  The Amalgam company has come from nowhere with an exceptional range of them, which sell for five figure prices in some cases.  However, while they're listed edition's, they don't have the unique cachet that the Cameo has.  Because in order to purchase one of these, you need to own a Roll's Royce.The models are only sold in Private Office Boutiques, and only to customers designing a car.  Meaning that this will get seen by fellow owners, and will be a genuine IYKYK moment.  

Furthermore, the models are made from the very same materials that go into the cars.  Oak, aircraft grade aluminium, and a charming 3D printed interior designed by Grace White.  All in all, a charming little piece, with some elements that make it a real head turner. 

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Eleven Headphone's Claim Superior Tech to EX in Same Body.

 

Bang & Olufsen have released a new set of in-ear buds, the Beoplay Eleven.  We don't want to sound like we are wearing a tinfoil hat, but we are somewhat skeptical.  It's entirely possible that these are, substantially, the same product.

Allow us to develop this argument.  Both the EX and Eleven share the same body, same charging case, and, precisely the same technical audio features.  Don't believe us?  Check Bang & Olufsen's own compare page, which we've screenshotted for you here.  

The items impossible to question, IP7 water resistance, microphones, and Bluetooth 5.2, are the same.  The only measurable differences are in the battery life, 6-8 in the EX, and up to 28 in the Eleven.  Yet, an entirely unquantifiable element of the product is claimed to be superior.  The Eleven states it's Active Noise Cancellation is "2X better", and Transparency mode is "1.8X better".

This is not persuasive as far as marketing goes, and while we wouldn't go so high a outright claiming B&O have simply upgraded the battery, and released the same product, until an independent professional website like Rtings test the ANC, and prove it is superior, our eyebrow's are firmly raised.

Flos Model 600 Bottega Veneta Edition.

 

Originally designed in 1966 by Gino Sarfatti, the Flos Model 600 was an unusual beast, that could only really come from the 1960's in respect of its design DNA.  If we think of the 60's as a decade of design, we find numerous examples of pieces with slouchy, relaxed, almost melting into nothing-like touches.  A couple of examples are Lava Lamp's, and just on the other end of the decade, Michel Ducaroy's Togo sofa's.

The Model 600, with it's leather bean-bag base, it absolutely a product of this period, and after Flos acquired Sarfatti's company in 1973, and all it's designs, the Model 600 wasn't made anymore in the 80's, as it was just to 60's to work.

Now we live in an era where decades are meaningless, and as time blurs into one long stream of nothingness, the Model 600 is back.  However, a relaunch in our time wouldn't be complete without some type of collaboration.  Here it's Bottega Veneta, who have clad the leather base in its signature intreccatiato  leather.

We have to be honest, it's not that bad.  It's pretty innocuous, and is certainly unusual. It's a pity we cant' have any original designs, but as we all know, everything is mostly creatively bankrupt.  Models available now from Flos, and Bottega, starting from £1,050 for small models, up to £3,100 for large ones.

Bose Purchase both Sonus Faber and Mcintosh Luxury Audio Brands.

In Martin Scorcese's "The Departed", Matt Damon's corrupt police officer lives the high life, and one signifier of this is exceptionally expensive Mcintosh audio equipment.  Now this brand, along with Sonus Faber, a company that sells loudspeakers that retail as high as $750,000, have been taken over by Bose.

This marks Bose's intention to move into the luxury audio market, currently occupied by Bang & Olufsen, and Devialet, and few others.  By acquiring two of the most prestigious audiophile brands in existence, this seems an attainable goal.

It remains to be seen how Bose will translate this into actual workable products.  Will they shutter the two brands?  And release a "prestige" line of Bose products?  Or take a different route, of simply running the businesses and profiting from them?  Only time will tell.

One thing is clear however, Bose's mid-high level approach to the audio market has clearly won the day, and put them in a position to dominate the competition.  While neither Mcintosh or Sonus Faber were failing businesses, people don't generally sell their companies unless they are failing, or simply can't compete.  That's pretty obviously what's happened here.  Mediocrity has won the day.  Let's hope they don't degrade the firms they now own. 

 

Hermes Appear to have Discontinued the Apple Airtag Keyring, an end to the Apple Hermes collab?

 

One of the most confusing and lucrative collaboration's in technology and luxury goods is that of Hermes and Apple.  The two brands seem on one level diametrically opposed.  Apple is a mass-consumer brand, with devices at all price points, and Hermes is the absolute pinnacle of luxury, that compromises for no-one, and is famous for their bags being Veblen goods.   Yet on the other hand since the days of Steve Job's Apple has positioned itself as a luxury electronics brand, and has premium prices.  While a collaboration with Bang & Olufsen might seem to make more sense, Apple's cachet make this on brand.

Yet, the approach to it is very perplexing.  For example, the two brands are very much at odds in respect of sustainability. Apple announced they will not use any natural leather, or sell them, in 2023.  This is they claim out of respect for Steve Jobs, who was a vegan.  Whatever the case, leather is the cornerstone of Hermes's business.  Which has created a  bizarre split on the Apple Hermes products.  Where Apple only sells synthetic and natural fibre items, while Hermes still make and sell leather ones.

Now we turn to the subject of this article, the Apple Hermes Airtag Keyring.   Since the leather embargo at Apple, the Hermes Airtag's disappeared from Apple's stores.  As there's no alternative to a leather option.  Because these are specially branded Hermes Airtag's in Hermes leather sleeves.  As of time of writing, the keyring's are now no longer available, with only the bag charms in Hermes stores for purchase.  Furthermore, contact with Hermes boutiques has confirmed the keyring's are no longer sold.  

This throws up some questions.  Was the keyring discontinued due to quality issues? There was a brief recall of these in 2021, and again in 2023.  So have these stopped selling for that reason, or is it an indicator that the whole Airtag Hermes range is on the way out?  If the answer to the second question is yes, could we then see Apple and Hermes parting ways?  Perhaps behind closed doors the difference of opinion on leather bands is irreconcilable, and this could be the beginning of the end.  Since the Apple Watch Hermes 10 was just released, evidence suggest no.  But that might be the last hurrah, and the two companies may part ways.

Or they might release new Hermes Airtag's in non-leather holders.  At this point, all we have is pointless conjecture.  But frankly that's most of the internet really, so hey-ho.

Martin Margiela Fantisies Range of Fragrace's

 Margiela may not have much to do with their namesake brand, however, it's still a company that continuously pushes the boundaries, producing some of the most esoteric and unusual pieces.  It's no secret that we're not a fan of everything they do.  Indeed, we wrote such a scathing criticism of some of their footwear pieces a year or so ago that they contacted the blog provider to have removed.  Yet, this aside, they still hold a special place for us, and their fragrance range is always excellent.

In particular, their Replica range, which always impresses.  For example, their Jazz Club has become an iconic 'night out' fragrance, and is just one example of the groundbreaking an surprising scents they produce.  So when they make an announcement, it's time to sit up.  Therefore, their new Fantasies range is of great interest.

This range is Eau de Parfum's, and include's three, "soul of the forest", "dancing on the moon", and "flying".  According to their press release, these "delve into the depths of personal fantasies, imagination, and the collective subconcious".  Such hyperbole would raise an eyebrow with other firms, but from Margiela, we almost believe it.

Apparently, Soul of the forest includes woody scents of cedarwood, pacthouli, and moss.  Dancing on the moon is very different, of aldehydes note, iris, and white flower.  While flying is pettigrain essence, orange blossom, and musk.

A very interesting selection, and at Parfum strength, they are £180 per bottle.  We haven't tried, but we feel confident in recommending them anyway.

Beosound Balance Atelier Edition In Black Marble For the Win

We've been quite vocal about how little we think of Bang & Olufsen's Atelier edition's over the last year or so since they have been teased out.  Mainly because we despise things that are pointless, and add nothing, while seeking to profit.  Exception's have been some of the collaboration's, but the Atelier headphone release's have been, in our view, truly depressing.  We cannot see why a different colour merit's an uplift of £100 or more.

However, Bang Olufsen have finally begun to release editions worthy of the moniker, with the new Beosound Balance Marbled Black, and we applaud this.  Rather than a different colour, this is made from an entirely different material.  And not just a plating or cover, a solid, marble base.This is a big departure from the standard Atelier's, and a positive one.  Weight can improve sound quality, so this may even sonically provide a better speaker, meaning it's both functionally and aesthetically superior.

However, it is right that this is based off press releases, and Bang Olufsen have a white marble Balance in their range.  It's possible they simple wrapped a different skin and are marketing it as solid, and selling for twice the price, as this goes for £4,899.  We're not sure at present, but if it is what it claims to be, we hope to see more in the future.

 

La Prairie Produce Overpriced £1,550 Life Matrix Cream .

 

La Praire is known for its extremely expensive skincare products.  Indeed, it's fair to say the brand is somewhat of a Veblen good.  A consumer good the desirability of which increases with the cost, and indeed which is perceived as more valuable based on said price increase. 

We get it.  Switzerland is a country known for ultra high-end specialist goods.  Fine watches, exquisitely well engineered machine parts, private banking, the privatest of private schools.  When "Swiss made" is inserted into the conversation in respect of a product, it's expected that it will be superior, and deserving of astronomical prices.

However, that comes with an expectation, of the quality of the product matching the price, and it's a sad thing to say, but the new life matrix face cream has a lot of bad in respect of the ingredients listed.  There are only 16 active ingredients, in concentrations that make the price not merely high, but unreasonable.

However, credit where credit is due, the ingredients are an excellent cocktail, of glycoproteins, ginseng, and colloidal platinum, amino acids, minerals and saccharides.  There's no question that a combination of ingredients like this is a very good anti ageing mix.  However, at the price, and quantity, it cannot be recommended.  As there are several brands offering the same mix at a tenth of the price.  However, if you have more money than sense, this may be for you.