Watchmaker Linde Werdelin has shown its Oktopus Tattoo model. The name is not a fancy marketing moniker, but something more literal: the new model, unveiled this week at BaselWorld 2010, features an octopus design by Danish tattoo artist Henning Jensen.
   The steel case features the engraving. The 18 facets had to be treated separately, engraved to 80 nm. The hands resemble an octopus’s tentacles. The watch itself has been tested to a pressure of 1,111 m, and features a helium escape valve for when the wearer resurfaces.
   The Linde Werdelin Oktopus Tattoo is limited to 82 pieces and can be pre-ordered at its website, LindeWerdelin.com, or at an authorized retailer.

This very attractive estate is the new BMW 5-series Touring, unveiled officially today. It’s more elegant than its predecessor, and has many of the features of the saloon announced last year.
   There is an optional eight-speed automatic transmission to aid fuel economy, and, depending on the model, brake energy regeneration and an automatic start–stop function.
   Other driver aids include a Parking Assistant, collision warning with brake activation in conjunction with active cruise control, lane-change and lane-departure warnings, BMW Night Vision with detection of persons, as well as Head-up Display.
   The BMW 520d Touring reaches 54·3 mpg (5·2 l/100 km) with carbon dioxide emissions of 137 g/km.

On the site today are the Massey University graduate collections from late last year. Shown here are some of the designs from Uma Lele, who’s working with us at Lucire now. As her garments weren’t among those in the official selection we received (beautifully shot by Lisa Wilson), we decided to give our Uma a bit of an extra nudge here at ‘Insider’. Have a glance at what her fellow graduates came up with here.

Normally, we don’t profile concept cars in Lucire: cars that appear at shows but are not available to the public. They usually demonstrate the company’s advanced thinking, but they tend not to be things we can buy for some years.
   However, we’ll make an exception for the Porsche 918 Spyder concept shown at the Salon de Genève. This mid-engined sports car is a hybrid that can see 100 km/h in 3·2 seconds, weighs less than 1,400 kg, and has carbon dioxide emissions at a possible 70 g/km. Excuse the cheesy voiceover, claims of ‘Porsche DNA’ and the soundtrack: the message itself is more important here.

Photos by Nix

We’ve been fans of Claudia Jaffe for over a year. Venezuela-born, California- and Italy-trained, and dividing her time between Wellington and Auckland, Claudia’s jewellery and lights are wonderful items of art. You might be able to press her on some of the stories she can tell from her time at Cartier in London. And 2010 might be the year where we’re going to hear more about Claudia as the fashion world begins to take notice: she blends a European sensibility with a New Zealand inspiration, with a dose of edgy to go with it all. See www.claudiajaffeart.com for more information.

On February 11, Kate Moss and Longchamp showcased their new collaboration at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, Paris. On the same day, the company had done the same at Selfridges in London, with both stores featuring a modern, zebra-themed area in which customers can check out the bags close-up.
   Paris shoppers can find Longchamp located at the Mogador entrance of Galeries Lafayette. Large promotional graphics from the campaign adorn not only the exterior on Boulevard Haussmann, but down from the famous domed roof inside the store.
   The launch of the Longchamp suite at Galeries Lafayette on the Grands Boulevards follows the January 27 announcement of the co-branded Kate Moss for Longchamp collaboration at the Ritz.
   Moss herself had modelled for the brand before. This was her first designer collaboration with the company.
   The video below features behind-the-scenes footage from the commercial.

A Porsche hybrid? That’s exactly what the Stuttgart manufacturer is planning to launch on March 4 at the Salon de Genève: a hybrid version of its 911 GT3.
   Dubbed the 911 GT3 R Hybrid, the car was developed for racing. The electrical front axle drive has two electric motors developing 60 kW each, supplementing the 480 bhp flat-six engine at the rear. An electrical flywheel power generator delivers energy to the motors, instead of batteries.
   Porsche claims that its founder, Ferdinand Porsche, came up with the first car with hybrid drive 110 years ago, called the Semper Vivus. The 1900 model, built for k.u.k. Hofwagenfabrik Ludwig Lohner & Co. of Wien, featured two combustion engines and an electric hub motor, and could store energy in a battery.

Audi has released its first official video, along with accompanying photographs, of its A1 model, to début at next month’s Salon de Genève car show.
   The emphasis of the new model is on quality, which Audi says its young buyers want in a compact package. The A1 model is aimed squarely at the BMW Group’s Mini and the Alfa Romeo MiTo, Lucire’s Car to Be Seen in for 2009.
   The Audi A1 shares a platform with the latest Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo, which had won European Car of the Year at the end of 2009.
   Audi says that the two diesel and two petrol engines produce between 63 and 90 kW, delivering between 3·8 and 5·4 l/100 km (c. 43½ and 62 mpg US). The 1·6 TDI manual, delivering 66 kW, emits 99 g of carbon dioxide per kilometre. All models feature a recuperation system that allows them to recover energy while braking, and an automatic stop–start system. The cars are available with Audi’s dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox.
   The entry-level price is expected to be c. €16,000.

We have already tried the Volvo XC60 with collision avoidance—and in good Swedish tradition, the new Volvo S60 takes the safety idea a step further.
   Newly announced today, with its world première at the Salon de Genève on March 2, the S60’s pedestrian detection, using a camera and radar, has a full automatic brake. It can detect pedestrians who walk into the road in front of the car, warn the driver, and automatically apply full braking power if the driver does not respond in time.
   The car can avoid hitting a pedestrian at under 35 km/h. Over this speed, the car will reduce speed as much as possible to help minimize injuries to the pedestrian. The system will detect children over 80 cm tall.
   The new chassis includes new stability control and traction control measures. Below are videos of the S60 in motion and a full explanation of its party trick.

After the hatchback, coupé and estate, Renault will release a Coupé–Cabriolet version of its third-generation Mégane model. It is to be built alongside the Scénic and Grand Scénic models in Douai, France.
   The Mégane Coupé–Cabriolet has a folding hardtop, but with a difference: this time, the roof is all glass, with a transparent glazed area of 0·47 m² (the largest in the segment, claims Renault). The top folds in 21 seconds.
   There are three petrol and three diesel engines at launch for the UK market, along with a dual-clutch system that aims to decrease carbon dioxide emissions.

Giorgio Armani has released its winter 2010 eyewear collection, all with a slight ’50s–’60s retro style, paying tribute to designs in its archives. The first collection comprises thirteen men’s and one women’s models. (Below are the men’s styles first, with the women’s style at bottom.)

Photographed by Thomaz

While Lamborghini released news of its Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni in the middle of last year, this is the first time we’ve been able to get our hands on it. Or, more accurately, our occasional contributor Thomaz, who recently took a few shots of it.
   Unlike most of us when we take pictures of cars, he turned his snapshots into a full-fledged shoot, which, while not quite the sort of fashion editorial that might appear in our print-edition pages, do show off the vehicle well.
   The Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni is named for the company’s famous test driver, who has worked on every model the Sant’ Agata car manufacturer has put out since 1973. Power output is 550 hp, with a top speed of 320 km/h. Production is limited to 250 units worldwide, which makes this the rarest of the Gallardo models.

When Kathryn Leah Payne, Christchurch fashion designer, emailed me a few months ago with pictures of her début collection, I couldn’t contain my excitement. Her 1980s-inspired Jackal and Hide autumn–winter 2010 range is unique, with a twist of sexy sophistication and lots of leather. But it is her meticulous attention to detail and exceptional tailoring that caught my eye. Needless to say I jumped at the chance to view her range last week and learn more about this talented designer.
   After graduating Christchurch Polytechnic in 2000, award-winning Payne decided to try her hand at leather jewellery and accessories’ design. You may remember seeing her designs in Workshop and other boutiques around New Zealand. But, she became interested in wider industry opportunities and went on to cut her clothing design teeth in London. Working with reputable designers, Caroline Charles, whose celebrity client base included Princess Diana, Ringo Starr and Mick Jagger, and British fashion house Bolongaro Trevor, was invaluable for Payne. Caroline Charles shared Payne’s love of vintage, beautiful tailoring and detail, while Bolongaro Trevor taught her a lot about the business. Now she’s equipped with the necessary skills and experience to grow her eponymous label, she is ready is to take on the New Zealand fashion world once again.
   So, what can you expect from this 17-piece collection? A dress, corsets, pants, jackets, shrugs, leggings and sleeves with most garments featuring something a little different. Her chosen fabrics are a lambskin leather, viscose, merino jersey, wool crepe, denim, possum fur and vintage silks. The colour palette is dark: ‘I quite like dark, vintage-looking fabrics and fixings that have a tarnished look,’ and there is nothing to ‘flashy’, which adds to the sophisticated look.
   It’s definitely a standout collection for me, especially knowing Payne ‘hand paints and hand makes’ a lot of her work, and she ‘likes to play with three-dimensional shapes that are different and unique’. A very time-consuming process that makes each piece in her collection unique and limited.
   My favourites include the Swan Skirt, Owl Corset, Jackal Pants and Fantail Jacket—the five images shown above.
   It’s fabulous to have this clever and very creative designer back in New Zealand!—Samantha Hannah

Italian designer Daniela de Marchi’s Anemone ring uses silver, bronze and copper, which allows for more distinctive shapes, according to her.
   Using a patented process called Dropage, where heat is used to bring wax to a liquid state, then brought back to a solid one in tiny spherical drops, forged individually. Burnishes and varnishes give over 20 different colours, matched to gemstones.
   De Marchi can be reached on 39 02 8699 5040 or through her website at www.danielademarchi.it.

Mini has tried to extend its range while it was under British ownership, but it seems, as with so many things automotive, the Germans have been more successful. BMW has announced that the regular Mini hatch, the Mini convertible and the Mini Clubman will be joined by the five-door Mini Countryman, a taller SUV-style model with more practicality.
   Although BMW has not said so, it’s likely to be joined by a lower, two-wheel-drive model in the near future.
   The new model lacks the cuteness of the originals, but it may be very successful for the lifestyle brand. While it might not get new SUV owners, it might get those who are downsizing and who still want something stylish.
   The Countryman name was originally used by the British Motor Corp. to denote estate car versions of its saloons.