Barbie’s 50th birthday approaches
Above: The late Ruth Handler, Barbie’s creator, admires her creation at its 40th anniversary celebration at F. A. O. Schwarz in New York, March 9, 1999. At the time, two Barbie dolls were sold per second. Mattel’s Barbie doll celebrates its 50th anniversary on March 9, 2009. Barbie was launched at the New York […]
Hetty Rose recycles kimono fabrics for spring–summer
We’ve had a few chats lately to readers about shoes—especially ones with prints and how they would make more of a comeback. We were very interested to see the Hetty Rose collection for the spring–summer season. Embroidery and kimono fabrics—some are vintage and recycled, sourced from Japan—are the hallmarks of this new collection. The […]
New works by David Kapp at Ruth Bachofner Gallery, Santa Monica
I am a big fan of this artist, who only gets better and better as the years pass. Had the pleasure of visiting Kapp’s latest installation of work completed in 2008 at the opening in Santa Monica last night, and found the canvases as durable and surprising as ever. His colour palette evolves with deep […]
I have to confess to being a Twitter sceptic, hence it has taken so long (as it did with a Lucire blog!) for this title to have a page there. But for those wishing to get headlines and the occasional update from Lucire, head over to twitter.com/lucire. We’ve a history of engaging with readers properly, […]
Britney Spears turns her image around, as predicted
Above: Britney Spears in a Hidden Fantasy print advertisement for Elizabeth Arden. Who would have guessed, when we published our piece, ‘Rescuing the Britney Spears Image’ in March last year, that the singer’s negative image could be overturned so substantially by January 2009? Since March 2008, Spears has made a proper comeback—despite continuing bad […]
After a negative experience, Crowne Plaza Today Gurgaon impresses
Wow. That’s all I can say after the Crowne Plaza’s contact with me yesterday. I wasn’t that complimentary about the Crowne Plaza Today Gurgaon hotel during my time in India on my personal blog. The service was a trifle slow for such a top-rated (and expensive) establishment, and I blogged about it, almost […]
TOMS Shoes, Rag-bag, Paul Newman among Medinge Brands with a Conscience winners
Above: A 2005 photograph of Paul Newman with ‘Paul’, an eight-year-old Victory Junction Gang camper, during the Las Vegas Champ Car 400. Among the Medinge Group’s Brands with a Conscience winners, announced today by the international branding think-tank, is TOMS Shoes, known for donating a pair to communities in need whenever one is bought. Annually, […]
While Stanley had grander breakfasts at Shanti Home, I was in a rush one morning. Chef Adil Khan promised he could rustle something up in five minutes and he was true to his word, as the masala omelette and mango juice (left) appeared very rapidly. During less rushed mornings, the chef and his team […]
After Stanley Moss stayed at New Delhi’s Shanti Home earlier this year, I found myself confirming every word he wrote: it is truly a home away from home, exhibiting the very best of Indian hospitality. Waking up to these views is a very amazing experience for Christmas week. The human emotions of kindness are […]
Simply Paris dans la nouvelle ville
Simply Paris, famous in Wellington for its pastries and French cuisine, opened a new shop in the capital city’s fast-gentrifying Newtown district (at 112 Riddiford Street) on December 18. Pascal and Agnès Chivot welcomed such luminaries as HE Michel Legras, Ambassador of France; Her Worship Kerry Prendergast, Mayor of Wellington; Miss New Zealand Samantha Powell […]
