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 […]
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 […]
Opel Insignia wins another award
The Opel Insignia has done very well for GM—such a shame it has come while the company is in such a deep crisis. It took home the 2008 Car of the Year award from European journalists, as we reported last year. It has also won the ADAC (German Automobile Association) Gelben Engel award on January […]
Samantha Powell, in black and white
Doug Rimington has given us permission to publish this image from his film camera, taken last year during our shoot of Miss Universe New Zealand 2008 Samantha Powell. Rebecca Connor—Miss Wellington and a make-up artist in her own right—is on the right. You may also like Former Miss Universe New Zealand titleholders feature in upcoming […]
There’s life in the Buick brand yet
GM announced both its 2010 Cadillac SRX and Buick LaCrosse at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), or the Detroit Auto Show, on January 9. We don’t see much point to SUVs like the SRX—and have not done for the entire decade—but the LaCrosse, admittedly, is a tidy, attractive design that shows there’s life […]
Ecover 3 skipper Mike Golding meets Kelly Brook at London Boat Show
Ecover 3 skipper Mike Golding might have had to retire from the Vendée Globe race due to a damaged mast, but he did make it back to the UK for the opening of the London Boat Show at Excel on January 9 to meet celebrity Kelly Brook. Above are scenes from the opening and Golding […]
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 […]
BMW reveals new Z4: first videos
The BMW Z4 came across as a far more butch sports car than the prissy Z3 that came before it, helped in no small part by the series of BMW Films starring Clive Owen. At the Detroit Auto Show, BMW reveals an all-new Z4 that’s longer and wider, with longer doors allowing for easier access, […]
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 […]
