Failuxe MAG

Liz Cardenas: A Different Outlook On Fashion

A young Latino designer, Liz Cardenas represents a perfect marriage of ethical concern and esthetical quest. Liz Cardenas is one of the most popular designers of her generation. Between 2000 and 2002, she has been acclaimed by the American fashion press as one of the ten most talented Latino designers. She’s also successfully presented her clothing and accessories collection in Miami, Madrid, Paris…

Even with this very successful beginning Liz Cardenas hasn't forgotten her roots and she's still very involved with South America development issues. For example, she's currently working with Equator's native communities. She explains that her creations are very much inspired by their culture.

During the “September Pret à porter fair” in Paris, Liz Cardenas presented her new jewelry collection that uses new and ecological materials such as vegetal ivory.
Fairluxe invites you to discover this new style, mixing the best of European and American influences.

For more information : http://www.lizcardenas.com

Camilla Norrback: Eco + Luxury

Camilla Norrback is a Finnish designer proving to the world that eco can be elegant! Based in the design-friendly city of Stockholm, she is dedicated to the production of high fashion that embraces sustainability. With over four years experience using eco-friendly materials, her most recent line of gorgeous and feminine French Riviera-inspired women’s clothing uses luxurious materials that are surprisingly 90% sustainable. The line includes organic cotton high-waisted jeans, 70s inspired tops, and summery, flowing dresses. But her eco practices don’t end there…

By basing her production factories in Estonia, she contributes fair jobs and income to the Baltic state while minimizing transportation costs and consequential pollution. The location also enables her to make personal visits to the factories to ensure that satisfactory working conditions are met. Coining the phrase "eco-luxury" to describe her fashion movement, she has seen other designers embrace her philosophy, such as Linda Loudermilk, Noir and Ciel. "People are thinking far more about the fairness of the fashion industry," she says. "It’s been a huge breakthrough, but for me this is not a trend but something I really believe in."

For more information : www.camillanorrback.com

Zaza Factory: A Humane Story between Chic and Ethics

After a mere two years, Zaza Factory is already a very rich brand, not in terms of its wealth but rather because of its history. Following a trip to Burma, Isabelle Grandval decided to unite her strength (creativity) with the country’s strength (a talent for making exceptional products), in order to improve the very difficult living conditions experienced by thousands of families. “These products are more than just simple fashion accessories,” explains Isabelle Grandval. “They truly have a heart”. Among the goods produced, you will find bags, jewels, scarves, stoles… with a play on materials, imaginative designs, and a taste for details… So chic, so éthique!

Their story is far from finished. Zaza Factory doesn’t want to stop there but rather dreams of potential projects in Benign, Brazil, and perhaps Madagascar. Their splendid adventure is truly an example for all of us. Zaza Factory products can be found at Galeries Lafayette and Bon Marché.

For more information, please visit: www.zazafactory.com

Article 23: A line that Dares you to be conscience!!!

Even the name of this ready-to-wear line is a declaration of ethical fashion referring to Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights that proclaims "Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection". This does not just tackle the subject of human rights, but also of the distribution and the make of the clothing. By using environmentally friendly cotton, not only are the rights of human respected but also that of nature.

Article 23 offers an original style for the working men and women. The classic wardrobes have been totally reinvented given way to daring and conscience style mixed with materials like satin, and pope line…Adam Love, owner of this brand, is also a designer and a well-known graphic-artist who has collaborated with Marianne Faithfull, Antik Batik, and Karl Lagerfeld. Article 23 truly appears as a sign of the marriage between fashion and ethics.

For more information check out the site: http: www.article-23.com

Ekobo : the marriage between ecology and design

Preserving the ecosystem has been the center focus of Ekobo, an enterprise who believes that saving the environment does not have to come at a huge cost. By designing contemporary objects made by hand from bamboo, a renewable source, this company fuses the idea of ethics and esthetics. The usage of bamboo in the designs varies immensely, which is a trademark of Ekobo.

They also offer more then 250 original color references (kiwi, lagoo, mandarin, prun...) with various finishings. To discover the new collection in fall-winter 2007/2008 of this chic and ethical brand (which FairLuxe highly recommends), Ekobo invites you to Salon Maison & Object from the 7th of September to the 11th at Paris-Nord Villepinte.

For more information : http:www.ekobo.org/

Lulu Frost: The Renaissance of Antiques

Launched in 2004, Lulu Frost was started by the young and talented Lauren Saltzer. Graduating with a degree in fine arts and art history from Dartmouth University, she decided to head to New York City to try her hand at the jewelry business. Armed with a natural talent and a gift of resurrecting old and forgotten pieces, she quickly made a name for herself in Manhattan, where she works. For 3 years now, Lulu Frost Jewelry has found its way on the pages of some well-known international magazines. This brand intrigues its clients by its design, grace and legendary creativity.

From old loops of shoe to meaningless objects found everywhere, Lauren Slatzer finds a way to transform each objet into a beautiful piece of jewelry. "It's like resurrecting an old or forgotten object, giving it back its life with a touch of elegance and modernism. " For more information, please visit: www.lulufrost.com

The Fetish Venturi: The New Era of Sports Cars

Seen for the first time at the Geneva Salon in March of 2002, the Fetish Venturi represents the future of sports cars for the next 20 years. Produced on a per order basis in Monaco, this electric toy was designed by Sacha Lakic, a young and talented Free-Serbia designer. The concept is simple: to prove that the future car can combine both pleasure and performance.

Twenty-five of these stylish cars have already been purchased and the car is currently on sale in Tokyo, Los Angeles, Monte Carlo, Paris, London and Dubai. Production time is 4 months, the warranty lasts for two years, recycling of the batteries is taken care of by Venturi and the selling price is a mere 297,000€ The only problem is its maximum distance for a fully charged battery… 350 km… And not to mention it takes ten minutes battery charge for a meager distance of 16 km… A car to be avoided when traveling between Paris and Marseilles!

For more information, please visit: www.venturifetish.fr

Pangea Organics’s Ecocentric Bodycare: Always Beneficial, Never Artificial

Joshua Onysca founded Pangea Organics in 2001 at the age of 23. A drop-out from high school at the age of 16, he spent his next five years exploring the US and working with non-profits in Nicaragua. In 1999, he decided to take off to Bombay with three years of savings and two bars of soap that he had made with his mom before leaving. Two years later and out of money, Onysca decided to take inspiration from his soap project and head to Boulder to start his own business. In just six years, Pangea Organics has become the fastest growing organic skincare line in the world and features the highest organic content of all bodycare lines.

Pangea Organics has seen its demand grow immensely since its first days in Onysca’s garage in Boulder, and no end is in sight. Starting out with only a bodycare line that included soaps and lotions, he recently added a skincare line with toners, cleansers, creams and masks. But it’s not just their impressive use of wonderfully organic ingredients that has caught our attention… It’s also their integrity and dedication to their founding principles. For example, they insist on paying all of their employees a fair wage with full health and medical benefits. Even the company’s current base of operations in Washington State functions entirely off of wind power. And the coolest and most inventive thing of all… their product boxes are even “plantable” as they contain 100% post consumer waste with seeds that produce basil or flowering amaranth! As said by Joshua Onysca in a comment for a TreeHugger article … “You’ll never go back…”

Cruselita: Ethical and Impeccable

Ethics are chic!

Meet Cruselita, who just recently entered the accessories market with a line of jewelry that flaunts an ethical design with an emphasis on responsible production. The raw materials used are natural, recycled or produced in a traditional manner, and all pieces are manufactured by hand. The concept is simple: by integrating tradition with modern inspiration, a connection is established between today’s modern designers and local craftsmen.

For example, Madagascar provides Cruselita with horns of zebus and ebony carved by Tuareg artisans. For the Agadez silver collection, felt and leather come from Nepal, wool comes from New Zealand, and Switzerland provides the dye…

A true international market for an emerging ethical brand! The principles of equitable trade guide them in their selection of craftsmen educated in the traditional manufacture of jewelry. Shops can be found in France, in Switzerland, in Germany in Italy or in the United States. For more info, please visit: www.cruselita.com

Take Some Fresh Air With Whitepod…

This winter, it’s decided… I’m going to take some much needed fresh air in the mountains at Whitepod. Located in the Swiss Alps, this new ecological concept is a “harbor of beauty and peace”. The layout is simple: eight Pods and an Alpine chalet. What is a Pod you may ask? A Pod is a round tent, exclusively designed as a room for sleeping. Each Pod also has its own private terrace.

The Alpine chalet, the heart of the hotel, dates from the 19th century and consists of a dining room, lounge, bar and a charming fireplace! Now for the activities… Are you a tireless sportsman? Whitepod offers both day and night activities. You can go cross-country skiing, ice climbing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, paragliding, ice-skating… In other words… enough to actually tire you out! Maybe sports aren’t your thing? Well, lucky for you, Whitepod is equipped with an impressive beauty spa, where you can receive facials, massages, manicures and pedicures…

Most importantly, you should know that this exclusive hotel is steadfast in their dedication to the protection of the surrounding nature. They work with fellow associations in thesurrounding area to ensure the protection of the environment and place at the highest important the minimization of their footprint on the planet. So Choose Whitepod for you next destination and while benefiting from their superior luxury, help make a difference for the planet! www.whitepod.com

Rent your luxury handbags with www.sacdeluxe.fr

You have always dreamt of wearing a Chloe bag for the day but with its outrageous price, that has been impossible. Don’t let that dream die, the site SacDeLuxe.fr was made to make those dreams reality. With a vast amount of luxury handbags available, you will finally have the opportunity to change bags as often as you feel necessary for a reasonable price without the commitment of owning just one. Current designer names like Balenciaga or Marc Jacobs can be found as well as timeless names like Hermes or Prada.

Lauched in March 2007 by Ann KENSIBERG, SacDeLuxe has become one of the best locations to find designer handbags. With just a couple of clicks, you can find the ‘it bag’ of your dreams delivered in 24 hours to your office or your home, just in time for that special event.

For those who will be too sad to separate from their new found love, it is always possible to own it. SacDeLuxe is interested in the demands of its clients, while offering the FairLuxe touch.

With a desire to offer great service, we have developed an opportunity of “a free gift” to our dedicated subscribers, making their dreams of owning a designer bag a click away.

300 Trenches at 300 Euros for 300 Families

Didier Lecoanet, of Breton origin (from France’s Brittany), and Hemant Sagar, of Germanic-Indian origin, are two premier designers in the world of Haute Couture. Created in the eighties, Lecoanet-Hemant creations are sold in more than 50 countries. Their factories are located in New Delhi, India. This year, Lecoanet-Hemant decided to introduce an ethical line of luxury clothing. Their line exhibits its purpose and principles through its tagline “Made in India, Made for India”. Lecoanet-Hemant is associated with Conserve, an NGO founded in 1998.

LH employs 300 extremely poor families from the shantytown outside of New Delhi who collect abandoned, uneco-friendly plastic bags and then wash them, sterilize them, distil them, etc. The ultimate stage of this recycling process gives rise to a sheet of plastic that is used to make the luxurious and waterproof Monsoon Coat. The coats are made out of 100% recycled plastic and are lined with a natural linen that gives it a luxurious softness. Produced in a limited edition (and numbered to boot from 1 to 300), the LH Monsoon Coats cost 300 euros and 15% of the price tag is given back to the NGO Conserve. Introduced in January, you can purchase this stylish trench on their website…there are still some left but if I were you I wouldn’t wait too long to pick one up before they’re all gone! For more information, please visit: www.lhairport.com

Jean Michel Cousteau Island Resort

The Jean Michel Cousteau Island Resort is truly a petite paradise. Located in the middle of the South Pacific on the second-largest island of Vanua Levu, it is praised as the most beautiful diving site in all of Fiji. Deep inside the 17 acre coconut plantation are the 25 bungalows that make up this small resort.

Built from local timbers, these traditional bures feature king-size beds, private decks with either a garden or ocean view, and have no telephone or television to ensure a serene and tranquil environment. Surrounded by a magnificent beach, an exquisite coral reef, cascading waterfalls and a picturesque tropical forest, this enchanting place offers a unique experience in a completely untouched and breathtaking environment.

After scuba diving through grottos of coral and unexplored underwater canyons, you can stop by the Fiji Luxury Spa, where you can receive one of their relaxing massages or spa treatments. The Jean Michel Cousteau Island Resort has won a number of awards, including Best Resort in Fiji from Condé Nast Traveler in 2006 and Best Resort and Lodge in the Condé Nast Traveler Green List in 2005. In one word: magnificent. For more information, please visit: www.fidjiresort.com

Prand: The Newest French Eco-Brand for the Dance Floors…

Launched a mere two years ago, Prand is the newest fashionable brand in France for hitting the bars and clubs on Saturday night.Its emblem consists of a griffon and the slogan “Prand Only Done For you.” Philippe Perret, the brand creator, chose to support fair trade, finding it necessary “to preserve employment and celebrate knowledge in one’s own country.”

Working conditions are fair and respectful toward the dignity of each worker. The stylish and trendy design is intended for the urban night owl. Priced from €30 to €200, the clothing includes t-shirts, jackets, hats… So for all of you party-goers and eternal clubbers, check out the eco-friendly styles of Prand and adopt an eco-conscious and FairLuxe Attitude while you’re at it! For more information, please visit: www.prand.fr/

The New Chevrolet Volt Concept: The Future of General Motors

Chevrolet, the famous American automobile company met surprising success at the Detroit Auto Show at the beginning of the year with the presentation of their latest concept: the Chevrolet Volt.

An impressive sedan with the ability to hold four to five passengers, the Chevrolet Volt has a height of 4.32 meters, a width of 1.79 meters and a sunroof that rivals convertible cars. The car relies on its hybrid engine. It can travel 64 km on its battery alone after six hours plugged into a 110-volt outlet. If travel needs surpass this short distance, a 1-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged engine recharges the battery, allowing for an additional 966 km. Whereas standard cars of this size consume 12 to 15 liters per 100km, the Chevrolet Volt consumes only 4.7 liters per 100km. As an innovative representation of the future of care in 21st century, the car is planned to be available for purchase between 2010 and 2012 due to its dependence on a “technological breakthrough” that hasn’t quite yet been invented. The concept requires a large lithium-ion battery that will weigh nearly 181 kg, but experts predict that such a battery will be production-ready in time for its expected release. For more information, please visit: www.chevrolet.com/electriccar

Bilum – Brand new bags... from recycle goods!

It all started when Helene de la Moureyre, a dynamic and young Frenchwoman working in communication, decided to quit her job and use her life to help the world. Creative and inventive, she wanted to give a second like to seat belts and advertising tarpaulins, specifically the large signs often hung on buildings for advertising purposes. From these two elements, the Bilum bags were born.

Perhaps you wonder what Bilum means? The bilum is a traditional net/bag made from plants that is still used today in Papua-New-Guinea. In giving this name to her brand of bags, she wanted to call attention to this region of the world. Lastly, she wanted to create this brand to help others. “I did not want my bags to be manufactured in just any kind of conditions.” She therefore called upon CAT, the center for work assistance in France. She now works with three different workshops and a social rehabilitation company.

Each piece of materials is unique and they are pieced together to make four different types of bags: the Bizace, the Bal’anse, the Bilordi and la Souris. Prices vary from €30 to €140, according to the model. Launched in March of 2006 at Kodjo in Paris, the brand already has its own spokesman, the famous French photographer Yann Arthus Bertrand. For more information, please visit: www.bilum.fr

NUXE: Attractive by Nature

Founded in 1957, NUXE is a cosmetic brand that combines Nature and Boldness, Effectiveness and Authenticity, Sensuality and Luxury. NUXE offers 4 product lines: Multi-Purpose Care, Face Care (sun block, make-up…), Body Care and Rêve de Miel (Dream of Honey). Last March, the new line Tonific bodycare was introduced. It includes three products – Exfoliation, Nutrition, and Fermeté – which combines the best Amazonian plants with the best traditional plants, softening and tightening the skin.

NUXE is dedicated to environmental protection efforts and supports its local community. All products are tested clinically under dermatological control and no animal substances, mineral oils or artificial dyes are present in their products. NUXE actually is an acronym for Nature and Luxe (Luxury). The products are available in pharmacies and department stores. For more information, please visit: www.nuxe.com

"Made in Ethiopia"

Look out! The newest competitor to the world’s most celebrated brands is neither, American, Japanese or French… it is… Ethiopian!

The new project, baptized “Made in Ethiopia,” is being led by UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization). The goal of this project is to establish an alliance between modernity and ethnicity. To achieve this, 12 companies and the brand, Taytu, have joined together to create this splendid concept in which reign the principles of equitable working conditions, improvement of family income and the vision of a new world. The brand product line includes leather hand bags, shawls and shoes reflecting the traditional cultures of Ethiopia. We will chat about them again in just a little while as their summer collection of 2007 is all set and will soon be introduced to the public. We wish them good luck as they tackle one of the most difficult markets: luxury. For more information, please visit: www.taytu.com

The Daintree Paradise

Daintree Ecolodge & Spa is a hotel of exceptions, located in northeast Australia in the heart of the Daintree tropical rainforest.

Nestled on a property of 30 acres, it invites guests to experience the wonders of the oldest living rainforest in the world. Crowned one of the top 5 spas in the world and the best spa of Australia and the Southern Pacific, it is arranged with an exclusively ecological framework. The 15 secluded and luxurious lodges are perched in the trees, bringing to mind the huts of Robinson Crusoe. The treatments and therapies of the spa are based upon the traditions of the local Aborigines, born from medicine and massage techniques.

Spa products are based upon the natural ingredients of flora, soil and ocean water. An example of its services: Wanu Dingkarr (Spirit of Man) A 90-minute “sensory journey for the man and woman,” where a lime and ginger salt exfoliation is incorporated with a relaxing and yet energizing rain therapy. This is followed by the massage of your choice, leaving you energized and ready to embark on the endless number of adventures that await you in this paradise…

Diesel Experiences Problems from their Latest Publicity Campaign

Is or isn’t Diesel concerned about our planet’s problems? Diesel’s most recent advertising campaign for the Spring/Summer ’07 line can’t help but elicit this question with the theme “Global Warming Ready.”

Hmm… Undoubtedly the most talked-about ad campaign of the moment, Diesel is supposedly looking to sensitize (or desensitize according to critics) consumers to the changes in our climate.

Diesel has always been a provocative brand and unfortunately, despite the so-called good intentions behind the chosen theme, it has been badly interpreted by a number of people. But perceived ironically, the apparent message is: Yes, there are undeniable problems in our society but that will not stop us from living.

Therefore, it is theoretically encouraging people to accustom themselves to the changes in our surroundings while also encouraging them to continue to live in exactly the same manner… I guess let’s just hope we’ll be living in Paris’ tropical forest rather than China’s arid desert…

Publicity stunt or thoughtful attempt to raise awareness?

Ti Amo Resort: Life au Naturel

Ti Amo Resort is located in the southern part of Andros Island, one of the largest and least explored islands in the Bahamas. Amidst the immaculate beach and coconut trees are located 11 luxurious and tropical bungalows that make up one of the most coveted hotels in the Bahamas… Tiamo Resort.

The hotel is an eco-luxury getaway that has received many environmental awards due its dedicated ecological initiatives. The hotel functions entirely off of solar energy. For all of you cell phone, television or internet addicts…. forget about it! There are no telephone networks or means of communication available on the island. No roads either in fact, as it is necessary to take a boat to arrive at this natural paradise.

The island is bordered by a magnificent coral reef – the 3rd largest in the world. For snorkeling and diving enthusiasts, you will not be disappointed! Far from the crowds of the large resorts located on the more well-known Bahamian islands, Andros Island will seduce you with its intimacy, serenity, peace and tranquility. It’s a perfect place to escape with your love and enjoy a vacation that lets you forget the stress and business of the life you left behind! It’s a hotel that proves that luxury and eco-conscious can go together.

Quick side note: Check out this article from New York Times, where the owner of Tiamo Resorts talks about his commitment to everything from the environment to the workers that built the hotel. Bravo Mr. Hartman!

For more information, please visit: www.tiamoresorts.com

Luxury Eco by Linda Loudermilk

Linda Loudermilk – the new rebel artist of American haute couture. After studying at Oxford University and the Colorado Institute of Art, she began her career in 2002 in Paris. She launched her first collection in Los Angeles in 2005 under her own name, which is known for its women’s line, Luxury Eco.

This concept marks the first haute couture brand devoted entirely to ethics. For Luxury Eco, nature makes up the core of its work, through the choices of its raw materials and in the creation of its design. Through her emphasis on ecological sustainability, she designs clothing that allows the human body to embrace its connection with the natural world.

Supported by Aveda, Total Green, Helena Durst and Velocity, this creative and green designer has already conquered Hollywood. France only needs to wait a little longer until Loudermilk arrives to seduce the French with her sustainable style…

For more information, Please visits http://www.fairluxe.com

The Vamizi Island Lodge and the Maluane Project : an African Dream

The Vamizi Island Lodge was born from the Maluane project. The purpose of the project was to create an alliance between a nature conservancy program and a moderate development of luxury tourism in a protected area of 33,000 acres.

Located within the area are about thirty varieties of coral, 350 different fish species, 130 bird species, Samango monkeys, a nesting site for green tortoises… Vamizi Island Lodge is the first of the eventual three lodges that will be part of this project.

Opened in December of 2005, the Lodge is located in Mozambique on the Northern Coast, on the open sea of the Indian Ocean and in the small archipelago of crystalline water, Quirimbas. It is located in an exotic atmosphere that emphasizes a respect for the environment, combining luxury with eco-consciousness.

The Vamizi Island Lodge is amid a tropical rainforest and an ocean full of crystal blue water…

The 10 large beach houses are shaded by the forest and look out onto the 8 kilometer coast of perfectly white sand. Built in an eco-friendly manner, the villas have a thatched roof and incorporate mostly custom-made furniture with carvings that reflect the Arabic influence in the area.

Each beach house has a large living room, a cozy bedroom with a king-size four-poster bed, a luxurious bathroom, and a terrace with comfortable couches and armchairs to watch the sunset in the evenings. Whale watching, cruises in dhows (a sailboat used by Arabs), local cuisine, rest and relaxation, deep-sea diving, water safaris, exploring the tropical forest, deep-sea fishing…

The Hotel offers tons of activities that are sure to fill your days and possibly even empty your wallet!

Suzanne Aux Bains: An Alliance between Bio & Glamour

Yes, Bio can be glamorous and Suzanne Aux Bains proves it! With a range of products for the body and face, this cosmetics line reinvents the art of baths and honors these privileged moments of peace and relaxation.

All the products are labellisés according to ECOCERT and there is absolutely no animal testing.

The various products contain biological vegetable oils, plant extracts, 100% pure essential oils and d’actifs marins.

Priced very affordably, you can find Suzanne Aux Bains in pharmacies, Galeries Lafayette and Monoprix.

For more information, please visit: www.suzanneauxbains.com

A Haven of Peace not far from San Francisco…

Imagine yourself in San Francisco … you cross the Golden Gate Bridge, pass through the forest of Muirs Wood and its gigantic pine tress, pass by Mount Tamalpais where Gary Fisher developed the first ATV, encounter the beauty of Bodega Bay, the mythical place used in Hitchcock’s 1963 filming of The Birds, and after an hour walk surrounded by magnificent scenery, you arrive at Reyes Point.

At the foot of the hills on the coast, not far from the never-ending sandy beaches, you discover the comforting warmth of a wood fire and the rustic charm of an old hunting lodge: welcome to Manka’s Inverness Lodge! Dinner is being served as you arrive … but not just any type of dinner, for the menu offers dishes that are made from the freshest organic ingredients that are grown within a 45 kilometer radius around the lodge.

Each Farmer, breeder, hunter, and fisherman knows that Chef Daniel DeLong reserves a warm welcome for their best products. Before deciding to make your way up to your cozy and comfortable room, perhaps you’d prefer to share a discussion with Robert Redford, Prince Charles, Camilla, or other actors

that often come here to rejuvenate and relax.

Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait a bit before going as they’re in the process of rebuilding one of the lodges after a terrible fire last December devastated the building, destroying furniture by Gustav Stickley, the pioneer of the Arts and Crafts movement, and beautiful photos by Dorothea Lange. Take comfort in the fact that no fire could ever destroy the charming atmosphere and cordial spirit of this true haven of peace !

For more information, please visit: http://www.mankas.com/

The Fabulous Destiny of the Blythe Dolls

In 1972, the American company Kenner started producing the Blythe Doll. Unfortunately, after only one year, they took the product off the market due to a lack of profits. Fast-forward 30 years and the Blythe Doll is the collector’s item.

In 2000, the doll experienced its first moments of glory through the collection of photographs by Gina Garan that were dedicated to the doll’s various profiles and styles.

The Blythe Doll was soon after featured in a TV commercial and print media campaign in Japan that brought fame to the adorable doll. In response to its newfound popularity, the Japanese company Takara decided to purchase the rights to the doll for production.

In the fall of 2006, a collection of Blythe dolls made their debut at Galleries Lafayette in Paris. Dressed in special designs by Dior, Kenzo, Cacharel, Versace, Valentino, Paco Rabane and others, these 50 luxurious dolls returned to Tokyo to rest in the storefront of Junie Moon (the equivalent of New York’s Bergdorf Goodman).

In June, they was been returning to Paris for an auction and all profits will be going to organizations that aid children.

Toyota revolutionizing the automobile industry…

The Lexus LS 600h L is the first and only V8 hybrid in the world.

Presented for the first time at the 2006 Paris Auto Show, this large and ultra-luxurious sedan should hit the market sometime this summer. Its 5.0-liter V8 engine is combined with long-lasting batteries that can deliver a combined output of 430 horsepower.

According to various manufacturers, its engine is equivalent to the powerful 6.0-liter V12 engine.

In terms of its effect on the environment, the LS 600h L will emit 70% fewer emissions than its “cleanest competitor.” This new prestigious and functional car from Toyota has truly made history by innovatively incorporating luxury with eco-consciousness.

La Vie Devant Soie

Their story began in 2002 during a humanitarian mission in Cambodia. On a road in Kampuchea, a young woman named Sandy Blain met a group of female dressmakers without work and social protection. “I did not choose it, (…) I met them.”

Sandy Blain decided to search for a means to help them. Financial engineer during the day, she became a nighttime designer, preparing sketches of her future line of accessories. La Vie Devant Soie was born from a fusion between a determined designer and a team of female experts on silk.

In workshops in Phnom Penh, these women work with the silk of Kampuchea that is used for certain articles with muslin, velvet or cotton. They receive fair wages and social protection which allow them to drastically improve their living conditions.

La Vie Devant Soie offers wild silk stoles, baskets made out of cotton, reversible bags in cotton and/or silk, belts, hats, jewelry – a multitude of accessories filled with a certain magic and elegance; luxury perfectly aligned with ethics! Sandy Blain was the winner in 2005 of the 1st national contest for Fair Trade.

Present in more than 40 shops worldwide, the brand has already conquered Paris, London, Rome and Tokyo.

For more information, please visit: http://www.laviedevantsoie.com/

Kamakala, the World is With You

Kamakala is a young brand très à la mode, created by three impassioned young women inspired by fashion and their travels around the world.

In the Indian language, Kamakala means the Female Creative Force.

Its principle is simple: the standards of the International Labor Organization are treated with the utmost respect. “We consider respect for others as the equivalent of self-respect” Since its creation in August of 2005, the brand has already conquered France (with around thirty stores), Barcelona and Tokyo…

The summer 2007 collection was certified as made with 100% organic cotton by Skal. From their pants and skirts to their ponchos and tops, all clothing is manufactured in factories in Pondicherry of India. But it doesn’t stop there…

Kamakala supports a collective project named Tsunamika that engages in the rebuilding of areas devastated by tsunamis through the hiring of fishermen’s wives for the production of dolls made from fabric scraps.

For more information, please visit: www.kamakala.fr

Clarins in a spray…

Released in January of 2007, Clarins Expertise 3P screen mist protects the skin against the misdeeds of the planet.

3P: Poly Pollution Protection

Composed of plant extracts and “super-adapting powers against all types of pollutions,” it aims to reinforce your skin’s resistance while blocking out the electromagnetic effects from computers, cell phones or even electric household appliances.

The spray, ultra fine and invisible, is as pure and fine as water and leaves your face feeling rejuvenated… The spray costs $40 for a 3.4 ounce bottle and is available in beauty retailers and department stores.

www.clarins.com

Adrere Amellal: a Palace Worthy of a Thousand and One Nights

Deep in the middle of the Lybic Desert, Adrere Amellal is a haven of peace and tranquility. It doesn’t even have an address! Cut off from pollution and the rest of the world, you will find a certain unique charm that makes it different than anything you’ve ever experienced.

It has no telephone. It has no electricity, so lighting is provided by candles or storm lights … And if it gets too hot, find some shade! – There is no air-conditioning. The 34 rooms consist of a bathroom and a terrace or patio (and for a mere 400 euros per night…)

The cuisine is naturally… organic! The swimming pool is an old Roman spring – cold during the day and warm at night. In short, it’s a place that emphasizes the “art of living” through both its modern additions and ancient roots. A perfect balance between luxury and nature, Adrere Amellal was the recipient of both the 2005 Condé Nast Traveler Green List Award and the 2005 Talents de Luxe award.

For more www.adrereamellal.net information

Carlos Motta

For just over 30 years now, Carlos Motta has been handcrafting beautiful, elegantly-styled furniture from reclaimed materials. In the beginning of the 1970s, he started producing pieces from the washed-up wood that he would find on the south coast beaches of São Paulo.

Following his graduation in 1976 from architecture school, he moved to California with the goal of enhancing his knowledge of woodworking and building techniques. He returned to Brazil two years later to open his own workshop, Atelier Carlos Motta, in the district of Madelenas Village.

In the design, development and production of his furniture, decorative objects, sculptures and architectural objects, he wishes to emphasize the beauty of simplicity in life and the need to separate the superficial connection between happiness and material goods.

He is constantly striving to minimize his environmental impact through the use of recycled wood, demolition residues, found pieces of washed-up wood and material certified by the FSC. For those lucky individuals who happen to be in Paris right now, a solo-exhibition of his work will be kicking off on june and july, at the Gallery Mandalian Paillard (16 rue de Lille, Paris 7e, sur RV).

This is the first time that a Brazilian artist will be presented at this gallery. As a special commemorative treat, ten of the fifteen pieces have been produced specially for the event.