The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

The new creamy layer
Ice cream has turned into a big-time gourmet delicacy. The country’s top chefs and high-end international brands are making this frozen dessert truly a luxury experience
Anandita Gupta
Scream for an ice cream when you are feeling hot and sweaty and you’ll never go wrong! Nothing beats the heat more than a delicious scoop of your favourite ice cream. As temperatures sour, these chilled desserts look scoopaluscious! Frothy, fluffy scoops of melt-in-the mouth ice cream, swirly softies with crunchy cones, tangy lick-lollies (with the Indian cousin barf ka gola), the humble faluda kulfi, and of course, the lovable choco bar, have been perennial favourites.

Cold Comfort

PACESETTER Seema Batish sharma
Woman with the magical green touch
Chandigarh-based landscape architect Seema Batish Sharma makes a mark in the region with her eco-friendly displays
Gitanjali Sharma
SHE has left her green stamp on 90 per cent of the units in Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park. This 35-year-old landscape architect’s high-profile client list includes corporate biggies like Infosys, Bharti Airtel, Parsvnath Prideasia, Netsmartz, DLF Info City, Groz Beckert, Ranbaxy, Grasim Industries, Aditya Birla Group and Bharat Petroleum Corp. She has also lent her greening acumen to several projects of the Punjab government and Chandigarh administration.

Centrespread
Licence to thrill
As 2012 marks the 50^th year of James Bond on the silver screen, here’s a look at some of the actors who’ve created cinematic history by playing Agent 007 and their hot wheels
Mukesh Khosla
Hollywood, scriptwriter Richard Maibum once said that the legend of James Bond would go on forever. "Some characters become immortal— characters like Robin Hood, Three Musketeers, Sherlock Holmes and now, James Bond." Maibum’s prophesy has come true as 2012 marks the 50th year of James Bond on the silver screen. From Dr No in 1962 to the upcoming Skyfall in October 2012, there have been 23 Bond films and six actors have played Agent 007.

Taking 007 for a ride!

Bling it on
Objects of desire

Paradise gourmet ice cream by Häagen-Dazs @ Rs 1,300

CREAM OF THE CROP: Fancy frozen concoctions by top chefs cost between Rs 450-999

Scream for an ice cream when you are feeling hot and sweaty and you’ll never go wrong! Nothing beats the heat more than a delicious scoop of your favourite ice cream. As temperatures sour, these chilled desserts look scoopaluscious! Frothy, fluffy scoops of melt-in-the mouth ice cream, swirly softies with crunchy cones, tangy lick-lollies (with the Indian cousin barf ka gola), the humble faluda kulfi, and of course, the lovable choco bar, have been perennial favourites. However, with a rise in disposable incomes, consumers are increasingly valuing the finer nuances associated with this frozen delight. Apart from quality itself, the ice cream eating experienc is becoming important. Young Indians now seek an exclusive and exotic ice cream-eating experience.

Which is why, Michelin-starred chefs are busy making fancy concoctions. Vineet Bhatia’s rose-petal, marigold ice cream, appears as an accompaniment to the main courses at his restaurants. At The Park, Kolkata, executive chef Kaushik Saha uses ingredients like black pepper, rasmalai, chillis and vegetable pickles to whip up ice creams.

Looking at the appetite of a growing section of consumers seeking a luxury experience, a host of companies are hopping on the gourmet ice cream bandwagon. Fruity sorbets, Italian gelatos, frozen yoghurts and even jazzed-up versions of our own kulfi, are stepping up to the palate.

With the buyers spoilt for choice, we enter the chill-out zone to taste these delights.

Bye bye grab-a-scoop shops

Baskin Robbins was among the first few premium ice creams (pegged at Rs 30 a scoop) to enter the Indian market in 1993. However, Indians with a sweet tooth can now dig into a tub of expensive ecstasy. The world-famous gourmet ice cream H`E4agen-Dazs, with its myriad flavours, has been launched in India (New Delhi and Mumbai) in 2009. Available across 900 boutique shops in more than 50 countries; this brand is luxurious — costing roughly Rs 195 per scoop! "Since its inception in 1961, H`E4agen-Dazs has continually offered an exceptional dessert experience— a ‘H`E4agen-Dazs Moment,’. Call it the Louis Vuitton kind of experience. It’s meant for discerning consumers, who seek exotic, exclusive and sophisticated options," smiles Arindam Haldar, director, General Mills, the food conglomerate behind the brand.

The use of ingredients from around the world — be it dark chocolate from Belgium or Macadamia nuts from the world’s best regions — make this ice cream special. H`E4agen-Dazs has a rigorous quality testing Gold Standard Protocol and says no to artificial flavours and colours. Its trump card, however, are the customised Haagen-Dazs lounges that offer a fine-dining ambience. You can sit back, relax and savour a signature dessert, which costs you anywhere between Rs 600 to Rs 1,400.

Interestingly though, the words Haagen-Dazs have no meaning whatsoever. The name was coined by the company because the words sounded good. The ice cream’s menu features flavours Belgian Chocolate, Apricot, Macadamia Nut, Dulce de Leche, Green Tea, Cr`E8me Brulee and Chocolat Fondant. It offers signature creations like ‘Seventh Heaven’ —a delectable offering of seven choicest flavours and ‘Mystique’— a concoction of Belgian chocolate and raspberry sorbet.

Another international ice cream maker, London Dairy, is wooing Indians with international flavours like Butter Pecan, Tiramisu, Bravo Biscottino and California Raisins (a 500 ml London Dairy tub costs around Rs 250 and a litre around Rs 475).

Desi flavours

In their quest for winning flavours, ice cream manufacturers are serving up scoops of exotic, Indianised flavours. Amul is offering fare as varied as tubs of Morroccan Dry Fruit. Vadilal’s gourmet tubs are its high-end offering, with flavours like Belgian Chocolate and Java Chips. Mother Dairy has launched savoury Gol Gappa candy sticks and Paan kulfis. But the real show stealers are Mumbai-based Natural Ice creams, offering an array of flavours— Watermelon, Chikoo, Kala-Jamun, Sitaphal, even Saunf—with chunks of the seasonal fruits embedded in its tubs. Their Kaaju Kishmish and Anjeer are hotsellers.

Calcutta-based Fruity Freeze has an assortment of ice creams in flavours like Aam Panna, Rabdi Malai, Nimbu Paani, Jalebi and Rajbhog. Delhi-based Gelato Vinto has a range of local flavours including Chikoo, Coconut and Cardamom. Fresh & Naturelle’s Pabrai’s Nolen Gur ice cream is served with chunks of jaggery in it. They also have Chandan and Rose sugarfree ice creams.

Hello health

With the cr`E8me de la cr`E8me savouring gourmet ice creams, urbanites are gravitating towards frozen yogurts. According to a Technopak report, the Indian yogurt market was estimated at $135 million in 2011 and expanding at a 25-30 per cent annually.

The pioneer in introducing the frozen yogurt fad, of course, is 39-year-old GS Bhalla, who launched Cocoberry in 2009. Churned in a soft-serve machine, this dessert comes with berry-infused flavours that pair wonderfully with droolworthy garnishes. "While cocoa is an anti-depressant, berries signify exotic, antioxidant-rich toppings," smiles Bhalla, an MBA from Harvard Business School.

The brand primarily sells frozen yogurt in 100 ml, 300 ml and 500 ml containers that retail at prices from Rs 32 to Rs 239. It offers an assortment of yogurt cones, sundaes, parfaits and smoothies, crammed with fresh exotic fruits, skimmed milk, an array of fruit purees and healthy toppings. Cocoberry`A0boasts of over 1.1 million Facebook fans, which is the world’s largest fan-base of any frozen yogurt brand!

Indians are enjoying power smoothies, gourmet waffles and pro biotic parfaits as breakfast options. Recently, US-based yogurt and smoothie brand Red Mango set shop in Delhi. It boasts of being the first 100 per cent natural, low fat and gluten-free frozen yogurt. "Our tag line, ‘Rethink Lunch!’ aims at offering yogurts as a healthy meal. We’ve also started a self-vending machine, where customers can pay 89 paisa per gm," says Rahul Kumar, CEO, Red Mangoes, India.

Red Mango yogurts use the finest ingredients like Vanilla imported from Madagascar and strawberries from Sonoma in California. Of the 200 cups that Red Mango sells daily, Blueberry Yogurt moves very fast.

South Korean yoghurt chain Yogurberry is also offering smoothies, parfaits, fruit-bowls, waffles, fruit salads and pro-biotic beverages. Among yogurts, its Punchy Pomegranate is particularly good. Ameer Husain, business head of Yogurberry, India, says "We’re soon launching Yogurberry in caf`E9 formats that are ideal for meal consumption."

Hugely popular frozen yogurt flavours include strawberry, blueberry, mango, green apple, pineapple and even chocolate. Toppings — collectively there are 100 garnishes to choose from — go from fresh fruits to the trademark Oreo cookies. Weight-watchers can skip fattening jujubes and chocolate sprinkles and opt for freshly cut fruits, cereals and dried fruits.

Cold Comfort

For Indians, ice creams evoke the fondest of summer memories. Whether it was the usual strawberry-and -vanilla ice cream, or choco bar by Kwality, (later Walls) and Amul, lick lollies by Vadilal, Verka and Cream Bell, colourful Tutti-Frutti and Cassata slices by Mother Dairy or softies by the local vendor, we never seemed to have our fill. The scene perked up, with family-run empires (Natural Icecreams, Nirula’s, Basant’s and Giani’s) spoiling Indians for choice. No wonder, India’s branded ice cream market stands at Rs 1,500 crore. Which is quite impressive, as compared to the carbonated drinks (Rs 1,300 crore) or even chocolates and confectionery (Rs 4,500 crore).

PACESETTER Seema Batish sharma
Woman with the magical green touch
Chandigarh-based landscape architect Seema Batish Sharma makes a mark in the region with her eco-friendly displays
Gitanjali Sharma

Woman with a green thumb: Seema Batish Sharma Photo: Pradeep Tewari

SHE has left her green stamp on 90 per cent of the units in Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park. This 35-year-old landscape architect’s high-profile client list includes corporate biggies like Infosys, Bharti Airtel, Parsvnath Prideasia, Netsmartz, DLF Info City, Groz Beckert, Ranbaxy, Grasim Industries, Aditya Birla Group and Bharat Petroleum Corp. She has also lent her greening acumen to several projects of the Punjab government and Chandigarh administration.

Armed with a formal education in design technology, landscaping, architecture, environment studies and a passion for turning barrenness into a green, Seema Batish Sharma has come a long way since she took up her first assignment of designing a huge cascade for an ashram in Faridabad in 2001. Today, this Chandigarh-based landscape designer heads her company Merry Mind Landscapes and has on board a team of 28 experts on architecture, environment and horticulture.

One of her most satisfying assignments was the greening of the Aditya Birla cement unit in the dry Bathinda belt. The more challenging a task, the more rewarding it is for the mentalscape, she ardently admits. Working on Punjab Forest Complex, the first green building in the state, was another project dear to her. Currently, one of her main projects is the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial at Chappar Chiri village, near Mohali.

"Landscaping today has become a byword for technology. It is no longer eyebrow-raising to arrange grown-up trees, readymade lawns, colourful flowerbeds, exotic water bodies and artifacts at a day’s notice," muses this aesthete. She has catered to this demand several times, including when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the IT Park in Chandigarh. Infosys and some other projects in the Park had been greened overnight due to paucity of time.

Seema remains partial to trees and plants such as bel patra, neem, peepal (which emits oxygen even during night) and the triphla trio of harad, behada and amla that reduce pollution and are eco-friendly. The pollen spread from these trees is healthy and the honey is A-class, asserts the green expert. Every project is a new test, she professes, as every client has his or her own set of demands, budget and the site, too, is different each time. "Invariably, every client comes up with the demand of ‘I want something different’. That sure is a tall order, but it keeps us on our toes," she smiles as she recalls how she made it to her sites even when she was confined to a wheelchair for a few months after a road accident some years ago.

Seema has many a design up her sleeve, but her immediate plans include vertical gardening (on walls, pillars, etc) and providing compact readymade 2x3 feet gardens to apartment dwellers.

CENTRESPREAD
Licence to thrill
As 2012 marks the 50^th year of James Bond on the silver screen, here’s a look at some of the actors who’ve created cinematic history by playing Agent 007 and their hot wheels
Mukesh Khosla

Hollywood, scriptwriter Richard Maibum once said that the legend of James Bond would go on forever. "Some characters become immortal— characters like Robin Hood, Three Musketeers, Sherlock Holmes and now, James Bond." Maibum’s prophesy has come true as 2012 marks the 50th year of James Bond on the silver screen. From Dr No in 1962 to the upcoming Skyfall in October 2012, there have been 23 Bond films and six actors have played Agent 007.

Overgrown Stuntman

Back in 1960, Sean Connery — at that time a struggling Scottish actor — was selected to play the part after producer Albert R. Broccoli saw him in a small role in the movie Darby O’Gill and the Little People. He was impressed with the way Connery handled the fight scenes. But he wasn’t sure if this man would appeal to women. So he took his wife along to see the movie and she approved.

When the film was shown to James Bond creator Ian Fleming, he was not impressed with Connery and uttered in anger, "He’s not what I envisioned of James Bond looks. I’m looking for Commander Bond and not an overgrown stunt-man!" However, Broccoli somehow convinced Fleming and Connery was signed for the Dr No.Yet, doubts persisted, not just of the choice of Connery as Bond but also whether the movie would do well. Little did the two realise that they were about to create cinematic history. Dr No took the world by a storm when it was released in 1962 and the legend of James Bond was established from the first film itself. Connery would go on to star as Bond in films like From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964) Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971) and Never Say Never Again (1983).

Though the films made him a big international star, he began tiring of the role that he thought had typecast him as a British spymaster. He wanted to break free and the hunt began for a new actor to play Agent 007.

The Second Bond

The choice fell on an Australian model George Lazenby, who was signed for the starring role in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Lazenby had come to London in 1964, the year James Bond author Ian Fleming died and Perce Brosnon—the fourth Bond-to-be—was 11-years-old. Though he had no previous experience of acting, apart from doing television commercials, Lazenby did a decent job of the role. In fact, many consider On Her Majesty’s Secret Service one of the best Bond films ever. Though he was offered a seven film deal by Eon Productions, Lazenby felt that the Bond character had outlived itself and would fade away soon. He refused to sign the contract and paved the way for Roger Moore, a misjudgment he regrets till today.

Youthful Vitality

Roger Moore was to become the longest serving Agent 007. In fact, when his 12-year-long tenure ended, he had done seven Bond films — Live and Let Die, Man With the Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, Moonraker, For Your Eyes Only, Octopussy and A View to a Kill. He was also the oldest Bond having started at 45 in 1973 and retiring at 58 in 1985.

Having been an established British television star in superhot detective series The Saint and Maverick, the Bond role came easy to Moore. Despite being oldest of the actors who had played Bond, Moore brought a lightness and youthful vitality to his performances. However, when Octopussy was released, Moore was 58. Thus started yet another search for a new Bond. This time the choice curiously fell on Timothy Dalton, a serious Shakespearean actor of note.

Brooding Bond

Expectedly, the two films that Dalton did as Bond — The Living Daylights and A Licence to Kill — were in sharp contrast to the humour-and-wit loaded Roger Moore era. This was a brooding, dour Bond who was grittier and less jokey. The witty lines were thrown out as Dalton concentrated on killing without mercy. Broccoli felt that he was closer to the Bond envisaged by author Ian Fleming.

The first Dalton-starrer The Living Daylights was a smash-hit and became the fourth most successful Bond film ever. The second one, A Licence to Kill, though critically acclaimed, did not do too well in America and was thus not as successful. Dalton was contracted to do three films but the third Goldeneye was delayed by four years and by that time, he got involved in other projects. He surprised everyone by announcing that he was no longer interested.

Suave Bond

Pierce Brosnon, the man who had played detective Remington Steele with such aplomb in the hit television series of the same name, became the fifth actor and perhaps the most suave of all earlier Bonds.

In fact, nobody was surprised when Brosnon’s choice was announced. Though names like Mel Gibson and Bruce Willis were thrown up, it was a foregone conclusion that Brosnon was a dead ringer for the role, ever since Dalton refused to do more Bond films. "He is the archetypal Bond," said Broccoli of Brosnon. "The same features, the same quirky humour, the same rugged good looks, the right credentials. In fact he is just the right man to carry on the Bond tradition." GoldenEye, Brosnon’s first film as Bond, grossed $350 million (Rs 1,750 crore) worldwide, becoming one of the most successful Bond films. He did three more — Tommorow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day. They all did good business but could not match the boxoffice collections of the GoldenEye. However, Brosnon decided to quit as he was touching 50 and did not want to risk another action-packed thriller.

Youngest Agent 007

The boards were cleared for the sixth — and the current — incarnation of Bond. Daniel Craig became the first Bond to have been born (1968) much after author Ian Fleming had died and all of his original novels had been made into movies. But when his name was announced, Bond fans protested that he was not the archetype Bond. He certainly did not have the looks to match his predecessors. Fans threatened to boycott his first film as Agent 007.

Much to the surprise of doomsayers, Casino Royale, Craig’s first film as Bond, raked in more than $600 million (Rs 3,000 crore) at the boxoffice, becoming the highest grosser of all Bond films. The 22nd Bond film Quantum of Solace was a sequel to Casino Royale and was the second most profitable.

Over the years, Craig has built a passionate following and even though he has switched from the iconic Vodka Martinis to Heineken lager, fans are awaiting Craig’s third Bond starrer Skyfall to be released in October 2012. He’ll be further immortalising the Bond saga in two more films after Skyfall. In fact, it has been an enduring love affair that generations of cinemagoers have had with the man who likes his Martini shaken, not stirred whose iconic introduction is "The name’s Bond. James Bond." And who seemingly has the licence to kiss, kill and crack dreadful jokes later.

Taking 007 for a ride! Sarah Painell WITH 2012 marking the 50^th anniversary of James Bond movies, a year-long exhibition has on display the amazing cars used by the world’s favourite secret agent. The world has watched with awe and fascination the super cars that James Bond has. From Aston Martins to Mustangs, BMWs, Rolls Royces, Lotus Espirit and more, the cars have been as much a part of the legend as the guns and the bevy of some of the most stunning women on the planet. With 2012 marking half a century of Agent 007, the National Motor Museum in Hampshire, England, is hosting a year-long exhibition of the cars used by the world’s favourite secret agent. Titled Bond in Motion, the exhibition not just has cars but also motorbikes, boats, jets, parachutes and other paraphernalia used from Dr No, the first Bond film in 1962 till The Quantum of Solace in 2008. Though there may have been six incarnations of Bond — Sean Connery (1962-1971), George Lazenby (1969), Roger Moore (1973-1985), Timothy Dalton (1987-1989), Pierce Brosnon (1995-2002) and the current Daniel Craig — their love for cars has been legendary. Many of the cars have now become iconic. Others like Sunbeam Alpine, Lotus Espirit and Deux Chevaux gained instant celebrity status. Though it is hard to say which one is the best Bond buddy, car lovers around the world feel the following 10 are the top 007 jalopies.


State of the art aerospace technology Aston Martin V12 Vanquish rose to fame after being featured as the official 007’s car in the 2002 Pierce Brosnon starrer Die Another Day. In fact, the car was introduced to James Bond (then played by Sean Connery) almost 40 years earlier in Goldfinger. This version costing around $ 260,000 (Rs 1crore, 30 lakh) was powered by a 5,935 cc engine and was a combination of the state-of-the-art aerospace technology and craftsmanship. Interestingly, the technology was mainly invisible but provided one of the best driving experiences in the world.	Aston Martin V12 Vanquish Goldfinger 1964
Bond’s ‘invisible’ car in The Living Daylights Aston Martin V8 was James Bond’s car of choice in the 1987 thriller The Living Daylights. More than a car, it was a dynamo fitted with front-firing rockets, target-seeking guns, spike-producing tyres, a passenger ejector seat and a camouflage device, which could make the car invisible to the naked eye. Not many know that in the movie, Bond drove two different versions of the V8 — the V8 Vantage Volante (convertible) and a non-Vantage V8 saloon retrofitted with the same number plate.	Aston Martin V8 The Living Daylights 1987
Ultimate gizmo car in The Spy Who Loved Me Lotus Esprit ,too, was the ultimate gizmo car. In the 1977 Bond flick The Spy Who Loved Me, it is a multi-role combat vehicle. On the road, this British car has cement dispensers to bring chasing cars to a grinding halt. It also has vertical missiles to shoot down helicopters. In a chase, it goes down in the sea along with 007. But lo and behold, as soon as it hits the water, it turns into a submarine fitted with an anti-aircraft missile. The car fetched $120,000 (Rs 60 lakh) at a recent auction.	Lotus Esprit The Spy Who Loved Me 1977
Loaned for Octopussy from the Mewar royalty Rolls Royce James Bond has a special affinity for Rolls Royce cars. These have been used in Goldfinger (Rolls Royce Phantom III, From Russia With Love (Rolls Royce Silver Wraith Phantom V), Moonraker (Rolls Royce Silver Wraith II), On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Rolls Royce Silver Cloud) and View to A Kill (Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II). The 1983 hit Octopussy filmed in Udaipur, used the Rolls Royce Phantom II 181 RY, which was loaned from the stable of the royal house of Mewar.	Rolls Royce Phantom Goldfinger 1964
Huge global hit BMW 750 iL was one of the few Bond cars made outside of England. It was assembled in America and featured in the 1997 Bond smash hit Tomorrow Never Dies. In the movie, it could be operated by a mobile that doubled up as a remote control. It had re-inflating tyres and a thief-proof security system. It was fitted with the state-of-the-art technology and had stringer missiles in its sunroof and a mechanism to discharge tear gas. Though the real car did not have these features, the 750 iL became a hit after the movie.	BMW 750 iL Tomorrow Never Dies 1997
Voted as 007’s sexiest car after Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5 gained global popularity as James Bond’s car in the 1964 blockbuster Goldfinger. Today, it is known for its vintage value and connoisseurs hanker after it for its sleek design and sturdy engine, which can give the modern cars a run for their wheels. Costing around $35,000 (Rs 17,50,000), it has been voted as the sexiest vintage car on the road. The original Aston Martin DB5 used by Sean Connery in Goldfinger was auctioned for charity in 2010 for a record $4.6 million (Rs 23 crore approx).	Aston Martin DB5 Goldfinger 1964
Instant hit after the 1967 film You Only Live Twice Toyota 2000GT became a global showstopper after it featured as Bond’s car in the 1967 superhit You Only Live Twice. The two-seat, hard-topped coupe powered by a 150-horsepower engine was an instant hit and became the automatic choice for a car fit to be owned by James Bond. Even today, the vintage beauty is a top draw at all auctions. Interestingly, two prototypes were made for the Bond film. Initially, both disappeared. However, some years later, one surfaced in Hawaii and was bought by the auto giant. It is one of the biggest attractions at its Automobile Museum in Aichi, Japan.	Toyota 2000GT You Only Live Twice 1967
First American car in Diamonds Are Forever Ford Mustang Mach-1 was the first American car used by James Bond in the 1971 Diamonds Are Forever. The car became an instant hit when Bond in a famous chase scene made good his escape by tilting it on two-wheels through a narrow alley. In the making of the film, an unskilled daredevil destroyed four Mustangs before a professional could get the scene right. It was a true Yankee petrol guzzler. Soon after the release of the movie, the oil crisis due to the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries or OPEC embargo, saw the downsizing of big cars like the Ford Mustang Mach-1.	Ford Mustang Mach-1 Diamonds Are Forever 1971
First car in the first Bond movie Dr No Sunbeam Alpine was the first car used in the first Bond film Dr No that was released in 1962. It had no gadgetry, which was later to become the hallmark of all Bond cars. It had a four-cylinder 2267 cc engine and Bond was shown negotiating the treacherous curves of a Jamaican mountain in this sporty lake-blue, two-seater, open British roadster. In a dramatic scene, Bond was shown driving it under a truck to escape Dr No’s ‘three blind mice’.	Sunbeam Alpine Dr No 1962

Bling it on
Objects of desire

GIVE ME RED
Virgin Atlantic is giving passengers a taste of the high life this summer, with the creation of a new bespoke lip product in collaboration with British cosmetic major bareMineral. The airline’s first ever lip-colour called Pretty Amazing in ‘upper class’ red shade is inspired by the cabin crew’s uniform, which will give passengers the chance to experience the jet-set glamour of high-flying stewardesses. The lip-colour will be made available to passengers for pre-order on board Virgin Atlantic flights through the in-flight guide.It will also be sold at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Spa at Heathrow, Gatwick and New York JFK before it is made more widely available. So ladies, it will take just one swipe of your credit card to create a classic and timeless look.
Price $24 (Rs 1,200)

HEARING IS BELIEVING
For a company that spent years on creating a headphone, the launch reviews must be music to the ears. Many experts have called the Sennheiser HD 800 headphones the new benchmark in listening pleasure. The headphones truly set new standards in sound quality. The audio is near to perfection and cuts out all distortions. Made of insulated Teflon, these German headphones come with fabric-coated pads that fit snugly into the ears. The new innovative transducer design ensures that the sounds are pure and warp-free, with great trebles and accurate bass reproduction. Truly, a music connoisseur’s treasure.
Price $ 1,400 (Rs 70,000)

HAVE HENK WILL TRAVEL
Real estate Dutch designer and tycoon Henk van de Meene may not have the time to travel with you but you certainly can travel with the suitcase he designed. Henk spent millions on research on how to develop the best-looking and the most efficient travel bag. Simply called Henk, it is made of carbon fibre, titanium, aluminium, wood, leather and parachute fabric. It has over 500 parts that include 22 moving parts and is thought to be the ultimate work of ‘travelling’ art. Henk is handmade in striking retro-futuristic Dutch design. It has specifically been made for the top corporate honchos, who look for style, convenience, luxury and efficiency. Henk is not just all that but a head-turner as well!
Price $ 20,000 (Rs 10 lakh)

PRICELESS
So what’s the ultimate sign that a man, or for that matter, a woman, has arrived? Flashing an exclusive credit card that separates the high-roller from the hoi poloi! Yes, the American Express Centurion is a card to ‘discredit’ all other cards. This is an invite-only card and not for everybody. If you are a big spender and blow up over $250,000 annually on any other card, only then you could stand a chance to be invited. But even that’s not guaranteed. Other criteria for getting an invite include the overall personality and class of the person, the address he keeps, the company he moves in, the car he drives and so on. Needless to say, once you are in that super exclusive club, you are in a league of your own. Get ready for incredible personalised service that will make your wildest dreams come true.
Price Initiation fee $5,000 (Rs 2.5 lakh approx) & annual fee $2,500 (Rs 1.25 lakh approx)

WHAT A WAY TO GO!
People who’ve led a life of wealth and style would like to depart with pomp as well. Helping them fulfil their final ambition is auto giant Rolls Royce. Its new coach called the Phantom Hearse B12, has been designed by Italian coachbuilder Biemme Special Cars. It is an extended version of the B12 and stretches a total of 23 feet. It was displayed at the Tan Expo Funeral and Cemetery Trade Show in Bologna, Italy in March 2012. The commercial production has already started and orders for the final journey are already pouring in from high-end funeral homes that look all set to facilitate the moneybags into their afterlife in style!
Price $6,60,000 (Rs 3.3 crore)

FAST BREAKFAST
This is a harried chef’s dream come true. The SPT 3-In-1 Breakfast Maker combines a toaster oven, a coffee maker and a non-stick frying pan. You can make a complete breakfast on this space and time-saving appliance. The coffee maker features a 4-cup pot, a warmer and a permanent filter. The dual-element toaster oven includes a baking rack and tray. The lower element heats bottom of toaster oven and upper element heats the non-stick frying pan. A timer with auto shut-off heats food to the ideal temperature. So go ahead, make your breakfast and eat it too!
Price $64 (Rs 3,200)

CHEERS TO VINTAGE CLASS
Single Malt. The name conjures up magic among whiskey lovers, many of whom are said to suffer from malt mania. Experts say that the best Single Malts come from the region of Speyside in Scotland as they have depth, elegance and complexity and often a refined smokiness. Balvenie is one such exclusive Single Malt that has a status of its own. But if you want the best of Balvenie, you’ll have to book a passage to Hong Kong. The company has launched its exclusive 1964 Balvenie Single Malt only at Hong Kong International Airport. The company is confident that once you take a sip from a bottle matured for 44 years, Hong Kong is going to become your favourite destination!
Price $14,200 per bottle (Rs 7.10 lakh)

BAG OF FORTUNE
There’s more to a Hermès bag than just a price tag. For the wearer, it spells class and elegance. Bag lovers have a new reason to cheer with the latest Hermès Passe-Guide Bag in Box, unveiled at a Spring/Summer 2012 event of the French fashion house. The classic lambskin bag has a distinct retro look to it and its simple lines make it a great wardrobe essential. The gold clasp in the centre is designed like the ring of a Roman chariot to which the reins were harnessed. So, go vintage this summer with this classic Passe-Guide Bag but don’t be fooled by its simplicity. After all, it’s a Hermès and costs a small fortune.
Price $11,700 (Rs 5.85 lakh)

WRIST OF FURY
It’s a knock-out punch from Hubolt. The celebrated Swiss watchmaker is collaborating with World Boxing Council (WBC) to craft a dozen one-of-a-kind watches, commemorating 12 of the greatest boxing legends of our time. One of the most exclusive collections ever by the company, the 18K gold watches are modelled after the iconic championship belt, awarded to WBC boxing legends. They will be auctioned in September 2012 in Las Vegas and proceeds will go to charity. The watches will honour all time greats Lennox Lewis, Julio Cesar Chavez, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Tommy Harns, Roberto Duran, Oscar de la Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Jeff Fenech, and Larry Holmes. What, no Mohammad Ali? The answer is not far to seek. Hubolt’s Swiss business rival International Watch Company recently auctioned for charity a great looking Ali watch, which sold for $60,000.
Between $50,000 and $75,000 (Between Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 3.75 lakh per watch

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
He was undoubtedly the greatest modern genius the world has ever seen. The father of the iPad and the iPhone, Steve Jobs has become a bigger style icon after his death. And one of the things most in demand is the Steve Jobs pair of round and rimless eyeglasses. Like the man himself, the eyeglasses are minimal in design and underline the principal of the genius— sobriety over indulgence. American eyewear brand Robert Marc realising the potential, has introduced the Steve Jobs trademark glasses that are fast becoming a fashion statement.
Price $495 (Rs 24,750)

Note: All prices are converted at the rate of Rs 50 a dollar

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