As much as celebrities make good copy here at Luxist, I confess some days I'm plumb celebbed-out from their overexposure on TV and in print. But I really couldn't stop myself from sharing the fact that Gwyneth Paltrow thinks she knows best, and wants to share it all with you real soon on her unfortunately-named website, GOOP. Not much to offer yet, but the home page urges readers to "nourish the inner aspect." And then you can select a category to explore further: make, go, get, do, be, or see. These all go to the same place, Paltrow's mission statement. If you sign up for the GOOP newsletter, Paltrow will send you some tips as well as an alert when the site officially opens. Too bad she won't be sending Coldplay tickets ... (BTW, if you're not a Paltrow fan, you can join in the making fun of her site here.)Posts with tag celebrity
Gwyneth Paltrow To Launch Lifestyle Advice Site
As much as celebrities make good copy here at Luxist, I confess some days I'm plumb celebbed-out from their overexposure on TV and in print. But I really couldn't stop myself from sharing the fact that Gwyneth Paltrow thinks she knows best, and wants to share it all with you real soon on her unfortunately-named website, GOOP. Not much to offer yet, but the home page urges readers to "nourish the inner aspect." And then you can select a category to explore further: make, go, get, do, be, or see. These all go to the same place, Paltrow's mission statement. If you sign up for the GOOP newsletter, Paltrow will send you some tips as well as an alert when the site officially opens. Too bad she won't be sending Coldplay tickets ... (BTW, if you're not a Paltrow fan, you can join in the making fun of her site here.)Dr. Dre Set To Market Vodka, Cognac
About six months ago Deidre noted that Dr. Dre announced a new beverage venture. And just a few days ago the official announcement was made that it's come to fruition. Dr. Dre's cognac and vodka brands will hit liquor stores in the next 60 days, according to celebrity liquor marketer Drinks America Holdings Ltd. The products are the fruits of a joint venture between Wilton, Conn.-based Drinks America and Dr. Dre's Interscope Geffen A&M Records label. The marketing for the beverages will be tied in with the release of Dr. Dre's long-awaited "Detox" album. In late July, Dr. Dre told USA Today that the album would be out in "November or December." Aftermath Congac will come out first, followed by an 80-proof flavored and unflavored sparkling vodka.[Via The Washington Post via Reuters/Billboard]
Gallery: Celebrity Liquor
Celebrities Who Own Private Islands
While reading my morning guilty-pleasure blog, Celebritology, I came across a post that referred readers to All Property Management, which recently listed, in its blog section, a number of celebs who own islands, along with a few details about each island. With the way the press hounds celebs, no wonder they want to get away from it all. According to the post, private islands really cost (um, we knew that), with the owner buying the land, supplying their own water and electricity, creating a waste disposal system and building a dock or an airstrip. Also, don't forget security -- if you're off filming or do-gooding or having twins in France, you can't leave the island unattended.
Here's the list of celebs the post cited as island-owners: John Lennon, Marlon Brando, Mel Gibson, Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Gene Hackman, Robin Williams, Tony Curtis, Richard Branson, David Copperfield, Leonardo DiCaprio and Athena Onassis. See the gallery for a few of these retreat spots.
Gallery: Celebrity Private Islands
Celebrity Lamp
It's amazing how something so common and simple like a classic pair of aviator style sunglasses can be the inspiration for a gaudy (but still strangely attractive) lamp called the Celebrity Lamp. Named after the many celebrities who are more often than not spotted in public wearing their favorite shades, this lamp is made up of 40 pairs of mirrored aviator glasses resting on a shiny linear stand with a temple light switch. It's a shiny silver sculpture during daylight and becomes a kaleidoscope of color and light when turned on at night. Like I said, gaudy but strangely attractive... $1,600.
Via Dvice
Gallery: Celebrity Lamp
Bruce Wayne Goes Armani
Bruce Wayne is getting classed up in more ways than one this year, first with a Lamborghini to drive and now with Armani to wear in the latest Batman installment due out this summer: The Dark Knight. Armani's tailored, classic, understated style certainly fits the Bruce Wayne character both in personality and lifestyle, and I for one can't wait to see Christian Bale showing off his new designer duds in the movie. On dressing a superhereo Armani says it's "fitting that I should be dressing a superhero this year, as I am pleased to have chaired the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition, Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy, last May,"Sharon Stone Dropped by Dior
Despite her recent public apology Sharon Stone's comments about her belief that the earthquake in China is possibly linked to "bad karma" haven't finished causing her embarrassment yet. Now she's losing her advertising gig with Dior over the incident as they've issued their own apology for Sharon's comments and are pulling her from their suddenly very unpopular Chinese advertising campaigns. It's amazing how fast things can change, considering Sharon was previously fairly well-received in China and is now considered by them to be "the public enemy of all mankind." That's never good.
Lana Fertelmeister Jewelry
With categories like "I want to be adorned," "I want to be loved," "I want to be envied," and "I want to be worshipped" to choose from it seems jewelry designer Lana Fertelmeister has a real knack for recognizing the many moods of women. Comprised of various tones of gold with hints of diamonds glittering from here and there, Lana Unlimited Jewelry is a small enterprise based in Chicago that has been spotted on big name celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, and Sandra Bullock. It doesn't sound like it will be small for long, though, based on both popularity and Lana's big dreams for expansion into accessories, clothing, and a whole enterprise she might someday refer to as "The House of Lana."
Via BusinessWeek
Gallery: Lana Unlimited Jewelry
Uma Thurman Sues Lancome
It's safe to say Uma Thurman won't be wearing Lancome any time soon. The actress has filed a $15 million lawsuit against the French cosmetics company saying that they continued use her face in their ads after her contract expired. The licensing agreement to use Thurman's image ended in 2004 but the suit says that the brand has continued to use her face to sell products around the world for the past four years. Lancome has filed their own suit saying that it did not violate the contract and does not owe her money. A spokesperson for L'Oreal, the owner of Lancome, said that the use of her image after the contract expired was not deliberate or intentional.This isn't the first time we've seen celebrity endorsement gone wrong. Last year, watch company Raymond Weil sued Charlize Theron after she wore a Dior watch to an event while under an exclusive endorsement agreement with Weil.
Naomi Campbell Banned From British Airways
Well folks, she's at it again. 37 yr old supermodel Naomi Campbell was arrested at the airport last week in London and has been banned from ever again flying British Airways. Apparently she became aggressive and abusive with some of the airline staff and eventually ended up assaulting a police officer -- all before the plane had even taken off. What could have possibly been so wrong as to warrant all that anger? Was somebody sitting in her window seat? British Airlines wouldn't comment on the specific incident, but they did say that they take all incidents of violence and disruptive behavior "very seriously" and that "it will not be tolerated."
She needs serious help, seriously.
How the Rich Spend Their Money
Having a million dollars isn't what it used to be. In fact, having a million dollars in the bank in today's world only equates to being a "middle-class millionaire." To be truly rich you'll have to clear somewhere around $10 million in the bank, and to be considered "crazy wealthy" those stacks of dough will need to add up to more than $30 million. That is a lot of money.
So what to the rich and the crazy-wealthy of the world do with all that cash? Of course they all have their quirks, but some things are pretty consistent: lavish home improvements (think private massage rooms and relaxing zen gardens), one-of-a-kind jewels and jewelry, obnoxiously fast and expensive vehicles, fashion fashion fashion, lots of traveling to exotic locations, and of course all kinds of conveniences and amenities like concierge services and fine dining.
If you had unlimited funds what would you most look forward to spending it on?
Nicole Richie Working On A Jewelry Line
Nicole Richie may be a new mom to little Harlow Winter but she isn't slowing down when it comes to new business ventures. Her newest endeavor is launching her own line of costume jewelry. She's working with an artist named Shelley Gibbs and jewelry maker Mouawad (the same company that produces Heidi Klum's jewelry line) and seems really happy with how easy the process has been and how flexible everyone has been in working with her new parental responsibilities. Richie isn't stopping at jewelry, either. Stay tuned for her new fragrance and children's clothing line coming out soon too.
Bruce Willis To Open A Wine Bar
The latest celebrity to open a restaurant is Bruce Willis. Willis, who was a bartender before he rose to fame, was also part of the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain. His new project is a partnership in Bowery Wine Co., a wine bar opening in the East Village area of New York City. The NY Post quotes owner Chris Sileo as saying that the new venue is upscale and loungy and will serve paninis, salads and desserts. Many celebrities have gone into the restaurant business, some with limited success (remember Britney Spears's brief turn as restaurateur?). Many more however have added to their wealth by being a partner in a restaurant group or one restaurant. Check out the gallery below for a list of some of the successful celebs in the restaurant business.
Gallery: Celebrity Restaurants
Buy Scott Storch's Yacht on eBay
Whenever a celebrity tries to sell something expensive on eBay there's always speculation as to motives, but here's a case where it's pretty obvious what the deal is: music producer Scott Storch is short on cash. He's selling his yacht, called "Tiffany," on eBay for well under its $20 million value (per Rolling Stone magazine) because apparently he can't afford to keep it anymore. As of right now it's going for just under $1,000,000. What a deal.
I'm no eBaying expert but I'm not sure it's such a great sales technique to display in big bold letters "THE BOAT IS BEING SOLD UNDER DISTRESS ,OWNER BOUGHT HER AND NOW GOT SHORT ON MONEY." Seems more than a little on the tacky side, and hardly inspires the celebrity "cool" factor that might help it sell for more.
UPDATE: Bidding has ended at $1,000,101, that's a fair amount of cash but not enough to meet the reserve, looks like Storch is going to have to try again.
Gallery: Scott Storch's Yacht: Tiffany
Celebrity Wine Projects Are Popular With Wine Drinkers
Celebrity wine projects are extremely common these days and range from a celebrity simply lending their name or face to a project, to celebs who get hands on with the wine and are involved in the winemaking process. A new report from Neilsen reports that the celebrity projects are as Wine Spirits Daily terms it "the new hotness," replacing brands with animals on their labels as the wines that are most appealing to consumers. Celebrity wines are up nearly 19% in grocery store sales since last year. They are less than one percent of total wine but that adds up to $41.8 million. Consumers seems to be willing to pay more for the celeb wines, an average of $8.50 versus $5.75 per bottle of regular table wine (celeb wines are generally in th $12 to $15 range). As you might guess, the West Coast is more interested in celebrity brands; Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego all had above average sales.
Gallery: Celebrity Wine Projects
Giorgio Armani To Design For Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys is getting ready for her upcoming As I Am world tour, and among other things I'm sure she has been trying to decide what to wear. That decision is a lot easier now, though, as Giorgio Armani has designed an entire bespoke wardrobe just for the singer. She'll wear looks tailored for her but inspired by 3 different looks from Armani's collections, including a crocodile-embossed leather vest accented with Swarovski crystal buckles, Armani's new lacquered Alicia jeans, a sequined tunic with crystal-beaded fringing, and a tiered silk taffeta top with more Swarovski crystals. She's gonna look great.
