http://www.aspireluxurymag.com/

Aspire Luxury Magazine, Lagos (2024)

01/01/2024

Thank you for sticking with us throughout 2023. Here's to a more rewarding 2024!

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas from all of us at ASPIRE!

14/12/2023

Dior is hoping your answer will be a resounding ‘yes’

Recently, the luxury fashion brand launched a new line of baby skincare dubbed ‘Baby Dior’.
Per the brand, the collection, which consists of the Bonne Étoile scented water ($230/bottle); Le Lait Très Tendre face and body moisturiser ($115/bottle); La Mouse Très Fondate face, hair and body cleansing foam ($95/bottle), and, L’eau Très Fraîche cleaning water ($95/bottle) is ‘a complete skincare line for little ones.’

While the reviews are pending, in the end, we guess if the products are effective at doing what they say they'll do, the definitive answer would be, ‘why not?’

12/12/2023

This tea set is so pretty, we’re completely at a loss for words to describe it!

Designed by Daniel Arsham in collaboration with Oscar Wang, the ‘Dong Xi’ tea set includes teacups, pot holders, tea canisters, towels, and other relevant accessories for tea tasting.

The ‘Green Clay’ series is a 100-piece limited-edition exclusive to members of Arsham’s Archive Edition, while the ‘Blue Print’ set can be purchased via Archive Edition’s official mini program.

08/12/2023

Wait.

You did not know timepieces have their own Oscars?

Well then, time for a bit of history.

Although the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (aka the Oscar of watches) was officially created in 2001, this year’s award ceremony is its 23rd edition. Per its website, the major goal of the awards is to ‘... salute the excellence of worldwide horological production and annually reward the finest creations and the most important operators in the watchmaking sector.’

This year, the winner of its highest prize, the Aiguille d’Or, went to Audemars Piguet code 11:59 Ultra-Complication Universelle. Other notable awards include

Ladies complication - Dior Montre Grand Soir Automate Etoile de Monsieur Dior

Men’s complication - Vuotilainen World Timer

Sports watch - Tudor Pelagos 39

Petite Aiguille (for timepieces costing between CHF4000-CHF10000) - Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto

Jewellery watch: Bulgari Serpenti Cleopatra (who’s surprised? Definitely not us!)

PS: if you’re wondering why industry greats like Rolex and Patek Philippe did not make the list, the answer is quite simple: they did not participate in this year’s awards.☹️

07/12/2023

Plenty apparently, which was made evident in this second instalment of the NBA Meets Art initiative.

Discover more: read up on our exclusive interview with Gbemi Abudu, Vice President, NBA Africa, and Dennis Osadebe, the mixed media artist behind the figurines. Link’s below

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/nba-meets-art-at-art-x-2023-to-influence-beyond-the-court/

05/12/2023

Does anything ever do just one thing these days?

To be fair, even the humble timepieces stopped telling just the time in the 1600s. So maybe it is not surprising that speakers no longer just amplify sounds.

But beyond being even more complicated these days, a new trend has taken its place in the audio world. Curious to find out what it is? Click on the link below now

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/these-audio-systems-deliver-premium-sounds-while-disguising-as-accent-furniture/

09/11/2023

If you’ve gone on one safari, it can seem like you’ve gone on all safaris, probably because they are mostly location-specific and involve almost the same kinds of animals.

Safari companies know this, and some are trying to woo old and new visitors with fresh, unique experiences. Head over to the link below to find out what new experiences they are promising.

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/going-on-a-safari-here-are-some-new-experiences-to-check-out-this-season/

08/11/2023

What does it feel like to have your own personal doctor and specialist on speed dial?

Click on the link below to catch up on our interview with Dr Chichi Menakaya, CEO of Annomo Health, a UK-based global health concierge company with an impressive clientele.

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/aspire-ceo-dr-chichi-menakaya-of-annomo-health-dissects-concierge-medicine/

07/11/2023

You don’t have to love Bugatti to be totally crazy about its latest eyewear collection designed in collaboration with Larry Sands.

Per Bugatti, not only does each design include an unmistakable feature from the brand, but they were also crafted with some of the finest materials like 925 sterling silver, carbon fibre, macassar ebony with mother of pearl inlays, grade 5 titanium, 18K gold and black palladium accents.

If you want to look uber stylish — and of course a little like a Bugatti — then you should absolutely check out all the 16 styles in the Bugatti Eyewear Collection Two if you haven’t done so already.

06/11/2023

Before you say, ‘Not me, surely’, you may want to head over to the link below to find out what we mean!

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/digital-passports-the-future-of-luxury-goods/

03/11/2023

Former NBA all-star Joakim Noah was in Lagos recently to launch Hennessy’s In The Paint initiative. We sat down with him before the event to reflect on his current career as a mentor and philanthropist, as well as why his current project with Hennessey is important.

Read up on our conversation via the link below

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/in-conversation-with-joakim-noah-former-nba-all-star-and-global-ambassador-hennessy-in-the-paint/

02/11/2023

Adventurous enough to go on a trip whose details you know nothing about?

Mystery trips are not a novel idea, but travel companies like , Pack Up and Go, and, Surprise Me Trips have built their entire business around the concept with the hope that daring vacationers’ insatiable desire for something different would make this niche more commonplace.

The process is quite simple: interested travellers communicate their preferences to the travel company and leave it to them to not only take care of all the details, including flights and accommodation, but also, the most important aspect of any vacation: the destination.

Those who’ve tried it say it is perhaps one of the most daring and interesting experience of their lives.

Have you ever gone on a mystery trip? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments!

01/11/2023

Can you take a guess?

Head over to the link below to find out if you were correct!

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/trend-alert-luxury-property-owners-turn-to-custom-designed-play-areas-for-their-younger-residents/

31/10/2023

Cleo Anderson is the brain behind the vacation locations in the annual 'Everyone Wins' gift bags for the top 25 Oscar nominees. She is also the host of Luxe TV’s Wanderlust with Cleo Anderson. So, if there’s anyone you want to take luxury travel advice from, it’s probably her.

We recently got to speak to her about her favourite vacation spot, as well as all things luxury travel. Click on the link below for a peek into the mind of luxe travel expert!

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/in-conversation-with-cleo-anderson-travel-expert-and-founder-anderson-media-group/

30/10/2023

The reception Swatch’s latest luxury timepiece collaboration has received is further proof that a new kind of timepiece collector has arrived.

Want to discover what we mean? Visit the link below now

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/the-swatch-and-blancpain-bioceramic-scuba-fifty-fathoms-have-birthed-a-new-kind-of-timepiece-collector/

14/09/2023

Audemars Piguet has a new collaboration out. This time, it is with Givenchy’s creative director and founder of streetwear label 1017 ALYX 9SM, Matthew Williams.

This isn’t Williams’ first time working on an Audemars Piguet: back in 2019, he teamed up with MAD Paris to customise a Royal Oak. Now, he has officially been invited by the Swiss brand and the result is 5 brutally minimalist pieces: two pared-back Royal Oaks in yellow gold devoid of their hour markers and date aperture; two equally pared-back Royal Oak Offshores in yellow and white gold devoid of their chronograph counters but retaining their hands and date aperture, and, one unique, two-toned Royal Oak Chronograph in yellow gold and stainless steel that was auctioned off for charity on the day the timepieces launched.

What do you think? Very creative or hell no!?

12/09/2023

Seen a gorgeous Chanel classic flap you must absolutely get your hands on?

Be careful: it just may be something else being paraded as the real thing. But what exactly is it? Click on the link below to find out.

12/09/2023

Seen a gorgeous Chanel classic flap you must absolutely get your hands on?

Be careful: it just may be something else being paraded as the real thing. But what exactly is it? Click on the link below to find out.

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/the-superfake-luxury-industry-is-evolving-and-booming/

11/09/2023

While there is no universally accepted method collectors follow when building and growing their timepiece collection, below are some factors that influence collectors..

- The timelessness of the piece
- The movement powering the piece
- The story behind its creation/the brand’s story and what it stands for
- The emotion it sparks on and off the wrists
- The quality of materials used in making the piece

Based on these, it is easy to see how the Lebond Siza can be a seasoned collector’s treasured timepiece. This square timepiece, flipped into a diamond shape was designed by renowned architect Alvaro Siza for Lebond, a new brand that “collaborates with prestigious architects to design special timepieces inspired by their architecture ... for watches and architecture enthusiasts.”

Lebond Siza is a grade 5 titanium timepiece with a 41.5mm case attached to an 18mm wide black rubber strap. It comes in two distinct colourways: a black and light beige design and an all-black edition that incorporates the light beige in the numerals and distinct dial hands.

08/09/2023

Let us know in the comments, and click on the link below to find out about commercial airlines that have created a tradition of giving out quirky gifts to their premium passengers!

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/here-are-some-unusual-souvenirs-from-airlines-first-class-cabins-do-you-own-one/

07/09/2023

And just about every other part of the world.

Find out more. Click on the link below

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/here-is-what-to-do-to-protect-yourself-against-luxury-watch-theft-and-counterfeits/

06/09/2023

Interest in art seems to be waning all over the world, with prices of even popular pieces failing to reach expected estimates.

Is this a good time to invest in art? Click on the link below to find out what we think

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/the-christies-vs-sothebys-race-to-the-emily-fisher-landau-collection-should-you-invest-in-art/

05/09/2023

You’ve probably seen the Rolls Royce Droptails that have, well, dropped so far – La Rose Noire and the Amethyst. And, while they’re both undeniably beautiful works of art that incorporate some of the finer aspects of auto engineering, there is one singular detail so far that further bestows on them the title of ‘truly unique.’

Both Droptails have detachable timepieces in place of fixed dashboard clocks. Of course, this is not the first time a car has been decked out with a watch from a horology brand – while the Breitling-Bentley partnership lasted, this was a common feature in Bentleys.

However, this is the first time that the timepiece would be completely detachable, and can be worn/carried by the user anywhere.

La Rose Noire sports an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Split-Seconds Chronograph GMT Large Date while the Amethyst is decked with a one-of-one Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon from Vacheron Constantin that blends seamlessly with its interior.

Both timepieces are attached to a decorative baseplate that takes their place when they are detached.

With just 2 Droptails left, we can only wonder what the next timepiece would be. A Rolex? A Cartier? A Patek Philippe? We will definitely be watching..

27/07/2023

According to CEO Stephen Winkelmann, not only will their high-performing SUV switch to a hybrid model by late 2024, but the Urus is also set to become an EV by the end of the decade.

This is not necessarily due to demand as it is a result of the Euro 6 standard, the latest emission law that makes it incredibly expensive to fit an auto with a large combustion engine that meets its emission requirements. Euro 7 is set to come into law in mid-2025, and by then, it may be almost impossible to have a cost-effective internal combustion engine.

So, if you desire a petrol-fuelled Urus? The time to get it is now.

25/07/2023

Luxury auto-inspired yachts are common, but, fully-electric auto-yachts? Not so much

Porsche has teamed up with Frauscher Shipyard to change this. Click on the link below to discover the Fraushcer x Porsche 850 Fantom Air.

https://www.aspireluxurymag.com/frauscher-joins-forces-with-porsche-shipyard-to-power-the-all-electric-850-fantom-air-yacht/

20/07/2023

Only last year, NFTs seemed set to take over the world. However, as the value of cryptocurrencies started to decline, the value and use of NFTs seemed to go down with it.

For Louis Vuitton, however, NFTs are still very much useful, and just may be the future of exclusive luxury.

Proof of this can be seen in the recent launch of its Treasure Trunks, a limited $42,000 phygital asset that bequeaths on its holders special, exclusive benefits, including instant access to its insider-only VIA community, access to new, unseen and limited products, and, privileged experiences.

What is the future of NFTs? Time would tell, but for now, the signs according to Louis Vuitton appear to be pointing to an exclusive asset for the uber-rich.