I discovered this interesting video of Robert Chavez, CEO of Hermès USA, discussing how Hermès will survive the recession. Found on luxaddict blog here.

Please enjoy this amazing video of the inspiring new Revson Fountain at Lincoln Center, NYC.

Swiss watch company Swatch will launch their ultimate Chrono Automatic Collection on October 15th with 5 new styles. These Luxury Sport designs will feature a new self-winding movement with the much sought after Chronograph complication. True to the Swatch brand these movements will be housed in the classic Diaphane plastic case. Faces have brushed stainless steel accents and bands are stainless steel, black or white rubber, or black crocodile embossed leather. Prices will range from $480-490 USD.

The Swatch Group includes some of the world's most respected watch brands: Breguet, Blancpain, Glasshütte Original, and Omega.

From the press release:

WHY is the result of the joint-venture signed in June 2008 between Hermès and Wally, to develop a new type of motor yacht redefining the art of living on the sea. The iconic Parisian house and the iconic Monaco yacht brand formed an equal partnership whereby each company is fully involved in all aspects of the conception and design of each project. Pierre-Alexis Dumas, Artistic Director of Hermès says : “When we met, in autumn 2007, Luca Bassani Antivari, President of Wally had thought about asking Hermès to accessorise the interior of one of his boats. I was impressed by the daring of his projects. My instinct was to get on board with him and go and seek out new territories in yacht design, but I had no interest in speed.” Luca Bassani Antivari explains: “What I’ve always liked about Hermès, aside from its intrinsic quality, is its audacity and radicalism; its desire to go beyond trends, to make no compromises and to maintain the authenticity of the house. Wally shares the same values, ‘Hermès-on-Land’, ‘Wally-on-Sea’: inevitably our paths had to cross.”

The common values of the two brands have led to a first yacht that offers an unparalleled living space at sea. WHY was developed to give life to this concept assembling a team of dedicated talents in design, engineering, and naval architecture. Then the tried and tested Norwegian Ramform hull characterised by exceptional and unprecedented stability and volume and spottedby Luca Bassani Antivari, revealed itself as the ideal choice to be adapted to the WHY 58x38 project. Following this unique adaptation, the decks and the interiors were developed in accordance with the fundamental credo of WHY, 'form-equals-function'. Thus were born other innovations in the world of mega yachts: patios generously flooding the interior with natural light, photovoltaic panels on the glass hull sides, as well as on the roof opening, like Venetian blinds, a 25 metre-long forward end swimming pool, and a 36-metre aftdeck beach. WHY 58x38 offers comfort, privacy, stability, space, independence and sustainability.

More incredible renderings, a video tour and the full story here.

WSJ. REPORTS “CONSUMER IS KING” AS LUXURY GOODS HOUSES

RETHINK THEIR STRATEGY IN ORDER TO SURVIVE

Fall Issue of WSJ. to Hit Newsstands on Sept. 12 in U.S. and Sept. 11 in Europe and Asia

NEW YORK (Sept. 10, 2009)—“The consumer is king” and will benefit from the global economic recession as luxury houses rethink their business strategy writes, Tina Gaudoin, editor-in-chief of WSJ., The Wall Street Journal’s glossy magazine, which is set to hit newsstands in the U.S. on Sept. 12 and Sept. 11 in Europe and Asia.

“Luxury-goods houses will have to rethink the way they appeal to us, the consumers, in order to survive…which ultimately means greater value, superior products and a better deal,” writes Ms. Gaudoin in her cover story, “Changed State of Luxury.” The magazine explores the recalibration of luxury focusing on diamonds, luxury cars, top-end real estate, accessories and travel. “Luxury is still a big business – $175 billion big – and all of us have contemplated abstinence in the past year, at least where purchasing is concerned,” she added.

WSJ. explores a new movement in design and fashion also born, at least in part, out of the economic downturn. Rough Luxe, the idea of juxtaposing the functional everyday against the brilliance of the new and modern, made itself known on the runways this year. “Interior designers have been working Rough Luxe in its various forms for at least the last five years,” said Ms. Gaudoin, “but the fact that it crossed over into fashion means it’s more than a passing trend."

My personal favorite quote from WSJ: "Whether it's a red Ferrari or a Prada bag, we are impressed, for better or worse, by people who wear these products," says Milton Pedraza, president of the Luxury Institute in New York. "They have become symbols of meeting someone of your own tribe."

WSJ Magazine Luxury Accessories full article here and WSJ Magazine website here.

Scott Schuman, The Sartorialist, the prototypical fashion blogger, is interviewed by Carolyn Murnick of The Daily Intel at New York Magazine. A favorite excerpt:

How has the Wall Street crash affected you?
I think it's helped in a small way; people come to my site to find inspiration and ways to reinterpret the clothing they already have.

Full interview here.

Stefano Tonchi, Editor of T Magazine, The New York Times Style Magazine in his Editor's Note:

"A few weeks ago, sitting with Miuccia Prada and talking about the last golden years of fashion and the present financial crisis, I asked her if she thought people would change their attitude and not spend on fashion. Her answer was short and precise: we will always buy clothes because they let us live our dreams."