Expensive Bracelet at Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s saw off the most expensive item ever to be hammered away at an auction – the historical bracelet from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor jewel collection. It is a beautiful diamond panther that belonged to Wallis Simpson, the romantic reason behind Edward VIII’s abdication.The panther bracelet broke auction records with its sale at £4,500,000 ($7million). It is also a new record for a Cartier jewel to be auctioned off. The total Windsor 20-piece collection went for £7,975,550 (around $12,5 million).

Prada To Launch Its Retail In Spain's Largest Department Store

Prada is to launch its retail in Spain’s largest department store, with the rollout of a 645-square foot shop-in-shop in the store on Barcelona’s luxury heavy Avenida Diagonal.

The new location, which is designed by Roberto Baciocchi, features wall coverings in Prada’s signature pastel green and a graphic black-and-white checkered floor edged in marble. The store will carry women’s handbags, accessories and travel goods.

“We decided to expand Prada’s retail network in Spain based on strong sales for 2009 and 2010 in our Madrid flagship stores,” said Sebastian Suhl, chief operating officer of Prada in Milan.

Additional accessories shop-in-shops for Prada and Miu Miu are planned for El Corte Inglés’ Madrid flagship on Paseo de la Castellana by early 2011, Suhl confirmed.

Avril Lavigne Steps Into Fashion With Her Abbey Dawn Line

The music sensation, Avril Lavigne, who launched her juniors line ‘Abbey Dawn’ exclusively at Kohl’s two years back, is expanding her brand by introducing rock-inspired tops for men and women directly to customers on the web and in boutiques worldwide.

Kohl’s was a great way to start my line and a great home for it for two-and-a-half years” said Lavigne adding, “The thing with me is…I really want my clothes to be available internationally.”

Abbey Dawn, which is basically a nickname Lavigne’s father gave her when she was young, is all about Lavigne’s personal rock style.

“I’m designing it for me, really,” Lavigne said. “I learned a lot about myself with designing the stuff. I was really excited about [for Kohl’s] did well. It gave me the confidence; you don’t have to be perfect. It’s about having fun. It’s a lot of fun. It’s another way to be creative. It’s all the same. It comes from me.”

The line Abbey Dawn will include men’s section, which will cover basics including t-shirts, hoodies and caps in a dark palette of grey, black, white and red, which is Lavigne’s favorite hue for men.

“I think about my brother [Matt] and I think about my band,” Lavigne said. “It’s for the guy who’s into brands like Metal Mulisha — just edgier.”

Other than that Abbey Dawn will include women’s fashion such as high heels plastered in skull print, studded handbags lined in zebra print and dresses inspired by pin-up girls. The full line will make its debut next June at the Bread & Butter trade show in Berlin. Retail prices will range from $20 to $40 for loungewear and active wear; $20 to $60 for wallets and handbags; $25 to $60 for dresses, skirts and pants; $30 to $50 for bikini sets; $30 to $80 for sneakers, platform heels and wedges, and $40 to $70 for denim. Anderson hopes to land Abbey Dawn in major department stores.

While talking about the theme of her fashion collection Lavigne said, “The inspiration for my line comes from my personal style; I’m not a huge fan of floral. I like stripes and plaid and polka dots and allover prints of skulls.”

Abbey Dawn is bold and colorful, it’s for that girl who has an edge and has fun expressing her through fashion,” Lavigne added.

Angelina Jolie To Collaborate On A Jewelry Line

Along with acting, directing, being a mother and U.N goodwill ambassador, Angelina Jolie is collaborating on a line of jewelry.

‘The Tourist’ actress has teamed up with Robert Procop, the former chief executive of Asprey, who now makes bespoke pieces under the name Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels, to create a collection of jewelry with statement stones.

The due began their collaboration last year and Procop has been designing jewelry for Jolie for the past decade. The actress also wore on of his jewelry pieces, a faceted black spinal necklace bezel set in rose gold to the premier of her film ‘Salt’ in Berlin last summer. Besides Jolie also wears Procop designed pieces in her new movie ‘The Tourist’ including a vintage diamond choker and a pair of yellow sapphire, rectangular cushion cut earrings.

“Angelina has very classic style,” said Procop adding, “These are pieces she wears herself.”

The jewelry collection includes pebble-size, pale green 353-carat beryl pendant, in a rose gold setting and worn on a chain of cushion shape beryl stones, and a graphic, tablet-shape 12.02-carat vivid green emerald ring set in rose gold.

The pieces from this collection will not be sold in stores but will be sold privately through Procop’s network of clients with all the proceeds from the collaborative designs going towards Angelina’s charity, the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict. Each piece will be priced individually.

Phoebe Philo wins 'Designer of the Year' Award at British Fashion Awards

Pheobe Philo, the creative director of Celine, won the ‘Designer of the Year’ Award at British Fashion Awards organized by British Fashion Council on Tuesday night.

Other nominees for this category included Christopher Kane and Erdem Moralioglu. Other winners were Mulberry for Designer Brand; Nicholas Kirk-wood for Accessory Designer; Patrick Grant of E. Tautz for Men’s Wear Designer, and Meadham Kirchhoff for Emerging Talent, Ready-to-Wear.

Husam El Odeh won for Emerging Talent, Accessories, while Nicola Formichetti won the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator. Lee Alexander McQueen was posthumously honored with the award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design.

In addition to that, there were two new awards this year: Naomi Campbell won the Special Recognition Award for her 25-year career, and Burberry walked off with the Digital Innovation Award.

And finally ‘Model of the Year’ award was grabbed by Lara Stone, who said, “I’m hoping it would finally give me some public recognition.”

Fashion House Gucci Opens a Museum

The Italian fashion house Gucci continues to introduce many buyers with its more than rich history. Not so long ago, Gucci experts showed old techniques of making accessories by hand in the biggest fashion capitals of the world, a museum, which Gucci plans to open in Florence will be the place to assess vintage home accessories next year.The main exposition of the museum will be an impressive collection of Gucci vintage accessories repurchased by the company from collectors through a service launched in cooperation with auction house Christie’s. The service launched earlier this year will enable owners of Gucci accessories receive expert assessment of auction value of models sometimes transmitted from generation to generation.

Steve Madden Lookbook for Fall-Winter 2010-2011

The hottest season for fashionistas and clubbers is coming. Are the forecasts surreal? The Lookbook from Steve Madden for this fall-winter 2010-2011 season definitely confirms those forecasts.

Steve Madden’s friends are busy 24/7. On a cold November morning, the stylish high leather boots on heels proudly walk along the granite paving of the quay. The suede ankle boots with cuffs also perfectly fit this urban scene.

The hottest trends this fall include: wide calves, gaiters, and strong heels. Velour textured suede and leather will keep your feet warm. At the same time, the colors of untreated wood and charcoal, chocolate, and latte will provide inspiration and optimism.

Steve Madden lets ladies choose whether they want to be romantic or daring. As for young men, they can choose between the image of experienced style-lovers or tough guys.