BRAND BUZZ: FAIRY TALES SELL CARS

Mercedes-Benz Recreates Fable for Super Bowl Ad

The Super Bowl is around the corner (this Sunday) and slowly companies are releasing their multi-million dollar ad campaigns. Thus, you have such ads like this one from Mercedes-Benz making a fresh new version to the well-known fairytale about the Tortoise and the Hare.

Now we all know the fairytale about the Tortoise and the Hare. How, even though the Hare was clearly faster, the Hare's cockiness is challenged by the humility of the Tortoise and in the end, the Hare loses. Pretty straightforward plot unless, that is, Mercedes decides to give it a “plot twist” as declared by the Tortoise.

Watch the clever recreation:

I have to say I much prefer this version of the story. 

Now the car advertised is the new Mercedes-AMG GT S, the smaller, perhaps baby version, to the awesome but sadly outgoing SLS. With a sumptuous design and a very charismatic 4-liter V8, the GT S will be sure to bring a smile to any one (be it human or tortoise) who gets in it.

I mean, look how #CertifiedCOOL this thing is:

Can’t say I’ve ever been jealous of a tortoise, but I guess there’s a first time for everything.

Well done, Mercedes-AMG. 

By: Oliver Pernt

Click here for more COOL

BRAND BUZZ : LOUIS VUITTON AND THE ICONOCLASTS

The Louis Vuitton brand and its LV monogram are among the world's most valuable of its kind. In fact, it is the world's 29th most recognized and valuable brand. It's no wonder that the brand carries instant status power for those who wear it. Perhaps that helps explain why it is one of the most counterfeited brands in the world. Ironically, the signature monogram design was actually created to prevent counterfeit. (References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Vuitton#cite_)

As a part of their 160th anniversary celebration the house of LV has launched a brilliant collection and campaign enlisting some of the world's most skilled designers including: Karl Lagerfeld, Frank Gehry, Marc Newson, Rei Kawakubo, Cindy Sherman and Christian Louboutin. The ICONOCLASTS were asked to create original interpretations utilizing the iconic Louis Vuitton monogram design. The campaign includes behind-the-scenes videos showing the designers at work and a series of photo stories of their final pieces interpreted by 6 photographers. 

The Iconoclasts

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN FOR LOUIS VUITTON 

Legendary French shoe designer that created the iconic "red bottom" concept.

KARL LAGERFELD FOR LOUIS VUITTON

German fashion designer and iconic artist

most commonly known as the head creative director of Chanel.

CINDY SHERMAN FOR LOUIS VUITTON

Cindy Sherman is an American photographer and film maker who 

is known for selling the most expensive photograph ever.

FRANK GEHRY FOR LOUIS VUITTON

Canadian-American architect known for creating some of the most

important modern architectural works of all time.

MARC NEWSON FOR LOUIS VUITTON

Legendary industrial designer 

REI KAWAKUBO FOR LOUIS VUITTON

Japanese fashion designer, founder of Comme des Garçons.

We recently spotted the collection at Bal Harbour Shoppes in Miami. Limited styles and quantities will be available throughout the world for the same price of a down-payment for a mid-sized home. If that's too rich for your blood, you can humor yourself by getting a glimpse of them (and perhaps even touch) at a local luxury department store (like Neimans, Saks or a flagship LV store) as if you were going to a museum… its worth the effort.  #CertifiedCOOL

Check out more COOL here.

SHOP THE EDIT: LOUIS VUITTON

ART BASEL : DESIGN DISTRICT LIST

Design District is serving up some major lux fashion with the newest kids on the block this year:

Louis Vuitton, Hermés (yes that's what I said), Prada, Cartier, Céline, Dior and Marni.

Also not to be missed is the famous Haitian Heritage Museum, which always has 

such a great vibe at their events and exhibitions. Another cool favorite of

ours is the Luminaire Lab which features architecture, design, interior decor, and more.

They never disappoint and somehow we always end up being there for their

surprise performance or fashion show.

 

See more COOL here.

COOL SPOTS : HOTEL HOPPING IN THAILAND

Our Adventures in Thailand feature continues with a look at our cool hotel experiences. Over the years, we've really developed a love for staying at boldly stylish hotels which Thailand has no shortage of. We only chose to stay at hotels that offered impeccable service, convenience, and remarkable design. Each of our hotel stays in Thailand offered those things in their own way.

St. Regis Bangkok

There really is "no address like the St. Regis." From the large, open and airy feeling you get when you walk through the front door, to the grand arrangement of floral artistry you encounter on your way to the check in bureau... the St. Regis Bangkok really serves up a mega dose of modern elegance. It is not too overstated, but unmistakably luxurious. The service, as you can imagine, is perfect with someone always on hand to anticipate your every need.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Elemis Spa complete with a thoughtfully designed boudoir for guests to get prepped for a day of pampering. The hot-cold muscle toning treatment involved us getting into the jacuzzi and then plunging into the cold pool that was connected to it. After getting over the initial shock, it was actually unbelievably rejuvenating. We later lounged in the floating pods of the wet area which St. Regis describes as a "fine balance of tradition and innovation."

Our most memorable dining experience would have to be the breakfast (when booking, make sure your breakfast is included here). And even more impressive was Sunday Brunch hosted by Dom Pérignon... need I say more? The food, ambiance and service really came together to create an unforgettable welcome to our stay in Thailand.

  
Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai

After spending a few days in the bustling city, it was nice to get out to the mountains and check into the lush sanctuary that is known as the Four Seasons in Chiang Mai. As we arrived to the outdoor check in area, we were greeted with beautiful jasmine garlands and freshly made juices.

Our upgraded room was spacious and it had a cool private balcony situated in a jungle-like oasis that featured a narrow creek which served as a natural soundtrack. We immediately suited up to enjoy the main pool which is an infinity-edge swimming pool that offering breathtaking views of the Mae Rim Valley across picturesque rice terraces.

Perhaps two of the most unique of the many details that made the resort so special were the floating flower designs found all over the property (reminded me of the temple patterns we saw a few days earlier) and the famous pink water buffalo (which we got to ride on).

Hotel Muse
 
"Inspired by the social and artistic milieu of fin de siècle Europe and King Rama V-era Thailand, Hotel Muse combines cosmopolitan chic with playful elegance amid a new golden age of Asia."

After spending several days luxuriating in the mountains, we returned to Bangkok for one more night before heading back to the states. This time we stayed at the boutique property, Hotel Muse. Located in a trendy, upscale soho-like neighborhood, this hotel offers a totally different experience than the others.

The design is a masterful combination of European opulence and Asian tradition punctuated with modern technology. Think Bond... James Bond. As we were being transported to our suite, we could not help but notice the illuminated button in the elevator labeled The Speakeasy. "There's a Speakeasy!?" "Yes there's a Speakeasy," the host replied. We both then replied, "Now That's COOL!"

Just when we thought things couldn't get cooler, we realized that the room was the kind that turns on and greets you as you enter. The bathroom is luxurious with a glorious venetian mirror and a claw-foot, roll-top bathtub on a black marble floor that leads into a separate rain shower. The extravagant bath tub is situated right next to a floor-to-ceiling window with a built in sound system so you can soak and peacefully watch television simultaneously. The wall baroque-inspired wall pattern compliments the dark wood floors and masculine furniture in the main room.

As we relaxed in the intimate infinity edge pool that overlooked the cityscape, we had the pleasure of meeting Alex, the super cool general manager. He was fun, full of energy and eager to make sure that our stay was everything we expected and more. The worst thing about the hotel is that eventually, we had to check out. Just when we thought we were alone in this sentiment, we met a local medical doctor who decided to stay there for 3 months just because she thought it was so cool! 


From the decor and design to the sipping and spa-ing (needed an 's' word)... The legendary Thai hospitality really lived up to the hype.

Hotel links here:
http://www.fourseasons.com/chiangmai
http://www.hotelmusebangkok.com
www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/bangkok

Stay tuned for more cool from our Thailand adventure.