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TIFFANY & CO.'S PATEK PHILLIPE RAKES IN $6M AT AUCTION, OVER 100x RETAIL

Of all the big pushes that Alexandre Arnault has headed since he began directing Tiffany & Co., its special "Tiffany Blue" Nautilus created for Patek Philippe's 170th anniversary could be its coolest ever — or at least its second priciest. To celebrate the big birthday, 170 editions of Patek Philippe's popular Nautilus Ref. 5711 will be available for purchase, sporting Tiffany's signature blue hue on the watch's face, accompanied by subtle Tiffany & Co. branding. But that's not all: according to Thierry Stern, Patek Phillipe's president, "there is a secret on every piece" that won't be revealed until each timepiece is purchased. “This was my little gift to say congratulations on buying Tiffany,” Stern said in an interview with CNBC, referring to Tiffany & Co. being purchased by LVMH last year. Though LVMH has previously expressed interest in purchasing Patek Phillipe to add to its arsenal of timepiece brands, which currently includes Tag Heuer, Zenith, and Hublot, Stern still asserts that the Swiss watchmaker will remain independent. For those looking to get their hands on the exclusive timepiece, good luck! The "Tiffany Blue" Nautilus did release on December 11 for $52,635 apiece but only VIP clients and other deep-pocketed buyers will ever have a shot at it. However, one of the ultra-rare watches did hit the auction block courtesy of Phillips, granting the public a rare opportunity to try their luck at snagging the timepiece. The unique opp piqued the attention of three very wealthy bidders, who sent the "Tiffany Blue" Nautilus' gavel price skyrocketing to over 100 times that of retail, eventually landing on a gavel price of $5,350,000 with an all-in cost of $6.5 million. If it makes you feel any better, all of the auction's proceeds benefit The Nature Conservancy, so it's all for a good cause. Over the past year, Tiffany & Co. has collaborated with Supreme and Daniel Arsham while tapping new ambassadors Beyoncé and Jay-Z, who made waves by appearing in their debut campaign imagery alongside a rare Tiffany-toned Basquiat.

BBC ICECREAM WINTER'21

Today, BBC ICECREAM launched its Winter 2021 collection that is sure to liven the cold season. Full of patterns and vibrant colors, the collection features a range of pieces including flannel shirts, nylon coats, jackets, sweaters, hoodies, cargo pants, graphic tees and more. Collection highlights include the Stallone intarsia knit sweater that features a patchwork collage of the brand’s logos, the Puff Puff black down jacket with ICECREAM detailing referencing the brand’s classic varsity jacket and the Jenga patchwork cargo pants that feature an array of camouflage and animal prints. Other garments from the collection include tie-dye cotton sweatsuits, the signature Yoshi jeans with the BBC logo and patchwork detailing and multicolor graphic tees. Rounding out the collection is an assortment of accessories like skateboards and caps. Delivery one of BBC ICECREAM’s Winter ‘21 collection is available now on the brand’s website.

ADER ERROR x ZARA

The South Korean streetwear imprint ADER error has made waves over the past three years, imploding onto the scene with its signature blue hues, oversized silhouettes, and notable collaborations, but now it’s aiming to take over the high street thanks to its collaboration with Zara. Unlike other high street chains, Zara isn’t known for dabbling in the collaborative realm. It previously tapped KASSL Editions for a home and apparel line, but this didn’t offer much in the way of progression. However, the same cannot be said for ADER error, which has undoubtedly infiltrated Zara with its signature aesthetic. Oversized knitwear and sweaters are paired with baggy suit pants, while cozy sweatsuits also appear in blue and gray tones as per the ADER error design language. Knitwear is big too, with its range of patchwork scarves mixing argyle knit with houndstooth checks and fringes making a stellar appearance, while blazers are deconstructed as expected. Outerwear is also key in the collaboration, appearing in various puffy takes in a bold array of colors, and overall the collection is ADER error for the masses — however, we expect it’ll sell out rather quickly. The ADER error x Zara collection is available in select stores worldwide, notably in South Korea, Spain, and Japan as of writing, and it’s also expected to land online globally. Check out the lookbook above.

KID CUDI CONFIRMS HE WILL RELEASE TWO NEW ALBUMS IN 2022

During his headlining set at 2021 Rolling Loud Los Angeles over the weekend, Kid Cudi revealed that he has a few “tasty surprises” coming, including dropping “another album” before the release of his forthcoming record, Entergalactic, which is expected to debut next summer. “I’m teasing all this stuff because, as you know, I have Entergalactic coming in the summer,” Cudi said. “But I wanna drop another album before that. And I got some tasty surprises and I really am excited about all this new shit, this new music to give to you guys. So that’s why I’m teasing this shit now, because it’s coming out soon. So tonight, record this shit.” Cudi later confirmed the news on Twitter in response to a fan’s comment. “Kid Cudi has [two] albums dropping in 2022!!! Entergalactic and another before that super soon. Thank you for this @KidCudi,” a fan tweeted on Saturday, to which the “Sad People” singer responded, “u got it!” with a heart and prayer emoji. Elsewhere during his performance, Cudi gave the debut live performances for several Man on the Moon III: The Chosen tracks and previewed a selection of new songs.

MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS HIS FIRST FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Max Verstappen has secured his first Formula 1 World Championship at the age of 24, defeating Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to become the first Dutch world champion. Verstappen and Hamilton lined up at the Yas Marina Circuit level on points, setting the scene for a historic showdown. The Dutchman began the race in pole position after a brilliant qualifying lap but was quickly overtaken in the first corner by Hamilton who dominated the race for the majority of the Grand Prix. Though Hamilton veered off track off to pass the Red Bull driver to avoid a collision, the stewards decided not to act on the incident due to Hamilton having established a substantial lead. Red Bull later threw everything they had at Hamilton, pitting Sergio Pérez to hold the Mercedes driver to allow Verstappen to catch up. Hamilton was able to maneuver past the driver and built up a double-digit second lead in what seemed to be a sure victory before chaos struck as Williams Racing driver Nicholas Latifi crashed into the barriers with just four laps remaining. The safety car was rolled out, and the race was restarted on the final lap, with Verstappen starting right on Hamilton’s heels. With fresh tires, Verstappen overtook his rival to win one of the most memorable F1 races ever. Mercedes was understandably upset, and filed official protests after the race, though they were inevitably dismissed. Verstappen finished the season with 395.5 points and Hamilton finished second with 387.5, meanwhile, Mercedes-AMG Petronas claims its eighth constructors’ championship with Red Bull Racing Honda coming in second. Verstappen’s victory means Hamilton still shares the record of most championships won with racing legend Michael Schumacher at 7. “It’s insane. I don’t know what to say. I’m so pleased for the team and for all these guys. I love working with them so much,” an emotional Verstappen said after the race. “Finally, today, I had a bit of luck. My team knows I love them and I want to do this with them for the next 10 or 15 years!” Despite all the commotion, Lewis Hamilton showed class at the finish line, thanking his team and paying respect to his season-long rival. “Firstly, congratulations to Max and his team. I think we did an amazing job this year. The team, everyone back at the factory, all the men and women we have, worked so hard all year in a difficult season,” he said after the race.” I am so proud of them and so grateful to be part of the journey with them. We gave it everything this last part of the season and never gave up, that’s the most important thing.”

DRAKE'S BETTER WORLD FRAGRANCE HOUSE RELEASES "WINTER WARMTH" HOLIDAY CANDLE

Just in time for Christmas, Drake‘s Better World Fragrance House has now released a limited-edition “Winter Warmth” holiday candle. Joining the brand’s earlier “Carby Musk,” “Sweeter Tings,” “Williamsburg Sleepover⁠,” “Good Thoughts⁠,” and “Muskoka” releases, the new candle was crafted to provide winter warmth for everyone. Better World Fragrance House describes the “Winter Warmth” holiday candle as “For sharing with the ones you love.⁠ For feeling closer even when apart.⁠ For new memories with old friends.⁠” ⁠ With a woody and aromatic scent profile, the candle carries a fruity, cozy scent filled with fresh mint, apples, and soft musks nuanced with strawberry and balsam. Together the decadent wintery fragrance is reminiscent of taking a walk through the city streets during the colder months of winter. Priced at $48 USD, the limited “Winter Warmth” holiday candle is available now on Better World Fragrance House’s website.

CHROME HEARTS HARD-CARVED BASKETBALL HOOP AT ART BASEL

After being on a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Art Basel Miami was finally brought back to life. It’s been quite the eventful week down in South Beach as Virgil Abloh’s last Lous Vuitton collection was presented, various artists and high-profile celebs launched special NFTs and more, and now Chrome Hearts is getting in on the action with the unveiling of its newest basketball hoop piece. According to the LA-base brand’s IG, the backboard and pole are engineered with a highly sustainable and recyclable aluminum. The former is intricately hand carved, and comes engraved with various Chrome Hearts symbols from its signature banner logo to crosses to stars. The rim arrives in its traditional orange hue and is accompanied by a sterling silver net — a more elevated version of your local street court’s chain net. The base of the court looks to be built in the form of a cement block and comes adorned with oversized crosses on each side. A white mural sits in the background of this hoops piece’s exhibition, and it’s designed with all-over blue cross patterns. There’s no word if this will ever see a retail release, but you can check out a closer look here in the meantime.

MERCEDES-BENZ & VIRGIL ABLOH'S PROJECT MAYBACH ELECTRIC CAR

In honor of Virgil Abloh's legacy, Mercedes-Benz will unveil Project MAYBACH, a collaborative effort between the luxury car imprint and the legendary Off-White™ founder, to the public at Art Basel. At the request of Abloh's family, Project MAYBACH — an electric car show originally intended for members of the press — will be presented at Miami's Rubell Museum on December 1 and 2, mere days after the city hosted Abloh's final runway show. A nod to Abloh's legacy of championing emerging talent, students from local design schools will have private access to the show from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. Mercedes-Benz Working alongside Mercedes Design Chief Gorden Wagener, Abloh designed a two-seater Maybach that merges the brand's luxury knowhow with functional touches — elements that Virgil so elegantly combined in his work for Off-White™ and Louis Vuitton. In fact, a press release specifies that the pair adhered to the motto "Sophisticated Luxury meets Outdoor Adventure" while designing the one-of-a-kind car. Indeed, the one-of-a-kind clay-colored vehicle is both rugged and sleek, boasting a buttery leather interior and a roof rack for added versatility. It's also completely electric, augmented by a solar panel under the front hood of the car. The collab was first announced in October — of course, the project feels extra impactful in the wake of Abloh's sudden death, a tragedy that continues to send shockwaves through the world. "Our thoughts are with Virgil's family and teams," an official statement from Mercedes reads. "In order to respectfully honor the work of a unique talented designer who, through his unbridled imagination, has created endless opportunities for collaboration and inspired everyone who knew his work, Mercedes-Benz is opening up Project MAYBACH, and with it Virgil's unique vision, to the public."

PLAYBOY IS NO LONGER A MAGAZINE: IT'S A LUXURY LABEL

When Playboy shuttered its print magazine in 2020, it signaled that the nearly-70-year-old company was still finding its footing in an world where anyone can access scintillating imagery either softer or harder than anything found in Playboy's pages with the stroke (ha) of a couple keys. Where does that leave the House of Hugh Hefner today? Apparently, with a thirst for IRL experiences that recapture the lust and luxury of Playboy's pre-internet legacy. As the Playboy fleshes out its approach to digital content including it's first gay male cover star, Bretman Rock — the company is simultaneously hearkening back to the days of smoking jackets and Farrah Fawcett by launching BIGBUNNY a luxury lifestyle brand. Taking its name from the recently revived Big Bunny private jet — an opulent antique from the era of Hefner updated for today's affluent traveler — BIGBUNNY is designed for sophisticated types who actually would read Playboy for the articles. Whereas mainline Playboy merch has been available (and quite popular) for years, BIGBUNNY is of a loftier flavor. 1 / 3 PLAYBOY PLAYBOY PLAYBOY "Playboy represents the freedom to be who you are and who you want to be, wherever you are," Rachel Webber, Playboy's Chief Brand Officer, told Highsnobiety. "BIGBUNNY is the ultimate expression of that lifestyle. It’s for a community that traverses the world — physically and digitally — seeking out new ideas on art, culture, identity, sex and self-expression." "FLIGHT 001," the debut BIGBUNNY line, encompasses 25 polished pieces that only whisper of their Playboy pedigree. Prices start at $75 and reach $1,250 for the cashmere blankets, robe coats, silk lounge sets, leather safari jackets, and travel cases. "[This first collection] is oversized wrap coats that go from the plane to the gallery meeting," explained Webber. "Silk separates that work as well lounging at home as they do at the party. Featherweight blanket puffers for comfort and warmth. Toiletry kits that double as elegant clutches and travel bags. Day to night. Comfort to chic." "There are no more seasons or outdated ideas of formality and uniformity. We are all meeting up in new and exciting places around the world (and now the metaverse)." Shot with all the gravitas of a high fashion editorial, the campaign imagery is deservingly lush, soaking in the feel of BIGBUNNY's well-heeled ethos. 1 / 2 PLAYBOY PLAYBOY "We had the greatest time concepting and developing this campaign," BIGBUNNY creative directors Pilar Zeta and Philippa Price told us. "We poured over our amazing Playboy archives, watching footage of the original Big Bunny flights and gaining inspiration from the incredible 70s fashion and style. We wanted to capture that aesthetic in a contemporary way, a modern sophistication and a boldness." To reiterate that stealth-wealth motif, garments are embossed with "N950PB" — the Big Bunny jet's tail number — and thematic text. The only real obvious bit of branding is the original Big Bunny logo, occasionally cut off below the nose or hidden in a graphic to further obscure its origins. 1 / 3 PLAYBOY PLAYBOY PLAYBOY The willful obfuscation isn't because Playboy is attempting to shield BIGBUNNY from its heritage. Far from it: BIGBUNNY and the Big Bunny Jet are very much the bleeding edge of Playboy's urbane facelift and their low-key approach to luxury is demonstrative of New Playboy. "From a business perspective, the launch of BIGBUNNY demonstrates the transformation we’ve made as a company — from a media business into a global lifestyle brand," said Webber, citing collaborations with Supreme, Amiri, and Hatton Labs as indicative of Playboy's high-end crossover appeal. "The Playboy brand today is bigger than ever before, generating billions of dollars of consumer spend around the world on products and services that allow our community to express itself and embrace a lifestyle of sophistication, individuality, pleasure and fun." 1 / 5 PLAYBOY PLAYBOY PLAYBOY PLAYBOY PLAYBOY "We were particularly inspired by how diverse the community of passengers was on the original flights, and how much fun they all had together," continued Zeta and Price. So, expect BIGBUNNY to be making plenty more flights in the not-so-distant future as it continues to mine its vision of contemporary, inclusive luxury. This ain't your grandpa's Playboy, nor does it want to be.

BALENCIAGA HAS MAJOR PLANS FOR THE METAVERSE

Balenciaga has been bridging the gap between fashion and the digital world for a while now, ranging from its video game-inspired lookbook to its collaboration with Fortnite Following Facebook's rebrand to Meta, a Twitter interaction between the tech giant and the fashion house unfolded, leading fans to speculate that something might be in the works. At Business of Fashion's annual Voices conference, Balenciaga CEO Cédric Charbit confirmed that the label has big plans. Charbit announced that Balenciaga is creating a dedicated business to explore marketing and commerce in the Metaverse, continuing its innovation and presence in the virtual world. Basically, we'll all be able to wear Balenciaga couture on our digital dates. He also added that at one point, there were over 100 developers working on the new venture. The label is also set to show its upcoming collection dubbed "The Lost Tape," which will debut alongside an accompanying video. Recently, Balenciaga also took its Haute Couture collection to mainland China, showcasing the range in Shanghai, since clients couldn't travel to Paris for the show due to COVID-19 restrictions. “The influence of China is everywhere — aesthetically, economically, culturally and in fashion — so it was important for us to be present in this market with the top of the pyramid in terms of Balenciaga’s offer," Charbit said. Balenciaga is doing it right. The luxury house is moving with the wave and isn't shying away from innovating and adapting new techniques and methods to grow the brand. Plenty of fashion houses are beginning to dip their toes into the world of NFTs and crypto, but no one is doing it like Balenciaga. If brands want to succeed, they must adapt and continue to move forward – not remain tied to the past. There's much to say about the move to the Metaverse mimicking that of physical publishing and retail moving online. The early adopters succeeded, and those who were too hesitant quickly expired. It remains to see how Balenciaga's digital presence will grow, but we're excited to follow the journey.

CHANEL'S $825 ADVENT CALENDAR IS BASICALLY A BUNCH OF STICKERS

TikTok is roasting the lackluster contents of Chanel's $825 advent calendar. A now-viral clip by @eliseharmon reveals several of the items housed in the luxe calendar, shaped like a gigantic bottle of Chanel's famous N°5 perfume. "It's giving plastic bottle cap," the user said of day 17, a string bracelet with a wax seal-like pendant embossed with the Chanel logo. Other items in the calendar include an abundance of stickers, a keychain, several mini lipsticks, and what appears to be a tiny, Chanel-branded dust bag. In a follow-up @eliseharmon alleges that Chanel's TikTok account — which appears to have since been deleted — blocked her. The pricey holiday gift does include meatier items — namely a full-sized bottle of Chanel N°5 and a full-sized nail polish — but its dearth of valuable surprises has left many confused. A video from YouTube channel A Heated Mess describes the calendar as "THE MOST FRUSTRATING, OVERPRICED $825 STICKER BOOK." "I got this so you don't have to," the unboxing video concludes. A quick scan of Chanel's Instagram account shows that customers really care about advent calendar-gate. "800 dollars for stickers and magnets.." the top comment on the label's most recent post, an announcement of a Gabrielle Chanel exhibition in Melbourne. "Stickers… let’s talk about it," another user quipped. Chanel's website clearly states the contents of the controversial calendar so technically, the joke's on anyone who spent nearly $1,000 on the collectible. Still, it's baffling that the company thought Chanel logo keyboard stickers would appeal to anyone out of middle school. When life gives TikTokers lemons, they make more than just lemonade — they make content that snowballs into a brand's worst PR nightmare.

WORLD'S SECOND TALLES TOWER SOON: MALEYSIA'S MERDEKA 118

Merdeka 118, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, has officially topped out at 118 stories, and will soon become the world’s second-tallest building. The building was designed by Australian architects Fender Katsalidis and is located at the spot where Malaysian independence was declared in 1957. Exteriors consist of triangular glass facets resembling an uncut gem, taking inspiration from the patterns in Malaysian arts while symbolizing the rich cultural diversity in the country. Merdeka 118 reaches a height of 678.9 meters (2,228 feet) and will include 1.7 million square feet of office space as well as the hospitality, retail, and residential spaces including Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur and the highest observation deck in Southeast Asia. The building is directly integrated with all of the city’s rail networks and sits above a four-acre water park and open public spaces. As the new focal point for the city’s skyline, Merdeka 118 will be seen alongside the iconic Petronas Towers and Kuala Lumpur Tower. “We feel incredibly proud to have contributed to the creation of this building and its host of community assets which enrich one of the most culturally significant sites in Malaysia. First and foremost, our priority was to respect this site and harness every opportunity to create a tower that enriched the social energy and cultural fabric of the city,” commented Fender Katsalidis’ founding partner Karl Fender. Merdeka 118 is expected to be completed sometime in late 2022.

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