vK's Kudos: Artexture Designer Rugs and Paintings

With nearly 40 years in the business, Keith Collins Sr has been the creator of an endless array of designer rugs and paintings at ARTEXTURE, Inc. His uniquely handcrafted pieces add a delightfully unexpected to touch to any room and just the right touch of flair to your exotic car.

I sat down with his son and business partner, Keith Collins Jr to discuss how their family business became the source for one-of-a-kind designs. 

READ MORE HERE...

TRON!!

Derez Earrings

80's babies. It is totally acceptable for you to be excited about this.

With Disney's latest 3-D eyeball explosion TRON :Legacy hitting theaters December 17th, these sci-fi accessories will be flying off the shelves. 

A collaboration with LA based jewelry designer TomTom and Disney Consumer Products brings you this collection of space aged trinkets available now at the TRON pop-up shop in Culver City.

Details and pics after the jump: READ MORE...

McQ Spring/ Summer 2010 Collection

With every electrifying show, bad boy designer Alexander McQueen jolted the fashion world out of a sea of comatose couture.
He showed us that creepy could be sexy (long before Gaga).
He shocked us, confused us and even scared us at times, and we liked it.

McQueen blessed us with one last rebel yell with his Spring/Summer 2010 collection. The punk inspired collection was to be featured at fashion week but was canceled the day of his tragic death.
(weep.) ~vK

Jay Z Million Dollar Portrait

Rewind.
The Piece: This portrait of Jay Z, crafted by Gemstone Creative, that is reportedly worth one million dollars.
The Argument: Why would anyone drop a cool mil to have a picture of H to the Izzo hoisted over their mantle? (Some have questioned whether or not Hov himself would even buy it)
The Answer: Because we are blessed to live in a society where there are guys who wouldn't flinch over writing a 11.7 million dollar check for a picture of a torn can Campbell's Soup (See Warhol.)

It would look great in my living room. Hi haters ~vK

vK's Kudos- Winter Eyewear

I haven't experienced many days in Beverly Hills that actually qualify as "fur coat weather". Still, I didn't object after spotting one today at breakfast during one of our 73° degree winter mornings.
Same goes for sunglasses. Morning or evening, nite club or church (side-eye) designer eye wear is as common in the everyday wardrobe as leggings on ever freaking chic in LA denim.

Gucci

Oliver Peoples

Prism London

Louis Vuitton

~vK

Whip-Appeal: Koenigsegg Trevista 2010

Earlier this year, we introduced the NLV Quant, a Swedish manufactured concept, super car. Very nice.
Well, the guys over at Koenigsegg have once again stepped their game up.
WAY up.
Claiming the title of the world's most expensive super car, the new Koenigsegg Trevista 2010 carries a price tag of 5 million dollars and has a very impressive new feature; Diamond Dust.

Press Release
When sunlight hits the Koenigsegg CCXR Trevitas, it sparkles like millions of silvery white diamonds infused inside the visible carbon fiber weave bodywork.
Trevita is an abbreviation in Swedish and translates into - three whites. The Koenigsegg visible carbon weave body work is renowned around the globe for its perfection and uniqueness. However, so far it has only been possible to utilize the classic black carbon fibres.

As Koenigsegg always strives to create new unique technologies and solutions, we have now reached a new milestone - The Koenigsegg Proprietary Diamond Weave. By utilising a new and unique method, Koenigsegg has managed to coat fibers with a diamond finish. The process was fully developed at Koenigsegg headquarters in Ängelholm Sweden, where the fiber treatment is conducted carefully in small quantities, prior to further processing the prepreg material.Koenigsegg will only produce three Koenigsegg CCXR Trevitas in total, hence the name. This makes the Trevita one of the most rare versions in the Koenigsegg family cars.

The three cars are fully equipped with Koenigsegg Shimmering Diamond Weave bodywork, double carbon wing, paddle-shift, inconell exhaust system, carbon ceramic brakes with ABS, hydraulic lifting system, infotainment system, tyre monitoring system, chrono instrument cluster and airbags.
Source: Koenigsegg


So, I've picked out my Trevista. Wonder who will take the other two? ~vK

Out and About

Motivated by my increasing efforts to satisfy a healthy shoe fetish, I decided to stop by LA boutique EM & CO for the KM2 custom shoe fashion show.

My fellow zapatos zealots and I enjoyed a brief runway show featuring vivid color combos, chained embellishments....and feathers. Lots of them.

The models worked it out on an all white stage that exposed them only from the legs down, showing off some fearless footwear. After cupcakes and cocktails, I spotted a few pair that I wouldn't mind throwing in rotation.
Good art, good music, good shoes. Overall goodtimes. ~vK

About KM2 Shoes:

KM2 Shoes, founded by sisters Megan, Katelyn and Mattison Gelber, was born from a desire to be unique. The three sisters developed a collection of shoes whose distinctive, high-class style is rooted in nostalgia, yet has an edgy flair that is relaxed and comfortable. The style of the shoes is influenced by their mid-western roots and life experiences in New York and L.A. www.KM2shoes.com

vK's Kudos: Dream Flights Luxury Travel

You're reaching the end of your work day and you have this unshakable urge for frozen mojitos. Clevelander in Miami perhaps? Great, I'll grab my clutch...
The only problem is that you live 2000 miles away in LA. No worries; this is where your newly purchased Dream Flights Plus Card comes in.

Bring all the luggage you like and leave your regulatory 3 oz. travel sized toiletries at home. The good folks over at Dream Flights Luxury Travel don't sweat the small stuff, but they do make a big impression when it comes to flying in style. That definitely deserves this week's kudos. For those last minute cross country getaways (so necessary), I recommend the Boeing Business Jet.

Boeing Business Jet

Passenger Capacity 20-23
Cruising Speed 521 mph
Range 6800 st.m.
Length 79.3 ft.
Width 11.5 ft.
Height 7.0 ft.
Baggage Capacity 640 cu.ft.

But you're a self-proclaimed cake-a-holic and you insist on taking your work load with you. Why not bring the entire staff along on The Global Express next time you jet out to Japan? You can hear the new proposal on the way and by the time you land, you will be rested and ready for sake.

The Global Express

Passenger Capacity 12-15
Cruising Speed 513 mph
Range 7300 st.m.
Length 48.4 ft.
Width 8.2 ft.
Height 6.3 ft.
Baggage Capacity 194 cu.ft.

You don't even need a reason to hop aboard a Gulfstream 550; your vacation starts the moment you set foot in the cabin regardless of your final destination.

Gulfstream 550

Passenger Capacity 12-15
Cruising Speed 560 mph
Range 7165 st.m.
Length 50.1 ft.
Width 7.3 ft.
Height 6.2 ft.
Baggage Capacity 226 cu.ft.

It doesn't get any flyer... ~vK
Click HERE for more info on Dream Flights Luxury Travel

vK's Kudos: Lamborghini Concept Bike

Oh really..?


So famed designer Flavio Adriani has come with a new concept superbike for Lambo lovers (ahem).

The Lamborbiker is a concept bike from designer Flavio Adriani, who was inspired by Marcello Gandini, chief designer of Bertone and freelance designer since 1980. Gandini was also
designer of the Osmos wheel and the Lamborghini Countach. While some may not
equate the Lamborbiker’s skeletal frame to the Lamborghini Countach, others may
still appreciate the design direction of the bike in terms of its curved lines
and sleek frame. The hubless wheels are also a great addition to the bike, as it
gives it more of a futuristic feel.

Via: Swipelife

(For more info on the bike and Flavio Adriani, click HERE)

Zoom ~vK

vK's Kudos: The NLV Quant by Koenigsegg

Today we tip our hats to Swedish supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg for their new concept car, The Quant. Just when you thought eco-friendly whips were just for hippies and LA squares, Koenigsegg presented this four seater, solar electric luxury car at this years Geneva car show.
More recently, it has been reported that these beauties are closer than ever to going into actual production due to Koenigsegg's purchase of Saab.

--side eyeing your Prius

The Quant delivers a 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds with a top speed of 275 km/h. I don't know where anyone would be headed to driving that fast, but at the very least, you'd be cited in style.

That is, if the blue boys could catch you. ~vK