In our weekly series, we bring you the latest in luxury news from around the world. This week’s highlights: Aston Martin’s racing-level convertible with bespoke features, Arnold & Son’s special “Year of the Snake” timepiece in red gold, and more.
Aston Martin’s Powerful And Lightweight Convertible Vantage Roadster
A convertible counterpart to the Vantage Coupe, the new Vantage Roadster sports car by Aston Martin features a potent front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration with an open-air driving option. It carries over the Vantage Coupe’s technical advancements, including industry-leading Active Vehicle Dynamics, an Electronic Rear Differential (E-diff), and Bilstein DTX adaptive dampers with bespoke tuning—all powered by a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo engine. Despite the addition of the convertible roof and structural enhancements, the Roadster only adds 60kg to its weight, while the folding roof opens or closes in just 6.8 seconds, even at speeds up to 50km/h.
Careful attention was given to ensuring the Roadster retains the striking design of the Coupe, with a dramatically angled windscreen and a high waistline, maintaining a balanced sports car profile whether the roof is raised or lowered. Available in three new paint colours—iridescent sapphire, satin iridescent sapphire, and bronze flare—the Roadster also comes with a selection of roof colours and 21 liveries. Additionally, four 21-inch wheel styles are available in various finishes, paired with a choice of seven brake calliper colours. Deliveries are set to begin in the second quarter of this year.
Arnold & Son’s Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Snake”
There is a serenity and introspection to this scene, as depicted on the dial of this moonphase watch from Arnold & Son. Carved out of a block of rose gold and carefully engraved is a snake coiled around the branches of a gingko tree. The landscape behind it includes traditional Chinese architecture, while the aventurine dial backdrop stands in for a starry sky. The watch’s trademark complication, an impressively large moonphase indicator with mother-of-pearl discs and hand-painted stars, is both overlaid with lume to add further drama to the setting. This timepiece is limited to just eight pieces.
Bvlgari’s Latest Serpenti Cuore 1968 Bag For This Lunar New Year
Bvlgari introduces the new Serpenti Cuore 1968 bag to honour the Year of the Snake, celebrating its emblem of perpetual transformation—a symbol synonymous with the Italian house. This latest addition features a distinctively shaped design reminiscent of two halves of a love heart, where one half is sculpted from the bag’s silhouette, while the other is complemented by a sinuous snake-shaped golden handle. It pays homage to one of Bvlgari’s most enduring symbols, echoing the house’s illustrious history and jewellery-making artistry. Crafted from supple calf leather, the bag showcases a padded contour that accentuates its form and a serpent-like metallic handle made from gold-plated brass that references the classic Serpenti Harlequin jewellery-watch from 1968, which is known for its colourful enamels. Available in a range of colours, the bag offers practicality with a detachable chain strap, allowing wearers to switch between cross-body and hand-carry options as needed.
Delvaux’s Pin Mini Bucket Is An Innovative Tribute To The Year Of The Snake
Adding to its Lunar New Year capsule collection, Delvaux’s new Pin Mini Bucket spotlights intricate leather braiding that mimics the winding motion of the serpent, complemented by a woven lattice design that evokes the scales of a snake in a 3D effect. Distinguished by its curved base, emblematic of the Pin collection, this model comes in Dune with gold-coloured hardware and includes a removable, adjustable shoulder strap adorned with a braided leather embellishment.
Audemars Piguet Unveils Its Inaugural AP House in Raffles Hotel, Singapore
The Swiss horlogerie manufacturer has opened its inaugural AP house 1,000 sqm space within Singapore’s historic Raffles Hotel’s Bar and Billiard room. Drawing inspiration from the brand’s home in Le Brassus and the verdant nature surrounding it, the oasis acts as the brand’s Southeast Asian flagship destination. This includes a showcase of a curated selection of heritage pieces, a selection of its current collection, and a rotation exhibition space that hosts immersive experiences. Additionally, there are three private salons including one with a high-fidelity audio system and a curated selection of vinyl records. The AP House Singapore also features the world’s first ever AP Café, which serves a curated menu of select Swiss dishes reimagined with a touch of Singapore’s culinary heritage.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Regent Phu Quoc
Nestled on the white sands of Phu Quoc Island’s western coast, the Vietnamese luxury gem has prepared a special calendar of events and experiences to celebrate the day of love. Focus on wellness with your beloved with SUP Yogalates (yoga and Pilates on a paddleboard) or a 150-minute Couple Wellness Treatment featuring guided bonding meditation and personalised massages. Up the ante on romance with a private catamaran cruise by enjoying a full-day’s adventure with champagne, canapés, snorkelling and paddleboarding upon the crystal-clear seas.
Romance By Aquamarine Waters At Ta’aktana, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Labuan Bajo
Just a short four hours’ flight from Kuala Lumpur to Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, an Edenic retreat awaits at Ta’aktana, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. Begin your Valentine’s Day morning with an intimate in-villa breakfast accompanied by sunset canapés and champagne and at their stunning Overwater Sea Villa, a cocoon of love. End the day by indulging in a lavish ‘Blaze the Love Omakase’ meal at Taba, an elegant rooftop restaurant featuring Japanese dishes utilising sustainable, locally sourced delights such as bitan ebi (botan shrimp) and kohitsuji yaki (chargrilled teriyaki lamb chops).
Savour A Taste Of Italy At Mandala Club, Singapore
Mandala Club has partnered with Belmond for a taste of Italian flair in Singapore. From 11 to 15 February, Chef Armando Aristarco of Ristorante Belvedere at Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, invites guests to indulge in the essence of the Amalfi Coast. Through a menu that showcases the region’s culinary treasures, the dining affair will transport you to the sunny shores of Southern Italy. Lunch is priced at SGD98+, while dinner is priced at SGD198+, complete with optional wine pairings to elevate the experience. For bookings and more details, visit here.
Miu Miu Presents Its Spring/Summer 2025 Collection
Titled ‘Salt Looks Like Sugar’, Miu Miu’s new collection explores the transformative journey of youth through six evocative stages. It begins with the nostalgia of childhood, showcasing delicate pieces like a crisp white cotton dress created in collaboration with Petit Bateau, the iconic French children’s clothing brand. The narrative transitions into the experimental teenage years, reflecting the spirit of self-discovery, before gracefully maturing into sophisticated overcoats and refined pencil skirts. Throughout the collection, Miu Miu blurs the lines between these stages, playfully mixing and matching pieces in a celebration of individuality.
The Ivory Celebrates The New Year With Its New Spring Collection
DAWN, the new spring 2025 collection from The Ivory, features a series of luxury bridal couture and evening gowns from illustrious designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Viktor and Rolf, Renee Couture, and more. Set against the ethereal garden backdrop of Potager KL, the collection showcased a range of designs from timeless silhouettes and delicate detailing to bold statement pieces.
Love at The Lanesborough London
Stays at this elegant mansion in Hyde Park will have you living out your Bridgerton fantasies. For bookings on 14 or 15 February 2025, enjoy a package stay for couples (Deluxe Room is £1,169 a night or the Junior Suite at £1,669 a night). This includes an indulgent four-course Valentine’s Day meal with a glass of Rosé Champagne per person while you are serenaded by jazz musicians. Further adding to the romance is a bottle of chilled champagne upon arrival with a Valentine’s Day welcome amenity. The package also includes English breakfast served in the privacy of your room or at The Lanesborough Grill.
