With cash and luxurious items amounting up to RM1.1 billion (S$372.37 million) raided from Datuk Seri Najib Tun’s six residences, the hidden stash of treasures seem to be almost endless. The hard cash found is not just limited to ringgit, but also found in pounds sterling and Sri Lankan rupees, giving us a glimpse of what might have been favourite travel spots of the Najibs.
More than 12,000 pieces of jewellery were unearthed, comprising of 2,200 rings, 1,400 necklaces, 2,100 bracelets, 2,800 pairs of earrings, 1,600 brooches and 14 tiaras were seized, totalling up to an estimated market value of RM880 million. This stash was along with hundreds of watches and handbags, valued worth RM78 million and RM51.3 million respectively. The immensity of this incredible seizure in fact, took the police a good one month, from May 21 to June 25 to ascertain the value of the items.
Watches
The 423 watches span across a great diversity of 100 brands, with familiar names such as Chopard and Richard Mille.
The crown of Najib’s timepiece collection will a prized Paul Newman Rolex Daytona, valued at a hefty RM3.5 million.
Other notable ones found in the bedroom of one of Najib’s children boasts an impressive list of Rolex, including a silver Rolex Cosmograph Daytona and leather Rolex Oyster Perpetual Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified Cosmograph, as well as a brown Patek Philippe Geneve and black Richard Mille.
Jewellery
Topping the list is a yellow gold necklace laced with diamonds. The stunning piece is valued at RM6.4 million, excluding workmanship.
Handbags
The 567 luxury handbags from 37 names include some of the most coveted luxury houses such as Hermes, Prada, Chandel and Judith Lieber. Unexpectedly, the Hermes bags value up to RM51.3 million, but the true crown jewel is a custom-made Bijan handbag, worth RM1.6 million alone.
The raids are linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) probe and everything was seized under anti money-laundering laws. Currently, these items are put for safekeeping at Bank Negara.
Introducing Aston Martin’s answer to the Ferrari 812 Superfast and the successor of the aging Vanquish S. The DBS Superleggera was revealed in London on Tuesday, reviving a badge last seen in James Bond film Casino Royale in 2006. It sports the Superleggera term, Italian for ‘super light’, and calls to mind the original DBS from 1967.
CEO Andy Palmer said the new DBS affirms the “innovative lightweight construction methods pioneered by Italian coachbuilder, Touring”, and will put Aston Martin back to the “pinnacle of the Super GT sector”, acting as a “halo” model.
A Sweet Replacement For The Iconic James Bond Ride
Aston Martin
The original DBS was designed by Touring of Milan in 1966, commissioned to replace the DB6. Touring produced two prototypes before the design house collapsed, and William Towns was swiftly engaged to take over. Intended to be more modern and stylish than its predecessors of Aston Models, the DBS had a fastback style rear end and squared-off front grille, differentiating itself from Astons at the time. In fact, the car was thus considered “in vogue” within the automotive design communities of the late 60s.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Aston Martin
The DBS Superleggera looks like a sportier version of the DB11, with a more muscular design. Characterised by a massive grille at the front with new headlights and tail-lights, the super-GT bases its build off the DB11 with a similar Aston-made turbocharged 5.2-litre V12 engine. That being said, the engine was retuned to be capable of 715 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 664 pound-feet of torque between 1,800 and 5,000 rpm, standing at 85 more horses than the DB11 AMR. In light of the horsepower and torque upgrades, the rear-wheel-drive DBS Superleggera is equipped with a new transmission and gearbox.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin claims that the steed powers from 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds, and tops at 211 mph. The Ferrari 812 Superfast has the exact same top speed, but is half a second faster in the 0-62mph time.
The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera is priced at $304,995, and will arrive in the third quarter of 2018.
XBlockchain Summit was launched in a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 30, 2018.
A gathering of world leaders in blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies is assembling this October 9 – 10 in one of the world’s most popular destinations – Bali. Expected to be Asia’s flagship blockchain event, the XBlockchain Summit will be held in the lead up to the annual summits of the Board of Governors of the IMF and World Bank in Nusa Dua, placing participants on equal footing with the world’s top firms and investors.
The summit will cover the latest in blockchain implementation and how it is being and can be used to transform organizations across sectors, including government, financial services, insurance, healthcare, the internet of things (IoT) and supply-chain management.
The summit will see the biggest names in the industry, with confirmed speakers and attendees include a mix of regional and international leaders and innovators in blockchain technology, such as:
Founder of Ripple and Stellar co-founder Jed McCaleb
Former Microsoft China and Ethereum Foundation veteran David Ben Kay, now Chief Legal Counsel of Pundi X
Former President of the NEM.io foundation and now ProximaX co-founder Lon Wong
More speakers from Indonesia, America, Europe and North Asia will be announced closer to the event.
Over the past few years, global financial technology investment in Asia has exponentially grown from US$880 million in 2014 to an average of US$8.5 billion from 2016 to 2017, with plenty of attention going to blockchain technology. In fact, Indonesia’s public and private sectors have begun looking at blockchain to help to build trust and facilitate greater productivity and efficiency out of Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Jakarta is one of the fastest growing cities in Southeast Asia and now, Indonesia is also the first country to recognize cryptocurrency futures trading.
The launch of the XBlockchain Summit this year is more than timely, coming as the Indonesian government dedicates a team to explore how blockchain can disrupt and develop the country’s financial industry and private sector organizations also looking to boost their productivity through adoption. Organized by XBlockchain, a group committed to building Asia’s most influential blockchain platform and co-founded by leading Indonesian fintech and blockchain expert, Constantin Papadimitriou, the Summit is inspired by the concept of open innovation and promote the implementation of blockchain technology. It boasts of a wide network of connections, spanning local and international blockchain landscapes, from individuals to developers, businesses, startups, investors, and government organizations.
Constantin Papadimitriou, co-founder of XBlockchain and President of Pundi X said, “The world is looking at Asia as a major driver for innovation and growth within the digital landscape, particularly in the blockchain. A lot of the talents and new technology applications come from countries within this region and we are excited to be able to bring to the world all the fresh ideas, real world implementations and the best people in one big gathering.”
The first ever XBlockchain Summit will host more than 40 sessions, 70 speakers, and an estimated 1,000 attendees from 30 countries. According to Triawan Munaf, Head of The Indonesian Agency of Creative Economy (BEKRAF), “A large archipelago like Indonesia will definitely benefit from the exchange of ideas and showcase of initiatives during the XBlockchain Summit. Various sector and industries, especially the creative industry will find benefit in the opportunities that digital disruptions, particularly blockchain solutions, bring. We at BEKRAF are always open to explore new ways to facilitate the function of coordination within the creative industry and coordination among government agencies to be more efficient and effective. With the potential of adopting blockchain technology, it will open more opportunities in the future.”
The gorgeous beaches of Nusa Dua in Bali will provide the backdrop for XBlockchain 2018.
Not only will the summit provide attendees with the latest information on fintech and blockchain, it will also highlight regional achievement through the first-annual XBlockchain Awards. From showcasing the best brands to top-of-the-line technology providers, consultancies, strategists, developers, and individuals, the Awards will definitely encourage digital players to keep capturing opportunities in the world’s fastest-growing region in terms of digital innovation.
Steven Suhadi, Chairman of Asosiasi Blockchain Indonesia, the Indonesian blockchain association said, “Opportunities for blockchain are vast as the technology is rapidly adopted across various industries. From transforming transaction management across financial services to healthcare record, tax collection, supply chain financing and digital identity management, the XBlockchain Summit will keep participants up to speed on the state of blockchain industry, technology development and regulatory frameworks.”
Interactivity will be at the core of the summit and networking among participants will be facilitated. To make the most of their participation, attendees are encouraged to purchase their tickets before August 1, to enjoy the early-bird discount. For only US$150, participants will get an all-access Platinum Pass to the XBlockchain Party, XBlockchain Lounge, XBlockchain Awards, and and Exclusive Access to the XBlockchain Leader’s Dinner.
About XBlockchain Summit
XBlockchain’s chief focus will be to promote the real-world implementation of blockchain technology particularly as it relates to areas such as retail adoption, supply chain management, financial services, financial inclusion and more.
Held in the lead-up to the 2018 annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, XBlockchain will also explore the broader issues of international investment; economic development; and economic stability through the lens of developments in blockchain. Everything related to blockchain, cryptocurrency and their intersections in business, government and technology will be discussed over two days in Bali and featuring more than 70 speakers, debates and top-tier exhibitions.
More brand divestitures have been announced by Kering Group and LVMH as competition between the two luxury behemoths heats up. Kering Group is divesting their 51% majority shares of Christoper Kane back to the designer and LVMH is dropping Edun, the socially driven brand founded by Ali Hewson and husband, U2 frontman, Bono.
Brand Divestitures from Kering Group and LVMH – Christopher Kane and Edun
Making his debut in 2006, Christopher Kane shot to popularity for his strong silhouettes and aesthetic textures with strongly feminine elements. By 2013, Kane sold 51% of his brand to Kering Group, setting the young design talent and L’Oreal award winner during his pre-graduate days at Central Saint Martins in London unto a path of global retail and recognition.
Founded in 2004 with an ethical mission in mind, Edun, rode acclaim and accolades for its mission to bring sustainable development in Africa by connecting primary agriculture industry with fashion manufacturing. For years, Hewson and Bono’s Edun worked to connect Northwest Uganda cotton farmers with the associated industry of fashion. By 2009, LVMH acquired a 49% stake in the label.
This week, (June 25th), Kering and LVMH both announced brand divestitures – with Kering in talks to sell its 51% back to its namesake designer; and LVMH, announcing its transfer of its 49% stake back to Hewson and Bono. Privately, Edun employees were aware of the brand’s dissolution since May with its sole Lafayette Street brand boutique in Manhattan, closed, and Edun’s Spring/Summer 2018 collection serving as its last.
Business of Luxury: Brand Divestitures from the conglomerates are a sign of increasing competition and brand focus on eCommerce
In May, LVMH began backing fashion eCommerce giant Lyst. The online fashion giant counting Farfetch and MatchesFashion.com as its direct competitors, with LVMH raising between £50m and £100 million. Before that, LVMH also launched 24 Sevres, its own multi-brand shopping site, with rival luxury group Richemont acquiring rival platform, Yoox Net-A-Porter.
In a statement to UK’s The Guardian by Lyst co-founder and CEO Chris Morton, “Today 60% of our business comes from the US, and we’re planning to expand into Europe and Asia in the next 18 months.”
The Bell & Ross adventure started in a cockpit with watch designs that were directly inspired by flight instruments and the golden age of aviation. This journey continues at Baselworld 2018 on the wings of the BR-Bird. This area of research has helped the brand create incredible machines rooted in the quest for speed and performance.
After designing racing cars inspired by aeronautical shapes, like the tapered shape reminiscent of the drop tanks used by the fighter jets of the 1940s turned Bellytanker racer with the addition of four narrow wheels, Bell & Ross has now designed a plane of its own for Baselworld 2018! It should come as no surprise that it is a high-speed plane capable of competing in the Reno Air Races in record-breaking style.
To have a chance of prevailing in this competition, considered to be the most beautiful air racecourse in the world and of achieving phenomenal public success, the pilots need to be as daring as they are dexterous. And they need a machine with exceptional power, aero dynamism and maneuverability.
The BR-Bird, brainchild of Bruno Belamich, Bell & Ross’s co-founder and creative director, fits the bill. An ultramodern single-seat, propeller-engine aircraft, built entirely of high-tech material (graphite, fiberglass, titanium and aluminum alloy), the BR-Bird is powered by a V12 Rolls Royce Falcon developed on a Merlin base (names that have legendary status in aviation, particularly thanks to the legendary English Spitfire).
While its cockpit is placed as far back as possible, evoking the high speed of dragsters, its short but broad wings, placed very far forward, hark back to the Comet DH.88, Hughes H-1 and the Bugatti-DeMonge 100P of the 1930s, but also the famed P51 Mustang of the 1940s. Its Y-shaped empennage ensures maneuverability, while making it immediately recognizable.
With its meticulously designed shape and its powerful aesthetic, the BR-Bird belongs to the world of speed, forging a bond between aviation history and future technology. With timepieces both technically and stylistically inspired by the world of aeronautics.
World of Watches Exclusive: Baselworld 2018: Bell & Ross Racing Bird Limited Edition
This identity of speed and performance is evident in the design of the three-hand and chronograph Racing Bird watches. These timepieces share their aesthetic choices with the racing aircraft designed by the Bell & Ross studio, particularly the color code: The dial is white, like the fuselage of the plane. The numerals, bezel, chronograph counter and strap are blue, like the empennage and decorative elements tracing the aerodynamic lines of the BR-Bird. The central second hand, details on the dial and lining of the leather strap are orange, like the color highlighting the most important information on the flight instruments. The timer is grey, reminiscent of the chequered flag used in speed competitions, like the Bell & Ross logo on the wings and flanks of the aircraft.
On the dial, the numerals use the same typography as the on-board counters, and the date window shows three numerals –a direct reference to flight instrumentation. The final touch is the silhouette of the aircraft on the case back and at the base of the second hand (on the three-hand version) and the second timer (on the chronograph version). With a 38.5 mm steel case for the Baselworld 2018 Racing Bird BRV1-92 and a 41 mm for the BRV2-94, both versions are powered by a self-winding mechanical movement.
The Baselworld 2018 Bell & Ross limited edition 999 piece BRV1 and BRV2 Racing Bird watches start a new chapter in a saga that weaves together Bell & Ross and aviation history, performance, extreme professionals… and passion.
Limited Edition Baselworld 2018 Bell & Ross Racing Bird BRV2-94 Price and Specs
Movement Automatic calibre BR-CAL.301. with 48 hours power reserve Case 41 mm stainless steel with 100 metres water resistance Bracelet Polished steel or blue calfskin with orange lining. Price V1-92 racing bird is S$3700, V2-94 racing bird is S$6400 (calfskin strap) & $6900 (bracelet)
Entitled The Joybringer, the installation is a manifestation of Hermès’ 2018 theme – Play, where it invites viewers to envision life as a gigantic playground to be explored with enthusiasm and curiosity. Indieguerillas is proud to launch The Joybringers at Hermès Liat Towers, Singapore.
“The kind of joy that is derived not from the objects that we play with (i.e. toys), but rather, the mindset of being playful and being open to adventure, new experiences, and other possibilities.”
Indieguerillas’ The Joybringers is a Marriage of Art, Design and the Traditional Hermès Culture
An Indonesian artistic duo, Indieguerillas, captures the giddy levity of play in this their latest installation, currently being showcased in the windows of Hermès Liat Towers.
“The kind of joy that is derived not from the objects that we play with (i.e. toys), but rather, the mindset of being playful and being open to adventure, new experiences, and other possibilities.”
Taking inspiration from the concept of portable office and the global nomads, the Indieguerillas’ Joybringers installation at Hermès Liat Towers propounds how happiness can be brought along with us wherever we go, just like work. This spirit of happiness is channelled into an aptitude of exploring new ideas and possibilities.
European and Japanese comics are greatly popularized in the modern age, overshadowing the traditional Indonesian images and iconography. Javanese art and folklore characters bear a reputation of being outdated and forgotten, but with Indieguerillas’ ingenious incorporation of these traditional elements into their work, it has given new credence and awareness of playful Javanese artistic elements along with popular contemporary art.
Childhood memories of Vespa scooters and glamorous portrayals of bikes on American TV shows are reflected on the instalment, in a playful and inviting palette of cyan, magenta and yellow.
The husband and wife artistic duo, Dyatmiko Lankor Bawano and Santi Ariestyowanti, debuted in 1999 as a duet with a graphic design firm. In their spirit of being “in constant guerrilla to find new possibilities”, they evolved to be fully fledged artists in 2007. In today’s era of vibrant media and internet, the duo has artfully blended both fine and applied arts in their works, setting a new caliber in the Yogyakarta arts scene.
The installation will be on display until September 2018 at the Hermes store at 541 Orchard Road, Liat Towers.
