All-Time Sales Record for BMW Group in the First Half of 2011

There’s a lot to be happy about in Munich these days. That’s because the BMW Group has had not only its best month ever as far as sales are concerned, but has also achieved an all-time sales record for the first half of the year.

This June, a total of 165,855 BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce cars were delivered, an increase of 15.9% compared to the same month in 2010 (143,156 units) and also a new record for the Group. BMW sold 134,432 cars (+12.3%) and Mini 31,111 (+34.1%).

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MINI Inspired by Goodwood Carries…Rolls Royce Inspired Price Tag at £41,000 or US$65,700!

Apparently, Aston Martin isn’t the only British automaker to lose contact with reality when it comes to pricing special edition models. Soon after Aston Martin slapped a €48,995 (equal to £44,100 and US$70,700 at the current exchange rates) sticker on its Colette-trimmed Toyota iQ…err… we mean Cygnet, the BMW Group division announced that its new MINI Inspired by Goodwood is priced at £41,000 (€45,600 or US$65,700). Read more »

Rolls-Royce Crafts One-Off Phantom Drophead Coupé Special with Bespoke Details

If your run of the mill Phantom Drophead Coupé is just too darn common, then you may want to take a look at this one-off special that will go on display at the Masterpiece London 2011, which is held in the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, UK, from Saturday 30 June to Friday 5 July 2011. Read more »

Rolls Royce Owners Adds Some Color to Phantom Limo

Back in the mid-1990s, Volkswagen’s designers came up with a bright idea (literally…) involving the Polo supermini and the colorful theatrical character Harlequin. The result was the Polo Harlekin or Harlequin featuring a multi-colored body. Against all odds, the strange looking Polo proved to be a moderate success with Volkswagen boosting the initial production run from 1,000 cars to a total of around 3,800 units.

Apparently, the allure of a multicolored car isn’t limited to the masses as the owner of this Rolls Royce Phantom proves. According to the team over at Autogespot, it belongs to a UK resident named Alan who happens to own a number of exotic supercars including a Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 Roadster, Pagani Zonda F Roadster and a Spyker C8 Spyder.

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Jay Leno...puts damper on Royal Wedding plans! You go, girl! Leslie Mann's perky appeal!

Leslie Mann - high on her recent acting stint (a voice-over gig) on the just-released comedy flick - RIO - trotted out from behind the curtain at NBC last night and plunked herself down in the comfy armchair next to talk-show host Jay Leno.

But, a short way into the effervescent interview, Leno put an obvious damper on Ms. Mann's upcoming plans to jet across the big pond to jolly old England to celebrate the Royal Wedding.

"You're invited to the wedding," Leno quizzed the perky beauty, with a touch of envy in his voice.

At this point, Mann's face clouded over a tad - as she hesitated a sec - and stumbled for the words to respond.

"No," she finally fessed up.

At this point, Leno probed a little further in a sly effort to to rustle up the specifics.

Apparently, Mann is heading off to London with the kids and mother in tow, to take up a humble perch in the bustling city streets where the motorcade was expected to purr by.

Jay shook his head in disbelief.

In so many words, he appeared to be saying, that's no good!

Now, the poor little bodacious babe is in a quandary about what to do, given the fact Leno has apparently pooh-poohed the notion.

Frankly, I was surprised about the talk-show host's ignorance, with regard to such matters.

When I was a kid, I distinctly recall my mother dragging me off to catch a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth II, when she cruised by in her stately Rolls Royce along a carefully laid out route in the downtown streets of Toronto.

In fact, thousands of Brits - tourists and lookie loo's too - are expected to do the same when the handsome Royal couple drive by all kissey-face after tying-the knot at Westminster Abbey!

Gosh, I'd follow suit - and wear my Sunday-best even - if I could afford the air-fare and cost of a hotel suite.

Maybe there's a news agency out there willing to spring for my trip - in exchange for some lively reporting on the spot - in the midst of the adoring teaming masses expected to turn-out at the Royal event of the century on April 29th?

Leslie, you go girl!

http://www.thetattler.biz

Royal Watchers have eye-out for Fairy-tale Coach!

(Wedded Bliss)

Hits, Misses and Plans for the Future at L.A. Fashion Week

After nearly a month of runway shows, events and trade shows, Los Angeles’ fashion community is assessing the sprawling—and occasionally chaotic—mix of events, and show producers are already gearing up for next season of L.A. Fashion Week. 

The tough economy made it especially challenging for many show producers to line up sponsorship. But undeterred, the schedule included more than 60 events happening around town. This season’s lineup included returning events Downtown L.A. Fashion Week, L.A. Fashion Weekend and BOXeight and newcomers L.A. Fashion on Broadway and Rock Fashion Week. There were also many independent events, including Gen Art’s Fresh Faces in Fashion (now part of Rock Fashion Week) and Project Ethos; fund-raisers, including Passion Revealed; and private events featuring Kevan Hall, Corey Lynn Calter and others.

Most events were held in the evenings, leaving many in the industry available to attend the many trade events also scheduled in October, including the Majors Market, Los Angeles Fashion Market, the Los Angeles International Textile Show, Material World & Technology Solutions, GlobalTex and European Rendezvous. 

Los Angeles–based Hall, who showed in the past at IMG’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios, opted to show independently. (Although he said he’d consider joining the lineup of another fashion week event if he were asked to participate.) “Since there’s no more participation by IMG and Smashbox, you have to think out of the box and find a venue that is impactful, will showcase your collection in the best possible light and be an exciting venue for the clients,” Hall said. The designer showed his Kevan Hall Signature collection on a dramatic set on the lot of Universal Studios. The event was held in partnership with luxury auto dealer Rusnak Auto Group, which showcased its new cars from Rolls Royce, Porsche and Jaguar. 

Hall, who was in his home state of Michigan earlier in October for Detroit Fashion Week, left for Arizona in early November for Scottsdale Fashion Week. (The designer showed at the Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas last year.) The back-to-back event schedule left little time for him to attend any other Los Angeles Fashion Week events. Still, he said it’s important for his business to show his collection in Los Angeles.

Source : http://www.apparelnews.net