Visitors to Florence don’t usually see its true architectural legacy as they wander the cobbled streets. That’s because so much of the city’s artistry and opulence remain discrete; tucked-away like long-held secrets behind unadorned walls of stucco and stone. Even a treasure like the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze blends so faultlessly with adjacent structures that you might walk right past without even noticing it. Only upon entering the soaring frescoed courtyard do you realize you’ve arrived … [Read more...]
25 Americans Who Gave Most Money In 2013, Lorre White
February 13, 2014 by
The Americans Who Gave Away The Most Money In 2013 1. Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan Total:$992.2 million Recipients: Silicon Valley Community Foundation Who gave away the most money of any American last year? Facebook billionaire Mark Zuckerberg, 29, and wife Priscilla Chan, 28, who donated nearly $1 billion to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. That gift made up a sizable chunk of the $7.7 billion the top 50 Americans gave away to philanthropic causes in 2013, according … [Read more...]
Hungary – your gate to EU Citizenship, Lorre White
October 29, 2013 by
Hungary – your gate to EU Citizenship Tired of visas? Want to live in heart of Europe, surrounded with centuries of culture and heritage? Become resident of EU through participation in Investor Resident Bond Program in Hungary. First step is to registar with an authorized agent, buy €250,000 worth of 5 year maturity state backed bonds and become resident of Hungary and EU! Hungary can offer many advantages to those who wish to be its residents: Located in the heart of Europe, … [Read more...]
Cheval Blanc Resort Courchevel opens Dec13, Lorre White
October 21, 2013 by
Cheval Blanc Resort Courchevel opens Dec 13 ~ a wealth of novelties Luxury resort hotel in the upscale ski resort of Courchevel Cheval Blanc (LVMH) opens its doors for the 2013-2014 ski season on 13 December 2013 with a host of new experiences – a collection of new treats and surprises for guests. This year, these include: pre-ski training – the cheval blanc spa offers daily personal training sessions to strengthen the cardio-vascular system, hamstrings, quads and tendons, pre-ski / ski … [Read more...]
Swiss watch industry @ Credit Suisse Reports
October 19, 2013 by
Credit Suisse has recently published a major study on the Swiss watches industry. The main topics include: the importance and upsurge of the sector, industrial concentration and distribution, the weight of China and emerging countries. The Credit Suisse report highlights that the watch industry is an economic driving force for Switzerland. Between 2010 and 2012, it recorded an average growth of exports of 17% per year, far ahead of other industries. In 2012, the volume of its sales abroad … [Read more...]
The Millennial Male Is Not Who You Think He Is, Lorre White
October 8, 2013 by
It’s the best time in the world to be a millennial man, to hear baby boomers tell it—let your parents or your girlfriend pay the rent, maybe start a useless tech company, watch marketers trip over themselves trying to reach you. But talk to guys in this highly desirable demo yourself and you might discover a disenfranchised group with little disposable income, a love of niche culture and an upbeat outlook that belies the economic hand they’ve been dealt (two-seven offsuit). They’re not opposed … [Read more...]
Ultra-high-net-worth decreases in Brazil, China
September 21, 2013 by
Ultra-high-net-worth population decreases in Brazil, China The combined wealth of global ultra-high-net-worth individuals has grown to a record high, although the ultra-high-net-worth population has dropped in Brazil and China, according to a new report by Wealth-X and UBS. The “Wealth-X and UBS World Ultra Wealth Report 2013” explores the global population of ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their income on both a global and local market scale. Examining the global wealth of … [Read more...]
Lorre White, ‘China, Shopping is a Man’s World’
September 20, 2013 by
Women have traditionally been known as the big shoppers in luxury retail. But China is no traditional market. Men account for about 55 percent of China’s luxury goods market, much higher than the 40 percent global average, according to research firm CLSA. Furthermore, Chinese men are not only outspending Chinese women on luxury goods — 7 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) in 2010 versus 2.8 billion yuan according to Bain — they outspend them in many categories, reports China … [Read more...]
Thailand to Scrap Luxury-Goods Tax to Lure China Travelers
September 17, 2013 by
Thailand to Scrap Luxury-Goods Tax to Lure China Travelers Thailand’s government said it will scrap import duties on luxury watches, clothes and cosmetics to help the country compete with Hong Kong and Singapore for wealthy travelers from markets including China. The duty on some luxury goods will be cut to zero from 30 percent by the end of the year, Permanent Secretary for Finance Areepong Bhoocha-Oom told reporters in Chonburi province. Thailand’s SET Index jumped 3.6 percent, as Minor … [Read more...]
Can Luxury be found in Virginia Beach?, Lorre White
September 14, 2013 by
Can Luxury be found in Virginia Beach? It had been a long time since life had called me back to the shores of Virginia with its wide soft sandy beaches and it's shallow gentile shores great for wave jumping. Virginia is a beautiful state and it's coastal region is magnificent. Each destination must be judged individually for its unique personality. Often business, family, or events cause us to travel to destinations for other reasons than a luxury quest. Mine did, so here is some notes … [Read more...]
Brazil’s Wealth Revolution, Lorre White
September 10, 2013 by
Brazil’s Wealth Revolution – Trends, Opportunities and Challenges As Brazil enters the global spotlight with the World Cup and Olympics on the horizon, an increasing number of luxury brands are looking at opportunities within the market. Luxury market specialists, Ledbury Research have just released three new studies exploring the spending habits and trends of high net worth individuals in Brazil. The studies, part of Ledbury Research’s Wealth Segment series, present a detailed … [Read more...]
Swiss Accounts No Longer Safe for Tax Dodge
September 10, 2013 by
Secret Swiss Accounts Said No Longer Safe for Tax Dodging Fourteen firms, including Credit Suisse Group AG, the second-largest Swiss bank; HSBC Holdings Plc, the largest European bank; and Julius Baer Group Ltd., Switzerland’s third- largest wealth manager, are under criminal investigation. On Aug. 29, the U.S. announced a program for other Swiss banks to avoid charges. Taxpayers who still believe they can hide secret Swiss bank accounts from the Internal Revenue Service are “beyond … [Read more...]
