Famed French maker of luxury red-soled shoes, Christian Louboutin, is
about to launch Christian Louboutin Beaute. It's being produced by New
York-based beauty company Batallure Beauty, and will hit shelves in
late 2013, so you'll have to hang on to your soles for a while,
waiting for it.

It will be sold all over the world and Louboutin has been telling
various media outlets he was influenced by the bust of Nefertiti at
the Neues Museum in Berlin. It's hard to believe there's something
missing in the world of designer makeup -- Dolce & Gabbana did the
highest pigmented red lipstick imaginable when they launched their
beauty brand last year. But leave it to Louboutin to reinvent in some
way. No one thought anybody would ever outsell Manolo Blahnik.

No doubt, there will be a scent to go along with the makeup -- or
several. The scent of a new pair of Christian Louboutin shoes is
always delicious -- and leather is now a note in many famous perfumes.
Finally, a Louboutin that can be worn by anybody.

FT

JAMBOX by Jawbone is the smallest, best-sounding wireless speaker and
speakerphone around. Just place it anywhere in a room and enjoy
pristine streaming audio from your phone, computer, or other Bluetooth
devices. Bring music, movies, and all your mobile audio vibrantly to
life--all in the palm of your hand.

It delivers stunning hi-fi audio in a portable wireless speaker so
compact you won't believe it when you hear it. It's loud. With an
output capacity of 85 decibels, JAMBOX fills even the largest rooms.
Unlike other portable speakers, it is powered by a pair of
proprietary, highly sophisticated acoustic drivers, unmatched in their
ability to produce extreme high (tweeter) and low (woofer) frequencies
from a single, ultra-small dome speaker. They work in concert with an
innovative moving-wall passive bass radiator and airtight enclosure to
deliver shimmering highs and thumping lows that you can literally
feel--the richest sound all in the palm of your hand.

You get the freedom to bring pristine wireless audio to whatever
you're doing, wherever you want. Carry it from room to room or just
throw it in your bag. No more cords, docks or hassles.

With a powerful, built-in microphone, JAMBOX frees you to share crisp,
clean-sounding conference calls anywhere--in the office, car, at home,
alone, or with a group. It's also perfect for sharing video chats via
iChat, Skype, and more.

With a powerful, built-in microphone, it frees you to share crisp,
clean-sounding conference calls anywhere--in the office, car, at home,
alone, or with a group. It's also perfect for sharing video chats via
iChat, Skype, and more.

It looks and feels as striking as it sounds. But with its stainless
steel construction and industrial-weight molded rubber casing, it's
not just a pretty package--it's a sturdy, portable, and meticulously
crafted machine that's built to blast.

Don't let tiny computer speakers sap your sound. All your media
deserves great audio, no matter what device it's played from. With
JAMBOX, you'll feel the thump of every kick drum, the vroom of every
car chase, and the roar of the crowd with every
buzzer-beater--bringing all your mobile media vibrantly to life. And
with up to 10 hours of continuous play, you can blast away all day
long with plenty of charge to spare for whatever comes next.

It's the best little Speaker you've ever heard. One device lets you
listen to all of your favorite audio--music, podcasts, video, apps,
games, and more--from any phone, music player, tablet, or laptop. Take
it with you wherever you want audio - from room to room in the home or
while on the go. Free yourself from the clutter of big, dedicated
speakers and the constraints of cables and docking stations. Its
portability solves all of your listening needs in one small package.
Experience big stereo sound and earth-shaking bass in the palm of your
hand. Share calls on the go using it as a portable speakerphone. It
only gets better with time ... Gets apps, software updates, and new
functionality at: mytalk.jawbone.com.

FT

Behold, Barbara Palvin‘s stunning first L’Oreal campaign image since
she named as the new spokesmodel for the brand recently!

Seriously, the list of L’Oréal Paris' ambassadors reads like a who's
who in Hollywood and the fashion world. From actresses Diane Kruger
and Rachel Weisz to superstar singers Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé and Gwen
Stefani to models Megan Gale and Doutzen Kroes (and let's not forget
the guys Hugh Lawrie and Patrick Dempsey) they've got it covered. But
that doesn't mean they stop adding to what's become known as the
"Dream Team". The latest signing? Model Barbara Palvin, who at just 18
years of age, already has a stellar list of runway and modelling gigs
under her belt.

Cyril Chapuy, global brand president of L’Oréal Paris, says that he
was struck by Palvin’s “strong character and self-assurance,” when he
first met her on the side-lines of a Paris fashion show. “[Palvin] is
a very promising supermodel with a fascinating personality, [a] fresh
and elegant beauty with a great sense of humor and astonishing
maturity,” said Chapuy. “I think she has this incredible potential to
become a household name.”

Barbara Palvin (born 8 October 1993 in Budapest) is a Hungarian
fashion model and the youngest person to represent the brand.

Is there's some sort of global ambassador inflation going on?

FT

Pantone, the color forecasting and matching firm, has inked a deal
with Sephora to do a Pantone-branded makeup line. Swedish beauty Frida
Gustavsson is fronting the tangerine campaign images.

The first fruits of the deal, a limited edition color cosmetics
collection that will be available at Sephora stores and on sephora.com
as an exclusive, is comprised chiefly of tangerine- and orange-shaded
cosmetics and beauty accessories, ranging in price from $18 to $80.

The effort is said to be part of Pantone’s Color of the Year project
for 2012. Sources noted that the deal also allows for future
Sephora-Pantone collaborations depending on the success of the initial
lineup.

FT

Ground-up bug carcasses aren’t unique to Starbucks Strawberries & Crème Frappuccinos and red velvet whoopee pies.

Cochineal extract, derived from the remains of a parasitic beetle native to Mexico and South America, was used as a coloring agent as early as the 15th century, particularly in textiles. What’s less widely known, however is that cochineal is just as ubiquitous in cosmetics, where it’s listed as “carmine,” “natural red 4,” or “crimson lake.”

Although the dye is known to cause severe allergic reactions (with or without the gag reflex), the alternative isn’t coal tar or others petrochemicals.

Below, a selection of eco-friendly brands that achieve their reds through a combination of minerals (iron and mica oxides) and plant extracts (annatto, beets, turmeric, and saffron) - no bugging out necessary.

Carmine-free lipsticks:

100% Pure

Afterglow Cosmetics

Alba Botanica

Alima Pure

Au Naturale

Aveda

Couleur Caramel

DuWop

Gourmet Body Treats

Juice Beauty

Just Pure Minerals

Kiss My Face

Monavé

Nvey

NaturalGirl Cosmetics

Sevi

Zosimos Botanicals

ZuZu Luxe

FT

Red by Kneil Melicano is a 7-color screen print on an American Apparel tee.
Produced by Chicago-based Threadless, this is but one example of the
clothier’s collaboration with artists from around the globe.
Unlike other depictions, this ‘Red’ doesn’t mess around.

FT

Samsonite recently unveiled its brand new line, Samsonite Red, that
has been innovatively designed for young trendsetters; defining the
brand's expansion from luggage, business collections and into casual
bags.

This new range of bags is vibrant, casual and young, but they do not
compromise on hallmarks of Samsonite products such as durability,
functionality and attention to detail.

The Samsonite Red range for young professionals offer stylish and
colourful choices that are apt for the office, but also reflect the
fun personality of its owner. They add a fun and fresh twist to your
classic office gear, and not to mention your outfit! Designs are
simple yet striking, and there are a few different options to suit
your taste. Samsonite Red is aimed at young urban males and females
aged between 25 and 35 and is said to be focused on practicability,
with 'high quality fabric and materials'. The company says that
Samsonite Red offers the fundamental travelling accessory for young
professionals at work and for leisure.

As with all Samsonite bags, the Young Professional series was
performance-tested under extreme conditions, and matches up to the
sky-high durability standards that Samsonite has set for its own
products.

The campaign was shot by photographer Jeremy Stockton Johnson. The
four key visuals are part of a worldwide launch campaign titled “It’s
in your hands”, developed and directed by creative agency Divine.

FT

Bally, the luxury brand synonymous with quality and elegance was
founded in Switzerland in 1851. Known for its shoes and accessories as
well as ready-to-wear, the collections combine sophisticated style
with the highest quality craftsmanship and finest materials, to create
an easy elegance. Today Bally has emerged as the longest running
global luxury brand in the world, over 155 years, with business
continuing to go from strength to strength every year.

Two creative minds in the name of Graeme Fidler and Michael Herz took
over Bally’s menswear and womenswear design studio in March 2010 with
the focus to give it “a contemporary heritage” (Michael Herz) and “a
sense of modernity while looking at the past” (Graeme Fidler). Since
then, the two have been working on the impressive archives and defined
a map for a new Bally journey.
With a deep understanding of the Swiss luxury heritage and a 7-year
experience of working together, Graeme and Michael have the business
silhouettes to wear Bally AD mantles. The two met in London at
Aquascutum when Graeme was Head of Menswear and Michael Head of
Womenswear. They have been working together ever since with the
intention to convey a consistent and constant message across
divisions. They are recognized as prolific design partners, moreover
none of them became a “we” and they have remained two distinct
personalities that walk at the same speed but in their respective
shoes.

What is key today for Bally is that they share British roots and value
history, but are not locked in the past. On the contrary they use
signature details to create new fabrics, textures or shapes. It is not
about a revival but about an evolution that means a full international
challenge as much for Bally than for the designers.
Indeed, Bally is originally Swiss but has gained a global reputation
over 160 years. Graeme and Michael have committed to foster the
brand’s image of supreme excellence and fine craftsmanship. They know
precisely what it implies to create for 165 Bally-owned boutiques and
555 store-partners worldwide. Both have a strong aesthetic identity
and are business savvy, which matches perfectly Bally’s DNA. “
Together we marry design sensibility and business acumen” - Graeme
Fidler & Michael Herz.

Far from being nostalgic, it is about setting the right frame for a
new contemporary branded vision. Neither a revolution nor a simple
renovation, but a change in direction, “ We will explore what is at
the heart of Bally, no just its archives but also its charm, its
mentality and intelligence.” - Graeme Fidler & Michael Herz.

The duo has raised the success bar and is willing to take the brand
further by giving it a contemporary relevancy without compromising on
the brand’s heritage.

Bally is first and foremost a shoe brand with a story made of pairs,
which makes the creative one Graeme Fidler and Michael Herz even more
appropriate to hold the gears of its design future.

http://www.bally.com
http://www.bally.cn
http://twitter.com/BALLY_SWISS
http://www.bally-love.com
http://www.ballylooks.com

FT

This year Starbucks celebrates the launch of the holiday season with
an innovative free Starbucks Cup Magic app that let customers find and
scan all five Starbucks Holiday Characters- on Red Cups, Christmas
Blend bags and then watch as they magically come to life on your
mobile phone.

From carolers singing holiday tunes, to an ice skater practicing her
spins, to a boy and his dog having a wonderful time sledding down a
hill, the Starbucks Cup Magic app allows customers to interact with
Starbucks characters in a festive and fun way, Starbucks-style, for
the very first time.

Develop in-house by Starbucks Global Studio in Seattle, the Starbucks
holiday will features the usual red cups, Christmas blend & VIA Ready
Brew and new Holiday beverage coffee.

FT

For more than three years, RED has been teasing the Scarlet, a compact
camera in the same class as their more powerful, but bulkier, RED One
and Epic cameras. We actually saw one at CES this year, but they’ve
completely redone the design and capabilities.

It used to do 3K and have a fixed 8x zoom. Now it’s essentially the
same type of camera as the Epic just for a much lower price.

The Scarlet will sell for $9750 and will be shipping as early as
November 17th – the date they said they’d ship earlier, at least after
they revised the shipping estimate a dozen times or so. So what can it
do?

Well, it does 4K, for one thing. That’s 4096×2160, at up to 25FPS, or
quad HD at 30. This is at compression rates that are superior to what
they’ve been shooting movies on for years, yet at a data rate that’s
still eight times what Canon’s new C300 system shoots at. That’s 50
megabytes per second, or 400mbit/s for those keeping track.

It’ll also do 3K at 48fps, 2K at 60fps, and 1K at 120fps, which is
fairly low-resolution but retains the color depth and so on. It’s a
Super 35-sized sensor and they’re using leftover chips from Epic
cameras.

Aesthetically, it’s similar to the rest, since it’s compatible with
all the accessories, but it’s “battleship grey,” as RED founder Jim
Jannard described it, and it doesn’t have “ribs,” because “she’s a
girl, she’s smooth.”

It’s shipping November 17th, but only if you’re willing to shell out
an extra $1500 for the titanium PL mount. The new aluminum Canon mount
they’re putting on it will be available starting on December 1st.

FT