Tag: women

Black Badge is a modern styling theme that Rolls-Royce offers on its sportiest models, the Dawn, Wraith and Ghost, in which the traditional chrome brightwork is swapped out for more menacing black chrome. 

Rolls doesn’t do anything as gauche as branding this trio as a “collection,” but the purveyor of classic British luxury cars did provide us with an opportunity to try all three versions of Black Badge during a tour downtown Nashville and the surrounding countryside.

And by the way, the blacked-out chrome is not just for the small trim bits, but also for the cars’ towering Parthenon grille and Spirit of Ecstasy power-retractable hood ornament.

The wheel hubs and spokes are 44 layers of folded black carbon fiber, fastened with titanium bolts to aerospace-grade forged aluminum rims. The carbon fiber treatment extends inside the car too, with a carbon fiber dashboard panel in place of the expected fine wood.

Rolls makes this piece distinctive by weaving aluminum thread into the carbon fiber to add some sparkle. Even the chrome air vents are blackened with tarnish-proof vapor deposition technology.

The roof-lining headliner also glitters thanks to installation of the Rolls-Royce black starlight headliner, which employs fiber optics to create a nighttime starscape inside the cabin of hard top Black Badge models. 

 Convertibles like the Dawn have the option of providing a view of real stars by folding the thickly insulated canvas roof at the touch of a button.

Black Badge was created in acknowledgement of the fact that Rolls-Royce posh image could actually be a mild deterrent to some younger, active customers who see themselves wanting to project a dynamic image with their cars. 

It has worked, as Black Badge models are selling to customers who are 20 years younger than the average Rolls-Royce customer.

“In creating Black Badge, we were conscious of satisfying the different demands of these new customers,” explained Giles Taylor, Rolls-Royce Director of Design. 

“Not only did they demand an alternative image for themselves, they demanded authentic Rolls-Royce engineering substance to underpin it,” he continued.

That means a pumped up engine room in all three Black Badge luxury liners.

The plush Darkest Tungsten Ghost limousine’s 6.6-liter V12 engine enjoys an extra 40 horsepower in Black Badge guise, bringing the total to 603 horsepower, and an added 44 lb.-ft. torque boosts that rating to 620 lb.-ft. 

The eight-speed automatic transmission is also programmed to deliver sportier gearchanges, with less focus on preserving the imperceptibility of usual Rolls-Royce shifts.

The muscular $420,000 Salamanca Blue Wraith grand touring coupe’s power holds steady at 623 horsepower, but it muscles up with an additional 52 lb.-ft. torque, bringing its total to 590 lb.-ft., ensuring that it can back up its sinister looks with equally impressive performance.

The $430,000 Cherry Red Dawn is a plush four-seat convertible in the grand tradition, so its mission of comfort for all four occupants is intact, though our drop top was a bona fide speedster, thanks to its 593 horsepower and 620 lb.-ft. torque.

We put the Dawn’s acceleration to the test when we found an upcoming on-ramp was a left turn and not a right exit, while we sat in the front row of cars waiting for the light to change in the far right lane of three. 

When the light turned green, our red missile rocketed away, sweeping easily across the three lanes make the left turn for the on ramp ahead of the other cars.

All three cars retain the familiar Rolls-Royce above-it-all detached feeling in the driver’s seat, wafting effortlessly along with only the mildest hints of events in the outside world. 

They continue to use Rolls-Royce’s older steel platform from before the debut of the new Phantom and the all-aluminum Architecture of Luxury chassis that also underpins the fabulous new Cullinan SUV.

While the Cullinan has consciously put the driver in touch with the road, these traditional models retain that characteristic Rolls-Rolls ability to float above the road more than roll over it.

The selection of materials and the execution of every detail in the Black Badge cars serves to remind us of how Rolls-Royce became “the Rolls-Royce of cars.” 

The appearance of feel of every surface illustrates why Rolls-Royce says that its cars don’t compete with other luxury car brands, but with vacation homes and artwork. It is because traveling in a Rolls-Royce is a vacation in its own way and absorbing its aesthetics is an artistic experience.

The Black Badge models only underscore those traits and provides a contemporary spin on the traditional Rolls values. We’ll be curious to see in what ways Rolls is able to apply this concept to other models and to stretch this brand as it recruits the next generation of customers.

The holiday season goes hand-in-hand with cozy sleepwear and lingerie that invites snuggling to chase away chills. We happen to know a thing or two about those worlds here at Bare Necessities.

To make it easier to check a few boxes on your lengthy gift list, we’ve organized your life by recipient this year. From matching pajama sets for every family member to edgy teddies for you to wear behind closed doors, there’s something here to jingle everyone’s bells.

So who are you shopping for?

THE SWEET DREAMER

There’s nothing like comfy new pajamas to get through a long winter’s night. Delightfully soft, warm thermals and flannels in festive motifs—plaid, stars, Fair Isle, Christmas lights, Champagne bottles—make for can’t-go-wrong gifts because one can never have too many pairs. You’ll find options in here for men and children, too, which takes care of entire groups at the same time (Instagram-worthy matching family PJs can be found here).

A LUXE-LOVER

Is there a designer diva you adore? These extra-special somethings are where your search begins and ends. Wildly decadent materials like cashmere, velvet, faux-fur, silk and satin go from surprisingly affordable (like the DKNY After Hours Satin Chemise, above) to downright splurgy. And the range of gift types is wide open here, too—truly fabulous bras and panties, plush robes, shearling slippers, top-quality leggings, fine lingerie, designer pajamas and more. So much to love for your bestie, your sister, your girlfriend (and, let’s be honest, yourself).

THE NAUGHTY VIXEN

If you or someone you quite like is planning on being the package all tied up with strings, then these are a few of our favorite things. Strappy faux-leather corsets, pearl thongs, crotchless bodystockings, lacy rompers and bow-trimmed teddies are among the more entertaining ways to bring down your heating bill. This is where the holidays meet ho-ho-ho-hot. (And did we mention there’s elf lingerie? Because there totally is.)

THE TRENDSETTER

For the ladies in your life who are the most plugged in to the fashion world, you’re going to want to peruse our must-have mix of Hanky Panky lace thongs, UGG boots, SPANX leggings and Arm Tights, Kate Spade New York sleepwear (including the rainbow stripe pajamas, above), the world’s finest bras and bralettes, luxurious loungewear, slipper socks and then some. Such a smart way to gift high design for less than the hefty price tag of a handbag.

AN ANIMAL LOVER

We know you know one of these people because who doesn’t? Whether she’s crazy for cats, dogs, horses, birds, sheep, reindeer, bears or just a really well-rendered animal print, you can find a treat that will have her purring, be it sleepwear or witty socks that make perfect stocking stuffers. Pair with UGG slippers and a robe, and she’s dressed to take the dog around the block in style.

A CLASSICS FAN

If her middle name is Sophisticated, she won’t be able to resist these epitome-of-chic selections: tailored menswear-inspired pajamas, minimalist bathrobes, perfectly slouchy button-down sleep shirts, impossibly glamorous caftans, layering separates in a subdued palette and year-round timeless stripes, florals and solids. Getting on your mother-in-law’s good side is well worth the investment.

The post 2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Who are You Shopping for? appeared first on Bare it All.

You know who’s on your holiday gift list this season—it’s the friends you have on group text, your mom who call every morning, and the special someone in your life. But if you’re still trying to figure out what to get them, I’m here to clue you in on some new ways to shop and some shopping missteps to avoid.

The mistake most people make is buying gifts that they personally love, instead of considering what the recipient would actually want. There are also some other mistakes you can avoid, as well as some tricks to follow to end up with a gift anyone is sure to love. Ahead, I’m breaking down the rules I follow to give a perfect gift every time. Scroll on to find out the 4 tricks I follow during for gift-giving over the holidays and shop pieces from my list.

Many people would agree that Victoria Beckham is a fashion icon, but tonight she’s making it official. She’s set to receive the first-ever Fashion Icon Award at the E! People’s Choice Awards, adding to her already impressive résumé of accomplishments.

“I feel so honored to be receiving the first ever fashion icon award at The E! People’s Choice Awards,” Beckham said in a press release. “This year, I am celebrating 10 years of my brand, and this is a wonderful way to mark that decade. I am so grateful to be the inaugural recipient. I love what I do, and love that I have been given the opportunity to empower women through my collections.” Scroll down to shop her brand in honor of the news.

The award shows keep rolling in. From one of the biggest nights in music at the American Music Awards to one of the biggest celebrations of the television industry at the Emmys, there has been no shortage of showstopping fashion moments. Tonight, we’ve landed on one of the last major shows of 2018: the People’s Choice Awards. With an extensive list of nominees, presenters, and performers confirmed to attend, the red carpet promises to be impressive at this year’s show.

There are guaranteed to be plenty of glamorous looks as celebrities arrive at the Barker Hangar in Los Angeles, so stay tuned for our live coverage as the night continues. We’ll be bringing you all of the stunning gowns and glittering jewels spotted straight from the red carpet. Keep scrolling to see the best-dressed attendees at the 2018 People’s Choice Awards.