So I listen to too much Jay-Z.

Months ago, I had a pinkie ring planned: a white gold square up to my little knuckle, with a “K” lightly hand-etched on.

And then I saw this photo of Coco Chanel.

Of course…

How simply choice is a thumbprint replacing a family crest on a signet ring? But since this ring is pimped by a gallery, I wonder: is this Gerd Rothmann “Signet” ring a statement about vain individuality replacing tribal pride? Or is fingerprinting a “signet” ring — which were traditionally used to authenticate official documents — a wink at how privacy and security have dissolved? Or –

Could any other blog post better illustrate that I have a bachelors degree in Pseudo-Intellectual Masturbating?

Let’s discuss…

The International Watch & Jewelry Guild (IWJG) trade show crams millions of dollars worth of merch in a Vegas Hilton conference room roamed by guard dogs at night. A IWJG member has to vouch for you — photo ID, please — before you can see loose diamonds rolled up in tissue paper, watch vintage Pateks replace cash as currency, and hear friendly haggling set market prices.

The veneer of the bling business is stripped away, and you’re left with the soul of what most people would sell their souls for.

No one at the IWJG would, though.

But they will cut you a deal on a Paul Newman Rolex Daytona…

Wanting: Pre-Owned Power Plates

Power Plates are amazing vibrators that get your entire body hot. Power Plates use whole body vibration to contract muscles 30-50 times per second. If you stand on the machine for 10 minutes a day, three times a week, you’ll improve bone density, increase your overall health, and lose weight. Because you’ll also become richer and younger and have a bigger penis, the machines sell for five figures. Check Craigslist to buy a used Power Plate for about $5,000…

Using: A Gym with a Power Plate

Power Plates are a luxury — not because of their price tag, but because of the time they’ll save you. Blue Clay Fitness gyms offer Plower Plate training, and you can get your first Power Plate training session for free. I just signed up for a free Power Plate session, so I can test one out. Find a Power Plate in your area…

Hating: Power Plate by Kenzo Takada

Power Plate my5 is chicked up, thanks to designer Kenzo Takada. Wince at the color, wince at the $2,000 premium. Let’s also stick a Hello Kitty decal on my Porsche and pretend that makes it faster… ]]> http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/06/04/power-plates-k-is/feed 2 http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/12/mccaul-goldsmiths-earrings-k-is http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/12/mccaul-goldsmiths-earrings-k-is#comments Tue, 12 May 2009 14:55:43 +0000 Kristopher http://www.kristopherdukes.com/?p=2357

Wanting.

Until recently, the only jewelry I owned was a medical alert bracelet and a custom “K” initial necklace. But I adore McCaul Goldsmiths earrings — he hits that balance of interesting, without sacrificing elegance. If you missed Mother’s Day, gift her these and mom will forget that you forgot, too…

Wearing.

I love these McCaul Goldsmiths earrings — they’re simple swirls of gold, tipped with tiny diamonds. Jewelry as choice as this is best worn naked, padding around your pad…

Hating.

McCaul Goldsmiths earrings are so good that his least gorgeous design would be another designer’s best success… ]]> http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/12/mccaul-goldsmiths-earrings-k-is/feed 0 http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/11/alejandro-ingelmo-shoes-on-sale http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/11/alejandro-ingelmo-shoes-on-sale#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 15:17:18 +0000 Kristopher http://www.kristopherdukes.com/?p=2478

Wanting.

Private sales site Gilt.com is blowing out Alejandro Ingelmo shoes today. Maybe I’ve caught sales fever, but I love these black Alejandro Ingelmo shoes on sale. A stilettoed maryjane always vibes buttoned-up sex…

Wearing.

These nude Alejandro Ingelmo shoes on sale beat any basic black pump: nude flows with everything, snakeskin’s always choice, and skin-tone platform pumps stretch your legs long…

Hating.

I know these Alejandro Ingelmo shoes are on sale. But a peep-toe, platform, patent leather, sling-back shoe boot is best left to the retarded sisters of Rihanna… ]]> http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/11/alejandro-ingelmo-shoes-on-sale/feed 1 http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/05/latest-luxe-links-7 http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/05/latest-luxe-links-7#comments Tue, 05 May 2009 15:04:20 +0000 Kristopher http://www.kristopherdukes.com/?p=2453 Factio Magazine checks out the hottest art/fashion party during Art Chicago – ART ROCKS!
Grave-robbing affects more than Astor-nomical estates. Domesticblog is saddened by the Astor money not going to charities…
Most expensive teddy bear at 500,000 pounds? If you buy it, you will also get Teddy’s (owner’s) home – a beamed cottage in Lavenham, a picturesque Medieval village.
Reiner Mengesdorf’s Organic Opulance…Greco-Roman and Byzantine inspired jewelry designs are infused both with organic style and dazzling beauty.
Bloomacious takes a look at the legacy of the famous racehorse in Remembering Barbaro.
Takashi Murakami and high-end retailer Louis Vuitton collaborated before, but according to Runway to Retail, the latest installation is quite something.
From pipemakers to fashion’s finest, the Classicist looks at the history of Longchamp.

Wanting.

When most designers do very-ready-to-wear in rich materials, it comes off cute. Like a cashmere hoodie? Winky wink. But Maggie Ward gets it: luxe, loose jumpsuits like this aren’t about being clever, but smart: such a simple design showcases the super fine fabrics Maggie Ward uses. I met John Ward, the designer, in their LA loft. He works very hard to make styling chic very easy…

Wearing.

I can count on one hand how often in a year I wear pants, but I’m obsessed with Maggie Ward silk sweat pants. Maggie Ward sent me a pair, and I’m living in them. In a sueded silk, Maggie Ward silk sweat pants are unsurprisingly comfortable, and surprisingly flattering. These are better than wearing air…

Hating.

I’m only hating these Maggie Ward silk sweats in silver because I don’t own them (yet). There are few brands I’m a whore for — lingerie by Marlies Dekkers, shoes by Giuseppe, porn by the Japanese — and Maggie Ward is one of them. These silk sweatpants are future iconics… ]]> http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/04/maggie-ward-k-is/feed 1 http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/01/lapaporter-iphone-sleeves-k-is http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/01/lapaporter-iphone-sleeves-k-is#comments Fri, 01 May 2009 15:51:31 +0000 Kristopher http://www.kristopherdukes.com/?p=2418

Wanting.

I’ve never been into iPhone condoms — the sex appeal of the iPhone is its sophisticated simplicity — I like it raw. But then I saw these Lapàporter iPhone sleeves, which echo the elegance of the economy of the super-smart phone’s design: a simple sliver of skin becomes extra choice as the shape highlights a rich python…

Using.

I love that Bottega-like basketweave. Bags are a last resort for me, so this Lapàporter iPhone sleeve is great — I can slip a credit card in here for a quickie. Errand…

Hating.

We just chatted about how choice rich minimalism is, and here’s a useless bow… ]]> http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/05/01/lapaporter-iphone-sleeves-k-is/feed 0 http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/04/28/latest-luxe-links-6 http://www.kristopherdukes.com/2009/04/28/latest-luxe-links-6#comments Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:50:09 +0000 Kristopher http://www.kristopherdukes.com/?p=2403 Domesticblog is warning about the “behind-the-scenes” of serving the wealthy in Cityfile: Nelson and Claudia Peltzs House of Horrors, Part Two.
Factio Magazine is craving fashion, jewelry and vacations!
A kitchen by Armani? Lamps by Diesel? You bet! Fashion designers work their magic at Milan Furniture Fair.
Castillo del Lago, Madonna’s former home in the Hollywood Hills is for sale for $14.95 million.
Check out some of the coolest art+fashion events coming up during Art Chicago, May 1-4, 2009 on Runway to Retail.
UFO-Hayashi transforms Acer Aspire One Netbook into a masterpiece worth $3000, a zen-touch-up for a netbook from the land of rising sun.
Tom Dixon, Front Design and 5.5 Designers ‘DesignBox ‘ For Veuve Clicquot.
From Bloomacious: These Game Reserves in Tanzania are picture perfect – just keep the shooting to camera shutters clicking. Was this Ernest Hemingway’s hideout?