Akubra luxury luggage range launched

Iconic Australian hat-makers AKUBRA, have agreed to grant DKM Blue the worldwide licensing rights to produce a new range of luggage and accessories for men and women. DKM Blue will be launching this exciting new collection in November this year.

Brothers Danny and Dorry Kordahi of DKM Blue will respect the classical feel that AKUBRA is famous for, but will add a contemporary twist to the range both in the design and the product line.   The range includes overnight bags, handbags, travel accessories, wallets and purses.  They are handsomely presented in gift boxes or dust bags and will be available through selected retailers, online and on QANTAS international flights as a duty free purchase.  The complete range is also available at www.akubrastore.com.au.

Danny Kordahi says, "This is a monumental opportunity for our company and for Akubra.  We embrace the opportunity to bring this historical brand to the modern online marketplace, to extend their brand and to build greater brand recognition within the luxury luggage and accessories arena.  The possibilities for both DKM Blue and Akubra are really endless."

The Kordahi brothers have promised that their licensing will "respect the past and look forward to the future". By respecting this auspicious past, Danny and Dorry will honour the Keir family who originated the famous Akubra hat over a hundred years ago.  As testament to the Keir name, the current Akubra Company is led by Stephen Keir IV who is the Chairman and Managing Director.  DKM Blue approached Akubra to consider taking it down a brand extension strategy and to create a collection of premium goods, which would both complement and enhance the Akubra brand.

Cool: GoCycle Electric Bike

by Dolomiti
This electric bike features F1 inspired design, craftsmanship and technology. Performance is fully adjustable using blue-tooth technology and harnessed via an automatic gearbox. Light and fully foldable, the GoCycle is a great travel companion.
 How much? You won't get much change from 5 grand.

Charlie le Mindi shocking fashion show

Hairstylist-cum-designer Charlie le Mindu has built his career on all that is shocking, outrageous and beautifully bizarre.

 Covered in tattoos (he has "love" written across his right knuckles, "cunt" across his left, a pigeon asking "Where's my kebab?" on his right hand and "Gypsi King" across his eyelids—partially because of his father's background, partially because of his "mixed feelings" about the '90s band) and cheeky demeanour, Le Mindu fits right in with East London's quirky creative and club kids.

But the hairdresser to Lady Gaga, Charlie Le Mindu is perhaps best known for his ‘Naked’ catwalk shows, like this one at London Fashion Show.

Why? You'd better ask him.

Images: London Creative

Thredbo celebrates 20th anniversary of the Blues Festival

You know you're onto a good music festival when the very people who form the backbone of it, the artists, call it their personal favourite. Clear and crisp mountain air, beautiful surrounds, electric village vibes and soul soothing blues tunes make the Thredbo Blues Festival one of the top events to attend this summer.

And it's the intimate nature of the festival that really sets it apart from the rest. Forget being herded around like cattle, the Thredbo Blues Festival is famous for providing a great casual atmosphere combined with an impressive line-up of talent.

Only a handful of music festivals in Australia can claim a 20 year legacy, and this summer's Thredbo Blues Festival is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet.

On 17-19 January 2014, 22 Australian artists will perform over the weekend with headline acts including the iconic Wendy Matthews, the inventive Jeff Lang, explosive Kevin Borich, super-smooth Ray Beadle and renowned Rick Price.

The Foreday Riders who have performed continuously from the mid 60's and well-known for spawning many brilliant musicians along the way will also perform together with The Mighty Reapers and a swag of new comers including Jungal.

"The 2014 Thredbo Blues is undoubtedly one of the best line-ups in any Australian Blues festival for some years," said Festival Director Stewart Wauchop.

Legendary Blues man Jeff Lang, a Thredbo Blues crowd favourite, loves this festival. "I've been coming to Thredbo to play at the Blues Festival for 18 years now. I love how it really feels like the whole town has given itself over to music for the duration of the festival. The audiences are great too, like the whole town is populated by people who love to hear live music. It's a different vibe to a typical festival and I always look forward to coming back to Thredbo to play" he said.

The combination of concert, intimate and poolside venues showcasing artists at their best will create a party not to be missed with your accommodation just a short walk home.

There is an accommodation option to suit everyone in Thredbo with all inclusive festival and accommodation packages starting from only $275 per person. 3 Day Early Bird Festival tickets are available until the end of November for only $125. Make sure you book today!

For the full festival line-up of artists, program, accommodation and ticket prices visit www.thredbo.com.au/thredboblues or call Thredbo Resort Centre on 1300 020 589.

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thredbo.Resort.

IWC Schaffhausen celebrates 'The Little Prince'

IWC Schaffhausen celebrates the 70th birthday of the highly popular novella "The Little Prince" with the launch of two limited special editions during Watches&Wonders in Hong Kong: the Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition "Le Petit Prince" and the Pilot's Watch Mark XVII Edition "Le Petit Prince". With these, the Swiss watch manufacturer pays tribute to one of the best-selling books in literary history, written by legendary writer, pilot and adventurer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Since 2006, the Schaffhausen luxury watch manufacturer has maintained a cordial partnership with Saint-Exupéry's heirs and their charitable organization, the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation.

South Africa celebrates Nadine Gordimer

On Sunday September 8, 21 Icons South Africa is proud to celebrate the first artist in the series: novelist and short-story writer Nadine Gordimer. She is the fourth Nobel prize winner featuring in 21 Icons South Africa, having won the prestigious prize for literature in 1991. The other three are former South African presidents Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk, who received the peace prize jointly in 1993, and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, who was the recipient of the 1984 peace prize. 

Popular breakfast show host joins North Queensland Airlie race week

Abell Point Marina Airlie Beach Race Week has snagged a popular radio breakfast host to be the official MC throughout the week-long regatta from 9-16 August, 2013.

Meecham Philpott, who hosts the daily breakfast show on ABC Tropical North from Mackay, is an avid fan of Airlie Beach Race Week and sailing in general.

“I have always loved the water - a mad keen surfer, rowed in The Eight at Kings and, these days, (I’m) a committed stand up paddle boarder,” he said.

“But the yachts are the thoroughbreds of the blue stuff, or turquoise in the case of Airlie.”

With race week having equally as many social events as sailing races, Meech will assist with presentations and announcements throughout the week, including the popular lay day activities which will include a humorous race exclusive to the skippers.

Meecham said he is thrilled to be a part of the 24th annual Abell Point Marina Airlie Beach Race Week.

“What do I love about race week? Let me put it this way, you throw together several hundred socially excited people on turquoise water under a tropical winter sun and give them the opportunity to drive their yachts as fast as they possibly can back to the clubhouse for as many safety challenged drinks of sugar cane extract,” he said

“I’m really looking forward to Airlie race week which I am renaming Airlie beach Race AND Fun Week!”

Meech said he is also interested in taking a few of the sailing stories away with him to share across ABC local radio.

For further information, please visit www.airlieraceweek.com


The Abell Point Marina Airlie Beach Race Week 2013 is hosted by Whitsunday Sailing Club.
Sponsored by Abell Point Marina.
Support by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland as part of a growing calendar of sporting, cultural, regional events throughout the state.
Event partner of Queensland’s Season of Sailing.