World-famous TITANIC Handbag By Kathrine Baumann Beverly Hills Sets Sail At $100,000.00

April 3, 2012 - PRLog -- BEVERLY HILLS, CA – April 3, 2012 – To commemorate the anniversary of TITANIC and the launch of James Cameron’s TITANIC in 3D, Kathrine Baumann Beverly Hills is releasing the original TITANIC Minaudiere, inspired by Oscar-nominated Gloria Stuart “Old Rose” at $100,000.00.  The original success of this handbag was monumental. When produced, this one-of-a-kind TITANIC handbag carried to the Oscars by Julie Landau, wife of Oscar winning producer John Landau, was the most recognized minaudiere ever designed. In just 2-1/2 weeks, the TITANIC handbag was featured in over 525 broadcasts and covered by national and international press during the 1998 Academy Awards.  This TITANIC received Town and Country and Harper’s Bazaar Award for Best Specialty Design at the 1998 Couture Collection & Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, and launched the revolution of celebrity “Marketing on the Red Carpet”:
•   Baumann, a former actress and film student, purchased her own video camera just hours before leaving for Italy to personally film the making of  her “TITANIC” Minaudiere (small jeweled handbag) , a 2-year project completed in a mere 5 weeks.
•   The creation of this rare gem was not without complications, as the initial model was stolen by a hotel employee.  Additional Artists Proofs were then created prior to Baumann’s departure for insurance.
•   Painting and applying the finishing touches was performed over the course of a week in order to complete it in time for the Academy Awards ceremony. Each crystal was individually hand placed.
•   The bag contains approximately 15,000 of the world’s finest Swarovski crystals.  Smokestacks were encrusted with 24k gold aurum stones coated in real gold.  Crystals flown in from the Austria Swarovski Archives were received just several hours prior to the press unveiling to complete the upper deck.  The bag itself and the shoulder chain are dipped/plated in 24k gold.
•   Collectors demanded a limited-edition due to the monumental press coverage of this jewel of  the ocean.  Although Baumann initially resisted to keep the uniqueness of the original model, she finally created a 25-piece limited-edition which pre-sold in 3 days, shipping 6 months later to anxious collectors awaiting its arrival.  Originally selling for $6,000.00 the last known limited-edition signed by Gloria Stuart, surfaced on the resale market and sold several years ago for $20,000.00.  (Swarovski stones on the original TITANIC and Artist Proofs are dipped in REAL gold; stones on the limited-edition are  only gold in color.) TITANIC’s legend and memorabilia still fascinates and attracts collectors alike.  
•   Although the BH designer still owns Artist Proofs #1 and #3, (Gloria Stuart personally owned AP# 2), Baumann’s original TITANIC featured in PEOPLE Magazine, carried on the Red Carpet, and signed by the film’s star Oscar Nominated  “Gloria Stuart” and Producer John Landau, is for sale for a “cool” price of $100,000.00 with 10% of the proceeds to be donated to the Motion Picture & Television Home Retirement Fund.  
•   This little jewel is known as the TITANIC that didn’t sink, and is also known for sailing down the Red Carpet with the movie winning 11 Academy Awards and tying “Gone with the Wind” with the most Oscars for a single production!
Declared America’s favorite handbag designer by Larry King and Joan Rivers, and recognized as the Female "Andy Warhol," by CNN.  Kathrine Baumann transforms popular American Icons into functional, wearable art. Highlights of Baumann's American Icon favorites include:  Coca-cola, Mickey & Minnie Mouse and Betty Boop to name a few.  As Hollywood's most celebrated minaudiere designer, Baumann's whimsical and classic creations are worn regularly to the Oscars, the Golden Globes and the Emmys.  Notable fans and collectors include:  Hilary Swank, Kim Cattrall, Beyonce, Queen Latifah, Ellen Burstyn, Calista Flockhart, Marcia Gay Harden, Patti LaBelle, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria, Marg Helgenberger, Christina Applegate, Helen Mirren, Paula Abdul, Brooke Shields and the late Elizabeth Taylor.  

For more information on the TITANIC Bag (photo attached by Glen Lipton) or Kathrine Baumann and/or media opportunities, log onto www.kbauman.com or contact AJ Adelman at 310.274.7441 or associate@kbaumann.com

http://www.kbaumann.com/about2.php

http://www.kbaumann.com