SPONSORED
British designer Stuart Hughes, 38, will only make a total of three PrestigeHD Supreme Rose televisions from 28kg of solid 18-carat rose gold.
Each set will have a 55-inch screen and an outer frame adorned with 72 round cut one-carat flawless diamonds.
Hundreds of tiny sunstones and amethysts are mixed into the gold frame, while inner frame will be made from hand-sewn alligator skin.Mr Hughes, who creates dozens of electronic items and gadgets in his workshop in Liverpool, started work on his first TV prototype after months of design preparation.
He started designing in his teens and now makes elaborate bespoke iPhones and iPods for wealthy customers that sell in Harrods, London, as well as glitzy Monaco and Marbella.The father of two was first spotted as a talent by German sports marketing executives after building a gold-plated BMX bike.
He now runs in own workshop with four craftsmen and said he is constantly trying to ''push the boundaries'' with his designs.''My designs are pretty ferocious things and are really aimed at the top end of the market - the uber-rich and the those who have a lot of disposable income," he said.
''Many of them are sold exclusively and although they are pretty out of the box the richest and wealthiest people in world seem to like having something exclusive.''I'm from pretty humble roots myself and obviously most people won't be able to afford anything like the television but it is utterly unique.''My team and I put hours into each individual piece and unlike some other designers who rush down to the jewellers and stick anything on we choose our materials very carefully.''
The £1.5 million television was designed in conjunction with exclusive award-winning electronics company Metz of Germany, and PrestigeHD of Switzerland.For his more ''hard-up'' customers Mr Hughes plans to produce a budget television which is merely gold-plated rather than cast in solid gold.
The cheaper version of the PrestigeHD Supreme will only have 19 kilograms of gold and 48 diamonds, for a price tag of £1 million.
The unorthodox designer said other unusual materials he has used include python, alligator and lizard skins.
One of his most high profile customers is Stefano Gabbana, co-founders of Dolce and Gabbana, who regularly buys gold-plated iPhones.
In 2006 the Yalos Diamond, a 40inch LCD television plated with white gold and studded with 160 diamonds, was made in Naples, Italy, and went on sale for just under £91,000.
