Amanda Bynes was spotted when she walked through Times Square wearing a ensemble of a white and blue tank top, maroon velvet skirt, and heavy winter jacket. Her feet were coming out of her shoes as she walked to McDonalds. She sipped a soda as she went up and down to the counter 7 or more times. On the way out, she was walking into the street with her blouse on her head. She turned heads as she tried to catch a cab.

Bynes’s tweet about the McDonald’s outing raises more questions than it answers, but we can all agree that the most salient piece of information here is the tidbit about her clothing and perfume lines. You may recall that her fashion aspirations are what brought her to New York in the first place, so good to know that’s working out! The real mystery is whether the outfit she’s wearing in all these pictures is actually part of said clothing line. Hopefully it is, because that skirt is really something.

In somewhat related news, while perusing Bynes’s Twitter feed, we noticed something interesting: She doesn’t even follow her potential vagina-murderer Drake, nor does he follow her! It’s unclear whether this is a recent development, but it seems notable.

With this Daily Deal you will get a ticket to the Fall/Winter 2013 Trend Presentation, previewing the trends from all the major Winter fashion weeks, moderated by Diane Von Furstenberg on Monday, April 15, 2013 in the Time Life Building. In addition, you will have access to a panel discussion with fashion megastars like consultant Julie Gilhart following the show. Finally, you will receive a one year membership to Fashion Group International, which provides access to industry events and other special perks and privileges. This is one deal that does not come around every day so snag a membership while you can.

Although Hall said that she applauded St. Louis Fashion Week, she said the event had diminished over the years. She said she didn’t want to capitalize on what they had created but instead to build something new and ultimately larger. She has the support of Grand Center and will be hosting her first event at the Moto Museum in Grand Center.

“My impression is that she’s playing the game of incredulity because she doesn’t want to admit the tactics that she’s taking,” D’Agostino said. He said he had heard from businesses and designers that Hall was marketing her event as a “fashion week” first and mentioning the Missouri part in passing. “I feel like there’s no reason for her to have the fashion week name unless she’s hoping to market off of what we have already built,” D’Agostino said.

He said that it would be better for St. Louis for Hall’s group to join St. Louis Fashion Week, not compete with it. If she has designers who deserve to be on the runway, the current St. Louis event would be more than happy to add days to its roster or at least collaborate.

But they won’t collaborate with another local fashion week, he said.

Hall said: “We are definitely moving forward. We may not have Alive’s support, but we have a lot of support from local designers, and especially people outside the city limits.

“Historically, when things change, you look back and that’s when you see the benefits in having done it in the first place.”

But we’ll only get that look back after their respective attorneys handle the question of what is and isn’t trademark infringement.

The co-founder of Missouri Fashion Week, Cillah Hall, disagrees. Hall owns Xanadu Public Relations in St. Louis. She met with Tucker recently and says she was shocked that they couldn’t come to an agreement. St. Louis is big enough for two fashion weeks, Hall said, and she feels that the competition will serve them both well. She is adamant about starting something new; Hall declined a conciliatory offer from Tucker to take a leadership position with St. Louis Fashion Week instead.

The inaugural Missouri Fashion Week is scheduled for Aug. 21-24. Meanwhile St. Louis Fashion Week, which just finished its spring season last week, will light up the runways again in late September.

“We didn’t want to impede on Alive’s fashion week,” Hall said. “But when you’re a magazine doing a fashion week, you’re driven more by revenue. At the end of the day, advertisers influence what’s on the runway, and there can be a lot of compromises.”

Francois-henri Pinault thinks London is becoming the centre of the fashion world.

The PPR chief executive announced last week (22.03.13) he will be rebranding his fashion empire – which comprises high end brands including Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Balenciaga – as Kering in June and repositioning it as a luxury lifestyle brand.

And after recently acquiring Christopher Kane, it appears Kering is looking to the London catwalks as the future of fashion because they believe the city offers far more up-and-coming talent than Paris.

Francois-Henri told The Independent newspaper: ”London is hot. For now all the new designers are coming from London. This could become a weakness for France, as I do not see the same depth of new talent here in Paris.”

The group also announced they have acquired a majority stake in French tannery France Coco, which will supply their luxury brands with high-quality leather.

A spokesperson said: ”This acquisition will allow Kering’s brands to further secure a sustainable supply of high-quality crocodile skins.

”This vertical integration is part of the strategy of Kering to better support its brands to better reach their potential.”

The Irish Heritage Club members who painted it this year had a permit, but the man who started the tradition never bothered with that.

John Doyle Bishop was often arrested for the stunt in the 1970s, when the stripe would end at his clothing shop at Fifth Avenue and Union Street. But charges never stuck, Bishop’s big personality never backed down, and the publicity he adored helped add to his legend.

Bishop, who came here in 1947, was a flamboyant gay man in an era when no one acknowledged that publicly. His clothing store drew Seattle’s most well known women – Boeings, Blethens and Bullitts among them – mostly for the personal touch that made Bishop known worldwide as a fashion authority. In 1967, Harper’s Bazzar put Bishop among the world’s hundred best dressed men – a list that included Fred Astaire, Cary Grant and Rock Hudson.

Describing the part further, she said: “She’s the sort of woman who goes for a walk one day and feels if you’ve exercised, there’s no harm eating one samosa. Subarna Rai Chaudhari went mad trying to put together the look. What she wears is almost outlandish and even bizarre sometimes… but that’s for you!”

Thursday’s Supreme Court verdict has left filmmakers working with Sanjay Dutt worried.

The SC sentenced Sanjay Dutt to five years’ imprisonment, of which the actor has already served 18 months. But he has another four weeks before he must surrender, during which he has to wrap up most of his immediate work. A trade source reveals that Sanjay’s priority now will be to finish the bigger roles he has in Rajkumar Hirani’s P.K. and KS Ravikumar’s Policegiri. So he might not be able to shoot for his cameo in Rajkumar Gupta’s Ghanchakkar.

They plan to release the first song at the Adam Khan Tomb, also known as Bhool Bhulaiya, in Mehrauli, Delhi.“The makers want to stick to the theme of the film, which is basically a confusion between various characters. They thought of Bhool Bhulaiya because the name suggests the same,” reveals a source close to the production, adding, “They want to create some mystery about the fun and thriller element of the film. Lead stars Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi will be present at the launch.” READ ON

Emraan Hashmi to bare body in Ghanchakkar
After doing kissing scenes, now actor Emraan Hashmi will shed clothes for a scene in his upcoming film Ghanchakkar. Source close to the team revealed, “Emraan will go bare body for one of the scenes in the film. He has been maintaining himself really well to take his shirt off. In Ghanchakkar, he will show his agile self in several scenes.” The 33-year-old is known for locking lips with his co-stars in films like Murder and Zeher. READ ON

Raj Kumar Gupta gets musical for Ghanchakkar
While most Bollywood films rely on some hit numbers to get them more publicity, Raj Kumar Gupta has stayed away from including those in his films. But now, we’ve been informed that the director will be shooting two special music videos for his next film, Ghanchakkar, produced by UTV Motion Pictures. Apparently, this is the first time that he will be shooting a music.

Beware though, those who go off-track with the strict guidelines will not be allowed entry to the Royal Enclosure. Ascot is not like the Grammys were one can defy the dresscode and still gain entry .

See the comprehensive list of guidelines below:

Royal Enclosure

Ladies

Ladies are kindly reminded that formal day wear is a requirement in the Royal Enclosure, defined as follows:
• Dresses and skirts should be of modest length defined as falling just above the knee or longer.
• Dresses and tops should have straps of one inch or greater.
• Jackets and pashminas may be worn but dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the Royal Enclosure dress code.
• Trouser suits are welcome. They should be of full length and of matching material and colour.
• Hats should be worn; a headpiece which has a base of 4 inches (10cm) or more in diameter is acceptable as an alternative to a hat.

Ladies are kindly asked to note the following:
• Strapless, off the shoulder, halter neck, spaghetti straps and dresses with a strap of less than one inch (2.5cm) are not permitted.
• Midriffs must be covered.
• Fascinators are no longer permitted in the Royal Enclosure; neither are headpieces which do not have a base covering a sufficient area of the head (4 inches/10cm).

Gentlemen

Gentlemen are kindly reminded that it is a requirement to wear either black or grey morning dress which must include:
• A waistcoat and tie (no cravats)
• A black or grey top hat
• Black shoes.

A gentleman may remove his top hat within a restaurant, a private box, a private club or that facility’s terrace, balcony or garden. Hats may also be removed within any enclosed external seating area within the Royal Enclosure Garden.
The customisation of top hats (with, for example, coloured ribbons or bands) is not permitted in the Royal Enclosure.

Children
(Admitted on Friday and Saturday only)
Girls (aged 10-16) should be dressed for a formal occasion. Smart summer dresses are suggested. Hats, headpieces or a fascinator may be worn but are not compulsory.
Boys (aged 10-16) should either dress in accordance with the gentlemen’s dress code (as set out opposite); or alternatively may wear a dark-coloured lounge suit with a shirt and tie (whereupon no hat is required).

Ladies within the main Grandstand enclosure are encouraged to dress in a manner as befits a formal occasion. Ladies are kindly asked to take particular note of the following:
• A hat, headpiece or fascinator should be worn at all times.
• Strapless or sheer strap dresses and tops are not permitted.
• Trousers must be full length and worn with a top that adheres to the guidelines above (i.e. strapless or sheer strap tops are not permitted).
• Jackets and pashminas may be worn but dresses and tops underneath should still comply with the Grandstand Admission dress code.
• Midriffs must be covered.
• Shorts are not permitted.

Girls (17 or under) should be dressed for a formal occasion. Smart summer dresses are suggested. Hats, headpieces or a fascinator may be worn but are not compulsory.
Boys aged (13-17) should wear a suit or jacket with a shirt and a tie. Younger boys (12 or under) should be dressed smartly but are not required to wear a jacket or tie.

A final note

Fancy dress, novelty and branded/promotional clothing are not allowed on site.

The Swedish chain, which trades in 48 countries, will open in Melbourne and Sydney initially, with a view to rolling out 10 stores nationwide.

Speculation has been rife over the past year that H&M – which specialises in mid-priced clothing – was ready to follow in the footsteps of fellow international chains Topshop, from the UK, and Spain’s Zara.

Both have been embraced by Australian shoppers since opening their first bricks-and-mortar stores in 2011.

H&M chief executive Karl-Johan Persson announced at the company’s first-quarter results that the group would push into Australia next year.

Property agents Colliers International has been helping H&M in the hunt for potential CBD sites.

“But retail turnover in Australia has been quite solid and online sales show there is strong demand for this type of product.”

Department stores Myer and David Jones, which have struggled in the tough retail climate, both insisted this month that they welcomed international interlopers, as the new chains boosted foot traffic.

Commonwealth Bank analyst Andrew McLennan said it was inevitable H&M would steal market share from domestic retailers.

But he said the European group would face challenges in finding suitable sites, supplying stock for southern hemisphere seasons and accommodating Australia’s high labour costs.

“There’s no doubt the competitive landscape is increasing dramatically, but it’s not guaranteed that all these international brands will come in and automatically be a success.”

She said this is what would distinguish them from St. Louis Fashion Week, which has some of its presentations in the malls.

Hall was the force behind coordinating St. Charles Fashion Week, which was launched by Tom Hannegan at Street Scape Magazine four years ago, but she left after its 2012 season to launch Missouri Fashion Week.

St. Charles Fashion Week has since folded, but Hall said that her efforts to be more inclusive would benefit the entire region and state. Hannegan’s magazine will be a media partner for Missouri Fashion Week.

St. Louis Fashion Week began seven years ago with high hopes and much support. At the time, Attilio D’Agostino, the co-founder of Alive Magazine and instigator of St. Louis Fashion Week, said, “Critical mass is the key; so much of this is like a thermonuclear reaction.” He wanted to get people excited about what the Midwest has to offer. He developed the city’s first regional fashion week as an homage to the city’s Garment District past.

The effort started with borrowed space on Washington Avenue and moved to lavish New York-style shows at a raw space in Lumière Place that was transformed into an elaborate runway.

Ferrer, seeded third, was playing his first match of the tournament after advancing to the third round on a walkover when his scheduled opponent Dmitry Tursunov of Russia withdrew. The 30-year-old Spaniard will battle for a quarter-final berth against 13th-seeded Nishikori, a 6-2, 7-5 winner over Belgian Xavier Malisse.

The two have split their four prior encounters 2-2. Ferrer triumphed in their last meeting, notching a straight-sets victory over the Japanese in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

“It’s going to be a very difficult match,” Ferrer said. “The last time I played him at the Australian Open I beat him in three sets, but I will have to run a lot. We will play a lot of rallies on the baseline. Nishikori, he has unbelievable shots. He plays with a lot of power.”

Ferrer broke Fognini four times en route to the victory in 79 minutes. It was his third win over the Italian this season and his sixth in six career meetings. Ferrer is vying for his third title of the season, after successfully defending titles in Auckland and Buenos Aires.

But he had a disappointing outing at the Indian Wells Masters earlier this month, falling in his second-round opener.

Actress Kristen Bell is in phenomenal shape, thanks to a vegan diet and an active lifestyle that includes lots of hiking, Pilates and strength-training.

Bell, who has been a vegetarian since age 11, recently made the switch to a vegan diet and has has never felt or looked better.
“The first month or so I really missed cheese,” Kristen, 32, told Shape. “But then I discovered Daiya, which melts just like regular cheese. It certainly doesn’t taste exactly like real cheese, but it’s really, really good.

“When I order vegan pizza now, I am glad that the Daiya is so yummy but lacks that heavy feeling a lot of cheeses can give you. And honestly, there are so many good substitutes available now that I really don’t miss anything!”
Bell, an animal-rights activist, inspired her fiancé, comedian Dax Shepard, to switch to a vegan diet, and he too has never felt better.
“I sleep 15% better,” said the ripped 6-foot-2 Shepard, 37. “My allergies are at least 15% better. I have fewer body aches. My skin looks better. I’m never starving, and I never need to ride the couch feeling completely full and disgusting.”

While some vegetarians (like Lea Michele) complain that the vegan diet is too restrictive, Kristen says maintaining her eating plan is easy because she grows her own vegetables, and can always find great vegan recipes on the Internet.
“I have my own garden where I grow vegetables, so [my meal plan] really depends on the season,” says Bell. “Right now, I’m roasting a lot of squash. They’re loaded with vitamins and anyone can make them. Just pop them in the oven at 375 degrees until tender, about 30 to 45 minutes. I add a little Earth Balance vegan butter and brown sugar for a treat.”

Kristen also indulges her sweet tooth by making tasty, antioxidant-rich smoothies using berries, apples, kale, spinach or coconut water.
While her career depends on her looks, the “Gossip Girl” star insists that being fit and healthy has a positive impact on all areas of her life, and is an investment that keeps on returning dividends.

“I would pass on to the next generation the importance of taking care of your body both inside and out,” she says. “It’s all about being respectful to yourself because long-term you will feel and see the difference, and everyone else will see it too.

“Know that you always deserve to feel good and that that can happen by taking good care of yourself. I make it a priority to look after my skin and health because things can get very chaotic. When I feel and look healthy, it actually helps me manage a busy schedule better.”
Kristen, who hikes, runs, does Pilates, and strength-trains, is proud that regular exercise has made her stronger and more energetic.

“A few years ago, I could barely hike up half the mountain without passing out and having to turn back,” she says. “With just a little consistent practice, I can now walk at a swift pace to get my heart rate up and still enjoy a beautiful long hike in the mountains.”

“We are not Goliath, we didn’t want to handle it this way,” said Elizabeth Tucker, publisher of Alive Magazine and executive director of St. Louis Fashion Week. “We did everything we could think of for it not to come to this.”

She said she had a simple request: “Change the name and join the team.” Tucker said they had worked long and hard to establish a fashion week in St. Louis and to prove that it’s sustainable . She said a new fashion week in the same town would essentially be profiting from their efforts dress for prom .

Legendary fashion designer Donna Karan has built a $400 million fashion empire around her love of yoga.

Karan, who has been a yoga devotee since age 18, does yoga every morning for 60-90 minutes, saying the meditative practice keeps her physically toned, but more importantly, spiritually centered.
“I’ve always been a yogi, always on a path,” Karan said at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York on Oct. 27, 2012. “I chose a spiritual path because without that, life makes no sense.”
Karan, a longtime vegetarian (who occasionally eats meat) says everyone can learn from the practice of yoga.

“People think yoga is about being able to put your leg behind your head, but the highest form of yoga is sitting still and just breathing,” says Karan, who insists yoga helps her find inner calm amidst the chaos that is life.

Amazingly, Karan’s entire fashion empire initially stemmed from her devotion to yoga. Her trademark stretchy, sporty clothes were created out of her desire to wear outfits that she could “sleep in, do yoga in, and go out in.”
Yoga also helped Donna weather personal tragedy, notably the untimely death of her husband, artist Stephan Weiss. Weiss died of lung cancer in 2001 at age 62. Since then, Karan has become a vocal proponent of alternative therapies and healthcare.
In 2007, Donna founded the Urban Zen Foundation in Manhattan, where she promotes alternative therapies, yoga and nutrition, and is an advocate for changing the healthcare system to integrate holistic Eastern medicine with conventional Western practices.

Karan’s passion for yoga, meditation, and health was also shaped by the tragic deaths of close friends, such as her mentor Anne Klein (breast cancer, 1974); confidant Perry Ellis (AIDs, 1986); and friend Liz Tilberis (ovarian cancer, 1999).
“Each and every one of us is, or will be, a patient or a caregiver,” says the mother of three. “Nobody gets away from illness. We will each be in a hospital someday.”

Karan says personal loss has made her that much more determined to be a force for positivity, optimism, and contribution.
“Stephan used to say that you could either look at the plus or the minus in life – that is your choice,” she recounts. “When I was crying every day because he was sick with cancer, he would say, ‘I’m right here beside you now, so why you crying?’ ”
The tragedies taught her the credo she lives her life by every day: Delete the negative; accentuate the positive.

Taylor Swift announced the dates for her upcoming 2013 North American tour for her album Red on Friday.

Taylor Swift announced the tour via her official website. The tour will start in Omaha, Nebraska on March 13, 2013, and end in Nashville, Tennessee on September 21, 2013. The tour will have 58 shows in 45 cities. Swift will play in 29 states and three Canadian provinces. A full list is available on the site.

Swift said of the tour: “I didn’t think I could be any more excited about my RED album, but then I start thinking about how I’m going to put the new show together for The RED Tour. I have so many ideas about how to really bring this music to life, and I can’t wait to share the new show with all my fans!”

Swift’s new album which was released Oct.22 has become an instant hit and has already hit the number one position on iTunes. The singer who has enjoyed a lot success and be awarded for her work on various occasion hasn’t let the stardom get to her head and remains as humble as ever. She stopped by “Good Morning America” the same day as the release of her album and chatted with co-host George Stephanopoulos about “Red,” which is her fourth studio album.

She said, “I don’t mind any of that [pointing to the fans] at all. There’s nothing wrong with that. But there is sort of a pressure to not make a mistake. I’m at an age where you’re supposed to be learning lessons and all that and make mistakes, its okay. But I have to really minimize the mistakes that I make. Because, it’s important – I have these people that count on me. That’s part of it, that I have come to terms with.”

Swift is thrilled about the instant success “Red” is getting, “This is a crazy feeling,” Swift said at a Target listening party Monday. “I mean, these are songs that I’ve worked on for two years and worked so hard to make different from everything I’ve done before, and the fans are really getting that. I love that they are understanding that this is something completely new, and it’s just a wonderful feeling.”

Jennifer Aniston feels sexy in “simple” ensembles.
The Hollywood actress is famed for her girl-next-door look and regularly shows off her enviably toned figure in a range of non-fussy outfits both on and off the red carpet.
Jennifer believes effortless designs suit her the most – and make her feel more attractive.
“Simple is always good. Just wearing my favourite comfy jeans and my boyfriend’s T-shirt,” she explained in an interview with the UK edition of OK! magazine.
Jennifer is one of Hollywood’s hottest leading ladies, but the star insists she had her eye on another career if her acting path failed.
The 43-year-old star has revealed what other avenues she would have pursued if acting was over for her.
“Directing, definitely. And maybe dermatology – I am fascinated by skin products,” she smiled.
Jennifer is famed for her effortless beauty and recently signed a deal with Massachusetts-based hair brand Living Proof to front their range.

Dannii Minogue was determined her fashion line would have “kudos and longevity”.

The Australian star set up the Project D label with her friend Tabitha Somerset Webb in 2010. They had a firm idea of what they wanted to achieve when they started out.

“We both had concerns about how we were going to run a company and keep our friendship. We also agreed we wanted this to be a fashion line with kudos and longevity – not just another celebrity endorsed product,” she told the British edition of Grazia magazine.

Dannii and Tabitha are best pals and think their close bond has helped the label be a success. They get excited when they see people in their creations, whether famous or not.

“Designing and seeing the collections in action – spotting people like Kate and Pippa Middleton, who own Project D London pieces, wearing them – is better than I could ever had imagined and Tabs and I trip pit over the smallest things, like one woman emailing to tell us ours is the only dress she feels confident in,” Dannii gushed.

The famous Chinese designer has received many awards including the 2011 Best Designer of China for her label Chuhetingxiang.
For her latest show, Chu was inspired by the Chinese philosophical belief of man being an integral part of nature.

Virtues of a simple lifestyle were reflected in her collection of 39 costumes reflecting shades of black and gray along with more vibrant reds and greens without complicated designs.

Vegetation dyeing, an ancient Chinese dying technique that involves using flower and plant extracts to dye clothing, was used for most outfits to highlight the show’s organic sentiment.

Fashion critic Mu Xia told Metro Beijing Chu’s show had succeeded in striking a balance between being “down-to-earth” yet “very international” in its styles and designs.

“It combines Chinese elements and international fashion, which showcases traditional Chinese culture to the world,” Mu said.
Now in its 15th year, China Fashion Week brings together the country’s top designers and fashion heavyweights from around the world.

In a bid to pay homage to some of the finest Indian artists, designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee will be giving a fashion presentation tonight at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya lawns. The special event, which is part of the Diamond jubilee celebrations of the Jehangir Art Gallery, will begin with a performance by singer Shubha Mudgal, followed by the designer’s showing. “The evening will be a sensory overload in terms of beautiful sounds, textures and colour to match the seriousness of art. I will be displaying an extension of my line at the Delhi Couture Week, which was very eclectic, a combination of different cultures yet staying very Indian,” says Sabyasachi who has been inspired by international artists such as Paul Gauguin, Henri Matisse and Frida Kahlo.

The designer’s interest in paintings began at an early age, with his mother being an artist. Having started the Sabyasachi Art Foundation a few years ago, the designer himself supports and encourages new talent. “I interview a lot of artists and then decide on those that need support.

Some don’t have the ability to market themselves, so they take up odd jobs instead. We pay these artists a sustainable salary so they can run their homes and continue their art,” adds the designer, who plans to hold the first exhibit of these efforts next summer. And will this exhibition have art works by the designer himself? “No, I’m not a great painter. My works are not good enough to be put on display,” he adds. Sabyasachi believes that if one does good work, the money will follow. “Even when it comes to designing, I always do what I think is right. Often projects of commercial importance may not be of great artistic value. It’s important to follow your instinct,” he says. Having constantly incorporated Indian textiles in his creations, Sabyasachi feels the only way to go ahead is by reviving these traditional crafts. “Today, a number of young designers are using these techniques in their work… It’s important to have an understanding of where you come from,” adds the designer as he gears up for work on his latest interior projects.

It is ideal for a runway show to present a dynamic collection with a selection of tops, bottoms, dresses, shoes, accessories—items that can be worn for any occasion by different types of women.

Thankfully, during Philippine Fashion Week last Thursday at SMX Convention Center, designers Eric delos Santos, Raoul Ramirez, Roland Lirio and Vania Ramoff presented a wide-range of wearable garments that would suit a variety of types—from the outgoing to the effortlessly casual-chic to the life of the party to the sophisticate.

The show pieces that really stood out featured beaded shorts, backless dresses, geometric prints, and detailed, unexpected pockets.
Aside from the lace dresses, peplums, and maxi dresses of delos Santos’ spring/summer collection, the designer’s take on beaded shorts really stood out: high-cut, detailed in elegant lace and fine beading to complement the main garment and available in orange, blue and purple, the shorts can be worn with beautiful draped tops or just simple white shirts.

Raoul Ramirez’ sheer beachwear show skin in a chic way.
Ramirez presented a beach collection with a wide array of items that are easy on the eyes: dresses and separates that are perfect for the season—sheer, sexy tailored clothes that are not shy about showing a hint (or more) of skin.

Mostly in chiffon, the nature-inspired prints are in colors of pink, yellow, and blue to complement tanned skin.
Roland Lirio’s geometric patterns draw the eye.
Lirio’s spring/summer collection would suit the youthful, playful woman who loves bold colors and architectural, maximalist geometric figures. They are present everywhere—on the sleeves, the bodice, the waist, the skirt.

The clothes are tailored like sportswear, hence the use of soft and hard fabrics creating abstract art showcased in his one-piece swimsuits, cool and hip boleros, patterned and perfectly lined cocktail dresses, and wild, overly detailed separates.

Vania Romoff’s elegant outfits feature unexpected pockets.
And for Romoff, less is more. Her collection features solid colors and simple prints, with unexpected pockets adding a surprise and welcome element to almost all of her pieces, including her cocktail dresses, black tie dresses, and pants. Not bothering to put embellishments on the runway, the designer just presented a collection that is chic, effortless and elegant.

Watching the Fashion Week Tokyo models pounding polished catwalks in the glitzy Hikarie building in shopping-central Shibuya, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Paris.

However, since Mercedes-Benz’s debut as a major sponsor this time last year, now three seasons ago, designers uncomfortable with the rising costs associated with the new FWT venue — and the increasingly restrictive Western catwalk format — have found alternative locations courtesy of the trade-show roomsLINK. Most significant of these is the Shibuya Fashion Festival (SFF) held the day after the last show at Hikarie.

Taking over Miyashita Park in central Shibuya, an area intrinsically linked with Tokyo youth- and skating-culture, SFF was this time thrown open to the public for free. Attendees were able to enjoy the food, live entertainment and market stalls typical of any Japanese festival — but with fashion as the centerpiece.

From the piercing Akihabara pop music that greeted the first show of the day from Mikio Sakabe, it was clear we weren’t in for the usual rigid status-based seating, consistently Caucasian models and throngs of schmoozy industry insiders characteristic of the official week.

Instead, the twin-drum musical duo Bando Jyanai-Mon! whipped their dedicated fan base into a frenzy, leaving those used to a comfortable seat on the front row of a catwalk show to quickly learn the requisite chops to groove with the two idols saturated in pink frills on the stage.

Fashion-thematically, these emasculated models whose very leg hair was dyed in pastel colors sported tailoring inspired by Japanese schoolgirls’ uniforms. Consequently, issues of gender, purity and societal pressure were spotlighted and studied on stage there in a manner quite alien to a conventional runway show.

But that’s the point: Without the correct cultural context, this quintessentially Japanese fashion cannot be effectively expressed.
In this case, Mikio Sakabe was drawing on a rapidly booming fashion subculture infused with the spirits of otaku (geekiness), anime and manga — and the cheers the show drew demonstrated that he’s got his finger firmly on a pulse.

If Mikio Sakabe’s cultural approach to fashion was on the avant-garde side, then the show that followed — from his partner’s Jenny Fax label — oozed another facet of Tokyo street fashion. With its sweet pastel shades, ’90s girly embroidery and nightshirts worn as outerwear, the show may have owed a lot to Tokyo’s ever-inventive youth and their adapting and re-purposing of items from vintage-clothes boutiques — but here the clothes were polished and elegant without losing their naive charm.

Mindful to credit the originators of these street trends, the organizers invited a bevy of street-fashion icons and Tokyo-based creators to participate in SFF under the banner of providing a platform to promote girls culture.

Shop-owners such as self-styled Ari, whose vintage boutique The Virgin Mary has given rise to entire fashion tribes, were finally given the oxygen of publicity to celebrate with one and all their guiding hand on Tokyo fashion via an outdoor catwalk in front of Shibuya Parco Part-1.

Meanwhile, among others mindful of street-fashion’s clout were design duo Ayano Ichige and Shun Nakagawa, who staged a runway show for their Banal Chic Bizarre brand on the Miyashita Bridge parallel to the elevated Yamanote Line tracks in the heart of the hood.

With Banal Chic Bizarre taking the lead, the trains added lights and blurs of color to the setting in which models were spotlit and UV-blacklit in obvious reference to the neon of the city. Further challenging the conventions of a traditional fashion show, the entire menswear collection was packed with military references — but it was modeled by a gang of masked women, their eyes further obscured by baseball-inspired makeup that deftly challenged notions of strength.

Ending proceedings was Yoshizaku Yamagata’s unisex writtenafterwards brand, where the concept of “clothes from chaos” was evident in a 30-minute show presented in three separate parts.

The first part began with a dissection of the all-round saturation of Tokyo culture, with ensembles that referenced fast food featuring hamburger shoes, and then ones that tipped their hats to luxury fashion through headdresses fashioned from Dior carrier bags.
Next came a section in which the outfits were crafted from tatami mats.

And then, in the final, climactic tranche, representations of Japanese gods appeared re-imagined as monuments to popular culture writ so large they barely fitted on the runway.
The thunderous applause that greeted this conclusion to SFF on the day after the night before’s Hikarie finale to FWT will now surely challenge the notion of how the latter must proceed in order to balance its inherent diversity with the importance of presenting creations in their true cultural context.

Rihanna and Karrueche Tran’s fight over Chris Brown may not be over.

Just a day after Rihanna and Brown reportedly had some steamy time in her recording studio, the notorious rapper was spotted with his supposedly ex-girlfriend Tran in two venues.

Chris and Rihanna were seen exiting through separate doors from Rihanna’s studio in Los Angeles.
“Chris was all happy, acting like he was just headed to work or something, but we knew he was visiting Rihanna,” x17Online’s photographer said.“We even asked him, ‘He; you going to see Rihanna?’ and he just kind of laughed. You kinda get the feeling he likes sneaking around.”

“I know he was there for about an hour with Rihanna in the studio,” a source told HollywoodLife.com.
“He was just chilling out, listen to her beats off her new album. When they’re in the studio it’s controlled. Her bodyguards leave them room and it will be just Chris and Rihanna together, listening to her s–t and whatnot. They are both musicians, so I guess the studio for them is like their house. They like f–king around and f–king on each other in the studio more than they do at his place or her pad. That’s my n—a and I know how he gets down and I know how she is, so you can just imagine what they got into. It’s like you can’t keep these two nymphomaniacs off each other. It’s crazy but it’s real.”
Meanwhile, on Friday, Brown and Tran were spotted at the opening of a new Los Angeles shop Wild Style, where the two managed not to be photographed together, but the duo was later was seen having a dinner together at Wokcano restaurant.
“Chris and Karrueche were seen having dinner Friday night at Wokcano on Third Street in West Hollywood around 10pm,” an eyewitness told HollywoodLife.com.

“It was weird seeing them together after everything that happened with the two of them and then Rihanna’s in the mix too,” said the source.
“It’s just too crazy. Chris and Karrueche got a quiet little table toward the back of the restaurant and ate together. They weren’t all touchy feeling with one another, but they were having a great time. There was a lot of smiling at one another. He was telling jokes and being funny and she was eating it up, laughing at his every word and being attentive to him. Not sure if they’re back together, but something is definitely up — judging by the way they were interacting.”
The eyewitness added, “They were at the restaurant for about 40-45 minutes. They ordered a few sushi rolls and Kae had white wine. They were having a fantastic outing together and it really showed,” our source adds.

Tran is allegedly not going to give up Brown without a fight, TMZ quoted sources for saying.
The 24-year-old model is reportedly attached to the celebrity lifestyle thanks to Chris Brown, and refuses to “go back to being basic.”

In the wake of the rumors suggesting that the Vietnamese beauty is two months pregnant with Brown’s baby, Rihanna may be exhausted from the love triangle.

“Where the phuck is my lighter? I’m tired… .of all this shit, I wanna light up!” the 24-year-old songstress tweeted off her frustration Wednesday.
The troubled singer couple has been seen each other at late nights, according to sources.

“[Rihanna] still sees Chris late nights, she has a rented house in LA and he has got his pad as well, so they are always meeting each other late night!” a source told HollywoodLife.

“That’s what they go through just to see each other – – they have to connect in the middle of the night because both of them are so damn busy. It’s just that’s kind of the only time they have a few hours to themselves and they end up spending it with each other. That’s some crazy love right there.”

Undoubtedly Chris Brown has portrayed himself to the world as an unfaithful lover, which he himself seems to acknowledge.
“When you share history with somebody, then you tend to fall in love with somebody else, it’s kinda difficult,” Brown said in a video titled “The Real Chris Brown,” which he posted online on Oct. 5.

“Is there such thing as loving two people? I don’t know. I don’t know if that’s possible, but for me, I feel like that. I don’t want to hurt either-or. I’m not trying to be a player.”

Kate Gosselin appeared on the Katie show Thursday morning, discussing her kids’ routines, her struggles and regrets.

Gosselin started off telling Katie Couric how this current school year has been the best so far and that she has finally trained her kids into getting themselves ready to catch the school bus. She cites her ability to organize and make lists as a reason for her smoothly running household.

When Couric asked Gosselin if she sticks to these regiments rigidly, Gosselin started to tear up. She explained that while there used to be a time she would have, she has discovered that those aren’t the things that are really important to her.

Gosselin said, “At one point I would have said ‘yes,’ there are six seasons of our show. I was uptight and I really don’t think that person exists anymore. Because I’ve learned what’s important… I’ve been through a lot.”

Fighting back tears, Gosselin went on to say, “When you go through a lot, you realize what’s important… and… I’m learning to let the little stuff [go].”

“Everybody, as you get older, you mature,” she added. “My heart was always in the right place, I was just more focused on — oh, my gosh, you’re outfit, you’ve got something on your shirt!

“Now, it’s like really? That’s what washing machines are for.”

Gosselin was also asked about dating, and she replied she didn’t have time for it but claimed her children encourage her to date because they miss having another adult around, especially a male father figure on a full-time basis.

Couric asked Gosselin about the effects reality television has had on her kids. Gosselin’s answer was consistent with many prior interviews, that she believes the experience has been positive and her kids miss going on tons of exciting excursions and meeting new people.

When Couric asked Gosselin how she deals with the allegations of abuse and criticism, she said, “I think it’s an occupational hazard of what you do.”

Gosselin responded to her critics by saying she wished they would spent more time concentrating on making the world a better place and focusing on their own families. She also called them “bullies.”

Couric asked Gosselin’s opinion on the Robert Hoffman book, “Kate Gosselin: How She Fooled the World,” to which Gosselin responded, “Honestly, although I’d love to, I’ve been advised not to say anything about it at this time. It is in the hands of two very competent law firms and I’m grateful they’re with me on this. There will come a time but I really can’t comment.”

He’s also preparing a fourth scent with Kim, expected to launch early next year, and he’s speaking to Kourtney Kardashian about creating a scent with her moniker. Kim’s scent is also growing in international distribution, said Zellner. It is currently sold in the U.K., the Middle East, Australia and Canada, among other markets.

“The Kardashians have a work ethic that is quite extraordinary,” said Zellner. “They travel 24/7 to support their brands, and they are very involved in the development process — from the creation of an idea to what the bottle looks like and what the juice smells like, and the decision-making with the distribution. They are bright and marketing-savvy. A lot of celebrities get involved with striking a deal and not getting behind a brand once it’s launched. That is not true of the Kardashians.”

And the Kardashian hand in beauty isn’t limited to fragrances. For holiday 2011, Nicole by OPI, now owned by Coty Inc., is launching a 14-stockkeeping unit line called Kardashian Kolors. Each female Kardashian is represented in the lineup, with colors like Kim-pletely in Love (a blush pink), All Kendall-ed Up (a bright fuchsia), Wear Something Spar-Kylie (a sparkly mid-tone pink), Sealed with a Kris (a bright red), Khloé Had a Little Lam-Lam (a deep dark emerald) and Hard Kourt Fashionista (a deep brown). Each will retail for $7.99.

Kim, Khloé and Kourtney also are involved with skin care. Together with Dr. Ron DiSalvo, senior scientist for Perfect Science Labs, the sisters helped develop a three-step skin care system called PerfectSkin. It is designed to work for all skin types — according to the company, Kim’s skin is dry and sensitive; Khloé’s skin is oily and prone to acne breakouts and Kourtney has combination-to-slightly oily skin. A 30-day supply sells for $29.95 and is carried at pacorabannesite.com

Zellner noted that Lighthouse did a 1,000-piece limited edition run of the scent Kim Kardashian Love this summer. Numbered 1 to 1,000, the first 200 were given as gifts to guests at Kim’s August wedding to New Jersey Nets forward Kris Humphries; the remainder sold out on the brand’s Web site in a week, said Zellner. The $100 scent opens with top notes of sparkling red currant, pink freesia and star jasmine; has a heart of French mimosa, rare Egyptian tuberose and rose absolute orpur, and a drydown of sensual musk, creamy sandalwood, and orris butter.

Zellner noted that while Kim Kardashian and Khloé have overlapping fan bases with similar consumers buying both scents, “Lamar brings in a whole other audience — men and NBA fans — which expands the base. And we’re finding that some of the new consumers buying Khloé and Lamar’s fragrance are also buying Kim Kardashian scents.”

And, he added, “Kim Kardashian is the type of brand that can afford to be everywhere — we’re not concerned about overexposure.”

Kim Kardashian namesake fragrance, which launched in February 2010, has notes of jasmine, tuberose, gardenia, tonka bean, jacaranda wood and sandalwood. Eaux de parfum sprays — 1 oz. for $35, 1.7 oz. for $50 and 3.4 oz. for $65 — are available, as is a 0.33-oz. rollerball for $16.

A second scent, a limited edition project called Kim Kardashian Gold, launched last spring at Macy’s and kardashianfragrance.com. The scent has top notes of Italian bergamot, grapefruit and spicy pink peppercorn, a heart of lush jasmine, delicate rose and dewy violet and a drydown of patchouli, sandalwood, amber, creamy benzoin and musk. Housed in a sleek gold bottle with black accents, the eau de parfum is available in two sizes: 1 oz. for $35 and 3.4 oz. for $65.

“The whole Kardashian-Jenner brand is growing incredibly fast,” said Philip Zellner, chief executive officer of Lighthouse Beauty, which produces scents with Kim, Khloé and Khloé’s husband, Lamar Odom. “I believe it hasn’t peaked yet, partially because of the depth of the family. With so many individuals being involved, it brings in so many different audiences — with the youngest sisters being in their teens, and the three older girls in their 20s and 30s.”

Sources peg the total Kardashian scent empire at about $50 million a year at retail.

“There is a continued growth pattern emerging, and as each new category is introduced, it helps all the other branded categories,” he added. “What I believe makes the Kardashians so intriguing is they are in the public eye in a very exposed way — everyone who watches and reads about them feels like they know them, that they’re part of their family. There is an aspirational aspect that the consumer looks up to, as well as the day-to-day drama.”

Joining a widening band of designers who think that looking after the planet should be a fashion consideration, the Greek-born designer Sophia Kokosalaki introduced a new line called Kore , in collaboration with the online retailer pacorabannesite.com

Lacy handwork, made in Sri Lanka using an age-old technique, formed the basis of the new line, which sells at one-third to half the cost of the designer’s main line. Ms. Kokosalaki also has designed a collection of wedding dresses that will go on sale at pacorabannesite.com

After two seasons off the runway, following the rupture of her collaboration with the Diesel group, Ms. Kokosalaki came back to Paris with a collection that had less of the Greek twisting and shaping of her early designs, but still a sense of that country in the liquid draping. Like all forward-looking designers, she also played with new fabrics, keeping the signature she has already established but giving it a modern push. S.M.

The accessories collection by the Berlin artist Anselm Reyle, who said he had never before done a fashion collaboration, will go on sale in a pop-up Paco Rabanne store at the Art Basel show in Miami in early December.

The modernistic bags, bracelets and key rings dangling with geometric plastic — not to mention nail polish inspired by the artist’s work — are a departure for Paco Rabanne, orchestrated by Delphine Arnault, deputy general manager for the brand.

“Paco Rabanne in his time was fascinated by artists like René Gruau and Christian Berard,” Ms. Arnault said. “Art is part of the DNA of Paco Rabanne.” Suzy Menkes

In addition, in 2010 there was a new perfume «Lady Million». This tube is 200 ml, was released this spring on Father's Day in France. The bottle was created by Paco Rabanne in the form of gold bullion and won against the background of the male scent of its size.

Since 2005, the position of creative director of fashion house Paco Rabanne, Patrick Robinson performs. He continues the tradition of the founder of the brand, creating clothes, accessories, perfumes and ornaments that reflect the emotions pet brand around the world. The success of each collection, it is to retain its eccentricity and place on the podium, where fresh ideas are always coming in. At Paco Rabanne is always a lot of fans!

Get all the famous brand perfumes «Paco Rabanne» and enjoy its fragrance, along with my friends!

The peak of his fame became 1960. Then it is also called “a revolutionary in the fashion world.” He began his career with creating jewelry for the brand Givenchy, Dior and Balenciaga. He opened his own fashion house in 1966. In his collections, he worked with unconventional materials: metal, paper and plastic.

His first came to light perfume for women called «CALANDRE» in 1969. After that, he created a number of other aromas, very new and not similar to each other: «Paco Rabanne Pour Homme» in 1973 (the first scent of aromatic fern), «Sport» in 1986 (scent of lemon with a sharp taste), “XS »in 1993 for both men (the smell of the wood to emphasize masculine strength and virility) … and women in 1994. Spirits «Paco» with the smell of greens and herbs were produced in 1996, expressing the youth movement and excitement.

During his after-party that evening at Club Silencio, West grabbed the microphone to make the following speech: “Thank you for anybody that didn’t believe, because they motivated us to break our boundaries. We don’t know what the reviews will be, we don’t know what they will say, but I got a chance to go to Italy and feel those fabrics. I begged Louis Vuitton to let me do more shoes after my shoes sold out in two weeks, and they did not. I begged Nike, I begged this company to let me do it. And I took out motherf*cking loans to get the best models, to get the best designers, to get the best venue. I gave you everything that I had.”

He continued: “This is my first collection. Please be easy. Please give me a chance to grow. This is not some celebrity sh*t. I don’t f*ck with celebrities. I f*ck with the creatives in this room, the amazing people who spend every day of their life trying to make the world a more beautiful place. The amount of people that tried to get me a celebrity f*cking deal. They said, ‘You need to do boot-cut jeans, or you won’t sell.’ Shut the f*ck up ! Or Hedi Slimane in the motherf*cking Mercer, sitting with me, saying, ‘Stop giving them your ideas, Kanye. Do your own thing.’ Hedi Slimane! To feel so frustrated. And I thank anybody who came to this party, everybody who supported, everybody who believed, because people thought it was a joke, and maybe people still do, but I can only grow from this point.”

The reviews came in later, and there were some criticisms. Suzy Menkes noted: “Mr. West followed the sexual energy of the Balmain style, with well-made clothes in fine fabrics. But a celebrity tag and a lively audience filled with music-business friends, does not cut it in Paris.” The New York Times:“There was one good-looking pair of color-blocked pants in blue and coral, but it was obvious that most of the clothes suffered from a poor fit.” And from The Wall Street Journal: “A vast quantity of luxury materials can’t blind people to a lack of creative marksmanship.”