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A model presents a new Givenchy creation by Italian designer Riccardo Tisci during the Spring/Summer 2010/2011 Men collections fashion week in Paris, June 25, 2010
Milan's spring/summer 2011 season collection last week was a spectacular feast of new designs from the world's leading fashion trend setters. Colleen Barry finds Hollywood stars in the front rows and celebrations and tributes to designers as she chronicles four days of stunning style.Annie Lennox belted out four of her hits as dozens of models strutted Dolce & Gabbana's creations for the spring/summer 2011 season down the runway.
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana pulled out all stops to mark the 20th anniversary of their menswear launch. After taking the risk that Ms Lennox's spectacular vocals might overshadow their new collection, the designing duo opened a retrospective of the last two decades in the city's stately Palazzo Marino and outdoors in Piazza della Scala.
The show was a tour de force of simplicity, with the trademark nods to Dolce's Sicilian heritage including the Sicilian caps, Sicilian-style fishermen sandals, workers' white T-shirts, and pants tied with jute belts. As the pair reflected on two decades of achievement, the clothing conjured an image of humble roots.
The colors were simple: beige, white, sand and black, and the designers said in their notes that the colors, including white and black, gave the appearance of having been left out in the sun.
The pants and shorts were cuffed, and paired with softly tailored jackets and thin ties. Shirts were loose in poplin and washed muslin, sweaters loosely knit fisherman-style.
"I liked all of the evening wear," said Morgan Freeman, who had a front-row seat near Matthew McConaughey.
Megan Fox gives her nod of approval to her Wild West wardrobe in the newest box office debut, Jonah Hex. The former Transformers beauty dons a 19th century corset that reduced her waist to 18-inches for her role as the gun swinging prostitute, Lilah. The movie opened this past weekend where Fox stars alongside Josh Brolin in the title role.
“The wardrobe used in Jonah Hex accurately represents the mid-19th century, particularly paying homage to the early burlesque period, portrayed in Megan Fox’s character. The front busk closure was very popular at that time, as well as the fingerless gloves she wears in many scenes,” says Elaine Carson, senior designer at Coquette International.
Although Fox stated in a recent interview that it was difficult to shoot her action scenes in a restrictive wardrobe, she got used to and enjoyed wearing a corset, amazed at the inches it skimmed off her waist.
“Corsetry is definitely not a thing of the past. They still have a purpose and can always surprise you when you put one on. They can look sexy as outerwear, or they can trim inches under clothing. Corsets provide women with the opportunity to conveniently change their appearance,” adds Carson.
Fior collections pay brilliant tribute to a woman’s aspirations, says Damas, the international jeweller based in the Middle East. Well known as the original floating diamonds brand, its jewels are fashioned in elegant 18k gold settings showcasing diamonds in a unique fashion that maximises their brilliance. Eye catching creations, Fior’s diamond pendant chains and earrings are both tantalizing and magical, designed to complement today’s lifestyle and which you’ll discover are simply perfect for any traditional or modern attire.
The secret to Fior’s special sparkle is that unlike other diamond jewellery, Fior diamonds are not held by prongs, channels, walls or metals. It uses a special setting technique that exposes the entire diamond through a transparent carbon material and allows light through to emit the most brilliant sparkle. Fior jewels are created using a special diamond setting technique that is backed by more than two decades of pioneering research.
Ajay Pandey – GM Category & Marketing Head, Damas Jewellery said, "Fior jewels blend fluid lines with exquisite detail to capture a woman’s most subtle emotions, presenting jewels which can complement her mood and her attire. Damas assures jewellery lovers of the highest quality standards with Fior’s hallmark of authenticity in every creation. As its diamonds are placed in a unique setting, their natural brilliance is enhanced to the highest level. Fior is a brand which is much sought after and is one of Damas’ most popular ones."
Discover the magic of Fior’s floating diamond jewellery collections now available at Damas outlets across the UAE.
Designers shrugged off the global economic slump at Milan's menswear fashion week, opting for bold, impeccable suits to woo demanding buyers keen on wearing something more than once.
Italian menswear fashion has not been immune to a downturn that has eroded demand for luxury goods, with sales of neckties especially hard hit.
Menswear sales fell 11.3 percent to 8 billion euros ($10.73 billion) in 2009, one of the worst annual performances ever for the sector. Sales of ties tumbled 23 percent, according to Sistema Moda Italia (SMI), the association that represents Italy's clothing and textiles industry.
However, many brands shown at Milan's spring-summer 2011 fashion week that ended on Tuesday took lively risks, seeking innovation while preserving Italian tailoring quality.
Armani combined classic taste with unconventional details and added summery yellow touches to a classic beige palette.
With a glance back to the 1980s, Versace offered an optical collection, with fitted jackets, shortened sleeves and slim trousers rolled up at the ankle, all in clashing colors.
"Even the wealthiest clients want a justification to buy. They tell us, 'Our wardrobes are full. Show us what we don't have,'" Spain-based buyer Martin Kucera told Reuters.
"The times when people bought clothes for just one night are gone. They want something they can use again," he said.
Costume National took Italian tailoring to the extreme with jackets entirely laser cut and thermo welded, without seams.
Youthful energy emanated from Prada's colorful collection, where shirts peered out of jackets and there were abundant shorts alongside slim trousers.
The catwalk optimism reflected hopes of economic recovery.
At Ferragamo, where impeccably dressed men wore a look for both night and day, Chief Executive Michele Norsa said some markets were already back at pre-crisis levels and opportunities for growth were emerging in Latin America, Indonesia and Turkey.
"Things are going better, also in Europe," Norsa said, adding that the group's sales now had double digit growth.
Oversized bags were omnipresent, for example at Gucci and Cavalli, confirming a renewed interest in men's accessories.
Shoes were jaunty and bold at Bottega Veneta, which also announced its first watch, produced in collaboration with Sowing Group, owner of renowned Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux.
Gucci designer Frida Giannini created a "gypsy deluxe" style, at once elegant and eccentric, while jackets lost their sleeves and leggings surfaced under trousers at Emporio Armani.
Glitz replaced gloom on the red carpet, with Hollywood stars like Morgan Freeman and Matthew McConaughey coming to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dolce & Gabbana men's line. Movie star Clive Owen was chosen by Bulgari for its "Man" perfume
CEMATEX, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers and the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) have announced a high-level business forum, to take place next year alongside the ITMA 2011 show, in Barcelona, Spain.
The ITMA-ITMF World Textile Summit 2011 will be a one-day event that brings together textile-industry leaders and some of the world’s most influential thinkers and policymakers in strategically important fields such as economics, trade, technology and sustainability.
It sets out to deliver an inspirational, forward-looking agenda, comprising expert presentations and interactive panel discussions, designed to offer a global perspective on the opportunities and challenges that face the textile industry in years ahead, and providing delegates with new ideas to maintain their success in the textile manufacturing and supply chain.
Keynote speakers will be announced later this summer and are among the world’s leaders in their own sphere of expertise. In the economic arena the programme will address the post-Credit Crunch environment and the prospects for both market growth and investment. On trade, it will look at the future of the relationships between the major exporting countries and their markets in Europe and America.
On sustainability, it will consider the importance of ‘clean’ practices to communities in the developing world, and the impact of consumer pressure for a greener industry. And on technology, it will examine how up-coming developments such as nanotech, wearable electronics and low-input manufacturing are likely to change both the kinds of products that are made, and the way of making them.
The World Textile Summit is the first joint initiative between the ITMF and CEMATEX. It is being organised in partnership with the World Textile Information Network (WTiN) and international event organiser MP International.
The Summit will take place in Barcelona, Spain, on 21 September 2011 – the day before the opening of ITMA 2011, which is the 60th Anniversary edition of the show, and the day after the ITMF Annual Conference.
Steve Combes, Vice President of CEMATEX said: “The textile industry must adapt constantly to changing world conditions, and this has never been more important than in the aftermath of the economic crisis of the past two years. The World Textile Summit 2011 will give those with strategic responsibilities clearer insights into the future challenges and, at the same time, add significant value to a visit to Barcelona during ITMA week. The ITMF, with its global membership of leading textile companies, is the perfect partner and we are delighted to be working with this federation.”
Halit Narin, President of the ITMF said: “We are returning to Barcelona on the centenary of our first Conference in that city, and our joint event between the ITMF and ITMA confirms the truth that the textile industry will never loseits significance for us from birth to death. Taking into account the creative and innovative solutions of our industry, textiles will continue to exist both in the developed regions like Europe and US and also the developing countries of the world. This new event – focusing on the strategic business decisions that we must all make in a changing global market – will add an extra vital dimension. The partnership with ITMA and the opportunity to view the latest technical advances at the exhibition will make the Summit a memorable occasion.”
As financial markets recovered last year, the world's millionaires again indulged in their passions for luxury cars, yachts, art and jewelry.
While demand for many luxury items remains weaker than in 2007, spending on so-called "passion investments" increased during the second half last year and is expected to continue to rise, according to the latest Merrill Lynch-Capgemini world wealth report.
"Auction houses, luxury goods makers and high-end service providers, which all reported signs of renewed demand later in 2009, expect spending to be more robust in 2010," the report said.
The wealthy spent more on cars, boats and jets in 2009 than the year before. Millionaires in the emerging markets showed increased demand for luxury cars.
BMW, for example, reported double-digit growth in sales in China and Brazil in 2009, while VW's Audi also had a sharp increase in China sales, the report said.
Yacht makers were roiled by the market meltdown, with 80 percent forced to suspend or shut down operations. Sales started to recover during the 2010 first quarter, with U.S. yacht sellers reporting a 30 percent increase in sales compared with a year earlier, according to the report.
And with financial markets still in flux, a number of millionaires are investing in art and other collectibles -- such as antiques, coins and fine wines -- that they believe will retain their value over the long-term, the report said.
In the art world, millionaire investors eschewed contemporary art for works by old masters and modern art from the 1960s and 1970s -- art considered more likely to hold its value.
There was less demand for fine art overall last year: Global fine art auction sales totaled $4.6 billion, down 45 percent from 2008.
China was one of the few countries to see an increase in demand for fine art, with a 25 percent increase in auction revenue to $830 million.
Sales of other collectibles started to recover. The Live-ex 100 Fine Wine Index, which tracks the price of 100 of the world's finest wines, rose 15.7 percent during 2009.
Sales of coins and memorabilia also rose, with a number of high-end items selling at high prices at auctions in late 2009.
Perhaps most notable was a 1795 reeded-edge U.S. penny, one of only seven in the world, which sold at auction for nearly $1.3 million. It was the first time a 1-cent coin had broken the million-dollar barrier, according to the report.
Wealthy investors are also holding an increasing portion of their passion investments as jewelry, gems and watches. It is a particularly attractive investment for Middle Eastern millionaires, who held 35 percent of their overall passion investments in jewels.
Avril Lavigne recommends covering your feet in body lotion to help them fit into shoes.
The 'Girlfriend' singer was given the tip during a photo shoot and says she now always uses it if she ever has trouble getting into her favourite pair of heels.
She advised: "If you can't get your foot in a high heel, put body lotion all over your foot and it'll slide in no problem - I picked up this tip on photo shoots."
Avril is famed for long-flowing locks and achieve them, she recommends only washing hair every other day to give it a chance to breathe.
She told Now magazine: "I wash my hair every other day as I don't think it's good to wash your hair daily and I always leave in my conditioner for an hour. I also like to use hairspray and serum."
Avril recently launched her new fragrance, Forbidden Rose, and says she thinks it's the perfect scent for any young woman.
The 25-year-old star said: "I've called it Forbidden Rose and the tag line is 'Dare to Discover', which resembles me and where I'm at style-wise. It's young, fresh and floral and the kind of fragrance you can wear during the day and evening.
"This is the first fragrance I've worn all the time and even my friends and sister love it - so much so that we all wear it at the same timeto smell the same."
Alexander McQueen's ashes were scattered in Scotland at the end of last month, it has been revealed.
The designer - who committed suicide in February - had has wishes fulfilled by his family, after they made the region of Kilmuir on the Isle of Skye his final resting place.
A statement by the family, who refer to him as his real name Lee, said: "Lee cherished the times that he was able to spend on the Isle of Skye - he enjoyed the beauty, peace and tranquillity. It was Lee's final request that his ashes should be buried at Kilmuir.
"The McQueen family would like to make a special acknowledgement to Isabella MacDonald and her family of Kinloch Lodge Hotel, whose support at this sad time was of immense help in making it possible for them to carry out Lee's wishes."
Although McQueen was born in London, he regarded the Scottish island as his ancestral home and told his family he wanted it to be his final resting place.
His brother said: "Alexander was back and forward all over the world but he felt at home when he was in Scotland."
McQueen often paid homage to his Scottish roots with one of his most famous collections, Highland Rape, being inspired by the Highland clearances and when he collected his CBE in 2003 he wore his full Highland dress.
Lily Cole may retire from modelling.
The flame-haired British beauty admits her heart lies in acting, and her days left in the modelling world may be numbered.
She said: "I love acting and if the right opportunity did come along I would definitely consider quitting altogether.
"It is certainly something I want to prioritise in the future. It's not a finite decision though - I may not get the opportunity. If a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity came along I'd even consider leaving Cambridge University to do a film. I'd definitely weigh up my options and talk to my tutors about flexibility."
However the 22-year-old model admits her time in the industry has helped her develop as an actress.
She told Vogue.co.uk: "It's hard to distinguish whether it has helped but I don't know any other way. It's definitely helped confidence wise. I find acting much more of a challenge - acting is definitely harder."
Recently Lily confessed she was not into following trends and prefers to wear timeless pieces.
She told BANG Showbiz: "To be honest, I'm not a huge follower of trends. I just go with what I feel and what I like, I have a lot of things in my wardrobe that like I consider quite timeless and that I'll wear again and again through the years."
Lindsay Lohan is to pose naked to advertise her handbag line.
The 'Mean Girls' actress - who currently has to wear a court-ordered alcohol monitoring SCRAM bracelet on her ankle - is planning to expand her 6126 fashion line to include accessories and wants to front the promotional campaign herself.
Richard Luna - an executive at The California Bag, who plan to license the range - told LA magazine: "We're thinking of having police on hand so we can remove the ankle bracelet for the pictures."
However, the bracelet could later be airbrushed out of the images.
Lindsay's bags will retail for $200-$600 at Nordstrom in the US, while a less expensive line - entitled 7286 in honour of the actress' birthday - will be sold in Macy's.
It was recently reported that Lindsay has been working with Los Angeles clothing firm Ed Hardy on a range of handbags.
A source said: "Lindsay and the design team at Ed Hardy have mutual friends, and they knew she was interested in looking for a handbag license and partner. They thought she'd be a good fit and so did she.
"As of last week, there are three collections in development and numerous more are expected. Lindsay is very directly involved with the project, and she's always pulling things online and from magazines for ideas."
In 2007, Lindsay fronted a Jill Stuart handbags campaign, following the success of a Dooney and Bourke one in 2004.
