Diana Irina Boanca from Romania waves after being crowned in the 35th Miss Bikini International World final in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, May 29, 2010. A total of 64 contestants participated the 35th Miss Bikini International World final here on Saturday.
Miss Romania was crowned the winner in the 35th Miss Bikini International World Final Saturday in Sanya, a coastal resort in south China's Hainan Province.
"I am so excited that I do not know what to say. All the contestants are very strong and I must say I am so lucky to win," said Diana Irina Boanca, 22, who is currently a senior college student.
Kasey-Lee Brunker from Australia, Luna Ramos from Venezuela, Zhao Qian from China and Diana Kubasova from Latvia were titled Miss Spring, Miss Summer, Miss Autumn and Miss Winter, respectively.
A total of 64 contestants took part in the ten-day competition.
It was the fourth time that China has ever hosted this beauty contest final, which was first held in Hollywood in 1972.
Models present creations designed by Mara Macon during the 17th Rio De Janeiro Fashion Week in Rio De Janeiro of Brazil, May 27, 2010.
SOPHIA KOKOSALAKI and Renzo Rosso kept it small and intimate last night as they celebrated the Diesel Black Gold autumn/winter 2010-11 collection with an elegant dinner at Claridge's.
"I just want to say thank you all for coming," a semi-shy Rosso welcomed his guests before toasting to the label's relatively new womenswear creative director, Kokosalaki - who took the helm of the brand last year and debuted her autumn/winter collection for it during New York Fashion Week in February. "She's so talented and we are so pleased to be working with her," enthused a hat-clad Rosso.
An equally shy and reluctant speech-maker, Kokosalaki returned the praise - "It's great to be working with Diesel, it's already like family," she said - and was keen to make sure her guests - who included models-of-the-moment Daisy Lowe and David Gandy as well as actor Luke Evans - had enjoyed their evening. "Did you have a nice time?" she thoughtfully asked.
And while praise and modesty circulated in the centre of the table, at one end talk turned to that of David Gandy's mother's top notch fruit cake, while at the other it was rumours of whether or not some of the SATC cast may or may not have been spotted in the building.
Models present creations from Salinas' 2010/2011 summer collection during the Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro, May 27, 2010.
Hollywood’s hottest stars are often found strutting the red carpet in gowns from some of FIDM’s top graduates.
Monique Lhuillier: She first made her mark as a bridal designer, but this fashion college alumna quickly added red carpet gowns to her resume. Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Stewart, Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell, Eva Mendes, and Scarlett Johansson have worn Lhuillier’s modern, glamorous gowns. Pink, Alicia Silverstone, Heidi Montag, Jewel, and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz chose Lhuillier to design their wedding gowns.
Kevan Hall: Known for channeling Old Hollywood into his beautiful gowns and ready-to-wear lines, fashion design Kevan Hall has dressed stars such as Katherine Heigl, Virginia Madsen, Tina Fey, Vanessa Williams, and California First Lady Maria Shriver.
Randolph Duke: The designer and television correspondent who is known for his use of sequins, metallics, and embellishments, has dressed stars such as Angelina Jolie, Kim Cattrall, Tyra Banks, Jennifer Aniston, January Jones, Faith Hill, and Hilary Swank, among others in his fashion designs.
Nick Verreos: A beloved contestant from Project Runway and a current FIDM Instructor, Nick Verreos has designed glamorous gowns for Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria, Carrie Ann Inaba, Kathy Griffin, and Marlee Matlin. His label, NIKOLAKI, which he designs with David Paul, has been carried in over 100 stores.
Estevan Ramos: Stars such as Gwen Stefani and Rihanna have turned to designer Estevan Ramos for their edgy tour wardrobes. Known for his impeccable tailoring, Ramos has designed the looks worn by celebs like Jessica Alba, Pink, and Lindsey Lohan for TV appearances and editorial.
With four dynamic California campuses, FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is the premier west coast fashion design school, educating for careers in fashion, graphic design, interior design, and entertainment. FIDM’s graduates include renowned fashion designers like Monique Lhuillier, Emmy and Academy Award award-winning costume designers, top fashion industry executives, and entrepreneurs.
The beauty industry celebrated its finest day, as Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) recognized the most innovative beauty products of the year at the 16th annual CEW Beauty Awards. A full list of 31 winning products -- covering make-up, hair care, sun care, and more -- can be found below.
The CEW Beauty Awards is the only awards program where the winners are determined exclusively by beauty insiders — more than 3,600 professionals working in beauty, cosmetics, fragrance, and related industries. The CEW Beauty Awards signify the industry’s highest recognition for manufacturers, as well as a trusted guide of top product performers for consumers.
“Women are very savvy when it comes to buying beauty products; they’re looking for the best results at the best price. The CEW Beauty Awards provides consumers with insight into the best products the industry has to offer,” says Carlotta Jacobson, president of CEW.
In addition to recognizing product innovation, CEW announced the winner of the Indie Beauty Award for the brightest new start-up in the world of beauty. This year’s winner is Living Proof.
The prestigious list of CEW Beauty Award Winners was announced at a celebrity-lined event at the Waldorf=Astoria in New York City.
To make the winning products available to consumers, CEW has national retail partnerships with CVS/pharmacy, Nordstrom and QVC. Moreover, the 2010 Beauty Award Winners will be showcased and promoted with custom promotions in store, online and on TV throughout the year.
G3 Jewelry Inc. announces the first edition of its highly anticipated watch, the G3 Mile High diamond watch. As a new edition to its popular luxury jewelry line, these Swiss made timepieces expand on G3 Jewelry's extraordinary level of fine jewelry design and craftsmanship to provide watch connoisseurs with a unique signature offering.
Designed by the company's CEO & Chief Designer Quincy Brown, the G3 Mile High watch design is inspired by the emotional characteristics one experiences while traveling in a private jet, a G-3 jet to be exact. "I designed the G3 Mile High diamond watch line to provide a select group of individuals with a unique time-piece that offers a level of luxury, exclusivity and visibility that's currently unavailable in the marketplace. We use the highest quality diamonds; natural colored pink, yellow and black diamonds available for clients who choose the 'Colored Ice' version of the G3 'Mile High'. There's no other watch like it on earth, which is easy for us to say because our G3 logo is main design element in the face of the watch," states Brown.
The timepiece is fashioned with a classic touch yet adds a flare of edginess fitting for a 21st century trendsetter. The G3 Mile High watch comes in both chronograph and Swiss automatic movement, graceful and fluid-like, and the 48mm and 52mm cases feature sapphire glare proof crystal. Case materials include Stainless Steel or 18 karat white or yellow gold all of which are sealed and water resistant up to 5ATM (132 ft). The G3 Mile High Day & Date version features a polished stainless steel face with a mirror finish. For those who spare no expense for the sake of luxury, the G3 Mile High Colored Ice version is completely engulfed in a variety of natural colored diamonds, all pave set and topping out at an amazing 60+ carats of VVS clarity diamonds. Keeping with the exquisitiveness of the watch, extra straps are offered in genuine leather, crocodile, stingray, stainless steel or 18 karat white or yellow gold which can be customized with VS or VVS diamonds.
The G3 Mile High diamond watch can only be purchased directly from the company. Only 100 of the time pieces will be produced, scribed with individual serial numbered for authenticity and inimitability. Each watch can be customized with various diamond colors and qualities at the customer's request.
With the launch of the watch, G3 Jewelry proudly announces the unveiling of the Luxury Ambassador Society (The G3 Mile High Club). Luxury Ambassadors are conscious to current styles and trends while keeping with timeless sophistication and class. Ultimately they are deemed influential brand advocates at first glance. G3 Jewelry will be introducing several Luxury Brand Ambassadors through-out the next year.
Aviation inspired, Swiss made timepieces centered around high quality luxury crafted with the most discriminating taste of the customer in mind best describes the G3 Mile High watch. G3 Mile High diamond watch sales are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact an authorized G3 Jewelry representative for more information.
The Textile Enforcement and Security Act of 2010 (TESA), the first ever textile specific customs enforcement legislation, was introduced today by Congressman Larry Kissell (D-NC), along with U.S. Representatives Walter Jones (R-NC), John Spratt (D-SC), Howard Coble (R-NC), Rick Boucher (D-VA), Phil Hare (D-IL), Mark Schauer (D-MI), Christopher Carney (D-PA), John Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), Patrick McHenry (R-NC), Mike Michaud (D-ME), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Michael Rogers (R-AL), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Bob Inglis (R-SC), Sue Myrick (R-NC), Betty Sutton (D-OH), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), and Linda Sanchez (D-CA).
“The Textile Enforcement and Security Act of 2010 is a vital piece of legislation that is greatly needed as textile and apparel fraud is increasing at our ports and borders. This legislation will provide our U.S. customs with the necessary tools, resources and direction to effectively enforce our trade laws and help to bring a level playing field to U.S. workers,” said Bill Jasper, President, Unifi, Inc.
“A decade ago, our industry employed more than one million workers throughout the Southeast. Today, we employee just one-half of those employees and I can testify with absolute certainty that our industry was forced to lay off at least half of those employees due to illegal shipments of yarn and fabric entering into the United States through CAFTA and our other preference regions illegally. Strong and effective enforcement of our trade agreements is paramount to ensuring that the intended beneficiaries of the agreement are afforded the access provided under an FTA,” said Anderson Warlick, President, Parkdale Mills, Inc.
The U.S. textile industry is the third largest exporter of textile products in the world, with over $13 billion in exports last year. With majority of these exports going to free trade agreement (FTA) and preference program partners, the industry relies heavily on strong customs enforcement for its livelihood. During the last decade, the industry has seen a disturbing increase of fraudulent activity; from front companies posing as legitimate U.S. companies, to undervalued goods, to illegal preference and free trade agreement claims.
The Textile Enforcement and Security Act of 2010 seeks to address these issues and close the loopholes currently being used by illegal and fraudulent players by providing U.S. Customs with additional resources and expanded authority to better target these bad actors. The bill includes provisions to:
• Establish an electronic verification of textile and apparel imports;
• Allow the Department of Homeland Security to use fines and penalties to help pay for investigations and training;
• Increase staff at high volume ports for textiles and apparel imports; and
• Establish a nonresident importer program to ensure that resident agents are held accountable for products imported under their name.
“This is a case where our U.S. government needs to really evaluate our border security and import verification systems. By better targeting these shipments and players through an effective risk assessment program, you can better facilitate trade and properly manage enforcement,” said Cass Johnson, President, National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO).
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection currently collects more than $25 billion in duties annually; with more than 42% of the duties collected through textile and apparel imports. As a result, the U.S. Customs continues to designate the industry as a Priority Trade Issue for the department.
“The entire U.S. textile supply chain benefits when trade enforcement becomes more reliable. This legislation establishes a clear, firm national priority for effective and efficient enforcement, assuring that honest players will not be unfairly disadvantaged by fraudulent competitors. TESA’s passage will bring immediate positive results to companies, workers, and their communities. The American Fiber Manufacturers Association urges swift enactment,” said Paul T. O’Day, President & Counsel, American Fiber Manufactures Association (AFMA).
“Robust customs enforcement is another ‘must have’ to encourage investment in the United States and elsewhere in North America. TESA provides assurance to U.S. producers that U.S. Customs will have the tools they need to stop job-destroying fraud and other criminal activity. That’s the kind of government action that can help create U.S. jobs,” said Auggie Tantillo, Executive Director, American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition (AMTAC).
“Too many hardworking men and women in the U.S. textile and apparel industry have lost their jobs to unfair trade practices like customs fraud. For the 400,000 Americans still working in the sector, cracking down on customs fraud would send a strong signal that Congress is serious about jobs,” said Eddie Smith, Chairman, National Cotton Council (NCC).
Fashion design company M’Chic announces the launch of its spring/summer line of figure-slimming apparel. The new jeans, capris and swimsuits incorporate a patented design that eliminates unflattering belly bulges, sometimes referred to as “muffin-tops.”
M’Chic’s second generation of apparel includes a straight-leg jean, available in three washes, and a skinny- leg jean, both available. M’Chic’s line also features a capri, available; and a tankini-style bathing suit, sold as separates. The M’Chic line is available at website and select boutiques across the country.
All M’Chic fashions feature a patented, slimming spandex panel sewn directly to the waistband. The breathable panel can accommodate all torso lengths as it smoothes and slims the midsection. The high-durability materials are fabricated not to slip, roll or create the dreaded muffin-top. Select styles are available with a nude or black panel.
Founded by Cheryl Williams, a 39-year-old divorced mother of three, M’Chic jeans are designed by a real woman for real women so that they can feel comfortable, fashionable and fabulous, no matter their shape or size.
Since her first shipment in July 2009, Williams has been busy filling orders and attending trade shows, where her products have drawn considerable interest. M’Chic jeans have garnered attention from national media such as Good Morning America, as well as local media across the country.
Lucy Pinder won a public vote run by The Sun as having the best boobs in Britain, according media reports.
Since it was revealed that babes from the UK are the bustiest in the world, with an average of 34D cup, The Sun decided to initiate the polls.
The English glamour model got the majority of the vote for her perfect proportions. Keeley Hazell who's 34E curves landed on the second spot, and Holly Willoughby, whose 34DD chest came third.