Hollywood Studios signs up model Rachele Schank

Models International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hollywood Studios International announces the signing of acclaimed international model Rachele Schank. Shortly after Rachele's signing, she was hired for Dimitri Zafiriou's runway show at Athens Fashion Week, an editorial for the popular teen magazine PINK WOMAN, a commercial spot for SOFT KINGS COOKIES and a commercial spot for VODAFONE. Each of these commercials runs on every major channel, giving Ms. Schank even more widespread exposure. Scott Whitfield, Managing Partner of Models International, said, "We are excited that respected model Rachele Schank has been added to our already fantastic roster of talent. Her unique look is widely sought after by photographers, designers and clients alike. Along with the US, Rachele is now one of the hottest commodities on the European and Asian model circuits and has truly become a Superstar."

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Top designers to create eco-inspired ‘look’ for runway show

The Be EcoChic campaign, conceived by a hybrid group of innovative fashion luminaries and environmental leaders, will celebrate its global launch with a star-studded runway show that kicks-off New York Fashion Week.

The group fashion show will take place on Thursday, September 4th at the Milstein Hall of Ocean Life at the American Museum of Natural History and will help redefine the runway in a universe that is going "green."

Leading names in fashion, including Carmen Marc Valvo, Chado Ralph Rucci, Christian Cota, Del Forte, Donna Karan (DKNY), FORM, Red Carter, Vena Cava and many more, are lending their support.

All designs will feature innovative fabrics that are environmentally-sensitive, sustainable, low-impact or recycled. To complement the designs, celebrity makeup artist, Matin, will create a chic eco-inspired "look" for the runway show.

"Being fashionable and environmentally-friendly are no longer mutually exclusive," says Fern Mallis, Be EcoChic Advisory Committee member and Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion.

"With forward-thinking creativity and a new generation of sustainable fabrics, designers have taken 'green' fashion to an entirely new level. Eco-fashion is not a trend but rather a new category we can anticipate seeing a lot more of on the runway."

The designers' eco-inspirations will be modeled by celebrities and/or environmentalist who have joined the cause, including former-Miss USA and model-actress Susie Castillo, environmentalist Jayni Chase, Animal Planet's Jeff Corwin, performer Coltrane Curtis, Gossip Girl's Tamara Feldman, supermodel Patti Hansen, actress Lauren Hutton, Ugly Betty's Mark Indelicato, environmentalist Mary Richardson Kennedy, author Tom Kostigen, Desperate Housewives' Joy Lauren, LipStick Jungle's James Lesure, Red Hot & Green's Carter Oosterhouse, This Might Hurt's Alex Menenses, models (and daughters of Keith Richards) Alexandra & Theodora Richards, High School Musical's Olesya Rulin, environmentalist Laura Turner Seydel, actress Dominique Swain, Law & Order: SVU's Tamara Tunie, supermodel Alek Wek and many others.

"This campaign brings eco-lifestyle mainstream by raising awareness of how making small, meaningful changes can have a positive impact on the environment," says Angela Lindvall, Be EcoChic event host, supermodel and co-star of "AlterEco" airing on Discovery's Planet Green. "To 'be eco chic' not only applies to your wardrobe but also to your state of mind."

Research conducted by ecoAmerica shows that 86% of Americans express concern about the environment, yet only 1% see it as the most important problem facing America. It also shows that Americans view the environmental movement as traditional, dated and out of touch with current society.

The research concluded that the environmental movement would be well-served by creating a "personalized" call to action that demonstrates value in simple, incremental changesin personal behaviors.

source : http://fashiongear.fibre2fashion.com/news

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New ERP-solution for fashion companies simplifies process management

The latest release of fashion ERP solution “it suits Fashion” has been launched. it suits Fashion is a flexible business management solution, based on the latest version of Microsoft Dynamics NAV and is optimized for companies in apparel, footwear, sporting goods and accessories.

Besides the existing extensive possibilities, ‘it suits Fashion 2008’ has added functionality for prepacks, purchase planning, seasonal orders and cost calculations. With this the solution has many new and powerful possibilities to easily manage the complex processes in the fashion industry.

The solution contributes to higher efficiency of every employee and generates an optimal competitive advantage. it suits Fashion stands out because of its extremely recognizable and comprehensive set up, in which all general and fashion industry specific process can be managed in the most effective and efficient way.

Integration
it suits Fashion 2008 fully integrates with the other Microsoft-technologies like SharePoint, SQL Server en Outlook, which increases the ROI. Main benefits of this integration are a.o. improved security, reliance and scalability, decreased operational complexity, less effort to manage IT and a better control of processes.

source: fibre2fashion.com

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Celebrate fashion in today's tight economy

This fall, students will return to school in high spirits sporting the latest must-have shoe and accessory trends such as plaid flats, argyle backpacks, graphic and high-top sneakers, moc-toe loafers, peep-toe and ballet flats, mary jane heels, wedges, and vintage-inspired pumps.

At prices averaging under $20 each, kids and teens can ring in the new school year outfitted in the latest brands and trends and still celebrate fashion in tight economy courtesy of Payless and its mission to democratize fashion and design in footwear.

Payless ShoeSource is bringing shoppers the latest styles at unbeatable prices, including its Designer Collections, which hit the runway at New York Fashion Week and include such labels as Abaete for Payless, Lela Rose for Payless, and Alice + Olivia for Payless.

The company has also secured its position as a "House of Brands" retailer with an expanded portfolio of well-known brands now offered at Payless stores including Airwalk, American Eagle, Dexter, Champion and Dunkman.

"We are committed to delivering fresh, fashion-forward branded products that channel youthful energy and individuality," said Matt Rubel, chief executive officer and president of Payless ShoeSource.

"There's no better time to shop at Payless than in tight economic times. With the arrival of our back-to-school collection featuring top brands like Airwalk and American Eagle, not only will trend- and brand-conscious kids step out
with confidence, but parents can feel assured they are getting a great value that won't blow their already strained budget."

The Payless back-to-school collection features the latest trends including:
- Silhouettes - high-top sneakers, slip-on slides, moc-toe loafers, ballet flats, peep-toe flats, platforms, pumps, mary jane heels, wedges and flats
- Colors & Patterns - cream, hunter green, vintage plum, muted gray, classic black, fire engine red, plaid and argyle
- Materials - canvas, high shine patents, sparkly finishes, tweed
- Details - bows, studs, pleating, straps, buckles, chop-outs, frayed edges

Coordinating handbags and clutches come in structured shapes and feature the most popular fall materials such as patent and plaid. Sturdy backpacks with multiple zipper and buckle pockets provide plenty of storage space for the student on-the-go.

Sporty teens seeking to add edge to their wardrobes can kick it in Airwalk's high-tops or graphic-canvas slip-ons, while the Designer-obsessed can score runway-worthy looks with Payless' Fall 08 Designer Collections, due to hit stores in the coming weeks. The line reflects styles straight from the fall runway shows at New York Fashion Week.

Payless Fall Designer Collections:
Lela Rose, Laura Poretzky, and Stacey Bendet are Payless Guest Designers select fashion designers that create designer footwear and accessory collections featuring the latest runway looks, which Payless brings to its stores at affordable prices.

Thanks to http://fashiongear.fibre2fashion.com

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Dayana Mendoza wins Miss Universe 2008 contest

This evening, during one of the year's most exciting live international television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, as MISS UNIVERSE 2008 live from the Crown Convention Center in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, Vietnam.

Ms. Mendoza is 22 years-old and her career ambition is to become an Interior Designer. She also enjoys photography and is interested in advertising.

The judging panel for the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant included: Donald Trump Jr, Executive Vice President of the Trump Organization; fashion designer and entrepreneur Roberto Cavalli; Nadine Velazquez, international cover girl and star of NBC's "My Name Is Earl"; Jennifer Hawkins, television presenter and Miss Universe 2004; Louis Licari, celebrity colorist and "Today Show" ambush makeover expert; Joe Cinque, President of the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences; Bollywood film & TV star, dancer, model Eesha Koppikhar; Nguyen Cong Khe, Editor in Chief of Thanh Nien newspaper and international shoe designer Taryn Rose.

Jerry Springer and Mel B hosted the telecast of the 57th Annual Miss Universe competition where Lady GaGa performed her hit "Just Dance".

Throughout the two-hour event, contestants from 80 countries and territories around the world competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and personality interview.

Riyo Mori, Miss Universe 2007, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 1 billion viewers.

Final Results:
First Runner Up: Miss Colombia, Taliana Vargas; will assume the duties of MISS UNIVERSE 2008 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities.

Second Runner Up: Miss Dominican Republic, Marianne Cruz Gonzale.

Rest of Top Five: Miss Mexico, Elisa Najera; and Miss Russia, Vera Krasova.

Rest of Top Ten: Miss Kosovo, Zana Krasniqi; Miss Australia, Laura Dundovic; Miss Spain, Claudia Moro; Miss USA, Crystle Stewart; and Miss Italy, Claudia Ferraris.

Rest of Top Fifteen: Miss Vietnam, Lam Thuy Nguyen; Miss South Africa, Tansey Coetzee; Miss Japan, Hiroko Mima;; Miss Hungary, Jazmin Dammak; and Miss Czech Republic, Eliska Buckova.

National Costume Award: Miss Thailand, Gavintra Photijak. The general public voted for the international delegate whose national costume best reflected her country's culture, originality in preparation and the delegate's personal demeanor. She received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal.

Miss Congeniality Universe Award: Miss El Salvador, Rebeca Moreno. This award reflects the respect and admiration of the delegate's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She also received a $1,000 cash prize and a trophy from Rogaska Crystal.

The MISS UNIVERSE 2008 prize package includes: the Miss Universe tiara created by CAO Fine Jewelry (a division of PNJ) designed by Mrs. Dang Thi Kim Lien and Rosalina Lydster valued at more than $30,000 dollars; a 2 year scholarship from the New York Film Academy worth more than $100,000 dollars to its acting or film-making programs; eveningwear gowns from Scala, designed by Sherri Hill; a national and international multi-media advertising campaign and a complete denim wardrobe from YMI Jeanswear; a custom swimsuit wardrobe from BSC Swimwear Thailand; a shoe collection from Nina Footwear; a trophy from Rogaska Crystal; year-long supply of Farouk Systems products, makers of CHI, the original Ceramic Technology tools; membership to Gravity Fitness and pampering at John Barrett Salon; fashion portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha; consultations with nutritionist and creator of The F-Factor Diet Tanya Zuckerbrot; dermatology and skincare services by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher; consultations with personal stylist Billie Causieestko and access to an event wardrobe from leading fashion designers; a New York City apartment for the year of her reign including living expenses and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization to further her personal and professional goals.

Thanks to http://fashiongear.fibre2fashion.com

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History of Fashion - Antique Corset

From Medieval times to the invention of elastic and spandex, undergarments were used as the foundation for the fashionable silhouette. The corset was the most important of all women’s underwear; in addition to supporting and molding the figure it had the advantage of erotic appeal.

Welcome to Antique Corset, dedicated to the history of elusive and frivolous Unmentionables with special emphasis on Corsetry and Shaping Garments used to create the fashionable silhouette.

Featuring exhibits of corsets, stays, hoops, bustles, chemises, petticoats, bloomers, bust bodices/ enhancers, teddies, knickers, brassieres, falsies, girdles, panties, garters, stockings, slips and lingerie.

Thanks to http://www.fashionmission.nl

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Emporio Armani launches S/S watch collection

Emporio Armani, the undisputed king of fashion and a name synonymous with luxury has launched their Spring Summer 2008 watch collection in India.

An effervescence mix of elegance, style and sophistication blended in rich colours and caressed by mother of pearls, this collection is meant for the urban sophistique.

Men’s collection:
The collection is inspired by futuristic design, technological themes and an underlying edginess. The watch designs blend classic styling with a sporty, casual twist.

Oversized stainless steel cases, black enamel top-ring with minute markers, coin-ridged bezel and black leather straps embossed to resemble crocodile skin form the hallmark of the collection.

For the bling lovers there are rose coloured gold watches featuring the simple rose gold hour markers to create a strikingly rich and sophisticated contrast against a black dial.

Also available is the silver dial featuring two black chronograph counters and a red coloured seconds’ hand. To round off, watches for men on the move coated entirely in black ion plating and topped with a silver coloured world time zone bezel representative of the world’s 24 different time zones helps you stay on time anywhere anytime.

Women’s collection:
The women’s collection is elegant, sophisticated and feminine but at the same time delves on perennial classical designs that are smart, mature and glamorous.

Elongated rectangular cases in yellow gold plated stainless steel on a 3-link bracelet with a white mother-of-pearl dial, a sub-second counter and Roman numeral indexes is regularly featured in this collection.

With a distinct personality of its own, the watches are naïvely elegant, fresh, playful yet stands sophisticated in their looks with the stainless steel chain link bracelet, multiple chronograph counters, pearl coloured leather straps and removable crystal pavé charms.

Creme de-la resistance for all those ladies who love glitter and glamour is expressed through these watches with a striking combination of materials.

Large stainless steel cases with four concentric rows of clear Swarovski crystals set against black rubber straps embossed with the Emporio Armani logo is designed to give you the ultimate high.

Also available is the Meccanico range in this collection for the gadget lovers with rose gold featuring prominently. Classically inspired and extremely refined in its simplicity, the meccanico range has richly detailed dials layered with black mother of pearls.

Fossil India Pvt Ltd

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Fashion Week opens with more than 1,100 exhibitors

Hong Kong Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2009 has attracted a record 1,153 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions, as well as buyers and industry players from around the world keen on checking out the latest clothing products and fashion trends.

The show, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), is being held from 8 to 11 July at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Seven group pavilions, from the Chinese mainland, .

The four-day fair showcases a broad array of fashion, accessories and garment-related products, including apparel and handbags, shoes, fashion jewellery and fabrics.

They are displayed in nine theme zones: Fabrics and Yarn Zone (new), Emporium de Mode, Infant and Children’s Wear Zone, Spice Arena, Body and Intimate Wear Zone, Bridal and Evening Wear Zone, Fashion Gallery, Garment and Accessories Mart and International Fashion Designers’ Showcase.

Speaking at opening ceremony, Vincent Fang, Chairman of the HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee, said that the exports of clothing and clothing accessories last year rose by a moderate 1.8 per cent, to US$28.77 billion (HK$224.4 billion).

“The sluggish US economy has inevitably affected our industry,” he said. “But Hong Kong garment companies are experienced, resilient and blessed with the flexibility to respond to changing market conditions.”

The challenging outlook of the US market is, however, compensated by the growth from emerging markets. Mr Fang said: “Growth in Hong Kong exports to the emerging markets is encouraging, with Argentina, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia and Turkey all recording more than 20 per cent growth from last year.”

During the fair period, seven fashion shows and eight special-topic seminars will be staged. One of the highlighted shows is the Hong Kong New Fashion Collection Award, which encourages Hong Kong companies to work with designers from Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland in building brand collections.

Held for the eighth time, it features nine contestants competing for three awards: the Casual and Jeans-wear Category Winner, the Party and Evening-wear Category Winner and the Overall Winner.

“Diversity in Action” by Hong Kong New Design Force Under the theme of “Diversity in Action”, a group of young Hong Kong designers and artists will celebrate the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games with a fashion show (10 July) and an art and graphics exhibition (8-11 July). The creative promotion is being held during Fashion Week to grab the attention of global buyers.

In all, 16 Hong Kong fashion designers will showcase more than 100 new outfits in three styles: Super Sport, Dynamic City and Sports Go Arty on 10 July. The collections include sportswear and stylish outfits infused with modern and artistic elements.

Thanks to fashiongear.fibre2fashion.com

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Britain's Missing Top Model: Shining a spotlight on disability in the fashion industry

With a plethora of modelling reality shows out there, the BBC's Britain's Missing Top Model, which starts on Tuesday, provides a welcomed insight into the lives of eight disabled models. Set to a similar structure of Britain's Next Top Model, they compete to win a modelling contract and a photo-shoot in at top glossy, not Vogue but British Marie Claire. Contestants include a woman with one arm, another who is deaf, and a model who is wheel-chair bound due to a degenerative neuro-muscular disorder.


Just as the NY Mag points out, the series is an opportunity not only to witness the inequality models (both disabled and able-bodied) face on a daily basis, but it also paints a picture of how industry folks, such as editors, photographers, and agents, really feel about models with disabilities.

Take for instance, Marie Claire editor Marie O'Riordan, who also doubles as a judge on the show. She says: "When I first heard about the programme, my immediate thought was would it all be women in wheelchairs and I knew that if it was going to be some sort of freak show, I didn't want to be involved. But I very quickly realised there are many disabled people who are not in wheelchairs, and that is just one of the many preconceptions we all hold about disability."

Blindly ignorant, or refreshingly honest? I am inclined to think the latter. As the Daily Mail, highlights, 'whether the winner will go on to have a career when the cameras stop rolling remains to be seen'. That is true, but regardless of this fact, it is the recognition of the struggle alone, in an industry so rooted in the notion of appearance, that is the real winner.

Britain's Missing Top Model, part of BBC 3's Beauty Season, starts on Tuesday, July 1 at 9pm.
Thanks to www.catwalkqueen.tv

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