RALPH LAUREN ADDS A ROCK 'N' ROLL EDGE TO HIS ELEGANT, ALL-AMERICAN DESIGNS FOR FALL

(Photo:formal dresses uk)   Ralph Lauren is nothing if not consistent. It's a practice that could pose as a hinderance to any other designer, but, perhaps, it serves as his greatest strength. The all-American pieces present in each consecutive collection — from chunky leather belts t0 riding boots, paired with everything — have become so ingrained in his brand's aesthetic philosophy that, in many cases, much of what's left for Lauren to do is fill in the gaps. Lauren knows what he does (and what sells) best, and tends not to deviate too far from those offerings. It's how he built his empire. But while his lines may remain more predictable — thematic, even — than those of other fashion houses, that certainly doesn't mean that his shows lack creativity.
This season, Lauren looked less toward a specific era or location — such as theFrench Riviera or the Western U.S., as he has in the past — for inspiration, instead designing with a specific girl in mind. "By day, her style is effortless and sophisticated in languid menswear," he wrote on the label's Instagram. At night, she transforms herself "with the bold spirit of a cool rocker imbued with a modern romanticism." It sounds like a lot to take in, but with Lauren's magic touch, it worked.
The show, as always, began with the collection's more casual offerings; Karlie Kloss, a vision in monochrome, opened in cedar-colored trousers and a coordinating cardigan. The 20-odd looks that followed weren't a far departure from the first, each as menswear-inspired as the last and darkening in color as the lineup went on. His daytime girl was, indeed, as effortless and sophisticated as he intended, with nary an accessory involved aside from a belt or a plaid tie. In a black velvet mini dress, Victoria's Secret Angel Taylor Hill ushered in the next "cool rocker" segment for nighttime. It's clear Lauren enjoyed himself here, meshing frilly Edwardian collars and heaps of colorful jewelry with brocade overcoats and exaggerated fringe. It was as bold — and fun! — as he likely intended, and as the front row's faces visibly lit up with each passing look, it was clear the audience thought so, too.
What followed was the eveningwear, kicking off with a graceful gown — again, in black velvet — on runway wunderkind Lineisy Montero. With some dresses in lush pleated red and others in glossy gold, it became clear that this latter section appealed to neither the breezy menswear girl nor the rock 'n' roll romantic Lauren made a point to call out. With the Oscars just days away, the Lauren woman will have plenty to choose from. It won't matter if she doesn't fall in perfectly with his vision for the collection, because that's just the beauty of the brand: Whomever you are, whatever your tastes, you can't help but appreciate the clothes and the story they tell.Read more at:cocktail dresses uk

Why Are Designers Banning Social Media At Their Shows?

(Photo:http://www.marieprom.co.uk/long-prom-dresses) Though the first of four major global Fashion Weeks hasn't even wrapped yet, this season has already involved quite a few departures from the traditional Fashion Week format. There's the instant gratification of see-now-buy-now shows (or specific items within a collection), like at Rebecca Minkoff, Banana Republic, and Diane von Furstenberg. All signs are pointing toward a more consumer-friendly calendar on the not-too-distant horizon. Yet some designers are doing the opposite and straight up disconnecting by banning social media at their Fashion Week events.
On its Milan Fashion Week invitations, MSGM is kindly requesting showgoers not post pictures from its fall '16 show online, according to WWD. French brand Jacquemusannounced earlier this month that it wouldn't permit any sharing of its spring '16 show during PFW on Instagram (an ironic medium for the news, no?). Granted, Jacquemus sort ofkept its fall '15 imagery off social media when it sent topless models down its runway, making any images not safe for Instagram.
"I think it’s the right moment to take a step back from overexposure," MSGM's creative director, Massimo Giorgetti, told WWD. "If everything is out there immediately, people lose interest and everything looks so old in a second. In addition, I think that asking press and buyers to not post from the show, they might watch the clothes with their eyes, not through a screen, which is something good." Giorgetti won't be releasing any imagery of MSGM's fall '16 collection until summer, when the clothes are set to hit shelves.
The New York Times' Vanessa Friedman recently examined the smartphone's role in the demise of the traditional Fashion Week format: "After being inundated by images and livestreams from runway shows, from awards shows where the items are worn mere days after they appear on the runway, and from ad campaigns (and the making of ad campaigns), by the time these customers see the clothes in stores, the dresses and skirts and suits seem tediously familiar. Old. Over."
But social media has also allowed designers brand-new ways to share (or add a fresh aspect to a more traditional presentation format), like Misha Nonoo's first-of-its-kind Insta-Show for spring '16 or Wes Gordon's cinematic (and social-only) vignettes for fall '16. The Instagram format allowed Nonoo to connect with her large online-shopping audience — and cemented her decision to skip this season altogether in order to refocus her business.

Social media is certainly the best, speediest way for the general public to access runway images; and access (read: inclusivity) is a huge topic of conversation in the fashion industry in recent seasons. Yet, even the front row tends to watch a show through a screen, thanks to the perpetual quest for that perfect Insta shot or Snapchat story. There's a fine line between overexposure and inacessibility when it comes to social media's relationship with the catwalk.Read more at:http://www.marieprom.co.uk/plus-size-prom-dresses

Rihanna's on a fashion roll

(Photo:cheap formal dresses uk) When someone has an estimated net worth of $120million, it's unsurprising they are named the world's most marketable celebrity. This is the title bestowed on Rihanna, whose work in the fashion and beauty fields looks set to eclipse her music in the coming months.
The NPD Group, a market research company, suggests she has 3.67 times as many strong brand endorsements opportunities as other stars, eclipsing big names like Angelina Jolie. This is likely one of the reasons she banked $26million in 2015 - putting her 10th on the Forbes Highest Paid Women in Music list, even though she didn't release a record or tour during the time period. So what did she do? Worked on her eighth album, Anti, which came out at the end of January (16) for sure, but she also plunged herself full force into the world of fashion.
Rihanna was named creative director of Puma in 2015, a decision which was clearly a wise one by the sports label as her first range of creepers for the company sold out pretty much instantly when they hit stores in September (15). Her next big reveal will come during New York Fashion Week, as she's supposed to be staging a Puma show on Friday 12 February at 8pm. At the moment, the contents are a closely-guarded secret, but if we had to guess there will be a plethora of crop tops in various colour ways, as well as loose-fitting trousers, tailored hoodies and slim-fitting vests and T-shirts. It's difficult to know what colour scheme she'll pick for Autumn/Winter 16, but there will doubtless be a lot of muted tones like grey, white and black, probably with some splashes added in too. We'd guess some unexpected pops as well - maybe different fabrics trimming some of the pieces or portions of pattern added to otherwise plain items.
Puma isn't the only label to capture Rihanna's attention either. Over the years she's teamed up with some of the biggest names in fashion and beauty, playing shows in honour of Nivea's 100 Years of Skincare event, collaborating with MAC, releasing perfumes and shooting campaigns for Armani and Dior. She's dreamt up a sock line for Stance, teamed up with River Island for a fashion range as well as being named the Council of Fashion Designers of America's (CFDA) Fashion Icon in 2014.

All of that stands her in good stead for her newest venture; a beauty and stylist agency called Fr8me. A whole team has been signed up to help those who are tasked with organising commercials, editorial shoots and red carpet outings. It's a bold move for a 27-year-old star already famed for her fashion forward styling choices - who else is looking forward to seeing what Rihanna will wear to the Grammy Awards on 15 February (16)?Read more at:prom dresses for women

Catherine Zeta Jones: I haven’t been to the plastic surgeon... yet

(Photo:yellow prom dresses uk) In a candid interview the star, who lit up the premiere of her latest film Dad’s Army last week, set the record straight on her personal life.
Over the years Catherine, 46, has been accused of having cheekbone and upper lip fillers, an upper eye lift, Botox injections, a boob job, a nose job and a mini-facelift.
But she says: “Contrary to public opinion, I have not been under the knife — yet is what I say!
“If I feel like it, I’m going to go ahead and do it.”
Catherine, who won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in 2002 musical Chicago, shed light on her battle with bipolar disorder, the mental illness which caused her to seek treatment in 2011.
She also told Good Housekeeping magazine about her 15-year marriage to Hollywood star Michael Douglas, 71.
Catherine said: “Fifteen years is a long time. You’ve got to keep the home fires burning. I think people today are so quick to throw in the towel on marriage.” Catherine talked about Michael’s tongue cancer diagnosis in 2010 and the couple’s brief separation three years later.
And she shared her keep-fit tips after recently admitting the secret to her youthful appearance is rubbing argan oil into her skin.
CATHERINE said of their recent wedding anniversary: “It was great. Just the two of us at one of our favourite restaurants, laughing that we haven’t killed each other yet and that we are still alive! It’s a long road.
“You have to give it your best shot and not give up when the first problem arises because that won’t be the last problem. There will be many more down the road.”
On his cancer battle
WE tried to keep it as private as possible, but because of what we do, it’s very hard.
I didn’t talk to other people about it enough. That’s one thing I would do more of.
Our two children asking, ‘Is Daddy going to die?’ was really hard.
It was an experience that I am so happy is in our rear-view mirror.
On her bi-polar battle
FINDING out it was called something was the best thing that ever happened to me.
The fact there was a name for my emotions and that a professional could talk me through my symptoms was very liberating.
There are amazing highs and very low lows. My goal is to be consistently in the middle. I’m in a very good place right now.
A lot of that is to do with the fact that I’m much more knowledgeable about what I call my pain in the a**e!
IT was everything I’d hoped it would be. There is something about working with Brits of that calibre (cast includes Toby Jones, Michael Gambon, Blake Harrison and Tom Courtenay, above).
I had Tom Courtenay flirting with me at 7am in the make-up chair, and him and Michael Gambon bantering away. I couldn’t stop laughing.
On going under knife
YOU don’t have to be a beauty queen to be an actress.
The roles coming my way now are different and more interesting.
But I’m not anti-plastic surgery. If it makes you feel better, who am I to say it’s wrong?

I HAVE my dancing. Being active is much healthier for my psyche. I feel it’s healthy for a body to sweat every day. I run on my treadmill or power walk outside. Then I do some bodywork and arm work.Read more at:grey prom dresses

Fashion designer Claudia Chan Shaw heralds the new Chinese year with festivities set to delight

(Photo:formal dresses) When Sydney’s beloved Chinese New Year Twilight Parade was axed from the city’s event calendar due to the construction of the CBD light rail, revellers and authorities alike were left wondering how they would celebrate the festivities.
This year, several weeks of celebration will ring in the Year of the Monkey, replacing the decade-old parade with a festival that runs from Chinatown down to Darling Harbour, headed up by fashion designer Claudia Chan Shaw.
“While in the past people’s favourite was the parade, this year will be totally different,” Ms Shaw said.
“Instead of a parade that runs for three hours, there will be nine days of celebrations and events.”
Huge zodiac ‘lanterns’ — glowing animals in the shape of star signs — will light a path across the city, and landmarks including the Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, Circular Quay Station, Sydney Town Hall and the Capitol Theatre will bask in red light to symbolise good fortune and joy.
“This embraces the whole city with staggeringly wonderful designs,” Ms Shaw said. “Imagine giant monkeys down on the Sydney foreshore, 8m dragons down at Dawes Point and oversized rabbits doing tai chi in Customs House Square.
“While lanterns have traditionally been used throughout the history of Chinese culture, we wanted to do something that had never been done before. This isn’t China or Hong Kong. We wanted to show off Sydney and make it glitter.”
Instead of marching in the parade, cultural community groups will be given space around the city to do multiple performances, and favourites including the dragon boat race and the lunar feasts will still go ahead.
For those wanting to learn more about traditional Chinese culture, there is the opportunity to take part in a tea ceremony, or to learn to play mahjong over dim sum.
“This is such a significant event not just in Chinese culture, but for Taiwanese, Japanese, Vietnamese and many others,” Ms Shaw said.

“We want people to step into new territory. We want to bring a smile to their face and delight to the eyes.”Read more at:cocktail dresses uk

Elsa Pataky: 'No more excuses!'

Elsa Pataky urges mothers to forfeit any excuses they may have about putting off exercise.
The 39-year-old actress shares three children with her actor husband Chris Hemsworth, including three-year-old daughter India Rose and 22-month-old twin boys Tristan and Sasha.
Although she has her hands full caring for young kids while also attending to a busy career, Elsa still manages to squeeze some fitness into her day, and the star believes every other mother in the world can do the same.
Writing a blog post for Spain's Glamour magazine, Elsa noted many people may have all sorts of justifications for staying away from the gym after the Christmas holidays conclude.
"Some of us have put on some pounds (over the holidays)...But all good things come to an end and now, most of us vow to do a whole host of things, some of them will not be followed through on and some others will," she observed. "And, who hasn't once written down 'to get in shape' in his list of resolutions for the New Year?
"This post is for all the busy mums who quit doing some exercise as they think they don't have free time and the little (time) they (do) have is devoted to their children."
Elsa attached a video to the blog post and in the footage she is demonstrating exercises that incorporate a baby buggy into repetitions. The exercises Elsa performs in the clip are a series of squats, planks, lunges and at one point she even jogs with the buggy.
Her reasoning behind using the equipment is to show mothers it is simple to get a workout in while occupied with parental duties.
"I think it is fantastic any time we take up to everyday tasks to engage it in our little ones, it is actually the best thing we can do," she wrote. "But I am going to teach some exercises you can do while you are walking outdoors with your children. Put on your leggings and trainers and try to do these exercises. You can work out your abs, legs, buttocks, arms...

"Use your imagination to use the buggy or hold your baby in your arms to practice with them some simple moves. I assure you will enjoy them and so they will. So... there's no more excuses! Let's start the New Year in a good shape."Read more at:prom dresses 2016 | red carpet dresses

4 Things Charleston Fashion Week Taught Me About Being an Entrepreneur

Charleston Fashion Week, held in historic Charleston, SC has quickly made a name for itself as one of the best fashion showcases in the US. Charleston Fashion Week 2016, scheduled for late March, will be the 9th year this event has transformed Marion Square in the heart of Charleston into a catwalk. 2016 is promising to be bigger and better.
One thing that makes Charleston Fashion Week stand out as a game changer in the fashion world is the Emerging Designer Competition: East. The new designer showcase allows new and emerging designers, both local and international, to get their name, brand, and more importantly, their work, in front of industry leaders, members of the media, and peers. Winners of the contest, including Anna Toth, have gone on to do some great things. The goal of the Emerging Designer Competition: East is to serve as a "pathway to New York."
Last year I had the opportunity to attend Charleston Fashion Week on the first night of the Emerging Designer Competition: East. I'm no fashionista, but I knew being is a room full of beauty and surrounded by the creative spirit was bound to rub off on me. What I wasn't expecting was to learn these four business truths.
1. No matter your dream, opportunity abounds.
It is easier than ever to start a business and attract clients from around the world. The internet make that a reality, but even though starting is easy, success and industry acceptance is still not so easy. Opportunities like Emerging Designer Competition: East and the Rock the Runway Model Competition™ are still important to establish credibility and move you from an internet start up to a respected member of your industry.
2) Success is contagious.
My favorite part of Charleston Fashion Week was reading the biography of every new and emerging designer in the program. Knowing the story behind each designer made watching their moment of achievement that much more inspiring. If you can avoid the trap of comparison and enjoy the success of others, your life will be full and you will be able to wear your success with pride.
3) Being surrounded by art is healthy and good for the soul.
I don't consider myself an artist or a creative, but something happens to my soul when I am surrounded by art. I have never aspired to be a fashion designer, but being in the presence of beautiful fabrics, new shapes, and interesting designs makes me a better writer and speaker. Honestly, art makes us better humans. The public is welcomed to attend Charleston Fashion Week, but if that isn't possible for you this year, take an afternoon and visit an art museum or attend the symphony.
4) Celebration is important.
During a fashion show, each model walks out onto the stage one at a time, struts to the end of the runway and walks back. At the end of the show, the models walk the runway one more time, but this time they walk in a long line, one after another. At the end of the line is the designer. Although usually much shorter, and less glamorous than the models, the designer draws the largest applause. The work of the designer is primarily behind the scenes, but her moment in the spotlight is important. The next time you finish a project, land a new client, or receive a big order, take a minute to stand in the spotlight and enjoy the glory of the win.

Even though a fashion show is not a traditional place to learn about entrepreneurial truths, I walked away from Charleston Fashion Week 2015 excited, inspired, and ready to create.Read more at:cocktail dresses | prom dresses manchester