Meryl Streep, Lee and Bob Woodruff Honored at Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Gala

New York - For those living with spinal cord injuries in the U.S., the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation provides a form of magic in the form of funding for research and quality of life improvements. So the theme of their annual fundraising gala, "A Magical Evening," held on Nov. 12 in New York, was especially fitting.

Celebrity friends and supporters of the Reeve's cause, including Diane Sawyer, Robin and Marsha Williams, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Anne Hathaway, came out in full force to the Marriot Marquis to honor the couple's advocacy work. Christopher passed away in 2004, and Dana passed away from lung cancer at the age of 44 in 2006.

Their children, Matthew, Alexandra and Will, were on hand at the gala to honor Meryl Streep, the recipient of the Dana Reeve Hope Award; Lee and Bob Woodruff, the recipients of the Christopher Reeve Spirit of Courage Award and Henry G. Stifel, one of the founding members of the foundation and recipient of the Visionary Leadership Award.

"Meryl's been a loyal and great friend to the foundation and we’re happy to pay tribute to her this evening," said Alexandra Reeve.

"I knew him for a long time, many, many years," said Meryl Streep of Reeve. "I'm very, very honored to be here, and I'm a little humbled, because I feel like I'm standing in light that [Christopher and Dana Reeve] cast. They just really were like a lighthouse for this issue, and so charismatic and so effective in their advocacy."

Lee and Bob Woodruff, whose own story has come to parallel in many ways the Reeve's, when television journalist Bob Woodruff became the first news anchor in Iraq to be wounded, nearly killed by a roadside bomb. He sustained a serious head injury and subsequently, he and his wife Lee established the Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury.

"It just so happened after I woke up, after 36 days in my coma, I looked up at the TV and saw that Dana had passed away, and I will never forget that," said Bob Woodruff. “That was one of the first things that I saw. That's how close this family is to so many people in this country."

Another friend of the Reeve's, Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who met the couple after college at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, said it was a "no-brainer" to come out that evening for the foundation.

"What they built is a pretty extraordinary thing, and I just want to keep supporting it as long as I can," said Hoffman. "Hopefully from year to year it will keep building upon what they left, so that's why I'm here."

Hoffman said that in choosing his own roles, he's always been surprised about the films that have had a lasting impact.

"I never know what films will have an impact either socially or politically," he said. "It's a tough one, because sometimes things can be too on the nose. You hope you're involved with things that will just make an impact, that will affect people somehow. Sometimes that's socially or politically, and sometimes that's just soulfully."

Christopher Reeve, a longtime activist even before his paralyzing accident in 1995 when he was thrown from a horse in an equestrian competition, used his own celebrity for good causes ranging from the Make-a-Wish Foundation, to Amnesty International, to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

After his accident and extensive, painful rehabilitation, he traveled constantly throughout the country to speak on behalf of other people with disabilities and also actively lobbied in Washington D.C. In September 2007, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (H.R. 1727) to be considered by the full House, a bill intended to improve the quality of life for those with spinal cord injuries.

Last week during the NYC Marathon, Team Reeve, made up of 50 runners, raised $400,000 for the foundation.

Everyone Was There at the "I'm Not There" Premiere

New York - The stars glittered brilliantly on a chilly Tuesday night in New York City to see director Todd Haynes' homage to Bob Dylan's life. Called "I'm Not There," it is a movie with an interesting conceit. In it, six actors – including one female, Cate Blanchett – portray the legendary singer-songwriter at various points in his iconic career. Blanchett was off in Sydney, and fellow Dylans Christian Bale and Ben Whishaw didn't make it either, but the other three who take on the role, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger and Marcus Carl Franklin, joined Haynes and the film's
Heath Ledger talked about the film to the press earlier in the week, and explained that a knowledge of Dylan's life and music isn't a necessity to enjoying the flick.

"I don't think you need to be a Dylan genius in order to appreciate it as a story, a film, or the experience of it," Ledger said. "It is a film, it is a movie, and it's not a quiz. There is no Q&A afterwards, as an audience member. Quite frankly I think the less you know, the better off you are going to be. You are not going to be straining yourself, trying to digest every single line of dialogue. You just kind of strap yourself in and enjoy the ride, that kind of thing."

That's just what Julianne Moore, Bruce Greenwood, and Yolanda Moss did; they co-star in the movie and joined a throng of Haynes fans at the premiere. There was Lauren Bacall, Adrian Grenier, Glenn Close, Justin Bateman, Eva Amurri, Bebe Neuwirth, Patricia Clarkson, Richard Belzer and Bart Freundlich.

Dylan's music has had a profound impact over the years, even on 28-year-old Heath Ledger, who wasn't born when Dylan rose to superstardom in the Sixties, but who insisted that age has nothing to do with appreciating the music – or "I'm Not There" either.

"I was definitely a fan of Dylan. I think Dylan was someone who I had scheduled somewhat, in the future, down the line, to become obsessed by. I do get obsessed with people, musicians, and artists," Ledger admitted. "I think that Todd prematurely invited me into this obsession, on this film."

The film-festival favorite opens in limited release on November 21.

Just A Minute With: Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger

STOCKHOLM (Reuters Life!) - Fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger says that if he had not ended up making clothes he probably would have made movies.

Known for a style that evokes the American East coast with his New England-inspired designs, Hilfiger says he could imagine himself on the West coast, behind or in front of the camera.

Hilfiger was in Stockholm for a promotional visit and he spoke to Reuters about his life and ideas. Dressed in loafers (no socks, despite the Nordic city's autumnal chill), jeans and a pale blue Oxford shirt, Hilfiger said he likes the "classic" look for himself, not just his customers.

Q: What would you do if you hadn't become a designer?

A: I'd have been in Hollywood as a producer, actor, director, something like that.

Q: What kind of movies would you make?

A: Movies with thought, with deep meaning... It would be something deep about the world, how to help the world, how to help (alleviate) poverty.

Q: What will you do here in Stockholm?

A: We're going to go look at all the different talents, and give them advice. Probably more commercial, because they are creative already. I'll tell them how to take the creativity to make money.

Q: What advice would have been helpful to you 40 years ago?

A: I think I was smart enough to surround myself with good people.... But if someone would have told me that earlier, I don't know if I would have listened, because sometimes you don't know what good people represent. Thirty years ago good people were my friends who liked to hang around listen to music and look cool and pick up girls. But now I look at people's intelligence, how they can help me. Maybe they're international tax lawyers or accountants. Still good people but a whole different mindset.

Q: If you could do anything different, what would that be?

A: Maybe I wouldn't have gone so big in the States. I became so big in the States, and everything that becomes so big has to come down a little. I would have kept the supply less than the demand. Once you oversupply, the demand dries out.

Q: How do you think fashion has changed during your years in the industry?

A: A lot more competition. A lot more at the high end and a lot more at the low.... Fashion itself comes in many different ways. There is fantasy fashion that not many people can wear or could afford. Then there is wearable fashion that is just part of our everyday life. It depends on the definition of fashion - fashion is usually guided by trend, but style is forever.

Q: What should we be looking for come Spring 2008?

A: Still luxury, color, very, very light-weight fabrics and some shiny fabrics. For women, more lady-like clothes. For men. more tailored, more dressed up, more sophisticated, slimmer, closer to the body.

(Editing by Paul Casciato)

Just A Minute With: British fashion designer Zandra Rhodes

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - British fashion legend Zandra Rhodes, now making her UK debut as an opera set and costume designer, is feeling sad -- too many of her fellow designers are deserting London for Paris.

It has been a path well worn by the likes of Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen and for Rhodes, it is a case of British fashion leading the world -- but from France!

Q: How do you see the state of British fashion today?

A: "It's terrible that our people seem to have to be in Paris a lot of the time. Maybe if I had gone to Paris, my career might have been a bit different from that point of view.

"I think it is rather sad that we can't make it pay in the same way but the way the world is going, you have got focuses all in different directions.

Q: What do you think was the attraction of your designs for a string of such different celebrities from Princess Diana to Queen frontman Freddie Mercury?

A: "They come to you because they want you to do something that is going to be really wonderful to wear. Everyone is a challenge. You have to hope they feel absolutely marvelous. They were all perfect in their own way.

"When they had the Princess Diana (New York charity) sale, they said my clothes stuck out in a different way -- they didn't look like the others.

"With Freddie, it was lovely for someone to come round and try things on. I do not go round in that world and I am not

really a pop follower but I had already done costumes for T-Rex and Marc Bolan before that time."

Q: What is the attraction of designing sets and costumes for opera -- as you have for the English National Opera (ENO) London production of Aida after also designing "The Magic Flute" and "The Pearl Fishers" for San Diego Opera.

A: "It is just a magical art. Designing for opera is so magical -- the combination of the voices and the music.

"They are the ones going out on stage projecting so you have got to make the hero feel like he is the hero.

"If he is bigger and has got a short neck, you shade his neck so he looks slimmer; you work out the hair, you get the right wig and work all these things out."

"It is so wonderful when you actually see it all happening and they are just so nice, down-to-earth people in between all of that."

(Editing by Paul Casciato)

Darling, you look good enough to eat..

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - For hard-core chocoholics, it was the fashion show that quite literally took the biscuit.

Models in New York paraded outfits made of chocolate in the 2007 Haute Chocolate Couture Collection as the audience feasted their eyes on dresses and accessories made out of dark and white chocolate, chocolate squares, chocolate chips and little else.

Model Ashley Moss showed off a dress made from cookies.

"It's actually amazing. It's not everyday that you get to wear something like this so I'm really, really excited about it. It's a first time experience to be wearing cookies," she told Reuters Television.

The show was part of the 10th Annual International Chocolate Show held over the weekend.

All outfits were meticulously crafted by several designers, including Ortrud Muench Carstens who said the sun almost sabotaged her creation.

"You have to keep it at a very low temperature, not more than about 65 or 68 degrees (18-20 degrees Celsius)," said Carstens.

"The other day I opened the window while I was still working on the dress, and the sun was shining and it, if you come close to it, you see, it melted," she said, pointing out an area of partially melted chocolate.

Celebrity Women Halloween Parties

Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Gwen Stefani show off their halloween outfits and Britney proves she can still look like trash on halloween.

Kate Winslet: Yay or Nay?

Kate Winslet attended the 16th Annual Bafta/LA Cunard Britannia Awards (now, that was a mouthful) a couple of days ago in Hollywood wearing a controversial dress.


This obviously wasn't a 'safe' choice. When presented with photographs like this I sometimes wonder what the intention behind the outfit was. Do celebrities wear off-the-wall outfits purely to cause controversy and ultimately column inches or are they simply exploring their own style and pushing the boundaries?

I'm not sure the metallic finish and texture of the gown sits well with the classic (almost frumpy) shape. I love the super-wide black patent belt (a must-have for your wardrobe) but not with this dress. The belt is too 'now' to be teamed with a shape of dress that is 'not now'. It's a bit like eating ketchup with ice cream...they just don't go well together.

Hilary Duff Keeps Her Clothes ON For FHM

he most recent issue of UK mens' magazine FHM has just hit the shelves, with Hilary Duff as this month's cover girl. Yes the shoot is sexy but it is definitely not what I'd expect from a magazine which usually displays topless shots. I wonder if FHM readers felt a little cheated to open the magazine and find Hilary very much fully clothed? The shots are tasteful, demure and wouldn't look out of place in ladies fashion mags such as Glamour or Instyle. The mini cropped leather biker jacket is right on trend and is a look that appears in the Kate Moss for Topshop collection. Good for you Hilary for not selling out and getting your kit off for money. What a great role model for young girls - this is one celebrity you won't see falling over drunk or photographed minus underwear.

Cameron Diaz in Juicy Couture

Juicy Couture has seriously impressed me this year and their current knitwear collection really is to die for. Every piece is right on trend (babydoll cardigans, pocket tunics, cowl necks, stripes), beautifully cut and of high quality. Cameron Diaz looks absolutely stunning in this preppy stripe cardigan [$278] available in cream, black and beige. If you get the chance to see this in real life take a good look at the buttons - they are gorgeous!

We Celebrate the Sweater Coat

Sweater coats! Longer, and more coat-like, than cardigans. Not to be used in lieu of actual coats. We've done that, and rued the choice, more than once. In fact, we did that just tonight, with our Havaianas, and looked like big, roly-poly, sweater coat morons.

Doesn't this model look totally impervious to the cold? It reminds us of that field where they planted that giant tree in the old Six Feet Under credits. Joie Roxy sweater, $295

We are not totally in agreement with the perspective that "this cardigan is perfect for any holiday occasion", unless by occasion we are talking about sitting in front of the television because it is too cold to go outside. Which is, if we think about, how we spend most of the holidays, anyway. A+E cardigan, $49.50

We hate Abercrombie, but we admit we like some of their knitwear. But. That. Stupid. Moose! Argh. Cassie sweater, $79.50

This is really quite lovely and professional looking, no? Idaho cardigan from French Connection, $128

And this: We are not necessarily endorsing this. It's a "cashmere peacoat sweater." So it is super sweater-coat-y. It's freaking us out a bit. We thought, at first, that it was just a cashmere peacoat, but it's a cashmere peacoat sweater. We include this mostly as a question of interest, like when we called our friend K. to tell her about this meerkat we saw at the zoo. Cashmere peacoat sweater, $325

And again: Doesn't this look rather bizarrely like an actual coat, rather than a sweater coat? Maybe it's just us. All Wrapped-Up cardigan, $168

A Cross Without the Burden of Religion

Here is another beauty from Love and Pride Jewelry. This is a wooden cross pendant unlike any other that I have come across in all of my wide jewelry wanderings. I am not religious at all, I am more of a spiritualist one might say but even still the sign of the cross holds some meaning to me as it does to most in one way or another. This is a neat take in that it is nothing like the traditional crucifix, not in any way shape or form. It is not even made of the same types of materials you normally see crosses in. If it was still the early nineties I would say this cross is rad!

I like the wood they chose for this wooden cross pendant. I have absolutely no idea what kind of wood it actually is, I just know that it is a darker wood with a striped kind of natural grain to it. The wood itself is a triangular piece all sharp edges and hard lines and I think it is so strong the way it pierces the cold steel. And of course who cannot notice that small twinkle that is the diamond accent, talk about the jewel in the crown right?

This is a really great wooden cross pendant that I see as perfectly unisex. I can see it on a guy or a girl with ease. The black cotton cord ensures it suits everyone perfectly and it’s adjustable too which is always a plus.

Wicked Hot Pearls can be Modern or Classic

Before you start looking for some fabulous pearl jewelry to purchase you need to take a look at all of the different styles out there on the internet. There are natural blister pearls, classic round pearls the popular buttons pearls and so much more. There are also some specific things that you need to keep in mind as you shop for your pearl jewelry.

How to shop for pearl jewelry

If it is a pearl necklace that you are looking for you first need to determine what style you want. There are long pearl necklaces as well as pearl chokers or pearl collars. These are both gorgeous but each will compliment different type of clothing. It is important that you choose the pearls that will look the best with the outfits that you want to wear them with.

If most of your wardrobe consists of v necks and off the shoulder items then you should seriously getting a pearl jewelry collar. This pearl necklace will leave the bosom open and clean looking, it will not give a cluttered look to the neckline of your clothes. These pearl chokers can look just as hot with jeans as with a ball gown, this makes them a wonderfully versatile purchase when it comes to pearl jewelry.

A double or triple strand long pearl necklace looks best with a high neckline or an extremely low fitted neckline. These are very complementary and come in many varieties of colors.

Colorful pearl jewelry for any occasion

All pearl jewelry, from pearl necklaces, earrings and even bracelets come in a wide variety of colors. There are pink pearls, white pearls, cream colored and peacock colored pearls. And these are only a few of the myriad of shades of pearl jewelry. If you are interested in adding some versatility and elegance to your jewelry collection then pearls are a wonderful choice.

When you put on classic and elegant pearl jewelry, you will instantly look more beautiful and graceful. Pearls are lovely and perfect for all seasons. Start shopping for your own pearl jewelry today and watch the heads turn as you walk into the room.

All The Beautiful Celtic Jewelry Designs

You don’t have to be straight or Irish to fall in love with Celtic jewelry designs. These jewelry pieces are a favorite among all walks of life because of their originality and their wonderful lines. I personally have a veritable trove of Irish inspired pieces and I love wearing them, they are just so mysterious and fun.

I am going to be doing a small group of posts addressing the different kinds of Irish jewelry designs including pieces like Celtic knotwork rings, Celtic promise rings and Celtic engagement rings among others.

Celtic knotwork rings and crosses are filled with history and each design has a special story that makes it more than just a piece of jewelry, these stories make Celtic jewelry works of art.

So what the heck do Celtic jewelry designs look like?

This Celtic pendant is a fine example of traditional Celtic jewelry design. It is intricate and you can see the detailing clearly in the silver work:

This Titanium Celtic mans ring is more simplistic but still a classic look in this style of jewelry today:

This is a fantastic example of Celtic weaving in jewelry. I personally love the way the three different colored metals are all woven together. I want it!

Celtic jewelry designs often incorporate fantastic swirling symbols and intricate patters like those you see in Celtic knotwork rings and many times there’s a cross worked into the design somehow. The crosses and the knots are probably the most popular of all.

The Celtic cross is one of the most famous of all symbols used in Celtic jewelry design. Rumor has it that it was St. Patrick that designed the very first of these crosses all those years ago. He drew a circle over the traditional Catholic cross to symbolize something unique and even more special.

There is more than one belief concerning what this added circle represents. Some say it represents the halo of Christ while others believe that it represents eternity and never-ending love. No matter which interpretation you follow, this kind of Celtic jewelry design is always a wonderful addition to your jewelry collection.

You don’t even have to be religious to enjoy the wonder of this kind of Celtic cross jewelry. For example, the arms of the cross can symbolize the mind, the body, the soul and the human heart, or even earth, air, fire and water. There are as many interpretations of the Celtic cross as there are versions of it.

This is one of the reasons why Celtic jewelry designs have been flourishing for generation upon generation all over the world.

Fashion show fights against slavery

When Jennifer Kimball began to research human trafficking for a school project, the more she learned, the more she was horrified.

"People are bought, sold, moved around. There are forced rapes," said Kimball, a University of Missouri-Columbia student. "There are two forms: sexual exploitation … and forced labor. These can be children. They can’t leave, can’t say no, they don’t get paid. They are told their families will be killed or injured."

With the knowledge that modern-day slavery is taking place overseas and in America, Kimball decided to do more. Along with other MU Women’s and Gender Studies Undergraduate Group members, she helped organize "Stop Traffic Now," an organization to combat the practice of trafficking.

The group tonight will host a fashion show to raise awareness and money for their three-day human trafficking conference scheduled in March. Some proceeds also will benefit The Shelter, a home for victims of domestic violence.

According to the U.S. Department of State, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders, and millions more are enslaved in their own countries. About 80 percent of victims are women, and about 50 percent are minors.

Jill Hilbrenner, an MU journalism major, also helped organize the show. She said many trafficked people venture to a prosperous nation to help their families financially, but upon arrival they are held against their will and not paid for their work.

"A lot of people don’t even know it happens, and it’s not just something that happens elsewhere," Kimball said. "As citizens of Columbia, there is something we can do."

Kimball and other organizers have been working on the fashion show since the summer. They e-mailed students in the Textile and Apparel Management Department to recruit designers.

When Ashley Allen, 21, read the e-mail, she began to research human trafficking. "It really surprised me," she said, noting that she has seen pictures of workers chained to sewing machines. "Just being in college, I’m kind of in my own little bubble. The fact that I’m going to be in this industry and the textile industry is a main area" for trafficking "into sweatshops, that bothers me."

Allen has four pieces in the show, including two children’s outfits. One is a red-and-white outfit, using colors in the national flags of Singapore, Cambodia and Malaysia, which are hotbeds of human trafficking. On the jean Capri pants, she sewed the word "Kebebasan," Malayan for "freedom."

A T-shirt Allen designed features the phrase, "Mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins should be free to work, free to laugh, free to dream and free to be."

MU student Jaclyn Marcacci features her three-piece "Strictly Unrestricted" line, which shows a transition from rags to riches, symbolizing a survivor’s journey.

Designers and organizers said they hope the show will raise awareness of an underreported problem.

"It is a really big deal, not just internationally, but domestically," Marcacci said. "It needs to be stopped. It needs to be ended."

Kimball said interested people can also register for the March conference at www.stoptrafficnow.com.

"As human beings, we need to know and be aware that these atrocities are going on, especially in our own community," she said, adding that some trafficked women come to Missouri under the pretext of mail-order brides. "I can’t understand how you couldn’t care."

Claw Money Takes Graffiti Fashion to Nike

Claw (Claudia) Money has teamed up with Nike to create a new brand of Nike vandals exclusively for women.

The graffiti legend has combined her signature three nailed claw symbol with contrasting trims and laces teamed with printed peacock feathers in bright inks in the bold new designs.

Claw Money is most famous for her graffiti art work in New York but she is now the fashion editor for U.S. magazine Swindle has her own clothing line, Claw Money.

She also released her first book earlier this year. Bombshell: The Life and Crimes of Claw Money, is a unique insight into her life including her famous shoe box designs, photographs of past work, personal letters and other inspirations.

These are the first Vandals to be created for women . The cult trainers were originally designed for basketballers in 1985 but in the late 80s the style became popular among break dancers and skaters.

The limited edition designs hit the UK streets yesterday and are available in Foot Locker stores and in Dover Street Market.

Claudia is currently looking for a UK stockist for her label so she's definitely a name to watch out for next year.

New model for fashion shows skips live models

NEW YORK — The future of fashion - or at least fashion shows - debuted recently at Grand Central Station.

Target staged a model-less fashion show, featuring high-definition, faceless holograms wearing clothes and accessories that are part of the retailer's holiday offerings.

It was staged in little vignettes, beginning with one female hologram prancing around her bedroom trying to decide what to wear and ending with a rapid-fire series of silhouettes wearing favorite looks of Target's big-name designer collaborators including Isaac Mizrahi, Liz Lange, Mossimo Giannulli, Erin Fetherston and Keenan Duffy.

Without live models, the show began on time and with little hubbub, both unheard of with the typical runway show. The clothes all fit and there were no hair and makeup mishaps. The perfection of it all was the highlight - and the lowlight.

"A show like this spreads the mission statement that fashion should be democratic," Mizrahi said. "It allows someone to see the clothes and envision themselves in it. Models can be intimidating."

Fetherston said she liked that there was a narrative weaving the looks together instead of a parade of outfits. "I love when you've got a story," she said. "And it's nice that the customer can see this instead of only editors."

As a way to highlight the products, the holograms were a very effective tool, Lange added. "It's not 'Look there's Gisele (Bundchen) on the runway!' It's a 'Look there's that Liz Lange for Target outfit!' "

Still, Mizrahi doesn't think it spells the end of the traditional fashion show because people thrive on the drama that comes with the catwalk.

The virtual fashion show was on a loop, replaying for commuters throughout the day.

Prehistoric women had passion for fashion

A Neolithic figurine showing the head of a goddess, found in the Plocnik archaeological site near the town of Prokuplje, in southern Serbia

By Ljilja Cvekic

PLOCNIK, Serbia (Reuters) - If the figurines found in an ancient European settlement are any guide, women have been dressing to impress for at least 7,500 years.

Recent excavations at the site -- part of the Vinca culture which was Europe's biggest prehistoric civilization -- point to a metropolis with a great degree of sophistication and a taste for art and fashion, archaeologists say.

In the Neolithic settlement in a valley nestled between rivers, mountains and forests in what is now southern Serbia, men rushed around a smoking furnace melting metal for tools. An ox pulled a load of ore, passing by an art workshop and a group of young women in short skirts.

"According to the figurines we found, young women were beautifully dressed, like today's girls in short tops and mini skirts, and wore bracelets around their arms," said archaeologist Julka Kuzmanovic-Cvetkovic.

The unnamed tribe who lived between 5400 and 4700 BC in the 120-hectare site at what is now Plocnik knew about trade, handcrafts, art and metallurgy. Near the settlement, a thermal well might be evidence of Europe's oldest spa.

"They pursued beauty and produced 60 different forms of wonderful pottery and figurines, not only to represent deities, but also out of pure enjoyment," said Kuzmanovic.

The findings suggest an advanced division of labor and organization. Houses had stoves, there were special holes for trash, and the dead were buried in a tidy necropolis. People slept on woolen mats and fur, made clothes of wool, flax and leather and kept animals.

The community was especially fond of children. Artifacts include toys such as animals and rattles of clay, and small, clumsily crafted pots apparently made by children at playtime.

COPPER AGE

One of the most exciting finds for archaeologists was the discovery of a sophisticated metal workshop with a furnace and tools including a copper chisel and a two-headed hammer and axe.

"This might prove that the Copper Age started in Europe at least 500 years earlier than we thought," Kuzmanovic said.

The Copper Age marks the first stage of humans' use of metal, with copper tools used alongside older stone implements. It is thought to have started around the 4th millennium BC in south-east Europe, and earlier in the Middle East.

The Vinca culture flourished from 5500 to 4000 BC on the territories of what is now Bosnia, Serbia, Romania and Macedonia.

It got its name from the present-day village of Vinca, 10 km east of Belgrade on the Danube river, where early 20th-century excavations uncovered the remains of eight Neolithic villages.

The discovery of a mine -- Europe's oldest -- at the nearby Mlava river suggested at the time that Vinca could be Europe's first metal culture, a theory now backed up by the Plocnik site.

"These latest findings show that the Vinca culture was from the very beginning a metallurgical culture," said archaeologist Dusan Sljivar of Serbia's National Museum. "They knew how to find minerals, to transport them and melt them into tools."

The metal workshop in Plocnik was a room of some 25 square meters, with walls built out of wood coated with clay.

The furnace, built on the outside of the room, featured earthen pipe-like air vents with hundreds of tiny holes in them and a prototype chimney to ensure air goes into the furnace to feed the fire and smoke comes out safely.

"In Bulgaria and Cyprus, where such workshops have also been found, they didn't have chimneys but blew air on the fire with straws, exposing man to heat and carbon dioxide," Sljivar said.

COLOURFUL MINERALS

He said the early metal workers very likely experimented with colorful minerals that caught their eye -- blue azurite, bright green malachite and red cuprite, all containing copper -- as evidenced by malachite traces found on the inside of a pot.

The settlement was destroyed at some point, probably in the first part of the fifth millennium, by a huge fire.

The Plocnik site was first discovered in 1927 when the then Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was building a rail line from the southern city of Nis to the province of Kosovo.

Some findings were published at the time but war, lack of funds and objections from farmers meant it was investigated only sporadically until digging started in earnest in 1996.

"The saddest thing for us is always the moment when we finish our work and everything has to be covered up with earth again," Kuzmanovic said. "That's the easiest for the state, conservation is very expensive and the land owners want to work in their fields."

But there was some hope that the latest excavation would be preserved due to its importance, Kuzmanovic added.

"We dream of uncovering the entire town one day, and people will be able to see prehistoric life at its fullest," she said.

For a table on Europe's prehistory, click on

(Editing by Ellie Tzortzi and Sara Ledwith)

© Copyright 2007, Reuters

Islamabad expo displays Indian saris & jewelry

Indian saris and jewelry are being displayed in an exhibition at Islamabad. A Mumbai based brand, Nazakat, is also showcasing Kurtis adorned with coin-work and Kashmiri embroidery.

The traditional salwar kameezes and ghaghras have come to take the center place attracting a good number of buyers. Besides, saris with Lucknawi chikan and kundan work will also be featured till November 17.

Other major accessories in limelight were bags which were available in metal handles as well as in mixed materials.

Jacobs Receives Designer of the Year Award

New York - The man whose own latest accessory is dyed blue hair, Marc Jacobs, took home the "Designer of the Year" award at the 11th Annual ACE Awards in New York on Nov. 5, one of many people honored by the Accessories Council this year for their achievements in the world of accessories.


Jacobs, whose shoes and handbags for both his signature collection and his younger Marc by Marc Jacobs brand are highly sought after items, also designs accessories for one of the most recognizable luxury brands in the world, Louis Vuitton, which he reinvents season after season. His latest collection, shown on the runways in Paris in October, featured a collaboration with artist Richard Prince.

Actress Mandy Moore was honored as "Fashion Innovator," while supermodel and "Project Runway" producer Heidi Klum, who designed a jewelry line of her own that she will wear in upcoming episodes, received the "Fashion Influencer" award. Moore opted to wear a form-fitting black satin shirt dress, while Klum wore a black and gold brocade gown. Jessica Simpson, a presenter, wore a black and gold sheath.

Black dresses - perhaps better for highlighting one's accessories - turned out to be the prevailing statement of the evening, as fellow honoree Tory Burch, whose new line garnered the "Accessory Brand Launch" award, wore an elegant black halter gown. Presenter Helena Christensen and Lucy Liu, who accepted Valentino's lifetime achievement award on his behalf, also looked stunning in tiered dresses - Liu's, from the Valentino couture collection, featured dramatic, full ruffles and Christensen's was Grecian column-meets-flapper.

The other award winners included Macy's, Inc. (Retailer of the Year), Harper's Bazaar (Magazine of the Year), Scoop (Specialty Retailer of the Year), Bridget Foley (Marylou Luther Award for Fashion Journalism) and Nancy Gonzalez (Brand of the Year).

CORRECTED: Panda fashion parades China's social issues

Corrects identity of celebrity in sixth paragraph to Yangerche Namu, not Sister Lotus

BEIJING (Reuters Life!) - Chinese artist Zhao Bandi has brought social conscience to the fashion conscious, kicking off this year's China Fashion Week by using his trademark panda to highlight unresolved social problems.

Models dressed as street sweepers, beggars, corrupt officials and even the World Trade Organisation, which has tussled with the rising economic power, hit the catwalk at the Bandi Panda collection, all in black and white outfits, representing the panda's colors.

"I believe that after seeing this everyone will realize what is happening. There's no need to watch films or read a book about it, just watch Zhao Bandi's fashion show and the whole world will realize what's happening in China," said Zhao.

Drawing on the panda -- China's national icon -- for inspiration, Zhao's designs incorporate humor which helps take the sting out of his critical message.

Celebrities like the glamorous Yangerche Namu and blogger Sister Lotus also took part in the production.

The audience gasped when Yangerche Namu locked lips with a foreign man on stage.

Zhao and his pandas are famous for providing social and political commentary on modern life in China.

"My haute couture show will unfold a colorful panorama of protagonists from every stratum of Chinese society," Zhao said.

Christian Lacroix swaps catwalk for museum

PARIS (Reuters Life!) - French couture designer Christian Lacroix drew on his long interest in fashion history for a new exhibition at the main decorative arts museum in Paris showing how modern creations are influenced by the past.
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The exhibition at Les Arts decoratifs, which opens to the public on Thursday and runs to April 20, marks Lacroix's 20 years in fashion and makes clear the debt he owes to the past.

"What I wanted to show above all, is that nothing is newly invented and behind every one of my creations, there's something that went before it," he told Reuters on Wednesday.

Les Arts decoratifs, reopened in 2006 after years of neglect, groups art and design from fashion, decoration and advertising.

The exhibition displays creations of Lacroix's alongside hundreds of items he picked out from the museum's own collection of gowns and robes from the 18th century to the 1930s.

"I wanted to give the people who come here -- it could be an old lady who used to work in a couture house, or a young girl who wants to get into fashion or a student working on history -- an unusual choice, a subjective choice of my own," he said.

Chosen according to themes like color or technique, there are sections on the use of white or tartan, favored textures like patchwork or distressed materials or themes such as "Hispanism" or "Liturgy."

"In big exhibitions, they normally show the big works and there's never any room to show more humble creations or anonymous pieces of clothing, even though they might be very beautiful," he said.

"Here I wanted to give a place for things like that, which might otherwise never get out of the museums."

Lacroix's work is often associated with a bold and even extravagant use of colors like red and yellow.

But he has always had a deep interest in the history of art and design, since his childhood in the ancient southern town of Arles and he had originally hoped to be a museum curator after studying the history of art at university.

"I had the impression of having passed through all those centuries and when I got to Paris, my treasure, the only thing that set me apart was the knowledge I had gained of painting and art," he said.

But Lacroix, hardly the only designer to plunder the past for inspiration, said he wanted to avoid creating a forbidding impression of design history and hoped to show the living tradition behind fashion.

"Art is not always the big things, Napoleon, great monuments, the pyramids or whatever. What I like is the street, ordinary things, daily life," he said.

"If this exhibition gives you a bit of a feeling of what girls passing in the street were like, the charm and glamour of past centuries, then I'll be happy."

No Models, No Problem: Virtual Fashion Show Turns Grand Central Into Runway

New York - Though Manhattan residents don't have a Target store in their borough, if they, or any other commuters passed through Grand Central Terminal in New York on Nov. 6 or 7, they would have gotten a sneak peak at the latest clothing collections for Target from Isaac Mizrahi, Erin Fetherston, Liz Lange, Mossimo, Keanan Duffty as well as jewelry by Dominique Cohen and shoes by Hollywould for Target.


But it wasn't a typical runway show, with live models. Instead, Target used a high-definition video projection for what they termed "the world's first model-less fashion show."

While the holographic projection was too fast-paced and far away to distinguish any of the individual looks from one designer to the next for commuters just casually passing through the terminal's Vanderbilt Hall, where the virtual show was staged, it was nonetheless an eye-catching spectacle.

This isn't the first time Grand Central Terminal has been used for a fashion show. Last year, Chanel and designer Karl Lagerfeld staged a special Chanel resort collection show in the main hall of the station - except theirs, unlike Target's, included actual clothes and live models.

Quadruple whammy for Kate Moss in best-dressed list

LONDON(Reuters Life!) - Supermodel Kate Moss held on to a place in the top 10 of the latest British best-dressed list but lagged behind a 60-something actress, a 42-year-old novelist and the girlfriends of two former lovers.

Russian model Natalia Vodianova captured first place in the list of actresses, celebrities and models chosen by Harper's Bazaar for their 25 Best-Dressed on the red carpet 2007, while Moss came 10th.

Ahead of the 33-year-old Moss, actress and 62-year-old star of film "The Queen" Helen Mirren came in fourth place and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, 42, seventh. Moss was also beaten by girlfriends of former lovers.

Belgian model Anouck Lepere, who is dating magazine editor Jefferson Hack -- with whom Moss has a daughter -- and Romanian-born model Irina Lazareanu -- who has dated British singer Pete Doherty -- both came ahead of Moss in eighth and ninth place respectively.

It was not all age before beauty, however.

Younger celebrities like Peaches Geldof (daughter of singer and philanthropist Bob Geldof) and actress Keira Knightley also found their way into the list of 25 at 17th and 21st places.

Harper's Bazaar described Vodianova as "an adventurous dresser who rarely succumbs to black for evening dressing."

The full list of 25 best dressed of 2007 is available in the December issue of the magazine on sale from November 8.

The top ten are as follows:

1. Natalia Vodianova - Russian, model

2. Thandie Newton - British, actress

3. Agyness Deyn - British, model

4. Helen Mirren - British, actress

5. Lily Allen - British, singer

6. Emily Blunt - British, actress

7. J.K. Rowling - British, writer

8. Anouck Lepere - Belgian, model

9. Irina Lazareanu - Romanian, model

10. Kate Moss - British, model

Mayhem and Madness for Cavalli at H&M

New York - The red carpet was out in front of the H and M flagship on Fifth Avenue in New York on Thursday morning, Nov. 8, for the launch of Roberto Cavalli's collaboration with the retailer, as hoards of fans snaked the block in anticipation of laying their hands on as many Cavalli pieces as they could possibly grab.

Inside, a very tan Cavalli, wearing sunglasses bearing his initials, calmly answered took questions from reporters and posed for photos as campaign model Jessica Stam milled about, wearing a leopard print dress from the collection.

It was just minutes before 10 a.m., when the store would open to the public.

"I spoke with London and Milan," said Cavalli, "and they told me that after two hours, everything was gone!"

In New York, it took a lot less than two hours – within minutes, the first shoppers, who sprinted into the store as they shoved others out of the way, had cleared the racks. There were screams from people scrambling to get their hands on something – anything - as employees threw snakeskin scarf print evening gowns from the upper level down to the outstretched arms of the masses.

One woman swept up, and knocked over in the process, an entire rack of gold beaded flapper dresses, one of the signature pieces of the collection priced at $249.50.

Others clawed their way to tables with stacks of high-waisted dark denim with gold detailing on the back pockets and leopard print stilettos.

Leopard print found its way on to just about everything in the women's collection, from sexy chiffon dresses, to a trench coat, bras and panties, and even a bustier.

Cavalli said he took inspiration for this collection for H&M from the celebrities he dresses, like Jennifer Lopez and Beyonce, to give young people "their own red carpet style," he said.

As the frenzied crowds cleared the racks and shelves of all the Cavalli merchandise, Cavalli stood on an escalator with campaign model Jessica Stam, surveying the scene and snapping photos with his own digital camera.

And what did he think about all of the mayhem for his clothes?

Cavalli just held out his hands, shrugged his shoulders, and flashed a huge grin.

Jennifer Aniston - Style Icon

Aniston, who ranks as “the world’s most popular celebrity”

according to Forbes, began her journey through the style halls of fame as the face accompanying an immensely famous haircut. “The Rachel” became one of the most copied styles of the time, and was pivotal in raising Aniston’s profile on the style scene.

But as the cut grew out and the star grew bigger, attention shifted from the actress’ amazing ‘do towards her emerging trademark dress style; throwing up phrases like “funky chic”, “classic elegance” and “tailored sophistication”.

From here, she has gone on to become one of the most stylish and inspirational women in Hollywood, with an easy, almost self-depreciating manner that compliments if not accentuates the star’s impeccable tastes.
Like many celebrity’s who find themselves becoming benchmarks of the fashion world, Aniston admits that her new trendsetter status has come as something of a surprise, “I just find it ironic and hilarious that if there’s any truth to that, that to be any kind of a role model for style or clothes…is hilarious”, quips the star, “I have no sense of style”.

But the rest of the world begs to differ. When the actress landed the ultimate accessory in 1998, marrying Brad Pitt, designers lined up to design the wedding dress. Jen ultimately decided on Milan based American designer Lawrence Steele, who hit perfection with a floor length white silk tulle halter dress encrusted with tiny pearls. Complemented with Manolo Blahnik ivory suede skinny strap sandals, and of course, a hotter than hot groom, the whole event reflected perfectly Jennifer’s classy, understated taste. The couple continued to do the impossible throughout their 7 year marriage – pull off his ‘n’ hers outfits, without looking crass.

Even when the marriage tragically ended earlier this year, Aniston maintained and continues to maintain her poise and style panache, further deepening the public’s respect and admiration for the chic 35 year old.

When Aniston broke away from her signature style slightly at last years Emmy’s, wearing a blue vintage Halston dress, there were mixed reports from the fashion world. But it appeared to be a one off event, and the actress appeared at the 2005 event (pre-breakup) with Pitt, coupling her natural California-girl glow with a semi-empire, beaded chiffon Chanel number that saw a return to her trademark form.

Jennifer Aniston knows what suits her, and she wears it well. From city shorts with teetering espadrilles, to tailored Galliano suits with oversized accessories; from jersey dresses with knee high boots, to streamlined, neutral coloured gowns with super-straight locks, Jennifer exudes a classic, conservative and yet individualistic style that is so superstar and yet so achievable for the average copycat like me.

“Someone will tell me when it’s not ok to wear midriff, right?” worried the actress in a recent interview with Vogue.

Don’t worry Jen, if you’re wearing it, you can rest assured that half the world will be right there wearing it with you!

Chloe Sevigny – Style Icon

Since her screen debut in 1995’s gritty indie flick “Kids”, something about Sevigny has made the public sit up and pay attention. By the time she was recognised for her Oscar nominated performance in 1999’s “Boys Don’t Cry”, she was a fully fledged star, and the fashion industry could not get enough of her. But the one time wannabe-designer’s inimitable style had been picked up long before she was embraced by the who’s who of Hollywood. Before her acting career took off, Sevigny was featured in a 7 page feature in New Yorker magazine on Hip Manhattan Street culture, which led to a covetable modelling career including a Miu Miu campaign, and her being featured in a string of music videos including one for the Lemonheads. Her sense of style, it seems, has always come as second nature, and was by no means manufactured by a Hollywood career.

In fact, the actress is known to pay no mind to trends, stylists, or the fashion world in general. Her style is completely her own. As Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquiere put it: “Whether she wears designer clothes or vintage clothes, they always look like Chloe Sevigny clothes”.

Indeed, it is this blend of thrift shop bargains and designer brand pieces that seem to epitomise Sevigny’s distinctive look – the industry dubbed “vintage-chic”; a look that has whipped the fashion conscious into a frenzy of late, as they struggle to mimic the actresses innate style. But Sevigny is far from fond of her iconic status: “For some reason the public has embraced me as a fashion icon, and I feel like it has diminished me as an actress, or I don’t get as much recognition as an actress”, complained the star, “and that upsets me”.

But it is just this apparent indifference and effortlessness to her style of dress that has the fashion industry in awe, and that makes it so difficult to achieve for fashion followers. Sevigny, it appears, will always be at least two, or three, or even four steps ahead of the fashion pack: “Every time I see a photo of myself from the past month I think, ‘what was I thinking?’” confessed the actress in a recent interview. Her crazes are fleeting and her look changes as quickly as most of us change our underwear, making her maddeningly, yet endearingly inimitable.

Sevigny is a red carpet favourite, appearing at all the events to be seen at in beautiful designer dresses, but always with her own signature twist. At the recent Cartier Santos Night party, she coupled a flowy, white Balenciaga knee length dress with brown ankle boots. Her yellow Louis Vuitton (incidentally one of her favourite designers) dress she wore for the M A C Viva Glam benefit, for whom she is a spokeswoman, featured a bikini-esque revealing top, which dropped into a figure hugging pencil skirt style from the waist. But Sevigny insists that the glossy, designer look we see on the red carpet is not at all her own. Instead, the actress insists her wardrobe is stocked almost entirely from thrift and vintage stores, with the occasional conventional separate thrown in for good measure.

Unlike most Hollywood starlets, you won’t find Sevigny meandering down Rodeo Drive on her shopping sprees. You are more likely to spot the independent actress in quirky stores such as C Madeline’s Showroom; a vintage store in Miami that stocks almost 100 years worth of the finest vintage clothing from all the greats, such as Gucci, Bill Blass, Halston and even designers dating back to Victorian times!

Throughout her impressive young career, Sevigny has also lent her expertise to the hugely successful clothing label “Imitation of Christ” (which counts Scarlett Johansson as one of it’s biggest fans), which has received widespread acclaim from the industry, and has appropriately been referred to as “the fashion industry’s answer to independent film”. Another feather in the cap of the woman who has repeatedly been placed in the much coveted ‘best dressed’ lists of all the big industry bibles, Vogue and Bazaar to name but two; and we’re talking top three here, at least. Pretty impressive from the girl who admits she always wore short shorts to divert attention away from her face.

It’s this fascinating mix of modesty and incredibly self-assured strength and confidence in what she does, and more importantly, what she wears, that makes Chloe Sevigny one of today’s most impressive fashion icons. Although her look is one that may never translate directly to the high street (I don’t see myself wearing a wedding dress over a leopard print leotard any time soon), let it at least inspire us to inject that little bit of different into our Autumn ’05 wardrobes!

Elton John - Frock Off

The couple who have been together for 11 years, are reportedly planning to hold their wedding at Windsor's MacDonald Castle Hotel. Sir Elton John has revealed that he would like ex-Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, to be his best man and that his choice for Maid of Honour would be Lulu.

"I think I would like Lulu as my maid of honour and Victoria Beckham as my best man!" Femalefirst quoted the singer as saying.

For Sir Elton John, who has delivered hits such as "Candle in the Wind" and "Sorry"- a duet with the boy-band Blue, has been a long time advocate for legalising gay marriages in the UK, a Christmas wedding seems the perfect way to celebrate the new law.

Liz Hurley - Style Icon

The star-studded bash - which includes guests like the Beckhams, Pamela Anderson and Elton John - will take place in the swanky grounds of Devigarh Fort in Rajasthan, one of India's most sought-after hotel venues.

A source told News Of The World: 'They've been looking for the perfect place for ages and now they've found it.

'Arun celebrated his 40th birthday there and they both loved it so much that they decided to get married there.'

Would you like to get married in Asia and arrive by elephant? If so check out www.theweddingplanner.ie. The Wedding Planner offers over 4,000 locations abroad for weddings and honeymoons

Lucy Liu - Style Icon

There's a school of thought that would say that TV series Ally McBeal did for office wear what John Galliano once did for a fast-dating Dior - infused it with some spunk, some flair, and some seriously sexy models to kick a once-conceived 'boring' clothing sector into the cutting edge fashion world. And nobody wore corporate-chic better than Lucy Liu's ferociously foxy Ling Wu; who sported her trouser suits, sharp shirts and spiked stilettos with some serious edge, and a whole heap of attitude.

Lucy Liu had arrived, and when the series lent her an almost instantaneous style queen status, the actress didn't disappoint. With her quirky, freckled Asian looks, amazing hair and perfectly petite figure, it's hardly surprising that Liu can make almost anything look good. She is rarely if ever seen looking anything but sleek and glamorous, developing a trademark look of grooming and sophisticated elegance. She appears to have that rare, invaluable ability to combine old-school movie star glamour with cutting edge trends, and all the top designers can't get enough clothes on that back.

One of her more scene stealing numbers was the red and black one shoulder Versace gown she wore to the 72nd academy awards, which launched the actress on almost every best-dressed-at-the-Oscars list to be seen on. The beautiful fish tailed gown was beaded in a graphic swirl design, and was set off to perfection by red snakeskin sandals, and of course Liu's own sleek, jet-black locks.
But this style jackpot was by no means a one-off for the actress who first gained public attention (from the male public anyway) playing a dangerously sexy dominatrix in the movie "Payback". It's difficult to pinpoint the best-dressed moments of a woman who never seems to be anything but. Take for example her 2005 Milan Fashion Week outfit - simple yet stunning black, knee-length Versace; accessorised modestly with amazing Bulgari earrings and teetering peeptoe black heels. Just one more example of her simplicity-with-style fashion formula that never seems to let her down.

And of course, Liu takes her stylishness across the board, appearing in some of the 'coolest' movies being made. Who could forget her in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill", and she certainly hit the blockbuster mark in "Charlie's Angels" with friends Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore. When she made a cameo as herself in the style series of our time "Sex and the City", remember how she wore the then must-have "J'adore Dior" tank top - the storyline based around her reluctance to give up her Hermes birkin…..

Yes, Lucy Liu truly has made it as a Hollywood star - no mean feat among the masses of wannabe-starlets swarming LA. How did she do it? A combination of hard work, natural talent and stunning Asian looks - all beautifully packaged with focussed determination, natural flair and killer style that has and will always set Lucy Liu apart from the pack. We can but dream.

Swimwear brand Arena selects Lectra PLM solution

Lectra, the world leader in integrated technological solutions dedicated to the soft goods industries, announces that Arena has chosen its PLM solution.

Lectra Fashion PLM will allow Arena to capitalize on its know-how and to optimize the product development process, as well as to improve the communication flow with its suppliers of finished products.

One of the leading swimwear brands, Arena is the reference for athletes and water-sports lovers all over the world.

Founded back in 1973, Arena combines an acute sense of design, product innovation and use of advanced technology to meet the needs of its customers, as well as of many of the greatest swimmers in the world, such as Laure Manaudou, Filippo Magnini, Massimiliano Rosolino, Roland Schoemann, Ryk Neethling, Lazlo Cseh and Otylia Jedrzejczak.

“We chose Lectra and its Lectra Fashion PLM solution because we were looking for a partner who was familiar with our industry and understood our challenges. We are sure to gain from Lectra’s experience and the quality of its support,” stated Cristiano Portas, CEO of the Arena Group.

Innovating and capitalizing on company know-how
New cuts, new materials, and new components: Arena is constantly looking for new sources of inspiration, while also relying on its past experience and know-how to nourish innovation. All these assets are available in real time using Lectra Fashion PLM to rapidly define new specifications and shorten time-to-market.

Shortening design and development time
Arena’s Design and Development department can be considered as the real “heart” of the company. Work done by the Design office has repercussions at all company levels, meaning that an efficient information and process flow is a must. A single work environment used by the Waterwear and Activewear product managers and designers, as well as by the sourcing and cost control department, will ensure consistency throughout the collection lines covering several product categories. It will also limit errors by allowing the whole team to work with a single, common and shared set of data.

As a result, Lectra Fashion PLM will enable the synchronization of products and collection development, via simultaneous, real-time monitoring of the key development stages. Arena will fully benefit from the complementary nature of Lectra's business and organizational applications, in particular for design and pattern-making.

With production mainly performed in the Far East, Arena needs to monitor its sourcing activities as closely as possible, as well as to control its purchase costs. Lectra Fashion PLM will enable effective management of iterative sourcing and prototype development processes by facilitating data access and information sharing between Arena and its suppliers. Lectra Fashion PLM will also provide accurate monitoring of fabric consumption and costs.

Also quality of products will improve, thanks to theimplementation of a quality assurance process throughout the whole manufacturing cycle.

The Arena group, one of the world’s leading companies in the “Waterwear” category, recorded revenues of €105 million in 2006. Based in Tolentino, Italy, the Group is structured with four main business units (Italy, France/Belgium, Germany/Austria/Netherland/Switzerland and International Business) and four Global Strategic Functions (Marketing, Design & Development, Sourcing and F&A/IT).

Carry Your Laptop With Function and Fashion

(andPOP) - Product: Cargo Mambo Combo
Company: SFBags
Price: $209-$289 (Depending on size and configuration)
URL: www.sfbags.com



When you invest over $2000 in a piece of technology, one of the most important accessories is the one you'll use to carry it around. When I got my MacBook Pro, the first thing I did was throw it in a sleeve; the next thing was throw out my old bag and search for a new one. The choice was broad, ranging from full-size back packs to business carry-alls to small sleeves with few pockets. One of the brightest stars of the bunch came from Mambo Cargo by WaterField Designs.

The Cargo Mambo Combo came well equipped. The Combo featured the Cargo Sleeve Bag, a Laptop Sleeve, Shoulder Strap and accessory pouch.

The Bag

The Mambo bag was immediately impressive, taking quite some time to find every little pocket. One thing most bag makers seem to forget is the importance of pockets. The Mambo is a really great example of a bag that utilizes its real-estate to provide exceptionally useful storage space, without compromising the overall look. The Mambo uses its flap, front-side, body, backside and one of the sides for storage. Many of the pockets have extra organizers in them for such things as business cards, pens and pencils and media devices. It was really refreshing to see the attention to detail put into this product. Whether it's the unique clipping strap on the front of the flap, the way the shoulder strap is easily stored on the side of the bag, or the protective lips on the top of the main storage compartment, this bag shows-off quality and detail at every corner.

When you first look at this bag, you may be surprised to realize that unbuckling and lifting the front flap does not reveal the main storage compartment. Instead, the main storage pocket is always accessible from a zipper on the top of the bag. While this certainly represents an interesting paradigm shift in the design of carrier bags, this is certainly an improvement I was quite happy with. This makes accessing your most important stuff extremely easy, while maintaining a traditional look.

The actual design of the bag is interesting as well. The unit I had a Silver-Black design on the front, as well as on the computer sleeve. While I generally like the design, I did get mixed reviews from people. While some really liked modern and somewhat flashy look, others felt it was a bit too flashy. If you don't want to stand out much, this bag may not be for you.

The overall build of the bag is extremely impressive. The Cargo Mambo screams quality. Everything form the material used to the zippers and inside compartments. The only thing lacking inside the main compartment is more padding for laptop protection. While the sleeve is great, it is optional and I would not recommend using this bag for your laptop without some additional protection, whether it be the Mambo Sleeve or an alternate choice.

The Accessories

The Cargo Mambo Combo comes with some great additions. The padding for the shoulder strap makes using the bag much more comfortable and much more usable, while the well thought-out computer sleeve gives your notebook the added protection lacking in the bag itself.


The sleeve was really impressive, fitting my 15" MacBook Pro perfectly. The velcro strap on one end helps keeps your computer safely inside the sleeve, while the pull-tab strap on the opposite side greatly aids while removing your computer. Highlights of the sleeve include the paper-sized (and extremely useful sleeve) and the incredible build quality, succeeded only by the bag itself.







The Cargo Mambo Combo comes with the choice of a "Gear Pouch" or "Cable Guy". Both cases are similar and come in the choice of three different sizes and multiple colour patterns. While both cases are similar, the "Gear Pouch" is likely more appropriate for some smaller items and accessories, especially a student, carrying pens, pencils, a calculator and an iPod. I would recommend a "Cable Guy" to anyone carrying around some larger items, like a mouse, cables (duh!), and even small hard-drives.



Conclusions

The Cargo Mambo Combo is one of the best laptop/bag combinations I have ever used. Right out of that packaging I was immediately impressed with the design, while the build impressed me equally as much as soon as I started using it. Functionally, the bag provides almost everything a user might need, including tons of easy access to pockets, lots of real-estate for all types of items, many compartments for smaller items, along with some of the most thought-out and detailed design considerations you could ask for. The Mambo Combo might not be perfect for everyone; it wasn't always perfect for me. But if you're looking for a laptop bag for casual use, the Cargo Mambo Combo delivers the perfect combinations of style and functionality at a fairly reasonable price.

Witness: O.J., Cronies in "Military Invasion Fashion"

O.J. Simpson, a packed courtroom, people hollering his name outside the courthouse, a media throng… What's familiar about this scenario?

The first day of what will likely be a two-day preliminary hearing to determine whether O.J. Simpson and two others should stand trial on robbery-related charges kicked off Thursday in Las Vegas, with one of his alleged victims testifying that the ex-footballer and his armed cronies burst into his hotel room in "military invasion fashion."

Sports memorabilia collector Bruce Fromong, the first of eight witnesses scheduled to appear, said in court that he didn't know who he was supposed to meet with on Sept. 13, the day Simpson allegedly stole $80,000 worth of items from him and fellow collector Alfred Beardsley, only that an "anonymous buyer" was interested in his stuff.

"When he came in, he kind of stopped, he looked at me and I looked at him," recalled Fromong, who said that he's known the Naked Gun actor for at least a decade.

"There was a lot of hollering and yelling and O.J. was yelling, particularly at Alfred Beardsley, saying, 'I thought you were a good guy, I thought you were my friend. You stole from me,'" Fromong testified.

Simpson and two others, Clarence Stewart Jr. and Charles Erlich, are facing 11 felony counts of armed robbery, burglary, kidnapping, assault, conspiracy and coercion stemming from their run-in with Fromong and Beardsley in Room 1203 at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino.

A run-in that, according to Simpson, who could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted, did not involve guns.

Three of Simpson's accused accomplices, however, have either agreed to plea, or have already pleaded to, lesser charges and plan to testify that the former star running back told them to bring weapons.

At least two of the dealmakers, Mike McClinton and Walter Alexander, were carrying guns, according to police. Charles Cashmore is the other man who has agreed to turn states evidence. A search of McClinton's home turned up two guns that fit the weapon descriptions given to police.

Fromong told the packed courtroom that one of those men pointed a gun at his face and said, "I'll shoot your ass."

After about five or six minutes, Simpson told his five-man crew to grab the memorabilia. Which they did, hauling the goods, including the Heisman Trophy winner's signed All-American ball, away in Palace Station pillowcases.

"O.J. was screaming, 'This is all my s--t. This all belongs to me,'" Fromong said. "You stole this from me. Let's pack up. Let's get out of here."

Prosecutors also played some of the tape made by memorabilia dealer Thomas Riccio, who testified Thursday that he contacted Simpson to set up the meeting with Fromong and Beardsley. Riccio, who reserved the hotel room in his name, was granted immunity after turning his recordings over to authorities.

Simpson has maintained that he only planned to confront Beardsley and Fromong, who suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized for a short time following the meeting, because he had been told that they had items that had been stolen from him by his former licensing agent, Richard "Mike" Gilbert.

"You have proof that these items were legitimately obtained by Mr. Gilbert," Simpson attorney Gabriel Grasso challenged Fromong during his cross-examination.

"I have no idea how Gilbert obtained these items," Fromong replied, referring to the cache that also included a number of non-football treasures, such as a bunch of baseballs autographed by Pete Rose and a framed photograph of Simpson with late FBI director J. Edgar Hoover.

Like Simpson, he was contacted by Riccio, Fromong said.

(Gilbert has told the Los Angeles Times that Simpson gave him a number of things, including the suit he was wearing when he was acquitted of the murders of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, when Gilbert was helping him clean out his Brentwood mansion.)

Simpson could be seen shaking his head during portions of Fromong's testimony. Grasso also read back a portion of the collector's statement to police, in which he quoted Simpson as saying, "Get my s--t. Leave the other stuff alone."

The hearing is scheduled to continue Friday. Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Joseph M. Bonaventure will likely render his decision about a trial next week.

Protege to New York designer has the "eye," blogs about his ideas

With an eye out for the next great find, New York designer and blogger Nick Olsen browses at Billy's Antiques & Props.

Nick Olsen moved recently into a new studio apartment in midtown Manhattan that looks, he says charitably, like a "crack den." It's got one window, cheap wooden cabinets and a fridge looming alone along the kitchen wall. With moving boxes still unpacked, he says he can already picture the whole place finished -- sleek and serene -- and has set about transforming it.

Those who reside in the realm of the young and style-obsessed know of Olsen as something of a wunderkind: a walking-talking-blogging personification of urbane cool. He's a protege of New York status designer Miles Redd, had his previous apartment featured on the cover of Domino magazine and writes a buzz-generating blog for the shelter mag.

In addition to his early accomplishments, Olsen, 25, possesses that elusive, enviable quality called "eye" or "knack" or perhaps "flair": an innate sense of style so many of us aspire to and so few seem blessed with. Olsen acknowledges that much of his approach to design comes down to instinct. But part is pure fearlessness: a passionate interest and willingness to take chances. Nothing is irrevocable, he says; anything is fair game. An ugly fridge in a rental apartment? Olsen wallpapered his.

"I wish people would think of decorating their home in the same way they think about fashion, because they're willing to take more chances with that," he says. "Because decorating is a lot of troubleshooting."

With a degree in architecture from Columbia University, Olsen saw a spread in W magazine about Redd, a high-profile designer for moneyed clients and chic hot spots who had recently been named creative director of Oscar de la Renta's home line.

"It made such an impression on me, like nothing before or since," Olsen says. Hired to be Redd's assistant, Olsen learned and grew creatively. Experimenting with a first apartment, he knew he couldn't afford the high-end pieces chosen by the clients he was working for, but he could seek out the look from thrift shops and fabric stores and do it himself.

Even before moving in he knew he wanted assertively vivid wall color, and he picked out a vibrant olive-green paint. He was determined to reclaim quirky flea-market finds, such as the faux-bamboo side table, enameled starfish and '70s-era ashtrays he'd been collecting for a decade.

"My whole inspiration for the apartment was a cartoony version of Miles' place," Olsen says. "I wanted it to have a sense of humor; to be whimsical, yet stylish."

There was plenty of trial and error, but when Redd saw the place at Olsen's housewarming party, he was impressed enough to mention it to Deborah Needleman, editor in chief of Domino. Magazine scouts showed up two days later, and the apartment landed on the November '06 cover.

Needleman and her staff were so taken with Olsen that they thought of him for a "Deal Hunter" blog they had in the works, which launched in January.

"We knew we wanted someone who could do this `Domino on a dime' thing, and it was important to me to find someone who knew how to translate design," Needleman says. "You can feel good about being on a budget, because it comes from a refined sensibility."

That sensibility is critical when working with Redd's million-dollar clients. It also comes in handy when designing on the cheap. "I want really high style, right?" Olsen says. "But I'm not kidding myself: That costs a lot of money, and I don't have it, so how do I get it, or at least fake it?"

Fake-it-till-you-make-it tactics are the backbone of Olsen's blog for Domino (www.dominomag.com). There he suggests framing old science magazine covers as art; transforming an Ikea credenza by sanding and painting it with high-gloss paint or covering it with contact paper that looks like faux marble or stainless steel; knocking off your favorite abstract painting by making one with a store-bought canvas and paint; and making your own ikat fabric by saturating ordinary broadcloth cotton with a paint-covered sponge.

Complete fashion wardrobe for Fall-Winter by Wills Lifestyle

ITC’s Wills Lifestyle announces the launch of the Fall-Winter Collection 2007-08. The nationwide chain of specialty stores offers a complete fashion wardrobe comprising - Wills Classic formal wear, Wills Sport relaxed wear, Wills Clublife evening wear and fashion accessories for both men and women.

The Wills Lifestyle Fall-Winter Collection is a classy expression of cutting-edge styles in tune with the international fashion mood. Globally this Fall Winter season is marked by a lively demonstration of stylish interplay of various textured patterns and weaves on ensembles. The season lays emphasis on the English countryside look with an increased use of hounds tooth inspired weaves.

Reflecting the onset of celebratory and festive season, innovative vibrant color story in different shades of blue, fuchsia, soft green and lavender is in this season. The sporty influence has been encapsulated in the garments worldwide in a riot of colors. Denims as against the grunge look of the past are getting cleaner and refined with more emphasis on fit and comfort. Skirts have made a come back with the international fashion ramp.

Detailing with special finishes is the key element of emphasis in high fashion design labels across the global ramps. Right from the customized buttons to broad collars to contrast cuffs, apparel has been crafted to stylish perfection. Wills Lifestyle’s Fall Winter collection reflects these international trends.

Says Mr. Atul Chand, Vice President (Marketing & Retail), “The Wills Lifestyle Fall– Winter collection brings the right mix of graceful and coordinated ensembles, featuring contemporary designs reflecting the cutting edge international trends, styled and accessorized to give you the look of this season”.

The new age corporate Wills Classic collection is a distinctive range created with elegant play of luxurious blends and textures such as Dobbies, Jacquards, monochrome and Satins upon finest fabrics like the Luxurious Italian cotton and poly wool lycra. The collection is rich and well defined with surface ornamentation, pleating, smocking and hand done pick stitch exploration.

The fashionably relaxed Wills Sport fall - winter line shows an influence of the soft rebels, a rage all over the world. Mix and match are the key drivers of this collection. Eclectic contrasts, layering and decorative details makes the collection bold and vibrant. Soldiery Trim focus, surface expressions, embellishments and contoured engineering makes the range for Men and Women truly contemporary.

For Men, the ensembles spans across vibrant shirts and tees, bold sportswear knits, cargos and shorts, all coordinated to represent the inspiration. For Women, the collection comprises stylish knitwear with sporty detailing, alluring skirts and fashionable Capri’s.

Inspired by allure and intrigue of the dark Wills Clublife is a glamorous and sexy collection that dresses up everything it touches. Sequins, metal embroidery with embellishments, crystal buttons and lace create magic in combination with razor sharp tailoring.

A heady mix of vibrant hues in satin, velvets and suede’s in irresistible patterns complement the glittering evening and day parties. The slim fits for men and the stunning silhouettes for women make it a must wear at every party.

Music of Nancy Ajram captures Farfasha spirit

Farfasha, the trendsetting collection from leading international jeweller Damas, continues to thrill its following in the region with the youthful zest and positive attitude of its latest spread of drop earrings, chains, pendants, bracelets and rings in 18 k gold.

The Farfasha brand, which has successfully introduced gold as a fashion statement among the young and stylish set, made headlines with its endorsement of Lebanese musical sensation Nancy Ajram, who is known to wear the jewellery brand herself.

As a fitting reward to its young clientele, Damas is giving away limited edition Farfasha CD featuring Nancy Ajram music and video for every purchase of Farfasha jewellery at select Damas shops across the country.

In addition to the music selection, the CD includes the exclusive video of the latest Farfasha campaign, the entire jewellery collection of Farfasha and downloadable never-before-seen images of Nancy Ajram. The special offer is only good while supply lasts.

Tawhid Abdullah, Managing Director of Damas, remarks, “With each Farfasha jewellery comes the young and carefree lifestyle embodied by the brand.

It is dedicated to youth’s aspirations, hopes and dreams and judging by the immense response of the market to the new designs, we have achieved our objectives. The music of Nancy Ajram captures the Farfasha spirit and we are pleased to share this with our clientele.”

In Farfasha, youngsters will find pieces that echo their emotions and feelings. The charming creations are highly versatile and lightweight and depart from the traditional mode of wearing jewellery.

For instance its necklace can be worn long, short or even as a waistband. Its wearer can now switch in an instant from formal to casual, yet maintaining elegance and glamour.

The trend setting Farfasha collection is available at Damas stores throughout the Middle East.