Getting The Fashion industry and Bollywood are siblings, say ramp models

Zeenat Aman in the 1970s successfully paved the way from the ramp to the silver screen, setting a trend for years to come. Since then, there has been a steady rise of models trying their luck in Bollywood and, with every passing decade, their numbers have increased manifold.

The successful careers of model-turned-actresses like Aishwarya Rai, Priyanka Chopra Juhi Chawla, Bipasha Basu and Sushmita Sen have proved that the ramp can be a stepping stone to the glamorous world of Bollywood.

In recent times, there have been additions to their numbers with actresses like Lara Dutta, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone, Sayali Bhagat, Geeta Basra, Mugdha Godse and Jia Khan, among others, who have forayed into Bollywood with their modeling backgrounds.

Most models who walk the ramp have an aspiring actor inside them and feel the runway can give them the much-needed attention of producers and directors of the film industry.

Former Miss India World Natasha Suri, who won the title in 2006 and has been modelling since then, feels that the fashion fraternity and Bollywood are siblings.

'The fashion industry and the Bollywood have so many things in common that I feel they are very much inter-related. They are two siblings,' Suri, who will soon be foraying into Bollywood, told IANS.

Kingfisher calendar model Shruti Agarwal, who has been part of the fashion industry for the last three years, said that films will always be her first priority as this means going one step ahead of modelling.

'Films will be my first priority now. Everybody wants to go higher and do better things and film is definitely one step ahead. Bollywood is a bigger platform as far as the glamour industry is concerned,' she added.

Bollywood attracts not only Indian models, but a number of international ones have also set their eye on it.

Carolina Brytha, a 19-year-old model from Iceland who has been visiting India for various fashion shows, said though she had essentially come here for walking the ramp, she has also been part of various shoots.

'I have hired a local PR agency to get me more work on albums, ads and films. I already have done a few assignments,' she added.

Brytha said she has also done small roles in films and is looking forward to getting better offers.

'As Indian films fascinate me, I am looking forward to acting in films. Though I have done a few small roles, I think the Indian market is really big and I will be able to get better roles in future,' she added.

Fashion designer Lina Tipnis, who has worked with the likes of Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen and Bipasha Basu, told IANS: 'Fashion shows see a huge attendance of people from Bollywood and many of them come here to spot new faces. Therefore, I think there is a huge inter-change of talent from both the industries.'

'Besides, the gap between the two worlds is narrowing, with people from one getting involved in the other,' Tipnis added.

Source: http://www.indiaprwire.com/businessnews/20081026/34563.htm

Tops 10 mistakes when buying a bra and dress

Women may come in all shapes and sizes but they're likely to have one fashion item in common: a wrong-fitting bra, says undergarment expert Susan Nethero.

She has concluded from extensive field research that 85 percent of all women are wearing the wrong bra size.

Nethero, who owns the Intimacy lingerie stores in Chicago, New York and Atlanta, learned her bra-fitting techniques from the Queen of England's Royal bra fitter. In her 15 years in the bra business, she has fit more than 125,000 pairs of breasts, including Oprah Winfrey's.
Nethero, who was a guest Wednesday on the "Today" show, says women make these top 10 mistakes when buying a bra:1. Baggy back = too much slack: The back band of your bra provides 90 percent of the support, so the ideal fit should be firm yet comfortable. When such bands are too loose, the back of the bra rises up, causing breasts to sag. This "see-saw" effect also can emphasize what every woman wants to hide: unsightly back fat. 2. Resisting revolution: As women age they often need to alter our skincare, makeup and even our hairstyle. The same holds true when it comes to bras. Thanks to weight loss and gain, nursing and hormonal changes, a bust line can change at least six times throughout a woman's life. For optimum style and comfort, make sure you get fitted for a bra yearly. 3. There is no perfect bra: Buying a bra may take a little time. Don't just get the one your best friend raves about -- everyone's body is different. To find the most flattering fit, be sure to try on several styles. Tip: Slip on a shirt so you can see how your shape will appear when dressed. 4. Don't be a softy: Most women find underwire bras to be uncomfortable, so they make the mistake of wearing a soft, non-underwire cup. The problem? There's not enough support, especially for full-figured gals. A properly fitted underwire bra should rest comfortably against your rib cage with a soft cotton casing. The end result: lift, support and comfort!5. The big bind: Minimizing bras, commonly worn by big-busted women, actually bind and compress breast tissue, resulting in a loss of firmness. To appear taller, smaller-breasted and even pounds slimmer, voluptuous ladies should stick with bras that lift and center the bust line. 6. Confusing cups: Wearing the wrong-size cup is a common mistake. The telltale signs? Breasts that spill over, or worse yet, breasts that don't fill out the cups (resulting in wrinkles). Ideally, cup sizes should be proportional to the body frame. 7. You get what you pay for: Department stores and specialty boutiques often carry low-quality, poorly made bras that fit badly. Higher-quality brands, which offer more size options, are designed for real women's shapes and sizes. 8. Self-service slip-up: Don't sacrifice service, style and comfort because you're embarrassed to ask for help when buying a bra. Go ahead, ask questions! You'll be much happier (and more comfortable) in the long run.9. De-compressed breasts: Athletic women often rely on sports bras, which compress rather than support. A sports bra with seams, shape and cup depth will prevent jiggling while jogging.10. Forever free of seams: While seamless bras are comfortable and look great under your tight T-shirt, wearing them daily is a bad idea. Give your girls the support they need. Since seamed bras offer more support, try alternating between the two.



Source : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15502139/

Getting The Fashion Escape

People in the office have been banging on about the FTSE 100 falling faster than a pair of baggy hip hop jeans sans belt. Banks being bailed by governments and it has gotten to the point where most people with an ounce of social awareness shouldn't really ignore. Excepting of course the group of dreamers that are fashion designers. Or perhaps they are aware but instead of confirming, they'd rather react. So for S/S 09 we have a SLEW of back-to-nature designs. If the stuff that man has built up is crumbling down, why not turn to the stuff that was there in the first place?

So from Swash, otherwise known as the designers of Susie's favourite pair of shorts (no mean feat I tell you....) took old botanical drawings as a starting point and applied their own distinct way of illustration of flora and fauna to the loose and silky shapes that are their staple. Whilst the illustrations combined with watercolour washes are pretty-pretty, the shapes stop them from becoming too cloying. The printed rucksack is a prime example of this and yes I had to stop myself from exclaiming to Sarah from Swash that they have created THE rucksack that I'd want to carry on a day to day basis.

However, it's not all pretty flowers and English gardens because at Junko Shimada, a show which alas I sadly could not attend but the PR was nice enough to send me a DVD, creatures from under the sea and planets from outer space collide in prints on dresses. It's a mix Shimada that should have come off looking ridiculous but actually you too end up chanting with the designer "I feel love" (the title of the show). A usual Shimada trait; the outstanding footwear, this time featuring ballet pumps with plexiglass heels and cutesy crocheted sockettes. Celluloid head pieces, vinyl leggings are then coupled with the soft and flowing chiffon and organza pieces. There's a saturn planet and a lobster on a pair of satin shorts.... it should be REALLY wrong but somehow it works and Junko's space/sea world is looking far more appealing than reality.

I had several conversations about my love of Disney when I was in Paris and in times like these, if clothes are escaping into those Disney dream realms then likewise I'm happy to escape to in my Disney DVD collection preferably wearing some Junko or some Swash.

Source: http://stylebubble.typepad.com/style_bubble/2008/10/the-fashion-esc.html

Best Stars Rock Their Fashion at Radio City Music Hall

Justin, Beyonce, Rihanna, and Charlize are just a few of the A-list celebs that came out to Condé Nast's Fashion Rocks concert at Radio City Music Hall on Friday night. The annual event helps kicks off NY Fashion Week and this year it also helped support Stand Up To Cancer. Beyonce debuted her $5 million 18-karat engagement ring before taking the stage in dazzling gold to perform with JT. Rihanna rocked a feather headdress while showing off her long legs on stage and Mariah Carey brought Nick to watch her perform. We had the chance to interview many of the celebrities on the red carpet, including Chris Brown, which you can read after the jump. The show airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. on CBS but for now, check out Bella's and Fab's love it or hate it polls and tell us what you think of everyone's looks.
Over 90 photos of Justin, Beyonce, Rihanna, Fergie, Mary J Blige, Chace Crawford and many more, plus an interview with Chris Brown, so just read more. On his favorite vacation this Summer: "Home. I got to chill at home for like two weeks straight that was great."On Sarah Palin: "Who is that? [He was told she's John McCain's running mate.] Oh, I don’t get in to the politics. I think that’s smart that he picked a woman. It’s very smart it will help him out up in the long run. Cuz the women will be like ‘girl power.’ But I like Obama."On what he'd say if Obama wins: "It’s great to have a black President. It’s dope."His advice to Britney for the VMAs: "Good luck, do your thing." Chris also said his sneakers are his "greatest fashion weapon." He was super friendly and sweet to talk to but stay tuned for more interviews from Friday night including one with Leighton Meester who dishes on some great Gossip Girl season 2 dirt!

Source: http://popsugar.com/1943701

How to Get into Rick Owen’s Show

As if being part of the next iteration of fashion wasn’t hard enough, a recent blog post at our international blog on Lenny Kravitz’s troubles at the Rick Owen’s show was less than welcome news. How so? Here’s how so. During the Rick Owens show, Lenny Kravitz had a pretty difficult time negotiating security just to get in and see Owens’ collection. He’s a celebrity, so he gets what he deserves right? uhh… Not so fast. Vogue editors apparently had a fun time trying to get in as well. Ok, so if the celebrities had a hard time, the press had a hard time, heck even some buyers had a hard time getting in to the show, who was in there?

Methinks that Marc Bouwer’s online presentation may have been the way to go for Mr. owens. The question remains though: who was at the show? Apparently there was a first come first serve situation with the rsvp, and then there was also a “preferential” who’s closest to us think going on as well. It’s all well and good, but you have to wonder what Owens’ handlers were thinking not even allowing Vogue editors into the show. That is according to Style. But I am comforted to know that Sarah Mower and even the New York Times’ Cathy Horyn were able to make it in. Every now and again you get your access rights pulled by someone who doesn’t like your review.

In the end Lenny Kravitz was snuck past the security guards a’la Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible and was able to see an essentially Egyptian infused collection. Bravo for Lenny Kravitz.

Source: http://papierblog.papierdoll.net/2008/09/30/how-to-get-into-rick-owens-show-you-dont/