On a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Prince Charles inquired one of the nutritionists at the Imperial College London Diabetes Center in Abu Dhabi if they banned McDonald's food yet as part of their public health campaign. According to him, it's the key to a more successfully healthy lifestyle.
The McDonald's corporation was disappointed, as they've been providing nutritional facts and changing its menu to answer to health concerns. They considered it an attack on the company.
Perhaps Prince Charles wasn't trying to attack the company; perhaps he was speaking about the general unhealthiness of the fast food industry as a whole. Then, it would be flattery that McDonald's is the quintessence and most well-known example of fast food.
Human Coat Hangers: Viktor & Rolf Fall 2007 Ready-to-Wear
Fashion's really surprising sometimes. Such as the Victor & Rolf Fall 2007 collection, with models walking down the runway with huge metal clips attached to their clothes. The clothes are extremely wearable, but the styling motif is fascinating and odd.
Everything looks good, I must admit, but strangely uncomfortable. The atmosphere is tense and discomforting, and highly unpractical.
That said, the drapes and folds of each piece is artistically designed and styled, and I do enjoy the doll-like allusions each piece makes.
Definitely check out the whole collection by yourself in the link below; whether the metal rigs look like torture devices or doll stands is up to you to decide.
While Paris Fashion Week is known for its household names such as Chanel and Christian Dior, designers such as Christophe Decarnin for Balmain prove that big-name designer labels aren't the only ones receiving press this week.
Once again, a lot of black and white is used in the pieces, with shimmers of silver here and there. I absolutely loved the mini-dresses for their simple cut, but still far from simplified with their detailed feathering and designs. The swooshing gowns however, were far from practical with their high and open slits. We're not all built with model-type bodies, but it's a good thing Decarnin had models who could work it.
I never knew about Balmain before today, but something about it really appeals to me. Perhaps it's the sense of movement in the clothing, perhaps it's the classic elegance made for femininity.
Versace, known for its glamorous and expensive looks, has chosen to display a more minimalist side of fashion. Yet, it was still very Versace in the sense that luxury and opulence were still intact.
While there were many uses of subdued tones such as black, beige, and white, vibrant shades of red and blue were the standouts of the collection. Donatella Versace calls this blue, "litmus-paper blue". Like Donatella herself, the collection was made to impress.
The gorgeous famous Versace gowns were still as stunning as ever, with flowing light fabrics and long slits meant to accentuate the shapely legs of the person wearing it. Interestingly, Donatella opted not for the androgynous minimalist look but fashioned a bell-shaped curve of her own, meant to represent femininity.
Possibly one of my most favorite collections of Milan Fashion Week, Versace has once again proved it can be sexy and lavish without being tacky.
An appearance in family court sought by Kevin Federline amid a child custody dispute with Britney Spears was canceled Thursday after she entered a rehabilitation program at Promises Malibu.
Last week, Spears sought treatment at a center in the Caribbean but checked out after a day. Spears and Federline reportedly agreed Wednesday night that he would keep their two young sons while Spears was in rehabilitation, a program that takes between 30 and 45 days. Photos surfaced showing Britney attacking an empty car with an umbrella on the same evening.
Britney was furious to be followed by photographers as she attempted to make contact with Federline. Federline sought spousal support and sole custody of Jayden James, 5 months, and Sean Preston, 17 months, after Spears moved to end their two-year marriage in November, but a temporary order issued Feb. 1 granted joint custody through this month.
A Hollywood movie studio filed a lawsuit claiming gossip blogger Perez Hilton posted a stolen topless photograph of Jennifer Aniston on the Web. The picture was allegedly "misappropriated and illegally copied" during production or post-production of the 2006 romantic comedy hit "The Break-Up".
Last September, Aniston and celebrity photographer Peter Brandt settled a lawsuit regarding topless photos Brandt shot of the actress in late 2005. "It's a confidential settlement," Aniston attorney Jay Lavely said. "The matter was amicably resolved." Aniston had sued Brandt in December 2005, claiming he invaded her privacy by using a telephoto lens to photograph her inside her home when she was topless or partly dressed. She alleged in the lawsuit that Brandt used "invasive, intrusive and unlawful measures" to capture the images. Brandt said he took the photos while standing on a public street about 300 yards away from Aniston's home. Being a celebrity sounds like so much fun...
Blubbering as he announced his ruling, a judge Thursday left it up to the guardian of Anna Nicole Smith's baby to decide where the model should be buried. But he expressed hope it would be in the Bahamas, alongside her dead son. The ruling came a full two weeks after Smith died at a Florida hotel at age 39 of still-undetermined causes. It was still unclear was what the guardian, attorney Richard Milstein, would do.
Smith's estranged mother wanted her buried in her native Texas, while Smith's boyfriend wanted her laid to rest in the Bahamas. The judge, who choked up frequently and wept as he explained his decision, compromised and gave custody to Milstein, the guardian for Smith's 5-month-old daughter, Dannielynn.
Stern is listed as Dannielynn's father on the birth certificate, but Smith's ex-boyfriend, Larry Birkhead, said the girl was his. The judge began Thursday's hearing with a long diatribe, saying Smith's relationships with her mother, Vergie Arthur, and ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead soured because of overuse of prescription drugs, and referred to Stern as "maybe an enabler."
Birkhead testified earlier that he attempted to curb the starlet's drug use by urging her to seek treatment. Smith told him she needed the prescriptions to live. When he suggested Smith enter drug rehabilitation, he said she told him: "I'm not a drug addict and quit calling me one." Yeah, sure.
Sex Appeal: Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2007 Ready-to-Wear
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, the designers of Dolce & Gabbana, presented a Fall 2007 collection based upon sex appeal, charm, and opulence.
The edgy styles included sizzling leopard print, metallic stilleto heels, and fantastic uses of leather in corsets and luxurious coats. Feathers were in frequent use, as well as pretty tulles and gauzes that while may be more commonly seen on ballerinas, became the emblem of 'fetish' style. Known for its grandiose and sexy designs, Dolce & Gabbana is the opposite of the popular minimalist look. For them, more is better, as long as you look good in it.
Australian fake news and satire show, CNNNN, is known for its political mockings and parodies. It's no surprise then, that the United States is being for its supposed lack of social awareness. Americans are being interviewed in the streets in the video, and are asked simple questions that anyone who bothers reading the headlines on CNN would know. However, whether they chose to answer incorrectly for humor or not, their responses were often humorous and embarrassing for an American like me. A question such as, "What is the Buddhist monks' religion?" appeared to have stumped some people. I do personally think that this portrayal of America is incorrect; as they must have surveyed many more people before they either found a few people who were either willing to give silly answers or really needed to pick up a newspaper.
Nonetheless, this is not representative of the US educational system, obviously seen because some of the people interviewed in the video may have immigrated into America after their childhood. After attending religious-affiliated, secular-private, and public schools both in affluent neighborhoods and run-down ghettos, I can say from experience that America's educational system isn't too bad. It doesn't shield students from real life issues. Rather, Americans are encouraged to discover these issues on our own if we want to become global citizens. My cousin in China attends school from 5 in the morning to 10 at night in China, not even including homework and food, much less sleep. I doubt he has much time to read a newspaper, but most American students do.
If these people really weren't faking their answers just for 15 seconds of fame or humor, I hope that they'll be alarmed by this video and will pick up a newspaper or watch some real 'CNN' sometime soon. I don't see the relation this video has to the United States (they didn't survey any other countries so this lack of social awareness isn't proven to be only the 'US' problem), but perhaps it's warning all of us, citizens of all countries, to make sure we're more socially aware and educated about current events.
Britney Spears entered rehab for the third time today in what continues to be a bizarre series of events surrounding the one-time pop princess since she shaved her own head a few days ago in a Tarzana, California salon.
After two one-day rehab stays, Britney has checked into an undisclosed facility for what will supposedly be a 35 to 40 day visit.
Sources have speculated that Britney rushed to check into rehab today after soon-to-be-ex husband Kevin Federline filed for an emergency family law court hearing to take custody of their two small children. The hearing has since been cancelled.
There are various theories as to why lucious-locked Britney shaved off her hair. Some say it was to prevent Federline's threat to drug test her hair; others say it was to remove lice; while some believe it was simply a preamble the singer's impending nervous breakdown.
Regardless of the reason, Britney's, shall we say 'haircut', has caused a media uproar, as has her subsequent wig-wearing and unstable behaviour.
Let's hope this time her stay in rehab lasts longer than 24 hours. Britney should get clean not only for herself, but most important, for the well-being of her two little boys.
J.K. Rowling Expresses Feelings About the End of Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling, author of the popular Harry Potter series, is heartbroken and mournful about the end of her series as she completed the seventh and last book, but expresses excitement for it at the same time.
The seventh book, 'Deathly Hallows', is her favorite book out of the seven book series. Saying good-bye to the series was hard for her, but luckly Rowling has a sense of achievement that is well deserved.
'Deathly Hallows' will conclude a series of books and movies that have captured both children and adults alike. Even my seven year old little sister has read the first three books of the series... Books with Harry Potter's popularity don't come around every often, and the excitement that generates with the release of each new book will be missed.
One of the top fashion trends for this year will be futuristic themed clothing, and Prada is leading the way in celebrating this trend.
The Fall 2007 collection consists of pieces made from man-made materials similar to foam, sponge cloth, and plastic. Gorgeous coats, skirts, and dresses were made with these materials, including swing-back coats and sheath dresses.
Those of you who are interested in animal protection rights may be pleased to acknowledge the lack of animal products in Prada's show, although plastic is generally not a safe product for animals or babies. Hopefully, this won't be a problem as long as no one decides to throw out their Fall 2007 black Prada coat...
Sirius and XM Satellite Radio stations, the only two of their kind, announced today that they will combine forces in a $13-billion dollar deal by the end of this year. The amalgamated station will be run by current chief executive of Sirius, Mel Karmazin.
So much for friendly competition, huh?
According to the L.A. Times, both radio stations have a combined listenership of 14 million. Each station currently offers over 100 channels of music, news, and info programs.
I wonder if controversial Sirius talk show host, Howard Stern, will invite reclusive XM host Bob Dylan to join his program? On second thought, some things just can't be mixed.
Potato Crisps on the Runway: Antoni and Alison Fall 2007 Ready-To-Wear
While London Fashion Week has yet to rival Paris or New York for its household name designers, it definitely strays from the usual.
The British designers, Antoni and Alison, presented their runway collections in a 19th century pub with models sipping on wine and snacking on potato crisps, perhaps in response to the "skinny" debate and deaths of two models that propelled Madrid to ban size zero models.
A 19th century pub is a stark contrast to traditional runway settings, but perhaps it represents casual fun and "seeing double", which was a theme in Antoni and Alison's collection.
For all of you die-hard fans of our dear Britney Spears, you may now bid for her hair in eBay. If you have at least 1 million dollars to spare, that is.
You might also need some DNA specialists, because numerous sellers are selling locks and chunks of brown hair and passing it off as Britney's.
If only we all had hair practically made out of gold. I'm pretty sure I would have gotten that trim I've been meaning to get for several months if my hair was worth that much.
In 24 hours, Britney Spears went to rehab in the Caribbean, checked herself out, flew to LA (coach!), shaved her head and got 2 tattoos!
Britney Spears arrived unannounced at a Los Angeles hair salon yesterday, demanding staff shave off her long brunette hair (half of which were extensions). When staff refused, the singer grabbed electric shears and shaved her head, declaring she was doing it because she was fed up with being touched by other people.
Emily Wynne-Hughes, a worker at Esther's Salon, said Spears was crying and agitated when she entered after closing time, demanding they shave her head. "She wasn't making sense at all -- she was very scatterbrained," she said.
"Esther has been in the business for 30 years and said, 'I'm not doing that,' but Britney was set on having her head shaved so she started doing it herself."
Ms Wynne-Hughes said when she asked the upset singer why she was shaving her head, Spears gave a bizarre answer. "She said 'I don't want anyone touching me -- I'm tired of everybody touching me'," she said. The fallen chart star then went to the nearby Body and Soul tattoo parlour where she got two tattoos -- a black, white and pink cross on her lower hip and red and pink lips on her wrist.
About 60 onlookers -- amazed to see the pop star adopting a shocking new look -- and photographers gathered outside, with police having to clear the way for Spears to reach her chauffeur-driven car. Her bizarre hair appointment on Friday was at a salon in California's San Fernando Valley about 6pm. Photographers said the 25-year-old wept in her car before going inside, sitting in front of a mirror and shaving her head with a pair of clippers.
Her latest bizarre behavior came only hours after the mother of two returned to California from a short stay in rehab. She reportedly checked herself out of Eric Clapton's Crossroads Centre rehab clinic in Antigua last week after less than 24 hours. Looks like she should have stayed a little longer...
Scientifically Proven: Love & Lust Are Very Different
At Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, neurologist Dr. Lucy Brown and her colleagues performed MRI brain scans on various college students who were in love. When shown a picture of their beloved, the caudate (involved in cravings) and the ventral tegmental (produces dopamine for pleasure and motivation) became very active. The high that one feels from following in love is very similar to the high one gets from cocaine, the scientists have discovered.
Another discovery made was that when shown erotic images, the college students' brains were affected in other areas. The hypothalamus (controls drives like hunger) and amygdala (controls arousals) were affected this time. However, love and lust are interrelated because as a person produces more dopamine, more testosterone is also being produced.
Discoveries about the the female brain and the male brain were also quite interesting: Males were more visually triggered (hence the porn industry) and women were more active in the area of the brain that governed memories (hence the nagging...).
It makes a lot more sense now why people do crazy things for love. Just as hunger and thirst drive us to drastic measures, love can drive us to do the same thing.
Throughout the history of western poetry and prose, the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra has been described as a queen with great beauty and charisma. Now, a newly unearthed coin depicting her and her lover, Mark Antony, may contradict her great outward beauty.
The queen is shown with a pointed chin, thin lips, and a sharp nose. Mark Antony himself, on the other side of the coin, has a hook nose and a thick neck. Roman writers wrote of her charisma and seductive voice and fantastic personality, but they never mentioned her great looks.
In fact, it's a common myth that that may have been perpetuated through Hollywood movies and television programs. Nonetheless, Cleopatra was an influential figure in history and some have credited her to the downfall of the Roman empire because of her affair with Mark Antony. Beauty isn't all you need to make history.
With the opening of London Fashion Week, designers such as Peter Ingwersen of Noir created a big impact, proving that London Fashion Week holds its own weight against its Parisian and American counterparts. The prime focus was on up-and-coming designers, but most likely they won't be merely up-and-coming for long!
The Noir collection is a concoctions of subtle and understated colors, including white, beige, and black. The designs weren't entirely original, but still contained a whispy touch of elegance and a laidback attitude.
Unfortunately, many of the pieces were forgettable, as the tones faded into each other. Sometimes, even the accessories blended with the models' skin tones too much. Nonetheless, the collection was elegant, stylish, and pleasing to the eye. I would hope though, that Noir will continue to develop under Peter Ingwersen and the use of delicate fabrics and subtle fabrics will leave a stronger impact in future collections.
Under the control of Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano, the new social networking site, IQONS (www.iqons.com) is directed towards those of the fashion industry. From fashionistas seeking to discover the newest 'it bag' to emerging fashion designers all around the globe, IQONS is becoming an extremely popular site.
Finally, the fashion industry fully realizes the power and potential of the internet. Hurry now, and reserve the Portrait Name (username) you'd like for the network if you like fashion, before it's taken!
The L.A. based label, Heatherette, has long been known to cater to the eclectic clubbers of California. The designs defy the trends, and instead set boundaries of their own.
As always, there is a whimsical touch to the collection, and something is always off-balance. The designers, Richie Rich and Traver Rains, have led Heatherette to worldwide success and proves that you don't have try to be glamorous to be fashionable. Heatherette is about childhood, exploration, and reconstruction.
Indeed, many of the pieces are both reconstructed and deconstructed, seeking to find something new in the old. It's colorful, eye-catching, and controversial to many people. For long-time fans of Heatherette however, it's about defying expectations and coming up with something quirky and wearable from the oddest designs.
What's more popular than the music performances and outrageous antics at the Grammy Awards?
The celebrity fashion on the red carpet, of course.
While in past years, J.Lo astounded viewed with her extremely low-cleavage bearing gown, this year the stars opted for elegant designer gowns.
For example, instead of flaunting her fabulous body, Shakira chose to wear a Carolina Herrera red chiffon gown, carefully accenting her lean muscular figure.
Even the men wore saavy stylish suits, such as John Mayer's Armani tuxedo. He though, still wore his signature Nikes.
The few outrageous looks that were present in the red carpet were more artistic than sexy. For example, the members of OK Go covered their faces with fabric that matched their outfits, and Imogen Heap chose to dress up as a garden, complete with a toy frog.
Perhaps, the Grammy Awards are becoming more about the music and less about who has the outfit of the night. Or at least, there seems to be better ways to gain publicity than a scandalous outfit.
The country music trio swept the Grammys last night, winning in all five categories in which they were nominated, including the top prizes of record, album and song of the year. Their album, "Taking the Long Way", also scored best country album, and their single "Not Ready to Make Nice," took home the award for best country performance by a duo or group with vocals.
It was a bittersweet victory for the Dixie Chicks, who saw a huge slide in their popularity when lead singer Natalie Maines, at a London concert in 2003, famously quipped: "Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas".
After the remark, record sales plummeted when several U.S. country stations boycotted the group for their supposedly anti-American sentiments. CD-smashing, fan protests, and even death threats ensued.
The backlash was chronicled in 2006's excellent documentary, "Shut Up and Sing", which debuted at last year's Toronto International Film Festival.
Other big Grammy winners included Mary J. Blige and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who won three and four awards, respectively.
However, it was clearly the Dixie Chicks who came out on top. Unapologetic, honest and brave, these three women deserve all the acclaim they get. It is the fickle Chicks critics who are now the ones shamed.
A Tabloid Life, A Tabloid Death for Anna Nicole Smith
The late Anna Nicole Smith's mansion in the Bahamas is currently in disputed ownership berween her attorney, Wayne Munroe, and a U.S. developer that she had a brief relationship with, G. Ben Thompson. Munroe claims that Anna Nicole Smith purchased the house, while Thompson claims that he loaned the house to her. The Bahamas Supreme Court will decide the official ownership of the mansion.
Her cause of death is still unknown, and it will take a few weeks to figure it out. There will no illegal drugs in her hotel room; only prescription.
Anna Nicole Smith's 5-month year old baby is also undergoing a conflict, as many men are claiming to be the baby's father.
Hopefully, by the time the baby becomes a young adult, the real father will be decided. It's not fair for any child to grow up without a mother or someone to call father.
Anna Nicole Smith, the former Playboy playmate whose bizarre life careened from marrying an octogenarian billionaire to the untimely death of her son, is now dead.
She passed away today, Thursday February 8, after collapsing at a South Florida hotel, one of her lawyers said.
Anna Nicole Smith, 39, collapsed and was unresponsive while staying at the Seminole Hard Rock Cafe Hotel and Casino, said the attorney, Ron Rale. She was rushed to a hospital.
"She checked in Monday at 8 p.m. as a guest. She was due to check out tomorrow," said Danielle Giordaano, a spokeswoman for the hotel.
Smith had been a tabloid staple even before she became Playboy's playmate of the year in 1993. Readers were fascinated by her bombshell good looks, her marriage to an elderly billionaire and subsequent court fight over his estate, her weight fluctuations, and last year, the sudden death of her 20-year-old son, Daniel Smith.
Now hangs in the balance her daughters paternity - which remains in question.
Maybe her rapid weightloss, alcoholism and pill habits had something to do with her death. At least now she is reunited with her lifetime elderly love!
Rudolph Giulani, "America's Mayor and Next President"?
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giulani, affectionately nicknamed "America's Mayor", has entered the United States 2008 presidential race as possibly the Rupublican candidate against Senator Hillary Clinton.
Giulani is a former Democrat but lately has been moving towards the conservative perspective on issues.
The 2008 presidential race will be one to seek change for the future, with candidates like Hillary Clinton and Rudolph Giulani lining up the podium. Hopefully, Barack Obama will throw his hat into the ring too.
Perhaps it's just me, but I'm not a big fan of designer logos. I will gladly purchase a chic leather bag from a generic company instead of a Louis Vuitton Speedy 30. Once again, perhaps that's just me.
As much as I love Chanel, I can't stand this Chanel football. Who would actually buy this oval-shaped rubber hunk of mass for $195?
A very fashion-conscious football player, I must say.
As the Fall 2007 Ready-to-Wear collections are being revealed to the public one-by-one, I must admit that I have a soft spot for the up-and-coming designer, Alexander Wang. He attended my school, and I'm awed at how a little boy from the high-tech surroundings of Silicon Valley is now presenting his works at New York City Fashion Week.
Alexander Wang became known first for his extremely luxurious 100% cashmere knits, but it's obvious that his talents extend beyond that. In this collection, he incorporates his zeal for casual and comfortable street style with a twinge of Parisian elegance and usage of luxurious fabrics. His collection for men and women is both edgy and yet subtle, by the detailing in the folds and prints and the simple lines of each piece.
Extremely wearable and versatile, Alexander Wang has the potential to become a household name not only among fashionistas.
The Super Bowl halftime show sought to provide uncontroversial entertainment directed towards football fans, but now a dispute has sprang up that may rival Ashlee Simpson's controversial Orange Bowl performance.
The widely acclaimed rock star, Prince, had his shadow projected onto a large sheet as part of his solo. As the solo began, the silhouette that was cast onto the sheet apparently looked rather phallic, causing critics to call to alarm the "distastefulness" of the show.
Whether or not it was an accident, Prince has toned down his performances from the past few years and yet for some, even possible accidents are calls for alarm.
Jessica Simpson Divorced Nick Lachey Because of "The Notebook"
Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, the heartthrobbing couple of the hit MTV show, "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica" filed for divorced in December 2005. Though they seemed to be one of the happiest and best-looking couples in Hollywood, their "perfect" marriage came to an end after three years.
Jessica states that she made that decision after watching "The Notebook", and decided that she need to "breathe".
Jessica refuses to announce if she's with someone else now, but one hopes that she will find her "Notebookesque" love of her life this time.
While models are have been criticized for starting the waif look, more Hollywood actresses are become thinner and thinner in order to fit into the same designer gowns as seen on the runways worn by skinny models, and are affecting the perceptions of young women.
Some stars that are known to be quite skinny include Ellen Pompeo of "Grey's Anatomy", Keira Knightly of "Pirates of the Caribbean", and Angelina Jolie, who has recently lost her buff Lara Croft look.
The former supermodel and talk show host, Tyra Banks, was recently mocked by critics as being "fat" when paparazzi photos of her in a bathing suit became released. Indeed, while she is no longer the same weight as she was when she posed on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Tyra Banks is still far from "fat" and asserts her confidence that if she truly has low self-esteem, she'd be trying to lose weight already.
While it's nice to know that Tyra is accepting her curves, young women across the world still feel necessitated to lose weight. It's apparent that from the runway to the red carpet to the streets, such beauty standards are trickling down into mainstream culture. Super-skinniness may be the norm on the runway and in parts of Hollywood, but it should not become the "norm" for beauty among young women everywhere.
It is sad indeed, that the one person with the power to change the world - for the better - is seen as such an evil character.
Maybe this will wake up American voters to act on their beliefs in the next election, and although the "Satanic" president says he doesn't listen to polls, maybe this might be one he should take a look at.
