Give it up for the latest fashion fad – high heels for men!

Men have invaded women’s wardrobe a little further – as high heels for males is the newest couture craze.

Gender-bending stiletto styles and pointy, rock-star-esque heeled boots are apparently the favourites.

Also, there are “Status shoes,” worn by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, with visible heels of 1 1/4 inch and a hidden 1 ½-inch lift inside the shoe.

According to Times Online, men were seen wearing heels in the audience at the Fashion Week collections of Gareth Pugh and Rick Owens in Paris, Rodarte in New York and Pam Hogg in London.

British designer Gareth Pugh among others has been spotted sporting women’s heels.

Also, American designer Marc Jacobs admitted he has kept women”s heels in his collection.

“If I put heels in a collection I always try them on and walk around the studios in them during the fittings, which take up to 36 hours. It raises a laugh with the team for about five minutes because they’ve seen me do it so many times,” the New York Daily News quoted Jacobs, as saying.

He added: “But that’s not why I do it. I do it because I want to show that I’m not some misogynist designer designing these torturous shoes for women. The heels are there as a choice and if you want to wear them all the time, some of the time or never, it’s your choice.”

Pammie to launch new swimwear line

Wellington, September 13 (ANI): Hottie Pamela Anderson will soon launch a new line of swimwear during Air New Zealand Fashion Week, according to reports.

The Baywatch star is linked up with New York designer and pop culture icon Richie Rich for the new venture, Stuff.co.nz reports.

Rich is also the owner famous fashion house Heatherette.

Anderson may even take the ramp to showcase some of the designs for the swimwear line, as she has done in recent US shows.

The Fashion Week, which will take place at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour, is dated September 21-25. (ANI)

Kolkata Fashion Week features Ritu Kumar

Kolkata, Sep 11 (ANI): Ace designer Ritu Kumar presented her collection on the first day of the star studded Kolkata Fashion Week.

Kumar opened her collection in black and gold with intricately worked garments giving the feeling of what could be described as India’s version of minimal dressing.

The line consisted of silhouettes, which were equally varied and portrayed the hugely skilled craftsmanship and the designer’s repertoire in evening gowns, chogas, long tunics, kutchi gathered coats worn over divided loose pants to give a kaleidoscope of images.

She felt that there was recession in the fashion business and there will be a shakeout.

“The recession of course is there and I have a feeling that there will be a shakeout and a lot of people will stop being in the business and a lot of people will survive. But this happens cyclically and it’s nothing new,” she said.

The surprise element of the show was that it interpreted the Indian aesthetic but this time in coats, trench and bomber jackets, all trimmed with leather and worn with tights and boots.

The coats are worn over painted T-shirts in vegetable colours, which are reminiscent of old masters.o wonder, the first day of the Kolkata Fashion week turned out to be just a beginning of things, bright and glossy.

Kolkata Fashion week is slotted to end with a bang, with a Manish Malhotra show on September 13 (ANI)

M.S Dhoni to be Brand Ambassador Of Kolkata Fashion Week | Kolkata Fashion Week 2009

M.S Dhoni to be Brand Ambassador Of Kolkata Fashion Week | Kolkata Fashion Week 2009

After being Brand Ambassador of Kolkata Fashion Week in April 2009, Indian Cricket Team Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will again be the brand ambassador of second season of Kolkata Fashion Week, starting from 13th August 2009.

He is also the brand ambassador of the event which also promotes Indian handloom and cottage industries.

The country’s top models including Indrani Dasgupta, Sapna Kumar, Joey Matthews, Lakshmi Rana, Noyanika Chatterjee, Neha Kapur and Candice Pinto will be sashaying down the ramp showcasing the unique creations of the designers, he said.

Amber Rose – Amber rose model – kanye west girlfriend amber rose – alexis phifer – kanye west – Amber Rose

Amber Rose – Amber rose model – kanye west girlfriend amber rose – alexis phifer – kanye west – Amber Rose

The celebrity singer Kanye West found his new girlfriend  Amber Rose, a Mexican American singer and model from San Antonio, Texas. The two stepped out as a couple for the first time during New York fashion week.

Neither of them has acknowledged the nature of their relationship, his representative has confirmed that, “They are no longer a couple.”

Kanye West began dating Amber Rose in January this year. Previously he was engaged to girlfriend Alexis Phifer. They split in 2008 after six years together.

Kanye West performing at the official Lakers Championship party at Club Nokia in downtown L.A.

Almaty hosts fashion week for Central Asian, Chinese designers

Almaty (Kazakhstan), May 21 (ANI): Designers from Central Asia gathered in Kazakhstan’s Almaty city recently to showcase their designs and styles.

The event, which is now in its seventh year, also showcased Almaty as Central Asia’s cosmopolitan cultural center.

The event showcased ready-to wear collections for Autumn-Winter 2009-2010 and also featured designers from China and Europe.

There was a decidedly Kazakh flavour to the collection shown by local designer Zhadira Shakieva this year.

Shakieva said that she tried to combine the beauty of women with the Kazakh national character.

Chinese designer Vong Yu Tau showcased his latest designs in Almaty.

He described Kazakhstan as an important trading partner for China, and added that the fashion business is no exception.

Most models on the catwalk came from Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Three days of catwalks were arranged, as well as beauty therapy master classes and a regional stylists’ competition.

Castings were held earlier at the Hotel Kazakhstan to select the models that will make it onto the catwalk. Around 500 models from Central Asian countries came for the selection procedure.

This year’s Fashion Week theme was “Litzedeiki”, which translated loosely means ‘female deceitfulness’. (ANI)

Bips Sizzles At Kolkata Fashion Week!

It’s the time for fashion shows, when designers reveal their majestic collections, and people get their share of amusement through the artistic outfits unveiled, or through the stunning beauties walking down the ramp.

It’s a joyous experience in itself, isn’t it?

But rare are the chances when audiences get to see what can be the expected the least.

Besides the gorgeous models, who walked the ramp for fashion designer pair, Mona-Pali at the ongoing Kolkata Fashion Week (KFW), the event also had someone very special.

The much awaited Fashion Week patronized by an assorted collection of Indian traditions, which blended with modern shapes and textures based on Indian art and craft, had none other than the very special Bengali beauty Bipasha Basu.

Bips, attired as quintessential Bengali bride, stole the hearts of viewers with her relishing act for Mona-Pali.

An elated Basu said, “What I love about this particular outfit tonight is it has the essence of our culture. At the same time it is very modern. It is for the modern Indian women.”

“We are using the artistry, which is from our roots, but at the same time we are presenting the Indian women in various shades. I am very happy with the kind of work people are doing,” she added.

Together with Basu there were several others who shared the ramp with John’s girl friend.

Sagarika Ghatke, the one who had featured in Shimit Amin’s, Chak De India, was one of them. The actor walked the ramp for Soumitra Mondal.

Around 35 of the country’s top models will sashay down the ramp during the four-day show that concludes on Sunday.

John Abraham participates in Kolkata fashion show

Kolkata, Apr 6 (ANI): Bollywood actor John Abraham was a showstopper at the Kolkata fashion show.

He wore a waist long coat with flower patterns on a black base teemed with black tights in the Rohit Bal’s creation.

Bal who drew upon history, fantasy and folklore in his creations, showcased a mixture of gothic and Indian and the theme was about seduction of the night.

“Whatever I say about Rohit Bal is not enough. Its an honour walking for him. I am honoured to have walked the showstopper with him. Its just been an awesome experience,” Abraham said.

The last day on Sunday also saw the designers Gauri and Nainika showcasing their collections.

Model turned actress, Mugdha Godse, walked as a showstopper for the designers.

The four-day fashion show focused on the cultural heritage of Bengal area, especially that of the weavers.

The fashion week saw the participation of 35 fashion designers including some from Bangladesh. (ANI)

John Abraham participates in Kolkata fashion show

Kolkata, Apr 6 (ANI): Bollywood actor John Abraham was a showstopper at the Kolkata fashion show.

He wore a waist long coat with flower patterns on a black base teemed with black tights in the Rohit Bal’s creation.

Bal who drew upon history, fantasy and folklore in his creations, showcased a mixture of gothic and Indian and the theme was about seduction of the night.

“Whatever I say about Rohit Bal is not enough. Its an honour walking for him. I am honoured to have walked the showstopper with him. Its just been an awesome experience,” Abraham said.

The last day on Sunday also saw the designers Gauri and Nainika showcasing their collections.

Model turned actress, Mugdha Godse, walked as a showstopper for the designers.

The four-day fashion show focused on the cultural heritage of Bengal area, especially that of the weavers.

The fashion week saw the participation of 35 fashion designers including some from Bangladesh. (ANI)

Zeenat Aman sets ramp on fire at Kolkata Fashion Week

Kolkata, Apr 6 (ANI): Former Bollywood actor Zeenat Aman revived the romance of yesteryears when she walked the ramp to the tunes of ‘Churaliya hain tumne jo dil ko’, a hit in eighties, at the Kolkata Fashion Week.

The show presented a gorgeous selection of sarees and dhotis.
Zeenat Aman, credited with bringing the western heroine look to Bollywood, said it was important to walk the ramp as it focused on weaves of the local talent.

“For me, it’s very important to walk the ramp here because the weaves of the local talent being showcased. I really requested the organisers if they could get the weavers to come and walk the ramp with me but they said no as the weavers have dropped their clothes and gone back to their villages,” said Aman.

The fashion week focuses on the cultural heritage of Bengal, especially that of the weavers.

At least 35 of the country’s top models sashayed down the ramp during the four-day show. (ANI)

My creation is a tribute to Mondrian: Wendell Rodricks

Kolkata, April 3 (IANS) Designer Wendell Rodricks, who unveiled his collection at the fashion week here, says he is so influenced by legendary Dutch painter Pieter Cornelis Mondrian that he is sleeping with Mondrian’s designs in mind.

‘I am sleeping with Mondrian in my head for months before finally coming up with my new collection based on his works of unique geometric abstraction where all curved lines are eliminated. My creations are a tribute to him,’ Rodricks told IANS.

He showcased his latest collection The Mondrian Minimalist at the first Kolkata Fashion Week here Thursday.

‘Mondrian used all primary colours like red, blue and yellow for his painting. But I decided to do it my way, using my signature black and white for the fabric, while keeping the primary colours for the accessories and shoes,’ he said.

Rodricks said this is the first time the entire collection is being showcased in a fashion show.

‘I showed 19 pieces out of 40 of The Mondrian Minimalist collection at the recently held Delhi Fashion Week. This is the fist time the entire collection is being showcased here.’

The collection will be available at Westside stores across India by April-end.

On his next collection, Rodricks said: ‘I am working on knits and jerseys. In fact, I am doing certain experiments with the concept that has never been tried in the fashion industry.’

Bipasha Basu dazzles at Kolkata fashion week

Kolkata, Apr 5 (ANI): Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu on Saturday walked ramp on the third day of ongoing Kolkata Fashion Week (KFW) here.

Basu, dressed as quintessential Bengali bride, stole the show with her showstopper act for fashion designer duo Mona-Pali.

“What I love about this particular outfit tonight is it has the essence of our culture. At the same time it is very modern. It is for the modern Indian women. We are using the artistry, which is from our roots, but at the same time we are presenting the Indian women in various shades. I am very happy with the kind of work people are doing,” Basu said.

Designer duo Mona-Pali showcased eclectic mix of Indian culture combine with contemporary silhouettes and textures based on Indian art and craft traditions.

Another Bollywood actor Sagarika Ghatke of the Bollywood movie ‘Chak De India’ fame, walked the ramp for designer Soumitra Mondal.

Soumitra’s collection was very much inspired by Indian art, culture and textile. He used fine cotton, linen, rich traditional silk and hand woven fabric for his work.

The theme of the KFW has been ‘Return to Roots’ in tune with the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organisation declaring 2009 as the ‘International Year of Natural Fibre’.

The KFW focuses on the cultural heritage of Bengal region, especially that of the handloom weavers.

At least 35 of the country’s top models will sashay down the ramp during the four-day show that concludes on Sunday. (ANI)

Designer Anjana Bhargava showcases her ensemble in Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr.4 (ANI): A saturday afternoon crowd at the KOlkata Fashion Week was treated to a stunning collection from designer Anjana Bhargava.

Bhargava presented modern clothes, immensely wearable, in silk, pashmina, chiffon and wool. Mainly in molten brown, the collection won great appreciation from the audience.

The glamour quotient was added by video jockey Anoushka, who was Bhargava’s show stopper for the collection.

Actress Moon Moon Sen, who has been a regular at the fashion week, said it was great that Kolkata finally had its own fashion show.

She said the collections seen so far were absoulutely fantastic. Her daughters Riya and Raima Sen have already walked the ramp for different designers during the show.

More collections and celebrities are sheduled to appear this evening to stun Kolkata audiences and buyers. By Ajitha Menon (ANI)

Kolkata fashion show remembers Mumbai terror attacks

Kolkata, Apr 4 (ANI): Fashion designer Narendra Kumar showcased his collections inspired by the gloomy days during the last year’s Mumbai terror attacks at the ongoing Kolkata Fashion Week (KFW).

According to the designer, his superb black and white collection was dedicated to the victims who lost their lives in the terror attack.

“The whole collection was if you see the first part was white, more hopeful, sporty and fun elements. The second part of the collection was black. We went from white to grey to black. So the story was 26/11 before and after 26/11,” said Narendra.

At the fashion show, designer Manoviraj Khosla showcased a wide range of eye catching colourful party wear collection called ‘Attitude’ which was meant specially for the young people.

” My collection is called ‘Attitude’. My collection is all about party, clubbing sorts of clothes. So, it is the attitude of the youth that the youth would like to wear when they go out,” said Khosla.

Among the celebrities who walked the ramp were Bollywood actress Riya Sen and film director and super model Ferena.

The theme of the fashion week is ‘Return to Roots’ in line with the United Nation’s

Food and Agricultural Organisation declaring 2009 as the ” International Year of Natural Fiber. It focus on the cultural heritage of eastern Bengal area, especially that of the weavers.

At least 35 of the country’s top models will sashay down the ram during the four-day show. (ANI)

Kolkata fashion week leaves audience spellbound

Kolkata, Apr 4 (ANI): Bollywood actor Minisha Lamba walked the ramp sporting a scintillating collection of traditional and contemporary jewellery at the Kolkata Fashion Week last evening.
The collection comprised exclusive bridal jewellery sets made of gold and diamond meant to match with bridal designer dresses.

Lamba said she was thrilled to present the exquisite collection.

“I think the collection is fantastic. India ranks number one in the world as far as gold jewellery and inventive design are concerned,” said Lamba.

The dazzling jewellery collection left the audience awestruck.

“Kolkata has hosted this show for the first time and it is because of this that I have also attended it. I was really star struck. They were so beautiful. The dresses were also very nice,” said Chayanika, a spectator.

The theme of the fashion week is ‘Return to Roots’ in line with the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organisation declaring 2009 as the ” InternationalYear of Natural Fibre.

The fashion week also focus on the cultural heritage of Bengal, especially that of the weavers.

At least 35 of the country’s top models will sashay down the ramp during the four-day show. (ANI)

Kolkota hosts first-ever major fashion show

Kolkata, Apr 3 (ANI): Kolkata Fashion Week (KFW) kicked off with designer Bibi Russell’s latest collection here last evening.

The KFW showcased Russell’s superb collection whose every piece is purely handmade, from the clothes to the shoes to the jewellery.

“Every piece is handmade from the shoes to headgear. This year is a year of natural fibre. I worked for 15 years for the world to give this recognition,” Russel said.

The designer displayed 41 of her creations made from khadi (hand spun fabric), cotton, silk, jute yarn fabrics, tribal fabrics, natural fabrics and ‘jamdani’ (a fabric of fine cotton).

The first-ever major fashion show in the city received enthusiastic response.

“I am extremely proud and privileged that fashion show has come to Kolkata. It makes us proud. I am sure we will see some more designers and some more nice things,” said June Maliah, an actress.

The theme of the KFW is ‘Return to Roots’ in line with the United Nation’s Food and Agricultural Organisation declaring 2009 as the ” International Year of Natural Fibre.’

The KFW focuses on the cultural heritage of Bengal area, especially that of the weavers.

At least 35 of the country’s top models will sashay down the ram during the four-day show. (ANI)

No frenzied speculation over Gursharan Kaur’s outfits

London, Apr 2 (ANI): In the G-20 media room here, there are several journalists filing reams of copy on US First Lady Michelle Obama’s outfits as compared to the outfits worn by Sarah Brown, the wife of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

They have of course been robbed of a great fashion competition-Carla Bruni (French President Nicholas Sarkozy’s spouse) Vs Michelle Obama.

It just didn’t happen with Bruni snubbing the Brits by choosing not to come to London. Would she have stolen Obama’s thunder? Definitely say fashion followers. Her chic style would definitely have overshadowed the elegant, but at times too off-the-rack-style of Michelle.

This is one story, however, that Indian reporters are spared from following, for Gursharan Kaur, the wife Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, never disappoints, as she is fairly predictable. She isn’t as predictable as her husband though…the good doctor never changes the colour of his blue turban.
Ms. Gursharan Kaur only wears sarees for formal occasions. They are either Kanjeevaram silks or printed silks. Sleeved blouses in usually the same colour accompany the the saree she is wearing. Accessories…nothing remarkable. A string of pearls at the most, small earrings, one or two bangles and that’s it.
Even at the dinner hosted by Sarah Brown last night, Gursharan Kaur wore a nondescript printed silk saree, her hair tied up into a neat bun. Seated at her table was “Bend It Like Beckam” director Gurinder Chaddha.

Top model Naomi Campbell, who was in the Indian capital recently to attend the Fashion Week, was also invited for the dinner billed pejoratively as the “Fluffies’ Dinner”. However, she wasn’t seated at Ms Kaur’s table. Michelle wore a black and white outfit and Sarah Brown a black dress.

At an earlier engagement at the Royal Opera House, Ms Kaur wore a cream coloured crepe silk saree. But the colour for the evening, it seems, was blue. Sarah Brown wore an ill-fitting blue dress which hugged her in all the wrong places….the paunch clearly visible. Michelle wore purple, the colour of the season we were told. But then she paired that with a gaudy cardigan. Why? Accessories…. Michelle wore her pearls for a third day in a row. Not nice. Sarah Brown wore a thin gold chain. OK will do.

The G-20 First Ladies club did not disappoint in the style department, but these are hard times and the safest image to portray is of being a recessionista. By Smita Prakash(ANI)

Shahrukh Khan walks ramp at Lakme Fashion Week

Mumbai, Mar 31 (ANI): Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan sashayed down the ramp for fashion designer Manish Malhotra’s collection at Lakme Fashion Week (LFW) in Mumbai on Monday.

Malhotra showcases another set of collections on the fourth day of LFW by using colour of Kolkata knight Riders, Khan’s team of Indian Premier League. The collection was primarily in golden and black colour with hints of deep red deep blue and deep green.

Khan dressed in the colours of Knight Riders, wore black harem pants, a black blazer with golden buttons and a gold-and-black.

Bollywood actors namely Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Amisha Patel, Tusshar Kapoor, Genelia D’ Souza, Arjun Rampal and wife Meher, Sridevi and Boney Kapoor were seen sitting in the first row.

Talking to reporters after the show, Kajol said, “The show was superb and it was really-really an amazing collection.”

Malhotra’s collection was comprised of elegant line of eveningwear with an urban Chic line of casuals weave. The collection also highlighted a new dimension if clubbing sports wear mixed with elegant eveningwear.

Lakme Fashion Week has received in all 189 applications – 88 for Gen Next and 44 for Emerging Fashion Designers from 20 cities across the country. (ANI)

Gwyneth Paltrow to turn fashion designer with 70′s enthused clothing line

Washington, Mar 27 (ANI): Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow is gearing up to turn a fashion designer with a 70′s enthused clothing line, as she has teamed up with French label ZOEtee to create their autumn winter collection called ZOEtee’s Loves Gwyneth.

The clothing line will include masculine-tailored pieces, reports Us Weekly.

The funds from the clothing label will be donated to London’s Kids Company, which offers therapy, education, art, sports and hot meals to at-risk children.

The collection will be unveiled to fashion editors next week in London, according ElleU.K. com.

Meanwhile, Gwyneth was also in news for revealing her plans of penning a cookbook. (ANI)

Darkness and danger inspire Rohit Bal’s collection for Delhi Fashion Week

New Delhi, Mar 24 (ANI): A dim lit stage and haunting music provided a perfect setting for fashion designer Rohit Bal’s collection at the grand finale of the Delhi Fashion Week here last evening.

Mysteries of the night unfolded in a mystical and myriad presentation as models walked the ramp in Bal’s collection aptly titled ‘Raat’.

Known for his creativity on ramp, Bal again surprised everybody by his intense and dark collection inspired by danger and darkness and all things evil.

“It was about danger, it was about seduction, it was about lust, sensuality and sexy. It was about demons in the night. It was something that reflects a darker part of your personality,” said Bal.

Textures, layering, mixing and other techniques were combined to create an imaginative yet wearable collection of evening gowns, dresses, jackets and voluminous skirts.

Silks, heavy cottons, net. Voiles, silk jerseys, organza and felt, all the fabrics were used imaginatively to create dresses in silhouetted ranging from the opulence of Marie Antoinette to Victorian and Vintage.

The colour palette also followed the moods of the night as dress after dress was showcased by models on ramp in colours of black, deep purple and other such dark colours.

The six-day event, Delhi Fashion Week is a collection of highly creative designers which has set new standards for the Indian fashion industry and is creating greater opportunities for fashion designers. (ANI)