Punk pioneer McLaren to be buried on Thursday

LONDON (Reuters) – British punk pioneer Malcolm McLaren's funeral will be held in London on Thursday, his son said on Monday. The former manager of the 1970s punk band Sex Pistols and ex-partner of fashion designer Vivienne Westwood died earlier this month aged 64 of a rare form of cancer.

"In celebration of Malcolm's life we are asking people to observe a minute of mayhem at midday on 22nd April," his son Joseph Corre said on the website of human rights charity Humanade, which he supports.

Corre, also founder of the Agent Provocateur lingerie brand, added: "Put on your favorite records and let it RIP!"

McLaren's funeral cortege will travel through the streets of northern London en route to his final resting place, previously announced as Highgate Cemetery.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White, editing by Paul Casciato)

Ex-employee to sue Prada Japan over alleged harassment

TOKYO (AFP) – A former employee of Prada Japan who claims she was harassed by the local unit of the Italian fashion house for being ugly said Monday she had begun legal proceedings for unfair dismissal.

Rina Bovrisse, 36, said she would be joined by two former employees in the suit against Prada Japan in which she alleges she was unfairly fired after being harassed as "ugly" by the company's top executive.

Bovrisse will seek to overturn her dismissal in the court case to begin on May 14, her lawyers said, adding that further details of the suit, including a demand for compensation for harassment, had yet to be decided.

The move came after the two sides failed to reach an out-of-court settlement at a labour tribunal last month.

"I'm here to take a stand for Japanese women who have been victims of harassment and discrimination at the workplace," Bovrisse told a news conference in Tokyo.

"I love this country. I'm proud to be Japanese... as a hard-working female, but the only issue that I saw in Japan was that the working environment was not (as) safe as overseas.

"I would like to be part of the next step, to create a (safe) environment," she said. "If we face an issue now, it should be solved within our generation."

Bovrisse, a Japanese national married to a Frenchman, alleges that Prada Japan pressured a number of female employees into resigning by describing them as "aged, ugly, fat, bad body shape, bad teeth, disgusting and not cute."

According to Bovrisse, the executive also told her through a human resources manager to change her hairstyle, lose weight and ensure she fits the "Prada look."

"He said... he is ashamed of my ugliness," she told reporters, sobbing.

Prada Japan allegedly fired her last month after she complained to the company's headquarters about the harassment.

Immediate comment from Prada Japan was not available. Last month, the company dismissed Bovrisse's allegations as groundless.

Phillips-Van Heusen hikes outlook, will raise cash

NEW YORK – Clothing company Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. raised its fiscal first-quarter and full-year earnings forecast Tuesday and said it will sell stock and bonds to finance its proposed $3 billion acquisition of the Tommy Hilfiger brand.

The company now expects earnings of 80 cents per share in its fiscal first quarter ending in April, up from a previous forecast of 73 cents to 75 cents. The estimate excludes one-time expenses related to the Tommy Hilfiger acquisition as well as any contribution from Tommy Hilfiger.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters project profit of 74 cents per share.

Phillips-Van Heusen expects first-quarter revenue of $605 million to $610 million, above analysts' projection of $586.9 million.

The company said its updated guidance reflects a stronger-than-expected performance across all of its businesses.

It projected adjusted earnings for the full year of $3.25 to $3.33 per share, up from a prior forecast of $3.20 to $3.28. The company predicts full-year revenue of $2.49 billion to $2.51 billion.

The company also announced that it will sell 4.5 million shares and $525 million in 10-year bonds.

Along with financing a portion of the Tommy Hilfiger acquisition, Phillips-Van Heusen said it will use the proceeds to buy back $300 million of notes coming due in 2011 and 2013.

The company's stock fell 41 cents to close at $62.43.

Book about Liz Claiborne doesn't measure up

"Liz Claiborne: The Legend, The Woman" (Taylor Trade Publishing, $24.95, 312 pages), by Art Ortenberg: "Liz Claiborne: The Legend, The Woman" looks at the fashion designer whose Liz Claiborne Inc. was the first company founded by a woman to be listed in the Fortune 500.

Claiborne designed coordinated outfits that were serious and stylish, but also affordable, for working women as they pioneered their way up corporate ladders in the 1970s and 1980s. The brand emphasized ensemble sportswear and quality while keeping the price tag moderate.

She also revolutionized the way department stores arranged their fashion merchandise by making sure her clothes were grouped together in one section, rather than separated by categories. This showed how complete outfits could be put together.

Written by Claiborne's husband Art Ortenberg, "Liz Claiborne" begins with the designer's death from cancer at age 78 in 2007, then jumps back to 1989, when the couple retired from the company's day-to-day operations.

The book contains accounts of the times Claiborne and Ortenberg spent together after their retirement, including a trip to Kenya, as they worked to support environmental causes.

The couple shared a love of adventure and wanted to tour the globe and create memories together. Then Claiborne was diagnosed with cancer in 1997. Her fight to survive is a common thread throughout the book.

"Liz Claiborne" includes great photographs that only an insider or family member could provide — and a sweet memory about her love of the color red. Ortenberg says his wife always had her nails painted red, and she was buried in a red urn.

Despite Ortenberg's obvious love and admiration for Claiborne, the book doesn't live up to its powerful title. The writing jumps around in no real order, and it's not a particularly interesting book.

Readers can learn more about the woman, her career and how she influenced the fashion industry from a search of the Internet.

"The Losers" Premiere

Los Angeles – Everyone was a winner on the red carpet at the premiere of "The Losers" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Tuesday, April 20, especially the film's six leading actors. Zoe Saldana, the lone female in the cast, belied her on-screen tough-girl role by spreading hugs and kisses to the guys that make up the comic-book-based title characters.

"When you're the only girl in a cast, I almost feel like you have twice as much work to do because you don't want to be singled out," Saldana said earlier at a press conference for the film. "So I toughed it out! I really wanted to impress the guys and I like being around men."

She was surrounded by those macho men on the carpet, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Chris Evans, Columbus Short and Oscar Jaenada, who are the guys who actually make up the title characters of "The Losers." That's the group whose story is based on a DC Comics series, a U.S. Special Forces Unit that runs into some big trouble as the film unspools. All four cleaned up nicely for the premiere, dressed up in sharp suits, a big change from their Army fatigues in the film; and Morgan even brought his mother along to the slightly wet premiere, as an unusual April rainstorm swept across Hollywood Boulevard. Jason Patric, who plays the powerful bad guy in the film, joined Alan Horn, Joel Silver and Akiva Goldsman, the power players from Warner Bros., in giving the "The Losers" director Sylvain White a hearty handshake.

As the clouds blew out and the night turned gorgeous, plenty of Tinseltown's beautiful people turned out to see the action-and-violence-packed movie. Bryce Dallas Howard, Dania Ramirez, LisaRaye McCoy and Kristina Anapau brought the beauty, while "The Blind Side" star Quinton Aaron brought the size, as he towered over the rest. Neal McDonough, Keith Robinson and Kristoffer Polaha of "Mad Men" fame rounded out the celebrity sightings, all of which made "The Losers" the night's big winner in Hollywood.

Au naturel: Celebs opt for unretouched photos

MIAMI – Jessica Simpson is her usual pretty blonde self on the May cover of Marie Claire magazine. But where's the makeup?

She looks like a natural all-American beauty in unretouched photos that include her sitting in a grassy field running her hand through her air-dried locks and looking into the distance, the sun shining on her face.

The spread makes her the latest brave celebrity (there aren't many) who have been willing to be seen by a mass audience without the prerequisite beautification process.

"I think she was at a place in her life where she felt comfortable doing it," said the magazine's editor-in-chief, Joanna Coles.

While few are willing to go where Simpson has, more are popping up.

Kim Kardashian, Joy Bryant and Amanda de Cadenet all posed unretouched — and naked — for a story on body image in the May Harper's Bazaar. Kardashian also went unretouched in a bikini on the cover of Life & Style last year. Claudia Schiffer posed for unmanipulated photos in the September 2009 issue of Tank, a British magazine.

Unretouched shots of Britney Spears from a Candie's ad surfaced recently on the Internet next to more buff images the company actually used.

Marie Claire has asked many celebrities to go bare faced, but none had agreed, Coles said.

Simpson was motivated by her VH1 show, "The Price of Beauty," Coles said. The show had her traveling the globe with two friends to examine standards of beauty around the world.

"I think it changed the way she thought about things. I think making that show was really quite a profound experience for her," Coles said. "There was something very liberating for her about doing this."

Simpson faced criticism for her weight after she wore a pair of high-waisted jeans that cut her in all the wrong places. She became a household name during "Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica" for MTV, a reality show with her then husband Nick Lachey.

"I just think she's an interesting person to do it with because she is usually so packaged," Coles said.

So few have gone unretouched that those who do earn notice, both positive and negative. In the original photos of Spears, she looks a little heavier, with cellulite, a point not lost on some commenters at a blog of New York magazine.

"I don't think Britney should be hired or used for sex appeal anymore. You can sell her face alone, just do that," said one signed MOBABY.

Another, BIRTHDAYGIRL, said: "It's actually not as bad as I would have expected."

In 2002, More magazine ran photos of Jamie Lee Curtis, flaws and all, in undergarments.

"It's a gimmick," said Lesley Jane Seymour, More's editor-in-chief. "Aside from a gimmick, you are not going to see many celebrities bare faced. They can't even go to get the mail bare faced."

European publications first photographed women without makeup and no retouching last year, then it crossed the Atlantic. Often, it's the celebs and their publicists who demand more retouching, Seymour said. Her magazine, aimed at women over 40, likes to keep in signs of aging.

In Simpson's case, what's the risk? She's beautiful with or without makeup, Seymour said.

"It's not me crawling out of the shower ... with my husband's iPhone photo," she said. "It's all very carefully orchestrated gimmicks, but clever."

Dove has accurately depicted women's shape, size, skin color and age in photos in their print ads since 2004 as part the Campaign for Real Beauty. The company also uses real women instead of professional models in ads.

A study conducted for Dove made executives realize they should encourage women and girls to build a positive relationship to beauty, said Kathy O'Brien, the vice president for personal care of Dove's parent company, Unilever. Only 2 percent of women around the world described themselves as beautiful in the study.

"I think it's really encouraging that we are seeing more and more individuals or organizations embrace this idea of real beauty," she said.

Lisa Wade, whose areas of expertise include sexuality as power, and the media and feminism, teaches at Occidental College. She said Simpson and others are going unretouched voluntarily and have control over the images as opposed to paparazzi photos that emerge without their permission.

"We actually do have lots and lots of celebrities when their makeup isn't perfect. What is amazing and what we find so intriguing is that they choose to be seen that way," she said.

Looking at less-than-perfect pics of celebs makes their status "not that unattainable" to those who view them, Wade said.

"We internalize the idea that beautiful people are better in every way," she said, "and then we are told by society that we don't measure up."

Going to the Dogs at "The Back-up Plan" Premiere

Los Angeles – When Jennifer Lopez hits the red carpet, all eyes are usually on her. But at the premiere of her new romantic comedy "The Back-up Plan" on Wednesday, April 21, there was another star who stole her thunder. No, it wasn't her famous husband Marc Anthony, although her was right there by her side, or her Australian co-star Alex O'Loughlin that pulled the focus from Lopez; instead it was a little Boston Terrier that drew coos from everyone, including "The Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan.

His name is Nubbins, and along with two other dogs that look just like him, he's one of the stars of the movie, playing Lopez's pet. He's adorable, but certainly not as gorgeous as Lopez, or her famous friends who came along for the festivities. Heidi Klum walked the carpet-like runway, while the "Dancing with the Stars" crowd, including Edyta Sliwinska, Karina Smirnoff, Gilles Marini and Jake Pavelka and his fiancée Vienna Girardi soft-shoed their way into the newly re-christened Regency Village Theatre in Westwood. The rest of the cast of "The Back-up Plan" turned out, too, including Tom Bosley, Anthony Anderson, Noureen DeWulf and Jennifer Elise Cox.

The film tells the story of a single woman who gets artificially inseminated and then meets the man of her dreams. It's a plot that Lopez was crazy about from the moment she read it.

"I just loved it. It was a good script. It's not easy to find a good romantic comedy script that has a premise that hasn't been done a million times, like the girl has commitment issues or she's afraid of love," Lopez told reporters at an earlier press day for the film. "It's usually something very basic like that and I just loved the idea of the conflict, the whole obstacle being a pregnancy, being a child and how serious that is and how life changing that is. I thought that it was a really, really interesting thing."

Faith Hill open to creating her own fashion line

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Faith Hill is a red carpet regular and has proven to be a consistent fashionista throughout her 15 years in country music.

That made her a perfect fit to judge the finale of this season's "Project Runway."

"I have always paid close attention to detail in my work, and I understand and relate to big dreams and hard work," she said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Fortunately, those things served me well while focusing on each designer. It was actually quite natural for me."

Hill has sold over 30 million records and has her own fragrance, Faith Hill Parfums. After her time on "Project Runway," Hill said she is open to creating her own fashion line in the future.

"If the right opportunity presents itself, I can guarantee you it would be my passion, and I would put my heart and soul into making it the best it could possibly be," she said. "I would design for the women I know and their kids ... busy moms with great style."

Hill has a lot in common with "Project Runway" host, Heidi Klum. Both have big families and famous husbands. Hill has three daughters with husband Tim McGraw and Klum has four children with husband Seal.

"Heidi is a pro," said Hill. "She was a great joy to be around."

Hill said she was looking for several things in choosing the winner of "Project Runway."

"When it came down to the final three, they all had to be at the top of their game," she said. "A combination of tailoring, creativity, work ethic, the use of fabric, originality all played a part in the decision for the top spot."

"I was honored to be a part of such an important show," Hill added. "We were making the decision that could change the lives of these designers."

The finale of "Project Runway" airs Thursday, April 22 at 10 p.m. EST on the Lifetime Network.

Layer, Lather, Repeat: Banana Republic's Fall Blend

New York – Stuck in a snowdrift, but still need to show up to work looking chic? Here's an idea from Banana Republic, courtesy of their Fall and Holiday 2010 collections, shown in New York on Thursday, April 22: Go ahead and mix up your suit with your hiking socks and boots, or throw on a pair skinny corduroy leggings underneath that silk dress. It's the blended beverage theory of dressing: a healthy mix of fresh ingredients, with a few dry staples as well.

"We have a re-invention of the modern wardrobe with that whole mix of what you need to work, to play, what you need to go out on a date," said Simon Kneen, Banana Republic's creative director and EVP of design. "Formal mixed with sportswear, mixed with casual, mixed with dressy."

For women, that meant a dressy boucle jacket paired with a utilitarian, everyday cargo skirt, or a military-inspired cardigan layered over a slinky silk blouse. And pants were skinny, whether in stretchy wools, denims or corduroy, the better to tuck into clog boots or contrast with a chunky heeled oxford.

"The skinny leg is definitely important with that big volume on top, whether through layering, like a jacket with the cardigan," explained Kneen.

For men, the mix included classic blazers worn over cargo pants or sport coats worn over denim, and boots with worn with everything, with pants legs tucked into thick socks.

"Quintessential modern pieces, but mixed in a modern way," said Kneen.

To drive home the mixed up aesthetic, Banana Republic opted to present both the Fall and Holiday collections in the same runway show, instead of showing the Holiday later in a separate presentation as in season's past.

"Holiday is a very big moment for any retail business, so for us, it's an important one to recognize," said Kneen. "And we're just so in love with the collection this year, that we thought it was worth getting out on the runway."

The Holiday collection this season, meant a trip to the Himalayas for inspiration, which showed up in a range of thick sweaters in soft heather grays and vegetable colors.

"The region is made up of so many different cultures that come together," said Kneen. "Ancient and modern together, which we're loving."

While the layered look may sound familiar to savvy shoppers - it's a trend that was pushed on runways throughout the major capitals last fall, and again this spring - Banana Republic is banking on the fact that this will be a trend that's here to stay for a while. They'll be ready and waiting with a new camel coat that's been slightly tweaked with a military edge, or cool sheepskin statement piece to update the everyday layers of knitwear and wool.

"Modern people, they don't like uniforms," said Kneen. "They like clothes that fit their life. It's all about those great pieces and how you mix them up to make them feel fresh and new."

Dancing Girls and Superstars at the "Iron Man 2" Premiere

Los Angeles – A bevy of beauties hit the glittery red-carpet premiere of "Iron Man 2" at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on Monday, April 26, and they weren't even the much-anticipated film's female leads. No, these were dancing girls, decked out in skimpy red bikinis and knee-high red boots. In a twist from the normal red-carpet walk, the girls danced on a curtained stage, then director Jon Favreau announced the star-studded cast one by one, with the fans' screams hitting a crescendo as each appeared from behind the curtain.

Gwyneth Paltrow led the dazzling parade of actresses that make "Iron Man 2" much more than just a Marvel comic-book flick. Scarlett Johansson, Leslie Bibb, Anya Monzikova, Olivia Munn, and Helena Mattsson rounded out the female eye candy that populates this sequel all about Tony Stark and his alter ego Iron Man.

At an earlier press conference for the film, Paltrow explained exactly why the women in "Iron Man 2" are so special.

"It's a very smart decision actually to have women who are capable and intelligent in the film, because it appeals to women. So it's not only a film for 15-year-old boys," she explained. "It's a film that can relate to a lot of people on a lot of levels and a lot of my girlfriends like it because of the romance."

Paltrow's character is in a romance with the movie's hero Tony Stark, who is played by Robert Downey Jr. He told reporters that he is certainly happier being the star of a huge movie franchise rather than a drug-addicted criminal, which he once was. Downey, who spent more than a year in jail because of his actions while under the influence, laughed and said, "I'm in a great spot. I think I'm fortunate too because I've kind of had two or three or seven lives with different perceptions of me and my status or whatever. It's just been a really nice time right now."

Downey's male "Iron Man 2" co-stars seemed to be having a nice time at the premiere, too. Samuel L. Jackson happily greeted Don Cheadle, while Mickey Rourke, Garry Shandling, Sam Rockwell, and Clark Gregg gathered for a giant cast picture in front of a statue of the action hero.

Lots of other famous faces turned out for the premiere, including Sylvester Stallone, Kevin James, Michelle Monaghan, Adrien Brody, Jennifer Grey, Dane Cook and Hugh Hefner, the man-of-the-moment as he had earlier in the day kicked in the $900,000 needed to save the iconic Hollywood sign perched in the hills just above the theater.

Rosemount Australian Fashion Week Launches with Frock Star Exhibit

2010 is the fifteenth year that Rosemount Australian Fashion Week will be running. After this many years, every Sydney-sider is familiar with headlines, news reports and magazine covers being splashed with the goings-on of the catwalks during fashion week.

To commemorate this long history, the Powerhouse Museum has opened Rosemount Australian Fashion Week to the public by showing an exhibit of the most famous frocks Australia has ever seen.

On Tuesday 21st April, two weeks before the start of the 15th annual Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, the Powerhouse Museum launched the Frock Stars exhibition where fifteen years of history were laid out for the public to see.

BLK1 photographers captured all highlights from the launch party.

Be sure to check back with BLK1 to see our full coverage of Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival from the 3rd to the 7th of May

Auditions for Nagaland Fashion Week 2010 begins

Aspiring models with the judges Asu George (standing extreme left) and Vili (standing extreme right). (NP)

Nagas are known for their sensible taste in fashion and there isn’t an iota of doubt in our choice for fashion, which remains excellent. But sadly, the negative notion about the whole glamour industry has often subdued some of the best talents with no encouragement or opportunity for them. The only silver lining has been the steady rise of top fashion designers from Nagaland who has already made a mark in the fashion circuit.
In an effort to further bring some exposure to the world of fashion and promote Naga designers and models, the Nagaland Fashion Week 2010 has been organized by Star.ex on the theme “Redefining style”.
As a prelude to the three days fashion event, slated to be held at Dimapur from September 9-11, the first audition for models was held at Star.ex Grooming School on Saturday with Mr Nagaland and Agency Managing Head of Star.ex, Asu George and Event Manager, Vili as the judges.
Interacting with this reporter, both the judges pointed out that the enormous raw talent available needs to be groomed.
“Modeling with no background is the number one hindrance” asserted Vili, a former model herself. At the same she also added that it was encouraging to see parents more than willing to let their children take part in such events. The only downward feeling was the few male model aspirants who turned up.
“It’s a bit discouraging to see the number of male models who turned up today in contrast to the girls” lamented George.
It may be mentioned that the agency will select 25 males and an equal number of females for the upcoming event.
Vili also disclosed that top designers such as Atsu Sekhose and Imcha Imchen have agreed to take part in the 3-day event.
Meanwhile, the second audition will be held on May 3 while the results for both the auditions will be declared on May 6.

Fashion retail still in recovery mode

Fashion retail sales are still in recovery mode, with a slow start to 2010. Retail sales endured a weak first quarter, according to data from the Office for National Statistics, as a rise in VAT, cold weather and the still fragile state of the economy kept shoppers away. Sales volumes, excluding fuel, fell by 0.6 per cent between January and March compared with the previous three months, the weakest quarter of sales since 1991.

Sales so far this year have been very volatile from month to month, with January seeing a 2.3 per cent drop from December, as heavy snow and the return of VAT to 17.5 per cent put off shoppers.

February reversed much of that weakness with a sharp 2 per cent bounce back in sales, but March looked relatively flat, with sales rising only 0.2 per cent.

The decline in sales volumes in the first quarter is unlikely to have much impact on economic growth in the same period, as retail sales make up only a small fraction of the economy. But it adds to the likelihood that growth in the first quarter may have been subdued.

However, manufacturing appears to be bouncing back from recession with increasing pace, largely thanks to a pick up in demand for exports.

The quarterly survey of industry from the CBI, the employers’ organisation showed orders rose significantly in the three months to April for the first time since the beginning of 2008, as export orders grew at their fastest since 1995.

Image: Manchester High St

Lily Allen to star in her own fashion TV show

She may have hung up her mic, but Lily Allen hasn't disappeared from our radars especially when it comes to the fashion scene.

The singer who is taking a break from her music to open a fashion boutique called Lucy In Disguise, with her sister, has just announced that she will be allowing Channel 4 cameras to record her as she makes her first steps into the fashion world.

And just in case you were worried that this was once again another rumour, we have it in erm, writing.

A C4 spokeman told The Metro: "It is happening.

"The name and how many shows there will be is still undecided. It is due to go out early next year."

Are you as excited as we are? Let us know by leaving your comments below.

Africa Fashion Week 2010: Best of African Fashion for Johannesburg

Johannesburg will be awash with style, elegance and beauty for four days in June and July when the world's leading African Fashion designers from across the continent and Diaspora gather to showcase the finest contemporary African design at the second annual Africa Fashion Week.

The exquisite collections of 33 designers will feature in 19 runway shows from June 30 to July 3.

"Africa Fashion Week (AFW) is potentially the most important platform for the African fashion industry, being perfectly positioned to promote African designers globally," said African Fashion International (AFI) chairperson Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe.

It is rare, in fact completely unique, to have all the leading voices in African Fashion in one place, at one time, in one country.

Those voices will give expression to Africa's fashion future at a two-day seminar that runs alongside the runway shows; and that will examine ways of strengthening the burgeoning African Fashion industry, debating an African aesthetic and building a global network.

About MBT Shoes Technology

1. Inner sole
2. Shank.
   The TPU and glass fibre shank provides the necessary firmness of the sole construction. It also ensures a natural rolling movement of the foot with every step and optimises the pressure distribution over the whole sole.
3. PU midsole with pivot.
   The balancing section integrated in the PU midsole underneath the metatarsus requires an active rolling movement with every step and activates a large number of stabilising muscles throughout the whole body both when walking and standing.

4. Masai Sensor.
   The Masai Sensor is the heart of the Masai Barefoot Technology. It produces a pleasant feeling reminiscent of walking on a sandy beach or on soft moss - and creates the natural instability to which the body automatically reacts with increased muscle activity.
5. Outer sole

Functionality Of MBT

One of the human body's most complex tasks is to keep itself upright and balanced when walking and standing. A multitude of supporting muscles throughout the whole body is responsible for this - the body's supporting muscle system.

Conventional shoes support and lead the foot, stabilising the body in an unnatural way. This means that these important muscles lose their function. Like any other inactive muscle, they atrophy, leading to many of the health conditions of modern civilisation, for instance joint and back pain.

It is relatively easy to counteract this effect: the body must be stimulated to balance itself. This is exactly what physiological footwear does, by inducing a natural instability in the body - which must constantly be compensated by the body's supporting muscle system.

With the special sole construction the MBT creates a natural, soft surface. The natural instability underneath the feet ensures that neglected muscle groups automatically make the balancing movements that nature intended.

These activated muscles relieve the pressure on joints and discs while walking, and make a passive gait, such as in conventional shoes, impossible. Every step taken with MBT physiological footwear acts like a tiny fitness exercise. Even standing has a training effect on muscles, relieves joint strain and stabilises the whole musculo-skeletal system.

The History Of MBT

MBT have been available on the market since 1996. But practical proof of the effectiveness of this technology has been provided for thousands of years by the Masai, a semi-nomadic tribe from East Africa. Joint and back pain are mostly unknown among them, they enjoy stable health and remarkable athletic ability.

It was left to Swiss engineer Karl Muller to discover the secret of the Masai: the simple fact that walking barefoot on soft, natural ground means that they have to balance their bodies with each and every step.

Muller's discovery did not happen in Africa but during a residence in Korea. Whenever he suffered from back pain he walked barefoot over paddy fields - which quickly relieved his complaints. He tried to understand this perplexing observation - and stumbled across the secret of the Masai.

After his return to Switzerland Karl Muller began to develop a footwear technology that would make the natural instability of soft surfaces accessible to people forced to move on hard ground. Over many years of research and development "Masai Barefoot Technology^®" was perfected to the stage where it was ready to be introduced to the market.

Shopping Success

THEOUTNET.COM has hailed Friday's £1 sale as a triumph, despite the fact that thousands of shoppers were left disappointed. The sale, which began at 7.24am in the UK on Friday, promised all items included in the sale would retail for £1 with just one purchase permitted per person - but many shoppers received a message simply saying that the site was busy and to try again later.

"We are thrilled that there are so many people excited about what we are doing on theOutnet," the site's director, Stephanie Phair, said. "Whilst we were prepared for the volume of traffic the sale would deliver, we were overwhelmed by the speed at which people came to the site. This remarkable volume - up to nine orders a second - led the site to crash in some markets and I want to say that we are very sorry to all those disappointed people who didn't get to buy anything at the sale, but delighted for all of those who did."

The Outnet - which retails labels including Burberry Prorsum, Aquascutum, Givenchy, Marni and Chloe - has not revealed which pieces were scooped for £1 but confirmed that "thousands of happy Outnet customers walked away with once-in-a-lifetime bargains". For all those not able to access the site at all, the company has asserted that they are "working hard to fix issues that arise so we can serve you better and continue to offer amazing bargain shopping opportunities".

LVMH Prudence

LVMH, the world's largest luxury group, has revealed plans for measured expansion this year as a result of the continued uncertain economic climate.

"[This year] has started off well...I'm confident enough. Still, I think it's necessary to be prudent," said LVMH Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton chairman and chief executive officer Bernard Arnault at the company's annual shareholders' meeting.

Despite reporting an 11.3 per cent spike in its first quarter revenues earlier this week, Arnault spoke of plans for "targeted expansion", noting the importance of adopting a long-term approach to keep brands at the height of luxury.

He tells WWD: "We don't want to go too fast."

Style Inheritance

SHE'S waiting at the school gates: in toffee tailoring and high-waisted denim, Nova magazine peeking out of her neat tan saddlebag. Her super natural locks bounce in the wind.

Or is she purposefully making her way down the Stella McCartney spring catwalk in an easy button-front A-line skirt, lace cami and Linda cork sandal? Inspired by her late mother, Linda, Stella's clothes' captured the pretty practical feel of the Seventies.

There are wonderful lessons to be learnt from mid Seventies mum stateside and in the UK: the instant rapport between fragile silk blouses under tailoring or a casual suede jacket; no tricks, flattering denim (fit and flare), a skinny glossy lizard belt and the posture-enhancing mid-height sandal. A spritz of Rive Gauche and she was ready to go!

Seventies mum is an attainable heroine - and right now she is defining an inspiring smart-casual look that urban girls want to adopt post the Rick Owens fallout. Think the glossy naturalism of Katherine Ross in Stepford Wives (pre-transformation!), baby blue denim, cork-wedges and a carefully tied silk scarf. Or the golden girl Patti Hansen off-duty (the sophisticate rock-wife), and on (her Seventies campaigns for Chanel and Calvin Klein) - golden skin coordinating with her tonal camel looks. She was one of the first of the supers to launch her own denim line.

Summer holidays comprise perhaps of a workaday cotton smock (try H&M's Garden Party collection), and a simple leather flat (Clarks, Chloe or Margaret Howell). For evening, swoosh past the babysitter in flowing wildflower-scattered silk voile (try Etro), or a maxi wrap dress (Stefano Pilati's white cotton shirtwaister fuses glamour and country innocence). Night or day, wholesomeness is the lodestar of the look. Accessorise with dewy skin, a discreet pinky lip-gloss and swingy Chloe (or Charlie), campaign hair.

Mother certainly knows best. The camel blazers, fluttery blouses, portfolios and neat satchels are investment buys to carry you into next season. It's a look that's upbeat pretty, smart thinking (Seventies mum has a working career), and wearable (with a discreetly sexy vibe), for women who prefer not to think too hard or have the time to think about getting dressed. After all, life is too short to stuff a mushroom.

Paris Loves Ralph

RALPH LAUREN has been awarded the Chevalier de la Legion d'honneur, presented by the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy, at the Elysée Palace in Paris.

The American designer received the honour in recognition of his multi-million dollar global lifestyle empire - the fruits of both his fashion flair and business acumen that have been demonstrated throughout his career spanning more than forty years. Lauren has also been commended for his charitable work, including his commitment to the fight against breast cancer.

The respected award comes on the tail end of a successful week in France for the Ralph Lauren brand, as the man himself cut the ribbon for the official opening of his new French flagship store, now Lauren's largest in Europe. Situated on the fashionable Boulevard St Germain, the former embassy building hosts Ralph Lauren's full collection in addition to a watch salon, a floor devoted to vintage and his eponymous restaurant Ralph's.

Lauren celebrated with a black tie dinner hosted in his own restaurant, attended by family, friends, fashion A-list and celebrities - guests included French actress Anouk Aimée and Carine Roitfeld, editor-in-chief of French Vogue.

The Bruni Show

SHE might have missed out to Marion Cotillard on being cast for Woody Allen's upcoming film but that doesn't mean the end of Carla Bruni's screen career.

The former model and French First Lady has become the subject of a documentray film, Birth Of A First Lady, which has apparently become hot property at a TV documentary trade show in Cannes this week.

Filmed over 18 months, according to today's Metro, the film follows Bruni as the gets to grips with her new role at the Elysée Palace.

"It shows how becoming a First Lady can change a woman's life," says Isabelle Graziadey of distributor Terranoa.

Defy The Kaiser?

KARL LAGERFELD is said to be less than impressed with some of his Pirelli models, who have been posting images of themselves from the shoot on Twitter.

Several of the line-up - which is top secret but reportedly includes Heidi Mount, Natasha Poly, Iris Strubegger, Magdalena Frackowiak, Isabeli Fontana, Lara Stone and actress and Vogue cover girl Julianne Moore - have posted pictures of themselves and each other on Twitter, which were swiftly removed.

Lagerfeld has eschewed the usual beach location and has elected to photograph the girls in a studio in Paris, this season adding four male models in to the mix, Fashionologie reports. The calendar is set to be unveiled in Moscow in November, but before then Lagerfeld is planning to film one of his Pirelli girls, Heidi Mount, in a short film about Chanel's cruise collection in St Tropez. Let's hope she hasn't been Tweeting.

Candid Candace

SEX AND THE CITY writer Candace Bushnell may maintain "I'm not Carrie Bradshaw" but the author has plenty in common with her most famous creation - including the low-maintenance way she selected her wedding dress.

"Two days before, I ran in to the store, tried it on, it fitted and I bought it," she revealed - just like Carrie who wore a simple vintage suit when she eventually married Mr Big. "I don't like to fuss."

But whilst Carrie knew her Mr Big was "the One" for six long series - and a film - before marrying him, Bushnell married husband Charles Askegard after only eight weeks together, saying she knew he was right for her because "it felt easy", eight years ago.

And as for one of the issues uppermost on her character Samantha Jones' mind - plastic surgery - Bushnell is open-minded.

"Oh Botox, sure!" she told the Sunday Times. "Plastic surgery? I haven't had it yet...but I may."

Giles For Ungaro?

GILES DEACON said he was unable to comment this morning as rumours surfaced that he may be in line to assume fashion's most precarious creative director role, at the helm of Emanuel Ungaro.

Deacon was spotted talking with Ungaro owner Asim Abdullah and his management team on Friday in Avenue Montaigne's Le Relais Plaza, WWD reports, and whispers suggest that head designer Estrella Archs is set to follow artistic adviser Lindsay Lohan in leaving the label.

Ungaro began handing over the creative reins to Giambattista Valli in 1998 but by 2005 both had left the company and new owner Abdullah began a creative director merry-go-round that has, as yet, not found a comfortable successor. Vincent Darré took the reins first in 2005, only to be replaced by Peter Dundas after two seasons. Two seasons later Dundas himself was replaced by Esteban Cortazar, who also lasted just three seasons, and was replaced by Lohan and Archs.

Abdullah remains keen to create a "sustainable" future for the loss-making label, aiming to be profitable by 2011.

European airports start to reopen for flights

A small number of flights have taken off from northern Europe after five days of inactivity caused by the spread of volcanic ash from Iceland.

Planes have been taking off from Paris, Madrid and Frankfurt - however many flights remain cancelled.

There are hopes that many routes within Europe will be able to resume operations on Tuesday.

But UK air traffic officials said a new ash cloud spreading from Iceland cast doubt on plans to reopen UK airspace.

The first flights have taken off from Scotland, and the flight ban has been lifted in the north of England.

But British Airways says it has cancelled all short-haul flights, after the UK air traffic control body, Nats, warned of more volcanic ash.

A spokesman for Belfast airport in Northern Ireland said it hoped to resume flights at 1000 BST (0900 GMT) but will wait for the latest advice from Nats.

Three zones

EU transport ministers proposed creating a core no-fly area, a limited-service zone and an open-skies area.

Dutch Transport Minister Camiel Eurlings said his country was "taking a lead" in restarting flights, but warned that further suspensions might prove necessary if the situation worsens.

Swiss and northern Italian airspace will reopen from 0600 GMT, and France is opening some air corridors to Paris.

But the skies over Germany are due to remain closed until 1200 GMT, with some exceptions.

A KLM flight to New York was one of three to leave on Monday evening

The BBC's Nik Gowing, at Frankfurt airport in Germany, says that several flights have arrived in the last hour from America and elsewhere, and that passengers reported a normal service on board.

But he says that out of 100 flights scheduled in the next 12 hours, some 95 have already been cancelled and he says the situation remains very fluid.

In Madrid, our correspondent Sarah Rainsford says that passengers have been arriving on time for their flights but have had to queue for several hours at the information desk to find alternative transport if their flights have been cancelled.

She says that on Monday dozens of coaches were laid on, taking people to Paris, Brussels, and Geneva - and this will be the case again on Tuesday if European airspace does not open up as expected.

The International Air Transport Association earlier labelled the chaos a mess and an embarrassment for Europe.

The body says its losses have soared over $1bn (£650m; 740m euros), since much of Europe's airspace was closed last week because of ash from southern Iceland's Eyjafjallajoekull volcano.

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Scene at volcano amid 'new phase'

The European Union has admitted there were shortcomings in the way the decision to close parts of Europe's airspace was reached.

An official with the EU Transport Commission, Helen Kearns, said there was loose coordination in the decision-making process and that, working with the same scientific information, different countries had reached different conclusions.

She said, however, that in the future when deciding whether planes should be grounded, there'd be no change in the policy of putting safety first.

Warships deployed

Experts had earlier said the volcano - which erupted last Wednesday for the second time in a month - was now spewing more steam and less ash.

A US official said on Monday a Nato F-16 fighter jet had suffered engine damage after flying through the volcanic ash cloud.

In the high temperatures of an engine turbine, ash can turn to molten glass and cripple the engine.

Meanwhile, the UK deployed three Royal Navy warships to help pick up stranded passengers from Spain and the Channel ports.

In Spain, where all airports were open, the government offered to let Britain and other European countries use its airports as stopovers to get passengers moving again.

'No timer'

Airspace in Belgium and Denmark is also due to begin opening from Tuesday morning.

But Finland, Poland and Norway have shut their airports again.

Airports have already reopened in Austria, Estonia, Hungary and Turkey.

EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said the bloc's economy would suffer badly if the disruption continued for a long time.

"What makes me a little bit afraid is that there is no timer on this volcano," he told news agency Reuters.

The shroud of fine mineral dust particles from the volcano has spread from the Arctic Circle in the north to the French Mediterranean coast in the south, and from Spain into Russia.

THE MAKEUP SHOW LA TO FEATURE

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 2010)–The Makeup Show LA is excited to announce a new Editorial Forum: From Concept to Cover Shot: Working in Editorial featuring LA, The Los Angeles Times Magazine, on Monday, March 1, 2010 from 1pm-2:30pm.

Join LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine Editor Nancie Clare and Creative Director Rip Georges for a unique panel presentation on the behind-the-cover creative process of working in print and multimedia, from concept to selecting the creative team to artistic direction and cover shot.

“At LA, we constantly work toward creating transcendent images and telling transformative stories, which, of course, go hand in hand,” said Nancie Claire, Editor of LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine. “For our cover, editorial and fashion photography, makeup artistry is vitally important to fulfilling the vision.”

The Spring 2010 Fashion Issue of LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine will be previewed at The Makeup Show LA.

This year marks the 5-year anniversary of The Makeup Show. After a successful debut in Los Angeles in 2009, The show meets again for its annual West Coast The Makeup Show LA on February 28 & March 1, 2010 at downtown’s California Market Center, located at 110 East Ninth Street, Los Angeles, CA, from 9AM-6PM daily.

For two days, The Makeup Show LA brings together top industry exhibitors, speakers from all areas of the makeup artistry, new product introductions and special pro-only offers – all in an intimate setting where insider-only tips and techniques are traded between the best in the business.

The foundation of The Makeup Show is its unique educational programs: keynote presentations, hands-on workshops, seminars and business forums, examining beauty techniques and applications, skin tone and health, makeup products, tools of the trade, and the business of the beauty industry. The event has become a key networking opportunity for all levels of makeup professionals and a must-attend event for anyone involved in the beauty industry.

The Makeup Show brings together the top pro-focused brands and businesses including Diamond Sponsor Make Up For Ever, Platinum sponsors Inglot and Temptu Pro, and sponsor Crown Brush. The official media sponsor of the event is On Makeup Magazine. The show features more than 60 pro-makeup industry companies including: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Alcone, Becca Cosmetics, Smashbox, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Korres Natural Products, Embryolisse, Stila Cosmetics, Face Atelier, Graftobian, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, Bellápierre Cosmetics, Longmi Lashes by Daniel and many more!

Resort Chic Styles under $100-Completely Me by Liz Lange

With spring and summer travels right around the corner, indulge in a fabulous new “resort chic” wardrobe….without the guilt. Liz Lange’s new non-maternity-ready-to-wear collection offers the perfect combination of comfort and glamour at prices you can afford. Available exclusively on HSN and HSN.com, the Completely Me by Liz Lange Ready-to-Wear collection was inspired by some of the chicest spring and summer time vacation destinations. So whether you are jetting off to Mystique, Nantucket or simply relaxing in your own backyard, get the look of leisure at prices all under $100.

Breezy, confident and comfortable, the line is perfect for women of any age. Completely Me offers swim cover-ups, tunics, nautical cardigans and figure flattering basics.

Tune in to HSN on Wednesday, April 7th (8pm-9pm) and Thursday, April 8th ( 2am-3am and 3pm-4pm) to watch Liz Lange debut this new collection live.

Best-ever International Fashion and Leather

BIFF & BIL 2010, ASEAN Integration Textiles-Apparel-Leather set to drive ASEAN’s fashion industry on global stage

Thailand, Bangkok – 4 March 2010 – Organised by the Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, in collaboration with the private sector, Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair 2010, BIFF & BIL 2010 is scheduled for April 1st to 4th at Challenger Hall 1 – 3, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Thailand.

Under the theme “Look East” with the tagline “ASEAN Integration Textiles – Apparel – Leather” BIFF & BIL 2010 is to present the great potential and grandeur of ASEAN’s fashion industry, covering everything from upstream, midstream to downstream.

Mr.Yanyong Phuangrach, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of commerce of the Royal Thai Government said, “Thailand earned US17.6 billion from fashion exports in 2009, up 2.24% from 2008. The export figure is expected to surpass US20 billion this year, a 9-13% growth over 2009. These include US7-7.2 billion from the textile sector, representing a 10-12% growth; US3.2-3.4 billion from garments, a 10-15% increase; US3.8 billion from fabrics and yarns, a 10% rise; US1.4 billion from leather goods, about 1% increase. With ASEAN free trade agreements currently effective, the trade between ASEAN member countries and their partners tend to grow rapidly and generate a greater opportunity for manufacturers, dealers and buyers who are seeking to capitalise on these FTA privileges.”

Mr.Yanyong also said, “BIFF & BIL 2009 was a phenomenal success. It was the first gathering of 10 ASEAN member countries joining forces to showcase their fashion capabilities at the ASEAN Fashion Pavilion. This year’s event, with a promise for ASEAN Integration, it is believed that BIFF & BIL will help providing ASEAN manufacturers in all stages of the supply chain with a big window of opportunity to connect with potential buyers from around the world. This will be an active mechanism encouraging growth of the entire fashion and leather industry.”

“The fashion industry, which incorporates textiles, garments, leather goods and shoes, is a major source of Thailand’s export revenues. It has been growing persistently over the last five years, thanks to the collaboration of the government and private sectors that helps developing the industry’s competitive advantages and nurturing the sustainable growth on its course to being ASEAN’s fashion hub,” said Srirat Rastapana, Director General of the Department of Export Promotion (DEP).

“The 25th edition of BIFF & BIL continues to strengthen and promote the cooperation between the government and private organisations involved to offer solutions for sustainable growth. The fair is set to stimulate new developments, not only within the Thai fashion industry, but also for better trade relations between ASEAN member countries.”

Last year, the fair welcomed more than 700 exhibitors, out of which 114 came from 10 ASEAN countries. This year’s fair continues its real commitment under the ASEAN Integration framework that combines creativity, expertise and complete manufacturing capacities of all ASEAN countries exporting their products to key markets especially Japan, India and the Middle East.

BIFF & BIL 2010 will feature the biggest-ever fashion product categories from leading ASEAN manufacturers. Tailored to the “Look East” theme, more than 1,000 exhibitors have registered for this year’s fair to offer a complete range of fashion products and supplies, from trend-setting items to specialised solutions from each member country.

Mr. Pilan Dhammongkol, Chairman of The National Federation of Thai Textile Industries said, “BIFF & BIL is set to be an important platform for enhancing creativity of Thai people, which is a driving force behind the success of the Thai fashion industry. Thailand’s other growth factors include strategic location, manufacturing technology, sources of materials, and skilled labours. However, we can no longer wage the price war. The priorities are to equip our people with knowledge on fashion and better understanding of trends in order that they are able to deliver the right products to the right places, in the right seasons, with enhanced ability to keep pace with new techniques and value creation.”

“With 14-15% growth projected for the textile sector this year, BIFF & BIL provides up-and-coming designers as well as local manufacturers with an impressive opportunity to stay updated on new trends and understand the needs of consumers.”

Mrs. Pranee Kuruvelukorn, Vice Chairman of Leather Based Industry Club, The Federation of Thai Industries and President of Thai Tanning Industry Association said, “The leather industry has continually developed both human resources and machineries together with the high environmental friendly technology to the world-class standard quality acceptance both for local and exporting, and contributed to the overall growth of the fashion industry. In 2009, Thailand exported finish tanned-leather value at US$447 million and leather goods, travel kits and shoes for a total of over US1.422 billion, and this year’s figure is expected to grow considerably. This is a result of continuous development within the industry of which manufacturers have successfully adjusted themselves to global trends, focusing particularly on quality, design and environmentally friendly production. Besides, the government and private sectors are striving to achieve the vision, Thailand’s Leather Goods: Italy of the East, by working intensively on R&D and Thai brand building in order to create values for Thai products. This year will see about 252 booths of Thai leather manufacturers participating in BIFF & BIL 2010 – an opportunity to foster their potential, creativity and innovation for the leather industry.”



BIFF & BIL 2010, ASEAN Integration Textiles – Apparel – Leather features the following activities and exhibits:

Thai traditional fabrics showcase including fabric works from The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Public Organization) or SACICT
The 1st Asian Designer Congress – a learning platform for Asian designers
The launch of Thailand Designer Club with 50 booths facilitating negotiation between designers and manufacturers
48 high-level fashion shows by The SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (Public Organization) or SACICT, ASEAN member countries and participating manufacturers in the Bangkok Trend 2011/10 Workshop, The Association of Thai Textile Bleaching Dyeing Printing and Finishing Industries, among others.
Exhibits from Designers’ Room, Thai Tex Trend (T3), Fashion Network : For US Market projects
Seminar on “ Trend Fashion 2011/12 by WGSN
ASEAN Integration Pavilion
Exhibits from the “Fabrics and Apparel Development for Export to Japan under JTEPA Framework” at Japan Pavilion, including 20 design works by designers of Bunka Fashion Graduate University

With the subject of centralizing fashion and enjoying the ASEAN future, DEP will be organising Business Matching sessions for buyers and manufacturers, local and international, to meet and settle trade deals throughout the four days of the event. Here, both manufacturers and buyers will enjoy fully equipped meeting facilities with upgraded convenience. Currently, trade visitors from 37 countries have pre-registered to visit the fair and about 20 major buyers have made bookings for the business matching service.

BIFF & BIL 2010 will be held on April 1-4, 2010 at Challenger Hall 1 – 3, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Thailand. April 1-2 is scheduled for trade visitors (10.00am – 6.00pm) and April 3-4 for the general public (10.00am – 9.00pm).

TW Steel Unveils Renault F1 Team Collection

Basel, Switzerland (March 17, 2010) – TW Steel celebrated the start of BASELWORLD 2010 by unveiling its new ‘Renault F1 Team’ collection – the first executions produced as the Dutch watch brand begins its association as ‘Official Timing Partner’ to the Renault F1 Team in 2010.

TW Steel’s newest offerings are based on two separate design platforms. The four-model ‘Renault F1 Team Pilot’ collection celebrates Renault’s early association with the aviation industry and specifically the origins of the first oversized watches. The ‘Renault F1 Team CEO Tech’ collection, also with four-models, offers a more luxurious edge to TW Steel’s partnership embracing the team’s world championship winning pedigree.

“This was an exciting project for me and I’m pleased that we have a collection that reflects both the best of TW Steel and the Renault F1 Team,” stated Ton Cobelens, TW Steel’s Chief Design Officer.

“I was fascinated with Renault’s background in aviation and developed the Pilot models from this research. Pilot watches were known for being oversized with bold, easy to read faces to ensure greater visibility at all times. We’ve developed this concept with the use of big numbers clearly visible in both the day and night. We’re offering the consumer a strong, distinctive looking watch with its roots planted firmly in Renault’s illustrious history.”

On the ‘Renault F1 Team CEO Tech’ executions Cobelens remarked; “In addition to the Pilot models we wanted to offer something that reflected more of the prestige associated with both Formula One and obviously the Renault F1 Team’s on-track successes. The Renault F1 Team CEO Tech watches purposefully mirror the values that have made TW Steel’s current CEO collection a success, by offering a more elaborate watch very much in keeping with the lifestyle associated with the sport.”

The TW670 (45mm) and TW671 (48mm) Pilot models feature a three-hand, big caliber movement on a bold black dial sporting the Renault F1 Team logo. The TW672 (45mm) and TW673 (48mm), also in the Pilot collection, feature a chronograph movement with all executions using a hardened mineral crystal and black leather straps – complete with TW Steel’s two steel dot signature.

The TW680 (45mm) and TW681 (48mm) in the CEO Tech collection feature a chronograph movement able to measure and display time to 1/20th of a second with real Sapphire crystal – a rarity for a watch with these case dimensions. The steel case is complimented by the use of a soft black silicon rubber strap.

The TW682 (44mm) and TW683 (48mm) editions, both with a chronograph movement, feature AA-grade black PVD plating on the case. The crown and screws on the bezel utilize AA-grade gold plating for further distinction. All Tech watches are waterproof to 10ATM.

TW Steel, the name meaning ‘The Watch in Steel’, can be found at BASELWORLD 2010 in Hall 1.1, ‘Hall of Desires’ – Stand No. A71, 17th – 25th March 2010.

Fashion Sketch Artist to Visit Randolph Street Market’s Modern Vintage Chicago Spring Clothing and Jewelry Explosion

CHICAGO, IL, April 14, 2010—Fashion sketch artist Ward Nipper will be bringing his sketchbook to Randolph Street Market’s Modern Vintage Chicago Spring Clothing and Jewelry Explosion Sunday and creating his own renditions of vintage designs.

“Drawing is an important creative outlet for me,” Nipper says. “When I was a kid I used to think it was my destiny because my first name spelled backwards is d-r-a-w.”

Nipper will be set up at the booth of Lulu’s at the Belle Kay, is his favorite place in Chicago to look for inspiration in good vintage women’s wear. He’ll be sketching his friend Bahar Partow, a photographer who has agreed to model vintage for the morning.

“When I’m working with a live model the collaboration and energy are inspiring,” Nipper says. “It’s like a fashion photo shoot, but without the mechanics of photography.”

In the coming months, Nipper’s recent focus on vintage fashion will be expanded to include Chicago’s dance community. In May, an original drawing will be auctioned at a benefit event for River North Dance Company and plans are underway for Nipper’s sketches of dancers to be exhibited at an event at The Joffrey Ballet.

Ward Nipper will be sketching from opening until approximately 1 p.m. April 18th. More information about Ward Nipper can be found on the web at

www.wardnipperdrawings.com Lulu’s at the Belle Kay can be found at lulusbellekay.com.

About the Randolph Street Market Festival
The Randolph Street Market Festival is home to the world-renowned Chicago Antique Market & Indie Designer Market and is the favorite destination for Hollywood set designers, as well as merchandisers, decorators, fashionista’s and style setters from
around the globe. This European-style indoor-outdoor market in the historic West Loop neighborhood features 200 select purveyors of high quality, beautifully-priced “finds” offering unlimited creative inspiration and hours of fun. For more information
visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com or phone 312-666-1200.