Once again, Missouri Style Week will take St. Louis by storm — this year at Westport Plaza. And co-founders Kristy Lee and Cillah Hall, have taken the event a step further with opening day taking place in Columbia, Mo. “We wanted to open up the event and give more people, more models, more designers the opportunity to showcase themselves, their designs, and experience the re-emerging fashion industry that exists in St. Louis and throughout the state and Midwestern region,” said Hall, who is executive producer and also the publisher and editor-in-chief of Gazelle STL and Gazelle West magazines and founder of Xanadu Public Relations. photo:white formal dresses Lee, a fashion designer and St. Louis Art Institute fashion merchandising professor, joined forces with Hall to form Missouri Style Week as a way to reach the masses. “Missouri Style Week is very strong in community and culture and offers everyone in the community an opportunity to experience the magic that a collaborative effort of nearly 100 participants from different ethnicities and backgrounds can produce,” Hall said. This year’s event will begin Wednesday, Aug. 26, at the Plaza Event Center at Parkade in Columbia, then continue Friday, Aug. 28 and Saturday, Aug. 29, at Westport in St. Louis when designers, models, celebrities, fashion mogels, vendors and fashionistas converge for a total of three exciting days of fashion in all its forms – “bringing a little of New York to the area,” Hall said. Celebrity guests include Emmy Award-nominated costume designer Rita McGhee, who “dresses” the cast on the new hit series “Empire,” and will be the emcee Saturday evening, and international designer Jaer Caban, who has styled a number of celebrities like Nelly Furtado for various award ceremonies. Additional designers and brands participating in Missouri Style Week include Richard Cotto of St. Louis; Rachel Frank (Rachel Frank Designs) of Madison, Wisc.; Tiffany Rae of St. Robert, Mo.; Eddie Guerrero of Venezuela and Puerto Rico; Abaya Dake of Chicago; RFD by Rachel Frank — Milwaukee, Wisc.; Felia Davenport — St. Louis; Emily Horner and Kara Henry, both of Columbia, Mo.; Nasheli Juliana, Alexis Cook, Kristen Kempton and Shermonda Green, all from St. Louis; Aaron Conway and Dillan Watson, both of Springfield, Mo.; Barbara Bultman of St. Louis; Kechena Richardson of Kansas City, Mo.; and, Muse Clothing and Swank Boutique — both of Columbia, Mo. “At the core of Missouri Style Week, we are here to support Missouri designers,” Hall said. “We have many international and celebrity designers as well, who are great motivators for local designers who work alongside them. It’s exciting for everyone.” Missouri Style Week also serves as a platform for creative designers to explore fashion not only as a commodity, but as an art form. It brings together people from the fashion and arts communities and offers an affordable alternative to expensive events like New York Fashion Week, which also requires long-distance travel. From contemporary fashion to street wear, to experimental ideas and avant-garde collections, Missouri Style Week features shows by emerging and established designers. Each evening offers a separate experience with a different designer list. This year, for the first time, Missouri Style Week is presenting its first annual Designer Challenge, sponsored by Bates & Associates Architects. The challenge offers designers across the region an opportunity to share their vision and creativity by creating a look using fabric or non-fabric material that will be worn by a runway model at the design challenge showcase on Saturday night. The look must be inspired by a local, regional, national or global landmark of the designer’s choice. From 6 to 7:45 p.m. all three nights feature a bustling “Style Marketplace” with shopping, red carpet, music and entertainment, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres. At least 20 marketplace vendors will offer a range of stylish designs, featuring clothing, handbags, jewelry and other accessories. From 8 to 9 p.m. every night is the performing arts opening and runway show with several seasoned designers, as well as a number of emerging designers from university partners like St. Louis area’s Lindenwood University, Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., Missouri State University in Springfield, and University of Missouri – St. Louis. Missouri Style Week is produced by the Gazelle STL and Gazelle West magazines team. Visit www.marieaustralia.com for more information. Tickets for Missouri Style Week cost $50 for VIP front row seating; $37.50 for VIP second row seating. General admission is free. Tickets are limited. For tickets, schedule lineup and more information, visit www.marieaustralia.com. read more:evening wear

How do you get a bunch of pint-size models to halt and turn at the end of a fashion runway? With a tiny stop sign, of course. Polo Ralph Lauren planted a staff person with the helpful placard mounted on a stick at the end of its walk Wednesday night at the Central Park Zoo for a children’s show featuring 11-year-old Levi Miller, the star of the upcoming film “Pan.” photo:elegant evening dresses He was joined by more than two dozen other kid models, including some too young to read but clearly old enough to get the whole stop sign thing. And there were plenty of tiny fashionistas on the front row as well. The fashion crowd was invited to bring along little ones, who feasted on bites of food served by guys in pirate hats before taking their seats. After, Miller fed the zoo’s sea lions as Polo turned their tank area into a Neverland-like playscape complete with flowering stilt walkers. Polo hosted the show to promote children’s literacy but also to promote the October film, which is Peter Pan’s origin story. It takes J.M. Barrie’s beloved characters back to their beginnings in an original story, as Peter goes about the business of battling ruthless Blackbeard (Hugh Jackman) with the help of Tiger Lily, played by Rooney Mara. Miller said in a post-show interview that he did some of his own stunts as the mischievous Peter, who one magical night is whisked off to Neverland from the bleak London orphanage where he lived. The cherubic Miller, a blue-eyed Australian, said he read the Barrie book when he was 10 and “loved it.” Of his movie’s Peter, he said: “He’s heroic and brave, but there are some things I don’t like about him. He’s selfish and quite ignorant, too.” Out of the mouths of cherubs. Or, as the voice in a “Pan” promo put it as it mimicked Barrie’s book and blasted from loud speakers: “You can’t stay a kid forever. Even in Neverland.” read more:formal dress

THIS year's Derby Telegraph Win a Wedding couple are finalising the last of their preparations, before they walk down the aisle on Sunday. Gemma Brown and Joshua Manning won the £15,000 competition at the Cathedral Quarter Hotel, in Derby, at the end of last year. Most recently the couple have been organising the final details with the wedding competition suppliers to make sure that their big day is perfect. Gemma, 25, and Joshua, 24, met up with professional filmmaking company Light Films, which will be filming the arrival of guests, the wedding ceremony and other special moments throughout the day. They sat down with Tom Wadlow, from Light Films, to discuss what they want captured on Sunday and expressed how excited they were to have their important day made available to them on DVD. Also, Joshua and best man Steven Robins met Brigden's Paddy Riley on Tuesday for their final suit fittings. Since the start of this year, it has been all systems go with the planning of their summer wedding. In February, Gemma ordered her wedding dress from Stately Brides, in King Street, Belper. A month later the pair from Alvaston went to pick out their wedding car from the luxurious range of cars on offer at Wedding Cars of Derby. Gemma and Joshua had the choice of world-famous named cars, including Rolls-Royce and Bentley but were undecided whether or not to go for a white Bentley or a vintage-style four-door Beauford Tourer. The soon-to-be newlyweds wanted to get closer to their wedding date before making the final decision on the car. Whether or not they choose to go ahead with the Beauford Tourer all depended on the predicted weather forecast for their special day as Gemma was hoping to have the roof down on the car. photo:bridesmaid dresses australia In April, Gemma, who is a paediatric nurse at the Royal Derby Hospital, visited Jo Moore at Jo Beth Floral Design in Chellaston to choose their floral arrangements. The florist has even made a tiny buttonhole for the couple's son and guest of honour, George, who will reach eight months old just days after they marry. The soon-to-be husband and wife almost didn't make the final of the Derby Telegraph Win a Wedding contest – as George was born five days late, just 48 hours before to the final. Gemma and Joshua persevered and battled against four other couples in the final to win their wedding and this weekend they will finally see their grand prize blossom into their magical day. Gemma will be walking down the aisle at St Peter's Church in Chellaston along with her two bridesmaids – best friend from school Laura Davy , and friend from work Jo Pearce. The reception will be held at the Cathedral Quarter Hotel in Derby. read more:http://www.marieaustralia.com

Designers Danielle Margaux, Habits and Lazuli led the colour revolution at a fashion event held in the city at the weekend. Their designs came in crop-tops, jumpsuits, kimono-style dresses and boho gypsy skirts. Another trend, as seen on the international runways, is wearing sneakers with dresses, skirts and suits, and presentations by local designers Adriaan Kuiters, Jody Paulsen and Leigh Schubert showed us how to get the trend just right. Kuiters and Paulsen’s collection, inspired by the artistic patterns of David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein and Sol Lewitt, presented an impressive sports-luxe collection of soft, neutral and bold prints paired with sneakers. Schubert paired romantic floral dresses with palladium sneakers. Industry experts and fashionistas converged on the V&A Waterfront’s Watershed and North Wharf for the annual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Cape Town (MBFWCT). Twenty-four of the country’s top designers unveiled their spring and summer 2016 collections with multiple shows over the three-day period. The collections included a range of ready-to-wear pieces, sports wear and swimwear, as well as wedding couture. Other noticeable trends included shoulder-baring silhouettes, and prints and patterns such as stripes, lace, floral and African prints on everything from dresses to jumpsuits. Highlights included the David Tlale showcase held on Saturday morning at the Gallery MOMO in Buitengracht Street. The fashion guru launched his bridal collection, combining sheer and see-through silhouettes in powder blue, yellow, multi-coloured animal print and metallic emerald-green for the adventurous bride. “We are breaking all the rules of the traditional bride, but we are still keeping it chic and bold. People have been brainwashed to wear white dresses with your typical lace adorned with Swarovski crystals to look like Cinderella,” says Tlale. “Launching bridal-wear was a natural progression as a brand. We are known for high-end couture and beautiful ready-to-wear pieces and it’s time we started embracing our brides because we have had big business on bridal wear that we never launched,” he adds. Designer duo Malcolm Kluk and Christiaan Gabriel du Toit of Klûk CGDT opted out of the traditional runway show, instead staging an exhibition at CAAM Collective Gallery at the De Waterkant Fringe. photo:white formal dresses The exhibition, KLuKCGD Tartisan, held in collaboration with Levi’s, includes photographic prints by 10 of South Africa’s leading fashion photographers, among them: Trevor Stuurman, Sivan Miller, Neil Roberts and Simon Deiner. It runs until Saturday. “This is a huge denim season and although it is something we toy with often, we have never really experimented with the options. “We also wanted to show our clothes in a different way, something more lasting that allows the client to get a longer impression of the garments,” says Kluk. “We chose the creatives based on our experience with them. “They are energetic and passionate about what they do, they have been proactive in their careers and this excited us. “We also love the diversity in their work and personalities and it was important to let them shine,” he says. Regarding the trends for the summer, Du Toit says that these are so diverse that they always take a southern hemisphere perspective on what is happening internationally. “We take trends as a guide, not a bible. We know our customers and their lifestyle and their likes and dislikes and tailor the trends to suit them. “We love fabric and sometimes that dictates what we make.” read more:cheap formal dresses

Allison McGevna, 31, is our resident curvy-girl style blogger, and she contributes her thoughts on finding the perfect outfit to the site each week. This week, she dishes on how to put together easy, comfortable, summery looks—that won’t leave you sweating. (And if her items are sold out, we’ve linked to similar styles below — happy shopping!) Like everyone else, I tend to wear a ton of light, flowy pieces during the summer. This blue look was an attempt for me to try out those culotte pants that everyone’s been wearing, which I’ve been eyeing for a while now (they look so airy and comfortable!). Trying out culottes was taking a bit of a risk, because I thought they wouldn’t work on me since I’m a bit hippy. I definitely thought it was going to be a problem, but I found this really great pair at Charlotte Russe — they’re doing really great stuff with their plus sized line. I actually bought them a size up, but that was just because I wanted them to be a bit of a looser fit, and I didn’t want them to be too tight in the hip. That’s something I always suggest for plus sized shoppers: Don’t get too bogged down by sizes! I always hear women say, “I don’t want to go above a size 14, or 16” (or whatever your size is). A lot of women get fixated on sizing and don’t really understand that depending on the fit (or how you want it to fit), you can play around with sizes. photo:unique formal dresses Anyway, this wasn’t an outfit I was trying to look slimmer in; I think it was more about taking a fashion risk and having fun and playing with trends. Even if you think you can’t wear them, it never hurts to experiment. You might be pleasantly surprised! I paired these culottes with this jeweled halter top (similar style here!), which is also from Charlotte Russe. I didn’t want to go heavy on the accessories because the silhouettes were really bold and the colors were a rich jewel tone, plus the halter has a built-in necklace. It was a really great summery outfit; it was one of those outfits that I wore to dinner and felt super comfortable all night. I would definitely encourage plus-size shoppers to try out the culottes and play around with the sizing until you get the right fit. These are great because they have pleats in the front, so they don’t call too much attention to your midsection if that’s what you’re self conscious about; pleats are a great way to disguise that. I paired the look with these rose gold pumps (similar style here!). Those have a mixed media feel because obviously the halter neck is silver, but I don’t really worry about wearing silver and gold together—that’s one of those fashion rules that everyone still seems to abide by, but I think you can mix and match, especially for summer if you’ve got a little tan. The white dress I’m wearing is also from Charlotte Russe; I obviously walked out of there with a great haul. This is a really fun, easy summer dress. It’s one of those dresses you can put on and not really have to think about anything else. It has the little metallic bar on the top that you see a lot in belts, but this was an interesting detail I thought to have it on the neckline. It’s a really simple breezy silhouette. When I’m wearing white I don’t usually go for bodycon, because white is one of those colors that really calls attention to whatever little lumps and bumps you have on your body. I do wear white a lot, but I tend to wear it in things like jackets or A-line skirts. Or, like this one, which has that breezy, flowy feeling. It’s great for a summer night out and would make a great party dress. You can wear it with flat sandals or dress it up with heels and big earrings (similar style here!) as I chose to do. I wore it with my Nicholas Kirkwood pumps (similar style here!) — again, one of my favorite ways of mixing highs and lows. These pumps have a little bit of white on the toe so it brought the outfit together, and the rose gold strap on the shoes paired well with my earrings. When I was in my teens I used to love wearing huge earrings, and now that I have a 9-to-5 job I don’t get to do that as much, so it’s really fun when you’re going out and get to put on a really bold earring. I feel like by adding the earrings to this look, it dressed it up a bit and gave it a fun feel. I loved putting together both of these looks and I think they’re just perfect for summer. Both were flowy and light enough to keep the heat from getting to me, and the colors I chose look great with a tan. Until next time, fellow shopaholics! read more:navy blue formal dress

The perfect dress for prom, as any high school junior and her mom will tell you, is very hard to find. But an American Fork teen and her date went to the prom in style with their attire madeentirely of duct tape, as previously covered by KSL.com. Now that the contest has been completed, Mecham has not only a great story to tell, but a little extra money in the bank for school. Rebekah Mecham has many great memories of her junior prom, especially after learning her dress won second place in a national contest. "I heard about it my sophomore year and I was like, no way. I am not that person," she said. photo:formal dresses canberra But with pressure growing to earn scholarship money, she kept thinking about the "Stuck at Prom" contest, intended for those brave enough to make and wear duct tape attire to prom. "I thought it would just be another form of art," Mecham said. "And maybe I could get money for it." She talked her friend Wyatt Burns into the project and together they spent 175 hours creating a very unique dress and tux that didn't cost a fortune. "It was definitely under $75. We thought it would be a lot more, but we ended up using under 15 rolls of duct tape," she said. "It was cheaper than most prom dresses." There was a big difference between making the dress and actually wearing it on prom night. "I had to have my friends help me in the bathroom and get into it," Mecham said. "It is very sweaty and stiff and uncomfortable." Burns and Mecham were among the top 10 finalists in the contest and finished second, earning a $5,000 college scholarship for each of them. "It was a really good experience for me to see what hard work can get you and creativity can get you," Mecham said. Proving that with a little effort and a smile, even duct tape can be fashionable. read more:vintage formal dresses

Fashion designer Sophie Umanzi is causing ripples in the local fashion industry. She and Bridgette Gitah are the talents behind House of Tahzi, which has been nominated for Jumia’s Fashion Awards, writes Kyoumukama Faith Black is my all-time favourite colour. I incorporate it in most of my everyday looks. I could wear it all day everyday. When I was young, I loved baggy combat printed shorts. I was a tomboy. I would rock baggy pants and shorts with male vests. Then when I went to study in South Africa in 2010, I began softening up and wearing more fitting clothes. I loved brightly coloured skinny jeans with checkered shirts and loafers. Eventually, I fell in love with black. The brightest item in my day-to-day wear is grey. I am a fitness addict. I am always in the gym, so I really invest a lot of my money in gym wear. photo:mermaid formal dresses My grooming routine begins by cleaning my face with yogurt because it is natural and still has the same results. Then I hit shower, brush my teeth and dress up. I rarely use any make up unless I am going for an event. My favourite splurge clothing brand would be Reebok. I love their workout gear. Locally, House of Tahzi, of course. I wear my own designs shamelessly but I also support other local designers and purchase clothes from them from time to time. I can’t get enough of shoes. I love my many pairs of heels. I have the hardest time dressing for a glammed up event that requires a gown. We all experience wardrobe malfunctions. I have this maxi skirt that became big and I tried to safety pin it because I did not want to give it out but the safety pin misbehaved and opened up in the middle of downtown Nairobi. Let’s say very many men went home smiling that day. My ideal stylish man is one in a well fitting suit. I think any male celebrity who still wears baggy pants and baggy tees with excessive bling needs a wardrobe fix. I mean, What era are we in? The worst girl trend was dirty green denims. They were hideous. If I could trade characters with anyone else on TV for their fashion alone, it would be Rihanna. I’d kill to get my hands on her outfits. Scent is everything. At the moment, I am using vanilla and strawberry by Bath and Body Works. It’s not a perfume but a body mist. I guess it can substitute. Must-have items in my bag are my phone, a tape measure, a pencil, a rubber, a sharpener and a wallet. read more:celebrity dresses

Myleene Klass, 37, sizzles all year round, but as new host of BBQ Champ, things are about to get hotter. And if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the, er, garden. Some might know Myleene as an ex member of Hear’Say, some might know her as a classical pianist, some as a Heart radio host, some as the ultimate bikini babe in her 2006 stint in the jungle (and now her bikini body is off-the-scale enviable), or some may know her as a TV host. Or a fashion designer. Or a charity campaigner. Our point is, we all know Myleene. And you’re about to see a whole lot more of her now she’s hosting sizzling summer show BBQ Champ, alongside Man vs Food American cutie Adam Richman, and yes, we so want the two of them to get married. It’s the hottest day of the year, and Myleene arrives at the studio in a skimpy shorts playsuit (so we get a good look at that award-winning figure) and starts dishing out the hugs. Albeit sticky, slightly sweaty hugs. Everyone is referred to as ‘babes’, and in between photos she chats to the work experience lad about the ‘wonderful opportunity’ he has, and asks about our home lives rather than making diva demands. Despite being up since 4am, the only thing she needs is "a selection of chocolate bars" to tackle the afternoon. And in case you’re wondering, she got through most of them. Since her partner of 10 years and then-new husband Graham Quinn walked out on her and her two daughters (Ava, seven, and Hero, four) three years ago on her 34th birthday, citing the reason as simply "he didn’t want to be married any more", Myleene is a no-nonsense woman. She’s recently split from the mysterious Scandinavian megahunk she dated for almost a year, hit out at some mums from school who wanted everyone to club together for pricy birthday gifts ("I don’t regret that, it was so ridiculous!"), and famously kicked off over Ed Miliband’s proposed Mansion Tax. Because she’d just bought herself a nice eight-bed property. But, boy, if anyone deserves a treat, it’s Ms Klass. Dedicated to raising her ‘two young ladies’, working her backside off and looking stupidly good at the same time? Yep, we love the new feisty Myleene. She’s not going anywhere. The classy Klass lass talks dirty food, dresses and dating… So, you’re single again. Will you ever tell us who that gorgeous man was? No! I did such a good job of keeping it quite private, didn’t I? But honestly, it was a lovely relationship that gave me faith in people again. Are you dating at the moment? [Squeals] Yes, and I’ve been having a great time. I’m really enjoying my life. All of it. But f**k, did I get raked over the coals to get myself here. So it’s lovely. Are you actively looking for someone? I’m just having fun. Which annoys my friends, as they think I should be looking. Do you find it harder to date being famous? Yes. I have been on some awful dates, it’s crazy out there. But very entertaining. However, I just don’t feel I need someone else to make me feel whole again. My clock isn’t ticking. Someone will have to love me and my girls. They’ll have to be amazing. So when Ryan Gosling comes along… I know I’ll have a good thing when I see it. What’s on your man checklist? Major family values, and independence of their own, so they don’t look to you, they join you. I wouldn’t rule out being someone with kids or not. Do you miss the person you were when you were with your ex-husband? No. None of it at all. I was holding the baby, working, doing everything and I wasn’t happy. It was horrible. But I’ve broken my pattern. My dad used to say I’d find a gold-digger in any three-mile radius. But now I don’t feel I have to save anybody. I can actually find someone who wants to just mooch through life like me, and be nice. Honestly, that’s enough for me. Before, were you attracted to an extreme bad boy? Look, I’m grateful for such a sheltered childhood, because I never ever thought it was possible for what happened to me to actually happen, so I wasn’t equipped. And I had to learn. I never imagined I’d be fighting for my home. I don’t approve of cheating, I don’t approve of people taking from others, and I don’t approve of people walking out on families. But I didn’t know that then. I had to toughen up and I’m 100% a different person now. In what way? In that I know more. I just wish I had listened to my dad, my friends and everyone in the papers. Everyone could hear the alarm bells except me. I should have just opened my eyes. I mean I married a convicted drug dealer and didn’t sign a pre-nup. What was I thinking? When I say that sentence aloud, I realise how stupid it was. It seems you know exactly what you want now… I’ve started to settle down in my life now, because I know what I can do and what I’m capable of. I don’t care what people think of me, and I genuinely don’t care if people like me or not. I know that I am single-handedly going to work, I’m the breadwinner for my children, I take them to school and I’m teachingthem to be ladies. You have a lot on your plate, do you ever manage to relax? photo:marieaustralia.com If I do ever have a day to myself, I like sitting in the garden or the kitchen. I’m a home bird. It doesn’t help that people keep setting me up on dates and I think, "Oh, I don’t want to go out." I’m out all the time with work, which is wonderful. But it’s lovely to be home. Is it nice running the house alone? You can make your own choices… I wouldn’t prefer any of what happened. But I love how I’ve got here. People must think I’m a giant pain in the arse. Perfect hair, lovely dress, just perfect on the outside. But I’m not. Have you taken on all the roles a man would perhaps do in the home? Yep. I have a cut on my head right now from using a carpet upholstering tool. My dad bought me a tool kit for Christmas. I love it. And he bought me lawn mower. I do it all. It’s very empowering, but it also makes me wary. It has to be a pretty amazing guy to walk in and feel confident enough to find his place in my life. Because you have everything under control? I have it all running. Any single mum will tell you the same – you have to have it under control. Me and my girls built a shelf for the bathroom together the other day. They need to know how. I don’t want them to ever feel helpless. What do you hope your two girls learn from you? That what they contribute with their hands, brains and their hearts is what is important. Books before looks, like Matilda says. I could be doing this wrong, but I think if they grow up to be kind and happy, that can’t be a bad thing. Everyone loves a BBQ. This must be a fun job? Oh my God, yes! And working with Adam Richman is so much fun. He’s so intelligent, and is so generous, always spoiling me with gifts. He would listen to things I said I liked, then he’d come on set the next day with them. He is single, you know… Everyone is trying to set me up with Adam. Don’t you start! But you’d eat like a queen for the rest of your life… I’d eat like a caveman, more like. It’s nice to meet someone I click with. He’s coming over in a few weeks. He has to try to get Hero to eat something that doesn’t contain macaroni cheese. She only likes pasta with cheese sprinkled on top. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve eaten? I said to Adam, forget Man vs Food, it’s Man Vs Myleene. I’m Filipina. I’ve eaten way more random things than he has. Go on… I don’t believe in eating people’s pets or anything like that. But remember that weird cheese fruit they had on I’m A Celeb called ‘vomit fruit’ that was making everyone heave? I loved it. It’s fruit, cheese-flavoured! What’s not to like? How do you stay slim then? I don’t stop. I had one day off in June. My usual wake-up call is 4am. But I want no negative connotations to go along with me saying that. I’m not a workaholic, I’ve just had fantastic opportunities. Do you feel pressure to stay slim? I never ever obsess about food in front of my girls. We live in a time now where if you look a certain way, you don’t hone in on other skills. That’s an absolute joke. It’s never enough to just look nice. Being dull as f**k is not enough. read more:blue formal dresses

School supplies will be on everyone’s back-to-school list, but shopping for clothes that suit your style and the current trends can be more of a challenge, especially with trends changing rapidly each season. We asked local teens and fashion experts, and scouted some internet trends to find out what you’ll see in stores, in the hallways at school and around town this year, and to discover the best places to shop. Some of the answers may be surprising (overalls are back? Say it isn’t so). While others won’t leave you in shock (graphic tees are still a thing). photo:cheap formal dresses Fort Mill resident Jen McAliley co-owns Katyloo Boutique, an online boutique, with neighbor Kim Hedrick. McAliley said some fall trends include the bohemian look with a feminine color palette of pale pinks, peaches, mauves and dusty rose. “Skinny jeans are on the way out,” McAliley adds. “Wide leg flares are making a comeback.” Other trends McAliley says we’ll be seeing soon include the 90’s grunge inspired look, with plaids and denims. The 70’s look hasn’t faded either, with flared pants and boho silhouettes, tweeds and fair isle sweaters continuing in popularity. The 1980s won’t be left out. The electric shades of the 80’s will be paired frequently with colors like gray and navy, McAliley said. Style websites also note the return of Dr. Martens footwear to popularity. Graphic tees continue to be trendy among the elementary school set, both boys and girls, and statement tees are popular among older youth. Nation Ford High School student Emma Childs said boutique shopping is popular among her friends, including boutiques such as Page 6 in Fort Mill, but they also hit mainstream shops like Old Navy. For bridging the gap from summer to fall, Chacos sandals are comfortable and cute, she said, and accessories from Kate Spade and Fossil are popular among girls. Childs’ personal style is vintage inspired, she said. She loves heels to dress up any outfit and offers practical advice for choosing clothing while shopping. “When I’m shopping, I imagine it in my closet and think how much I would really wear it,” Childs said. read more: sexy formal dresses

The sound of her heels says 'yes she has arrived', maybe you enjoy the natural swaying of her hips as she draws closer. Her stature commands attention, her smile lights up every room, stimulating conversation, talent never ceases to amaze, heart of gold melts those around her, or maybe it is her engaging eloquence that leaves a room captivated. Whatever the case may be, it is safe to say that you can't help but admire a woman who exudes confidence. But have you ever stopped to wonder: what is the secret of these women? What motivates them? Outlook linked up with a few of these confident Jamaican women as we talk beauty and confidence. 1. At first, it used to be my tough mentality which was instilled with me due to my childhood experiences. According to my parents, I was born that way, but now, I would have to say it is my religious belief that makes me even more confident. Hillary Evelyn, 28, Sales and Distribution Manager 2. I'd say my strength literally comes from self as well as divine belief. Since reading the book 'The Purpose Driven Life', it has brought an entirely new perspective to who I am as a person and the purpose for which I was created. It also reminded me that even with roadblocks and curve balls, once you truly believe that you were created for a purpose, it helps you to think and act accordingly. I believe my purpose is to be confident, creative, and to execute accordingly, so I live my life as such. Shanoy Coombs, 30, Public Relations Practitioner. 3. What makes me confident is being completely conscious of my self worth. Just knowing I was placed on this earth to add value to it by bringing to life whatever my mind conceives, gives me the boost I need each day. I matter! And a great outfit with the right amount of makeup doesn't hurt either. Shanique Palmer, 27, Communications Consultant for Bespoke Communications. 4. The secret to my confidence is knowing that I'm comfortable with who I am. I'm not trying to be anyone else and I'm not competing with anyone but the person I was yesterday. What gives me my confidence, too, is knowing that I have conquered many things in every facet of my life including inner doubts. Having a successful track record helps to build your confidence. I rarely put myself in a position where I'm in over my head. This is also where self-deprecating humour comes in handy - nothing better than to laugh at yourself. If there is something I'm scheduled to do (presentation or speech) I always over prepare, and that helps- being well versed in any topic helps to ward off any nervousness. The motto I go by is this: I'm not for everyone - but for those who get me and love me. I can say all these things gives me confidence internally. But nothing beats my city colour lipstick in matte red! Instant confidence booster! photo:cheap formal dresses Natalie Outar, 38, Stylist and Fashion Blogger. 5. The secret to my confidences is self understanding. Once you understand yourself you can conquer anything. Danisha Scott, 24, Model. 6. The foundation of my confidence was established by my mother. From as early as I can remember, and to this day, she always makes me feel like I could do absolutely anything I imagined. That I had the power and capacity to do all things through Christ, and she gave me the freedom to fail and fall, get up and recover, learn and move forward. My dad had a different approach, he put that confidence to use by ensuring that I never for a minute got complacent. Now, as a woman, wife, mother, entrepreneur, speaker, friend, and counsellor, my confidence is bolstered by faith in God and an incredibly supportive husband who always has calm, strong words of reinforcement when the inevitable moments of self-doubt arise. My kids, too - they see me as almost their entire world and when I see how confident they are, I figure that God is with me and I must be doing a good job. Nicole Campbell, Director, AIM Educational Services. 7. Confidence is important if one is to excel. If you don't have it then you can't inspire confidence in others. For me, the foundation of confidence is competence, trying to maintain positive thoughts, understanding that failure is acceptable and temporary, knowing that life is constant learning, so I must build my competencies to prepare me for my life's journey. Self-confidence is not innate. It is built over time. Novlet Deans, CEO Environmental Health Foundation (EHF) Group of Companies. 8. I think confidence lies within my talents - martial arts and dance. I always feel unstoppable because I get a natural high doing the things I love the most. It helps that I am good at what I love so that boosts my confidence. Also, having a strong mind set makes me confident. When you have a strong mind set, you don't get easily intimidated by people since you already have certain beliefs and principles. Danielle Chang, 23, Singer, Dancer and Martial Artist 9. My belief in God and my strong support unit - my family and closest friends. Over the years, my unit has seen me through the worst and has offered words of wisdom to keep me grounded. Also, what gives me confidence is seeing the progress and growth I have made in terms of my education and career, just knowing where I started on this journey and where I am now. read more:plus size evening wear

Lions, tigers, and birds, oh my! When it comes to making a statement nature will always answer the call. From all types of four-legged creatures and creepy-crawlies, embellishing everything from shoes, tees, bags, and more, it’s time to channel your inner beast. As primal women, we can definitely take some inspiration from our four legged counterparts, especially in the area of fashion. Think about it; some of the most beautiful textures and patterns are influenced by the aesthetic of nature’s own wild fashionistas. It’s for this reason that animal print and wildlife inspired looks are a perpetual go-to in a gal’s wardrobe. The fashion world’s attraction to the wild began in the 18th century when Europeans began colonizing Asia and Africa. Colonizers would bring home the skins of the exotic creatures such as leopards and zebras that they found there. Shortly after this time, the fascinating patterns were being reproduced for the wealthy, hence leaving their mark on the industry. Century’s later, iconic celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe established the aesthetic’s come-hither allure. Animal prints, patterns, and silhouettes will always remain relevant and can easily be updated to follow contemporary trends. Animal prints have claimed a permanent home in fashion, perpetually returning regardless of the season of trends. These prints and patterns are like neutrals that can be worn with almost any item. These days, animal aesthetics used in fashion tend to be more subdued and abstractly projected. photo:long formal dresses Although not as overt as say the leopard prints used in your mother’s fashion heyday, they still scream tigress in a most chic way. This makes animal inspired fashion more elegant and appropriate for any occasion from work, the weekend, or even for formal evening-wear. It’s hard to look at an exquisite animal and not think, “wow, check out those color combinations, brilliant textures, and interesting shapes.” With that being said, whenever you’re feeling a bit uninspired in your fashion game and are left tired of looking to redundant street style bloggers for sartorial guidance, simply look outside of your window (or enlist the help of Google according to your geographical location). You can easily find direction by taking fashion cues from your favorite wildlife residents. Animal patterns are quite simple to pull off, even for the fashion novice. You can hit the spot in small doses if you fear the print will seem overwhelming. Echo the neutral palette by teaming the patterns with similar hues. Steer clear of ultra-short minis, cropped tops, and tanks — the idea isn’t to show your skin. Instead, opt for restrained pieces like sheath dresses, midiskirts, or loose trousers, which feel much more sophisticated. Prefer to just dabble in the trend? You can also incorporate animal print accessories into a minimal or monochromatic ensemble. Accessorize with a hint of snake in the form of a cross-body bag or sleek open-toe heels Along with rocking some of your favorite animal prints or patterns, there are other unique sartorial techniques for using your wildlife inspiration. You can easily interpret this animal influence into the overall aesthetic of your look. Even pigeons got it goin’ on. Okay, I can already hear thoughts of protest on the pigeon thing, but imagine the perfect gray outfit with a pop of coral colored shoes. Not so bad, eh? With summer here, this is the time to whip out those colorful dresses and designs that resemble animals. Be creative with your animalistic looks (pulling an Ariana Grande and rocking some baby cat ears does not count). From basic feline animal print, to snakeskin patterns and images of actual animals on clothing, we’ve all been there and done that. Try something more unexpected, like a bird inspired silhouette or a fish influenced graphic design. The possibilities can be endless if you just look at certain items with the right eye and an open mind. Attempt to craft thought-provoking and artistic comparisons. Take a look at some totally chic looks inspired by remarkable animal muses. read more:formal dresses 2015

The 23-year-old entrepreneur, chosen as one of the most influential entrepreneurs of the year by the Federation of Finnish Enterprises, has big plans for the inaugural event and at just 23, her weighted repertoire has prepared her to run the show. Evelyn's creative passions led her to fashion after studying at London School of Photography in 2010, where her hobby became her profession. And since then, various roles as CEO, stylist, photographer, web designer and event producer at the modeling agency and creative company Eneas LTD, as well as launched clothing lines in collaboration with local ecological designers, (her first named ORCHI in December 2013,) offer a dependable and progressive look at what fashion show-goers can expect next month. As the maiden Helsinki Fashion Week approaches, Evelyn shares her hopes for herself, her country's creative presence and the fashion scene as a whole. So, this is the first Helsinki Fashion Week in Finland's history. How is this set to impact the Finnish fashion scene? photo:white cocktail dresses We are group of fashion professionals who forecasted Helsinki Fashion Week to happen 2015 - 2016 for the first time. For that reason, we got the rights of the name Helsinki Fashion Week from the original name-owner. We're rightfully the first ones to own the rights of the name and make the event happen for the first time. We have a vision and goals for the event which will be recognized all over the world - at least that's our aim, and we do not settle for less. Our main goal is to bring the Finnish fashion scene together. For us, designers and all the people in the fashion business are colleagues and associates, not competitors. That's to say, together everyone achieves more. Fashion for us is a sense of life which is not limited to clothes. It reflects in lifestyle, the design field, interior and much more. What can we expect from HFW? Helsinki Fashion Week is definitely not an event filled with fashion shows and champagne. Instead it's a carefully designed venue where you can experience fashion with all your senses. The power of technology and new ways of thinking and creating within the team will uplift the new generation with sustainable development in mind. The event itself is rather international, but as we are in Finland, we'll make sure you'll experience our culture to the fullest. Our culture is not only the cold snow or steaming sauna - but who knows, you might just end up in sauna with a glass of champagne in your hands. Our team is large, international and filled with interesting professionals from various fields. It's certainly a work week for fashion professionals, internationally. What designers/what type of designers are expected to take part? We have chosen international designers to be presented in the event. You will see spectacular Finnish designers as well as talents from the countries around us. We want to show our audience new ways of creating. We are very interested in hand made products and the materials and ecological mindset. We work with several embassies and other organizations to make sure we can offer our audience, buyers and fashion professionals something they are looking and longing after. Why is this a can't-miss event and why should people pay attention to HFW and Finnish designers? I don't think the Finnish designers are more special than designers in France, or vice versa. I don't want to classify designers by their nationality. In this kind of creative field, the personality of the designer matters more. The earth is one place and there is vivacious life in Finland. Also, the Finnish lifestyle is very interesting, specially looking at it as a rather international point of view for my own multi-ethnic background, I can see the potential very valuable. We want to give potential designers a chance to bring out their collections and ideas more freely. We're providing this opportunity now. What are you personally most looking forward to? End of the last year I was chosen as one of the most influential entrepreneurs of the year by the Federation of Finnish Enterprises and I want to keep that level and aim higher in my own career, of course. For that to be possible, I need to impact the industry in ways which will develop and benefit the whole industry and not only my own business. We need to see the bigger picture. I believe in teams and development as a community. Recently, there's been many interviews and talks about the fashion industry shrivelling away. I think it fully depends on the fashion professional as in how to benefit technology and ecological solutions in our daily work. I'm look forward to seeing the development of the fashion industry and new fashion designers to be discovered internationally in their field. I want to see the population believing in fashion again, look at the matters from different point of views and on an international level. As an owner of Eneas Production, I get to be part of many industries, not only fashion but music, technology, lifestyle, design, arts, commercial and much more. I can see the potential in fashion and creative industries to collaborate for higher economic and social growth. I'm also looking forward to see my favourite Nordic brand ACNE store in Helsinki some day in the near future. Fashion designer Tuomas Laitinen recently said that "Finnish fashion is in a transitional stage." Do you agree and how do you describe Finnish fashion? I do agree with Tuomas, and I would say that the Finnish fashion industry is getting new blood and new talents every day. It's not run by the few people anymore like it has been done for over 40 years in Finland. It's getting larger and more versatile, and as I said, it is time now for Helsinki to show what we got and how we do it out here. The new generation is getting more and more involved into fashion and arts, which has a very positive effect towards our future. Also the influence of fashion and art schools are increasing. It's also true that lots of designers and artists have come out of their caves and shown us what they have to offer. The designers also need to understand the importance of their brand value included with the commercial and business side of fashion and the importance of the social media in the industry. We need more Oliver Rousteings. How have things been going behind the scenes putting the event together? I have been doing the event with my team since October 2014. We started the planning right after Paris fashion week. All in all, finally everything is getting in place and the creative and open-mindedness of our team has gained a lot of solutions and results out of the box, which makes it possible us to produce the kind of event and results we are reaching for. The feedback of the event has been very positive and encouraging so we are not the only ones who believe in Helsinki Fashion Week. In Paris, we finally realized that we have so much to show to the world in Finland. For example the Castelbajac show was something that awakened us because of the very Finnish-kind of a show they produced. It was very futuristic and cold, in a good way. It was a great experience for us. However, I must say that YSL was my personal favourite because of the wholeness of the show and the "alive" runway. We do have good shows in Helsinki but we also need the right kind of audience which is our priority number one when building the event. So I'd say that our inspirations are from good sources. What are your over-all goals with fashion week? To create a healthy fashion industry. We need to create possibilities for potential designers and an access for the interested audience to see that. Fashion professionals need to be hired, and Finnish culture and lifestyle has to be recognized all over the world. And above all, we need to provide the freedom to be ambitious and create new and interesting outputs which professionals and the industry is open-minded about. read more:red formal dresses

Gretchen Rossi is a hardworking woman and she is doing everything possible to make her business, the Gretchen Christine Collection, a big hit. And based on some new vacation pictures, it sounds like Rossi may have an amazing product in the works. When Rossi was filming The Real Housewives of Orange County, Gretchen was working on a fashion business, and it sounds like it is going strong without the Bravo platform. When Gretchen Rossi was filming the show, she was working on handbags. And these days, she has an amazing suit that is both sexy and flexible. As Rossi explains on Instagram, you can do many things with this suit. photo:black formal dresses According to a new Instagram post, Gretchen Rossi is on vacation, and it only makes sense to show her products in action. Gretchen posted a picture of herself in what looked like a bathing suit, and people wanted more about it. As it turns out, it isn’t a bathing suit at all. “Lots of questions about this ‘suit’ so let me tell you a little secret……it’s not a swimsuit. It’s actually a bodysuit from my #GRETCHENCHRISTINECOLLECTION from ‘Want My Look’ that I turned into a suit for the day. I’m wearing it with a black pencil skirt on the site, check it out, it’s a few pages back under my collection. Hat is from Diane’s swim shop a few years back #getcreativewithfashion #affordablefabfashion #GetGlamwithGretchen #tipsandtricks,” Gretchen Rossi has revealed, while sharing a picture of the suit. Even though Rossi is working hard on her business, fans shouldn’t expect her to come back on The Real Housewives of Orange County. As she herself explains, it is a big commitment and she has other things going on at the moment. Plus, her time on the show wasn’t the best for her. “I never say never, but at this point I have a lot of great projects going on in my life and I’m excited about moving on to the next thing. At this point, they’d have to pay me a lot of money!” Gretchen Rossi has said about returning to The Real Housewives of Orange County, according to the Inquisitr. Plus, Rossi is also trying to find a wedding date, as she is too busy these days to find a workable date. And Gretchen has been working on getting pregnant with her first child. Rossi has revealed that she has tried IVF to get pregnant, but has had no luck thus far. What do you think of Gretchen Rossi’s newest fashion item? Would you buy it? read more:red formal dresses

While they've been cited — alongside fellow young labels like Mansur Gavriel and Kara — as part of the minimalist, anti-"It"-bag movement, sisters Kimberly and Nancy Wu don’t consider their emerging accessories brand Building Block to be minimal. “I struggle with that label," says Kimberly. "We don’t want to put excess product in the world, so we try to make sure everything we produce is wanted, needed, and has validity to be owned by someone, but to be labeled as a minimal brand would be surface-level." Instead, she prefers the term "considered accessory." Building Block takes an alternative approach to luxury and functionality — editing out the hardware and beautifying the bare bones. The handbags (and shoes, a recent addition) play with geometry while exposing features that aren’t usually considered luxe — rubber tubing, unfinished wooden objects, clear acrylic Lucite, and utility canvas. “Our bags speak to women who don’t traditionally like handbags,” Kimberly sums up. photo:one shoulder formal dresses Finding themselves bored with the "throwaway" fashion mentality and in search of a quality functional bag that wasn’t necessarily on-trend, the sisters started making their own bags four years ago. They both had design experience, but not in fashion: Kimberly was in Tokyo designing concept cars for Honda, and Nancy lived in Portland and designed shoes for Nike. The two exchanged sketches over Skype, while Kimberly found the materials, constructed the bags, and uploaded them to her blog. “It started off as 'some girl in Japan’s experimental bags,'" Kimberly recalls. "But when stores started becoming interested we started talking about doing this for real." They relocated to Los Angeles (where they grew up and went to school, at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena), found manufacturers in Taiwan, and opened a studio and concept-store space with their friends Kristin Dickson-Okuda and Shin Okuda of Iko Iko. Building Block is now sold at various concept stores and online boutiques — including Opening Ceremony, Net-a-Porter, and the MoMA store. The Wus' shared background in industrial design underlies their approach to making handbags, which is a far cry from most designers'. No mood board, no trend reports — the designers are inspired by shapes, buildings, even product packaging, and create 3-D mock-ups in their studio to send out to their manufacturer. On their clean, simple e-commerce site, the accessories are simply listed under "products." They hope to expand to furniture, watches, and men’s accessories in the future. “With industrial design, you’re thinking about the way that this product will affect the person using it,” Kimberly said. “It’s a lot about ergonomics and usability. We approach [making handbags] that way versus ‘This is just a bag that will sell well for the time being.’" read more:cheap formal dresses australia

oss HQ are definitely obsessed with Snapchat right now, and Irish celebs are quickly catching on to the social media app. With A-list celebs around the world like Rihanna, Kylie Jenner and Paris Hilton all using Snapchat, we have compiled a list of the best Irish starlets to follow and we’ve even thrown their usernames in there too. 1. Holly Carpenter (hollcarpenter) I think at this stage we have all heard about Holly’s infamous Snapchat account after she posted the pictures comparing snaps sent to boys versus snaps sent to girls. The story received international coverage as almost every publication picked up on it, meaning the Dublin model got a serious amount of new followers. Her account shows off her humorous side as well as pictures and videos from her modelling work. 2. Pippa O’Connor (pippaoconnor) The stylish mum of one has a Snapchat account that is like a live stream of her website. She covers everything from styling, beauty, family and travel – whether she’s snapping from her fashion work shops or sharing videos with husband Brian Ormond. The yummy mummy was recently on holidays with Big Brother star Brian Dowling in Greece and shared photos and videos from their fun adventures. 3. Anouska Proetta Brandon (anouskapb) The blogsphere is quickly moving into the world of Snapchat, and Dublin blogger Anouska is killing it online. The brunette shares videos and photos everyday of everything in her life from her seriously stylish outfits, to walking in the sunshine, and travelling around the world. Like her blog and Instagram account Anouska has the serious talent of making everything looking beautiful, she’s definitely a most follow. 4. Erika Fox (retroflame1) Sticking with online influencers blogger and fashionista Erika hails from Kerry has made a huge splash on the fashion scene and is one of Ireland’s first top bloggers. photo:mermaid formal dresses She now resides in New York City and gives a taste of the big city life as well as her amazing trips around the States. From showing off her latest outfits to giving a sneak peek into life in the Big Apple, Retro Flame is already huge on Instagram, and she’s quickly taking over Snapchat too. 5. Deric Hartigan (greektitz) TV3 weatherman Deric is always one to add a splash of colour to any red carpet with his funky wardrobe and his charisma definitely translates online. From snaps out and about to showing off his fitness routines, he’s a great one to follow. The proud beard bearer is also a fitness enthusiast so follow him for fashion, weather and all things fitness related. 6. Ronan Keating and Storm (ronanstorm) We know it’s corny but we do love Ronan Keating and the future Mrs Storm Keating and their Snapchat account. They already have a joint Twitter page and if you like their Instagram photos you’ll love their Snapchat. Fans of the couple get a daily insight into their working life and family life – whether they are in the coffee shop in London, wining and dining or hanging out with their pug and Ronan’s children, they share these intimate moments with everyone. Fingers crossed they’ll decide to Snapchat some of their highly anticipated wedding! 7. Goss.ie (Goss.ie) Last, but certainly not least, we can’t do a Snapchat feature with out plugging our own Snapchat account. We set up the Goss.ie Snapchat the weekend of the IFTA’s and have continued to bring our readers live footage of red carpet events and parties. Whether we are messing around in the office or chatting to celebrities we love Snapchat just as much as our favourite celeb accounts. read more;marieaustralia.com

(Photo:plus size evening wear) FASHION and recycling go hand in hand for TAFE Queensland East Coast fashion graduate Yasmin Bridges.Her business Awkward Chat focuses on clothing ethically sourced and made from recycled materials. "My philosophy is no matter how awkward it is, let's have conversations about where our purchases come from and ask the questions like how are the earth and its inhabitants treated?" she said. "We have so much choice in our world and we can make better choices if we ask the right questions." Talking about her experience at TAFE Queensland East Coast Yasmin said she loved the sustainable focus. "I came to TAFE so I could learn the skills to create something from nothing and as such my process evolved since I studied there and now I'm even tutoring other students at TAFE and Awkward Chat is on the back burner. "Learning pattern construction has meant my designs now have a better fit and are more wearable. In the past, she "upcycled" clothing by draping it on a mannequin, pinning a new shape or design and then sewing it in place. Yasmin showcased her graduate collection Connect Your Story at the Peregian Beach Food and Fashion Fiesta last year with one of her pieces being modelled partly made from the cover of a director's chair. "Everything I create is made from either second hand, reused or sustainably sourced materials and therefore is either limited run or one of a kind. "My graduate collection was titled Connect Your Story to encourage questions and conversation about the human story behind the clothes we wear, reinforcing that we are all interconnected. Yasmin said she liked to design characters doing something they love and to connect people buying with the makers and producers of the material. "My fashion illustrations depict the women doing something that they love: jumping in puddles, taking photos, exploring, reading, and painting," she said. "They represent real people, living real lives, not just standing still and posing, disconnecting the viewer from their humanity. "I am excited for the day when ethical fashion is able to drop the tag because it has become the standard. "I would love to use my illustrations, creations, photographic styling and curiosity to learn about our world and to encourage the same curiosity in others."Read more at:vintage evening dresses

(Photo:2015 formal dresses) There’s a heap of talent on-stage in Love’s Labour’s Lost, but it’s not always being put to work on Shakespeare. In Daryl Cloran’s production, the kingdom of Navarre has been reinvented as a speakeasy on Chicago’s South Side in the Roaring 20s. The King is a gang boss who has decided to shut down his nightclub and, along with friends Berowne and Dumain, swear off drinking, gambling, and women and devote himself to three years of study. Sounds great in theory, but when Princess, the daughter of a rival kingpin, shows up with her friends Rosaline and Katherine, the three men are immediately smitten, making their oath of abstinence feel like a cruel joke. Meanwhile, visiting gangster Don Armato is up in arms that Navarre’s emcee, Costard, has been consorting with his own lover, the flapper Jaquenetta. In his director’s notes, Cloran calls his production an “adaptation”: he’s jettisoned nearly half of Shakespeare’s text and fleshed out the play with jazz standards, mostly from the 1920s. That’s fair, given that this play has never been one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies; much of its dense Elizabethan wordplay tends to be lost on contemporary theatregoers. But even in Cloran’s abridged version, there are problems with the story: a scene of mistaken identities among the lovers feels interminable because it’s not clear what’s at stake, and the play’s denouement is oddly deferred. The songs are terrific, and are arguably this production’s greatest strength—but since they rarely serve to advance the story, they eventually feel like too much of a good thing. Cloran’s vision is in very capable hands with this supremely talented ensemble, though. Josh Epstein’s Berowne is the play’s most eloquent advocate for the wisdom imparted by experience; his feelings are always convincing, and he sings with a voice like butterscotch. Luisa Jojic brings an openhearted playfulness and a richly sensual voice to the role of his love interest, Rosaline. Lindsey Angell, as Princess, is equally assured as an actor and singer; her take on “Lovable and Sweet” is a delicious highlight. As Don Armato, Andrew McNee channels a weird but winning mix of Marlon Brando inThe Godfather and Tony Bennett in Vegas, and Lili Beaudoin pours an infectious energy into his impish sidekick, Moth. Dawn Petten matches McNee’s fearless goofiness as Jaquenetta. Playing Costard, Andrew Cownden is a true vaudevillian: he’s got crackerjack comic timing, he blows a mean trumpet, and his preshow puppet act shows a knack for impersonation that will delight Bard regulars. There’s plenty of sensual enjoyment to be had here, too: costume designer Rebekka Sørensen-Kjelstrup’s exquisite flapper dresses are the best eye candy you’ll see this summer. Ben Elliott’s musical direction is crisp and lively, and Marshall McMahen’s set brings the party, with Valerie Easton’s superb choreography, right into the audience. That party starts before the play even begins, so if you’re a fan of the Jazz Age, go early, and you won’t be disappointed. If you’re a Shakespeare purist, you might be.Read more here:plus size evening wear

(Photo:cocktail dresses) David Beckham and his eldest son, Brooklyn, went fishing in Dorset, England, on Tuesday. The retired soccer star is close with his four children, regularly taking them on individual outings. On Tuesday, the 40-year-old and his 16-year-old son wore matching Barbour jackets and jeans and both finished the look with a flat cap, or baker boy cap. Brooklyn is not only following in his dad's fashionable footsteps, but he is also copying his dad’s fitness prowess. On Father’s Day the pair practiced their boxing skills together, and they both shared workout pictures on their Instagram account. While Brooklyn took the session in his stride, David appeared to feel the burn as he wrote: “Arms shaking, hands about to fall off.” For the fishing trip Tuesday, the pair smiled for the camera, sharing moments from their day out on social media with a selfie. David now has an impressive 7.4 million followers on Instagram. “Bonding time with your kids is always so special. ... Dad and Brooklyn fishing outing,” David captioned one photo of the two, aboard a boat. The picture showed the Dorset coastline, crowded with boats in the background, according to Hello. David and Brooklyn joined local fishermen to catch lobster and crab, before later being mobbed by fans who caught wind of the famous father-son duo in Weymouth. Brooklyn shared a selfie as the boat cruised along, without his jacket, along with the caption: “Fishing with dad.” Brooklyn is fast becoming a social media sensation and reached 2 million followers on Instagram on his dad’s 40th birthday. As Brooklyn is becoming older he is increasingly appearing to take after his father, signing up for a youth soccer team. He also sported tattoos -- albeit fakes ones -- at the Coachella music festival in California. And he joined his father to the set of the upcoming film “King Arthur” on Friday. David is doing a cameo in the film, which is being directed by Guy Ritchie. The teen posted on Instagram a picture of the entire cast cheering at the camera. He also has opened a new Twitter account recently.Read more here:bridesmaid dresses

(Photo:formal dresses 2015) It’s one thing to undertake some form of creativity as a hobby, it’s quite another to step out into the world and declare your creativity to be your business. It takes skill, confidence in your abilities and constant hard work. One local man who has set up shop through his creativity is women’s fashion designer Jonathan Palmer. “It was always a confidence thing for me,” Palmer said, discussing his formative entry into the world of fashion. “Since back in middle school, I noticed that when I dressed well, I got better results; I got compliments.” Long before The J Palmer Studio was a glimmer in his imagination, Palmer was rummaging around for materials to create clothing from. “I was using hot glue guns and bedsheets, bed skirts — just playing around,” he said. “I also used to take t-shirts and cut them up — then I used to have to hide them so that I didn’t get in trouble.” Between splattering paint on his own clothing and taking influence from his older brother’s insistence that he should dress well, Palmer began to consider fashion design as a career. Initially, he had grand ambitions to make his mark in the field of men’s fashion. Attending design school in Nashville changed that. “Before I went to school, I thought I’d do some women’s fashion but focusing on men’s. I thought I was going to change the whole game for men,” he said. “But what I learned is that your everyday men don’t really care. I thought, no, there’s no money in that. For women you can do a lot more.” Since graduating in 2013, Palmer has been focusing on building his own brand. His designs have been showcased in industry events, such as the Bronner Brothers International Beauty Show in Atlanta, and he has designed a gown to be worn on the red carpet at the upcoming BET Awards in Los Angeles. “I’m excited and humbled by it — especially for a guy from a small town, you feel like it’s too much for you,” he said of the attention his designs have been gaining as of late. “Particularly when I first started, I would turn down red carpet dresses. I would make excuses that I couldn’t do it because I felt like it was too big for me. Throughout the years people encouraged me, and I’m taking on bigger jobs now.” The majority of Palmer’s clientele tend not to be in the market for red carpet wear, however. Rather, he seeks to provide couture evening wear for ladies’ nights out, weddings and events. “I’ve been working with pageants, but also for business events and book releases,” he said. “It’s to make a woman feel empowered — that’s something I pull emotionally from myself. When I dressed better I got better results. I want to give that to somebody else — and for a cheaper price.” Usually one would expect high-end evening wear designers to base themselves where the big markets are. Palmer, however, claims basing his business in Clarksville to be an important decision. “I feel like in my heart staying in Clarksville is the plan. People keep telling me I should be moving to New York, but I feel like I should be here,” he said. “I really want to bring a designer like me to Clarksville, to Nashville, to Tennessee. We don’t have that here.” Aside from providing bespoke, elegant, affordable designs to the women of Tennessee, Palmer has plans to expand his business to pay tribute to an essential aspect of his journey. “I’m looking to branch out over the next 10 years to also own a hair salon,” he said, adding that he cut, styled and applied hair extensions while attending school. “Cutting hair helped me pay my way through school and helped me to network with people in the fashion industry. It helped me put on my first shows, and helped me to travel.”Read more here:plus size evening wear

(Photo:red carpet dresses) With summer holidays almost coming to an end, and most people returning to the city from their vacations, beauty parlours are getting many customers on a daily basis asking for de-tanning sessions. College students and even working men are going for spas, facials, manicures and pedicures - all combined with de-tanning packs. Maximum people come for de-tanning sessions these days Ritu Deswal, owner, Style n Scissors, says, "Maximum number of customers come for de-tanning sessions these days, because summer holidays are coming to an end and people go for vacations to beaches, etc, so tanning becomes a problem. We have three-four therapies especially for summers, including many for de-tanning. We use chandan packs, because it also has cooling properties, fresh fruits, and milk, which also removes tanning." Pallavi Singh, a marketing executive, says, "I recently came back from vacation and despite applying a lot of sunscreen before stepping out every day, I have a tan. I've been going for de-tan spas and facials regularly, in the hope that I will soon get rid of it." Devika Patni, a sales executive, says, "I've realized that home remedies aren't that effective in removing tanning, so I've been going to a parlour for de-tanning sessions. They have de-tan packs with everything - spas, body scrubs, facials, manicures - so that'll obviously work better than just me putting papaya or milk on my face." De-tanning clean-ups popular with college girls. Indira Joshi, owner, Jawed Habib parlour, says, "We get many customers asking for de-tanning sessions these days. We have special facials which include de-tanning packs. Oxy facial is also very popular right now because you're either in the AC these days or the sun, so the skin becomes dehydrated. De-tanning is basic, so we combine advanced facials with them. There's also a smaller pack, which is the de-tanning clean-up and that's popular with college girls. We also have spas, manicure-pedicure, and back scrubbing for de-tanning. People take weekly sessions, depending on the amount of tanning. Apart from women, working men also come for de-tanning facials." Simran Mishra, a second-year BCom student, says, "I have a really bad tan on my arms and face because I spent a lot of time outdoors in the last couple of months, and I don't want to go back to college like this. Since parlours are offering de-tan packs with facials, I've been going for de-tanning sessions." Men go for manicures with de-tanning packs. Sushma Agarwal, owner, Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic, says, "This is the season when people are just returning from their vacations, so they definitely come for de-tanning sessions. We include de-tanning packs in facials, and then customize them accordingly to the customer's requirements. We get men and women both, and quite a few men come for de-tan manicures and pedicures." "Oxy facial is also very popular right now because you're either in the AC these days or the sun, so the skin becomes dehydrated. De-tanning is basic, so we combine advanced facials with them."Indira Joshi, owner of a city-based parlour. "I recently came back from vacation and despite applying a lot of sunscreen before stepping out every day, I have a tan. I've been going for de-tan spas and facials regularly, in the hope that I will soon get rid of it." Pallavi Singh, a marketing executive.Read more here:red formal dresses

(Photo:formal dresses online australia) Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak doesn't think Lady Gaga has "let herself go" in the slightest. The 29-year-old Applause songstress caused a stir after flaunting her voluptuous body in a string bikini while vacationing in the Bahamas earlier this week. And fitness guru to the stars Harley doesn't think the few extra pounds Gaga has put on of late indicate the singer is no longer in good shape. "I think she loves her body," Harley told Page Six. "Historically she's someone who is always fit, but she's not someone who really ever let herself go." Harley admires Gaga's commitment to her health. The Just Dance hitmaker doesn't obsess over diets, she just eats nutrient-rich foods. "When she's mentally focusing on something creative, there's nothing she can't do," Harley noted. "She's someone who likes to eat well and she loves her healthy versions of Italian food, her salads and her Japanese food -- she's a very healthy person." In 2013 Gaga was temporarily wheelchair bound due to a severe hip injury that required surgery. The ailment prompted the cancellation of the star's Born This Way Tour last leg of shows. Harley has revealed as soon as Gaga was able to walk again, she was in the gym. "[Gaga] couldn't exercise for an extended period of time [when she was injured], so her body looked different. She felt bad about that, but when she was back to being physically active again, she got really fit," Harley said.Read more here:long evening dresses australia

(Photo:orange formal dresses) Choosing the right hat can be a real headache - unless you have expert advice on what's hot this season. There is always an occasion which calls for suitable headwear, whether it's a wedding, a day at the races or upmarket garden party. While many of us would love to don an attention-grabbing hat, deciding which one to wear and what to do with our hair can be tricky. However, if you do find the right one, it can accentuate your best features and hide any bad hair days. Mayfair-based milliner Laura Apsit Livens has all the insider knowledge you need to stay on trend. Laura's pieces have been worn by stars including singer Jessie J and her latest collection was inspired by a trip to the Amalfi Coast. First of all, consider your facial features and overall look before you reach for the right hat. "Suitability is key; height in a hat will lengthen the face and profile," Laura told Cover Media. "Feather and lighter materials will soften hard bone structures and stiffer materials will add strength. You must think about the image from head to toe; are you looking for a bespoke piece for a more individual look or are you more ready to wear?" Budget is another consideration, obviously ready to wear headpieces will be cheaper than something which has been customised just for you. Once you have decided how much you want to spend, think about what will suit your hair type and complexion. "Try to match the tone of your hat to your skin and hair tone," D&J Ambrose Artistic Director, Kieran Tudor, who collaborated with Laura for her Spring/Summer 15 look book, told Cover Media. "Think about how you'll wear your hair with a headpiece - some work best with an updo whereas others suit a hair down look." Laura's latest collection combines classic shapes and contemporary colour to create an effortlessly Italian chic look. If you prefer to keep your clothes and shoes neutral, the milliner suggests making a statement with your headwear. Once you have chosen your perfect hat, try it on a few times before the big day so you know exactly how it should sit. "Keeping an outfit simple with a beautiful pop of bright colour on the headpiece can look incredibly effective," Laura explained. "Placement of the hat is key for comfort; I sometimes fit a client with a matador hat on a diagonal angle for a romantic feel." Of course, hats don't only need to be dusted off for a fancy day out. They can also be a real lifesaver when your mane is misbehaving. "If a bad hair day strikes, whip your hair up and pop on a trilby," Kieran advised.Read more here:pink cocktail dresses

(Photo:mermaid formal dresses) All is set for the second edition of Wedding Expo and Fashion Fair in Malta and Amsterdam, Holland respectively in October. According to the Simpli International in conjunction with other partners worldwide, "activities during the show includes red carpet, seminars, fashion and bridal design, African attire designs, fashion show, accessories display, hair and beauty exhibition, photography and videography shows. It will showcase the finest exhibition, runway shows, after party and will bring together brides, grooms, families, friends and business associates together under one roof. There will be a display of talents from fast growing European and African designers and stylists etc." The show offers an unforgettable for the about to wed couples and visitors to interact with vendors and resources that are best fit with their style, budget and vision. The show will feature leading names in wedding, couture, African attire designers, wedding cake bakers, and honey moon planners, wedding cards designers among others. People expected to attend the show include people in the Diaspora, people on transit for holidays, business associates converging for diversity and varieties.Read more here:princess formal dresses

(Photo:cheap formal dresses) The 76-year-old star was known for her elegant style long before she became a designer, thanks to her association with people like Sir Mick Jagger and love of Studio 54. Eventually she realised she could make a career in fashion, so turned to her pal Diana Vreeland for advice. “[She was] a very, very interesting woman, intelligent, very for-the-moment,” Carolina told Elle’s Robbie Myers for a Masterclass Q&A. “[I told her about my idea for fabrics and] she said to me, ‘Well that is the most boring thing that you are telling me. Why don’t you do a fashion collection for women.’ She gave me the idea.” Halston also handed out some words of advice, although they weren’t quite as encouraging as Diana’s had been. “‘What have you been drinking? Are you mad?'” Carolina remembers he said. The star went on to forge a career in elegance, although she joked that despite what many people think she doesn’t always wear a white shirt. What’s important to Carolina is that her clothes make the most out of a woman’s shape, which is why she has always bucked against the idea of trends. “I want women to look like real women, I do not want them to look like clowns because of what’s in fashion,” she said. “I like fashion to be for now and for the future. You cannot only be for the past… like everybody in life - painters, musicians - you have to evolve. You have to live in the times that we live in.” Two of the star’s daughters have followed her into her fashion house, but Carolina insists they only ever have “tiny” disagreements so it works well for the most part. She also opened up about the role social media is now playing in fashion, with the label amassing many followers on places like Facebook and Instagram. She sees this as a positive thing, but doesn’t let it drive her. “You have to listen to the likes, dislikes and whatever they say — that’s the excitement of social media. But if you start reading all the messages, you will not have a life. It’s impossible to read all of them,” she said.Read more here:formal dresses online australia

(Photo:cocktail dresses) Being asked to be a bridesmaid in your friend's wedding was an honor, but now the onus is on you when the big day arrives to do that job to your best ability, regardless of what little road bumps or hiccups may pop up along the way. It's easy, once you're together with all your old friends, to forget that you have a reason you are there, and it's not just to be an honored guest at the wedding. Being a member of bridal party comes with responsibilities. Here, five things a 'maid should never, ever do. 1. Don't oversleep. You don't want to go MIA on the big day when you were supposed to be on hand for beauty appointments at nine o'clock in the morning. While you might figure you can do your own beauty regimen at a less obscene hour, the bride has likely prepaid or financially committed to the services she scheduled for you. And she has a specific look in mind for her wedding party that those stylists she hired are going to make happen. 2. Don't go AWOL on the bride for even a short period of time. She asked you to be part of her wedding because she thinks she can count on you no matter what. Do not let her down. On a wedding day, something as simple as the bride forgetting to bring her deodorant to the hotel can become a minor disaster if her backup best-gal doesn't pick up the phone. 3. Don't drink too much. Skip the mimosas and reach for coffee instead until a few hours before the wedding. Sure, it's easy to get a buzz on early in the day. Most hotels and beauty spas will have it flowing for the wedding party, and the bride herself may have supplied the suite where she's dressing with everything that her friends like. But that doesn't make it okay for you to be in less than 100-percent perfect shape when she needs you to be clear-headed. 4. Don't complain. Pretend you love your dress, shoes, flowers and everything else on the wedding day — this isn't the time to even hint that you think her dyed-blue floral bouquet selections are actually hideous (another reason not to have too much to drink). Your job is to be supportive and positive and tell the bride how great everything looks. 5. Don't run from controversy on this day. The bride may need you to play referee with family members or other bridesmaids who have been drinking. Frequently, part of the wedding party are family members the bride was obligated to include, and as her friend, you should try to make them feel welcome and shield her from them if they behave like less-than-model bridesmaids.Read more here:short formal dresses

(Photo:www.marieaustralia.com/vintage-formal-dresses) The prospect of a wide variety in autumn fashions which has been opened up by displays during the first week of the fashion fortnight will be welcomed by women, if only for practical reasons. It means that last year’s clothes will not look embarrassingly peculiar (though skirts will probably have to be hemmed up an inch or two) and, even more important, women will be able to choose garments to suit their physique. The products of the “haute couture” houses will be seen later in the year. The models which are being shown this fortnight are samples of those which the average woman will be wearing in the autumn. So far the displays have been confined mainly to coats, suits, and raincoats. The idea of two-purpose garment, which has proved so popular this summer, has been continued in the autumn coats, many of which are skilfully cut so as to be worn either belted or loose. Some of them have detachable hoods or capes and others a fringed scarf which, depending on how it is tied, can give the coat either a formal or a casual appearance. There are both double and single breasted styles, and the skirts are mostly loosely pleated to give a gentle swing and soft fullness at the back. Many of them have been designed - reasonably enough in view of our uncertain climate - to wear over a suit. But the inevitable drawback is that elegance has to be sacrificed, to a certain extent, to comfort and warmth, and the effect is often clumsy and bulky. And here one feels that some of the designers have gone wrong, for they have intensified the clumsy appearance by the use of large collars, cuffs, pockets, and buttons. There are wide halter collars, high stand-up collars, double tulip shaped collars, jutting out pockets with large flaps, and so the list could go on. Attractive raincoats Most of the basic suits are, as usual, classic in style. Jackets are of medium length, simply cut, and fitted closely to the waist and hips. But revers can be either low and curved or high and straight cut, and some of the jackets are even neck high with a turned-down collar. Skirts are generally fairly slim, with inverted pleats to give a slight fullness. There will be no excuse for women living in a wet climate to look drab this year. A display of raincoats this week proved how attractive and even glamorous these garments can be. They were shown in a variety of colours - bright red, emerald green, blue mist, and gay tartans. But even more remarkable was the variety of materials, which included slipper satin, silk, cotton cambric, and corduroy. Nearly all the models had some kind of headwear, among them a sou’wester attached like a hood. Trimmings are on the whole very simple and unobtrusive. Buttons and bows are still used, of course, but they are much less in evidence than last year. Velvet is still popular, and there is a good deal of braiding and piping in contrasting colours.Read more here:white formal dresses

(Photo:formal dress shops) Blame it on our stressful life, easy accessibility to too much reading material on the Internet and otherwise that discuss mental frailties at length, or simply the 'celebrity effect', but being down in the dumps seems to be the rage with a sizeable number of urban folk. According to sources, a social gathering these days is more than just catching up, as people openly speak about their apparent depressed state of mind and offer medical aid to each other — in the form of anti-depressants or happy pills as they are popularly known as — if you need it. And while increasing incidences of depression worldwide, owing to various reasons, make it pertinent to spread awareness about its symptoms and cure, misinterpretation and medicalization of normal emotions may make things worse. Experts help BT unravel the curious case of being sad... Psychiatrist Dr Yesheswini Kamaraju said, "It is a welcome sign that the stigma about depression and other more serious mental disorders is finally breaking, and people are becoming more articulate about their symptoms and remedies. But what's crucial here is the appropriate measurement of the functional impact of depression on the individual. Diagnosis differs from person to person, depending on the intensity of the ailment and other factors. Misconceptions regarding depression cannot be ruled out, as a simple emotion like angst may be misinterpreted, hence professional help should be taken before reaching a conclusion." Thyroid problems, anaemia and exhaustion may at times lead to mental unrest, while biological differences could predispose women to depression, she explains. "Support from family and psychological therapies become crucial in such cases," she adds. Giving more insight to this, psycho-therapist Tasneem Nakhoda says, "There is a difference between a clinical case of depression and a self-diagnosed one. One should not relate everyday emotions like anxiety or sadness to depression. At times, the term depression is casually used or misunderstood. Seeking professional help early on helps an individual to effectively deal with the condition." Depression is experienced by people in rural areas too, but due to a lack of awareness, they may not be able to express themselves. If not comprehended properly, over exposure to knowledge through media or books may also have a repulsive impact on public intellect. Apart from the patient himself or herself, excessive anxiety or restlessness may also have a ripple-effect on those dealing with the person, be it family members or friends. In order to maintain a healthy emotional balance, one must keep a check on their sedentary lifestyle and find ways to unwind and stay active, she concludes.Read more here:cocktail dresses

(Photo:cheap formal dresses) Cleansing A dirty scalp tends to get really oily and will make our hair feel heavy and unflattering. Therefore, it is important to wash our hair more often in the summer. Use a rejuvenating shampoo two to three times a week. The product is infused with a hydrating marine minerals complex and essential nutrients that deeply nourish and cleanse the scalp. Massage and condition It always helps to massage your scalp during the summer as it increases the blood flow, leaves your hair beautifully nourished and will also make you feel rejuvenated. Once you wash your hair, apply a generous amount of conditioner to wet hair. This prevents it from tangling, making it softer and smoother. Protect UVA and UVB rays can also cause damage to the cuticles, leaving your hair dry, frizzy and dull. Get creative with headgear and experiment with hats and scarves that will not only make you look stylish, but will also double up and protect your hair from the harsh sun. Use hair-friendly tools and styles If you choose to blow-dry your hair, avoid heat and opt for the cool setting. It’s there for a reason. Avoid metal or rubber when buying hair accessories as they can easily entangle the hair, causing breakage. Cotton or plastic hair bands will always be safer. Opt for loose styles such as fishtail braids or a glamorous messy bun, which are really summer-friendly and can easily be created at home. Stay healthy Maintain a diet that is rich in vitamins, iron and zinc, which helps in preventing your hair from becoming dull, thin and dry. Indulge in different kinds of berries and fruits like kiwis, oranges and papaya, while also gorging on all things green. Spinach and other leafy vegetables are really high in iron content and can do wonders for your hair. Don’t forget to include a wide variety of nuts in your diet as they act as superfoods for your hair. They are rich in vitamin E which boosts blood circulation to the scalp and keeps the hair follicles healthy.Read more here:knee length cocktail dresses

(Photo:red cocktail dress) As a shy schoolgirl in 1980s Singapore, Wee Li Lin longed to be part of the cool clique known as the Centrepoint Kids who hung out at the Orchard Road shopping centre. "I was always fascinated with them... they had an outrageous sense of style, and were so enigmatic and mysterious," the local film-maker and former Singapore Chinese Girls' School student said. "People saw them as delinquents, misfits and punks, but I admired them and secretly wished I could be part of them." At 41, Wee is finally realising her dream with her new short film Centrepoint Kidz. Showcased at the National Library's Singapore Memory Project Rewind/Remind film festival, it tells the story of gawky teen Meishi, who overcomes her shyness and joins the Centrepoint Kids. "Meishi is me," Wee admitted. "I didn't have the chance to befriend the Centrepoint Kids; I wasn't cool or gutsy enough. So now I get to live out my fantasy through the film, and hang out with (the) actors playing them instead!" Wee describes the Centrepoint Kids' fashion sense as "wacky and crazy", and the cast's wardrobe was, quite literally, larger than life. "My favourite outfit was worn by the leader of the gang," said Wee. "We dressed him in a ridiculously oversized shirt - it was so large it came up to his knees. We had to tailor it to fit, because even the XXL-sized shirts in Mustafa Centre weren't big enough!" Wee hopes to dispel the negative image of the Centrepoint Kids through her film. "In my research, a lot of former Centrepoint Kids were unwilling to come forward and share their story. "History hasn't painted them kindly. When browsing through newspaper archives, most articles were about the Centrepoint Kids loitering, shoplifting and glue-sniffing. "Finally, one girl talked to me. She told me about the fun elements of the group, such as their breakdancing competitions in the parking lot. She was popular and part of the clique, but also a school prefect, so it's a myth that they were all bad hats." Wee's other nostalgic companion piece screened at Rewind/Remind is My Autograph Book, a semi-autobiographical tale that expands on her 2003 short film Autograph Book. In My Autograph Book, middle-aged protagonist Wen (played by Neo Swee Lin) reminisces about a primary school friend she has lost touch with, while browsing through her old autograph book scribbled with messages from childhood friends. "Autograph Book did well as a short film, and was inspired by a friendship I lost in 2003," said Wee. "When I lost (touch with) another close friend recently, it prompted me to write and direct My Autograph Book as a longer film that delved deeper into relationship dynamics." My Autograph Book builds on Wee's bond with her best friend Sharon, whom she met in Primary 5 and remains close to. "We met because she asked me to buy chicken wings for her in the canteen - she wanted to buy 10 and was embarrassed, so she sought my help," Wee recalled with a chuckle. "That story is in the film as well." Wee still keeps her personal autograph book collection from her school days, along with the props from both films. The covers are adorned with cartoon characters like Strawberry Shortcake and Garfield, and contain stickers, friendship quizzes, illustrations and poems. "The best autograph book entries are the ones that don't make sense. There's this poem that goes, 'Kick your table, kick your chair/ Kick your boyfriend, Go away.' It's so ridiculous, I love it!" Though the autograph book died out with the advent of social media, it will always have a special place in Wee's heart. "A Facebook page is so public, and open for all your friends to see. But an autograph book is so private and personal: It really is just for you."Read more here:white cocktail dresses

Cara Delevingne may be good at modelling, even to the point of being called a supermodel, but this does not mean she wants to be in this industry forever. In a new interview, she shared that the fashion industry is starting to make her feel empty and frustrated because of the unreasonable pressures put on models to stay slim and pretty. In an interview with WSJ, the 22-year-old British supermodel and actress shared that the modelling world can be “horrible” to live in. "It's horrible living in a world where I'll get a call from someone saying, 'So-and-so says you were partying a lot and you were looking this way and you need to lose weight,'" she said, talking about the fashion industry. "It makes me so angry. If you don't want to hire me, don't hire me.” She also added that when she was intense about modelling and not yet transitioned into an actress, all she did was worry. She said that when she started to chill out and learned how to reject modelling works, she came to see that she can do more things aside from modelling. She also dished out ending up feeling empty as she works in the fashion industry. She explained that fashion is too focused on the outside, so it requires no search. She shared that the industry is just too keen about creating pretty things. Last year, the model announced that she is going to take a break from modelling and just focus on her acting stints. Modelling, she said, has become a “back burner,” because she cannot do both at the same time. She said prior to entering Hollywood, she has been modelling all the time. She did not say she is going to retire from modelling though. Cara said she would still model for projects that she care about, but in general, she said it would be difficult to focus on both acting and modelling at the same time. However, she said she would never say never as she cannot predict what the future would entail from her. Cara is more than serious about acting. She told Entertainment Weekly that she wants to attain whatever Meryl Streep or Angelina Jolie had on the industry. She even joked like Jolie, she wants to be known as an ex-party girl and now “hardworking.”Read more here:formal dresses sydney | formal dress shops brisbane

(Photo:formal dress shops) Regional New Zealand is benefiting from an upsurge in marriages nationwide, new figures show. According to Statistics New Zealand several areas, including Manawatu, Wanganui, Taupo and the Mackenzie Country, had a five year high in the number of nuptials in 2014. Hawke's Bay wedding photographer Eva Bradley said couples were increasingly traveling to tie the knot. "I have been in business for 10 years and have definitely noticed in recent years that most of our couples are not actually from Hawke's Bay," she said. "They may have links to the region and have grown up here but are now living in Australia, the UK and other parts of New Zealand. "Increasingly we have couples with no links to Hawke's Bay but they are making a big effort to host their wedding here." Meanwhile, former Wanganui woman Yvette Douglas said it was a "no brainer" to return from Hawke's Bay and get married in her hometown last year. "I'm from Wanganui and my parents and grandparents still live there... "The other good thing about Wanganui is it's a really reasonably priced place to get married - some places can be astronomical." Wairarapa bride Hannah Ferens also spoke highly of getting married in the regions. "The Wairarapa is beautiful and the venue is really special to us," she said. "It was an amazing day." Ms Ferens' father-in-law owns Tuhitarata Estate's Lacewood venue in South Wairarapa where she was married. Celebrants Association president Elizabeth Bennett said several factors affected the number of marriages. "If you compare the rate of marriage 20 years ago to now, it's decreased," she said. "A lot of people are delaying when they get married. Women are having a more prominent role in the workforce, people travel more than they used to and so on." Nationally, there were 20,125 marriages last year - 888 more than in 2013. There were 19,639 opposite-sex marriages and 486 same-sex marriages. A further 2507 opposite-sex marriages and 391 same-sex marriages were registered to overseas residents. It was the first full year of same-sex marriage registrations since the Marriage Amendment Act came into effect in August 2013. Only 19 same-sex civil unions were registered to New Zealanders in 2014, down from 121 in 2013. Meanwhile, 8171 married and 63 civil union couples divorced in 2014. Just over one-third of couples who married in 1989 had divorced before their 25th wedding anniversary. Couples must be separated for more than two years before they can divorce, therefore no same-sex marriages have formally dissolved.Read more here:evening dresses

(Photo:cocktail dresses online australia) Local kids will take a bite at the big time - with designs made entirely from food packaging. Maraekakaho School's extension art class have spent the past seven or eight weeks planning, preparing and wrapping their heads around this year's Hastings Pak'nSave Edible Fashion Awards theme. It is the first time they have entered the event, which promotes interesting uses for food as fashion - less perishable packaging is also permitted. Behind the students is experienced tutor Keryn Whitney, who has entered World of Wearable Art (WOW) in Wellington for the past nine years, with six of her designs selected to take the stage. As she prepares her WOW entry for 2015, pupils are flexing their creative wings, using whatever materials they can get their hands on for the Hawke's Bay equivalent. "It's art but it's pretty difficult," Ms Whitney said. "We throw out techniques and ideas that are more advanced as well; we wanted the Edible Fashion Awards to be an extension of that creativity and to push them. "They have taken the idea and run with it. First they had to grasp the concept, which was interesting considering they couldn't imagine television without colour, so Legends of the Silver Screen was a challenge." With the theme clarified, they launched into hunting, gathering and dreaming up concepts that made the most of individual skills. All 14 students will work on five entries for the Intermediate Category at Hastings Pak'nSave's Edible Fashion Awards on June 13, at Hawke's Bay Showgrounds. "We have got a certain number of well-known film villains, one very-well known actor. They have taken elements of design, it's not just dress-ups. They are creating some really cool concepts beyond that." Steering clear of the obligatory sweets, popcorn or marshmallows in favour of long-lasting packaging from some "iconic labels," the designs were already looking good. Shunning paint in favour of natural dyes such as beetroot also meant they were not simply taking the easy route. Ms Whitney has not entered an Edible Fashion Awards herself but, if time allows in the week between WOW's due date and the local cut-off, she hopes to whip something up with the help of her 8-year-old son.Read more here:evening dresses australia

Accepting a wedding invitation costs . An average £111 on travel and accommodation, £106 on clothes, £81 on wedding gifts, £63 during the reception and £91 on the night of the stag or hen do, Halifax Savings worked out. If the wedding's abroad, it's double that amount. And with many of us invited to more than one wedding a year, finding ways to bring down these expenses cold be the difference between attending a great event and staying at home waiting for the Facebook pics to see what the bride's dress looked like. To help you out, we asked Gerry Connolly and Louise Boyer – founders of personalised party and wedding décor specialist helloparty – for their top tips on heading to a wedding for less. 1. Gift list check early If you’ve received a link to a gift list that the couple have created with a certain retailer, make sure you’re one of the first to register and buy a present. The reason for this is that all of the cheapest items on the list will be snapped up first, so if you leave it too late you might have to choose between a 50-inch TV or a new mattress, rather than a kettle or some nice wine glasses. 2....Go homemade (Photo:long formal dresses) If you really must get a present for the couple, consider hand-making a little something for them. If you’re a Facebook friend of theirs, or have access to photos of them, you could make them a photo collage of their relationship so far, with a blank space for one of their wedding pictures to go. Anything like that with a personal touch is bound to be much appreciated (as long as it doesn’t look like a four-year-old made it). 3. Offer to help bride & groom If you’ve got baking skills to match those of Mary Berry or you can dust off your sewing machine to make some bunting, offer your services to the bride and groom as your gift to them. This will save you having to get them a gift and, if you ask them to pay for whatever materials you’d need, you’ll just be giving up your time. Aside from baking and decorations, the couple may be looking for help with photography/videography, entertainment (if you can sing or do magic tricks, for example) and maybe the evening buffet. 4. Explore other accommodation Make sure you cast your accommodation net wide when searching for somewhere to stay after the wedding. Don’t feel like you have to stay on-site at the wedding venue, because there may well be other hotels in the vicinity which are more affordable. Make sure you compare prices before booking and also consider holiday lets such as cottages and apartments too, which can be cheaper with a lot more facilities. 5. Book travel early As soon as you know you’re attending, start looking at your travel options. The earlier you book, the cheaper your tickets will be; especially where trains are concerned . However, the same can often be said for coach tickets and – if you’re travelling further afield – plane tickets . 6. Plan with other guests GettyTalk to other people that you know will be there - if they live nearby you can travel to and from the venue together. Everyone chipping in for a taxi or petrol will be cheaper for you than if you travel solo or as a couple. If there’s a big group, look into minibus quotes and divide the cost. 7. Don’t RSVP by mail Don’t feel like you have to confirm your attendance or non-attendance by post. We know it’s only going to save you the cost of a stamp, but a text or email will suffice for this (and will be a lot less hassle too). 8. Recycle an outfit   (Photo:evening dresses online) Don’t be worried about wearing an outfit that you may have already worn to another wedding, even if some of the guests will be the same. If you’re that concerned, change it up a little with a different jacket, shoes or accessories and no one will notice. 9. Stag/hen do hijack If you’re likely to be invited to the stag or hen party, try to have some input planning it. That way you have some control over the activities, the length of the celebration and the budget. Remember, cheaper doesn't mean less fun and lower prices might mean more people can come. 10. Politely decline If you can’t go to the wedding, whether that’s due to the expense involved or prior commitments, don’t feel too bad about it. Let the couple know at the earliest opportunity that you regretfully won’t be able to join them on their special day (they’ll appreciate knowing in plenty of time so that they can let the venue/caterers know final numbers). It’d still be a nice touch to send them a congratulations card with a small gift, but not attending will save you a fair bit of money!

(Photo:www.marieaustralia.com/cocktail-dresses) The Arab Woman Awards KSA 2015 winners were celebrated at a red carpet gala dinner held at the Faisaliah Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia recently. The high-profile event was attended by the winners and their families, VIP members of society as well as members of the Royal Family. The recipients of the awards included Lubna Olayan as the ‘Businesswoman of the Year’; Mishaal Ashemimry as the ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year’; and Dr Selwa Al Hazzaa, who won the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’ The awards categories also included finance, education, art, entrepreneur, literature, fashion designer, young designer, medical, media, sport, humanitarian, legal, young talent, and woman in government. Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, patron of the awards, said: “I am proud to be part of the Arab Woman Awards and it gives me great pleasure to see those women being recognized for their boundless achievements. “The Arab Woman Awards is a wonderful initiative, celebrating the achievements of women and presenting role models for the future generations of our kingdom.’ Dr Hiba Al Ali, founder and chief executive officer of Innovations Strategic Management Consulting and winner of this year’s Finance Award, said: “It is an honour to be recognised amongst such an extraordinary group of women. These awards go a long way in not only recognising the successes of women in KSA, but in highlighting the development of the role of women in the region” This year’s Judges Board was chaired by Princess Reema; chief executive of Alfa International, Lina Al Maena; founder of Jeddah United Sports Company, Amina Al Jasim; prominent Saudi fashion designer and founder of Dar Bresam Fashion, Lateefa Alwaalan; founder and general manager of Yatooq, Basmah Felemban; internationally recognised Saudi artist. The Arab Woman Awards KSA is supported by Tanagra, Cities, L’azurde , Rotana Khalijiah, Harvey Nichols Riyadh, Ana Emra’a and Al Zahra Breast Cancer Association.Read more here:www.marieaustralia.com

(Photo:red carpet dresses) There was some financial risk involved, but it wasn't money that motivated Kim Hill to smile at Quentin Markland in the drive-through of McElroy Bank in Fayetteville the summer of 1991. She was between her junior and senior years at the University of Arkansas and was working as a bank teller at the university branch of McElroy. "It was mandatory that we had to smile at our customers and call them by name and be friendly, or else. We had a little bag of money sitting on our teller windows and they could call us on it and we would have to give them $5," Kim says. "So I was always calling him by name, and I can remember thinking how cute this boy was who was coming through the drive-through." She didn't know Quentin, of course, and she was dating someone else so she didn't spend all that much time thinking about him. "I would go home and tell my girlfriends, though, 'Y'all, the cutest guy comes through the drive-through all the time to get money from his account. His name is Quentin. There can't be that many Quentins in Fayetteville. One of y'all needs to meet him,'" she says. The second or third time she mentioned him, one of her friends said her boyfriend's new roommate was a Quentin. She wondered if it was the same one. When Kim went with her friends to a comedy club and discovered Quentin was part of their group, the mystery was solved. "It was him," she says. "I walked up and said, 'Oh my gosh, you're the guy from the bank! And he said, you're the girl from the bank!' And we just started talking." Quentin was happy to see her outside her booth at the bank. "She caught my attention," he says. "You don't hit on girls at the drive-through, I don't guess. But she always caught my eye." After the comedy act, the gang went back to the guys' house to swim. "We spent quite a bit of time together that night but nothing happened and it was probably a couple of more weeks before we saw each other again," she says. They didn't need to make a concerted effort to be in touch, however. "My roommates were dating her roommates so we ended up spending quite a bit of time together that way," Quentin says. A few weeks later, after Kim and her boyfriend had broken up, she and Quentin started dating, too. The first time they went out was to see Point Break with Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. "I was sitting in the movie and I was thinking, 'I know somebody who looks like Keanu Reeves. Who is it that I know who looks like him?' And then I realized it was him, and I turned to him, and I said, 'You look like Keanu Reeves!'" Kim graduated in December 1992 and moved home to Prescott to live with her parents for a few months before she went to work as a bank examiner with the Arkansas State Bank Department in Jonesboro. She spent a year there while Quentin was finishing college in Fayetteville and starting his first job, with Youth Home in Little Rock, his hometown. In spring 1994, she grabbed an opportunity to transfer to the State Bank Department in Little Rock. Quentin proposed that fall over a candlelit dinner he had prepared for her in her apartment while she was at work. They were married on tax day, April 15, 1995, in Central Baptist Church of Prescott. With 250-300 guests, their wedding was quite an event in the town of about 3,800. Quentin had reserved the Governor's Suite at the Excelsior Hotel in Little Rock for their wedding night, but when the bellhop took the newlyweds upstairs, still in their wedding attire, he discovered that the room was far from ready. "It was trashed. There were beer bottles all over and it was just a mess," he says. Hotel management was waiting for the police to arrive to document the damage so they could prosecute the people who left it that way, and to compensate for the inconvenience they put the newlyweds up in the Presidential Suite instead -- a 2,200-square-foot, two-story unit, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a conference room. "That was a big deal to us back then," he says. "It was three times the size of our apartment. We were very impressed." They went on to Destin, Fla., for a week after that, and then settled into life in Little Rock. The Marklands have two daughters, Anna, 15, and Laura, 11. Times have changed and so have the Marklands. Kim still works in banking, but Quentin has found success in transportation. Neither of them spends much time in the drive-through at the bank anymore. "Most of my banking work is done behind the scenes now," Kim says, "but Q will always be my favorite customer."Read more here:cheap formal dresses australia

(Photo:year 12 formal dresses) Your body and your mind are not two separate entities but two sides of the coin. Like electricity and magnetism, they are inseparable. Whatever impacts one has a direct bearing on the other. So, whenever you are under excessive stress, your health will be affected and in the same manner, every disease will tell upon your psyche. That is why it is said that one thing that a patient does not have is patience. Forewarned is forearmed. When you are in good health, prepare yourself mentally that if ever I fall ill, I will not fall into the quicksand of pessimism. Know that stress will strike you with a vengeance in those critical days. When it does, you will be better equipped to handle it rationally. Ironically, most of your ire will be directed against your family members or care-givers. You will be so hyper-critical that you will be certain that they are ignoring you, if not downright ill-treating you. Pipe down. Most of your grouses may be there only because your illness has made you exceptionally sensitive. Most of us do not breathe properly even when we are in good health. This problem gets aggravated when we are on sickbed. If health allows, make it a point to engage in deep breathing for at least 10 minutes every morning, afternoon and night. Preferably this should be done before breakfast, lunch and dinner. Fill your lungs completely, hold the breath for a few seconds and then exhale slowly. Our food has tremendous bearing on our mood. Eat good and you will feel good. Junk food will put you in a sullen frame of mind. Be very particular about what goes past your lips. Bingeing is bad at any time; all the more so when you are bed-ridden. Similarly, lack of physical activity plays havoc with one's emotional well-being. Depending on how much movement your ailment allows, try to be as much active as possible. Suppose you have a leg fracture. Make sure that at least your arms and other body parts are exercised to the maximum extent. Even otherwise, keep yourself occupied in some activity or the other. The more time you have to brood, the sadder you will become. One thing you will find particularly helpful is meditation. Any form of mindfulness will be enough to help you get a grip on your haywire emotions and to view your situation in the right perspective. Even one night of pain proves so debilitating that one starts feeling that I am never going to recover. The sense of doom tends to become all consuming. Take heart. The worst-case scenario that you have drawn up may not be inevitable. Healthy food combined with proper breathing and meditation will help you adopt a less defeatist attitude.Read more here:princess formal dresses

(Photo:cheap formal dresses australia) When Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, and J.Lo took to the Met Gala red carpet last night for what's colloquially known as the Oscars of Fashion, let's just say no one was talking about their gowns. (They were, respectively, by Givenchy, Roberto Cavalli, and Versace.) WhenRihanna accepted her Fashion Icon honors at the CFDA Awards last year, the fact that her dress was by the talented young designer Adam Selman was remarked upon by hard-core fashion people — everyone else was riveted by That. Body. Marilyn Monroe's notorious "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress, to which that Rihanna look drew many a comparison, looks like a Venetian-blind-obscured window compared to Rihanna's all-access pass. And her devil-may-care attitude on the red carpet only accentuated the daring of the look. On the red carpet she teased E! News: "Do my tits bother you? They'recovered in Swarovski crystals!" Her body confidence was infectious. There's nothing new under the sun, and people have been pulling from the well-thumbedsexy-dress playbook for centuries, but skin-baring on the red carpet is now dominating even supposedly fashion-focused events like the Met Gala or the CFDA Awards. We've officially entered a realm that you might call post-fashion. The body is the new outfit. The gym is the new atelier. Curves and indentations that were once sculpted by corsetry, boning, panniers, strategic padding, or even, more recently, Spanx are now squarely in evidence. Where celebrities once relied on the darting hands of petits mains fitting them, designers' clever tricks of tailoring, stylists' concerted applications of double-stick tape, they now turn to personal trainers (and maybe, in some cases, plastic surgeons) to design their bodies. And they're, in some sense, wearing their bodies just as much as they are wearing fashion. The next-day headlines reflected this: "Beyoncé Is Pretty Much Naked and About to Crush the Entire 2015 Met Gala: Check Out Her Dazzling Look Front and Back!" panted E! Meanwhile Kim Instagrammed a photo of hers and avowed "idol" J.Lo's shared assets. The rise of athleisure — with everyone running around in fitted Lycra casings that may not be high-design but give you an exact sense of what they're working with — has permeated eveningwear as well. Of course, bodies have always been subject to trends — look at the waifish '90s, or the hard-bodied Fonda '80s. But the ideal body type right now is a particularly tricky feat of engineering — simultaneously curvy and toned, voluptuous and meager — the Protestant work ethic writ onto flesh. Effortless is no longer the goal — now, a body has to look like the product of work. When a celebrity leaves the house, she is always, in tabloid parlance, flaunting her post-baby body, showing off her hard-won abs, or declaring her previously absent corporeal form to be "back." (Where was it hiding?) Where we once piled ourselves with gems, we now tote equally fetishized green juice. High-end workout leggings, meant to be worn outside the gym, can run you almost as much as a special-occasion dress. Is this good or bad for fashion? Designers will never be superfluous — as much as celebrity attire increasingly teeters on the brink of almost-naked, no one is going to show up totally naked. (Well, maybe at the VMAs.) But now designers have to work harder to stand out. Niceties of silhouette, print, and embellishments — unless they're doing their part to obscure body parts — get less attention. And designers no longer dictate hemlines or create an overarching New Look. When Kim bared all for her notorious Paper cover,one fashion publicist I know lamented, "What about the credits?" — meaning the opportunity that one of her clients might adorn Kim's frame. "She's wearing gloves," I weakly pointed out. This emphasis on the body is just as undemocratic as the emphasis on fashion. Regular people can't afford red-carpet gowns, but the cost of a red-carpet body is almost more prohibitive, between the trainers, nutritionists, diets, and assorted tweaking involved. Clothing used to be the ultimate status symbol, conveying class and cultural currency — now, it's almost superfluous compared to the infrastructure underneath. Designers likeBalmain's Olivier Rouseteing and Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci cater to their toned and voluptuous clientele with increasingly body-con looks, while Donatella Versace has been working this angle to perfection for decades. But while dressing a celebrity, especially for a beamed-around-the-world event like the Met Ball, remains an indisputable win for a designer, this trend does raise the question of whether designers are being recognized for their handiwork or merely their adjacency to celebrity flesh.Read more here:plus size formal dresses australia

(Photo:white cocktail dresses) Rains could be synonymous with romance and reason to rejoice for some. But for others, it could be the harbinger of maladies, diseases, bad-hair days and dull skin. Try these skincare tips this monsoon for healthy and beautiful skin. Happy feet An important area to look after during monsoons is the feet, say specialists. "Especially in between the toes - it is susceptible to fungal as well as bacterial infection because of direct contact with contaminated rain water," says dermatologist Dr Jamuna Pai. One should try and keep the feet dry at all times. Aesthetician Ritu Tanwar says, "The best way to properly clean your feet is by immersing them in lukewarm water with a few drops of antiseptic for 10 minutes. Then, scrub lightly with an anti-bacterial soap and thoroughly dry your feet and apply a moisturising cream." Happy hands Tisha Khurana, a beauty consultant, says, "Like any other body part, hands should also be kept clean during monsoons. Soak your hands in warm water for 15 minutes. The water should contain few drops of a liquid hand- wash and some fresh lemon juice. Complete this routine by applying a nail cream. Avoid pushing the cuticles, as nail fungal infections are very common in monsoons. Cuticle oil must be applied as cuticles become very dry." Care for your hair Dr Sandeep Sattur, hair restorative surgeon, says, "Wash your scalp frequently with PH-balanced mild shampoos." The idea is to cleanse the scalp gently without causing damage. Use sunscreen always Dermatologists say our faces can get fairly oily because of humidity and we should use cleansers effective for this condition. Dr Desai cautions, "Always use a sunscreen as UV rays penetrate even through clouds." QUICK TIPS -Wash your face two to three times a day with a mixture of green gram powder and channa powder (equal proportion) made into a paste with water. -Make a paste of papaya, honey and milk. Apply it on your face, leave for 15 minutes and then wash off. -A paste of neem leaves mixed with honey can be used as a face pack. Remove the pack before it dries up on your skin. -Use a mixture of honey and curd for body massage before shower.Read more here:red evening dresses

(Photo:formal dress shops sydney) You don't like working out at the gym or following a routine fitness regime, but still want to lose weight, right? Believe it or not, there are a plethora of options to choose from when it comes to knocking off calories, which are fun as well as workable. We give you a list of fun options that also help you to lose weight... Eat in front of a mirror Though it may sound crazy, eating in front of a mirror helps you lose weight. Well, technically it gives you a dekko of what you are eating and how you are eating. Some studies also suggest that eating naked in front of a mirror makes you more conscious about your body, by helping you see what exactly you have on your plate. As bizarre as it sounds, these things work only when you are dining all by yourself. Wash your clothes Blame the new routine, people hardly do household chores these days. But washing your clothes, which includes rinsing, squeezing out the water and drying for about 30 minutes, burns up to approx 120 calories! Party hard with friends If you are a party animal, then continue to party hard with friends to lose weight. Sounds lame? But studies have shown that partying with friends at a club house or at home for about 60 minutes can help you knock off more than 250 calories.Of course, this would not work if you are drinking and munching snacks! The tip is stay conscious about what you consume and still rock the dance floor by getting groovy. Go mall hopping We are sure women would love this tip. But yes, it's official! Mall hopping and shopping help you knock off calories. Shopping for over four hours a day means walking around the malls carrying shopping bags and this does help to lose weight.People even get drained out at the end of it. So, it is important to keep yourself hydrated when following this routine. Clean your home Turn your household chores into a workout! From sweeping the floor to mopping it -household chores help you lose calories like no other! Sample this: Ironing clothes: 90 calories Mopping the floor: 130 calories Vaccuming: 100 calories Washing windows: 120 calories.Read more here:knee length cocktail dresses

(Photo:elegant evening dresses) Roots, revolution, restoration and resilience are words that Robert Young believes to be intrinsic to his design philosophy and development of The Cloth. This year, the designer celebrates 30 years at the helm, and will once again be among the region's best when he presents his distinctive line at the Pulse-produced fashion extravaganza in June - Caribbean Fashionweek. Young is the son of a trade unionist father, and credit-union-founding mother who came to fashion via art. He often refers to himself as a fashion artist. However, there is always a message in his designs. It's a necessary element of his work. His growing up around trade-union activism influenced by both his mother and father, has imbued a sense of mission - that of making a statement, telling a story and bringing attention to subjects that are not always at the fore. "Robert has chosen an excellent angle from which to create and share his art and fashion with the world. His clothes are serious, but there is quite a bit of fun in his dresses and skirts, and his clothes have a bright appeal for both men and women," says Pulse's fashion director, Romae Gordon. For the past several years, Young has presented his collections at CFW in non-traditional ways. His The Spot collection at the event three years ago, had a 'Conscious Fashion' segment where models sporting distressed-looking faces walked the runway, then sat down on stools and scribbled messages about the issues they had with the world on the floor. According to Young, he wanted to convey a message of sourcing a place (The Spot) to think, recollect and makes notes and move forward. "We had dresses with big sleeves symbolising strength to save the world," he stated. Aesthetic But his aesthetic is not only informed by consciousness. He has leaned on Carnival, literature, dance and steel pan music - he is, after all, a son of Trinidadian soil, and he is married to a musician. His 2014 collection reflected the varied and potent beauty of the environment of flora and fauna. The central signature and that which is the defining quality of The Cloth, is the ever-present appliques on his designs. And within these specialised imprints are stories. The story of The Cloth continues at the 15th staging of CFW from June 6-15. Caribbean Fashionweek 2015 will celebrate Total Fashion! incorporating spas, boutiques, restaurants, gyms and related lifestyle entities which all have a role in creating the complete fashion image. Scheduled for June 6-15, CFW has a full slate of activities - from a black-tie gala, on and off-site runway shows, after parties, a business forum, to a major concert performance by Britain's number-one black recording artiste who has sold over 30 million records, Billy Ocean. Several other activities across the city of Kingston will also be held. The Pulse-produced event is presented by Audi in association with Epson, Supreme Ventures, The Jamaica Tourist Board as well as other sponsors to be announced.Read more here:red carpet dresses

(Photo:http://www.marieaustralia.com) You know when you land from Europe and you leap almost an entire day? I flew in from London last weekend to find Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia had leapt an entire year. There we were, on a high after the Ellery show, picking glitter out of our hair, when we were ushered in to the opening night dinner and the branding on the tables and the walls read "20 Years". Twenty? I was here for the first fashion week in 1996. Is this fashion maths? "I hear you are having problems adding up," said Simon Lock, the founder of Australia's fashion week event, who also happens to have a book out which promises to "take you backstage for the 20 years that Fashion Week has wowed the world". "I think you are," I replied. "Whose idea was it to say this is the 20th anniversary, Simon?" "Mine and I stand by it," he declared. Credit where it is due; Lock always sticks with his story. So let's play with some other fun numbers: $50 million; $2 million, 100; 15,979; the number 3; 15; 1,200,292; and 1953. Stick with me, this is all going to add up. The first, $50 million, is the size of Kym Ellery's ambition for her fashion label. While she has a considerable journey to travel (current estimates put the business in the low millions), her show marked her out as a supernova. Plus, any woman who can sprint from one end of a vast catwalk and back again in wall-to-wall flares and not come a cropper on a concrete floor has a rare skill set in my opinion. FIERCE AS ITS SIGNATURE LION PRINT The second, $2 million, is the approximate current yearly turnover of We Are Handsome, the activewear brand that is as fierce as its signature print of a roaring lion. Two years ago, when The Australian Financial Review staged the Bespoke Luxury Summit at the Sydney Opera House, we talked about a swimwear session called Brazil v Bondi but dropped it because we knew the visitors would trounce the Aussies. Not now. Watch this number rise. One hundred. That's the number of beats per minute that fashion hearts were racing during Toni Maticevski's show. When I first started tracking fashion here, people would describe designers as "world class" which too often meant "second class" or "just like in Paris", which usually turned out to be the opposite. Yet Maticevski's slick set would be the envy of many Paris designers. As for the collection – now that Dior's Raf Simons has gone modernist, there's a vacancy for one who can handle the drama of ankle-grazing skirts and figure-hugging bodices, which are, eternally, one of the prettiest silhouettes you'll find. What works is that Maticevski is not mired in nostalgia. His fabrics are so high-tech you could probably throw these frocks in the washing machine. "Well. That was a whole lot of f---ing amazingness," was how the brand reviewed itself on Instagram. Couldn't have put it better myself. The number of kilometres between Sydney and New York, where Tome designers Ryan Lobo and Ramon Martin are based, is 15,979, according to Google. According to me, they brought home wearable clothes – no drama, but instead a shirt you'd want in Yves Klein blue, another with a kimono-style flutter and a great trench, always the most practical coat for daily lives where you can't decide whether it's a bikini or brolly kind of day. Tome gave a great lesson, not in Fashion with a great big capital F but in clothes that women want to wake up and find in their wardrobe. Stop. Isn't this becoming too nice? For didn't I used to have a reputation for getting my claws into "the verdict" on Australian Fashion Week? The talons are cut short and buffed nude now because we are in a different world from 19 years ago, when criticism in a newspaper, intended to be constructive, mattered. Now? It's all about Instagram and that's strictly a happy place. Should a 52-year-old be pitted against a three-year-old at work? There's no minimum age in NSW, according to the Fair Work website. Over in the United States, more than 37 million children are expected to head to the workplace on April 23, which is Take Our Daughters to Work Day (sons now included too), founded by feminist Gloria Steinem in 1992 to instil confidence and a sense of empowerment in girls. So that's why Kim and Kanye take their daughter North, who is yet to turn two, to the international fashion front rows. I did wonder. CLOTHES INSIDE OUT DAY But here's something to think about: the following day, on April 24, millions of people around the world, including in Australia, will wear their clothes inside out for Fashion Revolution Day – #FASREV – to focus attention on conditions in clothing factories in the developing world that feed our addiction to fast fashion through the enslavement of a female workforce, many of whom are underage. Pause. Now back to happy land. "Gary Pepper Girl" – aka Nicole Warne, who has 1.1 million followers on Instagram – and Margaret Zhang – who has 401,000 – were both babies when Akira Isogawa used 15 pairs of red socks because he could not afford shoes for his very first show. His retrospective show this week allowed a new generation to fall head over heels in love with an exquisite creativity and craftsmanship that deserves to be widely shared. How's this for wide: 1,200,292 likes – in under five hours – after Beyoncé posted two back-to-back images of herself looking white-hot in Bec & Bridge at a Los Angeles store opening, which took place two days after the pair's Sydney show? It hardly matters that few international store buyers come to Sydney for fashion week, which has become a (glorious) exercise in public relations. What counts is that, at the time of writing, there were 1000 units of the outfit Bey wore, about to be delivered to stores including David Jones, with a further 1000 of the style being manufactured and more fabric being ordered for yet more. Or how about round? $100,000 is a nice, round number. That's the estimated average annual earnings of the executive woman who chooses Ginger & Smart for her work uniform. David Jones sold 1953 Ginger & Smart dresses last year (a very credible number) and those customers will be happy to hear that what's new is a southern hemisphere lace, which mixes technology with tradition, creating the pattern not of old French roses, but of wattle and gum nuts. Australiana has never been more chic than in a gigantic, graphic, necklace of golden gum leaves accessorising an even more astonishing outfit at Romance Was Born. One of global fashion's big trends is creative collaboration (the days of the designer up in the ivory tower with pad and pencil – or, as it used to be here, poring over the designs of others in Collezioni​ magazine – are done). Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales wrapped the best creatives in a warm embrace: for jewellery, the enduring creativity of Louise Olsen and Stephen Ormandy of Dinosaur Designs, who started in 1986; for print, David and Helen Lennie of Signature Prints (who started restoring and rejuvenating a uniquely Australian print archive in the 1990s); and centre stage, print designer Linda Jackson, whose vibrant textiles inspired by desert landscapes first grabbed global attention in the 1970s. All this was topped off by Akubras (made by a family firm, founded in 1912, now in its fifth generation and – hats off to this – with three women on its board). When Australian Fashion Week began, a collection called "Cooee Couture" would have looked like catastrophic cultural cringe. Yet now it is a celebration, especially when staged in the Art Gallery of NSW against a backdrop of the 19th-century paintings that marked the emergence of a unique Australian visual identity. To see extraordinary clothes (some of them actually wearable) in all the colours of sunrise over the Red Centre, against the backdrop of paintings including Tom Roberts'Shearing the Rams (1890) and Arthur Streeton's Fire's On (1893) was to witness a group love-in for this nation as profound as that of the artists who changed how people saw themselves at the time when a colonial outpost emerged as an independent nation at the dawn of the 20th century. Sturt's desert pea flowers are to Romance Was Born what lily of the valley is to Dior, the jolly swagman their Hermès Calèche. And so, to the question of what the numbers all add up to in this, the 19th year and 20th event. The answer is: this is not Paris. This is not Europe. The shackles are shed.