San Marino And 'again to the great flow of "money blacks" to and from San Marino. Indeed, it is never finished. But now the 'facilitators' do not use the more powerful cars: they are never reported to deposit money to the IRS by bicycle. It is the most bizarre ways: from the bottle through the soles of the shoes even for models "dernier cri" of underwear.
The Dodgers, despite the Government's tough nose Mountains, they have made clever, very clever. But I started to fall into the web of Finance or the Italian Guardia di Rocca San Marino. It is taken, on average, three per month.
The data, released by the financial information of Titan, are relentless: last year 29 people have been caught red-handed, at the entrance of San Marino. The "guardians" of the fortress, a military equivalent to our border police, lurking at the Customs, or the historic entrance to the "land of freedom" and stop the suspects.
They also made brisk San Marino. In the viewfinder, as you said, there are bikes. You know, the land of Romagna Passista and climbers. Pantani, the pirate, lived here. And over the weekend hundreds of cyclists, even in bad weather, climbing the steep hairpin bends that lead in the small Republic. And coincidentally, on Sunday morning, the banks of the Titan are open. And then the strict controls. And the money emerge out of pink bras blacks and women cyclists or insoles of shoes. The sums in excess of ten thousand euros were confiscated, 40 percent remains in the vaults of Fortress Guard. Then taking the administrative and criminal sanctions.
"In San Marino there are still funds deposited blacks very consistent," says an officer of Finance. Which, in turn, took over the controls on the highway. The data are not known, but it is clear - and the officer does understand very well that several "facilitators", maybe in the car, were intercepted.
So agents are San Marino and Italian are divided tasks: first to control the bike (and it seems to be back to the Fifties Italian-Swiss border), the other self shadowing suspicious. But how many have passed through the net free cross? Hundreds, if not thousands. Which have been increasing their behalf "black". From the tax shield, in fact, it is estimated that in Italy they returned just over one third of the 14 billion euros that were stored in banks of San Marino. Which, in spite of the many pronouncements made on the regularization of the dubious financial affairs, remains a tax haven for many. In 2010, in fact, were very large 296 suspicious financial transactions. So not only small hotels but large international speculators. AIFA, the financial intelligence unit, arrived in 2010 15 per cent more reports over the previous year. Of these, 17 have become the judiciary investigations that San Marino is taking to recycling. The fields are always the same: gambling, electronics, construction, luxury cars, waste disposal and more. The novelty is that they are the same banks in San Marino to report AIFA financial maneuvers that appear irregular. Well, not everyone is complicit: the Aif asked, in collaboration with the judiciary, information to many different countries: Cyprus, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Nigeria and even in Vanuatu, in the middle of Oceania.
2012年1月30日星期一
Nike air max 2012 white black total orange bright blue
Okay, so January was fairly tame for sneaker releases – consider it a nice 'diet' from the overindulging brought on by the Holiday months. But fear not, you quickly metabolizing sneakerheads – February's going to be an endless buffet of releases from Air Jordans, Foamposite, Nike Basketball digs, and for the Running fans, the 2012 flagship model of the Nike Air Max shoe. Among the wide variety of colorways expected in February, one that stands out is this Knicks/Mets colorway of White, Black, Total Orange, and Bright Blue. Not to say that these have any affiliation with NY sports teams, but it's not like Air Max isn't new to outrageous colorways (in fact, this nice combo is an original Air Max 93 colorway). Oneness has these new Nike Air Max 2012 releases in stock now a bit ahead of the February ETA, so check out the angles below and watch for these at your local Nike running purveyor soon.
2012年1月29日星期日
Nike Shox Salecartoon Shoenike Tl3
If you are hoping to locate for comfort, support and fashion, the maker new Nike Shox Sale is mainly a best match. This sporty sneaker attributes a classic glimpse owning a difficult suede or leather-based higher, mesh inserts for breathability, and ENCAP present day improvements in midsole that presents you balance and shock reduction. they can be discovered in extensive assortment of colours and also have all while working with attributes to move out to develop into your go to pair of runners.
The Shox TL3 is primarily a fully thoroughly clean and straightforward style. This mid-leading sneaker attributes laces up the leading Nike Shox TL1 white redand elastic goring which genuinely helps make them effortless to slip on and off. The multi-textured top is offered within broad assortment of colours as properly as currently being the EVA midsole materials at lessen cushioning for the wearer. such as the wonderful deal of shoxs sneakers, they really should surely be dressed up or jointly making them among usually the most adaptable sneakers all-around. The Nike Shox R2 is like truly quite a range of of the models, really complicated to define. they actually are a blend of style and intent that go outstanding with slacks, jeans, or shorts. The Torrio intent a leather-centered higher, perforated detail in close proximity to in the course of training collar by way of the shoe, exaggerated stitching, three straps, as appropriately as getting the shox emblem. it genuinely is complicated to can come by way of a sneaker which has so actually really substantially versatility and type.
The Nike Shox TL1 is genuinely state-of-the-art for an athletic sneaker. they are designed with most amazing great products, function zippers in close proximity to in the training course of collar, perforated detailing in regards to the part panels, together proudly owning a leather-dependent lining. This classy style and framework from shox will absolutely techniques up the style and design of any outfit you pair up them with. Nowadays we bring you a couple of new photos giving you a closer appearance at the facts and supplies.
The Shox TL3 is primarily a fully thoroughly clean and straightforward style. This mid-leading sneaker attributes laces up the leading Nike Shox TL1 white redand elastic goring which genuinely helps make them effortless to slip on and off. The multi-textured top is offered within broad assortment of colours as properly as currently being the EVA midsole materials at lessen cushioning for the wearer. such as the wonderful deal of shoxs sneakers, they really should surely be dressed up or jointly making them among usually the most adaptable sneakers all-around. The Nike Shox R2 is like truly quite a range of of the models, really complicated to define. they actually are a blend of style and intent that go outstanding with slacks, jeans, or shorts. The Torrio intent a leather-centered higher, perforated detail in close proximity to in the course of training collar by way of the shoe, exaggerated stitching, three straps, as appropriately as getting the shox emblem. it genuinely is complicated to can come by way of a sneaker which has so actually really substantially versatility and type.
The Nike Shox TL1 is genuinely state-of-the-art for an athletic sneaker. they are designed with most amazing great products, function zippers in close proximity to in the training course of collar, perforated detailing in regards to the part panels, together proudly owning a leather-dependent lining. This classy style and framework from shox will absolutely techniques up the style and design of any outfit you pair up them with. Nowadays we bring you a couple of new photos giving you a closer appearance at the facts and supplies.
2012年1月17日星期二
TOMS Shoes Selects Heart for Africa as Giving Partner in Swaziland
TOMS Shoes has chosen Atlanta-based Heart for Africa to be a Giving Partner in Swaziland, Africa, to give away TOMS Shoes to orphans and vulnerable children in rural communities.
TOMS Shoes "One for One?" program gives a new pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of shoes that is purchased. This partnership is a long-term endeavor with the plan to ship a new container every six months as needed. The TOMS Shoes program is designed so children wear their new shoes knowing another pair will be coming when they outgrow or wear out their first pair.
Heart for Africa focuses on bringing hope to the Kingdom of Swaziland by focusing on initiatives in the areas of hunger, orphans, poverty and education. In 2009 Heart for Africa purchased a 2,500 acre farm called Project Canaan that is being developed to grow large amounts of food and provide training and employment for some of the country's 70% unemployed. Project Canaan will be home to hundreds of orphans as it becomes self-sustainable. Heart for Africa also works alongside local leaders in rural communities to help provide food and clothing for orphans and vulnerable children in desperate need of assistance. TOMS Shoes will be distributed by Heart for Africa volunteers in the farthest rural communities, to the communities around Project Canaan, as well as the orphanages whom they partner with.
Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world. The virus has ravaged the adult and young adult population of the tiny kingdom (about the size of New Jersey) reducing the population from 1.1 million in 2005 to an estimated 950,000 in 2010. More significantly, the government estimates there are more than 500,000 orphaned or vulnerable children in the country. The TOMS Shoes model fits perfectly with Heart for Africa's plans of support by delivering the basic necessities – food, water, clothing and shoes. The container of TOMS Shoes arrived at Project Canaan on January 4th, 2012 and distribution will begin immediately. All Heart for Africa volunteers serving in Swaziland in 2012 will be a part of TOMS Shoes distribution.
TOMS Shoes "One for One?" program gives a new pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of shoes that is purchased. This partnership is a long-term endeavor with the plan to ship a new container every six months as needed. The TOMS Shoes program is designed so children wear their new shoes knowing another pair will be coming when they outgrow or wear out their first pair.
Heart for Africa focuses on bringing hope to the Kingdom of Swaziland by focusing on initiatives in the areas of hunger, orphans, poverty and education. In 2009 Heart for Africa purchased a 2,500 acre farm called Project Canaan that is being developed to grow large amounts of food and provide training and employment for some of the country's 70% unemployed. Project Canaan will be home to hundreds of orphans as it becomes self-sustainable. Heart for Africa also works alongside local leaders in rural communities to help provide food and clothing for orphans and vulnerable children in desperate need of assistance. TOMS Shoes will be distributed by Heart for Africa volunteers in the farthest rural communities, to the communities around Project Canaan, as well as the orphanages whom they partner with.
Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world. The virus has ravaged the adult and young adult population of the tiny kingdom (about the size of New Jersey) reducing the population from 1.1 million in 2005 to an estimated 950,000 in 2010. More significantly, the government estimates there are more than 500,000 orphaned or vulnerable children in the country. The TOMS Shoes model fits perfectly with Heart for Africa's plans of support by delivering the basic necessities – food, water, clothing and shoes. The container of TOMS Shoes arrived at Project Canaan on January 4th, 2012 and distribution will begin immediately. All Heart for Africa volunteers serving in Swaziland in 2012 will be a part of TOMS Shoes distribution.
2012年1月15日星期日
Nike Air Max NM – Royal/Volt
Fans of the Nike Air Max NM will be happy to know that a few new colorways of Hideo Nomo's former signature sneaker are slated to release this year. Sneaker Obsession featured one of them last month, a Black/White-Yellow pair that would go great with a Troy Polamalu jersey. If you're looking for something on the brighter side to shock your taste buds, this Royal/Volt pair oughta do it. The sneakers feature a blue nubuck and volt mesh upper that reminds us a lot of the Nike LeBron 8 V/2 Low “Sprite”. White paints the midsole, Volt appears inside the Air unit, and hits of blue accent the areas around the Air pockets and the outsole below. No release date at this time, but we'll keep you posted as more details become available.
2012年1月12日星期四
6 Killer Heels From Shoe God Christian Louboutin
I'll admit that I've always been mystified by designer shoes. The logic of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to wear what amounts to not just one spiky torture device but two is totally lost on me. Still, I can appreciate Christian Louboutin--he of the glossy scarlet soles and the slender, towering stilettos--on pure aesthetic grounds. As a forthcoming exhibit at the Design Museum in London shows, the guy knows how to make a hot shoe.
Christian Louboutin surveys 20 years of the French fashion icon's footwear designs, from lace-up boots and studded sneakers to crystal-encrusted stilettos and sky-high fetish heels that'd make Betty Paige blush. “Louboutin's shoes are the epitome of style, glamour, power, femininity and elegance,” the museum says. And all the right people seem to agree: Madge and Lady Gaga count among Louboutin's loyal boldface fans.
But his success was hardly a shoo-in (pardon the pun). He wasn't formally trained, and before he started his own brand in 1991, he worked as a garden designer. During his teenage years, he hung around stage doors in Paris and took an internship sewing buttons and feathers at Folies Bergère--experiences that no doubt shaped his theatrical sensibility. His genius has been to take the oozing sex appeal of showgirls and cabaret and turn it into a footwear empire. Louboutin is clearly some kind of artist. Now if he could just figure out how to make a 6-inch heel comfortable, that'd really be a work of art.
Christian Louboutin surveys 20 years of the French fashion icon's footwear designs, from lace-up boots and studded sneakers to crystal-encrusted stilettos and sky-high fetish heels that'd make Betty Paige blush. “Louboutin's shoes are the epitome of style, glamour, power, femininity and elegance,” the museum says. And all the right people seem to agree: Madge and Lady Gaga count among Louboutin's loyal boldface fans.
But his success was hardly a shoo-in (pardon the pun). He wasn't formally trained, and before he started his own brand in 1991, he worked as a garden designer. During his teenage years, he hung around stage doors in Paris and took an internship sewing buttons and feathers at Folies Bergère--experiences that no doubt shaped his theatrical sensibility. His genius has been to take the oozing sex appeal of showgirls and cabaret and turn it into a footwear empire. Louboutin is clearly some kind of artist. Now if he could just figure out how to make a 6-inch heel comfortable, that'd really be a work of art.
2012年1月11日星期三
Real Life Style Advice For Your Wedding Day
As we jump into the new year many of you are newly engaged and just starting to dream up ideas and inspiration for your wedding day in 2012. To help launch the search for your personal style and vision I thought it would be helpful to share some tips and advice from one of my favorite clients from 2011. I remember the minute I first met Meghan Graper in my office in NYC--she was such a breath of fresh air. Her sense of style was strong and her vision was clear for what she wanted her wedding to look like. Meghan showed up in my office for our first meeting with her insanely talented brother Will Graper who just happened to be her style guru for looking amazing and flawless on her wedding day. Meghan's marriage to Keith, now her wonderful husband, took place on May 14, 2011. The ceremony was held at St Luke in the Fields followed by the reception at The Bowery Hotel in NYC.
Meghan is currently a Director in High Grade Corporate Syndication at Barclays Capital in NYC. She confessed to living vicariously through Will as there isn't much room for fashion in finance. She's the second oldest of six children and grew up in Sarasota, Florida. Meghan moved to NYC in 200 after graduating from Duke University with an Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy/Media Studies and a Film and Video Certification.
Will is a fashion stylist and brand consultant based in Brooklyn, NY. Originally from Sarasota, Florida, William has been a contributing editor for various publications including VOGUE Russia, Marie Claire, V Magazine and most recently Citizen K with actress Diane Kruger. Look out for William's latest editorial in the February issue of Marie Claire.
In addition his editorial work, William works closely with fashion designers like Rad Hourani to develop upcoming collections and style shows for NY and Paris Fashion Week. For more information and to see William's portfolio, please visit www.williamgraper.com.
Meghan says, "As I broached the overriding questions and thought about setting the tone for all of the limitless details, with Will's guidance, I gave a lot of consideration to finding my own personality in my style choices....with a focus of remaining genuine with every decision."
I couldn't help but think Meghan had the most invaluable and unique resource right there by her side with an accomplished stylist as her brother. What a dream relationship for planning your wedding! It was certainly a fabulous and fun journey getting to know this dynamic duo. Here are some of Will and Meghan's personal tips for looking and feeling your best on your wedding day.
Will's advice for pulling together the perfect look...
* "Got your eye on that Oscar de la Renta bridal couture but simply can't afford it? Skip the bridal salons that always charge more for a "wedding" dress and hit up other sections of the department store. Check out Oscar's main line of ready-to-wear for a classic white dress that the designer does so well year round."
* "Limit the number of people you invite to try on dresses! I suggest taking one person who's opinion you value and who's personal style you admire. It's your day and your dress! Listen to your gut and wear what YOU love not what everyone else thinks is best for you. If that works for you, take it one step further and don't tell your friends who makes the gown or what it looks like. This will not only limit opinions after you've already spent the money, but also allow for a wonderful surprise on your special day!"
* "Go with your gut-- typically the first dress you fall in love with is the right one!"
* "Hair and make up are just are just as important as the dress and ceremony! Ask your everyday hair stylist if they can do it or if they can suggest someone they've worked with before. Most importantly, if you don't wear your hair up in your everyday life, why wear it up on your wedding day? Avoid hairstyles and make up that is deemed "traditional" and go for what makes you feel beautiful."
* "The SHOES! Nothing kills a dress more than a sad white kitten heel. Again, you don't wear kitten heels in day-to-day life? Trade them for your favorite five inch Christian Louboutin. Regardless of your height preference, opt for a more modern blush or pale pink shoe over white which you most likely can't wear again."
* "Keep accessories simple-- don't wear anything that takes away from your natural beauty. If you want to wear a statement piece, pick one, like a great necklace OR dramatic earrings. Less is more."
* "If trying to lose weight before the big day, go down a size in your dress. A scary idea, especially if you're going for the top of the line gown, but certainly a motivator for actually shedding that little bit of extra weight."
* "Do a pre wedding juice cleanse! Organic Avenue in NYC offers a variety of incredible programs to not only shed pounds before the big day, but more importantly jump start your fitness routine. For maximum results, trainer Matthew Ryan Carney is your man! He'll ensure you're ready for those day-of pictures you'll have for the rest of your life!
Meghan is currently a Director in High Grade Corporate Syndication at Barclays Capital in NYC. She confessed to living vicariously through Will as there isn't much room for fashion in finance. She's the second oldest of six children and grew up in Sarasota, Florida. Meghan moved to NYC in 200 after graduating from Duke University with an Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy/Media Studies and a Film and Video Certification.
Will is a fashion stylist and brand consultant based in Brooklyn, NY. Originally from Sarasota, Florida, William has been a contributing editor for various publications including VOGUE Russia, Marie Claire, V Magazine and most recently Citizen K with actress Diane Kruger. Look out for William's latest editorial in the February issue of Marie Claire.
In addition his editorial work, William works closely with fashion designers like Rad Hourani to develop upcoming collections and style shows for NY and Paris Fashion Week. For more information and to see William's portfolio, please visit www.williamgraper.com.
Meghan says, "As I broached the overriding questions and thought about setting the tone for all of the limitless details, with Will's guidance, I gave a lot of consideration to finding my own personality in my style choices....with a focus of remaining genuine with every decision."
I couldn't help but think Meghan had the most invaluable and unique resource right there by her side with an accomplished stylist as her brother. What a dream relationship for planning your wedding! It was certainly a fabulous and fun journey getting to know this dynamic duo. Here are some of Will and Meghan's personal tips for looking and feeling your best on your wedding day.
Will's advice for pulling together the perfect look...
* "Got your eye on that Oscar de la Renta bridal couture but simply can't afford it? Skip the bridal salons that always charge more for a "wedding" dress and hit up other sections of the department store. Check out Oscar's main line of ready-to-wear for a classic white dress that the designer does so well year round."
* "Limit the number of people you invite to try on dresses! I suggest taking one person who's opinion you value and who's personal style you admire. It's your day and your dress! Listen to your gut and wear what YOU love not what everyone else thinks is best for you. If that works for you, take it one step further and don't tell your friends who makes the gown or what it looks like. This will not only limit opinions after you've already spent the money, but also allow for a wonderful surprise on your special day!"
* "Go with your gut-- typically the first dress you fall in love with is the right one!"
* "Hair and make up are just are just as important as the dress and ceremony! Ask your everyday hair stylist if they can do it or if they can suggest someone they've worked with before. Most importantly, if you don't wear your hair up in your everyday life, why wear it up on your wedding day? Avoid hairstyles and make up that is deemed "traditional" and go for what makes you feel beautiful."
* "The SHOES! Nothing kills a dress more than a sad white kitten heel. Again, you don't wear kitten heels in day-to-day life? Trade them for your favorite five inch Christian Louboutin. Regardless of your height preference, opt for a more modern blush or pale pink shoe over white which you most likely can't wear again."
* "Keep accessories simple-- don't wear anything that takes away from your natural beauty. If you want to wear a statement piece, pick one, like a great necklace OR dramatic earrings. Less is more."
* "If trying to lose weight before the big day, go down a size in your dress. A scary idea, especially if you're going for the top of the line gown, but certainly a motivator for actually shedding that little bit of extra weight."
* "Do a pre wedding juice cleanse! Organic Avenue in NYC offers a variety of incredible programs to not only shed pounds before the big day, but more importantly jump start your fitness routine. For maximum results, trainer Matthew Ryan Carney is your man! He'll ensure you're ready for those day-of pictures you'll have for the rest of your life!
2012年1月10日星期二
Is shopping better than therapy?
IT'S a timely admission to make. While the rest of the country's shopaholics are getting their fix in the January sales, Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts has claimed she can't get enough of hers – namely on Christian Louboutin heels.
The redhead said it was those iconic red-soled platforms that helped her deal with years of bullying, rather than the love of a bargain, and she decided the buzz of a new pair of shoes actually was more effective than hours of therapy.
Nicola, now a solo singer with her own cosmetic brand and a new single in the shops, has previously spoken openly about her battle with the bullies – she was constantly referred to as “the less attractive one” in the band as she grew up in the spotlight alongside revered beauties like Cheryl Cole. And she says in order to deal with the taunts, she decided to give up the hours on the coach she initially sought, in favour of her own version of retail therapy.
“It's too expensive,” she told a magazine.
“I'd rather sit there all night thinking until I couldn't think any more, then reward myself the next day with a pair of Louboutins.”
But Paul Buckley, consumer psychologist at Cardiff School of Marketing, thinks the porcelain-skinned 26-year-old is deluding herself.
“It's very common with people with a psychological difficulty to turn to shopping as a quick fix,” he said.
“We call it a displacement activity – we do something else to take our mind off the problem, which it does temporarily.
“We get a buzz, but it doesn't last long – maybe hours, or a day maximum.
“And the problem is still there. Shopping for heels is just painting over the cracks.”
While treating ourselves to the bag we've been lusting after isn't exactly going to worry the doctor, Paul says the real problem arises when we constantly turn to the high street or the luxury website to distract us from issues elsewhere.
“Very often with a compulsive shopper, it starts with that one shop when they're feeling down and it carries on,” he points out
“It's like taking a drug, an anti-depressant – we think we can't function without it.
“But it has no long-term benefit.
“We can't spend away our problems.”
And hasn't the recession taught us that shopping actually doesn't cure all ills?
“I don't actually think there has been a dramatic drop in the amount of shopping,” adds Paul.
“Figures out this week show shopping sales are down by 3%, which is nothing when you consider the amount of discounts in the run-up to Christmas.”
But really, do we need to be that concerned if we're spending and spending away that bad day at the office?
“Of course it's fine when you're shopping for genuine pleasure and need, it's when it becomes an attempt at a long-term cure that it becomes a problem,” warned Paul
“A better way would be to look at the problem and think, ‘What are my options here for changing the situation I'm in?'
“It's all product placement; apparently the average person can be hit with around ￡15,000 of marketing a day so it's no wonder people get addicted. And a pair of heels for ￡600? You could buy around 10 hours of therapy for that, and the affect would last longer.”
True. But would it make our bottoms look as pert, Paul?
The redhead said it was those iconic red-soled platforms that helped her deal with years of bullying, rather than the love of a bargain, and she decided the buzz of a new pair of shoes actually was more effective than hours of therapy.
Nicola, now a solo singer with her own cosmetic brand and a new single in the shops, has previously spoken openly about her battle with the bullies – she was constantly referred to as “the less attractive one” in the band as she grew up in the spotlight alongside revered beauties like Cheryl Cole. And she says in order to deal with the taunts, she decided to give up the hours on the coach she initially sought, in favour of her own version of retail therapy.
“It's too expensive,” she told a magazine.
“I'd rather sit there all night thinking until I couldn't think any more, then reward myself the next day with a pair of Louboutins.”
But Paul Buckley, consumer psychologist at Cardiff School of Marketing, thinks the porcelain-skinned 26-year-old is deluding herself.
“It's very common with people with a psychological difficulty to turn to shopping as a quick fix,” he said.
“We call it a displacement activity – we do something else to take our mind off the problem, which it does temporarily.
“We get a buzz, but it doesn't last long – maybe hours, or a day maximum.
“And the problem is still there. Shopping for heels is just painting over the cracks.”
While treating ourselves to the bag we've been lusting after isn't exactly going to worry the doctor, Paul says the real problem arises when we constantly turn to the high street or the luxury website to distract us from issues elsewhere.
“Very often with a compulsive shopper, it starts with that one shop when they're feeling down and it carries on,” he points out
“It's like taking a drug, an anti-depressant – we think we can't function without it.
“But it has no long-term benefit.
“We can't spend away our problems.”
And hasn't the recession taught us that shopping actually doesn't cure all ills?
“I don't actually think there has been a dramatic drop in the amount of shopping,” adds Paul.
“Figures out this week show shopping sales are down by 3%, which is nothing when you consider the amount of discounts in the run-up to Christmas.”
But really, do we need to be that concerned if we're spending and spending away that bad day at the office?
“Of course it's fine when you're shopping for genuine pleasure and need, it's when it becomes an attempt at a long-term cure that it becomes a problem,” warned Paul
“A better way would be to look at the problem and think, ‘What are my options here for changing the situation I'm in?'
“It's all product placement; apparently the average person can be hit with around ￡15,000 of marketing a day so it's no wonder people get addicted. And a pair of heels for ￡600? You could buy around 10 hours of therapy for that, and the affect would last longer.”
True. But would it make our bottoms look as pert, Paul?
2012年1月9日星期一
Uber-Pregnant Jessica Simpson Glows At NBC's Press Tour – Pics!
With Beyonce having given birth, Jessica Simpson is officially the cutest pregnant celeb. We caught up with Jess at the NBC Universal Winter TCA Press Tour Party in Pasadena on Friday night.
Jess looked absolutely stunning in a black sparkly Dolce & Gabbana cocktail dress paired with Christian Louboutin spiked heels. How a woman that pregnant can wear shoes that high is beyond me, but major props for pulling it off. Simpson was glowing.
Jessica was promoting her upcoming NBC show Fashion Star – and chatting about her new clothing line. After tackling, women, teens, girls, tweens and plus-sizes, it makes sense that Jess' next foray will be into maternity wear.
“It's really challenging to find adorable stuff. And fashionable stuff and stuff that doesn't make you look like a house,” she said. “You want stuff that's flattering to your bump; you want to show your bump off.”
Jess looked absolutely stunning in a black sparkly Dolce & Gabbana cocktail dress paired with Christian Louboutin spiked heels. How a woman that pregnant can wear shoes that high is beyond me, but major props for pulling it off. Simpson was glowing.
Jessica was promoting her upcoming NBC show Fashion Star – and chatting about her new clothing line. After tackling, women, teens, girls, tweens and plus-sizes, it makes sense that Jess' next foray will be into maternity wear.
“It's really challenging to find adorable stuff. And fashionable stuff and stuff that doesn't make you look like a house,” she said. “You want stuff that's flattering to your bump; you want to show your bump off.”
2012年1月8日星期日
Are you HOT?Hot:
STATEMENT FOOTWEAR
Not:
FLATWEAR
FORGET hemline theory. There's a school of armchair economists who believe when times get tough, heels get higher: Think the platform shoes of the oil crisis '70s and the stilettos of the '90s dot-com bubble bust. Now, as the world teeters on the brink of economic calamity, we're teetering on wedges, platforms and pencil heels. Christian Louboutin's 160-millimetre pony-skin "Puck" ankle bootie (pictured left) says it all -- 6.3 inches of nosebleed-inducing, skyscraper-high podiatric absurdity. Where will it end? Only an economist can say for sure.
Hot:
OPTIMISTIC ORANGE
Not:
SUBTLETY
THE colour of 2012 will be "tangerine tango," a rich almost-red that radiates optimism, says the U.S.-based Pantone Color Institute, which predicts colour trends. Tangerine is not only more sophisticated than most shades of screaming orange, but far more forgiving as well. Pair it with white, cream or pale beige. Other top colours for 2012 include "bellflower," a soft purple; "solar power," a sunny yellow reminiscent of the '70s; hot "cabaret" pink, and "sodalite," a deep marine blue.
Hot:
COLOURED DENIM
Not:
MOM JEANS
COLOUR, not shape, is what makes denim hot this year. This winter, look for cobalt blue, emerald green, red and, of course, tangerine. Spring will bring denim in turquoise, yellow, violet and pink. What doesn't matter is the silhouette. Skinny or flared, high-waisted or navel-baring, take your pick, as long as it's in colour.
Hot:
BAUBLES
Not:
UNDERSTATED BLING
NOT since a much-younger Madonna swanned around in multiple chains and ropes of faux pearls in the 1980s have we seen this much hardware. Bib necklaces, necklaces worn as headbands and cocktail rings the size of a grade A jumbo egg. Prada, Lanvin and Marni have jumped in with frankly fake baubles. Earlier this month, Karl Lagerfeld dressed his models in gold and off-white and loaded them with bling for an Indian banquet-themed show for Chanel. "People have always responded to difficulty by dressing up in jewels," quipped Lagerfeld. In other words: Let them eat cake.
Hot:
TEXTURES THAT TAKE THEIR CUES FROM
THE ANIMAL KINGDOM
Not:
SIMPLE
TEXTURE
THIS year, Lady Gaga's more memorable fashion statements included a white feathered gown worthy of Swan Lake in Vogue and a feathered hat sprouting antlers. Fur is hot and so is faux fur, both realistic and blatantly fake, along with oversized iridescent paillettes that look like fish scales and fringe with a feathery texture. For winter 2012, wear a fur vest with an oversized rhinestone brooch or cinched with a belt.
Hot:
STATEMENT-MAKING FACIAL HAIR
Not:
THE CLEAN SHAVE
WHEN Liberal MP Justin Trudeau called Environment Minister Peter Kent a "piece of s " this month, the real question wasn't about declining parliamentary decorum. It was 'What the heck is Trudeau growing on his face?' Was he expressing solidarity with Occupy protesters who had adopted as their symbol a mask of Guy Fawkes, one of the conspirators behind the failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament (and the king)? Is he a fan of the 2005 film V for Vendetta, the tale of an anarchist revolutionary in a dystopian future whose trademark happens to be a Guy Fawkes mask? Or maybe Trudeau had simply forgotten Movember was over. Whatever. Facial hair that makes a statement will be hot this year. Even if you don't know what it's saying.
Hot:
GETTING PRIMED
FOR TARGET
Not:
THE LONG WAIT
TARGET fans in the U.S. eagerly await the department store giant's capsule collections from fashion designers like Isaac Mizrahi, Zac Posen, Anna Sui and the late Alexander McQueen. In September, Tarzhay launched a collection of more than 400 items -- from bathing suits to crib sheets -- featuring iconic prints by Missoni. Many were sold out quicker than you can say "luxury Italian knitwear." So when is it Canada's turn? The chain plans to open 105 stores in former Zellers locations in Canada, but it will take six to nine months to remodel each store. The best guess is the first Target will open in March 2013.
Hope springs eternal.
Not:
FLATWEAR
FORGET hemline theory. There's a school of armchair economists who believe when times get tough, heels get higher: Think the platform shoes of the oil crisis '70s and the stilettos of the '90s dot-com bubble bust. Now, as the world teeters on the brink of economic calamity, we're teetering on wedges, platforms and pencil heels. Christian Louboutin's 160-millimetre pony-skin "Puck" ankle bootie (pictured left) says it all -- 6.3 inches of nosebleed-inducing, skyscraper-high podiatric absurdity. Where will it end? Only an economist can say for sure.
Hot:
OPTIMISTIC ORANGE
Not:
SUBTLETY
THE colour of 2012 will be "tangerine tango," a rich almost-red that radiates optimism, says the U.S.-based Pantone Color Institute, which predicts colour trends. Tangerine is not only more sophisticated than most shades of screaming orange, but far more forgiving as well. Pair it with white, cream or pale beige. Other top colours for 2012 include "bellflower," a soft purple; "solar power," a sunny yellow reminiscent of the '70s; hot "cabaret" pink, and "sodalite," a deep marine blue.
Hot:
COLOURED DENIM
Not:
MOM JEANS
COLOUR, not shape, is what makes denim hot this year. This winter, look for cobalt blue, emerald green, red and, of course, tangerine. Spring will bring denim in turquoise, yellow, violet and pink. What doesn't matter is the silhouette. Skinny or flared, high-waisted or navel-baring, take your pick, as long as it's in colour.
Hot:
BAUBLES
Not:
UNDERSTATED BLING
NOT since a much-younger Madonna swanned around in multiple chains and ropes of faux pearls in the 1980s have we seen this much hardware. Bib necklaces, necklaces worn as headbands and cocktail rings the size of a grade A jumbo egg. Prada, Lanvin and Marni have jumped in with frankly fake baubles. Earlier this month, Karl Lagerfeld dressed his models in gold and off-white and loaded them with bling for an Indian banquet-themed show for Chanel. "People have always responded to difficulty by dressing up in jewels," quipped Lagerfeld. In other words: Let them eat cake.
Hot:
TEXTURES THAT TAKE THEIR CUES FROM
THE ANIMAL KINGDOM
Not:
SIMPLE
TEXTURE
THIS year, Lady Gaga's more memorable fashion statements included a white feathered gown worthy of Swan Lake in Vogue and a feathered hat sprouting antlers. Fur is hot and so is faux fur, both realistic and blatantly fake, along with oversized iridescent paillettes that look like fish scales and fringe with a feathery texture. For winter 2012, wear a fur vest with an oversized rhinestone brooch or cinched with a belt.
Hot:
STATEMENT-MAKING FACIAL HAIR
Not:
THE CLEAN SHAVE
WHEN Liberal MP Justin Trudeau called Environment Minister Peter Kent a "piece of s " this month, the real question wasn't about declining parliamentary decorum. It was 'What the heck is Trudeau growing on his face?' Was he expressing solidarity with Occupy protesters who had adopted as their symbol a mask of Guy Fawkes, one of the conspirators behind the failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament (and the king)? Is he a fan of the 2005 film V for Vendetta, the tale of an anarchist revolutionary in a dystopian future whose trademark happens to be a Guy Fawkes mask? Or maybe Trudeau had simply forgotten Movember was over. Whatever. Facial hair that makes a statement will be hot this year. Even if you don't know what it's saying.
Hot:
GETTING PRIMED
FOR TARGET
Not:
THE LONG WAIT
TARGET fans in the U.S. eagerly await the department store giant's capsule collections from fashion designers like Isaac Mizrahi, Zac Posen, Anna Sui and the late Alexander McQueen. In September, Tarzhay launched a collection of more than 400 items -- from bathing suits to crib sheets -- featuring iconic prints by Missoni. Many were sold out quicker than you can say "luxury Italian knitwear." So when is it Canada's turn? The chain plans to open 105 stores in former Zellers locations in Canada, but it will take six to nine months to remodel each store. The best guess is the first Target will open in March 2013.
Hope springs eternal.
2012年1月5日星期四
Louboutin red-sole trademark case: color war at the 2nd Circuit!
When the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit hears oral arguments later this month in shoe designer Christian Louboutin's appeal to protect his trademark on red lacquered soles, the court will be presented with two starkly different views of what purpose color serves in fashion design.
Louboutin, who is known around the world for the flashy Chinese red on the bottom of his posh high heels, will argue that the colored soles serve only to identify the Louboutin brand. Louboutin's red soles, according to the designer's lawyers at McCarter & English, are purely brand ID, just like Owens-Corning's pink fiberglass or Tiffany's robin's-egg blue packaging. (Tiffany filed an amicus brief endorsing Louboutin's interpretation of color and trademarks.)
Yves Saint Laurent has countered that Louboutin, by his own admission, had an aesthetic purpose for lacquering the soles of his shoes red. So, according to YSL's counsel at Debevoise & Plimpton, Louboutin is not entitled to a trademark under the U.S. Supreme Court's 1995 opinion in Qualitex v. JacobsonProducts, which holds that a color can be trademarked only when it "can act as a symbol that distinguishes a firm's goods and identifies their source, without serving any other significant function." When color serves an aesthetic function (as YSL contends it does in Louboutin's shoes), it cannot be trademarked.
On Wednesday, YSL's interpretation of trademark law got a boost from a group of 11 law school professors, who filed an amicus brief in support of YSL. "This court should recognize that the shadow cast by a mark in a single color on a fashion item creates enormous uncertainty for other designers and should regard claims of single-color trademarks in fashion with considerable skepticism," the professors asserted in a brief written by Rebecca Tushnet of Georgetown University Law Center.
Interestingly, the law professors' filing argued that if the 2nd Circuit permitted trademarks on colors that serve an aesthetic function, it would be muddling the distinction between trademark and patent law. Trademarks aren't supposed to confer the same sort of monopoly power as design patents, and Louboutin's broad assertion of its trademark right on the color red was anticompetitive, the brief said. The professors, like YSL's lawyers, distinguished between Louboutin's red soles and Tiffany's blue boxes, which don't impinge design choices of other jewelers.
That was certainly the view of U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero of Manhattan federal court, who ruled in August that Louboutin was not entitled to an injunction barring YSL's all-red shoes. In a ruminative opinion that quoted J. Lo and compared shoe designers to artists, the judge went on to conclude that the Louboutin trademark has an aesthetic function and hinders competition.
Louboutin filed an interlocutory appeal, arguing that Marrero erred on both points. "By putting a distinctive red color on the previously ignored bottom portion of the shoe, Louboutin established a strong brand identifier. The red outsole has no [other] utility," the Louboutin brief said. And Marrero's conclusion about hindering competition was mere supposition, according to the brief, since he ruled without a factual record on the competitive impact of Louboutin's mark.
YSL responded that if the record is incomplete, that's because Louboutin is pushing the 2nd Circuit for an interlocutory appeal. Not that YSL fears what it considers Louboutin's forcing of the trademark issue: "On this record, it would be highly unusual for the Second Circuit to say, 'We think an injunction should be issued,'" said YSL counsel David Bernstein of Debevoise. "That likelihood is remote." Bernstein pointed out that even if the 2nd Circuit agrees that Louboutin deserves its trademark, it will then have to consider all of the YSL defenses that the trial judge never even reached because he found the trademark improper. "This whole exercise is a waste of resources," Bernstein said.
Louboutin, who is known around the world for the flashy Chinese red on the bottom of his posh high heels, will argue that the colored soles serve only to identify the Louboutin brand. Louboutin's red soles, according to the designer's lawyers at McCarter & English, are purely brand ID, just like Owens-Corning's pink fiberglass or Tiffany's robin's-egg blue packaging. (Tiffany filed an amicus brief endorsing Louboutin's interpretation of color and trademarks.)
Yves Saint Laurent has countered that Louboutin, by his own admission, had an aesthetic purpose for lacquering the soles of his shoes red. So, according to YSL's counsel at Debevoise & Plimpton, Louboutin is not entitled to a trademark under the U.S. Supreme Court's 1995 opinion in Qualitex v. JacobsonProducts, which holds that a color can be trademarked only when it "can act as a symbol that distinguishes a firm's goods and identifies their source, without serving any other significant function." When color serves an aesthetic function (as YSL contends it does in Louboutin's shoes), it cannot be trademarked.
On Wednesday, YSL's interpretation of trademark law got a boost from a group of 11 law school professors, who filed an amicus brief in support of YSL. "This court should recognize that the shadow cast by a mark in a single color on a fashion item creates enormous uncertainty for other designers and should regard claims of single-color trademarks in fashion with considerable skepticism," the professors asserted in a brief written by Rebecca Tushnet of Georgetown University Law Center.
Interestingly, the law professors' filing argued that if the 2nd Circuit permitted trademarks on colors that serve an aesthetic function, it would be muddling the distinction between trademark and patent law. Trademarks aren't supposed to confer the same sort of monopoly power as design patents, and Louboutin's broad assertion of its trademark right on the color red was anticompetitive, the brief said. The professors, like YSL's lawyers, distinguished between Louboutin's red soles and Tiffany's blue boxes, which don't impinge design choices of other jewelers.
That was certainly the view of U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero of Manhattan federal court, who ruled in August that Louboutin was not entitled to an injunction barring YSL's all-red shoes. In a ruminative opinion that quoted J. Lo and compared shoe designers to artists, the judge went on to conclude that the Louboutin trademark has an aesthetic function and hinders competition.
Louboutin filed an interlocutory appeal, arguing that Marrero erred on both points. "By putting a distinctive red color on the previously ignored bottom portion of the shoe, Louboutin established a strong brand identifier. The red outsole has no [other] utility," the Louboutin brief said. And Marrero's conclusion about hindering competition was mere supposition, according to the brief, since he ruled without a factual record on the competitive impact of Louboutin's mark.
YSL responded that if the record is incomplete, that's because Louboutin is pushing the 2nd Circuit for an interlocutory appeal. Not that YSL fears what it considers Louboutin's forcing of the trademark issue: "On this record, it would be highly unusual for the Second Circuit to say, 'We think an injunction should be issued,'" said YSL counsel David Bernstein of Debevoise. "That likelihood is remote." Bernstein pointed out that even if the 2nd Circuit agrees that Louboutin deserves its trademark, it will then have to consider all of the YSL defenses that the trial judge never even reached because he found the trademark improper. "This whole exercise is a waste of resources," Bernstein said.
2012年1月4日星期三
Warm and Chic in Winter Boots
In the cold months of winter, Jessie Randall, president and creative director of the high-end Loeffler Randall shoe line, essentially lives in boots. The New York City-based designer has about 15 pairs in regular rotation once winter arrives. "I like to be comfortable, and boots are the best thing to keep my legs warm," she says.
She sticks to pieces that will blend seamlessly with what she is wearing. With fitted jeans or pants, Ms. Randall favors slim-cut boots that come close to the knee and have a mini wedge heel. On colder days, she'll pull on slim-cut boots that end above her knees. "It's fun and sexy but also functional," she says, noting that with such high boots, she prefers a practical flat heel. For added warmth, she'll sometimes pick a boot lined in shearling or wool felt.
For the tall-boot look, the jeans or pants should be snug so the wearer has a clean, elongating line. Ms. Randall favors boots that aren't designed to look skintight, saying: "Everybody's leg is different, so sometimes the boot doesn't look like it's molding to the leg very well." Instead, she advises looking for a boot that has a straight shaft in a narrow cut. (If you happen to buy a boot that feels a little snug, Ms. Randall notes, a cobbler can add elastic near the top to help it fit better.)
Ankle boots, which Ms. Randall calls "a huge trend," can give a fresh look to a skirt or dress. "They're a little bit more masculine and they give your outfit some edge," she says. Ms. Randall favors ankle boots with a midsize heel, enough to give her "a little lift, which can make you look slimmer" without making it hard for the designer, who has three young sons, to push a stroller around.
When wearing trendy long skirts or midcalf lengths, Ms. Randall typically opts for boots that are tall enough to end above the hemline. "If you wear it with a boot that leaves just two inches of leg showing, it can make you look stunted," Mr. Randall notes. With short skirts, she says, "anything goes."
Ms. Randall avoids "big, clunky rain boots in those really bright colors that you wouldn't normally be wearing." Her rain boots are dark-colored and made of matte rubber. In snowy weather, Ms. Randall pulls on boots that have a thick "motorcycle boot sole" that gives her some traction. If you have a boot without a thick sole that you intend to wear in bad weather, Ms. Randall advises going to a cobbler to have a rubber sole put on the bottom. Many boots are made with leather soles, Ms. Randall says, and leather absorbs water.
If adding a rubber sole to your boot, she suggests wearing the shoes in the house "until it starts to break them in a bit" before having the new sole added. "Rubber doesn't stretch the way leather does, so it's great to get the boot to mold to the shape of your foot first," she says.
"The nicer the boot you buy, the more perishable it will be," Ms. Randall says, so she tends to wear rain boots when it's snowy out, changing when she gets to the office. If she does get her less-rugged boots soaked, she removes them as soon as she's home or at the office and gently stuffs each one with crushed newspaper or paper towels to absorb the moisture. (Avoid tissue paper or any paper product "that can dissolve and stick to your boot," she says.) Ms. Randall never uses a hair dryer to speed up the process, because extreme heat could dry out the leather.
If they are suede, she'll then take a brush designed for the material and smooth out the imperfections. With other kinds of leather, if there are marks or stains, she'll take it to a leather cleaning specialist to "make things look brand new again."
To best protect her winter boots, Ms. Randall makes sure to apply a very thin coat of Lexol, a leather conditioner, on them at least twice a season.
"All leather will naturally get dry and brittle over time," she says. "Conditioning your boots will help them look newer and fresher."
She sticks to pieces that will blend seamlessly with what she is wearing. With fitted jeans or pants, Ms. Randall favors slim-cut boots that come close to the knee and have a mini wedge heel. On colder days, she'll pull on slim-cut boots that end above her knees. "It's fun and sexy but also functional," she says, noting that with such high boots, she prefers a practical flat heel. For added warmth, she'll sometimes pick a boot lined in shearling or wool felt.
For the tall-boot look, the jeans or pants should be snug so the wearer has a clean, elongating line. Ms. Randall favors boots that aren't designed to look skintight, saying: "Everybody's leg is different, so sometimes the boot doesn't look like it's molding to the leg very well." Instead, she advises looking for a boot that has a straight shaft in a narrow cut. (If you happen to buy a boot that feels a little snug, Ms. Randall notes, a cobbler can add elastic near the top to help it fit better.)
Ankle boots, which Ms. Randall calls "a huge trend," can give a fresh look to a skirt or dress. "They're a little bit more masculine and they give your outfit some edge," she says. Ms. Randall favors ankle boots with a midsize heel, enough to give her "a little lift, which can make you look slimmer" without making it hard for the designer, who has three young sons, to push a stroller around.
When wearing trendy long skirts or midcalf lengths, Ms. Randall typically opts for boots that are tall enough to end above the hemline. "If you wear it with a boot that leaves just two inches of leg showing, it can make you look stunted," Mr. Randall notes. With short skirts, she says, "anything goes."
Ms. Randall avoids "big, clunky rain boots in those really bright colors that you wouldn't normally be wearing." Her rain boots are dark-colored and made of matte rubber. In snowy weather, Ms. Randall pulls on boots that have a thick "motorcycle boot sole" that gives her some traction. If you have a boot without a thick sole that you intend to wear in bad weather, Ms. Randall advises going to a cobbler to have a rubber sole put on the bottom. Many boots are made with leather soles, Ms. Randall says, and leather absorbs water.
If adding a rubber sole to your boot, she suggests wearing the shoes in the house "until it starts to break them in a bit" before having the new sole added. "Rubber doesn't stretch the way leather does, so it's great to get the boot to mold to the shape of your foot first," she says.
"The nicer the boot you buy, the more perishable it will be," Ms. Randall says, so she tends to wear rain boots when it's snowy out, changing when she gets to the office. If she does get her less-rugged boots soaked, she removes them as soon as she's home or at the office and gently stuffs each one with crushed newspaper or paper towels to absorb the moisture. (Avoid tissue paper or any paper product "that can dissolve and stick to your boot," she says.) Ms. Randall never uses a hair dryer to speed up the process, because extreme heat could dry out the leather.
If they are suede, she'll then take a brush designed for the material and smooth out the imperfections. With other kinds of leather, if there are marks or stains, she'll take it to a leather cleaning specialist to "make things look brand new again."
To best protect her winter boots, Ms. Randall makes sure to apply a very thin coat of Lexol, a leather conditioner, on them at least twice a season.
"All leather will naturally get dry and brittle over time," she says. "Conditioning your boots will help them look newer and fresher."
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