Hottest Star of Summer 2005: Jessica Alba

Even though I don't approve of celebs getting too involved in the fashion industry, I always love a fashionable and well-dressed star. Sigh, summer really is coming to an end, *sniff sniff*. Anyways, so I decided to pick the most memorable star of this summer to talk about. It's not the newly evolved and skinny Nicole nor Lindsay; it's not the always trendy Mischa nor her cute OC co-star Rachel; I'm talking about Jessica. Not Simpson, like eww. Jessica as in Jessica Alba.

Starring in three summer movies -Sin City, Into the Blue and Fantastic Four -Alba is THE female star this summer. Err, right that wasn't the point. The point is, Alba has been looking AMAZING in all the events she attended recently -both fashion and makeup-wise. Here's a recap:
Alba with Cash Warren at the Westwood Sin City premiere -those ruffles are so nice and red actually looks great on her!
Alba at the Fantastic Four Mexico press conference -her clothes are so simple here and she looks so lovely with those pearls.
Alba at the New York Fantastic Four premiere -this is definately my fav Alba dress! I love the details (like beads) on the white part of the dress and the back is gorgeous. This shape of a dress is usually really hard to pull off, but she does it well!
Alba at the London Fantastic Four premiere -smart girl knows that A-line dresses are just so flattering to the body. Another simple yet fabulous choice.
Alba at the Spain Fantastic Four premiere -I usually dislike one-sided shoulder dresses, but I love this one, esp how the black fabric on one shoulder drapers past her whole arm.
Alba at the Secustro Express premiere -I simply love the tailoring of the dress, esp the tightened waist. Shows that a dress doesn't have to be lacy or made of satin to be beautiful!
Alba at the Teen Choice Awards just two weeks ago -a typical casual Alba look. I love this look -although maybe she should get those jeans cut just a tiny bit up.



Source : http://iamfashion.blogspot.com/2005/08/hottest-star-of-summer-2005-jessica.html

Japanese finds its models back in fashion

When foreigners visit Japan, one of their most common gripes is the difficulty of obtaining cash from bank machines or paying for purchases with credit cards. Such basic obstacles to their red-blooded desire to spend freely and to spend often have been seen as emblematic of an anachronistic financial system that has simply failed to keep pace with modern times.

Now laggard Japan does not look quite so stupid. Whether by luck or design, its financial institutions have been relatively unscathed by the financial crisis that has felled some of the biggest names on Wall Street. While its adventurous foreign brethren were off on a lucrative, but ultimately disastrous, spending spree, most Japanese banks continued to make the bulk of their money from old-fashioned lending.

Now the tables have turned. This week, Nomura has picked up Lehman assets at seemingly bargain-basement prices. Mitsubishi UFJ will pay some $8bn (€5.5bn, £4.3bn) for a sizeable chunk of Morgan Stanley, one of the few US investment banks left standing.

Yet the quick reversal of fortunes has led to remarkably little carping. “They’ve been admirably restrained considering they spent 10 years with the Americans telling them how to run things,” says Richard Jerram, economist at Macquarie Securities. “There must be a deep temptation to say: ‘You really mustn’t manipulate the market by banning short selling. You really must let this problem work out rather than having a low-transparency rescue plan,” he says, referring to continued prodding of Japan to adopt a more robust form of free-market capitalism.

Part of the restraint is due to the fact that, in attempting to resolve the crisis, the US is practising more or less what it preached to Japan in the 1990s. Then, US officials told Tokyo, often in no uncertain terms, that Japanese banks must recognise bad debts more quickly and that the government should replenish missing capital with public funds.

“The serious complaint about Japan was how long it took them,” says Mr Jerram. “The good thing you can say about America is that they are barely a year into this and they are throwing absolutely everything at it.”

Teizo Taya, a board member of the Bank of Japan when that institution was being criticised for its supposedly unimaginative policy in tackling deflation, is not carping either. “They won’t listen anyway,” he says.

But he does argue that, by aggressively lowering interest rates after the collapse of the tech bubble and after the emergence of the subprime crisis, the US response may have been just as flawed as Japan’s more conservative tack.

Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, once famously urged the Bank of Japan to buy ketchup – in other words, any asset going – to stop deflation. But many Japanese officials privately argue that pushing interest rates too low was the cause of the bubble that has now exploded so spectacularly. They also point to the BoJ’s once unfashionable assertion – now being reassessed worldwide – that central banks should not limit themselves to targeting consumer inflation but should work out how to prick asset bubbles as well.

One senior BoJ official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Friday: “I’m not saying it’s possible to detect a bubble and to stop it from bursting. But there are some things you can do.” More, for example, could have been done to take the heat out of the housing market, he said.

Mr Taya says of US monetary policy: “The lesson they thought they had learnt may not be correct. In one sense, their policy was quite successful. They avoided an economic downturn from 2001. But they forgot about the side-effects of easy policy.”

Japan, says Mr Taya, has benefited from the natural caution of its institutions. “Japanese are different from US investment banks. US banks just bought assets with money that they had borrowed. That business model has now collapsed.”

But neither does he attribute the relatively healthy position of Japanese banks to wisdom. “Japanese institutions were lagging behind. I don’t think there is any positive aspect to this. Until 2005 they were busy writing down bad debt. Then there was a pause period. There was simply no time for Japanese institutions to follow suit.”

A senior Japanese finance official puts it more succinctly. “I think this was more luck than prudence.”

Source : http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/932f7720-8be0-11dd-8a4c-0000779fd18c.html?nclick_check=1

The Japan holds diaper fashion show

TOKYO (AP) — One after the other, the models strutted across the stage to bouncy '80s dance tunes, all showing off designs of the same article of clothing — adult diapers.

Japan has one of the world's most rapidly aging societies, and the fashion show Thursday proved the country's diaper producers are intent on keeping the elderly clean and dry.

"Diapers are something that people don't want to look at," said Kiyoko Hamada of the Aging Lifestyle Research Center, a leading organizer of the show.

"But if you make them attractive, then people can learn about them more easily," she said.

Indeed, adult diapers are an increasingly common item in Japan, home to one of the world's longest average lifespans. More than 20 percent of the population is over 65, and the country is forecast to have the globe's largest number of centenarians — 1 million — by 2050, the U.N. says.

That means a booming market for adult diapers.

The Nikkei, Japan's leading business newspaper, conducted a survey this week that showed sales of adult diapers have more than doubled over the past decade, reaching an estimated 52.5 billion yen ($500 million) this year.

While that's good news for manufacturers, the fashion show Thursday showed there's still a lot of uneasiness in Japan about this sometimes unseemly side of aging.

Before the models took over, players at the theater in downtown Tokyo acted out skits instructing viewers how to tell when elderly loved ones need diapers, how to convince them to put them on and how to properly use them.

In one skit, an elderly man shook his head in dismay after his wife pointed out that he wet the bed overnight again.

"Ah, maybe the loose-fitting diapers I use during the day aren't good to use at night," he concluded, leading to a discussion about well-padded nappies made especially for nighttime use.

Like many events in Japan, the show was heavy on detailed information, showing how certain types of diapers suit the bedridden, such as models that can be wrapped around the midsection. Pants-like slip-on diapers, on the other hand, are more suitable for active oldsters.

"A lot of people make mistakes when choosing diapers," said Hamada. "We can make it so people no longer feel uneasy about taking care of old people."

The fashion show itself was half camp, half instruction.

Speakers blared oldie hits such as "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood as models jaunted on the stage with diapers pulled on over black tights.

Each model held a number to designate the model of the diaper. Some of the models, all volunteers, playfully shook their hips on the stage.

The crowd of several hundred people included diaper manufacturers, nursing home workers and doctors.

Nursing home caretakers Mitsuru and Aya Habuka watched with rapt attention, exclaiming when diaper models they hadn't seen before were displayed on stage.

"It was great to see so many different types of diapers all in one showing," gushed Aya Habuka, 26. "I learned a lot. This is the first time that diapers are being considered as fashion."

Source : http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hHTO4V779DzG6qI07AuTiMys5tRAD93DQTJ80

THE FASHION WEEK NIGHT ONE

summer, and together with some lovely indian summer weather, I really wanted to go out and re-connect with NYC. What better time than Fashion Week. Of course, I have little interest in clothing trends, but it's really more about seeing and being seen for me. As if I could afford any of the clothes anyway. AS IF THEY EVEN MADE THEM IN MY SIZE!

One event had nothing to do with fashion, yet it honored the legendary model Veruschka, a unique supermodel whose beauty has outlived several decades, not to mention seasons! She's in that rare category of one named models like Dovima and Twiggy, and she was lucky to work in one of fashion's most experimental phases which featured the boldest prints, the biggest hair and the lushest false eyelashes: the late 60's. The impossibly glamorous daughter of a Prussian countess and a german count, though she changed her name and claimed to be from Russia to gain an edge, which she needed because tall models weren't yet as "in". According to Wikipedia, she left the fashon industry in 1975 due to disagreements with Grace Mirabella, the newly appointed editor-in-chief of Vogue, who wanted to change her image to make it more approachable to average women." Love it! You'll have me as an exotic or you won't have me at all! Ta ta, fashion!

She also appeared in Antonioni's film BLOW UP, in what Premiere magazine has named "the sexiest scene in film history." In the 80's, she turned to body painting! And I can't tell you how thrilled I was to learn, only within the last week, that the incredible creature once attended Wigstock--that's her below in a flame-red wig with Tabboo!
She answered "Well, I was laying in the sand." She made an appreciative comment about my own large hairdo and was kind enough to pose with me. She was looking at me during the shot, in a sort of linen cloche. Unfortunately, I was trying to instruct Mauricio Padhilla, the publicist and publisher of Mao magazne, on how to use my camera--so my big mouth was open during the shot! So I cropped myself out and left. The music was 60's, and possibly very clever, but definitely very low energy. I would have played something rockin' from BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS.

MADAME VERUSCHKA--A FASHION LEGEND WHO I WAS MOST HONORED TO MEET!

So I skipped out, greeting Roger Padhilla in the elevator. The glossy Assouline publication came in it's own shopping bag, and was so heavy that you Roger developed instant biceps! I was later told that Veruschka herself didn't have a copy, explaining "I couldn't lift it."
I hopped out onto 10th Ave to grab a cab and caught the attention of two latino gents who were waiting to drive some big-wig home. Not my big-wig, but their employer. I demurely thanked them and said no, but when I didn't see an available taxi, I reconsidered their offer. I suppose I'm a fool, but the car looked expensive and both guys were very jolly so I jumped on in! They knew me from the club scene years ago, and we reminisced about everything from The Limelight to mutual friends and co-workers.
It didn't take long to reach my apartment and I gave them each a card. As the guy in the driver's seat got out to open my door for me, the better-looking one reached back and rubbed his hand up my leg towards my crotch and grabbed my (fake) boob. He said "Oh, you've got little tits" in a seductive way, so I didn't really have the heart to tell him that actually I was just fat.

The phone rang half an hour later and it was that sexy driver. I asked him his name and I'll respect his privacy, but let's just say it was something like Gifted. I asked "Do you mean Gifted as in gifted with a big fat puerto rican cock to shove down my throat all the way to the balls?" Not missing a beat he replied "Yeah, while I finger-fuck you and jerk you off at the same time!" What an imagination! Is that even physically possible? He's called back a few times but we have yet to get together. Aaah! Fashion and passion on a hot summer night in NYC!



Source : http://ladybunny.net/blog/2008/09/fashion-week-night-one.html

Fashion Week Night Lifes

Ok, seriously backed up here. These pictures are from last night's events. I ended up going to three parties. However, I will only write about two. A PR rep for the celebrity that was the honoree was such a SNOB and so unbelievable rude so I couldn't get near the talent.

The first set of pictures is from The Budget Fashionista's Fifth Anniversary Bash. I have to say, out of the three I attended, I had the most fun here. There was such an energy in the room. It was held at the Housing Works Thrift Shop on 17th and 6th and they turned the room into a great space. At the party, massages and manicures were offered which was a nice twist. AND you got a free fitting for a pair of jeans that promise to be the best fit yet! They didn't have my size by the time I got there, but I got a gift certificate to get my pair at a later date. FUN!
Afterwards, we ended up at the Bloomingdales' SoHo event. This VIP cocktail event showcased photos from celebrity photographer Nigel Barker and was hosted by Elle and American Photo magazine. It was H-O-T. And I'm not talking the crowd... I'm talking temperature. Waaaayyyy too many people. It was almost stifling! By the time I got home, I hardly had make up on. They stopped letting people in at around 9:30 and there was a LINE of fashionistas utterly disappointed.
And I just have to post this picture. My husband recited this quote to me a million times throughout the evening as if it was the best philosophy he ever heard. We were so deliriously dehydrated at that point, that I would crack up each time.



Source : http://www.imnotobsessed.com/2008/09/09/fashion-week-night-life-

The Trashin' Fashion' First Night Fashion Show

The Westport/Weston First Night Trashin' Fashion' Show is a stellar example of how inspired thinking, the Internet, and inter-institutional collaboration can collide to create hip and innovative eco-awareness raising intitiatives.

It all started when artist and chef Daniel Lanzilotta was combing for Spanish trash for his beach scuptures in Biarritz, France. Seeing the refuse as sculptural elements made him think that it could also work for clothing. He wouldn't have an opportunity to explore the idea until Westport/Weston First Night Executive Director Rozanne Gates asked Daniel to come up with an idea that would help the affluent Westport area rethink garbage. A quick web search led Daneil to New Zealand's Trash to Fashion (R) contest -- the country's largest recycled fashion show and a good starting point. Trashin' Fashion' was born.

First Night is a network of alcohol-free New Year's Eve events that allow intergenerational celebration of the impending year. In many communities, this means that performing and fine artists are given and audience and funding to show their stuff. In the case of the Trashin' Fashion' First Night project, middle and high school students collaborated with local trade school Gibbs College's fashion students to exhibit their eco-savvy fashion sense.

Irina Simeonova, Gibbs College Fashion and Marketing director, was so excited when presented with the Trashin' Fashion' idea that she reworked the fall semester fashion curriculum. Gibbs students were responsible for overseeing 6 teams of middle and high school students. The younger teams were responsible for collecting trash with design potential and their Gibbs fashion mentors helped them integrate the trash into coherent ensembles. Staples High School student Laura Berk served as a liason between the program and the younger students.

The teams will compete in six different categories on Saturday evening when over 250 celebrants are expected to jam Westport's Town Hall Auditorium to check out the students' creations. Daniel Lanzilotta says, "I hope that people think differently when they leave," with a desire to rethink disposables but also think creatively about waste.

It looks like the Trashin' Fashion' program will influence Westport for years to come. Various middle and high school art science and theater departments have committed to becoming part of next year's program. Westport's new Patagonia store became a sponsor this year and is awarding prizes of gift certificates to the winning teams. While "give a hoot, don't pollute" has its merits, this might be a new generation's template for raising awareness about waste. 3:00 - 5:00 PM New Year's Eve, Westport's Town Hall Auditorium :: Trashin' Fashion'

Source : http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/12/trashin_fashion.php

How to go from days to night in a fashionable flash

How many times have you overpacked for a vacation? How many times were you unable to fit everything into your carry-on luggage? Or gone to the beach, and when it was time for happy hour or dinner, you were still in a bathing suit? From the beach to the party, from the plane to the pool and from your cubicle to having cocktails, US Weekly contributor Jill Martin reveals how to get different looks with the same items:

Beach to chic
Looking to go from the beach or the pool on to an evening event? Well, Victoria's Secret (www.victoriassecret.com) has just come out with a 7-1 dress that allows you to go straight to a cocktail party by just tying the dress in a different way. This item is so versatile that you can wear it as a cover-up during the day with a bathing suit, then tie it as a dress at night (whichever way is most flattering to your figure). You can even throw a few accessories in your beach bag to dress up your evening attire.

If you like to really stand out during the day, add turquoise necklaces (Lee Angel at Jennifer Miller; 212.734.8199, $275), since they will dress up any outfit — from jeans and a white T-shirt to that little black dress. In terms of sprucing up the rest of your wardrobe, YSL has a fashionable and functional bag charm (www.ysl.com, $59) featuring a compact lip gloss and perfume.

If you are a heels person, throw a pair in your beach bag to take you into the evening. If you prefer flats, Calypso has a pair of gold sandals that will work day to night (www.calypso-celle.com, $35). Another way to look crisp and clean is to get the perfect white bathing suit, which can be hard to find because so many of them are see-through. Calypso has one that will allow you to stand out without revealing too much! (www.calypso-celle.com, $160). So pack your beach bag efficiently and head out!

Plane to pool
It is very frustrating to check luggage when you travel, so consider the carry-on bag. For a woman, there are two must-haves: a shawl from H&M (www.hm.com, $12.90) and a tankini. These two items will allow you to save space in your carry-on and will take you straight from the plane to the pool without even checking into your room. The tankini is a versatile two-piece suit — you can wear it as a tank top under a blazer or sweater on the plane. Then, just throw the bottoms on when you arrive at your destination, and you are set to sizzle in the sun. The H&M shawl is great because you can use it as a fashion piece over your blazer or as a blanket to keep you comfy during flights. In the warm weather, it can be tied as a sarong or used like a towel on the beach.

Now, guys, don't worry, we have a solution for you too. Ex Officio has come up with a five-pocket pant that allows you to travel in style. The pants are 100 percent nylon and are treated with Teflon. When you unzip these pants at the knee, they become shorts that can also be used as a bathing suit! (www.exofficio.com, $65).

Cubicle to cocktails
Every working woman can relate to this: How often are you at a loss for what to wear when heading to work with plans for the evening? When you want to look sexy and not stuffy, the scarf is the way to go. It must be a 36" square (it can be bigger if you want more coverage, but it must be a square). This is a must-have item for all women, whether you are going to work or going on a weekend trip. During the day, pair it with a blazer or sweater and wear it around your neck.

When you are ready for cocktails, take the scarf and lay it on a flat surface with the dull side facing up. Tie a knot in the middle of the scarf and then wrap two corners around your neck and the remaining two corners around your waist. Voila! Oh, and don't forget to throw in this clutch/wallet from Amici. It's a wallet on the inside but can double as a clutch on the outside — so throw it in your work bag and head out the door! (www.amiciaccessories.com, $24).

Source : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23277576/

The Fashion fright night in Paris

Woody Allen, asked if he thought sex was dirty, replied that it was if it was good. The same goes for Alexander McQueen's shows: they are at their wicked and wanton best when they flirt with the dark side.

McQueen's contribution to Paris fashion week did that. It was creepy and elegant, grandly conceived and expertly realised. The chill set in with the invitations, which featured fashion illustrations by Tim Burton: nightmarish storybook heroines, Frankenstein scars and ragged (but beautifully tailored) dresses.

The setting was La Conciergerie, the eerie prison of Marie Antoinette before she was beheaded. Long shadows fell on to the catwalk from wolves pacing behind bars on the gallery above. The wolves, who padded along the catwalk fastened to the first model's wrist-cuffs, turned out to be tame; the clothes did not. McQueen's tailoring created exaggerated hourglass shapes, with waists pinched tight and breasts lifted high. Curves were outlined with delicate corset lacing, or cross-bound with belted leather straps. A tweed trouser suit featured leather bands at the shoulders and around the waist and hips, bringing to mind the movable joints of china dolls.

Prim-meets-pervy is classic McQueen territory, but this was an unusually wearable collection. Schoolgirlish piped blazers, ultra-tight jeans and leather coats added a frisson to daywear. McQueen's fans will be torn between the cream lace cocktail dress with biscuit petticoat and corset lacing, and the peachy leather sheath with organza sweetheart neckline and cap sleeves.

The one-off pieces with which the show ended are destined for glass cases rather than wardrobes. Some - like the gown of cascading waves of cream chiffon that trembled delicately as cappuccino froth - were sweetness itself. But a parachute silk black coat, billowing behind a model wearing a mask and toreador hat, was deliberately sinister.

Source : http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2002/mar/11/expertopinions.fashion

Australia's Next Top Models

Australia's Next Top Model is an Australian reality television show based on the American program of the same name, which is broadcast on the Australian subscription television channel FOX8, carried by Foxtel, Optus Television, and Austar. The show features a group of young female contestants who live together in a house for several weeks while taking part in various challenges, photo shoots and meetings with members of the model industry. Usually, one female is eliminated each week until the final contestant remaining is declared "Australia's Next Top Model" and wins a modelling contract along with other associated prizes. Australia's Next Top Model has been an outstanding success with audiences and is the highest rating non-sporting related program or event on subscription television in Australia. The fourth cycle concluded on July 1, 2008 and audition calls are being put out for the fifth cycle, which is set to air in 2009. It has been offically announced that the host of cycles 3 & 4 ( Jodhi Meares ) has quit the show and rumours have it that fellow judge Charlotte Dawson is tipped to be the new host however the show is searching for a new host both locally & internationally.

Show format

Originally hosted by model/presenter Erika Heynatz (Cycles 1 and 2) and later by Jodhi Meares (Cycles 3 and 4), the show is based on the American version which was created and co-produced by supermodel Tyra Banks. The Australian version has been produced by Granada Productions, who have been behind other Australian television shows including the top rating Dancing with the Stars.

Over nine weeks on air, the first series of Australia's Next Top Model charted the transformation of ten hopefuls chosen from a nationwide search in August 2004. The brief was to find raw talent to be transformed from good looking girls-next-door into potential top models and follow them as they navigated their way through weekly modelling assignments and tasks.

The 10 finalists spent two months living together in a penthouse in the exclusive Sydney suburb of Darling Point while filming the series in late 2004. Aside from the stress of learning the ropes of the business, the finalists had to deal with the ups and downs of "model house" life including tears, tantrums, accusations of fake breasts and allegations of theft.

The girls are put through challenges to test how well they can perform certain tasks significant to the modeling to see if they can incorporate what they have learned into a good shot, and the drama that comes with all the perks and privileges being shared between 10 lovely ladies.

In each episode, a panel of judges fronted by the host and a number of fashion "experts" assessed task performance and potential. After each critique, one girl was eliminated.

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia's_Next_Top_Model

Hong Kong Fashion Week - Asia 's Focal Point ForInternational Fashion Industry

The upcoming Hong Kong Fashion Week -- Fall/Winter, to be the most international yet, is expected to attract more than 30,000 buyers for the 800 apparel and accessory companies who are exhibiting.

The 27th Hong Kong Fashion Week -- Fall/Winter, which is also the biggest of its kind in the region, is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (TDC) from January 17-20 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, taking up more than 22,000 square metres of exhibition space with 1,100 booths.

The chairman of the TDC Garment Advisory Committee, Mr Kenneth Fang, said Hong Kong Fashion Week is the most important fashion promotion and business event in Asia.

"In the world of fashion, Hong Kong has risen to become Asia's premier meeting point for every facet of the industry, from high-end design to top quality manufacturing, sourcing, selling and, increasingly, fashion promotion," Mr Fang said at a press conference today to preview some of the fine fashions to be featured in Fashion Week.

"Hong Kong Fashion Week, held twice a year for Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter collections, is now a major fixture on the international fashion calendar, attracting more than 41,900 trade visitors last year, including 11,000 from overseas, "Mr Fang said.

"They come to take the pulse of Asia's markets and to discover new trends in fashion tastes and designs across the region, where Hong Kong's own designers play a leading role.

"Overseas buyers come to find top quality garment suppliers, an area where Hong Kong, the world's leading apparel exporter, has a strong competitive edge," Mr Fang added.

He pointed out that Fashion Week has increasingly become the place where the world's top fashion houses from Europe and North America come to sell to Asia. One-third of the 800 exhibitors at this month's event are from overseas. "The presence of so many international exhibitors is an additional draw card for both local and international buyers especially those from around the region," said Mr. Fang.

A large delegation has been organised by the British Department of Trade and Industry to take part in Fashion Week for the first time, taking with them the famous DTI Clothes Show on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to Hong Kong. In addition, there will be a Europe Selection Pavilion organised by Ente Moda Italia and Igedo Company of Dusseldorf, and a California Pavilion put together by the California Fashion Association and the California State Office of Export Department.

There are also other national pavilions at Fashion Week. They include delegations from China, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka.

"The excitement of Asia's potential as a market has spread across the fashion world, firing the vision and imagination of business development executives in some of the world's most illustrious fashion houses," Mr Fang continued.

"What Hong Kong offers them is a springboard called Hong Kong Fashion Week. I believe there is no single more effective vehicle for international apparel companies to reach buyers from across the region or to gain a foothold in Asia's diverse markets."

Mr Fang added that Fashion Week is also Asia's most glamorous fashion gathering. Apart from the display of latest British and European fashions, Hong Kong's top designers and branded labels will be the stars of five major fashion shows to be staged by the TDC during the four-day event. The Hong Kong Fashion Designers' Association will organise a pavilion to promote many other local designers.

Leading fashion journalists from around the world will again be the judges to select the winners of the best Hong Kong Collections Award.

Rounding off Hong Kong Fashion Week will be the Young Designers' Contest on January 20 when the collections of 17 finalists will be paraded before an international panel of judges, including Italy's famed Dr Nicola Trussardi, who will stage a catwalk show during Fashion Week, and Jeff Banks from Britain.

The Promotsyl, a renowned international fashion forecast house, will present a fashion trend forum to provide buyers and exhibitors the latest on the upcoming trends of colour, fabrics and style for menswear, womenswear and knitwear. The forum is supported by the TDC's Fashion Club.

For press enquires, please contact Mrs. Winnie Hui of HKTDC at (852) 2584 4537.

Source : http://info.hktdc.com/tdcnews/9601/96010501.htm