Kazakhstan Fashion Week

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designers Kuandykova & Turekhanov during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 29, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designers Kuandykova & Turekhanov during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 29, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designers Kuandykova & Turekhanov during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 29, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designer Sergei Shabunin during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 29, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designers Kuandykova & Turekhanov during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 29, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designer Saida Azikhan during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 29, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designer Aida Kaumenova during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 29, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designer Aida Kaumenova during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 29, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designer Sergei Shabunin during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 29, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Kazakhstan designer Sergei Shabunin during Kazakhstan Fashion Week in Almaty October 29, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Cluttered home? Blame your genes

A French artist sits amongst empty medicine boxes inside her creation at Madrid's international contemporary art fair ARCO February 14, 2002.[Agencies]

NEW YORK - People who have a compulsive urge to collect and clutter their homes with junk can partly attribute their problem to genes, according to a British study.

Researchers from King's College London used a twin study to find that genetic predisposition explained a large amount of the risk for compulsive hoarding -- a mental health problem in which people have an overwhelming desire to accumulate items normally considered useless, like old newspapers or junk mail.

Of the more than 5,000 twins in the study, roughly 2 percent showed symptoms of compulsive hoarding and genes appeared to account for half of the variance in risk.

Researcher Dr. David Mataix-Cols said it has long been known that compulsive hoarding tends to run in families.

But he told Reuters Health that what has not been clear is whether that pattern is due to genes or to something in the home environment, like parenting practices.

"Twin studies allow us to separate these two sources," Mataix-Cols said.

The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, included both identical and fraternal twins. Identical twins share all of their DNA while fraternal twins share roughly half of their genes, making them no more genetically similar than non-twin siblings.

If genes are a more important factor than shared environment in a given disorder, then identical twins would be more similar in their risk of the problem than fraternal twins would be.

Mataix-Cols and his colleagues found that among female identical twins, when one twin showed compulsive hoarding symptoms, the other twin also did 52 percent of the time. Among fraternal twins, that figure was 27 percent. There was no evidence, however, that environmental factors shared by twins contributed to compulsive hoarding. Instead, "non-shared" environmental factors -- those unique to individuals -- seemed to be at work.

Past research has shown that many people with hoarding problems have a history of traumatic events, according to Mataix-Cols. In particular, they have elevated rates of sexual abuse and "loss" -- of a loved one or a home, for instance.

"What the study suggests is that genes are important, but probably some environmental stressors are needed to cause or trigger the hoarding problem," said Mataix-Cols, adding more research is needed into this topic.

He said the hope was to find better therapies for compulsive hoarding as behavioral therapy and antidepressants are now the main forms of treatment, but they have met with limited success.

taken from : China Daily


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Living by design

As you walk into the World Art Museum of the China Millennium Monument, what you will see first is a mammoth collection of spoons shaped into a tongue.

This is the work of Beijing-based designer Wang Kaifang, and forms part of his Right of Speech series.

Wang created this piece to commemorate the victims of last May's devastating earthquake in Sichuan. He spent nine months collecting spoons used by people from different walks of life living in the quake zones. He calls it Wen Bao, or adequate food and clothing.

It makes for a stunning introduction to 12 Time Spaces - A Concept Exhibition on Chinese Living Style, a highlight of the ongoing World Design Congress and First Beijing Design Week.

Set between 7 pm and 9 pm, 14 artists from Interior Design China show their space featuring two models in their unique dresses.

Wang and other Chinese designers create a living space based on the traditional Chinese idea of shier dizhi, or 12 terrestrial branches, to explain day and night. They arrange everyday home appliances in a day or night setting, and interpret different stories set in a specific two-hour slot. Wang's space, for example, is set between 11 pm and 1 am and puts together smaller versions of his tongue installation.

Explaining his ideas he says, "We Chinese have a saying that food is god. Tongue symbolizes eating and speaking. They are both of fundamental importance to people."

He describes his work as a document of people's livelihoods. "The spoons, some of which are high-quality ones while others look quite ordinary and old, reflect the disparity in living standards among different social classes. Whether placed high or low, all people have the same right of speech," he says.

The exhibition invites the audience to explore the interaction between design and life, specifically how industrial design engages with everyday life and how life enriches and uplifts design. It also provides a platform for Chinese designers to convey their ideas of "China Design" to an international audience.

"A design could be either very simple or highly exquisite, yet the designer has poured all of his/her emotions and vitality into it. People using the product can feel the energy of the designer," says Wang. "But there aren't many such works these days," he says.

Wang also feels that many industrial designs are too superficial and market-oriented. One reason is that many customers favor Western styles and show little confidence in local designers. Also, people put more stress on a design's functionality than on its creativity.

"We don't have our own unique language of design. Most of the time, we are speaking the language of others. When we want to appear different, we simply package our products with some cultural symbols and icons. And this has what has created the current stereotypical image of Chinese design."

One can find the same ideas expressed in Jia Wei's designs.

One of his displays, a tea tray equipped with a water-resistant music player, has grabbed much attention. He says his work tries to present the idea, rooted in Chinese culture, that sipping tea and listening to music go together.

"The Western world is encouraging creative thinking, but many of us are still content with pouring water from a cup, a pot or a thermos, without giving it a cultural context," says Jia.

Chinese design should dig deeper into indigenous culture, he adds. "We have to bring back our strength and confidence.".

Lu Shanhan, another participating designer from Shanghai, says that apart from presenting a global view, Chinese design needs to draw inspiration from real life. Designers should be keenly aware of what is happening in society today, he says.

The exhibition is on till today.

taken from : China Daily


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When moms get flu shot, babies benefit too: study

A medical worker receives experimental H1N1 flu shot at a hospital in Tokyo October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

WASHINGTON - When pregnant women get vaccinated against flu, their babies are bigger, healthier and less likely to be premature, researchers reported on Thursday.

The studies show that influenza vaccines protect not only women, who are extremely vulnerable to flu when pregnant, but also their babies before and after birth, the researchers said.

They hope their findings, presented at a meeting in Philadelphia of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, will encourage women to get vaccinated and encourage their doctors to offer the shots.

"We are talking about one vaccine protecting two individuals," Dr. Marietta Vazquez of Yale University in Connecticut told a news conference. "Maybe if they are not getting vaccinated for themselves, they will do it for their babies."

Pregnant women are at special peril from flu in any year. Their immune systems are suppressed to keep the body from rejecting the fetus, and the growing baby presses on their lungs.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has for years recommended that pregnant women be vaccinated against seasonal flu.

This year, with the H1N1 swine flu pandemic, pregnant women are at the front of the line. The CDC says more than 1,000 Americans have died of swine flu, and figures show that 6 percent of deaths have been among pregnant women.

But only 15 percent to 25 percent are ever vaccinated, and babies under the age of 6 months are too young to get a flu vaccine.

"Obstetricians do not offer influenza vaccine. They should know about this recommendation," Vazquez said.

'85 PERCENT EFFECTIVE'

She and colleagues studied some 350 pregnant women starting in 2000 -- 157 who got flu and 195 who did not.

"Flu vaccine given to women during pregnancy is 85 percent effective in preventing hospitalization in their infants under 6 months of age," the team wrote in a statement.

Dr. Mark Steinhoff of Cincinnati Children's Hospital in Ohio and colleagues studied pregnant women in Bangladesh, who were randomly assigned to get influenza or pneumococcal vaccines.

The newborns of women who got flu vaccine were 63 percent less likely to be infected, Steinhoff told the news conference. And the babies born to vaccinated mothers weighed, on average, half a pound (215 gm) more, he said.

"When you prevent flu in a pregnant woman, you benefit the mother, you benefit the infant, and it is also shown that you benefit the fetus," Steinhoff said.

The team also found 25 percent of the infants were infected with flu during the first six months of life.

Dr. Saad Omer of Emory University in Atlanta and colleagues looked at 6,410 births between June of 2004 and September of 2006, checking to see how many babies were premature or small for gestational age.

When flu was the most widespread, vaccinated moms had an 80 percent lower risk than unvaccinated mothers of having a premature baby, Omer said. The risk of having a baby that was small for gestational age was 70 percent lower for vaccinated mothers.

There was little effect outside flu season, he said.

It is likely that many of the pregnant women had flu infections that they did not report or notice, but this would have affected the baby, Omer said.

"A mild flu infection probably reduces the amount of nutrition that goes through the placenta," Steinhoff said.

taken from : China Daily


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'Sense of poetry' in Chinese designs

Omar Vulpinari, Vice-president of Lcograda, says Chinese Designers will play a major role in creating the beat works.

The world of design is looking to Chinese designers for fresh concepts and ideas, says Omar Vulpinari, vice-president of Icograda (International Council of Graphic Design Associations) at the World Design Congress 2009 in Beijing.

"Five years ago, we looked to works by designers in North America and Europe, but now there is a shift to the rest of the world. Chinese designers, of course, will play a major role in creating the best works," Vulpinari says.

As a frequent juror at major international design events, he is impressed by the quantity and quality of Chinese design projects seen in recent years.

He attributes this rise to the nation's economic development and its continuing inspiration to designers. "Chinese society is changing at a fast pace and there is a sense of poetry in their (designers') works. That subtle emotional expression differs a lot from their Western counterparts who are direct and abstract." Vulpinari adds that Western designers are good at directly expressing their feelings and they choose to do this in an abstract way.

Given that there are 1 million design students scattered across the country, Vulpinari sees a promising future for Chinese design. He is also the head of Visual Communication at Fabrica, the communication research center of Benetton.

Fabrica has gathered 40 young and modern artists from all around the world to develop innovative projects. It has already produced leading design talents such as Chen Jiaojiao, chief editor for the Chinese design magazine Outlook (Xinshijie) and Peng Yangjun, the creative director for the same magazine.

"I hope more Chinese designers will pass our selection process and become members of our talent incubator. The diversity will help foster mutual learning," he says.

Impressed with Chinese designers, Vulpinari says they are willing to merge, to be trained at the highest level and to work hard. They are also ambitious about making a global impact.

He says the world of design is looking at China not just for talents, but also for inspiration. His center invited Western designers to translate their perception of China into graphics in 2004 and the center's magazine, Colors, released a whole edition on China last year.

"We can't ignore the rise of China and we present our ideas through our works. Our awareness of the difference between our own countries and China is highlighted and I think it shows our respect," Vulpinari says.

taken from : China Daily


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Inspired creations

Three Chinese designers discuss their works now on display at the 12 Timespaces - A Concept Exhibition on Chinese Living Style at the World Art Museum of China Millennium Monument.

Jia Wei, general manager of Beijing-based LKK Design

What makes for good design?

A good design is pleasant and makes people feel comfortable and secure.

What are the qualities of a good designer?

A good designer is diligent and loves life.

What inspires you?

Ancient Chinese classics.

How would you define your design style?

My designs reflect a return to nature and are humanistic.

What are your favorite brands?

Apple and some audio brands of Denmark.

Lu Shanshan, a Shanghai-based designer from La Can Touch Decoration

What makes for good design?

A good design is easy to use, and very practical.

What are the qualities of a good designer?

A good designer should have a broad vision, profound knowledge and creative thinking. Most importantly, he should be a really nice person, so that he can cater to the needs of different customers.

What inspires you?

A close observation of everything around me and an understanding of other people's lives.

What are your expectations from this congress?

I hope people attending from abroad will find that Chinese designers are very creative and have great potential. I also hope more international design events will be held in China in years to come so that local designers can present their best works to a world audience.

Wang Kaifang, founder of Beijing-based Wang Kaifang Studio

What makes for good design?

A good design touches people.

What are the qualities of good designer?

A good designer is mature enough to know the market well while still keeping faith in his works. He is capable of realizing his imagination, and his designs can generate productivity and have a social impact.

How would you define your design style?

I don't narrow my work to one single field. I design many things including clothes, architecture, art works, home fittings, gardens and city landscapes, and now I'm having a go at video art. The only thing that doesn't change is my spirit and sincerity.

How have people reacted to the exhibition?

It offers a fresh and new experience of Chinese philosophy, especially for those from outside China. They've seen an entirely different face of Chinese designers that they never thought existed.

taken from : China Daily


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H1N1 claims first Beijing victim

Temperature checks tightened yesterday at Beihang University after the death of a freshman.

A university freshman has become the first person to die from A(H1N1) influenza in Beijing, bringing the mainland toll to four.

The male student, whose name has not been released, died on Tuesday amid an H1N1 outbreak at Beihang University, the nation's top aeronautic and astronautic institution.

In a brief statement issued last night, the health bureau said: "The patient was sent to Daxing District Hospital on Monday and died in the hospital on Tuesday."

The death brings to four the number of victims killed by H1N1 on the mainland. The other three people lived in western China, with the most recent in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The health bureau said the man was among 3,000 freshmen participating in compulsory military drills and that a group of students began showing symptoms of influenza last Thursday.

A total of 71 students recorded a fevers and 28 tested positive for H1N1 virus. The students were in a stable condition last night.

News of the man's death came as almost 4,000 visitors converged on the university for a national scientific competition yesterday.

A staff member, who was unaware of the death, told METRO on condition of anonymity that the school may try to play down the H1N1 outbreak because of the competition.

"It is a tough decision for the school leaders. They have been busy having meetings for three consecutive days," said another school staff member with the executive office last night.

Meanwhile, authorities urged the university to tighten its disease control and quarantine measures.

Imran Sadiq, an overseas researcher from Pakistan at Beihang, told METRO yesterday that he received an e-mail from school authorities about the latest flu precaution measures on Tuesday evening.

"The school told us once again to report ourselves once we have coughing or any other flu symptoms," said the 39-year-old PhD candidate.

METRO observed nearly all students having their temperatures recorded before entering dormitories at the campus yesterday.

At men's dormitory No 16, supervisors and volunteers pointed electronic thermometers to the forehead of each student returning from lunch.

It came as authorities warned that the daily influenza infection rate could hit 12,000 by January. And it will not be long before most of the flu cases are almost entirely H1N1.

"There is a long battle ahead as the city counters this year's flu infection," said Fang Laiying, head of the Beijing municipal health bureau, at an emergency meeting held yesterday.

"Near the New Year, the number of people who catch the flu - whether or not they go to hospital - could reach 12,000 people per day.

"More than half of them could be infected with H1N1 influenza, and we have not reached peak time yet."

More than 6,000 Beijing residents are catching the flu every day, hospital records show. This is five times more than the same period last year, and half of these people are infected with H1N1 influenza. The remainder is infected with seasonal influenza.

Pediatric departments in 103 hospitals began 24-hour operations at midnight Wednesday after a spike in the number of young patients infected with influenza.

Though the number of young patients registered at the city's two major hospitals has begun to drop, doctors said the total number of children suffering from the flu is expected to increase with the colder weather.

The city government has started offering H1N1 flu vaccines, and vaccinations for primary and middle school students as well as public servants in Beijing will be complete by Nov 20.

The rest of Beijing residents, on conditions of their willingness, will receive their vaccine injections by Dec 20, the healthy authority said.

A university freshman has become the first person to die from A(H1N1) influenza in Beijing, bringing the mainland toll to four.

The male student, whose name has not been released, died on Tuesday amid an H1N1 outbreak at Beihang University, the nation's top aeronautic and astronautic institution.

In a brief statement issued last night, the health bureau said: "The patient was sent to Daxing District Hospital on Monday and died in the hospital on Tuesday."

The death brings to four the number of victims killed by H1N1 on the mainland. The other three people lived in western China, with the most recent in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The health bureau said the man was among 3,000 freshmen participating in compulsory military drills and that a group of students began showing symptoms of influenza last Thursday.

A total of 71 students recorded a fevers and 28 tested positive for H1N1 virus. The students were in a stable condition last night.

News of the man's death came as almost 4,000 visitors converged on the university for a national scientific competition yesterday.

A staff member, who was unaware of the death, told METRO on condition of anonymity that the school may try to play down the H1N1 outbreak because of the competition.

"It is a tough decision for the school leaders. They have been busy having meetings for three consecutive days," said another school staff member with the executive office last night.

Meanwhile, authorities urged the university to tighten its disease control and quarantine measures.

Imran Sadiq, an overseas researcher from Pakistan at Beihang, told METRO yesterday that he received an e-mail from school authorities about the latest flu precaution measures on Tuesday evening.

"The school told us once again to report ourselves once we have coughing or any other flu symptoms," said the 39-year-old PhD candidate.

METRO observed nearly all students having their temperatures recorded before entering dormitories at the campus yesterday.

At men's dormitory No 16, supervisors and volunteers pointed electronic thermometers to the forehead of each student returning from lunch.

It came as authorities warned that the daily influenza infection rate could hit 12,000 by January. And it will not be long before most of the flu cases are almost entirely H1N1.

"There is a long battle ahead as the city counters this year's flu infection," said Fang Laiying, head of the Beijing municipal health bureau, at an emergency meeting held yesterday.

"Near the New Year, the number of people who catch the flu - whether or not they go to hospital - could reach 12,000 people per day.

"More than half of them could be infected with H1N1 influenza, and we have not reached peak time yet."

More than 6,000 Beijing residents are catching the flu every day, hospital records show. This is five times more than the same period last year, and half of these people are infected with H1N1 influenza. The remainder is infected with seasonal influenza.

Pediatric departments in 103 hospitals began 24-hour operations at midnight Wednesday after a spike in the number of young patients infected with influenza.

Though the number of young patients registered at the city's two major hospitals has begun to drop, doctors said the total number of children suffering from the flu is expected to increase with the colder weather.

The city government has started offering H1N1 flu vaccines, and vaccinations for primary and middle school students as well as public servants in Beijing will be complete by Nov 20.

The rest of Beijing residents, on conditions of their willingness, will receive their vaccine injections by Dec 20, the healthy authority said.

A university freshman has become the first person to die from A(H1N1) influenza in Beijing, bringing the mainland toll to four.

The male student, whose name has not been released, died on Tuesday amid an H1N1 outbreak at Beihang University, the nation's top aeronautic and astronautic institution.

In a brief statement issued last night, the health bureau said: "The patient was sent to Daxing District Hospital on Monday and died in the hospital on Tuesday."

The death brings to four the number of victims killed by H1N1 on the mainland. The other three people lived in western China, with the most recent in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The health bureau said the man was among 3,000 freshmen participating in compulsory military drills and that a group of students began showing symptoms of influenza last Thursday.

A total of 71 students recorded a fevers and 28 tested positive for H1N1 virus. The students were in a stable condition last night.

News of the man's death came as almost 4,000 visitors converged on the university for a national scientific competition yesterday.

A staff member, who was unaware of the death, told METRO on condition of anonymity that the school may try to play down the H1N1 outbreak because of the competition.

"It is a tough decision for the school leaders. They have been busy having meetings for three consecutive days," said another school staff member with the executive office last night.

Meanwhile, authorities urged the university to tighten its disease control and quarantine measures.

Imran Sadiq, an overseas researcher from Pakistan at Beihang, told METRO yesterday that he received an e-mail from school authorities about the latest flu precaution measures on Tuesday evening.

"The school told us once again to report ourselves once we have coughing or any other flu symptoms," said the 39-year-old PhD candidate.

METRO observed nearly all students having their temperatures recorded before entering dormitories at the campus yesterday.

At men's dormitory No 16, supervisors and volunteers pointed electronic thermometers to the forehead of each student returning from lunch.

It came as authorities warned that the daily influenza infection rate could hit 12,000 by January. And it will not be long before most of the flu cases are almost entirely H1N1.

"There is a long battle ahead as the city counters this year's flu infection," said Fang Laiying, head of the Beijing municipal health bureau, at an emergency meeting held yesterday.

"Near the New Year, the number of people who catch the flu - whether or not they go to hospital - could reach 12,000 people per day.

"More than half of them could be infected with H1N1 influenza, and we have not reached peak time yet."

More than 6,000 Beijing residents are catching the flu every day, hospital records show. This is five times more than the same period last year, and half of these people are infected with H1N1 influenza. The remainder is infected with seasonal influenza.

Pediatric departments in 103 hospitals began 24-hour operations at midnight Wednesday after a spike in the number of young patients infected with influenza.

Though the number of young patients registered at the city's two major hospitals has begun to drop, doctors said the total number of children suffering from the flu is expected to increase with the colder weather.

The city government has started offering H1N1 flu vaccines, and vaccinations for primary and middle school students as well as public servants in Beijing will be complete by Nov 20.

The rest of Beijing residents, on conditions of their willingness, will receive their vaccine injections by Dec 20, the healthy authority said.

A student has his temperature taken before being allowed access to his dormitory.


taken from : China Daily


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Redesign future in fashion

Russian instructor Elena Rylleva (center) teaches sewing in Raffles Design Institute in Beijing.

Beijing is ready to add a new definition to China's evolving fashion industry: bold.

"The next generation? Bold. Definitely," said Anthony Bednall, academic director at Raffles Design Institute in Beijing.

Bold was a good definition for the designs his students recently displayed at an institute workshop as they readied their hand-made apparel for a China Fashion Week show on Nov 9 in Beijing's eclectic 798 arts district.

From rich black fabrics to bright colors, their work was sophisticated or whimsical, original and definitely runway ready.

"Compared to Europe, we still have a long way to go. But China's fashion industry has developed quite fast," said Serena Sun, 22, of Beijing, as she pieced together fabrics at the city's first independent fashion school.

Sun and others credited the school, part of a Singapore-based chain of Asia-Pacific design institutes under the same name, for their confidence about the future of Beijing's presence in the fashion world.

"I think China is very similar to where Japan was in the early 1980s. In 10 or 15 years, some of our local designers will be acknowledged in Paris, London, New York. It happened with Japanese designers," Bednall said.

"Good design is good design. It doesn't matter where it comes from."

Bednall, from England, said part of the future of China's fashion scene would involve instilling more independence and confidence in students. He believes they were taught to be more passive than their counterparts in elementary and secondary school systems in other countries.

"In China, they're not very proactive in their early education. We try to make them more proactive. What we're trying to do here is instill a sense of confidence in the decisions that the designers will make for themselves," he said.

Federic Wong Yoon Sin, the institute's fashion design program director, said today's Internet-savvy students have the advantage of more access to information from the outside world and a greater diversity of clothing in modern stores not enjoyed by past generations.

"These young people are not restricted by anything. We want our students to use the freedom of all the information now available to find a venue for their own designs," Wong said.

"It's about doing the research and the development, and being able to express themselves through the process."

In the 12 years the institute has operated in Beijing, the efforts are reaping results. Among the former graduates is Li Ying, now a freelance designer with an international roster of clients in fashion, TV and film.

Graduate Alicia Lee's trendy Willow Willow brand of ready-to-wear and couture is available at her Beijing boutique Noise.

This year, London's prestigious Saint Martins College of Art and Design accepted five of their graduates.

"It's unheard of, five students from the same class, the same school. We're very proud of them," Wong said.

"We're seeing our people returning after studying abroad. We see more boutiques in Beijing. They are starting to show themselves. The younger generation will really push the boundaries of design in China. It's exciting for us to be here," he said.

The international roster of instructors at Raffles Design Institute in Beijing is intentional, Wong said, describing it as a way to expose students to talented professionals from outside China.

"Instead of going to Paris, they can study here because they're getting ideas from around the world," said Catalina Calin, an instructor originally from Romania. "The students have a lot of courage to do new things, original things."

Sandhya Srinivasan, from India, said the results of "getting design input from everyone, from everywhere" has won accolades from fashion schools abroad, impressed by the institute's graduates who pursue advanced degrees.

"Fashion-wise, we're evolving. These students have a very individual style," Srinivasan said.

Elena Rylleva, a sewing class instructor originally from Russia, said today's students also are embracing the internationally fashionable trend of using environmentally friendly fabrics.

"They're concentrating more on sustainable design. They're using recycled materials," Rylleva said.

Student Michelle Teng, 20, of Beijing, said China's fashion ideas are different from other countries. "The Chinese, we have our own style," Teng said.

Student Lorraine Mei, 19, of Chongqing, is among students eager to make Beijing a future hub for world-class fashion. "I will try to learn more, go abroad, and come back to China to work," Mei said.

Gina Sun, 26, of Beijing, is already on her way. After graduating from the institute in July, she next plans to pursue a master's degree in London. She's considering returning to open a boutique after she completes her advanced training, she said.

"It's happening more in China. Before, people would try to buy the big name fashion labels. Now they're more accepting of local designers," she said. "I think more designers are going to come back to China. I'm confident about the future."

taken from : China Daily


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Fashion houses Versace to cut jobs, expects 2009 loss

Pedestrians walk past the Versace store on Fifth Avenue in New York October 8, 2009. U.S. retailers posted their first monthly sales increase in more than a year.[Agencies]

MILAN –Italian fashion house Versace is cutting about a quarter of its global workforce and expects to post a loss this year as it takes a hit from slumping demand for luxury goods and designer items in the financial crisis.

The celebrity-favorite fashion brand, whose gowns are worn by Hollywood actresses such as Angelina Jolie, is taking measures aimed at returning the group to profitability in 2011, it said in an emailed statement on Wednesday.

A source close to the company said Versace had a pretax loss of 400,000 euros ($593,400) last year and this would widen to 30 million this year.

Versace, which has a total workforce of 1,360, said it would cut about 350 jobs worldwide in a reorganization plan which will see it rationalize production facilities, review its store network, reduce capital investment next year and cut overheads.

All measures will be implemented by the middle of next year.

"Trading conditions in the wake of the global financial crisis have been severe and the company expects to make a loss in 2009," Chief Executive Gian Giacomo Ferraris said in the statement.

"No organization can allow a situation like this to continue, especially considering the flat outlook for 2010."

Versace is not the only fashion brand to feel the pinch of the crisis. France's Christian Lacroix filed for creditor protection in May, while Germany's Escada filed for insolvency in August.

In Italy, the owner of the Gianfranco Ferre brand, IT Holding is in the hands of government-appointed commissioners.

Ferraris was named Versace CEO in June after his predecessor resigned. Earlier this month the company said it was to rebuild its Japanese operations from scratch and was reassessing its entire company strategy.

Versace, known for its Medusa head logo, is owned by design head Donatella Versace, her brother Santo and her daughter Allegra.

Donatella took over the design of the fashion collections and in recent years has moved away from the house's trademark glitz and gold to more wearable outfits.

taken from : China Daily


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Scorching photoshoots of Shakira

Latino pop diva Shakira's new photo spread. [Photo: ent.sina.com.cn]

taken from : China Daily


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Zhou Xun's new photoshoots

Actress Zhou Xun poses for the latest issue of "U+" magazine. [Photo: U+/sina.com]











taken from : China Daily


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Giorgio Armani organizing staff as successors

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani acknowledges the applause at the end of Emporio Armani fashion show in the GUM department store in Moscow October 27, 2009.[Agencies]

MOSCOW - Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani, still frail after a bout of hepatitis, hinted on Tuesday of succession plans for his vast clothes empire after his retirement and joked about his appearance.

"I'm already organizing staff who will continue my work," 75-year-old "King Giorgio," as he is known in Italy, told reporters in the Russian capital, where he had jetted in to support its crisis-hit fashion industry.

"Of course I am not eternal, there comes a time when you must hand it over."

Known for his shrewd business sense, Armani has been more vague about his plans than other designers of his generation and has not publicly designated a successor on either the creative or the management side. Valentino Garavani retired last year.

Late last month, Armani made several management changes, signaling an easing of his workload and the designer is reshuffling his agenda to take better care of himself.

Widely regarded as the doyen of Italian fashion, he has kept investors guessing on the future of his company, at times hinting at a bourse listing and at other times signaling he could sell the group.

Dressed in a sleek black suit, Armani joked with reporters about his appearance: "You see how I am, I don't look bad yet, do I?" he remarked to a roaring round of applause.

Deputy General Manager John Hooks, who in January will become deputy chairman and join the board, said most of the damage from the recession for both Armani and the fashion industry has bottomed out.

He added the fashion house will keep the same expansion pace over the coming years as in 2009, in which Armani opened around 50 new stores but said it will lose profits this year.

"We'll keep the same rhythm for 2010, 2011," he said, referring to store openings.

Armani is the first major designer to come to Moscow since the crisis hit over a year ago. The world's fourth-largest luxury market took a major blow earlier this year, when profits dropped by a third and boutiques boarded up windows.

Hooks said that although 5 percent of Armani's wholesale goes to Russian clients annually, Russian buyers abroad make the country a key market for the designer, known for his classically elegant lines and muted colors.

"Few capital cities have made the impression Moscow has on me," Armani said.

Separately, the fashion house said it has launched a mobile telephone platform for e-commerce, allowing iPhone, Android and Blackberry users as well as those with the most advanced mobile phones to shop for Emporio Armani clothes from their handsets.

The new platform will go live on November 25 and will be available in all countries where customers can buy goods from Armani's Emporio Armani brand online.

taken from : China Daily


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Longer, warmer autumn leads to increased flu risk

This autumn has been longer and warmer than previous years, prompting doctors to warn that it could lead to a rapid spread of flu infections.

"The flu virus is very active in a warm autumn and can reproduce and spread very quickly, especially for children and old people whose immune systems are weaker," said Cai Baiqiang, director of respiratory department in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

"Because the autumn is longer than before, the flowering season in Beijing is also longer than usual, which can cause more asthmatic problems due to pollen."

The Beijing meteorological bureau said the average temperature this autumn has been more than 15 C. In previous years, the average temperature was less than 14 C.

"The major reason that is causing the warmer autumn is that the cold air from North China is weaker than during corresponding periods in previous years," said Zhang Qing, senior engineer from the Beijing climate center.

According to Zhang, this autumn started on Sept 6 and it has so far lasted for 50 days.

Meteorologists define autumn as the season when the daily temperature is between 10 C and 22 C. This autumn is expected to be as long as 55 days, compared to the average of 40 days.

"The change in Beijing is a reflection of the global issue - climate change," Zhang said.

In previous years, autumn has been gradually increasing. There were 30 days in 2000, 50 days in 2005 and 53 days last year.

In order to avoid infection, Cai said it is better for citizens to avoid crowded areas, to wear face masks when they need to go out, and to stay at home if they show fever-like symptoms.

However, the longer autumn does have the benefit of prolonged sightseeing of red leaves in Fragrant Hills Park.

The red leaves in Fragrant Hills Park are expected to last an additional two weeks this year.

"Only 50 percent of the leaves have turned red until now, but we usually see 3 quarters of them turn in other years at the same time," said Yao Jiang from Fragrant Hills Park.

taken from : China Daily


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Dubai Fashion Week

A model presents a creation of designer Ekta Singh at Dubai Fashion Week October 27, 2009.[Agencies]

Models applaud as they present creations of designer Ekta Singh at Dubai Fashion Week October 27, 2009.[Agencies]

Models present creations of designer Ekta Singh at Dubai Fashion Week October 27, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation of designer Ekta Singh at Dubai Fashion Week October 27, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation of designer Ekta Singh at Dubai Fashion Week October 27, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation of designer Ekta Singh at Dubai Fashion Week October 27, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation of designer Ekta Singh at Dubai Fashion Week October 27, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation of designer Ekta Singh at Dubai Fashion Week October 27, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation of designer Ekta Singh at Dubai Fashion Week October 27, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation of designer Ekta Singh at Dubai Fashion Week October 27, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Cyclists face arthritis risk

Cyclists and people who spend long periods of time in a squatting position may be at greater risk of developing arthritis in their knees, new research shows.

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, occurs when the cartilage of the joints breaks down, and usually begins after a person reaches middle age. It commonly affects the knees and can be disabling.

To determine whether occupational or leisure-time activities could influence the risk of a person developing the condition, Dr S Dahaghin of Tehran Medical University in Iran and colleagues compared 480 people with osteoarthritis of the knee and 490 arthritis-free controls.

People who spent more than 30 minutes daily in a squatting position were at 1.5-fold greater risk of knee osteoarthritis, while people who cycled for more than 30 minutes daily were twice as likely to have osteoarthritis in their knees, the researchers found.

People with jobs that required them to bend their knees for more than half an hour daily were about twice as likely to develop knee osteoarthritis, although the findings were of borderline statistical significance.

taken from : China Daily


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Film "This Is It" premieres in Los Angeles

Taiwan artist Gao Ling-feng poses during the premiere of Michael Jackson's film "This Is It" in Taipei October 28, 2009. After months of industry hype, Hollywood on Tuesday rolled out the red carpet for Jackson's movie "This Is It" showing the final performance of the fallen King of Pop. The film has been culled from 80 hours of videotape taken of the pop star's final days of rehearsals for a series of London concerts in July also titled "This Is It". The photograph has been rotated 180 degrees. [Agencies]

Actor Jamie Kennedy and his girlfriend, actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, pose at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Singer Katy Perry poses with former American Idol contestant Adam Lambert at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London, and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Kenny Ortega, director of the documentary "This Is It," hugs actress Ashley Tisdale at the documentary's premiere in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Singer Katy Perry poses at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Jermaine Jackson and his wife Halima Rashid pose at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London, and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Actress Ashley Tisdale poses at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London, and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Actress Ashley Tisdale poses at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London, and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Singer Katy Perry poses at the premiere of "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

Paris Hilton poses at the premiere of the documentary "This Is It" in Los Angeles October 27, 2009. The documentary includes interviews, rehearsals and backstage footage of Michael Jackson as he prepared for his shows in London, and opens in the U.S. on October 28. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Moscow Fashion Week Ⅲ

A model presents a creation by French designer Thierry Mugler during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by French designer Thierry Mugler during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

Models present creations by French designer Thierry Mugler during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation of Russian designer Natali Kvon during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designers Laura & Medni during Moscow Fashion Week October 26, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Madonna attends school brick-laying ceremony in Malawi

U.S. singer Madonna receives flowers as she arrives to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna turns the soil to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna smiles after making a speech at a soil turning ceremony to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna reacts as she plants a tree during a soil turning ceremony to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna smiles after making a speech at a soil turning ceremony to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna and her daughter Lourdes attend a ceremony to the lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school Madonna is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongwe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna (L) sits with her daughter Lourdes before the laying of the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe, October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

U.S. singer Madonna plants a tree during a soil turning ceremony to lay the foundation of a multi-million dollar girls' school she is building in Chinkota, outside Lilongewe in Malawi October 26, 2009. Madonna, who has adopted two children from the southern African country, arrived to attend a brick-laying ceremony in Lilongwe on Monday. The school is expected to cost about $15 million. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Squatting, cycling linked to arthritis of the knees

NEW YORK - Cyclists and people who spend long periods of time in a squatting position may be at greater risk of developing arthritis in their knees, new research shows.

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, occurs when the cartilage of the joints breaks down, and usually begins after a person reaches middle age. It commonly affects the knees and can be disabling.

To determine whether occupational or leisure-time activities could influence the risk of a person developing the condition, Dr. S. Dahaghin of Tehran Medical University in Iran and colleagues compared 480 people with osteoarthritis of the knee and 490 arthritis-free controls.

People who spent more than 30 minutes daily in a squatting position were at 1.5-fold greater risk of knee osteoarthritis, while people who cycled for more than 30 minutes daily were twice as likely to have osteoarthritis in their knees, the researchers found.

People with jobs that required them to bend their knees for more than half an hour daily were about twice as likely to develop knee osteoarthritis, although the findings were of borderline statistical significance.

Housewives were also more likely than women who worked outside the home to develop knee osteoarthritis.

There was no link between playing sports or working in a non-sedentary occupation and knee osteoarthritis.

The findings support the hypothesis that overuse of a joint can influence arthritis risk, the researchers say.

"Education on preventable risk factors should be considered in order to ensure people use knee joints appropriately and avoid overuse," they conclude.

taken from : China Daily


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Fashionable Istanbul

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer Vivienne Westwood at the Fashionable Istanbul fashion show in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

British designer Vivienne Westwood (C) poses with models after a fashion show at the Fashionable Istanbul in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation during the young designers fashion show at the Fashionable Istanbul in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation during the young designers fashion show at the Fashionable Istanbul in Istanbul October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Moscow Fashion Week II

A model presents a creation by Russian designer Lisa Romanyuk during Moscow Fashion Week October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Natali Bolgar during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Alena Serebrova during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian designer Lisa Romanyuk during Moscow Fashion Week October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Russian design studio Zolota during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Natali Bolgar during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Alena Serebrova during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Natali Bolgar during Moscow Fashion Week, October 25, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Watch the fur fly

This winter, fur is in vogue.

Saga Furs, owned jointly by the Finnish and Norwegian Fur Breeders' Association, co-hosted a fur show with the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT), displaying cutting-edge creations by rising stars from nine of the world's premier fashion institutes.

The event was held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of BIFT.

One fur creation by Xiang Yingchao from BIFT comes in bright red with a pattern featuring the Chinese character " 回" or hui, meaning to return. He says this character is steeped in meaning and reflects the layout of the historic city of Beijing, and the Chinese philosophical idea of harmony. Unsurprisingly, his fur clothes, bags and trousers are covered with vertical and horizontal lines.

Julia Sviridova from the St Peterburg State Academy of Art and Design does not believe in symmetry. She uses a mix of natural and artificial furs and combines them with textile and cashmere for her overcoat that also has a kimono-inspired oversized collar.

While fans of fur believe the material conveys dignity and elegance, Patrik Prusak from the University of Art and Design, Helsinki, believes in creating a fun look with furs. He draws inspiration from the ethnic art and textiles of northern Africa and the street fashions of the 1990s, giving his creations a childlike appeal.

By Gan Tian (China Daily)

taken from : China Daily


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Helen Mirren,Meryl Streep and other celebs on red carpet at Rome Film Festival

Actress Helen Mirren poses with her award on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Mirren received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actress for the movie "The last station". [Agencies]

Actress Meryl Streep poses on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2008. Streep received the Marco Aurelio award for career achievement. [Agencies]

Actress Meryl Streep poses on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2008. Streep received the Marco Aurelio award for career achievement. [Agencies]

Actress Helen Mirren poses with her award on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Mirren received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actress for the movie "The last station". [Agencies]

Actress Helen Mirren poses with her award on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2008. Mirren received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actress for the movie "The last station". [Agencies]

Actress Meryl Streep (L) and her husband Don Gummer pose on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2008. Streep received the Marco Aurelio award for career achievement. [Agencies]

Actor Sergio Castellitto poses with his award on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Castellitto received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actor for the movie "Alza la testa". [Agencies]

Danish director Nicolo Donato poses with his award on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Donato received the Golden Marc'Aurelio jury award for best film "Brotherhood". [Agencies]

Actor Sergio Castellitto and actress Helen Mirren pose on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Castellitto and Mirren received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actors. [Agencies]

Actor Sergio Castellitto (L) kisses actress Helen Mirren as they pose on the red carpet at the Rome Film Festival October 23, 2009. Castellitto and Mirren received the Silver Marc'Aurelio jury award for best actors. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Demi Moore and other celebs at Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award reception in Beverly Hills

Actress Jenna Elfman poses at the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award reception in Beverly Hills, California October 22, 2009. Honorees were Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco (posthumous) and French jeweler Cartier. [Agencies]

Actress Demi Moore poses at the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award reception in Beverly Hills, California October 22, 2009. Honorees were Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco (posthumous) and French jeweler Cartier.[Agencies]

Prince Albert of Monaco waves next to actress Demi Moore as they arrive at the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award reception in Beverly Hills, California October 22, 2009. Honorees were Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco (posthumous) and French jeweler Cartier. [Agencies]

Actress Camilla Belle poses at the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award reception in Beverly Hills, California October 22, 2009. Honorees were Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco (posthumous) and French jeweler Cartier. [Agencies]

Actress Camilla Belle poses at the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award reception in Beverly Hills, California October 22, 2009. Honorees were Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco (posthumous) and French jeweler Cartier. [Agencies]

Actress Gabrielle Union poses at the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award reception in Beverly Hills, California October 22, 2009. Honorees were Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco (posthumous) and French jeweler Cartier. [Agencies]

Actress Angie Harmon poses at the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award reception in Beverly Hills California October 22, 2009. Honorees w[Agencies]ere Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco (posthumous) and French jeweler Cartier. [Agencies]

Actress Jenna Elfman poses at the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award reception in Beverly Hills, California October 22, 2009. Honorees were Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco (posthumous) and French jeweler Cartier. [Agencies]

Actress Demi Moore presents Pierre Rainero, director of image, style and heritage of Cartier international, with the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award in Beverly Hills, California October 22, 2009. Honorees were Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco (posthumous) and French jeweler Cartier. [Agencies]

Actress Demi Moore poses at the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style award reception in Beverly Hills, California October 22, 2009. Honorees were Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco (posthumous) and French jeweler Cartier. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Paris Hilton arrives at Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration

TV personality Paris Hilton arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. [CFP]

TV personality Paris Hilton arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. [CFP]

TV personality Paris Hilton arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. [Agencies]

TV personality Paris Hilton arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. [Agencies]

TV personality Paris Hilton arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. [Agencies]

TV personality Paris Hilton arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. [Agencies]

TV personality Paris Hilton arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. [Agencies]

TV personality Paris Hilton arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. [Agencies]

TV personality Paris Hilton arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. [Agencies]

TV personality Paris Hilton arrives at the Hello Kitty 35th anniversary celebration held at Royal/T on October 22, 2009 in Culver City, California. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Time-strapped women huge growth market, book says

Women walk through a street in Tokyo August 13, 2008.[Agencies]

NEW YORK - Tackling the eternal question of what do women want, the authors of a new book have an answer -- "Women Want More." More time and control over their lives, that is.

A "revolution of dissatisfaction" is brewing among women, and businesses that understand that women want more time and can market to them will find rich opportunities, say authors Michael Silverstein and Kate Sayre.

The book, based on a survey of more than 12,000 women in 40 countries, says women want products and services that free up their time, and conversely they dislike those that require time.

"Women do not have enough time for themselves, they have too many demands on their time and they have conflicting priorities," Silverstein said in an interview with Reuters.

"Women Want More: How to Capture Your Share of the World's Largest, Fastest-Growing Market" is based on findings of a study by The Boston Consulting Group which conducted the survey. The study is ongoing at www.womenspeakworldwide.com.

Among the countries surveyed were the United States, China, India, Germany, Mexico, Iraq, Egypt, Russia and Japan.

FORCE FOR GROWTH

Women are becoming better educated as their numbers grow and over the next five years, he said, the number of working women worldwide will grow to 1.2 billion from 1 billion, and they will increase their yearly earnings to as much as $18 trillion from $12 trillion.

"With those increased earnings will come increased power," said Silverstein. "That will be the greatest force for growth in the world economy. Period.

"Economic power is a force unto itself," he added. "While there might be resistance, this is inevitable that we have a female economy."

Companies that already understand women's desire for more time include Trader Joe's, headquartered in Monrovia, California, for its time-saving prepared food and Banana Republic, a brand owned by Gap Inc., which has standardized its styles and fits to make clothes shopping simpler and less time-consuming, the authors write.

Opportunities for more companies to benefit from the female market will grow rapidly in the next few years as the so-called female economy grows, Silverstein said.

"FEMALE HURRICANE"

Women are particularly dissatisfied when it comes to financial services -- investments, banking, insurance and credit cards -- followed by health care and consumer durables, the book said.

Financial services were found to be among the least sympathetic to women, whose main complaint was advisers and agents who treat women poorly, do not understand women's needs and do not have their best interests in mind, it said.

Women will be wielding their growing economic clout to spend on goods and services that meet their needs, and they will be turning their backs on those that do not, Silverstein said.

Companies that ignore this do so at their peril, he said.

"If you're one of the companies that picks this up first, you'll win in your industry. If you're one of the companies that picks this up last, you'll be shaking your head and not knowing what hit you," he said.

"It's a female hurricane," he said.

"Women Want More" is published by Harper Business, an imprint of HarperCollins.

taken from : China Daily


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Ukrainian Fashion Weeek Ⅲ

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Mavka Khome during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 20, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation Polish designer Alicja Czarniecka during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 20, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation Polish designer Alicja Czarniecka during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 20, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Mavka Khome during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 20, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation Polish designer Alicja Czarniecka during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 20, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Katya Pshechenko during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Katya Pshechenko during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Katya Pshechenko during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

Models present creations by Ukrainian designer Mavka Khome during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 20, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Japan Fashion Week

A model displays a creation by Japanese designer Aya Furuhashi at a fashion show during Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Japanese designer Toshikazu Iwaya at a fashion show during Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

A model displays a creation by Japanese designer Aya Furuhashi at a fashion show during Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

A model displays a creation by Japanese designer Aya Furuhashi at a fashion show during Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Japanese designer Toshikazu Iwaya at a fashion show during Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Japanese designer Junya Tashiro at a fashion show during Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Japanese designer Toshikazu Iwaya at a fashion show during Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

A model displays a creation by Japanese designer Aya Furuhashi at a fashion show during Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Japanese designer Tamae Hirokawa at SOMARTA's fashion show during Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo October 20, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Japanese designer Toshikazu Iwaya at a fashion show during Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo October 19, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily

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Americans are working out cheaper, study shows

Clients work out on machines at the Bally Total Fitness facility in Arvada, Colorado June 15, 2009.[Agencies]

NEW YORK - Brother, can you spare a treadmill?

Economic hard times have Americans downsizing their workout equipment, trimming their workout budgets, and shifting their workout venues, according to a sporting goods industry survey.

Sales of fitness equipment took a hit for the first time in 20 years, health club membership dipped slightly and some regular exercisers were working out less in 2008.

"The fitness industry was not immune from the effects of a tough economy," said Tom Cove, president of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA), a global organization which conducted the poll.

SGMA represents over 1,000 sports manufacturers, retailers and marketers around the world. They have published their study, Tracking the Fitness Movement, for 10 years.

The 2009 edition puts U.S. wholesale sales of fitness gear and equipment sold for use in home, clubs and institutions, at $4.2 billion in 2008, down from $4.7 billion the year before.

"People didn't have the money to buy new equipment as they have in recent years or the free time needed to exercise on a regular basis," Cove said.

Nevertheless, SGMA's online survey of 41,500 households found that more than 60 percent of Americans exercise regularly.

Seventeen of the 28 aerobic, conditioning, and strength activities measured in the survey showed increased rates of participation.

"We're pleasantly surprised to find the appetite for fitness has not waned," SGMA spokesperson Mike May said in an interview.

"The only thing that's affected it is the freedom to do so based on economic demands."

Walking, treadmills, hand weights, running/jogging, and weight/resistance machines were the top five fitness activities in 2008. Step aerobics showed the biggest one-year increase at 21 percent.

The graying of the fitness community is continuing. Among those who exercise 50 days or more a year, nearly 30 percent were 55 or older, with the 65-plus set dominating in two categories: aquatic exercise activities and tai chi.

"It's interesting to see seniors making a bigger dent on the fitness population," May said.

The survey found that among fitness machines, the treadmill still rules the roost.

"The treadmill remains number one. And I don't think it's going to lose that spot any time soon," May said. "It's king of the hill."

But even the king is not immune to cutbacks.

"People are choosing not to spend $3,000 to 4,000 on a treadmill," said Colleen Logan of ICON Health & Fitness, the largest manufacturer of home fitness equipment. "But we're seeing steady sales of treadmills for under $1,000."

The home fitness market is roughly three times as big as the institutional market, according to SGMA.

Logan says that while sales to health clubs and specialty stores may have plummeted, the home fitness market is down, but not devastated, as consumer habits change with the times.

"People are saying, 'Do I really need that gym fee?'" she explained.

In what may be yet another belt-tightening move, the report found more people working out with free weights, which include barbells, dumbbells and hand weights.

Myatt Murphy, author of "The Ultimate Dumbbell Guide", says dumbbells are the smart choice for lean times.

"There were thousands of exercises you can create using one pair of dumbbells," he said. "and if you're on a budget, that equals pennies per exercise at most."

taken from : China Daily


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Ukrainian Fashion Week I

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Andre Tan during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 17, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Andre Tan during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 17, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designers Olena Vorozhbyt and Tetyana Zemskova during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 17, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Olena Dats' during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 17, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Olena Dats' during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 17, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Larisa Lobanova during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 16, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designer Larisa Lobanova during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 16, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Ukrainian designers Nota Bene & Irina Karavay during Ukrainian Fashion Week in Kiev October 16, 2009.[Agencies]

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'New Moon' stills

Check out the stills from the upcoming film "The Twilight Saga: New Moon", directed by Chris Weitz and starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. [Photo: yule.sohu.com]



















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Beckham's hair

AC Milan's Andrea Pirlo (L) celebrates with his teammate David Beckham after scoring a penalty against Siena during their Italian Serie A match in Siena March 15, 2009.[Agencies]

Los Angeles Galaxy's David Beckham warms up before their friendly match against AC Milan in Carson, California July 19, 2009.[Agencies]

David Beckham attends the World Cup 2010 qualifying match against Belarus at Wembley Stadium in London, October 14, 2009.[Agencies]

David Beckham and his wife Victoria arrive for the Sport Industry Awards 2007 at Old Billingsgate in central London March 29, 2007.[Agencies]

Real Madrid's David Beckham sports a new hairstyle as he attends his team's training session at the club's training grounds outside Madrid May 9, 2007.[Agencies]

Real Madrid's David Beckham reacts during the Spanish First Division match against Celta Vigo at Vigo's Balaidos stadium January 29, 2006.[Agencies]

England captain David Beckham poses for photographers for the launch of the team's new away strip at a Manchester hotel in northern England February 27, 2006.[Agencies]

England's captain David Beckham laughs during a news conference at Anfiled in Liverpool, northern England February 28, 2006.[Agencies]

England's captain David Beckham watches children practice their soccer skills during the opening of The David Beckham Academy in London November 28, 2005.[Agencies]

England's David Beckham is seen at the international friendly match against South Africa at the ABSA stadium in Durban, South Africa, May 22, 2003.[Agencies]

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Megan Fox,Johnny Depp and other celebs at "scream awards" in L.A.

Actress Megan Fox accepts the Best Sci-Fi Actress award onstage during Spike TV's Scream 2009 held at the Greek Theatre on October 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. [CFP]

Christina Ricci(left) kisses Taylor Lautner as she presents him with the award for best male breakout performance, for his role in twilight, at the "scream awards" on saturday, oct. 17, 2009, in Los Angeles.[CFP]

Actress Jessica Alba presents the Most Anticipated Sci-Fi Movie award onstage during Spike TV's Scream 2009 held at the Greek Theatre on October 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. [Agencies]

Actress Megan Fox accepts the Best Sci-Fi Actress award onstage during Spike TV's Scream 2009 held at the Greek Theatre on October 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.　[Agencies]

Actress Megan Fox accepts the Best Sci-Fi Actress award onstage during Spike TV's Scream 2009 held at the Greek Theatre on October 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.[Agencies]

Actress Megan Fox （R) accepts the Best Sci-Fi Actress award onstage during Spike TV's Scream 2009 held at the Greek Theatre on October 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California.[Agencies]

Johnny Depp held the award for most anticipated fantasy movie, for alice in wonderland, at the "scream awards" on saturday, oct. 17, 2009.[Agencies]

Taylor Lautner held the award for best male breakout performance, for his role in twilight, at the "scream awards" on saturday, oct. 17, 2009, Los Angeles, California.[Agencies]

Jessica Alba (left) presents Johnny Depp with the award for most anticipated fantasy movie, for alice in wonderland, at the "scream awards" on saturday, oct. 17, 2009.[CFP]

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Can fish for dinner lead to diabetes?

NEW YORK – Making sure fish ends up on your dinner plate a couple of times a week may be a good way to cut your risk for developing heart disease, but it may not do the same for diabetes, new study findings hint.

In the study, researchers found no evidence of reduced risk for diabetes among adults who ate more fish, or the essential omega-3 fatty acids obtained primarily from seafood.

Rather, their findings suggest that eating 2 or more servings of fish a week may slightly increase diabetes risk.

Diet is a key factor in preventing the onset of diabetes in adults, but how omega-3 fatty acid intake impacts diabetes risk is still unresolved, Dr. Frank B. Hu, at Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, and colleagues explain in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

They examined ties between fish and omega-3 fatty acid intake and the development of diabetes among 152,700 women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study and 42,504 men enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.

Overall, 9,380 cases of adult-onset diabetes developed among these healthcare workers during up to 18 years of follow up.

After adjusting for lifestyle and other dietary factors, plus body weight, family history of diabetes, and menopausal status and hormone use when applicable, Hu's team noted increased diabetes risk "in all cohorts" consuming higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Diabetes was 1.17 times more likely among people who ate fish 2 to 4 times a week, and 1.22 times more likely among those who ate fish 5 or more times a week, relative to those who ate lesser amounts of fish.

Dr. Hu and colleagues emphasize that numerous studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of fish and omega-3 fatty acids on multiple risk factors associated with diabetes, and on heart disease -- the major sequelae of diabetes.

They say further study is needed to figure out the "clinical relevance" of the current findings and determine the mechanisms behind their observation that high fish intake may raise diabetes risk.

taken from : China Daily


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Obesity may affect fertility in yung women

Women who become obese -- a step above overweight -- by the age of 18 are more likely to become infertile and develop polycystic ovarian syndrome than others, new research suggests.

These obese young women also less likely to become pregnant than women who become obese when they're older, according to the results of a study of 1,538 patients who were undergoing bariatric surgery at clinics in the United States. The women completed surveys about their medical and sexual histories.

Overall, however, the women in the study, who ranged in age from 18 to 78 years, were as likely to have been pregnant and to have given birth to at least one live child as women in the general population. Seventy-nine percent of those who took part in the study had been pregnant at least once, and 74 percent had at least one live birth, the researchers found.

About half of the study participants aged 18 to 44 who could become pregnant said they wouldn't try to have more children after bariatric surgery. The women in this group hadn't reached menopause and weren't sterilized, didn't have partners who were sterilized, and didn't have some other obstacle in the way of pregnancy.

However, 30 percent of the women who could still become pregnant stated that pregnancy was very important to them, and one-third of this group planned to get pregnant within two years of undergoing bariatric surgery, the study authors noted.

"As the incidence of obesity increases in the United States, women's health care practitioners are likely to care for a substantial number of patients who will undergo bariatric surgery. Studies like this one are extremely useful to help us determine how to advise these patients and best meet their needs," said Dr. William Gibbons, president-elect of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, in a news release from the society.

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Yu Na flaunting bridal gown on beach

Check out the latest photo spread of actress Yu Na in 'Fashion Weekly' October issue, featuring the barefooted actress lightheartedly flaunting a flattering bridal gown on the beach.

The Model-turned actress was invited to join the photo shoot in Singapore in September.

Yu Na wrote on her blog at Sina.com, recalling the trip as a very refreshing one to experience the edgy fashion and luxury in the charismatic Oriental city.

Yu Na, as a Chongqing native, is the lead actor in the upcoming comedy 'Chongqing Girl' which hits the screen in the middle of October. The film highlights three of the most influential elements of the metropolis, its beautiful girls, food and scenery. Yu Na plays the successor of a generations-old, family-run hotpot business.

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Harrods moves into flourishing gold market

Shoppers line up outside Harrods before the first day of the sale in London December 27, 2008.[Agencies]

LONDON - London luxury goods department store Harrods is moving into the precious metals market with the launch of a service to sell investment-grade gold bullion bars and coins to customers.

Malcolm McLean, general manager of Harrods Bank, told Reuters on Thursday that the company saw a gap in the market for a well-known retailer to enter the increasingly high-profile gold market.

"We have been very conscious of the fact that there has been an ever increasing amount of interest in the gold market, and in buying investment gold," he said.

"We became very conscious that there is no well-recognized name out there which the general public can turn to and say, I know that name, I trust it, I want to buy from them."

"That is not to say there are not reputable dealers out there -- we know there are," he said. "But they don't carry the brand that we do."

Since Monday, Harrods has been selling Swiss-sourced investment grade bars and coins including sovereigns, South African Krugerrands and American Eagles, from the Harrods Bank premises on London's upscale Brompton Road.

Harrods would not be drawn on the sales volumes seen by the store so far, but McLean said feedback for the service had been positive.

"We are very much looking to the Harrods customer, and the customers of Harrods bank itself," said McLean. "But we are open to the general public."

RETAIL

Prices vary according to the spot price of gold, the amount of bullion ordered, and the type of product selected. Internationally traded spot gold prices rose to a record high of $1,070.40 an ounce on Wednesday.

Around midday Thursday, a one-ounce Kruggerrand coin would have retailed at just under 740 pounds, around a 14 percent premium above the gold spot price at the time.

Premiums on gold investment products in Europe are typically between 5-20 percent, depending on the spot price, supply and demand conditions, and volumes.

The store offers a secure safety deposit service, with its smallest box available for 235 pounds a year and capable of holding the largest investment product Harrods offers: the 12.5 kg bar.

"The customer can take the gold away with them if they wish, or can arrange for it to be delivered to wherever they choose," McLean said.

Investment in gold coins and bars rose sharply in late 2008 and early this year as the financial crisis boosted the appeal of physical gold as a safe store of value for consumers.

According to the World Gold Council, worldwide net retail investment in gold, which includes coin and bar buying, rose 22 percent in the first half of 2009 from the same period of the previous year to 301 tonnes.

taken from : China Daily


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One in 25 people try cannabis: study

HONG KONG - An estimated 166 million people worldwide have either tried using cannabis or are active users of the drug despite scientific research showing its adverse effects on health, two researchers in Australia said.

The figure, taken from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), means one in every 25 people between the ages 15 and 64 in 2006 had had some experience with the drug, the researchers wrote in a paper published in The Lancet.

The paper is written by Professor Wayne Hall at the School of Population Health in the University of Queensland in Brisbane and Professor Louisa Degenhardt at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Center in the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

It contains findings of the UNODC and a review of medical literature published over the past 10 years on the adverse effects of cannabis on human health.

Cannabis use was highest in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, followed by Europe. Because of their large populations, 31, 25 and 24 percent of the world's cannabis users were from Asia, Africa, and the Americas respectively, with Europe accounting for 18 percent and Oceania 2 percent.

Australia and New Zealand had the highest use, or more than 8 percent of the population aged 15-64. But use was declining in both places, the researchers said, adding that similar trends were seen in Western Europe.

In contrast, cannabis use was increasing in some low- and middle-income countries, such as those in Latin America and several countries in Africa.

The paper cited North American research showing that 10 percent of people who had had contact with cannabis became daily users, while 20 to 30 percent became weekly users.

Cannabis use typically began in teenage years, peaking in the early- and mid-20s, before declining as young people entered full-time employment, got married and had children.

Use of cannabis in pregnancy could reduce birthweight, but did not appear to cause birth defects, they added. Regular cannabis smokers reported more symptoms of chronic bronchitis, such as wheezing, sputum and chronic coughing, than non-smokers.

Deficits in verbal learning, memory, and attention were most consistently reported in heavy cannabis users, but these were related to duration and frequency of use.

In the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, regular cannabis users were much more likely to use other illicit drugs later on, including heroin and cocaine, they added.

Cannabis also appeared to have an effect on the mental health of users, the researchers wrote, citing studies which suggested that the risk of schizophrenia more than doubled in those who tried cannabis by age 18.

"The most probable adverse effects (of cannabis) include a dependence syndrome, increased risk of motor vehicle crashes, impaired respiratory function, cardiovascular disease, and adverse effects of regular use on adolescent psychosocial development and mental health," they concluded.

taken from : China Daily


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Green products join fight against climate change

SINGAPORE - A radio made of wood. A bag crafted from recycled ring pulls from drink cans. And a stylish lamp made from old Vespa scooter parts.

A figment of some designer's imagination, right?

Wrong. They are actually among a range of eco-products showcased by social group Qi Global at Singapore's National Museum as part of its wider efforts to protect the planet.

Qi says all the products are aimed at breaking the general perception that eco-products are inferior in quality and lacking in aesthetics.

But, more importantly, they're meant to save the world from the impact of climate change.

Apart from the Vespa lamp and the radio of sustainably grown wood designed by Indonesian Singgih Kartono, the lineup of eco-carbon products includes sneakers made from left-over skin of fish for food, solar mobile chargers and tiny hydrogen-powered cars.

"Imagine that one day in the far distant future, perhaps sitting sipping wine on a beach while playing with our grandchildren, we'll tell them: 'Once upon a time we tackled something called global warming...'," said Mette Kristine Oustrup, one of the founders of Qi Global.

Describing them as "good energy products," Oustrup said demand for low-carbon goods would increase as people compared them with "bad energy" products which are made by child labor or which use toxins.

Of course, green products don't come cheap: the bags of recycled ring pulls start at S$199 while the wooden radios are between S$239 and S$359, and the Vespa lamp is priced at S$2,599. And if you want to step into a pair of fishy sneakers you have to fork out S$459.

The exhibition comes at a time when concerns about climate change are growing across the world.

Delegates from nearly 200 countries will meet in Copenhagen in December to try to agree on a broader climate pact to replace the U.N.'s Kyoto Protocol, whose first phase ends in 2012.

Scientists say that the world is on course to pump enough carbon dioxide into the air to raise global temperatures by at least 2 degrees Celsius in the next few decades, a level they say will lead to more chaotic weather, rising seas, melting glaciers, water shortages and falling crop yields.

"If we don't so something about the climate, the climate is going to do something about us," said John Hardy, a jewelry designer who has founded a green school in Bali and is associated with Qi Global's efforts.

taken from : China Daily


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Clooney,Cindy Crawford at world premiere of film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in London

U.S. actor George Clooney (R) and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis pose for photographers as they arrive for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. actor George Clooney (R) and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis pose for photographers as they arrive for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. model Cindy Crawford poses for photographers as she arrives for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. model Cindy Crawford poses for photographers as she arrives for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. model Cindy Crawford poses for photographers as she arrives for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. actor Bill Murray poses for photographers as he arrives for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. actor Bill Murray poses for photographers as he arrives for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. actor George Clooney (R) and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis pose for photographers as they arrive for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. actor George Clooney (R) and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis pose for photographers as they arrive for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. actor George Clooney (R) and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis pose for photographers as they arrive for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. actor George Clooney (R) and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis pose for photographers as they arrive for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

U.S. actors George Clooney (L) and Bill Murray stand before photographers as they arrive to speak about their new film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in London, October 14, 2009. Wes Anderson's animation movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox", featuring the voice of George Clooney, has its world premiere on Wednesday on the opening night of the London film festival. [Agencies]

Cast members Jason Schwartzman (L), George Clooney (2nd L), Bill Murray (2nd R) and Jarvis Cocker (R) stand with director Wes Anderson as they arrive to speak about their new film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in London, October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

Photographers are reflected in a mirrored door as U.S. actor George Clooney arrives to speak about his new film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in London, October 14, 2009. Wes Anderson's animation movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox", featuring the voice of George Clooney, has its world premiere on Wednesday on the opening night of the London film festival. [Agencies]

U.S. actor George Clooney (L) jokes with musician Jarvis Cocker as they arrive to speak about their new film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in London, October 14, 2009. Wes Anderson's animation movie "Fantastic Mr. Fox", featuring the voice of George Clooney, has its world premiere on Wednesday on the opening night of the London film festival. [Agencies]

U.S. actor George Clooney (L) and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis pose for photographers as they arrive for the world premiere of the film "Fantastic Mr. Fox" in Leicester Square, London October 14, 2009. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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I do, I do, I do ...

Couples kiss as they get married under the patronage of Saint Antonio during a parade in Lisbon, June 12, 2008.

A couple kiss after taking part in a mass wedding ceremony in Paranaque, south of Metro Manila, February 14, 2009. An estimated 390 couples took part.

206 couples wave on stage as they wait for their wedding ceremony in Ankara, August 6, 2006.

206 couples wave on stage as they wait for their wedding ceremony in Ankara, August 6, 2006.

Jose Abrian, 83, and Lolita Rogacion holds hands as they exchange vows during a mass wedding for 300 couples in Manila, June 29, 2009.

Couples pose for photographers in a subway train during a mass wedding for 123 couples in Hong Kong, November 25, 2001.

A bride waits after her make-up is done during a mass marriage ceremony for 80 couples north of the Indian city of Kolkata, February 15, 2009.

Newlywed couples pose for a photograph following a mass wedding for 200 couples at Thean Hou temple in Kuala Lumpur, September 9, 2009.

Malaysian couples are greeted by lion dance performers as they walk into the wedding hall for a mass wedding for fifty couples in Kuala Lumpur, July 7, 2007.

Lebanese brides and grooms pose for a souvenir photo during their joint wedding ceremony at the ancient Roman temple of Bakhos in eastern Lebanon, July 29, 2007.

taken from : China Daily


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Another Charlene Choi

Charlene Choi, one half of the former Hong Kong pop duo Twins, poses for her new EP "Another Me", which will be released on October 15, 2009. [Photo: sohu.com]












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Paris Chocolate Show

French actress Marie Fugain presents a creation at the 15th Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in Paris October 13, 2009.[Agencies]

French TV host Faustine Bollaert presents a creation at the 15th Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in Paris October 13, 2009.[Agencies]

French singer Lara Fabian presents a creation at the 15th Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in Paris October 13, 2009.[Agencies]

French actress Armelle Lesniak presents a creation at the 15th Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in Paris October 13, 2009.[Agencies]

French actress Julie Ferrier (C) presents a creation at the 15th Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in Paris October 13, 2009.[Agencies]

French TV host Valerie Damidot presents a creation at the 15th Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in Paris October 13, 2009.[Agencies]

French TV host Virginie de Clausade presents a creation at the 15th Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in Paris October 13, 2009.[Agencies]

French actress Carole Brana presents a creation at the 15th Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in Paris October 13, 2009.[Agencies]

French actress Corinne Touzet presents a creation at the 15th Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in Paris October 13, 2009.[Agencies]

Model Laetitia Rey presents a creation at the 15th Salon du Chocolat (Paris Chocolate Show) in Paris October 13, 2009.[Agencies]

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Tom Hanks arrives for premiere of the film "Where The Wild Things Are" in NY

Actor and producer Tom Hanks arrives for the premiere of the film "Where The Wild Things Are" in New York October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Actor and producer Tom Hanks arrives for the premiere of the film "Where The Wild Things Are" in New York October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Actor and producer Tom Hanks arrives for the premiere of the film "Where The Wild Things Are" in New York October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Actor and producer Tom Hanks arrives for the premiere of the film "Where The Wild Things Are" in New York October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Actors (back L-R) Forest Whitaker, Catherine Keener, director Spike Jonze, Lauren Ambrose, Catherine O'Hara, singer Karen O, and producer Tom Hanks stand behind author Maurice Sendak (C) and Max Records before the premiere of the film "Where The Wild Things Are" in New York October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

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Eva Longoria and other celebs attend Hispanic music event at White House

Actress Eva Longoria Parker poses while attending the "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina" on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Actress Eva Longoria Parker poses while attending the "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina" on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Actors Eva Longoria Parker and Jimmy Smits pose while attending the "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina" on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Artists Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony pose while attending the "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina" on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Singer Thalia poses while attending the "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina" on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Singer Jennifer Lopez reacts while attending the "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina" on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Singer Thalia poses while attending the "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina" on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington October 13, 2009. [Agencies]

Musicians Aventura pose while attending the "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina" on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, October 13, 2009.

Actors George Lopez (L), Eva Longoria Parker (C) and Jimmy Smits attend the "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina", hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington October 13, 2009.

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks while attending "In Performance at the White House: Fiesta Latina" on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington October 13, 2009.

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Some fatty foods may help diabetic women slim down

Eating certain kinds of fats may actually help obese women with diabetes trim some body fat, a small study suggests.

The study of 35 older women with type 2 diabetes found that supplements containing two types of fats - conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or safflower oil - led to healthy changes in body composition over four months.

With CLA, the women experienced a dip in body mass index (BMI) - a measure of weight in relation to height - and in their total level of body fat.

With safflower oil, the women's BMI did not change, but they typically shed a couple pounds of fat from the trunk area; they also showed improvements in their blood sugar levels, which signals better diabetes control.

CLA is an unsaturated fatty acid found in beef, lamb and dairy products. Animal research has found that CLA can help melt away body fat, and some studies have suggested the same may hold true in humans.

Safflower oil is rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, but exactly how it might affect body fat and blood sugar is unknown, says Dr Martha Belury, an author of the study and a professor of nutrition at Ohio State University in Columbus.

Corn oil contains healthy fats which you should include in your diet.

She explains that she and her colleagues were simply using safflower oil as a comparison substance to gauge the effects of CLA. The former, it turned out, had its own unique benefits.

It is too soon to recommend that overweight women with diabetes buy CLA or safflower oil supplements. But they can try to fit more polyunsaturated fats into their diet, Belury says.

"Don't get rid of the healthy fats in your diet when you get rid of the bad ones," she advises.

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, included 35 obese women with an average age of 60. Each took either 8 g of the safflower oil supplement or 8 g of the CLA supplement every day for 16 weeks; after a one-month break, the women then switched to the other supplement.

Overall, Belury's team found, the women showed a small decline in BMI and shed a couple pounds of body fat while on CLA. There was no change in their blood sugar levels or muscle mass.

In contrast, while on safflower oil, the women lost body fat in the trunk area and gained some muscle mass, while their blood sugar levels showed a general decline. "These fats seem to work very differently from each other," Belury says.

More research is needed to understand this, according to the researchers. Studies suggest that CLA affects enzymes involved in body-fat storage, which may explain its benefits for body composition, but its potential effects on diabetes are unclear. The supplement did not affect blood-sugar control in this study, and a previous study of diabetic adults found that CLA actually raised blood-sugar levels.

For now, Belury recommends that people try to work polyunsaturated oils into their diets - eating salads with oil-and-vinegar dressing, for instance, or cooking vegetables with the oils instead of butter.

She notes that the amount of safflower oil used in this study was equivalent to just under two teaspoons a day, which is easy to get through food. A number of other oils, like sunflower and corn oils, are also high in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats.

On the other hand, the amount of CLA used in the study would be tough to get through the diet. A liter of full-fat milk, for example, contains only about 1 g of CLA.

taken from : China Daily


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The 6th Annual Hollywood Style Awards

Actress Sophia Bush and fashion designer Max Azria pose at the 6th Annual Hollywood Style awards at the Armand Hammer museum in Los Angeles October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

Actress Katie Cassidy poses at the 6th Annual Hollywood Style awards at the Armand Hammer museum in Los Angeles October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

Television personality Kimberly Kardashian poses at the 6th Annual Hollywood Style awards at the Armand Hammer museum in Los Angeles October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

Television personality Kimberly Kardashian blows a kiss at photographers at the 6th Annual Hollywood Style awards at the Armand Hammer museum in Los Angeles October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

Actress Lauren Conrad poses at the 6th Annual Hollywood Style awards at the Armand Hammer museum in Los Angeles October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

Actress Hayden Panettiere poses at the 6th Annual Hollywood Style awards at the Armand Hammer museum in Los Angeles October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

Actress Amber Valletta poses at the 6th Annual Hollywood Style awards at the Armand Hammer museum in Los Angeles October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

Actress Pamela Anderson and David LaChapelle pose at the 6th Annual Hollywood Style awards at the Armand Hammer museum in Los Angeles October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

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Penelope Cruz arrives at premiere screening of her movie "Broken Embraces" in NY

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz arrives for the New York premiere screening of her movie "Broken Embraces" October 11, 2009. The film was presented for the closing night of the New York Film Festival at the Lincoln Center. [Agencies]

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz arrives for the New York premiere screening of her movie "Broken Embraces" October 11, 2009. The film was presented for the closing night of the New York Film Festival at the Lincoln Center. [Agencies]

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz arrives for the New York premiere screening of her movie "Broken Embraces" October 11, 2009. The film was presented for the closing night of the New York Film Festival at the Lincoln Center. [Agencies]

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz arrives for the New York premiere screening of her movie "Broken Embraces" October 11, 2009. The film was presented for the closing night of the New York Film Festival at the Lincoln Center. [Agencies]

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz (C) arrives for the New York premiere screening of her movie "Broken Embraces" October 11, 2009. The film was presented for the closing night of the New York Film Festival at the Lincoln Center. [Agencies]

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz (R) arrives with director Pedro Almodovar for the New York premiere screening of his movie "Broken Embraces" October 11, 2009. The film was presented for the closing night of the New York Film Festival at the Lincoln Center. [Agencies]

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz (R) arrives with director Pedro Almodovar for the New York premiere screening of his movie "Broken Embraces" October 11, 2009. The film was presented for the closing night of the New York Film Festival at the Lincoln Center. [Agencies]

Actress Lauren Bacall (R) arrives for the New York premiere screening of the movie "Broken Embraces" in New York October 11, 2009. The film was presented for the closing night of the New York Film Festival at the Lincoln Center. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Actress Xu Qing's photoshoots in Paris, London

Chinese actress Xu Qing shoots a photo album in the streets of London and Paris. She has come into public attention recently for playing the role of Soong Ching Ling in hit tribute film "The Founding of a Republic".

taken from : China Daily


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Researchers take another stem cell step

An ampoule containing a medium for stem cell storage is displayed in front of a microscopic photograph showing a human embryonic stem cell at the UK Stem Cell Bank in north London, May 19, 2004.[Agencies]

WASHINGTON - Researchers trying to figure out a safe way to turn an ordinary skin cell into a powerful stem cell treatment said they took another big step on Thursday, using one chemical to partly transform the cells.

Dr. Kevin Eggan of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and colleagues said their experiment makes it easier to change plain cells into what they called induced pluripotent stem or iPS cells, which have the power to morph into any cell type in the body.

"This demonstrates that we're halfway home, and remarkably we got halfway home with just one chemical," Eggan said in a statement.

The goal is to take a small skin sample or blood from a patient, reprogram the cells into iPS cells, grow a large batch of these and then use them to make heart cells, blood cells, nerve cells or perhaps someday even entire organs to treat disease.

They would be tailor-made for the patient, who would not require immune-suppressing drugs. Such cells can also be used to study a patient's disease in the laboratory.

Stem cells are the body's master cells, giving rise to all the other cells in the body. Days after conception, an embryo is made of incredibly powerful stem cells that can develop into any cell type.

As an embryo grows and develops, these cells differentiate and lose their flexibility as they become muscle cells, bone cells or nerve cells.

Scientists seeking to recapture this power can use human embryos. An alternative route is to make iPS cells, but the most reliable method to do this requires using viruses to carry transformative genes into the cells.

The worry is the viruses might contaminate the resulting batches of cells.

Eggan's team found a chemical that replaces two of the four transformative genes known as cMyc, Sox2, Oct4, and Klf4.

"The one chemical replaces those two genes in different ways at different times in the experiment. The experiments we performed not only led to discovery of the chemical, but they also explained how it works," he said.

They have named the chemical RepSox -- in honor of Boston's Red Sox baseball team and a play on the name of one of the genes.

taken from : China Daily


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Lisbon Fashion Show I

A model presents a creation by Portuguese designer Jose Antonio Tenente during the Lisbon fashion show in Cascais October 9, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese designer Jose Antonio Tenente during the Lisbon fashion show in Cascais October 9, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese fashion designer Jose Antonio Tenente during the Lisbon fashion show in Cascais October 9, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese designer Jose Antonio Tenente during the Lisbon fashion show in Cascais October 9, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese fashion house CIA Maritima during the Lisbon fashion show in Cascais October 9, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese fashion house CIA Maritima during the Lisbon fashion show in Cascais October 9, 2009.[Agencies]

Models present creations by Portuguese designer Alexandra Moura during the Lisbon fashion show in Cascais October 9, 2009.[Agencies]

Models present creations by Portuguese designer Alexandra Moura during the Lisbon fashion show in Cascais October 9, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese designer Alexandra Moura during the Lisbon fashion show in Cascais October 9, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Lisbon Fashion Show II

A model presents a creation by Portuguese designer Miguel Vieira during Lisbon Fashion Week in Cascais October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese designer Miguel Vieira during Lisbon Fashion Week in Cascais October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese designer Dino Alves during Lisbon Fashion Week in Cascais October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese designer Dino Alves during Lisbon Fashion Week in Cascais October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese designer Dino Alves during Lisbon Fashion Week in Cascais October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese designer Dino Alves during the Lisbon Fashion Week in Cascais October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Portuguese designer Dino Alves during the Lisbon Fashion Week in Cascais October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by Serbian designer Aleksandar Protic during Lisbon Fashion Week in Cascais October 11, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Giorgio Armani extends designer touch to new mobile

Italian designer Giorgio Armani poses with his models at the end of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection in Milan September 24, 2009.[Agencies]

MILAN - Italian fashion house Giorgio Armani presented a new 700-euro ($1,032) mobile phone on Friday, a stylish device aimed at complementing the designer's suits.

Founding designer Giorgio Armani, widely regarded as the doyen of Italian fashion, made a brief public appearance at the launch of the Armani-Samsung smartphone, which also has the new Microsoft software for mobiles.

Microsoft Corp introduced Windows Mobile 6.5 this week, which allows phones to play music, open Word and Excel documents and be synchronized over the Internet.

The sleek phone has both a touch screen and a key pad. It also includes a video player and GPS navigation, as well as bronze detailing "which coordinates perfectly with Giorgio Armani suits," according to a statement.

Armani, 75, did not speak at the presentation, only posing for photographs, but said in the statement he sought to create a phone "perfect for today's managers."

Armany, who suffered a bout of hepatitis this year, announced three senior management changes in late September, signaling an easing of his workload.

Armani, known for his classically elegant lines and muted colors in clothes, said last month he was reshuffling his agenda to take better care of himself after the illness.

The smartphone is the third phone Armani has designed for South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, wearing a tie signed by Armani, said the phone was "a statement of style" and his company was not looking to work with other designers, adding this partnership with Samsung and Armani was "a unique thing."

taken from : China Daily


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Lady Gaga puts on Hello Kitty

Pop singer Lady Gaga, who's best known for her visually stunning outfits, sports a series of Hello Kitty-themed elements this time in her new photoshoots. [Photo: ent.sina.com.cn]

taken from : China Daily


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For less foot pain, pick sneakers over heels

A George Washington coach wears stiletto heels in the huddle with players during their first round NCAA women's basketball game against Boise State in Los Angeles, March 17, 2007.[Agencies]

NEW YORK - Care about the future of your feet? You might want to consider your shoe choices carefully, new research shows.

Older women who said they usually wore athletic shoes or sneakers in the past were 67 percent less likely to have pain in the back of their feet than women who used other types of footwear, the researchers found.

"Obviously women aren't going to give up their favorite high heels, but I think it's important to pay attention to the shoes that you're buying and make sure they fit," Alyssa B. Dufour, a graduate student at the Institute for Aging Research Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston and one of the researchers on the study, told Reuters Health.

Foot pain is extremely common among older people, and can be disabling, Dufour and her colleagues note in Arthritis Care & Research. Women are more likely than men to have pain in their feet, they add, and their choice of footwear could be a factor.

Dufour and her team interviewed 3,378 men and women participating in the Framingham Study, a long-term investigation of heart health. Their average age was 66.

One in every four study participants-19 percent of men and 29 percent of the women--said they had foot pain on most days.

The researchers asked people what type of shoe they wore most commonly during five age categories, beginning in their 20s. They classified shoes into "good" (sneakers, athletic shoes), "average" (for example hard-soled leather shoes or rubber-soled shoes) and "poor" (heels or pumps, sandals, or slippers).

For men-only 2 percent of whom reported wearing "poor" shoes--there was no relationship between footwear and foot pain. But for women, wearing "good shoes" reduced the likelihood of having pain in the heel, ankle and lower Achilles tendon-known collectively as the "hindfoot"--by two-thirds.

For women, Dufour said, the findings show that footwear choices throughout life "have long-term effects you wouldn't even think about."

And for times when high heels are in order, she added, women can prevent some of the ill effect of wearing them by stretching the back of their heels and calves to "give your foot the motion that you're losing when you push your foot into the high heel position."

High heel wearers can also try gel inserts or insoles, Dufour added. While shoes costing $300 to $400 provide better support than less expensive versions, she said, they are obviously not an option for most women.

taken from : China Daily


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Paris Fashion Week: John Galliano Spring/Summer 2010

A model presents a creation by British designer John Galliano as part of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection during Paris Fashion Week October 7, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer John Galliano as part of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection during Paris Fashion Week October 7, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer John Galliano as part of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection during Paris Fashion Week October 7, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer John Galliano as part of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection during Paris Fashion Week October 7, 2009.

A model presents a creation by British designer John Galliano as part of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection during Paris Fashion Week October 7, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer John Galliano as part of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection during Paris Fashion Week October 7, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer John Galliano as part of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection during Paris Fashion Week October 7, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer John Galliano as part of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection during Paris Fashion Week October 7, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer John Galliano as part of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection during Paris Fashion Week October 7, 2009.[Agencies]

A model presents a creation by British designer John Galliano as part of his Spring/Summer 2010 women's collection during Paris Fashion Week October 7, 2009.[Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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In parkour, the city is the gym

A man practises parcour near Sofia Cathedral in Veliky Novgorod some 520 km (323 miles) northwest of Moscow October 5, 2008.[Agencies]

NEW YORK - A Zen saying goes: the obstacle is the path.

That's true of parkour, the gritty urban sport that evolved from obstacle course training for the French military into a fitness option for urban youths.

In parkour, the city is the gym. The bridges, buildings and railings are the equipment. The goal is a direct route from one place to another. You see an obstacle, you overcome it.

Now the techniques of this adamantly outdoor sport are coming indoors to a gym near you.

"Parkour is a method to train the body and mind using obstacle coursing as the medium," said Mark Toorock, who teaches the techniques of parkour at his Primal Fitness gyms in Washington, D.C., Florida and Texas.

And while beginners might be inspired by YouTube videos of lithe young men gracefully vaulting over city structures, Toorock says they'll probably not be defying gravity anytime soon.

But the former martial arts specialist says that we'd all do well to learn, or re-learn, the basic skills involved.

"Parkour has this basic toolkit of movements like running, jumping, crawling," said Toorock, whose website is American Parkour. "All the things humans used to do."

The tenets that became parkour predate World War One.

Georges Hebert, a French naval officer, was so impressed by the effortless athleticism of African tribes that he devised a training method based on basic movements such as running, jumping, climbing, balancing, and throwing.

The word parkour derives from parcours du combatant, the French term for the obstacle course form of military training Hebert proposed.

Practitioners of the sport are called traceurs or traceuses, from the French word meaning to trace, draw, or go fast.

Dr. Kenneth Kao, a chiropractor, has been a traceur since college. "Traceurs are some of the most fit and neurologically coordinated people I have ever met," he said from his office in Lafayette, Colorado.

"Many basic parkour techniques like crawling, rolling, climbing and jumping should have been ingrained into our movements at an early age. There is nothing that parkour does movement-wise that is unnatural--quite the opposite, actually," Kao said.

"Parkour is not extreme," he added. "The environment is the extreme and dangerous aspect to parkour."

The environment is precisely what the luxury fitness chain Equinox aims to control in its Parkour Power Play class.

"It can seem intimidating to go outside and immediately start jumping off railings and flipping over park benches," fitness instructor Lisa Wheeler said. "We break down the moves to make them easier."

Wheeler said experienced traceurs co-conduct the class.

"We have thick mats for rolling, rubberized boxes to jump over, balance beams for railings," she said. "Then we do some outdoor events."

Toorock says it's just not parkour until you're outside.

"We teach people how to run, jump, squat. But that's not parkour because it's indoors and with a fixed obstacle. The goal is to go outside."

And what's the lure of those concrete canyons? For Toorock, it's the joy of not putting away childish things.

"People forget that movement is fun," he said. "Play is no longer acceptable. I'm 39 years old. People see me in a playground they think I'm insane."

"Meanwhile I enjoy my life," he said. "I have fun."

taken from : China Daily


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Image of ultra-thin Ralph Lauren model sparks outrage

by Brett Michael Dykes

In recent years an ongoing debate has brewed over advertisers and fashion magazines using photographs, particularly photographs of women, that have seemingly been altered, or "retouched," by airbrushing and photo editing software such as Photoshop. The latest such image to cause an uproar is one featured in a new Ralph Lauren advertisement that shows a model, Filippa Hamilton, so emaciated that her waist actually appears to be smaller than her head.

On September 29th, Boing Boing's Xeni Jardin posted the ad, which originally appeared on a blog dedicated to pointing out suspected retouched images called Photoshop Disasters, with the comment, "Dude, her head's bigger than her pelvis." Ralph Lauren responded by filing a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) complaint against Boing Boing and Photoshop Disasters, claiming that their use of the image was a copyright infringement that fell outside of the Fair Use laws which allow the media to reproduce creative content for the purposes of commentary and criticism.

The Internet service provider hosting Photoshop Disasters (Google Blogspot) deleted the post containing the image, while Boing Boing's (Canada's Priority Colo.) did not. In response, Boing Boing editor Cory Doctorow issued a stern warning to Ralph Lauren yesterday on the website, saying that the company's attempt to silence their criticism has only inspired them to step up their efforts in the future:

"Copyright law doesn't give you the right to threaten your critics for pointing out the problems with your offerings. You should know better. And every time you threaten to sue us over stuff like this, we will:

a) Reproduce the original criticism, making damned sure that all our readers get a good, long look at it, and;

b) Publish your spurious legal threat along with copious mockery, so that it becomes highly ranked in search engines where other people you threaten can find it and take heart; and

c) Offer nourishing soup and sandwiches to your models."

The U.S. isn't the only place where advertisers are feeling the public backlash over retouching claims. Overseas, a recent Olay ad featuring a virtually wrinkle-free 59-year-old Twiggy caused such an uproar in the UK that the British Parliament recently proposed outlawing retouching in advertisements aimed at teenagers. The movement was initiated by the nation's Liberal Democrats, whose leader on the issue, Jo Swinson, said:

"Today's unrealistic idea of what is beautiful means that young girls are under more pressure now than they were even five years ago. Airbrushing means that adverts contain completely unattainable images that no one can live up to in real life. We need to help protect children from these pressures and we need to make a start by banning airbrushing in adverts aimed at them. The focus on women's appearance has got out of hand - no one really has perfect skin, perfect hair and a perfect figure, but women and young girls increasingly feel that nothing less than thin and perfect will do."

In the U.S., many retouched images featuring celebrities have been the subject of recent scorn, including a L'Oreal ad that lightened Beyonce's skin, an image of Jessica Alba airbrushed to feature a slimmer waist in a Campari ad, and an ad for London Fog featuring Gisele Bunchen in which her "baby bump" was removed.

In response to the growing concern over retouching, a website called About-Face, whose stated mission is to arm "women and girls with tools to understand and resist harmful media messages that affect their self-esteem and body image," has sprung up. The site features a "Gallery of Offenders" as well as a "Gallery of Winners" to highlight who the site's editors feel are the advertising industry's best and worst in regards to improving and harming the image of the modern woman. Site visitors can also contribute money to help offset its operating costs as well as expand programs designed to educate young women on beauty and self-image.

Another website to garner attention for its dedication to exposing photo retouching offenses is Jezebel.com. Speaking on the subject of retouching, Jezebel editor-in-chief Anna Holmes told Yahoo!, "I don't see any point in retouching anymore ... The cat's out of the bag." She added, "I think Americans in particular are sick of having the wool pulled over their eyes ... even if it's regarding fashion models and actresses. The more they do this sort of retouching -- and then try to justify it, as the editor of SELF magazine recently did -- the less anyone believes anything else they have to say, or show. They are, in a sense, digging their own (shallow) graves."

Whether or not Holmes is right about the digging of "shallow graves" remains to be seen, but companies like Ralph Lauren certainly don't appear to be helping their cause by attempting to silence their critics, as doing so has only increased the amount of negative attention to their already controversial ad.

taken from : yahoo.com


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Rachel Weisz promotes film "Agora" in Madrid

British actress Rachel Weisz poses during a photocall to promote her latest film "Agora" in Madrid October 6, 2009. [Agencies]

British actress Rachel Weisz blows a kiss during a photocall to promote her latest film "Agora" in Madrid October 6, 2009. [Agencies]

British actress Rachel Weisz (R) and Spanish film director Alejandro Amenabar smile during a photoc all to promote their latest film "Agora" in Madrid October 6, 2009.[Agencies]

British actress Rachel Weisz (R) and Spanish film director Alejandro Amenabar smile during a photoc all to promote their latest film "Agora" in Madrid October 6, 2009.[Agencies]

British actress Rachel Weisz (R) and Spanish film director Alejandro Amenabar smile during a photoc all to promote their latest film "Agora" in Madrid October 6, 2009.[Agencies]

Actor Oscar Isaac (L) of Guatemala, Spanish film director Alejandro Amenabar (2nd L), British actress Rachel Weisz and British actor Max Minghella (R) pose during a photocall to promote their latest film "Agora" in Madrid October 6, 2009. [Agencies]

Spanish film director Alejandro Amenabar poses during a photocall to promote his latest film "Agora" in Madrid October 6, 2009. [Agencies]

taken from : China Daily


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Models display outfits at fashion show in Burgos

Models display outfits by Di De Sant during the Pasarela Castilla y Leon Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show in Burgos, northern Spain October 6, 2009. [Agencies]

Models display outfits by Di De Sant during the Pasarela Castilla y Leon Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show in Burgos, northern Spain October 6, 2009. [Agencies]

Models display outfits by Di De Sant during the Pasarela Castilla y Leon Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show in Burgos, northern Spain October 6, 2009. [Agencies]

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taken from : China Daily
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Half of the babies born in rich world will live to 100

LONDON - More than half of babies born in rich nations today will live to be 100 years old if current life expectancy trends continue, according to Danish researchers.

Increasing numbers of very old people could pose major challenges for health and social systems, but the research showed that may be mitigated by people not only living longer, but also staying healthier in their latter years.

"Very long lives are not the distant privilege of remote future generations -- very long lives are the probable destiny of most people alive now in developed countries," Kaare Christensen of the Danish Aging Research Center wrote on Friday in a study in the Lancet medical journal.

The study used Germany as a case study and showed that by 2050, its population will be substantially older and smaller than now -- a situation it said was now typical of rich nations.

This means smaller workforces in rich nations will have to shoulder an ever-greater burden of ballooning pension and healthcare requirements of the old.

Many governments in developed nations are already making moves toward raising the typical age of retirement to try to cope with aging populations.

The researchers said this was an important strategy, and added that if part-time work was considered for more of the workforce, that could have yet more benefits.

"If people in their 60s and early 70s worked much more than they do nowadays, then most people could work fewer hours per week," they wrote. "Preliminary evidence suggests that shortened working weeks over extended working lives might further contribute to increases in life expectancy and health."

LIVING BETTER?

Christensen and colleagues said huge increases in life expectancy -- of more than 30 years -- had been seen in most developed countries over the 20th century.

And death rates in nations with the longest life-expectancy, such as Japan, Sweden and Spain, suggest that, even if health conditions do not improve, three-quarters of babies will live to celebrate their 75th birthdays.

"But should life expectancy continue to improve at the same rate, most babies born in rich nations since 2000 can expect to live to 100 years," they wrote.

The researchers, who pooled and analysed data from several international studies, said they wanted to explore "a common view" that a big rise in the proportion of older people would come as a result of helping an increasing number of frail and ill people survive longer -- with huge personal and societal costs.

But they found that even though many people who live to age 85 have chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis, they have only become frail and disabled at a later stage, essentially postponing frail old age instead of extending it.

"This apparent contradiction is at least partly accounted for by early diagnosis, improved treatment, and amelioration of prevalent diseases so that they are less disabling," they wrote.

"People younger than 85 years are living longer and, on the whole, are able to manage their daily activities for longer."

But for people older than 85, the situation is less clear, the researchers said. Data are sparse, and there is widespread concern that exceptional longevity -- with ever larger numbers living to 100 and more -- could be grim for the people themselves and the societies they live in.

taken from : China Daily


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