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Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fashion. Show all posts
Thursday, 17 February 2011
An online poll says Thai schoolgirl uniforms are the sexiest in the world.
Taking sides in one of the great debates in Asia, the Japanese news Web sitesRocket News 24 and Livedoor have declared that the uniforms worn by female Thai university students are the sexiest in the world.
In an online poll, the form-fitting black skirts and body-hugging white shirts common on every university campus in Thailand outpointed the short pleated skirts and sailor blouses ubiquitous to Japanese higher education.
In a country famous for what may be the largest organized sex industry in the world, where the lure of naked dancing girls draws at least as many tourists as the country's famed beaches, the poll predictably caused some familiar outrage.
Uniforms worn by female Thai students voted the sexiest in the world
Indeed, it is common in Thailand for educators and moral welfare guardians to rail against the habit of young women shortening the skirts - which are intended to be worn at knee length - to the point where sitting demurely in public must be a challenge.
The starched white shirts, which are adorned with signature campus pins, are frequently so many sizes too small in the bust that they seem to challenge the strength of both fabric and buttons.
Thai student in uniform...too sexy for school?
In response to the poll praising the pulchritude of Thai students, Deputy Education Minister Chaiyos Jiramethakorn was quoted in the Thai language dailyNaew Na saying that universities should crack down on revealing outfits.
He said the ministry will summon educators to discuss the problem and work out policies to tackle the issue.
A similar clampdown on suggestive dressing by elite coeds at Bangkok's top-tier Chulalongkorn University and Thammasat University in 2009 seems to have been short-lived and ineffective, despite calls by the universities at the time for the government to launch a "Social Cabinet" to tackle the issue of students wearing uniforms inappropriately.
Thammasat's deputy rector for student affairs, Parinya Thewanaruemitkul, said at the time that the university closely supervises the student uniform code at each university and he called on the government to help others assure that students wear "appropriate clothes" to all classes.
The perennial issue of sexy schoolgirls in Thailand seems rarely to occasion thoughts of simply scrapping the uniforms and treating students like the young adults they actually are and allowing them to dress themselves.
Thai students have for years said they dress the way they do precisely because they see the uniform as a rule from an earlier time and they just want to appear stylish and young.
In reacting to news of the Japanese uniform poll, a columnist for Naew Na spun the usual line in calling for greater moral teaching to stem the tide of eroticism on campus.
"At least, the existence of uniforms will help teach our children about discipline and courtesy. Uniforms will remind them of their status as students whose role is to study and seek knowledge."
"Students in uniforms should be mindful in whatever they do or don't do," wrote the author of the Kuan Nam Hai Sai column.
"Students in uniforms should be mindful in whatever they do or don't do," wrote the author of the Kuan Nam Hai Sai column.
"The most practical solution could be to educate and make students appreciate the value of wisdom and good deeds, instead of external beauty, stardom and fame.
Source: asiasentinel.com
Source: asiasentinel.com
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
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Will Ann or Chelsey take the "Top Model" title tonight? The CW/Patrick Demarchelier/Pottle Productions Inc |
The finale of "America's Next Top Model" airs tonight, with the winner taking home arguably the biggest prize in the show’s 15-season history: a spread in Vogue Italia, the cover and a separate spread in Beauty in Vogue, a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl, and representation from IMG model management. All season long, series creator and head judge Tyra Banks has touted how the competition has been "elevated" and she's right: Being in Vogue Italia — the bible of the fashion industry — can turn a reality show contestant into an overnight star.
After several seasons now of predictable winners, tonight could be a close race to the finish. The judges have narrowed the field down to two: Ann Ward, a 6'2" student from Dallas, Texas, and Chelsey Hersley, a 5'10" waitress from Boise, Idaho.
If the final decision was based on photos alone, Ann would win hands down. The gawky, gangly wallflower disappears on film, replaced by an elegant, poised model. While she may not be conventionally beautiful, Ann is extremely photogenic, a trait that led her to win best photo in the first five episodes (a "Top Model" record).
Chelsey's photos have been solid but not remarkable. Her bleach blond hair and Lauren Hutton-esque gap teeth make her stand out, but she doesn't possess the same "high fashion" uniqueness of Ann. While Ann's self-confidence has faded since her strong start, Chelsey's has grown (especially after impressing Vogue Italia's editor-in-chief, Franca Sozzani, in person).
Tonight's challenges may be the deciding factor. As in seasons past, the first is a print ad and video for CoverGirl cosmetics. Chelsey has the edge on both. She's more commercial-looking than Ann, and therefore more relatable to the CoverGirl customer base. In a prior video challenge, Ann struggled so much, she was reduced to tears.
The second challenge is a runway walk-off in a Roberto Cavalli fashion show. Ann's height and long limbs make her a walking hanger — ideal for couture — but she isn't always able to control her body. Chelsey's walk has more control so she gets a slight nod here.
Ann may be her own worst competition. Tyra likes her winners to be confident; even shy past winners like Naima and Nicole have been self-assured. Ann has struggled with insecurities, stemming from her 6'2" height. CoverGirl, a sponsor of the show and part of the prize package, wants a confident winner that girls can emulate.
Ultimately, it's in Tyra Banks' hands. A longtime champion of "debatable beauty," Tyra has already crowned a plus-size winner (Whitney) and a petite winner (Nicole) on "Top Model." Ann's unique looks would fall into the "debatable" category; in fact, Tyra's already defended the tall, tiny-waisted contestant from critics saying she's too thin. And since "debatable" is what fashion is all about, crowning Ann the winner will further elevate Tyra's message that "beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, and proportions."
Saturday, 20 November 2010
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Italian fashion designer Domenico Dolce (R) and his teammate Stefano Gabbana answer questions during a press conference in June 2010 in Milan. Italian prosecutors on Friday requested the trial of famous fashion house Dolce and Gabbana for alleged tax fraud of around one billion euros (1.4 billion dollars), ANSA news agency reported (AFP/File/Alberto Pizzoli) |
ROME (AFP) – Italian prosecutors on Friday requested the trial of famous fashion house Dolce and Gabbana for alleged tax fraud of around one billion euros (1.4 billion dollars), ANSA news agency reported.
The request came from Milan prosecutor Laura Pedio, it said.
Reports last month said investigators had completed an inquiry into founders Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, as well as five other people.
Il Sole 24 Ore business daily reported earlier the company had failed to declare 840 million euros in revenues.
The reported allegation is that Dolce and Gabbana created a company in Luxembourg in 2004 and 2005 which was given control of the group's brands, thereby avoiding Italian taxes.
The unpaid taxes amount to 420 million euros, one report said.
Italy has been cracking down on widespread tax evasion in recent months in an effort to raise governmentrevenues following the global economic crisis.
Dolce and Gabbana was set up in 1985 and employs more than 3,000 people, with a network of 116 stores and 17 factory outlets in 2009.
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Designs by Lanvin are modeled at the Lanvin for H&M Haute Couture fashion show, Thursday, Nov.18, 2010, in New York. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano) |
NEW YORK – Alber Elbaz's beads, bows and very French poufs played well in New York as he previewed a glitzy version of the much-anticipated Lanvin collection for H&M that will be in stores this weekend.
He didn't hold back on glamour or attitude even though for many mainstream consumers this will be the first time they see a Lanvin label, a favorite of fashion insiders since Elbaz took over the house in 2001.
The small fashion show Thursday night at the Pierre Hotel drew actress Emma Roberts, director Sofia Coppola and designers AnnaSui, Tory Burch, Alexander Wang, and Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, among others.
There was a cabaret singer, an elaborately painted runway and archway of white flowers, rare theatrical touches for a Manhattan runway, which is typically known as the no-nonsense sister of the dramatic Parisian catwalk.
The collection opened with a gray tulle dress with a bow at the bustline, and it ended with a model in a Lanvin (hearts) H&M dress, carrying — you guessed it — Lanvin (hearts) H&M — shopping bags. Between those looks were skinny-leg tuxedos, a lipstick red cocktail dress, a faux fur coatdress topped by a similar coat and a French maid get-up.
All were customized couture versions of what will be on sale at H&M; the runway pieces will be auctioned for Unicef.
One model accessorized her one-shoulder hot pink frock with a French poodle wearing a complementary bow.
"It's fantastic, of course. He (Elbaz) is such a great designer — so influential," said Margareta van den Bosch, creative adviser for H&M. "What he wanted to do with this collection is make it more playful, less serious and less classic."
She already has in her closet one of the menswear tuxedos and a woman's overcoat. "I have some of the accessories, too, but not the shoes. I can't walk in those high heels."
The prices are on the high side for H&M — up to $250 for a dress — but that's a bargain for Elbaz's work, she said.
Collaborations aren't new for mass retailer H&M: Previous partners include Stella McCartney, Sonia Rykieland Karl Lagerfeld. - By SAMANTHA CRITCHELL, AP Fashion Writer
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