Tadashi Shoji – New York Fashion Week Spring 2008

Hilary Cruz (Miss Teen USA 2007, left), Rachel Smith (Miss USA 2007, second from left) and Tara Conner (Miss USA 2006) were three of the numerous celebrities hitting the shows this season. Photo by Christopher Bourne

By Christopher Bourne

L.A. based designer Tadashi Shoji, in his second appearance at New York Fashion Week on Sept. 12, impressed with his latest show inspired by the colors and textures of the ocean.

This theme made for a quite aesthetically pleasing show, with such colors as Aegean blue, coral, oyster, and bamboo dominant throughout. Coolly elegant cocktail dresses and evening wear made extensive use of ruffles and folds that evoked the sea in every facet of their design.

This show left no doubt as to why Tadashi is the go-to designer for such celebrities as Tyra Banks and Halle Berry, as well as the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants. Practically speaking, most of these dresses would perhaps be out of place anywhere else other than Hollywood red carpets and beauty competitions. Still, on this day, the overall effect was quite memorable.

Source: Meniscus Magazine

Roger Gary, Facts and Roses team up for fashion 'xpo'

New York-based Guyanese designer/producer Roger Gary and the Facts and Roses husband and wife team Trevor Rose and Michelle Cole-Rose are the brains behind next Easter's Guyana Fashion Xpo (GFX).

The three well-known designers, who were conspicuously absent from last month's Guyana Fashion Weekend, plan to make a bold statement with this event, which they say will be an annual one. It is billed for the Easter weekend at Splashmin's Resort, which in recent years has been host to the Miss Guyana Universe Pageant.

According to a statement from the organizers, they also plan to use the Demerara Harbour Bridge as the "world's longest runway" as part of the promotional package for the GFX. The organizers say they foresee 100 male and female models beginning their catwalk strut on the West Demerara and modelling their way across the 1.25 miles bridge to culminate on the East Demerara. "Plans are in motion," they say, "for a representative of the Guinness Book of Records to be present so that the event can be officially recorded."

Meanwhile, as regards the main event, the organizers say there will be a specially constructed 80 ft catwalk at Splashmin's. "Designers will present their collections on a casted array of local, regional and international models strutting on the spectacular GFX 80 ft. long runway, especially created for the affair and which features a natural fresh waterfall backdrop."

Running conjointly with the runway segment, will be the GFX Fashion Boutique, offering opportunities to display and sell a wide variety of designer merchandise. The local, regional and international press will be on hand to capture the event, the release said.

The organizers said GFX had a successful preview at the Umana Yana in March (during Cricket World Cup) and was expected to highlight "the talent and skills of designers, models, stylists, hair and make-up artists, creating a sizzling weekend of fashion unparalleled in the southern Caribbean." It is expected that whilst the event would bring businesses and services ancillary to the industry from Guyana and the region together, it will also serve to propel Guyana as the region's new fashion and manufacturing hub.

"Set against the backdrop of its lush rainforest, ma-jestic rivers, soothing lakes, natural wildlife and an eco-friendly environment, Guyana will showcase its culture and style to the world as it plays host to the first annual Guy-ana Fashion Xpo," the release said.

Source: Stabroek News

A glitzy eve

Sayali Bhagat, Neha and Anuj Rakyan (TOI Photo)

The jewel in her crown...

What can make a beautiful woman more beautiful? A jewel-studded crown, that’s what! On Friday evening, Gitanjali, in association with the Miss India Asia Beauty Pageant 2007, hosted the crowning ceremony at a suburban venue where Miss India Asia 2007 Neha was crowned by Anuj Rakyan from Gitanjali.

Adding glitter to the glam was former Miss India Sayali Bhagat, glowing in a shimmering blue sari. Other beauty queens present included Miss Sri Lanka Jacqueline Fernandez and Miss Afghanistan Vida Samadzai, the latter who was seen talking to Vasant Bhandari.

Deepti Varghese seemed to be in jovial mood as she caught up with Dipannita Sharma and her sister, while DJs Akbar Sami and Akhtar were certainly in the groove. Aryan Vaid was spotted after quite a while. All in all, a glittering night.

Source: The Times of India

Miss World Bikini

World Bikini Model International and Miss European Tourism 2007 were held in Malta with more than 55 contestants coming from all over the World.

The event was held at the Dragonara Casino, St. Julian's and was organized by Catwalk Productions International which is the only organization in Malta holding an International License to organize these two International events.

Source: Di-ve