Thursday, April 19, 2012

HBO's "Girls" Explores Female Fantasies of Sexual Submissiveness

While the female desire to be sexually submissive has been explored through popular culture in the past, HBO's Girls has shed new light onto the often taboo subject.
The new TV series, which offers a so-called realistic look at the lives of 20-something-year-olds living in New York, has sparked curiosity over how common it is for women to fantasize about surrendering in a sexual context.
In its exploration of domination-themed female fantasies, the show has suggested that many women have become comfortable with the unconventional concept.
Desire: HBO's Girls featured plenty of references to the female fantasy of sexual submission, like above, leading some to wonder how many women long to be dominated?

Written and directed by Lena Dunham, who also plays lead character Hannah on the show, Girls' Sunday night premiere featured multiple references to sexual surrendering.
One particular scene showed Hannah lying flat on her stomach as Adam, her casual boyfriend is shown spanking her while they have sex.
Her feelings for Adam, who is seen saying things like 'you should never be anyone's... slave, except mine,' and 'if you come up I'm going to tie you up and keep you here for three days. I'm just in that kind of mood,' are shown to be growing.
Best seller: Fifty Shades of Grey, which has sparked opinion, sold more than two million copies in one month
Newsweek reported that an analysis of 20 studies that were published in Psychology Today found that up to 57% of women entertain fantasies where they are forced to have sex.

Daniel Bergner, an author who is writing a book about female desire which is intended for publication next year, said 'rape fantasies' are not uncommon.
He explained: '[They are] a place where politics and Eros meet, uneasily. It is where what we say and what is, stand next to each other, mismatched.'


Fifty Shades of Grey, an erotic novel which sold two million copies in one month, also offers a warts-and-all look at the sexual desire of women.
Some have argued that the book's material may be too explicit for the big screen but others have said the content is a refreshing take on the realities of sexual submission.

Amy Odell, Buzzfeed.com's Shift editor, wrote that she 'hated where the conversation went with the book.
She added: 'It's normal to want that kind of sexual role with a partner.'
Anna North, the website's senior editor, said popular culture has done a good job at portraying men's sexual fantasies, but not women's.
She said: 'Much attention has been paid to the consumerist fantasies of women, a la Sex And The City. Having a giant apartment full of shoes.'
Odell added: 'For all the world knows, fashion is our porn.'

Anya Hindmarch Named Veuve Clicquot's Businesswoman of The Year

British handbag designer Anya Hindmarch has been named Veuve Clicquot’s businesswoman of the year.
Hindmarch, who cites Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher as her inspiration, saw off competition from City heavyweight Helena Morrissey, chief executive of Newton Investment Management.

The 43-year-old designer said in an interview that Thatcher's Britain gave her the incentive to set up her own company.
'There was quite a feeding frenzy of start-ups,' she told The Guardian. 'And it's very catching. That's what's exciting now. If you get one, you get three; if you get three, you get nine.'
In the bag: Anya Hindmarch has been crowned Veuve Clicquot businesswoman of the year
 
In fact, the feeling of admiration is mutual. As Hindmarch admits to being a 'big fan' of Thatcher, in turn, the former Primer Minister has a fondness for Hindmarch. Indeed a new exhibition of the Iron Lady's belongings is to include an Anya Hindmarch bag.

'It's rather lovely, hopefully women will sit up and realise it's really exciting starting a business,' Anya enthused.

Anya Hindmarch bags can fetch up to £2,895 and also offers specials service where fans can choose their own leathers onto which their initials can be embossed.

Hindmarch celebrity clients include Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Angelina Jolie and Kate Middleton.
 
Hindmarch became the award’s 40th winner this week when she was presented with the honor by home secretary Theresa May at Claridge’s hotel in London.
Previous winners of the award include Dame Anita Roddick of The Body Shop. 


Hindmarch exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit from a young age. During her gap year in Italy she spotted a bag she liked, found a factory and started producing the design.
The Duchess of Cambridge toted Anya Hindmarch's Maud clutch when she met Michelle Obama last year
The Duchess of Cambridge toted Anya Hindmarch's Maud clutch when she met Michelle Obama last year

Hindmarch sold her first bags through the classified ad pages in Harper’s & Queen magazine and went onto open her first boutique in 1993. Since then her business has grown from one London shop to 57 outlets, with stores in New York and Tokyo. Anya was honoured with an MBE in 2009 and last year was made a UK Trade Ambassador by David Cameron alongside Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon. 


This year, alongside Net-a-Porter founder, Natalie Massenet, Hindmarch is also pledging her support for embryo entrepreneurs by partnering the School for Creative Start-ups founded by Dragon's Den investor Doug Richard.
Dubbed an 'MBA for creatives' the school will run workshops and year-long courses across fashion, design, performing arts and digital industries.
Bruton butter leather in white, £895
Bruton butter leather in white, £895
Pimlico in tan, £795
Pimlico in tan, £795
Huxley tole in python skin £2895
Huxley tole in python skin £2895

Sheree Whitfield is Leaving/Fired From Real Housewives of Atlanta

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Sheree Whitfield is leaving the hit reality TV show.
The 42-year-old insists she quit the popular Bravo franchise because she is 'tired of the fighting and cattiness'.
However, there are some rumours she was fired over her diva behaviour and demands for more money.

Exit: Sheree Whitfield is leaving Real Housewives of Atlanta

The original cast member took a thinly veiled swipe at the show's bosses in a statement released today in which she suggested she'd outgrown the show.
'After four solid seasons of helping Bravo build the show into its most successful Housewives franchise, I have decided to leave,' she tells the TV website WetPaint.
'The direction the show is going in is no longer a fit for my lifestyle. I'm tired of the fighting and the cattiness.'
Hit show: Sheree with (from left) Kim Zolciak, Cynthia Bailey, Phaedra Parks, NeNe Leakes and Kandi Burruss
 Sheree with (from left) Kim Zolciak, Cynthia Bailey, Phaedra Parks, NeNe Leakes and Kandi Burruss

She adds: 'I want to be part of something that empowers and inspires women to not only be healthy, but to treat themselves with respect. I wish the rest of the women the best of luck.'

It's quite the turn-around for Sheree, who famously pulled Kim Zolciak's wig in the second season.
During season four, she was seen throwing water at her ex-husband, former NFL player Bob Whitfield, in a dispute over child support.
According to Radaronline.com Sheree didn't quit the show, reporting that she was fired.
A source told the website: 'Sheree was fired.She was demanding more money and that didn't go over well with show executives. They are tired of dealing with her diva attitude and demands.'



Emily Blunt at Five Year Engagement in New York

Emily Blunt in Jason Wu Pre Fall 2012
Stealing the show: Emily Blunt looked stunning in a plant-patterned dress at the New York premiere of The Five-Year Engagement
Stealing the show: Emily Blunt looked stunning in a plant-patterned dress at the New York premiere of The Five-Year Engagement

Elegant: Emily topped off her look with lashings of lipstick and a slick updo

Co-stars: Jason Segal's (L) rugged and handsome look was a perfect complement for Emily's elegance
Co-stars: Jason Segal's (L) rugged and handsome look was a perfect complement for Emily's elegance

Celebrations: Emily, Jason and Bill Hader posed up together at the post-screening party


Romantic comedy: Jason and Emily star in the movie which hits cinemas across America on April 27

Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen Voted One of Time's 100 Most Influential

Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen since 2010, has been voted one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world - joining the likes of Barack Obama and Hilary Clinton.
Sarah Burton

The 37-year-old is the only fashion designer to make the list.
And singing her praises for the magazine is Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker, who has been a fan of the label for many years.
Parker labeled the Royal Wedding job as a 'burden and privilege' and commended Burton for creating a dress that 'lived up to an impossible dream.'
The actress wrote: 'She is a young woman who shouldered an enormous burden and privilege with dignity, heart and strength.
Britain's Prince William (L) and Catherine

Designer Alexander McQueen poses with Sarah Jessica Parker

'And she did the undoable. A royal wedding dress that could never live up to the impossible dream. But it did.
'The whole world gasped in astonishment and sighed in reverie as she made one young woman's fantasy a reality for everyone.
'She is now, at 37, a designer the elder statesmen of fashion marvel at, who is spoken of as the real thing",
Parker went on to praise Burton's low-key character, "but you have to restrain her to make her hear that. She is busy working and never intended to find herself spoken of in headlines or chatter.
'She never imagined photo shoots or interviews. She thinks about women and art and stories, weaves her tale into the future of fashion. On the runway she is inspired. And she creates the most beautiful and complex layers and simple, perfect lines. And a waist. Keeping up the tradition. Lee would be so proud.'

Burton's confidentiality agreement from Buckingham Palace prevented her from revealing details of the dress ahead of the Royal couple's wedding eve.
She told Vogue: 'I remember standing in Westminster Abbey thinking, "This is unreal".
'It was like a fairy tale. And all I could think was, "I hope I don't trip over".
'I didn't realise the enormity of it until much nearer the wedding day. It was a magical experience.' 

Big secret: Sarah Burton said she designed wedding-dress style for her Spring/Summer 2011 gowns to throw people of
A fashion model during Alexander McQueen Catwalk Fashion Show, Paris
Big secret: Sarah Burton said she designed wedding-dress style for her Spring/Summer 2011 gowns to throw people off

Roberto Cavalli Hates American Fashion, Blames Anna Wintour

Roberto Cavalli approves of neither American fashion not its arbiter, Queen Anna Wintour.
In a video interview aired on D, the weekly style magazine from Italian newspaper La Repubblica, the flamboyant Italian designer unleashed a tirade of abuse against the U.S. industry.
‘Just look at American fashion,' he said, 'which is almost fashion. It's terrible and you almost can't look at it.’
Roberto Cavalli is certainly not a fan of American fashion  'It has been driven by a great journalist, Anna Wintour, who wants all women to be like her and to dress the way she does.

 
Anna Wintour: fashion forward or fashion faux pas?
Anna Wintour: fashion forward or fashion faux pas?
Anna Wintour: fashion forward or fashion faux pas?

'I see young people coming out of design schools and they are too minimalist. Probably because their professors are minimalist, because they in turn have professors who follow styles of designs that are too industrial and commercial.'
He did have some positive advice for aspiring designers though.
'I can only say try to be different and try to create artistic styles. Then the clothes can be transformed, changed and modified to take into account wearability and the possibility of actually being worn.'
When it comes to his own designs, Cavalli, a favourite with Victoria Beckham, is not one to err on the side of caution
In no position to throw stones? When it comes to his own designs Cavalli is not one to err on the side of caution
In no position to throw stones? When it comes to his own designs Cavalli is not one to err on the side of caution


The designer takes his own advice extremely seriously
Cavalli takes his own advice extremely seriously
Cavalli takes his own advice extremely seriously


Cavalli is not one to err on the side of caution himself though...

The designer is no stranger to controversy . In fact it was only last month that he made some less than flattering comments to Italy’s La Repubblica newspaper about Giorgio Armani’s new hotel in Milan.
'Between Armani and me there is an abyss. Have you seen that new hotel? It looks like a psychiatric hospital.'
Giorgio Armani maintained a dignified silence. 
Armani Milano: Luxury hotel or psychiatric hospital?
Armani Milano

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Burrberry Boasts Record Sales

There was a time when Selfridges didn't bother to stock Burberry as it thought customers would be unimpressed with the fading brand, known only for its conservative raincoats and red, black and beige check. Today the department store has an entire section dedicated to the London-based design house which in little more than a decade has blossomed into one of the world's most desirable designer labels, joining the likes of Gucci, Lois Vuitton and Chanel.

Thanks to its revamped image, the company has reported record sales of £1.3 billion in six months, the only British fashion brand to achieve such a feat in retail history.
Burberry's latest summer range was modelled by actor Eddie Redmayne and model Cara Delevingne
Burberry's latest summer range was modelled by actor Eddie Redmayne and model Cara Delevingne 

The clothing manufacturer has reinvigorated its appeal recruiting the likes of Emma Watson, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Eddie Redmayne as ambassadors, while the Duchess of Cambridge also helped boost sales last year when she stepped out in a £650 flared Burberry Trench coat, causing it to sell out almost every size within 24 hours.
 
Focusing on younger, luxury-focused generation, the label saw sales rise 23 per cent as demand remained buoyant in key markets including the UK, France and China.
As well as sales of Burberry staples such as jackets and handbags, the company witnessed a strong growth in knitwear, men’s tailoring and accessories, fragrances and watches.
Duchess of Cambridge
Duchess of Cambridge

Paris-based Luca Solca, global head of European research at investment bank Crédit Agricole’s Chevreux brokerage arm, told the Evening Standard: 'It has graduated to mega-brand status, in the same league as Vuitton, Gucci, Prada.'

Burberry is due to open a 25,000sqft flagship store in Regent Street this summer, adding to the 192 retail stores, 208 concessions, 44 outlets and 57 franchise stores that already operate.


Chief creative officer Christopher Bailey, who took up the position in 2009, has been congratulated for the success as he helped bring the brand into the digital age, introducing 3D streaming of live fashion shows and dedicated Facebook pages.

A recent fragrance launch party in Beverly Hills was attended by stars such as Burberry model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and American actress Kate Bosworth.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley helps to promote the Burberry Body Fragrance
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley promotes the Burberry Body Fragrance

Expansion: Burberry is due to open a 25,000sqft flagship store in Regent Street this summer

Finance director Stacey Cartwright added: 'We are the only global luxury goods brand from Britain. We are unique... and we are balanced across clothing and leather goods.
'Our other difference is our focus on digital. Shoppers can buy straight from the catwalk with iPads in stores and we now have more than 12 million Facebook fans.'


Founded in 1856 in Basingstoke, Hampshire, Burberry is headquartered in London and is listed on the London Stock Exchange as (BRBY.L). Both the Equestrian Knight Device and the Burberry Check are trademarks belonging to the brand which are registered and enforced worldwide.
Much of the 156-year-old firm’s success lies with increasingly fashion-conscious Chinese shoppers, thousands of whom travel to Europe to buy items not yet available in the Chinese outlets.
The positive figures are helping Burberry offset fears of dampened demand for high-end goods in the wake of the Eurozone crisis and city watchers predict pre-tax full-year profits of £372 million next month.

THE HISTORY OF BRITISH FASHION LABEL BURBERRY

1856: Thomas Burberry, a 21-year-old draper’s apprentice, opened a small outfitter’s shop in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England.
1870: A commitment to quality and innovation in fabric and outwear design earned Burberry a loyal following. By 1870, the shop had grown to an ‘emporium’.
1880: Gabardine – the breathable, weatherproof and tearproof fabric developed by Burberry – was introduced in 1880.
1891: Now trading as Thomas Burberry & Sons, the business opened a shop in the West End of London at 30 Haymarket.
1895: Burberry developed the Tielocken, the predecessor of the trench coat, which was adopted by British officers during the Boer War.
1901:The Equestrian Knight trademark appeared for the first time accompanied by the Latin word ‘Prorsum’, meaning forwards.
1911: Equipped by Burberry, the Norwegian explorer Captain Roald Amundsen became the first man to reach the South Pole.
1914: Commissioned by the War Office to adapt its earlier officer’s coat for new combat requirements, Burberry added epaulettes and ‘D’ rings, and the ‘trench coat’ was born.
1920: The Burberry Check, registered as a trademark, was introduced as a lining to the trench coat in the 1920s.
1955: Burberry was awarded a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
1989: A second Royal Warrant was granted to Burberry in 1989 by HRH The Prince of Wales.
2002: Burberry launched its exclusive ‘Art of the Trench’ made to order trench coat service.
Today: Burberry is an internationally recognised luxury brand with a worldwide distribution network.
SOURCE: www.burberryplc.com


Maria Menounos Poses Nude for Allure

Maria Menounos & Debra Messing pose nude for Allure magazine's annual Naked Truth photo shoot
In the buff: Extra host Maria Menounos strips down completely nude for Allure magazine's annual Naked Truth photo shoot inside the latest edition of the magazine

And while there is not an inch to pinch on 33-year-old Maria's incredibly toned physique, The Extra host reveals that taking off her clothes for the camera is a terrifying task.
The Dancing With The Stars contestant, who is renown for her supreme figure, admits that she has a great fear about stripping down.
'I have some serious issues here,' she told Allure. 'But I want to get over that.'
Brave and proud: Smash star Messing didn't have a problem getting naked and quite happily shed any inhibitions for the stunning shoot

Maria says that her trepidations comes from a particularly embarrassing incident, which occurred a couple of years ago.
'Two years ago, a wave hit me in the ocean, and when I came out of the water, half of my special area was exposed,' she told the magazine. 'The paparazzi took pictures. It was mortifying. I thought I was going to die.'
Meanwhile, Smash star Messing doesn't have a problem getting naked and quite happily shed any inhibitions for the stunning shoot.
Stars: Maria has become a household name after starring on Dancing With The Stars and Debra is enjoying continued success with her hit show Smash
Stars: Maria has become a household name after starring on Dancing With The Stars and Debra is enjoying continued success with her hit show Smash

'I don't have the body that working out in a gym for three hours a day would create, but I feel pretty good,' she told the magazine. 'I represent that.'
The 43-year-old actress, who has an eight-year-old son Roman with her estranged husband Daniel Zelman, says her relationship with her body has changed over the years.
'Once you have a child, once you pass 40, you have a different relationship with your body,' she said. 'I love my body in a way I never have before.'
Hot stuff: Maria has been using her fit physique to compete in DWTS alongside Derek Hough

Other stars who stripped down for the magazine's Body Image feature, include Morena Baccarin, Leslie Bibb, Taraji P. Henson and cover girl Heidi Klum.
The 38-year-old German supermodel, who has four children, put her lean figure on show while using only her arms to preserve her modesty.
Cover girl: Heidi Klum is on the new issue of Allure
Cover girl: Heidi Klum is on the new issue of Allure
She told the magazine she is indeed a natural woman who has never gone under the knife.
She told Allure: 'I'm proud to be able to say, in this day and age, I haven't done anything. Everyone has a view of what's not pretty and [plastic surgery] just doesn't look pretty to me. Especially when I see it on really young girls.
'I don’t want to name names, but it’s like, wow, I remember you five years ago, looking to me so beautiful, and now it’s like … who is this person? And I know girls half my age who do it. What are they gonna do at 40 or 50, when the s*** really hits the fan?”
Heidi also opened up about her split from singer Seal, describing the end of her marriage as a 'curveball.
The pair split in  January after seven years of marriage and Heidi is still figuring out how to adjust to the changes in her life.
She told the magazine: 'Sometimes life throws you a curveball, and then you just figure it out and deal with it, but my dream always was that – to have the perfect family and have lots of children and a beautiful garden and trampolines and swings and things.
'I had dreams of how I wanted things to be and planned for things and, as we all know today, they don't always turn out as you dreamt them in your head.'
Heidi - who raises children Leni, seven, Henry, six, Johan, five, and two-year-old Lou with Seal - added she doesn't feel any resent about the split, which her former husband has said was caused by them growing apart.
She added: 'I don’t resent anything that ever happened. Things just turn out the way they turn out.'

The May issue of Allure is on stands in the US on April 24.

J Crew Collaberates With Altuzarra, Pamela Love & Creaures of the Wind

J Crew has teamed up with this year's CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund honorees Altuzarra, Pamela Love and Creatures of the Wind.
The three high-low collaborations are highly anticipated, with the Altuzarra's design's dropping first on April 23.
In a sneak peek at what to expect from the collections, Vogue got three of their own employees to style and model the collaboration pieces with other designer items.
First look: J Crew has teamed up with this year¿s CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund honorees Altuzarra, Pamela Love and Creatures of the Wind, with Vogue staffers modelling a sneak peek of several items

Leslie Kirchhoff, a Vogue.com Contributing Photographer wears the Pamela Love-designed denim on the far left.

In the middle, Giovanna Campagna, Vogue‘s Special Events Assistant wears Altuzarra’s striped sweater and pink pants.
On the right, Fashion Associate Cynthia Smith wears a cardigan and sweater designed by Creatures of the Wind’s Shane Gabier and Chris Peters (which she teams with a Carven skirt).
Chain store chic: Creative director of J Crew Jenna Lyons (far left), is a pro at mixing high-low creations, now designer Joseph Altuzarra (far right) is bring his designs to the masses with his J Crew collection
 J Crew's Jenna Lyons (far left), is a pro at mixing high-low creations, now Joseph Altuzarra (far right) brings his designs to the masses
 
Giving an small insight into the direction each collaboration will take, Altuzarra's collaboration will feature Parisian-inspired marinière sweaters, pencil skirts, and 'vertiginous' espadrilles.

Jewellery designer Pamela Love makes her first foray into apparel with boyfriend jeans and shrunken jackets in her J Crew line, available on May 14.

Then Creatures of the Wind will feature 'eye-popping' twinsets, floral summer dresses and patchwork oxfords in their collection, out June 11.

This is the second time the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund has partnered with J Crew. Last year saw Billy Reid, Prabal Gurung, and Eddie Borgo’s pieces quickly fly off the shelves.
There has been no mention of retail price-points yet, but last year's collections ranged between $200-$450 - which may be pricey for J Crew, but much more attainable compared to the usual prices attached to the featured designers.

Crytal Renn on German Magazine Schon!

Crystal Renn made a name for herself challenging pre-conceived notions of body image in the fashion industry, but with her newly bleached blond hair and ultra-thin frame,it seems she has also succumbed to the standard image of beauty.
.
Crystal Renn
Crystal Renn covers German magazine Schon! in a gold mirrored body suit

Renn was scouted in her home town of Clinton, Mississippi when she was just 14 years old.
She was then told she would need to lose a third of her total body weight in order to have a successful career. After years of battling with anorexia, Renn gained 70 pounds and re-emerged as a plus-size model, even writing a a book called Hungry: A Young Model's Story of Appetite, Ambition and the Ultimate Embrace of Curves, about her experiences in the fashion industry in relation to her several body type transformations.
In it, Crystal revealed how she developed an eating disorder and in a typical day would eat lettuce and vegetables all day long while going on up to 10 castings.
 Crystal Renn
 Crystal Renn

Rihanna's White Powder Twitter Picture


What's that, Rihanna? The singer was seen 'cutting up' a white substance on the top of a man's head at the Coachella festival over the weekend
Rihanna was seen 'cutting up' a white substance on the top of a man's head at the Coachella festival over the weekend, and posted the picture on Twitter.
.
Controversial: In another shot, Rihanna was seen sitting on a man's shoulders

The image, which sees Rihanna - real name Robyn Fenty - on the shoulders of a mystery man, was accompanied by the caption 'Memories don't live like people do #coachella'.
Rihanna posted two pictures of herself on the shoulders of the man, with another close-up shot of the substance on his head.
Fans posted over 1000 comments on the snaps, claiming that the star 'rolled a blunt on that dude's head', referring to marijuana, but others questioned if the substance was cocaine.
One fan questioned: 'Is that weed or coke?', while others commended her for being so open, saying: 'Priceless I love this girl'.

Not one to shy away from controversy, Rihanna, who has recently completed a promotion tour for her new film Battleship, posted on her Twitter account soon after: 'I'm crazy and I don't pretend to be anything else.'
Rihanna's controversial picture comes after the singer was pictured earlier this year smoking what appeared to be marijuana on holiday in Hawaii.