Louboutin Shoes

　　Victoria beckham’s popular fashion brand is nominated for the British Fashion Awards 2010, for the first time.

　　Victoria Beckham’s fashion brand has made its first-ever appearance in the nominations for the 2010 British Fashion Awards. Her collection has been selected as one of four nominations for the Designer Brand award, together with the more-established names of Burberry, Mulberry and Pringle.

　　The nomination for Victoria Beckham’s own label brand is an indication of how seriously the former Posh Spice is now regarded as a designer by the international fashion industry.

　　Mrs Beckham, 36, launched her label in New York just two years ago, and her global celebrity clientele just continues to grow. Her dresses and gowns have been worn by virtually every Red Carpet-worthy star including Drew Barrymore, Madonna, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Demi Moore, Nicole Scherzinger, Blake Lively, Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow, Heidi Klum, Cameron Diaz, Brooke Shields, and Leighton Meester, to name a few.

　　Christopher Kane, Erdem, and Phoebe Philo, whose collections for Celine have led the revival of no frills-no fuss, grown-up dressing, are the three nominations for the Designer of the Year ‘fashion oscar’.

　　

　　Джимми Чу (Jimmy Choo) обратился к жёсткому, хотя изысканно элегантному, городскому шику. Чёткие графические формы и смелые детали. Превосходная овчина, кожа пони с леопардовым принтом и такие характерные для Джимми Чу элементы, как заклёпки, змеиная кожа и бахрома.

　　Всё это, как и в предыдущих коллекциях, рисует нам образ сильной женщины, но на этот раз подчёркнуто красивый и сексуальный.

　　Sur scène, Mika est capable de toutes les excentricités. En revanche, le chanteur Anglais n’en mène pas large quant il s’agit de faire des mondanités. C’est en effet ce que vient de déclarer Mika dans les pages du magazine italien Sorrisi.

　　”Je ne suis pas un mondain. Ma vie privée m’appartient et ne regarde que moi. En plus, je suis extrêmement timide. Durant la fête qui a suivi la cérémonie des Oscars, je n’ai pas dû faire grande impression à Madonna. J’étais assis à sa table en compagnie de Christian Louboutin, mais j’étais tellement timide que je ne lui ai pas adressé la parole. Je me demande ce qu’elle a pensé à mon sujet” raconte l’interprète de “Relax”.

　　Same Shit, Different Year: Die alljährliche Show zur Verleihung der Emmy Awards, gerne auch mal liebevoll “Serienoscars” genannt, ist sowas wie die brave große Schwester der MTV VMAs – und auf zwei Dinge konnte man sich in den letzten Jahren immer verlassen: Die Sache läuft quasi skandalfrei und am Ende hat “Project Runway” mal wieder nicht gewonnen. Dieses Jahr musste sich Heidis Show zum Beispiel gegen eine Koch-Sendung namens „Top Chef” geschlagen geben und dass Jim Parsons dank dieser wirklich überragenden Serie namens „The Big Bang Theory“ sein Trophäenregal ebenfalls um einen Award erweiteren darf, wollen wir euch natürlich auch nicht vorenthalten.

　　Damit ist es aber auch schon wieder gut, weil hier ja bekanntlich nicht etwa die harten Fakten zählen, sondern einzig und allein das richtige Aussehen (oder glaubt ihr etwa, ich würde hier aufgrund meiner Autorenskills tippen? Ähem.). Und deshalb begeben wir uns jetzt auch schnellstens zu den einzig wahren Red Carpet-Bildern, die ich in einer Nachtschicht exklusiv für euch rausgepickt und psychologisch durchanalysiert habe. Los geht’s!

　　Wenn es einen Grund dafür gibt, sich endlich mal “Glee” reinzuziehen, dann ist da ja wohl mal die genauso süße wie rothaarige Jayma Mays, die wir hier links in einer Burberry-Robe (sichtbar) und Jimmy Choo “Zena” Platforms (unsichtbar) bewundern dürfen. Ganz ehrlich, ich bin verliebt und dass die Dame schon mal in “Pushing Daisies” zu sehen war, bekräftigt die Sache nur noch. Also dachte ich. Bis ich einen Blick auf das Outfit von Betty White gleich neben ihr geworfen und das eigentliche Objekt meiner Red Carpet-Begierde gefunden hatte! Die Gute hat schon mehr Emmys gewonnen als alle anderen Anwesenden zusammen und trägt eine absolut epische Klamotte. Und wenn sie nicht ab sofort anfängt, ihre Outfits zu bloggen, bekomme ich einen hysterischen Style-Heulkrampf und übernehme das, sobald ich alt genug für solche Teile bin.

　　(L-R) Second runner-up Dang Thuy Trang, Miss Vietnam 2010 Dang Thi Ngoc Han and first runner-up Vu Thi Hoang My

　　After days of high heels, glamorous dresses and dashing smiles, Hanoian model Dang Thi Ngoc Han’s victory wrapped up the Miss Vietnam 2010 contest held in Quang Ninh Province’s Tuan Chau Resort on August 14.

　　Standing 1.73 meters tall with well-proportioned measurements, Han was regarded from the beginning as one of the favorites to win the title. But many people were still surprised when she was crowned the new Miss Vietnam, beating stiff competition from audiences’ favorites, Huynh Bich Phuong, Ton Nu Na Uy and Le Nha Uyen.

　　The majority of netizens on VnExpress.net have said Han’s appearance is not worthy of a beauty queen. Some people expressed their disappointment at the judges’ decision.

　　“I respect the judges’ decision, but it’s true that Ngoc Han is not naturally beautiful. She just looks good because of all the make-up. Compared to Ha Kieu Anh’s nobility, Mai Phuong Thuy’s youthfulness and Thuy Dung’s elegance, Han does not possess anything,” said netizen Ngo Thi Hong Van.

　　Others, however, say that Han is more than qualified to become the incumbent beauty queen.

　　“I’ve followed Han’s progress from the start of the pageant. I think she deserves the crown. Bich Phuong is beautiful with a face reminiscent of Miss World 2007, Zi Lin Zhang, but she is not tall. Her two awards of Miss Photogenic (sponsored by Eurowindow) and Favorite Contestant in the top 20 are enough. Besides, Han is self-confident, one of the most important qualities for a beauty representative to have,” said Bao Giang, a local events executive.

　　According to most people, this year’s contestants were smart with a high educational level, as evidenced by the Q&A round. Audiences were very appreciative of Han when she announced, “a beauty queen must have both inner and outer beauty. Her mission is to join together with the community and devote herself to social and national development.”

　　However, some opposed to her victory still suspect that her performance in the Q&A session was because she knew the questions in advance. Rumors still circulate that she won because of her relationship with noted designer, Minh Hanh, head of the contest’s jury.

　　Even amid all the negativity and criticism, however, the 21-yearold-queen is still smiling.

　　“In five years modeling in Hanoi, I haven’t been involved in a single scandal. A clean hand needs no washing. If your profile is questionable, I bet you don’t dare to attend a national beauty contest like this, where organizers might delve into your past. It’s easy to find any skeletons in the closet,” said Han.

　　Speaking at the coronation’s post-press conference, Han said that everyone knew she had appeared as a professional model in Hanh’s fashion shows. But that was not the reason for her winning.

　　“If Hanh liked me, but the other judges didn’t, I could not have won. I believe the judges made the right choice and I think I am the luckiest among 37 charming and smart girls”

　　Before winning the title of Miss Vietnam 2010, that came with a cash prize of VND500 million, Han was awarded the Miss Icon by Hoa Hoc Tro (Student’s flower) newspaper in 2005, and Miss Photogenic at the Vietnamese Model Awards in 2006.

　　According to designer Minh Hanh, it is interesting to see that the beauty queen this year is a girl from the capital.

　　“Han’s win will be part of the celebrations for the 1,000th birthday of Thang Long-Hanoi,” said Hanh.

　　Han told the press that she believes her victory was mostly down to her self-confidence which she inherited from her beloved father, a director of a mechanical company in Hanoi.

　　“My dad is the source of my pride. Before the contest, he just told me to think of myself as a representative of Vietnamese beauty and to express myself wholeheartedly,” said Han.

　　Miss Ao Dai, Pham Thi Thuy Linh, was eliminated from the upcoming final of Miss Vietnam World contest on August 21 for having a nose job

　　Meanwhile, at Vinpearl Land in Nha Trang, the Miss Vietnam World contest is ongoing and will culminate on August 21. Forty-two beauties have been staying at Vinpearl Land for nearly two weeks.

　　The contest has not run smoothly. Miss Ao Dai, Pham Thi Thuy Linh, was disqualified because she violated pageant regulations.

　　It came to light that Linh had had a nose job, a fact she admitted. Cosmetic surgery is banned. Linh is not allowed to attend the upcoming final and her title will be handed to one of the four runners-up, Ha Thi Hoang Anh.

　　The final night will include the contestants’ performances on stage and a performance by world-renowned operatic pop vocal group, Il Divo.

　　Judges will select the top 15 for the grand final. Miss Vietnam World will receive a cash prize of VND500 million (US$26,300), while the first runner-up will be awarded VND300 million ($15,800) and the second runner-up will win VND200 million ($10,526).

　　The organizing committee will also award prizes for Miss Sport, Miss Talent, Miss Friendly, Miss Traditional Robe, Miss Fashion, Miss Beach, Miss Favorite (nominated online), Miss Photographic and Miss Elegant. Each of the winners will be presented with VND30 million ($1,580) in prize money.

　　Up to now, Nguyen Thanh Huyen has won the award for Miss Talent, Pham Thuy Vy Victoria is Miss Sport, Ninh Hoang Ngan is Miss Fashion and Nguyen Ngoc Kieu Khanh is Miss Beach. These girls will all take their places in the top 15.

　　After the Miss Vietnam World contest, Vinpearl Land will host Miss Earth 2010 in November.

　　Despite their heritage, it feels like some professionals, particularly a selection of headier names from England, would rather sign on, than sign up.

　　The noughties have gone, but Celtic and, in spells, Rangers, in the moments when they have escaped the financial straitjacket of a £30m debt, continue to meet roadblocks in their longing to upturn niceties. In times of general discomfort for football’s financial health, this close season has been littered with several blooming failures in a fairly punch-drunk Scottish Premier League’s ongoing pursuit of a fabled face or two.

　　Celtic’s most notable signings in a run of eight, include the Mexican midfielder Efrain Juarez (pictured) and the roaming Joe Ledley from Cardiff City. Rangers have added winger Vladimir Weiss on loan from Manchester City, James Beattie of Stoke City and Rapid Vienna’s striker Nikica Jelavic to subsidise a shrinking squad. Hopes of growth have been stunted elsewhere.

　　Craig Bellamy, David James, Sol Campbell and Jimmy Bullard, of those that we know of, all glanced at what was on offer from Celtic before deciding they would rather get their fill of football at other outposts. Bellamy is the only player out of such a motley collection whom the Celtic support would thank you for, but all of this carry on has left the club’s manager Neil Lennon sporting a hangdog look.

　　”I think we get a raw deal in how we are portrayed in England,” said Lennon. “People talk quite negatively about the Scottish game.”

　　Rangers encountered a similar scenario when the eagle landed at Ibrox, then flew off again. Chris Eagles, the Burnley winger who is said to be arousing the interest of Celtic, was given the big sell at Ibrox before deciding to opt out. What a palaver.

　　Even if old Sandy Jardine had spent the day reminiscing about pre-season training under Jock Wallace on “Murder Hill” at Gullane in the 1970s, the move would not have foundered. The transfer hit the buffers over the player’s personal terms. “Maybe they would argue they can’t pay their mortgages with medals, but I would counter by arguing you can’t show your mortgage to your grandkids,” said a frazzled Rangers assistant manager Ally McCoist.

　　Celtic’s longing to frost themselves with a “marquee signing” apparently saw Bullard visit a marquee tent at the Scottish Open golf tournament last month to ponder the proposal over Tiffin and teatime drinks.

　　The slippery Bullard agreed a season’s loan move, but then added a startling caveat: Bullard would require his prospective employers to unload an extra £30,000 to the £45,000 he was picking up from Hull City. Yet Celtic were not signing Jimmy Choo.

　　In times when the combined net debt of the Scottish Premier League was an estimated £99m for the 2008-09 season, there is something eerily repugnant about Bullard’s antics. It is men such as him, and the folly of salivating chairman in pursuing such damaged goods – Bullard’s suspect knee, far less his mindset, would probably not hold out over a season in the SPL – that has impacted upon the well-being of the Scottish game.

　　Spend at haste, repent at leisure. Without investing as much detail as the Magna Carta on what remains a gory old subject, Scottish football is paying a costly price for failing to recognise the merits of investing in home produce.

　　A prized name is always good to stir the loins, but a willingness to develop a solid scouting system and rear your own yearlings would seem to be the only natural remedy to this self-inflicted ailment.

　　A lack of largesse must surely be a step in the right direction.

　　Rangers shredded Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday helped by the former Hibernian players, Kenny Miller and Steven Whittaker. It is the sale of such players that has assisted Hibs in furnishing themselves with a new ground and training facilities.

　　Celtic have benefited from the flowering of the winger Aiden McGeady. £10m has been deposited into their account from his departure to Spartak Moscow, which proves that a pound in your pocket remains your best friend.

　　Scottish football has always been laced with more than a touch of the eccentric, but there was widespread madness a decade or so ago when it managed to lose the plot. It continues to struggle to find the page it was at in the book.

　　If the lunatics took over the asylum, when Dick Advocaat’s Rangers were hellbent on winning the Champions League and players such as Claudio Caniggia and Fabrizio Ravanelli were washing up in Dundee to play, the accountants have taken it back. Rangers had not signed a player for two years until this month. Such shenanigans do little to help the image of the Scottish game elsewhere.

　　Lennon is correct in his assertion about the London-centric view of Scotland. People tend to make disparaging comments whenever they discuss the Scottish game, but this is not very often. The appeal of Scotland does not register very highly in England. Its football less so.

　　SPL clubs should not take this to themselves.The standard of Scottish football player remains good enough to make an impression on the Championship, which roughly assumes the level of the Premier League a decade or so ago when the Old Firm could scout for players on Match of the Day. The Premier League is hardly an English league. It is simply a league based in England.

　　The Scottish game’s leading protagonists may yet find a heaving name bestowed upon them before the end of this transfer window, but it is hardly a reason to despair if they do not.

　　It is must be hoped budding figures in the form of Weiss, Biram Kayal, Juarez and the incoming Jelavic will add zest to the leading lights of the haggard SPL. These are hardly days of decadence, but this enforced period of contemplative reflection may be no bad thing if some good comes from it.

　　Rick Petet, of Steamboat Shoe Market, confirmed this week that he and his wife, Linda, are the people behind Petco Steamboat LLC, the buyer last week of 908 Lincoln Ave.

　　The Petets plan to open a second shoe store, Goodie 2 Shoes, in their newly purchased real estate, which is across from their current store, which they lease at 907 Lincoln Ave.

　　“I’ve been looking out the window at that building for a long time,” Rick Petet said about the purchase.

　　The Petets paid $370,000 for the 1,700-square-foot building previously owned by Totman-Lee LLC.

　　Why two shoe stores on opposite sides of Steamboat’s main street?

　　Although the Petets have plans to open Goodie 2 Shoes by Nov. 15 with a line of footwear that is different from what they offer at Steamboat Shoe Market, Rick Petet acknowledged that he and his wife are hedging their bets by acquiring real estate. He explained that they recently signed a new five-year lease at the location next door to Steamboat Art Co. at 907 Lincoln, with an escape clause that becomes an option after 2 1/2 years.

　　“That’s exactly what we’re doing,” Rick Petet said. “We’re covering ourselves.”

　　The Petets, who were in the retail shoe business in Nebraska before coming to Steamboat, opened their first store here in the 800 block of Lincoln in 2000 before moving to their current location in 2004.

　　They plan to evaluate how both stores are performing relative to monthly real estate costs in a couple of years and decide whether to continue running both or consolidate into one building.

　　The storefront at 908 Lincoln, which most recently housed Gallery 11, appears small from the outside, Petet agreed but said it is 100 feet deep and has more wall display space than his current location. Plus, the upstairs apartment will be converted to a storage area.

　　Among the merchandise categories the Petets intend to rely on to differentiate their new store are the five-toed running shoes recently introduced by Vibram. They are more akin to a slipper than a traditional running shoe and are intended to tap into the momentum of the barefoot running movement.

　　Vibram is working with other athletic shoe manufacturers to incorporate its five-toed soles into footwear that has a more traditional upper.

　　The little red brick storefront at 908 Lincoln previously housed Carlson Wagonlit Travel agency but for many years was Estes Sporting Goods, which sold Red Wing boots and other merchandise.

　　During that era, Hazie Werner’s Storm Hut ski shop was next door at Ninth Street and Lincoln Avenue, where the Center for Visual Arts is today.

　　The Storm Hut had a smaller building footprint than the modern building does and was surrounded by a parking lot.

　　The east wall of Estes Sporting Goods was exposed to passers-by and was covered with a painted mural of a leaping rain­­bow trout.

　　Petet said he looks forward to a historic remodel of the building’s front façade and exposing the brick and native stone interior walls of the store, where a second old commercial mural has been discovered.

　　It’s a hard life being a pop star – or so Katy Perry seems to think. But the perks are great and she clearly takes advantage.

　　The 25-year-old singer indulged her passion for fashion by wearing three different outfits in one day.

　　She arrived at her New York hotel in a Fifties style print dress and fluffy pink cardigan. And soon after re-emerged in a tangerine coloured body-con dress paid tribute to the title of her newly released album – Teenage Dream.

　　Outfit one: Katy Perry arrives at her New York hotel in a demure floral print shift dress teamed with a fluffy pink cardigan and purple Christian Louboutin heels

　　The final dress was typical Katy, as she looked like the prom Queen in a cream prom dress.

　　However, the busy bride-to-be says she is getting stressed out over her hectic schedule.

　　With an impending wedding, a new record on the go and a promo tour, admittedly the starlet does have a lot on her plate.

　　The singer who is to wed British comic Russell Brand later this year, is not exactly in short supply of help (or money) in order to lighten the load.

　　Outfit two: The star looked stunning in a peach halterneck bandage dress and gold Christian Louboutins as she headed to David Letterman’s television show

　　Hectic: Katy says she has been getting stressed out over her hectic work schedule and she is planning her wedding

　　Speaking to People magazine, she revealed: ‘Most people have breakdowns just over weddings, and I’m planning mine and my tour.

　　’I really have to learn to breathe and delegate.’

　　Her staunchly religious evangelical parents, no doubt, will be relieved to hear their daughter has ruled out wearing latex for her big day.

　　Katy added:’I'm definitely not going to get married in latex. When I wear latex onstage, I sweat. I could wring out those dresses- and I don’t want to do that at my wedding.’

　　California Gurl Katy, 25, was pictured out and about today in New York, where she is set to appear on tonight’s The Late Show With David Letterman.

　　Outfit three: Katy is still the belle of the ball as she heads back to her hotel after performing on The Late Show with David Letterman

　　Despite her busy diary, she still found time to make two outfit changes, starting the day off in a green floral print dress teamed with a fluffy pink cardigan and purple Christian Louboutin heels, before later emerging from her New York hotel in a form-fitting peachy halter neck number.

　　Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the career-driven star has admitted she is too busy to have children at the moment with 35-year-old Brand.

　　However she said she would like to be a mother one day. Speaking to Britain’s OK! magazine, she said: ‘I see myself as a professional right now and hopefully when I decided it’s time for children, I’ll be able to devote myself to that.’

　　Perry added that she isn’t sure whether she will ever work with her funny-guy fiance.

　　She said: ‘I don’t know. I think that’s always one of those things that can get quite sensitive. There’s a place to be professional and a place to be intimate and some things they can’t co-exist.’

　　Prom date: Katy was escorted home from Letterman by her fiancé, comic and actor Russell Brand

　　America Ferrera s’attaque aux couleurs de l’arc-en-ciel. Après une robe dans les tons vert d’eau, l’ex héroïne d’Ugly Betty ose le orange et arborait un look très sensuel à la première de The Dry Land à Miami. Malgré des looks différents, l’actrice portait une nouvelle fois une de ses inséparables paires Christian Louboutin.

　　A chacune de ses apparitions sur tapis rouge, America Ferrera fait confiance au glamour des célèbres chaussures à semelles rouges. Depuis 1992, Christian Louboutin sublime les silhouettes des femmes avec des talons vertigineux, jusqu’à 16 cm, et une cambrure unique. L’actrice optait cette fois pour des escarpins noirs vernis à bouts ouverts.

　　America Ferrera les avait associés à une robe asymétrique orange qui soulignait généreusement ses courbes très féminines. Drapée au niveau de son épaule, la robe offrait également un drapé tombant sur le côté. Très structurée, la star avait quand même dessiné sa taille avec un accessoire supplémentaire. Elle portait une large ceinture noire avec des détails métalliques dorés.

　　Côté bijoux, l’actrice avait opté pour des bracelets dorés et des boucles d’oreilles coordonnées, sans oublier sa bague de fiançailles, toujours bien en vue. Des choix discrets parfaits pour ne pas surcharger son look.

　　L’astuce pour vous : comme America Ferrera n’hésitez pas à ajouter une note girly avec une queue de cheval sur le côté, effet glamour et élégant garanti.

　　Gorana Vojnovića je slovenska javnost spoznala po zelo uspešnem delu Čefurji raus!, ki je avtorju prineslo nagrado Prešernovega sklada, lani pa so mu podelili tudi kresnikovo nagrado. Kot je pri nas v navadi, je tudi Vojnović svoje kolumne, dve med njimi (prva in zadnja) poprej še nista bili objavljeni, zbral in izdal v samostojni knjigi.

　　Naslov Ko Jimmy Choo sreča Fidela Castra je nadvse primeren za knjižico, v kateri avtor menja pester nabor tematik, od sodobne (slovenske in balkanske) družbe ter kulture, medijev, filma pa do športa. Čeprav se izogiba politike, lahko nekatere njegove družbene komentarje razumemo tudi kot politične, a le posredno.

　　Vojnović nedvomno sodi med najopaznejše in najuspešnejše slovenske avtorje mlajše generacije. Da gromozanski uspeh knjige Čefurji raus! ni bil le izjema, dokazujejo tudi kolumne, ki jih je pisal za različne publikacije, tudi za revijo Emzin, predvsem pa za časnik Dnevnik.

　　Njegovi krajši teksti so zanimivi, odlikujeta jih sproščen intelektualen pristop in večna komponenta osebnega porekla, ki jo neobremenjeno vpleta v besedila. Predvsem dobro zajema duh današnjega časa, očara pa z nikoli pretiranim dodatkom ironije, ki včasih poskrbi za nasmeh, včasih za trenutek razmisleka. Tudi opozarjanje na slovensko nestrpnost in provincialnost ne deluje kot pridiga, ampak te lastnosti našega naroda le postavi na ogled takšne, kot so.

　　Komentar dopušča samoumevno razumevanje in bralca ne zaduši z nepotrebnim moraliziranjem in tudi s tem (ali prav zato) ga vedno znova pridobi na svojo stran. Bralci so bržkone posebno hvaležni tudi za vedno prisotno poanto, s katero Vojnović nemalokrat “zabije žebljico na glavico”. Prav v neobremenjenem in pogosto (samo)ironičnem načinu, s katerim uspe avtorju brez moraliziranja zadeti bistvo, se nemalokrat izkristalizira presežna nota. Družbeni komentar s težo, a z lahkoto pri podajanju.