Among the more polarizing sights in Manhattan this spring were the Madison Avenue windows of Barneys New York, an unlikely showcase for a series of mannequins. They were ringers for the real-life models who stalked the Hood by Air men’s runway in January, right down to their elaborate tattoos and the uncanny grillwork distorting their grins.During a recent week, passers-by stood welded to the spot, challenged to make what they could of the scene, a curious hybrid of street theater and fashion porn. “Obviously, this was done by an artist,” Paul Roberts, a visitor from Edinburgh, said appreciatively. “It goes beyond window dressing, doesn’t it?”But Claudia Brien, a young Upper East Side matron, pronounced those vitrines “beyond disgusting.”“I pass them most days, but I go out of my way to keep my children away,” Ms. Brien said.Love them or loathe them, the windows, their mannequins lurching toward spectators, lips ringed in jeweled pacifiers, “skin” elaborately inked, were a come-on. They were as surely a testament to a widening fascination with body modification in its most eye-popping extremes: allover tattoos, subdermal implants, piercing, stretching, scarring, branding and the like.Photo

The Madison Avenue windows of Barneys New York, filled with re-creations of tattooed and pierced models from Hood by Air’s spring 2016 show. CreditYana Paskova for The New York TimesShayne Oliver, the chief creative force behind Hood by Air, has been quick to exploit that fascination. Of a piece with his musical collaborations on and off the runway, the display was a calculated provocation, in tune, as Mr. Oliver likes to say, with “the language of flamboyancy, the language of exaggeration.”At the same time, the windows “opened a door to a very interesting dialogue,” said Dennis Freedman, the Barneys creative director. “You start to become familiar with something that at first might be frightening. But I suspect that, over time, people do acclimate.”As they say, the eye adjusts. Facial and body piercings, ear gauging, dental grills and tribal ink were once the province of so-called deviant or subversive subcultures. Explorations of extreme body modification, a practice so widespread in some circles that it was deemed a movement, have been lavishly documented in books like the 1989 body-mod bible “Modern Primitives.”Continue reading the main story

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

RECENT COMMENTS

Donald Seekins 42 minutes ago

I hope none of the people with extensive tattoos want to live and work in Japan. In that country, anyone with tattoos is associated with the...

Joe Sabin 1 hour ago

I was walking behind a couple last week. I felt bad for him as he had what looked like disfiguring scars on his legs. (I'm in FL, shorts for...

dark brown ink 4 hours ago

Snarky old person comment:Amazing art, yes. But the ink is toxic; shows up in autopsies, bad for the liver. There are some organic...

SEE ALL COMMENTS WRITE A COMMENT

Inspired by Fakir Musafar, a performance artist and leading proponent of the modern primitive movement, the book is filled with photographs of Mr. Musafar recontouring his waist and extremities with tight metal bands, or hanging by flesh hooks from a tree.There are images as well of Leo Zulueta, a tattoo artist stamped with a brash chevron-like pattern that enhances the contours of his back.Photo

image：KissyProm backless prom dresses

FKA Twigs at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art this month.CreditLarry Busacca/Getty ImagesTattooing and high-visibility piercing, resurgent in the early 1990s as the seditious insignia of proud outliers, are now being revisited in unlikely quarters.“We’re seeing a lot of people who probably would have never set foot into a piercing studio,” said Miro Hernandez, a spokesman for the Association of Professional Piercers and a partner in Dandyland, a piercing studio in San Antonio. “We’re seeing business professionals, doctors, nurses and teachers more discerning about what to look for and what to choose.”Indeed, the continuing appropriation — commodification, some might say — of this former taboo by fashion designers, celebrities and civilians alike suggests that it has made deep incursions not just into the mainstream, but also into the consciousness, and the pocketbooks, of a moneyed elite.“In an era of excessive individualism, our markings and modifications are viewed not as a sign of freakishness or outlier tendencies but as an expression of personal taste,” Christine Rosen, a cultural historian, wrote last year in The Hedgehog Review, a journal of cultural criticism. Ms. Rosen went on to suggest that tweaking the skin one is in has become a leisure pursuit no more alien or off-putting than, say, a Botox party.“Today ‘it was spring break’ is just as likely to be the answer to the question of why someone got tattooed as ‘I was in prison’ was for previous generations,” she writes.

Related：KissyProm green prom dresses

(cliquez ici pour suivre le lien)" width=457 height=327>

Whoa! Gwen Stefani wow’d us all with her jaw-dropping sheer floral gown! The singer looked absolutely stunning in this floor length, see-through dress and high pony for her performance on ‘The Voice’ — keep reading to find out more!

Gwen Stefani, 46, stole the show on May 9 for her exclusive performance on The Voice! Her steamy duet with boo Blake Shelton, 39, wasn’t the only thing heating up the stage — we couldn’t take our eyes off her eye-catching black sheer look with a floral touch. Looks like sheer is the new trend amongst the stars, as we recently saw with Khloe Kardashian! Teehee, we love the daring style!

Join Amazon Prime For Free – Thousands of Movies & Shows Anytime
Get the Look Sheer Gown

Gwen has always proven to be one step ahead of any trend that comes out, so this glam get up is no surprise! Her daring fashion sense and keen eye keeps her looking edgy and chic, and this look definitely embodies both! We are obsessed with this sheer, mermaid style gown that featured floral jewels throughout by Australian designer Jaime Lee

She posted a photo on Instagram showing off her stunning figure and classic makeup look, and she tagged her new flame! We love it!

Gwen posted several shots off her glam’d up look, so definitely head over and check it out! She even posted a selfie with her love — it’s so adorbs!

The masterminds behind Gwen’s beautiful cheap prom dresses are none other than Rob and Mariel, celebrity stylist that specialize in decking out stars in the most eye-catching gowns! Rob even posted a photo debuting Gwen’s look too!

Gwen sported a sleek, high ponytail, voluminous lashes and of course, a shiny hot pink lip! The singer also added her own touch to her outfit and wore fishnet stockings underneath — talk about Spring style with a kick! We are OBSESSED with the final touches!

Stream music, completely unlimited and ad-free, RIGHT HERE

What do YOU think of Gwen’s sheer, floral long prom dresses, HollywoodLifers? Let us know!

Kanayo Ebi, a celebrity stylist and image consultant with a bold sporty-chic style, recently launched the ‘Kach Me If You Can‘ showroom in the thriving arts community of Long Island City. Through the use of public relations, branding, and styling, Ebi hopes to bridge the gap between new and emerging designers with industry vets interested in groundbreaking fashion designs.

Ebi, well known for her fashion credits for celebs like Angela Simmons, has been tapped to style some other notable names in entertainment by publications and celebrities, including Kate Winslet,Adrienne Bailon, Bridget Kelly, Leona Lewis, Mack Wilds, Rocsi Diaz and Tika Sumpter, as well as Jet,Hype Hair, and the Saturday Telegraph magazine, plus campaigns for Coca-Cola, the BET Awards, Bikinihair extensions and the clothing line Foofi.

But beyond her passion for styling everything from looks on the red carpet to TV commercials and print ads, Ebi has expanded her talents to the design world. “Doing what I love to do every day, and being able to grow and be successful at it, is one of my greatest accomplishments,” said Ebi. “I recently partnered up with Thandos shoes and designed my own foldable flats called ‘kachmeifyoucan.’ It did so well that I was asked to create a second edition called ‘kachmeifyoucan-midnight.’ I’m also working on my own fashion line as we speak.”

With plans to help designers flourish on the international scene, the Kach Me If You Can showroom, features a collection of one-of-a-kind designers from different parts of the globe, exhibiting an array of fashion conscious trends from classic ready-to-wear attire to avant-garde pieces including footwear, jewelry, and accessories. “I get a thrill from discovering and developing new brands and watching it blossom from something good into something great,” said Ebi. During a recent trip to London, I met two incredibly talented UK based designers —- Innocente Messy, a London College of Fashion graduate, and Raaah (by Rahima Mohamed, an emerging cutting edge vintage-enthused designer) —- and I was absolutely blown away by their designs, detail and story. When I got back (to New York), I set up the showroom and immediately signed them.

image:blue prom dresses

While experience is a critical ingredient for Kanayo’s success, social media has also helped her turn vision into reality. “Instagram and my blog are my top tools to connect with an audience,” said Ebi. With Instagram, it allows you to share many different aspects of your life and work through pictures, in addition to connecting and keeping up with other like-minded professionals. It’s a great platform for me to discover and connect with new and emerging designers worldwide, including stylists and publications/sites. My blog is a window to share things that I love and find in my travels, work, and life. It’s like my little lifestyle diary for my readers to get to know me.”

Related:white prom dresses

(cliquez ici pour suivre le lien)" width=600 height=412>

Well, this is weird. Jodi Arias is reportedly getting married in prison, despite serving a life sentence behind bars for horrifically murdering her former boyfriend.

Jodi Arias, 35, has allegedly been corresponding with “many men” from her prison cell, claims a new report. Now, the infamous murderer might be preparing to walk down the aisle — or the prison hallway — to her future husband.

Has Jodi Arias managed to find love from inside her prison cell? A shocking new report claims that despite being isolated to her small cement room, Jodi has been “corresponding” with a suitor that she has allegedly told one of her friends she plans to marry. Whoa.

“Jodi is planning a prison wedding. She wants to have all of her friends and family there,” a friend of Jodi tells InTouch magazine inside their May 16 issue. “It will be a fairy-tale wedding to a man she loves.”

From the outside looking in, this is an incredibly bizarre situation unfolding for Jodi based solely on her romantic history. As many of you might remember, Jodi iscurrently serving a life sentence in Arizona’s Perryville prison for brutally murdering her boyfriend, Travis Alexander, inside his apartment in 2008. Five years later in May 2013, Jodi was convicted of first-degree murder at the end of a highly publicized trial.

But, Jodi is looking to move on and “embrace love again,” her friend shared with the outlet. Jodi is ready for “the happy ending she’s always wanted.”

Join Amazon Prime – Watch Thousands of Movies & TV Shows Anytime – Start Free Trial Now

Believe it or not, the report claims there has been a “steady stream” of “love letters” from men looking to court Jodi into a romantic relationship. “She receives marriage proposals on a weekly basis,” the friend shared, revealing that some of the men are married and “offering to leave their wives for her.”

Stream Music — Completely Unlimited & Ad-Free — Right Here

The friend claims that Jodi won’t share who her groom could be, but that she has a very detailed idea of what she wants for her prison wedding. “She wants to wear a figure-hugging dress and hold a bouquet,” the friend shared. “A flashy diamond ring and wedding band have also been things Jodi has talked about. She also wants to have photos as a reminder of the day.”

Related：KissyProm pink prom dresses

Unfortunately for Jodi, a big “flashy” wedding is definitely not in her cards so long as she remains in prison. The guidelines of the Arizona Department of Corrections will not allow her to wear a gown or exchange rings if she does, actually, get married.

Tell us, HollywoodLifers — Do YOU think Jodi should be allowed to get married? Comment below with your thoughts.

Related：(cliquez ici pour suivre le lien)

The Bank of Japan (BoJ) stunned the world last week by holding off on expanding monetary stimulus. With the yen rising and inflation continuing to fall, it was believed that the BoJ has little choice but to pursue even looser monetary policy. Some are grumbling that they were pressured to hold off on additional stimulus to help encourage continuing weakness in the U.S. dollar.

The reactions across global asset classes were immediate and impactful. Gold, silver, and miningstocks popped higher as the U.S. dollar weakened. The yen surged while the Nikkei set the standard for the term “stop run” by falling more than 1000 points in just a few minutes.


A man looks at an electronic stock indicator of a securities firm in Tokyo, Thursday, April 28, 2016. Japanese stocks tumbled and the yen surged Thursday after the central bank dashed investors’ hopes for more stimulus, leading declines in most other world benchmarks after the Fed left interest rates unchanged. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index erased earlier gains, falling 3.6 percent to 16,666.05. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)

More importantly, gold and bonds have decoupled for the first time in over a year, with the stock market now moving down along with bonds. At first glance, bonds selling off doesn’t make sense, especially with weak economies and negative interest rates around the world. Welcome to the world of hedge funds. This is what happens when big trades around the globe are all tied into the same idea – in this case continuing loose monetary policy. The unwinding of those trades can take months, and cause a seismic shift in asset prices and correlated relationships.

Although soaring earnings helped push stocks higher over the past several years, it’s been loose global monetary policy that has kept this bull market alive well beyond the normal five-year stretch. If the mechanism for keeping the market propped up is coming to an end, then the trade needs to be closed.

Money is flowing into energy, mining, and utility stocks. It has to come from somewhere. That somewhere is technology.

Related：(cliquez ici pour suivre le lien)

My favorite conservative short here is the PowerShares QQQ ETF (QQQ). This is a non-leveraged exchange traded fund that represents the Nasdaq 100 index. While other indexes are holding their recent uptrends, technology as a sector has been the first to crack – even with Facebook FB +0.89%, Inc. (FB) making new all time highs. I’m looking for this index to retest – and breakthrough – its February lows. For options traders, buying slightly in the money August put options is another way to play this move. With this strategy, an investor doesn’t have to tie up as much cash and has a fixed amount of risk based on the price paid for the option.

Related：(cliquez ici pour suivre le lien)

(cliquez ici pour suivre le lien)" width=300 height=450>

randon Maxwell’s been all over the place lately.

The designer was back in town Tuesday evening for a dinner to celebrate his spring collection at The Apartment by the Line Los Angeles. That was on the heels of a March visit to Saks Fifth Avenue Beverly Hills and Bergdorf Goodman in New York in February, the same month he showed his fall collection.

“It’s absolutely no surprise to me that he launched a line that’s been so well-received,” said Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, who cohosted the gathering. “He’s definitely one to look for and everyone’s already looking at him already. I am a big fan.”

The designer stepped aside to chat with WWD as guests began arriving and mingling just before sitting down to dinner with his thoughts on everything from the design process to feeling like a fashion outsider — and being OK with that.

We’re here to celebrate spring, so let’s go back and talk about where you drew inspiration for that collection.

Brandon Maxwell: I really start the collections always with music and it’s really based on how I’m feeling at the time. Then I drape alone in a room and cut and sew everything on a form for weeks. But if there was any sort of specific inspiration for spring, since it was my first collection, you see a lot of sort of tri-layered effects. A lot of that was based off of my using my dad’s cummerbunds growing up to make shapes and waists. It’s a lot of references from my childhood.

WWD: Is there a particular genre of music you tend to always go to?

B.M.: Oh, it’s so different. I listen to everything but opera to be honest. I go from Fifties, Sixties, Seventies, rap, country. Everything. If you listen to the music in my shows, it’s very all over the place. The first one was everything from Sade to Diana Ross to Billy Joel to Eve. It’s really just about how I’m feeling.

I did a trenchcoat in the spring. It had quite a large collar and I was feeling really low that day and I was like ‘What do I want to wear if I was just dashing to the store really quickly and wanted to just not be seen that much because I feel like in New York, every time you walk through the street you’re seeing a neighbor or you’re seeing somebody you know.

WWD: Was fall a very similar process?

B.M.: Yeah and I started the show out with [the songs] “Under Pressure” and “Money” mixed together because, to be very honest, that’s how I felt. I was aware that after the first season, we had created a business and I was so thankful for that and a lot of people had gone out on a limb for me. I felt the pressure both financially for the company and also for the people who had supported me and helped us throughout this season and before. I’ve never found myself to be somebody who fit in very much in fashion or kind of really anywhere and I’ve never pretended to be anything other than what I am. I really take on that mentality when I’m doing the music for the show and instead of doing just some sort of playlist that’s not really me, I’d rather just say from the very first beat of the show, ‘Listen, I feel super under pressure’ and when I was making this I enjoyed the process but there was a stall at the beginning as any creative person goes through and I feel like for better for worse, I just say it and then I release it. It is what it is.

WWD: Do you still feel those pressures?

B.M.: I think there’s so many fantastic things that have happened and I feel very, very grateful for that. I try not to think about any of those things because number one they can go away. It’s a business of ups and downs and the most important thing for me having grown up in a store and, really, this being my passion my whole life having worked with women, whether it’s in styling or designing, I’m OK to kind of lose anything. I just really don’t want to lose the opportunity to be able to create with women and to have the chance to make them feel beautiful. I want to just make quality work that makes women feel good. I want to make my family and friends proud and I really want to have a business that grows over time and a customer we grow with.

WWD: On the point about growing the business, everyone’s talking about the digitization of the fashion industry, whether that’s in the context of e-commerce or apps or on the runway. Does it make it easier for one to grow a young company because you have this technology that puts you closer to the customer?

Related:red prom dresses

B.M.: Super honest answer, I think it’s never easy to start your own company. I don’t think any sort of element can really help you. It’s very, very difficult to start your own company. It’s daunting. It’s also thrilling at the same time. I’m not a super digital person. I don’t have a branded Instagram. If you look at my Instagram it’s the clothes and the stores, but it’s also my dog stuck under the bed. I try to do the same thing in my collection and the brand that I’ve done in my life, which is just grow it by personal connections. When you connect and grow together, I feel like that’s more honest than anything else I could sell somebody on the internet.

WWD: As you do more of these store appearances that connect you directly with fans, what are you picking up on in terms of regional market differentiations?

B.M.: The thing that I noticed — which I learned as a stylist — is that women are insecure about different things and they love different things about their bodies and that just helps me going into every season.

WWD: You said earlier you felt like a fashion outsider, although the press and notoriety continues to build around you. Do you still view yourself as being on the outside?

Related:black prom dresses

B.M.: I think I never really felt like I fit in anywhere growing up so I created my own thing that made me feel good. I’m still doing that now just in a more adult way. Now I’m 31 and not 13, you know? I’m not the most fashionable and I wouldn’t say my life is the most fashionable. Everything that’s happened has been really fantastic but I truly can’t believe it. I know that as quickly as things can come, they can go just as quickly. So I try to keep my head down and work.

、

SALISBURY, Md. — A man known for saying unpleasant things about rivals in his rise to the top of the Republican presidential field came to the “The Land of Pleasant Living” on Wednesday — an apt stop for a campaign pivoting toward a milder tone.

But in a trademark stream-of-consciousness speech at Stephen Decatur High School near Berlin, Trump said he has no plans to soften his style.

“We’re not going to be so politically correct,” said Trump, addressing a raucous crowd of about 1,000 people. Thousands more were turned away.

If polling ahead of Tuesday's primary is to be believed, Trump needs only to maintain his commanding lead in Maryland. A Monmouth University poll last week showed the billionaire businessman garnering 47% of support among likely voters, with Ohio Gov. John Kasich receiving 27% and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz picking up 19%.

The Maryland primary carries additional weight this year. Typically, presidential primary contests have been all but sewn up by the time the Free State gets a chance to vote. But this year’s outcome could help Trump cement his front-runner status and head off a contested convention this July in Cleveland — or not.

So, there was Trump stumping in deeply red Worcester County, where Mitt Romney beat Barack Obama 58% to 40% in 2012.

Although the event wasn’t announced until late Monday, the line of people waiting to get in stretched about a half-mile down Seahawk Road at its zenith.

The choice of a high school gym stood in stark contrast to the arenas the Trump campaign has preferred so far. The fire marshal estimated that the room could hold about 1,000, and another 3,000 could fit in overflow areas elsewhere indoors.

“There’s thousands of people outside,” Trump told the audience inside. “It’s packed. We’ll make the gym bigger next time.”

The parking lot of a long-closed Harley Davidson dealership turned into a de facto festival grounds. An orange pickup truck blared country music as vendors with carts loaded with Trump-themed merchandise weaved through the crowd.

Betsy LaBar, a poultry grower from Laurel, Del., said she was drawn to the candidate because of his unvarnished speaking style and his tough stance on immigration.

“I like everything he says and he’s not controlled,” LaBar said as she waited in line to get inside. But she added that she is OK with him throttling back on the tone of his rhetoric, saying, “I think he’s toning that down more. I think he’s hired new people.”

Andrew Nock, a senior at Stephen Decatur, expressed his support for Trump’s call to deport thousands of undocumented workers on his pickup truck. “Send them all back,” he had written in window paint along the side panel.

“That way they can’t take all our jobs,” Nock said.

Trump’s gave a 45-minute stump speech — building a wall along the Mexican border to keep out “illegal aliens,” strengthening the military, reversing the trade deficit, “winning” at every turn. It was, in typical fashion, long on promises and short on details.

He sprinkled it here and there with a few Maryland-tailored comments.

“Maryland’s great, but I’d rather be right across the Potomac,” he said.

And there was the characteristic slip.

“Do we love Tom Brady?” he asked despite being in the buckle of the Baltimore Ravens belt.

“Easy, easy,” he implored over a cascade of boos.

Newly hired, veteran political advisers have spoken of a shift in the campaign in recent days, vowing a less-abrasive Trump. But the candidate seemed to push back against such advice, calling members of the conservative Club for Growth “losers” and renewing criticism of “gangs coming in from Latin America, South America.”

Related：(cliquez ici pour suivre le lien)

Trump may have had to tone down his rhetoric whether he liked it or not Wednesday. The rules for behavior inside the gym, according to signs posted above the bleachers, inveigh against “profane language.”

Related：long cheap prom dresses

　　From 23 euros (about $26) for shared rooms with bunk beds and storage lockers. Rooms with two single beds and a private terrace start at 108 euros ($123).BasicsParis is awash with new or reskinned luxury hotel projects, but the Generator Paris is an effort to upgrade lodging for those with plenty of style but far less to spend. The “hotel” is actually a hostel, offering both shared and private rooms in the gentrifying 10th Arrondissement. Open since February 2015, this hotel is part of the Britain-based Generator chain, which has properties in other European capitals like Berlin, London and, this summer, Rome.Most Read Stories

　　image:black prom dresses

　　Two brothers sought in killings of missing Arlington coupleConservatives lie about history to exonerate conscienceYou got scammed: Alaska Air not offering free tickets

　　Body parts found near site where Renton nurse Ingrid Lyne’s remains dumped

　　image：blue prom dresses

　　Seahawks bring back cornerback Brandon BrownerSubscribe now. Four weeks for just $1.LocationIn a formerly rundown office building, the Generator Paris is across the Place du Colonel Fabien from the avant-garde, Brazilian-designed headquarters of the French Communist Party. It is about a 20-minute walk from the Eurostar terminal at Gare du Nord, and within walking distance of the boutiques, cafes and bicycle paths along the Canal St. Martin. The nearest Métro is Colonel Fabien on Line 2, for easy access to the Champs-Élysées.The RoomI booked a twin with terrace, on the top (eighth) floor. The room felt spacious, with white bathrobes folded atop two twin beds on sturdy white metal frames, white duvets and plenty of pillows. Behind the beds, wallpaper printed with rows of books gave the room a more intimate library-like feel, with contemporary side chairs, a small round table and a stool made to resemble a log. The star of the room, however, was the terrace, which featured rooftop views of the quarter, a metal cafe table and four chairs, two striped beach loungers and a striped hammock on a wooden frame. In lieu of a closet, clothing is hung on what look like repurposed plumbing pipes. Wi-Fi reception was good. Overnight, the room was silent, a surprise given the hostel’s popularity with students.The BathroomGleaming white subway-style tiles on walls, sleek black tile on the floor and modern white fixtures including a full-size bathtub lent a modern feel. A hair dryer in a black bag hung from a stylized black hook. Generator-branded shampoo and travel-size bars of sea kelp soap were included in the price for this room, although in lower-priced rooms, there is an additional fee for towels.AmenitiesThe rooftop bar features a distant view of Sacré-Coeur, and there is a basement Métro bar kitted-up to resemble a Parisian underground station with a rounded ceiling and an artsy photo wall showing a train pulling into the quai. The daily happy hour cocktail (in my case, a gin-based John Collins) was 6 euros, and other “signature cocktails” using fresh herbs like basil or rosemary were 7 to 9 euros. Another lounge area features table soccer.DiningThere was no phone in my room, and therefore no room service. Outside food and drink, and outside visitors, were prohibited. The buffet breakfast, served in an airy ground-floor atrium with a view of the gardens of surrounding apartment towers, went beyond the basic continental of croissant, juice and coffee by adding cereals, cheese, ham and fresh fruit salad. The breakfast is 4.50 euros if booked online.Bottom LineIts lobby bustling with international guests, Generator Paris offers an affordable mid-tier option for those seeking privacy off the beaten path, and bargain prices for students inseparable from their entourage.

Horror filmmakers are always looking for unexplored territory in the genre, and what’s more terrifying than the fashion world? Only God Forgives writer/director Nicholas Winding Refn seems to have figured that out with The Neon Demon, his new movie which casts young Elle Fanning as an aspiring fashion model who’s about to get eaten alive by the industry. Maybe literally?

The trailer, which just dropped today, seems to depict an awesomely stylized film, with the actors’s rarefied beauty as the key blunt instrument. Over a pulsing dance track, we see blood, sex and smize for days, with stars like Fanning, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Jena Malone, Keanu Reeves and an actual cougar looking hella gorgeous and hella zooted beneath strobe lights and camera flashes. “I am dangerous,” says someone we can presume to be Fanning, as the clip ends on a shot of her covered in blood, like a high-fashion Carrie. (Christina Hendricks is in this film too, though I don’t catch her in the trailer.)

From a press release, here is our poet laureate Keanu Reeves describing what he thinks a “neon demon” actually is:

“There’s something about the light—you can call it artificial light, but I guess all light is artificial besides the sun—and the neon quality of it. [There’s] something about those colors that attracts and repulses at the same time. And then there’s the demon part. What is the demon within; what is the demon on the outside? Is it ego? It may be a fear of death. Or desire. It’s all sorts of fun stuff.”

Related:princess prom dresses

Death... or desire. The Neon Demon, an Amazon Studios title, will debut at Cannes and open wide this June.

Related:yellow prom dresses

Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell join forces for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign

Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell have been unveiled as the faces of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer 2016 - two decades after fronting the original launch.

The two stars - regarded as the two original supermodels - have once again teamed with famed designer Ralph Lauren on his campaign to fight the disease.

Now, 20 years on Kate and Naomi have returned to front the 20th anniversary, and can be seen in two candid black and white snaps taken by Mario Testino as part of this year's drive.

Image: KissyProm

Over the years, the iconic campaign has raised over £14 million for breast cancer research, will help coming from stars like Elle Macpherson, Kylie Minogue and Claudia Schiffer.

This year, a host of high street brands are supporting the cause, with the collection including items from partners Marks and Spencer, and the likes of River Island, Topshop, Debenhams and more.

In an open letter addressing the campaign, founder Ralph Lauren - who started the organisation after losing a friend to the illness - issued a call to arms and said the fight isn't over.

He wrote: "Women are still being diagnosed with this disease in ever increasing numbers. And this year in the UK, nearly 12,000 will lose their lives to breast cancer. It’s clear that the fight is not finished.

"I’m enormously proud of the progress we’ve made – progress that, without the support of people like you, just wouldn’t have been possible.

"But I’m also more determined than ever to push further and reach the day when no one - not the women nor their families and friends - have to face this disease.

"Please join me, as you have for the last two decades, to do all that we can until the fight is over."

See More: short prom dresses 2016

Nothing riles a reader quite so effectively as the fashion editor who announces: “This season you can’t survive without a diamante breastplate/striped leg-warmers/hob-nailed boots.” So I’ll phrase it this way: This spring you are going to want an elegant frock.

I don’t mean one of those I - lost - my - innocence - in - a munitions - factory numbers in the harshest of bright colours. Their spots, stripes and garish prints will be jostling one another on the rails, padded shoulders to the fore. Starved of sunshine, warmth and colour after the drearily prolonged winter, you may be tempted to succumb to their superficial allure. My advice is to resist if you can, and to invest some time in tracking down something a little more subtle, a little ladylike, a little less throwaway.

(cliquez ici pour suivre le lien)" width=300 height=180>

Image: vintage prom dresses

The shape is certainly lean and belted with emphasis on the shoulders and neckline, but that doesn’t necessarily mean oversized shoulder pads. Not only do shoulder pads even half a centimetre too long produce an unbalanced look, they can also produce a deformed look if the sleeves are not cut generously. Check what they look like from the back, too.

Shiny, silky synthetic fabrics have been used in many of the dresses for this summer and, pretty as they are, they are not really sensible for hot weather, or if you are rushing around earning your crust: Fine for cool summer evenings, however.

Silk crepes and cotton voiles are more comfortable and lend themselves to gatherings, draping and runching in a way that gives emphasis to the top half. They also, when well cut, skim the hips and fall easily to the (shorter) hem, creating an illusion of narrowness while in fact containing enough material not to impede your stride.

The natural fibres seem to take this summer’s vivid colours more successfully, too, softening their potential harshness and making them easier to wear with pallid early-spring face.

A return to elegance always brings a return to sophisticated black, a colour which flatters most British complexions and can look quite stunning on black ones. It’s a colour which always needs dressing up, though, with a scarlet scarf or a shiny gold junk jewellery necklace. Biba, now in Conduit Street, London W1, has some splendid silk scarves/sashes in plain, strong colours at about £10.

For top and toes you need a smooth, sleek head, tidy and very grown-up and slim high-heeled sandals or court shoes. We’re all going to have to learn how to teeter again.

Also Read: pink prom dress

Why Wedding Dresses Are Typically White

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing your wedding dress, but making it white is usually a given, no?

But why is that? So that the bride looks 'pure' and 'virginal'? Well, whilst this has long been the assumption of most, that actually has nothing to do with how the tradition of the white wedding dress started. Ooh.

Back in the day, a bride's wedding dress was simply the best thing in her wardrobe, and could be any colour - black included.

Image: vintage prom dresses uk

Over time, red became popular as the colour du jour for a wedding dress (who would have thought?!), as it was considered to be the most romantic colour a woman could wear.

In fact, white was not even on the radar as an appopriate wedding hue, and was much more likely to be associated with funerals - Mary Queen of Scots was slammed in a big way when she bucked the trend and wore white on her wedding day back in 1558.

Even worse, when her husband then died a few years later, she was accused cursing him with her ‘funeral frock.’ Crikey.

White only became associated with the bridal gown thanks to Queen Victoria, who wore a pale gown trimmed in pretty orange blossoms on her wedding day to Prince Albert back in 1840. From then on, white became a symbol of the innocence of girlhood and a sign of a pure heart. Aw.

If you think about it, most wedding gowns aren't even white these days, with colours like ivory and ecru having taken over as the most desirable hues for a bridal frock.

But at least we have Queen Vic to thank for the fact that we aren't all gliding down the aisle in crimson, eh?

See More: KissyProm purple prom dresses

Spice Fashion - Man About Menswear and Formal Hire

David and Julie Seymour took over the long-running business in August last year and have expanded their range to include sales as well as hire.

"I started off in Menswear when I was 14. We saw the business advertised and thought it was a great opportunity. We are one of the only stores in Mackay where you can hire as well as purchase. We are one of the largest retailers of suits in Mackay," Mr Seymour said.

(cliquez ici pour suivre le lien)" width=620 height=465>

Image: prom dresses

The company sells not only suits for weddings, business and formals but also casual clothing, race wear, and accessories.

"We have lots of beautiful fabrics, Egyptian cottons and poly-cotton mixes which are great weights for North Queensland climates. We also have a large range of dress shirts and business shirts," Mr Seymour said.

French Blues, Blues, Char-greys and Navy are extremely popular in suits and Mr Seymour has seen a return in popularity to tuxedos, classic black and white and a more modern approach with floral jackets.

Man About also stocks mini-versions of suits for toddlers and children.

"We can match size 0 to any men's suit in the store. So dad and junior can match. "We also stock a large range of dress trousers and chinos which are good for race days. There has been a large beach-wedding revolution, where men are wearing braces and vests rather than suit coats. We sell cufflinks, braces and ties too" he said.

"We have Florsheim shoes which are handcrafted in London, Platinum from Melbourne and Julius Marlow. Men are taking a lot of pride in themselves."

See More: strapless prom dresses

From lightweight denims to flounced florals, these spring fashion must-haves will not disappoint.

Let's take a look at what is trending this spring: 1. Block heels You will feel like you are in "That '70s Show" when wearing these heels, but who doesn't want to look like young Mila Kunis? Block heels are versatile and stylish. They go great with your flare jeans and your flowy floral dress.

2. Stripes Feeling nautical? You do not have to be ship wrecked to rock stripes this spring. You will look trendy this spring whether you are wearing pinstripes or breton stripes. With so many different patterns of stripes, you will be able to find unique pieces of clothing that are easy to pair with your every day staples.

(cliquez ici pour suivre le lien)" width=600 height=600>

Image: white prom dresses

3. Denim Denim to fashion is like cheese to macaroni. It has been turned up a notch this spring because denim is not only jeans, but it is skirts, dresses and button up shirts. Not to mention, denim on denim is the new black.

4. Baseball hats If you're having a bad hair day, throw on a baseball hat. Although baseball hats are on the more sporty side of fashion, you can easily make a baseball hat look more feminine if it is paired with a button-front mini skirt for example. This gives you a laid back tomboy look while still embracing your feminine side.

5. Asymmetrical skirts Not only are asymmetrical skirts flattering, but they are different. They had a nice kick to your outfit. It is perfect for day time and night time use. Dare to try something new? Get an asymmetrical skirt.

6. Floral You can be fun and flirty with a floral dress or romper. The great thing about floral is that it is the epitome of spring time.

7. Espadrilles Spanish inspired sandals are comfy and easy to incorporate into any outfit. You will look stylish without having to take off your heels.

8. Mini bags It is the perfect little accessory. You can experiment outside the box and try out a poppy color, or you can embrace neutral shades. Either way you will have a nice accessory to store your belongings while still looking good this spring.

Also Read: pink prom dresses

SOPHIA KOKOSALAKI has a successful track record when it comes to diversifying in the fashion industry. The London-based designer enjoyed over a decade of success with her eponymous ready-to-wear brand before deciding to focus on bridalwear (to more commercial and critical acclaim) and now she is officially adding another category to the mix: jewellery.

"I have always loved jewellery and have designed many pieces on and off for my shows, collaborating with the Greek goldsmith Lalaounis, and I was quite fond of the process," Kokosalaki told us, explaining that it was a case of waiting for the stars to align before she embarked on the new venture. "I took my time to evaluate the possibilities as it is quite different technically to clothing. I am launching it now as I finally found the space to complete it and also the right technicians and artisans."

long prom dresses

For Kokosalaki, whose distinctive Grecian aesthetic is inspired by her birthplace, the creative side of designing the collection was akin to working with the silks, organzas and laces that she is used to."The tactile and sculptural side of it is so interesting, I enjoy it in exactly the same way I like to work with fabrics and drape clothes," she explained. "This is another medium to tell a story and touch on symbols, myths and references that inspire and move me."

The collection, which comprises earrings, cuffs, upper-arm and wrist bracelets, pendants and rings with secret compartments (injecting a talismanic element), is crafted from wrought Grecian gold, gold-plated silver and freshwater pearls and, in typical Kokosalaki style, has an elusively cool edge.

"I wanted to channel a less girly and mainstream aesthetic while keeping the pieces wearable and very accessible," she said. "I like to create pieces with hidden associations and bringing together many diverse elements and references in the form of small beautiful objects."

It's a standalone offering that can be worn with everything from an everyday T-shirt and jeans to the most decadent of evening gowns, but, as Kokosalaki says, there are certain pieces - like the bold belt made from hammered mussels and the large nine-karat-gold safety pin - that will serve as the perfect complement to a modern bridal ensemble.

As well as aesthetic, the price point was a big thinking point for the designer, who wanted the collection to be accessible without compromising quality or uniqueness.

"It was a massive consideration and it took quite some time and reworking of certain pieces to arrive to these prices," she explained. "There are pieces that start at £350, working up to a maximum of £1,500 for a nine-karat-gold pair of earrings which are all made in workshops across Athens that has a great tradition in jewellery and a lot of very skilled artisans."

The collection, which is on show at the Valery Demure showroom as of today for the rest of Paris Fashion Week, will be available in July, but for now it already has an obvious advocate.

"I am already wearing them all the time and maybe much too often!" the designer laughed. "I wear a lot of black so they are a welcome jolt of luminosity and individuality to my outfit." Shine on Sophia Kokosalaki.

You should see more: short purple prom dresses

Rumer Willis flashes a hint of her cleavage in a yellow crochet dress as she attends season premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race

She was pictured returning a handful of glamorous dresses she'd borrowed for award season on Monday.

But Rumer Willis was reunited with her glad rags on Tuesday evening as she stepped out to the season premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race in Los Angeles, California.

The Dancing with the Stars winner looked uncharacteristically colourful as she traded in her typical all-black theme for a gorgeous yellow for the screening at the Mayan Theater.

Rumer, 27, was a vision of summer style as she slipped her shapely figure into a stunning yellow midi dress which was the perfect complement to her svelte form.

The ankle-skimming frock was rendered in delicate crochet with a nude layer beneath to ensure she didn't over expose herself.

The ladylike number featured a plunging neckline, meaning a glimpse of her pert cleavage was on show while the long length concealed her lean legs completely.

Rumer afforded herself some height with a pair of gold court heels while her various tattoos were the only accessories she needed.

She boasted an all-over even glow, which only served to intensify the colour of the flirty frock, and sported lengthy black talons which offered her ladylike look a tough edge.

Her creative director shared a sweet snapshot of the pair during the evening on his Instagram page, captioning it: 'Here we are - NOT throwing ANY #shade at the #LA premiere of #rupaulsdragrace. I have the best dates hands-down.'

The Broadway star was dressed down in comparison to the rest of the guest list with one drag queen playing her at the cleavage-flashing game.

Rumer was pictured cosying up to American drag performer Detox who rose to fame during the fifth series of Drag Race.

The stars clashed in a sartorial sense as Detox - who was born as Matthew Sanderson - worked red leather co-ords which flashed a whole lot of flesh.

His ensemble comprised a bust-enhancing crop top and a matching mini skirt while a one-button blazer afforded some coverage although a generous proportion of his torso was on show and his buxom chest could not be missed.

RuPaul's Drag Race is an American reality competition which documents drag queen RuPaul's search for the nation's next superstar. Season 8 premieres on March 7.

long prom dress | red prom dresses uk

Paris is prepping to embark on the fourth leg of the fall runway marathon, amid soft tourism and heightened security. But the shows do go on. Here are a few fresh faces to keep an eye on during the season.

Ingie Paris

Businesswoman Ingie Chalhoub launched her namesake Ingie Paris line in 2009, merging her Middle Eastern sensibility with a sense of Parisian chic. Using luxurious fabrics — silk and viscose velvet, wool crepe and loden, silk chiffon, embroidered lace and signature lamé jacquard — and high-quality production, the line is entirely crafted in France, with the exception of its knitwear and shoes, both made in Italy.

Following her Warhol-inspired pre-fall collection, Chalhoub’s fall offering is dedicated to Diana Vreeland — a photo of the famous editor clad in red in her living room is the basis for a graphic, rich red color juxtaposed with black.

The designer is keen to develop some exclusive prints and couture embroideries. This season, she creates watercolor Liberty-style flowers mixed with little hearts and stars printed on silk georgette, or on metallic satin for cocktail and eveningwear, as well as a disco-style jumpsuit.

The newly launched shoe line of stiletto pumps is made with luxe fabrics that match the clothes. With exclusive distribution at Le Bon Marché in Paris, and stores opening in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh this spring, the label is on the rise. Prices range between 2,490 and 4,390 euros, or $2,745 and $4,840, for the most embellished evening styles; coats are about 1,460 euros, or $1,610, and knit tops are 490 euros, or $540.

Y/PROJECT

Flemish designer Glenn Martens, a classmate of Antonin Tron’s at The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, took over Y/Project, a men’s wear label that specializes in leather, in September 2013. He’s turned it into his own medieval-tinged streetwear aesthetic, and gradually added women’s pieces to the men’s line each season. Now, he’s getting ready for a big push with a full runway show on the official Paris calendar. As commercially successful as the men’s lineup, the women’s collection follows the same aesthetic, with plays on texture and shape, but some feminine dramatic effects, such as extralong sleeves on translucent blouses and dresses ballooning at the cuffs; ultralong tailored pants gathered around the ankle with industrial drawstring details, or sculptural graphic necklines and high pleated collars on long dresses. He’ll also offer some of his men’s styles in glitzier versions, such as shearling jackets made of strips of sheepskin in an aluminum foil finish. Y/Project’s women’s line has been doubling its distribution every season, with prices ranging from 175 euros, or $195 at current exchange, for a T-shirt, to 3,500 euros, or $3,895, for a shearling coat.

(cliquez ici pour suivre le lien)" width=300 height=450>

Dress: purple prom dress

ATLEIN

Antonin Tron, a graduate of The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, who’s been working in Balenciaga’s studio with its three last designers, has been under the radar. “I’ve had this project for a while, but was waiting to find the right manufacturer to finally launch,” he declared. That producer is a factory specializing in jersey, located in northeastern France, where he found the expertise needed to develop his sculpted fluid silhouettes. The line is entirely made with jersey, with some dresses created from intricate patterns twisting and draping with contrasted topstitching constructions, a style the designer described as “structured flou,” citing British designer Jean Muir as a big influence on his work.

The mix-and-match wardrobe of the 38-piece fall collection, made of viscose or silk and cotton ribbed jersey, doesn’t follow any specific theme, but the 31-year-old Tron, a surfing devotee, cited the landscape of France’s Atlantic coast as an influence for his sensual pieces executed in a palette of dusty pink, pebble white and gray-blue, evoking the colors of sky and sea. Prices range from 400 euros, or $444 at current exchange, for a top, to 2,000 euros, or $2,220, for a dress.

Cyclas

Originally, Keiko Onose, owner and designer of The Secret Closet, created a private-label line seven years ago to be sold only in her own four stores, alongside the collections of Céline, Lanvin and Saint Laurent. Now entering the international wholesale market, the line has been renamed Cyclas, referring to an ancient piece of clothing worn during the Middle Ages. With a buyer-to-buyer approach, Onose aims to create a desirable contemporary wardrobe of luxury essentials with modern fit, interesting volumes and a keen attention to quality and details like hand-frayed edges and double-faced constructions.

She wants her collections to be easy-care and travel-friendly, calling them urban uniforms for real life. Though appearing minimalist, with hidden buttons and spare details, her designs are never as simple as they seem, expressing her Japanese sensibility via little twists

in construction for a modern style.

This fall marks the first season Cyclas will offer denim and shoes, such as mink slippers and sandals.

Particularly focused on comfort and texture, her cashmere knits have a mink fur touch achieved via a special brushed treatment making the sweaters ultrasoft and slightly fluffy.

All made in Japan, the Cyclas line ranges from 350 euros, or $385, for a top, to 2,000 euros, or $2,200, for a trenchcoat, to 4,800 euros, or $5,295, for a mink-trimmed cashmere coat.

See more: princess prom dresses

Kiernan Shipka, 16, looks like a princess in a ruffled grey dress at the Costume Designer's Guild Awards

She may be just 16-years-old, but Kiernan Shipka is already making waves in the fashion world as well as the acting world, judging from her fabulous latest look.

The Mad Men star looked every inch the style icon in the making as she put on a chic display at the 18th Costume Designer's Guild Awards sponsored by Lacoste in Los Angeles.

Rocking a fun and flirty grey ruffled dress, Kiernan looked incredible at the star-studded bash at the Beverly Hilton on Tuesday.

Kiernan cut an elegant figure as she glided out on stage to present costume designer Julie Vogel with the Excellence in Short Form Design Award.

Dress: purple bridesmaid dresses

Her dramatic gown fitted her like a glove, with a flattering A-line skirt that fell down to her ankles.

She let her natural beauty shine through wearing minimal make-up, although she did ramp up her black smokey eye for dramatic effect.

She completed her look in a pair of open-toed high-heeled sandals with black and gold detailing, and a black pedicure.

Meanwhile, Kiernan has reflected on life after Mad Men in a recent interview after saying goodbye to her character Sally Draper.

After the show's finale last May she told Marie Claire magazine that she was sad to have reached the end of an era, which saw her star alongside her on-screen parents Jon Hamm and January Jones.

'It was bittersweet - a really good time, but very sad,' she said of her last day on set. 'Lots of tears.'

She was also crestfallen to leave behind the character she had played so well for eight years, explaining: 'Sally is very strong and independent. Very perceptive too.

'I don't think she'd want to be friends with me, but I'd love to be friends with her!'

See more: princess prom dresses

Looking hot in The City! Olivia Palermo takes London by storm as she shows off her style prowess in FOUR eye-catching outfits as she hits several star-studded shows at LFW

She became a style icon after showing off her style prowess on hit reality show, The City.

And Olivia Palermo was keen to prove she was still every bit the fashionista as she donned no less than four chic outfits for the penultimate day of London Fashion Week.

Kicking off Monday at the 9AM Sophia Webster show, the 29-year-old didn't stop to rest as she proceeded to attend the Burberry, Christopher Kane and Peter Pilotto show all in the same day, slipping into a brand new outfit each time.

With every look even more stunning than the last, Olivia truly outdid herself as she made the rounds at the star-studded shows, even altering her hair and make-up as appropriate to complement each ensemble.

Preparing to dash around the capital to squeeze in the presentations, the star began her day bright and early at the Sophia Webster show which was held at The House of St Barnabas.

Paying tribute the fashion company's love of bold colours and patterns, Olivia didn't hold back with her outfit choice, donning her brightest ensemble of the day.

Sheathing her lithe frame in a taupe woolen cardigan, strips of grey faux fur lined the sleeves and shoulders, adding another dimension to the garment.

Layered over a navy blouse, the wool provided a separate texture and was a visual treat as it covered the satin material of the elegant top.

Opting for bold colours, she donned a flared midi skirt in a colourful collage that exposed her patent boots.

Cherry red and featuring a slight heel, the chunky shoes allowed the star to perfect a supermodel strut as she made her way into the building.

Keeping her accessories simple, the American bore a stack of gold bracelets on her slender wrist, as well as a chunky watch.

Styling her honey coloured locks in a centre parting, she wore her tresses loose and tousled, framing her heart-shaped face.

Accentuating her soft features with a sweep of blush, the socialite finished off her on-trend beauty look with a slick of rosy gloss on her plump pout.

But whilst she may have been the picture of calm as she sat front row at the show, her relaxed persona no doubt didn't last long as she raced across the city for a quick change before hitting the next show on her list.

By 1PM the star had managed to squeeze into a new outfit and head off to Kensington Gardens where she watched the Burberry show in delight.

Dress: yellow prom dresses

Choosing to wear more bold patterns, the star dazzled in a floaty boho-style gown that fell at flattering mid-calf length.

Featuring a range of paisley prints, the navy dress turned heads with its simple yet eye-catching design.

Nipping in at her tiny waist with a skinny black belt, the loose-fitting garment hugged her in all the right places.

With a daring low neckline exposing her décolletage, the dress hinted at her modest assets whilst still remaining appropriate for day-time wear.

Clearly fond of the boots she had worn to the Sophia Webster show, the star decided to don the same shoes as earlier, with the scarlet colour perfectly tying together all of the elements of her ensemble.

The blonde beauty also deigned to keep her hair and make-up the same, merely slicking her golden tresses behind her shoulders.

By 3PM the star had made it to another venue, striding into the Tate Modern to watch the Christopher Kane presentation.

Protecting herself from the bitter chill in the air, Olivia sensibly wrapped up in an eye-catching faux fur coat.

Featuring thick pleats and layers of shaggy fur strips, the socialite dazzled as she made her way into the runway show.

Keeping her colour scheme simple and opting for all-black, she sheathed her lithe frame in a billowing peasant style blouse, whilst a strip of fabric enveloped her slender neck.

Nipping in her tiny waist with a thick laced-up belt, she wore a pleated skirt that fell at flattering mid-length to expose her trusty pair of scarlet boots.

Finishing off her day in style, Olivia hot-footed it to the Queen Elizabeth II Centre, where she arrived in her fourth outfit of the day to catch the 5PM Peter Pilotto show.

Making a nod to the designer's love of wool, the pretty star opted for a mix of knitwear to attend the presentation.

Teaming a striped green and navy jumper with a trumpet hem skirt, Olivia turned heads in her stylish ensemble.

See more: plus size bridesmaid dresses

Rachel Roy Talks About Designing a Plus-Size Line, Writing First Book

Ready-to-wear designer Rachel Roy’s loyal following just keeps growing and growing. In addition to the likes of Michelle Obama, Iman, and Tyra Banks who have all been spotted in her namesake line, Roy’s newest and most avid fans of late are the plus-size women she's winning over with her new line RACHEL Rachel Roy Curvy. Pieces from Roy’s namesake line — think flared jeans, fitted blazers and graphic tanks — are now available in sizes 14-24 in Roy's brand extension, which, most notably, places an emphasis on fit for its fuller-figured customers. In addition to being sold at Macy's, the line will also available on Roy's website, RachelRoy, starting next month.

But that’s not the only exciting new launch that’s keeping Roy busy as of late; in March, the designer’s first tome, Design Your Life: Creating Success Through Personal Style ($26.99; Dey Street Books), hits shelves. During an intimate dinner in Los Angeles to celebrate the launch of Curvy, Roy dished on her current creative endeavors and why she’s in awe of plus-size model Ashley Graham.

Pret-a-Reporter: What was your motivation to write a book?

Rachel Roy: I started the book less than a year ago while I was gong through a lawsuit to win my name and company back [Roy sued her parent company, The Jones Group, for the rights to her brand, and won]. I thought, it’s a good time to do a coffee-table book. I talked to my literary agent, and she said, "I think you need to tell your story." In my mind, my story wasn’t done or near completion, so I thought, "how can we compromise?" The title was always going to be Design Your Life, but the compromise was sketches from different seasons while talking about tips and tools that, even if you’re not in fashion, you can hopefully come away with how you can live the life that you hope to be living.

Image: green prom dresses

What did you learn about yourself during the process of writing it?

I learned that I am proud of myself, and sometimes when you’re living life and going through whatever it is that you need to go through daily, you show up, and you do it — as women, that’s how we are. Until you have something to reflect on, something that’s different and out of the norm, that’s the time you can appreciate and give yourself accolades that perhaps you never would. Though it is still hard for me to say 'bravo.' We are so blessed and so lucky. I am half Indian, so I am going to forever be mindful and blessed that I had an opportunity in America that perhaps some of my family members didn’t.

And why were you ready to launch a plus-size line now?

I would do personal appearances, and what I got asked for the most out of any brand extension — whether it be home, jewelry, swim — was plus size. And that has been consistent since 2006, when I started my own line. I do want to do home and swim, but I really want to give my customers what they asked for first. Anytime you start a brand extension, you have to have the business plan and partners in place. It took me a while to find partners with the same vision but when I did I was thankful. But the final missing key was a fit model who wasn’t just a model but who also spoke up and helped me and my staff in shaping [the line]. I want my models to be vocal and to participate, and I need to trust them, and I found that person.

You must be happy to see plus-size model Ashley Graham gracing the cover of the new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition.

I am so proud of her. Not just for her cover, but also her TED talk. I would be mortified and so nervous to do a TED talk. She is eloquent, she is bold. She inspired me. I would love to work with her.

Also Read: KissyProm vintage prom dresses