Archive for April 27th, 2009
David Bowie’s supermodel wife Iman struggled for years to feel at home in the U.S. – until New York city was devastated by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The Somalian-born beauty came to America in 1975 after she was spotted by U.S. photographer Peter Beard, and landed her first modelling job with Vogue magazine.
As an in-demand face throughout the last three decades, Iman stayed in the country, and was eventually granted American citizenship.
But she admits she never felt as though she belonged in the U.S., or her adopted city of New York, until it came under attack in 2001 – and her local community fireman were wiped out in the catastrophe.
She tells Hello! magazine, “I never felt American – although I’ve had citizenship for 30 years – until September 11 happened.
“I live in SoHo (New York). A couple of of blocks from us, there’s a fire station. They used to see me and Lexi (daughter) and she would be in her pram. The next thing she’d be tottering along. The firemen would ask, ‘Is she talking? Did she get her new teeth?’ I assumed she’d be going to her prom and they’d still be seeing her. None of them made it. I felt like my home had been attacked.” (c) WENN
source: postchronicle.com
April 27th, 2009
Iranian-English model Yasmin Le Bon will create a collection for high street store Wallis, which is to be called YLB. The YLB collection will consist of 25 to 30 pieces inspired by Bon’s personal wardrobe.
The 44-year-old supermodel joins the likes of Beth Ditto and Kate Moss in creating a line for The Arcadia group’s stores. The collection, which is expected to hit the stores in September, will also feature jewellery.
The line looks set to be “timeless and simple with a decidedly vintage feel,” Elle magazine reports.
The model, who is married to Simon Le Bon, lead singer of Duran Duran, recently walked the ramp at Qasimi and was previously the face of House of Fraser.
She is currently represented by Elite+ in New York City and Models 1 in London. As a model, Le Bon has represented Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Bergdorf Goodman, Biotherm, Bloomingdale’s, Bonwit Teller, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Christian Dior, Clairol, Escada, Filene’s, Frasercard and Gianfranco Ferré, amongst others.
Her daughter, Amber, is currently the face of River Island.
source: allheadlinenews.com
April 27th, 2009
Tyra Banks is expected to take the stand this week as a hulking drifter goes on trial for stalking the TV personality.
No one disputes that Brady Green tried to get close to the famous supermodel-turned-talk-show host, but his lawyer says he’s just a fan.
“She invites fans that are inspired by her show to reach out to her,” defense lawyer Sydney O’Hagen said in opening arguments at Green’s trial. “Mr. Green was a fan, albeit perhaps an overzealous fan.”
O’Hagen claims Green was simply trying to get tickets to “The Tyra Banks Show.”
Prosecutors have a different version – and cite statements made by Green that they say prove his guilt.
Besides sending unwanted flowers and love letters to Banks and ignoring orders from police to stay away from the show, Green threatened to kill an employee who refused to give him the Chelsea address of the show’s studio.
“You’re f–ing lying, I’m going to find you and slit your throat,” Green, 39, screamed into the telephone, prosecutors charge.
The stalking and harassment case, being heard by a judge because it’s a low-level misdemeanor, is resuming after a nine-day break. Green faces 90 days in jail if convicted.
The apparently loony Green – who left his parents’ home telephone number in Georgia in hopes of getting a call from Banks – told the cop who arrested him after he snuck into a studio used by the show on March 18, 2008, that he was under surveillance, prosecutors said.
“I’ve got satellites watching me and recording us,” Green said, according to police.
Banks, who told cops she did not know Green and was terrified by his escalating outreach, is expected to take the stand Wednesday.
Calls to the star’s publicist were not returned.
source: nydailynews.com
April 27th, 2009
Nicky Watson is about to upstage her famous ex-husband with the public unveiling of a naked painting of the Kiwi supermodel.
Warriors rugby league club owner Eric Watson hit the headlines earlier this week when he was snapped having a mystery night on the town in London with British pin-up Kelly Brook former girlfriend of Hollywood hunks Jason Statham and Billy Zane.
But Nicky will be back in the spotlight on Thursday when a portrait of her by celebrated artist Liz Maw will feature at the Auckland Art Fair.
“Liz explained to me what she wished to paint and as a great admirer of her work I felt very honoured to be asked to be the model,” Nicky, 32, told Sunday News.
“I was required to pose nude but it was always Liz’s intention to cover much of my body with hair so nudity wasn’t really a concern.
“Besides, I actually love the female form and everything it represents so I see only beauty in nudity anyway.”
The painting, titled Venus from Hell, took four months to complete.
It will be one of 40 works displayed at the art fair by Auckland gallery Ivan Anthony, showcasing some of Australasia’s hottest artists.
Nicky only saw the finished portrait of herself last week when Liz invited her and her mum also a talented painter to a viewing.
“We were both rather speechless as the painting immediately drummed up all sorts of personal feelings for both of us,” said Nicky, who met Liz through a mutual friend.
“For me Liz’s work is charged with meaning and because I portrayed the character in this particular painting I instantly felt very connected to the image.
“Needless to say, it’s rather bizarre to view a larger-than-life painting of a figure that looks in many ways exactly like yourself!”
Nicky admits she is a little apprehensive about attending the Art Fair, at the Marine Events Centre in Auckland’s Viaduct, where her picture will go on sale.
“I’m excited as I’m a great lover of art and I’m very supportive of Kiwi artists.
“However, I can’t help but be a little nervous,” she said. “But that’s just me and I’ll get over it!”
While Nicky still recovering from two nasty falls from her horse prepares for the unveiling, millionaire businessman Eric, 50, had the gossip columnists working overtime with his evening out with the British model and actress.
Kelly, 29 who dates England rugby star Danny Cipriani and Eric enjoyed dinner, a trip to a casino and ended their evening in a nightclub.
source: stuff.co.nz
April 27th, 2009
Since enrolling at Cambridge University last year, Lily Cole has kept a low-profile in an attempt to blend in with other students.
But when students organising an ethical fashion show asked the redhead model to take part, she couldn’t resist the chance to mix her career with her passion for the environment.
Fresh from spending the weekend in Venice at Salma Hayek’s wedding ceremony, Lily returned to university on Sunday to make a speech at a fashion show.
Perhaps fearing she would overshadow the other models, Lily declined to take to the catwalk at the FACE ethical fashion show at the Cambridge Student Union.
Instead, she gave a talk about the importance of the fashion industry using fair trade and organic materials.
In a far cry from the glamorous couture she wore at Salma’s wedding the day before, Lily looked like a normal student in a blue tea dress, cardigan and black opaque tights and heels.
Speaking to the students, she said: ‘As in any industry it’s important to look through the process from beginning to end to make sure we are not producing in ways detrimental to the world.
‘As these labels show, producing clothes with a conscientious awareness of the global impact they cause is by no means impossible or limiting.’
Lily then stood back to watch her fellow students model designs from Izzy Lane, Noir, From Somewhere, Amar, Ciel, Katherine Hamnett and Coco de Mer, as well as charity shops.
Over the weekend, Lily joined her American actor boyfriend Enrique Murciano at the Venetian wedding of Salma and French billionaire François-Henri Pinaut.
On Friday, Lily wore a short summer dress as she joined the Without A Trace actor at the pre-wedding masquerade cocktail party at the city’s old custom house.
The next day, Lily covered up her slender figure in a flowing blue strapless gown as she joined A-lists including Penelope Cruz, Bono and Charlize Theron at the wedding ceremony in Venice’s La Fenice opera house.
Lily was first linked to Enrique, 35, since last September after the couple were spotted at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado.
But due to Lily’s studies in England and Enrique’s job in Without A Trace – which is filmed in Los Angeles – they haven’t spent much time together.
Lily started her History of Art course last September after previously deferring her entry twice to focus on her fashion career.
source: dailymail.co.uk
April 27th, 2009
