Out of the ordinary: Sylvio Giardina

In the fashion world, it’s always refreshing to see something new and bold and out of the ordinary. Over the years, designers have been pushing the boundaries of fashion coming up with artistic and avant garde pieces inspired by anything and everything under the sun. Just when you think there’s nothing left to invent, something emerges to surprise you.

Staying true to the concept of being fashion forward is Sylvio Giardina. The autumn / winter 2012-13 look book is a treat for all senses showcasing different shapes, colors and textures. The pieces range from playful to a bit more sophisticated but they all have one thing in common: they are made to truly make heads turn.

Scouting Report

 If you’re feeling pressed for cash after the gifting season and looking to unwind with a movie in a dark theater, the Leonard Nimoy Thalia-Symphony Space is screening “DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL” on Sunday at 2 and 6 p.m. at the reduced price of $8. Lisa Immordino Vreeland’s adoring hour-and-a-half-long portrait of her grandmother-in-law has met with critical acclaim since its premiere at the Venice Film Festival last year. Tickets at Goldstar.com/events/new-york-city-ny/diana-vreeland-the-eye-has-to-travel. At 2537 Broadway, between West 94th and 95th Streets. ... “IVY STYLE,” an exhibition that looks at how campus fashion has migrated from the classroom to the mainstream (think Ralph Lauren, Gant), is at the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology until Jan. 5. At Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, (212) 217-4558. Fitnyc.edu for more information.

ANTHEM WARES, an e-commerce site that sells tough-to-find independent labels and items by artisan designers, is marking down selected men’s and women’s accessories by 50 percent, including handbags by Seth Sobek and scarves by Etudes. The sale lasts through January, with new items added regularly; anthemwares.com. ... Designer labels including Alexander Wang, Tucker and Suno are up to 60 percent off at any of the three BIRD locations in Brooklyn and on its Web site. Through Jan. 23 at 220 Smith Street, 316 Fifth Avenue and 203 Grand Street; shopbird.com. ... ASSEMBLY NEW YORK is offering 30 percent off fall fashions in-store and online. Discounted brands include A Détacher, Christophe Lemaire, Correll Correll, Black Crane and Mark McNairy, along with the store’s house brand. At 170 Ludlow Street, (212) 253-5393; assemblynewyork.com. ... Anyone who wasn’t able to get his or her hands on a piece from the NEIMAN MARCUS-TARGET collaboration has a second chance, and at a 50 percent savings. Derek Lam skateboards, Tory Burch lunchboxes and Altuzarra cocktail shakers are available at half price with free shipping at target.com. (Some items are available in Target stores.) Stock up on holiday-neutral Rodarte wrapping paper ($3.99) and Jason Wu Christmas ornaments ($24.99 for a set of three) for next year.

K-State, Oregon are opposites when it comes to fashion

Kansas State and Oregon both wear Nike’s signature swoosh, but that’s where the comparisons between their football uniforms end.

They are on opposite ends of the fashion spectrum.

Under Bill Snyder, the Wildcats have worn the same uniforms — silver pants, silver helmet featuring purple and white stripes, and solid white or purple jerseys — without any major modifications since he redesigned them in 1989. He wanted a look that resembled the Dallas Cowboys, and still does.

“We thought we got it right the first time,” Snyder said. “We saw no reason to change them.”

The Ducks take a different approach. They change their uniforms — loud, flashy and trendsetting — every week. Sometimes they wear neon yellow numbers. Sometimes their shoulders feature designs such as wings or spikes. They occasionally wear yellow and green. Other times they wear all black, white or throw in some gray. They have more than 500 combinations to choose from, and pride themselves on never wearing the same thing twice.

Oregon hasn’t unveiled the full uniform it will wear against K-State at the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 3, but bowl representatives have released photos that indicate the numbers will change colors as you look at them from different angles. When the full outfit is released it is sure to be a popular topic among fans on social media.

It always is. Ever since Nike founder and Oregon grad Phil Knight began supplying the athletic department with state-of-the-art apparel, it’s what the Ducks have been best known for. Coincidentally or not, they started winning at the same time they began wearing glitzy uniforms. They gave a recruiting boost, and Oregon is now a regular Pac-12 championship contender on its way to a fourth straight BCS bowl.

Oregon’s rise coincided with its fashion so well that other programs have copied it.

Oklahoma State now changes its uniforms so often that some have called the Cowboys “the Oregon of the Big 12.” Baylor and Maryland mix up their uniforms all the time. Most schools that wear Nike, such as Michigan, Boise State and Missouri, have at least one alternate — or “Pro Combat” — uniform they wear for special games. Adidas-wearing schools such as Nebraska, Wisconsin and Notre Dame do, also. Even teams wearing Under Armour are getting in on the act.

K-State receiver Chris Harper, who transferred from Oregon, has been on both ends of the spectrum. He has worn flashy uniforms and K-State’s classic look. He sees advantages to both, but doesn’t understand why so many schools are copying the Ducks.

“That’s kind of lame to me,” Harper said. “Oregon started that thing. Let them have their thing. Let them be who they are. Every school (is) trying to jump on the bandwagon with different jerseys, too. The thing is nobody can do what Oregon is doing because they have Phil Knight. You don’t have Phil Knight.

“Just be who you are. That’s one thing I like about being out here. We know who we are. You don’t see us jumping out with any ‘Pro Combats’ or new gloves or stuff all the time. We do what we do. We play in games. It’s not about the jerseys, it’s about who plays on the field.”

There is certainly something to be said for a consistent look. Not all new uniforms are good. Maryland and Michigan both received negative reactions for wearing obnoxiously loud jerseys. That’s something Texas, Oklahoma and Penn State don’t have to worry about. They are well known for wearing the same uniforms every time they take the field. Their helmets and jerseys are iconic.

Still, some K-State players would prefer something new.

“I do like the old-school look that coach Snyder brings, but it is becoming a new game,” sophomore center B.J. Finney said. “Some guys would like to see some new uniforms.”

Nike has shown it is willing to provide the Wildcats with new looks. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have modified their uniforms in past years. The men’s team currently has four color combinations to choose from, and their jerseys are made of light, state-of-the-art fabric.

Nike could create a new look for the football team with ease, but new football uniforms seem like a pipedream as long as Snyder is in charge.

“He doesn’t change his shoes,” Harper said of his coach. “I doubt he is going to change our uniforms.”

The Wildcats occasionally wore an alternate uniform that featured purple pants under Ron Prince, but the look didn’t go over well. K-State returned to its classic look full time when Snyder came out of retirement.

Oregon has changed its uniforms countless times since. K-State never considered doing the same.

“We know that is never going to happen here,” Finney said. “I’m not too disappointed about it. I like the look that we have.”

West Bloomfield native, former U-M basketball player, launches fashion label dedicated to further education

An Oakland County native known throughout the college basketball world is using his eye for fashion and style to help those trying to better themselves.

David Merritt, 26, a native of West Bloomfield and a graduate and former co-captain of the University of Michigan's men’s basketball team, recently launched his cause-focused fashion label "Merit" on the Internet.

The brand, which launched Nov. 26 and runs through midnight Friday, started with a funding campaign on Indiegogo.com. Designed by Detroit native and NBC reality series “Fashion Star” runner-up Nzimiro Oputa, 20 percent of the revenue will be donated to funding scholarships to the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy in Detroit.

The 2004 West Bloomfield High School graduate, who launched an earlier fashion brand "I Miss You, Inc." or IMU, commented on how his label will have a lasting impact on the education of children.

“We wanted to truly make an impact through the mission of this company," Merritt said. "And we wanted to make that impact on the lives of young people through education. We keep saying our children are our future; however, if we aren’t educating them and providing them with the proper resources and opportunities to be successful, they won’t have a future. There are underserved youth in Detroit and in cities across the nation that with some much needed motivation, and exposure to what is possible, will indeed embrace their education and become world-class citizens. In doing so, they will also earn scholarships to attend colleges of their choice funded through Merit.”

Indiegogo is a crowd funding, web-based global platform similar to Kickstarter, which is used to raise money for an idea, product or cause. The service allows users to contribute to the campaign by purchasing Merit’s debut launch collection on pre-order. Once the funding goal is met, the fashion line will be manufactured. Items that are purchased are then delivered directly to the contributors.

“Fashion Star” runner up Nzimiro Oputa designs received praise from celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie. Oputa's designs were also featured and sold in Macy’s and Swedish clothier H&M. The designer’s journey to stems back to his childhood, where he created new designs out of old, hand-me-down clothing.

“I decided to take on designing Merit's launch collection because there's so much selflessness going on with the brand, that it sparked a selfless desire in me as well," Oputa said. "I'm so appreciative of the cause because I'm a product of it. I know what it means to grow up without a world of opportunity around you. So because of what Merit is offering to undeserved youth in Detroit and throughout the country, it was a no brainer for me. Plus, knowing that 20 percent of all revenue will be providing college scholarships made this collaboration that much more fulfilling.”

Merritt’s fashion label has also inked a partnership with another organization dedicated to the further education of children. Treehouse, a web education startup, has recently formed an alliance with Merit. Like Merit, the organization has agreed to teach 22 Detroit high school students through Merit’s FATE program how to design and develop for the Web, iOS and mobile apps by employing their educational platform of using short videos, quizzes and badges.

The program provides resources and opportunities to students that encourages them to embrace education and strive to be world-class citizens. The goal of the program is to expose students from an at-risk community to an institution of higher education and motivate them by partnering with different community, university, and corporate entities to facilitate engaging and interactive workshops. The four-year program will take the 22 selected students from the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy to its university partner, the University of Michigan, one Saturday a month for the duration of their high school career.

Inspired fashion

During our younger days, how many of us actually grew our hair and tossed it back, just like Rajinikanth? Admit it, you would have tried to twist the aviators around and wear it the way he did at least once.

Ever noticed how many youngsters went in for a crew cut immediately after Ghajini?

It’s common knowledge that fashion, style and cinema have an inseparable relationship. This has more to do with the attitude of people look towards their icons for their own personal style quotient.

There have been a number of movie-inspired fashion and style moments. Here are some noticeable ones:

Breakfast at Tiffany’s:

The whole concept of the LBD is said to have evolved from Audrey Hepburn’s look which has remained a classic till today.

Grease:

The musical redefined woman’s fashion and blurred the lines between girl’s and woman’s fashion with the reintroduction of little skirts and short tops. It brought in the girly and cute look displacing the rather mature and lady like look, which was then the acceptable norm.

Matrix:

Matrix is one trilogy that has contributed to fashion in more ways than one. There was a huge surge in the concept of minimalism in fashion after the film’s release, and a craze for patent leather in outerwear as well as small rimmed black glasses and the use of florescent contrasts with solid colours.

Avtar: The Spring/summer of 2010 was dominated by tones of blue. From tones of sky to electric blues to navy, there was also the impact of light denims in mainstream outerwear. Some may argue that the forecast preceded the film’s release but the brilliant blue tones, which evolved into fashion, cannot be discarded entirely.

Thus from Elvis Presley’s hairdo to Harry Potter’s glasses, Marlin Monroe’s mole to James Bond’s impeccable sense of style, followers of fashion and style have always looked towards cinema to fine tune their own sense of style. Closer home, there have been a number of films that were noteworthy in their impact on mainstream fashion such as Bobby from the 1970s), which created a nation-wide flutter in the evolution of Polka dots in regular everyday Indian clothes!

The name Paro can only bring back memories of Aishwarya Rai in Devdas and the way she brought chunky jewellery back into the limelight. Many women were also spotted wearing the Bengali style sari.

This phenomenon is found more in India than in world fashion, with certain cuts getting a filmy name like “Chandini” suits, for starters!

McComb named Outstanding Art Teacher

Hayes Intermediate School art teacher Camilla McComb has a philosophy about art she wants her students to learn and carry with them through life.

"I want people to understand that human beings are intrinsically artistic people," she said. ""I want to instill in my fifth- and sixth-grade students the notion of thinking of themselves as artists."

McComb is the 2012 recipient of the Ohio Art Education Association's central region Outstanding Art Teacher award.

"It was a huge surprise to receive the award and what is also surprising to me is the fuss everyone is making about it," she said.

McComb was presented the award last month at the OAEA conference in Cincinnati.

"To be honored in front of my peers was special," she said.

Art education is important not only to help students develop their artistic skills but to learn how to think as artists, McComb said.

"A lot of people have great ideas, but they don't know how to execute them," she said.

Sadly, many adults she talks to answer in the negative when she asks them if they are artists, McComb said.

Too many people think of art only in terms of a finished product like a painting, she said.

In fact, we are all artists, whether it's using a paintbrush, decorating a room or picking out what we're going to wear for a night out, McComb said.

Research shows that students in the grades she teaches -- fifth and sixth -- begin having a "crisis of confidence," and that impacts their artistic thinking, she said.

"All of my fifth-grade students think they are artists," McComb said. "But by sixth grade they're becoming super aware that people are watching them and many of them start hiding their drawings and comparing their work to other students' " who might be "good at art."

"So much of their life is rule-bound and product-driven," McComb said. "They take standardized tests and even on the video games they play, the path is dictated. The great thing about art is that you don't have to be rule-bound," she said. "In art, you have so many avenues you can choose."

To help her students think as artists, McComb has them use her "Artistic Thinking Checklist," which includes eight steps to thinking about art.

"Making art is only one-eighth of the equation," she said.

She has her students take photographs to document their artistic thinking as they work through a project.

A Grove City High School graduate, McComb has spent most of her career teaching in South-Western schools.

"I was always interested in art and my mother encouraged me by taking me to (an arts and crafts store) on weekends," she said. "I really give her credit for helping to develop my interest"

But the idea of being an artist was something McComb never seriously considered growing up.

"I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and there was the question of how could you really make a living as an artist," she said.

"I was majoring in business in college and not doing very well, when I made some friends who were art education majors and they suggested that was a field I might want to consider," McComb said.

Teaching art has been a joy, she said.

The blessing for her is to have the opportunity to help shape and inspire her students' thinking about what it means to be an artist, McComb said.

Duo have designs on east coast

They wowed local fashionistas with their designs at last year's Perth Fashion Festival and this year's Perth Fashion Week and now local design duo Zhivago, Lara Kovacevich and Lydia Tsvetnenko, have their eyes set on the east coast.

While the pair have been a bit quiet of late because of Tsvetnenko's pregnancy (she is due on Australia Day), they are preparing for a big 2013.

Zhivago are working towards showing alongside the cream of the Australian fashion industry at its two premier events.

They intend to present their glamorous garments, which have already started to be sold overseas, at L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2013 and 2013 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia in Sydney.

Fashion Innovator Purchases Greentree for Rapid Growth

A fast-growing fashion supplier that prides itself on being ahead of the trends, is one of the latest businesses to purchase Greentree International’s ERP software.

UK-based Edge Accessories supplies high-fashion items such as jewellery, belts, and scarves to retailers such as Primark, New Look, Zara and Forever 21. In a three-year period it’s supplied 20 million such items.

The company’s growth has been spectacular since its launch in 2009, and it now boasts a multi-million-dollar annual sales turnover. It’s expecting further rapid growth in the European, US and Asian markets.

STAYING AHEAD OF THE GAME
Edge’s design team is tasked with staying six months ahead of the High Street. Their designs are produced in factories in China for shipping in time for the April sales, when the young and trendy are shopping for what they’ll be wearing in summer.

“Fashion changes every hour, every day,” says Managing Director Mike Lamb. “If Rihanna wears something this afternoon it can be tomorrow’s fashion, and it’s our role to support the retailer to get it to the shop floor as quickly as possible.”

Edge decided that to keep pace with tough competition, it needed to modernise its computer systems. Its staff were constantly shuffling between an online product catalogue, Excel spreadsheets, and Sage for invoicing.

“Probably 20-30% of our time was spent re-checking information,” Mike says. “Greentree’s integration ensures that once information is changed, it’s changed throughout the system, so that people aren’t making errors.

“We get lots of large, complex orders because retailers tend to book in batches. Sometimes they’ll book 30-40 product lines all at the same time, and processing them could be very slow and cumbersome. We needed a system that could group all those multiple orders from one customer together.”

CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT
“Our customers rely on us all the time for updates,” Mike says, “and we wanted to make sure that we were coding or attributing the products correctly when we put them into the system. Inputting an average of 10,000 product lines a year was one person’s full-time job. The way Greentree uploads data from Excel makes our lives so much easier.

“Just to have the ability to respond to orders immediately, even on the road, is a massive advantage to us, because delays mean lost sales. I was spending too much of my time tracking errors, instead of focusing on growing the business.”

“We don’t accept second best in our business, so Greentree was our only option!” Mike concludes.

How the SamCam effect sent profits soaring at Zara: Retailer racks up £1.3bn in 2012

It is the high street fashion chain that boasts Samantha Cameron, the Duchess of Cambridge and even Mary Berry among its fans.

So it is perhaps no surprise that Zara, the modestly-priced retailer, has seen its profits soar by 27 per cent.

The Spanish-owned brand has bucked the high street gloom by racking up profits of £1.3billion in the first nine months of the year.

And there seems little doubt that the patronage of some of Britain’s biggest fashion icons has had a key role in securing its success in the UK.

The Duchess of Cambridge and her sister Pippa Middleton were both spotting wearing Zara on the day after the Royal Wedding.

Kate was seen heading off on her honeymoon in one of its £49.99 cornflower blue dresses, which subsequently sold out, while Pippa was spotted travelling home in a £69.99 Zara jacket.

The label also took centre-stage at the Tory party conference when Samantha Cameron wore a pair of high-waisted, orange cigarette pants (£39.99) and a grey jumper (£19.99) from the same store.

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Mrs Cameron also has a pair of £29 grey court shoes from the store, which she has been spotted wearing on a number of occasions.

Although the store’s main appeal is among young, cash-strapped  followers of fashion, it is clear its designs appeal to young and old.

When 77-year-old Mary Berry wore a brightly-coloured Zara bomber jacket on the hit BBC2 show The Great British Bake Off, her stamp of approval was an unlikely coup for Zara, showcasing the design to millions of viewers.

Zara, which has 65 stores in the UK, is owned by the world’s biggest retailer Inditex, which also owns the Massimo Dutti and  Bershka brands.

Its huge surge in profits marked a 27 per cent increase on the same period last year, with sales swelling by 17pc to just over £9billion when many of its rivals are struggling.

Amancio Ortega, who founded Inditex in 1975, is now the world’s fifth richest man, worth an estimated £23billion.

His fashion empire has almost 6,000 stores and 116,000 employees in 86 countries.

Santa Fe University of Art and Design Again Named One of “America’s Best Kept College Secrets”

Book on America’s outstanding colleges and universities highlights SFUAD for the second consecutive year Santa Fe, NM (PRWEB) December 10, 2012 Santa Fe University of Art and Design(SFUAD) is featured in the 2012 edition of Peter L. Arango’s book America’s Best Kept College Secrets: An Affectionate Portrait of Outstanding Colleges and Universities. The university was also featured in the 2011 edition. According to Arango, who has worked in the field of college admissions for more than 40 years, “not only are the teaching and work spaces [at SFUAD] up to the standards of a first-rate arts school, but the residences are handsome and comfortable.” Arango writes that SFUAD maintains a strong visual arts education, which includes what he calls a “recent explosion of creative energy in the area of film and video.” SFUAD has introduced its re-envisioned Film School and announced a new Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film curriculum. The university also established a Film School Advisory Board that includes top directors, screenwriters, animators and other film professionals who will give guest lectures and workshops on campus. In his review, Arango says that the “exciting and spiffy” university offers “an excellent dining service and many recreational activities.” He also notes that the collaborative campus environment provides students with a creative community in which to live and study. “A significant difference between SFUAD and some other professional art or design schools is that Santa Fe has built four residence halls and several on-campus apartment houses for residential students,” Arango writes. “The program at SFUAD is entirely residential, which not only relieves the difficulty of finding housing in a precious city such as Santa Fe, but also creates a community of professional artists, living and working together.” “We’re honored to have a special place in this book,” says Larry Hinz, president of SFUAD. “It’s satisfying to see that prospective students and parents are discovering what we do at Santa Fe University of Art and Design. Those of us here in Santa Fe like to promote the fact that we offer access to outstanding educators who are working professionals in their respective fields, as well as unparalleled facilities that, for instance, enable students to work on soundstages alongside film productions such as True Grit and No Country for Old Men. It’s a great compliment to have others recognize and endorse our strengths as well.” Arango says he wrote America’s Best Kept College Secrets because he believes in the mission and purpose of the colleges and universities he features in his book. He adds that he considers SFUAD a “remarkable option for anyone longing to pursue [a career] in the arts in the Southwest … My admiration of the programs at the university remains unabated,” he added.

Home decor trends that ruled in 2012

Preppy patterns, rustic ceramics, knitted cushion covers, textual fabrics, wall art, and earthy rugs - the list of fancy interior decor is endless. Like every year, 2012 also had its share of innovations that expert designers adopted quite enthusiastically.

So, before we welcome the New Year, let's take a look at the round up of this year's most coveted colours, patterns, fabrics, furniture and finishing touches. Mumbai based multi-disciplinary design consultant, Shweta Kaushik takes us through five exclusive trends that dominated in 2012!

The Top Jobs for 2013

Struggling to find a job? If you’re an accountant, computer systems analyst or event coordinator, there's a good chance your luck will change in 2013.

These three professions are among the best jobs that require a bachelor's degree for 2013, according to a new study by CareerBuilder and Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (EMSI).

The study used EMSI’s rich labor market database, which pulls from over 90 national and state employment resources and includes detailed information on employees and self-employed workers, to find the 18 top jobs for 2013, based on the occupations with the most jobs added since 2010.

“The list identifies occupations that are on an upward trajectory regarding employment,” says Matt Ferguson, chief executive of CareerBuilder. “Job seekers can gain insights into where companies are expanding and opportunities that are available.”

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The occupation that has produced the most jobs post-recession: Software developer (applications and systems software). Since 2010, 70,872 jobs have been added (7% growth).

Why? “Companies are competing to get to market first with innovations that will create new revenue streams,” Ferguson says. “They want to capitalize on mobile technologies and social media.  They want to extract, parse and apply Big Data to bring better solutions to their clients and their own businesses. They need technologists in place who can devise bigger and better strategies, and execute.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most software developers work for computer systems design and related services firms or software publishers. Others work in computer and electronic product manufacturing industries. They typically have a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

The average pay for these professionals is $90,530 a year, and the BLS expects a 30% increase in the number of software developers by 2020 (from 2010).

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In the No. 2 spot is accountants and auditors. These professionals prepare and examine financial records, and ensure that taxes are paid properly and on time. Over 37,100 jobs have been added since 2010 (a 3% increase).

Most employers require an accountant or auditor job candidate to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, and others will want the candidate to be certified within a specific field, according to the BLS. These professionals make $61,690, on average, per year.

The third best job for 2013: Market research analysts and marketing specialists. The profession has added 31,335 jobs since 2010, which is a 10% increase. According to the BLS, they earn about $60,570 a year, on average. The profession is expected to grow 41% by 2020 (from 2010).

What do they do? Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They help companies understand the marketplace; what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price. Strong math and analytical skills are typically required, as well as a bachelor’s degree. Top research positions often require a master’s, according to the BLS.

Elsewhere on the list: Computer systems analysts (No. 4), mechanical engineers (No. 9), and database administrators (No. 15).

“Technology and engineering roles make up the majority of the top ten positions, indicative of the continued and heightened investments companies are making in these areas,” Ferguson says. “You also see growth in production-related jobs as U.S. manufacturing rallies after experiencing significant losses during the recession. There is also strong demand for sales and marketing roles as companies look to grow revenue and extend their visibility and reach. Finally, there are more jobs supporting overall business operations as the economy improves.”

Ryan Lochte will take you swimming to benefit Fashion for Sandy Relief

Even though his Olympic swimming endeavors didn't work out quite as he had planned, Ryan Lochte can at least console himself with the fact that 2012 saw him break out as an unlikely fashion star.

Fashion for Sandy Relief: Anna Wintour and Victoria Beckham put themselves up for auction
Ryan Lochte plays roving reporter at New York Fashion Week 2012?

Unlikely because he's not even vaguely fashionable, but a star nonetheless due to his pretty face, silly catchphrases (including Jeah! and Reezy - Ryan's nickname), flamboyant style statements (including a diamond-encrusted USA flag grill) and ability to not take himself too seriously.

IN PICTURES: Ryan Lochte's model credentials
And if his star turn on the cover of US Vogue was not proof alone that the fashion world had embraced him as an honorary member, confirmation came today with news that Lochte's services have been acquired by the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) and Vogue , to help raise funds for their Fashion for Sandy relief initiative.

Trading the starting block for the auction block, one successful bidder and a guest will get the chance to join the five-time Olympic gold medallist for a morning swimming lesson plus lunch at one of his favorite spots.

Swimming with Lochte, valued at $20,000, is one of 180 once-in-a-lifetime experiences being offered via the Charitybuzz online auction site in response to the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. And the New Yorker is in very stylish company with fellow names offering their time including Manolo Blahnik, Grace Coddington, Tom Ford, Lady Gaga and Victoria Beckham.

Fashion royalty star at palace

Fashion royalty has descended on Scotland for a catwalk show staged by one of the world's leading brands.

Linlithgow Palace in West Lothian hosted the launch of Chanel's prestigious Metiers d'Art collection by the French brand's creative director Karl Lagerfeld.

The collection, heavily inspired by Scottish designs and fabrics, was presented within the walls of the majestic 15th century palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.

An estimated audience of around 400 invited guests from the international fashion world watched the show, which began and ended with appearances from Scots model Stella Tennant.

Speaking after the show, Lagerfeld said: "I loved the location and I must say the way the show was staged was exactly what I wanted. It was very interesting to use it for a show. I wanted the rough romance of this beautiful place."

The fashion brand recently bought a cashmere mill in the Scottish Borders, Barrie Knitwear in Hawick, after its owner went into administration.

Asked about Scotland's influence in the fashion world, Lagerfeld replied: "Chanel came here, she discovered tweed here and the cashmere. Now we've bought Barrie. Scottish patterns and tartans are all over the world, so there is a strong identity that everybody likes, uses and copies."

There had been rumours that stars such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Sarah Jessica Parker were lined up to attend but there was no obvious sign of the Hollywood A-listers at the show.

Since 2002, Lagerfeld has dedicated an annual ready-to-wear collection to showcase specialist craftsmanship around the world. The catwalk event is held in a different country each year and this year his selection is thought to have been inspired by the heritage of Chanel in Scotland.

Around 200 Chanel staff were reportedly involved in preparing the palace for the event. Outside, large crowds of onlookers braved the Scottish winter weather ahead of the show, lining the streets of Linlithgow in the hope of catching sight of a well-known face.

Dolce and Gabbana tax evasion trial begins in Italy

Italian fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana's tax evasion trial began Monday in Milan.

According to Reuters, the high-profile case is one of the few tax disputes of its kind to go to court in Italy, where the government has launched a crackdown on tax evaders that has included very public police raids in yacht marinas and ski resorts.

Dolce and Gabbana are accused of not declaring taxes in Italy on royalties on over a billion euros ($1.3 billion) after moving their brand to Luxembourg in 2004, reported BBC News. Prosecutors allege the pair sold their firms to a holding company for well below market value, but the designers have denied the charges and have said the allegations are "absurd."

The two had previously been cleared of tax evasion charges by another Milan court last year, note Reuters, but a higher court overturned the acquittal, allowing for a new trial.

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Since Gabbana criticized the high court's decision last year by threatening, in a tweet, to leave the country, he and his business partner have not made any statements, BBC continued.

Six other people, including the designers' tax consultant, are also on trial. If found guilty, Dolce and Gabbana face up to five years in prison. The court is due to rule on the case December 14.

L6 Series Fashion Handbags Are Available Now at TheLondon2012.net

On Nov. 28, TheLondon2012.net, released its L6 Series Fashion Handbags, and announced that all customers

can get a discount when checking out, up to 39%.

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Some of my dresses inspired by India: Miss Paraguay Leryn Franco

Paraguayan Olympian-cum-model Leryn Franco, who walked for designer Rocky S. at the ongoing India Resort Fashion Week (IRFW), says that though she is yet to try an Indian sari but some of her attire was inspired by Indian designs and techniques.

"I didn't get the chance to wear sari but I do like Indian design sensibilities. Some of my dresses are inspired from India but they are made by Paraguayan designers. They have given me some of the India-inspired outfits and I love it," Franco told IANS.

Looking elegant in golden fish-tail gown with net layering, she walked for Rocky on the penultimate day of the four-day fashion event Friday.

The designer showcased a collection that was mix of gowns, dresses and some resort wear.

"It was really a glamorous collection. For me, resort wear doesn't mean bikinis but also the garments that women can wear while partying and for brunches. They want to look really great and wonderful and that's what I wanted to bring to the collection," Rocky told IANS.

There was much embroidery used on the garment with lot of crystals and pearls. The fabrics that were used heavily were chiffons and nets on the hues varying from black and ivory.

Leryn, a perfect combination of beauty with brains, won the Miss Paraguay title in 2006. Not only this, she also participated in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics representing her country in the javelin throw.

She feels elated on her first visit to India.

"India is huge market when it comes to fashion. I think Paraguayan designers look upto the Indian counterparts in big way. I am excited and happy to be here. India is very big and has many admirers. Everyone is looking towards India for the designs, culture and mysticism," said Leryn who also practices Yoga regularly.