Rihanna’s Clotheshorse Tendencies
Miss Universe Sneak Peek
Miss Universe Sneak Peek
Less than a month from now, three billion viewers will be glued to their televisions for the 2008 Miss Universe Pageant. And Miss Australia 2008 Laura Dundovic is gearing up for the big day.
Earlier this week, Miss Dundovic gave the world a sneak peek at her upcoming pageant wardrobe during an exclusive showcase in Sydney, Australia.
And from the looks of things it's clear that this girl has a very unconventional, avante garde way of expressing herself through her clothing choices.
Laura's National costume, designed by Jayson Brunsdon, is getting mixed reviews from critics who either love or hate it. One naysayer told press, "He has created something beautiful but I don't think a gown is what is meant as national costume.''
Enjoy the pictures of Laura Dundovic a sneak peek at her National Design costume for the Miss Universe pageant (June 18).
The people who design Bollywood
The people who design Bollywood
When we look at the word 'designer' in Bollywood context, our glance is usually fixated upon the people who have made Rani Mukherji's sari or Kareena Kapoor's earrings or Saif Ali Khan's blazer.
Yet -- as important as costumiers may well be -- dressing the film itself is a whole different kind of expertise.
Here's a quick look, then, at some of Bollywood's most prolific art directors, the people largely responsible for the look and feel of the film.
Here are a few who do truly sensational stuff.
Sabu Cyril
Cyril, one of the best respected art directors in India, also works exhaustively in cinema down south.
Starting his career with 1991's Uncle Bun, Cyril's first Hindi film was Gardish but he truly began to make waves only after blowing us away with Kala Pani and Virasat.
Then came Kamal Haasan's Hey Ram, Priyadarshan's Hera Pheri and Santosh Sivan's Asoka -- a range of films that shows Cyril's only too happy to experiment, to mix it up.
Even now, he balances a Yuva with a Jaan-E-Mann, and a Guru with an Om Shanti Om.
Samir Chanda
Talk about starting out with masala.
Samir Chanda began his career with Subhash Ghai's dhin-a-dhin-ta blockbuster, Ram Lakhan, back in 1989.
Since then, however, he's never been one to play it safe and constantly pushed the envelope with films like Mammo and Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin.
Mani Ratnam fans deified Chanda after he made Dil Se look breathtaking in every frame, while Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra used Chanda's expertise to great effect in his Rang De Basanti.
His last film -- Omkara -- could arguably be called his most stunning bit of work, but then his Ghajini is out this December
Sarmishtha Roy
A trailblazing woman in the big bad largely male Bollywood environs, Roy came to attention right with her first film, 1994's Yeh Dillagi.
With a flair for the urbane and the Americanised, Roy has gone on to create funky rooms and bizarrely interesting penthouses, equally adept at mansions and mayhem.
She's a Yash Raj Films regular, working on successes like Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge and Dil Toh Pagal Hai, but varies her other projects like Taal, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Gajagamini and Koi Mil Gaya.
Her last film? Ta Ra Rum Pum
Barack Obama buzz sweeps through the BET Awards
Barack Obama buzz sweeps through the BET Awards
LOS ANGELES - Barack Obama didn't attend the BET Awards, but that didn't stop attendees from talking about him"If we all register and vote, we will have the first black president in the history of America," Sean "Diddy" Combs told the crowd Tuesday at the Shrine Auditorium before chanting "Obama or Die" — a declarative remix of his neutral "Vote or Die" motto from the 2004 presidential election, when he attempted to boost the youth vote.
Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was just a few blocks away at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for a fundraiser with a Hollywood guest list that included supermodels Heidi Klum and Cindy Crawford, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and movie stars Samuel L. Jackson and John Malkovich. While Obama didn't make an appearance at the BET Awards — either live or on tape — his presence was felt.
As she picked up her award for best female R&B artist, Alicia Keys told the crowd that it's time for black people to erase the word "can't" from their vocabulary.
"Together we can do anything," she said, playing on the Democrat's "Yes We Can" mantra before shouting: "Obama y'all!"
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee, John McCain, failed to merit a shoutout by any of the BET presenters or performers.
"For the first time in history, we have the opportunity for somebody who's not in the good ol' boy network to get into office," rapper David Banner told reporters backstage. "People talk about his lack of experience, but there's people with much more experience who haven't done such a good job."
Stephen Hill, executive vice president of entertainment and music programming at BET, said there was talk of having Obama attend the BET Awards but it didn't work out.
"We would've loved it if he would've stopped by," said Hill.
During his monologue, host D.L. Hughley cracked jokes about Obama. Other attendees were more flattering. Backstage, Humanitarian Award winner Quincy Jones said he wanted Obama to be elected and create a Secretary of Culture position. Actress Nia Long beamed about possible first lady Michelle Obama.
"Michelle is graceful, beautiful and not afraid to be exactly who she is," Long said backstage. "It's wonderful to see their love in the midst of all the political madness. They have something we should all be proud of. She's smart. She's educated. And she's fearless. I'd love to have tea with her one day."
One attendee used fashion to show her support for Obama. Actress-comedian Kym Whitley, who revealed she'll be appearing in a small role in the upcoming "Transformers" sequel, donned a tight purple shirt that read 'Barack Obama 08' in glittery black letters
"I don't know him, and he doesn't know me," she said. "But we're gonna make eye contact one day."
Longtime Obama supporter John Legend affirmed the importance of voting in the upcoming election: "I'll be working to make sure people get out to vote this fall."
(This version CORRECTS Keys award to best female R&B artist sted best new artist.)
Gisele Bundchen Says Tom’s All Good
Gisele Bundchen Says Tom’s All Good
Taking advantage of the beautiful weather being had in southern California, Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady headed out on Tuesday to pay a visit to Landry Design Group in Santa Monica.
For their weekday outing, the New England football stud looked sharp in a white top, jeans and a newsboy cap while his Brazilian supermodel girlfriend kept it casual in a black tanktop with jean shorts.
Meanwhile, Gisele recently opened up to GQ magazine for their July 2008 issue, talking about what she likes about Tom and how the two came to be a couple.
"I think we have a lot of things in common, and I think he is a really great person," Gisele tells. "He really genuinely doesn't have a bad bone in his body. And he is a very positive person."
Of getting to know her quarterback beau, the Victoria's Secret Angel tells: "We met through a friend who knew us both for a long time. Our friend knew that we would like each other. And we did. So I guess he was right."
Enjoy the pictures of Gisele Bundchen and Tom Brady at Landry Design Group (June 17).
Rachel Bilson: Sexy at the Skylight Gallery
Rachel Bilson: Sexy at the Skylight Gallery
We're used to seeing her milling around Southern California, but last night Rachel Bilson was on the East Coast mingling and hobnobbing with the artsy crowd.
The "Last Kiss" cutie was spotted at the Whitney Art Party and Auction at the Skylight Gallery in New York City's Manhattan borough.
With a soundtrack provided by DJ Stretch Armstrong, Bilson worked the crowd, getting close with uber-trendy designer Max Azria and posing for the throng of eager paparazzi.
And she looked positively perfect in a cream-colored neck-strap minidress with a pair of overstated heels and a furry-textured clutch.
Enjoy the pictures of Rachel Bilson at the Whitney Art Party (June 17).
Elizabeth Hurley Talks Baby Fever
Elizabeth Hurley Talks Baby Fever
Enjoying a quiet evening out, Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar were spotted leaving the celebrity-friendly Cipriani restaurant in London, England last night (June 16).
And the "Austin Powers" hottie looked amazing as usual, sporting a one-shoulder sheer black knee-length dress along with a pair of open-toed black high heels, while her hubby opted for a black pinstriped suit with a lavender tie.
Hurley recently told press that she's ready to start having kids with Nayar, though she's "definitely not yet pregnant." She also joked about the fact that she and Hugh Grant, whom she dated for 13 years, never had any kids.
"Sometimes Hugh and I can get morbid and say we could have had five children by now because we were together since we were 21. [But] there was never a time when either of us wanted it."
Enjoy the pictures of Liz Hurley and Arun Nayar out at Cipriani (June 16).
Naomi sorry for assault, but still mad at airline
Naomi sorry for assault, but still mad at airline
LONDON (AP) — Model Naomi Campbell says she is sorry she assaulted two police officers during a dispute about lost luggage aboard a British Airways plane. But she has refused to apologize to the airline, accusing it of racismBritish Airways strongly denied the charge.
Campbell 38, was sentenced Friday to 200 hours of community service and fined 2,300 pounds ($4,600) after she pleaded guilty to kicking, spitting and swearing at the officers aboard a plane at Heathrow Airport in April.
In an interview with Sky News broadcast Saturday, Campbell said she regretted her behavior and said "I apologize profusely" to the police.
"As for British Airways, I don't apologize," she said.
Campbell accused British Airways staff of having racist attitudes.
"I was called a racial name on that flight," Campbell said, adding that her violent behavior "was part of my reaction." She did not say who had called her the name, but said it was not a passenger.
In a statement, British Airways said it "does not accept any allegations of racism."
"We are proud of our diversity. We fly to 90 different countries around the world and employ a multi-nationality work force," the airline said. "We have strict policies concerning dignity at work and have long-standing training programs on diversity and inclusion."
Campbell has a history of assaulting assistants and employees.
Last year, she was sentenced to a week of community service in New York City after admitting "reckless assault" for throwing a mobile phone at her housekeeper.
In 2000, she pleaded guilty in Toronto to an assault charge for beating an assistant while making a film in Canada
Naomi Campbell spared jail over assault on jet
Naomi Campbell spared jail over assault on jet
LONDON (AFP) - Supermodel Naomi Campbell was ordered to do 200 hours of community service for assaulting two police officers trying to eject her from a plane after a foul-mouthed tirade over lost luggageThe 38-year-old runway diva faced being sent to prison for up to six months and fined a maximum of 5,000 pounds on each of the three assault charges she faced.
Instead, Campwell was sentenced at Uxbridge magistrates court to the community service -- equal to working five 40-hour weeks -- to be carried out within 12 months for lashing out at the captain of the British Airways jet and police with a barrage of abuse and spitting.
She was also told to pay 200 pounds each to the two officers, 150 pounds to the captain -- all of whom she accused of targeting her because she was black -- and fines totalling 2,300 pounds.
Last year Campbell did five days of community service in a New York City sanitation warehouse for having thrown a mobile phone at a housemaid and was ordered to undergo anger management therapy.
Her clashes with the law do not appear to have damaged her career -- shortly before her sentencing Friday, French fashion house Yves Saint Laurent announced she would front its autumn-winter 2008-2009 advertising campaign.
Her lawyer said she was "genuinely apologetic" for the incident, which happened when her flight to Los Angeles was about to leave Heathrow's brand-new Terminal Five, where problems with the baggage handling had caused chaos.
Judge Peter Yiacoumi said her sentence took into account her guilty pleas and previous good character.
"These offences are aggravated because they were committed within a lengthy incident in a confined space on an aircraft," he said.
"Whilst we accept that the loss of your suitcase would have been stressful your subsequent behaviour cannot be justified."
Earlier, prosecutor Melanie Parrish told the court that Campbell had initially been friendly and professional when she boarded the flight on a first-class ticket.
But she became irate after Captain Miles Sutherland told passengers that take-off could be delayed because problems that dogged the first two weeks after Terminal 5 opened meant that not all the luggage had been loaded.
She was told one of her bags -- containing an Yves Saint Laurent outfit that she was contracted to wear on a US chat show -- was not on board.
When Sutherland came out of the cockpit to explain the situation and outline what steps she could take, Campbell flew into a rage, ordering him to find the bag himself.
"To say that this process was difficult would be something of an understatement. Miss Campbell made no attempt to listen to him and talked over him, stating, 'I don't want to hear'," Parrish said.
The model was then heard to utter an expletive on her mobile phone, adding "get me another flight, get the press, get me my lawyer."
She then shouted at Sutherland: "How dare you tell me what my options are?" ordering him to find her bags.
As he walked away, the model added: "You are a racist. You wouldn't be doing this if I was white."
Concerned cabin crew called police but Campbell refused to move, despite being warned four times she was going to be forcibly ejected.
Parrish said that as one police officer reached forward to try to take Campbell's arm, the model "went berserk, thrashing her arms around uncontrollably", hitting the officer on the arm with her phone.
The officer's colleague was then kicked in the thigh by Campbell's stiletto-heeled boots in a struggle that forced the only other first-class passenger to move to the staff kitchen for safety, she said.
Campbell then spat on a policeman, prompting him to arrest her for assault, Parrish said.
She became more violent as they tried to remove her, shouting "don't touch me", kicking out and telling the officers: "It is because I am a black woman. You are all racists. I am going to sue you."
Campbell's spokesman Alan Edwards said after the case: "She is very, very relieved it is over and she has been treated fairly."
Ellen DeGeneres planning dream wedding
Ellen DeGeneres planning dream wedding
LOS ANGELES - Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have set a wedding date, and to hear the talk show host tell it, the ceremony is going to be a doozy. DeGeneres, who won her fourth consecutive Daytime Emmy for talk show host Friday night, told reporters backstage at the Kodak Theatre that she and de Rossi are planning their "dream wedding."
"Yes, we have set a wedding date," said DeGeneres. "How do I feel about it? I obviously feel like it's long overdue. I think someday people will look back on this like women not having the right to vote and segregation and anything else that seems ridiculous that we don't all have the same rights."
While the day is on the calendar, DeGeneres didn't say when or where it would take place.
DeGeneres said she plans to fly the de Rossi family in from Australia and that "incredible people" would sing at the ceremony. She said she would show "a tiny bit" of the nuptials on her talk show — and joked that she would use her latest Daytime Emmy as a wedding-cake topper.
"Planning a wedding is very stressful," said DeGeneres. "It's crazy. My gardener is now invited
Audrina Patridge Backs Kira Plastinina
Audrina Patridge Backs Kira Plastinina
Showing off her stuff in a sparkly silver ensemble, Audrina Patridge was front and center at the US launch party for Kira Plastinina on Saturday night (June 14).
The 23-year-old MTV reality starlet has reportedly entered into a business deal with the 16-year-old Russian designer prodigy, with the two quickly becoming friends upon meeting.
According to press reports, "Plastinina had recently contacted Audrina, the only "Hills" principle without her own clothing line, to meet for dinner in L.A., and recruited her as an official brand ambassador."
As for Plastinina, she recently opened 40 stores in Russia bankrolled by her millionaire father. Her first location in the States opened in New York City in mid-May, with many more sure to come.
Enjoy the pictures of Audrina Patridge (with Kira and Katy Perry) at the Kira Plastinina launch party (June 14).
Lawmakers fail to gag celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay
Lawmakers fail to gag celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay
CANBERRA, Australia - A Senate panel rejected calls Thursday to ban certain swear words on Australian TV following an inquiry prompted by a popular series on restaurant kitchens with foul-mouthed British chef Gordon RamsayThe series "Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares," produced by the celebrity chef in the United States and Britain, is a hit in Australia where the abuse-laden episodes are aired by the top rated Nine Network at 8:30 p.m.
On Friday, Ramsay told Nine Network TV that easiest way to avoid his cursing would be to change the channel.
"Turn over (the TV channel). Isn't it easier?" he said in an interview peppered with profanities.
He made no apologies for his show. "It's high pressure, high energy and, more importantly, real — that's how we keep it every day," he said.
The inquiry was initiated by opposition Sen. Cory Bernardi who said that "there is no excuse for gratuitous bad language to be broadcast repeatedly" when it could be "beeped out."
The inquiry heard evidence that the firebrand chef and restaurateur used one of his favorite curses 80 times within a single 40-minute episode.
Nine chief executive David Gyngell told the inquiry that the other Ramsay profanity, used to berate a chef in an episode screened earlier this year, would never again be broadcast by his national network.
The eight senators on the committee said in their report that they would not recommend any additional broadcast restrictions on the two swear words.
"In the absence on an overwhelming community consensus that particular words be banned altogether, the committee does not believe it is appropriate to make any recommendations with regard to imposing additional limits," the report said.
There are already rules that prevent such words being used on Australian TV before 8:30 p.m. and requiring "coarse language" warnings be shown when such programs begin.
Salma Hayek: Wedding Bells?
Lauren Conrad Drops By Four Seasons
Lauren Conrad Drops By Four Seasons
Enjoying what was a beautiful June day, Lauren Conrad was spotted out and about the Los Angeles area on Tuesday (June 11).
Wearing a sophisticated red dress with a white buttondown sweater overtop, the Hills starlet headed over to the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills to kick-start her morning.
After spending about half an hour inside the luxury hotel, LC returned to her Hollywood home, where movers were busily hauling in a whole new set of furniture for her and pal Lauren Bosworth's pad.
Meanwhile, all of the talk surrounding Lauren and The Hills as of late focuses on the strained relationship between Conrad and her reality co-star Audrina Patridge.
As previously reported by Fropki.com, LC allegedly threw a fit when she found her Audrina in the midst of a photoshoot with OK! magazine in their backyard - as Conrad had already promised exclusive photos of their spot to a rival magazine.
Explaining the situation to OK!, Audrina tells: "She was very, very, very mad. She said it's her house. But this is my room. I said, 'We're not taking pictures of your house - don't be rude.' It just adds to the tension. Now she thinks I'm sneaky and shady for doing this photo shoot, yet she and her team knew about it. She won't let it go."
Enjoy the pictures of Lauren Conrad out and about LA (June 11).
Kendra Wilkinson’s B-Day Shopping Spree
Jessica Simpson: Glamorous in the Big Apple
Gisele Bundchen Jets Out For Brady Time
She's been having a marvelous time in the Big Apple lately, and Rihanna was all about looking hot as she made her way around Manhattan last night.
Hot women like Katherine and Jessica complimented the list of the 'Top 99 Most Desirable Women' in a poll by AskMen.com. Have a look and celebrate the beauty of your favourite and desirable female personalities.
No doubt doing a lot in the entertainment industry the Brazilian hip hop model, Alessandra Ambrosio is one of the most desirable women
Pearl girl: With beautiful body and great charisma actress Kate Beckinsale captures the big screen and now the third rank among the most desirable women.
Music, modeling and movies she did all. Before movies she first appeared in music videos. So, with her hypnotizing effect, US actress Eva Mendes made people to listen her and became one of the most desirable women.
Her funny side in movie 'Good Luck Chuck', brought good luck to her it seems. US actress Jessica Alba is on prominence as she is one of the most desirable women.
Looking much more relaxed than she did on Monday, the always-sexy Salma Hayek was spotted on her way to see a movie with a few gal pals yesterday afternoon.
She turns 23 this Thursday, June 12th, and Playboy Playmate Kendra Wilkinson was all about finding the perfect outfit for her big day during a shopping spree Monday.
She's currently enjoying success with her first foray into country music (her new single is called Come on Over), and Jessica Simpson looks as happy as ever.
Looking sexy in a long-sleeved white top and a snug pair of jeans, Gisele Bundchen locked up her West Village apartment and headed out to catch a flight to Boston on Wednesday (June 4).
