All That Glitters Is Victoria’s Secret

The gates of Heaven, as it were, are guarded by three PR checkpoints and one drug-sniffing dog. Those are the hoops you’ve got to leap through to get to the Angels—the Victoria’s Secret Angels, at least—who I met yesterday as they sat in their 30 makeup chairs, preparing for the HD-filmed, soon-to-be-televised Victoria’s Secret runway spectacular. (Street style photog Tommy Ton was backstage, too; click to see his exclusive pictures.)



The show, says stylist Charlotte Stockdale, is huge. “For a normal fashion show you turn up ten days before,” she says. “In this one, I do about 30 days. Then you get here and you think, ‘It’s under control.’ And then two days before the show, wings are added, dancers are added, fliers are added, and suddenly you’re, like, ‘Oh my God, it’s not under control at all.’ ” But as it turned out, it was. More than one performer took flight during the 45-minute extravaganza, which was run twice last night for the benefit of the cameras. An enormous inflatable pink puppy sprang to life and was deflated just as quickly. There was the acrobatic troupe, the show choir, and, oh yes, the Black Eyed Peas. All in all, there were more pyrotechnics than a night at the opera. No wonder Jay-Z, sitting front-row, opted for a tux.



And the clothes (or lack thereof)? You won’t find the showpieces stocked at your mall in the coming months, but that’s never been the point, anyway. The trains, shoulder straps, wings, and appendages ran the gamut from a geometric metal polygon sported by Liu Wen, VS’s first Asian model since 2003, to a lavishly feathered pair of swallow’s wings worn by Abbey Lee (Stockdale called them couture). Where these girls go—and shimmy, strut, and booty-shake—balloons, billows, and cloaks trail behind. Almost every trend of the past few years was paid its tribute. There were bits that felt like Sprouse, like Vuitton, like Balmain. There was neon, disco, psychedelia, Americana, comic-strip fantasy, and storybook fantasy. Unreality was the rule. Heidi Klum hit the spangled runway five weeks after giving birth. Even with her stomach covered, that seemed unreal, too.



It was a little hard to focus your eyes on normal people and normal clothing when the lights finally went up. The evening’s theme, I learned afterward, was Magical Journeys. Sounds about right. It was a trip.



The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show airs December 1 on CBS.

—Matthew Schneier


Photo: Tommy Ton

USA : DownEast Basics celebrates new store opening at Henderson - Apparel News USA

DownEast Basics, a high-style, low-price fashion retailer that specializes in trendy fashions as well as modest clothing, announced that it has officially expanded into Nevada. The brand opened its first store in the state at The District at Green Valley Ranch, an outdoor mall in Henderson, this past weekend. The new Henderson store is part of DownEast Basics’ strategy to expand its presence throughout the West. DownEast recently opened other new stores in Northern California and Arizona, and continues to operate its many other successful locations in Idaho, Washington and Utah. DownEast chose Henderson for its first opening in Nevada due to its thriving local population and economy. Henderson, with more than 250,000 residents, is the second largest city in Nevada after Las Vegas. “While Henderson’s close proximity to Las Vegas is attractive to new businesses opening in the area, its residential feel, variety of family-friendly amenities and sense of community are also equal influences,” said Charlie Freedman, co-founder and general counsel for DownEast Basics. “Given the array of shopping, restaurants and recreational resources that Henderson offers to residents and visitors alike, we found it to be an ideal location for our first retail store in the state. We’re excited to offer our ‘high style on an affordable budget’ concept to Green Valley Ranch’s savvy consumers.” Freedman further indicated that DownEast is considering opening additional locations in Nevada in the next 12 to 18 months, based on the anticipated strong performance of the new Henderson store. DownEast to Ring in Holidays in Henderson with Giveaway for One Winner + Four Friends – Grand Opening Weekend November 20-November 22 To mark the start of the holidays in its new home, the Henderson DownEast Basics store is conducting a special contest, themed “Shopping’s More Fun with Your Girlfriends”, that will run during an official grand opening weekend celebration from Friday, November 20, to Sunday, November 22. Customers will have the chance to register in person at the store and also enjoy special grand opening promotions, like a free DownEast short sleeve Lace Tee with every purchase. Visit the New DownEast Basics Store at The District at Green Valley Ranch and enter the drawing to win. The new store is located at The District at Green Valley Ranch, 2240 Village Walk Drive in Henderson, Nevada. It is located next to Talbots and across from Williams Sonoma. The store will carry the full DownEast Basics clothing line of everyday basics, fashion tops, modest dresses, skirts, and denim for women as well as a girls’ line. Pegi Duncan, new to DownEast but with many years of prior retail experience, will manage the store’s staff of six. DownEast Basics offers high-design looks on a bargain basement budget for today’s cost-conscious yet fashionable consumer. The DownEast Basics clothing line includes cute tops and smart layering pieces to enhance women’s wardrobes, as well as a fun and stylish girls’ line. DownEast Basics shoppers can embrace the American classic look with their own sense of style.

USA : Baby Phat Swimwear Fashion Show model search - Fashion News USA

The 5th Annual Florida Entertainment Summit, Florida’s premier entertainment conference, is conducting a model search in association with Hip-Hop Recording Artist Sho Zoe from November 14 – November 28 open to young women 18 and over. The model search will travel to Gainesville, Tampa, Tallahassee, Orlando and Jacksonville, FL. Aspiring models are recommended to arrive at the various open casting calls hair and makeup ready with a valid driver’s license or passport, photo of the model (preferable in a swimsuit) and a (2) piece swimsuit worn underneath their clothing. Models will enter for chance to compete in an online public voting competition. Once chosen, one model from Gainesville, Tampa, Tallahassee, Orlando and Jacksonville will compete online for the chance to win round trip travel and accommodations to attend the 5th Annual Florida Entertainment Summit in Miami, FL from Dec. 10-12, 2009.Open Casting Calls for the 5th Annual Florida Entertainment Summit Baby Phat Swimwear Fashion Show Model Search:Sat, 11/14The Venue, 233 W University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601Mon, 11/16 Studio Inc - 3603 W Waters Ave, Tampa, FL 33614Thursday, 11/19Baha’s Beachclub - 2020 W Pensacola St, Tallahassee, FL 32304 TBAOrlando, FLSat, 11/28Plush – 845 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL 32211 Hip-Hop recording artist Sho Zoe will travel to the open model casting calls and perform the hit single to his recently released “One In A Million” video. Sho Zoe will also act as a judge with local entertainment industry radio personalities, members of the press and various photographers.

USA : Athletes to feel Good in bamboo made sports gear - Apparel News USA

Good Gear LLC, a provider of eco-friendly sports gear, announced the company will showcase their new line of sports apparel at the 14th Annual Community Health Network Indianapolis Marathon and Half-Marathon Expo taking place on Friday, October 16. The Good Gear products are made 100% from bamboo, the world's fastest growing renewable resource, and provide a breathable, hypoallergenic and durable product for athletes who have a passion for sport, health and our environment.

Good Gear will launch a men's and women's sports apparel line that includes shirts, shorts and tanks with a long line of future products. The gear is be made from white bamboo charcoal fabric which feels as soft as silk, but it is light and breathable, has wicking capabilities, and is durable for even the toughest athletes.

"Good Gear is committed to providing high quality products to smart athletes who want to have a positive impact on our planet," said Will Anderson, co-owner of Good Gear. "Bamboo is an amazingly versatile resource and an ideal fabric for eco-friendly sports gear."

Due to bamboo fiber's cross section which is composed of a matrix with various microscopic gaps, bamboo fiber is more breathable, comfortable and thermal regulating than cotton or any other synthetic fiber. This keeps athletes cooler, drier and more comfortable all day. This unique micro-structure allows bamboo apparel to absorb and evaporate perspiration faster than any other fabric which makes it the ideal fabric for sports gear.

"We want athletes to feel good about their gear," said Danielle Pryor, co-owner. "In a world of throw away consumer goods, small changes can make a big difference."

Good Gear is a provider of high-quality sports gear made from Bamboo designed to make smart, driven athletes feel good about their gear who have a passion for sport, health and our environment.

India : Industry Minister visits Wool Utilization Project - Textile News India

The Minister of Industries, Mr Slathia paid a visit to the Wool Utilization Project in Srinagar. He had a look around many units, which include facilities for scouring, carding, spinning, dyeing and finishing of woolen tweeds, blankets and shawls.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, the handloom industry is a core sector of the Kashmir economy and it should be provided thrust, since it has a very big potential for exports in the global markets.

But at the same time, he added by saying, raw materials should be made available to these craftsmen along which it will also help preserving the centuries old tradition and skills of the industry, as young men are not entering the profession.

He said, efforts should also be put into research and development activities to find more end uses for the products that are manufactured by the sector and also expressed satisfaction over the working of the project.

USA : Jackie Christie's line brings European Flare to LA runways - Fashion News USA

NBA Star, Doug Christie's wife Jackie Christie, prepares her 2010 unprecedented spring/ fall line, for debut during her first showing at LA Fashion Week on Friday, Oct 16th 2009 at Blvd 3, 6523 W. Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, CA. She is expected to show a superb collection of beautiful contrasts, and textiles.

Included in her collection will be soft, flowing gowns, perfectly tailored jackets & skirts, along with her private collection handbags. As well as her 100% eco friendly t-shirts and caps from her wildly popular triple launch of her bestselling book: titled 'Proud to be A Colored Girl' which also included the hit song 'Colored Girl' by Hot R&B recording artist Bobby Tinsley and the signature 100% eco friendly Colored Girl Clothing line.

Jackie Christie's line brings High Fashion, Urban Chic, with A European Flare to the runways of Los Angeles. Her celebrity clients love her fun sexy, yet delightfully body conscious collections, often requesting her one of kind pieces from her Luxury private collection. Christie joins a star studded line up of LA's cream of the crop designers, which include popular Fashion designer Li Cari star of MTV's 'House of Jazmin'; Celebrity Pink Jeans; Israeli born fashion designer Tal Sheyn and Urban Republic Clothing, to name a few, for the Fashion Minga Showcase. Highlighting her 2010 collection will be the urban sounds of Xcedera, ultra talented twin brothers slated to open her much anticipated Catwalk show.

"I am extremely honored to have been invited to show my collection here in Los Angeles during LA Fashion Week and to be able to donate the proceeds from my line to the development of 10 student scholarship programs through my Infinite Love Foundation for students here in the Los Angeles area and abroad. The scholarships will assist struggling students financially that desire to get an education in fashion," states Jackie Christie. "It is also my hope that my collection will embrace diversity, cultivate strength, pride and passion in fashion, for all women."

The designer will now infuse her high fashion roots into her show with a vast lineup of models hitting the catwalk for the Jackie Christie Spring/Fall 2010 Fashion Minga LA Fashion Week show.

Jackie is a fashion model/designer and CEO of 3 successful companies. She is also a bestselling author of a number of books, as well as a reality TV Star. Having realized her passion for fashion at an early age, Christie would put on fashion shows with her siblings and make suits and outfits, out of linens and her mother's clothes. Jackie's renowned beauty would eventually take her into the world of modeling which she cultivated and is known for her signature cat walk and now a sought after fashion designer.