Have you seen the new Christian Dior images everyone’s buzzing about? Creatively, the photographs are genius. They are striking. They have a hazy, ethereal feel — like family photos that have been dusted off after decades to reveal an era long gone.

　　They’re also causing quite a stir, with many people calling them racist.

　　First off, these are a personal project and creation of Chinese photographer Quentin Shih. They are not part of a global campaign; “Shanghai Dreamers” is a series of couture images to celebrate the reopening of the Dior boutique in Shanghai. They currently hang on the walls and in the windows of the revamped boutique.

　　”This is a personal project that only represents my point of view. An ad campaign represents the point of view of Dior,” Shih tells Lemondrop.

　　So what’s the issue? If you look closely at the dozens of women and men who flank the Dior-costumed models, you’ll see that they are a copy of one individual, duplicated again and again. Critics are ripping the images apart, saying the Dior portraits are a blatant depiction of the idea that “all Chinese people look the same.”

　　I take issue with this argument.

　　Had Shih instead surrounded the Caucasian model with dozens of Chinese women who all had a similar look, in order to achieve the same effect, those critics (and probably many more) would have erupted with the same argument — but with far more outrage. That truly would have sent the message that they all look the same.

　　Consequently, Shih duplicated the same person repeatedly, indirectly circumventing this argument. Yes, they all look the same — because they are all the same. It’s far easier to stand out from the pack when the pack is a series of carbon copies. Shih says the mass-duplicated commoners don’t actually represent people at all: “I wanted to show the power of Chinese people standing together and a kind of socialism in Chinese history (only in Chinese history not China now),” he adds. “The Chinese models are not people. They are symbols of Chinese history between the 1960s and 1980s.”

　　Now, I do think Shih’s choice of a Caucasian model could be a small problem. If the model had appeared solo in those images, the ads would have looked like every other high-fashion campaign: a lithe Caucasian model in a striking pose. Those campaigns go global every spring and fall to coincide with seasonal collection launches. No one gives them a second thought, regardless of whether they appear in U.S. or Nippon editions of Vogue. But surround her with identical Asian women or men, and suddenly it’s a racist campaign.

　　Turns out, though, that Shih didn’t have an Asian model option. “Dior provided me an opportunity to photograph the models they used for their haute couture show in Paris,” Shih explains. “I selected eight models according to how their wardrobes matched my uniform color palettes.”

　　It would have been much more P.C. to choose a leggy, glam Chinese model to stand out among the duplicated commoners in the portraits. But perhaps that’s not what sells in China. Caucasian models have been used globally (and particularly Asian countries) for decades. In 2008, The Washington Post highlighted India’s surprising number of Caucasian models on billboards, in magazines and on television in the country, all selling something, from sunglasses to vodka. “Some advertising insiders contend that the trend is partly an attempt to give products an international look,” the article’s writer explains. “But this quest is limited to hiring Caucasians. Africans and East Asians rarely make an appearance.”

　　Side note: Let’s not be so self-righteous, here, as a culture. It was only last year that Victoria’s Secret, for the first time, used an Asian model in its runway show. Even the model was surprised she was selected.

　　The concept of Western and Eastern culture clash is not new to photographer Shih, who previously shot a 20-photo series entitled, “The Stranger in the Glass Box.” Caucasian models are shown trapped in glass boxes, surrounded by various Chinese onlookers for 2008′s “Dior and Contemporary Chinese Artists” exhibit in Beijing. (This time, the Caucasian models are the oppressed ones.)

　　So, let’s be clear: As Shih explains it, “I was given 100 percent freedom for both photo series. There was no Dior creative team involved in these projects.” Does that make a difference? Are you less likely to bash Dior now?

　　The Dior team was probably fully aware of the ramifications of these images. They most likely knew that could be considered controversial in the Western world and get them loads of press, but that they would work just fine in the East — and even sell some clothing. And that’s the point, isn’t it?

　　Ladies and gentlemen I’ve been Gleaked! When it comes to Fox’s prime time television series Glee, perhaps I’ve had a failure to communicate and you can now bequeath me with the nickname “Cool Hand” as a result of it. I did not know how potent the Glee phenomenon was.

　　Less than a year and half of its April 19, 2009 pilot, Glee was everywhere I looked. The Glee cast had 25 singles chart on the Billboard Hot 100, the most by any artist since The Beatles had 31 songs in the chart in 1964. That followed up three weeks ago with the release of the first authorized novel, Glee: The Beginning, a prequel to the events of the television series along with a clothing deal with Macy’s. And now Glee: The Complete First Season is scheduled for release on September 14.

　　Through all Glee’s success with ratings, merchandise and DVDs the primary reason for me being Gleaked is because of the potential impact the show may have on schools across the homeland in regards to traditionally ridiculed clubs.

　　The presumed hackneyed clubs such as glee, book and chess might receive momentum from the success of the show and make these clubs trendy instead of nerdy. It’s not out of the question that a hit show or an admired entity in the realm of entertainment can alter trends in schools. Some of the biggest examples have been leather jackets trending in the schools in the 70’s with Happy Days because of Arthur ‘Fonzie’ Fonzarelli, the silk shirts in the 80’s that Detective James Crockett modeled in Miami Vice or the baggy jeans that came from a plethora of hip hop artists in the 90’s.

　　In a survey I conducted on Facebook consisting of 116 people, 73 of the poll said that they deem that the esteem of Glee could benefit the geek clubs. The incongruity of the appraisal is that the 43 people that felt that Glee will not have an impact on the acuity of a glee, math or book club is that Glee star, Lea Michele agrees with them. Michele, who plays diva wanna-be Rachel Berry on the show was once asked whether she would have ever dated a member of the Math Team in high school and her answer to the question was a tersely reply of “Eww.”

　　With the arrival of fall, which translates to the start of a brand new school year and brand new trends, will Glee make the local glasses, sweater vest wearing student kool? Or will folklore reign supreme in the event that a member of a math club asks the popular cheerleader out and gets the dreaded reply of “Eww”? Let the process of the finding out Glee’s true hold on society begin.

　　Fashion Dome is spread over a gross leasable area of 10,500 square metres.

　　Luxury is the word of the hour as Mall of the Emirates goes upscale with a new shopping wing that will exclusively target high-end buyers from September 1.

　　The Fashion Dome will add 42 high profile brands to the mall’s existing 477 retailers, with names such as Christian Louboutin, Cartier, Galliano and Versace adding to the mix, along with the largest D&G boutique in the region.

　　Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Vice President, Mall of the Emirates, said: “Our mall offers its customers the ultimate shopping experience and has emerged as a well-established destination of choice. With the addition of these hand picked fashion retailers to our portfolio,

　　we have broadened our appeal and promise to offer a truly VIP experience.”

　　Spread over a gross leasable area of 10,500 square metres, Fashion Dome will also see the mall’s existing premium retailers such as Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Gucci, expand to bigger premises within the new area.

　　Located in the south area of the mall, the ground floor of the wing will house seven cafés and restaurants, including More Café, French cuisine restaurant Fauchon, PF Chang’s and Tribes, a South African restaurant, which will be opening its first outlet in the UAE.

　　La modelo israelí y novia del actor Leonardo Dicaprio, Bar Refaeli, pisó tierras mexicanas ya que fungió como imagen del Fashion Fest. La famosa ofreció una conferencia de prensa donde reveló algunos secretos de su vida.

　　Las famosas más bellas. Da click aquí.

　　”Lo que me gusta de él”

　　Refaeli explicó a diferentes medios locales e internacionales que ya había estado en Los Cabos, sin embargo, no había tenido la oportunidad de conocer a fondo México, pero quedó con un buen sabor de boca: “Esta ciudad no es como me la había imaginado y me sorprendió encontrarla tan verde y vital”, añadió.

　　Durante el evento, se le cuestionó sobre el tema de su relación con Leonardo DiCaprio, Refaeli se rehusó hablar sobre el actor y dijo lo siguiente: “Lo que más me gusta de él es personal, me lo reservo para mí”.

　　Sin embargo, a pesar de ello, los cuestionamientos de cómo era su estilo de vida, quiénes eran sus diseñadores favoritos e incluso sobre si tenía algunos proyectos de cine, no se hicieron esperar y entrevista con la prensa, estas fueron algunas de las preguntas que Bar contestó:

　　¿De dónde surge el deseo de convertirte en una modelo famosa?

　　Yo empecé a modelar desde muy pequeña, a los 15 años encuentro mi inspiración en modelos como Elle Macpherson y Heidi Klum, mujeres que exitosas, saludables y que ya habían consolidado una carrera.

　　¿Cuál es tu opinión de la nueva Miss Universo, Jimena Navarrete y el outfit que usó en la gala?

　　Para ser sincera no pude ver el certamen, pero sí vi una fotografía en el periódico donde lucía muy hermosa. Yo no podría participar en un concurso de belleza como lo hizo ella porque implica mucha presión, uno debe ser muy fuerte para enfrentarlo, así que bien por ella.

　　¿Tienes algún ritual para el cuidado de tu cabello y tu piel?

　　Uso maquillaje y todos los productos que me dan cuando trabajo, pero cuando estoy descansando, dejo respirar mi piel y mi cabello, no me pongo nada. Trato de no maquillarme y cuando lo hago, siempre limpió mi piel a la perfección. Pero el mejor tip para verme bien, es la alegría de estar con su familia y amigos.

　　¿Cómo te mantienes en forma y cuál es el régimen alimenticio que sigues?

　　Trato de hacer un poco de ejercicio Me gusta comer cosas saludables, porque eso me hace sentir muy bien, pero hay veces que también se me antoja una hamburguesas, papas y postres, no todos los días, pero si de vez en cuando. Lo más importante es que trato de llevar una dieta balanceada

　　¿Hace un año uno de tus anuncios donde posas en lencería fue censurado en tu país, por considerarlo muy sensual y fuerte, qué opinas al respecto?

　　No me siento mal ni ofendida. Afortunadamente yo no soy la que toma esas decisiones. Pero posiblemente, fue una decisión inteligente, pues hay muchos niños viendo la televisión y no es un contentido apto para ellos, pero a la vez es un cumplido para mí.

　　¿Quién es tu diseñador de moda favorito?

　　En zapatos es Christian Louboutin y tal vez Alexander Wang para vestir. Las chicas entienden eso, es moda.

　　¿Qué es lo que más admiras de una mujer?

　　Lo que más admiro de una mujer es la seguridad, porque si tienes eso puede demostrar que tiene todo y proyectarlo hacia la gente.

　　¿Qué es lo que más disfrutas de tu carrera?

　　Viajar en el mundo y conocer diversos lugares que a lo mejor nunca imaginé que podría visitar.

　　Hay diseñadores que prefieren las modelos extremadamente delgadas y hay quienes ya utilizan a aquellas de talla grande, ¿tú de que lado estás?

　　Es una realidad que la ropa se ve mejor en mujeres delgadas, pero hay trabajo para todas. Así como hay personas como ella que se dedican a modelar lencería y trajes de baño, hay chicas que se enfocan en la alta costura. Todo depende de lo que el diseñador quiera y desee expresar.

　　Finalmente Refaeli comentó que entre sus planes figura el de trabajar en el cine. “No para ganarme un Oscar, haría una cinta para disfrutar la experiencia de hacerla, pero nada más”, concluyó la novia de Leonardo DiCaprio.

　　In pelle nera, con l’immancabile suola rossa da sempre firma e simbolo della maison Christian Louboutin.

　　Sono i nuovi stivali dell’inverno: sexy, vertiginosi, avvolgenti, dall’allure fetish.

　　Questo è l’anno degli stivali, da indossare praticamente sotto tutto, anche sotto abiti in maglia, all day long.

　　Ed è anche l’anno del gran ritorno dei cuissardes, megastivali che arrivano su su, quasi a cingere il giro coscia.

　　Audaci e sensuali, sono perfetti sotto un microdress semplice e rigoroso, per stemperare l’aggressività di questo modello di stivale che è per molte ma non per tutte.

　　Se nell’inconscio collettivo sono legati a un’immagine quasi da ‘passeggiatrice’ (indimenticabili quelli indossati da Jane Fonda nei film “Barbarella” e “Una squillo per l’ispettore Klute”), possiamo renderli quasi basic e portabilissimi abbinandoli a un paio di fuseaux, maxi cardigan e lunghe camicie in seta a mò di chemisier.

　　The story of how N.C. State University became a home to the modern design movement is told through a sampling of furniture, textiles, ceramics and other examples in a new exhibition at the campus museum.

　　While the big cities were all abuzz with new design concepts in the mid-20th century, key designers made the unlikely move to Raleigh to sign up with the new School of Design. They had followed Henry Kamphoefner, a champion of the modernist movement who became the first dean of the school.

　　The exhibit will include work by designers such as Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles Eames, George Nelson, Marcel Breuer, Eero Saarinen, Buckminster Fuller, Matthew Nowicki, Joe Cox, George Bireline, George Nakashima, Grete Jalk, Russel Wright, Christian Dior and many others.

　　There will be a public reception at the Gregg Museum of Art & Design from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 9.

　　It’s surprising but not a coincidence that the Triangle also became home to the third largest concentration of modernist houses in the country, behind only Los Angeles and Chicago.

　　The organization Triangle Modernist Houses sponsors a tour of some of the area’s more distinct examples of the style and has agreed to donate to the museum a portion of the proceeds from every ticket sold through the Gregg’s website. The next tour stop is Sept. 24.

　　A taste of the glamour that is Valentino… models in his signature colour, Valentino Red.

　　As the weather changes, so too do the fashion seasons meaning new collections are hitting the shelves – and the Identity catwalk at Stephen’s Lane.

　　Celebrating Italian fashion house Valentino – currently the subject of a major exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art – the latest parade in the Treasury Heritage Hotel’s Friday night fashion parade series has a focus on European glamour.

　　The Valentino Summer 2010 collection will be showcased by “coquettish” local models who will bring a new height of glamour to the runway with the exclusive debut of Parisian lingerie line, Chantelle Paris, presented by Arianne on Edward.

　　Chantelle Paris, created from diaphanous lace with mischievous cuts and subtle finishes, represents timeless and sensuous style.

　　The event will also feature international labels including BOSS, Mitchell Ogilvie Menswear, Maryan Mehlhorn Swimwear, Samantha Ogilvie, Tiffany and Co, XILE and a mystery iconic American label that cannot be named for its exclusivity.

　　Identity begins at 7.30pm on September 10 in Stephen’s Lane, on the south wing of Treasury Heritage Hotel.

　　О своей бережливости:

　　Люди смеются надо мной, потому что я все еще помню, откуда берутся деньги и как далеко они могут завести вас.

　　О модных предпочтениях:

　　Мой шкаф – этакая сборная солянка. В нем есть все: от Christian Louboutin – до Payless, от Gap – до дизайнерских вещей. Необязательно с ног до головы одеваться в “марочную” одежду. Нужно уметь смешивать, и тогда образ “заиграет”.

　　Об отношениях с бывшим мужем – Чэдом Лоу:

　　Многие люди воспринимают развод, как какой-то крах, провал. Я же смотрю на 14 лет своего брака, как на 14 лет успеха. Чэд всегда в моем сердце. Более того, он – часть меня.

　　Дизайнеры воспевают образ соблазнительной секретарши в черных чулках и узкой юбке. Простая офисная одежда в этом сезоне выглядит лучше сложно скроенных нарядов.

　　Кто сказал, что твидовый костюм Chanel создан для пай-девочек? Он сможет подыграть даже самым роковым особам.

　　На Ане-Беатрис: платье из твида, Chanel; туфли из кожи, Prada; чулки из лайкры, Calzedonia.

　　Узкая черная юбка с разрезом поможет выглядеть сексуально, не нарушая корпоративной этики.

　　На странице слева.

　　На Алессандре: топ из шелка, Proenza Schouler; бра из шелка, What Katie Did; юбка из шелка, Yves Saint Laurent; туфли из шелка, Giorgio Armani; чулки из лайкры, Wolford.

　　На странице справа.

　　На Алессандре: юбка из хлопка, Loewe; свитер из кашемира, Nina Ricci; бра из шелка, What Katie Did; туфли из кожи и шелка, Dolce & Gabbana; чулки из лайкры, Wolford.

　　В моде снова бюстгальтер с острыми конусами. Надевайте его с трикотажным топом или шелковой блузкой.

　　На Ноэми: блузка из шелка, юбка из хлопка, все Celine; бра из шелка, What Katie Did; туфли из кожи, Giorgio Armani; пояс из шелка, Made by Niki; чулки из лайкры, Calzedonia.

　　Не забывайте о черном цвете. Он поможет разыграть соблазнительную скромность или игривую застенчивость.

　　На странице слева.

　　На Алессандре: платье из шелка, Prada; бра из шелка, What Katie Did; пояс из шелка, Wolford; шорты из шелка, La Perla; чулки из лайкры, Wolford; туфли из кожи, Dior.

　　На странице справа.

　　На Эбигейл: топ из кружева, Christopher Kane; юбка из шерсти, Dolce & Gabbana; туфли из кожи, Dior; чулки из лайкры, Calzedonia.

　　Самое обычное платье прямого кроя или белая рубашка с узкой юбкой выглядят эффектнее нарядов со сложной вышивкой.

　　На странице слева.

　　На Алессандре: платье из хлопка, Giles; ремень из кожи, Miu Miu; туфли из шелка, Christian Louboutin; чулки из лайкры, Wolford.

　　На странице справа.

　　На Эбигейл: блузка из хлопка, юбка из хлопка, все Jil Sander; бра из шелка, Agent Provocateur; чулки из лайкры, Calzedonia; туфли из кожи, Prada.

　　Наденьте полупрозрачный наряд из кружева или черный тренч на голое тело. И посмотрим что будет.

　　На странице слева.

　　 На Ане-Беатрис: платье из кружева, Celine; шорты из шелка, Agent Provocateur; туфли из кожи, Christian Louboutin.

　　 На странице справа.

　　На Клаудии: плащ из хлопка и кожи, Hermès; бра из шелка и кружева, Nina Ricci; сапоги из кожи, Loewe; шорты из шелка, What Katie Did; ремень из кожи, Fendi.

　　Alors qu’il nous faudra encore patienter quelques semaines pour découvrir sur les écrans français le nouveau film de Julia Roberts, les premières de Mange, Prie, Aime s’enchaînent. Après New-York, c’est sur le red carpet tokyoïte que la belle s’est rendue.

　　Après une première apparition en robe à fleurs lors d’une conférence, Julia adopte une robe d’inspiration kimono. Dans les tons or finement rayés, la robe était dotée d’amples manches et d’une partie légèrement ceinturée. Malgré une taille marquée et des jambes subtilement révélées par une discrète fente, Julia n’était pas vraiment mise en valeur.

　　Si sa robe était d’une longueur malheureuse puisqu’elle cassait un peu la silhouette de l’actrice, elle permettait néanmoins de dévoiler des peep-toes imprimées léopard Jimmy Choo.

　　Les cheveux sagement attachés en un chignon bas et le visage sublimé par un maquillage léger, Julia Roberts affichait son éternelle fraîcheur qui la sauve aujourd’hui d’un flop. Après s’être lassée de son look monochrome noir, on commencerait presque à le regretter…